ABC/Paula LoboWillie Nelsons getting political with his latest song, Vote Em Out. Willie originally debuted the new tune at a September 29 rally he played in Austin, Texas in support of Beto ORourke, whos challenging incumbent U.S. Senator Ted Cruz. Heres a new song I wanna spring on yall tonight, Willie told the crowd. Take it home with you and spread it around. Thanks to viral video and news footage, thats exactly what happened. So Willie headed into the studio to record the track, which encourages voters to turn out in the upcoming midterm elections. The biggest gun weve got/Is called the ballot box, he sings, So if you dont like whos in there/Vote em out. Vote Em Out is available to stream or download now, or you can check out an audio-only version on YouTube. Willies also booked to sing it on an upcoming episode of ABCs Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Wednesday called for efforts to improve the country's ability to safeguard against natural disasters, and fully launch the planning and construction of the Sichuan-Tibet railway. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at the third meeting of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs. He is also head of the committee. "As a stronger capability of safeguarding against natural disasters concerns the economy and people's livelihood, China will set up an efficient and scientific system and improve the capability of the whole society in a bid to protect people's lives and property and national security," Xi said when addressing the meeting. Xi also highlighted the Sichuan-Tibet railway, saying it was of profound significance for the country's long-term stability and the development of Tibet. Premier Li Keqiang, Wang Huning, a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice Premier Han Zheng attended the meeting. As one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, China has attached great importance to the matter and made remarkable progress, the meeting said. But its overall capability to respond to such extreme conditions is still relatively weak, and more should be done. To fix the short link, China will work to build a coordinated disaster-responding system, adopt a people-centered approach, give priority to the environment, try its best to minimize the aftermath, propel reforms and innovation to modernize its capability, and continue international cooperation, according to the meeting. A raft of major projects will be advanced, including ecological restoration of forest, grassland and rivers, coastal protection such as building ecological seawalls, housing reinforcement projects in earthquake-prone areas, flood control and drought relief, relocation of residents in disaster-hit places, construction of emergency centers, natural disaster monitoring and early warning, and the modernization of rescue technology and equipment. The meeting also emphasized the planning and construction of the Sichuan-Tibet railway, as it will promote ethnic solidarity, safeguard national unity and consolidate the stability of the frontier, as well as bolster Tibet's economic and social development. China will push forward the project at a high starting point, and pursue high standards and quality, the meeting said, stressing scientific planning, technical support, ecological protection, safety and reliability. NATO should find opportunities for dialogue with Russia in order to reduce tensions, but at the same time it should stand firmly by Ukraine, Director of the NATO Information and Documentation Center in Ukraine Barbora Maronkova has said. She said this in an interview with Ukrinform. "We also need to continue telling Russia that we do stand firmly by Ukraine. By Georgia, by Moldova, by any other partners, which are being aggressed by Russia in different ways. This is our policy with Russia - of dialogue, but at the same time strong defense and deterrence," Maronkova said. She also noted that the current phase of NATO-Russia relations was likely to be the worst since the end of the Cold War. "To relief tensions that are with us in particular areas, for instance, big exercises, or events in the Baltic Sea, or in the Black Sea, in the water, in the air, wherever some collisions would be possible, we need to be able to talk to each other," Maronkova said. In early October, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned Russian aggression in Ukraine, but said that the Alliance intends to improve relations with Russia. He also noted that Russia violated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty). Stoltenberg recalled that after years of denials, Russia recently acknowledged the existence of a new missile system called 9M729. He also noted that the Alliance's strategy in relations with Russia was deterrence and dialogue. op The Hungarian Foreign Ministry has summoned Ukrainian Ambassador to Budapest Liubov Nepop over the publication on the Myrotvorets (Peacekeeper) website of a list containing the data of 300 officials in Zakarpattia region who have dual citizenship. Hungary Today reported this on Wednesday, October 10, with reference to Parliamentary State Secretary Levente Magyar. "Hungary's foreign ministry has summoned Ukraine's ambassador to Budapest after 'Ukraine's anti-Hungarian policy reached a new level'," reads the statement. According to Magyar, the summons was due to the existence of a "death list" of Transcarpathian Hungarians in Ukraine, as well as a call for the collective deportation of Ukrainian-Hungarian dual citizens on the Ukrainian parliament's website. He also called Myrotvorets an "extremist Ukrainian website." Earlier, the Myrotvorets website published a list of 313 residents of Zakarpattia region, holders of Hungarian passports, who are civil servants and local self-governance officials. These people were included in the list for "swearing allegiance to Hungary" while being in the civil service and in local self-government bodies. op The first mobile resource center for inclusive education has started to work in the city of Vasylkiv, Kyiv region. Presidents wife Maryna Poroshenko attended the ceremony dedicated to the presentation of the mobile center, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "This is the first mobile resource center for inclusive education, which was developed at the initiative of MP Ihor Kononenko. Indeed, this is a very important example so that to improve the quality of educational services for children with special educational needs who cannot reach educational institutions and resource centers for inclusive education, said the first lady. According to her, due to such mobile resource centers for inclusive education, it will be possible to provide educational opportunities for all children with special needs. iy Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman stresses the need to develop domestic robotics and move away from practice when Ukrainian technologies are used in manufacturing of products owned by other countries. Groysman said this during a meeting with young innovators, who presented their developments in the field of robotics, with participation of social robot Sophia, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "Ukraine has quite a serious intellectual potential. Ukrainian companies have contributed to many developments of the most popular final products in the world. There are technologies that have been created in Ukraine, but now they are part of a final product... We ourselves should create this product in Ukraine, and Ukraine should own this product. It is very important," Groysman emphasized. Volodymyr Groysman also talked to social robot Sophia, who has visited Ukraine for the first time. In particular, the PM asked Sophia if she knew something about Ukraine. Ukraine possesses a quarter of all black soil reserves on the planet. The world's first largest cargo aircraft Mriya was developed by the Ukrainian design bureau Antonov. The first Constitution in the world also appeared in Ukraine, back in 1710. Composer Mykola Leontovych from Ukraine wrote the most recognizable and high-demand musical piece Shchedryk, the robot answered. ol The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has decided to issue a tomos of autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine. The Synod approved a respective decision at a meeting in Istanbul on October 11, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "To renew the decision already made that the Ecumenical Patriarchate proceed to the granting of Autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine," reads the decision, signed by 12 members of the Holy and Sacred Synod and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. According to the document, the Synod satisfied the request of Patriarch Filaret and recognized the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate as the canonical hierarch of the Orthodox Church. Head of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church Makariy was also reinstated in his canonical status. "To accept and review the petitions of appeal of Filaret Denisenko, Makariy Maletych and their followers, who found themselves in schism not for dogmatic reasons, in accordance with the canonical prerogatives of the Patriarch of Constantinople to receive such petitions by hierarchs and other clergy from all of the Autocephalous Churches," the decision says. In addition, the Synod recognized as illegal the annexation of the Metropolitan of Kyiv by Moscow in 1686. "To revoke the legal binding of the Synodal Letter of the year 1686, issued for the circumstances of that time, which granted the right through oikonomia to the Patriarch of Moscow to ordain the Metropolitan of Kyiv, elected by the Clergy-Laity Assembly of his eparchy, who would commemorate the Ecumenical Patriarch as the First hierarch at any celebration, proclaiming and affirming his canonical dependence to the Mother Church of Constantinople," the document says. The members of the Synod urged all parties involved to avoid conflicts. "[We] appeal to all sides involved that they avoid appropriation of Churches, Monasteries and other properties, as well as every other act of violence and retaliation, so that the peace and love of Christ may prevail," reads the decision. The session of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul lasted for three days - from October 9 to October 11. On Wednesday and Thursday, the Synod listened to a report by Exarchs Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon and Bishop Hilarion of Edmonton following their visit to Ukraine. On April 19, the Verkhovna Rada endorsed President Petro Poroshenko's address to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to grant Ukraine a tomos of autocephaly. This idea was also supported by the leadership of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC). As part of preparations for the granting of autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, the Ecumenical Patriarchate appointed Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon from the United States and Bishop Hilarion of Edmonton from Canada as its exarchs in Kyiv. Spokesman for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate Yevstratiy Zoria explained earlier that after the decision by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to grant Ukraine a tomos of autocephaly, an assembly will be convened in Kyiv with the participation of bishops of the UOC-KP, the UAOC, and the UOC-MP, who appealed to the Ecumenical Patriarch with the request for the tomos. The assembly will carry out a church unification, forming a united local Orthodox church, and will elect its leader. After that, the head of the united local autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox church will receive the tomos as a document (letter). A decision on autocephaly to Ukraine's church is expected by the end of Thursday, October 11. The Kremlin has opposed a possible decision on granting autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. "You know the position of the Russian Orthodox Church on this issue, and, of course, we would not want any steps to be taken that could trigger a deep split in the world of Orthodoxy," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists, commenting on a possible decision by the Holy Synod of Constantinople Patriarchate on granting autocephaly to the Ukrainian church, an UNIAN correspondent in Russia has reported. Read alsoSynod of Ecumenical Patriarchate reinstates Ukraine's patriarch Filaret, Archbishop Makariy media As UNIAN reported earlier, the exarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarch, who were in Kyiv in September as part of preparations for granting autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, arrived in Istanbul, where on October 10 they were addressing the Synod. One of the exarchs, Bishop Daniel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States, in response to a question whether the Ukrainian church is ready for unification, said: "I think that the churches in Ukraine are ready for unification. They have been, for the past 27 years, if not for several centuries. It's hard to say when this is going to happen. This is all I can say at the moment." Moreover, Szijjarto claims it is personally President Poroshenko who supports a "hate campaign." Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has accused the Ukrainian authorities of lying about them not being affiliated to the Myrotrovets (Peacemaker) Ukrainian website, which had earlier published a list including the personal data of three hundred state or Zakarpattia's local government officials who are allegedly dual nationals. It is a lie that the Ukrainian state has nothing to do with the website that is listing suspected dual Ukrainian-Hungarian nationals, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said on Kossuth Radios Good Morning, Hungary! show on Thursday morning, that's according to the MFA Hungary website. The minister explained that the list includes personal data that is not available from public sources, but exclusively from secret service or government sources. In addition, one of the directors of the NGO that operated the extremist website used to work for the Ukrainian secret service, the minister added. Read alsoIssues with Hungary should not affect UA cooperation with NATO, EU - Poland According to Mr. Szijjarto, it is therefore a lie that the Ukrainian state has nothing to do with the website. The foreign minister opined that Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko "gave his consent to the hate campaign in an attempt to increase his popularity," the report says. As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukraine's Myrotvorets (Peacekeeper) Center database, which lists individuals who pose a threat to the country's security, has published a list of residents of Ukraine's Zakarpattia region, who, holding public servants' posts and being members of local councils, have obtained Hungarian passports. Read alsoUkraine MFA: Hungary acts as if Ukraine's Zakarpattia its territory Peter Szijjarto has himself been included in the Myrotvorets database because of "an attempt on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," according to the organization's website. Hungary's foreign ministry on October 10 summoned Ukraine's ambassador to Budapest after "Ukraine's anti-Hungarian policy reached a new level." The looming split of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from the Russian one underlined Volker's claim that Putin had lost Ukraine in political terms. Russia's Ukraine "operation" has backfired by making its former vassal state more pro-Western than ever, a U.S. diplomat has said. "They [Russian leaders] are driving the Ukrainian people away from their historic relationship with Russia," Kurt Volker, the US state department's special envoy on Ukraine, told press in Brussels on Thursday, according to EUObserver. "Ukraine today is more unified, more nationalist, more oriented toward Europe and Nato and the West than has even been true before, and that's a direct result of Russia's intervention in Ukraine and killing of Ukrainians," he said. Russia's actions were putting the 1.5 million or so mostly Russian-speaking Ukrainians who still lived there through a "horrific experience", Volker noted. "The ceasefire continues to be broken every night, people continue to be killed ... there's shelling, mortar fire, sniper fire, unexploded ordinance, no freedom of movement, a collapsing economy, threats to water supply, food insecurity, pressure on healthcare," he said. Read alsoEcumenical Patriarchate proceeds to granting autocephaly to Church of Ukraine: Synod decision Russian president Vladimir Putin has denied Russia's involvement in the fighting, which erupted in 2014 after Ukrainians toppled a pro-Russian government in Kyiv, but Kremlin propaganda had convinced few people in Europe or the U.S., Volker indicated. "This is purely a Russia-controlled operation, as opposed to any kind of indigenous conflict," he said. The U.S. and EU have asked Russia to extract its forces, return control of the border to Ukraine, and let in UN peacekeepers to protect the general population. Putin is willing to let in a mini-UN mission to protect international observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), who already patrol the line of contact. Read alsoKurt Volker: Russia has a 100% command and control of the forces... it has control of the so-called peoples republics. So, this is a 100% Russian-led operation But Volker said the U.S. and EU states would not back that in the UN Security Council, as it would merely entrench the position of the Russia-controlled breakaway 'republics' in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The looming split of the Ukrainian orthodox church from the Russian one underlined Volker's claim that Putin had lost Ukraine in political terms. "I hope there are no protests or violence instigated [in Ukraine] as a result of this decision [Ukrainian autocephaly] - that would be tragic," Volker said. Opinion polls also backed up his claim, with two-thirds of Ukrainians now keen to join NATO, compared to less than half before Russia's invasion. "It's very important that we [the US and EU] continue to keep sanctions in place, given that Russia has not withdrawn its forces from Ukraine," Volker said, referring to Western economic sanctions, visa bans, and asset freezes on Russia. He last met Russia's envoy on the conflict, Vladimir Surkov, in January and had no plans to meet again, but the two communicated via "notes" despite the frozen diplomacy, Volker said. The doctor recommended leaving the town. New chemical leaks have been reported in the town of Armyansk in Russian-occupied Crimea. Resident of the town Kateryna Pyvovar has told the Ukrainian-based Hromadske media outlet by phone that a certain chemical odor appeared in the town on the morning of October 10. She and her children were taken to hospital with complaints of eye and nose irritation. She says the doctor's diagnosis was a chemical-related allergy. Read alsoCrimea residents still suffer from chemical leaks, report death of animals "The doctor wrote that it was an allergic reaction to toxic substances," she said. The doctor prescribed an antihistamine drug and medicines to remove toxins from the body, she said. The doctor recommended leaving the town, she added. Residents of Armyansk say that this is not the first incident after the state of emergency had been cancelled. Social network users also report new evidence of chemical leaks: "There has been brown liquid precipitation on the balcony accompanied by a smell of acid this morning again," Serhiy Samarin said in his social media post. As UNIAN reported earlier, acid leaks at the Crimean Titan plant were first reported in Crimea's north in the early hours of August 24. Crimean environmentalists explained the leaks by heat and the lack of water in the North Crimean Canal. Children were evacuated from the affected areas for two weeks after the state of emergency was introduced. A possibly repeat release of sulfuric acid in the town of Armyansk was reported on September 13. This is the first major overhaul of the hospital in the last 40 years. The surgical unit at Myrnohrad City Central Hospital in eastern Ukraine was officially reopened on October 11 after repairs funded by a European Investment Bank (EIB) loan. The technical support under the project was provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine reported with reference to the EIB's press release. This is the first of hundreds of social infrastructure facilities that are being repaired under the EIB-financed Ukraine Early Recovery Programme in eastern Ukraine. Read alsoEIB to allocate EUR 50 mln loan to Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukravtodor As part of the project, the surgical unit was reconstructed and rehabilitated, and an Italian X-ray machine was purchased and installed. This is the first major overhaul of the hospital in the last 40 years. The last time the hospital's equipment was upgraded was in 1974. The total cost of the project is UAH 7.68 billion (some EUR 230,000). Now the unit can serve 11,000 patients a year. "The hospital renovation project is one of hundreds of infrastructure rehabilitation projects envisaged by our Ukraine Early Recovery Programme, totaling EUR 200 million, said Jean-Eric de Zagon, Head of the European Investment Bank in Ukraine. "Unlike other programmes, in which we typically carry out large-scale and long-term infrastructure projects, the Ukraine Recovery Programme is designed for specific, local and small-scale, but extremely urgent tasks that will help improve the lives of thousands of local residents after being completed. The next in our plan is a local social centre and housing for internally displaced persons, which should be completed by the end of the year," de Zagon added. Myrnohrad Central City Hospital provides specialized medical care (surgery, trauma and urology) for local residents and the entire western region of Donetsk region, as the hospital departments in neighbouring districts and cities do not have the technical and human resources required. In addition, the hospital is in even higher demand because Myrnohrad is currently home to more than 17,000 registered internally displaced persons. "The European Union has been at the forefront of the early recovery response in Eastern Ukraine from the beginning of the conflict, said Ambassador Hugues Mingarelli, Head of Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine. "We will continue to support the people of Ukraine through this Early Recovery Programme, which complements our development cooperation and humanitarian assistance to the country," he added. Read alsoEIB supports key investments in urban road safety in Ukraine with EUR 75 mln loan Overall, the armed actions in eastern Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea have resulted in the internal displacement of about 1.5 million people, including more than 200,000 children. Dozens of hospitals, schools and kindergartens have either been destroyed or damaged by the armed conflict or fallen into disrepair over time. In total, a reported 130 health facilities still require rehabilitation. In 2017 alone, up to 66% of healthcare facilities within five kilometers of the 'contact line' reported damage during the crisis. Transportation difficulties also mean that access to health facilities is either limited or expensive. "In eastern Ukraine UNDP and its partners focuses on the most vulnerable and those most at risk living in the conflict-affected areas and close to the 'contact line,'" said Victor Munteanu, Manager for Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme, UNDP. "This initiative will help restore their access to healthcare, education and social services and return towards normal life." The European Investment Bank (EIB), the EU bank, has provided the Government of Ukraine a loan of EUR 200 million within the framework of the Ukraine Early Recovery Programme. This beneficial terms loan is intended to facilitate improvement of infrastructure and the quality of life of those affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Under the Technical Assistance Agreement between the EIB and the Ministry of Regional Development, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is helping to monitor implementation of the Early Recovery Programme. After years of preparation, construction of a branch of the Palace Museum formally kicked off on Wednesday in Beijing's northwestern outskirts. The branch, covering 62 hectares in the north of Haidian district, will serve as satellite institution of the complex that was China's imperial palace from 1420 to 1911, also known as the Forbidden City. The branch will include 35,000 square meters of exhibition space, a conservation center for cultural relics of 20,000 square meters and a warehouse of 23,000 square meters, according to Shan Jixiang, director of the Palace Museum. Plans call for it to fully open in June 2022, but the conservation center may be ready for visits by the public in 2020, when 600th birthday of the Forbidden City falls, Shan said. "Having such an institution will improve our service and expand our room to display our collections," he said. The lack of sufficient exhibition space has been a lingering problem for the museum, which houses about 1.86 million cultural relics. The need to provide a safe and secure environment for artifacts exhibited in the ancient buildings has meant that only 2 percent of the museum's treasures can be simultaneously displayed to the public. "Our collections of large items, like the huge number of tapestries and sedan chairs, particularly need exhibition spaces," Shan said. "It's currently impossible to display them in the Forbidden City, but the new museum will offer good conditions to put them on display." The director said the new museum will also become a hub for studying the horticulture of the imperial age. Plants grown there will be taken to the Forbidden City in downtown Beijing for display. "Sometimes, it's difficult to breed some plants downtown because of the urban heat," he said. "It's better to do so in the outskirts." The new complex will be also used to preserve and pass along expertise in the renovation of ancient architecture and traditional craftsmanship. Skilled craftsmen who are inheritors of intangible cultural heritage will join in renovation of cultural relics to revive old techniques. There are many reasons for the location for the new museum. "This choice is to respect history," Shan said. "During imperial years, when the royal family needed more space for palaces or resorts, they tended to choose a new area in northwestern Beijing, as in the case of the Summer Palace." The new site also holds the remains of an old porcelain kiln. The kiln, which was used for items for the royalty, will become another attraction. The new building's design was chosen from five final entries, based on the judgment of scholars and public input, Shan said. The museum administration opposed any "maverick" plan from overseas studios and invited domestic talent to submit proposals. The architectural plan selected is from a team led by Zhang Yu with the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design. Red and yellowtwo colors that were often used by royalty in the Forbidden Cityare featured in the new complex. The eco-friendly and energy-saving construction also is designed to match the surrounding natural environment. Support infrastructure such as subway access also is planned. Shan said he expects the museum branch to receive 3 million annual visits. Wang Ning, deputy mayor, said the museum "can be a hub for cross-border cultural communication and thus help our goal of making Beijing a global city". According to many historians and religious scholars, Moscow simply twisted the meaning of the so-called Letters of Transfer issued by Constantinople at the end of the 17th century. Moscow has branded the prospects of granting the tomos on autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church the illegal invasion of the Patriarchate of Constantinople into the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church. The messages coming from the Moscow Patriarchate about these prospects are full of such frankly militaristic statements. They were even put into the title of a statement on the official website of the UOC of the Moscow Patriarchate, Deutsche Welle reports. The leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Kirill, and that of the UOC-MP, Onufry, call the actions of Constantinople "anti-canonical" and a "gross violation of church law." However, the Patriarchate of Constantinople conducted a study, involving not only with Greek, but also Russian scholars. According to official historical documents, the Kyiv Diocese, just as the whole of modern Ukraine, has never been transferred under the canonical jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate. Read alsoDecision on tomos for Ukraine church to be taken "when the time comes" - member of Constantinople Synod According to many historians and religious scholars, Moscow simply twisted the meaning of the so-called Letters of Transfer issued by Constantinople at the end of the 17th century. The document literally said: "Let the Kyiv Diocese be subordinated to the Holy Patriarchal Throne of Moscow, and also the Metropolitan of Kyiv be ordained there when the need arises." This means only permission to conduct the rite, while the patriarch of Moscow only received the right to bless the Kyiv patriarch on behalf of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, nothing more. This was a temporary decision taken for the sake of saving funds, historians say. Read alsoPatriarch Filaret explains procedure for selecting head of new local church in Ukraine The Ecumenical Patriarchate also admits that in fact it was silent about the violation of the document by Moscow. Experts believe that Moscow is digging a grave for itself through its aggression on the issue of the Ukrainian autocephaly. In the Orthodox world, questions about the canonicity of the ROC itself are increasingly being raised. It never received a tomos on autocephaly, in fact, taking advantage of historical circumstances. For more than 200 years, there was a non-patriarchal period in the ROC, when it was headed by the State Procurator-General. And after Stalin allowed operationsof the Russian Orthodox Church, it did not resemble a religious organization, remaining under the strict control of the state. It was the Ukrainian Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate [UOC KP] that first came under fire following annexation, not least because of its openly pro-Ukrainian position and its public statement on March 11, 2014, condemning the Russian occupation of Crimea. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate has faced open attempts on the part of the occupation authorities in Crimea to drive it out of the peninsula or underground. The latest process to grant Ukraines Church autocephaly may intensify repressive measures, the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group wrote. In giving this sombre assessment at a press conference on October 9, Archbishop Klyment, the Head of the Church in Crimea, explained that up till now, the Russian occupation regime has been at least somewhat restrained in its offensive out of fear that this could provoke measures from the Ukrainian authorities with respect to the Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. With the Russian Orthodox Church having reacted very aggressively to Constantinoples apparent willingness to grant autocephaly, or autonomous status, and Russian state propaganda media full of dire warnings of imminent bloodshed as a result, the Church in Crimea is likely to find itself in an even more vulnerable position. It was the Ukrainian Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate [UOC KP] that first came under fire following annexation, not least because of its openly pro-Ukrainian position and its public statement on March 11, 2014, condemning the Russian occupation of Crimea. That position made it inconceivable that the Church would agree to re-register under Russian legislation and enter into an agreement with the Russian Defense Ministry (over church premises in Sevastopol handed over to that ministry). Lack of such registration has given Russia tools to use in depriving the Church and believers of their places of worship and of other rights. Other methods have also been used, including the threat of physical reprisals by the armed paramilitaries, especially in 2014, vulnerability over the lack of Russian citizenship and also economic intimidation. There have been threats, for example, against those businesses who provided premises for the Church to use, with this being a reason why many religious communities have lost their places of worship. Read alsoConstantinople Patriarchate never handed Kyiv to Moscow to become Russian canonical territory - DW In just the first year of the occupation, 38 out of 46 parishes ceased to exist, and in at very least three cases, churches were seized by the occupation regime: in Sevastopol; Simferopol and in the village of Perevalne. Archbishop Klyment explains that of 25 priests in 2014, there are now only five (or possibly four, since the numbers dont add up). There had been nine until this summer, however five left for mainland Ukraine after a number of searches of the homes of members of the Ukrainian Cultural Centre and after it became clear that the lack of a Russian passport was likely to be used against them. The remaining clergy try as far as is possible to continue services, sometimes helped by priests who come for one or two days from mainland Ukraine. The services are always held in Ukrainian and the Archbishop has long spoken of the important role the Church has played in remaining a place where people come to hear and speak Ukrainian. Read alsoBalukh suspends hunger strike amid transfer from Crimea to Russia Asked about the number of believers, Klyment noted that he does not think that it has significantly fallen. While many did leave for mainland Ukraine, others have begun coming, for whom Ukraine remains their homeland. Interestingly, among those who attend services are Russian speakers who are not necessarily ethnic Ukrainians, but who continue to identify themselves as Ukrainians. The Church, helped by lawyers from the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union and the Regional Centre for Human Rights, is currently involved in four legal suits with Russia: two directly against the Ministry of Defense, although all four appear to be over property that has been illegally appropriated. One of the suits is over the actions of the bailiffs who carried out an extraordinary raid on the Cathedral of Volodymyr and Olga, the main Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Kyiv Patriarchate in Simferopol, on August 31, 2017. Archbishop Klyment has been tireless in his defense of political prisoners and in reporting human rights violations. As well as the ill-treatment during the shocking plundering described above, he has also been detained once, on Oct 19,2016, as he was returning from mainland Ukraine and held for an hour. No explanation was given, but the incident came just a week after he had addressed an urgent plea to international bodies to take decisive measures to protect fundamental rights of Ukrainians in Crimea. He noted then that the situation was worryingly similar to Russias original detention, then ban on entering their homeland of Crimean Tatar leaders Mustafa Dzhemilev and Refat Chubarov. This decision was taken after both primates had sent their requests to the Ecumenical Patriarch. The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has designated Patriarch of Kyiv Filaret and Archbishop of Ukraine Makariy, Makarius, the primates of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP) and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC), as canonical hierarchs. This decision was reported by the Ukrainian religious news portal Risu, with reference to the famous Greek edition Orthodoxia.info. Read alsoDecision on tomos for Ukraine church to be taken "when the time comes" - member of Constantinople Synod UNIAN has learnt from own sources that the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate decided to reinstate the canonical status of the Primates of the UOC-KP Filaret (Denysenko) and the UAOC Makariy, or Macarius (Maletych). This decision was taken after both primates had sent their requests to the Ecumenical Patriarch. Yet, the Greek edition said, no details and conditions of such a step are known. As UNIAN reported earlier, a meeting of the Synod of the Constantinople Patriarchate on October 9 began in Istanbul, which was set to approve a tomos on autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The three-day meeting is being held behind closed doors, while its agenda has never been announced officially. UNIAN memo. President Petro Poroshenko announced at a meeting with leaders of parliamentary factions on April 17 that he and the hierarchs of the UOC-KP and the UAOC had decided to formally appeal to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I with a request for autocephaly of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine and asked the parliament to support the appeal. On April 19, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, adopted a resolution supporting the president's appeal, which was adopted on April 22, to the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. On September 3, Poroshenko said that the Ecumenical Patriarchate had decided to give independent states the right to create a local church without taking into account the position of Moscow. The terrorists have neglected security guarantees and violated the ceasefire. The press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) has said Russian-led forces fired on a patrol of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine near the Donetsk Filtration Station. Read alsoOSCE spots three surface-to-air missile systems in Russian-occupied Donbas "At 09:00 on October 10, 2018, the terrorists opened fire from small arms toward the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near the village of Kamianka. Ukrainian members of the Joint Center for the Control and Coordination (JCCC) of the ceasefire and stabilization in Donbas, as well as representatives of the OSCE SMM who were monitoring the security situation outside the Donetsk Filtration Station during daily personnel rotation came under fire," the report says. Thus, the terrorists have neglected the guarantees of security and the ceasefire provided by the parties during the rotation. Moreover, the Russian-led forces knew that the OSCE SMM daily patrolled the area near Kamianka, the Ukrainian side said. Officials have started looking at possible dates for the meeting. U.S. President Donald Trump may meet Russia's Vladimir Putin in Helsinki next spring, the daily newspaper Helsingin Sanomat said in its online edition on Wednesday, citing unnamed sources. Officials have started looking at possible dates for the meeting, it said, Reuters reported. Read alsoTrump says next summit with North Korea's Kim to come after November U.S. elections media Finnish President Sauli Niinisto declined to comment on the likelihood of the meeting but said U.S. interest for it had grown. "Things have, perhaps surprisingly, gone in a better direction," Niinisto told the daily. The Finnish president's office was not immediately available for comment. The two presidents met in Helsinki in July and the summit was followed by backlash in the United States over Trump's cordial public tone with the Kremlin leader. Both NASA, the U.S. space agency, and Roskosmos, the Russian equivalent, said the astronauts were in good condition after their capsule landed about 20 kilometers east of the Kazakh city of Zhezqazghan. A space capsule carrying a two-man Russian-American crew that malfunctioned after liftoff has landed safely in Kazakhstan, the Russian and U.S. space agencies say. Russian cosmonaut Aleksei Ovchinin and U.S. astronaut Nick Hague returned to Earth in their Soyuz capsule for an emergency landing following a problem with the booster rocket shortly after a launch bound for the International Space Station (ISS), a NASA TV announcer said on October 11, RFE/RL reported. Both NASA, the U.S. space agency, and Roskosmos, the Russian equivalent, said the astronauts were in good condition after their capsule landed about 20 kilometers east of the Kazakh city of Zhezqazghan. Read alsoSpace station crew members returning to Earth after lengthy mission (Stream) "The search and rescue teams have reached the Soyuz spacecraft landing site and report that the two crew members are in good condition and are out of the capsule," NASA said. "The cosmonauts are alive. They have landed. They have been found," according to a source at the Russia-leased Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan. The crew had to return in "ballistic descent mode," NASA earlier said, which it explained was "a sharper angle of landing compared to normal." Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov announced that manned space flights would be suspended until an investigation into the causes of the malfunction is completed. Hague and Ovchinin were due to spend six months on the ISS, which is orbiting 400 kilometers above the Earth. Relations between Moscow and Washington have plunged to the lowest level since the end of the Cold War over the wars in Ukraine and Syria, allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential, and other issues, but Russia and the United States have maintained cooperation in space. Strengthening offender reintegration in Asia: UNODC and Singapore conduct regional training workshop on correctional rehabilitation 11 October 2018 - Prisoner rehabilitation is both key to protecting society from crime as well as helping prisoners be better prepared for their release. Towards this, training and reintegration initiatives, coupled with post-release support, are essential towards reducing recidivism. Working to this end, UNODC and the Government of Singapore recently conducted a joint regional training workshop on correctional rehabilitation, bringing together some 63 officials from 16 Asian and Pacific Island countries who are integral in their areas for prisoner rehabilitation activities. Valerie Lebaux, Chief of UNODC's Justice Section, opened the workshop with an apt scene-setter, recalling in particular the Nelson Mandela Rules. Highlighting that an essential purpose of imprisonment is to reduce recidivism, and noting that the period of imprisonment should be used to ensure the reintegration into society upon release, she spoke of "UNODC's support to Member States in developing prison-based rehabilitation programmes, through education, vocational training and work, in line with international standards." Over the course of two days, participants were briefed on a number of approaches to reducing offender recidivism through rehabilitation and reintegration. Experts from UNODC presented international standards applicable in this field, sharing examples of the organization's health-related activities in the region's prisons as well as showcasing the recently released ' Roadmap for the development of prison-based rehabilitation programmes' which is now available online. Psychologists and correctional rehabilitation specialists from the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) meanwhile highlighted how they have been developing and implementing science and evidence-informed approaches to reduce re-offending. A visit to the SPS's Pre-Release Centre was organized to enrich the participants' understanding of rehabilitation methods in the country. "Complementing the teaching segments, participants also shared their experiences, challenges and aspirations to improve rehabilitation practices in their respective jurisdictions", noted Timothy Leo, Chief Psychologist in the Singapore Prison Service. "We value the opportunity to collaborate with UNODC to provide the space for mutual learning, inspiration and collegiality among correctional professionals in the region." The workshop proved a useful forum to network and exchange best practices with experts, officers, researchers and practitioners in the field of corrections. A number of attendees spoke afterwards of the benefits of these fora. "I found this conference a very fruitful one," said Dy Chamroeun, Deputy Director of the General Department of Prison of Cambodia. "I picked up valuable information and knowledge (with the) visit to Changi Prison very practical and insightful." Meanwhile the Assistant Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service, Salote Panapasa, praised the gathering. "We are happy about the workshop we attended. We have two things that we need to take back home. Firstly, on operational rehabilitation, we need to strengthen our capacity building and perspective, to ensure that all officers know their role and implement the tasks they are supposed to do. Secondly, we have some policies in places that have reached maturity implementation, that we need to review by using the new logic model. We just did an exercise last night, particular on our rehabilitation policy, and reviewed our programmes undertaken by our recidivists and sex offenders." The workshop was jointly organized by UNODC and Singapore under ongoing initiatives to boost prisoner rehabilitation. From UNODC's side, the workshop was held under Global Programme for the Implementation of the Doha Declaration, funded by the State of Qatar, which promotes a culture of lawfulness and respect for the rule of law. From Singapore, it benefitted from the support of the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) - the country's primary platform in extending technical assistance to the developing world which, since its inception in 1992, has organized training courses, workshops, seminars and study visits for more than 120,000 foreign Government officials from 170 countries. In addition to the workshop and prison visit, participants also attended the Yellow Ribbon Conference held immediately after, benefiting from various Singaporean agencies sharing their research and best practices on prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration. Additional information: CARE Network (Singapore) Prisoner rehabilitation (UNODC) Roadmap for the development of prison-based rehabilitation programmes (UNODC) The Nelson Mandela Rules (UNODC ) UNODC prison tools and publications (UNODC) Yellow Ribbon Project (Singapore) China's graft busters on Wednesday named a number of officials implicated in organized crime, as a national campaign against gangs swept across the country. The exposed Party cadres and those working in the public sector in five cases either organized, led or participated in gang crime, or sheltered gangs from punishment, according to a statement released by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the National Supervisory Commission. Some local authorities were found to have neglected their duties to supervise and punish organized crime, according to the statement. "The problems have severely damaged the political ecosystem, economic order and social stability of the localities, and undermined public trust in the Party and governments, and should be harshly investigated and punished," it said. In one case, Di Zhimin, former head of Dongsi Village in Henan province, was expelled from the CPC and public office for organizing and leading gang crime. Di was found to have committed crimes, including assaulting, verbally abusing and blackmailing villagers, and violently undermining elections from 1997 to 2017. Di's case has been transferred to judicial organs, with all other officials involved punished. Belarus plans to ship about 320,000 tonnes of meat products to Russia in 2019, up by 11% over 2018, Belarus Agriculture and Food Minister Leonid Zayats told the media on Thursday. MOGILEV, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2018 ) :Belarus plans to ship about 320,000 tonnes of meat products to Russia in 2019, up by 11% over 2018, Belarus Agriculture and Food Minister Leonid Zayats told the media on Thursday. He expressed these views on the sidelines of the panel discussion Agrarian policy of the Union State: Experience, problems, prospects at the 5th Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia in Mogilev. Dairy export will also increase to 3.7 million tonnes (up 2.6%). Such an agreement was reached by the agriculture ministries of Belarus and Russia and will be confirmed by the balance sheets that the parties are set to sign during the forum. At the request of the Russian colleagues, Belarus specified the companies that will ship their products to Russia in 2019 and structured these products into commodity types. Leonid Zayats emphasized that there should be no restrictions on the promotion of Belarusian products to Russia and vice versa. "There should be no far-fetched claims. We have appropriate legislation, accredited laboratories and specialists of veterinary and phytosanitary surveillance to resolve all issues. The two countries should bear this in mind," Leonid Zayats said. The minister spoke in favor of equal access to foodstuffs both in Belarus and Russia. "Since we are integrating the economies of our countries, we should jointly supplement the market with products that are still imported. Both countries spend huge money on such imports. In order to avoid high expenditures we should consider the possibilityof supplementing our food markets with products made in the Union State. For this purpose, the parties will sign foodbalance sheets and 2019 will be a turning point in trade relations between Belarus and Russia," Leonid Zayats noted. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Finland will allocate 114 million euros ($131.75 million) to Africa via the World Bank structures, and the funds will be used for African power generating capacity enhancement, the Finnish Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday. HELSINKI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) Finland will allocate 114 million Euros ($131.75 million) to Africa via the World Bank structures, and the funds will be used for African power generating capacity enhancement, the Finnish Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday. The ministry noted that Finnish Foreign Trade and Development Minister Anne-Mari Virolainen would sign a related cooperation agreement at the annual meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, which started on the Indonesian island of Bali on Monday and will last through Sunday. The sum, due to be provided by Finland, will be poured into commercial climate and energy-related projects that will be launched in the developing African countries in the four years to come. Within the next 25 years, the funds with interests are supposed to be returned to Finland. "Over one billion of people worldwide still do not have access to electricity. Access to electricity is a human rights issue in the developing countries, while the lack of energy is a hand break hindering the society development," Virolainen said, as quoted by the ministry. Finland has already invested three million euros in a major project of the Morocco-headquartered energy company Gaia Energy. The project envisages the creation of 22 power plants, mostly wind power ones, in nine African countries Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. As Gaia Energy needs several billions euros to implement the project, the World Bank has also invested its funds there, while private investments are required as well. The projected wind power plants will expand the current African wind power capacity by around 50 percent. The Finnish Foreign Ministry specified that Helsinki wanted to help raise private funds and thus promote the developing states' markets. You are here: China Hunan University in central China has launched an innovation initiative to develop a smart urban public transport system, according to Thursday's Science and Technology Daily. The initiative, with investment of over 100 million yuan (about US$14.4 million), features technologies such as automatic drive, mobile internet and new-energy vehicles. Vehicles and transport will be assisted by the systems of cloud scheduling and dispatching, ground communication and intelligent mobile spaces, according to the paper. Buses will be hailed online via the system and passenger orders will be received in real time. The system is expected to lift transport capacity by 10 percent compared with metro, while saving on travel time by 70 percent, the paper said. The program is also joined by Tongji University in Shanghai and Tsinghua University in Beijing. (@FahadShabbir) The German government on Thursday slashed its growth forecasts for 2018 and 2019, blaming "a weaker international trade environment" for sapping the export powerhouse. Frankfurt am Main, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2018 ) :The German government on Thursday slashed its growth forecasts for 2018 and 2019, blaming "a weaker international trade environment" for sapping the export powerhouse. Gross domestic product should expand by 1.8 percent this year and next, the economy ministry said in a statement, lowering its outlook for 2018 by 0.5 percentage points and for 2019 by 0.3. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Malaysia is looking toward to tapping into new opportunities from its long-standing relationship with China, the rise of which has benefited the Southeast Asian country tremendously, a senior official said Thursday. KUALA LUMPUR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2018 ) :Malaysia is looking toward to tapping into new opportunities from its long-standing relationship with China, the rise of which has benefited the Southeast Asian country tremendously, a senior official said Thursday. Delivering closing remarks at the China Conference organized by the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post here, Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said Southeast Asia is looking at China as the new economic behemoth with genuine admiration, and China's commitment to peaceful development is absolutely crucial for the continued prosperity of the region. Malaysia expects China "to provide global leadership" not just in the economic sphere but in soft power, he told the audience. Azmin noted that relations between the two countries go back several centuries, when China traded with Malacca for years in peace, unlike the western powers which came to colonize the region. "The bilateral relationship between China and Malaysia, therefore, must be seen from the prism of that long history, signified not by wars or colonization, but by robust trade and cultural exchanges," he said. The two-day China Conference brought together business, academic and political leaders to discuss cooperation between China and Southeast Asia on politics, economy, technology and how to tap opportunities of the Belt and Road Initiative, among others. China's rapid growth had been a boon for Malaysia with China now being its largest trade partner, said Azmin. "Over the past 30 years, Malaysia has benefitted tremendously from the rise and integration of China into the global economy." He mentioned the robust trade with China of palm oil, which has been particularly important for Malaysia, a major global exporter, given the "double standard" taken by the West against the commodities. As Malaysia is keen on promoting its products to China, Azmin also urged Malaysian companies to continue to explore all possibilities to tap the opportunities. "Furthermore, from corporate giants like the Alibaba Group to drone manufacturer DJI to SMEs, there are many opportunities for Malaysian firms to form joint ventures and strategic alliances with Chinese corporate players," he said. Meanwhile, Azmin also urged Chinese businesses to view Malaysia through the prism of hope and opportunity, following the establishment of new government since the general election in May. He reiterated that Malaysia would like to learn from China and to see more investment from China that would bring capital, technology, value creation, jobs and skills transfer for Malaysians. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The Russian leadership is unlikely to review its position on payments to the Council of Europe (CoE) budget, Leonid Slutsky, the head of the Russian parliament's upper house's Foreign Affairs Committee, said Thursday. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) The Russian leadership is unlikely to review its position on payments to the Council of Europe (CoE) budget, Leonid Slutsky, the head of the Russian parliament's upper house's Foreign Affairs Committee, said Thursday. On Wednesday, CoE Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland said that the organization might expel Russia if Moscow would not resume payments to its budget. On Thursday, he told the CoE Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) that, as far as he knew, Russia might not participate in the January 2019 CoE meeting and might not resume payments. "We continue sticking to our position. Considering what is happening at PACE, considering Jagland's latest statement, I consider the the possibility that the country's [Russian] leadership will review its position on payments to the CoE as negligibly small. And I believe that the decision not to make payments is absolutely reasonable, considering Strasbourg's attitude to the Russian Federation," Slutsky told reporters. Russian upper house speaker Valentina Matviyenko said on Thursday that Russia would make its final decision on CoE participation by January. The relations between PACE and the Russian lawmakers have been tense since 2014, when Russia was deprived of its voting rights in PACE governing bodies over the different stances on the Ukrainian conflict. Since 2016, the Russian delegation at PACE has not been renewing its credentials ahead of the assembly's sessions in protest of the discrimination within the organization. In June 2017, Moscow froze part of its CoE contribution meant for Russia's PACE membership for 2018, until the Russian delegation's rights in the organization are completely restored. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) increased its production in September by 132,000 barrels per day compared to last month to an average of 32.76 million per day, with crude output up mostly in Saudi Arabia, Libya, and Angola, a report by the OPEC showed Thursday. LONDON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) increased its production in September by 132,000 barrels per day compared to last month to an average of 32.76 million per day, with crude output up mostly in Saudi Arabia, Libya, and Angola, a report by the OPEC showed Thursday. "According to secondary sources, total OPEC-15 crude oil production averaged 32.76 mb/d in September, an increase of 132 tb/d over the previous month. Crude oil output increased mostly in Saudi Arabia, Libya and Angola, while production declined in Iran, I.R., Venezuela and Algeria," the report read. Punjab Minister for Health Dr Yasmin Rashid has said that without introducing solid reforms, achievement of health sector goals was not possible. LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2018 ) :Punjab Minister for Health Dr Yasmin Rashid has said that without introducing solid reforms, achievement of health sector goals was not possible. She was chairing a meeting of vice chancellors of medical universities in Punjab. Secretary Health Saqib Zaffer was also present. "To implement reforms in letter and spirit, the opinion of experts from medical education institutions was necessary," she observed. The minister said that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa health model should also be considered for improving public health sector. "Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar have emphasised special focus on mother and child health," added the minister. Dr Yasmin Rashid, while sharing details of recent "Nutrition Week", held from October 1 to 6, said that the Health Department was able to collect comprehensive data of malnourished children, lactating and pregnant women for the first time in the history of Pakistan. "Now we are going to concentrate on the programme to solve problem of malnutrition," she added. The minister stressed VCs to make medical curriculum in accordance with the need of the hour. "Doctors should behave friendly with patients," she advised. "Reward of serving ailing humanity was not possible in the world and one should believe this reward in the world hereafter," she concluded. (@FahadShabbir) Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, kicked off a three-year programme in Nicaragua, in partnership with Teach a Man to Fish, a non-profit organisation supporting schools across Africa, DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 09th Oct, 2018) Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, kicked off a three-year programme in Nicaragua, in partnership with Teach a Man to Fish, a non-profit organisation supporting schools across Africa, Asia and Latin America to establish student-led enterprises that are both educational and profit-making. The AED 1,936,386 (USD 534,473) School Enterprise Challenge programme which targets the Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region (RACC), the most disadvantaged region in Nicaragua, is set to help 6,300 students across 165 schools gain skills, knowledge, and mindset for decent employment. In addition, the programme provides schools teaching and administration staff with the necessary skills and tools for planning and managing a school business. The programme is also supporting the Nicaraguan Ministry of Education (MINED) and a number of NGOs to help gender-balanced school teams in planning and setting up profitable school enterprises. Moreover, the programme aims to develop an efficient Management Information System (MIS) to support participating NGOs in their management of schools participating in the School Enterprise Challenge. Since its establishment, Teach A Man To Fish has assisted over 300,000 young people gain business, entrepreneurship, and other life skill through participating in planning and managing school businesses. In 2011, the organisation launched the School Enterprise Challenge to enable any school to replicate their school business model through step-by-step guidance and support. This programme works by developing profit-making businesses in schools which are run by students with the help of mentors. Over the course of a few years and with the scale-up of these businesses, the programmes will become self-sufficient and generate profits for schools ensuring their financial stability and encouraging economic growth in the surrounding communities. "Nicaragua has a large youth population and although the nation has made important progress in increasing access to Primary and secondary education, the completion rates remain alarmingly low, as many parents in the country prefer their children to work and contribute to the household income. Through the School Enterprise Challenge programme, Dubai Cares highlights the urgent need for experiential and vocational training in entrepreneurship and business among Nicaraguan youth, as well as the importance of focusing on gender equality in employment. By empowering young boys, girls, and teachers with the skills required for meaningful employment, the School Enterprise Challenge programme addresses three of the Sustainable Development Goals including No Poverty, Quality Education, and Decent Work and Economic Growth, hence reiterating our commitment to impactful and sustainable solutions in education. The children and youth participating in this programme will gain invaluable life skills that will enable them to better support themselves and their families," said Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Cares. Nik Kafka, CEO and Founder of Teach A Man To Fish, said, "Teach A Man To Fish is enormously proud to be partnering with Dubai Cares to transform education for over 6,000 young people in 165 schools in Nicaragua. Our partnership in School Enterprise Challenge Nicaragua is driven by the aim to prepare young people better for success in school, in work and in life". Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Americas and ranks 124 out of 188 countries in the United Nation Development programmes (UNDP) Human Development Index. More than 45% of Nicaraguas 6.2 million people live in multi-dimensional poverty, while just over 20% of the population exist below the national poverty line despite working. The majority of poor Nicaraguans lives in rural areas and are employed in agriculture, the countrys main industry. Youth unemployment has been estimated at 12% in the Central American nation, with young people working in precarious low-wage positions in informal sectors. According to the UNDP, about 40% of the adolescents and young adults are either unemployed or working in informal sectors, with female youth accounting for a higher proportion of the unemployed youth population (69%). (@rukhshanmir) Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, recently met with Austrian Finance Minister, Hartwig Loger at the Ministrys premises in Abu Dhabi. As part of the meeting, the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties and increase investments between the UAE and Austria. ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 11th Oct, 2018) Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, recently met with Austrian Finance Minister, Hartwig Loger at the Ministrys premises in Abu Dhabi. As part of the meeting, the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties and increase investments between the UAE and Austria. A number of other topics were deliberated, including visits between the two parties to establish an organisational and executive framework for mutual investment and trade, as well as to study the possibility of establishing a private sector council between the two nations. Obaid Humaid Al Tayer highlighted the importance of these meetings with other nations and the key role they play in driving the economy forward through initiatives and solutions that strengthen private sector investments. The meetings also highlighted the significant achievements of the UAE in digital transformation, sustainable energy and in the health and education sector. Al Tayer added, "This meeting represents an important opportunity to discuss bilateral agreements between the two countries, particularly the Avoidance of Double Taxation agreement signed in 2003, as well as the Protection and Promotion of Investment agreement signed in 2001. The Ministry is committed to strengthening the UAEs international relationships, especially in investments and government finances." The UAE and Austria have enjoyed robust partnerships, with their joint committee reviewing ways and means to develop the bilateral relationship and to cooperate further in the fields of economy, trade, investment, energy, renewable energy, health, transportation, tourism and finance. The Austrian Finance Minister visited a number of companies across the UAE to identify the investment environment and the opportunities on offer by foreign institutions. To celebrate 'Year of Zayed' and in parallel with the French-Emirati Cultural Dialogue 2018-2019, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, is organising an exclusive exhibition in the UAE in collaboration with the CEFAS, the French Institute and the French Alliance. The exhibition entitled 'The French Cultural Diplomacy in the UAE at the time of Sheikh Zayed (1974-2004)' will open from Sunday 14 October until Sunday 28 October in the universitys atrium. ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 11th Oct, 2018) To celebrate 'Year of Zayed' and in parallel with the French-Emirati Cultural Dialogue 2018-2019, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, is organising an exclusive exhibition in the UAE in collaboration with the CEFAS, the French Institute and the French Alliance. The exhibition entitled 'The French Cultural Diplomacy in the UAE at the time of Sheikh Zayed (1974-2004)' will open from Sunday 14 October until Sunday 28 October in the universitys atrium. This event will outline the different projects and activities organised by the French institutions in the UAE to promote the teaching of French in the country and to shed light on the French Emirati cultural dialogue during the last 40 years (1974-2004) during the era of Sheikh Zayed. This Exhibition will highlight the history of the French Cultural Diplomacy in the UAE from the countrys foundation to the 2000s. It presents archival papers, photographs and documents, never made public before, from the Centre of Diplomatic Archives in Nantes, France and from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Centre for Diplomatic Archives (Courneuve) about the French Alliance and the French Institute in the UAE during the time of Sheikh Zayed. Dr. Luc Chantre, post-doctoral researcher at CEFAS and the curator of the exhibition, said: "This exhibition is a way to remind what the main challenges of the French Cultural Diplomacy in the UAE were, at the time of Sheikh Zayed, by using a wide range of archival records." On the 14th, a literature Majlis held in French on the same topic will open the exhibition. Dr. Luc Chantre, will narrate one of the thrilling adventures of the French-Emirati cultural dialogue. Bahrain's Labour and Social Development Minister and Board Chairman of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, has met with Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ambassador of UAE to the Kingdom of Bahrain. MANAMA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 10th Oct, 2018) Bahrain's Labour and Social Development Minister and board Chairman of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, has met with Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ambassador of UAE to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Humaidan welcomed the Emirati Ambassador and highlighted the distinguished fraternal relations between the UAE and Bahrain in the light of their wise leaderships and the deep-rooted historic ties between the two peoples. He also indicated the importance of going steadily to develop mutual work and the existing cooperation, especially in the labour field and safeguarding social protection to achieve the desired objectives of sustainable development, as well as the joint coordination while participating in the GCC, Arab and international conferences and events. Sheikh Sultan expressed his happiness at the meeting and holding constructive talks and stressed that he will work to translate the aspirations of the leadership of the two countries aimed to develop the existing ties to achieve the desired integration. In this regard, he also highlighted the Bahrain's stature at the GCC and global levels in provision of social care to various segments of the society, enhancement of the appropriate work environment, and the protection of labour rights, thanks to developing national legislation which are in line with international labour standards. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Sheikh Sultan bin Hamadan bin Zayed AlNahyan, UAE Ambassador Kingdom of Bahrain, met here today with Sameer Abdulla Nass, Chairman of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), in the presence of board members and executive management officials. (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 12th Oct, 2018) MANAMA, 11th October 2018 (WAM) - Sheikh Sultan bin Hamadan bin Zayed AlNahyan, UAE Ambassador Kingdom of Bahrain, met here today with Sameer Abdulla Nass, Chairman of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), in the presence of board members and executive management officials. Bahrain news Agency (BNA) reported that Nass stressed during the meeting the crucial importance of bolstering joint cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the UAE and the GCC, by unifying investment laws and legislations. The two sides called for the activation of the meetings of the joint Bahrain-UAE committee to explore investment opportunities in both countries, boost the volume of trade exchanges, which reached $2 billion in December 2017. Ambassador Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan bin Zayed hailed the deep-rooted historic relations between the two countries, stressing the UAE embassys readiness to play an active role and ensure all facilities. He underscored the importance of coordination between the UAE embassy and the chamber to provide all facilities or investors who are willing to invest in all sectors. The meeting was attended by BCCI First and Second Deputy Chairmen Khalid Mohammed Najibi Mohammed Abduljabbar Al-Kooheji, Treasurer Aref Ahmed Hijris and other officials. You are here: China The State Council, China's cabinet, announced on Thursday a public plan to improve the mechanisms for promoting residential consumption between 2018 and 2020. The plan, released by the General Office of the State Council, maps out ways to remove the most direct and prominent system- and mechanism-related barriers that hinder residential consumption, in order to further stimulate consumption potential. Dovetailing with the new trend of consumption transformation and upgrading, the new document focuses on forming reasonable consumption expectations and enhancing the fundamental role of consumption in promoting economic growth. China will nurture market segments in important domains of consumption, create a sound consumption environment and continuously raise residents' consumption capacities, the plan showed. Before 2020, the government will relax market access in the field of service consumption, improve the policy mix for promoting the upgrading of material consumption structures, and set more standards for goods and services in important areas, the plan read. Efforts will also be made to create a better credit system and optimize supporting measures for consumption promotion, including measures on individual income tax and income distribution reforms. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, DEWA, is keen to promote all forms of green energy as a clean alternative to conventional energy derived from environmentally friendly fossil fuels, in line with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, and with DEWAs vision to be a sustainable, innovative, world-class utility. (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 11th Oct, 2018) DUBAI, 10th October, 2018 (WAM) The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, DEWA, is keen to promote all forms of green energy as a clean alternative to conventional energy derived from environmentally friendly fossil fuels, in line with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, and with DEWAs vision to be a sustainable, innovative, world-class utility. DEWA believes that renewables such as solar, wind and water power are keys to achieving sustainable economic, social and environmental development, as they help to avoid several negative consequences resulting from irrational human behaviour. In this context, DEWA is organising the 20th Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition, WETEX 2018, from 23rd to 25th October, 2018, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. It will also focus on its beneficial impact on maintaining health, improving living standards and reducing poverty, securing new jobs, and on protecting the environment through the conservation of natural resources, as well as on reducing the causes of climate change, the number and severity of natural disasters resulting from global warming, and the toxic effect of acid rain and the accumulation of harmful waste. Environmental citizenship will also protect endangered species, fish, and water from pollution, contributing to food security, and increasing the productivity of agricultural crops as a result of the elimination of chemical and gas contaminants. WETEX 2018 is in line with the vision of the UAEs wise leadership to accommodate global trends that are shifting towards green energy, reinforcing the transformation towards a green economy. According to the annual report of the International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA, for 2018, the increase in the proportion of direct and indirect jobs in the renewable energy sector worldwide is 5.3 percent in 2017 compared to 1.1 percent in 2016. In addition, the number of employees in the field of renewable energy, including in the hydropower sector, reached 10.3 million for the first time in 2017, compared with 9.8 million in the previous year. With the 22.3 percent global solar capacity increase to 94 gigawatts, GW, in 2017 compared to 73 GW in 2016, the solar photovoltaic, PV, sector accounted for the strongest expansion in renewable energy jobs in 2017, with a total of about 3. 4 million jobs, a nine percent increase compared to 2016, followed by biofuel at about two million jobs, wind energy at around 1.1 million jobs, and the solar heating/cooling sector at more than 800,000 jobs. The report predicts that the number of jobs in the renewable energy sector will increase from 10.3 million in 2017 to 23.6 million by 2030 and to 28.8 million by 2050, while the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix is expected to double. "In line with our pivotal role of advancing sustainability and sustainable development in Dubai and the UAE, and in accordance with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, we are working towards strengthening national efforts in the field of green energy. This is accomplished by organising WETEX 2018 on an estimated area over 78,000 square metres at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the participation of about 2,100 exhibitors from 53 countries, under the theme "At the forefront of sustainability". Green energy solutions and techniques will attract the attention of exhibitors and visitors during the exhibition, thus confirming Dubai's leading role in highlighting the importance of green energy around the world,''said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA. ''WETEX 2018, the largest edition since its inception 20 years ago, will be held under the umbrella of the Green Week, in conjunction with the third Dubai Solar Show, and the fifth World Green Economy Summit (WGES). It will feature leading international experts and speakers in the green economy, smart, innovation, and sustainable development fields," Al Tayer added. Al Tayer stressed that the third Dubai Solar Show, the region's largest solar energy exhibition, held in conjunction with WETEX 2018, covers over an area of 14,000 square metres and follows the success of the previous edition. The Solar Show confirms the UAEs leadership on the reliance of clean energy, green economy, and green energy, as well as on the adoption of sustainability concepts in the environmental, social, and economic aspects across the region. (@rukhshanmir) Senior Minister Punjab Abdul Aleem Khan has said all big cities of Punjab need more 50 years planning so that a comprehensive strategy could be adopted to save the national exchequer. LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2018 ) :Senior Minister Punjab Abdul Aleem Khan has said all big cities of Punjab need more 50 years planning so that a comprehensive strategy could be adopted to save the national exchequer. He said this while talking to a three-member delegation of the World Bank headed by Anna Wallenstein which called on him here Thursday. The delegation included Mika Petteri Torhonen and Catalina Marulanda. Aleem Khan said that it was unfortunate that most projects of the last government were unnecessary which could not be carried out on permanent basis. He added that projects like Metro, Orange Line Train required continuous subsidy which were not affordable on long term basis. He said that for the revamping of the existing system, proper monitoring was required with check and balance for which services of the World Bank were commendable. The senior minister said that the new local bodies system would be more efficient to deliver on local level. Aleem Khan said that the present government had initiated the 100-day plan for health, education, local government and other important sectors, for which steps were being taken to bring about a visible change in these sectors. The delegation discussed with senior minister the avenues of working in 16 districts and starting new projects in the local government department. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar urged nationl not to drink mineral water, as such companies dried up country without paying for using underground water ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2018 ) :Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar urged nationl not to drink mineral water, as such companies dried up country without paying for using underground water. A two-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard a suo case pertaining to the alleged exploitation of water resources by mineral water companies operating in the country. During course of proceedings, CJ remarked that "stop using water of those who have made our land barren as the level of underground water had reached 400 feet in Lahore due to such companies. He said that companies had taken billions gallon water but not even paid hundreds or thousands for it. While pointing out Lahore and Sheikhupora, he said that both cities had dried up due to mineral water companies. CJ said most mineral water companies are selling sub-standard water in the country. Meanwhile, Aitzaz Ahsan, counsel for a mineral water company, pleaded that "money is spending on extracting underground water, purifying and marketing it".Justice Nisar said, "Let us shutdown your turbine and ask the company to give tap water adding that companies have dried up our taps, CJ asserted. The chief justice urged the nation to drink tap water after boiling it, further more he added that If these companies want to continue operations then they should pay Rs1/litre to the government. Ahsan said, "We can give up to Rs0.5/litre." To this, Justice Nisar remarked, "You buy water for Rs1 and sell it for Rs52." Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Thursday remarked the courts did not grant permission to former president Pervez Musharraf to leave the country rather it was the then government who did so. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2018 ) :Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Thursday remarked the courts did not grant permission to former president Pervez Musharraf to leave the country rather it was the then government who did so. Chief Justice remarked while heading a three-member bench hearing the case related to National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), passed by Musharraf in 2007. During course of proceedings, Akhtar Shah counsel for former president submitted the reply regarding Musharraf return to the country and requested the bench to keep his client's illness confidential. Justice Nisar, responding to the lawyer said treatment of such diseases was possible in Pakistan, Musharraf should return and record his statement under Section 342 in the treason case. The CJ said that Dubai was not the best place for such treatment and there were good doctors in Pakistan. Musharraf's counsel then said, "If it is necessary for Musharraf to return then he should be allowed to visit a doctor and his name should not be placed on the Exit Control List (ECL). No one will arrest former president General Pervez Musharraf but I cannot say anything regarding the removal of his name from ECL, he replied. Akhtar Shah apprised the court that the former president left the country after getting permission from the courts. To this CJ clarified, "We are saying it again, we did not grant permission to Musharraf to leave the country it was the then government who allowed him." CJ said, "We cannot put anyone's life at risk adding that he should come to record his statement and whenever he wants to leave for treatment he can."Subsequently, counsel for former Attorney General, Malik Mujammad Qayyum sought time from the bench to submit reply in the case. The bench while granting him one week time adjourned further hearing of the case till first week of November. Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar Thursday said the government was well aware of the challenges being faced by the business community and taking all possible measures to provide them an enabling environment to grow and contribute to national economy. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2018 ) :Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar Thursday said the government was well aware of the challenges being faced by the business community and taking all possible measures to provide them an enabling environment to grow and contribute to national economy. He said " In today's world, there are essentially three pillars sustaining any nation building process, the government, civil society and business," adding that the nation's development could be only achieved when these three worked together. The Minister was addressing the 'CEO Summit Islamabad' organized by CEO Club Pakistan in collaboration with Planning Commission, board of Investment and Privatization Commission here. The event was attended by Secretary Planning Zafar Hasan, senior officials of the Ministry and a large number of business leaders, entrepreneurs, diplomats and policy makers. He stated that the government's Primary role was to act as facilitator for sustainable and responsible business to flourish. He said that the government had moved to reforming the economy and it expected the private sector corporations to step up and partnered with the government in redefining the country's future. The Minister added that the private sector's potential to contribute to the treasury's domestic revenues was critical for meeting the government's developmental goals by financing essential public goods and services. The minister noted that major roadblocks to growth had been the historically low private investment, little or no investment by business in R&D and domestic operations. Pakistani businesses needed to step out of their comfort zones and invest in acquiring latest technology, business practices to become competitive at regional and international level and employing our growing youth bulge in value added industries of the future especially science and technology, he added. The minister stated that sustainable development was best served where private sector positions itself to foster inclusive growth noting that "Our talented private sector has the potential to lift people out of poverty. " He further said that evidence suggested that over 80% of jobs in developing countries were created by the private sector however unfortunately only 25% of the working-age population was engaged in productive employment. He said that more than 80% of the workforce in Pakistan remained employed in informal sector jobs which needed to be changed. The minister said that the government acknowledged the positive role the businesses had played in the development of the country and their ability to navigate tough political and economic cycles. 'Now is the time that we work together to change the destiny of our country." Talking about CPEC, the Minister stated that the project was graduating from start-up phase to a more mature period in its development. He underlined that the scope and base of CPEC was broadening and deepening adding that the mega project had the potential to spur GDP growth and transform Pakistan into a regional economic hub. He stressed upon the industrialists to bridge the industrial divide between Pakistan and China by initiating joint ventures in various sectors including manufacturing, services, construction, agriculture and energy. The Minister congratulated the best performing CEOs and companies on their achievements and hoped that they would continue to contribute to the country's socio-economic development for a prosperous Pakistan. Advisor to Prime Minister on Political Affair, Naeem ul Haq, speaking on the occasion said the present government was committed to provide free health and education to the poor people of the country. He said that government would strengthen the local government system in the country adding that previous governments of Sindh and Punjab did not give power to local bodies system. (@FahadShabbir) The government of Sindh on Thursday imposed a complete ban on the production, sale and use of Gutka in district Thatta. KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2018 ) :The government of Sindh on Thursday imposed a complete ban on the production, sale and use of Gutka in district Thatta. The government in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 144 (6) Cr. PC imposed ban against factory owners, wholesalers, retailers and users of Gutka within the jurisdiction of district Thatta with an immediate effect for 90 days. The SHOs of the concerned police stations are authorized to register complaints under Section 188 PPC in writing for the violation of Section 144 Cr.PC against the violators. (@mahnoorsheikh03) Accountability Court Judge Arshad Malik issued the arrest warrants. Islamabad (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News 11th October, 2018) An Accountability Court on Thursday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for former prime minister Shaukat Aziz. Accountability Court Judge Arshad Malik issued the arrest warrants. State Minister Shehryar Afridi had Wednesday said that the Ministry of Interior was deliberating on bringing back to people who were wanted in Pakistan in various cases. In response to a question to get former prime minister Shaukat Aziz extradited to face cases against him in the courts, he had said that the Ministry of Interior has not received any request for extradition of Shaukat Aziz from any department so far. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi Thursday said Pakistan desired to further intensify bilateral cooperation with Tajikistan in all fields as both the countries were key partners in the region. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2018 ) :Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi Thursday said Pakistan desired to further intensify bilateral cooperation with Tajikistan in all fields as both the countries were key partners in the region. In a meeting with Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda on the sidelines of the 17th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government Meeting being held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, he congratulated the Tajik Premier for the successful convening of the meeting in the beautiful city of Dushanbe, a Foreign Office statement said. The foreign minister conveyed the greetings and warm wishes of Prime Minister Imran Khan to the Tajik prime minister. The two sides discussed issues of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern and agreed to strengthen and enhance cooperation in the area of trade and investments. Noting regular political and parliamentary exchanges, the foreign minister underlined the importance of closer economic and investment ties and reaffirmed Pakistan's desire for further intensifying bilateral cooperation in all fields. The two sides agreed that bilateral security and defence cooperation was developing satisfactorily and noted the progress on CASA-1000 project and agreed on fast tracking its implementation. The foreign minister extended the invitation to Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience. Pakistan was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Tajikistan soon after its independence. The bilateral relations between the two countries are based on mutual respect, shared interests and brotherhood and have been growing positively and steadily over the years. Abottabad Police Thursday foiled a bid of artifacts smuggling by recovering 11 sculptures of Buddha era from a vehicle at Muslimabad area. ABOTTABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2018 ) :Abottabad Police Thursday foiled a bid of artifacts smuggling by recovering 11 sculptures of Buddha era from a vehicle at Muslimabad area. According to police, DSP Cantonment received a tip that artifacts stolen from an archaeological site would be smuggled to Northern areas. Acting on the information, police started searching of vehicles on a checking point established at Muslimabad area. During checking, police intercepted a suspected vehicle, GLTA 5835 and recovered 11 sculptors (Moortis) of Budha era that were being hidden in luggage loaded on roof of the vehicle. Police arrested conductor of the vehicle, Akhlaq Hussain after recovering a sculpture displaying stand from his possession. Case has been registered against the arrested in Cantonment Police Station and investigation has been initiated. (@rukhshanmir) The World Space Week activities concluded here at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) here on Wednesday. FAISALABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Oct, 2018 ) :The World Space Week activities concluded here at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) here on Wednesday. The closing ceremony was held at New Senate Hall with Director Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) Prof Dr Zahir Ahmad Zahir as chief guest whereas Principal Community College of the varsity Prof Dr Haq Nawaz Bhatti and Director Agriculture Information SUPARCO Dr Ijaz Ahmad Bhutta participated in the event as guests of honour. As per results of the Water Rocket Competitions, students from Alhamra Girls school stood first followed by Ummal Madaras Girls High School and Government City Muslim High School at second and third positions, respectively. Female Cycle Race won by Hamna Aslam followed by Fiza Noor and Maham Ali with the second and the third positions, respectively. Alishba and team from Pakistan Public School clinched the first position in Space Model making competition (Primary level). Abrish and team from Junior Lab Section PARS stood second and Hamza Mehboob from Ummal Madaris grabbed the third position. From Secondary level Nawal Zohra and Shaukat from Ummal Mudaris Girls School grabbed top two positions and Tehreem from Laboratory School Main Campus stood third. In the Higher Secondary level, Hooria & Areba from Laboratory School & College declared 1st whereas Abdur Rafi & Team from Laboratory College and Uswa Laboratory College stood second and third. In the poster competition (primary level) Rehan Ahmad from JLS stood the first followed by Mishal from Pakistan Public School and M. Basit from Challenge School System as second and third positions. The secondary level posters won by Areej Fatima from Lab High School followed by Eman, DPS premium Campus and Fatima ut Zahra from Ummal Madaris at second and third positions, respectively. In the Higher Secondary level posters, Umer DPS Premium Campus stood first followed by Tuba from lab School and College System and Muqadas from KIPS at second and third positions, respectively. Quiz Competition was also part of the event. Prof Dr Zahir Ahmad Zahir along with Principal Community College Dr Haq Nawaz Bhatti and Dr Ijaz Ahmad Bhutta distributed prizes among the winners. (@ChaudhryMAli88) U.S. Ambassador Paul Jones on Thursday called on Sindh Governor Imran Ismail at the Governor House here. KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2018 ) :U.S. Ambassador Paul Jones on Thursday called on Sindh Governor Imran Ismail at the Governor House here. The matters relating to bilateral economic relations, investment opportunities in economic hub of the country and cooperation of the U.S. in other sectors was discussed during the meeting, said a press release. The Governor Sindh said further strengthening of Pak-US economic ties was the need of the hour besides exchange of delegations of investors and industrialists among the two countries. He said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a great example of Chinese economic cooperation and the American investors should also take benefit from it. He said the incumbent government was taking measures for the betterment of every sector of the country and the investors would be provided one-window operation facility. The U.S. Ambassador assured the governor that he would make efforts for enhancing economic ties of the two countries. Meanwhile, Consul General (CG) of Bahrain Yasir Essa also met Sindh Governor Imran Ismail at the Governor House. The matters pertaining to mutual interests, diplomatic relations and bilateral investments were discussed during the meeting. The Sindh Governor said bilateral relations between Bahrain and Pakistan were strengthening with the passage of time. He stressed Pakistan intends to enhance trade with Bahrain. He asked the Consul General to invite investors from Bahrain to invest in various sectors which had great potential for investment and assured him that the government would provide best possible facilities to investors. (@rukhshanmir) The Women Development Department (WDD) Sindh Hyderabad chapter has organized an awareness programme in connection with International Day of Girl Child here at Government Girls Primary School Saeedpur of Tando Muhammad Khan on Thursday. HYDERABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2018 ) :The Women Development Department (WDD) Sindh Hyderabad chapter has organized an awareness programme in connection with International Day of Girl Child here at Government Girls Primary school Saeedpur of Tando Muhammad Khan on Thursday. The programme was organized on the directives of Sindh Minister for Women Development Shehla Raza where the Incharge Women Complaint Cell Hyderabad/Tando Muhammad Khan guided the girls about their rights. She said the girls are equal to boys and there is the need to eliminate the negative thoughts against females. She underlined the need of provision of equal rights to girls as being exercised by the boys in all fields of life. She also emphasized the need of proper healthcare of girls with adequate rights so that in future they being mother could lay foundation of healthy society. The School Principal, teachers and students attended the programme in large number. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The legal team of the founder of WikiLeaks whistleblowing site, Julian Assange, plans to file a lawsuit against Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Jose Valencia for making public confidential information about Assange's asylum and citizenship process, lawyer Carlos Poveda told Sputnik on Thursday. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) The legal team of the founder of WikiLeaks whistleblowing site, Julian Assange, plans to file a lawsuit against Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Jose Valencia for making public confidential information about Assange's asylum and citizenship process, lawyer Carlos Poveda told Sputnik on Thursday. "In the next few days we start legal proceedings ... The proceedings will be against the Foreign Ministry and its legal representative, who is the foreign minister," the lawyer said. Last month, based on the information received from the Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry, lawmaker Paola Vintimilla asked the government to strip the WikiLeaks founder of his Ecuadorian citizenship, citing irregularities in the way he received his citizenship, primarily that the procedure was established especially for him. Ecuador announced in January that it had granted citizenship to Assange who has been holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for the last six years. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The death toll from Thursday's bus and truck collision in central Russia has risen to 12 people, with ten others injured and two more still trapped in the wrecked vehicle, the Emergencies Ministry said. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) The death toll from Thursday's bus and truck collision in central Russia has risen to 12 people, with ten others injured and two more still trapped in the wrecked vehicle, the Emergencies Ministry said. A truck is believed to have swerved and rammed a minibus going in the opposite direction on a Federal highway in the Chuvashia region at 7:10 p.m. (16:10GMT). "There were 22 casualties in the accident, 12 of them were fatalities," a spokesman for the emergency authority's central regional center told Sputnik. Five people were taken to hospitals, the official said, adding four of them were in serious condition. An official at the situation room told Sputnik they were receiving emergency care at a clinic in the region's main city of Cheboksary. The bus driver survived and is receiving medical help. The regional Interior Ministry said the passengers of the private vehicle were heading to Moscow to work. (@FahadShabbir) The EU member states' foreign ministers next week will urge all international parties active in the Central African Republic (CAR) to act transparently and provide assistance exclusively to the official government, a source in the European Union bodies said on Thursday. BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th October, 2018) The EU member states' foreign ministers next week will urge all international parties active in the Central African Republic (CAR) to act transparently and provide assistance exclusively to the official government, a source in the European Union bodies said on Thursday. On October 15, the EU foreign ministers will meet for talks, which will focus on the situation with security in CAR, among other issues. "The European Union should call on all international players, especially those present in CAR, to exclusively support the government and the Africa Initiative within the framework of proper coordination and full transparency," the source told reporters. Late in July, the European Council prolonged the mandate of the EU military training mission in car (EUTM RCA) until September 2020, allocating over 25 million Euros ($28 million) to the cause. The mission was launched in 2016 to assist the country's authorities in the implementation of the security sector reform. Moscow has offered Bangui to establish a representation of the Russian Defense Ministry at the CAR Defense Ministry. The goal of the plan is to assist CAR in resolving issues of military and defense industry cooperation, as well as to train CAR military personnel with the assistance of Russian specialists. According to the project, the representation will be maintained at the expense of the Russian side, and will consist of five people. Since 2012, the CAR has been destabilized by the conflict between the Muslim armed group Seleka, Christian Anti-balaka militias and the government. In late August, Seleka and Anti-balaka signed a declaration of understanding after a Russia-brokered peace meeting in Khartoum. (@FahadShabbir) BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th October, 2018) The EU member states' foreign ministers next week will urge all international parties active in the Central African Republic (CAR) to act transparently and provide assistance exclusively to the official government, a source in the European Union bodies said on Thursday. On October 15, the EU foreign ministers will meet for talks, which will focus on the situation with security in CAR, among other issues. "The European Union should call on all international players, especially those present in CAR, to exclusively support the government and the Africa Initiative within the framework of proper coordination and full transparency," the source told reporters. Late in July, the European Council prolonged the mandate of the EU military training mission in car (EUTM RCA) until September 2020, allocating over 25 million Euros ($28 million) to the cause. The mission was launched in 2016 to assist the country's authorities in the implementation of the security sector reform. Moscow has offered Bangui to establish a representation of the Russian Defense Ministry at the CAR Defense Ministry. The goal of the plan is to assist CAR in resolving issues of military and defense industry cooperation, as well as to train CAR military personnel with the assistance of Russian specialists. According to the project, the representation will be maintained at the expense of the Russian side, and will consist of five people. Since 2012, the CAR has been destabilized by the conflict between the Muslim armed group Seleka, Christian Anti-balaka militias and the government. In late August, Seleka and Anti-balaka signed a declaration of understanding after a Russia-brokered peace meeting in Khartoum. Berlin, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2018 ) :Germany's government has left the door open to exporting arms to Saudi Arabia and its allies in the Yemen conflict, the news weekly Der Spiegel reported Wednesday, seemingly in spite of a deal within the country's ruling coalition. There would be no German arms embargo on countries taking part in the Yemen conflict, which has left 10,000 people dead since 2015, the news weekly said on its website. It cited a letter to that effect sent by the economy ministry to Social Democratic Party (SPD) MP Thomas Hitschler. But part of a March coalition deal between Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative CSU party and the centre-left SPD appeared to rule out arms exports to countries "directly involved" in the conflict. The letter to Hitschler, however, said that export licences will be granted on a case by case basis, Der Spiegel reported. The issue provoked a sharp dispute within the SPD's parliamentary group, the news weekly said, with several deputies accusing Foreign Minister Heiko Maas -- himself a SDP member -- of kowtowing to the Saudis. Merkel's coalition is already fragile, with its third member, the Bavarian conservative CSU, agitating for a migration crackdown as well as facing regional polls on Sunday. The Der Spiegel report also comes amid mounting international scrutiny of the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, last seen by his fiancee entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week. Turkish police say they think he was killed by a 15-strong team sent to Istanbul, an accusation strongly denied by the Saudis. The authorities in Turkey have released security camera footage showing a man thought to be Khashoggi entering the consulate. Germany and Saudi Arabia only returned their ambassadors in September after 10 months of frosty relations following criticism from Berlin of what it said was Saudi interference in Lebanese affairs. Saudi Arabia leads a coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 to support the government there against armed rebels backed by Iran. Thousands have since died -- mainly civilians -- in what the UN has labelled the world's worst humanitarian crisis. (@FahadShabbir) Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales asked on Thursday the United States to assist Guatemala in securing $15-billion financial aid from the World Bank or the Inter-American Development Bank for a series of infrastructure projects and security facilities on the Guatemalan borders, media reported. MEXICO CITY (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales asked on Thursday the United States to assist Guatemala in securing $15-billion financial aid from the World Bank or the Inter-American Development Bank for a series of infrastructure projects and security facilities on the Guatemalan borders, media reported. Morales addressed his request to US Vice President Mike Pence during a conference on Latin American prosperity and security, which is now underway in Washington, the Pensa Libre news media outlet said. According to the media, the president promised to ensure transparency of spending and guarantee the quality of facilities that would be build using the loan. Guatemala, despite being one of the strongest economic performers in Central America, suffers from high inequality, poverty rates and child malnutrition. Ukrainian Ambassador to Budapest Liubov Nepop was summoned to the Hungarian Foreign Ministry over "a death list" of Hungarians in Ukraine who allegedly had dual citizenship, media reported on Wednesday. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th October, 2018) Ukrainian Ambassador to Budapest Liubov Nepop was summoned to the Hungarian Foreign Ministry over "a death list" of Hungarians in Ukraine who allegedly had dual citizenship, media reported on Wednesday. According to Hungary Today, the so-called death list was recently published on "an extremist Ukrainian website" and included about 300 ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine who were believed to have dual citizenship, which is banned under Ukrainian law. Previous experience has shown that people on such lists could be harassed and even become victims of murder, the media cited the Hungarian parliamentary state secretary, Levente Magyar, as saying. Budapest also expressed to the ambassador its concern about military installations Ukraine was reportedly setting up next to the Hungarian border, the media added. Last week, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry expelled a Hungarian consul working in the Ukrainian city of Berehove after reports emerged claiming that the consulate had been issuing Hungarian passports to Ukrainians who were ethnic Hungarians. Budapest responded by expelling one of Ukraine's consuls. The diplomatic row over suspected dual citizenship is another development in the months-long standoff between the two countries that was sparked by Ukraine's new education law. The legislation, adopted last September, stripped national minority children in Ukraine of the right to study in their native language. (@ChaudhryMAli88) BAGHDAD (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th October, 2018) The Iraqi army has strengthened control of the country's border with Syria to prevent infiltration attempts by terrorists, the Iraqi security forces said on Thursday. "Presence [of the Iraqi forces] on the border posts and vantage points as well as construction and patrol of breastworks, fortifications and fences were enhanced on the Iraqi-Syrian border," the security forces said in a statement. According to the statement, reconnaissance work was also strengthened to ensure security of the frontier from the town of Qaim to the Tal Safuk village and eliminate any gaps terrorists could use to get into the Iraqi territory or smuggle weapons. All the operations were conducted in coordination with the Iraqi Air Force, the statement added. Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the government forces fighting against numerous opposition groups and terrorist organizations, whose members flee to the neighboring states as the government forces regain control of the Syrian territory. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday that he would pay a visit to Beijing the week after next to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, local media reported. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday that he would pay a visit to Beijing the week after next to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, local media reported. According to the NHK broadcaster, the announcement was made at Abe's meeting in Tokyo with the head of the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China, Song Tao. During the talks, Abe reportedly said that he was also planning to meet with Premier Li Keqiang. The Japanese prime minister noted the improvement of relations between the two nations, which celebrate the 40th anniversary of the bilateral peace and friendship treaty this year. Song, in part, welcomed the normalization of relations as well, according to the media outlet. In recent months, Abe has repeatedly expressed a desire to elevate relations with Beijing to a new stage and visit China in the course of the year, inviting Xi for a reciprocal visit. In September at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Russia's Vladivostok, he reiterated his wish. The meeting thereby may provide fresh impetus to the ties between the two countries, whose relations have long been overshadowed by a territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. Jordan and Canada on Thursday sealed an agreement for hosting the headquarters of the Canadian International Development Research Center (IDRC) in Amman. Amman (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Oct, 2018 ) :Jordan and Canada on Thursday sealed an agreement for hosting the headquarters of the Canadian International Development Research Center (IDRC) in Amman. Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs, Ambassador Zeid Lozi, and IDRC president Jean Lebel, signed the agreement. During the signing ceremony, Lebel said picking Jordan to host the IDRC stems from Canada's belief in the "active" role of the Kingdom in the region, as well as to the availability of infrastructure, knowledge and security. In turn, Lozi stressed the "deep-rooted" and "strong" relations between the two countries in all fields, especially in the cultural and educational domains. The IDRC, established in 1970, funds research in developing countriesto promote growth, reduce poverty, and drive large-scale positivechange. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Reports about another meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump in Finland, are not true, at the moment there are no such plans, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) Reports about another meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump in Finland, are not true, at the moment there are no such plans, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday. On Wednesday, the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper reported, citing sources, that Putin and Trump might meet again in Finland early next year. According to the publication, the talks with the US and the Russian sides have substantially moved forward, so potential dates for the summit are being discussed, with Valentine's Day (February 14) week being one of the options. "This is not true, now there are no plans or projections," Peskov said commenting on the reports. Putin and Trump held their first full-fledged summit in the Finnish capital of Helsinki on July 16. (@FahadShabbir) At least 11 people lost their lives on Thursday in the landslide that occurred in the town of Marquetalia, located in Colombia's northwestern Caldas Department, the town's mayor Louis Betancourt said. MEXICO CITY (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) At least 11 people lost their lives on Thursday in the landslide that occurred in the town of Marquetalia, located in Colombia's northwestern Caldas Department, the town's mayor Louis Betancourt said. "Unfortunately, the death toll has risen to 11 people, including four children," Betancourt said, as quoted by the RCN broadcaster. The landslide occurred late Thursday and hit several houses. It was caused by heavy rains in the region. The emergency services have managed to rescue 28 people, while 10 are considered missing. Colombian President Ivan Duque Marquez has already expressed condolences to the families of victims. (@FahadShabbir) Over 120 million people worldwide are suffering from hunger and malnutrition, with these issues being especially acute in Africa, the annual Global Huger Index (GHI) report by German humanitarian organization Welthungerhilfe and Ireland's Concern Worldwide revealed on Thursday. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) Over 120 million people worldwide are suffering from hunger and malnutrition, with these issues being especially acute in Africa, the annual Global Huger Index (GHI) report by German humanitarian organization Welthungerhilfe and Ireland's Concern Worldwide revealed on Thursday. "The statistics are both staggering and sobering. Approximately 124 million people suffer acute hunger, a striking increase from 80 million two years ago, while the reality of hunger and undernutrition continues to have a massive impact on the next generation," the report read. The authors of the report specified that the levels of hunger varied "enormously" in different regions. While the Central African Republic was revealed to be suffering from "extremely alarming" hunger, and six other African states Chad, Haiti, Madagascar, Sierra Leone, Yemen, and Zambia from "alarming" hunger, the 2018 GHI included 27 countries with a "moderate" hunger level and even 40 countries where a "low" hunger level was registered. The report added that many forcibly displaced migrants faced the "persistent danger" of hunger, specifying that there were currently 68.5 million displaced persons worldwide, including 40 million of those who are internally displaced. "Despite evidence showing that real progress is possible, the root causes and complex realities of hunger are not being adequately tackled. In 2015 the world's countries committed to achieving zero hunger by 2030. We are not on track to meet that goal," the report read. Hunger is a pressing issue in countries affected by crises or wars. In September, international rights group Save the Children said that 590,000 children living in conflict zones could die of hunger by the end of the year. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez said in Washington, DC on Thursday that he has a solution for what should be done about the migrant children separated from their parents after crossing into the United States illegally. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez said in Washington, DC on Thursday that he has a solution for what should be done about the migrant children separated from their parents after crossing into the United States illegally. "We have a solution for the 119 Honduran children who have been separated from their parents here in the United States," Hernandez said during his opening statement at the Conference for Prosperity and Security in Central America. Hernandez did not specify what solution he has in mind, but said he could not return to Honduras without an answer. Earlier this year, 2,600 children were separated from their parents at the US-Mexico border due to a new zero-tolerance policy on illegal immigration put in place by the Trump administration. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that next week he would pay a state visit to Uzbekistan, where a big package of documents would be signed following the talks and the construction of a nuclear power plant would be launched. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that next week he would pay a state visit to Uzbekistan, where a big package of documents would be signed following the talks and the construction of a nuclear power plant would be launched. "I hope that during the upcoming state visit to Tashkent next week, we will have extensive talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. And a solid package of joint intergovernmental and commercial documents will be signed after the talks," Putin said at the ceremony of receiving credentials from foreign ambassadors, including the ambassador of Uzbekistan. The Russian and Norwegian business circles are interested in new joint projects including those in the energy sphere, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) The Russian and Norwegian business circles are interested in new joint projects including those in the energy sphere, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday. "Given the big experience of the good neighbor relations, we may reach further progress, expanding the scope of cooperation. The Russian and Norwegian business circles are interested in new joint projects in the energy sphere, fishing, shipbuilding and many other areas," Putin said at the ceremony of receiving credentials from foreign countries' ambassadors in the Kremlin. The Russian president said that he wanted to develop the broader cooperation with Norway. "We are calling for the development of constructive cooperation with our neighbor, Norway. Next year, we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of northern Norway by the Soviet troops from Nazis," Putin added. Russia and Norway have a long history of cooperation. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Russian government was the first to recognize the independence of Norway in 1905, while Norway was the first among the Western states that recognized Russia as a sovereign state in 1991. Russia is ready to cooperate with the new Slovenian government for the sake of further strengthening of ties, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) Russia is ready to cooperate with the new Slovenian government for the sake of further strengthening of ties, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday. On September 13, the Slovenian parliament voted in favor of Prime Minister Marjan Sarec's center-left government. "Slovenia is our partner, and we have established multifaceted cooperation. We are ready to work with the new Slovenian government, which was formed in September, on further cooperation enhancement," Putin said at the ceremony of the foreign ambassadors' letters of credence presentation. He added that Russia was grateful to Slovenia for "taking care of the graves of our soldiers who fell on the territory of Slovenia during the First and Second World Wars." There are 56 burial sites of the Soviet warriors who fell during World War II in Slovenia. In late July 2016, the first ever joint monument to Russian and Soviet warriors was opened in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana. DUSHANBE (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th October, 2018) Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev arrived in Tajikistan late on Thursday to participate in the upcoming session of the Heads of Government Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). At the airport, Medvedev was met by Tajikistani Economic Development Minister Negmatullo Hikmatullozoda. The SCO heads of governments on Friday will first hold a meeting in a narrow, and then in an expanded format. The development of the new program of multilateral trade and economic cooperation, focused on innovations, high technologies and the digital economy will be discussed. The work of the SCO business Council and the Interbank Association of the SCO are on the agenda of the session too alongside the approval of the budget for 2019. SCO, established in 2001, comprises China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as permanent members, while Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia hold observer status. The SCO states cooperate on a number of issues, including economy, security, culture and science. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday signed a bill that will formalize the use of a salute once popular with a controversial nationalist group by the armed forces. KIEV (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday signed a bill that will formalize the use of a salute once popular with a controversial nationalist group by the armed forces. The draft law to make the exchange, "Glory to Ukraine - Glory to Heroes," part of the military code of conduct was passed last week by the Ukrainian parliament. It needs to be published to become law. "We made the first step [toward respecting the military] last week when the parliament upheld and adopted the presidential motion. I signed it," Poroshenko announced at a meeting with the top brass. The new rules, which will see the military abandon the word "comrade" as the formal address in favor of a less widespread "pan," will also be enforced in the national police. The greeting is associated with the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (banned in Russia), a paramilitary group that fought against Soviet troops during World War Two. It is accused of massacring tens of thousands of Poles in Nazi-occupied Poland. (@rukhshanmir) The UN international expert on the human rights situation in Mali has expressed serious concern about the escalating humanitarian crisis in the north and center of the country. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) The UN international expert on the human rights situation in Mali has expressed serious concern about the escalating humanitarian crisis in the north and center of the country. According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the already tense situation with human rights in Mali has deteriorated over the past three months. The official has said earlier in October that the Malian military were suspected of at least one mass killing and hundreds were murdered, tortured, raped and kidnapped across different parts of the country over the given period. "In the north, as in the center of the country, there is a real climate of fear and insecurity with a major impact on the lives of people, haunted by daily violence. This situation is due to the absence of certain state authorities in Timbuktu, Gao, Kidal, Mopti and Menaka, including the absence of the judiciary, administrative, defense and security systems," Alioune Tine said, as cited by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. According to the expert, the situation was aggravated by magistrates being on strike for more than 70 days and the state failing to fulfill its role in bringing criminals to justice. The expert has urged the international community to reinforce its commitment to assist the Malian state in fulfilling its judiciary obligations and protecting people's safety and property. Mali suffers from chronic instability and simmering ethnic conflicts. There are about 20 ethnic groups, some members of which are reportedly affiliated with global terrorist organizations. The United Nations estimates that about 600 civilians have died in inter-communal violence since January. (@ChaudhryMAli88) UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants Felipe Gonzalez Morales urged Niger authorities to prioritize human rights in its national migration policy, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in a press release on Thursday. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants Felipe Gonzalez Morales urged Niger authorities to prioritize human rights in its national migration policy, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in a press release on Thursday. "A UN human rights expert has urged Niger to put human rights at the center of its migration policies, and called on international donors, including the European Union, to provide more assistance to Niger which is a major transit country for migrants in Africa," the press release read. Gonzalez Morales also urged the European Union and other destination countries to share their responsibility in managing migration flows "by incentivising regular and safe migration channels and increasing resettlement opportunities," the OHCHR noted. The UN expert referred to the testimonies of unaccompanied children, women and men who were victims of "unimaginable atrocities" such as human trafficking, ill-treatment, torture and rape after taking migrant routes through Sudan, Chad, Libya and Mali to Niger. "The atrocities they have suffered should shock the conscience of humanity. Despite its poverty, limited capacities and security concerns related to its neighbouring countries, Niger, by receiving these persons in need of protection, is setting the example to other countries and regions in the world where anti-migration and racist discourses and practices are taking over," Gonzalez Morales stressed. For years, Niger has been a country of origin and transit, and has recently become "a virtual southern border of Europe" as a result of migration laws and policies adopted by Niger authorities, according to the UN. (@ChaudhryMAli88) WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) The US Department of Defense said in a press release on Wednesday that it has awarded more than $1 billion in contracts for launch system and rocket propulsion prototypes. The Defense Department explained in the release it awarded three contracts for launch system and rocket propulsion prototypes totaling about $1.05 billion. The Defense Department awarded United Launch Services $967 million for the development of a Launch System Prototype for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program, the release said. A $46.9 million contract was awarded to ATK Launch Systems Inc. for the development of three rocket propulsion system prototypes for the EELV program, the release said. Space Exploration Technologies, Corp., also known as SpaceX, has been awarded a $33.6 million contract for the development of the Raptor rocket propulsion system prototypes for the EELV program, the release added. (@rukhshanmir) An annual meeting of US and Belarusian officials on how to promote human rights will be hosted Friday by Belarus's capital of Minsk, the US embassy announced. MINSK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) An annual meeting of US and Belarusian officials on how to promote human rights will be hosted Friday by Belarus's capital of Minsk, the US embassy announced. "On October 12, the United States and the Republic of Belarus will hold the fifth annual bilateral Human Rights Dialogue in Minsk," it said in a statement. They will discuss a "broad range of issues related to human rights and democracy in Belarus and the United States, and discuss promoting human rights in international fora, including the UN and OSCE." The Belarusian delegation will be led by Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Kravchenko, while Michael Kozak, a senior official at the Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, will head the US mission. (@FahadShabbir) The United States is encouraging the government of Cameroon to open the vote tabulation process in October 7 elections to public scrutiny amid charges by opposition groups of cheating, the US Department of State said in a press release on Thursday. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th October, 2018) The United States is encouraging the government of Cameroon to open the vote tabulation process in October 7 elections to public scrutiny amid charges by opposition groups of cheating, the US Department of State said in a press release on Thursday. "We encourage Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) and the Constitutional Council to release results polling site by polling site to enhance transparency," the release said. Cameroon opposition leader Maurice Kamto has claimed victory in Sunday's election, in which incumbent President Paul Biya was widely expected to win a seventh term in office. While awaiting official results, Kamto's supporters have challenged the vote counting process in court, calling for a recount or annulment of ballots cast in some districts. For more than a year, Cameroon soldiers have been accused of attacking residents of English speaking areas bordering Nigeria, which are seeking to break away from the nation's French-speaking majority. Bishop Willem Christiaans of Keetmanshoop, Namibia is one of the youngest Synod Fathers at the ongoing Synod on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment. He speaks of what he sees as the most urgent issues at the heart of the meeting. By Linda Bordoni Vast open spaces, spectacular scenery, magnificent wildlife are the first images that come to mind when think of the southern African nation of Namibia. This beautiful, semi deserted and sparsely inhabited corner of the world has a new shepherd leading the flock in the Catholic Diocese of Keetmanshoop, and he is promising to work for change. Bishop Willem Christiaans was appointed to head the diocese in February this year after having served as diocesan administrator and national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Namibia. Born in 1961, Bishop Christiaans is probably one of the youngest Synod Fathers here in Rome for the Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith and Discernment. Talking with Linda Bordoni he spoke of his determination to work with the priests of all the parishes of his diocese to make sure women and young people are given the role and the voice they deserve: Listen to the interview with Bishop Christiaans Bishop Will as he likes to be called explains that his Diocese comprises the whole southern part of Nambia from Rehoboth right down to the South African border. Its a vast diocese that includes large swathes of semi-deserted and uninhabited land. All in all, the diocese counts 45,000 Catholics, who, together with the Lutherans and Anglicans make up the most numerous faith-based communities of the region, but he warned: At this moment in the life of the country there are many of our young people who are looking for ways and means to be truly part of the life of the Church, and if we dont offer it to them they will leave and join the other churches, especially the Pentecostal Churches. Bishop Christiaans who is due to present his intervention during part-three of the Synod, revealed that it focusses on the call to holiness because, he says, thats what young people are searching for that in their lives despite the technological revolution and everything else, he says he is convinced that young people are searching for ways to make their lives meaningful. The need to listen What I have discovered listening to the interventions in this Synod is the lack of listening in the Church to our young people. This has been a big part of the synod: listening. Bishop Christiaans reflects on how too often We dont really find time to listen to our young people, when they want to come and talk to us about their lives and other things, we are often too busy. He also says that in his own diocese there are too few priests, pastoral workers, nuns, laity who are really geared towards the young and find time to accompany them. Wake-up call It has been a wake-up call for me that we truly need to tackle that area seriously: find time to listen to the young people despite the busy schedules that many of us have. Lack of young auditors from Southern Africa With a tone of regret the bishop also talks of how a young person from his diocese was in Rome in March to take part in the preparatory meeting for the Synod, and of his disappointment no young people from Southern Africa are here today. She was actually representing the Namibian Bishops Conference, she was very active in bringing the plight of young people to that preparatory meeting in March he says explaining that much energy was put into the preparation for the Synod also with a follow-up meeting in July in Johannesburg with the Inter Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA). There were about ten or twelve young people: very, very vital in their own outspoken way and we thought that they would be presented at this Synod. We discovered that none of them are here (at least to my knowledge), the reason being that only few young people were chosen to be present. So that is part of my disappointment: that not one of those young people from southern Africa from IMBISA are here he says. Empowering young people Bishop Christiaans says the message he is going to take back with him is that young people are so, so important in our Church. They are a vital component of the Church, he continues, and says it its the biggest mistake ever not to make them part of everything we do, in our discussions, in leadership, wherever they are vital. And if you have a vital element that is not being part, you are doomed for failure, and this is my message. Women Bishop Christiaans also points out that gender issues are at the forefront in his country right now. Women, he stresses, need to play a vital role in all spheres of leadership, and they are not being recognized in many spheres, also in the life of the Church. Summing up, says Bishop Christiaans, women and youth need to be given the opportunity and the space to be able to play a vital role in society and in the Church. As the bishop of the diocese this is something I am going to push for: I am going to work with the priests in all the parishes of my diocese to make sure women and young people can play their roles: this is important. Three issues dominated the daily press briefing for the Synod of Bishops on Young People: the digital world, fear, loneliness and the Korean Peninsula. By Russell Pollitt, SJ Dr Paolo Ruffini, the Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Communications, said that discussions in the Synod assembly continued in a serene and cheerful manner with lots of joyful interactions between the bishops and young people. He said that there was an emphasis on the fact that charity mustnt just be preached but also seen in action. He told journalists that one young person told the Synod Fathers that thousands of young people looked towards them for something concrete from the Synod, they trusted the Fathers would meet their hopes. Dr Ruffini also said that an intervention about secularisation urged the bishops to see this not only as a negative move but one that frees religion from a connection to national identities. It challenges the Church to a more mature faith. Digital World Dr Ruffini said that although the digital world is a great development and facilitates the exchange of information it also has boundaries. The danger of manipulation and a culture of violence is very real in both images and writing. The Church must help bring humanity back to the digital world. Archbishop Bruno Forte of Italy said that the Synod assembly recognised that there are many young people who are lonely, not engaging in the reality of relationships, but rather seeking them online. The Synod assembly pondered how the Church reaches these young people who are alone in the dark in front of their computers which, he said, threatens to swallow them. Fear and Loneliness Archbishop Forte sketched two profiles of young people that he felt emerged from the discussions. First, some young people who have a wealth of hopes and wishes for the future, especially those who are fleeing political and economic situations. The second are those in the West who, he says, are more fearful and lonely. He says that this arises from the digital world but also because there is a disconnect with their past and with older generations. An inter-generational disconnect causes a memory loss and so young people have no roots. An auditor from India, Mr Percival Holt, noted that even in the Synod there was a struggle for some of the bishops to understand young people because of the generation gap. He said that they were trying to do this and that it was important to continue dialoguing. The Church and young people must make the journey together patiently, he added. Bishop Lazzaro You Heung-sik from South Korea noted that he met some fearful young people too. They were fearful of the sacrifices and the impact on their lifestyles if there was a reunification between North and South Korea. He said that he believes that this is not the majority of young people though because many see the benefits of such a move. Korea Speaking about the situation in Korea, Bishop Heung-sik said that until last year many believed that there would be a war between North and South Korea. This has now changed. He ascribes this to the Olympic games saying that the event helped to establish a relationship between the two. He says that he believes that North Korea is ready to begin opening up. He says that the South Korean leader, Moon Jae-in, told his North Korean counterpart, Kim Jong-un, that the best way for the country to get back into the international community was by inviting Pope Francis to visit. If the Pope visits this would be a giant step forward for peace on the Korean Peninsula. The Bishop cautioned that lots of work still has to be done and change will be necessary - he specifically mentioned North Korea ensuring religious freedom. He said that by listening and gathering opinions, especially those of young people, the Church can assist move things forward and in so doing create a climate of cooperation. On Wednesday, October 10, renowned entertainer Drew Carey, blockbuster actress Famke Janssen and Vegas Cakes Freeds Bakery made appearances at Global Gaming Expo, the worlds largest gaming convention, to unveil new games at Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas (Pictured: Game show host Drew Carey celebrates the world debut of three The Price is Right slot games by International Game Technology (IGT) Photo credit: Denise Truscello / Getty Images) On the show floor, Drew Carey celebrated the debut of The Price is Right slots from IGT. The beloved comedian and The Price is Right host moderated a spirited game of Plinko with National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. and IGT Chief Product Officer Dallas Orchard on the replica of the shows game. Afterward, Carey welcomed a line of attendees to join him in playing Plinko for prizes. Photo credit: Denise Truscello / Getty Images Scientific Games unveiled its series of James Bond gamesbased on the classics Die Another Day, GoldenEye and Live and Let Diewith the help of actress Famke Janssen. Famous for her role as villainous Xenia Onatopp in 1995s GoldenEye, Janssen greeted fans and signed autographs. Photo credit: Denise Truscello / Getty Images In honor of the 10th anniversary of Aristocrats Buffalo slot machine and the unveiling of its new Buffalo Diamond game, Freeds Bakery from Food Networks Vegas Cakes created a giant Buffalo-themed creation and game-themed cupcakes for attendees. Freeds Bakery is a local favorite, selected specially for the celebration of the player-favorite game. Tyson Foods, Inc. and the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) partnered today to donate a truckload of protein totaling 35,000 pounds to Three Square Food Bank to help fight hunger in Southern Nevada. Pictured: Larry Scott, Michelle Beck, Jeff Lenard, Mark Purvis, Marsha Gilford, Brian Burton, Tifani Walker and Jodi Tyson. Three Square will distribute the donated food, which is equivalent to 140,000 servings, through its service network of more than 1,600 community partners to reach struggling individuals and families at risk of hunger. No one in our community should ever have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, said Brian Burton, Three Square president and CEO. This donation will provide a valuable protein boost to the individuals who rely on Three Square, Burton continued. We cannot thank Tyson Foods and the National Association of Convenience Stores enough for helping us continue to provide relief to our hungry neighbors. NACS is holding its annual NACS Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center this week. More than 24,000 attendees from 60-plus countries are expected to attend the event, which is one of the largest tradeshows in the country. The show, which takes place from Oct. 7 to 10, features four days of general sessions, more than 60 educational sessions and more than 1,200 exhibiting companies and is expected to bring an estimated $44 million in business to the area. We truly believe that c-store doesnt just stand for convenience storeit also stands for community store, and we are proud to join Tyson Foods in supporting the Las Vegas community that we call home this week during the NACS Show in Las Vegas, said Jeff Lenard, vice president of NACS strategic industry initiatives. Tyson Foods partners with Feeding America, Share Our Strength and Lift Up America to raise awareness and help feed the hungry across the nation. Since 2000, Tyson Foods has donated more than 100 million pounds of protein in the United States. In 2015, Tyson Foods announced its renewed commitment to hunger relief by pledging $50 million in cash and in-kind donations by 2020 in the fight against hunger, with a special focus on innovative initiatives at the local level. Partnering with organizations like Three Square Food Bank and NACS is important to us in raising awareness about food insecurity in communities all around the U.S., said Mark Purvis, vice president, convenience sales for Tyson Foods. In this community alone, Three Square served more than 37 million meals last year. Were honored to support those extraordinary efforts. The flyover over the An Duong Thanh Nien intersection seen from above. (Photo: VNA) Present at the opening ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, who is also Chairman of the National Committee for Traffic Safety, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Hoang Trung Hai, and Chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee Nguyen Duc Chung. The construction of the An Duong Thanh Nien overpass was completed after 10 months, coinciding with the celebration of the capital citys 64th liberation day (October 10, 1954 2018), according to Director of the Hanoi Traffic Project Management Board Pham Hoang Tuan. It was built with total investment of nearly 312 billion VND (13.43 million USD), he added. The flyover is 271 metres in length and 10 metres in width. The project includes modifications to the structure of a section of the Huu Hong dyke on the right bank of the Red River. In his remarks at the event, Chung said the overpass will be significant to curbing traffic congestion in Ba Dinh and Tay Ho districts and facilitate travel between Ba Dinh, the citys political hub, and Noi Bai International Airport. Following this project, Hanoi will consider implementing another project connecting Thang Loi Hotel with the Nhat Tan Bridge, Chung noted. He revealed the city will ask the government for a special mechanism to speed the project up. The dialogue in Hanoi on October 10 attracted youth representatives from 10 ASEAN countries (Photo: nhandan.com.vn) The wider dialogue closed a five-day training course on the role of youth in ensuring gender equality, which had 24 participants from ASEAN countries, including six from Vietnam. The course aimed to provide trainees with information on gender violence, allowing them to become more confident in implementing initiatives to promote gender equality and end gender violence in the community. Nguyen Hai Minh, Vice President of the Vietnam Youth Federation, said that Vietnam is currently under a golden demographic period, with one third of the population aged between 15 and 24 years. This is the ideal time to change the values and standards regarding gender and gender equality, he said, holding that working with youngsters is a good way to create positive social norms, preventing and ending violence against women and girls. Education, including non-official approaches that target youth, is the most effective solution to preventing violence and developing relationships based on mutual respect, stated Minh. Minh also expressed his hope that participants will help to form action plans and give effective initiatives, ideas, and measures to strengthen collaboration amongst ASEAN youngsters. Furthermore, it is necessary to enhance the engagement of ASEAN youngsters in promoting gender equality, as well as putting an end to violence against women and girls in the future, he added. Elisa Fernandez, head of the UNs Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) Office in Vietnam, said that the 24 course trainees had a chance to discuss the meaning and origin of gender equality, thus seeking ideas to erase gender inequality. The change makers provided trainees with basic gender equality theories and gave them a chance to implement their own initiatives, she said. She revealed that 12 of the youngsters projects were chosen by UN Women for financial support during their implementation in ASEAN countries. These projects are expected to contribute to completing the fifth Sustainable Development Goal on gender equality and female empowerment by 2030. Local authorities and hoteliers along the beach have been spending too much money on erosion prevention, trying to take action before it is too late, Source: Sunrise Premium Resort A REGION BLESSED BY NATURE, ATTACKED BY NATURE Stretching 1,765 kilometres from Thanh Hoa to Binh Thuan provinces, the central region of Vietnam is blessed with a long coastal line of various beautiful beaches that are high on any travellers destination list and boasts huge possibilities for economic development. Over the years, the infrastructure system along this coastline has been upgraded and rapidly modernised in order to attract a vast number of domestic and international investors, as well as tourists. This is especially true of central coast cities such as Danang. The city is backed by a clear and efficient master plan to help attract local and international investors in building modern and luxury properties. As a result business is booming along its coastal lines, which has led to a renewal of the image and reputation of the whole city. Despite this rich nature and the luxurious facilities, many property and hospitality projects along Danangs beaches continue to face various risks from natural disasters. Climate change, along with rising sea levels, is slowly altering the cycle of rainy and stormy seasons causing significant damage to businesses. At My Khe Beach in Ngu Hanh Son district, and Son Tra districts Mau Thai Beach, sea erosion has destroyed long dykes, staircases, pavements, walking paths along the beaches. In Quang Ngai province, there are 21 listed erosion sites, including five suffering from serious erosion. At its My Khe and Sa Huynh beaches, some hotels and households have been affected by rising sea levels despite the creation of stone embankments. The 134km-long coastline along Quy Nhon city and Nhon Ly in Binh Dinh province, where the FLC resort complex is located, also suffers from land erosion. The emerging province of Phu Yen, where a vast number of leisure and luxury property and hospitality projects are under construction, is looking to combat the phenomenon of rising sea levels and tides even though the area is less at risk to heavy storms. We have to increase our capital in order to upgrade and consolidate the foundation of our project, and to prevent tide phenomenon and sea erosion, said Van Tat Thang, investor of the Rosa Alba Resort project in Phu Yen. Further north, Thua Thien - Hue province has focused on promoting its Lang Co and Thuan An beaches to attract investors. Though the region is blessed with white sand, clear blue sea and gentle waves, the emergence of climate change is causing severe weather conditions with unforeseeable circumstances. Sometimes the weather is very beautiful with brilliant sunshine in the morning, but after just a few minutes we can see heavy rain for the rest of the day. Our guests are then often forced to remain inside the resort, said Tran Van Hong, representative of Lang Co Beach Resort. Nhat Le Beach in Quang Binh province, one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in Vietnam, is also suffering seriously from sea erosion. The provinces Ly Hoa Dyke in Hai Trach commune has collapsed due to a landslide underneath its base. Unfortunately extreme weather conditions resulting in complex tides, landslides and sea erosion are threatening every coastal province within the central region. Here 268 erosion sites have been recorded, of which the smallest site covers 1.4 hectares, with the largest covering 262.8ha. LOCAL AUTHORITIES ACTIONS In recent years, heavy rain, storms, tide phenomenon and rising sea levels have occurred more densely. At the same time the average temperature increases, rainy season lasts longer, and storms are stronger. In all the central coastal provinces, natural disasters are becoming more severe and damage increases but we always lack the financial means to repair the damage, said Van Phu Chinh, director of the Flood and Storm Control Center in Central and Central Highlands Vietnam. Facing serious erosion issues Huynh Duc Tho, Chairman of the Danang Peoples Committee, has directed local authorities to research and submit urgent solutions to help control the situation. In Binh Dinh, local authorities submitted a petition to the government and related ministries to finance nearly VND5 trillion ($221.2 million) to solve sea erosion and river mouth refill situations which is causing deterioration of local living and working conditions. To protect beaches, projects and investors, Thua Thien - Hue has invested over VND300 billion ($13.2 million) for building an embankment system along Thuan An Tu Hien Beach. The less well-off province of Quang Binh has been totally dependent on support from the government. After a heavy storm in 2017, the province suffered significant damage to its sea dyke system and is still awaiting central government financial support. The support shortage for dyke construction and large-scale repairs is also causing headaches in Quang Tri province. Its long system of sea dykes now suffers from several broken sections that affect thousands of families living along the coast. We have mobilised local residents to plant tree corridors along the coast to combat erosion at broken sections, while waiting for capital support from the government, said Le Da Son, director of the Quang Tri Department of Irrigation, Flood and Storm Prevention. TOURISM ENTREPRENEURS REACT While local authorities try to deal with continuing damage, severe weather, and shrunken beaches, tourist businesses along the coast have felt the pinch. To help protect from losses across the board, many property and hospitality groups share their budget in order to repair damages as well as to protect themselves out of any negative impacts. Tourism industry is directly affected by rising sea levels, especially the hoteliers along the central coastal region. Their properties are in danger every day so they are aware of the impact of climate change, and consider natural friendliness to be a factor connected closely to their business growth, said Pham Ha, CEO of Luxury Travel. The central coastline of Hoi An is an example of a location suffering heavily from land erosion since 2004. Dozens of resorts along the coast have been in danger of losing their beach properties and tourism has been adversely affected. They have been spending too much money on erosion prevention, in an attempt to take action before it was too late. The Victoria resort in Cua Dai beach has had to spend billions of VND annually to upgrade a sea dyke to cope with the problem, but the outcome has not been satisfactory. At Golden Sand resort, beach erosion had even crept up as far as the edge of the swimming pool. Sunrise Premium Resort, which is also located along Cua Dai Beach, experienced its biggest loss between 2009 and 2014, a period in which it spent close to $3 million just to protect the property. Customers choose the central coast usually for its pristine beaches. We have a large customer base from Europe and Australia people who very much would like to enjoy swimming in the ocean and a typical beach holiday. Our rates took a direct impact from these natural disasters, at least 50 per cent lower, said Sven A.Saebel, general manager at Sunrise Premium Resort. The annual storm season is a constant challenge for the local staff and properties, as the coastal hospitality sector expects damages which can range from minor to heavy rebuilding. At Sunrise Premium Resort, a recent seawall breach forced it to stabilise the grounds with hundreds of thousands of cubic meter rock. Financial institutions are being encouraged to align strategies and targets with sustainable development and climate change goals of the country, Photo: Duc Thanh GREEN EFFORTS Vietnam is no stranger to green growth or sustainable economic development, with the country maintaining its National Strategy on Green Growth for the 2011-2020 period with a vision towards 2050. In its role of promoting a greener and more sustainable economy, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has issued a raft of regulations since 2015, requiring banks to incorporate environmental and social (E&S) risk management in their lending criteria. Now with a clearer vision on green banking development towards 2025, the monetary authority has moved on from soft rule to harder regulation with its Decision No.604/QD-NHNN dated August 7, 2018, approving the Green Bank Development Scheme in Vietnam. The scheme actively requests banks to gradually increase the ratio of total lending to priority sectors or industries listed on the SBVs green projects portfolio. The move also requires 100 per cent of banks in Vietnam to ultimately implement an internal set of regulations on E&S risk management and conduct credit risk assessment in lending activities by 2025. In addition, there will be at least 10 to 12 banks required to have an established specialised unit or department in charge of E&S risk management, and 60 per cent of banks to have access to green financial resources to re-lend to green projects by the given timeframe. Vietnam, according to Kyle Kelhofer, IFC country manager for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, is on a good footing thanks to the SBVs Directive on Promoting Green Credit Growth and Environmental and Social Risks Management in Credit Granting Activities promulgated in March 2015, as well as the SBVs Decision No.1552 on issuance of an action plan of the banking sector to implement the National Strategy on Green Growth towards 2020. On a side note, I commend the Vietnamese regulator for their phased approach. There was no setting of a mandatory requirement from day one to kick-start green finance development, and people pushed into doing what they dont want to do. Instead there has been sharing and discussing the business case of green finance, so people can see the benefit and kind of want to go ahead with it, noted Kelhofer. The real opportunity for the SBV is to continue monitoring green finance progress results and sharing the successful cases with the sector so that everyone can see the benefits of effectively implementing green finance practices. IN THE HANDS OF THE BANKS For banks to successfully pursue green banking practices and achieve practical results towards the nations goals for sustainable growth, they are being encouraged to align strategies to sustainable development and reach green targets with a specific outcome, and then work backwards in a bid to achieve the desired results a method known as backcasting. According to Yuki Yasui, programme operations manager at United Nations Environment Programme - Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), sustainable finance has originally been about projects and their risks. But now financial institutions are encouraged to integrate sustainability across their organisations and to align their strategies, targets and goals with sustainable development and climate change goals of the country. With regards to backcasting, Yasui referred to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. It provides a path forward for national and international sustainable development policies by explicitly linking economic, social and environmental development goals. She said, We require scenarios to understand how the banks should be targeting their strategies and activities for 2030, and then going back to what theyre doing today and see what needs to be done in the next 20 years. So [its] setting goals on a future perspective, not a historical perspective. Yasui noted that the SBV has productively created an enabling environment for the local banking sector to pursue green growth development and green lending targets, in which Vietnamese banks can join the fight against climate change in a straightforward manner. I think different banks will be capturing the green finance opportunities at different paces. Some banks are moving faster with gender financing, while others are pursuing SME financing targets, said Kelhofer of IFC. It takes time for banks to find the right people, and the right expertise for banks to ramp up in green finance. JOINING THE GREEN CIRCLE Certain banks around the world as well as Vietnam have now considered their green credit activities more seriously - some have taken the initiative to cease lending to brown projects while others seek to provide loans to corporations or individuals to purchase and install solar panels to serve their power needs. Standard Chartered Plc., for instance, last month announced further steps it is taking to meet its commitment to support the Paris agreement on climate change. In particular, the London-based bank will cease providing financing for new coal-fired power plants across the globe, following detailed consultation with a range of stakeholders. Climate change is one of the single biggest challenges society has to address. More than 1.1 billion people still do not have access to reliable power but recent developments in technology mean that alternative sources are increasingly available to meet that need without the impact of coal-fired power on the environment, said Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters. Our decision to stop financing coal power is a first step in a set of more substantive actions to which we are now committing, in order to understand the CO2 emissions our financing supports. We intend to work transparently and with other banks, our respective clients and other stakeholders to reduce the impact over time, he said. Standard Chartered also recognises the vital importance of honouring its existing commitments to clients. There are currently 14 project financing facilities across seven markets, which fund coal-power stations, and Standard Chartered will continue to honour those facilities. Standard Chartered Vietnam is known to be involved in financing the infrastructure and power sectors in the country, with the Mong Duong II independent power producer (IPP) project identified as one of these. Hanoi-based BIDV, meanwhile, has lately rolled out an insured solar energy solution package for its customers and offered a financial package for those who seek to adopt the rooftop solar power system developed by SolarGATEs, the subsidiary of SolarBK, in Vietnam. HSBC Vietnam, according to CEO Pham Hong Hai, is also exploring solutions to provide loans to households who install solar panels to serve their power needs. HSBC Holdings has committed to providing $100 billion in sustainable financing and investment by 2025. In Vietnam, HSBC has taken the initiative to support numerous hydropower projects and we have been also looking into a number of solar and wind power schemes, said Hai. HSBC is committed to source 100 per cent of its electricity from renewables by 2030. Like Standard Chartered, they also seek to reduce exposure to thermal coal and manage the transition for other high-carbon sectors. Lawyers for Maldives strongman Abdulla Yameen allege his defeat in September's polls was rigged by the independent election commission. (Photo: AFP/Handout) Lawyers for Yameen's Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) told reporters that they are alleging that the Sep 23 vote was rigged by the independent election commission. "We reviewed the numerous complaints filed by President Yameen's supporters before deciding to file this challenge," Yameen's lead lawyer Mohamed Saleem told reporters. "So in light of that, President Yameen decided that the challenge must be filed for the rights of his supporters," he added. It was however unclear whether the Supreme Court would agree to consider the challenge. The election in the Indian Ocean archipelago, which has seen a tussle for influence between India and China, was won by Ibrahim Mohamed Solih with 58.4 per cent of the vote. Solih was little known before the election but was backed, in a remarkable turn of events given the Maldives' turbulent recent political history, by all opposition parties, All of Yameen's other main rivals were either behind bars on charges that critics said were trumped up, or in exile. Yameen had reluctantly conceded defeat amid international pressure from regional superpower and immediate neighbour India and others. But he has been publicly urging his supporters to challenge the results. Constitutionally, he can remain in office till Nov 17 when he has to hand over to Solih, barring any last minute court intervention. GOING HOME Last week, former Maldives leader Mohamed Nasheed announced he would return home two years after going into exile. He was barred from contesting the Sep 23 poll won by his party's nominee Solih, who defeated Yameen despite what critics said was a biased media and a rigged system. Nasheed was the country's first democratically elected president but was sentenced to 13 years in prison for terrorism in 2015, in a trial the UN said was politically motivated. He went into exile a year later, after being granted prison leave for medical treatment in the UK. Another former president, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, was last week released from jail just days after Yameen, his estranged half-brother, lost the election. Gayoom, 80, and his legislator son Faris Maumoon, were released on bail by the High Court in Male, raising hopes that other political prisoners will be freed soon. Former foes Nasheed and Gayoom both backed Solih to challenge Yameen. Gayoom had ruled the nation of 340,000 Sunni Muslims for 30 years until he was defeated by Nasheed in the Maldives' first multi-party elections in 2008. Gayoom, along with several top judges, was arrested in February and charged with trying to overthrow Yameen. The president responded by declaring a 45-day state of emergency to block his impeachment. Another high profile Maldivian dissident, Qasim Ibrahim, has also been granted bail and returned home last week from Europe where he lived in exile after obtaining prison leave for medical treatment. Le Thanh Thao Li Yong, director general of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), recently said at the 2018 World Manufacturing Forum in Italy, Industry has proven itself as an unrivalled eradicator of poverty throughout the ages, by raising incomes, creating added value, and enabling greater social mobility. No country has ever risen to developed country status without a strong industrial policy focus. However, too often in the past industrial development has also been accompanied by environmental degradation and increased social inequalities. By and large, todays manufacturing takes raw materials from the environment and transforms them into new products, which are then disposed into the environment after use. Eventually, limited raw materials run out and waste accumulates, either incurring expenses related to disposal or else polluting. For more than 50 years, UNIDO has worked towards a truly sustainable industry. In doing so, UNIDO has moved towards a circular economy, in which resources are used over and over thanks to innovative business practices. In a circular economy, products are designed for durability, reuse, and recyclability, and materials for new products derive from old products. As often as possible, everything is reused, remanufactured, recycled back into a raw material, used as a source of energy, or as a last resort, disposed of. The circular economy is directly linked to inventions such as green chemistry, eco-industrial parks, industrial symbiosis, and resource efficiency, clean production, and sustainable cities. A key part of the circular economy is improving resource efficiency during production. To achieve this goal, UNIDO and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) support the establishment and efficient operation of a global network with regional chapters. These chapters facilitate the effective transfer of Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RECP) knowledge and technology, and foster both South-South and North-South co-operation. Alongside over 70 members of this network, Vietnam Cleaner Production Centre, established in 1998, has played a focal role in disseminating the Cleaner Production concept. It promotes adoption of the concept into various industries in Vietnam, ranging from chemicals, garments, and metallurgy to handicrafts, rice, and coffee. Services include applied preventive environmental strategies to processes and products to increase efficiency as well as reduce risks to both humans and the environment. In other cases, UNIDO is extending resource efficiency beyond the borders of one company to groups of industries. A prime example of such approaches is the establishment of eco-industrial parks. Companies wanting to go beyond compliance in their environmental performance find the means to do so, not only by sharing environmental services and receiving targeted RECP advice, but also by taking advantage of each others by-products, such as heat, water, and recycled materials. Eco-industrial parks could make important contributions in the move towards the circular economy, both in industrialised and developing countries. In Vietnam, the project Implementation of eco-industrial park initiative for sustainable industrial zones in Vietnam aims to transform existing industrial zones in the country into eco-industrial parks (EIPs), in which companies co-operate with the local community and each other to reduce environmental impacts and production costs. In addition, clean and low-carbon technologies and practices will be demonstrated within the industries to minimise greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the release of persistent organic pollutants, and land-based water pollution. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the project has been implemented by the Ministry of Planning and Investment in coordination with UNIDO in industrial zones in Ninh Binh, Danang, and Can Tho. Under the support of EIPs project, Decree No.82/2018/ND-CP on the economic zones, industrial zones and processing zones with three specific chapters on EIPs was approved by the government this past May. The decree has for the first time ever conceptualised EIP and industrial symbiosis terms and defined contents related to the development of EIPs in Vietnam. The new decree will lay out strong legal foundations for up-scaling the EIP model to other industrial zones across the country. Circular economy practices also result in significant energy savings by optimising energy systems, developing international energy management standards and bringing sustainable energy solutions to industries. Towards this approach, UNIDO co-ordinates with Vietnams Ministry of Industry and Trade to implement an industrial energy efficiency programme which aims to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions through the promotion of the widespread adoption of energy-efficient boilers and best operating practices in industry. The projects interventions facilitate the development of legal policy and legal frameworks to support the boiler standardisation system and raising awareness as well as training and capacity building for government agencies, boiler owners, operators, and manufacturers, and other stakeholders. The project also provides financial assistance for the implementation of energy efficient boiler adoption and manufacturing. Moreover, UNIDO also promotes the use of renewable energy for productive use. The use of solar energy to run the cooling and lighting systems is an example. For the first time in Vietnam, the Excellence Centre for Harvesting, Pre-processing, Packing, Preservation and Transport of Mango in the Mekong River Delta uses green solar energy to run the cold storage system, ensuring about 40 per cent of the total power consumption, and some other electric equipment. This helps the company to reduce its operation costs. The centre was established under the project which aims to strengthen the supply capacity of the fruit and vegetable sector by applying proper technologies along the value chain. This is a UNIDO component in the joint UN programme to support the national target programme on new rural development in Vietnam. The circular economy encourages inter-company exchanges and synergy-building, leading to better economic, social, and environmental performance. This in turn helps raise the overall performance of national economies and opens new markets and jobs. On an international level, the circular economy facilitates the exchange of goods across borders by introducing standards to secondary raw materials that were previously considered waste. Improved product characteristics such as extended lifetime, recyclability, and serviceability further help to ensure that products can be used and sold on the global market. By helping overcome international trade barriers in this way, the circular economy offers new possibilities by which countries can prosper. Countries, including Vietnam, today stand at a fork in the road. On the one hand, the pursuit of unsustainable, linear patterns of consumption and production threatens the well-being of future generations, while on the other hand, a restorative approach to increased prosperity is opening itself up to the world. Together with our global partners, and in service to our member states, UNIDO will continue to advance economic competitiveness, create shared prosperity and safeguard the environment in the worlds developing and transitional countries. 2018 is a special year for UNIDO as it marks the 40th anniversary of UNIDOs technical co-operation with Vietnam. The past years have witnessed UNIDO sharing its international expertise and best practices to help Vietnam achieve inclusive and sustainable industrialisation. UNIDO has enjoyed very fruitful co-operation with national and provincial authorities; financing institutions; research institutions and academia; and business and professional associations, as well as the private sector. With more than $100 million in grant expenditure, UNIDOs technical co-operation activities have been carried out across a broad range of fields from supporting government institutions to developing traditional industry, and from promoting investment to strengthening productivity. In the coming years, UNIDO commits to working closely with relevant ministries and stakeholders in Vietnam to support the country in its important industrial sectors, in technology transfer, and in human resources development for Industry 4.0 as well as in formulating Vietnams new industrialisation strategy. UNIDO is also committed to supporting Vietnam in implementing its socioeconomic development priorities, green growth strategy, and Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals. The MoT said any increase in charges would help ports such as Haiphong invest in infrastructure and technology Entering the Vietnamese market in 2008, Mayekawa - Japans leading manufacturer of compressors and solutions for industrial refrigeration and food processing - is today looking to expand business operations in the country. However, like other Japanese logistics firms, Mayekawa is expecting local authorities to take measures to cut distribution costs to facilitate its activities. Ryoichi Ichino at Japans Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) said that the collection of infrastructure fees at port border gates and time-wasting customs procedures are the bottlenecks hindering the improvements of logistics service efficiency in Vietnam. NEW CHARGE HIKES IN PIPELINE Vietnams Ministry of Transport (MoT) last week collected reports from relevant government agencies, logistics businesses and port operators for the latest draft circular, focusing on a 10 per cent rise in container handling service charges at ports in Area I, which include ports in the northern localities of Quang Ninh, Haiphong, Thai Binh, and Nam Dinh. The rise is aimed at helping port operators have more money to increase service quality by applying advanced technology and upgrading infrastructure, said Deputy Transport Minister Nguyen Van Cong. Moreover, the move is part of our efforts to put charges on a par with the regional level. Currently, this charge in Vietnam is significantly lower than that applied in Cambodia ($65), Thailand ($59), Malaysia ($75), the Philippines ($98), Indonesia ($81), Singapore ($111), Myanmar ($165) and China ($97). As regulated in Decision No.3863/QD/BGTVT issued by the MoT on December 1, 2016, the container handling service charge is currently just $30 for ports in Haiphong, $45 for ports in the central city of Danang and $41 for ports in Ho Chi Minh City. Under the draft circular, which is expected to take effect on January 1, 2019, and replace Decision 3863, there are two schemes for the rise. Under the first scheme, the container handling service for exports, imports and temporary import for re-exports (not applied for Lach Huyen Deep Seaport) will be charged $33 at minimum and $53 at maximum for a full 20-foot container. For a full container over 40 feet, the minimal charge will be $58 and the maximum charge will be $98, while respective rates for a 40-foot full container are $50 and $81. In regards to Lach Huyen Deep Seaport, the container handling service for exports, imports and temporary import for re-exports applied will be charged $46 at minimum and $60 at maximum for a 20-foot full container. For a full container of over 40 feet, the minimal charge will be $75 and the maximum charge is $98, while the rates will be $68 and $88 for a 40-foot full container, respectively. Meanwhile, under the second scheme, the container handling service charge will be raised under a roadmap from 2019 to 2021. In particular, the full 20-foot container handling service charge for exports, imports and temporary import for re-exports (not applied for Lach Huyen Deep Seaport) will be $33 in 2019, $37 in 2020 and $41 in 2021 at minimum and $53 at maximum. The thresholds for a full 40-foot container will be at minimum $50 in 2019, $56 in 2020 and $62 in 2021 and $81 at maximum, while for a full container of over 40 feet, the minimal respective rates will be $60, $68 and $75 and the maximal rate is $98. The container handling service for exports, imports and temporary import for re-exports applied for Lach Huyen Deep Seaport will be charged at $46 in 2019-2020 and $52 in 2021 at minimum and $60 at maximum for a 20-foot full container. The thresholds will be $68 in 2019-2020 and $77 in 2021 at minimum and $88 in maximum for a 40-foot full container. For a full container of over 40 feet, the minimal respective rates will be $75 in 2019-2020 and $85 in 2021, while the maximal rates will be $98. The rise proposals were strongly supported by port operators and logistics firms, who are the main beneficiaries, including the Vietnam Logistics Business Association, which represents the voice of 370 domestic and foreign-invested logistics companies, the Vietnam Maritime Administration, Danang Port JSC, Haiphong Port JSC, Haiphong International Container Terminal Company Limited (HICT) and many others. Since becoming operational in May this year, HICT still faces difficulties in attracting clients. Thus, we support the second scheme which increases the charge for Lach Huyen deep seaport under a roadmap, said a HICT senior official. FEARS OF LOGISTICS COST HIKE: GAINS AND LOSSES? While port operators voiced their agreement with this charge increase, Vietnam Shippers Council (VNSC), which has around 20 members, raised its concerns over the possible increase in logistics costs when this kind of charge is introduced. When the container handling service charge is increased at a low or high rate, the logistics cost will go up accordingly. Foreign shipping lines, which are a subject directly affected by the hike proposal, will then raise fees and surcharges on shippers, said Phan Thong, general secretary of VNSC. We need to control the current charges that foreign shipping lines are applying when the circular takes effect, or they will take the opportunity to enforce the increase. The MoT should make careful considerations to minimise the possible impacts on the subjects affected by the proposal, Thong suggested. To ease concerns, MoT Deputy Minister Cong said that this adjustment would not directly affect Vietnamese shippers and the consumer price index as ports will collect the charge directly from foreign shipping lines. The increase is modest compared to the terminal handling charge (THC) that foreign shipping lines collect from Vietnamese shippers. At present, the THC is $100 per 20-foot container and $150 per 40-foot container, while ports can collect just $46 per 20-foot container, and $68 per 40-foot container from international shipping lines for the container handling service charge. The container handling service charge at ports makes up a small part of the total logistics cost. Thus, if the container handling service charge at ports is raised by 10 per cent, meaning just 3 per cent of the THC, it is unlikely that international shipping lines will increase the THC for fears of losing customers, he added. At present, Haiphong is the most developed port area in the northern region. The city has 13 port operators with a total of 26 piers having an annual capacity of 500-800 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). However, the container handling service charge in Area I is lower than that of Area II in the central region and Area III in the southern region. Coming back to July 1, 2017 when Decision 3863 began to take effect, international shipping lines forced ports in Haiphong to apply the charge at $30 per 20-foot container, thus reducing revenues of local ports. For example, Dinh Vu Port reported a fall of VND30 billion ($1.33 million) in revenue, and Haiphong port saw a drop of $5 million in the second half of 2017. Any charge increases would cause an impact on businesses. And we should consider losses and gains. In this case, gains are higher than losses. Based on the analysis, its reasonable to increase this charge, Nguyen Tuong, senior consultant of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association, told VIR. The MoT estimated that with a projected cargo volume of 4.2 million TEU in 2019, the increase in the container handling service charge would help ports in Haiphong to receive an additional amount of at least VND280 billion ($12.34 million), thus contributing an additional VND60 billion ($2.65 million) in corporate income tax to the state budget, while having more financial sources for investing in infrastructure and advanced technology to increase their service quality. The projection is bright as according to the latest study on the logistics industry from Stockplus, prospects for improvements in cargo transportation through Haiphong Port are positive due to its strategic location. It also cites improved infrastructure; operations of giant multi-national corporations such as Samsung, LG Electronics Vietnam, Bridgestone and Shin Etsu among others; and more companies establishing production facilities thanks to investment incentives mainly in tax and land rental. The increase proposals are being made amid the countrys bold actions to cut logistics costs, and whether it causes actual impacts on Vietnamese shippers and foreign logistics service providers like Mayekawa remains a question. The super commission will manage state ownership in state-owned enterprises Over the recent decades, Raymond Mallon has witnessed the Vietnamese governments ongoing efforts to introduce reforms to more efficiently manage state capital in SOEs. He has been struck by the challenges faced in implementing approved reforms, noting the limited progress in the implementation of reforms that would enable more transparent systems of corporate governance and the clear separation of state ownership and regulatory functions. Action in these areas is important to ensure a more equitable and competitive playing field for all enterprises and to boost national investment, competitiveness, and employment. A recent reform aims to directly address shortcomings in corporate governance, while also helping draw a clear line between state ownership in SOEs and the broader regulatory role of the government. On September 29, 2018, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc signed Decision No.131/2018/ND-CP on the functions, rights, and organisational structure of the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises (CMSC). The commission, established last February, will manage the state capital at 19 state-owned economic groups and corporations (see box). The commission stands ready to take over the management of the 19 SOEs from October 1, and is likely to take on more in the future, said CMSC chairman Nguyen Hoang Anh. The government currently holds the stakes of SOEs with a combined book value of VND1 quadrillion ($44.247 billion). Their total assets are worth more than VND2.3 quadrillion ($101.77 billion). The commission has also inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Singapores Temasek Holdings to exchange business information and share experiences in modern capital management in accordance with market mechanisms. A SOUND PATH Under Decree 131, the commission exclusively represents the states ownership rights in wholly SOEs and in joint stock companies and limited liability companies with two or more members. The commission is tasked with drawing up master strategies to develop enterprises under its management and then submitting these strategies to the government for approval. The CMSC is also entitled to make decisions on the SOEs charter capital. The commission will supervise the use of state capital in enterprises, and will not intervene in their operations. The supervision will help enhance the accountability of SOEs, said Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Le Quang Manh. All SOEs will continue to operate under the law and report their results to specialised bodies related to different sectors like finance, banking, environment, and industry and trade. At the CMSC debut on September 30, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said, We have two paths: one is developing a professional and modern commission to boost reforms and the effectiveness of all SOEs, and the other is creating an old-fashioned bureaucratic agency which can burden the domestic business system and the whole economy. Which path should we take? Then, on behalf of the government, he declared, We will select the first path. Though it is more difficult, I believe that you all agree. Mallon, the advisor for the Australia-Vietnam economic reform programme, told VIR, The high-level commitment of the commission from the national leadership is a positive sign for success. The signing of the MoU with Temasek to learn from its experience is also another positive step. Temasek is widely viewed as a global model in the effective monitoring and management of state investment in SOEs. Sebastian Eckardt, a senior economist from the World Bank in Vietnam, told VIR that, The CMSC is a positive initiative. It not only reflects good OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) corporate governance practices for SOE management, but also has great potential to contribute to the governments ultimate objective of enhancing performance and productivity in the SOE sector and the economy more broadly. According to Eckardt, separating ownership and regulatory functions is important for two main reasons. First, it mitigates potential conflicts of interest in sectors where the government operates as an owner and a regulator and can help level the playing field and enhance competition between enterprises, regardless of their ownership. Second, having a dedicated ownership agency also allows the government to professionalise the management of its assets and to ensure value maximisation and performance, while reducing potential fiscal risks. Given the still significant size and large number of SOEs in Vietnam, it is more realistic and feasible to proceed with a differentiated model where different specialised agencies excise the ownership function for different segments of SOEs, Eckardt said. POOR PERFORMANCE Over the past few years, ministries have been developing their own SOEs whose operational effectiveness remains questionable. This has been undermining the economys competitiveness. Experts ascribed the lack of transparency to the poor performance of many SOEs. Recently, the National Assembly Supervisory Delegation delivered to all National Assembly members the first-ever detailed report on SOEs compliance with regulations on managing and using state capital during 2011-2016. The report showed mixed results in SOEs operations in the past six years, with many suffering from losses. Specifically, in 2015, the return on equity (ROE) of SOEs was 2.1 per cent only, far lower than the 5.5 per cent of foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs). Investment effectiveness at SOEs was also lower than in Vietnams privately owned enterprises (POEs) and FIEs, with the incremental capital output ratio (ICOR) in the 2011-2016 period of SOEs being 1.6, which is 1.86 times higher than POEs and FIEs. Besides, in this period, the ROE of all SOEs reduced by 39 per cent, and their return on assets (ROA) decreased by 30 per cent. Some SOEs have performed poorly with great losses, said the report. According to the report, information transparency was virtually non-existent at SOEs. Many SOEs have been found to have committed grave violations while managing and using state capital and investment procedures, leading to great losses of state capital. For instance, PetroVietnam lost VND800 billion ($35.4 million) due to its illegal investment in OceanBank, while Vinacomin may suffer from a loss of VND363.3 billion ($16 million) due to its ineffective overseas investments. Vu Tien Loc, chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the management and usage of state capital and assets in SOEs during 2011-2016 was a sad situation. SOEs should have played a leading role in the economy, but they could not due to ineffective operations. For example, in 2016 SOEs spent $10 to earn $1 worth of growth. However, POEs and FIEs used only $5 and $6, respectively, to earn $1 worth of growth, he said. A BUMPY ROAD AHEAD While recognising that this reform is an important step forward, Mallon also notes that CMSC will face challenges in implementing its mandate. Past attempts to strengthen state management at SOEs only generated mixed results. Internationally, many countries, including Australia, struggle to effectively manage SOEs, he told VIR. A pressing challenge for some years, according to Mallon, will be identifying and recruiting suitably qualified and professional independent experts to work with the commission and to serve on the SOE boards, to ensure that SOEs operate transparently in line with international corporate governance standards. There is an urgent need to ramp up efforts to train corporate governance experts and to build a corporate governance profession in Vietnam. The leadership of the committee can expect resistance to change from vested interests that benefit from the status quo. Strong high-level support will be needed to empower the leadership of the new commission, Mallon said. Transparency and professionalism will be critical to success. The leadership of the new commission needs to set clear performance targets, to monitor those targets, and hold the chairpersons and members of SOE boards of directors accountable for the performance of their SOEs. He also underlined that the publication of SOEs performance relative to targets is another way to motivate SOE managers. The key lesson from experience in other countries is that the commission must be empowered to monitor and dismiss chairpersons and/or directors who fail to perform, regardless of their status, he said. The ongoing benchmarking of SOEs performance with regional norms is one way of objectively assessing the success of SOE management in improving their performance. According to Eckardt from the World Bank in Vietnam, whether the CMSC can work effectively will depend on the quality of implementation. Good governance principles suggest that having a defined ownership policy with clear objectives, transparent and merit-based appointment of qualified management, and some degree of operational independence are all important ingredients in this regard. he said. The Philippines is one of the largest export market for the Vietnamese cement industry Safeguard investigation with Vietnam cement According to the Vietnam Trade Office in the Philippines, the Department of Trade and Industry Philippines (DTI) initiated an investigation whether to apply safeguard measures against cement products imported into the Philippines, pursuant to Section 6 of the Philippines Safeguard Measures Act. The investigation will look at cement with the HS code: 2523.2990 and 2523.9000 and will cover the years 2013-2017. The Filipino investigation authorities said that in 2013-2017, the cement imports increased significantly. Specifically, the total volume of imported cement increased by 70 per cent in 2014, 4,390 per cent in 2015, 549 per cent in 2016, and 72 per cent in 2017. In the first nine months of 2018, Vietnam's cement output reached 23.3 million tonnes, surpassing the 2.3 million tonnes achieved in 2017. With this momentum, the Vietnam National Cement Association (VNCA) forecasts that the export of the whole year may reach 27-28 million tonnes. According to the DTI, Vietnam was the largest exporter during 2014-2017. DTI supposes that the surging imports caused serious damage to its domestic cement industry, as reflected by a decline in market share, revenue, and profit, as well as the selling price of domestic cement. Vietnam started exporting cement in 2010, with approximately one million tonnes at first. Followed by expanded investment, cement production has increased rapidly, leading to an increase in the export output of tens of millions of tonnes annually. 2014 marked the first year that exports of both cement and clinker exceeded 20 million tonnes, and while in the next two years exports declined, they remained at 16 and 15 million tonnes, and jumped up to 21 million tonnes in 2017. Export bottleneck According to data from the Vietnam National Cement Association (VNCA), by the last day of 2017, the total capacity of the cement industry reached 100 million tonnes per year, while only about 60 per cent was consumed by the domestic market. In fact, the production capacity of cement factories can reach 113 million tonnes of cement with 70 per cent of clinker and 30 per cent of additives (the current rate that factories are using now). Cement is clearly in oversupply in Vietnam and it largely depends on exports, with the Philippines being one of the key export markets. According to the latest data from the General Department of Vietnam Customs, in the first eight months of 2018, Vietnam exported nearly 4.2 million tonnes of cement, earning about $190.4 million. In 2016, Vietnam exported 3.8 million tonnes of cement and clinker to the Philippines, worth $184.8 million, accounting for 33 per cent of the total cement exports. The exports to the Philippines in 2017 reached over four million tonnes, which was approximately $200 million. Nguyen Quang Cung, chairman of the VNCA, said that after receiving information from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the association informed members about the initiation of investigations in the Philippines so that they can prepare. "Certainly, exporting cement to the Philippines in the future will be more difficult, as manufacturers in the country want to protect the domestic industry, and it is likely that the Vietnamese cement industry will lose a big export market," Cung said. The VNCA representative added that the export price of cement is higher in the Philippines than in other market like Bangladesh or China. Therefore, reduced exports to the Philippines would be regrettable. For example, in the first seven months of 2018, Vietnams exports of cement and clinker to Bangladesh accounted for the largest volume, with 4.74 million tonnes, but earned only $152.7 million. The second market is China with 52 million tonnes ($158.3 million), while exports to the Philippines were only about 3.5 million tonnes, but brought in $159.7 million. As an early Vietnamese cement exporter to the Philippines, Hoang Manh Truong, chairman of The Vissai Cement Group, said that the safeguard measures against Vietnamese cement products is saddening, but the company also has diversified plans and will focus on exploiting emerging markets if exports to the Philippines slow down. This handout picture released by Indonesia's accident mitigation agency shows the damage from an earthquake in East Java's Sumenep district on Oct 11, 2018. (Photo: AFP/Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana) The victims in East Java's Sumenep district perished after being crushed by collapsed buildings, national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said. "The earthquake happened early Thursday when they were sleeping and the quake suddenly rocked so they didn't have time to evacuate," he said, adding that damage caused by the tremor was not widespread. "The quake didn't trigger any tsunami for sure," Dwikorita Karnawati, head of Indonesia's geophysics agency, told AFP. The quake's epicentre was in the Bali Sea around 40km off the eastern end of Java island, according to the USGS, and was felt in Denpasar on the holiday island of Bali. The quake struck at a relatively shallow depth of 10km, according to USGS data. Shallow quakes tend to cause more damage. Meanwhile, a 7.0-magnitude quake struck off Papua New Guinea less than two hours later, with authorities cancelling a tsunami warning that was in place for a few hours. "Wow, that was really strong and it lasted a long time," said a woman named Davy who took refuge in the parking lot of a Bali hotel, several kilometres from where the IMF and World Bank are holding their annual meetings this week. Organisers said in a statement that the earthquake "has not caused significant damage or any disruption to the meetings". "No additional action is required at this time," they said, adding that they will continue to monitor and provide further updates as necessary. Singapore's Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen said in a Facebook post that a tremor woke him up in the middle of the night. "It was brief, and apart from the lampshade swaying, everything else seemed fine," he added. Mr Ng is in Bali to attend the Singapore-Indonesia Leaders Retreat and ASEAN Leaders gathering with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan. "This public alert was posted, but life goes on as tremors here are not uncommon," said Mr Ng sharing an image of the alert. Some guests at the hotel in Nusa Dua, south of Bali's main international airport, briefly fled outside after the strong tremor shook the building. "The quake was very big. I immediately woke up and took my little kids out of the house," Ni Komang Sudiani told AFP. "All my neighbours were also running," said the mother of two. The quake was also felt in Surabaya, the capital of East Java province, which is about 200km from Situbondo, the nearest town to the quake epicentre. "I felt it for about 10 seconds. People were sleeping but got woken up by it," Tonny Akbar Mahendro told AFP. The tremor comes after a 7.5-magnitude quake and subsequent tsunami struck off the Indonesian island of Sulawesi - around 1,000 km northeast of Situbondo - last month, killing more than 2,000 people. More than 82,000 people were displaced in the worst-hit city of Palu, 1,500km northeast of the capital, Jakarta, and 67,000 homes destroyed or damaged. A string of earthquakes in Lombok in eastern Indonesia killed more than 550 people over the summer. Indonesia, one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth, straddles the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide and many of the world's volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. The Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN), founded in 1967, now comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. For the last nine years, China has been its largest trading partner, while providing the third largest market for ASEAN; the two-way trade volume is now about US$500 billion, six times what it was when the China-ASEAN strategic partnership was initiated in 2003. Over the last 15 years, mutual investment has totaled more than $200 billion, while 400,000 enterprises have been established through direct investment, and 300, 000 jobs created. Launching the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, China made sizable investments in infrastructure to revive and expand economic ties along the old Silk Road and beyond. In the process, it also helped in reducing the massive infrastructure development gaps across the two continents of Asia and Africa. Boosting industrial development in the ASEAN countries was also top priority as these are valued business destinations for China. In addition, they contribute stability in their geo-strategic zone. Consequently, ASEAN remains at the very heart of the Maritime Silk Road under the BRI linking Asia, Africa and Europe through both land and sea routes. Becoming a bridge between the dynamic economies of China and ASEAN, the BRI has provided improved technology and services for this potentially fast-growing economic bloc to enhance their accessibility with railway networks. Added to maritime links, these rail routes will create new opportunities for production and distribution across the 10-member states. In turn, improved connectivity benefits the local tourism industry with modern amenities, while the upgrading of ports and roads helps improve resource distribution and market integration. Basically, having under-invested in the field of infrastructure ever since the Asian financial crisis in the 1990s, the region contains several poorly-developed countries even though rich in resources. Lagging in industrial development, this has pegged back economic growth as a whole across ASEAN. Hoo Ee Khor, from the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), says: "They have been investing 2.5 percent when they should have been at six percent so there's a gap of 3.5 percentage points." Lately, the region has been discussing an ASEAN Master Plan for Connectivity (AMPC) which complements the BRI as it aims to promote better transport connectivity. Entrenching the trade-embedded China-ASEAN relationship further, APMC fits well with China's outreach policy, making it possible for both networks to function in tandem. Recently, in Singapore, the economic ministers of China and ASEAN countries re-affirmed their trade ties and welcomed the Strategic Partnership Vision 2030 statement to be adopted at the ASEAN-China Summit in November. Notably, the complementary attributes of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity and the BRI were appreciated. Opening up the Chinese market further, the China-International Import Expo will be held in Shanghai in early November. Thus, the future looks promising for the China-ASEAN relationship as there is ample room to grow together. Potentially, the successful implementation of these trade initiatives could allow the ASEAN to surpass the European Union (EU) as China's largest trading partner in coming years. Amid such a vibrant economic scenario, the BRI is vital for growth as it helps to develop new economic zones. Investing in the latest infrastructure, China is playing a key role in promoting greater inter-continental links. According to DBS research strategist Chris Leung, the BRI will have a positive impact on the ASEAN countries. He predicts, "Southeast Asia will be the first to reap economic benefits from this mega-trend." Mutual trust and cooperation will remain the most important factor in ensuring that the BRI gives results as projected. With ties on an upward trajectory, people-to-people links are constantly increasing. Not only do students from ASEAN countries receive the largest numbers of Chinese government scholarships, the bilateral exchange of personnel surpassed 30 million in 2016. Having had no major strategic or political divergences, the ASEAN countries are an example of China's successful multilateral diplomacy. In the coming years, the China-ASEAN cooperation framework will be upgraded with a free trade agreement and special focus on political security, economy and trade, and people to people links. Sabena Siddiqui is a foreign affairs journalist and lawyer based in Pakistan. Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. This week, Plugged In looks at the changing perceptions of Africa, starting with First Lady Melania Trumps tour of four African countries. Is U.S. policy on Africa changing? Why is Beijing pumping so much money into the continent? And is the U.S. ignoring the potential of one of the fastest-growing parts of the world? Police have tightened borders in and around Tanzania's economic capital, Dar es Salaam, while investigating the abduction of a man considered to be Africa's youngest billionaire. Mohammed Dewji, 43, was seized Thursday morning by two masked gunmen as he entered a hotel for a workout, according to Dar es Salaam police chief Lazaro Mambosasa. The Colosseum Hotel and Fitness Club is in Oyster Bay, an upscale Dar es Salaam neighborhood. Mambosasa said the gunmen fired shots in the air before pushing Dewji into a car and driving away. He said police were searching for two white men considered the main suspects. "All our borders in and out of the Dar es Salaam region are being monitored to make sure the cars involved are stopped or confiscated and the culprits are brought to justice as soon as possible," Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda said at a news conference. A video posted on Twitter showed Makonda at an earlier news conference saying that Dewji had been found and his captors arrested. But Mambosasa, the police chief, later discounted that claim. Officials have not disclosed whether there is a claim of responsibility for the kidnapping or a ransom demand. Dewji heads the MeTL Group, which operates in about 10 countries with interests in agriculture, insurance, transport, logistics and the food industry. In 2016, U.S.-based Forbes magazine estimated his wealth at $1.5 billion. Sunday Shomari of VOA's Swahili Service contributed to this report. A watchdog organization is accusing the U.S. government of "human rights violations" against asylum-seekers on the country's southern border. In a report issued Thursday, Amnesty International singled out policies by the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees federal border and immigration agents, for what the organization called a "systematic campaign of illegal pushbacks" that kept thousands of asylum-seekers from reaching the United States. Amnesty International also said the U.S. government released inaccurate data on the number of children separated from their families under the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy to prosecute all undocumented border-crossers. "The Trump administration is waging a deliberate campaign of widespread human rights violations in order to punish and deter people seeking safety at the U.S.-Mexico border," said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty International. The report also said U.S. policies under the Trump administration regarding asylum-seekers are an attempt "to broadcast globally that the United States no longer welcomes refugees." "There are widespread human rights violations that were deliberately conducted," Brian Griffey, one of the report's lead researchers, told VOA. "They know what their obligations are" regarding human rights, he added of the Trump administration. DHS spokeswoman Katie Waldman criticized the research. "This is a deeply flawed, inaccurate report authored by an open-borders activist group. ... It is not even remotely credible and should not be treated as such," Waldman said of the report in an emailed statement to VOA on Thursday. Amnesty International and the administration clash over how the government carried out its zero-tolerance policy, and how transparent the government has been with the data about separated families. Turning away asylum-seekers can be considered a violation of the international law against refoulement the return of a refugee or asylum-seeker to his country of origin, or a third country, where he is at risk of human rights violations. DHS's Waldman pointed to data included in court proceedings that identified 2,654 children affected by the administration's zero-tolerance policy. However, Amnesty International said data it obtained from U.S. Customs and Border Protection indicated approximately 8,000 family units were separated after crossing the border since 2017, which could mean closer to 4,000 children affected. "There hasn't been a full reckoning on family separations," said Griffey, the Amnesty International researcher. The Trump administration faces legal challenges regarding its policy changes on immigration and refugee issues. NASA says that two astronauts from the U.S. and Russia are in good condition after an emergency landing following booster rocket failure minutes after the launch. U.S. astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos Alexei Ovchinin lifted off as scheduled at 2:40 p.m. (0840 GMT; 4:40 a.m. EDT) Thursday from the Russia-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan atop a Soyuz booster rocket. They were to dock at the orbiting outpost six hours later, but the booster suffered a failure minutes after the launch. The two made an emergency landing in Kazakhstan at an unspecified time. Search and rescue crews scrambled to reach the expected landing site. Its the first space mission for Hague, who joined NASAs astronaut corps in 2013. Ovchinin spent six months on the station in 2016. Relations between Moscow and Washington have sunk to post-Cold War lows over the crisis in Ukraine, the war in Syria and allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential vote, but Russia and the U.S. have maintained cooperation in space. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg rejoined the Democratic Party on Wednesday, signaling an interest in running as a Democratic presidential candidate in 2020. The announcement came as the billionaire media mogul has emerged as a top financial backer of the Democratic Party during the pivotal 2018 midterm congressional races, pledging nearly $100 million to Democratic candidates and causes. Bloomberg, the 76-year-old head of the eponymous Bloomberg LP media company, made the announcement in a post on Instagram. He took an indirect swipe at President Donald Trump and his Republican allies, who Bloomberg suggested posed a threat to U.S. democratic institutions. At key points in U.S. history, one of the two parties has served as a bulwark against those who threaten our Constitution, Bloomberg wrote. Two years ago at the Democratic Convention, I warned of those threats. Today, I have re-registered as a Democrat I had been a member for most of my life because we need Democrats to provide the checks and balance our nation so badly needs. Democrat / Republican Bloomberg was a long-time Democrat until 2001 when he changed his party affiliation to run as a Republican candidate for mayor of New York . He won the race and served as a popular mayor of Americas largest city until 2014. While in City Hall in New York, Bloomberg, who registered as an independent in 2007, was mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2004 and 2008. In 2016, he toyed with the idea of running as an independent presidential candidate, but he decided it was too hard for an independent to be elected in our system, said Martin Frost, a former House member from Texas and head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). If he did (run as a Democrat), hed be a formidable candidate, Frost told VOA. That doesnt mean hed automatically get the nomination and if he won the nomination, hed be a strong general election candidate, Frost said. Other likely Democratic candidates for 2020 are former Vice President Joe Biden, progressive Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Sen. Corry Booker of New Jersey, Sen. Kamala Harris of California and self-styled socialist Democrat Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who made an unsuccessful run for the White House in 2016. Abortion, same-sex marriage, gun control A moderate on social issues, Bloomberg supports abortion rights, same-sex marriage and tighter gun laws. His non-profit Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund super PAC, Independence USA PAC, has spent millions of dollars during the current election cycle supporting Democratic candidates and opposing Republicans running as gun rights advocates. In recent years, Bloomberg, who prides himself on his bipartisan streak,has backed both Democratic and Republican candidates. But in June, he announced that hed support Democrats in the November elections, accusing Republicans of doing little to reach across the aisle to craft bipartisan solutions. To that end, the former mayor announced that hell give a record $80 million to the Democrats to flip the House from the current Republican majority.That was followed by a pledge of $20 million made last week to the top Senate Democratic super PAC. Sarah Bryner, research director at the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, said Bloomberg's contributions put him near the top if not at the top of donations this cycle. Cameroon's elections management body says it has received 25 petitions from candidates and voters calling for the Oct. 7 presidential election to be annulled. Candidates Cabral Libii of the opposition Universe party and Joshua Osih of the opposition Social Democratic Front are among those who want the polls annulled. They allege massive fraud and ballot stuffing in favor of President Paul Biya's ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM) party. Cleric Rigobert Gabanmidanha of the Live and Peace Ministry also petitioned for the cancellation of the polls. He claims the constitutional council that certifies election results is controlled by Biya and that many opposition supporters like himself were not allowed to vote. Gabanmidanha says he went to his polling station with his voter card but was told that his name was not on the list of registered voters. He also says he had applied to be a candidate in the election but was rejected for not presenting all the required documents. Thirteen of the petitions to annul the election were from another would-be presidential candidate, Bertin Kisob, who is on pre-trial detention for supporting Anglophone separatists. Kisob, who was also rejected as a candidate, says members of his Cameroon Party for Social Justice reported irregularities and fraud that favored Biya. Cameroon's minister of Labor and Social Security, Gregoire Owona, has described the complaints as a distraction. He says there should be no confusion on the role played by independent state institutions in the electoral process and by their candidate Biya, who is still president. Owona reiterates that all state institutions are independent and act as such. Cameroon's election body, ELECAM, has denied any vote-rigging. The head of ELECAM's legal unit, Mbufong Marcel Kumfa, says opposition parties have no evidence on which to base their claims as they failed to send representatives to many polling stations. "The members of the local polling commission all sign the result sheets after counting and each representative of the candidate go home with an original copy, so if you don't send a representative as the law requires, you cannot have the result sheets from that polling station because you were not present," Kumfa said. Opposition candidates say they were chased from polling stations by Biya's supporters, the military and armed gangs. The Cameroon Renaissance Movement's Maurice Kamto, who this week claimed victory, though without any evidence, is asking for a partial cancellation of election results. Kamto alleges the military rigged polls in the restive northwest and southwest English-speaking regions, where they were sent to secure polling stations. Armed Anglophone separatists had vowed to disrupt the election. The military says it only assisted by protecting voters and that no troops entered polling stations. The electoral commission has until the end of the week to respond to the petitions. The constitutional court has to rule on the claims before announcing the vote's final outcome on Oct. 22. Biya faced seven candidates in the poll. He has ruled Cameroon for 36 years, and is widely expected to claim another seven-year mandate. Mat Beren and his friends used to drive by the vast greenhouses of southern British Columbia and joke about how much weed they could grow there. Years later, it's no joke. The tomato and pepper plants that once filled some of those greenhouses have been replaced with a new cash crop: marijuana. Beren and other formerly illicit growers are helping cultivate it. The buyers no longer are unlawful dealers or dubious medical dispensaries; it's the Canadian government. On Oct. 17, Canada becomes the second and largest country with a legal national marijuana marketplace. Uruguay launched legal sales last year, after several years of planning. It's a profound social shift promised by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and fueled by a desire to bring the black market into a regulated, taxed system after nearly a century of prohibition. It also stands in contrast to the United States, where the federal government outlaws marijuana while most states allow medical or recreational use for people 21 and older. Canada's national approach has allowed for unfettered industry banking, inter-province shipments of cannabis, online ordering, postal delivery and billions of dollars in investment; national prohibition in the U.S. has stifled greater industry expansion there. Hannah Hetzer, who tracks international marijuana policy for the New York-based Drug Policy Alliance, called Canada's move "extremely significant," given that about 25 countries have already legalized the medical use of marijuana or decriminalized possession of small amounts of pot. A few, including Mexico, have expressed an interest in regulating recreational use. "It's going to change the global debate on drug policy," she said. "There's no other country immediately considering legalizing the nonmedical use of cannabis, but I think Canada will provide almost the permission for other countries to move forward." At least 109 legal pot shops are expected to open across the nation of 37 million people next Wednesday, with many more to come, according to an Associated Press survey of the provinces. For now, they'll offer dried flower, capsules, tinctures and seeds, with sales of marijuana-infused foods and concentrates expected to begin next year. Overseeing distribution The provinces are tasked with overseeing marijuana distribution. For some, including British Columbia and Alberta, that means buying cannabis from licensed producers, storing it in warehouses and then shipping it to retail shops and online customers. Others, like Newfoundland, are having growers ship directly to stores or through the mail. Federal taxes will total $1 per gram or 10 percent, whichever is more. The feds will keep one-fourth of that and return the rest to the provinces, which can add their own markups. Consumers also will pay local sales taxes. Some provinces have chosen to operate their own stores, like state-run liquor stores in the U.S., while others have OK'd private outlets. Most are letting residents grow up to four plants at home. Canada's most populous province, Ontario, won't have any stores open until next April, after the new conservative government scrapped a plan for state-owned stores in favor of privately run shops. Until then, the only legal option for Ontario residents will be mail delivery a prospect that didn't sit well with longtime pot fan Ryan Bose, 48, a Lyft driver. "Potheads are notoriously very impatient. When they want their weed, they want their weed," he said after buying a half-ounce at an illicit medical marijuana dispensary in Toronto. "Waiting one or two three days for it by mail, I'm not sure how many will want to do that." British Columbia, home of the "B.C. Bud" long cherished by American pot connoisseurs, has had a prevalent marijuana culture since the 1970s, after U.S. draft-dodgers from the Vietnam War settled on Vancouver Island and in the province's southeastern mountains. But a change in government last year slowed cannabis distribution plans there, too, and it will have just one store ready next Wednesday: a state-run shop in Kamloops, a few hours' drive northeast of Vancouver. By contrast, Alberta expects to open 17 next week and 250 within a year. Unlawful operations No immediate crackdown is expected for the dozens of illicit-but-tolerated medical marijuana dispensaries operating in British Columbia, though officials eventually plan to close any without a license. Many are expected to apply for private retail licenses, and some have sued, saying they have a right to remain open. British Columbia's ministry of public safety is forming a team of 44 inspectors to root out unlawful operations, seize product and issue fines. They'll have responsibility for a province of 4.7 million people and an area twice as large as California, where the black market still dwarfs the legal market that arrived in January. Chris Clay, a longtime Canadian medical marijuana activist, runs Warmland Centre dispensary in an old shopping mall in Mill Bay, on Vancouver Island. He is closing the store Monday until he gets a license; he feared continuing to operate post-legalization would jeopardize his chances. Some of his eight staff members will likely have to file for unemployment benefits in the meantime. "That will be frustrating, but overall I'm thrilled," Clay said. "I've been waiting decades for this." Licensed growers The federal government has licensed 120 growers, some of them enormous. Canopy Growth, which recently received an investment of $4 billion from Constellation Brands, whose holdings include Corona beer, Robert Mondavi wines and Black Velvet whiskey, is approved for 5.6 million square feet (520,000 square meters) of production space across Canada. Its two biggest greenhouses are near the U.S. border in British Columbia. Beren, a 23-year cannabis grower, is a Canopy consultant. "We used to joke around all the time when we'd go to Vancouver and drive by the big greenhouses on the highway," he said. "Like, 'Oh man, someday. It'd be so awesome if we could grow cannabis in one of these greenhouses.' We drive by now, and we're like, 'Oh, we're here."' Next to Canopy's greenhouse in Delta is another huge facility, Pure Sunfarms, a joint venture between a longtime tomato grower, Village Farms International, and a licensed medical marijuana producer, Emerald Health Therapeutics. Workers pulled out the remaining tomato plants last winter and got to work renovating the greenhouse as a marijuana farm, installing equipment that includes lights and accordion-shaped charcoal vents to control the plant's odor. By 2020, the venture expects to move more than 165,000 pounds (75,000 kg) of bud per year. Some longtime illegal growers who operate on a much smaller scale worry they won't get licensed or will get steamrolled by much larger producers. Provinces can issue "micro-producer" licenses. But in British Columbia, where small-time pot growers helped sustain rural economies as the mining and forestry industries cratered, the application period hasn't opened yet. Sarah Campbell of the Craft Cannabis Association of BC said many small operators envision a day when they can host visitors who can tour their operations and sample the product, as wineries do. Officials say they intend to accommodate craft growers but first need to ensure there is enough cannabis to meet demand when legalization arrives. Hiccups are inevitable, they say, and tweaks will be needed. "Leaving it to each province to decide what's best for their communities and their citizens is something that's good," said Gene Makowsky, the Saskatchewan minister who oversees the province's Liquor and Gaming Authority. "We'll be able to see if each law is successful or where we can do better in certain areas." British Columbia safety minister Mike Farnworth said he learned two primary lessons by visiting Oregon and Washington, U.S. states with recreational marijuana. One was not to look at the industry as an immediate cash cow, as it will take time to displace the black market. The other was to start with relatively strict regulations and then loosen them as needed, because it's much harder to tighten them after the fact. Legalization will be a process more than a date, Farnworth said. "Oct. 17th is actually not going to look much different than it does today," he said. Tap dance, a young student says with a giggle, is a bit louder than ballet. Wearing leotards and pale pink tights, she and three other girls skip across the floor at a community center in Albany, California. Their shiny black tap shoes make them sound like a small herd of ponies clattering across cobblestones. The sound comes from metal taps on their heels and toes, taps that are attached to a small sounding board that makes the sounds crisp and bright. Uniquely American After just a few beginner lessons, these girls can make an explosion of merry syncopated noise doing classic tap moves such as the step-ball-change. By learning these steps, theyre part of a uniquely American art form that dates back to the 1800s, when a melting pot of ethnic percussive dances blended African tribal dances with English clog dancing, with a bit of Scottish hornpipes and jigs. Taps improvised inventions fit especially well with the growing popularity of American jazz. African-American dancers such as Bill Bojangles Robinson used their skills at tap as a stairway to stardom in the 1930s. High-stepping tap was the hallmark of dozens of movies, from Singin in the Rain to the animated Happy Feet, about dancing penguins. While tap might be a passing fancy for many children, 13-year-old Chance Tom is serious about tap. Wearing shorts and a tank top, he races across the dance floor at the Albany Community Center, his feet a blur, sounding like a thundering racehorse. He started tap lessons in California nearly a decade ago. Now, he trains overseas at Londons Royal Academy of Dance, one of the largest and most prestigious dance organizations in the world. Chance said he loves tap because its a very rhythmic, adding matter-of-factly, It definitely involves a lot of dexterity of the feet. He predicts that whether he chooses a career in music or dance, hell find a place for tap. Never too old to tap Tap is not a passing fancy for the senior citizens who attend weekly dance classes at the Rossmoor Senior Community Center in California. In todays session, more than a dozen happy hoofers prove they still have the moves. One of them, Burton Rice, proudly announces, Im two days away from 90. Rice learned to tap as a boy in Kansas. He got good enough that his hometown paid him to dance on stage between movie shows. Today, he still taps, doing hops and skips and backward shuffles that many people might consider impossible for someone 30 years younger. Rice said he keeps tap dancing because he likes the music. If youre going to exercise, It beats walking, he said with a shrug and a laugh before doing another one-two-shuffle. Healthy exercise Dancers in this class are so fit and alert and have such good balance that their doctors, they say, tell them to never give up tap. Thats true for 85-year-old Joan Juengert, who learned tap as a girl. After finishing a routine where all the dancers did tap pirouettes and leaps, Juengert took a break and smiled. All my worries fade away when Im in tap class, she explained. Next to her family, Juengert called tap the most wonderful thing in her life. Shes done all kinds of dance, ranging from ballet to modern. She taught modern dance for 20 years. Yet, I always keep the tap in there because I love it so much, she said. Its good exercise. It keeps your mind really alert. Youre learning new steps, new routines all the time. Research indicates that learning to dance helps not only with fitness, but with skills such as math. Most of all, Juengert said, its fun especially tap. She believes all children should learn some form of dance, and preferably at an early age. She fondly mentioned her 3-month-old granddaughter. I cant wait to get tap shoes on her! One day soon, Juengert hopes her granddaughter will join other young girls wearing pale pink leotards to their first tap dance lessons, to keep this happy, noisy form of dance alive and kicking. Close to 70 percent of the worlds residents will live in cities by the middle of the century, according to recent United Nations figures, and experts warn that an exploding population will exacerbate a housing crisis in some regions. Officials predict that global cities could grow by 2.5 billion people by 2050, underscoring the need for action on housing and other urban issues. From Los Angeles, where the very poor have been forced out of the pricey housing market and camp on tent-lined streets in some downtown neighborhoods, to Mumbai, a city of nearly 20 million where many live in sprawling slums, cities struggle with housing. Its a problem in prosperous places like Californias technology corridor, popularly known as Silicon Valley, and in megacities like Lagos, Nigeria, home to more than 20 million. Urban centers popular People are flocking to urban centers, says Kevin Klowden, who directs the Center for Regional Economics and California Center at the Milken Institute, a research institution. Its not only that large cities are where the high paying jobs are, he said, but ultimately for the interaction opportunities, for advancement, opportunities for access to resources. To relieve congestion, some countries have built, and others are building, new capitals. Nigeria, Myanmar, Kazakhstan and Tanzania have all moved their administrative centers in recent decades, and Egypt is building a new capital east of Cairo. Theyve tried developing new artificial cities when theyve had the money for investment, Klowden says of the efforts, but it only works so far. People want to be where the action is, he said, in urban centers such as Tokyo. An agglomeration of 37 million, Tokyo is the worlds largest city, notes the U.N. report released last May. New Delhi follows with 29 million residents, and Shanghai with 26 million. Mexico City, Sao Paolo, Cairo, Mumbai, Beijing and Dhaka all sit on either side of the 20 million mark. 43 megacities By 2030, the world is projected to have 43 megacities of more than 10 million residents, although the report notes that urban problems are not confined to megacities. Rapid growth will also occur in some smaller urban regions. By 2020, Tokyos population is expected to start to decline, and India, China and Nigeria will account for one-third of the worlds projected urban expansion by 2050. The growth comes as cities face a changing environment and other challenges, from rising sea levels to the lack of drinking water. Cape Town, South Africa, narrowly survived a water crisis from 2015 to 2017 through strict conservation and needed rainfall, while Sao Paulo, Brazil, nearly ran out of water in 2014 and 2015. Its often the case that the growth precedes plans to accommodate the growth, and sometimes land-use regulations reflect an earlier era, said development specialist Eric Heikkila, who directs the office of Global Engagement at the University of Southern Californias Price School of Public Policy. Sometimes zoning regulations miss the mark, he said, as officials try to balance the variables of available space with the income of residents. People may be displaced by conflict, have no title to their land, or have no lenders willing to help them finance a home. The World Bank says only 30 percent of land use rights are registered or recorded worldwide. So things that we take for granted in the U.S., like I own my home, I have title to that, that is often a barrier for people, especially women and marginalized in countries, said Tjada McKenna, chief operating officer for the home-building charity Habitat for Humanity International. Public policy really matters, she said. Private initiatives, like Habitat for Humanity, are helping. The charity recruits volunteers to build homes, enlisting their support in broader housing issues. It has provided housing for more than 13 million people since its founding in 1976. Habitats most famous volunteers are former U.S. president Jimmy Carter and his wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter. Outside of the United States, the organization has micro loan programs, so were allowing families to make their homes livable, McKenna said. With those (loans), people are installing toilets or cook stoves or other things. Housing is linked to education outcomes, your health outcomes and income potential, she added, emphasizing its importance. Other challenges In China, many large cities suffer air pollution at alarming levels, said USCs Heikkila, and despite government efforts, many cities are beginning to groan under their own weight, he said. Throughout the developing world, where cities explode without enough housing, but there is land the Milken Institutes Klowden said, you get shacks that are put up, temporary housing that becomes permanent, solutions that he said only worsen the problem. In tackling development issues, every city is different, Heikkila said. Its at its own stage of development. It has its own configuration, geographic configuration, it has its own economic forces at work, it has its own institutions at play, it has its own history, he said. And solutions, these experts say, must be crafted city by city. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said late Thursday Tropical Storm Michael is moving off the coast of Virginia and into the Atlantic Ocean. Michaels damaging winds and life-threatening flash flooding, however, are still being felt over portions of North Carolina and the Southern Mid-Atlantic, according to the forecasters. Michael still has maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (52 mph) with higher gusts. WATCH: Florida Assesses Damage After Hurricane Michael Earlier Thursday, Michael unleashed strong winds and heavy rain on several southeastern U.S. states after devastating parts of the Florida Panhandle as a major hurricane. At least six people were reported killed by Michael, the most powerful hurricane on record in that area, and the third strongest to hit the U.S. mainland. Authorities said the toll was expected to rise, as rescue crews rushed to communities devastated by the storm. Florida Governor Rick Scott promised a strong relief effort from his administration, speaking one day after then-Hurricane Michael tore into the Panhandle. "We are going to be aggressive with recovery and response over the coming days and will do everything we can to assist our communities that have seen impacts from this devastating storm," Scott said. He also called on people in hurricane-hit communities to stay in their homes to give emergency crews room to carry out their work. Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator William "Brock" Long, speaking Thursday on CNN, said, "Search and rescue is where we are hyper-focused this morning." Long said Mexico Beach, Florida, "was wiped out" by the storm surge, and efforts were under way to "get the teams in to assess damage." Long said another priority was to restore power to nearly 800,000 homes and businesses in Florida, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. The National Hurricane Center downgraded Michael to a tropical storm early Thursday, saying its maximum winds had dropped below the threshold for a hurricane. While the winds eased, the threat of flooding rain, including in areas already soaked by a recent hurricane along the U.S. East Coast, persisted. Forecasters said heavy rains could still produce "life-threatening" flash flooding over parts of the Carolinas and Virginia. The storm was approaching Greensboro, North Carolina, Thursday afternoon as its tropical force wind gusts and heavy rainfall pounded much of South Carolina and parts of North Carolina. Parts of those states were still recovering from the recent Hurricane Florence. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said that although Michael was not as devastating as Florence, Michael "adds unwelcome insult to injury." Michael was expected to maintain a northeasterly track, with its center continuing to move across central and eastern North Carolina on Thursday before moving across southeastern Virginia on Thursday night. Those states, including northern South Carolina, could receive 10 to 18 centimeters (4 to 7 inches) of rain. The tropical storm was forecast to move into the western Atlantic Ocean Thursday night. Michael made landfall in the Florida Panhandle with maximum sustained winds of 249 kph (154 mph), putting it just below Category 5 status that tops the scale used to describe the strength and destructive potential of hurricanes. "We are catching some hell," was how a Panama City Beach resident who decided to ride it out described Michael as it came ashore. The hurricane downed trees and utility wires throughout Florida Gulf Coast towns, while ripping off roofs and inundating areas with several meters of storm surge. The Atlantic hurricane season began in June and ends Nov. 30. Flash Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday called for joint efforts from China and Japan to improve bilateral relations. Li made the remarks when meeting Japanese representatives attending the fourth China-Japan Business Leader and Former High-Level Government Official Dialogue in Beijing. Noting this year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Li said the momentum of improvement of China-Japan relations has been consolidated by the joint efforts of the two sides. He expressed hope that the two countries will abide by the principles agreed on in the four political documents between China and Japan, to ensure the steady and sustainable development of bilateral ties. With regard to bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Li said it is not only beneficial to the two countries but also conducive to the development of global economy and trade, as China and Japan are two major economies of the world. He expected the two countries to make use of complementary advantages to expand cooperation in such areas as trade and investment, financial and monetary, innovation and high-tech, as well as jointly tapping a third market, and jointly safeguard multilateralism and the free trade system. "China will continuously expand opening up. We welcome Japanese enterprises to increase investments in China and continue to play a positive role in promoting cooperation and exchanges between China and Japan," Li said. Japanese representatives, including former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Chairman of Japan Business Federation Hiroaki Nakanishi, said the Japanese economic community is willing to promote cooperation with China in such areas as innovation, jointly tapping the third market, environmental protection and coping with the aging population. They said that Premier Li's official visit to Japan in May has brought Japan-China relations back to the normal track. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also met with the representatives on Wednesday. Wang said China and Japan should consolidate political and legal basis of bilateral relations, ensure the major consensus that the two countries are cooperation partners and sketch out a new blueprint for the future development of bilateral ties. During the meeting with Wang, Yasuo Fukuda said that the two sides should work together to ensure Japan-China relations remain in the right direction. The Japanese side looks forward to deeply participate in the new-round of reform and opening up in China. When she announced her resignation Tuesday, outgoing U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley ticked off a list of her accomplishments, one of which was aimed squarely at stopping Central Africa's bloodiest conflict. [In] South Sudan, we got an arms embargo, which was a long time coming," Haley noted. The U.N. Security Council approved the embargo in July, largely at the pushing of Haley, who visited South Sudan in 2017 and saw the devastation caused by the five-year civil war with her own eyes. Without mentioning South Sudan by name, she said Tuesday that "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." Emira Woods, an advocate with the group Africa Rising for Justice, Peace and Dignity, says Haley showed strong leadership at the U.N. regarding South Sudan. "There were many areas in which it seemed like the State Department was being hesitant or less bold than many would have liked, and South Sudan and its arms embargo is one of those examples where leadership is needed, and she used the sort of bully pulpit of the U.N. effectively in those areas," Woods told VOA's South Sudan in Focus on Wednesday. Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. during the Obama administration, tried and failed to get the Security Council to pass a similar embargo on South Sudan. A report released this month estimated that the civil war in South Sudan has caused 382,000 excess deaths, half from violence, half from disease and malnutrition. President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar recently renewed a 2015 peace deal that observers hope will finally end the conflict. Haley, a Republican, served as the governor of South Carolina for six years. She has been one of the few high-ranking women in the Trump administration. Even though she had frequently criticized Trump early in the presidential campaign, Trump appointed her U.N. ambassador within weeks of becoming president. While serving as ambassador, Haley has been a steady, outspoken critic of corrupt leaders around the globe and was highly regarded by foreign diplomats who looked to her for advice on how to deal with the Trump administration. "I think the announcement of her departure took many people by surprise. There is a sense that the White House has had very few women in its Cabinet and for one of the women to be leaving so suddenly comes as a shock to many," Woods said. With Haley leaving, Woods said she is concerned that the Trump administration has internal divisions on foreign policy. She cited a National Security Council under John Bolton "that is almost antagonistic to multilateralism [and] internationalism." Haley flatly denied she is leaving for personal reasons or to run for president in 2020, noting she has served the country for eight years. "I was governor for six years and we dealt with a hurricane and 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 Korea it's been eight years of intense time, and I'm 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." Trump said he expects to announce Haley's replacement within two or three weeks. Hurricane Michael slammed into the Florida Panhandle with terrifying winds of 155 mph Wednesday, splintering homes and submerging neighborhoods before continuing its destructive charge inland across the Southeast. It was the most powerful hurricane to hit the continental U.S. in nearly 50 years and at least one death was reported during its passage. Supercharged by abnormally warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the Category 4 storm crashed ashore in the early afternoon near Mexico Beach, a tourist town about midway along the Panhandle, a 200-mile (320-kilometer) stretch of white-sand beach resorts, fishing towns and military bases. After it ravaged the Panhandle, Michael barreled into Georgia as a Category 3 hurricane, the most powerful ever recorded for that part of the neighboring state. It later weakened to a Category 1 hurricane, and there were reports it spawned possible tornadoes in central Georgia. Thousands without power In north Florida, Michael battered the shoreline with sideways rain, powerful gusts and crashing waves, swamping streets and docks, flattening trees, shredding awnings and peeling away shingles. It set off transformer explosions and knocked out power to more than 388,000 homes and businesses. A Panhandle man was killed by a tree that toppled onto a home, Gadsden County Sheriffs Office spokeswoman Anglie Hightower said. But she added emergency crews trying to reach the home were hampered by downed trees and debris blocking roadways. The man wasnt immediately identified. Damage in Panama City was extensive, with broken and uprooted trees and power lines down nearly everywhere. Roofs were peeled off and homes split open by fallen trees. Twisted street signs lay on the ground. Residents emerged in the early evening to assess damage when rains stopped, though skies were still overcast and windy. Vance Beu, 29, was staying with his mother at her apartment, Spring Gate Apartments, a small complex of single-story wood frame apartment buildings. A pine tree punched a hole in their roof and he said the roar of the storm sounded like a jet engine as the winds accelerated. Their ears popped as the barometric pressure dropped. It was terrifying, honestly. There was a lot of noise. We thought the windows were going to break at any time. We had the inside windows kind of barricaded in with mattresses, Beu said. Kaylee OBrien was crying as she sorted through the remains of the apartment she shared with three roommates at Whispering Pines apartments, where the smell of broken pine trees was thick in the air. Four pine trees had crashed through the roof of her apartment, nearly hitting two people. Her 1-year-old Siamese cat, Molly, was missing. We havent seen her since the tree hit the den. Shes my baby, OBrien said, her face wet with tears. In Apalachicola, Sally Crown rode out the storm in her house. The worst damage, she thought, was in her yard. Multiple trees were down. But after the storm passed, she drove to check on the cafe she manages and saw breathtaking destruction. Its absolutely horrendous. Catastrophic, Crown said. Theres flooding. Boats on the highway. A house on the highway. Houses that have been there forever are just shattered. Gov. Rick Scott announced soon after the powerful eye had swept inland that aggressive search and rescue efforts would get underway as conditions allow. He urged people to stay off debris-littered roads. If you and your family made it through the storm safely, the worst thing you could do now is act foolishly, he said. A meteorological brute Michael was a meteorological brute that sprang quickly from a weekend tropical depression, going from a Category 2 on Tuesday to a Category 4 by the time it came ashore. It was the most powerful hurricane on record to hit the Panhandle. More than 375,000 people up and down the Gulf Coast were urged to evacuate as Michael closed in. But the fast-moving, fast-strengthening storm didnt give people much time to prepare, and emergency authorities lamented that many ignored the warnings and seemed to think they could ride it out. Diane Farris, 57, and her son walked to a high school-turned-shelter near their Panama City home, where about 1,100 people crammed into a space meant for about half as many. Neither she nor her son had any way to communicate because their lone cellphone got wet and quit working. Im worried about my daughter and grandbaby. I dont know where they are. You know, thats hard, she said, choking back tears. In Panama City, plywood and metal flew off the front of a Holiday Inn Express. Part of the awning fell and shattered the glass front door of the hotel, and the rest of the awning wound up on vehicles parked below it. Oh my God, what are we seeing? said evacuee Rachel Franklin, her mouth hanging open. The hotel swimming pool had whitecaps. Storm surge of 8 feet Hurricane-force winds extended up to 45 miles (72 kilometers) from Michaels center at the height of the storm. Forecasters said rainfall could reach up to a foot (30 centimeters) in spots. And then there was the life-threatening storm surge. A water-level station in Apalachicola, close to where Michael came ashore, reported a surge of nearly 8 feet(2.4 meters). Based on its internal barometric pressure, Michael was the third most powerful hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland, behind the unnamed Labor Day storm of 1935 and Camille in 1969. Based on wind speed, it was the fourth-strongest, behind the Labor Day storm (184 mph, or 296 kph), Camille and Andrew in 1992. Forecasters said it would unleash damaging wind and rain all the way into the Carolinas, which are still recovering from Hurricane Florences epic flooding. At the White House, President Donald Trump said, God bless everyone because its going to be a rough one, he said. A very dangerous one. His office said he would tour the devastated areas next week. Hours earlier, meteorologists watched satellite imagery in complete awe as the storm intensified. We are in new territory, National Hurricane Center Meteorologist Dennis Feltgen wrote on Facebook. The historical record, going back to 1851, finds no Category 4 hurricane ever hitting the Florida panhandle. The storm is likely to fire up the debate over global warming. Scientists say global warming is responsible for more intense and more frequent extreme weather, such as storms, droughts, floods and fires. But without extensive study, they cannot directly link a single weather event to the changing climate. And with Election Day less than a month away, the crisis was seen as a test of leadership for Scott, a Republican running for the Senate, and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum , the Democratic nominee for governor. Just as Northern politicians are judged on how they handle snowstorms, their Southern counterparts are watched closely for how they deal with hurricanes. Hurricane Michael has weakened to a Category 1 storm, but is still a dangerous rainmaker as it travels across Georgia. Without the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico to provide it fuel, forecasters say Michael will be downgraded even further to a tropical storm by Thursday morning. Michael slammed into the Florida Panhandle Wednesday as the most powerful storm to strike the U.S. mainland in 50 years. We are catching some hell was how a Panama City Beach resident who decided to ride it out described Michael as it made landfall. Michael came ashore with winds just under a Category 5 storm. Its 249 kph (155 mph) winds blew sheets of rain sideways. Trees and wires are down throughout Florida Gulf Coast towns. Many buildings have no roofs. Reporters on the ground said they could hear electric transformers exploding. One storm-related death has been confirmed. A man was killed by a falling tree in Tallahassee. President Donald Trump has been in touch with state governors and said a federal emergency team is standing by and ready to help with storm recovery. He said he plans to visit storm-ravaged areas as soon as he can. Michael was the strongest hurricane to hit the Florida Panhandle in the areas recorded history, after causing destruction in western Cuba and parts of Central America. At least 13 storm-related deaths have been reported in El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. Meteorologists say Michael got its fury from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center predicts Michael will stay a powerful and dangerous rainmaker as it moves across the U.S. Southeast and off the Mid-Atlantic coast before heading out to sea by Friday. The end of the hurricane season is Nov. 30. India's defense minister is traveling to Paris to speak with the French government amid controversy over a multibillion-dollar deal to sell 36 fighter jets to India. The 2016 deal was for India to buy Rafale fighter jets from France's Dassault. The leader of India's main opposition Congress party, Rahul Gandhi, has accused Narendra Modi's government of buying the aircraft at nearly three times the price being negotiated when his party was in power before Modi became prime minister in 2014. Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who will meet her French counterpart, Florence Parly, on Thursday, has refuted the claim. Gandhi also accused Modi's government of favoring the company owned by industrialist Anil Ambani, Reliance Group, when choosing an Indian partner for Dassault. India's government has denied any wrongdoing. Dassault Aviation said in a statement Wednesday that it ``has freely chosen to make a partnership with India's Reliance Group.'' The French company explained that it has committed to side deals in India worth 50 percent of the value of the jet purchases. In order to deliver those side deals, it has decided to create a joint-venture with Reliance Group. The controversy has intensified following comments last month by former French President Francois Hollande who was in charge when the deal was signed in 2016 suggesting France had no say in the choice of the Indian company. Gandhi appears to be bent on making the Rafale deal an election issue ahead of the general vote in early 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his right-wing Hindu nationalist party are the front-runners in the race. Gandhi has been pressing the government to reveal the exact price of the Rafale aircraft deal, claiming that French President Emmanuel Macron told him in March that there was no secrecy clause. The French Embassy in New Delhi immediately issued a statement saying that a security agreement bound the two countries to protect classified information. A lesser-known immigration visa offers international students a path to U.S. colleges and universities and a green card but the price is affordable for only a few. An EB-5, or Immigrant Investor Visa Program, does not restrict where or how much students work off-campus and allows them to stay in the country after graduation, both perks not available to F-1 student visa holders, according to EB-5 Daily, a website that aggregates news about the EB-5 program. But in exchange for fewer restrictions, EB-5s have a daunting price tag applicants must invest at least $500,000. "There are a lot of wealthy international students who come to the U.S., and a lot of them are very motivated [to stay after graduation]," said Ishaan Khanna, a recent college graduate and EB-5 visa holder. "So, for them it makes sense." A path to immigration Khanna came to the U.S. from India on an F-1 student visa to study at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. As graduation approached, he started looking for ways to stay and work in the U.S. "If I wanted to further my career, being in the U.S., especially close to Silicon Valley, was a no brainer," said Khanna, who was looking for jobs in the tech sector. He started researching EB-5 visas during his senior year. WATCH: Ishaan Khanna Talks About EB-5 Visa The EB-5 visa program was created in 1990 to encourage foreign investment and create jobs for American workers, according to the Department of Homeland Security. To receive the visa, a foreigner must invest at least $500,000 either directly in a business or in a regional center, which is a private company that pools such investments. "An EB-5 regional center is an economic unit, public or private, in the United States that is involved with promoting economic growth," according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). "Regional centers are designated by USCIS for participation in the Immigrant Investor Program." Each investment qualifies only if it creates or preserves at least 10 full-time jobs. The vast majority of EB-5 investors in 2016, 91.5 percent have chosen to invest in regional centers. Successful applicants receive a two-year green card that becomes permanent if the investment meets the job-creation standard. But there is so little oversight of the EB-5 industry that it is open to abuse, critics say. "I could speak for hours about the corruption in this program," said Republican Senator Charles Grassley, one of the program's most vocal critics. "They [the investors] put up the money and they don't know what the money is being used for," said Lsu Khanh Pham, an immigration attorney. "Legally, the money is supposed to go into the venture and create jobs." But sometimes, he said, the money is used to pay back previous loans, or it sits in the bank as collateral. Criticisms Sometimes the money is embezzled, according to some court cases. Documentation shows 287 regional centers whose contract with the U.S. government has been terminated for either failing to submit required information to USCIS or for no longer serving the purpose of promoting economic growth. This month, there were 1,382 approved regional centers. Last year, the family of Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a senior White House aide, was investigated for implying that their company's connection with the president could help their investors obtain green cards through the EB-5 program. The investigation is ongoing. The appeal of a green card is undeniable. With a green card, a foreign student can "work, live, study, as freely as you want," Khanna said. Students who hold a green card are much more attractive to employers, Khanna said. "Let's' be honest, if you don't have a green card, it is really hard to get a job in America," he added. "I interviewed for SpaceX and I remember making it through the first round of interviews," Khanna recalled about the company considered to be a leading innovator in space technology. "And they looked at my application and they said, 'Oh you're not a citizen? You don't have a green card?' And I said 'no,' and they said, 'OK, this isn't going to work.'" "Being able to work in the U.S. without requiring sponsorship is a big deal," he said. USCIS can grant up to 10,000 EB-5 visas each year, but it is hard to get exact figures for how many students are in the U.S. on an EB-5. "USCIS does not maintain these figures," a spokesperson for the agency said, speaking on background. A State Department representative, also speaking on background, directed VOA to its publicly available statistics, which do not include how many students hold an EB-5 visa. "I would think several hundred students" get an EB-5 visa each year, said Stephen Yale-Loehr, a professor of immigration law at Cornell Law School and attorney for Miller Mayer LLP's immigration practice group. "But nobody knows for sure. It may only be a hundred." However, Khanna, an EB-5 visa holder from India, said, "I do know a lot of people who do it, especially students." Because regional centers profit from making investments on behalf of EB-5 applicants, they have a strong incentive to attract every investor they can, no matter how young. On their websites, for example, the centers tout the virtues of EB-5 visas over traditional F-1 student visas. The website of the U.S. Immigration Fund, one of the regional centers, included a post with the headline: "4 reasons why EB-5 visa program is the best for studying abroad in the U.S." Where to invest Although parents and families typically provide the money, students sometimes decide where to invest. "That is probably the most daunting part of the EB-5 process for many investors," said Yale-Loehr, the immigration law professor. "I compare it to a Rubik's Cube," he explained. "The immigration component has to line up with the [investment] component, which has to line up with the job creation element. ... Sometimes, if the students are majoring in business, they're very savvy." But Khanna, who majored in applied-information systems management when he began the EB-5 process, said that determining where to invest was difficult. He spent months doing research and took advantage of resources on campus, "running up to finance professors to ask questions" during his senior year. "I spoke to several investment issuers and I remember making this long spreadsheet, which listed all the different EB-5 projects and compared their pros and cons side by side," Khanna said. He eventually invested in a Four Seasons hotel in Puerto Rico through a regional center named EB5 United, based in Santa Monica, California. He now works for EB5 United as the company's director of investor relations for India. Although the USCIS has tried to protect against fraud, a 2015 Government Accountability Office report found that the agency needed to do even more to protect investors and discern how the program impacts the American economy. Senator Grassley has frequently called for EB-5 reform and recently asked Congress to end regional centers altogether. On Sept. 30, the program was extended until after the midterm elections but before the next Congress is seated in January. When the EB-5 program comes up for renewal on Dec. 7, President Trump and a lame-duck Congress will decide its fate. Until then, students looking for alternatives to an F-1 visa will be able to consider an EB-5, if they can afford it. "If your family has resources, do it," Khanna advised. And the investment Khanna made for his EB-5? "It was pretty much my family's life savings which went into this," he said. Israel is defending its treatment of a U.S. student detained at an airport on suspicion of supporting a pro-Palestinian boycott of the Jewish state. Lara Alqasem, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has been in custody for a week, although Israeli officials say she is free to go home at any time. Cabinet minister Gilad Erdan dismissed criticism by the U.S. media and others Wednesday, saying no one can tell Israel to change its ideology. We are doing whatever we believe that is right for the security of the state of Israel, and that is more important than whatever The New York Times or other newspapers around the world will say about our policy, Erdan said. Students for Justice in Palestine Alqasem is the former leader at the University of Florida of the group Students for Justice in Palestine, an offshoot of the larger BDS movement. BDS gets its name from its calls for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel for what it calls its poor treatment of the Palestinians. Alqasem arrived at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv last week. She had a student visa, intending to study human nights at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. But Israeli officials denied her entry and ordered her to turn back, saying she is an active supporter of the boycott. Israeli law does not allow boycott backers to enter the country. Alqasem has chosen to stay in Israel and fight. Those who have spoken to her say she is being detained at the airport in a room with bedbugs and no internet access. Her telephone privileges are also limited. State Department A State Department spokesman said the U.S. Embassy is providing assistance to Alqasem but, citing her privacy, gave no details. As a general principle, we value freedom of expression, even in cases where we dont agree with the political views expressed, spokesman Robert Palladino said Wednesday. Our strong opposition to boycotts and sanctions of the state of Israel is well-known. South Korea is considering lifting some of its unilateral sanctions against North Korea to create more momentum for diplomacy aimed at improving relations and defusing the nuclear crisis, the South's foreign minister said Wednesday. During a parliamentary audit of her ministry, Kang Kyung-wha said the government is reviewing whether to lift sanctions South Korea imposed on the North in 2010 following a deadly attack on a warship that killed 45 South Korean sailors. Following an angry reaction from conservative opposition lawmakers, Kang's ministry later tried to downplay her comments, saying in a statement that the government has yet to start a "full-fledged" review on sanctions, meaning no decision was imminent. When asked about Kang's comments, U.S. President Donald Trump said South Korea could only lift its sanctions on North Korea with his say-so. His blunt retort implied friction between the allies over the pace of inter-Korean engagement amid concerns in Washington that Pyongyang is lagging behind its supposed promise to denuclearize. "They won't do that without our approval," Trump said. "They do nothing without our approval." South Korean President Moon Jae-in has mostly stayed firm on sanctions despite actively engaging with North Korea and floating the possibility of huge investments and joint economic projects in return for the North's relinquishment of its nuclear weapons. A move by South Korea to lift some of its sanctions would have little immediate effect since U.S.-led international sanctions remain in place. But it's clear Seoul is preparing to restart joint economic projects if the larger nuclear negotiations between the United States and North Korea begin yielding results. South Korea had effectively shut down all cross-border economic cooperation except for a jointly run factory park in the North Korean border town of Kaesong in response to the attack on the warship. The so-called "May 24 measures" of 2010 also banned North Korea from using shipping lanes in South Korean territory. The factory park in Kaesong was shuttered in 2016 after a North Korean nuclear test and long-range rocket launch. A large number of South Korean business leaders accompanied Moon last month to Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, where he and leader Kim Jong Un agreed to normalize operations at the Kaesong factory park and resume joint tours to North Korea when possible, voicing optimism the international sanctions could end and allow such projects. The North and South also announced measures to reduce conventional military threats, such as creating buffer zones along their land and sea boundaries and a no-fly zone above the border. The North also said it would dismantle its main nuclear facility in Nyongbyon if the United States takes unspecified corresponding measures. The fast pace in inter-Korean engagement appears to have created a level of unease in Washington, which insists that efforts to improve relations between the Koreas should move in tandem with efforts to denuclearize the North. Kang also said Wednesday that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed displeasure over the military agreement between the Koreas. Kang did not specify what Pompeo was unhappy about, but said he asked "multiple questions" about the agreement's content. Kang's comments are likely to fuel speculation that Washington wasn't fully on board before Seoul signed the agreement. Despite meeting Moon three times and holding a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in June, Kim has yet to provide a convincing sign that he's ready to deal away his nuclear weapons, which he may see as his strongest guarantee of survival. Pompeo recently visited Kim in Pyongyang in an effort to set up another summit between him and Trump following months of friction in lower-level talks that saw North Korea accuse Washington of "gangster-like" demands on denuclearization. Despite the current mood of detente and negotiation between the Koreas, the removal of sanctions will be a difficult decision for Seoul's government. South Koreans are deeply divided along ideological lines and many people still harbor deep anger over North Korea's 1950 attack that started the Korean War. There has been occasional bloodshed ever since _ the 2010 attack on the warship was followed months later by North Korea's shelling of a South Korean border island that killed four and gutted homes. Kang pointed out that many parts of South Korea's 2010 sanctions now duplicate with the United Nations sanctions that were considerably strengthened after 2016 when the North began accelerating its nuclear and missile tests. She also described Seoul's unilateral sanctions as a key obstacle in restarting South Korean tourism to the North's Diamond Mountain resort, which was suspended in 2008 following the shooting death of a South Korean woman there. But the removal of such sanctions wouldn't be enough to get the tours back on, said Koh Yu-hwan, a North Korea expert at Seoul's Dongguk University and a policy adviser to Moon. While U.N. sanctions against North Korea don't ban tourism, they do place strict restrictions on bulk cash transfers, he said. Still, the lifting of the 2010 sanctions could offer at least some tangible benefits to the North. "For North Korea, the most meaningful result from the lifting of the May 24 measures would be that its ships will be able to travel through Jeju Strait again," said Koh, referring to waters between South Korea's mainland and the southern island of Jeju. "This will allow them to save time and fuel." Malaysia's government plans to abolish the death penalty and a colonial-era law used to suppress dissent, officials said this week. Law Minister Liew Vui Keong said Wednesday the Cabinet would end the death penalty and halt all scheduled executions until the law takes effect. More than 1,200 people are currently on death row. "All death penalty will be abolished. Full stop," he was reported saying by the New Straits Times. Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo said Thursday that the Sedition Act, introduced by the British in 1948, will also be repealed. Both proposals are expected to be brought before Malaysia's parliament Monday. The Sedition Act has been expanded over the decades to outlaw any act, speech or publication that brings contempt against the government or Malaysia's nine royal sultans. Human rights group have frequently accused the Malaysian government of using the law as a weapon against opposition politicians, journalists, students, academics and others who criticize the government. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's Pakatan Harapan coalition dominated a general election in May after promising to weed out corruption and end oppressive laws. Former Prime Minister Najib Razak detained dozens of politicians and activists critical of his administration under the Sedition Act, after being accused of stealing billions of dollars from state-owned development firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad in 2015. The international aid group Doctors Without Borders says asylum seekers banished by Australia to a detention camp on the remote Pacific island of Nauru have suffered a "radical" decline of their mental health. The medical charity, known by its French name Medecins Sans Frontieres, was providing mental health care to the detainees for several months until the charity was suddenly forced to leave last week. The group's Australia executive director, Paul McPhun, says nearly 80 of the detainees have either attempted suicide, harbored suicidal thoughts or harmed themselves. McPhun says many of the children in detention are in a "semi-comatose state," unable to eat, drink or talk. The indefinite detention of the asylum seekers has "destroyed their resilience, shattered all hope, and ultimately impacted their mental health," McPhun added. Since 2014, Canberra has barred asylum seekers trying to arrive on its shores by boat, and sent them to camps on Nauru and Papua New Guinea, where they have remained under indefinite detention. The policy has been condemned by the United Nations and human rights groups. First Lady Melania Trump described herself as the most bullied person in the world before toning down her statement to say she was one of the most bullied. "I could say I'm the most bullied person on the world," Trump told ABC News during an interview recorded last week during her trip to Africa when asked why she has taken on cyberbullying as an issue. The interview aired Thursday morning. "You're really the most bullied person in the world?" an ABC reporter asked in response. "One of them, if you really see what people saying about me," Trump said. Melania Trump first committed to combating cyberbullying during her husbands presidential campaign in 2016. Critics have called her online anti-bullying campaign hypocritical, pointing to the comments her husband has made on Twitter denigrating peoples intelligence, talent, and looks. The U.S. first lady also said nearly two years into the current administration, there are still people working in the White House whom she does not trust. Well some people, they dont work there anymore, she told ABC. The comments follow a controversial anonymous op-ed published in the New York Times last month by a senior administration official who described a covert resistance in the White House against the presidents impulses. You are here: World Flash Turkey has identified eight out of 15 suspects linked to the missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, state-run Anadolu Agency reported Wednesday. A total of 15 Saudis entered the consulate in Istanbul while Khashoggi was inside, Anadolu quoted security sources as saying. The Turkish police has released the detailed information of the eight Saudi suspects, including several officials. State-run broadcaster TRT aired the footage showing these 15 Saudis arriving by private jet and then leaving a hotel. The Saudi Arabian journalist has been missing since Oct. 2 after entering the Saudi consulate building to get documents for his re-marriage to a Turkish woman. Unconfirmed reports said Khashoggi was likely killed inside the compound, which was denied by Saudi officials as "baseless." A dar earlier, Saudi Arabia invited Turkish experts and officials to visit the consulate after Turkey demanded to search the building. Pakistan's Ahmadi community fears a renewed sense of religious intolerance and discrimination with the recent removal of an Ahmadi economist from the new Economic Advisory Council after the government relented to pressure by Islamist groups. Atif Mian, a well-known U.S.-based economist, was picked last month to serve as adviser to Prime Minister Imran Khan to help devise new policies in the face of growing economic pressure and increasing debt. Several religious parties publicly opposed the appointment of an Ahmadi to a key government position. Ahmadis, a religious minority in Pakistan, have long felt marginalized, targeted and discriminated against. The ouster of a high-profile figure like Mian created a new sense of hopelessness. Many say if Mian with his international fame could be brought down by pressure from religious extremists, ordinary Ahmadis have little chance against ongoing discrimination. Amjad Khan, national director of public affairs of the Ahmadi community in the United States, told VOA that Mian's removal has generated a renewed sense of persecution among Ahmadis living inside and outside Pakistan. "This whole episode of removing Atif Mian and the government giving up to the rhetoric of the Islamist parties is disappointing," he said. "And it regenerates our fears as a minority in Pakistan. This is about basic citizens' rights in Pakistan." Ahmadi movement Ahmadis consider themselves Muslims but do not believe that prophesy ended with Prophet Muhammad. They view Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the 19th-century founder of the Ahmadi movement, as their messiah. Pakistan's constitution does not recognize Ahmadis as Muslims. The dilemma Ahmadis face is that they could be accused of perjury if they fail to declare their faith, and could be singled out and discriminated against If they do declare their faith. "For the past 26 years, I've constantly faced questions regarding my faith at work. I was accused of being a blasphemer. I was called kafir [infidel]. I was given the worst possible treatment because I'm an Ahmadi," a Lahore-based pharmacist told VOA on condition of anonymity. Obaid Ali an alias used by an Ahmadi electrical engineer in Punjab province said he lost hope after seeing the government give in to the wishes of extremists. "The way the Pakistani government treated a world-recognized economist is a shame within itself," he said. "The way Islamists are still able to dictate to the government is alarming. And the way the media stays quiet is painful." Ali added that despite the laws, the "whole system of this country, unfortunately, is against the minorities, and especially the Ahmadi community." He said Ahmadis are not allowed to serve in government posts. "They are not even allowed to call themselves Muslims. This is unfair," he said. Some analysts in Pakistan believe the removal of Mian's appointment has conveyed the "wrong message" to the world. "The problem with this country is that we connect everything with religion," Mehdi Hasan, a human rights activist and an analyst from Lahore, told VOA. "I am unable to understand why the government had to take Atif Mian's name back because of pressure from the Islamist groups," he said. "Atif Mian had to serve as an economist and not as a religious scholar. So, what was the clash?" Still Pakistanis Many Ahmadis, including Mian, say despite constantly facing discrimination on the basis of their faith, their sense of patriotism is still strong and they will continue to serve their country as Pakistanis. "No one can challenge our patriotism for this country. You can stop us from posing as Muslims, but you cannot stop us from loving this country. I'm a Canadian citizen, but I opted to stay in Pakistan," the Lahore-based pharmacist said. When asked to step down, Mian reacted calmly. He said he was ready to "serve Pakistan, as it is the country in which I was raised and which I love a great deal. Serving my country is an inherent part of my faith and will always be my heartfelt desire." 1974 amendment The Ahmadi minority was declared heretical in 1974 following pressure from religious parties. Its designation in the constitution that year as a non-Muslim group has since led to its members being persecuted and accused of violating the country's controversial blasphemy laws. The Second Amendment to Pakistan's constitution reads: "A person who does not believe in the absolute and unqualified finality of the Prophethood of Muhammad [Peace be upon him], the last of the Prophets, or claims to be a Prophet in any sense of the word or of any description whatsoever after Muhammad [Peace be upon him], or recognizes such a claimant as a Prophet or religious reformer, is not a Muslim for the purposes of the Constitution or law." Targeted killings of Ahmadi members and leaders in Pakistan are common, and the community regularly faces hatred and social discrimination. Earlier this year, Islamic fundamentalists in Pakistan demolished a century-old place of worship for Ahmadis in the eastern city of Sialkot. Last October, three members of the Ahmadi community were sentenced to death on blasphemy charges in Punjab province. Attempts to reform Last year, thousands of supporters and members of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), an Islamist party, gathered in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, paralyzing it for weeks. They accused the government of committing blasphemy over its attempt to modify a parliamentary bill related to a "Khatam-e-Nabbuwwat" oath that affirms the end of prophecy with Prophet Muhammad. TLP alleged that the government favored Ahmadis by dropping the oath as a requirement. The sit-in ended after the military intervened and convinced the protesters that the planned modification would be dropped. The Pentagon grounded the global fleet of F-35 stealth fighters Thursday so that engineers could conduct urgent inspections following the first ever crash of the costliest plane in history. Preliminary data from a Marine Corps F-35B that was completely destroyed in a South Carolina crash last month showed a potential problem with a fuel tube, officials said. "The US services and international partners have temporarily suspended F-35 flight operations while the enterprise conducts a fleet-wide inspection of a fuel tube within the engine on all F-35 aircraft," said Joe DellaVedova, a spokesman for the F-35 program. He added that suspect fuel tubes would be removed and replaced. If good tubes are already installed, then those planes will be returned to operational status. Inspections were expected to be completed within 24 to 48 hours. According to Pentagon figures, 320 F-35s have been delivered globally, mainly to the US but also Israel and Britain, as well as other partner countries. Britain said the Pentagon measure did not affect all of its F-35s, and that some flying missions had been "paused," not grounded. "F-35 flight trials from the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth are continuing and the program remains on schedule to provide our armed forces with a game-changing capability," a British defense ministry spokesman said. The Israeli military said it was taking additional precautions and conducting tests on its version of the F-35, known as the F-35I. But if the planes are "required for operational action, the F-35I aircraft are ready and prepared," a statement read. On September 28, a Marine Corps F-35 crashed in South Carolina. The pilot survived after ejecting. The incident occurred only one day after the US military first used the F-35 in combat, when Marine Corps jets hit Taliban targets in Afghanistan. On Wednesday, Defense News reported that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis had ordered the Air Force and Navy to make 80 percent of the fleet of key fighters, including the F-35, mission capable within a year. The order sent ripples through the Pentagon, where officials have for years bemoaned a general lack of readiness for key equipment. Launched in the early 1990s, the F-35 program is considered the most expensive weapons system in US history, with an estimated cost of some $400 billion and a goal to produce 2,500 aircraft in the coming years. Once servicing and maintenance costs for the F-35 are factored in over the aircraft's lifespan through 2070, overall program costs are expected to rise to $1.5 trillion. Proponents tout the F-35's radar-dodging stealth technology, supersonic speeds, close air support capabilities, airborne agility and a massive array of sensors giving pilots unparalleled access to information. But the program has faced numerous delays, cost overruns and setbacks, including a mysterious engine fire in 2014 that led commanders to temporarily ground the planes. A group of U.S. senators is putting pressure on U.S. President Donald Trump to investigate the disappearance of a Saudi journalist that could result in sanctions against Saudi officials and entities. In a letter to Trump Wednesday, senators invoked the Global Magnitsky Act of 2016, calling for an investigation in the case of Jamal Khashoggi, who hasnt been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week. WATCH: Trump, Erdogan Urged to Demand Saudi Arabia Account for Journalist's Disappearance The recent disappearance of Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi suggests that he could be a victim of a gross violation of internationally recognized human rights, the letter said. Our expectation is that in making your determination you will consider any relevant information, including with respect to the highest ranking officials in the government of Saudi Arabia. The president then must report to the Senate within 120 days with a determination and a decision on the imposition of sanctions. Administration contacts Saudis The White House said Wednesday that top Trump administration officials have spoken to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the mysterious disappearance of Khashoggi, whom Turkish officials say they believe was killed last week inside Riyadhs consulate in Istanbul. National security adviser John Bolton and senior adviser Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, talked with Salman on Tuesday, while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a follow-up call with the Saudi leader to reiterate the U.S. demand for information about the case, the White House said. In both calls, they asked for more details and for the Saudi government to be transparent in the investigation process, the White House said. In both calls, they asked for more details and for the Saudi government to be transparent in the investigation process, the White House said. Spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the U.S. is continuing to monitor the unfolding investigation in Istanbul, but offered no information about what the crown prince told the U.S. officials about Khashoggis disappearance. Trump told reporters he had talked with officials in Saudi Arabia at the highest level about Khashoggis disappearance, but offered no indication on his whereabouts. Its a very sad situation, this is a bad situation, Trump said. Its a terrible thing. Nobody knows what happened, Trump said, adding, We want to get to the bottom of it. We cannot let this happen, to reporters, to anyone. Trump declined to say whom he talked with in the Saudi government. He said his aides have been in contact with Khashoggis fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, and hope to set up a meeting with her at the White House. Turkish officials: Khashoggi killed Turkish officials say they believe Khashoggi, a critic of Salman who has been living in self-imposed exile in the U.S., was killed Oct. 2 inside the consulate when he went there to pick up documents to allow him to marry Cengiz, a Turkish national, or perhaps spirited away to Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has called the allegation baseless but has offered no proof that Khashoggi left the consulate alive, nor has Turkey produced evidence that he was killed inside the diplomatic outpost. The Washington Post quoted a Turkish official as saying authorities suspect a 15-member team killed the journalist at the consulate. U.S. intelligence intercepted communications of Saudi officials discussing a plan to capture Khashoggi before he vanished, according to the Post, which cited two people familiar with the information. The Magnitsky Act is named for Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian lawyer who died in a Moscow prison after he reported tax fraud involving government officials. The disappearance of a prominent Saudi journalist raises a dark question for anyone who dares criticize governments or speak out against those in power: Will the world have their back? Dictators and autocrats have always sought to silence dissenters, even ones that flee abroad to escape their grasp. They seem to only get bolder in turning to their playbook of detention, threats and killings. That may in part be because, despite decades of talk of human rights in international circles, violations get only muted reproaches. In the United States, the Trump administration avoids strenuous criticism of human rights abuses by allies, like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel and the Philippines, or leaders it seeks to cultivate ties with, like Russia, China and North Korea. President Donald Trump's denunciations of "globalism" and tough stance against the International Criminal Court also have signaled that Washington has little interest in international enforcement against violators of human rights. Western countries have turned inwards, buffeted by rising xenophobic forces and autocrats have either benefited from the vacuum or received outright support. So when Turkish officials said they believed Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi had been killed last week after disappearing during a visit to his country's consulate in Istanbul, there was good reason to wonder whether there would be serious repercussions. So too when China detained the now former Interpol chief after capturing him midair the latest Chinese figure to vanish only to appear in court, accused of corruption. So too when Russia was accused of poisoning an ex-spy in Britain. Often economic and diplomatic interests lead countries to overlook killings, even of their own citizens. In one of the most chilling recent cases, an Italian postgraduate student, Giulio Regeni, was found dumped on the side of a road outside the Egyptian capital, Cairo, his body mutilated and his bones broken. Suspicion in Italy immediately fell on Egypt's security forces, notorious for their use of torture. But nearly three years later, no one has been blamed, and while Italy says it continues to investigate, it has forged ahead with ties with Egypt, particularly with the development of a natural gas field off Egypt's coast by Italy's largest energy company, ENI. Sara Kayyali, a researcher on Syria for Human Rights Watch, said Khashoggi's disappearance "is not just sad, it is terrifying." "We are all taken aback by the lack of condemnation by any of our traditional allies for the acts that we are seeing happen, most recently with Jamal's case. I think it is a very challenging time for all of us and our traditional allies are not around," she said. "It looks like it is the age of impunity, but we won't let it go." The Arab diaspora After the wave of pro-democracy protests that shook the Arab world in 2011 came the backlash brutal crackdowns. As millions from Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Libya left their home countries, autocrats have tracked the vocal critics among them. The Khashoggi disappearance has shaken the large community of Arab exiles who found relative safety in Turkey, said an Egyptian dissident who fled his country after the 2013 massacre. He had met Khashoggi only days earlier. He said he is considering where to go next, adding that his wife just got a job in Saudi Arabia, but he's afraid to go there. He spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing for his safety. "It is a whole new level of dangerous," he said. It harkens back to the days when Libya's Moammar Gadhafi called his opponents in diaspora "stray dogs" and sent death squads to shoot them down in European capitals. One prominent Libyan defector, Mansour al-Kikhia, vanished from Cairo in 1993. His fate was unknown until 2012, a year after Gadhafi's ouster and death, when his body was found in a freezer in an intelligence building in Libya. A Bahraini dissident living in Britain, Sayed Alwadaei, said these days he was afraid for his wife when she had to go to the embassy to notarize legal representation for a pending trial against her at home. "We did not trust that if she goes to the embassy, she will leave unharmed," he said. Bahrain's Embassy in London dismissed Alwadaei's concerns as "nothing more than a cynical attempt to exploit a current news story." Today's dissidents have more tools to speak their mind from exile, making them more dangerous in the eyes of regimes back home. But the autocrats' toolkit is also more diverse. Those in exile in Turkey say their governments have infiltrated their circles, spying on them physically and through social media. One Egyptian activist said he fled his refuge in Turkey after nearly five years because government spies infiltrated the opposition TV station he had set up. With the government gaining more ground in Syria, activists fear they will now be chased in diaspora. One prominent exiled Syrian, Rami Abdurrahman, who has monitored the war for years and has now become a British citizen, said he got word that a senior Syrian military official named him in meetings as the next target, "wherever I am." Russia Russia has been accused of going after turncoat spies without paying much attention to borders and international norms. In 2006, former Russian security officer Alexander Litvinenko, who fled to Britain and became a harsh critic of President Vladimir Putin, died after drinking tea laced with radioactive polonium-210 in London. Investigations concluded that Russia's security service killed him, likely on Putin's orders. The Russian government has denied any responsibility. In March, former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter were found unconscious in the English city of Salisbury after being exposed to a Soviet-designed nerve agent known as Novichok. They spent weeks in critical condition but survived. Months later, a civilian died after being accidentally exposed to the poison. British officials said the attack on the Skripals received approval "at a senior level of the Russian state" and announced charges in absentia against two Russian agents. The British government says it has evidence the men work for the Russian military intelligence agency. Moscow denies any role in the poisoning. In retaliation, Britain, European Union countries and the United States expelled dozens of Russian diplomats, Britain put greater scrutiny on Russian funds, and Washington imposed limited financial sanctions. Still, Trump was reluctant to speak out strongly against the attack. China China's President Xi Jinping has increasingly defied foreign governments and international rights groups, bolstered by his country's global economic clout, military power and diplomatic weight. That's raised concerns over the fate of civic society within the country, as well as the risks of appointing Chinese officials to positions in international organizations. Xi has waged a broad anti-corruption campaign that has ensnared numerous political foes including among Chinese communities outside the country. The most recent to fall afoul is Interpol's president, Meng Hongwei, who was taken into custody upon arriving in Beijing late last month. The Ministry of Public Security has since said that Meng, who left his post, was being investigated for accepting bribes and other crimes that were a result of his "willfulness." Such vague accusations are typical in China's highly opaque judicial system that has jailed figures such as the dissident writer and late Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo. Beijing-based independent political analyst Zhang Lifan said China's handling of the Meng case undermines the leadership's insistence that theirs is a country "ruled by law." "In China disappearance is something that happens quite often," Zhang said. "It's just that this time it was presented to the international public in such a special way." Assassinations and renditions A tenuous place in the ruling dynasty is no protection: Witness one of the most brazen instances of assassination in recent memory, when North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's estranged half-brother Kim Jong Nam died in 2017 at an airport in Malaysia in an attack that authorities said used VX nerve agent. In March, the Trump administration referred to it only indirectly, hedging perhaps with an eye to future diplomacy. Washington only determined that Pyongyang used chemical weapons, an apparent reference to the killing without going into any further detail. Israel and the Palestinians have a history of assassinations. Israel's Mossad killed several top PLO and Hamas leaders in the Arab world and Gaza, while a Palestinian splinter group attempted and failed to kill the Israeli ambassador to the United Kingdom in 1982. Palestinian militants assassinated Israel's tourism minister in 2001. Tehran has blamed Israel for a series of slayings of top Iranian nuclear scientists earlier this decade. During the post-9/11 "war on terror" under President George W. Bush, the CIA program of "extraordinary rendition" and torture of suspects to secret "black sites" was a key U.S. strategy in neutralizing the enemy. More than 50 countries participated with some like Poland and Lithuania allowing the jails to be run on their territory. And of course, the United States carried out the most noteworthy assassination of this century when Navy SEALs under President Barack Obama's direction tracked down Osama bin Laden in Pakistan and killed him in 2011. "It may take time, but we have long memories, and our reach has no limits," Obama said in his last State of the Union address. The Taliban announced Thursday that it would allow the International Committee of the Red Cross to fully resume operations in Afghanistan, restoring safety guarantees that had been withdrawn a few weeks ago. The Islamist insurgency had pulled the guarantees in August after accusing the relief group of failing to meet its stated obligation to monitor detention conditions and provide medical aid to Taliban prisoners in Afghan jails. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said talks between its political negotiators and ICRC officials in Qatar led to the decision to again allow safe passage to Red Cross staff working in Afghanistan. The insurgent group maintains its "political office" in the Gulf state. An ICRC spokesperson confirmed to VOA's Afghan service the two sides reached an agreement on the security issue, but did not share further details. Millions of people displaced by escalating hostilities in Afghanistan are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The United Nations said this week that the conflict and the worst drought to grip the country in years have displaced nearly 470,000 Afghan civilians this year. A U.N. report disclosed Wednesday that conflict-related incidents caused more than 8,000 civilian casualties, including about 2,800 deaths, in the first nine months of this year, showing continuing high rates of civilian casualties. The ICRC is an independent and neutral organization that has been working in Afghanistan for more than 30 years, including in areas controlled by the Taliban. The aid group is helping wounded and disabled Afghans, supporting hospitals, making prison visits, helping detainees maintain contact with their families, monitoring the conduct of hostilities and preventing international humanitarian law violations. The ICRC closed two of its offices in the country and significantly scaled down its operations last year following two deadly attacks on its employees. Militants ambushed an ICRC convoy in Jowzjan province, killing six aid workers, while a physiotherapist was gunned down by a longtime patient in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif. President Donald Trump is stepping up his attack on Democrats over a health care proposal called Medicare for All, claiming it "would end Medicare as we know it and take away benefits that seniors have paid for their entire lives." One senator who has introduced a Medicare for All proposal dismissed Trump's statements as lies. Trump, omitting any mention of improved benefits for seniors that Democrats promise, wrote in an op-ed published Wednesday in USA Today, "The Democrats' plan means that after a life of hard work and sacrifice, seniors would no longer be able to depend on the benefits they were promised." But Medicare for All means different things to different Democrats. The plan pushed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont independent who challenged Hillary Clinton for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, would expand Medicare to cover almost everyone in the country, and current Medicare recipients would get improved benefits. Other Democratic plans would allow people to buy into a new government system modeled on Medicare, moving toward the goal of coverage for all while leaving private insurance in place. Trump's column came as he is looking to paint Democratic candidates as extreme ahead of next month's midterm elections. A White House official speaking to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to describe internal plans said that Trump's health care attack would be echoed by the Republican National Committee and other GOP groups and that the president would continue to raise the attack during his campaign rallies. 'No, Mr. President' Sanders responded Wednesday in a statement, saying Trump "is lying about the Medicare for All proposal" that he introduced. "No, Mr. President. Our proposal would not cut benefits for seniors on Medicare. In fact, we expand benefits," Sanders said. As Trump escalates his efforts on behalf of fellow Republicans, he is casting health care as one of an expanding list of choices for the electorate this year while seeking to raise the alarm about the consequences of Democratic control of the House or the Senate. Medicare for All, also called single-payer over the years, was until fairly recently outside the mainstream of Democratic politics, but this year it has become a key litmus test in many party primaries and a rallying cry for progressive candidates. Under the plan by Sanders, all Americans would gain access to government insurance with no co-pays or deductibles for medical services. Republicans contend that the proposal would be cost-prohibitive and argue it marks government overreach. Trump has already sought to paint Democrats as extremists after the bitter confirmation battle over Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and internal GOP polling obtained last month by the AP shows that the party believes the message will help galvanize Republican voters to the polls. At a rally in Iowa on Tuesday, Trump argued that the only reason to vote for Democrats "is if you are tired of winning." He was to hold a rally in Pennsylvania on Wednesday evening. President Donald Trump said Thursday the U.S. has investigators in Turkey trying to determine what happened to Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, last seen entering Riyadh's consulate in Istanbul last week, but acknowledged his life is imperiled. "He went in and didn't come out," Trump told the Fox & Friends news talk show. "It certainly doesn't look like he's around." Turkish officials say they believe that Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who wrote opinion articles for The Washington Post, was murdered inside the consulate last week by a team of 15 Saudi agents who flew into Istanbul, a contention Saudi Arabia has called "baseless." In a new report, the newspaper said that U.S. intelligence intercepts showed that Salman had ordered an operation to lure Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia from his home in the U.S. and then to detain him. "We're being very tough," Trump said. "And we have investigators over there and we're working with Turkey, and frankly we're working with Saudi Arabia. We want to find out what happened." Later, the White House declined comment on the role the U.S. is playing in the Khashoggi investigation. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Thursday "the United States government has offered its support to the Turkish government to provide law enforcement assistance to the Turkish government. In terms of whether or not we have people on the ground, that's not something that I can address here from this podium. That's not something that the State Department does." Nauert added, "We don't have an information on his whereabouts right now or what happened to him." Retired FBI Special Agent David Gomez said the FBI maintains a two-person office at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara. "So it would be unnecessary to send agents from the States to conduct investigations," he said. The agents, however, would have to work with local law enforcement counterparts because they lack legal authority, Gomez said. Trump said "it would be a very sad thing" if Khashoggi has been killed and would set a "terrible, terrible precedent. I don't like it. No good." Pressure from senators Yet Trump said even if it is determined that Saudi Arabia was responsible for Khashoggi's disappearance, he is opposed to cutting off $110 billion in annual sales of U.S. weapons systems to Riyadh, because it would hurt U.S. defense manufacturers. "That doesn't help us," Trump said, "knowing [the Saudis] have four or five other options" to buy arms from other countries. A group of U.S. senators on Wednesday pressured Trump to hold Saudi Arabia, a longtime U.S. ally in the Middle East, accountable for Khashoggi's fate, possibly calling for sanctions against the kingdom if it finds human rights violations under terms of the Global Magnitsky Act of 2016. The lawmakers said Khashoggi's disappearance "suggests that he could be a victim of a gross violation of internationally recognized human rights." They told Trump, "Our expectation is that in making your determination you will consider any relevant information, including with respect to the highest ranking officials in the government of Saudi Arabia." Under the law, Trump would have 120 days to report to the Senate with a determination and a decision on the imposition of sanctions. US-Saudi discussions The White House said Wednesday that top Trump administration officials have spoken to Salman about the mysterious disappearance of Khashoggi. National Security Advisor John Bolton and senior adviser Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, talked with Salman Tuesday, while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a follow-up call with the Saudi leader to reiterate the U.S. demand for information about the case, the White House said. "In both calls, they asked for more details and for the Saudi government to be transparent in the investigation process," the White House said. Spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the U.S. is continuing to monitor the unfolding investigation in Istanbul, but offered no information about what the crown prince told the U.S. officials about Khashoggi's disappearance. Trump told reporters he had talked with officials in Saudi Arabia "at the highest level" about Khashoggi's disappearance, but offered no indication on his whereabouts. "It's a very sad situation, this is a bad situation," Trump said. "It's a terrible thing." "Nobody knows what happened," Trump said, adding, "We want to get to the bottom of it. We cannot let this happen, to reporters, to anyone." Trump declined to say whom he talked with in the Saudi government. He said his aides have been in contact with Khashoggi's fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, and hope to set up a meeting with her at the White House. US response In another Fox News interview late Wednesday, Trump said it is too early for him to commit to any possible response should Saudi Arabia be responsible for Khashoggi's disappearance. When asked if he would consider blocking U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia, Trump said that would hurt the United States, citing such deals as a big part of a booming U.S. economy. Turkish officials say they believe Khashoggi, a critic of Salman who has been living in self-imposed exile in the U.S., was murdered October 2 inside the consulate when he went there to pick up documents to allow him to marry Cengiz, a Turkish national, or perhaps spirited away to Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has described the allegation as unfounded, but has offered no proof that Khashoggi left the consulate alive, nor has Turkey produced evidence that he was killed inside the diplomatic outpost. U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he is optimistic about Republicans retaining control of both chambers of Congress in next month's nationwide congressional elections, as well as his own re-election in 2020. "I think the Republicans are very energized," Trump told interviewers on his favorite news talk show, "Fox & Friends," because of the robust U.S. economy and last week's Senate confirmation of Trump nominee Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. "I really believe we're going to do well. I think we'll be successful." Trump's prediction on the Nov. 6 elections halfway through his first four-year White House term is at odds with historical trends favoring the political party out of power, the Democrats at the moment, in U.S. midterm elections. In addition, independent analysts say polling shows Democrats are poised to take control of the House of Representatives, while Republicans are likely to retain their slim majority in the Senate. 'Bunch of haters' Trump said that if Democrats assume control of the House, "We'll just have to fight it out" over the next two years "because there's a bunch of haters" against him and his policies. Some Democrats have already said that if they have a majority in the House they plan to launch impeachment proceedings against Trump and investigations of his personal finances and government programs he has changed since he assumed power in January 2017. Still, Trump said if there is a Democratic takeover in the House, "It's possible we'll get along," because both he and Democrats could reach agreement on infrastructure spending they both favor to repair crumbling highways and bridges in the U.S. 2020 As for 2020, Trump declined to say whether there was any possible single Democratic opponent he feared most in his bid for a second four-year term. "So far, I like 'em all, everyone of them," Trump said. "I don't see a name I don't like." Several Democrats, including former Vice President Joe Biden, say they will make up their minds by the end of the year whether to mount a nationwide campaign against Trump. Already, some of them have been making campaign-style speeches in states with early 2020 Democratic primaries that will play a pivotal role in determining Trump's eventual opponent. Republican prospects Trump said that with the economy doing well, often a key determinant in U.S. presidential elections, "I don't see why I wouldn't do well in the election. We've done more in less than two years than anyone in history, and I don't think it's even close." Yet, national surveys show voters consistently disapprove of Trump's performance in office, currently by about a 53 to 43 percent margin. Speculation is growing that Turkey could allow American Pastor Andrew Brunson to return to the United States, ending a diplomatic standoff between Ankara and Washington. U.S. President Donald Trump has condemned Brunson's prosecution on terrorism charges. Several news organizations reported Thursday that the Trump administration had reached a deal with Turkey, easing some sanctions in exchange for Ankara's reducing or dropping charges against Brunson. Washington was expressing cautious optimism about Brunsons release, which could come as early as Friday. Im very hopeful that before too long Pastor Brunson, he and his wife, will be able to return to the United States, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday. Pompeo has reportedly been involved in intense, behind- the-scenes talks with Ankara over the release of Brunson. On Thursday, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters she was not aware of any deal for Brunson's release. "There's a legal process that plays out," she said. "I'm hopeful that before too long he and his wife will be able to return to the United States. That would be an important step forward for the U.S.-and-Turkey relationship. ... But we look forward to watching the case very carefully tomorrow," Nauert said. She added that U.S. embassy officials would attend Friday's hearing in support of Brunson. Erdogan position In a sign of Brunson's possible release, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appeared to distance himself from any decision. I am the president of the Turkish Republic, a democratic and constitutional state, he said Tuesday. Hence, I must obey whatever the decision the judiciary gives. All related parties must follow the judicial rulings. Thats it. Erdogan has been at the forefront of strong advocacy of Brunsons prosecution as relations with Washington deteriorated. The American pastor is facing up to 35 years in jail on terrorism and espionage charges. His next court hearing is scheduled for Friday. Prosecutors accuse Brunson of supporting followers of the U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, blamed by Turkey for the 2016 failed coup in Turkey. Brunson is also accused of aiding the PKK, a banned Kurdish separatist group. Washington describes the charges as baseless, accusing Ankara of diplomatic hostage-taking. Trump, in August, partly in retaliation for Brunsons prosecution, slapped Turkey with trade tariffs. The action triggered a collapse of the Turkish lira. Erdogan hit back, accusing Washington of waging economic war. Its not only the evangelical base of Donald Trump. A wide range of Americans mostly view Brunson and other American detainees as political hostages, said political analyst Atilla Yesilada of Global Source Partners. Any normalization of relations is out of the question as long as Brunson is detained, he added. If Brunson is not allowed to return home after Fridays hearing, Trump may become impatient and impose more sanctions. The threat of further U.S. sanctions against Turkey's embattled economy is fueling speculation the pastor will be freed. Yes, I expect him to be released. There is more and more expectation Turkey will do it, said international relations professor Huseyin Bagci of Ankaras Middle East Technical University. With America, I dont expect relations will get worse, he added. On the contrary, there will be durable stability, and in the long run, Turkey-U.S. relations will continue as before. Turkey and America need one another. Despite the current crisis in relations, which extends to many other issues, the two NATO allies are continuing to cooperate on Syria. Ankara recently said that cooperation has improved. The growing expectation of Brunson's release Friday, and with it, the removal of further U.S. sanctions, is seen as a reason why the Turkish lira has stabilized after weeks of steep declines. However, some analysts remain cautious, citing the opaque nature of Turkeys decision-making process. There is a significant risk these expectations [Brunsons release] wont be met, said chief economist Inan Demir of Nomura International. Its extremely difficult to gain insight into the thinking of the chief policymakers, so there is room for negative surprises, definitely. I would say its a coin flip, 50-50, whether Brunson is released, analyst Yesilada said. I dont see a clear approach from the ruling AKP camp that he is going to be released. Certainly, there is no unified approach preparing public opinion for his release, Yesilada added. Analysts suggest Brunsons release is complicated by some Erdogan advisers who are warning him about appearing weak in the face of Washingtons pressure. There are numerous other outstanding issues between the NATO allies. Next month the United States is set to impose severe sanctions on Turkeys neighbor, Iran, and Washington is lobbying Ankara to comply with the measures. Ankara could be looking for a reciprocal gesture by Washington for Brunson's release, said former senior Turkish diplomat Aydin Selcen, who served in Washington. Trump has reportedly ruled out any concessions until Brunson is back in the United States. However, analysts point out Trump has so far not imposed any new measures against Turkey. The Turkish state-owned Halkbank is facing a significant fine that could run into many billions of dollars for violating previous sanctions on Iran. Analysts suggest the magnitude of the penalty could be linked to Brunson. Analysts think a significant fine, along with the risk of further investigations and penalties against other Turkish banks, could deal a considerable blow to Turkey's already-weakened financial system. Its all like a house of cards. Everything depends on whether Brunson is released, said Yesilada. If he is released, it opens the door to resolving other issues [between Ankara and Washington]. The alternative is an escalation in tensions that could lead to all-out [sanctions] war, like the United States against Iran. Corporations around the world should work together to reduce carbon emissions and stem climate change rather than wait for government mandates, the chief executive of U.S. oil producer Occidental Petroleum Corp said Wednesday. Pressure is rising on companies, especially in the energy sector, to slash their greenhouse gas emissions in order to prevent climate change. Oxy, which has for years been a vocal supporter of efforts to reduce carbon emissions, is the largest oil producer in the Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico, the biggest U.S. oil field. We as corporations, we have to do our part. There are enough companies committed to making it happen, Vicki Hollub said in an interview on the sidelines of the Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co Energy Disruption Conference in Houston. It needs to be a worldwide approach. Carbon tax Oxy rival Exxon Mobil Corp said Tuesday it would donate $1 million to a political action committees lobbying campaign to promote a U.S. tax on carbon emissions. The donation is designed to help sway public opinion around climate change legislation. A carbon tax would shift the financial burden of climate change mitigation efforts from corporations to consumers. I think it goes beyond making a donation to some organization, Hollub said. It really needs to have the collaboration of all the parties. Houston-based Oxy believes it is too soon to support a carbon tax and that corporations should work with regulators and environmentalists to study the best approach, Hollub said. Were not really prepared right now to say it needs to be a tax, said Hollub, who became CEO in 2016. Production prowess Oxys production prowess in the Permian stems from its use of a technique that harnesses carbon dioxide produced from power plants, forcing it back into aging oil fields. That boosts the pressure underground and drives more oil to the surface. It is a process that Oxy has historically used in conventional oil fields, but is studying how to use in shale wells, Hollub said. Still, oil producers remain controversial in the fight against rising temperatures. Climate report A report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released Monday said renewable energy would need to supply 70 to 85 percent of electricity by 2050 to help stem climate change, compared with about 25 percent now. The Paris Climate Accords goal of capping global temperature increases to well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) is important to us, Hollub said. U.S. President Donald Trumps decision to pull out of the Paris agreement was the right thing for the country, Hollub said, adding that Oxy and other corporations should still focus on cutting emissions. And were committed to doing our part, she said. We shouldnt have to be told to do it. Flash China and Vietnam's ministers of public security Wednesday agreed to push forward cooperation on combating crime. The pledge came out of the sixth China-Vietnam public security ministerial meeting on cooperation against crime, attended by Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi and Vietnamese Minister of Public Security To Lam. Zhao said he hoped that the two sides would "seriously implement the important consensus reached by their leaders, continuously deepen pragmatic cooperation in safeguarding national security, anti-terrorism, combating transnational crimes, immigration management and establishing the security cooperation mechanism for major projects." To Lam, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, said Vietnam was willing to further strengthen pragmatic cooperation with China in various fields such as law-enforcement and security. A U.S. astronaut and Russian cosmonaut are safe following an emergency return to Earth minutes after launching on what was supposed to be a mission to the International Space Station. The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said a booster on the Soyuz spacecraft failed after it took off Thursday from the Soviet-era cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. "At that point, per the standard procedure, an abort was initiated," International Space Station Operations Integration Manager Kenny Todd told reporters. WATCH: Nick Hague Talks to VOA Before Takeoff "My heart was beating hard," astronaut Reid Weisman said of the moment he heard the booster had malfunctioned during his colleagues' launch. It was the latest in a string of recent failures for the Russian space program, which also takes American astronauts to the station. Russian officials said they are investigating the incident, adding that all manned space flight missions would be suspended until investigators figure out what went wrong. Officials said U.S. astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos' Alexei Ovchinin experienced 6 to 7 times Earth's gravity, followed by a brief moment of weightlessness, as they separated from the booster before falling to Earth. Rescuers reached the crew after they landed in Kazakhstan, and both were in good condition. They are now reunited with their families. Thursday was supposed to be Hague's first time in space. Hague, who is an Air Force colonel, was the first member of his class to be assigned to a mission. Todd said there was "no doubt" Hague would be selected for another mission, but it was "yet to be determined" when that would occur. In an interview with VOA prior to the launch, Hague said he was excited and ready, but also nervous. "Sitting on top of a rocket for the first time and being shot into space, you know, how can you not be nervous?" he said. Hague spent the last five years preparing for his mission. When he gets the chance, he will serve as a flight engineer on the International Space Station, doing everything from maintenance of the aircraft to scientific research to study the effects of weightlessness. The International Space Station is the largest space collaboration ever. Fifteen countries built and operate the live-in satellite, an "unprecedented" feat, according to John Logsdon, a professor emeritus at George Washington University's Space Policy Institute. "One of the real payoffs with benefits is to demonstrate peaceful collaboration, not only between allies, but between the United States and Russia, even in spite of all the current political tensions between the two countries," Logsdon said. Hague told VOA he enjoys working with space explorers from all over the country and world. Typically, five to seven astronauts man the ISS at one time. Only about 250 people have ever lived on the International Space Station, which celebrates its 20th year in orbit next month. Parties to a new global treaty to combat the illicit sale of tobacco products have taken the first steps toward cracking down on this multi-billion dollar trade. At a three-day meeting at the headquarters of the World Health Organization in Geneva they have outlined a plan to shut down the lucrative black market trade in tobacco. A global tobacco treaty (Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products) entered into force on September 25, with 48 countries joining the new protocol, which is part of the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC). Two-thirds of the parties have enacted or strengthened national legislation aimed at tackling illicit trade in tobacco products. Parties attending the meeting have set up a working group to create a monitoring system to track and trace the movement of tobacco products. They hope this global information sharing system will be up and running by 2023. Head of the FCTC Secretariat, Vera da Costa e Silva, says illicit trade accounts for one in 10 cigarettes consumed. She says these cigarettes are low-priced and more affordable for young people and vulnerable populations. She says this results in increased consumption of the toxic product by these groups. She told VOA the black market in tobacco thrives in both rich and poor countries, but it is a much bigger problem in developing countries. In the streets of developing countries, you can see all over the world sales of illicit trade of tobacco products. They are openly in their markets.... When it comes to the distribution, this is linked to street sales, to bootlegging as well through borders and even to sales to and by minors. That is a real problem of illicit trade in tobacco products, she said. Da Costa e Silva said this flourishing illegal trade undermines tobacco control policies and public health. She said it also fuels organized crime and increases tobacco profits through tax evasion, resulting in substantial losses in governments revenues. She said studies show governments lose $31 billion in taxes annually from the illegal trafficking in tobacco products. The World Health Organization reports seven million people die prematurely every year from tobacco-related causes. The High Court will on Friday hear an appeal filed by Tendai Biti, vice chairperson of the Movement for Democratic Change-Alliance, challenging Harare Magistrate Francis Mapfumos refusal to temporarily release his passport to allow him to travel to South Africa to receive specialized medical treatment. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights spokesman Kumbirai Mafunda says Biti petitioned the High Court after Magistrate Mapfumo last month dismissed his application for alteration of his bail conditions which entailed releasing his passport to receive specialized medical treatment which is unavailable in Zimbabwe. In his application filed by Jeremiah Bamu of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Biti argued that the interests of justice will not be prejudiced if the court grants his application for the release of his passport. The opposition political party leader wants the High Court to order the release of his passport so that he travels to South Africa for medical treatment from the date the travel document is released to him until Tuesday 23 October 2018, when he will surrender it back to the Clerk of Court at Harare Magistrates Court until his matter is finalized. Biti is currently appearing in court after he was arrested in August and charged with contravening Section 66(A)(1) of the Electoral Act for allegedly announcing the 30 July 2018 presidential election results unofficially and for committing public violence as defined in Section 36 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. He fled to Zambia where he was deported by the authorities, who allegedly worked in conjunction with Zimbabwean authorities, to ensure that he was sent back home. Biti claims that he was traumatized by the deportation as Zambians handed him over to Zimbabwes state security agents, who were looking for him. We accept many different kinds of announcements. Just click on the button below and submit a form. Go to forms Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens. The US has intercepts of Saudi officials discussing a plan to lure journalist Jamal Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia and detain him, according to a US official familiar with the intelligence. Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi journalist and critic of the regime, has been missing for more than a week after going to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul for an appointment that he had scheduled to obtain wedding papers. Turkish officials privately believe he was killed at the consulate, an allegation denied by Saudi Arabia, which says he left the consulate the day he arrived. Continents and regions Jamal Khashoggi Middle East Middle East and North Africa Misc people Saudi Arabia Donald Trump Embassies and consulates Government and public administration Government bodies and offices Government departments and authorities International relations International relations and national security Investigations North America Political Figures - US State departments and diplomatic services The Americas Turkey United States US federal government White House The official said it is unclear if the original plan was to murder Khashoggi or if something went wrong at the consulate and that he might have been killed during an attempt to kidnap him. Getting Khashoggi to the consulate appears to have been a backup plan, the source said, because he couldn't be persuaded to fly back to Saudi Arabia. The official said there is no hard evidence as to whether Khashoggi, a columnist for the Washington Post, is dead or alive. The source did not say when the United States became aware of the discussions. As CNN reported earlier this week, intercepted communications were being reviewed in the wake of Khashoggi's disappearance. The official would not go so far as to say Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the operation, but said that, although he may not have known the specifics, such a plan couldn't have taken place without his approval. The Washington Post first reported the details of the intercepts. Khashoggi was in regular contact with Saudi authorities in 2017 about taking on a more prominent role in the Kingdom, including discussions about government support for a think tank he would lead, a source who knows the journalist told CNN. Khashoggi rejected the ideas proposed to him by the main interlocutor, a senior adviser within the Royal Court, according to the source. But that dialogue came to an end over the following months with Khashoggi's increasingly sharp criticism of the government, particularly its domestic policy and the crisis with Qatar. In September 2017, for instance, Khashoggi wrote a Washington Post opinion piece entitled, "Saudi Arabia wasn't always this repressive. Now it's unbearable." Senior Royal Court figures in Riyadh were especially infuriated by Khashoggi's criticism of the Saudi government's September 2017 decision to classify as terrorists the Muslim Brotherhood and the Islamic scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi, according to the source, who maintains high-level contact inside the kingdom. Khashoggi at the time became more wary of returning to the kingdom, the source said. US officials think it's possible the Crown Prince wanted Khashoggi silenced, but miscalculated the global impact his disappearance would have. Friends of Khashoggi, who have asked to stay anonymous for fear of being connected to him, have told CNN that there was an active campaign by the Saudi government and pro-Saudi government think tanks in Washington to convince him to stop criticizing bin Salman and get him back in the fold as an ally of the royal court. One US-based friend told CNN that when Khashoggi would go to the Saudi embassy in Washington, officials would be nice to him and try to convince him that it would be safe to return home. There is, however, no indication that this wooing campaign was connected to any plot to kidnap or kill Khashoggi. An international affair Earlier this week, bin Salman contacted the White House after it became clear he and the royal court were getting blamed for Khashoggi's murder, according to a person familiar with the call. Bin Salman asked specifically to speak with Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, to deny the accusations. White House national security adviser John Bolton also joined the call, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a separate conversation with the Crown Prince, sending a signal to bin Salman that he could not circumvent Trump's Cabinet officials. US President Donald Trump is facing increased pressure over the Khashoggi case as he walks the US-Saudi relationship tightrope. Late Tuesday, a bipartisan group of senators wrote to the President, calling for the White House to determine what happened to Khashoggi and whether sanctions should be imposed on whoever was responsible for his fate. The letter, penned by the top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, triggers an investigation under legislation that allows the President to impose sanctions on individuals or countries that are deemed to have committed a human rights violation. The White House must respond within 120 days, setting out what actions it proposes to take. Trump told "Fox and Friends" during an interview on Thursday morning that his administration was being "very tough" with Saudi Arabia as it investigates Khashoggi's disappearance. "We have investigators over there and we're working with Turkey, and frankly we're working with Saudi Arabia. We want to find out what happened," Trump said, adding that US inquiries were making progress. "We're probably getting closer than you might think," he said. Asked whether the United States has investigators on the ground in Turkey, the FBI would not confirm or comment. A Turkish diplomatic official has denied that the United States has sent investigators to Turkey to look into the Khashoggi case, saying the reports are "not true." On Wednesday night, Trump told Fox News that it was too early to say how the United States might respond, but that blocking further arms sales to Saudi Arabia "would be hurting us." A German diplomat who knows the missing journalist said he was stunned by the apparent lack of urgency from the United States one day after Khashoggi's disappearance, according to a senior diplomatic source. The German Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington immediately called several people in the US administration, including the State Department, and was surprised by their response. "It seemed they weren't aware, and didn't see it as such a big deal," according to the source familiar with the phone calls. On Thursday, State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said the Saudi ambassador to the United States, Khaled bin Salman, was on his way back to Saudi Arabia, but not at the request of the Trump administration. She said the State Department had been in touch with the ambassador and expected information from him upon his return. "As we have said from the beginning, we are not sure what happened to Jamal Khashoggi," she said. "We are all concerned about his whereabouts. We do not have information on his whereabouts or what happened to him." Investigation continues On Thursday, a Turkish presidential spokesperson said that a joint working group would be established "at the request of Saudi Arabia," according to Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency. Earlier in the day, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters that Turkey "cannot remain silent" on the disappearance of Khashoggi. "We are currently investigating the event in all its dimensions. The event took place in our country. We cannot remain silent in the face of an event like this because it is not a normal occurrence," Erdogan said while returning on a flight from Hungary. He said security and intelligence forces "have been looking at all dimensions of this" and are looking especially closely at the country's entry and exit points. Turkish officials have said that a 15-man team flew from Saudi Arabia into Istanbul on the day Khashoggi entered the consulate, and were present in the building at the same time as the journalist. A Saudi source familiar with four of the 15 men told CNN that one is a former diplomat in London and an intelligence officer, and another is a forensics expert. In a statement to CNN on Wednesday, a Saudi official said the kingdom "categorically" denies "any involvement in Jamal's disappearance." "At this stage, our priority is to support the investigation, as opposed to responding to evolving comments not directly related to those efforts. Jamal's well being, as a Saudi citizen, is our utmost concern and we are focusing on the investigation as a means to reveal the truth behind his disappearance. Our sympathies go out to the family during this difficult time," the official said. But a senior Turkish official speaking on the condition of anonymity told CNN that the Saudis were not cooperating with the investigation: "They are not open to cooperating." Hatice Cengiz, Khashoggi's fiancee, told CNN that although she is afraid that media reports of his death could be true, she wants to wait for a "final result" and still thinks "anything" could have happened to him. Cengiz told the Turkish news agency Anadolu that Khashoggi's first visit to the consulate on the Friday before he went missing had gone smoothly. We're learning about the impact Hurricane Michael could have on cotton. Many farmers along the Coast have lost most of their crops. WAAY 31 visited a cotton farm in Athens to learn more about how the hurricane could impact farmers in North Alabama. Matt Haney said he's heard from farmers in South Alabama, Florida and Georgia who have lost their entire cotton crop. He said you can't help but to feel for them. "You just feel so bad for them, because they've worked all year long to get the crop to here and then just lose it." Since cotton season has already started, many of the farmers were ready for harvest. Now that the crops are gone, farmers are waiting to see how it will impact market prices. "Should it affect the price? Possibly. But it's such a global market now that there could and could not be a price increase because of the lost bales of cotton." Haney said many farmers have already sold their crops prior to harvest, and now they don't have any product to deliver. He said farmers do insure their crops in case of disasters like Hurricane Michael, but even then it likely won't help much. "Insurance is just something that maybe'll help get them some money back to where they started possibly, but it's definitely not going to be a fix all." Haney has already started harvesting his crops. He said they won't know the full extent of the damage Hurricane Michael caused until some time in December. He also said that the farmers who didn't lose their crops will still likely face hardships selling their cotton, if the storm caused damage, like stains from mud or leaves. A new safety technology program is in use at a high school in Jackson County, and it could soon be used at schools across the state After the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and the recent high school shooting in Parkland Florida, one group took preventive measures in making sure Alabama schools are safe. Skyline High School was chosen to test the safe school technology, because it's in a rural part of Jackson County. School officials told me if something were to happen on the campus, it'll take first responders longer to get out there. "The other reality is that we talk problems to death rather than solve them. We wanted to solve something. We wanted to go in and implement it immediately," said Dr. Gary Maddux. Dr. Gary Maddux works for the systems management and production center at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, also known as SMAP. He and others have been working on the test for years. "We've worked with the local law enforcement, the hierarchy of the school system, and the individual school to do this test bed," Dr. Maddux said. Dr. Maddux said it only cost $5,000 to fund the project. They were able to find inexpensive safety equipment, like door locks, a metal detection wand for the principal, audible door sensors and motion activated cameras, which Jackson County investigators have access to from their cell phones. "We have an active shooter situation, we can find out where that person is and when we get there, we can concentrate our response to that location," said Rocky Harnen. Maddux said they're planning to implement this program in several school districts in Alabama. Plus, schools nationwide are interested. "We're doing some other things such as looking at making a two-way glass runway. If you've got a bad guy out in the hallway, he cannot see into the classroom to see what's going on," Dr. Maddux said. Anthony Buckner with the Jackson County School District also explained the new technology hasn't distracted Skyline students from their learning. "We want our students to know that we've got their safety at heart," Buckner said. WAAY 31 wasn't able to get inside of the school today, because the Jackson County School District is on fall break. We also learned there is not a full-time school resource officer at every school, so this program is a huge help. Also, the program includes an email hotline for teachers and staff to offer other ideas to improve school safety. Flash China has refuted claims by United States leaders that "the U.S. really rebuilt China", saying that the development of any country ultimately depends on itself. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a news briefing on Wednesday that China mainly owes its tremendous achievement in development to the correct leadership of the Communist Party of China and the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the country's unwavering efforts in pushing forward reform and opening up, as well as the diligence and wisdom of the Chinese people. The claim by U.S. leaders that attributes China's achievement to chronic trade surpluses in Beijing's favor is logically untenable, he said. Rather than pursuing development within a vacuum, China has always kept its door wide open to conduct win-win cooperation with different countries, he added. "As a country with a population of close to 1.4 billion, it is impossible for China to rely on the charity of others for its development. I am afraid that there is simply no country with such capabilities to rebuild China," he said. Lu said the U.S. trade deficit with China is a result of comparative advantages of China and division of labor factors. China's foreign trade has always been in line with market principles and conducted fairly. The U.S. buys more from China than it sells, and it also has self-imposed restrictions on exports of some products, which has naturally resulted in deficits, he said. "It is unfair and improper that the U.S. denounces China on these grounds," Lu said. Meanwhile, bilateral trade between China and U.S. is by no means one way traffic that transports wealth to China, he said, adding that the U.S. has long gained wide and tremendous economic benefits from business and trade cooperation with China. "Nobody is willing to make deals destined to lose, not to mention for 20 years," he said. China urges the U.S. to adopt the right mentality, respect facts, stop groundless accusations against China, and do more to benefit businesses and consumers, Lu said. Estimates by the U.S.-China Business Council last year showed trade with China saved typical U.S. families up to US$850 in 2015. A report released by Deutsche Bank in June said that even though China enjoyed a US$376 billion trade surplus with the U.S. in 2017, Chinese consumers own more iPhones and buy more General Motors cars than U.S. consumers do. "These cars and phones are sold to China not through U.S. exports, but through Chinese subsidiaries of U.S. multinational enterprises," the report said. Flash Greece, Cyprus and Egypt signed agreements for collaboration in education, business and small and medium sized enterprises, customs and border technology, as well as the promotion of investments during a trilateral summit hosted on Crete island on Wednesday, Greek national news agency AMNA reported. In joint press statements after the talks at the seaside resort town of Elounda, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stressed that enhanced collaboration would benefit their countries' people and the wider regional development and stability. On the agenda of discussions were common challenges such as energy security and the migration-refugee crisis. "Balance in the Mediterranean, Middle East and West Africa cannot exist without Egypt. Tackling terrorism and controlling refugee flows from Africa cannot happen without Egypt," Tsipras said after the meeting regarding Egypt's role. Greece fully supports the holding of an EU-Arab League summit in Egypt in February and the establishment of discussion of strategic EU-Egypt relations, the Greek leader said. "We clearly expressed our support for Cyprus in its efforts to exercise its sovereign rights under international law with respect to its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), against any third-country threat, and stressed the importance that this drilling has for the entire Cypriot people, both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots," he added, regarding the boundaries for oil and gas exploration rights in the Mediterranean Sea. Greece and Egypt also agreed on Wednesday that technical talks between the two countries on delineating their EEZ must be wrapped by the end of the year, AMNA reported, citing government sources. According to the same sources, the leaders also discussed developments concerning the construction of the East Med gas pipeline to Europe. Flash Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe on Thursday for an annual meeting of heads of government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states and an official visit to Tajikistan. It is Li's first visit to Tajikistan. He was welcomed by senior Tajik government officials led by Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda at the Dushanbe international airport. Li said he expects to have in-depth exchange of views with Tajik leaders on deepening bilateral ties and advancing practical cooperation in all areas to let China-Tajikistan friendship bloom and bear more fruits to benefit people of the two countries. During his visit, Li will meet with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon. He will hold talks with Rasulzoda, jointly meet the press and witness the launch of cooperation projects and the signing of documents. While attending the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the SCO member states, Li is expected to map out practical cooperation plans for the SCO with other leaders, sign cooperation documents and hold bilateral talks with relevant parties. Li said the SCO has played an even more prominent role in helping countries maintain stability, boost economy, and improve people's livelihood at a time when the world is undergoing major development, transformation and adjustment. China stands ready to work with relevant parties to push the SCO to advance steadily in a time of changes, and to create more benefits for people in the region, Li said. The SCO was established in 2001 by China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan joined as full members in 2017. Today, it stands as a comprehensive regional cooperation organization that covers the largest area and population in the world, with member states accounting for about 20 percent of the global economy and 40 percent of the world population. After Tajikistan, Li will go on a trip to pay an official visit to the Netherlands, attend the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in Brussels and pay a working visit to Belgium. FAI offers guided tours of unusual and rarely-opened historic sites across Italy. The annual Giornate FAI d'Autunno initiative opens the doors to more than 650 historic and cultural buildings across Italy over the weekend of 13-14 October. This year the Rome events include visits to the former headquarters of the Italian air force at the fascist-era Palazzo dell'Aeronautica, and a 1940s bunker housing a train signalling control centre under Termini station. The guided tours, conducted by around 3,500 Fondo Ambiente Italia (FAI) volunteers, are free but visitors are encouraged to make a minimum donation of 3. Similar to Britains National Trust, FAI works to preserve and highlight Italys cultural heritage through education, restoration, events and open days. For details and full list of places to visit see FAI website. 13 Nov. Milton Gendel Centenary. The American Academy in Rome hosts an international panel of speakers who will discuss the multifaceted career of Milton Gendel, the recently-deceased American art critic, photographer, journalist, translator, cultural diplomat, and long-time resident of Rome, on the centenary of his birth. The event will also be the official memorial for Gendel who died in Rome on 11 October, just two months shy of his 100th birthday. The Rome correspondent for both ARTnews and Art in America, Gendel reported on artistic developments and was also involved in the activities of the Rome New York Art Foundation on Tiber Island, which hosted a series of groundbreaking exhibitions from 1957 to 1962. The American Academy in Rome describes his photographic archive, comprising 70,000 negatives conserved by Rome's Fondazione Primoli, as representing an "unparalleled and often witty record of international artistic ferment in Italy and the dramatic transformation of the country from 1950 to the present day." For full details of the event, at 18.00 on 13 November, see Academy website. Medical device maker Medtronic has disabled Internet updates for some 34,000 CareLink programming devices that health-care providers around the world use to access implanted pacemakers, saying the system was vulnerable to cyber attacks. The company said it knows of no cases where the vulnerability had been exploited by hackers in a letter sent to physicians this week. The company said in the letter that it is working to develop security updates "that will further address these vulnerabilities and will be implemented pending regulatory agency approvals." The programmers can still be manually updated. Marie Stopes is especially concerned it might have to suspend its 21 mobile clinics, which rove Madagascar by truck, boat and sometimes even hovercraft. They used to be fully funded by USAID and are now running on shoestring budgets. Where a team of four health professionals once went to a village, now it's often two, and the number of operations performed has declined by half, the group says. An additional mobile clinic has already been eliminated. With the bruising battle over Brett M. Kavanaughs Supreme Court confirmation still a fresh memory for many, those last two questions are likely to linger in the mind as lefty moviegoers settle in to enjoy The Oath, a blistering political satire that may rip the bandage and the scab, as well as a lot of the skin, off a political wound that has barely had time to heal. Yes, lefties are this films target audience; if youre not a compulsive consumer of Saturday Night Lives cold open or Stephen Colberts monologue, this movie is not for you. Come to think of it, it may not even be for you. The laughter it evokes and it is, at times, pretty funny is the kind that hurts. In this primitive peninsula cut off from the outside world by I-295, I found much the same obstacles as the first part of the journey, only with the added elements of verticality and directionlessness. The terrain here angled up and down so sharply that I never truly knew what was going to be just a few yards ahead of me. I had to double back at dead ends made from impenetrable brambles, crawl under ropes of entangled vines, and wade through murky marshland. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, who watched the launch at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome along with his Russian counterpart, tweeted that Hague and Ovchinin are in good condition. He added that a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident will be conducted. Tiffany W.: Its a fairly safe amount to take in daily, but the federal government still recommends that people eat a maximum of between 1,500 and 2,400 mg per day. Its a myth that we eat more salt now than ever before. Refrigeration means we no longer need to salt meats to preserve this food. According to military records from the 1800s to World War II, the average soldier was consuming between 6,000 and 6,800 mg of salt every day. Taken together, the two incidents although far from equal in import once again make it clear that Trump uses the media whenever he can to promote himself, but sees no reason to stand up for its societal role: to question authority and hold government accountable. 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 But reading and knowledge never seem to find their way into discussions of Literacy in Our Time, he said. When teaching our students to write, not only are standards set very low in most high schools, limiting students to the five-paragraph essay, responses to a document-based question, or the personal (or college) essay about matters which are often no one elses business, but we often so load up students with formulae and guidelines that the importance of writing when the author has something to say gets lost in the maze of the processes. Im truly tired of the partisanship we see in D.C., Alt said. I think we need to vote on issues instead of arguing about it. We need Washington to remember there are three branches of government. Montgomery County prosecutors handled the case because relatives of both the defendant and the victim had made campaign contributions to Prince Georges County States Attorney Angela Alsobrooks, said John Erzen, a spokesman for Alsobrooks. Erzen said the office would have handled the case fairly but we understand public perception and we didnt want anyone to think that any decision was based on anything other than applying the law to the facts. The surge in such criminal cases stems from an April 2017 announcement by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions prioritizing Justice Department prosecutions of entry and reentry crimes. More than 60,000 people have faced such criminal charges since then, with twice as many new prosecutions this July, the most recent month for which data is available, compared with the same month in 2017, according to Syracuse Universitys Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, which monitors cases. Commerce Department spokesman Kevin Manning, in an emailed statement Thursday, said Ross was responding to a question about an RNC campaign email, not a direct question about the citizenship question. Manning added that Ross was in fact looking at the RNC email that the Congresswoman provided him during the hearing as he was responding to Rep. Mengs question and truthfully answered that he had not discussed the RNC email with the White House. If the Senate remains under Republican control, it could be an uphill battle, said Terri Ann Lowenthal, a former staff director of the House census oversight subcommittee. The administration has been fighting hard against efforts in court to overturn the Secretarys decision, she said. But if the effort is wrapped up in a larger bill that covers many programs and initiatives of importance both to the White House and to members of Congress, she said, It comes down to priorities sometimes, and whether a president or congressional leaders are willing to go to the mat over specific issues and risk a government shutdown, for example, if an appropriations bill doesnt pass on time. It was unclear how Metro planned to accommodate those costs estimated at $40 million without raising fares. Metro officials said Thursday they believe costs associated with phase two of the Silver Line and obligations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Americans With Disabilities Act requirements are exempt from the cap, though they add up to $90 million in additional spending. The same goes for arbitrator-mandated increases in labor costs of $27 million. Among the things that might be measured: How much space does the driverless car leave between itself and cars to the front and sides? How much more cautious does it become when its sensors are obscured or sightlines are bad? How often does it jerk out of the way of another car or slam on the brakes, either because of its own shortcomings or the poor driving of others nearby? They simply listened to a miserable child who ripped off her dresses and started declaring that she was a boy when she was 2. They studied the science of gender dysphoria and interviewed adult transgender people (yes, they all knew when they were little). They took their kid to doctors and psychiatrists and digested the sobering suicide and homicide rates in the transgender population. I covered three different wars in Afghanistan, she said. I covered the mujahideen war. I was in Kabul when the Taliban came in. And I was there during the American war. I will say, talking about the planned bombing raids right at the beginning of the war, Denver was not in Afghanistan. He was on Diego Garcia, which is 3,000 miles away from Afghanistan. Of children born in 2015, 1.3 percent had not received any of the recommended vaccinations, according to a CDC analysis of a national 2017 immunization survey. That compared with 0.9 percent in 2011 and with 0.3 percent of 19- to 35-month-olds who had not received any immunizations when surveyed in 2001. Assuming the same proportion of children born in 2016 didnt get any vaccinations, about 100,000 children who are now younger than 2 arent vaccinated against 14 potentially serious illnesses, said Amanda Cohn, a pediatrician and the CDCs senior adviser for vaccines. Even though that figure is a tiny fraction of the estimated 8 million children born in the past two years who are getting vaccinated, the trend has officials worried. But she was a grandmother now and lived in a home surrounded by 26 pine trees. She had shuddered to think of the damage that could be done to her backyard, so she moved the lawn furniture and the barbecue grill into the garage. Then came the call for her to evacuate, and the harsher realities of a life-threatening storm began to settle in. Instead of thinking only about her furniture, she started thinking about her home. Following the crash in Schoharie, about 25 miles west of Albany, on Saturday that killed two pedestrians and 18 people in a stretch limo, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D) highlighted Prestiges spotty safety record and said the companys owner had a lot of questions to answer. The companys three vehicles had failed multiple state and federal compliance inspections, and the vehicle involved in the crash had failed a state inspection a month before, officials said. Investigators said this week that Shahed Hussain was out of the country. Late-blooming and suddenly historic Hurricane Michael smashed into the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday afternoon with roof-peeling winds of 155 miles per hour and a storm surge that scraped homes from their foundations. An October surprise that raced across the Gulf, Michael could go down in the record books as the third-strongest hurricane to hit the continental United States. Were kind of getting crushed, Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith said as the storm came ashore west of Apalachicola. Its horrific. Television reporters stand watching as Hurricane Michael whips the trees Wednesday in Panama City Beach, Fla. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post) The powerful eastern side of the storm clobbered the modest coastal community of Mexico Beach, where some structures disintegrated into piles of wood amid massive waves and heavy flooding. In nearby Panama City Beach, homes were shredded and boats tossed. In Marianna, Fla., about 18 miles south of the Alabama state line, Michaels eye tore through the community. I had a yard full of 20-inch pine trees and theres not one left standing, said Chad Taylor, 66, a land manager in Marianna. I can see for miles and miles, he added, quoting the rock band the Who. Mariannas destroyed. Power outages soared through the day, reaching more than 300,000 by Wednesday evening, with nearly 90 percent of Bay County home to Mexico Beach and Panama City losing power. Nearby Liberty County had 81 percent of accounts without power, the state reported. Bay Medical Sacred Heart hospital in Panama City reported on Twitter that it suffered blown-out windows, a cracked wall and roof damage, and had shifted patients to safe areas while the hospital ran on generator power. The bayfront city of Apalachicola, Floridas oyster capital, suffered severe flooding and property damage along aptly named Water Street, home to several restaurants. The city was temporarily cut off from the rest of the state, with U.S. Highway 98 to the west blocked by pine trees and oak branches; going east was unthinkable because the causeway had vanished under the elevated water of Apalachicola Bay. Smith, the Franklin County sheriff, said the county-run hospital had closed, and ambulance staff had evacuated to his dismay. I dont get it, Smith said Wednesday morning. Would I like to get out of here? Heck, yeah. Am I leaving? No. Former Franklin County planner Alan Pierce said after the storm blew through that the area endured a storm surge as high as 10 feet. Officials were still trying to determine damage on barrier islands, including St. George Island, which has a state park, a small central business district and a gated community of luxury homes. Its bad, Pierce said. He noted that the wind gauge at the county airport blew off after recording gusts of 90 mph. Other states felt the storms impact as it moved deeper into the Southeast. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) closed state offices and buildings in more than a dozen counties. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) declared the second statewide state of emergency in as many months. He said the storm could do damage in areas still reeling from the flooding Hurricane Florence caused in September, with housing repairs there still in the early stages. Ive seen a lot blue tarps as Ive traveled across the state, Cooper said. These tropical storm force winds could cause a lot of problems. Cooper announced a plan for $1.5 billion in additional state funding to cover part of the estimated $13 billion cost of Hurricane Florence. Hes requesting that legislators approve a $750 million down payment for the recovery package when they return to Raleigh next week to resume a special session called after the disaster. He said the total cost of the storm is likely to surpass the costs of hurricanes Matthew (2016) and Floyd (1999) combined. Michael seemed to have caught everyone off guard, from meteorologists who study tropical cyclones to the longtime residents who chose to hunker down rather than evacuate. A mere tropical depression just three days earlier, Michael intensified explosively as it rolled north in the warm Gulf of Mexico and into the shallow waters of the continental shelf. It was ultimately a Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, just a couple of miles per hour shy of reaching Category 5. Damaged homes in Panama City Beach, Fla. on Wednesday. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post) It was the most powerful tropical storm to hit the Florida Panhandle since record-keeping began in 1851. Just two hurricanes have ever hit the United States with barometric pressure readings in the eye a key metric of a storms effects lower than the 919 millibars of Michael. They were the 1935 Labor Day storm (892mb) that struck the Florida Keys, and Hurricane Camille (900mb), which killed hundreds when it hit coastal Mississippi in 1969. This storm went from a tropical storm to a projected Cat 3 at landfall in six hours yesterday, Brad Kieserman, vice president for disaster operations and logistics for the American Red Cross, said in a teleconference Wednesday. Its not behaving normally. It intensified extremely quickly. It didnt give anyone time to do much. And the one thing you cant get back in a disaster is time. President Trump said of Michael: Its like a big tornado, a massive tornado. He said the storm grew into a monster. The National Weather Services Tallahassee office thundered on Twitter early Wednesday morning that it was residents LAST CHANCE to evacuate. 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. The storms eye struck just east of Panama City and the high-rise tourist hotels parked along white-sand beaches. The storm rolled to the northeast, sideswiping the state capital, Tallahassee. Panama City Beach homes damaged from Hurricane Michaels winds on Wednesday. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post) The storms path and the need for emergency management potentially carried political significance for Gov. Rick Scott (R), who is running for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Bill Nelson (D), and for Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum (D), who is seeking to succeed Scott in a contest against Republican Ron DeSantis. Were turning 100 percent of our focus on search-and-rescue and recovery, Scott said in a late-day news briefing. The governor said hes received reports of significant damage at Tyndall Air Force Base as well as in Panama City, Mexico Beach and throughout Bay County. Two devastating tornadoes touched down in Gaston County, he said. We are deploying a massive wave of responses by land, air and sea, he said. Geography probably played a role in storm damage, for better or worse. This is Floridas poorest region, with a relatively high percentage of residents living in vulnerable housing, such as mobile homes. But it is not a heavily populated area. The more powerful eastern side of the storm struck a region known as Floridas Forgotten Coast. More than 300,000 people live in evacuation zones along or near the coast, and as of Tuesday night 6,000 people were in 80 emergency shelters, the Red Crosss Kieserman said. He predicted that the number of people seeking shelter will rise to 20,000 or greater as people flee flooded and damaged coastal homes. He urged people who want to help those in need to donate money to disaster aid organizations rather than attempting to deliver food and supplies. We will be in for a long-term sheltering mission, he said. Federal officials warned residents in the storm zone against venturing out after the worst of the storm passes, because hazards remain. The storm weakened when it hit land but retained hurricane-force winds. Michaels still a strong, powerful hurricane, well inland. Its going to have hurricane impacts well into Georgia, said Jeff Byard, FEMAs associate administrator for response and recovery. He said FEMA is well positioned to handle the back-to-back hurricanes Florence and now Michael in part because both are in the same region and emergency responders are well acquainted with each other. Well be able to handle another storm if it hits next week, Byard said, adding that he hopes he hasnt jinxed the region. This photo made available by NASA shows the eye of Hurricane Michael, as seen from the International Space Station on Wednesday. (NASA/Via AP) Begos is a freelance journalist based in Apalachicola. Lazo reported from Panama City and Berman and Achenbach reported from Washington. Patricia Sullivan in Tallahassee; Kirk Ross in Chapel Hill, N.C.; Carmen Sisson in Pensacola; and Jason Samenow and Eli Rosenberg in Washington contributed to this report. Libyans find bodies of 75 suspected ISIS fighters: Libyan authorities have found a mass grave thought to contain the bodies of 75 Islamic State fighters near the coastal city of Sirte, an official said. He said that the dead appear to have been clad in the attire of Islamic State fighters but that forensics testing is needed to determine their identities. Islamic State and other extremist groups exploited the chaos in Libya after the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed Moammar Gaddafi. Islamic State militants carved out a fiefdom centered on Sirte before Libyan militias drove them out in 2016. The objective of any strategy is to change the behavior of whomever the strategy is pointed at. So far, Beijing has not changed its behavior one iota, which means the strategy is not yet working. But it has only just begun. It took almost two years of infighting for the administration to get to this point. The internal battle over the next steps is raging now. But as of last month, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) has decided to make such rehabilitation much harder. Going forward, books and publications, including legal primers and prison newsletters, cannot be sent directly to incarcerated Pennsylvanians. Instead, if they want access to a book, they must first come up with $147 to purchase a tablet and then pay a private company for electronic versions of their reading material but only if its available among the 8,500 titles offered to them through this new e-book system. Maybe this is also why so many journalists are being imprisoned and murdered. A record 262 journalists were jailed around the world at the end of last year, according to research by the Committee to Protect Journalists, the organization I lead. As the war in Syria has ebbed, the total number of journalists killed annually has come down from the low-to-mid 70s, but the number of murdered journalists has risen dramatically this year, to 27; there were 19 such deaths in all of 2016, and 18 last year. The suspects in the killings include criminal groups, terrorist organizations and governments. In about 90 percent of these cases, the perpetrators went unpunished. Trump kept his promise to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, something his three immediate predecessors also promised yet failed to do. He promised to crush and destroy ISIS, and two years later he is on the verge of eliminating the Islamic States physical caliphate. He promised to impose a travel ban on countries that he saw as posing a terrorist threat, and after several false starts the final version of his ban was upheld by the Supreme Court. He promised to punish Syria if it used chemical weapons on its people, and, unlike his immediate predecessor, he followed through not once but twice. Friends must be able to have frank conversations with one another, and the United States cannot be silent or remain inert in the face of an insidious assault against universal values. I am relieved that senior White House officials have spoken directly to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about this situation. Still more effective would be public words of concern and condemnation from the president. His voice could have a powerful impact both on the Khashoggi case and on an increasingly oppressive crackdown underway inside the kingdom during which dissidents and critics from across the political spectrum have been detained without trial. The Kavanaugh debacle was a failure of a similar sort. Both sides we can argue about which was more culpable seemed to care more about their partisan preoccupations than what was best for the country in the long term. Democrats werent great was it actually useful for a senator to order all men to shut up? but Republicans were decidedly worse. In a moment of tension and real pain in the lives of women, was muscling a polarizing, sexual-misconduct-tinged figure onto the court truly the most helpful action? What we got in the end was an increase in cynicism and the degradation of an institution here, our judiciary that we need now more than ever. Now, Trumps administration is trying to get answers from Saudi leaders about the disappearance of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi a critic of the Saudi regime who was allegedly abducted, and possibly killed, inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul last week. The crisis has brought scrutiny to Trumps business ties with the Saudis and the complexity they add to an already complicated U.S. relationship with the kingdom. First lady Melania Trump said in an interview broadcast Thursday that there have been people in her husbands White House whom she doesnt trust, including some who still work there, and that she considers herself one of the most bullied people in the world. The closest recent analogue to Thursdays encounter was the surreal 1970 Oval Office meeting between Nixon and Elvis Presley, Brower said. While that meeting was not carried live on TV and social media in the same way that Thursdays was, it probably would have measured up in terms of absurdity: According to historical accounts, the King showed off his police badge collection, attempted to give Nixon a pistol, asked for a federal narcotics badge and then gave the president a hug. Shes certainly being considered. Shes done a great job, she was with us, as you know, for a long time, the president told reporters when he landed in Erie, Pa., Tuesday night for a campaign rally. Been with me from the beginning. Shes certainly excellent. But shes one of we have four or five . . . that were looking at very seriously. Itll be good. Nikki did a great job. We have four or five really great candidates. In the battle for the House, the divisive atmosphere has been less helpful to Republicans, given the high number of swing, suburban seats up for grabs, where moderates appear to be turning away from the president and his party. One influential Republican, speaking on the condition of anonymity to be candid, predicted that the party wouldnt be able to hold its House majority if it had super glue on its hands. I think it makes a huge difference, he said. Lose the Senate and the project of confirming judges is over for the last two years of President Trump. That, I think, is a scary prospect to the people who like what weve been doing on the judge project, and I hope will help us hold on to our majority. Three crew members currently on the space station are in no danger, NASA said. They have adequate supplies for an extended mission beyond their planned Dec. 13 return and can get home in a spare Soyuz spacecraft currently attached to the space station. But there are limits to how long the Soyuz module can remain in orbit before its fuel is no longer reliable. Human Rights Watch said it reviewed police reports and legal complaints filed by Hassans family to authorities in January and February seeking his whereabouts. A few days after his disappearance, security agents raided Hassans house and ordered his wife and children to leave Egypt, where they have lived for 11 years, the group said. The family is now in the United States. In a sign of the backlash, the New York Times said Wednesday that it was pulling its sponsorship of an investment conference scheduled for this month in Riyadh, the Saudi capital. On Thursday, a London-based activist group, the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, urged the Natural History Museum in London to cancel an evening reception hosted by the Saudi Embassy. A former U.S. intelligence official who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter noted that the details of the operation, which involved sending two teams totaling 15 men, in two private aircraft arriving and departing Turkey at different times, bore the hallmarks of a rendition, in which someone is extralegally removed from one country and deposited for interrogation in another. Some in the bureau eyed Rosenstein warily, because he had authored a memo that was used by the administration to justify Comeys termination. If the president had obstructed justice, they reasoned, Rosenstein may have played a role in that. Justice Department officials, meanwhile, were concerned that the FBI and McCabe in particular may have acted too hastily to open an investigative file on the president after Comey was fired and that the move could be painted as an act of anger or revenge. Brunson, who has lived in Turkey for more than two decades, was arrested in a sweep of thousands that took place after an unsuccessful coup attempt in 2016. Charges against him, which he and the Trump administration have said are bogus, include contacts with the so-called coup mastermind, Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, a permanent U.S. resident living in Pennsylvania and a longtime political foe of Erdogan. The indictment against Brunson also charges him with having contact with Kurdish separatists that Turkey and the United States have designated as terrorists. By the end of the day on Thursday, the U.S. military and some foreign partners had already put planes back into service without the suspect fuel tube back. Only planes with a fuel tube from a certain supplier require replacement, and so far officials believe that number is limited to about half the roughly 340 aircraft in service. But when the Australian Banking Association commissioned its own review of bonus structures by the former public service commissioner, Stephen Sedgwick, his terms of reference explicitly excluded consideration of senior management. However, senior management sets the tone for all employees, as commissioner Kenneth Hayne noted in his interim report. If more junior employees should not be remunerated in this way, why should their managers and senior executives? he asked. Economists have long observed that humans respond to incentives, both monetary and non-monetary. Decades ago, Corporate Australia moved to start rewarding bosses not just with a base salary, but incentive payments, often comprising shares in their own company. This is designed to address the agency problem - that the interests of a company's managers may not necessarily be aligned with those of the shareholders. Loading In industries like retail, it is common for these incentives to be highly linked to customer service outcomes. But until very recently, bank executive bonuses have been strongly linked to indicators of profit, like total shareholder return or return on equity. The public likes to decry the multimillion-dollar salaries commanded by bank bosses, but international evidence suggests they are not wildly out of whack. Indeed, all of todays bank CEOs have taken pay cuts compared to their predecessors. The real problem with bank boss pay is the often complex hurdles executives must jump through to secure their bonuses and the potential 'perverse incentives' they can create. To truly see the problem, consider this example. Imagine you are a senior executive overseeing a part of your bank which finds it has been charging its customers fees but delivering no service tantamount to theft. Under consumer law, you know those customers will most likely require a refund and that will reduce profits. You must provision for that loss. But its a month or two before the end of the financial year and you realise that if you book the loss now, you will become ineligible for part of your bonus, or have it reduced. Do you book the loss now, or delay? Loading Banks are already busily tearing up their incentive structures for executives, as it has become clear just how they have rewarded short-term profit maximisation at the expense of long-term shareholder value creation a key part of which is safeguarding their reputation as trusted and law-abiding businesses. Bank boards are now seeking to give greater priority to so-called "non-financial" metrics of success. They have faced resistance from some shareholders - often at the behest of fund managers who get rewarded with their own annual bonuses only if their stock picks pay off. NAB Chairman Ken Henry recently announced an overhaul of executive pay which will remove a link to total shareholder return and introduce more discretion for his board to award bonuses. Commonwealth Bank recently down-weighted the importance of financial metrics in the calculation of executive pay. Senior counsel assisting the Hayne royal commission. Which raises the question: why not abolish them altogether? It is telling that the only financial sector executive to escape relatively unscathed from his royal commission appearance was AustralianSuper chief, Ian Silk, who draws a base salary of $800,000 a year. Shareholders, however, would likely revolt against such a move. In such an environment, it may be necessary for government to intervene - as it already has with the Banking Executive Accountability Regime, which requires bonus payments be delayed in some cases. Ideally, executives should be rewarded for maximising long-term shareholder value. In reality, measuring staff against this yardstick is an inherently tricky business, suffering from a lack of complete information. Measuring things like culture and customer experience is not easy. For example, an obsession with maximising "customer satisfaction" may discourage a CEO from admitting to - and provisioning for - misconduct, if it could damage brand perception in the short term. Overall, this royal commission has so far proved highly effective at demolishing the banks' traditional defence that misconduct is the result of just a few bad apples. Instead, it emerges that bankers are not themselves inherently bad people, but the incentive structures they face do indeed drive them to do bad things. The good news is that incentive structures can be fixed. Melbourne broadcaster Jon Faine has slammed ABC management after a technical failure ruined Ian Henderson's final news bulletin. Thursday evening was meant to be Hendo's final sign-off after hosting ABC Victoria's 7pm news bulletin for more than 25 years. However, the screen froze for about 30 seconds during a story about federal opposition leader Bill Shorten. When the feed returned, Melbourne viewers were confronted with the Sydney bulletin hosted by Juanita Phillips. The Melbourne newsroom wasn't able to get back up and running before 7.30 kicked-off, meaning Hendo wasn't able to bid loyal fans farewell. The 65-year-old has been presenting ABC Victoria's 7pm news since 1992. His family and close friends were in the Melbourne studio on Thursday night to witness his send-off, but were left witnessing producers scramble to fix the live feed. From the outside, Perth boy Max de Beaux is a regular, happy and energetic six-year-old who loves the outdoors and dressing up as his favourite superhero Batman. But despite his upbeat and brave exterior, Maxs body will soon fail him. Max de Beaux loves dressing up like Batman. Credit:Janet Craig Just before his fifth birthday in March last year Max was diagnosed with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma, a rare and cruelly aggressive type of cancer that arises from specific nerve cells along the spinal cord. Currently just one in 100,000 children get this cancer and the survival rate is just 40 to 50 per cent. As the 2018 Nobel prize for economics was awarded to two researchers linking economics to climate change, we are once again reminded to listen to the science. Yet when it comes to religion, the same voices hardly whisper their acknowledgment of the research that shows positive outcomes to individuals and society. Responding robustly to the Ruddock review on religious freedom will be an opportunity for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to express his personal convictions. Credit:AAP This blind spot is starting to emerge on radio and in newspapers following Prime Minister Scott Morrisons support for greater protections against religious discrimination and having notably abstained in the same-sex marriage vote. Responding robustly to the Ruddock review on religious freedom will be an opportunity for the Prime Minister to express his personal convictions and build credibility among conservatives, but most importantly acknowledge that religion is good for society. When he does, expect to hear experts in various fields not related to the study of religion and opinionated commentators snidely remark on his Pentecostal beliefs, dismiss religion as being an unhealthy delusion, refer to the royal commission into child sexual abuse, decry church wealth and blame religion for the worlds wars. They wont admit what a growing amount of research supports religion is good for you and the community. Singer Shannon Noll has escaped a criminal conviction and been handed a 12-month good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to possessing cocaine. Noll, 43, was discovered with 0.53 grams of cocaine in a resealable package when police patrolled Caringbah Hotel in Sydney's south with a drug dog on September 13. When police first entered the pub, they saw Noll playing pool with friends. He spotted the officers and moved to a secluded corner, where he reached into his left pocket and dropped the cocaine packet on the ground under a table. His actions were seen by officers, who also obtained CCTV from the hotel. If the Hearts and Minds Investments charity was needing for any more rich-lister cash before, they should be about right by now. Gulfstream G650ER owner Paul Little and his wife Jane Hansen have dipped into their bank account and made an investment. Paul Little, former Toll Holdings boss, has moved into the VIP jet business and put money into Hearts and Minds Investments. Credit:Eddie Jim The investment fund, which came out of the Hearts and Minds stockpicking forum, raises money for a number of charities and is being organised by UBS boss Matthew Grounds (among others). The mystery of which of the Packer siblings is investing in the vehicle, as queried by CBD, can also be answered. Its both James and Gretel! A 21-year-old student has allegedly been caught with a large amount of child exploitation material on his mobile phone at Perth Airport. He was stopped for a baggage check after he arrived from Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, with Australian Border Force officers allegedly finding nine videos and six photographs showing children engaging in sexual activity. The Indian man has been charged with importing child exploitation material and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $525,000. ABF regional commander Rod O'Donnell said he was concerned about the number of foreign visitors coming to Australia in possession of child exploitation material. "Unfortunately we are seeing too many cases where travellers have this material on their phones and other devices," he said. A McDonald's employee's plan to stage an armed robbery at the store netted him and a mate about $5000, but it also got them sentenced to more than three years in a West Australian prison. Patrick Francis Egan, 29, was working at the Beldon eatery in April last year when he and Kyle John Cox concocted the crime, the WA Supreme Court heard on Thursday. Egan was sentenced in WA's Supreme Court on Thursday. Credit:Glen Hunt The court heard Cox arrived at the McDonald's about 3am, carrying a backpack and armed with a knife. Egan then sent a message to Cox, who entered the store through the back door armed with a knife. Australian Federal Police officers have raided the Department of Home Affairs in Canberra as part of an investigation into destabilising leaks against Peter Dutton over his ministerial interventions to save a number of foreign au pairs from deportation. The government referred the leaks to police following a series of revelations concerning Mr Dutton's decisions to grant visas to a French woman linked to the politically connected family of AFL boss Gillon McLachlan and an Italian woman linked to a former Queensland police colleague of the Home Affairs Minister. AFP commissioner Andrew Colvin and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen AFP officers entered Home Affairs headquarters in Canberra on Thursday morning and left early in the afternoon. Fairfax Media has been told they searched the workspace of a public servant at the department. They were seen departing with two cases of evidence. In a statement, an AFP spokesman confirmed an investigation into an "unauthorised disclosure of information" following a referral from the department on August 30. The public service is at its best when it is prepared to change, and the pursuit of efficiency shouldn't be seen as the enemy, new Public Service Minister Mathias Cormann has said. In his first speech on the public service since the portfolio was added to his finance responsibilities after the Liberal leadership spill, Senator Cormann set out his vision for a more innovative and responsive APS, as well as stridently defending cost-cutting undertaken by the government. New public service minister Mathias Cormann has laid out his vision for how the public service should work. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen "When we improve the efficiency and productivity of the public service, we create space in the budget for outward facing programs and services, which directly benefit Australians," Senator Cormann said. "I have for many years made the point that public service spending, yes, should be as much as necessary but also should be as little as possible that we should always focus on the value of activity and that we have a responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely." Palu, Indonesia: Indonesian authorities say at least three people have been killed and four injured after a powerful earthquake struck near the popular tourist island of Bali on Thursday. Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for Indonesia's disaster agency BNPB, wrote on Twitter that several houses were also damaged in the magnitude 6.0 earthquake that shook Bali and East Java. The country is still reeling from an earthquake and tsunami last month that killed at least 2045 people, with up to 5000 still missing. The International Monetary Fund and its sister lending organisation, the World Bank, are holding annual meetings attended by international delegations on Bali until Sunday. Also on Thursday morning a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck remote New Britain island in Papua New Guinea, the United States Geological Survey says. But Turkish officials have concluded that whatever the intent of the operation, Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate. Investigators have not found his body, but Turkish officials have released video surveillance footage of Khashoggi entering the consulate on the afternoon of Oct. 2. There is no footage that shows him leaving, they said. The intelligence about Saudi Arabias earlier plans to detain Khashoggi have raised questions about whether the Trump administration should have warned the journalist that he might be in danger. Intelligence agencies have a duty to warn people who might be kidnapped, seriously injured or killed, according to a directive signed in 2015. The obligation applies regardless of whether the person is a US citizen. Khashoggi was a US resident. Duty to warn applies if harm is intended toward an individual, said a former senior intelligence official. But that duty also depends on whether the intelligence clearly indicated Khashoggi was in danger, the former official said. Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, pictured in April, has ordered the arrest of hundred of political opponents since assuming power. Credit:AP Capturing him, which could have been interpreted as arresting him, would not have triggered a duty-to-warn obligation, the former official said. If something in the reported intercept indicated that violence was planned, then, yes, he should have been warned. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees the warning process, declined to comment on whether Khashoggi had been contacted. On Wednesday, US time, a bipartisan group of US senators moved to force the Trump administration to investigate Khashoggi's disappearance, triggering a human rights probe that could result in sanctions against Saudi officials and entities. In a letter to President Donald Trump, senators invoked the Global Magnitsky Act of 2016 to seek an investigation in the case. The letter is signed by all members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee except for Rand Paul who is pushing Congress to block future arms sales to Saudi Arabia. White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, right, is close to the Saudi crown prince. Credit:AP "The recent disappearance of Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi suggests that he could be a victim of a gross violation of internationally recognised human rights," the letter said. "Our expectation is that in making your determination you will consider any relevant information, including with respect to the highest ranking officials in the government of Saudi Arabia." The Magnitsky Act gives the Trump administration 120 days to respond to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with a decision on potential sanctions against officials responsible for human rights violations. Trump, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, said he had spoken "more than once" with Saudi officials in recent days but didn't provide details of the conversations. Administration officials have not commented on the intelligence reports that showed a Saudi plan to lure Khashoggi. Though I cannot comment on intelligence matters, I can say definitively the United States had no advance knowledge of [Khashoggis] disappearance, deputy State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said on Wednesday. Asked whether the US government would have had a duty to warn Khashoggi if it possessed information that he was in jeopardy, Palladino declined to answer what he called a "hypothetical question". It was not clear to officials with knowledge of the intelligence whether the Saudis discussed harming Khashoggi as part of the plan to detain him in Saudi Arabia. But the intelligence had been disseminated throughout the US government and contained in reports that are routinely available to people working on US policy toward Saudi Arabia or related issues, one US official said. The intelligence poses a political problem for the Trump administration because it implicates Mohammed, who is particularly close to Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and senior adviser. On Wednesday, Kushner and national security adviser John Bolton spoke by phone with the crown prince, but White House officials said the Saudis provided little information. Trump has grown frustrated, two officials said, after initially reacting slowly to Khashoggis disappearance. Earlier this week, he said he had no information about what had happened the journalist. White House officials have begun discussing how to force Saudi Arabia to provide answers and what punishment could be meted out if the government there is found responsible. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have reacted harshly to the disappearance. On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of senators asked Trump to impose sanctions on anyone found responsible for Khashoggis disappearance, including Saudi leaders. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, perhaps the Presidents closest ally in the Senate, predicated a "bipartisan tsunami" of action if the Saudis were involved and said that Khashoggis death could alter the nature of relations between the two countries. Kushners relationship with Mohammed, known within national security agencies by the initials MBS, has long been the subject of suspicion by some American intelligence officials. Kushner and Mohammed have had private, one-on-one phone calls that were not always set up through normal channels so the conversations could be memorialised and Kushner could be properly briefed. For all his criticism of the Saudi regime, Khashoggi was not always opposed to Mohammeds policies. Khashoggi credited the young leader for what he saw as positive changes, including loosening Saudi cultural restrictions. Khashoggi often expressed affection for his homeland, even while saying he did not believe it was safe for him. One person in contact with the crown prince, speaking on the condition of anonymity to preserve the relationship, said Khashoggi last year asked him to give a message to Mohammed saying he needed someone like Khashoggi as an adviser. When he transmitted the message, this person said, the crown prince said that Khashoggi was tied to the Muslim Brotherhood and to Qatar, both Saudi adversaries, and that the arrangement would never happen. Two other friends of Khashoggi said that at least twice he received cordial phone calls from Qahtani, the adviser to the prince, conveying friendly messages on his behalf. In one of the calls, in September 2017, Qahtani said that Mohammed had been very happy to see Khashoggi post a message praising the kingdom after the government announced it was lifting a driving ban on women, according to one of the friends, who was with Khashoggi at the time. The tone of the call was pleasant, but Khashoggi also told Qahtani he would praise the government when there were positive developments. When there are bad things, I will speak up. Image of Jesus Martinez-Bujanda Mora courtesy of Valdemar Estates. , a fifth-generation family winery based in Spain, is in the process of building a facility in Washington. The winery, which will be called, is expected to open in spring of 2019.We decided to do this big step to Washington State, and we are really, really excited about it, says Jesus Martinez-Bujanda Mora, who recently relocated to Washington with his wife and three-year-old daughter to focus on the project.The Valdemar family has been in the wine business for nearly 130 years, prior to this point focusing exclusively on producing wines from the Rioja region. Martinez-Bujanda says his family has been considering starting a new winery for some time.For many years weve been considering investing in another winery in Spain in another region, but at some point, we realized it was not exciting for us. So many wineries have gone from Rioja to Ribera del Deuro, Rias Biaxas, and the other way around. It was not unique anymore.A graduate of the University of Washington, Martinez-Bujanda decided to take a tour of Washington wine country with his father and sister in September of 2016.To be honest, we fell in love with Washington State, with the place, the vineyards, and the people, Martinez-Bujanda says. We liked very much the variety of terroirs that there are in Washington. We really believe that this is a top wine region of the world and believe its going to keep growing and keep improving.Valdemar Estates will be based in Walla Walla. We arrived in Walla Walla and we knew that the winery had to be [here], Martinez-Bujanda says. We like the culture that is here around the wine business and the people. I cannot tell you enough how much the people have helped us. I can only be grateful to them.The 20,000-square foot production facility and tasting room will be located on JB George Road near Amavi Cellars and is expected to open in March of next year. Its a little big, but we are not thinking in the next five years. We are thinking in the next 100 years, Martinez-Bujanda says.Valdemar Estates also purchased 25 acres of land at two separate sites in the Rocks District region of the valley. We like to consider ourselves first growers and then also winemakers, Martinez-Bujanda says, noting that the family farms approximately 750 acres in Rioja. For us, the philosophy has always been about the vineyards.Martinez-Bujanda expects to plant the land in 2020, mainly to Rhone varieties and in particular Grenache. Garnacha has been very important to our family since the beginning, he says. The Garnacha wines that weve tried from the Rocks really captured our attention.He has high praise for Rocks District wines, saying, Today in the wine industry, there are vineyards all over the world, but it is very difficult to find a place that translates into the wines in the unique way that the Rocks does.Valdemar Estates made a limited amount of wine from Washington in 2017, using Cabernet Sauvignon from Red Mountain as well as Syrah from Walla Walla Valley. If they like the results, the wines will be released in late 2019. Valdemar Estates will also offer wines from its Spanish portfolio.We believe our Spanish wines should be an important part of our tasting room, Martinez-Bujanda says. I am curious to see the reaction of the people.To craft its Washington wines, this summer Valdemar hired one of Washingtons most talented winemakers, Marie-Eve Gilla, formerly of Forgeron Cellars. I know its funny because Im French and theyre Spanish, but to me its their heritage and the culture and the tradition, Gilla says. That is what was really attractive to me about them.Gilla also notes how important it is to have a well-established, non-US based winery decide to focus on Walla Walla Valley and Washington. I think it gives as lot of credibility to our region. WSU Ritchey Science Fair Finalist Heads to Nationals October 10, 2018 OGDEN, Utah For 60 years, Weber State University has hosted the Ritchey Science & Engineering Fair to support science education in public schools; one recent winner has been chosen to compete in a national science fair Oct. 19-23 in Washington, D.C. Gary Zhan Gary Zhan, a ninth-grader from Logan, Utah, was selected as one of 30 finalists, from 80,000 participants nationwide, for the 2018 Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars) competition, where he will be eligible for additional research funding. Gary is Utahs only finalist. In addition to showcasing his project for the public, Gary will meet with government officials and STEM professionals. For his project, Gary wanted to find a solution to a common problem food allergies, which plague approximately one in every 22 Americans. His friend is allergic to synthetic dyes, especially Blue 1, used in food, drinks, paper, toys and even clothes. Gary knew about an alternative, bacteria-produced indigoidine, which is also bright blue and is a natural product with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Indigoidine is still too expensive for industrial applications, Gary explained. So he set out to make the process more efficient and thus lower the cost of the natural dye, making it a viable alternative to Blue 1. By manipulating the trigger that tells the bacteria to create the dye, he was able to boost the bacterias dye production by 28 percent. Garys project catapulted him through his own schools science fair at Bear River Charter School and into WSUs Ritchey Science & Engineering Fair. Named in honor of Harold W. and Helen M. Ritchey, the fair is a 60-year tradition at WSU. Harold Ritchey was the chair of the board at Thiokol Chemical Company (now Orbital ATK) 1949-1977. He invented detergent motor oil and owned patents in rocket propulsion, astronautics, petroleum and nuclear science. Ritchey Science Fair circa 1958 Beginning in the mid-50s, Weber States science fair served local school districts and awarded prizes in applied physical, biological, physical and earth sciences. The fair now serves the largest geographic area in Northern Utah and has junior and senior competitions for grades six to eight and nine to 12, respectively. The March 2018 fair hosted around 400 students. The Ritchey fair gives students an opportunity to conduct their own research and teaches them to enjoy the process of scientific discovery, said Sheri Trbovich, a community volunteer who has organized the event for many years. The most dedicated students develop valuable research skills they can carry through high school and their university experience, allowing them to participate in graduate-level research as undergrads, she said. We hope all participants gain a lifelong love of the joy of discovery through science and engineering. Another benefit of the fair, according to zoology professor and Ritchey fair director John Mull, is the community gets a venue where junior high and high school students experience the challenge of competing in an academic event and receive recognition for their work. Kaylee Jo Hubner, Ritchey Science Fair, 2018 Mull enjoys the level of enthusiasm students show for their projects and hopes all participants take away a sense of accomplishment and encouragement to pursue their questions and scientific exploration. Mull knows from years of volunteering that one of the keys to students having a good experience is the interactions they have with judges and other adults interested in their projects. This year, nearly 200 volunteers helped the event run smoothly. The fair provides an opportunity for our own students to participate in judging projects, which is a learning opportunity as well. Mull said. Those interested in volunteering can contact John Mull, jmull@weber.edu or Matt Nicholaou, matthewnicholaou@weber.edu. This years fair will be held March 21-22, 2019, at the Dee Events Center. For photos, visit the following link. wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Colleges-and-Departments/Science-College-of-Science/Ritchey-Science-Fair-2018 Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University. GREENWICH Going face-to-face in their only scheduled debate, incumbent Republican state Sen. L. Scott Frantz and Democratic challenger Alexandra Bergstein took on issues ranging from the economy to gun laws. The League of Women Voters of Greenwich hosted the debate between the two candidates for the 36th Senate District on Wednesday night at Town Hall, before a packed crowd that far exceeded capacity of the buildings main meeting room. Highway tolls became one dominant issue, and a sharp point of contrast between the two candidates. I would support installing electronic tolls, which bear no resemblance to the tolls that we had 20 years ago, Bergstein said. But the technology has changed dramatically, and we are the only state in the region that has not installed tolls. Up to 40 percent of the traffic from our highways is from out of state, so they use our roads for free and we pay for the damage they do with our tax dollars. Theres a reason that all the nearby states have recovered from the recession while Connecticut has not, Bergstein said. Installing electronic tolls and putting the proceeds in a lockbox for infrastructure improvements is the right way to go, she said. But Frantz disagreed, saying tolls would be another tax on Connecticut residents. Im not sure how you can be a fiscal conservative and essentially raise your taxes by a whole lot by putting in tolls, he said. Youve got a situation in Connecticut where not only are you paying for the construction and maintenance of the roadways, bridges, railways, etc., you also pay a ton in personal income tax. You pay a ton in gasoline tax. You pay a gross receipts tax. You pay a registration fee every time you go to renew your vehicle. The states special transportation fund has been raided, Frantz said, which is why Republicans have been pushing for a lockbox. But tolls would hurt teachers who drive an hour to get to Greenwich or a carpenter who travels from New Britain to Stamford, he said. Bergstein said that was not the case. I have talked to teachers and carpenters and firefighters who live in Greenwich and elsewhere in the district and they all say to me, Why dont we have tolls yet? she said. They understand the big picture. They understand the opportunity cost of not having tolls is that our highways and rails are not getting better. Frantz said the plan that Bergstein favored for using toll money for infrastructure improvements, including high-speed rail from Stamford to New York City, was pie in the sky thinking that was not feasible. He said Republicans had the better plan to use revenue already coming in for transportation improvements and canceling costly, unneeded projects, thereby creating improvements without having to add tolls. Bergstein, an attorney and first-time political candidate, is challenging Frantz, founder of the Greenwich-based private investment firm Haebler Capital, as he seeks his sixth term in office. Residents who came out to the contest overpacked the 110-person capacity Town Hall Meeting Room and flowed into the hallway. At one point, the fire marshal stopped the debate and said it would not be allowed to continue until the overflow crowd left, clearing the aisles within the room and the hallway. That forced dozens of people, including U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, town Tax Collector Howard Richman and Board of Education Chair Peter Bernstein, to leave. League officials said they were surprised by the high turnout. Over several questions, the debate itself touched on the states economy. When asked what reforms he would look to make in state government, Frantz said he had a laundry list about 18 miles long but kept his focus on fiscal matters, as he has throughout the campaign. We are in such bad shape right now after 48 years of one-party rule, he said. It needs to come to an end, and there absolutely has to be some order put back into the way that we manage our fiscal affairs. Under the current 18-18 split in the State Senate, a chamber long controlled by Democrats, Frantz said they were able to pass two bipartisan budgets within the past year that included a spending cap and a bonding cap. They also established a rainy-day fund for the state. He urged voters to send him back for a new term to look at pension liability reform and cut waste out of the state budget. I would keep that momentum up, Frantz said. It is so critical because nothing else matters if we cant keep our fiscal foundation in one piece. Bergstein, who has campaigned as a fiscally conservative Democrat, said she has a plan to address the states fiscal woes, including reforming pension liability, investing in infrastructure to attract new businesses and residents, and changing the states tax system. By electing her and putting her with a Democratic majority, Bergstein said she would be able to advocate for Greenwich and help drive the agenda in Hartford. Politics as usual is just not working and we need a fresh approach, she said. There are solutions to the states biggest problems. Bergstein said she agreed with Frantz that the states fiscal stability is paramount and added she would also have voted for the spending and bonding caps as he did. That is the first step to creating fiscal stability but we also need to go farther, Bergstein said. When we get all the levers of the economic engine really working, everything will start to improve. Fiscal stability is just the beginning. As they have several times over the last few weeks, the candidates clashed over gun laws. Bergstein, who has been endorsed by Moms Demand Action and received an A rating from Connecticut Against Gun Violence, has accused Frantz of not being strong enough on the issue. She also said more must be done to protect and strengthen the states existing laws at a time when the NRA is supporting candidates to get them repealed. This is a real and present danger, Bergstein said. The NRA is alive and emboldened in Connecticut as we see at the top of the Republican ticket (with gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski and lieutenant governor candidate Joe Markely) and well-intentioned candidates who support them without standing up to their agenda. Frantz said he had helped save the states recent bump stock ban, which can turn semi-automatic weapons into automatic weapons, from being defeated. He also said was in favor of banning ghost guns, which are partially assembled guns that can be purchased online. The weapons, which do not have serial numbers, are considered untraceable and can be purchased without a background check. And Frantz defended his record in post-Sandy Hook bipartisan gun safety reforms that he said earned him an F grade from the NRA. He said is proud of that grade after comforting and helping families after the 2012 mass shooting. We put together a bill that has by far and away the strongest laws and put it into package where we could get a bunch of other (Republican senators) to jump on board, Frantz said. The bill has worked magnificently. We have not seen any kind of incident in Connecticut like that since then and hopefully never happens again in the world. I put my heart and soul into it, and I believe in the bill. The debate was broadcast live on GCTV Channel 79. It will be rebroadcast several times more before Election Day. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com TRUMBULL Priscilla said the abuse started when she was 13. I prayed while being sexually abused by my father, she said Wednesday, sharing her story with a room of about 40 people at the Trumbull Library during a vigil that celebrated survivors of sexual assault and reflected on lives lost through domestic violence. Priscilla said her father shared her with his friends, introduced her to drugs and alcohol and repeatedly assaulted her. I was a little girl with a dream, she recalled. Where was my safe haven? She said she kept the abuse a secret from her mother and sister until she was 32, which is when she found out two of her sisters survived the same abuse. Years later, Priscilla found her safe haven in the Center for Family Justice, an organization based in Bridgeport that helps all victims of all forms of domestic violence. Priscilla, who did not give her last name, is one of the Center for Family Justices VOICES survivors of domestic violence who are ready and comfortable to share their stories with the public. Its never too late, Priscilla said. They (our abusers) dont get to win. ... Stand with me and fight back. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Trumbulls vigil is one of many similar events planned locally, statewide and nationally to bring attention to domestic violence and its effects on society. Deb Greenwood, the president and CEO of the center, said 143 Trumbull residents were treated or received services at the center last year. We know domestic violence has many faces, Greenwood said. In 2017, the center helped an estimated 5,000 people in the centers safe homes. Greenwood said 89 percent of them were women and 11 percent were men. That number, she said, included the 250 children the center helped. Its (domestic violence) serious for all genders, all races, all cultures, she said. First Selectman Vicki Tesoro urged residents to get involved and to be active to help break the cycle of abuse. This type of violence knows no borders, she said. When it comes to law enforcement, since at least 2012, police across the state have sent a minimum of two officers to any domestic violence call. These calls are the most dangerous ones police respond to, Trumbull Police Chief Michael Lombardo said. Theyre more dangerous for those living there, he added. Lombardo mentioned a town resident that suffered a very traumatic attack. He said after they went to the center for help, they told him their life was saved. Its much better now than it was years ago, Lombardo said, attributing that to organizations like the Center for Family Justice. Greenwood urged members of the public to get involved with the center, which is staffed by 41 people. She said the best way to help is to listen to and believe survivors when they tell their story. Priscilla agreed, saying that fear of people judging her temporarily deterred her reporting the abuse. But she said she overcame those fears with encouragement from the center. We are no longer victims, we are victorious survivors, Priscilla said. Wednesdays event wrapped up with the reading of names and brief summaries of victims of fatal domestic violence instances in Connecticut last year. On Feb. 8, 2017, 61-year-old Robert Jones, of Bridgeport, was beaten to death by his niece, Tynisha Hall, 35, and her husband, 39-year-old Brent Whiteman. The two, who police said also tortured Jones for months, were charged with his murder. On Feb. 24, 2017, 26-year-old Nidia Gonzalez was stabbed to death by her boyfriend, Oscar Hernandez. He fled with their daughter and was caught in Pennsylvania after a three-state pursuit. He was charged with her murder. His trial is under way. On April 24, 2017, 10-month-old Bridgeport resident Donovan Siberon was taken from his parents home unresponsive. He died the next day. The babys father, Derrick Siberon, was later charged in connection with his death. On July 5, 2017, 33-year-old Jennifer Knox, of Bridgeport, was shot and killed by her husband, Keith Knox, 32, before he turned the gun on himself. On Aug. 15, 2017, 27-year-old Raenetta Catchings, of Stratford, was shot dead by her uncle, 21-year-old Michael Catchings. Police charged him with her murder. WESTPORT Nearly three weeks after Coleytown Middle School students were relocated to other Westport schools due to ongoing mold issues, Superintendent Colleen Palmer said parents may have to wait until Thanksgiving for an answer on whether students will return to Coleytown this year. While this determination might be made as early as several weeks from now, depending on various results of the forensic industrial hygienist, the outside timeline is anticipated to be no later than Thanksgiving, Palmer wrote in a document sent home to district parents Oct. 8. WESTPORT In what is already a charged election season, the first debate encounter between Rep. Jonathan Steinberg D-136 and challenger Greg Kraut turned personal. Steinberg accused Republican Kraut of being a liar and predatory developer and Kraut claimed Steinberg, a Democrat, has a weak record of fighting for Westporters in Hartford. He has torn down a historic building in New York City which housed a movie theater over the objections of the neighbors in the community. Im the co-founder of the Westport Cinema Initiative. I believe in building community by bringing in a movie theater. He wants to tear it down, Steinberg, whos represented the 136th district in the statehouse since 2010, said. In his criticism, Steinberg referenced a March article from a New York City blog, in which Kraut, a managing partner at the real estate management and development firm K Property Group, said he planned to tear down the Sunshine Cinema building in Manhattans Lower East Side, in order to construct a 63,000 square foot office building. All you want to do is personally attack me because you have no record, Kraut said, saying the Lower Eastside community board shut down the theater themselves by rejecting the theaters proposal to offer food and drinks at the theater. Steinbergs effort to bring a movie theater to town has failed, Kraut said, adding Steinberg has repeatedly voted for tax increases that harm Westporters and decrease the state economy. In response, Steinberg said he voted against Gov. Dannel Malloys proposed $1.5 million tax increase in 2011 and in 2015, voted against the budget deal, both of which posed tax increases. He cant get off the lies. Its central to his campaign, Steinberg said, criticizing Krauts 14-page economic plan that includes a proposal to monetize state-owned properties through sale-leasebacks of state-owned properties. My opponent has a hair-brained sale-leaseback scheme where the state basically holds a firesale and sells all the states assets, Steinberg said, adding, Its great for real-estate developers like my opponent. Its a predatory practice, like my opponent. Kraut called Steinbergs claim that he is a predatory developer ridiculous and said the sale-leasebacks is a proven strategy in government and the private sector that could provide the state with needed revenue The way Jonathan is fighting with me, I wish he would fight for Westport like that. Ive never seen somebody fight so hard whos been complacent for the past eight years, Kraut said. One issue both Kraut and Steinberg could agree on was the need to fix the states failing infrastructure. Have you driven on the Post Road lately? Its like a third world country. We have put off projects for years and years because of lack of funding, Steinberg said, adding that transportation infrastructure investment is his number one priority. Fairfield County commuters have been short-changed by the state legislature, Kraut said, adding that if elected, he would fight to bring investment to Fairfield Countys broken roads and train system. Jonathan has been doing this a long time and Krauts saying our interests arent being represented in Hartford, which is a good point, Board of Finance member Andrea Moore said after the debate. Will Haskell, the 22-year-old Democratic candidate for the 26th state senate district, attended the debate although his opponent, incumbent Republican Toni Boucher, did not. The state should implement a toll system, like all of the states between Maine and North Carolina, in order to fund infrastructure improvements in the state, Haskell said. So many out-of-state drivers and trucks have a huge wear and tear on our roads, and yet we are not asking them to contribute. That doesnt make us uniquely advantaged as Connecticut taxpayers, it makes us uniquely disadvantaged because we bear the sole brunt of maintaining our infrastructure, and thats why its crumbling, Haskell said. The state has given corporate tax breaks to companies like GE and gotten nothing in return, Haskell said, adding the state should instead put money toward the student loan forgiveness program, tax relief for small businesses, and investment in the states infrastructure and cities. I think its time we start to think of ourselves in Connecticut not as 169 different towns, but as a regional economy. Westport is no better off if Bridgeport is crumbling and in fact, wed be better off in this town if we had a thriving metropolitan area just nearby, Haskell said. Haskell received high-praise from debate attendees, including Westport resident Nancy Axthelm who said, Hes the brightest young guy weve seen in a long time, and former Board of Finance member John Hartwell who said, Will Haskell was by far the most articulate and the most engaging. Hes become a real superstar. Gail Lavielle, a Republican state representative from the 143 house district, also participated in the debate in the absence of her opponent, Democrat Stephanie Thomas. I believe the most serious issue facing us is the conditions that are currently in the contract with the state employee unions, Lavielle said, adding she would work to reopen the state employee contracts in the next legislative session in order to renegotiate a decrease in the cost of state employee benefits, which she said pose an unfair burden for taxpayers. svaughan@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2638; @SophieCVaughan1 Since 1989, the puppet story Comet in Moominland has stood as one of the greatest theatre achievements of Manitoba Theatre for Young People and its founding artistic director, Leslee Silverman, who co-created the show alongside playwright Graham Whitehead and stage designer William Chesney. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 10/10/2018 (1132 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Since 1989, the puppet story Comet in Moominland has stood as one of the greatest theatre achievements of Manitoba Theatre for Young People and its founding artistic director, Leslee Silverman, who co-created the show alongside playwright Graham Whitehead and stage designer William Chesney. Its return to its theatre of origin as the opening show of the new season represents more than an opportunity to replay one of MTYPs greatest hits. More pointedly, it offered an opportunity for Silverman herself to return to the theatre she helped build at The Forks more than five years after she was escorted from the building in 2013 for reasons its board of directors kept vague. Silverman still recalls the details of that March day with some bitterness: "Arriving in a building in my winter coat and Sorels and 15 minutes later being walked from my office, being told to leave my computer, lock the door and leave the building." Two years after that trauma, Silverman sued for damages. The case was resolved outside of court last year. Lawyer Cynthia Lazar, who represented MTYP in the case, told the Free Press "the parties resolved this matter between themselves." She refused to elaborate. Leslee Silverman, the founding artistic director of MTYP, during a rehearsal for Comet in Moominland. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) After the case was resolved, Silverman returned to MTYP to helm a new production of Comet, a gig Silverman finds gloriously appropriate. "Its cathartic I always like to use Greek theatre terminology," she says during a break from directing the show. "It was felt there seemed to be no reason to not celebrate my legacy," she says, adding with a shudder: "I hate the word legacy. "This is a gorgeous piece and the right piece to be doing, in that it is about scary things that happen to people unexpectedly." On this day, Silverman is putting finishing touches on the show with actors Jennifer Lyon and David Warburton (who happens to be Silvermans ex-husband), lighting designer Bill Williams and puppeteer Shawn Kettner, smack in the middle of the MTYP auditorium. Under a big white tent, kids will sit on the floor surrounded by Chesneys gorgeous miniature sets, depicting, among other things, a mountain cave, a castle and a lighthouse. David Warburton and Jennifer Lyon on Comet in Moominland's Garnet Lizard Cave set. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) Moominland is an adaptation of a Finnish story by Tove Jansson about a village threatened by a potentially apocalyptic event. When the adaptation played in 1989, the final year of Ronald Reagans presidency, it mirrored the anxiety that accompanied the tension-fraught finale to the Cold War. "(It reflected) the sense that children feel of an imminent danger coming, but we dont know when or what," Silverman says of the original run. "When we created the show in the late 80s, we all had the sense of that." Watching the story unfold beneath the theatres canopied dome is a safe space to address the abstract anxieties of troubled times, Silverman says. "If youre watching a superhero (movie), its one thing," she says. "If youre watching little creatures and a big comet in the sky getting redder and redder and redder and its going to hit, and youre immersed in that tent, youre not watching the play, youre in the environment of it. "The children need to live through their fears and find comfort," she says. "Its so perfect in so many ways." Comet in Moominland is an adaptation of a Finnish story by Tove Jansson about a village threatened by a potentially apocalyptic event. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) Since leaving MTYP, Silverman has moved to Vancouver. "I am now in a cohort of a doctorate program at Simon Fraser University, and Ive been there for four years in a graduate program. "Im writing a doctorate on the history of the imagination," she says. "Dont ask me why. I love the topic." Current artistic director Pablo Felices-Luna says he was happy to invite Silverman back to direct a production of Moominland, an eventuality he anticipated when he took the job in 2015. "One of the first people I talked to after I found out I had the job was Leslee," Felices-Luna ays. "I had to tell her, Leslee I was really excited I got this opportunity to go to MTYP, and that it was very important to me that we work towards bringing her back at some point. "Now its actually happening, its been great. Its very emotional," he says. "Having her energy back in the building, theres that great sense of homecoming. Its emotional in a good way. I love Les, and its been such a joy to have her back in the building and working on this beautiful piece." For her part, Silverman enjoys a sense of closure to the "tsunami" of her departure. Comet in Moominland opens Friday at the Manitoba Theatre for Young People. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) "To be able to go to the rehearsal hall and be able to walk to the spot where we buried a time capsule when the building was built," she says. "To be able to say goodbye properly, to be able to do a show with the most masterful designers "Its a proper goodbye," she says. "I like a proper goodbye." Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. randall.king@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @FreepKing It may not be the Centre of Excellence originally promised in the aftermath of the legal challenge to Air Canadas decision to close its heavy maintenance shop in Winnipeg, but there will likely be more companies able to take advantage of the $10 million in federal funding for Manitobas aerospace industry announced Wednesday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 10/10/2018 (1132 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. It may not be the Centre of Excellence originally promised in the aftermath of the legal challenge to Air Canadas decision to close its heavy maintenance shop in Winnipeg, but there will likely be more companies able to take advantage of the $10 million in federal funding for Manitobas aerospace industry announced Wednesday. Asked if this wraps up the federal governments commitment in this matter which has been ongoing for more than two years Navdeep Bains, the federal innovation, science and economic development minister, said its more than that. "It speaks more broadly to our commitments around economic growth, specifically in the aerospace sector," Bains said Wednesday. "This amount just reaffirms our commitment to that sector. It goes beyond Bill C-10." Bill C-10, legislation that removed a requirement for Air Canada to retain 2,600 high-paying heavy maintenance jobs in Winnipeg, Montreal and Mississauga, Ont., was passed 28 months ago after the Liberal government confirmed a $20-million commitment for Manitoba. Originally, Air Canada proposed making its former heavy maintenance hangar near Richardson International Airport available to a consortium of smaller companies to create an aerospace "Centre of Excellence," but that never materialized. In August 2017, the other half of that $20-million commitment was announced for the expansion of the Centre for Aerospace Technology and Training at Red River College, creating a new entity dubbed the "Smart Factory." Wednesdays announcement included $1.8 million for the Composites Innovation Centre to develop a satellite shop of sorts at RRCs Smart Factory to study novel ways to use composites and to collaborate with manufacturers such as Magellan Aerospace. Of the remainder of the $10 million, Magellan received $5 million to work on enhanced manufacturing technologies to ensure it remains competitive; WestCard, the non-profit research operation at GEs aircraft engine testing site in Winnipeg, received $1.6 million to bolster the potential for additionalresearch into engine testing; and the Composites Innovation Centre was put in charge of a new $1.6-million Manitoba Aerospace Fund, whose mandate is to help small and medium-sized aerospace companies in the province develop more innovative products and processes. Manitoba has the countrys third-largest aerospace sector, employing about 4,600 people and dominated by three large players: Boeing Canada, Magellan Aerospace and StandardAero. The provinces smaller aerospace companies, numbering close to 50, are to be the beneficiaries of the new fund. "The smaller players need to scale up," Bains said. "They have enormous opportunities to tap into global supply chains." Doug McCartney, the CEO of the Composites Innovation Centre, said the terms and conditions for access to the fund are just being worked out. He said, "The plan is to have everything ready in advance of the new fiscal year when we hope to be announcing the projects that we will invest in." In an email note, Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister said the federal support for aerospace as a resolution to Bill C-10 worked out well for the province. "This announcement is a result of some very successful provincial advocacy since 2016, and an example of effective collaboration between governments," Pallister said. "Manitobas aerospace sector is a significant part of our economy, and we thank the federal government for following through on its commitment." But Manitoba Sen. Don Plett, who pushed for his province to secure $20 million in aerospace funding two years ago, questioned why Wednesdays cash took so long to materialize. "Its an entirely unreasonable timeline," the Conservative senator told the Free Press. 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. Plett and others stalled Bill C-10 until the Liberals "reluctantly" reaffirmed a $20-million commitment for Manitoba in June 2016. In the meantime, Ottawa gave troubled Quebec firm Bombardier $372.5 million in interest-free loans in February 2017. Plett said he is confused as to why Ottawa couldnt get Manitobas cash out the door by then. "Compared to Bombardier, its pocket change," he said. "Theres a huge double standard here." with files from Dylan Robertson martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca Police in Manitoba won't be using a federally approved roadside marijuana-screening device at the outset of cannabis legalization Oct. 17, Justice Minister Cliff Cullen said Wednesday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 10/10/2018 (1132 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Police in Manitoba won't be using a federally approved roadside marijuana-screening device at the outset of cannabis legalization Oct. 17, Justice Minister Cliff Cullen said Wednesday. "Although the situation is not ideal, I have been assured by our police agencies that they will use the tools at their disposal, such as the physical co-ordination test, to get impaired drivers off the road," Cullen told reporters during a news conference at the legislature one week ahead of the legalization date. Drager Drug Test 5000 (Drager website) Due to "limited funding and supply," the provincial government said, only 21 Drager DrugTest 5000 devices will be available to Manitoba police in the 2018-19 fiscal year. Police in the province will get about $840,000 from the federal government to purchase as many as 111 of the $5,000 devices over five years, the province said. The Drager device tests saliva for the presence of THC, the primary intoxicant in marijuana, which could help police decide if further impairment testing is required. But even without those devices, Cullen explained, police can still use existing roadside tests to determine whether a driver might be impaired by drugs. The federal government is also giving Manitoba $5 million to train police officers in initial roadside sobriety tests and more formal drug recognition evaluations, Cullen said. Cullen, along with Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen and Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen, hammered home a familiar Progressive Conservative refrain throughout the news conference: even though the federal government rushed into legalizing non-medical marijuana, Manitoba will be ready with an approach that puts health and safety first. To that end, the ministers showed off a new, $350,000 public health messaging campaign developed by the provincial government that focuses on the potential risks of cannabis use, especially for youth. A sombre, 40-second animated video played for reporters warned cannabis can be addictive, "can lead to depression and anxiety," "can harm your baby if you're pregnant," "will affect brain development," and "will definitely impact your ability to drive" -- then directed viewers to learn more by visiting the website Manitoba.ca/cannabis. Videos such as that one, along with posters, social media messages and messages sent by traditional mail, should "blitz" Manitoba soon, said Minister Friesen. "It took years to convince people in Canada of the dangers of drinking and driving," he said. "It will take time for people to get educated, but the time to start is right away. So we're confident that these resources will make a difference, but clearly as we continue down this path we'll have more to say." MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Justice Minister Cliff Cullen Amidst ongoing uncertainty about exactly how many legal cannabis stores will be open in Manitoba on legalization day, Pedersen said the retailers themselves will be responsible for announcing opening dates and locations. The provincial government expects about 30 stores in the initial stages of legalization, he said, with more stores opening "once the market takes hold." About 12 store licences have already been issued by the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba, according to Pedersen. "Our next step is to help facilitate retail in communities that may be underserviced after the first phase of the market is established," the minister said. The government is waiting to see the results of local plebiscites that could ban retail cannabis sales in some communities before moving forward on the next phase, he added. "As we've said from Day 1, our goal is for 90 per cent of the population to have access to retail within a 30-minute drive, within two years of legalization." 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. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Justice Minister Cliff Cullen (left), Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen, and Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen talk cannabis with the media at the Manitoba Legislative Building on Wednesday. The trio of Tory ministers also said new cannabis-related fines will be released "very shortly," adding to a series of already announced provincial cannabis fines such as a $2,542 penalty for growing marijuana at home. One big question about legalization remains unanswered, said Pedersen: Manitoba still hasn't signed onto an agreement with Ottawa that would give provinces 75 per cent of the revenue from a federal excise tax on cannabis. (A government spokesperson clarified the province has "included a placeholder in our markup regime, so that if the federal government sends Manitoba a bilateral agreement to sign, retailers and consumers will not be impacted.") All three ministers told reporters they have no intention of trying cannabis after legalization. solomon.israel@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @sol_israel A convicted murderer who launched an appeal in Manitoba's top court has unsuccessfully tried to remove a judge from the case after accusing him of bias. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 10/10/2018 (1132 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A convicted murderer who launched an appeal in Manitoba's top court has unsuccessfully tried to remove a judge from the case after accusing him of bias. Schuyler Van Wissen, 33, is serving a life sentence after a jury convicted him of first-degree murder in the 2011 death of Gina Swanson. Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press Files Defence lawyer Martin Glazer asked Court of Appeal Justice Michel Monnin to recuse himself, arguing Monnin made biased comments during Schuyler Van Wissen's appeal hearing last March. In a legal motion, Van Wissen's lawyer, Martin Glazer, asked Court of Appeal Justice Michel Monnin to recuse himself, arguing Monnin made biased comments during Van Wissen's appeal hearing last March. Monnin had described Glazer as "difficult" during the hearing. Late last week, Monnin issued a written ruling on Glazer's motion. The judge decided he wasn't biased against the accused. "I acknowledge that I used strong language in my exchange with Mr. Glazer, but when that exchange is taken in context, it falls short of demonstrating that I had, or have, a reasonable apprehension of bias towards the accused. A Court of Appeal hearing is not a tea party," Monnin wrote. He wrote that his duty to deal with cases fairly "does not prevent me from expressing my view on any particular ground of appeal for fear of being accused of bias, even if it is to state that, in my view, that particular ground has little or no merit. I did so in this case." As part of the 18-ground appeal of Van Wissen's murder conviction, Glazer argued the jury trial was unfair because he believed the trial judge, Justice Richard Saull, was yelling at him, interfering in the trial and making the defence look bad in front of the jury. While Glazer was making that argument, Monnin told Glazer that although the trial judge's reaction wasn't perfect, neither was Glazer's. "You're a difficult counsel to deal with in a trial. You're covering all the bases that you can, but you don't make it easy for any trial judge," Monnin said, later adding the argument was "not a ground for appeal in my view... You can try to convince my colleagues otherwise." In his motion, Glazer argued Monnin's comments showed he had already made up his mind about the case and should recuse himself. A decision on the appeal of the murder conviction has yet to be released. It's not the only case from which Glazer wants Monnin to step down. After their exchange March 14, 2018, Glazer asked to adjourn another murder appeal hearing that was scheduled for the following week. He filed a motion asking Monnin to recuse himself from hearing the appeal for Theodore Raymond Herntier, who also had a Queen's Bench jury trial in front of Saull. According to excerpts of court transcripts, Monnin suggested Glazer should have filed a complaint with the judicial council instead of bringing up his concern about Saull to the appeal court. 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. "Try practising in Manitoba when you make a complaint against a judge," Glazer replied. On Wednesday, Glazer said the matter may be worthy of more "judicial scrutiny" at the Supreme Court. "We are waiting for the outcome of the appeal itself," he said. "If the decision is against my client, then the decision about this motion may very well form a ground of appeal for the Supreme Court of Canada." Van Wissen was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years after he was convicted of raping and murdering the 33-year-old single mother inside her home. Swanson lived next door to Van Wissen's father. Herntier is serving a life sentence after a jury convicted him of second-degree murder in the 2004 killing of Divas Belanger. The jury heard evidence Herntier picked up the 28-year-old transgender woman as a sex worker in Winnipeg's North End, and then beat her to death and disposed of her body. katie.may@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @thatkatiemay Most Winnipeggers support the concept of a low-income bus pass, even if that means a significant cost to city hall. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 11/10/2018 (1131 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Most Winnipeggers support the concept of a low-income bus pass, even if that means a significant cost to city hall. A new poll commissioned by the union that represents most employees at Winnipeg Transit found nearly eight in 10 respondents strongly, or moderately, support the concept of a low-income bus pass. Aleem Chaudhary said the results should move city hall to take action. "Its a simple message: the public supports a low-income bus pass," the president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505 said. According to the Probe Research survey: Nearly eight in 10 respondents (79 per cent) support a low-income bus pass, at a discounted cost to those riders for about $10; Support for the concept came even though the cost to government could reach $10 million, and would mean hiring additional city staff to administer it; Forty-three per cent were strongly in favour; Support for the concept was strongest among Indigenous (69 per cent) and first-generation Canadians (68 per cent), those earning less than $30,000 annually (68 per cent), those who identify as NDP supporters (58 per cent), and among those who said they are regular Transit riders (55 per cent). Currently, Winnipeg Transit sells monthly adult bus passes for $100.10, youth passes at $70.10, a seniors pass at $50.05, and post-secondary pass at $80.10. A single, adult cash fare is $2.95. Transit authorities in several Canadian cities offer low-income bus passes, including Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Ottawa, Saskatoon and Toronto. Chaudhary said while local officials may be uncertain as to how to determine eligibility, and who or what agency would do it, he said it shouldnt be seen as an insurmountable obstacle. "Many other cities have adopted a low-income bus pass, so there are models Winnipeg Transit and city hall can follow," 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. Chaudhary said most assaults on Transit drivers stem from a fare dispute, adding he believes instituting a low-income pass would reduce such incidents. A discounted pass for low-income earners is essential for Winnipeg, he said. "Right now, its very difficult for (low-income individuals) to be able to get around," Chaudhary said. "Many times, they have to make a decision between buying groceries or buying a bus pass. They need it to get to work, go shopping, and to take care of their families." The Probe Research survey also questioned Winnipeggers about their mode of travel. The report found 20 per cent said they "regularly" take transit, while 41 per cent said they did occasionally, and 37 per cent said they never used transit. Among other modes of travel used most regularly, not surprisingly the most favoured was driving (86 per cent), walking (57 per cent), and biking (22 per cent). aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca A new kindergarten-to-Grade 8 school is being constructed in one of Winnipeg's fastest-growing neighbourhoods. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 11/10/2018 (1131 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A new kindergarten-to-Grade 8 school is being constructed in one of Winnipeg's fastest-growing neighbourhoods. Premier Brian Pallister announced Thursday that the 76,430-square-foot school will be built on Jefferson Avenue east of King Edward Street in the Waterford Green neighbourhood. It is expected to be ready in time for the 2020 school year. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The school, located in Winnipeg School Division, will be designed for 600 English and French-immersion students, with the capacity to accommodate an additional 225 pupils. It will feature a child-care centre with 54 preschool and 20 infant spaces along with additional space for a nursery-age program. It will also include two science laboratories, another science, technology, electronics and mathematics (STEM) lab, an art room, home economics lab, an industrial-arts lab and a large gymnasium that will be open to the community, the province said. In a statement, Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen said the proposed facility is one of seven new school projects currently underway in Manitoba. He said design work is nearing completion and the province plans to release the tender for construction on Nov. 30. By bundling design work with a new kindergarten-to-Grade 5 school in Seven Oaks School Division, the province saved $400,000, he said. The province announced the selection of LM Architects as the project's prime consultant. The Waterford Green school will achieve LEED Silver and Manitoba Hydro Power Smart energy standards, the government said. The Manitoba government is being asked to abandon a plan to drop the requirement the province post certain notices in Manitoba newspapers. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 10/10/2018 (1132 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Manitoba government is being asked to abandon a plan to drop the requirement the province post certain notices in Manitoba newspapers. A public hearing will be held Thursday evening at the legislative building on Bill 8, which would modernize the posting of government notices. Newspapers are objecting to a provision in the bill that would end a requirement to publish a notice or document in their publications, and replace it with the requirement or option of publishing it in the Manitoba Gazette. After newspapers objected to the proposed measure last spring, the government said it would delay proclaiming the provision relating to newspaper advertising. At the time, Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Cathy Cox said the government had moved too quickly, and would consult Manitobans. The NDP used a procedural rule to delay passage of the bill -- and four other pieces of legislation -- until the fall. Bill 8 received second reading in the legislature Oct. 4. Kim MacAulay, chairwoman of the Manitoba Community Newspapers Association, said delaying proclamation of the controversial provision isn't good enough. Her organization wants it removed from the bill. MacAulay said it's not the MCNA's 48 members make a lot of money from the government ads covered by Bill 8. The organization estimates its 48 members, combined, receive less than $100,000 a year from such advertising. It's the principle, she said. "Its about providing Manitobans the information that they need. Theres not a lot of (ads), but when they do happen, theyre important," MacAulay said. "If something is changing within the Public School Act, people should know," she said. "They need that information and theyre not going to know to go find it in the (Manitoba) Gazette." Part of Bill 8 would require the Queen's Printer to make the Manitoba Gazette, an official government publication, available to the public online at no cost. Another part of the bill amends provisions in 24 statutes that relate to the government's publications of official notices. Bob Cox, publisher of the Winnipeg Free Press, said he agrees with sections of the bill that would modernize the Manitoba Gazette -- the government of Manitoba's official publication of legal notices -- and make it available for free online. 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. But the government should continue to post legal notices in newspapers, Cox said, adding only a small group of individuals read the Manitoba Gazette. "Its not a way to generally inform the public about anything." He agreed with MacAulay removal of the requirement to publish legal notices in newspapers would not pose a huge financial loss. He said a general reduction in government and Crown corporation advertising in recent years has "hurt us way more" than any decision to cut ads covered by Bill 8. Cox said while he agrees the government should modernize how it issues public notices, it should not arbitrarily eliminate newspaper notices. "The way to do it is to do a proper review of what happens in other jurisdictions, whats possible here and whats effective. And then make changes after that. To my knowledge, they havent done that kind of review," Cox said. In May, following considerable lobbying by newspapers, the government withdrew sections of another bill that would have allowed municipalities to post certain notices on the internet instead of requiring their publication in local newspapers. larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca The union that represents hospital security guards is calling on the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to put as much effort into ensuring its members are safe as it is in investigating the leak of security footage of a violent assault to the media. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 11/10/2018 (1131 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The union that represents hospital security guards is calling on the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to put as much effort into ensuring its members are safe as it is in investigating the leak of security footage of a violent assault to the media. The Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union said attacks on staff which are largely fuelled by methamphetamine are increasing, and its members are being hung out to dry. "We wish that the government and the WRHA would spend as much time and effort improving safety in our hospitals and addressing the meth crisis as they are spending investigating how that shocking video of the violent attack at HSC found its way into the media," MGEU president Michelle Gawronsky said. The video, which was published by the CBC, shows a patient repeatedly punching a nurse at Health Sciences Centre, before being swarmed by security guards. The MGEU, as well as the Manitoba Nurses Union, say it's a glimpse of the violence hospital workers deal with on a daily basis. An internal memo written by HSC interim chief operating officer Ronan Segrave, which was obtained by the Free Press, indicates the hospital is investigating the leak. "We take this issue very seriously and are currently conducting an investigation into the matter," Segrave wrote. The WRHA refused to make Segrave, or anyone else, available for an interview Thursday. Instead, the health authority referred to past statements made to the media. On Wednesday, Real Cloutier, WRHA interim president and CEO, said he would not speculate what discipline an employee might face for leaking the security footage. Both unions have called on Health Minister Cameron Friesen to sit down with them to discuss safety concerns. Gawronsky said Friesen has failed to deliver on a promised meeting for weeks while attacks on staff have continued. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Michelle Gawronsky, president of Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union. "With violent incidents happening on a daily basis, we are still waiting for the ministers representatives to confirm a meeting with us about hospital security concerns," Gawronsky said. In a written statement Thursday, Friesen said hes aware of the challenges meth use poses to frontline health workers, adding he met with WRHA officials to discuss the matter earlier that day. "I want to assure Manitobans that we are continuing to monitor the appropriateness and scope of training that security officers at HSC Winnipeg receive. They are already scheduled to receive more training this year," Friesen said. "In the meantime, I have instructed my staff to schedule a discussion on this matter with the MGEU." The MGEU, WRHA and Manitoba Justice have released conflicting information about alleged talks to confer peace officer status on more hospital security guards. Currently, 40 per cent of HSC security guards have peace officer status, which gives them additional authority and legal protections when intervening in attacks. The MGEU claims its members need that status to do their jobs properly. They backed up their position with a letter written by their lawyer. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The lawyer claims a Manitoba Justice employee said the WRHA has been active behind the scenes in pushing for peace officer status for security guards in hospitals. The MGEU said that makes clear contrary to what the WRHA is saying publicly that the healthy authority "obviously recognizes there is a problem that requires some form of elevated legal status." On Wednesday, Cloutier denied that, saying there were no talks to give peace officer status to more security guards. A spokeswoman for Manitoba Justice also denied the claim Thursday, indicating, "The talks with the WRHA that took place in September were about security guards and their needs... not to discuss obtaining special constable appointments." ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @rk_thorpe Unions that represent local nurses and hospital security guards are calling on Health Minister Cameron Friesen and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to back up their members, after a spike in violent assaults on hospital staff allegedly fuelled by methamphetamine abuse. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 10/10/2018 (1132 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Unions that represent local nurses and hospital security guards are calling on Health Minister Cameron Friesen and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to back up their members, after a spike in violent assaults on hospital staff allegedly fuelled by methamphetamine abuse. Nurses are increasingly afraid of being the victims of violence at the hands of patients who are in the throes of meth-induced psychosis, and the security guards hired to protect them are uncertain about what authority they have to physically intervene, the unions say. "It is a shame that nurses have to fear for their lives when they go into work. That is unacceptable and an absolute shame," Manitoba Nurses Union president Darlene Jackson said Wednesday. "I would like to see every facility in the province have some type of security, and every security personnel be trained in exactly the same way and be equipped with peace officer status." On Wednesday, the CBC published a video showing a violent assault on hospital staff at Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre, perpetrated by a 21-year-old man believed to be high on meth. The security footage from Aug. 31 shows the man repeatedly strike a nurse, before being swarmed by multiple security guards who trade punches with the man and tackle him to the ground. "One thing that I feel is important to note is that in the video there were four security guards available around the corner when it happened, but that just isnt the reality we work in 99.9 per cent of the time," Jackson said. "Generally, you dont have four security guards at the ready. There are some facilities (in Manitoba) that have no security guards. The nurse would have been on their own." The MNU, alongside the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union, which represents security guards at Winnipeg hospitals, said the video is a window into the violence their members are routinely subjected to. On Wednesday morning, there was another violent assault against staff at the that led to two security guards receiving medical attention, the MGEU said. TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS HSC security and staff say they feel unsafe at work. It is believed the security footage published by the CBC was leaked by someone who works at HSC. In an internal message to staff which the Free Press has obtained Ronan Segrave, HSC interim chief operating officer, seemed to indicate the hospital is seeking to identify and discipline whoever leaked the footage. "The unauthorized filming and release of the security footage is concerning for a number of reasons. Most significant is the serious breach of personal health information. There is no circumstance under which the release of this information to media by a member of staff would be appropriate," Segrave wrote. "Breaching patient health information and privacy should never happen. We take this issue very seriously, and are currently conducting an investigation into the matter." 'It is a shame that nurses have to fear for their lives when they go into work. That is unacceptable and an absolute shame' Manitoba Nurses Union president Darlene Jackson The nurses union says assaults on staff have spiked sharply at Winnipeg hospitals. The union points to the increased use of RL6 forms which document violent incidents at HSC as evidence the problem is growing. In 2017, HSC staff filled out 41 such forms, while so far this year, 81 have been filed. The union claims it is only a partial picture of the number of violent incidents at the hospital, since the forms arent filled out for every assault. Meanwhile, "code whites" which trigger group responses to violent patients have reportedly soared at Grace Hospital. "In the past, they would have maybe a code white once or twice a month. Theyre now having them daily, and often times multiple times in a day," Jackson said. In response to the leaked security footage, Friesen told the CBC he commends "security staff who demonstrated in this unfortunate incident that they have the ability, training and authority to intervene when situations require it." That drew sharp criticism from the MGEU, which called on Friesen to back up his comments with a written legal opinion. The union released a lengthy written statement from its legal counsel disputing the minister's claim. It indicates security guards have no more legal authority than the average citizen; it also states security guards who do intervene could face legal repercussions. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Real Cloutier, Interim President and CEO, WRHA. The MGEU points to one situation in which a security guard was criminally charged for a physical intervention that management deemed a reasonable use of force and another instance where an individual was fired for intervening against a man threatening to kill himself. Freisen's comments, when stacked up against those anecdotal accounts, create a mixed message for hospital security guards, the unions say. The WRHA said 40 per cent of security guards at the HSC have peace officer status, which grants them greater legal powers and helps shield them from potential legal repercussions. However, Real Cloutier, WRHA interim president and CEO, said Manitoba Justice no longer confers peace officer status to hospital security staff, and there are no talks underway to reinstate the practice. That means, for the time being, efforts by the unions to have such status granted to all hospital security guards are likely to fall on deaf ears. While Cloutier admits violent attacks on hospital emergency room staff are on the rise, he cautions against jumping to the conclusion it is directly linked to meth. Cloutier also contends theres no evidence the man in the leaked security footage was high on methamphetamine at the time of the assault. He said there were 20 significant staff injuries (reportable to the Workers Compensation Board) in April 2018, compared with 15 in the same month last year, as a result of violent incidents involving patients in city hospitals. (Those figures do not include St. Boniface Hospital.) 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. "What we don't know whether or not the increase in violent incidents is a direct result of meth," Cloutier said, adding Winnipeg emergency rooms report dealing with about 27,000 patients per month. Jackson, however, claims the link is clear. "I know what nurses are telling me. I'm very well-aware of the stories and incidents," she said. "The nurses are saying violent episodes are on the increase, that this is related to methamphetamine, and there are many, many times where they're in positions where they are very fearful." ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca Ryan Thorpe Reporter Ryan Thorpe likes the pace of daily news, the feeling of a broadsheet in his hands and the stress of never-ending deadlines hanging over his head. Read full biography Premier Brian Pallister has a message for front-line health workers concerned about their safety because of violent crystal-meth users: "We're on this." Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 11/10/2018 (1131 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Premier Brian Pallister has a message for front-line health workers concerned about their safety because of violent crystal-meth users: "We're on this." Speaking to reporters Thursday after announcing plans for a new school in north Winnipeg, Pallister said the province has been consulting far and wide on the meth problem for months. "I see it as a major concern any time that a front-line worker is fearful in their job. I want to make sure that that fear goes away fast because we value our front-line people," he said. Pallister said the government has been seeking community input, police input and advice from other governments on how to address the issue. "It's now a question of co-ordinating resources appropriately to make sure that the security of others is protected," he said. "That has to be the top concern." A video leaked to the CBC this week showing an attack on a Health Sciences Centre employee has again focused attention on the safety concerns of health-care workers. Work to address the meth issue is "not just starting today because of one incident," the premier said. "We recognized this is a problem sometime in the past. We've been acting and preparing intelligent responses to it." Pallister said the province has opened Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine clinics to target patients seeking treatment for addictions or substance-related concerns. Health Minister Cameron Friesen recently promised more initiatives will be unveiled this fall. On Thursday, Pallister gave no hint of what those new measures might be, saying he will leave the announcements to his minister. He sidestepped a question about whether the province might consider paying for more security staff or police officers at hospitals. On Wednesday, unions representing local nurses and security guards called on the government and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to back up their members after a spike of violent assaults on hospital staff, allegedly fuelled by methamphetamine abuse. Pallister said while he doesn't want to understate the meth problem, he cautions against over-reacting to it as well. "There's a danger of overstating the problem because perhaps a senior who falls and perhaps should be going to an ER may be hesitant to go. That's not good," 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. Pallister also cast doubt on whether the alleged assailant in the Health Sciences Centre video was high on meth. "The linkage of the recent incident to meth might not be accurate," he said of the Aug. 31 incident. The WRHA is also warning about concluding that the HSC incident was caused by meth. "We don't have an indication that meth was a contributing factor in this case," said Real Cloutier, the health region's interim president and CEO. "We've investigated this matter and would caution against making any assumptions in respect to what were the contributing factors here." Cloutier said the video is, nonetheless, "very troubling." "Obviously, it's very distressing to see a situation like that. We don't want the safety of our security or our direct staff compromised." he said. larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca A Winnipeg child psychologist who specializes in treating children who have Tourette syndrome and behaviour problems was arrested Wednesday after a police raid found child pornography on an electronic device in a home in Fort Rouge. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 11/10/2018 (1131 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A Winnipeg child psychologist who specializes in treating children who have Tourette syndrome and behaviour problems was arrested Wednesday after a police raid found child pornography on an electronic device in a home in Fort Rouge. Police seized several pieces of electronic equipment and were still combing through computer files Thursday, but had identified child sexual abuse imagery that had been uploaded to an online storage and computing service. trekfortourettewpg / INSTAGRAM 72-year-old Dr. Gary Anthony Shady of Winnipeg has been charged with possession of child pornography. Gary Anthony Shady, 72, has been charged with possessing child pornography. Shady is listed as a member of the St. Boniface Psychology Group and has volunteered as an adviser to the board of Tourette Canada. The St. Boniface clinic didn't answer calls Thursday. Tourette Canada, the national organization that supports to individuals with Tourette syndrome and their families, issued a statement Thursday saying it was "shocked to learn of the serious allegations levied" against Shady. "The safety and well-being of people receiving services offered through Tourette Canada is of the utmost importance... effective immediately, Dr. Shady has no involvement with the Winnipeg chapter of Tourette Canada." Alan Slusky, registrar of the Psychological Association of Manitoba, the regulatory body of the profession, said Shady was a practising psychologist when he was arrested. "We were just made aware of the charge a couple of hours ago," Slusky said Thursday afternoon. "We are taking it very, very seriously... it's a very difficult time for everybody." Slusky said the association is prepared to co-operate fully if police reach out in the course of their investigation. There are 250 members of the profession in Manitoba. Teresa Sztaba, executive director of the Manitoba Psychological Society, said the arrest and allegations would be discussed at a society meeting Thursday night. 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. Sztaba said she worked with Shady "for many years" at St. Boniface Hospital. "It's very saddening and shocking because he has been an esteemed and well-regarded colleague," she said. The investigation began earlier this month when a tip from a computer-service provider was received by the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children in the United States which, in turn, alerted the National Child Exploitation Co-ordination Centre in Ottawa and Winnipeg police. The WPS internet child exploitation unit executed a search warrant Wednesday morning and made the arrest. kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca The House of Commons recently voted unanimously to describe the killings, persecution, rape, abuse, destruction of homes and forced displacement of Rohingya from Myanmar as genocide. More than 900,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar since 2017. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 11/10/2018 (1131 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion The House of Commons recently voted unanimously to describe the killings, persecution, rape, abuse, destruction of homes and forced displacement of Rohingya from Myanmar as genocide. More than 900,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar since 2017. Now, the House has voted unanimously to revoke Aung San Suu Kyis honorary Canadian citizenship, which she received in 2007. These two actions should be applauded. Revoking the coveted status of citizenship is appropriate in this case, given the fact many Rohingya have no citizenship to speak of. What most people may not realize is that since 1982, Rohingya have been stripped of their citizenship and denied any entitlement to citizenship in Myanmar. Many Rohingya are stateless as a result of this deliberate change in citizenship law. Overnight, Rohingya became illegal immigrants within their own country. While initially they were given temporary identity cards, the cards were revoked in order to deny them the right to vote in a 2015 constitutional referendum. Rohingya did not only lose citizenship, they also lost their ability to identify as Rohingya. Rohingya have been denied recognition as one of the countrys 135 official ethnic groups. In a 2014 census, if Rohingya persons wanted to participate, they had to identify as Bengali, not Rohingya. The loss of citizenship is not a benign act, especially for those who have no citizenship elsewhere. My family knows first-hand what being stateless means. My father was stateless in Brunei and told me it was difficult to plan for the future, that he had difficulties finding employment and feared the risk of being removed from his country of residence. He feared his children would not receive education, would be treated differently and would never belong. As a stateless person, he never felt safe. Being stateless means, at a minimum, loss of basic rights such as an identity recognized by the state, access to health care, education, employment and freedom of movement. Even obtaining a bank account, cellphone account or registering birth, marriage or death are difficult, if not impossible. Access to venues to protect your human rights, such as the right not to be detained arbitrarily, becomes more difficult when youre not protected by the state you thought was your home. For Rohingya, however, it has meant much more. The stripping of citizenship has fuelled discrimination, persecution and violence against them. The difference and "othering" created by the stripping of citizenship has cast the label of outsider on the Rohingya and justified the oppression they have suffered for years. This institutionalized exclusion of Rohingya in 1982 and the perpetual rejection and discrimination has allowed hate and violence to simmer and boil over 30 years. Suu Kyi stated in 2012 that she "didnt know" if Rohingya could be considered citizens of Myanmar. In 2016, she told the U.S. ambassador to Myanmar that the Rohingya are not among the official ethnic groups in Myanmar. As well, in 2016, Suu Kyi denied that ethnic cleansing was taking place. Many have described Suu Kyi as being silent on the issue of the persecution and violence perpetrated against Rohingya. But the few statements she has made on the issue of Rohingya citizenship and belonging, while crimes and violence against Rohingya were widely reported at the same time, cant be considered silence. Its an endorsement of the ethnic cleansing and genocide that has been allowed to continue. Her statements frame the primary justification that Rohingya dont belong in Myanmar. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. For a scholar who researches statelessness and abhors any act to take citizenship away from anyone, I find the Canadian governments decision to strip Suu Kyi of her Canadian citizenship compelling. First, she has Myanmar citizenship and stripping Canadian citizenship doesnt render her stateless. Second, Canada is making a powerful statement about her role in denying citizenship from those who, in emerging international law, should enjoy such status by virtue of their dominant, genuine and effective links and their past and ongoing habitual residence in Myanmar. Rohingya have been in Myanmar for years, even before the country gained independence from British colonization. Finally, Parliament has given some heft to its recent statement that there is a Rohingya genocide by taking away Canadian citizenship from a person who plays a role in the creation and perpetuation of statelessness in Myanmar. Honorary citizenship should not be held by a person who allows the legal fact of statelessness to be harnessed by others to engage in oppression, violent displacement and the killing of Rohingya. Jamie Liew is an associate professor in the faculty of law at the University of Ottawa. She is the daughter of a previously stateless person and researches on legal barriers to statelessness. She is a contributor with EvidenceNetwork.ca, which is based at the University of Winnipeg. Troy Media It seems fitting that last week, during newspaper appreciation week, I was in two cities that are poorly served by newspapers. It certainly provides an opportunity to appreciate the vibrant media landscape we enjoy in this city, and I would say this even if the Winnipeg Free Press didnt pay for my monthly luxuries. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 11/10/2018 (1131 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion It seems fitting that last week, during newspaper appreciation week, I was in two cities that are poorly served by newspapers. It certainly provides an opportunity to appreciate the vibrant media landscape we enjoy in this city, and I would say this even if the Winnipeg Free Press didnt pay for my monthly luxuries. But I have lived and worked in both Calgary and Saskatoon, and to say that both cities are mere shadows of what they used to be, media-wise, is no exaggeration. Its frustrating to watch as an outsider. I can only imagine what it is like as citizen. As news consumers, weve become quite familiar with the term "fake news." Its a lexical choice thats become part of our vocabulary with U.S. President Donald Trump using it whenever hes faced with information he doesnt like. What it has come to mean for many of us is information you cant trust. But in the real world of politics, what it really means is information deliberately designed to upset the current political order. Thats why its not just about fibs, or shades of grey, or subjectivity anymore. This is about deliberate deception. Weve all heard the story of the Orson Welles broadcast of The War of the Worlds, in which upwards of a million people were convinced, if only briefly, that alien invaders had arrived in the United States after the radio broadcast of the program in 1938. Youve heard that naive Americans, hearing reports of Martian attacks, ran panicked into the streets. Well, that was fake news. The newspaper industry, which was being hurt by the new radio medium, decided to discredit radio as a source of news, so it perpetuated the panic to prove to advertisers and regulators that radio management was irresponsible and not to be trusted. Fast-forward to 2018, and propaganda and fake news remain a problem, but its been amplified in a number of ways that are creating new problems for those of us who want to be able to trust the information we read and see. And the amplification is having a serious effect on democracy in the United States. How soon before it becomes an issue in Canada? Time will tell that is, if its not already here. In the U.S., the Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns approximately 72 per cent of the television-station market, is pro-Trump. According to reports, the broadcast organization produces as many as nine pro-Trump segments a week that its television stations are required to broadcast. In April, it forced the stations to broadcast a segment warning of fake news. A producer at Deadspin created a video that stitched together a collection of those segments, showing broadcast anchors from across the country reading the same script stating they were "concerned about the troubling trend of irresponsible, one-sided news stories plaguing our country. The sharing of biased and false news has become all too common on social media." Thankfully, in the aftermath, some of those anchors spoke out against the exercise and quit their jobs as a result. In media studies done in the U.S., the tie between fake news and populism is understood as a pushback against challenges of ethnic nationalism and a way of attempting to restore cultural traditions. While there is always a certain degree of truth-stretching on either side of the ideological spectrum (I will reform the electoral system; I wont raise taxes), the authoritarian right, or alt-right, is more likely to resort to distilling partisan information in a format that appears to be journalistic in order to garner support. Researchers Lance Bennett and Steven Livingston point to Breitbart as an example of an alt-right organization serving that purpose. In Canada, organizations such as Rebel Media can also be seen as similar. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. In both cases, these organizations have been aligned with political leaders. In Breitbarts case, its former chair Steve Bannon went on to run Trumps campaign. In Canada, former Rebel Media corporate director Hamish Marshall is now with the federal Conservative party, working with leader Andrew Scheer. So far in Canada, we may not be worried about fake news as much as we are worried about the lack of news, particularly with the rise of news "deserts" areas in which there are no news outlets at all. What this means is that there is no one around to cover city hall, school boards or community events in major cities because the newspapers have shut down and television stations no longer cover that part of the region. In fact, in parts of southern Ontario now find themselves without newspapers after Torstar and Postmedia swapped more than 40 local community newspapers and shut most of them. One wry pundit told me that if he wanted to make a great deal of money as a corrupt politician, he would become mayor in a city with no major newspaper and rob it blind. No one would know he was doing it until it was too late. But for those of us concerned about what to do to prevent the rise of fake news that truly upends democracy as we know it, one thing is for sure: reading and supporting local news and journalists will go a long way toward keeping the wolves at bay. But you already know that. You read this newspaper. Shannon Sampert is the director of the media centre for public policy and knowledge mobilization at the University of Winnipeg. Want proof that more staff is needed on the front lines of mental health services? Ask the people who are backfilling the role of mental health workers even though their badges say Winnipeg Police Service. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 10/10/2018 (1132 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Want proof that more staff is needed on the front lines of mental health services? Ask the people who are backfilling the role of mental health workers even though their badges say Winnipeg Police Service. Police were dispatched to 5,360 suicide threats in 2017, an average of 14 per day, according to data compiled by the Free Press for a special report called "The 411 on 911." To be clear, those calls only include suicide threats, not the wide range of other mental-illness incidents to which police are called. The revelation that threats of suicide command such a large share of police resources each call takes an average of three hours for the team of officers dispatched is alarming for several reasons. Its a large drain on police to be the go-to resource for incidents that havent been a crime in Canada since 1972, when Parliament repealed the offence of attempting suicide from the Criminal Code. Its understandable that police are needed in some such calls, such as when bystanders are endangered by a suicidal person. This includes the growing number of people under the influence of methamphetamine. But many of the common reasons for attempting suicide financial difficulties, marriage breakdown, lack of social support, alcoholism are not matters for police, whose time is better spent investigating crimes. In some instances, police can actually worsen the situation, according to a mental health professional interviewed by the Free Press. For example, when people suffer from paranoia or psychosis, the arrival of armed police officers can actually heighten agitation. Behind the misdirection of police resources is the unfortunate reality that mental health problems are much larger than what can be handled under the resources allocated in Manitoba for mental health treatment. Want more great journalism? Get our best news and features delivered in your inbox every weekday evening. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. One reason police are so often sent to threats of suicide is that professionals with extensive training in mental health and suicide prevention are not immediately available for emergency calls 14 times a day. It comes down to money. The $500 million that Manitoba spends annually on mental health and addictions is about 5.1 per cent of total health-care funding, below the national average for provinces of about 7.2 per cent. Making up the difference of two per cent call it the two per cent solution would be a good start toward bolstering mental health services. Its encouraging that the current provincial government recently opened five Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM) clinics, but there is an urgent need for community-based mental health services, particularly those designed for low-income people and Indigenous people who are victims of intergenerational trauma. The roster of required services includes counsellors, psychologists, social workers and housing for people with serious mental illnesses. If this wish list seems impossibly expensive, its important to recognize the benefits. Some forms of mental illness, if untreated, cause great damage to the patient, the patients family and the community. Early intervention offers patients treatment and tactics to deal with their invisible wounds before their unwell minds seize on the ultimate act of desperation. Manitoba should fund the mental health professionals who can help people in crisis keep it together. Its better than waiting until someone falls apart and then calling police. Trump and Sessions Ignore the Facts in Opposing Chicago Police Reform Sanders and Welch Announce Passage of Legislation to Repair Aging Flood Control Dams Trump Keeps Lying About Medicare for All Governor Walker: Our Dairy Industry Cant Thrive Without Justice for Immigrants Sanders Responds to Trump's Lies on Medicare for All Sanders Responds to Trump's Lies on Medicare for All GOP Express Advocacy Groups Outspending Dems Almost 5 to 1 in Wisconsin Bipartisan Group of Florida Representatives Want the Farm Bill to Tackle Algae Outbreaks Kavanaugh Celebrates Nomination with Facebook Lobbyist 10 hours ago Stocks wobble on Wall Street ahead of retailer earnings Stocks wobbled in afternoon trading on Wall Street Monday as the market comes off its first weekly loss in six weeks and investors move past the recent round of mostly solid corporate earnings. The S&P 500 was mostly unchanged as of 3:04 p.m. Read Article The following companies are subsidiares of Crane: "CPI-Kiev" LLC, ARDAC Inc., AeroHose, Alfa Laval - The Industrial Flow Group, Armature d.o.o., Automatic Products (UK) Ltd., Automatic Products international - Assets, B. Rhodes & Son Ltd., Barksdale GmbH, Barksdale Inc., CA-MC Acquisition UK Ltd., CR Holdings C.V., CashCode Co - Assets, Coin Controls International Ltd., Coin Holdings Ltd., Coin Industries Ltd., Coin Overseas Holdings Ltd., Coin Pension Trustees Ltd., Conlux Matsumoto Co. Ltd., Consolidated Lumber Co, Corva Corp, Crane (Asia Pacific) Pte. Ltd., Crane Aerospace Inc., Crane Australia Pty. Ltd., Crane Canada Co., Crane Composites Inc., Crane Composites Ltd., Crane Controls Inc., Crane Currency, Crane Electronics Corporation, Crane Electronics Inc., Crane Environmental Inc., Crane European Financing LLC, Crane Fengqiu Zhejiang Pump Co. Ltd., Crane Fluid & Gas Systems (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Crane Global Holdings S.L., Crane GmbH, Crane Holdings (Germany) GmbH, Crane International Capital S.a.r.l., Crane International Holdings Inc., Crane International Trading (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Crane Ireland Ventures Designated Activity Company, Crane Ltd., Crane Merchandising Systems Inc., Crane Merchandising Systems Ltd., Crane Merger Co. LLC, Crane Middle East & Africa FZE, Crane Ningjin Valve Co. Ltd., Crane North America Funding LLC, Crane Nuclear Inc., Crane Overseas LLC, Crane Payment Innovations GmbH, Crane Payment Innovations Inc., Crane Payment Innovations International Ltd., Crane Payment Innovations Ltd., Crane Payment Innovations Pty Ltd., Crane Payment Innovations Sarl, Crane Payment Innovations Srl, Crane Pension Trustee Company (UK) Limited, Crane Process Flow Technologies (India) Pvt. Ltd., Crane Process Flow Technologies GmbH, Crane Process Flow Technologies Ltd., Crane Process Flow Technologies S.P.R.L., Crane Process Flow Technologies S.r.l., Crane Pumps and Systems Inc., Crane Resistoflex GmbH, Crane SC Holdings Ltd., Crane Stockham Valve. Ltd., Crane Yongxiang (Ningbo) Valve Company Ltd., Croning Livarna d.o.o., Cummis-Allison Corp, Delta Fluid Products, Delta Fluid Products Ltd., Dixie Narco, Donald Brown (Brownall) Ltd., ELDEC Corporation, ELDEC Electronics Ltd., ELDEC France S.A.R.L, Edlon - PSI division, Environmental Products USA, Etex Group - Business, Flow Technology Inc., Friedrich Krombach GmbH Armaturenwerke, General Technology Corp., Hattersley Newman Hender - Assets, Hattersly Newman Hender Ltd., Hydro-Aire Inc., Inta-Lok Ltd., Interpoint S.A.R.L., Interpoint U.K. Limited, Kessel (Thailand) Pte. Ltd., Kontron America - Mobile Rugged Business, Laminated Profiles - Assets, Lasco Composites, Liberty Technologies, MCC Holdings Inc., MEI Australia LLC, MEI Auto Payment System (Shanghai) Ltd., MEI Conlux, MEI Conlux Holdings (Japan) Inc., MEI Conlux Holdings (US) Inc., MEI Payment Systems Hong Kong Ltd., MEI Queretaro S. de R.L. de CV, MEI de Mexico LLC, MOVATS - Nuclear Valve Division, Merrimac Industries, Merrimac Industries Inc., Mondais Holdings B.V., Money Controls, Money Controls Argentina SA, Money Controls Holdings Ltd., Multi-Mix Microtechnology SRL, NABIC Valve Safety Products Ltd., Nippon Conlux Co. Ltd., Noble Composites, Noble Composites Inc., Number One Supply, Owens Corning - FRP Panel Business, P.L. Porter, P.T. Crane Indonesia, Pegler Hattersly Ltd., Resistoflex, Sequentia Holdings, Signal Technology, Sperryn & Company Ltd., Stentorfield, Streamware, Telequip, Terminal Manufacturing Co., The Dow Chemical - Plastic-Lined Piping Products division, The Krombach Group, Triangle Valve Co. Ltd., Unidynamics / Phoenix Inc., Ventech Controls, Viking Johnson Ltd., W.T. Armatur GmbH, Wade Couplings Ltd., Wask Ltd., Westlock Controls, Xomox, Xomox Chihuahua S.A. de C.V., Xomox Corporation, Xomox Corporation de Venezuela C.A., Xomox France S.A.S., Xomox Hungary Kft., Xomox International GmbH & Co. OHG, Xomox Japan Ltd., Xomox Korea Ltd., Xomox Sanmar Ltd., and Yilme Holdings B.V.. 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. The following companies are subsidiares of Tenneco: A.E. Group Machines Limited, AE International Limited, Anand I-Power Limited, Anqing TP Goetze Liner Co. Ltd., Anqing TP Goetze Piston Ring Co. Ltd., Anqing TP Powder Metallurgy Co. Ltd., Armstrong Properties (Pty.) Ltd., Ateliers Juliette Adam SAS, Autopartes Walker S. de R.L. de C.V., Beck Arnley Holdings LLC, CATAI s.r.l., CEDS Inc., Carter Automotive Company LLC, Clevite Industries Inc., Componentes Venezolanos de Direccion S.A., Cooperatief Federal-Mogul Dutch Investments B.A., Coventry Assurance Ltd., DRiV Automotive Inc., DRiV IP LLC, DRiV Incorporated, Dongsuh Federal-Mogul Co. Ltd., F-M Holding Daros AB, F-M Holding Goteborg AB, F-M Holding Mexico S.A. de C.V., F-M Motorparts Limited, F-M Motorparts TSC LLC, F-M TSC Real Estate Holdings LLC, F-M Trademarks Limited, FDML Holdings Limited, FM International LLC, FM PBW Bearings Private Limited, FM Participacoes e Investimentos LTDA, Farloc Argentina S.A.I.C. y F., Federal Mogul (Thailand) Ltd., Federal Mogul Aftermarket Egypt Ltd., Federal Mogul Argentina S.A., Federal Mogul Dis Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Federal Mogul Hungary Kft., Federal Mogul Powertrain Otomotiv Anonim Sirketi, Federal Mogul SAS, Federal Mogul Services Sarl, Federal Mogul Systems Protection SAS, Federal-Mogul, Federal-Mogul (Anqing) Powder Metallurgy Co. Ltd., Federal-Mogul (Changshu) Automotive Parts Co. Ltd., Federal-Mogul (China) Co. Ltd., Federal-Mogul (Chongqing) Friction Materials Co. Ltd., Federal-Mogul (Dalian) Co. Ltd., Federal-Mogul (Langfang) Automotive Components Co. Ltd., Federal-Mogul (Proprietary) Limited, Federal-Mogul (Shanghai) Automotive Parts Co. Ltd., Federal-Mogul (T&N) Hong Kong Limited, Federal-Mogul (Tianjin) Surface Treatment Co. Ltd., Federal-Mogul (Vietnam) Ltd., Federal-Mogul Aftermarket Espana S.A., Federal-Mogul Aftermarket France SAS, Federal-Mogul Aftermarket GmbH, Federal-Mogul Aftermarket Southern Africa (Pty) Limited, Federal-Mogul Aftermarket UK Limited, Federal-Mogul Anand Bearings India Limited, Federal-Mogul Anand Sealings India Limited, Federal-Mogul Asia Investments Holding Korea Ltd., Federal-Mogul Asia Investments Limited, Federal-Mogul Automotive GmbH & Co. KG, Federal-Mogul Automotive Pty Ltd, Federal-Mogul Automotive Verwaltungs GmbH, Federal-Mogul Betriebsgrundstucke Burscheid GmbH, Federal-Mogul Bimet Spolka Akcyjna, Federal-Mogul Bradford Limited, Federal-Mogul Bremsbelag GmbH, Federal-Mogul Burscheid Beteiligungs GmbH, Federal-Mogul Burscheid GmbH, Federal-Mogul Canada Limited, Federal-Mogul Chassis LLC, Federal-Mogul Componentes de Motores Ltda., Federal-Mogul Controlled Power Limited, Federal-Mogul Coventry Limited, Federal-Mogul Deva (Qingdao) Automotive Parts Co. Ltd., Federal-Mogul Deva GmbH, Federal-Mogul Dimitrovgrad LLC, Federal-Mogul Distribucion de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Federal-Mogul Dong Feng (Shiyan) Engine Components Co. Ltd., Federal-Mogul EMEA Distribution Services, Federal-Mogul Employee Trust Administration Limited, Federal-Mogul Engineering Limited, Federal-Mogul FIL-P43 S. de R.L. de C.V., Federal-Mogul FIL-S43 S. de R.L. de C.V., Federal-Mogul Filtration LLC, Federal-Mogul Finance 1 LLC, Federal-Mogul Finance 2 LLC, Federal-Mogul Financial Services Poland Sp.z.o.o., Federal-Mogul Financial Services S.A.S., Federal-Mogul Financing Corporation, Federal-Mogul Friction Products Barcelona S.L., Federal-Mogul Friction Products Co. Ltd., Federal-Mogul Friction Products GmbH, Federal-Mogul Friction Products International GmbH, Federal-Mogul Friction Products Limited, Federal-Mogul Friction Products Ploiesti SRL, Federal-Mogul Friction Products S.A., Federal-Mogul Friction Products a.s., Federal-Mogul Friction Spain S.L., Federal-Mogul Friedberg GmbH, Federal-Mogul Garennes SAS, Federal-Mogul Germany Investments Holding GmbH, Federal-Mogul Global Aftermarket EMEA, Federal-Mogul Global Growth Limited, Federal-Mogul GmbH, Federal-Mogul Goetze (India) Limited, Federal-Mogul Gorzyce Sp. z o.o., Federal-Mogul Holding Deutschland GmbH, Federal-Mogul Holding Sweden AB, Federal-Mogul Holdings Ltd., Federal-Mogul Iberica S.L., Federal-Mogul Ignition GmbH, Federal-Mogul Ignition LLC, Federal-Mogul Ignition Products India Limited, Federal-Mogul Ignition Products SAS, Federal-Mogul Industria de Autopecas Ltda., Federal-Mogul Investment Ltd., Federal-Mogul Investments B.V., Federal-Mogul Italy S.r.l., Federal-Mogul Izmit Piston ve Pim Uretim Tesisleri A.S., Federal-Mogul Japan K.K., Federal-Mogul Juarez S. de R.L. de C.V., Federal-Mogul Lighting S. de R.L. de C.V., Federal-Mogul Limited, Federal-Mogul Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Federal-Mogul MP US LLC, Federal-Mogul Motorparts (India) Limited, Federal-Mogul Motorparts (Netherlands) B.V., Federal-Mogul Motorparts (Pinghu) Trading Limited, Federal-Mogul Motorparts (Qingdao) Co. Ltd., Federal-Mogul Motorparts (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Federal-Mogul Motorparts (Thailand) Limited, Federal-Mogul Motorparts (Zhejiang) Co. Ltd., Federal-Mogul Motorparts Colombia S.A.S., Federal-Mogul Motorparts Holding B.V., Federal-Mogul Motorparts Holding GmbH, Federal-Mogul Motorparts LLC, Federal-Mogul Motorparts Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Federal-Mogul Motorparts Minority Holding B.V., Federal-Mogul Motorparts Philippines Inc., Federal-Mogul Motorparts Ploiesti SRL, Federal-Mogul Motorparts Poland Sp.z.o.o., Federal-Mogul Motorparts Pty Ltd, Federal-Mogul Motorparts Services SRL, Federal-Mogul Naberezhnye Chelny, Federal-Mogul Nurnberg GmbH, Federal-Mogul Operations France S.A.S., Federal-Mogul Piston Rings LLC, Federal-Mogul Plasticos Puntanos S.A., Federal-Mogul Powertrain (Netherlands) B.V., Federal-Mogul Powertrain Eastern Europe B.V., Federal-Mogul Powertrain IP LLC, Federal-Mogul Powertrain Italy S.R.L, Federal-Mogul Powertrain LLC, Federal-Mogul Powertrain Mexico Distribucion S. de R.L. de C.V., Federal-Mogul Powertrain Russia GmbH, Federal-Mogul Powertrain Solutions India Private Limited, Federal-Mogul Powertrain Systems S A (Proprietary) Limited, Federal-Mogul Powertrain Vostok OOO, Federal-Mogul Products US LLC, Federal-Mogul Pty Ltd, Federal-Mogul R&L Friedberg Casting GmbH & Co. KG, Federal-Mogul Risk Advisory Services LLC, Federal-Mogul S. de R.L. de C.V., Federal-Mogul S.A., Federal-Mogul SP Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Federal-Mogul Sealing System (Nanchang) Co. Ltd., Federal-Mogul Sealing Systems GmbH, Federal-Mogul Sejong Co. Ltd, Federal-Mogul Sejong Tech Ltd, Federal-Mogul Serina Co. Ltd., Federal-Mogul Sevierville LLC, Federal-Mogul Shanghai Bearing Co. Ltd., Federal-Mogul Shanghai Compound Material Co. Ltd., Federal-Mogul Singapore Investments Pte. Ltd., Federal-Mogul Sistemas Automotivos Ltda., Federal-Mogul Sistemas de Limpadores de Para-Brisas Ltda, Federal-Mogul Sorocaba-Holding Ltda, Federal-Mogul Systems Protection Hungary Kft., Federal-Mogul Systems Protection Morocco SARL AU, Federal-Mogul TP Europe GmbH & Co KG, Federal-Mogul TP Liner Europe Otomotiv Ltd. Sti, Federal-Mogul TP Liners Inc., Federal-Mogul TP Piston Rings GmbH, Federal-Mogul TPR (India) Limited, Federal-Mogul Technology Limited, Federal-Mogul Transaction LLC, Federal-Mogul UK Investments Limited, Federal-Mogul UK Powertrain Limited, Federal-Mogul VCS Holding B.V., Federal-Mogul VCS LLC, Federal-Mogul Valve Train International LLC, Federal-Mogul Valve Train S. de R.L. de C.V., Federal-Mogul Valvetrain GmbH, Federal-Mogul Valvetrain La Source SAS, Federal-Mogul Valvetrain Limited, Federal-Mogul Valvetrain Schirmeck SAS, Federal-Mogul Valvetrain s.r.o., Federal-Mogul Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH, Federal-Mogul Verwaltungs-und Beteiligungs-GmbH, Federal-Mogul Wiesbaden GmbH, Federal-Mogul World Trade (Asia) Limited, Federal-Mogul World Wide LLC, Federal-Mogul Yura (Qingdao) Ignition Co. Ltd., Federal-Mogul Zhengsheng (Changsha) Piston Ring Co. Ltd., Federal-Mogul de Costa Rica S.A., Federal-Mogul de Guatemala Sociedad Anonima, Federal-Mogul de Matamoros S. de R.L. de C.V., Federal-Mogul de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Federal-Mogul de Venezuela C.A., Federal-Mogul of South Africa (Proprietary) Limited, Felt Products MFG. CO. LLC, Ferodo America LLC, Ferodo Limited, Fonciere de Liberation, Forjas y Maquinas S. de R.L. de C.V., Frenos Hidraulicos Automotrices S.A. de C.V., Fric-Rot S.A.I.C., Gabilan Manufacturing, Gasket Holdings LLC, Gillet Exhaust Manufacturing Limited, Gillet Pressings Cardiff Limited, Goetze Wohnungsbau GmbH, ISA Installations Steuerungs und Automatislerungs GmbH, J.W. Hartley (Motor Trade) Limited, Jurid do Brasil Sistemas Automotivos Ltda., KB Autosys (Zhangjiagang) Co. Ltd., KB Autosys Co. Ltd., KB Autosys India Private Ltd., Kinetic Pty. Ltd., Kontich, Leeds Piston Ring & Engineering Co. Limited, Maco Inversiones S.A., McCord Payen de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., McPherson Strut Company LLC, Monroe Amortisor Imalat Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Monroe Australia Pty. Limited, Monroe Czechia s.r.o., Monroe Holding S. de R.L. de C.V., Monroe Manufacturing (Proprietary) Ltd., Monroe Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Monroe Packaging BVBA, Monroe Ride Performance Sweden AB, Monroe Springs (Australia) Pty. Ltd., Montagewerk Abgastechnik Emden GmbH, Motocare India Private Limited, Muzzy-Lyon Auto Parts LLC, Parts Zone (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Payen International Limited, Piston Rings (UK) Limited, Precision Modular Assembly Corp., Productos de Frenos Automotrices de Calidad S.A. de C.V., Proveedora Walker S. de R.L. de C.V., Pullman, Pullman Standard Inc., Qingdao Tenneco FAWSN Automobile Parts Co. Ltd., Raimsa S. de R.L. de C.V., Ride Performance Canada Inc., Ride Performance Japan Ltd., Ride Performance Korea Limited, Ride Performance Mexico Holding LLC, SAXID Limited, Sapav Marketing Ltd, Saxid, Saxid s.r.l., Servicio de Componentes Automotrices S. de R.L. de C.V., Servicios Administrativos Industriales S. de R.L. de C.V., Shanghai Tenneco Exhaust System Co. Ltd., Sibirica Energy Limited, Sintration Limited, Speyside Real Estate LLC, Subensambles Internacionales S. de R.L. de C.V., T&N Industries LLC, T&N de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., TA (Australia) Group Pty. Ltd., TM S.r.l, TMC Texas Inc., TPR Federal-Mogul Tennessee Inc., Taiwan Federal-Mogul Motorparts Co. Limited, TecCom GmbH, Tenneco (Beijing) Exhaust System Co. Ltd., Tenneco (Beijing) Ride Control System Co. Ltd., Tenneco (Changzhou) Ride Performance Co. Ltd., Tenneco (China) Co. Ltd., Tenneco (Dalian) Exhaust System Co. Ltd., Tenneco (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Tenneco (Jingzhou) Ride Performance Co. Ltd., Tenneco (MSCan) Operations Inc., Tenneco (MUSA), Tenneco (Mauritius) Limited, Tenneco (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Tenneco (Suzhou) Emission System Co. Ltd., Tenneco (Suzhou) Ride Control Co. Ltd., Tenneco (TM Asia) Ltd., Tenneco (TM Belgium) BVBA, Tenneco (Tianjin) Ride Performance Co. Ltd., Tenneco Asheville Inc., Tenneco Asia Inc., Tenneco Automotie Nederland B.V., Tenneco Automotive (Thailand) Limited, Tenneco Automotive Brasil Ltda., Tenneco Automotive Deutschland GmbH, Tenneco Automotive Eastern Europe Sp. z.o.o., Tenneco Automotive Europe BVBA, Tenneco Automotive Europe Coordination Center BVBA, Tenneco Automotive Foreign Sales Corporation Limited, Tenneco Automotive France S.A.S., Tenneco Automotive Holdings South Africa Pty. Limited, Tenneco Automotive Iberica S.A., Tenneco Automotive Inc. Nevada, Tenneco Automotive India Private Limited, Tenneco Automotive Italia S.r.l., Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc., Tenneco Automotive Polska Sp. z.o.o., Tenneco Automotive Port Elizabeth (Proprietary) Limited, Tenneco Automotive Portugal Componentes Para Automovel Unipessoal LDA., Tenneco Automotive RSA Company, Tenneco Automotive Second RSA Company, Tenneco Automotive Services Societe Par Actions Simplifiee, Tenneco Automotive Servicios Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Tenneco Automotive Trading Company, Tenneco Automotive UK Limited, Tenneco Automotive Volga LLC, Tenneco Automotive Walker Inc., Tenneco Brake Inc., Tenneco CA Czech Republic s.r.o., Tenneco CA Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Tenneco CA Netherlands BV, Tenneco Canada Inc., Tenneco Clean Air Argentina S.A.I.C., Tenneco Clean Air India Private Limited, Tenneco Clean Air Spain S.L.U., Tenneco Clean Air US Inc., Tenneco Deutschland Holdinggesellschaft mbH, Tenneco Eastern European Holdings S.a.r.l., Tenneco Eberspaecher (Beijing) Exhaust System Co. Ltd., Tenneco Emission Control (Pty) Ltd, Tenneco Etain Societe Par Actions Simplifiee, Tenneco Europe Limited, Tenneco FAWSN (Changchun) Automobile Parts Co. Ltd., Tenneco FAWSN (Foshan) Automobile Parts Co. Ltd., Tenneco FAWSN (Tianjin) Automobile Parts Co. Ltd., Tenneco Fusheng (Chengdu) Automobile Parts Co. Ltd., Tenneco Global Holdings Inc., Tenneco GmbH, Tenneco Holdings Danmark ApS, Tenneco Hong Kong Holdings Limited, Tenneco Hungary Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Tenneco Industria de Autopecas Ltda., Tenneco Innovacion S.L., Tenneco International Holding Corp., Tenneco International Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Tenneco International Manufacturing S.a.r.l., Tenneco Japan Ltd., Tenneco Korea Limited, Tenneco Lingchuan (Chongqing) Exhaust System Co. Ltd., Tenneco Management (Europe) Limited, Tenneco Mauritius China Holdings Ltd., Tenneco Mauritius Holdings Limited, Tenneco Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Tenneco RP Germany GmbH, Tenneco Ride Control South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Tenneco Ride Performance US 4 LLC, Tenneco Ride Performance US 5 LLC, Tenneco Silesia spolka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Tenneco SpinCo Incorporated, Tenneco Sverige AB, Tenneco Walker (Tianjin) Exhaust System Co. Ltd., Tenneco Zwickau GmbH, Tenneco-Eberspaecher (Dalian) Exhaust System Co. Ltd., Tenneco-Walker (U.K.) Limited, The Pullman Company, The Tenneco Automotive (UK) Pension Scheme Trustee Limited, Thompson and Stammers (Dunmow) Number 6 Limited, Thompson and Stammers (Dunmow) Number 7 Limited, United Piston Ring Inc., VTD Vakuumtechnik Dresden GmbH, Walker Australia Pty. Limited, Walker Danmark ApS, Walker Electronic Silencing Inc., Walker Europe Inc., Walker Exhaust (Thailand) Company Limited, Walker Gillet (Europe) GmbH, Walker Limited, Walker Manufacturing Company, Walker UK Ltd, Wellworthy Limited, Wimetal Societe Par Actions Simplifiee, and Wuhan Tenneco Exhaust System Co. Ltd.. The following companies are subsidiares of Travelers Companies: 10762962 Canada Inc., 350 Market Street LLC, 8527512 Canada Inc., Aetna Life and Casualty Co, American Equity Insurance Company, American Equity Specialty Insurance Company, Aprilgrange Limited, Arch Street North LLC, Auto Hartford Investments LLC, Bayhill Restaurant II Associates, Camperdown Corporation, Constitution State Services LLC, Discover Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Discover Specialty Insurance Company, F&G UK Underwriters Limited, Farmington Casualty Company, Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Company, Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Underwriters Inc., First Floridian Auto and Home Insurance Company, Gulf Underwriters Insurance Company, IHP Capital Partners Fund VIII L.P., Northbrook Holdings Inc., Northfield Insurance Company, Northland Casualty Company, Northland Insurance Company, Phoenix UK Investments LLC, SPC Insurance Agency Inc., Select Insurance Company, Simply Business Holdings Inc., Simply Business Inc., St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, St. Paul Guardian Insurance Company, St. Paul Mercury Insurance Company, St. Paul Protective Insurance Company, St. Paul Surplus Lines Insurance Company, Standard Fire Properties LLC, Standard Fire UK Investments LLC, TCI Global Services Inc., TPC Investments Inc., TPC U.K. Investments LLC, The Automobile Insurance Company of Hartford Connecticut, The Charter Oak Fire Insurance Company, The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, The Family Business Institute LLC, The Phoenix Insurance Company, The St. Paul Companies Inc., The Standard Fire Insurance Company, The Travelers Casualty Company, The Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company of America, The Travelers Indemnity Company of Connecticut, The Travelers Lloyds Insurance Company, TravCo Insurance Company, Travelers (Bermuda) Limited, Travelers Brazil Acquisition LLC, Travelers Brazil Holding LLC, Travelers Casualty Company of Connecticut, Travelers Casualty Insurance Company of America, Travelers Casualty UK Investments LLC, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of Europe Limited, Travelers Commercial Casualty Company, Travelers Commercial Insurance Company, Travelers Constitution State Insurance Company, Travelers Distribution Alliance Inc., Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company, Travelers Global Inc., Travelers Indemnity U.K. Investments LLC, Travelers Insurance Company Limited, Travelers Insurance Company of Canada, Travelers Insurance Designated Activity Company, Travelers Insurance Group Holdings Inc., Travelers Lloyds of Texas Insurance Company, Travelers London Limited, Travelers MGA Inc., Travelers Management Limited, Travelers Marine LLC, Travelers Participacoes em Seguros Brasil S.A., Travelers Personal Insurance Company, Travelers Personal Security Insurance Company, Travelers Property Casualty Company of America, Travelers Property Casualty Corp., Travelers Property Casualty Insurance Company, Travelers Seguros Brasil S.A., Travelers Syndicate Management Limited, Travelers Texas MGA Inc., Travelers Underwriting Agency Limited, Ultramar Travel Management, United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, Xbridge Limited, Zensurance Brokers Inc., and Zensurance Inc.. Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. engages in the operation of senior living communities. The firm manages independent living, assisted living and dementia-care communities and continuing care retirement centers. It operates through the following segments: Independent Living Assisted Living & Memory Care, CCRCs, Health Care Services and Management Services. The Independent Living segment is primarily designed for middle to upper income seniors who desire an upscale residential environment providing the highest quality of service. The Assisted Living & Memory Care segment offer housing and 24-hour assistance with ADLs to mid-acuity frail and elderly residents. The CCRCs segment offers a variety of living arrangements and services to accommodate all levels of physical ability and health. The Healthcare Services segment provides home health, hospice and outpatient therapy services, as well as education and wellness programs, to residents of many communities and to seniors living outside communities. The Management Services segment composes of communities operated by the company pursuant to management agreements. The company was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Brentwood, TN. Read More GlaxoSmithKline Plc is a healthcare company, which engages in the research, development, and manufacture of pharmaceutical medicines, vaccines, and consumer healthcare products. It operates through the following segments: Pharmaceuticals; Pharmaceuticals R&D; Vaccines and Consumer Healthcare. The Pharmaceuticals segment focuses on developing medicines in respiratory and infectious diseases, oncology, and immuno-inflammation. The Pharmaceuticals R&D segment focuses on science related to the immune system, the use of human genetics and advanced technologies, and is driven by the multiplier effect of Science x Technology x Culture. The Vaccines segment produces pediatric and adult vaccines to prevent a range of infectious diseases including, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella, polio, typhoid, influenza, and bacterial meningitis. The Consumer Healthcare segment develops and markets brands in the oral health, pain relief, respiratory, nutrition and gastro intestinal, and skin health categories. The company was founded in 1715 and is headquartered in Middlesex, the United Kingdom. Read More iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF's stock was trading at $158.09 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, IWF shares have increased by 91.8% and is now trading at $303.29. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. The following companies are subsidiares of Ashland Global: 565 Corporation, ASH GP INC., ASHLAND SPECIALTY CHEMICAL (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD., ASHLAND SPECIALTY CHEMICALS (MALAYSIA) SDN.BHD, Adams Drive Totowa L.L.C., Alera Property Holdings LLC, Alera Technologies Inc., Alix Technologies LLC, Aloe Vemera S.P.R de R.L. de C.V., Ash (Gibraltar) One Limited, Ash B CIS 1 Limited, Ash B CIS 2 Limited, Ash B1 Limited, Ash B2 Limited, Ash B3 Limited, Ash B4 Limited, Ash B5 Limited, Ash CIS Canada Corp., Ash CIS Canada Holdings B.V., Ash CIS GmbH, Ash Global Holding Three GmbH, Ash Global Holdings Two B.V., Ash Junior Global Holding One LLC, Ash Junior Global Holding Two LLC, Ash Swiss Holding Two GmbH, AshLux Three S.a r.l., AshOne C. V., Ashland (Australasia) Pty. Limited, Ashland (Changzhou) Advanced Chemical Co. Ltd., Ashland (Changzhou) Specialty Chemical Co. Ltd, Ashland (China) Holdings Co. Ltd., Ashland (Gibraltar) One Holding Inc., Ashland (Thailand) Co. Ltd, Ashland Argentina S.R.L., Ashland CZ s.r.o., Ashland Canada Corp./Corporation Ashland Canada, Ashland Canada Holdings B. V., Ashland Chemco Inc., Ashland Chemical De Mexico S.A. De C.V., Ashland Chemical Hispania S. L., Ashland Chemical Trading (Shanghai) Company Limited, Ashland Chemicals (Nanjing) Company Limited, Ashland Colombia S.A.S., Ashland Comercio de Especialidades Quimicas do Brasil Ltda., Ashland Danmark ApS, Ashland Eastern Markets LLC, Ashland Ethanol Inc., Ashland Finance Limited, Ashland Finland Oy, Ashland France SAS, Ashland Global Holdings One C.V., Ashland India Private Limited, Ashland Industria de Ingredientes do Brasil Ltda., Ashland Industries Deutschland GmbH, Ashland Industries Europe GmbH, Ashland Industries France SAS, Ashland Industries Italia S.r.l., Ashland Industries Nederland B.V., Ashland Industries UK Limited, Ashland International Holdings LLC, Ashland Italia S.r.l., Ashland Japan Ltd., Ashland Korea Limited, Ashland LLC, Ashland Licensing and Intellectual Property LLC, Ashland ME Holdings Inc., Ashland Mexico Holdings One LLC, Ashland Mexico Holdings Two LLC, Ashland Nigeria Exploration Unlimited, Ashland Oil (Nigeria) Company Unlimited, Ashland Oil Inc., Ashland Pacific Pty. Ltd., Ashland Participacoes Ltda., Ashland Pharmachem International Holdings LLC, Ashland Polimeros do Brasil S.A., Ashland Services B. V., Ashland Services Mexico S.A. de C.V., Ashland Singapore Pte. Ltd., Ashland Specialties Austria GmbH, Ashland Specialties Belgium BVBA, Ashland Specialties France S.a.r.l., Ashland Specialties Hispania S.L., Ashland Specialties Holding C.V., Ashland Specialties Ireland Limited, Ashland Specialties Poland Sp. z o.o., Ashland Specialties Sverige AB, Ashland Specialties UK Limited, Ashland Specialty Chemical Korea Co. Ltd., Ashland Specialty Ingredients G.P., Ashland Technologies GmbH, Ashland-Alaskan Limited, Ashland-Plasticos De Portugal Lda., Ashmont Insurance Company Inc., Ashprop Two LLC, Avoca LLC, Avoele S.A. de C.V., Belleville Realty Corp., Bluegrass Insurance Company Limited, CLTA LLC, CVG Capital III LLC, Carol Clifton Inc., Clevedon Sp. z o.o., Curtis Bay Insurance Co. Ltd, East Bay Realty Services Inc., Ever Success Overseas Limited, FRJ Inc., Fospur, Hercofina, Hercules, Hercules Holding BV BVBA, Hercules Holding II Limited, Hercules Hydrocarbon Holdings Inc., Hercules International Limited LLC, Hercules Investment ApS, Hercules Investments Netherlands B.V., Hercules Islands Corporation, Hercules LLC, Hercules Paper Holdings Inc., Hercules Trading (Shanghai) Company Limited, ISP (Belgium) International N. V., ISP Alginates Inc., ISP Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd, ISP Biochema Schwaben GmbH, ISP Canada Corp., ISP Capital LLC, ISP Chemco LLC, ISP Chemical Products LLC, ISP Chemicals LLC, ISP Environmental Services Inc., ISP France Holding SARL, ISP France Marketing SARL, ISP Freetown Fine Chemicals Inc., ISP Freight Services N. V., ISP Global Operations (Barbados) Inc., ISP Global Technologies Deutschland Unterstutzungskasse GmbH, ISP Global Technologies Inc., ISP Global Technologies LLC, ISP HC Limited, ISP Holdings (U.K.) Ltd., ISP Hungary Holdings Limited Liability Company, ISP International Corp., ISP Investments LLC, ISP Lima LLC, ISP Luxembourg Canada S.a.r.l., ISP Management Company Inc., ISP Marl GmbH, ISP Marl Holdings GmbH, ISP Microcaps (U.K.) Limited, ISP Pharma Systems LLC, ISP Real Estate Company Inc., ISP Singapore Holding LLC, ISP Technologies Inc., ISP Technologies LLC, International Specialty Holdings LLC, International Specialty Products, International Specialty Products (India) Private Limited, International Specialty Products Funding Corporation, International Specialty Products Inc., Jiangmen Ashland Chemicals Company Limited, Nanjing Clear Environment Protection, Northwest Coatings, Oil Can Henrys, PT Ashland Asia, PT ISP Chemicals Indonesia, Pakistan Gum Industries (Private) Limited, Pharmachem Laboratories, Pharmachem Laboratories LLC, Pharmachem Laboratories Utah LLC, Prince Street Paterson LLC, Progiven S.A.S., Proprietary Nutritionals LLC, Ralop S. de R.L. de C.V., Saudi Industrial Resins Co. Ltd. (Polyester), Shanghai Ashland Industrial Trading Co. Ltd., St Croix Petrochemical Corp, Taiwan Ashland Co. Ltd., Techwax Limited, Vemera S. de R.L. de C.V., and WSP LLC. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA engages in the traditional banking businesses of retail banking, asset management, private banking, and wholesale banking. It operates through the following segments: Spain, the United States, Mexico, Turkey, South America, and Rest of Eurasia. The Spain segment includes mainly the banking and insurance business that the group carries out in Spain. The United States segment consists of the financial business activity of BBVA USA in the country and the activity of the branch of BBVA SA in New York. The Mexico segment refers to banking and insurance businesses in this country as well as the activity of its branch in Houston. The Turkey segment reports the activity of Garanti BBVA group that is mainly carried out in this country and, to a lesser extent, in Romania and the Netherlands. The South America segment comprises of operations in n Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The Rest of Eurasia segment includes the banking business activity carried out by the group in Europe and Asia, excluding Spain. The company was founded in 1857 and is headquartered in Madrid, Spain. Read More Canadian Utilities Limited and its subsidiaries engage in the electricity, natural gas, and retail energy businesses worldwide. It operates through Utilities, Energy Infrastructure, and Corporate & Other segments. The Utilities segment provides regulated electricity transmission and distribution services in northern and central east Alberta, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories; and integrated natural gas transmission and distribution services in Alberta, the Lloydminster area of Saskatchewan, and Western Australia. It owns and operates approximately 9,000 kilometers of natural gas pipelines, 16 compressor sites, approximately 3,700 receipt and delivery points, and a salt cavern storage peaking facility located near Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta in Canada. The Energy Infrastructure segment provides electricity generation, natural gas storage, industrial water, and related infrastructure development solutions in Alberta, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Australia, Mexico, and Chile. The Corporate & Other segment retails electricity and natural gas business in Alberta. The company was incorporated in 1927 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Canadian Utilities Limited is a subsidiary of ATCO Ltd. Read More 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.. Gerresheimer AG, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells specialty glass, plastic products, and drug delivery-devices and solutions primarily worldwide. It operates through three divisions: Plastics & Devices, Primary Packaging Glass, and Advanced Technologies. The Plastics & Devices division offers drug delivery systems, including inhalers, pen systems, and injection systems; sterile and non-sterile syringe systems for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries; and disposables for various analysis systems that are used in laboratories and medical practices, quick tests for patients in medical practices or hospitals, skin-prick aids and lancets for diabetics, disposables, and components for dialysis machines, and catheters and surgical devices. It also provides containers for the delivery of tablets and powders, liquid dosages, ophthalmic and rhinological applications, parenteral packaging applications, oral prescription medications, and cosmetics. The Primary Packaging Glass division offers glass primary packaging for pharma and cosmetics industries, such as ampoules, cartridges, vials, syrup and dropper bottles, tablet jars, and wide-neck jars, as well as injection, infusion, and transfusion bottles; flacons and pots for fragrances, deodorants, and care and decorative cosmetics; and bottles and jars for spirits and food. The Advanced Technologies division develops drug delivery products and platforms, such as micro pumps, which are used to self-administer medication for heart failure or Parkinson's for pharmaceutical and biotech customers. The company was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in DAsseldorf, Germany. Read More 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 Hertz Global's quiet period expires on Monday, December 20th. Hertz Global had issued 44,520,000 shares in its initial public offering on November 9th. The total size of the offering was $1,291,080,000 based on an initial share price of $29.00. During Hertz Global's quiet period, insiders and any underwriters that worked on the IPO are prevented from issuing any research reports or earnings estimates for the company because of regulations issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Following the expiration of the company's quiet period, the brokerages that served as underwriters will likely initiate research coverage on the company. The following companies are subsidiares of Thermo Fisher Scientific: 236 Perinton Parkway LLC, 27 Forge Parkway LLC, ABR--Affinity BioReagents, ACI Holdings Inc., ARG Services LLC, ASPEX Corporation, Abgene Inc., Abgene Limited, Acoustic Cytometry Systems Inc., AcroMetrix LLC, Acros Organics B.V.B.A., Advanced Biotechnologies Limited, Advanced Scientifics (ASI), Advanced Scientifics Inc., Advanced Scientifics International Inc., Affymetrix Biotech Participacoes Ltda., Affymetrix Biotech Shanghai Ltd, Affymetrix Inc, Affymetrix Japan K.K., Affymetrix Pte Ltd, Affymetrix UK Ltd, Afora S.A.U., Ahura Scientific, Alchematrix Inc., Alchematrix LLC, Alfa Aesar, Alfa Aesar (China) Chemical Co. Ltd., Alfa Aesar (Hong Kong) Limited, Allergon AB, Alphine Mountain Limited, Ambion Inc., Apogent Denmark ApS, Apogent Finance Company, Apogent Holding Company, Apogent Technologies Inc., Apogent Transition Corp., Apogent U.K. Limited, App-Tek International Pty Ltd, Applied Biosystems B.V., Applied Biosystems Finance B.V., Applied Biosystems International Inc., Applied Biosystems LLC, Applied Biosystems Taiwan LLC, Applied Biosystems Trading (Shanghai) Company Ltd., Applied Biosystems de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Applied Scientific Corporation, Avances Cientificos de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Avocado Research Chemicals Limited, B.R.A.H.M.S. Biotech GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. GmbH, B.R.A.H.M.S. UK Ltd, BAC BV, BAC IP BV, Barnstead Thermolyne LLC, Beijing Phadia Diagnostics Co Ltd, Bender MedSystems GmbH, BioTrove Corporation, BioTrove International Inc., Bioanalysis Labsystems S.A., Biochemical Sciences LLC, Biolab, BmT GmbH Laborprodukte, Bonsai Tecnologies - Sistemas para Biotecnologia e Industria Unipessoal Lda, Brammer Bio, Bumi-Sans Sendirian Berhad, CAC Limited, CB Diagnostics AB, CB Diagnostics Holding AB, CEPH International Corporation, CHK Holdings Inc., CRS Robotics, CTPS LLC, Capitol Scientific Products Inc., Capitol Vial Inc., Cellomics Inc., CellzDirect Inc., Cenduit GmbH, Cenduit LLC, Cezanne S.A.S., Chase Scientific Glass Inc., Chromacol Limited, Clintrak, Clintrak Clinical Labeling Services LLC, Clintrak Pharmaceutical Services LLC, Cohesive Technologies (UK) Limited, Cohesive Technologies Inc., Columbia Diagnostics Inc., Compendia Bioscience Inc., Comtest Limited, Consolidated Technologies Inc., Consultores Fisher Scientific Chile Ltd, Core Informatics, Core Informatics LLC, Core Informatics UK Ltd., D-finitive Technologies Inc., DCG Systems B.V., DCG Systems C.V., DCG Systems G.K., DCG Systems GmbH, DCG Systems Korea Ltd., DCG Systems LLC, DPI Newco LLC, DSM Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Dharmacon, Diagnostix Ltd., Dionex (China) Analytical Ltd, Dionex (Switzerland) AG, Dionex (UK) Limited, Dionex Austria GmbH, Dionex Benelux B.V., Dionex Brasil Instrumentos Cientificos Ltda, Dionex Canada Ltd., Dionex China Limited, Dionex Corporation, Dionex Denmark A/S, Dionex Holding GmbH, Dionex I LLC, Dionex Pty Ltd., Dionex S.A., Dionex S.p.A., Dionex Singapore Pte Ltd., Dionex Softron GmbH, Dionex Sweden AB, Distribution Solutions International Inc., Doe & Ingalls Investors Inc., Doe & Ingalls Limited, Doe & Ingalls Management LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties II LLC, Doe & Ingalls Properties LLC, Doe & Ingalls of California Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Florida Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Maryland Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of Massachusetts Operating LLC, Doe & Ingalls of North Carolina Operating LLC, Doublecape Holding Limited, Doublecape Limited, Drakeside Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Duke Scientific Corporation, Dynal Biotech Beijing Limited, EGS Gauging Ltd., EGS Gauging Technical Services Company, EP Scientific Products LLC, Ecochem N.V., EnviroEquip Pty Ltd, Epsom Glass Industries Limited, Equibio Limited, Erie Electroverre S.A., Erie Finance Limited, Erie LP Holding LLC, Erie Scientific Company of Puerto Rico, Erie Scientific Hungary Kft, Erie Scientific LLC, Erie U.K. Limited, Erie UK 1 Limited, Erie UK 2 Limited, Erie UK Holding Company, Erie UK Senior Holding Limited, European Laboratory Holdings Limited, Eutech Instruments Europe B.V., Eutech Instruments Pte Ltd., Eutech Instruments Sdn Bhd, Ever Ready Thermometer Co. Inc., FEI Asia Pacific Co. Ltd., FEI Australia Pty Ltd, FEI CPD B.V., FEI Company, FEI Company Japan Ltd., FEI Company of USA (S.E.A.) Pte Ltd., FEI Czech Republic s.r.o., FEI Deutschland GmbH, FEI EFA Inc., FEI EFA International Pte. Ltd., FEI Electron Optics B.V., FEI Electron Optics International B.V., FEI Europe B.V., FEI France SAS, FEI Global Holdings C.V., FEI Hong Kong Company Limited, FEI Houston Inc., FEI Italia Srl, FEI Korea Ltd., FEI Melbourne Pty Ltd., FEI Microscopy Solutions Ltd, FEI Munich GmbH, FEI Norway Holding AS, FEI SAS, FEI Saudi Arabia LLC, FEI Servicos de Nanotecnologia Ltda., FEI Technologies Inc., FEI Technology de Mexico S.A. de C.V., FEI Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., FEI Trondheim AS, FEI UK Ltd., FHP LLC, FRC Holding Inc. V, FS (Barbados) Capital Holdings Ltd., FS Casa Rocas Holdings LLC, FS Mexicana Holdings LLC, FSI Receivables Company LLC, FSII Sweden Holdings AB, FSII Sweden Holdings I AB, FSIR Holdings (UK) Limited, FSIR Holdings (US) Inc., FSUK Holdings Limited, FSWH Company LLC, FSWH II C.V., FSWH International Holdings LLC, Fermentas China Co. Ltd, Fermentas Inc., Fermentas International, Fermentas Sweden AB, Fermentas UK Limited, Fiberlite Centrifuge LLC, Finesse Scientific Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Finesse Solutions AG, Finesse Solutions Inc., Finnzymes Oy, Fisher Alder S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Asia Manufacturing Ventures Inc., Fisher Bermuda Holdings Limited, Fisher BioImage ApS, Fisher BioPharma Services (India) Private Limited, Fisher BioSciences Japan G.K., Fisher BioServices Inc., Fisher Bioblock Holding II SNC, Fisher CLP Holding Limited Partnership, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 1, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 2, Fisher Canada Holding ULC 3, Fisher Canada Limited Partnership, Fisher Chimica BVBA, Fisher Clinical Logistics LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services (Bristol) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Colombia) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Korea) Co. Ltd, Fisher Clinical Services (Mexico) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Peru) LLC, Fisher Clinical Services (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services Colombia S.A.S., Fisher Clinical Services GmbH, Fisher Clinical Services Inc., Fisher Clinical Services Japan K.K., Fisher Clinical Services Latin America S.R.L., Fisher Clinical Services Limited Liability Company, Fisher Clinical Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Clinical Services Peru S.R.L, Fisher Clinical Services Pte Ltd., Fisher Clinical Services U.K. Limited, Fisher Emergo B.V., Fisher Germany Holdings GmbH, Fisher Hamilton China Inc., Fisher Hamilton Mexico LLC, Fisher Holdings ApS, Fisher Internet Minority Holdings L.L.C., Fisher Laboratory Products Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Fisher Luxembourg Danish Holdings SARL, Fisher Manufacturing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Maybridge Holdings Limited, Fisher Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Scientific (Austria) GmbH, Fisher Scientific (Hong Kong) Limited, Fisher Scientific (M) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Scientific (SEA) Pte. Ltd., Fisher Scientific A/S, Fisher Scientific AG, Fisher Scientific Australia Pty Limited, Fisher Scientific Biotech Line ApS, Fisher Scientific Brazil Inc., Fisher Scientific Central America Inc., Fisher Scientific Chile Inc., Fisher Scientific Colombia Inc., Fisher Scientific Company, Fisher Scientific Company L.L.C., Fisher Scientific Costa Rica Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Fisher Scientific Europe Holdings B.V., Fisher Scientific GTF AB, Fisher Scientific Germany Beteiligungs GmbH, Fisher Scientific GmbH, Fisher Scientific Holding Company LLC, Fisher Scientific Holding HK Limited, Fisher Scientific Holding U.K. Limited, Fisher Scientific Holdings (M) Sdn Bhd, Fisher Scientific Holdings (S) Pte Ltd, Fisher Scientific International LLC, Fisher Scientific Investments (Cayman) Ltd., Fisher Scientific Ireland Investments Unlimited, Fisher Scientific Ireland Limited, Fisher Scientific Japan Ltd., Fisher Scientific Jersey Island Limited, Fisher Scientific Korea Ltd, Fisher Scientific Latin America Inc., Fisher Scientific Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Fisher Scientific Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Fisher Scientific Mexico Inc., Fisher Scientific Middle East and Africa Inc., Fisher Scientific Norway AS, Fisher Scientific Operating Company, Fisher Scientific Oxoid Holdings Ltd., Fisher Scientific Oy, Fisher Scientific Pte. Ltd., Fisher Scientific S.A.S., Fisher Scientific S.L., Fisher Scientific SPRL, Fisher Scientific The Hague I B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague II B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague III B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague IV B.V., Fisher Scientific The Hague V B.V., Fisher Scientific U.K. Limited, Fisher Scientific UK Holding Company 2, Fisher Scientific UK Holding Company Limited, Fisher Scientific Unipessoal Lda., Fisher Scientific Venezuela Inc., Fisher Scientific Worldwide (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Fisher Scientific Worldwide Holdings I C.V., Fisher Scientific Worldwide Inc., Fisher Scientific de Mexico S.A., Fisher Scientific of the Netherlands B.V., Fisher Scientific spol. S.r.o, Fisher Servicios Clinicos (Chile) LLC, Fisher Servicios Clinicos Chile Ltda, Fisher WWD Holding L.L.C., Fisher Worldwide Distribution SPV, Fisher Worldwide Gene Distribution SPV, Flux Instruments, Fuji Partnership, G & M Procter Limited, G V Instruments Limited, GV Instruments Canada Ltd., GV Instruments Inc, Gatan Inc, General Scientific Company Sdn Bhd (M), Genomed molekularbiologische und diagnostische Produkte GmbH, Gerhard Menzel B.V. & Co. KG, Gold Cattle Standard Testing Labs Inc., Golden West Indemnity Company Limited, Goring Kerr Detection Limited, Greenville Service Company Inc., HENO GmbH i.L., Hangar 215 Inc., Helmet Securities Limited, Henogen, HighChem, HyClone International Trade (Tianjin) Co. Ltd, Hybaid Limited, I.Q. (BIO) Limited, IDnostics AG, ILS Laboratories Scandinavia AB, Inel Inc., Inel SAS, InnaPhase Inc., InnaPhase Limited, IntegenX, Intrinsic BioProbes Inc., Intrinsic Bioprobes Inc., Invitrogen (Shanghai) Investment Co. Ltd., Invitrogen Argentina SA, Invitrogen BioServices India Private Limited, Invitrogen Europe Limited, Invitrogen Finance Corp., Invitrogen Holdings LLC, Invitrogen Holdings Ltd., Invitrogen Hong Kong Limited, Invitrogen IP Holdings Inc., Invitrogen Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ion Torrent Systems Inc., Ionalytics Corporation, JSC Thermo Fisher Scientific, Jouan LLC, Jouan Limited, Jouan SA, Kendro Containment & Services Limited, Kendro Laboratory Products Ltd, Kettlebrook Insurance Co. ltd., Keystone Scientific, KonTEM GmbH, Kyle Jordan Investments LLC, LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, LTC Tech South Africa PTY Ltd., La-Pha-Pack GmbH, Lab Vision (UK) Limited, Lab Vision Corporation, Lab-Chrom-Pack LLC, Lab-Line Instruments Inc., Labomex MBP S. de R. L. De C.V., Laboratoire Service International - L.S.I, Laboratory Management Systems Inc., Laboratory Specialties Proprietary Ltd., LambTrack Limited, Laser Analytical Systems Inc., Liberty Lane Investment LLC, Liberty Lane Real Estate Holding Company LLC, Life Sciences International (Poland) SP z O.O, Life Sciences International Holdings BV, Life Sciences International LLC, Life Sciences International Limited, Life Technologies AS, Life Technologies Australia PTY Ltd., Life Technologies BPD AB, Life Technologies BPD UK Limited, Life Technologies Brasil Comercio e Industria de Produtos para Biotecnologia Ltda, Life Technologies Chile SpA, Life Technologies Clinical Services Lab Inc., Life Technologies Co. Ltd., Life Technologies Czech Republic s.r.o., Life Technologies DaAn Diagnostic (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Life Technologies Europe B.V., Life Technologies Finance Ltd., Life Technologies Finland Oy, Life Technologies GmbH, Life Technologies Holdings PTE Ltd., Life Technologies Inc., Life Technologies International B.V., Life Technologies Japan Ltd., Life Technologies Korea LLC, Life Technologies Limited, Life Technologies Magyarorszag Kft, Life Technologies New Zealand Ltd., Life Technologies Norway Investments US LLC, Life Technologies Polska Sp z.o.o., Life Technologies SA, Life Technologies SAS, Life Technologies s.r.o, Linkage Biosciences Inc., Linkage Biosciences S.a.r.l., Loftus Furnace Company, Lomb Scientific, Lomb Scientific (Aust) Pty Limited, MTI-GlobalStem, Marketbase International Limited, Matrix MicroScience Inc., Matrix MicroScience Ltd., Matrix Technologies Corporation Limited, Matrix Technologies LLC, Maybridge Chemical Company Limited, Maybridge Chemical Holdings Limited, Maybridge Limited, Medical Analysis Systems Inc., Medical Analysis Systems International Inc., Medical Diagnostics Systems Inc., Metavac LLC, Microgenics Corporation, Microgenics Diagnostics Pty Limited, Microgenics GmbH, Microm International GmbH, Microm Laborgerate S.L.U, Molecular BioProducts Inc., Molecular Probes Inc., Molecular Transfer Inc., NAPCO Inc., NERL Diagnostics LLC, NOVODIRECT GmbH Labor- und Industrie- Megerate, Nalge (Europe) Limited, Nalge Nunc International (Monterrey) LLC, Nalge Nunc International Corporation, Nanjing WeiKangLe Trading Industrial Co Ltd, NanoDrop Technologies LLC, National Scientific Company, Navaho Acquisition Corp., Neomarkers Inc., New FS Holdings Inc., NewcoGen PE LLC, Nihon Dynal K.K., Niton Asia Limited, NovaWave Technologies Inc., Nunc A/S, ONIX Systems Inc., OXOID CZ s.r.o., Odyssey Holdings Corporation, Odyssey Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Odyssey Luxembourg IP Holdings 1 S.a r.l., Odyssey Luxembourg IP Holdings 2 S.a r.l., Odyssey Venture Corporation, Omega Data Systems, One Lambda Inc, Onix Holdings Limited, Orme Scientific Limited, Owl Separation Systems LLC, Oxoid (ELY) Limited, Oxoid 2000 Limited, Oxoid AS, Oxoid Australia Pty. Limited, Oxoid Company, Oxoid Deutschland GmbH, Oxoid Holding SAS, Oxoid Holdings Limited, Oxoid Inc., Oxoid International Limited, Oxoid Investments GmbH, Oxoid Limited, Oxoid N.V., Oxoid New Zealand Limited, Oxoid Pension Trustees Limited, Oxoid Senior Holdings Limited, Oxoid UKH LLC, PAX - DSI Acquisition LLC, PE AG, Pacific Rim Far East Industries LLC, Pacific Rim Investment LLC, Panomics L.L.C., Panomics S.R.L., Patheon, Patheon API Inc., Patheon API Manufacturing Inc., Patheon API Services Inc., Patheon Austria GmbH & Co KG, Patheon B.V., Patheon Banner U.S. Holdings Inc., Patheon Biologics (NJ) LLC, Patheon Biologics Australia Pty Ltd, Patheon Biologics B.V., Patheon Biologics LLC, Patheon Calculus Merger LLC, Patheon Cooperatief U.A., Patheon Development Services Inc., Patheon Finance LLC, Patheon France SAS, Patheon Holdings B.V., Patheon Holdings I B.V., Patheon Holdings II B.V., Patheon Holdings SAS, Patheon I B.V., Patheon I Holding GmbH, Patheon Inc., Patheon International AG, Patheon Italia S.p.A., Patheon KK, Patheon Life Science Products International GmbH, Patheon Manufacturing Services LLC, Patheon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Patheon Pharmaceuticals Services Inc., Patheon Puerto Rico Acquisitions Corporation, Patheon Puerto Rico Inc., Patheon Regensburg GmbH, Patheon Softgels B.V., Patheon Softgels Inc., Patheon U.S. Holdings Inc., Patheon U.S. Holdings LLC, Patheon UK Limited, Patheon UK Pension Trustees Limited, Pelican Acquisition Corporation, Perbio Science (Canada) Company, Perbio Science AB, Perbio Science BVBA, Perbio Science France SAS, Perbio Science Inc., Perbio Science International Netherlands B.V., Perbio Science Invest AB, Perbio Science Nederland B.V., Perbio Science Projekt AB, Perbio Science Sweden Holdings AB, Perbio Science Switzerland SA, Perbio Science UK Limited, Phadia AB, Phadia Diagnosticos Ltda, Phadia GmbH, Phadia Holding AB, Phadia International Holdings C.V., Phadia Korea Co. Ltd, Phadia Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., Phadia Malta Holdings Limited, Phadia Oy, Phadia Real Property AB, Phadia Sweden AB, Phadia Taiwan Inc., Phadia US Inc., Phadia s.r.o., Pharmacaps Mexicana SA de CV, Phenom-World B.V., Phenom-World Holding B.V, Phenom-World Innovations B.V., Phinotex, Pierce Biotechnology Inc., Pierce Milwaukee Holding Corp., Pierce Milwaukee Inc., Polychromix, Power Sweden Holdings I AB, Power Sweden Holdings II AB, Power Sweden Holdings III Aktiebolag, Princeton Gamma-Tech Instruments LLC, Princeton Security Technologies, Prionics AG, Prionics Asia Ltd., Prionics Deutschland GmbH, Prionics France SAS, Prionics Italia S.r.l., Prionics Lelystad B.V., Prionics USA Inc., Priority Air Express LLC, Priority Air Express Pte. Ltd., Priority Air Express UK Limited, Priority Air Holdings Corp, Priority Solutions International, Promedica Pty Limited, Proxeon, Proxeon Biosystems ApS, Qiagen, REP GBP I-B Blocker Inc., Raymond A Lamb Limited, Remel Europe Limited, Remel Inc., Richard-Allan Scientific Company, Robbins Scientific LLC, Robocon Labor- und Industrieroboter Gesellschaft m.b.H, Rupprecht and Patashnick, Rupprecht and Patashnick (R&P), Russell pH Limited, S.C.I. du 10 rue Dugay Trouin, SCI Inno 92, STC Bio Manufacturing Inc., Samco Scientific (Monterrey) LLC, Samco Scientific LLC, Saroph Sweden AB, Schantz Road LLC, Seradyn Inc., Shanghai Life Technologies Biotechnology Co. Limited, Shanghai Thermo Fisher (C-I) Trading Co. Ltd, Shanghai Thermo Fisher (S) Trading Co. Ltd, Southern Trials (Pty) Ltd., Specialty (SMI) Inc., Spectra-Physics AB, Spectra-Physics Holdings Limited, Spectra-Physics Holdings USA LLC, Spectronex, Staten Island Cogeneration Corporation, Sterilin Limited, Stokes Bio Ltd., Sweden DIA (Sweden) AB, SwissAnalytic Group GmbH, Systems Manufacturing Corporation, TFLP LLC, TFS Breda B.V., TFS LLC, TFS Singapore HK Limited, TFSL Financing GP LLC, TFSL Senior GP Holdings 2 LLC, TK Partnership, TKA Wasseraufbereitungssysteme, TMOI Inc., TPI Real Estate Holdings LLC, TSP Holdings I LLC, TWX LLC, Technology Design Solutions Pty Ltd, Thermedics Detection de Argentina S.R.L, Thermo Allen Coding Limited, Thermo Asset Management Services Inc., Thermo BioAnalysis LLC, Thermo BioAnalysis Limited, Thermo BioSciences Holdings LLC, Thermo CIDTEC, Thermo CRS Holdings Ltd., Thermo CRS Ltd., Thermo Cambridge Limited, Thermo Cayman Holdings Ltd., Thermo Corporation, Thermo DMA Inc., Thermo Detection de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Dutch Holdings Limited Partnership, Thermo EGS Gauging LLC, Thermo Eberline Holdings I LLC, Thermo Eberline Holdings II LLC, Thermo Eberline LLC, Thermo Electron (Calgary) Limited, Thermo Electron (Chile) S.p.A., Thermo Electron (Karlsruhe) GmbH, Thermo Electron (Management Services) Limited, Thermo Electron (Proprietary) Limited, Thermo Electron A/S, Thermo Electron Australia Pty Limited, Thermo Electron Export Inc., Thermo Electron Holdings SAS, Thermo Electron Industries, Thermo Electron LED GmbH, Thermo Electron LED S.A.S., Thermo Electron Limited, Thermo Electron Manufacturing Limited, Thermo Electron Metallurgical Services Inc., Thermo Electron North America LLC, Thermo Electron Pension Trust GmbH, Thermo Electron Puerto Rico Inc., Thermo Electron SAS, Thermo Electron Scientific Instruments LLC, Thermo Electron Sweden AB, Thermo Electron Sweden Forvaltning AB, Thermo Electron Weighing & Inspection Limited, Thermo Elemental Limited, Thermo Environmental Instruments LLC, Thermo Fast U.K. Limited, Thermo Finland Holdings LLC, Thermo Finland Holdings MT1 B.V., Thermo Finland Holdings MT2 B.V., Thermo Finnigan LLC, Thermo Finnigan Limited, Thermo Fisher (CN) Luxembourg Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher (CN) Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher (CN) Malta Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher (CN-I) Luxembourg LLC, Thermo Fisher (CN-II) Luxembourg LLC, Thermo Fisher (Cayman) Holdings I Ltd., Thermo Fisher (Cayman) Holdings II Ltd., Thermo Fisher (Finland Holdings 2) LLC, Thermo Fisher (Finland Holdings) Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher (Gibraltar) II Limited, Thermo Fisher (Gibraltar) Limited, Thermo Fisher (Heysham) Limited, Thermo Fisher (Kandel) GmbH, Thermo Fisher CHK Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher China Business Trust, Thermo Fisher China Business Trust II, Thermo Fisher Costa Rica Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Thermo Fisher Cyprus Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Detection Mexico LLC, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics (Ireland) Limited, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AB, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AG, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics AS, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Aps, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Austria GmbH, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics B.V., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics GmbH, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics K.K., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Limited, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics NV, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics S.L.U., Thermo Fisher Diagnostics S.p.A. , Thermo Fisher Diagnostics SAS, Thermo Fisher Diagnostics Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Thermo Fisher Eurobonds Ltd., Thermo Fisher Financial Services Inc., Thermo Fisher GP LLC, Thermo Fisher German Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Germany B.V., Thermo Fisher India Divestco Private Limited, Thermo Fisher India Holding B.V., Thermo Fisher Insurance Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Insurance Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Investments (Cayman) Ltd., Thermo Fisher Israel Ltd., Thermo Fisher Production et Services SAS, Thermo Fisher Project Cyprus LLC, Thermo Fisher Re Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Australia) C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Barbados) Holdings Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Breda) Holding BV, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific (CN) Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher Scientific (China) Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (China) Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (China-HK) Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (DE) Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Ecublens) SARL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance I) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance I) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance II) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance III) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Finance III) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Fuji) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Holding II) B.V. & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Hong Kong) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (IVGN) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (IVGN) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Johannesburg) (Proprietary) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Mexico City) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Milwaukee) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Mississauga) Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Monterrey) S. De R.L. De C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (NK) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) Austria Holding GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) UK LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN) UK Limited Partnership, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN-I) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN-II) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific (PN1) UK Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Panama) B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Panama) Dutch LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Praha) s.r.o., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Real Estate 1) GmbH & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Real Estate 1) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Schweiz) AG, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Shanghai) Instruments Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific (Suzhou) Instruments Co. Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific AL-1 LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific AU II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific AU Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Africa Proprietary Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Aquasensors LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Australia Pty Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific B.V.B.A., Thermo Fisher Scientific BHK (I) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific BHK (II) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Baltics UAB, Thermo Fisher Scientific Beteiligungsverwaltungs GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Biosciences Corp., Thermo Fisher Scientific Brahms LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Brasil Instrumentos de Processo Ltda., Thermo Fisher Scientific Brasil Servicos de Logistica Ltda, Thermo Fisher Scientific C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cayman Investments LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Chemicals Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific China (C-I) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific China (S) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings I B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings III B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific China Holdings IV B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Chromatography Holdings Aps, Thermo Fisher Scientific Chromatography Holdings S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus I Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus II Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus III C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus III Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus IV C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Cyprus V C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Denmark Senior Holdings ApS, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie 1 Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Erie Financing S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Europe GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC Finance C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific FLC LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSIR Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSIR Financing S.a.r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific FSUKHCO Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Falcon Senior Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Finance Company BV, Thermo Fisher Scientific GENEART GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Germany BV & Co. KG, Thermo Fisher Scientific GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific HR Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings (Cayman) I, Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings (Cayman) II , Thermo Fisher Scientific Holdings Europe Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific IT Services GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific India Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific India Pvt Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Malta) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Sweden) LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments (Sweden) S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Investments Malta (Sweden Financing) Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Invitrogen Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings I B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings II B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Japan Holdings III B.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific K.K., Thermo Fisher Scientific Korea Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific LSI Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life CV GP Holdings II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life CV GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Enterprises C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Enterprises GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing (Cayman), Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Financing Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings III C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International Holdings I C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life International Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments I S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments III S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments IV S.a.r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta Holding I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta Holding II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments Malta II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments US Financing I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Investments US Financing II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life NL Holdings GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Netherlands Holding C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior GP Holdings II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior GP Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings II C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Senior Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Switzerland Holdings GP LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Tech Korea Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Enterprise Holding Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment I LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment II LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment UK I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investment UK II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Investments Holding LP, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Israel Investment I Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Israel Investment II Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Life Technologies Luxembourg Holding LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Enterprise Holdings S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg German Holdings S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Life Technologies UK Holding S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Sweden Holdings I S.a r.l, Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Sweden Holdings II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Venture Holdings I S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Luxembourg Venture Holdings II S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Malta Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Messtechnik GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Mexico City S. de R.L. de C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific Middle East Holdings Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Milano Srl, Thermo Fisher Scientific NHK Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific New Zealand Holdings, Thermo Fisher Scientific New Zealand Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Norway Holdings AS, Thermo Fisher Scientific Norway US Investments LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Odyssey Financing (Barbados) SRL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Odyssey Holdings Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Operating Company LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy, Thermo Fisher Scientific PN2 C.V, Thermo Fisher Scientific PN2 LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific PRB S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Panama I Cayman Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific Peru S.R.L., Thermo Fisher Scientific Pte. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Re Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific SL, Thermo Fisher Scientific Senior Financing LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Senior Holdings Australia LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific South Africa Proprietary Ltd, Thermo Fisher Scientific SpA, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra S.a.r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Holdings Luxembourg I S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Holdings Luxembourg II S.a r.l., Thermo Fisher Scientific Spectra-Physics Investments Malta Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Switzerland Holdings C.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific TR Limited, Thermo Fisher Scientific Taiwan Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific West Palm Holdings LLC, Thermo Fisher Scientific Wissenschaftliche Gerate GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific Worldwide Investments (Cayman), Thermo Fisher Scientific eCommerce Solutions LLC , Thermo Fisher Senior Canada Holdings LLC, Thermo Foundation Inc., Thermo Gamma-Metrics Holdings Pty Ltd., Thermo Gamma-Metrics LLC, Thermo Gamma-Metrics Pty Ltd, Thermo Holding European Operations LLC, Thermo Hypersil Ltd, Thermo Hypersil-Keystone LLC, Thermo Informatics Asia Pacific Pty Ltd., Thermo Instrument Controls de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Thermo Kevex X-Ray LLC, Thermo Keytek LLC, Thermo LabSystems Inc., Thermo LabSystems S.A., Thermo Life Science International Trading (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Thermo Life Sciences AB, Thermo Luxembourg Holding S.a.r.l., Thermo Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Thermo MF Physics LLC, Thermo Measurement Ltd, Thermo Measuretech Canada Inc., Thermo Neslab LLC, Thermo Nicolet Limited, Thermo Onix Limited, Thermo Optek (Australia) Pty Ltd., Thermo Optek Limited, Thermo Optek S.A., Thermo Orion Inc., Thermo Portable Holdings LLC, Thermo Power Corporation, Thermo Process Instruments GP LLC, Thermo Process Instruments L.P., Thermo Projects Limited, Thermo Quest S.A., Thermo Radiometrie Limited, Thermo Ramsey Italia S.r.l., Thermo Ramsey LLC, Thermo Ramsey S.A., Thermo Re Ltd., Thermo Scientific Microbiology Pte Ltd., Thermo Scientific Microbiology Sdn Bhd, Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc., Thermo Scientific Services Inc., Thermo Securities Corporation, Thermo Sentron Canada Inc., Thermo Sentron Limited, Thermo Shandon Inc., Thermo Shandon Limited, Thermo Suomi Holding B.V., Thermo TLH (UK) Limited, Thermo TLH L.P., Thermo Trace Pty Ltd., Thermo-Fisher Biochemical Product (Beijing) Co. Ltd., ThermoLase LLC, ThermoSpectra Limited, Trek Diagnostic Systems LLC, Trek Diagnostic Systems Ltd., Trek Holding Company II Ltd., Trek Holding Company Ltd., Trex Medical Corporation, USB Corporation, Union Lab Supplies Limited, United Diagnostics Inc., VG Systems Limited, Westover Scientific Inc., ZAO PE Biosystems, eBioscience GmbH, eBioscience Ltd, eBioscience SAS, and picoSpin LLC. iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF's stock was trading at $103.33 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, DSI stock has decreased by 10.6% and is now trading at $92.37. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. provides technical, professional, and construction services. The company's Aerospace, Technology, Environmental and Nuclear segment offers scientific, engineering, construction, nuclear, environmental, and technical support services to the aerospace, defense, technical, and automotive industries. Its Buildings, Infrastructure and Advanced Facilities segment develops/rehabilitates plans for highways, bridges, transit, tunnels, airports, railroads, intermodal facilities, and maritime or port projects; develops or rehabilitates critical water resource systems, water/wastewater conveyance systems, and flood defense projects; and provides engineering design, construction management, design build, and operations and maintenance. This segment also designs and constructs buildings; offers consulting, engineering, procurement, construction management, and delivery services for life sciences clients; and provides services relating to modular construction and other consulting and strategic planning services, as well as offers services in containment, barrier technology, locally controlled environments, building systems automation, off-the-site design, and fabrication of facility modules. The company's Energy, Chemicals and Resources segment offers services relating to onshore and offshore oil and gas production facilities, processing facilities, gathering systems, and transmission pipelines and terminals; feasibility/economic studies, technology evaluation, conceptual engineering, front end loading, detailed engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance, and commissioning services; and engineering, procurement, and construction solutions. This segment also provides services, such as manufacturing complex, expansions, modifications, and management of plant relocations; construction management and field construction services; and services to operate and maintain facilities. The company was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Read More Comerica, Inc. engages in the provision of financial services. It operates through the following segments: Commercial Bank, Retail Bank, Wealth Management, Finance and Other. The Commercial Bank segment involves in the middle market businesses, multinational corporations, and governmental entities by offering various products and services such as commercial 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. The Retail Bank segment includes small business banking and personal financial services, which consist of consumer lending, consumer deposit gathering, and mortgage loan origination. The Wealth Management segment offers fiduciary services, private banking, retirement services, investment management and advisory services, investment banking and brokerage services. The Finance segment comprises corporation's securities portfolio and asset and liability management activities. The Other category consists of income and expense impact of equity and cash, tax benefits, charges of an unusual or infrequent nature that are not reflective of the n Read More Invesco S&P SmallCap 600 Pure Growth ETF's stock was trading at $87.11 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, RZG shares have increased by 101.4% and is now trading at $175.45. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. There is not enough analysis data for LINE. 4.0 Community Rank Outperform Votes LINE has received 246 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes LINE has received 163 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment LINE has received 60.15% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about LINE and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe LN will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe LN 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 Teledyne Technologies: Alia Corporation Inc, Bolt Technology Corp, Bowtech Products, CARIS, CDL do Brasil Equipamentos e Servicos Submarinos Sociedade Empresaria Ltda., CETAC Technologies, DALSA, Demo Systems, Detcon Holdco Inc., Ensambles de Precision S.A. de C.V., Falcon Analytical, Frontline Test Equipment, GMI Group Holdings Limited, Hafmynd ehf, Hanson Research Corp, IST Oldham Instruments India Private Limited, Industrial Control Machines, Intelek, Intelek Limited, Intelek Pension Trustees Limited, Intelek Properties Limited, LeCroy (Beijing) Trading Co. Ltd., LeCroy Corporation, Lidar Aviation Services Inc., Maple Imaging LLC, Micralyne Inc, Ocean Design Ltda., Oldham Instrument (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Oldham Simtronics SAS, Oldham-Winter GmbH, PDM Neptec, Reynolds Industries Limited, Rhombi Canada LP, Rhombi Holdings Limited, Rhombi Netherlands B.V., Rockwell Scientific Company, Simtronics AS, TDY Jersey Limited, Teledyne Advanced Pollution Instrumentation, Teledyne Australia Pty Ltd, Teledyne BlueView, Teledyne Bogatin Enterprises LLC, Teledyne Bowtech Limited, Teledyne Brown Engineering Inc., Teledyne C.M.L. Group Limited, Teledyne CARIS B.V., Teledyne CARIS Inc., Teledyne CARIS UK Ltd., Teledyne CARIS USA Inc., Teledyne CDL Inc., Teledyne CDL Limited, Teledyne Catalyst Enterprises Inc., Teledyne Computer Access Technology Corporation, Teledyne Controls LLC, Teledyne Cougar, Teledyne Czech s.r.o., Teledyne DALSA (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Teledyne DALSA Asia-Pacific Ltd., Teledyne DALSA B.V., Teledyne DALSA GmbH, Teledyne DALSA Inc., Teledyne DALSA Industrial Products Inc., Teledyne DALSA K.K., Teledyne DALSA Semiconductor Inc., Teledyne Dalsa, Teledyne Defense Electronics LLC, Teledyne Denmark A/S, Teledyne Detcon Inc., Teledyne Digital Imaging Inc., Teledyne Digital Imaging US Inc., Teledyne Energy Systems Inc., Teledyne Europe Holdings C.V., Teledyne France, Teledyne France SAS, Teledyne Gas Measurement Instruments Limited, Teledyne Gavia ehf., Teledyne Germany GmbH, Teledyne Hanson Research Inc., Teledyne ICM SA, Teledyne ICM SPRL, Teledyne Innovaciones Microelectronics S.L.U., Teledyne Instruments Inc., Teledyne Instruments Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Teledyne Japan Corporation, Teledyne Korea Ltd., Teledyne Labtech Limited, Teledyne LeCroy AB, Teledyne LeCroy Delaware LLC, Teledyne LeCroy GmbH, Teledyne LeCroy Inc., Teledyne LeCroy India Trading Private Ltd., Teledyne LeCroy Japan Corporation, Teledyne LeCroy Korea Ltd., Teledyne LeCroy OakGate Inc., Teledyne LeCroy S.A.R.L., Teledyne LeCroy S.R.L., Teledyne LeCroy SA, Teledyne LeCroy Singapore Pte. Ltd., Teledyne Limited, Teledyne Micralyne Inc., Teledyne Monitor Labs, Teledyne Monitor Labs P.R. Inc., Teledyne Netherlands B.V., Teledyne ODI, Teledyne Optech Inc., Teledyne Paradise Datacom Limited, Teledyne RD Instruments, Teledyne RD Technologies (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Teledyne RESON, Teledyne RESON A/S, Teledyne RESON B.V., Teledyne RESON GmbH, Teledyne RESON Holding B.V., Teledyne RESON Inc., Teledyne RESON Pte. Ltd., Teledyne RESON UK Limited, Teledyne RISI Inc., Teledyne Rad-icon Imaging Corp., Teledyne Redlake MASD LLC, Teledyne Reynolds Inc., Teledyne SG Brown Limited, Teledyne Scientific & Imaging LLC, Teledyne Scientific Imaging GmbH, Teledyne Scientific Imaging Limited, Teledyne Signal Processing Devices Sweden AB, Teledyne Singapore Private Limited, Teledyne TSS Limited, Teledyne Taiwan Company, Teledyne Technologies (Bermuda) Limited, Teledyne Technologies (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Teledyne Technologies International Corp., Teledyne Technologies Israel Ltd., Teledyne Tekmar Company, Teledyne UK Limited, Teledyne VariSystems, Teledyne VariSystems Inc., Teledyne Wireless LLC, Teledyne e2v, Teledyne e2v (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Teledyne e2v (Overseas) Holdings Limited, Teledyne e2v Asia Pacific Limited, Teledyne e2v Limited, Teledyne e2v Semiconductors SAS, and The Oceanscience Group Ltd.. The following companies are subsidiares of Cummins: Anvl, Apollo FC Holdings Ltd., Atlantis Acquisitionco Canada Corporation, Atlantis Holdco UK Limited, Brammo, CIFC Worldwide Partner C.V., CMI Africa Holdings BV, CMI CGT Holdings LLC, CMI Canada Financing Ltd., CMI Canada LP, CMI Foreign Holdings B.V., CMI Global Equity Holdings B.V., CMI Global Equity Holdings C.V., CMI Global Holdings B.V., CMI Global Partner 2 C.V., CMI Global Partners B.V., CMI Group Holdings B.V., CMI Group Holdings Cooperatief U.A., CMI International Finance Partner 1 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 2 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 3 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 4 LLC, CMI International Finance Partner 5 LLC, CMI Mexico LLC, CMI Netherlands Holdings B.V., CMI PGI Holdings LLC, CMI PGI International Holdings LLC, CMI Turkish Holdings B.V., CMI UK Finance LP, CMI UK Financing LP, Cherry Island Renewable Energy LLC, Consolidated Diesel Company, Consolidated Diesel Inc., Consolidated Diesel of North Carolina Inc., Cummins (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Cummins (Xiangyang) Machining Co. Ltd., Cummins Africa Middle East (Pty) Ltd., Cummins Afrique de l'Ouest, Cummins Americas Inc., Cummins Angola Lda., Cummins Argentina-Servicios Mineros S.A., Cummins Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Cummins Aust Technologies Pty. Ltd., Cummins BLR LLC, Cummins Battery Systems North America LLC, Cummins Belgium N.V., Cummins Botswana (Pty.) Ltd., Cummins Brasil Ltda., Cummins Burkina Faso SARL, Cummins CDC Holding Inc., Cummins CV Member LLC, Cummins Canada ULC, Cummins Caribbean LLC, Cummins Center of Excellence Singapore Pte. Ltd., Cummins Centroamerica Holding S.de R.L., Cummins Child Development Center Inc., Cummins Colombia S.A.S., Cummins Comercializadora S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Corporation, Cummins Cote d'Ivoire SARL, Cummins Czech Republic s.r.o., Cummins Deutschland GmbH, Cummins Diesel International Ltd., Cummins Distribution Holdco Inc., Cummins EMEA Holdings Limited, Cummins East Asia Research & Development Co. Ltd., Cummins Eastern Marine Inc., Cummins Electrified Power Europe Ltd., Cummins Electrified Power NA Inc., Cummins Emission Solutions (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Emission Solutions Inc., Cummins Empresas Filantropicas, Cummins Energetica Ltda., Cummins Engine (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine (Shanghai) Trading & Services Co. Ltd., Cummins Engine Holding Company Inc., Cummins Engine IP Inc., Cummins Engine Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Cummins Engine Venture Corporation, Cummins Enterprise LLC, Cummins Filtration (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Filtration GmbH, Cummins Filtration IP Inc., Cummins Filtration Inc., Cummins Filtration International Corp., Cummins Filtration Ltd., Cummins Filtration SARL, Cummins Filtration Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Cummins Filtros Ltda., Cummins Franchise Holdco LLC, Cummins Fuel Systems (Wuhan) Co. Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies Americas Inc., Cummins Generator Technologies Germany GmbH, Cummins Generator Technologies India Private Ltd., Cummins Generator Technologies Italy SRL, Cummins Generator Technologies Limited, Cummins Generator Technologies Romania S.A., Cummins Generator Technologies Singapore Pte Ltd., Cummins Ghana Limited, Cummins Ghana Mining Limited, Cummins Global Financing LP, Cummins Global Technologies LLP, Cummins Grupo Comercial Y. de Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Grupo Industrial S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Holland B.V., Cummins Hong Kong Ltd., Cummins India Ltd., Cummins Intellectual Property Inc., Cummins International Finance LLC, Cummins International Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Cummins International Holdings LLC, Cummins Italia S.P.A., Cummins Japan Ltd., Cummins Korea Co. Ltd., Cummins LLC Member Inc., Cummins Ltd., Cummins Maroc SARL, Cummins Middle East FZE, Cummins Mining Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Mobility Services Inc., Cummins Mongolia Investment LLC, Cummins Mozambique Ltda., Cummins NV, Cummins Namibia Engine Sales and Service PTY LTD, Cummins Natural Gas Engines Inc., Cummins New Zealand Limited, Cummins Nigeria Ltd., Cummins Norte de Colombia S.A.S., Cummins North Africa Regional Office SARL, Cummins Norway AS, Cummins PGI Holdings Ltd., Cummins Power Generation (China) Co. Ltd., Cummins Power Generation (S) Pte. Ltd., Cummins Power Generation (U.K.) Limited, Cummins Power Generation Deutschland GmbH, Cummins Power Generation Inc., Cummins Power Generation Limited, Cummins PowerGen IP Inc., Cummins Research and Technology India Private Ltd., Cummins Romania Srl, Cummins S. de R.L. de C.V., Cummins Sales and Service Korea Co. Ltd., Cummins Sales and Service Philippines Inc., Cummins Sales and Service Private Limited, Cummins Sales and Service Sdn. Bhd., Cummins Sales and Service Singapore Pte. Ltd., Cummins Sinai ve Otomotiv Urunleri Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Cummins South Africa (Pty.) Ltd., Cummins South Pacific Pty. Limited, Cummins Southern Plains LLC, Cummins Spain S.L., Cummins Sweden AB, Cummins Technologies India, Cummins Trade Receivables LLC, Cummins Turbo Technologies Limited, Cummins Turkey Motor Guc Sistemleri Sats Servis Limited Sirketi, Cummins U.K. Holdings Ltd., Cummins U.K. Pension Plan Trustee Ltd., Cummins UK Global Holdings Ltd., Cummins UK Holdings LLC, Cummins Vendas e Servicos de Motores e Geradores Ltda., Cummins Venture Corporation, Cummins West Africa Limited, Cummins West Balkans d.o.o. Nova Pasova, Cummins XBorder Operations (Pty) Ltd, Cummins Zambia Ltd., Cummins Zimbabwe Pvt. Ltd., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Costa Rica S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica El Salvador S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Guatemala Ltda., Distribuidora Cummins Centroamerica Honduras S.de R.L., Distribuidora Cummins S.A., Distribuidora Cummins Sucursal Paraguay SRL, Distribuidora Cummins de Panama S. de R.L., Dynamo Insurance Company Inc., Efficient Drivetrains, Efficient Drivetrains (Beijing) New Power Technology Co. Ltd., Efficient Drivetrains (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Hilite International, Hydrogenics, Hydrogenics Corporation, Hydrogenics Europe N.V., Hydrogenics GmbH, Hydrogenics Holding GmbH, Hydrogenics USA Inc., Markon Engineering Company Ltd., Nelson Burgess Ltd., Nelson Industries, Newage Engineers GmbH, Newage Ltd. (U.K.), Newage Machine Tools Ltd., OOO Cummins, Petbow Limited, Power Group International (Overseas Holdings) B.V., Power Group International (Overseas Holdings) Ltd., Power Group International Ltd., Quickstart Energy Projects SpA, Shanghai Cummins Trade Co. Ltd., TOO Cummins, Taiwan Cummins Sales & Services Co. Ltd., Worldwide Partner CV Member LLC, Wuxi Cummins Turbo Technologies Co. Ltd., Wuxi New Energy Automotive Technologies Co. Ltd., and ZED Connect Inc.. SociAtA GAnArale SociAtA anonyme provides financial services in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and France. The company offers retail banking services, including deposits and loans, vehicles and asset management, corporate finance, insurance, payments, investment, and online brokerage and financial information services; Internet, mobile, telephone, and service platforms; and online banking to individual and professional customers, businesses, non-profit associations and local authorities under the Societe Generale, CrAdit du Nord, and Boursorama Banque brands. It also provides international retail banking and financial services, comprising of deposit and loan products; consumer finance and car finance; mortgage facilities; corporate and investment banking; infrastructure, renewable energies, and agribusiness financing; life, retirement savings, and personal protection insurance products; vehicle leasing and fleet management services; and vendor and equipment finance services to corporate and individual customers. In addition, the company offers capital market services, such as fixed income and currencies, equities, and securities services; mergers and acquisitions, advisory and other corporate finance advisory services, and corporate banking and investment banking, as well as capital raising solutions for debt or equity, financial engineering, and hedging for issuers; transaction and payment services, comprising of cash management, trade finance, cash clearing and correspondent banking, supply chain finance, and foreign exchange services; and export finance, aircraft finance, shipping finance, real estate finance, and structured solutions and leasing. Further, it provides financial engineering and wealth management solutions; structured products, hedge funds, mutual funds, private equity funds and real estate investment solutions; and asset management solutions. SociAtA GAnArale SociAtA anonyme was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Paris, France. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of TE Connectivity: 999 Arques Corp., ABB ENTRELEC terminal block business, ACC Telecommunications, ADC Chile Limitada, ADC Communications (SEA) Pte. Ltd., ADC Communications (UK) Holding Ltd., ADC Communications (UK) Ltd., ADC Communications Hong Kong Limited, ADC Telecommunications Equipment (Shanghai) Co., AMP Amermex, AMP Products Pacific Limited, AMP Taiwan B.V., AMP Trading B.V., AMP de Venezuela, Acalon Holdings Limited, Advanced Fiber Products LLC, Advanced Fiber Products Limited, Advanced Tube Technologies, AdvancedCath, AdvancedCath Technologies, Alpha Technics, American Sensor Technologies, Betatherm (R&D) Limited, Brantner Holding Company, Brantner and Associates, Butterfly Management SAS, C.S. Tyco Decisive Inc., C.S. Tyco Dependable Inc., C.S. Tyco Durable Inc., C.S. Tyco Reliance Inc., C.S. Tyco Resolute Inc., C.S. Tyco Responder Inc., CII Guardian International Limited, Cablotec GmbH, Carrier Kheops Bac SAS, Catheter and Disposable Technology, Celis Eletrocomponentes Ltda., Cima de Acuna S.A. de C.V., Clarebury Pty. Ltd., Codenoll Technology Corporation, Communication Expert International Investments Limited, Compagnie Deutsch Distribution SAS, Compagnie Deutsch SAS, Comtec Systeme GmbH, Connecteurs Electriques Deutsch SAS, Corcom, Corcom West Indies Limited, Cotsworks LLC, Creganna, Creganna Captial Holding Ireland Unlimited Company, Creganna Finance (US) LLC, Creganna Finance Ireland Limited, Creganna Luxembourg SARL, Creganna Medical Devices, Creganna Medical Pte. Limited, Creganna Medical Technology Unlimited, Creganna Medical s.r.l., Creganna Regulatory, Creganna Solutions Limited, Creganna Solutions Unlimited Company, Creganna Tactx Singapore Limited, Creganna Unlimited Company, Cregstar Bidco Limited, Critchley Group Limited, Crompton Instruments (South-East Asia) Pte. Ltd., Deutsch, Deutsch Connectors Hong Kong Limited, Deutsch Connectors Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co., Deutsch Connectors Trading (Shanghai) Co., Deutsch Finance SAS, Deutsch GB Limited, Deutsch Group SAS, Deutsch India Power Connectors (Pvt) Ltd, Deutsch Israel Ltd., Deutsch SAS, Deutsch Servicios S. de R.L. De C.V., Deutsch Subco Limited, Deutsch UK, F.A.I. Technology (Hong Kong) Limited, First Sensor, Grangehurst Enterprises Pty. Ltd., Hirschmann Car Communication, Hong Kong Sensors Technologies Limited, Howard A. Schaevitz Technologies, Intercontec Connector System (Shanghai) Co., Intercontec Produkt GmbH, Intercontect Pfeiffer Industrie-Steckverbindungen GmbH, Jaquet North America, Jaquet Technology Group AG, Kemex Holding Company, Kenabell Holding Limited, LADD Distribution LLC, LADD Distribution Limited, LSA, MEAS Asia Limited, MEAS Europe SAS, MEAS France SAS, MEAS Ireland (Betatherm) Limited, MEAS Norway AS, MEAS Shenzhen Limited, MEAS Switzerland S.a r.l., MEAS US Holding, MP&E, Measurement Specialties, Measurement Specialties (Chengdu) Ltd., Measurement Specialties (China) Ltd., Measurement Specialties (China) Ltd. Production Branch, Measurement Specialties Foreign Holdings LLC, Measurement Technology (Chengdu) Ltd., Medical Engineering & Design, MicroGroup, Morlynn Ceramics Pty. Ltd., Nikkiso-Therm Co., PT KRONE Indonesia, PT. Tyco Electronics Indonesia, Pfeiffer GmbH & Co KG, Pfeiffer Verwaltungs GmbH, Polamco, Polamco Limited, Potter & Brumfield de Mexico, Precision Interconnect LLC, Precision Subsea AS, Precision Wire Components, Precision Wire Holding Company, Produxx, RAYCHEM-RPG Private Limited, Raychem (HK) Limited, Raychem (Shanghai) Trading Ltd, Raychem China Limited, Raychem Dominicana S.A., Raychem Industries BVBA, Raychem International LLC, Raychem International Manufacturing LLC, Raychem Juarez, Raychem Limited, Raychem Ltd., Raychem Pacific Corporation, Raychem Saudi Arabia Limited, Raychem Shanghai Cable Accessories Ltd, Raychem Technologies Limited, Rochester Wire and Cable LLC, SEACON Advanced Products LLC, Seacon (Europe) Limited, Seacon Global Production, Seacon Produtos e Servicos Opticos e Eletricos Ltda., Sensitive Object, Servo Interconnect Limited, Shanghai CII Electronics Co., Shenzhen Century Man Communication Equipment Co., Sibas Electronics (Xiamen) Co., TCN Holding (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l., TE Connectivity (Barbados) SRL, TE Connectivity (Denmark) ApS, TE Connectivity (HKZ) Holding Limited, TE Connectivity (Kunshan) Company Limited, TE Connectivity (Netherlands) Holding S.a r.l. - Irish Branch, TE Connectivity (Schweiz) Management AG, TE Connectivity (Suzhou) Co., TE Connectivity Argentina S.R.L., TE Connectivity Australia Pty Ltd, TE Connectivity Colombia S.A.S., TE Connectivity Connectors (Suzhou) Co., TE Connectivity Distribution (Thailand) Limited, TE Connectivity EMEA Holding GmbH, TE Connectivity Germany GmbH, TE Connectivity HK Limited, TE Connectivity Holding International II S.a r.l., TE Connectivity Holding International II S.a r.l. Luxembourg (LU) Schaffhausen E-Finance branch, TE Connectivity Holding International II S.a r.l. Luxembourg (LU) Schaffhausen branch, TE Connectivity Holding International II S.a r.l. (Ireland Branch), TE Connectivity Holding International S.A., TE Connectivity Inc., TE Connectivity India Private Limited, TE Connectivity Investments Holding S.A., TE Connectivity Investments Holding S.A. Luxembourg (LU) Schaffhausen branch, TE Connectivity Ireland Limited, TE Connectivity LATAM Holding S.a r.l., TE Connectivity LATAM I S.a r.l., TE Connectivity LATAM II S.a r.l., TE Connectivity Limited, TE Connectivity MOG Europe S.a r.l., TE Connectivity MOG Holding S.a r.l., TE Connectivity MOG Inc., TE Connectivity MOG Sales GmbH, TE Connectivity Manufacturing (Thailand) Company Limited, TE Connectivity Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd., TE Connectivity Morocco SARL, TE Connectivity Nederland B.V., TE Connectivity Netherlands (Poland II) Cooperatief U.A., TE Connectivity Netherlands (Turkey) B.V., TE Connectivity Netherlands Cooperatief U.A., TE Connectivity Phoenix Optix Inc., TE Connectivity Seacon Phoenix Inc., TE Connectivity Sensors Germany GmbH, TE Connectivity Services India Private Limited, TE Connectivity Solutions GmbH, TE Connectivity South Africa Proprietary Limited, TE Connectivity Spain, TE Connectivity SubCom S.L.U., TE Connectivity SubCom Spain Holding S.L.U., TE Connectivity Technology Solutions Limited, TE Connectivity Tunisia Sarl, TE Connectivity ULC, TE Connectivity US Group Holding Inc., TE Connectivity Vietnam Holding Company Limited, TYCO Electronics Polska Sp.z.o.o., TYCO SUBMARINE SYSTEMS INC., TacPro, Tactx Medical, Taicang Speed & Spin Sensors Co., Taliq Taiwan Limited, Tappat Engineering Pty Ltd, TechDevice Costa Rica Limitada, TechDevice Holdings, TechDevice LLC, The Whitaker LLC, Transoceanic Cable Ship Company LLC, TyCom Holdings II SA, TyCom Networks (Peru) S.A., Tyco Electronics (AMP Korea) Malta Limited, Tyco Electronics (Dongguan) Ltd, Tyco Electronics (Gibraltar) Holding Limited, Tyco Electronics (Gibraltar) Limited, Tyco Electronics (Korea) Malta Limited, Tyco Electronics (Kunshan) Ltd, Tyco Electronics (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Tyco Electronics (Qingdao) Ltd., Tyco Electronics (Schweiz) Holding II GmbH, Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Tyco Electronics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Tyco Electronics (Suzhou) Ltd., Tyco Electronics (Zhuhai) Ltd, Tyco Electronics AMP Guangdong Ltd, Tyco Electronics AMP Italia Products S.R.L., Tyco Electronics AMP Italia S.R.L., Tyco Electronics AMP Korea Co., Tyco Electronics AMP Manufacturing (S) Pte Ltd, Tyco Electronics AMP Qingdao Ltd., Tyco Electronics AMP Shanghai Ltd., Tyco Electronics Austria GmbH, Tyco Electronics Belgium EC BVBA, Tyco Electronics Brasil Ltda., Tyco Electronics Canada ULC, Tyco Electronics China (Gibraltar) Limited, Tyco Electronics Componentes Electromecanicos Lda., Tyco Electronics Corby Limited, Tyco Electronics Corporation, Tyco Electronics Czech s.r.o., Tyco Electronics Del Peru S.A.C., Tyco Electronics EC Trutnov s.r.o., Tyco Electronics EC Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Tyco Electronics Eta Limited, Tyco Electronics Finance Alpha GmbH, Tyco Electronics Finance S.a r.l., Tyco Electronics Finland Oy, Tyco Electronics France SAS, Tyco Electronics Germany Holdings GmbH, Tyco Electronics Group S.A., Tyco Electronics Group S.A. (French Branch), Tyco Electronics Group S.A. (Ireland Branch), Tyco Electronics H.K. Limited, Tyco Electronics Hellas MEPE, Tyco Electronics Holding Corp., Tyco Electronics Holding France, Tyco Electronics Holding S.a r.l., Tyco Electronics Holdings (Bermuda) No. 7 Limited, Tyco Electronics Holdings (Bermuda) No. 7 Limited Taiwan Branch, Tyco Electronics Hong Kong Holdings No. 1 Limited, Tyco Electronics Hong Kong Holdings No. 2 Limited, Tyco Electronics Hong Kong Holdings No. 3 Limited, Tyco Electronics Hungary Termelo Kft, Tyco Electronics Idento, Tyco Electronics India (Gibraltar) Limited, Tyco Electronics Industrial Y Comercial Chile Limitada, Tyco Electronics Integrated Cable Systems LLC, Tyco Electronics Ireland Limited, Tyco Electronics Israel Ltd., Tyco Electronics Italia Holding S.r.l., Tyco Electronics Japan G.K., Tyco Electronics Lambda, Tyco Electronics Latin America Holding LLC, Tyco Electronics Manufacturing Singapore Pte Ltd, Tyco Electronics Mexico, Tyco Electronics Middle East FZE, Tyco Electronics Motors Ltd, Tyco Electronics NZ Limited, Tyco Electronics Netherlands (Germany Holding) S.a r.l., Tyco Electronics Netherlands (Gibraltar China) Cooperatief U.A., Tyco Electronics Netherlands (Gibraltar India) Cooperatief U.A., Tyco Electronics Netherlands (India) Cooperatief U.A., Tyco Electronics Netherlands Holding B.V., Tyco Electronics Norge AS, Tyco Electronics Philippines, Tyco Electronics Precision Engineering Ltd., Tyco Electronics Printed Circuit Group LP, Tyco Electronics RIMC Holding LLC, Tyco Electronics RUS OOO, Tyco Electronics Raychem GmbH, Tyco Electronics Raychem Korea Limited, Tyco Electronics SIMEL SAS, Tyco Electronics Saudi Arabia Limited, Tyco Electronics Services GmbH, Tyco Electronics Singapore Pte Ltd, Tyco Electronics Subsea Communications LLC, Tyco Electronics Svenska AB, Tyco Electronics Svenska Holdings AB, Tyco Electronics Technology (SIP) Co., Tyco Electronics Technology (SIP) Ltd., Tyco Electronics Tecnologias S. de R.L. de C.V., Tyco Electronics UK Holdings Ltd, Tyco Electronics UK Ltd., Tyco Electronics UK Ltd. (Kenya Branch), Tyco Electronics Ukraine Limited, Tyco Electronics Uruguay S.A., Tyco Electronics Verwaltungs GmbH, Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems B.V., Tyco Electronics de Venezuela, Tyco Elektronik AMP Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Tyco Global Networks Ltd., Tyco Iberia, Tyco International Services GmbH, Tyco Networks (Argentina) S.R.L., Tyco Networks (Italy) Srl, Tyco Networks (Netherlands) B.V., Tyco Networks Iberica, Tyco Submarine Systems, Tyco Submarine Systems C.A., Tyco Submarine Systems de Argentina S.A., Tyco Telecommunications Ltd., Wema Americas LLC, Wema Automotive System Private Limited, Wema Environmental Technologies (Shanghai) Co., Wema Environmental Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Wema Environmental Technologies Ltd., Wema System AG, Wema System AS, Wema System Hong Kong Limited, Wema System Production and Distribution HK Limited, Xiamen Delixing Electric Equipment Businesss, and motec Montage GmbH. China Aviation Daily | Oct. 10, 2018 Norwegian, the third largest low-cost carrier in Europe, has been named the Low-Cost Carrier of the year at the Annual Aviation Industry Awards, VIP initiative of AIR Convention Aviation Forum, which took place on September 26th, 2018 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Aviation Industry Awards recognized the brightest commercial aviation players and projects within two main sections: "Business" and "Innovation". Winners were chosen by over 70 000 worldwide voters, who gave their votes in an intense competition, and were announced during the ceremony, which was followed by exclusive GANG Afterparty. With the total number of 16 airlines nominated in the Low-Cost Carrier of the year category, only four were competing in the second round of voting. The award honored Norwegian, which got ahead of Wizz Air, EasyJet and Blue Air by gaining a majority of votes. Norwegian representative, Lars Sande, Senior Vice President of Sales & Distribution, received the award. "Annual Aviation Industry Awards were established to honor the companies offering the most innovative and efficient solutions to the problems in commercial aviation", comments Skaiste Knyzaite, Managing Partner of AeroTime Media Group, organizer of the awards. "We wanted to acknowledge companies investing most effort. Now we hope this was the first step leading to a long-lasting annual tradition," she says. Long-Haul category included 23 nominees with four finalists - Emirates, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines. After summarizing all votes in the final round, the award went to Lufthansa. One of the biggest competition for "Aircraft manufacturer of the year" award went to Airbus, awarded not only for contribution to the industry, but for recent innovations as well. The most progressive solutions in airport infrastructure development were highlighted within the category for most advanced airport, regarding both customer and employee experience. "Airport of 2018" nomination was a competition between the busiest aviation hubs, including Changi Airport, Schiphol Amsterdam Airport, Dubai International, and Munich Airport. As a result of independent voting, Changi Airport pulled off a win. The award for the best training center went to OSM Aviation, the first company to offer Total Crew Management. "Step forward in aviation training" was another category to unveil best players in aviation training, this time focusing on the most outstanding initiatives - and Synapse Aviation got the award. ETS Environmental Technologies Solutions received the recognition in the category "Eco-product of the year" for the two presented products offering better aircraft exterior and interior cleaning. The project "Girls in aviation day" was acknowledged as "Diversity and Inclusion" category winner - this project is an annual initiative, launched in 2014 with the intention to educate girls about their career opportunities in aviation and aerospace industries. The award for "Innovation and technology: Breakthrough of the year" was given to TESTIA, Airbus company that provides aero structure testing and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), and sets its goals to ensure future and present innovations. "Most captivating marketing project of the year" became the SunExpress Multichannel marketing campaign. Aviation Industry Awards took place at Energy and Technology Museum, in the unique venue of Vilnius. The awards were the VIP initiative of AIR Convention Commercial Aviation Forum, one of the biggest aviation networking events that took place as the two-day's conference and exhibition on September 26-27, 2018. Contributed by AIR Convention 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 Zalando SE operates as an online fashion and lifestyle retailer. It offers a range of products, including shoes, apparel, accessories, and beauty products for women, men, and children, as well as free delivery and returns services. The company also sells its products through its Zalando Lounge; and brick-and-mortar stores in Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne, Leipzig, Hamburg, Hanover, MAnster, Stuttgart, Mannheim, and Ulm. It serves in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The company has a strategic partnership with Sephora SAS to create the online prestige beauty destination. Zalando SE was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Berlin, Germany. Read More Central New York is marking the passing of a local retail icon and business leader. Bill Chanatry, owner of Chanatry's Hometown Market, on French Road, in Utica, passed away early Wednesday morning, at St. Luke's Hospital. The Chanatry's legacy began with a push cart on Bleecker Street, in Utica. A storefront went up on Bleecker Street the year the Titanic sank; 1912. In 1938, a larger store, also on Bleecker. In 1965, the store moved to the current, French Road, location. It was in 1998 that Bill Chanatry, an engineer by trade, retired early from G.E. in order to buy out and take over the store. His recipe for success had few ingredients, but he used them unfailingly. He shared them during a 2012 interview, conducted by his granddaughter, WKTV's Kristen Copeland, marking the 100th anniversary of the store. "Quality always, quality morning, noon and night, no compromises with it. The other is value and our passion to please the people," said Chanatry...and not just the people on the other side of the cash register. "We believe with all our hearts and soul, we have to treat our employees right. If an employee is not treated right, he will not treat customers right nor his peers. Ok, it's nothing more than the golden rule, but we insist on that." Chanatry's has survived the depression, the recession, two world wars and big box stores. The endurance can be attributed to the shopper experience from the moment they enter the store, where one would be hard-pressed to find a barren or disheveled shelf, picked-over produce or unkind employee. "Shopping in our store has to be easy, it has to be a pleasure, the store has to be abundantly filled, got to be friendly," said Chanatry. Chanatry's legacy is evident in the store on the day of his passing. Hearts may be heavy, but the doors are open; shelves are full; produce, plentiful. Loyal employees are present, but their voices reflect the sadness they feel at the loss of their mentor. "He was an owner, but the way he treated everyone around him, whether it be a bagger, or a manager, or a customer, he treated everyone with respect, treated everyone with a gentle hand. He was just a gentleman," said General Manager, Steve Brooks. Brooks has been with the family business for 20 years, never feeling like an outsider. "Bill was a mentor to us all. There wasn't a time or person that he didn't have time to speak to. There's not anyone who would speak one ill word of Bill." Calling hours for Bill Chanatry are Sunday, October 14, 3-6pm, at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, in Utica. The former owner and manager of the Focus Otsego nursing home which is now Centers Home Health Care under new ownership will have to pay fines and do community service for their part in endangering an elderly resident, according to AllOtsego.com. Joseph Zupnik, the former owner and operator, and Daniel Herman, the former high managerial agent, appeared in Otsego Town Court on Wednesday. Last month, the two men pleaded guilty to second-degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person after failing to provide sufficient staff that could provide the necessary care to a 94-year-old resident who was left in a recliner for approximately 41 hours in 2016. Zupnik and Herman have each been fined $1,000 and they will each have to serve 250 hours of community service, according to AllOtsego.com. They will also have to split a $1 million fine imposed by the state Attorney Generals Office. Zupnik lives in Rockland County and Herman lives in New Jersey, and their lawyers asked for 40 hours of community service to be done near their homes, but the judge recommended 250 hours to be served in Otsego County instead. The corporation that operated the former Focus Otsego nursing home, CCRN, also pleaded guilty last month to one count of felony endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled individual. A local licensed practical nurse is facing charges after he allegedly stole narcotics from the rehab facility where he worked, according to the New Hartford Police Department. Police say on July 30, they were called to a local rehabilitation facility for a report of missing narcotics. The complaint said that numerous narcotic medicines that are prescribed to residents of the facility were missing. Police say during their investigation, 34-year-old Jonathan Hosford of Richfield Springs was developed as a suspect. He was working as a licensed practical nurse at the facility during the time of the thefts, according to police. Police say they also found that Hosford was practicing with an expired certification for about one month. Hosford was arrested and charged with the following: - Petit larceny (Misdemeanor) - Seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (Misdemeanor) - First-degree falsifying business records (Felony) - Fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (Felony) - Unauthorized practice of a profession (Felony) Hosford was arraigned in the Town of New Hartford Court and released on his own recognizance. The New York State Bureau of Narcotics and the state Attorney Generals Office assisted New Hartford police with the investigation. China Aviation Daily | Oct. 10, 2018 WestJet today announced that it's connecting Alberta to the world as it launches its first three Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner international destinations from Calgary. WestJet becomes the first Canadian airline to base its Dreamliner aircraft out of YYC Calgary International Airport. WestJet is launching non-stop service on board its Dreamliners from Calgary to London (Gatwick), Paris and Dublin on April 28, May 17 and June 1, 2019, respectively. Fares to all three cities will be available on westjet.com after 10 a.m. MT today. "Alberta's connectivity to the rest of the world is vital for our economy," said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. "WestJet is investing in Alberta to bring further economic growth, boost tourism to the province, and to further position our city as an international aviation hub. We are excited to bring Albertans to the world and the world to Alberta." The international scheduled service between Calgary and London (Gatwick), Paris and Dublin will support 650 full-time jobs and US$100 million in total economic output. This is in addition to WestJet's yearly economic output of more than US$5 billion, that supports more than 32,000 direct and indirect jobs in Alberta. Overall WestJet's national economic impact on Canada annually generates US$17.4 billion and supports more than 153,000 jobs.* The three new flights from the UK and Western Europe are expected to eventually bring up to 185,000 visitors to Calgary on a yearly basis, helping also increase local tourism. The first of 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners ordered by WestJet will arrive in Calgary early in 2019, with two more arriving by April. The aircraft will operate on domestic flights for crew training and regulatory compliance before the first scheduled international flight in April. WestJet also has options for an additional 10 aircraft to arrive between 2020 and 2024. Hub locations and routes for the remaining seven aircraft have not yet been announced. WestJet's Dreamliners will carry 320 guests in a three-class cabin configuration including the airline's newly revealed Business cabin featuring 16 private pods with lie-flat seats, an upscale Premium cabin and an updated Economy cabin. The Dreamliner route from Calgary to London (Gatwick) will replace the Boeing 767 service that currently operates the route from Calgary. WestJet has optimized connections to and from the airline's network across Canada and Western U.S. through the airline's YYC hub. WestJet is Calgary's largest airline, and by June 2019, will offer flights to 65 non-stop destinations with an average of 1,100 flights per week from YYC. More Calgarians choose WestJet for their air travel than any other airline. Details of WestJet's new non-stop Dreamliner service: Route Frequency Departing Arriving Effective Calgary - London (Gatwick) Daily 7:20 p.m. 11:00 a.m. +1 April 28, 2019 London (Gatwick) - Calgary Daily 1:30 p.m. 3:40 p.m. April 29, 2019 Calgary - Paris Four times weekly 7:20 p.m. 12:10 p.m. +1 May 17, 2019 Paris - Calgary Four times weekly 2:10 p.m. 3:30 p.m. May 18, 2019 Calgary - Dublin Three times weekly 8:45 p.m. 11:38 a.m. +1 June 1, 2019 Dublin - Calgary Three times weekly 1:45 p.m. 3:05 p.m. June 2, 2019 *The Economic Impact of WestJet (2019) B787-900 International Scheduled Air Services: Calgary - Dublin/London Gatwick/Paris prepared by RP ERICKSON & ASSOCIATES AVIATION CONSULTANTS CALGARY, ALBERTA Contributed by WestJet UPDATE: An 89-year old woman who was reported missing from the town of Otsego has been located and is in good condition. ________________________________ New York State Police are asking for the publics help in locating a missing elderly woman who has dementia. Belle L. Lord, 89, left a home on Sunset Ridge Road in the town of Otsego around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. State Police said she left with her dog in her silver 2008 Toyota Solara convertible with a black top. The vehicle has North Carolina plates with the registration BHL 7498. Troopers believe she could be heading to her home in Wilmington, North Carolina, or to the home she grew up in in Queens, New York. Lord is described as having red hair, green eyes, she is approximately 53 and 70 pounds. Police said she could be wearing a black, double-breasted long wool coat, and she may have a turquoise and black Vera Bradley purse. She also has a white terrier mix dog with her that has a pink collar and pink leash. Anyone with information is asked to call New York State Police at 607-561-7400. The No Hospital Downtown movement is marking three years in existence with a major contribution to their bank account. Their goal is to help fight the Mohawk Valley Health Systems new $480 million hospital that will be built in downtown Utica. On Wednesday, Brett Truett, co-founder of the No Hospital Downtown group, announced that he had deposited $100,000 from his business checking account into the No Hospital Downtown account, in anticipation of lengthy and costly legal battles to come. "We have a number of businesses in the corridor that have lawyers ready to go, said Jim Brock, a co-founder of No Hospital Downtown. This will be a fight for years. The fight for the future of our city. The preservation of our city. The walkability of our city. The connectivity of our city. Officials with MVHS say theyre neither unprepared nor unfunded when it comes to the possibility of going to court before the hospital can be built at the chosen downtown site. "There's a line item in this budget for this budget for legal fees, said Robert Scholefield, COO of MVHS. So we have legal fees associated with the acquisition of properties, closing costs. There's a number of legal fee items in this project. "And if necessary, costs for dealing with any property owners that we have to go to eminent domain, Scholefield said. There are 35 property owners that have properties located within the downtown hospital footprint. MVHS officials say 20 of those owners have agreed the sell and have signed purchase agreements, and nine are still negotiating. The remaining six have either not responded or refused to sell. ROME A trial date has been set for the Rome teacher who is accused of excessively disciplining special needs students at John E. Joy Elementary School. Ashley Rasbach, 30, is charged with two counts each of endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree harassment. Shes accused of grabbing a student by the hair and spraying them with a water bottle, and in a second incident shes accused of squeezing a student between an open door and the wall, then picking that student up by her arms and dropping her on the floor. Rasbach appeared in Rome City Court on Wednesday, and a bench trial was scheduled for Oct. 29-30. A bench trial is when a judge rather than a jury decides whether or not the defendant is guilty. Last month a bench trial was held for 47-year-old Maria Fountain, Rasbachs teachers aide, who was also accused of excessively disciplining a special needs student, and charged with one count each of endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree harassment. During Fountains trial, the judge dismissed the charges against Fountain, saying the prosecution failed to prove their case. A Utica woman is facing felony charges after she allegedly stole property from several local stores, according to the New Hartford Police Department. Samantha Litz, 29, is charged with misdemeanor petit larceny and the felonies of third-degree grand larceny and fourth-degree grand larceny. Police say on the night of Sept. 15, they responded to a local beauty supply store for a report that a white female had taken numerous cosmetic items and then left the store without paying for them. When she was confronted by a store employee, she fled the area in a vehicle, according to police. New Hartford police then put out a be on the lookout notice to other local police departments that included the description of the suspect and vehicle, and the Whitestown Police Department stopped the vehicle on Oriskany Boulevard in Yorkville a short time later. Whitestown police were able to identify the passenger, Litz, as the suspect in the theft, and they also found a large amount of property in the vehicle that turned out to be stolen from several other stores in New Hartford, according to police. Litz was charged and arraigned in the Town of New Hartford Court, and shes scheduled to appear in court again at a later date. An expert in African entrepreneurship from the University of Wolverhampton has shared insights into innovative education on the global stage. Dr Paschal Anosike was invited to be a keynote speaker at the Innovating Education in Africa Expo in Dakar, Senegal. The event aimed to showcase practical social and technological innovations aimed at enhancing access, quality, relevance and inclusion in education in Africa. Dr Anosike, who is the Director of the Centre for African Entrepreneurship and Leadership (CAEL), was invited to talk about how his research can benefit key stakeholders and encourage education innovation in Africa through the development of a harmonised entrepreneurship education framework, and the establishment of Africa Education Innovators Network (AEIN) - a policy think-tank to work with the African Union Commission to implement Africas Continental Education Strategy (CESA 16-25). Five "mean girls" at a Pennsylvania high school targeted a student with false sexual assault allegations, according to a lawsuit filed by the boy's parents. The boy, who is being identified as "T.F.," "was forced to endure multiple court appearances, detention in a juvenile facility, detention at home, the loss of his liberty and other damages until several of the girls reluctantly admitted that their accusations were false" this summer. The lawsuit also alleges that the school and district attorney didn't take any action against the females once the allegations were found to be false. The girl who made the initial sexual assault claim allegedly said in a recorded interview that she did it because "I just don't like him." According to the lawsuit, the sexual assault claims began to unravel when three of the witnesses admitted they lied. 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 Craig and Allison Johnson of Blackstone have fun on the "Scrambler" ride at Autumnfest, held over the Columbus Day holiday weekend in Woonsocket. The Galapagos Islands, also known as the Columbus Archipelago or Isla Galapagos in Spanish, is an island group in the Pacific Ocean administered by Ecuador. It comprises 18 major islands, three smaller islands, and numerous islets and rocks. These islands, islets, and surrounding areas are rich in endemic species and have been called a living museum and showcase of evolution. The islands contributed immensely to scientist Charles Darwins evolution theory and natural selection concept. Galapagos National Park, a wildlife sanctuary established in 1935, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos archipelago is a site for protecting indigenous species and promoting scientific research. Contents Where Are The Galapagos Islands? Map of Ecuador showing the Galapagos Islands of the country. Galapagos is an island group located in the eastern Pacific Ocean, approximately 1,000 km off Ecuador's coast. The islands straddle the equator and are located on both Southern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere, with the volcanoes Ecuador and Mount Whiton (highest peak on the Galapagos) located on the equator. Administratively, the island group is a province of Ecuador known as Galapagos Province. Geography A land iguana sitting on a rock in the South Plaza Island of the Galapagos. The Galapagos Islands are scattered over an estimated area of 45,000 km2 of the ocean. The islands themselves have an estimated total land area of 7,880 km2. The largest island, Isabela, covers almost three-quarters of the archipelagos total land area and more than twice the size of the second-largest island. The archipelago sits at the Galapagos Triple Junction, an area where three tectonic plates meet. The three tectonic plates are the Pacific, Nazca, and Cocos plates. The islands sit specifically on the Nazca Plate and over the Galapagos Hotspot, a volcanic hotspot where mantle plume is melting the Earths crust, leading to volcanoes. The Galapagos Islands are volcanic islands, some of which are still active. The first of the islands formed at least 8 million years ago and possibly earlier, while the younger islands, Fernandina and Isabela, are still forming. Some of the oldest islands have been submerged below the sea. Since the islands developed from lava piles, most are characteristically rugged and arid and consist of high volcanic peaks, cliffs, and craters. The highest point of the Galapagos is Mount Whiton on Isabela Island at 1,707 meters. Islands Beaches on Bartolome Island in the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. The Galapagos Archipelago is made up of 18 islands spanning at least 1 km2. Eight of the islands have a land area of at least 14 km2. Isabela Island, named after Queen Isabella I of Castile, spans 4,640 km2. Resembling a seahorse, the island was formed following the merging of six volcanoes into one large landmass. Isabella hosts close to 1,750 people. Santa Cruz Island, located in the middle of the archipelago, is the second-largest island, spanning 986 km2. The oval-shaped island is 32 km long and 40 km wide. Its English name, Indefatigable, was derived from a British ship known as the HMS Indefatigable. The islands capital, Puerto Ayora, is the most populous town in the Galapagos. Fernandina Island, named after King Ferdinand II of Aragon, covers 642 km2. It rises 1,476 m above sea level and last erupted on May 13, 2005. A small eruption from a fissure in the side was also recorded in 2009. Punta Espinoza, a narrow strip of land on the island, is considered a biodiversity hotspot. Santiago, or Saint James, is the fourth-largest island, covering 585 km2 and rising to 907 m. San Cristobal Island is the fifth-largest island, spanning 558 km2. It is one of the archipelago's oldest islands and the first visited by Charles Darwin in his voyage to the archipelago. Other major islands are Floreana (173 km2), Espanola (60 km2), Baltra (21 km2), and Genovesa (14 km2). The minor islands include Roca Redonda, Nameless Island, Daphne Major, and South Plaza Islands. Climate Rain in front of a tourist shop in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz island, Galapagos Islands. Image credit: NadyaRa/Shutterstock Although the Galapagos Islands straddle the equator, the Peru (Humboldt) Current greatly influences the archipelagos weather patterns by bringing cold water to the islands. The current is responsible for most drizzles throughout the year, although the rainfall is very low. El Nino events, occurring every 3-7 years, also influence the weather. During El Nino events, the sea surface becomes warm, sea-level rises, and wave actions become greater, leading to water nutrient depletion. During the June-December season, known as Gurua, the sea temperature is around 22 C (72 F), with a steady cold wind blowing from the south. There are also frequent drizzles and dense fog, sometimes concealing most islands. December to May is a warm season, with sea temperatures rising to 25 C (77 F). During this season, the wind is scarce and rains are sporadic and strong. As altitude increases, temperature decreases, while rainfall increases due to high moisture content on the slopes and summits. Brief History Although the Indigenous inhabitants of South America visited the Galapagos Islands during the Pre-Columbian era, they did not establish permanent settlements. The Europeans discovered the archipelago in the 16th century, when Fray Tomas de Berlanga, a Spanish Bishop of Panama, was sailing from Peru to settle a dispute. His vessel drifted to the islands on March 10, 1535. 35 years later, the islands appeared on Abraham Ortelius and Gerardus Mercators maps as Insulae de los Galopegos, "Islands of the Tortoise," probably because of the giant tortoises found on the islands. In 1593, Richard Hawkins became the first English captain to reach the islands. Several Spanish voyagers also passed by the islands while transporting commodities from South America to Spain. English pirates also used the islands as hideouts to rob the Spanish treasure fleets. The Galapagos flora and fauna were described in 1793 by James Colnett, who also suggested that the islands could be used for whaling. Patrick Watkins became the first known resident on the archipelago when he was marooned there between 1807 and 1809. He survived by growing vegetables, hunting, and fishing. The areas around the archipelago became popular whaling ground in the early 19th century, leading to the establishment of a post office where whaleships and whalers stopped to pick up or drop off letters. Ecuador annexed the Galapagos Islands as part of its territory in February 1832 and gave them the name Archipelago of Ecuador. General Jose de Villamil, Galapagos first governor, brought convicts on Floreana Island to populate it. Farmers and artisans later joined the convicts on the islands. Darwin came to the Galapagos when the HMS Beagle surveyed the islands in September 1835. Human Settlement Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz island, Galapagos Islands. Although South Americans were the first people to visit the Galapagos Islands, permanent settlements were only established by the Spanish in the 16th century. By 1959, about 1,000 people called the islands their home. In the 1980s, over 15,000 people inhabited the islands. According to the most recent census, the archipelago has a population of about 25,000 people. Only five of the Galapagos Islands are inhabited: Isabela, Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Floreana, and Baltra. Santa Cruz is the most populated island with 12,000 people, and 99% of the island's population lives in Puerto Ayora. San Cristobal has about 6,000 people. Isabela, the largest island, has only 1,750 people. Administratively, the Galapagos Archipelago is part of the Galapagos Province, Ecuador. The province has three cantons: Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, and Isabella canton. Each canton also covers other islands. Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, a town in San Cristobal, is the provincial capital. The Galapagos Province is Ecuadors smallest province by population and 12th smallest by land size. Biodiversity And Protection Galapagos sea lions. The Galapagos Islands are rich in unique biodiversity, helping in popularizing Darwins theory of evolution and natural selection. They are geographically located at the junction of three ocean currents, making them one of the worlds richest marine ecosystems. The archipelagos extreme location and isolation made plant and animal life on the islands unusual. The Galapagos Marine Reserve is an unusual marine ecosystem, with abundant marine animals, including sharks, corals, and marine mammals. It contains endemic species, such as land iguanas, giant tortoises, flightless cormorants, and Darwins finches. Other species on and around the archipelago are land snails, mockingbirds, sea lions, sea birds, rays, and whale sharks. The island also has numerous endemic and native plant species, including 500 vascular plants, of which 180 species are endemic. About 97% of the Galapagos Islands land area is considered a National Park. The Galapagos National Park was declared Natural Heritage for Humanity by UNESCO in 1979, making permanent conservation possible. However, some of the threats on the archipelago include invasive species introduction, illegal fishing, increased tourist activities, and population growth. Turkish Parliament Speaker Binali Yildirim met his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan in capital Ankara on Thursday. The two speakers held a meeting closed to the media. Nguyen's visit to Turkey is the first highest level visit from her country to Turkey. Following the meeting, Yildirim and the guest parliament speaker visited parts of the parliament which were bombed during the defeated coup of July 15, 2016. Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup, which martyred 251 people and injured nearly 2,200 others. Muslims represent the second largest religious community with approximately 1.4 million adherents in 2017 (3,1 percent of the whole Italian population). While Islam and Muslims were not a priority issue for Italian policy-makers for decades, the post-9/11 context led politicians to intervene more and more in Muslims daily life and worship. Between 2005 and 2017, Italian politicians made a set of rules aimed at regulating and controlling Muslims in Italy. Mostly motivated by security and counter-terrorism priorities, these policies tend to treat Muslims as internal enemies instead of viewing them as common citizens and potential partners in the public policy-making process. This situation has even further deteriorated these last months with the refugee crisis and the formation of the far-right/populist Salvini-Di Maio coalition government in the spring of 2018. Initially, Article 8 of the Italian Constitution allows the representatives of each non-Catholic religious community to sign an agreement with the Italian state in order to regulate their mutual relations and support. Currently, it is only the Catholic Church that has benefited from a specific status since 1929. For other religious groups, any demand for agreements or accords with the state is followed by a long political and administrative process, and should be finally approved by both the government and the Parliament. Religious groups that are beneficiaries of such accords are the Catholic Church, the Confederation of Methodist and Waldensian Churches, the Seventh-day Adventists, the Assemblies of God, Jews, Baptists, Lutherans, Mormons, the Orthodox Church of the Constantinople Patriarchate, the Italian Apostolic Church, the Buddhist Union, the Soka Gakkai Buddhists, and Hindus. As for the Muslim communities, none of them are officially recognized by the Italian state. Some argue that the Italian state aimed at filling this gap in 2005 by launching the Consulta, which is an advisory body composed of 16 members of the Muslim community selected by the government. Yet, this project, initiated by Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu (Forza Italia), did not lead to any consistent actions. In fact, this first trial, in a way, is an example of a public policy that attempts to shape Muslim communities from the top down, without involving Muslim citizens in the decision making process. Moreover, the Italian states security and counter-terrorism-oriented approach prevents it from adopting collaborative policies on Islam, namely, those that not only do not criminalize Italian Muslims but also aim at working with them hand-in-hand toward reaping mutual benefits. A little more than a decade on, this biased approached was confirmed by two state-sponsored projects. In Jan. 2017, Interior Minister Angelino Alfano (from the New Centre-Right party, Nuovo Centrodestra) announced the creation of a new Council of Relations with Italian Islam, another advisory body whose official mission is to improve the integration of Muslims in the country. Its discourse and methodology are thus based on a security-oriented top-down approach. Angelino Alfano claimed that the Muslim members of the Council of Relations with Italian Islam would work towards the formation of what he called an Italian Islam that would align the religion more with the countrys Christian and humanist tradition. He also said the council aimed at further integrating Muslim immigrants, preventing extremism, training imams and validating the establishment of new mosques. The council is composed of so-called academics and experts in Islamic culture and it is to present proposals and recommendations on integration issues on a monthly basis. One month after Alfanos announcement, in Feb. 2017, the National Pact for an Italian Islam (officially, the National Pact for an Italian Islam, the expression of an open and integrated community, adhering to the values and principles of the Italian legal system) was signed by Minister of Interior Marco Minniti (from the Democratic Party, Partito Democratico), the coordinator of the Council for Relations with Islam and nine Islamic organizations in Italy, among them the Union of Italian Muslim Communities (UCOII) -- the countrys largest Muslim organization; Muslim Brotherhood-linked --, the Organization of the Romes Grand Mosque (the biggest mosque in Europe), the Shiite Ahl-Al-Bait organization, the Muridiyya Sufi Brotherhood (of Senegalese origin), and the Albanian Muslim organization. The Italian government claims that these organizations represent more than 70 percent of Muslims in the country. Yet, this pact is not an agreement in the constitutional sense and does not provide advantages, such as public funds, the legal recognition of Islamic weddings, and giving Muslims days off for their religious holidays. Instead, the state is demanding that the Italian Islams representatives make a series of commitments, including giving their consent to the states training of imams, the management of the Islamic centers transparently, and the delivering of sermons in Italian. It should be noticed that such commitments have never been required of any other religious group in the country. The document also adds that the degree of respect shown to these commitments may pave the way for an official agreement between the state and Muslim communities. The attempt to shape Muslims worship and lifestyle is a fact of decentralized institutions, especially universities and municipalities. In Oct. 2017, following this pact, the University of Bari (Apulia Region) launched a one-year M.A. course with the declared goal of preventing radicalization and terrorism for supporting interreligious and intercultural integration policy. The course also aims at training members of the police forces, the armed forces, the judicial power, as well as researchers, experts on national security, lawyers, journalists, university graduates from the fields of law, economics and humanities. The program deals with legal, political and strategic issues, with a specific focus on Islam. It also teaches surveying and risk prevention techniques, while investigating the sociological aspects and media profiles of the phenomenon that is terrorism. Italian municipalities have also been making efforts to shape Muslims daily lives in different ways. In 2016, the regional council of Veneto and Liguria adopted laws that made the construction of mosques harder and the use of Italian compulsory, and it made the building of new Muslim places of worship contingent on the holding of local referenda. The same year, the municipality of Florence even signed a kind of agreement with the local Muslim community for imams to deliver the Friday sermon in Italian, to keep mosques open for the entire public, and to inform it on local religious and cultural events. As a result, Italian policy-makers from the coalition government as well as local administrators tend to shape Muslims daily lives and rites of worship employing an approach that is solely based on what they call security concerns and counter terrorism efforts, while indefinitely postponing any official agreement between the state and Muslim communities. State initiatives do not take Italian Muslim citizens needs into account but instead try to impose priorities, discourse and methods on them. The interior minister, also the leader of the Northern League, Matteo Salvini, keeps repeating that Italian culture and society are at risk of being eradicated by Islam because of the migrant invasion. The other party in the coalition, the Five Stars Movement, does not only not contradict its new coalition partners Islamophobic rhetoric, but also supports its populist agenda. Source: AA Guncelleme Tarihi: 11 Ekim 2018, 14:03 Thirty people are facing charges after a multi-state investigation into drug trafficking. Investigators say it is the largest seizure of methamphetamine in West Virginia history. United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced "PROJECT PARKERSBURG" during a press conference Thursday. Investigators dismantled a drug trafficking organization that spanned several states. Seventeen people are charged in a federal indictment for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Twelve people are facing state charges filed by Wood County Prosecuting Attorney Pat Lefebure. One person is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Investigators seized more than 150 pounds of meth, more than four pounds of heroin, more than $84,000 in cash, and several vehicles allegedly used to transport drugs. Thursday's press conference was the first public announcement about the project. "The takedown today was the result of a long-term investigation led by FBI and PNTF and involved the cooperation of law enforcement authorities in several states," a press release stated. You can read more about the agencies involved at the bottom of this article. While the project was just made public, investigators have been quietly working on it since December of 2017. That's when members of the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force (PNTF) executed a search warrant at a home in Parkersburg. Task force members found out about large amounts of meth being shipped from Mexico to West Virginia. Over the next nine months, agents and task force officers worked on what they call an exhausting investigation. Eventually, they linked the drug trafficking organization in Parkersburg to criminal activity in Arizona. On Sept. 19, 2018, the investigation took officers to Dayton, Ohio. That's where investigators discovered a shipment of more than 150 pounds of methamphetamine. It was offloaded from a truck into a rented storage unit. Officers seized the drugs during a traffic stop. "Joining United States Attorney Stuart in the announcement were Federal Bureau of Investigation Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Boshears of the Pittsburgh Field Office, Parkersburg Police Chief Joe Martin, Wood County Prosecuting Attorney Pat Lefebure, West Virginia State Police Captain Jason Davis, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Wood County Sheriff Steve Stephens, Vienna Police Chief Mike Pifer, representatives of the Parkersburg Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force (PNTF) and Major Allen Tackett of the West Virginia National Guard," the press release states. "The West Virginia State Police, the Arizona State Police, and the FBI Field Offices in Tampa, Cincinnati, Detroit and Phoenix provided valuable assistance in this investigation. The FBI Safe Streets Task Force in the Dayton RA, Cincinnati Field Office is deserving of special recognition for their involvement in the seizure of the methamphetamine and arrests of the primary targets of the investigation." The sudden resignation of US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley may prove to be a signal of a deeper crisis within the Trump administration. Or it may be related solely to Haleys plans for her future political career, or to concerns as crass as the desire to make a great deal of money while she can still cash in on her high political and diplomatic profileand perhaps before any connection to the Trump administration comes to be regarded as politically and socially disqualifying. Several such explanations were floated in the American media after Haleys appearance at the White House Tuesday, where Trump announced her departure, while fawning over her performance at the United Nations, and received her equally gushing praise, as well as a pledge that she would support him for reelection in 2020. (Haley, then governor of South Carolina, described Trump in 2016 as everything a governor doesnt want in a president, and backed Senator Marco Rubios campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.) This was accompanied by her extraordinary flattery of Trumps daughter Ivanka and his son-in-law Jared Kushner. Jared is such a hidden genius that no one understands, Haley said as Trump looked on. And Ivanka has been just a great friend, and they do a lot of things behind the scenes that I wish more people knew about, because were a better country because theyre in this administration. The timing of the announcement raised eyebrows in Washington circles, since it came a month before the US midterm election, the traditional time for administration shake-ups, while Haley said she would stay in office through the end of the year, leaving sometime in January 2019. There was speculation that Haley wished to avoid association with officials whom Trump is expected to fire after the election, including Attorney General Jeff Sessions. There were also suggestions that Haley was dissatisfied with being relegated to a lower-profile role in the second year of the Trump administration. During 2017, Haley occupied an unusually prominent diplomatic position, given the low-key postures of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and National Security Advisor H. R. McMaster. In 2018, however, she has been displaced and downgraded by their successors, Mike Pompeo and John Bolton. It is not possible to sort through these considerations, nor particularly worthwhile. Haley was a political mouthpiece for American imperialism at the United Nations, and will be replaced by someone equally reactionary, espousing policies determined elsewhere, in the military-intelligence apparatus, the White House, and the top circles of the financial aristocracy. But Haleys departure did have one significant consequence. It brought forth a heartfelt tribute from the editorial page of the New York Times, the leading newspaper of the Democratic Party wing of the US political establishment, and therefore the leading media voice of the official opposition to the Trump administration. Nikki Haley Will Be Missed, read the headline on the editorial published in the October 10 edition of the Times. The editorial declared, she appears to be that rarest of Trump appointees: one who can exit the administration with her dignity largely intact, adding that a replacement in her mold may be the best to hope for from Mr. Trump. The Times editorial could not point to any opposition from Haley to the right-wing foreign policy of the Trump administration: cutting off all aid to the Palestinian people; effectively banning the entry of refugees from the wars and civil wars fueled by US intervention; the build-up towards war with Iran, in alliance with Israel and the savage Saudi monarchy; the threats of nuclear war against North Korea; and the instigation of trade warfare against China and other economic rivals. Within the framework of the UN, the US has withdrawn from both UNESCO and the UN Human Rights Commission, as well as withdrawing its signature from the UN-backed Paris accord on climate change, all actions advocated and defended by Haley. Both the editorial and an accompanying news article on Haleys resignation pointed to only one significant foreign policy difference between Haley and Trump: her adoption of a more visceral anti-Russian stance. This began with her first major speech to the UN when she denounced the Russian occupation of Crimeathe Russian-populated peninsula which voted to secede from Ukraine and rejoin Russia in 2014and declared that US sanctions on Russia would continue until Crimea was returned to Ukraine. The editors of the Times will miss Haley because her performance as an anti-Russian scourge at the UN was aligned with their own full-throated espousal of the anti-Russian campaign launched by sections of the military-intelligence apparatus against Trump. Bogus allegations that Russian support, via hacking and Facebook ads, gave Trump his victory in the presidential election have been employed to push the administration towards a more aggressive policy in relation to intervention in the Syrian civil war, in Ukraine, and more generally against Russia. The praise by the Times for Haley only underscores that there is nothing progressive or democratic in the opposition to Trump within the US ruling elite. The rival factions are fighting out certain policy differences, but within the framework of the assertion of the global interests of American imperialism, both against its foreign rivals, and against the working class at home. A genuine movement against the foreign policy of American imperialism will only come from outside of and in opposition to all factions of the ruling elite, through the independent political mobilization of the working class. Hurricane Michael made landfall in the panhandle of Florida on Wednesday afternoon as a category four hurricane with winds up to 150 miles per hour. Tens of thousands of Floridians had already lost power before landfall as the storms winds lashed the coast. The hurricane is one of the strongest on record to make landfall in Florida and the first ever of that strength to hit the Florida Panhandle. It is projected to move through Georgia, Alabama and the Carolinas in the coming days and bring widespread flooding and power outages in those areas. An estimated 375,000 people live in areas under mandatory evacuation. Some 4,000 people had already taken refuge in shelters by Tuesday night, according to the Red Cross. The storm surge is expected to reach up to nine feet, a dangerously high level that will cause severe flooding in coastal areas. In some areas of Florida it could climb as high as 14 feet. Tornado warnings were also in effect for most of northern Florida and Georgia. Throughout the region, a familiar scene played out. Terrified residents scrambled to evacuate, while those without the means to leave sought to fortify their homes with sandbags and board up their windows. Grocery store shelves were emptied of bottled water, canned food and other emergency items, and gas stations saw long lines as motorists attempted to fill up their tanks before supplies ran out. Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency and mobilized 2,500 national guardsman. A state of emergency was also declared by the governors of Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas. Other than frequent warnings to evacuate the area immediately, Governor Scott, like his counterparts in other states, offered no assistance to residents in the path of the storm. Hurricane Michael is the strongest storm ever to hit the US in the month of October. It comes less than a month after Hurricane Florence devastated the Carolinas, killing 48 people and destroying thousands of homes. Unlike Florence, which developed in the Atlantic Ocean and whose area of landfall was predicted over a week in advance, Michael developed quickly over the course of the last few days in the Gulf of Mexico. This year marks the third consecutive year the state of Florida has been hit by hurricanes, following Irma in 2017 and Matthew in 2016. The combined death toll for those two storms was 92. Despite the growing frequency of powerful storms every hurricane season, there has been no attempt by either state or federal officials to create response plans that would ensure that all citizens were evacuated in advance of the storm. Nor has there been any serious attempt to upgrade infrastructure in commonly affected areas so as to better withstand the impact. As global warming fuels ever more powerful storms, the criminal negligence of the ruling elites becomes ever more apparent. That warming ocean waters would lead to more frequent and stronger storms has been the consensus opinion of climate scientists for decades, yet no action has been taken by either the Republican or Democratic parties. The Republicans deny the science of climate change while the Democrats offer half-measures that will do little to mitigate future disasters. Both parties will do nothing that impacts the wealth and profits of the ruling elites to which they are beholden. The IYSSE at UIC is holding a public meeting tonight (Thursday) to discuss the recent partnership between the University of Illinois Chicago and the Central Intelligence Agency under the title CIA out of UIC! The meeting is at 5:30 p.m., at UIC in Taft Hall Room 117. Click here to let us know if you are planning to attend. Opposition is growing among students on the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) campus to the schools recently announced partnership with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The partnership was agreed to in February as part of the CIAs Signature Schools Program, which includes a handful of other colleges around the country. The partnership was arranged completely behind the backs of the students. At no point during the negotiations was input sought from any member of the student body, nor were they alerted that the partnership was being considered. Since agreeing to the program, the university has provided little information to students about what the partnership entails. The university denied a request by the UIC chapter of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) to make public the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the CIA and the university. The IYSSE at UIC is waging a campaign against the collaboration of UIC with the CIA, working to make the partnership known to students and organizing opposition to its continuation. The CIA has absolutely no business on any college campus. As the chief global spy agency of the United States, it is responsible for countless crimesthe overthrow of governments, the fomenting of civil wars, assassinations, torture and spying. Campuses across the US and internationally are becoming ever more integrated into the military-intelligence-state apparatus. As the ruling class of every country prepares for an intensification of military conflict around the world, institutions of education are being turned into centers for the manufacturing of war propaganda, recruitment into the military and intelligence agencies, and the cultivation and promotion of nationalist ideology. Members of the IYSSE spoke to students on campus Wednesday about the campaign and received overwhelming support for their call to remove the CIA from campus. Miguel, a medical student at UIC, told us that he is very opposed to the partnership. Lets be clear, the CIA is the greatest terrorist organization in the world. Now it wants its tentacles on our campus. No way! Miguel Miguel was most concerned about the effect the CIA presence would have on political discourse on the campus. Having the CIA on campuses is a threat to education itself. A system of education is meant to uphold enlightenment ideals. It should be a place where ideas and political opinions can be discussed openly and freely. The CIA promotes the exact opposite. They want to promote authority. They want to indoctrinate students with nationalism and support for the state. Their aims are at odds with the aims of education. They want to dumb down the student body and the population as a whole. The IYSSE also met a young Iranian student who said she opposes the collaboration of the university with the CIA and the militarization of society in general. She agreed that the presence of the CIA on the campus poses a threat to students, and especially immigrant students like herself. She did not want her photo taken or real name used for fear that her opinions might affect her status. Im Iranian and the people in my country are suffering immensely from the pressure of US imperialism. Many foreign countries in collaboration with the US invaded Iraq many years ago, and the people are still suffering the consequences. Currently in Yemen, the US ally, Saudi Arabia, with the direct support of the US is destroying the country. Many thousands of people are suffering and dying. This is the business of US imperialism and agencies such as the CIA. IYSSE members spoke to the student about the universitys claim that the CIA was on campus exclusively for career opportunities. She explained that this was not an innocent turn of phrase since war and militarism is a business for the ruling class, driven by profits. I believe that so long as the military is operated as a business, which it does under capitalism, it will continue. They are making a profit from these wars, and this is the problem. The student expressed hesitation at the prospect of fighting against capitalism, I believe in socialism, but I am worried that it is a hard fight against these powerful forces. The IYSSE spoke to her at length about the revolutionary capacity of the working class and the need to build a leadership. She was encouraged by this perspective and agreed to attend our meetings to learn more. Another student, Chinwe, a biochemistry major at the university, said that she feels that having the CIA on campus is like having Big Brother watching over the campus. Chinwe She went on to say that There is so much money spent on war and funding these agencies. Meanwhile, I know people who have full-time jobs making like $20,000 a year. There is all this talk about making America great againwell, I dont know how great this country has ever been. How about giving people good jobs, funding social programs and education? Chinwe explained that she did not really consider herself a Republican or a Democrat. She disagreed with the idea that the white working class is responsible for the election of Trump. There was a time in this country when ordinary people with a normal job could afford a home, and now they can hardly afford to eat. I think this is why some people voted for Trump. I dont really support either party and definitely would never vote for a racist like Trump, but I can really understand why some people might vote for him. Obama did some crazy things when he was president. He worked for the businesses but not the workers, and people saw that. IYSSE members spoke to Chinwe about how the CIA has targeted UIC for this campaign because of its diverse student body and the collaboration of identity-based politics and US imperialism. Chinwe supported our call for the unification of workers of all races, nationalities, ethnicities, and gender. I dont think there is anything natural about racism. I learned a long time ago when I was a freshman in high school that it is used to fuel divisions in society so the rich can keep making money To join our fight go to IYSSE.com to locate a club near you or write to us to find out how you can start a chapter on your campus. Earlier this year, the IYSSE published a three-part series exposing New York Universitys vast ties to the Democratic Party, Wall Street and the military-intelligence apparatus. There remains much to be uncovered regarding the universitys undeniable ties to New York real estate, Wall Street speculation, and the military-industrial complex. Long before US President Donald Trumps political rise, NYU made its turn to Washington. In 2004 the university became a founding member of the Homeland Security-Homeland Defense Education Consortium (HSDECA) under the US militarys Northern Command as part of the so-called global war on terror. Eight years later in 2012, amid US-backed wars in Libya and Syria, the university opened the Constance Milstein and Family Global Academic Center in Washington, D.C. A 75,000 square-foot academic, research, and housing facility located blocks away from the White House, the center was established as part of then-NYU President John Sextons Global Network University (GNU) program along with campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai, which were widely criticized for the universitys collaboration with authoritarian regimes. In contrast, the D.C. campusestablished by wealthy liberal donors working to recruit and train students for work in government agencies and think tankswas given little attention. An Intention of Teaching National Priorities and Values The D.C. location bares the distinct mark of US militarism. The location is directly named after its largest donor Constance Milstein, daughter of real estate mogul Seymour Milstein, who contributed $10 million to the establishment of a campus in the nations capital. Milstein, according to her web site, is the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA), where she works to enhance the relationship between the United States Army and the civilian community. An Army press release on Milsteins acceptance of this position bluntly states CASAs are usually business or civic leaders who possess a keen interest in the welfare of the Army and their communities. Milstein founded and sits on the board of Blue Star Families, the largest support organization for US military spouses and family. The real estate heiress has played an instrumental role in providing a bridge between the military and sections of the Democratic Party. She has previously worked as Treasurer and Counselor to the Chairman of the Democratic Governors Association (DGA)an organization whose mission is supporting the election and reelection of Democratic governors where she instituted a program to bring high-level military and national experts in direct dialogue with Governors. Ronald Abramson, the second largest contributor, donated land valued at $5 million for the establishment of the Washington location. Abramson has undoubtedly benefited from the military-industrial complex as a lawyer and shareholder for the law firm and lobbying group Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, where he also serves on the Board of Directors. According to the firms web site, they represented major defense companies as they worked with the federal government, including a defense-related emerging technology corporation during its entry into the federal marketplace, and assisted in securing an extended contract with the Department of Defense for a client whose protective armor product is used by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. The third main donor for the site is Catherine B. Reynolds, who gave $1.5 million for the centers establishment. According to her web site, her wealth was made by developing a privately-funded supplement to government student loan programs, which in only one decade revolutionized student lending and spawned a multibillion-dollar industry. Servus Financial Corporation, a private education loan company Reynolds started, was sold to Wells Fargo Bank for more than $150 million in 2000. Reynolds also serves on the Board of Directors of General Dynamics Corporation. General Dynamics, headquartered in Washington, D.C.s Virginia suburbs, is an American defense corporation, the third largest contractor of the US federal government according to the US General Services Administrations 2017 Top 100 Contractors Report ($15.3 billion). The corporation is the creator of the Tomahawk missile, used in every US war since the first assault on Iraq in 1991. All three donors sit on NYUs Board of Trustees, which oversees the universitys work and fulfillment of its academic mission. The decision to invest in a location in the center of US imperialist planning following the launching of the war on terror is indicative of the schools priority to align itself with American foreign policy. As outlined by Sexton, NYU president from 2002-2015 and lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations, at the founding of the D.C. location, the campus was an indispensable addition to NYUs global network and would provide students the opportunity to study government, policy-making, and international relations and national security close-up and in real time. He further stressed that it would allow students an unrivaled opportunity to understand the United States, its government, and its national priorities and values. Ray Suarez, an NYU alum and former journalist at Al Jazeera and NPR, delivered the keynote address at the grand opening, sounding the same themes as Sexton. Suarez noted the new campuss proximity to the halls of power, the defense establishment as well as 7 of the 10 richest counties in the United States. Suarez proclaimed the start of a tremendous relationship between NYU and Washington. In comparison to the schools leadership, many faculty members questioned the academic purpose of the rapid expansion of the university, particularly since the faculty was excluded from any management of the GNU program. A Multidisciplinary Effort to Support Discussion, Research, and Outreach on Military Policy In April 2015, NYUs D.C. campus hosted a Vietnam War commemoration, The Vietnam War Then and Now, sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD). The U.S. Department of Defense is sponsoring an official Vietnam War Commemoration to honor veterans of the war and highlight the service of the armed forces, while also paying tribute to the contributions of people on the home front during that long and difficult period of American history. The conference was held to examine the historic defeat of US imperialism amid covert operations in Syria, which confronted similar conditions of guerrilla warfare to the Vietnam War. In February 2015, a panel discussion took place called Boots on the Ground: The Role of Veterans in Government featuring government officials with backgrounds in the military. The event was billed as part of a growing multidisciplinary effort at New York University to support discussion, research, and outreach on veterans and military policy. The bipartisan panel included Illinois congressman and Air Force Major Adam Kinzinger; California congressman Scott Peters; Hawaiian congresswoman and Army National Guard Major Tulsi Gabbard; Special Forces Army Officer Colonel Patrick Mahaney Jr, serving as the Director of the Chief of Staff of the Armys Strategic Studies Group; and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict Michael D. Lumpkin. The panelists focused on questions such as: How does the role of a veteran policymaker shape a persons ability to affect military policy? What is the proper role of technology in warfare and how can policy keep up with innovation? and In what ways can veterans influence policy, and take an active role in electoral politics? Last year, a talk sponsored by Center for a New American Security (CNAS)a think tank specializing in national security, with close connections to the Democratic Partywas given on New Terrorism Threats and Counterterrorism Strategies. According to a description of the event, NYU Washington, D.C. welcomed CNAS and the Center on Law and Security at NYU School of Law for this public conference on new terrorism threats and counterterrorism strategies. The keynote speaker was Nicholas Rasmussen, the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center at the time. Since these events, the nexus between the political establishment and the military-intelligence apparatus has developed even closer. The Democratic Party is running dozens of candidates with backgrounds in the state, military and intelligence agencies in the 2018 congressional midterm elections. These candidates, whom the WSWS has dubbed the CIA Democrats, are using their backgrounds in militarism and government spying as their primary qualifications for office. The NYU campus offers many student internship opportunities at major Washington think tanks, including the Center for a New American Security (CNAS); the CATO Institutea top Libertarian think tank; the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)a bipartisan international relations think tank; the American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC)a conservative foreign and defense policy think tank; and the American Enterprise Institute (AEI)a neoconservative public policy think tank. An advertised internship at AEIDefense Planning and U.S. Global Strategyaims to Conduct research into the future direction of American foreign policy, which will include an exploration of emerging global threats to U.S. national security. The position requires an emphasis on the actions of foreign militaries and suggests language fluency in Arabic, Farsi, Russian, or Mandarin. The institute also promotes internships at the DoD, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Defense University, and the Central Intelligence Agency. Higher Education Institution as Defense Contractor For NYUs services, the university has been paid handsomely. According to NYUs 2017 Report on Federal Awards, the DoD paid a total of $15 million directly to NYU for Research and Development Expenditures while $3.7 million passed through NYU to other universities, corporations, and think tanks, such as Columbia University, BAE Systems, IBM, and SRI International. This 2017 total of $18.7 million in DoD funding is more than double 2016s $8.8 million total. The fusion of higher education with institutions of US imperialism and major military contractors poses a serious danger to academic freedom with every aspect of a universitys operations subordinated to the interests of American militarism and wealthy donors. The blurring of the line between academia and the state deserves critical attention and active opposition in a time when universities are not ashamed of these ties. Students who are concerned about these developments should contact the IYSSE and become engaged in our campaign to oppose the militarization of higher education. On August 15, the New Zealand parliament passed the Labour Party-led governments Overseas Investment Amendment Bill, banning purchases of houses by non-citizens and non-residents. To buy an existing house, individuals must have New Zealand citizenship or residency and have lived in the country for at least a year. The government of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern falsely claims the ban will address the housing market bubble that has driven up prices and rents. In fact, it is aimed at scapegoating so-called foreigners, especially Chinese people, for the increasingly severe housing crisis. An Oxford Economics report recently identified New Zealand as having the second-most overvalued housing in the world, behind only Hong Kong. As a result, around 40,000 people, or nearly 1 percent of the population, live without adequate housing. Last year, a Yale University study found that this is the highest level of homelessness in the OECD. Like governments in the US, Europe, Australia and throughout the world, the Labour-New Zealand First-Greens coalition is seeking to divert working class anger over social inequality, including the lack of affordable housing, into the most reactionary channels. The aim is to whip up nationalism and xenophobia to divert attention away from the governments own responsibility for the worsening social crisis. At the same time, the promotion of anti-Chinese chauvinism in particular is aimed at aligning New Zealand with the growing US-led military build-up and threats of war against China. In a speech to parliament last December, Finance Minister David Parker declared that New Zealanders should not be tenants in our own land. House prices should be set by local buyers, not by the wealthy 1 percent from international markets. Greens MP Eugenie Sage supported the ban, accusing offshore property speculators of pushing Kiwi [New Zealand] homebuyers out of the market. The right-wing nationalist NZ First Party strongly endorsed the bill. In fact, it is primarily local investors who have driven housing costs to grotesquely unaffordable levels for the vast majority of workers. Writing on the Radio NZ website, economist Shamubeel Eaqub said the new law would have an imperceptible impact on housing costs, as foreign buyers accounted for 4 percent of house sales. The ban is part of a broader campaign to scapegoat foreigners and immigrants, especially those from Asia, for the social crisis. This includes changes designed to cut thousands of places for international students and restrict their right to work. During last years election, Labour promised to cut overall immigration by almost half. The new law further underscores the nationalist character of the governments supporters, including the liberal left media and the trade union bureaucracy. On June 26, the day the foreign buyer ban law received its second reading in parliament, the trade union-funded Daily Blog posted an emphatic demand from its editor Martyn Bradbury to PASS THE BLOODY LAW NOW! The unions are similarly seeking to scapegoat migrant workers for low wages. The Unite union, which is among the Daily Blogs backers, recently celebrated the governments decision to ban the Burger King chain from hiring migrant workers for 12 months, which could result in dozens of workers being unable to stay in the country. The government has done nothing to address the housing shortage or reduce the cost of housing. Labours Kiwibuild scheme, which aims to build 100,000 new homes over 10 years is woefully inadequate and does not take into account a rapidly growing population. The houses will be sold mostly for more than half-a-million dollars. There is an urgent need to spend billions of dollars to create genuinely affordable housing. The Ministry of Building, Innovation and Employment reported last November that the country has a shortage of over 71,000 homes. The crisis is particularly sharp in Auckland, the countrys most populous city, which was short of 44,000 homes. Since the formation of the current government last September, median house prices nationally have increased 3.6 percent to $549,000. In Auckland, the largest city, the median has increased 75 percent over four years. Although this has slowed down in the past year, the median is now $852,000, and modest homes frequently sell for over $1 million. This property bubble, created by intense speculation by property investors, will likely trigger a major financial crisis if it bursts. Rents have also soared. According to a nationwide housing stocktake commissioned by the government early this year, between 2012 and 2017 rents for a three-bedroom house rose 25 percent, while wages rose just 14 percent. The same report, published in February, revealed that emergency housing is under immense strain, with 80 to 90 percent of homeless people turned away by emergency housing providers last year. In August, Auckland City Mission reported than in the last year it had distributed 15,879 food parcels, up 22 percent from the previous year, and the highest amount since it was founded 98 years ago. A New Zealand Herald investigation into conditions facing homeless people found they are dying about 36 years earlier than the general population. Out of 45 who died in the past seven years, the average age was 45.6. The lack of affordable housing, stagnant wages and degrading working and living conditions, has triggered an international resurgence of working class strike activity. This year has seen more strikes in New Zealand than in the past 30 years. In July and August, nurses and teachers held nationwide strikes. The cost of housing relative to income was a major factor in the disputes. Workers must reject the efforts of the ruling elite to derail their struggles by deflecting anger onto immigrants and foreigners, who make up 20 percent of New Zealands population. This requires a decisive break from all the established political organisations, including the trade unions, which are seeking to divide workers along nationalist lines. There is an urgent need for workers, facing the same attacks in every part of the world, to coordinate internationally in a conscious fight to abolish the capitalist system. The demand must be raised for high-quality housing for all, as a fundamental social right. This requires the reorganisation of society along socialist lines, including the nationalisation of the banks and investment giants that have profited from the housing boom. The author also recommends: Unite union applauds ban on migrant workers at Burger King [15 September 2018] New Zealand Labour-aligned Daily Blog posts pro-war, anti-China tirade [20 July 2018] New Zealand government prepares attack on foreign students [4 January 2018] Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Wednesday privately reassured Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who is facing severe criticism from President Donald Trump and others for being the lone GOP vote against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, the Alaska Republican told reporters Wednesday. Trump said over the weekend that Murkowski will "never recover" with Alaska voters, a suggestion she dismissed. Alaska Brett Kavanaugh Continents and regions Donald Trump Government and public administration Government bodies and offices Government organizations - US Lisa Murkowski Mitch McConnell North America Northwestern United States Political Figures - US Politics The Americas United States US Congress US federal court system US federal government US Senate US Supreme Court "I know Alaska's political terrain better than he does," Murkowski told reporters after meeting with McConnell in his leadership suite in the Capitol. "He did want me to know he had shared his strong words, supportive words on my behalf, which I greatly appreciate," Murkowski said of McConnell. In a morning interview with the Associated Press, McConnell defended Murkowski against attacks by Trump. "She's certainly going to recover," McConnell told the AP. "This is a woman who got elected with a write-in vote in 2010. She's about as strong as you can possibly be in Alaska. Nobody is going to beat her." McConnell understands the political considerations each member of his conference must weigh when confronting big, difficult votes -- like confirming Kavanaugh -- and that moderates from purple states are in a different position than conservatives from red states. He also knows that without Murkowski in the Senate, he could easily be the minority leader and not the majority leader. When Murkowski emerged from the meeting with McConnell, she paused before a small group of reporters and smiled. "I can breathe in front of reporters," she said, referring to the cat-and-mouse games she played with journalists who relentlessly pursued her around the Capitol prior to the vote on Kavanaugh. "We had just a good conversation," she said of the session with McConnell, which only lasted a few minutes. "He did want to make sure that I knew that he had said some complimentary words about me and my support back home. I think he knows that the Alaska constituency might be a little bit different than in other states." Asked if she was frustrated by Trump's remarks about her, Murkowski was cautious. "The President is able to say clearly what the President wishes to say," she said. "My barometer is not necessarily what the President says but what the people of Alaska say." Murkowski said voters in her state were evenly split on Kavanaugh, whose confirmation process was contentious even before he was accused of sexually assaulting a teenager when they were both in high school. "You knew going into it that if you vote one way, you're going to make half the people happy and half the people not happy," she explained. "I did my due diligence, I agonized, I considered and ultimately, I had a decision to make that was based on the best judgment that I had, and I had to follow my conscience." She echoed recent comments by McConnell who has argued that despite the divisive battle over Kavanaugh, the Senate can work in a bipartisan way, as it did last week when in addition to confirming Kavanaugh, the Senate passed major bills reauthorizing the FAA and combating opioids. "Because so much of the coverage around here is the battles, the bickering, the fighting," Murkowski said. "This observation that we can't get anything done." The fourth-term senator acknowledged her controversial vote could cause her to be reprimanded by the Alaska Republican Party. "There are consequences to every vote that we take, and I accept that, but I also cannot be driven out of fear of a tweet, of a reprimand, of a cross word," she said. Trump had warned Murkowski that Alaskans will have a long memory. "She doesn't run for four years ... she's lucky," Trump told The Washington Post. "But they will not forget. They will never forget. What she did was unacceptable. Really unacceptable." Asked if she will run again, Murkowski responded cheerfully. "I don't have to make that decision for four years," she said. Arusha, Tanzania It happens twice a year at Arusha Secondary School. Each one of the school's 800 female students is accompanied into a toilet and told to pee in a jar. Outside the cubicle, a teacher waits to make sure the samples are not swapped. The girls are taking compulsory pregnancy tests. And if they come back positive, the student is expelled immediately. The tests have been happening at this school, for students from grades eight and up, for three years. CNN visited two other schools in the Kilimanjaro and Arusha regions where similar testing took place; three more schools confirmed the tests in phone interviews. Elifuraha, who CNN is referring to by her first name, finds it difficult to talk about the shame she felt when teachers at the Moshono Secondary School in Arusha, summoned her for a mandatory pregnancy test. "All the students were called in a room and the female teachers started to inspect us... they were touching our stomachs," the 19-year-old mother told CNN, as a tear rolled down her cheek. She knew she was pregnant, but was trying hard to hide her growing stomach. After admitting her pregnancy, she was immediately expelled. Tanzania uses a morality clause in a 2002 education law to give schools the legal framework needed to expel students -- the practice originally dates back to the 1960s. The law has been more widely applied since President John Pombe Magufuli took office in 2015. Last June, Magufuli, dubbed "The Bulldozer," went a step further, announcing that pregnant students would not be allowed to return to school after giving birth. "In my administration as the President no pregnant girl will go back to school... she has chosen that of kind life, let her take care of the child," he said at a public rally in 2017. His speech removed any discretion schools had over how they enforced the morality rule. There are no official statistics on how many pregnant girls have been expelled from Tanzanian schools. The US-based Center for Reproductive Rights, an international advocacy group, estimated in 2013 that over 8,000 pregnant girls were being expelled or dropped out from Tanzanian schools every year. The Presidential decree last year goes directly against the previous government's efforts to introduce a school re-entry policy for teenage mothers. Anna Ulimboka, a nurse who oversees the pregnancy testing in Arusha Secondary School, says the tests are a good thing. And many of her students agree. Several girls told CNN they believe the tests are in place to protect them and they view them as a normal part of their school experience. "Before we started testing them, so many girls used to get pregnant, while they were in school, but after seeing that they were being tested before and after going for their holidays, it makes them avoid relationships with boys," Ulimboka said. CNN visited the school accompanied by officials from Tanzania's Ministry of Health, and the regional government office. Speaking in the presence of the officials, Ulimboka said the tests and the policy of expelling pregnant students were necessary. "(A pregnant girl) is a bad example to other students," she said. "The others will learn that even if we mess up, we shall be allowed back to school." However, Ulimboka said she felt bad for girls who had been expelled. "I always advise them that even if they get pregnant that's not the end, and that they should not give up." Shilinde Ngalula, a lawyer with Legal and Human Rights Centre in Tanzania, said forcing pregnant girls out of school violates Tanzania's constitution, which includes the right to education. Related: Give girls choices, not lives already decided for them "Because of the order of the President, you expel them...you are punishing them without even considering how she got pregnant," he said. "There are many instances of rape...a girl might find herself pregnant because of rape, because of assault or forced marriages, it is not her fault." NGOs have been forced to abandon campaigning on the issue with the Legal and Human Rights Centre one of the last in Tanzania still speaking out against Magufuli's platform. In July 2017, opposition MP Halima Mdee was arrested for denouncing the President for the ban on pregnant schoolgirls, which she also claims is contrary to the constitution. Her case was highlighted by the US State Department's report into human rights in Tanzania as one of the examples of a crackdown on Magufuli's critics. "If you speak against the government order, and especially against the order of the president, you are in trouble...it is really easy for an NGO to be deregistered, it's a threat," Ngalula said. Alongside Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone also deny pregnant girls and adolescent mothers the right to study in public schools, which advocates say goes against the human rights treaties that all three countries have signed. "It squarely falls within the definition of a violation of not just the right to education but also other rights of girls," said Elin Martinez, children's rights expert at Human Rights Watch. All three countries have repeatedly found themselves under international pressure to repeal the policy. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and other international organizations appealed to the Tanzanian government to change the rules. Several human rights organizations have also recently launched a court case against Sierra Leone over its policy. CNN has reached out to the Tanzanian government for comment, but has not yet received reply. The governments of Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea have also not responded to requests for comment. Related: 16 and trying not to get pregnant In Tanzania, while pregnancy testing remains a regular part of school life, Magufuli's administration has also launched a crackdown on family planning. At a public rally in September, the President urged women to stop using contraception to increase Tanzania's population and called those using birth control "lazy." A few weeks later, the government ordered the suspension of family planning advertisements on TV and radio stations in the country. Because standalone sex education is not on the national curriculum in Tanzania, many girls don't learn that having sex can lead to becoming pregnant. Eighteen-year-old Lilian was one of them. She got pregnant when she was 16. "There are [some women] who get to be educated and understand that sex before marriage has consequences...yet others don't have a clue. In my case I had no knowledge and that is why I got pregnant." Around a quarter of Tanzanian girls aged between 15 and 19 are mothers or pregnant. Child marriage is still prevalent in the country -- 37% of women aged 20 to 24 having been married before they turned 18, according to official data from 2010, the latest available. More than a quarter of girls married before the age of 19 have husbands who are 10 or more years older, according to the same survey. The ban on pregnant students is one of the ways Magufuli wants to tackle the teenage pregnancy problem. Related: I'm beautiful, but I'm dangerous Magufuli says that pregnant girls and young mothers would set a bad example for other pupils. Boys and men who impregnate school girls face prison sentences of up to 30 years. Local media and NGOs have reported arrests of pregnant girls who were not willing to disclose the identity of the men who impregnated them. In Ghona School near Moshi in the north-east of the country, students are reminded of the harsh realities every day. Calendars depicting a crying pregnant girl in a school uniform can be found in almost every classroom. In the scene, the girl is being turned away from school, her parents, her community and the government. Lilian was already expecting her baby when President Magufuli made his landmark speech on expelling pregnant students. She liked studying chemistry, biology and geography and knowing she wouldn't be allowed back into school was devastating. "I wanted to achieve my goals, but I was forced to cut them short, stay at home and wait for another opportunity," she said. Lilian and her daughter Favor now live at the Faraja Center, a shelter for vulnerable women and young mothers, many of whom have been kicked out of school as a result of their pregnancy. Like the rest of the shelter's residents, Lilian is learning tailoring and hair braiding. It's a far cry from studying science, but it will help her get a job after she leaves the shelter. And she hasn't completely given up on her dreams just yet. She has kept her physics notebook, wrapped in plain brown paper. She is hoping she will, one day, be allowed to return to school and retake the class. No public school is allowed to re-admit Lilian and tuition at the few private schools that could still accept her cost around $800 a year. Her only option is to find a sponsor, or get a place in one of the handful of NGO-funded schools in the country. Like Lilian, Elifuraha also had big plans that she put aside when she became pregnant. Elifuraha dreamed of joining the Tanzanian army, but didn't complete enough schooling to meet the requirements before she was expelled. "If things were not the way they are, I would love to go back to school," she said. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Fifteen local government employees from around Indiana are facing public corruption charges for alleged government losses totaling more than $1 million. Federal prosecutors announced charges Thursday against five people, including the treasurers of three fire departments, who allegedly bilked local governments out of more than $380,000. State charges are pending against 10 others who work in public service or government positions, including two employees with the Indianapolis Local Public Bond Bank who allegedly stole about $400,000. U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler says his office worked with the FBI, State Board of Accounts, State Police and local prosecutors in the investigations. He says in a statement that all citizens deserve better from their public officials. The State Board of Accounts performed audits that provided prosecutors with evidence in the cases. Federal cases include: Kellie Cline, 35, Greenwood: Cline served as the Extra-Curricular Activity (ECA) Treasurer at Greenwood Middle School. She is alleged to have stolen approximately $50,000 from the schools extra-curricular account. Sami Dillon, 38, Crawfordsville: Dillon served as the Clerk-Treasurer of Cayuga, in Vermillion County and is alleged to have stolen approximately $44,000 by not depositing utility receipts. Clint Madden, 51, Columbus: Madden served as the Wayne Township Trustee and the Jonesville Volunteer Rural Fire Department Treasurer, in Bartholomew County. He is alleged to have misappropriated over $100,000 from the township and the fire department. Mathew Mathis, 47, Columbus: Mathis served as the Treasurer of the Hope Volunteer Fire Department in Bartholomew County and is alleged to have stolen over $48,000 from the fire department. Norman Burgess, 44, Danville: Burgess served as the Treasurer of the Wayne Township Fire Department in Hamilton County and is alleged to have stolen approximately $140,000 from the fire department. State cases include: Angela White, 44, Indianapolis: White served as the ECA Treasurer for Robey Elementary School in Wayne Township, in Marion County. She is alleged to have stolen approximately $10,000 from the school. Charges are pending with the Marion County Prosecutors Office. Rachel Bentz, 44, Portland: Bentz served as the Jay County Sheriffs Department jail matron. She is alleged to have stolen approximately $9,000 by not depositing inmate trustee receipts. This case is pending with the Jay County Prosecutors Office. Dallas Davis, 56, Russellville: Davis served as the Clerk-Treasurer for the Town of Russellville, and is alleged to have stolen approximately $7,600 by not properly depositing utility receipts. This case is pending with the Putnam County Prosecutors Office. David Buzzard, 50, Columbus: Buzzard served as the trustee for the Rock Creek Township Trustee in Bartholomew County. He is alleged to have overpaid himself and his spouse approximately $27,000. This case is pending in Bartholomew County with a special prosecutor. Jacqueline Fitzgerald, 54, and Monica Durrett, 56: They both worked at the Indianapolis Local Public Bond Bank and are alleged to have stolen approximately $400,000. This case is pending with the Marion County Prosecutors Office. Nicole DeMunck, 35, Michigan City: DeMunck served as the AK Smith Center Treasurer in the Michigan City School System. She is alleged to have stolen approximately $13,000. This case is pending with the LaPorte County Prosecutors Office. Nichole Lowry, 47, Kewanna: Lowry served as the Pulaski County EMS Director. She is alleged to have stolen over $12,000 in training funds. This case is pending with the Pulaski County Prosecutors Office. Cheryl Pruitt, 50, Gary: Pruitt served as the former Gary Schools Superintendent, is alleged to have received a $1,256.75 reimbursement for funds that she never spent. Donald G. Minnick, 64, Gosport: Minnick served as an Owen County Commissioner. He improperly sold a vehicle to the county with a loss of $7500. He was found guilty in Owen County. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen called on China to be a "responsible" country on the world stage rather than provoking unnecessary conflict, amid worsening relations between Beijing and the island it considers a renegade province. Tsai made the remarks during a television speech on Wednesday, Taiwan's National Day, which marks the 107th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China, as the island is officially known. Asia Continents and regions East Asia Taiwan Beijing China Government and public administration Government bodies and offices Mike Pence Political Figures - US US federal government White House North America The Americas United States Environment and natural resources Islands and reefs Landforms and ecosystems The Taiwan President said the island had no intention of recklessly provoking China but said Beijing should also avoid being a "source of conflict." "Recently, China's verbal attacks, military threats and diplomatic suppression have not only challenged cross-strait relations but also challenged the peace and stability across the strait," she said. Tsai said she would work to strengthen the island's national security in response to the increasing threats from Beijing, which she said had been exerting growing pressure on the island. In September, the US approved a $330 million arms sale to Taiwan, primarily spare parts for the island's air force. Tsai's speech echoes strong comments made by US Vice President Mike Pence in the United States on Thursday, in which he accused the Chinese government of being a negative influence on both the US and the rest of the world. 'I will not sacrifice Taiwan's sovereignty' Tsai's party is facing a tough battle at the upcoming local elections in Taiwan in November, after the President's popularity dropped following months of bad economic news and tensions with mainland China. Relations between Taipei and Beijing have cooled dramatically since Tsai was elected in 2016, resulting in clashing displays of military power and strained economic ties across the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese government is concerned about pro-independence sentiments in Tsai's ruling party, which has historically called for the island to formally separate itself from mainland China. Despite Taiwan having been self-governed since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949, Beijing still views it as a part of its territory and has repeatedly called for its reunification with the mainland, by force if necessary. In her speech, Tsai said China's increased pressure on Taiwan had been responsible for changing the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, souring bilateral relations. "As President, I guarantee to my citizens that I will definitely not move to confrontation in a moment of anger, and make cross-strait relations fall into danger. But I will also not ... sacrifice Taiwan's sovereignty," she said. In a statement released Wednesday, China's Taiwan Affairs Office called Tsai's speech "evil" and "provocative." "It's filled with absurd separatist remarks, exposing her evil intentions to contain mainland China by cooperating with anti-China forces in the West," the statement quoted spokesman Ma Xiaoguang as saying. "Such a hostile and provocative speech is further proof that (Tsai's) party is creating cross-strait conflicts and harming peace and stability in the strait. It will only worsen cross-strait relations and push Taiwan toward greater danger." In his speech last week, Pence doubled down on previous remarks made by US President Donald Trump, saying Beijing was attempting to meddle in the upcoming US midterm elections. "To put it bluntly, President Trump's leadership is working. China wants a different American President," Pence said. Beijing said in response that US claims of electoral interference were "baseless." In his remarks, Pence took a forceful line on the issue of Taiwan, condemning ongoing efforts by Beijing to strip the island of its diplomatic allies around the world and forcing multinational companies to remove any references to the island as a separate entity from China. "Taiwan's embrace of democracy shows a better path for all the Chinese people," he said. The number of civilians -- mostly women and children -- killed or injured by airstrikes in Afghanistan has risen a startling 39% year on year, according to UN figures released Wednesday, casting fresh scrutiny on the use of air power by the United States and its Afghan partners at a time of near-record bombing and increasing violence. More civilians have been killed or injured in airstrikes so far this year than all of last, according to a United Nations quarterly assessment of civilian casualties. The rise comes after the departed US commander for the war promised a "tidal wave of air power" to combat a resurgent Taliban. US President Donald Trump has personally delineated a strategy for victory in Afghanistan, and vowed to "push onward to victory with power in our hearts." Afghanistan Afghanistan war Armed forces Asia Bombings Civilian casualties Conflicts and wars Continents and regions Middle East Middle East and North Africa Military Military operations Misc organizations North America Rebellions and insurgencies South Asia Taliban The Americas United States Unrest, conflicts and war War casualties Aircraft Aviation and aerospace industry Business and industry sectors Business, economy and trade Donald Trump Government and public administration Government bodies and offices Government organizations - Intl Kunduz Military weapons Political Figures - US United Nations US federal government Weapons and arms White House Defense departments Government departments and authorities International relations and national security National security Government organizations - US US Air Force US Department of Defense US federal departments and agencies The UN report comes as the US ratchets up its involvement in what has become the country's longest-running war. The US has boosted its support for the Afghan Air Force through training and weapons supply, raising concern over the air force's use of US-supplied non-guided bombs that have taken a clear toll on civilian lives. The UN report shows airstrikes, carried out by both US and Afghan aircraft, have killed or injured 649 civilians so far this year, 39% higher than the same first nine months in 2017, and more than the 631 killed or injured by airstrikes in all of last year. Sixty percent of this year's casualties have been women and children, according to the report. The report also says that total civilian deaths across Afghanistan -- due to various violent attacks -- stands at 2,798 for the first nine months of this year, slightly up on the same period in 2017. US and Afghan aircraft are almost equally responsibility for the casualties, according to the report. US figures show its aircraft released a near-record number of bombs in July. They carried out the most airstrikes in one month since 2010, when the US had about eight times as many troops in the country, requiring constant air support at the height of the Obama administration's surge there. According to the UN report, anti-government elements are still responsible for the vast majority of civilian deaths and injuries, accounting for 65% of casualties overall so far this year. The huge increase in bombing, however, relative to the 14,000 US troops now in country, will spark questions as to whether US forces have been given looser rules of engagement, in a conflict that has now run for 17 years. In a wide-ranging speech on Afghanistan in August of last year, Trump said he had loosened "restrictions the previous administration placed on our warfighters," yet the exact nature of the new rules hasn't been made public. In response to the report, US Forces Afghanistan spokesman Cmdr. Grant Neeley reiterated that anti-government elements were the main cause of civilian casualties. "Indiscriminate targeting of innocent civilians through improvised explosive devices and deliberate suicide attacks has increased in both frequency and lethality. These actions expose the hypocrisy of Taliban who espouse a high regard for this country and its people while creating an environment of death and insecurity." Afghan Air Force pounds insurgent targets While the varied use of US air power has at times put civilian life in greater danger, the scale and manner of the airstrikes undertaken by the Afghan Air Force is both relatively new and startling. Figures given to CNN by the Afghan Ministry of Defense show more than 800 airstrikes since the end of June were carried out by the Afghan Air Force, a body of light aircraft and pilots trained and equipped over the past two years by the US. The Pentagon has asked Congress for $1.8 billion to train and equip the AAF in 2019. The figures show thousands of insurgent deaths reported in under four months. Such official Afghan figures are often considered inflated by some experts, and the Afghan Ministry of Defense does not appear to publicly tally civilian casualties. The airstrikes recorded include the use of machine gun fire and bombs by the Afghan Air Force's planes and helicopters, which mostly deploy less accurate, non-guided munitions that are more likely to cause unintended civilian deaths. Mohammad Radmanish, an Afghan Defense Mignistry spokesman, told CNN that the air force "rarely uses" guided bombs in their airstrikes, listing only four provinces in which they had been used, and saying they had no record of the total number deployed. Radmanish said he doesn't accept his country's air force is responsible for civilian casualties. "Whenever there are civilian's casualties, it happens from insurgents' side. Either they plant bombs or they use civilians [as human shields] in their fight," he told CNN. In just the last month, the Afghan Air Force carried out 237 airstrikes, according to the defense ministry, which says it killed more than 1,300 insurgents in the strikes. But the constant toll on civilians by this peak in air power is growing, and has been palpable in the past weeks. On September 23, 10 civilians, including women and children, were killed when an Afghan airstrike hit a residential house in Jaghato district, in the province of Maidan Wardak, according to Akhtar Mohammad Taheri, head of the provincial council. Another 67 insurgents were killed in the strike. On October 4, according to a statement from the Kandahar government, three women and a child were killed in an apparent Afghan airstrike when insurgents hid in civilian houses in the district of Maroof, after attacking army checkpoints in the villages of Khogyani and Ishaqzai. Eight other civilians were injured, and eight insurgents killed, the statement said. Three women were killed by a US airstrike in Chardara district of Kunduz on September 25, according to Esmatullah Moradi, Kunduz's provincial spokesman, during an operation against the Taliban. The husband and father-in-law of two of the three deceased, in emotional footage obtained by CNN of the victims' bodies stacked in a truck, said: "I collected her body parts in a sack, we lost everything. My wife, my daughter in law were killed, and my son is in the hospital." A spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan disputed any US role in the above cases, and said they had even reopened their investigation into an earlier incident in Kunduz on July 19 this year, after receiving new information, so thorough were their procedures. "We are keenly aware of the continued practice by insurgents to use close proximity of civilians, often by force, to prevent air strikes and counterattacks on their positions," said Col. David Butler, US Forces Afghanistan spokesman. "When these situation are identified in time, our forces respond appropriately by choosing not to attack to protect innocent lives," Butler added. "We're the most precise military in world existence. We train the Afghans to operate by the same standard. Though still in its infancy, the Afghan Air Force continues to grow in size and capability." This story has been updated to reflect that the 39% increase relates to civilians killed or injured by airstrikes. ABERDEEN, Miss. (WTVA) - An Alabama man was found guilty of first-degree murder by a Monroe County jury for a murder in 2016 on Wednesday. Stanley Pace will now serve life in jail for the murder of his friend, Ronnie Duke. "The conviction, the conviction of life was what I was after. Just to make sure that another life was not taken. That was the goal and that's what we got today, said Tammy Hathcock, Dukes sister. Duke was found dead at a garbage dump three days after he had passed away in January 2016. Sheriff Cecil Cantrell said that Duke had suffered 18 stab wounds from a Civil War replica sword. Cantrell said that the two had been drinking and fighting which led to Pace chasing Duke down the road. TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - A federal grant intended to fund a part of the cost to initially place a school resource officer at every school in Lee County has been denied. Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson and Lee County School District Superintendent Jimmy Weeks approached the Lee County Board of Supervisors in May to request half of the $560,000 needed. The $280,000 grant was denied on September 30, which is half the total for the officers. The Lee County School Board has agreed to cover the other half. "Now we're back to square one," said Sheriff Johnson. "We're not going to quit on our end." Johnson says he and Weeks will go back to the board Friday to make the request again for funding for six new resource officers. "The problem you got is this isn't going to be an instant fix," added Johnson. "This is not something that they approve it Friday, we hire them Monday and they'll be in the school Tuesday." Superintendent Weeks released this statement: "The Lee County School District is extremely concerned and equally committed to the safety and well-being of every student in our schools. I believe in my heart that the Lee County Sheriff's Office and the Lee County Board of Supervisors are as equally committed to keeping our children safe. We are terribly disappointed that Lee County did not receive a federal grant to help with the cost of placing a law enforcement officer in every school in the district. The sheriff and I will talk to the Supervisors again this Friday about providing additional funding to make an officer in every school a reality. However, we all know that funds are scarce. I believe the Board of Supervisors will help us with this in anyway they can." Lee County Board of Supervisors President Mike Smith says they will be searching for options to cover the remaining portion of the funds. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe WORLAND Worland residents John and Lorene Miller are both celebrating their 95th birthday this year. Lorene Miller turns 95 on Oct. 15 and John Miller turns 95 on Nov. 9. Lorene Miller stated that for about a month every year she gets to be older than her husband which means she gets to be the boss for about a month each year. The Millers grew up in Missouri and started dating during their junior year in high school. They were engaged when John Miller joined the military and they got married on Dec. 27, 1943 when he was stationed in Japan. He came home from the service and said, I am going to be stationed in California. Why dont we get married and as soon as I get stationed, you can come out there. Well, on his way back to Japan, the war broke out and I didnt see him again for three years, Lorene Miller said. John Miller was in the Navy from 1943 1946. He originally wanted to join the Air Force with a friend but when they got to Kansas City he was enlisted into the Navy. We went to Kansas City, both of us, and they had a deal where he went in one door and I went in the other one and this guy said, It looks to me like you would make a good sailor. I said, Im afraid of water, I dont want to be in the Navy and he said, Well we need Navy really bad. So he put me in the Navy and the other kid got the Air Force, but I had a better deal than he did, in the long run, John Miller said. I went to boot camp in Idaho and then I went to electricians school there. After I went to electricians school I went aboard ship, the San Juan a CL-54 cruiser and we made a lot of history. We escorted the Missouri into Tokyo when they signed the peace treaty with MacArthur and the emperor of Japan, he added. Finally back together again, the couple had a son and decided to move to Worland in 1950. When asked why they decided to move to Worland, John Miller stated, We starved out in Missouri. In 1956, the couples 12-year-old son passed away from cancer. Their son Dan Miller was born a couple years later in 1958. John Miller worked for the Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline for 35 years retiring in 1986 as an area supervisor. Lorene Miller worked for the American National Bank for 30 years, which was called Stock Growers Bank at the time and retired as head teller in 1985. As soon as Dan got through veterinarian school, I retired, Lorene Miller stated. When the Millers came to Worland they said that the town was booming. It has gone downhill an awful lot since we come out here. This was the main town in the area. When we came here it was a booming town. [There was] a lot of work, a lot of people, a lot of things to do. There were more people in the town than there is now. Worland was the hub of the Big Horn Basin at one time and Cody was just a small town at that time, now look at Cody, they said. Having been married for 74 years the couple stated that through thick and thin divorce was never something that they ever thought of. We must have gotten our fight over early, John Miller stated. We are a Christian family and I think maybe they survive a little better, he added. When asked the secret to their longevity, they couple stated that clean living, hard work and not trying to outlive their income plays an important part. Work was my hobby, I enjoyed working. I dont know if it had anything to do with keeping me out of the hospital or what. I still work some yet. I think clean living had a lot to do with it and we have always been Christians, John Miller said. The couple has two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and will be celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary on Dec. 27. The U.S. Marshals Service and several other law enforcement agencies located 123 missing children during a one-day sweep in Michigan. Operation MISafeKid took place on Sept. 26 and focused on missing children in Wayne County, with an emphasis on potential sex trafficking victims, according to a press release from the U.S. Marshals Service. Detectives investigated 301 files of missing children, according to the release. Participating officers were given the case files and began investigating their whereabouts by visiting last known addresses, friends homes and schools in hopes of finding them in a safe place, the release states. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. Three children were identified as possibly being linked to sex trafficking, the release states. One teen recovered in the sweep was homeless and had not eaten in three days. This is the first time an operation of this kind has been conducted in Wayne County, the release states. All of the children located were interviewed about potentially being sexually victimized or used in a sex trafficking ring during their period of time that they were deemed missing. The agency stated its primary message for missing children and their families: We will never stop looking for you. PEOPLEs call to the U.S. Marshals Service was not returned. Craig Coyne just married into one of Americas most famous political dynasties, and now everybody wants to know a little more about him. Barbara Bush, daughter of former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush, tied the knot with the screenwriter on Sunday during an intimate ceremony held at the Bush family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine. Describing the event, which occurred in the backyard overlooking the ocean, Baraba, 36, told PEOPLE it was a very short, sweet ceremony. Also present for the happy day was former President Bush, 72, Mrs. Bush, 71, Barbaras twin sister Jenna Bush Hager, as well as Barbaras grandfather, former President George H.W. Bush, 94. Heres everything you need to know about the newest member of the Bush family. Craig Coyne and Barbara Bush, pictured after their engagement in Kennebunkport, Maine Lights, Camera, Action! Throughout his career, Coyne who hails from Atlanta, Georgia has acted in several films, such as the 2005 hit Jarhead, as well as independent films such as Look at Me and The Showtown Murders Coyner, who now focuses more on writing, has sold a live-action half-hour program to Comedy Central called Doin Good, according to his agents website. He also created, wrote and directed an original Funny or Die series, Ask Play, thats in post-production. However, in a nod to his future wife, before moving to Los Angeles, Coyne briefly worked in politics. After graduating from Vanderbilt University, Coyne served as a Page in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to his agents website. Blind Date Beginnings The duo was set up by friends on a blind date last November. About a month after being set up by friends, the pair decided to make things official in time for New Years Eve. RELATED: Jenna Bush Hager Gushes About Twin Sister Barbaras Secret Wedding: Im Crying 24 Hours Later Long distance Lovers Up until very recently, the couple lived on opposite sides of the country! Story continues Its just been a very sweet romance, Barbara told PEOPLE. And weve been long-distance for most of it hes been in LA and Ive been in New York but weve gotten to spend a lot of time together. Although the pair clearly found a way to make things work, on the same week the couple tied the knot, Coyne moved to Manhattan to begin his new life with Barbara. RELATED VIDEO: Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush Share The Books That Changed Their Lives Honoring Tradition In what might just be the sweetest detail of the couples love story, Coyne popped the question in the exact same spot where Barbaras grandparents got engaged! During a family gathering at Kennebunkport this summer, the pair were walking together on the rocks when Coyne got down on one knee. The Bush family on vacation in Kennebunkport, Maine Family Values Of course, Barbara wasnt the only one to want her family by her on their big day! The grooms brother, Edward Coyne III, served as the best man during the wedding. Additionally, his mother, Darlene and his sister Katie each gave a reading during the private ceremony. While his niece, Emma, 5, joined Bush Hagers daughters, Margaret, 5, and Poppy, 3, as flower girls. My younger sister lives in the Atlanta area, and, like any annoying brother, Ive been hounding her about something. I texted her this week to make sure that she is registered to vote. Not because Im worried that shell be one of these Millennials Who Doesnt Vote, but because she is black and living in Georgia, and could fall victim to Brian Kemps voter suppression tactics. Kemp is Georgia Secretary of State, the states top elections official. He has decreased the overall number of voters in Georgia since 2012 by more than 1 million all while purging the rolls in a way that has predominantly affected black residents. Kemp is also the Republican nominee for governor. Democrat Stacey Abrams, the first African American woman nominated by a major party for that job anywhere in the country, is competing against a rival who is also the referee. Most candidates dont want to be seen as cheaters. But for Republicans like Kemp, necessity outweighs propriety. Republicans have nothing else to sell, really. The tax cut is a bust, and Im not sure how the Brett Kavanaugh fight helps Kemp as he runs against arguably the best-known female challenger on a ballot this November. This past Tuesday, the deadline for Georgia residents to register to vote, the AP reported that at Kemps insistence, more than 53,000 voter applications have been suspended indefinitely. More than two-thirds of those applications were filed by black people. As the AP report makes clear, a lot of people in Georgia dont even know that this has happened to them. One woman, while trying to demonstrate to her college students how Georgians can verify their registration, discovered that she had been removed from the rolls, herself. She and tens of thousands may have to submit a provisional ballot if their issues are not rectified in the next three weeks and change. Abrams is within half a percentage point of Kemp in the RealClear Politics average as of this week. Already implicated in a failed effort to close seven of nine polling places in a sparsely populated but majority-black county, it is clear that Kemp and his allies understand how close this race will be. Those 53,000 voters could make all the difference in this race, which he surely realizes. Even if this was a blowout, his move would be suspect. Story continues Kemps campaign didnt respond to Rolling Stones request for comment. Spokesman Ryan Mahoney told the AP in a statement that, Kemp is fighting to protect the integrity of our elections and ensure that only legal citizens cast a ballot. The aforementioned registrations were held up by the states controversial exact match verification policy. If a word is misspelled, an address not updated, or even a hyphen is out of place, a Georgia voter could end up in Kemps limbo. Exact match is a process that civil rights groups have sued to end, and that Kemp had been told was discriminatory eight years ago, before he implemented it. Yet his campaign would have us believe Kemp as an avenger, supposedly protecting democracy even as he mutilates it. Five years after the neutering of the Voting Rights Act in Shelby County v. Holder, we have gotten used to Republican voter suppression being a part of every election cycle. Along with police violence and mass incarceration, it is Jim Crows longest living descendant. Just in the past week, North Dakotas voter-ID law got the Supreme Courts sign-off, likely disenfranchising many tribal Native American residents who either dont have an address on their identification or dont have an ID at all. Missouris voter-ID measure was blocked by a state circuit judge, but Arkansas Supreme Court ruled in favor of its states law which looks a lot like the one that the same court blocked four years ago. For Republicans looking to jimmy open new pathways to power, consistency is an afterthought, especially when few of these stories garner the kind of press that Shelby case did. Where there is no attention, there is no accountability. Kemps actions reflect the worst instincts of Republicanism by placating those who believe President Trumps lie about millions of illegal votes being cast against him. Kemp no doubt excites Americans who think that voter ID laws, discriminatory purges and other suppressive measures are here to save us from those who would thwart our electoral system. People in this camp obscure the con this way, further mutilating democracy even as they claim to be covering its wounds. The Abrams campaign sees through it. Calling upon Kemp do away with exact match and to resign his position as Secretary of State, Abrams spokeswoman Abigail Collazo tells Rolling Stone that Kemps move to silence thousands of eligible voters isnt incompetence; its malpractice. Kemp tried to smooth things over on Wednesday by boasting about how Georgia broke its record for registered voters: more than 6,915,000 are eligible to vote this November. In announcing the registration record, Kemp was defensive and outright conspiratorial. While outside agitators disparage this office and falsely attack us, his office said in a Wednesday statement, we have kept our head down and remained focused on ensuring secure, accessible, and fair elections for all voters. Naturally, he expected applause for this, as if this was his accomplishment. But it was Abrams and her New Georgia Project that, for about five years now, has been working consistently to not only get 800,000 people on the rolls, but particularly to encourage those from marginalized groups to vote. In return for the help in doing his job, Kemp blamed the victims. His office told the APs Ben Nadler that Abrams and the New Georgia Project were directly responsible for their need to interrupt those 53,000 voter applications. Kemp accuses [her] organization of being sloppy in registering voters, and says they submitted inadequate forms for a batch of applicants that was predominantly black, wrote Nadler, offering no proof to substantiate his claim. But how else is he to legitimize his discrimination against black Georgians only 32 percent of the states population and yet nearly 70 percent of Kemps suspended voters? Too many of them were registered by Stacey Abrams, its her fault. Republicans have been proud of their suppressive measures in the past, even if they try to cloak them in this false crusade against voter fraud. But Kemp has added a new twist. Outside of uber-suppressor Kris Kobachs run in Kansas, no other governors race has a candidate not just working the referee, but being the referee. In the Trump era, Kemp must know that there is no need to be coy about just what Republicanism is now, and how it is exercised. After I texted with my sister about the Kemp news, she told me she will check her registration again. That seems wise. Georgians should do the same today. Then perhaps next week, too. Brian Kemp is trying to shape his own electorate in a tight race against a black woman already making history. He has about 25 days left. Unless the courts stop him, who knows what hell do next? Donald Trumps presidential ambitions may have cost his hotel empire oodles of money, he may have lost some of his best friends, and he may ultimately be forced to pay tens of millions in back taxes, but, hey, at least hell have a lifetime supply of Altoids when this is all over. Thats the moral of the story Michelle Obama told on the Today Show Thursday. The former first lady sat down with hosts Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie on International Day of the Girl to announce a new Obama Foundation initiative funding 1,500 programs that will educate girls around world. But, after she talked about that, she told a story about George W. Bush, who was filmed passing her a breath mint at John McCains funeral in September. President Bush and I we are forever seat mates because of protocol thats how we sit at all the official functions so he is my partner in crime at every major thing where all the formers gather, Obama explained. So were together all the time, and I love him to death. Hes a wonderful man. Hes a funny man. He is also, it turns out, a bit of a hoarder. I will add: they were old cough drops. Thats the funny thing, because they were in the little White House box, and I was like, How long have you had these? And he said, A long time we got a lot of these! The former first lady also addressed more serious questions about the #MeToo movement. Im surprised at how much has changed and how much has not changed, and I think thats where the fire is coming from, she said. Enough is enough. The world is a, sadly, dangerous place for women and girls and we see that again and againand I think young women are tired of it. She dismissed concerns of a backlash. Thats what happens with change. Change is not a direct smooth path. Theres going to be bumps and resistance, she said. There has been a status quo in terms of the way women have been treated, what their expectations have been in a society and that is changing, and theres going to be a little upheaval. Theres going to be a little discomfort, but I think its up to the women out there to say: Sorry that you feel uncomfortable, but Im now paving the way for the next generation. Story continues As dismal as the political climate has gotten, she says shes still optimistic. And she still believes in taking the high road, regardless of what President Obamas former attorney general, Eric Holder, says. Asked about Eric Holders recent re-crafting of her catchphrase When they go low, we go high, into When they go low, we kick them, Obama said: Fear is not a proper motivator. Hope wins out. And if you think about how you want your kids to be raised, how you want them to think about life and their opportunities do you want them afraid of their neighbors? The former first ladys memoir,Becoming, comes out November 13. Shell kick off a national book tour in Chicago that day. Admirers of the first lady should not harbor any fantasies that her reemergence on the national stage is a prelude to a 2020 run, though. She shut down speculation that she might run for office herself. Absolutely not, Obama said. Inside the 'Nicest Place in America,' a refugee-owned falafel shop in Tennessee originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com A falafel restaurant opened by a Syrian refugee in Tennessee has become a pillar in his community, and a gathering place for people from all backgrounds and walks of life to come together over food. Yassin's Falafel House in Knoxville was the winner of this year's Reader's Digest Nicest Place in America accolade. "America is the winner. Knoxville is the winner. Tennessee is the winner," the restaurant's owner, Yassin Terou, told "Good Morning America" anchor Robin Roberts after learning he won. "It's not me." He continued, "I think this is what makes us the winner, is the people in this country, not us." The sign posted at the entrance to Terou's restaurant reads: "All sizes, all colors, all ages, all sexes, all cultures, all religions, all types, all beliefs, all people, safe here at Yassins Falafel House." PHOTO: Yassin's Falafel House in Knoxville, Tenn., was picked as a finalist for Reader's Digest Nicest Places in America. (ABC News ) Roberts paid a visit to the restaurant earlier this year, where she met with Terou, a refugee who fled war in his home country of Syria seven years ago. Now the owner of two wildly popular falafel restaurants in Tennessee, Terou has become a local symbol of the American dream He said he feels he "had a second chance of life to be in United States." PHOTO: Yassin Terou, owner of Yassin's Falafel House in Knoxville, Tenn., opens up in an interview with 'GMA.' (ABC News ) I just want to tell the American people, you are a great people," Terou said on "GMA." "Everybody loves you and we know you love everybody. We are going to keep this country great and were going to build it together." Terou recalls it was not always smooth sailing when he first arrived in America, though, in part because he wasn't able to speak English very well. He said he learned how to "handle hate with love." "When you love and give your love to people, you are stronger than one who gives hate," he added. PHOTO: A worker at Yassin's Falafel House opens up in an interview with 'GMA.' (ABC News ) Terou put Roberts to work in his kitchen, saying, "today we are making heart-shaped falafel," and showing her how to properly make the mix and fry them. Story continues His restaurant is more than just about food, Terou added. "Yassin's Falafel House is about family, about love, about building community," he said. "So we make sure when you get your food, you smile and feel love with it." Many of the employees in his shop are also refugees, Terou added. "I want to say thank you to Yassin," employee Hunar Muhammed told "GMA." "He give me a job ... he helped me a lot." PHOTO: Yassin's Falafel House in Knoxville, Tenn., was picked as a finalist for Reader's Digest Nicest Places in America. (ABC News ) Knoxville mayor Madeline Rogero said she feels the city has changed a lot in recent years, saying, "New businesses like Yassin's have come in." "But also as a community, I think we're more welcoming," Rogero added. Rogero said she believes Terou has "really torn down people's perceptions" of "refugees, of Muslims," in the "heart of Appalachia." PHOTO: Yassin Terou, owner of Yassin's Falafel House in Knoxville, Tenn., opens up in an interview with 'GMA.' (ABC News ) Terou said his final message for those who hear his story is: "We need to keep building bridges, we need to keep the American dream." "This is in our hands," he added. "And we need to transfer it in a better situation for the next generation." Georgia's efforts to elect the first black woman governor in American history this Novemberthe Democrat, Stacey Abrams, is in a statistical tie with her Republican opponentrecently ran into a roadblock of the "insidious voter suppression" variety: The Republican secretary of state froze some 53,000 voter-registration applications flagged by the state's "exact match" law, which requires that Georgians submit information identical to that on file with the Department of Driver Services or the Social Security Administration. This policy extends to dropped hyphens, misplaced accents, and transcriptions errors, which means that the difference between, say, "Beyonce" and "Beyonce" would be enough to land you on the hold list. Why does this matter? Affected voters may still cast a provisional ballot, but must correct the discrepancy within 26 months in order to avoid cancellation of their registration. A representative of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law told the AP that this process has been shown to have both a high error rate and also a disproportionate impact on minority voters, and sure enough, although the state's population is 32 percent black, according to an analysis conducted by the AP, the list is 70 percent black. In other words, all signs indicate that the Republican official in charge of administering elections is (ab)using his powers to stack the deck in favor of the Republican gubernatorial hopeful. Oh, also? They're the same guy. Brian Kemp, the current secretary of state, is running for governor. Wait. Yeah. In the middle of a tight gubernatorial race in which he is a participant, the secretary of state is freezing a ton of applications submitted by likely supporters of his opponent? Yeah. How could anyone possibly justify this policy? Uh, because as a Republican, you're terrified that you might not win an election to which you feel entitled, and so you rely on fighting the scourge of "voter fraud"a nonexistent problem whose champions are dumb, bigoted, or some combination thereofto cherry-pick the members of the electorate? Story continues Okay, but Kemp doesn't actually say that, right? No. A spokesman says that he is "fighting to protect the integrity of our elections and ensure that only legal citizens cast a ballot." Kemp has also offered a separate rationale that is somehow as dumb and racist as the policy itself: He claims that the "exact match" policy is necessary thanks to the New Georgia Project, a 2014 nonpartisan voter registration initiative that allegedly submitted applications containing inaccurate information to his office. NGP "did not adequately train canvassers to ensure legible, complete forms in the 2014 election cycle," he said in a statement. "If these problems continue, it is because the New Georgia Project remains uniquely sloppy in their registration efforts." He prefaced this scolding by noting that with Election Day approaching, "it's high time for another frivolous lawsuit from liberal activist groups," because he is definitely doing these things in his capacity as a fair-minded public official and not as a shameless partisan hack. Who founded the New Georgia Project? Then-state legislator Stacey Abrams. Wait. Yeah! So the voters who just happen to be most affected by Kemp's maneuvering are the same ones his opponent helped to register? Democracy!!! Has Brian Kemp been on any other forms of bullshit of late? You bet he has. The AP reports that his office, in the name of "maintenance," has purged some 1.4 million voter registrations since 2012, and nearly 670,000 in 2017, prompting civil rights groups to threaten litigation. Some of these registrants, according to journalist Greg Palast, had merely moved to another city in the state, or moved across town, or even switched apartments in the same building. Isn't it important that voter registration information be accurate? I mean, sure, in a vacuum. But as a humble lover of democracy, I would submit that ensuring that as many people as possible can exercise their right to vote is more important than having flawless paperwork on file; that threatening registrants with cancellation over transcription errors is a ludicrous solution for an inconsequential problem; and that even if you take Kemp's tut-tutting of Abrams' group seriously, punishing citizens for administrative headaches caused by the people who helped them fill out forms is logically and morally indefensible. Is this the only scam "voter fraud" issue to come up in Georgia recently? Nope! In August, officials in rural, majority-black Randolph County scrapped plans close seven of the its nine polling places after the ACLU raised hell about it. Kemp's campaign issued a statement applauding the decision, noting that this "ill-advised" move had been recommended by "an independent consultant who is not backed by the Secretary of State's office," perhaps to distinguish it from the more recent ill-advised moves that have been backed by the Secretary of State's office. Will it ever stop being absurd that a quasi-official plank of the modern Republican Party is that America is the greatest and freest country on earth, but also, that it should be really difficult to vote, and that policies that ensure that fewer people can vote are good, especially when those people are brown? It will not. Paris (AFP) - At least 15 Saudi journalists and bloggers have been arrested over the past year, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said on Wednesday, following the disappearance of Saudi columnist Jamal Khashoggi. "In most cases, their arrests have never been officially confirmed and no official has ever said where they are being held or what they are charged with," RSF, which defends press freedom around the world, said in a statement. Cases included that of Saleh al-Shihi, a journalist whose arrest was only confirmed in February when his family learned he had been sentenced to five years in prison, RSF said. He disappeared in December 2017, but his detention was not revealed until his conviction and sentence were announced in the kingdom, the organisation added. Economist and citizen-journalist Essam al-Zamel was put on trial this month for criticising the government's economic strategy in a series of tweets and reports. It was only then officially confirmed he has been in jail for the past year. Another journalist and commentator, Turad al-Amri, has been missing since November 2016 after protesting in a tweet to a clampdown on Saudi media, including the blocking of an online newspaper for which he had written. Fayez bin Damakh, another reporter and poet, has also been reported missing since September 2017 when he was about to launch a TV news channel in neighbouring Kuwait. Local press reports suggested he was abducted and taken to Saudi Arabia, though this has never been confirmed. "The traditionally opaque methods used by Saudi Arabia to silence critical journalists constitute grounds for fearing the worst in the case of Khashoggis disappearance," said Sophie Anmuth, head of RSFs Middle East desk. Khashoggi, who lived in self-imposed exile in the United States, vanished on October 2 after entering Riyadh's consulate in Istanbul to obtain official documents ahead of his marriage to his Turkish fiancee. Story continues On Wednesday, Turkish television released CCTV footage of him entering the consulate. Saudi authorities have said the journalist left the building after his visit and rejected Turkish police suggestions he might have been killed there. RSF is calling for an independent international investigation to determine his fate. A total of 25 to 30 professional and non-professional journalists are currently believed to be detained in Saudi Arabia, which is ranked 169th out of 180 countries in RSFs 2018 World Press Freedom Index, the organisation also said. Aerial photos show the devastation left in the path of Hurricane Michael Aerial footage captures the damage in Mexico Beach a day after Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Florida on October 11, 2018. (Photo: mpi34/MediaPunch /IPX/AP) Rescuers used heavy equipment and search dogs on Friday to look for people trapped or killed in the Florida Panhandle towns devastated by Hurricane Michael, amid expectations the death toll of 12 from the powerful storm will climb. So far, counties along the hard-hit northwest Florida coast have reported no deaths related to the storm. That could change, as efforts to assess damage and look for casualties in the worst-hit communities have been hampered by downed utility lines and roads blocked by debris and fallen trees. The concern was for people who ignored evacuation orders ahead of the storm and stayed put in communities that were demolished by Michaels ferocity on Wednesday. I think youre going to see it climb, Brock Long, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said of the death count at a news conference. We still havent gotten into some of the hardest-hit areas. FEMA crews also used drone aircraft and global positioning satellites in their search. Michael charged ashore near the small Florida Panhandle town of Mexico Beach as one of the most powerful storms in U.S. history, with winds of up to 155 miles per hour (250 km per hour). It pushed a wall of seawater inland and caused widespread flooding. Many of the houses in Mexico Beach were reduced to naked concrete foundations or piles of rubble.(Reuters) _____ Related Slideshow: Devastated by Hurricane Michael, Florida starts recovery >>> See more news-related photo galleries and follow us on Yahoo News Photo Twitter and Tumblr. By Orhan Coskun, Sarah Dadouch and Stephen Kalin ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Jamal Khashoggi believed he was safe in Turkey. Khashoggi, a veteran Saudi journalist and newspaper editor, had lived in exile in Washington for more than a year, writing a column for the Washington Post in which he regularly criticized his country's crackdown on dissent, its war in Yemen and sanctions imposed on Qatar. He said he could write freely in the United States in a way that was impossible at home, according to friends and colleagues, but he was increasingly worried that Riyadh could hurt him or his family. In Turkey, though, Khashoggi had friends in high places, including some of President Tayyip Erdogan's advisers. So when he walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 2, he hoped the appointment would be brief, a simple bureaucratic task that would allow him to marry his Turkish fiancee, whom he had met four months earlier. "He said the safest country in the world for Saudi Arabians was Turkey," said Yasin Aktay, an Erdogan aide and close friend of Khashoggi. Friends and family have not seen him since. Turkish officials have said they believe Khashoggi, 59, was killed inside the consulate. Saudi Arabia has strongly rejected the accusation. The kingdom's ambassador to the United States, Prince Khalid bin Salman, said reports suggesting Khashoggi went missing in the Istanbul consulate or that Saudi Arabia had killed him "are absolutely false and baseless" and a product of "malicious leaks and grim rumors." "Jamal is a Saudi citizen who went missing after leaving the Consulate," the ambassador said in a statement. Saudi Arabia has sent a team of investigators to work with Turkish authorities and "chase every lead to uncover the truth behind his disappearance." In interviews, Turkish officials provided new details of their investigation into the missing journalist. Two senior Turkish officials revealed the existence of an object that may provide important clues to Khashoggi's fate: the black Apple watch he was wearing when he entered the consulate. The watch was connected to a mobile phone he left outside, they said. Investigators are also focusing on 15 Saudi men who entered the consulate around the same time as Khashoggi and left a short time later. These men had arrived hours earlier from Riyadh, most of them by private plane, the officials said. By the end of the day, they were on their way back to the kingdom. Turkish newspaper Sabah said on Wednesday it had identified the 15 as members of a Saudi intelligence team. They included a forensic expert. A Turkish official did not dispute the report. And investigators are trying to trace a vehicle that left the Saudi consulate at the same time as two cars destined for the airport, one of the officials said. This vehicle didn't turn toward the airport, but set off in the opposite direction. This story is based on interviews with Turkish officials, Khashoggi's fiancee and more than a dozen of his friends, who gave insight into the columnist's state of mind in the days leading up to his disappearance, and explained why he went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, not the embassy in his adopted home of Washington. The case threatens to drive wedges between Saudi Arabia and Turkey and between Riyadh and its western allies. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Oct. 9 he plans to speak with Saudi Arabian officials about Khashoggi's disappearance. The mystery also threatens to undermine Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's drive to attract foreign investors and new high-tech business to a country that is too dependent on oil revenues. A NEW LIFE Khashoggi met his Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, who is 23 years his junior, in May at a conference in Istanbul, according to Cengiz and a close friend of the Saudi journalist. Their relationship quickly evolved, and Khashoggi spoke about wanting to start a new life with her. By August, the couple had decided to marry in Turkey, where Cengiz lived, and spend much of their time there. "Jamal bought an apartment in Istanbul and we were furnishing our new home," Cengiz told Reuters on Oct. 9. "We were planning to marry this week before Jamal flew back to Washington." The decision to marry in Istanbul, whose mosques reminded Khashoggi of his hometown Medina, set off a paper chase that ultimately ended in Khashoggi's disappearance. Turkish law required that Khashoggi, who was divorced, provide proof that he did not have a wife. He asked if he could get the document from the Saudi embassy in Washington, according to a friend in Europe, but was told the consulate in Turkey was better placed to help. Cengiz said Khashoggi wouldnt have applied for the document in Istanbul if he could have avoided it. Asked to comment, a Saudi official said it was "not accurate" that Khashoggi was told to go to Istanbul. The friend recounted how he warned Khashoggi against getting the paper in Istanbul for fear the Saudis might arrest him if he set foot in the consulate. "He told me there is no solution except to arrange for this paper with the consulate in Turkey," said the friend, who was in frequent contact with Khashoggi in the days before he disappeared. Khashoggi reassured him, he said, that his good connections in Turkey meant "no one can do anything to harm me in Istanbul." Khashoggi visited the consulate without an appointment on Friday, Sept 28. Cengiz waited outside. That first meeting went smoothly. Khashoggi told Cengiz and several friends that officials in the consulate had treated him politely. They explained the paperwork would take time to prepare. Khashoggi exchanged phone numbers with a consulate official named Sultan so he could call and check on progress, according to three friends. Sultan said the document would be ready early the following week. Reuters has not been able to locate Sultan or confirm his role at the consulate. The consul declined to comment on who Khashoggi spoke to. "He came out smiling. He told me 'inshallah (God willing) I will receive this paper after I come back from London,'" Cengiz said. Confident he would soon have the paperwork he needed, Khashoggi flew to London later the same day to attend a conference. He was asked there by colleagues about the threat he faced from the Saudi authorities for his work, according to some of those present. "One of my colleagues at dinner asked if he saw a possibility that his citizenship would be withdrawn," said Daud Abdullah, director of Middle East Monitor which organized the conference. "He discounted that - he didn't think the authorities would go that far." An exiled Saudi dissident who spoke to Khashoggi in the days before his disappearance, said his friend was worried that he might face interrogation by the Saudis, but nothing more. Another friend, British-Palestinian activist Azzam Tamimi, who saw Khashoggi during that trip to London, said he "didn't seem scared at all. The opposite. He was relaxed and calm." Tamimi saw Khashoggi off at the airport in London. MYSTERY MEN Khashoggi flew back to Istanbul from London on Monday evening, Oct 1. The following morning, he spoke again with consul worker Sultan, who told him to collect the document at 1 p.m the same day. Outside the consulate, a low rise building at the edge of one of Istanbul's business districts, Khashoggi handed Cengiz his two mobile phones, the fiancee told Reuters. He left instructions that she should call Aktay, the Erdogan aide, if he didn't reappear. Khashoggi was wearing his black Apple Watch, connected to one of the phones, when he entered the building. A senior Turkish government official and a senior security official said the two inter-connected devices are at the heart of the investigation into Khashoggi's disappearance. "We have determined that it was on him when he walked into the consulate," the security official said. Investigators are trying to determine what information the watch transmitted. "Intelligence services, the prosecutor's office and a technology team are working on this. Turkey does not have the watch so we are trying to do it through connected devices," he said. Tech experts say an Apple Watch can provide data such as location and heart rate. But what investigators can find out depends on the model of watch, whether it was connected to the internet, and whether it is near enough an iPhone to synchronize. When Khashoggi did not emerge quickly, Cengiz said she at first hoped he had got the document and was talking with consul staff. "But when time passed and employees started leaving the building and he still wasn't out, I panicked," she said. She called Aktay, the Erdogan aide, around 4.30 p.m and told him her fiance was missing. As soon as he received the call, Aktay told Reuters, he contacted Turkish security forces and intelligence officials. "Of course I also called the office of the president, who was in a senior party committee meeting at that point," Aktay said. "After about half an hour, everybody was informed and ready to take the measures needed in this case. And of course then, a long period of tension and expectation started." Local and international media reported Khashoggi's disappearance the next day, Wednesday, Oct. 3. Turkish authorities said there was no evidence to suggest Khashoggi had left the building, and they believed he was still inside. Saudi authorities countered that their citizen had left the consulate and that they were investigating. Two Turkish security sources told Reuters that security camera recordings showed Khashoggi had not left the consulate by either of its two exits. They said that 15 Saudi men had entered the building at around the time Khashoggi went in, having flown into Istanbul earlier in the day, most of them on a private aircraft from Riyadh and some on commercial flights. The men left after "some time" in two cars and returned to the airport, the sources said. They said a third vehicle left at the same time but turned in the opposite direction. Investigators are trying to trace its route by analyzing surveillance cameras. The Istanbul consulate referred questions about the 15 men and the vehicles to Saudi authorities, who did not respond to a request for comment. "It is a very mysterious situation. Diplomats that came in private jets, stay in Turkey for a few hours, and leave. It is also very easy for them to pass through security due to their diplomatic immunity," one of the security sources said. According to Flight Tracker, an online flight tracking system, a private plane that brought nine of the men in the early hours of Oct. 2 was registered to a company called Sky Prime Aviation Services. A company official confirmed that Sky Prime Aviation owned the plane and that it was in use on Oct. 2, but gave no further details. He said the firm was owned by a private company registered in Saudi Arabia. Two industry sources said the firm belongs to the Saudi government. The Saudi government did not respond to a request for comment. The other six men arrived on commercial flights, the security source said. The 15 men checked in, briefly, to two hotels, the Movenpick and Wyndham, which are close to the Saudi consulate. The hotels declined to comment. As pressure built on Saudi Arabia to locate their missing citizen, Saudi officials in Istanbul showed a Reuters reporter around the consulate on Saturday, Oct. 6, opening cupboards and inviting him to inspect the ladies' bathroom. A few hours later, Turkish authorities said they believed Khashoggi had been killed. A Saudi source told Reuters that British intelligence believed there had been an attempt to drug Khashoggi inside the consulate that culminated in an overdose. He said the information came from a British intelligence source. Contacted by Reuters, British intelligence did not comment. Asked about this account, a Saudi official said: "This death is not true." REFORM NOT REVOLUTION Khashoggi's message in his columns for the Washington Post was one of reform, not revolution. He often championed political change but did not question the Saudi monarchy as an institution. He criticized the royal family for misusing Saudi's oil wealth and questioned specific policies, such as the war in Yemen and the arrests of Saudi intellectuals and activists. His bumpy relations with the Saudi authorities and the clerical establishment predated the rise of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. In 2003 he was fired as editor-in-chief of reform newspaper Al Watan, less than two months into his tenure, after publishing columns critical of the growing influence of the religious establishment in Saudi Arabia. In 2007, he was named editor-in-chief of Al Watan for a second time but was forced to resign three years later after publishing an article that challenged some elements of Salafism, a branch of Sunni Islam. Khashoggi was also the consummate insider, as an adviser to former intelligence chief Prince Turki al-Faisal and a confidant of billionaire investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. Yet by early 2017, he was feeling the heat again. The authorities ordered him to stop writing and tweeting, then he watched as other writers, including several friends, were detained in a crackdown on dissent in September, 2017. "He was outside (the country), so he didn't return," said his friend, Tamimi. In the United States, he felt he could speak freely. Karen Attiah, his editor at the Washington Post, said it was as if he had rediscovered journalism. "When he was in the newsroom, when I brought him the first time, he became energized. He took a selfie and said, 'I miss this. I miss being in a newsroom.' We spoke about editing and what it was like to talk to writers. He just lit up," she said. An acquaintance said Khashoggi was considering launching new projects from Washington. One idea focused on bringing attention to political prisoners in Saudi Arabia and promoting democracy in the Arab world, said the acquaintance. Attiah, the global opinions editor of the Washington Post, said Khashoggi rarely expressed fears for himself but he was "really torn up" about the pressures on his family. "I did worry about Jamal," she said. "I just thought, 'Who would be so brazen to go after him?'" (Additional reporting by Yara Bayoumy and Jonathan Landay in Washington; Editing by Janet McBride and Nick Tattersall) An American and Russian astronaut have survived an emergency landing in Kazakhstan after the Soyuz rocket carrying them to the International Space Station failed in mid-flight. The latest in a long string of Russian rocket crashes, Thursday's star-crossed flight is yet another black eye for the Roscosmos space agency, which remains the only reliable way to get to the ISS. The Russian-made rocket began to plummet to earth a little more than two minutes into the six-hour mission due to a vehicle malfunction. The engines were seen to cut out in the air, after which the Soyuz MS-10 spaceship holding Russian commander Alexei Ovchinin and Nasa astronaut Nick Hague jettisoned from the drifting launch vehicle. An internal camera showed the capsule jerking the pair around violently as the flight malfunctioned. Soyuz-FG rocket booster blasts off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome carrying the Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft with Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexei Ovchinin and NASA astronaut Nick Hague of the ISS Expedition 57/58 prime crew aboard to the International Space Station (ISS) Credit: Donat Sorokin/TASS The video link broke off and the pair plunged toward the ground in ballistic descent mode, experiencing gravitational forces six times normal. The capsule's parachute deployed successfully, however, landing them on the grassy steppe near Zhezkazgan, about 250 miles from the Baikonur cosmodrome rented by Russia. State media showed rescuers helping the two crew members into a helicopter, and Nasa said the men were in good condition. Vehicle malfunction. That was a quick flight, Mr Ovchinin declared dryly over the radio at the beginning of the emergency descent. Rescuers help the two crew members out of a helicopter in Kazakhstan Credit: Russian Central Military District/TASS via Getty Images The crash comes after Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin accused Elon Musk of conspiring with the Pentagon to force other players out of the space industry and suggested that international astronauts had sabotaged the ISS by drilling the hole found in its hull. Adding to the embarrassment was a string of tweets by Roscosmos detailing the successful completion of three launch stages that never actually happened. The agency later deleted tweets with false information such as 287 seconds: The second stage successfully jettisoned. Story continues Russia's space agency has deleted the tweets detailing the successful launch that didn't actually happen, but here are screenshots. The ship had crashed before the second stage could "jettison normally at 287 seconds" pic.twitter.com/AD8o4MPPjI Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) October 11, 2018 After a normal liftoff from the same launchpad from where Yury Gagarin began the first manned space flight, the accident occurred amid the transition from the four large launch boosters to the next set of engines. Thank God the crew is alive, Vladimir Putin's spokesman said. According to preliminary information, the cause [of the crash] came during the separation of the first stage from the second stage, Yury Borisov, deputy prime minister for the military industrial complex, told reporters. A special commission will get to the bottom of this. A Nasa statement blamed an anomaly with the booster for the incident and promised a thorough investigation. Part of the second stage may have gotten caught on the first due to poor fastening, pushing the craft off-course and causing the emergency shutdown of the engines, Interfax news agency quoted a space industry source as saying. Further Roscosmos launches have been suspended, Mr Borisov said. Another two-man Russian-American crew had been scheduled to set out for the space station on 20 December. An American, a Russian and a German astronaut who had planned to return from the ISS on the Soyuz MS-10 ship will have to reconsider their plans. A plume of smoke trails behind the rocket before its crash Credit: Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters Besides the two astronauts, the crashed rocket had been carrying supplies, but the ISS has enough reserves for another six months of operations. Roscosmos tweeted photographs of Mr Rogozin speaking with Mr Hague and Mr Ovchinin while they relaxed on couches with blood pressure and pulse monitors on their arms. After a medical examination they would fly back to Moscow, it said. Russian experts said the astronauts, both former military pilots, had been trained to withstand even more intense g-forces. A rescue team arrives at the capsule after it crash landed in the grasslands of Kazakhstan 250 miles from Baikonur cosmodrome Credit: Russian Central Military District/TASS via Getty Images A lengthening list of accidents has raised doubts about the state of Russia's space programme. In a gross human error, an unmanned Soyuz rocket launched from Russia's new Vostochny cosmodrome in November crashed into the Atlantic Ocean after it was programmed with the launch coordinates for Baikonur. The disaster, which came after Mr Rogozin had declared the mission a success, destroyed 19 international satellites worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Russian unmanned cargo rockets of different designs crashed in 2016, 2015 and 2014. Alexei Ovchinin and Nick Hague wave to onlookers before boarding the spacecraft Credit: Sergei Savostyanov/TASS/Barcroft In 2013, a Proton-M rocket carrying three satellites for the Glonass navigation system, Russia's rival to GPS, burst into flames and slammed into the crowd on live television. Mr Rogozin, who was sanctioned by the United States and European Union in 2014 over Russia's intervention in Ukraine crisis, lost his position as deputy prime minister this year but retained much of his influence with the appointment as head of Roscosmos. Speaking to state television on Thursday, he praised the "calm actions" of the crew and ground controllers but said conclusions about the crash could only come later. The ISS, which has been circling the earth at more than 17,000 miles per hour since 1998, is one of the few remaining areas of cooperation between Moscow and Washington amid rising political tensions. Mr Hague was born in 1975, the year the United States and Soviet Union launched their first joint space mission. By Aziz El Yaakoubi DUBAI (Reuters) - Bahrain will receive up to $2 billion from its Gulf neighbors before the end of the year as the first installment of an aid package, and some funds have already arrived in state coffers, officials said on Thursday. Last week, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait offered a $10 billion aid package over five years (2018-2022) to avoid the risk of a debt crisis in the island kingdom, in a deal tied to fiscal reforms. Bahrains finances have been hit hard by a slump in oil prices in 2014 and the small country has been struggling to cut government spending while avoiding public anger over austerity measures. Two officials, who declined to be named, said $2 billion would arrive before the end of the year and would figure in the 2019 budget. Another $2 billion, due by the end of 2019, may also be reflected in the budget, one official added. The funds will help the kingdom, which is holding parliamentary elections in November, as it implements new fiscal reforms, the officials said. It also makes sense economically and politically for the three wealthy Gulf states, which are diplomatic allies of Bahrain. Any collapse of Bahrains currency or a credit crunch could undermine confidence throughout the region. Bahrain released a 33-page fiscal plan last week after signing the agreement with its Gulf neighbors to fix its debt-burdened finances and abolish its budget deficit by 2022. Manama had projected a $3.5 billion budget deficit in 2018. ELECTIONS The plan, which promises further cuts in public spending, comes at a sensitive time as Bahrain prepares for elections, the second ballot since 2011 when protesters took to the streets demanding democratic change. A government spokesperson confirmed that Bahrain has received some funds as part of the aid package, but declined to give details. The spokesperson said the approval of a value-added tax law and the establishment of a national taxation body (among other measures) demonstrated the governments commitment to delivering swift, comprehensive reform. The support from other Gulf powers came after investors started doubting Manamas ability to pay back its debt and asked for higher returns, which prompted the government to cancel a bond sale in March. Bahrain does not plan to issue new U.S. dollar-denominated bonds this year, a central bank official told investors on Tuesday, one source told Reuters. The yield on Bahrains dollar bond due 2023 edged down 6 basis points to a seven-month low of 5.64 percent on Friday after the Gulf state announced the aid package from its neighbors. (Reporting By Aziz El Yaakoubi, Editing by Andrew Heavens) We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is forcing the Trump administration to investigate the disappearance of a Saudi journalist, triggering a human rights probe that could result in sanctions against Saudi officials and entities. In a letter to President Donald Trump Wednesday, senators invoked the Global Magnitsky Act of 2016 to seek an investigation in the case of Jamal Khashoggi, who hasnt been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week. The move appears aimed at prompting a more active response from an administration that has been restrained in its reaction to Khashoggis disappearance. The recent disappearance of Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi suggests that he could be a victim of a gross violation of internationally recognized human rights, the letter said. Our expectation is that in making your determination you will consider any relevant information, including with respect to the highest ranking officials in the government of Saudi Arabia. The Magnitsky Act gives the Trump administration 120 days to respond to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with a decision on potential sanctions against officials responsible for human rights violations. Lawmakers have been making increasingly strong statements regarding the U.S.-Saudi relationship this week after reports that the kingdom sought to silence one of its most outspoken critics. The fallout could reshape alliances in the region, where the U.S. is seeking to stabilize Syria, contain Iranian weapon development and support a Saudi-led coalition in Yemens civil war. Demanding Everything Trump, speaking to reporters Wednesday in the Oval Office, said he had spoken more than once with Saudi officials in recent days but didnt provide details of the conversations. Trump said Khashoggis fiancee had sent him a letter and may come to the White House soon. Im not happy about it, Trump said of Khashoggis disappearance. When asked whether hes demanding answers from the Saudis, Trump said, Yes, we are. We are demanding everything. Story continues A Turkish official, speaking anonymously and without providing evidence, said earlier this week that Khashoggi, a Global Opinions section columnist for the Washington Post, was murdered inside the consulate, a claim the Saudi government has vehemently denied. The Post quoted a Turkish official as saying authorities suspect a 15-member team killed the journalist at the consulate. U.S. intelligence intercepted communications of Saudi officials discussing a plan to capture Khashoggi before he vanished, according to the Post, which cited two people familiar with the information. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Bloomberg News in an interview last week that Khashoggi had left the consulate shortly after entering it last week and that he was ready to let Turkey to search the building. But the Post reported that the Saudis havent presented any evidence he left the building and say that their video cameras werent recording at the time. The newspaper also quoted an unidentified senior Turkish official as saying the Saudis werent allowing a proper investigation in the consulate. Erdogan Involved Khashoggi, who had been living in self-imposed exile for the past year, vanished on Oct. 2 after he entered the consulate to obtain a document. Turkeys president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said he was personally involved in the case, which threatens ties between Ankara and Riyadh. The letter from lawmakers is signed by all members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee except for Rand Paul of Kentucky. Paul is pushing Congress to block future arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Paul said he hopes Khashoggis disappearance motivates everybody to reassess our kinship and everything we do with Saudi Arabia. The Kentucky Republican said he hopes Trump will support stronger measures against Saudi Arabia if there is any evidence they killed this journalist. The Magnitsky Act is named for Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian lawyer who died in a Moscow prison after he reported tax fraud involving government officials. It has been used to punish Russian oligarchs and Turkish officials, to restrict the travel and freeze the assets of officials found to have violated human rights. By Ricardo Brito BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's presidential front-runner Jair Bolsonaro would tackle chronic energy shortages by expanding nuclear and hydroelectric power in the Amazon despite environmental concerns, the adviser overseeing his infrastructure plans told Reuters. Oswaldo Ferreira, one of several retired generals advising Bolsonaro, said, if he were elected, the government would also complete Brazil's corruption-plagued Angra 3 nuclear power station on the coast between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. He said a Bolsonaro administration would complete the massive Belo Monte hydro dam on the Xingu river, a tributary of the Amazon, which has been criticized for displacing indigenous communities and causing damage to the sensitive biome. Shelved plans for other dams in the Amazon basin could also be revived, he said. Far-right Bolsonaro easily outpaced his leftist rival Fernando Haddad in Sunday's first-round vote, taking 46 percent compared to Haddad's 29 percent, but short of the majority needed to avoid an Oct.28 runoff. A Wednesday poll showed Bolsonaro 16 percentage points ahead. At a Thursday press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Bolsonaro confirmed that Chicago University-trained economist Paulo Guedes would be his economy minister, overseeing a "super ministry" combining the current finance, planning and development ministries. He also said retired army general Augusto Heleno Pereira would be defense minister and conservative congressman Onyx Lorenzoni his chief of staff. AMAZON PROTECTION Private investors would be called on to help build the infrastructure Brazil badly needs, Ferreira said. The country is one of the world's top food exporters, but the poor state of roads and lack of railways makes getting goods to ports slow and expensive. Popular with Brazil's powerful evangelical and farming lobbies, Bolsonaro, 63, has pledged to pull Brazil out of the Paris Agreement climate deal due to disagreements over how the Amazon should be protected. His top agriculture adviser, Nabhan Garcia, told Reuters on Tuesday that Bolsonaro's government would slash fines for farmers who break environmental laws in sensitive areas like the Amazon rainforest. Environmentalists are also concerned about Bolsonaro's plans to stop recognizing new native reservation lands and to merge the agriculture and environment ministries under the control of a farm lobby representative. Garcia, a well-known conservative voice in agriculture in Brazil, had been floated in the local press as a candidate to head that ministry. Bolsonaro said on Thursday that Garcia would not have that post, without elaborating. Ferreira said hundreds of unfinished infrastructure projects, including railways and roads for exporting grains, will be studied and completed if viable with the help of investors through public-private partnerships. But energy will be a priority. "If Brazil is to return to the rates of growth that we all want, there will be a need for energy that cannot be supplied from other sources," he said in a Wednesday night telephone interview. Bolsonaro said on Thursday that his team had an economic agenda "practically ready" to present upon taking office in January, if he wins, including a tax overhaul that would not raise taxes but rather cut red tape. Ferreira said Bolsonaro favored privatizing the transmission and distribution units of Brazil's largest utility Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA, known as Eletrobras, but retaining state control of power generation. He emphasized that a Bolsonaro administration would focus on "clean" energy from hydropower to wind and solar, and that environmental concerns would be given "full attention." Ferreira struck a less moderate tone in an interview published on Thursday by newspaper O Estado de S.Paulo, where he described environmental regulators as a nuisance. When the army was responsible for opening up roads in the Amazon during the 1964-1985 military regime, trees could be felled without permission, but today to cut down one tree "a handful of people will come and bother you," he told the paper. (Reporting by Ricardo Brito in Brasilia and Rodrigo Viga Gaier in Rio de Janeiro; Writing by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Christian Plumb, Daniel Flynn and Rosalba O'Brien) By Katie Paul and Aziz El Yaakoubi DUBAI (Reuters) - A British academic is being held in solitary confinement without charge in the United Arab Emirates, five months after he was arrested while in the country conducting field research for his thesis, his wife said on Thursday. Matthew Hedges, a 31-year-old doctoral student at Durham University, was detained without explanation at Dubai International Airport on May 5 after a two-week visit, according to a statement released by his wife, Daniela Tejada. The UAE government media office did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment. A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said British officials were supporting a British man following his detention in the UAE, without identifying the man or offering details on the case. Hedges appeared at a court in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, after a first hearing last week, but was not informed of any charges against him, said Tejada. The court appointed a lawyer to review the case and adjourned until October 24. An Emirati source familiar with the case, who was not authorized to speak publicly, told Reuters that Hedges would be charged with espionage, but that the court was waiting for his lawyer to review the case before formally issuing charges. State-backed media in the UAE reported in late September that the attorney general had ordered a trial for a foreign national accused of spying, without elaborating on his identity. The English-language newspaper The National said investigators had determined that the man was trying to procure "confidential information" for a foreign agency, and said that he admitted to spying during questioning. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said British officials were in touch with UAE authorities. "We are assisting his family and remain in close contact with the local authorities. The Foreign Secretary has also personally raised his case with his Emirati counterpart," the spokesman said. In her statement, Tejada said her husband had been made to sleep on the floor and allowed to shower only once during his first month in detention. After three months of solitary confinement, she said, he was given a foam mattress. "I am extremely worried about Matt's mental health and general well-being," she said. According to a profile on Durham University's website, Hedges is a doctoral student in the School of Government and International Affairs whose research interests include civil-military relations, political economy and tribalism. Last year, he co-authored an article in an academic journal on the Muslim Brotherhood and the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which the UAE is a member. The UAE is a tourism and trade hub for the Middle East, but tolerates little public criticism of its monarchy or policies and is opposed to the Islamist ideology of the Brotherhood. Emirati authorities routinely jail people for publishing content deemed offensive to the state, such as a 10-year prison sentence issued for activist Ahmed Mansoor earlier this year. (Reporting by Katie Paul and Aziz El Yaakoubi, Editing by William Maclean) Katmai National Park and Preserve in King Salmon, Alaska is home to thousands of brown bears, and is among the best places in the world for watching them in their natural habitat, thanks to its salmon-rich waters at sites like Brooks Falls. In celebration of the feasting giants, the park kicked off its annual Fat Bear Week last Wednesday, at the height of the creatures pre-hibernation period, when they race to gorge themselves on fish in preparation for the winters deep (and starved) sleep. Using footage from the parks famed Bear Cam, which catches brown bears live-in-action fishing and frolicking along the Brooks River, the public was encouraged to vote on the fattest-looking bear, in order to, according to the parks site, determine which gluttonous giant sits atop the brown bear oligarchy of obesity. Arranged in a bracket (a la March Madness), bears were pitted head-to-head against one another, earning votes as they packed on the pounds. Monday #FatBearWeek recap: The summer weight packed on by bear-shaped blimp 747 was too much for 32 Chunk. 747 will advance to face 409 Beadnose tomorrow in the final showdown Fat Bear Tuesday! The title of Fattest Bear 2018 will be decided beginning at 6am AKDT pic.twitter.com/20VeRduHC8 Katmai National Park (@KatmaiNPS) October 9, 2018 Fear not: body shaming isnt the point of the competition, since the creatures rely on fat stores to survive their nearly six-month hibernation, when their body mass diminishes by up to a third. Its more a celebration of the grueling three-ish months of nonstop eating the bears have to do in preparation, consuming a years worth of food in a physiological state called hyperphagia, which disables the chemicals that signal to their body when theyre full. The weeklong competition wrapped up yesterday, on Fat Bear Tuesday, when one extra-plump bear was crowned the winner. The reigning champ? A female bear, named 409 Beadnose, a mother bear whose radiant rolls, won out over those of the other top contender, a popular male named 747. Results were announced on the parks Facebook page, and both bears will continue to be tracked on the Bear Cam during the impending final weeks before hibernation. Paris (AFP) - An alarming increase in deadly jihadist attacks has led to expanded French military action in Burkina Faso, a marked shift after years of reticence by the west African nation to call in help from its former colonial master. Until now France's 4,500-member Barkhane anti-terror force in West and Central Africa has intervened mainly in Mali, while focussing on training in Burkina Faso and the other nations of the G5 Sahel military alliance -- Chad, Mauritania and Niger. But over the past two weeks, more than 20 members of Burkina Faso's security forces have been killed in the country's restless north and east. After rebels raided a police station in the north last week, officials asked Barkhane's command for air strikes, which killed around 10 of the attackers as they fled. It also deployed two attack helicopters to the suspected rebel haven in the heavily forested Pama region last weekend after a Burkinabe soldier was killed by an IED, military sources said. The new theatre for operations highlight the challenges facing France as it tries to contain the jihadist threat in the region, which has taken a toll on economic growth and helped fuel the wave of migrants fleeing toward Europe. Paris's strategy has been based on trying to build up local African forces in the stuttering G5 Sahel alliance, but the growing instability in Burkina now looks likely to draw its troops into more frontline fighting. French Defence Minister Florence Parly sought to put a positive spin on the prospect of deeper French involvement last week during a visit to Chad. "A pragmatic and constructive step has been taken," she said. - New strain? - The new front could put further strain on the Barkhane force, whose command was taken over two months ago by General Frederic Blachon. Yet officials are playing down such risks for now, pointing to the rapid air responses possible from the Barkhane air base in Niger's capital of Niamey. Story continues "A plan can be adapted," Blachon said recently, adding that Burkina Faso's government "will have the same support that we give to others in the G5." "We always maintain sufficient intervention capacity to lend support" outside Mali, a senior military officer said in Paris, requesting anonymity to discuss military strategy. Burkina's requests for help underline the worsening security situation in the country due to the state of the country's armed forces and the difficulty in containing numerous armed jihadist groups operating in the region. Since the 2014 ouster of Burkina leader Blaise Compaore, who used elite forces as his personal guard, the government has been wary of giving the military too big a role in a country scarred by several coup attempts. But the attacks are now jeopardising President Roch Marc Christian Kabore's vow to improve security, education, health and drinking water in the country's Sahel region. French officials have made no secret of their concerns about the violence, and the risk of contagion to countries further south like Ghana and Ivory Coast. - Special forces - Paris has for years stationed special forces in the Burkina capital Ouagadougou, who intervened after twin attacks last March on the French embassy and Burkina's military headquarters which left eight soldiers dead. That attack was claimed by the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM), one of several prowling across the vast desert expanses of the Sahel. But French forces are still trying to identify the insurgents operating with increasing boldness in the country's east. "It appears they are not with Ansarul Islam," a jihadist group based in the country's north which has carried out several attacks against the army along the 1,000-kilometre (600-mile) border with Mali, a Barkhane intelligence officer said. "But we don't yet have enough information about how many there are, or where they're coming from," he said. Ottawa (AFP) - Canadian auto parts tycoon Frank Stronach has filed suit against his daughter, seeking Can$520 million (US$420 million) in an escalating dispute over the family fortune, court officials confirmed Thursday. Stronach, 86, alleges that his daughter Belinda -- who heads The Stronach Group holding company -- and other executives mismanaged the family fortune and froze him out of the business he built over six decades. The elder Stronach, a native of Austria, founded Magna International Inc in 1957 after emigrating to Canada and built it into the world's largest auto parts supplier. The family holding company now controls more than 250 businesses including real estate and horse racing tracks. Stronach relinquished control of Magna International y in 2010 in a controversial Can$863 million buyout, and left Canada in 2013 to run for political office in his native Austria. He returned the following year. During his absence, according to a statement of claim cited by the Globe and Mail, Belinda Stronach and other executives "seriously neglected the business of The Stronach Group and abused their positions of authority. They did so in order to conceal significant cash-flow issues, and to favor their own personal interests." The lawsuit alleges that "corporate documents were falsified as part of a scheme ... to limit or eliminate Frank's role in running the Stronach family business." The allegations have not been tested in court. "Family relationships within a business can be challenging," Belinda Stronach said in a statement. "My children and I love my father. However, his allegations are untrue and we will be responding formally to the statement of claim in the normal course of the court process." The rocket booster failed shortly after take-off (PA Images) Russia has launched a criminal investigation after two astronauts were forced to make an emergency landing when their rocket failed. The rocket malfunctioned shortly after taking off on a mission heading to the International Space Station. Dramatic footage showed the US and Russian astronauts being violently shaken inside the cockpit as they were forced to make a ballistic descent and touch down safely in Kazakhstan. The police operation for Donald Trumps controversial visit to the UK cost the taxpayer almost 18 million. Thousands of officers were deployed in the largest mobilisation since the 2011 riots. Police presence covered the Presidents official engagements, as well as a number of protests from those angry at the Presidents visit. Doctors will be able to prescribe cannabis products to patients from 1 November. The Home Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed thousands of people could access products to treat conditions such as epileptic seizures. Billy Caldwell, who suffers from a rare form of epilepsy, is pictured with his mother Charlotte, who has campaigned for doctors to be able to prescribe cannabis products (PA Images) The ruling follows a number of high-profile cases, including that of young epilepsy sufferer Billy Caldwell, whose condition appeared to be helped by cannabis oil. A study has found for the first time that picking your nose can spread illnesses such as pneumonia. It was previously thought bacteria was passed on by coughs and sneezes, but scientists now think they can be spread by hand-to-hand contact. By Doina Chiacu WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China is waging an unprecedented campaign to influence American public opinion as November congressional elections approach and presents the greatest long-term counterintelligence threat to the United States, U.S. security officials said on Wednesday. Senators on the Homeland Security Committee questioned Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and FBI Director Christopher Wray about President Donald Trump's assertion that China is interfering in U.S. elections and asked whether Beijing poses a larger threat to the country than Moscow. Nielsen told the panel there were two types of threats to American election security from other nations: hacking or disruption of election infrastructure, which includes voter registration lists or voting machines, and influence campaigns. "China absolutely is on an unprecedented - or exerting unprecedented effort to influence American opinion," Nielsen said. "We have not seen to date any Chinese attempts to compromise election infrastructure." Wray went farther when asked whether China posed a larger threat than Russia, whose activities during the 2016 presidential election are the subject of a wide-ranging federal investigation that includes whether Moscow cooperated with the Trump campaign to sway the vote. "China in many ways represents the broadest, most complicated, most long-term counterintelligence threat we face," affecting every sector of the U.S. economy, Wray said. "Russia is in many ways fighting to stay relevant after the fall of the Soviet Union. They're fighting today's fight. China's is fighting tomorrow's fight." Trump last month accused China of seeking to meddle in the Nov. 6 congressional elections, saying Beijing did not want his Republican Party to do well because of his pugnacious stance on trade. "China has been attempting to interfere in our upcoming 2018 election, coming up in November. Against my administration, Trump told a U.N. Security Council meeting. Trump made no reference to suspected Russian meddling in the 2016 election and provided no evidence for his allegation about China, which Beijing immediately rejected. Trump has been skeptical of Russian meddling in the U.S. election and has repeatedly denied his campaign worked with Moscow to put him into the White House. He has drawn criticism from Democrats and his fellow Republicans that he is ignoring a threat to American democracy. U.S. intelligence officials have said Russia has used widespread influence campaigns, including on social media, that target elections and has tried to hack and steal information from American candidates and officials. Russia has repeatedly denied the allegations. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Jonathan Oatis) A Chinese national who allegedly conspired to steal trade secrets from an Ohio aviation company has been extradited to the U.S., according to the Justice Department. Xu Yanjun targeted U.S. and European aerospace companies on behalf of Chinas Ministry of State Security, according to an indictment charging him with economic espionage and other crimes. Xu, who used multiple aliases, is a deputy division director within Chinas intelligence and security agency, the U.S. alleges. The charges come as the Trump administration takes a harder line on China, with Vice President Mike Pence last week challenging the countrys economic practices. The arrest of Xu and his extradition represent the first time the U.S. has been able to bring a Chinese intelligence officer to America to be prosecuted for economic espionage, said John Demers, assistant attorney general for national security. Xu was extradited from Belgium, where he was arrested on April 1. One of the companies allegedly targeted by Xu was GE Aviation, a unit of General Electric Co. Demers said its assistance was crucial to the investigation. Lawyers for Xu didnt immediately respond to email messages seeking comment. An email seeking comment on the indictment from the Chinese Embassy wasnt immediately returned. Working With Conspirator The indictment, filed in federal court in Cincinnati, lays out Xus alleged efforts to steal technology from an unidentified Ohio-based aviation company. Xu worked with a conspirator, unnamed in the indictment, who contacted an engineer of the firm last year and offered to pay for a trip to China so the employee could talk about his work in connection with an event sponsored by a science and technology association, according to prosecutors. The employee traveled to China in June 2017 and gave a presentation at a public university in Nanjing, they said. The employees talk included details about engines that were designed and produced by his company. In reality, the employee, who was paid $3,500 by Xu for the trip, was revealing information to the Chinese government, according to prosecutors. These charges are significant, Demers told reporters on a conference call Wednesday. The threat of insiders in companies being either pressured or co-opted by Chinese intelligence officials and others is very real. Xu, who was using the alias Qu Hui, continued to court the employee and received additional information including proprietary data involving the companys fan blades, according to prosecutors. The employee, under Xus directions, downloaded company materials and traveled to Belgium in April to pass that data to Xu, the indictment alleges. Dakar (AFP) - In normal times, African countries would have loudly saluted the choice of Rwanda's Louise Mushikiwabo as head of the world community of French-speaking countries. Instead, her nomination -- set to be enshrined at a summit of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) in Armenia on Thursday and Friday -- has met with tight lips or muttered criticism. For some African commentators, the decision is a stitchup between French President Emmanuel Macron and Rwandan President Paul Kagame that does little for France's reputation or the OIF's mission. "The silence is deafening," said Mathias Hounkpe of OSIWA, the West African branch of the Open Society network of thinktanks, describing how African countries have responded. Other voices harshly recall France's history of back-door dealings in former sub-Saharan colonies, often at the expense of human rights and democracy. "It's like Francafrique," said Ivory Coast commentator and author Alex Kipre, referring to a notorious policy of interference that Paris insists was ditched years ago. Macron "has used La Francophonie as a French toy," said Paul Berenger, head of the opposition Mauritian Militant Movement on the French-speaking Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. "This is bad news for La Francophonie. It is supposed to promote the values of the French language and human rights." - Joint pitch - Created in 1970 along lines blazed by the Commonwealth, the OIF brings together 58 countries and regional governments, representing 274 million speakers of French around the world. Just months ago, the big name expected to be adopted in Erevan was the current OIF secretary general, Michaelle Jean -- a Canadian of Haitian descent who in 2014 became the first woman and non-African to helm the organisation. But her fortunes changed in May when Kagame visited Paris. After talks with Macron, he announced -- in English -- that his foreign minister would be seeking the leadership of the world's francophone community. Story continues Macron declared his support, saying Mushikiwabo had "every quality for the job". The Macron-Kagame pitch, say analysts, is part of an effort to turn the page of nearly a quarter-century of acrimony, rooted in accusations by Rwanda -- rejected by France -- of French involvement in the 1994 genocide. Rwanda's fury at France was such that in 2003 it made English an official language alongside the country's first language, Kinyarwanda, and French. Five years later English replaced French as the language of education, and in 2009 Rwanda joined the Commonwealth, even though as a former Belgian territory its historic ties to Britain were negligible. In July, African francophone countries officially rallied behind Mushikiwabo. This was in line with their policy of backing an African candidate sensitive to the needs of states that comprise more than half of the OIF membership. - 'Problem' Rwanda - But their support was lip service, said Senegalese political analyst Babacar Justin Ndiaye. Rwanda "is a problem," he said, saying the country had "turned its back" on La Francophonie in the past, and its record on human rights was at odds with the organisation's commitment to democracy. "France has been manoeuvering to satisfy Rwanda, to win it over," he told AFP. Mushikiwabo's level of French was "rough," he said, quipping that the Academie Francaise -- the porticoed Paris institution that is the official guardian of the French language -- would be "dumbstruck". The choice of Mushikiwabo "has been rushed through -- politics have taken precedence over language, democracy, demography," he said. "Many factors have been sacrificed on the altar of diplomacy." Coca-Cola just got the nod from investors to buy the UK coffee chain Costa for $5.1bn (3.9bn). UK-based Whitbread (WTB.L), which owns the Costa business, held a shareholder vote this week. On Thursday morning, the company announced that 99% of votes cast were in favour of the deal. The drinks behemoth Coca-Cola (KO), which owns brands including Minute Maid and Smartwater, announced its takeover intentions in late August. Its pushing to expand into new product categories and provide customers with healthier options. Costa boasts roughly 4,000 retail outlets around the world and has recently been expanding into China. Whitbread bought the Costa chain in 1995 for 19m ($25m) when it had just 39 shops. Whitbread, which is one of the largest companies traded on the London Stock Exchange, also owns and operates the Premier Inn hotel chain. Coca-Cola is buying the Costa coffee chain from Whitbread for $5.1 billion. Photo: Zhang Peng/Getty Images Whitbread CEO Alison Brittain said in August that she expect[s] to return a significant majority of net proceeds to shareholders. Whitbread will also reduce debt and make a contribution to its pension fund, which will provide additional headroom for the expansion of Premier Inn, she said at the time. The deal is expected to close by the end of June 2019. When Bassma Ali finished college with a degree in computer science, she was eager to find a job in her hometown in the Gaza Strip. But, as with many skilled graduates in the territory of 1.9 million people, her enthusiasm soon turned into frustration. Since 2007, Gaza has been under a land, air and sea blockade from Israel, severely restricting the movement of goods and people. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, 49% of the working-age population is unemployed. The problem is especially acute among Gazas young IT graduates, roughly 70% of whom cant find jobs. Everyone is trapped, Ali says. It feels like youre facing a wall. Ali, 33, and Rasha Abu-Safieh, 34, are trying to tear down that wall with their startup, GGateway. Launched in 2012 as part of the U.N.s agency for Palestinian refugees, it gets around restrictions on the territory by connecting tech-savvy Gazans to companies with remote working opportunities. They have helped 620 young Gazans build tech-based careers. In May they secured $3 million from the World Bank to turn GGateway into a regional hub for the digital economy. At least half of spots on the program are reserved for female computer science graduates, fewer than one fifth of whom currently manage to find work. Abu-Safieh says employers tend to discriminate against women because they assume they will have to give up work when they start a family. Both GGateway founders prove this is not the case; between them Abu-Safieh and Ali have five children under the age of 10. They allow new mothers to bring their babies to sessions, preventing them from falling behind. The pair say the lack of opportunity in Gaza has an impact on the mental health of young people, leaving them open to exploitation by extremist groups. They feel they belong to nowhere and their dreams are unachievable, Ali says. Thats very dangerous. But GGateway is transforming their outlook. When we get them generating an income, they start to believe in their abilities, Abu-Safieh says. They start to believe they have a future. An American Express and a Visa credit cards are seen on a computer keyboard in this picture illustration taken September 6, 2017. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer/Illustration/Files Swiping a credit card for recreational cannabis will be a first for many Canadians next week. But paying for that inaugural lawful drug deal with plastic could risk consequences at the United States border. The privacy agreements of the big five banks, as well as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express make no guarantees that financial data will remain in Canada, beyond the reach of U.S. authorities eager to enforce federal anti-pot laws. Emily Gilbert, a University of Toronto professor and Canada-U.S. border expert, expects U.S. officials to expand their use of data beyond individual laptops and mobile devices as part of a cannabis crackdown once legalization takes hold in Canada on Oct. 17. I would fully anticipate, especially if this becomes more of a tense issue between Canada and the U.S., that we will see data collection having a much deeper kind of implication for people where there are cases built up against you, she told Yahoo Canada Finance. Searching of data far beyond the border is starting to happen. But I havent yet heard of them building profiles against people before they actually arrive at the border to exclude them. U.S. law allows border officials to slap a lifetime ban on Canadians found to have consumed marijuana, even once its legal here. Less than a week before legalization, much remains to be seen about how the digital footprints from buying recreational cannabis could come back to haunt those who indulge. Several provincially-run retailers, and e-commerce partners like Shopify Inc. (SHOP.TO), have promised to keep purchase data on servers in Canada. How payments will materialize on bank records will depend on where the purchase is made. Mastercard affirmed its commitment to cardholder privacy in a statement to Yahoo Canada Finance, explaining that data collected from transactions is limited to card numbers, locations, dates, the amount spent and merchant names. Visa and American Express did not respond to questions about transaction data in time for the publication of this story. Story continues The collection of merchant names could pose a problem for cardholders shopping at retailers whose name identifies them as a seller of cannabis. Nick Pateras, vice president of growth and international strategy at the cannabis data firm Lift & Co., said illegal dispensaries that accept non-cash payments have often resorted to tongue-in-cheek names to mask how their business appears to their customers banks. A lot of them are like Flower Centre or Bouquet Shop, that kind of thing, he said. The biggest concern from a consumer standpoint is whether or not it says the word cannabis or marijuana on the credit card bill. Some provincially-run retailers who also handle alcohol sales are simply using their agency names. Bank records wont show if the customer bought booze or bud. Pot purchased from Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis will show up on credit card statements as AGLC, according to a spokesperson. The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation said marijuana purchases will show up as NSLC, plus the name of the store location. NSLC spokesperson Beverley Ware said differentiating cannabis purchases would only be possible at the one cannabis-only brick-and-mortar store in the province. British Columbias Liquor Distribution Branch told Yahoo Canada Finance that it has requested that credit card companies display transactional information on cardholders statements in a manner that is considerate of the sensitivities related to purchasing cannabis. However, these fields are ultimately completed by credit card companies in their systems during their merchant setup process, the agency said in an email. New Brunswick Liquor Corporation told Yahoo Canada Finance that it has yet to decide on a name to appear on customer banking statements, but it has ruled out Cannabis NB, the name of the provincial crown corporation cannabis subsidiary. We are aware that credit card data is stored in the United States, and therefore we would not want to contribute to that data, said New Brunswick Liquor Corporation spokesperson Mark Barbour. The Ontario Cannabis Store, the online-only retailer set to serve Canadas largest province by itself until sales are privatized in April 2019, has not responded to questions about non-cash transactions. Some provinces, quite frankly, I dont think have even thought about this, said Deepak Anand, vice president of business development and government relations for Cannabis Compliance Inc., an industry consulting firm. For Ontario, they are going to have a huge customer apprehension to overcome to make people feel comfortable with buying online, said Pateras of Lift & Co. If there is a case of someone whose data has been identified or used against them to demonstrate that they have purchased cannabis and consumed it . . . it becomes a massive issue. Cannabis industry giant Canopy Growth Corp. (WEED.TO) said the company is not concerned about U.S. authorities tapping into Canadian credit card data to keep out recreational weed buyers. Vice president of communications Jordan Sinclair told Yahoo Canada Finance the issue would have reared its head with medical marijuana sales. Oct. 17 doesnt create a new risk for credit card use. That risk has been tested by our business and consumer base with more than a million cannabis transactions in the last five years without a single instance of U.S. authorities seeking private records from Canadian citizens, he said in an emailed statement. Payments to Tweed, Canopys main consumer-facing retail brand, will not be disguised. They will show up on bank statements as Tweed, plus a corresponding store number. There is no reason to assume the recreational cannabis market will be treated any different than the existing medical framework, which is federally legal in Canada and federally illegal in the United States, Sinclair added. U of T border expert Gilbert disagrees. She said wide-spread recreational access in Canada will up the scrutiny of U.S. border agents, especially if Canadian cities start attracting American marijuana tourists. As the cannabis industry grows, as it is anticipated to do, I can imagine them collating information on people who are involved at all levels of production and consumption in Canada, she said. I think at the federal level the so-called war on drugs is still very much alive. Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Associated Press The judge in Kyle Rittenhouses murder trial, already the subject of scrutiny for various actions in the case, drew attention again on Monday for his handling of jury instructions. Judge Bruce Schroeder, who had been expected to file final instructions on Sunday, took arguments from attorneys until the last minute Monday as he edited the instructions on the bench. The last-minute activity focused on a crucial procedure developing instructions about how jurors should determine whether Rittenhouse is guilty of each charge against him. Daily Digit is the story behind the numbers that make our world work. Today, were looking at refugees. Sixty-six percent of Americans support taking in refugees, according to a new report. This broad support is at odds with the Trump administrations policy to reduce the number of refugees coming into the country. The administration is capping admissions at 30,000 for 2019. This represents one-third less than the record low of 45,000 in 2018, and is about a quarter of the cap of 110,000 for 2017 set by the Obama administration. A record 68.5 million people have been displaced around the world. Among them are 25.4 million refugees, and nearly half of them are under 18 years old. People hold signs during a protest at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia about the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Washington - AP Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded Saudi Arabia provide answers over the disappearance of journalist and US resident Jamal Khashoggi, whom Turkish officials suspect was murdered after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The Trump administration sharply upped the pressure over the disappearance of Mr Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor, as it was reported that Prince Mohammed himself had ordered an operation targeting the journalist. Saudi officials were heard discussing a plan to lure Mr Khashoggi from the US state of Virginia, where he resided, and detain him, The Washington Post reported, citing unnamed US officials discussing intelligence intercepts. A source told the newspaper that US intelligence "intercepted communications of Saudi officials discussing a plan to capture him." The Saudis hoped to "lure" Khashoggi to Saudi Arabia "and lay hands on him there," the source told the Post. President Donald Trump said he had spoken to Saudi Arabia over Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post journalist Credit: AP But State Department deputy spokesman Robert Palladino said they had no such tip. "The US had no advance knowledge of Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance" or of any kind of threat, he said on Wednesday. The US President said he had talked "more than once" and "at the highest levels" to partners in Saudi Arabia, which is one of Washington's closest allies and a key market for the US weapons industry. "We're demanding everything," Mr Trump said of Mr Khashoggi's disappearance on October 2. "We cannot let this happen, to reporters, to anybody. "We are very disappointed to see what's going on. We don't like it and we're going to get to the bottom of it," he added. In a later interview with "Fox News at Night," Mr Trump said "it would not be a good thing at all" if the Saudis were proven to be involved. Twenty-two senators wrote to Mr Trump invoking the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which requires the president to open an investigation and determine whether sanctions should be imposed. Story continues The residence building of the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul Credit: AFP The act is used in cases of suspected "extrajudicial killing, torture, or other gross violation of internationally recognised human rights against an individual exercising freedom of expression," the senators said. Asked in the Fox interview about suggestions in Congress that arms sales to the kingdom be blocked, Mr Trump replied that such a move would hurt the US economy. "Frankly, I think that would be a very, very tough pill to swallow for our country," he said. Trump spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said National Security Advisor John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Trump's close aide and son-in-law Jared Kushner had all spoken to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the past two days. The United States has not confirmed Turkish claims that Mr Khashoggi, a US resident and one of the more outspoken critics of the regime of King Salman and his son Prince Mohammed, had been lured to the Istanbul consulate and murdered by a team of 15 government operatives sent by Riyadh to Istanbul. A frame grab allegedly shows suspects in the case of missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi (unseen) at Istanbul's Ataturk airport Credit: AFP But the case has sparked outrage from human rights and journalism groups. US peace activists Code Pink mounted a protest in front of the Saudi Embassy in Washington on Wednesday, brandishing signs saying "Where is Jamal Khashoggi?" and "Khashoggi: Another Victim of Saudi Violence." "We are very very disturbed" by Mr Khashoggi's disappearance, said Code Pink founder Meda Benjamin. "We think that there is very little hope that Jamal is still alive." The Washington Post, where Khashoggi has been a regular contributor over the past year, also called for answers. "Reports about Jamal's fate have suggested he was a victim of state-sponsored, cold-blooded murder," said Post publisher and chief executive Fred Ryan. "Silence, denials and delays are not acceptable. We demand to know the truth," he added. In the calls by Mr Bolton, Mr Kushner and Mr Pompeo, Ms Sanders said, "they asked for more details and for the Saudi government to be transparent in the investigation process." Mr Trump also said he was looking into a meeting in the White House with Mr Khashoggi's fiancee, Hatice Cengiz. Mr Khashoggi, 59, is a longtime leading Saudi journalist and former government advisor who went into exile last year after 33-year-old Prince Mohammed rose to power under his father the king. A frame grab allegedly shows a black van suspected of being involved in the disappearance of Khashoggi in front of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul Credit: AFP He has been critical of the monarchy's continued arrest of critics on both the left and right, despite its professed reforms. He has also repeatedly assailed Riyadh's role leading the war against Yemen's Huthi rebels, a campaign closely identified with Prince Mohammed that has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths and generated a major humanitarian disaster. Mr Khashoggi was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain papers for his pending marriage to Cengiz, who is Turkish. Riyadh insisted that Mr Khashoggi left the building and called the murder claims "baseless." Turkish investigators say they have CCTV footage showing him entering the consulate, but not leaving. The issue threatened the strong relationship the Trump administration has constructed with Prince Mohammed. The two sides have cooperated on challenging Iran, on supporting Israel and on the war against the Huthis. But Prince Mohammed has drawn growing scrutiny over his campaign against critics. Reporters Without Borders said in a statement that between 25 and 30 professional and non-professional journalists are currently detained in Saudi Arabia. Gina Lyons and Mark Lee bought a hotel while drunk on their honeymoon (Caters) Honeymoons are a time for fun but one couple took it a bit far, leaving them 30,000 out of pocket. Gina Lyons, 33, and Mark Lee, 35, got so drunk while celebrating their wedding that they decided it was a good idea to buy a HOTEL. The couple were on a three-week backpacking honeymoon in Sri Lanka last December when they made the booze-fuelled decision. The happy couple checked into a rustic hotel on the beach and immediately hit it off with the staff, and spent a night drinking on the beach with one of the bartenders. It was here that they discovered the current lease on the hotel was almost up and, after downing 12 glasses of rum, the couple decided they would take up the new lease at a cost of 30,000. Gina said: When we walked into the hotel we saw a group of old Sri Lankan men who were still drunk from the night before, so we started drinking with them. The couple hit it off with staff members at the hotel in Sri Lanka (Caters) The hotel looked grotty and very cheap, but it was by the beach and had the wooden tree house feel that we like. When we were on the beach drinking rum, we were told that the lease was almost up for the hotel. After finding out that it was 10,000 a year, myself and Mark thought that it would be a brilliant idea to buy it because we were so drunk. READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: This is now the worlds most powerful passport for travel freedom Hurricane Michael: At least one person killed as terrifying 155mph winds lash Florida Greek island bans overweight tourists from riding donkeys after animals suffer spinal injuries Christian bakers win Supreme Court ruling that they discriminated against Support Gay Marriage cake Storm Callum to hit UK on morning of Princess Eugenies royal wedding Gina explained the London-based couple were just as tipsy during more serious chats about their decision to lease the hotel. She went on: The next day we went and met an old couple who we had to speak to about renewing the lease ourselves. We had to take two friends we had made with us so they could translate for us, as the couple didnt speak English themselves. Story continues Gina and Mark downed 12 glasses of rum before deciding buying the hotel was a good idea (Caters) Because we didnt understand most of the conversation, Mark and I were just sat drinking more rum and slowly getting drunk again. After some bartering, we finally agreed that we would pay 30,000 for the three year lease and pay 15,000 in the first year and the other half by March 2019. But on top of that we had to pay about 7,000 legal fees in obtaining licenses and then 6,000 to refurbish, so it wasnt cheap. The couple managed to pay the first half of the lease but they stumbled into an unexpected debt three months after agreeing the purchase in March this year, when Gina discovered she was pregnant. Gina added: I felt like I was already a bad mother because I felt guilty that Id wasted all of this money buying a business that might not work. The couple opened their seven-bedroom B&B at the end of July (Caters) Even our friends and family think were idiots and shouldnt have been doing it we owed a lot of money from the wedding and only lived in a tiny flat, and now we had a baby on the way. I was plagued with feeling irresponsible, but it was either sink or swim so we decided wed have to make it work. Thats when we decided to throw our all into it, both for ourselves and for the baby, and in July we officially became owners of the business. The couple have officially renamed their new seven-bedroom B&B the Lucky Beach Tangalle. Despite their drunken decision seemingly paying off with an influx of regular customers, the couple insist that their decisions to expand will be made sober. London (AFP) - The British government brushed off a threat Thursday by its Northern Irish allies to withdraw their support if it compromises too much on Brexit, amid reports of progress in negotiations with the European Union. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which props up Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative government, threatened to vote against the forthcoming budget if she makes a deal that disadvantages Northern Ireland. The warning, amid continued opposition from May's own Conservative MPs to her Brexit strategy, further raised the stakes as negotiators seek a breakthrough ahead of a summit of EU leaders on October 18. Scottish Minister David Mundell suggested the DUP would come around, saying the alternative was either a government led by opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn or a Brexit next March without any deal at all. "I'm sure they too will be persuaded the alternatives -- of no deal or potentially a Corbyn government -- would not be of benefit to them or Northern Ireland," he said. May gathered selected members of her cabinet late Thursday to update them on the Brexit talks, and the Financial Times reported that she told them that a deal was drawing closer. The issue of the Irish border, the major sticking point, was "close to being settled", it said. Downing Street earlier warned there were "big issues still to resolve". DUP leader Arlene Foster, who has been in Brussels this week for talks with EU officials, repeated her warning that she would not accept anything that threatened the integrity of the UK. "The prime minister is a unionist. Many of her cabinet colleagues have assured me of their unionism," she said. "Therefore, they could not in good conscience recommend a deal which places a trade barrier on United Kingdom businesses moving goods from one part of the Kingdom to another." - 'One-way turnstile' - Talks on the divorce deal are stuck on how to keep the border open between Northern Ireland, which is part of Britain, and EU member Ireland to the south. Story continues London hopes to resolve the issue with a future trade deal, but agrees there should be a "backstop" arrangement to avoid physical frontier checks until that deal is done. The EU suggests Northern Ireland stay aligned with its customs union and single market during that period, and there are signs the British government could accept elements of this plan. But this could see checks on goods travelling from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland -- what Foster described as "an effective one-way turnstile". "Trade from Great Britain into Northern Ireland would be in danger of restriction. Indeed, Northern Ireland's access to any new United Kingdom trade deals would also be regulated by Brussels," she said. If the DUP votes against the budget, which will be presented on October 29, this could trigger a confidence motion and a general election if the government loses. May's Conservative party has relied on the DUP's 10 MPs to pass legislation since losing its majority in the House of Commons in the June 2017 election. Former Conservative leader and Brexit supporter Iain Duncan Smith warned the prime minister she should "listen very carefully" to the DUP, which he said echoed many Tory concerns. While May is reportedly ready to compromise on regulatory checks between Northern Ireland and mainland Britain, she has refused the idea of a customs border in the Irish Sea. Instead she proposed Britain as a whole stay temporarily aligned with the EU's customs union until a wider trade deal is agreed. Eurosceptic Conservative MPs who want a clean break with the EU have expressed alarm at reports that, as it races to get a deal, the government may agree this alignment would last indefinitely. "Clearly Number 10 are negotiating a 'backstop' that makes the UK a permanent EU colony," former foreign minister Boris Johnson warned on Wednesday. Malabo (Equatorial Guinea) (AFP) - Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema has pardoned 81 prisoners, including 30 political opponents jailed for sedition, according to a decree seen by AFP on Thursday. "We grant pardons to people condemned, or serving sentences for offences against the government, against public order or against recognised authorities," said the presidential decree dated Wednesday. Those listed, including 30 opponents sentenced to more than 30 years in jail, remained behind bars on Thursday. Among them is Jesus Mitogo, the sole parliamentary deputy of the opposition Citizens for Innovation (CI) party which was dissolved in February. Mitogo was convicted that month, along with fellow CI militants, for "sedition, public disorder, attacks on authority and serious injuries," following clashes during legislative elections last November. "No prisoner has yet been released," CI leader Gabriel Nse Obiang told AFP. He voiced concern that the president would never fulfil his July promise of a "total amnesty" to all political prisoners. The CI party considers the detention of its militants to be illegal and claims they have been mistreated and tortured. Two opponents of the regime Evaristo Oyaga Sima and Juan Obama Edu, died in prison, this year after being tortured, according to CI, a claim the government denies. President Nguema, who has ruled the small, oil-rich state with an iron fist since 1979, issued the pardons to mark his country's 50th anniversary of independence from former colonial power Spain. The country has closed its borders ahead of Friday's celebrations which will see several heads of state converge on the capital Malabo. Spain will be represented by its secretary of state for external cooperation. Lytton revealed on Lorraine Thursday why she returned to Albert Square. (BBC Pictures) Louisa Lytton revealed on Thursday that she returned to EastEnders specifically to cover her characters hard-hitting storyline. The 29-year-old actress, who plays EastEnders character Ruby Allen, spoke to Lorraine about the shocking but highly praised storyline, and why it prompted her to return to the BBC soap. Obviously as an actress I was grateful to be trusted with such an important storyline. So I said of course I will do it, Lytton said. She has returned to the soap this year after 12 years away. This week viewers were shocked as Ruby grappled coming to terms with the realisation that she had been raped by newcomer Ross. Allen said she is surprised and pleased with the positive feedback shes received from viewers via social media. I was surprised myself just how quickly that reaction has happened, thats the point of this storyline is to open that conversation and hopefully educate. Were only telling one story were only telling Rubys stories, but there are millions of viewers that can relate so it is important that weve done it right. I questioned it myself, people will be saying why dont you fight back, but thats one of your bodys natural reactions is that you freeze, Lytton said. Lytton was joined on the show by Rape Crisis representative Katie Russell who said she worked closely with the EastEnders writing team while crafting the highly sensitive storyline. We really welcome drama, especially ones as popular as EastEnders, that reach so many people and such a diverse audience, tackling topics like this. It will be evident as the story unfolds that we still have a lot of public education and awareness raising to do when it comes to the issue of consent, Russell said. EastEnders returns Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One. Read more EastEnders: Dot Cotton returns but is she OK? Emmerdale: Viewers divided over Kim Tates return Coronation Street: Viewers spot Anne Kirkbride tribute Cairo (AFP) - An Egyptian military court on Thursday sentenced 17 people to death over a series of suicide bombings of churches claimed by the Islamic State group that left dozens dead. Seventy-four people were killed in the attacks in 2016 and 2017 targeting Coptic Christians in Cairo, Alexandria and the Nile Delta city of Tanta. The court also sentenced 19 people to life in prison and 10 others to between 10 and 15 years, judicial and security officials said. Christian sites of worship across Egypt have been repeatedly targeted in attacks claimed by IS, prompting the authorities to impose a state of emergency 18 months ago. A suicide attack on December 11, 2016 on the Saint Peter and Saint Paul church killed 29 in the heart of Cairo. The following April, 45 people were killed as Christians gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday in the cities of Tanta and Alexandria. Coptic Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt's predominantly Sunni Muslim population. Since the military overthrow of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, hundreds of police officers, soldiers and civilians have been killed in jihadist attacks. In November last year, suspected IS militants killed more than 300 Muslim worshippers in a gun and bomb assault on a mosque in the Sinai Peninsula. The Egyptian army is waging a major operation focused on the Sinai aimed at wiping out IS. In April, a military court had initially condemned 36 people to death over the church bombings. The retrial came after the case was referred to the Grand Mufti, Egypt's highest religious authority, as required by law whenever a death sentence is passed. Amnesty International criticised the ruling and urged Egypt to give the suspects a "fair trial" in a civilian court. "There is no doubt that the perpetrators of these horrific attacks should be held accountable for their crimes," said the group's North Africa campaigns director Najia Bounaim. "But handing out a mass death sentence after an unfair military trial is not justice and will not deter further sectarian attacks." Christine Figgener could never have predicted that an eight-minute video would change the course of her career. But in August 2015, the 34-year-old marine-conservation biologist discovered a sea turtle in Costa Rica with a plastic straw lodged up its nose. Outraged at the extreme discomfort to the creature, Figgener filmed her research crew removing the straw from the turtles nose, blood oozing from its nostrils. The heart-wrenching video has racked up more than 32 million views on YouTube. I thought I can really show what kind of harm one object can do, she says. Americans alone use as many as 390 million plastic straws a dayjust a small proportion of the 8 million metric tons of plastic that ends up in the ocean annually. Though Figgeners video is three years old, it continues to make waves. In July it was credited with helping galvanize broader support for moves by major companies like Starbucks and American Airlines in phasing out plastic straws. We can all do something, Figgener says. Figgener grew up in Germany but moved to Costa Rica to pursue her graduate degree. She worked there for several years before beginning her PhD at Texas A&M University. Now, alongside finishing her dissertation, Figgener spends her time visiting schools to educate younger generations about the ocean and working with a group of girls in India to eliminate disposable plastic utensils from their cafeteria. This is exactly what we needpeople that want to do something, she says. She also takes part in a pen-pal program that she hopes paints a different picture of what it means to be a scientist. A lot of people still have in mind that scientist needs to be a white male, Figgener says. I want to give children the idea that they can be a scientist, too, no matter who they are. Ankara (AFP) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pressed Saudi Arabia on Thursday to release images that prove Riyadh's claim missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul alive, vowing Turkey would "not remain silent" in the mystery over his fate. Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor, vanished on October 2 after he went to the consulate to obtain official documents for his upcoming marriage. Saudi Arabia has insisted the journalist left the building safely. But Turkish government sources said police believe Khashoggi was killed by an assassination team sent to Istanbul. The Saudi consulate has said CCTV cameras were not working that day and has dismissed the murder claims as "baseless". But in comments to Turkish reporters travelling on his presidential plane, Erdogan indicated that he did not find the Saudi explanations sufficient. "Is it possible there were no camera systems in a consulate, in an embassy? Is it possible that there was no Saudi camera system where this incident took place?" Erdogan said, according to Hurriyet daily. "If a bird flew, or a fly or a mosquito appeared, the systems would capture this; they (Saudi Arabia) have the most cutting-edge systems," he was quoted as saying. While unnamed Turkish officials quoted in the media have been giving sometimes macabre details of the alleged murder, Erdogan has so far been more circumspect. He has said Saudi Arabia must prove its version of events but so far has stopped short of directly accusing the kingdom or laying the blame on powerful Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. "This is an incident which took place in our country. It's not possible for us to stay silent regarding an incident like this," Erdogan said. "It would not be right for me to make any comment at this moment. But we have concerns." Turkish police are looking into a team of 15 Saudis who were at the consulate at the same time as Khashoggi and arrived in Istanbul on October 2 on board two private planes. Story continues The 15 have been described by Turkish media as an "assassination team" who took the footage with them. Khashoggi was a former government adviser who fled Saudi Arabia in September 2017 and lived in the United States fearing arrest back home. In his columns for the Washington Post and comments elsewhere, Khashoggi was critical of some policies of Mohammed bin Salman as well as Riyadh's role in the war in Yemen. Istanbul (AFP) - Turkey and the United States on Thursday ratcheted up the pressure on Saudi Arabia to explain how a journalist vanished after entering its Istanbul consulate last week, with US lawmakers warning that military ties were at risk. President Donald Trump became more forceful in his call for answers from Saudi Arabia but he also rebuffed calls from the US Congress to show more resolve, saying he would not jeopardise arms sales to the close ally. Khashoggi, a Saudi national whose articles have criticised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has not been seen since October 2 when he went to the consulate in Istanbul to obtain official documents for his upcoming marriage. Turkish officials have said he was killed -- reportedly by a 15-man "assassination team" that arrived on two planes -- but Riyadh insists that he left the consulate safely. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in his most extensive remarks on Khashoggi, challenged Saudi Arabia to provide CCTV images to back up its account. "Is it possible there were no camera systems in a consulate, in an embassy?" he asked. "If a bird flew, or a fly or a mosquito appeared, the systems would capture this; they (Saudi Arabia) have the most cutting-edge systems," he was quoted as telling Turkish reporters. The consulate said CCTV cameras were not working that day and dismissed the murder claims as "baseless". The Washington Post reported however that the Turkish government has told US officials it has audio and video recordings which show how Khashoggi was "interrogated, tortured and then murdered" inside the consulate before his body was dismembered. AFP was unable to independently verify the report and US State Department officials weren't immediately available for comment. - 'We're being very tough' - The case has come to threaten the strong relationship the Trump administration has built with Prince Mohammed, initially hailed by US supporters as a reformer who wants to turn the oil-rich conservative kingdom into a hub for innovation. Story continues The two sides have worked together in confronting Iran despite growing concern over the prince's campaign against dissidents, which critics say has revealed the true face of his rule. Raising his tone a notch from Washington's initial low-key response, Trump expressed determination to get to the bottom of the matter. "We can't let it happen. And we're being very tough and we have investigators over there and we're working with Turkey and frankly we're working with Saudi Arabia," Trump said in an interview with "Fox and Friends". However, a Turkish diplomatic source quoted by the state-run Anadolu news agency denied US investigators had been tasked on the case. Asked to elaborate, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert later said that the United States had offered help but declined further details. Trump, however, quickly tried to take a major means of US influence off the table -- arms sales. "That would not be acceptable," Trump said in the Oval Office. "They are spending $110 billion on military equipment and on things that create jobs." The Saudis will "take that money and spend it in Russia or China or someplace else. I think there are other ways. If it turns out to be as bad as it might be, there are certainly other ways of handling the situation." But the US Congress, which enjoys wide oversight powers and can temporarily block arms sales, made clear that ties with Saudi Arabia were at risk. Cory Gardner, a senator from Trump's Republican Party, told reporters that arms sales would be "a huge concern" if Saudi Arabia is found responsible. "We can't let even an ally believe that they have carte blanche to do anything they want," added Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Lawmakers also invoked a law named after Sergei Magnitsky, the Russian anti-corruption accountant who died in custody, that could lead to sanctions against any officials responsible for harming Khashoggi. - Britain warns of 'serious consequences' - Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary of Britain, another key Saudi ally and trading partner, told AFP he was "extremely worried". "If these allegations are true, there will be serious consequences because our friendships and our partnerships are based on shared values," he said. United Nations officials in turn have expressed "concern about Khashoggi and his fate" to Saudi contacts, said Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Khashoggi is a former government adviser who fled Saudi Arabia in September 2017 and lived in suburban Washington, fearing arrest back home. In his columns for The Washington Post and comments elsewhere, he was critical of some policies of Prince Mohammed as well as Riyadh's role in the bloody war in Yemen. Human Rights Watch urged Prince Mohammed to "release all evidence and information" concerning Khashoggi's status Turkish authorities have been given permission to search the consulate -- Saudi sovereign territory -- but this has not yet taken place. Ankara and Riyadh have worked over recent years to maintain cordial relations despite disputes on key issues, such as the ousting of the Islamist Egyptian government and the blockade on Turkey's key regional ally Qatar. Relations between Turkey and the United States, meanwhile, have been in crisis over the two-year detention of US pastor Andrew Brunson. But should he be released at his next hearing Friday it would help restore confidence between the NATO allies. burs-ft/dw A spokeswoman for the Dallas Diocese did not return a message Wednesday seeking an explanation of what will constitute a credible accusation against a current or former priest. Wednesdays announcement came a day after Burns told parishioners that his diocese has hired a team of former state and federal law enforcement officers to review the personnel files of 220 priests now serving in the diocese. An investigation will review any accusation against a priest, not just ones relating to the sexual abuse of minors. The investigation could be expanded to include those who previously served. Opening our files to outside investigators and releasing the names is something I have been considering for some time, Burns said in Wednesdays statement. Since I believe it is the right thing to do, the Diocese of Dallas has had outside investigators, a team made up of former FBI, state troopers and other experts in law enforcement, examining our files since February, and they still have work to do. The investigation comes after Burns in August revealed a former pastor, Edmundo Paredes, was accused of abusing three boys more than a decade ago. Paredes, who is also accused of stealing church funds, has not been heard from since about March and The Dallas Morning News reported that he may have fled to the Philippines, his native country. This weeks developments also follow accusations made last week by a third person alleging a Houston-area Catholic priest, Manuel La Rosa-Lopez, sexually touched him when he was a teenager. That probe has involved Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, whos leading the American churchs response to sexual abuse. DiNardo is already accused by two other people of disregarding their reports against La Rosa-Lopez, the pastor at St. John Fisher Catholic Church in the Houston suburb of Richmond. La Rosa-Lopez was arrested in September and charged with four counts of indecency with a child. Story continues The move this week by the 15 Texas dioceses is consistent with efforts in other states, such as California and Ohio. But the actions of the Dallas Diocese to employ a team of former law officers to investigate its priests appear to differ from elsewhere. For instance, a Roman Catholic diocese in Connecticut announced last week its chosen a retired state judge to lead an investigation into sexual abuse of children by priests. The recent developments follow Pope Francis removal in July of Cardinal Theodore McCarrick for allegedly groping a teenage altar boy in the 1970s, and also the release in August of a lengthy Pennsylvania grand jury report that listed the names of more than 300 priests and outlined the details of sexual abuse allegations. The investigation launched in Texas also differs from other states such as Maryland where that states attorney general is delving into records of the Baltimore archdiocese . Michael Norris, who leads the Houston chapter of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, credited Texas church leaders with taking action but called for the Texas Attorney Generals Office to become involved. What I lack is trust, Norris said. When I hear theyre hiring a team of investigators, I prefer that it be totally independent. A spokeswoman for the Texas Attorney Generals Office said the agency would act only if requested by a district attorney to do so. Buenos Aires (AFP) - A former transport minister has been jailed for almost six years in Argentina for his role in a 2012 train crash that killed 51 people, court officials said on Wednesday. Julio De Vido was convicted of defrauding the state by siphoning money from public works projects, indirectly leading to the wreckage. The 68-year-old, who was a planning minister with responsibility for transport during the 2007-2015 administration of former president Cristina Kirchner, says he is the victim of political persecution. He was already in prison as part of a sweeping anti-corruption investigation. The disaster unfolded on February 22, 2012 when a passenger train crashed into the retaining wall at the end of the platform in a terminal in Argentina's capital Buenos Aires. The scandal led Kirchner to renationalize and modernize the railway service. Kirchner, 65, and her late husband, Nestor, whom she succeeded as president in 2007, are suspected of having accepted millions of dollars in bribes from businessmen in exchange for public works contracts. De Vido and his deputy Jose Lopez managed the federal government's public works projects under the Kirchners and are among more than a dozen former government officials, as well as 30 elite businessman, implicated in the case They were the only two ministers to survive the various cabinet reshuffles across the couple's 12 years in power. By Timothy Gardner WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said on Wednesday he has suspended his role on the board of Saudi Arabia's planned mega city NEOM until more is known about the journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who disappeared on Oct. 2 after visiting a Saudi consulate in Turkey. U.S. President Donald Trump increased pressure on Saudi Arabia to provide information on what happened to Saudi journalist Khashoggi saying he wanted to get to the bottom of the matter. Khashoggi, a legal resident of the United States, is a Washington Post columnist. Turkish sources say they believe Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate and then removed, allegations that Riyadh dismisses as baseless. "Given current events, I am suspending my participation on the NEOM board," Moniz, who served under former President Barack Obama, said in a statement. He said his future involvement on the board "will depend on learning all the facts" about Khashoggi's disappearance. The move by Moniz, first reported by Axios, was the first concrete repercussion for the kingdom over the disappearance by a current or former U.S. official. The $500 billion business and industrial NEOM project is the centerpiece of the kingdom's plan for a modern, dynamic Saudi Arabia. Moniz was named on Tuesday as one of 18 people advising the $500 billion NEOM project. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman said last week the NEOM business zone will build two to three towns each year starting in 2020 and be fully complete by 2025. Moniz said in the statement his role on NEOM was to advise on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and that success on the project would have global implications. (Reporting by Timothy Gardner; editing by Grant McCool) 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. (Reuters) - More than 594,000 homes and businesses in Florida, Georgia and Alabama were without power on Thursday as storm Michael headed northeast to Georgia and the Carolinas after battering the Florida Panhandle, according to local power companies. Michael, the fiercest hurricane to hit Florida in 80 years when it came ashore, has since weakened into a tropical storm over Georgia. It made landfall on Wednesday afternoon near Mexico Beach, about 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Panama City in Florida's Panhandle region. The storm came ashore as a Category 4 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson wind scale. Duke Energy Corp estimated Michael could cause between 100,000 and 200,000 of its customers to lose power in Florida. The company said some outages could last several days to more than a week. (Reporting by Harshith Aranya and Sumita Layek in Bengaluru; editing by Jason Neely) Fighting back against an ad that portrays Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum as running for governor and also from the FBI, the Democrats campaign demanded that Florida television stations stop running the 30-second spot from the state Republican Party. Gillum attorney Glenn Burhans threatened to sue stations that continue to run the ad, which he said intentionally misstates and contorts facts. But Gillums supporters admit this is more about pushing back on the charges than a genuine legal threat. In a statement, the Republican Party of Florida, whose candidate for governor is former Rep. Ron DeSantis, says it stands by the content of the ad (watch it here), which began running statewide on Wednesday. In 2015, the FBI began an undercover investigation of corruption in Tallahassee and has since issued multiple subpoenas. Gillums administration has turned over thousands of pages of documents to investigators but has not been named in the subpoenas, and the mayor has been told he is not a subject of the investigation. Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, the Democratic candidate for Florida governor, on Oct. 7. (Photo: mpi04/MediaPunch /IPX) In an attempt to draw attention to what it sees as an ad that constitutes libel and slander, the Florida Democratic Party organized a press call featuring five current and former prosecutors who denounced its content. Its become abundantly clear that DeSantis has become the do anything, say anything candidate to get elected, and its very troubling when you look at this ad because its so not simply false, its insulting, Miami Beach Mayor and former Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Dan Gelber said on the Thursday call. Another former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Marcos Jimenez, said the ad follows a troubling pattern for the DeSantis campaign. For someone to run an ad saying that hes running from the FBI and that hes corrupt, is just, I think, shameful, Jimenez said, adding, DeSantis has made comments in the past that, I think, have racist undertones, and this ad is right along with those. Story continues When asked by Yahoo News what the chances were that the courts would force television stations to pull the anti-Gillum ad, Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren conceded that it was unlikely. I dont think the courts are going to get involved. I mean this is not an issue for the courts to resolve, Warren said. This is a question on the integrity of candidates, and running a campaign based on truth, policies and ideas, rather than on false attacks and the same old dirty political subterfuge. According to the latest Real Clear Politics average of polls, Gillum holds a 3.7 percent lead over DeSantis. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Ottawa (AFP) - Canada's former ambassador to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday criticized Twitter diplomacy in his first public remarks since being expelled from Saudi Arabia in August over a rights row. "Yeah, yeah, not a fan," now retired diplomat Dennis Horak said of Canada's use of Twitter, which sparked his expulsion -- also with a tweet. "I think we took a step too far," he told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). "Whether we can come back from that, I don't know... But we need to begin deciding, do we want this? Do we want to salvage this relationship or not?" Riyadh expelled Ottawa's ambassador -- also with a Twitter announcement -- and severed all trade and investment ties with Canada in August to protest its rigorous demands that jailed human rights activists be released. Canada's foreign ministry had sent a Twitter message saying it was "gravely concerned" by a new wave of arrests of women and human rights campaigners in the kingdom, including award-winning activist Samar Badawi. "We urge the Saudi authorities to immediately release them and all other peaceful #humanrights activists," the foreign ministry said in the message, which was also translated into Arabic. Horak, a diplomat for three decades and who was three years into his second posting in Saudi Arabia, was on vacation in Canada at the time, and learned of his expulsion while at a barbecue. "It was a very big surprise. I get that they were upset about the tweet, but to react the way they did, it was a serious over-reaction," Horak said of the Saudi move. Canada and its allies routinely call out alleged human rights abuses abroad. "The American State Department issues a human rights report every year, the British parliament does raise issues every now and then, but they both have very strong relationships with Saudi Arabia. And so it can survive some of those public dressing-downs in ways that we were more vulnerable to," Horak said. Story continues He told CBC he believes the Saudis were concerned that Canada had targeted the message at their public during a time of volatility. Some in Saudi Arabia, he explained, "are not happy with (recent) reforms and feel that perhaps Saudi Arabia is being too compliant with Western demands." "This would give them ammunition to say, 'See, look, we are being pushed around by the West, they're now demanding our judicial system do X, Y and Z.'" Lagos (AFP) - Nigeria's former ruler Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday backed his ex deputy to beat incumbent Muhammadu Buhari in elections next year, in a cautious endorsement after a years-long feud. Atiku Abubakar, who is referred to across Nigeria by his first name, was Obasanjo's deputy from the return of civilian rule in 1999 until 2007. Their relationship soured over Obasanjo's bid to change the constitution to allow him to seek a third term of office, and Abubakar's desire to replace him as head of state. But in an apparent rapprochement, the ageing pair met in Obasanjo's home town of Abeokuta, in southwest Nigeria, less than a week after Abubakar won the nomination to run against Buhari for the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). "You have the capacity to perform better than the incumbent," Obasanjo told Abubakar, describing him as "president-to-be". "You surely understand the economy better, you have business experience, which can make your administration business-friendly and boost the economy and provide jobs." Towards the end of Obasanjo's time as president, the pair traded accusations and counter-accusations, supported by documents purportedly showing massive corruption on both sides. But on Thursday, Obasanjo said the pair had "reviewed what went wrong" and he had accepted Abubakar's "remorse" and his request for "forgiveness". "I forgive and I sincerely advise you to learn from the past and do what is right and it will be well with you," he added. Obasanjo, 81, is a former military ruler like Buhari but the pair have not been on good terms and in January this year he said the president should not stand for a second term. Before the last election in 2015, Obasanjo also fell out with the then-president Goodluck Jonathan and famously ripped up his PDP membership card. He claimed Jonathan was trying to stay in power "by hook or by crook", questioned his fitness to govern and said he was surrounded by corrupt cronies and "greedy hangers-on". Abubakar's victory in the PDP presidential primary on Sunday comes at the fourth time of asking. But questions about the 71-year-old's business interests and repeat allegations of corruption -- which he has denied -- could potentially harm his ambitions in a country fed up with graft. Billy McFarland, the organizer behind last years disastrous Fyre Festival in the Bahamas, has been sentenced to six years in prison for fraud charges. The 26-year-old was sentenced in a Manhattan federal courtroom on Thursday after pleading guilty in March to two counts of wire fraud related to the failed festival, The Associated Press reported. While out on bail in June, he was arrested a second time for carrying out a new sham ticket scheme, NYC VIP Access, which sold bogus tickets to exclusive events, earning him $100,000, prosecutors said. He pleaded guilty in July to two more counts of fraud after that arrest. Billy McFarland, the organizer behind last years disastrous Fyre Festival in the Bahamas, was sentenced on Thursday to six years in prison. He's seen at an earlier court appearance. (Photo: Mashable) Federal Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald waved off McFarlands apologies and pleas for leniency while delivering her sentences on the counts, which will run concurrently. It is my conclusion based on all the submissions that the defendant is a serial fraudster and that to date his fraud, like a circle, has no ending, Buchwald told him, according to Vice News. McFarland had been facing 15 years behind bars for the series of scams that prosecutors said raked in millions of dollars from unsuspecting customers and investors. Fyre Festival founder Billy McFarland is facing a multimillion-dollar class action lawsuit from ticket-holders. (Photo: Consequence of Sound) In the case of the Bahamas music festival, which was billed as having top music talent and luxury accommodations, people shelled out as much as $250,000 for tickets. When they arrived, they found a barren island with half-built tents and without even the most basic accommodations. McFarland continues to face a multimillion-dollar class action lawsuit from ticket-holders. Related Coverage Fyre Festival Organizer Charged With Selling Fake Tickets While Out On Bail More People Are Now Suing Fyre Festival For Obvious Reasons Infamous Fyre Festival Under FBI Investigation For Fraud Fyre Festival Founder Arrested, Charged With Wire Fraud Fyre Festival Organizers Hit With $100 Million Lawsuit Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. A Georgia process for verifying voters information has left the applications of over 53,000 people in jeopardy, and 70 percent of those applications are from black people, an Associated Press analysis published Tuesday found. The stark disparity drew scrutiny because Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp (R), the states top elections official, is running for governor. He is locked in a tight race with Stacey Abrams, the former Democratic leader in the Georgia statehouse who, if elected, would be the first black woman to serve as a governor in the United States. The reason so many voters registration status is considered incomplete is because the state requires the information in a new application to exactly match the way the potential voters name appears in a state drivers license database or a federal Social Security database. Any small discrepancy, like a hyphen or varied spelling, puts someones registration in jeopardy. Danielle Lang, senior counsel at Campaign Legal Center, which sued Georgia over the practice in 2016, said its easy to get a mismatch under the process. She pointed to a 2009 audit from the Social Security Administrations inspector general that said matching voter records with a Social Security database produced inaccurate matching. There are kind of endless ways for this to go wrong. Anyone who transposes a digit or a letter at any point, either at the DMV or at the clerks office at the registration, or the voter themselves, any tiny error is going to lead to a no match, she said. You can imagine that for foreign names the likelihood of a misspelling happening at some point during various data inputs is more likely. Voters who dont get an exact match on their records have 26 months to correct it or else they get removed from the voter rolls, but they can cast a regular ballot at the polls if they bring identification within that period. If they dont have identification, they can cast a provisional ballot. Story continues Voting rights have come into sharp focus in the race for governor given Kemps current position and Abrams previous work registering voters. Georgia was one of a handful of states that were entirely covered by the 1965 Voting Rights Act and required to seek federal approval for any changes to its voting practices until 2013, when the Supreme Court struck down a key portion of the law. After coming into office in 2010, Kemp implemented the new rule, often referred to as exact match. He initially gave new voters 40 days to clarify any discrepancies or their voter registration would be canceled. The process was approved by the Justice Department, but civil rights groups sued Kemp over the practice in 2016, saying that it disproportionately discriminated against minorities because an overwhelming number of the nearly 35,000 applications that had been suspended or canceled were from minorities. Kemp settled the case in February 2017 and agreed to essentially stop using the process. But then in April 2017, Georgia lawmakers enacted a statute that authorized the state to continue to use the process, but it was tweaked to give residents 26 months to correct any discrepancies before they were removed from voter rolls. Lang said that when Georgia lawmakers enacted the policy, they had clear evidence that it was racially discriminatory. We have explained to the Georgia legislature and to Secretary Kemp repeatedly that the process has really glaring and extreme racial disparities.... It has been known for years that thats the case in Georgia, she said. Thats part of why it was so troubling that after this case settled, having alleged the disparities that we put forward, for the legislature to turn around and reinstate a policy that had kind of documented disparities like this. I think it tells you that they were on notice when they passed this law that what they were doing was wrong, said Ezra Rosenberg, an attorney at the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which also sued Kemp over the law in 2016. Kemps office deflected blame for the disparities onto the New Georgia Project, a group founded by Abrams in 2014 to register voters. He told the AP the group submitted a batch of inadequate forms from black voters and did not train its canvassers to write clearly on voter registration forms. Kemps office also investigated the New Georgia Project for voter fraud but ultimately didnt turn up much. Rosenberg said Kemps excuse didnt pass muster. Theyre blaming the victim. Theyre essentially blaming the people that are going out there and trying to get people registered for the errors in their system, he said. Kemps office noted to Talking Points Memo that he had increased the number of voters on the rolls in his state by nearly 1 million since taking office, but other parts of his voting record have come under scrutiny in the race. The state has closed 8 percent of its polling places since 2012, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Georgia aggressively removes people from the rolls who dont vote and fail to respond to a mailer confirming their address; it purged about 1.5 million voters from 2012 to 2016, twice as many as it did from 2008 to 2012, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. In July, Campaign Legal Center, the Lawyers Committee and Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta wrote to Kemp warning him of litigation because the exact match process likely violated a federal law that says the processes states use to maintain their voter rolls cant be discriminatory. The law, they said was enacted without sufficient safeguards to prevent unduly burdening eligible voter registration applicants or the cancellation of complete and accurate registration applications. Related Coverage Voting Rights Become A Flashpoint In Georgia Governor's Race Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Pastor Andrew Brunson is escorted by Turkish plainclothes police officers on July 25 in Izmir. (Photo: Stringer/AFP/Getty Images) ISTANBUL American Pastor Andrew Brunson, whose detention in Turkey has sparked a tense standoff between Ankara and Washington, will likely be released following a hearing scheduled for Friday, according to his lawyer. There is a good chance he could walk free, Brunsons lawyer, Ismail Cem Haravut, told Yahoo News. Brunson, a Christian preacher from North Carolina, became the center of a diplomatic row between Ankara and Washington after Turkey jailed him on terrorism charges. Ankara accuses Brunson of having links to groups guilty of orchestrating a failed coup attempt in 2016, through the small evangelical church he has run in the coastal resort city of Izmir for the past 20 years. Washington says the charges are fabricated. The United States responded with sanctions against Turkey, worsening an economic crisis that has seen the Turkish lira lose nearly 40 percent of its value this year, and brought relations between the two NATO allies to an all-time low. Brunsons possible release is part of a breakthrough deal between U.S. and Turkish officials to drop charges against him, NBC reported Thursday, citing two senior White House officials. While Brunsons lawyer, Haravut, said he was optimistic about Fridays hearing, he told Yahoo News he was not aware of any deal securing Brunsons release. In Washington, the Trump administration also expressed optimism about Brunson. We remain hopeful that with the court proceeding tomorrow that Turkey will see its way clear and free this good man who is guilty of nothing and who has been incarcerated for several years in Turkey unjustly, Vice President Mike Pence told reporters Thursday. State Department officials denied there had been any agreement, but Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he was hopeful that Turkey would release him soon. News of Brunson comes at a sensitive time, as Turkish police are investigating the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul. Leaked reports by Turkish officials allege the Saudis lured Khashoggi to its Istanbul consulate, where they then murdered him and disposed of his dismembered body. Saudi Arabia categorically denies the claims, but has faced an avalanche of international criticism for failing to provide any other explanation. Story continues While Brunsons Oct. 12 hearing was already scheduled weeks in advance, analysts say his possible release comes at an opportune time for Turkey, which is looking to win support from the U.S. as it faces a political crisis with the Saudis. The Khashoggi affair adds a new variable to a complex question the U.S. and Turkey had already found quite difficult to solve. I doubt that the people involved in the negotiations over Brunson had much sleep in the past few days, said Selim Sazak, an analyst at the Washington-based think tank the Century Foundation. Turkish and American officials have made several attempts to reach a deal to release Brunson, but negotiations repeatedly failed over Turkeys rogue economic policy and disagreement over strategy in Syria. Washington believes Brunson is being used as a bargaining chip by Ankara, which argues that his fate is up to the courts. But amid the frenzied diplomatic crisis that has followed Khashoggis disappearance, releasing Brunson now could afford Turkey much-needed leverage from the U.S. in challenging Saudi Arabia. Turkey wants to push back against Saudi Arabia for the alleged murder of Khashoggi in Istanbul, but it doesnt want to push back alone, said Soner Cagaptay, an expert on Turkey at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, in an interview with Yahoo News. If [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan were to release Brunson tomorrow, it would not only reset his relationship with Trump, but also help align the U.S. with Turkey on the Khashoggi issue against the Saudis, killing two birds with one stone, he said. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Beirut (AFP) - Human Rights Watch on Thursday urged allies of Saudi Arabia to review their ties with its Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the disappearance of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "If Saudi Arabia is responsible for Khashoggi's disappearance and possible murder, the United States, United Kingdom, European Union and other Saudi allies need to fundamentally reconsider their relationship with a leadership whose behaviour resembles that of a rogue regime," the New York-based rights group said. "There is a mountain of evidence implicating Saudi Arabia in the enforced disappearance and potential murder of Jamal Khashoggi," said Sarah Leah Whitson, the group's Middle East director. "As the days go by, Saudi Arabia's fact-free denials are becoming indictments in and of themselves." Khashoggi, a critic of the crown prince who is the kingdom's de facto ruler, vanished on October 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Turkish police say Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor who had been in self-imposed exile in the United States, was murdered inside the consulate by a 15-member Saudi team flown into the country, according to Turkish government sources. Saudi Arabia insists Khashoggi exited the consulate after a brief visit and has repeatedly denied the accusations. But Whitson said that "given that Saudi Arabia will not provide any evidence about Khashoggi's movements in and out of the consulate, they cannot be trusted to conduct a genuine - far less effective - investigation." In London, Britain's foreign secretary warned Thursday that Saudi Arabia would face "serious consequences" if suspicions of Khashoggi's murder turned out to be true. "People who have long thought of themselves as Saudi's friends are saying this is a very, very serious matter," Jeremy Hunt told AFP. "If these allegations are true, there will be serious consequences because our friendships and our partnerships are based on shared values," he said. Story continues HRW also charged that Saudi authorities had "escalated repression against dissidents and critics" since the crown prince was appointed in June 2017. The watchdog accused the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen of "numerous violations of international humanitarian law, including likely war crimes". "UN Security Council members should impose targeted sanctions on Mohammad bin Salman and other senior coalition commanders substantially responsible for widespread violations of the laws of war who have not taken serious steps to end abuses," it said. A man and an 11-year-old girl have been killed after the third most powerful hurricane to hit the US on record smashed into Floridas Panhandle. The man was killed by a tree falling on a Florida home during Hurricane Michael, while the girl died when a tree came down on a house in south-west Georgia. Search and rescue crews have been escalating efforts to reach the hardest-hit areas and check for anyone trapped or injured in the storm debris. The Category 4 storm, supercharged by abnormally warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, crashed ashore in the early afternoon on Thursday near tourist town Mexico Beach. After it ravaged the Panhandle, Michael barrelled into south Georgia as a Category 3 hurricane the most powerful ever recorded for that part of the state. It later weakened to a Category 1 hurricane. Hurricane Michael has left at leat two people dead (AP) A McDonalds sign lies on the ground after being blown over by Michael (AP) In north Florida, severe weather battered the shoreline with sideways rain, powerful gusts and crashing waves, swamping streets and docks, flattening trees, shredding awnings and peeling away shingles. It set off transformer explosions and knocked out power to more than 388,000 homes and businesses. READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: This is now the worlds most powerful passport for travel freedom Greek island bans overweight tourists from riding donkeys after animals suffer spinal injuries Christian bakers win Supreme Court ruling that they discriminated against Support Gay Marriage cake Storm Callum to hit UK on morning of Princess Eugenies royal wedding Resident Kaylee OBrien cried as she sorted through the remains of the property she shared with three roommates at Whispering Pines apartments. Four pine trees had crashed through the roof of her apartment, nearly hitting two people. Her one-year-old Siamese cat, Molly, was missing. This infrared satellite image shows Hurricane Michael approaching the Florida panhandle on Wednesday (AP) In Apalachicola, Sally Crown rode out the storm in her house, where multiple trees came crashing down. After the storm passed, she drove to check on the cafe she manages and saw breathtaking destruction. Story continues Ms Crown said: Its absolutely horrendous. Catastrophic. Theres flooding. Boats on the highway. A house on the highway. Houses that have been there forever are just shattered. Farjana Akther records high waves with her smart phone during high tide at Pass-A-Grille Beach (AP) Florida Governor Rick Scott announced soon after the powerful eye had swept inland that aggressive search and rescue efforts would get under way as conditions allowed. Urging people to stay off debris-littered roads, he said: If you and your family made it through the storm safely, the worst thing you could do now is act foolishly. Destroyed pine trees litter a yard in Port St Joe (AP) Michael was a meteorological brute that sprang quickly from a weekend tropical depression, going from a Category 2 on Tuesday to a Category 4 by the time it came ashore. It was the most powerful hurricane on record to hit the Panhandle. More than 375,000 people up and down the Gulf Coast were urged to evacuate as Michael closed in. Based on its internal barometric pressure, Michael was the third most powerful hurricane to hit the US mainland, behind the unnamed Labour Day storm of 1935 and Camille in 1969. Based on wind speed, it was the fourth-strongest, behind the Labour Day storm (184 mph), Camille and Andrew in 1992 Donald Trump said: God bless everyone because its going to be a rough one. A very dangerous one. His office said he would tour the devastated areas next week. National Hurricane Cente Meteorologist Dennis Feltgen wrote on Facebook: We are in new territory. The historical record, going back to 1851, finds no Category 4 hurricane ever hitting the Florida panhandle. Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel's military said it destroyed a Hamas-built tunnel extending into its territory from the Gaza Strip on Thursday that was intended for attacks. Military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said it was the 15th such tunnel discovered and destroyed by Israel in the past year. There were no indications of casualties linked to the destruction of the tunnel around one kilometre in length (less than a mile) and which originated from the Khan Yunis area of southern Gaza. It extended around 200 metres (650 feet) into Israeli territory, Conricus said, adding Israel's army had been monitoring its construction for several months. He declined to elaborate on how the tunnel was destroyed, but said "combat engineering means" were used. Conricus called it a "complex tunnel system with various connections and branches." Israel has in recent months employed technology to detect and destroy tunnels without bombing them, including by filling them with material to make them unusable. Israel is also building an underground wall around the blockaded Gaza Strip to stop tunnel digging. Work on the massive project is expected to be completed by the end of 2019, Conricus said. Conricus alleged Hamas used new methods in building the tunnel destroyed Thursday that seemed intended to evade Israel's detection methods. He declined however to provide specifics, but noted it was equipped with electricity and communication hardware. The destruction of the tunnel comes amid months of protests and clashes along the Gaza border that have raised fears of a fourth war since 2008 between Israel and Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the Palestinian enclave. At least 198 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since the protests began on March 30, while one Israeli soldier has been shot dead by a Palestinian sniper in that time. Israel says its actions during the protests and clashes are necessary to defend the border and stop infiltrations and attacks, which it accuses Hamas of seeking to carry out. Palestinians and rights groups say protesters have been shot while posing little threat. The last conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza in 2014 was waged in part over tunnels that were used to carry out attacks within Israel. Abdul-Rahman Ayyash had gone abroad to thelp Syrians escaping that countrys war, planning to return home soon to Egypt and his family. But then Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi tightened his hold on the country, killing hundreds of anti-government protesters on the streets, and jailing many of Mr Ayyashs friends. A two-week trip turned into five often painful years of exile. The 28-year-old missed out on his sisters marriage, his nieces birth, his fathers long illness, and days spent with his childhood friends in his home town, the Nile Delta city of Mansoura. He eked out a living as a journalist and researcher in Istanbul, gaining a name for himself as a thoughtful critic of Mr Sisis human rights violations and corruption. Now, following what is widely feared to be the brutal assassination in Istanbul of a leading Saudi exile journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, Mr Ayyash again fears for his safety. When I think about Jamal, he was doing exactly what Im doing travelling around to conferences, writing in Arabic and English, said Mr Ayyash. He met repeatedly with Mr Khashoggi, who is missing and feared dead following a 2 October visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. For everyone in my circle, Jamals case is the only thing we are talking about, he said. The worst thing we thought might happen is we would go into our embassy or consulate, and they would harass us somehow, maybe take our passports. Our imagination never reached the point that we could be abducted and killed in our own embassy. A graphic from the Turkish daily newspaper Sabah purports to identify the 15-member Saudi team allegedly involved in the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi Mr Khashoggis disappearance possibly at the hands of a 15-member team that arrived in Istanbul from Riyadh shortly before his disappearance and headed abroad quickly afterward has terrified and traumatised many other Middle East activists, journalists, dissidents, and scholars who were forced to flee their countries. Were all a target now, said Joseph Bahout, a French-Lebanese scholar who is often critical of Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad. He spoke from Beirut, where he frequently travels and which remains an area contested by allies of Saudi Arabia and its rival Iran. If this goes unpunished, it means that every tyrant in this bloody region has a licence to kill his opponents anywhere and everywhere. Anyone could do anything if this becomes the norm. Story continues Unnamed Turkish and US officials have described Mr Khashoggis disappearance as a probable assassination. It wouldnt be the first such incident in a region rife with armed conflict, bombings, and clandestine shadow wars. Libyas Muammar Gaddafi and Iraqs Saddam Hussein had few compunctions about gunning down outspoken critics abroad. Iran appears to have begun to ramp up a decades-old practice of assassinating dissidents in exile. An Iranian activist in the The Hague and an Iranian-British satellite television executive in Istanbul were among those shot dead under unexplained circumstances over the last couple of years. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with Donald Trump in Washington this year (Reuters) But those countries all acquired pariah status, while oil-rich Saudi Arabia remains a member of the international community in good standing. Next week, US treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin and the CEOs of JPMorgan Chase and Uber are scheduled to attend a forum in Saudi Arabia hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been accused by US intelligence officials of ordering Mr Khashoggis abduction. Saudi Arabia has also repeatedly snatched dissident members of the royal family abroad, dragging them back to the kingdom against their will. Saudi officials insist Mr Khashoggi left the embassy shortly after he arrived, a narrative contradicted by reams of security camera footage leaked by Turkish officials to local and international media. Gaddafi used to do such things and paid a high price, said Yahia Assiri, a Saudi dissident in London, and a good friend of Mr Khashoggi. If this thing goes and Saudi doesnt pay a price, so many countries around the world will copy this. It it will become a precedent. He added: The very important thing is that those dictators are copying each other. They learn from each other. Mr Khashoggi, at one point a Saudi insider, fled his country for the US last year. He began to carve out a career for himself as a writer and commentator, critical of the rise of Crown Prince Mohammed. Since coming to power and serving as the de factor ruler of the country under his father, King Salman, the Saudi crown prince has launched a series of economic and social reforms lauded by the West. But he has also jailed dissidents of all stripes, and occasionally targeted outspoken critics abroad. Mr Khashoggi went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain paperwork to settle personal matters, a run-of-the-mill procedure for many people living abroad including expatriates, refugees and migrant labourers who must seek consular assistance for renewing passports, registering births, certifying marriages, and completing university applications. Mr Ayyash said he had no fears when he last visited the Egyptian consulate in Istanbul four years ago, but will think twice if he must go again now. He noted that Mr Khashoggi maintained cordial ties with Prince Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi ambassador to Washington and brother of the Crown Prince, a relationship that apparently offered him no protection. Its a very grave situation, if it could happen in a consulate, said Yasin Aktay, an adviser to Turkeys ruling Justice and Development Party and a friend of Mr Khashoggi. There have to be consequences. Saudi activists say they have been transfixed by the news of what happened to Mr Khashoggi, frantically searching for updates and reactions from Saudi officials. It wasnt even just any target; this was Jamal, said one Saudi scholar based abroad. He held up the ceiling for the rest of us, [so] to speak. He had years of connections and a reputation behind him. Half of us were still careful around him in case he was a spy for the government. The scholar, who asked for her name to be withheld, said Mr Khashoggi's disappearance had profoundly affected her and others feelings about their homeland. Every job offer from back home, every invitation to a conference, or outreach from a government official has become fraught. We shift between feelings of never wanting to go back, to fearing we will never be able to go back, she said. There is a deep hurt or pain that occurs when your government rejects you, when all you wanted to do is make things better. The uproar over the incident, and the public relations damage it has inflicted on Saudi, could make leaders wary of any such violence in the future. The Saudi leadership is clearly rattled by the international reaction to the alleged abduction, which it strenuously denies. But as one of the worlds top oil exporters and arms importers, Saudi Arabia is also in a unique geopolitical position. It increases the incentives and desires for crazed, power-obsessed rules-free people like Sisi to think they can get away with it, said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director of Human Rights Watch. But nobody but Saudi has the carte blanche. Jamal Khashoggi wanted to get married. The self-exiled Saudi Arabian journalist walked into his countrys consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 to obtain the paperwork for his wedding. He has not been seen since. As of Oct. 10, the assumption is that the Saudi regime took the opportunity to silence one of its more prominent critics. The mystery is how. Turkish authorities, albeit not the most trusted bunch themselves, believe Khashoggi was murdered inside the building by a team of 15 operatives, his corpse dismembered and transported outside in boxes. The Saudis claim he left alive and have pledged to investigatethough few believe a Saudi regime that has long been unafraid to detain or punish dissidents. Although the murder of a critic on foreign soil would, if confirmed, be an unprecedented act even for a brutal kingdom, it fits within a larger pattern. Across the world, authoritarian countries like Saudi Arabia have developed a rising sense of impunity when it comes to human rights and the rule of international law. Behavior once hidden behind palace doors now happens beyond borders and in the full view of the world. Take China. Aside from the legion of human-rights abuses committed inside its own borders, including the detention of 1 million Uighurs, Beijing arrested Meng Hongwei, who as head of Interpol was a symbol of the international rule of law. Both have been ensnared by an antigraft campaign that President Xi Jinping and his regime have used to target critics and rivals. Russia too has taken its crackdown on dissenters global, most recently with the brazen poisoning attempt on former double agent Sergei Skripal in the U.K. This is happening with the implicit acceptance of the U.S., which under President Donald Trump has rejected its role as a champion of universal values like human rights. The White House, which has forged close personal and economic ties with Saudi leaders, issued a statement almost a whole week after Khashoggis disappearanceand only to limply urge a transparent investigation. I dont like hearing about it, and hopefully that will sort itself out, Trump said. Story continues But Trump is only one facet of this diminution of the U.S. as a moral lodestar for the world. Just as important is the hollowing-out of the State Department and the White Houses refusal to fill key posts across the diplomatic corps. Although it appears Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is trying to fix this, over 52% of top department positions were unfilled as of July. The U.S. still has no ambassadors in Saudi Arabia, Turkey or Egypt. Around the world, back channels built up over decades, through which pressure has been quietly yet rigorously applied, have run dry. A century of moral diplomacy begun by Woodrow Wilson is coming to an end under Trump. The Presidents defenders may -question why its Americas responsibility to confront human-rights abusers. Its because few others have the weight of authority or the sheer economic might to do it. When Canada dared to criticize Saudi Arabia over its humanrights record in August, the kingdom angrily stalled investment deals and yanked diplomats from Ottawa. The Saudis would be unlikely to risk a similar response if its benefactor the U.S. were to speak up. The U.S. Congress may yet do so. And if -Khashoggis murder can be confirmed, then economic sanctions will likely follow. But defending and spreading liberal values requires a more patient approach than crude dollar diplomacy. Besides, these kinds of punitive measures have done little to curb similar behavior elsewhere. For all that the sanctions on Russia have slowed its economy, they have not prevented its extranational hacking activity. On Oct. 4, fresh evidence emerged of attempts by Russias secret services to hack the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, antidoping agencies and even the investigation into the Malaysia Airlines flight downed over Ukraine in 2014. Worryingly, this trend toward impunity comes as voters worldwide seem more attracted to strongmen and dictators. In Brazil on Oct. 7, a far-right demagogue, Jair Bolsonaro, who is openly nostalgic for the countrys military dictatorship, won the first-round election by a huge margin. If he succeeds in a runoff vote, who is poised to stop him if he tries to return Brazil to an era when abusing citizens was woven into the fabric of the state? Not the U.S., for one. People living near a huge fire at a coffee factory in Kent have been warned to keep their windows closed as firefighters battled to get the blaze under control. The fire broke out at UCC Coffees roastery in Dartford, Kent, at around 5.30am on Thursday. As firefighters tackled flames on the ground floor of the large warehouse on the Riverside Industrial Estate off Central Road, staff and nearby residents were evacuated. The huge blaze broke out at UCC Coffees roastery in Dartford, Kent at around 5.30am on Thursday (Picture: Keiran Down/PA Wire) Residents and businesses have been told to close their window as smoke spread across the town (Picture: Chris Piela/PA Wire) Kieran Down, who lives in a block of flats opposite the building with his partner Charlotte Farrugia and their six-week-old baby Penelope, described his terror as his rushed his family to safety. The 29-year-old water company manager said: I woke up this morning to head to work and heard a lot of noise outside. There is a lot of construction work on our road so our first thought was that they had started work early. READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: This is now the worlds most powerful passport for travel freedom Hurricane Michael: At least one person killed as terrifying 155mph winds lash Florida Greek island bans overweight tourists from riding donkeys after animals suffer spinal injuries Christian bakers win Supreme Court ruling that they discriminated against Support Gay Marriage cake Storm Callum to hit UK on morning of Princess Eugenies royal wedding I headed outside and could feel the heat as soon as I stepped out the door. It was already fully ablaze. I could see orange flames and hear lots of crackling. I went back in straight away to tell my partner to get dressed and get our baby ready too. My first priority was to get my family to safety. Kieran Down, who lives in a block of flats opposite the building with his partner Charlotte Farrugia and their six-week-old baby Penelope Down, described panic and confusion after opening his front door at around 6am to find the huge fire raging nearby. (Picture: Keiran Down/PA Wire) He said: It was scary as there was lots of crackling. Being evacuated due to risk of explosion was quite terrifying. There were a lot of people being evacuated and a lot of spectators. There was panic and confusion. Residents and businesses have now been urged to keep their windows shut as thick smoke billowed across the town. Smoke could be seen billowing across the town (Picture: Mandy Southgate) KFRS crews making progress with Dartford fire, working hard to prevent fire spread in the building and liaising with Kent Police to manage traffic. Neighbours are reminded to keep doors and windows closed due to smoke. #Dartford #centralroad more: https://t.co/9YTBOBJt83 Kent Fire and Rescue Service (@kentfirerescue) October 11, 2018 A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said there were no reported casualties and crews were still at the scene working to stop the blaze from spreading. Story continues They are still trying to work out what caused the fire. A fire service spokeswoman said the building was roughly 40 square metres in size with around 50 residents were evacuated. She added: The alarm was initially raised by an employee inside the building, which was swiftly evacuated, and there are no reported casualties. President Donald Trump isnt on the ballot this November, but both Democrats and Republicans are acting like he is. As Trump faces the first midterm election of his presidency, both sides are hoping to boost turnout by reminding their grassroots supporters of their feelings about him. Democrats are hoping that Trumps divisive rhetoric and controversial actions will boost them among women voters while driving higher-than-normal turnout among young and minority voters, who tend to not show up in midterms as much. But many Republicans feel that Trump could also turn out white male and older voters, with some seeing the recent fight over Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh as a spark. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence crisscrossed the country giving rallies aimed at the party faithful in the run up to the midterms, while Democrats turned to figures like former Vice President Joe Biden, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and California Sen. Kamala Harris. Heres what you need to know about voting in the 2018 midterm elections. What are the midterm elections? Midterm elections are held every two years and in the middle of a presidential term. Members of the United States Congress are up for election, including all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in the U.S. Senate. Midterms are important because whichever party holds the majority in Congress can set the national legislative agenda. Republicans currently have the majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, but are currently projected to lose the House. Turnout is often an important factor in midterm elections, which tend to have lower turnout than presidential election years. Data from the Pew Research Center shows that Millennials and Gen-Xers are less likely to show up to the polls compared to voters from the Baby Boomer generation, which has driven high-profile Democrats, including former first lady Michelle Obama, to lead the When We All Vote campaign, pushing younger voters to participate in this years midterms. Story continues When are the midterm elections? The midterm elections are being held today, on Tuesday, Nov. 6. However, in Louisiana, the states primary elections will be held on Nov. 6 while the general election will take place on Dec. 8. Which states have same-day voter registration? While voter registration deadlines vary by state, certain states have same-day registration, which allows any qualified resident of the state to go to register to vote and cast a ballot almost immediately. In total, 19 states have implemented same-day voter registration: California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Washington Wisconsin and Wyoming. Maryland and North Carolina have same-day registration only during the early voting period, while Washington state has passed same-day voting registration but has not yet implemented it. All same-day voters need to register is proof of residency at the time of registration or soon after registering. In most states, a drivers license or ID card is valid. In some states, a paycheck or utility bill with an address is acceptable for proving residency. Voters are also required to present identification to verify identity. While some states require photo IDs others accept IDs without photos. Where do I go to vote in the midterm elections? While your state or local election office is usually the best source of information on elections in your area, USA.gov allows voters to enter their state or territory and provides links to the states election center. Many election office websites are updated frequently with any new information regarding locations and candidates. Polling sites are usually open from early hours into late afternoon, and Ballotpedia has a list of state poll opening and closing times. The U.S. Vote Foundation is another source for election dates and deadlines. Who are my candidates in the midterm elections? There are some high-profile candidates running for re-election today, including Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who is facing a challenge from Democrat Beto ORourke. Texas has not had a Democratic senator in about 25 years, but ORourke has raised nearly $24 million for his campaign. Some prominent Democrats including Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, California Sen. Dianne Feinstein and New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand are also running for re-election. There are plenty of toss-up races to keep an eye on this November. Republican Nevada Sen. Dean Heller is in a neck-and-neck race with Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen. In Missouri, GOP state Attorney General Josh Hawley is looking to unseat Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill, capitalizing on support from Trump, who won Missouri by a wide margin during the 2016 election. In Florida, Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson is facing a serious challenge from Gov. Rick Scott, who has been releasing television ads and campaigning since April. Polls for all these races have the candidates in a dead heat, meaning many of the races will come down to turnout. To find the candidates in your district, go to the U.S. Federal Election Commission website and enter your zip code to find out who is running. Washington (AFP) - Ten members of a key financial network for the Islamic State network have been arrested in Iraq, the US-led coalition fighting the jihadists announced Thursday. Iraqi commandos and Kurdish counter-terrorism forces arrested the members of the al-Rawi network in operations October 7-9 in Baghdad and Erbil in northern Iraq, the coalition said in a statement. According to the coalition commander, US Army Lieutenant General Paul LaCamera, the arrests "deal a major blow to the desperate attempts by ISIS to re-emerge in Iraq." "Those who provide support to ISIS, in any way, will face the consequences," he said. Fawaz Muhammad Jubayr al-Rawi, who headed the network, was killed in June 2017 during a strike in Albu Kamal in eastern Syria. The US Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on al-Rawi and his company in 2016. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Latest on Thursday's scheduled execution of Tennessee inmate Edmund Zagorski (all times local): 7 p.m. An attorney for a Tennessee inmate facing an execution date Thursday says the state has denied the man's request to die in the electric chair and plans to proceed with a scheduled lethal injection that day. Attorney Kelley Henry said Tuesday that she is considering legal options on behalf of inmate, Edmund Zagorski. Henry on Tuesday had asked the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay, one day after announcing he had chosen to die by electrocution rather than lethal injection because he believed electrocution to be quicker and less painful. The lawyer asked the U.S. Supreme Court to rule unconstitutional the lethal injection drug the state uses, under the 8th Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Zagorski was sentenced in 1984 for the slayings of two men during a drug deal. The last time Tennessee put someone to death by electric chair was 2007. ___ 5:30 p.m. The attorney for Tennessee inmate Edmund Zagorski has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take his case and has sought a stay of his execution, currently scheduled for Thursday. Zagorski's attorney submitted the request for a stay on Tuesday, one day after announcing that he had chosen to die by electrocution rather than lethal injection because he believes it will be quicker and less painful. The lawyer asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take the case and rule the lethal injection drug the state uses unconstitutional under the 8th Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Zagorski was sentenced in 1984 for the slayings of two men during a drug deal. The last time Tennessee put someone to death by electric chair was 2007. ___ 11:30 a.m. Tennessee inmate Edmund Zagorski has been placed on death watch in anticipation of his Thursday execution by electric chair. According to the Tennessee Department of Correction, inmates on death watch are placed in a cell next to the execution chamber where they are under 24-hour surveillance. Story continues All visits are non-contact until the final day before the execution, when the warden will decide whether Zagorski can have a contact visit. Zagorski's spiritual adviser, the Rev. Joe Ingle, says he will be with Zagorski every day but will not be a witness to his death. Ingle says, "I'm not going to watch my friend get executed." Zagorski's attorney announced on Monday that Zagorski has chosen to die by electrocution rather than lethal injection because he believes it will be quicker and less painful. ___ 10:00 a.m. An attorney for Tennessee death row inmate Edmund Zagorski says his choice of death by electrocution over lethal injection is not a ploy to buy time. Kelley Henry announced Zagorski's decision Monday night. He's scheduled to be executed Thursday. Henry said some people will see the choice as a stall tactic, but Zagorski cannot legally challenge the use of the electric chair after choosing to die by that method. Henry said Zagorski's decision is based on evidence that Tennessee's lethal injection method would cause him 10 to 18 minutes of mental and physical anguish. He believes the electric chair will be quicker. Electrocution is an option in Tennessee for inmates whose offenses came before January 1999. The last time Tennessee put someone to death by electric chair was 2007. ISTANBUL (AP) The Latest on the disappearance of a Saudi journalist who went missing after visiting his country's consulate in Istanbul (all times local): 7:50 p.m. President Donald Trump says the U.S. is "demanding" answers from Saudi Arabia about missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and wants to bring his fiancee to the White House. Turkish officials have said they believe the Saudi writer and government critic was killed inside his country's consulate in Istanbul after he visited the mission to obtain a document required to marry his Turkish fiance. Saudi Arabia has denied the allegations. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday that he has a call in to his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz. Trump says nobody knows exactly what happened and expressed hope that Khashoggi is not dead. He says he's spoken with the Saudis about what he called a "bad situation," but he did not disclose details of his conversations. ___ 4 p.m. Turkish media have published images of an alleged 15-member Saudi "assassination squad" and video of suspicious movements at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul following journalist Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance a week ago. The kingdom is already under pressure amid growing international concern for the writer. Saudi Arabia remained silent as the images, though not offering definitive proof about Khashoggi's fate, played across television networks in Turkey and around the world. ___ 11 a.m. A private Turkish television channel close to the country's president has aired surveillance video of missing writer Jamal Khashoggi walking into the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul and a black van leaving later for the consul's home. News channel 24 aired the video Wednesday, suggesting that Khashoggi was inside of the black Mercedes Vito. The channel said the van then drove some 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) to the consul's home, where it parked inside a garage. Turkish officials say they fear Khashoggi was killed at the consulate last week. Saudi Arabia has dismissed the allegations as "baseless." Story continues The kingdom did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday. ___ 9:15 a.m. A pro-government Turkish newspaper has published the names and photographs of 15 Saudi nationals who allegedly arrived in Istanbul on board two private jets the day journalist Jamal Khashoggi went missing. Turkish officials have said they believe the Saudi writer and government critic was killed inside his country's consulate in Istanbul after he visited the mission to obtain a document required to marry his Turkish fiancee. Saudi Arabia has denied the allegations. Sabah newspaper, which is close to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Wednesday revealed the identities of what it called a "mysterious" 15-member "assassination squad" who were allegedly involved in Khashoggi's disappearance. The paper printed pictures of the 15 Saudi nationals that appeared to be taken by security cameras during police control at an airport. Sabah revealed the times the Saudi nationals arrived and left Istanbul. They checked into two hotels in Istanbul, the paper said. ___ 7 a.m. The fiancee of a missing Saudi contributor to The Washington Post is asking President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump to "help shed light" on his disappearance. In a column published Wednesday by the Post, Hatice Cengiz wrote: "I also urge Saudi Arabia, especially King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to show the same level of sensitivity and release CCTV footage from the consulate." Writer Jamal Khashoggi, who had written critically about Prince Mohammed and the kingdom, vanished Oct. 2 while on a trip to the consulate to get paperwork so he could be married to Cengiz. Turkish officials say they fear Khashoggi was killed, an allegation dismissed as "baseless" by Saudi Arabia. Turkey said Tuesday it would search the Saudi Consulate. Saudi officials haven't acknowledged that. Kampala (AFP) - At least 11 people were found dead after a river burst its banks in eastern Uganda Thursday after heavy rains, sending muddy water coursing through a market, a government official said. "Eleven bodies have been recovered so far but many more are missing, feared dead," in the town of Bukalasi in the Bududa district, Martin Owor, Commissioner for Disaster Preparedness, told AFP. "We are reaching the peak of the second rainy season and it rained very heavily today." Earlier the Uganda Red Cross said in a statement that at least seven people had been buried after a "massive landslide" in Bukalasi. "The preliminary report indicates that the number is likely to increase from the reported seven but we are yet to establish the actual numbers," Uganda Red Cross spokeswoman Irene Nakasiita said in a statement. Nakasiita described the situation as tense with "community members... scared and fleeing from their homes." She shared photos of the scene on WhatsApp, including images of dismembered corpses caked in mud laid out by the river. Some of the bodies have been partly covered with banana leaves by members of the public. Owor said however that there was no landslide. "A river which burst its banks in Bukalasi swept through a trading centre," he said. Bududa district in the foothills of Mount Elgon, which lies on the border between Uganda and Kenya, is a high risk area for landslides. At least 100 people were reported killed in a landslide in Bududa in March 2010 and in 2012 landslides destroyed three villages. Government efforts to move vulnerable people to neighbouring districts have faced resistance from residents. LONDON (AP) A little-known website that fingered two Russians with military intelligence backgrounds in the poisoning of an ex-spy derived its name from an old fable about mice discussing how best to deal with a hungry cat. The mice decide that hanging a bell around its neck "belling the cat" is the solution, but none volunteers for the job. The investigators behind Bellingcat see themselves as the ones willing to take on dangerous tasks in this case, exposing men accused of attempting a hit job. The British website has scooped the rest of the media with its reports on the nerve agent attack that nearly killed the ex-spy and his daughter in England, providing evidence the Russians had identities far more intriguing than the aliases they used as supposed tourists. Founded in 2014, Bellingcat is the brainchild of Eliot Higgins, a self-described citizen journalist. Its staff members and contributor dig through social media and open-source records to investigate crimes. The site's published work also has focused on conflicts in the Middle East, including the war in Syria. Its latest investigation went up Monday night, when Bellingcat reported that one of the suspects in the March poisoning was actually Alexander Mishkin, a military doctor who was awarded one of Russia's highest honors by President Vladimir Putin. Bellingcat previously unmasked the other suspect as Col. Anatoly Chepiga, linking him as well to Russian military intelligence agency GRU. British authorities charged both last month under their assumed names, saying at the time they thought the Russian men were not who they said they were. The British government has not confirmed the names published by Bellingcat, but officials have not challenged the investigative group's findings. Bellingcat said it worked with a Russian partner, the Insider, which was founded by Russian journalist and political activist Roman Dobrokhotov. The Insider's publications have targeted official corruption, exposed fake news in state-funded media and unmasked Kremlin secrets. Story continues When Bellingcat researchers started looking into the men accused of using the Soviet-developed Novichok to attack Sergei Skripal and his daughter, they had little to work with only photographs of the suspects released by British police and the assumed names that they used to travel to England. Bellingcat said it identified Mishkin using passport information, phone records, car registration records, other databases and interviews with people who knew him. ___ AP writer Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed. Kuala Lumpur (AFP) - Malaysia has decided to abolish the death penalty, a senior minister said Thursday, with more than 1,200 people on death row set to win a reprieve following a groundswell of opposition to capital punishment. Executions are currently mandatory for murder, kidnapping, possession of firearms and drug trafficking, among other crimes, and is carried out by hanging -- a legacy of British colonial rule. Human Rights Watch hailed the "fabulous news", with its deputy director for Asia Phil Robertson saying the move would increase pressure on other countries in the region to follow suit. The government decided to scrap capital punishment because the Malaysian public had shown they were against the death penalty, communications and multimedia minister Gobind Singh Deo Gobind said. "I hope the law will be amended soon," he told AFP. Government minister Liew Vui Keong reportedly said earlier Thursday there would be a moratorium on executions for inmates currently on death row. "Since we are abolishing the sentence, all executions should not be carried out," the Star newspaper quoted him as saying. Liew said the amended law would be put before parliament next Monday. The government's announcement was "an encouraging sign", Amnesty International's Kumi Naidoo said in a statement. "There is no time to waste - the death penalty should have been consigned to the history books long ago." The moratorium on the death penalty affects, among others, two women accused of assassinating the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il last year. A Malaysian court last year ruled the case could proceed against Indonesian national Siti Aisyah and Doan Thi Huong of Vietnam after Kim Jong Nam's murder at Kuala Lumpur Airport. Australian citizen Maria Elvira Pinto Exposto, 54, who was found guilty of drug smuggling by an appeals court in May, will win a reprieve. "The reprieve can be in the form of a life sentence," Gurdial Singh, president of the National Human Rights Society, told AFP. Story continues Two Chilean tourists, currently on trial for the murder of a Malaysian man, would also have faced the death penalty if found guilty of murder. The abolition could also pave the way for the extradition to Malaysia of a convicted hitman in the high profile murder of a Mongolian model who was the lover of one of ex-prime minister Najib Razaks close associates. Former Malaysian police officer Sirul Azhar Umar was convicted in Malaysia for the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2006, but fled to Australia. Australia has said it can only extradite him if Malaysia abolished the death penalty. - 'Barbarous, cruel' - In April last year, Amnesty International ranked Malaysia 10th in the use of death penalty among the 23 countries that carried out capital punishment in 2016. Between 2007 and 2017, 35 individuals were hanged, the New Straits Times newspaper said. A total of 1,267 prisoners are on death row, making up 2.7 percent of the 60,000-strong prison population. Malaysian rights advocates welcomed the decision, saying there was never any proof that mandatory death sentences deterred offenders from violent or drug-related crimes. "The death penalty is barbarous, and unimaginably cruel," N. Surendran, an advisor with the Lawyers for Liberty rights group, said in a statement. Once capital punishment is scrapped, Malaysia will have the moral authority to fight for the lives of Malaysians facing death sentences abroad, he added. Only 23 countries retain the death penalty, with China believed to be the "world's top executioner", according to Amnesty International in its report last month on capital punishment in 2017. There were 993 executions recorded in 2017 in 23 countries, but Amnesty's numbers do not include the "thousands" it says are believed to have been executed in China, which classifies this information as a state secret. Excluding China, Amnesty says Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Pakistan -- in that order -- carried out 84 percent of all executions in 2017. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand have death penalty laws. First Lady Melania Trump spoke out about the #MeToo movement, saying she supports women but that accusers need to show the evidence. Speaking to ABC on her recent trip to Africa, Trump said, I do stand with women. But we need to show the evidence. You cannot just say to somebody, I was sexually assaulted or you did that to me, because sometimes the media goes too far and the way they portray some stories, its not correct. Trumps trip to Africa, her first solo trip abroad, came as her husbands Administration battled a high profile sexual assault allegation back home. California psychology professor Christine Blasey Ford accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her when they were both in high school. On Oct. 6, as Melania Trump flew back to D.C., Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court. During the Kavanaugh controversy, President Donald Trump said that it is a very scary time for young men in America. (Multiple women have also accused Trump of sexual misconduct.) Melania Trump echoed her husbands sentiment about how #MeToo affects men. I support the women and they need to be heard, she told ABC. We need to support them. And also men, not just women. Melania Trump sat for an interview during her visit to Kenya - REUTERS Women who make accusations of sexual abuse must be heard and supported - but so too should men who face such allegations, according to Melania Trump. The first lady, whose husband has faced allegations of inappropriate behaviour, also said women should have solid evidence to support their claims. I support the women, and they need to be heard, she said. We need to support them, and also men, not just women. Mrs Trump sat for a rare interview with US TV network ABC while she was in Kenya during her tour of Africa. The trip made as many headlines for her wardrobe as her support of American aid to the continent. She was asked about her attitude to the #MeToo movement days after her husband won a bruising battle to install Brett Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court despite allegations of sexual assault. WATCH: One-on-one with First Lady @MelaniaTrump. She's opening up for the first time about her life and her time in the White House to @TomLlamasABC. "Being Melania - The First Lady" airs THIS Friday at 10|9c on @ABC: https://t.co/BFuO7gPBkPpic.twitter.com/MqXC5NuVMn Good Morning America (@GMA) October 10, 2018 Both Mr Kavanaugh and Mr Trump have denied the accusations against them. Mrs Trump said women also had a responsibility to back their claims with evidence. We need to have a really hard evidence that if youre accused of something, show the evidence. I do stand with women. But we need to show the evidence, she said. You cannot just say to somebody, I was sexually assaulted, or you did that to me, because sometimes, the media goes too far. Story continues She also revealed how Americas polarised political climate is affecting her efforts to promote good causes. She said a number of organisations had turned down her invitations to work together, decisions she ascribed to attitudes towards her husbands administration. I feel like theyre choosing the politics over helping others, she said. I would not talk about it, they know who they are, I dont want to put them out in front of the world, but they know who they are. ABC is due to broadcast the full interview on Friday. El-Heri (Lebanon) (AFP) - At a new private museum in Lebanon, a contemporary sculpture of a mortar missile is displayed alongside millenia-old statues retrieved from the bottom of the sea. Named after the Mesopotamian god of wisdom, the Nabu Museum opened in late September to showcase the cultural wealth of an ancient region devastated by conflict. Its inaugural exhibition includes 60 contemporary works, as well as around 400 antiquities from Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Egypt and Yemen. "We have a more or less complete picture of what was once the cradle of civilisation," says French curator Pascal Odille. Next to a private beach in the village of El-Heri in Lebanon's north, the museum's collection sits in an impressive futuristic cube of steel, coated with a rusty orange patina. A tall glass opening in the metal and concrete structure provides a view straight through the museum's interior and out to the sea. Designed by Iraqi artists, the museum for the first time opens up the private art and antiquities collections of wealthy businessmen to the public for free. Drawn from the homes and warehouses of its patrons, the exhibits are displayed on two floors, floodlit by the sunlight streaming through the tall windows. There are "ushabti" from Ancient Egypt, finely carved turquoise figurines traditionally placed in coffins to ensure passage to the afterlife. Nearby, a contemporary sculpture of a mortar missile by Lebanese artist Katya Traboulsi is adorned with hieroglyphs. The artwork is topped by a sculpted bust of the Ancient Egyptian god of the sky, Horus, instead of a warhead. - 'Ray of optimism' - Visitors can see Lebanese artist Saliba Douaihy's abstract landscape paintings, one largely red, the other bright blue. But they can also admire terracotta statues harking back to the Phoenician period found during marine excavations off the southern coast of Lebanon. "You can see the seashell and limescale deposits on them," says Odille, of the figures from the sixth or seventh century BC. Story continues The museum's founders -- two Lebanese and a Syrian -- want it to be a beacon of hope in a region scarred by conflict and the brutality of jihadists. "Nabu is the god of writing and wisdom. Not the god of war," says Lebanese co-founder Jawad Adra. "We're a ray of optimism in this region, amid all this obscurity," says the 64-year-old, whose colourful, modern-art inspired tie contrasts with his grey suit. The project cost $7 million, the organisers say. But the works on show only represent a fraction of its founders' private collections, and there are plans to switch the exhibits every few months. Adra's personal collection includes 2,000 items from the Levant and Mesopotamia regions, according to the exhibition's catalogue. The businessman says his hobby dates back to his childhood. "I've been collecting stamps and coins since I was 10," says Adra, who now heads a Beirut-based polling company and owns quality control labs in the Gulf. He says it is time to give back. To set up the museum, he banded together with Syrian business partner Fida Jdeed, and fellow Lebanese entrepreneur Badr El-Hage, who runs a rare book firm in London. - 'Payback' - "We've all reached an age where we're starting to ask ourselves, 'What have you done? What have you given your country?'," he says. Lebanon's interior minister recently attended an evening inauguration ceremony at the Nabu Museum. In Lebanon, a 2016 law demands all private owners of antiquities register their items with the ministry as part of its efforts to combat illegal trafficking. Adra says that "a large part" of his collection has been declared to the authorities, and he is registering the rest. In recent years, part of the region's cultural heritage has been damaged, destroyed or looted by armed groups including jihadists. The Islamic State group in particular swept across large parts of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014, wrecking countless historical sites in territory it controlled. Mahmud Al-Obaidi, who designed the museum building with fellow Iraqi artist Dia Azzawi, sees the project as compensation for years of loss. "I feel this place is payback for everything that has been destroyed," says the 53-year-old, who left Iraq in 1991 for Canada. With governments in the region busy battling troubled economies and poverty, personal initiatives are key to preserving culture, he says. "Our states don't take culture seriously," says the artist, dressed in a light blue linen shirt and dark blue jacket, whose work is on show inside the museum. Yet, passing civilisations live on in their art, Obaidi says. "They don't realise that everything fades away, but it's the books, paintings and antiquities that remain," he adds. Panama City (United States) (AFP) - Three days after Hurricane Michael's devastating strike, search teams in Florida pressed their hunt for victims into hard-to-reach areas Saturday, as the death toll rose to 17 and officials scrambled to deliver aid to those who lost everything. The mammoth storm, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm on Wednesday, claimed lives in four states, but Florida suffered the worst damage by far. Large parts of the state's panhandle were pulverized by the strong winds and rain, and eight storm-related deaths have been reported in Florida so far. "Mexico Beach is devastated," Governor Rick Scott said of the town hardest hit by the hurricane, the most powerful to hit the United States in decades. "It's like a war zone," he said while touring the town of 1,000 people on the Gulf of Mexico. Rescue teams with sniffer dogs were searching for possible victims buried under the rubble in the debris-strewn community. US media have reported one death in the town -- the body of an elderly man was found hundreds of yards (meters) from his home. Brock Long, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), warned that the death toll could yet rise. "I hope we don't see it climb dramatically. But I have reasons to believe we still haven't got into some of the hardest-hit areas," he said. Government and private relief centers were opening up to provide badly needed food, water and other aid to people whose lives were upended by the monster storm. As somber residents began making it back to homes still intact, officials said it could take 10 days to compile a final damage estimate. In Mexico Beach, dozens of structures -- homes, shops and restaurants -- were lifted off their foundations by storm surge and winds of 155 miles per hour (250 kph). Some were moved hundreds of feet inland while others were simply smashed to bits. "Very few people live to tell what it's like to experience storm surge," Long said. "Storm surge causes the most amount of loss of life." Story continues Building codes on Florida's Panhandle, in the state's northwest, are less rigorous than in the state's south, where severe hurricanes hit more frequently. The devastation wrought by Michael has sparked debate on whether an era of warming oceans and more severe storms might require tougher building standards in coastal areas. Underlining the unpredictability of modern storms, a category one hurricane dubbed Leslie was heading Saturday on a highly unusual path toward the Iberian peninsula. - Nothing left to save - Across the storm-hit US region, relief efforts were shaping up. In Panama City, Florida, the Salvation Army and other charitable groups opened distribution points for food and supplies. A few stores were reopening, and cars lined up at the few open gas stations. At the city's St. Andrew Baptist Church, associate pastor Mark Bateman told AFP the church was gearing up to feed up to 500 people, with supplies -- including pet food -- provided by a statewide Baptist group. "We're doing good," Bateman said, despite damage to the church's roof. "But lots of our members are not doing so well." Back in Mexico Beach, residents were picking up the pieces. "I spent my life savings and retirement to stay here. So I can't sell it now," retiree Bob Tenbrunson told AFP. "I can't sell it now. So I just have to be hopeful that (the city) will be rebuilt and fixed." But some found nothing left to save. Beyond Florida, five storm-related deaths were reported in Virginia -- including that of a fireman whose firetruck was struck by a semitrailer truck. One died in Georgia and three more were killed in North Carolina. Hundreds of thousands of people remain without electricity in Florida, Georgia and Virginia, and officials say that, even with line crews arriving from across the country, it could be weeks before power is fully restored. - Communication problems - Meanwhile, a wide swath of Florida's northwest coast has been without telephone or Internet service, adding to the daunting challenges facing residents, loved ones trying to reach them, and the work crews struggling to bring them relief. Daniel Fraga, an electrician, told AFP he has only an extremely weak and intermittent signal. "Basically everything has shut down," he said, adding that there are "too many people on the same service." Governor Scott tweeted Saturday that cellphone provider AT&T was providing resources in impacted areas, "including sending numerous phones and other mobile resources that will enhance communication for first responders." President Donald Trump said he planned to visit Florida and Georgia early next week, tweeting, "We are working very hard on every area and every state that was hit -- we are with you!" The Pentagon said about 5,000 US servicemen were deployed to help with relief and recovery efforts, using 100 helicopters and 1,800 high-water vehicles. Tyndall Air Force Base, home to F-22 stealth fighters, suffered extensive damage, according to aerial photos of the coastal facility. SlimFast is a leading weight management and health and wellness brand. Pic: SlimFast Irish nutrition group Glanbia (GLB.L) is to acquire SlimFast, a weight management brand, from Kainos Capital for $350m (303m, 265m). In a statement, the group said that it had signed an agreement with the owners of KSF Holdings, an affiliate of US private-equity fund Kainos Capital, and HNS Intermediate Corporation, which collectively own SlimFast and other brands. SlimFast is a US company based in Florida, and markets weight-management shakes, bars, snacks, and packaged meals, among other products. It was acquired by Kainos Capital from consumer goods giant Unilever in 2014 for an undisclosed sum. The $350m price tag, however, is just a small fraction of the $2.4bn (1.8bn) Unilever paid Thompson Medical Company for the SlimFast brand in 2000. The giant struggled to make the investment pay off, and poor sales forced Unilever to significantly write down its investment in 2004. Glanbia is headquartered in Co Kilkenny, Ireland, and is a world-leading sports nutrition, cheese, and dairy ingredients manufacturer. In a statement, Glanbia group managing director Siobhan Talbot said that the deal was in line with its strategic ambition of extending the reach of its performance nutrition portfolio, and that SlimFast and the firms Healthy Delights and Nu-Therapy brands would help it target new lifestyle customers. It plays to global consumer trends focused on convenient formats and snacking, she said. Glanbia said that, globally, the weight management nutrition market was worth $8bn. In the first half of 2018, Glanbia saw its total group profits, after discontinued activities and exceptional items, fall to 98.2m ($113m), a 16.7m drop from the same period in 2017. Profits in 2017 jumped 55% on 2016 to 329.4m. Adjusted earnings per share for 2018 are expected to grow by 5-8%, according to guidance from the company. While SlimFast generated net sales of $212m in 2017, non-recurring supply chain costs saw it post a net loss before tax of $12m. Andrew Rosen, a managing partner of Kainos Capital, noted in a statement that the company had acquired SlimFast in 2014 with no employees or systems. In partnership with HNS, which is owned by current SlimFast CEO Chris Tisi, Kainos Capital built a 60-plus person team in the US and UK that did a great job revitalising what was an orphan brand within a large multinational company, Rosen said. Glanbia said the transaction would be be fully financed by its available banking facilities, and that completion of the deal is expected before the end of 2018, subject to regulatory approval. Moscow (AFP) - The Orthodox Church, the third main Christian faith after Catholics and Protestants, counts between 125 and 180 million believers around the world, mainly in Russia and eastern Europe. - 11th century schism - After centuries of theological and political feuding, the schism between the eastern and western Christian churches came in 1054. It started with the excommunication of the Patriarch of Constantinople, Michael Cerularius, who refused to recognise the primacy of the pope. The papal envoy, Cardinal Humbert of Silva Candida, who ordered the expulsion, was excommunicated in his turn by Cerularius. The two churches only lifted the excommunications in 1965. The crusades, feared by most of the eastern Christians, aggravated the separation as the crusaders established Latin patriarchates alongside Greek patriarchates. - The Orthodox faith - The word orthodox comes from the Greek "ortho" (right) and "doxa" (doctrine). The Orthodox Church claims possession of the "right faith" and considers that all other churches, including the Catholic Church, should join it. One of the main differences between Catholic and Orthodox churches is over the Holy Spirit, which the Orthodox Church believes proceeds from God the Father, while for Catholics he proceeds from the Father and the Son. The Orthodox faith also rejects Catholic dogma concerning the Immaculate Conception (under which the Virgin Mary is free from original sin), Mary's Assumption into Heaven, and the infallibility of the pope. Unlike Catholics, Orthodox believers accept the ordination of married men, as well as divorce in the case of adultery. While Catholic liturgy has developed over time, Orthodox liturgy has hardly changed since the first millenium. - Complex organisation - Orthodoxy is organised into 14 patriarchates or independent churches, otherwise known as "autocephalic". The four original patriarchates are those of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem. Story continues Ten independent churches were added over the centuries, which recognise the primacy of the patriarch of Constantinople but can themselves choose their own primates. Four of these churches carry the title of patriarchate: Moscow, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria. The others are the churches of Georgia, Greece, Cyprus, Albania, Poland and the church of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Some Orthodox churches recognise a fifteenth independent church: the Orthodox Church of America, based in New York. Two other Orthodox churches enjoy autonomy, without being autocephalic: Finland, which is attached to the patriarchate of Constantinople, and Japan, linked to the patriarchate of Moscow. The patriarchate of Kiev, self-proclaimed in 1992 after Ukraine's independence, has to this date not been recognised by any Orthodox church in the world. Several million Ukrainian Orthodox worshippers continue to be linked to the Moscow patriarchate. - Patriarch of Constantinople - The Patriarch of Constantinople -- currently Bartholomew I - has honorary and historical primacy over the other patriarchs of the Orthodox world. He is considered to be first among equals: he does not have the right to intervene in the religious affairs of other Orthodox churches, but has a spiritual and official precedence. The religious role of Constantinople, modern-day Istanbul, dates back to the Emperor Constantine who in 313 AD made Christianity the official religion of the Byzantine Empire and of its capital Constantinople. Over the centuries, however, the patriarchate of Moscow, which has more believers than that of Constantinople, has taken the upper hand in the Orthodox world. Current Russian Patriarch Kiril is an ally of President Vladimir Putin. An operation led by the Michigan State Police along with the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and several other Michigan law enforcement agencies found over 100 missing children during a one-day sweep in Wayne County late last month. Operation MISafeKid was the first of its kind in Wayne County, and sought to identify and recover 301 missing children, with an emphasis on locating victims of sex trafficking. We went out and checked last known addresses, schools and parents to find out if they were still missing, or if the parents never went back to contact law enforcement to see if theyd been removed from the system, Michigan State Police Lt. Michael Shaw told the Detroit News. We located 107; 103 of them were either at home or where they belonged. There has been some confusion over how many children were recovered, as the U.S. Marshals put out a press release earlier this month saying 123 children had been located, 16 more than the State Police tally. The press release also mentions a separate investigation, also in September, but from before the sweep, in which deputy U.S. Marshals from DMCRU were asked to investigate 30 cases involving missing children; nine children were recovered prior to the sweep and another seven were located during the operation. Reached for clarification, a representative from DMCRU confirmed that these cases account for the discrepancy and are from the separate but overlapping investigation, and not part of the 301 targeted by the sweep. Both the U.S. Marshals and the Michigan State Police confirmed that of the 107 children recovered under Operation MISafeKid, three were identified as being possible sex trafficking cases; a fourth case involving a homeless 14-year-old who was abandoned by his mother after his father went to prison and hadnt eaten in three days. The mom just left him behind, Shaw said. He was placed in foster care in the Saginaw area but he ran away and went to his old house looking for his mom. The house was vacant, so he just stayed there. He was making his bed every day, but he wasnt going to school. We got him to a place where he could get proper food and shelter. Story continues The remaining children who were found, according to Shaw, werent actually missing. Many had been reported missing in the past, but their guardians had failed to update law enforcement that theyd returned home or been found. Many were [home-schooled], Shaw told the Detroit News. Some were runaways as well. The operation also recovered new information about two missing children in Texas, and one missing child in Minnesota; all three cases are actively being investigated. The message to the missing children and their families that we wish to convey is that we will never stop looking for you, the U.S. Marshals Service said in a statement. Shaw told the Detroit News that state authorities are also committed to locating the approximately 200 other missing children targeted during the operation. We get more than 1,000 runaway complaints per month, he said. Most of those who are still missing are runaways. The investigators will continue looking for them. Istanbul (AFP) - The Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate on Thursday said it had agreed to recognise the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, in a move welcomed with jubilation by Kiev but condemned as "catastrophic" in Moscow. Russia had warned against allowing the Ukraine Church to sever its ties with Moscow, with the powerful head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, travelling to Istanbul earlier this year in a bid to dissuade the patriarchate. The issue is set to play a key role in Ukraine's March 2019 presidential elections, with incumbent President Petro Poroshenko making independence from the Russian Orthodox Church -- known as autocephaly -- a key issue as he plans a re-election bid. Poroshenko quickly hailed the decision of the Patriarchate, which is based in its historic home of Istanbul, the former Constantinople and once the capital of the Byzantine Empire before the Ottoman Muslim conquest of 1453. "This is a victory of good over evil, light over darkness," Poroshenko said in televised remarks, adding that Ukraine has been waiting for this "historic event" for more than 330 years. But the Russian Orthodox Church said that the Patriarchate had taken "catastrophic" decisions both for itself and global Orthodoxy. "The Patriarchate of Constantinople has crossed a red line," a spokesman for Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, Alexander Volkov, said in televised remarks. - 'Canonically reinstated' - The Patriarchate of Moscow, which is strongly backed by the Kremlin, argues it technically oversees most of Ukraine's Orthodox parishes and has warned that independence would provoke a rift in global Orthodoxy. The Ukrainian Church is currently split into three bodies, one technically overseen by the Patriarch of Moscow, a fact the Kiev government considers unacceptable given its ongoing war with Russia-backed rebels in the east. An Istanbul synod meeting chaired by Patriarch Bartholomew, seen as the first among equals of Orthodox Church leaders, "decreed to proceed to the granting of autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine," said an official statement read in Istanbul, formerly Constantinople. Story continues In another key move, the synod also agreed to reinstate the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Patriarch Filaret and Kiev Metropolitan Makariy to their canonical ranks following their excommunication in the dispute with Moscow. "Thus, the above-mentioned have been canonically reinstated to their hierarchical or priestly rank," said the statement after a meeting that began on Tuesday. - 'Serve Ukrainian people' - Ukraine's Orthodox church split from Moscow in the 1990s, with the charismatic Filaret a foremost proponent of a new independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In his first reaction, Filaret said Thursday's decision would allow his country to finally establish a united church in Ukraine and vowed to soon convene a meeting to address the issue of unification and elect a new patriarch. "We want the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to be united not only in appearance but also in spirit so that it could serve the Ukrainian people," Filaret told reporters outside St Volodymyr Cathedral in Kiev. The Moscow Patriarchate has already downgraded its ties with Bartholomew I over the affair, which it considers an unjust encroachment on its spiritual territory. On Wednesday, an influential Moscow Patriarch cleric went so far as to warn that parishioners will not hand over churches to a new Orthodox institution willingly. "Of course, people will take to streets and protect their sacred sites," Hilarion, a bishop in charge of diplomacy at the patriarchate, was quoted by Russian agencies as saying at a religious congress in Kazakhstan. Bartholomew I, a Turkish citizen of Greek origin who commands huge international respect for promoting inter-faith dialogue, will also not want to antagonise the Turkish authorities who are pressing a policy of a strong alliance with Russia. Ukraine and Russia have been at loggerheads since 2014 when Kiev street protests urging Ukrainian integration with Europe prompted the ousting of pro-Moscow president Viktor Yanukovych. Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea later that year and backed rebels who carved out two unrecognised breakaway regions in Ukraine's mineral-rich east in a conflict that continues to this day. Ukrainian authorities and many worshippers are wary of the influence of Kirill, a strong ally of President Vladimir Putin who has supported the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and the separatists in the east of the country. Peruvian police arrested opposition leader Keiko Fujimori on allegations she received illicit campaign financing, further roiling the countrys political elite just days after a judge ordered her father jailed in a separate case. A court approved her detention for 10 days, arguing she posed a flight risk and could obstruct the prosecutors investigation, Perus judiciary said via Twitter on Wednesday. She was ordered detained along with 19 other people including her former campaign chief Jaime Yoshiyama. Prosecutors are probing accusations that Keiko, who was a runner-up in Perus last two presidential elections, received illicit donations from Brazilian builder Odebrecht SA for her 2011 campaign. That firm is at the center of the Carwash bribery investigation, which has ensnared Perus last four heads of state. Former President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski resigned in March after facing allegations that a firm he owned also took money from Odebrecht SA, which has doled out millions of dollars in bribes across Latin America. Fujimori denied receiving any money from that company when prosecutors began the probe last year and said at the time the accusations were part of a campaign against her. Her party, Popular Force, is the biggest in Congress, though it has shown signs of division in recent months as her popularity waned. Prosecutors are also investigating allegations Fujimori met with a supreme court judge to discuss the case against her. Shes lost power, and the majority she has in Congress is precarious, said Fernando Rospigliosi, the head of Lima-based consultancy FRC Consultores. This weakens Congress and especially Popular Force, whose capacity of reaction and response is now very limited. Fujimori was detained as she went to testify before prosecutors in downtown Lima, her lawyer Giuliana Loza told the Canal N network. Her detention is arbitrary and abusive, she said. Fujimoris husband Mark Vito Villanella, who was with her at the time of her arrest, told reporters her detention was politically motivated. Prosecutors have no proof of any wrongdoing, he said. Story continues The decision marks the second high-profile judicial move against Perus influential Fujimori family in a week. Last Wednesday, a court ordered the imprisonment of autocrat Alberto Fujimori, Keikos father, after overturning a political pardon. While the short term economic impact of Fujimoris detention likely will be limited, political risks have intensified, analysts at Chilean brokerage LarrianVial wrote in an emailed note to clients. We expect the legislative branch to exert greater scrutiny of government actions, thus diverting government focus and slowing down infrastructure works, they wrote. Washington (AFP) - The United States said Wednesday it will refuse any post-war reconstruction assistance to Syria if Iran is present, expanding the rationale for US involvement in the conflict. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, speaking to a pro-Israel group, vowed an aggressive push to counter Iran across the Middle East and said that Syria was a decisive battleground. "The onus for expelling Iran from the country falls on the Syrian government, which bears responsibility for its presence there," Pompeo told the Jewish Institute for National Security of America. "If Syria doesn't ensure the total withdrawal of Iranian-backed troops, it will not receive one single dollar from the United States for reconstruction," Pompeo said. Pompeo's speech effectively broadens the official explanation for why the United States is involved in Syria's civil war, which a monitoring group says has killed close to 365,000 people since 2011. Former president Barack Obama authorized military action with the goal of rooting out the Islamic State group, or ISIS, the extremist force that has boasted of a slew of grisly attacks both in Syria and the West. The United States has about 2,000 troops in Syria, primarily to train and advise forces other than ISIS that are waging an increasingly precarious fight to topple President Bashar al-Assad. Pompeo acknowledged that Assad was stronger thanks to Iranian and Russian help and said that, with ISIS "beaten into a shadow of its former self," new priorities had emerged. "Defeating ISIS, which was once our primary focus, continues to be a priority. But it will now be joined by two other mutually reinforcing objectives," Pompeo said. "These include a peaceful political resolution to the Syrian conflict and the removal of all Iranian and Iranian-backed forces from Syria." - Trump hesitant on Syria - The US funding threats are unlikely to make an immediate impact in Syria. Story continues Trump, a vocal critic of foreign aid as he promotes an "America First" policy, in August pulled the United States out of Syria's near-term reconstruction, suspending $230 million after Gulf Arab allies made their own pledges. But Pompeo's speech marks a new sign that the United States is not leaving Syria anytime soon after Trump, a onetime critic of foreign interventions, earlier this year mused aloud about withdrawing troops. Trump's national security adviser John Bolton, a longtime hawk on Iran, told reporters last month that US troops would stay "as long as Iranian troops are outside Iranian borders." Iran, ruled by Shiite Muslim clerics, has deployed both troops and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah to prop up Assad, a secular leader who belongs to the Alawite sect and is facing down hardline Sunni Muslim forces. "Iran has seen instability in Syria as a golden opportunity to tip the regional balance of power in its favor," Pompeo said. He warned that Iran, a sworn foe of Israel, would open a new front against the Jewish state if it remained in Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has similarly warned that he will never accept an Iranian presence in Syria. Trump has withdrawn from an international agreement negotiated under Obama through which Iran slashed its sensitive nuclear work in exchange for sanctions relief. Pompeo boasted that Trump has imposed on Iran "some of the harshest sanctions in history." The Trump administration has closely allied itself with both Israel and Saudi Arabia, the Sunni kingdom which sees Iran as its chief rival in the region. Pompeo in his speech did not air any criticism of Saudi Arabia, which has been accused by Turkish government sources of killing a prominent Saudi journalist last week inside its Istanbul consulate. Pompeo also did not demand a withdrawal by Russia, which maintains its only permanent military base outside the former Soviet Union in Syria, a Cold War ally. 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) By Liz Hampton HOUSTON (Reuters) - A NiSource Inc affiliate failed to require contract repair crews to relocate pressure sensors during natural-gas pipeline work, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said on Thursday, resulting in overpressured lines that caused explosions and fires in three Massachusetts communities last month. Overpressurized gas poured through Columbia Gas Co of Massachusetts' distribution system in Lawrence, North Andover and Andover, flooding into homes and businesses and sparking explosions and fires that killed one person and injured 21. Critical valves controlling the gas flow were not shut for nearly 3-1/2 hours after the first alarm was raised at Columbia Gas's monitoring center, NTSB said in a preliminary report. The center had no ability to remotely open or close valves on its own, but did notify technicians, it added. NiSource is fully cooperating with the NTSB, Chief Executive Joe Hamrock said in a statement on Thursday. However, it will not comment on the cause of the incident until the NTSB completes its work, he added. The incident raised safety concerns about the sprawling U.S. networks of aging pipelines. The September explosions and fires damaged 131 homes and businesses as Columbia Gas was replacing cast-iron pipe with safer plastic lines when the accident occurred. The NTSB laid out the timetable of events in a dry account of the company's activities that day. Crews were working for Columbia Gas in Lawrence, a city northwest of Boston, to replace an aged cast-iron main with a new plastic distribution main line. The abandoned main had regulator sensing lines used to detect pressure in the system. After that main line was disconnected, the sensing lines lost pressure and the regulators fully opened, "allowing the full flow of high-pressure gas into the distribution system supplying the neighborhood," the report said. Columbia Gas had approved a "work package (that) did not account for the location of the sensing lines or require their relocation to ensure the regulators were sensing actual system pressure," according to the NTSB. Story continues Minutes before the explosion, Columbia Gas' monitoring center in Columbus, Ohio, received high pressure alarms for its South Lawrence gas pressure system. The company shut down the regulator at issue about 25 minutes later, around 4:30 p.m, the NTSB said. September's explosion was the largest U.S. natural gas pipeline accident since 2010 in terms of structures involved. Eight years ago, an interstate gas transmission line operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company ruptured in San Bruno, California, killing eight people, destroying 38 buildings and damaging 70 others, according to the NTSB. Columbia Gas has said all cast iron and bare steel piping in affected neighborhoods will be replaced with high pressure plastic mains that have regulators at each service meter. (Reporting by Liz Hampton; Editing by Leslie Adler and Richard Chang) ATLANTA (AP) Marsha Appling-Nunez was showing the college students she teaches how to check online if theyre registered to vote when she made a troubling discovery. Despite being an active Georgia voter who had cast ballots in recent elections, she was no longer registered. I was kind of shocked, said Appling-Nunez, who moved from one Atlanta suburb to another in May and believed she had successfully changed her address on the voter rolls. Ive always voted. I try to not miss any elections, including local ones, Appling-Nunez said. She tried re-registering, but with about one month left before a November election that will decide a governors race and some competitive U.S. House races, Appling-Nunezs application is one of over 53,000 sitting on hold with Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemps office. And unlike Appling-Nunez, many people on that list which is predominantly black, according to an analysis by The Associated Press may not even know their voter registration has been held up. Tuesday is Georgias deadline to register and be eligible to vote in the November General Election. Kemp, whos also the Republican candidate for governor, is in charge of elections and voter registration in Georgia. His Democratic opponent, former state Rep. Stacey Abrams, and voting rights advocacy groups charge that Kemp is systematically using his office to suppress votes and tilt the election, and that his policies disproportionately affect black and minority voters. Kemp denies it vehemently. But through a process that Kemp calls voter roll maintenance and his opponents call voter roll purges, Kemps office has cancelled over 1.4 million voter registrations since 2012. Nearly 670,000 registrations were cancelled in 2017 alone. In a recent television appearance on Comedy Centrals The Daily Show With Trevor Noah Abrams called Kemp a remarkable architect of voter suppression. Thats become a rallying cry for Democrats in the governors race, which recent public polling shows in a statistical dead heat. Story continues Kemp, meanwhile, says Abrams and allied liberal activists are twisting his record of guarding Georgia elections against voter fraud. His campaign spokesman Ryan Mahoney said in a statement that because of Kemp, it has never been easier to vote in our state and pointed to a new online voter registration system and a student engagement program implemented under his tenure. Kemp is fighting to protect the integrity of our elections and ensure that only legal citizens cast a ballot, Mahoney said. Two main policies overseen by Kemp have drawn criticism and legal challenges: Georgias exact match registration verification process and the mass cancellation of inactive voter registrations. According to records obtained from Kemps office through a public records request, Appling-Nunezs application like many of the 53,000 registrations on hold with Kemps office was flagged because it ran afoul of the states exact match verification process. Under the policy, information on voter applications must precisely match information on file with the Georgia Department of Driver Services or the Social Security Administration. Election officials can place non-matching applications on hold. An application could be held because of an entry error or a dropped hyphen in a last name, for example. Appling-Nunez says she never saw any notice from Kemps office indicating a problem with her application. An analysis of the records obtained by The Associated Press reveals racial disparity in the process. Georgias population is approximately 32 percent black, according to the U.S. Census, but the list of voter registrations on hold with Kemps office is nearly 70 percent black. Kemps office blamed that disparity on the New Georgia Project, a voter registration group founded by Abrams in 2013. Kemp accuses the organization of being sloppy in registering voters, and says they submitted inadequate forms for a batch of applicants that was predominantly black. His office has said the New Georgia Project used primarily paper forms and did not adequately train canvassers to ensure legible, complete forms . His office says the law applies equally across all demographics, but these numbers became skewed by the higher usage of one method of registration among one particular demographic group. Voters whose applications are frozen in pending status have 26 months to fix any issues before their application is canceled, and can still cast a provisional ballot. But critics say the system has a high error rate and decry the racial disparity that it produces. Weve shown that this process disproportionately prevents minority applicants from getting on the voter registration rolls, Julie Houk, special counsel for the Washington based Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said in an interview. With that in mind, she called it kind of astounding that Georgia legislators wrote it into state law in 2017. Houks group wrote to Kemp in July threatening legal action if exact match wasnt ended. Kemps aggressive maintenance of the voter list has also garnered the threat of legal action. His office says that they simply conduct regular list maintenance of the voter rolls to ensure election integrity as required by federal and state law. All of the affected records were inactive as a result of returned mail, National Change of Address, and no contact list maintenance procedures, it said. Kemp dismissed and derided the legal threat targeting the exact match policy, issuing a statement saying that with Election Day coming up, its high time for another frivolous lawsuit from liberal activist groups. His office said that since January 2014, elections officials have processed over 6.4 million voter registrations and less than 1 percent remain in pending status. State Rep. Barry Fleming, who authored the state law enabling exact match, said in a statement that its authorized under federal law, and courts have upheld a similar law in Florida. But Appling-Nunez said its important for every Georgians vote, including hers, to be counted in November. If you dont like whats happening you either have to vote to change it or get out there and change it yourself, she said. A life of politics is not for me so I have to support those who are fighting the good fight. Ever since his days with Rage Against the Machine, who were just nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, guitarist Tom Morello has mixed the political and the personal like few other modern-day rockers. I believe I was probably meant to be an activist guitar player, he jokes. Its a mindset he has carried into projects like Axis of Justice (the nonprofit organization he co-founded with System of a Downs Serj Tankian), Prophets of Rage (his supergroup with Public Enemys Chuck D and D-Lord, Cypress Hills B-Real, and RATMs Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk), and his ferocious debut solo album, The Atlas Underground. And all along, Morello has faced detractors who think musicians should stay out of politics. Yeah, its the old Shut up and play guitar argument, Morello shrugs. The people who make that argument, 100 percent of them disagree with your politics. They dont want to be bothered by what it is that you think and who you are as a person. My take is very, very simple: When you pick up a guitar, you do not put down your First Amendment rights. Whatever your vocation I dont think you should leave your intrinsic self. You shouldnt leave your convictions behind in your vocation. If that upsets people, well, if youre making music that everyone can agree on, then youre probably making pretty s***ty music. That would be the way I look at it. Rage Against the Machine first came to fame in the conservative George H.W. Bush era, and as Morello releases The Atlas Underground, a collection of social justice ghost stories with a cast of all-star guests (On this album, there are artists of diverse genres, diverse ethnicities, diverse ages, diverse genders; that in and of itself is a statement), he has plenty of inspiration, from racism to anti-immigrant sentiment to economic injustice. Bad presidents make for great music. Thats been a constant throughout history, and were certainly in a fertile period for that now, Morello says. Dangerous times call for dangerous music. I wanted to forge a sonic conspiracy of people from the world of rock, punk, hip-hop, and EDM to forge the ambitious goal of making a new genre of music that combines my Marshall stack, heavy metal fury, guitar fury, with some of the electronic elements of 2018, to make something that is both unapologetically rocking and yet speaks to the present. Story continues So, on The Atlas Underground theres Rabbits Revenge, featuring Killer Mike, Big Boi, and Bassnectar, which Morello describes as the incessant drumbeat of police murders of African-Americans; Lead Poisoning, with the Wu-Tang Clans GZA and RZA, also deals with police brutality. Roadrunner, with Leikeli47, is about those crossing from Mexico to the United States in the deadly desert there, where hopes and dreams and death meet among the coyotes. And We Dont Believe You, the incendiary single with Vic Mensa (who performed at Morellos Anti-Inaugural Ball on Donald Trumps inauguration day), has the rapper shouting, F*** you, separate could never be equal! Says Morello of that song, I gave [Mensa] very, very limited poetic direction. I said, Make a song that you can stand your ground to. Another track, Every Step That I Take, with Portugal. The Man, deals with the important topic of mental health and was partially inspired by the late Chris Cornell, with whom Morello played in the hugely successful supergroup Audioslave. Were partnering with an organization that deals with suicide prevention and depression issues. I lost my good friend Chris Cornell in the not-too-distant past. There have been some mental health issues in my own family. Its removing that stigma and letting people know that there is a way to get help. Lucky One, featuring K.Flay, addresses another hot topic: privilege. If I had one wish for the world, it would be that everyone could be the person that they were meant to be, but often that is not the case, Morello says. Sometimes its crushing poverty or circumstance. The next Mozart might be slaving away in a Vietnamese sweatshop right now, or the doctor who could cure cancer might be in an Alabama prison for having weed in their car. That song in particular deals with who dies first and who laughs last and who is the lucky one. On a related note, Morello encourages everyone to speak out about the issues of the day, not just musicians and celebrities with massive platforms. He believes everyone can make a difference. I wouldnt just limit it to artists, he says. I would say that were in a crucial historical crossroads for the planet, whether or not the planet will survive. It very well may be at stake in the next number of years. The thing that I think people need to realize, and your viewers and listeners, is that the people who have changed the world in the past, change when theres a progressive, radical, or even revolutionary change, are no different than you. They dont have any more power, they dont have any more courage, they dont have any more intellect than you do. Theyve stood up in their place and time and theyve risked in order to make a more humane and just planet. You are a historical agent, and you can choose to have your hand on the steering wheel or, if you abdicate and you stay on the sidelines, then you let other sons of bitches drive the planet into a ditch. Its up to you. The first thing you really need to realize, it is the average person: Change has always come from below, whether it was womens right to vote or the desegregation of lunch counters, the fall of the Berlin Wall, or South Africa with the dismantlement of apartheid. It didnt happen through the wisdom of presidents or the judicious study of supreme courts. It was people whose names never made the news, who were never in a newspaper article, who did the tireless organizing. Morello, who grew up on escapist metal but was enlightened in his youth by the socially conscious music of the Clash and Public Enemy, explains how he, as just a regular small-town kid, took action. I grew up in a tiny town in Illinois, where the dream was to get a job at the Dairy Queen and then maybe go to the University of Illinois. Then I started realizing theres a world thats much bigger. My friends and I, we made an underground paper in our high school that talked about apartheid, Central American death squads, and the fact that the dean was a d***! That was just a very liberating thing, recognizing that Im an independent agent who can affect things, even if its just a school newspaper. But once you realize that you have that power, really the skys the limit. Thats the way the worlds always changed. Im counting on you [citizens]. Or form your own band. As for his own music, Morello is going to keep voicing his opinions, even if some of those opinions are unpopular. I think that as an artist, you have a very simple and limited responsibility thats to tell the truth in what you do as art, he asserts. If you have convictions and you sublimate them and you dont speak out because youre afraid you wont sell as many records, then I think that you have to look in the mirror at the end of the day. Maybe you can and maybe you cant. Ive never had that problem. Ive always thought that Im going to sink or swim. If youre offended by the content, fantastic. That means that Im hitting a nerve and Im being honest and truthful with what it is that Im saying. Let the chips fall where they may. There are always pressures, subtle and otherwise, to make music or art as non-offensive as possible, Morello says. My favorite art is always dangerous. I think certainly in the world of rock n roll, it definitely should be. Challenging conventions is what Ive been about since I was 16 or 17 years old. Thats not about to change now. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Follow Lyndsey on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Amazon, Tumblr, Spotify Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank are getting married on 12 October. Photo: UK Press Pool/Getty Images The latest royal wedding between Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank is upon us, leading to the common question: Where does the royal family get their money from? The answer is tricky to pin down, since the royals do not divulge many key details about their finances. Some family members work full-time for the monarchy. Others, including Princess Eugenie, have jobs in the private sector. Heres what we know about the royal finances: Queen Elizabeth II In essence, the Queen is the main breadwinner and money filters down from her to her royal clan. The Queens three key income sources are: The Sovereign Grant, plus extras The Duchy of Lancaster estate Personal property and investments The Sovereign Grant is an annual lump sum from the government that the Queen uses to cover royal expenses related to travel, security, staff and the maintenance of royal palaces. In the latest financial year, the Queen received 76.1m ($101m), with a big portion of that money earmarked for a multi-year renovation programme at Buckingham Palace. Sovereign Grant money comes to the Queen in a roundabout way: Money is first generated by Crown Estate properties across the UK, which bring in hundreds of millions of pounds annually. This is handed over to the government and, in essence, the Queen gets a slice back later on in the form of the Sovereign Grant. As a sweetener, the Queen also brought in an extra 17.3m ($22.9m) from facilities management charges and property rental income in the latest financial year. Queen Elizabeth II and her royal family have a variety of sources of income. Photo: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images The Queens Duchy of Lancaster is a private estate of commercial, agricultural and residential properties that generated 20.2m ($26.7m) in income during the last fiscal year. The Queen uses this money to pay for official and private expenses. It is also used to cover costs incurred by her royal family members when they undertake official engagements on her behalf. The Queens personal assets and investments also include a few castles, a large stamp collection and a stock portfolio. Story continues (Meanwhile, the Crown Jewels arent actually owned by the Queen. A charity, the Royal Collection Trust, owns and manages these jewels and many other valuable objects.) Prince Charles and his family Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, formally known as The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, rely on the Duchy of Cornwall for the majority of their income. This private estate was set up in 1337 to provide an income to the heir to the throne. The Duchy of Cornwall owns and operates a vast amount of land and properties across the country, bringing in an annual surplus in excess of 20m ($26.5m) that goes to the royal couple. They also receive some money from the Queens Sovereign Grant and UK government departments to pay for their official trips, property expenses and security. Prince Charles also gives money to his children and their spouses Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle who are formally known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The exact amount they receive each year is shrouded in mystery since these figures are not reported separately. In the latest financial year, Prince Charles set aside 5m ($6.6m) for his children, but this money also covered capital expenditure and Charles savings. William, Kate, Harry and Meghan are also reimbursed when they perform official duties on behalf of the Queen. And both William and Harry inherited wealth from their mother, the late Princess Diana. The rest of the royal clan Buckingham Palace is not forthcoming with further information about how the rest of the royal family make their money. The Queens two youngest children, Andrew, the Duke of York, and Edward, the Earl of Wessex, work full-time for the Queen and make public appearances on her behalf. The Queen pays for their work through the Sovereign Grant and Duchy of Lancaster. Meanwhile, the next generation is expected to pursue their own careers. For example, Andrews daughter Princess Eugenie works at the gallery Hauser & Wirth. She does not take part in official trips or duties. Her sister, Princess Beatrice, works in the business world. Princess Eugenie works full-time in the art world and supports a variety of charities. Photo: Karwai Tang/Getty Images A spokesperson at Buckingham Palace declined to comment on reported trust funds for both women, noting this was a private matter. Related: Who is Princess Eugenie? Everything you need to know about Eugenies wedding Yerevan (AFP) - Saudi Arabia has dropped a bid to join the world's club of French-speaking countries, officials said Thursday, as the Gulf monarchy faces criticism over the disappearance of a critical Saudi journalist. The International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF) was set to study the Saudi bid at a summit on Thursday, but the kingdom asked to "postpone" its membership application in a letter, spokesman Bertin Leblanc told AFP. Leblanc gave no reason for the postponement or details of the letter. But the announcement came as Saudi Arabia faces growing international pressure to provide a convincing explanation for the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi after he visited the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week. Turkish officials have said he was killed but Riyadh denies that. Saudi Arabia's OIF application had faced strong opposition from the group's member states who have criticised Riyadh over human rights violations. Established in 1970, the OIF unites the world's French-speaking countries. It has 58 members and 26 observers which together account for a population of over 900 million people, including 274 million French speakers. The Armenian capital Yerevan is hosting the annual summit of the Francophonie on Thursday and Friday, with French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau both in attendance. French is currently the world's fifth most spoken language after Mandarin Chinese, English, Spanish and Arabic, according to official French estimates. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally ordered an effort to lure Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi back to his home country, according to U.S. intelligence documents described to The Washington Post on Wednesday. The report adds new detail to Khashoggis disappearance, directly implicating the crown prince, who is notably close to President Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner. Turkish authorities said they believed that Khashoggi, a former insider who grew increasingly critical of the Saudi royal family, was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week and his body removed from the premises. There was a detailed plan to entice Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia, according to the Post, which cites intelligence documents outlined by U.S. officials. Crown Prince Mohammed reportedly offered Khashoggi government protection and a high-level job if he returned to the country, an offer the journalist was deeply skeptical of. He said: Are you kidding? I dont trust them one bit, Khaled Saffuri, who spoke with Khashoggi in May, recounted to the Post. This image from CCTV video obtained by the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reportedly shows Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, 2018. (Photo: CCTV via Hurriyet / Associated Press) Officials in multiple countries said that if Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate last week, it may have been because a plan to capture the man went awry, the Post reported. Saudi Arabia has denied any involvement in Khashoggis disappearance and said he left the consulate shortly after he entered last Tuesday. The only available CCTV footage appears to show him entering the building but not leaving. On Tuesday, The New York Times first reported that Turkish officials believed Khashoggi was assassinated under orders from senior members of the Saudi royal court. Those unnamed officials said they believed the operation was carried out by a squad of 15 people flown into Turkey on two charter flights something that could only have been ordered by the countrys leadership due to its complexity and risk. Turkish officials said the event reminded them of the film Pulp Fiction, and said one of the men wielded a bone saw they suspect was used to dismember the journalists body. Story continues The Post later said the team reportedly laid in wait for Khashoggi to enter the building. Related... Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi Was Killed Inside Consulate, Turkish Officials Say New Reports Add Detail To Disappearance Of Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi What We Know About The Disappearance Of Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. The late former First Lady Barbara Bush wasnt able to see granddaughter Barbara Pierce Bush marry her fiance, Craig Coyne, on Sunday in an intimate, family-only ceremony in Maine. Though the Bush matriarch died at 92 in April, the bride carried with her on her wedding day a sentimental reminder of her beloved namesake. Its really sweet. The something borrowed that Im wearing is this bracelet that my grandfather gave to my grandmother on their 70th anniversary, Barbara, 36, told PEOPLE just days before her seaside wedding at the Bush family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine. The 36-year-old daughter of former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush added that her something blue was a pair of earrings from twin sister Jenna Bush Hager, also 36. After it was decided Barbara would wear the borrowed bracelet, her grandfathers staff gave her another sweet memento. They found this photo of them hugging right after he gave the bracelet to her, which is really sweet and special, Barbara says. On her wedding day, Barbara wore the bracelet on her left arm and recreated with her wheelchair-bound grandfather the pose he had struck with his wife just three and a half years earlieron January 6, 2015. For more wedding details and an exclusive wedding photo album, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE on newsstands Friday The bracelet wasnt the only reminder of the elder Barbara Bush at the wedding. President Bush, 72, paid tribute to his late mother in a heartfelt speech after the ceremony, a wedding attendee tells PEOPLE. Barbara is named for a unique and strong woman and rightly so, for she is unique and strong, the 43rd president said of his mother and daughter. As I was thinking about this toast in my studio, I was looking at the portrait I made of Barbara, he continued of the younger Barbara. I painted a beauty with dazzling blue eyes. In those eyes, I painted a compassionate soul who cares deeply about the less fortunate. I painted a woman who is daring and adventuresome a woman who has fierce determination to make a positive contribution to mankind. I painted a kind friend and a highly intelligent person. I painted a loving person who loves man and cat alike. But most of all, I painted a woman who I love and for whom I have such great pride. Story continues RELATED VIDEO: 5 Things You Need to Know About Craig Coyne, Who Just Married George W. Bushs Daughter Barbara And Jenna honored her grandmothers love story with her husband, former President George H.W. Bush, 94, who was on hand Sunday to see his granddaughter tie the knot. In an emotional moment, Jenna read a letter George H.W. Bush wrote to his wife on their 49th wedding anniversary on Jan. 6, 1994. Will you marry me? the 41st president wrote in a letter addressed to Barbara Pierce and signed GHWB. Oops, I forgot, you did that 49 years ago today! I was very happy on that day in 1945, but I am even happier today. You have given me joy that few men know. You have made our boys into men by bawling them out and then, right away, by loving them. You have helped Doro be the sweetest greatest daughter in the whole wide world. I have climbed perhaps the highest mountain in the world, but even that cannot hold a candle to being Barbaras husband, the letter continued. Mum used to tell me: Now, George, dont walk ahead. Little did she know I was only trying to keep up keep up with Barbara Pierce from Onondaga Street in Rye New York. I love you! Yanjun Xu indicted in Cincinnati after extradition from Belgium Xu accused of targeting aerospace firm GE Aviation Herb Stapleton, an FBI assistant special agent, announces the charges against Yanjun Xu in Cincinnati. Photograph: John Minchillo/AP A spy for the Chinese ministry of state security has been arrested and indicted on charges of economic espionage and attempting to steal trade secrets from several US aviation and aerospace companies, according to the justice department. Yanjun Xu, a deputy division director for the ministrys Jiangsu state security department, is accused of targeting several aerospace companies, including GE Aviation, a subsidiary of General Electric Co, the justice department said in a statement. Court papers document how Xu and other intelligence operatives planned to obtain highly sensitive information from the experts. The indictment alleges that, from around December 2013 until his arrest in April, Xu would recruit employees from major aerospace companies and convince them to travel to China on the pretext of giving a presentation at a university, prosecutors said. This indictment alleges that a Chinese intelligence officer sought to steal trade secrets and other sensitive information from an American company that leads the way in aerospace, said John Demers, the assistant US attorney general for national security. The charges come as the United States increases pressure on China over its trade policies and alleged theft of US companies intellectual property. Last week US vice-president Mike Pence painted China as rival of the United States on all fronts, repeating Donald Trumps allegations that Beijing has attempted to meddle in the upcoming US midterms. What the Russians are doing pales in comparison to what China is doing across this country, Pence said in a speech. Justice officials cast the arrest of Xu as part of the global fight against Chinas alleged campaign to steal US economic secrets. This case is not an isolated incident. It is part of an overall economic policy of developing China at American expense, said assistant attorney general Demers. Story continues We cannot tolerate a nations stealing our firepower and the fruits of our brainpower. We will not tolerate a nation that reaps what it does not sow. According to the indictment, Xu recruited a GE Aviation employee, who sent him a presentation in February that contained the companys proprietary information. Xu later followed up with the employee asking for specific technical information and then asked the employee to meet in Europe, where he wanted the worker to provide additional information from GE, according to court papers. GE Aviation is a top manufacturer of jet and turboprop engines and components for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. It has supplied engines for large Boeing Co and Airbus SE planes, and is working on a new generation of engines for commercial planes and heavy-lift military helicopters. The ministry of state security is Chinas intelligence and security agency, responsible for counterintelligence, foreign intelligence and political security. It has broad powers to conduct espionage domestically and abroad, the statement said. This unprecedented extradition of a Chinese intelligence officer exposes the Chinese governments direct oversight of economic espionage against the United States, said Bill Priestap, the assistant director of the FBIs counterintelligence division. Xu was arrested after traveling to Belgium in April. After his appeals failed, he was extradited to the United States on Tuesday and is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Wednesday afternoon in federal court in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Washington Post reported that he was lured to Belgium by US federal law enforcement agents. Demers said the case was a significant economic espionage matter and was the latest proof that China is trying to steal information from American companies. A spokesman for GE Aviation, a General Electric Co division based in suburban Cincinnati, said it had been cooperating for months with the FBI in a case that targeted a former employee. The impact to GE Aviation is minimal thanks to early detection, our advanced digital systems and internal processes, and our partnership with the FBI, a GE Aviation spokesman, Perry Bradley, said. This report contains material from the AP and Reuters Ravi Menon Singapore Cryptocurrency Ravi Menon Singapore Cryptocurrency Ravi Menon, the chief of Singapores defacto central bank and regulator, has backed domestic cryptocurrency startups and exchanges to gain banking services in the technology-forward city-state. Monetary Institute of Singapore (MAS) managing director Ravi Menon has called for the banking industry to get over the hurdle of offering services to domestic cryptocurrency startups in a marked attempt to foster the fintech industry. Speaking to Bloomberg, Menon said that while Singapore will not be an extremely lax regulatory environment for crypto industry firms locally and beyond, there could be respite coming for startups who have banks reluctant to offer simple banking services like opening banking accounts. The central bank official stated: What we are trying to do is to bring the banks and cryptocurrency fintech startups together to see if there is some understanding they can reach. The embracive, if cautious, approach is a significant contrast to the likes of India, wherein the central bank forced all regulated financial institutions including banks to cease offering services to cryptocurrency firms. The Indian central banks move has largely dented the industry, leading to the closure of one of Indias biggest cryptocurrency exchanges recently. For a senior central bank official, Menon has ruled out regulation for decentralized open cryptocurrencies like bitcoin in the past, insisting that bitcoin itself does not pose the risk that warrants regulation. Our approach is to look at the activity around the cryptocurrency and then make an assessment of what regulation would be suitable, he said last year, calling for oversight into activities that could abuse cryptocurrencies. As cryptocurrency markets touched an all-time high earlier in January, driven by a bull-run through much of 2017, Menon sought to bring attention to the good applications of cryptocurrencies citing cheap, real-time, international remittance as an example. Story continues I do hope when the fever has gone away, when the crash has happened, it will not undermine the much deeper, and more meaningful technology associated with digital currencies and blockchain, Menon said earlier this year. The permissive ecosystem has seen Upbit, South Koreas largest cryptocurrency exchange, establish a new cryptocurrency exchange in Singapore last month. Binance, the worlds largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, also announced plans to launch a fiat cryptocurrency exchange in Singapore. Featured image from YouTube/MAS. The post Singapores Central Bank Will Aid Crypto Startups in Opening Bank Accounts appeared first on CCN. Steve Carell has played some out-of-the-box characters a 40-year-old virgin, a murderer, a shy weatherman who loves lamps but transforming into the father of a meth addict was particularly challenging. The actor stars as David Sheff, the father of Nick Sheff, played by Timothee Chalamet, in Beautiful Boy, based on the true story of the pair and their journey through Nicks drug addiction and recovery. Both actors visited Build to discuss the film, which premieres Oct. 12, and Carell revealed how hard it was to get into this character. While being a father to two teens helped Carell connect with David, it also made the project scarier. I leaned into the fact that Im a dad and that this whole thing is terrifying for me, he shared. Carell admitted that taking on this role was a hard thing to choose to do because you feel like youre just knocking wood all the time in terms of your own kids. The actor was scared by the fact that this story proves addiction can hurt any family. Because you see a family like this, thats extremely loving and seemingly functional and intelligent and kind, all of those things, and it still ripped them apart, he said. That was the biggest hurdle in my mind, and thats really what I relied on, just my love for my family, my kids, and I just sort of used that. In his writing, David, who is a journalist, discusses blaming himself for his sons struggles. As a father himself, Carell understands that. Especially when your kids are suffering, you tend to blame yourself, what could I have done differently? Where did I go wrong? And its really not about that, he said. Stars of the film Beautiful Boy Timothee Chalamet and Steve Carell discussed their process of playing real people. (Photo: Build) There was one scene Carell found particularly painful to play out. Theres a scene toward the end when my character has to essentially turn his back on his son, and it goes against every fiber of a parents being, he explained. So I was afraid of that moment, because it was a difficult thing to wrap my head around. I have teenagers, and to have reached a point where its better to let go than continue to enable, that was sort of a scary moment to play because its something that just didnt come naturally. I had to wrestle with the idea of it and sort of justify it in order to play it. Story continues But there were ways in which he could connect with his character, whos desperately trying to save his son. Well, Im a dad, so I try to exhibit control with my kids lest they freak out, he said. And my father was the same way. Hes 93 now, and hes exactly as hes always been, kind of a stoic guy and really doesnt allow us to see the pain or suffering. Even though we can see it. I know when my dad is feeling something, but he tries to disguise it for the sake of the family. Thats something Carell recognized in his film character. I think David Sheff did the same thing in a lot of ways; he tried to be the rock, Carell said. He felt like he needed to be the glue and sort of an example, and the further down the spiral he went with his son, the harder it was to maintain that composure and that sense of calmness. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Qamishli (Syria) (AFP) - Syrian Kurdish forces battling the Islamic State group hold around 900 of the organisation's foreign jihadists, a spokesman said on Thursday, a sharp increase from a previous figure. In lengthy battles against IS in the war-torn country, the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) have rounded up thousands of alleged IS members, Syrian and otherwise. "Around 900 IS terrorists are in our jails... from 44 countries," YPG spokesman Nuri Mahmud said. That is a sharp rise from the figure of 520, given by another Kurdish official last month. "The war is ongoing and until now we are arresting terrorists," Mahmud explained, referring to ongoing battles against IS in eastern Syria. "The numbers have increased over the past months from the battles between our forces and IS," he said. Kurdish authorities have said they will not put any foreign jihadists on trial, and repeatedly called on their home countries to take them back. But Western countries, reeling from IS-claimed attacks on their own soil, have been reluctant. "Most countries have been flouting their responsibility," Nuri said. According to Kurdish foreign affairs official Abdel Karim Omar, Syrian Kurds also hold 550 women and around 1,200 children from the families of IS members. Alleged fighters are usually detained in jail, while women and children are held separately in camps. IS seized large swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014, declaring a so-called "caliphate" in areas they controlled. But multiple offensives in both countries have since decimated that proto-state. In Syria, the YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces last month launched a battle to expel the jihadists from their last eastern redoubt of Hajin near the Iraqi border. By Jess Macy Yu and Yimou Lee TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen vowed on Wednesday to boost national security, saying her government would not submit to Chinese suppression as Beijing ramps up pressure to assert its sovereignty over the self-ruled island. Tsai's remarks came weeks ahead of islandwide local elections in late November that are seen as a bellwether for her ruling party's performance in presidential elections due in 2020. "At this time, China's intimidation and diplomatic pressure not only hurts relations between both sides, but seriously challenges the peaceful stability in the Taiwan Strait," she said in a National Day speech in Taipei. Taiwan will increase its defence budget every year to ensure it can defend its sovereignty, Tsai said, by upgrading military capabilities and self-sufficiency, including resuming domestic development of advanced training aircraft and submarines. China, which views Taiwan as a wayward province, has increased military and diplomatic pressure on Taipei, leading to a difficult period for the president and her independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Three former allies - El Salvador, Burkina Faso and Dominican Republic - switched their allegiances to Beijing this year, and the Chinese military has stepped up encirclement drills around Taiwan, which Tapei has denounced as intimidation. [nL3N1SI2ZD] Taiwan must work with other countries to build a coalition to defend democracy, Tsai said, thanking the European Parliament and the United States for their support. Last month, the U.S. State Department approved the sale to Taiwan of spare parts for F-16 fighter planes and other military aircraft worth up to $330 million, a move China has said jeopardises Sino-U.S. cooperation. [nL2N1WA1MH] [nL2N1WP0R5] China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control and regularly calls the island its most sensitive issue in its ties with the United States. Relations with Beijing have nosedived since Tsai came into office in 2016, with China suspecting that she wants to push for formal independence, a red line for Beijing. For her part, Tsai has repeatedly emphasized maintaining the status quo since coming to power. On Wednesday she called for a multi-national effort to fight some types of infiltration, such as the circulation of fake news by certain countries, which she did not name. "I would like to pledge to everyone that we will not rashly increase antagonism, but we won't submit or yield," she said. (Reporting by Jess Macy Yu and Yimou Lee; editing by Darren Schuettler and Clarence Fernandez) Thai authorities have arrested two men accused of trying to smuggle tiger bones and meat to Vietnam on a bus, police said Thursday. The two suspects are Vietnamese nationals who allegedly paid around $900 for the products in Tak province on the Myanmar border, and planned to sell them back home for consumption. Nattawat Wingthongtavipon from Muang Phitsanulok police station told AFP that the men were arrested late Wednesday in Phitsanulok province after a tip-off. "We found the guys...with an oversize bag, and the inside was stuffed with the smoked carcass and meat of a tiger, which they confessed were destined for Vietnam," Nattawat said. The men were charged with possession of a protected species and are in police custody. Across the region tiger populations have been decimated due to poaching. Thailand is a popular hub for the multibillion-dollar illegal wildlife market and is also one of several countries in Southeast Asia -- including Vietnam -- where activists say tiger breeding farms have contributed to the trade in the animal's parts. Around 30 percent of tiger products seized between 2012 and 2015 were suspected to originate from captive tigers compared to just two percent between 2000 and 2003, according to a study by the NGO Traffic. In 2016 the kingdom made international headlines after police raided its infamous Tiger Temple, a tourist site accused of links to the trade. Animal rights groups have also decried the use of tigers in amusement parks where they are prodded to pose for photos with tourists. In Vietnam, tiger bones are boiled down and used for traditional medicine, while stuffed tigers, teeth, claws or tiger skin is used for decoration or jewelry. Baby tigers and tiger parts are also steeped in wine in some areas. Vietnam is notorious for the consumption of illegal wildlife parts and as a popular transport route for animals destined for China and other parts of Asia. Peshawar (Pakistan) (AFP) - Three Pakistani soldiers were killed and five others wounded in a roadside bomb blast in the country's northwest near the Afghan border on Thursday, officials said. Soldiers were carrying out routine search operations in Makeen Tehsil of South Waziristan district when the explosion took place, local officials told AFP on condition of anonymity. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bomb. Pakistan's army has been battling Taliban and Al-Qaeda linked militants in the region for years. Violence in Pakistan has declined in recent years following a series of military operations along the border with Afghanistan, but militant groups are still able to carry out deadly attacks. There have been a number of fatal assaults in recent months in the northwest, as well as in the southwestern Balochistan province. Pakistan's army launched its operation in mid-2014 to wipe out militant bases in the area and end the near decade-long insurgency that has cost thousands of lives. The operation was intensified after the Taliban massacred more than 150 people, the majority of them children, at a school in the northwestern city of Peshawar in December 2014. In 2016, the Pakistani army claimed to have cleared the last militant stronghold in the country's northwest after a three-month long operation. By Guy Faulconbridge and Andrew MacAskill LONDON (Reuters) - Former British leader Tony Blair said there was a 50-50 chance of another Brexit referendum as Prime Minister Theresa May will be unlikely to secure a parliamentary majority for any divorce deal. Less than six months before Britain leaves the European Union, there is little clarity about how post-Brexit trade between the EU and the world's fifth largest economy will function. If May can strike a deal with the EU, her minority government then has to get it approved by a deeply-divided parliament. "Whatever Brexit is on offer today is going to result in significant economic harm," Blair, former head of the opposition Labour Party and prime minister from 1997 to 2007, told Reuters. "I think the odds are now 50 percent that you will get another (referendum) vote." "I still believe it is possible that Brexit is stopped," he said. "There is no majority in parliament for any proposition that the prime minister brings back." Both opponents and supporters of Brexit agree that the divorce is Britains most significant political and economic move since World War Two, though they cast vastly different futures for the $2.9 trillion UK economy and the worlds biggest trading bloc. Leaving the European Union was once far-fetched: Less than two decades ago, British leaders such as Blair were arguing about when to join the euro, and talk of an EU exit was the reserve of fringe politicians. But the euro zone crisis, fears in Britain about immigration and miscalculations by former Prime Minister David Cameron prompted Britons to vote 52 to 48 percent for Brexit in a June 2016 referendum. A new vote, Blair said, could ask whether voters wanted to exit without a deal or stay in a reformed EU and offer new membership terms. He said EU leaders would be willing to reform the bloc. BREXIT REVERSE GEAR? Blair has repeatedly called for reversing Brexit, echoing other critics, including French President Emmanuel Macron, who have suggested Britain could still change its mind. Recent opinion polls indicate a slight move toward support for staying in the EU. But May has repeatedly said there will be no new referendum. Blair said that if Brexit did happen, economic dislocation would force Britain to deregulate further to attract foreign investors. Brexiteers anticipate some short-term economic pain but say Britain will then thrive if cut loose from what they see as a doomed experiment in German-dominated unity and excessive debt-funded welfare spending. Blair said that if the UK exited the EU and then socialist Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn won power, the country would face a "truly damaging and challenging situation". "This is the problem with the policies of both major parties: they seem to think you can do Brexit and then engage in a whole lot of social legislation to make capitalism fairer and more equal and so on," Blair said. "They have got to wake up to the fact that if you do Brexit your number-one priority is going to be keeping this place as an attractive place for investors to come." He said European regulators would not want the center of European finance - currently London - to be outside their orbit. "Why give ourselves this problem in a field of the global economy where we are globally preeminent?" Blair said, adding that the government had cast aside the interests of the service sector. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge and Andrew MacAskill; Editing by Gareth Jones and John Stonestreet) Frankfurt am Main (AFP) - Setting European Union targets for reducing cars' greenhouse gas output that are too ambitious could backfire with the loss of 100,000 jobs, Volkswagen chief executive Herbert Diess said Thursday. If ministers aimed to slash carbon dioxide (CO2) output by 40 percent between 2020 and 2030, "around a quarter of the jobs in our factories would have to go in the space of 10 years -- a total of 100,000 posts," Diess told daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung. EU governments agreed Tuesday to aim for a 35-percent reduction in CO2 output by 2030 rather than the 30 percent hoped for by manufacturers, Berlin and eastern European governments. While Chancellor Angela Merkel called the compromise "acceptable", the head of the VDA German carmakers' federation Bernhard Mattes labelled it "overambitious" and "gambling with jobs". Diess went into more detail, saying that a more gradual reduction in CO2 emissions would make for a slower ramping-up of electric cars -- which take many fewer man-hours to build than comparable vehicles powered by internal combustion. A faster decrease, by contrast, would be "barely manageable" as "by 2030 more than half of vehicles would have to be all-electric" with knock-on effects on jobs, he said. "Such a drastic reduction means a painful revolution rather than a manageable transition," he warned, adding that "there would no longer be affordable small cars built in Germany". Efforts to fight climate change are in stronger focus this week, after UN experts warned drastic measures are needed to avoid global temperatures rising more than the average two degrees Centigrade targeted under the 2015 Paris accords. Meanwhile the German car industry continues to suffer from the reputational damage of the "dieselgate" scandal, which revealed vehicles worldwide were being manipulated to appear less polluting. Despite years spent battling the fallout from such cheating on 11 million vehicles, Volkswagen reported profits of 11.3 billion euros ($13.1 billion) in 2017 on revenues of 230.7 billion. In July, the European Commission uncovered a new trick by car companies, accusing them of inflating CO2 emissions figures in current models to make it easier to hit future targets for reducing output of the gas. In the Central African country of Cameroon, home to 24 million people, there are only some 50 cardiologistsand 12% of all deaths are caused by heart disease. Growing up in a small village near Cameroons capital city Yaounde dreaming of being a doctor, Arthur Zang, now 30, didnt know any of that. But today his invention, the Cardio-Pad, is transforming the way heart conditions are diagnosed in sub-Saharan Africa, where heart disease is the leading cause of death for adults over 30, and beyond. Zangs idea came after he was rejected from medical school and decided to study computer science instead. As an intern, he met one of those 50 cardiologists who told him rural patients often had to make expensive and dangerous journeys just to get diagnosed correctly. Zang set about designing the Cardio-Pad, a handheld tablet that physicians in remote locations could use to send scans to cardiologists in the city. It eliminates the need for repeated arduous journeys, spreading hope of treatment to areas where a heart problem could often be a prolonged death sentenceor at least a major economic burden. During development, Zangs uncle died from a heart attack. That pushed me to finish the device, he says. The Cardio-Pad launched in 2016, and is now deployed throughout Cameroon, four other African countries and Nepal. Its cheap for a hospital-quality medical device, at $3,000, but it didnt take long for Zang to realize that lots of smaller hospitals couldnt afford the price. So he started a program in 2017 where CardioPads are distributed for free, with patients paying a low annual fee for access to diagnosis in their own home. He sees it as a small step forward for the inequitable healthcare systems in Cameroon and beyond. Poor people face many difficult problems in hospital, he says. I wanted to help them get better care, wherever they live. Hurricane Michael, the third-strongest storm in U.S. history, was not powerful enough to keep President Trump off the campaign trail. Hours after the Category 4 storm made landfall in the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday, wreaking havoc along the coastline before pushing north into Georgia, Trump traveled to Pennsylvania to tout his own accomplishments and bash his Democratic opponents. Im thrilled to be here tonight in Erie, Pa., with thousands of loyal, hard-working and beautiful American patriots, Trump said as he began his remarks, adding, Before we begin, I want to send our thoughts and prayers of our entire nation to everyone in the path of Hurricane Michael, especially in the Florida Panhandle, where its hitting and hitting hard. Its a big one. President Trump arrives at a campaign rally on Oct. 10, 2018, in Erie, Pa. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP) But after pledging that his administrations hurricane relief effort will be successful, Trump lapsed back into full campaign mode, delivering a version of the same bombastic, combative speech he has used to hammer his political rivals in recent days. Trump excoriated Democrats for what he sees as their poor treatment of his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, singling out Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. He aimed a passing blow at Hillary Clinton, accusing her, without evidence, of collusion with Russia in the 2016 presidential election. He recounted his election-night victory in states like Texas, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Of course, no Trump rally would be complete without the president bashing the media. You know these folks will dispute us if were wrong [sic], Trump said of the media assembled to cover the rally, eliciting boos from his crowd. Except for the split-screen reality of a major hurricane leveling communities in Florida and Georgia as he spoke, Trumps stump speech was par for the course. In Erie, he was stumping for Republican Rep. Mike Kelly and Senate candidate Lou Barletta. An animated Kelly spoke with a fervor for the president that was notable even by the standards of those who Trump joins on the stump. Story continues The strongest personality, Kelly boomed, touting Trump, the strongest president we have seen in our lifetime! Wednesday marked the second Trump rally in support of Barlettas bid to unseat incumbent Democratic Sen. Bob Casey. Barletta trails in the race by double digits. Earlier in the day, Trump explained why he was going to Pennsylvania during one of the worst storms in American history. The first death from Michael was reported by wire services during the presidents speech. Departing the @WhiteHouse for Erie, Pennsylvania. I cannot disappoint the thousands of people that are there and the thousands that are going. I look forward to seeing everyone this evening. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 10, 2018 Under fire over his administrations response in Puerto Rico to Hurricane Maria, Trump paid special attention to Hurricane Florence in September, and this week, as Michael gained steam, he hosted briefings with FEMA and Department of Homeland Security officials. But Trumps partisan, self-congratulatory remarks Wednesday also presented a political danger for the president as most of the nation watched the storm unfold. Even Fox News opted to carry storm coverage rather than Trumps rally. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump on Thursday accused China of thinking Americans are "stupid" and vowed that he was ready to inflict economic pain on the Asian power. "They lived too well for too long and, frankly, I guess they think that the Americans are stupid people. Americans are not stupid people," the outspoken mogul-turned-president told "Fox and Friends." Trump boasted that the $250 billion in tariffs he has slapped on Chinese products have "had a big impact." "Their economy has gone down very substantially," he said. "I have a lot more to do if I want to do it. I don't want to do it but they have to come to the table." Trump is pressing China to improve trading conditions for US products and to end what US businesses say is widespread theft of their intellectual property. China has responded by imposing countertariffs, which the Trump administration alleges show political interference by targeting products from key states in next month's congressional elections. The International Monetary Fund this week cited the trade war as it lowered its 2019 growth forecast for China, which is set to see its slowest expansion since 1990, but also lowered estimates for the United States and the global economy as a whole. Trump renewed his charge that past presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush "let China get out of control." "We are not going to pay $500 billion a year to China and rebuild China," Trump said, likely referring to the total annual imports of Chinese goods into the United States. "We have helped rebuild China more than any other factor. We have helped rebuild it. I said it's over." The undiplomatic language comes as disputes mount in numerous areas between China and the United States, ending the early bonhomie between Trump and his counterpart Xi Jinping. US authorities on Wednesday said they arrested an alleged Chinese intelligence agent for plotting to obtain trade secrets from GE Aviation and other companies. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would consider selecting Goldman Sachs executive and former White House adviser Dina Powell as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and he shot down speculation he would tap his daughter Ivanka for the post. Trump spoke to reporters at the White House before departing for an event in Iowa, hours after announcing that current U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley would step down at the end of the year. He said Haley would help him make the final pick for her replacement. Powell served in the first year of the Trump administration as the Deputy National Security Adviser for strategy, and was a key player in diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. She returned to Goldman Sachs, where she worked for more than a decade, earlier this year. She also was a high-ranking official in the State Department of the previous Republican president, George W. Bush, according to the Harvard Kennedy School, where she is a senior fellow. Speculation that Ivanka Trump would take on the post mounted after Haley praised her and her husband, Jared Kushner, in discussing her resignation in the Oval Office on Tuesday morning. But Trump told reporters at the White House before embarking on Marine One that, while Ivanka would be incredible in the role, he would face accusations of nepotism if he selected her. (Reporting by Jeff Mason; Writing by Lisa Lambert; Editing by Tim Ahmann and Jonathan Oatis) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he has talked to officials in Saudi Arabia at the highest levels about the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and wants the United States to get to the bottom of the matter. Khashoggi, 59, disappeared a week ago and was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul where he went to pick up a document he needed for his planned marriage. Saudi officials have said that he left the consulate but his Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, who was waiting outside, said he never appeared. Turkish sources have said they believe Khashoggi, a prominent critic of Saudi policies, was deliberately killed and removed from the building. Saudi Arabia has strongly rejected the allegations. Trump said the United States was working closely with Turkey to find out exactly what had happened and was seeking information from Saudi Arabia. "We're demanding everything. We want to see what's going on," Trump told reporters. "It's a very serious situation for us and for this White House." "I want to see what happens and we're working very closely with Turkey and I think we'll get to the bottom of it," Trump said. Khashoggi left Saudi Arabia last year saying he feared retribution for his criticism of Riyadh over the Yemen war and its crackdown on dissent, and since then wrote columns for the Washington Post. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has urged Riyadh to prove its claim that Khashoggi left the consulate after his meeting there. A pro-government Turkish daily on Wednesday published preliminary evidence from investigators it said identified a 15-menmber Saudi intelligence team involved in Khashoggi's disappearance. (Reporting by Steve Holland; Writing by David Alexander; editing by Grant McCool) By Jeff Mason and Stephen Kalin WASHINGTON/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he saw no reason to cut off arms sales to Saudi Arabia because of the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, possibly setting up a clash with the U.S. Congress. Trump also said the United States may be closer to finding out what happened to Khashoggi, a prominent critic of Saudi policies who was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. Turkish sources have said they believe Khashoggi was killed inside the building and his body removed, allegations that Riyadh dismisses as baseless. In a sign Turkey and Saudi Arabia might be looking for a way forward, Turkey accepted a Saudi proposal to form a joint working group to investigate the case, Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency quoted presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin as saying. Turkish investigators were prepared to enter the consulate, a Turkish security official told Reuters, but were awaiting final authorization from the Saudis. Speaking to reporters, Trump said he saw no reason to block Saudi purchases of U.S. arms or its investments in the United States despite the journalist's case, saying the Gulf nation would just move its money into Russia and China. "They're spending $110 billion on military equipment and on things that create jobs ... for this country. I don't like the concept of stopping an investment of $110 billion into the United States, because you know what they're going to do? They're going to take that money and spend it in Russia or China or someplace else," he said. His comments prompted pushback from members of the U.S. Senate, including from some of his fellow Republicans, many of whom signed a letter on Wednesday forcing his administration to investigate Khashoggi's disappearance and paving the way to possible sanctions on Saudi officials. "If it's found that they murdered a journalist, that will hugely change our relationship," Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told reporters. "There will have to be significant sanctions placed at the highest levels." The Khashoggi incident might make it very hard for the Trump administration to win congressional approval for arms sales to the Saudis. Many lawmakers, including some Republicans, have already questioned U.S. support for Saudi's involvement in Yemen's civil war, which has prompted a humanitarian crisis. Under U.S. law, major foreign sales of military equipment can be blocked by Congress. There is also an informal process in which key lawmakers can put "holds" on arm sales. Trump, who sealed a $110 billion deal for U.S. companies to sell arms to Saudi Arabia on his first foreign trip as president in May 2017, said Washington was looking into the disappearance and working with Turkey and Saudi Arabia. "We're looking at it very strongly. We'll be having a report out soon," he said. Separately, the U.S. State Department spokeswoman said the Saudi ambassador to Washington was heading back to the kingdom and the United States had told him, "We expect information upon his return." U.S. INVESTIGATORS IN TURKEY? Global pressure has mounted on Saudi Arabia, a U.S. ally and leading oil exporter, about the disappearance of Khashoggi, who entered the consulate to get documents for his planned marriage. His Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, who waited outside, said he never re-appeared. In an Arabic-language tweet on Thursday, Cengiz wrote of her anguish, saying, "It's as if I'm living between life and death, between sky and land, between heaven and hell ... I die everyday a thousand times." British billionaire Richard Branson said his Virgin Group would suspend its discussions with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund over a planned $1 billion investment in the group's space ventures, while a number of media companies pulled out a planned Saudi investment conference. The New York Times said it would no longer be a sponsor of the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh. Economist Editor-In-Chief Zanny Minton Beddoes and CNBC anchor and New York Times journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin both decided they would no longer attend. [L2N1WR1ZD] In an interview with the Fox News "Fox & Friends" program, Trump said the United States was working with Turkey and Saudi Arabia, adding, "We have investigators over there." However, three U.S. law enforcement sources said that because Khashoggi is not an American citizen and disappeared outside the country, the FBI has no automatic jurisdiction to get involved in the case and could only become involved if requested by a foreign government such as Turkey. Senior U.S. officials, including Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, have spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the disappearance. Trump made Saudi Arabia his first foreign stop as president but in recent weeks has appeared to sour a bit on Riyadh, complaining about the cost of American support for the Saudi military and about oil price increases. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said his country was worried about Khashoggi's disappearance. "We are investigating all aspects of the event. It is not possible for us to remain silent regarding such an occurrence, because it is not a common occurrence," he said in comments quoted by Hurriyet newspaper on Thursday. He also questioned Saudi assertions that the consulate does not have footage of Khashoggi leaving because the mission's security cameras only provide live footage and do not record images. "Is it possible for there to be no camera systems at the Saudi Arabia consulate, where the event took place?," he said. (Additional reporting by Sarah Dadouch, Ali Kucukgocmen, Orhan Coskun and Tuvan Gumrukcu in Istanbul and Susan Heavey, Doina Chiacu, Patricia Zengerle and Yara Bayoumy in Washington; writing by Stephen Kalin, Yara Bayoumy and Arshad Mohammed; Editing by William Maclean, Alistair Bell, Toni Reinhold) Its never too early to start daydreaming about Christmas dinner, right? [Photo: Getty] If youre already wondering how to up your Christmas dinner game this festive season then grab a paper and pen, as the best food items on offer for 2018 have been revealed. BBC Good Food magazine asked an expert panel to blind-taste 166 products from the UKs 11 leading retailers with the likes of Marks and Spencer and Morrisons taking part. But how did the rival supermarkets fair in the challenge? From the all-important turkey to juicy mince pies, no further for the best spots in town when crossing off your Christmas dinner shopping list this year The best turkey Marks and Spencer came up trumps after winning a grand total of five listings this year and the Brit staple won over the judges in undoubtedly the most important category of all for best turkey. Marks and Spencer stole the top spot this year for the best Christmas turkey [Photo: Getty] The retailers Pembrokeshire Bronze Free Range Turkey (10 per kilogram) was named the tastiest of the bunch thanks to its moist and succulent meat. For those on a budget, Aldis 8.99 Specially Selected Exquisite Ramburgh Farm British free range whole turkey came in close second. The best stuffing Lidl won in the stuffing category thanks to the budget supermarkets Deluxe Apricot and White Stilton Stuffing which comes in at a surprising 2.39. The judges loved the neat, fruit-studded appearance and balance of sweet apricot and savoury stilton that the stuffing gave. Sounds like a winner to us. The best alternative meat centrepiece For those of you on the lookout for a second meat centrepiece or an alternative to turkey, Marks and Spencers 45 British Sirloin of Beef won over the judges this year. In second place came Lidls Bone Marrow Pie which retails at 14.99. The best smoked salmon ASDA stole the top spot when it came to smoked salmon thanks to its Extra Special Heather Honey and Black Pepper Smoked Salmon which costs just 3.99. The Co-op came in second place with the supermarkets 5 Irresistible Smoked Salmon. The best Christmas pudding For those with a sweet tooth, make sure to check out ASDA as the supermarkets 6.50 Extra Special Christmas Pudding won the taste test this year. Story continues The judges described the pud as having a glossy exterior with plenty of nuts and plump cherries. What more could you ask for? The award for the best Christmas pudding went to ASDA [Photo: Getty] In regards to the gluten free option, Waitrose & Partners 5 Free From Richly Fruited Christmas Pudding came top of the leaderboard. The best mince pies Its not Christmas until youre slouched onto the sofa in a mince pie-induced food coma. So for those of you on the lookout for the best, make sure to head to Morrisons for the supermarkets six pack of Deep Filled Mince Pies (2). The judges described the Christmas staple as having buttery, almost shortbread-like pastry which boasted a juicy filling of whole raisins and sultanas and a nice balance of sweetness and booze. Anyone else already craving December? We know where well be buying our mince pies this year [Photo: Getty] The high street retailer unsurprisingly secured a top spot for its gluten free variety too. Other winning Christmas foods to add to your shopping list this festive season: Best Christmas cake: Morrisons The Best Poinsettia Christmas Cake, 12 Best stollen: Lidls Deluxe Luxury Stollen with Jamaican Rum, 3.99 Best panettone: Aldis Specially Selected Exquisite Panettone, 6.99 Best centrepiece dessert: Marks and Spencers Belgian Chocolate & Cherry Dessert, 20 Best vegan canape: Waitrose & Partners Vegan Jackfruit Tacos, 7 Best vegetarian canape: Waitrose & Partners Feta, Spinach and Pine Nut Spanakopita, 7 Best savoury canape: Marks and Spencers 10 Spicy Pulled Pork Tacos, 7 Best sweet canape: Aldis Specially Selected Snowflake Tiffin in Honeycomb & Orange, 3.29 Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for non-stop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyleUK. Read more from Yahoo Style UK: Dates, events and exhibitions to bookmark this autumn Were already excited for party season thanks to Aldis hangover free prosecco We dont mean to cause hysteria, but Aldi are launching foot-long pigs in blankets this Christmas MONROVIA (Reuters) - The U.S. Embassy in Liberia said on Wednesday it had asked forensic investigators to carry out a preliminary probe into the possible disappearance of $100 million in newly printed notes in the impoverished West African nation. The currency scandal has sparked outrage and confusion in Liberia, where the central bank has denied a report by the information minister that the cash - equivalent to about 5 percent of gross domestic product - went missing over the past year. In late September, the government said it had sought U.S. help in investigating the whereabouts of the cash. Washington has worked with the Liberian government on fiscal transparency and governance issues in the past. In a statement, the U.S Embassy said it had asked firms specializing in forensic investigations to establish the basic facts of the case and determine if a broader mission was needed. "Such a report would be the most credible and effective means to quickly determine the scale of the problem," it said, adding that the results of the investigation would be made public. "We urge all Liberians to remain patient," it said. The scandal has saddled President George Weah with his biggest political crisis since he took office in January. Weah has ordered an investigation and more than 30 former bank officials were barred from leaving the country. Earlier in October, the central bank governor, Nathaniel Patray, said an internal audit found that all the notes shipped from the Swedish printer between 2016 and 2018 were properly accounted for and stored in the bank's reserve vaults. (Reporting by James Giahyue; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Peter Cooney) By Lesley Wroughton and Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Trump administration is hopeful that American pastor Andrew Brunson who is on trial in Turkey could be freed at a Friday court hearing, but the State Department said it was unaware of any deal with the Turkish government for his release. NBC News reported on Thursday that the United States and Turkey had reached a deal in which Brunson was supposed to be released and certain charges against him dropped at the court hearing. In addition to the U.S. State Department saying that it was unaware of such a deal, Vice President Mike Pence, speaking at a briefing, declined to confirm any deal. But he voiced hopes for Brunson's release. "We remain hopeful that with the court proceeding tomorrow that Turkey will see its way clear and free this good man who is guilty of nothing and who has been incarcerated for several years in Turkey unjustly," Pence said. "President Trump, our administration, has made it clear that we will continue to stand strong until pastor Brunson is free and back home in the U.S. with his family and his church," added Pence, a devout Christian who has worked to free Brunson for the last two years. The case against Brunson, an evangelical preacher from North Carolina who has lived in Turkey for more than 20 years, has become the flashpoint in a diplomatic row between Ankara and Washington, triggering U.S. tariffs and sanctions against Turkey and condemnation from President Donald Trump.[nL5N1UL4NB] Brunson, who was jailed in October 2016 and transferred to house arrest in July, is due to appear in court on Friday. The prosecution is expected to introduce two new secret witnesses, but Brunson's lawyer Cem Halavurt said their testimonies were not germane to the case. [nL8N1WR4R0] The Brunson case has grown into the biggest of several disputes between the NATO allies and has been one of the factors in a 40 percent slide in value of the Turkish lira this year. Brunson is facing terrorism charges, which he denies. NBC cited its sources as saying that under an agreement that U.S. administration officials recently reached with Turkey, Brunson is supposed to be released after certain charges against him are dropped at his next court hearing on Friday. The Turkish lira firmed on the report. [nL8N1WR6D3] Despite pressure from the Trump administration, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has insisted that he has no sway over the judiciary and that the courts will decide on Brunson's fate. The American pastor is charged with links to Kurdish militants and supporters of Fethullah Gulen, the cleric blamed by Turkey for a failed coup attempt in 2016. Brunson has denied the accusation - as has Gulen - and Washington has demanded his immediate release. Gulen has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999. Brunson faces up to 35 years in jail if convicted. (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton and Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Mary Milliken and Leslie Adler) The U.S. Marshals Service said a major effort to find missing kids and victims of sex trafficking in one Michigan county resulted in the recovery of 123 children in September. But state police said just four of the children were actually missing. According to the Michigan State Police, the majority of the children had been reported missing, then returned home, but their guardians didnt notify police, according to The Detroit News. The revelation suggests the service may have wildly exaggerated the success of the operation in an Oct. 3 press release. Out of 301 files of missing children, 123 were identified and recovered safely during the operation, the U.S. Marshals Service announced, touting the results of an initiative called Operation MISafeKid. All 123 children were physically located and interviewed about potentially being sexually victimized or used in a sex trafficking ring during their period of time that they were deemed missing. Numerous national and international media outlets picked up the press release and reported on the success of Operation MISafeKid, which the U.S. Marshals Service described as the first of its kind in Michigans Wayne County, which includes Detroit. A widely quoted line from the press release reads, The message to the missing children and their families that we wish to convey is that we will never stop looking for you. A lot of those children seemed to be forgotten, Nicole Villanueva, a member of the Kent County Human Trafficking Task Force, told Grand Rapids WZZM News. It was great to see the effort put into finding them. While the press release states that three cases were identified as being possible sex trafficking cases, and one homeless teen was transported back to the command post, it does not elaborate on where the remaining 119 children were found. Michigan State Police Lt. Michael Shaw said that many of those kids werent wandering the streets or in the hands of criminals they were found with their guardians. Story continues Many were (home-schooled), he told The Detroit News. Some were runaways as well. Shaw said that while those kids were reported as missing at one time and were still listed in police computers as missing, police determined that their guardians failed to notify police when the children returned home. That information was not highlighted in the U.S. Marshals Services press release, which, on the basis of Shaws claims, appears to have been worded to embellish the results of the initiative. Asked for comment, the service said in an email Wednesday morning, Someone from our office in the Eastern District of Michigan will be emailing very soon. As of the publication of this article, the agency had not provided another response. Its parent agency, the Department of Justice, did not respond to a request for comment. Asked why investigators were unable to determine before the operation that many of the children reported as missing had been found, Shaw told HuffPost that protocols vary by department. In Michigan, missing persons are reported to local, county or state law enforcement, he said. Each agency has their own protocol on how these cases are investigated. Michigan averages approximately 1,000 runaway reports a week statewide. Send David Lohr an email or follow him on Facebook and Twitter. If youre a teenager who has run away from home or a teenager who is thinking of running from home or if you know somebody who is, visit the National Runaway Safeline or call 1-800-RUNAWAY. Related Content We Know Who Killed Her. But 24 Years Later, We Still Dont Know Her Name. How Police Failures May Have Allowed A Cocaine Cowboy's Suspected Killer To Strike Again Also on HuffPost Jason Ellis Jason Ellis, of Indianapolis, has been missing since Dec. 3, 2006. According to Project Jason, Ellis disappeared from an apartment he shared with two roommates. One of the roommates allegedly told police that Ellis, then 20, had left and taken his belongings with him. However, Ellis' last two paychecks were untouched and his car was still parked at the residence. In 2010, authorities told local media that they suspect Ellis is the victim of a homicide, but investigators did not elaborate. At the time of his disappearance, Ellis was 160 pounds and 6 feet 1 inch tall. He had a tattoo of his mother's name, Neatrice, on his chest, tattoos of Scooby and Scrappy Doo on his left arm, and a tattoo of a maple leaf and his name on his right arm. Anyone with information regarding Ellis' disappearance is asked to call the Indianapolis Police Department at (317) 413-7440. Dara Hagans Dara Hagans, 32, of Wilmington, Del., was last seen on Oct. 16, when she left the Christiana Care healthcare facility on West 14th Street. According to Black & Missing Foundation Inc., Hagans suffers from a unspecified medical condition and there is a genuine concern for her safety and welfare. She may be operating a blue 2005 Ford Focus with Delaware registration 595519. Hagans is described as 200 pounds and 5 feet 3 inches tall. She has black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call (877) 972-2634. Tametre Taylor The Associated Press reports that Tennessee police are trying to locate Tametre Taylor. The 40-year-old from Memphis was last heard from on Oct. 11, when she spoke with her pastor by telephone. No additional details have been released. Anyone with information on Taylors whereabouts is asked to contact the Memphis Police Department at (901) 545-2677. Diane Miller Authorities in Clayton County, Ga., are seeking the public's help in locating 58-year-old Diane Miller. According to WXIA-TV Atlanta, Miller was last seen leaving her home on Sept. 29. Her caregiver reported her missing on Oct. 9. Authorities said Miller is schizophrenic and suffers from bipolar disorder. Investigators do not believe she has her medicine with her. No physical description of Miller has been released. She was reportedly last seen wearing a blue/black sweater and black pants. Anyone with information is asked to call the Clayton County Police Department at (678) 878-5642. William Culbreath William Culbreath, 77, of Volusia County, Fla., was last seen on Oct. 17, when he left his Deltona home to go to a doctor's appointment in Orange City. Culbreaths wife reported him missing when he did not return. According to police, Culbreath could be suffering from delusions. A description of the missing man has not been released. Investigators also are trying to locate his black 1997 Ford van with a gray stripe and Florida license tag number VA6257. Anyone with information about Culbreath's whereabouts is asked to contact the Volusia County Sheriff's Office at (407) 323-0151. Brianna DiBattiste Brianna DiBattiste, 25, was last seen in Dunkirk, Indiana, on June 16, 2014. She is described as 5 feet, 4 inches tall and approximately 110 pounds. She has long brown hair and hazel eyes. DiBattiste has several tattoos, including a heart her upper right arm with the words "TORN"; a tattoo on her upper left arm that says, "What goes around comes around"; "LOVE" on her lower left arm; a tribal tattoo on her lower back, and "DiBattiste" across her shoulders, below her neck line. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Brianna DiBattiste is asked to call the Albany Police Department at (765) 789-6151. Her friends and family have set up the "Finding Brianna" Facebook group to help share information about search efforts. Donald Cavanaugh Donald "JC" Cavanaugh was reported missing in Mendocino County, Calif., in March 2005. Additional information can be found at this link: www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/21/donald-cavanaugh-david-neily-missing_n_4319266.html At the time of his disappearance, Cavanaugh was 63, 5 feet 8 inches tall and 140 pounds. He had gray hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information asked to contact Sgt. Jason Caudillo at (707) 468-3423 or the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Anonymous tip line at (707) 234-2100. David Neily David Neily disappeared in Mendocino County, Calif., on April 14, 2006. Additional information can be found at this link: www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/21/donald-cavanaugh-david-neily-missing_n_4319266.html Neily was 69 years old when he was last seen. He was 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighed 150 pounds, and had gray hair, green eyes and a white beard. He suffered from stunted growth due to a heart murmur, and as a result his legs were not proportional to his body. Anyone with information asked to call Sgt. Jason Caudillo at (707) 468-3423 or the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Anonymous tip line at (707) 234-2100. Ann Marie Newark Authorities in New Braunfels, Texas, are trying to locate 53-year-old Ann Newark. According to the San Antonio Express-News, she was last seen on Sept. 12 leaving her New Braunfels home after a brief argument with a family member. Authorities said Newark suffers from depression and is believed to be armed with a handgun. She is described as 5 feet 2 inches tall and 160 pounds. She has blonde shoulder-length hair, hazel eyes and a scar on her throat. Anyone with information about Newark's whereabouts is asked to contact the New Braunfels Police Department at (830) 221-4100. Chad Cookson WTNH.com reports that Connecticut police are trying to locate Chad Cookson. The 44-year-old from Naugatuck was last heard from on Aug. 22, when he spoke with his son by telephone. Cookson's son told police his father was depressed because of the recent death of his mother. Cookson is described as 250 pounds and 5 feet 10 inches tall. He has brown hair and brown eyes. His vehicle, a red 2001 Pontiac Montana, with license plate 705-FET, is also missing. Anyone with information on Chad Cookson's whereabouts is asked to contact the Naugatuck Police Department at (203) 729-5221. Robert Mayer Robert Mayer, 46, of Dix Hills, N.Y., has not been seen since June 14. Robert Mayer's red 2004 Pontiac GTO was found in the parking lot of the Long Island Rail Road's Deer Park station the day after he disappeared. The keys were not inside the vehicle and according to Mayer's wife, the driver's seat was adjusted much farther forward than her husband typically kept it. Mayer is described as a white male, 6 feet 1 inch tall and about 200 pounds. He has brown hair and green-hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing a gray polo-type work shirt with a J.C. Electrical logo, light blue jeans and black work boots. His left middle finger is missing the tip. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives at (631) 854-8252. Mayer's family is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to his discovery. For more information, visit www.helpfindrobertmayer.com. Willie Michael Wheaton Willie Michael Wheaton, 57, was last seen at a Greyhound bus station in Jackson, Miss., on the evening of June 17, 2006. Wheaton boarded a bus that was en route to Sacramento, Calif., but it is unknown if he ever arrived. For more information, visit Blackandmissinginc.com. Erik Lamberg Erik Lamberg, 51, of Hermosa Beach, Calif., has not been seen since May 28, 2013, when he checked out of a hotel in Laytonville. His vehicle was later found abandoned in Northern California. Despite several searches, authorities have been unable to locate the missing computer security technician. Lamberg is described as 6 feet 5 inches tall, 200 pounds with sandy blond hair and blue eyes. Anyone who may have seen Lamberg or has information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office at (707) 463-4086. A website and Facebook page have been created to share information in the case. Nicholas Leis According to authorities in Miami Township, Ohio, 19-year-old Nicholas Leis has been missing since Aug. 28. He allegedly left his home after telling a witness he was unable to "take the pain anymore." Police say Leis left in his mother's car with a loaded gun. The vehicle was found about a block away from his home not long after the teen left. Nicholas Leis is described as a white male, 5 feet 11 inches, and about 130 pounds. He has brown hair and hazel eyes. Investigators are asking anyone with any information to contact the Miami Township Police Department at (937) 433-2301. Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Kenneth Lawson Patricia Bryan has been looking for her father, Kenneth Lawson, since June 6. The 76-year-old was last seen at his home in Union Point, Ga. A number of exhaustive searches have been conducted. "We have had no leads on the whereabouts of my father," Bryan said. "He was not always in a state of confusion. He would have moments were he would check out or not know where he was, but this was not all the time. Up till my father went missing, I didn't realize just how many people with dementia and Alzheimer's went missing on a daily basis. The media does not do them justice." Jennifer Kesse Jennifer Kesse has been missing from Orlando, Fla., since Jan. 24, 2006. It is believed she was abducted from her apartment complex early that morning. On Jan. 26, 2006, Kesse's car was found abandoned at a condominium complex located roughly 1 mile down the road from where she lived. Valuables were found inside the vehicle, leading police to believe Kesse was not the victim of a robbery or carjacking. Police bloodhounds tracked a scent from where the car was found back to Kesse's condo, but the trail ended there. At the time of her disappearance, Jennifer Kesse was 24 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall and 135 pounds. She had shoulder-length sandy blonde hair and green eyes. Anyone with information in the case or who would like to donate to search efforts can do so at Findjenniferkesse.com. Tipsters can also call anonymously at 800-423-8477. Jacob Tipp Jacob "Jake" Lipp, 27, is missing from North Huntingdon, Pa., last seen Dec. 16 in Pittsburgh by his girlfriend. Lipp and his girlfriend were at Static Bar when they got into a fight and the girlfriend drove off, leaving Lipp at the McDonald's on Penn Avenue around 3 a.m. She came back to get him and he was gone. He has not been seen since. Lipp is 5 feet 6 inches, 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. (Missing Persons Of America) Lauren Spierer Lauren Spierer, 20, was last seen around 4:30 a.m. on June 3, 2011, just a few blocks from her apartment in Bloomington, Ind. Earlier in the night, Spierer had visited Kilroy's, a nearby sports bar that closes at 3 a.m. When she left the establishment, she left behind her shoes and cell phone, police said. After leaving the bar, Spierer reportedly went to the apartment of Corey Rossman, a fellow college student at the university, before deciding to walk home. What happened to her after that remains a mystery. She was reported missing less than 12 hours later. Bloomington police, Indiana University police, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Indiana State Police and the FBI have all conducted searches for Spierer. Lauren Spierer is described as a white female, 4 feet 11 inches tall with a slender build. She has blue eyes and blond hair. She was last seen wearing a white tank top with a light-colored shirt over it and black stretch pants. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call Bloomington Police at 812-339-4477. Vilet Torrez Vilet Patricia Torrez, 38, of Miramar, Fla., was last seen by a friend she met for dinner on the night of March 30, 2012. Authorities have declined to comment on where Torrez went for dinner and will not release the name of the person she was with. Torrez's movements after the dinner are also unknown, but the vehicle she was driving was later found at her residence in the 12900 block of Southwest 28th Court, a gated community off Miramar Parkway. Torrez was scheduled to work March 31 at her job with Bath Fitter in Doral, but she did not show up or call in. On April 2, Torrez was reported missing. Her estranged husband, Cid Torrez, has since been named a person of interest in her disappearance. Torrez is 5 feet 3 inches, weighs 125 to 130 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information about her disappearance is asked to call Miramar police at (954) 602-4000 or Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS. Michelle Parker Michelle Parker, 33, vanished on Nov. 17, 2011, the same day that her appearance with her ex-fiance, Dale Smith, aired on "The People's Court." The couple was in dispute over a $5,000 engagement ring. After hearing both sides, Judge Marilyn Milian ordered Parker to pay Smith $2,500. A few hours after the episode aired, Parker dropped her 3-year-old twins off at Smith's condo for scheduled visitation. Parker's 2008 black Hummer H3 was found the following day in a parking lot on the west side of Orlando. Decals for Parker's Glow mobile tanning business had been removed from the windows, police said. Police initially said that Smith was cooperating and was not considered a suspect, but during a later press conference he was named the primary suspect in Parker's disappearance. For more information, visit Find Michelle Parker. Nieko Lisi Nieko Lisi, 18, lives in Jasper, N.Y., about 40 miles from Elmira. According to relatives, Lisi was en route to Buffalo when he disappeared. He was last seen around 2 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2011, when he and friend Robert Knight, 20, stopped at Lisi's uncle's home in Addison, N.Y. Knight arrived at his parents' home in Michigan on the morning of Oct. 1, 2011. He allegedly told family members Lisi had dropped him off, but no one physically saw Lisi, police said. Lisi's family reported him missing and on Oct. 5, Michigan police went to talk to Knight about his friend's whereabouts. According to WETM-TV, Knight "suffered some sort of ailment" during police questioning and was hospitalized. Knight was released from the hospital on Oct. 9. The next day, Knight was found dead in his parents' home. Lisi is described as a white male, 5-foot-10-inches tall and 160 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He has a tattoo of Chinese writing on the back of his right arm, a large angel on his right side and a large woman with a devil's tail on his left side. He was last seen wearing jeans, a T-shirt and a silver cross necklace. Anyone with information about Lisi's whereabouts is asked to call New York State Police at (607) 776- 6866. Lisi's family is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to his whereabouts. Kelly Armstrong Kelly Armstrong, mother of a 2-year-old son, has been missing from Kokomo, Ind., since August 2011. Family members became concerned when they were unable to reach her. A missing person report was filed on Sept. 26, 2011. In February 2012, authorities charged Armstrong's boyfriend, Travis Funke, with voluntary manslaughter in her death. According to an arrest affidavit, Funke allegedly told investigators he killed Armstrong around the first of July, placing a plastic bag on her head, wrapping her in a tarp and putting her in a trash tote. The garbage container was supposedly picked up later that same day. Investigators spent six days sifting through 6,000 tons of trash at the local landfill, but were unable to locate Armstrong's remains. Armstrong's father, David Armstrong, doubts Funke's version of events. People interested in helping search or donating funds can do so at Operationfindkelly.yolasite.com. Anyone with information is asked to contact Kokomo police at 765-459-5101. Robyn Gardner Robyn Gardner was last seen in Oranjestad, Aruba, on Aug. 2, 2011, traveling with Gary Giordano, an acquaintance she met on a dating website. Giordano claimed Gardner was swept out to sea while snorkeling in waters off Baby Beach. Giordano, 50, allegedly told police he had noticed a current pulling them out to sea and signaled to Gardner that they should return to shore. But when he got to dry land, she was nowhere to be found. Authorities conducted an extensive search of the area, but were unable to locate the 35-year-old Maryland woman's body. On Aug. 5, police took Giordano into custody before he left Aruba. Authorities held Giordano for four months in Gardner's disappearance, but he was released without charges in early December. Gardner vanished in the same Aruban town where teenager Natalee Holloway disappeared in May 2005. Gardner's whereabouts, like Holloway's, remain a mystery. For more information, visit theRobyn Gardner Full Coverage page. William "Billy" Disilvestro Billy Disilvestro, 28, has been missing since Feb. 7, 2011, when his grandmother dropped him off at a friend's house in Hamilton, Ohio. At about 2:30 a.m., DiSilvestro placed two calls -- one to his mother and one to his grandmother. Both calls went unanswered. What happened to DiSilvestro after that remains a mystery. According to police, the friend said DiSilvestro left the house after attempting to contact his mother and grandmother -- presumably for a ride. It is believed he was headed to his grandmother's house about 2 miles away, which would take him through a forested area called Milikin Woods. Authorities have conducted several searches of the area, but have yet to find any sign of the missing man. DiSilvestro is described as a white male, 6 feet 2 inches tall, 180 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing jeans and a gray winter coat with fur around the hood. DiSilvestro has several tattoos, including the word SMOKE across his back, Jesus carrying a cross on his upper right arm, and a large angel on his upper left arm. Anyone with information regarding this case should contact the Butler County Sheriff's Office at 513-785-1300. Susan Powell Susan Powell was reported missing by her family on Dec. 7, 2009, when she failed to show up for her job as a stockbroker at Wells Fargo Financial. Her husband, Josh Powell, told police he had been camping with their two children, then ages 2 and 4, and had last seen his wife around midnight. Suspicious of his story, investigators named Powell a "person of interest" in his wife's disappearance. Not long after, Powell and his two children moved back to his hometown of Puyallup, Wash. On Feb. 5, 2012, police say Josh Powell attacked his two boys, Charlie, 7, and Braden, 5, with a hatchet and then set his home on fire, killing the three of them in a gas-fueled explosion. Since that time, a mountain of evidence has emerged that supports law enforcement's decision to name Powell the prime suspect in his wife's disappearance. Nevertheless, her whereabouts remain a mystery. Natalee Holloway Natalee Holloway, 18, from Mountain Brook, Ala., disappeared May 30, 2005, while on a trip to Aruba to celebrate her high school graduation. Holloway's classmates said they last saw her leaving Carlos 'n Charlie's nightclub with Joran van der Sloot, then a 17-year-old Dutch honors student living in Aruba, and his two friends, Surinamese brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe. All three young men would be arrested in the case, but they were released without being charged. On Jan. 13, 2012, van der Sloot, now 24, was sentenced to 28 years in prison for the slaying of Stephany Flores on May 30, 2010. The Peruvian business student was found dead in van der Sloot's hotel room in Lima that year. Van der Sloot was charged with first-degree murder and robbery in the case. Holloway's body has never been found. Jessie Foster Jessie Foster has not been seen since March 29, 2006. According to her mother, Foster was living in Kamloops, British Columbia, in the spring of 2005, when she began traveling to the United States. In May 2005, the then 21-year-old ended up going to Las Vegas. While in Las Vegas, Foster met a man and the two were quickly engaged to be married. The man was reportedly wealthy and the two lived together in a million-dollar home. In 2006, Foster stopped calling her family. Concerned, they contacted her fiance and he allegedly said Foster had left him in April 2006. Foster's family promptly reported her missing to police, but with few clues to follow, the case quickly went cold. Foster is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall and 120 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call Las Vegas Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477. Foster's mother also maintains a website devoted to the case, which can be found at jessiefoster.ca. According to the site, a $50,000 dollar reward is being offered for information in the case. Jesse Ross Jesse Warren Ross was a 19-year-old sophomore when he vanished on Nov. 21, 2006, while attending a mock United Nations conference in Chicago. According to police, Ross was last seen at about 2:30 a.m., leaving the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, where a conference dance was held. Surveillance footage from the hotel does not indicate Ross was intoxicated when he left. He was likely heading to his hotel, the Four Points Sheraton, about 10 minutes away. What happened to Ross after he left remains a mystery. For more information, visit Findjesseross.com. Brittanee Drexel Brittanee Drexel, 17, was last seen by friends on April 25, 2009, when she left the Bar Harbor Hotel in Myrtle Beach, S.C., to meet friends at the nearby BlueWater Resort. Surveillance footage shows Drexel arriving at the resort, then leaving roughly 10 minutes later. What happened to her after that is a mystery. For more information, visit Helpfindbrittanee.com. Corrie Anderson Corrie Anderson, a 36-year-old mother of three from Chautauqua County, N.Y., was last seen at about 1 p.m. on Oct. 28, 2008. Family members reported Anderson missing at about 3:45 p.m. that day, when she failed to show up at her son's school for a meeting. Two days later, a hunter discovered Anderson's car abandoned about 2 miles from her house. Authorities used ATVs, helicopters and dogs to search areas of interest in the case, but there's been no sign of Anderson. For more information, visit Findcorrie.com. John James Morris John James Morris, 38, was last seen on July 30, 2007, in the driveway of his ex-boyfriend's residence on Whites Ferry Road in Dickerson, Md. According to police, Morris' ex-boyfriend was out of town on the day John stopped by to pick up his belongings. Morris has not used his credit card or cell phone since and, according to his family, he did not have his ADD (attention deficit disorder) medication with him when he disappeared. For more information, visit Findjohnmorris.com. Lakeisha Nichole Archie Lakeisha Nichole Archie was last seen on Aug. 5, 2002. A family member dropped her off at a residence in the vicinity of Park Street and Buckeye in Sidney, Ohio, and she has not been seen since. Archie has a tattoo that reads "Lakeisha" on the right side of her neck, a tattoo of a black panther on her left forearm and tattoos of claws on each breast. For more information, visit Blackandmissinginc.com. Ahren Benjamin Barnard Ahren Barnard was last seen in Boise, Idaho, on Dec. 4, 2004. He dropped his young son off for the evening with the child's mother and presumably drove home. His car was later found parked in his driveway, but he has not been seen since. For more information, visit Helpfindahren.com. Roxanne Paltauf Roxanne Paltauf was 18 years old on July 7, 2006, when she disappeared from the Budget Inn hotel in Austin, Texas. According to Roxanne's mother, Elizabeth Harris, Roxanne had been staying at the hotel with her boyfriend. The couple had an argument and, according to the boyfriend, she left the hotel, leaving all of her belongings behind. For more information, visit Find Roxanne Paltauf. William "Billy" Smolinski William "Billy" Smolinski, was a 31-year-old resident of Waterbury, Conn., when he disappeared Aug. 24, 2004. Smolinski told a neighbor he was going out of town for a few days to look at a vehicle. He has not been seen since and his truck was later found in his driveway. His keys and wallet were found inside. Investigators searched Smolinski's home and truck, and conducted several interviews but found no clues suggesting what might have happened to him. For more information, visit Justice4billy.com. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - A U.N. human rights watchdog called on Saudi Arabia on Thursday to immediately halt its deadly air strikes against civilian targets in Yemen and to prosecute officials responsible for child casualties due to unlawful attacks. The censure by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child coincided with international concern at the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of Riyadh's military role in Yemen, at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct 2. Pressure has mounted on Saudi Arabia, including from allies, to do more to limit civilian casualties in a 3-1/2 year civil war that has killed more than 10,000 people and pushed Yemen to the brink of famine. Riyadh leads a Western-backed coalition of Arab states supporting the Yemeni government in fighting against the Iran-allied Houthi movement that controls Yemen's capital. Britain and the United States are among countries supplying the coalition with weapons and military intelligence. Saudi Arabia told the child rights panel last week that it was working hard to correct mistaken targeting by its military alliance, but the experts voiced scepticism. The panel of 18 independent experts, in its conclusions issued on Thursday, took note of the Saudi statement but said that Yemeni children continue to be killed, maimed and orphaned. "We asked them to put a halt immediately to these air strikes," Clarence Nelson, panel vice-chair, told reporters. At least 1,248 children had been killed and nearly the same number wounded in air strikes since March 2015, including dozens killed in a strike on a school bus in Saada province in August, U.N. figures show. COALITION "INVESTIGATING THEMSELVES" "Nearly 20 percent of the deaths of civilians are children. So that's one in five civilians killed is a child under 18. That's a lot of children," Nelson said. All sides have attacked civilian targets in Yemen including homes, medical facilities, schools, farms, weddings and markets, in breach of international law, the panel said. The panel voiced concern at "the inefficiency of the Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) set up by the coalition in 2016 to investigate allegations of unlawful attacks by (Saudi Arabia) and members of the coalition on children and facilities and spaces frequented by children". "There has been no case, let alone a case involving child casualties, recruitment or use of children in armed hostilities, where its investigations led to prosecutions and/or disciplinary sanctions imposed upon individuals, including military officials of (Saudi Arabia)," it said. Nelson, referring to the JIAT team, said: "Firstly it was set up by coalition, they are essentially investigating themselves. Secondly it's comprised of members from coalition countries. Thirdly, the information we have is that it is not investigating all 'accidents'." He said a large number of strikes and incidents involving civilian casualties and children were not being pursued by JIAT. The panel called for lifting the coalition's aerial and naval blockade which it said has deprived millions of Yemenis of food and other vital supplies, mainly through Hodeidah port. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay, Editing by William Maclean) HOUSTON (Reuters) - Major oil producers and drillers, including Exxon Mobil Corp Chevron Corp and BP Plc , on Thursday began returning workers and restoring output at U.S. Gulf of Mexico facilities shut as Hurricane Michael blew through. The U.S. offshore safety regulator's daily update showed that 40 percent of Gulf oil output and 29 percent of natural gas production was locked in, slightly less than a day earlier. The storm brought heavy seas with up to 20 foot (6 meter) waves and winds of 155 miles per hour (250 kph) in the Gulf on Wednesday as it moved toward the Florida Panhandle. Drenching rains were falling over Georgia and the Carolinas on Thursday. Oil output was off by 680,000 barrels a day and natural gas production down by 744 million cubic feet a day, according to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE). Its Thursday survey found workers had returned to 30 of the 89 production platforms unmanned on Wednesday. Chevron and Exxon each were in the process of returning to normal operations at two production platforms that had evacuated some staff, the companies said. BP also was redeploying crews to four platforms after completing safety checks. Restarting production can take several days. Producers lost about 2.39 million barrels of oil this week through Thursday as a result of shut-ins and the figure is expected to rise. However, Gulf production cuts have been less of an impact on supplies with the rise of U.S. shale oil. Almost 850,000 electricity customers in the U.S. Southeast were without power on Thursday, according to utilities, as the storm headed for the Carolinas. Power outages were delaying fuel deliveries in Georgia to customers of Colonial Pipeline, the country's largest fuel network, its operator said on Thursday. Colonial said it was assessing damages and working to resume service. U.S. crude futures continued to drop for second day, losing $1.88 to $71.29 per barrel in midday trade, as global stock markets fell, with investor sentiment made more bearish by a bigger-than-expected U.S. crude inventories build. [O/R] Story continues Anadarko Petroleum Corp said on Thursday it had expanded its shut-ins to three offshore platforms, and for safety reasons was waiting to return workers. Gas production should move up to 2.3 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) on Thursday from a low of 2.2 bcfd on Tuesday, according to Refinitiv data. A week ago, energy firms were pulling 3.5 bcfd from offshore wells. (Reporting by Gary McWilliams in Houston, Scott DiSavino and Stephanie Kelly in New York; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Grant McCool) By Yesim Dikmen ISTANBUL (Reuters) - New prosecution witnesses expected to testify on Friday in the Turkish trial of a U.S. Christian pastor on terrorism charges lack relevance as their testimony will focus on incidents after Andrew Brunson's arrest, his lawyer said. The case against Brunson, an evangelical preacher from North Carolina who has lived in Turkey for more than 20 years, has become the flashpoint in a diplomatic row between Ankara and Washington, triggering U.S. tariffs against Turkey and condemnation from U.S. President Donald Trump. Brunson, who was jailed in October 2016 and has been under house arrest since July, is due to appear in court for the next hearing in his trial on Friday. The prosecution is expected to introduce two new secret witnesses, but Brunson's lawyer Cem Halavurt said their testimonies were not germane to the case. One of the witnesses, called "Sword" by prosecutors, claimed to have seen Brunson's wife at a Christian gathering in Western Turkey, according to testimony to prosecutors published by the Hurriyet newspaper. The meeting made Sword feel "uncomfortable", according to the Hurriyet's account of the testimony. "The incidents took place when my client was in jail," Halavurt told Reuters. "These incidents are not relevant to my client." The court in Izmir, the coastal province where Brunson ran his small church, will decide whether it will hear the testimony from the new witnesses at the hearing. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that Brunson's release on Friday would be an important step and the right thing for Turkey to do. Brunson is charged with links to Kurdish militants and supporters of Fethullah Gulen, the cleric blamed by Turkey for a failed coup attempt in 2016. He has denied the accusation - as has Gulen - and Washington has demanded his immediate release. Jailed or held under house arrest since October 2016, Brunson faces up to 35 years in jail if convicted. Last month the main prosecutor in his trial was replaced, a move his lawyer cautiously welcomed, saying it might be a sign of changing political will. Despite pressure from the Trump administration, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has insisted that he has no sway over the judiciary and that the courts will decide on Brunson's fate. (Writing by Ezgi Erkoyun; Editing by David Dolan and Matthew Mpoke Bigg) By Steve Holland and Daren Butler WASHINGTON/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump increased pressure on Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to provide information on what happened to missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and said he wanted to get the bottom of what he called "a very serious situation." In a fresh clue, a pro-government Turkish daily on Wednesday published preliminary evidence from investigators it said identified a 15-member Saudi intelligence team involved in Khashoggi's unexplained disappearance on Oct. 2. Pressure appeared to be building worldwide on close U.S. ally Saudi Arabia on the whereabouts of Khashoggi, a prominent critic of Saudi policies, who was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to get documents for his planned marriage. Khashoggi's Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, who was waiting outside, said he never re-appeared. Turkish sources said they believe Khashoggi was killed inside the building and removed, allegations that Riyadh dismisses as baseless. Asked in a telephone interview with Fox News Channel late on Wednesday whether Saudis were responsible for Khashoggi's disappearance or death, Trump said: "I guess you would have to say so far it's looking a little bit like that and we're going to have to see." Earlier in the Oval Office, Trump told reporters he had raised Khashoggi's case with Saudi Arabia "at the highest level" and more than once in recent days. "We're demanding everything," Trump said when asked if he was demanding information from the Saudis. "We want to see what's going on. Its a very serious situation for us and for this White House ... We want to get to the bottom of it." He said he and his wife, Melania, expect to invite Cengiz to the White House soon. "People saw him go in and didn't see him come out. We're going to take a very serious look at it. It's a terrible thing," Trump said. "This is a bad situation. We cannot let this happen, to reporters, to anybody. We can't let this happen." Increasing pressure on Trump to respond, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators on Wednesday triggered a U.S. investigation into Khashoggi's disappearance using a human rights law. They asked Trump to determine whether "a foreign person is responsible for an extrajudicial killing, torture, or other gross violation of internationally recognized human rights" and report back in 120 days with a decision on the imposition of sanctions on whoever was responsible. Asked about suggestions that Washington should consider blocking further arms sales to Saudi Arabia, Trump told Fox that would hurt U.S. jobs. "Frankly I think that would be a very very tough pill to swallow for our country. ... Before I discuss this I'd have to find out what happened," he said. Former U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said he has suspended his role on the board of Saudi Arabia's planned mega city NEOM until more is known about Khashoggi. After Trump spoke, the White House said national security adviser John Bolton and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, had spoken to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the matter on Tuesday. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo followed up with his own call to the crown prince, who had forged close ties to the administration, especially Kushner. "In both calls they asked for more details and for the Saudi government to be transparent in the investigation process. We will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as available," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement. Khashoggi's fiancee Cengiz was surprised when an American friend told her of Trump's comment about inviting her to the White House, the friend told Reuters. "I think she's in shock, now even more," her friend said. In an essay in the Washington Post on Tuesday, Cengiz implored the president and Melania Trump to "help shed light on Jamal's disappearance." Trump made Saudi Arabia the first stop on his first foreign trip as president in May 2017, but in recent weeks has appeared to sour a bit on Riyadh, complaining directly to King Salman about the cost of American support for the Saudi military and for OPEC oil price increases. SAUDI VISITORS One of the 15 Saudis identified by name and photo in the report by Turkey's Sabah newspaper is a forensic expert who has worked at the Saudi Interior Ministry for 20 years, according to a LinkedIn profile and Saudi media, and serves on the board of the Saudi Society of Forensic Medicine. Other names and photos of the 15, who Sabah said traveled on diplomatic passports, match officers in the Saudi Army and Air Force, as identified by previous Saudi media reports and in one case a Facebook profile. The Saudi consulate referred Reuters to authorities in Riyadh who have not responded to questions about the 15 Saudis, who arrived in the city hours before Khashoggi disappeared on Oct. 2. A Turkish security source had previously told Reuters that the 15 Saudis, including some officials, left Turkey later the same day. The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that U.S. intelligence had intercepted the communications of Saudi officials discussing a plan to capture Khashoggi, citing an unidentified person familiar with the information. On Wednesday, State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said the United States "had no advance knowledge" of such a plan. The crown prince ordered an operation to lure Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia from the United States and then detain him, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing U.S. intelligence intercepts of Saudi officials discussing the plan. The Post said it was not clear to officials with knowledge of the intelligence whether the Saudis discussed harming Khashoggi as part of the plan to detain him in Saudi Arabia. Khashoggi left Saudi Arabia last year saying he feared retribution for his criticism of Riyadh over the Yemen war and its crackdown on dissent, and since then wrote columns for the Washington Post. Britain's foreign minister called for urgent answers and the chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Corker, who has seen classified intelligence on the case, said information pointed to Khashoggi being killed. "To me ... it feels very much some nefarious activity has occurred by them. But I don't want to rush to judgment," Corker said on Tuesday. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Wednesday the United States was ready to help in any way in the investigation. Wednesday's Turkish media reports were the most detailed accounts yet of what they say is the Turkish government's investigation into Khashoggi's disappearance. Sabah newspaper published the names and years of birth of the 15 Saudis it said arrived at Istanbul's Ataturk airport. Twelve of them arrived early on Tuesday, based on photos captured at passport control which it published. The 15 departed at four different times, Sabah reported. It did not say how it obtained the pictures and data. (Reporting by Steve Holland, Roberta Rampton, Jonathan Landay, Patriciz Zengerle, Lesley Wroughton, Timothy Gardner in Washington and Daren Butler, Stephen Kalin and Sarah Dadouch in Istanbul, Writing by Dominic Evans, Andrew Heavens, William MacLean; editing by Yara Bayoumy and Grant McCool) Astronaut Nick Hague is in good condition after making an emergency descent to Earth following a failed launch into space on Thursday, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration says. Nick is okay, NASAs Megan Sumner tells PEOPLE. So, too, is cosmonaut Aleksey Ovchinin, who sat alongside Hague in the space capsule, according to NASA. The two were forced to parachute to safety after a rocket booster failed when the two launched in the Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft early this morning from Kazakhstan, headed for six months aboard the International Space Station. The Russian space agency Roskosmos tweeted pictures of the two astronauts after rescue crews collected them from the steppes of Kazakhstan, where they landed. RELATED: Air Force Dad Prepares for the Ultimate Military Deployment as He Blasts Off Into Space The launch appeared to go well until 123 seconds into the flight. The Russian-built Soyuz booster failed, prompting Hague and Ovchinin to abort the mission. A pre-staged recovery team, which is always on standby during space launches, sped toward the landing site to recover the crew. In a statement, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine explained the situation further, saying, Shortly after launch, there was an anomaly with the booster and the launch ascent was aborted, resulting in a ballistic landing of the spacecraft. The Soyuz MS-10 The Soyuz MS-10 Search and rescue teams were deployed to the landing site. Hague and Ovchinin are out of the capsule and are reported to be in good condition, said Bridenstine. They will be transported to the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia outside of Moscow. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and the NASA team are monitoring the situation carefully. NASA is working closely with Roscosmos to ensure the safe return of the crew. Safety of the crew is the utmost priority for NASA, the statement concluded. A thorough investigation into the cause of the incident will be conducted. Earlier this year, Hague and his wife, Catie Hague, talked to PEOPLE about the mission. Story continues Our families understand that this is risky stuff, but not so risky that we wont do it, Hague said. While preparing his two young children for their dads space flight, Hague had them watch launch videos, and helped them build a giant rocket. Theyre building it and seeing all the levels of protection, that theres a huge team watching every little sensor on the vehicle thats working. In a comment that proved true, Hague added: If things go wrong theres things we can do. NASA said that rescue teams have reached Hague and Ovchinin and theyve been taken out of the capsule and were in good condition. The capsule landed about 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of the city of Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan. The launch failure marks an unprecedented mishap for the Russian space program, which has been dogged by a string of launch failures and other incidents in recent years. Thank God, the crew is alive, Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters when it became clear that the crew had landed safely. He added that the president is receiving regular updates about the situation. The astronauts were to dock at the International Space Station six hours after the launch, but the Soyuz booster suffered an unspecified failure and shut down minutes after the launch. Search and rescue teams were immediately scrambled to recover the crew and other paratroopers were dropped from a plane to reach the site and help the rescue effort. Dzhezkazgan is about 450 kilometers (280 miles) northeast of Baikonur. Spacecraft returning from the ISS normally land in that region. It was to be the first space mission for Hague, who joined NASAs astronaut corps in 2013. Ovchinin spent six months on the orbiting outpost in 2016. Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin, who watched the launch together with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, tweeted that a panel has been set up to investigate the cause of the booster failure. Earlier this week, Bridenstine emphasized that collaboration with Russias Roscosmos remains important. Relations between Moscow and Washington have sunk to post-Cold War lows over the crisis in Ukraine, the war in Syria and allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential vote, but they have maintained cooperation in space research. The Russian Soyuz spacecraft is currently the only vehicle for ferrying crews to the International Space Station following the retirement of the U.S. space shuttle fleet. Russia stands to lose that monopoly in the coming years with the arrival of the SpaceXs Dragon v2 and Boeings Starliner crew capsules. Story continues Thursdays failure was the first manned launch failure for the Russian space program since September 1983 when a Soyuz exploded on the launch pad. Soviet cosmonauts Vladimir Titov and Gennady Strekalov jettisoned and landed safely near the launch pad, surviving the heavy G-loads without injuries. Russia has continued to rely on Soviet-designed booster rockets to launching commercial satellites, as well as crews and cargo to the International Space Station. While Russian rockets had earned a stellar reputation for their reliability in the past, a string of failed launches in recent years has called into doubt Russias ability to maintain the same high standards of their manufacturing. Glitches found in Russias Proton and Soyuz rockets in 2016 were traced to manufacturing flaws at the plant in Voronezh. Roscosmos sent more than 70 rocket engines back to production lines to replace faulty components, a move that resulted in a yearlong break in Proton launches and badly dented Russias niche in the global market for commercial satellite launches. In August, the International Space Station crew spotted a hole in a Russian Soyuz capsule docked to the orbiting outpost that caused a brief loss of air pressure before being patched. Rogozin, the Roscosmos chief, has raised wide consternation by saying that an air leak spotted at the International Space Station was a drill hole that was made intentionally during manufacturing or in orbit. He didnt say if he suspected any of the current crew of three Americans, two Russians and a German aboard the station of malfeasance. ___ Vladimir Isachenkov and Jim Heintz contributed to this report from Moscow. By David Alexander and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department said on Wednesday it had arrested and indicted a spy for China's Ministry of State Security on charges of economic espionage and attempting to steal trade secrets from several U.S. aviation and aerospace companies. Chinese operative Xu Yanjun was detained in Belgium in April after a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe and extradited to the United States on Tuesday. The Washington Post reported he was lured to Belgium by U.S. agents. The FBI called it an unprecedented extradition and said the indictment showed the direct oversight of China's government in economic espionage against the United States. The charges come as Washington increases pressure on Beijing over its trade policies and alleged theft of U.S. intellectual property. Cybersecurity experts said the arrest was another sign of the escalating trade tensions between the two countries, adding they had seen increasing espionage by Beijing for business advantage. "China is actively engaging in targeted and persistent intrusion attempts against multiple sectors of the economy, including biotech, defense, mining, pharmaceutical, professional services, transportation and more," said CrowdStrike Chief Technology Officer Dmitri Alperovitch. A U.S. Department of Justice statement said Xu, a deputy division director for the State Security Department of China's Jiangsu province, targeted several U.S. aerospace companies, including GE Aviation, a subsidiary of General Electric Co . It described another unnamed firm as "one of the world's largest aerospace firms, and a leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems," and a third as a leader in unmanned aerial vehicle technology. GE Aviation has supplied engines for large Boeing Co and Airbus SE aircraft, and is working on a new generation of engines for commercial planes and heavy-lift military helicopters. The indictment against Xu said he targeted aviation firms since around December 2013. It also said he made contact with experts working for the firms and recruited them to travel to China, often for the initial purpose of delivering a university presentation and paying their costs and a stipend. "This unprecedented extradition of a Chinese intelligence officer exposes the Chinese government's direct oversight of economic espionage against the United States," the statement quoted Bill Priestap, the FBI's assistant director for counterintelligence, as saying. John Demers, the assistant U.S. attorney general for national security, said the case was not an isolated incident. "It is part of an overall economic policy of developing China at American expense," he said. "We cannot tolerate a nation stealing our firepower and the fruits of our brainpower." In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang called the accusations a "pure fabrication". "We hope the American side can justly, and in accordance with the law, safeguard the legal rights of the Chinese national," Lu told a regular news briefing on Thursday. Xu's lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The maximum penalty for conspiracy and attempt to commit economic espionage is 15 years, while that for conspiracy and attempt to steal trade secrets is 10 years. The Ministry of State Security is China's intelligence and security agency and is responsible for counterintelligence, foreign intelligence and political security. Cybersecurity experts said former U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping had reached an understanding in 2015 on cyber espionage, but the agreement appeared be withering away. Chris Painter, the former U.S. State Department official who negotiated the agreement, said in a Twitter post it was "not surprising that now the relationship has deteriorated, so has the agreement." Late last month, the Department of Justice reported the arrest of a Chinese citizen in Chicago on charges he covertly worked for a high-ranking Chinese intelligence official to help try to recruit engineers and scientists, including some who worked as U.S. defense contractors. NBC News on Tuesday quoted U.S. officials as saying a professor at a top cancer research center in Houston facing child pornography charges was also under scrutiny for alleged economic espionage for China. (Reporting by David Alexander, David Brunnstrom and Joseph Menn; Additional reporting by Philip Wen in BEIJING; Editing by G Crosse and Clarence Fernandez) Kiev (AFP) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday hailed a decision by the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate to agree to recognise the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church despite protests from Russia. The decision to grant the Ukrainian Orthodox Church autonomy is a huge blow to Moscow's spiritual authority in the Orthodox world and the Russian Orthodox Church called the move "catastrophic." "A decision to grant Ukraine autocephaly has been made," Poroshenko said in televised remarks. "This is a victory of good over evil, light over darkness," he said, adding Ukraine had been waiting for this "historic event" for more than 330 years. The Orthodox church in Ukraine has been split between a branch whose clerics pledge loyalty to Moscow and one that is overseen by Patriarch Filaret. The split has deepened following the Russian annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of a separatist uprising in Ukraine's east in 2014. The head of Ukraine's Orthodox Church, Patriarch Filaret, said Thursday's decision would allow his country to finally establish a united church in Ukraine. Speaking to journalists outside Kiev's Vladimir Cathedral, he said dioceses that do not want to join the united Ukrainian Church would be allowed to operate in the country. He said he would soon convene a meeting to address the issue of unification and elect a new patriarch. "We want the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to be united not only in appearance but also in spirit so that it could serve the Ukrainian people," Filaret said. The Russian Orthodox Church condemned the decision to recognise the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. "Today the Patriarchate of Constantinople has taken catastrophic decisions -- first and foremost regarding itself and global Orthodoxy," a spokesman for Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, Alexander Volkov, said in televised remarks. Story continues "The Patriarchate of Constantinople has crossed a red line." In September, the Russian Orthodox Church downgraded its ties with Bartholomew I, the Istanbul-based spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, and threatened to sever ties altogether in the future. Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, who is seen as a strong ally of President Vladimir Putin, had fought hard to prevent pro-Western Ukraine from getting an independent church. While Constantinople is the oldest Orthodox Church, Moscow is currently the most powerful with the largest number of worshippers. United Nations (United States) (AFP) - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a message of "deep appreciation" for US envoy Nikki Haley on Tuesday after she announced she was stepping down from the post at the end of the year. Stephane Dujarric, Guterres's spokesman, said the UN had yet to receive formal notification of her resignation as Washington's permanent representative to the world body. "The secretary-general wishes to express his deep appreciation for the excellent cooperation and support that Ambassador Haley has always demonstrated," he said. "They had a very productive and strong working relationship during her tenure as United States permanent representative." Haley announced her unexpected decision at the White House with US President Donald Trump. She gave no reason for the move or what her next step would be except to say she did not plan to run in 2020 and would campaign for Trump's reelection. At the United Nations, she was a vocal defender of Trump's hardline foreign policy, which has challenged multilateral approaches to the world's biggest problems. She has pushed strongly for reform of the UN, which the Trump administration sees as bureaucratic and wasteful. During her tenure, the United States broke with traditional UN positions on the Palestinians, withdrew from UNESCO and cut funding to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, and abandoned the UN Human Rights Council as biased against Israel. Britain's ambassador to the United Nations, Karen Pierce, told AFP she was "very disappointed" by Haley's resignation, which she said learned through media reports. France's ambassador, Francois Delattre, praised Haley as one of the US administration's "most talented" officials. Despite some disagreements, he said, "we established a working relationship that was particularly close and trusting." Ashish Pradhan, an expert with the International Crisis Group, said Haley's departure raised the prospect of a more hardline replacement. "The fear now is whether the person who replaces her will take an even tougher line against the UN, especially with National Security Advisor John Bolton now in the White House," he said. New York (AFP) - US authorities on Wednesday gave the green light to CVS Health's $69 billion takeover of Aetna after requiring the companies to divest a drug prescription program because of antitrust concerns. The Justice Department mandated that the companies divest Aetna's Medicare Part D prescription drug plan for individuals to WellCare Health Plans, saying that allowing CVS and Aetna to combine without imposing this condition would have led to poor service and higher prices in 22 states. "Today's settlement resolves competition concerns posed by this transaction," Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim said in a statement. "The divestitures required here allow for the creation of an integrated pharmacy and health benefits company that has the potential to generate benefits by improving the quality and lowering the costs of the healthcare services that American consumers can obtain." DOJ and attorneys general from five states filed a civil antitrust suit against the merger on Wednesday, along with a proposed settlement on the required divestiture. A US judge must approve the settlement. CVS, a drugstore and retail chain, and insurer Aetna unveiled their merger in December 2017, part of a wave of health transactions aimed at controlling costs in the morass-like US health system of public and private programs that is comprised of myriad hospitals, insurers, gatekeepers and drug companies. CVS Health has characterized the merger as a way to serve customers better, noting that 70 percent of Americans live within three miles of one of its pharmacies. At a company town hall last month, chief executive Larry Merlo discussed plans to beef up preventative health and treatment of chronic conditions with a strengthened clinic presence at stores and more constructive use of patient health data. Aetna shares rose 1.3 percent to $206.44 in late-morning trading, while CVS Health gained 0.9 percent to $80.18. WellCare rose 0.2 percent to $311.71. US military grounds entire fleet of F-35s in wake of crash originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The U.S. military has grounded its entire fleet of F-35s in the wake of one of the planes crashing in South Carolina two weeks ago. As a result of an initial investigation, the 245 F-35s being used in the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps will be grounded in an operational pause so inspections can identify which planes have a type of fuel tube suspected as the cause of the crash so it can then be replaced. PHOTO: Two U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II's assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fly a combat mission over Afghanistan, Sept. 27, 2018. (Staff Sgt. Corey Hook/U.S. Air Force) "The US Services and international partners have temporarily suspended F-35 flight operations while the enterprise conducts a fleet-wide inspection of a fuel tube within the engine on all F-35 aircraft," according to a statement issued by the Department of Defense's Joint Program Office that oversees the F-35. "If suspect fuel tubes are installed, the part will be removed and replaced." A U.S. official says only half the current fleet of aircraft have the fuel tube, but inspections will be carried out on the entire U.S. fleet. The temporary suspension of flight operations will also impact international partners, such as Israel and the United Kingdom, that have the F-35. There are 75 F-35s in the international fleet. The Israeli Defense Ministry tweeted that the "Israeli Air Force halted all F-35I flights until all aircraft are tested" for "a technical malfunction in the engines fuel tube." An investigation into the F-35B crash in South Carolina revealed the cause of the crash to be a technical malfunction in the engines fuel tube. The Israeli Air Force halted all F-35I flights until all aircraft are tested. Israel Defense Forces (@IDFSpokesperson) October 11, 2018 The British Defence Ministry also tweeted a clarification that it was not grounding its F-35 aircraft, but "paused some F-35 flying as a precautionary measure while we consider the findings of an ongoing enquiry." Story continues Contrary to reports, all F-35 jets have not been grounded. We have paused some F-35 flying as a precautionary measure while we consider the findings of an ongoing enquiry. Flight trials from @HMSQnlz continue and the programme remains on schedule #F35 @thef35 pic.twitter.com/yOOpSAFxZ0 Ministry of Defence ???? (@DefenceHQ) October 11, 2018 (MORE: Cutting-edge F-35 stealth fighter crashes in South Carolina) The wide-ranging grounding of the entire fleet comes after a Marine F-35B joint strike fighter went down in Beaufort, South Carolina, on Sept. 28. The Marine pilot safely ejected from the plane in what was the first crash for the F-35 aircraft that will become the main fighter for the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. PHOTO: Smoke bellows from a military jet that crashed, Friday, Sept. 28, 2018 in Beaufort, S.C. (Kensley Crosby/AP, FILE) "The primary goal following any mishap is the prevention of future incidents," according to the statement. "We will take every measure to ensure safe operations while we deliver, sustain and modernize the F-35 for the warfighter and our defense partners." The DOD said in the statement that if "good fuel tubes are already installed, then those aircraft will be returned to flight status." "We are actively partnering with the Pentagons F-35 Joint Program Office, our global customers and Pratt & Whitney to support the resolution of this issue and limit disruption to the fleet," said a statement issued by Lockheed Martin, the airplane manufacturer that makes the F-35. Pratt & Whitney makes the engine used in the F-35. Inspections are expected to last a day or two, the department said. From the ongoing investigation, I am glad that the Department of Defense took swift and decisive action to keep the F-35 fleet and its pilots safe," Representative Mike Turner of Ohio who chairs the House Armed Services subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces. "As Congress returns in the coming weeks, I will continue to hold hearings and briefings to keep our pilots safe and keep improving the F-35, which remains unparalleled in its capability as a fighter jet, Turner added. Tel Aviv (AFP) - A US student banned from entering Israel for allegedly having supported a pro-Palestinian boycott of the country appeared in court on Thursday to challenge the decision. Lara Alqasem, 22, has been held at an immigration facility since her arrival more than a week ago, but is hoping to be allowed to enter for the start of the academic term next week. She was refused entry at Israel's Ben-Gurion airport near Tel Aviv on October 2 despite having a visa to study for a master's degree in human rights at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. It is the latest in a series of cases drawing criticism of an Israeli law barring boycott supporters that opponents say violates freedom of expression. Israeli authorities have also come under criticism in recent months over what some have seen as the politically motivated questioning of certain foreigners seeking to enter the country. Alqasem has chosen to challenge the entry ban rather than fly back to the United States. Her lawyers defended her at a hearing in Tel Aviv district court on Thursday, saying the government had no grounds for barring her. "She was accepted by the university, got a visa from the ministry of interior," said lawyer Yotam Ben Hilel. "Now she is barred on the basis of searches in Google in which they found scraps of information she may or may not have said and an organisation she may or may not be linked to." The hearing was adjourned with the judge saying he would inform the lawyers of his decision later. In March 2017, Israel's parliament passed a law banning the entry of supporters of the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, inspired by measures against South Africa before the fall of apartheid. Alqasem, reportedly of Palestinian descent, is said to have been president of a chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine while an undergraduate student at the University of Florida. The group has supported boycott campaigns against Israel. Story continues - US weighs in - Alqasem has reportedly said she has distanced herself from the movement, and supporters point to her willingness to enter Israel to study as proof. The university has called on the authorities to allow her in to study, while professors from the University of Florida have also supported her. A professor of Jewish language and culture who taught Alqasem in Florida wrote in a letter to the editor of Israeli newspaper Haaretz that she was "an outstanding student, curious, with an open mind". Dror Abend-David added that she was "someone who very much wanted to study international relations in Israel to develop her own opinion on the conflict." The United States said Wednesday it supports freedom of expression and that its embassy in Jerusalem was offering Alqasem consular assistance. "As a general principle, we value freedom of expression even in cases where we don't agree with the political views expressed and this is such a case," State Department spokesman Robert Palladino told reporters. "Our strong opposition to the boycotts and sanctions of the state of Israel is well-known." But he added: "Israel is a sovereign nation that can determine who enters." Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan has said that he would consider allowing Alqasem to take up her university place if she publicly denounces BDS. There have been several high-profile cases involving the law barring boycott supporters as well as the questioning of foreigners seeking to enter. In May, an Israeli court suspended an expulsion order for Human Rights Watch's country director, Omar Shakir, whom authorities ordered to leave after accusing him of having previously supported a boycott. That case is still ongoing. Peter Beinart, a prominent Jewish American journalist, said he faced extensive and pointed questioning when seeking to enter Israel for a private visit in August. A supporter of a boycott of goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, Beinart said he was asked repeatedly for names of organisations with which he is associated. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Beinart's questioning was an "administrative mistake." "Israel is an open society which welcomes all -- critics and supporters alike," Netanyahu said. Austin Powers star Verne Troyer (Credit: Getty) Verne Troyers death has been ruled a suicide caused by alcohol intoxication by the Los Angeles coroners office report, its been confirmed. The Austin Powers actor died in April this year, following struggles with alcohol abuse. A report from the coroner listed the primary cause of death was sequelae of alcohol intoxication, meaning that the intoxication was a consequence of his previous alcohol abuse. Troyer, who was 49, was taken from his home in North Hollywood to hospital in April, where he was treated for alcohol poisoning. He had previously sought treatment for alcoholism, having admitted himself to a rehab centre last year. Troyer with Mike Myers (Credit: New Line) He told fans on his Facebook page at the time: As you know, Ive battled alcohol addiction in the past and while its not always been an easy fight, Im willing to continue my fight day by day. The actor, who was two-feet, eight-inches tall and born with cartilage-hair hypoplasia, a form of dwarfism, shot to fame playing Mini Me in the Austin Powers movies with Mike Myers, He also starred in Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, playing Griphook, and Terry Gilliams The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. He was a regular on British TV too, often appearing with Leigh Franciss character Keith Lemon, and on the 2009 series of Celebrity Big Brother. On hearing of his death, Mike Myers said: Verne was the consummate professional and a beacon of positivity for those of us who had the honour of working with him. It is a sad day, but I hope he is in a better place. He will be greatly missed. Read more Amber Heard reads letter about Johnny Depp allegations First look at Ruby Rose as Batwoman James Gunn boards Suicide Squad 2 Photo Credit: Disney Companies When they were just 8 years old, the Rehman sisters, set out to change the world. As storytellers, entrepreneurs and the founders of The World with MNR, the sisters from Whitby, Canada, now 17, are speaking out for the next generation of girls. We believe if you put your heart in the right place and you want to make a difference it truly is possible. Nivaal Rehman said. Our voices are just as important as adults. Twin teen activists from Whitby interview world leaders at G7 finance meeting Maryam and Nivaal Rehman invited to meeting on behalf of Malala Fundhttps://t.co/xbWu2dO6IY pic.twitter.com/igd8wXT4CJ DurhamDSB (@DurhamDSB) July 26, 2018 Were more informed than ever. Were more connected than ever. In the past nine years, the Rehman sisters have created a social media community, started a Youtube channel and even interviewed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Malala. Now they are creating The World With MNR to inspire others to make a difference. The girls latest accomplishment came when they were selected as one of the 21 leaders in Disneys Dream Big Princess Campaign, a partnership with the UN Foundations Girl Up, to promote gender equality across the globe. The campaign selected 21 aspiring filmmakers and connected them to women trailblazers in various industries, from Emily Blunt and Good Morning Americas Robin Roberts to Celina Caesar-Chavannes, a Canadian MP. Disney offered mentorship to the selected leaders but gave the girls free range on production and interviews. The Rehman sisters chose to interview Caesar-Chavannes, the representative for their hometown, Whitby. We are able to say our story and it allows someone else to understand that theyre not alone, the MP said in an interview with Nivaal and Maryam. Story continues Theres a line in Mary Poppins where she says anything is possible, even the impossible, Blunt said in a press release. I think that really symbolizes what dreaming big is all about, the idea if you want something big enough that the universe is going to conspire to give it to you. The initiative, which debuted on October 10, is aiming to fundraise $1 million for Girl Up. For every like or share of a video or photo on with #DreamBigPrincess on social media, Disney is donated $1 to match. Heres a look at some of the companies the Yahoo Finance team will be watching for you today. Walgreens disappointed investors with its latest earnings report. Sales last quarter were below expectations despite an 11% hike in revenue. Part of the growth was thanks to Walgreens purchase of Rite Aid stores. Delta Airlines is flying a little higher this morning after posting a beat in its latest earnings report. Total revenue and passenger sales climbed a better than expected 8%. The CEO says that offset higher fuel costs and he says Deltas on track to expand margins into 2019. Payment company Square is looking for a new CFO. Sarah Friar is leaving to take over social networking site Nextdoor. Square CEO Jack Dorsey said on Twitter of course that he was saddened by the departure. Friar helped take Square public in 2015. Apple is making its biggest deal yet. Its buying part of European chipmaker, Dialog Semiconductor, for $600M. Dialog is the company behind the power-management technology used in the iPhone. Beyond the patent technology, Apple will also get 300 of Dialogs engineers and its offices in Britain, Italy and Germany. AT&T is stepping into the streaming video service business In an effort to compete with Netflix. Its planning to cash in on some major properties it scored during its merger with Time Warner Cable. At the core of the platform will be HBO, but John Stankey, Chief of Warner Media, says it wont replace HBO Now. Its expected to debut at the end of 2019. No word yet on the name or the price. Sabrina Cartabia is wearing bright green nail varnish when she speaks to TIME from her home in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We see it here as the color of hope, she says, reaching for an emerald-colored flag emblazoned with the image of a clothes hangera common symbol at reproductive rights rallies because of its association with women who have no choice but to perform illegal abortions on themselves. Just a few weeks earlier, Cartabia, 33, had carried the flag in a massive demonstration in Buenos Aires on August 8, as Argentinas Senate voted on an historic bill to legalize abortion during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. The birthplace of Pope Francis, Argentina is heavily influenced by the Catholic Church, which lobbied intensely against the bill. It is hard for uswe are second class citizens, Cartabia says. Despite weeks of impassioned campaigning for a yes vote, and plenty of international attention, the countrys conservative-leaning Senate ultimately rejected the bill. That means abortion remains legal only in cases of rape or when a mothers health is in danger. And across the 34 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, only Cuba, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and Guyana have broadly legalized abortion, and six countries have a total ban. But for Cartabia, a lawyer and womens rights activist who represents a younger generation of Argentine women, the momentum is now unstoppable. Since 2009, she has been a vocal figurehead of Argentinas womens-rights movement, working on issues like promoting broader sex education to help reduce gender violence. Part of our work is to point out when our leaders are failing, she says. Although her initial legal training was in taxation law, Cartabia found herself drawn to family law and womens rights, when she began defending incarcerated women from the poorer neighborhoods surrounding Buenos Aires. In advance of the abortion vote, Cartabia worked closely with legislators to draft arguments, and was also invited to present evidence to the National Congress to support the bill, speaking about her own personal history. My great-grandmother died in a clandestine abortion in the 1940s, she tells TIME. Story continues Cartabia also delivered to Congress womens testimonies on abortion. They were collected through a successful social media campaign run by her own womens rights organization, Red de Mujeres (RDM), or Womens Network. Founded in 2014 and working with 300 women around Buenos Aires, RDM came about as a way to give women tools to help each other with cases of violence, and to connect, Cartabia says. It was also forged out of her own experiences of working with victims of domestic violence. RDM works with poorer communities, offering support for women seeking abortions, strengthening the role of women in their neighborhoods and liaising with other groups to make the citys nightlife safer for women. Argentine women suffer an unusually high rate of violence against women and girls, with 254 femicides alone in 2016. The issue gained widespread attention in 2015, when a 14-year-old girl was murdered by her boyfriend in the northeast of the country, sparking the Ni Una Menos (Not One More) marches and movement. Ni Una Menos made a complete difference in my country, because for many years, nobody wanted to talk about gender violence or do anything about it, Cartabia says. She became heavily involved in Ni Una Menos, and lobbied to bring the issue of abortion onto the movements agenda. Marches for abortion rights over the past year involved hundreds of thousands of women across the country and galvanized unexpectedly strong support for the bill. (In an Amnesty International survey earlier this year, around 60% of respondents said they supported the legalization of abortion.) That energy and urgency has spilled over into other countries across the region, such as Chile, Colombia and Brazil. It has a contagious effect, says Cartabia, who has connections with members of feminist movements across Latin America. People in other countries have started adopting our green handkerchief to support legalization. In Argentina, the fight is far from over. For the winners, who didnt want the bill to be passed, the win is bitter. But for us, the losers, it is actually a sweet moment, says Cartabia, reflecting on the mass support for the bill, despite its defeat in the Senate. The feminist movement now in Argentina is stronger than ever. Photo: Apple Heres an overview of some key companies and political developments that the Yahoo Finance UK team is monitoring today in Europe: Dialog Semiconductor signs $600m Apple deal Shares in German-listed but UK-headquartered Dialog Semiconductor (DLG.F) has been rocketing in trading on Thursday after tech behemoth Apple (AAPL) agreed to buy a portion of the chip makers business in a $600m deal. For 10 years, Apple has used Dialog power management chips to help its devices manage battery life. Around $300m of that deal will be delivered in cash for the Dialog engineers and offices while the remainder will be a pre-payment to Dialog for supplying chips over the next three years. As part of the deal, Apple will snap up patents and a team of 300 engineers, who mostly work across Dialog offices in Britain, Italy, and Germany. Coca-Cola/Costa deal gets shareholder approval Coca-Cola (KO) got the green light from investors to buy the UK coffee chain Costa for $5.1bn (3.9bn) on Thursday. UK-based Whitbread (WTB.L), which owns the Costa business, held a shareholder vote this week. On Thursday morning, the company announced that 99% of votes cast were in favour of the deal. Costa boasts roughly 4,000 retail outlets around the world and has recently been expanding into China. Whitbread bought the Costa chain in 1995 for 19m ($25m) when it had just 39 shops. The drinks behemoth Coca-Cola, which owns brands including Minute Maid and Smartwater, announced its takeover intentions in late August. Its pushing to expand into new product categories and provide customers with healthier options. BMW shares slump Shares in BMW (BMW.F) were in the red on Thursday morning after the group said it plans to increase its stake in its Chinese joint venture with partner Brilliance Automotive (1114.HK). In a deal valued at 3.6bn (3.1bn, $4.1bn), the stake will increase from 50% to 75%. The German carmaker added that the term of the joint venture is to be extended to 2040 from 2028. Story continues The total yearly production capacity of the BMW Brilliance Automotive plants [in China] will be gradually increased to more than 650,000 units in total from the early 2020s, said BMWs chairman Harald Kruger said in a speech in China. Rumours of the stake increase have swirled since July this year. Whether trade tensions between the U.S. and various other countries are a true trade war are not depends who you are, according to CirrusWealth President Joe Heider. It depends on what industry youre in, Heider said on Midday Movers (video above). If youre a soybean farmer in Iowa, its a war. Since Trump announced tariffs on China and Beijing retaliated by placing a 25% tariff on American soybeans in April, soybean farmers have taken a huge hit. Farmer Terry Davidson walks through his soy fields July 6, 2018, in Harvard, Illinois, the same day China imposed retaliatory tariffs aimed at the US soybean market. (Photo by Nova SAFO / AFP) Corn and soybean farmer Blake Hurst previously told Yahoo Finance that while farmers are grateful of what Trump is trying to accomplish, obviously wed be much better off with a resumption of normal trading patterns around the world. However, he also stated, If were just having tariffs for tariffs sake, then thats a dumb economic policy and disastrous for Americas farmers. And China knows that soybeans are a trump card. Refugee soybeans According to the New York Times, soybean farmers sold one-third of all of their harvest to China in 2017, making China the No. 1 consumer of American soybeans. With China refusing to buy their goods, soybean farmers are finding themselves overstocked with their crops because of no one to sell them to. Some are even calling these refugee soybeans because it doesnt have a home anymore. Soybean farmer Raymond Schexnayder Jr. holds soybeans from his farm. (Photo: REUTERS/Aleksandra Michalska) Due to the trade tensions, farmers in the Iowa region, where soybeans and corn are the biggest crops, are poised to drop 13% in average net cash income. China is turning to Brazil for soybeans instead. Soybean exports from Brazil to China jumped 22% from January to September, which was the total for all of last year. As a bonus, the South American country is earning $2.83 more a bushel than the US. To help offset the effects of the Chinese tariffs, the Trump administration announced a three-pronged approach, consisting of up to $12 billion in aid for the agricultural industry. The first installment was distributed on Sept. 4. Soybean farmers were given the most in aid at $3.7 billion, followed by pork producers and cotton farmers. The second round is expected to be handed out in December 2018, although details remain scarce. Story continues If this escalates into a full trade war, that will be a problem, Heider said about the more general situation. Adriana is an editor for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter. READ MORE: Why the soybean could be Chinas trump card in the trade war 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. 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. Budget request 2019-21 $55 million budget request breakdown $17.7 million: Capital funds to treat more than 32,000 acres of forest $11.9 million: Turn 30 seasonal engine leader positions from 3- to 4-month seasonal positions to full-time $6.3 million: Add two helicopters to bring DNRs fleet to nine $5.8 million: Create a new forest health division $4.8 million: Replace equipment and create opportunities for 80 additional correctional camp inmates $4.3 million: Provide more full-time positions for landowner assistance $2.2 million: Create five permanent, full-time positions to develop better training $1.9 million: Add seven outreach specialists to educate Washington citizens $724,240: Dedicate two staff members to managing federal contracts, finances and grants $234,200: Assess potential of post-fire landslides and damage $100,000: Evaluate emergency communications Why You Should Indiana Jones Your Bad Habit + How To Do It You know what? I think Im ready to do it. Were driving back to Minneapolis after a long cabin weekend and my never-ending yammering about habits and goals has my friend all riled up. Im gonna do it for real this time, he nods. Ive got this terrible habit of checking my phone first thing in the morning and Im going to go cold turkey. He passes an old Nissan and takes a sip of his gas station coffee. Im going to stop checking my phone and start meditating! Yes! He slaps the steering wheel. Oh dude, you dont have to do that, I tell him. Why dont you just Indiana Jones it? Unsurprisingly, this makes zero sense to my friend. So I elaborate. Youve seen Indiana Jones And The Raiders Of The Lost Ark, right? (This is a trick question because were both children of the 80s and OBVIOUSLY HES SEEN IT.) Indiana Jones doesnt just, like, snatch the golden idol and leave that pedestal empty. He replaces the it with a bag of sand thats about the same size and weight. Now, leaving aside the fact that its, uh, pretty problematic that Indiana Jones is stealing ancient artifacts from indigenous people and his sandbag swap triggers a series of booby traps, I think what he does nicely illustrates something we should do when were trying to break bad habits. Instead of trying to break a bad habit cold turkey or replace it with something painfully virtuous, what if we swapped in something slightly less bad? Click To TweetHeres the deal: each of our bad habits take up a specific space in our lives and serves a certain purpose. Checking your phone first thing in the morning takes up the ten minutes between 7:30 and 7:40. It might serve to help wake you up and give you a spike of serotonin before you have to face the day. Eating a bowl of ice cream every night while you watch Netflix takes up twenty minutes of your life, every night. That bowl of ice cream might serve as a reward for a long day or an evening ritual that helps you transition to bedtime. Some people are great at quitting things cold turkey! If you are one of those people you can stop reading right now and go read this post about healthy travel snacks! But for most of us, our brains, bodies, and schedules dont know what to do with themselves if theyre not checking that phone in the morning or eating something while watching Netflix. If theres just a hole where the ice cream used to be, were a million times more likely to go back to the ice cream. Were much more likely to break a bad habit if we replace it with something less bad if we swap a bag of sand for that golden idol. I put those quotes there because bad is subjective and most of our habits dont hold moral value. Checking Instagram 80 times a day doesnt make you an unkind person. Mindlessly eating pizza rolls while binge-watching Netflix doesnt mean youre unethical, rude, or inconsiderate. Only you can say which habits affect you negatively. Once you figure that out, think of a less bad habit you could swap for your bad habit. Whats something you could do that feels and looks similar to your bad habit but is slightly better for you? Indiana Jones Bad Habit Swaps Bad habit you want to break Indiana Jones swap Checking your phone first thing in the morning Keeping a book you actually like to read next to your bed and reading it for 10 minutes every morning Watching tv while you eat dinner Listening to podcasts while you eat dinner Shopping at Target when youre bored or sad Shopping at a resale boutique when youre bored or sad Drinking three $13 cocktails every Friday night with your co-workers Drinking one $13 cocktail and two sodas every Friday night with your co-workers Gossiping about your co-workers to other co-workers Gossiping about celebrities with co-workers Stalking your ex on social media Stalking friends from high school (that you actually like) on social media See?! So much easier! So much more doable! Habit change isnt always easy, but its totally possible and its a lot more possible when youre gentle with yourself and set realistic expectations. But I want to hear from you! Have you ever Indiana Jones-d a bad habit? What did you swap in? Tell us in the comments so we can try it, too! P.S. The LIVE version of Make It Stick Habit School opens for enrollment on January 6th. Click here to join the wait list! The Military Police blocked several roads near the Gaza Strip border on Thursday morning due to IDF security activity in the area. The government is expected on Sunday to vote to transfer the authorities Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has concerning the giant telecom company Bezeq to Communications Minister Ayoob Kara in light of the police investigation into Case 4000. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Case 4000, also known as the Bezeq-Walla corruption affair, involves suspicions that Bezeq majority shareholder Shaul Elovitch and Prime Minister Netanyahu had a quid pro quo relationship in which Bezeq enjoyed regulatory benefits in return for favorable coverage of the Netanyahu family on Walla! News, which is owned by the telecommunications giant. Prime Minister Netanyahu (Photo: Amit Shabi) According to the decision-makers' proposal that will be brought to the government, Netanyahu, who holds a monopoly in the field of communications, will be stripped of authorities on "matters concerning Mr. Shaul Elovitch, matters concerning Eurocom Holdings Ltd. and the companies owned by it (including the Bezeq Group) and matters significantly impacting them." The proposal, which will later be brought to the Knesset for approval, goes on to determine that "the transfer of authorities on the matters listed in this decision will be in effect as long as Mr. Shaul Elovitch is a shareholder in the Bezeq Group." Case 4000 came to light some eight months ago with the arrest of Elovitch, his wife and son, and Bezeq CEO Stella Handler. Former Communications Ministry director-general Shlomo Filber, who was also arrested, later became a state's witness. Police has text messages, emails and recordings implicating the suspects. Prime Minister Netanyahu, his wife Sara and his son Yair have all been questioned as part of the investigation. Concurs de granturi adresat COMUNITATILOR (APL) pentru sporirea rezilientei lor la schimbarile climatice si FEMEILOR ANTREPRENOARE in vederea dezvoltarii unor afaceri prietenoase mediului The IDF neutralized a Hamas terror tunnel on Thursday that infiltrated 200 meters into Israel from the Khan Younis area in the central Gaza Strip, the IDF Spokesman's Office said. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter This is the 15th tunnel the IDF has destroyed since October 2017, and it is a part of a complex network of Hamas attack tunnels. The kilometer-long tunnel, which was divided into several branches, had electricity and was connected to communication networks. The IDF said the new tunnel was unique in "the development of construction methods, the use of different materials, (and) it has several bends and turns and links to the network of fighting tunnels." The new construction methods are believed to be part of Hamas efforts to avoid Israeli detection of the tunnels. (Photo: IDF Spokesman's Office) The IDF had been monitoring its construction for several months. "The decision on the timing of the work (to neutralize the tunnel) has to do with operational considerations, as well as the fact the tunnel connects to a network of fighting tunnels inside the strip," said IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis. "We studied and investigated the tunnel to improve our fighting capabilities facing the threat of Hamas's tunnels network inside the strip." "The tunnel effort continues all the time and is being led by the Gaza Division with technological and engineering capabilities. (Finding) this tunnel shows a development in our abilities to locate tunnels," Manelis added. (Photo: IDF Spokesman's Office) IDF English-language spokesperson Jonathan Conricus declined to elaborate on how the tunnel was destroyed, but said "combat engineering means" were used. Israel has in recent months employed technology to detect and destroy tunnels without bombing them, including by filling them with material to make them unusable. Israel is also building an underground wall around the blockaded Gaza Strip to stop tunnel digging. Work on the massive project is expected to be completed by the end of 2019. The construction of the 20-kilometer-long overground barrier on the Gaza Strip border, meanwhile, has been completed. Today, we can say we have newly improved technological means for the discovery, location and thwarting of tunnel activity, said the IDF spokesman. We are in control of a few tunnels that Hamas was planning on using for a terrorist attack inside Israeli borders, he added. (Photo: IDF Spokesman's Office) Israel accuses Hamas of investing funds in terror infrastructure, rather than civil engineering. The price of such a tunnel, especially considering the attempt to connect it to phone and power lines, comes out of someone's pocket, at the expense of the civilians of Gaza, Manelis said. Hamas chooses to invest funds in tunnels rather than taking care of its civilians, and that is a sign for the strips inhabitants that their regime prefers to invest in terror rather than in other things, he went on to say. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman tweeted on Thursday that, We don't stop for a minute, under and above ground. The terror tunnel we have destroyed today is another tunnel that Hamas will not have for the next campaign. Every day we move closer towards eradicating the tunnel weapon. On Thursday morning, the Iron Dome missile defense system fired interceptors over what the IDF later said was a false alarm, stressing there was no fire at Israel. The Code Red rocket alert siren blared through Israeli communities on the Gaza border at 10:07amin Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council and Sdot Negev Regional Council and in the city of Netivot. Iron Dome intercepts rocket (Photo: Roee Idan) Earlier, military police blocked several roads near the Gaza border due to IDF security activity in the area. Meanwhile, the incendiary balloon attacks continue unabated: a large fire broke out in the Shikma Stream Park, east of Kibbutz Zikim. Four firefighter teams and army engineering vehicles are at the scene, but the fire, which is raging near agricultural facilities, is not yet under control. It is the first incendiary balloon fire in the Gaza border region Thursday, while seven such fires took place Wednesday and were all contained by the firefighter teams. The United States said Wednesday it will refuse any post-war reconstruction assistance to Syria if Iran is present, expanding the rationale for US involvement in the conflict. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, speaking to a pro-Israel group, vowed an aggressive push to counter Iran across the Middle East and said that Syria was a decisive battleground. "The onus for expelling Iran from the country falls on the Syrian government, which bears responsibility for its presence there," Pompeo told the Jewish Institute for National Security of America. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (Photo: EPA) "If Syria doesn't ensure the total withdrawal of Iranian-backed troops, it will not receive one single dollar from the United States for reconstruction," Pompeo said. Pompeo's speech effectively broadens the official explanation for why the United States is involved in Syria's civil war, which a monitoring group says has killed close to 365,000 people since 2011. Former president Barack Obama authorized military action with the goal of rooting out the Islamic State group, or ISIS, the extremist force that has boasted of a slew of grisly attacks both in Syria and the West. The United States has about 2,000 troops in Syria, primarily to train and advise forces other than ISIS that are waging an increasingly precarious fight to topple President Bashar al-Assad. Pompeo acknowledged that Assad was stronger thanks to Iranian and Russian help and said that, with ISIS "beaten into a shadow of its former self," new priorities had emerged. "Defeating ISIS, which was once our primary focus, continues to be a priority. But it will now be joined by two other mutually reinforcing objectives," Pompeo said. "These include a peaceful political resolution to the Syrian conflict and the removal of all Iranian and Iranian-backed forces from Syria." Trump hesitant on Syria The US funding threats are unlikely to make an immediate impact in Syria. Trump, a vocal critic of foreign aid as he promotes an "America First" policy, in August pulled the United States out of Syria's near-term reconstruction, suspending $230 million after Gulf Arab allies made their own pledges. But Pompeo's speech marks a new sign that the United States is not leaving Syria anytime soon after Trump, a onetime critic of foreign interventions, earlier this year mused aloud about withdrawing troops. Trump's national security adviser John Bolton, a longtime hawk on Iran, told reporters last month that US troops would stay "as long as Iranian troops are outside Iranian borders." Syrian President Bashar Assad (Photo: Reuters) Iran, ruled by Shiite Muslim clerics, has deployed both troops and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah to prop up Assad, a secular leader who belongs to the Alawite sect and is facing down hardline Sunni Muslim forces. "Iran has seen instability in Syria as a golden opportunity to tip the regional balance of power in its favor," Pompeo said. He warned that Iran, a sworn foe of Israel, would open a new front against the Jewish state if it remained in Syria. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has similarly warned that he will never accept an Iranian presence in Syria. Trump has withdrawn from an international agreement negotiated under Obama through which Iran slashed its sensitive nuclear work in exchange for sanctions relief. Pompeo boasted that Trump has imposed on Iran "some of the harshest sanctions in history." The Trump administration has closely allied itself with both Israel and Saudi Arabia, the Sunni kingdom which sees Iran as its chief rival in the region. Pompeo in his speech did not air any criticism of Saudi Arabia, which has been accused by Turkish government sources of killing a prominent Saudi journalist last week inside its Istanbul consulate. Pompeo also did not demand a withdrawal by Russia, which maintains its only permanent military base outside the former Soviet Union in Syria, a Cold War ally. An IDF reservist soldier and a civilian woman were hurt in a stabbing terror attack outside the Samaria Territorial Brigade base in the West Bank on Thursday afternoon. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The terrorist was able to escape towards Huwara, and security forces were in pursuit, blocking all entrances to Nablus. A terrorist stabbed the reservist, 32, who was standing at a bus stop. Soldiers and passersby then tried unsuccessfully to overcome the terrorist. Scene of the attack Soldiers who were on the scene opened fire toward the fleeing terrorist, but he was able to escape. The soldiers' fire hit several nearby vehicles, and shrapnel from the shooting lightly wounded a woman from Elon Moreh. Both the reservist and the woman were taken to the Beilinson Hospital at the Rabin Medical Center in Petrah Tikva. The soldier was in light-to-moderate condition, suffering from stab wounds to the head and upper body. The woman was in light condition, suffering injuries to her lower back. The Berlin Festival of Lights, which is currently taking place in the city, showcases a three-dimensional audio-visual video-art about Israel in honor of its 70th anniversary. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The event draws more than 2 million visitors every year, and is widely covered on the social media. The audio-visual display was an initiative by Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is projected on the facade of the the German Historical Museum, located only 50 meters away from Bebelplatzthe site of the famous book burning that took place during Kristallnacht, 80 years ago. The audio-visual display, projected on the facade of the German Historical Museum. Rogel Rachman, who leads the publicity department of the Israeli Embassy in Berlin, said that nothing is more symbolic than the fact that only metres away from the place that symbolizes one of the Jewish peoples lowest points in history, a video-art showcasing Israels great achievements in science, art, and culture is projected, showing Jewish and Israeli motifs and Israel's connection to the land and the Hebrew language. The Israeli Audio-visual show in the Berlin Festival of Lights. X Visitors to the exhibition can also see a PR video on a mobile screen which travels around the city," Rachman added. "They are invited to post their selfies with the hashtag #israeloflights and the national symbol of Israel, and could win a visit to Israel in a joint venture with the Ministry of Tourism. The audio-visual display, projected on the facade of the German Historical Museum. The festivals organizers said that the Israeli audio-visual display was one of the most impressive ones they have seen in the 14 years the festival has existed. It showcases the connection of the Jewish people to the land of Israel, the Hebrew language, ancient manuscripts, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Nobel laureates, modern day Israel, Eurovision and more. Brig. Gen Ofer Winter was officially appointed Military Secretary for Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman in a ceremony that took place in Tel Aviv on Thursday. Winter, who served as the Givati Brigade Commander during Operation Protective Edge, is leaving his current position as the Head of Central Command Staff. A handful of anti-Israel protesters demonstrated in the northern Danish town of Gilleleje on Thursday during a visit by President Reuven Rivlin, who came to lay a wreath in memory of Holocaust victims as well as express gratitude to the Danish people for saving the lives of almost their entire Jewish population during the Second World War. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Rivlin participated in a ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of the rescue of Denmarks 7,000 Jews by the general population. The countrys entire Jewish population was assisted in hiding from the Gestapo before being sent to Sweden on fishing boats in October 1943. Rivlin and his wife at wreath laying event (Photo: AFP) Danish Prime Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen also attended the ceremony during which the protesters carried signs saying stop the hypocrisy, referring to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the situation in the West Bank. Protesters near the event Representatives of Denmarks Jewish community and other Danish officials participated in the event, which was held in a Church attic where Danish clergy concealed about 80 Jews before they were sent to safety in Sweden. Jews were also hidden in private homes and in other locations throughout the Scandinavian nation. Earlier on Thursday, Rivlin placed a wreath at the memorial for the Danish Resistance Movement, which headed the operation to save the countrys Jewish community. The president was accompanied by Danish Defense Minister Claus Hjort Frederiksen. The two-week rescue mission was planned and carried out largely by local authorities and the Danish underground resistance. It was made possible after a tip on Nazi raids on Jews from Georg Ferdinand Duckwitz, a German diplomat and attache based in Copenhagen who's still referred by Danes as "the good German." More than 90 percent of the community survived and found their possessions intact, guarded by their gentile neighbors, upon their return after the war. About 500 Jews were arrested in Nazi raids and deported to concentration camps. During the event, the president met with a number of Holocaust survivors who were rescued in the operation including Dan Katznelson, Hanna Skop and Tove Udsholt. Memorial at Gilleleje harbor As a child, Tove was adopted by a Danish Christian family. After the war, she chose to remain with her adopted family in Gilleleje, where she still resides. Hannah fled Nazi Germany to Denmark, along with her family. She, her brother and her mother were then smuggled into Sweden. After the war, she returned to settle in Denmark. Dan Katzenelsons family was arrested by the Germans while trying to escape. He and his mother were deported to the Ravensbruck concentration camp; they were subsequently sent to Theresienstadt. After the war, Dan returned to Denmark. On Wednesday, President Rivlin and his wife Nechama met with the Queen of Denmark Margrethe II. Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs Anders Samuelsen was also present. The president expressed his condolences for the death of Prince Henrik, Queen Margrethes husband, earlier this year. He thanked the queen for her efforts to commemorate the rescue of Denmarks Jews and her positive relationship with the Jewish community and with Israel. Rivlin spoke of the development of the bilateral relationship between the two countries in civil and security affairs, and of the opening of the Innovation Centre Denmark in Tel Aviv and the boost it is giving to bilateral developments in commerce, science and technology. He also spoke of the close relationship between Israel and Denmark on matters of health, education and civil administration. Rivlin invited Queen Margrethe to visit Israel in the near future. DUBAI - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered officials to urgently find solutions to ease an economic crisis spurred by the re-imposition of US sanctions, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Thursday. "There are no problems in the country that we cannot resolve... Officials should find solutions to overcome the existing economic hardship and to disappoint the enemy by resolving it," Fars quoted Khamenei as telling officials on Wednesday night. "With unity we can overcome all crises." Khamenei also said Iran could resist the pressure of US sanctions by relying on its own natural and human resources. "We need extraordinary efforts ... to find solutions for those domestic economic challenges and to confront cruel American sanctions. Serious decisions should be made," he said, state TV reported. Lara Alqasem, the American student held for the past week in detention at Ben Gurion Airport over allegations that she supports the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, appealed her detention Thursday before a court in Tel Aviv. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Alqasem appeared calm, mostly keeping her hands on her knees during the court hearing. She did not speak to reporters during the session, but smiled giddily when she was surrounded by journalists and photographers. Lara Alqasem in court (Photo: Motti Kimchi) She is to remain in detention until the court delivered its rulingthe date for which has not been set. The 22-year-old American with Palestinian grandparents landed at Ben-Gurion Airport last week with a valid student visa and was registered to study human rights at Jerusalem's Hebrew University. But she was barred from entering the country and ordered to be deported, based on suspicions that she's an activist in the BDS movement. Israel insists she can leave at any time but must renounce the actions of the boycott group if she wishes to be reconsidered for admission. Last year, the Knesset enacted a law banning entry for any foreigner who "knowingly issues a public call for boycotting Israel." It's come under heavy criticism for its handling of Alqasem's case. (Photo: Motti Kimchi) The American graduate student, from the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Southwest Ranches, Florida, is a former president of the University of Florida chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, which is a branch of the BDS movement. Its activities, the government said, included a campaign to boycott Sabra hummus, made and sold in the United States by a company partially owned by a firm in Israel. BDS supporters say that in urging businesses, artists and universities to sever ties with Israel, they are using nonviolent means to resist unjust policies toward Palestinians. Israel says the movement masks its motives to delegitimize or destroy the Jewish state. "The time has come for some national pride here," Interior Minister Aryeh Deri said on Army Radio just before the hearing, calling the entry ban justified. Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan described Students for Justice in Palestine as an extremist organization. "We don't want to see their activists coming to Israel and trying to use our infrastructure to harm us and destroy us," he said. Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan (Photo: Avi Moalem) MK Mossi Raz of Meretz called on Erdan to free her and stop a "snowball" that is getting larger all the time. "Stop this circus, you are causing grave damage to Israel's image," he said. Erdan floated a possible compromise, saying that he would drop his efforts to expel her if she apologizes and renounces her BDS support, declaring she believes support for a boycott is "illegitimate." "We're talking about someone who simply wants to study in Israel, who is not boycotting anything," said her lawyer, Yotam Ben-Hillel. "In reality, she was a member of a small group, SJP, who at its peak numbered eight people. There are no public calls for a boycott. You created a demon. She was accepted to university, paid money, received a visa and came to study at the Hebrew University," he argued. Protesters support Alqasem in court (Photo: Motti Kimchi) Ben-Hillel said Alqasem stopped her activities in the Students for Justice group months before the anti-boycott law came into effect, effectively voiding the decision to ban her. "Visa cancellation should be done only in exceptional circumstances and this is not such a case," he added. At an earlier hearing, the American graduate student pledged not to take part in boycott activities while in Israel and said she did not intend to visit the West Bank, her attorneys said. Lara Alqasem (Photo: Associated Press) In addition, former professors have described her as a curious and open-minded student. Jewish groups in the United States as well as the Hebrew University itself have come to her defense. According to a statement issued by The Hebrew University, "the entry of students from foreign countries into Israel is immensely importantBack in their homelands, these students could help us deal with boycotts and various attacks on our country. "Will preventing Alqasem's entry strengthen Israel in its fight against BDS? We think the result will be just the opposite. She will study here and we will show you that this is a democratic country," the statement concluded. Hani Dari, who drove the terrorists who killed Border Police woman Hadas Malka in an attack in Jerusalem , will not be granted early release from prison, the Be'er Sheva District Court ruled on Thursday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The court accepted an appeal by the Southern District Attorney's Office to a decision by the parole board to cut a third of his sentence. Ahead of the decision, David Malka, the soldier's father, urged the judges "leave the accomplice in prison. All we have left is to cry every day." Hani Dari (Photo: Haim Horenstein) After the decision was made, Malka said that "minimal justice has been done." The judges panel, headed by Yael Raz-Levy, explained the ruling. "The court intervenes in decisions if a legal or factual error has been made, or if the decision is deemed as unreasonable. With that in mind, we believe that the parole boards decision contains in itself a number of errors, stressed Raz-Levy. Firstly, the parole board did not consider the potential danger that could arise following the early release, and in our opinion, it did not prove that said danger has diminished," the judge added. The judge emphasized that the committee must take into consideration the potential danger posed by the prisoner to the public and to the security of the state, his rehabilitation and his behavior in prison, and also take into account the severity and the circumstance of the offense for which he was imprisoned. "The execution of this deadly attack would not have been possible without the defendants contribution. The committee should have taken into account the opinion of Shin Bet, which underlines that the defendantwho is a resident of Israelhad a duty to prevent the entry of illegals, so considering the severity of the attack, the fatal outcome and the need for deterrence, the issue of retribution and deterrence should have held more weight. There is a need to deter entry of illegal workers, stated Raz-Levy, before adding that the possibility of the defendant being reinstated upon his release in his previous position in transportation, indicates that he still poses a potential threat to the publics safety." David Malka, Hadas's father, appealed to the judges in the courtroom. "Since that fateful Friday our souls are filled with pain and sorrow. Pain, which is physical and emotional Hadas, who loved life so much and contributed to the state, will never have a family of her own, he bemoaned. "Since theyve informed us that the committee intends to shorten the sentence of the terrorists accomplice, weve been overwhelmed with sadness and pain," he went went on to write in a letter, emphasizing that if his sentence will be shortened, it will be a crushing blow for us, from which we will not be able to recover." The representative of the Southern District Attorney's Office, Einat Balanero, reiterated the sentiments of Judge Raz-Levy, saying that the committee overlooked the potential danger the defendant poses to the public. "The committee did not consider, as its obligated, the potential danger in a general sense. The defendant is not a clarinet player or a shoemaker, he transports illegals. Often time we see the phrase 'miraculously, but in this case, no miracle happened. Although he didnt kill Hadas, the severity of the negligence was so great that had he not been involved in this, Hadas would probably have continued to live her life. This is not rhetoric. It is real danger," the attorney concluded. Hadas Malka Daris attorney said the district court does not have the authority to overturn the parole boards decision. "The court should examine whether the committee's decision is reasonable, and the district court shouldnt act in place of the committee and deviate from its authority," the attorney exclaimed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the court's ruling to accept the appeal against the decision to grant early release to the perpetrators accomplice. "This is the right decision. Murderers and their collaborators must be punished with the utmost severity and serve their sentences to the fullest," the prime minister opined. Attorney Haim Bleicher of the Honenu organization, who is helping the Malka family, issued a statement on behalf of the family following the ruling. "The Malka family's position expresses the sentiment of all Israeli citizensin the war on terror, lenient attitude towards those connected to terrorism is unacceptable," Bleicher emphasized. The IDF deployed its forces Thursday for the search after two wanted terrorists: the terrorist who stabbed two people outside the Samaria Territorial Brigade base in the West Bank, and the terrorist who killed two people in the Barkan industrial area. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced Thursday that he intends to bring to the cabinet's approval on Sunday a plan to build 31 housing units in the Hezekiah Quarter of Hebron. "The plan recently approved by the planning authorities includes new homes, kindergartens and public spaces. We continue to support the settlement in Judea and Samaria, in actions, not words," Lieberman Tweeted. Israel's military said on Thursday it was testing its fleet of F-35 fighters after receiving findings from US investigators that a different model of the plane had a fuel systems flaw. The military, on Twitter, stopped short of saying the Israeli F-35s had been grounded, describing them as remaining on operational standby. A Pentagon spokesperson said earlier Thursday that all US and international F-35 fighter jets made by Lockheed Martin Co had been grounded so that fuel tubes can be examined. Israel's military said its air force chief "decided to exercise extreme caution" and test all the F-35s, "even though this was not the model used by the Israeli Air Force and that no failures have been found in the planes." It said it expected the examination to last a few days, after which the F-35s would return to full operation. The Russian military says it has conducted a massive test of the nation's strategic nuclear forces involving multiple missile launches. The Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday's maneuvers featured launches of ballistic missiles by the navy's nuclear submarines from the Barents Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk. As part of the drills, long-range bombers also fired cruise missiles, the ministry said, adding that all missiles hit their designated practice targets. It added that Russia's early warning system successfully spotted and tracked all launches. The Defense Ministry noted that the exercise offered a chance to test the chain of command from its main control room down to military units. The drills are the latest in a series of Russian war games conducted amid spiraling tensions with the West. The cyber department of Israel's State Attorney's Office submitted to the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court Thursday another indictment against a 19-year-old convict from Ashkelon, for attempting to escape custody, extortion, making false statement, and other offenses. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The defendant's name has not been cleared for publication. As early as April 2017, when he was 18, he was indicted in the United States and Israel for making thousands of threatening phone calls and bomb threats to various institutions and venues across the world. The case is still underway. The defendant, in the middle, being carried away after a court hearing (Photo: AFP) Since then, the individual keeps getting into trouble, this time for attempting to flee custody in June 2017. According to the new indictment filed by attorney Yoni Hadad, at a detention center, while the defendant was getting ready for a prearranged examination, he wore four pairs of socks in order to keep his leg shackles from tightening around his legs and be able to free himself. The hacker hauled back after being caught (: ) X On his way back to the detention center the felon apparently succeeded in opening one of his leg shackles with an improvised lock pick and broke out of the vehicle. Two Israel Prison Service (IPS) officers immediately gave chase and managed to tackle and drag him back to the detention center with a different vehicle. In addition, even inside the detention center, the defendant kept making threatening phone calls and bomb threats to various institutions and schools. (Photo: Yariv Katz) Following his threats, the students were evacuated and police and sappers were called to the scene. In a different case, the defendant called a hotel in Eilat and informed the security officer that a bomb had been placed in the hotel and that it would soon explode. Again, the police forces were called to the scene. The primary and main case against the defendant has been going on for more than a year before Tel Aviv District Court Judge Zvi Gurfinkel. The defendant was charged with carrying out a long list of threats and intimidation against more than 2,000 institutions around the world: airports, airlines, schools, Jewish institutions, police stations and individuals. Bomb threat on Delta Airlines in 2015 X The court has already determined that he committed all the offenses attributed to him while he was an adult. As for the acts he allegedly committed while he was still a minor, he has not yet been convicted. The defendant remains in custody until the conclusion of his main trial. Four cities in Guatemala have decided to rename streets, squares and a park "Jerusalem the capital of Israel," as a sign of support for Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales' decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and transfer its embassy to the city. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Guatemala remains the only country in the world, aside from the United States, which maintains its embassy in Jerusalem, after, in an about face, Paraguay relocated its embassy to Tel Aviv, surrendering to Palestinian pressure. Israeli Ambassador Mattanya Cohen with Tiquisate mayor Guatemala was the first country to follow in the United States footsteps after President Donald Trump's declared that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Two days after the opening of the US Embassy in the Israeli capital, President Morales inaugurated the Guatemalan Embassy in Jerusalem, together with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli Embassy in Guatemala launched a new initiative and issued a call to mayors to name streets, squares and parks throughout Guatemala with the name "Jerusalem the capital of Israel." Renaming a Tiquisate street "It is not merely Jerusalem, of which streets throughout the world carry that name, but Jerusalem the capital of Israel, as an official name, so that no one will have any doubts," the embassy explained. Members of the Shalom Club, which coordinates activities of Israel's national aid arm graduates, throughout Guatemala act as ambassadors of goodwill for Israel and assisted the Israeli Embassy in persuading mayors to carry out the move. Later in October, the ambassador will inaugurate a square named "Jerusalem the Capital of Israel in the city of San Jose. The embassy noted that they have received messages from other mayors who also intend to take a similar step. "We are pleased and proud to serve in a friendly country like Guatemala, whose true friendship towards the State of Israel is felt not only on the part of the government but also by the citizens. Guatemala is thus far the only country in the world where there are streets whose official name is 'Jerusalem the capital of Israel.' We will continue to strengthen the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries and the two peoples," the Israeli Embassy in Guatemala said in a statement. About two months after the Israeli navy stopped a Swedish flag bearing ship trying to break the siege on Gaza in the framework of one of the protest flotillas, on Thursday evening, a friendlier ship, also from Sweden, arrived on Israeli shores. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Accompanied by dozens of small vessels, carrying Israelis providing encouragement, decorated with Israeli and Swedish flags and playing Israeli tunes such as "Hatikvah" and "Hava Nagila," the yacht "Elida" arrived at the coast of Herzliya with about 50 Israel supporting Swedes. Swedish pro-Israel flotilla (: ) X Among the passengers on the 40 meter yacht were politicians, clerics, journalists and musicians. The man who initiated the project to express Swedish support for Israel with a solidarity flotilla is Stefan Abrahamsson, an Israel loving Swedish Christian businessman. The support ship set sail on August 25 from Gothenburg, Sweden. It is expected to anchor in Herzliya until October 22. During their stay here in Israel, the ships passengers will host Israelis visiting the site and will travel throughout Israel expressing their support for the country. Swedish solidarity vesse3l arives at Israeli shores (Photo: Motti Kimchi) "It's great to be here at last," said Capt. Abrahamson. "It was wonderful to see all the boats that accompanied us with the flags and music. We will be here for 11 days, we came here because Sweden's image in Israel is very bad and we are here to express our sorrow over this. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East that is built upon ideals which are central throughout the western world, such as equality. However, Israel is the only country which my country condemns, he continued. We are here to tell Israelis: 'We love you,' we are standing behind you and want to show our solidarity with you. Stefan Abrahamsson (Photo: Stefan Abrahamson) "The yacht will be open for visits every day, everyone is invited to visit it, taste some cake and tea and talk about politics or anything else," he added. I am already planning my next voyage here and I am sure it will be soon. Herzliya Mayor Moshe Fadlon, who received the guests, said: "This is a very moving day; we thank them for the solidarity they are displaying here towards Israel. May there be other delegations, we will always embrace them and I believe there will be dozens of more delegations. At a time when Israel is under attack internationally, these friends are a beacon to the nations of the world." (Photo: Stefan Abrahamsson) After passing through border control, dozens of yacht passengers came ashore smiling. Most embraced almost every Israeli they came across. Others ran to their loved ones waiting for them on the platform. "In the past four years, Sweden has been very anti-Israel and I hope this is the beginning of a better future," Irene Sherburnt, a Swedish born Israeli recalled. In the midst of the excitement and music at the marina, some of the participants broke into a Hora dance ahead of the official ceremony welcoming them to Israel. "It was amazing to see all the boats that came to meet us. It was a lot of expectations and exciting people coming to Israel. I think that the relations between Israel and Sweden are bad. We feel bad about how our country treats Israel," said Lukas Brigham, editor of The World Today newspaper in Sweden. During the official ceremony, Professor Dan Shechtman, a Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, said: "In politics there is no point, always a comma. That which is not good now will be better tomorrow. I am a good friend of Sweden and know it very well. We are similar, two small countries, you have had peace for 200 years and I wish that we will also have peace for 200 years." THE DAM is open and the Montreal River is raging in Gile, Wis., on a wet Wednesday morning. Three straight days of rain dumped around four inches on the Gogebic Range, with snow forecast for today. Area residents are advised to stay away from swollen rivers and streams. By RALPH ANSAMI [email protected] IRONWOOD - Record rainfall for the 24-hour period to 7 a.m. Wednesday has sent Ironwood's 2018 precipitation total to nearly 11 inches above average. A total of 2.33 inches fell at the Gogebic-Iron Wastewater Treatment Plant off Cloverland Drive, setting an Oct. 10 record covering the past 117 years. At 2:20 a.m. Wednesday, wastewater that had not received full treatment was being released into the Montreal River to prevent sewage backups into homes. A notice from the wastewater authority noted the ground is saturated following two days of continuo... Arizona News Phoenix, Arizona - Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Jason Siebert-Thomas, who admitted to using credit cards of deceased individuals, will spend more than four years in prison. On October 3, 2018, the Honorable Judge Douglas Gerlach sentenced Jason Siebert-Thomas to 4.5 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections, followed by three years of supervised probation. Starting in August of 2016, Tempe Police Department and Glendale Police Department learned Siebert-Thomas was being added as an authorized user to credit card accounts belonging to deceased individuals. Family members of the deceased individuals indicated Siebert-Thomas had no relationship to the deceased individuals, and that the credit card company was contacted after the individual had passed away. Frequently, the address on the credit card account was changed to the address where Siebert-Thomas was residing. Through surveillance video and photos, detectives identified Siebert-Thomas using multiple credit cards in which he had been added as an authorized user. A number of the purchases exceeded $5,000. At his home, detectives say they located several notebooks containing handwritten notes with the personal identifying information for various deceased individuals. During an interview, Siebert-Thomas admitted to purchasing items with the credit cards. The investigation identified eight separate times that Siebert-Thomas was added to a credit card account after the named account holder had passed away. Additionally, Siebert-Thomas gave one of the credit cards to Daylon Pierce, who plead guilty to deceiving women in an elaborate online dating scam, which was investigated by the FBI Phoenix Field Office. Siebert-Thomas was indicted on January 23, 2017, in CR2017-102122-002 for these offenses. While Siebert-Thomas was on release for his pending charges, Tempe Police Department received a report that Siebert-Thomas was falsifying work tickets submitted to his employer. According to investigators, Siebert-Thomas submitted a number of work tickets for days he never reported for work. Additionally, he used his supervisors signature without his authorization. Siebert-Thomas was indicted on March 26, 2018, in CR2018-113270-001 for these offenses. These matters were jointly investigated by the Tempe Police Department, the Glendale Police Department, the Paradise Valley Police Department, and the Phoenix Field Office of the FBI. In CR2017-102122-002, Siebert-Thomas plead guilty to: one Count of Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, a class 2 felony; one count of Aggravated Taking the Identity of Another Person or Entity, a class 3 felony, and Taking the Identity of Another Person or Entity, a class 4 felony. In CR2018-113270-001, Siebert-Thomas plead guilty to: one Count of Taking the Identity of Another Person or Entity, a class 4 felony, and Theft, a class 4 felony. This case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Scott Blake. Arizona News Phoenix, Arizona - Ready to work from home, be your own boss and make a fortune? Thats what some scammers are promising people in return for buying an internet business opportunity. In most cases, however, the consumer is out thousands of dollars and left with a business that generates no profits. Attorney General Mark Brnovich warns consumers that internet business opportunities that sound too good to be true usually are. There are some legitimate internet business opportunities, with potential partners that work with you, thoughtfully answer your questions, and give you time to make strategic decisions, said Attorney General Mark Brnovich. However, if you are being pressured into investing in something without time to do research, walk away. Potential business partners should respect your need to thoroughly vet an opportunity before committing time or money. Below are six tips to help consumers avoid involvement in fraudulent online businesses. Dont Pay Money to Make Money: Legitimate businesses offer to pay you for your services. Scammers want you to pay them, and promise that youll make it all back and more. Why Do They Need You?: If someone is selling websites that will make a lot of money, guaranteed, why wouldnt that person just run the websites on their own? If a business doesnt have a good reason why it needs your help, its probably a scam. Clean Reputation: Triple check the reputation of a business before becoming involved. Interview other investors and customers, search the business and promoters name online with scam or complaint, and check with the Better Business Bureau for information on the companys credibility. Online business scammers frequently change their names, so beware of companies without an established track record of success. Risky Refund Policy: Online businesses promising a No Risk Refund Policy are red flags. This is a common term fraudsters use to assure potential investors or customers, and pressure people to make a quick decision. Guarantees like this are rarely reliable. Expert Opinion: Take the time to bring in a business lawyer, CPA and other third-party, impartial business experts to vet potential opportunities before committing your resources. Theyll be able to assess the legitimacy of the business, as well as if theres potential to make a profit. Time to Think: Most importantly, demand the time to think through any business opportunity thoroughly, rather than giving in to pressure to quickly make a decision before a golden opportunity passes. For more consumer protection tips and news, visit the Arizona Attorney General's Website. If you believe you have been the victim of consumer fraud, please contact the Attorney Generals Office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6648, or outside the metro areas at (800) 352-8431. Bilingual consumer protection staff is available to assist. Consumers can also file complaints online by visiting the Attorney Generals website. Living Section Wellton, Arizona - Share your love of books and reading! On Friday, October 26th, the Wellton Library Book Club will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley by holding a special book club meeting at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to attend. Books are available for checkout at the service desk at the Wellton Library, located at 28790 San Jose Avenue in Wellton, AZ. For more information, call (928) 785-9575. Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - 2018s Fire Prevention Week theme is Look, Listen, Be Aware-Fire can happen anywhere Fire departments respond regularly to residential smoke alarms sounding, where there are no fires, and residents needing assistance with them. Usually this is just a case of the batteries needing to be replaced, and an alarm the resident is not familiar with. Often this is a late night disturbance for the resident (why does that always seem to happen at 2:00am?) that could have been avoided by regularly changing the batteries. Every year, in the United States, from 2000 to 3000 people die in fires. In 3 out of 5 of those fatal fires a smoke alarm was either not present or not working. Most homes these days are equipped with smoke alarms, but due to poor maintenance (often batteries are found to be dead or disconnected) many fail to work properly when a fire occurs. Batteries should be replaced at least once a year and alarms tested monthly. Alarms over 10 years old need to be replaced! Fires grow quickly, doubling in size every minute. The gases resulting from the burning of household materials are poisonous and along with the intense heat, quickly make for deadly conditions in a fire. You must make good use of the warning smoke alarms give you to safely get out and once out, to stay out of a burning building. Smoke alarms do save lives, and they are some of the cheapest insurance you can buy, but they will do no good if they are not working properly. Last year the City of Yuma Fire Department received a Fire Prevention and Safety grant to purchase additional smoke alarms and continue our assistance to low income home owners. For more information about smoke alarms, or the smoke alarm assistance program, contact the Yuma Fire Department at 373-4850. Today Some sun in the morning with increasing clouds during the afternoon. High 86F. Winds light and variable. Tonight Partly cloudy. Low near 55F. Winds light and variable. Tomorrow Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High 83F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. A tax clearance certificate in Ghana is evidence that your tax records are in order and that you have met all your tax obligations. It is issued by the Ghana Revenue Authority upon official request at no cost to the individual or organization. The Ghana Revenue Authority tax clearance certificate has a relatively short validity period, lasting not more than three months after the date of issue. The validity period of a holder may last a shorter period under certain circumstances under the discretion of the Ghana Revenue Authority. This article will outline the steps in acquiring a tax clearance certificate and some of the uses of a tax clearance certificate in Ghana. Application for tax clearance certificate in Ghana To get a tax clearance certificate in Ghana, you will need to make it known to the Ghana Revenue Authority by writing the following: Your individual tax identification number or the tax identification number of the organization requesting a tax clearance certificate. You get a TIN via the TIN registration in Ghana procedure outlined on the Ghana Revenue Authority website. The purpose for which the tax clearance certificate is required. This is an important step as the tax clearance certificate will also indicate the same reason. The reason for application is also useful for situations where the certificate is required to process a visa or work permit. The process of application for a tax clearance certificate in Ghana is relatively simple, it involves only one step, writing to your tax office requesting a tax clearance certificate. Your request should include the information stated above. Before applying for clearance, it is important to go through all your tax return statements and ensuring that you have met all your tax obligations. You should also ensure that you have paid all taxes due, all penalties incurred and all interests owed. If all your affairs are in order and the Ghana Revenue Authority has no issue with your application, then the tax clearance certificate should be issued within three days of your application. READ ALSO: How to calculate income tax in Ghana 2018 Uses of a tax clearance certificate in Ghana There are many uses for a tax clearance certificate in Ghana. Some of these include: Clearing of goods in commercial quantities or commercial goods at any port or factory in Ghana. This is the same as customs clearance at ports for your goods. Any company or individual importing goods has to provide a tax clearance certificate before their shipment is cleared from customs. Expatriates working in Ghana have been issued with residence and work permits. These permits have all been applied for by the various companies that represent these individuals. To get the residence and work permits, these companies have to provide a tax clearance certificate that states clearly the purpose of the certificate. Under the Excise Act of 2014, you are required to have a tax clearance certificate in order to operate as a customs clearing and forwarding agency. Before you register a title to own any piece of land in Ghana, the Land Commission will require that you have a tax clearance certificate. The government has a list of its Authorized suppliers. To become one of them requires you to fill an expression of interest application in which you will be asked to provide a tax clearance certificate. To receive a visa from foreign embassies in Ghana, you may be asked to provide a tax clearance certificate by some countries. In order to bid successfully for any contracts awarded by Ministries, parastatals, departments and agencies within the government or for any government tenders, you will have to provide a tax clearance certificate. Some professional bodies require the provision of a tax clearance certificate to become a member and for all subsequent membership renewals, you will have to provide a clearance certificate. The Ghana Revenue Authority tax clearance certificate has many more uses and you may find yourself in a situation requiring you to provide it. It is important to always ensure your tax records are in order at all times. You can find a sample tax clearance certificate Ghana online to know what to expect when issued with your own. READ ALSO: Importance of agriculture in Ghana Source: Yen - 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: Top 5 businesses owned by Fella Makafui 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 helped her with money to rent a dress and her brother baked a cake Source: Twitter READ ALSO: I met 'maame water' last Sunday - Rev. Obofour 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 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. READ ALSO: Princess Shyngle causes confusion on social media in new video 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.com.gh Year after year, the discussions on climate change seem not to be yielding the needed results. Climate change in Ghana is one of the defining environmental challenges of our time as recurrent extreme weather issues such as droughts and floods are having a devastating effect on most economic, social and environmental systems. There is no doubt that the impact of climate change in Ghana is beginning to manifest with evidence abounding that temperatures in all the ecological zones are rising, whereas rainfall levels have been generally reducing and patterns have increasingly becoming erratic. Unless mechanisms are carefully and systematically put in place to reduce vulnerability, climate change may pose serious challenges to national development. This article will provide you with a list of causes and effects of climate change in Ghana and evidence of climate change in the country. Causes and effects of climate change in Ghana In all this, we need to know that the climate change referred to in this article is Anthropogenic climate change which is the type caused by human activities as opposed to changes in climate that may have resulted as part of the earths natural processes. The human activities, particularly, out-of-control industrialisation, the burning of fuels, the cutting down of trees and other agricultural activities, release gases including Carbon(iv)oxide (CO2), Methane (CH4) and Nitrous Oxide (N2O) into the atmosphere. These gases, on reaching the stratosphere, have the ability to trap the infrared radiation (suns energy), which reflects in the form of temperature. Below are a number of causes and effects of climate change: It has resulted in an increase in the earths surface temperature, sea level, precipitation, droughts and floods. Evidence of climate change in Ghana is visible as parts of the Northern Region of Ghana experience drought and flooding which has become a yearly worry to the people and the government. People along the banks of the Volta river are constantly rendered displaced, homeless. As a result of the situation, agricultural production has declined. Changes in rainfall patterns and temperature have also led to an ecological imbalance, causing an influx of pests and diseases like cerebrospinal meningitis which is quite common in the Northern Region of Ghana. Aquatic life in the south has been affected, reducing the economic activity of most inhabitants who are mainly fishermen. This has led to many not being able to find alternatives to raising their living standards and adversely affecting education, health and social well-being. Climate change in Ghana has become a serious threat to the livelihood of the people. List of effects of climate change in Ghana Effects of climate change in Ghana Source: Facebook Climate change issues in Ghana are enormous running through education, tourism, employment and transport. Some of the effects that climate change in Ghana include Educational infrastructure has been damaged as a result of climate change's direct impact on education. The severe weather conditions according to the 2007 National Disaster Management Organisation's (NADMO) report for example collapsed school buildings. Two hundred and ten (210) schools were affected by the flood with one hundred and ninety nine (199) classrooms reported to have collapsed. On employment, increase in temperature, decrease in rainfall and its unpredictability is likely to jeopardize the employment of about 60% of the active population, the majority of whom are small scale rural farmers, resulting in unsustainable livelihoods with negative consequences for poverty, health, education, gender equality environmental degradation and food security. Food security is expected to be affected in the sense that the reliance on rain-fed and low-input agriculture will mean that output will decline, resulting in lower incomes for farmers. This will in turn increase poverty levels and heighten the risk of malnutrition. Climate change issues in Ghana has also led to a reduction in underground recharge and annual river flows which can lead to water shortage in the near future. This is evident in CSIR-WRI 2000 report on Climate Change and water resources which estimates that by the year 2020, all river basins will be vulnerable and the whole country will face acute water shortage. It also predicts a general reduction in annual river flows in Ghana by 15-20 % for the year 2020 and 30-40 % for the year 2050 and a reduction in groundwater recharge of 5-22 % for 2020 and 30-40% for 2050. In the transport sector, due to the changing weather patterns road networks easily get damaged. They get damaged as a result of either erosion or flooding or even extreme heat. The tourism sector as a result of the causes and effects of climate change in Ghana is expected to increased infrastructural damage, higher industry operating operating expenses (e.g. insurance, back-up water & power systems and evacuations) and inconvenience, risk, danger and high cost of holidays to tourists. Impact of climate change on agriculture in Ghana The impact of climate on agriculture in Ghana will be dire if prudent measures to mitigate the menace by political leaders since agricultural yields are plummeting and will continue to do so. Lest Ghanaians forget, about 60 percent of its population is in agriculture with most being smallholder farms using rudimentary technology. Evidence of climate change in Ghana is becoming glaring as the Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis report (2009), World Food Programme note cereal crop yield alone is predicted to plunge by 7% in the next 40 years. By 2009, 5% of the Ghanaian population, or 1.2 million people, had very limited access to sufficient and nutritious food for an active and healthy life it also states. Some of the climate change issues in Ghana on agriculture include reduced soil fertility due to changes in precipitation and temperature, rainfall deficits resulting in desertification of grazing pastures and reduced water availability for animals. Shifts in agro-ecological zones that are too rapid for trees and farming systems to adapt to, loss of cropland from erosion and desertification and increased demand for irrigation are also other impacts of climate change on agriculture in Ghana. Farmers are also hit by low yields caused by low rainfall or flooding and the increased incidence of pest attacks resulting from an increase in temperature. In the southern part of Ghana there is coastal erosion and destruction of valuable coastal agricultural land and in the north we are witnessing out-migration of people, especially to southern Ghana, with impact on national security. There is also the experience of more vector and vector-borne diseases all as a result of climate change. Agriculture and food security are also intertwined and thus climate change induced unsustainable livelihoods will result in negative consequences on food security, poverty, health, education, gender equality and environmental degradation. In response to the challenges, Ghana has integrated the Ghana Climate Change Policy which provides a clear pathway for dealing with the challenges of climate change. The policy addresses four areas of concern to climate change and variability namely increasing greenhouse gas emissions and loss of carbon sinks, increasing temperatures, rising sea levels and rainfall variability leading to extreme and unpredictable events. Though the Ghana Climate Change Policy is a good initiative, implementation is most likely going to be difficult as the policy has no firm grounds in terms of implementation let alone sustainability. Source: Yen - A pastor with the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Joseph Appiah Odei, has dragged Menzgold and Nana Appiah Mensah to court - The pastor is protesting what has been described as locked church investment by Menzgold - He is demanding the release of the investments and accrued interest from the company A pastor with the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Reverend Joseph Appiah Odei, has dragged Menzgold and the CEO, Nana Appiah Mensah to court. Rev Appiah Odei is reportedly battling Menzgold and Nana Appiah legally for what has been described as locked church investments, according to a report sighted by YEN.com.gh on Mynewsgh.com. The pastor, who is reported to be a client of the company, is, among other things, demanding his investments and accrued interest. The writ by the Presby Church pastor. Photo credit: Mynewsgh.com Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Angry Menzold customer threatens to drag NAM1 and family to Nogokpo shrine (video) Among the statement of claims contained in the writ of summons as filed by the pastor, Rev. Appiah Odei is also demanding general damages for breach of contract, and also general damages for fraudulent misrepresentation. YEN.com.gh, however, is not privy to how much exactly the Presby church pastor invested with Menzgold The writ by the Presby Church pastor. Photo credit: Mynewsgh.com Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Three more top managers behind Menzgold identified Meanwhile, Menzgold Company Limited has announced that it will no longer pay dividends to customers as said earlier. According to an earlier report by YEN.com.gh, the company has concluded that the customers are no longer interested in their dividends. The company added that due to its current struggling state, it will no longer pay the dividends. The writ by the Presby Church pastor. Photo credit: Mynewsgh.com Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Sarkodie attacks Shatta Wale with new diss track Advice In a related development, some angry clients of the Menzgold have said President Akufo-Addo is to blame for the current state of Menzgold. According to them, they enjoyed smooth services with the company until the coming to power of Akufo-Addo and the NPP in 2016. Another angry client by name Russel Senam, has said he was taking Nana Appiah Mensah and his family to a shrine in the Volta Region to discipline him there until he paid every pesewa he owed him. READ ALSO: You are not mature Fans attack Nadia Buari over latest poolside photo with her children Yenkasa: Does it Matter if a Child is Named by the Mother? | Yen.com.gh READ ALSO: Never match print with kente - Fan schools Fella Makafui in fashion 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 - Joyce Dzidzor Mensah has released a half-naked photo on social media - Dzidzor used the caption of the photo to send a threatening message to John Mahama and his wife Former AIDS ambassador, Joyce Dzidzor Mensah has once again raised eyebrows with her behaviour on social media. This time, she has released a half-naked photo of herself with a rather curious caption to it. In the photo YEN.com.gh sighted on her Facebook, Dzidzor was seen without her clothes on as she exposed her breasts. In the caption, she accused former President John Mahama and his wife of harming her but failed to give enough details. READ ALSO: Sarkodie, Shatta Wale featured on BBC after release of 'Advice' track "I have accepted I contribute to whatever am going through now. But John Dramani Mahama do you think you will also have piece of mind for what you and your wife have done to me? No. A woman does not show her nakedness for no reason. You have turned deaf ears all this years as if you are unaware of the injustice you people have done to me. The poor has no justice in any part of the world. But even in my poor state, I will fight till I die Just wait for what will unfold soon," she captioned the photo. It is not known what might have necessitated her stripping naked or what she really wanted to say to the former first couple. READ ALSO: Young lady runs mad after allegedly sleeping with a married man (Photos) But after a lot of public bashing, Dzidzor had the photo edited to cover the parts showing her breasts. Joyce Dzidzor Mensah has always been known to have a knack for controversies. After declaring herself as HIV positive and serving as AIDS ambassador for several years, she came out later to claim that she lied about her status, leading to her being stripped of her ambassadorial role. Dzidzor has since that time been involved in one controversy or the other. One of her most recent controversies was she 'exposing' one Kristoff Adjei who allegedly took advantage of his HIV status to sleep with her. READ ALSO: Pope Skinny sparks confusion with his response to Sarkodie's 'diss' track against Shatta Wale More recently, she has been in the news for claiming that she has been having sex with two of Ghana's most popular prophets, Bishop Obinim and Reverend Obofour, in her dreams. Meanwhile, a husband has been left distraught after discovering that his pregnant wife was cheating on him with another man for an iPhone Xs. The disturbed husband who has been left in tears sent screenshots of Whatsapp conversations between his wife and the 'cheating partner' to a relationship expert, Joro Olumofin for advice. 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 and we could feature your story. To stay up to date with the latest news, download our news app on Google Play today Source: Yen.com.gh Ghanas popular bread making company, A1 Bakery, producers of A1 bread, is reportedly set to be sold to a Chinese company. According to reports, the Chinese company is already in talks with the management of A1 Bakery and will pay a whopping $5 million for the takeover. Ghanaweb reports that negotiations are fast advanced and the deal should be completed in the coming weeks. READ ALSO: Ghanaians' reaction to Sarkodie's diss song is unbelievable Meanwhile, the owner of A1 Bakery, Godfred Obeng Boateng and his partner, Edward Nana Poku (Hammer) have both refused to either confirm or deny the report. A1 Bakeries began its operations a year ago, but has grown to become one of Ghanas leading bread makers. Currently, the indigenous company has many branches in Accra and Kumasi and has given employment to many of the youth. It is estimated that the company has about six hundred employees working at its warehouses and factories. Yenkasa: Does it Matter if a Child is Named by the Mother? | Yen.com.gh READ ALSO: Ghanaian teenager creates an artificial intelligence system that predicts and diagnoses breast cancer 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 Dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy, is worried over the future of his record label, Zylofon Media, over the Menzgold brouhaha. According to him, companies such as Zylofon Media and Zylofon cash which gets financial support from Menzgold could be in financial distress, a situation he feels unhappy about. Mother company Menzgold, we all know and trust that it is a gold trading company that seeks to have people buy gold and trade gold with them. Sincerely Menzgold has financed and Im sure that it has always been the foundation of all the other handles, Zylofon Media, Zylofon cash etc. Its actually true that since the mother company which is the foundation is trembling now, therell definitely be shake-ups in these organizations and it worries me, he said on Starr Fm. READ ALSO: 32-year-old Ugandan Oxford student marries herself out of pressure from parents Stonebwoy, who is one of the top artistes signed by Zylofon Media, also owned by the Menzgold boss, Nana Appiah Mensah, believes Menzgold has really helped Ghanaians through its investment and the media. Ghanaians saw the way the movement was and how it was helping Ghanaians and really continues to help Ghanaians both from the media side and the Menzgold side where people could buy and trade in gold to get dividends from 10%, he said. Menzgold has assured its customers who wish to terminate their investment transaction with the company of full payment of their principal in 90 days. READ ALSO: Top 5 businesses owned by Fella Makafui In a statement that was released and signed by Head of Communications of the company, Nii Amarh Amartefio, Menzgold said, should Menzgold succeed in reaching an amicable resolution with the authorities, customers wishing to continue trading with Menzgold are free to exercise the option of continuing to trade with us. Similarly, customers wishing to terminate their business with Menzgold are free to do so and should be rest assured of their full payment in 90-days as stipulated." READ ALSO: I met 'maame water' last Sunday - Rev. Obofour Meanwhile, Menzgold has taken legal action against the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) following weeks of inconclusive discussions. 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.com.gh Tanzanias young billionaire, Mohammed Dewji has been kidnapped by gunmen in Dar es Salam. According to police the 43-year-old was abducted outside a swanky hotel gym where he was going for his routine morning workout. Police in Tanzania say the motive for the abduction of Mr. Dewji is unknown and unclear. Financial magazine Forbes says Mohammed Dewji is worth $1.5bn (980m). Source: BBC Source: UGC READ ALSO: 5 times Shatta Wale wore the Alumi blings Sarkodie talked about in the diss song Police also say so far; three people have been arrested in connection with the abduction. Two of them are believed to be foreign nationals. Mohammed Dewji, is said to be worth at $1.5bn (980m), according to Forbes. In 2017, a Forbes report named him as Africas youngest billionaire. He promised in 2016 to donate at least half his fortune to philanthropic causes, Forbes said. Mr Dewji, locally known as Mo, is credited with turning his family business from a wholesale and retail enterprise into a pan-African conglomerate, reports the BBC's Athuman Mtulya from Dar es Salaam. READ ALSO: Chinese company to acquire A1 bakery for $5M His company, METL, has interests in textile manufacturing, flour milling, beverages and edible oils in at least six African states. Environment Minister January Makamba, a friend of Mr Dewji, tweeted that he had spoken to Mr Dewji's father and the family confirmed that he had been kidnapped. Ghana News Today: Ebony Wins Big at 2018 Ghana Music Awards UK | #Yencomgh READ ALSO: Joyce Dzidzor Mensah drops half-naked photo; threatens to expose Mahama & his wife 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 - Akua GMB has just turned a year older and she has celebrated in grand style - The former beauty queen has released some beautiful photos of her and her two sons with Dr Kwaku Oteng Former winner of TV3 Ghanas Most Beautiful (GMB), Sally Akua Amoakowaa Mensah, popularly known as Akua GMB, is a year older. To celebrate the birthday, Akua GMB, who happens to be the wife of Dr Kwaku Oteng of 'Adonko' and Angel Group fame, has released some very beautiful and stunning photos. In the photos sighted by YEN.com.gh on Akua's Instagram, she looked very gorgeous like the beauty queen she is. "I have every reason to be thankful to God for all that hes done in my life. The journey has been tough and its still not smooth but my God will see me through. He has been my God and will continue to be my God, my protector and my deliverer. Use me to the Shame the ungodly my Lord and savior. You are the omnipresent God you therefore see every hidden act of men. Men judge from what they see but God continue to be the only holy being. Grateful papa. I luv you. Happy birthday to a mother and a woman of steel . Makeup @touchmakeupartistry , hairstylist @touchmakeupartistry . Designer @lyran_collections photography @swagofafricanews @twinsdntbeg . Thank you team for a great Job ," she captioned the post. READ ALSO: Michy sends powerful response to Sarkodie's diss song to Shatta Wale Akua who currently works as the General Manager of Angel TV, one of the many media houses owned by her husband, later posted a second set of photos saying: "Im grateful lord Jesus . Makeup @touchmakeupartistry hairstylist @touchmakeupartistry designer @lyran_collections PA @iam_safowaa photography @swagofafricanews @twinsdntbeg." Interestingly, Akua GMB's photos prominently featured her two sons she has with Dr Kwaku Oteng. Akua GMB and her two sons (Source: Akua GMB) Source: Instagram And the two brothers looked as gorgeous as their mother. READ ALSO: Joyce Dzidzor Mensah strips naked on social media to send warning to Mahama & wife Akua GMB and one of her sons (Source: Akua GMB) Source: Instagram Akua shot to fame after winning the 2011 edition of the GMB show. Not long after her win, she got married to Dr Oteng, one of Ghanas successful business moguls. Akua and her sons (Source: Akua GMB) Source: Instagram Her marriage to the rich Dr Oteng has often been in the news over suggestions that she married Dr Oten because of money since he is old enough to be her father. READ ALSO: Pregnant wife caught cheating on husband because of an iPhone (Photos) Akua and her son (Source; Akua GMB) Source: Instagram Akua is reported to be the fourth wife of Dr Oteng, however, she has debunked claims that she married him because of money. In an earlier report by YEN.com.gh, Akua said she married her husband because of his humility and out of love for him. Though she did not confirm whether she was the third or fourth wife as speculated, Akua said the most important thing is that she is married to a man who loves her so much. READ ALSO: Young lady runs mad after allegedly sleeping with a married man (Photos) According to her, even though her old millionaire hubby is married to other women, she is still happy living with him because of the love they have for each other. 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 and we could feature your story. To stay up to date with the latest news, download our news app on Google Play today Source: Yen Members of a group calling itself Aggrieved Menzgold customers, have revealed that some well-known individuals and institutions in the country are customers of Menzgold. An association of people who are referring to themselves as Aggrieved Menzgold Customers have said that the current customer list awaiting their monies from the gold dealership includes very influential people and companies. These individuals and companies are looking to remain anonymous, however. According to the members of the Aggrieved group who spoke, the anonymous customers are afraid of stigmatisation. Citinewsroom.com reports that three customers who agreed to share their experiences with Menzgold, made the revelations on Citi FM. READ ALSO: Sonnie Badu claps for Sarkodie after rapper released "diss track" against Shatta Wale Menzgold Gold Dealership has been embroiled in matters of illegality with government bodies in recent weeks Source: UGC The high profile customers cannot agitate or speak up for fear of being ridiculed and criticized. One of the aggrieved customers of Menzgold said in the past, some people including a Member of Parliament once branded Menzgold customers as lazy people who did not want to do any hard work. READ ALSO: Just work together Shatta Michy says after Sarkodie disses Shatta Wale in new song The customer is quoted as saying: "People cannot sleep but people are just not confident enough to come out. I do not know why you coil into your shell.. people outside the shores of Ghana want an update. Menzgold Gold Dealership has been caught up in issues of illegality with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company has also not been able to pay customers promised dividends. Yenkasa: Does it Matter if a Child is Named by the Mother? | Yen.com.gh: Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page Source: Yen - Sarkodie is said to have been invited by the CID for investigation into an alleged stolen car he bought - The incident is reported to have occurred in 2013 - Sarkodie, through his lawyer, has finally spoken on the matter, saying the artiste never stole the car The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has begun investigations into a case in which Ghanas Highest rapper, Sarkodie, is alleged to have bought a stolen car. According to the Public Relations Officer of the CID, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Joseph Benefo Darkwa, Sarkodie was invited by the police to assist in investigations into the case. He added that Sarkodie honoured the invitation and reported himself at the CID Headquarters, in the company of his lawyer, and after interrogations, was granted bail. READ ALSO: Northern Region men last longer and are powerful in bed Health expert According to a report sighted by YEN.com.gh on Graphic.com, Sarkodie is said to have bought a stolen car in 2013. The police said Sarkodie had assigned his agents to register his Infinity saloon car at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), but it turned out that the police had been looking for that vehicle for some time now because it was a stolen car. According to him, while Sarkodie's agents were going through the registration process, DVLA officials realized that the said car had been reported stolen and so they alerted the police. ASP Darkwa said based on the information from the DVLA, Sarkodie was invited to the CID Headquarters to assist in investigations. READ ALSO: You are not mature Fans attack Nadia Buari over latest poolside photo with her children Meanwhile, when Sarkodie's lawyer, Mr Moses Foh-Amoaning, was contacted, he denied the police claim and explained that in 2013 the rapper had bought an Infinity saloon car from one Ishmael Amponsah, also known as Papa. He said Sarkodie paid Gh30,000 for the car and was given all the original documents covering it According to him, Sarkodie had no immediate use of the car and he, therefore, parked it in his house from 2013 to date. He said later Sarkodie signed on a new artist and gave him the car. READ ALSO: Money talks: Akua GMB's PA bows to her in public He said at the Auto Theft Unit, the two were shown a petition written by Dominic Afful, who is Papa's brother-in-law. The lawyer said Sarkodie then provided the original documents for the police and even called Papa to inform him about the turn of events. According to lawyer, Sarkodie told the police that it was a family issue and that the car had not been stolen. READ ALSO: Presby Church pastor takes NAM1 and Menzgold to court over investments He said Papa, who is now in the United States of America (USA), called the police to explain to them that the car had been brought down to Ghana by his brother whose name he gave only as Johnny but that it was cleared at the Tema Port by Afful, who is married to Papa's sister. He claimed that Afful was annoyed that his wife had conspired with her brother, without his (Afful's) knowledge, to sell the car and so he reported the matter to police. Mr Foh-Amoaning indicated that Sarkodie had told Papa that he was no longer interested in the car and so Papa should pay him back his money and resolve the family issue, to which Papa agreed. READ ALSO: Sarkodie attacks Shatta Wale with new diss track Advice He said he and his client had not been invited by the police but that they only showed up at the Auto Theft Unit following the information from the DVLA. Investigations are ongoing. Investigations are still ongoing. Meanwhile Sarkodie is trending in the news following his feud with Shatta Wale which led to him releasing a diss song entitled Advice to attacked Shatta Wale. Yenkasa: Does it Matter if a Child is Named by the Mother? | Yen.com.gh READ ALSO: Akua GMB flaunts Dr Kwaku Oteng's children in beautiful birthday photos 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 Space News space history and artifacts articles Messages space history discussion forums Sightings worldwide astronaut appearances Resources selected space history documents advertisements Astronaut, cosmonaut land safely after Soyuz MS-10 launch failure October 11, 2018 A Russian cosmonaut and an American astronaut bound for the International Space Station are safely back on Earth after an in-flight failure of their Russian rocket forced an emergency landing. Aleksey Ovchinin of the Russian federal space corporation Roscosmos and Nick Hague of NASA made a ballistic landing aboard Russia's Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft following a failure of their Soyuz-FG rocket, which launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 4:40 a.m. EDT (0840 GMT; 2:40 p.m. Kazakh time) on Thursday (Oct. 11) as scheduled. Ovchinin and Hague made it back to the ground, where they were eventually met by Russian recovery forces to return them to Baikonur. The anomaly was reported shortly after the booster's first stage had separated and the rocket's escape tower had been jettisoned when the Soyuz was about 28 miles (45 kilometers) in altitude. "Emergency at 2 minutes and 45 seconds, emergency, the failure of the booster," radioed Ovchinin from the spacecraft. "We are in weightlessness according to our sensations." "The shroud [fairing] has separated, everything is doing well, the crew is feeling well," Ovchinin said. "So what are the recommendations of the ground?" Russian flight controllers advised Ovchinin to command a ballistic re-entry, putting the Soyuz on a steeper-than-normal, gravity-dictated trajectory back to Earth. "We are getting ready for the g-loads," said Ovchinin, reporting moments later that he and Hague were experiencing 6.7 times for the force of gravity. Russian recovery forces that were pre-deployed for just such a situation reported seeing the Soyuz descending under its parachute and landing about 12 miles (20 kilometers) east of the remote Kazakh town of Dzhezkazgan. Further teams were deployed from Baikonur by helicopter at 4:51 a.m. EDT (0851 GMT) and arrived at the landing site about an hour and half later. Ovchinin and Hague were in touch with the recovery teams soon after they landed and were reported to be in good condition. Roscosmos said it was forming a state commission to investigate the failure. "NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksey Ovchinin are in good condition following today's aborted launch. I'm grateful that everyone is safe. A thorough investigation into the cause of the incident will be conducted," said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine in a statement issued on Twitter. Bridenstine was at the Baikonur Cosmodrome to witness the launch. Ovchinin and Hague had lifted off on Thursday to join the Expedition 57 crew on the International Space Station following what had been planned as a four-orbit, six-hour rendezvous. Expedition 57 commander Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency (ESA) and flight engineers Serena Aunon-Chancellor of NASA and Sergey Prokopyev of Roscosmos, who arrived at the space station in June, were informed of the launch failure shortly after it occurred. Ovchinin, 47, was on his second launch to the space station. In 2016, he logged 172 days as commander of Soyuz TMA-20M and as a flight engineer serving on the station's Expedition 47/48 crew. Hague, 43, was on his first spaceflight. He was the first member of NASA's 2013 class of eight astronauts, nicknamed the "Eight Balls," to be assigned to a mission. This is the second time in the 139 flight history of the Soyuz spacecraft (including 56 launches to the International Space Station) that a crew has had to make an emergency re-entry as the result of a rocket failure. In April 1975, cosmonauts Vasili Lazarev and Oleg Makarov were five minutes into their ascent at an altitude of 90 miles (145 kilometers) when their Soyuz rocket's second and third stages failed to separate. The crew experienced upwards of 21 times the force of gravity on their descent, but survived the landing. Soyuz spacecraft have also followed ballistic re-entries on their return to Earth at the end of successful missions, most recently on April 19, 2008, when the crew of Soyuz TMA-11 (Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos, Peggy Whitson of NASA and Yi So-Yeon of South Korea) landed from the International Space Station. At present, the Soyuz is the only spacecraft capable of launching astronauts and cosmonauts to and from the space station. U.S. commercial crew spacecraft built by SpaceX and Boeing are expected to enter service in 2019, but still have uncrewed test flights to complete. A NASA schedule published earlier this month showed the earliest that a crewed test flight would be ready to launch would be in June 2019. The Soyuz MS-10 launch failure comes on the heels of a space station pressure leak that in late August was traced back to an apparent drill hole inside the Soyuz MS-09 orbital module. The crew aboard the station was able to seal the hole, but an investigation into its cause is continuing. Soyuz MS-10 launches for the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on Oct. 11, 2018. (NASA/Bill Ingalls) Soyuz MS-10 crewmates Aleksey Ovchinin of Roscosmos and Nick Hague of NASA wave prior to boarding their rocket for launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on Oct. 11, 2018. (NASA/Bill Ingalls) Soyuz MS-10 crew mission patch. (Roscosmos/spacepatches.nl) Russian cosmonaut Aleksey Ovchinin of Roscosmos (at left) and NASA astronaut Nick Hague receive medical checks at the airport in Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan following their emergency landing aboard Russia's Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. (Roscosmos) 2021 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved. Scarborough Leader The Oak Hill Players are performing the musical 'Honk!', their first live performance since the COVID-19 pandemic. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. We will see how rough it is around the part of cheap swtor credits the city. These must be destroyed in 30 seconds. "The iceberg is the developing of resistant bacteria, but this bacteria is not likely to spread in the near future, but it is of concern.". However, just when everything seems to be going swell (especially for the Mall Rats who appear to have fallen on their feet), a new threat arrives in the form of the sinister, religious Chosen. Motor capability is measured by watts. Away we went before the wind with a single reef in our sail. Belcher to said William H. Wallace of the need to visit Bangladesh 'to seal' the project," the letter states. 360,000). I was focused on freebies.. Autnoma estos datos existen diferencias importantes dependiendo de cada comunidad autnoma ya que, mientras que Galicia es la regin donde sus ciudadanos descansan ms por las noches un 77,9 por ciento se levantan con energa , por contra, Murcia, La Rioja y Madrid son las comunidades donde hay ms ciudadanos que se despiertan por las maanas cansados y sin energa. Patrick Wormald added that what has been taken for overpopulation was just population concentration due to economic expansion and the mining of iron ore. The limit is one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees F. It was evident that the CocTcerton case could not be allowed to lower the standard of national education; it was equally evident that a glorified school board system meant the ulti mate ruin of all forms of tertiary or university education so far as the masses were concerned. 1^ Arab. In it, 93 per cent of teens admitted to distracted driving; 72 per cent admitted to using hand held technology, such as texting, while behind the wheel and 37 per cent admitted to e mailing while their vehicle was in motion. (NYSE:FCX), one of the foremost global miners and an explorer for mineral resources. Though the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) naming the four accused , no action was taken even after two months of the incident. The most successful materials they channeled lightning through were stainless steel and above pine tree wood. Scotland lives in Oregon!. Living donations don't always go to the sickest person, as deceased organs do, according to Dr. She controls the animal in her. As the story was told in The New York Times and repeated often, in speeches, textbooks and elsewhere Genovese was stabbed to death in Queens in the early morning hours of March 13, 1964, as 38 neighbors watched, doing nothing to alert police. They were booked with simple robbery after confessing to the crimes on video, according to officer Frank Robertson III, a New Orleans police spokesman.According to police, a man was walking in the street, when one woman and three men approached him from behind. But he added that he remained set on opening a full New York store that would be more than 250,000 square feet, and that Treasure Bond would help Nordstrom figure out how New Yorkers shop until then.. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous systems of at least 400,000 people in the United States and more than 2.3 million globally. Pre-Halloween Giveaway: 1500M FREE Swtor Credit at Swtor2credits on at 03:00 AM GMT.on October 12, 2018.snap on:https://www.swtor2credits.com/super-promo And never miss using 8% off code MEMBER for swtor credits buying from https://www.swtor2credits.com on Wednesdays. Credit: Mark WeissOzzy Osbourne has canceled the final four dates on his North American No More Tours 2 trek due to complications from the hand surgery he underwent earlier this month. The metal legend previously postponed three of the shows, set to take place in Mountain View, Chula Vista and Los Angeles, California, to later in October, but a recent evaluation from his doctors concluded that he'll likely need to go under the knife again to treat multiple infections. All three of those dates, plus an October 13 stop in Las Vegas, have now been pushed to 2019. "I'm so f***ing bummed about cancelling these shows," Ozzy says. "The tour had been going great and we were really looking forward to these last few gigs. We're hoping everyone will be patient and we'll look forward to seeing them at the shows next year." Tickets will be honored for the rescheduled dates. You can also receive a refund from your point of purchase. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. 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. DHAKA AFP Oct10, 2018- A Bangladesh court Wednesday sentenced a top opposition leader to life in prison and sentenced 19 more people to death over a 2004 grenade attack on the current prime minister. We thank God for the verdict, prosecutor Mosharraf Hossain told reporters after announcing that Tarique Rahman, the self-exiled acting head of the countrys main opposition party, was sentenced to life behind bars. We hoped that Tarique Rahman would get the death sentence, he said, adding the court observed that Rahman played a key role in the attack. Rahman, son of ex-premier Khaleda Zia, was among 49 people tried over the 2004 grenade attack that injured Sheikh Hasina and killed 20 people. Prosecutors have charged Rahman with criminal conspiracy and multiple counts of murder over the attack, which happened when Zia -- a former ally-turned-archrival of Hasina -- was prime minister. Rahman, 50, was tried in absentia after he fled the country for London in 2008. Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today refused to release Rs.1 billion belonging to Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL), that had been maintained in the Central Bank's RTGS account prior to the controversial bond scam. The defence earlier demanded that the sum be released for the expenses of the company as it belonged to PTL and existed in CBSL's system prior to the bond auction on February 27, 2015. However, after perusing certain independent reports from CBSL, the magistrate said the real amount that belonged to PTL prior to the bond scam was Rs.855 million and that funds cannot be released for the purpose of company expenses as the RTGS account was not a general bank account but was incorporated for a different purpose of the primary dealers. At the onset of the inquiry, Senior Additional Solicitor General Yasantha Kodagoda appearing for the prosecution tendered a further report with a sealed envelope which according to him contained observations of the Attorney General regarding the allegation levelled against two senior officers of the AG's Department over threatening an attorney at W.M. Mendis & Company. Kodagoda was of the view that it was for the consideration of the court to peruse the observations of the AG firstly and decide whether the document could be made available and attached to the main B-report. At this point, the defence counsel raised serious objection to the procedure in which this confidential document was tendered. President's Counsel Wasantha Navaratne Bandara appearing for the rights of the lawyer who is alleged to have been threatened by the two officers at the AG's Department was of the view that such tendering of document was not lawful as the Attorney General cannot go beyond and practice what was not stated in the Criminal Procedure Court over producing such documents. Subsequently, the magistrate grilled Kodagoda on questions raised by the defense as to whether it could be done lawfully. Kodagoda explained that there were many instances where the AG had submitted documents in a confidential manner even before the Supreme Court considering the nature of the containment of those documents. He was of the view that there was a practice in court as such and the procedure would only demand from court to peruse them and decide by itself whether the document can be made available to the public. However, considering the legal submissions made by the parties, the magistrate decided to further look into the legal aspect of the matter and deliver an order on whether such confidential sealed document be accepted by court. Thereby, the sealed envelope was returned to the prosecution till the order on it be delivered. On an earlier occasion, some serious allegations were levelled against the AG's Department and the CID by the defence counsel over forcefully recording statements from three individuals of WM Mendis & Company. Allegations were also made against two senior officers of the AG's Department who are said have threatened a defense counsel based on those statements. Meanwhile, PTL owner Arjun Aloysius and its CEO Kasun Palisena were ordered to be re-remanded till October by the magistrate over the magisterial inquiry in which they were accused of abetting and conspiring with Arjuna Mahendran to misappropriate public funds worth of Rs.688 million during the bond auction held on February 27, 2015. Perpetual Treasuries Ltd de facto owner Aloysius, its CEO Palisena were also re-remanded by the Fort Magistrate till October 25 over the parallel magisterial inquiry conducted relating to the bond scam on deleting phone call data from the PTL voice recording system and fabricating evidence to the Bond Commission. (Shehan Chamika Silva) The leading clothing store, Cool Planet at Pelawatte in Battaramulla was destroyed in a major fire which is still raging nearly three hours later. Police said fire brigade units from Kotte, Colombo, Dehiwala, and Battaramulla assisted by fire-fighters from the Air Force and the Army deployed to help douse the fire. The Air Force had also deployed a Bell 212 helicopter with Bambi bucket to douse the fire. The Kottawa Borella, 174 bus route was also closed for traffic at Pelawatta because of the fire. Police said the fire erupted at around 11 this morning and that the store had been completely destroyed. The fire fighters are making all attempts to control the fire from spreading to the shops in the vicinity. No reports of anyone being injured. Enemies are really friends. This oxymoron serves as a secret motto of some countries, particularly the United States. One wonders whether US Vice President Mike Pences broadside last Thursday at China was part of a bid to fast track the process to make an enemy out of China, if it has still not become one. It came against the backdrop of President Donald Trump taking a series of anti-China measures, including a dangerous trade war, and provocative US warship manoeuvres, like what happened last week, when a US warship in the South China Sea veered into what China calls its territorial waters but the US regards as international waters. In his broad attack, Pence accused China of predatory economic practices, military aggression against the US and of trying to undermine President Trump and harm his chances of winning re-election. Though he cited what he called US intelligence reports, he offered no solid evidence to back up his claim, except to cite Chinas alleged military designs in countries such as Sri Lanka. He said Beijing was using billions of dollars in infrastructure loans to countries across the world to tie them to the Chinese government and described this practice as debt diplomacy. The terms of those loans are opaque at best, and the benefits flow overwhelmingly to Beijing, he said and, referring to Sri Lankas Hambantota Port, he added that it was commissioned by Sri Lanka with Chinese funds in 2010, but when Sri Lanka was unable to pay back its loans, a Chinese state-owned company took ownership. It may soon become a forward military base for Chinas growing blue-water navy, Pence warned. Pences tirade against China raises a question as to why the US wants to make China a hostile nation. It also gives credence to claims that the US needs an enemy to survive. As a matter of fact, it has always had one, two or more enemies at any given time. The US is not alone. The enemy creation is part of statecraft. The behaviour of Israel and, in our neighbourhood, of India and Pakistan, indicates that states gain many advantages by having an enemy. Once the enemy is found or invented, the enemy perception is whipped up in the minds of the populace while the state seeks to achieve its geopolitical goals. There are domestic political advantages, too. At election times, it is not uncommon to see heightening tensions between enemy states, with campaign speeches full of real or imagined threats from the enemy. Because the enemy exists, politicians are able to inflate their egos and project themselves as the only leaders who could give the enemy a fitting reply. At the macro level, the bogey factor helps rulers to divert the peoples attention from real issues; from the secret deals and immoral wars they wage with ulterior motives. Remember George W. Bushs wars? Communism as an ideology, and the Soviet Union as its evil face, had been the enemy of the US for some 45 years since the end of World War II. The US fought many wars and propped up dictators in Africa, Asia and Latin America in the name of containment or to prevent Communism from gaining ground, or, in other words, to help capitalists plunder the global resources and to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US wanted a new enemy to continue its domination of the world through military means and cover up its blatant aggressions, subtle regime change campaigns and profiteering through wars. Imagine the US without an enemy. For a short period after the end of the cold war, it was without an enemy. It was the sole superpower and it came under immense pressure from within and outside the country to give leadership to a world order where peace and justice would prevail and international law would be respected. The post-cold war elation became a rallying point for greater democracy and improving human rights. It was during this period that the campaign for the setting up of a world criminal court gained momentum. Sadly, such a world order was not on the US realpolitik agenda. Then the US invented an enemy. Radical Islamists, Islamic extremists, Islamic terrorists and jihadists, whatever name one calls them, became the enemy, though they were once the United States allies, armed, trained and financed to take on the rival superpower, the Soviet Union, in Afghanistan during the cold war. They were fondly called the Mujahideen, the plural of Mujahid meaning Jihadist. The Americans called them freedom fighters and compared them with those who fought for US independence. The friends became foes, just as George Orwell explains in his famous dystopian novel 1984. The 9/11 attacks carried out by the enemy led to the undoing of the progress the world was making in strengthening democracy and human rights. The enemy helped the sole superpower to invade Afghanistan and Iraq, and create chaos in Libya, Syria and the rest of the Arab world. Now that the so-called Islamic terrorist is on the run or, more or less, wiped out, it is time to find a new enemy. China fits the bill. To put it in a more US-friendly way, while Washington was on the hunt for the Islamic terrorist, China emerged, without much noise, as a possible contender for the US. Alarmed by Chinas assertive diplomacy in the South China Sea and, of late, in the Indian Ocean, the US is now in a hurried attempt to prepare the American people for a bigger and more intensified campaign against China. It need not be military. Pences Thursdays speech was largely an attempt to take the case against China to the American people. The American people deserve to know he underlined. According to Thucydides theory, the dominant world power will not give up its number one position without a fight. Are we witnessing a preamble to such a major confrontation? The only solace is that nuclear powers do not go to war if they are ruled by rational leaders. It appears that China is doing in the South China Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean what the US did in the Caribbean and the Pacific in the 19th century. The 1823 Monroe doctrine, named after the then US President James Monroe, was a virtual warning to European powers, especially Britain, that they should not return to the Caribbean to dominate the region through colonialism or through client states. Just as the US in the 19th century ousted Britain, the then superpower, from the Caribbean or from the US neighbourhood, without a fight and while maintaining friendly relations, China is now on a campaign to oust the US from the seas in Chinas neighbourhood, while maintaining friendly relations. Just as the US resorted to the dollar diplomacy and economic hegemony, China is now resorting to Yuan diplomacy and trying to become a world power through its belt-and-road initiative. The US is not unaware of these moves. The US will not let the fate that befell Britain in the Caribbean befall it in the South China Sea region. That is the reason why the US keeps challenging Chinas sovereignty over islands and coral reefs in the South China Sea. But at present, the conflict is more a battle of wits than military. A series of events were held on October 2 to begin the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi. Many more events focusing on the life and philosophy of Gandhi would be organised during the next two years. Mahatma Gandhi traveled extensively in Sri Lanka during his visit in 1927. President Maithripala Sirisena held a special programme to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at the Presidential Secretariat. The High Commission of India has created a special video Vaishnav Jana To, a bhajan liked by Gandhi Ji, sung by popular Sri Lankan artists Bhathiya, Santush and Umaria. The video was launched at the event by President Sirisena. The High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu gifted a portrait of Gandhi to President Sirisena who thanked the High Commissioner and announced that Gandhis portrait would be permanently displayed at the Presidents office. As a tribute to Gandhi, special commemorative postal stamps were released by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at Temple Trees. High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu gifted a portrait of Gandhi to President Sirisena who thanked the High Commissioner and announced that Gandhis portrait would be permanently displayed at the Presidents office. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya launched a well-researched book in Sinhala on Mahatma Gandhis visit to Sri Lanka, written by veteran journalist Mr. Sampath Bandara at Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre. A special musical performance by violin maestro Dr. L. Subramaniam and the National Leipaja Latvian Philharmonic Orchestra was held at Nelum Pokuna auditorium in the evening. The event was attended by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Prof. Maithree Wickremesinghe, Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Leader of the Opposition R. Sampanthan, Governor Hemakumara Nanayakkara and many other distinguished dignitaries from cultural, professional, academic and business areas. Iconic Colombo Municipal Town Hall was lit with special LED lights to showcase Gandhis images. Minister Faiszer Musthapha yesterday vowed to work proactively and vigorously to secure the release of Lahiru Madushanka, a Sri Lankan man held in Maldives on charges of being part of an assassination plot on outgoing Maldivian President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom. Minister Musthapha said Mr. Madushanka was a Sri Lankan job seeker, who went to Maldives in October, 2015 in the promise of employment but unfortunately he was arrested in Maldives for allegedly plotting to assassinate outgoing Maldivian President Gayoom. The Maldivian authorities suspected him to be a sniper who previously worked for the military. He was arrested in 2015, and is currently behind bars on account of a much prolonged trial. Mr. Madushanka has no access to his family or a lawyer up until now, he said. He also said the Amnesty International issued a report, which included the present condition of Mr. Madushanka, claiming that he was being tortured. With the blessings of President Maithripala Sirisena, I met Maldivian President-Elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih - Ibu. I also took up the case of Mr. Madushanka and discussed in depth the details of his case, he said. I informed Maldivian President-Elect Solih - Ibu that there is no record of Mr. Madushanka ever working for the military or any other security force. The evidence against him is insufficient to press further charges, he added. He said Maldivian President-Elect had guaranteed to expedite the process and immediately grant a solution to the problem. (Kalathma Jayawardhane) Four men were arrested under the Terrorism Act while protesting against the Sri Lankan Prime Minister's visit to Oxford. The men, aged 28, 34, 50 and 54 were arrested on Monday during Ranil Wickremesinghes visit to talk at the Oxford Union off St Michael's Street. They were held on suspicion of being members of and displaying an article of a proscribed organisation under section 11 and 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000. The Sri Lankan leader joined other speakers at the Union this week including Jo Malone and the former president of Botswana. Oxford Union wrote online: Prime Minister Wickremesinghe is one of Sri Lankas most decorated politicians. Thames Valley Police said the arrests were made at 11.16 pm on Monday by officers from the force. They have since been released under investigation and no further information by police can be given whilst the investigation is continuing. Section 11 explains that a person commits an offence if they belong to a prohibited group. Section 13 states that an offence is made if a person wears an item of clothing, or carries and displays items that arouse suspicion that they are part of a forbidden organisation. (Oxfordshire) The Supreme Court today affirmed the death sentence imposed by the High Court on ex-MP Duminda Silva and two others who were convicted of killing former presidential adviser Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra when the SC took up for hearing the appeal filed by the accused challenging the HC order. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court acquitted the first accused from all charges at this hearing. Mr. Silva and three others were earlier sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court in 2016 after they were found guilty of the charge of killing Mr. Premachandra and three others in 2011.(Shehan Chamika Silva) Video by Prasanna Years ago, when Malinda Seneviratne and Michael Meyler crossed swords over English Our Way, the debate was between Standard English and Sri Lankan English. My contention then, as now, was that disagreement with one does not necessarily imply agreement with the other, since such dichotomies dont play out in reality. If the World Englishs project assumes a world of language practices and standards, it makes perfect sense to acquaint oneself with both default and local variants of those standards. For Malinda, this was a first step in facing the ghost of colonialism. For me, the rationale was simpler: intellectuals who spill ink over the non-speaker assume that the Native Other requires their benevolence. It is to break this cycle of dependence that I believe we must get out of the rhetoric of Sri Lankan English. The truth is that English Our Way failed because it empowered a community of non-speakers to wield English the way they wanted to without making them aware of the base on which it stood. One can say, Screw it, we dont need English as she should be spoke. One can say, Screw it, we can create our own standards! But to break away from tradition, one must be acquainted with that tradition. The truth is that English Our Way failed because it empowered a community of non-speakers to wield English the way they wanted to without making them aware of the base on which it stood All these seem peripheral to the debate over English and how it is perceived by the majority in this country, but these issues are vital to our understanding of the debate because, believe it or not, the subject of English education is never as hard as its cut out to be. As far as languages go, English is, if we are to quote Malinda himself here, eminently learnable. And if it is, then that means that all those other issues pointed out above are, for the lack of a better way of putting it, nonentities which have been turned into profound, self-apparent problems by academics and practitioners. Sure, its not the easiest language to learn but thats because it operates on two layers: written and spoken. Unlike Sinhala, English does not operate on a rift between these two layers, but in post colonial societies like Sri Lanka, the myth of elocution and its poorer cousin Spoken English has been sustained for so long that spoken and written English remain miles apart. That is why students from Grade Six and even before are sent to two kinds of classes, to write and pass exams and to pronounce. Unlike Sinhala, English does not operate on a rift between these two layers, but in post colonial societies like Sri Lanka, the myth of elocution and its poorer cousin Spoken English has been sustained for so long that spoken and written English remain miles apart Parents tend to privilege English during their childrens middle school years, since when the O/Levels and A/Levels are around, they get them to concentrate on more important subjects. Needless to say, tuition Sirs and Madams profit from this trend to such an extent that one hardly, if ever, come across English tuition classes at A/Levels or O/Levels (even though English is compulsory for the latter). The free market, in other words, squeezes money out of student while he is in middle school. Just what is taught during this period, within and outside the classroom, is a matter of debate. As a subject, it falls into that classic self-contradictory dilemma: children are taught too much, and also too little. The way I see it, this reflects the entire countrys attitude towards the language: we want it, but cant have it, and we want to speak it, and are assailed every day by a pop culture that has democratised the standards of that language (rap, hip-hop, the American thriller film), but still cant find the courage to put two words together. Teenagers who sing the latest Ed Sheeran song start trembling when asked to recite a poem or deliver a speech in front of a class. Its as soft as a rose, as flexible as it can get, and yet, as a language, it is also as hard as steel, if not harder: were told that everyone can penetrate it, that through some magical formula called English Our Way we can master it, but in reality, we cannot. Part of the reason for that, of course, is the dependency culture weve grown used to. At a basic level, we believe that tuition teachers can deliver. That they can and that the more gifted of them can spoon-feed their students well is another story altogether, but even accounting for this, the fact is that parents believe all it takes for their childrens marks to improve is a visit to the tuition master. There are young people I encounter who want to learn Spoken English for reasons which exist outside their classrooms. Some of them neglected tuition in their middle school years and regret it. Others heard their friends speak it eloquently. Still others feel that they may be seen as goday if they dont pronounce words properly For a hard subject that requires memorisation, theres no harm in entertaining such an attitude. A language, by contrast, be it English, Sinhala, Tamil, or Swahili, thrives on more than just rote learning. It thrives on a literature, a culture of connoisseurship that enables the student to wade through using every possible means, including the popular culture. (For pop culture, despite its derogatory overtones, can become, in the hands of the astute student, a means of learning: after all even Shakespeare, before he became the subject of academic treatises, belonged to that culture once.) There are young people I encounter who want to learn Spoken English for reasons which exist outside their classrooms. Some of them neglected tuition in their middle school years and regret it. Others heard their friends speak it eloquently. Still others feel that they may be seen as goday if they dont pronounce words properly. Either way, they see in English one way of climbing the social ladder. They do not want to master it. They do not even want to speak it eloquently. They only want to speak the language, passably. And they want to get their diphthongs correct, even if they dont practice with marbles in their mouth. No, they are probably not enthusiastic about the Henry Higgins school of Received Pronunciation (who is?), but while they are not students of elocution, they do want to get their accents and inflections correct (regardless of whether or not those accents and inflections are posh). However, even with their feelings of inferiority, for them English is no more than a mode of communication. I understand what people say, Ive learnt the grammar the way I can, but to talk back to those people with the same intensity, the same ease and passion, is what I want is the typical response I get from students when I ask them about what they feel they lack. Its a paradox at one level. These young people do not want to master the language they hanker after. Advertisement after advertisement preach the virtues of Spoken English (for the Sinhala speaking lower middle class) or Elocution (for the English speaking middle class), and these youngsters are aware that they should speak it, but they want to be through with it quickly. Actually, we do want to speak it [actually figures in the dictionary of the Sinhala non-English speaking youth: the most obvious reason for this I can point out is that, as with words like therefore, they feel every sentence has to be prefixed by it, almost as a matter of etiquette], but you know, we want to speak it really fast, one young man told me. There lies the paradox and the tragedy: when it comes to the kadda, the non-speaker has been forced to acknowledge its importance through reasons that exist outside the classroom. The textbooks and workbooks they use are worthless, so they resort to the next best thing: the Spoken English class, overseen by teachers whose credentials are, if at all, suspect. And yet, when they resort to it, they want to speak it swiftly. So out of the window goes the need to learn the language by its literature. Out of that same window also goes that culture of connoisseurship, through which a language can not only be spoken, but more importantly also mastered. At the end of the day, this is the problem English Our Way has not resolved. The free market has castrated English (its castrated Sinhala too, but thats another story). It has divorced language from literature. It has created a class of wannabe speakers out of the non English speakers, separating them from the snooty writers who, as Malinda once put it, talk about English Our Way over a cup of tea at 2.34 pm in some living room in a non-Sri Lankan English that the people of this country are now being told they dont have to learn. It has messed up everything, turning us at the end of the day into a nation of gandabba English speakers, neither here nor there. In another essay I shall delve into the mannerisms and characteristics of the young non English speaker, as I have come across him/her. For now, however, I will close with a contentious observation: while the snooty speaker dwells on Sri Lankan English as the way forward for the country, the country is being fragmented by an inadequate and unsuitable level of English education, even as intellectuals whove benefited from the elitist structures it has spawned lament those same structures (and that, I should add, in a rather unsatisfactory, hypocritical way). A tragedy? You bet! UDAKDEV1@GMAIL.COM Washington (dpa), Oct 10, 2018- US President Donald Trump wants to wait until after midterm congressional elections next month to hold a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump told reporters on a flight from Washington, DC to the mid-western state of Iowa on Tuesday that he was currently too busy campaigning to arrange it. I just cant leave now, he said. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held talks with Kim in the North Korean capital Pyongyang last weekend that also addressed the issue of a potential second summit. Trump and Kim held their first meeting in Singapore in June, but the president said earlier Tuesday the venue would likely change for a second summit. Were talking about three or four different locations, Trump said. Asked whether his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida - where he previously hosted Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese leader Xi Jinping - was an option, Trump answered, I think it would be good, but well see. The date for their next summit wont be too far away, Trump added. President Maithripala Sirisena who was loved, voted for and ushered in with much hope for the countrys future now sees the road ahead of him in politics strewn with obstacles. Some opine that the president is in dire straits given the unstable economy and the ever widening gulf between him and the Premier. There are also reports that the president has said that Wickremesinghe is stifling the efforts he is taking to carry out his work. Amidst all these issues and uncertainties associated with the Yahapalana regime what really stirred a hornets nest was the story that did the rounds that Sirisena was going to team up with Mahinda Rajapaksa and form a caretaker Government. Neither Sirisena nor Rajapaksa has denied having had a meeting in this regard, but the latter has used this opportunity to show that he is still the number one choice to lead a party, the country and the people. Rajapaksa has said that he would respond to forming a caretaker Government only if the call is made by Sirisena himself. But as it is, that whole story about the emerging of an interim administration has boiled down to being someones made up story. But if there is something good about this speculative story it exposed how vulnerable Sirisena is these days. He is running out of support within the Unity Government where the majority UNPers are talking about fielding their own candidate at the 2020 Presidential Elections. There is little hope for Sirisena even if he leans on the remaining SLFPers given that this party finished a poor third at the last LG Polls. Given this scenario the much hyped up story about a caretaker government being formed gives Sirisena time to think and play his cards right. Critics however point out whether he is left with any! In political terms he has burnt the bridge as far as his relationships with Wickremesinghe and the UNP are concerned. Going down memory lane we saw how Sirisena was non-committal when the Joint Opposition moved a no-confidence motion against the Premier this year. Some say that Sirisena wished to see the ousting of Wickremesinghe because that would have allowed the president to have an SLFPer as the Premier. Can Sirisena now expect favours from Wickremesinghe in the future battles he has to face in the political sphere? We see clearly that Sirisena is craving to be on the hot seat as president. Given that the majority in the Joint Opposition would snub him in the event he asks for support it is said that he is desperate in working out a way to retain power. Right now, as speculation suggests, the only person he can turn to is former President Rajapaksa. A fact that Sirisena must consider very seriously is that he would be in a weak position in the event he decides to approach Rajapaksa for help. On the other hand the party that Rajapaksa guides-Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP)- is on the verge of handing over the party reigns to him formally. This will increase the clout Rajapaksa has in politics. In this backdrop UNP Leader Wickremensinghe has asked party seniors to talk to SLFP reps and find out their stance at the upcoming Provincial Council Elections. There are also reports of Sirisena chairing an ex-co meeting of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) where a decision was taken to appoint a sub-committee to review the partys relationship with the UNP. While Wickremesinghe wants the Provincial Council Elections held soon, those at the meeting that the President chaired had disagreed with the electoral system under which the elections would be conducted. Overall it would be more of a disadvantage for the SLFP to go for elections now given that even the UNP is ahead of them and the SLPP enjoys an overwhelming presence in the political set-up. Sirisenas political saga, it seems, is coming to a sad end, akin to the bank book of a businessman who has crashed! Four people are vying to fill two seats, each with a four-year term, on the Del Mar City Council. Residents will have the opportunity on Nov. 6 to vote for Brian Fletcher, Terry Gaasterland, Dan Quirk or incumbent Mayor Dwight Worden. Meet the candidates (in alphabetical order) in their own words: Brian Fletcher Occupation: Businessman Number of years living in Del Mar: 54 What are your top three priorities for Del Mar? 1. I want to improve public safety. To reduce the risk of wildfire and increase the effectiveness of firefighters, I would accelerate the city's undergrounding of dangerous power lines. Despite voters passing a 1 percent sales tax increase in 2016 to help fund undergrounding, no more power lines have yet been buried. Brian Fletcher Courtesy To prevent crime, I would establish more active Neighborhood Watch programs; add patrols; encourage residents and businesses to better secure and monitor their mail, vehicles and property; and increase accountability for follow up investigations. Let's be proactive in eradicating mosquitos and improving drainage to prevent their breeding so we don't get another bad infestation next summer. 2. I want to preserve our quality of life. The proposed large commercial development atop the North Bluff overlooking Dog Beach raises serious concerns about traffic and other potential negative impacts to residents. It would require a zoning change to high-density mixed use which conflicts with our voter-approved Community Plan and Helen Woodward's deed restriction for single-family use. This is why the citizens of Del Mar should be able to vote on this zoning change and project. I support beach access which is threatened by the railroad and new plans to install fencing along our southern bluffs. 3. I want to save our beach and bluff neighborhoods. Over 600 residences are threatened by the Coastal Commission which seeks to wipe away our voter-approved rights to shoreline protection. They already succeeded in Solana Beach where most seawalls will eventually be removed. I won't let that happen in Del Mar since residences and businesses in the new FEMA flood zone are worth $1.5 billion. The city cannot let $300,000 in grants they unwisely accepted requiring "retreat" strategies that remove seawalls and homes or adopting potentially erroneous flood maps erode our property rights and a significant part of our tax base. Let's work on sand replenishment and retention to save our beaches. Terry Gaasterland Occupation: Professor / Scientist / Entrepreneur Number of years living in Del Mar: 15 years What are your top three priorities for Del Mar? 1. Action plan to underground utilities, protect our neighborhoods from fire, and improve views. Risk from wildfires puts poles near Crest Canyon at highest priority. Sparks can create wildfires. Fallen wires can block rescuers from homes. Next, priority should go to poles that disrupt views and neighborhoods with plans in place. Funds are in place lets put them to work. Further, the city needs a better process to flag overgrown or diseased trees and keep them trimmed without high fees to impacted homeowners. Terry Gaasterland Courtesy 2. Long-term plan to preserve our beaches, bluffs and wetlands while protecting our neighborhoods from flooding. On the Sea Level Rise committee, we learned Del Mars sand has diminished over the years due to groins in Oceanside and Lake Hodges Dam. Our beaches are already at risk, and erosion from sea level rise and climate change will make it worse. Del Mar lacks a regular sand replenishment and retention plan to keep our beaches healthy and protect over 600 homes in the beach community from flooding risk. San Dieguito River flooding risk must also be addressed as laid out in our Adaptation Plan. 3. Preserve neighborhood character throughout Del Mar. From the proposed north Bluff Resort to the home next door, Design Review and public input must ensure projects meet Del Mar values. The Bluff Resort has potential to negatively transform Del Mar through increased traffic, congestion, and density. It would replace quiet, natural green spaces in north Del Mar with high-density commercial use. Rezoning the north bluff from low-density residential to high-density commercial must go to a vote of the people. At the other end of town in the south bluff neighborhood, NCTD plans to fence the railroad tracks in 2019. This makes safe railroad crossings to access bluff and beach even more urgent. Ultimately, we must work to move the railroad tracks off the bluff. Dan Quirk Occupation: Investment Advisor, Entrepreneur Number of years living in Del Mar: 9 What are your top three priorities for Del Mar? 1. My top priority is burying powerlines quickly. I helped to lead the 2016 Measure Q campaign that will make this possible, as well as our downtown streetscaping project and the redevelopment of Shores Park. The beautification and fire safety benefits from undergrounding are going to be widespread, substantial, and promote more beautification efforts. Currently, the powerlines serve as something of a broken window effect that discourages other initiatives like repairing roads, planting greenery, picking up garbage, and taking ownership of ones street. Dan Quirk Courtesy As part of removing powerlines along the San Dieguito lagoon, well also finish the trail along the lagoon so that we can complete the Del Mar Scenic Loop Trail, extending from the lagoon, across Crest Canyon, down to Torrey Pines, and back along the beach to the lagoon. This is in the 1976 Community Plan! When completed, this 7-mile trail will become one of the great Del Mar attractions for residents and visitors alike. And I would love for this project to be overseen by professionals, but driven with volunteer workCivilian Conservation Corp-style. Im ready to swing a pick axe, listen to some music, and share a beer in the sun at the end of long but great day of gratifying work. 2. My second priority includes using data analytics and electronic survey data on a wide variety of issues to obtain hard numbers that will help the community reach better and more efficient decisions. 3. My third priority is finding creative solutions to our very serious affordable housing requirements. As most cities do, Del Mar is looking to do this through upsized and controversial development projects. There are better ways that will create much less controversy and require much less of an overall development footprint. See more on this and many other ideas at my website at www.danquirkdelmar2018.com. Dwight Worden Occupation: Mayor, City of Del Mar; retired land use and city attorney Number of years living in Del Mar: 37 What are your top three priorities for Del Mar? 1. Prioritizing residents and local control. This is my #1 priority, and I have a decades-long track record empowering residents and maximizing local control over important decisions shaping our community. I authored the Beach Preservation Initiative, approved by voters in 1988, to enhance local control of our beach, including the right of property owners to build seawalls, and the power to reclaim public beach from private encroachments for all residents to enjoy. I authored Measure B, requiring voter approval for large projects within the commercial zone; it gave residents a strong voice in shaping the Plaza, Hotel, and other major projects. As your councilmember, Ill continue to work to ensure local control and a strong resident voice in key decisions, including our sea level rise and affordable housing strategies, and large developments. Dwight Worden Courtesy When I voted to limit short-term rentals, I did it to prioritize residents and residential neighborhoods, keeping high-intensity mini-hotels from operating next door to you. If elected, I will continue to work for the right of residents to exercise local control over important decisions, ensuring they are consistent with our core values as set forth in our Community Plan. 2. Making downtown vibrant - As your Mayor, I voted to carry out our downtown streetscape program, and my endorsements from key business leaders, including the original developers and current owners of the Del Mar Plaza, reflect my record and commitment to work collaboratively with the business community to make our commercial district more vibrant, better serving both residents and visitors. Oliver Contreras-Pool/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- The Trump administration is finalizing its plan for schools to deal with sexual assault allegations, according to advocacy groups and college officials who have met privately with senior government officials. The proposal, known as rules for Title IX -- the civil rights law that prohibits gender discrimination in a person's education -- is widely expected to limit the scope of inquiries by colleges and universities and make it easier for students accused of misconduct to push back. Drafted by the Department of Education and under review by President Donald Trump's budget office, the proposal is likely to spark heated debate. It follows the bruising confirmation fight for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual assault at a house party when he was in high school three decades ago. Two other women made similar accusations. Kavanaugh vehemently denied all of them. The revised guidelines are being pushed by a small group of advocates who have told Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and other high-ranking government officials in private meetings that they believe male students are often falsely accused and face expulsion from colleges and universities with little due process. The Department of Education declined to comment. The New York Times first obtained a draft of the proposal this summer, and at least one version has since been posted online. Advocacy groups involved in the ongoing discussions said among the provisions they expect to see in the final draft is one that wouldn't require schools to investigate incidents that occur off campus, even if it involves students. Another provision would put schools on the hook to investigate allegations only if they're made to certain designated authorities, such as the school's Title IX coordinator. And the new rules would likely allow for more thorough cross-examinations, possibly requiring that the person making the allegation sit in the same room as the accused. Cynthia P. Garrett, co-president of a group called "Families Advocating for Campus Equality," said she's been pushing for these changes because they give students accused of misconduct better opportunities to defend themselves. "I don't want to make it difficult for people who claim to be victims to come forward. But it shouldn't be easy either," she told ABC News. "I think there should be a threshold for evidence or proof before you ruin someone's life." Garrett, who also works with a similar advocacy group called SAVE, said she met with budget officials last week on the subject, a follow up to a meeting last year with DeVos. In 2017, DeVos convened several "listening sessions" with various stakeholders, including college Title IX officers and victims' rights groups, as well as FACE and SAVE. Victims' rights advocates argue that DeVos is downplaying the problem of sexual violence on college campuses. They argue the new approach would unfairly tilt investigations in favor of the perpetrator and dramatically reduce the number of women willing to come forward. "It limits the responsibilities of schools to respond to sexual assault ... and it doesn't take into consideration trauma" of the victim, said Shiwali Patel, senior counsel at the National Women's Law Center, who up until this summer was working at the Education Department's civil rights office on this issue. At stake are the billions of dollars a year the federal government gives to schools. To qualify, schools have to meet requirements under Title IX, the 1972 civil rights law that prohibits gender discrimination in any education program that receives federal funding. Under Title IX, sexual harassment and sexual assault is a form of unlawful discrimination. One major sticking point in the debate is disagreement on how widespread the problem of sexual assault really is. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the most recent assessment on sexual assault on colleges is from 2016. That survey across nine diverse colleges and universities found that 25 percent of women reported that they had experienced unwanted and nonconsensual sexual contact since entering college. But the study notes that it didn't collect details on the incident, such as the type of sexual contact. So how common are false allegations? The same office reported it doesn't have that information and could only point to an FBI estimate from 22 years ago. That report estimated false accusations account for only 8 percent of cases. But a 2016 government report warned that statistics on sexual assault can be tricky because studies depend on who's surveyed, what questions are asked and whether women feel emboldened to answer truthfully. That statistical void has paved the way for both sides to speak about sexual violence in deeply partisan terms. Last year, DeVos announced plans to replace Obama-era guidance and blamed a "failed system" for the "hundreds upon hundreds of cases" filed with the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights. "Instead of working with schools on behalf of students, the prior administration weaponized the Office for Civil Rights to work against schools and against students," she said. Helping to lead the effort under DeVos has been Candice Jackson, who wrote a 2005 book detailing assault allegations against former President Bill Clinton. She later swung behind Trump's candidacy despite reports that he faced his own allegations of sexual assault. Garrett insists her push for new rules isn't partisan. But she argues that Obama-era guidelines were ensnaring "Eagle Scouts" and "highly intelligent" kids, rather than "predators." She also blames what she describes as extreme feminist ideology on college campuses that encourages women to see themselves as victims when, she said, the case probably involves "two drunk kids having sex." Women's rights advocates including Patel counter that this kind of rhetoric grossly distorts the realities of sexual assault on college campuses. "The reality of it is that so few false accusations actually occur, and the number of survivors of sexual assault is really high," Patel said. "That's the issue we should be talking about." Jennifer McCary, Title IX coordinator for Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, which recently hosted a conference on the subject, said she expects every administration to put its stamp on the issue. But one point she'd like to see addressed is how the Education Department wants schools to respond if students come to them with off-campus allegations of assault -- if the final rules exclude off-campus sites, as expected. And, she said, there can probably be alternative ways to ensure a person accused of sexual misconduct is given due process without requiring both people sit in a room for a cross-examination. "We wouldn't want to turn our students away because it didn't happen in our jurisdiction," McCary said. Above all, she added, any regulation "should be supportive of all of our students." Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Solana Beach candidates appeared to agree Oct. 9 that land use was the citys most critical issue and that the city should not resort to roundabouts to improve Lomas Santa Fe Drive. But the candidates Kristi Becker, Kelly Harless, Shawn McClondon, Craig Nelson and Valeri Paul also clashed at their second forum when discussing ideas like how Lomas Santa Fe should be improved, how the council should move forward with discussing the street, and how the city should approach a controversial high-density project in nearby Del Mar. When it came to the roundabouts which have been widely opposed by residents at city council meetings for months before the council eliminated them from consideration Sept. 26 all of the candidates expressed opposition. They also agreed the number of lanes on Lomas Santa Fe should not be reduced. However, when discussing how future discussion of improvements on the street should be handled, some candidates shared different ideas. Nelson, a 15-year resident and finance executive who has been fiercely against roundabouts, believed citizens from all areas and organizations should be added to a study group to evaluate options. Everybody that has a stake in this should have a seat at the table, he urged. But Becker, an attorney who grew up in Solana Beach, said the city does not have the resources to fund such a group. Instead, she said the discussions should happen organically and should be open to the public. Lets all talk about it, she said. Lets not limit it to a few people on a commission. In regard to development and housing, the candidates agreed the council should find ways to add more affordable housing. They also said they believed such housing should not be restricted to certain age groups, although they also appeared to agree that the senior housing at Solana Highlands was a good idea. Each of the candidates also shared concerns about the proposed Del Mar Resort project, which is currently planned to include 251 hotel rooms, 76 residential units and event space on 16.5 acres at Camino Del Mar and Border Avenue. Although the property is in Del Mar, many Solana Beach residents have shared concerns about increased traffic and blocked views. McClondon, a nine-year resident and online marketing consultant, said Solana Beach should be able to benefit financially from the project. Whatever happens with that resort, Solana Beach should get more revenue than what is proposed currently, he said. But Harless, a 20-year resident who has served on Solana Beachs View Assessment Commission, said extra revenue would not make up for the inconveniences as a result of the project. Our quality of life is not for sale, she said. Paul, a former school teacher, believed city assets that could be used at the resort, like water, could help give residents a voice when it came to the project. When I read about this resort, it sounds like its going to suck our commodity which is water if we dont plan right, she said. This is the time right now to get on board and start talking to get a plan in place. Solana Beach residents will be asked to vote to fill two candidate seats in the Nov. 6 election. The Del Mar Union School District has six candidates seeking to fill the three available seats on the board. The North Coastal Council of PTAs and Del Mar Hills PTA has scheduled a non-partisan forum for the DMUSD candidates on Monday, Oct. 15 at 6 p.m. at Del Mar Hills Academy. Meet the candidates (in alphabetical order) in their own words: Katherine Fitzpatrick Courtesy Katherine Fitzpatrick I grew up in Del Mar, attending Del Mar Heights, Earl Warren, and graduating from Torrey Pines HS in 1996. I received a BA from UCSD in Latin American Studies and hold teaching credentials in multiple subjects and Spanish and a masters in school counseling. I have studied and taught in various parts of Mexico offering me a distinct multi-cultural perspective. I have substitute taught in districts throughout the county, allowing me to experience a variety of instructional approaches and styles. In Poway, I taught first grade and collaborated with dual-immersion language program teachers. At Hoover HS, I worked as a school counselor and at-risk intervention coordinator, identifying supports for hundreds of students. At UC High, I was on the School Site Council, providing oversight on federal and state funded programs. My husband James is a math teacher at Hoover and we are the proud parents of three future DMUSD students. What is the biggest issue facing the district and what do you hope to bring to the board? Our district attracts the worlds best and brightest families and with that growth comes the need to continually ensure we are remaining innovative in all areas, from curriculum and design, to maintenance and facilities. Many of our schools need repairs and updating while there is a need to build a ninth school in East Pacific Highlands Ranch that cannot be ignored. DMUSD has always been a district that puts students and families first so providing them with schools that are safe and easily accessible with small class sizes is essential. Funding for these projects is at a premium and state contribution is minimal. I support Measure MM and the districts Facilities Master Plan which will alleviate overcrowding and long commute times for families while also modernizing the Heights and each of our other schools. Every one of our neighborhood schools is unique and valuable and deserves equal representation and attention. Offering every stakeholder a chance to participate in the direction of the district creates opportunities for productive dialogue and harmonious engagement. In addition to maintaining our facilities, we must continue working to remain on the forefront of delivering curriculum and instruction that matches the pace and progress of the world we live in. Lessons that are project-based, collaborative, and student-directed, ignite students innate passion for exploration, empowering them to take ownership of their education. Lessons must be standards-based with targeted directions and outcomes and provide students with opportunities for constructive feedback and growth. Failure at a first attempt is something to be celebrated and built upon. Continuing to fund essential programs like STEAM+ and partnering with local community organizations taps into this potential. Lastly, our district must be a leader in promoting the social and emotional well-being of the whole-child because healthy, well-supported students are the future we all depend on. Libby Hellmann Courtesy Libby Hellmann As the daughter of a career military officer and nurse, I grew up with a commitment to public service. I earned a BA in political science from West Virginia University, where I served on the board of governors, providing student perspective to the university. My career began on Capitol Hill as a Congressional staffer, and spanned policy and management positions in government, non-profit and political sectors. My husband, John, and I are long-time residents of Del Mar. Our three children, Patsy, Jack and Andrew, currently attend a DMUSD school. I actively volunteer in this district, spending many hours a week in the classroom.I serve on the PTA executive board of Del Mar Hills. I was elected as an executive board member of the DMSEF, where I was twice honored by the Governing Board for my leadership and service. I am fully committed to the continued success of the DMUSD. What is the biggest issue facing the district and what do you hope to bring to the board? I believe the biggest issue facing the district is balancing a responsible budget with healthy reserves while optimizing funding that creates enriching educational experiences for all students. As one of about 100 basic aid districts, our funding comes mostly from local property taxes rather than the state. As a result, DMUSD has more dollars per student, providing highly trained teachers and small class sizes. However, we dont have the financial safety net of the state to fund retirement and unemployment plans nor to maintain and upgrade our facilities. We need to build a solid financial plan that ensures educational excellence and projects for the future. Beyond the benefit to our children, excellent schools help strengthen property values and create a strong sense of community. From my years working in government, I gained extensive experience in public administration that will enable me to effectively execute the duties of a DMUSD board member. I understand how to address the rules and regulations made in D.C. and Sacramento that flow down to our district. My volunteer experiences have provided me with substantial insight into both teachers and students needs at specific school sites as well as the district at large. If elected, I pledge to promote district unity and transparency. I will bring a collaborative, solution-oriented style to the board. I will concentrate on outcomes that represent district-wide priorities when advocating for students, setting goals, and providing direction to the superintendent. I will work to ensure decisions to spend hard-earned taxpayer dollars are made responsibly. I believe every student deserves a safe community school with small class sizes. I will advocate that school improvements are done with the community, not to the community. I believe that when stakeholders work together, students are more successful and the entire community benefits. Gee Wah Mok Courtesy Gee Wah Mok I was born and raised in San Diegos East County to immigrants from Hong Kong. My mother was a city librarian and she filled our home with a treasure trove of books. While our financial resources were limited, my parents promised to provide whatever I needed for my education. They knew a quality education opened the doors to allow one to succeed in life. I believe every child in the Del Mar Union School District should have the same opportunities for success. I attended U.C. Berkeley and Cornell Law School and returned to San Diego to practice law. Like many of you, my wife and I settled in Carmel Valley to raise our now four-year-old child in the finest school district in the county. With another child due in December, we are heavily invested in the success of this district for our children and our community for years to come. What is the biggest issue facing the district and what do you hope to bring to the board? The biggest issue facing the district is meeting the critical needs of its aging and overcrowded facilities while maintaining the stellar quality of instruction for which the district is well-known.This is why I am helping co-chair the campaign for Yes on Measure MM. I am already actively supporting our school district and our communitys children and I will continue to do the same as a board trustee. I am working tirelessly with civic groups, elected officials and community leaders engaging the communitys support in order to secure the necessary funding to address repairs and construct new schools. This will allow us to maintain small class sizes and retain our outstanding teachers. I am also an outspoken supporter that each community should have a neighborhood school which is a dynamic center of community life. If elected, I will continue to bring the same energy, open communication and engagement to my role on the school board. I intend to be a visible presence in our schools and the community, collaborating with parents, teachers, community members and students in order to make educated decisions that reflect the communitys values and put children first. I believe in making fiscally responsible decisions that are transparent so that we ensure our hard-earned tax dollars are spent wisely and responsibly to benefit all of our children. As a father, my priority is ensuring the academic and emotional well-being of our children in a safe and supportive learning environment. The long-term health of our school district benefits the entire community, and I pledge to put my abilities and energy in service of this community and its children. Doug Rafner Courtesy Doug Rafner It has been my honor to have served the community on the Del Mar Union School Districts Governing Board of Trustees for the last eight years and am hoping to serve another term. I served five of those years as president. I have been an attorney in California since 1992 and was trained as a mediator in 2010 at the Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law. I am currently serving on the San Diego Superior Courts Mediation panel. I have taught mediation and negotiation at Thomas Jefferson School of Law. I am also a practicing attorney in the area of civil litigation. I was raised in the San Fernando Valley, near Los Angeles. I attended California State University Northridge, where I earned my BA in communications. I am married, and have three children, all of whom are DMUSD alum. What is the biggest issue facing the district and what do you hope to bring to the board? It seems to be a repetitive statement, but funding continues to be the biggest issue the district faces. It is funding that has caused the need for the district to seek a GO bond, in order to repair its facilities. It is funding that requires the board to maintain a healthy reserve to ensure the district is able any unforeseen financial pitfalls. Our district is one of the best in the state, and that is not an accident. Our teachers are second to none, our students work hard and our parents and stakeholders provide consistent support ensuring our districts success. Consistency, trust and knowledge are attributes I have brought and will continue to bring to the board if re-elected. Our district has succeeded by maintaining a helicopters perspective on, and sharp focus on doing what is best for our children. Providing them with the safest environment to learn in, the most cutting edge tools to use, and a curriculum that drives them into the future as our next generations leaders, is not just an idea our district uses, it is a mainstay. Our Districts Design 2022 program helps to show students how their work can have real effects in the world. Our Facilities Master Plan, when implemented, will provide our students with the environment in which to succeed. Having served on the board, and having graduated from the California School Board Associations Masters in Governance Program, I understand what is necessary to work with my fellow board members for the good of every student. I understand the need for transparency when working on behalf of the community. With the hopeful passage of our GO Bond, we will need to have a clear understanding of what is necessary for the future. Chris Tyler Courtesy Chris Tyler I grew up in Fairfield, California, where both of my parents were public school teachers. From them, I learned the value of education and hard work in achieving my goals. After putting myself through college, I moved to San Diego and began my career in finance. I later moved into information technology and business intelligence, and have worked at many of the areas best-known companies. I am currently an I.T. Enterprise Architect at a global genomics company where I have successfully implemented multiple large-scale projects. Over the past 25 years, I have established a reputation as a thoughtful, collaborative leader who can solve complex business problems. I look forward to applying these skills to help DMUSD maintain its educational excellence while enhancing its reputation in the community. As an involved district parent of two, it would be a privilege to serve DMUSDs students, teachers and taxpayers. What is the biggest issue facing the district and what do you hope to bring to the board? The most important challenge facing DMUSD is maintaining educational excellence while also increasing transparency and fiscal responsibility. Educational excellence stems from our exceptional teachers, small class sizes and integrated curriculum. At the same time, I want to ensure the district stays focused on proven, research-based approaches to education. Id also like to explore new ways to provide an enriched educational experience to all students, especially those who are gifted and talented. Increased transparency and trust are critical for DMUSD both now and in the future. During this upcoming election the district is asking taxpayers to approve a $186 million measure (MM) to address facilities needs for the next 30 years. Our schools directly affect the social and economic vitality of our neighborhoods, and taxpayers deserve increased transparency in a process that will affect their communities long after our own children have moved on. In addition, the community has voiced overwhelming support for a common-sense approach to gun safety, which has yet to be implemented. These are key opportunities to increase engagement and transparency, and assure the community that DMUSD is on the right track. Equally important, DMUSD must ensure that every hard-earned taxpayer dollar is spent wisely. This means making decisions that improve educational outcomes while delivering the full value of our collective investment. It also means maintaining our reserve at appropriate levels. If elected, I plan to address these issues by taking a thoughtful, data-driven approach that will help the district progress on its most important goals. I will ask the district and its advisors to deliver more detailed information behind recommendations and decisions, and Ill look for new ways to gather data, such as surveys and polls, so I can stay in step with constituents. Scott Wooden Courtesy Scott Wooden I have a BA in biology (Virginia) and a PhD in biochemistry (USC). I worked in the pharmaceutical industry as a molecular biologist, notably at Amgen and Ely Lilly. In 2010, I was elected to the Del Mar Union School board and have served as both President and clerk. I have completed the CSBA Masters in Governance program for school board members. I am active with the Science Olympiad program, both in the Del Mar and San Dieguito districts, having run the CVMS program for one year and initiating the only invitational tournament in the San Diego region. I am married with two children who attended Del Mar district schools, with the oldest currently at Canyon Crest Academy and the younger at Carmel Valley Middle School. What is the biggest issue facing the district and what do you hope to bring to the board? Del Mar schools are among the top in the state and our district is recognized as an example for effective governance between the superintendent and board members. We need to maintain this course. Our current priorities are the passage of proposition MM to avoid capital outlays from the general fund and to protect our reserves, build the east Pacific Highlands Ranch school, and implement the Facilities Master Plan for our nine community schools. In addition, we must maintain teacher professional development. and implement our long-range vision with full STEAM+ programs, small class sizes, and safety programs that excel. During my tenure on the board, we have restored fiscal responsibility with budgetary decisions that follow clearly established goals and objectives. Or budget is balanced and our reserves are healthy. I completed the CSBA Masters in Governance program, and with the other board members, we have restored proper governance and decision-making through effective relationships between board, superintendent, administrators and teachers. During the past eight years we restored mutual respect and trust with leadership principles that put children first every time. That is what has made this district great. New classroom building at Pacific Trails, Torrey Pines performing arts center set to debut 2019 The San Dieguito Union High School District held a Prop AA facilities tour on Oct. 3, allowing board members and community members an opportunity to check out the progress of work going on throughout the district from new classroom buildings at Oak Crest Middle School to the performing arts center at Torrey Pines High School. The $24 million performing arts center sits at the center of campus and will include a new theater as well as music and dance buildings. The dance rooms large windows will face the quad, rather than being hidden at the back of campus. The 350-seat proscenium theater will have its own entrance and parking and the music building will include seven practice rooms with its south wall opening up to activate the existing amphitheater. The theater, music and dance buildings will be linked by a performance quad tiered with grass. The center will also include a new black box theater. According to Principal Rob Coppo, the existing black box theater will be converted to nutrition services and hopefully house a student-run cafe for culinary arts. The new classroom building at Pacific Trails Middle. Karen Billing The tour also included a stop at Pacific Trails Middle School and a peek into the campus new classroom building that opened this fall. The building has 21 new classrooms including the functional life skills classrooms for special education and a makers space for STEM explorations This is the dream classroom, said teacher Samantha Thacker of the large classroom where students can collaborate on projects, tinker with robotics and learn about computer programming. Principal MaryAnne Nuskin showed off a new shade structure at the center of the grassy campus quad and led the tour through the busy campus learning commons. Nuskin said with student feedback, they have created more collaborative spaces like the learning commons on campus, such as on the second floor of the campus other classroom building. Nuskin said that the students asked for chairs like Googleresulting in brightly colored chairs around a table-top and soft couch seating in the hallway nook. This space gets utilized quite often, Nuskin said. New shade structures on the Pacific Trails campus Karen Billing By Sky Palma 9 October 2018 (DeadState) One of my greatest sources of unintentional comedy is Mark Taylor, otherwise known as the Firefighter Prophet. Among his bizarre prophecies and conspiracy theories is a recurring theme: that Democrats (and former President Obama) are using weather control technology to obstruct President Trumps agenda.Earlier this month, Taylor claimed Hurricane Florence was created by liberals to cover up mass voter fraud in North Carolina. In June, he said liberals were planning to create hurricanes to suppress the midterm election turn out. Now, hes saying that Hurricane Michael, which is currently bearing down on Florida, was artificially created by scared anti-Trump forces in retaliation for Brett Kavanaughs confirmation to the Supreme Court.Does anyone else think its strange that Justice K is sworn in and we have a major hurricane inbound? Taylor tweeted this Tuesday. DS scared? They should be. Retaliation? Absolutely. We will not be intimidated! Warriors arise, time to go to work! You know what to do.In past rants about weather conspiracies, Taylor resorts to a common target chemtrail conspiracists use to back up their claims, namely the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program, or HAARP. But the now-defunct government program doesnt have the ability to create hurricanes or enact mind control, as Taylor and other *misinformed* people like him claim. According to the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, HAARP is a group of high-frequency radio transmitters powered by four diesel tugboat generators and one from a locomotive. The transmitters send a focused beam of radio-wave energy into the aurora zone. There, that energy can stimulate a speck of the electrical sun-Earth connection about 100 miles above our heads.Taylor is no smalltime fringe internet crackpot. The evangelical college Liberty University is making a movie about him, further legitimizing his religious quackery to gullible people. [ more ] Christian Prophet: Hurricane Michael was created by Democrats in retaliation for Kavanaughs confirmation By Tara Isabella Burton 8 October 2018 (Vox) I sat in an unmarked cinema hall in New Yorks Union Square, listening to a group of people praying. Wed just finished watching a screening of The Trump Prophecy, the controversial hybrid docu-drama made in part by students and faculty at the conservative evangelical Liberty University. Images of American greatness an American flag, an eagle flickered across the screen. A white man in his 60s sang out verses from 2 Chronicles 7:14: If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.They bowed their heads and thanked God that his anointed one, Donald Trump, was president. Just as the prophecy had foretold.Scenes like this took place in 1,200 cinemas across the country during a limited release of the film this month. The Trump Prophecy, which played on Tuesday and Thursday nights, has been advertised as an opportunity for prayer groups to come together in an expression of patriotism.The film which dramatizes the memoir of a fireman who believes God told him that Donald Trump would one day be president with interviews with prominent evangelical figures about Trumps greatness is funded and produced by Charlotte-based ReelWorks Studios, a purveyor of Christian fare. However, Liberty Universitys School of Cinematic Arts collaborated on the production and allowed film students the opportunity to participate.But The Trump Prophecy is more than a feel-good, low-budget movie. Its the purest distillation of pro-Trump Christian nationalism: the insidious doctrine that implicitly links American patriotism and American exceptionalism with (white) evangelical Christianity.Everything about The Trump Prophecy from its subject matter, to the way its shot, to the little details scattered through the movies (often interminable) scenes of domestic life is designed not just to legitimize Donald Trump as a evangelical-approved president but to promulgate an even more wide-ranging and dangerous idea. The Trump Prophecy doesnt just want you to believe that God approves of Donald Trump. It wants you to believe that submission to (conservative) political authority and submission to God are one and the same. In the films theology, resisting the authority of a sitting president or, at least, this sitting president is conflated with resisting God himself. [more] By Leah Burrows 4 October 2018 (The Harvard Gazette) When it comes to energy production, theres no such thing as a free lunch, unfortunately.As the world begins its large-scale transition toward low-carbon energy sources, it is vital that the pros and cons of each type are well understood and the environmental impacts of renewable energy, small as they may be in comparison to coal and gas, are considered.In two papers published today in the journals Environmental Research Letters and Joule Harvard University researchers find that the transition to wind or solar power in the U.S. would require five to 20 times more land than previously thought, and, if such large-scale wind farms were built, would warm average surface temperatures over the continental U.S. by 0.24 degrees Celsius.Wind beats coal by any environmental measure, but that doesnt mean that its impacts are negligible, said David Keith, the Gordon McKay Professor of Applied Physics at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) and senior author of the papers. We must quickly transition away from fossil fuels to stop carbon emissions. In doing so, we must make choices between various low-carbon technologies, all of which have some social and environmental impacts.Keith is also professor of public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School.One of the first steps to understanding the environmental impact of renewable technologies is to understand how much land would be required to meet future U.S. energy demands. Even starting with todays energy demands, the land area and associated power densities required have long been debated by energy experts.In previous research, Keith and co-authors modeled the generating capacity of large-scale wind farms and concluded that real-world wind power generation had been overestimated because they neglected to accurately account for the interactions between turbines and the atmosphere.In 2013 research, Keith described how each wind turbine creates a wind shadow behind it where air has been slowed down by the turbines blades. Todays commercial-scale wind farms carefully space turbines to reduce the impact of these wind shadows, but given the expectation that wind farms will continue to expand as demand for wind-derived electricity increases, interactions and associated climatic impacts cannot be avoided.What was missing from this previous research, however, were observations to support the modeling. Then, a few months ago, the U.S. Geological Survey released the locations of 57,636 wind turbines around the U.S. Using this data set, in combination with several other U.S. government databases, Keith and postdoctoral fellow Lee Miller were able to quantify the power density of 411 wind farms and 1,150 solar photovoltaic plants operating in the U.S. during 2016.For wind, we found that the average power density meaning the rate of energy generation divided by the encompassing area of the wind plant was up to 100 times lower than estimates by some leading energy experts, said Miller, who is the first author of both papers. Most of these estimates failed to consider the turbine-atmosphere interaction. For an isolated wind turbine, interactions are not important at all, but once the wind farms are more than five to 10 kilometers deep, these interactions have a major impact on the power density.The observation-based wind power densities are also much lower than important estimates from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.For solar energy, the average power density (measured in watts per meter squared) is 10 times higher than wind power, but also much lower than estimates by leading energy experts.This research suggests that not only will wind farms require more land to hit the proposed renewable energy targets but also, at such a large scale, would become an active player in the climate system.The next question, as explored in the journal Joule, was how such large-scale wind farms would impact the climate system.To estimate the impacts of wind power, Keith and Miller established a baseline for the 20122014 U.S. climate using a standard weather-forecasting model. Then, they covered one-third of the continental U.S. with enough wind turbines to meet present-day U.S. electricity demand. The researchers found this scenario would warm the surface temperature of the continental U.S. by 0.24 degrees Celsius, with the largest changes occurring at night when surface temperatures increased by up to 1.5 degrees. This warming is the result of wind turbines actively mixing the atmosphere near the ground and aloft while simultaneously extracting from the atmospheres motion.This research supports more than 10 other studies that observed warming near operational U.S. wind farms. Miller and Keith compared their simulations to satellite-based observational studies in North Texas and found roughly consistent temperature increases.Miller and Keith are quick to point out the unlikeliness of the U.S. generating as much wind power as they simulate in their scenario, but localized warming occurs in even smaller projections. The follow-on question is then to understand when the growing benefits of reducing emissions are roughly equal to the near-instantaneous impacts of wind power.The Harvard researchers found that the warming effect of wind turbines in the continental U.S. was actually larger than the effect of reduced emissions for the first century of its operation. This is because the warming effect is predominantly local to the wind farm, while greenhouse gas concentrations must be reduced globally before the benefits are realized.Miller and Keith repeated the calculation for solar power and found that its climate impacts were about 10 times smaller than winds.The direct climate impacts of wind power are instant, while the benefits of reduced emissions accumulate slowly, said Keith. If your perspective is the next 10 years, wind power actually has in some respects more climate impact than coal or gas. If your perspective is the next thousand years, then wind power has enormously less climatic impact than coal or gas.The work should not be seen as a fundamental critique of wind power, he said. Some of winds climate impacts will be beneficial several global studies show that wind power cools polar regions. Rather, the work should be seen as a first step in getting more serious about assessing these impacts for all renewables. Our hope is that our study, combined with the recent direct observations, marks a turning point where wind powers climatic impacts begin to receive serious consideration in strategic decisions about decarbonizing the energy system. Studying alongside people from all over the world at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) is helping Mildred Hauck in her work with a humanitarian organisation in South America. The 27-year-old International Relations MA graduate is the general director of Intiwawa, which fights poverty in the slums of Arequipa, the second largest city in Peru. Mildred landed the role via an internship at the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change in Germany and a job at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in Italy. She said: "The variety of students at DMU really helps to bring us closer to the multicultural reality we are, and increasingly will be, living in. "And the classes are a wonderful opportunity to create a space where exchanging similarities and differences between us can clearly enrich and transform our minds. "My DMU highlights were the fruitful discussions considering the passion and multicultural perspectives of my fellow students. "Apart from the knowledge I obtained at DMU on international relations and global problems, I broadened my perspective on how I think about these challenges and their solutions. "This is helping me to better deal with the multicultural and transnational challenges in my daily work." Born in Argentina and brought up in Germany, Mildred chose to study for her master's in the UK to help her achieve her ambition of working for the UN. She landed her internship in the Strategic Communications Department before graduating in January 2017. "I followed up on partnerships with the private sector to reduce their carbon footprint and financially support green projects in developing countries," said Mildred. "I quickly learnt that strategic communication was the key to get different stakeholders together and be part of a mission." RELATED NEWS Shanics plans to change the world with DMU's help Interested in studying at DMU? Book your place at our next Open Day Students pitch community projects to United Nations delegates Moving to Italy for a role at EFSA, an agency of the European Union, Mildred worked in the administrative team to support and co-ordinate the work of different scientific areas in the evaluation of the impact of genetic modifications on human health. "It was highly interesting to get to know the work of a transnational institution that is based on European law and regulation," she said. Her role with Intiwawa has seen her experience another new and enriching environment. Mildred said: "This has given me an incomparable amount of responsibility. "I am now not only gaining a more profound insight on how organisations are built up, but I am also getting a complete overall picture on the macro level of civil activism and organisational development. "Daily cross-decision making in different areas such as finances, human resources, project management and so on is rapidly increasing my professional know-how but at the same time giving me a great opportunity for personal development and self-management. "As a director, the biggest learning challenge does not start within the organisation, but within yourself. It is truly amazing to see how a professional experience can actually affect you personally by experiencing your limits and overcoming them." Philippines bans pork imports from Belgium The Philippines announced on Tuesday, Oct.9, that it is banning pork imports from Belgium due to issues related to African swine fever.Belgium is one the Southeast Asian country's top suppliers of meat products. Earlier the Philippines imposed the same blanket ban on pork imports from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Moldova, South Africa and Zambia, also due to ASF, as per report of the BusinessMirror. The Department of Agriculture issued an order authorizing the blanket ban on the importation of pigs and their products from Belgium, including meat and semen, after Brussels confirmed the outbreak of ASF in the Luxembourg region of Belgium, which killed wild boars. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Pinol, however, said that frozen pork meats with slaughter/process date on or before August 25, 2018, are allowed to enter the country subject to veterinary quarantine rules and regulations. Belgium, the Philippines' eighth top source of pork products, exported 15,103.634 tonnes of pork products to the Philippines last year, down 7.57% from the 16,340.017 tonnes in 2016. Besides the Philippines, at least 12 other countries have banned Belgian pork and pork products due to ASF outbreaks. These are South Korea, China, Taiwan, Belarus, Mexico, Japan, South Africa, Serbia, Singapore, Uruguay, Australia and Malaysia. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. IMF-World Bank Group meeting "Harnessing Technology for Inclusive Growth" EIB EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle has been calling for the 'democratisation of innovation' in a high-level panel at the World Bank annual meetings in Bali to discuss the opportunities and challenges posed by technology for jobs and livelihoods particularly in Africa. He was speaking alongside Melinda Gates from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister of Finance of Indonesia, Kristalina Georgieva, CEO of the World Bank, Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Executive Chairman of Econet Group, Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Special Advisor to the Executive Director of Smart Africa. EIB Vice-President Fayolle highlighted the important role of digitalisation in development and its positive contribution to realising all United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He stressed the need to bundle ICT infrastructure financing in developing economies with a fight-against-poverty objective and climate financing initiatives. Taking the example of EIB-financed project M-Birr, a mobile financial technology in Ethiopia, he explained how providing financial services via simple mobile technology can benefit an exponential number of consumers and service providers. As traditional financing systems often fail to properly function in many developing countries, mobile-enabled technology such as M-Birr has proved to be an effective way to increase financial inclusion. "What we have seen through our projects is that promoting digitalisation gives opportunities to small entrepreneurs in Africa that they wouldn't have had otherwise. They can be innovative through smartphones. In Ethiopia, M-Birr delivers payment this way. It is quite important in a country where people have more mobiles than bank accounts", said EIB Vice-President Fayolle. He added: "At the EIB, we are paying great attention to what the obstacles to investment are in Europe. It is finding people with the right skills. We need to look carefully at the impact of technology on skills and privacy out of Europe too." Kristalina Georgieva said: "Governments can help with the impact of technology on inclusive growth. My message: do the right thing, invest in your people so you can harness the power technology and make a leap forward." Melinda Gates added: "Technology holds enormous potential to make life better. But we will need to work together to ensure this potential is realised not just for some people in some places, but for everyone. That is why I believe the Pathways for Prosperity Commission on Technology and Inclusive Development is so important." By The Gateway Pundit , Oct. 9, 2018 Fitton said the US State Department spent $9 million in taxpayer dollars to fund Soros operations in Albania. Tom Fitton, I dont know about you but I dont want any George Soros anywhere near our State Department or our United States Agency for International Development. Read More: Join us - become an Elderado today at: LarryElder.com Follow Larry Elder on Follow Larry Elder on Twitter "Like" Larry Elder on Facebook This Page Is Under Construction - Coming Soon! Why am I seeing this 'Under Construction' page? RVS Tukoro is going for its final two-weeks repair before it will be replaced by a much larger vessel 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. Edison Partners, a Princeton, N.J.based growth investment firm, closed its latest equity fund, at $365m. Edison Partners IX was oversubscribed from its $300M target and is the largest in the firms 32-year history. Investors include corporate and public pension plans, endowments, fund-of-funds, insurance companies and family offices, The list features New Mexico Educational Retirement Board, Rutgers University, Hirtle Callaghan, American Family Insurance and Renaissance Venture Capital Fund. Led by Chris Sugden, Managing Partner, Edison Partners exclusively focuses on growth investing across three key sectors: Enterprise Solutions, Financial Technology, and Healthcare IT. Edison Partners brings both investing and operating resources to every investment. This integrated, team-based approach is powered by the Edison Edge operating platform, which spans go-to-market effectiveness, financial planning and controls, SaaS and data product management, human capital management, board leadership, M&A, and capital formation and exit strategies. Launched in 1986, Edison Partners has invested in more than 200 companies and completed 180 total exits. Recent exit successes include ComplySci, Billtrust and eSentire. The firms active portfolio currently consists of 42 companies. More than 90 % of the current investments are in the MidAtlantic, Midwest, Southeast and South, with active and recently exited investments in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. Edison IX has already made four investments, three in the Midwest, including Blue Medora (Grand Rapids, Michigan), Emplify and Sigstr (Fishers and Indianapolis, Indiana), and Giant Oak of Arlington, Virginia. FinSMEs 11/10/2018 GoWork, a Jakarta, Indonesia-based coworking space provider, raised $10m in Series A funding. The round was led by Gobi Partners and developer Indonesian Paradise Property. The company intends to use the funds to bolster operations, increasing coworking space from the current 10,000 sq. meters to nearly 25,000 by early 2019. Led by CEO Vanessa Hendriadi, GoWork offers shared workspace options ranging from a hot desk for about $8 per day to a private office at a monthly fee of $183 at offices across Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bali. The majority of its 600 corporate clients are established tech companies such as Southeast Asian ride-hailing leader Grab, as well as multinationals. The startup received a $2.5m investment led by Ucommune, Chinas largest coworking company, last year. FinSMEs 10/10/2018 Hentsu, a London, New York and Boston-based provider of public cloud technology to hedge funds and asset managers, raised an undisclosed amount of funding. The round was led by Credit Suisse Asset Managements NEXT Investors, with participation from the Falconwood Corporation, an investment banking firm backed by the family office of Dr. Henry Jarecki, and Raptor Group Holdings, a private investment company backed by the family office of Jim Pallotta. The company intends to use the funds for the expansion of its product offering and sales and marketing efforts. Founded in 2015 and led by Marko Djukic, CEO, Hentsu provides fully managed cloud-based online solutions for hedge funds and asset managers. The companys services range from implementing and supporting corporate infrastructure and desktops to deploying advanced continuous development platforms and data science infrastructure, resulting in organizational efficiency for its customers. FinSMEs 11/10/2018 Nyotron, a Santa Clara, CA-based provider of an OS-Centric positive security solution to strengthen endpoint protection, raised $10m in funding. Ingram Micro made the investment and entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Nyotron to accelerate the global presence of the latter particularly in the United States and build its global channel ecosystem. The partnership expands on an existing relationship between the company and Ingram Micro, which began earlier this year when the companies entered into a distribution agreement, whereby the security solution was offered on the Ingram Micro Cloud Marketplace. Led by Sagit Manor, CEO, Nyotron provides a OS-Centric Positive Security platform to strengthen laptop, desktop, and server protection. By mapping legitimate operating system behavior, its PARANOID platform understands all the normative ways that may lead to damage, such as file deletion, data exfiltration, encryption, etc. It works seamlessly with antivirus and next-generation antivirus solutions to provide the last line of defense from modern state-level attacks. Nyotron also has an R&D office in Israel. FinSMEs 11/10/2018 . - 26.89 % 100 % . " " 19.90%. 16.65%, "... Remember When With Americas Veterans Day on Nov. 11, (Remembrance Day in other countries) we need to remember our U.S. military is... Genesee County in the 1970s Hi, read your article and it was great, but maybe I could add more. I am 62, was born in... ABC News(WASHINGTON) -- President Trump said he agrees with the first lady's comments to ABC News that there are still officials in his administration that he can't trust, and said he's actively working to "weed them out." "We have great people right now working," Trump said in a 45-minute phone interview with "Fox and Friends" Thursday. "Are there some I'm not in love with? Yes. And we'll weed them out slowly but surely." The president was responding to comments the first lady made in an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with ABC News' "20/20" during her trip to Africa. Asked by ABC News Chief National Affairs Correspondent Tom Llamas whether there are still people in the presidents administration "he can't trust," the first lady said yes. "It's harder to govern," Melania Trump said in a clip that aired Thursday on "Good Morning America." "You always need to watch your back." President Trump said Thursday he believed the first lady's comments were true, adding that he believed many officials in government were going to be hostile because he first came to Washington as an outsider. "I was in Washington probably 17 times in my life," President Trump told "Fox and Friends." "I came to Washington on the 18th time, I said, 'Darling, can you believe it? I'm president.' I didn't know people in Washington." Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. 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. Tri-day event happening for sixth time, all sorts of stuff coming out of it if it makes its 'newsworthy' skill check. The city gave Urban Commons Queensway, LLC, the Queen Mary's previous operator, $23 million to repair the ship in late 2016. But two years later, most of the 27 projects Urban Commons and the city had agreed were most urgent had not yet been finished, the audit. Arson trial : Pupils played with fire at school complex - out of boredom KONIGSWINTER/BONN Two female and two male pupils intentionally caused a fire in July 2017 at the school complex in Konigswinter-Oberpleis. They now admitted everything, but it took an eight-strong investigation team months to charge them. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken It could have been an even bigger disaster if the fire brigade wouldnt have been called just in time. And it appeared quickly that the fire on July 2, 2017 at the school complex in Konigswinter-Oberpleis had been caused by arsonists. Eventually, and after lengthy investigations, it became clear: Two then-18-year-old boys, a 16-year-old girl and another 15-year-old female pupil were responsible for the blaze. The three older ones had set fire to a paper container at the wall of the school building, while the 15-year-old kept watch. On Wednesday the quartet appeared in front of the Youth Criminal Court in Bonn and admitted the charges. They were charged with intentional joint arson by the public prosecution because they had accepted that the whole building caught fire. When the fire brigade arrived, the blaze had already taken over parts of the building. The damage which the building insurance is now claiming from the four young people jointly and severally, was estimated to be around 140.000 Euro. Lies and false statements as cover-up It wasnt the arson alone which appalled the public prosecutor: The four young accused had lied, given false statements and arranged reports amongst each other to cover-up what they did. They even went as far as involving one of their fathers to approach a friend in the police force to accuse one of the police officers working on the case of wrongful questioning techniques. The investigation effort was described by the 55-year-old officer at the witness stand like this: It took eight investigators three quarters of year to expose the teenagers concealment attempts and tissue(s) of lies. Two IT experts had to interpret text messages of the quartet for months to find out what had been going on. In 18 years of being a fire investigator the police officer had never experienced anything similar: In hindsight I was surprised how they all lied to us. We walked into the wall as if we were blind. The time and staff effort was gigantic and utterly disproportionate. The size of the operation was similar to homicide investigations. And: None of the young people had shown any remorse. Confession after three weeks detention Eventually an arrest warrant was issued against one of the 18-year-old pupils, for risks of absconding and danger of collusion. For three weeks he remained detained until he admitted everything. He also made a full confession in court. His defending lawyer, Martin Kretschmer, explained: the four of them had partied that evening, drank alcohol and came up with the disastrous idea to light a cardboard box. After that burnt down, they lit the fire in the container and headed off. Kretschmers client went back to fetch his jacket and saw the container burning. He didnt want the school to burn. The 18-year-old admitted cover-ups and that he lied at all levels. His buddy also admitted that he had been present but claims he cannot remember playing with fire. The others accuse him of being the idea provider. The 16-year-old girl also admitted everything. She did not take part in the cover-ups, her brother took care of that. She was the first one to confess to the police and admit everything. The fourth teenager found it difficult to admit in court that she was part of the cover-ups, but was approached harshly by the public prosecution and little by little confessed her participation. According to the police officer at the witness stand she had been particularly defiant: And that, despite wanting to become a police woman herself one day. SIOUX FALLS, S.D., Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sammons Financial Group Member Companies (SFG) recently donated $20,000 to support the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Honored Interment (VHI) project. The funds will be used to purchase much needed tools used by veterans to construct burial vessels for qualifying veterans. In addition, the donation will help coordinate efforts to partner with other states to create similar programs outside South Dakota. VHI is a nonprofit organization supported entirely through donations. It was started in 1999 by Paul Redfield, a resident of the Michael J. Fitzmaurice South Dakota Veterans Home, as a means of providing honorable and dignified burial vessels to veterans and their spouses. The staff is comprised of veterans who hand-make caskets and urns that are donated to qualifying veterans and their spouses residing in South Dakota. Approximately 50 caskets and 50 urns are crafted each year. We are honored to support our veterans and the Veterans Honored Interment project, said Tim Reuer, senior vice president and member of the Community Involvement Committee at SFG. VHI is a remarkable organization, and this is a great way to show respect for those who have served our country and their families. SFG has also been recognized for supporting active members of the military. Over the past couple of years, two SFG employees were awarded with the Patriot Award by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The honor is bestowed upon supervisors or bosses who have supported employees that are serving in the National Guard or Reserve through flexibility in their work schedule, granting time off prior to or after deployment, caring for families, and granting necessary leaves of absence. Greg Bonzagni , vice president of national sales, and Steve Bishop, manager of life insurance business, have both received the ESGR award. About Sammons Financial Group, Inc. The member companies of Sammons Financial Group, Inc. (SFG), are here to help families and businesses protect their future, so they can enjoy lifes moments today. A subsidiary of Sammons Enterprises , SFG is a group of privately-owned financial companies, including several of the most enduring and stable companies in our industry. SFGs member companies, Midland National Life Insurance Company , North American Company for Health and Life Insurance , and Sammons Institutional GroupSM offer some of todays most sought-after life insurance, annuity, and retirement planning products. Sammons Financial Group : With You for Every MomentSM. PR-49-9-18 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b5a7b1fa-9bc6-4b6f-866a-09388ba33e16 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. Marsha Appling-Nunez was showing the college students she teaches how to check online if theyre registered to vote when she made a troubling discovery. Despite being an active Georgia voter who had cast ballots in recent elections, she was no longer registered.I was kind of shocked, said Appling-Nunez, who moved from one Atlanta suburb to another in May and believed she had successfully changed her address on the voter rolls.Ive always voted. I try to not miss any elections, including local ones, Appling-Nunez said.She tried re-registering, but with about one month left before a November election that will decide a governors race and some competitive U.S. House races, Appling-Nunezs application is one of over 53,000 sitting on hold with Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemps office. And unlike Appling-Nunez, many people on that list which is predominantly black, according to an analysis by The Associated Press may not even know their voter registration has been held up. Before Hurricane Michael's 155-mile-per-hour winds blasted the Florida Panhandle Wednesday afternoon and eventually knocked out the power to thousands of households, scores of voters watching TV for news of the approaching hurricane were also presented with dark and stormy ads about statewide political candidates.Breaking what politicians claim is an unwritten rule of campaign decorum, Democrats and Republicans alike continued running attacks on their opponents despite the oncoming storm. That meant hundreds of thousands of people in the storm's path spent the morning receiving updates and cautions from Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum only to immediately receive information during commercial breaks from anonymous narrators explaining that the men _ who are seeking new offices _ are in fact not to be trusted.None of the campaigns involved in the race was directly responsible for the commercials, one of which called Gillum "corrupt" and another that called Scott "another shady millionaire who doesn't look out for you." But the two officials were quick to condemn their opponents, leading to finger-pointing and squabbling amid an unprecedented natural disaster."My opponent has decided to leave all of his negative advertising up all the way across the Panhandle including right here where we're preparing our citizens for a Category 4 hurricane impact," Gillum, a Democrat, said about GOP nominee Ron DeSantis during a morning interview on MSNBC. "Those news alerts are obviously on commercial breaks being intermittently interrupted by negative campaign ads that are untrue. I think that's unfortunate. We can't recall a time where candidates for statewide office have not pulled down negative ads during hurricane season."The back-and-forth over campaign ads has been ongoing for days and illustrates the stakes involved in hurricane politics. Elected executives such as Gillum and Scott gained days of valuable media exposure due to their roles in storm preparations while former congressman DeSantis and incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., stood on the outside looking in _ with Nelson literally being kept out of an emergency managers meeting Monday in Tallahassee.While the subtle politicking of disaster management is deemed acceptable, the overt politics of campaign messaging is not."The tradition in Florida was that it was not only inappropriate to be running negative ads (during a hurricane) ... but also it wasn't good politics," said former Democratic Gov. Bob Graham. "People responded to candidates who, at a time they were deeply concerned about their families and neighbors' safety, didn't want to be bombarded with negative ads.""Campaigns should shut down the ads in the impacted areas," agreed former Gov. Jeb Bush, a Republican who oversaw the response to more than a half-dozen named storms during his two terms. "The exclusive focus needs to be on preparing, rescuing and recovering."The sniping started immediately Sunday, as soon as forecasts made it clear that Hurricane Michael was likely heading straight for the Florida Panhandle, and would also result in some kind of a strike on the state capital. The Republican Party of Florida was still airing ads criticizing Gillum's response to Hurricane Hermine in 2016, and Democrats, including former Gov. Charlie Crist, called on DeSantis and state Republicans to take their spots down.Gillum's campaign said Sunday night that it was taking down its commercials from Pensacola to Gainesville.At the time, no one knew how strong the storm would actually be. Forecasts predicted that Michael might grow to Category 2. It became a Category 4, and the strongest hurricane to hit the Panhandle when it struck near Panama City at about 1 p.m. WednesdayDeSantis, appearing Wednesday at an event in Tampa, brushed off a question about the appropriateness of his attack ads. "You run your campaign the way you run your campaign. It is what it is," he said, alluding to the fact that television time is generally purchased in blocs and weeks in advance. "We've had all this planned out long before and we're going to stick with our plan so people will see that unfold in the next day or two."A Republican Party of Florida spokeswoman initially said Wednesday morning that the Hermine ads attacking Gillum had stopped running in areas affected by the storm, but later said they "were being cycled out" after a reporter pointed out that people had seen the spot that morning in Tallahassee. The spokeswoman, Meredith Beatrice, also said Wednesday that the spots ripping Gillum's ties to an FBI investigation of Tallahassee's community redevelopment agency were likewise being pulled from the air.Meanwhile, Scott's campaign lashed out at Nelson, pointing out that Senate Majority PAC, a political committee backing Nelson's re-election bid, was still running negative commercials blasting Scott's two terms as Florida governor. Campaign spokesman Chris Hartline called the commercial "false" and "dangerous.""Governor Scott is the leader of the state of Florida. The people of Florida rely on him for accurate information about the path of the storm and federal, state and local efforts. It's offensive and, quite honestly dangerous, that Bill Nelson and his out-of-state allies would run their false, negative ads while Rick Scott is warning the millions of Floridians in the path of Hurricane Michael to evacuate or shelter in place." said Hartline. "Now is not the time for politics."Reached by phone, a spokesman for New Majority PAC said the political committee decided to keep its ads up in North Florida after realizing that New Republican PAC, which is supporting Scott, was still airing its ads attacking Nelson. Attempts to reach someone at New Republican PAC were unsuccessful.While DeSantis can and does work directly with the Republican Party of Florida, neither Scott nor Nelson can coordinate with a Super PAC, which Nelson spokesman Dan McLaughlin noted in an interview when asked if Nelson would try to persuade the PAC to take down its ads. McLaughlin said Nelson's campaign handled messaging that it could control by instructing television stations in all the affected media markets to take his advertising down ahead of the storm. On the other hand, McLaughlin said his family in Tallahassee told him they saw a positive Rick Scott ad Tuesday night promoting his leadership during recent hurricanes."What you have is Rick Scott playing politics here right in the middle of a dangerous storm," McLaughlin said. "This is a classic case of Rick Scott making up something that someone else is supposedly doing when he's doing it himself. I find it pathetic that he's doing it himself."McLaughlin said he hadn't spoken to Nelson, but personally believes that "political advertising in the middle of a storm is inappropriate." Hartline didn't directly respond when asked if Scott's campaign disavows all negative advertising in hurricane zones, but pointed out after this article initially posted that Nelson hypocritically still had a TV commercial running Wednesday morning in Tallahassee. (McLaughlin said there may have been "some stragglers.")Scott's predecessors, meanwhile, have been explicit in calling on campaigns for civility during the hurricane. Crist, who was a Republican when he served as governor from 2006 to 2010, was among the Democrats arguing Sunday that negative commercials should stop as the state braced for the storm. And Graham said he was surprised that there would be any attacks right now as Michael pounds the Panhandle and the Big Bend region."I don't know what has caused a political campaign or party to feel that no longer is the environment which has to be understood and respected around a major disaster," said Graham. "I'm surprised it's happening." The chief psychiatrist for California's prison system is accusing state officials of providing inaccurate and misleading data to a federal court and to lawyers for prison inmates fighting to improve psychiatric care inside state prisons, according to court documents.Dr. Michael Golding compiled a "lengthy, detailed report" that inmate attorneys say contains "serious allegations" that data reported to the court overseeing a long-running case involving medical and mental health care inside California prisons "is inaccurate and has been presented in a materially misleading way," court documents say."Dr. Golding's claims are very serious and, if true, have far reaching implications affecting almost every aspect of this case," lawyers for the inmates said in documents filed in U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller's court in Sacramento.Golding did not respond to a phone message or email from The Sacramento Bee. But in a hearing Wednesday in federal court in Sacramento, Mueller ordered state officials not to conduct any interviews with corrections officials who may have assisted Golding in compiling his report.The judge also said she wanted to hear from Golding in testimony later this month before deciding how to proceed further over his allegations."If anything, Dr. Golding's report suggests to me my need to hear from him to assess the contents of that report," she said, adding that she wanted lawyers in the case to work on redacting inmate names and sensitive private information so the report can be made public.Lawyers for the 30,000 prison inmates covered under the pending case say they discovered the existence of the 160-page secret report when lawyers for Gov. Jerry Brown and state Attorney General Xavier Becerra called them last Thursday to reveal its existence.Court papers say the call was made after Golding sent the report to the court-appointed receiver overseeing reforms inside California prisons.Andrew Gibson, counsel to the governor's office, said in court that officials are taking Golding's accusations seriously, but that there may be others inside the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation who disagree with Golding's findings.Gibson also said the state has provisions in place to prevent any retaliatory actions against Golding or anyone who helped him with the report, which includes 60 exhibits and is currently filed under seal with the court.Despite that, Golding attorney Daniel Willick told the judge that his client was worried about his career because of his actions."I must say that Dr. Golding and those who worked with him are quite concerned in that regard," said Willick, who took part in the hearing by telephone.Michael Bien, the lead attorney for the inmates, said the allegations are "serious" and include claims by Golding that the frequency with which inmates are treated by psychiatrists and receive their medications are not being reported truthfully.Support coverage of breaking news and watchdog journalism. Click here to start a digital-only subscription to The Sacramento Bee.For instance, the report indicates that the state says its psychiatrists have seen patients on time 96 percent of the time in some cases, where the actual frequency is allegedly only 20 to 30 percent of the time, Bien said.The issue is critical to the inmates' attorneys, who were within days of signing a stipulation with the state in which they were going to agree to a reduction in the number of prison psychiatrists, an agreement that was being made because of the data the state had provided, Bien said.Under that plan, the state's 405 psychiatrist positions would be reduced by 79 to a total of 326."We almost signed it," Bien said. "We came within a couple of days of signing the stipulation."Now, that deal is off the table and a hearing is expected in coming weeks on the allegations raised by Golding."There's a fundamental trust issue here," Bien said, adding that the report indicates Golding visited state prisons with a team and determined that the data being issued by CDCR did not mesh with what he was seeing on the ground."He's alleging they played around with how they counted things and they played around with time frames," Bien said.The urgency of the issue was on full display in court Wednesday, where the state's legal team included 15 people versus the three lawyers representing inmates.Corrections officials are facing a deadline Thursday to fill 90 percent of their psychiatric positions, court documents say, and an evidentiary hearing had been scheduled to begin Monday over the use of "telepsychiatry" to treat inmates with doctors who are not physically present with their patients.Bien said Golding was to be called as a witness in that hearing, and added that Golding's report included "disturbing" information that prison officials were conducting cell-front telepsychiatry sessions using laptops pointed through cell door windows or food ports, something that provides no privacy for inmates."He has done what many of us see in society," Bien said. "People who choose to do something that is heroic, to be a whistleblower to bring an important issue forward in our society. ... It's clear that he tried to bring these issues forward inside of CDCR."Bien said he has not spoken with Golding and did not know why he chose to send his report outside of CDCR channels. But he noted that Golding did not go to the media as some whistleblowers do, instead choosing to stay "somewhat within the system.""But we felt that he was at risk, which is why we immediately asked the AG and CDCR officials to confirm that he would not be retaliated against," Bien said.CDCR officials declined to address Golding's accusations."We don't comment on matters pending before a court," spokesman Jeffrey Callison said in an email.Bien noted that after years of legal battles against the corrections department he has seen many whistleblower complaints and that often the complaints are more about their own problems."This guy, it's not about him," Bien said. "This is someone who really cares about these issues." Description GIS - 11 October, 2018: A five-member delegation from the Gambia Complaints Review Board met the members of the Independent Review Panel (IRP) yesterday in Port-Louis with a view to discuss on the functions and operations of the IRP. On this occasion, the Chairperson of the IRP, Mr Herve Lassemillante, underlined that the IRP plays an essential role in the perception of good governance in public procurement amongst bidders and more generally in the public. It is therefore necessary to view the organisation as an independent entity whose objective is to enhance the principles of transparency and good practice, he emphasised. Speaking of transparency, he pointed out that all members of the IRP are required to declare their assets on taking, and leaving the office. The panel, he underscored, should not be viewed as a hurdle in the implementation of a project but rather as an instrument to facilitate the procurement of complex works, goods and services necessary for the development of the country. For her part, the Chairperson and Group Leader of the delegation, Mrs Amina Saho Ceesay, informed that the purpose of this meeting was to solicit the views of the members of the IRP on the successful operations of the organisation while adding that the Gambia Complaints Review Board, recently set up in 2016, has a lot to learn from Mauritius. The overall objective, she highlighted, is to come up with a procurement regime for Gambia which is in line with international best practice. Independent Review Panel The IRP was established in January 2008 to look into requests made by unsatisfied bidders and to review procurement proceedings in certain specific cases. Its main objectives are to uphold and maintain the confidence of suppliers and contractors as well as the public in the public procurement process; to ensure and enable transparency and good governance and to determine appeals against procurement decisions in line with Public Procurement Act 2006 and other Regulations. The panel consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and four members having experience in the legal, administrative, economic, financial, engineering, scientific or technical matters and they are appointed for three years by the President of the Republic, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, prior to discussions with the Leader of the Opposition. Description GIS 11 October, 2018: The second edition of the Mauritius Cinema Week will be held from 18 to 21 October 2018 under the branding East Meets West. The event is in line with Governments mission to champion and support the emerging creative industries on the island as well as positioning the country as an attractive shooting destination. The second edition of the18 to 21 October 2018 under the branding East Meets West. The event is in line with Governments mission to champion and support the emerging creative industries on the island as well as positioning the country as an attractive shooting destination. The Minister of Tourism, Mr Anil Gayan, made this announcement yesterday at a press conference at Le Labourdonnais Hotel in Port Louis in the presence of the Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun, and other personalities. Minister Gayan recalled that the first edition of the Mauritius Cinema Week, held in October 2017, was based on the themes of freedom and independence. The festival, he underlined, was a real success as it marked the presence of international film stars, renowned film directors and producers which shaped the spirit of Mauritius as an incontournable destination. The second edition of the Mauritius Cinema Week, he pointed out, will be more focused on business negotiations, with a shift from the glamour festival to business orientation. The event will provide opportunities for actors, film producers and stakeholders to discuss how to develop the film industry in Mauritius. Mr Gayan outlined that the objectives of the Mauritius Cinema Week are to promote business linkages; create a forum to encourage linkages between local and international film producers; stimulate, popularise and give a spot light to the young local film industry; and market the incentives under the Film Rebate Schemes. The event will also enhance the visibility of Mauritius and promote the country on the international front as one of the topmost tourist destination, he added. For his part, Minister Roopun announced that the event will be graced by the presence of some 20 high-profile international guests from Bollywood, Hollywood as well as film industries from France, United Kingdom and South Africa namely Prabhu Deva, Nandita Das, Dalip Tahil, Angelique Thomas, Ela Zylberstein and Kunal Kohli, amongst others. He pointed out that several sub-events will be organised as part of the Week namely a conference, workshops, and master class sessions on the creative aspects of the film industry. The objective of these events, he indicated, is to identify the young talents in the country and help them develop their potentials so that they can in turn contribute to the Mauritian film industry. Mauritians will also be given the opportunity to watch significant international classic films that have been shot in Mauritius in the different cinema halls around the island free of cost, added Minister Roopun. Second edition of Mauritius Cinema Week The Mauritius Cinema Week, an initiative of the Ministry of Arts and Culture in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, the Economic Development Board and the Mauritius Film Development Corporation, aims to promote the Mauritian creative industry and make of Mauritius an island of cultural creativity. The Calendar of activities is as follows: Thursday 18 October: Opening ceremony and Masterclass Session on Film Directing at La Demeure, St Antoine, Goodlands. Friday 19 October: Film Finance Conference and Workshop on the Jobs of Tomorrow in the Film Industry at Amphitheatre at Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVICC), Pailles. Saturday 20 October: Master class session on Script Writing and Film Acting at the SVICC, Pailles. Sunday 21 October: Award Ceremony to honour practitioners of World Cinema for their outstanding contributions to the film industry at the SVICC, Pailles. Governments are more digitally connected than ever before, making them more effective and constituent-friendly but also increasing their vulnerability to cyber attacks. Because a growing number of high-profile cybersecurity breaches involve trusted insiders or compromised network credentials, organizations are moving toward a zero-trust security approach to safeguard valuable data and systems. (TNS) The developers of the planned Digital Crossroads of America Data Center on Hammond's lakefront are also embarking on the first inventory of Northwest Indiana's public wireless and fiber infrastructure in more than five years.Indiana NAP, which was formed by Indianapolis attorney Tom Dakich and New York-based data center developer Peter Feldman, hired the Germany-based engineering services firm Seim & Partner to tally and map out all the cell and radio towers, fiber-optic cables and small cell coverage in the Region.Some areas in Northwest Indiana currently have as many as 11 types of digital services, while others have a single provider, or no coverage at all. Cell and radio towers, fiber-optic cables and small cell coverage are divided among communities, and the state has its own system, as do some larger companies, according to Digital Crossroads.This inefficiency happens in most areas of the country, Digital Crossroads CEO Peter Feldman said. Tom Dakich and I are committed to creating the inventory of coverages and assets as a first step to making a comprehensive plan for NWI fiber and tower management as a serious part of the creation of jobs and opportunities in NWI.The hope is that identifying technological assets can help attract investment, broaden coverage and improve data connectivity, such as with autonomous vehicles that require seamless GPS to operate.Every communitys economic future requires reliable and uniform mobile and broadband data coverage," Lake County Economic Alliance President and CEO Karen Lauerman said. "When we started an inventory about five years ago, the state of Indianas systems were just being developed and the larger carriers viewed their networks as proprietary. It was very difficult to get people to share information. The whole world has changed so much and Digital Crossroads has the contacts and the resources to create a meaningful inventory of available assets.Digital Crossroads, which is building a massive data center at the former State Line Generating Facility on Lake Michigan on the Chicago border, plans are making available PDF maps of Northwest Indiana's existing 1G, 3.5G, and antenna structures. Email ndmitrovich@thinkdiversified.com to request the maps.Dakich said that Siem & Partner Managing Director Kai Seim and his team have begun the project.More companies would consider locating here if we could show them a demonstrable plan for expanding our broadband and cellular data systems," Dakich said. "The first step in this process would be to inventory where were currently at and then review what our Region needs. Learning from the Past 5 Cybertransition Tips Do your homework. Know your enterprises people, process and technology strengths and weaknesses. Use existing strategies, audit findings, risk assessments, penetration tests, phishing simulation results and more to prepare your proposals. Know your enterprises people, process and technology strengths and weaknesses. Use existing strategies, audit findings, risk assessments, penetration tests, phishing simulation results and more to prepare your proposals. Segment your plans. Not everything can get done at once. Offer 100-day milestones, along with six-month, one-year, two-year and four-year deliverables. Show past successes, but realize that the new team will want to highlight new opportunities addressing emerging cyberthreats. Not everything can get done at once. Offer 100-day milestones, along with six-month, one-year, two-year and four-year deliverables. Show past successes, but realize that the new team will want to highlight new opportunities addressing emerging cyberthreats. After Election Day, know the incoming teams plans for tech and cyber. Who was on the bus with the governor-elect? What do their speeches and website say about technology and cybersecurity? Adjust proposals accordingly. Who was on the bus with the governor-elect? What do their speeches and website say about technology and cybersecurity? Adjust proposals accordingly. Get on the boats that are leaving the dock. I often hear that there is no money. But resources are always being allocated to something. Align plans with the new leaderships priority technology projects and join those efforts. Which candidate will win the election? How will cybersecurity strategies change locally? What technology projects will be funded, or cut, or mothballed? How can we prepare for the unknown? Can I move up, or back, or over, or into an incoming administration leadership role?These are just a few of the hundreds of questions that are being asked in governments all over the country as we head toward Election Day 2018. The number of open and contested gubernatorial election races this year is staggering. Change is in the air, and there will certainly be new governors, mayors, legislators, commissioners and more coming soon to a government near you.Regardless of their political leanings, civil servants in government technology and security roles are anxiously preparing for their new leaders to arrive. Those who have been through executive transitions before expect new visions with fresh goals and modified definitions of success.So what can we learn from similar situations in the past? Are there best practices to help prepare for the future? Absolutely.Back in 2002, change was also in the air. Michigan Gov. John Engler was term-limited, and we knew that new leadership would be arriving after the votes were in.Our Michigan cybersecurity team started working on the Secure Michigan Initiative in May 2002, with a full-court press to build a strong cybersecurity plan by Election Day. Despite losing staff to early-outs, we organized an enterprisewide cyber-risk assessment based on the latest NIST guidance. Our results made the case for new funding for cyber, including prioritized project lists with costs and benefits identified.When Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm was elected, we presented the plan to top cabinet leaders. After initial disappointments, our new CIO Teri Takai, along with our new Homeland Security Advisor Brigadier Gen. Michael McDaniel, saw the benefits and provided grant funding for cybersecurity projects, even as other programs were getting cut. We implemented the majority of that IT security plan within the two terms that Granholm served.A similar list of questions was formed prior to Republican Rick Snyder becoming Michigans 48th governor in the 2010 election. As in most states, a formal transition plan was prepared to brief the incoming team on current IT projects and plans.But our technology leaders went further, proposing a bold set of new cybersecurity strategies that would help shape the Snyder administrations priorities based on needed cyberprotections. Snyder not only embraced these security ideas once elected, he expanded them. He championed the Michigan Cyber Initiative for eight years.So what can help prepare your cyberagenda for the incoming transition team and beyond?Dont give up. Realign, reprioritize and reassess your cyberstrategy as necessary when new information becomes available. Our initial requests in 2003 were met with blank stares. But persistence led to grant funding and more resources applied to cybersecurity.Cybersecurity is a (rare) bipartisan issue. No public leader wants to be the victim of a cyberattack that paralyzes government. Be proactive and position your team to have the right cybersecurity projects that are shovel-ready. (TNS) WASHINGTON Four advocacy groups for elections and cybersecurity called Wednesday for the halt of a pilot project in West Virginia that allows military personnel posted overseas and other U.S. citizens living abroad to cast ballots for the 2018 midterms using a smartphone app.Military voters deserve any help the government can give them to participate in democracy equally with all other citizens. However, in this threat environment, online voting endangers the very democracy the U.S. military is charged with protecting, the groups said.Proponents argued that with voter turnout so low, technology like the app is worth the risk.The report was issued by the National Election Defense Coalition, the nonpartisan watchdog group Common Cause, the center-right think tank R Street Institute, and the Technology Policy Committee of the Association for Computing Machinery, a group that says it provides neutral input on issues involving computing technology.Election security has become a top concern after the 2016 campaign, in which Russian hackers interfered with the presidential campaign and have since been accused of interfering in local campaigns as well. Federal officials have warned state and local governments that their systems could be compromised by hackers and they should take steps to tighten security.A number of experts have voiced strong opposition to the mobile app voting program.Count me among the cybersecurity experts who are appalled at this idea, said Ross Rustici, senior director of intelligence services at Cybereason, a Boston-based cybersecurity firm. I would argue that its a matter of when, not if, that type of voting system gets compromised.Communication between the voters mobile device and West Virginias vote counters occurs on the blockchain, a consensual digital system in which all users must agree and accept any transaction before it is codified. The technology was invented to support bitcoin, the cryptocurrency that emerged in 2009, but has expanded to other uses, including real estate transactions, supply chain logistics and royalty payments in the music industry.While the technology is considered promising, some dont view it as safe.Blockchain does not magically make online voting secure, it remains vulnerable to multiple attacks that can compromise an election, said Susan Greenhalgh, policy director at the National Election Defense Coalition.West Virginia Secretary of State Andrew Mac Warner, a Republican, issued a plea last week to allow the pilot project to go ahead, giving military personnel an easier way to vote.We are giving soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines across the globe and civilians the right to vote, and lets give this pilot project a chance to work, Warner told a workshop at the U.S. Capitol that brought together election supervisors from around the country.Under the plan, 24 of West Virginias 50 counties will permit military personnel and U.S. citizens posted overseas to vote on Nov. 6 using a smartphone app that allows them to get a ballot. The custom e-ballots would offer each voter, depending on precinct, a choice from U.S. Senate and House races down to local elected posts.Those who opt into the program will obtain the app by a Boston start-up, Voatz.Warner, who spent a career in the Army before entering politics, said the Voatz app may not be a panacea but that its benefits outweigh risks.Folks, were banking on our mobile devices. Were shopping on our mobile devices. Were sending our credit card information across it. If its insecure for those, then its going to be insecure for voting. But if you use that to shop and bank and so forth, I think we should be able to trust soldiers overseas to be able to vote, Warner said.Warner told McClatchy that he expects only a couple hundred people to participate in the program in West Virginia, which has one of the nations highest rates of military service per capita. He said the state has about 8,000 people, military, overseas.Only an average of 13 of every 100 military personnel posted overseas cast ballots and have them counted in U.S. elections, Warner said.We dont need to be tinkering at the edges, he said. We need to revolutionize the approach we take to getting people the right to vote.A YouTube video produced for the West Virginia secretary of states office boasts of the simplicity of the mobile app voting system.No matter where you are serving, no matter which continent you live on, your secure ballot is delivered back to West Virginia and will count on Election Day, the video says.Once a West Virginian registers as an overseas voter, he or she can receive instructions on how to download the app and register. To cast a ballot, the voter must take a photo of a valid government ID, like a passport of drivers license, then take a video selfie that includes blinking eyes to show its a live person.After verification, the voter receives a ballot from their home precinct. After filling it out, the voter again inputs either fingerprint or selfie as a final verification to transmit the ballot.The critical report from the four groups, titled Email and Internet Voting: The Overlooked Threat to Election Security, said blockchains can be tampered with either by colluding participants or hackers who infect servers with malicious software.Executives at Voatz, the Boston startup that created the app, couldnt be reached immediately. A New York-based foundation financing the pilot project, Tusk Montgomery Philanthropies, said it doesnt believe the Voatz system is insecure.Theres a bigger picture issue which is, no one is voting, said Sheila Nix, president of the foundation. Were working on trying to improve democracy as well as have safe and secure voting systems.Carye Blaney, county clerk of West Virginias Monongalia County, said in a telephone interview that the state is indebted to its overseas military personnel: We owe it to them to at least try the technology to see if it will work.The pilot program is drawing many eyes.There are other states interested, Nix said. Right now, most are waiting They want to see how West Virginia went.Warner said his state office has been in touch with officials in the Philippines, New Zealand, Turkey, Israel, the United Kingdom, Mexico and Canada, which have voiced some interest in possibly replicating the program. Pascal Wehrlein looks to be focused on returning to formula one in 2019. The German lost his seat at Sauber at the end of last year, and now he is escaping from his Mercedes contract in a move interpreted as preparation for a potential Toro Rosso drive. Wehrlein recently tested the Formula E car of the new Mercedes works team, but team boss Ulrich Fritz says the 23-year-old is not in the running for a contract. "Pascal did well in his test but at the time we wanted to make the decision, Pascal's focus was very clearly on returning to F1," Brazil's Globo quotes Fritz as saying. "I can understand that but I do not want to set up a team where a driver says after two races that he is leaving to enter F1. Our expectation was that Pascal would decide in favour of Formula E for the long term," he added. The only real remaining vacancies on the 2019 grid are at Toro Rosso and Williams. (GMM) Cabot Corporation, a leading global specialty chemicals and performance materials company, has been selected by the US Department of Energy (DOE) to participate in an advanced vehicle technologies research project that is part of a large, $80-million funding package (earlier post). Cabot will leverage its novel process technology to contribute to the research and development of low-cobalt active cathode formulations for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. Cobalt is an expensive, foreign-sourced critical material that could pose a supply risk in the future. Research projects such as Cabots are designed to explore more sustainable, affordable options, and ultimately improve access to electric vehicle technology. The DOE is investing in a total of 42 projects to support advanced vehicle technologies that can enable more affordable mobility, strengthen domestic energy security, reduce dependence on foreign sources of critical materials, and enhance U.S. economic growth. Of the $80 million, nearly $32 million has been allocated for battery and electrification initiatives, including $2.9 million for Cabots research in aerosol manufacturing technology for low-cobalt lithium-ion battery cathodes. Cabot already has an established presence in batteries through our conductive additive formulations and aluminas for cathodes and separators. We are eager to leverage our novel process technologies and battery materials expertise to drive further innovation for next generation batteries, with the goal of enabling low-cobalt or no-cobalt cathode formulations. This work will also help enable the production of low-cost, sustainable batteries for electric vehicles, energy storage and other applications. Miodrag Oljaca, technology director, Cabot Energy Materials Cabot will partner with researchers at Argonne National Lab and SAFT for this project. Argonne will assist in the synthesis of low-Cobalt cathode compositions, while SAFT will assist in the manufacture of batteries to validate performance of novel low-Cobalt cathode formulations. Neste, the worlds leading renewable products producer, and Air BP, the international aviation fuel products and services supplier, have entered into an agreement to explore opportunities to increase the supply and availability of sustainable aviation fuel for airline customers. Nestes knowledge and manufacturing solutions for producing and blending renewable jet fuel will be brought together with Air BPs customer relationships, expertise in developing efficient and effective supply chains, as well as their certification and product quality assurance capabilities. One goal of the cooperation will be complementary efforts to bring a co-branded sustainable aviation fuel to market at airports across Air BPs global network. Sustainable aviation fuel is made by blending conventional, fossil-based kerosene with renewable hydrocarbons produced from, for example, recycled cooking oil. It is then certified as Jet-A1 fuel and can be used in aircraft without requiring any technical modifications. Flying on sustainable aviation fuel reduces crude oil consumption and produces lower lifecycle carbon emissions compared to conventional jet fuel. I am very happy to announce our collaboration with Air BP. Working together, we can find the best ways of developing robust supply chains to ensure that renewable jet fuel is more widely accessible. We expect our collaboration will not only be able to provide a solution to better matching supply to increased demand for renewable jet fuel, but also delivers distinct advantages to airlines by significantly decreasing their environmental footprint. Kaisa Hietala, Nestes Executive Vice President in Renewable Products We are very pleased that through our collaboration with Neste, an industry leader in this space, we will be able to continue to support our customers with their low carbon ambitions. The aviation industrys carbon reduction targets can only be achieved with support from across the entire supply chain and, by bringing our experience and expertise together, we are looking to drive change by promoting and securing the supply of sustainable aviation fuel. Jon Platt, Air BP Chief Executive Officer Nestes MY Renewable Jet Fuel has proven its technical capability in thousands of commercial flights. It can be easily adopted by airlines without the need for additional investments in new jet engines or segregated fuel distribution systems. It is produced from renewable and sustainable raw materials, thus significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions over the life-cycle. Air BP has supplied BP Biojet in the Nordics since 2014 at around 10 airports, including Oslo where it was the first to supply sustainable aviation fuel through the existing airport fuelling infrastructure, in an earlier collaboration with Neste and other key Norwegian and industry stakeholders. Bolivian state enterprise Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos (YLB) and the German company ACI Systems Alemania GmbH (ACISA) officially sealed their cooperation on the extraction and industrialization of lithium from Salar de Uyuni. Juan Carlos Montenegro, Head of YLB, and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schmutz, CEO of ACISA, signed a partnership agreement in La Paz. The signing of the partnership agreement by YCB and ACISA represents an important milestone in the realization of the Bolivian-German lithium project. The partnership also guarantees Germany access to the metal. Salar de Uyuni in the Bolivian Andes is the world's largest known lithium deposit around ten million tons. The consortium around ACISA offers state-of-the-art technology, plants and machinery to establish a value-added chain in Bolivia in the mid-term, from extracting the raw material lithium through producing cathode material right up to manufacturing battery systems as end-products. Apart from the use of leading-edge technologies, another key aspect is environmentally and socially-compatible implementation, for example by using renewable energy. Furthermore, knowledge will also be transferred as Bolivian employees undergo training and qualification courses. This will create between 500 and 1,000 direct jobs and up to 10,000 indirect jobs in Bolivia in areas such as transport, logistics and services. The start of the production of lithium as a raw material is scheduled for the second half of 2021. By the end of 2022, the goal is to achieve an annual production capacity of 35,000 to 40,000 tons of lithium hydroxide. Further expansion of this capacity is planned. Parallel to signing the founding protocol, the scoping phase has begun, in which plans will be reviewed and defined. This process is expected to be completed in December 2018. A public-private joint venture between YLB and ACISA, in which the Bolivian state-owned company holds a majority stake of 51%, is also to be set up by the end of this year. YLB-ACISAs tasks include the precise definition of the areas of activity and the detailed preparation of business and environmental plans for the project companies that will subsequently be established. The joint venture will also be responsible for designing the technical and economic implementation of the project. ACI Systems Alemania GmbH (ACISA) is a member of the ACI Group based in Zimmern ob Rottweil in Southern Germany. The group of companies develops innovative and sustainable manufacturing solutions for the photovoltaic, battery and automotive industries. This includes applications for the manufacture of battery systems, energy storage systems and generators for electric mobility, solar power plants, as well as the extraction of raw materials and materials for these sectors. The group's core skills lie in process and systems engineering for production lines, as well as turnkey solutions. In addition, the ACI Group develops automation solutions and CO 2 snow jet systems for industrial parts cleaning. Within the group, ACISA is responsible for technology and project management. Among other things, this includes identifying and evaluating innovative technologies and corresponding application industries. ACI Systems Alemania GmbH is also concerned with sales and project development & management. Business UAE Armed Forces concludes deals worth Dhs11 billion on day two of Dubai Airshow 2021 "The deals concluded on the second day of the airshow are different from one another, because they have been signed with several countries. There is o... Haiti - Politic : Moise launches the Youth Entrepreneurship Support Program Wednesday at the Cine Triomphe, as part of the implementation of the government strategic plan in the area of entrepreneurship, President Moise, accompanied by Ronell Gilles the new Minister of Trade and Industry, proceeded to the official launch of the Youth Entrepreneurship Support Program (PAPEJ). This initiative is part of the implementation of the government's strategic plan for entrepreneurship in the country Moise congratulated the managers of the 150 companies selected among the 3,000 postulants in the business ideas competition and advised them to network, saying "Every 3 months, 200 companies must be created and I'll be back here in 3 months to to lauch them." President Jovenel Moise explained that he did not have the chance of these young entrepreneurs to find the support of the State to establish his first business "This chance, I had never had in my youth. As President, I bring you this opportunity in each of your respective communes." In his speech, Ronell Gilles extolled the merits of this program that brings opportunities to young people across the country and takes into account one of the major problems of youth, which is access to credits emphasizing that companies retained in the program are financed over a period of 10 years with a year of grace, at the preferential rate of 3% per annum and recalling that the economic development of Haiti is linked to the emergence of an innovative entrepreneurial culture with a strong involvement of young people. Learn more about PAPEJ : An initiative of the National Commission for Innovation and Social and Professional Inclusion of Young People, created by the President of the Republic, the PAPEJ aims to encourage young people to become entrepreneurs and to detect promising projects coming from young people carriers of innovative business ideas. Financial support and technical support are made available for the implementation of these projects in order to encourage young people to participate in the economic recovery of the country. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25660-haiti-economy-training-for-150-beneficiaries-of-the-support-program-for-youth-entrepreneurship.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Social : Minimum wage rejected, workers demand 1,000 gourdes per day Thelemaque Pierre, spokesperson of the Trade union platform of textile factories and Fignole Saint Cyr, the Secretary General of the Autonomous Central of Haitian Workers (CATH), reject the new minimum wage of 420 gourdes per day of 8 hours of work for the workers of the export-oriented assembly industries (Article 5 Segment F of the Decree https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25766-haiti-flash-all-details-on-new-minimum-wages.html According to them, this adjustment of 70 gourdes (+ 20%) will not allow workers to provide for their needs evoking among other things the cost of living and the daily cost of transportation. Telemaque Pierre claims that the workers maintain their demands for a minimum wage of 1,000 gourdes a day while Fignole Saint Cyr called the publication of the decree of true provocation for the workers. They announce the continuation of the concertation with a view to planning an imposing protest movement against this new minimum wage. Dominique St Eloi, the Coordinator of the National Central of Haitian Workers (CNOHA) agrees, saying that the workers will soon be on the street to denounce what he calls "a salary of poverty" and claim in addition to a salary of 1,000 gourdes, health insurance, social housing and free transportation for workers. He criticizes a Government at the service of the richest who oppress the unfortunate and the most destitute. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25766-haiti-flash-all-details-on-new-minimum-wages.html S/ HaitLibre 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: 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." Tags : Scott McEwen Scott McEwen new book Scott McEwen news city of death News Release October 11, 2018 Contact information Minnesota public health advocates honored for leadership, impact and service Awards announced last night at Community Health Conference in Brainerd Minnesotas public health community honored five people and three groups for outstanding contributions to public health in Minnesota at a Wednesday night awards ceremony held in conjunction with the annual Community Health Conference in the Brainerd area. Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm praised the recipients for their service to their communities as well as their work to improve health and reduce health inequities. We are fortunate in Minnesota to have so many talented and dedicated people working to protect, maintain and improve our health, Commissioner Malcolm said. These awards recognize our public health professionals, elected officials, and volunteers for the many ways they help make Minnesotas residents and communities healthier. The 2018 Community Health Award recipients include: Daniel Huff, director, Environmental Health, Minneapolis Department of Health, Minneapolis (Jim Parker Leadership Award) Terry Ristinen, epidemiologist, Minnesota Department of Health, Bemidji (Jack Korlath Partnership Award) Sandy Tubbs, Director, Horizon Public Health, Alexandria (Commissioner's Award for Distinguished Service in Community Health Services) Dr. Jokho Farah, director of quality and population health, Peoples Center Clinic, Minneapolis (Lou Fuller Award for Distinguished Service in Eliminating Health Disparities) Rose Jost, Richfield Advisory Board of Health, Richfield (Award for Outstanding Dedication to Local Public Health) Meeker-McLeod-Sibley Healthy Communities Leadership Team (Certificate of Recognition) Metro-Area Environmental Health Partners - Super Bowl Food Defense and Food Safety operation (Certificate of Recognition) Minneapolis Health Department and Youth Tobacco Prevention Community Partners (Certificate of Recognition) More information is available online at Community Health Awards. -MDH- Scott Smith MDH Communications 651-201-5806 scott.smith@state.mn.us Itd be a miracle if [a solution was found before the weekend], he stated to Uusi Suomi on Wednesday. Minister of Employment Jari Lindstrom (BR) says he does not expect the long-running dispute over a government proposal to mitigate the risks associated with hiring for small businesses to be resolved before the weekend. Lindstrom confirmed in a press conference yesterday that negotiations between the government and trade unions are in a deadlock, after the unions turned down an amended version of the much-discussed legislative proposal. Weve talked to them about their expectations. And pretty often their response is to ask us to withdraw [the proposal]. And then the government says it wont withdraw it, he summarised. A number of trade unions have announced and launched industrial actions in protest of the proposal that would allow businesses with no more than 10 employees to lay off employees on personal grounds. Juha Mutru, the chairperson of the Finnish Port Operators Association, told Uusi Suomi on Wednesday that the overtime and shift-trading ban launched by transport workers has had an immediate impact on port operations. He expressed his hope that a solution is reached before the weekend as the only regular, non-overtime weekend shift at ports is on Saturday morning. Its a long time between the end of Saturday mornings shift and the start of the next regular shift on Monday morning, he highlighted. Lindstrom was adamant that the government has no intention to back down in the dispute in spite of the threats of trade unions to step up their protests. Caving in to the demands of trade unions, he explained, would set a dangerous precedent going forward. Weve got a mandate to proceed with proposals. Letting an extra-parliamentary force dictate what we do [] would set a precedent that whenever theres an unpleasant proposal you could get the government to withdraw it by acting like this. That cant be the case, he underscored. He also emphasised that the legislative proposal is a genuine attempt to improve the national employment situation, rather than to generate benefits for a particular interest group. Entrepreneurs, he added, would be in a key position if the proposal was passed: Small companies make up 93.3 per cent [of all companies]. Thats a huge number, and theres huge employment potential there. Aleksi Teivainen HT Source: Uusi Suomi Uusi Suomi on Wednesday reported that Heli Aaltonen, a chief inspector at Helsinki Police Department, gave a presentation that included descriptions and illustrations of various types of undocumented immigrants encountered by police while conducting inspections at, for example, restaurants and construction sites. The National Police Board has announced it will look into complaints filed in connection with a presentation given yesterday by the immigration unit of Helsinki Police Department. The examples included a bibulous Estonian construction worker and a Somali man with three wives. Stop Deportations, a group of activists opposing the forced removals of unsuccessful asylum seekers, viewed that the descriptions and illustrations are an exhibit of everyday racism in Finland. Kaari Mattila, the secretary general at the Finnish League for Human Rights, similarly labelled them as racist stereotypes. Their allegations were rejected by Aaltonen. I brought it up many times that this is not ethnic profiling. And that no one should be offended, because what's important is the underlying issue. Also the police is concerned if an employer takes advantage of undocumented asylum seekers, she said according to Uusi Suomi. The National Police Board has nevertheless decided to examine the presentation, stressing that the police must safeguard all basic and human rights. There is absolutely no tolerance for racism, its spokesperson tweeted on Thursday. Aleksi Teivainen HT Source: Uusi Suomi hennemusic archive Nov 2021 (51) Oct 2021 (119) Sep 2021 (119) Aug 2021 (87) Jul 2021 (82) Jun 2021 (99) May 2021 (104) Apr 2021 (82) Mar 2021 (87) Feb 2021 (80) Jan 2021 (71) Dec 2020 (89) Nov 2020 (81) Oct 2020 (113) Sep 2020 (89) Aug 2020 (99) Jul 2020 (110) Jun 2020 (77) May 2020 (128) Apr 2020 (118) Mar 2020 (108) Feb 2020 (85) Jan 2020 (118) Dec 2019 (94) Nov 2019 (74) Oct 2019 (116) Sep 2019 (107) Aug 2019 (83) Jul 2019 (86) Jun 2019 (108) May 2019 (105) Apr 2019 (98) Mar 2019 (95) Feb 2019 (106) Jan 2019 (91) Dec 2018 (117) Nov 2018 (110) Oct 2018 (132) Sep 2018 (118) Aug 2018 (116) Jul 2018 (106) Jun 2018 (92) May 2018 (112) Apr 2018 (99) Mar 2018 (96) Feb 2018 (90) Jan 2018 (90) Dec 2017 (84) Nov 2017 (85) Oct 2017 (102) Sep 2017 (95) Aug 2017 (95) Jul 2017 (83) Jun 2017 (76) May 2017 (90) Apr 2017 (72) Mar 2017 (75) Feb 2017 (62) Jan 2017 (76) Dec 2016 (80) Nov 2016 (97) Oct 2016 (101) Sep 2016 (103) Aug 2016 (113) Jul 2016 (92) Jun 2016 (108) May 2016 (112) Apr 2016 (111) Mar 2016 (118) Feb 2016 (97) Jan 2016 (112) Dec 2015 (104) Nov 2015 (98) Oct 2015 (119) Sep 2015 (129) Aug 2015 (111) Jul 2015 (122) Jun 2015 (140) May 2015 (114) Apr 2015 (148) Mar 2015 (149) Feb 2015 (120) Jan 2015 (123) Dec 2014 (130) Nov 2014 (180) Oct 2014 (179) Sep 2014 (189) Aug 2014 (181) Jul 2014 (203) Jun 2014 (192) May 2014 (221) Apr 2014 (205) Mar 2014 (223) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (203) Dec 2013 (179) Nov 2013 (189) Oct 2013 (214) Sep 2013 (185) Aug 2013 (160) Jul 2013 (183) Jun 2013 (205) May 2013 (211) Apr 2013 (203) Mar 2013 (213) Feb 2013 (158) Jan 2013 (172) Dec 2012 (172) Nov 2012 (186) Oct 2012 (199) Sep 2012 (166) Aug 2012 (178) Jul 2012 (145) Jun 2012 (162) May 2012 (186) Apr 2012 (154) Mar 2012 (161) Feb 2012 (170) Jan 2012 (187) Dec 2011 (226) Nov 2011 (194) Oct 2011 (288) Sep 2011 (199) Aug 2011 (180) Jul 2011 (133) Jun 2011 (132) May 2011 (157) Apr 2011 (140) Mar 2011 (186) Feb 2011 (196) Jan 2011 (214) Dec 2010 (206) Nov 2010 (201) Oct 2010 (146) Sep 2010 (109) Aug 2010 (80) Jul 2010 (41) Jun 2010 (39) May 2010 (44) Apr 2010 (39) Mar 2010 (34) Feb 2010 (31) How much damage is Trump doing to GOP candidates in red states like Montana? Politico yesterday. Sunday, I noted that when you examine flippable districts, the Democrats' ceiling for a net gain is 88 seats . No one thinks the Democrats are going to win 88 seats-- not even me-- but they're going to be closer to 88 than the 23 reporters who don't know anything about electoral politics, nor the properties of a wave, keep writing about as the goal. Steven Shepard was doing just that atyesterday. Remember back in ancient times when Rasmussen was the joke of the polling industry and when every race they called was wrong and people called them the Republican polling firm? They're still that horrible. But they're not the worst any longer; the hokey, gimmicky NY Times/Siena poll is. And that's the one that other reporters use to parrot predictions. How many other polls call people at 11pm? How about this poll for a laughing stock: the University of Montana's Big Sky poll , the mirror of image of Rasmussen? First a little background on Montana: The state's PVI is R+11, redder than Georgia, Mississippi, Indiana and Missouri. Obama lost both times he ran and Trump won the state 56.5% to 35.9%. The last time Jon Tester was up for reelection he won-- by the skin of his teeth-- against Denny Rehberg 236,123 (48.6%) to 218,051 (44.9%). It was even closer in 2006 (a Democratic wave year) when he beat crooked Republican Conrad Burns 199,845 (49.2%) to 196,283 (48.3%). But the Big Sky poll shows all bad news for Republicans, starting with job performance: Trump- 44% positive to 56% negative Sen. Steve Daines (R)- 37% postive to 63% negative Rep. Greg Gianforte (R)- 34% positive to 66% negative Gov. Steve Bullock (D)- 57% postive to 43% negative Sen. Jon Tester (D)- 55% positive to 45% negative The poll got even more mind-boggling when they asked likely voters who they plan to vote for in the two statewide races next month. In the House race, they picked Democrat Kathleen Williams with 51% over GOP incumbent Greg Gianforte with 38%. It's worth mentioning that Gianforte has raised (including $1.5 of his own cash) around $7 million to less than a million by Williams. Montana is not one of the 88 districts in my most optimistic analysis! The 538 House forecaster gives her a 26.6% chance to win the seat: And in the U.S. Seat race, Tester wipes the floor with Republican Matt Rosendale 56% to 32%... more in line with what other polls are finding. The 10 polls conducted since June have all found Tester ahead. Tester raised $14,093,719 to Rosendale's $1,966,002. Republican SuperPACs have thrown in around $10 attacking Tester and Democratic SuperPACs have spent around $8 million attacking Roasendale. Don't get too excited about the House seat; this poll is absurd. Good ad though: Courtesy Simona Mangiante(WASHINGTON) -- Simona Mangiante says she is officially tired of being asked whether shes a Russian spy. The wife of the onetime Trump campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos, who was recently sentenced to a two-week jail term for lying to the FBI about his attempts to arrange a meeting between campaign and Russian officials, has faced questions about her background from social-media sleuths, media personalities and even her in-laws. When federal investigators from Special Counsel Robert Muellers office charged her then-fiance in October 2017, they also pulled her aside to ask her whether she spoke Russian or had traveled to Moscow. She does not and had not, she replied, as she laughed off the implications. But for Mangiante, a trained lawyer turned aspiring actress, those questions are no longer a laughing matter. She is in the process of hiring an attorney, she said, to try to put a stop to speculation about her allegiances, fearing that the swirling rumors have stalled her efforts to secure a work permit to begin an acting job she says she has landed in Hollywood. Im facing something worse than character assassination, Mangiante told ABC News. I have studied so long to be where I am. And there is this effort to completely destroy all my achievements over lies. So Mangiante is pushing back, trying to clarify some of the disputed details of her background. She provided ABC News with an image of her Italian passport to verify her age (34) and shared the names of contacts who could confirm her work history. While Mangiante initially told friends that she felt the speculation lent her an alluring air of mystery, she now views the spy claims as serious allegations that question my legitimacy as a person, as a wife, as a human being. She has been taunted so thoroughly on Twitter, she said, that she has considered abandoning her account. People dont see the human side of the situation, Mangiante told ABC News. Its very cruel what they are putting me through. The speculation about Mangiantes background is not without some basis. In addition to the questions from the FBI which she acknowledged in an interview on Good Morning America last year there is another connection between her and a murky figure tied to the ongoing probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Both Papadopoulos and Mangiante were tied a Maltese academic named Joseph Mifsud. Prosecutors have alleged that an unnamed professor -- later identified by sources as Mifsud -- was acting as an agent for the Russian government in April 2016 when he told Mangiantes future husband George, then a volunteer foreign policy adviser to the Trump campaign, that the Russians had dirt on Hillary Clinton in the form of thousands of emails. Mifsud denied those allegations, but he has since gone underground and has not been seen or heard from in public. Mangiante, meanwhile, started working for Mifsud, according to her LinkedIn profile, later that same year. She said their mutual connection to Mifsud was merely a coincidence but acknowledged that it was indeed that affiliation that brought them together in September 2016 as they started exchanging flirtatious messages on LinkedIn. But Mangiante says she harbors no hidden connections to Russia. She was born, she says, in 1984 in Caserta, Italy -- near Naples and points to her passport, which notes both her birthyear and her birthplace. She says she studied law, and although ABC News was not able to verify her law degree, an Italian legal database shows her registered to practice in Italy until 2010, when she says she moved to Brussels. (Though the legal site says she was born in 1981, not 1984.) She worked as a lawyer on international child custody and abduction cases in the European Parliament, she says, before moving to London to work for Mifsud. But when she stepped into the spotlight to defend her husband the first person indicted in the Mueller probe she was immediately confronted with doubts about her history. She says people have told her the that even the work she did for the European Parliament sounded like a cover story. I used to work as a diplomat at the European Parliament for a few years and this could be a red flag because many officials at European Union actually -- its a cover-up for spy jobs, Mangiante told ABC News last year. More recent questions have focused on work she said she had done as a legal intern for the Chicago-based law firm Mayer Brown in 2007. A firm spokesman was quoted by independent journalist Scott Stedman saying the firm had no record of Mangiante having worked for the firm. But the firm revised its position in a statement to ABC News on Tuesday. We believe Simona Mangiante was a visiting foreign intern from August to November 2007, a firm spokesperson said in a brief email to ABC News. Mangiante pointed ABC News to two former Mayer Brown colleagues who said they remember her time there. Both asked not to be identified by name because they did not wish to be dragged into a political dispute. Shes a very smart, very nice person, one former colleague said, adding that she can totally confirm that she was in the New York office. The other, a former partner at Mayer Brown who worked with her in the Washington D.C. office in 2007, also confirmed she worked as a foreign legal intern, a prestigious internship program that Mayer Brown began in 1993. But perhaps the most delicate aspect of Mangiantes effort to knock down allegations that she is misrepresenting her background involve the assertions being floated by her in-laws. Kiki Papadopoulos, Georges mother, has been prolific in her criticism of her daughter-in-law on Twitter, writing at one point, There were two things she wanted from George and she did get it Fame and fortune. Reached by phone, Kiki Papadopoulos declined to be interviewed, but in September, the couple addressed the family dispute in an appearance on ABC News This Week with George Stephanopoulos, with Papadopoulos saying his parents thought that she might have been some sort of Russian spy. Of course I never believed anything like that. I dont think every beautiful blonde person necessarily has to be a Russian agent. You know, there are many blonde Italians as well. In a subsequent appearance on The View, host Joy Behar posed the question to Mangiante directly after she described the Mueller teams efforts to determine if she was a spy. Are you? Behar asked. No, was her reply. And I would like to make a point if I am a spy I would be an Italian one. Why a Russian one? Thats something I dont get it yet. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. 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. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! 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The reception (Photo: Nhan Dan News) At the reception, the PM hailed the significant role of Japanese businesses in promoting the relationship of the two countries and thanked them for their participation and practical contribution to Vietnams development. He asserted Vietnam pledged to create the best business climate for Japanese businesses while proposing they expand activities and increase connection with Vietnamese companies. The government leader asked ANA, being the biggest aviation group of Japan, to boost cooperation with Vietnams air carriers, while encouraging the group to purchase more shares of Vietnam Airlines and cooperate with the national carrier to train and develop aviation human resources. Mr. Osamu Shinobe hailed the assistance of the Vietnamese government and pledged to cooperate with Vietnam Airlines to expand aviation activities in the near future. The group is promoting projects of developing popular Vietnamese destinations such as Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc into competitive hot spots in the region and the world. He affirmed ANA is ready to assist the Japanese government to create more favorable conditions for Vietnamese citizens to enter the country. ANA is the largest airline in Japan by revenue and passenger number. Founded in 1952, ANA flies today on 87 international routes and 114 domestic routes. In May, 2016, the group became a strategic partner of Vietnam Airlines. The two sides actively carried out a comprehensive cooperative deal in trade, services, technique and training in order to utilize each others strengths, expand the aviation network and increase competitiveness./. Blockchain Powered Utopia Music Acquires ISPY Group Utopia Music, a blockchain powered music tracking platform has acquired technology development company ISPY Group. The acquisition will help Utopia Music scale and expand. ISPY Group is expected to be fully incorporated into Utopia Music AG by the end of the year. Utopia's head office will continue to run out of Crypto Valley in Zug, Switzerland, with operations, technology and development run from Barcelona and Stockholm. By collecting volumes of data, creating unique metadata, and building real-time analytics tools, Utopia Music is hopes to unlock an estimated $30 $60 billion of untapped revenue in the music industry. Utopia Music will also offer refined user data to help shape better business decisions in a digital era, in order to better connect artists to fans. Commenting on the acquisition, Mattias Hjelmstedt, CEO and Founder of Utopia Music, said: At Utopia Music, we are building an inclusive ecosystem which will benefit all stakeholders in the music world by removing existing inefficiencies and unlocking untracked revenues. Our technology will fuel streamlined rights management, allowing for flexible and customisable payments, as well as providing insightful user data to help artists and businesspeople make more informed decisions. Our strategic acquisition of the ISPY Group will help us build a powerful data communications protocol upon which any third-party can build new products and services, fuelling value creation in the wider music ecosystem. The wealth of tech talent from ISPY Group composed of more than 30 R&D engineers and designers and their cutting-edge technological solutions will strengthen our platform and service offering, allowing us to become a leader in the space. Share on: Industry Reacts As MMA: AIMP, A2IM, Music Biz, ASCAP, SoundExchange, BMI, Sound Royalties The Music Modernization Act is finally the law of the land. With Kid Rock at his side, President Trump signed the bill on Thursday in the White House's Roosevelt Room. Almost universally approved of by the music industry, the multifaceted copyright and royalty legislation passed both Houses of Congress on unanimous voice votes. Michael Eames, President of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP); Alisa Coleman, AIMP New York Executive Director; and John Ozier, AIMP Nashville Executive Director Today marks a historic step forward for independent music publishers, songwriters, and the entire music industry, as President Trump has signed the Hatch Goodlatte Music Modernization Act (MMA) into law. This marks the first significant federal legislation since 1998s Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) to address the needs of rights-holders in todays online age. We can look forward to a variety of long-overdue reforms that will make it easier to negotiate for and collect fair royalty rates while also establishing once and for all that digital services must pay for the use of pre-1972 recordings. In addition, it ensures independent publishers and songwriters a seat at the table for the new mechanical licensing collective. The AIMP is committed to ensuring that the independent publishing community and songwriters are represented fairly in the implementation and enforcement of the MMA, and we look forward to working with our partners across the music and technology industries as we move ahead in this new era. We offer our sincere gratitude to David Israelite and his team at NMPA, to the NSAI and SONA, to Senator Orrin Hatch and Congressmen Bob Goodlatte and Doug Collins, and to all parties from all sides who fought to provide a balanced outcome for all involved. Richard James Burgess, CEO of A2IM "The signing of the Music Modernization Act into law, by the President, is the culmination of a gargantuan struggle that was resolved by an unparalleled alliance between all music industry stakeholders and the relevant tech companies. In this digital age, more music is enjoyed by more people than at any time in the history of humankind. The signing of this bill represents a significant step towards better lives for music creators and those that support them. A standing ovation is greatly deserved for all involved in this historic achievement." James Donio, President of the Music Business Association "The Music Business Association applauds and congratulates its members and valued partners across the industry on their extraordinary and unprecedented efforts to bring the groundbreaking Music Modernization Act to fruition. What an amazing achievement for creators and their commercial partners to have come together in solidarity, and joined with Congress, to make long overdue copyright reform a reality. This is the start of an exciting new era for the entire business of music. Bravo!" Elizabeth Matthews, ASCAP Chief Executive Officer Thanks to the unrelenting efforts of our ASCAP music creator and publisher members, industry partners and champions in Congress, a more sustainable future for songwriters is finally within reach. The MMA's unanimous passage in the House and Senate proves that the power of music is a great unifier. ASCAP is gratified to have stood alongside creators, music publishers, and many more to make this dream a reality. Paul Williams, songwriter, ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President A young songwriter once wrote, You give a little love and it all comes back to you; Youre gonna be remembered for the things that you say and do. Decades later, this could not be more true. Songwriters across this country now and in the future will remember those who fought so hard for the Music Modernization Actboth in Congress and across the music industry. On behalf of the music community, we are so thankful for the love and will return the favor with music for generations to come. Michael Huppe, SoundExchange President and CEO "With today's signing of the Music Modernization Act, we mark a historic accomplishment. But more importantly, we mark what it means. For creators, it means getting paid more fairly. For those who recorded music before 1972, it means assurance you'll get paid for your work. For songwriters, publishers and producers it means making the digital economy work for you. "SoundExchange's 170,000-member community was a driving force in getting the bill from the halls of Congress to the White House. When the music industry speaks with one voice, Congress listens. I urge you to stay active because there is much more work to be done before we can truly say all music creators are treated fairly." Mike ONeill, BMI President and CEO This is truly a historic moment for the music industry, especially for the American songwriters and composers at its core, who will see significant and deserved benefit from this legislation. Passage of the Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act was a hard-fought process that hinged on tremendous collaboration and unprecedented support among diverse stakeholders who ultimately united to safeguard the future of music. We are gratified by this extraordinary outcome that recognizes the essential contributions of creators and streamlines the use of their music across businesses. While BMI will keep advocating to protect the livelihood of music creators in the digital age, we thank Congress and the President for taking this important step in implementing the most meaningful music licensing reform in decades." Sound Royalties CEO Alex Heiche For years, music professionals have been stuck in an archaic, broken system that made it extremely difficult for music services to locate and pay creatives. This should never happen in any industry, especially not one as centric to our lives as music. But todays landmark passage of the Music Modernization Act is an enormous step in the right direction to correct this wrong and ensure that creatives are fairly compensated for their work. This was a long-awaited and hard-fought victory, and Sound Royalties salutes all those who battled tirelessly to make this dream a reality. The passage of the Music Modernization Act today marks a historic win for songwriters, music publishers, artists, record labels, producers, streaming services and the entire industry that services them. Music is intrinsic to every part of our lives, and this law will help ensure that the music can play on by creating a path to fair compensation for the creatives behind the songs we all know and love, both the classics recorded before 1972 and the new. Share on: Twenty-one states signed today a Council of Europe treaty aimed at strengthening the principles and rules for the protection of personal data at international level. The treaty, an Amending Protocol, updates the Council of Europes Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data, also known as Convention 108, the only existing international treaty addressing the right of individuals to the protection of their personal data. The protocol was signed during a ceremony in Strasbourg by 20 Council of Europe member states Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom and by Uruguay, one of the six non-European states that have so far joined Convention 108. Secretary General Thorbjrn Jagland said: The modernised convention will allow states to share a robust set of principles and rules to protect personal data, and will provide a unique forum for co-operation in this field at global level. States parties to Convention 108 should sign and ratify the protocol so it can enter into force as soon as possible. The protocol reinforces the data protection principles of Convention 108 and includes additional safeguards to tackle the challenges to the protection of personal data brought by new technologies and practices. It also broadens the role of the Conventions Committee, which will monitor that the Parties implement the provisions of the updated treaty effectively. The modernised convention, which data protection experts are referring to as Convention 108+, aims to ensure that the transfer of personal data across borders is done with appropriate safeguards, and that it is compatible with normative frameworks across the world, including the European Unions legislation. The revised treaty also provides the possibility for accession by the European Union and international organisations. Some of the innovations contained in the protocol are the following: Stronger requirements regarding the proportionality and data minimisation principles, and lawfulness of the processing Extension of the types of sensitive data, which will now include genetic and biometric data, trade union membership and ethnic origin. Obligation to declare data breaches Greater transparency of data processing New rights for the persons in an algorithmic decision making context, which are particularly relevant in connection with the development of artificial intelligence Stronger accountability of data controllers Requirement that the privacy by design principle is applied Application of the data protection principles to all processing activities, including for national security reasons, with possible exceptions and restrictions subject to the conditions set by the Convention, and in any case with independent and effective review and supervision Clear regime of transborder data flows Reinforced powers and independence of the data protection authorities and enhancing legal basis for international cooperation. *** Opened for signature in 1981, the Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data currently has 53 State Parties: the 47 Council of Europe member states, Cabo Verde, Mauritius, Mexico, Senegal, Tunisia and Uruguay. Another three countries - Argentina, Burkina Faso and Morocco - have been invited to accede to the treaty. Many other countries have used it as a model for new data protection legislation and are participating as observers in the Committee of the Convention, which gathers nearly 70 countries in total. Overview of the novelties of the Protocol Additional information on Council of Europes work on data protection School officials are cautioning that any project to renovate or build a school is still years away. Adams Officials Wary of New School Project The Selectmen meet with School Committee Chairman Paul Butler and Superintendent John Vosburgh on Tuesday. ADAMS, Mass. The Selectmen are hesitant to support another new school building project on the campus of Hoosac Valley High School. The board members were updated at Tuesday's workshop meeting on the Adams-Cheshire Regional School District's statement of interest submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority. The school district's SOI related to the needs at what is now Hoosac Valley Elementary School on Commercial Street. There was some uncertainty on the board's part that building a new elementary school would be the best solution. "We support this process to continue but we have our concerns," Chairman John Duval told Superintendent John Vosburgh and School Committee Chairman Paul Butler. "We want to move forward." Earlier this year, the district submitted an SOI, as most districts typically do each year. However, this time the district was accepted into the first round of reviews being made by MSBA representatives. Vosburgh said the district will know in three to four months whether it has been accepted into the program's eligibility phase, during which a school building committee would be formed and certain information provided to the MSBA. At the end of this 270-day phase, the MSBA could move the project to the feasibility phase upon approval by local authorities and meeting funding requirements for the next stage of studies. Vosburgh and Butler both noted that the district is still very early in the process. "These things take 10 or more years to complete and the initial SOI doesn't always get accepted," Butler said. "It can take multiple efforts but as any board should do we need to identify issues within our current buildings and look forward to state assistance." The SOI must include different options and the district submitted a renovation of Hoosac Valley Elementary or a new-build project. The Selectmen did not necessarily believe a new building would be the best answer for the school district or the town. "We have been through this before, and before we renovated Hoosac Valley, the exodus began," said Duval, who served on the School Committee for 17 years and supported the $41 million Hoosac Valley High School renovation completed in 2012. "We had the brand-new school with everything modern and we believed if we built it they would come, and we would get these kids back ... building a new school is not a guarantee." Adams-Cheshire, like most school districts in the county, has seen a steady loss in enrollment that's only expected to intensify. The district overall has lost more than 200 students and closed a school. That had town officials wary of building new when the county is facing steady population decline and although the Hoosac Valley building project would likely be almost off the books by the time a new build project would begin, funding a new school may be a hard sell in both communities. The Selectmen also had concerns about eventually closing the last school in Adams, which once had six, and having another vacant school in the downtown. "It's about community character. The students walk to school ... and it gives a great feeling of community," Duval said. "We would no longer have a public school in our town we will lose the last public school that we have." The district's middle school on Columbia Street was closed when the renovated high school opened and has sat vacant since. In 2016, the School Committee voted to close Cheshire Elementary School and consolidate all students to Hoosac Valley Elementary School and Hoosac Valley Middle and High School, which is in Cheshire although part of the grounds is in Adams. Selectman Joseph Nowak said losing the school would be a hit to the community but felt that asking Cheshire to fund a renovation at Hoosac Valley Elementary School would not be supported. "It makes our community and I don't want us to be struggling in the future with a building when I think it meets the needs of our students," Nowak said. "I think we can continue to work together and fix it but I believe asking Cheshire to help us put money into C.T. Plunkett is a hard sell ... It is going to be a fight." Although Plunkett was renovated in the 1990s, it has had a number of maintenance issues most notably various leaks in the roof and problems with the heating system. The town has been funding repairs at the school on its own and Nowak suggested that this may be the best course of action for the time being. Vosburgh said there is an accelerated repair program that provides funds for smaller projects such as new windows, new roofs, and new boilers. He said this may also be something to look at. "We might want to see what that involves," he said. "I know it is a quicker turnaround and we can ask the question and see the pros and cons." Butler went on to say that there was a desire in Cheshire to move to a one-campus district and agreed that its residents most likely would not support a Hoosac Valley Elementary School renovation project. "I don't think they will want to invest in the Plunkett building and I think if there is an option for a one campus district that has half a shot," Butler said. "The compromise could be a single campus district and that may be the only way we get building project funding and Adams may not support that, but we need to get to that phase where we can see what will be supported." Vosburgh reiterated that any decision would be a long way off and that district needs to continue the process just to get to the point where it can discuss options. "Options will evolve, and a one-campus option will certainly be part of the equation, but that part is in the next step," he said. "The need and the ability to fund is where we are at this point." Nowak reiterated that he thought it may take years for the rift between the two communities to subside and felt any project could be affected by this conflict. "This whole thing that happened with Adams and Cheshire is like a messy divorce and the thing is I don't really believe that Cheshire will agree with this," Nowak said. "I know we have to go forward but I worry about putting in a lot of efforts just to have nothing happen ... I think it is going to take a number of years for the dust to settle." Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc meets with Mitsubishi President and CEO Takehiro Kakeuchi in Tokyo on October 10th (Photo: VNA) The talk took place as part of his trip to attend the 10th Mekong-Japan Summit Meeting and visit Japan. The PM said that the Vietnamese Government pays close attention to raising the capacity of accessing and grasping development opportunities from the Fourth Industry Revolution, as well as increasing the application of artificial intelligence and high technology in all sectors in order to improve production capacity and competitiveness in production chains. Within this process, Vietnam attaches importance to training high-quality human resources and developing IT infrastructure, he said, hoping that Japanese businesses will act as guides for developing these fields in Vietnam. He called on Japanese firms to set up supplementary production and supply clusters in Vietnam, towards increasing the localisation rate. According to the PM, the Vietnamese Government will continue its powerful momentum of reform, cutting down administrative procedures and creating the best conditions for businesses. He affirmed Vietnams motto of accompanying enterprises during the development process, saying the nation will make every effort to address arising issues so that Japanese companies can continue doing successful business in Vietnam and contribute to the development and prosperity of the country. For their part, Japanese enterprises said the business climate in Vietnam has significantly improved and wished that the Vietnamese Government will provide more favourable conditions for them to expand investment and do long-term business in the country. Some of them revealed that they pay special heed to training high-quality human resources in Vietnam to supply companies in Japan. They also wish to expand investment in the fields of distribution, infrastructure connectivity, construction of global data and operation centres, the development of high-tech agriculture, and sectors applying artificial intelligence. The enterprises pledged to contribute to the development of the Vietnamese economy, as well as preserving and promoting the sound relationship between the two nations. At a reception for President and CEO Kanetsugu Mike of MUFG, Japans largest bank, PM Phuc spoke highly of MUFGs business operations in Vietnam and hoped that the bank will continue to be an important bridge for boosting Japanese investment in the Southeast Asian country and join Vietnam in the implementation of its banking development strategy. The MUFG leader thanked the Vietnamese Government for facilitating the banks operation in the country and vowed to promote investment from Japanese enterprises in Vietnam, thus contributing to bilateral ties and the development of the Southeast Asian country. Meeting with Mitsubishi President and CEO Takehiro Kakeuchi, the PM suggested that Mitsubishi consider investing in large-scale projects, such as those to develop smart cities in Vietnamese localities, build Lien Chieu port in the central city of Da Nang, and install coffee and tea processing lines. The Mitsubishi President committed to investing in Vietnam at the highest level, promoting new ideas and studying the expansion of investment in those areas proposed by the PM. Later the same day, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his entourage left the Haneda International Airport for home, successfully concluding his trip to attend the 10th Mekong - Japan Summit Meeting and visit Japan./. iciHaiti - Politic : Meeting of the Bilateral Subcommittee on Migration and Border Issues On Tuesday, the Subcommittee on "Migration and Border Issues" of the Technical Secretariat of the Haitian-Dominican Mixed Commission (CMB) held a working session at its premises located at Freres 18. The meeting was attended by representatives of various member institutions of this subcommittee including : the Dominican Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DAD), the ZILE Foundation, the Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad (MAHVE) and the Technical Committee of Frontiers (CTF). The discussions focused on the planning of the agenda of the activities of the Subcommittee for the new fiscal year. Some news files were also discussed including, among others : the migration issue and the renegotiation of the 1999 agreement on repatriation mechanisms with the Dominican Republic. IH/ iciHaiti IDF Soldier Wounded in Stabbing Attack The Fellowship | October 11, 2018 IDF Soldier Wounded in Stabbing Attack As Israeli authorities continue the search for the terrorist who shot and murdered two people on Sunday, another terror attack has struck the Holy Land. The Times of Israels Judah Ari Gross reports that a terrorist stabbed an IDF soldier in the head and torso outside of a West Bank military base: Two people were injured in a stabbing attack outside an army base in the northern West Bank on Thursday, the army said. An Israeli soldier was moderately hurt, sustaining stab wounds to the face and upper body. A civilian woman, 26, was lightly injured by a ricochet from shots fired at the assailant, who fled the scene Shortly after 1:30 p.m., the stabber attacked the Israeli soldier, a 30-year-old reservist, with a knife, outside the Shomron Regional Brigade headquarters in the northern West Bank, near the Itamar settlement, the Israel Defense Forces said. He then ran away The two victims were taken to Petah Tikvas Beilinson Hospital for treatment. The reservist sustained stab wounds to the face and upper body. He was fully conscious when he was brought into the hospital, according to his doctors Nigerians have taken to social media to social media to react to David Oyedepos meeting with Atiku Abubakar and Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta on Thursday. The General overseer of Living Faith Church aka Winners Chapel was at the home of former president Obasanjo, at same time, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku visited. Nigerians have taken the news with mixed feelings as photos from the meeting, portraits a very happy Bishop Oyedepo. Oyedepo has been a strong opposition to President Muhammadu Buharis government especially after the spate of killings by Fulani Herdsmen increaded. Reacting, some were of the view that they were proud of Oyedepo for not pretending about his political affiliation, others just bashed the clergy for his stand. See reactions below Are you wondering why Oyedepo is with Atiku? The vice president is a member of redeem you think jealousy and envy has not set in? Iyalaya (@Lollylarry1) October 11, 2018 If all pastors claim to serve a God, why are they having different prophesies . That is to say they are not serving one God . Oyedepo is not representing the Christian populace but himself. Sanni Rabiu (@RabiuSanni) October 11, 2018 At least for few monthse Bishop Oyedepo's sermon will no longer have the word ''Fulani Herdsmen". Let somebody shout Halleluyah! Bankole Akintunde Adebayo (@AdeBanqie) October 11, 2018 This pictures clearly shows that Oyedepo was only fighting for himself not for the Christians as He claimed. pic.twitter.com/L6C1Ko3D7A jaleel ajibola (@Jaleelajibola) October 11, 2018 Oyedepo also about to be atikulated. Where is Father Mbaka? Dr. Dipo Awojide (@OgbeniDipo) October 11, 2018 I saw Oyedepo in a Fulani styled attire smiling and grinning from ear to ear to meet with a non Fulani" atiku after all his diatribe against a fulani Buhari. These men are shameless and it is the ones who listens to them that I pity the most. https://t.co/tMvl6AsZ1W Field Marshal The Godfather (@Ayourb) October 11, 2018 https://twitter.com/DOlusegun/status/1050400911317757952?s=19 PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the conference (Photo: VNA) Addressing the Vietnam-Japan investment promotion conference in Tokyo on October 10th, the leader explained that Vietnam is stepping up the equitisation of State-owned enterprises by selling stakes in major SOEs in transportation, aviation, food and foodstuff, agriculture, telecommunications, trade, tourism services and construction. Japanese firms, with financial strength, good business administration and extensive international markets, are welcomed as strategic partners, he said. Besides, Vietnam also encourages foreign investors in startups, as the country is focusing on developing startups and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), he noted. Amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Vietnam is shifting its growth drivers towards sectors with high-added values and using state-of-the-art technologies and high-quality labourers, the PM said. Therefore, the country hopes for Japanese investments in infrastructure development, clean energy, processing, electronics, manufacturing, support industry, high-tech agriculture, logistics, aviation and high-end hotels, the leader noted. Affirming that Vietnams investment environment will be further improved, PM Phuc said Japanese investors are welcomed to the country for mutual long-term and sustainable development. He said in the face of global uncertainties, Vietnam has maintained political and social stability, and consolidated the macro economy, with growth rate of nearly 7 percent in the first nine months of this year. Besides, Vietnam has joined a total of 16 new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs), the PM said, highlighting the countrys advantages of geopolitics, geo-economics, population as well as Internet and smart phone users. The Vietnamese Government considers improving the business environment a regular task, he said, pointing to positive assessments of Vietnams investment environment by international organisation such as the World Bank (WB), the World Economic Forum (WEF) and Nikkei, as demonstrated by the countrys moving up their investment environment indexes. Phuc also noted that up to 70 percent of Japanese enterprises have plans to expand their operation in Vietnam based on such factors as rising revenues, expanding market and competitive labour costs. The PM stressed that Japan is the second biggest foreign investor in Vietnam with over USD52 billion, and the fourth biggest trade partner with two-way trade exceeding USD33 billion. In the first eight months of this year, Japan continued to take the lead with investment of USD7 billion, making up 28.8 percent of the total FDI capital poured into the country. Japanese investments have helped lure FDI from other countries and increase competition between FDI inflows in Vietnam, he said. The PM expressed his hope that there will be more initiatives and proposals made at the conference, thus contributing to promoting economic and trade ties between the two countries. At the conference, PM Phuc and officials from Vietnam and Japan witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents between the two countries ministries, agencies and businesses with total value almost reaching USD10 billion./. The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has called out president Muhammadu Buharis government for cooking up lies against its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. In a statement by the opposition party on Wednesday, it said that lies against Atiku show the ruling party already senses defeat in the coming election. The party noted that the president is incompetent and Nigerians are ready to vote him out but has resulted to concocting lies to pull down its candidate, which is a likely replacement for Buhari in 2019. See full statement below: Buhari Presidencys Resort To Lies Against, A Sign Of Defeat. The resort to derogatory comments and personal attacks by Alhaji Lai Mohammed and other officials of the failed Muhammadu Buhari Presidency against our Presidential Candidate is a sign of defeat and non-performance. Since the successful conduct of our Presidential primary and the popular emergence of Atiku, the Buhari Presidency and the APC have become intimidated; gone into panic mode and ignobly resorting to trading on rumour and spurious allegations We aware of how the unnerved and intimidated Buhari Presidency has unleashed its officials, spin doctors and hack writers with billions of naira, siphoned from our national treasury, to fabricate lies, spurious allegations and smear campaign against our Presidential candidate. While it is understandable that President Buhari is discomfited and afraid to face a popular candidate in any elections due to his incompetence, for which Nigerians earnestly seek his replacement, engaging in smear campaign, as a means of survival, is completely reprehensible. It is therefore a heinous perversion for Lai Mohammed, who has earned himself a notoriety, to the extent Nigerians now replace his first name, Lai with lie, to attempt to suggest that the choice of @atiku is a return to era of corruption Lai Mohammed fails to note that Nigerians are aware that, while our candidate, @atiku has never been indicted for corruption or facing any corruption charge, President @MBuhari is now overburdened by indictments and allegations of humongous corruption Since Lai Mohammed is talking about era of corruption, we charge him to speak up on the leaked memo detailing the stealing of N9 trillion ($25billion dollars) through underhand oil contract at the @NNPCgroup and the Ministry of Petroleum, under @MBuharis direct supervision. Lai Mohammed should speak up on the alleged siphoning of N1.4 t through sleazy oil subsidy regimes and those benefiting from the alleged N58 hidden tax per liter which Nigerians have continued to bear since the fuel price increase from N87 to presumably unsubsidized cost of N145. Lai Mohammed should speak up on why the @MBuhari Presidency is suppressing investigation into alleged use of 18 unregistered companies to lift and divert N1.1 trillion worth of crude oil in 2017 and the Presidents alleged link with the beneficiaries of this fraud. Can Lai Mohammed tell Nigerians how the @MBuhari era allegedly presided over the stealing of over N18 billion from the funds approved for rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and rebuilding of six northeast states ravaged by insurgency? Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Chieftain, Femi Fani-Kayode has called on Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso not to leave the opposition party. Kwankwaso had issued a threat on Wednesday that he would leave the party, if any member of the Kwankwassiya movement is removed from the list of aspirants in his state. Speaking via twitter on Thursday, the former Aviation Minister said the Kwankwassiya movement has a strong base in the Northwest and would deal a great blow on President Muhammadu Buharis campaign. On this note, he asked that Kwankwaso, who also contested the PDP Presidential primaries but lost, to stay to help PDP coast victory in the coming presidential election. He wrote: Out going governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose on Wednesday, inaugurated a new school in Afao Ekiti. The governor who will be handing over to the governor- elect, Kayode Fayemi in a few days time said the school is called Gifted International Academy. The Governor made the revelation via his Twitter handle on Wednesday evening. He stated that the school has modern facilities such as laboratories, Closed- Circuit Television (CCTV) for surveillance and internet. In his words: Today, I inaugurated a new Secondary School in Afao Ekiti named Gifted Academy International.The school has modern learning equipment like laboratories, internet facility and Closed-Circuit Television for surveillance. A brand new car was also presented to the school principal. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday endorsed his former Vice president, Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2019 general elections. The endorsement has sparked a hive of reactions amongst many Nigerians, as they have expressed their surprise at the U- turn by the former president to support Atiku, whom he had vehemently refused to have anything to do with, in the past. Obasanjo, in the past, had said that there was no way he would ever support Atiku to rule Nigeria. He also released some unfavorable statement against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate. However,it is important to noted that the former president has long withdrawn his support from president Muhammadu Buhari, whom has written series of letters to, telling him(Buhari) that he has failed as a President. See reactions below from Nigerians If Obasanjo likes, he can endorse Atiku, if he likes he can endorse Buhari, even Oby if he so desires. Question is very simple, can OBJ deliver his Abeokuta Polling Unit? At this point, the answer is no. Mr. Aye Dee (@MrAyeDee) October 11, 2018 Obasanjo endorsed Buhari in 2014 and he was praised to high heavens. Today, some are trying very hard to rubbish Obasanjo's endorsement of Atiku with "he does not have any political clout." When fire burns the Devil, he speaks in many languages. Dr. Dipo Awojide (@OgbeniDipo) October 11, 2018 Those always quoting Obasanjo to ridicule Atiku, see why you must join bigs men fight with your brains intact. No matter how messy it gets among our elite, theyre one. Insult Atiku to promote Buhari as much as you want, but Atiku is more dear to Buhari than your entire family. https://t.co/iKMA8KMkx3 Gimba Kakanda (@gimbakakanda) October 11, 2018 https://twitter.com/UNCLE_AJALA/status/1050413643484024833?s=19 Today only shows Obasanjo's fear of Buhari outweighs his hate for Atiku. The old fox doesn't surprise me one bit. Gbenga 'Gold' Olorunpomi (@GbengaGOLD) October 11, 2018 Why is no one volunteering handkerchiefs for Buharists? I said here few days ago that Obasanjo was making plans to publicly endorse Atiku and we would be needing Lordy loads of handkerchiefs for Buhari Okpos. The tears getting too much. Someone pls give them handkerchiefs! Jackson Ude (@jacksonpbn) October 11, 2018 Having said that, Obasanjo or not, I am strongly of the opinion that we have passed that stage where a few so called elders will decide how Nigeria should be run. 2019 will be the final nail on that coffin, God willing Abubakar Sidiq Usman (@MrAbuSidiq) October 11, 2018 https://twitter.com/Muhd_Alu/status/1050421915796602881?s=19 Vanguard Mahmood Halilu, younger brother of First Lady Aisha Buhari has accused Governor Jibrilla Bindow of Adamawa State of lacking the basic educational qualification to contest for the office of governor. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restrict itself to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and other extant electoral laws and guidelines in handling the failure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to forward to the commission names of its governorship and national assembly candidates for the 2019 general elections. Daily Trust In the absence of a widely-accepted alternative, it is best to stick to the word, restructuring, that loosely-mouthed word in our recent political lexicon which some see as the cure-all elixir to purge Nigeria of all ills. General Sani Abacha did not use the word restructuring when he convoked the National Constitutional Conference in 1994. But, from what he had in mind, the late Head of State could have unknowingly restructured the country if the outcome of Confab 94 saw the light of day. Leadership A wedding groom in Enugu, recently deviated from the tradition of transportation on his big day to the church in a convoy of properly decorated and beautiful cars, by riding to church in a tricycle commonly known as Keke Napep. The tricycle was painted white and also decorated with ribbons and balloons to show that it was meant for a special occasion. It was gathered that the groom doesnt reside in Nigeria but decided to transport himself to church in a Keke Napep in his bid to relive his past when he used to live in Enugu. JOP Studios which photographed the wedding, took to its Instagram page @jopstudios, and shared a short story of the wedding which reportedly became talk of the town after photos from the ceremony emerged online. @jopstudios wrote: Adaobi and Chumas #whitewedding was in The Coal City of Enugu. Pretty much a big size wedding with lots of family members and friends. Even though the couple dont reside in Nigeria they had lots of their friends fly in to celebrate their big day with them. @exquisite_events_abuja did a fantastic job managing the crowd and ensuring everyone had fun at the wedding. Typical of eastern weddings, it ended quiet early with no after party. As the saying goes there is No Party like a Lagos Party A typical Lagos party ends about 12midnight so theirs was an easy one. After the wedding we still lots of time to catch up with friends we made from the wedding. Their love story was beautiful, the highlight was when Chumas white tricycle beautifully decorated showed up to convey him to church. We love it and we took a landscape view of it over Enugu city. Its a good way to bring back memories of Enugu growing up. UK opens investigation into audit market After months of debate, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has decided to investigate the auditing market following the scandal over KPMGs contract with construction company Carillion, which collapsed earlier this year. 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, said Andrew Tyrie, chairman of the CMA. The CMA has set a deadline of October 30 for the UKs biggest firms to provide feedback and the watchdog aims to release provisional findings before Christmas. The Big 4 have broadly welcomed the competition review after several months of private talks on audit reform. We are supportive of measures that encourage choice as well as a robust audit market, said Stephen Griggs, managing partner of audit at Deloitte. Achieving this will be complex and any future framework also needs to include a focus on audit quality across all listed companies. Bill Michael, UK chairman at KPMG, said: We all want to build trust in corporate Britain and be part of an environment that delivers the right results for capital markets, investors and society. The CMA views this investigation as the next step from Sir John Kingmans independent review of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). The regulators are considering banning accounting firms from providing consulting services to audit clients. We continue to identify problems with insufficient challenge of management and professional scepticism exercised by auditors when auditing key judgement areas (for example, goodwill impairment or long-term contracts), the FRC told the press. At the centre of the debate on auditing is the potential for conflicts of interest in the accounting industry. However, the CMA has hinted it will not support breaking up the Big 4 due to concerns this would undermine the quality of audit services in the UK. Were up for change and were up for more choice in the audit market, but breaking up firms does not improve audit quality, said Kevin Ellis, UK chairman at PwC. We need to think through changes that create choice but do not damage quality. This may limit the UK to a few options, including a market share cap to reduce concentration or an independent public body to appoint auditors for the biggest companies. Given that the Big 4 count most of the UKs largest companies among their client bases, this is no small matter. Even mid-tier firms like Grant Thornton and BDO, who stand to gain from reforming the market, part ways over the details of what the reforms should look like. Were not in favour of a market share cap alone to address the high levels of concentration, said Jon Roberts, head of audit at Grant Thornton. We need some kind of market management with an independent body. A cap on the number of companies that any one firm can audit will inevitably result in an increase in audit quality, argued Gervase MacGregor, head of advisory services at BDO. Having a public body policing auditor selection may deliver change, but it would be deeply unpopular with the buy-side. Meanwhile, the Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has ordered a separate investigation into the accounting industry and its regulatory standards. We need a complete overhaul of the entire regulatory framework for finance and business, to promote openness, transparency, accountability and yes, where necessary to impose appropriate punishments, he told the press. Long-term critic Professor Prem Sikka is chairing the inquiry and the report may be out before the end of 2018. This may add to the pressure on the CMA to find answers sooner rather than later. At the start of 2018, there was near certainty about what the audit market would look like for years to come. Now the terrain is starting to shift underneath the feet of British accountants just as the year has entered its final months. The material on this site is for financial institutions, professional investors and their professional advisers. It is for information only. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy before using the site. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws. 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQ. Share this article 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 Apple deals with a variety of different companies, sometimes acquiring them outright, and other times striking deals to acquire only certain parts. The latter situation appears to be the most recent scenario. As was reported on Thursday by TechCrunch, Apple has struck a lucrative deal with chipmaker Dialog Semiconductor to the tune of $600 million, which will see Apple acquiring assets and talent, as well as licensing IP to expand chipmaking endeavors specifically in the European region. The deal sees Apple acquiring specific assets as part of the deal, along with 300 Dialog team members from the companys R&D section. In addition to that Apple is also going to be able to license Dialogs iPhone power management technology. While Dialog is describing this as an asset transfer and licensing deal, it will be Apples biggest acquisition by far in terms of people: 300 people will be joining Apple as part of it, or about 16 percent of Dialogs total workforce. From what we understand, those who are joining have already been working tightly with Apple up to now. The teams joining are based across Livorno in Italy, Swindon in England, and Nabern and Neuaubing in Germany, near Munich, where Apple already has an operation. As far as the money is concerned, Dialog announced that Apple will be handing over $300 million in upfront cash, and then doling out the additional $300 million for unspecified products that will be delivered to Apple over the next three years. Dialog sees this as a way to reduce its dependence on Apple over this stretch of time and beyond, which isnt too surprising considering Apple can develop its own power management chips without the assistance of Dialog. This is the second major acquisition report from Apple we have heard this week. Just yesterday we heard that Apple had acquired the Danish startup Spektral, which is known for its ability to intelligently remove people and objects in real-time from the background in photos and videos. That deal was to the tune of $30 million, and was finalized back in late 2017 but only now surfaced to the public. [via TechCrunch Reputed analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is back with another report in which he claims that the replacement demand for the iPhone XR in China will be higher than that of the iPhone 8 from last year. The reputed analyst also says that local Chinese OEMs saw their smartphone sales decline by 10 percent in the first week of October which is celebrated as the Golden Week in China. He blames the decline in demand to the lack of innovation coupled with the fact that many customers are waiting for the iPhone XR to launch on October 26. Huawei, however, was immune to this decline in smartphone shipments, with only other major Chinese players like Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi reporting a drop in their smartphone sales. Kuo did not mention anything about how sales of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max have been in China. A report from earlier today claimed that sales for the iPhone XS series have been disappointing in China, with Tim Cook using his ongoing visit in the country to promote the device. The iPhone XR will go up for pre-order in China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries on October 19th before hitting the retail stores on October 26th. Given the device is priced a couple of hundred bucks lower than the iPhone XS but offers largely the same feature set as its more expensive sibling, it is expected to do well not just in China but other parts of the world as well. With the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max failing to attract consumers, it looks like a lot rests on the iPhone XR this year to ensure Apples 2018 iPhone lineup is a success. Are you waiting for the iPhone XR to go on sale? Or will you continue using your iPhone for another year? [Via 9to5Mac Tim Cook is on his scheduled visit to China this week and as per Washington Post, he will be using it to promote Apple products including the iPhone XS whose sales have been disappointing so far. The Apple CEO has been promoting photos taken from the iPhone XS Max on Weibo and met people practicing yoga wearing their Apple Watch. He will also be attending a board meeting at Tsinghua in Beijing to attend the board meeting of the Tsinghua University School of Economics. The primary visit of Cooks visit to China is to remain in the governments good books. Tim Cooks visit to China comes at a time when China and the United States are indulged in a trade war. Both countries have imposed import duties on various products Li Qian, the secretary of the Communist Party in Shanghai has already met with Tim Cook and made the following statement: We are willing to . . . find mutual benefit and win-win results, and to inject new vitality into Shanghais development, Li Qian, secretary of the Communist Party in Shanghai, said after meeting with Cook. But he made it clear that Apple must do its part on bilateral relations. China is an incredibly important market for Apple where the company faces fierce competition from local Chinese OEMs like Huawei, Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi. While the iPhone XS has received a lukewarm response in China, the upcoming iPhone XR is expected to do particularly well since it offers more value for money despite offering almost the same set of features as the more expensive iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. [Via The Washington Post It's been reported that Joe Giudice, husband ofstar Teresa Giudice has been ordered to be deported from the United States to his native Italy.Based upon the law, I find you deportable and ineligible for any kind of relief, Judge John Ellington said during a hearing at Pennsylvanias York Immigration Court on Wednesday, October 10, according to. Mr. Giudice, no matter how this turns out, I wish you the best. I decided this case as a matter of law.Joe, who can file an appeal by November 9 appeared at the hearing via teleconference from his Allenwood, Penn. prison reacted to the judge's ruling.I dont understand how I can be deported on this case, he responded, clearly shocked. If you will, Ill tell you my side. I shouldnt even be here right now.I have to go back and tell my kids this, and theyve been waiting to hear from me.I get no joy in telling a family this news, Judge Ellington responded.My charges are one of the lowest charges in this whole BOP facility or whatever you call it. I can explain, cried Giudice, who is serving three years on fraud charges.I dont think your attorney will want that, Mr. Giudice, said Judge Ellington.Meanwhile, according to a new report, President Donald Trump refused to help Teresa's husband Joe in his deportation case by requesting Trump to write a letter in his behalf.Teresa reached out to Trump several months before Joe started serving his 41-month sentence, and asked Donald to write a character letter. This was before he was elected President, but she hoped the letter would help Joe get a lighter sentence, according toTeresa, who appeared on the fifth season of the Celebrity Apprentice in 2012 apparently got along with Trump during their time on the show. However, sources revealed to the outlet that Trump's office -- and not Trump himself -- wrote a letter back saying he would NOT be able to do anything for her with regards to Joe. His staff wished her and her family well, FWIW.Meanwhile, sources reveal that the mother-of-four is trying to be strong" for her four daughters following Joe's deportation order.Teresa is devastated at the news that Joe will be deported to Italy, a source tells. Even though she always knew this was a possible outcome, Teresa convinced herself that Joe wouldn't be deported.Teresa and Joe have no current plan in place for what to do next in their marriage, even though she is committed to finding a way to make this situation work for her family, the insider continues. She hates the idea of uprooting her children from their lives and leaving her elderly father who lives with her to move across the world.The sources adds that Teresa is being strong for her daughters, Caring for them and her father is of the upmost importance to Teresa right now."Teresa has no plans to go anywhere at the moment," a second source tells. "As heartbreaking as this is, the past few years without Joe have given her the chance to get used to life without him around to help raise the girls. If she has to keep doing it alone, she knows she can."Photo Credit: Bravo Fuller Gallery celebrates fifth anniversary Visitors to Fuller Gallery might expect to see a painting of Marsh Meadows hanging in the storefront window, but in the five years since it opened, a Chinese sword, Olympic... LEARNING TO SAVE LIVES Volunteer firefighters Lew Kitts, left, and Dave Prior talk to kindergarten and preschool students Friday about the equipment used to extinguish flames during emergencies. The annual showcase at Melrose School... Film explores body and clothing An 8-minute film shot at Beavertail State Park to explore connections between clothing and the body will be screened at the Jamestown Arts Center. The screening of Waves and Shadows... JUSTICEINFO.NET IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS Celine Bardet Director of the NGO We Are Not Weapons of War The award of this years Nobel Peace Prize to Nadia Murad, a survivor of sexual slavery perpetrated on Yezidi women by Islamic State in Iraq, and Congolese surgeon Denis Mukwege, who has treated dozens of women raped in the context of eastern Congos conflicts, highlights once again the problem of sexual violence in wartime and the use of rape as a weapon of war. Lawyer Celine Bardet, founder of the NGO We Are Not Weapons of War (WWoW), has been working on these issues for two decades. In this interview, conducted before and after the announcement of the Nobel prize, she talks about its importance, the recognition it represents for her friend Denis Mukwege and the potential risks it holds for the young Nadia Murad. She looks back at how courts have dealt with these crimes in the last 20 years. In the run-up to broadcast of the film Libya, anatomy of a crime on ARTE on October 23, she explains how the situation in Libya, where systematic rape is perpetrated by armed groups notably against men, could change public perception and understanding. JUSTICEINFO.NET: What does Nobel Peace Prize co-winner Denis Mukwege represent for you who know him well? CELINE BARDET: I admire him a lot. I find him to be an ordinary man in the sense that he is humble, uncomplicated and does not speak for others. I have known him for at least 10 years. He is deeply committed to what he does. Its as if he fell into that work and never questioned it. Today he has been raised up, he has become an icon, but for me he is an ordinary doctor, someone very normal. What role does he play in the fight against sexual violence in conflict? How is he useful, pertinent or different? Different is the first thing I think of, because he is a surgeon. In the beginning his approach to rape was purely medical, almost technical. Most people in our field are lawyers or survivors. Denis is neither. I also see him as closely linked to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). I find it a bit difficult to see him as the personification of the fight against rape in conflict, not because he is not, but what Denis Mukwege represents above all is his country. That is how I see him. The two are inseparable. Does the fact that he is a man give him a special place? I have never thought about that. But yes, certainly. He is a man, and a man who talks a lot about women. With regard to sexual violence, Denis is very focused on how it affects women. He dedicated his prize to them. It is very pertinent in the DRC, but for me the issue of sexual violence in conflict is not at all limited to women. What do you think about the co-winner Nadia Murad? I dont know Nadia Murad. I have participated in two conferences with her, but I have not worked with her. I have enormous admiration for her, and also feel very concerned for her because she is very exposed. For me, she represents anger and despair and a call for justice. She has experienced absolutely terrible things and has transformed them into a struggle. And from what she and her people have suffered, she is building through that struggle a kind of healing or way of surviving. I imagine she is a very strong symbol for other victims. To see a girl who went through that become a UN ambassador, win the Sakharov prize and become an international icon, thats amazing. I hope that she has lots of support, because the prize could put her in psychological danger. As a person, she is unusual. You sense a strong personality. What do you do when you are a young Yezidi survivor, you represent your whole people, you are seeking justice for them beyond the issue of rape, you are carrying major trauma, and Amal Clooney approaches you? Nobody forced her to be a public voice, but now she is a Nobel prize-winner at 25. The burden she is carrying is complicated. I am very happy that it is a joint prize. Over and above the individuals, what is important is that the Nobel Peace Prize has put the spotlight on this issue [sexual violence in conflict]. What is the significance of a joint Nobel? It gives weight to the importance of this issue at global level, and to the fact that it is a peace issue. That is what I find extremely important. It is a global scourge that is also a danger to peace. Thats how I see it. And here I would make a bit of difference with the Sakharov prize, which they both won a few years apart. The issue [sexual violence in conflict] was not absent, but it didnt cause much to happen, or not to properly meet the needs. Will the Nobel Peace Prize spark more efficient action by States and international organizations, including the European Union? That remains to be seen. Both prize-winners focus a lot on the issue of justice. Denis Mukwege freely reiterates that the perpetrators must be put on trial, and that is also at the heart of Nadia Murads message. Do you, who are a lawyer, think it important to link the issue to justice? These are two people who have always made justice central. The fact that they have won the Nobel Peace Prize is a way to say that this scourge is a danger to peace and that there must be a process of justice. These are two people who have always made justice central. The fact that they have won the Nobel Peace Prize is a way to say that this scourge is a danger to peace and that there must be a process of justice. Lets go back to basics: rape in time of conflict is an international crime. Here the award is not going to a peace mechanism, like in Colombia. It has been given to two people who are fighting a scourge, two people who demand justice in a country where there is no justice, or almost no justice. So yes, that links the issue of justice to peace. Twenty years ago the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) handed down its verdict on former Rwandan mayor Jean-Paul Akayesu. That was the first judgment for genocide, and in it the judges considered rape as a constitutive act of genocide. How do you see judicial efforts on sexual violence in the last 20 years, and do you see the Akayesu judgment as a landmark? Yes, its a landmark, and I think about it a lot. It is even more symbolic today with the issue of the Rohingya. Its the only judicial decision we have today where rape is considered a constitutive act of genocide. That clearly raises the question of how you define rape as a strategy in war. But although that judgment is a landmark, we also need to look at what has happened since. That judgment was very decisive on the issue of sexual violence, but I dont have the impression that it had a lot of impact with regard to talking about rape in conflict. In fact, this issue has only become part of public debate more recently. People are always saying that there is no talk of rape as a weapon of war. It is not true. Especially in the last five years, thats all I hear. I read yesterday in the paper that rape should be recognized as a crime in international law. It already was, a long time ago! There is a dichotomy between the belief that we are only talking about it now, that we are discovering rape as a weapon of war and starting to fight it, and the fact that international criminal justice at the ICTR or the ICTY [International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia] started handing down judicial decisions on it a long time ago. So why do we have this impression that its all hidden or justice has not done anything about it? The fact is that this phenomenon has not diminished. And that leads me to the question that preoccupies me: people say that rape in war is on a massive scale. I dont think that is the case, or that its the right term. There are very few conflicts where it does not happen and it is not used, but we do not know the scale. People are talking about it, and I am glad, but much of the talk is uninformed. I think there is a lot of confusion on the issue of sexual violence in general and on the vulnerability of women and girls. What is the distinction between rape in time of war and rape as a weapon of war? There is sexual violence in wartime that is a consequence of whatever chaotic context there may be, and there is rape as a weapon of war, which is much less prevalent, where it is used as a tool in a deliberate or planned way for a certain goal. Thats an important question. There is sexual violence in wartime that is a consequence of whatever chaotic context there may be, and there is rape as a weapon of war, which is much less prevalent, where it is used as a tool in a deliberate or planned way for a certain goal. You are calling for a global study on this issue. What would be the aim? There is very little research. The aim would be to measure the scale of this sexual violence, where and how it happens, and then make a distinction, perhaps ask this question: is rape really a strategic weapon? Can this be studied and analysed in a precise way? I have not found an answer to that. I read a lot of NGO reports but the methodologies are questionable. There are many testimonies but not many context analyses, and so it leaves me asking questions. In which situations do you think rape has clearly been used as a weapon of war? In the case of the Yezidis I think there is a phenomenon where sexual slavery and rape became part of a system, with a goal. Also in former Yugoslavia, where there were even camps set up for rape. In my view that is unique in the world. People talk a lot about the DRC, where rape has happened on a wide scale. But is it a policy? I dont know. What does Denis Mukwege think about that? He works on that principle. But in my view he does not back it up. And thats the problem I have here: its a domain where there is little proof. For an intention to commit an international crime, you have to find it. And for the DRC I am not sure. I know the Kivu region quite well but I am not a specialist. I think it is indeed interesting to know more what we are talking about. Sexual violence is a difficult issue to deal with. And I find the debate very polarized. There are those fighting because it is not talked about enough, and on the other hand there are those who sow doubt on the forms of violence and say they are exaggerated. There is nothing between the two. I think this is linked to the very nature of sexual violence issues. All the talk is very emotional. Sexual violence is often linked to feminism or patriarchal society, but its much more subtle than that, especially rape as a weapon of war. Does the Libya situation represent a turning point in terms of how we understand and talk about sexual violence in conflict or as a weapon of war? Is its story exceptional? I think the turning point was in the 1990s. In Libya, what is notable is that rape is such a part of society. Under Gaddafi it was used as an instrument of political control. Then there was what we call the Libyan revolution, where rape was much used and here it is rape as a constitutive act of international crimes. Then there is the third phase, in 2014, where the situation is chaotic, ill-defined in law and there is a knock-on effect. It was something that was used as a tool and now as a tool of revenge Misrata committed rape, so we will commit rape there. I have not seen that elsewhere. I think its unique to Libya, but its a long story. For Libyans it has been part of their lives for two or three generations. We dont have the figures, but I think the proportion of men and women rape victims in Libya is almost equal. And men are also targeted elsewhere, such as in Uganda and Syria. But in Libya, people are living in a situation of total humiliation and destruction. We dont have the figures, but I think the proportion of men and women rape victims in Libya is almost equal. And men are also targeted elsewhere, such as in Uganda and Syria. But in Libya, people are living in a situation of total humiliation and destruction. Is the rape of migrants another decisive factor in the Libya situation? First there is the issue of migrants used as weapons and as victims. They are put in prison and told either you commit rape or you will be raped or killed. That raises the issue of migrants, who are called Blacks and who have always been regarded as inferior citizens in Libya. But I have never seen elsewhere people being used as both tools and victims. How do we judge that? What do we call it? A year ago, after a CNN report, news about systematic rape and exploitation of migrants in Libya went global. What has happened since? Nothing. And yet, unlike Syria, this is not a situation where the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no mandate to act. It has one, and yet nothing is happening. The issue of rape is not being handled in the way it should. I think that is a problem linked to the ICC. There is enormous political pressure on the ICC, it is clear, but I dont think it is just a question of politics. Its a problem of working methods. The ICC does not go to the field. Saying it cannot go to Libya is one thing, although there are plenty of UN people who do. But there are many Libyans in Tunis and Geneva, where we work, and the ICC does not want to meet them. Why not buy a plane ticket? I really dont understand. The position of the Prosecutors office is to say we are working on it. But it has been seven years. Or they say we have no budget. Its really serious because it makes no sense. If the ICC were making rapid progress on all the rest, then why not? But its not. I think its a problem of recruitment and working methods. I dont doubt the sincerity of Fatou Bensouda [ICC Prosecutor] when she says her office is submerged with information and requests. They have a massive amount to analyse. But they do not go to the field, where they could find much more pertinent information. Do you think the judges recent decision that the ICC has jurisdiction on the deportation of the Rohingyas from Myanmar can help make the Court more relevant? I dont know. But the decision is timely. Who among the States or even the general public takes the International Criminal Court seriously at the moment? Thats not to say it is not important. But what we should be asking is what is international justice, what does it represent and what does it say about the world? I think its very important symbolically, it has enormous weight in terms of values, so we need to keep it and keep fighting for it. But on the other hand there is the feasibility which has never really been questioned. Once again, I am not saying the United Nations and international criminal justice are worthless. Not at all. I think they are institutions that need to exist. But it is possible to make them work differently. At some point the never again becomes an insult. If you are Syrian, Libyan or Congolese, its an insult. You dont have to say never again. The first issue with international criminal justice is to try not to make it something it isnt. That comes mainly from the institution itself, the organizations that support it and NGOs. Its the never again rhetoric. At some point the never again becomes an insult. If you are Syrian, Libyan or Congolese, its an insult. You dont have to say never again. We still think we need to make strong statements all the time, but we could also explain to people what is possible and what isnt. I have the impression there is no space left in the NGO and human rights world. That makes me sad, and I think it is dangerous. Theres an obligatory way of talking, from which you shouldnt stray too far. Theres no debate, the answer is always just to say we must defend the ICC. And I think closing the debate like that is digging its grave. The film Libya, anatomy of a crime has just been premiered in Paris and will be broadcast on Arte on October 23. Why it this film important? It is important for two reasons. I think it is the first documentary film that looks at the issue of systematic, organized rape of men in Libya and rape as a weapon of war in Libya. Secondly, its a film that is a kind of investigation, but not conducted by the director. It shows how people work, how they live. It shows who Libyans are. The Libyans I know are not the ones selling slaves in the marketplace. It is very important to show those people, men and women like you and me, who find themselves in a context of total chaos, who love their country and want to have a normal life, and who want it known what is going on. People always associate Libya with slave auctions and migrants. But they dont talk much about the suffering of Libyans. This film rectifies that. I hope it will help us to see those people, the majority of Libyans. People always associate Libya with slave auctions and migrants. But they dont talk much about the suffering of Libyans. The person who has become a kind of reference on sexual violence in Libya is Imad. Everyone comes to see him. He started as an engineer, hes a Tawergha a minority more or less allied to Gaddafi, used and protected by Gaddafi and so much accused by others, even though the Tawergha were also a big victim of Gaddafi. He is a black Tawergha who sees his country falling apart, starts to document it and little by little finds out about the sexual violence, particularly against men. He was incapable of talking about that before. But now he has become the expert and has understood that to obtain justice it is necessary to document what has happened. Not just to deliver justice to Tawerghas. Thanks to this man there is now an underground debate, in the backs of cafes, on rape, including rape of men. There is a debate about those issues in Libya now. And it is only from there that the answers will come. The final report of Gambias Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission was expected today, but may be further delayed. After nearly three years of transitional justice, the country remains divided, and reconciliation within communities has hardly been a priority. The cancer of distrust affects even Jammehs own family. By Mustapha K. Darboe , our correspondent in Banjul The eyes of the world are on Mali, where voters went to the polls on Sunday July 29 in presidential elections. It is hoped these polls will help the country emerge from its current stalemate in implementation of the 2015 peace accord, which provides notably for transitional justice mechanisms after years of serious human rights violations. The international community is also hoping that a relaunch of the peace accord could boost the fight against Jihadist groups which continue to launch attacks in Mali and in the whole Sahel region. On the eve of the poll, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged all political actors in Mali to commit to making this poll a peaceful, free and transparent process, and to resolve any possible dispute through the appropriate institutions in accordance with the law. Guterres stressed that peace and reconciliation for all Malian citizens must prevail, irrespective of the electoral outcome. Despite this call, there were some attacks on equipment and staff at polling stations in the north and centre of the country. This election comes after the one in 2013 which allowed a return to constitutional rule after a coup dEtat the previous year by junior army officers. The coup marked a crumbling of the institutions as parts of the north fell to Jihadist groups and separatist, mainly Touareg rebels. Public flagellation, destruction of cultural heritage, amputations, rape, assassinations and other serious crimes were committed during the occupation of the north, while deadly clashes between soldiers and kidnappings took place in the south. As Mali awaits the outcome of the vote, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) still does not know if its current president Joseph Kabila will be a candidate in elections scheduled for December. Filing of candidacies officially started on July 25 but Kabila, whose second constitutional mandate expired in December 2016, continues to maintain the suspense about his political future, fuelling suspicions that he may seek a third mandate banned by the Constitution. The peaceful struggle for democratic change already has its martyrs in the DRC. Many politicians believe like parliamentarian Nzangi Muhindo that if Joseph Kabila runs, the electoral process will stop. Meanwhile, in a move hailed by Trial International and Physicians for Human Rights as a strong signal against impunity, Congolese military justice on July 26 confirmed 11 life sentences handed down in the historic trial of 20 religious sect members. The 11, who include provincial parliamentarian Frederic Batumike, were found guilty of rape as crimes against humanity. On the same day in Cote dIvoire, the Supreme Court overturned the 2017 acquittal of former First Lady Simone Gbagbo for alleged crimes against humanity during the post-election crisis of 2010-2011. Simone, whose husband Laurent Gbagbo is on trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC), was not released after her acquittal judgment since she is already serving a 20-year prison sentence for endangering State security. Exactly 63 years ago, on September 13, 1958, Ruben Um Nyobe was shot by the French army. Perpetrated in the context of a secret war that Paris has never recognized, the assassination of this nationalist activist is now mobilizing Cameroonians. Through this anniversary, they are commemorating tens of thousands of victims of the colonial power, [] By Ephrem Rugiririza, JusticeInfo.net Current events in Chile find their source in the Pinochet regime. The Chilean transitional justice agenda, as in many other countries, has focused on a few civil and political rights violations. Yet, focusing on the behaviour of economic actors of the Chilean dictatorship is crucial to achieve basic objectives in terms of justice, memory, reparation, [] By Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky, Karinna Fernandez, and Sebastian Smart, for JusticeInfo.net Appeals judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed unsurprisingly, on Monday, May 6, that Jordan a member of the Court should have arrested Omar Al-Bashir when he came to an Arab League summit in March 2017. The recently ousted President of Sudan is the subject of two arrest warrants for alleged crimes [] By Franck Petit, JusticeInfo.net Padma Choling, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China and head of the Chinese delegation, meets with Chairman of Mazhilis of the Kazakh Parliament Nurlan Nigmatulin (L) while attending the third Meeting of Speakers of Eurasian Countries' Parliaments (MSEAP) in Antalya, Turkey, on Oct. 9, 2018. (Xinhua/Qin Yanyang) ANTALYA, Turkey, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- At the just-concluded third Meeting of Speakers of Eurasian Countries' Parliaments (MSEAP), China urged Asian and European countries to deepen cooperation to seek common development and prosperity. Padma Choling, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) and head of the Chinese delegation, issued the call during his speech to the meeting held in Antalya, Turkey on Oct. 8-9. Choling also urged Asian and European countries to develop advantages of green development, promote environmental protection and sustainable development, advocate dialogues and consultations to create peaceful and stable conditions for developement, and enhance mutual learning among different civilizations to shape an open and inclusive human environment. The senior Chinese legislator added that the NPC supports the construction of the MSEAP mechanism and is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in relevant fields with countries within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. In Antalya, Choling held talks separately with Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Binali Yildirim, as well as Chairman of Mazhilis of the Kazakh Parliament Nurlan Nigmatulin, during which the two sides exchanged views on the bilateral ties, legislative exchanges and other issues of common concern. Parliamentary leaders from 34 Asian and European countries attended the MSEAP meeting. 2 1 [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] After 41 years Arsica was reunited with her parents. She was among more than 4,000 East Timorese children who had been forcibly removed from their families, according to East Timors Truth Commission, and taken illegally to Indonesia during the occupation of the country, between 1975 and 1999. Only about 80 of the children have been [] By Tjitske Lingsma, our special envoy in East Timor It is done! On November 10, Benin received 12 boxes containing 26 royal treasures stolen by colonial France. This was a historic day when Beninese people turned out to celebrate the return of these works after 130 years away from their land, at the risk of not seeing much. We recount some moments of this [] By Rachida Houssou, our correspondent in Benin The International Criminal Court said Thursday it had jurisdiction to probe the forced exodus of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar as a possible crime against humanity. The ICCs pre-trial chamber decided by majority the court may exercise jurisdiction over the alleged deportations of the Rohingya people from Myanmar to Bangladesh, the Hague-based tribunal said in a statement. The Myanmar government on Thursday declined to comment on the announcement when contacted by AFP. Some 700,000 people from the stateless Muslim minority have fled Myanmars northern Rakhine state into neighbouring Bangladesh since August last year to escape a bloody military crackdown. The violence has left a trail of torched villages in its wake, amid allegations of murder and rape at the hands of troops and vigilantes. In an unprecedented move in April, the ICCs chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda asked judges at the worlds only permanent war crimes court to rule whether she can investigate the deportations as a crime against humanity. It is a legally complicated request, as Myanmar is not a signatory and member of the Rome Statute which underpins the ICC. Bangladesh,however, is a signatory and Bensouda argued that should give her office jurisdiction to investigate the plight of the Rohingya. She likened deportation to a cross-border shooting, arguing the crime is not completed until the bullet (fired in one state) strikes and kills the victim (standing in another state). Five Latin American countries are expected to follow through today with their plans to refer Venezuela to the International Criminal Court (ICC). According to diplomatic sources, they will ask prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to open an investigation a move to put pressure on both Venezuela and the court. It would be the first time ICC state parties refer another member state to the court. The foreign ministers of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru will sign a letter on Tuesday evening in which they ask ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to open an investigation into the situation in Venezuela. In the communication, they invoke Article 14 of the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the court, which enables states parties to refer a situation in another country to the ICC. Diplomatic sources from two Latin American countries confirmed the meeting to JusticeInfo.net, which will take place in the margins of the UN General Assembly at 6pm in New York. The Peruvian deputy foreign minister Hugo De Zela said the five countries coordinated the move and explained that Canada was considering joining the group, the South American newspaper Publimetro reported. The Latin American governments support their referral with a report of the Organization of American States (OAS), a diplomat, who wished to stay anonymous, explained. In May, a panel of independent international experts concluded that since 2014 crimes against humanity have been committed in Venezuela. In the report, the OAS panel lists crimes such as murder, extrajudicial executions, arbitrary detention and a systematic pattern of abuse of parts of the civilian population. The experts recommended OAS member states should request the ICC prosecutor to open an investigation. The referral by Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru puts pressure on the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) so that it speeds up the process. In February 2018, Prosecutor Bensouda announced the opening of a preliminary examination in Venezuela. In order to proceed with a full investigation, she would need the approval of the judges. The referral of the states, however, waives this condition and makes an investigation in Venezuela now highly likely. The decision of the five Latin American states to move forward is an unusual case in which governments use the ICC as a diplomatic tool and refer the crisis in another country to the court. In 2013, the Comoros requested the opening of an investigation into crimes allegedly committed by Israel during the raid of a vessel bound for Gaza Strip. However, Israel is not a member of the ICC. In November 2017, the Prosecutor closed the file, deciding that the information available was not sufficient for an investigation. The situation in Venezuela is of different scale and nature. The ICC referral by Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru would represent the first time ever a state member, or a group of them, refers another state member for investigation. Reports by human rights organisations, experts of the OAS and by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have revealed widespread crimes and abuse in the last years. The international community has imposed sanctions and threatened with military intervention. The move will isolate Venezuela even further. It may also have an impact on its position towards the court itself. In 2016, Burundi, also an outcast of the international community and threatened with an ICC investigation, decided to withdraw from the Rome Statute. Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, who appears to have been undeterred by the actions of the international community so far, might well consider a similar step, even if it will not be enough to prevent the ICC from opening the investigation. The Special Criminal Court (SCC), a hybrid court set up in 2015 as part of the CAR judicial system with UN support, now has staff in place in Bangui and is ready to start work. The investigations will start officially after the courts inaugural session, which should take place in October, Nelly Mandengue of the SCCs communication department told us. Preparing a special corps of lawyers With this in sight, Central African lawyers, who will be required to defend suspects and represent victims, are readying themselves. A special body of lawyers is planned at the SCC. Accused persons and civil parties will be able to benefit from free assistance from a lawyer. There are some experienced Central African lawyers who are capable of defending the interests of victims and accused, says lawyer Mathias Barthelemy Morouba, deputy national coordinator of the Central African network of human rights NGOs, while a capacity strengthening programme has been set up for others, and foreign lawyers will be able to intervene in certain cases. Lawyers without Borders (ASF) is one of the organizations involved in this programme to support Central African lawyers through training. The aim is that a victim or a suspect can have a list from which to choose their lawyer, says Adrien Nifasha, ASFs Burundian director in the CAR. We also plan to make available to young Central African lawyers some senior international colleagues, so they can provide pro bono support to them. We want to provide this support at the Special Criminal Court but also, and especially in the national courts. The ultimate objective is to leave a legacy to the national judicial system, because most of the suspects will be tried by normal Central African courts and the SCC can only deal with a limited number of cases. Access to evidence and victims The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has been working with partner organizations in CAR since 2013 to gather evidence on the crimes committed in the country. In 2014, a collective of some 15 Central African lawyers plus African and European jurists affiliated to the FIDH was set up to defend the interests of victims. It is above all a question of enabling our Central African colleagues to benefit from experience acquired elsewhere in Africa and worldwide on trials of complex and serious crimes, explains ASFs Africa director Florent Geel, who nevertheless expects big obstacles for all judicial actors called to play a role before the SCC. The biggest difficulty, which is not just for the lawyers, is to have proper investigations and evidence, and people to try, he says. Access, security and the participation of victims and witnesses are the biggest challenges for civil parties lawyers and the associations supporting them. Many victims are displaced, while others are in areas that are isolated and/or controlled by armed groups. They are all living in difficult conditions: poverty, health problems often caused by abuses suffered, and stigmatization, especially for the victims of sexual crimes. To overcome such obstacles, he says what is needed is specific tools, solid judicial experience, strong political will on the part of organizations supporting the survivors, and committed political and financial partners. National courts set an example At the SCC, staff are aware of this context of insecurity, instability, fear and uncertainty. The Court will do its best to fulfil its mandate and bring to justice those suspected of the most serious crimes (war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide), says Nelly Mandengue. But we must not create unrealistic expectations in the sense that unfortunately, given the widespread and numerous nature of the crimes committed in this country, it will be impossible for the Special Court alone to try all the perpetrators. The SCC has not yet started a trial, but the ordinary Central African courts are already working. Criminal hearings have restarted across the country, one of which ended on August 31 at the appeals court in Bangui. Another is currently under way since mid-September at the appeals court in Bouar. This is a test that the countrys gradually recovering judicial system is meeting with success, even if independent observers deplore the weakness of some case files, especially those linked to serious crimes. The resumption of criminal hearings in the CAR is progress and it shows that justice, imperfect but operational, is back, says Florent Geel. The enthusiasm generated amongst the people by the criminal hearings shows the needs and expectations of justice in the CAR. It is time for the SCC to act and for its work to be seen to be done in the coming months. Jack Ma, founder of China's e-commerce giant Alibaba, speaks to audience via video call during the China Conference organized by South China Morning Post in the Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur, Oct. 10, 2018. The conference brought together business, academic and political leaders to discuss cooperation between China and Southeast Asia on politics, economy, technology and how to tap opportunities of the Belt and Road Initiative, among others. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei) KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Jack Ma, founder of China's e-commerce giant Alibaba, hailed the prospect of technology and internet in Asia on Wednesday, saying China and companies like Alibaba will take up the responsibility and opportunities to share its technology with the neighbors. Despite a late comer to the internet and information technology, governments and entrepreneurs in Asia are showing greater interest in the area, he told audience via video call during South China Morning Post's China Conference held in the Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur. "Today I think the big advantage of Asia is the confidence of technology and confidence of the internet," he said. Ma cited Malaysia's embrace of Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP), which was proposed by him, to promote trade and small business, as well as similar examples in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, India and Pakistan. "All these things show that Asian countries are embracing the technology more aggressively," he said, while pointing out that people in the West are more concerned about technology, focusing more on regulation. "Internet was developed in America but I'm sure it will develop much more quickly in Asia," he said. The Alibaba founder also said the technology developed by Chinese companies like Alibaba could be shared with countries like Malaysia. "In the past 20 years in China, companies like Tencent, Baidu, Alibaba grow because they solve problems, using the internet, embracing the technology for changing," he said. "I think Asian countries entrepreneurs should work together to solve their problems locally and to use the technology, to be more open, more innovative to solve problems like property, to improve inclusiveness." The conference, organized by the South China Morning Post based in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, brings together business, academic and political leaders to discuss China's cooperation with Southeast Asia on politics, economy, technology and how to tap opportunities of the Belt and Road Initiative, among others. 2 1 [ Editor: WPY ] The Special Criminal Court must respect international standards, said Canadian-Cameroonian jurist Dieudonne Detchou. Child soldiers are also victims. Up to now, no international tribunal has prosecuted children under 15, and the SCC will not prosecute them. Detchou is one of the four top members of the SCC prosecution team, along with a Congolese chief Prosecutor, a Central African deputy and another Central African. The announcement came on September 25 during a training workshop for Central African journalists in the CAR capital Bangui. The SCC prosecution thus plans to follow the same line as other mixed or hybrid courts that went before it. In 2002 the Prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, confronted with the same issue, laid down some key principles for these courts specially created to try serious crimes: since their action is limited, they should concentrate on the biggest or most notorious suspects, and these do not include child soldiers. Three levels of justice As Detchou said, that doesnt mean that the ordinary courts cannot do so. Indeed, crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in the CAR since 2002-2003 and in reality especially those committed between 2013 and today can be tried at three levels. At the international level, the International Criminal Court (ICC) remains seized of the situation even if, in eleven years of investigations, it has not done much. It has prosecuted only one person, Congolese former rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba, who was finally acquitted on appeal in June this year. At national level, the work is to be divided between the SCC, a court of national and international judges set up 2015 with UN support that is preparing to start investigations, and ordinary courts which this year started handling certain cases. These courts, also known as criminal courts, are the most lacking in resources but will no doubt have to handle the majority of cases. They could, in addition, deal with cases of children conscripted into armed groups during the ethnic and religious violence that has torn the country apart. With the ICC having lost credibility in the country, expectations of the SCC are high, whilst the security situation makes part of the country inaccessible and the armed conflict is still ongoing. More than 15 months after the first judges were sworn in, there is increasing pressure for the court to show concrete action. The broad outlines of the courts prosecution strategy, which had been expected in September, are now likely to be announced this month. The prosecution team is complete, as is that of its judicial police officers and investigating judges. Staff of the witness protection unit have just arrived. Dont judge us in advance How do you feel, given the scale of the task? a local journalist asks deputy prosecutor Alain Ouaby-Bekai. We are doing well, he replies. We are ready to start. And a local TV journalist wants to know how the court will avoid the influence and pressure from people in power suspected of being behind the violence. The guarantee of that lies with the law and the good faith of the stakeholders, court spokesman Theophile Momokoama replies with finesse. Let the judges demonstrate their independence. Dont let us judge them in advance. On September 29 at the Alliance Francaise in Bangui, a group of professional actors staged a new play written to help people understand the SCC. The play will now tour several towns in the provinces. The main character, Antoine at first shares peoples distrust of judicial mechanisms that have always betrayed them. The SCC? Hahaha! Thatll be in 85 years, a token court! he scoffs in the first act of the play. He also slams the suits and ties with smoked glass windows who benefit from such internationally funded projects. In the second act, however, Antoine has become convinced of the need for the court. Now he is tasked with explaining it to the population. As I speak, the SCC is setting up, he says. Now it is time for justice. It is the moment of truth. But we will wait and see, right? Madame Judge, I would like to continue my testimony, because I am not sure that at the next hearing I will still be alive, said Bessma Balii after an hour of testimony in a packed courtroom filled almost entirely with lawyers, activists and associations close to the Islamist Ennahdha movement, which chartered a bus from Tunis. Bessma Balii had been recounting in an almost inaudible voice the abuses she suffered for two months in a location of the Tunisian security services in Nabeul in autumn 1991. I would never have believed that Tunisians could be so cruel, she exclaimed between her tears. She has become weaker and thinner since testifying in November 2016 before thousands of TV viewers at public hearings of the Truth and Dignity Commission, and came to court in a wheelchair. In recent months, this key witness to grave human rights abuses under Ben Ali has been suffering from a serious illness. She is not only a victim of torture, sexual and psychological harassment, whose family also suffered police persecution and humiliation, but she is also a key witness to murders of Islamist militants in the early 1990s. The hell that was her captivity At that time the Ben Ali regime was conducting a big wave of arrests of opponents, especially members of Ennahdha like Bessma Balii. She was 26 at the time, from a large, poor, conservative Muslim family, and was an activist in her home village of Menzel Bouzelfa (60 km northeast of Tunis) in the movements social and charity wing. The clampdown on Islamists forced her to flee to refuge in the capital with people close to her. But members of the Nabeul National Guard special brigades led by Abdelfettah Ladib went after her, kidnapping her younger sister and forcing her sister to lead them to her. There was, however, never any arrest warrant against either of the girls. On the way back to Nabeul, they stuffed us both into a car full of police, she told the court. They subjected us to sexual harassment, felt us up and threatened to rape us. My sister was terrorized and could not stop crying. I will never forget the look on her face. But the worst was to come. Bessma Baliis real torture began as soon as she got to the police post. She was tortured both physically and mentally. For ten days she had to listen to the screams and pleading of her little sister who was being tortured in the next cell. She was beaten, insulted, sexually harassed and at night subjected to sexual touching up. I wanted to die, she says, or at least to pass out. Rape and murder She was also forced to watch naked men being tortured and sexual violence being performed on other women, wives of prisoners being used to track down or get confessions from their husbands. Reduced to a form of slavery, she was made to wash prisoners blood-soaked clothing and wash blood from the floor. In October 1991, she was witness to torture of Rachid Chamakhi, who was exhibited in the corridors naked, handcuffed and bloodied to terrify the other prisoners and of Faycal Baraket, who both died under torture within a few days in the same police post at the hands of the same perpetrators, the same ones who treated Bessma Balii and her sister with such cruelty. Her sister was freed after 10 days, but Bessmas torture continued until she was brought before judicial authorities and charged with belonging to a non-recognized party and distributing flyers. If I am now sick it is because of all that I and my family went through and because of everything thousands of women suffered in their bodies and minds, she moaned in court. Weak logistics and absent suspects Bessma Balii has the strength and courage to be present, but her torturers about 10 men who are still mostly alive and whose names and positions she has given are not. They have stayed away from the trial, as in other recent cases concerning Chammakhi and Baraket. Lawyer and Islamist parliamentarian Samir Dilou, who was also minister of human rights and transitional justice under the Troika (December 2011- January 2014) called for something to be done about this. Madam President, with the start of trials in the specialized chambers, jurisprudence is being created. I therefore urge you to take preventive measures against the accused to ensure that impunity does not continue, he said. Make sure that there are bans on them leaving the country and summons orders are issued for them. Then it was the turn of lawyers for the civil parties and representative of the Association of Tunisian Magistrates (AMT) to complain, about the lack of logistics, a microphone, suitable sound system, screen and recording to document these historic trials of grave human rights abuses. If the accused are absent, I am almost the only one to hear Bessma because I am right behind her and the people at the back can hear none of her testimony, and there is no recording, what is this trial for? asks Samir Dilou. Despite the court presidents visible sympathy for the former victim, she decided to suspend and then postpone the hearings until October 5, at the request of the lawyers who asked for it to continue at a later date, but sooner rather than later given the critical state of Bessma Baliis health. In this June 21,2018, file photo, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee speaks at a news conference in SeaTac, Wash. Inslee has a message of reassurance for Canadians who may fear that legalization of recreational marijuana next week will come with a wave of negative consequences: It's not as bad as you think. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File People catch fish with fishing nets during a folk festival in Piaoli Township in Guilin, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 10, 2018. Local people celebrate the harvest through fish catching, fish fry releasing and fish feast. (Xinhua/Pan Zhixiang) 6 1 [ Editor: zyq ] Even those jaded by hurricanes have never seen anything like this. For the first time, a Category 4 hurricane slammed into the Florida Panhandle. And it's bringing an onslaught of deadly hazards. "Unfortunately, this is a hurricane of the worst kind," said Brock Long, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Here's what makes Hurricane Michael especially dangerous: It's the strongest hurricane to ever hit Florida's panhandle Michael crashed onto Florida's coast Wednesday with 155 mph winds -- strong enough to demolish houses. Those kinds of winds "are above typical building codes," Long said. Hurricane Andrew in 1992 inspired tougher standards in Florida. But many older houses aren't built to withstand a beast like Michael. "You're going to see roofs off houses. You're going to see houses collapsing," said Ken Graham, director of the National Hurricane Center. Track hurricane Michael Pine trees could become flying weapons Florida's Panhandle is covered with thousands of pine trees. And as winds top 150 mph, those trees could turn into violent projectiles. "You get those kinds of winds, (and) it's catastrophic damage to the trees' structure," Graham said. And with downed trees come power outages. "This could bring down thousands and thousands of those pine trees here -- not only making all the damage along the coast but inland as well," CNN meteorologist Chad Myers said. Graham said because this storm is "absolutely overwhelming," power outages could last weeks. Cities far inland will feel an actual hurricane Many hurricanes sputter out after they hit land and lose the title of hurricane. Michael plowed through the Southeast as a hurricane, with winds topping 73 mph as it crossed into Georgia. By early Thursday, it was a tropical storm with winds of 70 mph "Because of the forward movement -- the decent forward movement it has -- you're going to see a hurricane stay intact through southwest and central Georgia," Long said. "And then you're going to see rainfall through South and North Carolina, dumping 4 to 6 inches of rain in rivers that are already saturated and haven't really receded much from Florence a few weeks ago." Storm surges could be deadly Michael will spawn massive storm surges -- or walls of ocean water -- as high as 14 feet, forecasters said. "Half of the fatalities in these tropical systems occur with the storm surge," Graham said. The FEMA chief said storm surge is huge reason why evacuations are so critical. "This is nothing to play around with," Long said. "Those who stick around and experience storm surge are less likely to live to tell about it." The hurricane will likely spawn tornadoes, too As if one cyclone weren't enough, Hurricane Michael could cause tornadoes in several states. Tornadoes could strike the Panhandle and other parts of northern Florida, the National Hurricane Center said. "This risk (of tornadoes) will spread into parts of central and southern Georgia and southern South Carolina this afternoon and tonight," the forecasters said. Hurricanes that make landfall from the Gulf of Mexico, like Michael did, produce more tornadoes than those making landfall from the Atlantic Ocean, CNN meteorologist Brandon Miller said. Hurricanes are good at producing tornadoes because they cause a lot of vertical shear -- or differences in wind direction and speed at different heights. And people living far away from the center of the hurricane aren't immune. They're actually more at risk. Most tornadoes spawned by tropical cyclones strike about 50 to 200 miles from the hurricane's center, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. People visit the "China-Afghanistan Joint Post Stamp Exhibition" in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Oct. 9, 2018. An Afghan-Chinese post stamp exhibition was held here with a wide range of rare and traditional stamps from the two neighboring countries. (Xinhua/Dai He) KABUL, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- An Afghan-Chinese post stamp exhibition was held here with a wide range of rare and traditional stamps from the two neighboring countries. The event, named "China-Afghanistan Joint Post Stamp Exhibition," was held on Tuesday in the Chinese embassy in Kabul to mark the World Post Day which falls on Oct. 9 every year. "Afghanistan and China have huge potential for cooperation in the fields of telecommunication and information technology," Afghan Minister of Telecommunication and Information Technology Shahzad Aryoubee told the visitors. The joint stamp exhibition would further improve relationship in the field of telecommunication and post between the two friendly countries, he said. "Afghanistan and China, for the first time issued a joint post stamp in 2005, but more efforts are needed to improve exchange of cultural, telecommunication and trade relations and improve friendship between the two sides," he said. "Today is World Post Day... The postal service, the letterhead and the stamps have not disappeared, but they have changed their forms. Because people need to communicate with each other, friendship is needed between countries," Chinese Ambassador to Afghanistan Liu Jinsong said. Several Afghan officials and Kabul University teachers and students were among the visitors in the one-day display. 3 1 [ Editor: Xueying ] At least one person is dead and hundreds of thousands of homes are without power as Hurricane Michael moves inland from Florida to Georgia. Michael made landfall Wednesday around 2 p.m. ET as a Category 4 storm near Mexico Beach, Florida. The strongest storm to hit the continental US since Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Michael dashed homes into pieces, swallowed marinas and left piles of rubble where shopping centers once stood. Live updates on Hurricane Michael Now a Category 1 storm with winds up to 75 mph, Michael appeared to be moving slower after making landfall but has since picked up speed as it moves across southwestern Georgia at about 20 mph. As of Wednesday night, the storm was about 45 miles south-southwest of Macon. Michael is expected to continue weakening overnight, the National Hurricane Center said, and become a tropical storm by Thursday morning before it moves off into the Atlantic later this week. Meanwhile, flooding continues along the Gulf Coast, where downed trees and utility polls are making precarious rescue efforts even harder. Key developments a A man died after a tree fell on a home near Greensboro, Florida, the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office said. a Nine Florida counties have enacted curfews. a More than 500,000 customers are without power in Alabama, Georgia and Florida. a Bay County is under a mandatory boil water notice. a A tornado watch is in effect for much of northern Florida and south and central Georgia until 2 a.m. ET Thursday. a Arrests have been made after reports of looting in Bay County, Florida, Congressman Neal Dunn said. Scenes of devastation Mexico Beach resident Patricia Mulligan said the concrete building she lives in shook and vibrated as the storm's center crossed nearby. She was among an estimated 280 Mexico Beach residents who decided not to evacuate, administrator Tanya Castor said. When she dared to look outside, Mexico Beach's emerald waters and white sugar-sand beaches were covered in a dark sea of splintered debris, she said. Roofs were torn off homes and the marina was gone. Water levels approached the tops of palm trees. The devastation reminded her of what she witnessed in 1992 when Andrew hit. And she estimated that it would take the same amount of time to fix the damage -- possibly months or even a year. "We didn't think it was going to be this bad," she told CNN. Track the storm After making landfall near Mexico Beach around 2 p.m. ET, the eye of Michael moved inland over the Florida Panhandle east of Panama City. Wind gusts blew out windows in homes and office buildings, including the First Federal Bank. Stores and entire shopping centers that were turned into piles of rubble. Other buildings were stripped of their walls and roofs or ripped apart by downed trees and power lines. Medical Sacred Heart lost its windows and sustained damage to its roof and exterior walls. The hospital said it is running off of generators and patients have been moved to safe areas of the facility. Jason Gunderson of the Cajun Navy said flooding and downed power lines made most streets impassible. Further hindering rescue efforts were trees that had crashed into homes. In Lynn Haven, north of Panama City, he described finding one woman curled up in a fetal position in a garage with a tree over her head -- a "very dangerous, sketchy situation," he said. "It's a sight to see, and very sad. Very horrible," Gunderson said. Brandon and Sydni Troupe were preparing for the grand opening this weekend of their new Panama City business when Michael hit. They said they spent the past year renovating a house with new floors, walls and a paint job. They intended to sell children's toys and host family-friendly events, a need they saw in the community. Now, a gigantic tree is lying through their store and they're not sure what to do next. "I still can't believe it. My mind is still trying to process." Brandon Troupe said. Across the bay in Panama City Beach, a resort city on the Gulf of Mexico known for its white-sand beach and amusement parks, winds of about 100 mph furiously whipped the trees in the early afternoon and pulled apart homes. Rain just one of several threats In Florida, 54 shelters are open with a population of nearly 6,700 people. A hurricane warning has been discontinued for the Gulf coast of Florida. Tropical storm warnings were in effect for parts of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Storm surge warnings were in place along the Florida and Alabama coasts. Up to 12 inches of rain could fall in Florida's Panhandle and Big Bend areas, as well as southeastern Alabama and southern Georgia. Some parts of the Carolinas and southern Virginia, recently deluged by Hurricane Florence, could see up to 6 inches, the hurricane center said. Effect of climate change Michael's strength may reflect the effect of climate change on storms. The planet has warmed significantly over the past several decades, causing changes in the environment. Human-caused greenhouse gases in the atmosphere create an energy imbalance, with more than 90% of remaining heat trapped by the gases going into the oceans, according to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association. There's evidence of higher sea surface temperature and atmospheric moisture, experts say. While we might not get more storms in a warmer climate, most studies show storms will get stronger and produce more rain. Storm surge is worse now than it was 100 years ago, thanks to the rise in sea levels. According to Climate Central, a scientific research organization, the coming decades are expected to bring hurricanes that intensify more rapidly, should there be no change in the rate of greenhouse gas emissions. Get the latest delivered to your inbox: Sign up for Hurricane Michael email alerts here. ROCHESTER, Minn. - Its less than a month until the general election and candidates on the ballot are vying for your vote. One candidate made a stop in Rochester today to talk about fair wages. Congressman Keith Ellison held a round table discussion at the Laborers' International Union of North America Local 405. There he discussed how he would help protect wages for employees. The attorney generals office works for you, said the candidate. Workers wanted to be assured that the attorney general would not only ensure fair pair and also hold dishonest contractors accountable. Ellison said if hes elected he will partner with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry to enforce wage theft laws and hold offenders accountable to pay the wages that were promised. ROCHESTER, Minn. Two road construction projects start Thursday which could impact traffic for weeks. The Rochester Public Works Department says the intersection of 4th Street SW and 6th Avenue SW will be completely closed to allow for utility work, while the 4th Street intersection with 5th Avenue SW will be reopened to two-way traffic. This project will affect a number of buses, with the stands for Rochester Public Transit routes 2, 3, 8, and 17 currently on the east side of 2 Ave SW being moved to 2nd St SW between 3 Ave and 4 Ave SW. The stand for RPT Route 19 will also relocate to the west side of 2 Ave SW. Work is also scheduled to begin Thursday on the traffic signals at the intersection of 41st Street NW and 31st Avenue NW. In addition, crews will be adding a dedicated turn lane for southbound traffic and replace sidewalk ramps. The signal will be a flashing red all-way stop for more and Thursday and likely into Friday. The outside travel lanes on 41st Street NW near the intersection will also be occasionally closed between 9 am and 3 pm. Work on this project is expected to continue through November 30, weather permitting. Rochester Public Works advises all drivers and pedestrians to find alternate routes and be cautious in and around all construction zones. ROCHESTER, Minn. - Destination Medical Center hosts a monthly Sustainability Speaker Series, where they invite organizations to present on sustainability topics. On Wednesday, XRG Concepts presented on energy efficiency in residential construction based on 8 years of data collected in Southeastern and Southcentral Minnesota. "I think most of the people attending today can apply what we're gonna learn to their individual home or residence, whether it be an apartment or what have you, and hopefully lower some of their utility costs and save some money but also help the planet at the same time," explains Kevin Bright, DMC's energy and sustainability director. DMC is partnering with local green building chapters to continue the series through 2019. JOICE, Iowa - It's been nearly 3 weeks since the Joice Public Library and Community Center went up in flames, but there is good news. The city is currently looking at bids and proposals from local contractors on cleanup and rebuilding, and many books are being donated to the Farmers State Bank. In addition, monetary donations are coming in to two accounts: one set up with the bank, and also to a GoFundMe account. Mayor Mark Thoma says this outpouring of support from those in and outside the community helps bring it all home for him. "I get so entrenched in dealing with the insurance adjusters, the contractors, the day to day activity, but then you get phone calls and messages from people hearing these stories and from outside our community that don't even know us that are asking how they can help." And while the process to rebuild will take some time, it will include community input. "So we can start in on drawings, start in on what is it that people are looking for, and what are their priorities in a building like this. So that we can make sure we can build it right." The city will host a community feedback and planning session as they push forward with plans to rebuild, and is set for next Monday evening at Bethany Lutheran Church. The public is invited to attend. MASON CITY, Iowa A Minnesota man is sentenced to jail for a 100 mile per hour chase which began in Albert Lea and violently concluded in Clear Lake. Jacob Aaron Eberly, 32 of Brainerd, MN, was arrested on June 22 after the pursuit ended with his vehicle being rammed by law enforcement on Interstate 35 and rolling. He eventually pleaded guilty to eluding and leaving the scene of an accident in Cerro Gordo County District Court and was sentenced Wednesday to three years of probation on the eluding charge and 52 days in jail and a $315 fine for leaving the scene. Charges are still pending against Eberly in Freeborn County for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property. Hes also accused of terroristic threats in Hennepin County in connection to a bomb threat at the Mall of America. ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) A Minnesota state lawmaker who is running for re-election is apologizing after he yanked a microphone from the hand of his opponent during a televised legislative forum. Rep. Duane Quam grabbed the microphone from Democratic-Farmer-Labor party challenger Jamie Mahlberg during a Tuesday night debate at Rochester Public Library. The Rochester Post-Bulletin reports that Quam took the microphone to rebut a point Mahlberg made about education funding. The audience gasped, and Mahlberg appeared startled. Video of the incident circulated widely on social media, with some calling Quam's behavior "boorish" or "bullying." Quam apologized in a Facebook post, saying he respects Mahlberg. He says his nerves got the best of him as his responses were timed and he wasn't as graceful as he should have been while the two shared a microphone. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota's attorney general has sued a Florida charity, alleging it misled donors who believed they were helping families of fallen police officers. The lawsuit filed Wednesday by Attorney General Lori Swanson alleges American Federation of Police and Concerned Citizens, Inc., collected $425,000 in donations from thousands of Minnesotans from 2011 to 2017 for a fund to help officers' families. Donors were told all of the contributions would go to the fund. But Swanson says only 9 percent did. Messages left with the American Federation of Police and Concerned Citizens were not returned to The Associated Press. The Star Tribune reports the charity raised $4 million nationwide last year and spent most of that on marketing, contracts with for-profit fundraisers and salaries. The charity was also sued by Minnesota in 1996. ROCHESTER, Minn. - According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for nurses is expected to grow 15% by 2026, and 11% for nursing assistants. Those are two of the most high-demand jobs that employers at Job HQ's career fair on Tuesday were looking for. The fair was held at the Rochester Work Force Center. Vicki Snyder, a recruiter for Volunteers of America, which staffs Homestead at Rochester, says they are always looking for nurses and certified nursing assistants because it is difficult to retain staff. She thinks having quality nurses and CNAs on staff is critical for their clients. "The worst thing we could ever say is, 'I'm sorry, we're short staffed, we can't help you.' We don't want to do that. we want to make sure that if someone needs something, that we're there to help," says Snyder. About 30 employers had booths at the fair. NUSA DUA, Indonesia, Oct 11 (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve's policy rates are "in a good position" after several hikes and the central bank doesn't need to do much more to normalise its once ultra-easy policy, St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank President James Bullard said on Thursday. "With respect to the normalisation, we have already reached a point when policy rates are in a good position," said Bullard, a policy dove. "We don't need to do much more to normalise policy." (Reporting by Francesco Canepa; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) 004906975651247; Reuters Messaging: francesco.canepa.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (4th R, front) meets with Japanese representatives attending the fourth China-Japan Business Leader and Former High-Level Government Official Dialogue in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 10, 2018. Li also held a symposium with the representatives. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday called for joint efforts from China and Japan to improve bilateral relations. Li made the remarks when meeting Japanese representatives attending the fourth China-Japan Business Leader and Former High-Level Government Official Dialogue in Beijing. Noting this year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Li said the momentum of improvement of China-Japan relations has been consolidated by the joint efforts of the two sides. He expressed hope that the two countries will abide by the principles agreed on in the four political documents between China and Japan, to ensure the steady and sustainable development of bilateral ties. With regard to bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Li said it is not only beneficial to the two countries but also conducive to the development of global economy and trade, as China and Japan are two major economies of the world. He expected the two countries to make use of complementary advantages to expand cooperation in such areas as trade and investment, financial and monetary, innovation and high-tech, as well as jointly tapping a third market, and jointly safeguard multilateralism and the free trade system. "China will continuously expand opening up. We welcome Japanese enterprises to increase investments in China and continue to play a positive role in promoting cooperation and exchanges between China and Japan," Li said. Japanese representatives, including former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Chairman of Japan Business Federation Hiroaki Nakanishi, said the Japanese economic community is willing to promote cooperation with China in such areas as innovation, jointly tapping the third market, environmental protection and coping with the aging population. They said that Premier Li's official visit to Japan in May has brought Japan-China relations back to the normal track. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also met with the representatives on Wednesday. Wang said China and Japan should consolidate political and legal basis of bilateral relations, ensure the major consensus that the two countries are cooperation partners and sketch out a new blueprint for the future development of bilateral ties. During the meeting with Wang, Yasuo Fukuda said that the two sides should work together to ensure Japan-China relations remain in the right direction. The Japanese side looks forward to deeply participate in the new-round of reform and opening up in China. 4 1 [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] (Updates with detail, background) LONDON, Oct 11 (Reuters) - London-listed Acacia Mining said on Thursday an employee at its North Mara mine in Tanzania had been charged with corruption, but had pleaded not guilty and had been granted bail. The employee was "responsible for signing cheques for approved payments made by NMGML at the time, including a cheque regarding the agreed LTF process," the miner said, referring to the Land Task Force (LTF) set up by the government and North Mara Gold Mine Limited (NMGML). Two government employees were also charged over receiving funds from North Mara Gold mine through the LTF transaction, Acacia said, while more charges were made against other government officials for their relationship with the mine. Tanzania's anti-corruption authority said in a statement dated Oct. 10 that two senior employees at North Mara paid 93,896,000 Tanzanian shillings ($41,182) to a member of the task force "as a bribe to get favourable treatment to North Mara Gold Mine on a survey that was to be conducted by the task force." Acacia, which is Tanzania's largest gold miner, is locked in a long-running dispute with the government which has accused the company of tax evasion. Acacia has denied any wrongdoing. The spat culminated in a $190 million tax charge against Acacia and an industry-wide ban on the export of raw minerals. In July 2017, Acacia said its local employees had been interviewed by Tanzanian government agencies. Acacia said allegations over the LTF at North Mara between 2013-2015 have been investigated over the past four years, adding that it was working with the authorities. ($1 = 2,280.0000 Tanzanian shillings) (Reporting by Zandi Shabalala in London, additional reporting by Omar Mohammed in Nairobi; editing by Jason Neely and David Evans) zandi.shabalala.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. Some Japanese are underestimating the success of K-pop sensation BTS. Yonhap By Dong Sun-hwa Some Japanese are attempting to underrate the success of K-pop titan BTS, insisting that most fans who attended the group's gig at New York's Citi Field on Oct. 6 were Asians. "Ninety percent of the audience are Asians," wrote one netizen in an article about BTS on Yahoo! Japan. The group made headlines for attracting over 40,000 people to Saturday's concert. Another commented: "Will any member in this group still be praised in America after five years? I wonder what percentage of the audience was Americans." Another Japanese netizen wrote: "The group topped the Billboard 200 Chart twice but the scale of its world tour seems so small if it is that hot, they should be able to have stadium tours around the world. It can make money only in Japan and some Asian countries I know it wants to manipulate its popularity but I am so annoyed to hear this news continuously." But many other Japanese supported the group. "The popular American shows would not have invited the group had it been only supported by some minorities," one said. Another Japanese netizen wrote: "40,000 seats were sold out in 10 minutes I understand you are jealous about their feats but please do not fabricate stories!" BTS has been writing the new history of K-pop with unparalleled accomplishments. The group's latest album "LOVE YOURSELF 'Answer'" ranked No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Chart and has stayed on it for six weeks in a row as of Wednesday. According to Minister of Industry and Trade, Tran Tuan Anh, Vietnam is playing a greater role in rice supply, helping to ensure global food security. He added that Vietnam has adopted a rice export market development plan, aiming to enhance the quality of Vietnamese rice in order to meet market demands and strengthen the value chain linkages from production to export. President and CEO of The Rice Trader Jeremy Zwinger stated that Vietnams rice production and trade has seen positive progress and expressed his confidence in the Vietnamese governments attention to developing the rice value in the future. Speaking at the conference, Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue affirmed that rice production is a major part of Vietnams agricultural policy, ensuring food security for Vietnam as well as partly for the region and the world. He informed those present that the rice growing area accounts for about 60% of Vietnams total cultivation area and rice production is an important source of livelihood for roughly 9 million farming households. Currently Vietnam is one of the three largest rice exporters in the world, with an annual shipment of 5-6 million tonnes to 150 countries and territories, bringing in US$2.5 billion. Deputy PM Hue said that a new government decree on rice exports will create a favourable environment for the rice trade, helping Vietnam participate deeper in the global rice value chain. Although rice production is facing numerous challenges from climate change, the Deputy PM expressed his belief that new scientific and technological advances would help the rice sector to produce new varieties that could adapt to climate change. The 2018 World Rice Conference is jointly held by The Rice Trader and Vietnams Ministry of Industry and Trade. By Lee Kyung-min Korea's monthly current account surplus reached $8.44 billion (9.5 trillion won) in August on the back of solid exports of semiconductors, the Bank of Korea said, Thursday. This marks the 78th consecutive month of surpluses, the longest streak since March 2012. The August figure was slightly down from the annual high of $8.76 billion last month. The central bank said the performance was thanks to strong sales of semiconductor goods abroad amid a strong recovery in global trade. The goods account surplus jumped to $11.24 billion in August from the previous month's $9.18 billion. Export logged $53.2 billion, an 11.7 percent increase from a year earlier, on the back of continued global demand for semiconductors, and a higher profit margin on petrochemical products amid an oil price hike. Imports, on the other hand, recorded 42 billion won, up 9.2 percent from a year earlier. Despite the brisk external shipments, experts expressed caution against a heavy reliance on key export items. "Korea has an export-driven economy, most of which relies on semiconductor and petrochemical sales," said Lee Chae-woong, emeritus professor of economics at Sungkyunkwan University. "It is better to see a surplus than a deficit, but the country needs a plan B, a viable alternative to a possible scenario under which global demand shrinks for the country's key export items. Portfolio diversification should focus on exploring new markets or producing new goods and services." The services account posted a $2.11 billion deficit, slightly down from $2.33 billion a year ago. The figure was the smallest since May 2018. The travel account deficit increased to $1.54 billion in August from $1.41 billion as the number of inbound travelers, mostly from China and Japan, outnumbered that of Koreans traveling abroad. Korean tourists' overseas spending in August was the second-largest after $3.24 billion in January. In August, Koreans' direct overseas investment and foreigners' direct investment in Korea rose $5.57 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively. In portfolio investment, Koreans increased their overseas investments by $7.17 billion, while foreigners raised their investments $5.68 billion due to a rise on bond ownership. Trip.com CEO Jane Sun speaks during a press conference in Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of Trip.com By Kang Seung-woo Trip.com, Asia's largest online travel agency, has unveiled Korean-focused services amid the country's growing presence in the global travel market. The announcement came at a press conference in Seoul, Wednesday, held by the Chinese travel agency to mark the first anniversary of its rebranding from Ctrip. "Korea is one of the fastest-growing travel markets in the world as more than two-thirds of Korean tourists travel abroad every year," CEO Jane Sun said. "We have firm belief that Korea will be one of the key markets for us to help us grow outside of China." To this end, the Shanghai-based company had researched Koreans' travel behaviors and found their three traits: price sensitivity, mobile savvy and high customer service expectations. Considering those factors, the online travel agency has come up with localized solutions in order to appeal to Korean customers. "We are very happy to announce that we are opening our first customer service center in Korea to further strengthen our position here. This is truly meaningful to us because it is our very first customer support center for a single country in Asia," she said, adding that the center will be located at Jongro Tower in central Seoul by October. According to the company's research, 76 percent of Korean travelers prefer to use a call service than using chat or email consulting service. The center will operate around the clock and the company plans to hire up to 200 Korean consultants, which the CEO believes will contribute to job creation here. Another selling point for Korean customers is any domestic calls will be toll-free, "so we can ensure we have enough time to cater to their needs and bring ease and efficiency to their travel experience," she said. In addition to the customer service center, Trip.com has offered a local payment system and quick mobile app service. "Of the nation's total overseas purchases worth 15.06 trillion won ($14.16 billion) last year, 2.76 trillion won, or 18.3 percent, was paid through a dynamic currency conversion (DCC) system," she said. The DCC is a system used for foreign currency transactions and service charges when buying goods from foreign retailers, and the fees usually account for three percent to eight percent of the value of a purchase. As a result, the agency has adopted Naver Pay for both hotel and flight booking the only online travel agency to offer such a payment system. Also, given that Koreans are heavy mobile users and love fast speeds, it has created social logins for Korean customers using Kakao and Naver to easily interface with the site. While unveiling the new services, the CEO also rolled out a future plan to become an all-inclusive company in Korea. "We plan to introduce Korean consumers to activities, travel guide and airport pickup services by the end of this year," she said. Currently, Trip.com is available in 15 countries and has 300 million registered users. By Jung Min-ho Greece has banned overweight tourists from riding donkeys on the island of Santorini after activists complained that the animals suffer spinal injuries. According to local media Wednesday, the country's Ministry of Rural Development and Food has published a new set of regulations to protect the donkeys. People who wish to ride the donkeys now have to weigh less than 100 kilograms or 20 percent of the donkey's body weight. The animals "should not be loaded with a weight excessive in size, age or physical condition," the ministry said. Riding a donkey is a popular way of looking around the tourist island, which has pathways too narrow for cars. Videos and pictures of obese tourists riding donkeys prompted a backlash on social media in July, and an online petition calling for an end to the "unnecessary animal torture" garnered more than 100,000 signatures. Models show off the 2018 Fall-Winter collection during HERA Seoul Fashion Week earlier this year. Courtesy of Seoul Design Foundation By Kang Aa-young Korea's top designers are set to show off their 2019 spring and summer collections at the much-anticipated fashion event in Seoul next week. Starting from Monday, the semi-annual Hera Seoul Fashion Week (SFW) will kick off its six-day run at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). In one of Asia's most vibrant shows, 42 designers will present their works. Of several programs, the "Generation Next" fashion tradeshow, which started two years ago with 121 rising designer brands, is expected to draw much attention from international buyers. Seoul Fashion Week will also feature 30 runways to be held outside the main event venue around Seoul, including the Hannam and Jongno areas. Each year, SFW organizers select designers who have made outstanding contributions to moving the nation's fashion industry move forward. This year, Park Chun-moo and Woo Young-mi have been chosen. The organizers said the two iconic designers have played a crucial role in promoting Korean fashion across the globe. Woo will open SFW with her show on Monday night where she will unveil new collections of her brand Sold Homme which marks its 30th anniversary this year. The show, titled "SOLID/BEYOND 30," will highlight the brand's 100 looks from its 2018 fall and winter collections and upcoming 2019 spring and summer collections. To mark the fashion label's 30-year anniversary, Woo will deliver her thoughts on the brand's future strategy by unveiling some of its new concepts. Starting Tuesday, Park Chun-moo, who is a trailblazer in avant-garde design in Korea, will host an exhibition featuring a look from her brand collection Demoo. The show is titled "From Moo." The show will feature collections of Demoo, which is considered one of the brands that upgraded the fashion industry here through its signature "Demoo style." The event will be held till Nov. 5 at the DDP. SFW will focus on supporting rising local designers, who participate in runways and tradeshows without paying fees for showplaces or other expenses. Two fashion labels will make their debut at the latest SFW. SFW will be crowded with international buyers and fashion magazine editors _ 160 foreign buyers will join the event, 20 from Europe and the other 130 from other parts of Asia. Great designers honored Park Choon-moo, the designer behind the 30-year-old fashion brand Demoo, was born in Gimje, a small town in Korea where her family ran a children's apparel company. At that time, Park was fascinated by clothing, falling in love with fashion. Though she considered it "successful" running a business there, her family moved to Seoul and she attended Hongik University where she majored in industrial design, then went to Kookje Fashion School where she studied fashion design. Her industrial design roots are evident in her fashion designs and have defined her compelling aesthetic. Since her label launched in 1988, Park has been a leading figure of Korean avant-garde design. Responding to high demand, she opened her first retail store in 1988 in southern Seoul's posh Apgujeong and expanded quickly into other Asian markets. Becoming an icon of a modern, edgy yet wearable look with her signature style, she established her own Park Choon-moo style. She favors monotones such as black and white punctuated by counterpoints of color, and layering. Park has won numerous awards, including the Presidential Award. Showing her collections in Korea, Japan and France, she was voted one of the most influential designers of 2010. Woo Young-mi was born in Seoul in 1959. Her father was the head of an architectural firm, which allowed him to travel extensively, bringing home international magazines which the young designer studied, growing curious about other countries. Along with her mother who taught art and piano, they did their utmost to use what they had to provide a creative environment for their five children. Woo took up fashion studies at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul. In time for her graduation in 1983, she was selected to represent Korea in Japan's Osaka International Fashion Competition, and won. Woo launched the menswear brand Solid Homme in 1988, starting with a single shop. This expanded to 21 stores opened with Hyundai Group, as well as others with Lotte, Shinsegae and Galleria today. In 1993, she began the "New Wave" project as a platform for young designers to show their work. This project, gave a boost to today's Seoul Fashion Week. Woo founded her eponymous brand Woo Young-mi in Paris in 2002. She wanted to establish a designer brand that gives her freedom to express the vision she holds for the ideal man. With consecutive successes from then on, Woo became one of leading figures representing menswear in Korea. Seminars The Seoul Design Foundation is hosting the Global Fashion Mentoring Seminar on Thursday at the Round Hall on the second-floor Design Lab of the DDP. One of the most anticipated events for the week, it is intended to provide a space where both fashion experts and the general public can freely enjoy and interact with one another. Sarah Mower, chief critic of VOGUE.COM U.S., will lead the seminar as the main mentor along with Anders Christian Madsen, a fashion critic of Vogue U.K., and Isabella Burley, the editor-in-chief of Dazed U.K. Moreover, Italian chamber of buyers President and CEO Mario Dell'Oglio and Heather Gramston, a womenswear buying manager of Selfridges, are newly joining the mentor seminar, further strengthening the global status and professionalism of the program. At the seminar, which will be held on Oct. 18 from 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., major global fashion business professionals from around the world will be present as mentors to exchange diverse ideas with participants on Influencer Marketing and New Perspectives, two rising issues for 2019 in the international fashion community. Citizens are encouraged to join SFW as various fashion and culture-related festivals are set to take place on the sidelines of the event. It is expected to provide colorful attractions through collaborations with the global fashion industry, domestic top designer brands, sponsorship and co-marketing with various companies. Changuijeong, at the rear of the royal palace and closed to public throughout the year, except for the annual reaping and planting seasons, is administered by the Changdeokgung Palace Office. The authority oversees rice transplanting in spring and in fall the weaving of rice stalks for roofing for Changuijeong, the only grass-roofed house in the palace. President Donald Trump speaks at a rally endorsing the Republican ticket in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018 in Erie, Pa. AP-Yonhap U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday ruled out the possibility of South Korea lifting sanctions on North Korea without approval from the United States. South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said earlier that Seoul has been reviewing whether to remove unilateral sanctions that were imposed on North Korea following its deadly sinking of a South Korean warship in 2010. "Well, they won't do it without our approval," Trump told reporters at the White House. "They do nothing without our approval." He reaffirmed when asked if he had been contacted, "Yes, they do nothing without our approval." North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport on stopover, Thursday, on her way back to Pyongyang after a trilateral talks two days ago with her counterparts from China and Russia in Moscow. TASS-Yonhap Senior diplomats of North Korea, China and Russia have called for "corresponding measures" in response to the North's "practical" denuclearization steps, the North's state media reported Thursday. The three also demanded that denuclearization be carried out in a "stage-by-stage and simultaneous way" and emphasized the importance of confidence-building in the process. The demands are part of the consensus that North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui reached with her Russian and Chinese counterparts, Igor Morgulov and Kong Xuanyou, during their first-ever trilateral talks in Moscow on Tuesday, according to the Korean Central News Agency. "The three parties reaffirmed the will for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and establishment of a peace regime there," the KCNA said. China's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kong Xuanyou arrivess in Beijing, Thursday, after the Moscow talks. Yonhap "The three parties shared the understanding that such processes should be ensured to progress in a stage-by-stage and simultaneous way while giving precedence to confidence-building and that they should be accompanied by corresponding measures by the countries concerned," it added. The talks came as North Korea and the United States are pushing for their second summit "at the earliest possible date" after a months-long stalemate in denuclearization talks following their first-ever summit in June. They also followed the third summit meeting between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un last month. The leaders promised to work toward making the Korean Peninsula a "land of peace" without nuclear weapons and nuclear threats. The U.S. and the North remain at odds over how to get rid of the latter's nuclear program. The North has claimed that the U.S. should provide "corresponding" measures in response to its practical steps for denuclearization. It has called for a formal end to the 1950-53 Korean War which was halted with a truce, not a peace treaty and the lifting of sanctions imposed on its regime. China and Russia have been supportive of Pyongyang's demands. On Mar. 13, 2018, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov, left, and South Korean National Security Adviser Chung Eui-Yong talk ahead of a meeting with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (not pictured) at the offices of the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow. Korea Times file Pope Francis arrives to lead the weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City, Oct. 10. EPA-Yonhap The Vatican is waiting for North Korea's invitation to Pope Francis, its spokesman said, amid rising speculation about his visit to Pyongyang. "The Vatican is just waiting for the invitation to officially arrive," spokesman Greg Burke told Yonhap News on Wednesday. He added that he has nothing to comment before South Korean President Moon Jae-in communicates North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's intent to invite the pope during his visit to the Vatican next week. Moon, who will visit France and Italy from Oct. 13-18 and the Vatican from Oct. 17-18, is scheduled to meet with Pope Francis at noon on Oct. 18. During the meeting, Moon plans to deliver a message of Kim's willingness to invite the pope to Pyongyang. Kim allegedly told Moon during their summit in Pyongyang last month that he will "ardently welcome the pope if he visits Pyongyang." By Jung Min-ho A court has ruled that visually impaired people should be allowed to ride roller-coasters. The Seoul Central District Court ruled Thursday that Everland, a major theme park in Yongin, has to compensate each of three visually challenged customers 2 million won ($1,750) after blocking them from riding its T-Express roller-coaster three years ago. The court also ordered the company to revise its guideline that restricts such people from enjoying some of its rides. "There is little evidence to support the argument that the roller-coaster would be more risky for the plaintiffs than others," the court said. "Thus, it should be considered an act of discrimination against disabled people." The three filed a damage suit against the company after they were denied access to the ride in May 2015. Among Everland's 46 rides, disabled people do not have access to three, including the Bumper Car and the T-Express, and they need "guardians" to get access to four others, according to the guideline. By Oh Young-jin Did U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo curse Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha during their recent telephone conversation? Minister Kang's answer was not clear-cut, leaving room for different interpretations. Of course, if Pompeo indeed cursed or used profanities, it would mean a major violation of diplomatic protocols, an attack on sovereignty therefore he should apologize. Rep. Jung Jin-seok of the main conservative opposition Liberty Korea Party asked Kang whether Pompeo expressed his discontent by using harsh words. In response, Kang said: "I wouldn't define them to be harsh." Jung then asked: "Did he use American slurs?" Kang: "That was clearly not the case." Kang explained that Pompeo was not fully briefed so asked many questions, which Kang answered as well as she could. The parliamentary session followed Japanese media reports that Pompeo and by extension the U.S. were not informed in advance of the agreement to set up no-fly zones at inter-Korean borders, made during the third summit between President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang last month. The Nihon Keizai newspaper reported that Pompeo had reproved Kang for her failure to inform him, angrily telling her that she did not know what she was doing. The report was correct, except that the conversation took place just before the Sept. 18-20 summit, not after it. In all likelihood, Seoul told Washington of the no-fly zones but without enough consultation. Then, the way Kang explained the situation indicated Pompeo didn't address Kang by using curse words but used expletives contextually to convey his anger. It would be best for Pompeo to clarify whether he used improper language. If he did, he should apologize. If he didn't, his clarification would suffice. The events were co-organised by Thailand-based Reed Tradex, the HCM City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), the HCM City Centre for Supporting Industry Development, and the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO). In his opening remarks, CEO of Reed Tradex, Isara Nurintranart, said that Metalex Vietnam and Nepcon Vietnam have been held annually over the course of more than ten years, and have become an ideal platform for industrialists to update and renovate their knowledge in the fields of metal processing and electronics. Metalex Vietnam 2018 will be the destination for more than 10,000 shoppers from all over the world to access the latest machine tools and processing solutions from 500 brands from 25 different countries and territories, including many famous brands of Hoffmann, Hexagon, Takamaz, and Weldcom. Meanwhile, Nepcon Vietnam 2018 has attracted more than 200 suppliers from 20 countries to showcase, introduce and connect trade in the area of technology and electronics. Delegates tour the pavilions at the exhibitions. (Photo: VNA) The Supporting Industry Show, organised by JETRO, aims to offer Japanese and Vietnamese businesses opportunities to directly meet and connect in the supporting industry supply chain. Takimoto Koji, Chief Representative of JETRO in HCM City, stated that there are nearly 2,500 Japanese companies operating in Vietnam, more than half of which are in the manufacturing sector. However, most businesses currently have to import materials, components and spare parts. In fact, although they want to increase the localisation rate, Japanese firms can only buy roughly 33% of the components required in Vietnam, including those produced by Japanese enterprises. The Supporting Industry Show, with the participation of 29 Japanese manufacturers, is expected to promote the level of links between Japanese manufacturers and Vietnamese suppliers, contributing to improving the localisation rate for made-in-Vietnam products in the future. The exhibition series will last until October 13. By Jung Min-ho Korea has ranked second in a World Bank list called the "human capital index" a measure of youth mortality, health and education. Among the World Bank's 157 member countries, Korea came second to Singapore in the rankings, which assess the future productivity and earnings potential of citizens. The World Bank revealed the index at its annual meeting with the International Monetary Fund on the Indonesian island of Bali, Thursday. Korea was highly rated in all areas, including life expectancy, learning periods and test results. The other three in the top five were Japan, Hong Kong and Finland. The report found that, on average, 56 percent of children born today will have to forgo more than half their potential lifetime earnings because their governments do not invest properly to ensure their well-being. World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said he hoped the index would encourage government leaders to take the steps necessary to improve the lives of their citizens. "This is about drawing their attention to a crisis that we think is real," Kim said. "This is connected to productivity, this is connected to economic growth. "For the poorest people, human capital is often the only capital they have. It is a key driver of sustainable, inclusive economic growth, but investing in health and education has not gotten the attention it deserves." Top 1. Singapore 2. South Korea 3. Japan 4. Hong Kong 5. Finland 6. Ireland Bottom 1. Chad 2. South Sudan 3. Niger 4. Mali 5. Liberia 6. Nigeria Gen. Park Han-ki, the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, salutes during an inauguration ceremony at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap Gen. Park Han-ki, the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs Of Staff (JCS), took office Thursday, vowing to back up South Korea's ongoing peace efforts and strengthen military readiness and cooperation among all armed services. During his inauguration speech, the 41st JCS chief also stressed his pursuit of "technology-based elite forces" through Seoul's Defense Reform 2.0 initiative aimed at creating a smaller yet smarter military. "Now, the security situation on the Korean Peninsula is at a historical turning point where we are moving toward peace and prosperity after long periods of confrontation," he said. "Our citizens call for a trustworthy military that can clearly ensure the safety of our citizens and nation while maintaining firm readiness under any circumstances," he added. Touching on the recent inter-Korean military agreement entailing a series of arms control measures, Park pledged to make "active efforts" for its implementation. "It is a crucial task that all of our citizens are interested in and have expectations about," he said. "While striving to ensure that the agreement will be enforced, we will establish a posture that can deal with any possible situation." The two Korea's defense chiefs signed the military agreement right after the third summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang last month. Vincent Brooks, second from right, chief of the U.S.-led U.N. Command and United States Forces Korea (USFK) Commander, joined the Thursday's ceremony. Yonhap By Lee Suh-yoon A local court in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, sentenced a man to three years in prison Wednesday for spreading sex video clips of his ex-girlfriend online an unusually stern ruling compared to previous verdicts on similar "revenge porn" cases. The ruling comes amid rising voices for a more punitive crackdown on revenge porn crimes, sparked by K-pop star Koo Ha-ra's recent claims that her ex-boyfriend blackmailed her with a sex video. According to the court, the man posted the videos on various male-centered online community platforms 19 times under titles commonly associated with porn clips. He also sent the videos to around 100 of his acquaintances. "Spreading sex videos of one's ex-partner with malicious intent destroys the victims' lives, preventing them from building normal relationships in the future; hence the damage is serious," presiding judge Kim Do-hyung said in the ruling. Under the Sexual Crimes Punishment Act, a person who secretly films another person's body in a sexually explicit way that could cause shame, or who sells or distributes such videos can be imprisoned for up to five years or fined 10 million won ($8,760). But punishment has been light so far, as only 8.7 percent of those brought to court on such charges have been given jail sentences in the past six years, according to National Police Agency data. Over 27 percent were released on probation, while 55 percent were let off the hook after paying a fine. Revenge porn crimes show no signs of abating and are rather increasing. Last year, 420 people were caught for illicit filming of their partners, around 2.5 times higher than 2013's 164. By Kim Hyun-bin The government is seeking to strengthen punishment of drunk driving in the aftermath of a recent incident involving a soldier who was left brain dead after being hit by a drunk driver. Nearly 270,000 people have signed an online petition on the Cheong Wa Dae website as of Thursday to urge the government to take stern action against the illegality. The petition was posted by a friend of Yoon Chang-ho, the 22-year-old Korean soldier of the Korean Augmentation Troops to the United States Army (KATUSA), who fell victim to drunk driving last month and is currently in hospital. According to the petition titled "Drunk driving destroyed my friend's life," Yoon was hit by a drunk driver in Busan on Sept. 25 while on leave during the Chuseok holiday. Yoon flew 15 meters and landed on concrete. He was taken to a hospital but was deemed brain dead. The driver was totally intoxicated with a blood alcohol content of 0.181 percent, a level that could revoke his driver's license. The police investigated him twice without detention. Only after the public outrage emerged over the case, the police on Tuesday said they are looking to ask the prosecution to seek an arrest warrant. Saying the nation's punishment for drunk driving is too lenient, the petitioner said, "While my friend is dying, I'm exploding with anger as the law, which should protect victims, is protecting offenders." The petitioner said the government is taking a lukewarm attitude while the leniency will keep producing victims. "The illegal act, which takes a dear life, should not be punished lightly only because the offender was intoxicated." Following the petition and public calls, President Moon Jae-in announced the government would strengthen regulations on drunk drivers. "Drunk driving is not an accident, it could be an act of murder or destroy a person's entire life," Moon said in a meeting with top aides, Wednesday. "We need to end a culture that regards drunk driving as a mistake." Moon added that drunk drivers have high re-offending rates, stressing the need for harsh punishment even for first-time offenders. "Just last year alone, 45 percent of people caught for drunk driving committed a second offense, and 20 percent were caught for their third. Between 2005 and 2015, more than 10,000 people had their licenses canceled for drunk driving over three times. This shows drunk driving is rather a habit," Moon said. The government is seeking to strengthen regulations by slapping stronger punishment on drunk drivers, punishing fellow passengers as well and confiscating cars of habitual drunk drivers, the President said. "I urge related government bodies to come up with measures especially to prevent repeat offenses by enforcing stronger penalties for first-time offenders," Moon said. Korean regulations have been lenient toward drunk driving cases compared to other developed nations. In some states in the U.S., those who have killed people while driving drunk can be convicted of murder. In Norway, those caught for drunk driving twice are banned from obtaining a driver's license again for the rest of their lives. Prosecutors raided the office and three other locations linked to a former Constitutional Court justice candidate Thursday as part of a probe into allegations that she pocketed hundreds of millions of won in ill-gotten profits via stock trading using confidential information. Investigators from the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office searched the premises linked to Lee You-jung, a lawyer at One Law Partners, to collect evidence related to the allegations. Lee, 50, is accused of making a huge return by selling off some 10,000 shares in a local biotech company after it went public. Naturalendo Tech, the biotech company, was one of her law firm's clients, and prosecutors suspect she knew about their IPO plan before she bought the then unlisted stocks. She was nominated by President Moon Jae-in as a Constitutional Court justice in August last year and resigned as the candidate after three weeks as the allegations came to light. Lee was intensely scrutinized over the issue at her confirmation hearing at the parliament. The Financial Services Commission's securities unit subsequently filed for a complaint against the CEO of One Law Partners, seeking an investigation into Lee and three other lawyers over the alleged insider trading. Prosecutors plan to summon them as soon as they finish analyzing the seized evidence. (Yonhap) President Moon Jae-in delivers a speech while boarding the Navy's 4,900-ton Ilchulbong landing ship on the sidelines of the 2018 International Fleet Review at the nation's southern resort island of Jeju, Thursday. / Yonhap By Lee Min-hyung President Moon Jae-in has expressed his strong willingness to tighten the Navy's combat prowess, calling the naval force the "symbol of national power." "National defense power is crucial for us to realize our goal of prosperity and peace on the Korean Peninsula," the President said in an address on the sidelines of the Navy's 2018 International Fleet Review, Thursday. "Above all, the Navy symbolizes national power for countries engaging in trading activities," Moon said. The Navy kicked off the global event Wednesday at the southern resort island of Jeju. Forty-six countries sent naval delegations for the event where they discussed ways to enhance naval partnerships. "The Korean Peninsula is in a state of armistice," Moon said. "But the two Koreas declared to end their military confrontation and began a bilateral journey for permanent peace and complete denuclearization here." He went on to stress the role of the Navy as a key player to bring peace across the globe beyond the peninsula. "I will make the Korean Navy stronger so it can contribute to bringing peace in Northeast Asia and the world," the President said. "A strong defense power comes from the public's trust. The reason we have gathered here for this event is because the ocean is the hope for our future and is a home for all of us to preserve." President Moon reviewed the vessels participating in the event from the Navy's 4,900-ton Ilchulbong landing ship. Forty vessels and 24 aircraft took part in the fleet review. After taking part in the event, President Moon met with residents of Jeju's Gangjeong village where a naval base is located. In 2007, the local residents strongly protested against the government after it finalized a plan to build the naval base. The President offered a word of consolation to a group of residents in a closed-door meeting Thursday afternoon, in what Cheong Wa Dae said was a move to show them the government's desire to help reduce their emotional pain. "The government was supposed to receive opinions from the local residents while carrying out the plan," presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said in a media briefing. But a conflict arose after both sides failed to narrow their differences, according to Kim. "The President will deliver a message that the Navy's Jeju base is pivotal to maintaining peace in Northeast Asia beyond the island," Kim said. Visitors take a look at Hanwha Aerospace's naval engine systems while visiting the firm's booth set up on the nation's southern resort island of Jeju, Thursday. The company plans to showcase its latest defense technologies for four days from Thursday while participating in the 2018 International Fleet Review. / Courtesy of Hanwha By Lee Min-hyung Hanwha's defense affiliates showcased their state-of-the-art naval defense technologies Thursday, offering a glimpse into the future of maritime combat systems. The companies including Hanwha System, Hanwha Land Systems and Hanwha Aerospace unveiled their latest radar and remote firing systems on the sidelines of the Navy's 2018 International Fleet Review, according to the company. Hanwha hopes to take advantage of the event to raise its global profile, as a group of 45 countries sent naval delegations for the five-day event which is taking place on the nation's southern resort island of Jeju. Hundreds of ranking military and government officials in the naval industry from here and abroad are expected to visit the booths of the Hanwha affiliates. In particular, Hanwha Systems has divided its promotional booth into three themes combat systems, sensors and maritime weapons, according to the company. The firm's profit drivers include radars and products related to electronic optics. In the combat zone, the company is showcasing its latest cutting-edge automated naval combat systems integrating sensors and unmanned battle systems the company said. Hanwha Systems has provided core technologies for the Navy's warships and submarines for more than three decades. The company is also promoting its radar and monitoring systems in the sensor zone, which the company says will maximize the Navy's combat capability and survival rate. Hanwha Systems also exhibited the next-generation unmanned combat systems particularly of use for submarines. The systems enable warships and submarines to self-navigate and avoid obstacles on their own without human input, according to the company. "We are going to actively support the Navy's unmanned combat systems by continuously diversifying our product portfolios for small to large vessels," a company official said. Hanwha Land Systems, best known for its K9 self-propelled howitzer, also plans to showcase 12.7-millimeter remote weapon stations currently used by the Korean Navy and the firm's lithium battery systems for submarines, the company said. The remote fire control system is mainly used for patrol boats and high-speed ships to defend against possible naval threats at sea. The company has also succeeded recently in developing a lightweight version of the system, and is seeking to export it to overseas naval forces. The lithium battery is a large-capacity energy storage system providing electricity to submarine equipment, the company explained. Unlike traditional lead storage batteries, the lithium battery is identified as the next battery standard for naval forces here and abroad due to its stability and longevity. Hanwha Aerospace, the aircraft engine manufacturer of Hanwha Group, is also seeking to showcase the LM2500 gas turbine engine and its self-developed anti-ship missile engines. "We are going to go all-out in marketing activities during the exhibition for potential customers here and abroad," a company official said. Hanwha Systems CEO Chang Si-kweon said the company would do its best to showcase its diverse product portfolio and latest technological achievements at the naval event. "We will also continue contributing to enhancing the nation's naval defense capabilities by offering our state-of-the-art technologies," he said. The fleet review, hosted by the Korean Navy, is one of the world's largest naval events. This marks the third time the Navy has held the event in Korea since 1998. On Thursday, President Moon Jae-in attended the event and delivered a speech on the need to enhance the nation's naval combat prowess. Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon listens to a lawmaker's question at a National Assembly audit held at the Assembly, Thursday. / Yonhap By Kim Bo-eun The government is discussing preparations for economic cooperation with North Korea, Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon said Thursday. "We are talking with the North about carrying out inspections in preparation for economic cooperation," he said in a National Assembly audit. He added that talks were also taking place with the North to allow inspections of the currently shuttered Gaeseong Industrial Complex, but that this was being discussed separately from the issue of resuming operation of the complex. The joint industrial complex in the North's city of Gaeseong was shut down by the South in February 2016 due to Pyongyang's missile and nuclear provocations. Reopening the complex goes against U.N. Security Council sanctions placed on the North. By Kim Bo-eun U.S. President Donald Trump has irritated South Korean officials and the people with his recent remarks over the possible lifting of Seoul's unilateral sanctions on the North. His statement is seen as infringing on the national sovereignty of South Korea. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa a day earlier stated that the government was reviewing the lifting of its May 24 sanction on North Korea. She later backed down, citing the need to review the matter flexibly within the framework of not undermining international sanctions on the North, but the controversy continued to flare. Lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties also exchanged barbs over the matter during a National Assembly inspection of state affairs. Trump chipped in by saying "They won't do it without our approval. They do nothing without our approval." While Washington leads the international community's sanctions regime on Pyongyang, Trump's excessive remarks are seen as denying South Korean sovereignty. While denuclearization talks are chiefly taking place between North Korea and the U.S., the Moon Jae-in administration's stance is to take charge of inter-Korean affairs. But the U.S. has been taking issue with developments these. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier stated the U.S. stance was that "it should be ensured progress on inter-Korean relations is in lockstep with progress on denuclearization," after meeting with Moon in Seoul following his visit to Pyongyang, Sunday. By Federica Mogherini Europe and Asia have a centuries-old common history. The ties between the two continents are today reaching an unprecedented level. Asian markets account for over one third of exports from the European Union. Almost half of the goods and services imported by the EU come from Asian countries. Every year, thousands of students, academics, researchers and tourists move between the EU and Asia. The cultural exchanges between our cities are vibrant. And there is more to our mutual relationship than just economic or scientific exchanges: The European Union and Asian countries have a common interest in preserving a cooperative, rules-based and peaceful international system, where multilateral organizations are the natural forum for reaching common solutions. This relationship needs to rely on effective, functioning and sustainable connectivity, in other words on the physical and non-physical infrastructure through which goods, services, ideas and people can flow unhindered. While connectivity has always been a part of the EU's policy towards Asia, until now the EU has not used its potential in this area to the full. That is why we have proposed last month in line with the EU Global Strategy a new policy framework to step up the EU action, an EU strategy on connectivity between Europe and Asia. Our message is clear: The European Union is ready to step up its engagement with Asian partners on an agenda for connectivity, based on mutual interests and common objectives. Connectivity is in the very DNA of the European Union, as a political project based on market integration. We can offer our regulatory experience, technical expertise and funding opportunities at the service of projects that help interoperability and convergence, promote fiscally and environmentally sound growth, and strengthen our connections in a way that will be beneficial for us all. We can do this in three ways. Firstly, the EU is ready to support new connections and networks between Europe and Asia. For example, extending our Trans-European Transport Network, which facilitates trade and mobility through removing technical and regulatory barriers for transport networks and modernizing infrastructure to other non-EU countries would be a positive step. We will also pursue a sustainable digital agenda with Asia in order to foster universal and affordable access to digital technologies and services. We will share our experience in creating regional, liberalized energy markets with a focus on market-driven transformation towards clean energy. And we will continue to promote human exchanges and mobility through programs such as Erasmus+ or the Marie Curie Action as a way to build connections, mutual understanding and share ideas. Secondly, in the EU approach, connectivity can only be built in partnership. Many such partnerships exist already. Transmitting data has become one of the most important forms of connectivity. Thus, the EU and ROK are in talks over an agreement to promote safe data transfers while maintaining high privacy standards. The EU has been supportive of regional initiatives by Korea to improve connectivity, for example the Northeast Asia Plus Community of Responsibility. We will work hand in hand with regional organizations and mechanisms existing in Asia, such as ASEAN or the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat in Northeast Asia, to identify and support projects. Connectivity, within the wider Europe-Asia partnership, will be also be a key focus for our discussions at the upcoming 12th ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Summit later this month in Brussels. Thirdly, we want to work on a connectivity based on shared principles: transparency, nondiscriminatory market practices, a level playing field for economic operators, protection for intellectual property rights. The best way to achieve this is not to impose anyone's standards or rules, but to work together within international organizations on mutually acceptable ones. European companies must have a level playing field vis-a-vis their competitors and have the same access to markets abroad as others have in the EU. Finally, we will mobilize all our levers to back projects with adequate funding, using the potential of the European Investment Bank and of the new tools for external investment policy available under the EU budget, to their fullest potential. According to the Asia Development Bank, Asia will require over 1.3 trillion euro a year of infrastructure investment in the coming decades. The EU is ready to support Asian countries meet such an investment challenge leveraging public and private financing through a combination of grants, guarantees, lending and blending. Yet, investment must be fiscally viable and financially sustainable. The EU will only support projects that mobilize domestic resources, create value for local communities and are sustainable in the long term. Together, Europe and Asia account for almost 70 percent of global population and over 60 percent of the world's GDP. There is space for making our ties stronger and more mutually beneficial. Sustainable connectivity, based on strong partnerships and transparent rules, is for the EU, European and Asian countries, the best way forward. Federica Mogherini is high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy and vice-president of the European Commission. Addressing the event, Head of the Vietnamese delegation to the hearing, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Tran Quoc Khanh, said Vietnam is integrating into the world as it has joined a lot of international conventions and has trade partnerships with many countries. Amid increasing protectionism, Vietnam firmly supports multilateral relations based on consistent principles, he stressed. While confirming that Vietnam and the EU are large partners, Khanh said the EU has supported Vietnam in promoting development and reducing poverty, and that the two sides are moving towards a more comprehensive relationship. He noted the benefits provided by the agreements, from boosting trade exchanges and fostering the investment of European countries into various spheres, to helping Vietnam improve its standards to conform to international standards. Helena Konig, Chief Negotiator and Deputy Director General for European Trade highlighted the importance of the FTA and IPA between the EU and Vietnam, and affirmed Vietnam's attractiveness, with its growing economic strength and a market of 95 million people. As Vietnam has signed many FTAs with partners across the world, Konig said the EU-Vietnam FTA (EVFTA) will help European businesses enhance their competitiveness in Vietnam. The IPA will help protect European investors doing business in Vietnam, she said, adding that Vietnam's commitments will better protect labourers' rights, protect the environment and promote sustainable development. At the event, many speakers mentioned the benefits brought about by the agreements and expect Vietnam's ratification of a new Labour Law in 2019 will serve as a legal basis for the ratification of the three fundamental conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in the future, contributing to enhancing global integration capacity. They said the EVFTA is a good opportunity to expand EU-Vietnam cooperation in forest and environment protection, as well as increase export opportunities for green products. Moon to deliver Kim's intent to invite Catholic leader President Moon Jae-in will embark on a tour of France, Italy, Belgium and Denmark, Friday, returning Oct. 21. The main purpose of the visit is to raise understanding among key members of the European Union of Moon's diplomatic goal of establishing permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula and to thank them for their support. The highlight of the tour will be his meeting with Pope Francis on Oct. 18 as he will relay North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's intention to invite the pope to Pyongyang. Moon made the suggestion to Kim during the third inter-Korean summit last month in Pyongyang. Kim reportedly told Moon he would "wholeheartedly welcome the pope if he visits Pyongyang." It is too early to get excited about the visit because Pyongyang has yet to send an official invitation. All eyes will be on how the pope will respond. Kim's invitation seems to be part of his efforts to engage in active international diplomacy. The formerly reclusive leader was in the global spotlight during his multiple visits to China this year for meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and his Singapore summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in June. It is uncertain whether the visit will actually take place. The Kim Dae-jung administration made a similar suggestion in 2000, but this was not realized. But it may be different this time because Pope Francis has shown keen attention to the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Before the April 27 inter-Korean summit at the border village of Panmunjeom, the pope prayed for fruitful inter-Korean peace talks during Easter Mass, April 1. He also had special prayers for the peninsula after the June 12 U.S.-North Korea summit. The Vatican will hold a mass for peace on the peninsula Oct. 17 with President Moon in attendance. It was too hasty of Moon to speak about it before any official word from North Korea, but there are two good reasons for a papal visit. First, if Pope Francis visits North Korea, it will greatly contribute to boosting international support for peace negotiations between the two Koreas. Many remember that he played a visible role in the normalization of U.S.-Cuba relations. Second, a papal visit will renew global attention to human rights issues in North Korea, which must be improved if it wants to be recognized as a normal state. We hope that Pope Francis, who made a deep impression among South Koreans during his visit to the country in 2014, will visit Pyongyang soon. By Park Moo-jong We read or listen to the news pouring in from around the world every morning. Of course, top priority is the news about us, either good or bad. One asks the other, "What are the main stories today?" The latter asks, "Which one first, good news or bad news?" Psychologically, people tend to listen to good news first so they don't feel bad from early in the morning. Over the past week, negative news has overwhelmed positive news to prove the latest social trend. But the news about K-pop superstars BTS was the best of the good news. The boy band conquered the Citi Field Stadium in New York City which was jam-packed with more than 40,000 fans, dubbed the "BTS Army." Then they flew on board a private jet to the United Kingdom for their first visit and fascinated London fans at the O2 Arena in sold-out concerts Tuesday and Wednesday nights. What impressed us the most, setting aside their tremendous success for which the Army said "they truly deserved it for all their hard work," was their efforts to let the world know of the superiority and ingenuity of Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, through their songs. Coincidentally, Tuesday was the 572nd anniversary of the proclamation of the Korean script by King Sejong the Great (1397-1450) of the 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom to enable Koreans of all classes to express themselves in writing. It is amazing to hear so many foreign youngsters sing BTS songs with Hangeul lyrics during the concerts, showing the boy band is contributing to spreading not only hallyu, or the Korean wave, but Hangeul across the globe. It was also good news that the members of the band will be awarded with the Order of Cultural Merit from the government, given to people with outstanding meritorious services in the fields of culture and art in the interest of promoting the national cultural and development. The fourth visit of U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Pyongyang on Sunday made good news for now as he said his five-and-a-half-hour face-to-face meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was "productive," even though it has yet to be seen whether Kim will be able to satisfy us by completely giving up his nuclear weapons. How about the bad news? Rather, I'd like to call it "shameful and sad news." Former President Lee Myung-bak was found guilty of corruption and sentenced to 15 years in jail, becoming the fourth former head of state to be put behind bars following Chun Doo-hwan, Roh Tae-woo and Park Geun-hye. To the shame of the people, Lee's sentence came just two weeks after his successor Park got a 33-year jail term in the appeal trial for back-to-back corruption scandals. Another former President Roh Moo-hyun, predecessor of Lee and Park, jumped to his death from a hill in his hometown amid a high-profile corruption investigation on his family. Roh's liberal predecessor and Nobel Peace Prize winner Kim Dae-jung was forced to apologize at the close of his term after all three of his sons were arrested or embroiled in corruption scandals. What a shameful history! The people are much concerned about whether his kind of unhappy fate of almost all the ex-presidents of the nation, including Park Chung-hee who was assassinated by this intelligence agency chief in 1979, may continue in the days to come. Such a sad history should not be repeated for the pride of the nation and the people. Some other bad news put the people to shame Saturday. The nation's largest-ever annual fireworks festival held along the Han River in Seoul ended up after 1 million views made mountains of trash in the parks of Yeouido, Ichon and Noryangjin commanding a good view of the show. Tsuchiura City in Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan, also held a similar fireworks event along the Sakura River on the same day, attracting 750,000 viewers. The fireworks that embroidered the night sky in Seoul and Tsuchiura were colorful and fantastic alike. Yet, the scenes of the sites after the show were quite different. The Japanese location was literally clean for the viewers brought their trashes with them to home. A total 1,400 employees of Hanwha Group, the host of the Seoul show, and volunteer workers had to work through the night to dispose of the trash, while the Japanese city cleaners had little to do as the citizens and tourists cleaned their garbage. As we say, we completely lost to Japan in terms of keeping basic order of society. New Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae whom President Moon Jae-in appointed in defiance of the National Assembly's failure to endorse the report of her confirmation hearing (with no legal bounding force, though) surprised the people by making a bombshell announcement that she will allow English lessons at kindergartens, even if elementary schools are not permitted to teach the foreign language to first and second grade children. When there is good news, there must be bad news. When will we be able to be lucky enough to have good news overwhelming bad news, when we wake up every morning? "I read the news today, oh boy, about the man who gave up his nuclear weapons." When will that be? Park Moo-jong (emjei29@gmail.com) is a standing adviser of The Korea Times. He served as the president-publisher of the nation's first English daily newspaper from 2004 to 2014 after working as a reporter since 1974. By Donald Kirk WASHINGTON How about Pope Francis inspiring millions of the faithful in North Korea as he did in South Korea four years ago? Can we picture highly organized throngs cheering him on the way in from Pyongyang's sparkling new international airport, blessing one and all while host Kim Jong-un smiles happily beside him in the limo? In a year full of surprises about confrontation on the Korean Peninsula, it's still hard to imagine that Kim seriously is inviting the Pope Francis to Pyongyang. Nor is it easy to see Francis accepting such an invitation knowing, as aides at the Vatican have to be telling him, that the ladies you see in the lone Catholic church in Pyongyang are basically actresses for whom the demure white veils they all wear are part of the act. Still, President Moon Jae-in did well to urge Kim to put on a show for the pope in Pyongyang. The suggestion is a challenge, a chance for Kim to prove to the skeptics he's really reforming. As in his promises of "denuclearization," however, any appearance of humanitarian reform in North Korea is fake news. Just ask Kang Chol-hwan, author of "The Aquariums of Pyongyang: Ten Years in the North Korean Gulag," or Ji Seong-ho, who was severely injured escaping from North Korea and now runs a group called Now Action & Unity for Human Rights. Neither can quite understand why President Donald Trump and President Moon are not demanding reform in North Korea as a condition for North-South reconciliation. How, they both ask, can these two consider Kim's demand for a "peace declaration" in place of the Korean War armistice? "My message to Trump is simple," Kang told a forum here on "Perspectives on the Inter-Korean Peace Process" at which he and Ji, as escapees from the North, spoke from terrible experience. "Without an end to human rights abuses," Kang would like to remind Trump, "there would not be an end to the war." They both seemed appalled by the total indifference to the human rights issue even as the U.S. presses for serious signs that North Korea is giving up its nuclear program, which of course Kim has no intention of doing. Even as Kim offers to welcome Pope Francis, they say, their information from the most recent defectors as well as contacts inside North Korea is that nothing has changed, nothing at all. Tens of thousands remain inside prison camps where most will die, if not from torture or execution, then of starvation, overwork and disease. It is still a crime, punishable by death, to worship any form of Christianity, and of course, there is no freedom of speech or any other kind of freedom in what remains an absolute dictatorship. It's possible to argue that reform of human rights abuses is an internal problem, that it is not the business of outsiders to tell leaders of other countries how to conduct their internal affairs. There are, however, a couple of rejoinders to that argument. For one thing, Trump in his state-of-the-union address last January singled out Ji's suffering as "testament to the yearning of every human soul to live in freedom." The image of Ji holding up his crutches to the applause of all the Republican and most of the Democratic members of Congress burns in the memory of many of the millions who saw him on television as living evidence of what thousands of North Koreans are going through. Who would have doubted Trump's commitment to rescuing them from their plight? Kim, however, artfully engineered a massive shift in U.S. policy, or at least in Trump's outlook, first by sending his sister to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, then by inviting Moon to the first of their three summits and, finally, by meeting Trump at their summit in Singapore in June. Now that they're best of friends, indeed "in love," as Trump rather stupidly put it, he's evidently forgotten all those fine and moving words. But Ji and Kang have not forgotten. If the North's gulag system is nobody's business but North Korea's, then what about the six South Korean citizens languishing in North Korean prisons. More importantly, what about the hundreds of South Korean soldiers, prisoners from the Korean War who were never returned when North and South Korea exchanged prisoners after the Korean War was over? And what about the Korean Air flight that was hijacked on a domestic flight in December 1969 and forced to fly to Wonsan on North Korea's southeast coast? The North Koreans did return 39 passengers at the truce village of Panmunjom two months later but have been holding the four crew members and seven of the passengers ever since. Hwang Won, who was working for Munwha Broadcasting, was one of the seven. His son, Hwang In-cheol, crusades in vain for his release. How about making the release of prisoners of war, of abductees, of kidnap victims, of all South Koreans jailed in North Korea, a condition for signing any end-of-war "peace declaration." If Moon is going to urge Kim to host Pope Francis in Pyongyang, surely he could bargain hard for the release of these poor people, for whom the war will never end until they all come home. Donald Kirk (www.donaldkirk.com) has been covering the ups and downs of efforts at reconciliation with North Korea for decades. Models promote king crabs at a Home plus store in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Thursday. Home plus sold more than 7,000 live king crabs in three weeks after it started importing them directly from Russia last month. / Yonhap William Xu, chief strategy marketing officer of Huawei, speaks during the Huawei Connect 2018 conference at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center, Thursday. / Courtesy of Huawei By Baek Byung-yeul SHANGHAI -- Huawei will nurture about 1 million artificial intelligence (AI) experts by 2021, the company said Thursday. "Huawei plans to support 1 million AI developers and partners over the next three years," said William Xu, chief strategy marketing officer of the Chinese tech firm during the second day of the Huawei Connect 2018 conference at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center. Introducing its strategy in the sector, Xu revealed how AI will bring changes to various industries and how the firm can help its partners with its technology. "Our goal is to bring intelligence to every person, home, and organization. By 2025, the global AI market is expected to reach 380 billion dollars, 90 percent of which will come from the enterprise market," Xu said. Reciting the old Chinese saying, "The old horse knows the way," Xu said the firm will transform its IT technicians with experience as experts into AI technology. "We are always lacking talented experts in every industry. If we are able to adopt AI technology in every industry, I believe we can enhance the efficiency of every business operation by five to 10 percent," he said. To give examples of how its AI technology can bring changes to industries, Xu spoke of Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport in southern China, which has adopted the firms AI technologies. "Currently, there are over 1,000 flight departures and arrivals at the Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport every day, with more than 120,000 passengers traveling through. Previously, only around 70 percent of these flights used jet bridges when passengers board or leave the aircraft, but the airport wanted to increase this figure to 80 percent," Xu said. "The answer was AI. By adopting AI and modernizing its infrastructure, the airport no longer needs to use Gantt charts to manually arrange flight schedules. AI automates this process. Now, about 80 percent of flights use jet bridges instead of remote staircases." Xu said Huawei is also working with the airport to adopt its facial recognition technology for more smooth customs clearance. Since June, the Shenzhen Traffic Police have been using Huawei Cloud to manage traffic lights in nine intersections in the city. With the technology, visitors to the airport can get through the airport security 15 percent faster, he claimed. The AI technology could be a solution for traffic issues. "AI-powered traffic lights count vehicles in real time and control the traffic automatically. Using this technology, we can save up to 10 minutes which is a huge amount of time in the busy morning rush hours," Xu said. Huawei has been expanding its AI business. The firm announced Wednesday that it will roll out AI chips for enterprise and internet of things (IoT) devices in the second quarter of next year. The three-day conference also features the Chinese firm's sponsors and partner companies including Korean firms Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. The Korean chip makers introduced their NAND and DRAM products used for data centers. An SK hynix official said it decided to join the Huawei conference as the firm "has formed a strong partnership with Huawei for years and we want to introduce our chips to more Chinese firms." Owners of MAN Truck stage a rally in front of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in Sejong, on Sept. 17. / Courtesy of Kim Young-booo By Nam Hyun-woo MAN Truck & Bus Korea CEO Max Burger Chinese cancer researcher Keping Xie, 55, is under investigation for allegedly spying for China while working at an American university. Photos from South China Morning Post By Laurie Chen A Chinese scientist working at a cancer research facility in the United States who was already facing charges for possession of child pornography has now been put under investigation for economic espionage, US broadcaster NBC News reported on Tuesday. Keping Xie, a 55-year-old researcher at the University of Texas in Houston, is the latest in a string of professionals and academics linked to China's "Thousand Talents" programme to be investigated by US intelligence officials for spying on behalf of China. NBC News cited FBI officials as saying Xie was suspected of sharing advanced cancer research with Beijing, although a spokesman for the bureau refused to confirm an investigation was under way. He was investigated by federal police in January for suspected fraud, but during a search of his home officers found pornography on his computer, according to police in Houston. Xie resigned as a gastroenterology professor at the university's MD Anderson Cancer Centre in April before the child pornography charge. He is currently on bail and awaiting trial. His lawyer told NBC that Xie denied the charges against him and was unaware of the reported espionage investigation. Xie resigned as a gastroenterology professor at the University of Texas' MD Anderson Cancer Centre in April. In this Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, file photo, a model of the Wing Loong II weaponized drone hangs above the stand for the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corp. at a military drone conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. AP-Yonhap By Liu Zhen China and Pakistan have agreed a deal to jointly manufacture an advanced Chinese drone, according to reports from the South Asian country, in a sign of their growing security ties. A total of 48 Wing Loong II unmanned aerial vehicles will be built by Chengdu Aircraft Corp (CAC), a unit of Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Karma, according to a social media post on Saturday by the Pakistan Air Force's Sherdils aerobatic team. No other details of the deal were revealed, but if confirmed, it would be China's biggest ever drone sale to another country. Wing Loong II first went on display at the China Airshow in November 2016 in the southern city of Zhuhai, and made its maiden flight the following February. Developed by AVIC, the drone is designed for both reconnaissance and strike missions, and has a payload of up to 480kg (1,060lbs), including YJ-9E anti-ship missiles. Across the Middle East, countries locked out of purchasing U.S.-made drones due to rules over excessive civilian casualties are being wooed by Chinese arms dealers, who are world's main distributor of armed drones. The sales are helping expand Chinese influence across a region crucial to American security interests and bolstering Beijing's ambitions of being a world leader in high-tech arms sales. AP-Yonhap Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Overcast. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 27F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Overcast. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 27F. Winds light and variable. Accordingly, Vietjet will operate the three new air routes continuously over the next three months, including Hanoi-Osaka (starting from November 8, 2018), Ho Chi Minh City-Osaka (from December 14, 2018), and Hanoi-Tokyo (from January 11, 2019). Addressing the event, Hiroshi Tabata, Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA), welcomed the event and pledged to provide optimal support for Vietjet to successfully operate its air routes to Japans Kansai International Airport, thus actively contributing to the economic rehabilitation in this hospitable land after Typhoon Jebi. He expressed his belief that the new air routes of Vietjet would contribute significantly to the future growth of Vietnamese tourists travelling to Japan. In the presence of PM Phuc and senior officials of the Japanese Government, Vietjet, Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance (MUL), under the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), and French bank BNP Paribas signed an agreement on the provision of finance for Vietjets five new aircrafts worth US$614 million in total. Vietjet, French bank Natixis, and several Japanese investors also signed a framework contract on providing finance for five other new aircrafts of the Vietnamese airline worth US$625 million. These capital sums will be offered in the form of finance leases to help Vietjet possess aircrafts. Vietjet is scheduled to put the newly signed aircrafts into operation immediately in 2018 and early 2019. On the occasion, Vietjet announced its largest promotional programme for the Japanese market, which lasts three days. Accordingly, from October 10 to 12, 2018, the low-cost carrier will offer 10,000 tickets at prices starting from YEN100 (more than VND20,000) for the three newly launched air routes between Japan and Vietnam. Also, Vietjet will offer an additional 70,000 super promotional tickets for all the international routes transiting from Vietnam and Thailand to Asian countries. Speaking highly of the outcomes of strategic dialogue on diplomacy, national defence-security in Hanoi in January 2018, both sides vowed to work closely together at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations and the Asia-Europe Meeting. On trade-investment, they welcomed the possibility of accelerating negotiations on Vietnam UK Free Trade Agreement in order to enhance bilateral trade and investment after the UK leaves the EU. Hunt also promised to push forward the signing and ratification of the EU-Vietnam FTA. About the East Sea issue, the two sides agreed with the principle of settling disputes by peaceful means in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The UK side highlighted support for law abidance, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and oceans. Meeting Prince Andrew, Duke of York at Buckingham Palace on October 9, Minh expressed his honour to visit the UK on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and wished that the British Royal would continue backing Vietnam-UK strategic partnership. He suggested that the Prince, with his prestige and influence, calls for UK investment in Vietnam, especially in start-ups and innovation. Vietnamese Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh (R) meets with Prince Andrew, Duke of York at Buckingham Palace on October 9. (Photo: VOV) Andrew, for his part, said he holds special sentiment towards Vietnam and its people and wished that the Vietnamese government would offer all possible support to UK investors to do business in the country as potential of bilateral collaboration remains huge. On the occasion, Deputy PM Minh presented Friendship Order to Prince Andrew in honour of his contributions to Vietnam-UK ties. Speaking at the Vietnam-UK Economic Forum that attracted over 200 leading UK and Vietnamese firms on October 9 afternoon, Minh affirmed that Vietnam considers the development of trade and investment with the UK a pillar in bilateral strategic partnership. He highlighted Vietnams advantages such as a huge market, high-quality workforce, constructive government, global integration with 16 FTAs which are already in force and under negotiation, digital infrastructure ready for the fourth industrial revolution and start-ups. Vietnamese Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh speaks at the Vietnam-UK Economic Forum on October 9. (Photo: chinhphu.vn) On the evening the same day, Deputy PM Minh attended a ceremony celebrating the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-UK diplomatic ties. Speaking at the event, he spoke highly of gigantic progress in bilateral ties over the past 45 years, especially since the establishment of strategic partnership in 2010. The Vietnamese official said Vietnam welcomes the Vision Global UK and called on the UK to make positive contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and development in Asia Pacific. In his speech, Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Mark Field hailed Vietnams improving stature in the region and believed that ties between both sides will thrive in the near future. On the occasion, Minh presented friendship orders and medals to several UK individuals in recognition of their contributions to bilateral friendship. Sharing his love of car reconstruction with the next generation, retired Scripps cardiologist Allen Skip Johnson is overseeing a project to build a 1915 Model T Ford Speedster with a handful of Evans School fourth- and fifth-graders. Most notably, his grandson Theo. The group started the project just for fun earlier this year. Thus far, theyve taken the car apart piece by piece, examined each part to see which ones worked and which needed to be replaced, sanded the frame down, tested paint colors and more. The car is being worked on and stored in the La Jolla garage of Theos friend, Abhi Kamdar. The Ford Model T Speedster when it arrived in the Kamdars garage. Courtesy When we first got the car, it was totally put together, Theo explained. We took it apart to see what was working and a lot was not working. Like, a lot. So were back to stage one and starting to put it back together. Its a good learning experience and its been really fun. When we are finally done, it will be such a great reward. Young Theo shares his grandfathers enthusiasm for working on cars, which started when Johnson was barely younger than his grandson is now. As Johnson explained, he contracted polio when he was 7 years old in the epidemic of 1948, and was confined to a hospital bed with 200 other patients in southern Indiana. While we were lying there, doctors gave us models to make, specifically of old cars, he told La Jolla Light. So then, I wanted books to read about how to make a Model T Ford, and I read about Henry Ford and how the assembly lines worked and how this car was a model of genius. Carnivorously reading about the car, he developed the knowledge of how to drive and restore one. When I got out and could walk and talk, my family was thrilled and asked me how I wanted to celebrate. I told them I wanted to find and buy one of these cars, he continued. We found one in the back-country in some barn, pulled it out and fussed with it for a bit until we got the ignition to work. We put oil in it, gas in it, water in the radiator, checked everything out and cranked it up. We got it to work. But then, they realized no one knew how to drive it. So at just 7-years-old, Johnson drove the car home. That got me started and I havent stopped, he said. This (Model T Ford Speedster) is the 14th car Ive restored. As to why he wanted to bring his grandson and some friends into the process, he said: In this digital age, I dont want my grandson walking around with a phone in front of his face, so Be careful to not knock it off those jack stands he calls out to the boys at work who are sanding the cars frame to ready it for painting. Meeting in the Kamdars house on Friday and Sunday afternoons, the rotating group of students hope to have it completed next spring. They fought for the tools and the chance to do something hands-on, Johnson said of his apprentices. They are pretty enthused about it and are really looking forward to painting it. Once we get the body assembled and on its wheels, we will place the engine in it. Theyre really looking forward to that. The only challenge, he said, is the childrens short attention span. As if on cue, the boys begin throwing sheets of worn sandpaper at each other, staining their hands, hair and shirts with the dust. In the coming weeks, the replacement parts will be inventoried so students can be sure they have everything they need to start reassembling the vehicle. Johnson said there were 15 million Model T Fords made, so pieces are available as needed. But in this project, there were more parts needed than Abhi expected. I thought we would just need to fine tune a couple of things, but half the pieces didnt work, he laughed. I thought this project was going to be way easier. But Ive really liked it so far. I never really thought about cars or how they work very much but now, especially when I look at old-time cars, I really want to see how they work, which I get to do with this project. The guidance from Dr. Johnson has been invaluable. Fellow car-builder Clyde Kates said: He does a really great job teaching us all about the parts and how to assemble everything. I didnt have any interest in cars before, but I like riding in old cars that are different, so I thought it would be cool to make one. Along the way, there have been a few bumps in the road, but these were turned into lessons. Sometimes when something doesnt fit right, it can spring out and fly across the room, said Imran Mahmud. Its pretty funny, and I like that we can make mistakes and learn from them. And while there are still a few more months to go before the car is complete, the boys are already grateful for the experience especially Theo. Working with my grandfather has been really fun because we get time together and I gain some of his knowledge. A group of Princess Street residents are speaking out against the creation of a beach-access path at the foot of their street, ahead of a California Coastal Commission (CCC) vote related to the matter. In the days before the Oct. 11 vote at the Wyndham San Diego Bayside hotel (beyond La Jolla Light deadline), at least six residents signed and submitted a letter outlining their opposition to the planned, public beach-access trail. The CCC was tasked with reviewing a request from 7957 Princess St. homeowner Ure Kretowicz to 1) amend a permit to remodel and add to his existing single-family home; 2) record vertical and lateral public-access easements on the property title; 3) replace existing paving on the public street-ending with decorative tile pavers; and 4) add signage identifying public access. Should the CCC approve the complex package of requests, the vertical and lateral public-access easements and associated signage would pave the way for public beach access from Princess Street down to the beach, but would also allow the tile pavers to be placed on the street, which some argue make the end of the public street look like a private driveway, thus discouraging people from using the access. Residents of Princess Street and the nearby Spindrift Drive further argue that the bluff into which the trail would be built is too unstable for public access, and they accuse Kretowicz of carrying out unpermitted renovations that may have exacerbated the situation. They wrote the letter to ask the CCC to vote down Kretowiczs request. The letter claims: The construction of the improvements that will be associated with the establishment of the proposed public access at the Kretowicz residence will further destabilize an already unstable bluff. The destabilization of the bluff that could result from the creation of the proposed public access could far exceed the destabilization of the bluff that could result from the prior unauthorized improvements and the additional improvements and modifications of Ure Kretowicz (to his home). The letter lists several points of contention residents have with the proposal. Addressing parking limitations, the letter states: The portion of Princess Street that terminates at the Kretowicz residence is only 14 feet wide. Two automobiles cannot pass each other on this narrow portion of Princess Street. There is very limited room for parking on the portion of Princess Street and the portion of Spindrift Drive near the proposed public access. Addressing potential safety, it goes on to state: The pocket beach below the Kretowicz residence is very small and very dangerous and that the lifeguard station at The Cove and Kellogg Beach are too distant to patrol the small pocket beach below the staircase. While some residents have been corresponding with the CCC opposing the public-access trail for more than 10 years, the recent California Coastal Conservancy grant of $38,000 to design the trail was the final straw. During the California Coastal Conservancys Sept. 6 meeting in Eureka, the board passed a motion to disburse up to $38,860 to the Environmental Center of San Diego to conduct planning and prepare designs for the Princess Street Coastal Access Trail in La Jolla. The Environmental Center of San Diego will contribute another $2,520 to the grant. One resident who signed onto the letter, and agreed to speak to the Light on the condition of anonymity, said: There have been dozens of conversations about this over the years, this is not last minute opposition. But we saw it was coming to light with the Conservancy grant. There is no question that the Conservancy would have authorized the money for the plans for the trail if they had not intended to build it. He added: The neighbors feel like this was a deal made in hell. As previously reported in the Light, the access has been closed by way of a gate that has been posted and locked since the 1970s, when former property owner Jane Baker built her house. Since that time, CCC has requested a public access easement be dedicated. In 1999, the Kretowiczs entered into litigation, arguing it would be too dangerous for the public to access the beach through the since-eroded bluffside. But CCC found there was a history of public access at the site, and easement documents were filed with the City of San Diego and the CCC that note there is a public-access lane adjacent the property that will be part of the property record going forward. How would you feel if you were to learn that a member of your family had been arrested on suspicion of stealing? Or something even worse arson, kidnapping, drug dealing, the kinds of criminality that land one in prison? For most of us, this would probably come as both a shock and an embarrassment; we might wonder how we had failed to see the signs, whether we were somehow complicit. If yours were like some families, however, you might pump your fist just as you would when your favorite team scores. Juniors going to prison. Yes!!! Fox Butterfields new book, In My Fathers House: A New View of How Crime Runs in a Family, is a book about family values. Of a particular sort. Butterfield, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who spent 15 of his years at the New York Times covering criminal justice, traces a single extended family and its long trail of crime across geography and time, 60 (yes, 60) moonshiners and burglars, murderers and kidnappers, con men and drug dealers, car thieves and bombers. Grandparents, parents, children, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, in-laws and cousins, criminals all. What we might see as a bad apple might instead be proof that the apple doesnt fall far from the tree. The connecting theme of Butterfields study is the multiperson biography that traces the criminality of Rooster Bogles one-family crime wave. But as captivating as that story is and it sometimes unfolds like a novel, leaving us eagerly turning pages to find out what new strategies defense lawyers and prosecutors will deploy the Bogles are merely the vehicle to tell a larger and more concerning story. The Bogles, we might think, are an aberration, a family unlike any other. Not so. Half of all crime in the United States is committed by just 5% of all families; 10% of American families account for two-thirds of all crime committed in the country. For them, crime is a family value: lawbreaking, it turns out, is a learned behavior and not so different from the sons of lawyers becoming lawyers. Advertisement See Fox Butterfield with Warren Olney at Zocalo Public Square on Wed. Oct 24, 7:30 p.m Butterfield brings a considerable amount of science and social research into his generational biography and cites studies that show how genetically derived characteristics such as poor impulse control, poor decision-making skills, susceptibility to alcohol or sensation-seeking may in combination with other circumstances find an outlet in antisocial behavior, but families pass on more than genes: They also pass on expectations and values. Thus we see Bobby Bogle, locked up in reformatories and prisons from the time he was 12, sitting in the Oregon State Penitentiary and telling Butterfield: My brothers always end up here eventually. They always show up. Its an honorable thing to do for your family, as a criminal. Its normal. Learned behavior traces learned values; when one learns early that theft is honored, that breaking into a neighbors home or stealing from a corner market will earn praise, the lesson clicks into place. As in almost any endeavor, what we reward is what we get. Charlie Bogle in 1946. The dog is doing a trick Charlie taught him in the carnival where his parents worked for years. (Knopf) An important point: The Bogles are white and all were born in the United States; genetics nature may be one of the several factors in shaping the behavioral predispositions that form a piece of the crime puzzle, but the perpetrators of these crimes did not come across the border, nor do most; the perpetrators were not members of a racial minority, nor are most. Ones genes are part of a mosaic, but there is no such thing as a crime gene. This is a book that will brook no scapegoating. Counter-factuals are difficult to prove, and it is hard to pin behavioral patterns on a single factor: Perhaps if the Bogles had been wealthier and better educated, if they had grown up surrounded by men and women with stable incomes and productive work, they would not be the focus of a book about crimes and those who commit them. The Bogles are defined both by their criminality and their disdain for scruples (Rooster Bogle made his preteen sons watch him having sex simultaneously with their mother and his girlfriend and forced them to join him in having sex with prostitutes; he gave his sons wine when they were 6 and forced the youngest boy, Tracey, to drink so much that he was an alcoholic by the time he was a teenager; Bobbys mother took him to a strip club when he turned 16 and pointed to a naked dancer he at first failed to recognize: thats your sister, Melody, his mom said: Thats your birthday present). But they are also defined by the repetitive cycle of the dire circumstances of their lives. Little education, unemployment, crude homes built by hand of available scraps and without running water. That, of course, does not excuse the crimes they committed. This is a book about the Bogles and crime and what the social sciences tell us about the roles of both nature and nurture; it is not an attempt to whitewash, explain away or absolve. Rooster Bogle with his two wives, Kathy (left) and Linda (right), probably in the late 1960s when Rooster was living with both women. (Knopf) Full disclosure: Ive known Butterfield for several years and thus have known that he was working on a project about a single family that had produced a long string of law violators. I was not, however, expecting the book he produced. Its a riveting multiperson topic-specific biography the characters and context are strongly drawn and the whole creates the feel of drama even though we pretty well know where the story is going but its also an intriguing and sometimes disturbing deep dive into some powerful social dilemmas, like the role of parenting (or, more accurately, the lack of parenting, the absence of supervision and discipline) and the collateral damage to other family members in wake of mass incarceration. When Kamala Harris was the district attorney in San Francisco, she wrote a book called Smart on Crime; in the years since, getting smart on crime has become an increasingly prominent cause, uniting groups both right and left (its the focus, for example, of a major bipartisan initiative by the Koch brothers). Eventually, most prison inmates are released, free to go home. But one of the smart on crime breakthroughs Butterfield highlights, meant to reduce recidivism and break the cycle of repeated criminal behavior, is the increased use of halfway houses for newly released convicts; it turns out that in many cases, one of the worst things society can do is to send them back to their families. Edwards was a member of Congress for 16 years. He later taught at Harvard and Princeton and is a vice president of the Aspen Institute. He is the author of The Parties Versus the People: How to Turn Republicans and Democrats Into Americans. :: In My Fathers House: A New View of How Crime Runs in the Family Fox Butterfield Knopf: 288 pp., $26.95 Curiosity is Susan Orleans superpower. Hundreds of L.A. firefighters fought the devastating fire.at downtowns Central Library on April 29, 1986. Thousands of people contributed to the Save the Books campaign afterward. Millions heard the news that the library was burning and then that it was caused by arson. But more than three decades later, only Orlean was asking who did it and why, and wondering whether anyone today should care. In a reverse Fahrenheit 451, Orlean took a fire and turned it into a book. Titled aptly and ingeniously The Library Book, it tells the story of the mysterious fire that burned 400,000 books while also tracing Orleans love of libraries, from trips with her mother to taking her son. Along the way, she relates the unexpectedly colorful history and future of the L.A. Public Library. My first interest was writing a book about the day-to-day life of a big city library. I could have done that anywhere, she said over lunch after we visited the library together. I liked the idea of doing it in L.A., out of this contrarian idea that people don't associate libraries with L.A., which made it kind of delectable. That said, the 1986 fire (forgive me) was the spark. A longtime staff writer for the New Yorker, Orlean had begun living in Los Angeles part of the year (she and her husband also maintain a home in New York). While exploring the citys institutions, she visited the flagship of the L.A. Public Library and learned of its catastrophic fire. Although no people were seriously injured, the fire destroyed 400,000 books and damaged 700,000 more, causing $22 million in damages more than $50 million today. It remains the largest library fire ever in America. This is an amazing story, she said. As we walked through the library, Orlean petite, stylish and with electric auburn hair was greeted by staffers shed gotten to know during her research. Tapping a concrete wall, she explained where the fire had started, in the stacks. Built as two secure concrete chutes within the original 1926 building, the stacks held hundreds of thousands of books and were connected by a catwalk for librarians. After the fire started leaping across the catwalk from the first stack to the second the chutes served as dual furnaces, books trapped inside with the fire. Their covers burst like popcorn. Pages flared and blackened and then sprang away from their bindings, a ream of sooty scraps soaring on the updraft. The fire flashed through fiction, consuming it as it traveled, Orlean writes in her book. It reached for the cookbooks. The cookbooks burned up. The fire scrambled to the sixth tier and then to the seventh. Every book in its path bloomed with flame. If you, like me, care about books, reading her brilliant, awful description of the conflagration feels like watching a snuff film. Orlean agrees. There's something that we feel deeply about books that we don't feel about other objects you know, its an object! It was as if she were trying to convince herself. And nowadays, it's an object that can be replaced pretty easily. Even so. There is something about it that feels raw and vicious and aggressive. Wreckage after the fire in L.A.'s Central Library. Larry Bessel / Los Angeles Times She is a lifelong journalist, known for her careful, in-person research, showcased in her New Yorker pieces and books, including Rin Tin Tin, a history of the Hollywood dog; The Bullfighter Checks Her Makeup; and (despite Charlie Kaufmans fabrications in Adaptation) The Orchid Thief. So I was surprised to hear what she said next. It was so mystical. I think we have some association with books that feels like there was a soul in there, Orlean said. That there's a being in there, whether it's because writers have poured themselves onto the pages, whatever it is, I think there's something ineffable, mysterious about what makes books special, and I'm glad of that. This is one of the underlying ideas of The Library Book that books, as both objects and ideas, are essential to the human project; that libraries are a vital destination that holds them safe. So who would want to torch one? That was a question L.A. authorities thought they had answered on Feb. 27, 1987, when they arrested 28-year-old Harry Peak on suspicion of arson. Peak was released three days later after the district attorney declined to file charges against him. It is a fine mystery: Fire officials said there was an arsonist; Peak claimed, then disavowed, responsibility for the fire; no one else has ever been arrested in connection with the blaze. Whether Peak was the actual culprit is one of the central questions of Orleans book. Harry Peak emerges into the glare of TV lights after being released from jail on Mar. 2, 1987. Jack Gaunt / Los Angeles Times Orlean describes Peak as the consummate storyteller. Handsome and underemployed, he was a little bit rootless and quite a big talker; some news reports called him a part-time actor. He matched a sketch of the suspect. According to some (but not all) accounts, he was downtown at the time. There were two big storytellers in the book, Orlean tells me. One was Harry Peak and the other was Charles Lummis, who was an incredibly admirable and important figure in the history of LA. Its an unexpected pairing. Lummis was the first city editor of the L.A. Times and founded the Southwest Museum; more pertinent to this story, he was also L.A.s city librarian, a tenure Orlean details in the book. His hand-built stone home, which is now a museum on the southern edge of Highland Park, was known for the rowdy parties he called them noises he threw there. By any measure, Lummis was a significant figure in the history of Los Angeles, while Peak, apart from being the arson suspect, passed through barely leaving a mark. But, Orlean says, Lummis was a bit of a fabulist, and he would tell stories that his friends didn't always believe. So did Peak. We tell stories to ourselves, to each other, Orlean says, as though forgiving the fabricators. It's the lifeblood of being human. Susan Orlean at L.A.'s Central Library. Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times Perhaps she is sympathetic to the tale-spinners, because to be a writer in 2018 means to side with art. Right now, looking at this, you could Google Harry Peak or library fire and easily read the nuggets the internet spits out at you. Orleans project is bigger. It has to be. I think that one of the great burdens of being a nonfiction writer is this feeling that anybody could go look this stuff up, she said. I'm not delivering any information that no one else can access. I've gone on a trip to the pyramids and you're sitting around the dinner table and people say, How was your trip? What were the pyramids like? Well, they could go look it up online, but that's not the point. Pyramids in Egypt or a 32-year-old news story in Los Angeles, the point is elevating the narrative so it tells us something about ourselves or the world, making it something worth noticing. The history of the library is fascinating, and reminding people that libraries are kind of cool and interesting is exciting, Orlean said. I got very charged up about it. Fire Capt. Don Stukey examining the damage after the 1986 fire, which was determined to be arson. Boris Yaro / Los Angeles Times She admits that editors are rarely convinced by her story ideas on the surface. There is some kind of pleasure that I find in saying, I know you think that this couldn't possibly be interesting, but it really is. Give me a minute, I'll persuade you. That awareness that I'm having to prove to people every sentence of the way that this is something worth their time. Seriously, this is super interesting. No, no, wait, wait, no. There's more, she demonstrated. And then there's more, and you're not going to believe. That's how it feels to me, that I'm tugging on somebodys sleeve saying, Wait, wait, one more second. Let me just tell you one more thing, you're not going to believe it. From where we sat at lunch, we could see the library building. I asked our server if she knew that it was the site of the biggest library fire in American history. She didnt. Ooh, I just got the chills, the server said. She turned to Orlean. And you wrote a book about it? Whats it called? What caused the fire? For generations of Angelenos, this will be the first theyve heard of the fire, the massive fight to contain it, the thousands of books frozen in an effort to preserve them, the water damage, the stop-start effort to restore and expand the library where its visionary architect put it at the corner of 5th and Flower in downtown Los Angeles, of the man who may have set it aflame, maybe even of libraries around the world destroyed by fire through the ages, taking untold stories with them. Its all there. They just have to borrow The Library Book. Susan Orlean inside the Los Angeles Central Library. Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times Support our journalism Please consider subscribing today to support stories like this one. Get full access to our signature journalism for just 99 cents for the first four weeks. Already a subscriber? Your support makes our work possible. Thank you. carolyn.kellogg@latimes.com @paperhaus >>> Work starts on Lao NA building, a symbol of Vietnam-Laos special relations At the reception for the visiting delegation, Secretary of the Party Committee and Governor of Vientiane, Vidong Sayasone, briefed the guests on the local socio-economic development and Party building, as well as cooperation with Vietnamese localities that Vientiane has set up relations with, including Hai Duong, Yen Bai, Nghe An and Hai Phong. Comrade Sayasone affirmed that Vientiane will always strive to contribute to the fruitful development of the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. Vietnamese Politburo member Vuong, who is also Permanent member of the Secretariat, congratulated the local Party organisation, administration and residents on their important achievements gained in various areas over the past years. He expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party, the Party committee, administration and locals of Vientiane will successfully fulfill all targets set in the resolution released at the Lao Partys 10th Congress and the fifth provincial Party committees congress, making Vientiane more prosperous. Politburo member Vuong also praised the outcomes of cooperation and mutual support between Vientiane and Vietnamese localities, while expressing his hope that Vientiane will continue expanding partnership with Vietnams localities, especially in defence-security, human resource development, Party building, local economic management, trade, tourism, agriculture, modern rural area building, and poverty reduction. Politburo member Tran Quoc Vuong and his entourage on October 9, visiting the staff under the Vietnamese 11th Military Corps, the unit responsible for construction of the Lao National Assemblys new building in the neighbouring country. (Photo: NDO) Earlier, on October 9, Politburo member Vuong and his delegation paid a visit to the Vietnamese 11th Military Corps, the unit responsible for construction of the Lao National Assemblys new building. Encouraging the staff at the site, the Vietnamese senior Party official stated that the project is a gift from the Vietnamese Party, State and people to the Lao Party, State and people. As the corps have been entrusted with the task of constructing the building for the Lao side, Politburo member Vuong urged the 11th Military Corps to concentrate all its capabilities and resources in the construction of works, considering it as a key task to help ensure the constructions progress and quality, as it is among the symbolic works of traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. Thanks to cheap features and shoddy craftsmanship, your washer and dryer are on the fritz again. It was just a few years ago that you spent hours shopping at your local big-box store before settling on the now-faltering equipment teetering before you, and already youve got to replace it. This time, you swear youll buy a washer and dryer with real longevity. But is longevity even a thing anymore these days? Turns out it is but you have to know where to look for it. Savvy shoppers have figured out its better to invest in high-quality, long-lasting appliances made by proven companies like Speed Queen. For 108 years, the Wisconsin-based manufacturer has forged a strong reputation by building workhorse washers and dryers for laundromats, hospitals, hotels and even military bases. That same experience and expertise go into every commercial-grade Speed Queen washer and dryer made for the home. Advertisement Why invest in a high-quality washer and dryer? The answer is simple: Superior build quality means a longer-life machine that gets clothes cleaner. At Speed Queen, we are firm believers in the expression You get what you pay for, said Jay McDonald, Speed Queens vice president of North American home laundry sales. This means higher-quality components that will last a long time, even if it makes the product a little more expensive. Speed Queen washers and dryers are built with metal instead of plastic. Theyre tested in a state-of-the-art lab before leaving the factory and designed to last 10,400 laundry cycles. That all adds up to durable washers and dryers built to last 25 years in your home. Compare that to cheaper competitors offering washers and dryers built to last as little as seven years. In addition, Speed Queen offers a five-year parts-and-labor warranty on most models. Why isnt Speed Queen in big-box stores? Speed Queen washers and dryers are available only through select independent dealers across the country stores staffed by folks who understand the products in detail and can explain how best to use them. In fact, many sales staff at independent dealers use the appliances they sell in their own homes and can speak from personal experience. McDonald realizes lots of folks dont know Speed Queen makes washers and dryers for the home, but he can live with the limited recognition if it means maintaining the brands higher standard, from manufacture to sale and delivery to service. In our opinion, we are better represented when a retail salesperson can explain the value we bring to the table, McDonald said. We feel that independent appliance retailers employ trained specialists who can better explain the differences, suggest the best [washer and dryer] to fit a specific customers wants and needs, and deliver a higher level of customer satisfaction than we could expect from the typical big-box stores. Speed Queen stands for American quality When you take home a Speed Queen washer and dryer, youre taking home a storied history. The company opened up shop in Ripon, Wis., in 1908, and it has remained there since, manufacturing and assembling each machine on site. Today, Speed Queen has more than 1,600 employees. Theres a great work ethic here, and our employees have a deeply rooted commitment to produce a high-quality product that theyre proud of, McDonald said. We sell our products in over 110 countries and are the largest commercial laundry company in the world. Our mission is not to build the cheapest or have the highest market share, but rather to build the best. Can Speed Queen represent luxury and a bargain? Speed Queen may cost a couple hundred dollars more than competing washers and dryers, McDonald said, but a longer life expectancy means the cost difference breaks down to less than a dollar a month. And if you buy a different brand that has to be replaced several times, McDonald said, Speed Queen actually costs you less over the long run. Speed Queens national networks of independent dealers also offer plenty of deals. Local Southland chain Howards TV & Appliance, for instance, recently offered a Speed Queen 3.3-cubic-foot top-loading washer for $849, which McDonald said works out to be only a couple hundred more than competitive models. Howards also recently offered a Speed Queen 7-cubic-foot gas dryer for as low as $749. Getting what you pay for is starting to sound pretty good. Daniel Vasquez for Speed Queen After beefing up its parental leave policy this year, Starbucks Corp. will now offer subsidized child care for all its U.S. employees too. The new benefit, a partnership with child-care provider Care.com Inc., will provide 10 subsidized backup day-care days for parents when regular care falls through. In-home backup child care will cost $1 an hour or $2 an hour after the fourth child. Care at a day-care center will cost $5 a day. We felt like it was important to make this accessible, said Ron Crawford, vice president of benefits at Starbucks. We wanted to have as low a possible cost. Unlike other Starbucks benefits, which require employees to work 20 hours before they can access them, Care@Work is available to more than 180,000 U.S. employees, regardless of how much they work. Advertisement Americans pay almost as much for child care as they do for rent, and when it falls through or theres an unexpected day off from school or day care, a parent either has to stay home or scramble to find a solution. Subsidized child care is a rare benefit. Only 2% of more than 3,000 employers surveyed by the Society of Human Resource Management in 2018 say they help employees pay for child-care fees. Only 4% offer backup child-care services. Retailers and restaurants have been trying to improve their perks to retain employees amid a tight labor market. Amazon.com Inc. just announced its boosting wages to $15 an hour in November for its current and seasonal workers. In January, Starbucks committed to spend $250 million on new employee benefits, including a pay boost for domestic workers after the federal tax overhaul. In addition to reworking its paid parental leave program, Starbucks updated its sick leave policy this summer. Care@Work also provides backup services for workers who care for elderly family members. Over the last few years, employers have also started offering more benefits for employees to care for their sick and aging relatives, as millennials, the largest share of the workforce, begin caring for their aging boomer parents. Benefits that make it easier to juggle work and parenting can help employers keep working parents from jumping ship. Patagonia said it has 25% lower turnover with employees who put their kids in an on-site day-care program. As the labor market has tightened, more companies have started offering paid parental leave. For Starbucks, child care is the next frontier. The company may be open to broader based child-care benefits in the future too, Crawford said. This is a need we see in America today, Crawford said. Working parents need support for those days when stuff happens. Shortly after Canada agreed to new terms for the North American Free Trade Agreement, the Trump administration held up the deal as vindication of the presidents bare-knuckles negotiating style. And the administration was certainly right about the tactics: During 13 months of talks, Trump imposed hefty tariffs on Canadian and Mexican steel, threatened new taxes on the two nations automotive exports, repeatedly warned of blowing up NAFTA and made disparaging personal remarks about Canadas prime minister. To me, the fact that we got a good agreement is all the evidence you need that the presidents approach is a good approach; its the right approach, Robert Lighthizer, Trumps chief negotiator, said when the new NAFTA, renamed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, was announced last week. But whatever the gains turn out to be for American businesses and workers and they will be hotly debated before Congress votes on the new agreement, probably next year the costs of Trumps hard-nosed diplomacy look to be considerable in crucial areas outside the field of financial returns. Advertisement The presidents bruising strategy led to frayed relations with some of the United States closest allies and contributed to what has become a stain on Americas image and that of its president across the globe. The consequences of declining goodwill may not be immediately apparent, stretching beyond Trumps tenure in the White House. But they could potentially end up overshadowing whatever immediate profits his hardball negotiating style yields. The U.S. has been a global leader for 70 years, but the cost of going to a narrow balance-sheet definition of relationship is that it is no longer seen as a leader, Eric Miller, a global fellow at the Wilson Centers Canada Institute in Washington, said. Leadership is about inspiring followers, he said. Whats happening over time with America first is its becoming America alone. Jeffrey Engel, director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University, said, Trump, by his own admission, is a transactional leader that is, one who sees issues in terms of deals, in which one side tries to gain advantages over the other. Because of the United States economic and political heft, Engel said, if youre a transactional president and bluster and take every small and big negotiation to the hilt, you can win. But the price of those financial victories, Engel said, is that Americas allies and partners may not be there when the United States needs them on other important issues, such as counterterrorism, pressuring Iran or cooperating with the Pentagon and on crucial intelligence operations. American presidents have found their popularity abroad extraordinarily useful. ... Its enabled them to parlay that into diplomatic leverage, Engel said, citing as one example the broad support the United States and President George H.W. Bush got during the 1990-91 Gulf War. Trump, instead of maintaining or building on the relationships forged by presidents dating back to the end of World War II, has almost gone out of his way to alienate allies. In part this is because Trump views foreign relationships as primarily matters of potential financial gain or loss for American business. He has reportedly groused repeatedly, for example, that Pentagon generals ignore the moneymaking potential in dealings overseas. He has complained that the United States did not seize Iraqi oil after the 2003 Iraq war. In addition, Trump has found that an in-your-face approach to foreign leaders and portraying them as taking advantage of America are valuable tools for firing up his political base. Accordingly, Trump has accused North Atlantic Treaty Organization partners of not contributing enough money for the common defense. He has pulled out of the international Paris climate accord and the multinational nuclear agreement with Iran. All the while, he has gone after the European Union and Japan on trade, pressuring them to make concessions or face stiff auto tariffs. The result has been a widespread souring of the way other countries and their citizens view the United States. Internationally, public opinion of Trump is at such historical lows for an American president that even Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Chinas Xi Jinping rated higher, on average, in a recent global survey by Pew Research released this month. Pews study did not include Chinese citizens, but by all indications, the Chinese publics attitude toward Trump also has hardened in recent months as his administration has escalated its trade battle. Loss of confidence in the U.S. president and Americas world leadership has been especially steep in Mexico, Japan and across Western Europe. No country, however, has felt as bruised as Canada. It wasnt just that Trump slapped 25% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum on the grounds that its production constituted a national security threat to the United States something inconceivable to many Canadians. Then Trump personally attacked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as very dishonest and weak. To top things off, as NAFTA negotiations were heating up this summer, the U.S. side threatened to levy large tariffs on Canadian auto imports, which many regarded as potentially crippling to Canadas economy. Many Canadians had believed they had a profound and unshakable bond with their much bigger southern neighbor, with long, open borders between them, deep economic integration that predated the 24-year-old NAFTA and a military alliance that was as close as brothers. Its difficult to convey how shocking this was to Canadians, said Janice Stein, founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto. She noted that no U.S. president had ever made such threats to bring down the Canadian economy or publicly maligned Canadas leaders. Trump, for his part, in remarks after Canada and the United States struck a deal on a new NAFTA, acknowledged the strong tensions during negotiations but suggested that bilateral ties, as well as his personal relations with Trudeau, would get right back on track. We have a great relationship, Trump said, praising Trudeau as a good man who loves his country. But most experts doubt the insults and threats will be forgotten quickly. Trust-building is a very long process, and destroying it is very fast, Stein said. Thats why people dont use this strategy. One certain result, she said, is that Canada will make a concentrated effort to diversify its economy, now heavily dependent on the United States, by building trading and investment relationships with others. Anecdotal reports suggest Canadian tourism to the United States is also likely to slip. I think Florida will see less Canadians this year, Stein said. And experts said Canadian regulators may be a little more wary of approving an American firm trying to make an acquisition of a Canadian company. Beyond Canada and Mexico, Richard Wike, Pews director of global attitudes research, said: Public opinion about the United States is an important contextual factor. It helps set the incentive structure for politicians around the world, making it easier or harder to get cooperation. That could prove challenging for the Trump administration as it looks for allies to join in its trade fight with China. Now that NAFTA has been largely settled, the White House is turning its focus on Japan and the EU, but ultimately it sees China as its primary target on trade and broader bilateral relations. The risk is that by creating economic friction with allies, they might not get the strong support on China, said Mireya Solis, chair of Japan studies at the Brookings Institution. That could be a side effect even though Japan shares Americas concerns about Chinas mercantilist behavior, including theft of intellectual property and forced technology transfer. Japan agreed to come to the table with the United States only because Japanese officials and business leaders were afraid of Trumps auto tariffs. And although negotiations arent expected until next year, Solis said the damage already has been done. I think a very dangerous precedent has been set that the president and his team think that using tariffs and the threat of tariffs is the way to get trade agreements with provisions they like, she said. She said such tactics could help undermine the rules-based trading system under the World Trade Organization. Indeed, the Trump administrations Lighthizer made clear that NAFTA would serve as a template for future trade agreements, which he said would seek elimination of unfair trading practices. He credited Trump for his leadership, vision and grit in pushing through this new paradigm-shifting model on trade. Miller, of the Wilson Center, agreed it took an unusual American president who wasnt just willing to walk away but willing to drop tariff nuclear bombs on the auto industry to rewrite NAFTA and get as much as he did from trading partners. These include tighter rules on autos and auto parts and more access to Canadas politically sensitive dairy market. Still, Miller wondered whether those gains were worth it, given the price to be paid in other areas. The latest from Washington More stories from Don Lee don.lee@latimes.com Twitter: @dleelatimes It happens so quickly that you are left wondering if it ever happened at all. During a frenzied onslaught of music dominated by a manic piano line, 11 massive puppets seemingly float onstage above the action in the Philip Glass opera, Satyagraha, a revival of which is running at Los Angeles Opera from Oct. 20 to Nov. 11. Made of yellowing newsprint and old wicker baskets, the towering apparitions grimace and grin, smirk and scowl, revealing razor-like rows of rotten teeth. They have bulbous noses, top hats and monocles. Their eyes squint and glare. They are the bankers, politicians and wall street brokers that nightmares are made of and they are propelled, half-ragged and aghast, into the spotlight by performers some on stilts that resemble decaying wooden crutches. During a recent weekday rehearsal, the grotesque puppets remain just long enough to take your breath away, and then disappear back into the shadows. The giant puppets in the Philip Glass opera are made from newsprint and wicker baskets. Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times Satyagraha director Phelim McDermott, left, L.A. Opera resident conductor Grant Gershon and mezzo-soprano J'Nai Bridges. Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times Strength doesnt come through ego or force. It comes through a shared intention of whats happening between people. Director Phelim McDermott This trick is part of a mesmerizing production design by associate director Julian Crouch that acts as a living, breathing backdrop for an abstract, non-linear opera informed by a deep dedication to ensemble work as opposed to the glorification of any one star or individual. Strength doesnt come through ego or force, says director Phelim McDermott. It comes through a shared intention of whats happening between people of what people can do collectively. In another display of stunning teamwork, members of the chorus sing the word ha 1,992 times during one section of the opera. The word, intoned repetitively in a kind of hypnotic chant ha ha ha ha ha ha ha is not supposed to symbolize laughter, but rather to stimulate the dream-like environment that allows the opera to morph into a meditation about the power of collective action to effect change on both micro and macro levels. Its a mantra, an om, of sorts. The spiritual sound that, in the Hindu tradition, signifies a higher level of consciousness. That sound is embodied in the person of Mohandas K. Gandhi (played by Sri Lankan tenor Sean Panikkar) during the 20 pivotal years he spent in South Africa developing his philosophy of nonviolent resistance to political oppression. Tina Koch straps on stilts before donning one of the puppets in the opera "Satyagraha," during a rehearsal at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times Satyagraha is an L.A. Opera company premiere and in addition to Einstein on the Beach (2013) and Akhnaten (2016) completes the companys staging of Glass portrait trilogy of operas about powerful thinkers who changed the world. This version is a revival of a 2007 staging in the United Kingdom presented by the English National Opera and Improbable Theatre, co-produced by New Yorks Metropolitan Opera, and directed by McDermott. McDermott co-founded Improbable in 1996 with Crouch and others, and the idea of a cohesive, non-hierarchical ensemble is dear to his heart. It is also, he says, an extension of the word Satyagraha, which translates from Sanskrit as truth force, and was coined by Gandhi to describe the ideology he used as a leading force in the Indian independence movement. The opera is more of a fever dream than a biopic, and hovers around a profound moment in Gandhis life when he was kicked out of a first-class carriage in South Africa for the color of his skin. He had to decide whether to go home, or stay and resist. The world knows his answer, and the opera seeks to crack open the spirit of that choice in order to convey it in an atmosphere thick with provocative sights and sounds. The cast of the opera "Satyagraha" rehearses at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles. Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times The cast and crew of the opera "Satyagraha" prepare for rehearsal at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times I cant help but feel that presenting a piece like Satyagraha is really what were here for, says L.A. opera resident conductor, Grant Gershon,. Its a piece by a living American composer who has a lot to say and who says it really beautifully. Its a piece that can speak to many different kinds of audiences, and it has such a strength of purpose to it. Since there is no driving narrative in any traditional sense, the task of conveying what it all means falls to the operas nine soloists, 40 chorus members, four supernumeraries, 12 skills ensemble members and 46 orchestra musicians, who taken as a whole, weave the tapestry that becomes the experience of the show. The skills ensemble are the silent performers who propel the puppets and constantly shift and change the landscape onstage by manipulating basic materials including paper, sticky tape, wicker and corrugated tin building transitory images as they go. Paper that waves and rages like fire, a fish that turns into Ganesh, a procession of newspaper that whizzes across the stage like a conveyor belt. (18,900 sheets of newspaper, all told, are used in this production.) There is no dialogue, just pieces of music of varied length with lyrics derived by Constance DeJong from the sacred Hindu text the Bhagavad Gita. Ive never sung something with so much repetition, and musically it can be challenging because you have to have extreme focus, otherwise youll get lost, says JNai Bridges, a mezzo-soprano who plays Gandhis wife Kasturbai. But at the same time, you also have to let go. Its a strange balance. Mezzo-soprano J'Nai Bridges plays Gandhis wife Kasturbai. Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times Peter Relton, associate director of the production, says it doesnt matter that most audience members wont understand the words. Glass intention, he says, was to create a distinct sound world. While the soloists are singing, and moving through this world, the skills ensemble creates the atmosphere and the environment theyre in, he explains. Rob Thirtle, skills ensemble lead, is one of a few members of the performance team to have been with the production since 2007. He jokes that he is multi-talentless and that he ended up in the skills ensemble because he is not very good in a lot of areas. But really, he is a skilled craftsman and an adept performer who knows how to move with purpose in silence, and understands the transformational power of improvisation onstage. The idea of metamorphosis is specific to the design concept, Thirtle says, adding that Crouch says he considers puppetry to be a gutter art a puddle in the road that isnt particularly pleasing to the eye, but is transformed into something beautiful as soon as the moon is reflected in it. In this show, our hope was to transform found garbage bits of materials blowing around on the street and to turn those into beautiful images before the audiences eyes, he says. Images that appear for a moment and then disappear back into the wind. In order to allow this kind of controlled, creative chaos to thrive onstage around her, Bridges says that she has learned to relinquish her ego entirely. A rare practice, indeed, in the world of opera. It really feels like were just one big unit, she says. Not one person is more important than the other. That once again, says McDermott, is the definition of Satyagraha. Its a message he feels is more pressing than ever, and one he hopes the audience carries with them into the streets after the show. A scene from the Metropolitan Opera's 2011 production of "Satyagraha," directed by Phelim McDermott. Ken Howard / Metropolitan Opera Satyagraha Where: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles When: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20, 27, Nov. 1 and 8; 2 p.m. Nov. 4 and 11. Tickets: Starting at $19 jessica.gelt@latimes.com @jessicagelt The Getty Foundation is traversing new ground quite literally. On Thursday, the Getty announced the recipients of its 2018 Keeping It Modern grants, which provide conservation planning funds to significant 20th century architectural landmarks, internationally, $1.7 million in all this year. The 11 latest grantees span nine countries; but this years initiative marks the first time grants have been awarded to buildings in Cuba, Lebanon, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ireland as well as the country of Georgia. These countries are now demonstrating that theyre ready to embrace new approaches to the preservation or conservation of modern architecture, Antoine Wilmering, the Gettys senior program officer, said in an interview. Many buildings are repaired on an ad-hoc basis when the roof leaks or something but were developing comprehensive conservation management and policy documents to guide both short-term repairs and long-term care, rather than one ad hoc decision after another. That being embraced by countries all over the world is incredibly significant, because in each country, it has impact beyond a single building. $195,000 will go to Cubas nearly 55-year-old National Schools of Art of Havana. The complex of five Catalan-vaulted brick and terra-cotta domed structures, each housing a different school of the arts, was among the countrys first cultural projects after the 1959 revolution. Designed by Cuban architect Ricardo Porro and Italian architects Vittorio Garatti and Roberto Gottardi, it marked a spirit of cross-cultural collaboration and optimism at the time. But by the late 60s, support for the art school waned and some of the buildings were even left uncompleted. Today, much of the concrete is flaking, and frequent flooding has eroded the brick and mortar. Specialists at the technical university Politecnico di Milano in Italy will lead the conservation project, which also includes the training of Cuban conservation professionals. Advertisement When Lebanons civil war broke out in 1975, it halted construction on the 15 concrete buildings of the Rashid Karami International Fairground in Tripoli. Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyers compound of exhibition pavilions, museums and theaters blends modernist architecture with hints of traditional Lebanese architectural styles. But his creation is still unfinished. And although some structures are still holding strong, others show concrete damage from rain and rusted steel rebar. With the Gettys grant of $225,000, local and international consultants will conduct a comprehensive survey and map out what areas are in most urgent need of repair and what can be addressed in due time. Theyll also explore adaptive reuse possibilities. One well-known U.S. landmark, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, is a recipient. Eero Saarinens iconic, shining steel arch built to commemorate Thomas Jeffersons vision of westward expansion in the U.S. has seen some 130 million visitors since it was completed in 65. But the structures exterior is now seeing signs of wear and tear. $180,000 will allow an interdisciplinary team of conservation specialists, together with the National Park Service, to research preservation of the archs exterior. Other grant recipients include the History Museum of Bosnia-Herzegovina, in Sarajevo; the Chess Palace and Alpine Club, in Tbilisi, Georgia; the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, in La Jolla; St. Brendans Community School, in Birr, Ireland; the Technische Universiteit Delft Auditorium, in the Netherlands; the School of Mathematics at the Universita degli Studi di Roma, in Rome; the Collegi Universitari at the Universita degli Studi di Urbino Carlo Bo, in Urbino, Italy; and the Engineering Building at the University of Leicester, in England. Grantees are chosen from a pool of applicants. The Getty typically chooses projects that offer opportunities to explore problems and solutions in the field of architectural conservation. Since the program launched in 2014, the Getty has funded 54 projects internationally and has awarded more than $7 million in all. In September, the Getty released its Keeping It Modern Report Library, which compiles information from 20 past grant projects for the benefit of professionals in the field. The report addresses common challenges that many grantees have wrestled with, including conservation management plans, energy efficiency for modern buildings and generating community support. As Keeping It Moderns international network continues to grow, we have seen grantees increasingly identify themselves with the initiative and the principles it represents, Joan Weinstein, Getty Foundation acting director, said in a statement. Chief among them is an emphasis on research and planning, values that have guided the Gettys funding for decades. We believe that Keeping It Modern projects are setting a new standard. deborah.vankin@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter: @debvankin Anna is beautiful / beautiful enough for me. So begins the lovely and, yes, beautiful first poem we hear composed by Jimmy Roy (Parker Sevak), who, at first, resembles an ordinary 5-year-old but might in fact be a pint-sized literary prodigy. The only person who notices is his kindergarten teacher, Lisa Spinelli (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who immediately takes him under her wing, eager to shield his talent from the indifference and banality of a world with no use for poetry. This is the story told in Sara Colangelos The Kindergarten Teacher, a deft and intelligent minor-key variation on a superb 2014 Israeli film of the same title. That earlier picture, written and directed by Nadav Lapid (Policeman), was a slow-to-boil psychological drama that built to a scalding indictment of the mindlessness and materialism that increasingly hold sway over contemporary life. Lapids social critique carried a particularly potent sting when directed at Israel, but it has been transplanted, seamlessly and with little dilution of impact, to the Staten Island neighborhood Lisa calls home. She lives there with a dependable husband (Michael Chernus) and two teenagers (Daisy Tahan and Sam Jules), who do things a lot of teenagers do eat pizza, throw pool parties, stare at their phones and who are sullen and non-communicative in ways that parents and children will instinctively recognize. But there is nothing reassuring about that recognition, and the movie regards these moments of estrangement and apathy less as normal phases of young adulthood than as troubling symptoms of a culture in decline. You can take or leave that thesis, but The Kindergarten Teacher moves too swiftly and absorbingly to brook much argument in the meantime. Lisa responds to her domestic discontentment by throwing herself into her teaching, determined to at least mold the more impressionable minds in her midst. After school, she seeks to ward off her own intellectual decay, and perhaps unlock talents that shes never had a chance to explore, by attending a poetry-writing class. (At the risk of telegraphing a later plot twist a bit too blatantly, her teacher is played by Gael Garcia Bernal.) Advertisement The moment when Jimmy first recites his poem, pacing back and forth in the classroom as though lost in a fugue state, brings Lisas artistic aspirations and pedagogical instincts together. Lisa is struck by the poems elegant structure and subtle depth of feeling and also floored by the possibility that its young author in all other respects a rowdy, adorable and utterly normal kid might have an exceedingly rare gift. What gives The Kindergarten Teacher its peculiar force is how quickly it acknowledges the darker side of Lisas nurturing impulse. Maggie Gyllenhaal and Parker Sevak in a scene from The Kindergarten Teacher. (Netflix) RELATED: Five female directors, many stories: A conversation on filmmaking, Netflix and more In cultivating that gift, Lisa initially seems to be doing an educators due diligence, as when she presses his somewhat flighty nanny, Becca (Rosa Salazar), to pay attention and write down any poems she hears him recite. She reaches out to Jimmys similarly neglectful dad (Ajay Naidu), who spends most of his time running a Manhattan bar, and also Jimmys uncle (Samrat Chakrabarti), a wordsmith who seems to have instilled a love of poetry in his nephew to begin with. What gives The Kindergarten Teacher its peculiar force is how quickly it acknowledges the darker side of Lisas nurturing impulse and how successfully it ushers us into a strange complicity with her all the same. Colangelo, who made her feature debut with the 2014 drama Little Accidents, balances the storys myriad conflicting tensions with admirable lucidity. Thats another way of saying that she keeps the camera steadily trained on Gyllenhaal, whose brilliantly discomfiting performance anchors every scene. Lisa is hardly the first schoolteacher to employ a measure of manipulation as an educational tactic. But there is something particularly ruthless about the way she wraps a steely disposition in a warm, cajoling smile, her eyes twinkling with affection even as they penetrate your every defense. For all the attention Lisa showers on Jimmy waking him during naptime for private lessons, having him accompany her to a Manhattan poetry reading she refuses to infantilize him or treat him as anything but the genius she believes him to be. She demands a level of commitment commensurate with her own. And Jimmy, played with remarkable self-possession by Sevak, responds to Lisas orders with a mix of obedience and confusion that feels like an implicit rebuke. On the surface, her increasingly desperate actions might seem reckless and deluded to the point of stupidity, but her motivations to the end remain irreducibly, gratifyingly complex. Its hard not to suspect that Lisa might be driven in part by jealousy, rooted in a deep awareness of her own failures. Its also hard not to discern an element of seduction, more psychological than sexual, in the way she tries to coax Jimmys talent into the light. But it may be hardest of all to completely dismiss Lisas convictions, or the sense that her behavior, extreme though it may be, is rooted in a completely accurate assessment of a morally and intellectually bankrupt society. The Kindergarten Teacher may offer a less audacious, more stylistically muted version of its predecessor, but by the time its quietly perfect final shot arrives, the movie has reached the same provocative conclusion. Its not poetry, exactly, but its pretty shattering prose. ------------ The Kindergarten Teacher Rating: R, for some language and nudity Running time: 1 hour, 37 minutes Playing: Starts Friday, Landmark Regent Theater, West Los Angeles, and streaming on Netflix See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Movie Trailers justin.chang@latimes.com @JustinCChang An adolescent girl grapples with the absence of her father in Sadie, Megan Griffiths exploration of the darker side of girlhood. Sophia Mitri Schloss delivers a powerful performance as the troubled Sadie, who is fixated on her military father, away at war. Her mother, Rae (Melanie Lynskey), is trying to move on from her absentee husband, and when the rough but charming Cyrus (John Gallagher Jr.) moves his RV into their small community, the two connect in a doomed whirlwind romance. Sadie is at its best when focusing on its titular antiheroine; the bizarre manipulations and machinations that she dreams up to preserve her home and family for her fathers return. She writes him weekly letters and her violent, murderous school essays warrant calls to her mother. Sadie tries to ward off Cyrus and his attentions toward her mom, though hes his own brand of whiskey-swilling, pill-popping troubled soul. While the pace of Sadie meanders and is often a bit pokey, the excellent cast, including Danielle Brooks as Carla, the local bartender and Raes best friend, brings your attention fully to the dramatic goings-on in this tiny community. Lynskey, always a wonder, is beautifully naturalistic in her performance as a mother trying to be a person in the world, though sometimes that distracts from being present with her daughter. But its Schloss who owns Sadie in a finely-tuned performance of a girl learning her own power and the consequences of her actions. Advertisement ------------- Sadie Not rated Running time: 1 hour, 36 minutes Playing: Arena Cinelounge Sunset, Hollywood ------------ See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Movie Trailers calendar@latimes.com @LATimesMovies If you think you already know everything you need to or want to about what remains the worlds most iconic night club, the evocative, deep-dive documentary Studio 54 has news for you. Viewers inclined to hustle back to the sex-drugs-and-disco-ball late 1970s will find this immersive and entertaining new look at a short-lived but wildly influential New York institution jam-packed with a fascinating wealth of archival visuals, emotional insight, candor and echoes of the kind of ill-fated hubris that exemplified the storys freewheeling, hedonistic era. Director Matt Tyrnauer, who directed the fun and dishy documentary Scotty and the Secret Life of Hollywood, presents a fairly straightforward (not a bad thing) retelling of how Studio 54 came to be thanks to visionary college friends and Brooklyn boys Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager. For a few shining years, the flashy club helped propel the age of celebrity and served as a safe haven for gay and transgender people as well as for the rich and famous who wanted to party down. The loquacious and outgoing (and mostly closeted) Rubell, who died in 1989 at age 45 of AIDS-related complications, is kept alive throughout the film via a plethora of vivid TV news and interview footage, clips and photos of the impresario working the starry crowds both inside and outside Studio (as it was called for short), and a recently shot chat with Rubells seemingly close brother, Don. Advertisement But the film greatly benefits from having the more introverted Schrager still around to provide firsthand insight, with the luxury of 40 years of reflective perspective, into the inner workings of his and Rubells legendary creation. Schrager, now one of the worlds leading hoteliers, kept a low profile during the Studio days, gladly ceding the limelight to pal Rubell. He publicly opens up here, reportedly for the first time, as we learn about the discos quick ascent (it was built in six weeks on the grand site of an old CBS broadcast studio and former opera house on West 54th Street); its star-studded, mob-scene opening; and events that, in late 1978, led the IRS to raid the mega-successful cash cow, uncovering drugs, cooked books and evidence of serious money skimming. In his revealing and far-reaching interview, the speech-impeded Schrager, now 72, makes for an obliging witness, though he clearly would rather not dwell too deeply on some of Studios seamier elements (and why would he?), particularly the reckless financial shenanigans that landed both he and Rubell in prison. Tyrnauer has decidedly avoided latter-day interviews with the myriad of living celebs who made regular, much-documented appearances at Studio 54: Liza Minnelli, Bianca Jagger, Mick Jagger, Calvin Klein, Elton John, Diana Ross, Cher, Grace Jones and on and on. Given how much these A-listers show up in the docs archival bits, current meet-ups with a few of them wouldnt have hurt. The filmmaker does, however, feature useful new chats with designers and technicians who helped turn the disco into a flamboyant, decadent, one-of-a-kind theatrical experience. Studio doorman Marc Benecke, silent partner Jack Dushey and a few other staffers and publicists are also interviewed. For Top 40 fans, such period dance hits as Sylvesters You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) and Thelma Houstons Dont Leave Me This Way are among the many key tunes nostalgically spun here. Ultimately, Studio 54 proves a nostalgic, sometimes wistful, other times unsettling look back at a singular period of time: those post-Vietnam, post-Watergate, pre-AIDS-crisis years when glitz, glamour and excess moved to the disco beat and, for a flash, it seemed like the party would never end. But boy, did it ever. ------------- Studio 54 Not rated Running time: 1 hour, 38 minutes. Playing: Starts Oct. 12, Landmark Nuart Theatre, West Los Angeles See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Movie Trailers calendar@latimes.com @LATimesMovies Not feeling stressed enough about politics these days? Ike Barinholtzs The Oath is here to remedy that. The comedic actor makes his feature directorial debut, which he also wrote, with a politically charged comedy thats sort of a satire, designed to wring wry laughs from our deeply divided political state. In the current climate, however, its just frustrating and unpleasant to watch. The premise plays on the well-known notion that discussing politics with family at Thanksgiving is fraught and awkward, with a twist. The government has required every citizen sign a loyalty oath pledging their patriotism, with a deadline of Black Friday. Barinholtz plays the uber-liberal Chris, married to Kai (Tiffany Haddish), and in protest he steadfastly refuses to sign. Things come to a head when Chris family descends on their home for Thanksgiving. His clueless parents (Nora Dunn and Chris Ellis) arent a problem, but his brother Pat (real-life sibling Jon Barinholtz), and Pats conservative girlfriend, Abbie (Meredith Hagner), are, despite Kais attempts to keep things copacetic. Chris and Pats sister Alice (Carrie Brownstein), and her family also attempt to keep the peace. For the majority of the film, its sharing space with people whom you have to spend time with even if youd rather not, and the small spats that erupt over negligible issues all heightened by the did you/didnt you questions about signing the oath. But the film enters horror movie territory when two government agents (John Cho and Billy Magnussen) show up to question Chris about a report that hes been pressuring someone not to sign. Advertisement Suddenly, the barbed family comedy turns into a bloody awful affair, and this is where The Oath goes south. It positions the victim of an overly zealous police state as a wealthy white man, which is, frankly, tone deaf. The films messaging is all over the place. Suddenly our moral compass, Kai, becomes unreliable. You start to question what the film is trying to say: Should citizens sign a loyalty oath to keep themselves safe from the government? While the first two-thirds of the film vehemently argue against that, the last third seems to flip-flop on the idea. The Oath backs itself into an impossible corner, and then relies on a deus ex machina to escape the bind its in, backing away from saying anything interesting or provocative. The Oath wants to have its pie and eat it too lobbing political hand grenades and then running away, refusing to engage in the consequences the scenarios set up. Magnussen is magnetic as the mustachioed and psychopathic government agent Mason. Similarly, its a testament to Hagners performance that Abbie is completely unbearable. So why do the villains walk away with this movie? Because the heroes are inconsistent, which might be an unintentional comment on the way things are today in the political realm. The neat ending is out of place with the violence that precedes it, and this satire about power dynamics ultimately argues that perhaps whats right and moral is to avoid mixing family with politics, though thats exactly what we should be doing in this moment. Walsh is a Tribune News Service film critic. ------------- The Oath Rated: R for language throughout, violence and some drug use Running time: 1 hour, 33 minutes Playing: Starts Friday, Arclight Hollywood; AMC Century City See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Movie Trailers calendar@latimes.com @LATimesMovies Karlie Kloss and Christian Siriano are ready to make it work on the new Project Runway. Bravo announced Wednesday that Kloss and Siriano have joined the reboot as host and mentor, respectively. Kloss, a model and entrepreneur, will also serve as executive producer. As someone who grew up watching Project Runway, I could not be more excited to host and produce a series that provides a platform to aspiring American designers as they pursue their creative and entrepreneurial dreams, Kloss said in a press release. Project Runway has offered such wonderful opportunities for so many, and Im excited to take on this role as a mentor, added Siriano. I hope to guide and inspire the new talent on the rise. Advertisement Kloss and Siriano are taking over the posts left vacant by former host Heidi Klum and mentor Tim Gunn, who announced in September that they were leaving the program to work on a new project with Amazon Studios. But that doesnt mean that the new Project Runway will not include familiar faces. Siriano is a Project Runway alum who appeared on the shows fourth season and won. Additionally, Elle editor-in-chief Nina Garcia will be returning to Project Runway as one of the judges. Joining her are designer Brandon Maxwell and former Teen Vogue editor-in-chief Elaine Welteroth. These are the perfect faces for the new Project Runway, as we recalibrate for a new generation of fashion enthusiasts, Bravos executive vice president, current production, Shari Levine, said in the announcement. The new Project Runway will premiere in 2019. tracy.brown@latimes.com Twitter: @tracycbrown The Vietnamese leaders visit aims to show Vietnams active contributions to strengthening ASEANs regional connectivity and integration, thereby promoting the central role of ASEAN, while also further cementing the Vietnam-Indonesia strategic partnership. Under the theme Harnessing Disruption to Shape Inclusive Economies of the Future, the IMF-WB annual meetings focus on policy orientations and measures that harness strong technological development to serve sustainable and inclusive development. The meetings see the participation of thousands of delegates, including finance ministers, central bank governors, and representatives of businesses and social organisations. Under the theme Achieving Sustainable Goals and Overcoming the Development Gap through Regional and Global Collaborative Actions, the ALG is an one of the highlights of the 2018 IMF-WB annual meetings. As the world economy enters a period of higher growth but also of greater risks, the ALG creates an opportunity for ASEAN, the United Nations, the IMF and the WB to discuss the ideas aiming to enhance cooperation in reducing poverty, narrowing the development gap, promoting economic growth and regional integration, and strengthening the central role of ASEAN. At the ALG, delegates will also discuss the orientations and measures to implement ASEAN Vision 2025 in mutual relation with the UNs sustainable development goals until 2030. As an active, proactive and responsible member of ASEAN, building on the success of the World Economic Forum on ASEAN 2018 recently held in Hanoi, the Vietnamese delegation advocates active participation in the ALGs discussions; coordinating with ASEAN member countries to foster the relationship between ASEAN and Vietnam with the IMF, the WB and the UN; creating a momentum to drive the building of the ASEAN Community on the basis of strengthening the mutuality with the UNs sustainable development goals until 2030. The friendly and cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia has been interminably strengthened and is developing well. In June 2013, during President Truong Tan Sangs visit to Indonesia, the two sides issued a joint statement on the establishment of a strategic partnership. The two countries leaders have made frequent visits and exchanges to strengthen mutual trust. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trongs visit to Indonesia in August 2018 and Indonesia President Joko Widodos visit to Vietnam in September 2018 are both historic milestones in the bilateral relationship. We are pleased to witness the prospering economic and trade relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia, with bilateral trade growing over the years towards a more balanced trade. The bilateral trade value reached US$5.3 billion in the first eight months of 2018, up 27% over the same period last year. Security and defence cooperation between the two countries also sees fine developments. Cooperation in education, culture, sports, tourism, healthcare, people-to-people exchanges and between localities are also being fostered. Vietnam and Indonesia work closely and support each another in many regional and international issues and cooperate effectively at multilateral forums. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucs attendance at the ALG on the occasion of the IMF-WB annual meetings and working visit to Indonesia reflects Vietnams commitment and responsible contributions in enhancing ASEANs solidarity, unity and central role in the region towards the goal of green and sustainable development, while affirming that Vietnam always attaches importance to promoting the Vietnam-Indonesia strategic partnership to develop in a more comprehensive and substantive way, for the sake of the people of the two countries and the whole region. The Deciem drama is moving from Instagram to the courtroom. The Estee Lauder Cos. Inc. has filed an injunction against founder Brandon Truaxe, following Truaxes announcement on Instagram that Deciem was shuttering operations. Truaxe posted an e-mail from the Lauder lawyer Mark Gelowitz on Instagram Thursday, which said the company is commencing injunction proceedings in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Lauder, which owns 28 percent of Deciem, is asking for Truaxe to be removed from the company, and for Co-Chief Executive Officer Nicola Kilner to be appointed the sole chief executive officer. The suit also asks for a judge to bar Truaxe from firing employees, communicating with employees or suppliers, posting to the Deciem social media account or acting as an employee of the company. The public document also gives a glimpse of what has been going on behind the scenes of Deciem this year. It also asks for permission to hire PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to investigate Truaxes allegations of financial crimes. Advertisement On Monday, Truaxe posted on Instagram that the company would close, saying, This is the final post of Deciem, which we will shut down all operations until further notice, which is about two monthsPlease take me seriouslyAlmost everyone at Deciem has been involved in a major criminal activity, which includes financial crimes. Followers of Deciem there are 374,000 on Instagram have seen some of the the drama unfold publicly on the Internet, but the court papers say that in addition to announcing the closure of the company without consulting other shareholders on Monday, he also sent out a mass email that purported to fire Kilner and chief financial officer, Anand Khanzode. On Tuesday, following Truaxes directions, most Deciem stores closed. Lauder asserts in the papers that Truaxes actions are causing irreparable harm to Deciems business, and chaos and confusion for Deciems employees, customer, consumers, suppliers, landlords and other stakeholders. This is not only causing irreparable harm to the Estee Lauder Cosmetics Limiteds investment in Deciem, but it is harming Estee Lauders reputation because Estee Lauder has an equity ownership in, and therefore an association with, Deciem, Lauder said in the filing. The documents go on to detail more of Truaxes unusual behavior, calling it erratic, irrational, disturbing and highly offensive. Truaxe has publicly posted internal emails, disclosed confidential information and unilaterally made the call to fire Kilner in February, which led to the resignation of former cfo Stephen Kaplan. She rejoined the business in July. On May 9, Truaxe was detained by authorities in the U.K. and taken to a psychiatric hospital in London for several days, the papers said. He later stayed for three days at another psychiatric facility in Canada, according to the documents. While Deciem brands remain shoppable online, stores have signs posted in the window that say, Please dont get mad. We are currently closed for an unforeseen concern. A spokeswoman for Estee Lauder said, We can confirm we have commenced legal action in this matter. We cannot comment further on this pending litigation at this time. Its nightlife for adults, is how Sam Ross explains the uptick in craft cocktail bars opening up and down the Vegas Strip. Theyre a departure from the Las Vegas normal, Ross says about these dens of fancy drinking, contrasting them with the footlong slushie fratboy cocktails offered in some places and the bottle service, exorbitantly overpriced and attended to by scantily clad waitresses, in others. Ross, who made his name as a bartender at Milk & Honey the New York bar that launched a million speakeasies now plies his trade in Vegas. Since 2016, hes had a hand in opening three craft cocktail spots: the Dorsey at the Venetian, and Rosina and Electra Cocktail Club at the Palazzo. Advertisement The Dorsey is a stately and dimly lighted lounge where all the juices are fresh-squeezed and all of the ice is hand-cut. Ive been working on projects on the Strip since 2010, and the quantity of quality cocktails up and down has greatly improved, Ross says. Its insane how you can get so many high-quality venues jam-packed into such a small area. This is not just an anecdotal trend. Trouble Maker cocktail at the Electra Cocktail Club in the Palazzo. (The Venetian Resort Las Vegas) Patrick Lang, vice president of global restaurant and nightlife development for Las Vegas Sands, the company behind the Venetian and Palazzo, says that the Dorsey has recorded two consecutive years of double-digit growth since opening. According to him, it, along with Rosina, is among the highest grossing venues per square foot among the citys bars and restaurants. And according to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Center for Gaming Research, between 1999 and 2017 total beverage revenue at Vegas casinos increased by 1 billion with a b dollars, though the study doesnt specify how much of that is derived from drinks made by bartenders in vests and suspenders. We felt the craft cocktail movement had not fully taken root in Las Vegas, Lang says. Las Vegas is one of the leading culinary markets in the world, and we wanted to elevate the cocktail game and bring a fun yet more sophisticated nightlife experience to Las Vegas. Its a big mix of people, says Ross of the clientele at the new cocktail bars. Its for the visitors to Las Vegas that dont want to go to nightclubs after dinner. They want to enjoy a well-made drink thats not being served in a yard glass. You could argue that Vegas craft cocktail movement began just off the Strip in 2009, with the opening of Herbs & Rye, a restaurant and bar serving cocktails with house-made ingredients. At that time, no one was really doing any real cocktail program, says owner Nectaly Mendoza. Las Vegas was a nightclub scene. That was the first thing to really hit. We wanted to elevate the cocktail game and bring a fun yet more sophisticated nightlife experience to Las Vegas. Patrick Lang Rosina Margarita cocktail at Rosina in the Palazzo. (The Venetian Resort Las Vegas) Mendoza recognized that his city had plenty of talent behind the bar, but most of it was being deployed in high-volume clubs. With Herbs & Rye, he shifted focus toward ingredients and technique quality over quantity. The casinos took notice, and soon other places, such as Vesper in the Cosmopolitan, opened with cocktail menus that emphasized fresh ingredients and unique spirits. The group behind the Los Angeles bars Honeycut and the Normandie Club opened Skyfall Lounge two years ago on the 64th floor of the Delano hotel, where they sling $18 to $20 cocktails that have very un-rat pack ingredients including spiced pear, fresh raspberry syrup and peach and rose-infused vodka. I dont think of this as a trend, says Craig Schoettler, who oversees drinks for MGM resorts, including the Park MGM in Las Vegas, which just opened Juniper Cocktail Lounge, where there are more than 80 gins on offer. Trend means its going to end. I dont see this ending. This is an evolution. If you can go to the dive bar down the street and get a better cocktail than you can at the Bellagio, then weve got a problem. Weve got to keep up with the demand of the general public, and they are coming here more and more to do other things than just gambling. food@latimes.com @latimesfood After years of stop-and-go talks, California and two other states that take water from the lower Colorado River are nearing an agreement on how to share delivery cuts if a formal shortage is declared on the drought-plagued waterway. Under the proposed pact, California the rivers largest user would reduce diversions earlier in a shortage than it would if the lower-basin states strictly adhered to a water-rights pecking order. Californias huge river take would drop 4.5% to 8% as the shortage progressed. With occasional years of relief, the river that greens farm fields and fills faucets from Colorado to California has been stuck in drought since 2000. A shortage declaration has been looming over the seven-state basin for more than a decade, only to be narrowly averted time and again when rain and snow in the upper basin pushed reservoir levels above the trigger point. But flows into Lake Powell one of the Colorados two massive reservoirs fell to a little more than a third of the average for the April-through-July period this year. And Septembers inflow was negligible, less than 1% of the average. Looking at those numbers, federal officials say the U.S. Interior Department could declare a shortage in 2020. Advertisement Its pretty clear were in a deepening long-term drought cycle, said Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which has been importing Colorado River water to the region since the early 1940s. Its in everybodys interest to prevent the system from cratering. The basins entire storage system is 47% full. Lake Powell, which stores runoff from the upper basin and releases it to Lake Mead, is 45% full. Mead, the source of Southern Californias river water, is 38% full. The Interior secretary has never declared a shortage on the Colorado. But it has been known for years that the river is over-allocated. The basin states divvied up the flows in the early 20th century a period that in hindsight was unusually wet and presented an unrealistic picture of what the Colorado could produce year in and year out. Diversions are regulated by a complicated system of river compacts and water rights that call for Arizona and Nevada to take the first cuts in times of a lower-basin shortage. California, with some of the oldest river rights, is further down the line. The sprawling Imperial Irrigation District and other farm districts in southeastern California control roughly 75% of Californias 4.4 million-acre-foot share. Imperial is the single largest user on the entire length of the river, which starts at the Continental Divide in the Colorado Rockies and has an average annual flow of roughly 15 million acre-feet. Metropolitan has nearly doubled its base allocation of 550,000 acre-feet through agreements with Imperial and other irrigation districts that fallow crop land and sell their unused river supplies. Those deals would help cushion Metropolitan, which serves Southern California, if a shortage is declared. (An acre-foot is enough to supply more than two households for a year.) Metropolitan would also benefit from water it has been able to bank in Lake Mead under 2007 drought guidelines that have allowed states to leave unused portions of their river allocations in the reservoir. Under the previous use-it-or-lose-it rules, states had to take their full allocation every year. The 2007 framework specified that the Department of the Interior would declare a shortage when Lake Meads elevation hit 1,075 feet. Nevada and Arizona, which have rights junior to California, would then start delivery reductions. Under the proposed drought contingency plan, Arizona and Nevada would continue to take the first cuts, which would be deeper than outlined in 2007. At the same time, California would reduce its river diversions when Mead levels hit 1,045 feet earlier in the shortage than previously envisioned. Californias cuts, shared by Imperial and Metropolitan, would increase as the lake level dropped but be no greater than 350,000 acre-feet a year. Arizona is still working out the details of how to apportion its cuts among in-state users. And the lower-basin water districts have yet to approve the drought plan, which parties are hoping to finalize by December. Ive got my own people asking tough questions. But I believe we can do it, Metropolitans Kightlinger said. A drought plan will not end debate among lower-basin users, who are confronting the fact that their use is outstripping the long-term supply. Its not sustainable, Kightlinger said. We have to push it down or grow supply with other sources. bettina.boxall@latimes.com Twitter: @boxall After more than three decades of stops and stalls, the state this week made clear the fight for beach access at Hollister Ranch is far from over. Coastal officials revived efforts to create a long-delayed public path while also preventing a family from building on its slice of the ranch until all visitors can enjoy the 8.5 miles of secluded Santa Barbara County coastline. Earlier this year, the fight for access to some of the states most unspoiled beaches seemed like a done deal in favor of ranch owners, who have long contended the environment has benefited from their private stewardship. A controversial state deal ceded a contested claim to access by land, and a veto by Gov. Jerry Brown last month was cheered by Hollister as a victory. But mounting outrage from beachgoers has kept the pressure on. Because of the public outcry, I think every commissioner is of one mind that we are resolved to finally, one way or the other, get real public access by land through Hollister Ranch, California Coastal Commissioner Aaron Peskin said. As a matter of policy, this commission is resolved to say that either Hollister Ranch is going to provide public access or we are going to interpret the law to say that there should be no future development there. The commissions latest strategy relies on an access program for Hollister Ranch that the state had adopted in 1982 after a complicated legislative history and a long standoff with resistant landowners. Read more: California beaches are supposed to be public. So why is the Hollister Ranch coast an exception? With 14,500 acres connected only by private roads, ranch owners at the time had argued it was impossible for each of them, as required by the Coastal Act, to provide a public route to the beach every time they sought a permit to build. They challenged this in court, saying that individual lot owners were unable to do so because the common roads were controlled by a third party the Hollister Ranch Owners Assn. So lawmakers added a special section to the Coastal Act, allowing owners to pay a fee instead that would fund a ranch-wide access program that the state would implement as expeditiously as possible. The 1982 program included a walking trail and bicycle lane that would run parallel to the ranch's main private road. To minimize the number of cars in the interest of privacy and environmental protection a bus would operate from nearby Gaviota State Park to six Hollister beaches, where there would be picnic areas and bathrooms. Facing pushback, officials agreed to implement the plan in three phases. A cap was also set on the number of people allowed on the ranch each day, beginning with 100 people in phase one and a maximum of 500 in phase three. Read the 1982 Hollister Ranch coastal access plan But as expeditiously as possible turned into 36 years and counting. The standoff continued until the issue faded from institutional memory and public scrutiny. Jon Schleuss / Los Angeles Times For decades, many Californians accepted without question that Hollister Ranch was a private oasis that sometimes granted access to scientists, academics, historical societies, environmental groups and schoolchildren. Owners have said managing access is what has allowed the ranch to remain environmentally special. The push for greater access had gone quiet until this year, when coastal officials agreed to a settlement that kept the ranchs coastline closed off to everyone but landowners, their guests, select groups and those strong enough to paddle or boat in through treacherous waters. After a flood of public outcry, lawmakers introduced legislation that would have recommitted the state to the 1982 access program and clarified a funding source. It also laid the foundation for more aggressive strategies, such as acquiring private land for public use through eminent domain. The governor acknowledged the spirit of these efforts, but in a veto message last week said the 1982 plan was outdated. He urged officials to draft a more contemporary strategy. Coastal officials said the 1982 plan laid a strong groundwork and remains relevant today. If anything, they said, theres room to update the program to provide greater access. At Wednesdays commission meeting, held in downtown San Diego, the agency announced it has created a team to update the program as quickly as possible. The goal is to have something ready early next year in time for the next legislative session, executive director Jack Ainsworth said. Monte Ward, president of the ranch owners group, which represents more than 1,000 owners, cited Browns veto and said in a statement that the 1982 Hollister Ranch Access Plan is outdated. We hope that the State reaches out to us to coordinate regarding the contents of a revised plan. Meanwhile, officials at the State Lands Commission have been looking into their own legal authorities, which include eminent domain proceedings, land exchanges or negotiating new boundary lines. Read more: Amid backlash, Coastal Commission asks state to 'explore all potential options' to open Hollister Ranch to the public The Coastal Commissions commitment to finish what was promised in 1982 came the same day officials voted unanimously to overrule a permit that had been issued by Santa Barbara County citing for the first time in decades that a condition of any permit at Hollister Ranch, under the Coastal Act, is providing beach access through the ranch in a timely manner. The move marks yet another front in the fight for access. Mark Shields, whose family sought the permit to build a house, guesthouse and footbridge, said they had spent years coming up with a reasonable project, followed all the rules, and are now unfairly being swept into this larger battle at the ranch. We respect the fact that coastal access is the right of all Californians. We understand that the larger issue in play, the question of Hollister Ranch access, is the source of our troubles, Shields wrote in a letter to the commission. Please know that we are simply a family who has worked hard, loves California, and wants to complete a heartfelt family compound before we are too old to enjoy it. His familys project, he said, is being overruled by what appeared to be solely political reasons, citing issues which we have no control over nor ability to rectify. The ranch owners association echoed these sentiments, saying in a statement that the permit had been approved without opposition from Santa Barbara County. The group added that the Shields parcel is over a mile inland, so the Coastal Commission appeal seeks public beach access over land that the Shields do not own. Read more: Coastal advocates challenge deal that bars public from reaching Hollister Ranch by land These pleas drew little sympathy from coastal advocacy groups, which are fighting for greater access through a court intervention. In their own letter to the commission, advocates said that public coastal access at Hollister Ranch is long overdue, and the Countys mishandling of [coastal development permits] including [the Shields familys] has hindered establishing that access. Peskin, one of the commissioners who initiated the vote to overrule the permit, said this issue has gone on for almost four decades and the writing is on the wall. If there was one message that came out of todays meeting, he said, it's a very bright message to the Hollister Ranch Owners Assn. that it's time to work things out. rosanna.xia@latimes.com Interested in coastal issues? Follow @RosannaXia on Twitter. One person was injured in an explosion at a Boyle Heights home Thursday, authorities said. The blast occurred around 12:30 p.m. on the 1100 block of South Lorena Street, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. It was not immediately clear whether the explosion occurred inside or near the single-story home. Photos from the scene show damage to the homes walls and roof. A man who authorities said was about 45 years old was taken to a hospital with critical burns, according to LAFD Capt. Erik Scott. Firefighters searching inside the house did not find any residents. Two dogs were saved, Scott said. Advertisement The cause of the explosion is under investigation. #BoyleHeights; 12:36PM; 1139 S Lorena St; #Explosion at a 1-story home causing significant structural damage. Approx 40 y/o M immediately treated & transported to local hospital with critical burns. @LAFD #Firefighters searched interior of home, no residents inside, 2 dogs saved. pic.twitter.com/p8YU8rzoNi Erik Scott (@PIOErikScott) October 11, 2018 sarah.parvini@latimes.com For more California news follow me on Twitter: @sarahparvini An Orange County superior court judge Wednesday ordered a third psychiatric evaluation for the man accused of setting the nearly 23,000-acre Holy fire that tore through Orange and Riverside counties. Forrest Gordon Clark, 51, has been charged with multiple counts of arson in connection with the fire. Psychiatric evaluations were first ordered for Clark after a judge questioned his mental competency in August, the Orange County district attorneys office said. Wednesday afternoon, the judge ordered a third doctor to evaluate Clark due to a conflict in opinion between the previous two doctors. Another mental-health competency hearing has been set for Nov. 28, officials said. Clark gave a rambling interview to a television reporter over the summer, claiming to know nothing about how the fire started. Advertisement His Facebook page is littered with links to popular conspiracy theories involving the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks; a mass shooting last year that left dozens dead in Las Vegas; and QAnon, whose followers believe a secretive government source nicknamed Q has been leaking information that proves President Trumps election was part of a broader effort to take down an international criminal cabal involving Hillary Clinton and others. The movement gained media attention in recent months after Trump supporters were seen holding Q signs at some of the presidents rallies. In postings published in mid-July, Clark also complained about a neighbor in Trabuco Canyon whom he accused of using drugs and inviting gang members into the neighborhood. Clark also accused the man of stealing something from his cabin, according to the post. The Holy fire, which started Aug. 6 near Trabuco Canyon, burned 23,136 acres,destroyed 18 homes and prompted the evacuation of hundreds of others. sarah.parvini@latimes.com For more California news follow me on Twitter: @sarahparvini The Irwindale Police Department and a group that runs the agencys Explorer program for teens has agreed to pay $4 million to settle a lawsuit with three women who say they were sexually abused by a former police officer who served as the programs advisor. The three former Explorer Scouts, who are now adults, say former Officer Daniel Camerano molested them during ride-alongs and in the Irwindale police station between 2007 and 2010, when they were between 14 and 17 years old, according to Los Angeles County court records. Attorney Anthony DeMarco said each of his clients joined the Explorer program with the goal of eventually working in law enforcement. Those dreams were derailed because of the depraved acts of former Officer Camerano and of the complicity of other members of the Irwindale Police Department, he said. Yet they came forward hoping to make Explorer programs safer for other girls seeking careers in law enforcement. Advertisement Five women have come forward in recent years to lodge allegations of abuse against Camerano, 31, who resigned from the department in 2014 after having been on leave for more than a year while the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department investigated the accusations. Learning for Life, the group that runs the Explorer program, did not respond to a request for comment Thursday. The Police Department declined to comment on the settlement. Due to the sensitive nature of this matter, we would simply like to report that the cases have been settled by our liability risk pool, the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority, the city said in a statement. Camerano pleaded no contest in 2014 to three felony charges for molesting a 14-year-old girl and sending sexual text messages to a 17-year-old girl. Both were Explorer Scouts when the incidents occurred. He was sentenced in 2015 to two years and eight months in prison and ordered to register as a sex offender for life. In 2017, DeMarco and the department reached a $2.75-million settlement agreement for another woman who said she was repeatedly molested by Camerano while she was in the Explorer program. DeMarco contends the most recent settlement is the largest reported in the nation of a sexual abuse case involving police Explorers. Similar abuse cases have grabbed headlines across the nation in recent years. Until there are fundamental changes in the way police Explorer programs are run, teenage girls and boys seeking careers in law enforcement through Explorers programs, will continue to be sexually abused by the law enforcement officials they look up to and are supposed to learn from, DeMarco said. The simplest thing that can be done to keep kids safer is put more than one adult or more than one minor on ride-alongs. DeMarco said evidence developed in the cases indicates that the department knew that Camerano had been accused of inappropriately touching an underage girl that he had baby-sat before he was hired as a police officer. The complaint was not investigated, and Camerano was placed in charge of the Explorer program shortly after he was hired, DeMarco said. The abuse was kept under wraps for several years in part because of a culture at the agency that bred this kind of behavior, DeMarco said. The department has struggled with problem officers in the past. A former officer was sentenced to a year in jail for stealing his fathers life savings, and another officer pleaded no contest to two felony charges after being accused of sexually assaulting a female driver he pulled over. Times staff writer Richard Winton contributed to this report. hannah.fry@latimes.com Twitter: @Hannahnfry A retired Orange County junior high school teacher charged with molesting five students apparently killed himself Wednesday before closing arguments in his trial, authorities said. David Michael Bruce, 68, was found dead in his home in an unincorporated area of Anaheim. He was discovered by a friend or another individual, and they called law enforcement, Orange County Sheriffs Department spokeswoman Carrie Braun said. His death was being investigated as a suicide pending an autopsy, she said. Advertisement Bruce, who was free on bail, failed to show up to court for closing arguments on the 11th day of his molestation trial. He had faced a possible life sentence if convicted, but the county district attorneys office dismissed the case because of his death. Bruce was the drama teacher at Sycamore Junior High School in Anaheim. Prosecutors alleged that he committed lewd acts with male students over a span of 15 years beginning in 1996. Bruce claimed he had Hollywood connections and could help the students get movie industry jobs, prosecutors said. He would take boys to his home and to tapings at Los Angeles studios. On the pretense of giving them massages, Bruce moved on to rubbing, touching and spanking the buttocks of the victims, Deputy Dist. Atty. Rick Zimmer said in opening statements. Bruce retired in 2010. After the sister of one alleged victim came forward, he was arrested in 2015 and charged with eight felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14 and two felony counts of lewd acts on a child age 14 or 15. He was released on $100,000 bail. Bruces attorney, Sal Ciulla, had argued that the boys were either fantasizing or were lying and hoped to cash in on lawsuits. Three had sued Bruce and the Anaheim Union High School District. A call to Ciulla seeking comment was not immediately returned. Outreach workers went tent to tent early Wednesday with offers of homeless services as the city launched a crackdown on encampments around a new shelter in downtown Los Angeles El Pueblo historic district. The city plans five-day-a-week cleanups and increased police presence in special enforcement zones around a network of 15 shelters it hopes to build by the middle of next year. Wednesday was to have been the first day of the stepped-up enforcement around the first shelter, El Puente, which opened a month ago across from Union Station. But sanitation employees and police who later joined outreach workers from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority said they would delay ticketing and aggressive camp clearances until homeless people are educated on the new rules. Advertisement Mayor Eric Garcetti, whose public safety and homelessness deputies observed the operation Wednesday, said the crackdowns will improve public health and prevent the shelters from becoming magnets for more of the sprawling camps that have blanketed the city since he took office in 2013. A coalition of homeless service providers denounced the enforcement, and late last month, civil rights attorneys cautioned that the ramped-up sweeps raised serious constitutional issues. Individuals who are homeless need increased public health infrastructure and sanitation services, not encampment sweeps and criminalization, civil rights attorneys with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles and other firms said in a Sept. 24 letter to the mayor and City Council members. My office has met with the Legal Aid Foundation, and we remain committed to conducting these cleanups in a way that respects the rights of all Angelenos, the mayor said in a statement. Under the enhanced enforcement, the city will seize and toss out oversize belongings and require homeless people to put away their tents from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., under a 2016 law that had been enforced sporadically. Having lost several lawsuits over homeless property confiscations, the city has adopted an elaborate protocol to comply with court rulings that involves sweep notifications, storage, extensive outreach and offers of homeless services. The city on Wednesday brought in a second storage trailer for homeless people in the El Pueblo area to keep possessions. Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority workers who arrived first in the predawn gloom delivered wake-up calls through tent vents and handed out cards with the rules: tents down at 6 a.m., sidewalks clear, 10-foot distance from doors and driveways, and 60-gallon limits on personal property. Cmon out, Amy Perkins, an authority supervisor, told Maria Barrett, who emerged crying and asking for bus money home. Lisa Pacheco, another authority worker, said the bus fare would have to be approved by administration, and added, Tell the person youre staying with theyre going to have to take [the tent] down early. Is the water cold? a recent transplant from Indiana who arrived in May responded from inside his tent as Perkins offered water bottles. Get us an apartment. The 30-year-old man, who declined to give his name, came out railing against onlookers taking video and pictures. Homelessness is not a show, he said. This is not paparazzi. Were people thats homeless and dont have nothing; its not something to gloat over. Several homeless people said they appreciated the cleanup crews, who raked trash from the gutters, as police stood back. Others, however, said they saw the homeless authority teams as tools of the police and accused the city of trying to drive them out. They dont want us here, said Charles Johnson, 45, adding that hed already been pushed out of MacArthur Park. They arrested me for having a shopping basket inside the park. I hate they see us as part of the police, Perkins said. On the other hand, Perkins said, she knows police officers who are as committed as her agency is to helping homeless people get services and housing. Garcetti has said the city will continue letting homeless people sleep on city sidewalks while it develops the shelters. Leticia Cervantes, 51, said that she would like to move into El Puente but that a man who had battered her already did. We want to get off the street, but we want stable housing, she said. Perkins conceded that homeless housing remained in short supply. The system is inundated, she said. But she pronounced the days outreach successful. It went really well today, sharing the message in a kinder, gentler voice, she said. Garcetti said that three people whom the homeless authority contacted Wednesday accepted shelter and that seven signed up on the El Puente waiting list. LAPD and the Bureau of Sanitation are coordinating closely with outreach workers to make sure cleanup activities do not interfere with efforts to connect homeless Angelenos with housing and services, the mayor said. gale.holland@latimes.com Twitter: @geholland In a strongly worded decision that faulted the states use of the death penalty as arbitrary and racially biased, the Washington state Supreme Court on Thursday abolished capital punishment. The 5-4 ruling, which makes the state the latest in a growing number to outlaw the death penalty either through legislation or the courts, effectively makes permanent a four-year moratorium on the death penalty in Washington. The court said that eight people on death row must have their sentences converted to life in prison. We hold that Washingtons death penalty is unconstitutional, as administered, because it is imposed in an arbitrary and racially biased manner, the justices wrote. Given the manner in which it is imposed, the death penalty also fails to serve any legitimate penological goals. Gov. Jay Inslee hailed the decision and described it as a hugely important moment in our pursuit for equal and fair application of justice. The Democratic governor, who imposed the moratorium after initially supporting the death penalty, said executing prisoners serves no criminal justice goal. Advertisement While the death penalty has been legal in the U.S. since the Supreme Court reinstated it in 1976 and a majority of states still allow it, support for it and the use of executions have hit all-time lows in recent years. About 54% of Americans support the death penalty for murder convictions, down from 78% in the mid-1990s, according to a Pew Research Center survey released this year. Twenty states and the District of Columbia now outlaw capital punishment. Eight of those made the move this century. This is a major decision in Washington, said Robert Dunham, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center. The Washington, D.C.-based center, which is critical of the death penalty, tracks executions and policy nationally. Even though there was a moratorium in Washington, it did not mean that people could not still get a death sentence or that the moratorium would never be lifted, he said. This decision makes permanent what was temporary. Washington state law allows the death penalty via lethal injection or, if an inmate opts for it, hanging. The last state execution was in 2010. The number of annual executions in the U.S. hit a high of 98 in 1999. Last year, there were 23. On top of the state-by-state outlawing of the punishment, supporters of the death penalty have faced several other hurdles in places where its legal. In addition to Inslee in Washington, governors in Oregon and Colorado have imposed moratoriums on the death penalty while they are in office. In recent years, pharmaceutical companies have also gone to battle in court with states to block them from using their drugs in lethal injections. Last year, the state of Arkansas attempted to execute eight men in 11 days before its lethal drugs expired amid conflicts with drug suppliers. Texas, Oklahoma and Nevada have also come into conflict with drugmakers or the Food and Drug Administration over lethal drugs. Essentially, we are seeing the gradual erosion of the death penalty one state at a time, said Dunham. Nebraska has bucked the trend. Voters in the state passed a ballot initiative reintroducing the death penalty a year after lawmakers abolished it in 2015. In August, the state became the first to use the opioid fentanyl for an execution when it put to death a 60-year-old man convicted of two murders in 1979. The case in Washington was brought by Allen Eugene Gregory, who faced death for first-degree murder in the rape and killing of a 43-year-old woman, Geneine Harshfield, in 1996. The inmates lawyers presented justices with a commissioned report on how race plays into the the imposition of the death penalty. Gregory, 46, is black. Of the seven other death row inmates, five are white and two are black. The court agreed with arguments by Gregorys lawyers that the death sentence was applied arbitrarily. In her opinion, Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst said the justices were confident that the association between race and the death penalty is not attributed to random chance. She cited the states case law and history of racial discrimination and prosecutors who were inflammatory and racially charged in courts. Four justices concurred with Fairhurst. The remaining four signed a separate opinion in which they agreed that accusations of racial bias raise significant concerns but that other additional constitutional factors have become more apparent as reasons to strike down capital punishment. The courts ruling was limited to the death penalty and not whether Gregory was guilty of the crime. Gregory, 46, was convicted in 2001 before he appealed, and the Supreme Court overturned his conviction in 2006. He was found guilty and sentenced again in 2012. More national headlines UPDATES: 2:15 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details about the case and the application of the death penalty. This article was originally published at 11:45 a.m. PM Phuc is making the trip to Indonesia to attend the ASEAN Leaders Gathering on the fringes of the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB), and for a working visit to Indonesia. Immediately after his arrival, the Vietnamese PM will attend the ASEAN Leaders Gathering and hold several bilateral meetings with the King of Brunei, the President of the Philippines and the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Californias motor voter law, passed in 2015, was supposed to create a simpler, more secure way to register millions more voters in the state. When eligible adults go into a DMV office to get or renew a drivers license or state ID, they are automatically registered to vote unless they opt out. Well, the implementation has been neither simple nor secure. In fact, as the systems increasingly serious foul-ups are being revealed, its providing fuel to Republicans who argue, wrongly, that voter fraud is a rampant problem necessitating tougher limits on voting rights. First, the California Department of Motor Vehicles admitted in May that the motor voter system mistakenly generated duplicate registration forms for thousands of Californians who had visited the DMV. Then last month it disclosed that an administrative processing error had caused inaccurate registrations for about 23,000 people, including wrong party designations, phantom requests for mail-in ballots and even registrations for people who had opted not to be enrolled at all. Either Padilla or Gov. Jerry Brown should suspend the automatic motor voter registrations until after the November election. Advertisement This week came the most disturbing news yet: The DMV revealed that about 1,500 people including some noncitizens were wrongly registered to vote between late April and late September because of DMV employee errors. The group potentially included people less than 18 years old, those not allowed to vote because of a criminal conviction and noncitizens living in the country legally. Secretary of State Alex Padilla said his office cancelled the invalid registrations once he learned of the mistakes, but he didnt know whether any of the wrongly registered voters cast ballots in the June primary. He should find out as soon as possible, then tell the public. The earlier mistakes were annoying for voters and elections officials, but they didnt undermine the integrity of the states voting system. But the latest revelation that ineligible voters were mistakenly registered is different, and raises serious questions about the reliability of the states motor voter program as it exists today. The persistent and increasingly alarming errors undermine public confidence in Californias election system. Padilla has called for the DMV to add another layer of review before the agency forwards voter registration data to his office. But the state should go further. Either Padilla or Gov. Jerry Brown should suspend the automatic motor voter registrations until after the November election and until state officials are certain the system is functioning properly. It wouldnt be particularly difficult to pause the program. DMV officials said they could stop automatically transmitting voter information to the secretary of state and revert to the old paper-based registrations until they work out the kinks in the new electronic system, which launched in April. The delay would also give the state time to complete an audit that was launched last month amid complaints of hours-long wait times for licenses and repeated computer crashes, in addition to the botched motor voter rollout. Yes, a temporary freeze on the motor voter program could harm a small number of eligible would-be voters who were relying on the DMV to register them for the November election. But those adults can still register to vote online by Oct. 22. (Meanwhile, Californians whove already registered through the DMV should check the secretary of states website to make sure their registration wasnt botched.) Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion The greater threat is to the integrity of the states voter rolls and public confidence in elections. President Trump has already tried to sow skepticism with his baseless assertion that millions of ballots were illegally cast for his opponent in the 2016 presidential election by noncitizens and other ineligible voters. (He won the Electoral College but lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by about 3 million, a drubbing that apparently still stings.) In fact, its extremely rare for people to register to vote despite knowing they are ineligible to do so. A report by the nonpartisan Brennan Center found that most reported incidents of voter fraud are traceable to other sources, such as bad data-matching practices and clerical errors such as the ones involved in the bungled rollout of Californias motor voter system. Although people living in the country illegally can obtain special drivers licenses through the DMV, the agency insists that none have been mistakenly registered to vote because its computer systems are designed prevent such improper registrations. But after so many mistakes, how can anyone have confidence in the DMVs assurances? Californias leaders cant wait for the next revelation. They should suspend motor voter registrations now. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Sheriff Jim McDonnell is an outsider-turned-incumbent who in his first term has sometimes struggled to improve the performance and remake the culture of the scandal-plagued Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. Though progress has been slow, he is clearly the better choice in the Nov. 6 election than challenger Alex Villanueva, a long-tenured and recently retired sheriffs lieutenant who never rose past the middle ranks and offers a limited record of leadership. Villanueva pushed McDonnell into a runoff after coming in second in a three-man race in June. The Sheriffs Department needs someone at the top with command experience in law enforcement, and McDonnell has it, having served as the No. 2 man at the Los Angeles Police Department and chief of the Long Beach Police Department before being elected sheriff in 2014. He is the first Los Angeles County sheriff in a century not to have risen through the departments ranks, and that fact contributes to tension between him and those he leads and is one of the factors that has generated some enthusiasm inside the department for Villanueva. But outside leadership is warranted, given where up-through-the-ranks leadership brought the department in the years just prior to McDonnells election: The previous sheriff, Lee Baca, was sentenced to three years in federal prison and Undersheriff Paul Tanaka to five for obstruction of justice in connection with an FBI probe into abuse of jail inmates by deputies. The same federal investigation led to felony convictions of more than a dozen other sheriffs personnel. McDonnell won voter support four years ago precisely because he was a seasoned law enforcement leader who racked up his achievements in other departments. The Sheriffs Department needs someone at the top with command experience in law enforcement, and McDonnell has it. Advertisement He has had some successes. Aided by a series of lawsuits and resulting settlement agreements, McDonnell has overseen the reduction in uses of serious force in the jails. But another suit has stalled his effort to flag deputies with records of dishonesty and other serious misconduct. His attempts to discipline deputies have been scuttled by the civil service process. There has been a string of reports, in the Los Angeles Times and elsewhere, about misbehavior by sheriffs deputies, including allegations of inmate rape. Villanueva was not a member of the Baca-Tanaka team, and he in fact argues that he was repeatedly passed up for promotion over the years because he wouldnt play ball with a pre-McDonnell regime that rewarded loyalty over competence and integrity. Furthermore, he says, McDonnell promoted to his command staff many of the same glad-handers who enabled Baca and Tanaka. Villanueva promises to finish a weeding-out process that he says McDonnell began, but did not complete. But the challenger overestimates a sheriffs legal power to dismiss personnel absent evidence of misconduct and perhaps underestimates the importance of experience in a top command staff, even if that experience is colored in part by some past brush with corrupt leadership. Villanueva at his best raises some legitimate points about McDonnells first-term performance, but makes an unconvincing case that he has the insight, knowledge, skill or experience to do as well or to move the department faster or in a better direction. Sheriffs command enormous political and fundraising clout and generally win reelection with little difficulty, so it is noteworthy that McDonnell failed to win an outright majority in the June 5 election. He has undermined himself with sometimes inconsistent or baffling statements on a number of subjects. Does he support or oppose cooperation with immigration authorities? Is he a critic or a champion of treating mentally ill accused criminals in jail? Does he or does he not believe deputies are still organizing themselves into gangs that encourage improper uses of force against African American suspects? Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion If voters believe they are being asked to consider tiny, tedious or specialized issues which candidate is the real outsider, for example, or whether the current undersheriff was tied too closely to the prior administration they have a point. Police chiefs, prison wardens and generals are appointed, evaluated and dismissed at arms length from the political process, but we elect sheriffs for reasons that have more to do with ancient British history or fringe political theory than thoughtful structuring of government. Would we be better off with appointed sheriffs? Its a question worthy of some attention. But for the present, voters must choose between an experienced law enforcement leader who has run into some roadblocks and a mid-level career officer who has never led or even helped to lead a large and complex organization. McDonnell is the better choice. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook. Eight years ago, an organization called the Council for Education and Research on Toxics commenced a lawsuit against coffee vendors in California, maintaining that to comply with Proposition 65, cancer warnings must be placed on lattes, cold brews and plain old cups of joe they sell in the state. Hundreds of millions dollars in damages have been sought from companies such as Starbucks for not including such warnings previously. New warnings are sought advising potential purchasers that coffee contains a chemical called acrylamide that can cause cancer. The case has been vigorously litigated through the years. Thus far the council has done well. Some vendors have already paid to get out of the lawsuit. And a trial judge has ruled in the councils favor on the merits and a hearing is scheduled to begin Monday dealing with precisely what damages should be awarded. The coffee companies are seeking to appeal the ruling before the damages hearing begins. Coffee is ubiquitous in our society, cancer a horrendous and terrifying disease, and the case is thus of enormous interest in California and beyond. But one aspect of the case has received little public attention: A ruling against the coffee vendors would violate the 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution. How can it not be misleading for the sellers of a product that is not accused of causing cancer to be obliged to place a cancer warning on it? Advertisement The placement of warnings on potentially dangerous products is hardly new. Cigarette packages contain the warning that smoking by pregnant women may result in fetal Injury, premature birth, and low birth weight; wine bottles warn that consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car. In California, Proposition 65 requires warning labels for a long list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity. But a well-established and frequently repeated principle of 1st Amendment law is that the government judges included is not given free rein to require companies that sell goods to the public to include warnings with or on them. Compelled speech, like censored speech, can violate the Constitution. Moreover, government-drafted scripts, as the Supreme Court observed just a few months ago, may only be imposed when they contain purely factual and uncontroversial disclosures that are not misleading and are neither unjustified [n]or unduly burdensome. That decision blocked another California law, one that mandated that antiabortion clinics and pregnancy services tell their clients that the state subsidizes medical care, including abortions. So what does the council want the coffee sellers to say to coffee purchasers? Put differently, what is it that Starbucks, Peets, Blue Bottle and others havent said that ought to now result in multimillion-dollar claims? This is the warning the council seeks: Coffee contains acrylamide, a chemical known to the state to cause cancer. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion In its court filings, the council admits that if the warning were to say coffee causes cancer or coffee is known to the state to cause cancer, that would mislead consumers. It further concedes that compelling coffee sellers to provide such a warning would violate the 1st Amendment. But so does the acrylamide-coffee warning they propose. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has concluded, and hundreds of scientists have testified, that the chemicals in coffee, including acrylamide, pose no significant risk of cancer. So how can it not be misleading (to use the Supreme Courts language) for the sellers of a product that is not accused of causing cancer to be obliged to place a cancer warning on it? And how can such a compelled disclosure be viewed as justified, let alone uncontroversial when it is obvious that purchasers of marked coffee will understand it to mean that they are buying a cancer-causing product? Why else would the warning be there? Sometimes close and complicated issues are raised when the state tries to require entities to provide information to the public that they choose not to provide. But the coffee case isnt a close call. Coffee sellers owe no one millions of dollars for neglecting to warn their patrons about acrylamide. Forcing them to include a cancer warning on a product that does not cause cancer plainly violates the 1st Amendment. Floyd Abrams has litigated 1st Amendment cases ranging from the governments attempt to bar publication of the Pentagon Papers to its regulation of campaign financing in Citizens United. His latest book is The Soul of the First Amendment. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook Why are Californias gasoline prices so much higher than those of the rest of the country? The advocates for Proposition 6 will tell you its because of the gas-tax increase passed in Sacramento last year. Part of the difference is higher taxes, but thats not all there is to it. Selling and refining gasoline in California simply costs more than in other states. But theres also a mystery surcharge on gas in the Golden State: In the last few years, the price gap has jumped higher than costs and taxes can explain. So far this year, Californias gas price has been about 80 cents a gallon above the average of all other states. Higher state gas taxes account for about 23 cents of the difference. An additional 3 cents on average is due to local sales taxes, which vary by county. Advertisement Then there are the fees to address environmental impacts, mostly climate change. The states cap-and-trade program on greenhouse gases has added 12 cents a gallon in 2018, and our low carbon fuel standard has pushed the cost up by about 8 cents. Finally, we pay 2 cents to clean up old gas station sites where fuel leaked into the soil. We expected prices to return to normal levels after the refinery resumed production. They didnt. Add that up and Californians are paying about 48 cents a gallon more to state and local authorities than the average American. Thats real money considering that we use about 1 gallon of gasoline per person per day. At least that 48 cents buys us some real benefits: It goes to repairing roads and bridges, building needed new infrastructure for our rapidly expanding economy, and helping low-income California families afford energy. A bit of it, its true, goes to more controversial projects such as high-speed rail (about 3 cents), but the majority pays for bread-and-butter public services that we use every day. But what about the rest of that extra 80 cents a gallon? A slice of the remaining difference pays to refine oil so that it meets Californias cleaner-burning gasoline formula, adopted in 1996. Most analysts think that the cleaner formulation adds no more than 10 cents to what we pay at the pump. That leaves the mystery surcharge, which is 22 cents a gallon this year. Ive broken down the cost of gas annually for more than a decade: The surcharge averaged 2 cents from 2000 to 2014 and was never more than 12 cents in any of those years. But everything changed in 2015. As chair of the Petroleum Market Advisory Committee to the California Energy Commission, I watched gas prices skyrocket after a refinery explosion in Torrance in February 2015. The committee expected tighter supply to drive up prices, as it had done after previous refinery accidents. But we also expected prices to return to normal levels after the refinery resumed production. They didnt. For the rest of the year, the mystery surcharge was about 48 cents a gallon. What was more disturbing was that it continued at unprecedented levels in 2016 (29 cents) and 2017 (27 cents), long after the Torrance refinery was back at full production. Our 22-cent mystery surcharge this year is nearly twice as much as the 12-cent gas-tax increase, and yet no one is trying to abolish the surcharge. Since February 2015, it has cost Californians more than $17 billion, or about $1,700 for a family of four. And none of those dollars have gone to building infrastructure or helping poor families. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion Lawmakers thanked the PMAC for our final report on the mystery surcharge in September 2017, and then promptly went back to fighting about gas taxes. Looking at gasoline prices nationwide over the last four years provides clues that may explain some of the mystery. The surcharge doesnt come in at the production end of gasoline. The commodity price of California gas spiked in 2015, after the refinery fire, but it dropped again in 2016. Since then, the commodity price differential with the dirtier fuel used elsewhere has been around 10 cents, lower than in any year of the previous decade. Instead, the surcharge shows up between the refineries and our gas tanks, in the distribution and retailing network. Many characteristics of these sectors suggest that California lacks the competitive pressure of other states. Far more stations here are owned by refiners or have long-term contracts that give the refiners significant control over gas prices. Less gasoline is sold through off-brand stations such as Costco or Safeway, which means they put less pressure on the major brands. In California, the price difference between majors and off-brands averages 23 cents per gallon, according to data from Gas Buddy. Elsewhere in the country, that difference is only 7 cents. Those facts dont nail down the cause or the exact beneficiaries of the mystery surcharge, and they dont identify policies that would reduce it. To get to those answers would require a serious and well-funded investigation by the state. Instead of voting against a gas tax that benefits us all, tell your representatives in Sacramento that its time to solve the gas-surcharge mystery. Severin Borenstein is a professor at UC Berkeleys Haas School of Business and faculty director of the Energy Institute at Haas, where he maintains an energy blog. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook Despair appears to be the common mood of the day. Everything is terrible. U.S. democratic norms have devolved so much that it seems impossible to know how to recover. Our political outcomes dont consistently reflect our true aspirations. Yes, the whole system feels rigged against the majority of Americans. Why not just throw up our hands? The answer is that this moment also presents a powerful opportunity to create a better, more robust democracy. That starts, of course, with registering to vote and going to the polls on Nov. 6. We also need to change the very structure of our electoral system and on that front there are several positive movements to reform state and local laws that are worth celebrating. Inspiring individuals are showing us the way. Take the example of Katie Fahey, who started a movement to reform redistricting in Michigan. She posted a simple message on Facebook after the 2016 election: Id like to take on gerrymandering in Michigan, if youre interested in doing this as well, please let me know. That single post generated further discussion, thousands of volunteers who gathered signatures, and now Proposal 2, a state ballot measure to create an independent redistricting commission. Next month Michigan voters will decide whether to take back the power to determine district boundaries from entrenched politicians who mostly drew the lines to help themselves or their party in future elections. Advertisement Desmond Meade of Florida, a former-convict-turned-law-school-graduate, is another democracy champion. He is advocating to reform the states felon disenfranchisement law, which is one of the worst in the country. Florida disenfranchises felons for life, taking away the right to vote our most fundamental aspect of citizenship from more than 1.4 million Floridians, with a disproportionate number coming from minority communities. This November, Florida voters have a chance to change that law and reinstate the right to vote to all but those convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense after they complete their sentence, parole and probation. The state constitutional amendment requires 60% approval to pass and early polls look encouraging about its chances. Fahey, Meade, Smith and other democracy champions all over the country show us that change is possible. Alison Smith, a stay-at-home mom, became interested in campaign finance reform and helped to usher in public financing for elections in Maine. Although there is still partisan bickering over Maines Clean Election system, politicians on both sides have used it to fund campaigns, easing the stranglehold of wealthy interests in the states elections. As Smith told me when I interviewed her: Its a very hopeful, open door for democracy. We can help our friends and colleagues run for office instead of having people self-select because they have enough money or have wealthy friends. Voting has also become more convenient in places such as Colorado, with its vote center model, which allows a person to vote anywhere in the county, not just at their home-based precinct. (California is in the process of rolling out vote centers, starting in five counties this year.) Vote-by-mail, also known as vote at home, increases turnout as well, and its used for all ballots in Washington, Oregon and Colorado. Colorado has the best system, combining vote-by-mail for those who want to fill out their ballots early with vote centers for voting on election day, with little evidence of fraud. Automatic voter registration, despite the mistakes made this year by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, is working efficiently in over a dozen states. States with these reforms exhibit some of the highest voter turnout. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion There have also been many local wins, such as the adoption of ranked choice voting. This alternative voting method lets voters rank candidates in order of preference, leading to a better sense of the electorates overall desires, no need for runoff elections, and less negative campaigning. Its now the norm in several cities across the country and in some statewide elections in Maine. Some localities have lowered the voting age for local or school board elections to 16 to engage the next generation of citizens earlier; voters in Golden, Colo., will decide this November whether to make this change for their own elections. Would these reforms have altered the outcomes of previous elections and the current trajectory of our democracy? Its impossible to know and useless to speculate. Instead, we should focus on strengthening our democratic institutions going forward. Fahey, Meade, Smith and other democracy champions all over the country show us that change is possible. Positive solutions can work to improve turnout and democratic engagement. Theres so much we can do to create that more perfect union. Joshua A. Douglas is a professor at the University of Kentucky College of Law and author of Vote for US: How to Take Back Our Elections and Change the Future of Voting. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook. To the editor: As a retired, healthy 73-year-old, I am always thinking of what will happen in the near future to my health. Will my wife be responsible for my care, as the spouses in this article who became full-time caregivers to their aging family members, or will there be help from a safety net? To stay as healthy as I can, I eat right, get plenty of exercise and read the L.A. Times cover to cover every day. It is my responsibility to take of myself, even though I know I cannot plan for everything. That said, I do believe there should be ample government assistance available. Ultra-conservatives who decry moochers do not understand that they will probably be in a different situation than they are today. It ought to be the governments responsibility to step in and help when nobody else can. This isnt about entitlements; its about basic human rights. Advertisement Ed Sinderman, Laguna Woods .. To the editor: My dear friend thought he had taken care of all his planning for old age, including with what he thought was a solid long-term care insurance policy purchased in the 1980s. When he needed care during this last decade of his life, we found it wasnt covered. The in-home care was limited. The policy would cover two years in a licensed nursing home. He didnt need a nursing home, as assisted living was the appropriate choice for him. But since assisted living didnt exist at the time the policy was written, it wasnt covered. He paid years of premiums for a long-term care policy that did not pay for his long-term care because of improvements (and cost savings) in healthcare. If you are considering a long-term care policy, look carefully at how the policy is written. I believe this is an issue that should be addressed in Sacramento. Gretchen Renshaw, Manhattan Beach .. To the editor: The article said that one woman who is now taking care of her husband never liked the idea of government social programs. She thought they were for moochers, a term she now says with a cringe. Then her husband was diagnosed with dementia, and she wanted government help from these same social programs. Isnt it interesting that some people who live so comfortably have no empathy for those who suffer until they themselves fall on hard times? Mooching takes on a whole new meaning when it becomes personal. I wish the best for this woman and her family. I hope she comes to support the vulnerable members of the community. Diane Roth, Santa Barbara Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook To the editor: Reading about a team of Los Angeles County sheriffs deputies stopping and searching cars driven by Latinos at a disproportionately high rate on a stretch of the 5 Freeway, I feel it bears repeating what the 4th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution says: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. So why are deputies allowed to search peoples cars during a traffic stop without sufficient probable cause or a warrant? I missed the part when we gave up this right. The deputies who do this should be punished, not the drivers. Advertisement Robert Bubnovich, Irvine .. To the editor: Most illegal drug imports to California come from south of the U.S. border. Most of these drugs are from the Mexican cartels. They use the 5 Freeway to transport the drugs north. Sheriffs deputies are targeting likely vehicles based on their expertise. Most stops dont result in drug arrests, but even in light of who and where the drugs are coming from, the Los Angeles Times raises suspicion about law enforcement targeting the most likely vehicles. How about this: Have the California Highway Patrol stop Norwegians who are entering the state from Oregon and search their vehicles. The occupants are almost certain to be white, and eventually the numbers will even out. Then you can get back to reporting real news. Jack Berkus, Laguna Niguel 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 President Trump on Thursday flatly opposed halting U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia in response to a diplomatic furor over a journalist who disappeared after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, saying a cutoff would only invite China and Russia to sell weapons to the Saudis instead. Trumps foreign policy in the Middle East relies heavily on close military ties with Saudi Arabia, and the growing global attention to the plight of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi-born U.S. resident and a prominent critic of the Saudi royal family, threatens to disrupt the administrations regional aims. Saudi Arabia has vehemently denied Turkish reports that a 15-member security team killed Khashoggi inside the consulate in Istanbul and then flew his dismembered body out of the country. The Washington Post reported that U.S. intelligence intercepts indicate the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, personally approved an operation to lure Khashoggi from his home in Virginia to detain him. Saudi officials have insisted that Khashoggi left the consulate shortly after he arrived last week but has offered no evidence. He does not appear leaving the diplomatic office in any of the surveillance video released so far. Advertisement Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump expressed concern about Khashoggis disappearance, but he refused to distance himself from his closest ally in the Arab world. That would not be acceptable to me, Trump replied after reporters asked whether he would halt arms sales if the government in Riyadh were implicated in killing or kidnapping Khashoggi. What happened is a terrible thing, assuming that happened, the president said. Trump said Khashoggis status as a U.S. resident, and not a U.S. citizen, weighed against suspending arms sales that have been lucrative for the American defense industry. This took place in Turkey, and to the best of our knowledge Khashoggi is not a U.S. citizen, he said. As to whether we should stop $110 billion from being spent in this country that would not be acceptable to me. Trump was given a sumptuous welcome in Riyadh in May 2017, his first stop on his first foreign trip as president last year, and his administration has worked closely with the crown prince in efforts to support Israel and to isolate Iran, Saudi Arabias traditional rival, as part of a still-unrealized Middle East realignment. After the trip, analysts said Trumps boasts of $110 billion in newly struck arms deals was misleading because it represented letters of interest and not actual contracts. On Capitol Hill, a growing number of lawmakers called for a drastic reassessment of U.S. ties with the kingdom if the Saudi government is found responsible for Khashoggis disappearance or death. A day after the Senate Foreign Relations Committee asked Trump to order an investigation and to impose sanctions if Saudi officials were culpable, Democrats and Republicans called for punitive steps against the kingdom, the worlds largest oil exporter and one of the biggest overseas markets for sophisticated U.S. weaponry. Sen. Christopher S. Murphy (D-Conn.), a sharp critic of U.S. support for Saudi airstrikes in Yemen that have killed thousands of civilians, demanded at least a temporary halt to that aid. He condemned Saudi actions in Yemen and in the Khashoggi case as those of a rogue state. Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee, told CNN on Thursday that U.S. intelligence points directly to the Saudis for Khashoggis disappearance. As the mystery deepened, the relationship between Trumps son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner, and the Saudi crown prince has come under scrutiny. The White House and the State Department said Kushner spoke by phone with Prince Mohammed this week, as did John Bolton, Trumps national security advisor. Kushner, the White House point man on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, forged a personal rapport with the crown prince as the Trump administration sought Saudi help in advancing a Middle East peace plan. However, no plan has been produced, and acrimony erupted in much of the Arab world after Trump decided last December to recognize the contested city of Jerusalem as Israels capital and move the U.S. Embassy there from Tel Aviv. Turkey, a NATO ally, appeared to be losing hope that the Trump administration would seek to hold Saudi Arabia to account. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has not directly accused the Saudis, but has demanded proof Khashoggi left the consulate unharmed, as the Saudis say he did. At Riyadhs request, Turkey and Saudi Arabia agreed to set up a joint working group to look into Khashoggis disappearance, a Turkish presidential aide, Ibrahim Kalin, told the state-run Anadolu news agency on Thursday. That marked an apparent concession by Turkey, which previously had sought independent access to the diplomatic compound for its investigators. Erdogan earlier had scoffed at assertions by Saudi officials that the consulates surveillance cameras provided live pictures but did not record video of Khashoggis purported exit. Is it possible for there to be no camera systems at the Saudi Arabia Consulate? the Hurriyet newspaper on Thursday quoted Erdogan as saying. If a bird flew, or a fly or a mosquito appeared, the systems would record this. Earlier, in an interview with Fox and Friends, Trump said the United States was assisting in the investigation. Were being very tough, and we have investigators over there, and were working with Turkey and, frankly, were working with Saudi Arabia, he said. We want to find out what happened. The president described relations with Saudi Arabia as excellent, but said one major change was needed: The Saudi government, he said, should be paying billions and billions for U.S. military protection. There would be no Saudi Arabia if there wasnt a United States, because weve protected them, Trump said. And we dont get paid for this protection. We should be paid. U.S. leaders agreed decades ago to provide security guarantees to Saudi Arabia to ensure a consistent flow of oil. The growing development of U.S. and Canadian shale oil reserves in recent years has eased U.S. dependence on Saudi energy supplies, although it still provides 11% of U.S. imports. laura.king@latimes.com @laurakingLAT Following the leaders attendance at the 10th Mekong-Japan Summit and overall visit to Japan, Trung told the press that the two sides have agreed to cooperate closely with each other in order to deepen their extensive strategic partnership across many fields. They will also join hands at international forums, for the sake of each country, and for peace, stability, and cooperation in the region and the world alike. PM Phuc and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe committed to promoting ASEAN-Japan relations, especially as Vietnam is working as a coordinator of the ASEAN-Japan Dialogue. PM Abe applauded Vietnams role, position, and contributions to regional and international issues, wishing to work closely with the country to reach a result-orientated agreement on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2018, and push ahead with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Regarding the East Sea issue, participating countries stressed the significance of maintaining peace, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation; ensuring legal order in the East Sea; and settling disputes by peaceful measures. They took note of concerns over complex developments in the East Sea and the need to implement the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), as well as to soon finalise an effective and practical Code of Conduct in the East Sea. The Japanese side said it attaches great importance to Vietnam in its regional policy, and stands ready to cooperate with Vietnam for the countrys sustainable development. Trung said the lift of Mekong-Vietnam cooperation to a strategic partnership is expected to help foster multilateral collaboration between Vietnam and Japan, and to contribute to wider regional connectivity. Within the Mekong-Japan cooperation framework, there have been hundreds of projects worth tens of billions of US dollars. Over the past three years, Japan has allocated around US$ 7 billion to the mechanism, contributing to the development of the Mekong countries, including Vietnam. Trung said he believes that Vietnam will have more opportunities to mobilise resources for the development of transport infrastructure, energy, digital economy, personnel training, Mekong River water resource use and management, and climate change response. The partnership will also help build a region of peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the Mekong, he said. Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris complained Thursday that they did not sign off on three White House nominees for open California seats on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and said they would oppose their confirmation in the Senate. President Trump announced Wednesday evening he had nominated Assistant U.S. Atty. for the Southern District of California Patrick J. Bumatay, Los Angeles appellate attorney Daniel P. Collins and Los Angeles litigator Kenneth Kiyul Lee for California-based vacancies. Feinstein, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said she and the administration were still trying to reach a consensus on nominees when the White House abruptly announced them. I repeatedly told the White House I wanted to reach an agreement on a package of 9th Circuit nominees, but last night the White House moved forward without consulting me, picking controversial candidates from its initial list and another individual with no judicial experience who had not previously been suggested, Feinstein said in a statement. Advertisement Bumatay works as a counselor to the U.S. attorney generals office on various criminal issues, including opioid abuse and transnational organized crime. Feinsteins office said his name was never among those proposed by the White House. Collins is an appellate attorney and partner with the Los Angeles office of Munger, Tolles & Olson. He was previously an associate deputy attorney general. Lee is an appellate attorney and a partner in the Los Angeles office of Jenner & Block LLP. He was previously an associate White House counsel for President George W. Bush. Instead of working with our office to identify consensus nominees for the 9th Circuit, the White House continues to try to pack the courts with partisan judges who will blindly support the presidents agenda, instead of acting as an independent check on this administration, Harris spokeswoman Lily Adams said. The lingering California vacancies had been a striking exception to the push by Trump and Senate Republicans to rapidly fill empty judgeships across the country with young, conservative nominees. Trump has filled 29 circuit vacancies nationwide in less than two years, but the California vacancies remained empty. In a letter sent to Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) on Wednesday, White House Counsel Donald McGahn said the White House made a good faith effort to work with Californias senators, both Democrats. We have made more attempts to consult, and devoted more time to that state than any other in the country, McGahn said in the letter. He detailed dozens of meetings with Feinstein or her staff regarding the White Houses list of potential 9th Circuit judges since Trump took office and the lack of constructive feedback he says he received. He said that Harris refused to engage with the White House at any level, whatsoever on the issue. At a certain point, we just have to nominate people, White House spokesman Raj Shah told The Times. Both Harris and Feinsteins staffs took issue with McGahns description, saying their judicial selection review committees, made up of legal experts, law professors and attorneys, looked at but did not recommend any of Trumps picks. Together the senators proposed their own nominees in May. I met with Don McGahn on June 27 to discuss the vacancies and explained that Sen. Harris and I strongly opposed Daniel Collins, Feinstein said. I also told him Kenneth Lee had problems because he failed to disclose to our judicial selection committees controversial writings on voting rights and affirmative action. In a letter sent to McGahn last week, Feinstein said the White House had rejected the three nominees she and Harris had proposed in May, District Judges Lucy H. Koh and Andrew J. Guilford and appellate attorney Boris Feldman, but she asked that negotiations continue. While the White House rejected my initial offer, I remain hopeful that we can work together to come to consensus on a package of three nominees, Feinstein said in the letter dated Oct. 5. Compromises on circuit nominees were once common when the president and the home-state senators came from different parties, especially when there were multiple vacancies. And in the past, disapproval by home-state senators, shown through refusal to return so-called blue slips, would have in effect killed a nomination. But this year, for the first time, Grassley has brushed off home senators views and moved forward without their approval. Though legal experts once predicted that Grassley might defer to the preferences of the ranking Democrat on his committee, Grassley and Feinsteins relationship was strained during the contentious confirmation hearings for new Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The decision to move forward with these nominees, without consultation or responding to my acceptance of the White House offer, reflects President Trumps desire to remake the court. I expect my blue slips to be honored as I was acting in good faith, Feinstein said. Its unclear whether the Senate will have time to consider the California nominees this year. Although three California nominees wouldnt flip the political lean of the largest circuit district in the country, they would increase the conservative presence on a court that has delivered some of Trumps biggest policy setbacks, including rulings against his travel ban and immigration programs. If Trump filled all of the current openings in the nine Western states that make up the 9th Circuit, its balance would be 16 Democratic appointees to 13 Republican appointees. The Senate on Thursday night approved Idaho attorney Ryan Nelson to join the 9th Circuit, bringing the total number of Republican appointees on the circuit to 10. The latest from Washington More stories from Sarah D. Wire sarah.wire@latimes.com Follow @sarahdwire on Twitter Running in a place where Republicans dominate state government and Donald Trump won in 2016, Michigan Atty. Gen. Bill Schuette might have expected an easier path to victory in the upcoming governors race. But at a recent midday press conference on the fringes of downtown Detroit, his allies were outnumbered by protesters outside, who shouted that the GOP nominee should Go home!, banged on building windows and hoisted a giant puppet of him scowling. Schuette is trailing badly in polls. For the record: An earlier version of this article said district lines were last drawn in 2010. They were drawn after the 2010 census, beginning in 2011. In similar governors races throughout the nation, the GOPs lock on power is in serious jeopardy as their candidates in even the reddest states where Democrats have long been an afterthought struggle ahead of the November midterms. Some of the states where Republicans risk losing the governors office Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Florida and Ohio, for examples are known to swing politically, but the trend extends far beyond those states. Advertisement Georgia, Iowa, Kansas and South Dakota have all been thrown into the toss-up column by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, which recently noted that even Oklahoma is not a lock for Republicans. The timing is bad for the Republicans, emerging as the nation is on the cusp of redrawing voting districts after the 2020 census. Existing political boundaries heavily favor the GOP, reflecting its control of most state houses and governors offices in the most gerrymandered states when lines were last drawn after the 2010 census. The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law found the boundary lines drawn at that time have enabled Republicans to win as many as 16 extra seats in the House, a substantial share of the partys 23-seat majority. Most of that edge comes from a handful of states, including Michigan. Even as that states voters are nearly evenly divided in support for Democrats and Republicans, the lines have been drawn to enable Republicans to control nine of the states 13 House seats, by concentrating Democrats into the fewest possible districts. Governors will play a crucial role in redrawing those districts after the 2020 census. Michigan voters are also weighing a November ballot initiative backed by the National Democratic Redistricting Committee that would put a citizens commission in charge of drawing the boundaries. It is an exceedingly big year, said Justin Levitt, a professor of election law at Loyola University who helped run the Justice Departments civil rights division under President Obama. Many of the people who will be handed the redistricting pen are up for election. In many states, governors have veto power over the political maps. Republican candidates are in trouble this election season for a number of reasons. Trump fatigue is one. Voters like the healthcare workers who showed up to shout down Schuette are part of a re-energized left determined not to see a repeat of 2016, when Trump won what had been considered a reliably blue state in presidential elections by 10,000 votes. Fifty-four percent of Michigan voters disapprove of the presidents job performance, according to one recent poll. Michigan Atty. Gen. Bill Schuette, center, gestures as he speaks during a campaign event at the Detroit Police Officers Assn. in Detroit on Oct. 4. Schuette is running for governor of Michigan. (Laura McDermott / For The Times) But voters in Michigan and nationwide are bothered by more than just Trump. They are frustrated with escalating healthcare costs, fraying transportation systems and substandard schools in states Republicans have controlled for many years. There is some broad fatigue with Republicans in a lot of these states, said Kyle Kondik, who tracks political races as managing editor of the nonpartisan Sabatos Crystal Ball. Even as the economy hums in places like Macomb County, a manufacturing hub outside Detroit where disaffected Obama voters helped drive Trumps victory, ambivalence runs high. I may not even vote, said Utica resident Helen Kent, an 82-year-old who supported Trump. I am not excited about any election anymore. The whole world is such a mess. Kent was approached last week by a representative with Working America, an AFL-CIO group that has 44 staffers knocking on doors in Macomb to persuade working class Trump voters not to vote Republican this year. Helen Kent, 82, listens to Working America canvasser Jaclyn McCann, as she canvasses for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer. (Laura McDermott / For The Times) Thom Dionne, 45, left, speaks to Working America canvasser Jaclyn McCann, 28, in Utica, Mich., on Oct. 4. Dionne is a police officer and mayor. (Laura McDermott / For The Times) Kent said she still considers herself a big Trump supporter. I dont know what he has done or not done, she said of the president. I just think he had a lot of publicity against him. If everybody is against someone, I am for them. But for Kent and others, the presidents coattails dont extend to enthusiasm for Schuette. Utica Mayor Thom Dionne, a police officer who also voted for Trump, said hell likely vote for Schuette, who has strong law enforcement backing. But in an interview he sounded impressed by Democratic candidate Gretchen Whitmer. A top issue on his mind, like that of most voters here, is the miserable state of the roads. Whitmer has been aggressively promoting a plan to raise money for repairs as Schuette, who has positioned himself as an anti-tax crusader, hedges. The roads are so bad in Macomb that potholes have inhibited growth in a county working furiously to lure more defense contracting and next-generation transportation jobs. I like that she is trying to fix the roads, Dionne said. I would like to see us have even a fraction of the quality of roads they have in Ohio or Kentucky. Even Whitmer marveled at how the pothole issue has dominated the campaign. I never in a million years when I jumped into the race thought I would become the fix the damn roads lady, she said at a lunch meeting of the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce. During her talk and an interview just before it, Whitmer avoided attacking Trump, who remains popular among some voters in the coalition she is building. I hardly ever weigh in on things going on in Washington, D.C., she said. Like so many of the Democrats making strong showings in the GOP-dominated Midwest, Whitmer, a former Democratic leader in the state legislature, is the opposite of a firebrand. Democratic candidate for governor Gretchen Whitmer, right, announces her running mate is Garlin Gilchrist II, center, during an event in downtown Lansing, Mich., on Aug 20. (Dale G. Young / Detroit News via Associated Press) Yet these technocrats are catching fire. In Ohio, a recent gubernatorial debate between Democrat Rich Cordray and Republican Mike DeWine was defined by its lack of spark. The race there is a toss-up. These are not protest candidates, said former Michigan Gov. James Blanchard, a Democrat. Four decades ago, in the aftermath of Watergate, Blanchard said voter anger helped him win a seat in Congress, but he didnt focus his campaign on Richard Nixons misdeeds, which he said would have risked alienating Midwesterners. Many Democrats trying to regain control of governors houses in this politically tricky territory are following the same path. They are solid, practical Democrats, Blanchard said. The Berniecrat wing of the party may not prefer them, but it will support them. Schuettes efforts to stir hot-button national and international issues into the Michigan race, meanwhile, keep falling short. In an interview, he focused on an 8-year-old tweet from Whitmers running mate for lieutenant governor, which blamed Israeli aggression for the rise of Hamas. Schuette called the tweet disgraceful. He suggested Whitmer is a carbon copy of Michigans previous female governor, Jennifer Granholm, who pursued a liberal agenda in office and later became the co-chair of Hillary Clintons ill-fated transition team. He touted Trumps tax cuts and trade deals. The national issue that voters seem to care most about is healthcare, but thats a problem for Schuette and other Republicans running for governor in GOP-controlled states. As attorney general, Schuette sued at least nine times to block the Affordable Care Act, and he broke with Republican Gov. Rick Snyder to oppose the popular Healthy Michigan program, which expanded Medicaid to cover 660,000 people. Despite the popularity of Obamacare in Michigan, Schuette continues to attack it. Congress hasnt solved the problem, he said, There is not a federal healthcare policy... The federal funding is not indefinite. We have to do something to make sure we help the system. Obamacare opposition has become an albatross throughout Republican states. In Wisconsin, it has driven down support for Gov. Scott Walker, the one-time star of the GOP and much talked-about presidential contender who now is in jeopardy of getting voted out of office as he vies for a third term as governor. He is trailing in the polls. Floridas rejection of the Medicaid expansion has helped propel the campaign of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum, an unabashed progressive who supports a Medicare-for-all system and has expanded his base far beyond the left. The Florida race is in a virtual dead heat with polls suggesting a small lead for the Democrat. Schuettes plans to curb, rather than expand, government health insurance had long been a reliable talking point for GOP candidates. But its doing little to help him lock in voters like Uticas mayor. People need to be taken care of, Dionne said. We should probably look at socialized medicine. The latest look at the Trump administration and the rest of Washington More stories from Evan Halper evan.halper@latimes.com | Twitter: @evanhalper Michelle Garrett craned to snap a photo of Sen. Kamala Harris amid the sea of cellphones and campaign signs at a get-out-the-vote rally for Ohio Democrats, sliding her Sherrod Brown for Senate lawn sign under a chair to protect it from jostling feet. I cant believe shes here. For us, its like a rock star, Garrett, 52, of Worthington, Ohio, said. Ive gone to things for Sherrod before, but ... having her is like the cherry on top. Rookie senators arent usually in such high demand to speak and raise money on behalf of colleagues in other parts of the country. But Harris packed travel schedule is another sign of the freshman California senators rising profile in the Democratic Party. And its probably no accident that campaigning for Democratic candidates in more than a dozen states has taken Harris seen as a possible 2020 presidential candidate to several important primary states. Last month she raised money for the Democratic candidate for governor in Iowa. Next week shell campaign for candidates in South Carolina. At the end of October she is scheduled to campaign in Wisconsin for Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Advertisement Over the weekend, Harris visited Columbus, Ohio, for the rally and a fundraiser for Brown before speaking to more than a thousand Democrats at the annual Ohio Democratic Party dinner. Monday she traveled to Cleveland for another fundraiser. Demand for Harris was so high that initially her schedule included two fundraisers and a speech within a three-hour period on Saturday night. But those plans fell apart when Harris and the rest of the Senate had to remain in Washington for the vote on Trumps Supreme Court pick, Brett Kavanaugh. Beyond helping Democrats win election, such visits are a chance to engage with party faithful who have seen her on television grilling Trumps Cabinet and judicial nominees and want a chance to meet her in person. As usual, attendees mobbed Harris after the Columbus rally ended and she spent nearly half an hour taking selfies, getting hugs and having brief conversations with people of all ages. Retired music education professor Sandy Mathias, 75, of Columbus couldnt make it through the crowd and eventually approached Harris husband, Doug Emhoff, to ask him to relay a message to the senator that she had done well in the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings. Emhoff shouldered his way through the crowd, Mathias in tow, so she could speak directly to Harris. I hope she runs in 2020, Mathias said afterward. Its obvious shes very intelligent, but her demeanor in that hearing, asking those questions so professionally, so calm. I felt so proud watching her, because you begin to think: Where has integrity gone? Where has honor gone? Where has sanity gone? And it is with her. When Harris began to tell the crowd why she had come to Ohio, one rally attendee yelled out: Youre running for president! While Harris has previously demurred or dismissed such speculation, she came close to acknowledging that she planned to consider a presidential run. Im thinking about 18 and what we need to do around these races, and then Ill seriously take a look at things after that. But right now Im focused on this, she told reporters. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) said after the rally that Harris is such a big draw because she has been out front challenging the Trump administration on so many issues. Several people at the rally said they mainly attended because Harris was there. Shes visible, shes a fighter, but shes also well-spoken and brilliant. So, I think her message, whether in her first term or her second term is received well, Beatty said. Harris has helped out dozens of House and Senate candidates, though not all in person. Her expansive list of supporters email addresses means a well-timed email from Harris can raise thousands of dollars overnight on behalf of a Democratic candidate. She has raised more than $6.5 million for candidates so far this cycle, according to her campaign. During the contentious Kavanaugh nomination, Harris raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through fundraising pleas on behalf of vulnerable Democratic Sens. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Joe Donnelly of Indiana. About an hour after the Senate voted to narrowly confirm Kavanaugh, Harris sent an email with the opening line Im going to be honest with you its been a tough day and urging supporters to donate to female Senate candidates Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Jacky Rosen of Nevada. (Chris Keller / Los Angeles Times) Harris isnt the only potential 2020 Democratic candidate in high demand. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) spoke at the Iowa Democratic Party dinner Saturday. Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former Vice President Joe Biden have dispersed across the country in recent months as well, reaching out to local candidates and activists and road-testing potential messages for 2020. Harris took the stage at the Ohio Democratic dinner to raucous applause and a standing ovation. She used several lines she has tested at similar events, calling this time an inflection point in American history similar to the civil rights movement, and saying their children and grandchildren will ask them one day what they did to fight back. She urged voters in the swing state to not let the Kavanaugh confirmation defuse their enthusiasm just weeks before election day. The latest from Washington Lets use this week to give us all that extra energy that we know we have, Harris said. The bottom line is they may have the power right now, but we need to take it back and the only way were going to do that is when we get everyone out to vote. Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper said interest in the dinner jumped when the party announced that Harris would be the keynote speaker. Polls there have shown close races across the ticket in a state Trump carried by 8 percentage points. She was clearly a huge draw for us. Shes just really energizing, not just at a dinner like this, but also a lot of our grassroots work, shes been out doing that as well, Pepper said. To have some of these respected national figures come in to help share that message and fire people up is really important right now, and if it translates into more volunteers, and more people going to the doors and making phone calls, in the end thats how you win elections. More stories from Sarah D. Wire sarah.wire@latimes.com Twitter: @sarahdwire Two astronauts from the U.S. and Russia were safe Thursday after an emergency landing in the steppes of Kazakhstan following the failure of a Russian rocket carrying them to the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos Alexei Ovchinin lifted off as scheduled at 2:40 p.m. local time from the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, but their Soyuz rocket failed about two minutes after the launch. The rescue capsule then automatically jettisoned from the booster and went into a ballistic descent, landing at a sharper than normal angle and subjecting the crew to heavy gravitational force, NASA and Roscosmos officials said. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, who watched the launch at Baikonur along with his Russian counterpart, tweeted that Hague and Ovchinin were in good condition. He added that a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident will be conducted. Advertisement .@NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin are in good condition following today's aborted launch. Im grateful that everyone is safe. A thorough investigation into the cause of the incident will be conducted. Full statement below: pic.twitter.com/M76yisHaKF Jim Bridenstine (@JimBridenstine) October 11, 2018 The capsule landed about 12 miles east of the city of Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan. The astronauts were flown by helicopter to Dzhezkazgan and will later be taken to Baikonur and on to Star City, Russias space training center outside Moscow. The Russian space program has been dogged by a string of launch failures and other incidents in recent years, but Thursdays mishap marked the programs first manned launch failure since September 1983, when a Soyuz exploded on the launch pad. Cosmonauts Vladimir Titov and Gennady Strekalov jettisoned and landed safely near the launch pad after the blast. Thank God, the crew is alive, Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters when it became clear that the crew had landed safely. He added that Putin is receiving regular updates about the situation. It was to be the first space mission for Hague, who joined NASAs astronaut corps in 2013. Ovchinin spent six months on the space station in 2016. U.S. astronaut Nick Hague, right, and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin walk to the launch of their Soyuz rocket at the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Oct . 11. (Dmitri Lovetsky / Associated Press) NASA posted pictures of Hague and Ovchinin undergoing a medical check-up at Dzhezkazgans airport. One of the pictures showed Hague smiling and another had him sitting next to Russian space agency chief Dmitry Rogozin. The astronauts were to dock at the International Space Station six hours after the launch, but the three-stage Soyuz suffered an unspecified failure of its second stage. Search-and-rescue teams were immediately scrambled to recover the crew, and paratroopers were dropped from a plane to reach the site and help in the rescue effort. Dzhezkazgan is about 280 miles northeast of Baikonur, and Russian spacecraft returning from the space station normally land in that region. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said all manned launches will be suspended pending an investigation into the cause of the failure. He added that Russia will fully share all relevant information with the U.S. Earlier this week, Bridenstine emphasized that collaboration with Russias Roscosmos remains important. Relations between Moscow and Washington have sunk to post-Cold War lows over the crisis in Ukraine, the war in Syria and allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential vote, but they have maintained cooperation in space research. The Soyuz spacecraft is currently the only vehicle for ferrying crews to space station following the retirement of the U.S. space shuttle fleet. Russia stands to lose that monopoly in the coming years with the arrival of SpaceXs Dragon v2 and Boeings Starliner crew capsules. Russia has continued to rely on Soviet-designed rockets for launching commercial satellites, as well as crews and cargo to the space station.Though those rockets had earned a stellar reputation for their reliability in the past, a string of failed launches in recent years has called into doubt Russias ability to maintain the same high standards of manufacturing. Glitches found in Russias Proton and Soyuz rockets in 2016 were traced to manufacturing flaws at the plant in Voronezh. Roscosmos sent more than 70 rocket engines back to production lines to replace faulty components, a move that resulted in a yearlong break in Proton launches and badly dented Russias niche in the global market for commercial satellite launches. In August, the International Space Station crew spotted a hole in a Russian Soyuz capsule docked to the orbiting outpost that caused a brief loss of air pressure before being patched. Roscosmos Rogozin has raised wide concern by saying that the leak was a drill hole that was made intentionally during manufacturing or in orbit. He didnt say if he suspected any of the current crew an American, a Russian and a German aboard the station. The current crews stint in orbit will likely be extended following Thursdays aborted launch. UPDATES: 6:45 a.m.: This article was updated with the status of the astronauts and more background on Soyuz rockets. This article was originally published at 2:55 a.m. A man was fatally shot by officers and a woman was arrested following a chase in Huntington Beach early Thursday, police said. The pursuit began about 12:30 a.m. when officers tried to pull over a car that had been reported stolen, but the driver didnt stop, according to Huntington Beach police Officer Angela Bennett. The chase ended near 12th Street and Palm Avenue, where two suspects a man and a woman ran from the car, Bennett said. Police shot the man multiple times, and he was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Bennett said. No officers were injured in the shooting, she said. It wasnt clear what prompted police to open fire. Authorities said a gun was found at the scene. The woman was taken into custody. The suspects names were not released. Residents told reporters at the scene that they were startled by gunshots just outside their homes. Rudy Mikaelian, a 40-year Huntington Beach resident, said he was watching television when he heard at least five shots. Its the way the world is, he said. Police work the scene where a man was fatally shot by officers and a woman was arrested following a pursuit in Huntington Beach early Thursday. (OnScene.TV) Bryan Lowe, who moved to Huntington Beach four months ago, said he had stayed up to welcome out-of-town guests when he heard what he described as a vehicle impact, followed by gunshots. When he went out to see what was going on later Thursday morning, it was a much larger investigation than I expected, Lowe said. Upon learning there had been an officer-involved shooting, it kind of all made sense, he added. Neighborhood resident Meegan Sheppard said she heard cars whipping past but that it didnt occur to her something was amiss until she heard gunfire. She said she heard eight shots in quick succession. There was no hesitation, which was off to me, Sheppard said. It was like he emptied his clip. As she walked toward 12th Street, she saw police officers preparing to barricade the area. Sheppard said she saw the woman sitting on a curb, slumped over. She must have been crying, she said. Sheppard said it was a long time, at least 10 minutes, before she saw an ambulance arrive, leading her to believe there were no serious injuries. Nobody was frantic, she said. Later in the morning, when I saw someone died, I thought, Are you kidding me? she said. Tire marks crossed the intersection near the suspects silver-blue Mercury, which had come to rest at the southwest corner of 12th Street. Police fatally shot a man and arrested a woman after a chase ended near 12th Street and Palm Avenue in Huntington Beach. (Daily Pilot) The front driver- and passenger-side doors were open, with articles of clothing spilling out of the car from the drivers side. At least six evidence markers were placed on the street and on the sidewalk on the west side of the 600 block of 12th Street. At 9 a.m. Thursday, Clint Guth, a nearby resident, went to check on a home close to the scene that belongs to friends who were away. He scanned the front of the house for bullet holes but found none. Guth said he was asleep at the time of the shooting but that his wife heard 10 to 12 shots. It was the first officer-involved shooting in Huntington Beach this year. The Police Department had seven such shootings in 2017, including two in which a suspect was killed. Last years total exceeded any other year this decade, according to department archives. Sclafani is a Daily Pilot staff writer. Fry writes for the Los Angeles Times. The suspects vehicle is surrounded by police cruisers on 12th Street near Palm Avenue in Huntington Beach after Thursday mornings officer-involved shooting. (Courtesy of Clint Guth) julia.sclafani@latimes.com UPDATES: 1:15 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with additional details and comments. This article was originally published at 7:05 a.m. Three members will be elected in November to the five-member board for the Huntington Beach Union High School District, which governs six comprehensive and three continuation high schools in Huntington Beach, Westminster and Fountain Valley. Trustees Bonnie Castrey and Duane Dishno are seeking reelection; trustee Kathleen Iverson is not. The incumbents are being challenged by candidates Martin Salgado, Diana Lee Carey and Saul Edward Lankster. The Daily Pilot sent a questionnaire to 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. Castrey did not respond, and Lankster could not be reached. Diana Lee Carey Age: Did not answer Professional occupation: Retired high school biology and health instructor; high school and adult school principal; district director for second-language learning; district director for drug, alcohol and violence prevention Time lived in the district: Since 1973 Neighborhood in which you live, and how long youve lived there: Did not answer Public service, activism and volunteerism: Westminster City Council; Westminster Citizen of the Year; Westminster Measure SS Oversight Committee; 2018 California Assembly Woman of Distinction for Education and the Arts; Friends of the Rose Center Theater; Marine Corps 3b Family Support Project; California Assembly Woman of the Year for charitable work; citizens oversight committees for Westminster School District, Ocean View School District, Coastline Community College Immediate family members: Did not answer What are three issues you believe are the most important facing the district and why? 1. Maintaining curricular options to serve the diverse school communities within a district that includes the cities of Huntington Beach, Westminster and Fountain Valley, with an emphasis on STEAM courses [science, technology, engineering, arts and math] relating to college prep and job training, is essential for future student success. 2. School safety programs that enable staff to identify students that are stressed, in crisis or have psychological needs along with individual school emergency safety plans and procedures will help students and their families feel safe and secure. 3. Incorporating green technologies into site maintenance will help reduce costs. Bonnie Castrey Did not respond. Duane Dishno Age: 76 Professional occupation: Retired superintendent, Huntington Beach City School District; teacher, reading specialist and learning analyst, Westminster School District; principal, director of special education and assistant superintendent, Huntington Beach City School District; instructor in masters program, Cal State Los Angeles Education: Doctor of Education, University of La Verne; masters degree in education, Cal State Long Beach; Bachelor of Arts in education, Eastern Washington University Time lived in the district: 50 years Neighborhood in which you live, and how long youve lived there: Seacliff in Huntington Beach, 20 years Public service, activism and volunteerism: Huntington Beach Union High School District board; Huntington Union Council PTA Student Advocacy Program; PTSA; American Heart Assn., Huntington-Valley Division; Assn. for Retarded Citizens; United Way Schools Division; Huntington Beach Anti-Crime Coalition; West Region Subcommittee on Gangs; Mayors Task Force on Childrens Needs; Huntington Beach Pier Plaza Grand Opening Committee; Huntington Beach Integrated Infrastructure Advisory Committee; Huntington Beach Centennial Celebration Committee; Huntington Beach City School District Independent Citizens Oversight Committee; Promoting Resources in Drug Education board; Huntington Beach Education Foundation; University of La Verne Doctoral Assn.; Boys Club of San Gabriel Valley; Huntington Beach Collaborative Steering Committee; Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce; San Dimas Historical Society, El Monte Council of PTAs; South El Monte Mayors Task Force on Crime and Drugs; Assn. of California School Administrators; Orange County Superintendents Committee; East San Gabriel Valley Superintendents Assn. Immediate family members: Wife Pauline, two sons, four grandchildren What are three issues you believe are the most important facing the district and why? 1. Increase academic achievement. There is a need to continue efforts to identify and remove barriers to student success. This includes increasing A-G completion rates, implementing additional STEAM education initiatives, expanding Career Technical Education awareness and participation in pathway courses, increasing participation in Advanced Placement courses, expanding the Dual Enrollment Program with community colleges, making sure English-learners and students with disabilities have access to the full range of college preparatory courses, and increasing college enrollments immediately after high school. 2. Provide interventions to support and narrow the achievement gap for English-learners, low-income, foster youth and students with disabilities. We need to provide research-based systems of support for all students to continue decreasing the number of students transferred to programs outside of our district and to narrow achievement gaps. Interventions must be in place to support all students. This requires continuing to decrease suspension and expulsion rates, addressing school safety and connectedness issues, reducing absenteeism rates, providing professional development for staff, expanding credit recovery and use of the Early Warning System to identify struggling students, and providing more educational opportunities for parents through the Parent University. 3. Ensure a clean, safe and positive climate that supports the academic, emotional and physical needs of every student. There is often a greater focus on addressing academic needs. However, students emotional and physical needs are an important aspect of academic success. Nurses, psychologists, counselors, wellness specialists and other support staff must be in place for every student with a need for their services. Saul Edward Lankster Could not be reached. Martin Salgado Age: 27 Professional occupation: English teacher, Cypress College and Cerritos College Education: Masters degree in English; Bachelor of Arts in English education Time lived in the district: 24 years Neighborhood in which you live, and how long youve lived there: Edison High School/Sowers neighborhood in Huntington Beach, seven years Public service, activism and volunteerism: Faculty Senate, Planning and Budget Committee and Creative Writing Committee, Cerritos College; Academic Affairs Committee, Humanities and Fine Arts College senator and Student Academic Senate, Cal State Chico Immediate family members: Did not answer What are the three issues you believe are the most important facing the district and why? 1. Ensuring the wellness and safety of our students, teachers and staff on all school sites. As a teacher who is on the frontlines in the classroom every day, I know the importance of building coalitions with our communitys first-responder units and supporting the mental and physical health needs of every student. 2. Support and expand alternative pathways to success such as Career Technical Education, Regional Occupational Program and Dual Enrollment Program. In our current society, we can help students gain college classroom experience with dual enrollment while in high school, and we should encourage students to develop skills that pair with their education, such as wood shop, automotive and welding skills. 3. We must always involve teachers and families to help guide our students. As a board of trustees candidate, I understand that transparency and communication is key to the students success, and I will always listen and work to build our community with my leadership skills and an open heart. Priscella.Vega@latimes.com Twitter: @vegapriscella A shark-detecting buoy installed off the Balboa Pier in Newport Beach is the latest tool in Southern California lifeguards attempt to get ahead of a growing number of shark-related incidents in the region. The system, called the Clever Buoy, became operational Wednesday as part of a 60-day pilot project to test the sonar-equipped devices ability to alert lifeguards to sharks. The Clever Buoy will monitor a 500- to 600-yard stretch of open water between lifeguard Tower B and Coronado Street. The Clever Buoy has three sonar sensors that sit five feet off the ocean floor and communicate with a central buoy that will relay data to a communications tower on the pier. The nearby Junior Lifeguards headquarters will serve as a staging area for the equipment. Together, the buoy and sensors can detect nearby marine life, and based on the swimming patterns, identify whether an animal is a shark, dolphin or school of fish. The sensor system shares information with lifeguards through an app, alerting them within seconds when a shark is detected while providing information on the size, location and direction of travel, according to Richard Talmage, general manager of the devices designer, Australia-based Smart Marine Systems, formerly Shark Mitigation Systems. The buoy also will collect data on weather and water conditions, and an acoustic tag receiver will track any animals tagged by local researchers. The launch in Newport Beach comes a year after the projects announcement by U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa), who initially proposed installing six sonar devices to monitor a roughly 1,000-yard stretch off Corona del Mar State Beach. CdM State Beach, also known as Big Corona, was where swimmer Maria Korcsmaros was bitten by a shark in 2016 while training for an Ironman competition. Korcsmaros, of Corona, was 150 yards offshore when she suffered a bite on her right side that reached from her triceps to her pelvis. Chris Lowe, head of the Shark Lab at Cal State Long Beach, estimated that, based on the size of the injury, the shark was an adult great white at least 10 feet long. Korcsmaros, who was back in the water competing in a triathlon five months after the attack, attended Wednesdays Clever Buoy launch and said she is enthusiastic about the projects potential. If I feel safe in the water, Ill go swimming, she said. Though Big Corona was the previously proposed site for the trial, state permitting processes proved extensive and lengthy, the Newport Beach Fire Department said. Rohrabacher, a senior member of the House Committee on Science and Technology, said last year that he would be looking for federal funding to help launch the project. However, as of Wednesday, the pilot program is privately funded. To buy the system outright would cost $500,000, the city said. Leasing it would cost $18,000 to $20,000 a month, not including the cost of installation, which depends on site conditions and the components being included, Smart Marine Systems said. City officials said Newport Beach has no expenditures related to the project, though lifeguards have helped technicians with the installation and launch. Rohrabacher previously speculated that the buoy alerts to lifeguards could one day be available to the public on a phone app. However, SMS said how the systems data is used and what should be relayed to the public is a task for lifeguards. Rohrabacher, who also attended Wednesdays event, called sharks off the Southern California coast a serious threat to surfers, junior lifeguards and visitors a threat he experienced while surfing and that he said will scare the hell out of you. Rohrabacher emphasized the impact of shark-related incidents not only on public safety but also on the local economy, noting that beach-going visitors bring millions of dollars a day in tourism-related revenue. SMS co-founder Craig Anderson described crippling effects on tourism in Australia, which shares many characteristics with Newports beaches and weather. Shark activity has increased in the past three to four years, with large numbers of juvenile white sharks reported, according to the Newport Beach Fire Department. Southern California waters serve as a nursery for white sharks. In 2016, Newport Beach became the first city in Orange County to have a dedicated shark page on its website. The city also installed acoustic receivers at the Newport Pier, Balboa Pier and off Corona del Mar to gather information for the site. Brent Jacobsen, Newport Beach acting chief lifeguard, said the department currently uses lifeguards, patrol boats, helicopters and drones to monitor sharks and investigate reports of sightings. Jacobsen said he is interested to see whether the buoy is able to detect possible threats very well or reveals that we have a lot of threats that we dont know about. Nearby beach cities have added drones to their arsenal of shark-detection tools, but flying the devices over Newport Beach has unique obstacles. Because of restricted airspace due to the proximity to John Wayne Airport, the beaches are in highly regulated sections of coastline for launching drones. We have the ability to launch a drone if we need one, Jacobsen said. However, he added, helicopter monitoring is much more efficient because copters offer better visibility over the water and can cover more ground. The Newport Fire Department uses an Orange County Sheriffs Department helicopter or one shared by the Newport and Huntington Beach police departments. Police have trained observers and the ability to photograph animals in the water if a threat is spotted. Jacobsen recalled about a half-dozen reports of sightings in 2017 but said, I dont remember them finding a shark last year. Laguna Beach launched drones in response to about a dozen reports of shark sightings this year, though they were determined to be unfounded, according to Laguna marine safety Capt. Kai Bond. Orange County has never had a documented fatal shark attack. julia.sclafani@latimes.com Local parents, children and transportation officials celebrated pedestrian power Saturday in a Feet First: Step to School event designed to promote biking and walking as healthier, environmentally friendlier means of getting to and from school each day. The Winery Channel parking lot at Foothill Boulevard and Indiana Avenue morphed into festival grounds as children ran and biked through art installations and a miniature city, winning prizes and learning lessons about safety in the process. La Canada Mayor Terry Walker, who walked to the event with dog Zuri, admitted it can be difficult to extricate oneself from the California mindset of using cars to get everywhere. Theres so much we can do in this community with the facilities we have, she said. I think this event is a great tool in raising that awareness. Children and parents whod earned passport stamps for interacting with three informational exhibits got raffle tickets for adult and youth bicycles. The day was part of a Go Human campaign organized by Southern California Assn. of Governments (SCAG), which coordinates regional transportation projects across six counties and 191 cities. Deanna Dupuy, a regional planner for the agency, said Go Human aims to reduce traffic collisions by promoting alternative modes of transportation while educating residents about street safety. Wed like people to rethink their daily commute and figure out, are there ways we can put our feet first? she said. Damian Tong from Street Magic shows how a bike helmet protects the brain during the Feet First: Step Safe to School event Saturday. (James Carbone / La Canada Valley Sun) Damian Tong, who operates a transit safety program called Street Magic, used a magicians set and a watermelon named Willy to impart bicycle safety lessons. He showed kids how helmets are made to fit the heads and brains that go in them, demonstrating on Willy what can happen in an accident with and without a helmet. Nearby, La Canada mom Adrienne Baerg said she cant imagine 3-year-old son Philip having to navigate around street traffic, and has already taught him the importance of wearing a helmet when hes on his scooter. Its been interesting to see how much my perspective has shifted since becoming a parent, Baerg said. I always thought of [the streets] as safer, with everyone being aware of each other now I dont necessarily see it that way. Culminating the event, participants demonstrated a walking school bus, in which children in a pedestrian chain followed a qualified adult from the event site, down Foothill, to La Canada Elementary School. Thats just one way of getting kids to schools without creating unsafe car traffic, Walker said. Another way might be finding a pick-up and drop-off point a few blocks away from school, where parents and children can meet, or teens using shuttle stops along Foothill Boulevard. This is a first step, the mayor said, adding the goal is not to give up driving completely. We dont have to conquer the world all at once lets just change our thinking a little bit. sara.cardine@latimes.com Twitter: @SaraCardine The Panama City airport is beginning to restore some service, its website reported Friday, but all passengers who are in hurricane-affected areas are asked to check with their airline before heading to the airport. The Twitter feed for Panama Citys Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP)--@IFlyBeachessaid on Friday morning, ECP is phasing in very limited commercial operations starting at noon today, October 12. Please continue to check directly with your airline carrier for any arrival or departure flight-related questions and before heading to the airport. Go here for airline numbers and websites or go to lat.ms/airlinewebsandphones. FlightAware showed that 40% of the flights out of Northwest Florida Beaches International had been canceled and 6% were delayed. Large Southeastern airports were operating with fewer cancellations on Friday than earlier in the week. Charleston, S.C., International had 4% cancellations and 4% of flights delayed, and Charlotte/Douglas in North Carolina had no cancellations and only 3% delayed; Advertisement Hurricane Michael hit the Florida Panhandle as a Category 4 storm, with winds of 155 mph. It was downgraded to a tropical storm and is sweeping through Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia. Six people have been killed in the storms, which, news reports said, devastated Mexico Beach, 20 minutes east of Panama City Beach. This story was updated at 9:55 to add information about Panama City airports reopening. It originally published at 11:25 a.m. Thursday. travel@latimes.com @latimestravel At a meeting with visiting Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Augustine Mahiga in Hanoi, Thinh noted with pleasure the fruitful bilateral political collaboration in the party, government, and national assembly channels. She urged the two sides to promote political cooperation as it creates a firm foundation and favourable conditions for economic, trade, and investment ties, as well as affiliation in other spheres. The host also suggested the two countries step up trade and investment relations in order to bring bilateral trade turnover to US$1 billion in the near future, as agreed by their leaders, while expanding partnerships in such areas as agriculture, telecommunications, and consumer goods production. Vietnam stands ready to share its experience in agricultural production with Tanzania, helping the Tanzanian Government successfully realise its strategy of making agriculture a spearhead sector for the nations development. Thinh expressed her hope that Vietnam and Tanzania will carry forward their cooperation and coordinate with each other at international and multi-lateral forums, including the UN Non-Aligned Movement. She congratulated Tanzania on the political-economic-social achievements the country has recorded in recent times and lauded the role, position, and contributions of Tanzania to peace, integration, and development in East Africa. For his part, Augustine Mahiga highlighted the time-honoured cooperative ties between Vietnam and Tanzania. Expressing his admiration for Vietnams socio-economic achievements, he said Vietnam is a exemplary model for Tanzania during its process of national development. Tanzania supports Vietnams run for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for 2020-2021, he promised. The Minister said Vietnams investments have helped Tanzania with economic transformation, towards industrialisation and modernisation. The Tanzanian Government always creates the best possible conditions for Vietnamese firms to invest in and run business in the country, he stressed, expressing his hope that Tanzania will attract more Vietnamese enterprises in the time ahead. Indonesian authorities on Friday plan to end the search operation launched after an earthquake and tsunami devastated the island of Sulawesi late last month, killing more than 2,000 people. Indonesias disaster agency Thursday evening had placed the death toll at 2,073, but officials also have acknowledged about 5,000 people may be missing. Many victims are thought to have been killed when the magnitude 7.5 earthquake turned solid ground into near-liquid and submerged hundreds of houses in what is now a sun-baked casing in Palu, the regional capital of Central Sulawesi, where most of the casualties took place. The Sept. 28 earthquake generated a 10-to-20-foot-high tsunami that lifted boats ashore and pulled victims out to sea, according to accounts given by Indonesian naval search teams. Hundreds died when hotels and a mall collapsed in Palu, while dozens of bodies of schoolchildren were found under the mangled, earth-covered ruins of a church where they had been attending Bible classes. Advertisement About 10,000 workers will conclude the official search, which was extended by a day to Friday after appeals from relatives of the missing. The search-and-rescue effort had been hampered by a lack, until recent days, of sufficient heavy equipment such as diggers and excavators. The end of the search will come as Indonesia hosts finance ministers from around the world, including U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin, with the International Monetary Fund and World Bank holding their annual meetings at Nusa Dua on the island of Bali. Delegates to the meetings experienced a stark reminder of Indonesias susceptibility to earthquakes early Thursday, when three people were killed in a magnitude 6.4 temblor that struck off the island of Java, shaking houses and hotels on Bali, the island immediately east of Java where the finance meetings are taking place. The Indonesian government relented on its usual reluctance to permit aid from foreign governments, given the extent of the disaster and the slow pace of relief, but has since said that foreign aid workers should not operate in the disaster zone unless accompanied by a local counterpart. Hundreds of mostly Indonesian aid workers continued to distribute relief items to the nearly 88,000 people left homeless by the disaster, after days of slow access to the region, which is a near-three-hour flight from Jakarta. The impact of the 7.5 quake cracked roads and left rocks and debris blocking routes outside Palu to rural areas and smaller towns. By midweek, many of the roads to remote regions were passable, but mostly still to smaller trucks and cars, said Irwan Firdaus, an aid worker with Oxfam in Indonesia. The main routes across Sulawesi to Palu had been opened up to larger relief convoys. We have been seeing donations come in from other areas of the island, said Dini Widiastuti of Yayasan Plan International, another aid organization. Roughneen is a special correspondent. On a quiet morning at the foot of the imposing mausoleum where the remains of Spains former dictator Francisco Franco lie, a lone man lifted a red and yellow flag high above his head. Viva Franco! shouted Jose Maria Martinez Fuego, 69, his booming voice echoing across the bright plaza as a crush of tourists took photos of the looming structure and the 500-foot-tall cross perched on the hill above. Martinez Fuego visits the Valley of the Fallen, an austere basilica housing the unidentified remains of thousands of Spanish Civil War soldiers, two days a week with his dictatorship-era flag in tow. A former security guard for the Caudillo, as Franco supporters still call him, Martinez Fuego has spent the past several months protesting the expected exhumation of the dictators remains from the mausoleum built into the mountains 30 miles outside of Madrid. I am Spanish, I am with the Caudillo, I am a patriot, and I am not racist, Martinez Fuego said, careful not to let his flag touch the ground. You cant move Franco from here. Advertisement Last month, the Spanish parliament took a controversial vote to do just that remove Francos remains from the Valley of the Fallen before the end of the year. The government sees it as a profoundly symbolic move aimed at helping a country divided over the dictators legacy come to terms with his regime more than 40 years after his death. The grave of Spains Gen. Francisco Franco in San Lorenzo del Escorial, near Madrid at the Valley of the Fallen. (Oscar del Pozo / AFP/Getty Images) In arguing for the exhumation, Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that the mausoleum should be a site of reconciliation for Spaniards. No democracy can permit monuments associated with a dictatorship, Sanchez said in a July speech to the Spanish congress. Our democracy will have symbols that unify, not separate. But far from unifying Spaniards, the decision to unearth Francos remains has polarized the nation, a reaction that underscores a broader division in Spanish society about how to interpret the civil war and Francos 40-year reign. After the civil war of 1936-39, Franco had the mausoleum built, in part using the forced labor of political prisoners, as a monument to his victory. Though he dedicated the monument to all those who died in the war, only two graves are marked: his, and that of Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera, founder of Falangism the nationalist Catholic political ideology to which Franco subscribed. The mausoleum also contains the bodies of at least 33,000 people who fought on both sides of the civil war, making the site one of Europes largest mass graves. Today, the Valley of the Fallen is a government-subsidized national heritage site that has hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. Supporters applaud the expected exhumation as an important step in bringing justice to Francos victims. Opponents, though, say exhuming Franco would only reopen old wounds and amounts to erasing part of the countrys history. Some refuse to consider Franco a dictator. Juan Chicharro, president of the National Francisco Franco foundation, which promotes a positive interpretation of Francos dictatorship, called the planned exhumation an act of pure revenge and hate. The left in Spain has spread indoctrination against Franco, based totally on lies, Chicharro said. No one thought it was strange Franco would be buried [in the Valley of the Fallen] in 1975. Pelai Pages i Blanch, a history professor at the University of Barcelona, said the remains of all individuals at the Valley of the Fallen should have been removed following the death of Franco in 1975, and the government then should have converted the site into a monument to memorialize the war and its victims. Historical memory is fundamental so things that happened in the past do not repeat later, Pages said. It is important not to forget the past. He added that the Spanish government should speak frankly about the dictatorship and condemn the interpretation that Franco was a benevolent leader. Double memory cannot exist, Pages said. The conflict over how to remember Francos regime has long defined Spanish politics. Two years after the death of Franco, a newly formed parliament passed an amnesty law that prevented members of the dictatorship from being tried in court. The pact of forgetting was aimed at facilitating a smooth transition to democracy and would ensure government silence on the legacy of civil war for decades to come. In 2007, the socialist government of Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero made the countrys first comprehensive attempt to grapple with that legacy, officially condemning the Francoist state and removing hundreds of Francoist symbols from buildings and public spaces around Spain. The law also stipulated that the state provide support for families wishing to unearth bodies of soldiers throughout Spain who went missing during the war. While most dead soldiers who fought for Franco were exhumed, identified and memorialized after the civil war, thousands of soldiers for the losing side remain missing, 80 years later. Since 2000, regional governments and universities have exhumed more than 300 mass graves containing the bodies of civilians and Republican soldiers. But Zapateros successor, the conservative Popular Party Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, stripped the law of state funding, complicating efforts to exhume mass graves. The lack of government support has left researchers struggling for the funding necessary to perform exhumations. Sitting in his office at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, in the southern Catalonia city of Tarragona, Josep Sanchez Cervello looked over a human femur he keeps in a filing cabinet near his desk. Sanchez, a historian, is overseeing two exhumations currently underway in the Ebro River region of Catalonia, where the bloodiest battle of the civil war took place. Sanchez said that after the war, there was never any interest on the part of the winners to reconcile with the losers, resulting in decades of silence. And though Spanish people now speak openly about the dictatorship, the ongoing effort to exhume bodies has slowed because of funding and a lack of attention. I am so tired of finding dead bodies, Sanchez said with a sigh, adding that one day he hopes he will no longer need to perform exhumations because everyone will have been found. Activists have also called for the exhumation and identification of soldiers from the Valley of the Fallen, a complicated task that would require DNA tests on thousands of bodies. But at present, Pages said, the Valley of the Fallen functions only as a Franco pilgrimage site. To that end, fresh flowers are placed on Francos and Riveras tombs each day. On a Friday last month, 13 bouquets and one red rose lay on Francos tomb. As Martinez Fuego, the former security guard for Franco, shouted on the plaza outside of the mausoleum, several people asked to take photos with his flag. One woman shook his hand and said firmly, Long live our flag. Miguel Angel Trejo Sardoa, 66, admired the basilica with a group of friends after attending the morning Mass, held daily. The people who want Franco exhumed are resentful, they want to win the war 80 years later, he said. Its our history and we have to respect history. There were people shot on both sides of the war. And we have to respect the memory of the Caudillo. Some visitors cautiously expressed support for the exhumation. Patric Tato, 49, an artist who visited the Valley of the Fallen to film a documentary project, said the immense and sublime monument should become a museum explaining Franco and Falangism. There is no explanation here, he said, lamenting the lack of plaques or signs to provide context. We need to explain what this is. Fascism, Catholicism, the role of the church. He glanced up at the towering cross, so tall and austere it is visible from the highway that snakes through the foothills below. Tourists often have no idea what this site is, Tato said. And later, they realize, it memorializes a dictator. Bernhard is a Times special correspondent. For nine days, Lara Alqasem, a 22-year-old American college student, has been detained at Israels international airport by officials barring her from entering the country to study because of her activism in boycott activities. On Thursday, the Florida resident appeared in Tel Aviv District Court to appeal the decision to block her entry into Israel, where she had been accepted into a masters degree program. The case of Alqasem, who does not deny having been active in the past with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, is the first test of a 2017 Israeli law aimed at banning any foreign activist who advocates for a boycott of Israel. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has supported her appeal, asking the court to rule against the Interior Ministrys interpretation of the law. A lawyer representing the university said that permitting Alqasem to attend the Hebrew University would send a message that Israel is a democracy and not an apartheid state as the BDS movement claims. Advertisement Israel says Alqasem, who was issued a student visa by the Israeli Consulate in Miami, served as president of the University of Florida branch of Students for Justice in Palestine, a BDS-affiliated organization, during the 2016-17 school year. In an affidavit filed Thursday, Alqasem said that her thinking has changed in recent years and that she has moved away from espousing an anti-Israeli ideology. She mentioned her enrollment in the Hebrew University graduate program in transitional justice as evidence of her change of heart. Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan, who leads the governments efforts against BDS, said in a radio interview that the Hebrew University is working together with the extreme left here. Erdan added, however, that if Lara Alqasem, in her own voice, not through all kinds of lawyers or statements that can be misconstrued, says that supporting BDS is illegitimate and she regrets what she did, I will consider letting her in. Alqasem been held since Oct. 2 in a dorm-like facility at Ben Gurion International Airport and is allowed outdoors several times a day. Authorities say she is not under arrest and is free to leave Israel at any point if she accepts deportation back to the United States. The situation has provoked outrage across the board, even from some of Israels most fervent supporters, both in the country and abroad. Writing for Bloomberg View, author Zev Chafets said that the Alqasem case is an example of what happens when cynicism meets moral panic. Yes, he acknowledged, BDS does, indeed, hate Israel and the Jews who support it but the minister wildly exaggerated the danger, not surprisingly given its an election year in Israel. The Assn. of Israeli University Heads also criticized the governments action, saying that the ministry reneged on a commitment to consult the local academic institution before any action was taken against a student. The damage caused to Israel and Israeli academia as a whole, to the Israeli universities and particularly to Israeli scientists and researchers abroad by decisions of this kind could well exceed the potential damage, if any, of permitting her to enter Israel, wrote Tel Aviv University President Joseph Klafter on behalf of the organization. Alqasems contention that her political thinking has evolved was supported in letters from Florida academics, including Eric Kligerman, a professor of Jewish and German studies who taught two seminars she attended. Kligerman attested that Alqasem, who graduated in May, was one of the most gifted and promising undergraduate students I have had the pleasure of working with at the University of Florida. Far from being an advocate of BDS or a proponent of suppressing dialogue and the intellectual exchange between peoples, he wrote, Lara is one of the most engaging and thoughtful students I have had in my seminars on Jewish culture and thought. If anything, her presence in Israel would lead to fruitful paths of communication among its distinct and vibrant cultures. State attorney Yossi Tzadok countered in court that Alqasem remains a proponent of BDS and that her social media platforms were erased before she arrived in Israel to conceal such beliefs. As evidence, Tzadok presented a screenshot of Alqasems former Facebook page, including an attending click on an April 2016 event advocating a boycott of hummus brand Sabra, which is partially owned by an Israeli concern. On Wednesday, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said that we value freedom of expression also in cases where people dont agree with local policies or even United States policies. But ultimately, she said, it is up to the government of Israel to decide who it wants to let into the country. A Chinese spy who allegedly attempted to steal trade secrets from several American aviation and aerospace companies was charged Wednesday and extradited to the U.S. from Belgium. Yanjun Xu, an operative of the Chinese Ministry of State Security, is accused of recruiting experts who worked at aviation companies and paying them stipends to travel to China in order to obtain trade secrets, the Justice Department said. From 2013 until he was arrested in April, Xu would recruit employees from major aerospace companies, including GE Aviation, and persuade them to travel to China under the guise that they would give a presentation at a university, prosecutors said. Court papers document how Xu and other intelligence operatives planned to obtain highly sensitive information from the experts. Xu was indicted on four counts of conspiring and attempting to commit espionage and theft of trade secrets. Advertisement Federal authorities said its the first time that a Ministry of State Security intelligence officer has been extradited to the United States for trial. John Demers, the assistant attorney general in charge of national security, said the case was a significant economic espionage matter and was the latest proof that China is trying to steal information from American companies. Benjamin Glassman, U.S. attorney for Ohios southern district, said no military information was targeted, but any attempt by other countries to grow companies at Americas expense is considered a threat to national security. According to the indictment, Xu recruited a GE Aviation employee, who sent him a presentation in February that contained the companys proprietary information. Xu later followed up with the employee asking for specific technical information and then asked the employee to meet in Europe, where he wanted the worker to provide additional information from GE, according to court papers. Xu was arrested after traveling to Belgium in April. After his appeals failed, he was extradited to the United States on Tuesday and made his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon in federal court in Cincinnati. It was unclear whether Xu had an attorney. Glassman spoke of red flags in the interactions between Xu and the employee. He said GE Aviation teamed with the FBI but would not indicate which organization alerted the other of suspected espionage. He also declined to specify at what point the employee was made aware of the situation. Glassman said he had no plans to charge the GE Aviation employee, who no longer works at the company. A spokesman for GE Aviation, a General Electric Co. division based in suburban Cincinnati that often works under Department of Defense contracts, said its been cooperating for months with the FBI in a case that targeted a former employee. The impact to GE Aviation is minimal thanks to early detection, our advanced digital systems and internal processes, and our partnership with the FBI, spokesman Perry Bradley said. UPDATES: 2:46 p.m.: Updated with a report from the Associated Press. This article was first published at 1:35 p.m. The crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, ordered an operation to lure Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia from his home in Virginia and then detain him, according to U.S. intelligence intercepts of Saudi officials discussing the plan. The intelligence, described by U.S. officials familiar with it, is another piece of evidence implicating the Saudi government in Khashoggis disappearance last week after he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkish officials say that a Saudi security team lay in wait for the journalist and killed him. Khashoggi was a prominent critic of the Saudi government and Mohammed in particular. Several of Khashoggis friends said that over the last four months, senior Saudi officials close to the crown prince had called Khashoggi to offer him protection, and even a high-level job working for the government, if he returned to his home country. Khashoggi, however, was skeptical of the offers. He told one friend that the Saudi government would never make good on its promises not to harm him. Advertisement He said: Are you kidding? I dont trust them one bit, said Khaled Saffuri, an Arab American political activist, recounting a conversation he had with Khashoggi in May, moments after Khashoggi had received a call from Saud Qahtani, an advisor to the royal court. The intelligence pointing to a plan to detain Khashoggi in Saudi Arabia has fueled speculation by officials and analysts in multiple countries that what transpired at the consulate was a backup plan to capture Khashoggi that may have gone wrong. A former U.S. intelligence official who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter noted that the details of the operation, which involved sending two teams totaling 15 men, in two private aircraft arriving and departing Turkey at different times, bore the hallmarks of a rendition, in which someone is extralegally removed from one country and deposited for interrogation in another. But Turkish officials have concluded that whatever the intent of the operation, Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate. Investigators have not found his body, but Turkish officials have released video surveillance footage of Khashoggi entering the consulate on the afternoon of Oct. 2. There is no footage that shows him leaving, they said. The intelligence about Saudi Arabias earlier plans to detain Khashoggi have raised questions about whether the Trump administration should have warned the journalist that he might be in danger. Intelligence agencies have a duty to warn people who might be kidnapped, seriously injured or killed, according to a directive signed in 2015. The obligation applies regardless of whether the person is a U.S. citizen. Khashoggi was a U.S. resident. Duty to warn applies if harm is intended toward an individual, said a former senior intelligence official. But that duty also depends on whether the intelligence clearly indicated Khashoggi was in danger, the former official said. Capturing him, which could have been interpreted as arresting him, would not have triggered a duty-to-warn obligation, the former official said. If something in the reported intercept indicated that violence was planned, then, yes, he should have been warned. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees the warning process, declined to comment on whether Khashoggi had been contacted. Administration officials have not commented on the intelligence reports that showed a Saudi plan to lure Khashoggi. Though I cannot comment on intelligence matters, I can say definitively the United States had no advance knowledge of [Khashoggis] disappearance, deputy State Department spokesman Robert Palladino told reporters Wednesday. Asked whether the U.S. government would have had a duty to warn Khashoggi if it possessed information that he was in jeopardy, Palladino declined to answer what he called a hypothetical question. It was not clear to officials with knowledge of the intelligence whether the Saudis discussed harming Khashoggi as part of the plan to detain him in Saudi Arabia. But the intelligence had been disseminated throughout the U.S. government and contained in reports that are routinely available to people working on U.S. policy toward Saudi Arabia or related issues, one U.S. official said. The intelligence poses a political problem for the Trump administration because it implicates Mohammed, who is particularly close to Jared Kushner, President Trumps son-in-law and senior advisor. On Wednesday, Kushner and national security adviser John Bolton spoke by phone with the crown prince, but White House officials said the Saudis provided little information. Trump has grown frustrated, two officials said, after initially reacting slowly to Khashoggis disappearance. Earlier this week, he said he had no information about what had happened to the journalist. White House officials have begun discussing how to force Saudi Arabia to provide answers and what punishment could be meted out if the government there is found responsible. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have reacted harshly to the disappearance. On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of senators asked Trump to impose sanctions on anyone found responsible for Khashoggis disappearance, including Saudi leaders. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., perhaps the presidents closest ally in the Senate, predicated a bipartisan tsunami of action if the Saudis were involved and said that Khashoggis death could alter the nature of relations between the two countries. Kushners relationship with Mohammed, known within national security agencies by the initials MBS, has long been the subject of suspicion by some American intelligence officials. Kushner and Mohammed have had private, one-on-one phone calls that were not always set up through normal channels so the conversations could be memorialized and Kushner could be properly briefed. For all his criticism of the Saudi government, Khashoggi was not always opposed to Mohammeds policies. Khashoggi credited the young leader for what he saw as positive changes, including loosening Saudi cultural restrictions. Khashoggi often expressed affection for his homeland, even while saying he did not believe it was safe for him. One person in contact with the crown prince, speaking on the condition of anonymity to preserve the relationship, said Khashoggi last year asked him to give a message to Mohammed saying he needed someone like Khashoggi as an advisor. When he transmitted the message, this person said, the crown prince said that Khashoggi was tied to the Muslim Brotherhood and to Qatar, both Saudi adversaries, and that the arrangement would never happen. Two other friends of Khashoggi said that at least twice he received cordial phone calls from Qahtani, the advisor to the prince, conveying friendly messages on his behalf. In one of the calls, in September 2017, Qahtani said that Mohammed had been very happy to see Khashoggi post a message praising the kingdom after the government announced it was lifting a driving ban on women, according to one of the friends, who was with Khashoggi at the time. The tone of the call was pleasant, but Khashoggi also told Qahtani he would praise the government when there were positive developments. When there are bad things, I will speak up. He spent the rest of the call advocating on behalf of several recently imprisoned critics of the government. A friend also said that Khashoggi told him he had been approached several times by a businessman close to the Saudi ruling family. The businessman, whom Khashoggi did not name, seemed keen to see him every time he visited Washington and told Khashoggi that he would work with the Saudi authorities to arrange his return, the friend said. The consensus was reached during their meeting in Bali, Indonesia, on the fringes of the ASEAN Leaders Gathering (ALG) and the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB). The leaders looked into bilateral collaboration in major areas such as national defence, security, economy, trade, education, energy, and maritime affiliation. They consented to coordinating closely with each other to materialise important cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, especially the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation and the Joint Commission on Maritime and Ocean Affairs Cooperation. Both highlighted the significance of enhancing cooperation in maritime affairs and creating conditions for fishermen of the two countries to operate legally, safely, and sustainably. The leaders also concurred to intensify affiliation within ASEAN and affirmed the importance of maintaining regional peace, stability, freedom of aviation and navigation in the East Sea; as well as settling disputes peacefully on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They reiterated their support for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and early completion of the effective, practical, and legally-binding Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). PM Phuc spoke highly of the visit to Vietnam by Vice President of the Philippine Democratic Party-Power of the Nation (PDP-Laban) Alfonso Gaba Cusi in August to sign a document establishing relations with the Communist Party of Vietnam. The PM noted his belief that cooperation between the two countries via the party channel would contribute to increasing mutual trust and creating opportunities for the two sides to talk further on strategic issues. President Duterte said the Philippines continues to consider Vietnam a close friend and wishes to advance the strategic partnership between the two countries. He also suggested the two sides intensify their exchange of high-level delegations. Devils Shutout Mt Zion 36-0; Advance in Playoffs (LINCOLNTON, GA) The Red Devils destroyed Mt Zion 36-0 Saturday in the first round of Class A Playoffs. Halfback Tevin Gartrell pounded out 179... 75 years at Goldman at Wengrow The coming of the lake brought a young World War II veteran from Williston, South Carolina to Lincolnton in 1946. Abraham Wengrow, just back from... Council approves millage rate, proposed budget in split vote City Millage Rate and Proposed Budget Approved in Split Vote Lincolntons 2022 Proposed Budget of $1,211,418.89 and a 7.1 mill property tax rate was approved... Veterans Day parade today Today (Thursday) is the first Lincolnton Veterans Day Parade in many years, and it promises to be good one based on the participation already committed.... The official made the remarks at a high-level dialogue on climate change, co-organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in Hanoi, on October 10. Together with the ratification of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, Vietnam has issued a plan for the implementation of the document, with a focus on implementing its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), Thanh said. He added that the dialogue would focus on discussing issues related to the response actions to climate change in Vietnam, while promoting cooperation and connection with development partners, the scientific community, enterprises, organisations and individuals for the cause of responding to climate change. At the dialogue, information on the newly approved Special Report of the IPCC on the impacts of global warming of 1.5C and issues related to global greenhouse gas emissions were also shared. The IPCC is the global body for assessing the science related to climate change. In December 2015, when governments adopted the Paris Agreement, they invited the IPCC to prepare a report on the warming of 1.5C in 2018, when nations review the Paris Agreement at the 24th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24), to be held in Poland this December. IPCC Chair Prof. Hoesung Lee speaks at the dialogue. (Photo: NDO/Van Toan) Limiting global warming to 1.5C would require rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society, said IPCC Chair, Prof. Hoesung Lee. 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, he added. According to the report, limiting global warming to 1.5C compared with 2C would reduce the impacts on ecosystems, and human health and well-being, making it easier to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The IPCC report highlights the severe climate change impacts that could be avoided by limiting global warming to 1.5C, but the time to act is rapidly closing, said Ms. Caitlin Wiesen, UNDP Country Director. Climate reform is needed as fundamentally as the economic renewal that Vietnam adopted 40 years ago to bring about rapid reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and boost green jobs for a more resilient sustainable society, she added. 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, the global sea level rise would be 10cm 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 1.5oC compared with at least once per decade with 2C. Coral reefs would decline by 70-90% with global warming of 1.5C, whereas virtually all (>99%) would be lost with a 2C increase. One of the key messages that comes out very strongly from this report is that we are already seeing the consequences of 1C global warming through more extreme weather and rising sea levels among other changes, said Panmao Zhai, Co-chair of IPCC Working Group I. At the current rate of warming, the world is likely to reach 1.5C between 2030 and 2052, he added. On the same day, a scientific workshop on climate resilience and low-carbon development, and a talk with students on climate change, were also hosted in Hanoi. Style / World of Watches (WOW) Then as in now, the new Patek Philippe ladies Twenty~4 Automatic marks a successful milestone in feminine finesse, catering to the needs of modern women. Oct 11, 2018 | By Jonathan Ho Pursuing mercurial personalities and hearts of whimsy are precarious endeavours and yet, Patek Philippe has a long history of catering to the exquisite creatures we call women. Today, at a 500 m2 glass pavilion spanning built in the courtyard of the Palazzo Sebelloni, Patek Philippe launched their latest enterprise a new ladies Twenty~4 Automatic designed for practical splendour, dedicated to active lifestyles. Patek Philippes two centuries of watchmaking for women has unearthed an archive brimming with artistic and horological mastery, from precious enamel work to exquisite gemstone settings and engravings, every story in the brands long history has catered to the creation womens watches as treasures. But what if, like Queen Victorias pioneering attraction to Patek Philippes keyless winding watches at the 1851 Great Exhibition in London, prompts a deeper inclination for an attraction to not just watches decorated with diamonds and feminine floral motifs but deeply elegant yet sublimely functional ladies watches? One surmises that what results, after over 150 years is the latest Patek Philippe Twenty~4 Automatic. New Patek Philippe ladies Twenty~4 Automatic dedicated to the Modern Womans Active lifestyle Appearing in the 1870s, Patek Philippe debuted a new generation of ladies wristwatches, no longer mere adaptations of pendant watches simple bracelet attachments, instead the new ladies watches were specifically created for women with particularly challenging and active lifestyles like that of the progressive Comtesse Koscowicz of Hungary. Then as in now, the new Patek Philippe ladies Twenty~4 Automatic marks a successful milestone in elegance and feminine finesse launched against the backdrop of Milan, the Italian metropolis of culture, fashion, and design. Backed by an international campaign targeted to the 30 40 year old bracket and similar to the Leagas Delaney agencys Generations campaign, the latest Patek Philippe womens watch is portrayed as a sophisticated companion which accompanies the lifestyles of modern women. As any worthy partner, it is a marriage of equals, deep-rooted traditions backed by a sophisticated elegance, the latest Twenty~4 Automatic stands out as an impeccable if uncomplicated womens watch, created to cater, as Patek Philippe has always, to women watch enthusiasts who prefer distinctive timepieces with mechanical movements. Shot in Rome, Dutch photographer and cineast Anton Corbijn captures the Twenty~4 woman in a myriad of situations and events where she shines with great aplomb, class and composure, the very essence of Patek Philippes latest Twenty~4 Automatic. Available in round cases of stainless steel or rose gold, adorned with diamonds, and with sunburst decorated dials of various colours, the most delectable of those rendered in chocolate and a deep blue, the rich tradition of Patek Philippe ladies timepieces was distilled into a potent cocktail of transcendent refinement: Typically, a womans watch is either dressy or if the situation called for it, sporty. Somehow, Patek Philippe has rendered the new ladies Twenty~4 automatic a paramount accessory catering equally to both endeavours. Tellingly, rather than presented at Baselworld, the new Twenty~4 Automatic was launched independently at surrounds matching its style and gracefulness, emphasising the significance of the ladies watch segment and of women as customers at Patek Philippe as well as of the new self-winding ladies watch that responds to all expectations of modern women. New Ladies Twenty~4 Automatic Price and Specs Movement Automatic Calibre 324 with 48 hours power reserve Case 36mm steel or rose gold with 30 metres water resistance Strap Steel or Precious metal Bracelet Price SG$34,400 for steel, SG$59,800 for gold Almost two million Americans are now addicted to opioids. The National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that more than 100 people die each day in the U.S. from opioid overdoses. This unprecedented level of abuse which involves not only heroin, but also prescription pain relievers such as OxyContin, Percocet, morphine, codeine, and fentanyl has become a national crisis. Ethical use of drugs Reportedly, about 80 percent of heroin addicts first misused prescription opioids. Yet for many patients, no pain-relieving options more effective than opioids exist. Figuring out how to use these powerful pharmacological agents in an appropriate and ethical manner is urgent and imperative. At a minimum, a three-pronged approach is required. One prong involves working with medical professionals to limit the use and availability of these drugs by modifying prescribing practices. A second involves making patients more aware of the risks of addiction and increasing their involvement in monitoring their medications and managing decisions about their care. A third involves making effective addiction treatment and outreach programs accessible to those caught in the throes of chemical dependency. Reducing opioid availability With regard to reducing opioid availability, in recent years medical professionals have been seeking to establish guidelines for prescribing opiates that take into account the number of pills typically needed to get through a surgery or treatment. For example, recovery from more complex stomach surgeries might require 60 opioid pills, while an appendectomy or hernia might only require 15 to 20. Although prescription guidelines can be helpful, they clearly cant be fixed in stone, as individual patients will have varying pain management needs. Some nurses recall well the days when concerns about addiction could result in under-medicated patients watching the clock and writhing in pain until the time of the next dose. Unmanaged pain is a spiritual assault on the dignity of a person, and plays right into the hands of assisted suicide advocates. Careful titration of pain medications, whether for surgery or chronic pain, also helps to avoid over-medicating patients and rendering them lethargic or semi-comatose; in terminal situations, patients still have the right to prepare for their death while fully conscious, and they should not generally be deprived of consciousness or alertness except to mitigate excruciating or otherwise uncontrollable pain. In certain cases, of course, it may not matter if a person becomes addicted to pain medications. If a patient has only a few weeks of life remaining, and he or she is experiencing intractable pain such that high doses of opioids are the most effective approach, addiction during his or her final days and hours would not generally raise ethical concerns. Alternatives to opioids There are alternatives to the use of opioids that may be suitable for some patients. These include the use of less-addictive or non-addictive drugs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or anesthetics and blockers at the pain site. Cognitive behavioral therapy, stress management, and relaxation techniques can help patients learn how to modify triggers that increase pain. Specialists sometimes remind us that bringing pain down to a tolerable level should be the goal, rather than trying to eliminate it entirely, which in many cases may not even be possible. Some patients may require assistance to come to accept even a limited amount of pain. A San Diego-based pilot program to reduce the over-prescription of opioids included the novel step of notifying physicians when one of their patients had died from an overdose. The San Diego medical examiner would send health care professionals a letter in this format: This is a courtesy communication to inform you that your patient [Name, Date of Birth] died on [Date]. Prescription drug overdose was either the primary cause or contributed to the death. In follow-up studies, physicians who received these letters were found to prescribe at significantly decreased levels, and they were also less likely to start new patients on opioids at all. Researchers speculated that physicians tend to assess health and safety risks differently when bad outcomes spring readily to mind. At the same time, taking steps to restrict opioid availability can backfire, with devastating consequences for chronic pain patients who may be refused opioid prescriptions they need and have relied on for years. Patient responsibility The proper use of pain medications, in the final analysis, requires a balanced approach, attending to objective indications from the patient, so clinicians can offer sufficient comfort and remediation of their pain. Patients must also take responsibility for their own pain management decisions, becoming informed about, and aware of, the challenges and risks. When the goal is to provide the lowest dose of opioids for the shortest amount of time, in direct response to the level and severity of the pain, patients are likely to have better treatment outcomes with diminished risks of addiction. Fr. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D. earned his doctorate in neuroscience from Yale and did post-doctoral work at Harvard. He is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Mass., and serves as the director of education at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. See www.ncbcenter.org The area of Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) is a special one, even for patent professionals. Those involved in this area are aware of both the difficulties and rewards connected with it. Where are we today? Swiss SPCs are detailed in our Patent Act which has been in force since May 1 1999. Its aim was to implement the corresponding EU regulation into Swiss law. As a result, the wording of the Swiss act follows the EU regulation, of course without recitals and adapted to the Swiss legal framework. Today, almost 20 years later, it is surprising to see how differently both have developed. European SPCs are complemented by paediatric extensions, re-cast in codified version and significantly influenced by the ECJ from the outset. Swiss SPCs are safe from the ECJ's direct access, although the principle of autonomous alignment with EU law affects Swiss SPCs. Naturally, Swiss courts have decided many SPC cases and have therefore influenced the area. Applicants Who can apply for an SPC? The patentee. There is no surprise there. The difficulties start when an applicant/owner wants to assign its SPC to another legal entity. This will not work in Switzerland. The patent office is extremely strict, and only allows basic patent and SPC transferred in toto. On the other hand, the office is quite liberal when it comes to affiliated companies. According to the guidelines, affiliated companies are separate legal entities and thus not the same applicant when requesting an SPC based on the same marketing authorisation (MA), but different basic patents. Applicants who have more than one European patent to choose from may assign the Swiss parts to different legal entities prior to the filing of corresponding SPCs. As long as the basic principle of good faith is observed, this offers an opportunity for obtaining additional SPC protection. This is a welcome opportunity for applicants, particularly in cases where it is hard to decide which basic patent to use, e.g. due to pending opposition procedures. Basic patents A long disputed question is how to ascertain whether a product is protected by a basic patent. Although the legal basis in the EU and CH is almost identical, case law goes in different if not almost opposite directions. The European Court of Justice chose the hard way. In its decisions Medeva et seq, it was clarified that the infringement test is not sufficient. This is in sharp contrast to the Swiss approach, where the infringement test is applied. This approach was confirmed in a recent decision by the Swiss Federal Patent Court. The SPC under dispute, as well as the Swiss marketing authorisation, relates to a combination of two active ingredients. The corresponding basic patent only specifies one of them, but also contains a claim to a pharmaceutical composition optionally comprising other active ingredients. The plaintiff took the position that Switzerland should adopt EU principles, as outlined in the ECJ case Medeva, thereby disqualifying the above basic patent as a suitable basis for a combination product. The patent court denied this request. Firstly, as Switzerland is not part of the common EU market, particularly when it comes to pharmaceuticals and secondly, as the ECJ line of decisions is hard to understand while the decision of the highest Swiss court in this respect is simple and clear. Accordingly, the infringement test is to be applied when assessing whether or not a patent covers the product as defined in an SPC request. No further requirements need to be met. It should be noted that the infringement test not only applies in cases where the number of active ingredients differ between basic patent and SPC (as discussed above), but also applies with respect to claims where the active ingredient itself is not specified (e.g. defined by Markush-formulae or defined functionally). Applying the infringement test to assess suitability of a basic patent, offers protection under Swiss SPCs, where no European SPC would be available. One may take the view that this favours originators, or even results in unjustified SPCs. At least it is a clear and comprehensible approach and provides legal certainty for both generics and originators. Scope of protection The question of whether an allegedly infringing product is within the scope of a Swiss SPC is of utmost importance to all stakeholders. In the context of preliminary measures the patent court had the opportunity to more precisely define the scope of a Swiss SPC. Accordingly, a three-step questionnaire is used. Firstly, does the infringing product fall in the product definition of the SPC? Secondly, is the infringing product a pharmaceutical approved prior to SPC expiry? Thirdly, does the infringing product fall within the scope of the basic patent? Of importance was the first question. In the case in dispute the generic version was a phosphate salt of the active ingredient, while the SPC under dispute specified the corresponding fumarate salt of the same active ingredient. As the generic version relied on the simplified approval mechanism before Swissmedic, it was clear that the salt form did not have an influence on the active ingredient. Correspondingly, both active ingredients are the same for the purposes of the SPC. It was out of the question that the generic product was a pharmaceutical approved prior to SPC expiry (second question) and it was covered by the basic patent (third question). The court emphasised that this decision was not based on discussing principles of equivalence of the basic patent but was based on defining the meaning of product as used in the context of the SPC. We consider this a relevant decision for applicants of a Swiss SPC. The patent office is very strict when applying for an SPC. Typically, the active ingredient as defined in the MA is the only accepted definition of the product. Applicants are often concerned about the scope such definition confers, specifically regarding derivatives thereof (such as salts, esters) or stereoisomers thereof. The above decision now clarifies that an SPC defined by a specific active ingredient also covers pharmaceutically equivalent versions. Further, the decision confirms that the meaning of product is the same in the context of SPC applications and in the context of scope of SPCs. Nullity Swiss SPCs may be invalidated based on essentially the same reasons as EU SPCs, particularly where conditions for obtaining an SPC were not met, or due to nullity, limitation or premature lapse of the basic patent. A recent decision confirmed that this enumeration is exhaustive. Other reasons, such as false reinstatement of rights are not valid ground for invalidating an SPC. We consider this a welcome decision. It provides legal certainty to both originators and generics. It is consistent with patent law. As an immediate consequence of this decision, we recommend monitoring third party SPC grants that are relevant to your business, as the SPC grant date triggers the time limit to appeal. Appeals against the decision of the patent office are handled before the Federal Administrative Court. The grounds of appeal are more extensive compared to the grounds of nullity. The future The Swiss parliament adopted amendments to the Swiss patent law, which are expected to come into force on January 1 2019. They will bring two major aspects to the Swiss SPC. The act now defines the term active ingredient for the purposes of an SPC and further implements an extension of term, provided paediatric studies are performed and made available to the public. Definition of active ingredient In an attempt to clarify the situation, the Swiss legislator decided to define the much-debated term active ingredient. The new patent act will comprise definitions of the term product (as already in place) and of the terms active ingredient and combination of active ingredients (newly implemented with no equivalent in the EU regulations). Accordingly, the active ingredient is a substance of chemical or biological origin belonging to the composition of a medicinal product which has a medicinal effect on the organism. A combination of active ingredients is a combination of several substances, all of which have a medicinal effect on the organism. Although we typically welcome the legislators' aim to provide clear and unambiguous laws, the present wording will raise a number of questions for the future. A long disputed question is how to ascertain whether a product is protected by a basic patent Does this definition have a retroactive effect? In a recent decision of the Patent Court, such a question was raised by one party, but explicitly left open in the decision. A second, and more sophisticated question, will centre around the meaning of the definition provided. As a first example, what is the meaning of a substance of chemical or biological origin? What substance is excluded when including chemical or biological origin? Hopefully not biochemical origin. As a second example, what is a substance having a medicinal effect on the organism? One may argue that enzymes have no effect on the organism, as long as they are not activated. Most probably, it was not the legislators' intent to exclude enzymes from the definition of active ingredients. The same considerations apply to active ingredients supplied in the form of a pro-drug. It would be ridiculous to exclude pharmaceuticals supplied in the form of a pro-drug from the definition of active ingredient. Regarding combination products, it is quite clear that all of them have to qualify as active ingredients. This definition contains in itself the problems of the term active ingredient. For example, the ECJ considered a safener an active ingredient. The core argument the ECJ used was that an active ingredient may act directly or indirectly, both being encompassed by the wording of the regulation. Little predictive skills are required to envisage litigation centred on these definitions. Paediatric extensions Long awaited, and now in sight, are Swiss paediatric extensions. They will come as twins. Firstly, and in line with the EU, an existing SPC may be extended by six months. Secondly, and in addition to the EU, a basic patent may be extended by six months. This second option is only available if no SPC is in place. Extending patents is a welcome option, as there is no reason to reward SPC owners while patentees are ignored. There are many reasons why no SPC is in place but paediatric studies are made, therefore justifying paediatric extensions. Both types of Swiss paediatric extensions (eSPC and pSPC) are available when case studies in agreement with a Paediatric Investigation Plan (PIP) are performed, the results thereof being made available to the public, and certain time limits are met. It is welcome that the PIP made under the EU regulations is accepted. There is no need for additional studies. A certification issued by Swissmedic that all studies agreed upon in the PIP were completed will suffice. However, both types of paediatric extensions come with stumbling blocks, hidden in the various timelines to be met. The first one is to request paediatric extensions two years prior to expiry of the corresponding SPC or patent. This timeline is implemented for the sake of legal certainty. It may deprive applicants from obtaining paediatric extensions in cases where the PIP is accepted late. At least, this timeline is easy to monitor by patent practitioners. The second timeline is much harder to monitor by patent practitioners, as it is typically outside the control of the patent department. The Swiss MA must be filed within six months after the corresponding EU MA was filed. This second time limit was implemented, as the Swiss legislator wanted to ensure that information on paediatrics is available in Switzerland with minimum delay. This time limit requires cooperation between the regulatory department and patent department. Accordingly, to benefit from the Swiss paediatric extension for a given product, the request for a Swiss MA of that product must be filed no later than six months after the first filing of the corresponding EU MA for the same product. This must be proved when requesting the eSPC or pSPC. Review As already implied at the beginning, a consistent approach throughout Europe, the European Union and Switzerland, will lead to unexploited opportunities under Swiss Law. At present, the selection of a suitable basic patent is governed by the principle of the infringement test and affiliated companies are not considered the same applicant. Further, the scope of protection conferred by a Swiss SPC is clearly defined and so are the reasons for nullity. Compared to the situation in Europe, this legal framework appears much more stable and predictable. In the near future, paediatric extensions will be available. Be aware of the various timelines, and appreciate the additional option of extending not only SPCs but also basic patents. Siegfried Grimm Siegfried Grimm obtained his PhD in chemistry from the RWTH Aachen, Germany. After this, he took up a position as a project leader in pharmaceutical development. He then worked as a patent attorney in the pharmaceutical industry. In 2005, he joined E Blum & Co and is now a partner of the firm. Siegfried predominantly advises clients in the fields of pharmacy, chemistry, material science, food processing and chemical engineering. He is highly experienced and has filed and prosecuted hundreds of cases to help start-ups, SMEs and multinational entities to secure and defend IP. For many years, he has been involved in SPC matters in Switzerland. The material on this site is for law firms, companies and other IP specialists. It is for information only. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice before using the site. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws. 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQs. Share this article The event, as part of the activities to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Vietnam-Israel diplomatic ties (1993-2018), was jointly held by the Vietnam Internet Association (VIA), the Israeli Embassy in Vietnam, the Foreign Trade Administration at the Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry and the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute. Speaking at the workshop, VIA Vice President, Vu The Binh, said that Vietnam has approximately 124 million mobile subscribers among a population of 93 million people, including 50 million 3G and 14 million 4G subscribers. In addition, 54.2% of the population uses the Internet. In the next five years, the development of a fiber optic cable system, 4G, and especially 5G network, would contribute greatly to promoting Vietnams economic development in general and the ITC industry in particular, Binh stated. Moreover, the open policy towards foreign investment in the field of ICT would act as a solid foundation for domestic and foreign businesses development. However, there is still difficulty as a large number of internet users has resulted in fierce competition and market saturation, requiring telecom, internet and ICT businesses to continually innovate to improve their product and service quality. Cooperating with foreign businesses, including Israel - a tech giant - is a solution for Vietnamese businesses, Binh suggested. VIA Vice President, Vu The Binh, speaks at the workshop. (Photo: NDO/Bien Dieu) Yaniv Tessel, Counsellor at the Economic and Trade Mission under the Israeli Embassy in Vietnam, said that the top 12 Israel ICT companies present at the workshop shared their experience and introduced solutions to open up opportunities for cooperation and technology transfer in the field between the two countries. Praising Vietnams potential for ICT development, Krael Amitai, Manager at Mobile Sector under Hi-Tech Department of the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute, said that Vietnam is a huge country in term of market development for ICT, as for example, MobiFone, one of Vietnams giant tech companies, has 15 million mobile subscribers alone. That offers huge potential for bilateral cooperation in ICT, Amitai said, adding that Israel has different kind of solutions regarding ICT and smart cities, particularly in terms of the internet of things (IoT), Big Data, artificial intelligence, command and control, and data transfer that could be offered to support Vietnam via technology transfers. At the workshop, delegates explore an overview of ICT development which is Israel's strength and surveyed Israeli top solutions in the field, including networks and infrastructure, value added service, intelligent city and building management, video transport optimisation, video management and monitoring, Big Data management, IoT, mobile services and mobile network security. Businesses from both sides also exchanged to seek cooperation opportunities at the event. 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 Managing IP subscriber? Login here New Delhi : MJ Akbar, MoS of External Affairs, is currently facing the heat of Metoo Campiagn after more women alleged sexual harassment against the minister during his time time as an editor in several media organisations. Akbar was expected to return to Friday, but now he is likely to come back on Thursday, official sources said. According to the reports, the issue has been discussed by senior members in the government and the BJP. The issue took a political turn on Wednesday when the congress demanded that Akbar explain the allegation or step down from the position. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director general Aaron Aquino on Wednesday urged the agencys employees to take proactive measures against threats and violence. He told anti-drug agents to stay vigilant against any possible attacks to avoid a repeat of the killings of five of the agencys agents in Lanao del Sur last Oct. 5. As we continue our relentless fight against drug syndicates, I encourage everyone to be vigilant of these lawbreakers who will do everything to perpetuate their illegal activities even to the extent of killing law enforcers who stand on their way, he said. We will not stop, rather, we will double, if need be, triple our effort to accord justice to our agents, he added. He encouraged the public to report illegal drug activities to the authorities to help the fight against illegal drugs and their purveyors. We will triumph in this fight because PDEA is on the right track in performing its mandate while reassuring the public of its promise to eliminate illegal drugs in the country, he said. On Oct. 5, five PDEA agentsKenneth Tabulo, Kristina Mae Torlao, Lores Joy Amar, Binzo Dipolla and Diobel Paciniowere killed and two othersRachel Gentapanan and civilian employee Normina Dicaywere wounded when armed men attacked them in Kapai town in Lanao del Sur. The incident took place while the agents were on their way to Marawi City after attending a symposium on drug surrenderees in Tagoloan town. As this developed, authorities said they have already identified and filed criminal cases against eight suspects in the ambush-slaying of the five PDEA agents. Reports from the Police Provincial Office-10 identified the suspects as Oscar Capal Gandawali, Palawan Salem Macalabo, Lala Lolo Amboloto; Jamal Lolo Amboloto, Mizangcad Panonde Gandawali, Aiman Guro Gandawali, Jamel Borar, alias Memeka, William Gandawali and two John Does. Police said the suspects were believed to be under the employ of a certain Comayug Macapagal, a native of Taagoloan, Lanao del Sur, who is in the drug watch-list personalities in Marawi City.The police added that one of the suspects, William Gandawali, is the incumbent barangay chairman of Inudaran, Taloloan II and the older brother of Comayug Macapagal, a drug suspect who was recently killed in a police operation. Suspect Oscar Gandawali, meanwhile, is the son of William Gandawali while Aiman Gandawali is the son of Macapagal and nephew of William. Lala Amboloto and Jamal Amboloto, meanwhile, are brothers who are nephews of Macapagal with another sibling. Reports said another suspect, Palawan Macalabo, is another nephew to a different brother/sister of Macapagal while Mizangkad Gandawali is a nephew while Jamel Borar is a relative by affinity and an identified associate of Macapagal in the illegal drugs trade. The two John Does are also believed to be the relatives of the eight suspects. The PNP and the military had already launched a massive manhunt of the suspects. Three days after the incident, the court issued a search warrant against William Comayug Gandawali. Joint elements of the Lanao del Sur police, including Special Action Force ((SAF) and Mobile Force Company operatives and with army troopers from the 2nd Infantry Brigade barged into the reported safehouse of William Gandawali and siezed a cal. 45 pistol, an M16 rifle, ammunitions for cal. 45, M16 and 9mm pistol, a case folder and a hand-sketched paper map. Gandawali was not around during the search. The pieces of evidence were brought to Police Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) and would be presented to the judge who issued the search warrant while charges relating to illegal firearms and ammunitions Act would be filed against Gandawali. On 30 August, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced he would be forcing universities to adopt an Orwellian free speech policy. Under these new rules, student clubs may be dissolved and individual students may face expulsion for simply protesting far-right speakers on campus. This includes our supporters in Canada belonging to Socialist Fightback Students, who have played a leading role in protests against the far right on campus, and are thus in the direct line of fire. In response, Socialist Fightback Students and other groups have organised rallies and protests across Ontario against this new anti-protest law. They have also released a petition, which you can sign here. We ask our readers to show their support by signing the petition and sharing it on social media. This law is a direct attack on the rights of students, and must be resisted by all means necessary. We reproduce here an article on the anti-protest law published in Fightback (marxist.ca) On 30 August, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced he will force all universities and colleges in Ontario to enforce a so-called free speech policy. Let us be very clear: this free speech policy is, in reality, an anti-protest law; a muzzle for students who are rightly protesting fascists and racists on campus. This Orwellian doublespeak means that Ford will be defending the free speech of his right-wing friends, while at the same time stripping that same right away from students and workers on campus. Ford has also imposed draconian measures to enforce his anti-protest law. According to this new policy, if universities do not comply with this anti-protest law, their funding will be cut. This hypocritical and anti-democratic act is how Ford will foster learning environments that encourage freedom of thought and respectful and responsible debate. Thus, under the cover of free speech, Ford is attempting to criminalise the right to protest, which in turn will strengthen his conservative agenda on the campuses. In addition to cutting university funding, this law will also: Remove funding and recognition from student unions who do not wish to be complicit. Result in student clubs that protest hateful groups being defunded and dissolved. Result in individual students being disciplined or even expelled. These actions will have dire consequences for students and workers on campus who do not wish to be silenced by government bullying. A safe space for the far right Shortly before releasing the so-called free speech policy, Ford hosted a private party at his house, inviting members of free speech clubs and University of Toronto professor Jordan Peterson. Last year, Peterson doxxed an activist from Fightback, opening him up to the professors rabid fanbase. This activist and many others were immediately met with death threats, anti-Semitic images, racist slurs, and threats of physical violence against family members. Peterson refused to condemn these actions. Thus, the distance between this polished professor and the fascists is not so wide at all. The fact is that Peterson intentionally mobilised a fascist harassment campaign against left-wing activists on campus. These are the very people Ford aims to protect with his new policy. Former Rebel Media reporter and far-right figurehead Faith Goldy will benefit from Fords anti-protest law / Image: PvOberstein Former Rebel Media reporter and far-right figurehead Faith Goldy will also benefit from Fords anti-protest law. Goldy has had a rough time on Ontario campuses so far. In August 2017, Faith Goldy was asked to speak at Ryerson University. Fightback played a leading role in organising a protest against this meeting that led to the university administration cancelling Goldys booking. This episode took place a couple of weeks after the events of Charlottesville, where neo-Nazis gathered to terrorise students, immigrants, and the black community. These fascists did not gather together for a friendly debate, but were looking for violence and confrontation by carrying fire torches and screaming Nazi slogans on a university campus. One white nationalist drove his car into a large anti-fascist protest killing socialist activist Heather Heyer and injuring 19 others, proving just how violent these groups and the ideas behind them are. Faith Goldy was in Charlottesville at the time to support this murderous rally. A few days later, she spoke on a podcast hosted by the openly neo-Nazi Daily Stormer. Last March, Faith Goldy was invited to speak at Wilfrid Laurier University on closed borders and immigration. She titled her lecture Ethnocide: Multiculturalism and European-Canadian Identity. Students protested this event and the administration cancelled it. If Goldy is going to speak on creating a white ethnostate in Canadaa goal that could only be achieved by genocide and mass deportationsshe should not be surprised that the very people she wants murdered will have something to say about the issue. Last April, Goldy appeared on a YouTube channel with a fellow white supremacist recommending her top reads. On her list of book recommendations is For My Legionaries by Corneliu Codreanu. The author of this book was an anti-Semitic fascist leader who called the Jewish community parasitical to humanity and advocated the complete elimination of Jews. Today, Goldy is running for Toronto mayor on a racist and anti-immigrant platform. Other groups set to benefit from Doug Fords fatherly protection are Proud Boys Canada, who recently commented favourably about the efficient genocide of Hitlers Nazi party. These paragons of polite discussion were also implicated in sabotaging socialist meetings in Hamilton. In another instance, members of the alt-right pulled the fire alarm on a Toronto town hall protesting the inauguration of Donald Trump. Socialist posters have been torn down and vandalised with Nazi graffiti. This all goes to show that the far right does not give a spit about free speech. They are just cowards hiding behind it and colluding with the Ford regime. Freedom from protest According to the right wing, the left labels anyone who is offensive and has controversial views a fascist. As shown by the above examples, some of these people are in fact fascists, even if they play hide-and-seek behind the banner of free speech. While not everyone on the right is a fascist, students nonetheless have a democratic right to protest those promoting right-wing policies. The utmost irony here is that Ford is suppressing those critical of his government, shutting down their clubs, removing their funding, and kicking them out of their studiesand he has the chutzpah to do all this under the banner of free speech! Fords dictat is based upon the University of Chicagos policy that prohibits ongoing disruptive protesting that significantly interferes with the ability of an event to proceed. Socialists defend free speech, which includes the right to protest and organise, but here we see that Ford and the right wing have a very different conception of the term. Free speech does not mean freedom from consequences. Free speech does not mean that you will be immune from the justified anger of those you wish to oppress. Ford made a deal with far-right reactionary forces to win the Tory leadership and is now attempting to use state power to protect them while they spew their hatred with impunity. Are we going to allow Doug Ford to define what constitutes ongoing and disruptive protest? Is there a maximum number of people that can attend a protest according to Ford? Are chants allowed? Is there a 45-minute maximum protest allowance? The whole idea is absurd and Orwellian in nature. Fords lack of concern for free speech is shown by his willingness to use the notwithstanding clause to overrule the freedom of expression of the people of Toronto. Ford just wants to silence his critics and boost his reactionary friends. The hypocrisy that the free speech advocates will not admit is that Fords anti-protest law is an affront to free speech itself. Reactionaries have only ever been defeated when workers, youth and the oppressed have fought them collectively. We cannot trust the state, only our own forces / Image: KarlaAnnCote For socialists, free speech is something that pertains to the state. All should have the right to speak, organise, protest, and demonstrate without being molested by the police or barred from employment and education. However, if your racist, sexist, homophobic speech is so obnoxious to the community that it causes people to turn up to your event and denounce you, you should not be protected from such repercussions. Some liberals and reformists say that the best way to expose the far right is to allow them to speak without protest. In a free and polite exchange of ideas, we are told, people will see the shining truth that is liberal democracy! With all due respect to our liberal and reformist friends, this conception is contradicted by all of world history. Politics is not a parlour game, but a living struggle. The far right tends to rise when society enters into crisis and the liberal status quo is discredited. We see this happening all around the world today. The only way to defeat anti-establishment right-wing ideas is with anti-establishment left-wing ideas. The racists attempt to blame immigrants and minorities for the crisis in society, while socialists lay the blame on those who actually wield the levers of powerthe bosses and the bankers. This is why the right wing does everything in its power to silence these ideas, an effort that is assisted by the liberals when they encourage the left wing not to protest. Reactionaries have only ever been defeated when workers, youth and the oppressed have organised to say they will not allow their oppressors to act with impunity. The 1936 Battle of Cable Street that smashed the British Union of Fascists comes to mind. Even Hitler understood this, stating himself that only one thing could have stopped usif our adversaries had, from the first day, smashed with the utmost brutality the nucleus of our movement. The far-right: violent in word and deed The words of the far right are not victimless. Their belief that unemployment and poverty in society are due to immigrants, Muslims, women, and other oppressed groups leads to violent actions. Last January, the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec was the victim of a brutal mass shooting. Alexandre Bissonette, who professed to being an avid Trump supporter, pro-white nationalist, and anti-feminist, murdered six people and wounded a dozen more. Bissonette felt emboldened by the wave of Islamophobia and xenophobia that was peddled not just by far-right nationalist groups, but by politicians and talk radio stations who have used Islamophobia to divide workers. Since the election of Trump, the rise of right-wing populism in Canada has become a reality, and Ford is its new poster child. Given this threat, it is vital that such hateful ideas are vigorously protested lest they become mainstream and lead to further acts of violence. The reality is that the far right is losing the battle of ideas and organisation. White nationalist gatherings have been met with huge counter-protests in the hundreds and thousands. These protests clearly show how marginalised far-right ideas are in society. In March of this year, alt-right leader Richard Spencer stopped his college campus tours after being met with a string of protests. Due to this mass opposition Spencer said, antifa is winning and explained how his tours are no longer any fun. With the far-right movement failing, and being dwarfed by much bigger mobilisation on the left, Ford is trying to extend a lifeline to his racist friends. It is clear that Ford is hypocritically policing free speech for some and allowing it for others, which means that any and all opposition to far-right ideas on campus will be seen as a form of disruptive protest. Fords protest ban will also silence pro-choice activists fighting for the right of women to have a free and safe abortion. On 5 September, Fightback and pro-choice activists protested the disgusting and traumatising images of dead fetuses held up by a religious fundamentalist anti-abortion group at Ryerson student clubs day. Fightback and pro-choice activists held up big banners to cover the traumatizing images and make it known that these misogynistic and sexist images are not welcome on campus. The anti-abortion group soon packed up and left. Many students, especially young women, thanked us for taking a quick stand. This situation could have ended very differently under Fords new policy. Those protesting the anti-abortionists could find themselves harassed by cops and campus security, in the name of defending the free speech of fundamentalists attempting to traumatise the community. Their clubs could be de-chartered and de-funded. Students could find themselves under academic discipline. This is why reactionary groups like Campaign Life Coalition are putting their support behind Ford. Defend the right to organise against the right! Marxists are the most consistent defenders of democratic rights against state repression. We do not call on the state or university administrations to repress the far right, as such calls are counter-productive. The far right are merely the hired dogs of the bosses and their state, and any laws passed to supposedly police the right will be used against the left while they turn a blind eye to the racists. Students must rely on their own collective strength to mobilise mass protests against fascist and racist speakers on campus. We cannot rely on the bourgeois state to protect our freedom of speech as it can be taken away in an instant. The state will only move against the right wing when their hateful rhetoric provokes an even larger mass mobilisation on the left. The key thing is to mobilise! Students cannot allow Ford to throw the far right a lifeline. The only way we can prevent this is by exercising our own right to protest and assemble / Image: Fightback It is vital that Fords anti-protest law be defied and made impossible to implement. We demand that university administrations uphold the right to protest without state repression or academic sanction. In other words, we demand that universities uphold genuine free speech of those opposed to Doug Fords government and his racist allies. The University of Chicago guidelines must be explicitly rejected as an attack on free speech. We also demand that all student unions defy the law, and refuse to be complicit in its implementation. The Canadian Federation of Students must play a lead role in this. Anything less is a betrayal and will lead to a silencing of dissent on campus, and the eventual disappearance of student unionism. Students cannot allow Ford to throw the far right a lifeline. The only way we can prevent this is by exercising our own right to protest and assemble, a historic right won by the labour movement itself. Students must reach out to the labour movement to join the fight against the suppression of protest. The far right robbed Heather Heyer of her freedom of speech when they mowed her down in Charlottesville last year. We cannot allow them to create the conditions for another atrocity. On 7 October, thousands of people gathered in downtown Montreal to march against racism and the newly elected CAQ government. The demonstration brought out a large number of immigrant families, grandparents and children included, all of whom were shocked by the election of the anti-immigrant government. La Riposte socialiste organised the socialist contingent of over 60 activists on the march. The demonstration was planned before the election of Francois Legault and the CAQ, but the outrage and anger that resulted from the election played a massive part in bringing out hundreds of ordinary people who otherwise might not have attended. The CAQ was elected on an anti-immigrant platform, and won a sweeping majority in the provincial election on 1 October. In the days following the CAQs victory Legault made his intentions known, threatening to use the infamous notwithstanding clause to forbid public sector employees to wear niqabs, kipas, and other ostentatious religious symbols. La Riposte socialiste was present in large numbers well before the march began, greeting people as they arrived, and selling copies of the latest issue of our French paper which featured the headline, FIGHT THE CAQ! The paper was practically selling itself, with many families buying copies and holding them as protest signs, as can be seen in this article from La Presse. We were interviewed numerous times, and drew crowds around our literature tables. By the time the march began, we had over 60 people in the socialist contingent, making for our largest contingent ever! The march started at Parc Emilie-Gamelin, and proceeded through the heart of Montreals business district on Boulevard Rene-Levesque. Our spirits were high, and we visibly affected passersby with our optimism. As chants echoed through the streets, many onlookers waved and pumped clenched fists in the air in support. Marxists against the CAQ! At the end of the march, demonstrators gathered to listen to the last round of speeches. We heard from indigenous groups and organisations engaged in fighting racism and Islamophobia. They denounced racism and the rising intolerance that has been encouraged by the debate about religious symbols. Fehr Marouf, an activist with La Riposte Socialiste, spoke to the crowd. He highlighted that the CAQ victory was the result of the increased polarisation, to the left and to the right, in our society provoked by the crisis of the capitalist system. In this context, people are looking for someone to blame for their declining standards of living. The right wing places the blame on immigrants and religious minorities. Such racism is a useful tool to divide us against each other, and obscure who really is to blame, the capitalists and their rotten system! As Fehr spoke, he had to pause between each sentence, as the cheers drowned out his voice. Some in the crowd exclaimed Cest ca! cest ca! (Thats it! thats it!), while others hugged their neighbours, jumping with enthusiasm! Fehr concluded that it is not enough simply to be against racism, we must also fight for something. We must replace capitalism, which offers nothing but permanent austerity and more and more racism, with socialism! We need a revolution! There is a clear shift in Quebecois society. There is polarisation not only to the right with the CAQ government, but also to the left, as was demonstrated by the good showing for Quebec solidaire. This polarisation is spurring people to take to the streets; and not only the usual activists, but normal everyday people who are being radicalised by events and are looking for answers. By the end of the march, we had sold more than 160 copies of La Riposte Socialiste, mostly to working-class people and immigrants. The ground is shifting beneath our feet, and people are looking to La Riposte socialiste for answers. Though we are still a small force, we are growing rapidly and we need your help! "The initial report we have is that the driver lost control of the vehicle," police officer James Mugera told Reuters at the scene. Police and rescuers had counted 50 people dead, including seven children. "A few survivors" were taken to nearby hospitals, Mugera said. President Uhuru Kenyatta sent his condolences to victims' families and wished those in hospital a quick recovery. "I would like to remind drivers to always exercise caution to avoid such catastrophic incident," he said on Twitter. Residents near where the crash occurred early on Wednesday morning heard screams and ran to the scene. "I woke up when I heard the noise and came here with other people, we found passengers screaming and asking for help, we managed to save a few people who were alive but the others were already dead", said Jackson Kosgei. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident. The Daily Nation newspaper quoted Traffic Commandant Samwel Kimaru as saying that 2,345 people have died in road crashes across Kenya in the past 10 months, an eight percent rise compared to last year. On this weeks episode of Can Do: Lessons from Savvy Montana Entrepreneurs, host Arnie Sherman talks with Kampgrounds of America https://koa.com/ President Toby ORourke http://www.koapressroom.com/bio/toby-orourke/ , the first woman president in the companys 56-year history. KOA got its start in 1962 in Billings, Montana when the sight of travelers heading west on Highway 10 towards the Seattle Worlds Fair sparked the imaginations of a group of business people. Noticing the numbers of people overnighting by the side of the road, they created a campground along the Yellowstone River where, for $1.75 a night, travelers could pitch their tents near a picnic table, fire ring and a hot shower. By Arnie Sherman Full Story: http://www.mtpr.org/post/can-do-koa-future-camping Many books offer advice to budding business leaders, but it would be safe to say that none are presented quite like the latest title from longtime Silicon Valley executive Maynard Webb. Inspired by a fictional story about a father who left a box of letters to his son, Webb has written a collection of letters titled Dear Founder: Letters of Advice for Anyone Who Leads, Manages, or Wants to Start a Business. Webb has served in senior leadership at eBay and Gateway and spent five years as CEO of call center solutions firm LiveOps. He is currently a member of the board of directors at Visa and Salesforce, and is a former board chairman at Yahoo. In the book, he draws on his own experiences as an investor, entrepreneur and board member to dispense advice for founders on facing common challenges from missing goals in the first quarter to firing an employee to knowing when to grow the business. Webb recently joined the [email protected] radio show on SiriusXM to discuss his new book. An edited transcript of the conversation follows. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (2nd R) meets with Harald Kruger, chairman of the board of management of German carmaker BMW Group, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 10, 2018. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- China will promote a higher level of opening up and will continue to be an ideal place for foreign investment, Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday in Beijing during his meeting with Harald Kruger, chairman of German carmaker BMW Group. "Deepening pragmatic cooperation between China and Germany serves common interests of both sides," Li said. He noted that a new cooperation project between BMW and China, in the northeastern city of Shenyang, will be the first to benefit from the ease of limits on foreign stakes in automobile joint ventures in China. The upcoming project indicated that China's new opening up measures are being translated into concrete actions, Li said. "In the future, these measures will be even stronger, a higher level of opening up will be established, and China will continue to be a hot place for foreign investment in the long run," he said. "We welcome enterprises from different countries, including German enterprises, to seize the opportunity and expand investment in China and better achieve common development and win-win results," he said. Kruger said China is the largest market for BMW and the company cherished the opportunity to invest in the country. He said BMW will take the opportunity of launching the new factory in Shenyang to expand cooperation with China and create a mutually beneficial and win-win situation as certain models of BMW cars will be sold in global markets including China. Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor delivers her policy address in south China's Hong Kong, Oct. 10, 2018. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai) HONG KONG, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam delivered her policy address on Wednesday, highlighting housing, economy, people's livelihood and young people's development. It was Lam's second policy address since she was sworn in on July 1, 2017. Lam said the policy address, titled Striving Ahead Rekindling Hope, covers areas including good governance, housing and land, diversified economy, nurturing talent, improving people's livelihood, liveable city and connecting with young people. In the address, the chief executive said the HKSAR government would introduce steps to solve the housing problem facing Hong Kong. To deal with the issue as where to get land, Lam presented plans on land supply, including Lantau Tomorrow Vision, development of brownfield sites, land sharing and revitalization of industrial buildings. Being the largest outlying island in Hong Kong, Lantau is home to the Hong Kong International Airport and the gateway to the world. And the commissioning of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge will improve Lantau to a "Double Gateway" to the world and other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Lantau Tomorrow Vision is to provide 260,000 to 400,000 residential units, with 70 percent being public housing, to accommodate 700,000 to 1.1 million people, and to create 340,000 jobs for the coming 20 to 30 years, according to Lam. Lam noted that in the first half of this year, the HKSAR economy grew strongly by 4 percent in real terms over the previous year, riding on the broadly positive global economic environment. The HKSAR government will act proactively, strengthen its roles in serving as "facilitator" and "promoter," and seize the opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development, with a view to generating new impetus for HKSAR's economy. Lam said that the HKSAR government and herself will not tolerate any acts that advocate "Hong Kong independence" and threaten the country's sovereignty, security and development interests. Lam stressed that the policy address is built on the HKSAR's unique strengths under "one country, two systems" and combined with the current-term HKSAR government's unflagging efforts since assuming office on July 1, 2017. "This policy address carries my unswerving determination in leading Hong Kong to strive forward. While there are many words, they serve just one purpose: rekindling hope for Hong Kong," she said. Lam said the HKSAR government would enhance cooperation with the mainland in terms of trade, finance, innovation and technology, and some other areas. She would establish a high-level steering committee for the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with herself as the chairperson. She said that the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area would bring Hong Kong new areas of economic growth and the opportunity to enlarge the living environment of Hong Kong residents. As a prime platform and key link for the Belt and Road Initiative, Hong Kong would strive to grasp the opportunities brought by the initiative, Lam added. Lam said the HKSAR government will step up efforts to promote innovation and technology. Further to the 50 billion HK dollars earmarked in this year's budget, an additional 28 billion HK dollars will be allocated for university research, re-industrialization, application of technology in public services and related areas, she said. (1 U.S. dollar = 7.83 HK dollars) Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (4th R, front) meets with Japanese representatives attending the fourth China-Japan Business Leader and Former High-Level Government Official Dialogue in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 10, 2018. Li also held a symposium with the representatives. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday called for joint efforts from China and Japan to improve bilateral relations. Li made the remarks when meeting Japanese representatives attending the fourth China-Japan Business Leader and Former High-Level Government Official Dialogue in Beijing. Noting this year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Li said the momentum of improvement of China-Japan relations has been consolidated by the joint efforts of the two sides. He expressed hope that the two countries will abide by the principles agreed on in the four political documents between China and Japan, to ensure the steady and sustainable development of bilateral ties. With regard to bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Li said it is not only beneficial to the two countries but also conducive to the development of global economy and trade, as China and Japan are two major economies of the world. He expected the two countries to make use of complementary advantages to expand cooperation in such areas as trade and investment, financial and monetary, innovation and high-tech, as well as jointly tapping a third market, and jointly safeguard multilateralism and the free trade system. "China will continuously expand opening up. We welcome Japanese enterprises to increase investments in China and continue to play a positive role in promoting cooperation and exchanges between China and Japan," Li said. Japanese representatives, including former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Chairman of Japan Business Federation Hiroaki Nakanishi, said the Japanese economic community is willing to promote cooperation with China in such areas as innovation, jointly tapping the third market, environmental protection and coping with the aging population. They said that Premier Li's official visit to Japan in May has brought Japan-China relations back to the normal track. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi also met with the representatives on Wednesday. Wang said China and Japan should consolidate political and legal basis of bilateral relations, ensure the major consensus that the two countries are cooperation partners and sketch out a new blueprint for the future development of bilateral ties. During the meeting with Wang, Yasuo Fukuda said that the two sides should work together to ensure Japan-China relations remain in the right direction. The Japanese side looks forward to deeply participate in the new-round of reform and opening up in China. BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Wednesday called for efforts to improve the country's ability to safeguard against natural disasters, and fully launch the planning and construction of the Sichuan-Tibet railway. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at the third meeting of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs. He is also head of the committee. "As a stronger capability of safeguarding against natural disasters concerns the economy and people's livelihood, China will set up an efficient and scientific system and improve the capability of the whole society in a bid to protect people's lives and property and national security," Xi said when addressing the meeting. Xi also highlighted the Sichuan-Tibet railway, saying it was of profound significance for the country's long-term stability and the development of Tibet. Premier Li Keqiang, Wang Huning, a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice Premier Han Zheng attended the meeting. As one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, China has attached great importance to the matter and made remarkable progress, the meeting said. But its overall capability to respond to such extreme conditions is still relatively weak, and more should be done. To fix the short link, China will work to build a coordinated disaster-responding system, adopt a people-centered approach, give priority to the environment, try its best to minimize the aftermath, propel reforms and innovation to modernize its capability, and continue international cooperation, according to the meeting. A raft of major projects will be advanced, including ecological restoration of forest, grassland and rivers, coastal protection such as building ecological seawalls, housing reinforcement projects in earthquake-prone areas, flood control and drought relief, relocation of residents in disaster-hit places, construction of emergency centers, natural disaster monitoring and early warning, and the modernization of rescue technology and equipment. The meeting also emphasized the planning and construction of the Sichuan-Tibet railway, as it will promote ethnic solidarity, safeguard national unity and consolidate the stability of the frontier, as well as bolster Tibet's economic and social development. China will push forward the project at a high starting point, and pursue high standards and quality, the meeting said, stressing scientific planning, technical support, ecological protection, safety and reliability. Illustration: Liu Rui/GT On my flight from Beijing to Los Angeles, I watched US Vice President Mike Pence's speech on China policy and felt a chill that reminded me of the Cold War. But when I walked out of the airport, a tender breeze alleviated that uneasy feeling. All seats on my flight were taken. Although my travel was close to the end of China's week-long National Day holiday, there were some tourist groups on the flight. A Chinese-American manager who works for a US company told me that he travels to China five to six times a year and it is quite normal to see a full flight. After I arrived at Los Angeles, I found that Trump-nominated controversial judge Brett Kavanaugh's swearing-in as Supreme Court Justice was the most attention-grabbing news on US social media and mainstream media. Kavanaugh's confirmation had come after a bitter struggle between the Democratic Party and GOP. The driver who picked me up from the airport showed immense interest in the topic, while knowing little about Pence's stinging speech on China. When asked about the trade friction between China and his country, he just said, "I don't feel that." The Americans I talked to during my trip all thought that Washington's China policy was "inconsistent" and "fluctuating." They then narrated stories which showed that the economies of China and the US and even the lives of people from both countries were interdependent and inseparable. One day we drove to Lancaster where the BYD Motor Factory is located. After a crossing, a sign ahead of us read "BYD Boulevard." Driving along the street, we could see "BYD" in red on the grey wall with "Building Your Dream" written below it. While more and more Chinese companies hope to bring their dreams to the US, more and more American companies are fulfilling their dreams in China. I cannot help but think of the American manager I met on my flight, whose company and family are already closely associated with China. The dreams of the people of Lancaster are linked with the arrival of BYD, the world's biggest manufacturer of electric vehicles headquartered in China's Shenzhen. The plant, which started construction in Lancaster in 2013, has provided thousands of jobs in this small city of 160,000. R. Rex Parris, mayor of Lancaster, told me that he assumed the role during the 2008 financial crisis when unemployment was high and the economy was experiencing a steep decline. BYD was the first foreign investment he brought in. It has become a successful case of communication between two different cultures and helped draw in more investment. Local unemployment decreased to 4 percent from 24 percent. Cooperation was the word most used by Parris. Pointing to a laptop on his desk, he said, if China and the US compete for who should produce it, it will only be a zero-sum game; but if they cooperate, they can produce more products and explore wider markets. Rajit Gadh, director at the UCLA Smart Grid Energy Research Center, did not directly respond to my questions about the trade friction, but eloquently said, trade frictions are temporary, but the direction in which electric vehicles are heading is for the long term. Gadh believes that the technological development of electric vehicles cannot happen without either China or the US, especially California. China is the largest market with the most advanced technology for battery manufacturing. California has a leading edge in this regard and half the number of electric vehicles in the whole of America are found in California. The short visit to the US makes me feel that the public in both countries did not expect that Washington's China policy would come to this, but they are unlikely to follow Washington's drumbeat. China-US relations are about bilateral interaction rather than a one-man show. Washington may be passionate about time-travel dramas, but today we all live in a world of coexistence. People on both sides of the Pacific are not interested in going back to the Cold War era. The author is a senior editor at People's Daily and a senior fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China. [email protected] Follow him on Twitter @dinggangchina. Local News - Poker Tournament, 60% Off Comics, WALKING DEAD DAY! Howdy! This is a weekend when it would be greatly to your benefit to stop by Mile High Comics! Not only have we begun our annual 60% off HALLOWEEN! sale on all of ten million of our back issue comics a week early, but this Saturday is WALKING DEAD DAY. That's especially important to you because we were allowed by Robert Kirkman to print an ultra-rare Mile High Comics variant edition of WALKING DEAD #1, limited to only 750 copies. Of those few issues, we have already pre-sold 100 copies at $19.95 each as a benefit for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. That leaves us only 650 copies remaining. Those should go fast after we put them on sale on Saturday morning, as we have a worldwide mailing list of about 110,000 people. They will be priced for you on Saturday and Sunday at $19.95 each, and $29.95 on Monday. After that, the sky's the limit. Need I say more? WALKING DEAD #1 15th Anniversary Edition Mile High Exclusive Two more reasons for your to come in to our Mile High Comics Jason St. Mega-Store on Saturday is that we are going to host both a huge no-minimum-bid comics and toys auction, and also one of our famous Texas Hold'em Poker Tournaments. Poker begins at 11 AM, and the auction begins at 11:30. Both are benefit events designed to raise money to help us to purchase warm socks for the 1,500 homeless people served by Denver's "Feeding Denver's Hungry" and Albuquerque's "A Light In The Night". Please do stop by on Saturday and support these two fun events. Shirley Hortado Shirley Hortado Finally, we are auctioning off three exceptionally nice comics to help Shirley Hortado, a nine year-old girl who lives in Costa Rica. My good friend, Henry Bastos-Wood (who was born in Costa Rica), met Shirley last weekend when he was a judge for a major beauty pageant in San Juan. Shirley was born with a congenital heart ailment that eventually caused her to need to have both of her arms amputated at the elbows, and both of her knees removed below the knee. X-MEN #266 for mini-auction to help to purchase new prosthetic legs for a 9 year-old girl who lives in Costa Rica. X-MEN #244 for mini-auction to help to purchase new prosthetic legs for a 9 year-old girl who lives in Costa Rica. GREEN LANTERN #76 for mini-auction to help to purchase new prosthetic legs for a 9 year-old girl who lives in Costa Rica. Despite her afflictions Henry told me that Shirley remains incredibly upbeat, and tries her best to get around on some clunky old wood prosthetics that were given to her when she was much younger. Henry's goal in contacting me was to seek my help in raising the $2,700 needed to provide Shirley with some new lightweight polycarbonate prosthetics that will actually fit her, and allow her to walk on her own. That is why we are going to conduct a special mini-auction at noon on Saturday, just to raise a little money to help this beautiful little girl to walk. Any help that you could provide to Shirley on Saturday would be greatly appreciated. We will also have a chance drawing for a stunning new WALKING DEAD Negan statue, with all the proceeds going to help Shirley to walk again. WALKING DEAD NEGAN Statue Happy collecting! Chuck Rozanski, President - Mile High Comics, Inc. October 11, 2018 New Era wrestling P.S. We also have a huge New Era wrestling tournament scheduled in Jason St. for Saturday, October 13th. Doors open at 6:30 pm and show starts at 7:00. Kids truly love the frenetic zaniness of pro wresting! P.S.S. Here are some of the comics in this Saturday's no-minimum-bid comics and toys auction: Lot #15 Lot #16 Lot #17 Lot #18 Lot #19 Lot #20 Lot #21 Lot #22 Lot #23 Lot #24 Current Newsletter Editor's note: After his meeting with Kim Jong-un, leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korean in Pyongyang on Oct 8, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed the two countries can make "real progress" on denuclearization at a second summit. Two experts shared their views on how to achieve further development. Excerpts follow: US and DPRK have to narrow gap in expectations Wang Sheng, a researcher at the Co-Innovation Center for Korean Peninsula Studies and professor of International Politics at Jilin University Meeting Kim, confirming the DPRK's willingness to continue denuclearizing, and reaching some agreements on Kim's next meeting with US President Donald Trump, Pompeo's trip was another step forward for the two countries. However, there were no breakthroughs announced on the denuclearization stalemate. Pyongyang did not make a declaration as urged by Washington and Washington did not promise the reciprocity required by Pyongyang. Though the convocation of another summit between the US and DPRK leaders appears to be in the cards, they may still quite differ in their agendas. When Pompeo visited the Republic of Korea before he met Kim, the ROK put up a proposal that the US could sign a declaration to end the Korean War, which would be easier to reach in a short term, in exchange for the US inspecting the DPRK's dismantling of its nuclear weapons sites. But the US prefers a peace treaty which will take more time. There is little doubt that Washington and Pyongyang want peace talks because Pyongyang needs the international sanctions removed to develop its economy, and Washington wants a remarkable achievement before the midterm election in November. Pompeo acknowledged China's contributions to Peninsula denuclearization and China's potential role in a peace treaty, which may be an intention to increase pressure on the DPRK to take bolder steps in denuclearization. But when Pompeo visited East Asia, vice-foreign minister of the DPRK Choe Son-hui held trilateral talks with Russia and China in Moscow on Oct 9, which could be the DPRK's attempt to gain more support for its expectations of the denuclearization negotiations. There will be no substantial development at a second US-DPRK summit, if one takes place, unless the US and the DPRK narrow their differences. In the current period, Washington's views on the ROK's end-of-war proposal is important. US must adopt more flexible approach Jin Qiangyi, a researcher at the Center for North and South Korea Studies of Yanbian University The DPRK dismantling its nuclear test sites and missile facilities is only freezing its nuclear program. For complete denuclearization, the DPRK will have to accept inspections of the dismantling process and declare all the details of its nuclear weapons. Therefore it is hard to expect the US to act in line with Pyongyang's series of "denuclearizing efforts". However, the US should change its tough stance and ease the pressure on the DPRK. Pyongyang will not do more substantial denuclearization without reciprocation. In fact, the stalemate between Washington and Pyongyang has not changed much. The international community should listen to the DPRK about its concerns to make a real breakthrough. It is difficult for the United Nations to lift sanctions and for the US to reduce its military threat. But action-for-action reciprocity should be brokered by other countries, such as a promise of not worsening sanctions in the current phase, easing sanctions if Pyongyang make tangible progress toward denuclearization, a schedule of economic aid and cooperation in line with further advancements. It is time to draft plans to support the DPRK's economic recovery and opening-up as economic development should be the DPRK's priority. For example, if the US, China, the ROK, Russia, and Japan, which have interests in Northeast Asia, all want to take a lead in the denuclearization process, the process cannot move steadily unless they move in the same direction. There needs to be joint economic support for a denuclearized Pyongyang. October 11, 2018 Saudis Must Cough Up Billions To Settle Khashoggi Case The Khashoggi case, discussed here, will be moved off the news pages even faster than assumed. A CNN correspondent just tweeted this: Erdogan spox: "At the request of Saudi Arabia, a joint working group will be established to uncover the events surrounding Jamal Khashoggi." Translation: Erdogan spox: "Our Sultan received a sufficient down payment to start negotiating about the burial of the case." Prediction: Erdogan will use the 'joint working group' to squeeze as much as he can out of the Saudis. (A deal may even include a political settlement of the Saudi blockade of Erdogan's sponsor Qatar.) Yesterday 22 Senators signed a request to Trump to investigate the Khashoggi case under the Global Magnitsky Act. The Trump administration has 120 days to finish the investigation and to report back to the Senate. Any person or organization found to be involved in the kidnapping and possible murder of Khashoggi could then come under U.S. sanctions. Those 120 days are the time-frame for Erdogan to use the thumbscrews the Saudi fuckup in its consulate in Istanbul handed him. The Saudi clown prince Mohammad bin Salman will get squeezed like never before. It will cost him billions to purchase the video of the Khashoggi killing the Turkish government claims to have. Erdogan will not be the only one to profit from the issue. The Senate move gives Trump enormous leverage over the Saudis. He will use it. Trump loudly claimed that he personally closed a $110 billion deal in which the Saudis purchase more useless weapons. There never was a 'deal', only some non-binding letters of intent. The Saudis have been reluctant to follow through. They did not pony up the $15 billion for the U.S. made THAAD missile defense systems Trump 'sold' them and even talked with Russia about buying the much cheaper and better S-400: According to The Washington Post, among the agreements still up in the air is the $15 billion purchase of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System [THAAD], made by US defense contractor Lockheed Martin. In a sign of Trump's continued emphasis on arms sales as a component of US foreign policy, White House senior adviser and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner personally intervened with Lockheed to secure a 20% discount for the air-defense system. Yet Riyadh let a September 30 deadline to wrap up that purchase come and go, according to The Post. The new sales-pitch is easy to see. Either MbS buys the THAAD and other useless systems (without discount), or the investigation Trump has to pursue will reluctantly find MbS involved in the Khashoggi case. That would put MbS and his assets within the U.S. under sanctions. The Saudi King would have to replace MbS as clown king and successor. Others will also try to gain political profit from the case. Netanyahoo will request that the investigation under the Global Magnitsky Act finds that Iran is guilty of the murder. Others will want to blame Russia. Was it a GRU cyberattack that hindered the Saudi consulates CCTV from recording the events while Qasem Soleimani slipped into the Saudi consulate and novichoked Khashoggi? That might sound far fetched or even crazy but we have been here before. When in December 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie it was quite obvious that it was a revenge act for the July 1988 murder of 290 people on board of Iran Air flight 655 by the U.S. navy. But the investigation was fudged and in the end it was politically most convenient to blame Libya's Ghaddafi for the Pan Am disaster even while he had nothing to do with either incident. But whatever. Deals will be made and the case will be buried. If the deals are good enough, several dozen billions will be required, the U.S. might even allow Mohammad bin Salman to stay in his position. But King Salman, or some Saudi citizens, may well find that the various crazy endeavors MbS tends to launch - the war on Yemen, the Qatar blockade, the Khashoggi assassination - are becoming way too costly for the country. A simple unlucky home accident could solve that problem. Posted by b on October 11, 2018 at 19:03 UTC | Permalink Comments next page As the US government keeps slapping additional tariffs on Chinese products, the owner of a bag company Sherrill Mosee in Pennsylvania is feeling much stressed. The trade war initiated by the US threatens the survival of American start-ups, since the soaring costs have become increasingly unbearable, the businesswoman told Peoples Daily. Mosee was a nine-to-fiver who was always annoyed by the choice of bags when going out, and finally she decided to produce a fashionable and multipurpose bag by herself. To find the proper production line was the biggest challenge for her after she completed designing the bag, as the manufacturing cost in the US was too high to afford for a start-up company like hers. So Mosee resorted to Chinese manufacturers and she soon found an ideal supplier in Chinas Guangdong province which helped her enter the market at reasonable prices. After her brand MinkeeBlue officially hit market in 2014, the bags have been making satisfactory performance in the US market, which makes Mosee feel very proud of what she has done. She told Peoples Daily that it was the Chinese handbag manufacturers who helped realize her dream to start a business. However, now her business is faced with a survival crisis as the US government has announced the decision to impose tariffs on a wider array of Chinese goods. If the 25 percent tariffs were imposed on her products, she would have to pay an extra 50 percent for imports from China, according to Mosee, who added that as a start-up, her company had limited capital and it couldnt cope with the rising costs. Mosee said she had only two choices, either to transfer the cost to consumers by raising the prices, or to close down her business. But to increase prices was a risky and unsustainable move, she noted worryingly. It is impossible to find another proper supplier except China, because it took a lot of time and efforts and China had a large number of skilled workforce, said the businesswoman, stressing that the US governments decision to impose additional tariffs meant a blow to her company. MinkeeBlue is one of the many American small and medium- sized companies in such a plight since Washington started and escalated trade frictions. Most of these enterprises win their markets through cutting production costs in global supply chains. An earlier survey to 923 American small-business owners showed that more than one third of them thought the additional tariffs could harm their businesses, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. From Wisconsin to South Carolina, small businesses are starting to lay off employees because of Trump's tariffs. Many firms have warned that the worst is yet to come, said a Business Insider report. The interests of these companies could be further hurt as the US government widens the categories of imported Chinese goods subject to additional tariffs, according to media reports. 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. When more than 13,000 people in 13 villages of Laos were threatened by a flood caused by the dam collapse on a July night, the Chinese rescue teams warmed up the disaster-hit locals with a helpful hand. Chinas Blue Sky Rescue (BSR) team, a non-governmental professional rescue organization, volunteered to take part in the rescue mission at the first moment after learning the dam collapse in Snamsai County of Attapeu Province on July 23. The head of BSRs Thailand unit Yin Yandong, leader of the BSR advance team Pi Jianjun, doctor Tao Chengcheng and a volunteer reached the disaster-hit area on the morning of July 27, and the team also dispatched four vehicles, four boats and 20 aid workers in two groups to the area, who rescued 9 stranded citizens that day. In order to transfer a child in Banbo village who had run a fever for four days to the district hospital, Yin and other rescuers raced against time and danger by driving the car with a top speed in the mud. We only hope to reduce their loss as much as possible through our efforts, said Yin. The devastating flood, especially the sludge formed after that, made the rescue especially difficult, Yin told Peoples Daily, adding that the rescuers could only walk to the area as the boats could not get through the sludge. Every step took a lot of efforts, said the team leader, explaining that in the last two days, the rescuers had to crawl forward in the mud, which was a severe test both physically and psychologically. Despite this, the rescuers, upholding the spirit to never give up and leave no one behind, kept on searching for the affected people, Yin noted. We see hope as we see the rescuers in blue, said a local villager. After the BSR entered the disaster-hit area as the first non-governmental rescue team, it dispatched over 80 rescuers to fight against the disaster day and night. Apart from BSR, other Chinese rescue forces also played a crucial role in the disaster relief, such as the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) medical team, the Rescue Team of Ram Union, non-governmental voluntary organizations in Guizhou, Xiamen, Beijing and the 9958 emergency rescue platform. They all headed for the disaster area in Laos immediately after the disaster took place. A friend in need is a friend indeed. China lent a hand to Laos right away after the disaster, which once again reflects the deep friendship between the two governments and the two peoples, said Lao Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Baikham Khattiya. The Lao government and people are grateful for that, and will never forget Chinas strong support, she noted. National Coming Out Day(NCOD) is observed annually around the world on Ocotber the 11th to help create an environment where living openly and honestly is possible. On Oct. 11, 2018, the Greater Dayton LGBT Center will celebrate the 30th anniversary of National Coming Out Day, raising awareness of civili rights for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. Coming out is one of the most courageous acts any LGBTQ person makes, and on this National Coming Out Day that courage remains essential to our continued progress toward full equality, says president of the Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin. HRC is the largest LGBT advocacy and political lobbying organization in the United States. The local celebration will also serve as the coming out party for the Greater Dayton LGBT Center. The Center, at 24 N. Jefferson Street, Suite 200, has undergone a huge transformation and will open to the public for our Grand Opening on October 11th at 6 pm. The Grand opening will also feature an art show with works by local and national artists which will include two pieces by the artist Keith Haring. The Center will serve hors doeuvre beginning at 6 pm as a social hour with a program at 7 pm featuring members of our local community sharing their coming out stories. Randy Phillips, President of The Greater Dayton LGBT Center shares, These coming out stories from different eras offer a built-in history lesson of our community. Greater Dayton LGBT Center 24 N Jefferson St Ste 200 Dayton, Ohio 45402 (937) 274-1776 The innovation, jointly developed in China, could reduce the threat the material poses in seas across the world. Chilean businessman Roberto Astete has had the same dream for several years: used plastic cutlery from a dinner party is automatically sorted and fed into small grinders, after which the debris is dissolved in water in just a few minutes before being flushed away. "We wouldn't need to collect, transport and dispose of plastic waste at special facilities anymore. It could be processed easily on-site to reduce ocean pollution," he said. Bags made from PVA, a water-soluble material, are displayed at a media briefing in Santiago, Chile, in July. CLAUDIO REYES/FOR CHINA DAILY Now, Astete's dream is almost a reality thanks to a new material and processing technology devised by his partner company in South China. In late July, Astete's company Solubag SpA and Polye Materials Co, in Guangdong province, jointly launched a series of soluble shopping bags in Santiago, capital of Chile, just before the Chilean government enacted a law that banned businesses from providing customers with free plastic bags. It takes centuries for petrochemical plastic bags to degrade in the oceanin the meantime they choke marine animals and harm the entire ecosystem. The bag introduced by the two companies dissolves in water quickly, and Astete even drank the mixture during a press conference to endorse its safety. According to Chen Gang, chairman of Polyrocks Chemical Co, Polye's parent company, the bag is made from modified polyvinyl alcohol, aka PVA, which comes from natural gas or calcium carbide. "PVA bags dissolve in water in minutes so they won't choke marine animals. The solution will not pollute water or soil," Chen said. "This alternative to plastic bags is eco-friendly." PVA has been used in paint, glue and textile manufacturing since the 1930s, and PVA film has also been widely used for packaging in recent years. However, it was difficult and costly to process the material into shopping bags because of its lack of thermoplasticity (pliability when heated), said Cui Yuefei, the bag's inventor and a senior engineer with the South China University of Technology in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong. Cui spent years modifying PVA in laboratories and completed his experiments in 2008. By adding certain agents, he made it easier for the material to be pelleted, blow-molded and made into bags. Ipsos Completes GfK Divisional Acquisition Ipsos has completed the acquisition of four global divisions of GfK Custom Business Research -Customer Experience, Experience Innovation, Health, and Public Affairs - for a total of EUR 105m. In August last year, GfK announced a transformation and investment programme, following what it described as a 'difficult year' and the sale of 18.54% of the business to US-based private equity firm KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts). GfK then sold its Custom Research operations in the Baltic Republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, excluding its Retail and Technology arm, to full-service agency RAIT. The four global GfK Custom Research Business divisions will be included in Ipsos' consolidated accounts from 1st October 2018. Commenting on the acquisition, which was first announced at the end of July, Ipsos founder and CEO Didier Truchot (pictured) said: 'With this transaction, about 1,000 strong managers and committed professionals are joining Ipsos. With them and our 16,500 employees, Ipsos furthers its goal to implement the Total Understanding Project, a growth plan as close as possible to clients' needs, and to make the Ipsos brand synonymous with excellence in providing a better understanding of society, markets and people'. Web sites: www.gfk.com and www.ipsos.com . Michigan Technological Universitys thought leaders share their ideas to prepare students and the University for a rapidly changing future. Lorelle Meadows, dean of Pavlis Honors College, explains the importance of critical reflection and a self-authoring mind. The Greek philosopher Heraclitus recognized that change is the only constant, asserting that change is central to the universe. We now live in a time where change is not only constant, but rapid and often disruptive, bringing with it a high level of uncertainty for the future. Technologies continue to evolve and advance that are capable of handling our more mundane undertakings. Artificial intelligence and automation will continue to enter the mainstream and displace humans in fields for which students are currently preparing. How might we prepare the student of today to address the needs of society at a level that machines cannot? Its an exciting time and a daunting time, as we as educators consider how best to prepare our students for the world they will enter after graduation. As we do so, I believe its imperative to consider the whole studentthe development of our students as highly skillful and knowledgeable in their chosen field and as individuals with the competencies needed to manage uncertainty and change and to enter the post-graduate world as participants and contributors. This requires that our students build their own self-concept, learn to develop meaningful and rewarding relationships, and mature their capacity for deep learning. As Ive navigated higher education myself as a student, teacher, researcher and administrator, working in collaboration with people across numerous fields, my perspectives on higher education have evolved. I have come to value the development of students across many domains, including cognitive (or thinking), affective (feeling) and psychomotor (kinesthetic). Ive grown to appreciate the value of an education that challenges students to struggle with the messy problems of engaging with the bridge between themselves and the real world, bringing in aspects of the humanities, arts and social sciences, in ways that develop not only competence in a given field, but autonomy and relatedness. The socialized mind versus the self-authoring mind As I explored educational theory, I found that psychologist Robert Kegans theory of adult development provides a framework around which higher education could coalesce to provide students with a foundation in the competencies needed to advance their ability to become flexible professionals, and also balance their knowledge across the technical and social worlds. Kegans theory suggests that as we mature, we encounter disorienting dilemmas that cause us to question our worldviews. With sufficient support through these challenges, we develop our own sense of self rather than depending on external authorities to define who we are. We begin to shift our perspective from simply reacting to the world around us, to examining ourselves as objects operating within the world with autonomy. It is exactly this internal definition that provides individuals with the capacity to manage complexity, uncertainty and changethe world our students are entering. Kegan categorizes developmental stages from adolescence to adult as a shift from the socialized mind to the self-authoring mind. The individual with the socialized mind is a good team player and faithful follower who is reliant on others for direction. While these can be admirable traits, the prime motivating factor for behavior is the approval of others, not an internal sense of direction or value. When confronted with a rapidly changing and uncertain future, this lack of an internal voice can cause increased stress in identifying a path forward. "If you exhibit self-authorship, you stop thinking just as society doesfor example, I must be a 4.0 student to be successfuland you start shaping society by what you choose to do. Success for myself is being a knowledgeable, experienced, respectable and respectful human being." Pavlis Honors College Student The self-authoring mind has a greater capacity for independence and leadership driven by an internal compass and worldviewa strong problem-solving and agenda-driving orientation, with the capacity for perspective taking and adaptation. Here, the motivating factor is an internal compass based on individualized values and principles. When confronted with change, this individual can rely on themselves to navigate an uncertain landscape and design a way forward. In his research, Kegan finds that about 58 percent of adults primarily operate with a socialized mind, and only 35 percent of adults operate with a self-authored mind. The remainder operate primarily at lower levels, with 1 percent achieving even higher levels of development. Research exploring the development of college undergraduates shows that most undergraduates remain externally defined and driven at graduation. To the degree that we can encourage our students to develop higher levels of self-authorship while in college, we can produce graduates who are better equipped to manage the unique challenges of continuous and potentially disruptive change and shape the future, rather than simply experiencing it. But how? A platform for critical reflection At its most basic level, development of self-authorship relies on exposure to an environment that balances challenge with support. As students are challenged, they require a system of support that assists them to confront the challenge, reflect on the experience and identify the learning that has occurred. The learning is then available to be put into action moving forward. This process requires the development of the students capacity for critical reflectionto examine themselves and their experiences from an external perspective. As students build this capacity, they advance their ability to see themselves as objects in control of their environmentan important shift in their development toward the self-authoring mind. Thus, providing students with a platform in which critical reflection can occur instills a habit of thought that drives adult development. With this in mind, the Pavlis Honors College has identified nine key abilities that every student in the College is encouraged to cultivate through a curriculum of critical reflection, design-thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration. These include merits like valuing diverse perspectives, embracing ambiguity, welcoming challenge and balancing confidence with humility. "The Pavlis Honors College is helping me to achieve self-authorship by providing a community and situation in which I am fully free to express my ideas and learn from those around me. The discussions are thought provoking, with no simple solutions, if solutions at all. In this, I am fully engaged, by sharing my life experiences and drawing further conclusions." Pavlis Honors College Student While most other honors colleges use GPAs and standardized tests to measure whether a student can enter and stay in their program, were unique in that we work with all students who want to work with us to define and achieve their own success. Students in our program articulate what success looks and feels like for them, and we help them design their path forward. Our program pushes students outside their comfort zone and gives them the opportunity to test ideas, learn from failure and better understand who they are and where their passions lie. We know that if students are shaping their own goals and charting their own path to achieve them, they are developing a self-authoring mind. "To me, self-authorship and the honors abilities are all about being intentional and being present: present with ourselves, with our interactions and with every situation or problem or experience we encounter. This presence allows us to integrate past experiences, and the insight we have gained from them, into intentional value-driven action. The experiences I have gained and reflected on during my time in the honors college, have given me many opportunities for personal growth and provided me with some of the skills and tools to be able to make those value-driven decisions and actions." Pavlis Honors College Student Michigan Tech faculty do a great job of giving our students the knowledge they need in their majors. Pavlis helps students develop competencies that prepare them for the unique challenges theyll face after graduation. This approach is critical because we educators are no longer training students for the jobs we knowwere educating them for a rapidly changing future where they will need to rely on skills and competencies like comfort with uncertainty and a bias for action. The nine abilities are a distillation of the forward-looking competencies that our external advisory board felt were critical to the future success of our graduates. They complement a STEM-focused education, providing a foundation for our students to lead themselves and others through the challenges they will encounter in our rapidly changing world, ensuring their place in the future. Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, the University offers more than 125 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure. Our data does not support claims ... Chinese volunteers and Syrian children pose for a picture. (Photo by Huang Peizhao from Peoples Daily) Wang Ziming, a fresh college graduate, together with three other Chinese volunteers, came to a primary school in Kfifan, a small village in north central Lebanon this July, where they taught percussion music, painting, and Chinese calligraphy to Syrian refugee children, in the hope to ease their trauma brought by the war. The war took away educational resources from most of these children, Wang told the Peoples Daily, saying that despite of this, the stories told by the children about life and death, nostalgia, family, and dreams impressed him a lot. On painting classes, almost all the works finished by the children had similar themes---colorful houses or Syrian national flag, he added. Wang and his fellows worked there as volunteers under the project organized by Common Future Fund, a non-governmental organization committed to international volunteer project services under the guidance of Chinas national level public-raising foundation, China Children and Teenagers Fund. By organizing volunteer activities including teaching and cultural exchanges, Common Future Fund intends to help promote the well-being of the Syrian refugee families and the underprivileged families in the host countries. By keeping accompany with these children, the Chinese volunteers soothed the fear and sorrow of the little victims of war, and lighted their hope for a bright future. Even though countless sad stories happened on every inch of the land of the country, these children deserve happiness. Where there are smiles, there is hope, Wang said, adding that they were glad that they could offer some help. What gathers us here is nothing but the hope that we can help to alleviate the damage of wars to people, especially children, said Liu Yiqiang, the initiator of the volunteer project. The Chinese volunteers are warmly welcomed by heads of local schools and orphanages in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. An executive of a Turkish orphanage said excitedly that these friends from China initiated a great undertaking as they were there to care for the children like mothers, sisters, and brothers. Guo Jiayun, a volunteer in Jordan, shared a story in her journal. After a painting class, a little boy asked her to do a favor to write two Chinese characters on his painting, and the words he chose are China. With every step we take on this land, we feel heavy responsibilities and know that we still have a long way to go. In the eyes of every child we have met here, we see aspiration for peace, knowledge, and the unknown. Smile is more powerful than tears, Guo wrote. Jack Ma, founder of China's e-commerce giant Alibaba, speaks to audience via video call during the China Conference organized by South China Morning Post in the Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur, Oct. 10, 2018. The conference brought together business, academic and political leaders to discuss cooperation between China and Southeast Asia on politics, economy, technology and how to tap opportunities of the Belt and Road Initiative, among others. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei) KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Jack Ma, founder of China's e-commerce giant Alibaba, hailed the prospect of technology and internet in Asia on Wednesday, saying China and companies like Alibaba will take up the responsibility and opportunities to share its technology with the neighbors. Despite a late comer to the internet and information technology, governments and entrepreneurs in Asia are showing greater interest in the area, he told audience via video call during South China Morning Post's China Conference held in the Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur. "Today I think the big advantage of Asia is the confidence of technology and confidence of the internet," he said. Ma cited Malaysia's embrace of Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP), which was proposed by him, to promote trade and small business, as well as similar examples in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, India and Pakistan. "All these things show that Asian countries are embracing the technology more aggressively," he said, while pointing out that people in the West are more concerned about technology, focusing more on regulation. "Internet was developed in America but I'm sure it will develop much more quickly in Asia," he said. The Alibaba founder also said the technology developed by Chinese companies like Alibaba could be shared with countries like Malaysia. "In the past 20 years in China, companies like Tencent, Baidu, Alibaba grow because they solve problems, using the internet, embracing the technology for changing," he said. "I think Asian countries entrepreneurs should work together to solve their problems locally and to use the technology, to be more open, more innovative to solve problems like property, to improve inclusiveness." The conference, organized by the South China Morning Post based in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, brings together business, academic and political leaders to discuss China's cooperation with Southeast Asia on politics, economy, technology and how to tap opportunities of the Belt and Road Initiative, among others. BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Canadian counterpart, Chrystia Freeland, discussed global trade and their bilateral partnership over the phone on Wednesday. Freeland briefed Wang on the signing of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), saying any free trade agreement should be open, inclusive but not exclusive, and that the USMCA should not harm the rights and interests of other countries. Canada will advance negotiations on free trade agreements with other countries based on its own decisions, the foreign minister said. Canada stands ready to join other countries including China in holding fast to a rule-based multilateral trading system and opposing trade protectionism, she said. The Canadian side looks forward to strengthening the strategic partnership with China and expanding communication and cooperation in various fields, she said. Wang said China has always held fast to free trade, advocated safeguarding a multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, and opposed trade protectionism in any form and double-standard practices. Any attempt to hinder China from achieving modernization will not prevail, Wang said. He called on Canada to join China in safeguarding the global free trade system and promote the creation of a free trade area between China and Canada. Coos County Democrat Local hero in blue honored by McDonald's by Tara Giles Sports reporter - Coos County Democrat and Berlin Reporter Sports reporter - Coos County Democrat and Berlin Reporter write the author Colebrook Police Department Sergeant Joe Caron is pictured here with members of the Lancaster Police Department including Chief Tim Charbonneau and patrolman Dakota Lurvey. Colebrook Police Chief Steve Cass and McDonalds General Manager Kelly Macie along with Caron's daughter were also present while Caron received his Community Policing Award. L-R Lurvey, Cass, Caron, Caron's daughter and Macie. (Photo by Tara Giles) (click for larger version) LANCASTER Several New Hampshire police officers from various departments were the recipients of the Community Policing Awards during McDonald's Statewide Fundraiser for the New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Association. The 54 McDonald's franchisees across New Hampshire donated a portion of their sales between 4 and 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3 to benefit the association. Roughly $50,000 was expected to be raised. Sixty-one officers throughout the state were recognized with community police awards, including Sgt. Joe Caron of Colebrook. Caron is a veteran of the Iraq War. He was wounded in action and nearly lost his right hand during his tour. Sergeant Caron's wound happened as a result of heroism. Caron left cover to pull another wounded soldier from the line of fire. After his time in the military, Caron became a full time police officer and has been with the Colebrook Police Department since 2001. Recently, Caron responded to a call of an overdose. When he arrived on scene he noticed that the patient was unresponsive and not breathing. Caron noticed that the CPR that was being administered was not working so he took over. Caron was successful and the patient began breathing on their own. When the ambulance arrived the patient was given Narcan which saved the patient's life. Colebrook Police Chief Steve Cass added his thoughts on Caron, "It's pretty easy to see a man go through his career working nights all the time, you don't hear about all of the things he does and he's so humble about it. He definitely goes above and beyond doing things people never know about." Cass joked, "He actually tries to hide them because he doesn't like the acknowledgement. He does things for people he doesn't have to do." The money raised during this event will be used to fund high-quality law enforcement training and the continued development of the profession of law enforcement toward the police's efforts in supporting the communities they serve. Pat Sullivan, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police, said, "The New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police enjoyed participating in the McDonald's inaugural fundraising efforts in 2016 and looks forward to partnering with McDonalds again this year. This effort raises money for continued training programs that allow us to best maintain the safety of New Hampshire residents. We also appreciate the opportunity to interact with local families and community members to shed light on our jobs in law enforcement, building on one on one connections." LANCASTER Several New Hampshire police officers from various departments were the recipients of the Community Policing Awards during McDonald's Statewide Fundraiser for the New Hampshire Chiefs of Police Association. The 54 McDonald's franchisees across New Hampshire donated a portion of their sales between 4 and 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3 to benefit the association. Roughly $50,000 was expected to be raised.Sixty-one officers throughout the state were recognized with community police awards, including Sgt. Joe Caron of Colebrook. Caron is a veteran of the Iraq War. He was wounded in action and nearly lost his right hand during his tour. Sergeant Caron's wound happened as a result of heroism. Caron left cover to pull another wounded soldier from the line of fire.After his time in the military, Caron became a full time police officer and has been with the Colebrook Police Department since 2001.Recently, Caron responded to a call of an overdose. When he arrived on scene he noticed that the patient was unresponsive and not breathing. Caron noticed that the CPR that was being administered was not working so he took over. Caron was successful and the patient began breathing on their own. When the ambulance arrived the patient was given Narcan which saved the patient's life.Colebrook Police Chief Steve Cass added his thoughts on Caron, "It's pretty easy to see a man go through his career working nights all the time, you don't hear about all of the things he does and he's so humble about it. He definitely goes above and beyond doing things people never know about."Cass joked, "He actually tries to hide them because he doesn't like the acknowledgement. He does things for people he doesn't have to do."The money raised during this event will be used to fund high-quality law enforcement training and the continued development of the profession of law enforcement toward the police's efforts in supporting the communities they serve.Pat Sullivan, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police, said, "The New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police enjoyed participating in the McDonald's inaugural fundraising efforts in 2016 and looks forward to partnering with McDonalds again this year. This effort raises money for continued training programs that allow us to best maintain the safety of New Hampshire residents. We also appreciate the opportunity to interact with local families and community members to shed light on our jobs in law enforcement, building on one on one connections." By Express News Service AHMEDABAD: In a bid to spur growth in the Information Technology (IT) sector in Gujarat, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Thursday announced that land would be made available by the government to companies working in the IT sector. Speaking during the inauguration ceremony of Vibrant Gujarat Start-up and IT Summit, Rupani also announced that the sector would be given the status of an industry in the state, which would help companies set up shop in Gujarat. However, it was not clear if land would be made available to companies at subsidised rates or free of cost. We have decided to give the status of industry to the IT sector. Our government will provide land to the companies that want to come to Gujarat said Rupani. Speaking on start-ups, industries department officials said that the state government was supporting 184 start-ups and their target was to have 2,000 start-ups by the year 2021. The industries department spends Rs 15-20 lakh on each new credible innovation, and the projected cost of spending on start-ups by 2021 is Rs 7,000 crore. The event was attended by Chad Hensler, trade commissioner of Canada, who spoke about his countrys start-up visa programme. Canada offers permanent residency to entrepreneurs who have secured funding from angel investors in Canada or from a list of 26 business incubators. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: In what may come as a relief to two-wheeler manufacturers and buyers, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDA) recently clarified that the owner-driver should have the choice to opt for a one-year Compulsory Personal Accident (CPA) cover or long-term CPA cover. It has come to our notice that insurers are offering only long-term Compulsory Personal Accident (CPA) policy for new cars and new two-wheelers along with long-term TP policy. It is clarified that it is the choice of the owner-driver to opt for a one-year CPA cover or long-term CPA cover and insurers should not compel owner-drivers to go in for long-term package policy or long-term CPA cover, IRDA said in a circular dated October 9. Recently, insurance costs for two-wheelers witnessed a steep hike after IRDA mandated five-year third-party (TP) insurance and then increased compulsory personal accident (CPA) cover premium from Rs 50 per annum to Rs 750 per annum. A steep hike in the insurance cost has started hitting the sales of new two-wheelers as price-sensitive buyers, who are already struggling to cope with rising oil prices, are not ready to pay several times more for insurance at once. Experts said that the IRDAs clarification would provide some relief to the industry. Sugato Sen, deputy general of SIAM, welcomed the move by IRDA and said paying more for CPA was a problem for the customer. Upfront they would have to pay more for the CPA, which is not very encouraging. We had opposed this and they have listened to us. It was not meant to be like this, Sen said. It is a big relief for two-wheeler OEMs. We continue to maintain our Buy view on Bajaj Auto (TP - 3,176) and Hero MotoCorp (TP - 4,009) and Hold rating on TVS Motor (TP - 555), Awanish Chandra and Vikas Rajpal of Centrum Broking said. By Express News Service BENGALURU: More than 10 years after serial bomb blasts rocked Bengaluru, the sleuths of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) have arrested another accused, Mohammmed Saleem (42), in connection with the case. He hails from Kerala. Sources in the CCB said that Saleem was arrested from a forest region in Kannur of Kerala on Wednesday. It is learnt that the CCB police have also seized explosive substances from Saleem, who is being brought to the city. Saleem is a close aide of prime accused Thadiyantavide Nazeer, who was arrested earlier. He was under our radar for many years but was managing to evade arrest as he had flown to the Gulf. Based on a specific source information, he was nabbed in Kannur. It was established during our probe that he had nexus with Riaz Bhatkal, the top leader of banned terror outfit Indian Mujahideen. There is evidence that he also visited Pakistan as part of his subversive activities, sources in the CCB said. One woman died and eight were injured in the 2008 serial blasts. Madhumitha Viswanath By Express News Service CHENNAI: In 2013, Pughal had first noticed a private tanker lorry parked along Tiruneermalai High Road discharging foul-smelling liquid into the Adyar River on his way home from college. Thinking that it was a one-off incident, he ignored it. But to his surprise, in the following years, such occurrences were only increasing. Six months ago, when he caught one such lorry at the same spot he found out that the discharge was untreated chemical waste from industries located in the SIDCO layout at Thirumudivakkam. When I questioned the lorry driver, he nonchalantly told me not to worry as it wasnt sewage but industrial effluents. I was shocked that the river was polluted by such toxic matter. The frequency of this activity has only increased in the last five years, said Pughalventhan Venkatesan, a resident of Kundrathur. Locals allege that such lorries drain waste water into canals which connect Periya Eri in Tiruneermalai to Adyar River. One week ago, I spotted a private tanker with a sign which said Drainage Lorry. When I enquired with the driver he said it was coming from nearby industries in SIDCO layout. The water also smelt like chemicals. They come either early in the morning around 6 am or in the night around 1 am, said Yogesh S, a mechanic who has a shop on the same road where this discharge occurs. When Express contacted officials from Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development Corporation (TANSIDCO), they confirmed that three electroplating plants in Thirumudivakkam often dispose of their chemical waste through private lorries. Majority of the industries within SIDCO manufactures automobile parts and dont have any liquid chemical waste. Because of this, we dont have a treatment plant to treat the effluents. The few electroplating plants within SIDCO hire private lorries to dispose of their waste elsewhere. But I am not aware of which location they do this, said an official from SIDCO. We werent aware of such activities. This is illegal and extremely harmful to the environment. I will raise this issue to higher officials and we will work along with the police and pollution control board to stop this immediately, said Rajagopalan, member of Industrial Estate Manufacturers Association (TIEMA). A month ago, Pughal wrote to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) regarding this issue. TNPCB replied that chemical waste from nearby tanneries and industries are being let into the river after it is treated at a private companys Common Effluent Treatment Plant monitored by them. I used to work at a chemical coating plant in SIDCO in 2014 for a year. I personally knew that many industries within SIDCO do not treat their waste and dump it in nearby water bodies. Such effluents are highly alkaline as these are residues of solvents such as sulphuric and hydrochloric acid which are used to remove rust from metals, added Pughal. CR Balaji, a civic activist had also raised a similar complaint to TNPCB in December 2017 about alleged sewage and chemical discharge into the Adyar River at Tambaram-Maduravoyal by-pass near Tiruneermalai High Road. Officials said that they had inspected the spot and found only treated sewage being discharged. They added that effluents were treated at the Pallavaram tanners effluent treatment plant. But waste dumped by lorries are usually not treated. The stench near this area smells of sewage mixed with chemicals, said Balaji. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: To exert pressure on the Delhi University to meet their demands on women-related issues, particularly curfew timings, student collective Pinjra Tod regrouped on Wednesday afternoon to stage a protest for the second time in three days. The protest started from the Art faculty campus at 1 pm. The students marched to Shri Ram College of Commerce, moving on to other colleges including Ramjas College, Hindu College and Miranda House. On Monday, too, the protest had started on from the Art faculty and resulted in clashes between police and students after traffic movement was blocked. The women students had submitted a charter of 21 demands to the DU vice-chancellor regarding issues faced by them such as curfew in hostel timings, daily attendance in hostels and taking permission from local guardians a week in advance for staying out. The students on Monday claimed the proctor denied any knowledge about their demands. They (the proctor and deputy proctor) are not serious in addressing these demands. They have remained mum for last three years. Thats why we thought well regroup and exert pressure on the university, said Avantika Tiwari of Pinjra Tod. Today, they have deployed policemen with water cannons in place and two buses are parked so that they can quickly detain us if we attempt for another roadblock. They have time to employ various tactics to get us removed, but not to address the issues for which the struggle is going on for years, she added. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Iran is now in wait and watch mode, curious about how its trade dynamics with India would change once US-imposed sanctions over trade with the Islamic republic kick in on November 4. The sanctions introduced after the United States withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal extends to countries which continue to make significant transactions with the Islamic country, but those remaining in the deal UK, the EU, Russia, China, France, Germany and now India have decided not to comply. Iran Consul-General to India Mohammad Haghbin Ghomi on Wednesday said his country was hoping India would continue to act on its own and not bow down to pressure from the US. He said India had already decreased its oil imports from Iran and it remains to be seen what the post-sanctions future holds. The Consul-General expressed dissatisfaction with the current trade relations between the two countries during an interaction with the editorial team of The New Indian Express, Hyderabad. Ghomi added that State governments too could, to some extend, set the tone for continuing trade with the Islamic country. If they want to conduct business with Iran even after the sanctions, they can find a way to deal with Iran directly, he suggested. During the first round of US sanctions from 2012-15, there were a lot of restrictions on Iranian companies. However, after the sanctions were lifted, the situation improved. Although there were no international sanctions after that and a few companies from India and Iran developed good relations, most Indian firms are still not aware how easy it is to do business with Iran, he said. He pointed out that apart from the huge potential in the oil and oil products sector, Irans industrial sectors including mining, chemicals and metals are ready for business. It is up to the Indian government or even State governments to identify industries with potential and reach out the way China and Russia are doing it, he said. India has issued a statement that it will continue imports (of oil, even after sanctions come into force), but if you look at the numbers, India has decreased imports already. Statements are fine, but we need to see what India does. Iran is offering oil at the lowest price to India and we accept Indian currency. Workers welcome but not many job opportunities Meanwhile, when asked if Indians can migrate to Iran for employment, Mohammad Haghbin Ghomi said that presently the Iranian employment policies cater to those countries where there is a lot of crisis like Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan and with whom the country shares borders. Almost three million people from war-torn Afghanistan migrated to Iran, many of whom are working there. Moreover, Iran itself is also facing problems due to the international sanctions imposed on it earlier because of which Iran cannot guarantee many employment opportunities. However, Indians are welcome to work in Iran if they find the right job opportunities, the diplomant said. The Consul-General who took up charge in Hyderabad a little more than a year ago, said that he keeps himself abreast with the latest political developments in Telangana. He said that as a Diplomat living in Telangana, he is bound to have an idea regarding political developments in the State. German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte attend a joint press conference in The Hague, the Netherlands, Oct. 10, 2018. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met in The Hague on Wednesday ahead of the mid-October European Council meeting to discuss, among other subjects, the Brexit. (Xinhua/Sylvia Lederer) THE HAGUE, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met in The Hague on Wednesday ahead of the mid-October European Council meeting to discuss, among other subjects, the Brexit. During a joint press conference ahead of their talks Merkel said to be pleased to hear that the Brexit negotiations seem to go in the direction of a deal. "Apparently progress has been made, but sometimes the devil is in the details," the German Chancellor said. Merkel also said that there are still major obstacles. "A solution is only possible if everything has been resolved, and if we make more progress next week, that's a good signal," she added. "I would like progress to be made, but sometimes that does not go exactly on the themes you want, but I also hope for results next week." "I think we can be cautiously optimistic that steps can be taken next week," Dutch PM Rutte said. "A lot depends on the talks in the coming days." After his meeting with Merkel, Rutte also issued a statement in which he said that speaking with Merkel was "a great pleasure". He added that he repeated the importance of getting results at the forthcoming European Council meeting. "Regardless of the other subjects we also looked forward," Rutte said. "For example to the discussion about the joint future of the remaining 27 EU countries without Britain. That future is of great concern to both of us. We agree that this discussion should be about concrete results for the inhabitants of the smaller EU and should not be bogged down in vague visions of the future." Merkel and Rutte also spoke about migration. "In migration too, decisions need to be taken," Rutte stated. "We strive for an integrated EU approach. With, on the one hand, stronger external borders, disembarkation on the North African coast and controlled centers on the southern European coast. And on the other hand, a revision of the common asylum system," he said. By Express News Service KOCHI: The protest against the Supreme Courts recent verdict of permitting the entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala Temple has intensified with hundreds, including women and children, taking out a protest march and blocking the busy traffic junctions in the city. Chanting hymns, the protesters blocked the road for nearly one hour. The protests, which began around 11 am, concluded at noon. The protest was mainly carried out, under the Sabarimala Karma Samiti, in the busiest junctions such as at Vyttila, Kaloor, Thoppumpady, Piravom, Kothamangalam, Perumbavoor, Angamaly, Aluva, North Paravur, Kalamassery, Kalady, Cherai and Pattimattom demanding to preserve the rituals at the Sabarimala temple. According to the leaders who participated in the march, the protest was organised to preserve the sanctity of the Sabarimala temple. The LDF Government is moving against the peoples sentiments. Irrespective of caste and community, all are protesting against it. But the LDF Government is deploying police force to allow the entry of women, said a leader when asked about the protest organised as part of the state-wide blockade. Bharatiya Janata Party, Kerala Kshetra Samrakshana Samiti, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and Hindu Aikyavedi participated in the protest. By Express News Service First Man, which marks a reunion between Oscar-winning director Damien Chazelle and his La La Land star Ryan Gosling, will chronicle the challenges Neil Armstrong and his colleagues faced as America took on the seemingly impossible task of sending an astronaut to the moon. Here, Chazelle talks about finding the perfect cast and balancing the mission aspects with Armstrongs family life. How did the concept of this film come to you? Shortly after Whiplash, I began talking with the producers at Temple Hill, who had been toying with the idea of a film on Neil Armstrong and had the rights to First Man by James R Hansen. I didn't know much about Neil or the Apollo or Gemini programs. But after reading the book and looking at the archival material, this world opened up for me. How insane what these people did really was and the way an entire country mobilised behind it. Also the burden that would put on the individual who actually had to take those first steps. I didn't want to do a cradle-to-grave biopic of Neil, I wanted to look at the mission through his perspective. The film opens when he joins NASA in 1962 and ends when he returns from the moon. He is one of the most famous people in history, but he was also very private and didn't really share much. Was there something that you learned as you worked on this that you were fascinated by? I think what's fascinating about Neil is the extent to which he is a mystery. He became this canvas that the whole of humanity projected themselves onto, this symbol. But once you get past that and look at him as a person, he wasn't what you expect. You expect maybe a certain kind of hotshot pilot attitude, but he was an engineer first and foremost. He became a pilot because he wanted to figure out how planes work. He got into space flight through that. He wound up doing these incredibly death-defying things, but never seemed to view them as death-defying, he viewed them as doing his job, solving problems. There was a humility to him that I found fascinating, one that I also think Ryan Gosling as an actor is uniquely capable of portraying and burrowing into. You approached Ryan for this before you made La La Land together. How did that come about? The first time I ever sat down with Ryan was to essentially pitch him this film. I don't think we had a script yet at that point, but he was my first and only choice for the role. So I talked to him about it, and he was very intrigued, yet somehow the conversation took a turn and wound up at Gene Kelly and Singing In The Rain, which led to La La Land. But we had such a great time on that that it only confirmed my feelings about him as an actor and about what he could bring to Neil. So we got right to work on this one, and it was just this really immersive experience for both of us. Getting to know the Armstrong family, the astronauts, diving into the research, and soaking up every detail that we could. We really wanted the film to feel like a documentary, as though you were plopped into 1960s Houston, and these space crafts. What was it about Claire Foy that made you think she'd be right for [Neils wife] Janet Armstrong, and how did you build the dynamic between them? I didn't know Claire personally. I just knew her as an actor, and she was incredible in The Crown. I could tell from both her level of craft, and also her as a person when I met her, just what she could bring. We had a two to three-week rehearsal period that was essentially just her, Ryan and the kids playing their children, living as a family on location and in costume. We filmed all of it and some of it is in the film. The kids had never been on screen before, so it helped them get used to being on camera, and it also helped Claire and Ryan sink into their roles. By PTI MUMBAI: Director Subhash Kapoor, who has a molesting case pending against him, said Wednesday that he understands and respects Aamir Khan's decision to exit the Gulshan Kumar biopic as producer. In the wake of the #MeToo movement that is escalating day by day in the country, without taking any names Khan announced his and filmmaker-wife Kiran Rao's departure from an upcoming project, saying he has been informed of "sexual misconduct" on the part of a collaborator. "Mogul" co-producer Bhushan Kumar said Wednesday that Kapoor has been sacked from the job. "With the ongoing proceedings against the director that is brought to our notice, everyone at T-Series has decided to not work with the director," Bhushan said in a statement to PTI. Reacting to Khan's announcement, Kapoor told PTI, "I understand and respect Aamir Khan's and Kiran Rao's decision. Since matter is sub judice, I intend to prove my innocence in the court of law." Actor Geetika Tyagi, who has appeared in films like "One By Two", "Aatma", "What the Fish", has accused Kapoor of molesting her. In April 2014, Tyagi had filed a complaint with Versova police station alleging that he tried to rape her two years ago. Following which, Kapoor was arrested and let out on bail after paying a sum of Rs 10,000. In 2014, a video, which was apparently taken with a hidden camera had Tyagi, Kapoor and his wife in it. In the video, Tyagi is seen slapping Kapoor, which the aspiring actor had put on social media. The director, best known for "Jolly LLB" series, questioned Tyagi's motives of sharing the video on the internet. " But I do want to raise a question - is secretly filming a crying woman without her consent and knowledge and uploading it on social media, not harassment or abuse? Or is it fine if she is related to someone who is 'allegedly accused' of misconduct. If your answer is latter then for me it's nothing less then a khap panchayat mentality," he said. In a joint statement, Aamir and filmmaker-wife Kiran Rao had also said, "At Aamir Khan Productions we have always had a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual misconduct and predatory behaviour of any kind." They said they were committed to making the industry a safe place. Navein Darshan By Express News Service Small-screen actor and presenter Kavin, best known for his role as Vettaiyan in Saravanan Meenatchi, began his journey in cinema with a cameo in Pizza. He then went on to play a supporting role in Sathriyan (2017). With this weeks release, Natpuna Ennanu Theriyuma (NET), Kavin will be joining the league of television personalities like Sivakarthikeyan, Priya Bhavani Shankar and Ma Ka Pa Anandh, who went on to play the lead role in films. Kavin, who wants to make a name for himself as an actor, says he never thought he would end up in cinema. When I began to work, my dreams were really small. I just wanted to earn fifteen thousand a month and look after my family. I wanted to be in media, either in front of the camera or behind it, so I tried my hand at everything. Thats how I got a chance to play a role in Kana Kaanum Kaalangal. Then when the Saravanan Meenatchi offer came my way, I was eager to explore more, and that eagerness has brought me here, to NET, he says. Asked if him being a well-known face on television will help the film, he says, I guess we have an advantage as a sizeable crowd know my face. But rather than my image as lead actor, I am more concerned about the quality of the film and want that to be its USP. Tamil audiences look for content in a film and if thats there, they celebrate even films with new faces like Aruvi. Kavin assures us that NET, a fun film based on friendship and love will be entertaining and worth the ticket price. It will be a treat for youngsters who have a gang of friends, as almost 70 per cent of the film has been inspired from the real life of director Shiva Aravind. Also, Raju and Arunraja Kamaraj, who play my friends in the film, are close to me in real life and our off-screen bond will be evident on screen. Small screen actor and presenter Kavin, best known for his role as Vettaiyan in Saravanan Meenatchi, began his journey in cinema with a cameo in Pizza. He then went on to play a supporting role in Sathriyan (2017). With this weeks release, Natpuna Ennanu Theriyuma (NET), Kavin will be joining the league of television personalities like Sivakarthikeyan, Priya Bhavani Shankar and Ma Ka Pa Anandh, who went on to play the lead role in films. Roshne Balasubramanian By Express News Service CHENNAI: Sriram Sridharan, along with his business partner Anand, established the first outlet of their brainchild, Gormei Market, a fine foods place that specialises in a range of exclusive local, global and artisanal foods, in 2012. Since then they have expanded to four outlets across the city, and boast a customer base of about 25,000. We wanted to bring fine foods and a superior shopping experience to Chennai and thats how the idea of Gormei market came about, he says. In a tete-a-tete, Sriram tells us about his aspirations, love for travel, food and more. Excerpts follow: You are a software designer-turned-entrepreneur. Have you controlled your own path? Yes, I certainly have. I come from a business family. My father was in the pharmaceutical manufacturing line, and also did some real estate. So, becoming a businessman was always a goal. But I went to the US, did my Masters in Industrial engineering and was a software designer for a while. After about seven to eight years, I decided to come back and do what I was passionate about. I enjoy controlling my path, and helping people in my own way. That has always been a goal. Sriram Sridharan If given a choice, what alternate career would you have opted for? I dont know if I would have opted for it. Since I have always wanted to be my own boss, if not for entrepreneurship, I would have been interested in taking up financial/stock investing. It was a possibility. Since your work involves travelling - to exhibitions, to meet producers and so on, have you been bitten by the travel bug? I do travel for work, but not too much. I do it once in a while. But on the other hand, travelling for leisure is something I do very often with my wife and two sons. We havent taken many international trips but we have covered almost all the states in India. We love exploring the country, its heritage, culture, food, people. Every place we have travelled to has been different, and to us, its the process of travelling that matters and not the destination. We made a goal plan to travel across India and in the last eight years thats what we have been doing. A specific memory from one of your recent travelogues? During our recent visit to Assam, we travelled to Kaziranga National park and that has been one of our best memories. We stayed in a place along the banks of river Brahmaputra and saw wildlife all the time. I would say that was one the best travel experiences weve had recently. Since you work seven days a week, when and how do you unwind? Yes, the store is open all seven days and work is hectic. But there are ways in which I unwind. I regularly go to the gym in the morning and indulge in weight training. It gives me time to focus and set the track for the day. I also spend time with my family, catching up on movies at Sathyam, visiting temples. One of my favourite activities is to explore the local food scene. I believe that there needs to be a work-life balance and thats what I work on achieving. You said you like exploring the food scene, would you call yourself a foodie? Not really (laughs). I am often confused by the term foodie. Its so easy to call oneself that. For me, its just about exploring everything out there, without a tag. What was it like to come from a small city like Trichy to Chennai in the early 90s? I came from Tiruchi to Chennai in 1995, stayed for four years, and then went to the US. I came back here in 2010. The city is of course bigger that Tiruchi but what I love the most is how it has a way of weaving both the modern and contemporary with our heritage. Its very effortless in Chennai. I consider myself a Chennaiite now. What does the future look like for Gormei market? We will be expanding and opening more outlets. We are also working on introducing a mobile application and an online ordering option. We are planning to launch it in the next three to six months. We also have goals of branching out to other states. our reach in Chennai and move to other parts of the country. Fayaz Wani By Express News Service SRINAGAR: Nine months after joining militancy, the PhD scholar-turned-Hizbul Mujahideen militant Mannan Wani along with his associate was killed in a gunfight with security forces at Handwara in border district of Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. A police official said police, CRPF and army men launched a joint search operation at Shatgund village of Handwara in Kupwara district in the early morning today after receiving inputs about presence of two militants including Manan Wani there. He said as the security forces were conducting searches, they came under fire from militants hiding in the besieged area. "The fire was returned by troops and the firing continued till 9 am. At 9 am the firing stopped for some time. As security personnel tried to move in, they again came under heavy fire from the hiding militants. The fire was retaliated and in the ensuing gunfight, which continued till afternoon, two Hizb militants were killed," the official said. The deceased militants were identified as top Hizb commander Mannan Wani and his associate Ashiq Hussain. The official said two security personnel sustained injuries during the gunfight and have been hospitalised. Belonging to well off and well educated family, 27-year-old Mannan, a PhD scholar from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), joined the militancy in January this year. He had quit PhD studies in Allied Geology and joined Hizb. In July this year, Mannan had defended his joining militancy saying, "The militants don't fight to die but to win and they don't feel dignity in death but feel dignity in fighting Indian military might. When we die while fighting, we do feel dignity in that death". A police official termed Mannan's death as a major jolt to Hizb saying he had lured many youth to militants."He had taken the role of militant recruiter and had lured many educated boys to militancy," he said. Mannan is the second PhD scholar to be killed in gunfight this year. Earlier, in May this year, a PhD scholar and Kashmir University professor Mohammad Rafi Bhat was killed in a gunfight in Shopian a day after joining militancy. Many highly educated young boys have joined militancy this year. The New Indian Express recently published two-part series on the trend of highly educated young men joining the militant in Valley after killing of Burhan Wani in July 2016. As the news about Mannan Wani's death spread, people near the encounter site and many other parts of Kashmir including Srinagar and south Kashmir took to roads and clashed with security men. The separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik called for shutdown in Kashmir tomorrow against killing of Mannan Wani and his associate. "It is an immense tragedy of Kashmir that our budding youth, professors and engineers, intellectuals and writers like Manan are paying the price of the greed and follies of those, who since 1947 misled the people through deceit," they said. They said forced by broken promises of India, non implementation of UN resolutions, deployment of lakhs of military troops to control their land and the resultant severe repression and human rights abuses of its people, hundreds of bright and budding youth take to arms and in the process "sacrifice their precious lives to break the shackles of occupation". Former Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti tweeted, "Today a PhD scholar chose death over life and was killed in an encounter. His death is entirely our loss as we are losing young educated boys everyday." "It is high time that all political parties in the country realise the gravity of this situation and try to facilitate a solution through dialogue with all stakeholders including Pakistan to end this bloodshed," she added. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Human Resource Development Ministry has issued a new set of rules to prevent institutes of higher education from charging advance fee from students for the entire duration of the programme at the time of admission. The new norms also bar institutes from retaining original certificates of candidates. According to the new guidelines, institutes will have to refund the entire fee amount without any penalty if a student decides to withdraw within 15 days of admission. The move come in the wake of rising instances of students complaining of financial coercion by institutes. HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said that the University Grants Commission had already issued a detailed notification to institutes on refund of fees and non-retention of original certificates. Students have been facing several problems during admissions, due to coercive and profiteering institutional practices being adopted by some institutions, said Javadekar. He added that in light of the new guidelines, no student would be required to submit any original academic and personal certificates while submitting admission form. The rules will be applicable to undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes of universities, colleges and deemed to be universities. New rules Institutes of higher education can charge fees in advance only for the semester/year in which a student wants to engage in academic activities Collecting advance fees for the entire programme of study is strictly prohibited The institute will have to refund fees in case a student withdraws from the programme Kanu Sarda By Express News Service NEW DELHI: To bring down the pendency of cases, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has indicated a complete overhaul of the system at the Supreme Court and the first of his steps is to expedite the hearing of long-pending criminal cases in which hundreds of people are behind the bars. According to the new system, the Benches assigned to hear criminal appeals as per the roster will have first 10 old cases in their daily case list. The CJI also made it clear that the time between filing and listing of cases would be shortened to the extent that the lawyers will have no reason to mention for early hearing in regular cases. On his first day as CJI, too, Justice Gogoi had told lawyers not to randomly mention any case for early listing. Mention before us only when there is real urgency. Rest of the matters will be taken care of by our Registrar otherwise too, he had clarified. Let me assure you, we are changing things. And every change takes some time. Have some patience. Justice Gogoi made it clear that henceforth, there would be no automatic deletion of matters from the list and a case would be removed only after prior intimation to the lawyers concerned.During his stint at the Guahati High Court, Justice Gogoi had clubbed similar cases and heard them together, thereby disposing of 10,000 cases at a stretch. On the rising number of civil cases that add to pendency, Justice Gogoi had said, Accused in criminal cases are getting hearing after serving their sentence and parties in civil disputes are getting judgments after two-three generations. It is serious problem, but it is not too difficult and it can be resolved. I have a plan and will soon unfold it.The SC on Wednesday also asked lawyers to assist the Delhi High Court adopt Live Transcription for expediting the recording of evidence. By IANS NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Thursday demanded the resignation of Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar over allegations of sexual assault against him by several female journalists. "Seven women journalists have come forward recounting their experience of sexual harassment and unacceptable behaviour from M.J. Akbar when he was the editor of various newspapers," the party said in a statement. "Since these are serious charges, Akbar's continuance as a Minister in the Central government is untenable. He should immediately resign from office." Akbar, who is currently on an official visit to Nigeria, has reportedly been asked to cut short his visit. Congress leader S. Jaipal Reddy and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen President Asaduddin Owaisi have also demanded the former editor's resignation if he fails to come clear on the allegations. Ramananda Sengupta By Express News Service NEW DELHI: New Delhi appears unruffled over reports that Pakistan is acquiring 48 Chinese Wing Loong II series armed drones along with a transfer of technology. The Wing Loong II series drones, manufactured by Chinas state-owned Chengdu Aircraft Industrial, is a reconnaissance and strike multi-role endurance system. Reports said the drones would eventually be jointly manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex-Kamra, and strengthen inter-operability between Chinas Peoples Liberation Army and the Pakistani military. Though costs were not mentioned, China had reportedly sold Wing Loong II for US $1 million-a-piece to Egypt and the UAE last year. The announcement comes days after India signed a $5.43-billion deal to buy five Russian S-400 Triumf missile shield system which can track and destroy multiple aerial targets, including drones, from almost 400 km away. While Indian defence sources were nonchalant, saying these drones would be good target practice for Indias existing air defence systems, one of them pointed out that if deployed in significant numbers, these drones could even challenge the S400, simply because it would cost India significantly more to bring them all down, than it does for Pakistan to build them. India officially operates three drone squadrons of about 200 drones, mostly the Israeli Searcher and Heron series, as well as the Harpy, which is designed to attack hostile radar systems. Though the first two are recon and surveillance craft, some officials hinted that they could be converted to carry missile payloads at short notice. Another official said that with India signing the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement, it would soon be able to buy the US General Atomics MQ-9 Guardian/Predator-B long-range unmanned combat aerial vehicle. Over a thousand people have submitted photos for the inaugural Watch Photo Awards which were launched on the initiative of Brice Lechevalier (Managing Director of GMT Publishing, the parent company of WorldTempus) this year. Over a period of six months, budding photographers and watch owners have put their creativity to the test on subjects as diverse as food and drink and on two or four wheels, plus old favourites like holidays, sport and blue. The final months competition is on the theme of black, with participants encouraged to photograph their black watch (mechanical watch for men, quartz allowed for ladies) or any other watch with a predominantly black background. Like all other months a weekend in a five-star hotel in Geneva awaits for the winner, who will be decided by a vote on Facebook among the 10 photos selected by the expert jury. Since all 60 of the finalists will have their work exhibited at the Musee dArt et dHistoire in Geneva which opens on 31st October, the deadline for the October competition has been set at midnight Swiss time on 20th October, to allow the organisers time to print the photos. You therefore have just over a week to submit your photos. The exhibition at the Musee dArt et dHistoire will be open to the public from 1-14th November and will include the winners of the Watch Photo Awards, the finalists for the Grand Prix dHorlogerie and participation from the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie and the Haute Ecole dArt et de Design (HEAD). In addition to exposure in such prestigious surroundings, the finalists have already seen their work shown by the international media partners of the Watch Photo Awards (GMT, WorldTempus, Tatler Hong Kong, LEquipe Sport & Style, JD.com, TheWatchesTV, Espiral do Tempo). They have all been invited to see the large-format prints of their work at the exhibition, which is undoubtedly great recognition for watch lovers and amateur photographers. Vote for your favourite photo among the 10 finalists for the month of September In the meantime you can still vote on the 10 finalists for the month of September on the theme of food and drink by liking your favourite photo in the Facebook album of the Watch Photo Awards. The lucky winner will win a weekend at Genevas prestigious Beau Rivage hotel. The Watch Photo Awards is intended to be an annual event and will be back in 2019. Anand ST Das By Express News Service PATNA: A youth threw a slipper towards Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during a students conference organised by his party JD(U) on Thursday, saying he did so to vent his anger at what he termed as the NDA governments anti-upper caste policies. The slipper missed Kumar and landed on the front rows of the audience. The accused youth, Chandan Tiwary, was arrested after being beaten up by about a dozen JD(U) workers present at the Bapu Sabhagar auditorium in Patna, where the youth conference was organised. The incident took place when Kumar, who is also JD(U) national president, was sitting on the dais along with the partys state president Vashistha Narayan Singh and other JD(U) leaders. It sent the CMs security personnel into a tizzy and the youth was apprehended immediately. What I did is the right thing. I did it to register my protest against the NDA governments anti-upper caste policies. Lakhs of young people in Bihar are not getting jobs because of reservation, and Nitish Kumar is responsible for it, said Tiwary while being taken away by police. Showing his torn shirt, he said Nitish Kumars goons beat him up mercilessly before handing him over to police. I and many others will continue to protest like this till the government takes steps in the interests of the upper castes, said Tiwari, who hails from Aurangabad district. Police sources said he is a member of the Savarn Sena, an outfit of upper-caste communities that has been staging protests across Bihar. Over the past month, Savarn Sena members have shown black flags to several senior BJP leaders in the state. JD(U) had organised the students conference (Chhatra Samagam) on the occasion of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayans birth anniversary. The programme is seen as the regional partys attempt to woo college and university students ahead of the polls. The upper castes in Bihar have been restive since the Centre restored the provision of immediate arrest in the SC-ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act after the Supreme Court struck it down. The upper castes have also been demanding reservation in government jobs and higher education. By PTI NEW DELHI: The government has said that almost all the demands made by Ganga activist G D Agarwal, who was on an indefinite hunger strike and died Thursday, had been accepted. On Wednesday, Water Resources and Ganga River Rejuvenation Minister Nitin Gadkari had said in response to a question at a press conference, "We have accepted almost all his demands (on cleaning of the Ganga). One demand was to ensure environmental flow and we have come out with a notification." The government on Tuesday had come out with the e-flow gazette notification. The notification states the minimum environmental flows for Ganga river that is to be maintained at various locations on the water body. The second demand, Gadkari said, was to bring a legislation to protect Ganga. He said the legislation has been sent to Cabinet for approval, following which it will be tabled in Parliament. "He had some demands related to (upcoming) hydro-power projects (on river Ganga). We are trying to bring all stakeholders together and sort the issue at the earliest. I had also written a letter to him stating that we have accepted nearly 70-80 per cent and that we need him and he should stop his fast," the minister had said. Agarwal died at the AIIMS hospital in Rishikesh on Thursday. Reacting to Agarwal's death, AAP leader and party's Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh said the activist was on an indefinite hunger strike for more than 100 days and the "insensitive government" was "waiting for him to die". "I had requested the government to save it, but those seeking vote on his name could not save him (sic)," Singh tweeted. Senior Congress leader and former environment minister Jairam Ramesh expressed anguish over his "martyrdom". "He was an indefatigable crusader not only for Nirmal Ganga but also for Aviral Ganga. It was my privilege and good fortune to be able to implement some of his important suggestions to ensure uninterrupted flow in the Ganga and its tributaries in Uttarakhand. I salute his commitment and dedication, his scholarship and learning, his faith and passion," Ramesh said. Targeting the Centre over Agarwal's death, Pravin Togadia, erstwhile VHP leader and a known critic of the Modi government, said the Ganga activist deserved a better treatment. "But it seems, rulers have become absolutely arrogant and unmindful for the public. Similar treatment was meted out to Ayodhya Mahant Paramhans das ji. Farmers, labour, students, middle class all facing injustice now. We pray for Prof Agarwal ji's peace and appeal to the rulers to be sensitive to the public," Togadia, who now heads the Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP), said. By PTI PATNA/MUZAFFARPUR: Brajesh Thakur, prime accused in the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal, was on Thursday shifted to a jail in Bhagalpur district, a prison official said. Thakur headed the NGO which ran the shelter home where more than 30 girls are said to have suffered sexual abuse. He has been in jail in Muzaffarpur since June this year. ALSO READ: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar breaks silence, says ashamed over Muzaffarpur shelter home scandal "We had received a direction to shift Brajesh Thakur from the Shaheed Khudiran Bose Jail, Muzaffarpur, to the Special Central Jail in Bhagalpur. The order was complied with this morning," Jail superintendent Rajiv Kumar Singh told PTI over phone. Replying to a query, he said at present only Thakur has been shifted out of Muzaffarpur since no directions have been received so far to transfer any other accused in the case in connection with which as many 15 persons have been arrested so far. Sources in the prison department here said that the move followed a request by the CBI, which is investigating the case, since it was wary of keeping Thakur in the jail which was overcrowded and situated in a town where he was known to be an influential person. The scandal had come to light earlier this year when the Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Social Sciences, in its report of social audit conducted of shelter homes across the state, cited complaints of sexual abuse by inmates of the care unit for minor girls in Muzaffarpur. An FIR was lodged by the state social welfare department thereafter and police arrested 10 persons, including Thakur, in this connection. A countrywide outcry followed sexual abuse of many inmates being confirmed in medical examinations and reports of a girl having been beaten to death a few years ago. The Nitish Kumar government handed over the probe to the CBI in July. The social welfare minister Manju Verma also stepped down shortly afterwards following allegations that her husband Chandrashekhar Verma had close links with Thakur. In the recent past, the CBI has arrested five more persons in connection with the case one of them a social welfare department official and the remaining employees of Thakur who besides running the NGO, owned many businesses and even published a number of small newspapers. By Express News Service SRI NAGAR: Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) are crying foul after Governor Satya Pal Malik on Wednesday said a foreign educated person would be the next mayor of Srinagar although only one phase of the 4-phase elections for the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the state has finished. Both the parties (the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party) are regretting that they are not participating in the civic polls. Because in Srinagar they are getting a mayor who is foreign educated. He is a young leader and if he emerges, this will send jitters through these parties, Malik on Wednesday said in the interview to a TV channel. Although Malik did not name the person, political observers say he could be speaking about former NC spokesman Junaid Mattu, who quit the party to contest the ULB polls. Mattu, who was educated abroad, is close to separatist-turned-mainstream politician Sajjad Gani Lone, who is an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Valley and whose party, the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference, is contesting the ULB polls. Reacting to Maliks comments, the National Conference (NC) and the Congress questioned his impartiality.The governor is belittling the status of his office. He has unambiguously hinted towards a particular person for the post of mayor of Srinagar, NC chief spokesman and MLA of Budgam, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi said.State Congress vice president Ghulam Monga alleged that the ULB elections have lost their credibility. By Express News Service BHOPAL: A real-life incident resembling the sequence of Ajay Devgn-starrer Bollywood flick Raid has happened in Morena town of Madhya Pradesh. A team of Income Tax department, carrying on search at the premises of an edible oil firm, was attacked a group of men led by the father of the firms proprietor on Wednesday. The team headed by an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, deputy commissioner of income tax Vikram Pagaria was assaulted by a group of men led by the firms owner Sanjay Bansals father Govind Bansal on Wednesday. The team of I-T sleuths and police personnel, which included women also was attacked by Govind Bansal and other men, but the I-T sleuths managed to save the seized material, including vital documents, unaccounted cash and jewellery. According to Morena district police superintendent Amit Sanghi, a case under six different IPC sections was registered on Wednesday only against four accused including Govind Bansal. The prime accused Bansal, who is aged around 65 years was arrested by police on Thursday. Sources in the IT department in Bhopal, meanwhile, told The New Indian Express that the search at the premises owned by edible oil firm head Sanjay Bansal started in Morena town on Tuesday. The raids in Morena were consequential to search carried out in the premises of another business group in Pune (Maharashtra). The search in the raided premises in Morena led the tax sleuths to unaccounted cash totaling around Rs 3 lakh, jewellery valued at around Rs 50 lakh and documents containing bogus financial transactions worth around Rs 400 crores over last two years, a major part of which pertained to the period of demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes in November 2016. When the oil firm head Sanjay Bansal was questioned about it on Wednesday, he complained chest pain, uneasiness and back pain owing to which he was taken to a hospital in Morena. He later insisted that he be taken to a hospital in adjoining Gwalior. At the Gwalior hospital also, the doctors didnt find anything abnormal in his health, owing to which he wasnt admitted there. Meanwhile, back in Morena town, in a pre-planned manner, the group of men led by Sanjay Bansals father assaulted the team led by the I-T deputy commissioner for snatching the seized valuables, cash and documents from the possession of the sleuths. Despite being attacked by the I-T sleuths didnt allow the seized material to be captured back by the assaulting men. By Express News Service GUWAHATI: Even as Mizoram grapples to resolve the issue of Bru (Reang) refugees lodged in relief camps in neighbouring Tripura, an influential tribal organisation in the state has now raked up the issue of Chakmas demanding the scrapping of the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC). The development comes just weeks ahead of Assembly elections in the state. Alleging that Mizoram is increasingly becoming a safe haven of the "illegal Bangladeshi immigrants", thousands of protestors hit the streets of Aizawl on Wednesday in support of the demand. The YMA said it would take legal recourse if the Centre failed to address the issue. "We know it is only through the Parliament that an autonomous council can be scrapped. However, we will not rest till the demand is met with. We also demand the deportation of the immigrants. If need be, we will move a court," YMA president Vanlalruata said. The Chakmas trace their roots to Bangladesh. Their migration to Mizoram took place over a period of time years ahead of Mizoram's attainment of statehood in 1986. Vanlalruata said the CADC had become a safe haven for the Bangladeshi infiltrators ever since its creation in 1972. "The alarming growth of population in CADC areas is beyond our comprehension. The council was created without taking the people of Mizoram into confidence. Therefore, we have every right to demand its scrapping," he said. Alleging oppression, the Zo-ethnic groups, collectively called Mizos, had taken up the gun and spearheaded a two-decade-long insurgency movement which culminated in Mizoram's attainment of statehood. However, statehood literally had no meaning for the ethnic minorities. The Chakmas, Maras and Lais are struggling to this day to secure their rights and identity. Mizoram has seen long-running tensions between Mizos and ethnic minority tribes.The CADC was created under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The demand to scrap the council is not new. Former Chief Minister Laldenga had once sought to dissolve it but got no success. The ethnic minorities, particularly Chakmas, have been for long demanding reservation. Last year, Mizoram's lone Chakma minister Buddha Dhan Chakma had resigned alleging racial discrimination. Four Chakma students had cleared the National Entrance and Eligibility Test but were denied seats in medical colleges. BJP is trying to keep these ethnic communities in a good humour. The party has been successful to some extent as evident from its winning five seats in the CADC election in April this year. That was for the first time that the BJP had won a seat in any election in Mizoram. By ANI LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma, on Thursday, handed over an appointment letter for a government job to Kalpana Tiwari, the wife deceased Apple executive Vivek Tiwari. Last month, Tiwari was allegedly shot dead by a patrolling constable in Lucknow for refusing to stop his car. Speaking to ANI, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "I have been in contact with the family since the day this unfortunate incident took place. Vivek was a hardworking youth. We have given a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to his wife Kalpana and Rs 5 lakh each to both their children and Vivek's mother. Kalpana has been made a special officer (OSD) in the municipal corporation. She has completed the joining formalities today. We will do whatever we can for the family." After receiving the appointment letter, Kalpana told ANI, "He (Dinesh Sharma) gave me the appointment letter today. He told me that they will fulfil all the promises they made whether it is regarding justice or anything else. I think the investigation is going in the right direction and as of now, I am satisfied with the investigation. " On October 2, the postmortem report of Tiwari revealed that he died due to a gunshot injury on the left side of his chin. During the preliminary investigation, the cop who allegedly shot the Apple executive claimed that he fired at his car in self-defense as it tried to run over his motorbike. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: Ravi Shankar and Roshan Lal dreamt it big as kids. They had the aspiration to standout beyond the contours of poverty, anonymity and obscurity of their Kol community. The duo, however, realised their dreams by graduating as the first two and the only lawyers of their 25,000 member tribe inhabiting in backward regions of Koraon and Meja in Allahabad district. Besides practising law, they run a school to impart education to the poor free of cost. Kol tribals are generally bonded labourers. Poverty has pushed many of them to the badlands of Chitrakoot as dacoits. Babli Kol, the 'terror of Chitrakoot forests' is one of the biggest challenges for UP police. Belonging to the Kol tribe, Ravi and Roshan spent their childhood in abject poverty as their parents - both mother and father used to work as bonded labourers and had a number of mouths to feed. Hunger used to be the only issue to be addressed by the parents who would earn paltry Rs 300 per day. But Ravi and Roshan had a hunger to get their self-worth. "I had no doubt. I was sure that by being the eldest son, I would have to share the responsibility of the family with my parents by doing what they were into,-" says Ravi, 29, a native of Dhoos village of Koraon. The imagery of his childhood suddenly comes alive in front of his eyes. He recalls how he used to play with the stones at the sandstone quarry where his parents Shayamlal and Itwari Devi used to work as labourers. But destiny had a different plan for him. "My father knew my passion for education and despite all hardships, he sent me to school pinning his hopes on me for changing the times for good," says Ravi. He narrates how his father used to work at Lodhi Pahar of Rewa and mother in a stone quarry near his village despite being an acute patient of asthma. "There was no money for her treatment. Many a time, we had to sleep empty stomach. I used to go fishing to get food for my family before going to school," shares Ravi. Somehow he completed his primary education and took admission in a secondary school. "I used to walk eight kilometres daily to attend school. My passion for studies kept on driving me," he says. Destiny took a turn when Ravi passed high school (class 10th). He met members of Pragati Gramodyoy Evam Samaj Kalyan Sansthan, a local NGO. Lady luck smiled on the young boy when a professor of GB Pant Social Science Institute Prof Sunit Singh, also a member of the same NGO, took the responsibility of Ravi's education further. After finishing school, Ravi went to Nehru Gram Bharti University in Allahabad and got a bachelor's degree in law. Now a proud lawyer, Ravi practises at Koraon tehsil. "Things started falling in place. We were provided a land on lease by the NGO for farming so my father got freedom from slogging day in and day out as a labourer," says Ravi. Even Roshan Lal, Ravi's batchmate, had seen even tougher times. A native of Bisari village in Meja, the parents of 30-year-old lawyer used to work as labourers in the fields of rich farmers. He had to walk 15-km to Koddhar township daily to go to school. But hardship didn't deter him from attaining higher education. "I had seen hunger and poverty in my family. My father had nine mouths to feed," says Roshan. Today when Roshan has a good practice, his only regret that his father could not make his siblings study due to poverty and invested everything for his education. This feeling pushed both the lawyers to open an evening school two years ago for their children of not only their tribe but also those from adjoining villages and areas to study free of cost. Both the lawyers even run classes for elderly of the village who had the ambition to study but could not do so while struggling to make the ends meet. As we live in a world that is severely stratified in terms of privilege and resources, getting degrees was not enough for Ravi and Roshan. The struggle didn't end there for the two lawyers. "As we started practising law, people refused to accept us as we belonged to a tribe," they claim. "Destiny goes hand-in-hand with determination. These diligent youths today stand out as inspiration for many like them and their efforts will go a long way in the uplift of their community," says Prof Sunit Singh. Anand ST Das By Express News Service PATNA: Brajesh Thakur, the main accused in the Muzaffarpur shelter home sexual abuses case, was on Thursday shifted to the Bhagalpur jail from the Muzaffarpur jail at the request of CBI to prevent him from trying to influence witnesses. CBI, which is investigating the case pertaining to the sexual abuses of minor girls lodged at a shelter home run by Thakurs NGO, had reportedly informed Bihar police that he was trying to influence witnesses in the case. Muzaffarpur is Thakurs hometown, and he has been lodged in the Shaheed Khudiram Bose Central Jail in the town since June 27. He was arrested on June 3. The step was taken after CBI officials probing the case informed that Thakur had been trying to hamper the investigation from inside the jail. He had managed a few jail employees and was misusing the facilities in the jail, said an official of Bihars prisons department. During a surprise raid on the Muzaffarpur jail by the district police in August, Thakur was found to be walking in the visitors area and living in the comfort of the jail hospital without any permission or reason. Two pages of handwritten notes seized from him reportedly contained the phone numbers of several influential people, including some politicians. Although he was arrested on June 3, Thakur had managed to stay at the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital till June 27. He was shifted to jail after the Opposition parties raised the issue. After receiving CBIs formal request for transferring Thakur to another jail, the state police headquarters passed an order to the prison department to shift him, said sources. IG (jail) Mithilesh Mishra described the transfer as part of an administrative process. Fourteen other accused in the case lodged in the Muzaffarpur jail were also simultaneously shifted to Patnas Beur Central Jail. They include child protection officer Roushan Kumar and Rosy Rani, the assistant director of social welfare department. At least 34 minor girls residing at the state government-funded shelter home run by Thakurs NGO were found to have been repeatedly sexually abused. The matter came to light in May in the report of an audit of shelters in Bihar by Tata Institute of Medical Sciences (TISS). By PTI LUCKNOW: A court here Thursday sent BrahMos Aerospace engineer Nishant Agrawal, who is accused of passing off sensitive information to the ISI, to police remand for seven days. Special Chief Judicial Magistrate Himanshu Dayal Srivastava passed the order on an application moved by Inspector Pankaj Awasthi of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of the Uttar Pradesh Police. The custody remand period would begin on Thursday at 9 pm. Agrawal was arrested Monday in a joint operation by the Uttar Pradesh Police and their Maharashtrian counterpart at BrahMos' Wardha Road facility in Nagpur for allegedly leaking "technical information" to Pakistan. He was flown to Lucknow From Nagpur. The ATS Thursday sought his custody from the court for the purpose of interrogation. Agarwal's lawyer opposed the remand, pleading that he was a young scientist who is being implicated as part of a "conspiracy". The court said the secret and prohibited information was found from Agarwal's laptop. It also took note of his activity on Facebook. It is alleged that Agrawal was in contact with two Facebook accounts -- 'Neha Sharma' and 'Pooja Ranjan' -- suspected to be operated by Pakistani intelligence agents. He has been booked under the Official Secrets Act. BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the 'Military Industrial Consortium' (NPO Mashinostroyenia) of Russia. Try looking up the Bulgari boutique on the online store guide of the ION Orchard shopping mall in Singapore and you will not be successful. However, there is a Bulgari store in this mall located along the citys famed Orchard Road. Okay, it is actually a pop-up store or pop-up shop located within the ION Orchard shopping mall and it opened in early October 2018 and will operate till the end of the year. Yes, Bulgari is onto the flash retailing bandwagon and it is for a very good reason. You see, the Italian luxury brand, owned by French luxury group LVMH, will be opening up its fourth boutique at this shopping mall by the end of the year and this pop-up store is a wonderful prelude to the upcoming store and to capture the attention of shoppers. But first, take note that this is what the brand terms their Pop(Up) Corn as there are mobile retail window displays that look very much like popcorn stands. Bulgari For those who are window-shopping at this mall, you wont miss Bulgaris Pop(Up) Corn set-up as it literally pops up out of nowhere what with the lighted visual displays and features of two-tone stripes of pop-corn boxes, rectangular shapes of cinema ticket stubs and neon lights. Well, perhaps we shouldnt use the word nowhere because this pop-up store is actually right in front of the future Bulgari boutique that is currently boarded up as it still undergoing renovation works. The links to popcorn and cinema come from the fact that this jewellers Via Condotti boutique in Rome was a magnet for Hollywood stars such as Kirk Douglas, Audrey Hepburn, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in the 1960s. Bulgaris Pop(Up) Corn takes the form of a colourful carousel. It also features entrances that look like the door for the brands Via Condotti boutique. Within the pop-up store, shoppers will be able to delight in the brands Serpenti bags, jewellery and watches. Do note that the Bulgari-Bulgari necklace and a matching bracelet in rose gold and sugilite as well as Serpenti handbags in calf leather are exclusively available only at this pop-up store. Bulgari The fourth and newest Bulgari boutique in Singapore will occupy some 230 square metres (2,476 square feet) of space. Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin had explained in an interview published in Singapores daily, The Straits Times, that this small city is comparable in terms of potential with bustling cities such as Paris and London and part of the strategy of the brand is to welcome younger consumers with higher discretionary incomes with a wider product offering. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: For a long time, attendance in government offices was a mere formality and many used to turn up any time as per their convenience. The introduction of biometric attendance system in offices across Uttar Pradesh during the last one year made the life of such habitual late-comers difficult. The solution to their problem came from rubber stamp manufacturers, who diversified into the business of casting prosthetic thumbs carrying the impression of the specific customer. They are doing a roaring business by selling these fake thumbs at Rs 300 per piece in eastern UP districts like Varanasi, Chandauli and Azamgarh. The fake thumb manufacturers cater to clients from across the sectors from government and private employees who want to get their proxy attendance registered to those who are into the hacking of fingerprint passwords of computers, laptops and smartphones. Those who work at Jan Seva Kendra also need these thumbs to be used while preparing ration cards, pension documents etc. Even those buying SIM cards and procuring fake wills and property documents use these thumbs. The district administration and police officials of Chanduali admitted that they were aware of it and said teams had been set up to trace these manufacturers. SP Santosh Kumar Singh said, A team has been constituted to investigate the matter. In Varanasi, these prosthetic thumbs made of silicon rubber are available for just Rs 60-100 but in smaller districts like Ghazipur, Azamgarh and Chandauli, they cost between Rs 300 and Rs 500. Varanasi DM Surendra Singh said the possibility of misuse of prosthetic thumbs couldt be denied. But, it is not that easy. Every office has CCTV cameras. The arrival and departure time has to be recorded in a register signed by the employee himself. But the menace is rampant. I get at least one customer daily, said a stamp maker in Varanasi. Low investment, expanding trade Establishing a thumb manufacturing unit demands a low investment of just I1 lakh. It requires a small space, a computer or laptop, scanner and casting machine. Initially, Varanasi market used to supply the thumbs to neighbouring districts but now the trade has expanded. Manoj Chhabra By In his book The Fall of the Ottomans: The Great War in the Middle East, 1914-1920, Eugene Rogan, a historian at Oxford, outlines how Britain and France sought to dismantle the Ottoman Empire during the First World War. Till then the Empire was the temporal as well as the spiritual seat of Islam. The caliph was king and pope rolled into one. Although a religious state, the constraints of realpolitik kept the policies of the Empire pragmatic and out of the hands of religious extremists. Colonial powers were aligned against the Empire and successfully used religious, extremist nomadic tribes to break it up. Rogan argues that this policy played an important role in the rise of religious fundamentalism in the region, culminating in The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which is now a threat to the entire world. One can reasonably argue that it is unfair to blame them as no one could have predicted the exact consequences. It is, however, hard to escape the fact that a large part of the world today is shaped by such unintended consequences. What was once considered a blessing may sometimes turn out to be a curse, and vice versa. Plastics were once considered fantastic, a marvel of science, but are now a threat to the environment. Pesticides, which facilitated the Green Revolution in India by making us self-reliant in food, contaminate groundwater. Invention of the printing press is now credited with ushering in the age of enlightenment. Things and events often have long term consequences, many of which are unintentional. When Chairman Mao was asked about the impact of French Revolution of 1789 on the world, he is said to have replied that it is too early to judge. There seems to be an unwritten law of such unintentional consequences at work here. Lets explore this further. Harnessing electricity made possible TV, computers and the internetall wonderful inventions bringing joy and comfort. But these have also altered human behaviour in ways never imagined by their creators. Watching TV is now linked to obesity, junk food and shrinking attention spans. The social media revolution is hastening the change. Is TV and social media good or bad? Is it progress or decline? Maybe it is too early to judge. History tells us that the fall of the mighty Roman Empire was marked by orgies and gladiatorial contests. Maybe 100 years from now the future historians may see reality TV (Big Boss?) and social media trolling as symbols of decay and mark the end of Age of Enlightenment. Maybe thats how a civilization dies, an unintentional consequence of brilliant inventions. Why does this happen? Well, part of it is simply the hubris of the human species that we know everything. This belief in human infallibility has grown exponentially in the past century, due to a knowledge revolution that spawned rapid technological advances. Its sometimes easy to believe that there is nothing beyond our grasp; even if some things remain unsolved, its just a matter of time. A typical example of such intellectual arrogance was the 1989 essay The End of History by Francis Fukuyama. He postulated that after the fall of communism, political thought and civilisation have matured and free market economy with liberal democracy is the final form of government. Ironically, in less than 30 years, history has taken its revenge as both free market and liberal democracy are under threat even in their bastion, the US. More importantly, there are structural constraints to human knowledge because of the fact that we are but a small part of this infinite universe. This is explained brilliantly in the ancient Jain philosophy of Anekantavada (relativity of views) which describes reality as multifaceted and too complex to be grasped from any one perspective. Leave alone a mountain, even a grain of sand cannot be comprehended in its entirety as each sees it from his or her own perspective. Stephen Hawking explains the expanding universe by likening it to ants sitting on an inflating balloon that will have everyone else travelling away from themselves. Each ant, from its viewpoint, will be imagining itself as the centre of the universe. However, to an outside observer who is watching both the balloon and the ants the reality is different. Both are right from their own perspective. We can only see and understand things using our limited knowledge and therefore cannot comprehend all the dimensions. This should be a sobering thought for us human ants who are searching for meaning in our lives in this incomprehensible universe. We all need to believe in something. Some find certainty and comfort in religion and gurus, some in ideology, others in science or art. None of the beliefs is inherently good or bad, right or wrong. The problem starts when we start claiming a monopoly on truth and consider a different viewpoint blasphemous. Infinitely more harm has been done by those who were convinced of absolute truth of their beliefs than criminals and mercenaries. Whether it is the Crusaders of the Middle Ages, Hitler, Stalin or the teenage suicide bombers today, terrible atrocities have always been justified in the name of a great and noble cause. Not just a theoretical construct, Jain metaphysics has considerable practical utility. It is an antidote to dogmatic world views held by religious or ideological fundamentalists, who are so full of themselves. It fosters non-violence, tolerance and coexistence. Respecting a multiplicity of beliefs and viewpoints provides a reality check against extremism and raises hopes of living peacefully. Science and technology give us enormous power but a little dose of philosophy might just let us survive our own unintentional follies. Neha Bhandarkar and Manasa R By Online Desk "Mappilai, yes that's me" Meet Carlo Pizzati, a 'soft version of Shantaram', who in a chat with newindianexpress.com, tells us about his newly-launched book, Mappillai: An Italian son-in-law in India, how he fell in love with Chennai, met and married his wife and his challenges of being a 'whitey' in the Southern belt of India. Dressed smartly in a blue blazer on a rather sultry afternoon, as described vividly in his book, Carlo tells us how he came about to pen down his extraordinary experiences in Chennai. I was told by my editor in Italy to write my extraordinary life, so for me to have found an ordinary life in India in a family as a mapillai is a very extraordinary thing. Ordinary Extraordinary life Having had adventurous experiences as a journalist in Latin America, and the US (New York), Carlo feels in India, he has found some sort of a normal life. I was shot at by a group of gangsters when I was going with the police wearing a bulletproof vest, and I was arrested by the Columbian Secret Service as I had interviewed the spokesperson of the guerrillas, he recounts. But in India, "everything is extraordinary; it is full of surprises," Pizzati says. Adrenaline is something Carlo lived for as his adventures as a journalist tell you I got that lesson that adrenaline has to teach you, whereas, in India, I got the lesson that patience has to teach you. READ OUR REVIEW OF THE BOOK HERE Mappillai: An Italian son-in-law in India. (Photo | Sunish P Surendran) On India 'Mappillai' is a serious book in funny clothes. Placing his part-memoir, part-philosophical book in the migrant literature genre, Carlo ruminates: I think we are all migrants, and I am a privileged migrant India is definitely mature, especially in the metropolitan context. Pizzati feels fortunate on being welcomed in India: There are a few advantages of being a 'gora' in India, like a little could be due to some colonial, post-colonial hang-ups that are still lingering in India. The maturity is also in the Indian philosophy and history India also has the historical and demographic muscles that can take away all the differences. Mappillai is not a book on India, or is it? Though written with a lot of acceptance, Carlo feels that there are several others who are better qualified to talk about India. I just thought I would try to explain what I saw and what I experienced and be more honest as a writer. Carlo has gotten used to so many things that he cannot recount challenges faced in his initial days. From traffic to bribery to serpentine queues which hes familiar with from his Italy days, Carlo says, Things that used to irritate me, they dont irritate me so much. Speaking on the rampant inequality in India, Carlo tells us his views, It is difficult to see that the people who are the subjects of inequality are sometimes those who endorse this system. But to highlight a positive aspect he found, Carlo brings up the Chennai floods of 2015. There are some signs (of differences blurring) after the floods --- where different castes were affected similarly by the floods. We had some sort of collaboration, some sort of barrier being broken. Finding a balance in the different Indias Carlo, who at one point felt he had a clear image before he ventured into his Indian experience a decade back, has now a totally different point of view. Like other people, I also came here looking for an answer. I did find an answer, I found that answer in love, and I wasnt looking for it. Where is India heading to? Having written very extensively in Italian newspapers on India's current political atmosphere and the threats journalists face, Carlo feels there needs to be a change in legislation. There need for stricter laws to protect journalists and faster trials to try people who harass and kill journalists. Gau rakshaks or cow vigilantes-sponsored violence is much lesser when compared to the North, he says. What does the Italian son-in-law think of his adopted home Chennai? A very boring metropolis, which is difficult to appreciate on its face value, he opines. Finding Chennai sedated in a positive way, Carlo feels, It is very relaxing compared to the hustle and bustle of cities like Delhi or Mumbai. Carlo, who finds the lanes of Sowcarpet a good mix of the North and the South, puts it this way: It attacks your nervous system less, except when you are driving!" By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: The cyclonic storm Titli intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm, was very likely to intensify further during the next 12 hours (by Thursday morning) and its movement is being monitored by the coastal doppler weather radars in Visakhapatnam, Gopalpur and Paradip. The storm lay centred over West Central Bay of Bengal, 190 km southeast of Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. Surprisingly, the cyclonic storm dates are coinciding with that of Hudhud cyclone which devastated Vizag on October 12, 2014. On Wednesday, heavy gales of 70-80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph lashed the three north coastal districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam under the influence of Titli. With the intensified cyclonic storm Titli fishermen, who were restricted from fishing, sit idle at the coast in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday I G satyanarayana According to weathermen, the cyclonic storm is likely to make a landfall between Gopalpur in Odisha and Kalingapatnam in AP around 5:30 am on Thursday at a wind speed gusting up to 165 kmph. The last update of IMD on Wednesday night recorded the gales with speed of 140-150 kmph gusting up to 165 kmph at the deep sea of west central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal. The official machinery as well as people are worried over the likely havoc to be caused by Titli cyclone. All preventive steps have been taken to mitigate the loss of life and property. ALSO READ | Three lakh people evacuated from costal areas in view of Cyclone Titli: Odisha CM According to India Meteorological Department scientist K Naga Ratna, the cyclonic effect of Titli may be more on Vizianagaram and Srikakulam, while Visakhapatnam, being the border district, is likely to be safe. Heavy rain warning for the next two days has been issued at a few places. The high wave alert has also been sounded, where the wave speed will be at 100 kmph and it will increase as the storm approaches the coast. With isolated rains at one or two places, there will be higher winds in the upper levels also. Due to heavy gales, many hoardings in Visakhapatnam city were damaged. P6 Dial admn in emergency Control room 1800 4250 0001, 08942-240557 Command Control Centre 912, 8331018762 Srikakulam 08942-227361, 9490612633 Vizianagaram 08922- 222942, 9490610102 Visakhapatnam 0891-2583611, 7382299975 Trains cancelled Train services between Khurda Road and Vizianagaram have been cancelled in view of the severe cyclonic storm Titli October 11 - Bhubaneswar - Bangalore Prashanti Express and Bhubaneswar - Chennai Central Express Helpline Numbers Visakhapatnam - 2744619, 2746330, 2746338 Bhubaneswar- 8455885936, 0674-2301525, 0674 -2301625 Many areas also experienced power disruptions. Light to moderate rains have been occurring in several parts of Srikakulam since early hours of Wednesday under the impact of Titli. Strong winds have been lashing the coastline of Srikakulam. District Collector K Dhananjaya Reddy directed the revenue officials to open control rooms in all mandals. Similarly, a control room was set up at the Collectorate in Srikakulam with phone number 08942-240557. An NDRF team has already been deployed in the district and more teams are likely to be pressed into service basing on the intensity of the storm. Irrigation officials have been asked to closely monitor the water levels in the reservoirs, rivers and canals and keep informing the control room about the situation, so that villagers of flood-prone areas can be evacuated to safer places. Fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea till Friday. Hut dwellers in coastal areas have been advised to shift to safer places. Five teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have also been positioned at different places in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam to take up rescue operations within no time in case of any eventuality. The armed forces have been put on alert. This is the second cyclonic storm formed over the Bay of Bengal and hitting the east coast this year. The first one, Daye, hit Odisha and northern AP last month. APEPDCL fully geared up APEPDCL has cautioned the people to be more alert in view of the cyclonic storm Titli. APEPDCL CMD HY Dora instructed all SEs, DEs and AEs of all three operation circles in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam to take all precautionary measures to avert any untoward incidents keeping in view the heavy rain and gales. For restoration of power in case of any disruption, APEPDCL has been fully geared up with necessary manpower and equipment. The staff have been asked to keep updating information relating to the cyclone to the APEPDCL corporate office. Special call centres have been set up in all APEPDCL circles of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam for emergencies. The centres will work round-the-clock. By Express News Service CHIKKAMAGALURU: There is unlikely to be a nature lover who does not get carried away by the grandeur of Kurinji or Neelakurinji flower, which blooms once in 12 years on Mullayanagiri and Baba Budangiri hill ranges. Having last experienced bloom of the colourful flowers in 2006, the valleys should have been painted the distinctive blue and purple by the flowers this year. Much to the disappointment of those who wait the long period for the spectacle, that has not happened. To add to the agony, some mischief makers posted file pictures of fully-bloomed Kurinji flowers on social media, saying they were current photos. Misguided by the posts, enthusiastic tourists made a beeline to Mullayanagiri, Baba Budangiri and Seethalayanagiri hill range over the weekend only to be disappointed. A tourist from Bengaluru told The New Indian Express that the team he was part of went there to take in an eyeful of the beauty of kurunji based on social media posts. The pale and dull scene we went to, broke our hearts, he added. Tushar Kaushik By Express News Service BENGALURU: A strike by Pourakarmikas in Mysuru once hailed as the cleanest city in India resulted in heaps of garbage strewn all over the city for almost a week. Bengaluru could also face the same fate as most promises made by the government have not yet been fulfilled. The workers still suffer from the same issues of pending salaries, delayed payments and loss of jobs. Just a few days ago, workers from KR Market protested at the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palikes (BBMP) head office over non-payment of wages. Nirmala M, secretary of the BBMP Guttige Powrakarmikara Sangha (affiliated to AICCTU), claimed almost three-fourths of all workers are not getting their salaries on time. Gangamma, a pourakarmika from Ramamurthy Nagar, said several workers from her ward had not received full payments, and no one knew why. Almost all of these issues were highlighted during earlier protests, but none of them have been resolved, and the workers are getting restless. We are planning a big protest because if we only carry out small-scale protests then, as always, officials will give assurances and then forget it, she said. According to a BBMP Assistant Executive Engineer, the issues with salary persist due to confusion among the officials. The official said a micro-plan stipulating requirement of workers was prepared during the end of 2016, but later it did not get the governments approval. This confusion led to the loss of jobs and payments for many workers, and even now the department itself is not sure of which plan to follow, the official said. The official attributed it to the delays by private contractors employed to distribute the items. By Express News Service VIJAYAPURA: Former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo H D Devegowda clarified, None of the members from my family will contest in the Lok Sabha by-election from Mandya and the candidature for Shivamogga will be announced soon. Speaking to reporters in Sindgi on Wednesday, Gowda said, The party will give an opportunity for the local leader to contest in the by-election in Mandya. The candidate will be announced shortly and none of the members of my family will be given a ticket, clarified the JD(S) supremo. Referring to the parliament by-election of Shivamogga constituency, he said, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy is in touch with former legislator Madhu Bangarappa in order to convince him to contest from Shivamogga. Bangarappa is in Denmark and is expected to return to India on Thursday. A meeting will be held to convince him and then the ticket will be finalised, stated Devegowda. He added, If Bangarappa refuses to contest, then the JD(S) will support Congress candidate in Shivamogga. JD(S) will support the Congress candidate in Bellary. Congress and JD(S) will campaign together in all five constituencies in the by-elections. He accused saffron party leaders of creating communal rift across the country. Disappointed over the recent political developments in the state, Devegowda said, Many people are questioning the stability of the coalition government. The Congress and JD(S) party dont have any internal disputes and are working efficiently and effectively for the development of the state. We have forgotten all the differences that we had earlier between us for the welfare of the government and mainly to keep away the saffron party from forming a government. The upcoming by-election results will be the answer for those who question the stability of the state government. Without a doubt, this coalition government will be in power for five years, confidently remarked Deve Gowda. Applauding the works by coalition government, Deve Gowda said, This is the first and only state government in the entire nation to wave the farm loan of both cooperative and national banks which is estimated at `42,000 crore. The government is chalking out new programmes and working hard for farmers. In a year or two, it will implement those programmes and will work on providing water to all the agricultural lands. By Express News Service KANNUR: Five Airline companies have expressed willingness to start operations from Kannur International Airport from the day of inauguration itself. Air India Express, Indigo, Go Air, Spice Jet and Jet Airways have expressed readiness to start both domestic and international services from the airport on December 9, in the meeting held on Tuesday between the firms representatives and KIAL officials, including MD V Thulasidas. They have also handed over a draft of the time schedule of the flights to KIAL officials. Apart from the five companies who have come forward, representatives of foreign companies like Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Fly Dubai, Air Arabia and Gulf Air have also held discussions with KIAL officials. Foreign companies have not yet received the permission to operate their services from the airport, said Thulasidas. Attempts in connection with this are going on, he said. Many agencies who provide services to the companies also participated in the meeting. Since the Civil Aviation Ministry has decided to allow relaxation in the UDAN conditions, Udan services which ensure economic fares will also be there from day one. Customs and emigration departments will start functioning from December 1 onwards. CISF will completely take over the charge of security of the airport from October 17 onwards. By Express News Service KOCHI: Kerala High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by Akhila Bharat Hindu Mahasabha seeking a directive to the Centre to issue an order enabling Muslim women to enter Mosques along with men for offering prayers. The petition was filed by Swamy Dethathreya Sai Swaroop Nath, State President of the Mahasabha, Thiruvananthapuram as a party-in-person. He argued that the entry of Muslim women to the mosques should be allowed in the context of the Supreme Court order allowing entry of women devotees in Sabarimala temple. The Muslim women are discriminated by not allowing them to enter the main prayer halls of mosques in the state, the The court observed that the petitioner failed to establish that there was a denial of entry for Muslim women to the mosques. Muslim women haven't approached the court with such a complaint, the court orally observed. By Express News Service KOCHI: A South Indian racket comprising Malayalees and having strong networks in West Asian countries and Malaysia is behind the trafficking of MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) and other psychotropic drugs through Kochi to international destinations, it is suspected. Enforcement agencies have started collecting details of the racket and its members based on inputs they corroborated following the arrest of Kannur native Prasanth Kumar who was nabbed in connection with the seizure of 30 kg of MDMA from Kochi the other day. Prasanth was settled in Chennai. Officers of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) said a team is already scouting for details about the persons coordinating the activities of the racket from Tamil Nadu. Our team is in Tamil Nadu to collect more details about other members of the racket, said an officer. The agencies will collect details from an accused Faizal, who was arrested in February following the seizure of 5.2 kg MDMA consignment from Nedumbassery. It is certain members of the racket operating in Dubai, Kuwait and Malaysia have strong links in Kerala. Already, the probe has revealed a few suspects from Kannur and Kasargod, who are currently settled in Gulf countries, are part of the racket, the officers said. The latest seizure of 30 kg of MDMA was made following the input by the courier firm which the accused had approached to book the consignment to Malaysia. Ever since the agencies got alerts about rackets using courier firms to ship the contraband to other countries, NCB had alerted the staff of the courier firms to identify suspects based on certain indicators and follow a set of procedures while accepting parcels to other countries. In different phases, representatives from courier firms in Ernakulam were trained in identifying suspects based on certain parameters. Sport watches, and in particular diving watches, are currently having something of a moment which is good news for Ulysse Nardin, the Kering-owned house that is synonymous with timing the seas. Indeed the company recently has been making waves: in August, CEO Patrick Pruniaux added another feather to his bow when it was announced he was taking on the additional role of CEO of Girard-Perregaux. With early training in the drinks business and a decade at TAG Heuer followed by a stint at Apple, the 46-year-old Mr Pruniaux has one of the most interesting CVs in the watch business and no doubt his career at Kering will be closely watched. Mr Pruniaux was on hand last week at the Monaco Yacht Show to launch Ulysse Nardins new Diver Chronometer, a collection of four diving watches that was conceived around 18 months ago before Mr Pruniaux started the top job and which he called a priority, namely for its in-house developed UN-118 calibre with silicium technology (I was on everyones back when I arrived, recalls Mr Pruniaux). Ulysse Nardins existing diving watches wont be discontinued, he says, but streamlined (a pin buckle closure for example has replaced the clasp). The new 44mm titanium watches come in four colours: two blue and black versions (CHF 7,900) with matching dials and rubber straps, and two limited edition models, the Great White (CHF 8,900) in chic white and limited to 300 pieces, and the black-on-gold Monaco (CHF12,000), limited to 100 pieces. Water resistance to 300m and with Superluminova indices and hands, the watch is especially readable with its power reserve indicator at 12 oclock (60 hours) and date window and small seconds at 6 oclock, all encased within an inverted concave unidirectional rotating bezel. Diver Chronometers, blue and black Ulysse Nardin The two limited pieces come stamped on the caseback with a great white shark and Monaco coat-of-arms respectively. The latter also has a special date window that highlights the numbers 26, 27, 28 and 29 the dates of the Monaco Yacht Show, for which Ulysse Nardin is official sponsor. There is also a Monegasque flag at 12 oclock. Diver Chronometers, limited editions Ulysse Nardin Joining Mr Pruniaux for the launch were the so-called modern-day Ulysses ambassadors with, naturally, links to the seas, but also individuals who embody innovation, conservation and also fun. Leading the pack was renowned freediver and photographer Fred Buyle, who spends some 250 days in the ocean, most of it in his home in the Azores diving with sharks and whales. Buyle had tested the new watches all summer and he praised the design for its readability, comfort and mostly its seconds hands dial, which he called a separate watch inside a watch. A self-proclaimed light traveller, Buyle says hes always liked mechanical watches and especially its precision for freediving. I can rely on a mechanical watch, he said. A digital watch is more abstract, but a mechanical one, with hands you can see, allows me to conceptualise the time. Fred Buyle Ulysse Nardin Buyle photographed the new Diver Chronometer campaign and was at the launch with his fellow Ulysses, the French record-holding kite surfer Alex Caizergues, who was fresh from setting a new average speed record of 107 km/hour (while noting that maximum speed was well over 110 km/hour). Another was snowboarding world champion Mathieu Crepel, who has been working with a conservation NGO to track a drop of water, from a clean and naive snowflake falling on a mountain down to the ocean as it melts and flows through rivers, cities and human activities, with the ocean the final trash of the whole process he said. Finally David Tyler, the commercial director of Artemis Racing, shared the companys increasing focus on green maritime technologies. By Express News Service KOCHI: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) informed the High Court (HC) on Wednesday that separate facilities, including toilets and space for placing viri, have been arranged for women planning to visit Sabarimala. Earlier, the HC had directed the TDB to file a statement regarding the steps taken to complete pre-season works. The directive was triggered by a report submitted by the Sabarimala special commissioner, who pointed out delays in works in Sabarimala, Pampa, Nilakkal and Erumeli in connection with Mandala Makaravilakku Maholsavam. During a meeting convened to discuss the entry of women of all ages at the hill temple, the TDB decided to build 100 toilets for female pilgrims. The toilets will be painted pink for easy identification and to avoid confusion. Separate space for placing viri will also be provided for women. The TDB has decided to build 500 toilets in Nilakkal, which will be the new base camp for pilgrims. Out of the 500 toilets, 100 will be exclusively for female pilgrims. Hundred new toilets, as well as changing facilities for female pilgrims, will be set up in Pampa, said the TDB. As many as 25 bio-toilets each will be set up in Marakkoottam, near the KSRTC bus stand in Pampa and at the hilltop for female pilgrims, said the TDB. It will also fix streetlights in Pampa, trekking path and Sannidhanam. Considering the possibility of a shortage of drinking water, it has decided to dig five more wells in Nilakkal and sent a request to the Kerala Water Authority. As many as 100 waste bins will be kept along trekking paths. The court posted the next hearing of the case on October 29. Moves & counter moves Anuja Susan Varghese By Express News Service KOCHI: At a time when attempts are made to influence and induce the victim and witnesses in the nun rape case involving former Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal, the transfer of two sisters from Jalandhar to Kuravilangad convent, where the victim and the five nuns who supported her stay, has raised suspicions. One of the five nuns who is staying at St Francis Mission House, Kuravilangad, told Express the two nuns, who recently arrived at the convent on Saturday from Punjab, will be staying in the convent for at least a month. But we smell something fishy about their arrival and their stay at the convent in this stage of investigations, she said. According to the sisters, normally transfers take place once in three years either in April or May. But, the sudden transfers of Sr Anit from St Marys Convent, Chamiari, and Sr Stella from St Marys Convent, Jalandhar, in Punjab are definitely with some purpose, she suspects. Sr Anit who has been supportive at the beginning of the probe turned against the victim and the five nuns later. Most of the nuns who were supportive of the victim changed their stands out of fear later. Sr Anit is one among them. It is really painful to watch them turning against us now, said the nun. Though Franco is behind bars, his allies are roaming free which worries the nuns. Meanwhile, K Subhash, Vaikom DySP, the investigating officer in the case, said he had no knowledge about the arrival of two nuns in the convent. Franco Mulakkal files bail petition again Kochi: Bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused of raping a nun, approached the High Court again on Wednesday seeking bail. He submitted the HC had earlier rejected the bail plea saying statements of many witnesses have to be recorded. This was done already. Hence, the prosecutions apprehension there is a threat of inducing the witnesses may not be significant at this stage, it said. Mulakkal is no longer in charge of the Jalandhar diocese and does not have a dominating position so as to influence witnesses or tamper with evidence. Hence, further detention is not needed, it said. The HC sought view of the state government and adjourned the case to Monday.evidence. Express News Service KARIMNAGAR/HYDERABAD: Projecting the BJP as the best alternative for disillusioned voters, party president Amit Shah during his second visit to the State in a month on Wednesday accused caretaker Chief Minster K Chandrasekhar Rao of nepotism. You (Rao) have failed to keep your promise of giving Telangana a Dalit Chief Minister. It is unlikely that you will let a Dalit head the State after you step down as you have set your eyes on making your son and daughter Chief Ministers, Shah lashed out while addressing a massive public meeting at Ambedkar Grounds in Karimnagar and read out a list of 150 promises that Rao made before the 2014 elections, but reneged upon. The martyrs of Telangana are asking you to come here to this grounds and tell them what happened to KCRs promise of a job for every martyrs family? 800 martyrs want to know when the promise will become a reality, Shah thundered. The BJP leader also highlighted the pink partys inability to keep its word on giving three acres of land to every SC family and jobs for unemployed youth. It is deplorable that not a single lecturers post has been filled in the last four-and-a-half years. Students here are now teaching themselves,Shah pointed out, bringing the peoples attention to the quality of education offered by the State. Playing to the voters Telangana sentiment, Shah said the Congress could not be an alternative to the TRS as it had failed to respect its own party workers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi walked for 5 km when AB Vajpayee died, but when PV Narasimha Rao, a child of Telangana, passed away, no prominent leader of the Congress came to pay tributes. Mind you, this was when Sonia Gandhi was the president of the party and the Congress was in power, Shah said. The Congress and AP CM N Chandrababu Naidus alliance cant face Owaisis AIMIM. It is only the BJP that can fight against them, Shah quipped and lashed out at the TRS for indulging in vote bank politics. The 13th Finance Commission allocated Rs 16,597 crore to Telangana, but under the 14th Finance Commission under Modi, Rs 1.15 lakh crore was given. Despite this, KCRs government failed to keep its promises, Shah alleged. By PTI BEIJING: China on Thursday accused the United States of seeking to "disturb" its security policies after a US congressional report said Beijing's mass internment of Muslim minorities may constitute "crimes against humanity". The report by the Congressional-Executive Commission on China described the situation of human rights in China as "dire" and worsening, a trend epitomised by the internment of as many as one million Uighurs and other ethnic minorities in the far west Xinjiang region. In response, China's foreign ministry characterised reports of its policies in the region as "rumours and groundless accusations". ALSO READ | China says 'reforming' Muslim prisoners' in Xinjiang, rejects 'mistreatment' charges Chinese policies "aim to safeguard the social stability and security of Xinjiang and are supported by the people," foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters during a regular press briefing. "Relevant parties want to disturb such efforts. This is futile," he said. Beijing has a long history of accusing the US of fomenting anti-China "separatism" in Xinjiang, alleging Washington has sponsored groups advocating for the region's independence in an attempt to weaken China. The region -- which comprises one-sixth of China's land area -- is a jumping off point for the country's ambitious new "Belt and Road" project aimed at opening up new overland routes to increase access to markets across Asia and Europe. Maintaining stability there has become a priority for the country's leadership, which seeks to prevent any disruptions to its economic ambitions. Beijing has long had a strained relationship with Xinjiang's mostly Muslim minority groups, particularly the Turkic Uighurs, which make up about half of the region's population and bridle under the central government's draconian security policies. The region experienced a brief increase in attacks following deadly riots in the regional capital Urumqi in 2009. Beijing says its policies towards the region have effectively eliminated the problem. But critics say that the measures are unsustainable and will stoke resentment as China seeks to assimilate Xinjiang's minority population and suppress religious and cultural practises that conflict with Communist ideology and the dominant Han culture. China has sought to achieve that goal by detaining hundreds of thousands in a network of shadowy "re-education" centres where they are force-fed propaganda and drilled on Chinese language skills, according to rights groups. ALSO READ | China rebukes US lawmakers for Xinjiang sanctions call Beijing has denied the existence of the centres, while admitting that some people accused of minor crimes have been put in correctional programmes where they receive job training. But on Tuesday, Xinjiang updated its counter-terrorism and anti-extremism regulations to codify such centres, saying that people accused of minor crimes related to terrorism would be allowed to voluntarily enter the facilities instead of being jailed. But there may be little difference between the two. In July, a former teacher at one of the centres told a court in Kazakhstan that "in China they call it a political camp but really it was a prison in the mountains. By AFP WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Thursday accused China of thinking Americans are "stupid" and vowed that he was ready to inflict economic pain on the Asian power. "They lived too well for too long and, frankly, I guess they think that the Americans are stupid people. Americans are not stupid people," the outspoken mogul-turned-president told "Fox and Friends." Trump boasted that the $250 billion in tariffs he has slapped on Chinese products have "had a big impact." "Their economy has gone down very substantially," he said. "I have a lot more to do if I want to do it. I don't want to do it but they have to come to the table." Trump is pressing China to improve trading conditions for US products and to end what US businesses say is widespread theft of their intellectual property. China has responded by imposing countertariffs, which the Trump administration alleges show political interference by targeting products from key states in next month's congressional elections. The International Monetary Fund this week cited the trade war as it lowered its 2019 growth forecast for China, which is set to see its slowest expansion since 1990, but also lowered estimates for the United States and the global economy as a whole. Trump renewed his charge that past presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush "let China get out of control." "We are not going to pay $500 billion a year to China and rebuild China," Trump said, likely referring to the total annual imports of Chinese goods into the United States. "We have helped rebuild China more than any other factor. We have helped rebuild it. I said it's over." The undiplomatic language comes as disputes mount in numerous areas between China and the United States, ending the early bonhomie between Trump and his counterpart Xi Jinping. US authorities on Wednesday said they arrested an alleged Chinese intelligence agent for plotting to obtain trade secrets from GE Aviation and other companies. By PTI ISLAMABAD: A high-level constitutional body in Pakistan on Thursday recommended the removal of a high court judge for his scathing remarks against the country's powerful spy agency ISI, the first such case in nearly five decades. The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) recommended to remove Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, who was facing a case of alleged misconduct over his controversial speech targeting the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Justice Siddiqui while addressing the Rawalpindi District Bar Association on July 21 had alleged that the ISI was manipulating judicial proceedings to constitute panel of judges to get favourable decisions. The army had asked the chief justice of Pakistan to take the notice of the remarks after IHC chief justice Anwar Kansi rejected the allegations against Siddique. The matter was referred to the SJC, which is the body to take up complaints against judges of higher courts and also recommend punitive actions including removal from judiciary. A five-member SJC bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, was hearing the case. The SJC after hearing the case issued its decision on Thursday, asking Prime Minister Imran Khan to remove Siddique as his conduct was unbecoming of a judge. The Council is unanimously of the opinion that in the matter of making his speech...Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, Judge, Islamabad High Court, Islamabad had displayed conduct unbecoming of a judge of High Court and was, thus, guilty of misconduct and he is, therefore, liable to be removed from his office, the panel said. The 39-page opinion of the SJC was penned by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa. Siddiqui's lawyer Hamid Khan said that though there is no provision of appeal against the decision of the SJC but he will take the matter to the Supreme Court. Siddiqui is the second judge removed by SJC since removal of Justice Shaukat Ali of Lahore High Court in 1973 for corruption. Most of the judges have opted to tender their resignation to avoid an SJC inquiry. However, Justice Siddiqui opted to face the charges of misconduct. The proceeding of the case against judge Ali went on for 10 months. Interestingly, cases of misconduct against chief justice Nisar and three other judges of Supreme Court have been with the SJC for a long time but no proceeding has taken place. But the case against Siddiqui was decided after preliminary hearing held in-camera. Siddiqui is the second senior-most judge of the IHC and was in line to become chief justice of IHC in November when incumbent Kansi is set to retire. By PTI WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has mocked the #MeToo movement, saying that the campaign made it improper to use the phrase "the person who got away". Trump's claim that #MeToo prevents him for using the phrase is his latest volley against the movement, which became a force after sexual assault allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein surfaced last year. "There's an expression, but under the rules of #MeToo, I am not allowed to use that expression anymore. I can't do it," Trump said at a mid-term election rally in Pennsylvania, and then he pointed at the phrase "the girl that got away". "It's the person that got away. The old days, it was a little different than Pennsylvania to it," he said as he spoke about winning the state in the 2016 presidential election Pointing to the media, Trump said he would use the original phrase, except for the media. "I would do it except for these people up there. They would say, did you hear what President Trump said? Did you hear what he said?" he said imitating reporters. "So, there is an expression, but we'll change the expression. Pennsylvania was always the person that got away. That's pretty good," he said amidst applause from the audience. The revelation of the allegations against Weinstein inspired many women to reveal their own stories of sexual assault, but Trump has recently taken shots at the #MeToo movement by expressing concern for men who are accused of sexual assault or harassment. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's recent confirmation hearings renewed attention to the topic as the Senate considered Christine Blasey Ford's accusation that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her. The president told reporters the notion that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted someone and that the allegations from Ford and other women could be taken as fact made this a 'very scary time for young men in America.' Trump had earlier mocked the #MeToo movement at a rally in July. He did so while simultaneously mocking Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and saying that should she win the Democratic nomination in 2020 and they were to debate, he would toss an ancestry test to her and dare her to take it. By Associated Press BAIKONUR: Two astronauts from the U.S. and Russia were safe after an emergency landing Thursday in the steppes of Kazakhstan following the failure of a Russian booster rocket carrying them to the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos' Alexei Ovchinin lifted off as scheduled at 2:40 p.m. (0840 GMT; 4:40 a.m. EDT) Thursday from the Russia-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan atop a Soyuz booster rocket. Roscosmos and NASA said the three-stage Soyuz booster suffered an emergency shutdown of its second stage. The capsule jettisoned from the booster and went into a ballistic descent, landing at a sharper than normal angle. ALSO READ | Russian cargo ship arrives at International Space Station The launch failure marks an unprecedented mishap for the Russian space program, which has been dogged by a string of launch failures and other incidents. "Thank God, the crew is alive," Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when it became clear that the crew had landed safely. They were to dock at the orbiting outpost six hours later, but the booster suffered a failure minutes after the launch. NASA and Russian Roscosmos space agency said the astronauts were in good condition after their capsule landed about 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of the city of Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan. Search and rescue teams were heading to the area to recover the crew. Dzhezkazgan is about 450 kilometers (280 miles) northeast of Baikonur. Spacecraft returning from the ISS normally land in that region. By PTI WASHINGTON: The US will evaluate on merit a bailout package sought by Pakistan from the International Monetary Fund, the State Department said Thursday. "We understand that Pakistan has formally requested assistance from the IMF. As we do in all cases, we will examine closely all aspects, including Pakistan's debt position, in evaluating any loan program," a State Department Spokesperson told PTI. The spokesperson was responding to a question on the request made by Pakistan for a USD 8 bailout package. The spokesperson's comments came on a day when Pakistan's Finance Minister Asad Umar met with IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde in Nusa Dua, Indonesia and formally sought a bailout from the global lender. The US has the greatest influence in the IMF's decision-making process. In July, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had indicated that the US will review the bailout package in view of the massive Chinese debt on Pakistan. "Make no mistake. We will be watching what the IMF does," Pompeo said. "There's no rationale for IMF tax dollars, and associated with that American dollars that are part of the IMF funding, for those to go to bail out Chinese bondholders or China itself," Pompeo had told CNBC. By PTI KATHMANDU: The World Bank has announced that it will provide around USD 195 million concessional loan to Nepal to reform the country's financial and energy sectors. An agreement to this effect was reached during the ongoing annual meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) at Bali in Indonesia, according to officials. Chief of International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division (IECCD) at the Ministry of Finance, Krishna Nepal and the World Bank's Country Director for Nepal, Qimiao Fan inked the agreement on Wednesday in the presence of Finance Minister Yubaraj Khatiwada and Vice-Chairperson of the World Bank for South Asian region, Hartwig Schafer. Finance Minister Khatiwada lauded the World Bank for lending support in various sectors of Nepal including infrastructure development, education, health and tourism development. Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Wednesday some saw "a positive, promising atmosphere" in talks over forming a new government and his office was actively engaged in contacts on the issue though these require more time. Berri, one of the most powerful figures in the state, also said the economic situation was "very fragile" and urged everyone to "shoulder their responsibilities", according to al-Manar TV station, which is run by the Shia Muslim group Hezbollah. Lebanese politicians have been unable to agree on a new power-sharing cabinet since a parliamentary election in May. Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri said on Tuesday all sides had made concessions in the talks and he hoped the new government would be formed after President Michel Aoun returns from a trip abroad. Aoun is expected to return on Friday. Lebanon has the third largest debt-to-GDP ratio in the world at more than 150 percent and the new government is expected to start moves towards bringing down the deficit. The International Monetary Fund urged Lebanon in June to make an "immediate and substantial fiscal" adjustment to improve its debt sustainability. Search Keywords: Short link: The Egyptian Ministry of Aviation has conducted an inspection of West Cairo's Sphinx International Airport (SPX) in preparation for its official launch soon. The construction of the airport started in 2016 and was inspected by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in February. The airport aims to alleviate pressure on Cairo International Airport and serve the area of 6th of October, Sheikh Zayed, as well as the governorates of Fayoum and Beni Sweif. The airport is set to be listed number 33 on Egypt's internal and international airports with the buildoperatetransfer (BOT) system. The new airport has been dubbed the 300 passenger airport due to its accommodation capacity per hour. The new airport is part of a plan to construct two other airports; Katameya International Airport to the north of Cairo to serve visitors heading to New Cairo and the under-construction new administrative capital, as well as El-Meliz Airport in Central Sinai. In press statements in October last year, then-minister of aviation Sherif Fathy said the airport has strategic goals, with a plan for expanding to cargo services in the future. Fathy has said that the airport will serve tourists aiming to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) and the Great Pyramids of Giza. The GEM is set to open in early 2019. The airport contains two take-off and landing strips connected by intersecting lanes, as well as a 44-metre-long air traffic control tower. Search Keywords: Short link: Parliament will soon be grappling with a new batch of controversial laws After parliament had held its opening procedural sitting on 2 October, and the election of the heads of its 25 committees the next day, parliamentary speaker Ali Abdel-Aal told MPs they have a heavy schedule ahead. President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi has asked parliament to open new debates on a law regulating clinical trials and medical research. According to Abdel-Aal, Al-Sisis office had written to say the implementation of the law, passed in May, has exposed basic flaws. Some of the most controversial articles of the law have sparked serious reactions and divided public opinion, said the letter. The presidents office has received important remarks from scientific and professional circles all of them suggesting some of the laws articles remain a matter of severe controversy. Al-Sisis letter identified articles 4, 5, 9, 11, 19, 20, and 22 as need for review. One of these articles, for example, stipulates the prior approval of general intelligence, as well as national watchdog authorities, on medical research, a colossal task which is difficult to implement given the number of clinical trials and associated research exceeds 16,000 per year, the letter said. Article 123 of the Constitution allows the president to refer laws back to parliament for discussion. Abdel-Aal said a report would now be prepared on the controversial elements of the law, following which any amendments will be debated and voted on in a plenary session. Deputy Parliament Speaker Al-Sayed Al-Sherif told Al-Ahram Weekly that in addition to reviewing the Clinical Trials Law, two long-awaited laws regulating local councils and criminal procedure will be high on parliaments agenda in the new session. Both laws are complex and will need a great deal of discussion and debate, said Al-Sherif. There will also be new legislation on labour, insurance and pensions, as well as changes to the law on personal affairs litigation, and traffic regulations. The heads of parliamentary committees told reporters they will begin preparing their own legislative timetables this week. Farag Amer, head of The Industry Committee met on Tuesday to discuss changes to the Anti-Trust and Consumer Protection Law, said committee head Farag Amer. Amendments are necessary to improve transparency in market deals and attract foreign investors in a competitive environment, he said. On Monday the Tourism Committee met to discuss laws regulating the tourism and hotel sector. Legislation that was issued in 1968 desperately needs updating to keep abreast of developments in this vital sector, said committee head Amr Sedki. Hussein Eissa, head of the Budget and Planning Committee, said members will meet next week to discuss government amendments of the Real Estate Tax Law 196/2008. President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi requested the government amend the law and refer it to parliament, said Eissa. There will be a lot of hearing sessions to ensure the tax is fair and citizens will be able to pay without cumbersome bureaucratic procedures. Bahaaeddin Abu Shokka, head of the Legislative and Constitutional Affairs Committee, told reporters that the Criminal Procedures Law is scheduled to be discussed next week. The law was ready for the 2017/2018 session but given that seasons heavy legislative agenda it was delayed, said Abu Shokka. The law is based on the principle that defendants are innocent until proven guilty. It was drafted to ensure defendants are guaranteed a fair trial and will only be placed in pre-trial detention as a last option. Abu Shokka also said an amended personal affairs law had already been sent to Al-Azhar, the National Council for Women, the National Council for Motherhood and Childhood and the National Council for Human Rights for their comments. Al-Gibali Al-Maraghi, head of parliaments Manpower Committee, told reporters legislation affecting children will top its agenda. We will hold a meeting next week to review laws referred by the government, said Al-Maraghi. Young people will be free to enter the workforce when they are 18, and not 15 as was earlier proposed. The labour law will also contain a chapter on seasonal workers, making sure they are fully covered by national health insurance and pension systems, and will set stringent conditions before workers can strike, a necessary provision given delicate security and economic conditions. Head of the Housing Committee Alaa Wali announced his committee will review three new laws. The first is on settling construction offences, the second on regulating landlord-tenant relationships and the third will facilitate and lower the real estate tax. Millions in Egypt are eager to see these three laws passed because they could end a plethora of problems they face in their daily lives. The law on construction offences will be passed in the coming session - the committee has already finalised 90 per cent of its articles, said Wali. Violations of Egypts construction code are endemic and must be settled once and for all in a fair way. The same is true for the 60-year-old law regulating tenant-landlord relationships. Most of the amendments have been drafted by MPs and the government should move ahead to reach common ground with them, said Wali. Abdel-Moneim Al-Oleimi, an independent MP and a member of the Housing Committee, told Al-Ahram Weekly that the landlord-tenant relationship law, issued in 1964, needs to be amended to address the injustices done to landlords who have long suffered the effects of rents being frozen. Draft amendments of the law propose an annual 25 per cent rise in rents for four years, after which the relationship will be governed by the civil code. * A version of this article appears in print in the 11 October, 2018 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: More debates to come 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) Amazon, facing a backlash from longtime warehouse employees who say its $15 hourly minimum wage wouldn't benefit them, will provide a bigger raise to those workers, the AP reports. The company said Wednesday that some adjustments are being made this week, and workers who already made $15 an hour will get more than the $1 an hour raise promised last week. The amount will differ by warehouse and affect a small number of employees, but Amazon declined to say how many. When Amazon announced last week that it would boost its hourly minimum wage to $15, it also cut two benefits: monthly bonuses and a chance to own Amazon's sky-rocketing stock, currently worth nearly $1,800 a share. Several employees told The AP last week that they expected to earn less because of the cut benefits. story continues below Amazon said in a statement at the time that the changes meant "compensation will be more immediate and predictable." The Seattle company, which has more than 100 warehouses around the country, said "the significant increase in hourly cash wages more than compensates" the benefits that will be phased out. A worker at a Maryland warehouse, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said employees were told Tuesday that they would get a raise of $1.25 an hour after Nov. 1. That's 25 cents more an hour than what they were told last week. The worker said they were also told they would get cash payouts for reaching certain milestones. They'll receive $1,500 for staying with the company for five years and $3,000 after reaching their 10-, 15- and 20-year anniversaries. Previously, the company gave workers one or two shares of Amazon stock after each of those anniversaries. (Read more Amazon stories.) (Newser) An upstate New York man has been arrested after allegedly plotting to blow himself up on the National Mall on Election Day next month. US Attorney Geoffrey Berman calls it "a twisted plan to draw attention to his political ideology," per CBS New York. Paul Rosenfeld of Tappan reportedly supports "sortition," the random selection of legislators from a pool as practiced in ancient Greece. FBI agents pulled over the 56-year-old on Tuesday after he allegedly disclosed the plan in texts and letters sent to a reporter in Pennsylvania, reports NBC News. Court documents say Rosenfeld admitted to building a bomb in his basement with explosive black powder ordered over the Internet. story continues below He built it in a manner meant to ensure his death, authorities say. "Had he been successful, Rosenfeld's alleged plot could have claimed the lives of innocent bystanders and caused untold destruction," FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William Sweeney says in a statement. A bomb discovered at Rosenfeld's home contained eight pounds of black powder but weighed 200 pounds, mostly due to components used to transport it, authorities add. Rosenfeld is also alleged to have made and tested other bombs "for practice," reports ABC News. Charged Wednesday with unlawful manufacture of a destruction device and interstate transportation and receipt of an explosive, he faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on both counts. (Read more bomb plot stories.) (Newser) At least two people are now confirmed dead in one of the strongest storms on record to hit the mainland USand some communities hit by Hurricane Michael are now unrecognizable. A man in Greensboro, Florida, was killed by a falling tree, authorities say, and an 11-year-girl was killed in Lake Seminole, Georgia, when metal debris hit her family's trailer, Travis Brooks, director of Seminole County's Emergency Management Agency, tells ABC News. He describes the situation in the county as "complete and total devastation." More: Homes submerged. In Mexico Beach, the Florida Panhandle town where Michael made landfall Wednesday, homes were submerged to their roofs by the storm surge and the fate of an estimated 280 residents who refused to evacuate is unclear, reports Reuters. story continues below Downgraded but dangerous . The National Hurricane Center says Michael, which was downgraded from a Category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm overnight, is continuing to weaken but still packs strong winds. It is forecast to move across eastern Georgia, the Carolinas, and southeast Virginia before moving back over the Atlantic Ocean late Thursday or early Friday. . The National Hurricane Center says Michael, which was downgraded from a Category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm overnight, is continuing to weaken but still packs strong winds. It is forecast to move across eastern Georgia, the Carolinas, and southeast Virginia before moving back over the Atlantic Ocean late Thursday or early Friday. Town "littered with pieces of houses." Mexico Beach resident Patricia Mulligan tells the New York Times that she rode out the storm safely with her family, but the town is wrecked. "You can't drive a car anywhere, you can't do anything because it's littered with houses, pieces of houses," she says. Mulligan says her brother's beach condo and neighboring units are simply "not there." Mexico Beach resident Patricia Mulligan tells the New York Times that she rode out the storm safely with her family, but the town is wrecked. "You can't drive a car anywhere, you can't do anything because it's littered with houses, pieces of houses," she says. Mulligan says her brother's beach condo and neighboring units are simply "not there." Records broken. The storm is the strongest on record to hit the Panhandleand the strongest October storm ever to hit the US. Michael Graham, director of the National Hurricane Center in Miami, tells NBC that Michael was a "history-making, very devastating storm and one that we're never going to forget." By barometric pressure, it was the third-strongest storm ever to make landfall in the US. I nterstate closed . The Florida Highway Patrol has closed an 80-mile stretch of Interstate 10 west of Tallahassee, the major route across northern Florida, until debris can be cleared, the AP reports. A spokesman says the closure is "due to extremely hazardous conditions." . The Florida Highway Patrol has closed an 80-mile stretch of Interstate 10 west of Tallahassee, the major route across northern Florida, until debris can be cleared, the AP reports. A spokesman says the closure is "due to extremely hazardous conditions." "Like a war zone." The Tampa Bay Times reports that Panama City, about 25 miles away from Mexico Beach, looked "like a war zone" after the storm roared through, leaving buildings without roofs and streets clogged with debris. The Tampa Bay Times reports that Panama City, about 25 miles away from Mexico Beach, looked "like a war zone" after the storm roared through, leaving buildings without roofs and streets clogged with debris. Power could be off for weeks. The storm left an estimated 700,000 people in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia without power, and it could be weeks before it is restored to people in the hardest-hit areas, the Guardian reports. "They need to be prepared, not only in Florida but Georgia as well, to see the power off for multiple weeks," FEMA Administrator Brock Long says. (Read more Hurricane Michael stories.) (Newser) A former prominent neurological researcher at Yale and New York University avoided prison time Wednesday for stealing research funds, but a judge said he must play piano for indigent elderly people in Connecticut to make amends, per the AP. The unusual sentence for Dr. Alexander Neumeister was handed out Wednesday by US District Judge Analisa Torres. Neumeister must play piano an hour at least twice weekly for the next three years at group facilities in Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, and Waterbury, the Manhattan judge said. Torres said she saw in pre-sentencing materials that Neumeister is a trained pianist. In June, Neumeister pleaded guilty to theft of government funds. He admitted stealing $87,000 from New York University and various grant programs from 2012 to 2014. story continues below Prosecutors said he also was required to repay $76,000 after stealing money while he was at Yale from 2004 through 2010, though that was not part of the criminal case resulting in his plea. Assistant US Attorney Christopher Harwood said Neumeister was earning more than $200,000 annually while he was spending pilfered money on flights, hotel rooms, and dinners for himself, his family, and others. A tearful Neumeister apologized for shortsightedness and "poor judgment" and said his November 2017 arrest led him to confront his psychological demons. Neumeister, a resident of Hamden, Connecticut, said he was committed to regaining "the integrity I have lost," telling the judge, "I cannot help others if I do not help myself." (Read more weird crimes stories.) (Newser) A Louisiana man who makes about $70,000 a year lost more than $650,000 gambling over the past seven years, casino records showand federal prosecutors now say they know how he got the money to support his habit, the Times-Picayune reports. The DOJ is calling it "one of the largest internal Postal [thefts] by a Postal Service employee in the history of the US Postal Service," and it involves 46-year-old Ryan Cortez and what prosecutors say was a massive theft of stampsmore than $630,000 worthfrom the Kenner post office where he works. Cortez was arrested Wednesday and charged with misappropriation of postal funds or property. story continues below The criminal complaint against Cortez says he admitted to stealing the stamps, then hawking them on eBay. USPS investigators got wind of the alleged scheme when both eBay and PayPal notified them of "significant quantities" of stamps being sold on the former's site. Agents then discovered Cortez "had a very active presence" at casinos, and records from Harrah's show Cortez had lost upward of $667,000 since 2011more than $220,000 of it last year alone. The complaint also notes he admitted to embezzling thousands of dollars from the local church where he served as treasurer. (Read more stamps stories.) (Newser) Tacked to Maria and Phil Manning's fridge is a budget detailing how the $1,600 they pull in a month is allocated. The hopeunfulfilled time and time againis to save $450 of that, so they can move out of their trailer in Everett, Pa., and head to Bedford, where Maria would be able to re-enroll in a high school that has child care for her 2-year-old. It's the portrait of a family that Terrence McCoy argues is "surprisingly prevalent": Phil is 25, but Maria is just 16, and the two are married. "Between 2000 and 2010, an estimated 248,000 children were married, most of whom were girls, some as young as 12, wedding men," McCoy writes for the Washington Post. Maria got pregnant at 14 by a man who at one point abducted her; she now has a 2-year-old. story continues below McCoy traces how she subsequently met Phil at a friend's trailer in February 2017; they quickly fell for each other and began sleeping together, though Maria was just 15. The two kept the relationship under wraps at first. When they decided to just be open about it, people gave Phil the nickname "Chester Cheeto," a play off the comic strip "Chester the Molester." But they married in West Virginia, with Maria's mother, Michelle, signing off on the paperwork that enabled them to do so. Michelle herself had been married at 14, unhappily. She was resistant to Maria's request, but she ultimately relented. McCoy digs into what Phil wantsa son of his ownand Maria's desire to return to school, which seems continually thwarted: One month, the extra money goes to buy a phone for Phil via Facebook; it's a dud. Then she takes her future into her own hands. Read the full story here. (Read more Longform stories.) (Newser) Police in Norway just made a move to keep alive the investigation into a 25-year-old shooting that captured the world's attention, reports Reuters. Back in 1993, the man who published Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses in Norway was shot three times outside his home. William Nygaard survived, but no arrests were ever made. This weektwo days before a deadline that would have forced police to close the caseauthorities finally filed charges, reports the New York Times. However, they're releasing few details, not specifying how many people are charged, their names, or what, if any, evidence exists. About the only thing authorities will say is that they think the shooting is indeed related to the controversy over Rushdie's book and that the suspects are "foreign nationals who are not in Norway," per the AFP. story continues below "This is good news, and one can hope that this 25-year-old case will now finally advance," Rushdie said in a statement, though he criticized the withholding of names and nationalities of the suspects. Nygaard, now 75, also praised the development and said he has no regrets about his decision to publish. As for his unexpected survival despite being shot three times: "I used to be a very good Norwegian ski jumper," he said. Rushdie's book first came out in 1988, and Iran's supreme leader at the time considered it so blasphemous to Islam that he issued a fatwa on Rushdie that forced the author into hiding and remains in effect to this day. As recently as 2016, groups in Iran raised $600,000 to beef up a bounty already estimated to be $4 million. (Read more Satanic Verses stories.) (Newser) Thursday morning's failure of a Russian rocket provided some white-knuckle moments for space officials in the US and Russia, but the two men who had to bail out for an emergency landing look to be unscathed. NASA posted images of US astronaut Nick Hague and Russia's Aleksey Ovchinin greeting their families and resting at a facility in Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, after their ordeal. The men are expected to be kept in the hospital overnight as a precaution. Meanwhile, the investigation into what went wrong is underway. Details and developments: The launch, trouble: The men blasted off in a Soyuz MS-10 rocket on a mission to the International Space Station but encountered booster trouble 119 seconds into the flight, reports the New York Times. A Russian official is quoted in Interfax as saying the emergency happened "during the separation of the side boosters of the first stage from the central booster of the second stage. The men blasted off in a Soyuz MS-10 rocket on a mission to the International Space Station but encountered booster trouble 119 seconds into the flight, reports the New York Times. A Russian official is quoted in Interfax as saying the emergency happened "during the separation of the side boosters of the first stage from the central booster of the second stage. The shimmy: This tweeted video and this YouTube video show Hague and Ovchinin being shook as the trouble starts. Soon after, the men had to jettison from the rocket in an escape capsule from about 30 miles above Earth. They came down in a dangerous "ballistic" descent that put them under gravitational forces six times greater than what is felt on Earth, reports the AP. Parachutes helped them land safely in a remote region in Kazakhstan. story continues below Staying cool: "We're tightening our seatbelts," Ovchinin can be heard saying in a video before they bail, per AFP. "An accident with the booster, 2 minutes, 45 seconds. That was a quick flight," he says calmly. "We're tightening our seatbelts," Ovchinin can be heard saying in a video before they bail, per AFP. "An accident with the booster, 2 minutes, 45 seconds. That was a quick flight," he says calmly. The ISS: The three astronauts aboard the space station were kept informed. "The boys have landed," Mission Control informed them when the pair were found safe. Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency, Serena M. Aunon-Chancellor of NASA, and Sergey Prokopyev of Russia will now likely have to stay aboard the ISS beyond their scheduled departure in December. Why? The Soyuz is the only rocket able to ferry replacement crews, and all manned flights are canceled indefinitely. The ISS crew has plenty of supplies to handle the delay, but missions such as spacewalks will have to be rescheduled, reports Space.com. The three astronauts aboard the space station were kept informed. "The boys have landed," Mission Control informed them when the pair were found safe. Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency, Serena M. Aunon-Chancellor of NASA, and Sergey Prokopyev of Russia will now likely have to stay aboard the ISS beyond their scheduled departure in December. Why? The Soyuz is the only rocket able to ferry replacement crews, and all manned flights are canceled indefinitely. The ISS crew has plenty of supplies to handle the delay, but missions such as spacewalks will have to be rescheduled, reports Space.com. Earlier issue: The rocket failure comes as Russia and the US try to figure out the origin of a small hole found in a Soyuz module attached to the space station in August. The big question is whether it was sabotage (as Russia thinks) or a manufacturing defect. Either way, it's two significant issues with Soyuz in a matter of months, notes Wired. (Read more NASA stories.) (Newser) Harvey Weinstein still faces charges of sexual assault, but he now faces one fewer of them. A judge in Manhattan on Thursday dismissed the allegations brought against the former Hollywood mogul by one of three women, reports Variety. An actress named Lucia Evans had accused Weinstein of forcing her to perform oral sex, but defense lawyers said she offered conflicting accounts and accused prosecutors of failing to disclose a witness capable of casting doubt on the claims. The upshot is that Judge James Burke agreed to dismiss one of six criminal charges against Weinstein. story continues below "We are moving full-steam ahead," prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon told the judge after the development. Weinstein attorney Benjamin Brafman told reporters that Evans should be prosecuted for perjury, accusing her of lying to authorities and to the New Yorker, which first brought her allegations to light. "This is not about victim shaming," said Brafman, per the AP. Evans' attorney, meanwhile, said the judge's decision does not "invalidate the truth of her claims." (Read more Harvey Weinstein stories.) (Newser) Declaring him to be a "serial fraudster" who has been "dishonest most of his life," a federal judge in Manhattan on Thursday sentenced the organizer of 2017's Fyre Festival to six years in prison, the New York Times reports. For his part, 26-year-old Billy McFarland acknowledged before he was sentenced that he "betrayed the trust" of just about everyone around him, adding, "This is an extremely bitter reality." In addition to the prison time, McFarland, who in March pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud, is on the hook for some $26 million in restitution, per Vice, which notes that it is unknown how much of that money, bilked from investors, he still has. The Fyre Festival, which took place in April 2017, was billed as an "unprecedented VIP event" on an island in the Bahamas that would feature "first-class culinary experiences and a luxury atmosphere," along with popular music acts. story continues below But upon arrival attendees, who in extreme cases paid nearly $13,000, found a scene reminiscent of a disorganized refugee camp with feral dogs, tents, and cheese sandwiches standing in for the first-class cuisine. McFarland also ran a fraudulent ticket-selling service"run-of-the-mill compared to the Fyre Festival," says the Timesthat cost at least 30 victims some $150,000. McFarland started this scheme while he was on pretrial release in connection to the Fyre fiasco, NPR reports. Claiming their client suffers from untreated mental illness and had done some charitable acts, McFarland's attorney's sought a sentence of restitution, community service, and house arrest or minimal jail time. Prosecutors lobbied for 11 to 14 years in prison. One investor, who says he lost his life savings to McFarland's schemes, told the court Thursday that McFarland, a "skilled and convincing liar," deserves "a long prison term." (Read more Fyre Festival stories.) Safwat Zidan is believed to have fled Egypt following the ouster of former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 and is one of Cairo's most wanted terrorists Libyan National Army (LNA) forces captured late Wednesday Safwat Zidan, a notorious associate of Hisham El-Ashmawy, one of Egypt's most wanted terrorists, who was captured in Libya's eastern city of Derna earlier this week. Egyptian official newspapers reported Tarek Ibn Zeyads Battalion, affiliated with the LNA as saying they captured Zidan, an Egyptian fighter with Al-Qaeda in Libya and one of the most prominent aides and personal guards of El-Ashmawy, in a special operation in the East Libyan city of Derna. The battalions Facebook page posted a picture said to be of Zidan, after his capture. Zidan is believed to have fled Egypt following the ouster of former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 and is one of the most wanted terrorists for Cairo, according to Egyptian media. Earlier Monday, Ahmed Mismari, spokesman of the LNA, which controls eastern Libya, said that El-Ashmawy was apprehended in Derna, where eastern Libyan forces are fighting terrorist groups. A picture of El-Ashmawi with blood on his face has been published by the LNA. An Egyptian military source told Ahram Online that it is not clear when El-Ashmawy, who has been sentenced to death in Egypt, will be handed over to Egyptian authorities, El-Ashmawy was born in 1978 and graduated in 2000 from the Military Academy. He was expelled from the Egyptian army in 2011. El-Ashmawy, a former Special Forces officer also known as Abu Omar El-Mohager (the immigrant), was considered among the most dangerous terrorists linked to many attacks in Egypt. In July 2015, El-Ashmawy announced the establishment of the Mourabitoun organisation in Libya, which is loyal to the Al-Qaeda terrorist organisation. El-Ashmawy is believed to have been involved in an assassination attempt on former Egyptian Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim and the murder of top prosecutor Hisham Barakat, as well as plotting an attack on Egyptian border guards in February 2015, which resulted in the death of 29 armed forces personnel. He is also believed to be behind a deadly attack on Christian pilgrims in Upper Egypt's Minya governorate in May 2017, which killed 29 people. In January 2015, his group was suspected of staging a multi-pronged attack on the headquarters of the Army Battalion 101 headquarters in El-Arish in North Sinai, which killed 30 soldiers and officers. An Egyptian military court sentenced him, in absentia, along with 13 other terrorists to death over the New Valley massacre in Farafra on 19 July 2014, where 22 border guards were killed. Search Keywords: Short link: Prosecution witnesses will take the stand on October 21, 2018, to testify in the case of a senior official in the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, who is accused of embezzlement. The defendant, a manager with a department in the ministry, has been put on trial over accusations of pocketing around BD23,000 after she was assigned to collect money from Bahraini citizens who received the financial support, although they werent eligible. According to court files, the woman official was referred to investigations after she failed to hand over the entire amount collected by her to the finance department within the ministry. Some of the citizens were paid the financial support between the years 2014-2016, although they werent eligible to receive it. They were asked to return the funds, and the defendant was responsible for collecting the money from them, a source close to the case said. The ministry was supposed to receive BD38,065, but there was a missing amount of BD23,390. The High Criminal Court sentenced three defendants to one year behind bars each for attacking a Bahraini man. The defendants include a woman, aged 34. The first and second defendants, aged 22 and 15 respectively, are said to have mocked the victims wife after they got involved in a traffic row with her. The wife informed her husband about the incident after noting down the cars registration number. And he went to them to settle the issue, according to court documents. Gyrating awkwardly to the sounds of ABBAs disco hit Dancing Queen, British Prime Minister Theresa May made an unusual stage entrance for a keynote speech yesterday. May, who captured headlines for her robotic dancing during a visit to Kenya in August, was under pressure to put on a good show at her Conservative Partys annual conference. Her rival Boris Johnson wowed grassroots members with a barnstorming speech on Tuesday and, at last years conference, May lost her voice and spluttered her way through her address. But she was applauded by the hall Wednesday as she danced to the 1976 Europop hit, which she has previously told interviewers is one of her favourite songs. Online reactions were less complimentary of Mays moves. Labour MP Angela Rayner wrote: I use to love the Dancing Queen by Abba #Cringe accompanied with a sad emoji. Twitter user @JoeBlob 123 wrote: I need the sick bucket. Another @tasmincrompton wrote: We are laughing at you, not with you. Others came up with lyrics for Mays version of the iconic song. Oooh/ EU can dance/ Pound can dive/ Taking a chance with your lives, wrote James Felton, a comedy writer. Some also pointed out the irony of a prime minister aiming to deliver Brexit dancing to the sounds of a Swedish group. But unsurprisingly, Swedens ambassador to Britain, Torbjorn Sohlstrom, lauded Mays moves. I can only say Bravo to @theresa_may for starting her conference speech with ABBAs Dancing Queen, he said in a tweet. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism has announced the launch of Bahrain eCommerce Academy in cooperation with Thinksmart. The initiative, also the first in the region, will provide training for Bahrainis and Business Establishments to improve their technical skills and develop businesses online. Supported by Tamkeen, the Academy will open doors in the first week of November 2018. Courses on offer include Mastering eCommerce Master class, Mastering eCommerce Marketplace, Internet Marketing Associate Training as well as Mastering Digital Marketing. To register log on to www.thinksmart.bh or contact: +973 1774 6746. Training courses are in English and registration are subject to Tamkeen requirements and standards. The Bahrain Association of Banks announced launching a committee on Value Added Tax, comprising 35 members representing 24 banks and financial Bahraini institutions, in preparation for applying the value added tax in Bahrain next year. The committee will work under the supervision of BAB to bring together representatives from all banks in Bahrain. The move aimed at discussing Bahrain VAT regulation, asses its impact on the financial services sector (specifically banking), share experiences and challenges faced in its implementation. The first meeting was held at HSBC Banks head office in Seef, chaired by its Chief Financial Officer, Nasir Maqsood. More than thirty (30) representatives from local banks attended the meeting. Mohamed El-Swefy, HSBC MENA Head of Tax provided support and guidance to the group by sharing HSBCs experiences and challenges faced during its recent VAT implementation in UAE and Saudi Arabia. The last Egyptian Armed Forces' seminar was held in April to celebrate Sinai Liberation Day Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi launched in Cairo's Al-Manara Conference Centre Thursday the Armed Forces' 29th anniversary seminar, titled "October: Communication of Generations," marking the October War victory celebration. The seminar is attended by Egypt's top military officials and security commanders, as well as a range of renowned Egyptian writers, journalists and intellectuals. The last Egyptian Armed Forces' seminar was held in April to celebrate Sinai Liberation Day. The Armed Forces' seminars are held regularly under the auspices of the Army's Affairs Department. Search Keywords: Short link: Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has said that Egypt wants notorious Egyptian terrorist leader Hesham El-Ashmawi to be returned to his country to be held accountable for his crimes. El-Ashmawi, a former Egyptian army officer and leader of an Al-Qaeda offshoot, was captured earlier this week in Libya. President El-Sisi made the comments during the Armed Forces' 29th anniversary seminar on Thursday, which was titled October: Communication of Generations to mark the anniversary of Egypts war with Israel on 6 October 1973. El-Sisi contrasted El-Ashmawi with Ahmed El-Mansi, an Egyptian officer who was killed in clashes with terrorists in North Sinai and who was part of the same Army Special Forces unit as El-Ashmawi. "El-Mansi and El-Ashmawi are both human beings and army officers who shared the same unit in the Armed Forces. We look up to the former with pride and gratitude, while we look to hold the latter one accountable for his crimes," the president said. El-Mansy is often lauded for having sacrificed himself for his fellow troops during fierce clashes where 26 soldiers and officers were killed in July 2017. "The simple difference between El-Ashmawi and El-Mansi is that the former may have been confused or even a traitor, while the latter maintained the correct path, sacrificing his life to protect his country and people," El-Sisi added. On Monday, Ahmed Mismari, spokesman of the Libyan National Army (LNA), which controls eastern Libya, said that El-Ashmawi was apprehended in Derna, where eastern Libyan forces are fighting terrorist groups. A picture of El-Ashmawi with blood on his face has been published by the LNA. An Egyptian military source told Ahram Online that it is not clear when El-Ashmawi, who has been sentenced to death in Egypt, will be handed over to Egyptian authorities. El-Ashmawi was born in 1978 and graduated in 2000 from the Military Academy. He was expelled from the Egyptian army in 2011. El-Ashmawi, a former Special Forces officer also known as Abu Omar El-Mohager (the immigrant), has been considered among the most dangerous terrorists linked to many attacks in Egypt. In July 2015, El-Ashmawi announced the establishment of the Mourabitoun organisation in Libya, which is loyal to the Al-Qaeda terrorist organisation. El-Ashmawi is believed to have been involved in an assassination attempt on former Egyptian Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim and the murder of top prosecutor Hisham Barakat, as well as plotting an attack on Egyptian border guards in February 2015, which resulted in the death of 29 Armed Forces personnel. He is also believed to be behind a deadly attack on Christian pilgrims in Upper Egypt's Minya governorate in May 2017, which killed 29 people. In January 2015, his group was suspected of staging a multi-pronged attack on the headquarters of the Army Battalion 101 headquarters in El-Arish in North Sinai, which killed 30 soldiers and officers. An Egyptian military court sentenced him in absentia, along with 13 other terrorists, to death over the New Valley massacre in Farafra on 19 July 2014, where 22 border guards were killed. During the Armed Forces' 29th anniversary seminar, President El-Sisi also spoke about some of the major events that have taken place in the country in recent years. Referring to the 25 January revolution, the president described its events as a treatment based on a false diagnosis." "Some people tried to convince Egyptians that things can change with a magic stick," he said. El-Sisi affirmed that the 6 October War has not ended, but continues in a different form. "In 1973, our enemy was obvious and clear, unlike now, when our enemy is vague, our real enemy is false consciousness," the president said. Search Keywords: Short link: The Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation, has hit at President Muhammadu Buhari again raising 14 questions for the President and t... The Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation, has hit at President Muhammadu Buhari again raising 14 questions for the President and the All Progressives Congress, APC. Atikus camp said the government and the ruling party had abandoned governance and taken up the full duty of hurling insults at the former Vice President. In a statement by the spokesman of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation, Segun Sowunmi, on Wednesday, the former Vice President charged the government and the APC to name one project started and completed by Buhari, one youth in the cabinet or one terrorist arrested and convicted by the government, among other things. It has come to our attention that the Buhari government and the All Progressives Congress have been very idle of late, which explains their abandonment of the vital duties of running the government in order to focus on hurling insults and false accusations on the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, he said. The statement added, In order to give Nigerians the answers they want, we urge the Buhari Campaign Organisation to take the #BuhariChallenge and answer the following questions. Name one project initiated, started and completed in the last three years by the Buhari administration. Name one youth in President Buharis cabinet. Name one campaign promise President Buhari has kept. Name one Southerner heading a National Intelligence Agency under Buhari. Name one terrorist arrested, tried, convicted and imprisoned by the Buhari administration. Name one Buhari government official arrested, tried, convicted and imprisoned by the Buhari administration over their many budget padding scandals. Name one member of the Buhari administration fingered in corruption that was fired, arrested and currently facing trial. Name one former President or Head of State that has not been blamed by President Buhari for the precarious state of the economy he led us into. Name one year that Nigerias GDP grew faster than her population under Buhari (for 16 years of PDP administrations, Nigerias GDP always grew faster than population growth). Name the initiatives the Buhari government has put in place to address Nigeria being named the world headquarters for extreme poverty under Buhari. Name one initiative the Buhari government has put in place to address Nigeria having the worlds highest number of out of school children (13.2 million according to the United Nations Children Fund). Name the date the Ogoni cleanup will begin. Name what President Buhari has done with the 13 trillion loans he has taken in 3 years (compared to the 6 trillion borrowed by the PDP in 16 years). Name the real owners of the Ikoyi Apartment billions. These are the issues the Nigerian people want to hear about, not insults from a Presidency and a party that have spent three years in office only to preside over Nigerias first ever recession in 25 years. We urge the Buhari administration to remember that it is this disinterest in real governance and focus on trivia that caused Bill Gates to look President Buhari in the eye and tell him that your economic blueprint does not address Nigerians needs. A National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has lambasted Afenifere Spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, for his reac... A National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has lambasted Afenifere Spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, for his reaction to suggestions he recently proffered on how to ended farmers/herders clashes in the country. A statement on Wednesday from his media office and signed by Tunde Rahman, described Odumakin as a man suffering from selective amnesia. He stated that the short and long term options for an enduring peace offered by Tinubu were suggestions for the consideration of the 2-day Conflict Resolution Summit, which ended on Tuesday in Abuja. Rahman explained that the former Lagos governor did not mention South West in particular. What he said had a context to it: Unoccupied, isolated land can quickly be turned into grazing areas in the affected states. It is not only some states in the South West that are affected but several states across the country. Why Odumakin suddenly gets hot under the collar may not be far-fetched. The usual frenzy and self-righteous mentality he portrays is on full display. Perhaps next time he should read through the whole submission and caution himself from self-righteousness and displaying in full glare anarchical emotions. And if Odumakins delusion still allows him to read, perhaps a read though of the full chunk of what was said by Tinubu at the summit will educate him better. Its as follows: SHORT TERM: The violence has thankfully subsided. Government must sustain wise policy and action to keep peace and prevent violent recurrences. Government must maintain reasonable and effective military and law enforcement presence in the affected areas. This presence should work with leaders of both the herder and farmer communities as well as traditional and religious leaders. Government should develop a comprehensive remedial/rehabilitation strategy for victims of the violent crisis. 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. Unoccupied, isolated land can quickly be turned into grazing areas in the affected states. In the long run, this will enable herders to better maintain their livestock and thus their own livelihoods. Government should establish a permanent panel as a forum for farmers and herders to discuss their concerns and identify ways to mitigate contention. This will also help educate the general public. LONG TERM: Nigeria needs to take the lead for Africa in international community for dealing with climate change. Water catchment and conservation systems must be developed. This includes the prudent use of dams and irrigation sub-systems maintainable at the local level. More water efficient farming techniques must be employed. Projects to protect the land for additional desertification must take adequate priority. According to Rahman, Tinubu added that These recommendations are suggestive and not at all comprehensive. However, I think they convey the idea that dealing with the immediate crisis is essential. But we also must position ourselves to deal with these larger forces which are at the deepest root of this challenge. If we cannot get to this root, our short-term efforts may be successful but over time they will be of decreasing utility. Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, says he does not have any case of assets declaration to answer. The deputy senate preside... Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, says he does not have any case of assets declaration to answer. by the special presidential investigation panel for the recovery of public property (SPIP). The deputy senate president said this in response to a suit filed against himby the special presidential investigation panel for the recovery of public property (SPIP). John Tsoho, the judge handling the case, ordered that Ekweremadu be served through the clerk of the national assembly and fixed October 22 for hearing. Twenty-two properties were reportedly traced to the deputy senate president. Nine in Nigeria, two in the UK, eight in Dubai and three are in the US. In a statement on Wednesday, Uche Anichukwu, media aide to Ekweremadu, quoted the senator as saying that the suit is laughable and malicious. The senator said he is not obligated by law to declare his assets to the panel. Let me re-affirm to Nigerians and my supporters that I have no assets declaration case to answer. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria requires pubic office holders to declare their assets every four years, a requirement which I fulfilled, the statement read. The panel requested and obtained copies of my Assets Declaration Form from the Code of Conduct Bureau where everything is stated in black and white. For emphasis, all my assets were fully and comprehensively declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau. What is at issue here is that the panel had forwarded fresh assets declaration forms to me to fill contrary to the position of the 1999 Constitution, a demand I refused to oblige because it is clearly unconstitutional. It is this refusal to disobey the Constitution that I am now being charged for. I am aware that the chairman of that panel wrote the same letter to some serving Honourable Judges of the Federal High Court, who also declined to fill them. I am also aware that the affected judges petitioned the minister of justice and attorney-general of the federation (AGF), Mallam Abubakar Malami, who immediately withdrew the provocative letters and fresh asset declaration forms with apologies. I am further aware that the office of the AGF had also intervened in a similar case involving the Obla Panel at the federal high court, Lagos and I believe all these culminated in Obono-Oblas suspension in November 2017 before his recall. It is, therefore, left to Nigerians to see the politics of the so-called charges in my case. The Office of the AGF should not allow itself to be used in filing malevolent and unconstitutional charges that destroy our democracy and make mockery of our judicial system. The lawmaker said instead of coming after him, the federal government ought to prosecute an alleged case of forgery against Obono-Obla. I expect the attorney-general to channel his energy to prosecuting Obono-Obla Panel over his established case of forgery of his Senior School Certificate result instead of this politically-motivated prosecution and smear campaign, he said. My position is that the Public Property Special Provisions Act, CAP R4 LFN, 2004, otherwise known as Decree No 3, 1984, which Obono-Obla has relied on to charge public officials to court had become obsolete and power to investigated non-asset declaration vested in the Code of Conduct Bureau by the 1999 Constitution. Only the Code of Conduct Bureau can receive asset declaration forms from public officers. It is obvious that this is part of the desperate and panic measures to cripple the opposition ahead of the 2019 general elections. Every opposition candidate and leader should, therefore, be ready for such smear campaigns and onslaughts, but rest assured, however, that they would ultimately triumph where their hands are clean. I insist that my hands are clean. Anybody, who knows any undeclared assets of mine, should feel free to avail the public of such information. Nigerians and the international community should, therefore, disregard this latest campaign of calumny and witch-hunt. Chuka Iwobi, the father of Super Eagles forward, Alex Iwobi, has said his son always wanted to play for Nigeria, despite representing England at youth level.Iwobi was mobbed by fans at the training pitch of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Wednesday, where the squad held their first session in preparation for their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.Fans chanted Iwobis name all through the session, which was watched by his father, who later revealed that his son is not just making his family proud but Nigeria as a whole.Not only as a proud parent, as a proud Nigerian its like a dream come true.Alex is well loved by the nation, he loved the nation, he is truly Nigerian.He was born in Nigeria and it has always been his dream to play for the Super Eagles, so playing for Nigeria is a joy to him and a privilege to the family, Iwobi Snr. told reporters at the stadium. The Federal High Court on Thursday warned the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, over the imprisonment proceedings initiated against him by the Delta-Central senator, Ovie Omo-Agege.Omo-Agege had initiated the committal proceedings praying that Saraki be sent to prison as punishment for flouting the May 10 judgment of the court which ordered him (Omo-Agege) to be reinstated from illegal suspension and be paid all his accrued benefits for the period of the voided suspension.The hearing of the committal proceedings was scheduled for Thursday, but the alleged contemnor and his lawyers were absent from court.Ruling on a request by Omo-Ageges lawyer, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), to have the committal application heard despite the absence of the defence, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba said he was more inclined to giving the Senate President another chance to remedy the alleged wrong or appear in court to defend himself.Justice Dimgba noted that the application was truly ripe for hearing, as argued by Izinyon, as the courts records showed that Saraki had been served with the motion on notice and hearing notice for the Thursdays proceedings via a newspaper publication of September 25, 2018 as earlier ordered by the court.The judge, however, said he would give Saraki another chance to remedy the alleged wrong or appear in court to defend himself.He also directed Izinyon to write the Senate President and the legal department of the Senate, informing them of the adjournment of the proceedings till October 18. President Muhammadu Buhari has released a new Executive Order into law. The new order is meant to regulate money laundering and ta... President Muhammadu Buhari has released a new Executive Order into law. The new order is meant to regulate money laundering and tax evasion. The President released the new Executive Order number eight, tagged Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularization Scheme, VOARS, on Wednesday The new Executive Order (008) took effect from Monday, October 8, 2018, the day it was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu, made this known in a Facebook post on Wednesday. Nigerian taxpayers who hold offshore assets and incomes are expected to, within a period of 12 months, declare voluntarily those assets and pay taxes on them by the order. When they do this, they should expect to derive certain specified benefits. According to the order, any taxpayer who truthfully and voluntarily complies with the conditions of the scheme, pays a one-time levy of 35 percent on the total offshore assets or pays all outstanding taxes, penalties and interest after forensic audit of their offshore assets and income shall obtain immunity from prosecution for tax offenses and offences related to offshore assets, among others. Equally, failure of any defaulting taxpayer to take advantage of this scheme shall, at the expiration of the scheme result in investigation and enforcement procedures concerning offshore assets anywhere in the world pursuant to information now readily available through automatic exchange of information between Nigeria and foreign countries. In accordance with the new order, the Federal Government, through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will set up a VOARS in Switzerland for all categories of taxpayers who have defaulted in the declaration of their offshore assets, payment of taxes due and collectible subject to the fulfillment of the terms and conditions as stipulated in the order, or any other subsequent complementary regulations that follow. To avoid the abuse of this process, the Federal Government makes clear that the scheme is open to all persons, entities, and their intermediaries holding offshore assets and are in default of their tax obligations in any way, including those who are not already under investigation by law enforcement agencies in Nigeria or any other country and have not been charged with any crimes including theft of public funds or obtaining offshore assets through corrupt practices. In signing the order, President Buhari noted that under the Nigerian law, every citizen has the duty to declare his or her income and assets and pay taxes on them but regretted that this, in most instances, had not been the case. The sad reality is that efforts to recover these taxes from defaulters through litigation are often frustrated by the complications caused by the change in the character and nature of such assets, insufficient financial intelligence, long delays in courts, among several other reasons, the President said. The Publicity Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Emmah Gospel Isong, has blasted Vice President Prof Yemi Osi... The Publicity Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Emmah Gospel Isong, has blasted Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, for not protecting the interest of Christians. Emma Isong, who was addressing newsmen in Calabar, Cross River State capital on Monday, said he was not pleased with the attitude of the Vice President. The Clergy, who is also the General Overseer of Christian Central Chapel International, regretted the attitude of Prof Osinbajo towards Christianity in the country. He said, I was one of those excited persons when I watched him delivering a lecture in a program in Owerri, then he was not the Vice President, that was close to 2015 elections, He is one of the best brains in Nigeria, his University should be proud of him, even the mother that born him should be proud of him but the day Osinbajo entered government and became Vice to Muhammadu Buhari, he changed. Somebody should tell me one thing that Prof Osinbajo has achieved for Christianity to make him to be called our own, someone from our constituency (Christianity), let him say this is what I have done for Christianity. I believe that Christianity has given this country the best of the best, you need to listen to him, if you listen to him and you are not moved, you are deaf and dumb. The Egyptian embassy in Nigeria is working with Nigerian authorities to help secure the return of an Egyptian citizen who has been kidnapped in the West African country, Egypt's foreign ministry announced on Thursday. The foreign ministry has assured the family of the victim, Reda El-Siyad Hassanein, that Egypt will take all necessary steps to secure his return as soon as possible. No further details about the kidnapping have been revealed. Search Keywords: Short link: Major Lebanese newspaper an-Nahar published a blank edition on Thursday to protest against what it called a "catastrophic situation" in Lebanon, which five months after an election still has no new government. Lebanon held a parliamentary election on May 6, its first since 2009, but its political parties have been unable to agree yet on forming a new power-sharing government as they jostle over the distribution of ministries. "We waited two years for you to give the people the right to elect their representatives in parliament. And then months more to elect a president. We have been waiting five months for the birth of the cabinet," an-Nahar's chief executive Nayla Tueni said during a televised news conference. Founded in 1933, an-Nahar is one of Lebanon's largest daily newspapers. Political paralysis and crises have characterised much of the past decade in Lebanon, including a two-year period from 2014-2016 in which it had no president and only a caretaker government. The economy faces a looming crisis, with government debt among the highest in the world. Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri said this week he hoped a government would be formed after President Michel Aoun returns from an overseas trip. Aoun is due back on Friday. But there has been no sign of a final agreement. Search Keywords: Short link: Jordan's Prime Minister Omar al-Razzaz announced a cabinet reshuffle on Thursday, which officials said consolidated the grip of technocrats charged with speeding up IMF-guided economic reforms crucial to rejuvenate sluggish growth. Razzaz, a former World Bank economist, was appointed by the monarch last June. His predecessor, Hani al-Mulki, resigned in an attempt to defuse a crisis that saw some of the largest protests in years over IMF austerity measures, including tax hikes. Search Keywords: Short link: The United States has investigators overseas to assist Turkey in its probe over missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday, adding that they are also working with Saudi Arabia. Trump, in an interview with the Fox News "Fox & Friends" program, also called U.S.-Saudi relations "excellent." Asked if U.S.-Saudi ties were in jeopardy in light of the Khashoggi matter, Trump did not give a direct answer, saying, "I have to find out what happened ... and we're probably getting closer than you might think." Khashoggi, a Saudi citizen who had lived in Washington for the past year, has not been heard from or seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul more than one week ago. He left Saudi Arabia last year, and since then wrote columns for the Washington Post. Trump on Thursday said: "We're being very tough. And we have investigators over there and we're working with Turkey, and frankly we're working with Saudi Arabia. We want to find out what happened." "We're looking at it very, very seriously. I don't like it at all," he added. Asked about a Washington Post report that U.S. intelligence had intercepted top Saudi officials discussing a plan to capture Khashoggi, Trump told Fox, "It would be a very sad thing." "We will probably know in the very short future. We have some incredible people and some incredible talent working on it. We don't like it. I don't like it. No good," he added. *This story was edited by Ahram Online. Search Keywords: Short link: Tropical Storm Michael took its drenching rains to Georgia and the Carolinas on Thursday after battering Florida's Panhandle as the third most powerful hurricane ever to strike the US mainland and killing at least two people. Michael shattered houses and buildings, downed power lines and ripped up trees when it crashed ashore on Wednesday afternoon, carrying winds of up to 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour) and causing deep seawater flooding. Residents and officials were taking stock of the damage on Thursday. "I think everything from Panama City down to Mexico Beach is way worse than anybody ever anticipated, Florida Governor Rick Scott told the Weather Channel. Michael's eye came ashore near Mexico Beach, about 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Panama City. "This is going to be a long recovery but Florida is resilient, we help each other, and we survive," Scott said. "We worked all night in endangered circumstances." It was not yet known what had happened to about 280 residents of Mexico Beach who authorities said had ignored evacuation orders as the storm approached the state's northwest. The area is known for its small beach towns, wildlife reserves and the state capital, Tallahassee. Michael was a Category 4 storm on the five-step Saffir-Simpson hurricane intensity scale, just shy of a rare Category 5, when it came ashore. It weakened steadily as it traveled inland over the Panhandle. By 8 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT) Thursday it had been downgraded to a tropical storm with 50-mph (85-kph) winds as it pushed through Georgia into the Carolinas, the National Hurricane Center said. Parts of North Carolina and Virginia could get as much as 9 inches (23 cm) of rain and life-threatening flash floods, the NHC said. The Carolinas are still recovering from Hurricane Florence last month. The two people killed in the storm were a man who died when a tree toppled onto his house in Florida and a girl who died when debris fell into a home in Georgia, officials and local media said. More than 830,000 homes and businesses were without power in Florida, Alabama and Georgia early Thursday. 'Surreal' Wind The hurricane, the fiercest to hit Florida in 80 years, pummeled communities across the Panhandle and turned streets into roof-high waterways. "The wind that came through here was surreal. It destroyed everything," Jason Gunderson, a member of a group of rescue workers that calls itself the Cajun Navy, told CNN early on Thursday from Callaway, a suburb of Panama City. "It's unlivable. It's heartbreaking." Thousands of people hunkered down in shelters overnight after fleeing their homes ahead of the storm. An estimated 6,000 people evacuated to emergency shelters, mostly in Florida, and that number was expected to swell to 20,000 across five states by week's end, said Brad Kieserman of the American Red Cross. Twenty miles (32 km) south of Mexico Beach, floodwaters were more than 7 feet (2.1 meters) deep near Apalachicola, a town of about 2,300 residents, hurricane center chief Ken Graham said. Wind damage was also evident. "There are so many downed power lines and trees that it's almost impossible to get through the city," Apalachicola Mayor Van Johnson said. Michael had rapidly intensified as it churned north over the Gulf of Mexico in recent days, growing from a tropical storm into a Category 4 hurricane in about 40 hours and catching many by surprise. With a low barometric pressure recorded at 919 millibars, the measure of a hurricane's force, it ranked as the third strongest storm on record to make landfall in the continental United States. Only Hurricane Camille on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1969 and the so-called Labor Day hurricane of 1935 in the Florida Keys were more intense. US President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency for all of Florida, freeing federal assistance to supplement state and local disaster responses. About 3,500 Florida National Guard troops were deployed, along with more than 1,000 search-and-rescue personnel, Governor Scott said. Even before landfall, the hurricane disrupted energy operations in the Gulf, cutting crude oil production by more than 40 percent and natural gas output by nearly one-third as offshore platforms were evacuated before the storm hit. Search Keywords: Short link: Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said on Thursday he hoped the United States would be understanding about a malfunction that occurred during a launch of the "Soyuz" spacecraft. He was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency that manned space flights would be suspended until an investigation into the causes of the malfunction is completed. "Soyuz" made an emergency landing near the city of Zhezkazgan in central Kazakhstan after its booster rockets failed in mid-air en route to the International Space Station. It had a Russian cosmonaut and a US astronaut on board. Search Keywords: Short link: British and EU negotiators making headway on the Irish border hope for a Brexit deal breakthrough on Monday, diplomats said, though the British prime minister's Northern Ireland ally has stoked uncertainty by warning it could vote against her. Under pressure from all sides, Theresa May will meet some of her ministers later on Thursday to discuss Brexit, hours after her parliamentary partner, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), threatened to withdraw its support if she accepts what it called a "draconian solution" from the European Union. The DUP's Brexit spokesman, Sammy Wilson, said the party's 10 members of parliament would vote against the UK budget and consider voting no-confidence in May if the British government breaks the DUP's red lines in Brexit talks. "In breaking her promises she would be agreeing to break up the United Kingdom," Wilson said. The DUP vehemently opposes any checks between Northern Ireland and mainland Britain after Brexit, which is due in March and would be the United Kingdom's biggest trade and foreign policy shift for more than four decades. But at the same time, neither side wants to upset peace on the island of Ireland by winding down the open border between the British province there and EU member state Ireland. That will become the only land border between the UK and the bloc. EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Wednesday rammed home that - while the bloc was looking at ways to carry out checks on many goods away from the actual frontier - animal and animal products would have to be screened on the border. May has said she wants "frictionless" trade with the EU after Brexit to help safeguard Britain's economy while regaining full sovereignty. Her spokeswoman said on Thursday London would present further proposals, which she described as "regulatory aspects", for the backstop border arrangement "in due course". "HEADWAY" Agreeing on how to maintain an open Irish border after Brexit is the key hurdle now to sealing a divorce deal between the EU and Britain. While London wants to regulate that by a future trade deal with the EU, the bloc insists on an emergency fix in case negotiating new relations takes longer, or fails. Both sides have made positive signals in recent days though also indicated they were still short of a deal, which would define the divorce terms and include an EU declaration stating that it would seek the closest possible ties with Britain after Brexit ranging from trade to security to research. "We are not there yet. There is no breakthrough - yet," Margaritis Schinas, chief spokesman for the EU's executive European Commission, told a news briefing on Thursday. Still, diplomatic sources on both sides of the talks told Reuters that "it was going well" and that Brexit negotiators locked away in Brussels this week were "making headway" specifically on the Irish issue. They said tentative planning could see a breakthrough announced on Monday when EU negotiators representing the bloc's national leaders meet in Brussels without Britain. Britain's Brexit minister, Dominic Raab, could also come to Brussels then if weekend talks cover enough ground. Just six months before Britain is due to leave the EU, some other British officials have voiced more caution, saying "big issues" still lie in the way of any agreement. The 27 states remaining in the bloc hope to announce "decisive progress" in divorce talks at an EU summit next week and then finalise their offer of close future ties with Britain next month. PRESSURE ON MAY As that departure date creeps closer, pressure on May from various directions is intensifying. After meetings in Brussels earlier this week, the DUP issued a series of terse warnings to May over the compromise that is in the making between the EU and British negotiators. "She will not have DUP support regardless of whether the government tries to bribe, bully or browbeat us into accepting it," Wilson also said. By withdrawing its support, the DUP could make it difficult for May to pass legislation through parliament, including the budget which will be voted on later this month. In May's own Conservative party, some eurosceptic lawmakers want to vote against her approach to exiting the EU as it would not bring a sharp enough break from the bloc in their view. The parliamentary arithmetic is difficult for May who commands a majority of only 13 lawmakers including the DUP. She needs to keep either her own party onside or attract votes from the main opposition Labour Party. Labour demands that Britain retain "the exact same" perks it now has within the EU's customs union and single market - something May's so-called Chequers plan does not meet and which the EU rules out since London decided to leave both. Former Labour leader Tony Blair added his voice to calls to vote down any Brexit deal by May, hoping that would open the way for another referendum in which Britons would this time decide to stay, after their popular vote in June 2016 that resulted in a narrow "Leave" victory. Search Keywords: Short link: The Central Bank of Egypt said on Thursday it agreed to enter into a "new repurchase transaction" of $3.8 billion with a consortium of international banks including Citigroup, Credit Suisse AG, Deutsche Bank AG, First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC and HSBC. ICBC Standard Bank, JPMorgan Securities, Natixis and Nomura International are also part of the consortium involved in the loan, it said in a press release on its website. "The transaction aims to achieve CBE's objective of enhancing its liability management by extending the duration of its debt structure," the statement said. "Moreover, the transaction reflects the continued strong affirmation and vote of confidence by the international market in the success of the home-grown economic reform program during the past years," the statement added. Egypt has implemented tough reforms under a $12 billion loan programme agreed in late 2016 that involved deep cuts to energy subsidies, new taxes, and a floated currency in a bid to draw back investors who fled after its 2011 uprising. Demand for local currency bonds has declined and yields have risen since currency crises in Argentina and Turkey scared foreign investors away from emerging markets. The government cancelled four consecutive local currency T-bond auctions last month after bankers and investors demanded high yields on the debt. Egypt on Sunday launched a pan-Asian roadshow to promote its international bonds in South Korea, part of a bid to bring down rising yields on its debt. Search Keywords: Short link: Egyptian handicrafts exports went up 10 percent from January to August 2018 to reach $142 million, up from $129 million in the same period in 2017, the Egyptian Export Council for Handicrafts (EECH) said Thursday. EECH acting chairman Hisham El-Gazzar attributed the rise to participation in various international fairs, such as NY Now in New York, as well as sending delegations of craftsmen to Europe for training sessions to get familiar with the cutting-edge techniques and technologies in this field. El-Gazzars remarks came on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Craffiti Egypt Exhibition, being held on 11-18 October at the Cairo International Convention Centre. Some 53 percent, or $75.45 million, of the total Egyptian handicraft exports went to Turkey, Sudan, Germany, Syria, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, France, Italy, USA, and China. Search Keywords: Short link: MAFF honoured Egyptian cinema this year with two movies screened in the opening and closing nights, in addition to two other films and a seminar about Egyptian cinema Egyptian feature film "Photocopy", directed by Tamer Ashry, has received the City of Malmos Audience Award at the 8th edition of the Malmo Arab Film Festival (MAFF), which took place in the Swedish city 5-9 October, Written by Haitham Dabbour and starring veteran actor Mahmoud Hemeida alongside Sherin Reda, Ali Tayeb, Ahmed Dash, Farah Yousef and Bayoumi Fouad, Photocopy received the 2,500 Euros value prize via the festival's jury, that included Egyptian actress Menna Shalaby. The decision was announced Tuesday at Royal Cinema in Malmo. MAFF honoured Egyptian cinema this year with two movies screened in the opening and closing nights, in addition to two other films and a seminar about Egyptian cinema. The Egyptian feature film Talq Senay, or Induced Labour, was screened on the opening night, while Karim El-Shenawy's Eyar Nari, or Gunshot, was screened on the closing night, in addition to Photocopy and Kiss Me Not, directed by Ahmed Amer, screened during the event. "Egyptian cinema has been one of the most important cultural tributaries that have shaped the thoughts of millions of Arabs over generations in more than a century," stated the MAFF on their official website, praising its "huge heritage" as "the oldest cinema in the Arab world, and even the planet." Despite that Photocopy took the only award, Egypt was competing strongly in all competitions, with Egyptian film Poisonous Roses, directed by Ahmed Fawzi Saleh, participating in the long feature competition, while Noha Adel's Into Reverse competed in the shorts section. Directed by Lebanese Reem Saleh, What Comes Around competed in the long documentary category while Youssef Nasser's Sculpting In Time and Mohammad Homouda's Manicure competed in the short documentary category. Photocopy focuses on a retired man in Cairo who begins to learn about the extinction of dinosaurs. This sets off a series of events that will give his life renewed meaning. Photocopy garnered several awards, including the Gouna Star for Best Arab Feature Narrative from the El-Gouna Film Festival where the film premiered. It went on to receive the Best Feature Narrative Award at the Tripoli Film Festival in Lebanon, and Best Scriptwriting at the Ohran Arab Film Festival. MAFF was founded in 2011 by general manager and artistic director Mouhamad Keblawi, and grew to become one of the largest Arab film festivals and platforms for Arab culture in the world. The event is the largest film festival in southern Sweden, which also includes exhibitions, workshops, seminars, and celebrations. It screened around 120 feature films, documentaries, and short films. MAFF awards were announced as follows: Short Film Competition Best Short Film for Last Days of the Man of Tomorrow by Fadi Baki from Lebanon Special Jury Award for Black Mamba by Amel Guellaty from Tunisia Special Mention to Occupation: Killer by Walid Ayoub from Morocco Documentary Competition Best Documentary Award for Upon the Shadow by Nada Mezni Hafaiedh from Tunisia Short Documentary Competition Best Short Documentary Award for Survivors of Firdos Square by Adel Khaled from Iraq Feature Competition Best Feature for Wajib by Annemarie Jacir from Palestine Special Jury Award for Volubilis by Faouzi Bensaidi from Morocco Best Director for Mohamed Al Daradji from Iraq for his film The Journey Best Actor for Ali Yehiawi from Tunisia for his exceptional performance in Benzine by Sarra Abidi Best Actress for Zahraa Ghandour from Iraq for his exceptional performance in The Journey by Mohamed Al Daradji The City of Malmos Audience Award at MAFF for Photocopy by Tamer Ashry from Egypt (25,000 SEK; approx 2,500 Euros) Best Artistic Production Award presented by the General Union of Arab Artists obtained by Guest: Aleppo Istanbul (2,000 Euros) Arab Critics Award presented by Al Nahar newspaper for Wajib by Annemarie Jacir (1,000 Euros) 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: 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. ND Paper to Buy Pulp Mill in Old Town, Maine, Restart Expected in Q1 2019 After a series of phased capital investments, ND Paper expects the Old Town Mill will restart in the first quarter of 2019 and ultimately produce 275,000 admt annually of unbleached kraft pulp. Oct. 11, 2018 - ND Paper LLC on Oct. 10 announced that it has entered into a definitive asset purchase agreement with OTM Holdings, LLC pursuant to which ND Paper will acquire the Seller's bleached kraft pulp mill, plus approximately 100 acres of real property, located in Old Town, Maine for an undisclosed sum, payable in cash. The Old Town Mill was idled at the end of December 2015 by then-owner Expera Specialty Solutions. In 2016, Expera sold the mill to MFGR, a joint venture comprised of Gordon Brothers, Capital Recovery Group (CRG), Rabin Worldwide and PPL Group. MFGR then sold the mill to OTM Holdings in February 2018. Prior to its idling, the Old Town Mill produced approximately 155,000 air dried metric tonnes (admt) per year of bleached hardwood kraft pulp. According to ND Paper, the mill will be reconfigured to operate at substantially lower manufacturing costs than when it was last operational. This will be achieved by three primary tactics: First, with abundant local availability of softwood, ND Paper intends to move the production mix from hardwood kraft to softwood kraft pulp. Second, by eliminating bleaching operations and focusing on unbleached softwood pulp, the Mill will increase its production rates and lower variable input costs. Finally, the mill will share several management and administrative functions with ND Paper's Rumford Division, lowering overall overhead costs. After a series of phased capital investments, ND Paper expects the Old Town Mill will restart in the first quarter of 2019 and ultimately produce 275,000 admt annually of unbleached kraft pulp. We are absolutely thrilled to restart the Old Town Mill and return well over 100 high-paying jobs to Penobscot County, said Ken Liu, CEO of ND Paper. By leveraging our existing manufacturing platform in Maine, combined with the financial capacity to wisely invest in the mill's production capabilities, we expect to create a very strong future for this facility. Also, similar to our other recent acquisition announcement in West Virginia, this transaction supports Nine Dragons' company-wide fiber sourcing requirements and global growth initiatives, Liu added. ND Paper expects to complete this transaction in the next thirty days, subject to customary closing conditions and approvals. ND Paper is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nine Dragons Paper (Holdings) Limited, the largest containerboard producer in China and Asia, and a leading paper product manufacturer globally. ND Paper manufactures and distributes various types of pulp, paper and paper-based packaging materials. Its mills in Rumford, Maine and Biron, Wisconsin are fully-integrated paper and pulp mills with approximately 1,000 employees and the capacity to produce 900,000 metric tons of pulp and paper annually. To learn more, please visit us.ndpaper.com . SOURCE: ND Paper LLC and archived news reports Due to various holes in immigration laws, state court judges have been granting custody of migrant children to American families without notifying their deported parents, according to a new report by the Associated Press. After looking through hundreds of court documents and immigration records, the AP reveals several cases of children being permanently and legally separated from their families, even after initial separations. It is worth noting that legal loopholes between federal law and state-run welfare programs is partly responsible for these cases. One case in particular is that of Alexa Ramos, who was separated for 15 months from her mother, Araceli. The mother and daughter reportedly fled to the U.S. from El Salvador to escape Alexa's abusive father. They were arrested once they entered the country by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Ramos was denied asylum typically granted to those fleeing abuse because of criminal charges she was facing. Instead, she was detained for months while daughter Alexa was put into foster care. Ramos was ultimately unable to find a lawyer to defend her asylum request, and as a result, was deported back to El Salvador. In the report, Ramos claims that a border patrol agent forced her to sign a waiver that would leave Alexa behind in the states. "The reality is that for every parent who is not located, there will be a permanent orphaned child," U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw said in August. (For further context, Sabraw was the judge who, back in July, ordered the Trump administration to return children separated at the border to their families within 30 days). The rest of Alexa's journey through foster care sees her being adopted by Michigan parents Sherri and Kory Barr, who reportedly (and repeatedly) ignored requests to be returned to her mother Araceli, including those sent by the Department of Homeland Security and the Salvadoran government. The Department of Justice said that the Barrs "obtained their temporary guardianship order in violation of federal law." The Barrs' attorney and the Michigan judge granted the parents guardian status over Alexa were also found to have violated federal law by failing to tell Alexa or her mother about the guardianship proceedings. Alexa was ultimately returned to her mother in February 2017, with the report noting that she was at first hesitant to play or eat, and at first wanted to be back in Michigan. The AP's unearthing of Alexa's story feels important to spotlight in light of the resurgent family separation crisis at the border. There were 300 parents were deported to Central America without their children just this summer alone, as part of the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy. Alexa's story is just one of many that we actually have on record. Photo via Getty It's being report today that the court in Munich Germany ruled to dismiss Qualcomm's patent infringement case against Apple. While it's not the end of the war between Qualcomm and Apple, it's certainly a major blow to Qualcomm. Germany's Florian Mueller, covering the Qualcomm-Apple war in-depth, reports this morning that the Munich I Regional Court just announced the first final judgment on a Qualcomm v. Apple patent infringement complaint anywhere in the world. Apple (and, by extension, Intel) fended off one of various Qualcomm patent infringement lawsuits. The court agreed with Apple's claim construction. A few months after the Federal Trade Commission of the United States and, in a separate case, Apple sued Qualcomm over antitrust and contract-related matters in January 2017, the San Diego-based company that dominates the market for cellular baseband chips started a patent infringement lawsuit campaign against the iPhone maker in the U.S., Germany, and China. Qualcomm wanted to kick off the German "rulings season" with a Mannheim injunction--and got a Munich rejection. A three-judge panel--composed of Judge Dr. Schoen, who filled in for Presiding Judge Dr. Zigann at last week's trial, and Judges Klein and Schmitz--held that Apple's iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus do not infringe Qualcomm's European patent EP1199750. As if tone deaf, Mueller notes that "Qualcomm has filed additional patent infringement complaints in Germany. It will keep trying, but realistically it won't be able to force Apple into a settlement before some key antitrust, contract and patent exhaustion questions are resolved in the United States." For more on this, read the full FOSS Patents report here. Our Reports on the Qualcomm-Apple Legal War since September 01: Magistrate Judge Rebukes Qualcomm for iPhone Patent Infringement Allegations 02: An Expert Opinion from the Swedish Patent Office says that Qualcomm's Patent used to Sue Apple Should be Invalidated 03: In Qualcomm's most recent case against Apple, we learn that Apple cleverly developed a Workaround in iOS 12 to defeat Infringement 04: An Amicus Brief filed by two Technology Associations fully Support the FTC's Motion against Qualcomm over Essential Patent Licensing 05: A Finnish Patent Troll Sues Apple Claiming that iMessage and FaceTime infringe 8 of their (Acquired) Patents 06: Legal Analyst Claims that Qualcomm is clearly Stumbling in their battle with Apple in Mannheim Trial due to Tech-Savvy Court 07: With new iPhones using Intel Modems, Qualcomm Lashes out at Apple for stealing their trade secrets in a new Legal Filing 08: Qualcomm is angry over a U.S. International Trade Commission Judge Refusing to Ban iPhones in the U.S. Iranian artist Tara Behbahani says her new paintings dig up moments of happiness from heart of history 10/10/18 Report by Tehran Times; photos by Ramona Mirian, HonarOnline TEHRAN - Tara Behbahani has said that the paintings in her new collection "Passing through Imagination" dig up depictions of moments of happiness from the heart of history. The collection, which depicts women on images of beautiful Persian tiles, is on display in an exhibition at Tehran's Golestan Gallery. Tara Behbahani "It was in 2003 when I began working on the topic of Persian tiles, which led to a selection of abstract works, and few years later, images of women were added," Tara, the daughter of prominent sculptor and painter Taha Behbahani, told the Persian service of Honaronline. The collection has been inspired by motifs depicted on original tiles dating back to the Seljuk, Ilkhanid, and Timurid periods from the 11th to the early 16th centuries. "The motifs and designs used on the Persian tile works convey different messages, and I chose those by which I was impressed the most. They have different meanings but have been correlated with pleasant moments. "The other point is that women have been oppressed throughout history and have always experienced a secondary status. Although this has been lessened over the years, women still cannot attain their rightful position," she explained. "I created this collection about three years ago when I was going through hard days following the birth of my two children, but the warm welcome of the visitors assured me I am on the right path and pushed me take my steps more seriously," she concluded. The exhibit will come to end today at the gallery located at 34 Kamasai St. in Tehran's Darus neighborhood. Ghana has signed on to the "Free-Together" (Libres Ensemble) framework agreements of Organization Internationale de La Francophonie (OIF), re-affirming the countrys interest in the initiative aimed at sensitizing the youth on violent radicalism and the proliferation of terrorist acts across the globe. The agreement was signed with the OIF by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey. The government of Ghana is expected to include the protocols in the framework of the countrys national actions and policies in favour of its youth. The historic agreement was reached on Tuesday October 9, 2018 at the Francophonie Village, Opera Pavillion in the Armenian capital Yerevan. The Free Together framework was launched in March 2016 for young Francophones and calls for the promotion of dialogue between cultures on living together, taking concrete actions of peace and the promotion of freedom, in an effort to prevent the risk of political, ideological, social and religious radicalization leading to violence. The framework also commits to the promotion of free expression, free initiative and the participation of civil society, particularly the young people and women in the management of public affairs. The Hon. Minister indicated Ghana is committed to ensuring that good practices and information on the implementation processes are shared within the Francophone network for the prevention of violent radicalization (FRANCOPREV). Other signatories included Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. It is expected that the OIF will expand throughout the Francophonie. The move brings to 5 the number of African states which have committed themselves to the service of the emergence of a free generation together". Benin had signed a similar agreement in December 2017. 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 Dr Avraham Neguise Chairman of the Committee for Immigration , Absorption and Diaspora Affairs of the Parliament of Israel ( the Knesset) has expressed hope that Ghana will move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem the new capital city of the country as the United States of America has done under the US President Donald Trump. Dr Neguise made the comment today when a delegation of the Israel - Ghana Parliamentary Friendship Association paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Professor Michael Aaron Oquaye. The delegation was accompanied by the Israeli Ambassador to Ghana Shani Cooper - .Zubida . Dr Avraham Neguise also urged Ghana to do all it can to make Israel regain its observer status at the African Union which it ( Israel ) lost in 2002 . According to him Israel considers Ghana as an important ally from which it has much to learn . He said the Parliament of Israel will continue to share its experience with Ghana's legislature and also learn from its experience. Dr Avraham Neguise hoped Israel and Ghana will continue to strengthen collaboration especially in the areas of agriculture , solar energy , water technology and religious tourism. Hon Joyce Adjoa Akoh Dei MP for Bosome Freho and Chairman of the Ghana - Israel Parliamentary Friendship Association said the Parliament of Ghana values its friendship with the Parliament of Israel and will continue to learn from it. The Minority leader Hon Haruna Iddrisu said the best tribute Israel could pay to the late Dr Kofi Annan former UN Secretary General is to work for a peaceful resolution of the Israel and Palestinian conflict . He was optimistic that Ghana and Israel will continue to work together for the mutual benefit of both countries. The Majority Leader Hon Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu said a two - state solution to the Israel - Palestinian conflict is still workable . The Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Prof Michael Aaron Oquaye commended the people of Israel for their spirit of patriotism adding that the commitment of the people of Israel to the national course is worth emulating . The Speaker also emphasized more collaboration between Ghana and Israel especially in the areas of scientific development, agriculture and medicine . Source: Emmanuel Akorl/Parliamentary Correspondent, Peace FM 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 Japan has overtaken Singapore to claim the title of world's 'most powerful' passport. Its citizens now get visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 190 countries, one more than Singapore, which sits on 189. The US and the UK, which jointly occupied the top spot in 2015, have since slid to 5th place - with Germany, China and Russia also dropping down the list. Australia, which provides access to 183 countries, comes in seventh. Germany, another country to hold the top spot in previous years, is now in third place alongside South Korea and France. The Henley Passport Index ranks passports according to their travel power using data from the International Air Transport Association. Iraq and Afghanistan continue to sit at the bottom of the Index. The US and the UK both give access to 186 destinations with their passports, but neither have gained access to any new jurisdictions since the start of 2018. The UAE has made the most remarkable ascent on the Henley Passport Index, from 62nd place in 2006 to 21st place worldwide currently. However, their progress might be outstripped by Kosovo which officially met all the criteria for visa-liberalization with the EU in July and is now in discussions with the European Council. Russia received a boost in September when Taiwan announced a visa-waiver, but the country has nonetheless fallen from 46th to 47th place due to movements higher up the ranking. The same is true of China: Chinese nationals obtained access to two new jurisdictions (St. Lucia and Myanmar), but the Chinese passport fell two places, to 71st overall. Dr. Christian H. Kalin, Group Chairman of Henley & Partners, says countries with citizenship-by-investment programs all fall within the top 50 of the index. Newcomer Moldova, which is due to launch its CBI program in November, has climbed 20 places since 2008. 'The travel freedom that comes with a second passport is significant, while the economic and societal value that CBI programs generate for host countries can be transformative,' says Dr. Kalin. 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 Reverend Minister has dragged gold trading firm Menzgold Ghana Limited, and its Managing Director, Nana Appiah Mensah to court for breach of contract in relation to an investment of Gh24,000 in the companys gold business. Reverend Joseph Appiah Odei of Tabora in Accra, is claiming general damages for breach of contract and misrepresentation. He is also claiming interest on the total sum of Gh24,000 which he deposited with Menzgold on April 20, 2018. Rev Odei filed the suit on October 5, 2018 at the Accra High Court. According to the statement of claim accompanying the writ, Rev Odei states that on April 20, 2018, he deposited 12 pounds of gold estimated at Gh24,000 for a period of 12 months and paid a non-refundable commission of Gh1200 to Menzgold. Menzgold on Monday October 8, 2018 announced that customers who wished to terminate their investment could do so after January 9, 2019. It is only then that the company will pay them the value of their gold traded [initial investment] in the gold vault market. Meanwhile, the company has said it will no longer pay extra value [dividend] to customers because of the challenges and difficulties it is facing "with its Bankers arising from instructions and actions of certain government institutions." In a press statement signed and issued by Nii Amarh Amarteifio, Head of Communications, the company said it has noted that the principal concerns of its customers were for the return of their primary value of gold traded with the company. It has therefore agreed and "proposes to pay and return to every customer the full value of gold traded, in ninety days (90), commencing from Tuesday, 9th October 2018." Source: Daily Graphic Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former President John Mahama has asserted that, the return of the National Democratic Congress in 2020 will relieve Ghanaians of the current hardship being experienced under the leadership of Nana Akufo Addo. The former president seems optimistic of the chances of the NDC in clinging onto victory in 2020, therefore assuring Ghanaians of a better economic life when they return. He made this known during his campaign tour of Gushegu in the Northern Region. During NDCs period in government, we see rapid development in terms of infrastructure and then we see some relief in terms of peoples living and then we see improved economic living. If NDC comes to power, we will relieve some of the hardship you are feeling currently. The former President was also optimistic the National Democratic Congress will return to power in 2020. I am sure that NDC will be given another chance because wherever you go in the country people complain of hardship. When we were in government they said there was hardship and at the time petrol a gallon was 14 cedis and today it is 26. At some places it is 25, and other places 24. People have seen the pinch. John Mahama is vigorously touring the entire country to seek the mandate of the partys delegates in the upcoming flagbearship elections in December. He is being contested by some key bigwigs of the party, facing the likes of former Minister of Trade, Spio Garbrah and second deputy Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin. Source: kasapafmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency says in an updated statement that someone working in the legal pot industry in Canada will "generally be admissible" as long as their travel is not related to the industry. Workers process medical marijuana at Canopy Growth Corporation's Tweed facility in Smiths Falls, Ont., on Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick In this photo provided by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, the Soyuz MS-10 space capsule lays in a field after an emergency landing near Dzhezkazgan, about 450 kilometers (280 miles) northeast of Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos' Alexei Ovchinin lifted off as scheduled at 2:40 p.m. (0840 GMT; 4:40 a.m. EDT) Thursday from the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, but their Soyuz booster rocket failed about two minutes after the launch. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP) Trump is changing the global oil trade flows Source: BP , Oil major trade movements 2017 trade flows worldwide (million tonnes) - China buys more African oil, less from U.S. amid trade spat - Iran sanctions force Asian buyers to look elsewhere for supply By Alex Longley and Bill Lehane LONDON Petroleumworld 10 11 2018 U.S. President Donald Trump is redirecting global oil flows. West African and Latin American producers are sending ever-growing volumes of crude to China. America's exports to the Asian country have slumped in favor of its neighbors. There's an urgent global need to find replacement barrels for Iran's, whose exports might just collapse next month. The thing that connects the shifting flows is Trump's foreign policy. China's slumping purchases of American crude -- and its extra buying from elsewhere -- have coincided with a trade war between the U.S. and the Asian country. Likewise, reimposed sanctions on Iran, which start Nov. 4, have increased the need for the type of heavy, sour crude that the Persian Gulf state sells. If you combine the impact of U.S. sanctions on Iran and the U.S. trade war with China, it is Trump's foreign policy which is reshaping oil flows, said Olivier Jakob, managing director of consultancy Petromatrix GmbH. The U.S. is becoming a great energy power and they will use that, we are starting to see the implementation of that in different parts of the energy scene, part of that is being seen today in the oil flows. Oil markets are also grappling with record U.S. output, fueled by shale production, and America's removal in late 2015 of longstanding crude-export limits. Those shipments -- just a few hundred thousand barrels a day a few years ago -- now consistently top an average of 2 million barrels a day each month. American crude increasingly flows to markets in Asia, Europe and Latin America, data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration show. Shifting Flows But there have been recent changes in precisely where those barrels are going. China, the world's largest energy consumer, in August didn't import any U.S. crude for the first time since September 2016, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. That compares with almost 12 million barrels in July, when China was the second-largest recipient. Shipments to South Korea soared to a record 267,000 barrels a day in August -- a 313 percent year-on-year increase, according to Bloomberg calculations from Census data. Volumes to Japan and India rose by 198 percent and 165 percent, respectively. Exports to the U.K., Italy and the Netherlands have also surged this year. The pattern of trade does look as though it's going to ebb away from a focus on China to other Asian countries, and Europe, said Caroline Bain, chief commodities economist at Capital Economics. China is also increasingly turning to other regions. Colombian exports to the Asian nation rose fivefold in September, while Brazilian shipments hit their highest level this year. Chinese refiners bought 1.71 million barrels of crude a day from West Africa for October loading, the most since at least August 2011. Sanctions' Effect It's not yet clear to what extent, if any, China will curb shipments of Iranian crude due to U.S. sanctions. However, buyers in India, Japan and South Korea are reducing purchases from the Persian Gulf state. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman said that the kingdom and other OPEC producers are making up for lost supply from Iran. The demand for replacement crudes is apparent. Exports from Oman last month rose to their highest levels this year on healthy demand from China, Bloomberg tanker-tracking showed. Kuwait is directing more flows to Asia, while its shipments to the U.S. by late September all but dried up -- the first time that's happened since the Gulf War of 1990-91. See also: Oil Tanker Rates Surge as Iran Rivals Look to Boost Supply The curbs on Iran are having an effect on oil prices, with global benchmark Brent trading now trading near its highest level in four years. Oman was the talk of one of the oil market's biggest gatherings last month, as its crude surged past $90 a barrel. Supertankers, which often benefit when trade flows are dislocated, are earning the most since early 2017. Flows from Iran could drop by 2 million barrels a day, to below 1 million barrels day in November and possibly December, Energy Aspects Ltd. said in a report dated Oct. 1. Whether it's the need he's created for replacement supplies from Iran, or other actions by the U.S, president, Trump's policies are now having a direct impact on where oil is flowing, said Eugene Lindell, an analyst at JBC Energy GmbH in Vienna. What you can say beyond doubt is that it's creating lots of exotic trade flows that hadn't been in the market before, he said. It's been a major influence that has forced a change in trade flows. With assistance by Sheela Tobben, Lucia Kassai, Debjit Chakraborty, Dhwani Pandya, Julian Lee, Sherry Su, Christopher Sell, and Helen Robertson _________________________ Story by Alex Longley and Bill Lehane from Bloomberg News. bloomberg.com 10 10 2018 _________________________ Chinese Tourists Spent Over RM 50 Billion in Thailand in 2018 How important are Chinese tourists? Thailand has been courting Chinese tourist for the past couple of years and they are seeing some handsome results. For this year, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) maintains its target of 10.5-11 million arrivals from China, up from last years 9.8 million. This year, from January to August, Thailand already welcomed 7.7 million Chinese tourists (+16.51%), generating 423 billion Baht (+22.17%). How much is 423 billion Baht? It is RM 53,501,881,996.10 based on XE.com. That is 53.5 billion Ringgit Malaysia and that is only the first nine months of 2018! According to Ctrip.com, Chinas largest and most influential online travel agent during the October National Day Holiday, Chinese travelers visited more than 1,000 destinations in 100 countries. Thailand overtook Japan as the top destination for Chinese outbound travelers, with Hong Kong coming in at third place followed by Vietnam and Singapore. South Korea, Croatia, Mexico, Serbia, and Tunisia were the top five dark horse destinations, averaging more than 50% year-on-year growth. Ease of visa contributed greatly to rising interest for the latter three countries. Who spent the most in 2017? According to UNWTO (United Nation World Tourism Organisation), the China tourists spent US$ 257 billion in 2017, followed by USA at US$ 135 billion and Germany at US$ 89.1 billion. For the tourism receipts, Thailand is ranked number four in the world with US$ 57.5 billion dollars. How much is US$ 57.5 billion in Ringgit Malaysia? It is about RM 238,990,292,813.75. Honestly, we need more Chinese tourists in Malaysia. We need them to spent billions of ringgit in Malaysia. The big question is are we doing enough to lure them over to Malaysia? Wilson Ng A Father and traveler who enjoys to eat, shop, travel and taking pictures with Samsung S21 Ultra. Im a full time blogger, youtuber and father for two. I travel around 17 International trips per year. Remember to follow us at www.instagram.com/placesandfoods and www.youtube.com/placesandfoods. For advertisements or features, contact me at [email protected] See author's posts The Soyuz has a number of different abort methods, including a launch escape tower to pull the capsule away from its rocket in an emergency. That tower was scheduled to be jettisoned at roughly the same time the incident occured, and it is unclear which abort mode was used to save the crew. The Soyuz descent was "ballistic," sending the crew back to Earth on a steeper landing trajectory than usual with high G forces. "From a crew perspective, we're well trained for an abort," said Reid Wiseman, NASA's deputy chief astronaut. "From a crew perspective there's a bit of shock in the moment, but the communication with the crew was extremely professional." The failure leaves the International Space Station staffed with just three crew members, who arrived in June: Europe's Alexander Gerst, NASA's Serena Aunon-Chancellor, and Russia's Sergey Prokopyev. The trio are currently scheduled to stay aboard the station through mid-December. "Serena and Alex and Sergei are doing just fine," said Kenny Todd, the operations integration manager for the International Space Station program. "The one activity that we are taking a hard look at at this point is our EVA [spacewalk] plans. One of our EVA spacewalkers is still on the ground." KAMPALA- Business mogul Sudhir Ruparelia has been voted the East African leader of 2018, with his experience in business leadership, picked as an inspiration to many people in the region. Mr. Ruparelia, the founder and chairman of the Ruparelia Foundation was voted for the award by the East African by profilers The East African Book of Records. Mr. Ruparelia Similar joins a number of personalities including Presidents Museveni, Jakaya Kikwete, Uhuru Kenyatta, President Edgar Lungu of Zambia, who have received similar awards before. An official ceremony to present the award will be organized towards the end of October and delegates from all the East African countries will read citations in Honor of Mr. Ruparelia. The profiler has also announced that an annual Dr Sudhir Ruparelia lecture THE SILENT LION OF BUSINESS will be soon launched where the business mogul will give inspiration to over 10,000 East African youth annually. Born in 1956 in Kampala, Dr Ruparelias story of entrepreneurship is a great inspiration for reward to hard work and focus. Coming from a family of Ugandan Asians who migrated to Uganda in 1903, Dr. Ruparelia and his family were not spared when the then President of Uganda, Idi Amin, ordered the expulsion of Asians from Uganda. The Ruparelias relocated to the UK in 1972 where the 16-year-old Sudhir did odd jobs in factories, supermarkets and butcheries while studying until he completed his A level education. His hard work from the odd jobs got him his first savings. When he completed A level, he joined various companies and worked as an accountant. He returned to Uganda in 1985 where he has since invested in different sectors including starting the first ever foreign exchange bureau in Uganda. Sudhirs business empire today spans from hotels and hospitality industry, real estate, floriculture education and schools to media, insurance and forex and until recently banking, before his Crane Bank was controversially transferred to DFCU bank by the Bank of Uganda. His businesses employ more than 10,000 Ugandans. Related KAMPALA-The Inspectorate of Government (IGG) has named Kampala district as the top most corrupt district in the country. In a report titled; Bi-annual Inspectorate of Government Performance between July and December 2017, submitted to Parliament last week, the IGG also ranked the most accused ministries, agencies, departments, and local governments in the period under review. Like the January to June 2017 report; Kampala topped districts in corruption with 262 cases coming from officials taking bribes. IGG Justice Irene Mulyagonja, in her latest report also names abuse of office and theft of government funds and assets as top cases her office investigated between July and December 2017. According to the report, Kampala tops 10 districts in corruption cases followed by Lira (52), Jinja (43), Arua (29), Kabarole (28) Kamuli (28), Iganga (27), Mbale (27), Mukono (27) and Tororo (27). Out of a backlog of 4,620 cases from the previous reporting period, the office investigated 6,019 cases between July and December last year of which 1,399 were completed, reads the IGG report in part. Dr Patrick Wakida, the executive director-research World international described the report as timely but added most of the big cases require urgent attention to save the country. We should not get excited about the report findings but rather we should look at how many of the cases have been prosecuted, how many big fish are in jail over corruption scandals because many of them are walking free, let us walk the talk if we are to fight corruption, said Dr Wakida. Mr Jack Wamai Wamanga, the MP Mbale municipality said the report is a good gesture that some institutions are in to fight corruption but are failed by the lack of government will. He said there are many loopholes existing in the system that pave way for those walking the corridors of power to become corrupt overnight and pass on their tricks to others. The awarding of contracts for instance, and the taking of kickbacks is a real avenue for corruption and it is difficult to find the person giving the bribe but you can find an agent taking the bribe which complicates the fight against corruption, said Mr Wamanga. The Bi-annual Inspectorate of Government Performance report says further that a total of 312 cases were referred to other agencies for further handling whereas 4,817 cases were still under investigation by the end of the reporting period in December last year. The report says that the institution received 1,399 new cases received in the period under review and that of these abuse of office topped with 284 cases, followed by corruption (187), embezzlement (107), misappropriation (99), forgery (79) and audit queries (54). The report adds that influence peddling was the least reported case with only one complaint, followed by causing financial loss, and extortions with 12 complaints each. The report notes that there were 108 mismanagement cases, 172 of non-payment, 45 of victimisation, 36 of property disputes, 28 of delayed service delivery, 20 related to tenders and contracts, and nine of irregular staff recruitment. Regarding enforcing the Leadership Code Act, the IGG said she is investigating one case of illicit enrichment. Those arrested The report says that key among those who were arrested and charged in the Anti-Corruption Court include three senior officials in the Ministry of Local Government namely; Mr Wilberforce Turyahabwa the principal systems analyst, Mr Patrick Mutabwire, the director of Local Government Administration and Mr Jackson Wamwa, a senior analyst. Mr Turyahabwa was arrested for alleged embezzlement, Mr Mutabwire for alleged diversion of funds and abuse of office while Mr Wamwa was accused of conspiracy to defraud the government. Others are Ms Madinah Nabukeera, the registrar of titles in the Ministry of Lands, who was arrested on charges of abuse of office, Mr Wilberforce Turyahikayo, a senior assistant registrar of Kaymbogo University, Mr George Lubega Matovu, the national resource manager in National Environment Management Authority and Mr Phillip Kyahurwa, a senior assistant town clerk of Hoima Municipal Council. Convictions According to the report, the IGG secured 11 convictions and punishments handed to corrupt officials by the Anti-Corruption Court. Some of the convicts were sentenced to jail whereas others were ordered to refund the money they had stolen. These prosecutions resulted into 11 convictions (73.3% conviction rate), two acquittals, one withdrawal and two dismissed, the IGG states in the report. Cases under prosecution By December 31, 2017, the IGG was still prosecuting 53 corruption related-cases in the Anti-Corruption Court and 36 in the Court of Appeal. Key among the cases that were in court by end of year was that of former Works and Transport Minister, Mr Abraham Byandala who has since been acquitted of abuse of office, causing financial loss, theft, influence peddling, disobedience of lawful orders, corruption, uttering false documents and obtaining execution of a security by false presence. All the charges were in relation to the controversial Mukono-Katosi road construction. The report further states that the IGG raised more than Shs15b, especially from court fines, awards, orders and recovered Shs267m from officials in government ministries, departments and agencies and Local Governments through administrative sanctions and the money was returned to the Consolidated Fund account. Related Monday afternoon President Donald Trump addressed the members of the International Association of Chiefs of Police at their annual conference in Orlando, FL. I was sitting in the overflow room watching the speech on video and here are my impressions. Trump is not a skilled orator. His speeches are partly prepared statement, partly off-the-cuff remarks, and partly campaign rallies. One thing you can definitely say about the president is that he is not afraid to spark controversy. During his Orlando remarks he suggested stop and frisk as the solution to the murders that have plagued Chicago for much of this decade. He said the police tactic helped transform New York City into "the safest major city in the country." A federal judge ruled that the tactic was discriminatory as practiced by the NYPD in 2013, and Mayor Bill de Blasio dropped the city's appeal of that decision in 2014. Still, Trump believes it works. The audience at IACP did not display support or rejection of the idea. The national press led many of its reports from the speech with Trump's support for stop and frisk. Trump also said his administration opposed the new consent decree reforming the Chicago PD, and he blamed earlier reform agreements between the ACLU and the city for handcuffing the police and allowing the violent crime rate to soar. Trump said he wants the crime problem in Chicago straightened out, and added if the city will accept our help and let its officers do their jobs, "We'll straighten it out fast." On Tuesday Attorney General Jeff Sessions expressed opposition to the Chicago PD's consent decree. He wrote in part: Chicagos agreement with the ACLU in late 2015 dramatically undercut proactive policing in the city with homicides increasing more than 57% the very next year. Now the citys leaders are seeking to enter into another agreement. It is imperative that the city not repeat the mistakes of the past the safety of Chicago depends on it. Accordingly, at the end of this week, the Justice Department will file a statement of interest opposing the proposed consent decree. It is critical that Chicago get this right. Trump praised new Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. As he started to mention the judge, the audience cheered, one of its loudest responses during the 35-minute address, and it cheered again as he said the judge's name. Trump noted the audience's approval. "I told Brett it would be a piece of cake to get him confirmed," Trump joked. He praised the judge, slammed the Democrats who opposed the nomination, and thanked the Republican senators who helped get it approved. "It was very unfair what happened to him," Trump said. The president also discussed crime statistics nationwide. He said there "was a historic surge in violent crime before I took office. We are now turning that tide and taking back our streets." Surely, his opponents will dispute Trump's statistics. But they might actually agree with him on some of his ideas about reducing America's crime problem. He said his administration is working with Congress on a comprehensive prison reform bill, and he said the best way to prevent people, especially non-violent offenders, from reoffending was to give them the opportunity to work and earn a living. Accordingly, he touted the nation's drop in unemployment as a crime-fighting tool. It was an interesting show of mercy toward criminals from a man who is often painted as cruel. That mercy does not extend to cop killers. As he does often when he speaks to law enforcement officers, Trump called for capital punishment for criminals who murder officers. Calling the murder of an officer "a wound inflicted on our entire nation," the president said he wanted convicted cop killers to be executed as rapidly as possible. Officer safety was the focus of a significant portion of the president's IACP speech. He said that every nine minutes in America an officer is assaulted. Then he talked about the incident in Florence, SC, that killed one law enforcement officer and wounded six others. He said: "We pray for the loved ones of Officer Terrence Carraway (who was killed in the incident) and for the six wounded officers and their loved ones." Trump talked about measures his administration has taken to give officers the tools to enhance their safety and public safety. He specifically said he was a big supporter of the Pentagon's 1033 Program, which helps law enforcement agencies acquire military surplus. (An armored vehicle, reportedly acquired from the military, helped save the six wounded officers during the Florence incident.) Trump slammed the Obama administration for restricting law enforcement's acquisition of military surplus equipment based on concerns of militarization. He called that "a very strange reason" for keeping life-saving equipment away from officers. "People are shooting at you and some people are worried about how you look," Trump said. He added that military surplus was used to rescue 9,000 people during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey last year. Police safety was a major focus of Trump's address, as was public safety. He talked about the opioid crisis. And he said he was authorizing an additional $42.4 million in funding for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program to be spent of grants for programs to address the opioid issue. He also said he wanted increased sentences for people convicted of drug trafficking, and he praised the role of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Border Patrol in interdicting drugs. Saying that ICE needed our support, he called attacks on the agency and calls to abolish it "shameless." Trump praised the officers nominated for the 2018 IACP/Target Officer of the Year award, and he called them individually up on the stage after telling the audience about each of the heroic actions that led to their being considered for the honor. * Officer Taylor S. Rust of the Plano (TX) Police Department saved the lives of four civilians when responding to shots fired in a residential neighborhood. * Patrol Officer Mark A. Dallas of the Dixon (IL) Police Department stopped an active shooter in a high school before the suspect could harm any of the students. He was named the IACP/Target Officer of the Year. * Washington State Patrol Trooper Nathaniel Dawson's 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 (FL) 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. Trump expressed much gratitude to Sergeant Celis for his actions protecting his employees and resort guests. In fact, Trump expressed much gratitude to all American officers and their loved ones. "You don't hear it from the media, but the people of America love you," he said. "I love you. Closing he said his administration would always back law enforcement. "God bless you. God bless your families. God bless America." The Los Angeles Police Department posted a picture of Molly on Facebook with the caption, "Hi. My name is 'Molly' and Im a bloodhound for the LAPD. Today they called me to the scene of a missing 9 year old girl." Image courtesy of LAPD / Facebook. The Los Angeles Police Department got a big assist from K-9 "Molly" as they searched for a missing nine-year-old girl. The department posted a picture of Molly on Facebook with the caption, "Hi. My name is 'Molly' and Im a bloodhound for the LAPD. Today they called me to the scene of a missing 9 year old girl." The post continued, "I used my scent tracking skills to find her and shess back home now. I hope your day at work was as rewarding as mine." The president of the union representing officers who work for the Minneapolis (MN) Police Department strongly disagrees with a decision by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to install so-called "Know-Your-ICE-Rights" placards on all MPD squad cars. In both English and Spanish, the placards will state that immigrants can choose not to speak to immigration officials, according to NBC News. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said on Facebook, "All MPD squad cars will now be outfitted with placards that explain your rights as they pertain to ICE and immigration status. We will not let a lack of compassion at the highest levels of government for our immigrant communities go unanswered in Minneapolis. According to NBC News, Frey also said that the placards "will make it clear that you dont have to answer questions about where you were born, your immigration status, whether you are a citizen and that you have the right to remain silent." Lieutenant Bob Krollwho heads the police unionsaid in a statement, "Its simply insane. Thankfully we are less than four weeks from elections and we can possibly begin to restore the safety of our citizens with help at the state level." An officer with the Atlantic City (NJ) Police Department has been arrested in connection with a June 2013 arrest that left a Linwood man with 200 stitches from wounds suffered from his K-9 partner. During the incident, David Castellaniat the time 20 years oldhad reportedly been leaving the Tropicana casino and was approaching a group of officers, according to NJ.com. After a confrontation, officers subdued Castellani and "had one hand in handcuffs" according to reports. It was at this time that Sterling Wheaten and his K-9 partner arrived. Wheaten released the dog, and the animal proceeded to "maul" the back of Castellani's head. In 2017, a civil jury awarded Castellani $3 million in damages. Lou BarboneWheaten's attorneytold Breaking AC, "Sterling's done nothing but serve his community for the past 10 years." Union County (TN) Sheriff's bloodhound Josey died suddenly over the weekend. She was trained to track suspects and detect human remains. (Photo: WBIR screen shot) Union County (TN) Sheriff's Office K-9 Josey, a 7-year-old bloodhound, was found unresponsive Sunday by her handler. They rushed her to the UT College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville, but vets were unable to revive her. They believe she died of a previously undetected medical condition. "She was one of those once in a lifetime dogs that taught you so much," said K-9 Deputy Marvin Carter. His wife, K-9 Deputy Missy Carter, was Josey's handler. In addition to their work with the Union County Sheriff's Office, the two work together to train search and rescue dogs and assist other counties when needed. Josey was trained to track and also to find human remains, WBIR TV reports. Josey was great with kids, said Carter, and visited a lot of school and community groups and events. Gas supply: Hungary to ink solidariy deals with neighbours Portfolio Save article Share Hungarian Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban has mandated the Minister for Innovation and Technology to sign agreements on solidarity mechanisms of bilateral natural gas supply. According to the Official Gazette, the agreements would be signed between the governments of Hungary, Croatia, Austria, Romania and Slovakia. The bilateral agreements are to be signed on proposals by the Minister for Innovation and Technology and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Minister for Innovation and Technology is to assign the staff to partake in the negotiations and he will be the one signing the drafts that come out of the talks. PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Reuters released its fourth annual ranking of the world's most innovative universities, compiled in partnership with Clarivate Analytics. The fourth annual list is based on empirical data including patent filings from Derwent Innovation and research paper citations from the Web of Science to identify the educational institutions most successful in advancing science, inventing new technologies, and powering new markets and industries. North American universities continue to dominate the Reuters' ranking with 48 universities featuring in the top 100 - 46 in the USA and two from Canada. Once again, Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University take the top three spots. Contributing to Stanford's solid foothold at number one is a steady stream of patents and research which are frequently cited by other academics and industrial firms around the world. Recent Stanford research highlights include several developments in the field of artificial intelligence, including a next generation of camera systems to guide self-driving cars and simulators that can predict potential drug interactions before new pharmaceuticals are ever tested on humans. European universities take 27 places on the list, the highest ranked of which is Belgium's KU Leuven ranked #7, followed by Imperial College London (#8). Asia follows closely, with 23 universities, headed by Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), at #11 and Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) at #13. Germany and Japan are tied for second best-performing country, with nine universities each. South Korea has eight universities on the list; China, France and the United Kingdom each have 5; Switzerland has 3; Belgium, Canada, Israel and the Netherlands have 2, and Denmark and Singapore each have 1. Regionally, Asia has 23 institutions on the list, the Middle East has two. There are no universities in the top 100 located in Africa, South America or Oceania. The University of Manchester, UK showed the biggest improvement in rank surging 27 places in comparison to its showing in 2017. One explanation for this rapid rise is the University's world-leading research on graphene. The University is home to the UK's National Graphene Institute, as well as graphene pioneers and 2010 Nobel Prize recipients in Physics Sir Andre Geim and Sir Konstantin Novoselov. Patents relating to graphene account for about a quarter of all filings from the University over the six-year period surveyed (2011 - 2016). The full list: 1 Stanford University USA 2 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) USA 3 Harvard University USA 4 University of Pennsylvania USA 5 University of Washington USA 6 University of Texas System USA 7 KU Leuven Belgium 8 Imperial College London United Kingdom 9 University of North Carolina Chapel Hill USA 10 Vanderbilt University USA 11 Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) South Korea 12 Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne Switzerland 13 Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) South Korea 14 University of California System USA 15 University of Southern California USA 16 Cornell University USA 17 Duke University USA 18 University of Cambridge United Kingdom 19 Johns Hopkins University USA 20 University of Tokyo Japan 21 California Institute of Technology USA 22 Osaka University Japan 23 University of Michigan System USA 24 Northwestern University USA 25 University of Wisconsin System USA 26 Kyoto University Japan 27 University of Minnesota System USA 28 University of Illinois System USA 29 Georgia Institute of Technology USA 30 University of Utah USA 31 University of Erlangen Nuremberg Germany 32 Ohio State University USA 33 Columbia University USA 34 Seoul National University South Korea 35 University of Toronto Canada 36 Tohoku University Japan 37 University of Pittsburgh USA 38 Yale University USA 39 Sungkyunkwan University South Korea 40 University of Oxford United Kingdom 41 University of Colorado System USA 42 Tufts University USA 43 Baylor College of Medicine USA 44 Tsinghua University China 45 Technical University of Munich Germany 46 Kyushu University Japan 47 Tokyo Institute of Technology Japan 48 University College London United Kingdom 49 ETH Zurich Switzerland 50 Purdue University System USA 51 University of Chicago USA 52 Oregon Health & Science University USA 53 University of Manchester United Kingdom 54 Indiana University System USA 55 Universite de Montpellier France 56 University of Munich Germany 57 Technical University of Denmark Denmark 58 Emory University USA 59 Peking University China 60 Sorbonne University France 61 University of British Columbia Canada 62 Delft University of Technology Netherlands 63 National University of Singapore Singapore 64 Princeton University USA 65 University of Zurich Switzerland 66 Hanyang University South Korea 67 Case Western Reserve University USA 68 Yonsei University South Korea 69 Rutgers State University New Brunswick USA 70 Boston University USA 71 University of Massachusetts System USA 72 Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz Germany 73 Wake Forest University USA 74 Keio University Japan 75 Korea University South Korea 76 University of Florida USA 77 Leiden University Netherlands 78 University of Paris Descartes - Paris V France 79 Hebrew University of Jerusalem Israel 80 University of Cincinnati USA 81 University of Freiburg Germany 82 Ruprecht Karl University Heidelberg Germany 83 State University of New York (SUNY) System USA 84 University of Claude Bernard - Lyon 1 France 85 University of Virginia USA 86 Dresden University of Technology Germany 87 University of Iowa USA 88 Ghent University Belgium 89 Shanghai Jiao Tong University China 90 Hokkaido University Japan 91 Tel Aviv University Israel 92 Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Germany 93 Zhejiang University China 94 Fudan University China 95 University of Miami USA 96 Arizona State University USA 97 University of Paris Sud - Paris XI France 98 Gwangju Institute of Science & Technology South Korea 99 Nagoya University Japan 100 Free University of Berlin Germany How #Clarivatedata powers the #ReutersRankings Clarivate Analytics is the leading global data provider and the number one choice for many prestigious ranking organizations. With our highly curated datasets, we provide the most trusted and unique data to make these rankings possible. Our information and research analytics tools are relied upon by more than 20 million users and have been selected by the world's most influential ranking organizations such as the Academic Ranking of the World Universities (also known as Shanghai Rankings), CWTS Leiden Ranking, U.S. News Global University Rankings, U-Multirank European Ranking, University Ranking by Academic Performance URAP (Turkey), I-UGR Rankings (Spain), National Taiwan University Rankings, among many others. Web of Science is the largest publisher-neutral citation index, powering global discovery and citation analytics across the sciences, social sciences and art & humanities. With more than 1.4 billion cited references going back to 1900 and millions of users per dayfrom top government and academic institutions and research-intensive corporationsthe Web of Science citation network serves as the foundation for the Journal Impact Factor, InCites, and other powerful and trusted citation-impact metrics. Clarivate Analytics attaches special significance to the quality of data indexed in the Web of Science. Derwent Innovation, the flagship patent research platform from Clarivate Analytics, provides access to the most trusted global patent data and scientific literature with powerful capabilities to perform analysis and collaborate efficiently. Powered by the Derwent World Patents Index, Derwent Innovation provides users with the most comprehensive patent solution offering editorially enhanced, authoritative and accurate patent data covering more than 50 patent-issuing authorities. For more on the Reuters Top 100: Europe's Most Innovative Universities, including a detailed methodology and profiles of the universities, visit https://www.reuters.com/innovative-universities-2018 About 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 . About Clarivate Analytics: Clarivate Analytics is the global leader in providing trusted insights and analytics to accelerate the pace of innovation. Building on a heritage going back more than a century and a half, we have built some of the most trusted brands across the innovation lifecycle, including Web of Science, Cortellis, Derwent, CompuMark, MarkMonitor and Techstreet. Today, Clarivate Analytics is a new and independent company on a bold entrepreneurial mission to help our clients radically reduce the time from new ideas to life-changing innovations. For more information, please visit clarivate.com. Related Links http://www.thomsonreuters.com SOURCE Clarivate Christine Ashimwe, Founder of Rwanda Clot Awareness Network, Receives Prestigious Award for Thrombosis Advocacy Achievements CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) today announced that Christine Ashimwe from Kigali, Rwanda, has been named the World Thrombosis Day 2018 Thrombosis Ambassador of the Year. This prestigious recognition highlights Ashimwe's drive to achieve the campaign's mission of shining a global spotlight on the condition of thrombosis. It also showcases her ability to motivate others within thrombosis advocacy programs in Rwanda and around the world through innovative approaches to raise awareness and accomplish advocacy goals. The ISTH launched the World Thrombosis Day Ambassador of the Year program to recognize a passionate ambassador who is dedicated to building awareness about thrombosis, also known as blood clots, in his/her community, region, country, and/or globally in an effort to save lives. Ashimwe was selected following a competitive review process of more than 120 global nominations. "We are honored to recognize Christine Ashimwe as the campaign's first-ever Thrombosis Ambassador of the Year," said Gary Raskob, PhD, Chair, World Thrombosis Day Steering Committee. "Christine's personal experience as a thrombosis survivor, coupled with her passion for helping others, is integral to her role as the World Thrombosis Day 2018 Ambassador of the Year, and her dedication to helping others inspires us." Ashimwe is the Founder and Executive Director of the Rwanda Clot Awareness Network, an organization of 100 patients, advocates, researchers and healthcare professionals in Rwanda dedicated to increasing public awareness and education about thrombosis. Ashimwe was inspired to start the Rwanda Clot Awareness Network after personally suffering a venous thromboembolism (VTE) in 2015, followed by multiple recurring blood clots. "I knew nothing about blood clots prior to my diagnosis, which is why I am so passionate about educating others about the risk factors, signs and symptoms of the condition," Ashimwe said. "I am proud to serve as the World Thrombosis Day 2018 Ambassador of the Year and look forward to leveraging this platform to expand awareness and share my story to inspire and motivate others." In recognition of her role as the 2018 Thrombosis Ambassador of the Year, Ashimwe will serve as a panelist during the World Thrombosis Day session at the ISTH 2019 Congress in Melbourne, Australia. Additionally, the ISTH will make a donation of $5,000 USD to the Rwanda Clot Awareness Network. To learn more about World Thrombosis Day, visit www.worldthrombosisday.org. About World Thrombosis Day Launched in 2014 and held annually on 13 October, World Thrombosis Day (WTD) aims to increase public, healthcare professional and health care systems' awareness of thrombosis and, ultimately, to reduce deaths and disabilities from thromboembolic disease through a greater awareness of its causes, risk factors, signs and symptoms, and evidence-based prevention and treatment. WTD's mission supports the World Health Assembly's global target of reducing premature deaths by non-communicable disease by 25 percent by 2025, as well as the WHO global action plan for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in the 2013-2020 timeframe. Visit www.worldthrombosisday.org for more information and to get involved. About the ISTH Founded in 1969, the ISTH is the leading worldwide not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of thrombotic and bleeding disorders. ISTH is an international professional membership organization with more than 5,000 clinicians, researchers and educators working together to improve the lives of patients in more than 98 countries around the world. Among its highly regarded activities and initiatives are education and standardization programs, research activities, meetings and congresses, peer-reviewed publications, expert committees and World Thrombosis Day on 13 October. Visit ISTH online at www.isth.org. Related Links http://www.isth.org SOURCE International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Health and Prevention wins the Outstanding ICT Achievement Awards, as well as the second finalist place for two exceptional projects RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Elsevier, the information analytics business specializing in science and health, and HIMSS Middle East have announced the winner of the fourth Middle East HIMSS-Elsevier Digital Healthcare Award 2018. The award recognizes outstanding achievements and innovations globally in the usage of health information technology. This year saw an increase in submissions from last year's edition, which was held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In total, 18 submissions from across Bahrain, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). All project submitters demonstrated how their digital solutions has contributed to enhancements that have helped better the quality of patient care. The winner, finalists and their projects are: Winner: "Universal Newborn Critical Congenital Heart Disorders (CCHD) Screening in MOHAP Maternity Hospitals" project, from the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, standardized the CCHD screening ideals to ensure all babies are tested positive after screening, and to receive critical interventions in a timely and safe manner. "Universal Newborn Critical Congenital Heart Disorders (CCHD) Screening in MOHAP Maternity Hospitals" project, from the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, standardized the CCHD screening ideals to ensure all babies are tested positive after screening, and to receive critical interventions in a timely and safe manner. First Finalist: "Tele ICU & Command and Control Center" project, from Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group in Saudi Arabia allowed off-site intensivists and/or critical care nurses to assist in the treatment of critically ill patients "Tele ICU & Command and Control Center" project, from Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group in allowed off-site intensivists and/or critical care nurses to assist in the treatment of critically ill patients Second Finalist: "Thalassemia Electronic Integrated Clinical Pathway (TEICP)" project, also from the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention was developed for the care of patients with Thalassemia disease. The TEICP module helped to decrease patient waiting time, decrease physician and nurse assessment time, and ensure quality patient monitoring. "Healthcare in the Middle East is constantly changing. Providers are continually re-invigorating the sector with innovations, helping to achieve better outcomes for patients. Elsevier, with its focus on delivering evidence-based information through technology, is proud to partner with HIMSS to recognize and support these key initiatives," said Tim Hawkins, Managing Director, Clinical Solutions in EMEALA and APAC for Elsevier. "We would like to thank all award nominees for their hugely impressive submissions and congratulate the winner and finalists of 2018's HIMSS-Elsevier Middle East Digital Healthcare Awards." Director of Hospitals Department at the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, Dr.Kalthoom Al Blooshi, submitted two projects which made it to the final. The "Universal Newborn Critical Congenital Heart Disorders (CCHD) Screening in MOHAP Maternity Hospitals" project, ensuring all babies born at MOHAP hospitals receive CCHD screening & critical interventions are received in a timely and safe manner, was the winning project. The "Thalassemia Electronic Integrated Clinical Pathway (TEICP)" project, which was the second finalist, was developed for the care of patients with Thalassemia disease. Al Blooshi said: "It is an absolute privilege to receive the winning and second finalist HIMSS-Elsevier Awards. The CCHD screening ensures all babies who tested positive get proper intervention in a timely manner and the TEICP module helps decrease patient waiting time, improve patient care through an evidence based thalassemia care plan, and reduce cost. Both solutions projects are aligned with UAE vision to become world class health care system by 2021 & have proven to be effective in improving patient care, and, on behalf of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, we are honored to be recognized for these efforts." The "Tele ICU & Command and Control Center" project achieved the first finalist award and was submitted by the Head of Application Development at the Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Abdulelah Almayman CIO. Dr. Sulaiman al habib. Mr. Abdulelah Almayman CIO. Dr. Sulaiman al habib said: "Enabling nurses and other healthcare professionals to assist in the treatment of critically ill patients outside hospital walls is essential and will be an important part of our digital health systems in the future. This is the essence of our Tele ICU & Command and Control Center. We are grateful to HIMSS and Elsevier for providing us with the opportunity to share our success story across the globe." The judges for this year's award consisted of a distinguished panel of leading healthcare professionals: Mariam Almutairi , Takween Tech, KSA , Takween Tech, KSA Dr. Osama ElHassan , Head of eHealth, Dubai Health Authority, UAE , Head of eHealth, Dubai Health Authority, UAE John Daniels , Global Vice President, HIMSS Analytics, USA , Global Vice President, HIMSS Analytics, Tim Morris , Product & Partnership Director, Elsevier EMEALA/APAC John Daniels, Global Vice President for HIMSS Analytics, said: "We are proud to recognize and support the many projects and submissions we received from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Region, which have proven to genuinely drive benefits for clinicians and patients alike. On behalf of HIMSS, I'd like to congratulation the winner, finalists and everyone participating in 2018. We look forward to growing the initiative in the years to come." The winner and finalists were revealed during the ceremony at the HIMSS Saudi Arabia Conference and Exhibition 2018. The first day of the conference was followed by a HIMSS-Elsevier gala dinner to celebrate this year's success. About HIMSS HIMSS is a global advisor and thought leader supporting the transformation of health through information and technology. As a mission driven non-profit, HIMSS offers a unique depth and breadth of expertise in health innovation, public policy, workforce development, research and analytics to advise global leaders, stakeholders and influencers on best practices in health information and technology. Through our innovation companies, HIMSS delivers key insights, education and engaging events to healthcare providers, governments and market suppliers, ensuring they have the right information at the point of decision. As an association, HIMSS encompasses more than 72,000 individual members and 630 corporate members. We partner with hundreds of providers, academic institutions and health services organizations on strategic initiatives that leverage innovative information and technology. Together, we work to improve health, access and the quality and cost-effectiveness of healthcare. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, HIMSS serves the global health information and technology communities with focused operations across North America, Europe, United Kingdom, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. www.himssme.org 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. www.elsevier.com SOURCE HIMSS Middle East VANCOUVER, British Columbia, October 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. MYM Nutraceuticals Inc. ("MYM" or the "Company") (CSE: MYM) (MYM.CN) (FRANKFURT: 0MY) (OTCMKTS: MYMMF) is pleased to announce that it has filed a final short form base shelf prospectus (the "Base Shelf Prospectus") with the securities commissions in each of the Provinces of Canada, other than Quebec. The shelf prospectus filings allow MYM to make offerings of common shares, warrants, subscription receipts, units or debt securities, or a combination thereof, up to an aggregate total of Cdn$50 million during the 25-month period that the Base Shelf Prospectus remains effective. Such securities may be offered in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined based on market conditions at the time of sale and set forth in one or more shelf prospectus supplement(s). Information regarding the use of proceeds from a sale of such securities will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement. This news release shall not in any circumstances constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the applicable securities laws of any jurisdiction. A copy of the Base Shelf Prospectus can be found on SEDAR website at http://www.sedar.com . About MYM Nutraceuticals Inc. MYM Nutraceuticals Inc. is an innovative company focused on acquiring Health Canada licenses to produce and sell high-end organic medicinal cannabis supplements and topical products. MYM is a shareholder in two production projects in Quebec that when completed will have over 1.5 million sf of production space. MYM is also a shareholder in a 1.2 million sf production project (Northern Rivers Project) in New South Wales, Australia. Australia is an exciting new market that has recently legalized medicinal cannabis. To ensure a strong presence and growth potential within the industry, MYM is actively looking to acquire complementary businesses and assets in the technology, nutraceuticals and CBD sectors. MYM shares trade in Canada, Germany and the USA under the following symbols: (CSE:MYM) (OTC:MYMMF) (FRA:0MY) (DEU:0MY) (MUN:0MY) (STU:0MY). On behalf of the Board of Directors "Erick Factor" Executive Chairman Investor Relations investors@mym.ca FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE or CNSX Markets), nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the CSE), accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain statements ("forward-looking statements") in this news release may contain forward-looking information concerning the Base Shelf Prospectus, any potential prospectus supplement and the amount and terms of any securities to be offered under the Base Shelf Prospectus or any shelf prospectus supplements, plans related to the Company's business, the anticipated production capacity of the Company's projects and other matters that may occur in the future, made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks related to regulatory approval of the Base Shelf Prospectus and shelf prospectus supplement filings, MYM's ability to raise additional capital, the Company's use of proceeds, and the Company's ability to complete its projects as anticipated. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions that management believes are reasonable at the time they are made. In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, the assumption that regulatory approval of the Base Shelf Prospectus and any shelf prospectus filings and related offerings will be obtained in a timely fashion, that the Company will be able to raise additional capital and the use thereof will proceed as planned, and the Company will be able to complete production projects as anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein in the United States. The securities described herein have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities law and may not be offered or sold in the "United States", as such term is defined in Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act, unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. Terry Brown +1-855-696-2261 terry.brown@mym.ca SOURCE MYM Nutraceuticals Inc. LONDON, October 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- UK's status as an innovation leader in InsurTech (insurance technology) was underlined today by the inclusion of 20 UK-based companies in the InsurTech 100, a list of innovative companies that every leader in the insurance industry needs to know about in 2019. The 100 companies were chosen by a panel of analysts and industry experts who reviewed an analysis of thousands of InsurTech companies that was conducted by FinTech Global, a specialist research firm. Selected companies were recognized for their innovative use of technology to solve a significant industry problem or to generate cost savings or efficiency improvements across the insurance value chain. "The most successful of these companies will a have huge impact on the insurance industry, which could potentially be measured in billions of pounds," said Richard Sachar, a director of FinTech Global. "It's essential that established insurance companies are aware of which innovative companies are leveraging new technologies to disrupt the traditional insurance models. They need to identify prospective competitors or future partners," he added. Among UK's leading InsurTech companies are the following: By Miles: offers flexible pay-per-mile car insurance for low mileage drivers, plus a flat annual fee to cover their car, targeting those driving less than 7,000 miles per year. Canopy: offers a solution to landlords and renters called Deposit Free, which eliminates the need for expensive security deposits by providing insurance against rent arrears and damage. Digital Risks: provides a range of commercial insurance products, such as professional indemnity and office insurance, designed to meet the evolving needs of technology and media businesses. Homelyfe: launched a B2B platform, Aventus, which enables incumbents to create a modern, mobile-first insurance experience that consumers expect in the digital age. Spixii: provides end-to-end integrated insurance chatbot solutions to automate insurance services from distribution to claims. The Floow: a telematics provider, using cutting edge-technology and innovations in social science, to deliver solutions to insurers, auto manufacturers and fleet operators ThingCo: provides telematics technology which can be used to provide personalised driving scores, access to cheap motor insurance and a better experience if they have a claim. Waggel: a pet insurance platform where policyholders are like members; paying a subscription rather than a premium. A full list of the InsurTech 100 and a summary description of each company can be downloaded for free from the website: http://www.TheInsurTech100.com. SOURCE FinTech Global The SWAN North American Alliance webinar hosted by Frost & Sullivan will highlight how progressive utilities are leveraging multiple systems and data points to optimize service delivery SANTA CLARA, California, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Join the Energy & Environment team at Frost & Sullivan as it hosts the SWAN North American Alliance for a live, complimentary briefing, Uncovering Canada's Smart Water Solutions, on Monday, October 22, at 2:00 PM CT. Seth Cutler, Principal Consultant at Frost & Sullivan, will moderate the interactive briefing and will be joined by utility experts John Presta, Director of Environmental Services for the Regional Municipality of Durham, Gary Thompson, Water Supply Unit Area Supervisor for Process Operations & Maintenance for the City of Toronto, and Darrol Weiss, Control Systems Services Leader for the City of Calgary. To register for the complimentary webcast, please visit: http://frost.ly/2u2 Canadian utilities struggle with fiscal constraints, high customer service expectations, and disparate and aging networks, just like many other utilities globally. However, they have built a reputation for the progressive adoption of advanced technologies and solutions, including data-based smart water solutions. This puts Canadian water and wastewater utilities in a pivotal position to share knowledge and best practices for tackling local problems that deliver global lessons. Join this webinar to hear SWAN North American Alliance experts share essential tips to incorporate in Canada and how these ideas can be utilized globally. "The Canadian water and wastewater industries represent billions of dollars in spending capital and operational technologies and services," said Cutler. "Like other advanced utility industries, Canada has made the investment in smart water solutions a key current and future investment to deliver an improved financial, operational, and service outlook. This webinar will uncover key successes to better understand approaches in Canada and how these ideas can be exported around the world." Key takeaways of the webcast include: Understand how asset management information and internal and external data points are leveraged to deliver millions of dollars in savings annually Learn how utility companies transformed fiscal and operational challenges into strengths Improve the operating conditions and financial health of your service About Frost & Sullivan Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion For more information, visit ww2.frost.com or call +1 (877) 463-7678 Press Contact: Jaylon Brinkley Frost & Sullivan +1 (210) 247 2481 jaylon.brinkley@frost.com Related Links http://www.frost.com SOURCE Frost & Sullivan International expert say that there is a really high probability of crude oil starting another rally to test $100/b. After a major drop down to $40/b that started in 2014, crude oil has been continuously trying to regain the lost ground. Since then, the price has doubled. At this point, Brent oil costs $85/b. Yet, this is not the limit, or at least it seems so right now. Since the start of the year, the prices of Brent oil and WTI oil have gained 26% and 23% respectively. the market expects the prices to head for another major threshold in the near future, which is 100 dollars per barrel. What may be the reasons behind these brave expectations? The thing is that, the international market of crude oil seems to be suffering from a deficit caused by some oil production issues in Venezuela and Libya , as well as a new round of sanctions imposed by the USA on Iran. However, it's interesting to note that the OPEC and Russia are capable to make up for this deficit. the thing is, they seem to be reluctant to do so. Their standpoint is quite understandable since their budgets are heavily dependent on the income coming from their oil exports. Therefore, the higher the oil prices go, the more money they eventually gain when exporting their oil. Still, yesterday, the market started the morning session thin the red zone. Brent oil traded at $84,78/b against $86,5/b seen a couple of days before. Still, there is nothing new about the ups and downs in the international market of crude oil. Such minor fluctuations happen on a daily basis. So, the key focus is the longer-term perspective. At this point, international experts anticipate another rally up to $100/b by the end of 2018. Everything will eventually depend on the Iranian export of crude oil. Foreign exchange market Bitcoin Will Yield Its Leadership to Ethereum, Weiss Says Weiss Ratings, a provider of forecasts and reports on financial assets, including stocks ETFs, and cryptocurrencies, has recently released a controversial forecast. According to the agency, the world's number 1 cryptocurrency is eventually going to yield its leadership to Ethereum. For those of you who don't know, Bitcoin currently accounts for over 50% of the cryptocurrency market capitalization, almost 52%, to be more exact. In particular, they expect it to happen within the next 5 years. They call it flippening. So, the expect Bitcoin and Ethereum to change places. Why do they think Ethereum is going to take the lead? Weiss analysts claim that Bitcoin is just another one-trick pony while Ethereum is a powerful blockchain-based platform that is limited only by the programmer's imagination. It should be noted that Ethereum has a lot of rivals, which already have more features that Ethereum despite being relatively young and less popular. The list incudes: Cardano (ADA), NEM (XEM), and even EOS. Also, it's interesting to note that later on, Weiss Ratings changed their standpoint by saying that Ethereum was not necessarily going to dominate the market but it was definitely going to turn into a major decentralized set of various platforms targeting various needs. You are free to discuss this article here: forum for traders and investors Got a question? Ask it here VWAP Indicator. Usage Peculiarities. In order to get a competitive edge over others and simplify the process of reaching the trading goals, many traders take advantage of a number of helper tools like trading strategies and indicators. Today, we are going to take a closer look at the indicator named Value-Weighted Average Price (VWAP). What are the benefits of using it and why do they recommend using it? Read more Forex Consolidation. EUR/USD and GBP/USD The stock market has been ambitious in its attempt to eliminate September's retracement and take the "blue wave" into account but the forex market has been more conservative recently in terms of restoring risky bets. However, when it comes to the stock market, each and every scenario out there eventually boils down to the smart money, which cannot but affect the international currency market. Still, there are many questions to be answered yet, which makes it really difficult to make more or less clear predictions. Read more Tape Patterns Indicator Traders often use various kinds of technical indicators these days. The list can be rather long, from popular ones like RIS, MACD etc. to less popular ones like Tape Patterns. Read more Bitcoin's Getting Ready For a Strong Rally While Bitcoin could have been more volatile over the recent weeks, the king of cryptocurrencies stoped in the range between 10K and 11K dollars per coin. Do BTC miners know in which way the coin is going in the near future? Read more Bloomberg: Crypto Is Better Than Gold In 2020 According to the recent Bloomberg report, cryptocurrencies are way better than gold in terms of investments in 2020. Which is interesting, most cryptocurrencies have been growing much faster than gold this year. It's not a secret that gold is considered a safe-haven asset amid crises. Bloomberg Galaxy Crypto Index (BGCI) has gained 66% this year,while gold has gained only 20% over the same period. Read more Gold Prices Drop Below $1860/oz, Seeing A Major Downtrend On Thursday morning, the spot price of gold dropped roughly down to $1850/oz withing the scope of a strong downtrend started earlier this week, with a strong gap from the consolidation level. The key factors contributing to the price drop was the sudden strengthening of the U.S. Dollar. Read more Texas Authorities Spot New Crypto Scams The TSSB, which is the financial regulator of Texas, is reported to have revealed a couple of potential scams in the international market of cryptocurrencies. These are named Forex Birds and PEK Universe. From now on, both of these projects cannot work in Texas anymore. These projects were banned on September, 3rd. Read more Cryptocurrencies On Sale: ChainLink and TRON Go Down, Bitcoin Is Stable Wednesday's session is bringing a retracement in the market of digital assets, which is affecting the entire crypto market cap. Chainlink (LINK), TRON (TRX), and Tezos (XTZ) have been the biggest losers over the last 24 hours. They lost 9,7%, 8,7%, and 5,5% respectively. Bitcoins remains stable and one of the very few tokens among the top 20 that are still showing some gains, though modest ones. Read more What's Next For Bitcoin? Some analysts argue the future of Bitcoin, also known as the digital gold. Last week, the Winkelvoss brothers stated that the BTC price may skyrocket all the way up to 500.000 dollars per coin in the near future. This opinion is shared by Bloomberg analysts. But on the other hand, Bitcoin may see the opposite scenario, which is a major crash to make it as cheap as dirt. Read more 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: Russian Supreme Court rules to reconsider UAZ trademark decision flickr.com/Joe Gratz 10:59 11/10/2018 MOSCOW, October 11 (RAPSI) The Supreme Court has upheld a lower courts ruling ordering Russian intellectual property watchdog Rospatent to reconsider a motion filed by the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant seeking to recognize UAZ name as a commonly known trademark, the court ruling reads. The Supreme Court noted that a previous ruling of the Intellectual Property Courts (IP court) Presidium was lawful. According to the case documents, the company asked Rospatent to recognize UAZ as commonly know trademark and provided extensive number of historical and scientific data in support of its claim. However, the watchdog found that those documents were not evident of the fact that sufficiently large share of Russian automobile market is related to UAZ individualized products. The IP court ruled in favor of Rospatent, but the courts Presidium overturned that decision noting that a commonly known status of the trademark is not necessarily predicated on its intensive use. Ex-Russian anti-corruption official Zakharchenko applies to ECHR over asset forfeiture RIA Novosti, Mikhail Voskresensky 11:25 11/10/2018 MOSCOW, October 11 (RAPSI) - Ex-Russian anti-corruption official Dmitry Zakharchenko charged with taking bribes has filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) against forfeiture of assets belonging to him and his relatives to the State, his lawyer Alexander Gorbatenko has told RAPSI. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Russia dismissed Zakharchenkos appeal against seizure of more than 9 billion rubles (about $136 million at the current exchange rate) including 27 real estate objects in elite neighborhoods of Moscow, 4 high-priced cars, 8 billion rubles and a gold bar. Earlier, a court granted a lawsuit filed by the Prosecutor Generals Office and confiscated money and property belonging to Zakharachenko and his relatives. The ruling came into force in March. On July 12, the Investigative Committee reported transfer of 9 billion rubles to its bank accounts. Ex-Russian anti-corruption official Dmitry Zakharchenko is charged with corruption and hindering conduct of preliminary investigation. According to investigators, in 2014, Zakharchenko and his accomplice received $800,000 from a restaurant businessman. Initially, they demanded 5 million rubles ($75,000). In 2015, they allegedly demanded from that businessman a 50% discount card of his restaurants, and therefore the defendant saved over 3.5 million rubles during bill payment. Moreover, investigators claim that in 2016, he warned a familiar woman about forthcoming searches as part of a fraud case and organized taking of all documents and office equipment out to prevent their seizure. Zakharchenko was arrested on September 8, 2016, on suspicion of taking a 7-million-ruble (about $105,000) bribe. During searches at his sisters apartment law enforcement officers found around 9 billion rubles. He denied any relation to the seized funds. According to case papers, Viktor Zakharchenko, the father of ex-official, is charged with being an accessory to embezzlement. He also pleaded not guilty. Investigators seek to detain vice-president of aircraft corporation RIA Novosti, Maxim Blinov 14:59 11/10/2018 MOSCOW, October 11 (RAPSI) Investigators have asked the Basmanny District Court of Moscow to detain a vice-president on special-purpose aviation of the United Aircraft Corporation Sergey Gerasimov as part of a large-scale fraud case, the press-service of the court has told RAPSI. According to investigators, Gerasimov should be detained until December 9. He could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The United Aircraft Corporation was established in 2006 for the purpose of preservation and development of scientific and production potential of Russias aviation construction industry as ensuring the countrys safety. Today, the corporation is composed of about 30 entities with its activity being focused on the production of military goods for Russias Defense Ministry and foreign contractors. New Greatness activists to remain under house arrest until December 13 RIA Novosti, Igor Zarembo 15:35 11/10/2018 MOSCOW, October 11 (RAPSI) The Moscow City Court on Thursday upheld extension of house arrest for two activists of the New Greatness (Novoe Velichie) movement Anna Pavlikova and Maria Dubovik, the courts press service told RAPSI. They will stay under house arrest until December 13. On August 17, the Dorogomilovsky District Court of Moscow granted a motion by investigators to release Pavlikova and Dubovik from jail. The defendants were placed under house arrest. Earlier, the Supreme Court ordered the Moscow City Courts Presidium to review an appeal against controversial detention of Pavlikova. The court has received complaints from the cabinet of Russias Human Rights Commissioner and the defendants lawyer. Nine activists of the movement were arrested in March. Investigators stated that the defendants followed far-right ideas and that their leader claimed that he planned to establish a new order in Russia. The New Greatness case became a subject of public controversy because the defense has information that the movement itself was organized by a law enforcement officer. Chairman of the Presidential Council for Human Rights Mikhail Fedotov visited Pavlikova in a detention center and noted that she only recently turned 18 and has several chronic illnesses. In 2017, 60 million passengers flew between India and the UAE, the largest overseas air travel market from India. India has turned down the request of United Arab Emirates (UAE) for an increase in traffic rights and access to new destinations in the country. Civil aviation ministry officials held talks with their counterparts from the UAE in Mumbai on Wednesday and rejected the request, as the demand was opposed by domestic carriers. A ministry official said no increase has allowed in seat entitlements and no changes made in destinations. He added the two sides might meet again in February next year. In 2017, 60 million passengers flew between India and the UAE, the largest overseas air travel market from India. The UAE also accounted for 20 per cent of all international air traffic. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the largest overseas hubs for Indian travelers. India has separate air services agreements with Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Dubai had sought an increase of 50,000 seats per week (over the existing 65,000 seats) and access to three destinations, Coimbatore, Goa and Chandigarh. Sharjah wanted an increase of an additional 15,000 seats per week over the existing 18,000 seats, plus access to 12 extra destinations. The number of flights and weekly seats airlines offer are based on these agreements. Emirates is the third-largest airline on international routes to and from India, and accounts for about 9 per cent of all international traffic, while Etihad and Air Arabia have 4.3 per cent and 3 per cent share, respectively. Photograph: Rafael Marchante/Reuters As India reels from a severe water shortage, startups have begun offering innovative ways to help people access safe drinking water. Sneha Bhattacharjee reports. IMAGE: Residents struggle to fill empty containers with water from a municipal tanker in New Delhi, June 26, 2018. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters This year saw a city run out of water completely. It was one of the world's greatest tourist destinations, Cape Town. Government reports suggest India's per capita availability of water has been reducing progressively due to an increase in population and the country is facing water stress. To add to this, a report titled The state of the world's water by WaterAid says India has the lowest per capita access to clean drinking water -- close to 163 million Indians are said to be suffering from this scarcity. At the same time, the report adds that it is also one of the world's most-improved nations for reaching the most people with clean water. Further, it states the challenges faced by the country as: Falling groundwater levels, drought, demand from agriculture and industry, pollution and poor water resource management. Despite the government restructuring rural water programme with a goal to reach 90 per cent of rural households with piped water by 2022, the challenges will only intensify as 'climate change contributes to more extreme weather shocks'. "What we need currently is accountability of the existing resources and ensure that whatever is available to us is maintained well," says Dharmesh Shah, an independent researcher on environment from Chennai. On one of his research projects to an area in North Chennai, Shah came across people paying for using 20 litre jar bottles. "The groundwater has been left to no use because there has been constant deposition of garbage right above the source of water. In such a situation, the common man has no choice but to pay and use water," he adds. As the government data suggests India's average annual per capita water may reduce to 1,340 cubic meters in 2025 and 1,140 cubic meters in 2030, it is a welcome relief to see some organisations using natural resources, IOT (Internet of Things) to provide accessibility to safe and clean drinking water. Take the case of Hyderabad-based Uravu Labs. Co-founder Swapnil Shrivastava says they source water from "air" using solar energy. "A panel that can be installed on the rooftop that will attract water in the night, use sunlight through the day to heat it up, a condenser that will cool the water and then supply to the user through pipes," says Shrivastava. They are still four to six months away from their official launch but are hoping to tie up with the government and the NGOs and reach places and people who do not have access to clean drinking water and where the infrastructure is missing. IMAGE: A boy uses his mouth to pump water out from a municipal tanker to fill his containers in New Delhi. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters Bengaluru-based OCEO works on a "pay per use" model. "The water purifier is IOT enabled and is installed at the user's location. They can recharge or buy water credits online through mobile and web application," says Vikram Gulecha, one of the co-founders. This way, the user pays only for the purified water and there is no cost involved for machine and maintenance. "There is a zero capping on minimum consumption of water for the user. Though we have observed that 15 to 20 litres per day is consumed by a household, users can consume as many litres of water from the device without having to worry about its maintenance for a lifetime," adds Gulecha. Gurugram-based Swajal has water ATMs or shops across 15 states. Their idea has been to provide for accessibility in public places and small hamlets. Swajal started in 2011 for cluster of villages. The water ATMs come with solar pumps, and use locally available water. The machines are all self-run and have been programmed for self-cleaning too. "We have for every 30 machines, one technician available. Our machines are connected via IOT to our data centre in Delhi where we monitor their maintenance," says Vibha Tripathi, one of the founding partners, Swajal. This year, they are launching this project in areas where water quality is bad, and also teach people about water conservation and rainwater harvesting. "It may sound great but come to think of it, we have actually let go of our water resources to private players. A resource that is already diminishing," feels Shah. "At the end of the day, we are using environment to produce water; isn't it putting pressure on the environment further?" he says, adding instead the government should look at cleaning the already existing resources and ensure people have safe drinking water in their homes without paying for it. The Raj Bhavan/Nakkeeran Gopal case, in which editor R Gopal was arrested in the morning and set free by the court in the afternoon, is not the first one where the Tamil Nadus once-reputed police force is seen as faltering in the eye of the law, says N Sathiya Moorthy. IMAGE: Nakkeeran editor R Gopal being taken to court in Chennai on October 9, 2018. Photograph: / PTI Photo At a time when self-styled nationalist forces in the national level BJP, heading the Centre, have been talking about taking a major stride in Dravidian Tamil Nadu, there have been increasing attacks on constitutional and other governmental institutions meant to protect the law of the land. The more recent one pertains to Tuesdays arrest and release of Tamil magazine editor Nakkeeran Gopal, who became famous for his role in obtaining freedom for late Kannada matinee icon Rajkumar, when abducted by slain brigand Veerappan more than a decade ago. Gopal was arrested at the Chennai airport while clearing security check for boarding a flight to Pune, en route to the Sai Baba temple at Shirdi. The arrest followed complaints from the Raj Bhavan that Gopal had caused the publication of three articles over the past six months, insinuating Governor Banwarilal Purohit and the governors secretary, R Rajagopalan, IAS, in what is known at times as the Madurai University sex scam allegedly involving jailed college professor Nirmala Devi, who in turn, is being charged with facilitating meetings between scores of her girl students with higher-ups in the establishment. While the police cannot and should not ignore a formal, written complaint from the Raj Bhavan, it is anybodys guess who took the decision to arrest Gopal under the controversial Section 124 of the Penal Code. The section deals with assaulting President/governor with intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power. As it turned out, XIII metropolitan magistrate S Gopinathan had no hesitation in refusing judicial custody for Gopal and instead free him, saying that the police had not made out the case. In doing so, the magistrate sort of set an unlikely precedent for a lower court to seek the opinion of onlookers, in this case veteran journalist N Ram who was present in the court hall to express solidarity with Gopal. Some legal experts believe that with the magistrates order, the police might have escaped the wrath of the higher judiciary which Gopal, a veteran and successful litigant for freedom of expression would have moved, if he had been remanded. Gopal had obtained a favourable judicial order from the Supreme Court in the past, including one for the publication of the autobiography of serial-killer Auto Shankar, recorded when he was still in prison, facing trial, and later death sentence, which ultimately was carried out. In the present Raj Bhavan case, experts argue how a personal attack, however defamatory and however amounting to bringing down the dignity of the high gubernatorial office in the eyes of the public, might not tantamount to offence under Section 124. As they point out, whether under this section or any other(s), the prosecution might not have been able to avoid putting Purohit in the box if the defence had sought cross-examination. It is possibly in this context that Gopals counsel asked to know from the prosecution in the magistrates court if the complainant-official of the Raj Bhavan had received any written complaint from the governor before approaching the police. To avoid embarrassment to the high office, and protect the incumbent from constant harassment, the Constitution protects the President and governors from being sued and brought before the court of law. It would also look incongruous if the Head of State, under whose seal all arms of the Indian State function, be hauled up before courts of law or any executive or legislative institution, to respond to questions and be subjected to cross-questioning, in particular. However, it is unclear if the same protection is available if a governor chooses to initiate a legal process, culminating possibly in the offending party seeking to put him/her in the dock for cross-examination. In real terms, President V V Giri, when presented with the option of tendering evidence before the Supreme Court in the election case against him, waived the constitutional protection. He agreed to the courts reported suggestion that the Head of the State should not be seen standing before the honble justices like a common criminal or whatever. Hence, President Giri took a chair offered to him by the court. That Giri won the main case and continued as President is another matter unconnected with his court appearance. The Raj Bhavan/Nakkeeran Gopal case is not the first one where the Tamil Nadus once-reputed police force is seen as faltering in the eye of the law. Over the past months, the police arrested pan-Tamil activist, Thirumurugan Gandhi, founder of the May 17 Movement, originally fighting for the post-war Sri Lankan Tamil cause but expanded to cover everything pan-Tamil, nearer home in Tamil Nadu. The courts ordered/facilitated his freedom, the second time after a few weeks in prison, when he also complained of health issues and had to be hospitalised. In the first instance, however, the court ordered his instant freedom, as with the case of Nakkeeran Gopal. These are not the first cases of the kind in Tamil Nadu in recent times, where courts have found the police/prosecution, and the larger State apparatus, wanting. Some months ago, it was made known that nearly 20,000 contempt of case petitions were pending before the Madras high court, against state government officials, or the government as an institution, or both. On several occasions in recent years, the high court especially has summoned senior officials, including the chief secretary, director-general of police, and/or others, to explain their decisions, inactions or conduct. Independent of these are issues pertaining to the police foisting very serious cases against individuals and groups, without any serious thought being given to the preceding process of decision-making leading up to the police action. At the height of the Koodankulam anti-nuclear protests some years ago, the police filed sedition charge under Section 124-A of the IPC against a group of 3,000 unnamed protestors. Needless to say, the Jayalalithaa government of the time, which started off on the collision course with the protestors, soon withdrew all those cases. No serious effort was also known to have been made to effect even a minimum number of cases under such a serious section as 124-A. One of the two cases against Thirumurugan Gandhi was under Section 124-A, for making anti-national statements at overseas venue and in self-confessed meetings with foreign dignitaries. The issue pertained to the police firing on anti-Sterlite industrial protest in the southern coastal town of Thoothukudi, in which 13 persons were killed in May. Social activists and political parties opposed to the ruling AIADMK government of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, alleged harassment of Thoothukudi protest leaders, with the police branding them as Naxalites. Be it as it may, the police was involved also in removing local protestors, allegedly instigated by Naxalite ideologues from other parts of the state, against the eight-lane, Chennai-Salem green corridor. Leave aside the Rs 10,000-plus crore budgeted cost, and questions relating to the need for a new highway when there was already a six-lane highway connecting the two cities, the way the state government went about the land acquisition process with speed and alacrity for which it is not known otherwise, made newspaper headlines more than many others, especially after the anti-Sterlite protests and even more, the historic, state-wide pro-Jallikattu protests of January 2017. On each one of these issues, leave aside the police, the state administration as a whole was seen as being slow at the start and over-reacting when caught unawares! At the same time, critics of the state administration, especially of the ruling party, claim that the police was going slow in arresting BJP leader, H Raja and S Ve Shekar, the latter also a yesteryear film and stage personality, in respect of several cases pending against them in different police stations across the case. Critics, as also the judiciary, have also been pointing to the delays in action against the infamous gutka scam, allegedly involving state ministers and top police officials. The Opposition also point to the slow pace of action, if at all any, against state ministers and others against who central agencies, including the CBI, IT and ED, had found evidence through frequent raids -- and allege a political nexus. In the Raj Bhavan case, they point out, Governor Purohit should have gone to the police or the governments anti-graft DVAC wing, ordering detailed investigations into his public allegations of crores or rupees changing hands in university VC appointments before he began intervening as the chancellor, and not stopping with such public statements. In political terms, there is nothing to suggest that the Edappadi Palaniswami government is as weak as a section of the media, especially the social media, seeks to make it out to be. Even granting it is weak in political and legislative terms, the ruling AIADMKs much stronger government under the most charismatic and tough-talking female chief minister, the late, Jayalalithaa Jayaram, acted almost on the same route while dealing with public sentiments and consequent protests. Rather, what a strong government under a stronger leader could get away with, a perceived weak leadership is seemingly applying without proper application of mind. With the result, the state government is often seen as erring -- and is also erring -- in marshalling facts and evidence in critical cases, as against Thirumurugan Gandhi, and others and also look at all aspects, both political and legal, before taking decisions for the police and the rest of the administration to implement/enforce. On the one hand, despite some media reports speaking about the reported reactivation of Naxalites/Maoist groups in the state, no effective measure, legal or police action -- seems to have been taken to end the menace. In the Thirumurugan Gandhi case, when there was enough evidence that his website and Twitter may have provided, the police/prosecution could not build a cast-iron case against him. On the Jallikattu issue, the state government has failed to obtain from the single-member post-protests Justice S Rajeswaran Commission of Inquiry, headed by a retired judge of the Madras High Court, even an interim report, pertaining to the end-game violence, in which the police and the protestors, especially in Chennais famed Marina sands, blamed each other. If made available in time, an interim report on the subject, keeping the main report pending, could have helped the state government and the police to avoid or minimise the impact of the Thoothukudi violence and police firing in May this year. It is another matter that in more recent weeks, the Madras high court questioned the rationale of the state government appointing and continuing with the one-man Justice R Reghupathy commission of inquiry, set up purportedly to go into allegations of corruption against the predecessor DMK government of late chief minister M Karunanidhi. The court observed how Rs 400 cr was spent on a new building by the DMK government and also by the successor Jayalalithaa administration converting it into a super-speciality hospital. More importantly, the HC said how the commission had done precious little work over the past years, and how the government had already spent Rs 4.5 crore already. The government had little choice but to wind up the commission, just a couple of weeks back. N Sathiya Moorthy, veteran journalist and political analyst, is Director, Observer Research Foundation, Chennai Chapter. 'This is a high-stakes strategic conflict between a power which wants to preserve the status quo in its favour and one which wants to usurp that throne.' 'The rest is all theatre,' says Harsh V Pant. IMAGE: The body language says it all! Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, right, with United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the Diaoyutai state guesthouse in Beijing, October 8, 2018. Photograph: Andy Wong/Pool/Reuters It is a full-on trade war between two of the mightiest global powers and both sides are trying to play hardball. After imposing tariffs on $34 billion worth of Chinese goods in July, US President Donald J Trump ratcheted up the pressure by going in for another $16 billion worth last month and ordering his administration to prepare to collect tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese trade on top of that. China has responded with its own set of reciprocal sanctions on the US products. There is a possibility that the two sides are getting ready for talks but ahead of those talks, President Trump is planning to impose a fresh round of tariffs on Chinese products to increase pressure on Beijing. Mr Trump has long accused China of unfair trade practices such as subsidies, currency manipulation and, in particular, of stealing American intellectual property in the form of cutting-edge technology. Against this backdrop, Chinese President Xi Jinping's flagship 'Made in China 2025 initiative is viewed with suspicion as it is aimed at strengthening Chinese foothold in key industrial sectors, including pharmaceutical products, aircraft and robotics. This is reflected in the US trade representative's description of the initiative as part of a plan of 'seizing economic dominance of certain advanced technology sectors.' While one can view these developments as a function of President Trump's worldview, there is a wider shift happening in the US in so far as China is concerned. There is a fundamental re-evaluation of America's China policy going on at the moment with questions being raised about the nation's past posture. As a 2017 report from the US trade representative to the US Congress underscores: 'It seems clear that the United States erred in supporting China's entry into the WTO on terms that have proven to be ineffective in securing China's embrace of an open, market-oriented trade regime.' These concerns about China's economic behaviour are not America's alone. A number of other leading trade powers, including the European Union, share these concerns. The EU, for example, has been asking China to deal with its excess steel and aluminium capacity, and has even complained to the WTO about the theft of intellectual property and high-end technology. Foreign companies wanting to operate in China have to work with a Chinese partner in a way that means they can easily lose control of their technology. But the EU has refrained from unilaterally imposing additional trade barriers on China like the Trump administration. While China has responded with a tit-for-tat approach in retaliating against the US, the future will be difficult for Beijing because China imports much less from the US than it exports there. There have been reports about the growing criticism of Xi in China as the future economic prospects of the country look tough. Since the end of the Cold War, the American strategy vis-a-vis China was premised on the assumption that the more the US engages China, the faster China would become more like the US and emerge a responsible stakeholder in managing a global order set by the US and its allies after the end of the Second World War. But this strategy has a fatal flaw: Major powers react to their own set of structural incentives, they don't necessarily respond to the assumptions underpinning the policies of their competitors. The US policy critically underestimated the resolve of the Chinese Communist party to maintain its position in the nation's domestic politics and its will to global power. This will has been repeatedly manifest in the Chinese behaviour on issues from East and South China Seas to the Belt and Road Initiative and China's military build-up. Where in the beginning, Chinese leaders were cautious in challenging the US for global hegemony, there is now a real sense in Beijing of having arrived and it wants the global order to reflect its interests and values. This is well recognised in the US today. As compared to the past, there is now a greater awareness of how China has manipulated the international system to serve its agenda. And so the pushback on the economic front is the first major attempt to redirect US-China ties. In global relations, economic order rests on the political order. Under the garb of a trade war, this is a high-stakes strategic conflict between a power which wants to preserve the status quo in its favour and one which wants to usurp that throne. The rest is all theatre! Harsh V Pant is Director, Studies, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi, and Professor of International Relations at King's College, London. 'The SP-BSP have almost come to an understanding that the BSP will take the larger share of parliamentary seats and take care of national politics.' 'The SP in future assembly elections will take larger seats and take care of state politics.' IMAGE: Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav share the stage at the Vidhan Soudha in Bengaluru during Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's swearing-in ceremony, May 23, 2018. Though the BSP and SP formed an informal alliance for the Lok Sabha by-elections in Gorakhpur and Phulpur, this was the first time the two leaders shared a platform together at a public event. Photograph: Shailendra Bhojak/PTI Photo With some of India's biggest states going to the hustings next month, the poll bugle for the 2019 Lok Sabha election has been sounded. The Opposition realises that the arithmetic of alliances will be its most potent weapon against the Bharatiya Janata Party which is not as formidable as it was five years ago. But this Opposition fellowship is shaky. Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati has said she will not beg for seats to forge an alliance. Last week, she refused to ally with the Congress for the assembly elections in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The Dalit vote will be a decisive factor in how the Opposition versus BJP political game turns out in the coming elections. "Look at the approach Akhilesh Yadav has taken to consolidate an alliance with the BSP. The SP is not a small party compared to the BSP, but he has agreed to play an accommodative role. This is the kind of role the Congress has to play if they have to be seen as coordinating all the political parties at the national level," Dr Prashant Trivedi -- a political scientist at Lucknow's Giri Institute of Development Studies and author of Beyond the Religious Divide -- Caste and Ubiqutous Backwardness, which will be released soon -- tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih. What was behind Mayawati's strategy of snubbing the Congress for the upcoming assembly elections? Mayawati has always been a hard bargainer. She may be open to a mahagatbandhan (grand alliance) in UP, but in other states like MP and Rajasthan, she has decided not to ally with the Congress. The Congress is going into the election with the belief that they are going to win the Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh elections on its own and don't need to concede ground to other parties. There is an overlap of voters between the Congress and BSP in both Rajasthan and MP. In the absence of the BSP, Dalits used to vote for the Congress. Only after the BSP's emergence, in certain areas, a section of Dalits shifted to the BSP. What does this mean for the grand Opposition alliance to confront the BJP in the 2019 election? All these political parties are reading the ground situation as well. The 2019 grand alliance is not only about political parties coming together, there is also a public mood which is getting crystallised day by day against the BJP. It has already been seen in the UP and Rajasthan by-elections. The mood of the people will bring these parties together. The Congress is relying on the sentiment that the anti-BJP wave will help it sail through. I don't know how much of this expectation will materialise, especially in MP. UP will be crucial to the BJP's performance in 2019. How will the anti-BJP alliances forged in the state effect the results? If the SP (Samajwadi Party) and BSP come together it will be a formidable alliance. In the last year we have seen that there is a transferability of votes between the BSP and SP. The pressure of the aggressive upper castes is making the voters of the BSP and SP transfer their votes to each other. If the BSP-SP come together, they will be able to challenge the hegemony of the BJP. If there is a mahagatbandhan in UP, the Congress will get about 8 to 10 odd seats. The SP-BSP have almost come to an understanding that the BSP will take the larger share of parliamentary seats and take care of national politics. The SP in future assembly elections will take larger seats and take care of state politics. That is why Akhilesh (Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav) has said he will play the junior party role in the parliamentary election. This astute strategy will lead to a formidable alliance even if the Congress is not part of the alliance. The Bhim Army's Chandrshekhar Azad has the support of younger Dalits who may not see much in the politics of Mayawati. He represents the restlessness of the younger Dalits. The BSP has a middle path agenda, not confronting the hegemony of the upper castes on the ground, but working through the state. Their (the BSP's) strategy has been to come to power to form the government and then work through the state to intervene in social problems. They (the BSP) don't believe in confronting social problems on the ground and fight the fight of civil society. Chandrashekhar Azad's politics wants to confront the upper caste hegemony at the ground level. These people (younger Dalits) are restless because in everyday life they want to challenge the upper castes or dominant class hegemony. In the parliamentary elections, this will only further consolidate Dalit vote against the BJP. He (Azad) will play the role of crystalliser or catalyst against the BJP. He has already openly said it after his release from prison. Mayawati said she has a problem with the Congress's senior leadership. What does this say about the Congress's ability to be accommodative about alliances? It (the Congress) has to perhaps be more accommodative to regional political parties like the SP and BSP. 2019 is going to be an election against the BJP. On the ground there is a consolidation of social forces that are standing up against the BJP. If the Congress wants to be seen as defeating the BJP, they have to be more proactive in reaching out to potential allies. Look at the approach Akhilesh Yadav has taken to consolidate an alliance with the BSP. The SP is not a small party compared to the BSP, but he has agreed to play an accommodative role. This is the kind of role the Congress has to play if they have to be seen as coordinating all the political parties at the national level. How will the result of the five state assembly elections bear on the 2019 election? They will reflect the mood of the nation. In all these states, the fight is between the BJP and Congress. In the past 4 or 5 years, the Congress has not been able to defeat the BJP in any other state except Punjab and to some extent Karnataka. This will show if the Congress has regained and sharpened its politics to consolidate itself to defeat the BJP. It is a test for the Congress how they position themselves in front of the nation to defeat the BJP. How will 2019 be different from 2014 for the BJP? 2014 was an all out election based on Narendra Modi. There was an underlying current of communal polarisation because of Narendra Modi's history in Guajart. This government in the last 5 years has miserably failed to live up to its promise of development and removing corruption. They cannot go back to the people with the same agenda. The BJP will rely more on its agenda of Hindu nationalism rather than the 2014 agenda of development and anti corruption. Do you see a grand alliance taking shape against the BJP? Even if the Congress fails to bring in a national alliance of political parties, there will be a regional alliance in every state. If the Congress can bring parties together only then there will be a possibility of a national alliance. In every state there will be an NDA alliance and an anti-NDA alliance. There is still no Opposition leader who can match up to Narendra Modi. Yes he is very popular among the rank and file. No political leader has such a commanding leadership. There are many who will go with him to any extent and justify all his actions whether good or bad. A sizeable chunk is still very loyal to him. How has Rahul Gandhi matched up to Modi's popularity? Rahul versus Modi is a false debate. This myth of a strong leader has already been questioned by the way this government has done. People have realised it is policies and institutions of government that work in the favour of the people, not strong leaders. People will see the programmes of parties rather than personalities. 'The Supreme Court should not have come out with this kind of order and in my opinion, the court should correct it.' On September 28, a five judge Constitutional bench of the Supreme Court headed by then Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices R F Nariman, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra ruled that all women, irrespective of age, can enter Kerala's famed Sabarimala temple. It struck down a rule that disallowed girls and women in the 10 to 50 age group from entering the Sabarimala temple. The 4-1 verdict said the temple rule violated women's right to equality and right to worship. The only note of dissent was from the lone woman judge on the bench, Justice Indu Malhotra, who said, 'Issues of deep religious sentiments should not be ordinarily be interfered by the Court. The Sabarimala shrine and the deity is protected by Article 25 of Constitution of India and the religious practices cannot be solely tested on the basis of Article 14.' A group of petitioners including the Indian Young Lawyers Association and Happy to Bleed, had challenged the ban which had been upheld by the Kerala high court. The high court ad ruled that only the 'tantri (priest)' was empowered to decide on traditions. They petitioners had argued in court that the tradition followed in Sabarimala was discriminatory in nature. Shylaja Vijayan, president of the National Ayyappa Devotees Association, filed a review petition following the Supreme Court verdict, but the bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph on Tuesday, October 9, declined to urgently hear the plea. Meanwhile, P C George, the controversial Kerala MLA from Poonjar, has been extremely vocal about the court verdict. He proclaimed that he would not let any woman pass through Erumeli which comes under his constituency to go to Sabarimala. "When Ayyappan decided not to see women from 10 to 50, why do some women want to see him?" George asks Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier. You said you would not let any woman between the ages of 10 and 50 pass through Erumeli which comes under your constituency. Why did you make such a statement? I felt it was my duty to do so. You may ask why. It is because I consider Sabarimala a holy place. Because Lord Ayyappa was a naishtika brahmachari that women between the ages of 10 and 50 were not allowed in this temple and it has been the tradition for ages. It was the decision of Ayyappan to remain there as a naishtika brahmachari; nobody can question his decision. When Ayyappan decided not to see women from 10 to 50, why do some women want to see him? It is absolutely not right. I don' think women who believe in God, women from good families, women who respect their parents and husbands and society will want to break this tradition and go there. No Ayyappa believer will do something that is against the beliefs of the temple. Non-believers from other parts of India may go, but not the true worshippers. The petition filed in the Supreme Court stated that the tradition followed in the temple was discriminatory. You don't feel that way? You just find out the profile of the persons who filed the case. You will then know in which group they belong. Do you feel they did not understand the tradition followed in Sabarimala as women can worship at all the other Ayyappa temples? I feel this is a concerted effort by some to damage and destroy our beliefs. The aim is not just to destroy Hindu beliefs, but destroy the country itself. They know they can destroy the country by destroying Indian culture. There are some elements here who want to destroy our culture. See, in churches, only the priests conduct the masses. Now, these people may now target the churches too asking for a change in this. Someone may even ask for changes in Islam. It is as if the Supreme Court can take decisions on religious beliefs too. The Constitution has given us the right to believe and nobody, not even the Supreme Court, can question our beliefs. The Supreme Court has taken up what is not in their powers. Only Parliament and the state assembly have the power to make laws. The court only has the power to look for any flaws in the laws while the executive has the power to implement the laws. Every department has been given certain powers and duties. Now, the court has started creating laws which is not within their powers at all. My opinion is that this can create a lot of problems in the country. It can even destroy democracy. Are you of the opinion that the courts should not interfere in religious matters? Who has the right to make changes within religion? My opinion is that there are many beliefs which are being followed for centuries in various religions. There are religious heads in all the religions like the tantris, the Pope and the moulvis. Let them make changes. It's their job to look into religious matters and not the job of the court. When there was a protest in Pandalam against the Supreme Court order, you participated in it... I participated in the protest and supported them, and I will do it again. I have to say there are some ignoramuses in the Hindu community who are against such protests. The Supreme Court should not have come out with this kind of order and in my opinion, the court should correct it. With many protests against the Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala, do you think Kerala is getting divided? Absolutely not. There is no division in our society; all the believers are together and nobody can divide them. Of course, there are people in society who do not believe in anything and not just in Sabarimala. They have been there all the time. Even on this issue, they will not be with us or with the true believers. We do not have to give them any importance. The chief minister said his government will do all it can to implement the Supreme Court order. I feel what the chief minister said was not right. All of you know what Kerala went through last month. The state has not yet recovered from the calamities inflicted by the floods and landslides. At a time like this, Kerala is looking at a struggle like this. Is it necessary? Does the chief minister want to make Kerala into a land of chaos and turmoil by taking such an unwanted stand on this issue? I can understand why the government can't give a review petition after giving an affidavit on the issue. But he could have done one thing; he could have asked for some time to implement the order as he expected chaos in the state. You should understand one thing: It is the women of Kerala who have come out to protest. The honourable chief minister also understand this. Indian-American Nikki Haley, who a day earlier announced her resignation as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, is likely to join the private sector and hopefully, make a lot of money, US President Donald Trump said as he profusely praised his top diplomat at the United Nations. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump announces that he has accepted the resignation of Nikki Haley as US Ambassador to the United Nations in the Oval Office. Photograph: Mark Wilson/Getty Images Haley, 46, the first Indian-American to hold a cabinet-ranking position in any presidential administration, tendered her resignation on Tuesday, which Trump accepted. Haley is likely to stay in the position till the year-end, before which her successor could be nominated and confirmed by the Senate. Nikki is going to be here until the end of the year. Nikki is our friend. She has been great. I want whoever it is to spend some time with Nikki before Nikki goes out and gets herself a job, and hopefully does -- shes going to make a lot of money. And I think Nikki will come back in some form too. But shes an extraordinary person, good person, Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday. Haley has said that she is taking a break after more than a decade in public life. Trump told reporters that he was looking at four-five different individuals as her replacement. One of them being Dina Powell, 45, the former deputy national security adviser to Trump. Asked about the timing of Haleys resignation, that too just before the mid-term polls, Trump said nothing much should be read into this. Theres no good time. I mean, there is be no good time. She told me about this a long time ago. And, frankly, its almost four weeks. So, its not that bad. No, I dont think so at all. I thought it was very elegantly done, he said. If she waited until after, then theyd say, Oh, she. You know, if we win, theyd say, why is she doing it. And if we lose, theyd say, oh, well, thats obvious why shes doing it. Okay? So theres really no good time to do it, the President added. Trump said Haley spoke to him about it some six months ago. She and I had spoken at least six months ago. Maybe even a year ago, we had conversations. She wanted to be here for about two years. I think the point really was, last week at the United Nations, she wanted to get through that and then go, probably into the private sector for a while, he said. The US president exuded confidence that Haley would come back into government because shes a terrific person. The Washington Post on Wednesday said that Nikki Haley served in the Trump administration and departed with most of her dignity intact. That, in and of itself, is what makes her extraordinary, the daily said. At the Pentagon, US Defence Secretary James Mattis said Haley had been a wonderful representative for the US. She has been just a tremendous asset to those of us here in the Department of Defence, he said, adding that he worked very closely with her. We saw ourselves in many occasions collaborating together on how we would deal with certain issues, alongside the secretary of state. Shes done yeomans work up there, and I would just tell you that she may be moving on but losing our respect one bit, Mattis said. Drawing inspiration from the Supreme Court verdict permitting women of all age groups into the Sabarimala temple, a Kerala-based Muslim women's right group is gearing up to approach the apex court, demanding the entry of women in all mosques across the country. NISA, a progressive women's forum, will soon move the top court. The group will not just seek permission for women to offer prayers in the mosques, but also fight for appointing them as 'imams' (clerics). The outfit, which has been campaigning for gender equality within Islam, also wants to curb the practices of polygamy and 'nikah halala', a community law that allows a Muslim woman to remarry her former husband only after marrying another person and consummating the wedding with him. NISA president V P Zuhra told PTI that there were no records stating that the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad had opposed women entering mosques and offering prayers. She also hailed the top court verdict lifting the ban on the menstruating women from offering worship at the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple as 'historic'. "Like men, women also have the constitutional rights to offer worship according to their belief. So, like in Sabarimala, we want the entry of women in all mosques, cutting across denominations and establish their right to worship," the activist said. Zuhra said discussions were on with the lawyer and a petition in this regard would be filed at the Supreme Court soon. She said at present, women are allowed to offer prayers at mosques under Jamaat-e-Islami and Mujahid denominations, while they are barred from mosques under the predominant Sunni faction. Even in the mosques where women are allowed, there are separate entrances and enclosures for worship for men and women, the NISA chief said. "Our demand is to end this gender discrimination and allow Muslim women to pray in all mosques, cutting across denominations," said Zuhra, one of the earliest petitioners against triple talaq in the apex court. She urged the orthodox section in the community to explain who had asked them to impose such restrictions on women which amount to violation of constitutional rights. "There is no such gender discrimination to offer worship in Mecca, the holy city. The faithful, both men and women, together circle the Kaaba. Then why are the restrictions imposed on us in our mosques?" she said. The rights campaigner said there were records showing that Prophet Muhammad himself had allowed his wife in the mosque. "There are several women scholars in the Muslim community. But they are not allowed to be Imams and lead prayers in mosques. This practice also should be changed," she said. NISA had approached the apex court recently, demanding equal property rights for Muslim women. On September 28, a five-judge Constitution bench, headed by then chief justice Dipak Misra, lifted the ban on the entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine. ***** Kerala HC dismisses Hindu outfit's plea for allowing Muslim women in mosques The Kerala high court on Thursday dismissed a public interest litigation filed by a Hindu group seeking entry of Muslim women into mosques for offering prayers. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Rishikesh Roy and Justice A K Jayasankaran Nambiar rejected the plea, observing that the petitioner was neither an aggrieved party nor were his rights affected. Petitioner Swamy Dethathreya Sai Swaroop Nath, Kerala unit president of Akhila Bharatha Hindu Maha Sabha, had cited the recent Supreme Court order lifting the ban on entry of women of menstruating age into the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala and sought a direction to the Centre for issuing an order enabling Muslim women to offer prayers in mosques. He had contended that Muslim women were being 'discriminated' as they were not allowed to enter and pray in the main prayer hall of mosques in violation of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution (equality before law and protection of life and personal liberty). He also said Muslim women were allowed entry in Mecca. The petitioner had also claimed imposition of a dress code like purdah (veil) for Muslim women would enable anti-social elements to misuse it and commit crimes. This was an encroachment into the realm of personal liberty and social security, he had submitted. On September 28, a five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had lifted the ban on entry of women of menstrual age into the famous hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa. A very severe cyclonic storm packing winds of up to 150 kmph and widespread rains hit eastern India on Thursday, killing eight people in Andhra Pradesh and one in Odisha, damaging homes, uprooting trees and power lines in the two states. IMAGE: People make their way as Cyclone Titli hits the city, starting with surface wind effect reaching speeds of 126 kmph at Gopalpur, in Ganjam. Photograph: PTI Photo Cyclone 'Titli' made landfall on the eastern coast early on Thursday, wreaking havoc mainly in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha's Gajapati and Ganjam districts. Traffic on the Chennai-Kolkata National Highway was hit after uprooted trees blocked some sections of the road. The South Central Railway as well as the East Coast Railway cancelled several trains while some were terminated midway, officials said, adding a few express trains were also diverted. IMAGE: Pedestrians make their way as Cyclone Titli hits the city, starting with surface wind effect reaching speeds of 126 kmph at Gopalpur, in Ganjam. Photograph: PTI Photo Train services between Khurda Road in Odisha and Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh also remained suspended since 10 pm Wednesday. According to the India Meteorological Department, Cyclone 'Titli' made landfall near Palasa in Srikakulam district, southwest of Gopalpur in Odisha with an estimated maximum sustained surface wind speed of 140-150 km per hour gusting to 165 km per hour between 4.30 am and 5.30 am. The cyclonic storm system is now moving northeastwards towards Gangetic West Bengal across Odisha and will weaken gradually, the IMD said. IMAGE: Fishermen prepare to dock their boats as Cyclone Titli makes a landfall. Photograph: PTI Photo The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority said the cyclone caused widespread damage in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram, and threw normal life out of gear as heavy to very heavy rains lashed the two north coastal districts since late Wednesday night. While a 62-year-old woman died at Gudivada Agraharam village after a tree fell on her, a 55-year-old man died in a house collapse at Rotanasa village in Srikakulam, the SDMA said. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Office said the other six killed were fishermen who had ventured into the sea. IMAGE: Fishermen have been asked to stay away from the choppy waters on account of the storm. Photograph: PTI Photo Of the 67 fishing boats that had gone into the sea over the last few days from Kakinada in East Godavari district, 65 had returned to the shore safely, the CMO said. The road network in Srikakulam district suffered extensive damage, while the power distribution network was also severely affected. More than 2,000 electric poles were uprooted. The Eastern Power Distribution Company that caters to the electricity needs of the north coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, reported that the distribution system for 4,319 villages and six towns in Srikakulam district was affected. IMAGE: Coast Guard rescue teams of at Gopalpur assist a fishing boat amidst strong winds and heavy rains to safety. Photograph: @IndiaCoastGuard/Twitter In Odisha, the cyclonic storm led to very heavy rainfall mainly in Ganjam, Gajapati and Puri districts and caused minor damage to power supply and communication. An eight-year-old boy drowned in a canal in the Hinjili area of Ganjam district, where five people were reported missing after being swept away in the flood waters. Ganjam Collector Kulange Vijay Amruta said the five people, including two women and two children, were swept away by flood water while returning home from a cyclone shelter in Sorada. WATCH: Titli making a landfall in Srikakulam's Vajrapu Kotturu As the cyclone triggered heavy downpour after crossing the Odisha coast, fear of flood gripped many areas as the major rivers in the state's southern region are rising menacingly, prompting the state government to launch a fresh evacuation. In all, eight districts -- Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore -- were affected, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi said. Officials said southern Odisha districts like Gajapati, Ganjam and Rayagada were pounded by incessant rains since Wednesday, leading the water levels of Bansadhara and Rushikulya rivers to rise. While vast areas were inundated in south Odisha districts, reports of flash flood poured in from various parts, they said. The state government on Wednesday evacuated over three lakh people to safe places. The evacuees were housed in 1,112 shelters. Altogether, 105 pregnant women in Ganjam district and 18 in Jagatsinghpur have been shifted to hospitals, Sethi said. IMAGE: A view of deserted Gopalpur beach, in Ganjam. Photograph: PTI Photo Gajapati district was the worst affected in Odisha. It received 228.4 mm rainfall triggering flood scare, the SRC said. Water Resources Secretary P K Jena said with the Bansadhara and Rusikulya rivers rising, the Odisha government is taking measures to avoid a flood. The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at some places in Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Rayagada, Koraput, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Boudh, Bolangir, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Khurda, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Angul, Bhadrak, Balasore districts till Friday. Power supply and telephone links got disrupted, and road communication snapped due to uprooted trees at many places in Gajapati district, Sethi said. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the situation and instructed officials to expedite restoration efforts once the situation improves. IMAGE: Locals walk near their houses as Cyclone Titli hits the coast, in Ganjam. Photograph: PTI Photo "The chief minister gave instruction to send two more teams of NDRF to Gajapati where extensive damage has been caused to roads, hutments, electric and telephone poles," Chief Secretary A P Padhi said. 13 teams of the National Disaster Response Force and Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force were deployed in affected areas along with fire brigade personnel. According to East Coast Railway CPRO, J P Mishra, some railway station buildings were damaged at a few places, including in Palasa. Signal poles and overhead electric masts were damaged at places between Palasa and Kottabomali stations. Hurricane Michael unleashed a furious onslaught on Floridas Panhandle on Wednesday, the record-breaking cyclone tearing apart buildings and submerging houses in floodwaters before taking aim at Georgia and the Carolinas. Michaels 155mph winds at landfall were only 5mph short of category 5 status, making it the strongest storm to strike the United States since Hurricane Andrew ravaged southern Florida in 1992. Florida Governor Rick Scott warned of unimaginable devastation, saying it would be the worst storm in 100 years. An American flag battered by Hurricane Michael continues to fly in the in the rose coloured light of sunset at Shell Point Beach in Florida. The storm made landfall on Wednesday afternoon as a category three storm with 125mph (200km/h) winds. Photograph: Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images Damage from Hurricane Michael at the Village of Shell Point. More than 3,70,000 people in Florida were ordered to evacuate, but officials reckon many ignored the warning. Photograph: Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images A tree lays on a home and car after hurricane Michael passed through the area in Panama City. Michael dashed homes into pieces, swallowed marinas and left piles of rubble where shopping centers once stood. Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images Haley Nelson stands in front of what is left of one of her fathers trailer homes after hurricane Michael passed through Panama City. The effects of the storm would be felt along the coast from New Orleans to Tampa Bay, and inland as far as the Carolinas. Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images A McDonald's sign is seen laying on the ground after it was knocked down hy Hurricane Michael. This storm is the strongest to hit the continental US since Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images Joseph Howat clears a damaged fence by Hurricane Michael at his business in Panama City Beach. The storm left nearly 500,000 people without electricity in Florida, Alabama and Georgia, emergency services say. Photograph: Jonathan Bachman/Reuters A downed tree and power lines block a road during Hurricane Michael in Panama City Beach. US President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency for the entire state of Florida, freeing up federal assistance to supplement state and local disaster responses. Photograph: Jonathan Bachman/Reuters The Congress chief also described Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's 3-day trip to France as part of a 'huge cover-up' by the government. IMAGE: Congress president Rahul Gandhi and AICC chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala during a press conference at Congress headquarters in New Delhi on Thursday. Photograph: Subhav Shukla/PTI Photo A report by a French publication on selection of Indian partner in the Rafale deal triggered a fresh round of fierce attack and counter-attack between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party with Rahul Gandhi alleging Prime Minister Narendra Modi was 'corrupt' and demanding a probe into his role in the jet procurement. Strongly countering Gandhi's charges, the BJP accused the Congress chief of 'lying through his teeth shamelessly' and indulging in 'politics of misinformation' to build his political career. Calling him a 'clown prince', the BJP alleged that the Congress president belonged to a 'family of middlemen' with his father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi being 'officially a middleman' in a defence deal. The political offensive came a day after some reports, citing French publication Mediapart, said an internal document of Dassault Aviation showed that the manufacturer of Rafale had to choose Ambani's firm Reliance Defence as its offset partner in India as a trade-off for getting the deal. On a visit to France, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in Paris that offset obligations for the deal is mandatory but not the names of the companies. In a statement, Dassault Aviation also said it has 'freely chosen to make a partnership with Reliance Group', as it rejected the report by French publication Mediapart. The latest report followed former French President Francois Hollande's comments last month that France was given 'no choice' on selection of the Indian partner for Dassault and the Indian government proposed the name of the Indian company. IMAGE: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman being welcomed for the first India-France Ministerial level annual Defence Dialogue in Paris on Thursday. Photograph: PTI Photo Hollande was French president when the Rafale deal was sealed. At a press conference, Gandhi also described Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's ongoing three-day visit to France as part of a 'great cover-up'. "The reality is that the prime minister is corrupt. The prime minister of India is a corrupt person, but he came to power on the promise of fighting corruption," Gandhi told reporters. "... in the Rafale contract. the prime minister has indulged in clear-cut corruption and there should be an investigation on it," he said. Questioning Modi's silence on the issue, Gandhi said, "It is clear there is pressure. If he is unable to respond, he should resign." The Congress president, however, did not provide any evidence to back his allegations against the prime minister. Rejecting his allegations, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra hours later alleged at his press conference that the Congress leader comes from 'a family of middlemen' and his his father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi was 'officially a middleman' in a defence deal. While the Opposition has been attacking the Modi dispensation over the multi-billion dollar Rafale deal, the government has been maintaining it had no role in Dassault's choice of Reliance Defence. Defence Ministry sources said Sitharaman's visit to Paris was pre-scheduled and it has nothing to do with the Rafale controversy. "Why has suddenly the defence minister rushed to France? What is the emergency?" Gandhi asked and claimed the purpose of the visit was 'to put pressure on Dassault, to silence them and do a cover up'. "This is the logic," the Congress chief said. Gandhi claimed a senior Dassault executive has said India's prime minister pushed the contract and now both Hollande and Dassault are saying the Indian prime minister has said that 'without this compensation, this deal cannot be done'. The Congress chief reiterated his charge that Modi is Ambani's "chowkidaar', and not of the country. Rebutting the charges, Patra counter-alleged that it was Gandhi family that made money from every defence deal till 2014 and Rahul Gandhi has not been able to come out of that mindset. Patra said the BJP stands with the truth and accused Gandhi of making a mockery of national security. He also said the Indian Air Force Chief has recently described the purchase of the fighter aircraft as a 'game-changer'. Patra also read out from a statement of Dassault Aviation, manufacturer of Rafale fighter aircraft, to claim that Gandhi inserted 'Reliance' deliberately where the firm has spoken about its commitment to offset purchase from India. The BJP leader further said the Supreme Court has also dismissed a PIL that had questioned the aircraft's price and sought the deal cancelled. He said the people will decide whether to believe Gandhi or the Supreme Court and the Air Force Chief. ***** Shatrughan attacks government on Rafale deal Dissident BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday said people want answers from the government on the Rafale deal and 'ignoring' the questions being raised over the agreement would not do. His remarks come amid relentless opposition attack on the government over the deal. Addressing a gathering in Lucknow on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, who gave the clarion call of 'Sampoorna Kranti' (complete revolution), Sinha asked why PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited was 'sidelined' in favour of a private firm as an offset Indian partner of Dassault Aviation for manufacturing the fighter aircraft. "The public want an answer on the Rafale deal. You have to speak up, and mere ignoring it will not do. Why was HAL which had the experience of manufacturing MiGs and Sukhoi sidelined and a 10-day-old company with (virtually) zero balance and zero experience was given the job," the BJP MP said, flanked by former party leader Yashwant Sinha and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav. He said power should be a medium to serve the people 'not to reap dividends'. He defended his remarks attacking the government, saying, "If speaking the truth is considered as mutiny, then I am a mutineer." "Making hollow promises, giving speeches and indulging in rhetoric will not work any more. Party is always bigger than a person and the country is bigger than the party. If I am talking in the interest of the country, then what is wrong in it?" Sinha said Jayaprakash Narayan was his inspiration to join politics. IMAGE: Environmentalist G D Agarwal, who was on a fast unto death since June 22 for a clean River Ganga, was forcibly taken to a hospital after his health deteriorated in Haridwar on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI Photo Veteran Environmental activist G D Agarwal died at a Rishikesh hospital on Thursday, 111 days after he began a fast for a pollution-free Ganga. He was 86. Agarwal, who began his hunger strike on June 22 demanding government measures to save the Ganga, died of a heart attack at the All India Institute of medical Sciences in Uttarakhand's Rishikesh, its director Ravi Kant said. The activist was admitted to hospital on Wednesday after he even gave up water. Local authorities imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which bans the assembly of people, around the venue of the protest and he was picked up and taken to hospital. Dr Ravi Kant said Agarwal suffered from hernia, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease and the fast worsened his condition. G D Agarwal, also known as Swami Gyanswaroop Sanand in his later years, had been a professor at the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur and served on the Central Pollution Control Board. He was protesting against hydroelectric projects on the Ganga's tributaries and had demanded a law to protect the river. Earlier, he had rejected a plea from Haridwar MP Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank to end the fast, following assurances on his demands from the Centre. Agarwal had been campaigning for the Ganga for several years and undertook a similar fast earlier as well. A day before Agarwal died, Union Water Resources and Ganga River Rejuvenation Minister Nitin Gadkari said almost all his demands had been met and he had written a letter to the activist to give up his fast. On Tuesday, the Centre came out with a gazette notification stating the minimum environmental flow that is to be maintained at various locations on the Ganga. The second demand, Gadkari said, was to bring a legislation to protect Ganga. He said the legislation has been sent to Cabinet for approval, following which it will be tabled in Parliament. "He had some demands related to (upcoming) hydro-power projects (on river Ganga). We are trying to bring all stakeholders together and sort the issue at the earliest. I had also written a letter to him stating that we have accepted nearly 70-80 per cent and that we need him and he should stop his fast," the minister had said. Reacting to the Ganga crusader's death, Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh said an insensitive government was waiting for him to die. Senior Congress leader and former environment minister Jairam Ramesh expressed anguish over the activist's martyrdom. "He was an indefatigable crusader not only for Nirmal Ganga but also for Aviral Ganga (free-flowing Ganga). It was my privilege and good fortune to be able to implement some of his important suggestions to ensure uninterrupted flow in the Ganga and its tributaries in Uttarakhand, Ramesh said. A few years ago, the activist adopted Swami Gyanswaroop Sanand as his name. As he continued the fast continued, on September 9, Agarwal announced he will give up water in October. The National Mission for Clean Ganga officials then talked with him and Congress president Rahul Gandhi expressed support for his cause. Agarwal had pledged his organs for medical research at the AIIMS in Rishikesh, the hospital director said. Targeting the Centre over Agarwal's death, Pravin Togadia, erstwhile Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader and a known critic of the Modi government, said the Ganga activist deserved a better treatment. "But it seems, rulers have become absolutely arrogant and unmindful for the public. Similar treatment was meted out to Ayodhya Mahant Paramhans Das ji. Farmers, labour, students, middle class all facing injustice now. We pray for Prof Agarwal ji's peace and appeal to the rulers to be sensitive to the public," Togadia, who now heads the Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad, said. With at least five women accusing the minister of sexual harassment when he was an editor, sources say his position is untenable. Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar's position in the government is untenable, sources said on Thursday. The revelation comes after at least five women accused Akbar of sexually harassing them when he was a newspaper editor. Akbar, who was in Nigeria on government business, has not commented on the allegations. Akbar, the sources added, could be asked to resign as minister and instead work for the Bharatiya Janata Party. Akbar -- who edited Sunday magazine though the late seventies and early eighties, founded and edited The Telegraph newspaper in 1982 and did likewise at The Asian Age in the late 1990s and early 2000s, before working briefly with India Today magazine a few years ago -- joined the BJP ahead of the 2014 general election. Akbar had joined the Congress party in the late 1980s and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Kishenganj in Bihar in the 1989 Lok Sabha election. He later fell out with Sonia Gandhi and became a vocal critic of her and her son Rahul Gandhi's politics. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2015 and appointed minister of state for external affairs in 2016. People familiar with the developments say the government is serious about its pro-women image on the international stage and cannot afford to have someone with a tainted image representing the country abroad. Gili Islands, Indonesia -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/10/2018 --The latest 2019 Schedule is now out for Dive Professionals looking to become professional scuba diving Instructors in the Gili Islands, Indonesia with Multiple Award Winning Platinum rated PADI Course Director Holly Macleod in 2019. The great news is that there will be 10 opportunities for professional Divemasters to sign up to the PADI Scuba Diving Instructor Development Course (IDC) in 2019 and therefore 10 chances to take advantage of the absolute best possible training experience available within the recreational diving Industry. There are 10 sessions planned for 2019 and all training dates are scheduled around the Gili Islands PADI Instructor Examination. Session 1 - January 12th & February 2nd Session 2 - February 16th & March 9th Session 3 - March 23rd & April 13th Session 4 - April 28th & May 19th Session 5 - May 25th & June 15th Session 6 - July 6th & July 27th Session 7 - August 10th & August 31st Session 8 - September 7th & September 28th Session 9 - October 19th & November 9th Session 10 - November 23rd & December 14th Each session accounts for the PADI IDC Preparation Course, the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC), the Emergency First Response Instructor (EFRI) Course and the 2-day PADI Instructor Examination (IE) which is held in Gili Trawangan, Indonesia. The Preparation Course is generally not compulsory for all candidates but is strongly advised for those who have lapsed in training for a period of time, those crossing over to PADI from an alternative organization and those who wish to develop their theory or skill application. The preparation course is a great way to assure yourself that you will make an easy transition in the IDC and get to know others on the course. The PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) is entirely conducted by Holly Macleod, a Platinum rated Award Winning Platinum PADI Course Director; who has a wealth of experience and been continuously recognized by the Diving Industry as the best possible place to take professional Scuba Diving Instructor level training. Holly has a wealth of Industry experience, having previously spent over 15 years working within the recreational diving industry in a variety of diving related jobs and in a range of geographical diving destinations. The program is entirely conducted by Holly, who has specifically designed a program to train candidates to a far superior level way over and above that generally found within Industry providing the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make a successful start within the diving industry. Once certified as a Scuba Diving Instructor candidates need to take the Emergency First Response Instructor Course (EFRI) allowing new Instructors to teach the range of First Aid courses within the PADI Educational System. This PADI IDC Gili Islands Program really does give professional divers the best possible chance to become highly successful scuba diving Instructors in this exciting and dynamic industry. The PADI IDC Gili Islands Reviews really speak for themselves in terms of the pure quality of training provided by Holly and her sheer dedication to Instructor Development; an absolute must for Divemaster's and other Scuba Diving Professionals looking and making that step into a new career. Related Links: http://www.gili-idc.com https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g664666-d9727721-Reviews-Gili_IDC-Gili_Trawangan_Gili_Islands_Lombok_West_Nusa_Tenggara.html Contact: JustinTime Dive Advice Dive Publications holly@gili-idc.com +62 (0)821-4785-0413 http://www.giliidc.com Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman of Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. [Photo/Chinanews.com] A mainland spokesman for Taiwan affairs said the island's leader Tsai Ing-wen's speech on Wednesday showed the "sinister intention" to cooperate with anti-China forces in the West to curtain the mainland. Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman with the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that Tsai's speech, which was full of separatist remarks and an anti-mainland mindset, will further worsen cross-Straits relations and will bring Taiwan into a more dangerous situation. The pro-independence of Tsai's remarks, according to Ma, shows her sinister intention to help suppress the Chinese mainland with anti-China forces in the West. In her speech, Tsai said that the mainland has stepped up military threats and diplomatic suppression to the island. She said that the island's security will be strengthened to cope with increasing threats from the mainland. By SA Commercial Prop News Equites Property Fund CEO Andrea Taverna-Turisan said the groups performance reflects the quality of assets in its portfolio, Equites Property Fund (JSE:EQU) grew its dividend per share 11.7% in the six months to August 2018, thanks to effective growth on its property portfolio over the corresponding period in August 2017. The company remains the only property fund listed on the JSE that offers exposure to modern logistics assets in SA and the UK. Prime logistics has outperformed retail and commercial property, with strong demand being driven by the growth in e-commerce and retailers increasing efficiencies through sophisticated distribution networks. Equites, on thursday posted interim dividend of 68.12c per share for the six months to August. The net asset value per share increased 9.5% to R16.67 in the period compared with a year ago. It reported 49% growth in the fair value of its property portfolio, from R6.8bn to R10.1bn. Distribution centres and high-tech warehouses, which are classified as prime logistics assets, are among the most sought-after property assets in SA, with companies wanting to benefit from future growth in online shopping and also wanting to sign up groups who want to establish supply chains. CEO Andrea Taverna-Turisan said the groups performance reflects the quality of assets in its portfolio, which is reinforced by its ability to unlock key logistical nodes through the development of top-grade logistics buildings. Equitess track record of double-digit distribution growth, as well as strong net asset value growth, continues to be acknowledged by investors, again awarding it the position of top-performing real-estate investment trust over the past three years, with an annualised total return of 24.8% per year," he said. Equites achieved like-for-like property income growth of 7.8% in the reporting period, which was reflective of the strength of the underlying property portfolio. The weighted average lease expiry across Equites's assets also increased from 7.9 years at February 28 2018 to 8.3 years at August 31 2018, which added certainty to the fund's future rental growth. Vacancies fell to 0.2% from 2% at year-end following the letting of a logistics property at Cape Town International Airport. The company's debt position was also low, with a loan-to-value of 22.1% at August 31 2018 compared with 23.5% at February 28 2018. Equites also raised R800m in an oversubscribed bookbuild in June for future acquisitions in the UK. In August, the company made its largest acquisition since listing, having bought a distribution centre for nearly half-a-billion rand. The property had a long lease in place with consumer goods group Simba. The Germiston distribution centre was bought for R461.9m from Investec Property Fund. The Gujarat High Court on Thursday asked the state to file an affidavit on a public interest litigation plea that sought action against those involved in attacks on migrant workers and those who failed to protect them. The PIL was filed by lawyer-rights activist Khemchand Koshti to challenge the "action or inaction of the state as well as police in not taking any preventive steps" to stop the attacks on migrants living in Gujarat. The petitioner contended that this was not only illegal and unreasonable, but also violated Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 of the Constitution. The petitioner said that more than two lakh migrants had fled Gujarat to their home states after the rape of a 14-month-old girl in north Gujarat's Sabarkantha district. After this, "some political leaders addressed meetings and gave inflammatory speeches to provoke local inhabitants and thereafter incidents of violence/attacks on migrants spread across the state". He claimed that there were nearly one crore migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha and other states who worked in Gujarat's factories, construction industry, and all GIDCs, while others were employed as carpenters, plumbers, electricians or painters. The petitioner accused the respondent state government and its DGP of "not taking preventive measures to prevent such incidents and not providing proper protection/security to migrants residing in the state from many years." He pointed out that these migrants had integrated themselves into the culture and ethos of gujarat while earning their livelihood, and also been contributors to its development. JERUSALEM, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Israeli military system Trophy will be sold to the U.S. army in a 500 million U.S. dollar deal, local business website Calcalist reported on Tuesday. The Trophy system, which protects armored vehicles from missiles and mortar shells, was developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, a technology company headquartered in northern Israel. The U.S. Army has already ordered Rafael's system units in June last year for 193 million U.S. dollars to protect its Abrams tanks and is now expected to increase the order while extending the number of tanks to be protected. In addition, Rafael is competing with other companies to provide the U.S. army with a light version of Trophy, for the armored personnel carriers Bradley and Stryker. In September 2018, Rafael demonstrated the operation of the system on Bradley vehicles in the face of 130 representatives of 10 foreign armies in its experiment complex in southern Israel. In the demonstration, a light version of Trophy intercepted more than 300 anti-tank missiles and RPGs (Rocket-propelled grenades) of various types. Rafael said the intercept rate for the carriers was 95 percent. Rafael is the only one whose such system is in operational service in the Israeli army, which has already ordered 1,000 units for Merkava tanks and armored personnel carriers. Myna Young celebrated her 90th birthday on Tuesday evening in the company of family and friends at the Le Manumea Hotel in Apia. Born on October 9, 1928 to Scottish father Collin Mackintosh and Samoan mother Teuila, Myna grew up in Lano, Savaii but later moved to Upolu and then left Samoa for New Zealand when she was 12 to attend school. She returned to the island when she was 18 and met Lealaisalanoa Arthur Pau Young, whom she later married and became her life-long partner. The couple had 10 children comprising six boys and four girls. They were Arthur, Mark (deceased), Ian, Rex, Doris, April, Ashley, Terry, Vanesa (deceased) and Donna. Their father passed away in 2011. Her family has grown and today represent five generations. They are led by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, and great great great grandchildren. Speaking to the Samoa Observer, son Ashley Young said his mother used to work at Burns Phillips back in the days and later started a little shop in town called M&D, which stood for Myna and Doriss mini-mart. And that is where she worked until my parents were of old age. Doris, who is my eldest sister, came up and started Mynas store up at Vailima. My mother is a humble person, even though my dad was a very hard person but she was always so positive about everything. This is a phrase that bests describes how she is: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning, he said. Mr Young said she always looks forward to a new day and was optimistic that tomorrow will be different. Another of his mothers qualities which for him was unforgettable was the respect that she had for her husband and not rebutting him. She always protected her kids, especially me cause I was more the trouble maker but she was always there for everyone. But in my own view, she has reached such a milestone in her life due to her faith. She is a prayer warrior, meaning she is always praying. The first Carmelite sisters that arrived in Samoa were her friends. I used to bring food up to them, but the funny thing about it is that she is not Catholic, she is Protestant. My mother has such a big heart, the heart of giving, he said. Her passion for music was epitomised in her love for the ukulele, a skill which she passed on to her half-brother Sione Aleki according to Mr Young. But her passion in life was music, shes a musician because she used to be the best ukulele player, and she passed on most of her knowledge to her half-brother Sione Aleki who is a famous ukulele player around America." Mr Young said when their father passed away, his death was hard on his mother, but she pulled through with love and support from her family, which on top of her unwavering faith in God kept her going. Samoans can now make Apple ID and developer ID, thanks to the Office of the Electoral Commissioners (O.E.C.) new app. Last month, the O.E.C. was ready to release their new app into the community, but Apples licensing rules appeared to exclude Samoa from launching on the App Store. Samoa did not feature on the list of countries one could select from when making an Apple ID account, meaning not only could consumers not have accounts but neither could developers. That meant Palota Samoa, the new O.E.C. app designed to make voting more accessible was only good for Android users. But that is no longer the case. After enquiring with Apple as to why Samoa has been excluded from the list, the problem has been resolved. Samoa has been activated for Apple ID this week, meaning iPhone users can download Palota Samoa as well. The next step for the Office is to push their app to Apples store and get as many users on board as possible. I.T. Manager and the designer of the commissions app, Mailo Henry Mailo, said he felt Samoa needed to make a lot of noise to get Apple to put them on the map. The Office of the Electoral Commission raised the issue with Apple nearly two months ago, and were told to continue emailing them, and to encourage other developers to reach out to tell Apple how much demand there is here. Mailo said the barrier had been quite disappointing. The disappointing thing is that Tokelau, Wallis and Futuna, Tuvalu, Tonga, they were all there, except us, said Mailo. In the meantime, Mailo and his team had a deadline to meet. With his brother in law in Australia, Mailo has someone who could create an account on behalf of Palota Samoa to get the app running for iPhones. Despite being up and running, Mailo said hes relieved to know he can do the work from Samoa instead. With the two-factor authentication, it makes it harder to get work done, especially with the time difference, he said. Two-factor authentication requires one to input a code sent to a phone via text when logging in. While the security benefit is great, its not so helpful when the account receiving the log-in texts is halfway across the Pacific. The thing is, we already paid AUS$150 to open the account, so maybe well just have to pay that again, he said. Electoral Commissioner Faimalomatumua Matthew Lemisio said he was pleased with the news. Palota Samoa is one of the ways the commission wants to help the office increase public access to information about elections. Samoans will be able to preregister to vote using the app, update their information and by 2020 they will be able to surf information about the candidates standing for election in 2021. The Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Afamasaga Rico Tupai, has presented a Macbook valued at $5,000 to a young entrepreneur, Mose Mose, who is the Founder of the online Facebook platform Makeki Online. The laptop was donated at the Digital Pacific I.C.T. Conference held in Samoa in June 2018 following Moses pitch to the conference participants. Mose was one of three winners who were awarded a grant from U.N.D.P. to assist with the development of their business idea/pitch. On behalf of the Government of Samoa and the Samoa Chamber of Commerce, I would like to acknowledge Ms. Catherine Fritz-Kalish of Global Access Partners, I.C.D.P. and Pacific Connect for their generous donation to our young entrepreneur Mose Mose (Makeki Online), said Afamasaga. Mose told me that he needed a laptop for his new project Employ mai, so when I walked up to the podium, I pitched his request to the participants that attended the Digital Pacific I.C.T. Conference in June this year, and fortunately for us, this good Samaritan was in the crowd, and she heeded our request for assistance. So it gives me great pleasure to present this donated Macbook to Mose. I am adamant that this will assist him greatly in his work for Makeki Online and the development of his app Employ Mai, which aims to address the issue of unemployment in Samoa. The Samoa Chamber of Commerce also acknowledged the generous donation made by Catherine Fritz-Kalish of Global Access Partners, I.C.D.P. and Pacific Connect with high hopes that it will add value to the work that Mose does for the Samoa community. This year, the Samoa Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (U.N.D.P.) hosted the first ever Youth Co: Lab Samoa Workshop in the Pacific region. Twenty young Samoans with a passion for social innovation and entrepreneurship were part of this inaugural programme, and they were able to discuss ideas as well as well as solutions to national, regional, and/or global challenges. Youth Co: Lab Samoa continues to grow with increasing opportunities and donations for its members. Since its establishment, Youth Co: Lab Samoa has received the following opportunities for its members: Two participants attended Asia Pacific Youth Forum held in Beijing August 2018 Mose Mose and Esmeralda Lo Tam (finalist in the Youth Forum) Etuale Scanlan to attend Young I.C.T. Leaders Forum and YILF Challenge 2018 in Republic of Korea September Olisana Mariner to attend Connect I.C.T. Conference Sydney Australia September 2018 The Youth Co: Lab aims to provide opportunities for Samoas youth to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals through leadership, social innovation and entrepreneurship. The Samoa Chamber of Commerce with the support of the U.N.D.P. will continue to implement more Youth Co:Labs for youth and young entrepreneurs. Talk about the ugly and the bizarre! Here in Samoa today weve got a classic case on our hands. Yes all the ingredients that would make other fake news from anywhere else in the world insignificant. Weve got a main character in Liua Vaasili Savaiinaea, now infamously known as superman. Weve got the Police, the media and then there is the public. In the space of a week, we had a tale that grew more legs than the roots of a tree, a classic story made in Samoa by Samoans for Samoa. Looking back now, we can have a little giggle. But it wasnt funny at the start. If anything, the emotional toll this brought on an entire population thrown into a state of panic was unreal. So how did all this come about? You see, like all modern day fairytales, this one started on Facebook, a platform famous for being the source of many fake news. Its easy enough to see why. Unregulated and without any rules, anybody can say anything about anyone at anytime. And so the story of the van with a couple going around attempting to abduct young girls was born. The Police immediately latched on to it. The Samoa Police Service (S.P.S.) has proactively approached witnesses to the alleged abduction posted by members of the public on social media, a statement from the Police said at the time. This matter was not reported initially to S.P.S. However, the information that S.P.S. has received so far is assisting police in launching an investigation into this matter. The information provided includes details of a possible vehicle used for the alleged offence. S.P.S. takes this matter seriously and is asking members of the public to report any sighting of a van with similar description above or any mechanic workshop receiving recent request for replacement of rear windshield window of a 15 seater van. You cant blame the Police for reacting. Given the serious nature of the allegations, they had to take it seriously. Anything less wouldnt have been unacceptable where members of the public would have questioned the Police reaction. Unfortunately in doing what they did, it immediately sent out shockwaves to the nation so that everyone who got wind of it was thrown into a state of panic. But then who wouldnt take this sort of stuff seriously, especially if you are a parent? And then there was the media. Now were not going to talk about anybody elses work but ours here on these news pages. Issues of national security matter especially when they pose a threat to the lives of our people. After printing the statement from the Police about their investigation, it was determined that this was indeed a serious threat. As reporters do, one of our reporters tracked down Mr. Savaiinaea, who told of his alleged attempts to avert the kidnapping. His story was published on the front page, just like the statement from the Police. Despite everything though, there was one telling comment by Mr. Savaiinaea that erased all doubts in my mind that this was another one of them fake stories. When the reporter asked if he had seen the two girls whom the people in the van had attempted to kidnap, he said no. He said that after he chased away the van, when he turned around, the two girls had vanished. Really? Even Usain Bolt couldnt be that fast? Surely. Besides, throughout this whole ordeal, not one person was reported missing. This newspaper clearly highlighted this fact as part of its reporting. No one had even filed a complaint with the Police about the matter. Fast forward to Tuesday; the Police finally issued another statement, which confirmed everything we had suspected. On 1st October, 2018, Police established a taskforce to look into allegations of the attempted abduction. As a result, Police could not find any evidence to support or confirm the claims made on social media (Facebook), the statement from the Police reads. Consequently, Liua Vaasili Savaiinaea, a 27 year old male of Vaitele-fou has been charged with misleading (the Police). He is currently under custody awaiting his court appearance in the District Court. These allegations has caused panic amongst our communities and have impacted on peoples lives and businesses such as vans being stopped and people taking matters into their own hands. We encourage victims of crime to continue to come forward and report crimes, but we discourage false and misleading reporting, which is against the law. That said; this hopefully brings to an end what has been a rather bizarre week. And while we can laugh now, there are lessons for everyone including the media. In an era of fake news, greater care is needed so that we are not carried away by anything and everything people say, especially on social media. What do you think? Have a fabulous Friday Samoa, God bless! White Sunday 2018 will be one to remember for eight families, whose struggles were reported this year in the Village Voice pages of the Samoa Observer. Local companies Betham Brothers Enterprises, Trans Pacific Travel, Budget Car Rentals and Tanoa Samoa united and handed over food and $600 cash recently to the families, who live in different parts of Upolu. The eight families were chosen by this newspaper while the four companies raised funds in order to sponsor the initiative. Village Voice is published in the Sunday Samoan edition of the newspaper and focuses on poverty-stricken families. This year the donation by Betham Brothers Enterprises totaled $8000 with $3200 spent on food and $4800 in hard cash given to the families. Betham Brothers Enterprises office supervisor, Ruta Williams, said the donation was made possible with the money raised during the companies fundraising games last Saturday. We had a walkathon and there are 41 of us in our fundraising committee. Each of us had a walkathon sheet worth $100, so from that walkathon we managed to raise $4100 and our company double that amount, which made up the $8000, she said. The funds raised were initially allocated to office expenses but after further discussions amongst staff members, they decided to give the money to families in need of financial assistance. These funds were initially allocated for office purposes. However, after further elaborations and discussions, weve opted to donate this money for families who need the financial assistance. For this White Sunday, we want your children to feel and have what we provide for our own children, added Ruta. Flora Ieremia of Alamagoto, whose story was published on August 19 this year, was the first family to receive these blessings. She was in tears when the good Samaritans visited her home yesterday morning and told Samoa Observer the $600 in cash will help her family pay the water bill. My kids were asking me after the team had left why the people came and bring us food and money. I explained to them and my eldest daughter cried. The look on my childrens faces when the people brought in food and gave me money was just priceless because I could see they were happy. I was happy and I cried because who would think that there are people out there who are reading our stories and actually care, she said. Flora acknowledged the four companies, who were able to make her childrens White Sunday one to remember. I have nothing to give except my heartfelt thank you to Betham Brothers, Tanoa Samoa, Budget Rentals and Trans Pacific Travels for all of this. May the good Lord bless you and the work that you do, she added and also acknowledged the support of the Village Voice pages. Telling strangers your personal challenges as a family can be daunting, and not to mention embarrassing for a Samoan mother. But caring for a special needs child compelled Neetia Faaeteete of Tapatapao to cross that bridge, when she told her story to the Village Voice team and had her story published on January 5, 2018. This is such a huge help for all of us especially my special need daughter. When we first approached by the Village Voice, I was kind of embarrassed to tell my story and the struggle that we face, most especially asking for help from people. But my daughter, who has special need was what gave me the courage to speak up, because life is really difficult when there is a special need child that we have to care for, she said. She shed tears of joy yesterday, when she was presented with food and cash by the four companies representatives. I did not expect this White Sunday to be a joyful and blessed one. But today proved it to me that there are people out there who are willing to help all we need to do is ask so thank you so much for these great gifts. Tuaoi Savavau of Samatau had only moved into the area and lived in a shack that lacked the basic amenities when the Village Voice team visited him last month. He was living with his daughter, her husband and their three children and they relied on their plantation and the sea to make a living. Tuaoi was a happy man when the business representatives and the Samoa Observer got to his home to present the food and the cash. Today is a good day and the Lord has been definitely watching over us and listening to our prayers every night. This is more than we could have ever ask for and who would think that we will be able to get $600 in cash and food. When we were featured in the Samoa Observer programme we were asking for any assistant we could het especially in terms of water tanks. But today we received more than we had ask for even though its not a water tank but its what we actually need in our daily lives. So thank you so much Betham Brothers and the other companies for these great gifts. Thank you for going out of your way to raise money to help families like us we are forever grateful and I pray to the almighty God to bless you in all that you do so that you will be able to help the people of Samoa who are in need of help, he said yesterday. Nothing had changed much with Toma Tuilata, a father of two from Leauvaa, when representatives of Betham Brothers Enterprises, Trans Pacific Travel, Budget Car Rentals and Tanoa Samoa arrived at his home. When the Village Voice team visited his home yesterday, he was not home as he had gone to sell bananas to get boat fares for his family, who wanted to travel to Savaii to spend White Sunday. But his wife Tina was at home and she was elated at the sight of the good Samaritans. My husband is not here, he went to sell bananas to get some money so that my children and I will be able to go to Savaii, to spend white Sunday there with my parents. Words cannot explain how I feel right now but the only words I can say is thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. The food and the money and everything and I believe God really provides for us and he has sent you to our family at the right time. Its true what the Bible says, God will come in his own time and when we get to the point, where we think we have nowhere else to go, he will send someone else to help those in need so thank you very much. All the four families acknowledge the Village Voice initiative by the Samoa Observer to tell Samoa and the world of their struggles. The other four families will be featured in tomorrows edition of this newspaper. Every day in Samoa, the often overwhelming cost of funerals is putting families into debt as they struggle to gather the required funds, turning to loans to make ends meet. But the Apia Insurance Company and Apia Finance Company have moved to provide a solution. Funeral insurance is the newest product launched by A.I.C and A.F.C in partnership with Pacific Financial Inclusion Program (P.F.I.P), U.N.D.P and funded by the government of New Zealand. With few exceptions, any Samoan citizen over the age of 18 can apply for a policy and nominate two people to claim the benefit after their death. The different funeral cover policy options are for $10,000, $20,000 and $30,000, and the price of premiums increases with age (but policy holders do not pay increased premiums as they get older). For example the $10,000 policy annually costs $250 for 18-40 year olds, $350 for 41-60 year olds, $550 for 61-70 year olds and $700 for 71 year olds and over. Applicants aged 61 and over are only eligible for the $10,000 policy, and the most expensive policy is the $30,000 policy for 41-60 year olds which costs $1,050 per year. A.I.C. Chief Executive Officer Lutuiloa Vaiula Sailaoa Solomona said she wanted an accessible and affordable project that Samoan people actually want. Last year A.I.C. and P.F.I.P. conducted focus groups and consultations with government and villages around the country, firstly to learn what is needed when it comes to insurance and finance. More help for funerals was a common call, and so they embarked on a research project to design a product to meet that call. Funerals are that one thing we have no control over, but we can be proactive about the costs involved, Lutuiloa said. By preparing for your own funeral, or that of your parents or grandparents, you can ease the toll the funeral expenses inevitably take and put your attention towards the work of grieving, she said. Policyholders have only a three month waiting period before they are eligible for the full funeral cover they signed up for, and in the event of a fatal accident the waiting period is waived. Saulelia Rosemary Tone, the Project Manager, said this product aims to help people stay within their means when preparing funerals. In their desire to pay the utmost respect to their loved ones, Pacific people often pay for funerals beyond what they can afford, said Saulelia. The product was prepared with research help from the Samoa Bureau of Statistics and the Central Bank of Samoa, not only to learn as much as possibly about the demographics of Samoans but also to create a product that sits within the boundaries of financial law. Saulelia said the most important component for her was the registration process. Weve kept it really simple and easy its a matter of getting a registration form from A.I.C and dropping it off, it gets assessed and then confirmed. Pre-existing conditions, with the exception of a terminal illness, do not disqualify anyone from coverage and the only kind of death not eligible for coverage is suicide. Earlier this year A.I.C launched the funeral cover with a trial run, and have since made changes to the pricing and introduced group cover for employers. People with staff can opt to pay funeral cover premiums on their employees behalf. Some businesses have suggested using it is a loyalty benefit scheme for employees of three or more years at their companies. Under the group funeral cover scheme, employers can negotiate premiums with AIC based on staff numbers and ages and the employers will pay the annual premiums on their employees behalf, and even choose to pay higher or lower premiums for staff at different levels of the company. Lutuiloa said the funeral cover payments will be paid as soon within 48 hours of the claims being made. Claims by the policy holders beneficiaries must be made in person with photographic identification and with a death certificate. Beneficiaries are not required to provide receipts on what the cover was spent on as it is up to the family to decide how to prepare the funeral. Some families may need to spend on flights home to Samoa, some may not, there is no criteria on how you spend the money, said project manager Saulelia. Iris Kissiti, the Financial Inclusion specialist from P.F.I.P said as people begin signing up for funeral cover more changes can be made to ensure it is as accessible as possible. We ultimately want distribution channels that work, whether thats creating digital registration forms so people dont have to sign up in person, or roaming registration agents to go out to rural areas. Any improvements will be made with a human centred design approach, meaning they will be changes people actually need, Ms Kissiti said. More information: call into Apia Insurance Company, AIC House Tufuipoa for a FAQ booklet or to register, email [email protected], or call 601547. Under bright lights and before nearly 400 eager faces, Pasifika people from across Australia performed their best and boldest cultural dances in a fundraiser concert for the Cancer Society. The Matavai Pacific Cultural Arts group, led by Maryjane and Frederick Schwenke, are in Samoa to help celebrate Pinktober the way they know how: dance. In their performance for Tuesday nights fundraiser, Love is Bigger than Cancer, the group performed dances honouring the cultural uniqueness of Samoans, Maori, Fijians, Tongans, Cook Islanders, Tahitians and more, as well as uniquely melting some cultures together to create new dances. Despite heavy clouds promising rain, the group began their performance by spreading out throughout the audience and making their way to the stage slowly and deliberately, allowing everyone to admire their elaborate costumes. They performed in several Pacific languages, with and without backing tracks, and a delivered a riveting variety of battle cries, and soothing songs. There were solo performances of ornate Siva Samoa, and Ori Tahiti, and rousing group performances of Maori Haka and Samoan Slap dances, to name a few. In a brief interlude, the attending alumni, and current Miss Samoa got up to perform a siva, placed a large basket on the stage and called for donations. Throughout the rest of the night, members of the audiences deftly navigated tables and chairs to make their way up to the basket and contribute money towards the Cancer Society, and even going up to stage to put money on the bodies and in the costumes of the dancers. With the money piling up before them, the dancers looked as humble as street buskers, but performed with the professionalism deserving of a world class stage. The effort and energy was palpable. Even if it had not been a thick tropical night, hot and holding off a storm, the dancers would have still been sweating profusely, as they stomped, jumped and glided around the stage. The night ended with fire dances by one dancer only eight years old, and another who has competed internationally in the challenging skill. Founder and director of Matavai Pacific Cultural Arts, Maryjane McKibbin Schwenke said bringing together Pasifika people through cultural arts is a way to reconnect disenfranchised youths with their root. Pacific people represent some really negative statistics in Australia, she said. By letting them be themselves, and immersed in their culture, these kids regain their confidence and self-esteem. Ms. McKibbin Schwenke said many families bring their children and teenagers to Matavai as source of refuge, hoping the group can save them from jail, addiction and worse. The government departments send us these kids as a last resort, so between classes we help them get tutors, help them finish school, and help them learn to articulate themselves. Teenagers know a lot about this world, and we need to listen to them and give them the room to speak, she said. While Matavai boasts a roll of more than 300 students in over 10 different types of classes, nearly 70 dancers have travelled to Samoa for various performances and engagements. Between preparing for the big concert at the Orator Hotel, the group has also performed for preschools and primary schools and visited the hospital. Digicel has concluded their White Sunday top up and win promotion where close to four hundred customers had won daily prizes, a share of $13,000 worth of credit, and weekly winners winning prepaid mifi devices preloaded with data. In addition, as part of the main prizes, fifty lucky families were rewarded shopping vouchers with a combined total value of $40,000 to spend on their childrens white Sunday clothes, food items for their white Sunday toanaI and each family will receive an additional one hundred tala stationery voucher from S.S.A.B. for their childrens school needs. A lot of thought was put in to this promotion, said C.E.O., Farid Mohammed. As a business, its important to be innovative and at the same time ensure that any ideas we bring to the market are of value and benefit to our customers. White Sunday is one of the biggest events in the Samoan family setting, perhaps even bigger than Christmas, so we wanted to help our customers celebrate this special time of year for our children. Im certain our lucky families here with us today are going to enjoy this years celebrations a bit more than usual with these prizes. An excited Mailei Avia, of Manono-Uta, who was one of the recipients of the one thousand tala shopping vouchers said, This is such a huge surprise! Ive been following the promotion, never had I imagined I would win. I was in the middle of budgeting for both things - toanai and the clothes when I received a call to inform me that I was one of the lucky winners. After taking the call I gave out the most satisfying sigh of relief ever, thank you Digicel! Five hundred tala shopping voucher winner, Soonafai Lepua of Satuiatua Savaii also shared the same sentiments. Just last week I saw the Digicel team here at my village of Satuiatua and I bought a top up from them. Id like to think it was a sign that I would win something, now that I have, I thank you Digicel and keep up the amazing service to our country. All fifty winners were given a choice to select a store from a list identified by Digicel to spend their winning vouchers. It was important that we allowed our customers different options for their shopping, so when we did the initial calls to let them know that they had won, we also gave them the options of the stores for them to go and check out to see which store best suited their family and childrens needs for White Sunday. Now its just a matter of selecting whats going in that food trolley for Sunday toanai and what outfits and accessories the children want. Digicel Samoa also takes this opportunity to wish all the children and families of Samoa a safe and Happy White Sunday. The health and well being of the people of Samoa received a tremendous boost yesterday thanks to the Government of Japan. Yesterday, Japans Ambassador to Samoa, Maugaoleatuolo Shinya Aoki, presented a mobile dental vehicle valued at T$1.69million (JPY 71,700,000) to the Associate Minister of Heath, Salausa Dr. John Ah Ching. The dental vehicle was supplied to the Government of Samoa based on the Exchange of Notes signed on 29 April 2018 between the Ambassador of Japan and Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi. In February 2018, Dental equipment and Fire Engines were handed over to the N.H.S. and Fire Emergency Services Authority respectively. Japan believes that with good health system will eventually assist in nation building in the future which considers health-closely related to peoples welfare a top agenda of the Japan-Samoa relations. It is expected that with this assistance, the N.H.S. and its dental clinic will go a long way in strengthening and improving oral health care outreach programmes to several communities and schools across Samoa. An Australian mother and son have found Samoa to be a unique getaway destination for their family. Genevieve and Micah Mitric are from Adelaide and are here for a one week holiday. We are from Australia so most people go to Fiji and Vanuatu. Years ago we met a couple of Samoan guys studying in Adelaide, they were wonderful people, so we wanted to come and see the place, Genevieve told the Dear Tourist team. Since their arrival theyve been around Upolu under the guidance of locals, and to them its been a wonderful experience. I think there is enough to do even in the resort, you can go snorkeling and lava-lava printing you can do scuba diving etc. It depends what you want. The beaches are amazing, my husband and the kids they love snorkeling and the reefs here are beautiful. We have been to Hawaii and this is much better, its the marine life its not spoiled, so we hope that in time when they are getting more tourists that they are still able to maintain and hopefully preserve what they have because it is amazing. I was at the beach and I can see little crabs crumbling around, which was overwhelming. The nature is so rich unspoiled that is beautiful. Hawaii beaches are really nice too but I love how clear and nice sandy they are here. The Lalomanu beach was one of the most beautiful places Ive been to, Genevieve said. Micah said he enjoyed swimming in the pool and the ocean. The trench was wonderful and with all the paths it felt really safe. They told us that the current sometimes comes stronger and we should stick with the ropes and you can hear it as well when waves come. At the sliding rock I wished they informed us more about where exactly to slide down as the water wasnt high enough, Genevieve said. I think the market here is enough, what you have here is fine. The more you build the more you lose the appeal, which is a reason I come here. Where we come from we have everything but still we lack something, so what we get here is what we dont have home. They also loved how the locals live their lives and how intact the Samoan culture is. I love how they have the fales it is wonderful to maintain the culture. The cultural village has been amazing. The most impressing was the tattooing, Genevieve said. She also said the language barrier makes it difficult to communicate with locals, especially taxi drivers. She said they would return and they would recommend Samoa to anyone. My husband is very happy as well and enjoyed himself. The family leaves Samoa tomorrow. The first step in testing an entirely new kind of HIV vaccine began this week, using a vaccine candidate designed at an antibody center located at Scripps Research in La Jolla. The early stage human test is sponsored by the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, or IAVI, which operates the center at Scripps Research. It will evaluate safety, along with the vaccine candidates ability to begin the initial stages of a powerful antibody response to neutralize a broad spectrum of HIV strains. In the trial, 48 healthy adult volunteers will get either placebos or two injections of the vaccine candidate, delivered two months apart. It is taking place at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. Results are expected in late 2019, IAVI says. Many more steps will be needed before a complete HIV vaccine can be made, said Scripps Research scientist William Schief, whose lab designed the vaccine candidate. Thats why its called a vaccine candidate and not a vaccine. Advertisement The broadly neutralizing antibodies needed to protect against HIV infection cant be made in one pass, Schief said by email. The immune system must be guided down a complicated path, and this means multiple immunizations will be required. The initial dose is intended to start the process of making so-called VRC01-class broadly neutralizing antibodies, he said. These physically interfere with infection by blocking HIV from binding to the cells it infects. Among those assisting, Schief named many other scientists, in San Diego, at IAVI, and elsewhere in the country. GlaxoSmithKline provided an especially good immune stimulant, or adjuvant, to be given with the vaccine candidate, he said. Critical to the success of this program is whether the immune systems of most people have the capacity to make these antibodies through vaccination. The answer is yes, according to a study published in January in the journal Immunity. One of the studys leaders was Shane Crotty of the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology, who works with Schief and the others on neutralizing antibodies. Several attempts to produce effective HIV vaccines have foundered over the last few decades, including a program by The Immune Response Co, a now-defunct company in Carlsbad. Thats because the virus has many tricks up its molecular sleeves to evade detection by the immune system. HIV mutates ferociously, enabling it to bypass antibodies against one particular strain. The AIDS-causing virus does have vulnerable points, but these are shielded with sugar molecules called glycans stolen from its host. As a natural part of the body, these glycans are ignored by the immune system. This glycan shield isnt completely effective. Broadly neutralizing antibodies can recognize the shield and penetrate it to reach vulnerable locations. But these antibodies are typically produced after years of infection, when HIV is too well-established to eradicate. Schief and colleagues at Scripps Research including Dennis Burton, David Nemazee, Rich Wyatt, Ian Wilson and Andrew Ward have been collecting and studying these powerful antibodies for years. The goal is to reverse-engineer how they were made. They perform their work at IAVIs Neutralizing Antibody Center at Scripps Research. Schief is the centers director of vaccine design. A rare beginning Schief and collaborators found that a rare set of immune cells start the process of making broadly neutralizing antibodies. The vaccine candidate is intended to activate these cells, to teach them how to develop from raw beginners into seasoned veterans that produce these specialized antibodies, Schief said. Crottys study found that under the right conditions, human immune systems should be capable of making enough of these rare cells. This first step is a protein designed specifically to start the process, Schief said. The other vaccinations in the sequence will deliver other proteins each designed to push the process forward to the production of these protective antibodies. This concept is called germline-targeting vaccine design, Schief said. Thats because the cells targeted make early primitive antibodies that are derived from the so-called germline DNA. Antibody-making immune cells actually mutate their DNA from the basic germline state so they can differentiate along paths capable of making more specialized antibodies. These early antibodies require a lot of maturation to develop into protective broadly neutralizing antibodies, and that maturation ultimately will be driven by our full sequence of shots, Schief said. This project is one of several that Schief and colleagues hope to combine into an HIV vaccine. In order to make a maximally effective HIV vaccine, we think we will need to induce at least two different classes of broadly neutralizing antibodies, because no one type of antibody can neutralize 100 percent of HIV strains, Schief said. So we are also developing other vaccine candidates to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies against other sites on HIV, and ultimately we aim to make a combination vaccine. The long-term aim of this work is to save millions of lives around the world. Schief said. All of this work will be worth it if we can make a vaccine to protect people from this virus, as right now 5,000 people per day become infected with HIV, and most of those people dont receive anti-HIV drugs. Related reading Powerful HIV-neutralizing response possible in most people, study by San Diego researchers finds New clues to making an effective HIV vaccine found by Scripps Research scientists Are we closing in on HIV? VRC01 antibody delays but does not prevent HIV rebound after antiretroviral treatment interruption Powerful anti-HIV antibody found New weakness found in HIV HIV weak spot found in Scripps-led study Scripps Scientists Determine Structure of Broadly Neutralizing HIV Antibody HIV discovery seen to help hunt for vaccine Science Playlist On Now In a first, scientists rid human embryos of a potentially fatal gene mutation by editing their DNA On Now Space station flyovers visible from San Diego this week 0:55 On Now UCSD's 'ghost drivers' begin testing people's reaction seemingly empty cars 1:29 On Now 10 interesting facts about Mars On Now Kids can add years to your life On Now LA 90: SpaceX launches recycled rocket On Now Big passions, big giving: Malin Burnham 2:30 On Now Big passions, big giving: Darlene Shiley 2:40 On Now Big passions, big giving: Joan and Irwin Jacobs 2:45 On Now Ocean temperatures warming at rapid rate, study finds bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1020 Lemon Grove is facing some serious budget issues, and with two City Council seats open, residents will be able to weigh in this November on who they want to fix those problems. The citys general fund is expected to lose $410,121 this 2018-19 fiscal year, with additional losses projected after that. The citys total budget this year is $28.1 million; $13.8 million of that is in the citys general fund, which fund basic city services. The Lemon Grove City Council will be tasked with getting the city out of its financial fix and move from the red into the black. The city is currently looking at revenue-generating ideas, including leasing city property for electronic billboards and taxing medical marijuana. The city will hold a budget workshop on Oct. 23 to share information and take input from the community. Advertisement Lemon Groves budget woes weigh heavy on the minds of all four candidiates, the two City Council members seeking re-election, Jerry Jones and Jennifer Mendoza, and their challengers, Teresa Rosiak-Proffit and Kamaal Martin. Jones, 64, has been on the City Council since 2002 and was on the Lemon Grove School District Board from 1996-2002. Jones was educated at Southwestern College. He is retired after 25 years running his own business in the city and runs an in-home business with his wife. Mendoza, 63, was elected to the City Council in 2014 after 10 years on the citys Planning Commission. Mendoza has a bachelors degree and did graduate work in political science. She has a paralegal certificate from Cal State Chico. She works for a law firm in San Diego. Rosiak-Proffit, 55, is a medical credentialing specialist. She said she has a background in liberal arts and elementary education and attended Grossmont College. Rosiak-Proffit, who ran for mayor in Lemon Grove in 2016, is also vying for a seat on the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Board. Martin, 39, with a bachelors degree in history and a masters degree in international studies, is the regional director of projects for the California Charter School Association. He is an adjunct faculty member in the political science department at San Diego Mesa College. The Union-Tribune asked the candidates to share ways they will help Lemon Grove deal with its budget shortfall, and how they think the city could find more revenue streams. Jerry Jones (Courtesy photo) Jones said a strong business community is critical to a citys survival. The business community provides goods and services and the revenue to support the infrastructure and services of the city, Jones said. I come from the business community and understand their needs and desires. Its obvious to me that the city needs to do a better job of including the business community. Strong economic development and a business-friendly environment will take more than lip service. It will take someone that understands the language and landscape. Jones said the city has always been creative in finding revenue sources outside of raising taxes, and that is a challenge it is again taking up, with residents part of that challenge. Jennifer Mendoza (Courtesy photo) Mendoza said the city has no fat to cut from the budget without affecting services, and that city employees have gone without raises. She said the city needs to reach out to other groups and work harder to bring more businesses to Lemon Grove. We need to replace aging infrastructure, repair more streets, increase public safety services, Mendoza said. So if we cant cut, where do we get more income? The largest source of income for the city is sales tax revenue. We need to bring more tax-producing businesses to Lemon Grove such as restaurants, stores and even hotels. There are entities we can partner with, such as the East County Economic Development Council, to assist us in this effort. Teresa Rosiak-Proffit (Courtesy photo) Rosiak-Proffit said the City Council should be directing city staff to research the process of disincorporation. She said the city needs to take a closer look at tasks currently performed by city staff that can be outsourced and see if the employees in each department are still necessary to serve residents. She said the city needs to create a plan for economic development, which includes cleaning up an unattractive business corridor, and reach out to current brokers that have vacancies in Lemon Grove and find out why there are empty buildings. We need to work hard and seek out businesses that our residents spend their money at when they leave Lemon Grove and we need to recapture that revenue, Rosiak-Proffit said. Kamaal Martin (Courtesy photo) Martin said the city needs to look at short- and long-term plans. Lemon Grove will need to be exceedingly frugal and find ways to do more with less, he said. Martin said Lemon Grove should look at current contracts of city officials and possibly not fill vacant positions. Lets explore if certain duties can be carried out by current city staff and integrate jobs to the extent possible, he said. Martin said that a sales tax increase would be wise and would allow the city to invest in roads, sidewalks, street lights and green space that would help draw shoppers to Lemon Grove. He also suggested the city look at generating revenue from the cannabis industry. karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com Carlsbads airport could get a longer runway and other improvements under a master plan approved Wednesday by San Diego County supervisors after four years of studies, planning and community meetings. A group of North County residents strongly opposed the update of the McClellan-Palomar Master Plan, raising concerns that the proposed changes would increase noise, traffic and pollution. However, community and business leaders, along with county planners, said the changes are needed to safely accommodate the areas increasing population, growing economy and advances in aviation technology. Palomar airport is an extremely important asset to the entire county of San Diego, said Supervisor Bill Horn. Advertisement An economic analysis done for the plan showed that by 2030 the airport will support more than 4,600 jobs in the area, with an estimated $560.8 million in business revenue, $155.2 million in personal income, and $33.4 million in state and local tax revenue. The board voted 4-0 for the plan. Board chairman Kristin Gaspar excused herself from the discussion and the vote to avoid a possible conflict of interest because her family owns a business near the airport. The airport is owned and operated by the county at Palomar Airport Road and El Camino Real in Carlsbad. The total number of annual flights there peaked in 1999 with nearly 300,000 takeoffs and landings. The number dropped to less than half that by 2007 with declines in the economy, tourism and domestic travel, before leveling off. For nearly 20 years, the airport has been transitioning from mostly private, single-engine planes to larger corporate and commercial aircraft. The newer planes are quieter, have longer wingspans, and land or take off at higher speeds. The larger aircraft need a longer runway and more space between the runway and the airports parallel taxiway. Ive always wanted the runway lengthened, said Horn, who added that he got his own pilots license when he was 14 years old. The longer runway also would allow aircraft to take off carrying more fuel, so they could travel greater distances without stopping. The airport master plan provides a framework for the development of the airport over the next 20 years. It replaces a previous plan completed in 1997. The D-III alternative supported by the supervisors Wednesday will eventually shift the airports only runway and its taxiway to the north, provide a greater separation between the two, and allow the runway to be extended by as much as 800 feet. It also allows the installation of safety systems that can stop aircraft in an emergency at both ends of the runway, similar to the run-away truck ramps at the bottom of steep grades. Other options presented to the board included no runway extension, up to 200 feet, or up to 900 feet. Any runway extension remains years in the future. Nothing in the master plan commits the county to building any of the improvements, and so far the county has no money to pay for any of them. However, approval of the updated master plan allows the county to apply for grants and loans from the Federal Aviation Administration and other agencies that would pay for the projects. Speakers in support of the plan Wednesday included Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ted Owen, Visa Chamber of Commerce CEO Bret Schanzenbach, Palomar Airport Advisory Committee Chairman Chuck Collins, and California Pacific Airlines President and CEO Paul Hook, who said his company plans to begin commercial service at the airport Nov. 1. The airport is one of the largest employers in Carlsbad, Owen said. It reduces travel times for business people, and provides more flight choices for everyone in North County. Residents opposed to the plan have argued that any extension of the runway is an expansion of the airport, which would require the approval of Carlsbad voters. However, county officials and an independent legal consultant hired by the Carlsbad City Council disagreed, saying there is no expansion as long as the airport stays within its present boundaries. We oppose lengthening or moving the runway and any improvements that would make the airport more attractive to larger aircraft, Carlsbad resident Hope Nelson told the supervisors. She said the countys economic analysis is flawed because it fails to note that many of the expected economic benefits already exist. Others said the runway extension would require building over a former landfill that releases methane and poses other environmental hazards. Additional environmental studies and approvals will be required before any of the improvement projects can proceed. philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @phildiehl During last Decembers Lilac Fire in Bonsall, many horses fleeing the flames were set free. Matching horses to their owners was difficult in the days that followed. On Saturday in Poway, a horse microchipping and fire safety clinic will be held at the Poway Valley Riders Association at 14336 Tierra Bonita Road in Poway. For $45, horses can have a permanent transponder injected into the upper neck on the left side. The chip assigns a code to the horse, which can be registered in an online data base. The chip can be read with a handheld scanning device that reveals the code and identifies the horses owner. Should the horse require sedation, an additional fee will apply. Advertisement To preregister for the event, which will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, email chipyourhorse@gmail.com. You will be contacted and given a time slot. jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones Hobby Lobby Stores Inc., a national chain of craft and home decor stores, recently opened its 47th California store in Oceanside. Dezerae Matthias is the manager of the 58,000-square-foot store on College Boulevard and Plaza Drive. Hobby Lobby, based in Oklahoma City, has more than 800 stores nationwide. Each store offers more than 70,000 crafting and home decor products including floral, fabric, needle art, custom framing, baskets, home accents, wearable art, arts and crafts, jewelry making, scrapbooking and paper crafting supplies. Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Stores are closed on Sunday. Visit hobbylobby.com. Grand Slam Pizza offers classic pies as well as gluten-free and cauliflower crust pizzas. (Courtesy photo) Pizza time: Grand Slam Pizza opened this summer at 1910 Shadowridge Drive, Suite 101, in Vista. Owner Louie Bear Archuleta is a home-grown Vistan who loved going for pizza after his Little League and Pop Warner games. His goal is to re-create that neighborhood/family feeling at Grand Slam Pizza, which is co-owned by his wife, Cathy. The restaurant offers specialty pizzas like the Spring Training Pizza (pesto, chicken, garlic, artichoke, red onion, tomato), starting at $13.99 for small and $23.99 for large. Or build your own, starting with a Mini at $5.99 up to a Large at $15.99. Sandwiches like the Greenskeeper ($6.99, pesto, spinach, mushrooms, green and red bell peppers, tomato, onion, provolone, Italian dressing) are available, as are salads, appetizers and a childrens menu. Pizza by the slice offered from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays, along with other lunch specials. Wine and beer available, including brews from 10 rotating local craft beer taps. Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Call (760)-599-1199; email info@grandslampizzavista.com; visit https://grandslamvista.com. Going swimmingly: Jordan Robbins, 23, a La Costa Canyon High School graduate, has launched REVLY Sport, an active swimwear line. Robbins, who played volleyball with scoliosis for more than a decade, had a goal to provide comfortable, cute suits that worked for different body types. Revly sells multiple styles of tops, bottoms and one-pieces, all aimed at providing different amounts of coverage and support. The suits are self-lined and designed and produced in Southern California. Visit https://revlysport.com. Advertisement New notary: Notary public Carrie Lynn Tyler has a new practice in Escondido. Contact her at carrielynntyler@gmail.com or (760) 888-7841. She offers mobile services, including as a bilingual certified loan signing agent and Spanish interpreter/translator. She serves all Southern California counties, including Riverside, Orange and San Bernardino. Visit www.carrielynntyler.com. Everbowl in San Elijo Hills: Everbowl has opened a shop at 1646 San Elijo Road, Suite 107, in San Marcos. The quick-serve eatery chain has been expanding rapidly: This is the 15th store that founder and CEO Jeff Fenster has opened since creating the brand two years ago. Everbowl offers a menu of craft superfoods that allow customers to build their own fresh fruit-laden parfaits. Each starts with one of four superfood base options: acai, pitaya, graviola or acerola. A liquid is blended into the base, then fruit toppings and healthy super stuff add-ins are layered in. Each bowl is $8 for unlimited ingredients. Everbowl also offers smoothies and grab-and-go salads. This store will be part of the San Elijo Town Center, a five-acre retail and residential hub, along with fitness studios, restaurants and retailers including CycleBar, Starbucks and Lourdes Mexican. laura.groch@sduniontribune.com Making Imperial Beach more affordable and addressing the citys cross-border pollution problem are the top issues in Novembers City Council election. Rising rents threaten to push out long-time residents and record home prices prevent people who grew up in Imperial Beach from buying a house in their hometown. Sewage spills from Tijuana repeatedly close the citys beaches and present a health risk to Imperial Beach residents, Border Patrol agents and Navy SEALs. While the candidates agree on these issues, they have different proposals for how to go about addressing them. Five candidates are running to fill two open seats on the City Council. Only one of the candidates, Ed Spriggs, is an incumbent so the council will have at least one fresh face after the Nov. 6 election. Advertisement The four challengers are Mo Camacho, a pro-business veteran; Paloma Aguirre, an environmental activist with legislative experience in Washington D.C.; Darnisha Hunter, a tough-on-crime veterans advocate with the city of San Diego; and Dane Crosby, who was born and raised in Imperial Beach and is wary of outside special interests changing the citys small-town feel. When it comes to affordable housing, all the candidates believe the solution is building more housing, not rent control. I dont believe in rent control, Hunter said. Im a homeowner and I dont want anyone telling me how much to rent my property for. Spriggs, who worked in economic development for the U.S. Foreign Service and oversaw planning and construction at UC San Diego before becoming a councilman in 2010, said rent control has unintended consequences. Its pretty well established that rent control does not help increase the amount of affordable housing, he said. In fact, it stops new investment in multifamily housing because nobody wants to put a ceiling on their revenue. Aguirre said the city should go after vacation rentals that dont register with the city, remove rental units from the market and price out long-time renters. We have a huge loss in revenue stream by not enforcing ordinances that have to do with vacation rentals, she said. Crosby and Camacho agreed the city needs to build more affordable housing, but stressed the importance of balancing growth with density. Crosbys campaign slogan is, Lets make a greater IB, not a denser IB. Camacho said the city should prioritize smart growth such as requiring developers to provide parking spaces for all new residents. Edward Spriggs is 71 and has been a city councilmember since 2010. Spriggs is a registered Democrat with a Bachelors from UC San Diego and a JD from New York University School of Law. (Ed Spriggs) Paloma Aguirre is the Coastal and Marin Director at WILDCOAST. The registered Democrat is 41 and has a Bachelors degree from University of San Diego and a Masters degree from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. (Paloma Aguirre) Darnisha Hunter is a veterans advocate for the City of San Diego. The 57-year-old is a registered Republican. (Darnisha Hunter) Dane Crosby was born and raised in Imperial Beach. He is 39 and has been a small business owner since 2005. (Dane Crosby) Mo Camacho grew up in the South Bay. He graduated from Mar Vista High School in 1990, joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1994. He currently works at Spectrum as a regional director. (Mo Camacho) When it comes to cross-border sewage, Aguirre portrayed herself as the most vocal and qualified champion in the field. I have the bilingual and bi-cultural skills to take the fight to clean water across the border, she said. Aguirre works for WILDCOAST, an environmental advocacy nonprofit founded by Mayor Serge Dedina. She also recently worked with a councilmember in Tijuana to write the citys first ban on plastic bags. Spriggs called cross-border pollution an existential challenge for Imperial Beach. Camacho said the federal government might assume a bigger role when the Navy finishes building its SEAL training center in Imperial Beach. You know what, once we have our troops out there in the water and they get sick, I guarantee you the government is going to step it up, he said. Hunter separated herself from the pack when she questioned the citys lead role in addressing the Tijuana sewage spills. Imperial Beach is currently suing the federal government over the pollution. Chula Vista and the Port of San Diego are also suing the federal government. After pointing out that Imperial Beach has thrown $700,000 at that, Hunter said the city should let bigger cities take the lead on the issue and use the money on other things like public safety. Just look at how were spending our money and make sure were taking care of the community first, she said. Instead of spending the money on a federal lawsuit, Hunter said the city should spend it on hiring more Sheriffs deputies or installing more street lights. What we dont have is public safety funding, she said. When the sun goes down, our community is pitch black. When Im walking, people complain that they have to use Christmas lights on their bushes to illuminate their community. Imperial Beach had the second-lowest crime rate in San Diego County last year. Spriggs agreed that Imperial Beach has a challenge when it comes to public safety spending. The city has a contract with the Sheriffs Department and every year the contracts costs increase. We have managed to keep up with those increases of 5 percent or 6 percent a year and weve been doing very well; the low crime-rate statistics speak for themselves, he said. However, in order to keep up with that pace, we need new sources of revenue. Spriggs supported raising the hotels Transient Occupancy Tax as a way to raise tax revenues without affecting residents as much as visitors. Contact Gustavo Solis via Email or Twitter New York City prosecutors have dropped one of six counts of sexual assault against Harvey Weinstein after questions were raised about inconsistencies in an accusers testimony. The development, which was announced in a Manhattan courtroom Thursday morning, involved an allegation of assault made by Lucia Evans, a once-aspiring actress who told New Yorker magazine last year that Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex during a 2004 meeting. The Los Angeles Times does not normally identify those who make accusations of sexual assault, but Evans has come forward publicly in the past. Weinstein surrendered to New York police in May and was charged with rape in the first degree, rape in the third degree and committing a criminal sexual act in the first degree for alleged forcible sexual acts against two women in 2004 and 2013, prosecutors have said. Advertisement In court Thursday, Manhattan Assistant Dist. Atty. Joan Illuzzi-Osborn said the development would not affect the other five counts against Weinstein. In short, we are moving full steam ahead, she said. As we do with every case, we will follow the facts of law wherever they may lead and protect those who are preyed upon as well as the integrity of the process. According to a letter made public by the district attorneys office Thursday, Evans wrote a draft email to her husband in 2015 that somewhat differed from the account of the assault she gave to prosecutors. The email itself has not been made public and remains under seal. The account describes details of the sexual assault that differ from the account the complainant has provided to our office, the letter released by the district attorneys office reads. Evans also previously told prosecutors she had never disclosed the details of Weinsteins alleged assault to her husband, according to the letter, which was sent by prosecutors to Weinsteins defense attorney, Benjamin Brafman. The letter does not mention Evans by name but refers to the allegation of sexual assault that she described to the New Yorker last year. A witness who claimed to have been with Evans the day she first met Weinstein said Evans told her the encounter with Weinstein was consensual, according to the letter. Recounting statements made by Evans, the witness told investigators Weinstein promised Evans an acting job if she performed oral sex, according to the letter. Evans has denied the encounter was consensual, the letter said. In a statement Thursday, Brafman said he would seek a dismissal of the remaining counts because he believed Evans perjured testimony contaminated the grand jury proceedings. Brafman also accused an New York Police Department detective of trying to suppress the witness testimony that led to the dismissal Thursday. Brafman has attacked the credibility of Weinsteins accusers in the past. In a 159-page motion seeking the dismissal of all charges in August, the attorney argued that Weinstein and the woman he is accused of assaulting in 2013 had extensive communications after the alleged abuse took place. The communications, he said at the time, reflect a consensual, intimate relationship with Mr. Weinstein in an exchange of more than 400 warm, complimentary and solicitous emails. An attorney for Evans said prosecutors had abandoned a victim. Let me be clear: The decision to throw away my clients sexual assault charges says nothing about Weinsteins guilt or innocence. Nor does it reflect on Lucias consistent allegation that she was sexually assaulted with force by Harvey Weinstein, attorney Carrie Goldberg said in a statement. It only speaks volumes about the Manhattan D.A.'s office and its mishandling of my clients case. Wednesdays development did not mark the first time the Manhattan district attorneys office has been questioned over its handling of sexual assault allegations against Weinstein. In March, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered the state attorney general to review the offices decision not to pursue charges against Weinstein after he was accused of groping an Italian model in 2015. Weinstein has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than 80 women, and the torrent of allegations against him served as the basis for the #MeToo movement, which has led to the downfall of a number of celebrities and politicians. Police in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, New York and London have conducted investigations into more than 20 allegations in the last year against Weinstein. Cases have been submitted to the Los Angeles County district attorneys office for review, but no charges have been filed. Weinstein has denied any wrongdoing. He has pleaded not guilty in the New York case and remains free on $1 million bail. Weinstein is due back in court on Dec. 20. james.queally@latimes.com | Twitter: @JamesQueallyLAT richard.winton@latimes.com | Twitter: @lacrimes UPDATES: 2:40 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details from court records and comments from Weinsteins defense attorney. 11:10 a.m.: This article was updated with Los Angeles Times staff reporting and additional context. This article was originally published at 7:25 a.m. Beautiful, energetic and full of adventurous spirit, Pati Jinich has a magnetic screen personality which makes you long to be her friend and travel buddy. Now in her seventh season of Patis Mexican Table, the culinary star explores areas of Mexico known and adored by San Diegans: Tijuana, Ensenada, Baja and Valle de Guadalupe. In Episode 1, which debuted on Oct. 6, Jinich dives into the diverse and bustling scene in Tijuana. From close up images of street food to high end gastronomy, she meets with vendors and chefs alike and bites into some of the most delicious cuisine the city has to offer. The inaugural episode of the new season has her exploring food trucks at Telefonica Gastro Park, meeting with Miguel Angel Guerrero, founder of Baja Med cuisine, and eating with Ruffo Ibara, chef at Oryx Capital. Back in her kitchen (a staple part of each episode), she teaches viewers to cook up tacos gobernador, a Tijuana version of shrimp tacos, and a chorizo-stuffed pork loin with three-chiles adobo sauce. Drooling yet? PACIFIC caught up with the busy star of Patis Mexican Table, which airs locally at 3 p.m. Saturdays on KPBS, to find out her favorites from the region, the Mexican breakfast food all Americans need to try, and what makes a perfect fish taco. Advertisement PACIFIC: On your culinary adventures, youve taken viewers to Merida, Cancun, Isla Mujeres, and Campeche, just to name a few. What makes Tijuana stand out and special in Mexico? PATI JINICH: Oh, Tijuana is just brimming with character, substance, and some of the most spectacular food I have ever eaten. One of the things that I love about Tijuana is that there is absolutely nothing plain about it, and there is a rich and fascinating history at every turn. Name your favorite thing you tasted or experienced in... Tijuana? Tortas Wash was my very first bite in Tijuana and it couldnt have been a better one! The most overflowing torta ever with perfectly seasoned and juicy meat, pickled onions, ripe tomatoes, mashed guac and fresh soft bread. A thing of beauty. Ensenada? I have to go with the Sea Urchin Tostada at La Guerrerense (A food cart in Ensenada that was anointed by the late Anthony Bourdain as one of the best in the world on No Reservations in 2012.). The freshness, the bountiful feel, the flavor, the generosity, I could go back for one every weekend if I lived nearby! Wine country? The wine (laughing), accompanied by David Castro Hussongs (Fauna in Valle de Guadelupe) grilled Tomahawk. But a must-stop at some point at (La Cocina de) Dona Esthela to fuel up before heading to the valley with a ridiculously soulful breakfast. If someone can only go to Tijuana for one day, whats a must-do? Oh boy. Dinner at Oryx. Wake up and go for a Tortas Wash. Build up an appetite for a Torta Ahogada at El Tio Pepe and finish at La Querencia. For me, Tijuana is best experienced from meal to meal. What makes the perfect fish taco? Flaky, fresh fish, fluffy, puffy batter, good tortillas are a must, crunchy slaw and a spicy salsa. It is more perfect if you eat it in Ensenada. Favorite Mexican breakfast food Americans need to try? The corn pancakes from Dona Esthela. They are the best pancakes I have ever had. Favorite wine varietal and food pairing? I have to tell you, even though I was so delighted tasting the amazing wines from the Guadalupe Valley, what I was really surprised by, was the fabulous array and quality of the up-and-coming artisanal beer industry. Baja wines and beers are just as accommodating as us Mexicans. They go with everything. Upcoming episodes Oct. 6 | Ep. 1: Exploring Baja Californias culinary movement in Tijuana Oct. 13 | Ep. 2: Tijuana: Stories from the Border Oct. 20 | Ep 3: Ensenadas Epic Seafood Oct. 27 | Ep. 4: Baja Breakfast Nov. 3 | Ep. 5: Mexican Wine Country Dec. 29 | Ep. 13: Mexd Up American Regional Favorites including the Puerto Nuevo lobsters In 1954, a group of charitable women formed The Country Friends, a nonprofit organization providing funding to numerous San Diego-based charities. Over the years, its efforts have raised nearly $14 million for causes focusing on women, children, the elderly, the military, and the disabled. CF operates a volunteer-staffed consignment shop, filled with top-end items, and hosts various fundraising events throughout the calendar year. But its most famous and highest-earning event is the annual Art of Fashion luncheon and fashion show, held at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, which has hosted use of the venue since time immemorial. This years 63rd edition began on the Inns lawn with French Gourmet canapes and Moet & Chandon Champagne. Once guests were seated for the fashion show, CF president Deb Cross revealed that the organization was funding 50 non-profits this year. Co-chairs Tamara Lafarga-Joseph and Sarah Sleeper thanked guests and sponsors for their support, and the emcees, NBC San Diego newscasters Catherine Garcia and Mark Mullen, introduced the event honoree popular local philanthropist, fashionista, and entrepreneur Maggie Bobileff. Maggie (who chaired the event last year with Denise Hug), then spoke of her longstanding love for fashion, which became her career. She revealed that shes been battling cancer for the past year, and credited the support of her friends and family. Now her doctor is calling her Miracle Maggie, and she plans to be around for many years to come. Swiss-born, shes now a proud American. As a citizen of this country, she observed, I want to say that it is time for us to get together, to listen to each other; to support each other. Advertisement The fast-paced half-hour runway show, held beneath a gigantic net canopy, featured the fall/winter collections of 13 top designers, courtesy of the finest retailers from the events multi-year fashion partner, South Coast Plaza. The presentation drew raves from the appreciative audience. Afterward, the 450 guests reconvened under a huge open-sided sunshade on the Inns lawn for a gourmet luncheon created by executive chef Chris House. Table centerpieces unique hats by designer Aimee Fuller were quickly purchased by admirers. During dessert, stunning opportunity drawing prizes valued at $40,000 were awarded to lucky winners. The priciest a pair of diamond, sapphire, and pearl earrings valued at $7,900went to Les Cross, husband of CFs president. Rather than wear them, hell probably give them to someone he knows Festivities concluded with cocktails, socializing, and shopping from South Coast Plazas boutiques. Chinese contestant pushes a heavy tire during a military obstacle challenge at the camp of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Sector East Command on October 8, local time. By Liu Chang and Meng Zhuolin LEBANON, Oct. 11 (ChinaMil) -- The construction engineer detachment of the 17th Chinese peacekeeping force to Lebanon won the 4th place in an military obstacle challenge held by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on October 8, local time. This military obstacle challenge is a team competition. Each team consists of four people and they have to pass a 4-kilometer track with 12 man-made obstacles. These obstacles are set to test the strength, endurance, agility and teamwork. A total of 38 teams from 16 countries including China, Italy, France and Spain participated in the competition. The top six teams would be rewarded. During the competition, the contestants have to push tires and throw heavy objects first. And then, they have to cross puddles, climb walls, carry sandbags, climb ropes, transport the wounded and complete Tyrolean traverse and vehicle pushing and other subjects. The Chinese team passed through all the obstacles in 26 minutes and 59 seconds and won the 4th place. They were praised by UNIFIL officials and won warm applause from their foreign counterparts. Chinese peacekeeper Jia Nannan said after the competition, "It is a great challenge to compete against foreign counterparts because they have strong teamwork ability and military qualities. Still, we want to surpass them." "At the same time, this is an opportunity for us to enhance understanding of foreign militaries, learn from their strengths, and improve our training method," Jia said. The Me too movement has gained great momentum, spurred by the many injustices coming to light recently. But for over a century, one of Americas most venerable and beneficial institutions has diligently helped girls and women become all that they can be. No; it isnt the Army its the Girl Scouts! Since its 1912 founding by Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, Ga., the organization (initially titled Girl Guides of America) has grown to serve girls in the U.S. and American girls living abroad. Girl Scouts prepares and mentors girls to empower themselves, promoting compassion, courage, confidence, character, leadership, entrepreneurship, and active citizenship in an all-girl, girl-focused, safe environment. Membership is open to girls of all backgrounds, and a large proportion of todays most successful women were once Girl Scouts. In recent years, Girl Scouts has been encouraging girls interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Girl Scouts San Diego holds its Urban Campout fundraising event annually at its Balboa Park headquarters, and its theme this year was Mad About Science. Rita Datko and Tange Gavin chaired; longtime Girl Scout volunteer and major contributor Barbara Groce and her daughter, E.A. Stewart, were honorary chairs. The 555 guests embraced the theme, many sporting lab coats, pocket protectors, and safety gogglesone such group even showing up with soot-covered faces, as survivors of a lab experiment gone awry. These urban campouts always offer many camping-related activities. While guests enjoyed thematic cocktails and tray-passed hors doeuvres (many incorporating dry ice to simulate smoke), others played at archery, smores-making, and interactive science experiments. Diverse silent auction items included hi-def TVs, household goodies, and an entire table of fanciful Ro-Bot Sculptures made from found items. In fact, dozens of hand-made robots decorated the entire venue. Advertisement Before a three-course dinner featuring salmon and short ribs, County Supervisor Ron Roberts, whose leadership and advocacy has helped ensure that girls from any economic background can become Girl Scouts, was made an honorary member of the organization and received a T-shirt reading Man Enough to be a Girl Scout. Board chair Regina Buckley introduced the honorary chairs, who spoke of their familys four-generation involvement with the Girl Scouts. Emcee Clint Bells eight-item live auction brought in nearly $30,000, and after a short video and talks by life member Roshni Kakaiya and young Esha Walia, paddle-raise pledges topped $120,000 (including $45,000 in generous matching grants). Overall net proceeds exceeded $350,000, and the evening concluded with The Heroes playing for dancing under the stars. October 11, 1911 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. Wednesday, October 11, 1911 In 1911 California voters passed an amendment to the state constitution granting women the right to vote, nine years before the 19th Amendment provided women's suffrage throughout the United States. California became the sixth state where women could vote equally with men. Although early returns statewide showed the womens suffrage vote in doubt, by the final statewide count, 125,037 men voted yes to giving voting rights to women, 50.73 percent of the total, and just 3,587 more than voted no. In San Diego county the amendment eventually passed by 864 votes, 57.48 percent of the total, with 3,331 men voting yes and 2,464 men voting no. Newly eligible voters rushed to register to vote. On Oct. 26, The Union reported that 2,528 women had registered in time to vote in the next election. And on November 14, 1911, for the first time in the history of California, women went to the polls in San Diego. Here are the first few paragraphs of the story: WOMEN HOLD BIG LEAD IN COUNTY Partial Returns Received Up to 2 a.m. Give Suffrage 445 Majority ALL AMENDMENTS CARRY Heaviest Vote Polled for Text Book Proposition; Factory Inspection Next. AT 2 OCLOCK this morning, with only three city precinct missing in the city but with the greater portion of the county outside the city to be heard from, it was conceded that all the twenty-three constitutional amendments voted on by the people at yesterdays election had carried. The missing city precincts are the second of the ninth ward, third of the eighth ward and fifth of the first ward. Aside from amendment No. 19, amendment No. 4, giving the women of the state of California the right to vote, received the smallest majority of any of the long list, the returns showing that the majority in the city (outside of the three missing precincts, and in thirty-nine out of the ninety-six precincts of the city and county, was 445. The amendment was defeated in a number of the city precincts while in others, notably the University Heights residence district, the vote for suffrage was in some cases more than double that of the opposition. The city and county totals received so far on this amendment are: Yes, 2338; no, 1892. View anniversary front pages online at sandiegouniontribune.com/150-years. For more from the Union-Tribune digital archives, go to newslibrary.com/sites/sdub. Searching is free, with registration. A fee is required to view full stories. A man was fatally shot by officers and a woman was arrested following a pursuit in Huntington Beach early Thursday, police said. The pursuit began about 12:30 a.m. when officers tried to pull over a silver sedan that had been reported stolen, but the driver failed to yield, Officer Angela Bennett said. The chase ended near 12th Street and Palm Avenue, where the two suspects a man and a woman ran from the car, Bennett said. The man was shot multiple times by officers, she said, and was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No officers were injured in the shooting, she said. It was not clear what prompted police to open fire. Authorities said a gun was recovered from the scene. Advertisement The woman, whose name has not been released, was taken into custody. Residents told reporters at the scene that they were startled by a succession of gunshots just outside their homes. Rudy Mikaelian, a 40-year Huntington Beach resident, said he was watching television on the couch when he heard at least five shots. Its the way the world is, he said. The Orange County Sheriffs Department is investigating the incident. It was the first officer-involved shooting in Huntington Beach this year. The Huntington Beach Police Department had seven officer-involved shootings in 2017, a total that exceeded any other year this decade, according to department archives. hannah.fry@latimes.com Twitter: @Hannahnfry Three women filed a federal lawsuit against Huntington Memorial Hospital and one of its longest-serving obstetricians Wednesday, alleging that the physician subjected them to unwanted sexual remarks during exams in the 1990s. The suit in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles comes a week after The Times reported that Dr. Patrick Sutton had been accused of sexual misconduct by five other patients. Sutton, 64, settled four of those accusations without admitting any sexual wrongdoing, and he has said through a lawyer that he plans to contest the fifth pending complaint. In the wake of The Times report, Huntington administrators announced that Sutton would be removed from hospital leadership and have a chaperone when treating women in the maternity ward. The Pasadena hospital also said he would no longer be on its list of doctors on call to deliver babies. Eileen Neuwirth, a spokeswoman for the hospital, said in a statement Wednesday that administrators were reviewing the lawsuit. Advertisement Huntington Hospital takes seriously all issues of patient health and safety, Neuwirth said. Suttons attorney did not immediately respond Wednesday to the lawsuits allegations. The suit was filed by Pennsylvania-based Sauder Schelkopf LLC and the San Francisco-based firm Lieff Cabraser Heimann and Bernstein LLP, whose attorneys are also suing USC on behalf of more than 50 women who allege they were sexually abused by campus gynecologist Dr. George Tyndall. The women in Wednesdays suit were identified only by their initials, and although all three plaintiffs delivered their children at the hospital, none of the alleged misconduct occurred on Huntingtons grounds. Their lawyers wrote that at a 1999 postpartum checkup, Sutton made lewd comments to plaintiff K.G. and groped her breasts. The suit alleged that when another patient, T.F., asked Sutton what to do about a migraine during pregnancy in the late 1990s, he instructed her to masturbate in order to make the blood rush to her head and then to let him know by phone whether she had been able to achieve orgasm. In two previous cases one concerning a 1998 patient visit and the other in 2008 the Medical Board of California sought to revoke or suspend Suttons medical license for causes including sexual misconduct. Sutton reached agreements with the board under which he admitted to failing to maintain medical records and was placed on probation. He was twice ordered to take a professional boundaries course and once sent to psychotherapy. In a Sept. 24 filing, a medical board lawyer accused Sutton of making inappropriate remarks about a patients appearance and sex life during a 2016 visit. The allegation is pending. Two additional former patients filed a lawsuit in 2005 accusing Sutton of touching them inappropriately and making graphic, sexually charged remarks during medical exams, according to a draft complaint in the case. Sutton settled the case in 2005 for an undisclosed sum, and the file has since been destroyed by Los Angeles County Superior Court officials. Both women have declined to comment, citing a confidentiality agreement. harriet.ryan@latimes.com matt.hamilton@latimes.com UPDATES: 6:00 p.m.: This article was updated with a statement from Huntington Memorial Hospital. This article was originally publised at 3:20 p.m. Orange County sheriffs deputies have arrested a Mexican police officer they say had 50 pounds of methamphetamine in his car. According to the Sheriffs Department, deputies stopped the car for vehicle code violations on Tuesday on the 5 Freeway between Orange and San Diego counties. The department says the driver seemed extremely nervous. Authorities say 41-year-old Miguel Patron of Ensenada produced identification showing him wearing a badge and identifying him as a police officer. Advertisement When his car was searched, a drug-detecting dog located a hidden compartment. Inside, the Sheriffs Department says, were packages of meth. Patron was arrested and was being held on $200,000 bail. It wasnt clear whether he had an attorney. Construction workers last week put up the final panel of a new border barrier in Calexico, Calif., a project touted by President Trump as the first part of his promised wall between Mexico and the U.S. Almost two years into Trumps presidency, Congress has so far avoided funding a full-fledged border wall. The approximately $1.6 billion in funding that has been awarded to border construction has focused on replacement barrier projects with restrictions about the type of structures that could be built with the money. That meant that the Trump administration couldnt build barriers that resemble the wall prototypes that were erected last year in Otay Mesa. Whether the Calexico barrier is actually part of Trumps promised wall has been heavily debated since the project was announced in February. Advertisement The estimated $18-million project replaced just over two miles of a 1990s barrier made of steel Vietnam War-era military aircraft landing mats with 30-foot bollards poles placed close together to restrict entry but allow people on either side to see through. Department of Homeland Security officials previously called existing border barriers fences, but after construction began in Calexico, they began to refer to both old and new structures as part of a border wall and, more recently, a border wall system. Gloria Chavez, chief of the El Centro sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, said the new Calexico barrier is a solid first step in strengthening our border security posture. The border wall will greatly enhance our agents ability to detect and arrest those entering the country illegally, Chavez said, adding that she believes it will also have a positive effect on the surrounding border communities. Planning for the barrier replacement project began in 2009, but funding and construction came under the Trump administration. The only characteristic the new structure shares with Trumps border wall prototypes is its height. At 30 feet, it towers over older fencing in the El Centro sector, which at the highest rises to about 20 feet. Six of the eight prototypes dont fit one of the Border Patrols main criteria for new construction being able to see through the barrier to better respond to crossing attempts and improve agent safety. According to a recent report from the Government Accountability Office, Customs and Border Protection also determined that all of the prototypes would present construction challenges. Because the new Calexico barrier is see-through, some have said that it is a fence, not a wall. The Calexico structure is one of several going up along the Southwest border this year. Workers recently completed 20 miles of border barrier in Santa Teresa, N.M., a project that began in April. Construction crews are also working to replace 14 miles of landing-mat barrier along the San Diego-Tijuana border. According to Border Patrol Agent Tekae Michael, workers have completed about 6 miles of that project, which began in June. The new bollard barrier allows San Diego agents for the first time to see through to the Mexican side of the border, Michael said. Its a big deal for us, she said. Border Patrol Agent Justin Castrejon said at least one person has already been injured and hospitalized after falling from the new, taller structure while trying to climb over it. Environmental activists have raised objections to border barrier construction, saying it disrupts habitats and migration patterns of a variety of animals, including endangered species. On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security announced that it would waive environmental impact assessment requirements for a construction project in the Rio Grande Valley sector in Texas, the sector that currently sees the highest number of illegal border crossings. The Rio Grande Valley is one of the most spectacular and biologically important landscapes in the country, said Laiken Jordahl, borderlands campaigner for the Center for Biological Diversity. Every acre is irreplaceable. Well do everything in our power to stop this destruction. The organization sued over similar waivers that DHS put in place for Calexico and San Diego construction. A federal judge sided with the Trump administration, and the Center for Biological Diversity is appealing that decision. A tweet from the El Centro sector announcing the end of construction promised more border infrastructure improvements in 2019. kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com Morrissey writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. An assistant U.S. attorney in San Diego working on the national opioid strategy and transnational organized crime has been nominated by the White House for a seat on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Patrick J. Bumatays appointment was announced late Wednesday along with two other nominees to fill three vacancies on the court of appeals. The 9th Circuit, with 29 judges, is the largest of the nations appeals courts, serving the western United States, including Hawaii and Alaska. It is also considered to be one of the most liberal. Bumatay is a member of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces Section and currently serves as counselor to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on such issues. Earlier roles include overseeing aspects of the Department of Justices civil enforcement programs. Advertisement Last year, he was among a team of attorneys to be recognized by the attorney general for Distinguished Service to Support the Nomination of Associate Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch. After receiving an undergraduate degree from Yale University and a law degree from Harvard Law School, he clerked for Judge Timothy M. Tymkovich of the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and later for U.S. District Judge Sandra L. Townes in the Eastern District of New York. He has membership in several professional organizations, including the National Filipino American Lawyers Association and the Tom Homann LGBT Law Association. The two other nominees are both attorneys from the Los Angeles area: Daniel P. Collins, a partner at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP and former associate deputy attorney general at the Department of Justice, and Kenneth Kiyul Lee, a partner at Jenner & Block LLP. Their nominations will have to be approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee before a vote goes to the full Senate. Three other nominations are pending for other vacancies on the 9th Circuit, and the latest announcement leaves the Trump administration with one remaining judicial pick. kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @kristinadavis Triton Management Services, a Carlsbad-based company that provides administrative and other services for bail bond businesses, has agreed to pay $110,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging discrimination against an employee with a disability, federal regulators announced Wednesday. The lawsuit, filed a year ago in federal court by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after pre-litigation settlement negotiations failed, accused Triton of denying a leave of absence an employee who needed medical attention and firing her instead of trying to provide reasonable accommodation. In doing so, Triton allegedly violated the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the lawsuit alleged. The allegations stemmed from Tritons response to the medical needs of an employee it hired as a legislative affairs director in December 2015, according to the lawsuit. The employee, a licensed attorney, had been diagnosed earlier that year with bi-polar disorder and had started treatment. Advertisement In March 2016, the employee had a manic episode related to her disorder while she was attending a relatives funeral in Miami, the lawsuit said. During the episode, the employee sent her employer an incoherent text message in which she wrote, among other things, BTW, I quit, and Im not crazy. Im bi-polar, the lawsuit said. The same night she sent the text, she was hospitalized, according to the lawsuit. A couple days later, the employees husband contacted Tritons human resources department and left a message, explaining that the employee was ill and recovering in the hospital, the lawsuit alleged. The employee and her husband considered this voicemail a retraction of her resignation via text message. The company did not return the husbands call, and instead sent the employee a letter accepting her resignation via text message, the lawsuit said. Triton stood by its decision despite the employees husband providing a note from her doctor requesting medical leave, and without trying to work with her to make a reasonable accommodation so she could continue working in her job. To resolve the lawsuit, Triton agreed to pay the former employee $110,000 and to comply with court orders and other agreed-upon measures to prevent workplace discrimination in the future, the EEOC wrote in its announcement Wednesday. The money is intended to compensate the former employee for any emotional distress she may have suffered as a result of her alleged discrimination claims against Triton, according to the settlement agreement. Within six months of losing her job at Triton, the former employee found a new job working as an attorney at a law firm in San Diego, the lawsuit said. Attorneys for Triton did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday afternoon. 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 morgan.cook@sduniontribune.com A San Bernardino County man has been indicted on accusations of selling fentanyl-laced pills to a La Jolla man that caused him to fatally overdose in June. The victim, identified in court documents only as C.A.S., was found dead in his mothers home the morning of June 30. Evidence from his cellphone, as well as parking lot surveillance camera footage, indicates he met up with Trevon Antone Lucas, 23, the night before to buy prescription oxycodone, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Investigators found counterfeit oxycodone pills at the victims home, authorities said. The Medical Examiners Office determined the victim overdosed on fentanyl. Advertisement Fentanyl, an incredibly potent synthetic opioid, is regularly laced in counterfeit pills or other illicit drugs, often without knowledge of the users. The drug is deadly in very small doses. The indictment is the fifth such in the county aiming to hold alleged dealers responsible for fentanyl overdose deaths. Lucas, from Highland, is further accused of conspiring to distribute hydrocodone pills, along with three friends from the same area, according to the indictment. Authorities say Lucas and a co-defendant placed online ads offering hydrocodone pills for sale. All four, who were arrested last week, have pleaded not guilty. kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @kristinadavis By Zhang Zhanpeng NANJING, Oct.11 (ChinaMil) -- A graduation ceremony of the humanitarian mine-clearance training course provided by the Chinese government to Cambodia was held at the PLA Army Engineering University in Nanjing, eastern Chinas Jiangsu Province on October 10, 2018. Forty trainees from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority attended the training course. The well-designed and strictly-organized training course was based on the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and the United Nations Peacekeeping Mine-Clearance Standard Operating Procedures and also included comprehensive mine-clearance drills. During the course, the trainees learned specialized knowledge on mines and explosive ordnance disposal, and mastered the operation of mine-clearance equipment. They also became familiarized with the standards, procedures, and organization and command methods of mine-clearance operations. At the graduation ceremony, a Chinese government representative donated a batch of mine-clearing equipment and protective gears to Cambodia. The Cambodian government representative expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government and people for the mine-clearing assistance, and praised the training course for its contribution to strengthening Cambodian mine-clearing capacity building. It reflects Chinas support for the international humanitarian cause, he added. San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless CEO Gordon Walker said Thursday that he is leaving to help open a Mormon temple in Rome, Italy, but will be back in six months. This has not been an easy decision, he said. I love the work were doing here, and were making progress. While helping the homeless has been Walkers calling for several years, there is another higher calling in his life. Its a cultural thing, he said about missionary work with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Its a commitment to serve our father in heaven. Advertisement Walker said he had made the commitment to help open the new temple before taking the job as head of the task force, but he didnt know when he would be needed. He got the word in April, and has spent the months since then preparing for the task, he said. Chief Operations Officer Tamera Kohler will be acting CEO in his absence. His last day on the job will be Oct. 18, the day of the next task force board meeting. Walker said hell then drive back to Utah, where he still owns a home, and fly to Rome Oct. 22. He said his title in Rome will be minister, but his actual job will be in public affairs. A large media push is planned for the opening of the temple, the 160th for the church, and 2,300 VIP invitations have been sent for open-house events planned in January, he said. Public open houses are planned in January and February, and dedication ceremonies are planned for March 10-17, according to the churchs website, which has photos of the temple under construction. If needed, we will assist in (the open house events), Walker said. If not, well be on standby. Walker is no stranger to Italy, which he said is one of his favorite places to visit, having first visited the country on a Mormon mission as a young man. At 19, Walker embarked on a 30-month mission in Europe, and four of those were spent in Valencia. He learned German and Italian during that time, and hes been studying Italian to refresh his language skills since getting his new assignment. Before moving to San Diego in June 2017, Walker and his wife were on an 18-month mission for the church in Europe. Before that, he was director of the Utah Division of Housing and Community Development. During his time there, the state was credited with reducing chronic homeless by 91 percent over 10 years, an accomplishment that got the attention of a San Diego headhunter who lured Walker out of retirement. He still owns a home in Salt Lake City and had been renting a home in San Diego. He has already put his furniture in storage. I could have easily moved it to Salt Lake City, but I kept it here because I intend to move back, he said. Although he had made the commitment to help in Rome before moving to San Diego, Walker said he felt it was presumptuous to ask for a leave of absence when the time came. He said he is comfortable in being allowed the time off because he has faith in Kohler, whom he said he would Skype with whenever she wants his advice or input. Tamara is extremely capable, he said. San Diego need not fear. Missionary work and international travel have been a large presence in Walkers and his familys lives. At 14, Walker and his family moved to Iran and lived there for two years as part of his fathers work as dean of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences at Brigham Young University. One of his grandsons is on a mission for the church in Japan, another is preparing to serve on a mission in Bulgaria, and a granddaughter served on a mission in Finland, he said. Walker had been closely following the construction of the Roman temple for some time. It helped that one of the projects architects lives across the street from his San Diego home. Its a small world, he said. Homeless Playlist On Now San Diego hepatitis outbreak continues to grow: 481 cases On Now Homeless entrenched in booming tent city along Santa Ana River On Now San Diego mayor agreed to homeless hub, then delayed, advocates say On Now Homeless outreach in San Diego On Now Video: Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #8 On Now In poverty himself, 'Water Man Dave,' is the fearless saint of San Diego's homeless 5:41 On Now Video: Homeless living in cars find safe havens 2:21 On Now Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #7 On Now Pitching a tent plan for San Diego's homeless On Now Homeless efforts get $80M boost for various services gary.warth@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @GaryWarthUT 760-529-4939 Gordon Walker has announced he is taking a temporary leave as the chief executive officer of the Regional Task Force on the Homeless to help open a Mormon temple in Rome, Italy. Walkers last day on the job will be Oct. 18, according to a news release from the task force Wednesday. The groups executive committee is scheduled to meet at 12:30 p.m. Thursday to discuss the interim appointment of Chief Operations Officer Tamera Kohler as acting CEO in Walkers absence. Tim McClain, communications director for county Supervisor and task force Chairman Ron Roberts, said Walker had told him he plans to return, but did not say how long he believed the mission in Italy would last. Advertisement While the Wednesday announcement came as a surprise to many, Walker has performed missionary work for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the past. Before joining the task force in June 2017, he and his wife had recently completed 18 months of missionary work in Europe for the church. In a June 2017 interview with The San Diego Union-Tribune, Walker said his missionary work focused on church administration and public affairs, work that took him to 17 countries throughout Europe. Before moving to San Diego, Walker was credited with helping to reduce homelessness in Utah while he was director of the states Division of Housing and Community Development. During his time there, the state was credited with reducing chronic homeless by 91 percent between 2005 and 2015. Walker was unavailable to discuss his decision Wednesday, but Roberts talked about Walkers work in a statement. Gordons familiarity with the federal government, and the great successes he achieved in Utah, have transformed the RTFH and laid the groundwork for the agency to be a leader in addressing regional homelessness, Roberts said. While we will miss his leadership, Im confident that COO Tamera Kohler, herself one of the nations top homelessness executives, will continue to lead the agency forward. San Diego City Councilman and task force Vice Chairman Chris Ward also provided a statement. The evolution of the RTFH under the direction of Gordon Walker has allowed the organization to redevelop our data systems, connect people with workforce training, and direct state dollars towards housing our homeless population, he said. I look forward to working with Tamera Kohler in this new role as we move forward on community planning and maximizing the youth and emergency funding available to the San Diego region. A website for the Mormon Church in Rome states the temple will be ready to host open houses in January and February, and dedication ceremonies are planned for March 10 through 17. Homeless Playlist On Now San Diego hepatitis outbreak continues to grow: 481 cases On Now Homeless entrenched in booming tent city along Santa Ana River On Now San Diego mayor agreed to homeless hub, then delayed, advocates say On Now Homeless outreach in San Diego On Now Video: Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #8 On Now In poverty himself, 'Water Man Dave,' is the fearless saint of San Diego's homeless 5:41 On Now Video: Homeless living in cars find safe havens 2:21 On Now Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #7 On Now Pitching a tent plan for San Diego's homeless On Now Homeless efforts get $80M boost for various services gary.warth@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @GaryWarthUT 760-529-4939 Three San Diego City Council candidates running in different districts agreed the city could do a better job of helping homeless people and shared their thoughts of what theyd do differently if elected. Antonio Martinez, Monica Montgomery and Tommy Hough were the only candidates who responded to an invitation to appear at the Wednesday night forum on homelessness held at The Observatory in North Park and sponsored by Think Dignity and Voices of Our City Choir. All three candidates are Democrats and none of of their challengers appeared. The forum showed the participants were largely in agreement on the problem and possible solutions. We have leadership in this county that cried over the Chargers (leaving), but we dont have the urgency to begin to handle homelessness in our city and our county, Montgomery said. Advertisement Hough and Martinez also blasted city and county officials for what they said was a lack of leadership. Panelists were San Diego Housing Federation Executive Director Stephen Russell, Think Dignity Executive Director Ann Rios and Dennis Stein, director of Tony, a film about a local homeless man. Russell said developers have been producing homes for the wealthiest one-third of the county, and he asked candidates what policies they would support to create more housing for the other two-thirds. Hough said one of the problems is that developers have been given incentives to build homes for the wealthy. Citing an issue that happened in Rancho Penasquitos this year, he said the city should do more to help people who are displaced when their low-rent apartments are demolished. Montgomery and Martinez said the city should hold developers accountable for building more affordable units in their own projects rather than accepting in-lieu fees that are collected to eventually build separate affordable housing projects. Responding to a question from Stein, all three candidates said they would support a regional plan to address homelessness. Lets work together and create a plan, Martinez said. We need to realize that the homeless crisis is a regional problem. Rios asked candidates about how they would balance concerns from constituents about public safety with policies to help homeless people. We cannot live in a city or any place where its illegal to be alive, Hough said, referring to what he described as the criminalization of homelessness. Audience members asked the candidates questions in the second hour of the forum. One man asked if they would support hiring a homeless or formerly homeless person on their staff, and all three said they would. My campaign already does, Hough said. The gentleman who doesnt have a roof over his head does a phenomenal job. In response to another question, all candidates said they would use their offices discretionary funds for homeless projects if elected. Another audience member asked candidates how they would address the resistance to affordable housing projects that they may encounter from their constituents. Referring to a project in Clairemont that some residents have objected to, Hough said the controversy should have been addressed by giving people more information about it. Without identifying his opponent by name hes running against incumbent Chris Cate Hough said the districts council representative had not worked enough with stakeholders in the community. Montgomery and Martinez also said more conversations with community members are needed to address concerns about affordable housing projects in their neighborhoods. Martinez is in a runoff battle with fellow Democrat Vivian Moreno for the District 8 seat held by David Alvarez, who is leaving office in December because of term limits. Moreno took first place in the primary, but Martinez has been endorsed by the county Democratic Party and Christian Ramirez, who finished third in the primary. District 8 includes Barrio Logan and Sherman Heights, which have large homeless populations, as well as Otay Mesa and San Ysidro. Montgomery, a civil rights lawyer and former City Hall staffer, is facing incumbent and fellow Democrat Myrtle Cole in the race to represent District 4, which includes Encanto, Valencia Park and Paradise Hills. Hough is challenging Republican incumbent Cate to represent District 6, which includes which includes Mira Mesa and Kearny Mesa. Homeless Playlist On Now San Diego hepatitis outbreak continues to grow: 481 cases On Now Homeless entrenched in booming tent city along Santa Ana River On Now San Diego mayor agreed to homeless hub, then delayed, advocates say On Now Homeless outreach in San Diego On Now Video: Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #8 On Now In poverty himself, 'Water Man Dave,' is the fearless saint of San Diego's homeless 5:41 On Now Video: Homeless living in cars find safe havens 2:21 On Now Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #7 On Now Pitching a tent plan for San Diego's homeless On Now Homeless efforts get $80M boost for various services gary.warth@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @GaryWarthUT 760-529-4939 Construction workers last week put up the final panel of a new border barrier in Calexico, Calif., a project touted by President Donald Trump as the first part of his promised wall between Mexico and the U.S. Almost two years into Trumps presidency, Congress has so far avoided funding a full-fledged border wall. The approximate $1.6 billion in legislative funding that has been awarded to border construction has focused on replacement barrier projects with restrictions about the type of structure that could be built with the money. That meant that the Trump administration couldnt build barriers that resemble wall prototypes in Otay Mesa. Whether the Calexico barrier is actually part of the wall has been heavily debated since the project was announced in February. Advertisement The estimated $18 million project replaced just over two miles of 1990s barrier made of Vietnam War landing mats with 30-foot bollards, posts placed close together to restrict entry but allow for agents to see through. The new structure goes from Calexicos new port of entry next to the New River past the Gran Plaza outlets to an agricultural area west of Calexicos downtown. While Department of Homeland Security officials previously called existing border barriers fences, after construction began in Calexico, they began to refer to both old and new structures as part of a border wall and more recently border wall system. Gloria Chavez, chief of the El Centro sector of Border Patrol, said the new Calexico barrier is a solid first step in strengthening our border security posture. The border wall will greatly enhance our agents ability to detect and arrest those entering the country illegally, Chavez said, adding that she believes it will also have a positive impact on the surrounding border communities. The Calexico project was used by several high-ranking officials in the Trump administration as a platform to push for more restrictive measures in the immigration system. DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen visited the construction site in April to call for Congress to close legal loopholes like limits on how long children can be held in detention centers. Protesters showed up on the Mexican side and stepped briefly into the U.S. to show opposition to the administrations push for a border wall. Later that month, Vice President Mike Pence also visited the site to express disapproval of a caravan of Central American migrants that had just arrived in Tijuana to ask for asylum. When it comes to the border wall, were going to build it all, Pence said at the time. Planning for the project began in 2009 but funding and construction came under the Trump administration. The only characteristic the new structure shares with Trumps border wall prototypes is its height. At 30 feet tall, it towers over older fencing in the El Centro sector, which at the highest rises to about 20 feet. Six of the eight prototypes dont fit one of Border Patrols main criteria for new construction being able to see through the barrier to better respond to crossing attempts and improve agent safety. According to a recent report from the Government Accountability Office, Customs and Border Protection also determined that all of the prototypes would present construction challenges. Because the new Calexico barrier is see-through, some have said that it is a fence, not a wall. The president has pushed Congress to fully fund a border wall and threatened to shut down the government if the money did not come through. Though he was strongly critical of a spending bill that Congress passed in September, he ended up signing without getting money for his wall. I want to know, where is the money for Border Security and the WALL in this ridiculous Spending Bill, and where will it come from after the Midterms? Trump tweeted about a week before he signed the bill. Pieces of the Vietnam War landing mats that previously lined the border in Calexico. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / San Diego Union-Tribune) The Calexico structure is one of several going up along the southwest border this year. Workers recently completed 20 miles of border barrier in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, a project that began in April. Construction crews are also working to replace 14 miles of landing-mat blockade along the San Diego-Tijuana border. According to Border Patrol Agent Tekae Michael, workers have completed about 6.6 miles of that project, which began in June. When asked why the Calexico project, which was significantly shorter in length than the Santa Teresa project, took longer to complete, CBP spokesman Carlos Diaz said completion time depends on a variety of factors that can include terrain, project design, proximity to materials, etc. While the Calexico project went up generally linearly from west to east, the San Diego barrier is being installed in patches, with sections of new structure interspersed with sections of the original barrier. All of it will be replaced before the project is over, Michael said. Its the first time San Diego agents have been able to see through to the Mexican side of the border, she said. Its a big deal for us, Michael said. The new San Diego barrier is similar to the one in Calexico, save for an opaque plate added at the top of the bollards that agents refer to as an anti-climb feature. The completion of Calexico construction comes shortly after the El Centro Border Patrol sector announced the beginning of Operation Blazing Sands, which is focused on thwarting human smuggling in another section of the sectors area of responsibility. Through August, agents in El Centro have apprehended almost 26,300 people in fiscal 2018, according to CBP data. Agents in the San Diego sector caught just under to 35,000 in the same time frame. According to El Cajon sector Border Patrol Agent Justin Castrejon, at least one person has already been injured and hospitalized after falling from the new, taller structure while trying to climb over it. Immigrant rights activists have long opposed border barrier construction. Earlier fencing and increased security in heavily traveled regions shifted illegal border crossings into the desert where unauthorized immigrants are more likely to face serious injury or even death. Environmental activists have also opposed such construction, saying it disrupts habitats and migration patterns of a variety of animals, including endangered species. On Wednesday, DHS announced that it would waive environmental impact assessment of a construction project in the Rio Grande Valley sector in Texas, the sector that currently sees the highest number of illegal border crossings. The Rio Grande Valley is one of the most spectacular and biologically important landscapes in the country, said Laiken Jordahl, borderlands campaigner for the Center for Biological Diversity. Every acre is irreplaceable. Well do everything in our power to stop this destruction. The organization sued over similar waivers that DHS put in place for Calexico and San Diego construction. A federal judge sided with the Trump administration, and the center for Biological Diversity is appealing that decision. A tweet from the El Centro sector announcing the end of construction promised more border infrastructure improvements in 2019. Immigration Videos On Now New developments in family separation case 9:53 On Now A San Diego woman volunteered as a medic in Texas helping migrant families 2:35 On Now Immigration policy protests in Carlsbad nearly cancelled after permit issue 1:38 On Now When children are separated from their parents at the border, here is where they go next On Now Prospects of a deal for 'Dreamers' may hinge on separating Trump from hard-liners on his staff On Now What is DACA? On Now Border wall prototype contractors selected On Now Video: Ukrainian boxer wins asylum in U.S. On Now 30 apprehended after Border Patrol agents discover tunnel On Now Video: Kurdish diaspora prepare to vote on independence Follow me on Facebook for live updates about immigration news kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com, @bgirledukate on Twitter A Wisonsin man who was charged with intentional homicide of an unborn child after drugging his girlfriends drink with an abortion pill has been sentenced to 22 years in prison. Manishkumar Patel, 45, was convicted in August and sentenced Tuesday, according to Fox 11. In 2007, Patel mixed RU-486, an abortion drug, into his girlfriends smoothie, according to prosecutors and a California lab. She did not drink the smoothie, but miscarried weeks later. Shortly after charges were filed, Patel skipped town and disappeared until he was arrested a decade later in Malone, New York and transported back to Outagamie County, where he was held on a $50 million cash bond. Advertisement He testified that he went home to India to see his father one last time. Patel also said he didnt want another child because he was afraid of any possible medical issues, like his other son. I took a life of an unborn child, he said, in court, according to Fox 11. I realized that even if the child had some sort of medical problems, he would still have had a life. You just gotta sea this! Rare, yet mesmerizing, blue jellyfish are cropping up and down the Jersey Shore from Atlantic City to Cape May, and one marine biologist is stumped as to why theyre appearing. Montclair State University marine biologist Paul Bologna claimed this is the first time he has ever seen the blue buttons in New Jersey. The blue button is more closely related to a true jellyfish, but its a colonial hydrozoan similar to a clinging jellyfish, Bologna, who refers to himself a jellyfish expert, told NJ Advance Media. With hydrozoans, all these little polyps come together to create a super beast. Advertisement With a diameter of only two or three inches, these jellyfish are smaller than most varieties and much less dangerous. Unlike the frightening-looking Portuguese man of war, blue buttons sting is much less painful. They have stinging cells but it wouldnt be the kind of sting youd have to worry about, remarked Bologna. The blue buttons are usually found in the tropics and Florida. The professor thinks Hurricane Florence might have caused the Gulf Stream to propel them much further north. Beachgoer Peggy Butchkavitz said she was contacted by Bologna upon learning she had spotted the beautiful beasts. I like to pick up shells so I was walking along the beach and spotted one in the water and the other on the shore, she said on Wednesday. Now, the jellyfish guru is attempting to build a blue button DNA library to study the creatures in greater detail. A South Jersey woman claims a funeral home denied her chance for one final goodbye to her dead brother because it waited too long to embalm him. Ashkeya Pratt-Williams said the rotting corpse of John Ross Pratt was decomposing in the funeral home garage instead of being preserved, reads her lawsuit. The document states Pratt-Williams family members gave the OK to embalm the remains of the deceased on Sept. 17 the same day he died from natural causes, reported the Courier Post. But two days later when relatives were to meet with the funeral home rep, they were told to go home. On the morning of Sept. 20, when the family returned, Pamela Miller Dabney, the business manager, told Pratt-Williams there was a problem. Pratt-Williams then alleges the manager told her that her brothers body had not been on ice, indicating it was decomposing and had an odor, claims the suit. Advertisement Dabney, named as one of the defendants, then allegedly recommended cremating the (body) and holding a closed-casket ceremony since no one would know if anything was inside. More than a week later, Pratt-Williams and family held a closed-casket service at a different funeral home. Other claims alleged in the suit is that funeral home employees surreptitiously avoided allowing Pratt-Williams a quiet viewing of her brother by lying and making excuses because they knew of the harm they had caused and knowingly misrepresented that they were waiting for authorization to embalm the body. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Missouri man who started his own religious ministry has been charged with illegally circumcising two teenagers. The Springfield News-Leader reports that 47-year-old Curtis Abbott, of Nixa, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of child endangerment and one count of unauthorized practice of medicine or surgery. Abbott sent a statement to the News-Leader calling the allegations false. A hearing is scheduled for next week. Many details of the case, including a motive, havent been made public because the case was handled by a grand jury. Advertisement Nixa founded an organization called Restore Bible Culture. Court filings in his divorce finalized this summer say he said he has had multiple prophetic communications. Abbott admitted his ministry had several false starts in years past. Four people have been arrested in Surabaya, Indonesia, in a devious scheme to sell babies through an Instagram account. With the official-sounding title of Family Welfare Institution, the account showcases photos of young women holding children ostensibly for sale. The operators of the site then allegedly try to broker deals between the women and potential buyers, reports the BBC. Images of the women on the account are either darkened or show them wearing masks to conceal their identities. People who want to adopt children use that account and the transaction is completed through WhatsApp, said Surabayas chief detective Col Sudamiran. Advertisement More disturbing, the account has more than 700 followers and shows personal information of the kids, including their religion, age and locations. One posting shows a pregnant woman and where she lives with a contact number for those interested in adopting her child. Police stated one of the four people busted none of whom was identified was a 22-year-old woman who was had tried to sell her 11-month-old child for about $500 after a brokering fee and a kickback to the purported owner of the Instagram page. Sudamiran says those arrested face 15-year jail terms for violating child-protection laws. The vice-chairman of the Indonesia Child Protectional Commission, Rita Pranawati, told the BBC that baby-trafficking was nothing new in the country. But its very rare to happen through Instagram, said Pranawati. Its a new modus. Hurricane Michael slammed into the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday, with experts calling it the most powerful storm to strike the U.S. mainland in 50 years. "We are catching some hell," was how a Panama City Beach resident who decided to ride it out described Michael as it made landfall. Michael came ashore as a shade under a Category 5 storm. Its 249-kph winds (154 mph) blew sheets of rain sideways. Hurricane-force winds reached about 45 miles (75 km) from Michael's center. Trees and wires were down throughout Florida Gulf Coast towns. Many buildings lost roofs. Reporters on the ground said they could hear electric transformers exploding. Power was knocked out to more than 190,000 homes and businesses. Rainfall was expected to total 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 inches) in parts of Florida, Alabama and Georgia during the next few days, and up to 30 cm (12 Inches) in isolated areas of those states. Michael also was bringing the threat of a dangerous storm surge that could exceed 4 m in some places. So far, there were no reports of casualties. A man armed with a rifle and dressed in black was arrested near the California park where a camper was killed as he slept in a tent with his kids. Anthony Rauda, accused of at least eight burglaries, could face murder charges if the investigation links him to the death of 35-year-old Tristan Beaudette, who was shot in the head as he camped with his two young daughters in June. Raudas rifle will undergo ballistic testing to determine if it was used in any crimes, Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said during a press conference on Wednesday. There had been seven other shootings in and around Malibu Creek State Park dating back to 2016. Its very early in the investigation and the suspect was only taken into custody a few hours ago, McDonnell said when asked about a possible connection. Advertisement Rauda was arrested following an intensive search involving deputies, a helicopter, search-and-rescue teams and detectives. Investigators suspect him in at least eight burglaries in the Calabasas-Malibu area in which food was stolen from local buildings. Surveillance video of the armed suspect wearing a mask surfaced following an Oct. 4 burglary, and on Tuesday someone used a rock to smash the glass front door of the Agoura Hills-Calabasas Community Center before stealing food from a vending machine. Beaudette was a brilliant chemist who worked in the pharmaceutical industry, according to family and friends. The park was closed after the killing. Investigators have not released a possible motive in the slaying. Rauda was being held without bail following his arrest. With News Wire Services A Detroit mans claim that he accidentally shot at a 14-year-old black teenager doesnt hold up after surveillance video was shown in court Wednesday. Jeffrey Zeigler, 53, is accused of shooting at Brennan Walker after the boy stopped at Zeiglers house in April to ask for directions to school after missing his bus, according to the Oakland Press. Video shown during the trial shows Walker knocking on Zeiglers door, then seemingly speaking to someone at the door. He then backtracks and runs away as a shirtless man fires a rifle in his direction. Zeigler has claimed that he and his wife thought someone was trying to break into their house, and told investigators that the rifle accidentally went off when he slipped. Advertisement Oakland County Sheriffs Office detective Shawn Pace said the surveillance video changed his mind about what happened. When I saw that video, my thought process switched...I knew which direction I had to go. I was shocked, he testified, according to the Oakland Press. He said he was charged up after seeing the tape twice because I was offended by what I had seen. Pace also told the jury that, when told that he had clearly aimed at Walker, Zeigler took a big drink of water, he looked at me, and he said, Im tired of being a victim. Zeigler, a retired firefighter, was charged with assault with intent to murder and use of a firearm in a felony. A former Fox anchor who accused disgraced talk show host Bill OReilly of sexual harassment will have to go to arbitration to pursue her claims that Papa Bear also defamed her. Laurie Dhue, who settled her sexual harassment case with Fox News in summer 2016, filed a defamation suit against OReilly in March 2017 claiming her former colleagues sweeping denial of sexual misconduct claims against him were damaging to her reputation. Despite Fox News settlement, OReilly has contended the harassment accusations against him were unfounded and that he was very confident the truth would eventually surface. Laurie Dhue settled her case with Fox, but not with OReilly. (Peter Kramer / Associated Press) According to the Hollywood Reporter, a judge will require Dhue to go to arbitration before moving forward with her case against the controversial 69-year-old commentator. OReilly was cut loose by Fox News in April 2017 after The New York Times revealed the conservative media outlet had settled five lawsuits against him in the past 15 years. Advertisement OReilly accusers Rebecca Diamond, Andrea Mackris and Rachel Witlieb Bernstein have also filed defamation suits against the former host of The OReilly Factor. Complicating matters for Dhue is the fact OReilly was not a signatory to her settlement with Fox and therefore has not admitted wrongdoing. This court holds that (Dhue), a signatory to the settlement agreement, is stopped from avoiding arbitration with (OReilly) a nonsignatory, because (Fox and Dhue) and (OReilly) have a sufficient relationship to each other and to the rights created under the agreement, the Hollywood Reporter quotes U.S. District Court Judge Deborah Batts as stating in her ruling. Authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for information that could help solve the murder of an 18-year-old man killed in National City three years ago today. Juan Carlos Munoz Jr. was fatally shot on Oct. 11, 2015 after a gunman walked up to his vehicle, asked Munoz Jr. and his friend where they were from and fired five shots from a handgun into the vehicle. The attack, which killed Munoz Jr. and injured the 17-year-old passenger in the car, occurred around 7:50 p.m. near 16th Street and Prospect Avenue in National City. The shooter has been described as a Hispanic man in his 20s, with a heavy build and a shaved head. He was last seen driving east on 16th Street in a four-door Nissan Altima. The $5,000 reward will go to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in the case. Advertisement Anyone with information is urged to call the National City Police Department at (619) 336-4411 or the anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477. Twitter: @karenkucher (619) 293-1350 karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com A man was hospitalized with major injuries after his SUV crashed into the center divider on state Route 94 in Lemon Grove and the vehicle overturned Wednesday night, officials said. The solo-vehicle crash happened shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday on eastbound SR-94 near the Massachusetts Avenue offramp, California Highway Patrol Officer Tommy Doerr said. The 35-year-old man driving the SUV lost control of the vehicle, hit the center divider and overturned, 10News reported. The SUV driver, who was the lone occupant of the vehicle, was transported to the hospital with major injuries, Doerr said. Alcohol was believed to be a factor in the crash, Doerr said. Advertisement Twitter: @karenkucher (619) 293-1350 karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com The Union-Tribune profiles a wanted suspect each week in an effort to make our community safer. We partner with Crime Stoppers and local law enforcement to prole known fugitives as well as draw attention to unsolved crimes. This weeks wanted suspect: Anthony Dupone, 40 Wanted: Dupone is wanted for violating his parole in an assault with a deadly weapon case. His criminal history includes domestic violence, vandalism, check fraud, drug possession, burglary, auto theft and other instances of assault with a deadly weapon and parole violations. Description: Latino, 6 feet 1 inch tall, 205 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. Frequented areas: He is known to frequent North County including Vista and Encinitas. Advertisement Twitter: @LAWinkley (619) 293-1546 A 21-year-old man riding a motorcycle died early Thursday after he slammed into the side of a minivan that turned in front of him in National City, authorities said. The collision was reported around 7 a.m. at the intersection of Mile of Cars Way and Transportation Avenue. The motorcyclist was traveling east on Mile of Cars when a minivan turned in front of him to head southbound on Transportation Avenue, National City police Sgt. Jeffrey Meeks told OnScene TV. A motorcyclist suffered serious injuries in a collision in National City early Thursday. (OnScene TV) Advertisement Paramedics found the rider unresponsive and began life-saving medical efforts at the scene, Meeks said in a statement. He was transported to the UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest but was pronounced dead in the hospitals trauma center. Police withheld the riders name until his family could be notified. The driver of the minivan suffered minor injuries, remained at the scene and was cooperative with investigators, Meeks said. Drugs and alcohol are not suspected as factors in the collision. Police shut down Mile of Cars Way between National City Boulevard and Hoover Avenue until early afternoon as they investigated the collision. The roadway was reopened about 2:30 p.m., according to a tweet from the Police Department. Staff writer Alex Riggins contributed to this report. Twitter: @karenkucher (619) 293-1350 karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com UPDATES: 3:50 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details about the crash, including the victims age. 3 p.m.: This article was updated to show Mile of Cars Way was reopened. This article was originally published at 2:05 p.m. A worker hired to remove several sheds from the backyard of a La Mesa home was crushed when one of the sheds collapsed Wednesday afternoon, authorities said. The worker was trapped and had no pulse when firefighters and paramedics arrived, but emergency personnel performing CPR restored his pulse by the time he arrived at a San Diego hospital, Heartland Fire & Rescue spokesman Sonny Saghera said. A family member identified the victim as Paul Sandoval, a father of three. He was placed in a medically-induced coma and attached to a ventilator, with significant brain damage, said cousin Lindsay Reynolds. Advertisement The accident happened around 1:40 p.m. at a home on Johnson Drive near Lemon Avenue and Bancroft Drive, at the foot of Mount Helix, Saghera said. The worker, a man in his 30s, was working inside one of the sheds when it collapsed on top of him, Saghera said. Firefighters found Sandoval trapped under wood and debris but could just reach his arm, and they determined he had no pulse, Saghera said. Within five minutes, they had freed the victim and began performing CPR. Medics rushed him to Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, and his pulse had returned by the time they arrived, Saghera said. A spokesman for the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration initially said his agency was investigating the accident, but it was later determined the injured man was a business owner, and no employees were involved. Since the victim is a licensed general contractor with a contract for specific work for the homeowner and there were no employees on the site at the time of his accident Cal/OSHA would not have jurisdiction over the accident, spokesman Luke Brown wrote in an email. His cousin has started a GoFundMe account to help Sandovals wife and children, who rely on his income. Twitter: @Alex_Riggins (619) 293-1710 alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com UPDATES: 1:50 p.m. Saturday: This article was updated with the victims ID and a link to a GoFundMe page. This article was originally published on Oct. 10 at 4:20 p.m. If Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom is elected governor as expected, hell keep building the states two contentious public works projects: the bullet train and twin water tunnels. But hell scale back both. Hell be more cautious, realistic and practical about the super-expensive projects than termed-out Gov. Jerry Brown. Newsom will concentrate on completing a high-speed rail line from the San Joaquin Valley to the San Francisco Bay Area. The southern half of the ambitious project, from the valley into Los Angeles, will be delayed until the initial line proves to be financially feasible and can attract more money from taxpayers or private investors. As for the embattled water project in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, Newsom will try to reduce its size to one tunnel. That would ease northern fears of a Southern California water grab. Advertisement The Democratic front-runner and his underdog rival, Republican businessman John Cox, competed in a debate Monday. But the train, tunnels and other vital state issues werent raised. So I called Newsom and he phoned back. I also called and emailed Cox, but neither the candidate nor his staff responded. He previously has said hed kill both big projects. Who won the debate? No one. The event was so obscure it might as well not have happened. Unfortunately, it will be the only gubernatorial debate before election day. Tough luck for voters, who want to hear more from the candidates. Newsom is adhering to the front-runners common playbook: Minimize debates and dont give your underdog opponent a free public forum. And dont risk a debate when you could say something really stupid and lose votes. This debate wasnt even televised. It was on public radio at 10 oclock in the morning after the rush when commuters might have been listening on a Monday, Columbus Day. The radio station, KQED in San Francisco, made the debate available statewide for any broadcaster that wanted it. More from George Skelton Cox shouldnt complain. He could have had a televised debate in primetime but screwed up. CNN wanted to host a Q&A and Newsom initially agreed. But Cox demanded that the questions be limited to certain subjects. Newsom objected. And CNN pulled out. The sole debate can be summarized this way: Newsom repeatedly accused Cox of being a lackey for Trump and Trumpism. Cox consistently charged that Newsom had been in government 16 years and hasnt done much. Actually, not doing much if anything is the official job description for lieutenant governor. Newsom also was San Franciscos mayor for seven years, and Cox blamed him for the citys homeless problem. Of course, homelessness is rampant in cities all over California where Newsom was never mayor. Times reporters Phil Willon and Dakota Smith wrote a comprehensive story about the debate in Tuesdays paper and you can look that up. I wanted to ask the candidates questions that werent asked. Newsom agreed, Cox didnt. Coverage of California politics On the $77-billion bullet train, which is way behind schedule with a ticket price more than double original projections: The plan a few years ago was unrealistic and we werent being honest and transparent about the project, Newsom told me. But he thinks that has changed. Hes optimistic that the line from the San Joaquin Valley to Silicon Valley can be built. That would allow tech workers to live affordably in Merced or Modesto and commute to well-paying jobs near San Jose. Its not a train to nowhere, Newsom said. Its insulting to suggest the Central Valley is nowhere. This is an economic development project, connecting the fastest growing and most dynamic economic regions in the country. That project is achievable and realistic. The second phase [boring through the Tehachapi Mountains to Los Angeles] is an open-ended question. On the $17-billion monstrous twin tunnels under the delta that would siphon fresh Sacramento River water into aqueducts headed mainly to Southern California, Newsom said: Id like to see a more modest proposal, but Im not going to walk away. Doing nothing is not an option. The status quo is not helping salmon. How modest? A single tunnel. With less capacity, he continued, northerners might have some trust that the dominant Metropolitan Water District of Southern California wouldnt get too greedy. Mark my word, Newsom said. If Im [elected], this is going to be on my front burner from Day 1. Im going to come in with a fresh set of ideas on both projects. I also asked him about education, another subject that wasnt raised in the debate. Newsom would focus on the readiness gap kids not being prepared to start school. He wants universal access to preschool. Where would he get the money? We need to prioritize. And then theres the time bomb-ticking issue of Californias outdated, unstable tax system. Its too vulnerable to the economic cycle when times are good, the state over-collects, when theyre bad, taxes tank. The state relies too narrowly on the rich. It needs to broaden the tax base. Im open to putting everything on the table, Newsom said. That includes Proposition 13 not so much on residential property, but commercial. He envisions lowering the state income tax rate for the middle class and extending the sales tax to services. Jerry wasnt interested in it, Newsom said of Brown. This is tough stuff. Taxes could occupy a whole debate. Throw in the train, water and education. But there wont be another debate. Just mind-numbing mailers and TV spots. george.skelton@latimes.com Follow @LATimesSkelton on Twitter The United States has charged a Chinese spy with trying to steal trade secrets from some of the country's top aviation and aerospace companies. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Wednesday that Yanjun Xu had been arrested on April 1 in Belgium, which then extradited him to the U.S. on Tuesday. Xu, who appeared Wednesday in federal court in Cincinnati, was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Ohio. Experts believe this is the first time a Chinese government spy has been brought to the United States to stand trial. "This unprecedented extradition of a Chinese intelligence officer exposes the Chinese government's direct oversight of economic espionage against the United States," Assistant Director Bill Priestap of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division said. The DOJ said Xu is a top member of the Ministry of State Security -- the Chinese intelligence agency whose members have permission to spy in China and around the world. The view that the Republican Party has gone nuts is common, at least outside the party. At first, the victories Donald Trump amassed in early 2016 GOP presidential primaries were seen as baffling and inexplicable. Before too long, however, they were portrayed as a sign of Republican insanity. How could a crude bully, an admitted groper and a racial demagogue (at best) be supported by millions of voters? They must be bad people or crazy. But as a libertarian who loathes both parties, I see Trumps rise as the social-cultural version of Isaac Newtons Third Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Both liberal and conservative true believers have grown steadily more deranged in recent years, egging each other to new lows. Trumpism is awful but so is the emergence of universities and swaths of the media as eager enforcers of ideological dogma and conformity. True believers on both sides have zero empathy for people with different political views. The New York Times published an analysis in August that had an anecdotal lead paragraph giving an example of a ... ... zero-sum political confrontation that breaks out every day all across the country as politics seeps into and disrupts everyday life. To a degree that is unique to this period and this president, disputes over politics have divided Americans homes, strained marriages, ruined friendships and invaded the workplace. Which brings us to newly confirmed Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Democrats fury over Senate Republicans refusal to even consider President Barack Obamas final-year nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to the high court is completely understandable. The mania this rage has yielded in recent weeks is less so. Advertisement Bay Area professor Christine Blasey Fords Sept. 27 testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee that Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her when they were Maryland high school students in 1982 was riveting and believable. But the notion that Republican skepticism of her account is fueled solely by white privilege, misogyny and politics requires ignoring information in plain sight. A common standard in evaluating claims of past sexual assault has been whether the person making the claim told friends and family members about the attack when it happened, even if she or he didnt go to the police. But by Fords own account, she first told of being attacked by Kavanaugh in May 2012 during couples therapy with her husband 30 years later, not contemporaneously. Thats when she recounted her insistence on installing a second front door during a very extensive, very long remodel of their home in Palo Alto because of claustrophobia and panic attacks that she had suffered since her 1982 nightmare. Yet Palo Alto city records show the permit for the door was issued in 2008, and Ford and her husband later rented out a room it led to. Occams razor the idea that the simplest explanation is likely to be the right one comes to mind. Was the remodeling really about Fords anxieties? Or about making money? An Oct. 2 Real Clear Investigations article by Paul Sperry only added to questions about Fords claims. The claustrophobia that allegedly made her reluctant to fly to Washington to testify hadnt prevented her from flying all over the world on various vacations. And her desire for an escape route didnt extend to her familys second home. Property records show Ford and her husband, Russell Ford, bought [a home in Santa Cruz] in 2007. This July ... Ford applied for permits to build a front porch and new decks at the home, located on Seaside Street in Santa Cruz. There is no application for a second front door, however, and the recent permits are the only ones applied for since 2007. And by Fords own testimony to the Senate, when she first named Kavanaugh as her attacker, she knew the gravity of her allegation. I recall saying [to her husband] that the boy who assaulted me could someday be on the U.S. Supreme Court, she testified. Two months before her fateful 2012 therapy session, Jeffrey Toobin of The New Yorker had written that If a Republican, any Republican, wins [the presidential election] in November, his most likely first nominee to the Supreme Court will be Brett Kavanaugh which Tobin deemed a nightmare for Democrats. Ford is a registered Democrat known to detest Trump. If the situation were reversed if a Democratic nominee to the Supreme Court was accused of sexual misconduct by a registered Republican who hated the current president and who offered the same thin level of evidence as Ford do you really think that Democrats would automatically believe the allegations? Of course not. Democrats can cite how they forced Minnesota Sen. Al Franken to resign as an example of their high standards in the #MeToo era. But what about Bill Clinton? Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison, accused of abusing his former girlfriend? Delaware Sen. Tom Carper, who admitted to striking his wife? Here in San Diego, what about labor leader Mickey Kasparian, who has settled two lawsuits credibly accusing him of sexual misconduct but who remains a power broker in local progressive politics? Once again, I am not defending Republicans. Their hypocrisy is plain on many issues especially on the federal budget, where they care about deficits only when a Democrat is president. Yet their skepticism of Ford isnt hypocritical. Its understandable. And when Democrats piled on Kavanaugh with wafer-thin allegations of gang rape, Republicans understandably looked at this as political character assassination. But while Newtons Third Law explains the rise of the angry identity-politics left and the angry white-nationalist right, it leaves open the question of when America will get what it needs: a center-left to center-right coalition that looks down on both groups? Surprisingly, a new study suggests it already exists its just drowned out by the extremes. On Wednesday, researchers at YouGov who partnered with the More in Common civics group released Hidden Tribes: A Study of Americas Polarized Landscape, based on a survey of 8,000 Americans, focus groups and individual interviews. It found that just 14 percent of Americans one in seven are starkly polarized leftists or rightists. While they may dominate public debate in the digital age, not only do they not speak for Americans, their core views are widely disdained. The hard lefts view that speech it doesnt agree with should be broadly suppressed and/or condemned is unpopular. Eighty percent of Americans see political correctness as a serious national problem. The hard rights view that racism is exaggerated or nonexistent and is used as a cudgel against white people is even more unpopular. Eighty-two percent of Americans say racism remains a serious national problem. Simple math means that roughly two-thirds of those surveyed think both extremes are full of it. Heres More in Common co-founder Tim Dixons takeaway: Social media and angry pundits are distorting the national debate. The public is constantly shown cartoon character versions of the other sides views. Most Americans including both liberals and conservatives are actually more reasonable than people on the other side are made to think. This is not reflected nearly enough in the news media, which too often relays the idea that were a 50-50 nation in which the extremes speak for each side. Heres an example from The New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman just last week: In a tribal world, its rule or die, compromise is a sin, enemies must be crushed and power must be held at all costs. Maybe Friedman is right and YouGov is wrong. Thats the conclusion one would draw from social media, with its frequently lame Im-right-and-youre-an-idiot binary stupidity. Or maybe only one in seven Americans are driving the national debate and driving the rest of us to distraction. Reed, who wouldnt want to belong to a tribe that would have him as a member, is deputy editor of the editorial and opinion section. Twitter: @chrisreed99. Email: chris.reed@sduniontribune.com. Column archive: sdut.us/chrisreed. Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion The Nov. 6 election is nearly here, and early voting is open, allowing San Diegans to cast ballots in many races. Now residents just have to figure out how theyll vote, wading through a ton of information, not all of it clear, not all of it accurate. The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board is here for you. We are sharing full transcripts and complete audio of our candidate interviews here, and we have already begun offering endorsements in numerous campaigns here. Well add other recommendations there in the days and weeks ahead. Its a serious undertaking. Over two months, we held 44 in-person interviews with candidates and groups backing particular measures. Were sending out another 36 surveys electronically. There are too many campaigns for us to interview everyone in person, and we had to make decisions about who to interview and which races to endorse in. What youll see are endorsements in races where we think our opinions would help readers and have an impact. What you wont see are endorsements based on political affiliation. Two years ago, we endorsed 10 Democrats and eight Republicans. This year, that split will change based on who we think has done the job, can do the job and will do a good job among this crop of candidates. Let us know what you think. And please vote, for any of the candidates of your choice. Advertisement Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion Re Alex Spanos, longtime Chargers owner, dies at 95 (Oct. 9): In an article about Dean Spanos and the Chargers, you mention that in November 2016 San Diego voters turned down a Chargers stadium initiative. The problem was that only San Diego city residents could vote on that initiative. Avid, dedicated, devoted Chargers fans are all over San Diego County. Why did they limit the vote for a new stadium just to the city? If we had all been able to vote, the Chargers would still be here! If only! Advertisement Virginia Redman Encinitas 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. 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. The two countries will send delegations instead. Some 46 countries will be represented in one way or another. It was the second country to pull out after Japan, which had planned to send a destroyer but decided not to participate because of demands not to fly the imperial rising-sun flag. China on Wednesday canceled a plan to send a 7,100-ton destroyer to the International Fleet Review on Jeju Island on Thursday citing "internal reasons." Twenty-two Korean Navy ships showed up in waters off Jeju on Tuesday in a rehearsal, ahead of the main event on Thursday. They included the 14,500-ton amphibious assault ship Dokdo and the 7,600-ton Aegis destroyer Yulgok Yi Yi. Seventeen naval vessels from 12 countries including a 103,600-ton aircraft carrier and a 10,000-ton destroyer from the U.S., and an 11,600-ton-class cruiser from Russia will take part in the review. The gross tonnage of the Korean ships was over 82,000 tons. Some 1,200 invited Korean guests watched the rehearsal from other ships and applauded whenever each Korean ship passed by. The event is held every 10 years. In 1998 when Korea launched the 3,200-ton Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyer, its first homegrown destroyer, then President Kim Dae-jung reviewed the fleet aboard the destroyer. In 2008, Korea launched its first homegrown Aegis ship, becoming the fifth country with such ships in the world. Some local residents and activists staged a protest against the fleet review in front of the naval base, and some activists paddled kayaks in waters near the naval base on Wednesday. More protests are expected on Thursday. Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/11/2018 -- Future Market Insights (FMI), with sharp focus on emerging regions, delivers key insights on the global High Content Screening Market in its latest report titled, "High Content Screening (HCS) Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2015 - 2025". According to the report, the global High Content Screening (HCS) market is projected to expand at a single-digit CAGR during the forecast period, accounting for US$ 382.9 Mn by 2025. The global cell analysis instrumentation market is expected to account for US$ 2,120.5 Mn by 2025, registering a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period, i.e. 20152025. Demand for highly efficient screening systems, owing to increasing drug discovery initiatives among pharmaceuticals and biotechnology companies is anticipated to provide an impetus to the High Content Screening (HCS) market. Also, the number of installations for High Content Screening (HCS) instruments globally is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.6%, accounting for 988 installations by 2025. Request for sample copy of report @: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-426 The global High Content Screening (HCS) market is segmented on the basis of product into cell imaging and analysis equipment, consumables, software, and services. The software segment is projected to account for around 11.2% share of the overall High Content Screening (HCS) market by 2025, owing to increased new product development by companies for this product. This segment is expected to register a CAGR of 6.6% during the forecast period. The cell imaging and analysis equipment segment on the other hand, is expected to account for largest market share of 38.4% by 2025. FMI analyst Vipassa K. sheds light on why High Content Screening (HCS) instruments are expected to revolutionise the drug discovery process in the near future. "Increasing focus of companies on penetrating untapped markets in countries in Asia Pacific and Latin America, where growth of the biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals industry in increasing, is expected to fuel demand for High Content Screening (HCS) instruments installation in the next five to six years or between 2018 and 2025," she said. Browse Full "High Content Screening (HCS) Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2015 - 2025" Market Research Report at https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/details/high-content-screening-market High Content Screening (HCS) instruments are extensively used across end-use industries such as pharmaceuticals and healthcare, biotechnology companies, educational institutions, government organisations, independent contract research organisations and others. Use of high content screening equipment enables companies to extract highly informative information, which also assists pharmaceuticals and biotechnological companies to perform cell analysis. Apart from assisting in primary and secondary screening, high content screening finds applications in various fields such as toxicity studies, compound profiling, target identification and validation and others.Benefits of high content screening, resulting in improved toxicity study results, has led to increased adoption of this technology by pharmaceutical companies. This has enabled researchers to investigate live cells coupled with compounds, thus offering high-throughput screening output. Also, there has been an increase in development of automated systems to analyse cell separation and scalability. Demand for efficient purification protocols for therapeutic cells is expected to fuel demand for high-end screening system over the next five to six years. Request to view Table of Content @: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-426 Geographically, the report focusses on North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Japan, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan and Middle East and Africa (MEA). The High Content Screening (HCS) market in North America dominates in terms of revenue share contribution to the overall High Content Screening (HCS) market, followed by Western Europe and APEJ. North America is expected to register a CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period. However, the market in APEJ is expected to register highest CAGR of 7.0% over the ten-year forecast period. Key players in the High Content Screening (HCS) market include Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., GE Healthcare, Olympus Corporation, PerkinElmer Inc., Merck Millipore Corporation, Danaher Corporation (Molecular Devices), Yokogawa Electric Corporation, Sysmex Corporation and Thorlabs Inc. About Future Market Insights Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India. FMI's research and consulting services help businesses around the globe navigate the challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace with confidence and clarity. Our customised and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. We continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of end industries to ensure our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers. "The agreement could have a major impact on the U.S. sanctions strategy against North Korea and U.S.-South Korean military readiness, but there were apparently no discussions in advance between the two sides," the source said. "Pompeo took issue with the fact that these important issues were brought to the attention of the U.S. only after they had been agreed with the North and just before they were going to be announced." Pompeo was incensed by plans to begin reconnecting severed inter-Korean railways and a cross-border military agreement that aims at reducing arms along the border. A diplomatic source in Washington said, "Pompeo was informed of the terms to be agreed on during the inter-Korean summit and became very angry that he was not consulted in advance on issues that could have a major impact on the U.S." The source added Pompeo "used strong language" in the phone call with Kang. Kang apparently told Pompeo she did not know the details of the railway and military agreements, so he called her again later the same day after he had calmed down. The U.S. State Department immediately announced that the two telephone calls had taken place, but the South Korean Foreign Ministry only told reporters about the first one and acknowledged the second one only after the U.S. mentioned it. The ministry denied that Pompeo was angry and added, "The government held close consultations with the U.S. in all processes involving the signing of the inter-Korean military agreement." It was only when Kang was asked in a parliamentary hearing whether Pompeo had expressed concerns about the agreement that Kang said that was "correct." Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun also reported that Pompeo was livid during the phone call. The daily said the agreements were "unacceptable for the U.S., but there had been no detailed explanation from the [South] Korean side." The military agreement touched on some issues that require negotiations with the UN Command that oversees the demilitarized zone, such as disarming soldiers in the Joint Security Area in the border truce village of Panmunjom. The U.S. was apparently also angered by the expansion of a no-fly zone in the DMZ. The U.S. military monitors North Korean military movements with drones, and expanding the no-fly zone there would be tantamount to putting blinds on U.S. spying activities. According to the daily, the agreements also contained provisions that could limit joint U.S.-South Korean military drills, which prompted some American lawmakers to wonder if Seoul feels it no longer needs U.S. troops to be stationed here. A few days after the inter-Korean summit, Gen. Robert Abrams, the next commander of the U.S. Forces Korea, told the Senate Committee on Armed Services that all activities in the DMZ are under the jurisdiction of the UN Command, which the USFK commander also heads. One source close to the Foreign Ministry said, "You wouldn't have got this response if there had been prior consultations between the U.S. and South Korea." Harrisburg, NC -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/11/2018 -- Hawaii Meetings, Conventions, Incentives (MCI) Tourism Market is likely to reach nearly USD 1.3 Billion by the year end of 2022. Market growth can be attributed to factors such as Ideal Meetings Location, Unbeatable Event Spaces, Safety, Productive Atmosphere, Accommodations, International Accessibility, Enrichment Opportunities and Natural Wonders. Japan, US West and US East MCI tourists play a significant role in contributing revenue to the Hawaii economy. Japan contributed more than 30% revenue followed by US East with more than 27% revenue in 2016. Japan is likely to maintain dominance in Hawaii MCI tourist's revenue generator by the year end of 2022. US East and US West have shown its potential to become 2nd and 3rd major revenue generator countries by the year end of 2022. Other countries such as Other Asia, China and Canada emerge as the largest revenue generator in the Hawaii MCI Tourism Market. Buy complete research data at: https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/report/purchase/0718925?mode=su?source=releasewire&Mode=07 The research report titled "Hawaii Meetings, Conventions, Incentives (MCI) Tourism Market Insights, Opportunity, Analysis, Growth Potential & Forecast 2017 2022" provides detailed information on the Hawaii MCI Tourism Market. This report analyzes market data and provides a better understanding of MCI travelers flows and revenue to Hawaii. Market outlook in value terms for the forecasted period for Hawaii MCI tourism market has been detailed in the report. This report also entails a detailed description of market drivers and inhibitors of the Hawaii MCI tourism market. This 65 Pages report with 52 Figures and 4 Tables have been analyzed from 5 viewpoints: Hawaii MCI Travelers, Revenue & Forecast (2013 2022) Hawaii MCI Travelers, Revenue Share & Forecast (2013 2022) Hawaii MCI Travelers, Revenue & Forecast Top 12 Country Analysis (2013 2022) Hawaii MCI Tourism Market Market Drivers Hawaii MCI Tourism Market Inhibitors For More Details Inquire at: https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/0718925/hawaii-meetings-conventions-incentives-mci-tourism-market-insights-opportunity-analysis-growth-potential-forecast-2017-2022/inquiry?source=releasewire&Mode=07 Hawaii MCI Tourism Market - 12 Countries Covered - US West - US East - Japan - Canada - Australia - New Zealand - Other Asia - China - Korea - Taiwan - Europe - Latin America 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. Browse Full Report at: https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/0718925/hawaii-meetings-conventions-incentives-mci-tourism-market-insights-opportunity-analysis-growth-potential-forecast-2017-2022?source=releasewire&Mode=07 Reasons to Purchase this Report - Identify the current and future prospect of the Hawaii Meetings, Conventions, Incentives (MCI) Tourism market in the developed and emerging markets - Analyze various perspectives of the market with the help of Porter's five forces analysis - Information about the growth of the various material, type, and application that are expected to dominate the market - Regional and country analysis of the market - Identify the latest developments, market shares, and strategies employed by the major market players - 3 months analyst support, along with the Market Estimate sheet (in Excel) About Us: - 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 global and regional market intelligence coverage, a 360-degree market view which includes statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations. +1 (704) 266-3234 |sales@marketinsightsreports.com Connect with us on: https://www.linkedin.com/company/13411016/ https://www.facebook.com/marketinsightsreports/ https://twitter.com/MIRresearch Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/11/2018 -- Led by several established players, such as America Cell Biobank Inc., CrioCenter, Banco de Cordon Umbilical (BCU), and Redcord S.A., the cord blood banking services market in Latin America has been demonstrating a highly competitive and fragmented business landscape, states a research study by Transparency Market Research (TMR). The market is characterized by various rules and policies that vary from country to country. The market players are relying heavily on technical advancements for expansion in their businesses. CrioCenter, CordVida, Cellpreserve, CordCell, Redcord S.A., Cordon de Vida, Banco de Celulas Stem, and Celulas Madre C.A. are the other prominent cord blood banking service providers across Latin America, the report mentions. Obtain Report Details @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/latam-cord-blood-banking-services-market.html A per the TMR's report, the Latin America market for cord blood banking services was worth US$196.9 mn in 2014. Researchers project the market to proliferate at a CAGR of 9.40% over the period from 2015 to 2023 and attain a value of US$445.4 mn by the end of the forecast period. Public Cord Blood Banking Services to Report Dominance Currently, cord blood banking services are being discretely provided in the public and the private sectors, resulting in two types of storages, public and private, in this Latin American market. With continual funds from the governments, non-government organizations, and research societies, the public cord blood banking services segment has registered its dominance in this market. Analysts expect the scenario to remain so over the forecast period. Request for Sample Copy of Report @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=8413 The research report also presents a comprehensive assessment of the Latin America market for cord blood banking services on the basis of its geographical bifurcation. Brazil, Columbia, Mexico, Argentina, and the Rest of Latin America have been considered as the main geographical segments of this regional market in this study. Brazil, Mexico, and Columbia have surfaced as the leading domestic markets for cord blood banking services in this region and are focusing aggressively on expanding the network of cord blood banks in Latin America. Increasing Research Activities in Stem Cell Therapies to Boost Growth "The market for cord blood banking services in Latin America has been gaining significant impetus from the advancements in the stem cell therapy research, thanks to the increasing infrastructural and technological progression in this region," says a TMR analyst. Request Report Brochure @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=8413 The high incidence rate of genetic disorders and quick and better treatment of such diseases, owing to the easy availability of advanced diagnostic services that provide accurate results are also supporting the growth of the Latin America cord blood banking services. However, the high charges for cord blood banking services and the common opinion among medical professionals about the less possibility of the usage of stored cord blood may limit the adoption of these services in a number of Latin American countries, such as Mexico, Brazil, Peru, and Argentina, reflecting negatively on the overall market, states the research report. About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The company's exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend 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. Contact Us 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: www.transparencymarketresearch.com Harrisburg, NC -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/11/2018 -- South Korea Medical Tourism Market is likely to reach nearly USD 2 Billion by the year end of 2022 growing at a CAGR of around 15% from 2017 to 2022. Market growth can be attributed to factors such as technologically advanced treatments and medical procedures, pioneer in plastic/cosmetic surgery and dentistry, excellent medical practitioners & medical facilities, affordable medical costs and strong government support and initiatives. Chinese medical tourists play a significant role in contributing revenue to the South Korea economy. China contributed more than 35% share in 2016. China is likely to maintain dominance in South Korea Medical Tourism revenue share by the year end of 2022. United States spot at second position in the revenue share with XX% share. Other countries such as Japan, Russia, Kazakhstan and UAE emerge as the largest revenue generators in the South Korea Medical Tourism Market. Buy complete research data at: https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/report/purchase/0718919?mode=su The research report titled "South Korea Medical Tourism Market Insights, Opportunity, Analysis, Market Shares & Forecast 2017 - 2022" provides detailed information on the South Korea Medical Tourism Market. This report analyzes market data and provides a better understanding of medical tourists flow and revenue to South Korea. Market outlook in value terms for the forecasted period for South Korea Medical Tourism Market has been detailed in the report. Key industry news and medical procedures cost comparision are analyzed with details. This report also entails a detailed description of growth drivers and inhibitors of the South Korea Medical Tourism Market. Key Topics Covered in the Report South Korea Medical Tourism Market Environment & Trend (2009 2022) South Korea Medical Tourism Market Share & Forecast (2009 2022) South Korea Medical Tourism Market Countrywise Analysis Medical Procedures Cost Comparison Analysis Industry News from South Korea Medical Tourism Key Drivers and Inhibitors of the South Korea Medical Tourism Market For More Details Inquire at: https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/0718919/south-korea-medical-tourism-market-insights-opportunity-analysis-market-shares-forecast-2017-2022/inquiry South Korea Medical Tourism Market 12 Countries Covered 1) United States 2) China 3) Japan 4) Russia 5) Mongolia 6) Vietnam 7) Philippines 8) Kazakhstan 9) Saudi Arabia 10) Uzbekistan 11) Indonesia 12) United Arab Emirates 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. Browse Full Report at: https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/0718919/south-korea-medical-tourism-market-insights-opportunity-analysis-market-shares-forecast-2017-2022 Reasons to Purchase this Report - Identify the current and future prospect of the Medical Tourism market in the developed and emerging markets - Analyze various perspectives of the market with the help of Porter's five forces analysis - Information about the growth of the various material, type, and application that are expected to dominate the market - Regional and country analysis of the market - Identify the latest developments, market shares, and strategies employed by the major market players - 3 months analyst support, along with the Market Estimate sheet (in Excel) About Us: - 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 global and regional market intelligence coverage, a 360-degree market view which includes statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations. +1 (704) 266-3234 |sales@marketinsightsreports.com Connect with us on: https://www.linkedin.com/company/13411016/ https://www.facebook.com/marketinsightsreports/ https://twitter.com/MIRresearch Melbourne, Victoria -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/11/2018 -- Since 2001, Superior Health Care Australia has been dedicated to meeting market demands as the largest wholesale supplier for the medical industry, aged care centers, and the general public who are after quality-approved products. The company is proudly Australian-owned and operated by a team of health professionals who have in-depth product knowledge and a passion for the medical industry. Superior Health Care Australia is motivated to improve the quality of life by availing to all their clients an extensive inventory of medical products through their e-commerce store. Talking about their online ordering process, the Sales Manager said, "Our online store was established to give you 24-hour access to all the essential medical supplies required either for personal or professional use. We have a team that is ever working behind the scenes to ensure the security of our website is top-notch and that all our listings are up to date. Since the aim of the website is to cater for everyone, we have no limitations on the minimum order quantity, and with over 4,000 product lines, we are confident of meeting all your demands." A partnership with the leading brand Abbott has enabled Superior Health Care Australia to be the go-to solution provider for all clients who want to order Ensure nutritional supplement. Ensure has become a market trademark for a whole line of doctor recommended supplements that have been specially formulated to offer the right nutrition for everyday living. Superior Health Care Australia stocks all the popular Ensure supplements which shoppers can select from depending on their body requirements and the health goals they seek to achieve. Speaking further on how they are redefining convenience in deliveries, the Sales Manager added, "The essence of purchasing medical supplies Australia online must always be backed by the peace of mind in timely deliveries, and that is a goal we never back down on. Our staff is ever working around the clock to instantly process any order received before they are delivered with our own police checked drivers. For extra convenience and assurance of next day deliveries we recommend making orders before 3 pm so we can have sufficient time to plan the routes of our fleet of drivers." Clients who are after advanced wound care products in Australia will find a complete inventory at Superior Health Care Australia to cater for all the needs at hand. The company understands what it takes to guarantee the advanced protection of surgical incisions and wounds, as such have narrowed down on laboratory tested and approved products. Superior Health Care Australia has special categories for all the products including dressings, first aid instruments, surgical tapes & dressing ace, and creams & ointments. About Superior Health Care Australia Superior Health Care Australia stands tall as a leading supplier of a wide range of wound care, nutritional, continence, rehabilitation, and health products to medical facilities and individuals across Australia. Contact Details Company Name: Superior Health Care Australia Pty Ltd Address: 1/30 Maffra St, Coolaroo, VIC 3048 Telephone Number: 03 8787 8222 Fax: 03 8787 8333 Email: orders@superiorhealthcare.com.au Website: https://www.superiorhealthcare.com.au/ Singapore -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/10/2018 -- TN Corporate Management Pte Ltd. is creating progress for businesses across scales and sectors in Singapore. TN Corporate Management operates out of an expansive office in Hong Lim Complex, catering to the administrative and statutory requirements of a growing clientele. As the company delivers end-to-end solutions, the clients can focus on growing their businesses, maximizing profits, and staying in line with all applicable regulations. TN Corporate Management has a reputation for customer satisfaction built on a competitive pricing, fast response to customer queries and operational needs, and streamlined service delivery. An executive at TN Corporate Management recently stated, "TN Corporate Management is a progressive and organized operation since the year 2004. We are home to a qualified, experienced and agile team that puts its best foot forward to create success for the client. The team renders us versatility, which continues to be one of our defining features since day one. We are a trusted partner for anyone seeking corporate accounting services, company set up and registration services, payroll services, corporate tax services, and corporate secretarial services in Singapore. Additionally, we offer a high calibre, inventive QuickBooks Accounting Software at competitive prices to companies that meet the IRAS PIC scheme requirements." TN Corporate Management has special abilities with Corporate Accounting Services, as a diverse, satisfied clientele will testify. The company relies on a CPA to deliver expert accounting services that suit the client organization's business objectives and structure. The professionals make every effort to keep clients updated on the right numbers in cash flow and profit, enabling them to make the best business decisions. TN Corporate Management is organized and dedicated in a deadline driven scenario, ensuring quality accounting in time and on budget. The company also provides free, no-obligation quotes via the web portal to ensure transparency. On the Corporate Accounting Services on offer, the executive further stated, "We deliver a full suite of corporate accounting services, including bookkeeping, accounting management, accounting reporting and accounting for services. With bookkeeping, we track all transactions, from expenses to revenue, while Accounting Management involves taking care of the client's total business finances. Our Accounting Reporting is meant to analyze the numbers and present the inferences thus drawn in a lucid manner to add nuance to the client's business decisions. The client can also expect end-to-end bookkeeping and reports generation solutions, from Profit & Loss Statement to Balance Sheet, Debtors and Accounts Receivables Listing." TN Corporate Management brings forth three Corporate Accounting Service packages to ensure quality services for all needs and budgets. The primary package, Package (A) includes Financial Statement and Tax and comes at just $650. Package (B) builds on the primary package to include AGM and is priced at $790. Nonetheless, Package (C) features Accounts, FS, Tax and AGM. Those seeking CPA public accounting can expect friendly customer service with TN Corporate Management. About TN Corporate Management Pte Ltd TN Corporate Management is the leading provider of corporate accounting services, payroll services, corporate tax services, company set up and registration services and corporate secretarial services in Singapore. Whether one is looking for Business incorporation in Singapore or Company registration, TN Corporate Management can be the one-stop source for it all. Contact Information: Company: TN Corporate Management Pte Ltd. Address: BLK 531A, Upper Cross St, 03-108 Hong Lim Complex Singapore 051531 (Directly on the top of Hong Lim Food Centre) Telephone: 6719 2295 (24 hours hotline) HP: 9826 7448 (24 hours hotline) Fax: 6438 3540 Email: contact@tnpl.com.sg Website: http://www.tnpl.com.sg The total solar eclipse of 21 August 2017 traversed 5,000 km from coast to coast of North America. In its 90-min span, sunlight dropped by three orders of magnitude and temperature by 10-15 degrees Celsius. To investigate impacts of these changes on bees, a team of professional and citizen scientists led by University of Missouris Professor Candace Galen monitored their flights acoustically in natural habitats of Pacific Coast, Rocky Mountain, and Midwest regions. The results were clear and consistent at locations across the country: bees stopped flying during the period of total solar eclipse. We anticipated, based on the smattering of reports in the literature, that bee activity would drop as light dimmed during the eclipse and would reach a minimum at totality, Professor Galen said. But, we had not expected that the change would be so abrupt, that bees would continue flying up until totality and only then stop, completely. It was like lights out at summer camp! That surprised us. Supported by a grant from the American Astronomical Society, the project engaged more than 400 participants in setting up 16 monitoring stations. At each location, small USB microphones were hung on lanyards near bee-pollinated flowers in areas away from foot and vehicle traffic. In some of the locations, light and temperature data were also captured. Participants then sent the devices to the teams lab, where the recordings were matched up with the eclipse periods from each location and analyzed for the number and duration of bee flight buzzes. The recordings didnt allow for differentiation between bee species, but participant observations indicated most bees monitored were bumblebees or honeybees. The data showed that the insects remained active during the partial-eclipse phases both before and after totality, but they essentially ceased flying during the period of totality. However, shortly before and shortly after totality, bee flights tended to be longer in duration than at times early in the pre-totality phase and late in post-totality. The study authors interpret these longer flight durations as an indicator of slower flight under reduced light or possibly as the bees returning to their nests. Bees commonly fly more slowly at dusk and return to their colonies at night, and so the same behavior triggered by a solar eclipse offers evidence about how they respond to environmental cues when those cues occur unexpectedly. The eclipse gave us an opportunity to ask whether the novel environmental context mid-day, open skies would alter the bees behavioral response to dim light and darkness. As we found, complete darkness elicits the same behavior in bees, regardless of timing or context. And thats new information about bee cognition, Professor Galen said. This research was presented in a paper published in the Annals of the Entomological Society of America on October 10, 2018. _____ Candace Galen et al. Pollination on the Dark Side: Acoustic Monitoring Reveals Impacts of a Total Solar Eclipse on Flight Behavior and Activity Schedule of Foraging Bees. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, published online October 10, 2018; doi: 10.1093/aesa/say035 According to the U.K.'s Clarkson Research Services on Wednesday, Korea accounted for 45 percent or 9.5 million compensated gross tons of global shipbuilding orders in the first nine months of this year. Korea's shipbuilding industry is expected to overtake China to regain the No. 1 spot in the depressed shipbuilding market for the first time in seven years. China came in second place with 31 percent or 6.5 million CGT. China seems to have reached the limits of its technological prowess for now, clearing the way for Korea to regain the lead. But conditions remain tough. Global shipbuilding orders in the first nine months stood at about 21 million CGT, just half of the 41 million CGT in 2013. And amid mass layoffs, unionized workers at Hyundai Heavy Industries decided to down tools for four hours a day at some workplaces starting Thursday and spreading throughout the company on Oct. 17 and 18. Workers are protesting the decision to lay off 2,000 laborers at the marine plant division. "It's too early to say the shipbuilding industry is recovering, because new orders are still a trickle compared to past boom cycles," said Lee Eun-chang at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade. "But it's a good sign that Korean shipbuilders won orders to build LNG tankers and ultra-large carriers, which require higher levels of technology." Parent company Ant Financial said Wednesday that Alipay transactions rose 90 percent in Myeong-dong during the holidays, the highest increase in the world. Around 700 million Chinese people use Alipay, the electronic payment system of the Alibaba online marketplace. Alipay forged ties with around 250 banks outside China and can be used to pay for products and services in 27 currencies. The finding is based on payments made through Alipay during the Chinese National Day holidays from Oct. 1 to 7. Tourism from China is rebounding, and the place where Chinese visitors spend the most money in Korea is the swish Myeong-dong shopping district in downtown Seoul. Myeong-dong is home to the Lotte and Shinsegae department stores as well as cosmetics shops and trendy boutiques. A growing number of stores in Myeong-dong accept not only Alipay but also WeChat Pay, another popular Chinese payment platform. Each Chinese tourist spent an average of 1,979 yuan on Alipay during the holidays worldwide but 3,396 yuan in Myeong-dong, 72 percent more than the average. Chinese spending on Alipay in the whole of Korea stood at 3,320 yuan, No. 9 in the world. The biggest amount of per-capita spending was in Denmark at 8,764 yuan. European countries also saw Alipay transactions increase at the biggest rate because the number of stores accepting it is increasing rapidly. Hong Kong ranked first in terms of the number of Alipay transactions during that period since most stores there accept it. Next came Thailand, Taiwan and Japan, while Korea rose from fifth place in 2017 to fourth this year. Total shopping volume using Alipay rose 2.2 times compared to the same period of last year. Chinese women in their 20s and 30s were the biggest spenders, with twice as many women as men buying products and services abroad. Meanwhile, immigration authorities said 85,588 Chinese tourists visited Korea during the period, up 36 percent from a year ago, when China was boycotting Korea. The year before the number of Chinese visitors was 88,376, suggesting that things are getting back to normal even though package tours to Korea are still unavailable in many Chinese Provinces or online. Kathmandu, October 11 More than 21,000 websites offering pornographic content have banned in Nepal so far following the governments decision to ban porn, according to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA). The government cracked down on pornographic websites in view of increasing incidents of rape and sexual harassment in the country. The NTA started making a list of such websites on September 24 acting on directives from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. According to the directive, the sharing, distribution and broadcasting of porn is now illegal in Nepal. There are over 100 internet service providers operating in Nepal. RSS It is common for companies to organize various informal events where workers can come with their partners. One of those... Home Just In Gautam drops plan to trigger by-election in Kathmandu-7 Kathmandu, October 11 Former minister and NCP leader Bamdev Gautam has dropped his plan to trigger a by-election in Kathmandu-7 and make is way to Parliament. According to party sources, Gautam decided to drop the plan after he was criticised by the public and the members of the party for forcing Kathmandu-7 lawmaker Rambir Manandhar to step down. Sources say that Gautam consulted with Prime Minister KP Oli and other senior leaders and after he found to them uninterested, gave up the whole plan. Clean energy for more than 60,000 homes Royal Caribbean is teaming with Southern Power on a new 200-megawatt wind facility in Kansas that will be able to provide electricity to more than 60,000 homes across two counties. The cruise operator will reduce the economic risk for building the wind farm by guaranteeing to buy its power over a 12-year period. This gives Southern Power customers the option of purchasing their electricity from a clean source. The new Reading Wind Facility is expected to generate roughly 760,000 MW hours per year over the 12-year agreement, which translates to enough clean energy to offset about 512,000 tons of CO2 a yearor 10% to 12% of Royal Caribbeans annual carbon emissionsstarting in 2020. The offsets apply to the greenhouse gases directly produced by the company's ships, or Scope 1 emissions. Facilitating a new, additional clean energy source is on top of many ways RCL is working to cut its energy consumption and harmful emissions, chairman and CEO Richard Fain said. No silver bullet 'Reducing our carbon footprint has got to be two-pronged,' he told Seatrade Cruise News. 'To reduce energy consumption and emissions, you have to do a lot of things. There's simply no silver bullet. 'We're doing everything our employees can think of to reduce our consumption of energy. But you can't reduce to nothing,' Fain continued. These conservation efforts together with the offsets provide what he called a 'belt and suspenders' approach. 'We thought this was a great opportunity because we can help create this wind farm in Kansas, near our office [Royal Caribbean has a call center there] so we can attest that's a good place to put wind turbines,' Fain said. RCL assumes the risk This will be Southern Powers 11th wind facility and its first to be validated as a carbon offset project under the Verified Carbon Standard. The agreement with Royal Caribbean provides Southern Power with the economic basis to construct the facility. RCL isn't fronting the money; it's assuming the risk. If power prices drop, it could lose money. Schneider Electric Energy & Sustainability Services brokered the deal. 'Southern Power is thrilled to partner with Royal Caribbean to provide the company with a carbon offset project that will further complement Royal Caribbeans expansive sustainability initiatives,' Southern Power president and CEO Mark Lantrip said. Reading Wind also represents the first project in Southern Power's joint development agreement with RES America Developments, qualifying for 100% production tax credits. 62 wind turbines by 2020 The 200 MW project was originally developed by RES, which will lead the construction alongside Southern Power. Reading Wind is expected to consist of 62 wind turbines manufactured by Siemens Gamesa. Groundbreaking is set for second quarter 2019 with completion by Q2 2020. Southern Power will operate and maintain the facility. Fain said the project is double the size Royal Caribbean originally hoped for. He's been interested in wind power for a long time. (He's had a wind-powered generator at his North Carolina vacation home for eight years. It's small15 kW, he saidbut it's the largest private wind turbine in North Carolina.) About 18 months ago, Fain tasked Jennifer Love, chief security officer and SVP safety, environment and health, with the wind farm project. Her team carried out all the technical aspects, and Alfredo Suarez, VP corporate development, led the financial side. 'Because we're a big user of fuel, we're always looking at ways of becoming more energy-efficient ... Sustainability is very important,' Love said. 'Every year, we have a commitment to reduce our emissions by a certain amount. In addition to all the other things we're doing, this is something else.' Royal Caribbean is on track to meet its voluntary goal of becoming 35% more fuel efficient on an available lower berth day basis from a 2005 baseline to 2020, a target set in 2016. Rigorous verification process The wind farm project had to meet numerous requirements and undergo a rigorous assessment to achieve Verra's Verified Carbon Standard, the best known US third-party validation scheme, according to RCL's Nick Rose, director, environmental programs. This process took eight to 10 months. The Verified Carbon Standard ensures the emissions reductions are actually occurring so companies can be issued tradable greenhouse gas credits that can then be sold on the open market and retired as a means to offset their own emissions. Royal Caribbean won't venture to estimate what the wind farm project will cost. 'We are guaranteeing that we'll purchase the power, and the energy will be sold back to the local grid. We can't tell the total [cost]; it depends on power prices and how they flucturate,' Rose explained. According to Love, no costs will be passed on to passengers. Critics of carbon offsets charge that polluters are just trying to buy their way out of reducing emissions. Rose said that isn't so for RCL. 'This is in addition to everything else Royal Caribbean does. We have tried for years to reduce our impact.' He noted every newbuild is more efficient than the last, and retrofits incorporate technology that helps older vessels. Scrubbers, steam turbines, air lubrication systems and energy management software are all examples. Royal Caribbean International's Project Icon ships will use LNG and fuel cells. 'The other bucket is to help other emitters of carbon to reduce their output. The offset is a small percentage of what we do in addition to everything else,' Rose said. Diet and exercise As Love put it: 'We view this as diet and exercise.' Will other Scope I companies emulate what Royal Caribbean has done? 'We think so,' Love said, 'not only in the cruise industry but the transportation sector. We've done the hard work so now they get the benefit of the sweat and tears we've put into itand that's good, because it's good for the environment.' The City of Southfields Planning Department has achieved a number of acknowledgments and milestones recently. To start, its Northland Mall Redevelopment Strategy received an award from the Michigan Chapter of the American Planning Association. At its annual planning conference in Grand Rapids, the Michigan APA recognized the redevelopment plan with its Outstanding Planning Project: Economic Development Planning award. The plan offers a well-defined vision for the vacant 114-acre property, one that incorporates five sub-areas of development complemented by green infrastructure and pedestrian-friendly pathways. Rather than settle for big box stores in the center and fast food restaurants that line the roads, the redevelopment plan calls for an innovative technology district, a mixed-use lifestyle district, and much more. "This has been a proactive approach to coming up with a vision for redevelopment, rather than a reactive one," says Terry Croad, the citys Director of Planning. "It helps the city to steer the ship of what wed like to see." The city has completed the environmental clean-up phase, and demolition of some of the buildings has already begun. Croad expects full demolition of the mall in 2019 and for some construction to start by the end of that year. In other news, Southfield also recently celebrated the ribbon-cutting of its Red Pole Park, an art installation and outdoor room along its Northwestern Highway Pathway and Greenway. The park features dozens of red poles that can be seen from half a mile away. As if that weren't enough, the city was recently awarded a $455,378 Transportation Alternatives Program grant from SEMCOG, which will help extend the Northwestern Highway Pathway and Greenway. City Center and Lawrence Technological University provided matching grant funds for the project. Last but not least, Croad was honored at the Michigan APA conference for his 30-year membership in the APA. "It was a nice honor. You look back, and youre surprised youve been working for 31 years. Its a combination of endurance, luck, and passion," Croad says. "I hope to make it to 50 years. But its nice to pause for a moment and reflect." Got a development news story to share? Email MJ Galbraith here or send him a tweet @mikegalbraith. Lisa Schmidt and Ben Long co-founded PatchWork Collective. Michael Keith created The Office Coffee Shop in Royal Oak for people to bounce ideas around, network, and find mentorship. Christian Fuller of Incubizo, a co-work space in Ferndale As the workforce evolves and more people work remotely, an increasingly diverse array of Metro Detroiters are using co-working spaces to get the job done. Lawyers, marketing agencies, engineers and an acupuncturist are setting up shop in shared work locations throughout Oakland County.The county boasts several shared or co-working spaces, which usually offer a mixture of desks, private offices, meeting rooms and other office amenities in a collaborative environment for entrepreneurs, remote workers, independent contractors, freelancers and other businesses. The county also is home to several virtual offices that can provide a physical mailing address, phone number, meeting rooms and other business services.Lisa Schmidt, a lawyer who co-founded PatchWork Collective in Ferndale, said she opened the co-working space this summer to tap into the mobile workforce of people who define themselves by what they do rather than where they work.PatchWork Collectives members include a graphic designer, a recreational therapist and an acupuncturist. Schmidts law firm also operates out of the space. Members get 24/7 access for $220 per month while the daily drop-in rate is $20. Offices and conference rooms can be rented by the hour for $30 to $50, and there are discounts for students and nonprofits. Some offices are available for rent on a permanent basis.Mostly we want to be part of the changing work economy we want to be there for that next generation of workers that just do work differently than previous generations have, Schmidt says.Oakland County has thousands of solo entrepreneurs in professional, knowledge-based industries, so co-working serves the area well, says Greg Doyle, manager of Oakland Countys One Stop Shop Business Center and Tech248 initiative.Over the years, Doyle said hes heard from entrepreneurs who long for the vibrant, collaborative environment of areas like Silicon Valley or Boston, where people could walk into a coffee shop and easily find several entrepreneurs chatting and working on new ideas. Co-working is starting to create that environment in Oakland, Doyle says.Theyre great places just to go and really meet up with people, but also I do believe that theres a good amount of connectivity that results in business opportunities for folks, he says.Michael Keith strives to provide a spot where people can bounce ideas off one another and find inspiration and guidance at The Office Coffee Shop in Royal Oak. The business is open to the public as a coffee shop and also offers flexible workspace. People can either grab a table and set up their laptop as they would at a Panera or other cafe, or they can reserve a table, rent a private office, conference room or larger meeting space.We have people that are looking to just get their first start and we help collaborate and help them meet their needs, he says.Keith works as a consulting engineer and found that when he travels to client sites, hes more comfortable talking with his team outside of the office. While he said he doesnt mind occasionally working from home, it gets tough to stay motivated and engaged that way. There are also benefits to working alongside people from varied backgrounds and industries.People pass a lot of work around, and that is natural and organic, and its without a cost, per se, Keith says. You come in, and its a functional space, but its not like you have to pay $500 or $600 a month to be a part of the community. To be a part, you just have to participate. Incubizo also sees itself as more than a place to just rent a desk. The co-working site in Ferndale has hosted events with business and government leaders to discuss improving the community and assisting entrepreneurs.It serves a wide range of clients, including the Western Market grocery store, which uses the space for employee meetings and human resources needs. Incubizo also is working with the French American Chamber of Commerce and Oakland Countys economic development team to serve as a landing spot for international or other outside companies that are coming over to do business with local automakers or other companies, but arent ready to commit to large, permanent office space.Theres a lot of flexibility that they think is going to be very attractive for helping recruit businesses to Oakland County and grow the economy and so were really trying to be able to meet those needs as well, says Incubizos Josh Champagne.A play off the term brick and mortar, Byte & Mortar offers both virtual office services and physical office space in Troy. The virtual office includes mail and phone services, so people who work remotely can have a physical address and secretary to answer calls. The office offers coworking and private office space.The Den, or Downtown Education Nook, operates in a historical log cabin in Auburn Hills and offers students and community members space for studying, coworking, leisure, and meeting with small groups. The Den is funded by tax increment financing.Founder Doug Van Slembrouck opened ShareSpace in his hometown of Rochester in 2014 after moving back from Chicago, where he had grown accustomed to taking advantage of the citys numerous co-working spaces. The site offers shared desk space, reserved desk areas, and permanent semi-suites. Despite competition from Silicon Valley, Detroit remains a hub for the automotive industry because it's where software and physical components meet, says Tom Kelly, executive director, CEO of Automation Alley. Automation Alley is a Michigan-based business accelerator and expert in Industry 4.0. Samit Ghosh is CEO and president of consulting and testing firm P3 North America, which is based in Southfield, Michigan. P3 North America manufactures prototype decks to test automotive client innovations. P3 North America's ADAPT vehicle used to test client autonomous vehicle innovations. On Sept. 27, Ford celebrated 100 years of manufacturing at its Rouge Plant in Dearborn, and that's just one example in the long history of engineering and manufacturing automobiles in southeast Michigan.Detroit area automakers and their parts suppliers have spent the last century building and refining the manufacturing infrastructure that serves the OEMs so they can create a variety of vehicles to scale. While technological innovation can crop up anywhere, there are powerful reasons why automotive companies continue to manufacture vehicles in southeast Michigan.The greater Detroit area has been a hub for designing and building automobiles for decades, and the region is poised to continue to be an automotive hub into the future, even as the industry faces challenges ranging from the push for market-ready automated and connected vehicles to competition from technology firms around the world."In the 1920s, Henry Ford wanted to build everything about the car except the tires, but over the last 100 years or so since that time, the model has changed dramatically for OEMs" says Alan Lecz, director of the Advanced Transportation Center at Washtenaw Community College (WCC).Today, manufacturing of subsystems for automobiles are outsourced to lots of places, Lecz says, but OEMs are integrators of all those subsystems."You still need Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers to be located pretty close to OEMs because there's so much collaboration and dialogue going on so rapidly," he says.Tom Kelly, executive director and CEO of Automation Alley , says that Silicon Valley and other innovation hubs are trying to compete on the digital front, but the Detroit region remains a hub for the automotive industry because it's where software and physical components meet."Silicon Valley is extremely good at digital, at making software that can be iterated over and over. But when software has to meet the real world in a physical space in a car, it gets difficult," Kelly says. "You can't have 16 software updates on a safety system. It has to work out of the gate perfectly, every time. The marriage of digital and physical makes a difference for how Detroit maintains its lead in mobility."This interplay is also evident in Industry 4.0 , the collection of key emerging tech sectors that are disrupting traditional manufacturing techniques. This Fourth Industrial Revolution is a focus for Automation Alley, which supports manufacturers throughout this rapid change.Samit Ghosh, CEO and president of consulting and testing firm P3 North America , agrees that while California, Israel, and Germany all have strong technology startup scenes, integration is where Detroit continues to shine."If you really want to bring this technology into a vehicle, you have to have an understanding of how to handle the hurdle of integration and need a strong understanding of the vehicle itself," Ghosh says. "That's not so easily available with people who have no experience working on a vehicle."Even when auto technology companies establish their headquarters outside southeast Michigan, they often have a research and development office in the Detroit area or recruit from the Detroit auto sector."In another non-traditional automotive location, we see startup companies that want to be car companies," says Ghosh, who was named to the advisory board of PlanetM earlier this year. "And when they're ramping up, what is the first thing they do? They hire a Detroit-trained engineer to move and build up the vehicle knowledge you need in order to be successful."David Palmer, senior director for strategies & partnerships at the Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN) for southeast Michigan, says Detroit has the advantage of "multiple generations of talent that understand the ecosystem of the automobile."He says that Detroit has built up a "brain trust" on the topic of automotive technology and says statistics about the density of engineers and IT professionals writing code for that new technology bears that out.Chris Heiler, operations and supplier management BU lead for P3, also notes density of talent as an advantage. The Detroit area has the talent pool and experience auto companies need, all the way from vice presidents to the shop floor, and southeast Michigan has the schools that teach the relevant courses and the employers who provide the most relevant work experience, he says."That's what makes it a hotspot. Detroit is proving that in 10 or 15 years, they'll not just be the ones providing metal boxes but actively integrating all this technology [into cars]," Heiler says.For Detroit to remain the engineering and manufacturing center of the automotive industry, southeast Michigan companies must stay ahead of the curve on autonomous and connected vehicle technology and solve workforce issues in the making.Heiler says how automakers respond to new technologies will depend heavily on how they market and brand themselves. The utopian vision of a country full of driverless cars doesn't mesh with every brand or with every market.For a driver in a congested metropolitan area who would like to answer emails during a long commute, a fully-automated car might seem like a blessing. On the other hand, some automakers sell their lines of vehicles with marketing around the joy of driving. Those drivers might buy a car with some autonomous safety features like assistive cruise control but aren't likely to buy a car without a steering wheel, Heiler says.The biggest challenge for Detroit to stay relevant in the future, though, is workforce development.The nature of the new jobs being created in the automotive industry requires more IT capability and cybersecurity training for product design engineers and other automotive jobs, Lecz says."The scope of the work is changing, and the technology required to do the job is changing," Lecz says, adding that there's a "widening gap" between open job positions and the skills of those trying to land those jobs.Lecz says community colleges, if they make the right moves, can be at the forefront of preparing students for the automotive jobs of tomorrow. One of WCC's strategies is using advisory committees with representatives from major auto companies."We're asking what skills are required, what's changing, what should we be teaching, what should students be experiencing in labs?" Lecz says.He says that WCC has invested in multiple pieces of state-of-the-art equipment so that students don't have to wait in line behind 15 classmates to try their hand at using an engine dynamometer, for instance.Palmer says that, in order to stay an automotive hub, Michigan needs to invest in quality public education, from the K-12 level to college and beyond."Even if we quadrupled the output of engineers and software engineers from post-secondary institutions, it wouldn't meet the needs of employers during a growth phase," Palmer says. "In 2016, there were nearly 90,000 job postings just in IT, and not including engineering [job titles], and we're not putting out the equivalent numbers into the post-secondary graduate marketplace."He says innovative programs for reskilling and upskilling existing workers are needed, along with more apprenticeship opportunities."Access to quality, lifelong learning is key to having a workforce that can adapt to technological and social innovations as they occur," Palmer says.Sarah Rigg is a freelance writer and editor in Ypsilanti Township and the interim project manager of On the Ground Ypsilanti . She has served as innovation and jobs/development news writer for Concentrate since early 2017 and is an occasional contributor to Driven . You may reach her at sarahrigg1@gmail.com.Photos by Stephen Koss When Alyssa Stackpoole first participated in Manufacturing Day, as a LAnse Creuse High School student, it opened her eyes. Upon graduating, she took a position with metal-working company Synergy Prototype Stamping and was excited to be on the hosting side of the program this year. Exposure to the industry is important, says Stackpoole. It shows students a broader range of options for their future careers and creates an open communication between businesses and the community. The countys annual Manufacturing Day ran last week, coinciding with National Manufacturing Day on October 5. The event provided an opportunity for high school students to visit manufacturing facilities to see the industry in action and meet the people involved. This years program included 82 tours given by 72 host companies to 2,400 students from 28 schools. John Paul Rea, director of Macomb County Planning and Economic Development, said the response has been overwhelming. Manufacturing is an important part of our economy, and there are many well-paying jobs in the field for our next generation of talent, Rea says. Manufacturing Day offers a unique opportunity for these young people to connect with local businesses and learn about the profession, perhaps piquing their interest in a future career and helping us fuel our talent pipeline. Shannon Williams from the Macomb Intermediate School District agrees, adding that the exposure can break down social barriers around manufacturing work being underpaid and dirty work. It allows them to see manufacturing from art-to-part and begins to tear down the stigma that has existed for years, Williams says. Participating companies like KUKA, MAG Automotive, MB Aerospace and HTI Cybernetics displayed a banner outside their facilities to welcome attendees and give students and teachers 90- to 120-minute guided tours that included an overview of the employer by company leadership, who provided information about what they do, who they hire and opportunities for career growth. There were also smaller sub-tours that provided a chance for students to talk with employees and see the product life cycle in action. Stackpoole points out that students bring an inquisitiveness that helps them really learn from the experience. Students are typically highly interested, engaging with the tour guides and asking in-depth questions, she says. They are more curious than most adults that tour our facilities. Its not just the students who reap the benefits. Rea says the tours allow the host sites the chance to promote their companies and interact with the next generation. Since 2014, more than 7,000 students have participated in Macomb Countys Manufacturing Day. Home Just In Pant murder: IGP says probe needs time as PM reminds him of cost of mishandling Kathmandu, October 11 Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli suggested that Nepal Police investigate into the mysterious rape and murder of 13-year-old Nirmala Pant of Kanchanpur district around three months ago and book the perpetrators at the earliest. Speaking at a function organised on the occasion of Nepal Police Day at the Police Headquarters in Naxal, the Prime Minister said the national police organisation should pay its price if it failed to conclude the investigations. He was of the view that mishandling of the investigation would tarnish the image of Nepal Police even if the organisation recorded 90 per cent success in overall. Speaking at the same function, Inspector General of Nepal Police, Sarbendra Khanal, said a proper investigation would require time, suggesting no one should pressure on the police organisation to speed up the probe. Stating that Nepal Police was the only experts group available in Nepal for the investigation of criminal cases, Khanal said it, however, could not fix the time required for every investigation. He also demanded that all stakeholders including the government and general public extend support to police to control crimes in the society. Both of them, however, did not mentioned the rape and murder of Pant though both referred to the case indirectly. Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa was also present at the programme. He, however, did not speak. A Lawrence Technological University professor is leading a community mapping project in Detroit. And though he may be Principal Investigator of Mapping + Humanities, Dr. Joongsub Kim, Ph.D., has designed it in a way that makes the community members themselves the true leaders of the project. Dr. Kim, Professor, and Director of LTUs Master of Urban Design program, and his team have designed a mobile mapping cart to allow community members of Detroits West End neighborhood to map and document their neighborhood and tell their own stories. The mapping cart is attached to a bicycle, and local high school students ride it around the neighborhood. Drawings, pictures, and infographics are then created to be incorporated into maps. Captured are things that affect peoples daily lives, vacant buildings but also historically significant buildings and other community assets. The spectacle of a bike-pulled mapping cart is also meant to draw crowds, facilitating conversations and the sharing of stories between neighbors. "Wed like to make sure that the community is able to design and build their own maps so that they have ownership and want to use them rather than have outside planners coming in and saying, Heres a plan for you, heres a map for you, now use it," says Dr. Kim. "This is to give people a sense of voice and empowerment." Mapping + Humanities is a multi-tier program. Following a November exhibition, the first mapping cart will be given to the community in December. In the meantime, planning sessions are being held with local high school students. A manual will then be put together, and the high school students will be helped in making their own mapping cart. Mapping + Humanities is a collaboration between Urban Design and Humanities programs at LTU and West Grand Boulevard Collaborative in Detroits West End neighborhood. A Michigan Humanities Council Grant funds it. Got a development news story to share? Email MJ Galbraith here or send him a tweet @mikegalbraith. Mrs. Karmin Armstrong-Andrews, Preschool Teacher, reads a book to the class at New Genesis Photo by Susan Andress At the Jennings Development Interplex, Jill Hamilton, Director and Lead Teacher, hopes to lessen the achievement gap. Photo by Susan Andress Aerin Caldwell, assistant teacher, works with students in the Northside Preschools, an innovative collaboration, which started in 2014. Photo by Susan Andress Preschoolers at the Jennings Development Interplex enjoy learning and playing. Photo by Susan Andress When the Northside Preschool Collaborative launched in 2014, teachers and administrators from the three participating preschools, along with the 30 families involved, recognized it as one of a kind.An outgrowth of nine parent focus groups that met in 2013 on the Northside and West Douglas neighborhoods, the preschool collaborative offers families free, high-quality education and transportation specifically for 3 year olds.Overwhelmingly, parents at the focus groups said they wanted a preschool that was high-quality, in the neighborhood, and preferably within walking distance of their home because many of them did not have transportation, says Jim Green, Northside Preschools Director.Based on the information gathered, the group requested grant money from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation in 2015 and was awarded $279,000 to cover all tuition costs, classroom equipment, and supplies, research and student assessments, parent engagement services, recruitment, and transportation expenses. The grant also covered the purchase of a bus for transportation and the salaries of two Parent Educators who help support parents.In addition to financial support from KZCF, the program has received funding in part from the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region and support through KC Ready 4s , which offers on-site teacher mentoring and speech pathology, in addition to serving as a the next step for the 3 year olds as they turn four.Northside Preschools are housed in three separate Northside facilities with 10 children each, all using the same curriculum and achievement standards. These sites are at New Genesis Learning Center at Stones Church, the Jennings Development Interplex, and at Mt. Zion Baptist Church through their program called Students Equipped Educated and Determined to be Successful (SEEDS).At the end of the 2015-2016 school year, according to the SEEDS web page, Northside Preschools students showed a 13 percent increase in language skills, a 15 percent increase in literacy, and a 14 percent increase in mathematics.We started from scratch and we went from there, says Greene, and the programs have been very successful and we have the data to prove it.What families and the school district were discovering was that many 5 year olds who had only one year of preschool, at age 4, were still behind when they started kindergarten. With two years of preschool at ages 3 and 4, Greene says, they are seeing a marked improvement in school readiness.According to data from KPS, 92 percent of Northside third graders are not reading at grade level, says Greene. That is primarily because of the disparities that exist between the children who live on the Northside and their white peers who live in KPS who have the wherewithal to attend preschool.As Greene notes, most children on the Northside do not attend preschool, largely because they cant afford it. Head Start is the only state-funded program for 3 year olds, and limited slots are available countywide.Of course, there are a lot more than thirty 3 year olds living on the Northside, and consequently, there is always a waiting list, usually starting in August, says Pastor Ervin Armstrong of Stones Church, located on the corner of Douglas and Patterson. It's home to the New Genesis Learning Center, which also has a private preschool and afterschool program that draws children from around the county.The parents see the improvement in their children, says Armstrong. They see what theyre learning. Over 90 percent of our children are ready for kindergarten when they started with our program for 3 year olds. The 10 percent who arent havent participated in the two-year program.The most rewarding thing is to see the progress that these kids make because so many times you hear 'they cant learn. They dont know what theyre doing.' The children are ignored. This way, it creates more positive self-image for the kids and it also helps them to be kindergarten ready, says Greene, who hopes to see the program continue to grow. This is the next generation, these kids, so we dont want to lose them.While the 3-year-old preschoolers enrolled in the Northside Preschools are learning and advancing, they often lose some of what they learned before they return to preschool as 4 year olds in the fall, Greene says.We have seen that the kids have improved, says Greene. The problem is that they start at a very lower level, and although they do improve during the year, and even though they are in the range of widely held expectations, when you compare them to their peers, theyre still behind.As a result, Greene says, they are trying to get funding for a summer program, too. There is a summer loss, which is why KPS, has gone to year-round schools at two of the schools our students attend, he says.To help promote more home learning, Northside Preschools has implemented an innovative national model called Parents as Teachers. The program is designed to help parents be the childs first teacher. Two Northside parents, Joda Grimes and Angela Johnson, are already fully certified.They help families get connected to the resources that they need, says Greene. Its not just a child were looking at, were looking at the whole family.Racial and economic disparities contribute to educational inequality. Of the 12,000 children in the Kalamazoo Public School Systems, almost 900 of them are homeless, points out Tim Ready, who has been researching poverty and racial equity in Kalamazoo for a long time through his work at the Lewis Walker Institute at Western Michigan University.That doesnt mean theyre living under a bridge, but they are couch surfing, he says. Until we take hard, tangible action on things like that, well be doing a lot of talking, and not much changing. Another 69.4 percent qualify for free or reduced lunches, including all of the families of the thirty 3 year olds attending the Northside Preschools Collaborative.With daunting statistics about Kalamazoo poverty, especially regarding racial equity, close at hand, Ready sometimes sees his role in the community as the skunk at the picnic, he says. As much as I appreciate the (Kalamazoo) Promise, its effect is going to be somewhat limited unless we make progress on these other fronts, says Ready. If you dont make improvements in economics and racial segregation, you arent going to see much gains in education. Those are much more important and related to academic progress than what goes on in schools.With that being said, Ready adds, the importance of attending to the social, emotional, and educational needs of the youngest in our society, infant to school-aged, is vital for later success in life.This isnt unique to the Northside, says Ready. Kids growing up in poverty have big disadvantages from language development to the potentials of being exposed to different forms of trauma.Kids have to get off to a good start. And if they dont get off to a good start, theres trouble further on. More and more really depressing studies are coming out that are showing that the disparities are baked in during early childhood, says Ready.The problem is you cant wait until high school to connect people to opportunities. Theres just too much stuff that has to be overcome and well be playing catch-up.Imagine a building spacious enough to accommodate 16 rooms and a gymnasium. One half of the building is dedicated to free, high-quality childcare for infants and toddlers, and a preschool, the other half offers space for community services. He already has a location in mind.This is the big dream Pastor Armstrong, along with some cohorts, has, and hes working on making it a reality.When you hear stories about the Northside, its trouble, and shooting, and that kind of thing. I want to see something positive on the Northside, says Armstrong with feeling. If we have an early childhood, high-quality learning center, and its free, thats going to raise the level of awareness of something good on the Northside, something we could take pride in. Were working on that.To help kids, you have to help their parents, says Ready. You have to help their families so kids can be starting off on an even keel. Thats what kids need. I dont think anything less.Programs such as the KPS Lift up through Literacy , which regularly draws between 35 to 50 families at its Tuesday evening meetings at Stones Church alone, integrates families into the education process by providing extra resources and support.Cathedrals arent built in a day, but five years ago, free preschools for Northside 3 year olds didnt exist either.What the Promise has done for Kalamazoo, this program could do for the Northside, says Armstrong. You might have families moving back to the Northside because of it. We would build community out of that.On Cobb Street, arguably one of the nicest streets on the Northside, Stones Church owns a building and close to nine acres. The building, the former North Central Christian School, then a Head Start building, and for five years home to the KPS Alternative Middle School, was used by New Genesis to house a school program and community outreach center until 2013. Currently, it is empty and unusable due to age and disrepair, but the gym, remarkably, is still intact.We think the best is yet to come for our community, for Northside residents, and for Kalamazoo Public Schools, Armstrong says, who sees what he dubs the Northside Promise as eventually becoming a model for other cities, much like the Kalamazoo Promise has become. And its needed.Currently, planners are writing a large grant request for infant and toddler care. With the Northside Preschools Collaborative, Great Start, and Head Start, the childcare and preschool educational pieces are almost all in place.Armstrong envisions the community and learning center to be a one-stop shopping for Northside families, which coincidentally was the slogan for Meijer Thrifty Acres, the original building which currently houses Stones Church at the corner of Douglas and Patterson.Because of the large size of the churchs Cobb Street property, Armstrong would also like to see affordable housing near the proposed community and education center built specifically for single-parent families.To have all that at one site, he says, that would be a village. Jane Simons is the On the Ground Battle Creek Project Editor. In many communities across the country, there are untold stories of people and organizations working to make their city a better place to live and work. A new program offered by Issues Media group through its regional online publication Southwest Michigans Second Wave Media will begin to highlight those stories in Battle Creek beginning Oct. 18. The On the Ground Program tells the story of the people, projects, and innovations that are creating whats next for communities. Using solutions-oriented coverage and community engagement the goal is to find and tell stories that ultimately give a deeper understanding of the community, resulting in awareness and investments that can contribute to the vitality and prosperity of the city covered. In Battle Creek, the concept is to use an embedded journalism model to maintain a presence in a specific neighborhood for at least 30 days before moving on to another specific neighborhood. During this time we focus weekly coverage on a neighborhood to tell the story of its businesses, individuals, and nonprofits. The embedded journalist attends regular neighborhood events and the On the Ground team hosts dedicated conversations to engage residents as we seek out story ideas and network. The first neighborhood conversation will be Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. at Parkway Manor in Washington Heights where we will ask for potential story ideas. Jane Simon is the local reporter focusing on Battle Creek neighborhoods and she comes to the project with many years in journalism. The Battle Creek resident describes her route to the On the Ground project saying just when she had reached a point in her career when she thought that being a newspaper reporter was the job she would retire from, fate had other plans. After a 20-plus year career as a reporter that began at the Battle Creek Enquirer and ended at the Kalamazoo Gazette, I started to re-invent myself and position myself to get into public relations and marketing. I was fortunate to find work in the nonprofit sector that used the reporting and writing skills I had crafted over the years and taught me skills that have brought me into a new way of doing things. However, the innate curiosity and determination to tell a fair and balanced story that was the foundation for my writing and reporting, never left me and I am truly excited and very privileged to have been tapped to write for you and about you the residents of Battle Creek. In an era where fake news is actually a thing and the term news desert is a reality, this project that we are embarking on together has never been more critical. I hope that you will recognize the importance of the journey we are about to take together and will share your experiences and stories with me as we work to change the narrative in the city we call home. Where it all started On the Ground coverage began May 2012 with a pilot program through the Philadelphia-based IMG publication Flying Kite. Then-publisher Michelle Freeman developed the concept of an ongoing initiative that aimed to dive deep into neighborhood transformation. In that program, a project editor from Flying Kite was embedded in a vacant storefront or building and after three months they moved on to the next neighborhood. Between May 2012 and August 2013, Flying Kite was embedded in four neighborhoods in Philadelphia and New Jersey. IMG adopted this program model in 2013 for its Detroit-based publication Model D. Since then, IMG has worked in over 15 different neighborhoods across the country. There have been On the Ground programs in Memphis, Tampa, Grand Rapids, Dearborn, Ypsilanti, Pontiac, Cincinnati, Detroit and more. The program is adapted for each community. We identify partners in each neighborhood who assist a dedicated journalist in connecting and orienting with residents. In order to establish a lasting relationship with the community and the groups involved with the project, the project editor dedicates time to researching the history of the neighborhood and developing an editorial framework based on the interests of the community. In Battle Creek, the On the Ground project also will involve training local residents as reporters. They will attend four classes and publish stories in Southwest Michigans Second Wave. They will be paid as journalists for attending classes and having their work published. Their relationship as writers for Second Wave is expected to continue after their training. IMG views this engagement as an initial investment into a community. Programs are tailored to approach the needs of each neighborhood differently and treated as the first step in creating long-term media impact in the highlighted areas. What I love about the program is this is journalism the way it used to be done, says Managing Editor Kathy Jennings. A reporter digs in and really gets to know a community. And since we are an online magazine we present it in an updated way. Its the best of both the old and the new. Ke'Asia Shepherd-Friday and Theresa Coty O'Neil review a writing guide together. Photo by Vicky Kettner When On the Ground first moved into the Northside in August, Mattie Jordan Woods, Executive Director of the Northside Association for Community Development , introduced our team to one of her summer youth workers, KeAsia Shepherd-Friday, 17, who told us then she likes to write.Shortly after, KeAsia applied and was accepted as On the Grounds first Youth Community Contributor.After four weeks of journalism training, On the Ground is proud to publish KeAsias first story next Thursday. Its a story that is both timely and personal, as KeAsias younger sister, KeAuganaa, 16, has sickle cell anemia, and is planning to have a bone marrow transplant in the summer of 2019 with marrow donated by KeAsia herself, who was tested and determined to be a match.In her story, KeAsia writes about the experience of having a family member who has sickle cell, a disease that many people dont understand. As a student of journalism, KeAsia, in our brief trainings, has shown herself to be a writer with intuitive rhythm and fine observational skills. She is also open to new adventures, even when shes not sure what shes getting into, as was demonstrated when we took a field trip.During our second week of training to demonstrate event coverage, KeAsia and I attended the water blessing at Spring Valley Park performed by Grandmothers of the Sacred We, a group of 13 indigenous grandmothers traveling the world to bless the waters. Sponsored by Transformations Spirituality Center and the Fetzer Institute, the Grandmothers sang native songs, invited participants to bless the water, and gave each attendant a small cup of blessed water to drink.After attending, KeAsia recounted the event in detail, adding that she thought the water tastes special and rich, all observational skills that make a strong writer. It wasnt what I expected, though I didnt know that much, she says, but I loved it. I love to learn new things.A senior at Phoenix High School , KeAsias favorite subjects are English and Spanish. In addition to spending time with her sisters, she loves dancing, particularly tap and hip hop, performing spoken word poetry, and reading.The best part of the journalism training, KeAsia says, was learning and doing something new every week. The most challenging part, she says, was trying to explain my story in the best way so that others could understand it.Her favorite part of the journalism process, she discovered, was interviewing people. You get to know a person by asking them questions more than you would normally and you get to see what they like and what theyve done, she says.After high school, KeAsia plans to obtain her Certified Nursing Assistant license, following in the footsteps of her mother, Natasha Shepherd. She also plans to put her interviewing and writing skills to good use as the youth voice for NACD on the associations website.Thank you for choosing me to work with me, she says. Its been a good experience and Ive learned a lot. Press Release October 10, 2018 Privilege Speech of Senator Loren Legarda On Illegal Wildlife Trade October 10, 2018 | Senate of the Philippines Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, I wish to call the attention of this Chamber, and the public, to the prevailing illegal wildlife trade, an issue that is both a national and international concern for the Philippines. Since our membership to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1981, certain entities in our country have continued to partake in the wildlife crime. Nevertheless, we strived to uphold the goals of the Convention, which aims to protect endangered plants and animals from international commerce and trade, and ensure their survival. In 2013, we were the first ASEAN country to destroy illegal ivory. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), led the destruction of an estimated five tons of ivory smuggled into our country through eight separate shipments from 1996 to 2009. The items were reported to have originated from Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and Uganda. We have since intensified our efforts on this trade through the creation of the Philippines' Operations Group on Ivory (POGI) under DENR, tasked to handle ivory smuggling cases. We have also implemented capacity building programs and awareness campaigns, as well as developed systems and tools in aid of enforcement. These are all pursuant as well to Republic Act 9147 or the "Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act," which seeks to conserve and protect wildlife species and their habitats and to regulate wildlife collection and trade. Mr. President, because of the growing demand for ivory, an estimated 25,000 elephants, mostly coming from African countries, are killed on an annual basis. However, the elephants in the ivory trade are part of the larger web of illegal wildlife trade. There are 30,000 more specimens of wildlife that are smuggled and sold in physical markets and, quite shockingly, over the internet on social media. A study in the Philippines during a brief period between 2017 and 2018 documented nearly 900 ivory items for sale in markets and Facebook groups. At least 426 Indonesian birds were also monitored being sold on 20 Facebook groups during the same period. The smuggling of birds into the Philippines is also considered a health risk due to the non-screening of these animals for potential diseases, such as bird flu. Pangolins are also one of the most heavily trafficked mammals in the world[1] and the smuggling has grown so rapidly that 27 new global routes were opened for its illegal trade.[2] I note that one of the four main pangolin species involved is endemic to Palawan--the Philippine Pangolin. Another species that can only be found in Palawan, the Philippine Pond Turtle, is now considered critically endangered due to intense poaching pressure. There have also been reports where live corals smuggled from our shores into other countries, such as Singapore and the United States, only to be placed in aquariums. What is more alarming is that there have been reports suggesting of an emerging local market. In one case, certain species of birds, crocodiles, turtles, and other animals from Palawan, which is home to diverse species of wildlife, were being peddled in Metro Manila. Mr. President, we must also recognize that illegal wildlife trade is an issue that impacts global security. It is a serious criminal transnational industry worth billions of pesos. Organized criminal networks and armed militia continue to benefit from the proceeds of this brutal and cruel trade. The links between illegal wildlife trade and crime and corruption are recognized in international assemblies and is also included as a specific subsection to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal No. 15. It demands a global focus and response to tackle it, and we should therefore support the urgent call for united action. We should communicate to the world that we are committed to resolving the growing problem of illegal wildlife trade, as it is related with greater issues of conservation, public health, and food security. I do not doubt that the Philippines can be a regional leader if we scale up our efforts and work together. Given the continuous demand for wildlife products, compounded by the advent of modern information technologies, which allowed illegal wildlife traders to openly advertise their businesses online, it is high time that we revisit the relevant provisions of Republic Act 9147. Penalties must be increased to deter more wildlife crime syndicates. Our learning institutions, especially in areas where poaching of Philippine wildlife occurs, must be made aware of this concern. We also need to promote ecotourism and other biodiversity-friendly enterprises to support the livelihood of local communities, as well as to continue building the capacities of personnel charged with the enforcement of our laws and commitments. Mr. President, our domestic efforts to combat illegal wildlife trading from the start have not gone unnoticed. This is why, the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany, as well as other development partners, have been supporting and have pledged to complement our action. The UK Government, through the Darwin Initiative, has offered grants to two projects in the country: first, on sustainable community-based stewardship of freshwater resources in the Northern Philippines; and second, on socio-ecological resilience in coastal Philippines. The UK Space Agency will also support a 5.5-million-pound project that will use satellite technology to help our government tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in our waters. US institutions, such as the Field Museum of Natural History, and the universities of Kansas, Lawrence, and Oklahoma, will continue to work with DENR on the inventory and assessment of reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals--a partnership that started in the 1990s. More recently, the US Government, through the Agency for International Development (USAID), initiated the Protect Wildlife Project, which will help conserve biodiversity and combat illegal wildlife trade, particularly in the areas of Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga, Palawan, and the SOCCKSARGEN Region. The US Department of the Interior, through its International Technical Assistance Program, will also provide capacity building programs for national and local government units and communities to address critical threats to our country's coastal and upland resources, as well as to promote good governance in enforcing environmental laws. Meanwhile, the German Government, through the GIZ (or the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit), has been implementing the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape (SSS) Project, which seeks to develop a "Wildlife Coordination and Communication Protocol" as enforcement strategy in the Marine Turtle Protected Areas Network of Palawan and Tawi-Tawi. It is a six-year project (from 2012 to 2018) being implemented under the Coral Triangle Initiative in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Moreover, the Global Environment Facility, through the World Bank, is also helping the Philippines through a three-year project called "Combatting Organized Environmental Crime in the Philippines" under the Global Wildlife Program. This project, which will be implemented by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the DENR-BMB will work on legal and institutional reforms, capacity building in the law enforcement chain, and demand reduction on wildlife products. Mr. President, the Philippines remained, according to Parties of the Convention, a "country of importance to watch" on ivory trafficking and other illegal wildlife trade. The is due to the fact that we continue to be a transit route between Africa and other Asian markets, but the proliferation of local wildlife trading especially on our social media also points out that we have perhaps become patrons of this crime. While we reiterate our call for government agencies and local authorities, particularly the DENR and the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, to strengthen their efforts to protect these rare and wonderful species from illegal trade, we also need to support global efforts that combat this crime. We need to do our part by stopping domestic markets and working with other countries to share information and target traffickers, middlemen, and poachers. By breaking the cycle from our end, we also hope to interrupt and end the supply and demand chain overseas. Thank you very much. ________________________________________ [1] https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/pangolin [2] https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/pangolins-world-day-most-trafficked-mammal-scales-meat-china-africa-wwf-a8214726.html Press Release October 11, 2018 Minority senators seek Senate probe on Cebu killings Senators belonging to the Senate minority bloc have called for an immediate investigation into the recent spate of killings in Cebu under the "one-time, big-time" (OTBT) anti-illegal drug operations of the Philippine National Police (PNP). In filing Senate Resolution No. 915, they said they are gravely concerned about the recent wave of killings in Cebu due to the involvement of some police officers who are reportedly pursuing the government's all-out war on drugs. "The allegation that police officers themselves are behind some of the killings is highly disturbing," they said. According to them, police authorities can only use force in legitimate police operations only when it is "strictly necessary, for lawful law enforcement purposes, proportional to lawful objectives, and damage and injury are to be minimized." "As duty bearers, the PNP must observe proper operational procedures in order to fulfill the organization's obligation with respect to human rights-based policing," they pointed out. Last July 18, the members of the Senate minority bloc have issued a joint statement expressing alarm over the brazenness of killings in the country, especially in Metro Cebu where scores of suspected drug offenders were arrested and killed without due process. According to Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena, the number of killings has started to rise after Cebu City Police Office Director Royina Garma and Police Regional Office-7 (PRO-7) Director Debold Sinas have assumed their respective posts. In the three phases of the OTBT operations initiated by PRO-7, a total of 19 suspected drug personalities have already died. In its third phase of operations alone, at least 10 suspected drug offenders died and 76 were arrested. Minority senators also noted that the OTBT anti-drug operations from July to October 2018 have resulted in the death of suspected drug offenders on the pretext that they resisted police arrests. "The recurring narrative of 'nanlaban' - or suspects having resisted arrest - has been serving as a wrongful justification for fatalities during the conduct of police operations to curtail proliferation of illegal drugs," they pointed out. In October 2017, the Senate minority bloc, along with 10 other senators, filed Senate Resolution (SR) No. 516 urging the government to stop the "senseless" killings, especially of children, under the Duterte regime. The said Resolution was filed after the senseless killings of 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos, 14-year-old Reynaldo de Guzman and 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz under the hands of the police sparked public outcry. Prior to that, 45 United Nations member states called on the Philippine government to conduct a "thorough" investigation into extrajudicial killings in the country as part of its recommendation to the Philippine delegation during the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva, Switzerland in May 2017. Various human rights advocates and other international bodies - including the Human Rights Watch, the Inter-parliamentary Union, and Liberal International, among others -- have also criticized the Philippines for its bloody campaign against drugs that resulted in the death of thousands of individuals. Press Release October 11, 2018 De Lima urges Senate action on human rights measures Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has called on the Senate leadership to act with dispatch on several legislative measures aimed at protecting the rights of people to human dignity and reducing social, economic and political inequalities in the country. De Lima said she hopes that these measures would also be given priority as part of the Senate's contribution to the global celebration of the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) throughout 2018. "I urge my colleagues to take a serious look at these pending measures as our humble contribution to the global campaign of raising awareness about the importance of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 70 years ago," she said. "The clamor for a human rights regime resonates not only in the Philippines but also elsewhere around the world where the principles of human rights are undermined, and the defenders of human rights are harassed and incarcerated," she added. As a signatory to the UDHR, the Philippines has ratified eight core human rights treaties and six optional protocols, along with many other key human rights and humanitarian conventions and treaties. As a founding member of the United Nations Human Rights Council since 2006, the Philippines has been sitting as member for consecutive terms from 2007 to 2010 and from 2011 to 2014, and is now bidding for another term for 2019 to 2021. De Lima, who once chaired the Commission on Human Rights, pointed out that the country should continue to assert its leadership in human rights fronts not only internationally but also, most especially, domestically. "We should heed the incessant call from the international community of human rights advocates that we as a member-state should lead by example and uphold the highest standards in promoting and protecting human rights," she said. The Senator from Bicol then urged the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights chaired by Sen. Richard J. Gordon to move forward the country's human rights agenda by calendaring the legislative measures long pending before his committee. "I call on Senator Gordon to take this special opportunity of pushing for important measures aimed at advancing the cause of human rights in the country. I'm confident he will heed growing clamor to push forward these pending bills," she said. "I have filed several bills and resolutions that will help ensure equal access to justice for all at the same time strengthen the rule of law. I also hope that he will finally start public hearings on these legislative measures I filed," she added. Of the total number of bills and resolutions referred to the Senate Justice and Human Rights Committee, De Lima noted that 24 bills and 11 Resolutions remain pending while 1 resolution is still pending on second reading. Among the pending bills at the committee include an Act punishing extraordinary heinous crimes with the penalty of qualified reclusion perpetua (Senate Bill No. 368), an Act defining extrajudicial killing (SBN 117), an Act protecting the rights of refugees and stateless persons (SBN 1854), and an Act strengthening the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines as the national human rights institution (SBN1230). As to the pending resolutions, De Lima noted these include the Resolutions directing the committee to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the reported violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Mindanao after a year of martial law imposition (Senate Resolution No. 768), and into the state of detention facilities in the Philippines (SRNs 97 and 590), among others. In September 2016, De Lima sent a formal communication to Gordon requesting him to give priority to SRN 97 she filed a month prior. Last April, she also urged the committee to address the issue concerning overcrowded detention cells and act on the resolutions she filed but her call remains unheeded. The former justice secretary said the apparent inaction on these crucial pieces of legislation is untenable and regrettable because problems, such as killings, injustices, state abuses and prison congestion, continue to plague the present administration. De Lima, a staunch advocate for human dignity, has led a Senate investigation into the spate of extrajudicial killings under the Duterte administration's murderous war on drugs barely two weeks since she assumed office. Press Release October 11, 2018 Dispatch from Crame No. 398: Statement of Sen. Leila M. de Lima on Arroyo's preemptive power grab 10/11/18 House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's and her House allies' push for charter change is rather a sneaky political move amidst speculations on Duterte's deteriorating health. Reportedly, the House resolution adopting Arroyo's charter change proposal was endorsed to the plenary without any public hearings or debates at the committee level. Its most questionable and shameless feature is the removal of the Vice President from the line of succession to the presidency. Strangely, nobody bothered to look up the very nature of what a Vice President is supposed to be, i.e., to succeed the President and take over his office in case anything happens to him. Arroyo's proposed charter might as well have abolished the Office of the Vice President, as if merely removing VP Leni Robredo from the line of succession would hide Arroyo's selfish motivation in pushing for VP Leni's virtual ouster from office. It is nothing but a preemptive power grab. It is therefore more than a coincidence that this feature was belatedly pulled out of Arroyo's draft charter as soon as Duterte assured his allies that he is free of cancer. But this is no guarantee that it won't be re-inserted at some other time. To sweeten the deal for members of Congress, the proposed charter further removed term limits for elective officials as well as the proscription on political dynasties. This is a Pandora's Box of self-perpetuating and self-serving politicians waiting to be opened. It is nothing but a reversal of democratization -- of reforms introduced in the 1987 Constitution to expand the selection of elective officials to include those coming from the grassroots who will be able to genuinely represent the people more than the entrenched political clans. Under Duterte, Philippine democracy is in its death throes. Arroyo and her allies in the House now even want to compete against him for the job of being its gravedigger. We are witnessing a contest in the corruption of power. The people are reduced to watching from the sidelines, pre-occupied with their deteriorating living conditions and scrimping for the next meal. Above them, meat is thrown around in the feast of gluttons who can never have enough of power. Press Release October 11, 2018 Villar urges global action for biodiversity security Sen. Cynthia A. Villar has called for more discussions and greater cooperation among countries towards securing biodiversity and protection and conservation of the environment as she stressed the correlation between climate change and the global goal of food security. In a speech before participants attending a series of dialogues on biological diversity in the country, Villar stressed that "climate change is not just an environmental issue or concern. It also affects agriculture and other sectors." "As an agricultural country, the Philippines loses a lot from extreme effects of climate change and the onslaught of environmental disasters," she said, adding: "There is a direct correlation between food security and environment protection considering that our country is frequently affected by extreme weather disturbances such as stronger typhoons, draughts, El Nino/La Nina etc." She cited the country's experience when super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) hit Tacloban City in November 2013. The damage to agriculture caused by the typhoon reached over P90 billion (or about US$2 billion), affecting 600,000 hectares of agricultural lands, with an estimated 1.1 million metric tons of crops lost. The losses, she pointed out, was vast because the typhoon struck between two planting seasons. "It disrupted food supply (in the province) during that time," she said. But Villar said the concern about food security is not limited to the Philippines. "There is a serious concern about food security worldwide. Based on estimates, there is a need to increase food production by over 60 per cent to meet the expected global demand from a population of over nine billion in 2050. Thus, climate change is both an environmental and agricultural concern for all of us," she said. The Senate's ratification of the country's concurrence in the Paris Agreement in 2017 was a major step towards addressing both climate change and agricultural concerns. "I said it is a victory for the agriculture sector, the sector most affected by climate change. By joining the global action to cut carbon emissions, we are able to address agricultural problems which continue to hinder our farmers' productivity and our food security goals," Villar said. Villar said the Philippines has taken great strides to join global efforts to protect bio-diversity, taking pride in her personal efforts to spearhead community actions to protect and conserve the environment. She cited the successful story of the Las Pinas - Paranaque Wetland Park, a combination of natural wonders in one area -- a bird sanctuary, wetland, and mangrove forest. Las Pinas - Paranaque Wetland Park is a 175-hectare area considered as the "last coastal frontier" or "last natural bastion in Metro Manila". It was declared as a critical habitat in 2007 by Presidential Proclamation No. 1412, and has been named the sixth Philippine site in the Ramsar List of "Wetlands of International Importance" in March 15, 2013. It is the only one in the metropolis. "What we have done and continue to do here at Las Pinas - Paranaque Wetland Park, I can say, is a good working example of how biodiversity protection or conservation of landscapes and seascapes can help communities such as fisherfolks who get their daily sustenance and livelihood from Las Pinas - Paranaque Wetland Park and the nearby barangays, which are protected by the threat of flooding. And now as a Wetland Park, it offers sustainable tourism opportunities as well," Villar said. She added: "We envision it to be the premiere learning environment for urban wetlands in the Philippines. We are doing our best also to make it a model of sustainable eco-tourism at its best. We hold regular environment-related events and activities here including coastal cleanups, planting of mangroves and other native trees, birdwatching among others." Villar stressed that "environmental protection in all aspect is something that we take seriously or we MUST take seriously because our people depend on natural resources for food and income. Of course, preventing biodiversity loss and conservation of landscapes and seascapes are included in the Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs, particularly No. 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss." The senator encouraged open discussions and dialogues, as well as collaborations and cooperation between and among, nations on the issue of biodiversity, climate change and environment protection. "At the end of the day, we are all in these together. It is for our own collective good to make good in these very important matters," she said. Villar gave the participants a tour of the Las Pinas - Paranaque Wetland Park. The participants are in the country on the invitation of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), which is hosting the Asia Multi-Actor Dialogue Seminars to Build Social-ecological Resilience through the Incorporation of Ecosystem-based Solutions in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). The series of dialogues was conducted by the ACB in cooperation with the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Stockholm Resilience Centre (SwedBio). Claudia Roessler is Director Industry Solutions, Strategic Business Development, Chemical & Agriculture at Microsoft. She is an expert on how information technology can be used in agriculture. Onlinekhabars Abhaya Raj Joshi caught up with Roessler on the sidelines of the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco. Excerpts from an interview. Could you tell us what Microsoft AI for Earth programme is all about? The idea for AI for Earth is to help with the initiatives, either around agriculture, sustainability, biodiversity or climate. We truly think that artificial intelligence plays an important role in helping with these issues. One of the programmes that have come out of AI for Earth is Farm Beats. It uses image data from drones and satellites and compares it with sensor data from the farm. This helps us predict farm conditions and significantly reduce the cost that is needed to get this data from the farm. There are around 100 projects going around across the world where many universities and research organisations are taking part. We want to involve more countries. Could you tell us about some application that you have recently launched in India? How do you plan to build in South Asia? We have a team in India that is focused on agriculture. It looks into different kind of ways to look into precision farming. The sowing app will be started as a pilot together with a research organisation which is looking at different ways to improve it. The Farmbox app will also help farmers to exchange information. It will give information about the farmers location, and also know what they grow. It will give people an idea about the local weather and risks about diseases based on their location. It also gives pro-active recommendations about how to treat the farm. We at Microsoft look for companies that have expertise in the space and work as a medium for an interface between farmers and technology. We dont want to limit ourselves on being an advisor to farmers. This is a reason why we partner with companies which are experts at what they do. We look at commercial players that have the capacity to help farmers scale up. We hope we can help with better data collection with the help of sensors and images and help make it more accessible. We can also help with data pairing because a lot of data companies are worried to share data with another company that might be their competition in the future. But we want create a neutral ground where companies can come together and run analytics on our aggregated data which would benefit both the companies. Any plans to start this in Nepal? I think we do. We are just starting and are open to going to different countries provided we find local players willing to work with us. We need someone who understands the local market and someone who has an interest in the local market only after that can we come up with initiatives to venture into countries like Nepal. If we have the world business council on board it would help us run a lot of local projects because they have many firms across which could be interested in what we do. What are the challenges to implementing your program in South Asia? The first and the most important challenge is to find the right partner to work with. We started our work in America itself because we knew the market very well and the same is the case with India where we found a partner who knew the market there as well. Its a matter of consolidating learning from those countries that can build local expertise and that means working with our local teams in those countries that can participate in our program. Unless you visit the countries its really hard to understand specific challenges. Will this development help community in the mountains be resilient to climate change? We first need to understand the challenges we need to overcome in the mountains because moving around there is quite hard. We are working on how to get our product there. Its quite fascinating that we are using modern drones to help farmers. We are looking at different measures to solve these problems in different ways. How does your programme fit in with the bigger picture of climate change? It (climate change) is at the heart and maybe one thing I can mention is whatever we develop in the AI for Earth, the idea is to not just isolate this to universities but we want to share this intelligence with the rest of the community. So technically, if there is no project or initiative running in one country, you can go to the ones that are already out there and there might be something that is relevant for your country. It is almost like a cloud source research and intelligence connection. Microsoft is a commercial entity and has shareholders to answer to, so are you looking at revenue stream that you can get from these kinds of projects that arent going to be very attractive? Part of the company is working to empower various organisations around the world. We do a lot of things that do not necessarily lead to revenue in the first place. We do have an agenda which says that a commercial business needs to be healthy and the agenda also helps companies to be commercially successful. But there is a sustainability issue. We have one team which is totally focused on sustainability. We are carbon neutral and share this to other companies which inform them about the importance of reducing carbon. We were able to reduce the energy cost of our data centre by 50 per cent. We share how to do this and share it with companies because we dont want to keep with to ourselves as we want to give it back to the community. And then there is that accessibility issue. We have a whole team thats only looking into how can we make technology assessable in areas where its not there. This story was supported by the 2018 Climate Change Media Partnership, a collaboration between Internews Earth Journalism Network and the Stanley Foundation. Tourists arrive in S. Korea from Singapore on 'travel bubble' agreement The first tourists from Singapore since the start of the coronavirus pandemic arrived Monday in South Korea under a bilateral travel bubble agreement. A travel bubble refers to ... #Korean Series What nerves? KT Wiz's Korean Series debutants playing like veterans Entering this year's Korean Series against the Doosan Bears, the KT Wiz only carried two players with prior experience in the South Korean baseball championship stage. One was 4... And those of you who thought that the market-crash last week had made only retail investors poorer, you are sadly mistaken. Mukesh Ambani's wealth slipped by $50.7 billion (28 August) to $39.5 billion (4 October). Losers also included billionaires such as Gautam Adani, Kumar Mangalam Birla among major industrialists. Analysts said that in trading sessions market capitalisation of stocks listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange had lost Rs 8 lakh crores. The last week, Indian stock markets tumbled causing investors on Dalal street a major scare. In fact, the BSE Sensex was down by at least 1600 points. Analysts pointed one of the major cause for the market behaviour to a pull-out made by Foreign portfolio investors. On Wednesday data provided by the Securities and Exchange Board of India showed how disastrous the situation would have been in the event mutual fund managers did not infuse investments. FPIs were reported of pulling Rs 108.25 billion from Indian equities. Mutual Fund houses made an investment of Rs 116 billion. One may say that the markets were saved by mutual fund houses. But in other words, there is also the possibility that mutual fund managers tapped shares at the opportune time. Investment in domestic equities by fund managers could be largely attributed to retail investors who continue to invest through systematic investment plan (SIP). AMFI's (Association of Mutual Funds in India) Chief Executive NS Venkatesh was quoted as saying in a report, "Despite the market volatility and the credit event which occurred, the flow in the equity segment of the market from the retail investors has been positive." Morningstar's Analyst Himanshu Srivastava said that the behaviour could be owing to a difference in perspective between FPIs and domestic fund managers. He explained, "For FPIs, India is just another investment in their portfolio. They continuously evaluate India against other comparable markets and see what investment proposition it has to offer. They will not hesitate in trimming their exposure to India if it does not fare well on the risk-reward profile." He added, "Hence, due to deteriorating macro factors and increasing tension over global trade war, FPIs have been trimming exposure to India over the last few months" Meanwhile, another report, from AMFI, said AUMs of mutual funds tapered to a monthly loss of Rs 2.3 lakh crores in September. One is left wondering if there is something that holds the two data-points together. More on the Mutual Fund loss here. Most recently and notably, current Union minister of state for external affairs MJ Akbar has been accused by multiple women of sexual harassment during his time as a journalist which lasted a few decades. Detailing her account in a column for the Wire, Ghazala Wahab writes about the harassment she faced when Akbar was editor of the Asian Age, where she worked at the time in the early to mid 1990s. Other women too have spoken out about his predatory behavior as well, which was supposedly an open secret. Journalists and media houses in India are having their Me Too movement; it is a movement that is only beginning. In the past week, multiple women have come forward detailing their experiences of sexual harassment and assault by male colleagues at various news publications and outlets. The government has yet to respond to the credible allegations against him, though reports in the press have suggested that the party is weighing their options. The Congress has called for his resignation as Akbar is currently on an overseas trip. The Indian Express editorial has called for his ouster "Minister Akbar must go because the silence that has followed the testimonies, nightmarish and credible, of several women against him, has been the most resonant. If he doesnt step down on his own, the government he serves must persuade him of the untenability of his continuance in office. In the United States, with respect to the Me Too movement in journalism, there were a number of award winning, highly lauded and high profile journalists who rightfully lost their jobs after reports surfaced detailing their continued pattern of sexual harassment over the course of many years. The likes of Charlie Rose, Matt Lauer, who had significant power, stature and money behind them were regulars on the TV screens of millions of Americans; even the head of one of the biggest media networks in the US, CBS President Les Moonves, was ousted after reports of sexual harassment. For India, as stated before, it's only the beginning. In light of recent revelations, the Editors Guild of India posted a statement that condemned the acts by male journalists, which read in part, "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." 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 It started with the Chief of Bureau and Political Editor of the Hindustan Times, Prashant Jha, stepping down following allegations by a former employee who took to twitter to provide details with accompanying screenshots of their conversations. Following this, the Times of Indias Hyderabad Editor KR Sreenivas was sent on administrative leave after seven women petitioned the news organisation to take action. The women allege Sreenivas sent them lewd messages, made lewd gestures and inappropriately touched them. In this case, the women also detail how Sreenivas, a man in a position of power, had control over their careers and even isolated them when they complained about his behavior. Details have also come out about harassment by former editor in chief of DNA Gautam Adhikari, where Sandhya Menon detailed her experience of him forcibly kissing her after a late night out. Soon after, another journalist detailed her experience with Adhikari as well while he was Executive Editor at the Times of India. Adhikari has since resigned from the American think tank Centre for American Progress (CAP). Other names that have surfaced are Manoj Ramachandran, an associate editor with the Hindustan Times in New Delhi, Mayank Jain a reporter with Business Standard who has since resigned, Anurag Verma, a former trends editor with Huffington Post India and Hindustan Times journalist Dhrubo Jyoti, who responded to a twitter thread acknowledging his behavior. have isolated myself, taken care to not trigger. taking responsibility, unconditionally apologising. seeking community and professional help to ensure it never happens again Dhrubo Jyoti (@dhrubo127) September 28, 2018 The courage it took for one or two women to come forward will only help more do the same. An often used pushback against women speaking up is that their doing this for attention, money or their angry. While the first two reasons mentioned are foolish given the reliving of trauma isnt something you put a price tag on; the last point, anger, is important and valid here as Rituparna Chatterjee puts it in her column for Firstpost Women are angry. They have been for a while. And now they are ready to out their abusers in public. Women are making it clear that they have had enough and they are ready to call out their abusers in public. Womens anger is a powerful force and one that is far too often underestimated or brushed aside and instead criticised. As journalist and author Rebecca Traister puts it, Anger at injustice and inequality is in many ways exactly like fuel. Womens anger spurs creativity and drives innovation in politics and social change, and it always has. With respect to the Indian media, the dynamics in some ways is different than in the United States. Its still largely a male dominated space. As the Wire editorial puts it context of a newsroom A newsroom is a fluid space quite unlike any other. Women, especially rookies in the profession, become easy targets of those higher up the editorial chains who have the power to make or mar their careers. One interesting point of conversation that happened in the wake of allegations against media figures in the United States is the focus on how male dominated the media was and is; particularly during the time when some of these men focused on covering and reporting on a historic election where for the first time one of the two nominees was a women. It remains to be seen if such a conversation would begin in a similar context to women politicians here. Going forward, two things will become clear more women will come forward and media organisations will have to reckon with how they address the allegations. It remains to be seen if any of these allegations will be pursued legally. A reminder here that the rape allegation against Tarun Tejpal of Tehelka is yet to be resolved as the trial enters its fifth year. For the rest of us, who are witnessing and questioning the path forward, Sandhya Menon, one of whom came forward with her experiences offers an important guide- All threads at the bottom where I've called out men who made unwanted advances. I'm not looking to pursue this legally or have them reported to the police. At best, this is a civil offence. What I want though is 1. for them to be held accountable 2. For these workplaces to Sandhya Menon (@TheRestlessQuil) October 5, 2018 More columns by Varun Sukumar Chile lithium miner shareholder sue to block sale to China's Tianqi Santiago, Oct 11 (AFP) Oct 11, 2018 The controlling shareholder in Chile's lithium producer SQM has mounted a legal challenge to halt the sale of nearly a quarter of the company to Chinese group Tianqi. Pampa Calichera, Potasios de Chile and Global Mining -- collectively known as the Pampa Group which holds 29.12 percent of SQM -- said the decision by Chilean regulators to allow the deal breaks competition rules. SQM operates one of the world's largest lithium mines on the Atacama salt flats in northern Chile. Lithium is used in batteries, and is in high demand given the boom in the production of electric cars. Tianqi already has interests in Albermarle, the world's largest lithium producer and a direct competitor of SQM. If the deal goes through it would potentially give Tianqi control of some 70 percent of the global lithium market, according to some estimates. The case, filed in Chile's Constitutional Court on Wednesday, calls for antitrust regulators to rescind the decision to approve the sale "because it allows a market player to partially hold and participate in the management of one of its direct competitors." It would also allow a direct competitor "access to confidential and economically sensitive information on the global lithium market." In May the go ahead was given for the $4.1 billion sale of Canadian Nutrien group's 24-percent SQM stake to Tianqi. Regulators then launched an investigation in June into whether the deal broke competition rules. Chile has the world's largest reserves of lithium, and with Australia produces around 80 percent of total global production. By clicking Agree, you consent to Slates Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and the use of technologies such as cookies by Slate and our partners to deliver relevant advertising on our iOS app to personalize content and perform site analytics. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information about our use of data, your rights, and how to withdraw consent. Agree 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(0x7f3fdc386a20)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdc7c1570)', '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(0x7f3fdc386a20)') 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(0x7f3fdc7c1570)') 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(0x7f3fdc3cc788)') 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(0x7f3fdc7c1570)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdc7c1570)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdbe48ca8)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdc7d65a0)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdc7d65a0)') 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(0x7f3fdc6168b8)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdc7acd00)', '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(0x7f3fdc6168b8)') 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(0x7f3fdc7acd00)') 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(0x7f3fdc7d4ca0)') 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(0x7f3fdc7acd00)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdc7acd00)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdbe480a8)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdc739768)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdc739768)') 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(0x7f3fdc362f30)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdc500ee0)', '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(0x7f3fdc362f30)') 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(0x7f3fdc500ee0)') 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(0x7f3fdc369690)') 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(0x7f3fdc500ee0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdc500ee0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdbe47a80)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdc8f6a88)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdc8f6a88)') 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(0x7f3fdbe48588)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdc74c840)', '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(0x7f3fdbe48588)') 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(0x7f3fdc74c840)') 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(0x7f3fdc62f098)') 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(0x7f3fdc74c840)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdc74c840)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdbe48fb8)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdc83a390)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdc83a390)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 With climate change fiction, novelists aim for 'radical empathy' Frankfurt am Main, Oct 11 (AFP) Oct 11, 2018 As alarm bells over global warming ring louder, authors are increasingly turning to climate change fiction to dramatise the catastrophic effects of droughts, hurricanes and floods -- and inspire action. Dubbed "cli-fi", the genre has seen an explosion in popularity in recent years as environmental changes sweep the globe and tales of a planet in turmoil appear less like science fiction and a lot more real. "Climate change is slow-moving and intensely place-based," said US literary expert Elizabeth Rush, a lecturer at Brown University. "It is difficult for us to notice these things in our day-to-day lives," she told AFP. But with climate fiction, "you can imagine being a person whom flood or drought displaces, and with that imaginative stance can come radical empathy." For Norwegian novelist Maja Lunde it started with a documentary about colony collapse disorder, the mysterious die-off of bees that has sparked international concern. "I had an epiphany: this is what I want to write about," Lunde told AFP. "The History of Bees", which conjures up a world without bees where humans have to hand-pollinate trees, became a global bestseller, shifting over a million copies and translated into more than 30 languages. Sensing that she "wasn't done yet with this topic", Lunde has set out to write a quartet of climate change novels. The second book, "Blue" deals with a shortage of water and was published in Norway last year. Lunde will discuss her novels at this week's Frankfurt book fair, the world's largest publishing event where climate change fiction is expected to feature prominently. "I think we will see more of these books in the years to come," Lunde said. "People are caring about climate change more and more... and authors write about what makes them scared." The latest UN climate report, which warned on Monday that drastic changes were needed to prevent Earth from hurtling towards an unlivable rise in temperature, showed that the situation was "getting worse", Lunde said. "But we can still do a lot," she added. "We can all do something. I absolutely think that climate change fiction can change minds." - 'The age of cli-fi' - US freelance journalist Dan Bloom, credited with coining the term "cli-fi" in 2010, described the genre as a literary cousin of sci-fi, but less escapist and "based on reality and real science". The earliest examples date back decades with JG Ballard's 1962 novel "The Drowned World", where melting ice caps have partially submerged an abandoned London, considered a classic of the genre. But Taiwan-based Bloom said cli-fi was "made for the 21st Century". "Here we are: floods, heatwaves, water shortages, climate refugees... Cli-fi invented itself." This year's unusually hot summer, when extreme wildfires ravaged parts of Europe and California, has made the public even more aware of climate events linked to global warming, Bloom said, fuelling "a hunger to read cli-fi novels". But like any good novel, he stressed, cli-fi stories should at their core "be good storytelling, full of emotion and memorable characters." Barbara Kingsolver's "Flight Behaviour" (2012), about the sudden arrival of huge flocks of monarch butterflies in a Tennessee forest, and Margaret Atwood's dystopian MaddAddam trilogy count among the must-reads of the genre. "Literary critics are taking the genre serious now," Bloom said. "We have entered the age of cli-fi." When done right, cli-fi novels can succeed where "boring" newspaper articles and scientific reports fall short, Bloom said. "They can serve to help make readers more conscious of what's at stake as the world warms degree by degree. These novels can be wake-up calls, a cri de coeur." University lecturer Rush agreed. Climate fiction "can be the spark that leads to planetary political transformation," she said. Aborted launch of Soyuz spacecraft: what we know Moscow, Oct 11 (AFP) Oct 11, 2018 A Soyuz space rocket carrying a NASA astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut suffered an engine problem and the crew had to make an emergency landing minutes after lift-off on Thursday. Here is what we know so far about the latest setback to the Russian space industry: - Blast-off seemed normal - The lift-off from Russia's cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, took place on a bright sunny day. The rocket was to carry NASA's Nick Hague and Russia's Aleksey Ovchinin to the International Space Station. It lifted off on time at 0840 GMT, an AFP photographer at the scene saw. Live video transmitted by NASA and Roscosmos suggested that all went as planned. "The rocket lifted off absolutely as normal," said AFP photographer Kirill Kudryavtsev, who was watching at Baikonur and has covered the space launches many times. "But after the first stage separation, I had a sense that there was something like a flash." - Accident with booster - Live video footage showed the rocket going up as far as visible to the cameras. NASA and Roscosmos broadcast footage of the two crew members inside the capsule speaking to mission control and working on their tablet computers. Suddenly after two minutes of flight, three short beeps were heard, indicating an emergency situation. "An accident with the booster, 2 minutes, 45 seconds," the voice of Ovchinin could be heard saying calmly immediately afterwards. NASA said there had been a "failure of the booster." The incident came as the rocket was travelling about 4,700 miles (7,563 kilometres) per hour, 119 seconds into the voyage, NASA said. Ovchinin, who was the commander of the Soyuz space craft, said they felt that they were already in weightlessness. - Rescue operation - The emergency system was activated to allow the capsule containing the astronauts to land back on Earth in ballistic descent mode. The astronauts said they were experiencing strong G-force. "We're tightening our seatbelts," Ovchinin said. Russian news agencies initially quoted unnamed space officials as saying that the crew had landed in Kazakhstan and were in communication with mission control. "They have landed in a ballistic landing," NASA TV reported. Russian space agency chief Dmitry Rogozin confirmed on Twitter at 0920 GMT that "The crew has landed. All are alive." Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists: "Thank God, the cosmonauts are alive." Roscosmos said on its website almost an hour after blast-off that "the emergency rescue system functioned and the spacecraft made a landing in Kazakhstan along the flight route." NASA said that the astronauts were in "good condition" after a search and recovery team reached the landing site and helped them leave the capsule. They were flown by helicopter to the nearest airport in Zhezkazgan. Roscosmos tweeted photographs of them being examined there by medics. The two were then due to be flown back to Baikonur over 400 kilometres away. RIA Novosti state news agency reported that the last similar accident took place in the Soviet era in 1983. During a flight crewed by cosmonauts Vladimir Titov and Gennady Strekalov, a fire broke out in the rocket booster but the cosmonauts landed safely in their capsule and were uninjured. Russia's history of aborted manned space launches Moscow, Oct 11 (AFP) Oct 11, 2018 The aborted launch of a Soyuz rocket with US astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksey Ovchinin on Thursday was the first such accident in the history of manned launches in modern Russia. Two similar aborted launches -- during which the crews had a close brush with death but miraculously survived -- took place during the Soviet Union era in 1975 and 1983. - September 1983 - On September 27, 1983, a Soyuz T-10 rocket was scheduled to take Russian cosmonauts Vladimir Titov and Gennady Strekalov to the Salyut space station. During the final seconds of the countdown, the launch vehicle caught fire and the automatic abort sequence failed. Flight controllers manually aborted the mission, activating the capsule's escape tower. The two were pulled away from the flame-engulfed rocket and landed safely several kilometres from the launch vehicle, which apparently exploded seconds after the Soyuz separated. The two men were subjected to g-forces of 15 to 17-g upon re-entry to Earth but sustained no injuries during the flight which lasted just over five minutes. - April 1975 - On April 5, 1975, cosmonauts Vasily Lazarev and Oleg Makarov were scheduled to go on a two-month expedition to the Salyut space station. They had just blasted off from Kazakhstan when the third stage of their rocket failed to break away. The mission was quickly aborted and the crew landed in the Altai mountains near the Chinese border, experiencing excruciatingly painful deceleration forces of more than 20-g while re-entering Earth's atmosphere The g-forces they experienced were so powerful that their hearts stopped briefly and they suffered loss of vision. Finally they made a rough landing with their capsule getting caught in some bushes. The crew feared they would be captured by the Chinese but were discovered by Russian locals. The total flight time was 21 minutes 27 seconds. Lazarev suffered internal injuries and never flew again but Makarov went into orbit twice more. The harrowing accident went down in history as the world's first manned space launch abort. Hurricane Michael leaves trail of devastation in Florida Panama City, United States, Oct 11 (AFP) Oct 11, 2018 Desolate concrete slabs where houses once stood. Boats tossed in yards. Uprooted trees. Piles of rubble and debris everywhere. Hurricane Michael left a trail of devastation along a huge swathe of the Florida Panhandle. The extent of the damage was becoming clear on Thursday as AFP reporters and photographers toured affected areas and US television networks flew helicopters along the coast. At least two deaths have been reported from Michael, which made landfall on Wednesday afternoon as a Category 4 storm and has since been downgraded to a tropical storm as it moves into the Carolinas. "There is unbelievable devastation," Florida Governor Rick Scott said on CNN. "We know many people have been injured. I don't know the numbers yet." Scott said search-and-rescue teams had worked throughout the night looking for survivors of the most powerful storm to hit the Panhandle in more than a century. "We have a massive flow of search and rescue, Highway Patrol, National Guard, utility workers, pushing their way down to these impacted areas," the governor said. The Florida State Emergency Response Team meanwhile said 400,000 homes and businesses were without power. The resort town of Mexico Beach, where the hurricane made landfall, suffered massive destruction from the 155 miles per hour (250 kph) winds. Home after home was razed from its foundations in the town of around 1,000 people. Others were missing roofs or walls. Roads were impassable and canals were choked with debris. A Mexico Beach resident who rode out the hurricane described the impact of the storm surge to CNN. "When the water came in houses started floating," said the man identified as Scott. "We had furniture in our house that wasn't even our furniture. The surge had brought stuff in. "There's nothing left here anymore," he said of the town. "Our lives are gone here. All the stores, all the restaurants, everything. "It's hard to grasp," he said. "This was never in our imagination." - 'Tremendous destruction' - Nearby Panama City Beach experienced similar damage along with other communities along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico. A storage facility in Panama City Beach housing hundreds of boats was ripped apart by the strong winds with the roof shredding into strips of twisted metal. At 11:00 am Eastern time (1500 GMT), Michael was dumping heavy rainfall on South and North Carolina, where cities and towns are still recovering from Hurricane Florence last month. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of possible flash flooding Thursday in parts of Georgia, the Carolinas and southeastern Virginia because of heavy rains from Michael. President Donald Trump promised to provide speedy assistance to help recovery efforts. "It is going to go fast," Trump said in an interview with "Fox and Friends." "We'll make it go fast." Speaking later to reporters, Trump said the hurricane was "incredibly powerful." "It's tremendous destruction," he added. "We've not seen destruction like that in a long time." At an election rally in Pennsylvania on Wednesday night, Trump offered his "thoughts and prayers" to those in the path of the storm and said he would visit Florida soon. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) chief Brock Long said Michael was the most intense hurricane to strike the Florida Panhandle since record keeping began in 1851. Long 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. As it came ashore, Michael was just shy of a Category 5 -- defined as a storm packing top sustained wind speeds of 157 mph or above. 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. Rocket bound for ISS fails, crew survives emergency landing Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Oct 11 (AFP) Oct 11, 2018 An American and a Russian bound for the International Space Station were forced to make an emergency landing when their Soyuz rocket failed shortly after blast-off on Thursday, in a major setback for Russia's space industry. Astronaut Nick Hague and cosmonaut Aleksey Ovchinin were rescued without injuries in Kazakhstan. Russian investigators said they were launching a criminal probe into the accident, the first such incident on a manned flight in the country's post-Soviet history. The Russian space industry has suffered a series of problems in recent years, including the loss of a number of satellites and other spacecraft. Officials said they would suspend manned launches in the light of the new accident. "The emergency rescue system worked, the vessel was able to land in Kazakhstan... the crew are alive," the Russian space agency Roscosmos said in a tweet. "An accident with the booster, two minutes, 45 seconds," the voice of Ovchinin could be heard saying calmly in live-streamed footage of the launch from Kazakhstan's Baikonur cosmodrome. The incident came as the rocket was travelling about 4,700 miles (7,563 kilometres) per hour, just 119 seconds into the voyage, according to NASA. "Shortly after launch, there was an anomaly with the booster and the launch ascent was aborted, resulting in a ballistic landing of the spacecraft," the US space agency said in a statement. The descent was sharper than usual, meaning the crew was subjected to a greater G-force, but they were prepared for this scenario in training, according to a commentator on NASA's video livestream of the launch. "We're tightening our seatbelts," Ovchinin said in the video. "That was a short flight." - Documents seized in probe - Rescue workers reached the site of the emergency landing and evacuated Ovchinin and Hague. Photos released by Russian government and NASA Twitter accounts later showed the men embracing their families and enjoying a hearty Russian meal back on the ground. Russia is currently the only country taking crew to and from the ISS. The European Space Agency, whose astronaut Alexander Gerst is on the ISS, said in a statement that "the aborted launch will have influence on the planning for the near future". Stefan Beransky, editor of the specialist Aerospatium magazine and author of a book on the Soyuz rocket, said now "the main problem is that there are two fewer people at the station". "As we wait for the conclusions of a Russian probe, the Soyuz will perhaps be grounded for some time," he told AFP. Russia's Investigative Committee said a criminal probe would seek to determine whether safety regulations had been violated during construction, causing major damage. "Officials are currently examining the launch site, documents are being seized," it said in a statement. "Thank God the cosmonauts are alive," Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists. There have been two similar Soviet-era accidents involving the Soyuz spacecraft, which are still used to ferry crews to and from the ISS. In 1975, Oleg Makarov and Vasily Lazarev made a successful emergency landing in Siberia's Altai mountains following problems during booster separation. Vladimir Titov and Gennady Strekalov survived a fire during launch in Kazakhstan in 1983. Former military pilots Ovchinin and Hague had been set to join the ESA's Gerst, NASA's Serena Aunon-Chancellor and Sergey Prokopyev of Roscosmos following a six-hour flight. - Hole on the ISS - The International Space Station -- a rare point of cooperation between Moscow and Washington -- has been orbiting the Earth since 1998. But even the space station has proved a source of controversy in recent weeks. Russian space officials have said they are investigating whether a hole that caused an oxygen leak on the ISS was drilled deliberately by astronauts. The hole was detected in August and quickly sealed up, but Russian newspapers said Roscosmos was probing the possibility that US crewmates had sabotaged the space station to get a sick colleague sent back home. Dmitry Rogozin, a firebrand nationalist politician who this year was appointed by Putin to head Roscosmos, said a "thorough investigation" was needed after the failed launch. "It's a dramatic situation but it was possible to avoid a very much worse turn of events," he said in televised remarks. The politician has clashed with the US, suggesting American astronauts should use trampolines instead of Russian rockets to reach the ISS after Washington imposed sanctions over Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea. No more taxi service to Space Station after Soyuz fiasco Washington, Oct 11 (AFP) Oct 11, 2018 The taxi service to the orbiting International Space Station is taking no passengers until further notice. Neither the United States nor Russia will be able to send astronauts to the ISS until investigators determine why a Soyuz rocket experienced an anomaly after blast-off Thursday, complicating an already tricky launch calendar for 2019. The only way to get astronauts from Earth to the ISS since 2011 has been aboard Russian Soyuz rockets. But the Russian space agency Roscosmos has grounded the Soyuz rockets until a probe has concluded into what caused a Soyuz rocket to show problems shortly after blast-off on Thursday, forcing US astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksey Ovchinin to make an emergency landing in Kazakhstan. The problem came as the rocket was travelling about 4,700 miles (7,563 kilometers) per hour, just 119 seconds into the voyage, according to NASA. Hague and Ovchinin activated the emergency system that detached the capsule they were in, and deploy the capsule parachutes to safely land back on Earth. - How long could the suspension last? - The next Soyuz launch for the ISS was scheduled for December 20, and it is supposed to take a new three-person crew to the Space Station. "They're probably going to ground the Soyuz rockets for a while," said Erik Seedhouse, an assistant professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Seedhouse, who specializes in applied aviation sciences, estimated that it would last at least "a few months." Back in 2015 Progress spacecraft -- unmanned transport spacecraft that sent supplies to the ISS -- had problems on launchers similar to the Soyuz rocket that experienced problems on Thursday. However the Thursday case involves a manned vehicle, "so there's much stricter requirements in investigations," Seedhouse told AFP. The European Space Agency has already acknowledged that the incident will impact the ISS calender. It is making contingency plans for the three current ISS crew members -- German Alexander Gerst, American Serena Aunon-Chancellor, and Russian Sergey Prokopiev, all of whom were scheduled to return to Earth in December -- to possibly stay aboard the station longer than expected. The ISS usually has five to six astronauts aboard at any time on six month rotations. The station has been continuously manned since November 2000. One potential problem: the spacecraft that would let the ISS crew to return to Earth, which docked at the station in June, is equipped with batteries that lose power after about 200 days, NASA said. That would in theory push the time limit of crew's return to Earth to early January 2019. That is the sole limiting factor, said John Logsdon, head of the Space Policy Institute at the George Washington University. As for food -- there is plenty for the crew to last several months, as the station is regularly resupplied by unmanned Japanese and American supply spacecraft. - When will the American rockets be ready? - NASA mothballed the Space Shuttle program in 2011, and since then has been paying Russia tens of millions of dollars to send their astronauts to the ISS. The contract with the Russians ends in late 2019, and the US space agency has contracts with two American companies, Boeing and SpaceX, to step in. Now operating with a tighter budget than in its heyday during the Apollo era, NASA has evolved into more of an aerospace industry customer instead of developing rockets with them as a partner. Elon Musk's SpaceX, who also runs electric carmaker Tesla, will be using its Falcon 9 rockets. Since 2012 SpaceX has launched satellites for NASA, and has carried out 16 resupply missions to the ISS. Sending astronauts to the ISS will be a first for a privately owned company. However, SpaceX's rocket program, just like Boeing's, has run into delays, as is often the case in the aerospace industry. An unmanned Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Dragon capsule is scheduled for launch in January 2019, with a similar manned launch set for June 2019. For Boeing, launches are set for March and August 2019 respectively. - What is the risk for NASA? - Soyuz's problems are a headache for the United States, which has a policy of having a continuous presence in space. An interruption would be disastrous in terms of image, but also for the research aboard the ISS, as the orbiting station serves as a scientific laboratory. The slightest delay by SpaceX or Boeing could delay the approval of their manned launch programs. This could mean that the first astronaut they would send to the ISS would depart in 2020 instead of 2019. Thursday's Soyuz incident "will put some pressure" on SpaceX and Boeing "to meet their current schedule," Logsdon told AFP. To cope with the delay, the next ISS crew might remain aboard the station longer than the usual six months. But of course that depends on whether the Soyuz are reauthorized for launch. China, Russia push to ease N. Korea sanctions as Seoul mulls options Seoul, Oct 11 (AFP) Oct 11, 2018 China and Russia have backed easing sanctions on Pyongyang "at an appropriate time", as South Korea's foreign minister said Seoul was mulling lifting its own measures, threatening cracks in global restrictions on the nuclear-armed North. Pyongyang is sanctioned under multiple UN Security Council resolutions over its weapons programmes and has repeatedly called for the measures to be loosened, citing a freeze in its nuclear and missile tests. At three-way talks in Moscow, vice foreign ministers from North Korea, China and Russia agreed "it is necessary to consider adjusting sanctions on the DPRK by the UN Security Council at an appropriate time", Beijing's foreign ministry said in a statement late Wednesday, using the North's official name. China is the North's main diplomatic backer and Pyongyang also has friendly relations with Russia. In contrast the United States, which spearheaded global efforts to squeeze the North Korean economy last year, has been adamant that the sanctions remain in place until Pyongyang's "final, fully verified denuclearization". US ally Seoul has also mooted relaxing its own unilateral measures against Pyongyang. The South's dovish President Moon Jae-in favours engagement with the North and has dangled large investment and joint cross-border projects as incentives for steps towards denuclearisation. South Korea suspended most trade with the North in 2010 following a North Korean torpedo attack on a South Korean warship that killed 46 sailors on board. Pyongyang has denied involvement. "We are reviewing it with related government agencies," South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha told parliament on Wednesday. Kang later backtracked, saying she had misspoken, and her ministry said no active review was in place. South Korea's unification minister Cho Myoung-gyon added Thursday that there has been "no detailed review" on lifting sanctions but said Seoul has taken measures for cross-border cooperation "in a flexible manner". In response to Kang's remarks, Trump said: "They won't do it without our approval. They do nothing without our approval." President Moon has vowed to honour the UN sanctions, but Seoul opened a joint liaison office in the North Korean border city of Kaesong last month and has promised to pursue roads and rail projects between the two countries. South Korean media urged caution Thursday, saying relaxing sanctions now could jeopardise any chances for the North's denuclearisation. The Korea JoongAng Daily said in an editorial it was "dumbfounded" by Kang's comments. The conservative Chosun Ilbo newspaper added: "What brought the North to the negotiating table for denuclearisation was the unprecedented tough sanctions. "By lifting sanctions now, is the South Korean government saying it will dismantle North Korea's nuclear weapons or help it keep them?" it said. Last month, the North's foreign minister told the United Nations there was "no way" his country would disarm first as long as sanctions remain in place. Trump not keen to limit Saudi arms sales amid Khashoggi probe Washington, Oct 11 (AFP) Oct 11, 2018 US President Donald Trump said Thursday he was not yet prepared to limit arms sales to Saudi Arabia over journalist Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance, but he faced mounting pressure from concerned American lawmakers. Saudi Arabia is one of the world's largest arms purchasers, with most of them coming from the United States. Khashoggi, a contributor to The Washington Post, vanished more than a week ago during a visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Turkish government sources say he was murdered there, a claim Riyadh denies. Trump reiterated he wants answers about what happened to Khashoggi, but said he could not justify sacrificing jobs and income generated by the arms deal. "That would not be acceptable," Trump said in the Oval Office. "They are spending $110 billion on military equipment and on things that create jobs." The Saudis will "take that money and spend it in Russia or China or someplace else. I think there are other ways. If it turns out to be as bad as it might be, there are certainly other ways of handling the situation." Trump again expressed concern about Khashoggi's fate. "We don't like it," he told reporters. "We don't like it even a little bit." US senators wrote a letter to Trump on Wednesday demanding an investigation. Under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, such a letter compels the White House to report to Congress within 120 days with a determination about whether human rights abuses occurred, and whether sanctions should be applied. Stern-faced senators including those in Trump's Republican Party signaled that arms sales could be a way to punish Riyadh. "Saudi Arabia needs to clear this up immediately," Republican Senator Cory Gardner told reporters. "Obviously there's a way that this could end very badly, and that is if Saudi indeed is responsible for this," he continued. "Arms sales are certainly going to be, I think, a huge concern." Congress has the power to temporarily block major arms deals, and several senators signaled they would consider doing so. "I think there is a rising sense" that lawmakers are willing to block the sales if Saudi officials are found to have played a role in Khashoggi's disappearance, said Senate Democrat Bob Menendez. "We can't let even an ally believe that they have carte blanche to do anything they want," he told reporters. Republican Senator Rand Paul, a fervent critic of the kingdom, said Trump should "immediately" halt the arms sales. Paul and others have argued that Saudi Arabia is using US high-tech systems and weapons to commit war atrocities in Yemen, including killing civilians. Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Corker said that during the 120-day review period, Trump's administration "will be under immense pressure, if it's determined that Saudi Arabia was involved, to sanction very severely the people who've been involved in this." Trump, speaking earlier to Fox News, said Khashoggi's situation marked a "terrible precedent. We can't let it happen. And we're being very tough and we have investigators over there." Khashoggi has criticized Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in his writings. The Post has reported that Prince Mohammed ordered an operation to "lure" the journalist back home -- an operation that may have gone wrong in Istanbul. The $110 billion in military sales which Trump referred to was announced last year by the US administration prior to Trump's first foreign trip, which was to Saudi Arabia. Many components of that arms package had actually been set in motion months or even years earlier. 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. Operation Mekong China Solidifies Its Influence in Southeast Asia China has always wielded significant influence in Southeast Asia. Lately, though, as the West turns its attention elsewhere, Beijing has been seeking to solidify its economic and political clout in the region. English10/10/2018 GOVEDARICAS AND CORMACKS DANGEROUS INTENTIONS TOWARDS SRPSKA DEFEATED SARAJEVO, October 10 /SRNA/ - The Chairman of the SNSD Caucus in the BiH House of Representatives, Stasa Kosarac, has called on SDS president Vukota Govedarica to concede election results and stop spreading falsehoods and hatred against his political opponents in Republika Srpska. It is clear to everyone in Republika Srpska that the policy of hatred, divisions and attacks on Republika Srpska institutions has been defeated. It is clear to a huge number of SDS officials that Govedarica and his closest associates conducted a wrong and losers policy which citizens severely punished in the elections. It is clear to everyone that such a policy failed, except to Govederica and his chief /the US Ambassador to BiH Maureen/ Cormack, Kosarac told SRNA. Commenting on statements by the SDS president about irregularities in the elections, Kosarac has warned that Govedarica knows very well who attempted to buy votes in the field and do other illegal things during the election process. He reminded of the fact that police in Istocno Sarajevo stopped two SDSs Bulgarian trains. In some Istocno Sarajevo municipalities, the SDS did not have time to exchange dollars they got for buying votes to the domestic currency. Govedarica and Cormack know all that very well, just like it is clear to them that their dangerous political intentions towards Republika Srpska have been defeated. These two losers will be a political past by the New Years eve, Kosarac said. He has said that the SNSDs victory at all election levels means additional political and economic strengthening of Republika Srpska and a change of policy and position of Serbian representatives in joint government institutions in Sarajevo. We will secure necessary political unity of Republika Srpska institutions and Serbian representatives in Sarajevo and by that reinforce the status of Republika Srpska. This is something that bothers so much Govedarica, Ivanic and all others who in the past four years in Sarajevo worked against Republika Srpska and the Serbian people, Kosarac has concluded. /end/sg The Illinois city of Belleville was once home to a thriving Jewish community. Everywhere you looked, there were Jewish teens and young adults. Over the past 50 years or so, the Jewish community in that area of St. Clair County has largely decreased; many older Jews who once lived there have passed away while many younger Jews have moved away. As a result, Temple Beth Israel and the Agudas Achim Congregation, which were both located in Belleville, merged to create one larger, more religiously diverse temple called Agudas Achim Beth Israel (AABI). Currently, the synagogue is mostly made up of around 30 families. Arlene Katz, a member of one of those families, first belonged to Agudas Achim and now AABI for a combined 62 years. [At High Holiday services] every pew used to be filled. Thats how full it was, Katz said. Unfortunately, this year at high holiday services, AABI had a low attendance. ADVERTISEMENT Katz isnt the only member who has had a deep connection to the synagogue. Norm Greenberg, a member of AABI for 20 years, also has a personal history that dates back to his grandfather. He served as a rabbi at Temple Beth Israel in the early 19th-century and helped prepare youngsters for their bar/bat mitzvahs. Despite this connection, Greenbergs grandfather and his family eventually moved from Belleville to St. Louis. We started [when my daughter attended] Sunday school, Greenberg said. Thats when we got involved. More than 10 years ago, the Sunday school that Gabi started closed, causing the few children attending to look towards St. Louis for a Jewish education. Greenbergs history and legacy at AABI is one that not many members share in their community. One of his biggest influences on the synagogue was aiding in the hiring of Rabbi Justin Kerber as a part-time rabbi. Kerber joined AABI in the summer of 2017 and was warmly welcomed by the community. Kerber understands that the AABI community is shrinking, and that hes faced with a challenge in trying to enrich the Jewish experience there. Often, students from various universities and colleges like McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill. or Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, will come to AABI for Friday night Shabbat. They participate in services and afterwards ask some members about the history of the temple and certain Jewish holidays. I love it when young people come, Kerber said. It doesnt matter if two or 2,000 people come, [because] I always give 100 percent. I am the youngest member of AABI. As a member since my Hebrew naming ceremony, I am the last person to have had a bat mitzvah at AABI, which was in 2015. As a younger child, I didnt understand the decline of members at AABI, but now I understand that the future of the synagogue does depends on the few of us who continue its traditions. When I asked Kerber about the future of the shul, he said that it was unclear and something he would not and could not predict. Its not about the size of the crowd its about the experience, he said. EQS Group-Ad-hoc: Ceva Logistics AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous CEVA Logistics rejects take over proposal 11-Oct-2018 / 07:25 CET/CEST Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 KR The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Baar, Switzerland, 11 October, 2018 - The Board of Directors of CEVA Logistics AG, a global asset-light third-party logistics company, announces that it has received an unsolicited non-binding proposal to acquire the company at the price of CHF 27.75 per share in cash. The Board of Directors of CEVA Logistics carefully reviewed the proposal with the support of its legal and financial advisors and unanimously concluded that the proposal is not in the best interest of the company and its shareholders. Specifically, the Board of Directors concluded that the proposal significantly undervalues CEVA's prospects as a standalone company particularly as CEVA Logistics together with CMA CGM S.A. ("CMA CGM") as a strategic partner has been exploring measures to enhance performance in order to unlock CEVA Logistics' full potential. The unsolicited proposal is therefore inadequate. Accordingly, the Board of Directors has decided to not engage on the basis of this unsolicited proposal. Modification of stand-still agreement with CMA CGM In light of the current circumstances, the Board of Directors on request of its major shareholder CMA CGM has agreed to modify the current stand-still agreement between CEVA Logistics and CMA CGM. CMA CGM's duty to not increase its holding above the current 24.99% of the share capital until 5 November, 2018 has been amended to the effect that CMA-CGM is allowed to increase its holding up to one third of the voting rights of CEVA Logistics with immediate effect. All other obligations of CMA CGM (as made public in the IPO prospectus) remain in place, in particular the obligation of CMA CGM to tender its shares into a public tender offer by a third party if recommended by the Board of Directors unless CMA CGM launches a superior offer. In addition, CMA CGM has agreed, under certain conditions, to not launch or trigger an offer without the recommendation of the Board of Directors in the next 6 months (other than an offer which is superior to another offer). A further announcement will be made in due course, if and when appropriate. For additional information please contact: Investors: Pierre Benaich SVP Investor Relations pierre.benaich@cevalogistics.com +41 41 547 0048 Media: Matthias Hochuli Group Head of Marketing and Communications matthias.hochuli@cevalogistics.com +41 41 547 00 52 Cathy Howe Pilot Marketing ch@pilotmarketing.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)208 941 5381 Neovacs ANNOUNCES THE CONTINUATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS IFNalpha KINOID IN SOUTH KOREA WITH ITS PARTNER CHONG KUN DANG (CKD) PHARMACEUTICALS PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE NEOVACS ANNOUNCES THE CONTINUATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS IFNalpha KINOID IN SOUTH KOREA WITH ITS PARTNER CHONG KUN DANG (CKD) PHARMACEUTICALS Both partners have agreed to prepare the filing for an Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) Paris and Boston, the 11th of October 2018 - 07:00 AM CEST- Neovacs (Euronext Growth Paris ALNEV), leader in active immunotherapy for the treatment of auto-immune diseases, today announces the continuation of the development of its IFNalpha Kinoid in South Korea with its partner Chong Kun Dang (CKD) Pharmaceutical Corp, on the basis of the licensing agreement signed in December 2015, for a potential overall value of 5M. This agreement covers the development and the commercialization of IFNalpha Kinoid in South Korea for Lupus and Dermatomyositis indications. Within this agreement both partners have agreed to prepare the filing for an "ODD" in South Korea, based on the results of the Phase IIb trial in Lupus with IFNalpha Kinoid. Neovacs had already received in 2016 an "Investigational New Drug" (IND) of South Korean Health authorities to include 5 investigational centers in its global Phase IIb trial for IFNalpha Kinoid. Neovacs was able therefore to gain the support of Korean Opinion Leaders in Lupus for its innovative therapeutic approach and to include Korean patients in the study. We are pleased with these results which represent a major progress in the research of a treatment for Lupus and the time is approaching when we will be able to offer a satisfying treatment to patients. We are satisfied to continue this partnership and will now make our best efforts to accelerate the development of IFNalpha Kinoid in South Korea within the specific status of this indication in the Korean legislation declares Young Joo Kim, President of CKD We are delighted that our Korean partner shares our appraisal of the trial results and are confident for the future development of IFNalpha Kinoid in South Korea concludes Miguel Sieler, CEO of Neovacs. Neovacs will receive potentially up to 5 million euros in total under this license agreement in sequenced payments, based on the achievement of certain milestones, which include the Phase IIb results. About Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceutical Corp. Founded in 1941, CKD is a fully integrated pharmaceutical company employing over 2,000 people. It is one of the leading local pharma companies in Korea and through in-licensing and in-house R&D, it has significantly contributed to improving health and quality of life of people mainly in Korea for more than 70 years. Domestically, it has a strong presence in cardiovascular and immunosuppressant areas and has local offices established in Vietnam and Indonesia. As a leading pharma in Immunosuppressants in Korea, CKD continues to strengthen its major therapeutic area by its R&D capability and licensing-in innovative drugs from business partners worldwide. http://www.ckdpharm.com/eng/company About Neovacs Listed on Euronext Growth since 2010, Neovacs is today a leading biotechnology company focused on an active immunotherapy technology platform (Kinoids) with applications in autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases. On the basis of the company's proprietary technology for inducing a polyclonal immune response (covered by four patent families that potentially run until 2032) Neovacs is focusing its clinical development efforts on IFNalpha Kinoid, an immunotherapy being developed for the indication of lupus, dermatomyositis and also in preclinical trial for Type 1 diabetes. Neovacs is also conducting preclinical development works on other therapeutic vaccines in the fields of auto-immune diseases, oncology and allergies. The goal of the Kinoid approach is to enable patients to have access to safe treatments with efficacy that is sustained in these life-long diseases. www.neovacs.fr Contacts NEOVACS - Corporate Communication & Investor Relations Charlene Masson +33 1 53 10 93 00 cmasson@neovacs.com 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: NEOVACS via Globenewswire Where did you draw your inspiration for the unique design of the exterior of Seataci? The idea for the Seataci first came to me while visiting Bora-Bora. I was scuba diving in one of the channels, and it gave me the idea of creating a concept yacht capable of navigating in shallow waters with the propulsion system that would mimic how whales travel the worlds oceans. Were there any particular influences for your design for Seataci? Back then, I was collaborating with Canadian inventor Brice Thouret on a new electric outboard engine design. We imagined a scaled-up version of his propulsion system in the features of the Seataci. Since then, we also built a prototype to test out his idea. Was the yacht design angled more towards performance or lifestyle? The vision tries to include both angles. The Seataci would perform well in shallow waters and could reduce its impact on biodiversity with its oscillating propulsion system. The upper deck platform designed for electric VTOL aircraft is an exclusive way of exploring atolls and islands without burning fuel. What is your favourite part of your design? Are there any features of the yacht concept of which you are particularly proud of and would like to give us more information about? I like the idea of mixing scientific research with luxurious yachts. Imagine if engineers could test out new marine technologies and if students would be able to conduct scientific experiments onboard these super yachts! In my opinion, its possible to combine research and lifestyle and push the boundaries of science while enjoying the remote and pristine locations around the earth. Has your Seataci design changed your perspective of yacht design? I think that spending time on actual superyachts would give me a much better perspective. It would also be interesting to visit some of the newest models. I have many innovative ideas waiting to be converted into concepts but talking with owners and the crew would help improve and forge these ideas. Do you have any more yacht design projects in the work at the minute that you can discuss? Right now, I am working with the International Civil Aviation Organization to create a series of concepts related to the future of aviation. I do have a few ideas on yacht design but Ill be able to share them in a few months. The search for answers continues as a Malaga family mourns the loss of their five-year-old daughter who was killed by a family friend who then committed suicide on Tuesday morning. The man, Ignacio J.M. A., grabbed the child, Daniela, and threw her off the sixth-floor balcony before jumping after her seconds later. The whole episode was witnessed by Danielas older sister who is nine years old. She shouted to warn her father, Fernando, who was getting ready to take both girls to school at around 8.30am, however, it was too late for any reaction. The girls mother had already left for work. The emergency services could do nothing to save their lives. The incident took place in a complex in Calle Jalon in the Parque Litoral neighbourhood of Malaga city where the blocks overlook the central courtyard onto which the bodies fell. A close friend Ignacio, known by the family as Nacho, had been staying with the family for a few days as they celebrated his 50th birthday together with a weekend trip to the Caminito del Rey. He was a former collegue of the girls mother, Emelina, at Ikea in Seville, where he lived, and they had kept in touch long after the family moved to Malaga. Emelina and Fernando now both work in the stores branch in the city. Nacho would frequently spend time at their home and go on holiday with them. Possible mental illness Following the incident, which seemingly had no motive with everyone having got on well during his stay (due to end with his return to Seville that morning), investigations immediately focused on a possible mental illness. On Wednesday it was confirmed that there was no known record of mental illness with the health service, nor were the mans parents aware of any condition for which he was receiving treatment. It is thought that the killer, Ignacio, was suffering from some sort of persecution paranoia Despite this, though, during his stay, the couple observed some paranoid behaviour. According to sources, the parents said that it seemed that there was only one thing on his mind;he was convinced that someone was following him, tracking his movements and intent on taking the money out of his bank account. Ignacio was apparently was also convinced that someone had access to his phone and his WhatsApp account and he spoke of little else. The family, however, tried to play down his concerns and attempted to distract his attention, in vain. It was this information, which points towards a type of persecution complex, that pushed investigators to consider mental illness as a possible explanation. "It's a tragedy" The news of the girls death came as a massive shock and made headlines nationally. One neighbour said:We are destroyed. Theyre a great family and Daniela was a lovely little girl. Another said that theyre a much loved family and that the parents are crazy about their kids. They adore them. News of the tragedy also reached the Ikea store where the parents work. One coworker said:They brought us all together and told us what happened. Its a tragedy. Malaga city hall called a minutes silence on Wednesday and the mayor, Francisco de la Torre, phoned the parents personally to offer his condolences. The Australian-first Aerostructures Innovation Research Hub (AIR Hub) will bring together the best of Victorias aerospace research, design and manufacturing leaders to work with industry on the next generation of air mobility. Goat brigades help battle Portugal's deadly wildfires Loriga, Portugal, Oct 11 (AFP) Oct 11, 2018 Fernando Moura and his herd may not look like heroes but the Portuguese farmer and his 370 goats are the latest recruits in the country's battle against summer forest fires. Hoping to contain wildfires that threaten its mountains each year, Portugal's government has hired goats to munch through undergrowth and create natural, cost-effective fire barriers. Soaring temperatures often spark blazes across Portugal's mountain ranges, forcing authorities to dispatch hundreds of firefighters, soldiers and water-dumping aircraft. More than 100 people were killed in the country's wildfires last year, prompting criticism from firefighters over a lack of government coordination. Moura's four-legged brigade are part of a pilot project, started earlier this year, to clear combustible scrubland from some of Portugal's major mountain ranges. Authorities hope the firefighting goats will help stop blazes spreading from one forest to another and better contain any fires. "In the past we never used to have such massive fires like today. We used to have thousands of animals cleaning up by grazing and there were hundreds of herders like me," Moura told AFP. "Now I am almost the last." - 'Natural, cost-effective' - For the next five years, Moura and his goats have one mission -- to roam across the slopes of the central Serra da Estrela range and clear around 50 hectares (123.5 acres) of scrubland to create the natural firewalls. Around 40 goat herders are taking part across the country in the initiative, which is expected to show results quickly although officials say a full evaluation of its efficiency will only come at the end of its five year-run. Better able to access remote, rocky areas, goats may be more effective than men in bulldozers on the mountain slopes. "It's the most natural and cost-effective method," said Antonio Borges, head of Portugal's Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests, or ICNF. - Abandoned fields - At dawn, every day of the year, Moura looks out on the slopes and ridges of the Serra da Estrela national park, one of the highest peaks on the Portuguese mainland. Thick walking stick in hand, the 49-year-old herder appears as quick and sure in step as his herd as he cajoles the animals with whistles perfected over a lifetime on the mountainside. For his work, Moura gets paid 125 euros ($144) for each hectare cleared in the first year, and 25 euros per hectare for each of the following four years. A small supplement comes from goat milk cheese and meat. In Portugal's hilly interior regions, many residents have left for lives elsewhere. Only the elderly remain in some villages, leaving abandoned fields easy prey for flames. "There is a lot of wild vegetation left around our villages," Moura said, perched on a huge granite outcrop overlooking the slopes. - Long-term results - After last year's fatal wildfires, this summer was calmer, with significantly fewer fires started, burned surfaces reduced by 60 percent from the average of the last 10 years and no deaths. Still, in August, wildfires burned the Algarve region, threatening the tourist destination. "Portugal remains very vulnerable," said Tiago Oliveira, head of a team of experts charged by the government with reforming fire prevention strategies. "New initiatives for forest management will take decades to produce results. It's a long-term task." For Moura and his herd, the day's work ends at sunset, when the goats are left with his sheep dogs in an enclosure set among the imposing mountains, while Moura returns to his village in the valley with the goats' milk for his wife to make cheese. Next morning, he's up again early and headed back to the slopes for what for him is a labour of love. "My goats, I really like them. It's me who created this herd," he said. "I tried once working in a factory. But it wasn't for me. I could never abandon my goats." Bali batik: IMF meets in Indonesia Nusa Dua, Indonesia, Oct 11 (AFP) Oct 11, 2018 The world's financial elite are gathering in the Indonesian holiday island Bali for talks with trade spats and emerging markets crises topping the agenda. Here are some facts and figures about the high-level gathering: - Quakes, tsunamis, volcanoes - Disaster-prone Indonesia is no stranger to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions as the sprawling archipelago sits along the Pacific "Ring of Fire", the world's most seismically active region. Some 32,000 delegates at this week's meeting got a taste of that volatility early Thursday morning when a shallow quake off the coast of Bali and Java island killed at least three people and triggered panic. Thousands of people staying in hotels near the meetings were jolted awake by the strong shake that sent many running outside. It came after the city of Palu, more than 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from Bali, was flattened last month in a quake-tsunami disaster that has killed more than 2,000 people. Bali's neighbouring Lombok island was also hammered by a series of quakes this summer that killed over 500, while the island's Mt Agung erupted earlier in the year -- leading to thousands of cancelled flights and even more grumbling tourists. Indonesian organisers have advised participants to stay in the IMF conference centre in case of a quake because it's built to withstand such tremors. In case of a tsunami warning, attendees would be evacuated to a nearby building. - Global gabfest - Finance ministers and central bankers from 180 nations are among the attendees in Bali for the annual meetings of the US-based International Monetary Fund and World Bank, held every three years outside of Washington. Talks run from Tuesday through Sunday. Local hotels are packed and taxis can be hard to come by as attendees speed by Bali's world-famous beaches to spend a few days in air-conditioned venues in Nusa Dua, home to a string of luxury hotels -- and a safe distance from the island's booze-fuelled tourist party spot Kuta. - Tight security - Thousands of security staff have fanned out across key venues, and are confiscating certain items as attendees pass through metal detectors, including cigarette lighters in a country with one of the world's highest smoking rates. At least one coconut-brandishing participant got his fruit through the scanners unharmed, however. The machine was later taken out of service for unexplained reasons. Muslim-majority Indonesia, a huge nation of 260 million people, has been on high alert after suicide bombings this year in its second-biggest city Surabaya underlined its long battle with Islamist militancy. About 15 minutes' drive from the meeting venues stands a monument to more than 200 people -- mostly tourists -- who were killed in the 2002 Bali bombing terror attack. The majority of Bali's residents practice Hinduism while Christians also make up a sizeable minority group. - Business batik - Organisers have advised against heavy suits in the sweltering tropical heat and many participants, including foreign delegates, are donning batik shirts -- a local staple for business or pleasure. Batik uses a dyeing process that results in a dizzying array of intricate patterns in all colours of the rainbow. Shirts can cost upwards of several hundred US dollars for top-quality fabric and original designs. Taking a toll: Indonesia quake-disaster in numbers Jakarta, Oct 11 (AFP) Oct 11, 2018 Indonesia has called off the search for those killed in a 7.5-magnitude earthquake and tsunami on Sulawesi island on September 28. Here are the latest figures from the disaster. - 2,073 - The total number of bodies recovered by Indonesian search and rescue teams, the national disaster agency said Thursday. - 5,000 - Those still believed missing somewhere beneath Balaroa and Petobo, two of Palu's worst-hit areas. - 994 - Victims buried in mass graves to prevent the spread of disease. The remainder were laid to rest by their families. - 3 - Monuments and green spaces planned as memorials to quake victims in Palu and nearby Sigi district. - 18,353 - Those who fled Palu in the aftermath of the disaster. - 1600 - The number of inmates still on the run nearly two weeks after the quake brought down the walls of six prisons. - 11 - The maximum height, in metres (36 feet), that the tsunami reached as it barrelled through Palu Bay and smashed into the foreshore. - 522 - Aftershocks that have rattled the disaster-ravaged city since the main quake. - 200,000 - Those in dire need of humanitarian assistance in Palu and surrounds. - 10,679 - Total injured in the disaster, one quarter of them seriously. - 87,725 - Displaced by the quake, with many living in tents outside their damaged homes or in emergency shelters. - 2 - The number of years it could take before all these people are back in homes. Source: Indonesia's national disaster agency; Indonesian National Police; the United Nations. Two dead in flash foods in southern France Marseille, Oct 11 (AFP) Oct 11, 2018 At least two people died when several cars were swept away by flash floods triggered by heavy rain Wednesday night in southern France, authorities said. The storms were part of a weather front that moved across the Mediterranean Sea, killing at least 10 in the Spanish island of Majorca and carrying away part of a motorway bridge in the Italian island of Sardinia. Two bodies were found in southern France in an overturned car stranded just off the Riviera coast near the town of Sainte-Maxime, French police said. It was thought the car was among several that were carried out to sea after being swept away by the Garonnette river, a statement from local authorities said. Helicopters and police teams searched the area which received nearly 200 mm (2.3 inches) of rain overnight. The fire service said it rescued 16 people. In the Spanish holiday island of Majorca, rescue workers were searching Thursday for a five-year-old boy and two German holiday-makers still missing after the flash floods there. In Sardinia, part of a motorway bridge crossing a river near Caglieri collapsed in heavy rains, but there were no casualties as the road had been closed following reports of subsidence. wecr-ol-clr/fc/adp/rlp Death toll from Hurricane Michael rises to at least five Panama City, United States, Oct 11 (AFP) Oct 11, 2018 The death toll from Hurricane Michael, which slammed into the Florida coast as a Category 4 storm, has risen to at least five, US television networks reported Thursday. Sergeant Anglie Hightower of the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office told local television that the storm left four people dead in the Florida Panhandle county. One death has also been reported in Georgia, where the storm moved after making landfall in the Panhandle, the finger-shaped strip of land along the Gulf of Mexico. Medicaid, the federal entitlement program that serves one in five low-income Americans, could see more restrictions despite the fact that the Medicaid expansion provision under the Affordable Care Act was intended to make it easier for single adults with no children to gain access to health coverage if they could not afford private insurance and were not covered through their jobs. Under Seema Verma, the Trump administration's director of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal government has been encouraging states to submit proposals to modify Medicaid eligibility on the state level (often called Section 1115 waivers). Waivers allowing work requirements as a precondition for coverage, a change that Verma has long championed, are a major shift in how the program has functioned since its inception in 1965. The ADAP Advocacy Association hosted its annual conference in late September, and the conference covered many subject areas along this year's official theme, "Mapping a New Course to Protect the Public Health Safety Net." One panel was dedicated to trends in Section 1115 waivers, including the work or community engagement requirements that have been designated markers of eligibility in many states. Such requirements include working (and documenting) employment or other community engagement activities -- approximately 20 hours per week. Four states have had waivers approved for Medicaid work requirements, while eleven states have applied for waivers and are awaiting approval.There are other states that are discussing 1115 waivers, but have not submitted any proposals to CMS. Despite the stereotype of Medicaid enrollees being unemployed and a drain on the system, in fact, 80% of households that receive Medicaid have someone working, and 60% of people who receive Medicaid are working full or part time. Their wages are still low enough to remain Medicaid eligible, however. Each state has its own threshold for Medicaid eligibility, but states have to abide by the standard set of at least 100% of the federal poverty level if they haven't expanded Medicaid. Arkansas was the first state to implement a work requirement for Medicaid eligibility in 2018. New Hampshire and Indiana will have work requirements go into effect in 2019. In addition to work requirements, some states have, or are planning to implement reporting requirements that make maintaining coverage difficult. Since November 2015, over 91,000 people in Indiana have lost their Medicaid coverage due to not submitting specific paperwork on time, according to a report from National Public Radio (The current CMS Director was the architect of the Indiana plan, and it is though she was chosen to work in the Trump Administration for this reason). This paperwork also requires an enrollee to provide proof of residence, income, and family size. Currently, enrollees are allowed to reapply at any time if they were disenrolled due to noncompletion of redetermination paperwork. But under Indianas new 1115 waiver, failure to submit the redetermination paperwork can result in a loss of coverage for three months. Other states have followed suit and are waiting approval for their Medicaid 1115 waiver applications. Though a Medicaid enrollee might be able to find work, full-time employment could still elude them for several factors. For example, this can be the case if someone lives in an area without consistent work or lacks competency with computers or heavy equipment to fulfill job roles. "It's definitely going to have a huge impact upon rural areas," said Eric T. Paulk, HIV field organizer with Georgia Equality. But it's not just a burden on enrollees. The additional requirements to monitor employment, residence, income, and family size mean that a state must allocate additional resources to the administration of these tasks. "This makes me think of the infrastructure states have to put in place to launch something like this effectively," said Maureen Hensley-Quinn, senior program director at the National Academy for State Health Policy. "I don't know that state legislatures are considering the resources they should be giving their state programs. For instance, giving a rural hospital a dedicated staff person from the Medicaid department to help educate but [also] to be there to help people report on their work. They can have broadband internet connection at places in the community that are directly connected to Medicaid. All of these things take funds, and we go back to our original discussion about states struggling with their budgets." As previously reported by TheBody, some protections are available for people living with HIV. Some states, including Kentucky and Indiana, include HIV in the "medical frailty" classification that prohibits people from being kicked off Medicaid and from being required to work for benefits. In addition, the work requirement exemption extends to pregnant women; persons with mental health and substance issues, including opioid addiction; primary caregivers of dependents; full-time students; and some other groups. Related: 5 Things to Know About Medicaid Work Requirements This still does not inspire calm among some public health advocates. The work requirement follows a tactic that many states -- predominantly those that are Republican-controlled and have not pursued Medicaid expansion -- have employed since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act. Work requirements have already been attached to receipt of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as TANF and SNAP, respectively. These added barriers limit health care access. "Health care is a basic human right, so peoples' instincts should be doing everything they can to making sure that people have access to health care, so you don't get a pat on your head for creating a process that maybe helps a few other people," said Paulk. "I think we have to hold folks accountable. I think we have to organize better around the issue, make sure folks on the ground are equipped with the tools they need, and really make sure [that] if there's going to be a 1115 waiver, that folks are covered. Folks are going to put in some sort of gap where maybe I will have it, maybe I won't. I think we have to put more pressure on our elected officials to do what's right for the constituents." Industry players such as Merck, which was represented on the panel by its executive director of U.S. policy, James Carey, have not weighed in on the work requirements' debate. However, Carey said that the company has leveraged its resources regarding the pharmacy considerations. "We are advocating and, where appropriate," said Carey, "we're partnering with the community, as well. The voices of the disenfranchised populations who are most impacted by some of these things are the ones not being heard." One mechanism to voice concerns is through public comments. Public comments were used to great effect in Kentucky's decision to block plans to expand work requirements, though it is "an imperfect system that does make a difference," said Hensley-Quinn. "When we work with state officials, they really do value hearing from individuals and advocacy organizations. And I feel confident saying that across the board regardless of the state's politics." On Oct. 8, just a few weeks after this panel, Kaiser Family Foundation released an interim report on Arkansas, the first state under the Trump Administration to successfully implement new requirements, on June 1, 2018. According to state reporting, "more than 4,300 enrollees [had] lost Medicaid coverage as a result of the new work and reporting requirements, and another 5,000 were at risk of losing coverage with another month of non-compliance." [Editor's note 10/31: This article has been updated to reflect updated information obtained after publishing.] Hammond marches on Another week, another shut out victory for the Hammond Skyhawks following a 31-0 win over First Baptist. The Skyhawks improve to 11-0 and advance to the semifinals of the SCISA... C.A. Johnson pounds Wagener-Salley for first playoff win in decades For the first time in more than three decades the C.A. Johnson Green Hornets have won a playoff game following a 39-8 victory over the Wagener-Salley War Eagles in the... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Editorial Board (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, October 11, 2018 08:21 1132 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877710a24 4 Editorial #Editorial,tax-ratio,tax-collection,tax-compliance,tax-avoidance,#IMFWBG,IMF-WB-meeting,economic-growth,GDP Free The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) all of which have released their latest surveys on the Indonesian economy at the ongoing 2018 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Nusa Dua, Bali share their views on Indonesias utterly low tax-to-GDP ratio. The OECD points out in its latest survey that low tax revenues cause low public spending, which undermines the quality of services and exacerbates infrastructure gaps. Indonesias tax base is narrow and tax compliance is poor whereas increasing tax revenues is critical to financing investment and social programs. The IMF concurs, saying that since Indonesias tax-to-GDP ratio is less than 11 percent way below the 15 percent threshold needed to stimulate growth the country cannot fully harness the potential of its 5.4 percent economic growth. Its tax-to-GDP ratio is also much lower than most other middle-income countries. The government has attempted tax and administrative reforms but the draft bills that would allow for comprehensive tax reform have stalled at the House of Representatives. The Taxation Directorate Generals latest data shows that less than 66 percent of approximately 16.50 million registered individual taxpayers had filed their 2017 tax returns by the March deadline. And only about 992,000 of the 10.60 million who filed their returns were self-employed, highly paid professionals high net worth individuals like doctors, independent consultants, lawyers and businesspeople. Its no wonder that personal income taxes contribute a mere 10 percent of tax revenues, with the other 90 percent coming from corporate and indirect taxes. In most other countries, personal income taxes contribute the bulk of revenues. Yet even more worrisome is that the Center for Indonesia Taxation Analysis has estimated that last years tax audit covered only 0.39 percent of 1.9 million registered individual taxpayers, excluding employees whose employers withhold their income tax. This is far below the 3-5 percent the IMF has set as the minimum audit coverage necessary to enhance voluntary tax compliance and to discourage tax evasion. Our tax authorities should not have to wait for the House to approve the new tax bills to boost tax collection. The tax office virtually has a complete arsenal to hunt down tax evaders even across the world, as the Automatic Exchange of Information global tax treaty comes into force in Indonesia this year. Law No. 9/2017 also authorizes tax officials to access the financial records of all taxpayers and another set of government regulations require companies, foundations and trusts to disclose their true beneficial owners. More than one year since the tax amnesty ended, it is high time for the government to implement a much more vigorous approach to collecting taxes and auditing taxpayers. Catching tax evaders and recovering revenues will not only deter potential evaders and encourage voluntary tax compliance but also restore justice to millions of compliant taxpayers. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dato' Sri Dr. Tahir (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, October 11, 2018 09:20 1132 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b3087771398a 3 Opinion health-concerns,tahir-foundation,vaccines Free When my family and I started the Tahir Foundation, we were driven by a vision of improving the lives of all Indonesians by increasing access to education and adequate healthcare, especially for those facing the greatest barriers. My family and I are honored to give back to Indonesia, a country that has given us so much. Since 2013, the Tahir Foundation has partnered with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to provide grants to organizations throughout Indonesia and Southeast Asia. These grants and organizations expand access to vital family planning services or provide treatment and services for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria through The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, & Malaria. Through these efforts, we have been able to address critical health issues and enable organizations around Indonesia to respond to the evolving health needs of our communities. Since 2013, grantees of the Tahir Foundation have provided more than 83,000 Indonesians with antiretroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS, conducted approximately 168,000 TB screenings, distributed 7 million insecticidal nets across the country, and trained over 3,500 midwives and 1,500 family planning health providers. My own experience in philanthropy has taught me that when we work together, we are able to achieve more. I have been very encouraged to see other leaders in the business community who are in fortunate positions, similar to my own, stepping forward to help improve the lives of Indonesians and shape the future of philanthropy in our country. In 2014, a group of dedicated Indonesian business leaders came together to create the Indonesia Health Fund, which continues to be a force for good in Indonesia and a model for philanthropic collaboration in the region. Over the past four years, the fund has contributed to family planning programs, which have expanded the MyChoice network of family planning service providers to 34 regencies. In addition, through support to TB research and advocacy programs, our partners conducted over 579,000 TB screenings and discovered seven new compounds that have anti-TB properties. However, as we celebrate these excellent initiatives and the progress that has been made, we recognize much more remains to be done, as inequalities remain a problem in Indonesia. According to the World Bank, which measures inequality on a scale of 0 (total equality) to 100 (total inequality), Indonesia scored 39 in 2018 compared to 30 in the 1990s. This is a clear sign that we have much to do as a society to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens are protected. This increased level of inequality is detrimental for Indonesian society because it results in less access to essential services such as healthcare, nutrition, and education for many citizens. In turn, lack of access has a negative impact on Indonesias human development index (HDI) the measure of human wellbeing through health, education and income indicators and thus, inhibits future growth. But there are reasons to feel optimistic. Economists agree that for a country to improve its human development levels, it must experience economic growth and put measures in place to reduce inequality. Through President Joko Jokowi Widodos economic policies, Indonesia is currently one of the fastest growing economies in the world. In addition, the government has focused its last decade of social policies on initiatives that aim to rapidly reduce poverty, and has exponentially increased spending to benefit vulnerable populations. One of the best ways we can invest in Indonesias future is through our children. Vaccines exist to protect children from pneumonia, diarrheal diseases and other leading causes of death. The government has made great strides in this regard, and now is the time to strengthen our commitment to protecting children. Indonesia is on the right track. However, as I have learned through my 30 years of business experience, we must be intentional about how we invest our time and resources to ensure consistent progress. By adopting a disciplined approach to philanthropy, business leaders can help Indonesia meet all its development goals, unleash the potential of millions of people in our country, and end the epidemics of disease once and for all. This is a challenge I would now like to present to those in Indonesia who find themselves in the privileged position to be able to give. Let us together answer our countrys call to one day realize an Indonesia where everyone has the opportunity to live a healthier, better life. *** The writer is the founder of The Tahir Foundation, a partner of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Abhaya Srivastava (Agence France-Presse) Punakha, Bhutan Thu, October 11, 2018 06:09 1132 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b3087771034a 2 Environment Bhutan,climate,environment,wind-turbine Free The gentle whirring of the wind turbine speaks volumes of Bhutan's record as the world's only carbon negative country, but major challenges stand in the way of the Himalayan kingdom's decision to follow a green path over rampant economic expansion. The mountainous state, holding only its third election on October 18, absorbs three times more CO2 than it emits, thanks mainly to the lush forests covering 72 percent of its land. Famed as the "last Shangri-La" for using happiness as a measure of success, Switzerland-sized Bhutan has been careful to keep its environment pristine, often by sacrificing profits. The nation of 800,000 has restricted tourist numbers with a daily fee of $250 per visitor in high season, helping keep at bay the kind of boom that has ravaged other scenic hotspots. In May, Bhutan opted out of an India-backed regional road connectivity project mainly over concerns that trucks coming in from other countries will pollute its air. The constitution stipulates that at least 60 percent of Bhutan must be covered in forest, putting a brake on farming and a potentially lucrative timber industry. "There was a great temptation to dig into our forest wealth but we thought of the longer term," said Dasho Paljor Dorji from Bhutan's National Environment Commission. Read also: Key points in the UN report on climate change - Five-year plan - Under its 11th five-year-plan, Bhutan aims to reduce "substantially" its forest fuel imports by 2020. It has just 100 electric cars so far but wants to increase numbers and plans to introduce a nationwide network of charging stations. In 2016 it installed its first wind turbines. A walk through spick and span Thimpu -- Asia's only capital city with no traffic lights -- gives a glimpse of Bhutan's green commitment. A rare sight in South Asia, heavy road-cleaning vehicles sweep the streets in slow circular motions, while trucks collect organic waste from households. Just two hours away in Punakha district earthmovers and bulldozers are chugging away at a hydropower project. It is one of the 10 the country aims to build as part of its plan to remain carbon neutral. All existing and future hydropower projects are financed by its friend and biggest partner India. Hydropower was also Bhutan's largest export in 2016, accounting for 32.4 percent of the country's total exports and eight percent of its GDP, according to the Asian Development Bank. All of the energy currently goes to India but there are plans to export also to Bangladesh. But concerns have been growing over the impact of dams on biodiversity especially as Bhutan shifts from low-impact "run-of-the-river" dams, which do not require large reservoirs, to larger-scale barriers that do. Read also: Five plant-covered buildings for greener environment - Heavy price - And being able to afford staying on a green path depends on Bhutan receiving outside funding, something in doubt since President Donald Trump announced last year that the US would withdraw from the 2015 Paris climate accord. Under that accord, wealthy nations agreed to establish an annual $100-billion fund to help developing nations adapt to a heating planet. Bhutan is keenly feeling the ravages of climate change, from melting glaciers, changing crop patterns to the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Temperatures have started touching 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit), alarming locals unused to heat and humidity. "Even the snowfall pattern has changed. Earlier it would snow for a few days, now it doesn't even last a day," Tenzin Wangmo, Bhutan's chief environment officer, told AFP. Wangmo said the warmer climes meant paddy fields dot places like Bumthang that never grew rice in the past. "Climate change is not in our control. We haven't done anything but we are paying a heavy price," she said. Furthermore, new drainage systems required to prevent flooding downstream require the deployment of workers in remote areas high in the mountains, Wangmo explained. "A lot of money and manpower is needed for such measures. But where is the funding and capacity-building?" A Green Climate Fund (GCF) delegation that visited Bhutan in August said it would help the country's progress on a low-emission and climate-resilient path. "I think Bhutan's contribution to the global community through keeping its carbon sinks intact, its nature as pristine as possible is a great one," said Dorji. "Our cause is worth supporting. We should be rewarded equally, if not more." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Haydar Indhar (Agence France-Presse) Najaf, Iraq Thu, October 11, 2018 07:02 1132 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b3087771041a 2 Books Iraq,books,bookstore,theology,poetry,Literature,Islam Free In the covered alleyways of old Najaf in Iraq, poetry and philosophy books compete on laden shelves with economic treatises, the Koran and other theological tomes for students' attention. Since leaving his native Bangladesh for the Shiite holy city three years ago, religious student Mohammed Ali Reda has regularly frequented secondhand bookstores. There are many like him in Najaf. Some wear turbans -- black for descendants of the Prophet Mohammed, and white for religious scholars. "I am still at the start of my apprenticeship", said Reda, in one of the dozens of bookshops in the city's Howeish market. Wearing a simple white robe and scarf, he speaks in hesitant Arabic, like his Iranian, Pakistani and Turkish student peers. "For the moment, we have lessons in Arabic, law and Islamic morals", he added. The 19-year-old avidly seeks advice on books on Islamic law, religious principles and other lessons of Shiite Islam. While Iraq is majority Shiite, only a minority follow this strand of Islam in Reda's homeland, like most of the rest of the Muslim world. Read also: Art of cinema comes alive in basement of Iraq aficionado - 'A city apart' - Several decades Reda's senior, Mohannad Mustapha Jamal el-Din -- a religious student turned teacher -- also feels at home among the bookstalls. Najaf's 750-year-old market helps make it a "city apart", he enthused. Located 150 kilometers south of Baghdad, the city welcomes millions of Shiite pilgrims every year. They come to visit the tomb of Imam Ali, son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammed and a founding figure of Shiite Islam. Najaf "is like no other city in Iraq -- (it's) steeped in religion and literature", said Jamal el-Din, sporting the black turban. Among the crowds of religious students, there are also poetry lovers. Some, like Jamal el-Din, have a foot in both camps. "One can be versed in both fields -- (knowledge of) one does not preclude the other". Iraqi poet Mohammed Mahdi al-Jawahiri could be found in Najaf's alleyways and bookstores in the 1920s, as he progressed from strict religious instruction to militant journalism in Baghdad. Twenty-one years after his death, his collections sit on shelves that heave with a splendid array of titles, stretching to the arcane such as "Islamic economy -- Marxist or Capitalist?" Other one-time students have found their calling in the maze of Najaf's old city, and become famous in their own right. Read also: Iraqi shrine tablets offer blessings, cures and a living - Bell and Sistani - Examples include the Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the spiritual leader of Iraq's Shiite majority, and Mohammed Bakr Sadr, a great Shiite thinker. Sadr was killed by former dictator Saddam Hussein's regime, and was an uncle of political heavyweight Moqtada Sadr, whose electoral list won the largest number of seats in Iraq's legislative elections in May. Until the 1950s, secondhand bookstores held weekly meetings for students in Najaf, according to Hassan al-Hakim, an expert in history and Islamic civilization. They "gathered near Imam Ali's tomb and every Friday they sold works at auction, including many original editions", said the professor of Kufa University, who has set up a heritage association for Najaf. Famed British archaeologist Gertrude Bell "visited the Najaf book market" in the early 20th century, Hakim added proudly. The academic contends that the city's special status should not be threatened by the shift of much academic literature online. "We want our students to view books as their primary source, ahead of the internet" for verified information, Hakim said. And "by looking for a book, we can find others that interest us", he noted. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ni Nyoman Wira (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, October 11, 2018 10:04 1132 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877717107 1 Art & Culture Wallacea-Week,Alfred-Russel-Wallace,british-council Free The annual Wallacea Week returns for seven days from Oct. 11 to 17 at the National Library of Indonesia, Central Jakarta. Aiming to inspire people to preserve and celebrate diversity of the Wallacea region (the region around the Wallace Line) in Indonesia, the event will feature a varied program, including public talks, documentary screening, exhibition and food tasting. On Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the public talks consist of four sessions, namely Food and Human Genetics, Conservation, Cultural Diversity and Arts and Science and Society. Speakers are Sangkot Marzuki as the past president of the Indonesian Sciences Academy (AIPI) from 2008 until 2018, David J. Smith as a professor from the University of Essex in the United Kingdon, Rahung Nasution as Indonesian chef-director and Agustinus Wibowo as travel writer-photographer. In a phone interview with The Jakarta Post, Agustinus shared some insight on natural religions along the Wallacean Line, a topic he will present in the programs third session. He will discuss the funeral ritual aluk to dolo in Toraja, South Sulawesi, and traditional religions in Indonesia. Read also: Photographer Riza Marlon launches a book on Indonesias endemic species The author of Blanket of Dust (2010) stated his fascination with the distinctive funeral ceremony in Toraja. Its one of the most complicated, expensive, beautiful and joyful rituals, said Agustinus, adding that the event was full of joyful atmosphere. Most people perceive death as something scary and full of sadness, but people in Toraja are very strong in facing death. But on the other side, many traditional religions in Indonesia are becoming extinct, because theyre being threatened, said Agustinus. Ill also talk about the causes and what we should do to prevent it from happening. Agustinus, who is currently working on a project that takes him across the archipelago, said he hoped people would refrain from perceiving traditional religions in Indonesia as primitive or misguided. Try to understand the meaning and absorb their wisdom, he said. Presented by the British Council Indonesia, Wallacea Week is held to reminisce, conserve and develop the potential of the Wallacea region. The public event is part of the 150 year anniversary of The Malay Archipelago publication, a book written by British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, who discovered the faunal divide dubbed as the Wallace Line. (wng) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Beijing, China Fri, October 12, 2018 01:08 1131 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b3087773ecd3 2 Art & Culture China,Germany,culture,music,Forbidden-city,Deutsche-Grammophon,record-label Free The world's oldest classical record label Deutsche Grammophon on Wednesday marked its 120th anniversary at a special concert in the historic Forbidden City in Beijing. Once the seat of China's emperors, the palace last played host to a classical music concert in 2001 when the Three Tenors -- Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and the late Luciano Pavarotti -- performed before a 30,000-crowd. Under a crisp, cool sky, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of conductor Long Yu, opened the evening with an arrangement of Chinese composer Liu Tianhua's Enchanted Night. The 1,200-strong crowd took in a repertoire which included Carl Orff's Carmina Burana and Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto. Read also: Shanghai Symphony signs China's first orchestra record deal Deutsche Grammophon president Clemens Trautmann told AFP that the Forbidden City was picked because of its significance. "What I find really fascinating is that the Latin text written by Bavarian monks (that formed the basis for the Carmina Burana) came into existence around the same time as the Forbidden City was built in the 13th century," he said. "More fundamentally, Deutsche Grammophon has always been a very internationally minded label with a very diverse roster of exclusive artists and we want to foster cross-cultural dialogue here tonight and build bridges." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marie-Pierre Ferey (Agence France-Presse) Paris, France Thu, October 11, 2018 23:04 1131 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b3087773e830 2 Health France,health,tanning,cancer,sunbed,skin-cancer Free The French health watchdog Wednesday urged the government to follow the example of Australia and Brazil by banning sunbeds and tanning parlors because of the "proven" risk of skin cancer caused by exposure to artificial UV light. "We recommend banning all activities linked to artificial tanning, along with ultraviolet sunlamps sold for aesthetic purposes," Olivier Merckel, an expert at the Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), told AFP. Of 10,722 cases of malignant melanoma -- the deadliest form of skin cancer -- reported among French adults over age 30 in 2015, 382 could be directly linked to the use of sunbeds and sunlamps, ANSES estimated recently. Skin specialists, the French academy of medicine, and some politicians have already spoken out in favor of a ban, but the French government so far has only tightened regulations. France already bans those aged 18 and under from using commercial tanning parlors, and has outlawed advertising for them. A total ban is now needed, Merckel said. "Scientific data is growing, there isn't any doubt any more. We have solid proof. The risk of cancer is proven, we have figures on the risk to young people, to everyone, so now we're calling for action from the authorities," he added. People under 35 who resort at least once to artificial tanning increase the likelihood of developing skin melanoma by 59 percent, according to ANSES. Read also: AI better at finding skin cancer than doctors: Study Commercial tanning activity in France has already been halved since 2009, according to the National union of tanning professionals which represents some 300 specialized salons and 4,500 beauty parlors offering tanning in the country. Some 10,000 jobs will go if the government were to follow ANSES' "inept recommendations," it said Wednesday in a statement. French health and safety inspectors have criticized tanning salons for breaching standards, saying UV emissions on some sunbeds were not regularly checked, while others are operated by untrained staff. In 2016, 63 percent of the 982 tanning cabins checked by consumer protection authority the DGCCRF were in breach of standards. There is a "proven" link between artificial sunlight and human cancer, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a body of the World Health Organisation, warned as early as 2009. Brazil became the first country in the world to ban indoor tanning beds in the same year, followed by Australia as of 2015. Australia has the highest rate of melanoma in the world with 11,000 cases per year. The US Food and Drug Administration has so far just insisted that marketing material for sunlamps must carry health warnings. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Katrin Figge (The Jakarta Post) Berlin Thu, October 11, 2018 09:24 1132 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877714381 4 Books Indonesian-writer,Literature,#literature,writer,Nuril-Basri,Germany,frankfurt-book-fair Free Author Nuril Basri comes from a very small village in Tangerang, Banten, where his father had a job as a janitor and his mother worked in the rice fields. His childhood was simple and modest there wasnt much time or money for reading books. One day, when I was 4 or 5 years old, my dad came home with a graphic novel, and apparently I asked my mom to read that story to me every day, Nuril recalls. She told me that even though it was always the same story, I never got bored listening to her. While reading material was scarce, Nuril was always a good listener and had a rich imagination. But it was only in university he studied English at the Islamic State University in Jakarta that he discovered a passion for writing. In my family, we didnt even know the definition of a real writer and always wondered, what is it that they actually do all day long? Nuril says with a laugh. Even today, my parents seem to be confused about the fact that I became a writer, but even though they may not fully understand, they always give me their full support. Despite his newfound love of writing, Nuril never thought of it as something hed do as a fulltime job someday. During his studies, he worked many different jobs to be able to financially support himself, from a mini-market cashier, language tutor and a waiter on a seven-month cruise to an administrator at an internet cafe. For me, writing was a tool to escape from my life and at the same time imagine the life that I wanted to lead, Nuril explains. I found my day jobs quite exhausting and tiring, and the only thing that made me happy was to go home and write at the end of the day. Nuril, who describes his earliest works as comedies for teenagers, began to write more seriously in 2009 when his first bildungsroman Halo, Aku Dalam Novel (Hello, Im in a Novel) was published by Gagas Media and has since written quite a few tragicomedies, combining his humorous and serious side. Read also: Indonesians struggle to promote books abroad In October 2017, the Lontar Foundation published his coming-of-age novel Not a Virgin, which revolves around four Indonesian high-school students who are on a quest to discover what the future holds for them and aim to find answers about their sexuality. Not a Virgin features drag queens, fanatic Muslims and transvestites, and moves between an Islamic boarding school and a gay bar in Jakarta. The novel earned praise by Indonesian bestselling author Dewi Dee Lestari who said: Nuril Basri tells his story in a way that is at once light, straight-forward and humorous. In this novel, he has created something that is both beautiful and moving, a tale that makes us willingly contemplate serious issues. Not a Virgin was partly inspired by people Nuril met during the time he worked at the internet cafe. There was a beauty parlor in the next building, which was often frequented by transvestites and transgender people, Nuril recalls. During my breaks, Id often hang out with them, and they told me many stories. I began to write the novel after I quit my job at the internet cafe. He adds he doesnt have an agenda, nor does he see himself as an activist for certain issues. I dont write about a certain topic because I think its a very important message that I want to convey, he says. When I start writing, I do it because I personally felt affected by something, an issue that has drawn my attention. If it speaks to my readers and they can relate to it, Im obviously very grateful, but during the writing process, its completely for my own pleasure. Nuril says he likes to write about topics like friendship, families, loneliness and underdogs, people who usually dont become the main characters in a novel. But his approach to the story and the writing process varies. One of my other books, which is called Sunyi [Silence] and was published in Malaysia last year, is an accumulation of my dreams, he says. For a whole year, I had the strangest dreams. I began to make notes and sketches every morning, right after waking up. Even though the dreams were very different, I decided to connect them in a plot. Currently, Nuril is in Germany on a research grant called Crossing Borders, initiated by the Robert Bosch Foundation and Literarisches Colloquium Berlin to fund international research visits by authors, filmmakers and photographers. The programs aim is to support the development of creative projects, which break existing stereotypes and open up a broad perspective on the diversity and multifaceted character of Germany to a larger public. His research for his new novel, which is a sequel to Not a Virgin, took him to Berlin, Cologne, Bonn and Frankfurt. To be honest, I expected Germans to be a little bit cold and with little or no sense of humor thats the stereotype, he says, but quickly adds that he was pleasantly surprised once he arrived. The people here, especially in Berlin, which is a melting pot and home to so many creative people, are extremely nice and welcoming, and very appreciative of what I do. Nuril is also taking part in this years Frankfurt Book Fair, the worlds largest and arguably most important fair in the publishing industry. During the fair, which runs from Wednesday to Sunday, he will join a panel discussion with other writers from Southeast Asia a perfect opportunity to gain more international exposure, even though his works have already been translated into English and Malay. If there is any drop of bitterness to Nurils story of success, it is the difficulty to find suitable publishers in Indonesia. Four of my books havent been published in Indonesia yet, he says. Maybe they simply have a different taste. I sent Not a Virgin to so many publishers but was always rejected. I used to think that my writing may not be good enough, but now I think the topic was deemed too controversial. In any case, it doesnt matter, he adds, a smile on his face. I will continue writing because I really like it. Indonesias diverse culinary treasures go beyond the world famous rendang (a scrumptious meat dish from West Sumatra) or the beloved nasi goreng (fried rice). A new study has revealed that the country is also home to 252 satay varieties. Murdijati Gardjito, a professor in food technology and science at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Yogyakarta, disclosed that Indonesia had 252 satay varieties a traditional dish consisting of small pieces of meat grilled on a skewer and served with a peanut or spicy sauce and fresh vegetables. Of that, the origins of 175 can be traced. The rest could not be traced and are the result of existing recipes. Considering that its widespread, satay deserves to represent Indonesian culinary treasure, Murdijati said in a discussion forum at a two-day culinary festival of fried rice and satay, which was held at the university on Tuesday and Wednesday. Quoting research she conducted on Indonesian satay and using the Indonesian Culinary Database she worked on from 2014 to 2017, Murdijati said the 175 varieties were found in almost all corners of the archipelago except in Lampung and Mandar. Once the [database] program is done, I just need to input the data, she told The Jakarta Post. Yogyakarta is the region where the most satay varieties are found 21. It is followed by Semarang with 12 and Bali and Pekalongan with 11 each. In terms of ingredients, meat is still the most popular, with beef ranked first followed by chicken and lamb. The spices mostly consist of salt and garlic followed by onion, coriander and coconut sugar. Peanut sauce ranked first among the sauces, while the most popular complementary condiments are sweet soybean sauce, sliced onion, chili, tomato and fried onion. Murdijati, who is also a researcher at the universitys Center for Nutrition and Food Studies (PSPG), said the research also came out with a new definition of satay as a side dish made up of meat or vegetables cooked in spices according to its respective regions. The unique thing is that there is a satay variant that does not meet the traditional definition of the dish. It is sate godog from Aceh, which is boiled instead of grilled, she added. At the festival, visitors also found other satay variants that did not meet the definition, such as sate sempol ayam, which is fried instead of grilled. In Yogyakarta, its common to find sate goreng (fried satay) that is usually served without a skewer but, like grilled satay, it is also served with vegetables, such as sliced chili, onion and cabbage along with a choice of either peanut or sweet soybean sauce. A wide variety of satay was also showcased at the festivals bazaar for visitors to taste. They included mushroom, squid, fish and meatball satays as well as sate bunthel (minced meat satay), sate klatak (mutton satay roasted on an open fire, which is called klatak in Javanese), sate maranggi (marinated beef satay) and sate kere (tofu satay). The festival also put the spotlight on Indonesias popular nasi goreng, from seafood, lamb and Padang to fried corn rice. Murdijati said the research she conducted on the variety of fried rice in Indonesia found that there were 104 different varieties across the country. Of them, the origins of 36 are known, while the rest was developed from existing recipes. She added that the known origins of fried rice were all found in Java and Sumatra, which represent 50 percent of the countrys culinary regions. Most fried rice varieties are found in Java, said Murdijati. The festivals organizing committee chairperson, Retno Indrati, said the festival was jointly held by the universitys School of Agriculture Technology, the PSPG and the Community Service Directorate in cooperation with the Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf). The festival aims to deepen our knowledge and understanding of Indonesian food, especially satay and fried rice, Retno added. Other programs included a seminar on satay and fried rice, breakfast with the masters; a master class with renowned Indonesian chef William Wongso; meat-cutting and satay-grilling techniques with chef Yanto Budidarma; food-styling with Rochmat Septiawan; food photography with Agung Portal and a satay parade with chef Sisca Soewitomo. Bekrafs research and development director, Wawan Rusiawan, said the culinary industry had contributed immensely to the creative economy sector yet its growth was only at around 4 to 5 percent per year. The challenge in the future is to improve that number. Other challenges, Wawan said, included pushing for the use of e-commerce in the sector, which so far reached only 38 percent. However, the fact that 90 percent of Indonesias culinary business practitioners have not yet had legal entity status made it more challenging, considering the fact that the countrys culinary industry has absorbed 7.9 million workers. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Tony Gamal-Gabriel (Agence France-Presse) El-Heri, Lebanon Fri, October 12, 2018 03:03 1131 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b3087773fc56 2 Art & Culture Lebanon,Museum,art,antique,Syria,Iraq Free At a new private museum in Lebanon, a contemporary sculpture of a mortar missile is displayed alongside millenia-old statues retrieved from the bottom of the sea. Named after the Mesopotamian god of wisdom, the Nabu Museum opened in late September to showcase the cultural wealth of an ancient region devastated by conflict. Its inaugural exhibition includes 60 contemporary works, as well as around 400 antiquities from Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Egypt and Yemen. "We have a more or less complete picture of what was once the cradle of civilization," says French curator Pascal Odille. Next to a private beach in the village of El-Heri in Lebanon's north, the museum's collection sits in an impressive futuristic cube of steel, coated with a rusty orange patina. A tall glass opening in the metal and concrete structure provides a view straight through the museum's interior and out to the sea. Designed by Iraqi artists, the museum for the first time opens up the private art and antiquities collections of wealthy businessmen to the public for free. Artifacts are seen on display at Nabu Museum, in Lebanon's el-Heri village, north of Beirut, on September 27, 2018. (AFP/Joseph Eid) Drawn from the homes and warehouses of its patrons, the exhibits are displayed on two floors, floodlit by the sunlight streaming through the tall windows. There are "ushabti" from Ancient Egypt, finely carved turquoise figurines traditionally placed in coffins to ensure passage to the afterlife. Nearby, a contemporary sculpture of a mortar missile by Lebanese artist Katya Traboulsi is adorned with hieroglyphs. The artwork is topped by a sculpted bust of the Ancient Egyptian god of the sky, Horus, instead of a warhead. Read also: Stolen ancient artifact returns to Iran museum - 'Ray of optimism' - Visitors can see Lebanese artist Saliba Douaihy's abstract landscape paintings, one largely red, the other bright blue. But they can also admire terracotta statues harking back to the Phoenician period found during marine excavations off the southern coast of Lebanon. "You can see the seashell and limescale deposits on them," says Odille, of the figures from the sixth or seventh century BC. The museum's founders -- two Lebanese and a Syrian -- want it to be a beacon of hope in a region scarred by conflict and the brutality of jihadists. "Nabu is the god of writing and wisdom. Not the god of war," says Lebanese co-founder Jawad Adra. "We're a ray of optimism in this region, amid all this obscurity," says the 64-year-old, whose colorful, modern-art inspired tie contrasts with his grey suit. The project cost $7 million, the organizers say. But the works on show only represent a fraction of its founders' private collections, and there are plans to switch the exhibits every few months. Adra's personal collection includes 2,000 items from the Levant and Mesopotamia regions, according to the exhibition's catalog. The businessman says his hobby dates back to his childhood. "I've been collecting stamps and coins since I was 10," says Adra, who now heads a Beirut-based polling company and owns quality control labs in the Gulf. He says it is time to give back. To set up the museum, he banded together with Syrian business partner Fida Jdeed, and fellow Lebanese entrepreneur Badr El-Hage, who runs a rare book firm in London. Read also: Jakpost guide to private museums - 'Payback' - "We've all reached an age where we're starting to ask ourselves, 'What have you done? What have you given your country?'," he says. Lebanon's interior minister recently attended an evening inauguration ceremony at the Nabu Museum. In Lebanon, a 2016 law demands all private owners of antiquities register their items with the ministry as part of its efforts to combat illegal trafficking. Adra says that "a large part" of his collection has been declared to the authorities, and he is registering the rest. In recent years, part of the region's cultural heritage has been damaged, destroyed or looted by armed groups including jihadists. The Islamic State group in particular swept across large parts of Syria and neighboring Iraq in 2014, wrecking countless historical sites in territory it controlled. Mahmud Al-Obaidi, who designed the museum building with fellow Iraqi artist Dia Azzawi, sees the project as compensation for years of loss. "I feel this place is payback for everything that has been destroyed," says the 53-year-old, who left Iraq in 1991 for Canada. With governments in the region busy battling troubled economies and poverty, personal initiatives are key to preserving culture, he says. "Our states don't take culture seriously," says the artist, dressed in a light blue linen shirt and dark blue jacket, whose work is on show inside the museum. Yet, passing civilizations live on in their art, Obaidi says. "They don't realize that everything fades away, but it's the books, paintings and antiquities that remain," he adds. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, October 11, 2018 17:45 1131 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877736782 4 Business SOEs,agreement,infrastructure-development Free Fourteen state-owned enterprises (SOEs) signed on Thursday investment agreements with a number of international corporations for infrastructure projects in Indonesia worth US$13.5 billion. The signing ceremony was held on the sidelines of the 2018 International Monetary Fund-World Bank (IMF-WB) Annual Meetings in Nusa Dua, Bali on Thursday. Today, weve witnessed the signing ceremony for investment and financing agreements between 14 SOEs and investors and financial institutions for 19 transactions worth $13.5 billion, said SOEs Minister Rini Soemarno in her speech during the signing ceremony as quoted by kompas.com. She explained the investments agreed in the cooperation were in the form of strategic partnerships, project financing and alternative financing through stock markets. The agreements cover the oil and gas sector, downstream mining businesses, tourism, airport construction, electricity, defense, toll road construction and the manufacturing industry, the minister said. Among the projects are a strategic partnership between PT GMF AeroAsia and AFI KLM E&M of France, a partnership between PT GMF AeroAsia and PT China Communications Construction Indonesia, and tourism destination development financing between the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Other projects include a strategic partnership in the airport industry between state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II and PT Danareksa Sekuritas and a strategic partnership between PT Inalum and PT Aneka Tambang with Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (Chalco). Attending the ceremony were Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution, Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono and Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo, among others. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Riska Rahman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, October 11, 2018 17:03 1131 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777355f7 1 Business electricity,ABB,factory,Tangerang,PLN Free Swedish-Swiss multinational technology company ABB is expanding its operation in Indonesia by building a new high voltage gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) manufacturing facility in Tangerang, Banten. The 1,000-square-meter facility, which was inaugurated by Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto on Tuesday, is designed to produce 170 kilovolts of gas-fueled electrical panels used to distribute electricity from power plants to end users such as plants, factories, housing complexes and commercial districts. ABB Indonesia country managing director Michel Burtin said the facility was the fourth plant the company had opened in the past three years as part of a US$30 million investment plan. The first plant was opened in Cibitung, West Java in 2009, and produces miniature circuit breakers. It later added another line in Tangerang and built a medium voltage panel plant in 2015, followed by the high voltage air insulated switchgear plant development in 2017. The president of ABBs power grids division Claudio Facchin, said the plant was designed to meet the countrys GIS needs. During the early stages of operation, the plant is expected to fulfill around a third of Indonesias GIS demand, Facchin told The Jakarta Post. Airlangga said in his speech at the inauguration that the GIS demand in Indonesia was expected to rise as the country was working to achieve a power capacity of 35 gigawatts and 46,000 kilometers of network transmission by 2019. He said the demand could reach 150 sets annually. ABB Indonesias vice president and head of sales and marketing of the power grids division, Chandan Singh, said the company received an order of 76 units of GIS from state-owned electricity company PLN in April, and was expected to finish the order by the end of this year. Despite the plants low current production capacity, Facchin said the company was committed to increasing its capacity as Indonesias demand for electricity was expected to grow at around 6.9 percent per year. He also said it was possible for the plant to have its products exported to meet global demand. Airlangga applauded the companys effort to build its plant in Indonesia, as it would not only boost the countrys industry, investment and jobs, but it could also help local industry as the ministry requires every power infrastructure development in the country to source a portion of its components locally. A 2012 industry ministerial regulation on local content in electrical infrastructure development stipulates that power plants and supporting electrical components are required to include a portion of local content in order to boost the nations industry and economy. By establishing this plant here in Indonesia, ABB is enabling the local manufacturing industry to contribute more to the national GIS demand, Airlangga said. Facchin said the GIS produced in ABBs plant in Tangerang would contain around 25 percent local content for its components, surpassing the ministrys requirement of at least 14.27 percent local content for high voltage GIS. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Nusa Dua, Bali Thu, October 11, 2018 15:08 1131 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877730a2a 2 National #IMFWorldBankMeeting,IMF-WB-meeting,bali,activist,democracy,police Free An alternative conference on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank's annual meeting this week in Indonesia has been cancelled due to pressure from national police, activists said Thursday. The planned event set to kick off Thursday -- the "Peoples' Global Conference against IMF-WB" -- has had its approval yanked by police, and the venue organizer cancelled, organizers said. "While the local police has already issued a recommendation in favor of holding the conference, the national police is now using the local village leadership and paramilitary saying that no event can be held without its permission," organiszers of the Peoples' Global Conference said in a statement. The alternative conference, which had attracted around 300 registrants from Indonesia and around the world, was to bring together dozens of civil society groups to draw attention to the impact of free trade and IMF-WB backed policies that critics say aggravate income inequality, abuse labor rights and hurt the environment. Organizers said police intelligence personnel had infiltrated the event planning team as volunteers, subjecting them to intimidation and constant surveillance. Hoax banners of the event carrying logos of terror-linked organizations as co-sponsors also appeared around the planned venue in Dangin Puri Kangin village, near the island's capital Denpasar, the organizers said. "They are trying to intimidate and even ban our democratic activity in relation to the World Bank and IMF," Kurniawan Sabar, an organizer from the Peoples' Global Conference, told AFP. "We were having the conference to discuss how IMF and World Bank projects affect people." Indonesia's national police could not immediately be reached for comment. Thousands of security personnel have fanned out around key venues in Nusa Dua, just south of Bali's main international airport, with some 32,000 delegates, including finance ministers and central bankers, attending the IMF-World Bank meetings. Delegates are focused on maintaining global growth amid increasing protectionist sentiment and escalating trade tensions between China and US. Sabar said the Peoples' Global Conference was looking for an alternate venue and was in negotiations with police in Bali. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, October 11, 2018 10:23 1132 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b3087771843d 4 Business PTDI-aircraft-industry,Indonesia-Pavilion,IMF-WB-meeting,#IMFWBG Free A number of African countries have expressed interest in purchasing CN 235 and N 219 planes produced by state-owned Indonesian aircraft maker PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI). The two types of aircraft are on display at the Pavilion Indonesia of the 2018 International Monetary Fund World Bank (IMF-World Bank) Annual Meetings in Nusa Dua, Bali, from Monday to Friday. Madagascar, Congo and Sudan have expressed interest. They are in the process of exploring a possible [purchase], PT DI president director Elfien Goentoro said in Nusa Dua on Wednesday as quoted by kompas.com. He explained that PT DIs motivation for displaying its products in the Pavilion Indonesia was not to sell, but to showcase them to the delegates of the IMF-World Bank event from across the globe. However, he said his company did eye the African market, because the CN 235 and N 219 were well suited to the geography of many African countries. Elfien added that Norway had also sought information about the two types of aircraft, because the country needed planes with short take-off and landing to be operated in remote areas of the Nordic country. PT DI currently managed to produce an average of 10 airplanes a year, he added. Elfien revealed that PT DI would deliver four planes next year. Senegal had purchased a CN 235 plane worth US$25 million, Nepal had purchased a CN 235 with maritime patrol configuration worth $30 million and Thailand had purchased two N 219 planes worth $13 million each. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Stuart Williams and Raziye Akkoc (Agence France-Presse) Istanbul, Turkey Thu, October 11, 2018 18:06 1131 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877737eb2 2 World #SaudiArabia,#Erdogan,#DonaldTrump Free Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Saudi Arabia to release footage of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and President Donald Trump demanded answers over his fate, as the kingdom faced growing pressure Thursday to provide a convincing explanation for his disappearance. The Washington Post, the daily to which Khashoggi was a contributor, added to the mystery by reporting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered an operation to "lure" the critical journalist back home. Khashoggi has not been seen since October 2 when he went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain official documents for his upcoming marriage. Turkish officials quoted in media have said he was killed but Riyadh denies that. The mystery has captivated the world but also threatens to harm brittle Turkish-Saudi relations and hurt efforts by the crown prince to improve the image of his country with a reform drive. Erdogan challenged Saudi Arabia to provide CCTV images to back up its version that Khashoggi had left the consulate safely, indicating he did not find the current Saudi explanations sufficient. "Is it possible there were no camera systems in a consulate, in an embassy? Is it possible that there was no Saudi camera system where this incident took place?" Erdogan told Turkish reporters in comments published in newspapers. "If a bird flew, or a fly or a mosquito appeared, the systems would capture this; they (Saudi Arabia) have the most cutting-edge systems," he was quoted as saying. The consulate said CCTV cameras were not working that day and dismissed the murder claims as "baseless". - 'Demanding everything' - The case is also threatening the strong relationship the Trump administration has built with Prince Mohammed, who wants to turn the oil-rich conservative kingdom into a hub for innovation and reform. The two sides have worked together on challenging Iran despite growing concern over the prince's campaign against dissidents, which critics say has shown up the true face of his rule. In a reversal from Washington's initial low-key response, Trump demanded answers after he spoke to Saudi authorities "at the highest level". "We're demanding everything. We want to see what's going on there," he said. Trump later told "Fox News at Night" that "it would not be a good thing at all" if Saudi involvement was proven. Khashoggi is a former government adviser who fled Saudi Arabia in September 2017 and lived in the US fearing arrest back home. In his columns for the Washington Post and comments elsewhere, Khashoggi was critical of some policies of Mohammed bin Salman as well as Riyadh's role in the war in Yemen. - 'Cannot remain silent' - While unnamed Turkish officials quoted in the media have been giving sometimes macabre details of the alleged murder, Erdogan has so far been more circumspect. He has said Saudi Arabia must prove its version of events but so far has stopped short of directly accusing the kingdom or laying the blame on the powerful crown prince. "It's not possible for us to stay silent regarding an incident like this," Erdogan said. He added that it would "not be right" to comment yet but said he had "concerns". Ankara and Riyadh have worked over recent years to maintain cordial relations despite disputes on key issues, such as the ousting of the Islamist Egyptian government and the blockade on Turkey's key regional ally Qatar. Friends of Khashoggi told the Washington Post that for several months, senior Saudi officials were offering him protection, "even a high-level job working for the government" if the critic returned to the kingdom. Khashoggi was sceptical of such offers. Following the Washington Post report, State Department deputy spokesman Robert Palladino said the US "had no advanced knowledge of Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance". Turkish police are looking into a team of 15 Saudis who they say were at the consulate at the same time as Khashoggi and arrived in Istanbul on October 2 on board two private planes. Turkish media have said the 15 were an "assassination team" and that they took the consulate's footage with them. After images of the men and their names were published by pro-government Sabah daily, media identified most of them as senior figures in Riyadh or close to the crown prince. Turkish police are also analysing CCTV footage which showed a vehicle that went inside the consulate and then to the consul-general's residence nearby after 1200 GMT, two hours after Khashoggi had entered the mission. Turkish authorities have been given permission to search the consulate -- Saudi sovereign territory -- but it has not yet taken place. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Karina M. Tehusijarana (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, October 11, 2018 09:36 1132 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877714cb1 1 National #EastJava,#earthquake,earthquake,East-Java,bali,killing Free At least three people have died following a 6.4-magnitude earthquake in East Java that was felt in Bali and Lombok in the early hours of Thursday. According to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) the quake was felt at 01:57 a.m. local time with an epicenter in the ocean 55 kilometers northeast of Situbondo regency, East Java, at a depth of 12 kilometers. No tsunami alert was issued. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has confirmed that three people have died as a result of the earthquake: a seven-year-old boy, a 55-year-old woman and an as-yet-unidentified adult man, all located in Prambanan village, Gayam district, Sumenep regency. "The victims died after being crushed by a collapsed building," BNPB spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a statement. "The victims were sleeping when the earthquake suddenly hit and caused the house to collapse so the victims could not escape." Several houses and at least one mosque in Sumenep regency are also reported to be damaged. The quake was felt throughout East Java and also in parts of Bali and Lombok. The Nusa Dua Command Center, which was set up to secure the ongoing International Monetary Fund-World Bank Annual Meetings, reported that there were no significant impacts on infrastructure in Nusa Dua, Bali. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ivany Atina Arbi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, October 11, 2018 22:47 1131 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b3087773dbfc 1 National Central-Sulawesi-earthquake,Palu-Earthquake-Tsunami,Donggala-earthquake-tsunami,tsunami,earthquake,foreign-aid-workers,#CentralSulawesiQuake,#PaluTsunami,#DonggalaEarthquake Free The government announced on Thursday that it had turned away three foreign aid workers from China, who intended to enter disaster-hit areas in Central Sulawesi, as they had failed to register with local agencies. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said eight Chinese citizens who were not holding permits arrived in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday. They said they intended to provide help in Central Sulawesi, and that they were invited by the regent of Sigi regency. Sigi is one of the regencies in Central Sulawesi that was heavily damaged after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake on Sept. 28, which was followed by a tsunami. Makassars authorities had warned the [Chinese citizens] not go to Palu, but three of them still insisted on going, BNPB spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said, adding that officials from the Foreign Ministry had contacted local authorities to repatriate the foreigners on Oct. 8. In addition, five Nepali citizens, eight Mexicans and one Australian were also denied access to the provincial capital of Palu, another disaster-hit area, because they had yet to register with local agencies or NGOs. The BNPBs regulation stated those who wanted to access disaster-hit areas should be partnered with local agencies or NGOs. The Nepalese, Mexicans and Australian have been sent to Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, to look for local partnerships. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, October 11 2018 At a G20 session in Hamburg, Germany, last year, President Joko Jokowi Widodo made a commitment to put in more effort to protect the environment and reduce waste dumped in Indonesias waters. The President placed an emphasis on plastic waste, amid a damning report from researcher Jenna Jambeck in 2015, which ranked Indonesia second on the list of the worlds biggest plastic waste producers with 187.2 million tons, behind China with 262.9 million tons. We are working to reduce our waste by 30 percent in 2025 through the reduce, reuse and recycle concept, and we have set a target to reduce marine plastic waste by 70 percent in the same year, Jokowi said during a speech at the G20 summit last year. 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 A. Muh. Ibnu Aqil (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, October 11, 2018 09:45 1132 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777161a4 1 City GrabCar,Grab,ride-hailing-application,social-media,sexual-harassment,Twitter,customers,Transportation Free Online ride hailing app Grab Indonesia has come under public scrutiny over the way the company handled a sexual harassment report after a customer was allegedly assaulted by her Grab driver. Instagram account Indonesia Feminis posted the story of a user who claimed that her friend had been sexually harassed by a Grab car driver who allegedly forced her to kiss him. Another screenshot of the same post said the poster and her friend had called Grab Indonesia and demanded that the company fire the driver. The post received over 1,000 likes and was reposted to multiple social media accounts including Twitter. It was then picked up by Twitter user @qitmr who called on Grab Indonesia to take the matter seriously. @qitmrs tweet was retweeted over 4,000 times after which Grab Indonesia responded by saying that the driver had been punished according to the Grab Driver Partner Code of Ethics. Ini drivermu @GrabID lagi, kemarin drivermu juga. Ada apa ini sebenernya? Rekrut ngawur atau apa, jangan minta dm kronologi dll lagi, tolong itu manajemen kalian seriusin hal2 seperti ini. Jangan sampe orang jadi males pake grab karena drivernya banyak yang seperti ini pic.twitter.com/jBzP1fShhu ANO (@qitmr) October 8, 2018 In a series of tweet, Grab said it had contacted the driver to hear his side of the story and it offered to mediate between the two parties. However, the next tweet said the customer refused to meet Grab Indonesia and the alleged perpetrator. It was retweeted 50 times and received 689 replies, implying that netizens did not agree with Grabs intention to arrange a meeting between the alleged victim and perpetrator. One user, @anchadoyok, said: What is this? Come on. Of course [the victim] dont want to meet [the alleged perpetrator]. Its like you are trying to form a public opinion on this. Just report it to the police to be investigated. Dont make it look like the victim doesnt want to fix the problem. INI GIMANA SIH? YG BENER LAH. YA GA MAU DONG KETEMU. KALIAN MENGGIRING OPINI SIH KAYAKNYA. -_-. PIDANA LANGSUNG. BIAR POLISI YG SELIDIKI. AH PAYAH. JGN MERASA SEOLAH2 KORBAN GA MAU MENYELESAIKAN. CARANYA WOY CARA. (@anchadoyok) October 9, 2018 Feminist activists also slammed the idea, saying that the suggestion would add to the trauma that the alleged victim had faced. If the alleged victim wanted to meet [the alleged attacker] in the first place, Grab should facilitate it. If there is no such request, then dont offer it. Offer to meet and discuss with Grab alone first. They should ask what the alleged victim wants, womens rights activist Tunggal Pawestri said. She said Grab should have standard procedures for cases of sexual harassment and discuss them with organizations that have worked on the issue, such as the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) or Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation for Womens Association for Justice (LBH APIK). Activist and cofounder of feminist web magazine Magdalene.co Devi Asmarani said Grab was doing themselves a disservice by offering to arrange the meeting. She said that in cases of sexual assault, mediation was not a correct course of action. [A victim of sexual assault] will not want mediation because she is not guilty. She added that firms like Grab should have dedicated procedure and complaint divisions that could handle reports of sexual assault as they were unlike other kinds of complaints and should be handled more sensitively. Grab Indonesia marketing director Mediko Azwar said the company had actually tried to set up the meetings separately before offering to arrange a meeting between the two parties, and that the tweet might have caused a misunderstanding. The process is not to arrange a meeting directly between the two, but separately [with us] at first, he said on Wednesday. We tried to follow up with both parties to confirm the information that had been circulating. Mediko said the driver had met with Grab and denied that the incident had taken place. Jakarta Police spokesman Comr. Argo Yuwono said the police had yet to receive any reports about the case. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, October 11 2018 Actor Oka Antara believes Foxtrot Six, which will be released in 2019 and features him as one of the cast, will lead to Hollywood taking notice of Indonesia. Foxtrot Six is a collaboration between legendary Hollywood action film producer Mario Kassar (Terminator 2, Total Recall) and Indonesian film producer Ario Sagantoro (The Raid). All eyes will see that we can make Hollywood standard movies, Oka said as quoted by kompas.com. 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 N. Adri (The Jakarta Post) Balikpapan, East Kalimantan Thu, October 11, 2018 10:42 1131 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b3087771b885 1 National #PaluTsunami,#DonggalaEarthquake,#CentralSulawesiQuake,Central-Sulawesi-earthquake,Palu-Earthquake-Tsunami,Turkey,Spain,foreign-aid Free Foreign aid has continued to arrive for victims of the Central Sulawesi earthquakes and tsunami, with the latest supplies from Turkey and Spain arriving on Wednesday at Sepinggan Airport in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, about a one hour flight from disaster-hit Palu. An airport staff member working in Hangar C, where the aid is located, confirmed that on Tuesday and Wednesday, aid from Turkey and Spain had arrived. The Spanish International Cooperation for Development, AECID, said on its website, aecid.es, that Spain was sending 255 tents, enough to accommodate 1,275 people. The aid, worth 265,000 euros, was transported using an Antonov 12 aircraft from Spain. It is scheduled to arrive in Palu on Thursday. Spain has allocated 200,000 euros through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and 100,000 through non-governmental organization Save the Children. On Tuesday, the aid from Turkey arrived in Balikpapan. The Turkish air force brought the relief aid in two Hercules C-130 planes comprising 1,000 sleeping bags and 250 tents. Turkish Red Crescent personnel accompanied the aid. "I hope we can ease the pain of our brothers and sisters here," Ali Akgul, the director of disaster mitigation at Red Crescent of Turkey said in Palu as quoted in a statement. The Indonesian government has announced that more than 2,000 people have died because of the earthquakes and the subsequent tsunami and soil liquefaction in the province. (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Riza Roidila Mufti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, October 11, 2018 22:10 1131 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b3087773d7ff 1 Business energy,finland,ignasius-jonan,cooperation Free Indonesia is seeking assistance from Finland to develop renewable energy, which is currently in its early stages. Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan said Indonesia had recently begun turning to renewable energy, adding that it would be a long-term project that Finland could help develop. Finland has among the cheapest electricity in the Europe, so this gives us hope that using Finnish technology might make it more competitive here [in Indonesia], Jonan said during a forum that brought together energy companies from Finland and Indonesia on Tuesday. The event was organized by the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry and Business Finland. Finland is listed as the greenest country in the world, according to the Environmental Performance Index in 2016 and has been applauded for its advanced renewable energy sector. Forty percent of its national energy comes from renewables that include biomass, hydro, wind and solar power. Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Anne-Mari Virolainen said the country was eager to share their experience and explore further opportunities with Indonesia. A number of Finnish companies had worked on various energy projects in Indonesia, including in remote areas. This is a sign of our commitment to support the Indonesian governments efforts to make the energy accessible to all of its citizens. At the same time, we also want to ensure that energy can be produced in a sustainable and clean manner while also using energy production as part of its management, Virolainen said. Gulontam Situmorang, senior advisor of Business Finland for Indonesia, said a number of projects on renewable energy had been jointly undertaken by Indonesian and Finnish companies, including the development of the Intermediate Treatment Facility (ITF) in Sunter, North Jakarta, which turns waste into energy. The project is a partnership between city-run company PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro) and Finnish clean energy company Fortum. Jonan hoped that cooperation between Indonesia and Finland in renewable energy development would not only deal with the business aspect, but human capital development as well. I hope that the Finnish government offers our people training in renewables to strengthen our relationship, he said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, October 11, 2018 15:19 1131 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877731658 4 Business Joko-Widodo,Lee-Hsien-Loong,local-currency-swap,agreement,bali,#IMFWBG Free President Joko Jokowi Widodo and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have agreed that Bank Indonesia (BI) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) would have a currency swap agreement in facing the global uncertainty. The agreement was announced when the leaders met in Bali on Thursday. Amid the global financial market uncertainty, cooperation is our focus. We welcome swap and repo agreements between BI and the MAS with a total value of US$10 billion, said Jokowi at the Laguna Hotel, as reported by kontan.co.id. Lee made a similar statement, saying the agreement was in response to external conditions affecting all market across the globe, including ASEAN countries. To respond to this situation, our central bank and BI will cooperate. Under the cooperation, BI could hold local currency swap to dollar with MAS with the total of $10 billion, Lee added. Meanwhile, BI Governor Perry Warjiyo said the two leaders believed that both countries could withstand global uncertainty. This region, including Indonesia, can face the global uncertainty. The two leaders agreed to strengthen both bilateral and regional cooperation to strengthen monetary and financial stability, Perry added. He said the two central banks would follow up on the agreement. After the basic understanding between the two leaders, the central banks would [work out the details of the] cooperation. We will announce it later, Perry added. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Karina M. Tehusijarana and Nedi Putra AW (The Jakarta Post) Malang Thu, October 11, 2018 16:44 1131 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877734873 1 National history,military,academic-freedom,Malang,Malang-State-University Free A history seminar scheduled for Oct. 24 at Malang State University (UM) in Malang, East Java has been canceled after a discussion with the Malang Military Command, according to a letter from the university's history department. The seminar was themed "Historical Change and Continuity in a Scientific and Learning Perspective" and was set to have four speakers, including Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) historian Asvi Warman Adam. Asvi is known for his research into the 1965 tragedy, in which hundreds of thousands of alleged communist sympathizers were killed after an attempted coup allegedly masterminded by the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). He also testified at the International People's Tribunal (IPT) on 1965 crimes against humanity in Indonesia that was held in The Hague, Netherlands in 2015. A dark history -- Maj. Gen. Soeharto briefs members of the Armys Special Forces (RPKAD, now Kopassus) prior to the removal of the bodies of the Army generals who were murdered during an alleged coup attempt on Sept. 30, 1965, which was blamed on the now defunct Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). As the most senior military officer at the time, Soeharto led all the operations to restore security and impose order in the aftermath of the alleged attempt. (JP/30 Tahun Indonesia Merdeka/File) The letter, dated Oct. 10 and signed by history department head Ari Sapto and the seminar's committee head, Reza Hudiyanto, was vague about the reasons for the cancellation. It said that "a misunderstanding arose among the public and spread on social media, from certain groups, which has attracted the attention of security/intelligence forces in Malang." It went on to say that the university had "discussed and negotiated" the matter with the military command in Malang and decided to "postpone [the seminar] indefinitely." The Indonesian Military (TNI) has a history of impeding scholarly inquiry into its past; last year, the TNI reportedly issued a policy temporarily banning foreign nationals from entering Indonesia's main military museum, the Satriamandala Museum, without permission from the militarys headquarters. Malang Military Command Post (Korem) commander Maj. Prasetya HK, however, denied the military command had told the university to cancel the seminar. "There was no prohibition from Korem 083/Baladhika Jaya or Kodim [military command] 0833/Baladhika Jaya, because the cancellation or the postponement, was purely on the initiative of the [seminar] committee itself," Prasetya said on Thursday. "We have never even received a formal announcement about the planned seminar." He added that the command had no authority to either prohibit or allow an event to occur. The letter said that "a misunderstanding arose among the public and spread on social media, from certain groups, which has attracted the attention of security/intelligence forces in Malang." It went on to say that the university had "discussed and negotiated" the matter with the military command in Malang and decided to "postpone [the seminar] indefinitely." (JP/File) Ari confirmed the university had postponed the event after an internal meeting of the faculty board. He said the university was worried about a "misunderstanding" arising among groups that considered the seminar a leftist event. "Because of that, we decided to postpone the seminar so those groups do not take advantage of it," he said. Asvi, meanwhile, said he had received the letter via email on Wednesday and was surprised by the cancellation and the reasoning for it. "I found it strange because the reason was comments on social media and concerns from the military command," he told The Jakarta Post on Thursday, adding that his impression from the letter was that there might be a demonstration if the seminar was to go on as planned. Asvi Warman Adam (kompas.com/Kristian Erdiianto) "I don't understand what they would want to demonstrate against because the seminar is clearly scientific and is about the development of the study of history in Indonesia," he said. "And in any case usually public safety issues are handled by the police and not by the military." He added that he still had not decided what material he would have presented at the seminar, saying that there were many topics he could have chosen from, including National Heroes Day. "One of the subthemes is how controversial historical topics are taught, but there are many controversial topics in Indonesian history," he said. "I think the cancellation shows excessive fear and self-censorship from the university. As an academic institution, it should feel free to hold a scientific seminar." He also said that he had been unable to contact any UM history department officials since he received the email. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Bambang Nurbianto (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, October 11, 2018 08:19 1132 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877710689 1 Business KIK-DINFRA,bank-mandiri,investment,product Free State-owned lender PT Bank Mandiri and its subsidiaries security firm Mandiri Sekuritas and investment management PT Mandiri Manjement Investasi -- along with state-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga are issuing a new investment product called KIK-DINFRA. KIK-DINFRA stands for Kontrak Investasi Kolektif Dana Investasi Infrastruktur, or collective investment contracts for infrastructure funds, and is aimed at both domestic and global investors, according to a press statement issued by Bank Mandiri on Wednesday. Bank Mandiri president director Kartika Wirjoatmodjo has said the alternative financing for infrastructure collected through the bourse could be utilized by companies in the infrastructure sector to obtain funds in a cost-effective way. This initiative will help expand the domestic financial market by introducing a new investment product for infrastructure, said Kartika on the sidelines of the 2018 IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Nusa Dua, Bali on Wednesday. Previously, Bank Mandiri and Mandiri Sekuritas helped Jasa Marga to issue a Komodo Bond, a rupiah bond, in the international stock market worth Rp 4 trillion (US$263 million) late last year, and private equity funds (RDPT) to finance toll road projects by Jasa Marga. KIK-DINFRA is expected to obtain approval from the Financial Services Authority (OJK) on Thursday and will soon to be traded on the stock market with a target of raising Rp 1.5 trillion. Meanwhile the funds raised through the RDPT for Jasa Margas capital expenditure have already reached Rp 3 trillion. Kartika said the issuance of KIK-DINFRA was another commitment by Bank Mandiri Group in support of the governments efforts to accelerate infrastructure development. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sri Wahyuni (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta Thu, October 11, 2018 19:33 1131 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b3087773a29d 1 National Muhammadiyah,Kazakhstan,religion,Islam,globalization Free Muhammadiyah chairman Haedar Nashir called on Muslims around the world to prevent the negative impacts of globalization in a speech at an international congress of religious leaders held in Kazakhstan from Oct. 10 to 11. Haedar said Islam was not against globalization, acknowledging many of its benefits. The Muslim leader, however, argued that globalization had brought negative impacts to the world and Islam could play a role in easing them. Religion should be a source of inspiration for globalization that brings common good, and at the same time, it must also serve as a reminder for humanity to not engage in destructive actions, he said as quoted in a press release. Muhammadiyah, he said, had been taking part in the peace process in southern Philippines, where conflict was brewing between government forces and Muslim armed groups. The organization, he added, had also been working to help quake survivors in Nepal and Rohingya refugees in Myanmar and Bangladesh. Muhammadiyah urges its members in particular and Muslims around the world to present a progressive Islam that caters to the present needs of modernity and to help prevent the negative impacts of globalization from occurring. Representatives from 82 countries attended the fourth Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Kazakhstan. They comprise leaders of Muslim, Christian, and Hindu organizations as well as representatives of international organization such as the United Nations Alliance of Civilization (UNAOC) and UNESCO. The congress focused on discussing the roles of religious leaders in keeping the world safe, developing trust and mutual respects, and fighting religious extremism. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, October 11, 2018 14:12 1131 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308777293a1 1 City street-food,street-vendors,PKL,Kalibata-City-apartment Free While street vendors on Jl. Jatibaru Raya can now operate in peace after the city allowed them to occupy one side of a road in the area, street vendors on Jl. Rawajati Barat face different treatment. Pancoran district head Herry Gunara has decided to ban street vendors on Jl. Rawajati Barat near the Kalibata City apartment complex in Pancoran, South Jakarta. Ive ordered the Public Order Agency [Satpol PP] to keep watch and catch any street vendors that are still operating. Zero street vendors from now on, Herry said on Wednesday, kompas.com reported. He said he had let the street vendors occupy the sidewalks and part of the street because he had pitied them and their customers, for they offered cheap food in the area. However, he finally decided to clear the area of vendors. I actually dont have the heart [to ban the vendors], they are needed by low-income workers, but what can I say, I have to comply with the prevailing rules, Herry said. Article 63 of Law No. 38/2004 on roads stipulates that activities that cause disruption on a road can be punished with up to 18 months in prison and a Rp 1.5 billion (US$98,391) fine. He said that, as of Wednesday afternoon, the street had been cleared of street vendors and Public Order Agency officers were guarding the area. (ami) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan Thu, October 11, 2018 10:52 1131 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b3087771bc2d 1 National road-accident,North-Sumatra,Medan,Jalinsum Free Three people died in a traffic collision on an intercity highway in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, early on Wednesday. The accident, which took place on the Sumatra Highway (Jalinsum) lane from the provincial capital of Medan heading to the Berastagi tourism area in Karo, occurred when an excavator crashed into a truck coming from the opposite direction at 2 a.m. The accident disrupted intercity traffic between Berastagi and Medan for the rest of the day. Two victims have been identified as Andareas Karo-Karo, 25, and Safril Pandapotan Hutasoit, 27. Meanwhile, the third body is yet to be identified. All of the bodies have been taken to the Adam Malik Central Hospital in Medan. Spokesperson of Adam Malik Hospital Rosario Dorothy Simanjuntak said the victims suffered from severe injuries to their heads, chests and legs. The bodies are still at the hospital. Separately, the head of Medan Police traffic unit Adj. Sr. Comr. Julianti Prihatini said the police were still investigating the cause of the accident. We are still investigating what caused the crash between the vehicles, she said on Wednesday. (dpk) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, October 11, 2018 13:15 1131 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b30877722576 4 Business current-account-deficit,trade-deficit,IDX,Performance Free A securities analyst has said that the Indonesian bourse was not as attractive as those in Malaysia and Thailand, because of this year's twin current account and trade deficits that hampered the country. Lot services head Krishna Dwi Setiawan of securities firm PT Lotus Sekuritas said that the correction of the Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) had been prompted by negative sentiment over the rupiah depreciation and the increase in global crude prices, and would force net sells by foreign investors. Actually, our market has been much stronger in the last three years because of the growing role of domestic investors, both in shares ownership and transactions, Krishna said on Wednesday as quoted by kontan.co.id. He estimated that the JCI would close around 6,100 by the yearend. Meanwhile, Krishna said, net sells by foreign investors had reached Rp 54. 91 trillion (US$3.59 billion) from January to Oct. 9, adding that capital outflows would continue to increase to late December. Earlier, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had estimated potential capital outflows of $100 billion from emerging economies. Khrisna estimated that $5 billion of this amount would come from Indonesia. He said shares in the banks sector would remain attractive to the yearend due to a 12 percent growth of credit in three major banks, Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), Bank Mandiri and Bank Central Asia (BCA). He advised investors to focus on fundamentals, not market sentiment. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, October 11, 2018 14:33 1131 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b3087772ecea 1 News Angkasa-Pura-I,Ngurah-Rai-International-Airport,IMF-WB-meeting,#IMFWBG,#IMF,travel,tourist-guide,Bali-Airport Free State-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura (AP) I has set up a tourist information center (TIC) in the arrival hall of Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali. This is part of the operators effort to support the 2018 IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings and promote tourism. Available during the IMF-World Bank 2018 Annual Meetings, the TIC is equipped with sofas, free internet connection and a mini bar that serves complimentary Wamena coffee from Papua. It provides digital content about various tourist destinations in Indonesia as well as information about events, hotels, flights and transportation. Delegates to the IMF-World Bank 2018 Annual Meetings are welcomed at the airport. (PT Angkasa Pura I/File) The TIC is our commitment to supporting the IMF-World Bank 2018 Annual Meetings in Bali, as well as to promote tourist destinations and activities that can be explored by the delegates or other travelers, said Faik Fahmi, AP I director, in a press release. Read also: Halal industry to benefit from IMF-WB Bali meeting Apart from the information center, PT AP I has equipped the airport with other facilities, such as modern X-ray machines for luggage checks, automated passport scanners and the Airport Operation Control Center (AOCC) to assist the delegates with arrivals and departures. The Autogate Passport Scanner is one of several facilities prepared by PT AP I to support a large number of travelers during the IMF-World Bank 2018 Annual Meetings. (PT Angkasa Pura I/File) Delegates arriving until Thursday are welcomed with Balinese dance, drinks, refreshment towels and shopping vouchers at the airport. The operator has also prepared several programs in conjunction with the IMF-World Bank 2018 event, namely a traditional costume parade, live music, engaging activities and a shopping festival at domestic as well as international terminals. (wir/wng) This year, the festival is hosting several events that explore diversity in the arts, including panels, workshops, and talks from local authors. Images courtesy of the University of Birmingham A 2017 survey found that 90% of people working the UK publishing industry classify themselves as white British. In response, Book to the Future is hosting a Diversity in Publishing panel, featuring University of Birmingham alumni who now work in the industry. The past year has seen more companies address the lack of diversity in publishing in terms of gender, race, disability, and class. However, are they doing enough to combat the issue? Recent graduate Mireille Harper is a trainee at Hachette UK, following placements at Penguin Random House and Packt. She will be chairing the discussion, which also includes a former journalist at The Times and a metadata analyst from Penguin. University of Birmingham students have arranged a number of events at the festival, including a conference about decolonising the curriculum. In 2016, the National Union of Students found that 42% of Black students in the UK dont believe that their university curriculum reflects issues of diversity, equality, and discrimination. Final-year anthropology and classics student Lily Gibbs will chair the discussion, which will explore the ways in which the University of Birmingham and other universities across the country can decolonise their curriculums and make their syllabuses more inclusive of ethnic minorities. (from left: Valeria Vascina, Mireille Harper and Lily Gibbs) Elsewhere, university alumna Valeria Vescina will be speaking about her new novel, That Summer in Puglia, which moves between 1980s Italy and present-day London. She will be speaking about multiculturalism and multilingualism in her work. Other highlights from the festival include a talk from University of Birmingham academic Heather Widdows, whose new book Perfect Me explores the ethics of beauty standards in an age when social media likes determine our self-worth. Professor Nic Cheeseman will discuss his widely acclaimed book, How to Rig an Election, which explores how dictators undermine democracy, using case studies from across the globe including the 2016 US election. Book to the Future brings staff, students, and the local community together between the 19th and 20th of October for an exciting programme of events. You can listen to talks from bestselling authors, learn more about the publishing industry, or engage in workshops from the University of Birminghams creative writing society, Writers Block. Booking is essential. To reserve your place visit the Book to the Future website . Follow Book to the Future on Instagram Facebook , and Twitter The Natural History Museum has defended plans to host an event for the Saudi Arabian embassy, amid calls to cancel over the countrys human rights record. Image: Wikipedia Critics demanded that the museum cancel tonights reception to celebrate Saudi Arabia day, following the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi earlier this week and the regime's continued bombing of civilians in Yemen. The museum defended the reception, saying that events such as these were a key source of funding. Enabling commercial events to take place outside of public opening hours in our iconic spaces brings the museum an important source of external funding, the museum wrote in a statement on Twitter. We hold a wide variety of commercial events and it is made clear to any host that doing so is not an endorsement of their product, service or views, it continued. The reception will be hosted by the Saudi ambassador to the UK, Mohammed bin Nawaf. The issue was raised after journalist Owen Jones tweeted about the event. The Saudi dictatorship is massacring thousands in Yemen and is currently accused of kidnapping and murdering a journalist, he wrote, calling on the museum to cancel and apologise. It's been leaked to me that the Natural History Museum is hosting a reception for the Saudi Embassy tonight, 7-9pm. The Saudi dictatorship is massacring thousands in Yemen and is currently accused of kidnapping and murdering a journalist.@NHM_London must cancel and apologise. pic.twitter.com/1ogRDyHTEE Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) October 11, 2018 Jones later accused the museum of taking blood money from the Saudi regime. Jamal Khashoggi disappeared last week after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, leading to accusations that he was murdered by individuals acting for the Saudi government. Khashoggi had been a virulent critic of both the Saudi regime and Saudi crown prince Mohammad bin Salman. A Saudi-backed coalition continues to bomb civilians in Yemen leading to UN accusations of war crimes. Other prominent journalists including George Monbiot, Glenn Greenwald and Matthew Thompson have also called on the museum to cancel the event. The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy has organised a protest outside the museum at the time of the reception this evening. Kent Union (KU) has drawn up new guidelines for fancy dress outfits, banning students from wearing sombreros or dressing as Native Americans, cowboys and nuns, in order to ensure everyones right to a safe space at university. The union say they wont tolerate any offensive fancy dress costumes and have released a list of certain costumes and items that are now banned. Photo: Pixabay As KU say "dressing up as a particular race, culture or stereotype is offensive, theyve issued a warning to students against wearing costumes related to "the Crusades, Nazi uniform, priests and nuns, cowboys and Native Americans, ISIS bomber, Israeli soldier and The Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him)". Alongside this, theyve also banned costumes of celebrities known for their sexual misconduct, including DJ Jimmy Savile and movie producer Harvey Weinstein, and told students not to dress as a gender or sexuality they do not identify with "if the purpose is to belittle". Other banned costumes included so called chav outfits, because they mock working class people. Dressing up as a priest is banned In its fancy dress guidelines, KU says: We empower students to be creative, whilst also ensuring all students feel welcome and safe. Students groups are free to engage in fancy dress whilst ensuring they abide by the Fancy Dress Guidelines which include being offensive, discriminatory and prejudice [sic] to an individuals race, gender, disability or sexual orientation or based on stereotypes. Photo of Kent University by St BC (talk) The banning of certain costumes may seem a trivial issue to some, especially when Halloween offers the opportunity to get creative with your costumes. However, when a person from a dominant culture adopts a costume from a culture or group that is not their own, and one which is experiencing oppression, theyre essentially contributing to that oppression by supporting offensive stereotypes that only adds to the further disadvantagement of that culture or group. Whatsmore, people find things like the wearing of a Native American headdress offensive because of the way it reduces something of cultural significance to a costume. When it comes to dressing as sexual predators like Jimmy Saville, which some defend as being part of "dark humour", while clearly not a part of cultural appropriation, it appears by their guidelines KU are attempting to ensure every students right to feel comfortable on campus is maintained. Kent Union have been approached for comment. Unfortunately, The Content Is Not Here You have arrived at this page because the page or post you were looking for no longer exists. Please check our main navigation pages for other content: Home Page 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. You cannot print contents of this website. Sign in Welcome, Login to your account. Forget password? Remember me Sign in Recover your password. A password will be e-mailed to you. MBABANE Age will no longer be an obstacle for people who want to benefit from the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund (YERF). The YERF was established with the aim of alleviating poverty through job creation among the youth under the Ministry of Sport Culture and Youth Affairs. The good news for the aspiring small businesspeople was announced by the YERF Chief Executive Officer, Bhekizwe Maziya, during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Swaziland Industrial Development Company (SIDC) yesterday. Maziya said the signed agreement between the two companies meant that the beneficiaries of the fund would be transferred to the SIDC once they were above 35 years. The age limit for youth is between 18 and 35 years. He said this was to ensure that people who missed opportunities due to unforeseen circumstances continued to access loans to establish and operate their businesses. Maziya said the YERF forged the relationship, which worked towards empowering emaswati after availing opportunities to all companies in the country. Speaking on behalf of SIDC, the Chief Executive Officer, Phiwayinkhosi Ginindza, thanked the YERF for affording them an opportunity to facilitate the growth of the countrys economy through empowering the youth. Ginindza said the 30-year-old company, which had created 12 000 jobs in the country, had not only supported the YERF with money, but also with experts who would work hand in hand with the entrepreneurs. We hope to have a good working relationship as we fight unemployment, which is high among the youth. We hope our partnership will create more jobs that would provide employment for the unemployed youth, he said. Ginindza said investing in youth entrepreneurs would help the country come up with great leaders in the future. MBABANE About 20 teachers may not get paid this month. This is if the charges laid against them are anything to go by. Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Secretary General Sikelela Dlamini said his organisation had been approached by 20 teachers so far to relay that they were being charged with misconduct. He said the complaints brought by members of his association, about charges they were facing at school, had increased significantly. Dlamini said some of the reports were still informal as their branches were still to communicate with his office. There are so many teachers who are reporting challenges they are facing at schools and the charges levelled against them. Strike The charges are subsequent to a number of teachers claiming that they have been coerced into signing the strike spot checking tool form, that was distributed by the Ministry of Education and Training through the offices of Regional Education Officers (REOs). This form, according to the ministry, was an instrument used to monitor the attendance of teachers, following the high number of activities organised by SNAT members in recent weeks. It was distributed after teachers after members of SNAT engaged in union activities during working hours. The activities that were hosted by the association started after a proposed strike action by SNAT was deferred to November 23, 2018. The strike action was means by the union to get governments attention so that a better offer in the cost-of-living-adjustment (CoLA) was tabled. Public Service Associations (PSAs) are seeking a 6.55 per cent CoLA, while government has been offering zero per cent. Dlamini said there were reports that some teachers were facing as high as 11 counts of misconduct. He doubted that the charges that were being preferred against the teachers had anything to do with the recent activities organised by the association. That would be illegal as we have an agreement with government through the recognition agreement. On Tuesday, the unionist said SNAT had received about seven complaints from their members, who were complaining that their head teachers demanded that they be signatory to the strike spot checking forms. He said by yesterday, many had come forward stating that they were being reported absent from work and attending the associations activities, while they were present. I am still handling the matter and hope to have a tallied up figure before our extraordinary meeting next week. Meanwhile, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training Dr Sibongile Mtshali said they were still computing the data collected through the use of the forms. She said some of the REOs had already submitted the forms to the chief inspector, while others were still being collected from the various schools. We have no total figure yet, she said. Dr Mtshali further said the ministry would deal with those who were not going to work once everything was in order. MANZINI Once again, the brutality against women has reared its ugly head in Eswatini. A 23-year-old woman died painfully after a man who was her neighbour allegedly attacked and slit her throat open, using a sharp object. According to an impeccable source, the incident, which left community members shocked, took place at an open land near the womans home at Nhlotjeni under Mahlangatsha Inkhundla in the Manzini Region yesterday at around 10am. The source alleged that the woman was on her way to a nearby neighbourhood care point (NCP) when the man allegedly attacked her. He said people who heard the woman screaming for help, quickly ran to the scene but they were too late as they found her lying unconsciously in a pool of blood on the ground. The suspect bolted immediately after slitting open the womans neck, the source said. He said the man was currently on the run and there was an ongoing massive manhunt within the community and surrounding areas. However, by the time of compiling this report, it was not clear why the suspect allegedly murdered the woman. Information gathered was that those who were first to arrive at the scene called the police toll free emergency line and reported the matter. Statement The source alleged that so far, there was no formal statement regarding the incident, especially the cause of the attack on the defenceless woman. None of the witnesses seemed aware of the motive behind the attack. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, confirmed the murder of a 23-year-old woman by a man who was said to be a neighbour to the victim. She said police were still investigating the matter. The suspect is still on the run and we urge him to surrender himself to the nearest police station, Vilakati said. It is worth noting that there are a number of abuse cases, some of which result to death that take place between people who are related or known to each other. Even the Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) monthly abuse statistics, reflect shocking numbers of cases which take place across the country where the perpetrator and survivor or victim were known to each other. This incident happened just after a pupil was speared to death while within school premises in the Lubombo Region. The suspect is a 31-year-old man who claimed that the pupil had a sexual relationship with his wife. Last week, a 20-year-old university student was arrested after allegedly stabbing her mother to death in Manzini. MBABANE Doors are open! All aspiring Members of Parliament (MPs) who lost in the national elections have until 2pm today to lobby for a Senate seat. This follows the landmark ruling, which was yesterday issued by a full bench comprising Judge Mumcy Dlamini, sitting with Judge Maxine Langwenya and Judge Mzwandile Fakudze. The court heard former Lobamba Member of Parliament Michael Masilelas application, challenging the constitutionality of Section 5(3) of the Senate (Elections) Act No.7 of 2013 yesterday, and found that this section of the Act that Masilela challenged was indeed unconstitutional. The Act states that a person who is an unsuccessful candidate in the general elections shall not be considered for nomination as a senator. When Masilela lost in the Primary Elections, his ambition to remain a parliamentarian remained alive. The only stumbling block was the Senate Act and he filed an urgent application at the High Court. He wanted the court to strike out the section of the Act, which prohibits losing MP candidates from being considered for seats in Senate. Masilela, who is also a businessman, was represented by Zonke Magagula of Zonke Magagula and Company. Having heard counsel for the parties, applicants (Masilela) application succeeds with no order as to costs, reads the order. Judge Dlamini said reasons for the ruling would follow in due course. In his application, Masilela of Nkhanini argued that Section 5(3) of the Act was inconsistent with Section 97 of the Constitution. He wanted the court to strike down this subsection of the Act due to being inconsistent with Section 97 of the Constitution. Masilela was nominated for the position of MP at Nkhanini Royal Kraal, having satisfied all requirements to stand for the Primary Elections. However, during the Primary Elections, he was unsuccessful and he came second with 554 votes. The successful candidate obtained 561 votes. The former MP informed the court that he qualified for nomination into Senate because the requirements for such a qualification into that position were almost the same as those of an MP. Masilela submitted that Section 97 of the Constitution gives a list of qualities that disqualify a person from being nominated or elected into Senate. Disqualification The conditions for disqualification include being insolvent, under sentence of death or imprisonment of more than six months and not being eligible to be a voter, among other things. Masilela submitted that he had not been declared insolvent, unsound mind, under sentence of death or been imprisoned for more than six months. He said Section 5(3) of the Senate (Elections) Act sought to add another ground for disqualification from being eligible for a seat in Senate. Masilela said it was not mentioned in Section 97 of the Constitution that a person who lost in the Primary Elections did not qualify for nomination into Senate. I am advised and verily believe that the provisions of Section 5 are inconsistent with the provisions of Section 96 and 97 of the Constitution, said Masilela. The businessman informed the court that his right to participate in the elections as a voter or candidate was guaranteed by the Constitution. In his heads of argument, the Elections and Boundaries (EBC) Chairman, Chief Gija, said Masilela ought to have identified the anomalies in the legislation and moved a motion to amend them timeously. It is common cause and knowledge that he underwent the same procedure of having to nominate prospective senators using the same piece of legislation that is being contended hereon, the chairman submitted. He also said the section of the Senate Act Masilela contested was an instrument used by all elected MPs to canvass, nominate or even elect senators. Chief Gija submitted that Masilela, at the time, was one of those who knew and applied the provision of the Act. According to Chief Gija, Masilela knew five years in advance to rectify the anomaly, while he was still in office if he wished to one day be nominated as a senator. A whopping four years elapsed since he became aware of Section 5(3) of the Senate Elections Act. The applicant advanced no explanation why it took him so long before he could approach the court for relief. The applicant cannot now move into high gear and expect the court and the other litigants to adjust to his motion, said the chief. The chief argued that Masilela was not only an MP but also the chairperson of the Justice Portfolio Committee. According to Chief Gija, Masilela failed to establish that he had a direct interest in the matter and failed to demonstrate that he was a person aggrieved. He further submitted that Masilela had not suffered any prejudice as the Senate Act had not been of any consequence to him. He has failed to demonstrate in his papers that he will suffer any pecuniary loss or any form of loss as a result of the inconsistency. In any event, there is no guarantee that he will even be elected as a senator, added Chief Gija. He informed the court that since the former MP wanted the court to strike out a section of the Senate Act, he does not have legislative powers or any role in the election of Senators. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close By Trend The conference titled "Decorative Arts and Interior" opened at the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum on October 10. The organizers are the two international committees of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) - Decorative Arts and Design (ICDAD) and Historic House Museums (DEMHIST), Azertag reported. Deputy Culture Minister Sevda Mammadaliyeva wished success to the conference. Speaking about the work done to organize museum activity in Azerbaijan, the Deputy Minister said that in recent years, President Ilham Aliyev has signed more than 15 orders on the development of the museum. She stressed that there are more than 250 museums in Azerbaijan. The conference allows local museums to get acquainted with working methods, new approaches and close relationships with foreign museum workers. The Chairman of the National Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), Director of the Carpet Museum, PhD in Art Studies Shirin Melikova spoke about the activities of the committee. She noted that ICOM Azerbaijan unites national museums, scientists, artists, art figures, persons directly related to museum affairs and members of ICOM. The main tasks of ICOM National Committee are to strengthen cooperation in the field of museum affairs and culture and to study the progressive experiences of foreign museums. In her speech, Shirin Melikova stressed the role of museums in society in modern times. Pointing to the activities of the Carpet Museum, she spoke about the history, activities and projects implemented by this cultural center . As many as 42 delegates from 14 countries, including Azerbaijan, Austria, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Japan, the USA, India, Egypt, the Czech Republic, Georgia and Turkey will attend the conference, which will last until October 12. President of ICOM Suay Aksoy said that the Caucasus region is rich in geography, culture and art. "ICOM's work has a strong moral goal. It is to create and maintain these relationships between different people and nations. Museums are indispensable for the protection of the global heritage. Museums play an important role in terms of environment, cultural, economic and social stability around the world. Museums also help us understand the past," said Aksoy. President of ICDAD Helena Koenigsmarkova, DEMHIST President Elsa Rodrigues and other speakers noted the importance of the conference, the role of the museum in the organization of the work and exchange of views. The conference continued with lectures. Presentation of the book "Art Structures from the Collection of the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum" by Shirin Melikova, published under the 2016-2017 program of member states with the support of UNESCO, was also held. By Trend Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has received US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs George Kent, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a message. During the meeting, gratification with the successful development of bilateral cooperation in political, economic, energy, transport and other fields was expressed. The importance of increasing efforts to further intensify bilateral relations was also stressed. The minister spoke about important energy and transport projects being implemented with the initiative and with the participation of Azerbaijan, in particular about the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and the Southern Gas Corridor. Azerbaijan welcomes the US support in the implementation of those projects, Mammadyarov said. Azerbaijan continues to support international peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan. In turn, Kent said that the US continues to develop bilateral relations with Azerbaijan in energy, security, economy and others. He also stressed that Azerbaijans contribution to peacekeeping operations within the fight against terrorism is appreciated. The Azerbaijani foreign minister spoke about the current negotiations on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and his meeting with the Armenian foreign minister in New York mediated by the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group. Mammadyarov stressed that the violation of internationally recognized borders of a country by using force is unacceptable. During the meeting, views on other issues of mutual interest were exchanged. Sixth-annual Travel Trade Athens event, to host more than 3,000 pre-arranged meetings between foreign tour operators and vendors with Athens-based tourism professionals The mayor of Athens on Monday announced the Greek capital has so far attracted more than 5.5 tourists and visitors in 2018, pointing to what he called a "total recall" from a low point in 2012, when the economic crisis in the country was still in its most punishing phase. Giorgos Kaminis spoke on the sidelines of his municipality's sixth-annual Travel Trade Athens event, which he noted will host more than 3,000 pre-arranged meetings between foreign tour operators and vendors with Athens-based tourism professionals. Included are meetings between more than 100 representatives of hosted buyers with suppliers active in the Greek market. The municipality of Athens is the biggest and most populous in the greater Athens urban agglomeration, which is comprised of several municipalities. Read more at naftemporiki.gr RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Michael Rivera License: CC-BY-SA New York, NY The National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA) of North America, Inc. will host itsnext bi-annual convention in New York, New York, on October 12-14, 2018. Attendees will be staying at the Grand Hyatt New York in Manhattan, NHSA infroms via press release. The convention weekend kicks off with a casual networking hour on Friday, Oct. 12 at the Liberty Court Penthouse Lounge in Battery Park, NY. During the daylong conference on Saturday, Oct. 13, hosted at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, attendees will hear from a panel of prominent Greek-American leaders sharing their insight on the convention theme Tomorrow is Now. Discussions will focus on current events, professional development, leadership, and community engagement. Snacks for the day will be provided by Olyra Foods. The conference will also feature a mentorship luncheon where younger participants will have an opportunity to engage with and learn from over 20 mentors representing various fields. Following the convention, participants will have an opportunity to visit top attractions in the city. A Greek Night will follow, hosted at Kellari featuring DJ Serafim with specialty drinks provided by Roots Premium Spirits. The following day participants will get a chance to engage with the NHSA Executive Board in a town hall meeting, then break for additional sightseeing. Tickets for the conference weekend and the Greek Night are still available online via NHSAs website and Facebook pages. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, NHSA serves as the umbrella organization for a network of collegiate Hellenic associations throughout North America. NHSA is committed to uniting students of the diaspora by incorporating education, professionalism and community all within one memorable weekend. NHSAs Executive Board works diligently to ease the burden of cost for students and provides scholarship opportunities for committed attendees, designated university delegates, and those travelling from afar, NHSA says. For more information visit NHSA Facebook page and website: www.facebook.com/nhsaofamerica www.nhsaofamerica.org Read more at thenationalherald.com RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report Greece is now able to assume more international initiatives for "Silk Road" tourism, Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura said on Thursday, at the conclusion in Thessaloniki of the 8th UNWTO International Meeting on Silk Road Tourism, ANA reports. The meeting was a partnership of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Ministry of Tourism and the Region of Central Macedonia have partnered together to organize the 8th UNWTO International Meeting on Silk Road Tourism in Thessaloniki, Greece on 10-12 October 2018. (The sessions concluded on October 11; the schedule for October 12 consists of a tour to Aigai and the museum of the Royal Tomb.) This is the first international Silk Road meeting held outside of China, and it focused on the role and relevance of the Silk Road within a globalized tourism framework. It is the first time it took place outside of China and the first hosted by a European Silk Road members-state. Previous meetings were held in Dunhuang (2013) and Xian (2015). 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: Wikiality123 License: CC-BY-SA Cyprus is one of the main Mediterranean competitors of the Greek tourism industry International film and audiovisual professionals (production/filming houses, producers/executive producers and local audiovisual industry professionals and associations) from Europe, India, Russia, North America and Cyprus met at the first Cyprus Film Summit, in Nicosia, to discuss the latest developments in the industry in Cyprus and witness first-hand all the country has to offer as a natural filming studio. The Summit was held by the Invest Cyprus, the Cyprus Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Press and Information Office (PIO) of the Republic of Cyprus on 10th October 2018 at the Filoxenia Conference Centre. The Cyprus Film Summit 2018 represents an ideal platform to network and learn more about Cyprus advantages as a filming destination and the local incentives scheme, which was recently approved by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus in order to encourage investors to elect Cyprus as their ideal filming production destination. Read more at pio.gov.cy 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: AyianapaProtaras License: CC-BY-SA The regions leading experts in dermatology, plastic surgery, laser & aesthetics will discuss the latest advances and trending topics in the field at the first Bahrain Dermatology, Laser and Aesthetics conference and exhibition (BDLA 2018). BDA Center for medical training is organizing the conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Bahrain - Conference Center on November 29 for 2 days. The participants should benefit by staying ahead of the curve and up-to-date on the new and advancing health technologies. The ultimate aim of the organizers is to highlight ways to engage patients and gain improvement in health-related outcomes. The conference includes five workshops that are unique and adapted to fit the local and regional regulatory frameworks. The workshops offer new insight into techniques in major & minimally invasive plastic surgeries, skin care and skin rejuvenation, as well as the treatment of burns, ulcers, the latest trends in injectables such as fillers & Botox, body countering devices and laser machines. President of the conference, Dr Nidhal Abdulrahman Khalifa, stated that the event aims to identify the latest international practices in the field of Dermatology and Plastic surgery. We aim to promote these practices to enhance the Bahraini practice. We hope to advance the skills of Bahraini doctors, technicians and authorized practitioners. We also intend to spread awareness of non-qualified personnel that perform cosmetic medical procedures, and the harmful health complications and adverse sequelae that can arise, Dr Khalifa said. Dr Khalifa also highlighted that the conference will host several open panel with regulators, key stakeholders and the public to discuss the regulatory framework and ways to promote growth in the sector. The conference is also hosting roundtable discussions with key personnel to reach key recommendations to shape the future of the Dermatology, laser and aesthetics field in Bahrain. Deputy chairman of the conference, Dr Ahmed Darwish Shahda, said that the conference provides a unique opportunity to network for Bahraini doctors with their GCC & international colleagues. Dr Shahda said that this conference and exhibition is part of the national plan of Bahrain to be a world-class destination in the field of medical training and medical tourism. This builds on the talented human capital, forward-thinking government and strategic location of Bahrain. The conference is an excellent chance to follow up on the latest scientific research and the current international techniques in the field of Dermatology and plastic surgery, he added. Dr Shahda explained that it was a great opportunity to have an accompanying exhibition. The exhibition brings manufacturing titans in aesthetic medicine and dermatology biological products to demonstrate their products along with the evidence and benefits of these products. TradeArabia News Service The 10th edition of UAE Cancer Congress opened in Dubai today (October 11), aiming to promote the most recent advances in cancer research while also highlighting the various scientific developments in the field. Inaugurated by Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan, UAE Cabinet Minister, Minister of Tolerance and president of the UAE Genetics Association, the event runs until October 13, and is organized by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions in partnership with UAE Genetics Association, under the theme Promoting Excellence in Oncology and Striking away Cancer, at the InterContinental Festival City Hotel in Dubai. During his keynote address, Sheikh Nahyan said, UAE healthcare vision highlights the importance of information and appropriate initiatives to educate the public on prevention and lifestyle medicines. This congress is an important initiative to highlight the latest in cancer awareness, treatment, research and facilities available in our region. Today medical science is able to offer multiple options of cancer treatment and able to highlight the importance of prevention which brings hope to the patient community, he added. Dr Shaheenah Dawood, president, UAE Cancer Congress, said, The 10th edition of UAE Cancer Congress comes at a time when the year 2018 saw the Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded jointly to James P. Allison and Tasuko Honjo for their discovery of cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune regulation. As the world is focusing on reducing the cases of cancer, the UAE Cancer Congress aims to encourage the oncology community to join hands in partnering, learning and building collaborations to allow for progress in research while also build initiatives that effectively combat this disease in our region. According to GLOBOCAN 2018 estimates, cancer incidence and mortality are rapidly growing worldwide and this year, 18.1 million new cancer cases are expected and more alarmingly 9.6 million cancer deaths are predicted across the globe. Moreover, the World Health Organization in 2015 estimated that cancer will be the 3rd leading cause of death before age 70 years in the UAE. While publishing their 12-year cancer incidence report, the gulf center for cancer control noted that between 1998 and 2009 there has been an approximate 1.47 fold increase in the incidence of cancer among gulf nationals with long term projections indicating a further 1.8 fold increase by 2030, she added. This year, the UAE Cancer Congress is featuring the launch of the 1st Asia Pacific Middle East Biosimilar Summit, which is a dedicated gathering, focusing on the practical strategies and opportunities for biosimilar drugs, while also aiming to support the local and international Pharma and Biopharma companies who are seeking to lay out a viable roadmap in this highly competitive global biosimilar market. United Nations estimates that the world is home to 7.6 billion people and none of them regardless of ethnicity, race or gender are immune to cancer. While various factors such as the advancements in treatment protocols and multiple educational programs are emphasizing the importance of cancer screenings, doctors suggest that avoiding unhealthy lifestyle choices can naturally reverse cancer death rates more efficiently. According to experts, avoiding highly processed foods, red and processed meats and by diligently involving ourselves in various types of exercises, our natural immune system can be enabled to work efficiently, thereby defeating cancer at their nascent state. Studies suggest that nearly 75 percent of the risk of colorectal cancer is thought to be related to your food choices while 86 percent of the risk of skin cancer is from sun exposure and 75 percent of cases of head and neck cancers are from smoking tobacco. With over 14 scientific sessions, 100 poster presentations and the presence of over 200 top notch scientists, researchers and expert speakers from over 75 countries, the UAE Cancer Congress is expected to attract the participation of over 2500 visitors and participants. Running parallel to the conference, the exhibition offered over 33 companies a great opportunity to showcase their latest technologies, while also providing a chance to network and collaborate with the leading doctors and specialists in the field. TradeArabia News Service Senior officials from Abu Dhabi and Azerbaijan have discussed ways of developing economic cooperation and enhancing joint investments. Mohamed Helal Al-Muhairi, director-general of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) and Dashgin Shikarov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the UAE, met and discussed further cooperation between companies and institutions operating in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Azerbaijan, a Wam news agency report said. Al-Muhairi reflected on the strong and deep economic and trade cooperation relations between Azerbaijan and the UAE in general and Abu Dhabi in particular, which he said can be bolstered further through the introduction of Abu Dhabi businessmen and investors to investment opportunities available in Azerbaijan, especially in areas that the emirate is focusing on in its economic vision such as industry, tourism, health services and education. He also referred to the role of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in providing business services and receiving foreign delegations. For his part, Shikarov called on companies, businessmen and investors in the UAE to invest in his country, especially in the tourism, infrastructure and transportation sectors, pointing out that a trade delegation from Azerbaijan plans to visit the Abu Dhabi Chamber this December. MiFID II Data Needs To Be Reviewed After Brexit Robert Ophele, chairman of Autorite des Marches Financiers, the French regulator, said the thresholds in MiFID II need to be reviewed after the UK leaves the European Union. Ophele spoke at the second annual AFME Legal and Compliance conference in London today. MiFID II regulations went live in the European Union at the start of this year and introduced new transparency and trade reporting requirements across asset classes. Data is at the core of MiFID II implementation but the quality and consistency leaves much to desired, Ophele added. The data needs to be complete and accurate. The European Securities and Markets Authority uses the MiFID II data to determine, for example, which stocks will be suspended from trading under the double volume caps or which bonds are deemed to be liquid, and so have added transparency requirements. However Ophele noted that after the UK leaves the European Union in March next year, these thresholds may need to be changed. For example, 500 million transaction reports are exchanged monthly between national regulators but 72% of these are sent by the UK to other EU members, which will cease after Brexit. In addition, will the double volume caps still be relevant as most dark trading takes place in the UK, he said. One of the aims of MiFID II was to shift volumes from over-the-counter to lit markets by introducing double volume caps on trading in dark pools. However, the AMF has noted that the market share of overall lit markets has remained almost unchanged at 46% since the regulations went live. There has been an increasing sophistication in the use of waivers by venues, added Ophele. MiFID II should not prevent innovation but at the same time innovation should not used purely be used to get around the rules. Large blocks, above a specified size, have a waiver from the double volume caps and volumes of electronic blocks on EU venues have been setting records. The AMF questioned the development of large-in-scale trading and periodic auctions in a report this year and said some participants are waiting to aggregate enough small orders to maintain their ability to trade on dark platforms once the waiver size is reached. The French regulator warned: This behaviour of postponing the execution of a client order in order to reach a LIS size that bypasses the double volume cap could directly harm the execution quality of client orders and violate the best execution obligation. Ophele also question whether the third party equivalence regime will still work after Brexit. He expects a multilateral memorandum of understanding to be agreed between the UK Financial Conduct Authority and the remaining EU 27 member states regarding mutual access to each others markets. Ophele continued that European regulators were also waiting for the announced white paper from J. Christopher Giancarlo, chairman of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission, on cross-border swaps regulation. The CFTC white paper will be a game-changer,Ophele added. Giancarlo said in a statement: I have long said that I hold reservations about the CFTCs current approach to applying its swaps rules to cross-border activities. He continued that one of the adverse consequences of the CFTCs cross-border approach is that it does not make sufficient provision for non-US regulators who have adopted comparable G20 swaps reforms. The white paper recommends improvements including expanding the CFTCs exemptive authority for non-US clearing houses that are subject to comparable regulation in their home country and do not pose substantial risk to the US financial system. They could then provide clearing services to US customers indirectly through non-US clearing members that are not registered with the CFTC. For more information on related topics, visit the following channels: When armed men swept into her village in North-West Cameroon, mother-of-four Loveline only had time to gather up her children and run. I could not take any clothes. There was shooting they killed my uncle and shot my cousin, says the 39-year-old. As she fled into the bush, gunmen shot dead her husband. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the armed men douse their house in petrol and set it alight. In another village, Myriam, 22, looked on as gun toting men stormed into her community and opened fire. You could see the bullets passing in front of you, says Myriam, who escaped into the bush with her family. Returning to the house to try and retrieve their belongings, they were met with gunfire. You could see the bullets passing in front of you." Staying in the bush with the kids is not easy, Myriam says. There are mosquitos, there is hunger. Loveline and Myriam are among some 26,000 civilians who have fled the southwest and northwest regions of Cameroon and sought safety in Nigerias south-eastern Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Benue and Taraba states. Women and children account for four-fifths of the population. Anglophone residents of the countrys restive provinces have long had greivances against the largely Francophone central government. They say the countrys French-dominated legal and educational systems have left them on the margins. This crisis erupted last year after protests turned violent, with some calling for secession. So far this year, some 400 civilians have been killed in escalating attacks between separatatist groups and government forces, according to rights groups. Myriam (left) travels to Adagom refugee settlement in Nigeria's Cross River State. UNHCR/Chiara Cavalcanti Loveline is relieved to reach Adagom settlement after fleeing Cameroon last year. UNHCR/Chiara Cavalcanti Cameroonian refugees fleeing violence arrive at Adagom settlement in Ogoja. UNHCR/Roqan Ojomo Women and children account for four-fifths of the 26,000 displaced Cameroonians. UNHCR/Roqan Ojomo In March, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, warned that the plight of the refugees in Nigeria was becoming increasingly desperate. While the government has given land for refugee settlements, it is now fully occupied and more will be developed. At the same time, the provision of shelter, food, water and sanitation by UNHCR and its partners has been constrained by severe underfunding. The government recently provided us with other settlements but we need more resources in order to establish the settlements and receive further refugees, says the head of UNHCRs field office in Ikom, Mohammad Rafiq Nasry. As the response struggles, many refugees have found support within host communities. The inhabitants of small border villages share what they have with them food, a room to sleep or work in the cocoa plantations. Some received a piece of land to cultivate. However, solidarity alone is not enough for people who have lost everything to re-start their lives. "I would like to receive support to start a business to allow my children to go to school. To make a better living, I will have to move, says refugee Elias Enu, a nurse turned farmer, who struggles to feed his family of 10. Meanwhile Myriam and Loveline, who reached Nigeria empty-handed and scared after weeks in the bush, were initially given a place to stay by a local resident in Ajassor, along with their children and relatives. Together, they took turns to work and care for the children, shared food and patiently endured sleepless nights due to a lack of space. Then, last month, the women boarded a bus to reach the Adagom refugee settlement in Nigerias Cross River State. They could barely hide their excitement, laughing and smiling. I want my children to go to school, said Loveline, from the front seat. I would like to receive support to start a business to allow my children to go to school. Myriam, too, is looking forward to a happier future. Although one day she hopes to return home to Cameroon, she knows she is stronger with Loveline by her side. I am happy to be here. That is why when we were told to relocated we did not hesitate to pack. Because we know the burden we have been carrying. It will be lighter here. Their hopes for a stable future depend in large measure on funding. To help, you can donate here. Maha: Marathwada registers 34 fresh COVID-19 cases, 2 deaths 16 Nov 2021 | 8:17 AM Aurangabad, Nov 16 (UNI) The Marathwada region of Maharashtra recorded 34 fresh COVID-19 cases and 2 deaths are reported due to the virus during the past 24 hours, health authorities informed on Tuesday. see more.. 12 police constables dismissed from their service 16 Nov 2021 | 2:09 AM New Delhi, Nov 16 (UNI) After a departmental inquiry, twelve constables of Delhi Police have been dismissed from their service as they had submitted fake driving license and documents during the recruitment, officials said on Monday. see more.. Fire at Samsung service centre in Mumbai 16 Nov 2021 | 1:15 AM Mumbai, Nov 15 (UNI) A fire broke at the Samsung service centre located at Kanjurmarg area of city subarb on Monday night. see more.. Prohibition and excise department seizes Goa made foreign liquors, Tavera car total valued Rs 8 39 lakh 16 Nov 2021 | 12:48 AM Kolhapur, Nov 15 (UNI) Prohibition and excise department (PED) officials today seized Goa made foreign liquors along with Tavera car, total valued Rs 8.39 lakh at Kabnur in Hatkanangale tehsil of this district ton Monday. see more.. Cabinet approves MoU b/w India & Finland on env cooperation New Delhi, Oct 10 (UNI) The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved Memorandum of Cooperation between India and Finland on Environmental Cooperation, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said. Briefing mediapersons about the decisions of the Cabinet, Mr Prasad said the Memorandum of Cooperation will enable establishment and promotion of closer and long-term cooperation between the two countries in the field of environment protection and management of natural resources on the basis of equity, reciprocity and mutual benefits, taking into account the applicable laws and legal provisions in each country. The Memorandum of Cooperation is expected to bring in the latest technologies and best practices suited for bringing about better environment protection, better conservation, and better management of climate change and wildlife protection/conservation. Jalandhar, Oct 10 (UNI) The Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir police busted a big terror conspiracy designed by the Pakistan-based terror outfits, to put the state of Punjab into the terror fire. Police nabbed three Kashmiri youths, students of CT Institute at Shahpur Campus, early on Wednesday morning. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar told mediapersons here that the students arrested belong to the terror module of Kashmiri terror outfit, Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH). The students were nabbed from the hostel of CT Institute of Engineering Management and Technology, located in Shahpur on the outskirts of the city, Mr Bhullar said. The joint team, which conducted a raid at the hostel, also recovered two weapons, including an Assault Rifle, as well as explosives from the hostel room of B Tech (Civil) Student of second semester, Zahid Gulzar, resident of Rajpora, PS Awantipora, Srinagar (J&K). Zahid was detained along with Mohd. Idriss Shah alias Nadeem resident of Pulwama J&K, and Yusuf Rafiq Bhatt, resident of Noorpura, Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the arrests followed the development and corroboration of various leads and inputs about the presence and activities of certain militant organizations and individuals operating in J&K and Punjab. A case (FIR no. 166 dated 10.10.18, u/s 121, 121-A, 120-B IPC and 25/54/59 Arms Act, 3/4/5 Explosive Act, 10/13/17/18/ 18-B/20/38/39/40 Unlawful Prevention Act) has been registered in PS Sadar Jalandhar in this regard. Further investigations are in progress and the Punjab Police is working closely with J&K Police to unravel the entire conspiracy and network built by these outfits/individuals in Punjab and J&K, said Bhullar. He said that the busting of the terror module belonging to Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind and the recovery of sophisticated weapons is indicative of efforts by Pakistans ISI to expand the arc of militancy on Indias western border. Gazi Ahmad Malik, resident of Shopian, J&K, was recently picked-up by the Punjab Police from Banur in Patiala district, where he was studying in Aryans Group Polytechnic College. It was learnt that Gazi was closely related to Adil Bashir Sheikh, a J&K Police SPO, who had fled with seven Rifles from the residence of PDP MLA house in Srinagar and was suspected to have joined Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, a militant group. He was later handed over to the J&K Police for further investigations. UNI XC RJ 2054/2140 Helsinki, Oct 11 (UNI) US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin may meet again in Helsinki in early 2019, reported Helsingin Sanomat, a Finnish leading newspaper. The venue for the meeting would be a summit over arctic issues, as Finland is currently the chair of the Arctic Council, and Trumps participation would likely be decided after U.S. mid-term elections on November 6. Organizers are already looking at dates for the summit, with one option being the Valentines Day week in February. The two presidents met in Helsinki back in July and the summit was followed by adverse reactions in the United States over Trumps cordial public tone with the Kremlin leader. UNI XC KAZ 0847 Trump asks Abe to grant casino license to American company Washington, Oct 11 (UNI) US President Donald Trump has asked Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to strongly consider granting an American company a license to build a casino in Japan. According to Japan Today, that American company is run by one of Trumps top donors-Sheldon Adelson. Trump had raised Adelson's casino bid with his company-Las Vegas Sands in a meeting with Abe in February 2017 at the president's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, said ProPublica, citing two people briefed on the meeting. Trump, Putin meet likely to happen next year in Finland Helsinki, Oct 11 (UNI) US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin may meet again in Helsinki in early 2019, reported Helsingin Sanomat, a Finnish leading newspaper. The venue for the meeting would be a summit over arctic issues, as Finland is currently the chair of the Arctic Council, and Trumps participation would likely be decided after U.S. mid-term elections on November 6. Organizers are already looking at dates for the summit, with one option being the Valentines Day week in February. UTSA researcher studies political incivility on social media and in news media. (Oct. 11, 2018) From Twitter to daily interactions on the street, the constant impoliteness in todays politics is under examination in UTSA Department of Political Science and Geography. In his recent article, Rousing the Partisan Combatant: Elite Incivility, Anger, and Anti-Deliberative Attitudes published in Political Psychology, Bryan Gervais explores the connection between the lack of civility among political leaders and partisanship. In the study, Gervais looks at whether incivility provokes anger, rather than enthusiasm and anxiety, and whether the reactions induced by incivility yields changes in attitudes. Individuals who feel anger towards the other side are likely to quarrel with and attack members of the out-group, said Gervais. Anger can decrease open-mindedness and increase a heavy reliance on partisan cues and biased information processing in support of your pre-existing views. Gervais conducted two online experiments that involve the manipulation of incivility in messages of political and media professionals from press releases and tweets. There is good reason to expect individuals to feel anger rather than anxiety or enthusiasm when their partisan in-group is the target of incivility, said Gervais. The results provide insight into the dynamics of discourse in the digital age, when polarization is the norm and professionals commonly use uncivil rhetoric. In the first experiment--which was embedded in the 2012 Cooperative Congressional Election Study (CCES)--subjects were randomly assigned to read one of four short, fake paragraphs that were said to be actual statements made by party leaders. The paragraphs addressed the national debt and what the other side needs to do to help debt reduction negotiations move forward. Out of the four paragraphs, two were negative but civil (one by a Republican leader and one by a Democratic leader) and two were uncivil, negative statements (again, one by a Republican and one by a Democrat). Based on their partisanship and the paragraph they were assigned to read, subjects fell into one of four conditions: pro-attitudinal (P-A) civility, counter-attitudinal (C-A) civility, pro-attitudinal (P-A) incivility, and counter-attitudinal (C-A) incivility. After reading the paragraph, respondents were asked how angry the debate over the national debt made them feel. The second experiment drew from a national sample of more than 800 people fielded by a professional survey firm in March 2015. Subjects were presented with a trending tweet they may have missed that appeared to be issued by the Twitter account of a well-known media source. Participants were randomly assigned to one of five groups: a control group, a conservative slant group, a liberal slant group, an uncivil conservative group, and an uncivil liberal group. In each group, subjects viewed a tweet describing a transportation plan under consideration. Those in the control group saw a tweet from the CNN Breaking News handle, intended to be neutral in terms of the source and the content and not tied to a specific party or ideology. Meanwhile, participants in the conservative slant and liberal slant groups saw similar messages, but with the addition of partisan bias and questions raised about the policys effectiveness. The conservative slant message appears to come from the official Twitter handle of Bill OReilly, who, at the time of the experiment, hosted a show on Fox News, and the liberal slant message appears to come from the official Twitter handle of Chris Matthews, host of MSNBCs Hardball with Chris Matthews. The only difference between the conservative and liberal versions is the party referenced in the tweet, with OReilly focusing on the Democratic plan and Matthews on the Republican plan. Those in the conservative and liberal uncivil groups were also exposed to partisan messages from the Twitter handles of OReilly and Matthews, but with the inclusion of uncivil elements. For example, to make slanted tweets uncivil, negative adjectives (dangerous and radical), and hyperbole (imposed and even the experts are scared) were included. The word alert was placed in the message with multiple exclamation points, and words strategically presented in all caps were included in the tweets. Gervais said both studies provide evidence that counter-attitudinal incivility (publicly communicating a belief which runs counter to a belief that the individual holds) induces anger and the second experiment makes it clear that counter-attitudinal incivility does not increase feelings of anxiety or enthusiasm. These feelings of anger, in turn, led subjects to express more partisan attitudes in responses to open-ended questions. That is, we are more combative and tribalistic when our partisan in-group is targeted by incivility. In addition to this research, Gervais has been working with Walter Wilson, associate professor of political science at UTSA, to examine the representation of Latinos in congressional Twitter feeds. Wilson and Gervais found that Latino representatives were far more likely than their colleagues to reach out to Latinos in Spanish or by referencing Latino-oriented hashtags. As the coordinator of the UTSA Digital Politics Studio, Gervais works with undergraduate and graduate students using machine-learning programs to code large data sets they collect while conducting research about social media and digital communications. Gervais has published articles about political communication and political psychology in top journals such as Political Communication, PS: Political Science & Politics, Politics, Groups, and Identities, Social Science Quarterly, and more. He has taught in the UTSA Department of Political Science and Geography since 2013. UTSA is ranked among the nations top five young universities, according to Times Higher Education. SECRETARY POMPEO: Tom, thank you for the kind introduction. Catherine, its great to see you. Catherine Herridge is my favorite reporter, but you should know thats a low bar. (Laughter.) I MS HERRIDGE: You were my favorite congressman. (Laughter.) SECRETARY POMPEO: I (laughter). Fair enough. (Applause.) Catherine is not only a very talented reporter but an incredibly capable woman, and she and her husband are good friends of Susan and mine. So thank you, thank you for being part of this event tonight. Tom, those were very kind remarks. Jefferson and Madison, Pompeo it doesnt quite roll off the tongue. (Laughter.) But one can always live in hope. I was also reminded when you said that Im the 70th Secretary of State, and reminded that theres only 45 presidents, so that means theres a lot more turnover in my job than in his, and so Im going to enjoy the moment. (Laughter.) Thank you to Dr. Makovsky for having me here tonight, and thank you, everyone at JINSA, for this award. I want to accept it on behalf of the entire diplomatic corps, the entire United States State Department. And Ill also accept it as a challenge to keep my foot on the gas at the Department of State. (Applause.) I see a lot of friends here tonight, and I know you all have had a long day, but it is worth recounting what weve done in this administration over the first now coming on 20 months. Let me start with just a basic fact: In the entire Middle East, there is only one consistently pro-American, free-enterprise, democratic nation; its the people of the State of Israel. And this administration understands that deeply. (Applause.) For the previous eight years, we had an administration that showed more respect to the leaders of Iran than to the people of Israel. President Obama thought he thought if he made dangerous concessions, removed economic sanctions, and flew a plane full of cash to Tehran, he could somehow hug Irans leaders into behaving well and rejoining the community of nations. But those leaders arent from a Disney movie. Theyre real. Theyre not tragically misunderstood. They are murderers and funders of terrorism who lead chants today, still of Death to America. Their goals include profiting off the misery of their own people and wiping Israel off the face of the Earth. By and large, I think the American people understand the threat that Iran poses. Its why they opposed the deal that the previous administration made by a margin of two to one, and its why they sent to our country a very different kind of president in 2016. Today, after just under two years, theres a long list. Tom talked about some of them. But its worthy of just grinding through real fast because the magnitude of the change is extraordinary. Tom mentioned the move of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and recognized Jerusalem as Israels capital. Common sense, I think. He pulled out of the JCPOA and imposed some of the harshest sanctions in history on the regime in Iran to change its behavior, and more are to follow. He supported the commitment of the largest-ever security support of $3.8 billion annually. And he took a stand against anti-Semitism on the world stage by withdrawing from the U.N. Human Rights Council. We have also exposed Hamas for what it really is, and we are making a truly historic push for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The bottom line? I think I actually had the privilege to speak with Prime Minister Netanyahu today on a couple of issues of the moment, and we were talking about things a little more broadly, and it reminds me that the bottom line is that the U.S.-Israel relationship is stronger today than it has been ever. And thats good. (Applause.) And thats good for its good for both countries. And I want to talk for just a minute, and then Im going to take a few questions. I want to talk about the challenges that Iran is presenting to Israel, to America, and, indeed, to the world. Iran has seen this instability in Syria as a golden opportunity to tip the scales. Its goals have included expanding the reach of its Revolutionary Guard, gaining an entrenched position near the Golan Heights, and, ultimately, establishing a second front from which proxies like Hizballah can terrorize the Israeli people. Today the Syrian conflict is reaching a new juncture. Assad has tightened his grip thanks to Russia, Iran, and other regional actors. ISIS, though not completely snuffed out, has been beaten into a shadow of its former self. And these changing circumstances have required the reassessment of Americas mission in Syria. Defeating ISIS, which was once our primary focus, continues to be a top priority, but it will now be joined by two other mutually reinforcing objectives. These include a peaceful and political resolution to the Syrian conflict and the removal of all Iranian and Iranian-backed forces from Syria. (Applause.) Under President Trumps leadership, the Department of State has been now engaged in a months-long diplomatic process aimed at making headway on each of these three strategic objectives. Last month at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, I expressed our full support for U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254, which sets a political process for ending this conflict in Syria. And were urging every nation to support it. At the UN we were also encouraged to find increasing international consensus that Iran and its proxies must not be allowed to maintain a foothold in Syria. The onus for expelling Iran from the country falls on the Syrian Government, which bears responsibility for its presence there. Weve been clear: if Syria doesnt ensure the total withdrawal of Iranian-backed troops, it will not seek not receive one single dollar from the United States for reconstruction. Our efforts at the U.N. were just a small public window into our efforts. Ive named a team. Spearheading our effort is Special Representative Jim Jeffrey. Many of you would know him. Nobody understands the web of regional interests and the political complexities better than he does. His resume includes ambassadorships in Albania, in Turkey, and Iraq, among much other parts of his storied career in diplomacy. Meanwhile, to coordinate our efforts on Iran, Ive asked Brian Hook to lead our Iran Action Group. We are leading a historic international campaign to apply diplomatic and economic pressure against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Our goal is simple, is to cut off the revenues the regime uses to spread terror and chaos, to fund its nuclear programs, and line its own pockets with money that should be given to the Iranian people. The State Departments diplomacy itself is just one part of our interagency effort all across this administration. Underlying this approach is President Trumps unwavering belief that Israel like all nations has the right to defend its own sovereignty. (Applause.) That means well continue to stand up for its right to target Iranian-backed militias within Syria for as long as that threat remains. Now, I want to leave plenty of time for discussion, so let me close with just one last thought. Israel is everything we want the entire Middle East to look like going forward. It is democratic and prosperous. It desires peace. And it is a home to a free press and a thriving free market economy. Compare that to Iran, whose corrupt leaders assault the human rights of their own people, finance terrorism, and undermine U.S. interests in every corner of the Middle East. Rarely in world affairs is the contrast between two sides so stark. Under President Trumps leadership, the United States is standing where it should firmly be: on the side of Israel. (Applause.) I want to close by again thanking you all for being here. To get an award that was named after Scoop Jackson is truly meaningful to me, as an amateur historian, and I think important for the Department of State to recognize the good work that it is doing. I will have the opportunity tomorrow to share this with each and every one of the folks who works for me. Thank you all so very much. I look forward to a few questions. (Applause.) DR MAKOVSKY: All right. I want to thank you very everybody hear me all right? Okay. I want to thank you very much again, Secretary Pompeo. And as we said earlier this evening, the efforts of yourself, the President, and the rest of the administration has certainly made America stronger, and made Israel stronger, and we just really we all applaud it and commend it. So thank you very much. I want to just thank you again. (Applause.) SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you. Thank you all. DR MAKOVSKY: I want to ask the first question about Iran. You mentioned you the administration, to their credit, is youre imposing the toughest sanctions, re-imposing the sanctions, but imposing them in a very tough way, commendably. Let me ask you that at JINSA, we propose a range of ways of broadening the policy or a range of other policies. I just wanted to raise it with you, and I wanted to get your thoughts about that or other policies that you might be thinking about in ways that pressure the Iranians. For instance, interdicting arms shipments from Iran to Syria and Yemen, whether the United States could be more active in that. Giving Israel more tools given that Israel is on the front lines, giving Israel more tools to confront the Iranians, and in a likely future war, such as by frontloading the 10-year MOU which just kicked in on defense aid. Supporting Syrian Kurdish either strong autonomy or independence and offering to protect them. Theyre our allies with ISIS, and also but to do that also is a way to prevent the Iranian-backed Assad regime from reclaiming control over the whole thing. And lastly, I would say pursuing a policy of to use an old 1950s term of rollback of the Iranians. And I these are some ideas that, among others, that weve raised at JINSA, and I was curious if youve considered some of these or others. Wed love to hear other ways that the State Department and the administration might be considering of pressuring the Iranians. SECRETARY POMPEO: So the sanctions get a lot of the headlines. The policy that President Trump has put in place is much broader than that. I cant go into all the details on each of those. We dont have time for all of that. But theres a lot of work being done on interdiction. You dont see it all, its not very noisy; I did some of it in my former job. Its a full range of things to do the simple task of convincing the Iranian leaders to behave like a normal nation. I listed 12 things that the Iranians have to do for us to get back in a relationship with them, and when you read through them theyre nothing more than what we ask Belgium to do, right? Like stop launching rockets into major international airports, for starters. Its really it seemed daunting, but at the end of the day, just be it. Just be a normal country. But its not just sanctions. So five capitals, right? Beirut, Damascus, Sanaa, Tehran itself, and Baghdad. Those are the pressure points. Thats the dream of the Islamic Republic for hegemony and we are pushing back in each of those capitals, in each of those places, with every tool available to the United States Government to achieve that goal: to get the Iranian regime to behave like a normal nation. DR MAKOVSKY: Okay. You want to address those others or Ill just move on to the next question? SECRETARY POMPEO: Ill come back to them. DR MAKOVSKY: Yeah, okay, sure. The other suggestion was it was about how ways we can help Israel further and also what our policy is about the Syrian Kurds who have been our allies with the against ISIS and so on. SECRETARY POMPEO: So look, weve worked closely with the Syrian Kurds now for my entire time in service in this administration. They have been great partners. We are now driving to make sure that they have a seat at the table. The political process that I referred, the hardest part, the reason it hasnt made progress is because weve demanded that every element in Syria gets an opportunity to be part of that future government, and in the absence of that and in the absence of their representation, we wont participate in what will be a big check that someones going to have to write to fix the situation in Syria, and the Syrian Kurds will surely be part of that. DR MAKOVSKY: And how would you define the administrations overall objective? I used the term rollback which doesnt containment was maybe the policy perhaps perhaps at times of the previous administration, but how would you define, if you had to think of a couple words to define the objectives we have towards Iran? SECRETARY POMPEO: Yeah. I mean, I dont know how else to say it. We wont be settled until we have solved each of the files adequately, right? A permanent solution to ensure that Iran never has the capacity to have a nuclear weapon for all time, in any form. (Applause.) And second second to push back against this terror regime which is not only taking place in Iraq and in Syria and in Lebanon, but in European capitals, around the world. Its remarkable and we I hope we can get more support from our European partners of this effort. Im convinced that we will over time. And then, finally, Ill put the other bucket, the broader set of Iranian malign activity theres much of it and thats the mission statement. I dont know how to put it into three or four words, but its to take each of those three spaces and ensure that Iran ceases its current activity which is so fundamentally detrimental to the world and, frankly, very detrimental to Irans own people. DR MAKOVSKY: Okay. I want to ask you about Turkey. Not really, unless you want to raise it, about whats been in the news in the last few days with the Saudi consulate there. I actually want to ask you a different question about Turkey. There are two things. One is: Would a sale of our F-35s to Turkey proceed if Turkey takes delivery of Russian S of S-400s? That was the first one. SECRETARY POMPEO: So I cant answer that question. I dont want to get out in front of the President on this. But there are a whole series of actions that were asking Turkey to do. They are a NATO partner. We need them to participate in the enforcement of the norms that NATO has put forward with its mission statement, and weve asked Turkey to do that in every dimension. And were very were disappointed in their behavior to date, but were hopeful that over time, theyll begin to do things that make more sense not only for the Middle East, but for the world. They have the capacity for good. Its a big country that sits at the fulcrum between the Middle East and Europe, and we are applying every element of our diplomatic capacity to convince Turkey that being part of the West is the future for the Turkish people. DR MAKOVSKY: The President has made, correctly, a big issue out of the fact of the American pastor Andrew Brunson being imprisoned for two years on patently false charges. His next court hearing is in two days. SECRETARY POMPEO: In about 30 hours, yes. DR MAKOVSKY: Yeah, is on his next court hearing is on in two days on October 12th. How would his release affect, do you think, overall U.S.-Turkey relations? SECRETARY POMPEO: Its an important step, but make no mistake about it, they shouldnt have held him for all of this time. But look, its a good thing, its the right thing for them to do, its the humanitarian thing for Turkey to do, and Im very hopeful that before too long, Pastor Brunson will he and his wife will be able to return to the United States. President Trump has had a focus on it, the administrations had a focus on it, and were very hopeful that well see a good outcome before too long. DR MAKOVSKY: Thank you. My last question is about the Palestinian Authority. Now, as Senator Cotton mentioned also about the Taylor Force Act and this is something that JINSA and our fellow, Sander Gerber in particular, particularly championed and focused on. However, since the passage of Taylor Force earlier this year, the Palestinian Authority has not really altered its policies or laws in paying terrorists and families. And I had a what do you think this says about the Palestinian Authority? Do you consider it an entity that sponsors terror, for instance? What does it say about the prospects for peace and just generally about the U.S. approach to the Palestinians? SECRETARY POMPEO: Well, I actually signed a memo today with respect to the Taylor Force Act denying $165 million that would have been appropriated to the Palestinian Authority. (Applause.) That number is a rough estimate of the amount of money that was paid out on for the various violations the Taylor Force Act was designed to enforce. But youre right, the behavior has not changed materially, and this administration has taken, much as it did with the embassy, has taken a historic approach. It has said to the Palestinians we very much want you to have a space, you need to govern, you need to decide you want peace as well. We said the same thing to the Palestinians both in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip. Weve not rolled out our plan for the Middle East peace process yet, but we will before too terribly long, and we are hopeful that there will be parties on all sides that are prepared to engage in a constructive conversation that will lead to that. We are very hopeful that one day the Palestinian people will have the same kinds of things, the same material, the same opportunities that the people of Israel have, right? A real economy, a real governance, all the things that we want for every citizen of the world. And whether its the Hamas leaders in the Gaza Strip or the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, weve not been able to make that happen yet. But this administration has taken a fundamentally different view of how it is we can ultimately achieve that end objective. DR MAKOVSKY: I just want to conclude. I know youve had a little busy travel schedule lately and I just want to thank you again and the whole administration for everything youve been doing, again, for U.S. national security and for the U.S.-Israel security relationship. We really appreciate it very much and thank you very much. SECRETARY POMPEO: Thank you very much, Mike. Thank you all. (Applause.) The GMWS Reacts to Announcement of New Child & Adolescent Psychology Service The Gibraltar Mental Welfare Society would like to thank all those who took the time out of their day to support the Silent Walk. The number of people who turned up, on just a few days notice, is an indication of the serious concerns in our community regarding mental health care. The Society hopes that this event marks the beginning of a radical change concerning this sphere of health and looks forward to a much improved service in the course of the next few years. "Evidently, the Society warmly welcomes Minister Costas announcement of the introduction of a dedicated Child and Adolescent Psychology Service to Gibraltar this coming January. The Society has been calling for improved mental health support for young people, for a long time now, and was not aware that this Government project was so far advanced. We look forward to the significant contribution that this crucial service will make to the well being of children and adolescents." "At the same time, it is important to reiterate that while this new service will offer young people specialist help in a wide range of areas, it will be equally important to have the general input and support of school counsellors to ensure that youngsters, with less acute needs, are also supported. The Society will continue to work towards these objectives in the sphere of young people and mental health." ERG & Unite in London Abortion Rights Call Representatives from the joint Unite and Equality Rights Group Pro-Choice Campaign have been at Westminster this week to bring attention to the Gibraltar Government Command Paper proposals on abortion. Moira Lombard and Felix Alvarez met with Unite legal and other officials to consult and ensure were all on the same page, and to coordinate" the statement says. "Separately, at a meeting held in the Parliament precincts, we were able to meet and discuss plans with MPs Diana Johnson and Stella Creasy, both of whom head the move to decriminalise abortion within the Commons. Diana Johnson is leading a Bill proposing decriminalisation of abortion in England and Wales, and has had strong parliamentary backing for proceeding. Additionally, Ms.Creasy is also a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the body which oversees the European Convention of Human Rights and its Court, and we aim to work with her on the broader European front through the Council of Europe." In a conference of Pro-Choice activists from across the UK, Alvarez and Lombard shared the official table of speakers to the event and were able to address participants and attendees on discussions regarding the ramifications of the current Command Paper here in Gibraltar. "We have now put in place coordination and networks to continue the Pro-Choice Campaign in full liaison with both Unite the Union at UK level, but also a wide number of organisations and activists across Britain", Alvarez and Lombard jointly stated. "We share the determination of others who support the Pro-Choice stand for women to be able to choose over their bodies," a spokesperson for the Campaign added, "and the Unite/ERG Pro-Choice Campaign will continue to work to bring the law up to date with the right of all women in Gibraltar (not just some) to decide how to deal with the most intimate of life decisions. In that, we are unwavering and solid. And those in power or seeking to occupy it now have the opportunity to do more than pay lip service to the many women who have clearly shown the way forward to respecting the rights of all women to decide for themselves." Left to right: Diana Johnson, Felix Alvarez, Moira Lombard, Stella Creasy Not the Spice Girls Photo: YouTube Remember when nostalgia was considered lame? Specifically, a little under 15 years ago, when Wichita Falls pop-punks Bowling for Soups cover of Baltimore kindred spirits SR-71s 1985 became a minor hit on the airwaves. (Interestingly, both bands dispute who came up with the idea to have Bowling for Soup cover the song an instance where remembering the past felled both outfits.) Both versions differ slightly in their references to their titular year swapping George Michael for Duran Duran, adding call-outs to snakeskin and The Osbournes but the narrative stays the same: A married-with-children woman named Debbie retreats to her supposed 80s glory days to escape the drudgery of her modern life. Her kids think shes uncool, shes on Prozac, and she has what both bands refer to disparagingly as an average life. Her escapism is cast as sad pathetic, even both by virtue of what she dreams of, and what shes yearning to run away from. For most of the 2010s, taking a stance against nostalgia has been as fashionable as, well, listening to Bowling for Soup or SR-71. Over the past several years specifically, looking backward to past eras and pop-cultural artifacts has infiltrated nearly every corner of mainstream popular culture from pure-and-uncut genre exercises like Stranger Things and Mandy to reboots of practically every ancient property imaginable, from Scream and Roseanne to Murphy Brown. Musicians have always borrowed from past eras and sounds, but the veil of nostalgia has rarely weighed heavier than in the 2010s; chillwave an electronics-heavy sub-genre of indie rock that zeroed in on hazy samples and flickering-VHS visuals was initially met with derision but has since proven the most prescient musical movement of the decade. Big-ticket rock bands ranging from Paramore to the 1975 have pleasurably pilfered the 80s clean, neon sounds with great success, rappers ranging from Joey Bada$$ to A$AP Rocky have gone back to the well of their genres past stylistic tics, and recent strains of indie rock have resurrected the mix of sincerity and sneer that embodied the genres 90s heyday. On their song Like Dylan in the Movies, Scottish indie-pop act Belle & Sebastian (whose name, ironically, was taken from a 1960s French cartoon) told us, dont look back; over two decades later, looking back is all we do. In 2018, even the world of pop a genre of music so thoroughly consumed with the idea of new that its financial stability and cultural relevance practically depend on it has trained its often-wayward gaze toward the past. The preoccupation hasnt so much borne fruit musically (when it comes to trends, very little has) as it has lyrically: over the past several months specifically, two pop artists have released singles named after years, their lyrics loaded with pop-cultural references and a sense of yearning for whats been left to memory. Whats more, both musical expressions of nostalgia come from across the pond: theres British pop upstart Anne-Maries 2002, which was something of a global hit earlier this year before seeing release in the U.S. in August, and futuristic pop genius Charli XCXs just-released Troye Sivan collab 1999. Despite sounding radically different from one another, both 2002 and 1999 share a few things in common: for one, their lyrical concerns are anchored by pop-culture references that amount to literal namechecks and not much more. Anne-Marie and Charli both explicitly reference Britney Spears Baby One More Time, a single from 1999 that also counts as one of a few anachronistic references on Anne-Maries end, including an allusion to Jay-Zs 2004 single 99 Problems. 2002 and 1999 also use nostalgic visual cues to sell their respective remember-when flights of fancy. The video for the former features dance routines lifted from Britneys aforementioned hit as well as NSYNCs Bye Bye Bye (from 2000 pick a year and stick to it, Anne-Marie!); the single art for 1999 features Charli and Troye decked out as Neo and Trinity from The Matrix, bullet-time not included, while the video visually calls out 1990s artifacts from Titanic to G-Shock watches and Surge soda. With a gargantuan list of songwriters ranging from Ed Sheeran, Benny Blanco, and Julia Michaels to Nelly, Max Martin, and Ice-T, 2002 leans especially hard on its references, with a quickly delivered chorus over an airy guitar-led structure that namechecks the aforementioned songs, along with Britneys Oops, I Did It Again! and Nellys Ride Wit Me as well as a flashy sample of Nate Doggs iconic Hold up hook from Dr. Dres The Next Episode. The message isnt especially deep otherwise memories of lost love and good times with friends, the notion that just one kiss can kick you back to the early aughts and in a somewhat sublimely ironic twist, the staid original sounds much better when given a bouncy trop-house spin on the remix from Irish DJ Jay Pryor. Its unsurprising that 2002 sounds better when cast as an EDM-adjacent banger; one of the few identifiable lyrical qualities of the marketing term-as-genre designator has always been connecting wistfulness for the past with a sense of impulsiveness toward the present, future be damned. The current era of Charlis music is typically all about the future, sonically and lyrically her deliriously glitchy Femmebot, from 2017s instant-classic Pop 2, casts artificial intelligence and sexual politics as both intertwined and diametrically opposite to each otherso a first listen of 1999 can be a little jarring, as she waxes about Drivin around/ Listenin to Shady over the type of springy electro motif she seemingly commissions in her sleep. But Charlis also established herself as one of pops most potent chroniclers of millennial ennui, and so theres something more complex than first kisses and dancing on car hoods being expressed on 1999. Never under pressure, oh/ Those days it was so much better, she intones robotically, after shouting out All That and CDs. Feelin cool in my youth, relaxin/ No money, no problems/ It was easy back then. Theres a deeper sense of yearning in those lines, something that scratches the surface beyond Lol Gushers. For most of millennials natural lives, the world has been increasingly and catastrophically fucked, and all signs point to the terror train were all currently riding not stopping any time soon. Can you blame Charli or anyone, really for wanting to essentially retreat to a carefree, almost womblike state? If you followed music online at the turn of this decade especially if you worked in music writing you likely witnessed the previously mentioned derision toward chillwave, which shared many of 1999s core ideals. Practitioners (and consumers) of the genre were criticized for a supposed ideological infantilism, chalking up chillwaves nostalgic impulses to stoned laziness. The decade progressed, things got increasingly more horrible, and suddenly everything 1999 included was practically chillwave. People young enough to know that voting for Brexit or Trump is a bad idea desperately need an escape from technologys stranglehold and the gross, despicable, and unavoidable public horrors of the daily news cycle. If the sort of nostalgia that Charli XCX and (less effectively) Anne-Marie are peddling isnt the best way to dissociate for a few minutes, then where are the better options? Billy McFarland. Photo: Mark Lennihan/AP/REX/Shutterstock A judge sentenced Fyre Festival founder Billy McFarland to six years in prison on Thursday, slamming him as a serial fraudster for orchestrating a $26 million scam. McFarland, 26, founded the disastrous music event, which rapper Ja Rule helped organize and promote. He later lured investors into a bogus ticket scam. The Manhattan U.S. Attorneys Office had pushed for up to 20 years in federal lockup. McFarlands lawyers had asked Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald for leniency because of untreated mental illness. His lawyers had also argued in sentencing papers that Billy has a good heart that has been led astray by poor judgment Buchwald didnt buy his mea culpa. Mr. McFarland is a fraudster and not merely a misguided youngster, she said, calling him a serial fraudster shortly thereafter. During the sentencing, McFarland gave a short statement inside the courtroom. My remorse over this has been crushing, he said, his drab khaki prison garb standing in stark contrast to his formerly flashy lifestyle. Fyre Festival had been touted as a luxury event, scheduled to run over two weekends in April and May of 2017 on the Bahamas island of Exuma. Admission cost ranged from $1,500 to a whopping $250,000. Top models such as Emily Ratajkowski, Kendall Jenner, and Bella Hadid were also paid to promote the event on social media. The gourmet meals, luxe accommodations, and high-profile acts McFarland had promised were nonexistent. Attendees said there werent even enough toilets, and that they were served inedible food. McFarland pleaded guilty in March to tricking investors who dumped money into his ill-fated fete. While my intention and effort was directed to organizing a legitimate festival, I grossly underestimated the resources that would be necessary to hold an event of this magnitude, McFarland told Buchwald at the time. In an attempt to raise what I thought were needed funds, I lied to investors about various aspects of Fyre Media and my personal finances. McFarland also admitted in July to running a ticket scam while he was out on bail and awaiting sentencing for the Fyre counts. Heidi Schreck. Photo: Ike Edeani for Vulture Oh, my God, says actor and playwright Heidi Schreck, stopping dead in her tracks one recent Thursday afternoon. Wed just reached the apex of the Brooklyn Bridge, and three men had materialized, their upper torsos draped with undulating snakes and their sights suddenly set on the open-faced woman with the slightly mussed hair. I love you, croons one. Touch my snake. Schreck smiles. Give him a hug, implores another. Schreck demurs. Im going to put my snake on you, says the third. Then, lest the innuendo be lost on us, he drops his voice an octave. Im going to put it around you. A looooooong snake. Okay, nice to see you! Schreck says cheerfully, dodging the reptiled men just in time to avoid contact. Some paces later, she slows. We were both so polite, she sighs. Did you notice that? Its something shes been noticing more and more since What the Constitution Means to Me, a show she wrote and stars in, opened at New York Theatre Workshop last month. The play itself starts off politely, with Schreck channeling her (very polite) 15-year-old self circa the days when she would compete for scholarships by giving prepared speeches about the Constitution (is it a crucible? A patchwork quilt?) to members of the local American Legion in her hometown of Wenatchee, Washington, wholesome enough to be the apple capital of the world. I was big into contests when I was a kid, Schreck shrugs. Always looking for money. In fact, Schreck was deft enough at charmingly pontificating on intricacies of the Constitution to rooms of old white men that she earned enough prize money to pay her way through college (state school, she quips in the show). This is the conceit that kicks off What the Constitution Means to Me, and it functions nicely, as Schreck realized it would sometime between teaching English in Siberia, working as a journalist in St. Petersburg, returning to grungy mid-90s Seattle to join a DIY experimental-theater group, and somehow spinning all that into winning two Obie Awards and writing for Nurse Jackie and Billions. But the conceit is only there as a framework, a nicety to be thrillingly exploded, as a grown-up Schreck finds she that cant possibly be reined in by the strictures of the competition, that the powerful stories of the women in her family a mail-order great-great-grandmother bought for $75, among them demand to insert themselves. These stories of women and their bodies and the way in which their bodies have been legislated about are the fabric of America, too. I was like, I cant actually talk about the due-process laws with the Ninth Amendment without talking about my own abortion, Schreck tells me now, as we make our way across the bridge and toward the theater. (I guess we have a therapy sessions worth of time, shed laughed when we met on the Brooklyn side.) This is how the law plays out in real life on real bodies, so I have to talk about it, and we dont talk about it enough. Instead, Schreck laments, women choose to be polite. Or, rather, we dont choose: That stance is chosen for us, embedded in us as fundamental to our conception of self, and as humanly flawed, as the Constitution is to the conception of America. Photo: Ike Edeani for Vulture Now that Im performing the show, I notice all the situations in which Im psychotically polite, and Im like, Wow that actually kind of filled me with rage, she says. That I felt like I should be nice to them. This rage, running like a river underneath the ebullient smile, as Schreck puts it, creates the tension that fuels the show and that makes it so relatable right now, as, in the face of so many events that call for fisticuffs, Democrats and women alike try to deal with our politeness problem. Then theres the gallows humor. Its really fucking funny, Schreck says as we pass a stall of street art featuring a painting of Trump wearing a Burger King hat. Abortion? Abuse? Funny, funny, funny! It has to be funny. People who endure these things all, I think, develop a pretty ferocious sense of humor. When Schreck first started performing snippets of her show nearly ten years ago at open mics, feeling out what it would be, Obama was president and, she says, There was a kind of personal urgency to the things I was trying to untangle. The first time she performed the play the whole way through, her emotions were so intense that she had to leave the stage. I did come back out, she assures me. Now that urgency is pervasive, filling the theater with manic energy, as it did last week, when she performed on the heels of the Kavanaugh hearings. People feel raw in the audience. I mean, the material hits a lot of people hard and so theres always a kind of emotional rawness in the audience, but this past week its felt like the entire audience is that way. It feels very jagged, a lot of crying, a lot of enthusiasm. I would say that both extremes of reactions are heightened. Theres also a lot of truth-telling. Two constitutional scholars were consultants on the play, and the theater brought in the head of the ACLU to analyze it. Schrecks interpretations passed muster, though that hasnt kept the mansplaining at bay: The audience can write out questions at the end to leave us, and several men have written long treatises about things I misunderstand about the Constitution. Which helps with the shucking of politeness, the nurturing of the rage. I kind of like it, she says, of letting the feeling creep more into the show, and into her life outside of it. I think Im going to keep doing it because it seems the feeling of this moment. It feels like a righteous rage. It feels like a powerful, healing kind of rage. Thats the kind I want to tap into. What else does she want? Okay, I have to admit to you that I did kind of want to touch a snake, Schreck says sheepishly before we part ways. I think we can agree that it was a complicated encounter. We cant reduce it. Issa Rae. Photo: Amanda Edwards/WireImage You can see her now in The Hate U Give, and Issa Rae will be continuing her work on the big screen in a new Paul Feig comedy. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Rae will star in the comedy American Princess, which will be directed by Stella Meghie and produced by the besuited one who most recently brought you A Simple Favor. In Princess, Rae will play a woman who moves to London, where shes drawn into a world of wealth and high society and falls in love in a very unexpected way. We love fish out of water romances set in the worlds most moneyed major cities, so add in Issa Rae and this already sounds like a winning formula. Is Henry Golding free? Paul Feig already has him on call and his accent (and his everything else) seem just right for this setting. Donald Trump and Kanye West. Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images Inching ever closer to a Cabinet position with each passing day, Kanye West now plans to attend the signing ceremony for the new Music Modernization Act while swinging by the White House Thursday, Billboard reports. The New York Times initially revealed the details of Wests visit, purportedly to discuss prison reform with Jared Kushner and Chicago job creation with President Trump. Now, hes cramming a bill becoming law into his already packed schedule. The Music Modernization Act will reportedly establish a blanket mechanical license and a centralized system to administer it, in addition to requiring digital and traditional radio to pay royalties on pre-1972 recordings. Passed on September 18, the bill now needs only Trumps signature to become law. Recording Academy president Neil Portnow and Recording Industry Association of America president Mitch Glazier, among other music industry figures, will also join Yeezy at the signing, scheduled for 11:45 a.m. ET. After a quick lunch, Trump and Kanye will probably sit down to hash out Wests 2024 campaign strategy, because thats where all this is really headed, isnt it? Related Flip open the last window on your Advent calendar! The extremely over-discussed Kameron-Stephanie-LeeAnne lunch is finally upon us. Kameron likens Stephanie to a sorority pledge; my beloved Stephanie instead sees herself as a female Christopher Columbus exploring uncharted territory in the land of pink and carny. Stephanie will undergo laser vaginal rejuvenation later in the episode, and yet this is without a doubt the greatest ordeal that shell face this week. To be fair, she seems like shes enjoying herself. For one thing, Kameron pronounces steak-frites as steak frittays, and for that I could kiss her on the face. LeeAnne likens her two Bizarro World, mirror-image friends what with their blonde locks, their sons named Cruz/Cruise, and even the coordinated pastel tops theyre wearing today to Barbie and Skipper, which, ouch for Stephanie, I guess. (Discussion question for the class: Where we would we find LeeAnne in the extended Barbie universe? I submit: Cutlery Funtime Midge With Things in Her Hands That Are, in Fact, Knives.) The implication underlying the meal well, I guess it stops being an implication once people just start saying it explicitly is that the nefarious forces of Brandi have kept them from connecting so far. The trio gets served three unsolicited tequila shots, which they sip demurely. Im in the right group! Finally! LeeAnne exclaims. Across town, a pair of tequila shots are being consumed much more enthusiastically. Brandi and DAndra are having a lunch of their own, thank you very much, at which LeeAnne is the sole topic of conversation. DAndra complains once again about how displeased she is with her best friend of ten years failing to confide in her about the wedding, as well as all the rumors shes heard about Richs unfaithfulness. In fact, DAndra says, shed be really surprised if a wedding actually happens. (Have you ever been invited to a wedding where you resisted pulling the trigger on your Bed Bath & Beyond registry checkout until, like, 11:30 a.m. that day, you know, just in case? Im not saying I have, but I have.) That night, DAndra makes a serious tactical error. Her boozy lunch with Brandi runs long, so she brings her along as her date to a charity event where LeeAnne will also be in attendance specifically so that the two of them might talk. Brandi, in vertical Wheres Waldo stripes, isnt stumbling, exactly, but shes obviously drunk: If youve ever been to physical therapy and used a wobble board, you know exactly what were looking at here. Its making me a little dizzy just to watch her. This heart-to-heart was ill-fated from the moment Brandi tottered out of the car. LeeAnne confronts Brandi about what Cary said: That Brandi said LeeAnne was poisoning Kameron against her. Like any human without an elaborate flowchart in front of them, Brandi finds this chain of accusations kind of difficult to follow, but nevertheless feels compelled to call bullshit, as do the editors of RHOD, who treat us to a montage of LeeAnne actively telling people not to be friends with Brandi. Kameron, who reminds us that she of course is too young to remember the 80s herself, is nevertheless the honorary co-chair of an 80s-promthemed fundraiser to benefit AIDS Services of Dallas. The women rise to the occasion in their San Junipero x Romy and Micheles High School Reunion finery. Stephanie has truly insane curls piled atop her head, Toddlers & Tiaras glam (applied postgo-go juice), and a lame dress in two shades of purple that can surely be seen from the International Space Station, but her crowning glory is a set of fake braces fashioned out of metal earring-backs. Brandi, in boy drag, picks her date up in a stretch limo. For a moment, I thought Brandi was supposed to be Little Richard, for some reason, and that we were headed for the Countess does Diana Ross all over again. But no, the jet-black curls cascading over her tux and haloed with a zebra-print headband and massive sunglasses are unsettling strictly for aesthetic reasons. Kameron channels Madonna in white lace, a pink tutu, and pearls on pearls on pearls; DAndra looks even more like Elvira than usual. (Please take this as the high compliment I mean it to be.) Its pretty great watching the women try to have serious, emotional conversations through, say, Carys perm and Brandis wispy mustache. If you had told me last season that Id feel this strongly on LeeAnnes side over Brandis in an argument, Id have assumed youd inhaled as much Aqua Net as is currently keeping LeeAnnes hair pouf ceiling-scrapingly high on her scalp. Brandi, bizarrely, sees fit to press her No. 1 frenemy on the status of her wedding. Thats one thing when DAndra tries it quite another when someone who doesnt even particularly like LeeAnne does the same. Its not your fucking business, LeeAnne replies, extremely correctly. Brandi deploys her favorite phrase to call bullshit and accuse LeeAnne of being jealous of DAndra. If LeeAnne is theoretically jealous of DAndra, does that also make her theoretically jealous of Dee via the transitive property? Now Im imagining LeeAnne and Dee fighting and Im riveted just at the thought; it would be like Mothra vs. Godzilla. Things go even worse between LeeAnne and DAndra, which is honestly kind of an achievement. LeeAnne invites her to come shopping for wedding dresses, to which DAndra responds by saying, Im concerned for you. (This was the original tagline of Say Yes to the Dress.) By this point, LeeAnne sure seems like shes heard more than her fair share of rumors about herself and Rich. If I hear one more time that we lead separate lives, I am going to go into a rage of fury that the fucking meditation bowl cannot get me out of, she growls. I call total bullshit on this, DAndra says, unconsciously cementing her new alliance with Brandi by weaponizing her trademark verbal tics against her own (former?) BFF. Ouch. Its not all bad. LeeAnne Locken may not have attended her prom, but shes crowned the queen of this one. [Its] like God saying, Im proud of you. LeeAnne, keep doing you, girl. Youre a good person, she explains in a confessional, choking up. At this moment in time, I think that tiara might be her closest friend. The 13th annual WCO PICARD Conference, which ran from 9 to 11 October 2018 in Malatya, Turkey, ended on a high note after three days of thought-provoking presentations by invited speakers, followed by dynamic discussions among the participants. These annual WCO research conferences have positively impacted the work of Customs since 2006, providing a platform for informed dialogue between Customs administrations, universities, research institutes and the private sector on topics relevant to Customs and international trade. Hosted by the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Turkey, the 2018 Conference kicked off with opening remarks by Mr. Jaeho Jung, the Korea Customs Services Director of Multilateral Cooperation and by Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, the WCO Secretary General, as well as by Mr. Bulent Tufenkci, Former Minister of Customs and Trade/current Member of Parliament, and Mr. Fatih Metin, Deputy Minister of Trade, Turkey. Mr. Ali Kaban, Governor of Malatyas Province, Mr. Haci Ugur Polat, Mayor of Metropolitan Malatya, and Mr. Selahattin Gurkan, Mayor of Battalgazi were also present at the opening ceremony. Secretary General Mikuriya held bilateral meetings with them as well as with Ms. Havva Eksilmez, Regional Director of Customs and Trade of Firat, the day before. The Conference was organized around more than 50 presentations by high-level speakers from academia, governmental and private entities, and think-tanks, which were selected from over 100 submissions following a Call for Papers, issued in February this year. This key WCO event welcomed more than 200 participants from around 65 countries, representing Customs administrations, the academic and research communities, international and regional organizations, and the private sector. In his welcoming remarks, the Former Minister of Customs and Trade Tufenkci underlined the importance of this WCO event for the Turkish government and Customs as a way to nurture new ideas that would support Customs in its efforts to adequately address current challenges at borders, in particular the threat posed by terrorism, illicit trade, and organized crime. In his address, Secretary General Mikuriya expressed his gratitude to Mr. Fatih Metin, the Deputy Minister of Trade and his team for hosting the PICARD Conference, extended a warm welcome to the participants, and thanked the Korea Customs Service for supporting the participation of some of the speakers. With this years Conference focusing on trade facilitation, cross-border e-commerce, connectivity at the borders, data analytics, security, and Customs and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Dr. Mikuriya noted that with research and discussions on these topics Customs will better understand the challenges they face, enabling them to chart a way forward with greater confidence. Furthermore, the WCO Secretary General stated that the annual WCO event fosters an interdisciplinary approach to research and policy analysis on Customs matters, international trade, and border management, nourishing discussions among the participants at the event itself, and impacting on decision making processes once back in their institutions. A keynote address entitled Under the Radar: Porous Borders, Grey Zones and Cross-Border Practices was delivered by Alena Ledeneva from the University College London, who talked about the Global Informality Project, an initiative that questions the links between corruption, poverty and development, identity, and morality, and highlighted the potential use of informal practices, while depicting their ambivalence and complexity in the workings of societies, by policy makers for global governance. In closing, participants joined the WCO in expressing their gratitude to Turkey Customs for its outstanding hospitality and efforts in making the 13th PICARD Conference a great success, while conveying their satisfaction with the Conferences outcomes, which provided ample food for thought and new networking opportunities. As part of its broader outreach strategy to bridge the divide between academia and Customs, the WCO streamed many of the Conferences sessions live via its YouTube channel, the videos of which are now available to the public, including all 182 Members of the WCO. Information on the next PICARD Conference will be made available in due course via the WCOs website (www.wcoomd.org). Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required. Your Full Name: (optional) Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Oct. 10, 2018 | PADUCAH By West Kentucky Star Staff Oct. 10, 2018 | 06:08 PM | PADUCAH Julie Tennyson, the opponent of Senator Danny Carroll in the District 2-State Senate race, has spoken out on the defacing of some of his campaign signs. Tennyson told West Kentucky Star that she does not approve of this, or any criminal activity. She said, "there are more productive things that someone can do to help me, put out a sign in your yard, knock doors and ask to put a sign in someone else's yard, knock doors and ask people to support me, make calls, or write notes." She explained that she believes in the golden rule, found in Luke 6:31, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Tennyson also said, while she cannot control the behavior of others, she would ask that they follow the golden rule. Vandalizing campaign signs in the Commonwealth of Kentucky is a criminal mischief misdemeanor, under KRS Chapter 512, and can be punishable by a fine of up to $500, and one year in jail. Depending on the value of the damaged items, the crime can actually be elevated to a felony, with much larger penalties. OP-ED: We're all building something Advertisement By The Associated Press Oct. 11, 2018 | OWENSBORO By The Associated Press Oct. 11, 2018 | 09:16 AM | OWENSBORO Kentucky State Police say a police officer was shot by a homeowner who may have mistaken the officer for a prowler. The Owensboro officer, 23-year-old Zachary Morris, was in good condition after surgery on Wednesday. Trooper Corey King with state police says the officer was going to the area on a report of a suspicious person in the alley. King says the bullet hit the edge of the officer's protective vest, and fragments struck his abdomen. It was still dark Wednesday morning when the officer arrived and pursued a suspect. King says the officer backtracked to see if the suspect was hiding and was near the homeowner's property when he was shot. The suspect fled the area. State police have questioned and released the homeowner. No charges have been filed. The finance minister merry-go-round We have a new Finance Minister. Again.Tito Mboweni takes over amidst a recession and with a tricky political tide ebbing and flowing precariously. Even before former Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene began his testimony to the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture last week, allegations were swirling around him. EFF leader Julius Malema, who has a distinct penchant for leaking inside ANC information, has for a while now sought to discredit Nene even or maybe especially as - allegations about alleged links to cigarette smugglers and allegations of tax evasion surround Malema personally. Nene has had a fraught political journey. As the new dawn arrived in February, so a bit of poetic justice came with it. Nene was restored to his position as Finance minister. The decent man was back, we all said, relieved. And so in the build-up to Nenes testimony, allegations that he had used his influence as chair of the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) to secure funds for his sons business sat uncomfortably. He had also previously told a news reporter that his interactions with the Guptas were casual. Yet as Nene gave evidence and described in detail how he was axed for trying to save us all from the disaster that was the nuclear deal, it also became clear that he had had more than a casual bumping into with the Guptas. In fact, he had met them at Saxonwold 6 times in total. Thats more than casual. Immediately afterwards Nene released a statement begging for our collective forgiveness and admitting to the folly of meeting the Guptas at their home. It was a sincere and heartfelt apology. He also pledged further assistance to the Zondo commission. What he neglected to deal with was the allegations regarding the PIC. The immediate question after last weeks big apology was what do we do with this? Has any South African politician ever given the grand mea culpa, after all? We wait for the apology from Jacob Zuma for taking our country down a rabbit-hole of near-ruin, for Nkandla and laughing at us all, or from Malusi Gigaba for being found to have lied under oath, and from Bathabile Dlamini whose misdeeds are legion. It has never happened. And so when a politician apologises in such a heartfelt way, it puts us firmly in the grey zone where there are no heroes or villians. We must applaud Nene for his courage in not signing off on the nuclear deal. For that we owe him a debt of gratitude. South Africa may have been able to forgive him for meeting with the Guptas even though we do not know why he met with them so many times. But, it was the uncomfortable allegation regarding the PIC that became more urgent. The Democratic Alliance has asked the hapless Public Protector to investigate the matter. Thus far she has not inspired confidence, yet the institution must be utilised and itself held to account. Perhaps the Zondo commission will get to the bottom of the allegations too? Malema seems to fly various kites yet has not offered this Nene information to the commission either. One wonders why he chooses to fight political battles in the media? Perhaps it is because he believes in the politics of populism and opportunism and because he is not an institutionalist despite pretending to be one? Nene asked to resign and President Ramaphosa acceded to that request, pained as he may have been by the decision. A compromised Finance Minister just cannot sell an economic stimulus plan or credibly talk about ethics or conflicts of interest in public finance when he himself may be compromised. Team Treasury needs to be united on all matters including ethical issues. That is its power. Its been another rough and tumble week in South African politics, but Mboweni is a sound choice. His first job is to bring about stability within the National Treasury and then to deal with the economy - no easy task. Judith February is a Visiting Fellow at the Wits School of Governance. This article was first published online on https://ewn.co.za/. What southern Africa needs to do to manage rising temperatures The climate situation is already worse in southern Africa than in most other regions, the region having crossed the 1.5C warming level some years ago. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has released a special report outlining what would need to be done to keep the world from warming up by more than 1.5C. That target level came from deliberations in 2010, with countries around the world setting 1.5 degrees as the preferred limit for warming. In 2015, the Paris Climate Accord settled on 2C, while leaving the door open that the goal might later be revised on the basis of new evidence. Countries predicted to be highly vulnerable to climate change, including low-lying island states and many African countries, called for the panels special report because they insisted that the options for reaching 1.5C be evaluated, along with the consequences of not doing so. The climate situation is already worse in southern Africa than in most other regions. While the global average air temperature has risen by nearly 1C since accurate weather records began a little over a century ago, in southern Africa temperatures have risen on average by twice this amount. This means that southern Africa crossed the 1.5C warming level some years ago. These trends dont bode well for the future. Based on what emissions countries have voluntarily agreed to cut under the Paris Accord, the world is heading for an increase of 3C by the latter half of the century, rather than a 2C target. For southern Africa this would translate to around 5-6C in the interior. Warming of that magnitude would make many aspects of peoples lives and countries economies untenable. Life-threatening heatwaves would become more frequent. The productivity of staple crops such as maize and wheat would be severely impaired. Water resources, already at their limit throughout southern Africa, would be dramatically reduced in both quality and quantity. Dairy and livestock farming would not be viable over much of the subcontinent. There is no sudden failure when the 1.5C limit is crossed. But the risks of a whole range of undesirable consequences become progressively greater the further we stray from the climate under which our complex, interdependent world developed. The problem is that we dont know exactly where the thresholds-of-no-return lie, and probably wont not know until it is too late to avoid crossing them. The sanest response is to stay as close to our comfort range as possible. Staying below 1.5C will require urgent, deep and radical changes in almost every aspect of our lives from what we eat, and how we travel to where we get our power from and how we build our houses. Specifically, the world would need to eat less meat, commute less and mostly using public transport, generate energy from renewable resources and build energy-efficient homes, offices and factories. There are also a few things that southern Africa can do to try and arrest the regions climate crisis. Focus areas Southern African nations must encourage the global community to radically reduce climate change to lower the risks to particularly vulnerable social and ecological systems. Coral reefs are one example. The panels report concludes that warming the world by 2C would lead to the loss of nearly all coral reefs from their current locations. Limiting the warming to 1.5C would save about 30% of coral reefs. Other examples are the melting of ice caps and the further drying of semi-arid lands. A shallow coral reef in Sodwana Bay, South Africa. PhotoSky/Shutterstock Renewable energy is another area that needs serious focus. For its part, South Africa needs to take urgent action to reduce its dependency on coal. The country has pursued an aggressive renewable energy drive. But, at the same time, it has built two large, long-lived coal-fired power stations, and is contemplating building more. This is not consistent with the goal of urgent and deep emission reductions. It seems inevitable that the planet will overshoot the 1.5C global mark, and probably also the 2C mark. Cooling the atmosphere later in century would require the removal of up to a trillion tonnes of carbon dioxide. The world doesnt yet have affordable, proven technology to do this at the required scale. The approach that is most commonly punted mass tree-planting is a non-starter in most of southern Africa, where the arable land and water resources are needed for food production, and the marginal land is too dry to grow forests. The challenge The challenge for the world is that the effort and money required to keep the rise in temperature below 1.5C is exponentially larger than what would be needed to keep it below 2C. The IPCC Special Report estimates the marginal cost of climate abatement that is how much less climate change you get per unit of money you spend at three to four times higher to stay below 1.5C globally than it is to stay below 2C. Meeting the more stringent target would require spending an unprecedented amount of global financial resources on new energy, transport and urban systems over the next decade. The investment needed to stay within the 2 C limit is less because it can take greater advantage of the falling price of renewable energy, without retiring existing technologies before they have reached their pay-back date. Robert Scholes, Professor Bob Scholes is a Systems Ecologist at the Global Change Institute (GCI), University of the Witwatersrand. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. LBION, Ind. (AP) Northeastern Indiana police have apprehended a man who was mistakenly released from a county jail earlier this week. Thirty-five-year-old Charles Lee Wiedman was taken into custody Thursday morning at a home in Kendallville and returned to the Noble County Jail in Albion, about 25 miles northwest of Fort Wayne. WANE-TV reports that Wiedman was jailed on an auto theft charge when a court approved his early release from jail. But sheriff's officials say he was "incorrectly" released from jail on Tuesday, two weeks earlier than the court's order. Wiedman won't face any additional charges. He's scheduled to be released from jail on Oct. 23. 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 Local AM says Wrexhams Welsh Government settlement not ideal blames Conservative failed austerity agenda This article is old - Published: Thursday, Oct 11th, 2018 Provisional funding settlements for every local authority in Wales were announced this week, with Wrexham Councils budget set to reduce by 0.6%. Wrexhams Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths said: For nine long years, the Tory Party in Westminster has pursued its failed austerity agenda which has undoubtedly created substantial challenges for the Welsh Government and for local authorities. Continued cuts have resulted in the Welsh Budget being 5% lower in real terms today than in 2010, meaning there is 800m less to spend on public services. In spite of ongoing austerity and uncertainty surrounding Brexit, the Welsh Government is continuing to use every resource available to mitigate against the cuts and protect the people of Wales. I welcome the fact the Welsh Government has announced that in the event of additional funding being made available to Wales after the UK Government publishes its Budget at the end of October, local government will be a key priority. Wrexham Councils provisional settlement is not ideal but it enables councillors to plan for the future and ensure the fundamental public services local residents rely on are protected. A further explanatory note detailed: After the announcement of the final Budget last year, councils were facing the prospect of a 1% reduction in core funding for 2019-20, equivalent to a 43m reduction in cash terms. However, further allocations have been made to the local government settlement via the revenue support grant resulting in the 43m cut being reduced to less than 13m, which equates to a reduction of 0.3%. Funding has also been restored to a number of grants local government will benefit from directly, such as 30m for social care and 15m for education. A series of capital investments have also been announced including 60m set aside for a local authority road refurbishment scheme and 78m for the local transport fund. Although the allocations are provisional meaning the final settlement may be revised, the figures provide local authorities with a robust base to plan for the upcoming financial years. Local authorities allocations are decided using a formula that takes into account factors including population changes with the detail in this complex PDF. On Tuesday Wrexham Council Leader said he was stunned at the provisional figure, adding In Wrexham, this settlement will require the Council to make around 9m of cuts. Wrexham has the 18th lowest funding per head of population. The Council will continue to work hard to reduce the impact of these cuts from Welsh Government on the people of Wrexham County Borough. I will be responding to the provisional settlement during the formal consultation period which ends on November 20, 2018. Local representatives voice anger at Refinitiv decision to close Wrexham site This article is old - Published: Thursday, Oct 11th, 2018 The loss of hundreds of jobs in Wrexham has been raised in Parliament by Ian Lucas MP, who is calling for an urgent debate over predatory business takeovers. Mr Lucas spoke in the Commons today about the plight of about 300 workers at finance firm Refinitiv, based at the Redwither Tower on Wrexham Industrial Estate. Staff were informed yesterday that the office is to close, with their work being transferred to Bangalore in India. Previously known as Avox, the company only began trading as Refinitiv after US-owned investors Blackstone took a majority share in the business. TR came running to me for help earlier this year. I responded immediately. Their conduct now is quite appalling. https://t.co/hGfTZVyxSP Ian Lucas MP (@IanCLucas) October 10, 2018 Speaking during Business Questions today, Mr Lucas asked for an urgent debate on predatory business takeovers. He said: Yesterday, 300 of my constituents in Wrexham were made redundant having, in the last 10 years, taken forward a business originally called Avox then DTCC. But now a company called Refinitiv has taken the business over and immediately made 300 people redundant, and off-shored the jobs to India. Can we have an urgent discussion of these appalling practises in business which put people on the scrapheap when they have worked so hard for so many years? Today in the Commons I called for an urgent debate on 'predatory' business takeovers following the shocking behaviour of Refinitive in @wrexham. 300 loyal staff cast aside pic.twitter.com/b6lsG2RTtd Ian Lucas MP (@IanCLucas) October 11, 2018 Andrea Leadsom MP, leader of the House of Commons, said the news was concerning and encouraged Mr Lucas to take up the matter at next Tuesdays business oral questions session. The Wrexham MP said he was shocked to hear of the job losses and has contacted the company to express his disappointment and ask for further information. He says he feels Refinitiv will regret casting aside such a loyal and skilled workforce. Wrexhams Assembly Member Lesley Griffiths has also commented today, saying: I am shocked and extremely disappointed not only by Refinitivs decision but also by their conduct and the way this announcement has been communicated to its loyal workforce. The company, under its various guises, had worked hard to embed itself in the local community but this decision has completely undermined their previous actions. I have great sympathy for all the staff and I am hoping to speak with the companys Managing Director as soon as possible. Anger has also spread as it emerged after the announcement yesterday that some workers were in India when they heard the news, and we have been told that over 100 staff in Bangalore are being trained by staff from Wrexham. Yesterday afternoon we reported how a redundancy consultation has been announced for the whole Wrexham site site, where approximately 300 people work. Welsh Government to support Refinitiv workers I have put my department into action immediately says Ken Skates This article is old - Published: Thursday, Oct 11th, 2018 The Welsh Government say they will leave no stone unturned in supporting Refinitiv workers now facing an uncertain future following the sudden announcement to close its Wrexham site, Economy Secretary Ken Skates has said today. Staff were informed yesterday that the office is to close, with their work being transferred to Bangalore in India. Previously known as Avox, the company only began trading as Refinitiv after US-owned investors Blackstone took a majority share in the business. The Economy Secretary today stressed that finding alternative employment for them was something his department were already actively pursuing. He said: This is devastating news for not only for the skilled workforce, who have won many plaudits for their professionalism and productivity, but also for their families and the many communities in and around Wrexham who are affected. Yesterdays announcement caught everyone by surprise and my officials are meeting with the site management today to get clarity on the nature and timing of their decision. I expect the company to ensure those affected are properly supported and that it undertakes the 45 day staff consultation in accordance with its statutory obligations. I have put my department into action immediately, looking to use our connections across the industry to help secure alternative employment for those currently working at Refinitiv as quickly as possible. This has proven to be successful elsewhere in Wales following job losses and my clear message to all those affected is that we will leave no stone unturned in our support. As part of this, we have already contacted colleagues in the UK Governments Department of International Trade to enquire as to the recruiting plans of the many companies within the financial services industry operating in Chester and the surrounding area and are also in contact with our New York office for more intelligence on yesterdays announcement. Should the decision to close the site be upheld following the 45 day consultation period our ReAct 3 team will be deployed. This programme provides a comprehensive package of support to individuals in Wales who are affected by redundancy. This is an extremely difficult and uncertain time for all workers at Refinitiv and I can give them my absolute commitment that Welsh Government will do everything possible to help this skilled workforce find alternative employment following this extremely disappointing and sudden decision. Earlier today Wrexhams MP raised the issue in Parliament, and Wrexhams AM also spoke out about the issue. Yesterday Wrexham Councils Lead Member for Economic Development and Regeneration also said the Council would be looking to offer support. Demands are growing inside the Spanish political establishment to ban the main Catalan nationalist partiesthe Catalan European Democratic Party (PDeCAT), the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) and the pseudo-left Candidatures of Popular Unity (CUP). These calls to attack or outlaw parties that collectively receive millions of votes mark a major escalation in the drive of the Spanish and European bourgeoisie toward a police state. A year has passed since the Catalan independence referendum last October and its violent repression by police, which left over 1,000 peaceful voters injured. Yet the underlying conflicts are as bitter as ever. The right-wing Popular Party (PP) and Citizens are demanding the outlawing of the CUP; a new electoral law making it harder for Catalan, Basque and Galician nationalist forces to get seats in parliament; and that Madrid impose an unelected regional government in Catalonia by again invoking Article 155 of Spains 1978 constitution. The International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) opposed the Catalan referendum, a vote called by pro-austerity, pro-European Union (EU) parties aiming to split the working class along national lines. But its principled opposition to Catalan bourgeois and petty-bourgeois nationalism does not lessen its opposition to the moves by the Spanish bourgeoisie, backed by the EU, to build a police-state regime whose central target would be rising militancy and strikes in the working class. The PP and Citizens are seizing upon various events as pretexts for a crackdown and relying on the reactionary policies of the minority Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) government of Pedro Sanchez, backed by the pseudo-left Podemos party. The first were clashes between Catalan police and CUP-aligned forces protesting a provocative pro-Spanish police rally held by the right-wing Jusapol Foundation. The pro-police rally hailed the violent police crackdown on the Catalan referendum or, in Jusapol President Natan Espinosas words, it was to honour those who worked to preserve the unity of Spain. The other pretext is Catalan regional premier Quim Torras threat to withdraw his support for the minority PSOE government and push for unilateral independence if Sanchez does not recognise Catalan self-determination. Torra called for pro-CUP protesters to keep marchingsaying, Press hard, you do well in pressingagain exposing the CUPs close ties to Torras austerity regime. The day after the clashes, PP leader Pablo Casado said all Catalan nationalist parties should be outlawed. He pledged to request the modification of the Law of Parties so that we can already act against those parties and organisations in Catalonia that are encouraging violence and inciting civil confrontation. After the altercations yesterday, we cannot tolerate that there are political parties like the CUP, ERC or PDeCat that do not condemn these intolerable aggressions. Casado proposed achieving this end by invoking the law used in 2003 to ban Batasuna, the political wing of the Basque nationalist group ETA. He also called for financially strangling parties that he said encourage or justify violence by eliminating all public subsidies to them. Casado then attacked Sanchez, saying there is no longer an excuse not to implement Article 155 and impose a new unelected regional government in Catalonia. On Twitter, he compared Torras comments to support for Kale borroka, the Basque word for street fightinglike burning cars, attacking houses or banking facilities, and attacking public transport as carried out by pro-ETA Basque nationalist youth in the 1980s and 1990s. All but calling for the permanent suspension of the Catalan regional government, he demanded that Article 155 be implemented with the necessary duration, the necessary extensions, and sufficient state involvement. Citizens leader Albert Rivera said he would discuss outlawing the CUP, which gives a pro-independence majority in the Catalan parliament for Torras secessionist, pro-austerity government. He also called for reforming Spains electoral law to set a 3 percent threshold for parties to enter Spains parliament. Since the Catalan nationalists have virtually no support outside Catalonia, this would de facto eliminate the ERC, PDeCAT and the Basque Nationalist Party from the national parliament. As the PP and Citizens fall short of the parliamentary majority to reform the electoral law, Rivera called on Sanchez to support such a move. The PSOE is currently rejecting this, with the secretary of the party calling it throwing petrol over the political fire in Catalonia. There is broad opposition to the PP in Spain, as well as to the secessionist programme of the Catalan nationalists in Catalonia, and a growing wave of strikes in Spain as well as across Europe. If the PP and Citizens can proceed with attacks on democratic rights and moves to build a police state, this is above all due to the reactionary role of Podemos in supporting the PSOE government and suppressing left-wing opposition to the PSOE and the PP. The absence of any opposition from these two parties emboldens the right wing to step up its attacks on democratic rights. Sanchez has continued the previous PP governments crackdown on the Catalan nationalists, while making a few symbolic concessions to try to smooth over relations. While Sanchez declared his sympathy for Catalan autonomy, he kept Catalan political prisoners in jail and retained rebellion charges against nine incarcerated Catalan officials and politicians. The charges carry sentences of up to 25 years in jail. The PSOE, which like the PP before it runs a minority government, can hold power only through the support in parliament from Podemos, together with the various regional-nationalist parties. Podemos General Secretary Pablos Iglesias has visited Catalan political prisoners in jail to give them messages from Sanchez, and has called upon Sanchez to design a concrete state policy on Catalonia. Iglesias makes no secret of the close political collaboration between Podemos and the government. Iglesias said that never has Podemos had as much influence as now, adding that the party is proud of our push as Sanchezs main supporters. These boasts are a devastating exposure of the reactionary role of Podemos. The Podemos leadership is declaring its unstinting support to all the anti-worker policies the PSOE has implemented since taking power last June. The PSOE has not only continued jailing Catalan nationalists on fraudulent charges, but threatened to re-impose Article 155 on the region and passed the previous PP governments austerity budget, including billions of euros in defence spending increases. It also sold precision bombs to Saudi Arabia in its bloody war in Yemen, carried out mass expulsions of migrants and sent police to break up strikes. This again confirms the ICFIs assessment of the role of Podemos as an anti-working class and anti-Marxist party, and its insistence that the key question in Spain and across Europe is building sections of the ICFI to give political leadership to the emerging struggles of the working class. As the ICFI warned in its statement, Oppose the state crackdown on the Catalan independence referendum! on the eve of the vote, The Catalan crisis has yet again exposed the Podemos partys reactionary role. Podemos is still calling for an alliance with the PSOE, even as the PSOE supports the PPs onslaught in Catalonia. The ICFI warned that Podemos was signaling the ruling class that it is also available to form an alternate government. Such a government were it to be formed, would offer no alternative to the drive to dictatorship and austerity currently being prosecuted by the PP. This assessment of the role a Podemos-backed government would play in Spain has been thoroughly vindicated. On Tuesday, the far-right news outlet Breitbart News published a leaked internal briefing by employees at technology giant Google that openly discusses political censorship. The document observes that tech firms have gradually shifted away from unmediated free speech and towards censorship and moderation. In the process, the document states, Google, Facebook and Twitter have sought to emphasize creating well-ordered spaces for safety and civility over unmediated marketplaces of ideas. Breitbart said Google did not deny the veracity of the document, but it wrote that an official Google source said the document should be considered internal research, and not an official company position. The leaked Google document quoted MIT Tech Review editor-in-chief Jason Pontin as saying, On the global scale, the internet and the social platforms have been a wonderful boon for free speech. The internet has given platforms to billion (sic) of people to express themselves and has made it almost impossible for governmentseven in highly controlled nations like Chinato control peoples speech effectively. But the next page of the briefing declares that recent global events have undermined this utopian narrative. The document explains the shift towards censorship by pointing to commercial and government demands. One aim of censorship is to Protect advertisers from controversial content, [and] increase revenues, it declares. The briefing adds that Google might continue to shift with the timeschanging its stance on how much or how little it censors (due to public, governmental or commercial pressures). The document admits that there is a shift from the American tradition that prioritizes free speech for democracy, not civility, on the part of social media companies. In August 2017, the World Socialist Web Site published an open letter to Google alleging that changes to its search algorithms had led to a massive drop in traffic to left-wing, anti-war, and socialist web sites. Censorship on this scale is political blacklisting, the letter declared. The obvious intent of Googles censorship algorithm is to block news that your company does not want reported and to suppress opinions with which you do not agree. Political blacklisting is not a legitimate exercise of whatever may be Googles prerogatives as a commercial enterprise. It is a gross abuse of monopolistic power. What you are doing is an attack on freedom of speech. The publication of the leaked document followed an October 5 report by the Washington Post that that Google CEO Sundar Pichai met secretly with civilian and military officials at the Pentagon during a recent trip to Washington DC. Based on interviews with two anonymous sources familiar with the meeting, the Post said Pichai was seeking to smooth over tensions roughly four months after employee outrage prompted the tech giant to sever a defense contract to analyze drone videoknown as Project Maven. The Post reported that Pichai met with officials from the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence, a department that reports on matters relating to military intelligence to the US Secretary of Defense, former United States Marine Corps General James Mattis. The office is responsible for the Project Maven program, which is developing artificial intelligence capabilities to identify cars, buildings and other objects recorded in videos by drones flying over combat zones and other landscapes. Neither Defense Department officials nor Google representatives would comment publicly on the secret meeting. The termination of the Project Maven contractafter more than 3,000 employees signed a letter protesting the companys participation in the business of war, was a blow to the efforts of Google to deepen its collaboration with the military-intelligence establishment. In June, in response to the protest, Google management announced that the Project Maven contract would not be renewed in 2019. However, Pichai was quick to publish a blog post in which he outlined Googles artificial intelligence objectives and explained that the company would continue work with the Pentagon on cybersecurity, training, military recruitment, veterans health care, and search and rescue. An Associated Press investigation revealed Tuesday that the US government has been secretly allowing US couples to adopt immigrant children separated from their parents. The AP investigation uncovered casesmany recent but some dating back to the 1980sin which judges granted adoption requests even though the childrens actual parents were never informed. AP warns that roughly 200 immigrant children who remain separated from their parents as a result of the Trump administrations Zero Tolerance policy are at heightened risk of being adopted. The report featured the story of one child, Alexa, who was separated from her Salvadoran mother, Araceli Ramos. When Alexa and Araceli were captured crossing the US-Mexico border trying to flee Aracelis abusive ex-partner, Alexa was torn from her mothers arms, and agents told her she would never see her again. Alexas case began in November 2015 under the Obama administration, AP writes, years before Trumps family-separation policy rolled out. Her 15-month separation from her mother exposes the fragile legal standing of children under the care of the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement and a flawed, piecemeal system that can change the course of a childs life. It took 28 minutes for a judge in a rural courthouse near Lake Michigan to grant Alexas foster parents, Sherri and Kory Barr, temporary guardianship. Alexas mother and the little girls immigration attorney were not even notified about the proceedings. Such horror stories have been playing out for years, the AP reports, under Democratic and Republican administrations. In another case in Missouri, AP writes, An American couple managed to permanently adopt a baby whose Guatemalan mother had been picked up in an immigration raid. That seven-year legal battle terminating the mothers parental rights ended in 2014. But today, AP says, the mass roundup of immigrant children means the risk has grown exponentially that further adoptions are on the horizon. There are 13,000 immigrant children detained in the US at present, many without their parents. Among the foster facilities that have fought to adopt children to US families is Bethany Christian Services, an extreme right-wing organization based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Bethany is run by religious zealots and funded by billionaire donors like Trumps Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. The DeVos family has contributed over $3 million to fund the organization, AP reports. AP quotes former Bethany Christian Services supervisor Sara Zuidema, who said, All of a sudden when we had these younger kids to place, everyone was really excited about that. They just felt that if these kids could know Jesus, everything would be OK. The report notes that Araceli, the Salvadoran mother separated from her daughter under the Obama administration, was shown photographs of her child wearing an American flag tank dress, drawing outside in the Michigan sunlight. In another shot, the girl appears at the Barrs front door clad in a hot pink ensemble, next to a little red wagon and the family dog. Araceli was ultimately reunited with her daughter, but only because she posted Facebook videos pleading for help. The videos received millions of views, forcing the Salvadoran government to intervene because she could not afford to hire an attorney. During a hearing yesterday before the Senate, DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen defended the mass detention of children, saying their parents chose to do that. Republican Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma praised Nielsen, saying Youre actually trying to be able to manage and provide care to kids that have not had care sometimes from their own parents Youre putting a positive face forward for America. The Democratic Party has explicitly abandoned the defense of immigrants from the midterm election campaign, focusing instead on 36-year-old allegations of sexual assault against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. In an article titled, The Democrats have an Immigration Problem, the New York Times reviews years of attacks on immigrants by Democrats. Despite the fact that the article attempts to highlight the role of pro-immigrant Democrats, it includes new details of how the Democratic Party has deliberately blocked all efforts to defend the rights of immigrants over the last decade. The Times notes that many Democrats with close ties to trade unions voted against a 2007 bill that would have provided a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, quoting former Democratic Representative Luis Gutierrez who referred to Bernie Sanders opposition to the bill: This progressive icon, Gutierrez snickered, racing from the Senate floor to go on Lou Dobbs to say how hes standing up for the American worker. According to the Times, it was Democratic members of Congress who called Barack Obamas counselor David Axelrod to demand Obama should never even discuss the prospect of slowing deportations. Please make him stop talking about this, the Democratic representatives reportedly said. When the Democrats controlled the Senate and the House in 2010, the Times reports Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she would not advance any bill to slow the pace of deportations unless it had the support of 45 to 50 Republicans. Obama told advocates of an immigration bill this is not the time. Under Trump, the Democratic Party has supported the administrations anti-immigrant policies. In the Times article, Gutierrez acknowledges that he and the entire Democratic Party supported Trumps proposal to build a wall as part of a broader legislative deal giving legal status to young people enrolled in Deferred Actions for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): He said he wanted a wall. He got me to say OK. Bernie Sanders, all of them. When immigrant rights activists sought to pressure the Democratic Party to shut down the federal government over Trumps later decision to pull out of the deal, the Democratic Party staged a meaningless vote and then berated activists. The Times writes that Democratic Senate Minority Whip Richard Durbin privately reprimanded one young DACA recipient who was upset with the Democrats acquiescence. Earlier in 2018, nearly two thirds of Democratic House members voted yes or present on a Republican bill praising Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Crimes of historic proportions are being carried out against immigrants. Even during the World War II internment of Japanese, the government did not separate children from their parents. The closest precedent to the secret adoption of immigrant children is the splitting up of slave families at auctions in the ante-bellum South. It echoes the handover of the children of those disappeared by the Argentinian dictatorship of 1976 to 1981 to supporters of the regime. The UN definition of genocide includes forcibly transferring children of [one] group to another group. While such policies are at present not yet being carried out on a mass scale in the US, the AP report is a warning to the entire working class of the profoundly anti-democratic tendencies within the American financial aristocracy. An overwhelming vote of no confidence has forced the council of the Royal College of Nurses (RCN) to step down. The response of the Socialist Party and Socialist Workers Party (SWP) to this extraordinary event has exposed them as cynical lackeys of the union bureaucracy. In March, the RCN leadership, along with 13 of the 14 health unions, agreed on a sell-out contract while hailing it as the best deal in eight years. This fraud was exposed as soon as workers received pay packets with rises as low as 12 pence. After more than 1,000 health workers signed a petition, an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) was scheduled for September 28. To head off the growing rebellion, RCN General Secretary Janet Davies resigned. An independent review found that there was a conflict of interest, with the lead negotiator of the union biased in favour of the deal. At the EGM, the no-confidence vote was passed with overwhelming backing. The RCN is now promising an orderly transition, with elections for a new council to take office in January. The SWP buried news of the no-confidence vote. Its Socialist Worker published an article on October 2, just 233 words in length, unannounced and attached to the bottom of another on the role of Fujitsu in the privatisation of the National Health Service. The central thrust of the article was the insistence by Andy, described as an RCN member in east London, that we have to be careful not to make this just about getting a new left-wing leadership at the top of the union. The key thing is pushing to reopen the pay deal. The article concluded with the appeal, Activists in Unison, Unite and the GMB should use the RCN vote to pressure their union leaders to work together to reopen the pay deal. The message could not be clearer. No move against the union bureaucracy. Just put pressure on them to reopen the rotten pay deal they agreed to just six months ago. The Socialist Party did not even report on the EGM. The last article on the subject in the Socialist was published August 8, which acknowledged, Trust in the union leaderships is at an all-time lowthere have been countless nurses ripping up their lifetime union memberships in complete anger at the role played by the leaders. This raised [t]he prospect of a new generation of NHS staff thrust into action by this debacle that could signify a new layer of activists who can dislodge the right-wing leaderships of the main health unions and offer a genuine fighting lead on pay and the wider issues facing our NHS. What the SP means is a new layer of bureaucrats to stream money toward its own party coffers and to provide a facelift for the union. It intends no genuine struggle. The unions should give a lead [i.e. the same unions who sold out in the first place] to NHS staff and reopen the talks to pressure this weak Tory government into real pay rises for hard working staff, the Socialist writes. Both parties are acutely aware that events in the RCN are only one example of a growing opposition to the decades of betrayals by the trade union bureaucracy. In 2016, the British Medical Association isolated and inflicted a defeat on strikes by junior doctors against inferior contracts. This year, the University College Union (UCU) shut down the struggle of its 50,000 lecturers against the attack on their pensions. On October 18, the UCU will hold a recall conference after its June conference was closed early because, faced with motions calling for her resignation, General Secretary Sally Hunt and her supporters repeatedly walked out to prevent them being heard. This rebellion, which finds expression in education strikes and the rejection of sell-out contracts by UPS workers in the US and similar developments internationally, prompted a discussion within the pages of the SWPs International Socialism. Long-time member Mark OBrien warned that the frustration within the working class as potential struggles are suppressed is cumulative and real. If this frustration is not expressed in official union actions, it will find other outlets. He cautioned his fellow members, The danger is that we become bureaucratised ourselves, and locked into positions and organisational processes that will block our ability to relate to breaks when they occur. He tentatively suggested building horizontal networks and conducting socialist propaganda in the unions. This is closing the political stable door long after the SWP horse has bolted, given the prominent role occupied by its members within the apparatus of the UCU and other unions. Tom Machell was assigned to respond to OBriens article, warning him that such views were extremely dangerous. For its part, the Socialist Party has recently suffered a split, after one of its most high-profile leaders, Janice Godrich, president of the Public and Commercial Service (PCS) union , did a deal with PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka to stand against another member, Chris Baugh, who is currently serving as PCS assistant general secretary. Godrichs career prospects have benefited from years in which the SP has worked to either conceal or apologise for the PCSs betrayals of its members. When Baugh belatedly made minor face-saving criticisms, he was replaced in Serwotkas affections by someone more malleable still. Godrich now sits on the general council of the Trades Union Congress and the SP is desperately seeking to resume normal services. The SWP and SP both speak of mobilising the rank-and-file to describe various broad left formations dominated by left-talkers such as themselves. What this rank-and-file activity consists of is the pseudo-left groups policing disaffected union members on behalf of the bureaucracy. The union leaders are generally grateful for such efforts. Despite its fallout with Serwotka, the SPs National Shop Stewards Network held a rally in September, to coincide with the TUC congress. Speakers included the leader of the Unite union, Len McCluskey, and Mick Cash of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union. The SP crowed, Praise for the role played by the NSSN in building solidarity and support for workers in struggle was on tap throughout the speeches. This included Unite the Union general secretary Len McCluskey who made a surprise visit and gave an impromptu speech. Other leading bureaucrats in attendance were Bakers and Allied Food Workers Union General Secretary Ronnie Draper, Communication Workers Union Deputy General Secretary Terry Pullinger, and Unites Assistant General Secretary Howard Beckett. They were joined by the unfortunate Mr. Baugh and another of the partys leading bureaucrats, Amy Murphy, president of the retail workers union, USDAW. The Socialist Equality Party and NHS FightBack lent full support to the demand for the removal of the RCN leadership. But we opposed that a change of leadership would transform the RCN or any other union so deeply embedded into the structures of management and the state apparatus into the type of fighting union cited by the SP and SWP to conceal their slavish support for the bureaucracy. An SEP statement circulated to the EGM insisted, Todays resolution reveals the growing anger and a determination to fight among workers, but this opposition must be organised. The next step must be the formation of rank-and-file committees, independent of the RCN and other health unions, to launch a united struggle with all workers in the NHS and throughout the public sector. The movements under way in the RCN and UCU against the union leaderships are markers of future developments. The building of rank-and-file committees in workplaces and neighbourhoods will provide the means for taking this struggle forward and mounting a counter-offensive against the corporations, the Conservative government and Labour, Tory, Scottish Nationalist Party, and Liberal Democrat local authorities in defence of jobs, wages, and essential social services. As more and more details emerge about the disappearance on October 2 of the well-known Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, it is becoming clear that a monstrous crime has been committed with serious worldwide implications. The Turkish media has published photographs and video footage documenting the arrival at Ataturk airporton the same day as Khashoggis disappearanceof a 15-member Saudi death squad. It included two air force officers, intelligence operatives and members of the elite personal guard of the Saudi monarchy. Also among them, according to Turkish authorities, was a forensics expert, who reportedly came equipped with a bone saw. Turkish media reports indicate that Khashoggi had visited the consulate a week earlier seeking documents he needed for his planned marriage to a Turkish woman. He was told to return on October 2 at 1 p.m. Local staff were instructed to take the afternoon off as the 15 state assassins arrived. Khashoggi was, according to accounts of Turkish security officials speaking on condition of anonymity, dragged from the consuls office and killed, and his body then dismembered with the saw. This crime has attracted worldwide attention for its brazenness and brutality, as well as because of the identity of the apparent victim. Khashoggis journalistic career has been that of an insider within Saudi ruling circles, with close connections to some of the Kingdoms most powerful officials and billionaires. He served as an aide to the long-time Saudi intelligence chief and former ambassador to the US, Prince Turki bin Faisal, and was known as an interlocutor between the monarchy and Western media and officials. In September 2017 the kingdoms de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS)praised by the Western media as a great reformer and feted by the Trump administration as well as Americas financial elitelaunched a brutal crackdown, including against members of the royal family, prominent business figures and some journalists. The dictatorial actions were largely ignored or supported by the Western media. The ineffable foreign affairs columnist for the New York Times, Thomas Friedman, who was wined and dined at a royal palace in Riyadh, wrote at the time that not a single Saudi I spoke to here over three days expressed anything other than effusive support for this anticorruption drive. Khashoggi chose to avoid imprisonment through self-imposed exile in the US, where he was given a column in the Washington Post and initiated the process of becoming a US citizen. He used the column to criticize Mohammed bin Salman from a standpoint reflecting the divisions within the royal family itself. Most recently, he wrote a condemnation of the war waged by the Saudi regime against Yemen, an intervention initiated by MBS. Despite his prominence, the Trump administration has been extremely reticent to call any attention to Khashoggis disappearance, waiting a week to make any statement. Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday that he knew what everybody else knowsnothing about the journalists fate. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement calling on the Saudi monarchy to support a thorough investigation of its own crime. It appears, however, that the US government was well informed of Saudi plans to eliminate Khashoggi, with the Washington Post reporting that before his disappearance, US intelligence had intercepted communications between Saudi officials revealing a plan to abduct the journalist. Whatever the case, Saudi Arabias vicious monarchical regime has long been the linchpin of imperialist domination and political reaction throughout the Middle East. These tiesunder both Democratic and Republican administrationshave remained firm as the regime has routinely beheaded political opponents and non-violent offenders, putting 150 to the sword in 2017 alone. Before Khashoggis disappearance, an estimated 30 Saudi journalists had already been imprisoned or disappeared, without any protest from the Western powers, the US chief among them, who sell billions of dollars in arms to the kingdom and profit off its oil wealth. The US-Saudi connection has grown only closer under the Trump administration, which has sought to forge an anti-Iranian axis based upon Saudi Arabia and Israel, while continuing and expanding US aid to the near-genocidal war against the people of Yemen. This relationshipunderscored once again by Washingtons official reaction to the disappearance of Khashoggiexposes the unmitigated cynicism and hypocrisy of US imperialisms human rights pretensions and feigned outrage over alleged crimes carried out by governments that it views as strategic rivals or that it is seeking to overthrow, from Russia and China to Iran, Syria and Venezuela. The Khashoggi affair has far broader international significance. It is emblematic of a sinister shift in world politics, in which such heinous crimes are becoming more and more common and accepted. It recalls the conditions that existed in the darkest days of the 1930s, when fascist and Stalinist death squads hunted down and murdered socialists and other opponents of Hitler and Stalin throughout Europe. Journalists have suffered the consequence of this change in global politics, with the Committee to Protect Journalists reporting 48 killed this yeara 50 percent increase over all of 2017as well as another 60 disappeared around the planet. Targeted assassinations, developed by the Israelis as a central instrument of state policy, were adapted by Washington in its so-called global war on terror on an industrial scale. The killings, torture and extraordinary renditions begun under the Bush administrationfor which no one was ever punished, not to mention a black site torturer being elevated to director of the CIAwere institutionalized under Obama with the White House organizing its so-called terror Tuesdays in which targets for assassination were selected from files and photographs presented to the president and his aides. US wars of aggression that have claimed the lives of millions, the routine assassination of supposed terrorists, and the wholesale repudiation of international law as an unacceptable fetter on American interests, have created a fetid global political environment in which crimes like that committed against Khashoggi are not only possible, but inevitable. In the face of growing social tensions and sharpening class struggle rooted in the crisis of the global capitalist system, there has been a sharp turn to the right and toward authoritarianism in bourgeois politics, from the rise of Trump in the US, to the increasing strength of far-right forces in Europe, to the near election of a fascistic former army captain in Brazil. Under these conditions, the methods of assassination and disappearances as a means of dealing with opponents of the existing governments and social order will become ever more prevalent. The fate of Jamal Khashoggi, whose high-level connections apparently failed to protect him, must be taken as a serious warning. Those who place themselves in the hands of the state in virtually any country have no reliable expectation that they will emerge intact. The only answer to this threatand that of a global relapse into fascism and world warlies in the building of a mass revolutionary socialist movement to unite the international working class in the struggle against social inequality, dictatorship and war. In recent weeks, thousands of autoworkers from Yamaha Motor India, Royal Enfield and Myoung Shin Automotive (MSA) plants in the Oragadam-Chengalpattu industrial zone have been involved in strikes, occupations and protests to demand union rights, better working conditions and wage rises. Located southwest of Chennai, the Tamil Nadu state capital, the zone employs hundreds of thousands of workers. Colloquially known as the Detroit of Asia, the area has the majority of Indias 7.6 million autoworkers. Companies located there include Ford, Daimler AG, RenaultNissan, Komatsu, Mitsubishi and Toyota. Last Sunday, hundreds of Yamaha and MSA workers held a human chain demonstration to support their respective demands and protest against company and police repression. The Yamaha and Enfield plants produce motorcycles while MSA makes auto parts. The demonstration followed a series of struggles. * On September 21, over 750 Yamaha permanent workers had walked out on strike indefinitely and established an occupation to demand the reinstatement of two workers. The workers were sacked because of their involvement in organising a new unionthe Yamaha Motor Thozhilalar Sangham (Yamaha Motor Workers Association)at the facility. The union is affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), which is controlled by the Stalinist Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM. Of the nearly 2,500 employed at Yamaha India, 750 are permanent, 1,500 are on contract and around 250 are apprentices. Permanent workers monthly salaries range from 13,000 rupees ($US180) to 18,000 rupees. Contract workers wanted to join the strike, but the union instructed them not to become involved, declaring that their jobs were at risk. Yamaha India immediately declared the strike illegal and took the dispute to the Madras High Court. After the court ruled that any protest by the workers must be 200 metres from the factory premises, Tamil Nadu police entered the facility on September 26, attacked the striking workers and ejected them from the plant. On October 3, police conducted early morning raids on the homes of four Yamaha workers, arresting them for allegedly climbing onto mobile towers a week earlier to highlight their demands. * On September 24, about 1,300 Royal Enfield workers walked out to demand a wage rise and other claims. The company responded by threatening trainees with the sack if they did not return to work. Armed with a court order, the police, on the same day as they attacked the Yamaha strikers, raided the Enfield factory and forcibly removed strikers. In line with the demands of union officials, Royal Enfield workers ended their strike on September 30. The union claimed to have reached an agreement with the company that there would be no reprisals against the strikers. A new CITU-linked unionthe Royal Enfield Employees Union (REEU)was recently established in the plant, but is not recognised by the company. Despite the supposed agreement, management cut workers salaries for the days they were on strike, disciplined eight employees, and sacked another, over alleged involvement in union activities. The company also refused to allow workers to take their mobile phones into the plant. Nearly 700 permanent workers immediately walked out in protest. Following union talks with the company, the Enfield strikers returned to work again on October 5, only to face another management provocation. They were told to apologise for striking and agree to a good conduct undertaking. Angered by these demands, the workers occupied the plant, only to be attacked by police who arrested about 600 protestors, holding them in a nearby hall until that evening. While management and the police were launching their attacks on the Yamaha and Enfield workers, the CITU, acting as an industrial police force, advised the workers to honour the court orders. * On September 5, over 500 workers, including 150 permanent employees from MSA, a supplier to Hyundai in Tamil Nadu, began a strike and occupation to demand payment of a long-outstanding wage rise. On September 27, a number of striking MSA workers were arrested by the police when they planned to picket the South Korean embassy in Chennai. Police detained them in a nearby hall before releasing them in the evening. Tamil Nadu business chiefs have denounced the wave of industrial action and demanded that the state government crush strikes. Ar Rm Arun, chairman of the Tamil Nadu branch of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Indias peak business body, told the Hindu newspaper: MNCs [multinational corporations] are not mandated to be bogged down in any way by such issues. If the environment is not conducive to their business, there are so many choices for them. Arun called on the state government to follow the example of the Singapore prime minister in how he firmly dealt with the striking Singapore Airlines pilots. This was a reference to former Singapore dictator Lee Kwan Yews threats to crush the pilots strike in 1980. Indian big business, global investors, the federal and state governments and the judiciary, working closely with the unions, are determined to suppress any independent eruption of class struggles. The repression of the Maruti Suzuki workers is a case in point. In 2012, after Maruti Suzuki workers rejected a management-controlled union and formed an independent union, the company worked with police and Indian government authorities to launch a series of provocations. This resulted in the arrest and frame-up of Maruti Suzuki workers and the sentencing of 13 to life imprisonment on bogus murder charges. The CPM and CITU rejected demands for unified national action and then isolated the jailed Maruti Suzuki workers. While Yamaha, Enfield and MSA workers have demonstrated their determination to fight, the CPM and CITU have repeatedly intervened to prevent unified industrial action. CITU officials used last Sundays protest as another occasion to promote illusions in the Tamil Nadu state government. CITU district leader Muthu Kumar called on the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), a right-wing communalist party, to find an amicable solution. WSWS reporters recently distributed leaflets among the striking workers explaining the necessity for unified national industrial action to take forward their struggle and exposing the CITUs role. Numerous Yamaha workers voiced their discontent and blamed the unions for not mobilising contract workers, apprentices and other workers in support of these struggles. Several union bureaucrats intervened and repeatedly demanded that the WSWS reporters leave the area. Last week, union officials banned workers from speaking to WSWS reporters and, on Sunday, CITU leaders Muthu Kumar and S. Kannan threatened physical violence. Kannan claimed that WSWS reporters were working for the auto companies. Next time, he declared: CPM comrades will kill you. These threats are another indication that the CPM and CITU are acutely nervous about the rising militancy of autoworkers and fear any exposure of their political record and pro-big business line. Notwithstanding their occasional left demagogy, the Indian Stalinists, as demonstrated in the states where they have held power, such as West Bengal, Tripura and Kerala, will do whatever is demanded of them by international investors and the Indian capitalist elites. The authors also recommend: The frame-up of the Maruti Suzuki workers: A travesty of justice [5 April 2017]. Indian Stalinists seek to divert discontent into an alliance with capitalist parties [15 September 2018] Over the past two weeks, with next to no media coverage, the United States has moved substantially closer toward open military confrontation with both Russia and China, the second- and third-ranked nuclear powers in the world. On October 3, the United States threatened, for the first time since the Cold War, to directly attack the Russian homeland. UN Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison accused the country of violating the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty by developing a nuclear cruise missile and said that Washington was preparing to take out the weapon with a US strike. This statement came just three days after a Chinese warship set a collision course with a US destroyer carrying out a so-called freedom of navigation operation in the South China Sea, forcing the American ship to maneuver to avoid a collision and the potentially deadliest military clash in the Pacific in decades. Behind such hair-raising incidents, the United States is undertaking serious, long-term preparations to restructure the American economy to fight a major war with a peer adversary, entailing radical changes to American economic, social and political life. This is the essential content of a 146-page document released by the Pentagon last Friday, titled Assessing and Strengthening the Manufacturing and Defense Industrial Base and Supply Chain Resiliency of the United States. It makes it clear that Washington is preparing not just for isolated regional clashes, but rather for a massive, long-term war effort against Russia and China under conditions of potential national autarchy. The document made clear that a major restructuring of the American economy will be necessary to reach the United States militarys stated goal of being prepared to fight tonight against a peer adversary. The United States must retool for great-power competition, the document declared. Americas manufacturing and defense industrial base, observes the report, creates the platform and systems upon which our Warfighter depends. This complex encompasses not just the government, but the private sector, as well as R&D organizations and academic institutions. In other words, the entire economy and society. It warns that The erosion of American manufacturing over the last two decades threatens to undermine the ability of U.S. manufacturers to meet national security requirements. Today, we rely on single domestic sources for some products and foreign supply chains for others, and we face the possibility of not being able to produce specialized components for the military at home. Correcting this strategic deficiency, the report concludes, means that support for a vibrant domestic manufacturing sector, a solid defense industrial base, and resilient supply chains is a national priority. The report squarely targets China, declaring, Chinas economic strategies, combined with the adverse impacts of other nations industrial policies, pose significant threats to the U.S. industrial base and thereby pose a growing risk to U.S. national security. The promotion of US manufacturing dominance, in other words, is vital for promoting military dominance. The protection of heavy industry goes together with the administrations efforts to defend Americas high-tech sector, the source of a vast portion of US profitability. As the report notes, One of the Chinese Communist Partys primary industrial initiatives, Made in China 2025, targets artificial intelligence, quantum computing, robotics, autonomous and new energy vehicles, high performance medical devices, high-tech ship components, and other emerging industries critical to national defense. It warns that Chinese R&D spending is rapidly converging to that of the U.S. and will likely achieve parity sometime in the near future, and worriedly points to the fact that the Chinese manufacturer DJI dominates the commercial aerial drone market. The Pentagons plans for protecting and expanding the US high-tech sector include its backing for the administrations efforts to limit the admission of Chinese students to US universities through visa restrictions. The report complains that, with as many as 25 percent of STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics] graduates in the U.S. being Chinese nationals American universities are major enablers of Chinas economic and military rise. The vision in the document, in other words, is the concrete expression of the conception outlined in the latest US national security strategy, calling for the seamless integration of multiple elements of national powerdiplomacy, information, economics, finance, intelligence, law enforcement and military. A leading element of this equation is the American corporate technology sector, which has scrambled for fat Pentagon contracts to develop the latest generation of weapons systems. In exchange for these payouts, and aggressive protection from their international rivals, they have worked closely to implement what one leaked internal Google document called a shift towards censorship in cooperation with the demands of the US military and intelligence agencies. The logic of this growing fusion between the repressive apparatus of the state and increasingly powerful monopolies is the necessary correlation between total war and a totalitarian society, in which key constitutional provisions are rendered effectively meaningless. The central target of such measures will be the forcible suppression of the class struggle in the name of promoting national security. The escalation of global US militarism has coincided with a major upsurge in the class struggle, including the rejection of a concessions contract by workers at UPS, the logistics giant whose powerful workforce is capable of crippling not just Americas industrial base, but substantial sections of the wartime economy. It is just short of a week since the Teamsters union announced it would ignore the votes of UPS workers and unilaterally impose a pro-company deal on over 250,000 package delivery and warehouse workers. Inside UPS hubs across the country, workers are discussing how to stop the implementation of the illegitimate deal, while a section of higher and mid-level Teamsters bureaucrats seeks to prevent a rebellion and national strike. Nationally, the UPS contract was defeated by a 54.7-46.3 percent margin, according to numbers released by the union. But in several large locals the margins were far higher. In New York Citys Local 804, 3,198 workers voted no, compared to 158 who voted yes. This was a 95.29 percent rejection. In Local 89 in Louisville, Kentucky, the deal was defeated by 78 percent. Other major locals with large no vote majorities included Atlanta, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Columbus, San Jose, San Francisco, and Albany, New York. In order to ram through the contract, Teamsters officials have dredged up a never-used clause in the union constitution, stuck in 30 years ago, which says a two-thirds vote is needed to defeat a contract if less than half the eligible members vote. This transparent effort to run roughshod over the majority vote has provoked widespread denunciations from workers. In a desperate effort to head this off, union bureaucrats associated with the supposed reform factions, the Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU) and Teamsters United (TU), have told workers to sign petitions begging President James P. Hoffa to change course. In opposition to this attempt to confine workers to appeals to the very forces openly defying their will, the WSWS UPS Workers Newsletter has advanced the call for workers to form their own workplace committees in the hubs and warehouses to mobilize the opposition of the rank and file and link up with other sections of workers to launch a united struggle. Jacob, a 23-year-old part-timer in the Portland area, told us that the union tries to keep us away from everyone else, because as soon as we join up with each other, thats when its going to blow up into a bigger thing. Ive heard a lot from USPS, their workers, a lot of them are getting sick of it too. If we got us, Amazon, FedEx and the Post Office, then thats like everyone. Basically we win. Checkmate. At that point, if we decide just to stop working, eventually other groups of workers that are getting sick of their treatment are going to join in because theyll be able to. Jacob said a number of his part-time co-workers in the warehouse didnt vote in the contract because they figured it didnt affect them. He added, When the contract was being forced, our local stewards and UPS management came by. A lot of people shut up after that, because they were worried about being harassed if they said something critical around the wrong person. The Teamsters is effectively counting workers who did not vote as votes in favor. The opposite is the case, however. Those who did not participate cast a ballot of no confidence in the union, which routinely ignores their concerns and needs. They also know that the Teamsters will pull any dirty trick in the book to impose managements will. Part-time warehouse workers, who make up 70 percent of the quarter million UPS workers covered by the contract, make as little as $10 per hour for as few as three hours per shift, and work in grueling conditions. Jacob himself started at UPS as a seasonal assistant for delivery drivers two years ago and has since worked in the warehouse as a pre-loader. He makes $15 per hour, the minimum starting wage that UPS set in the Portland-metro area at the beginning of the year to address high turnover. He has a three-year-old son with his partner, who is a stay-at home mom. All three live with his parents. In order to pay bills and establish personal savings for himself and his family, Jacob works overtime as much as possible. During the peak season between November and January, he works shifts that last up to 23 hours. I go in at 10 pm for warehouse work, get a small break, then help with deliveries all day until 9pm the next day. On top of working overtime, he also works two other jobs, one as a $15-an-hour caregiver for the elderly and disabled. I actually liked a lot of what is being said by the other employees and that they are open about voicing their concerns and putting up a fight. He added, I like that youre [the WSWS UPS Workers Newsletter ] trying to get more workers involved than just us. Trying to get teachers, firefighters... everyone we can get together with us to fight. I actually think thats a really good strategy. He said while union reps and supervisors would attempt to stop any rank-and-file organization by workers, I like the idea of using social media to create our own groups, so that we can talk to all kinds of workers without fear of getting fired or harassed by UPS management and the union. In San Diego, Andrew and Andres called into question the voting percentages put forward by the Teamsters. Both said workers had been intimidated into casting a yes vote. Andres, a driver of 14 years, said warehouse workers inside dont have all the info, they are getting the short end of the stick because the union gave them no information. He said the Teamsters knowingly ignores warehouse workers. Andres and Andrew Miles, a younger driver also in San Diego, said, The numbers are on our side, I dont know how this could pass. They are pulling this line out of nowhere. We should be going out on strike. Tony, a UPS worker for 18 years, added, They know we are upset and are decreasing our loads. Theyre taking 40 stops off our day to try to butter us up. They are working us nine hours [a day] instead of 12. But the holidays are right around the corner and this new contract is going to force a 70-hour week on us. Someone is going to die. Daniel, a part-time UPS unloader, has been at the New York City 43rd Street warehouse for less than a year. He makes just $13 an hour. He told the WSWS, Its not fair that we vote no and the union went forward with it. We are hard workers and we thought we should get more than $13 an hour as the minimum. The $13 wage in New York City does not even cover the median rent, let alone food, transportation and medical care. I work on the twilight shift, Daniel explained. We start at 5pm or sometimes 6pm, and we work 4-5 hours depending on the volume. I get off at 10pm usually. We lift heavy packages. Its not good for your health or your back. The packages I unload can weigh up to 70 or 80 pounds. We pay for the union with our dues, so they should back us up, including for a decent raise for the warehouse workers. We should get a decent wage. The Amazon raise [to $15 an hour base pay] makes the union we have look like a fool. But our vote doesnt matter for the union. If that is what they are doing, all I can say is that they must be on the side of the company. ALBANY, GA (WALB) - Several South Georgia counties have issued curfews ahead of Hurricane Michael. ATKINSON COUNTY: A county wide curfew is in effect from 6 p.m. Wednesday until 6 p.m. Thursday. BROOKS COUNTY: Issued for all residents starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday and will last until it is determined that the community is safe to travel. COFFEE COUNTY: A curfew has been set for Coffee County ahead of Hurricane Michael. The county will be under a county-wide mandatory curfew beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday until 6 p.m. Thursday. The curfew includes the cities of Douglas, Ambrose, Broxton and Nicholls. Curfew may be extended if conditions warrant. CRISP COUNTY: Curfew in effect from 8 p.m. Wednesday until daybreak Thursday. CUTHBERT, GA: A curfew also has been issued for the City of Cuthbert. The city has issued a curfew for all businesses to close at 3 p.m. on Wednesday. Businesses may reopen at 9 a.m. DECATUR COUNTY: Curfew in place in Bainbridge City limits from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. Wednesday. Violators can and will be arrested. LEE COUNTY: Lee County officials have extended their curfew for an indefinite amount of time. The curfew began at 7 p.m. Wednesday. County officials released this statement: "Lee County and for the safety of the citizens and for the law enforcement personnel and Lee county fire and emergency services and public services and DOT, Sheriff Reggie Rachals is extending curfew until further notice. Our goal is to have it cleaned up as quickly as possible. SEMINOLE COUNTY: A curfew for Seminole County is in effect starting at 8 p.m. Wednesday until 6 a.m. Thursday. The curfew may be extended. STEWART COUNTY: Curfew beginning at 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. This includes the cities of Richland and Lumpkin TERRELL COUNTY: Curfew in effect from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 8 a.m. Thursday. TURNER COUNTY: Turner County officials have asked residents to evacuate the county if possible. It is an optional evacuation, but the county wide curfew begins at 3 p.m. So those residents are encouraged to make those plans as soon as possible. THOMAS COUNTY: Thomas County has issued a state of emergency which has activated a curfew. There is a 6:00 pm curfew for Thomas County. Officials said travel for emergencies and work is permitted. WEBSTER COUNTY: Webster County issued a curfew from 7 p.m. Wednesday through 7 a.m. Thursday. WORTH COUNTY: Worth County issued a curfew from 8 p.m. Wednesday through 6 a.m. Thursday. Copyright 2018 WALB. All rights reserved. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (The News Service of Florida) - More than 400,000 utility customers remained without power Thursday morning as thousands of rescue and utility crew members spread out across coastal and rural Panhandle communities to respond to the devastation inflicted by Hurricane Michael. A state emergency-management official says all hospitals in the impacted region have reported some form of critical failure that required patients to be relocated and medical field hospitals to be set up. Similar issues were arising at nursing homes, and crews were flying in supplies to Florida State Hospital at Chattahoochee, which serves patients with mental illness. Meanwhile, the state is expecting a surge in humanitarian needs, from a lack of food and water to housing. Prior to traveling Thursday afternoon with the Florida National Guard to Panama City and Mexico Beach, where Michael came ashore midday Wednesday with 155 mile per hour maximum sustained winds, Governor Rick Scott called Wednesdays storm a monster. This morning, Floridas Gulf Coast, Panhandle and Big Bend are waking up to unimaginable destruction," said Gov. Scott. "So many lives have been changed forever. So many families have lost everything. Homes are gone, and businesses are gone. Scott, who expressed frustration about people dismissing evacuation orders on Tuesday as Michael rapidly grew into a Category 4 storm, told evacuees not to return home as roads remain closed by flooding, downed trees and power lines. The Florida National Guard has deployed 3,500 members for search-and-rescue and humanitarian aid, with assistance from National Guard units from as far away as New York and Kansas. The Florida Highway Patrol has 450 troopers working in the Panhandle, while 150 Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers are conducting rescue missions. Search teams, working by air, boat and on the ground have entered Panama City, Mexico Beach, Alligator Point, Eastpoint, St. George Island, and Apalachicola. The U.S. Coast Guard ran 10 rescue missions into the region Wednesday night. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (The News Service of Florida) - More than 400,000 utility customers remained without power Thursday morning as thousands of rescue and utility crew members spread out across coastal and rural Panhandle communities to respond to the devastation inflicted by Hurricane Michael. A state emergency-management official says all hospitals in the impacted region have reported some form of critical failure that required patients to be relocated and medical field hospitals to be set up. Similar issues were arising at nursing homes, and crews were flying in supplies to Florida State Hospital at Chattahoochee, which serves patients with mental illness. Meanwhile, the state is expecting a surge in humanitarian needs, from a lack of food and water to housing. Prior to traveling Thursday afternoon with the Florida National Guard to Panama City and Mexico Beach, where Michael came ashore midday Wednesday with 155 mile per hour maximum sustained winds, Governor Rick Scott called Wednesdays storm a monster. This morning, Floridas Gulf Coast, Panhandle and Big Bend are waking up to unimaginable destruction," said Scott. "So many lives have been changed forever. So many families have lost everything. Homes are gone, and businesses are gone. Scott, who expressed frustration about people dismissing evacuation orders on Tuesday as Michael rapidly grew into a Category 4 storm, told evacuees not to return home as roads remain closed by flooding, downed trees and power lines. The Florida National Guard has deployed 3,500 members for search-and-rescue and humanitarian aid, with assistance from National Guard units from as far away as New York and Kansas. The Florida Highway Patrol has 450 troopers working in the Panhandle, while 150 Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers are conducting rescue missions. Search teams, working by air, boat and on the ground, have entered Panama City, Mexico Beach, Alligator Point, Eastpoint, St. George Island and Apalachicola. This hurricane was an absolute monster. The damage left in its wake is yet to be fully understood," said Scott. "Today, the top focus is search and rescue. We pray that Floridians stayed safe. The U.S. Coast Guard ran 10 rescue missions into the region Wednesday night. If you and your family made it through the storm safely, which I pray that you did, the worst thing you could do now is to act foolishly and put yourself and your family in danger, or to keep law enforcement or rescue workers from saving someones life," Scott said. "I cannot stress this enough. (WTXL) - President Donald Trump says he wants to visit storm-ravaged areas of Florida and Georgia as soon as possible. "At the same time," Trump said, "I don't want to go down there to where we are interfering with people, first responders, the FEMA people. I want them to focus on the storm, not me." Trump said he will consider vising the area on Sunday or Monday "to meet with the governors, meet with everybody and do what we have to do." Trump has spoken to both Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and pledged to offer any federal resources necessary. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-10 22:59:17|Editor: yan Video Player Close BERLIN, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Carmakers should be fined by authorities in Germany for their domestic emissions-cheating practices in the "dieselgate" scandal, Axel Friedrich of the Environmental Action Germany (DUH) told Xinhua on Wednesday. "The automotive industry has made massive profits while poisoning people by selling cars which were labelled incorrectly." This behavior, Friedrich argues, "must be punished with financial sanctions. I cannot understand the position of the transport minister to handle the automotive industry with kid gloves." The comments by the director of the Emissions Control Institute of DUH were made in response to calls by the German Social Democrats (SPD) on Wednesday for emissions-cheating carmakers to be fined after a court ruled that a partial diesel driving ban was needed in Berlin from 2019 onwards to improve air quality in the German capital. "Whoever cheats should also pay for it. Maybe this way the automotive managers will finally see reason," SPD parliamentary faction vice-president Soeren Bartol told the German press agency. Bartol argued that transport minister Andreas Scheuer (CSU) should fine carmakers 5,000 euros (5,762 U.S. dollars) per manipulated vehicle in the diesel emissions scandal unless automotive executives agree to carry out technical retrofitting measures (so called "hardware upgrades") at their own expense. Similarly, finance minister Olaf Scholz (SPD) said that the ball was now in the court of carmakers who would either have to finance hardware upgrades fully or offer attractive incentives for fleet renewal. The SPD forms part of Germany's ruling "grand coalition" with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) in Berlin and has repeatedly described such technical retrofitting as being imperative to avoid outright driving bans. The Berlin Administrative Court ruled on Tuesday that bans on older diesel vehicles were required in at least 11 heavily-congested areas of the capital by 2019 to ensure its compliance with European Union (EU) clean air legislation. Berlin is now set to follow in the footsteps of Hamburg, Stuttgart and Frankfurt where driving bans were already ordered by courts earlier on the basis of a landmark ruling by the Federal Administrative Court which first enabled German cities to take these drastic steps unilaterally to lower urban nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. DUH would have preferred an area-wide ban, rather than entry restrictions for diesel vehicles on specific streets in Berlin, according to Friedrich. Nevertheless, he welcomed the partial ban announced on Tuesday as a "signal that people cannot continue to be burdened with high air pollution." German prosecutors are in the process of investigating dozens of automotive executives and employees for their suspected role in installing illicit defeat devices to understate NOx emissions from diesel cars of the Euro4 and Euro5 motor generations. According to the recent testing conducted independently by the DUH, however, even the newest Euro6 diesel motor types still release 5.5 times more NOx emissions on average than permitted under EU law. DUH president Juergen Resch told dpa on Wednesday that the spread of driving bans from Hamburg to Berlin had raised the pressure on the "grand coalition" to develop a nation-wide "Blue Placard" marking scheme to identify diesel vehicles to enter the affected cities. The federal government has so far resisted calls for such a universal regulation and has instead proposed fleet renewal incentives and voluntary hardware upgrades by carmakers as a means to avert the imposition of driving bans. A Yemeni displaced student stands beside his classmates as they wait to receive schoolbags and notebooks provided by a local charity, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Oct. 9, 2018. (Xinhua/Mohammed Mohammed) SANAA, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- In a public elementary school in Yemen's rebel-held capital Sanaa, more than 200 pupils crammed inside a small classroom that normally accommodated no more than 20 students. Wearing ragged green uniforms and shabby shoes, these students only had several broken chairs to share, as most of them had to sit on the bare cold ground. More late students, aged between seven and 13, were still arriving in the early chilly winter morning, most of whom came barefoot. Some of the students carried one notebook and some did not have money to buy a single pencil. Hundreds of them even did not afford a school bag. It is the reality that more than 22 million Yemeni people now have to face after more than three years of devastating war and blockade, which have triggered wide-spread hunger and diseases. Omar Mukhtar al-Hashedi, a 12-year-old sixth grade student at 26 September School in downtown Sanaa, said his father lost his job because of the war and deteriorating economy. Yemeni war-affected students wait to receive schoolbags and notebooks provided by a local charity, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Oct. 9, 2018. (Xinhua/Mohammed Mohammed) "We do not own a house, and my father has to wash cars in the streets in order to pay rent for our small apartment," Omar told Xinhua. "He has no money to buy me a pen or a bag," he said. Thousands of cars are dead in silence off the roads because of an unprecedented severe fuel shortage which started weeks ago amid soaring prices of basic consumer goods. The ongoing war between the Yemeni government, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, and Iran-allied Houthi rebels is exerting a devastating impact on the health of the young generation and their future. According to recent UNICEF figures, 2 million children have dropped out of school since the conflict in Yemen escalated in early 2015. Meanwhile, almost three quarters of public school teachers have remained unpaid for more than two years, putting the education of 4.5 million children at grave risk. More than 2,500 schools have been damaged or destroyed, while others are now used as shelters for the displaced or as bases of armed groups. Three quarters of Yemen's population are in need of humanitarian aid, including 8 million who need food to survive, according to UN figures. Some local and international charities are struggling to prevent the already fragile education system from falling into a mass destruction. Ahmed Abdulhadi al-Soufi, manager of the state 26 September School, told Xinhua that the number of students is decreasing day by day. Yemeni war-affected students wait to receive schoolbags and notebooks provided by a local charity, in Sanaa, Yemen, on Oct. 9, 2018. (Xinhua/Mohammed Mohammed) "Like thousands of teachers, I haven't been paid for more than two years. Many teachers quit the job because they have to work on anything else to earn income to feed their families," he said. "We still have a very few number of teachers to teach without pay, but several classrooms remain for hours everyday without a teacher and students wait and wait and leave," the school manager lamented. Angela Abu-Asba, chairwoman of a local charity, said her charity distributed 60 school bags in this school, and 100 bags to schoolgirls in nearby Balqis School. "There are more than a thousand students in this school, and there are thousands of families cannot afford to buy a pencil for one student," she told Xinhua. Several internally displaced pupils, who fled escalating war in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, were among those who received school bags at 26 September and Balqis. Until now, the civil war has pushed Yemen to the brink of mass famine, showing no sign of ease. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 02:40:13|Editor: yan Video Player Close BERLIN, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Deutsche Telekom reiterated an earlier promise to spend around 5.5 billion euros (6.3 billion U.S. dollars) each year on an expansion of German broadband networks on Wednesday. Speaking at an event of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), Deutsche Telekom chief executive officer (CEO) Timotheus Hoettges said that the Bonn-based company was aiming to create the "worldwide best 5G infrastructure" in its home market and urged policymakers and business leaders to join it in this mission. Hoettges predicted that a commercial operation of 5G networks would begin in 2020. Several recent studies have pointed to poor high-speed internet provision as a worrying aspect of a wider trend of deteriorating infrastructure quality which threatens to undermine the international competitiveness of German businesses. In a survey of companies preferred European investment locations by the accountancy Ernst & Young (EY), only 15 percent of respondents expressed a high level of confidence that Germany was a country where digital business models could flourish. The German government is scheduled to hold an auction to grant licenses for the new high-speed 5G mobile communications standard in early 2019 which is seen as a key pre-condition for the expansion of self-driving vehicles and the so-called "Internet of Things." Earnings from the tender will flow into the digital fund of the federal government in Berlin which has been set up to improve the availability of high-speed internet amongst others. Telecommunications companies have repeatedly warned policymakers not to charge too much for the 5G licenses in order to ensure that companies have sufficient funds left to create the necessary network infrastructure. Helge Braun, Head of the German Chancellery, signalled on Wednesday that the "grand coalition" was willing to meet the industry half-way. "I do not have the feeling that it would be right for us to generate as many earnings as possible", Braun said. At the same event, Markus Haas, CEO of Telefonica Germany, called on telecom companies to work together in raising investment in new technologies. Telefonica Germany is currently third largest player in the German telecom market behind British Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom. Deutsche Telekom is Europe's largest telecommunications firm and the parent company of U.S. T-Mobile. The Bonn-based group employs more than 217,000 employees across the world. Prior to its privatization in 1995, Deutsche Telekom was state-owned enterprise (SoE) which was established as part of the government's postal sector monopoly in 1947. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 03:50:27|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close NEW YORK, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- With a book of historical stories, documentary episodes, various upcoming gatherings and seminars, the American Chinese community in Flushing in northeast New York City marks the 373rd anniversary of the town's establishment. Flushing was founded on the eastern bank of Flushing Creek as a part of the New Netherlands colony on Oct. 10, 1645. Official census in 2010 said that there were over 72,000 people living in this area. Currently, media reports put the regional population well above 100,000, with 70 percent of them Asians, among whom 70 percent are of Chinese origin. "Downtown Flushing's appeal as a residential neighborhood lies in its concentration of Asian life and culture. While Chinese predominate, there is a sizable Korean community, with its businesses centered around Union Street," Vera Haller, professor at Weissman School of Arts and Sciences of Baruch College, once wrote for the New York Times. BOOK AND VIDEO EPISODES A book titled Flushing Stories and an eponymous 10-episode video program were recently unveiled as part of the local American Chinese community's hurrah for the town's splendor and long history since the 17th century. Qiu Xinye, who ran the city's public library in Flushing, told The China Press, one of the United States' major daily newspaper published in Mandarin, that the book was published in Mandarin in order to help the American Chinese to know more about this locality. Several dozens of books had been printed about Flushing in English, which were less awe-inspiring than the current one; the new book was aimed to enable the readers to raise more respect for and pride of the community where they live, he added. Qiu contributed a lot to writing the book and producing the video series. Another book, Flushing Legends, was high on his agenda. It has taken him two years to complete and will get published later this year. At the ceremony, New York City Councilman Peter Koo said that some residents in Flushing knew little about the far-reaching history of this fastest developing community of Chinese immigrants, which was why the book and the episodes were needed. New York State Senator Toby Stavisky told the participants that the residents themselves had brought vigor to Flushing which was a place deep in hopes and chances. COMMERCIAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC ALLURE Over 300 years into the history, downtown Flushing is now particularly known for its restaurants, bakeries and Asian specialty stores and its easy transportation to Manhattan. "The neighborhood has the feel of an Asian city. During the morning rush hour, hawkers sell Chinese-language newspapers to commuters heading to the No. 7 train. Colorful fruit and vegetable displays add to the area's character," wrote Vera Haller. A five- to six-block radius around the intersection of Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue is currently the eye of commerce for Flushing. Each square foot of office space close to the Metro station can now fetch more than 200 U.S. dollars a year for its owner. Flushing's commercial magic was illustrated by figures: each year from 2000 to 2011 its population went up 2 percent, number of enterprises 4 percent and income per capita 9 percent, according to The China Press. As history had it, Flushing was first inhabited by the Dutch in the 1600s, then joined by the British and the Italian during the 1700s, the Jewish in 1800s, the Puerto Ricans in 1960s, and then the Chinese and the South Koreans from 1970s to 1980s. During the 1970s, Cantonese immigrants had vastly dominated Chinese immigration to New York City; during the same period, a Chinese community gained their foothold in the neighborhood of Flushing. There are currently three major American Chinese communities in New York City, with the other two located in Manhattan and Brooklyn. As years went on, Flushing has grown into the biggest Chinatown in the city, and one of the biggest in the United States. In addition to the town's flourishing Asian culture, diversified Chinese immigrant populations have brought with them their own regional cuisines, making Flushing a "Food Mecca" for people who love Chinese food. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 04:10:33|Editor: yan Video Player Close ZAGREB, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, in an annual report to the parliament on Wednesday, said that his country has achieved a budget surplus, strong GDP growth, high employment and higher average salary. "From Jan. 1 next year, tax on fresh meat, fish, eggs, fruit, vegetables and baby diapers will be reduced from 25 percent to 13 percent, and the taxes on salaries will be also reduced. Citizens and businesses will have better living and working conditions," Plenkovic said. He said that Croatian shipyards are going through difficult days and the government wants them to survive but only in accordance with Croatian and European regulations and based on the market economy. Plenkovic also stressed the importance of tourism which contributes almost one-fifth of Croatian GDP. This year should be better than last year, he said. So far this year, there were six percent more arrivals and four percent more guests than in the same period last year. Croatia has a strategic interest to enter the Schengen area, he noted. The goal is, he said, to meet technical criteria for Schengen so Croatia could join it in 2020. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 05:00:49|Editor: yan Video Player Close DUBAI, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Department of Seaports and Customs of Sharjah, a sheikhdom in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Wednesday signed a sister port agreement with the Diamond State Port Corporation of the U.S. state of Delaware to cooperate in global trade and logistics, UAE daily Gulf news reported. Both sides also agreed to exchange information, and build mutually beneficial commercial, technological and cultural synergies, according to the report. The agreement also enables private entities within the catchment area of the respective port authorities to collaborate on trade and investment prospects. Jeffrey Bullock, secretary of the federal state of Delaware, signed the agreement at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce with Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdullah Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Seaports and Customs. Sharjah is one of the seven emirates belonging to the UAE. Sharjah-based port operator Gulftainer plans to invest 580 million U.S. dollars in developing the cargo terminal capabilities of the Port of Wilmington to upgrade its overall productivity through a new 1.2 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) container facility, said Gulf news. Gulftainer currently operates the Canaveral Cargo Terminal in Port Canaveral in Florida after winning a 35-year concession in 2015. The Port of Wilmington is the biggest North American port for fresh fruit imports into the United States. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 05:05:50|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Wednesday expressed extreme concern about the fate of Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi journalist who disappeared on Oct. 2 in Turkey. "We remain extremely concerned about the fate of Jamal Khashoggi," said Stephane Dujarric, UN secretary-general's spokesperson. "What our human rights colleagues called for is for the Turkish and Saudi authorities to cooperate on an investigation. We look forward to having more information on this case," he told a daily press briefing. The United Nations is following the issue closely, he said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has not personally intervened, said Dujarric, noting that the United Nations is not participating in the investigation. Khashoggi went missing after he was seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 06:46:11|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Google's carpool service firm Waze announced Wednesday that it is expanding its ride-sharing service to all 50 states across the country to "outsmart traffic" and save time and money during rush hour. Waze Carpool, a Google-owned app designed to connect drivers and commuters, rolled out the nationwide expansion of is carpool service to make it available to all cities throughout the country to reduce commute-time congestion. Waze founder and CEO Noam Bardin said Waze Carpool helps people use cars smarter after testing in several states. The app was previously tested in California, Texas, Massachusetts and Washington State. Waze was first launched in 2016 to offer carpool service to commuters who were struggling with traffic jams in San Francisco's Bay Area to help riders and drivers with identical commutes to share their cars to and from their homes and workplaces. "Traffic is at an all-time high in the U.S., yet over 75 percent of commuters journey to work alone in a car," Bardin said in a statement. "Waze is in a unique position to help facilitate carpooling on a national level." He said Waze has more than 110 million monthly active users globally. About 1.3 million drivers and passengers have signed up for Waze's carpooling service, with an estimated 30 million people in the United States are using the app for directions, according to the company. Bardin said Waze is collaborating with more than 600 partners around the world, covering more than 2 billion people, in helping solve their shared transportation challenges. Waze's carpool app is available on both iOS and Android smartphones, and the company is offering new riders two U.S. dollar rides for 21 days to encourage individual commuters to leave their cars at home. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 09:21:32|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close HAVANA, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Cuban leaders on Wednesday attended celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the 1868 Cuban War of Independence, the first of three wars fought against Spanish colonialists. President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Raul Castro, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, presided over a ceremony in eastern Granma province. "The Cuban Revolution was born here 150 years ago," Diaz-Canel said at La Demajagua national park, which houses the ruins of a sugar mill where slave owner-turned-freedom-fighter Carlos Manuel de Cespedes proclaimed independence from Spain and an end to slavery in 1868. Cespedes inspired Cubans to rise up against their oppressors and toppled the decaying foundations of a slave-owning society, the president said in a speech to a crowd of more than 5,000 people. "If we had to wait for the ideal conditions to fight, then the Cuban struggle for independence would never have gotten started," Diaz-Canel quoted revolutionary leader Fidel Castro as saying. "We know that it is possible to win ... with no more weapons than morality and patriotism," he said. Struggling under dire circumstances has made Cuba "a sovereign nation and proud of its history," he added. Given the current challenges facing Cuba, including an intensified U.S. trade embargo, it is necessary to keep in mind the legacy of Cespedes, "who put the black man next to the white man as equals." To advance, Cuba needs everyone to work together, he said. A wealthy lawyer and intellectual, Cespedes rebelled against Spanish rule on Oct. 10 of that year and launched a new republic. He is thus considered the "Father of the Nation." Two more ensuing independence wars rid Cuba of the Spanish. Fidel Castro considered his revolt against dictator Fulgencio Batista in the late 1950s to be the continuation of the struggle Cespedes began a century earlier. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 09:26:32|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close SYDNEY, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Young Australian adults who are obese can expect to lose up to 10 years in life expectancy, with those in their 20s and 30s most at risk, according to latest research. "We know that excess weight has an impact on your health, but to have excess weight as a young adult is really significant on life expectancy. We are talking about losing up to 10 years of your life," Dr Thomas Lung from the Sydney-based George Institute for Global Health medical research group said in a statement on Thursday about the research that he led. The study, which also involved the University of Sydney, used new modeling analysis that predicted that about 36.3 million years of life will be lost over the lifetime of today's Australian adult population as a result of overweight and obesity. Healthy-weight men in their 20s can expect to live another 57 years on average while women in similar situations can expect to live another six decades, according to the researchers, but women who are obese in early adulthood stand to lose six of those years and men can lose eight of them. There has also been a threefold increase in the prevalence of severe obesity in young adults since 1995, said the researchers. "There is the assumption that overweight and obesity is a problem for people in middle age, and that people in their 20s and 30s are in the prime of their lives. Yet currently, only 43 percent of Australian men in their 20s and 34 percent in their 30s are in a healthy weight range, which is worrying," said the university's Associate Professor Alison Hayes, who co-authored the report on the findings published in the International Journal of Obesity. "Our model predicts adult obesity prevalence will increase to 35 percent by 2025. We need to act now and have an obesity prevention strategy targeting adults at all ages and in particular young adults," said Lung. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 10:06:37|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close LIMA, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Keiko Fujimori, head of Peru's opposition Popular Force party, was arrested Wednesday over charges of money laundering and accepting illegal campaign financing. Authorities ordered Fujimori, daughter of ex-president Alberto Fujimori, to be detained for 10 days, citing a "serious flight risk," her attorney Giuliana Loza confirmed. Fujimori had been called to appear at the prosecutor's office to give a declaration about contributions her party received for the 2011 presidential campaign, in which she ran and lost. The charges released Wednesday said Fujimori "created a criminal organization within the political party (Popular Force)," which aimed to obtain political power among other things and as a consequence has interfered with legislative and judicial affairs. Disgraced Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht allegedly contributed to Fujimori's campaign. Company executives have admitted to running a multinational bribery scheme to win lucrative government public works contracts. According to Judge Richard Concepcion, who ordered Fujimori's arrest, to cover up the illicit campaign contribution which amounts to nearly 650,000 U.S. dollars, her party created 114 people as contributors. Fujimori's attorney Giuliana Loza called the arrest "abusive" and "arbitrary," saying "no elements for conviction exist nor is there any evidence against her." "We don't understand how they can order her preliminary arrest," Loza told a local media outlet. Ex-ministers Jaime Yoshiyama and Augusto Bedoya Camare were among another 19 people linked to the money laundering scheme and ordered to be detained for 10 days. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 11:11:50|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close COLOMBO, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Center (DMC) on Thursday said 12 people had been killed and over 69,000 affected from the heavy winds and rains which lashed out across the island since last weekend. DMC Spokesperson Pradeep Kodippili said that while rains had now reduced, people who had been relocated to safe shelters were urged not to return home due to the threat of landslides. He said people living in low lying areas were also advised to be cautious as rivers had reached spill levels and could overflow if rains continued. Kodippili said a red landslide warning remained in place in the Kalutara District in the south, and people in the risk prone areas had been evacuated to safe shelters. An emergency line had been set up by the DMC for those who needed help or were stranded due to the floods. Hundreds of officials from the forces and the police had been deployed in the flooded areas and were continuing in rescue operations and distributing first aid and dry rations to those affected. President Maithripala Sirisena has also ordered for the continuous supply of dry rations, drinking water, and health facilities to be distributed to those who were in safe shelters and those affected by the floods. The Meteorology Department in its latest weather update said the severe Cyclonic Storm "TITLI" in the Bay of Bengal, which had brought heavy rains, was now located 1,200 km away from Trincomalee in the east, and was likely to intensify further and move north-westwards later Thursday. However, it warned that heavy falls of about 75 mm could be expected in some districts in Sri Lanka. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 11:26:52|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- In an effort to bolster regional cooperation and connectivity amid the growing trend of isolationism and protectionism, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang traveled to Tajikistan, the Netherlands and Belgium for visits and inter-governmental meetings. Li embarked on a nine-day Eurasian trip on Thursday. Besides official visits, the premier will attend the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), as well as the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit. From Dushanbe, the central area of the Eurasian continent, to Brussels, home to the European Union (EU) headquarters, the crucial diplomatic move shows China's efforts and desire to search for more opportunities and consolidate consensus with its partners to build a more cooperative, open and integrated region. CLOSER TIES IN EURASIA The Chinese premier's Eurasian trip, which has become an almost annual event in the last five years, is seen as part of China's long-term strategy to use geopolitical advantages and break barriers among Eurasian countries. The combined landmass of Eurasia, extending from the Pacific Ocean on the east to the Atlantic Ocean on the west, is big enough to house two-thirds of the world's population. With huge potential for growth lying ahead in multilateral cooperation in all fields, it is in the interests of both Asia and Europe to advance ties to form a stronger, closer bond. During his trip, Li is scheduled to attend the SCO prime ministers' meeting, a major annual gathering of the bloc to expand all-round cooperation and promote stability in the region. The premier will also deliver a keynote speech on global trade and economy when staying in the Netherlands, while at Brussels' Asia-Europe meeting, the largest Eurasian inter-governmental high-level forum, he is expected to propose China's initiatives on Asia-Europe cooperation and call on all sides to intensify their partnerships. Acting as key platforms for communication and cooperation, the two mechanisms were created to bring the countries of the Eurasian landmass closer. Jin Ling, deputy director of the Department for European Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, said that under the current circumstances, Asia and Europe, both main drivers of the world economy, share growing aspirations for win-win cooperation and prosperity. CONNECTING EURASIA WITH BELT AND ROAD Among all the attempts made to achieve overall development in Eurasia, China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) stands out. The BRI, which encompasses the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, has boosted regional connectivity by improving road networks, facilitating trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges since it was proposed by China five years ago. Tajikistan, a landlocked Central Asian country, exemplifies the merits of joining the initiative. China-Tajikistan trade value in the first seven months of 2018 has stood at over 780 million U.S. dollars, seeing a year-on-year increase of 18.9 percent. Meanwhile, major infrastructure projects, including factories, road constructions and power stations, have helped the country move forward. The initiative removes barriers among neighbors, said Liu Mingli, deputy director of the Institute of European Studies of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations. "For a long time, the role of the Central Asian countries has been left out, but they in fact have great potential to develop," Liu said, adding that the region has attracted more global attention in recent years after joining the BRI. The BRI has been embraced by Europe. The Netherlands, the largest destination of Chinese investment inside the EU, regained its place as China's second largest trade partner in the bloc in the second half of last year. The two countries share a lot of common goals, as both are working to safeguard free trade and globalization. Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang Hanhui said Li will exchange views with Asian and European leaders on closer cooperation under the BRI to help boost Eurasian connectivity. For Europe, its newly-adopted Eurasian connectivity strategy, which demonstrates the continent's eagerness to better connect Europe and Asia, is also expected to be a major topic during the meeting. Although some media regarded it as being in competition with the BRI, in Liu's opinion, it means more consultation and cooperation. "More development strategies will provide more ways, which will enable other countries to choose the one that better suits their needs," he added. EURASIA AGAINST UNILATERALISM With the profound evolution of global patterns and changes in major power relations, a more connected Eurasia is more badly needed than ever before to withstand the erosive effect of unilateralism and protectionism. Faced with various external challenges, China's responses are always clear and firm. From the SCO Qingdao summit in June to the upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE), China is working with various countries to show the world its commitment to cooperation and opening-up. Previously at ASEM meetings, the Chinese side has put forward more than 30 proposals for practical cooperation, with the most recent being the establishment of a connectivity working group under ASEM. In the Summer Davos in northern China's Tianjin in September, the premier announced a series of measures to further reduce corporate burdens, ease market access and improve the business environment, reiterating China's commitment to opening-up and supporting economic globalization. As staunch supporters and beneficiaries of the global free trade system, Asia and Europe will jointly expand trade ties and fend off headwinds from rising unilateralism, Jin said. They will deliver a very clear, positive message that the two sides will work for a more multilateral world, she said. "Asia and Europe will take the opportunity to make joint efforts in safeguarding multilateralism and international order based on international laws and rules, so as to contribute to world peace, development and stability," Zhang Jun, assistant foreign minister, said at a press briefing ahead of the trip. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 11:31:53|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Hurricane Michael made landfall in U.S. state Florida earlier on Wednesday, claiming at least one life and causing massive damage with gusty winds and torrential rains. The victim, a man in his mid-40s living in Greensboro, Florida, was killed Wednesday when a tree crashed through his home, local media reported, quoting the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office. The storm has weakened to Category 1 and is now moving inland through southern Georgia on Wednesday night. By Wednesday afternoon, nearly 200,000 customers had suffered power outage in Florida. In some areas, power cut may last more than one week, the authorities said. Storms surged to dangerous levels, neighborhoods were submerged and some buildings crumbled under the gusts, images and videos online showed. Damage in Panama City was extensive, with broken and uprooted trees and power lines down nearly everywhere, said local media reports. Around 6,700 people have flocked to 54 shelters to weather the worst of Hurricane Michael, according to Florida Governor Rick Scott. Michael grew from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane in about 40 hours, hitting Florida's Panhandle as the most powerful storm on record. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 11:51:56|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close YANGON, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar is working with the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in an effort to make its ancient city of Bagan to meet the standard to be enlisted as one of the world heritages, said Myanmar Vice President U Myint Swe. At a meeting of the Leading Committee for Restoration and Conservation of the Pagodas in Bagan held on Wednesday, U Myint Swe called for taking into account the possible potential damage to pagodas in Bagan in possible future disaster when the quake-hit pagodas are restored, Myanmar News Agency reported Thursday. U Myint Swe proposed a four-year plan with step-by-step approach as part of the efforts for preventing damage caused by possible future disaster, urging for conserving the pagodas without damaging their original architectural design. A total of 389 pagodas were damaged by a 6.8-magnitude earthquake on Aug. 24, 2016 and emergency restoration work on the damaged pagodas were carried out rapidly after the disaster. Of the quake-damaged pagodas, 325 have been restored and conserved so far in two years with 21 still under conservation and 43 remaining to be done so. The Bagan Ancient Cultural Zone, where over 3,000 ancient pagodas and religious edifices can be viewed in one place, has been in existence for more than 1,000 years, standing as one of the tourist attractions of Myanmar. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 12:37:00|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Mexico and South Korea on Wednesday agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation to combat rising protectionism in global trade, Mexico's Finance Ministry said in a statement. The statement followed Mexican Finance Minister Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya's meeting with South Korean Economy and Finance Minister Kim Dong-Yeon during the former's working tour of Asia. "Mexico and South Korea agreed ... to promote bilateral economic cooperation even more, and to work together to fight against increasing trade protectionism worldwide," the ministry said. The ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to "macroeconomic policies that promote stability and fiscal discipline." Mexico is South Korea's fifth-largest trade partner, and its second-largest trade partner in Latin America. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 13:07:04|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Hunan University in central China has launched an innovation initiative to develop a smart urban public transport system, according to Thursday's Science and Technology Daily. The initiative, with investment of over 100 million yuan (about 14.4 million U.S. dollars), features technologies such as automatic drive, mobile internet and new-energy vehicles. Vehicles and transport will be assisted by the systems of cloud scheduling and dispatching, ground communication and intelligent mobile spaces, according to the paper. Buses will be hailed online via the system and passenger orders will be received in real time. The system is expected to lift transport capacity by 10 percent compared with metro, while saving on travel time by 70 percent, the paper said. The program is also joined by Tongji University in Shanghai and Tsinghua University in Beijing. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 13:12:05|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close QUITO, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Ecuadorian government on Wednesday announced the decision to build a "beach train" line to promote tourism on the country's Pacific coast. The cost of the project, proposed by President Lenin Moreno, will be around 1 billion U.S. dollars, said authorities. "It's a high priority for the president and the government. It will carry both cargo and passengers, propel tourism and new initiatives," Eduardo Jurado, secretary general of the presidency told press. On Tuesday, the president made public his decision to build the train line, which will cover some 400 km. The line will start from the inland Daule canton in the southwestern Guayas province and then head southwest to the coastal town of Posorja before running north along the coast to the port city of Manta in Manabi province. It will connect "the ports and airports to our towns and beaches" to promote tourism, said the president. The project will have a dramatic effect on the region's connectivity and generate "huge development", Moreno said. Ecuador's competitiveness within the world tourism market will be boosted, Jurado said. Stressing the benefits to the economy, Jurado said that local producers of sugar, melon and tuna will be able to move their goods via the train line. Aurelio Hidalgo, the Minister of Transport and Public Works, said that the first stage of 100 km would be completed in 26 months, while the remaining 300 km of the line would take another 38 months. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 13:57:09|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Pianist Lang Lang (L) and Leszek Barwinski-Brown, CEO of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, express their thankfulness in a benefit gala for music education in the United States and China, in New York Oct. 10, 2018. Lang Lang raised 1.6 million U.S. dollars in the benefit gala during a celebration for the 10th anniversary of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. (Xinhua/Wang Ying) NEW YORK, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese pianist Lang Lang raised 1.6 million U.S. dollars in a benefit gala here on Wednesday for music education in the United States and China. The gala, staged at Cipriani 25 Broadway in Lower Manhattan on the evening, coincided with the 10th Anniversary of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation (LLIMF). The world-renowned pianist led a performance played by the foundation's young scholars. Golden Globe-winning actor Alec Baldwin hosted the evening event. Further more, famous tenor Roberto Alagna, 12-time Grammy Award nominee Ledisi, and three-time Grammy Award winner Wyclef Jean made performances in the night. Founded in 2008 by Lang Lang, the LLIMF strives to educate, inspire, and motivate the next generation of music lovers and performers in both the United States and China. Within 10 years, the foundation has benefited children across the world through various music education programs such as Keys of Inspiration (KOI), 101 Pianists, Young Scholars and Play It Forward. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 13:57:10|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close KABUL, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- At least three Taliban militants have been killed after Afghan Special Operations Forces launched an airstrike in the country's eastern province of Paktia, command of special forces said Thursday. "The strike was conducted in Jaji district of Paktia province on Wednesday as an intelligence tip-off confirmed militants' activities in the area. A militants' vehicle and a motorcycle were also destroyed," Afghan National Army Special Operations Corps said in a statement. No civilian was hurt following the strike in the mountainous district. Afghan security forces, backed by the U.S.-led NATO coalition troops, have increased ground and air offensives against the militants in the past few months as the country is preparing for parliamentary and district councils elections slated on Oct. 20. The militant group has yet to make comments on the report. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 14:07:13|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- As U.S. President Donald Trump was still weighing on possible candidates to replace Nikki Haley, the outgoing U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, experts say that the successor will likely be Trump's mouthpiece at the international arena while bearing less importance in America's foreign policy making process. On Tuesday, Trump accepted Haley's resignation, which came as a surprise as many high-level administration officials have been blindsided about the news. Haley said she will remain in the post till the end of the year. Many believed that Haley fulfilled her job as U.S. envoy to the United Nations. As U.S. online media BuzzFeed put it, Haley "managed to represent the United States at a multilateral institution for an administration that is highly critical of multilateralism." "She was a forceful, articulate, and passionate advocate for the foreign policy of the Trump administration," Brett Schaefer, a fellow at the Heritage Foundation, told Xinhua. While much still remained unknown about why the 46-year-old former South Carolina governor chose to announce her decision now, less than one month away from the Congressional mid-term elections, people have already shifted attention to the candidates who will succeed her post. Trump told reporters on Wednesday that his administration is contacting Dina Powell, his former deputy national security advisor, on a possible replacement of Haley while not ruling out other people for the post, including some who are currently working in the administration. The president, who was expected to make a pick in two or three weeks' time, revealed on Tuesday that he had already had a five-person short list for the post. "Trump likely will choose a tough-minded individual to replace Haley because that is his general stance on foreign policy," said Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West. "He will want someone who defends his policies regardless of what the individual may think," the scholar told Xinhua. So far Powell has been widely regarded as a top candidate for the post. She returned to work in Goldman Sachs as a senior executive after leaving her White House job earlier this year. She once served in the George W. Bush administration. But some hard-line conservatives have already expressed concern about Powell's "globalist" views, which they think may not align with Trump's "America first" approach to foreign policy. Haley's replacement is going to be someone willing to "make the president's case" and "be his mouthpiece," Ford O'Connell, a Republican and news commentator who frequently shows up on TV, told Xinhua. Experts also noticed that Haley's successor will work under a circumstance largely different from Haley's days, when there were then the "nearly invisible" Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and "a practically dysfunctional National Security Council." "That vacuum must have been energizing and exciting for Haley as she grabbed the center of attention," Aaron David Miller and Richard Sokolsky , experts on international affairs, wrote to U.S. media. But Haley's star has gradually dimmed with the appointment of Mike Pompeo as Trump's new Secretary of State and John Bolton as the national security advisor. "She (Haley) has been eclipsed in recent months by Secretary Pompeo. He has taken the lead on a number of issues and clearly is the go-to person on foreign policy in the Trump Administration," noted West. "Haley's successor will have a seat at the table, but it might as well be empty because whoever is chosen ... the new ambassador to the U.N. is more than likely to speak softly and carry a small stick," wrote Miller and Sokolsky. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 14:12:14|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close CANBERRA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Australia's prime minister has promised to fast-track tax cuts for small and medium-sized businesses. Scott Morrison announced on Thursday that the tax cuts for businesses with an annual turnover of less than 50 million Australian dollars (35.36 million U.S. dollars) would be brought forward five years at a cost of 3.2 billion Australian dollars. Under the plan the tax rate for those businesses will be cut from 27.5 percent to 25 percent by 2021-22 rather than by 2026-27 as dictated in legislation passed by the government in March 2017. "Our government is unashamedly on the side of the women and men who run small and medium-sized businesses in this country," Morrison said in a speech on Thursday. "And we're on the side of the millions of people they employ. "This is good news for all Australians - lower company tax supports more investment, higher productivity, more jobs and higher wages." The proposal was approved by the government's Expenditure Review Committee on Thursday and will be introduced as legislation when parliament returns on Monday. "This means that a small business that makes 500,000 AUD profit, will have an additional 7,500 AUD in 2020-21 and 12,500 AUD in 2021-22 to invest back into the business or staff, or help to manage cash flow," Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said in a statement released on Thursday morning. "This change will help to ensure Australian businesses are competitive, to protect our economy and jobs." The prime minister said that whether the cuts lead to higher wages depends on the businesses that will benefit from the policy. "But what we found last time when we provided this tax relief is that small businesses did provide support for wages in some cases," he told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio. "In other cases they invested more in their businesses, because small and medium-sized businesses that's what they do. They don't just walk away and put the money in their pocket. "This is a very big boost to businesses that employ more than half the Australian workforce, and last time they reacted very well, with strong investment and strong support for their employees, boosting employment and creating new opportunities in local towns right across the country, to our big cities." Morrison was a driving factor behind the tax cuts during his time as treasurer and tried to extend them to big businesses but was thwarted by the opposition Australian Labor Party (ALP) and crossbenchers. The ALP has previously argued that 27.5 percent should be the lowest corporate tax bracket but party leader Bill Shorten on Thursday did not rule out supporting the government's plan. "We are not ruling it out, we are not ruling it in," Shorten told reporters. "We want to see the numbers. Having said that we will keep our minds open." Speaking at the same event where Morrison made the announcement, ALP treasury spokesperson Chris Bowen said he would make a recommendation to the ALP's inner sanctum on whether the party should support the policy "expeditiously." "We obviously care deeply about the certainty of the tax system and we want to support small business," he said. "The government has made a policy announcement today, the appropriate thing for us to do is consider it carefully." Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 14:12:15|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Thursday expressed its indignation over the European Union's decision to withdraw Cambodia's trade preferences, saying it was an "extreme injustice." "The Cambodian government can only take this decision as an extreme injustice when the EU blatantly disregards the considerable progress made by the country," said a foreign ministry statement. The statement came after EU had initiated the process for the temporary withdrawal of Cambodia's preferential trade treatment under the the Everything But Arms (EBA) preferences scheme, citing human rights concerns. "The government deeply regrets in this regard that serious accusations were made against the government on the basis of an EU mission's report made last July," the statement said. "The government is disappointed by the lack of transparency on the part of the EU for its non-disclosure of the contents of the said report, the substance of which forms the basis of the EU's prejudicial decision," it said. The EU is Cambodia's largest export destination, accounting for about 40 percent of all its exports. The country's export to the EU was valued at about 5.77 billion U.S. dollars last year. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 14:17:18|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close MALE, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Maldives ruling party, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), said it had filed a case to the island's Supreme Court against the results of the recent presidential elections. According to a statement issued late Wednesday by the PPM, the party has decided to seek legal recourse and uphold the electoral right of the party's candidate President Abdulla Yameen and his running mate. The decision to seek legal recourse through the Supreme Court and High court was taken in accordance with the relevant articles of the Elections Act which said that elections related complaints could be probed only through a court order, the statement said. "The party has been overwhelmed with numerous genuine concerns related to the elections, including serious allegations of vote rigging, fraud, malpractice and corruption," the PPM said. The PPM is led by the incumbent president, who lost the Sept. 23 presidential election to opposition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. The Elections Commission has dismissed the allegations raised by the PPM and stressed there were no irregularities or complaints that could affect the outcome of the election. Yameen had a day after the presidential polls conceded defeat and said he accepted the results of the election. In an address to the nation, Yameen said he would stay on in presidency until the end of his term on Nov. 17. According to official and final results released by the Elections Commission last month, Solih had secured 134,705 votes in the presidential polls while incumbent President Yameen had secured 96,052 votes. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 15:17:24|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SEOUL, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in's approval rating stayed high this week on the rising peace mood in the Korean Peninsula, a weekly poll showed Thursday. According to the Realmeter survey, support for Moon added 0.2 percentage points over the week to 62.9 percent this week. The result was based on a poll of 1,002 voters. It had 3.1 percentage points in margin of error with a 95-percent confidence level. Moon's support scores were bolstered by the mounting peace mood on the peninsula, caused by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit on Sunday to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). After visiting Pyongyang and meeting with top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un, Pompeo travelled to Seoul and met with the South Korean president, saying he shared views with the DPRK leader to hold the second DPRK-U.S. summit as quickly as possible. Moon and Kim held their third summit in Pyongyang last month, reconfirming their firm commitment to complete denuclearization of the peninsula and agreeing to concrete ways to stop hostile acts near the heavily-armed broder. Moon's ruling Democratic Party earned 45.5 percent of support, keeping an overwhelming top post. It was followed by the main conservative opposition Liberty Korea Party with 18.5 percent in approval rating, down 2.2 percentage points from the previous week. The minor progressive Justice Party won 10.4 percent of support this week, up 2.5 percentage points from a week earlier. The minor conservative Bareun Future Party and the centrist Party for Democracy and Peace gained 5.9 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively, this week. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 15:17:24|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SYDNEY, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- New research from Australia suggests the mysterious ancient Cambodian capital of Koh Ker is likely to have been occupied much longer than archaeologists previously thought. While the royal home of the Khmer Kingdom during the Angkor period is widely believed to have only been inhabited for around two decades during the 10th century, University of Sydney researcher Tegan Hall, discovered evidence that people lived in the temple city centuries earlier. "It has been presumed this city was purpose-built by a king who wanted to set up his own capital city away from Angkor where most capital cities were generally built," she told Xinhua on Thursday. "Although it's now crumbling and covered by jungle, it would have looked like other Angkor temple precincts back then although it had a slightly different style." However, once the tenure of the king ended and his successor set up his own capital back in Angkor, the city quickly fell into disuse when the urban, agricultural population also decided to vacate. But according to sediment testing conducted by Hall and her team, the mysterious tale of the ancient capital is a far more complex than first thought. "It wasn't just a site that popped up one day and fell into disuse years later, it wasn't just purpose-built for this king," she said. "We found it has a much more complicated and protracted history than the epigraphic record might suggest." By examining environmental debris in sediment, like charcoal and pollen remains, the team were able to infer a long history of fluctuations at the site in fire regimes and vegetation, indicating patterns of human occupation and land use over time. "We dated the sediments to go back as far as the 7th century, suggesting the building of this site happened much earlier." The findings also appear to suggest that the urban, agriculture population did not follow the king back to Angkor, but rather continued to live at the site for many years after. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 15:27:26|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BANGKOK, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Two Vietnamese men were arrested in northern Thailand on Thursday on charges of smuggling carcasses of tigers destined for Vietnam, police said. The Vietnamese nationals, identified as Le Binh, 40, and Nguyen Van Tung, 29, were accused of smuggling the remains of the protected wildlife at a bus station in Phitsanulok province, about 425 km north of Bangkok, said deputy police superintendent Pol. Lt. Col. Nonthaworn See-indra. The smuggling suspects traveled by bus from the northwestern province of Tak en route to the northeastern province of Mukdahan with the tigers' dried flesh and bones hidden in bags and found in the cargo bay of the tour bus in which they were riding in the wee hours of Thursday, according to the deputy police superintendent. The Vietnamese confessed that they would have traveled from Mukdahan to their home country through Laos with the tigers' carcasses which they had bought from a fellow countryman in Tak for 30,000 baht (about 909 U.S. dollars), he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 15:37:28|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close XI'AN, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Lantian County in northwest China's Shaanxi Province has recently launched a project to help rebuild and upgrade household toilets in rural areas. The poor sanitary conditions of toilets in the region have since been greatly improved thanks to the program, as an extention of a nationwide "toilet revolution" since 2015. Xu Enqiang, a 68-year-old villager, volunteered to be a part of the project. "The idea was not widely accepted at the beginning, but after my neighbors saw my new toilet, they wanted to have their own, too," said Xu. "A few months ago, we were using a dirty and shabby latrine in the corner of our courtyard. During the summer, the toilet became a breeding ground for flies and mosquitoes," he recalled. Xu's old toilet was an example of the majority of rural household toilets in western China. The project aims to replace old public toilets with new ones, hoping to cover 85 percent of the rural areas in midwest China, a less-developed region of the country. "The government will help each household build or renovate their outhouse, which consists of a flushing toilet, a sink, and a self-contained sewage system. The outhouse will be around two to three square meters," said Sun Chongbo, deputy governor of Lantian. "New toilets will prevent the spread of diseases and villagers will enjoy the convenience of a clean toilet." "Moreover, the sewage system of the outhouse will allow the waste to be used as fertilizer for their crops," Sun said. After the treatment process, farmers can use a portable device to pump the fermented fertilizer, which compared with sanitation trucks is easier and more convenient, according to Sun. As of 2017, Shaanxi Province has already had over 2 million such toilets with waste treatment facilities up to national standards, accounting for nearly one third of the provincial total. "These new facilities will also help improve the living standards of villagers and bring changes to their lifestyles," said Xue Yizheng, a local official in charge of sanitation work. The Chinese government launched its "toilet revolution" across the country in 2015 with an aim to make the most notorious public facilities cleaner and more regulated. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 15:37:29|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close An Afghan policeman searches a man at a security checkpoint in Ghazni province, eastern Afghanistan, Oct.11, 2018. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has praised the Afghan security forces' preparation for the upcoming elections, the UNAMA said in a statement on Thursday. (Xinhua/Sayed Mominzadah) KABUL, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has praised the Afghan security forces' preparation for the upcoming elections, the UNAMA said in a statement on Thursday. "With Afghanistan's Parliamentary elections little more than a week away, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) notes that, despite significant security challenges, progress has been made by the country's security forces in creating conditions for the majority of citizens to exercise their right to vote," the statement read. The long-delayed parliamentary and district councils elections are expected to be held on Oct. 20. More than 2,600 candidates from 33 out of 34 provinces, excluding Ghazni, will stand for the parliament's 249 seats. "Afghanistan's security forces are fully responsible for providing security for the elections process," Tadamichi Yamamoto, special UN envoy and head of UNAMA, was quoted in the statement as saying. "Adequate security is required to give the opportunity to as many eligible voters as possible to exercise their constitutional rights," he said. He also emphasized that Afghans should not be obstructed, intimidated or denied their right to choose their representatives and shape their country's future. "Any violence or intimidation directed at voters, candidates or electoral officials is totally unacceptable, and I unequivocally condemn it," the UN envoy stressed, citing recent attacks across the country against candidates, their teams and potential voters. "While fulfilling their critical role in providing security to the process, UNAMA notes that the Afghan security forces also have a responsibility to remain politically impartial in discharging their duties," the statement said. Nearly 9 million registered voters, including 3 million women, out of some 12 million eligible Afghans, will cast their ballots during the upcoming polls. The statement came as Afghan civilians continue to bear the brunt of armed conflicts as more than 2,790 civilians were killed and over 5,250 others injured in conflict-related incidents in the first nine months of year, according to figures released by UNAMA on Wednesday. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 16:47:40|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia is expected to attract 10 million international tourists in 2025 and up to 15 million in 2030, Tourism Minister Thong Khon said on Thursday. Speaking at a tourism exhibition, the minister said Cambodia received 5.6 million international tourists last year, earning gross revenue of 3.6 billion U.S. dollars, which accounted for 12 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). For the first eight months of 2018, the kingdom welcomed more than 3.9 million foreign tourists, up 11.7 percent over the same period last year, he added. China, Vietnam, Laos, South Korea, and Thailand are the largest sources of tourists to the Southeast Asian nation, according to a tourism data. "Cambodia hopes to receive 6.2 million international tourists in 2018, over 7 million in 2020, 10 million in 2025 and 15 million in 2030," Thong Khon said. The minister added that the tourism industry currently creates approximately 620,000 direct jobs and tens of thousands of indirect jobs. Cambodia has three world heritage sites, namely Angkor Archeological park in northwestern Siem Reap province, Preah Vihear Temple in northwestern Preah Vihear province, and Sambor Prei Kuk archeological site in central Kampong Thom province. Besides, it has a pristine coastline stretching 450 km in four southwestern provinces of Koh Kong, Preah Sihanouk, Kampot and Kep. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 17:07:43|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MOSCOW, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Russia and Mongolia conduct anti-terrorist drills in Russia's eastern Siberia, the Russian Eastern Military District said in a statement on Thursday. The anti-terror exercise is in the framework of the Russian-Mongolian joint military exercise Selenga-2018 at the Burduny training range in Russia's eastern Siberian republic of Buryatia, said the statement. The joint group from the Eastern Military District and the Mongolian Armed Forces has to locate, block and eliminate an illegal armed group in the drills, added the statement. Up to 1,000 servicemen and about 200 units of military equipment are involved in the drills. The Selenga-2018 Russian-Mongolian military drills kicked off earlier this month and will last till Oct. 12. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 17:17:44|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Photo taken on Oct. 8, 2018 shows herbal medicine in a pharmacy in Al-Mansour district, west of Baghdad, Iraq. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) BAGHDAD, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The historical use of herbal medicine, also known as Arab medicine in Iraq, has thrived in the past few decades due to unrest in the war-torn country. In Iraq, using herbs in medicine dates back over 5,000 years to the Sumerians, who created clay tablets with lists of hundreds of medicinal plants such as Myrrh, which is a natural gum extracted from small and thorny trees. For centuries, the traditional Arab medicine was the backbone of treating illnesses, but at the beginning of the 20th century, the modern chemical medicine dominated, leaving Arab medicine the second choice for people. The traditional herbal markets nowadays are located in old districts of Shorjah, Souq al-Arabi, Shawaka and Kadhmiyah in Baghdad, but the increase of demand for such treatments pushed people to open dozens of herbs shops all over the city. The herbal treatment is widely wanted by many Iraqis as it proved its success in treating illnesses with fewer side effects, in addition to its low cost comparing with the chemical treatment. Abu Azhar, in his 60s, owner of a herbs shop in western Baghdad, told Xinhua that people increasingly used the herbal treatment during the years of the international sanctions in 1990s and after 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Sitting in his shop surrounded by many bottles and cans containing various herbs, Azhar said that "the most common herb in my shop is Chamomile as it treats diabetes, reduces inflammation, cold symptoms and helps with sleep." "The most important thing is that the use of herbs does not harm the human body contrary to the chemical drugs ... in addition to the high price, especially as Iraqis are living in difficult situations," he added. "The cost of buying herbs that treat various diseases, including diabetes, colitis, hypertension, heart disease and other diseases, is much lower than drugs sold in pharmacies and also saves money paid to physicians," he said. Omer al-Khalidi, 44, said that he inherited the herbs treatment profession from his late father who was well-known in Mosul in northern Iraq, but moved to Baghdad 25 years ago. "The herbs world has secrets and magical recipes," said Khalidi. "The Black Cumin and pure honey are common ingredients for preparation of most herbal remedy recipes. They are indispensable material to achieve positive results." "Any comparison would show that the chemical medicine costs 10 times higher than herbal medicine, let alone the side effects of the chemicals," Khalidi added. Khalidi pointed out that he is planning to hand over his profession to his 18-year-old son. "I always bring him here in the shop to be familiar with the herbs world. I regularly teach him the inherited knowledge about herbs, and sometimes I ask to him do some researches on new kinds of herbs to improve himself," Khalidi said. Abu al-Hassan, in his 60s, a customer at a herbs shop in Ghazi market in Baghdad's western neighborhood of Mansour, told Xinhua he used to buy the green tea and other herbs from that shop. "I usually prefer the green tea for its positive effect on the human body like reducing the risks of heart disease, lower blood pressure, cholesterol level, and improving memory," said Hassan, who believes that the people in southeastern Asia enjoy better health because their food depends more on herbs. Hussein Fawzi, in his 50s, a physician told Xinhua that such kind of medicine dates back to ancient times, and maybe many medicines lack appropriate scientific testing. "I think, given the level of local knowledge, it was a good idea that the Iraqi Health Ministry created an institution to offer specialized courses in herbal medicine," Fawzi said. The widespread herbs shops in Iraq, pushed the health ministry to organize herbal treatment profession by establishing an institute named Herbal Center of Iraq (HCI), which is tasked with teaching and certifying the people who works in this area. The ministry issued regulations including tasking the HCI with nine-month courses to license those who want to practice herbal treatment. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 18:12:54|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- As the Russian-Turkish demilitarized zone deal has finished its first step of withdrawing rebels' heavy weapons from the planned zone, doubts still shadow the full implementation of the deal, analysts said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the rebels finished withdrawing heavy weapons from the planned demilitarized zone on Tuesday. The withdrawal of the rebels' heavy weapons comes as part of the deal established between Turkey and Russia late last month over the creation of a demilitarized buffer zone in northern Syria. The planned buffer zone is 15 to 20 km wide and should be established by Oct. 15. The demilitarized zone will include areas in Idlib, which is the last major rebel stronghold in Syria, as well as adjacent countryside areas of the provinces of Hama, Latakia and Aleppo. The Syrian government has welcomed the deal but noted that it was temporary instead of a permanent one. The observatory said the Russian and Turkish sides are preparing to start patrolling the planned zone after heavy weapons were pulled out. Turkey's role in the deal was to push the rebels to withdraw heavy weapons and fighters. Pro-government al-Watan newspaper said Thursday that the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, otherwise known as the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, will place hurdles to a full implementation of the Russian-Turkish deal. Al-Watan cited sources as saying that the next step is the most difficult, which is to persuade the rebels and extremists to withdraw from the demilitarized zone. The same sources said that ultra-radical rebel groups will not withdraw as they "have not received enough assurances from Turkey to guarantee the fate of its foreign fighters, whose original countries will not let them back." The newspaper said the topic of foreign fighters in Idlib is important as Turkey fears that such fighters would infiltrate its countries and cause security issues. The Turkish intelligence also faces another difficulty as it has yet to reach a formula to move the rebels out of the demilitarized zone to areas agreed upon in the deal. Al-Watan said that the al-Qaida-linked groups and its allied fighters launched overnight attacks on Syrian military positions in the northeastern countryside of Latakia and the western countryside of Aleppo on Tuesday. The observatory said that the Syrian army shelled the rebel-held areas in the northern mountains of Latakia after the clashes. In Damascus, experts haven't shunned the possibility of a "limited" military operation by the Syrian army as the al-Qaida-linked groups seem so far reluctant to abide by the deal. Hussam Shuaib, a political expert, told Xinhua that "there could be a military offensive targeting some of the rebels who will not abide by the deal." He pointed out that the possible offensive will not be wide-scale. It is sure that there would be a military operation if Turkey failed to convince the rebels to leave the demilitarized zone, Sharif Shehadeh, another political expert and former parliamentarian, told Xinhua. Shehadeh said that Syria wants Idlib and all rebel-held areas back under the government control, which is the ultimate goal behind the demilitarized zone. "The Syrian government eventually wants Idlib back and it will be better through negotiations and deal," he said. He hoped the deal could be fully implemented to save the area from more bloodshed and violence. In his latest TV appearance, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said the Turkish side is capable of making the deal a success. The Turkish side has swayed over the rebel groups in Idlib and Turkey will likely live to its pledges in terms of pushing the rebels out of the demilitarized zone, according to al-Moallem. The minister also mentioned the foreign fighters in Idlib, saying those will have to return to their original countries through Turkey, as they have originally come to Syria through the Turkish territories. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 18:17:55|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- At least three Afghan Border Police personnel and eight militants were killed in clashes in Afghanistan's northern province of Kunduz overnight, a provincial source said Thursday. "Taliban militants stormed border security checkpoints in Surkh Betal locality of Qalay-i-Zal district last night. The clashes claimed the lives of three police officers and eight militants," Gholam Hazrat Karimi, a press officer of army's Division 20 Pamir based in the northern region, told Xinhua. The district bordering Tajikistan has been the scene of clashes between Taliban and security forces from time to time. He made the comments when, Sayyed Assadullah Sadat, an official from the provincial council, told Xinhua that 14 border police were killed and 13 policemen injured following the clashes. Meanwhile, Zabiullah Mujahid, a purported Taliban spokesman, told local media that the Taliban fighters killed 25 police and injured seven others in Qalay-i-Zal clashes. Warring sides in Afghanistan often exaggerate the casualties of opponent side and it is difficult to verify with independent sources. 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 council elections scheduled to be held on Oct. 20. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 18:17:55|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The State Council, China's cabinet, announced on Thursday a public plan to improve the mechanisms for promoting residential consumption between 2018 and 2020. The plan, released by the General Office of the State Council, maps out ways to remove the most direct and prominent system- and mechanism-related barriers that hinder residential consumption, in order to further stimulate consumption potential. Dovetailing with the new trend of consumption transformation and upgrading, the new document focuses on forming reasonable consumption expectations and enhancing the fundamental role of consumption in promoting economic growth. China will nurture market segments in important domains of consumption, create a sound consumption environment and continuously raise residents' consumption capacities, the plan showed. Before 2020, the government will relax market access in the field of service consumption, improve the policy mix for promoting the upgrading of material consumption structures, and set more standards for goods and services in important areas, the plan read. Efforts will also be made to create a better credit system and optimize supporting measures for consumption promotion, including measures on individual income tax and income distribution reforms. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 18:42:59|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close DUSHANBE, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived here on Thursday for an annual meeting of heads of government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states and an official visit to Tajikistan. At the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the SCO member states, Li will discuss with other leaders issues such as deepening joint efforts to build the Belt and Road and strengthening cooperation in such fields as trade, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges to advance SCO practical cooperation in all areas. Li will also call for jointly opposing unilateralism and protectionism, building an open world economy and developing a community with a shared future for the SCO, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry press briefing before Li took the trip. The meeting is expected to release a joint statement, speaking with one voice on major international and regional issues. Cooperation documents are also expected to be signed. The SCO was established in 2001 by China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan joined as full members in 2017. It is also Li's first visit to Tajikistan. On the official visit, he is expected to discuss with Tajik leaders on development of bilateral ties under new circumstances, cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as important international and regional issues. Documents on trade, customs and local cooperation are expected to be signed. Zimbabwean Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube presents mid-term fiscal policies in Harare, Zimbabwe, Oct. 1, 2018. HARARE, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Prices of basic commodities continue to rise in Zimbabwe as unscrupulous business people take advantage of foreign currency shortages which have triggered a vibrant parallel market and a multi-tier pricing system. Some prices of commodities such as cooking oil and medicines have more than doubled in less than two weeks while commuter fares have also gone up. The hikes have prompted the government to direct that prices of basic commodities which were increased without justification should be reduced immediately, according to the state-controlled Herald newspaper. The price increases have triggered panic buying as some consumers try to cut on future higher costs, resulting in shortages of some commodities. Some retailers have removed price tags from the shelves as they may change at any time during the day, in a situation reminiscent to 2008 when prices could go up more than four times in a day. Major retailers are now rationing the amount of basic goods of the same kind that a customer can buy, with some supermarkets restricting cooking oil to two bottles per customer. The government also directed that no businesses should reject bond notes and other electronic payments when transacting. Some retailers, including fuel providers, and pharmacists had started charging for their products only in U.S. dollars. A number of businesses on Tuesday announced that they were closing down temporarily because they could no longer source products without paying in hard currency. Government on Tuesday warned that those who defied the directives would face drastic action, including the revocation of licenses for fuel suppliers. Vice President Kembo Mohadi, who gave assurances that Zimbabwe had enough fuel stock, said swift measures were being implemented to ensure that there was adequate foreign currency to procure medical drugs. This came in the wake of concerns raised by the Association of Health Funders of Zimbabwe that the health sector had been excluded from a 500 million U.S. dollar facility to help strategic sectors acquire goods and services requiring foreign currency. Apart from pharmacies, some doctors and health institutions are also demanding cash in U.S. dollars for their services. Medical aid societies have also intimated that one way out of the problem is for workers to ask their employers to pay part of medical aid subscriptions in foreign currency. Mohadi thanked major retail shops such as OK Zimbabwe and Pick n Pay who have maintained the old selling prices. "However, it has been noted with concern that there are some supermarkets and individuals that have started selling commodities at exorbitant prices. "There are also some who have engaged in speculative buying in order to create artificial shortages. Government is warning that those that have hiked prices and also those that are hoarding basic commodities in order to create artificial shortages to stop this malpractice forthwith," he said. He said the government would take stern measures against people "who are bent on inflicting suffering on our people", he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 18:53:03|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close TIRANA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Albanian side of Ohrid Lake is proposed to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage and World Heritage List, Albanian Telegraphic Agency reported on Thursday. According to the proposal, the part includes all of the Albanian part of Ohrid Lake, the Lin Peninsula, the north coast of the Macedonian border, and Drilon's springs with streams linking them to Ohrid Lake. In September, a team from UNESCO completed an evaluation visit for the file submitted by Albania in February this year. The decision is expected to be taken in June 2019 at the annual meeting of the UNESCO Committee. Lake Ohrid straddles the mountainous border between southwestern Macedonia and eastern Albania. It is one of Europe's deepest and oldest lakes, preserving a unique aquatic ecosystem that is of worldwide importance, with more than 200 endemic species. The importance of the lake was further emphasized when it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 19:28:10|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close ZHENGZHOU, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Wang Sanyun, former chief of Gansu provincial committee of the Communist Party of China, stood trial on Thursday in a court in Zhengzhou city, accused of using his position for bribe-taking. Prosecutors say Wang's law violations took place during his stint at multiple government and Party organization posts from 1993 to 2017, including when he was the deputy Party chief of Guizhou Province, governor of Anhui Province and Party chief of Gansu. Wang was also former vice chairman of the Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee of the National People's Congress. The indictment says Wang directly, or via other government officials, provided help to an unspecified number of individuals and companies in various kinds of matters such as acquiring bank stakes and project contracts, and selling official posts. Wang should be held criminally responsible for taking bribes worth 66.85 million yuan (9.65 million U.S. dollars) from the relevant parties mentioned above, it says. Wang pleaded guilty to the charges after evidence was presented. The Zhengzhou Intermediate People's Court said its verdict will be delivered at a later date. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 19:28:11|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The 2018 China International Cartoon Competition opened Wednesday in Beijing to boost international cultural exchanges. The event was hosted by the China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration (CFLPA) and undertaken by the People's China magazine and other companies. The competitions will be primarily held in China, Japan and the Republic of Korea to collect cartoons telling stories of the aforementioned countries and help young cartoonists pursue international cooperation opportunities. Lu Cairong, vice president of CFLPA, expressed hope that participants would enhance mutual understanding through creating comics and help promote international civilian friendship. Stating that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship and the 90th anniversary on the birth of Japanese animator Osamu Tezuka, Lu also spoke of Osamu's important contributions to China-Japan friendship. A number of cartoonists have emerged and injected fresh impetus into the industry of both countries since the first China-Japan cartoon competition was jointly held by CFLPA in 2016. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 19:38:12|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JUBA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan's former political detainees said Thursday the recently signed revitalized peace pact will hold. Deng Alor Kuol, ex-foreign affairs and international cooperation minister, told Xinhua by phone in Juba that his group known as the former political detainees has accepted and ratified the agreement. "I have come to Juba as a result of the invitation extended to us by the chair of the National Pre Transitional Committee. We are committed to the agreement. We feel and think that this agreement will be implemented by all the parties," Alor said. The former foreign affairs minister said his decision to return to Juba on Tuesday demonstrated the commitment by his group to implement the agreement in letter and spirit despite challenges. "Because of the determination of the parties and the people of South Sudan we will be able to overcome the difficulties ahead of us," he said. Alor signed the Sept. 12 peace deal on behalf of the former detainees in Khartoum mediated by Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional bloc. Last month, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir invited all opposition leaders, including rebel leader Riek Machar who rebelled against his regime to come to Juba to witness his commitment to the recently signed peace agreement. South Sudan's conflict that has now entered its fifth year. The conflict erupted in 2013 after forces loyal to Kiir and his former deputy engaged in combat. The 2015 peace agreement to end the violence was again violated in July 2016 when rival factions resumed fighting in the capital, Juba, forcing Machar to flee into exile. Millions of South Sudanese civilians have sought refuge in neighboring countries as the conflict rages on despite attempts by international players to end it. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta. (Xinhua file photo) NAIROBI, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Kenya has been thrown into mourning following the loss of at least 50 people in a grisly road accident in the western part of the country. The early Wednesday morning road accident is the worst on Kenyan roads so far this year, with statistics showing fatalities on the highways are on the rise. The 67-seater passenger bus that was headed for Kakamega, a town in western Kenya, from the capital Nairobi, is said to have veered off the road and rolled down a cliff at a place called Fort Ternan in Kericho County. Children and women were among the victims during the tragic incident. The carnage shattered the holiday mood that had gripped the East African nation's residents after the government declared Wednesday a public holiday. The accident comes a day after data revealed road accidents have surged in the East African nation this year. Road fatalities in Kenya rose 8 percent in the first half of 2018, according to the Kenya traffic police boss Samuel Kimaru. Accidents claimed at least 2,345 people between January and June compared to 2,165 during the same period last year. "As at June, there were 1,948 road accidents reported in the country as compared to 1,776 reported in the same period last year," said Kimaru on Tuesday. President Uhuru Kenyatta sent his condolences to the families of affected passengers, asking drivers to be cautious. "My heartfelt condolences to the families of fellow Kenyans who lost their lives in a tragic road accident at Fort Ternan in Kericho County this morning and wish those in hospital quick recovery." he said. Opposition chief Raila Odinga similarly sent his condolences to friends and relatives of those who lost their loved ones in the road accident. "I appeal to the police to arrest the return of madness on roads," said Odinga. Former presidential candidate Martha Karua offered her prayers to families of victims and condoled with them. "Who will save us from these accidents?" said former lawmaker Martha Karua. "My prayers and sympathies to affected families," she added. In Kakamega, where the accident victims were headed, a somber mood engulfed the town and neighboring regions as people came to terms with the tragedy. Kenyans in their huge numbers took to social media to express their condolences as they asked the government to take action. "This is unbearable pain; 50 people dead in one morning. Our roads have become death traps. My condolences to the family and friends of those who perished," said lawyer Norman Magaya. Both leaders and citizens debated also possible solutions to help curb the rise in road accidents. Senator Moses Wetangula noted the return of carnage on Kenyan roads should not be welcomed. "Offenders must be punished to deter recklessness. I condemn the accident. The victims' families should be compensated," he said. Others suggested having ambulances on standby along the highway so that victims can be saved on time in case of accidents. "Some of the 50 lives would have been saved if there was first response to the accident. Let us have ambulances as priority," said Hilda Juma. Some Kenyans suggested that the standard gauge railway should be extended faster to western Kenya to curb road accidents and ease transport. The Nairobi to western Kenya route is among one of those with highest number of road accidents. With the other being the Nairobi-Mombasa road, which, however, is now served by a railway line. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 19:53:17|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close KAMPALA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Uganda and the UN Refugee Agency have established a centralized call center, which will make communication between refugees and humanitarian agencies more instant. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Uganda said in a statement on Thursday that the refugees will use the call center to report urgent protection and assistance-related problems, receive guidance on queries that they raise, lodge complaints about sensitive incidents or obtain general information and advice. "The calls will be answered in real time and the complaints will be transferred to relevant agencies for resolution, while ensuring confidentiality of the information received through the helpline," the agency said. Joel Boutroue, the UNHCR Representative in Uganda said refugees and asylum seekers need critical information in real time. "They actively seek updates and advice, but often get a range of misinformation on social media. Setting up a call center for refugees will immediately address some of these issues," Boutroue said. The call center will initially receive calls from Kiryandongo and Nakivale refugee settlements for at least one month before rolling out to all refugee settlements in the country by the end of the year. UNHCR figures show that Uganda currently hosts about 1.4 million refugees, mainly from South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Burundi. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 19:58:19|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close HONG KONG, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong stocks shed 926.70 points, or 3.54 percent, to close at 25,266.37 points on Thursday, tracking loss on Wall Street overnight. The benchmark Hang Seng Index lost 800.17 points, or 3.05 percent, to open at 25,392.9 points. Turnover was 139.74 billion HK dollars (17.83 billion U.S. dollars). Heavyweight Tencent dropped over 6 percent, China Mobile lost 2.7 percent, HSBC Holdings fell almost 2 percent. Analysts believed that such a market adjustment would put pressure on the global market anytime soon. Cheng Shi, chief economist of ICBC International Research Limited, said that global finance market is at a situation of risk release, while investors tend to avoid risks, leading to a plunge in stocks markets. Wall Street stocks plummeted on Wednesday evening, when major indices dropping more than 3 percent, the biggest single-day drop since February. Jason Chan, deputy head of Bright Smart Securities's research department, said that volatility index has risen to 44 percent, the highest within six months, which explained the spur of risk aversion sentiment of investors. Cheng asked investors to be cautious and prudent amid the adjustment of Wall Street, and be prepared of downside risks. (7.83 HK dollars = 1 U.S. dollar) Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 19:58:20|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close KAMPALA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- A court in the Ugandan capital Kampala has ruled that a Kenyan national who faced terror charges in Uganda be deported after he was acquitted of the offense, his lawyer said on Thursday. Lead defense lawyer, Caleb Alaka told Xinhua by telephone that Justice Margaret Oumo Oguli of the International Crimes Division of the High Court, on Wednesday upheld an earlier order for the deportation of Omar Awadh Omar to Kenya. "The judge said in five days, but I think they will deport him tomorrow (Friday)," said Alaka. "At least after three years he can come back to Uganda. We are waiting to see that if in Kenya anything happens (arrest and charge) to him, we shall go to the East African Court of Justice," he said. After his acquittal last month, Omar Awadh Omar protested a move by Uganda to deport him, arguing that he was born in the east African country. The court ruled to uphold the government's decision, arguing that since Omar had a Kenyan passport and his father was Kenyan, he should be deported. The court however also ruled that since Omar's mother was Ugandan, he could occasionally visit his relatives in the country after a three-year period. Omar was first arrested in 2010 during a swoop of persons suspected for masterminding a terror attack in Kampala that left close to 80 people dead and dozens of others injured. Somali militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was in revenge of Uganda's deployment of troops in the Somali capital Mogadishu in 2007. Omar was among the three Kenyans and two Ugandans whose charges were dropped last month after prosecution failed to produce evidence pinning them in masterminding the 2010 terror attacks. They had been re-arrested in June 2016 after court had set them free. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 19:58:21|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close ZHENGZHOU, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Small and micro businesses in China often have difficulty getting loans, although they play an important role in the national economy. The situation has been improving gradually with the application of financial innovations in recent years. Cheng Jianqiu, general manager of a small clothing factory in the city of Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, said the firm has obtained a line of credit of 660,000 yuan (95,400 U.S. dollars) this year by using the credit system "Yunshuidai" from the China Construction Bank (CCB). "It is now easier to get loans than before as the key conditions for tax loans are simply operation compliance and paying taxes according to law," Cheng said. The credit quota could be up to 3 million yuan depending on the amount of tax a business has paid, a clerk of the CCB Henan branch said. There was a similar credit product before "Yunshuidai," but it was not efficient. "First, I had to obtain a tax certificate from the tax department and submit it and other financial statements to the bank for approval. The process took more than one month, but now I can borrow money in minutes by phone after registration," Cheng said. The CCB Henan branch in March launched the "credit and tax" system, which is able to obtain a company's tax payment information automatically and facilitate the transition from taxpaying credit to bank credit. The funding cost is also lowered. "Unlike term loans, I can use and repay the loan at any time, so the real cost goes down," Cheng said. Due to the financial innovation and diversifying financing channels, more and more entrepreneurs like Cheng feel more at ease when they need additional money for business expansion. There were 40 kinds of similar credit products for small and micro enterprises in Henan by the end of May, 28 more than in 2012, data showed. They can also turn to note financing, green financial bonds and startup corporate bonds. In recent years, the People's Bank of China (PBOC), or the central bank, has rolled out policies guiding banks to extend more loans to small and micro businesses, said Xu Nuojin, head of PBOC's Zhengzhou branch. In addition, continuous improvement of the credit system and the application of technology, such as big data in finance, provide support for financial innovation, said Xu. Financial innovation has improved the availability of loans for small and micro enterprises, with their outstanding loans increasing continuously. According to the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, the outstanding bank loans for small and micro enterprises totaled 30.74 trillion yuan by the end of 2017, up 73.1 percent from the end of 2013 and accounting for 24.5 percent of all loans. The loans provided capital to 15.2 million small and micro enterprises, up 21.7 percent from the end of 2013. With more similar financial products emerging, the market competition will heat up, making the financing cost more transparent and reasonable. Data from the central bank showed that in June, the average borrowing cost for China's small and micro enterprises, which were each granted less than 5 million yuan of loans, was 6.42 percent, 0.13 percentage points lower than the end of last year. "Financial innovation can reduce the financing difficulties of small and micro businesses, but we should pay more attention to their diversified demands, especially that of some startups," said Bei Duoguang, president of the Chinese Academy of Financial Inclusion at the Renmin University of China. "Startups often have no mortgage and transaction records with financial institutions, and it is not easy for them to get credit," said Bei, calling for more financing support for the startups. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 20:18:23|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Malaysian Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali delivers the closing remarks at the China Conference organized by the South China Morning Post in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Oct. 11, 2018. Malaysia is looking toward to tapping into new opportunities from its long-standing relationship with China, the rise of which has benefited the Southeast Asian country tremendously, Mohamed Azmin Ali said Thursday. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei) KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia is looking toward to tapping into new opportunities from its long-standing relationship with China, the rise of which has benefited the Southeast Asian country tremendously, a senior official said Thursday. Delivering closing remarks at the China Conference organized by the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post here, Economic Affairs Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali said Southeast Asia is looking at China as the new economic behemoth with genuine admiration, and China's commitment to peaceful development is absolutely crucial for the continued prosperity of the region. Malaysia expects China "to provide global leadership" not just in the economic sphere but in soft power, he told the audience. Azmin noted that relations between the two countries go back several centuries, when China traded with Malacca for years in peace, unlike the western powers which came to colonize the region. "The bilateral relationship between China and Malaysia, therefore, must be seen from the prism of that long history, signified not by wars or colonization, but by robust trade and cultural exchanges," he said. The two-day China Conference brought together business, academic and political leaders to discuss cooperation between China and Southeast Asia on politics, economy, technology and how to tap opportunities of the Belt and Road Initiative, among others. China's rapid growth had been a boon for Malaysia with China now being its largest trade partner, said Azmin. "Over the past 30 years, Malaysia has benefitted tremendously from the rise and integration of China into the global economy." He mentioned the robust trade with China of palm oil, which has been particularly important for Malaysia, a major global exporter, given the "double standard" taken by the West against the commodities. As Malaysia is keen on promoting its products to China, Azmin also urged Malaysian companies to continue to explore all possibilities to tap the opportunities. "Furthermore, from corporate giants like the Alibaba Group to drone manufacturer DJI to SMEs, there are many opportunities for Malaysian firms to form joint ventures and strategic alliances with Chinese corporate players," he said. Meanwhile, Azmin also urged Chinese businesses to view Malaysia through the prism of hope and opportunity, following the establishment of new government since the general election in May. He reiterated that Malaysia would like to learn from China and to see more investment from China that would bring capital, technology, value creation, jobs and skills transfer for Malaysians. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 20:38:30|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MALE, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Maldives top court has accepted to hear a legal challenge filed by the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) against the results of last month's presidential elections, local media reported Thursday. The PPM, led by incumbent President Abdulla Yameen, earlier on Thursday said it had filed a case in the island's Supreme Court, against the results of the Sept. 23 polls, alleging that there had been rigging. In a message on its official Twitter account, the department of the judicial administration said the top court had agreed to hear the case. However, the court is yet to schedule a hearing. The PPM said in a statement that the decision to seek legal recourse through the Supreme Court and High court was taken in accordance with the relevant articles of the Elections Act which said that elections-related complaints could be probed only through a court order. The decision to seek legal recourse was taken by the party council in order to uphold the electoral right of its candidate and running mate as well as the rights of the party's members and the 96,000 people who voted for the president, the PPM said. The Elections Commission has dismissed the allegations raised by the PPM and stressed there were no irregularities or complaints that could affect the outcome of the election. Yameen had, a day after the presidential polls, conceded defeat and said he accepted the results of the election. In an address to the nation, Yameen said he would stay on in presidency until the end of his term on Nov. 17. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 20:43:31|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Li Zhanshu (R), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Vietnamese Minister of Public Security To Lam, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 11, 2018. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Li Zhanshu met with Vietnamese Minister of Public Security To Lam on Thursday, saying the two countries should advance law enforcement and security cooperation. Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, hoped the public security departments of both sides could carefully advance the law enforcement and security cooperation, in order to safeguard the friendly cooperation of the two countries. He said the two side should carry forward the friendship and build a community with a shared future under the guidance of the policy of long-term stability, forward-thinking, good-neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation, and the spirit of being good neighbors, friends, comrades and partners. To Lam, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, spoke highly of the state-to-state and the inter-party ties and expressed the will to reinforce bilateral cooperation on law enforcement and security. Guo Shengkun, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, also met with To Lam on Thursday. To Lam was in China to attend the sixth China-Vietnam public security ministerial meeting on cooperation against crime. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 20:43:32|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close CAIRO, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Moody's Investors Service upgraded the outlook for Egypt's banking system to "positive" from "stable" on Wednesday. In its report, Moody's attributed the upgrading to increased economic growth, credit growth, bank's profitability and internal capital generation in the North African country. The positive outlook was also driven by the Egypt's accelerating economy and strong loan demands, the report said. Other key drivers of Moody's positive outlook for the Egyptian banking system is the improving operating environment, following the implementation of structural reforms, according to the report. The report expects Egypt's real gross domestic product (GDP) growth to reach 5.5 percent in 2019 from 4.2 percent in 2017. "Increased domestic private sector investment, large infrastructure projects as well as higher exports will drive economic growth and credit demands," Moody's Assistant Vice President Melina Skouridou said. The report concluded that Egyptian banks' fund and liquidity profiles will return strong as the two largest government-owned banks, National Bank of Egypt and Banque Misr, have increased their market funding significantly. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 20:56:58|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Yang Hong listens to learning materials of broadcasting and hosting at home in Taihe County of Ji'an, east China's Jiangxi Province, Sept. 25, 2018. "Born blind, I have never gotten a chance to see this world," said Yang Hong as a guest anchor at a studio in Taihe New Media Center, "but I have a dream, a dream to be special and different." Yang Hong, a blind 20-year-old girl, works as a massage therapist, a common job for many blind people in China, yet aspires to become a radio anchor. This aspiration comes as she often listens to radio programs with her smart phone during the break of massage work. The beautiful voices from radio are like a beam of light, illuminating the dark world of the young visually impaired girl. Determined, Yang Hong decides to realize her big dream through endeavors. In 2017, Yang Hong attended a class of broadcasting and hosting, during which she started to learn vocalization and elocution. She worked hard and has devoted herself to her love for broadcasting. Yang Hong would practice unweariedly over and over again every day, even if she may be worn out after a whole day of intense massage work. Her endeavor paid off. She impressed audiences with her sweet voice and excellent elocution during a recitation program held by Taihe New Media Center. Later she was enrolled by Taihe New Media Center as a part-time anchor. Yang believes that by persisting effort, her dream of becoming a professional anchor will one day come true. "The learning of broadcasting and hosting fills me with self-assurance and happiness," said Yang Hong, "I hope to inspire more people with my voice." (Xinhua/Peng Zhaozhi) Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 20:48:33|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BERLIN, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Metro, a leading international company in wholesale and food retail, hopes to enhance its exchange and future cooperation in imports with partners across the world through the upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE). In an recent exclusive interview with Xinhua, Philippe Palazzi, chief operating officer (COO) and management board member of Metro AG, said: "China is an important growth market for Metro and we'd like to take the opportunity of CIIE to showcase our strength in imports and global sourcing, which is one of our core competences as an international player in food distribution." "We also want to use such a great platform to enhance our exchange and communication with local customers, business partners and other stakeholders as we are committed to the long-term development in China," Palazzi added. The 47-year-old COO said that his company attaches great importance to CIIE and he is delighted that he will go to attend Metro exhibition booth on Nov. 5 on behalf of the management board. Meanwhile, "we wish to explore CIIE to discover more suitable business partners for future cooperation in imports so that we will be further empowered to provide high quality products to meet the demands of our customers in China," said he. CIIE, the first of its kind to be held by China in Shanghai, will be held on November 5-10. So far more than 2,800 companies from over 130 countries and regions have confirmed their participation in the event. METRO will not only participate in the first CIIE this November, but also has confirmed its participation in the next year's CIIE. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 20:57:10|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Photo taken on Oct. 11, 2018 shows an aerial view of the show room of "The 3rd Interior Exterior International Expo 2018" in Dhaka, Bangladesh. An international exhibition on interior-exterior decorative products kicked off on Thursday in Dhaka. (Xinhua) Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 20:53:34|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close AMMAN, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- A royal decree was issued on Thursday approving a reshuffle in Prime Minister Omar Razzaz's government. The shakeup, which came upon the prime minister's recommendation, included eight incoming ministers, according to a Royal Court statement. The ministers who join the government included Bassam Talhouni, appointed as minister of justice, and Raed Abu Saoud, appointed as minister of water and irrigation. Other members of the team also included Majd Shweikeh as minister of institutional and administrative development, Ghazi Al Zaben as minister of health, Falah Omoush as minister of public works, Basma Ishaqat as minister of social development, Mohammad Abu Rumman as minister of youth and culture, and Ibrahim Shahahdeh as minister of agriculture and environment. The ministers were sworn in before King Abdullah II of Jordan in the presence of Razzaz. This is the first cabinet reshuffle in the government of Razzaz which was appointed in June this year after the resignation of former Prime Minister Hani Mulki following nationwide protests in rejection of the income tax draft bill. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 21:03:35|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close CAIRO, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian court on Thursday sentenced 17 Islamists to death over accusations of bombing three churches in Egypt, which left 82 Copts killed, official news agency MENA reported. Other 19 persons received life sentences (25 years in Egypt) and 15 were handed eight years in jail over the same charges. In April 2017, twin suicide bombings took place at St. George's Church in the city of Tanat and Saint Mark's Coptic orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria, leaving 45 people killed and 126 injured. Another attack took place in the Capital St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, killing 37, in 2016. The defendants were also convicted of attempted murder of 14 policemen in Cairo nearby security check point. At least 166 persons were wounded in the three attacks. Since the ouster of the Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in 2013 by the army in response to mass protests against his rule, Egypt has been facing waves of anti-security terrorist attacks that killed hundreds of security men. Some of the attacks also have targeted civilians and churches in recent years. Most of the attacks were claimed by Islamic State branch in Egypt, mainly centered in North Sinai. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 21:08:36|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close RABAT, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Morocco's Saham Group announced on Thursday the selling of its remaining 53.37-percent shares of Saham Finances to South African Sanlam Emerging Markets for over 1 billion U.S. dollars. According to a statement from Saham, the company has sold its remaining shares in the insurance business to Sanlam after receiving approval from the regulatory bodies in the two countries. The deal will give Sanlam access to Saham's insurance business which is present in over 30 countries in Africa and the Middle East. The acquisition of Saham Finances by Sanlam started since 2016 when Sanlam Emerging Markets acquired a 30-percent stake in its capital, before increasing it to 46.6 percent the following year. Saham Finances, a Casablanca-based arm of the Saham Group founded in 1995 by Moulay Hafid Elalamy, currently Moroccan Minister of Industry, is the largest insurer on the continent outside of South Africa. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 21:28:40|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaa Khurelsukh said Thursday his country is willing to further strengthen cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a wide range of areas including investment and infrastructure. Khurelsukh made the remarks when meeting with UAE ambassador to Mongolia Abdullah Abdul Rahman Al Tunaiji, according to the Mongolian government press office. "We have great potential for expanding bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas, including investment, infrastructure and mining," the prime minister said. The UAE ambassador said his country is willing to enhance bilateral cooperation with Mongolia. The interest of UAE citizens to explore Mongolia has been growing in recent years, he said. Relaxation or elimination of visa requirements between the two sides will send a strong impetus to boost tourism, he added. Mongolia and the UAE established diplomatic relations in April 1996. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the UAE development aid institution, has financed many development projects in Mongolia. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 21:28:40|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Beijing witnessed a year-on-year decline in the density of hazardous PM 2.5 in the first nine months the year, local authorities said Thursday. The city's average PM 2.5 density dropped to 50 micrograms per cubic meter in the first three quarters, down 16.7 percent compared with the same period last year, according to the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau. There were only eight heavily polluted days in the first three quarters, down by more than 50 percent year-on-year. According to the bureau, average PM 2.5 density was within 35 micrograms per cubic meter for January, August and September, the best ever monitored. Meanwhile, average density of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and PM 10 in the first nine months stood at 6 micrograms, 38 micrograms and 77 micrograms per cubic meter, respectively, down by 33.3 percent, 15.6 percent and 14.4 percent. Beijing has been making efforts to curb air pollution, including tightening supervision on car emissions, encouraging new energy vehicles and shutting down polluting companies. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 21:38:42|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JAKARTA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has identified locations of temporary houses for those displaced by the recent earthquake and tsunami disasters that severely hit Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi province, as activities to search more bodies would be terminated on Friday, an official said here on Thursday. The identified locations were Duyu and Ngatabaru subdistricts in western Palu and city of Sigi for former residents of Palu's most devastated villages of Balaroa and Petobo respectively. The two villages encountered liquefaction phenomenon during the earthquake that hit on Sept. 28, making houses and thousands of their occupants sucked down into the earth. The liquefaction process prompted by the earthquake has made the ground in the two villages liquified, failing to support all construction above. Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said not all displaced people would be relocated to the temporary houses as some of them would return to their houses after renovation efforts to fix minor damage were conducted. They would eventually get permanent houses from the government after the project concludes within one or two years. The housing projects for the displaced were part of rehabilitation and reconstruction programs in the affected province. "The permanent houses built for those who entirely lost their houses would be earthquake-proof ones," Sutopo said in his office here. According to the data released by the BNPB, the disasters have displaced 87,725 people, of whom 78,994 were taking shelter in 112 camps in the province. Sutopo added that activities to search bodies of those perished in the disasters was extended one day to Friday to accommodate requests of people in the affected areas. He said so far search teams have managed to retrieve 2,073 bodies from the debris of collapsed buildings and houses. Most of them have been buried in mass graves and public cemeteries. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 21:38:42|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close TOKYO, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- A new fish market opened in Tokyo's Toyosu district to replace the famous Tsukiji market, which closed its doors last week after being a mainstay in the capital for 83 years. Approximately 900 businesses have moved from Tsukiji to the new site, which opens its doors to the public from Saturday. Hiromi Amino, the president of fish wholesaler Daito Gyorui Co., was quoted as saying, "The Toyosu market boasts new equipment. We will do whatever it takes to make this new place prosper." His remarks came ahead of the tuna bidding opening bell at 5:30 a.m. local time. Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, who visited the new site said, "We want to make the Toyosu site Japan's core trading hub by transferring the product assessment expertise fostered at Tsukiji market." Officials initially 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. The most recent delay involved toxic substances, remnants of the gas facility that once operated there, being found at the Toyosu site, costing billions of yen in taxpayers' money in cleanup operations. The site was eventually deemed safe in July and plans to move were finalized. "I expect everyone in the new fish market to work hard and promote the Toyosu brand to the world," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press briefing on the matter Thursday. Tsukiji market was fenced off on Thursday morning and in the afternoon heavy machinery began demolishing some of the old buildings. The complete demolition of the 155 buildings that comprised the old market is scheduled to be completed by February 2020, government officials said. The weeks leading up to Tsukiji closing its doors and Toyosu opening up, has seen hundreds of Tsukiji workers protesting its closure. In September, 56 workers sued the city in a failed last-ditch attempt to halt the move. Former traders, wholesalers and others opposed to the move staged a protest at Tsukiji on Thursday, saying that the move was still the wrong decision. The demolition of the Tsukiji site now presents the area with a possible rat infestation problem. In an inspection conducted in the summer, there were an estimated 700 rats in Tsukiji. The Tokyo metropolitan government has allocated a budget of about 35 million yen (311,000 U.S. dollars) to stamp out the rat problem by installing 40,000 sticky sheets, 600 traps and over 300 kg of rodenticide, local media reported. The site of the old Tsukiji market will be used to park vehicles for the the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. Thereafter it will become a tourist center. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 21:43:43|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Senior military officials including Xu Qiliang and Zhang Youxia Thursday visited a military-civilian high-tech equipment exhibition in Beijing. Both Xu and Zhang are members of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission (CMC). CMC members Wei Fenghe, Li Zuocheng, Miao Hua and Zhang Shengmin also visited the exhibition at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution. The senior officials stressed accelerating military-civilian integration to provide strong impetus and strategic support for realizing the Chinese Dream and building a powerful military. A total of 1,349 products were displayed at the exhibition. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 21:48:44|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close TEHRAN, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Iran's top military commander urged the Iraqi government and Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region authorities to prevent the "terror" groups from nearing Iranian borders in the west, Press TV reported on Thursday. Major General Mohammad Baqeri, chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, said that the nation's security constitutes a "red line" for the armed forces, according to the report. Baqeri warned "counter-revolutionary" groups against any attempt to destabilize the Islamic Republic. "Bases of counter-revolutionary (forces) and ill-wishers of the Iranian nation must not exit near our borders in neighboring states," said Baqeri. He stressed that the central Iraqi government and Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region are duty-bound to keep such groups under control. Baqeri made the remarks during a visit to border outposts in the western Kermanshah Province. On Sept. 9, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it had launched missile attacks on two headquarters of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan near the town of Kwisanjaq in Iraq's semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan. The attack targeted the base used for training anti-Iran "terrorist" in which up to 14 "terrorists" were killed and 39 others were wounded, the IRGC statement said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 21:53:44|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close Israeli soldiers secure the area after a stabbing attack at Huwara checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus, on Oct. 11, 2018. An Israeli soldier and a civilian woman were wounded Thursday in a stabbing attack near the Palestinian city of Nablus in the West Bank. (Xinhua/Ayman Nobani) JERUSALEM, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli soldier and a civilian woman were wounded Thursday in a stabbing attack near the Palestinian city of Nablus in the West Bank. The stabbing occurred near a bus station located at a road junction, close to an army base. The Israeli army reported that an assailant stabbed a reserve soldier, moderately injuring him. The soldier was transferred to Rabin Medical Center in central Israel for further medical treatment. The hospital reported that the soldier is fully conscious and had stab wounds in his face and upper body. Israeli forces fired towards the assailant, who fled the scene. A civilian woman, standing nearby, was reportedly injured from shrapnel and was transferred to a hospital for further medical treatment. Following the incident, part of road entrances to Nablus were closed as Israeli troops were searching the assailant. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 21:53:45|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close TOKYO, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Most people in China and Japan continue to view the Sino-Japanese relations as important and hope the two countries to enhance cooperation so as to achieve common development, a survey released on Thursday showed. The survey was conducted by China International Publishing Group and Genron NPO, a Japanese non-profit organization, with valid responses from 1,548 Chinese residents and 1,000 Japanese citizens. Some 74 percent of the Chinese respondents said they believe that bilateral relations are "important" or "very important," while 71.4 percent of the Japanese respondents hold the same view. Regarding a question designed to mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, the majority of both the Chinese and Japanese respondents said that they support the article in the treaty that stipulates that the two sides should develop durable relations of peace and friendship on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Some 70.4 percent of Chinese respondents and 63.4 percent of Japanese respondents said that they are in favor of the two sides enhancing cooperation in bilateral and regional affairs. Meanwhile, 45.1 percent of Chinese respondents said bilateral ties are currently in a "very bad" or "bad" situation, down 20 percentage points from last year, while 39 percent of Japanese respondents hold the same view, down 6 percentage points from 2017. Territorial disputes, maritime resource conflicts and historical disagreements remain major obstacles to bilateral relations. With regards to improving ties, the most preferable solution among Chinese respondents was to solve the long-standing disagreement over historical issues, while more Japanese respondents prefer the solution of boosting trust between the two governments. The survey is an annual project of the Beijing-Tokyo Forum, which is scheduled to open in Tokyo on Oct. 14. Founded in 2005, the event will have hundreds of guests and representatives from China and Japan attending this year. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 21:58:45|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close URUMQI, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government has allocated close to 3 billion yuan (434.2 million U.S. dollars) in funds into the health sector of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, an official said Thursday. Wang Hesheng, deputy director of the National Health Commission, said at a meeting in Xinjiang that since the 13th five-year plan began two years ago, the money has been transferred to 345 health-related projects in the region. Wang said that the government efforts to improve Xinjiang's health sector has paid off and that the health of locals has been guaranteed. Meanwhile, 19 provinces and cities have given more than 2.1 billion yuan in funds to help with more than 2,600 projects in Xinjiang in the past two years. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 22:03:46|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, accompanied by Tajik Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda, inspects the guard of honor during a welcome ceremony at the Dushanbe international airport in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Oct. 11, 2018. Li Keqiang arrived here on Thursday for an annual meeting of heads of government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states and an official visit to Tajikistan. (Xinhua/Li Tao) DUSHANBE, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived here on Thursday for an annual meeting of heads of government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states and an official visit to Tajikistan. It is Li's first visit to Tajikistan. He was welcomed by senior Tajik government officials led by Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda at the Dushanbe international airport. Li said he expects to have in-depth exchange of views with Tajik leaders on deepening bilateral ties and advancing practical cooperation in all areas to let China-Tajikistan friendship bloom and bear more fruits to benefit people of the two countries. During his visit, Li will meet with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon. He will hold talks with Rasulzoda, jointly meet the press and witness the launch of cooperation projects and the signing of documents. While attending the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the SCO member states, Li is expected to map out practical cooperation plans for the SCO with other leaders, sign cooperation documents and hold bilateral talks with relevant parties. Li said the SCO has played an even more prominent role in helping countries maintain stability, boost economy, and improve people's livelihood at a time when the world is undergoing major development, transformation and adjustment. China stands ready to work with relevant parties to push the SCO to advance steadily in a time of changes, and to create more benefits for people in the region, Li said. The SCO was established in 2001 by China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan joined as full members in 2017. Today, it stands as a comprehensive regional cooperation organization that covers the largest area and population in the world, with member states accounting for about 20 percent of the global economy and 40 percent of the world population. After Tajikistan, Li will go on a trip to pay an official visit to the Netherlands, attend the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in Brussels and pay a working visit to Belgium. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 22:13:27|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Visitors experience a set of tea wares on a tea expo at Qujiang International Conference and Exhibition Center in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Oct. 11, 2018. More than 800 exhibitors from home and abroad took part in the tea expo which kicked off here on Thursday. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 22:18:50|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of Defense said Thursday it is suspending all F-35 fighter jet operations after an F-35B jet crashed last month. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 22:18:51|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BEIRUT, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- French Presidential Envoy Ambassador Pierre Dukan emphasized Thursday the importance of forming a government in Lebanon, local media reported. Dukan also praised the efforts of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in passing a list of laws necessary to qualify for loans pledged at CEDRE despite the absence of a government, according to local news agency Al Markazia. Dukan's remarks came during his visit to Berri in a bid to discuss the latest developments related to CEDRE. Lebanon secured 11 U.S. billion dollars in loans and grants from international donors at CEDRE, an international conference in support of Lebanon development and reforms, to revamp its ailing infrastructure and bolster its economy. However, French ambassador to Lebanon last month urged Berri to speed up the government formation, otherwise the money allocated for Lebanon at CEDRE will be given to other countries. To qualify for the loans, Lebanon must form a government starting with necessary reforms. Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri has been facing various hurdles in his attempt to form a 30-member national unity government comprising all the country's political parties, due to differences between rival politicians over the representation of the main Christian parties, as well as the Druze sect. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 22:38:57|Editor: yan Video Player Close RAMALLAH, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah on Thursday called on Asian countries to support the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to help it uphold its operations. Hamdallah addressed the opening of the third Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD) at his West Bank Ramallah Office, stressing the importance of supporting UNRWA in light of the recent U.S. decision to cut its funds to the agency. "The ultimate goal of the peace process is to end the Israeli military occupation completely and build an independent Palestinian State on the borders of 1967 with East Jerusalem as it's capital and a resolution of the refugees issue in line with the UN resolution 194 and the Arab Peace Initiative," said Hamdallah. The Palestinian prime minister thanked the countries of East Asia for their support of Palestine. This is the first time CEAPAD is held in the Palestinian Territories. The CEAPAD was initiated by Japan with the first conference held in Tokyo in February of 2013. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 23:04:04|Editor: yan Video Player Close BERLIN, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Germans are increasingly content with their lives, the latest "Happiness Atlas" published on Thursday by Deutsche Post AG found. Speaking at the presentation of the "Happiness Atlas" in Hamburg, lead author Bernd Raffelhueschen told press that survey responses obtained were indicative of the "richest and most content Germans" to have lived in the European country to date. Measured on a scale of 0 to 10, the average happiness of Germans increased again slightly from 7.05 points in 2017 to 7.07 points in 2018. The closely-watched study is commissioned each year since 2010 by the DAX-listed Deutsche Post and measures the subjective wellbeing of respondents within and across Germany's 16 federal states. The gains recorded in 2018 were mainly attributed to continued growth and low unemployment in the eurozone's largest economy. "Money creates happiness", Raffelhueschen said with view to rising household and individual income and a resulting rise in happiness of 16 percent between 2006 and 2016. The academic noted, however, that "happiness gains" per additional euro were more pronounced for low-income earners than for those with high incomes. An improvement in respondents' perception of their health, living- and family situations were cited as further key factors which contributed to the favorable 2018 outcome. Within Germany, inhabitants of the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein defended their title as the happiest with a 7.44 reading in the Atlas compared to a 7.07 national average. Raffelhueschen stressed on Thursday that objective living conditions could not explain regional differences alone. Instead, these also reflected the specific mentality of inhabitants in Germany's states. The economist highlighted in this context that the regional dialect of people in Schlewsig-Holstein had a large number of words to describe coziness and comfort. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 23:09:06|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo paid his third visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Sunday. He held talks with the DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Un. The two sides agreed their countries would hold a second summit as quickly as possible. Kim also invited international inspectors to visit the Punggye Ri nuclear test site to confirm that it has been irreversibly dismantled. Despite the current mood of detente in the DPRK-U.S. relations, the two sides still need to overcome their yawning differences prior to reaching a complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Under a joint statement signed by Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore in June, the United States committed to providing a security guarantee to the DPRK in return for Pyongyang's commitment to denuclearize. However, U.S.-DPRK talks have been stuck in an impasse because of differences over the scale of denuclearization, stiff U.S. sanctions, and whether to issue a war-ending declaration. At the 73rd UN General Assembly, DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho demanded the United States take steps to secure Pyongyang's trust before it denuclearizes. "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," Ri said. "The DPRK government's commitment to denuclearization is solid and firm. However, it is only possible if the U.S. secures our sufficient trust toward the U.S.," he said. Even before the Singapore summit, the DPRK stopped all nuclear and ballistic missile tests and dismantled the Punggye Ri nuclear test site as a gesture of goodwill. "However, we do not see any corresponding response from the U.S. On the contrary, instead of addressing our concern for the absence of peace regime in the Korean Peninsula, the U.S. insists on 'denuclearization-first' and increases the level of pressure by sanctions to achieve their purpose in a coercive manner, and even objecting the 'declaration of the end of war,'" Ri added. Washington and Pyongyang have sparred over the exact terms of the vaguely-worded deal in Singapore. The United States insists on maintaining sanctions and pressure against the DPRK until its "final, fully verified denuclearization." During the first stop of his Asia tour, Pompeo met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The two allied countries reaffirmed that UN sanctions should be implemented until the DPRK denuclearizes. Furthermore, the DPRK says a declaration ending the 1950-53 Korean War should not be used as a bargaining chip in denuclearization talks. A commentary released by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Oct. 2 said "now that the DPRK and the U.S. are aspiring after the establishment of new relations true to the spirit of the June 12 DPRK-U.S. joint statement, it is quite right to put an end to the belligerent relations between them." "But, if the U.S. doesn't want the end of war, the DPRK will also not particularly hope for it." Besides holding firm on its own sanctions against the DPRK, the United States is also meddling in the improving ties between the DPRK and South Korea. On Wednesday, Trump told reporters at the White House that South Korea will not lift sanctions on Pyongyang without U.S. approval, after South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha suggested during a parliamentary audit that Seoul was considering easing its own sanctions against the DPRK to encourage its denuclearization. "They do nothing without our approval," Trump said publicly. In Seoul, South Korea's foreign minister confirmed reports that Pompeo expressed displeasure over an agreement reached between the DPRK and South Korea last month to reduce conventional military threats between them. Even though the world has witnessed positive development concerning the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue over the last few months, including increased visits and dialogue, mutual trust and sincerity are still lacking in the interactions on the ground. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said that the Peninsula issue is one of security in essence, and the DPRK's reasonable demands for safety and development should be responded positively. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 23:19:07|Editor: yan Video Player Close SANAA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Shiite Houthi rebels on Thursday claimed responsibility for Wednesday's ballistic missile attack on a military camp in Saudi Arabia's southern border region of Asir, rebel-run Al-Masirah TV channel reported. It said the missile was fired late Wednesday night at a gathering of troops of the Yemeni internationally recognized government camping at the Saudi military camp in Asir. The rebels did not provide further details. Meanwhile, the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television reported that "the Saudi air defenses in the Saudi southern border region of Najran intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile on Wednesday night at 10:51 p.m. local time." It reported no casualties. However, the Saudi television did not mention Asir but the camp is located in a desert border area between Asir and Najran. The failed attack was the latest attempt by the Houthis targeting the Saudi territory, in response to the Saudi-led airstrikes on the Houthi-controlled northern areas in Yemen. 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| 2018-10-11 23:19:07|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday said he was "deeply saddened" by reports that 200 people have died in floods in Nigeria. "The secretary-general extends his condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and wishes the injured a speedy recovery," said a statement issued by the secretary-general's spokesman. "The United Nations expresses its solidarity with Nigeria during this difficult time and stands ready to support as required," said the statement. In addition to the rising death toll, 1,300 people have been reportedly injured and nearly 2 million affected by the recent flooding in areas along the Niger and Benue rivers in Nigeria. More than half a million have been displaced and over 350,000 are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. Egyptian demonstrators protest in central Cairo to demand the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak and call for reforms on January 25, 2011. (AFP photo) CAIRO, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said on Thursday that the 2011 uprising that toppled former President Hosni Mubarak was the "wrong medicine for the wrong diagnosis," state-run TV reported on Thursday. His comments came during his speech to the nation amid the celebrations of the Oct. 6 anniversary that marks the Egyptian army victory in its war against Israel in 1973. "Those who mobilized the people and the saying that persuaded them that after someone leaves and another comes to power everything will be changed as if he will come with a magic wand were wrong," Sisi said. The president pointed out that mobilizing the people for pushing the regime, after defeat of the armies in 1967 war, could have caused another defeat. Sisi asserted that the war in 1973 against Israel was "a suicide, but the Egyptian brave soldiers made the victory." He reiterated that the enemies of 1973 war were known, but the current enemies are not, referring to terrorism which Egypt has been fighting over the past six years. He called on all the officials and ministers to work on raising people's awareness of the country's situations. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 23:44:14|Editor: yan Video Player Close by Mahmoud Fouly, Emad al-Azrak CAIRO, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The sixth summit that gathered the leaders of Egypt, Greece and Cyprus on Wednesday shows that their cooperation mechanism is likely to become a nucleus for boarder regional cooperation, said Egyptian political experts. The summit was held in the Greek city of Crete and attended by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, his Cypriot counterpart Nicos Anastasiades and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. The tripartite summit discussed means of fostering ties among the three countries in the political, economic, trade and tourism areas as well as their coordination on key regional issues. The three leaders agreed to establish a Cyprus-based executive secretariat for their cooperation mechanism to follow up the implementation of the summit resolutions as well as a Cairo-based forum on east Mediterranean gas. "There is a tendency shared by Egypt, Greece and Cyprus to create a permanent, open regional entity that is not restricted to the three states," said Saeed al-Lawindi, a researcher at Cairo-based state-run Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies (ACPSS). "The summit is a nucleus for a regional alliance with general shared interests and particular cooperation in several fields including oil and energy, which rose in the east Mediterranean region after the maritime demarcation agreements between the three states," Lawindi told Xinhua. The future establishment of a Cairo-based forum on east Mediterranean gas seeks to coordinate the natural gas exploration policies in a way that achieves the common interests of the regional states. "The principles on which the (tripartite) coalition is based elevate their relations from a framework of cooperation to a framework of comprehensive partnership," the ACPSS researcher added. The summit comes at a time when the three states are at odds with Turkey, which rejects a maritime border demarcation agreement between Egypt and Cyprus that allows exploration for gas in the area. Sisi reaffirmed in a previous tripartite summit of the three states that "this tripartite summit is not meant to be against anyone but stretches hands for any country in the region to join." On the other hand, Anastasiades said in the post-summit press conference on Wednesday that the meeting discussed plans to expand cooperation with other regional states including Lebanon and Jordan that would contribute to achieving peace in the region. "Holding this summit sends direct messages to regional parties that influence the security of the east Mediterranean region like Turkey, Israel and others," said Tarek Fahmy, political science professor at Cairo University. He added that the periodicity of the summit indicates the persistence of the three states to turn their tripartite gathering into a broader one for regional cooperation in political and strategic issues. In the press conference following the summit, the leaders of the three states expressed their positions on issues of common concern, such as the unity of the Cyprus island, the situation in war-torn Libya and Syria and terrorism. "This shows that the alliance between the three states is no longer limited to economic issues," Fahmy told Xinhua. The agreement to establish an executive secretariat headquartered in Cyprus is an important development that reflects the expansion of the three states' cooperation mechanism and the stability of their partnership cooperation, according to Fahmy. He explained that Egypt had "a proactive vision" when it worked on launching this tripartite cooperation and implementing a maritime demarcation deal with Cyprus, which resulted in the appearance of Egypt's giant Zohr gas field and other nearby ones. "I believe the states that will be invited to join this union are those with shared interests with Egypt, Cyprus and Greece, particularly amid such alarming security conditions in the troubled and unstable region," said Fahmy. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 23:49:18|Editor: yan Video Player Close BISHKEK, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The 5th congress of teachers and educators of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) opened on Thursday in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek. During the two-day event, some 400 teachers from Kyrgyzstan and other CIS countries will discuss the improvement in the educational system in the context of sustainable development goals. Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov in his welcoming remark stressed the increasing role of teachers in global competition. "Education is the most reliable foundation for sustainable development. Global competition can be sustained only by educated societies," he said. The congress is expected to help create conditions for the development of integration and actively look for new forms and mechanisms of interaction between the CIS member countries in the field of education. Founded in 1991, the CIS groups former Soviet republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 23:54:18|Editor: yan Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) on Thursday commended Ethiopia for its announcement to ease visa requirements for African travelers entering the East African country. Speaking at the joint session of the House of People's Representatives and the House of Federation of Ethiopia on Monday, President Mulatu Teshome, announced that his country would introduce a visa-on-arrival regime for all African passport holders entering the country starting from this Ethiopian fiscal year 2018/19. Welcoming Ethiopia's measure, Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, reiterated his appreciation to AU member states that have already taken steps to ease the travel of African citizens on the continent. He also urged all member states that have not yet done so to take similar steps, according to an AU statement on Wednesday. The chairperson said he looked forward to the day when all Africans can freely circulate in their own continent, said the statement. Mahamat underlined the need for all member states to become parties to the January 2018 Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community Relating to Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Right of Establishment. So far, 32 member states have signed this instrument, while only one member state, Rwanda has ratified it. Fifteen ratifications are required for the entry into force of the Protocol, according to AU. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 23:54:19|Editor: yan Video Player Close RABAT, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Morocco has busted some 57 terrorist cells since 2015, Abdelhak Khiame, the head of the country's anti-terror bureau, the Central Bureau of Judiciary Investigations, said. In 2018 the bureau dismantled eight cells, Khiame told Morocco's official MAP news agency in an interview Thursday. These figures bring the total number of the dismantled cells in Morocco, since 2002, to 183 cells, Khiame noted. These counterterrorism actions have arrested 3,129 people and foiled 361 terror plans, including some projects targeting "sensitive sites in the kingdom." Morocco spares no effort in sharing its counter-terrorism experience with partner countries at the regional and international levels, he said, noting that several African, European and Asian countries, in addition to Australia, have expressed their wish to learn from the Moroccan experience in this area. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-11 23:59:20|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Shinzo Abe (R, front), Japanese Prime Minister and president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, meets with Song Tao, head of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, in Tokyo, Japan, on Oct. 11, 2018. (Xinhua/Hua Yi) TOKYO, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister and President of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Shinzo Abe met with Song Tao, head of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) here on Thursday. Song said that the leaders of the two countries have confirmed the principles and direction of the development of bilateral relations during their recent meeting. He said that the eighth meeting of the China-Japan ruling parties exchange mechanism held here was aimed at implementing the consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries, further bringing into play the political leading role of the party-to-party exchange mechanism in bilateral relations, safeguarding the political foundation of bilateral ties, managing and controlling differences in a constructive way and jointly promoting practical cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. Abe, for his part, said that the exchanges between the ruling parties of the two countries are important to the development of bilateral relations, and Japan is willing to make joint efforts with the Chinese side to enhance party-to-party exchanges, boost political mutual trust and promote continued improvement and development of bilateral relations. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 00:19:27|Editor: yan Video Player Close MOSCOW, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet his Egyptian counterpart Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Oct. 17 in Russia's Sochi, the Kremlin said Thursday. Putin and Sisi will "discuss key issues of further building up Russian-Egyptian interaction, as well as exchange views on topical issues on the international agenda," the Kremlin said in a statement. Following the talks, a number of joint documents are expected to be signed, it said, with no details provided. Putin visited Cairo in December 2017, when he and Sisi witnessed the signing of an agreement to build Egypt's first nuclear power station. Egypt was Russia's number one tourist destination before October 2015, when the crash of a Russian passenger plane in Egypt, killed all 224 people on board, mostly Russians. Though Islamic State terrorist group claimed responsibility for this attack, bilateral ties suffered a toll. Moscow immediately suspended all direct flights between Russia and Egypt. Flights between the two capitals resumed earlier this year after Egypt toughened security measures in Cairo, but flights to other Egyptian cities remain closed. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 00:19:27|Editor: yan Video Player Close NAIROBI, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Governments and industries must double efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions in order to halt rise in atmospheric temperatures that is posing serious threats to livelihoods and natural assets in Africa, experts said on Thursday. They made the call at a pan African Climate summit in Nairobi. The experts agreed that the future of African communities is at stake as a warming planet trigger recurrent droughts, food shortages, new epidemics and disruption to ecosystems. Yacob Mulugetta, an Ethiopian scholar and lead author of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report on global warming, said that rising temperatures will reverse socio-economic gains African countries have made in recent times. "Global temperatures rise that has been influenced by human activities is having profound consequences in Africa where extreme weather events have occurred with bigger intensity," said Mulugetta. "Actionable targets to limit greenhouse gas emissions are inevitable in order to enhance climate resilience for African communities," he added. Mulugetta said that the international community has a moral obligation to support climate change mitigation and adaptation in Africa through deployment of green technologies and awareness creation. The UN IPCCC report that was launched on Oct. 8 in Incheon, South Korea stated that failure to limit emission of planet warming gases is likely to worsen droughts, poverty, hunger and disease outbreaks in the least developed countries majority of which are in Africa. Mulugetta warned that rising temperatures will adversely affect power generation, tourism, infrastructure development and human settlements in the World's second largest continent. "Limiting the atmospheric temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius is not an option if we are to save communities, nature and livelihoods in vulnerable African countries," Mulugetta said. Mark Majodina, Regional Representative for the World Meteorological Organization, said that action on atmospheric warming should be embedded in Africa's development agenda. "Basic scientific evidence reveal that Africa is warming rapidly hence worsening the vulnerability of communities to extreme weather events. Putting a cap on carbon emissions is key to enhance the resilience of populations," said Majodina. African countries should be at the center of global conversations on innovative ways that should be adopted to halt warming of the planet that has escalated against a backdrop of consumption of fossil fuels to power industrial growth. Laban Ogallo, a Kenyan Climate Scientist, said that less costly but effective options including reforestation, clean manufacturing, protection of watersheds and adoption of renewable energy sources, have the potential to accelerate low carbon development in Africa. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 00:44:31|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with Kazakh Prime Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev, who is here to attend the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Oct. 11, 2018.(Xinhua/Ding Haitao) DUSHANBE, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday called on China and Kazakhstan to further dovetail development strategies, give full play to industry capacity cooperation advantages, thereby steadily promoting existing cooperation projects and continuously exploring new areas of cooperation. Li made the remarks when meeting with Kazakh Prime Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev, who is here to attend the 17th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Noting that the two countries are friendly neighbors of sincerity and mutual trust as well as comprehensive strategic partners of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, Li said both China and Kazakhstan regard each other's stability, development and revitalization as a good opportunity for their own development. Li said China stands ready to keep the momentum of high-level exchanges with Kazakhstan and expressed the hope that the two countries will enhance links of each other's ports, expand trade, jointly safeguard multilateral trade system and open world economy, so as to benefit peoples of the two countries and the region. Sagintayev said Kazakhstan stands ready to further promote synergy of development strategies with China, facilitate port upgrading, increase cargo transit volume in Kazakhstan, further expand export of agricultural products to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 00:49:33|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu Thursday paid an official visit to Iraq and held meetings with top Iraqi officials to discuss bilateral relations. In a statement issued by his office, Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Adel Abdul-Mahdi said that he held a meeting with Cavusoglu who congratulated him, on behalf of his government, for his appointment to form the new Iraqi government. The statement said that the two officials "discuss boosting relations between the two countries in various aspects, and working to solve the outstanding issues, especially the water issue." About 70 percent of water supplies in Iraq flow from neighboring countries, especially in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers which run from Turkey. Mahdi told Cavusoglu that "Iraq has entered a new era after its victory over terrorism, which is reconstruction. And this requires the support of the international community," according to the statement. For his part, the Turkish minister, who arrived earlier in the day in Baghdad airport, confirmed Turkish support to Iraq in all aspects and pledged to strengthen relations between Ankara and Baghdad, it added. Cavusoglu's meeting with Mahdi came as Mahdi is busy with tough negotiations with Iraqi political blocs to form a new government, which must be presented to the parliament by the constitutional deadline of Nov. 3. Iraqi President Barham Salih also received in his office the Turkish minister and the two discussed the bilateral relations and Iraq's readiness to build balanced relations with neighboring countries, according to a statement by Salih's office. "The regional cooperation in confronting terrorism constitutes a solid guarantee for the protection of international peace and security," the statement quoted Salih as saying. The Turkish minister affirmed to Salih "his country's readiness to develop constructive strategic relations with Iraq in the field of water and all other fields." Cavusoglu asserted Turkey's support to Iraq's unity, sovereignty and expressed solidarity with the Iraqi people in all its components, according to the statement. In his two-day visit to Iraq, Cavusoglu is also scheduled to travel to Erbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region in northern Iraq, to meet with top Kurdish officials. Turkey and Iraq have been at odds in several issues, including Iraq's share of water as Turkey started earlier in the year to fill the reservoir of Ilisu Dam on Tigris River which flow from the Turkish highlands in north of Iraq. Iraq frequently complained of the decrease of water level in its main rivers of Tigris and Euphrates which led to sharp decrease of agricultural lands and the deterioration of water quality especially in southern Iraq. Cavusoglu's visit to Iraq is his second in this year. He visited Baghdad on January 21 to meet Iraqi top officials amid international and regional efforts to heal the rifts between Baghdad and Erbil after months of tensions caused by controversial referendum on independence of Kurdistan region and the disputed areas which occurred on Sept. 25, 2017. Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi after giving a press conference following their talks at the presidential palace in the capital Cairo on December 11, 2017. (AFP PHOTO) MOSCOW, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet his Egyptian counterpart Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Oct. 17 in Russia's Sochi, the Kremlin said Thursday. Putin and Sisi will "discuss key issues of further building up Russian-Egyptian interaction, as well as exchange views on topical issues on the international agenda," the Kremlin said in a statement. Following the talks, a number of joint documents are expected to be signed, it said, with no details provided. Putin visited Cairo in December 2017, when he and Sisi witnessed the signing of an agreement to build Egypt's first nuclear power station. Egypt was Russia's number one tourist destination before October 2015, when the crash of a Russian passenger plane in Egypt, killed all 224 people on board, mostly Russians. Though Islamic State terrorist group claimed responsibility for this attack, bilateral ties suffered a toll. Moscow immediately suspended all direct flights between Russia and Egypt. Flights between the two capitals resumed earlier this year after Egypt toughened security measures in Cairo, but flights to other Egyptian cities remain closed. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 01:44:42|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close KYOTO, Japan, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Shang Changrong, a famous Beijing Opera artist from China, was decorated with the Most Respect Award at the opening ceremony of the 5th Kyoto International Film and Art Festival (KIFF) here on Thursday. A film named Cao Cao and Yang Xiu with Shang playing the main character Cao, will be screened at the festival. The film tells the tragic story between Cao, a politician and poet in China's Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), and Yang, a lower official who served as advisor to Cao but was later executed by Cao. "Beijing Opera is very colorful and interesting. I sincerely invite you all to watch this film," Shang said at the ceremony, adding that he hopes Japanese people would enjoy this traditional Chinese art form. The KIFF started in 2014 in Kyoto, often called "the Birthplace of Japanese Films," highlighting not only films but also the city's rich and vibrant artistic tradition. During the four-day event this year, more than 70 films will be screened and a number of cultural activities held at dozens of theaters and cultural facilities across Kyoto. According to the organizer, the Most Respect Award, one of the awards given at the festival, was set up to honor world-renowned actors and filmmakers. To mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, the festival will also host a "Shanghai Night" dialogue between artists from both China and Japan. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 02:14:48|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close Photo taken on Oct. 10, 2018 shows the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkey has identified eight out of 15 suspects linked to the missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Wednesday. A total of 15 Saudis entered the consulate in Istanbul while Khashoggi was inside, Anadolu quoted security sources as saying. (Xinhua/He Canling) ANKARA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Turkey and Saudi Arabia agreed to set up a joint team to investigate the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said Thursday. Kalin told reporters that the agreement was reached upon Riyadh's request. "A joint working team between Turkey and Saudi Arabia will be formed to investigate the case in all its aspects," he said. Khashoggi, a journalist and columnist for The Washington Post, has been missing since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 to get documents for his marriage. Turkish prosecutors have launched a probe into the whereabouts of the Saudi journalist. Turkish police said that 15 Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and entered the consulate while Khashoggi was inside. Eight out of the 15 suspects linked to the missing Saudi journalist have been identified by Turkish police. Unconfirmed reports said that Khashoggi was likely killed inside the compound, which was dismissed by Saudi authorities as "baseless". Saudi Arabia on Tuesday invited Turkish experts and officials to visit the consulate after Turkey demanded to search the building. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 02:34:52|Editor: yan Video Player Close NAIROBI, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Kenya was considering a proposal to allow foreign currency denominated financial instruments such as bonds in order to expand capital markets, financial market regulator said on Thursday. Paul Muthaura, CEO of the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), told journalists in Nairobi that the move was aimed at increasing the liquidity of the capital market by attracting more foreign and domestic investors. "We have recommended to the National Treasury to issue a policy pronouncement that emphasizes that securities issuance and trading in Kenya may be in currencies other than the Kenya shilling with equivalent amendments being made to the National Payment Systems Act," Muthaura said during the policy roundtable forum. He said that the attractiveness of a bond is influenced by the currency of issue. "Investors are attracted to currencies that are very liquid, freely traded and less volatile relative to the major currencies, that is the U.S. dollar and euros. Borrowing with these major currencies makes it easier to place a bond with international investors," Muthaura said. According to the financial market regulator, there are numerous benefits of issuing foreign currency bonds to issuers including the fact that foreign currency denominated debt serves as a hedging instrument for both issuing firms and investors. Muthaura said that foreign currency bonds also enhances financing of domestic investment which otherwise may not be possible if there is a low level of domestic demand for bonds or if domestic saving is low. He observed that foreign currency bonds will boost capital flows and also reinforce Kenya's position as an International financial center. The CMA chief added that globally, capital markets play a critical role in driving long-term resource mobilization, raising savings and investment levels and overall financial sector stability for economic growth and development. He added that the National Treasury had identified well developed and properly functioning financial markets as a priority because they will play an important role in helping Kenya achieve its target of transforming itself into a newly industrialized, middle-income country, both by generating wealth and safeguarding it. The capital markets regulator said that the revival of the privatization program could stimulate the capital markets through new listings of state owned enterprises which could also have a multiplier effect on listing of private sector entities. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 02:34:53|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BEIJING, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping and a UNESCO Special Envoy for the Advancement of Girls' and Women's Education, sent a congratulatory message to the award ceremony for the 3rd UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education, held in Paris on Thursday. Peng paid respect and sent her best wishes to the laureates of this year's prize, the Misr El Kheir Foundation of Egypt and the Women's Centre of Jamaica Foundation. Peng said in the message that girls' and women's education is a great cause that empowers girls and women with the same opportunities to achieve their potentials as boys and men. It is an essential part of, and an important means to, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030. The UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education has played a unique and important role in encouraging more people to devote themselves to this great cause, Peng said. She praised the laureates for their commitment to promoting equality in education and helping girls and women fulfill their dreams. Peng said that, as the UNESCO Special Envoy for the Advancement of Girls' and Women's Education, she would like to work together with everyone else to support the UNESCO's gender equality global priorities and enable every girl and woman by giving them a chance to succeed and fulfill their dreams. Proposed and sponsored by the Chinese government, the UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education is the first UNESCO prize in girls' and women's education. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 03:10:04|Editor: yan Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Germany has provided 2 million euros (2.33 million U.S. dollars) to assist Libya's municipal elections through the UN electoral support project, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) announced on Thursday. "The UN electoral support project to assist 'Central Committee for Municipal Elections (CCMCE)' benefitted today from a contribution of 2 million euros from the Federal Republic of Germany," the UNDP said in a statement. German Ambassador to Libya Oliver Owcza and UNDP Country Director Sultan Hajiyev have signed an agreement on Germany's aid, the statement said. "Germany is trusted in the close cooperation with UNDP and CCMCE to support Libya's self-governance on the municipal level," Owcza said. Hajiyev expressed gratitude to Germany for its contribution, "which will help to support credible electoral processes in Libyan municipalities." "Thanks to this project, citizens will be able to freely select their representatives in local councils and to express their voices through their votes," Hajiyev said. The UN project, which is run by the UNDP and the UN Support Mission in Libya together with the Libyan Ministry of Planning, aims to assist the programs of the CCMCE between 2018 and 2020. Libya has more than 100 municipalities representing different cities and regions of the country. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 03:25:09|Editor: yan Video Player Close KAMPALA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan police had dispatched search and rescue teams to Bududa district in eastern Uganda where landslides are feared to have killed scores of people on Thursday. Patrick Onyango, Uganda's deputy police spokesperson, told Xinhua by telephone that an advance rescue team had been dispatched to the affected Bukalasi and Buwali sub counties. Sowed Mansur, Elgon region police spokesperson told Xinhua by telephone that the first teams at the scene had so far recovered 17 bodies and many more are feared to be buried. Police suspended the search and rescue operation when night fell on the site. Sowed Mansur, Elgon region police spokesperson, told Xinhua by telephone that it got dark to continue with the operation to look for survivors. "We were still on until it became dark. There was no light to enable us to continue with the operation. We have suspended it and we shall resume tomorrow (Friday)," said Mansur. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 03:40:11|Editor: yan Video Player Close BOGOTA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 people were killed, four others wounded in a landslide following heavy rains on Thursday in a neighborhood of the municipality of Marquetalia in northwest Colombia, said local authorities. Another 28 people were rescued, said the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD). According to the UNGRD, the landslide occurred early Thursday morning, killing four males and seven females. Four of the victims were minors. "Work between the government and the municipality is ongoing to help those affected, and to continue the identification, search and rescue operations," said Guillermo Escobar, deputy director of the disaster management at UNGRD. Humanitarian aid, including food, blankets and mattresses have been sent to help inhabitants who have lost their homes. UNGRD authorities said that continued rains have brought search and rescue operations to a halt at present, as the terrain is unsafe. President Ivan Duque sent his condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. "It's a painful situation that hurts us," he said, added that Vice President Marta Lucia Ramirez will go to the area and work with the UNGRD to see how the national government can support local government and the families affected. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 03:40:12|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The top UN envoy in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) warned on Thursday that the lack of security poses a threat to the upcoming presidential and legislative elections in the country. As the DRC moves toward elections in December, the complexity of the security situation and the continuing activities of armed groups in the east of the country continue to pose a major challenge, Leila Zerrougui told the Security Council. Securing the elections is a prerequisite for credible and peaceful polls. It is important to ensure the security of the candidates, but also to provide an environment in which the campaign and the actual polls will take place, said the head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC. It is difficult to secure the areas where armed groups are stationed, which are increasingly using the political agenda for the benefit of their own interests, she said. The UN envoy recommended the establishment of electoral security mechanisms as well as the strategic coordination of the various national defense and security entities. She expressed specific concern about current developments in Beni in North Kivu province. Presumed Allied Democratic Forces continue to stage near-daily attacks on civilians, the armed forces of the DRC, and the UN mission that is known by its French acronym as MONUSCO. To make things worse, the attacks have made the response to an Ebola outbreak in the area increasingly challenging, she said. So far, there have been 194 confirmed or probable cases, and 120 deaths in the Beni health zone and surrounding areas, now including a town neighbouring Uganda. Zerrougui reported that the electoral process is evolving according to the electoral calendar. Decisive milestones have been reached, she said, noting that the electoral law has been revised, the electoral register drawn up and submitted to an audit. Twenty-one candidates have been validated to compete for the presidency, 15,505 candidates for the National Assembly and 19,640 candidates for provincial legislatures. DRC's elections were long overdue. A political agreement on Dec. 31, 2016 allowed President Joseph Kabila, who has been in power since 2001, to stay on after his term of office expired, on the condition that elections would be held within 2017. But elections were delayed on the grounds of logistics. On Nov. 5, 2017, the country's electoral commission published an electoral calendar for the combined presidential, legislative and provincial elections for Dec. 23, 2018. Sorry, this news has been deleted. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 04:15:20|Editor: yan Video Player Close RABAT, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Solar modules maker Almaden Morocco will boost its production of PV modules at the end of this month, local media reported Thursday. Almaden made the decision after receiving a 250 MW fully automated PV module production line from Italian PV equipment provider Ecoprogetti, the financial daily L'Economiste reported. It said the line is expected to be fully commissioned at Almaden's factory in the northern city of Al Hoceima later this month. This production line has the capacity to produce both glass-glass and bifacial PV modules. Almaden Morocco switched on the production line on July 5, and it is now in the production ramp-up phase. The factory is Africa's largest and the most modern PV factory in the world. Almaden Morocco is part of China's Almaden which produces solar glass and solar modules and owns a manufacturing facility in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 04:25:23|Editor: yan Video Player Close CHICAGO, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama announced on Thursday a new initiative aimed at empowering adolescent girls around the world through education. "An educated girl can lift up her family, her community, and her country," said Michelle Obama as she launched the program on behalf of the Chicago-based Obama Foundation. "That's why I'm so proud that today the Obama Foundation is launching the Global Girls Alliance in support of adolescent girls' education around the world," she added. The Global Girls Alliance is teaming up with GoFundMe to create a fund-raising platform, encouraging people to take action in support of girls' education. The platform will enable grassroots leaders to seek funding for projects that can break down the physical, cultural, and financial barriers that keep adolescent girls from getting an education and fulfilling their potential, says the Global Girls Alliance on its website. Five projects that will benefit girls' education in Uganda, Malawi, India, Ghana and Guatemala are now open for donations. Former U.S. president Barack Obama said on twitter that he hopes the Global Girls Alliance will be another great chapter in Michelle's effort to get girls the opportunities they deserve. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 04:45:26|Editor: yan Video Player Close HAVANA, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Cuban agriculture authorities on Thursday said the goal of this current season is to harvest over 34,000 tons of tobacco, despite Hurricane Michael devastating the crop in the western Pinar del Rio province. President of the state-owned Tobacco Business Group (Tabacuba), Justo Fuentes, said the company has already signed contracts with tobacco farmers on that figure, and "the harvest must be higher in hectares, quality and yield this year." The tobacco season began on Wednesday, with planting getting underway in the central Sancti Spiritus province, Cuba's second largest tobacco producer. Tabacuba aims to plant over 30,000 hectares this season, which will conclude in the first months of 2019 with harvest. Meanwhile, work is underway to recover the damage caused by Hurricane Michael in the vital Vueltabajo region of Pinar del Rio, where thousands of tobacco hectares were damaged earlier this week. Vuetlabajo, considered to be the world's best tobacco producing region, provides some 70 percent of national tobacco production in Cuba. The tobacco industry is the island's fourth largest employer and economic sector, providing job for around 200,000 permanent employees. At the peak of the harvest, a quarter of a million people are employed for collection. In the 2017-2018 season, producers harvested around 30,000 tons of tobacco, an increase of 6,000 tons compared with the previous season. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 05:05:28|Editor: yan Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has grounded its fleet of F-35I warplanes following the crash of a U.S. F-35B plane, the Israeli military announced Thursday. After the crash of the U.S. jet two weeks ago, a technical investigation was held, and its findings were shared with the IAF by the U.S. Joint Program Office, the Israeli military said in a statement. The findings indicated that the cause of the accident was a technical malfunction in the engine's fuel pipe, it said. IAF Commander Amikam Norkin decided to take additional precautions and conduct tests on all F-35I aircraft, although the model in the accident was not used by the IAF and no malfunctions have been found in the IAF aircraft. The F-35I model differs from other F-35 models by having Israeli-developed weapons and avionics systems. According to the Israeli military, the testing will take several days and upon completion the planes will return to full operation. But in the meantime, if the F-35I aircraft are required for operational action, they are ready, the Israeli military said. A F-35B crashed during training on Sept. 28 in the U.S. state of South Carolina, in the first crash of the most expensive fighter plane in history. The Pentagon announced Thursday to ground all F-35s for a fleet-wide inspection of a fuel tube within the plane's engine. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 05:20:32|Editor: yan Video Player Close RABAT, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Moroccan Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit and his Saudi counterpart Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayif bin Abdulaziz vowed Thursday to boost bilateral security cooperation. During their talks in Rabat, the two ministers discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas of common interest such as security developments and challenges in the Arab region, said a statement released by the Moroccan Interior Ministry. Both parties also stressed the need to strengthen cooperation mechanisms through signing an agreement in the field of security cooperation on the fight against transnational organized crime, terrorism, illegal migration and drug trafficking, as well as the exchange of data and expertise, the statement said. In the area of training and capacity building, both sides agreed to develop and implement expert exchange programs, hold joint training sessions, and exchange experience. They also underlined the importance of implementing the civil protection cooperation agreement signed in Riyadh in 2013. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 05:20:32|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close LONDON, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's northeastern province Liaoning is luring overseas talent in a fresh effort to reshape the old heavy industrial base. At an event held Thursday in London to promote the province's policy initiatives, Liaoning identified high-end equipment manufacturing, next generation information technology, artificial intelligence, new material, new energy, and aerospace as key areas to attract global expertise. According to local officials, the rejuvenation of Liaoning depends on innovation and expertise while the province has "competitive and feasible policies" for luring global talent. They say the Dalian high-tech industrial zone has made achievements in attracting cutting-edge technologies, new industries and high-caliber talent. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 05:35:34|Editor: yan Video Player Close BERLIN, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday reiterated the importance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the fight against illegal immigration. An important task of the IOM is to reduce "illegal migration and to create the organized and legal migration," Merkel said at a meeting with the new head of IOM Antonio Vitorino here. The lives of refugees should be secured, and at the same time countries of origin and recipient states should be placed in a situation of control and regulation, according to Merkel. Both sides referred to the UN Conference on Immigration in Marrakech in December, which will officially adopt the first Global Migration Pact. The implementation of the agreement is to be managed by the IOM. The IOM head reiterated the agency's good cooperation with Germany, as well as Berlin's role in Europe, saying that he shared Merkel's priorities to combat irregular immigration and instead promote safe migration. Since the refugee crisis in 2015, Germany has tightened its migration policies and is now cooperating with other European Union states and African countries to fight against illegal migration. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 05:40:36|Editor: yan Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday warned Hamas not to try Israel after the destruction of a Hamas tunnel. Earlier on Thursday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it had destroyed a tunnel that crossed into Israel from the Gaza Strip ruled by the Islamic Hamas movement. It "would not be worth their while to try us," Netanyahu said, adding that Israel is systematically dismounting the tunneling capacity of Hamas. The prime minister spoke during a tour on board the American USS Ross guided-missile destroyer, which anchored in Ashdod port in southern Israel. This is the first time for an American destroyer to visit Ashdod in 19 years. "The alliance between Israel and the United States is very tight in so many fields but it is especially tight in the security field," said Netanyahu. "We are determined to act in order to defend ourselves against the establishment of an Iranian military presence in Syria and against the activity of its proxies there," he added. Mentioning recent attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians in the West Bank, Netanyahu said Israel is "determined to act against terror everywhere to find the murderers." "We operate throughout the region, Syria, Gaza and many other places about which I will not go into detail," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 05:50:38|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Thursday decided to extend the UN peacekeeping mission in disputed Abyei region for the last time unless Sudan and neighboring South Sudan make "measurable progress" on their border demarcation. In a unanimous vote to adopt Resolution 2438, the council renewed the mandate of the mission, or UNISFA, in Abyei between Sudan and South Sudan until April 15, 2019, by when the two countries are required to show progress in marking their border for the mission to stay longer. Also, the resolution decided to maintain UNISFA's authorized troop ceiling of 4,500 until Nov. 15, 2018, and further decided that as of April 15 2019, the ceiling shall decrease to 3,959 troops, if the mission is to be extended. According to the text, Sudan and South Sudan are expected to take seven specific measures in the next six months about their border demarcation, which include ensuring freedom of movement for UNISFA patrols, beginning to implement a timeline for verifying the functioning of the 10 border crossings and free movement across the border, and holding at least two meetings of the Joint Border Commission and Joint Demarcation Committee. The oil-rich Abyei area is claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan. The 2005 peace deal that led to South Sudan's independence from Sudan six years later required the two sides to solve the issue but they have so far failed to do so. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 06:10:43|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Fu Cong, head of the Department of Arms Control of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, addresses a plenary meeting of the First Committee of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York Oct. 11, 2018. Fu Cong on Thursday called for upholding multilateralism and following international rules and norms for universal security. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Thursday called on countries to uphold multilateralism and follow international rules and norms for the sake of universal security. Speaking at a plenary meeting of the First Committee of the UN General Assembly, Fu Cong, head of the Department of Arms Control of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said multilateralism remains an effective approach to dealing with common challenges and resolving international disputes. The world needs multilateralism more than ever before, said Fu. "We must firmly uphold the international order based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, pursue common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, bridge differences and resolve disputes through consultation and dialogue, and accommodate the legitimate security concerns of every country, so as to achieve common and universal security," Fu said. Nuclear non-proliferation is a common goal of the international community, he told the committee, which is in charge of disarmament and international security affairs. Positive progress has been made on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula. Parties are returning to the right track toward a settlement through dialogue and consultation, he said. History has proven that dialogue and negotiation are the fundamental way to advance denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and maintain peace and stability in the region. China believes that with the concerted efforts of all parties concerned, the peninsula will find peace and be free of nuclear weapons and military threats, said Fu. He also asked to uphold the Iran nuclear deal. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is a major achievement of the international community. To implement the JCPOA in good faith is important for upholding international nuclear non-proliferation regime and multilateralism, he said. "All parties must firmly uphold the JCPOA. We must not stand still or even reverse course. Otherwise this great achievement of multilateral diplomacy would be left in tatters." On the Syrian crisis, he said, political settlement remains the only right and viable way to resolve the issue. On reports of chemical weapons use in Syria, Fu said: "China is of the view that there must be full, objective and impartial investigations into all the incidents of the alleged use of chemical weapons to make sure that the conclusions they reach can be based on solid evidence and stand the test of time." Recriminations and prejudgment would only make matters even more complicated, he said. The international community should maintain their solidarity, step up dialogue and consultation, avoid confrontation and work together to find solutions, he said. Fu called on countries to adhere to international rules and norms. "We must uphold the authority and sanctity of the existing international rules and norms, and reject double standards, selective application of rules and placing domestic law above international law." Certain countries impose unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction based on their domestic law. This can only undermine trust between countries and seriously violate the basic principles of international law, he said. Fu also asked to advance global governance. The international security issues keep evolving, and the existing global governance system is not compatible on many fronts, he said. "We should bear in mind the new security situation, bring creativity into full play and enhance communication and consultation so as to make the global security governance fairer, more equitable and effective." China is a champion of multilateralism and stays true to the path of multilateralism, he said. China supports the disarmament agenda put forward by the UN secretary-general, and stands ready to work with other parties to inject new impetus into multilateral arms control and disarmament process. No matter how the interactional situation may change, China will always stay committed to peace and development, and join hands with all countries to safeguard multilateralism and enhance international cooperation, for a world of lasting peace and universal security, and for greater progress in the lofty cause of world peace. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-12 06:45:48|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close DUBLIN, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Irish Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, on Thursday resigned over having private dinners with a bidder for a government-funded broadband project in the country. The resignation was announced by the minister at a meeting held at the country's lower house of the parliament. In a short statement read out at the meeting, Denis Naughten said that "For my family, constituents and 1.1 million people waiting for this essential (broadband) service, to ordinary people in rural Ireland, I've given the Taoiseach (prime minister in Irish) my resignation." Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has accepted Naughten's resignation and announced that the vacancy of the post left by Naughten will be filled on a temporary basis by Richard Bruton, Minister for Education and Skills. Pressure for Naughten's resignation came after reports revealed that he had several private dinners with a U.S. businessman of Irish origin named David McCourt who is involved in a bidding for a National Broadband Plan project, a government-sponsored project to provide high-speed broadband access to all premises in Ireland, especially in its rural area. Leo Varadkar told the lower house of the parliament that he met with Naughten late Wednesday night over the private dinner issue, in which Naughten admitted he had a private dinner at McCourt's home in 2017, which was organized and attended by another Irish minister. Later on Thursday morning, Naughten admitted that he had at least three further private dinners with McCourt in which there were no other Irish officials present and no minutes were taken, said Leo Varadkar. Naughten told the lower house that having met Leo Varadkar Wednesday night it was clear that the Prime Minister did not have confidence in him and asked him to consider resignation. In his resignation statement, Naughten defended him by saying that "as Minister I have to meet investors, whether it is in the telecoms or energy or any other sectors. These are the people who provide jobs in this country. That is the context in which I had meetings with Mr.McCourt and that is how it should be seen." He said that he was "absolutely satisfied " that there was no interference in the procurement process of the broadband project by him. Naughten is an independent politician who became the country's communications minister in May 2016. Reconstruction works will start on the Szechenyi Lanchid (Chain Bridge) with the termination of a public procurement process in the second half of 2019, current affairs site hvg.hu reports. The renovation work is expected to be completed in two years. The bridge will be closed to pedestrians for 24 months and to cars for 18 months, says the report. According to an announcement by the Center for Budapest Transport (BKK), the renewal of the structure will include the rebuilding of the road pavement, repairs to the remaining steel structures, restoration of corrosion protection, restoration of safety barriers, stone lions, stone markers, inscriptions and general surfaces. The pedestrian area is expected to be 80 cm wider once completed; the so-called anchor chambers and navigation signs will also be renewed, as well as the pedestrian underpasses beneath the bridgeheads. New, economic and environmentally friendly LED lighting technology will be installed on the bridge, with decorative lighting able to display unique colors at national festivals. The government has said it will provide financial support for the project only if it lasts no longer than two years. Upgrades are also being planned for the tram underpasses, hvg.hu notes. Hungarian cybersecurity companies Balasys and Cyber Services signed all the necessary documents to join the Cybersecurity Tech Accord on October 8 in Krakow, according to a press release. The accord is described on its website as "a public commitment among more than 60 global companies to protect and empower civilians online and to improve the security, stability and resilience of cyberspace." Claiming to be one of the worlds most significant IT security initiatives, the Cybersecurity Tech Accord was created by 34 leading digital companies. Giants such as Microsoft, Dell, Oracle, SAP, DocuSign, HP and Avast all aim at increasing the security of cyberspace and protecting the citizens of the digital world. The accords secretarial duties are handled by Microsoft, with the number of members exponentially increasing, as exemplified by multiple companies joining the initiative in Krakow. According to the press release, the Cybersecurity Tech Accord may serve as a starting point of innovations via dialogue in the industry. The cooperating businesses also plan on releasing educational material in the future. A historian who helped devise the House of Fates project four years ago writes that the controversy around the exhibition, which will be devoted to the memory of Holocaust child victims, is an expression of emotions rather than facts. On 24.hu, Andras Gero, a professor of History at Central European University and director of the government-sponsored Habsburg History Institute, argues that the House of Fates project will boost resilience to anti-Semitism and spread knowledge about the Holocaust, therefore the fierce opposition organized against it by intellectuals at home and abroad is irrational and counter-productive. The Museum should have been inaugurated four years ago, to commemorate the 70thanniversary of the Hungarian Holocaust, and Gero criticizes the government for freezing the project in response to international pressure. I have rarely seen such inconsistency on the part of a government, he writes. Gero explains that the planned exhibition will be mainly targeted at the younger generations and is intended to explain to them in a way they can understand the fate of the tens of thousands of innocent children murdered in 1944. After the visit they can research all aspects of the Holocaust and its antecedents in the adjacent documentation centre. The House of Fates complex will also include an educational centre where students will attend classes and where teachers will be offered specialized training on Holocaust subjects. Gero hopes that this time the project will not be suspended. The editors of the left-wing site invite readers to contribute to the debate. 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 Prime Minister Viktor Orban held talks with leaders of Syrias largest protestant congregations, Joseph Kassab, general secretary of the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon, and Haroutune George Selimian, President of the Armenian Evangelical Community of Syria, the PMs press chief said. The meeting was also attended by Tristan Azbej, state secretary at the Hungarian Prime Ministers Office for persecuted Christians, and Istvan Szabo Bogardi, bishop of the Danubian Church District based in Budapest. The congregation leaders briefed the Hungarian officials about the situation of protestant churches in Syria and ways to support the survival of Christian communities in the region. They said reconstruction projects in war-torn areas contribute to families return or stay instead of leaving or emigrating as a result of threats and discrimination, Bertalan Havasi said. Orban assured them of Hungarys support and said help needs to be provided where it is needed instead of importing trouble to Europe. He offered the Hungarian governments financial support to persecuted Christians in order to help them return home. MTI Photo: Szecsodi Balazs Parintele Calistrat Cine este aproapele meu? Video Si daca faceti bine celor ce va fac voua bine, ce multumire puteti avea ? Ca si pacatosii acelasi lucru fac! (Luca 6, 33) Sa nu uitam nici cuvantul evanghelic Si precum voiti sa va faca voua oamenii, faceti-le si voi asemenea (Luca 6, 31). Cine isi pune sufletul sau pentru aproapele [citeste mai departe] Madeleine Dean thanks her supporters after winning the democratic nomination in the Fourth Congressional District primary May 15, 2018. Husband Patrick J. Cunnane is at rear. TOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer Read more The vast China-U.S. economic relationship is now unraveling, or at least moving into a more perilous phase, with President Trump boosting tariffs on Chinese imports while China leader Xi Jinping steps up authoritarian moves involving the military, the economy and politics. The China conflict and the political and economic issues it raises can hit surprisingly close to home. Consider the Fourth Congressional District in Montgomery County. The Republican, Dan David, who investigates Chinese stocks for a living, has for years urged Congress and the SEC to retaliate against China's government-backed frauds on Americans. For him, the administration's confrontational attitude is overdue. David is an investment-company founder who specializes in Chinese stocks. His efforts to get lawmakers to fight what he calls widespread, government-aided Chinese business fraud against U.S. companies are detailed in the 2017 movie The China Hustle. His harder line, which not long ago seemed at the hawkish end of views, looks mainstream under Trump. Democrat Madeleine Dean, a Pennsylvania state legislator, argues that Trump's tariffs are part of a dangerous policy, threatening American employers who have come to depend on Chinese imports. Which includes her family's business. Dean's husband is an importer of China-made bicycles and an outspoken critic of Trump bike and bike-part tariffs. "It's her husband's business, not hers," says Timothy J. Ford, a lawyer at Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP, who is helping the candidate. The couple's positions align. Dean expanded and corrected her Financial Disclosure Statement with the U.S. House of Representatives where she hopes to serve after I reported her previous filing lacked required information about her family's largest single investment, in a private firm called Jadeland Pacific. Jadeland is now listed as an "international bicycle distribution" company. Dean's husband, Patrick Cunnane, is its chief executive officer. Jadeland is based in the British Virgin Islands, a U.K. colony described by international groups as a tax haven. Dean now says her family controls 24 percent of Jadeland, not the 20 percent she initially reported. "Just an error," says Ford. Jadeland distributes Fuji bicycles and other brands, which are imported, mostly from China, and sold in the U.S. by other companies that Cunnane heads. Fujis are made, mostly at a plant in Dongguan, Guangdong, by Ideal Bike, a Taiwanese company whose owners, Chang Pen-Tsao and Hermes Chang, have invested millions in Cunnane's companies over the years. Who are Jadeland's other owners, besides Cunnane? "That is not part of the requirements" for a candidate disclosure, Ford said. "You just have to disclose the partnership." Not who's in it. Ford was more interested in talking about David's disclosure report. He noted that David listed private investment firms CenterPoint Trading and FG Alpha, but did not detail assets they may hold. Dean added more details on Jadeland, Ford said, and argued that David should do the same. "My CenterPoint account is a personal trading account," and currently all-cash, so there's no company holdings to report, David told me. He said he has also reported income from FG Alpha, but isn't required to report trading positions which, he added, change fast, and whose disclosure could endanger the value of an investor's position, and give the China companies sensitive information. Jadeland and Cunnane's other companies have prospered with U.S.-China trade. Where does Dean stand on the Trump tariffs, which threaten that trade by boosting the cost of the China import bikes that dominate U.S. sales? Dean's campaign manager, Koh Chiba, referred me to Dean's posted statement, which, like Trump's and everyone else's, calls for "fair" treatment of U.S. businesses and workers, and holding China "accountable" for trade abuse. More tellingly, she criticized Trump's "inconsistent and unstructured trade policies," which "threaten to set off an international trade war, that will harm our economy and American producers." Is Trump's China policy "inconsistent" or "unstructured?" The New York Times on Oct. 5 said the strategy was finally coming into focus although there was no guarantee it would work: The Trump administration "is embarking on a Cold War" to limit China's aggressive moves, with tariffs as a weapon. Economist-investor Ed Yardeni wrote in his daily newsletter Tuesday that Trump is clearly aiming at "slowing or halting China's drive to become a superpower. He wants to reduce America's huge trade deficit with China by forcing U.S. and other manufacturers to move out of that country" and reduce China's illegal acquisition of U.S. technical know-how. Yardeni notes this was a focus of Trump's Sept. 25 speech at the U.N., though headlines focused more on delegates laughing at the President. Days later, Yardeni writes, Vice President Pence, at the conservative Hudson Institute in New York, laid out his government's China program "in far greater detail," targeting China's investment and trade practices, as well as its illegal base-building in the South China Sea, influence-buying abroad, and repressive "social credit" scoring of China citizens. So, higher tariffs. But are bikes a likely target? Or are they collateral damage, unfairly lumped with strategic goods and tech that the U.S. needs to control? Dean's attorney sent me Cunnane's testimony at the International Trade Commission office in Washington on Aug. 28, where Cunnane joined other U.S. importers and retailers of China-made bikes, guns and other sporting goods in urging Trump not to follow through with tariff hikes. After years of tough price competition and U.S. plant closings, American-built bikes account for just 6 percent of bikes sold here (and 3 percent of kids' bikes), Cunnane said. The pay differential between the two countries is huge: Ideal's China factory pays $2.20 an hour, a fraction of the $15-plus that Dean says American employers ought to pay, as I reported last month. Trump's idea is that boosting tariffs to 25 percent of the cost of a containerful or shipful of China imports will boost their cost and price, so it will become more attractive to make them in the U.S. again. But Cunnane doesn't believe tariffs will bring back U.S. bike factories. The cost gap is so wide that even with tariffs, "domestic manufacturing" for the mass market is "not realistic, and pretending otherwise is dangerous." Bike retailers will still import bikes, but at higher costs, maybe sourcing some from smaller Asian countries, he emailed later. Yet Cunnane and his fellow importers aren't against all tariffs, just the ones that cost them. They want Trump to kill the current small-purchase tariff protection that exempts Americans' single-bike purchases online (under $800), which are tariff-free from competitor websites, such as China-based Alibaba. It's not fair to store owners such as him, he said, that U.S. consumers can buy bikes cheaper online from China, when U.S. retailers like him have to charge or eat tariff costs for the same bikes. "China cheats," he added, noting that some web-purchased bikes are counterfeits that give import brands a bad name. Is it even possible to have a nuanced policy that pressures China on military, political, and tech fronts, while still protecting importers of cheap goods? David is professionally skeptical. Dean sees reasons to believe. NBC10 has relocated its studios from Bala Cynwyd to the new Comcast tower in Center City. Read more The countdown has begun: NBC10 and Telemundo62, both owned by Comcast Corp. through NBCUniversal, are relocating to the 12th, 13th, and 14th floors of the $1.5 billion new Comcast tower, leaving their legacy studios in Bala Cynwyd. That means news anchors and control-room crews are doing double duty, as they broadcast on-air for the Philadelphia TV audience in Bala Cynwyd and rehearse off-air in studios at the new Comcast Technology Center in Center City. About 150 employees will work out of the new studios and newsroom in Center City, at 18th and Arch Streets, with NBC10 and Telemundo62 broadcasting out of separate studios on the 13th floor. They're easily the highest television newsroom in Philadelphia. Fifty or so employees will still work out of the Bala Cynwyd offices. NBC10 and Telemundo will store and manage their 40 news trucks and vehicles there. Ric Harris, president and general manager for NBC10 and Telemundo62, declined to give an exact date when the two stations would go live from the new location, but he promised it would be "this fall." He excitedly talked about how the old studios had been refurbished and reconfigured over the decades. CBS or NBC has continually broadcast from those studios under the call letters WCAU since 1952. The new studios allow for efficient work flow for a modern TV station. Construction delays have pushed back the opening of Comcast Technology Center by about a year. The 60-floor tower, about a block from the Comcast Center, will house Comcast product and development teams, the two Comcast-owned television stations and a Four Seasons Hotel. The hotel is expected to open in mid-2019. On a Wednesday walk-around with Harris, the NBC10 and Telemundo62 operations looked about 80 percent ready, with two news studios mostly complete. A third "auxiliary" studio is still unfinished. There were LG computer screens flickering and control rooms blinking with video feeds. In other areas, there were unopened boxes. Perhaps the most noticeable change for NBC10 viewers will be the vivid backdrop for the news anchors: a 20-foot by 10-foot 4K video screen with live images of the Philadelphia skyline from the aquarium in Camden. 4K is four times the resolution of high-definition televisions. During the tour, you could see the water rippling on the Delaware River on the 4K screen. "No one has it," Harris said of the 4K screen. "This is not a market first, this is an industry first." The studio will be roughly the same size as the one in Bala Cynwyd with areas for traffic reports, weather and the news anchors. Morning anchor Tracy Davidson said there would be more cameras and more monitors, plus windows. The Bala Cynwyd studios have no windows. As for modern conveniences off-camera, women can breast feed in privacy in a "mother's room." Male or female employees can find alone time in a "quiet room," but mostly employees are expected to collaborate and interact in the open-space floor plan. The Comcast Technology Center including the three floors with the television studios comes with 28 plug-and-play "broadcast service panels" for news or camera crews to immediately go live with TV video. "We could do [shows] for employees or we could push it out to the public," Harris said of broadcasts in the new tower. Bill Baldini, a former NBC10 reporter who worked out of the Bala Cynwyd office for 44 years before he retired in 2007, said relocating the NBC10 news studios and operations will be a trade-off for employees. "It's Comcast's move," said Baldini. "The convenience of City Line Avenue was great, fantastic. When people became employed, they moved into Narberth, Ardmore, Drexel Hill, Havertown." Parking and the city wage tax are two big issues for employees relocating to Center City from Bala Cynwyd, Baldini said. Also, "time will be the worst thing. A lot of people will be late for work in a snowstorm," he said. Davidson said she would take public transportation both the Comcast Center and the Comcast Technology Center can be accessed through Suburban Station but the trains don't run in the middle of the night when she has to be there. NBC10 said in a statement that the stations "are providing a stipend to employees who have to work from our new facility and as a result, pay the city wage tax. The stipend is based on employee's residential address to help offset taxes as well as commuter costs" such as public transit and parking. Many things can go wrong with a new studio, NBC10 and Telemundo62 officials say. The lighting might be bad or the new control room software could go wrong. So the rehearsals over the last month are important, though they can complicate employee lives. On Thursday, Davidson's shift began at 2:30 a.m. in Bala Cynwyd, with her prepping for the 4, 5 and 6 a.m. news shows. At about 8 a.m., she called for a car 30-minute drive downtown, recalling "I talked to my Uber driver about how he liked Gritty." Meeting up with the rest of the NBC10 morning crew at the Comcast Technology Center, Davidson and the others did a one-hour rehearsal at 9 a.m. of a news show a dry run to get everything right. Its a real-time start and real-time commercial breaks, she said, just as we would on-air. Singapore, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Konica Minolta Joins Industry Leaders in Industrial Transformation Asia-Pacific 2018. SINGAPORE, Oct. 11, 2018 -- Konica Minolta Business Solutions Asia (BSA), a leader in advanced technologies and solutions, will be participating in the upcoming Industrial Transformation Asia-Pacific that is taking place at Singapore EXPO from 16 to 18 October 2018. Industrial Transformation Asia-Pacific: Asia Pacific new trade platform for Industry 4.0 The inaugural Industry 4.0 tradeshow, a Hannover Messe event, will take place in Singapore, Asias thriving hub for high value and advance manufacturing. The platform will bring together global industrial leaders and experts in support of the regions manufacturing industry growth and transformative initiatives. Industry 4.0 unifies technologies such as advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and data analytics to transform the manufacturing floor. Industrial Transformation Asia-Pacific is supported by government agencies that forms the steering committee, and strategic stakeholders of the industry to provide advice and guidance for the delivery and achievement of the strategic objectives set out for the event. Singapore government has been driving and encouraging the manufacturing sector in Singapore to adopt Industry 4.0, which will help companies to address high costs, stagnant productivity and an ageing workforce in a slowing global economy. A*STAR, Singapores leading science and technology agency together with Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), the Economic Development Board (EDB) Singapore and SPRING Singapore, has initiated a Future of Manufacturing (FoM) to encourage Industry 4.0 adoption among Singapore manufacturing companies1. Konica Minolta will be showcasing solutions that will bring forth new value to the manufacturing process within the supply chain through collaboration between robots and people, optimization of processes and preventive measures, leveraging artificial intelligence, big data and translating data into actionable insights with analysis and ease of sharing. Solutions on display Konica Minoltas Digital Manufacturing Solution (Sneak Preview) Konica Minoltas Gas Monitoring Solution (Sneak Preview) Konica Minoltas IoT Security & Monitoring Solution Konica Minoltas Robotics Solutions This event is an ideal venue for us to showcase our technologies to help our customers to digitize their operations and processes. We are committed to providing Industrial transformation solutions and services, especially for small and medium size enterprises (SME) who may not have in-house resources to tackle these challenges, said Mr. Jonathan Yeo, Director & General Manager of Konica Minolta BSA. - end - About Konica Minolta Business Solutions Asia Konica Minolta Business Solutions Asia is transforming the workplace of the future with its customer-centric solutions and hardware for the digitally connected world. We are committed to create new values for the society with our expertise. From information management to technology enabling tools, the solutions help businesses improve time to information, support mobility, and optimise business processes with workflow automation. Konica Minolta, Inc. has also been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for six years in a row. For more information, please visit http://www.konicaminolta.sg/business/ 1 https://www.a-star.edu.sg/About-A-STAR/Science-and-Engineering-Research-Council/About-A-STARs-Future-of-Manufacturing-Initiative Philadelphia-area consumers are paying some of the highest overdraft and ATM fees in the country, according to a report released Wednesday. The Philadelphia region has the highest average overdraft fee $35.30 out of the top 25 major metropolitan areas, according to a survey of 250 banks and thrifts by Bankrate.com. Nationwide, the average overdraft fee was $33.23, down from $33.38 a year ago but still the second-highest on record. The region also has the eighth highest average out-of-network ATM fee at $4.91, which reflects surcharges from the ATM operator and the consumer's financial institution. The nationwide average was $4.68, down a penny from last year's record high. Bankrate.com began the annual survey more than 20 years ago. "Banks charge what the market will bear, especially on a punitive-type fee such as an overdraft," said Greg McBride, Bankrate.com's chief financial analyst. "When competitors can get away with charging a higher fee, others tend to follow. True to form, we see the largest players in the market charging $35 or $36 to a larger extent than other markets where some are charging lower fees." While fees imposed by ATM owners for out-of-network transactions rose for the 14th straight year, surcharges by consumers' own banks for using another's ATM fell from $1.72 last year to $1.66. More banks are decreasing this fee than increasing it, according to the survey. Highest avg. overdraft fee Philadelphia metro area compared to the top 25 metro areas in the U.S. SOURCE: Bankrate.com Staff Graphic Charging non-customers for out-of-network transactions is "low-hanging fruit" for banks to maintain fee revenue because "nobody is worried about alienating the noncustomer," McBride said. The survey found 32 percent of banks are offering accounts that allow consumers to make a limited number of free out-of-network withdrawals, the most the survey has ever found. But Bankrate.com did not see an increase in those accounts in the Philadelphia area, which contributed to the region's above-average out-of-network ATM fee, McBride said. Overdraft and ATM fees may continue to climb, but they remain completely avoidable, experts said. Consumers can opt out of overdraft protection to avoid incurring the fees, said Patty Hasson, president of Clarifi, which offers free or low-cost financial counseling in the Delaware Valley. "That does mean you may also have checks that will bounce, so you then have to stay on top of your account," she said, adding that many banks offer text or email alerts notifying customers when they have low balances. To avoid ATM fees, plan ahead and check a financial institution's website or mobile app to locate the nearest fee-free ATMs, McBride said. "If you're really in a pinch for cash, you can get cash back when you use your debit card at point of sale," he said, noting Bankrate.com hasn't seen fees for these transactions. And don't hesitate to use a debit card for that cup of coffee, Hasson said. "If you're going to get cash because you're making a small purchase, just use the card," she said. Artist's rendering of new lab and office building planned for pharmaceutical company WuXi AppTec at the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia. Read more Shanghai-based pharmaceutical company WuXi AppTec plans to expand into a fourth building to be constructed for it in South Philadelphia's Navy Yard, which will make it the largest tenant of the former military base's central business park. Wayne-based Liberty Property Trust and Synterra Partners of Philadelphia, the Navy Yard's main developers, said in a release Thursday that they plan to break ground early next month on a 95,000-square-foot lab-and-office building for WuXi AppTec that will span longer than a city block at 400 Rouse Blvd. When the new building is completed in late 2019, the WuXi AppTec division doing business in the Navy Yard, its Advanced Therapies Business Unit, will become Liberty's largest tenant in the campus, occupying in more than 380,000 square feet, according to the release. Headcount at the WuXi AppTec division has grown from 150 to 600 since 2004, when Liberty completed its first building for the firm at 4751 League Island Blvd., the release said. Sally and Vic Friedman discuss details about their move to a continuing care retirement community with Annie Mazur, director of marketing at Medford Leas. Read more The hints from our three daughters and sons-in-law were at first subtle and then not so much. "Those stairs will get harder and harder," one would say of our current home. "Especially with your back," they'd add, eyes planted firmly on me. My bad back is legendary, and I was having a particularly bad siege. To my husband, the message focused on other things: driving at night and maintaining the inside of our home, even while our condominium association saw to the outside. Eventually, the "time to move" messages grew to a steady stream. "So and so's parents love their retirement community." "Imagine almost no cooking." "You'll meet great people your age." And then there was the final straw: My tricky back decided to assert its clout. It wasn't a fair fight. So off we went on a new kind of house-hunting: this time to look at continuing care retirement communities, also called life-plan communities. It was kind of fun in the beginning. We saw our share of lobbies with chandeliers, sample apartments that seemed straight out of House Beautiful, and marketing events with smiling residents who told us there really is a heaven, and it was right in the lovely dining room where we were having lunch. (Yes, there is a formula to this seeking nirvana in older age.) We sat at many marketing desks on both sides of the Delaware River learning why this CCRC had all the others beat. We did our homework. And along the way, we got more expert at asking the right question. Beyond the physical structures, key issues included location, transportation offerings, activities, staff, and, of course, the cost. (People tended to smile less when they talked about that.) It's important to compare the costs of home ownership and of a senior living community. CCRCs vary greatly, based on how the fees are structured, available short- and long-term medical care, meal plans, and the facilities themselves. Consult a financial adviser to get a full picture of your present and future. Choose that person as wisely as you would choose a doctor. Listen closely, ask lots of questions, and take notes. Here's what we learned in our nearly year-long search: Ask as tactfully as possible what current residents don't like. Find out what a typical weekday is like and also a typical weekend. Definitely investigate what's free and what's not, and what the tipping practices are. Seek specifics about what's included in "housekeeping services." If you're interested in diversity, check out the population when people gather for meals. We saw places we knew instinctively were wrong for us. Others were difficult to evaluate because they all had features we liked. And, yes, we made sure our daughters and their spouses were part of the process. It certainly made us more comfortable to get their feedback and definitely made them feel involved, as they should be to some extent. In the end, the vote was unanimous for a Quaker-run place in Medford, about 10 miles from our longtime home in Moorestown. Now we're busy selling our present home, making it conform to new safety codes, and shedding, sorting, and donating many of our worldly goods, while begging our children to please take more, more, more and being turned down. All of that and the final reality accepting that this move will almost surely be our last are powerful challenges. As we say goodbye to the town where we've lived for 45 years and the home we've called our own for 18 years, we're feeling sadness, hope, uneasiness, optimism, and, ironically, a bit like we did that first day of school all those decades ago. As someone along the way observed, choosing the right CCRC is a bit like choosing a mate: One certainly needs to know a lot to make the right decision, but instinct also matters. In all our research, the most unusual answer we got when we asked what residents didn't like about living in their CCRC came from a woman in our future Medford home: "There's not enough broccoli on the menu." We'd found our place. Joe Mahon and his wife, Kathleen (standing left), share a home with Joes daughter, Lynda Schmidt (standing right), and her daughters Erin (center) and Meghan Schmidt in Huntingdon Valley. The family shares the basement and some other common areas. Joe and Kathleen have an in-law suite on the second floor. Read more Kathleen Mahon thought she'd live in her Huntingdon Valley home forever. Then came the soaring taxes, the realization that she no longer needed a 3,000-square foot home on two acres, and the opportunity to share a home with her stepdaughter and grandkids. "My husband Joe's daughter, Lynda Schmidt, was divorcing and struggling to make ends meet while keeping three children in Catholic school and working two jobs," recalled Mahon, 54, president of J&K Mahon Builders in Huntingdon Valley. "Looking to the future, the upkeep on our home would become more difficult and most likely unaffordable." A year and a half ago, when the Mahons' taxes hit $12,000, the timing was right. So her company built a house in the Montgomery County town that suited Schmidt's family and included a 700-square-foot in-law suite for herself and Joe. The two families share a garage entrance leading to a mudroom and first-floor office and a family room and storage area in the basement. The Mahons' private space on the second floor includes a living room, full kitchen, bedroom and full bath. Preparing for the future, they installed an elevator. A record 60.6 million people, or 19 percent of the U.S. population, live with multiple generations under one roof, according to the most recent data analyzed by the Pew Research Center. For many families, sharing space saves money while allowing children to help care for aging parents and grandparents to help care for grandchildren. The Philadelphia area has especially taken to the idea. According to the online real estate database Zillow, 1.2 percent of all the homes nationally listed for sale in 2017 included the term in-law, while in this region, the number was 2.7 percent, said Skylar Olsen, Zillow senior economist. "That's more than twice as prevalent in the Philly metro area than in the U.S. as a whole," she said. The approximately half-dozen units Mahon's company has built in the Northeast, Newton and Holland have been for people in their 50s and 60s. "We haven't seen much where it was an elderly parent yet but people planning for the future," she said. Most in-law suites function as small apartments with a bedroom, bathroom, full kitchen or kitchenette, living space, and private entrance. They can be attached to a main house or sit on the same property in a refurbished garage or carriage house. On average, they range in size from a few hundred to 1,000 square feet, with costs from $5,000 for minor changes (moving some doors or walls) to $200,000 to build or refurbish a free-standing structure. Four key considerations for planning an in-law suite are privacy, zoning regulations, accessibility, and flexibility, said Michele Thackrah, principal of Archer & Buchanan Architecture in West Chester. "Creating a sense of privacy is always a priority," she said. "Ideally, you want to promote a sense of independence for all family members, both the in-laws and those that own the property." Regulations vary widely by municipality; zoning and code restrictions dictate what is allowed. For example, some municipalities won't permit a second kitchen, and others may limit the amount of impervious surfaces on a property. "Do that homework early in the process to figure out what's allowed," Thackrah said. Space and budget are important considerations. Especially in city dwellings, is there room for a lift or elevator? Does the dwelling need to be wheelchair accessible? Can rooms such as a bathroom or kitchen be shared? Before committing to intergenerational living, families should consider the changes the new lifestyle will bring. "It took a little time to get used to downsizing, getting rid of a lot of my things," Mahon admitted. "Holidays were difficult for me at first because I was always the house that had Christmas and Thanksgiving, but now we share that." It's also important to think long term about how the space could be used over time. "Your in-laws presumably won't be there forever," Thackrah said, "so do you need that space to function as a place for the adult kids to come back to, or if the township allows it, can it be a rental property?" In 2015, Jane Anderson and her husband, Christopher Jones, gutted and rehabbed the trinity behind their Queen Village home to include a 350-square-foot in-law suite for Anderson's parents, who visit from Minnesota. Because her parents come only a few times a year for a couple weeks each time, the Andersons also rent out the space as an Airbnb, hoping to recoup some of their $50,000 investment. Alongside the first-floor garage is a private outside entryway and utility closet. The second floor features a bathroom with a stall shower, living room, washer/dryer and kitchen, and the bedroom occupies the full third floor. They added two exterior doors one to the street and one for a potential second story balcony tore out the original chimney, installed all new plumbing, electric, drywall, flooring and HVAC, and rebuilt and rerouted a staircase. "It's turned out to be very popular, so my parents have to book their time quite a few months in advance," Anderson said, joking. The biggest expenses when building an in-law suite are typically kitchens, baths, and new construction. Renovating existing space can save money. "Finding inventive ways to share space can minimize the budget," Thackrah said. Perhaps an unused dining room can become an in-law suite next to a shared kitchen and a powder room can be expanded to add a shower. When Jane and Michael Stolper first suggested that Jane's parents move from Massachusetts into an in-law suite in their Berwyn home, Harriet and Sandford Chodosh declined. "We had lived there for 55 years," recalled Harriet Chodosh, now 88. "And I was concerned about damaging my relationship with Jane." But realizing that they were getting older and had no family nearby, the couple reconsidered and moved in 2005. A garage separates the main house from the 1,600-square-foot suite, which has a living room, dining room, kitchen, his and hers bathrooms, study, laundry room, and its own front entrance. "We have huge windows that make it sunny and bright and very cheerful," Chodosh said. After her husband died in 2010, she was glad to be living with family, she said. "Fortunately, I'm in decent health and I can still be quite active, but I'm really glad this opportunity arose. It was a real blessing." Curator Kristina Haugland sits in front of a collection of dresses that explore the use of color and pattern, part of a new exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Dorrance Special Exhibition Galleries, October 5, 2018. Avi Steinhardt / For the Inquirer Read more I've long known Philadelphia Museum of Art associate costume curator Kristina Haugland as a woman who uses her magnificent collection of more than 30,000 textile pieces to illustrate history's teachable moments. But on a recent walk through Haugland's latest show, "Fabulous Fashion: From Dior's New Look to Now," opening Tuesday, I saw a #fanmoment twinkle behind Haugland's studious spectacles. And wow. It was contagious. We talked about the exquisiteness of a 1948 Christian Dior bodice and skirt the key example of Dior's tailored New Look that historians hail as the beginning of modern ready-to-wear that opens the show. Next to it stands a hot-pink Dior skirt suit, complete with wool stole, that John Galliano designed for the House of Dior in 1988. Fun! "It's so flirtatious," Haugland said with glee. >> READ MORE: Our critics pick the best fall concerts, theater, movies, TV, and more The beauty of "Fabulous Fashion" is that it's full of fun. Haugland dreamed up this whimsical show for the express purpose of joy and frivolity. So nothing about "Fabulous Fashion" is restrained. And everything belongs. "Fabulous Fashion" is a celebration of the industry's creativity. There is a party on every dais. "It's meant to be an experience," Haugland said. "It's very visually immersive." Bring on the glam After the two Dior ensembles that are a nod to the exhibition's title, the glam takes over. On our walkthrough, we happened next upon a 1951 Cristobal Balenciaga gown with petticoats about which Haugland was again effusive. Same at our next stop, Philadelphia-bred Ralph Rucci's navy silk and satin Stingray Swan gown from 2001, with a silhouette inspired by the sharp angles of the deadly sea creature. Moving on, we marveled together at a velvet, off-the-shoulder claret evening gown by mid-20th century costume designer Adrian. The New York Times, to Haugland's delight, memorably referred to it in 1947 as the "winged victory dress." Rounding a corner, we took a quick glance at the shoes including a pair of 1993 gingham Vivienne Westwood platforms that were clearly meant to be worshiped, not worn and entered a Technicolor explosion of pizzazz and glitter that spanned the decades: 1950s dinner suits, 1960s mod dresses, and 1990s crazy. Included in that vibrant group was a psychedelic Chistian Lacroix catsuit. "It's among my favorites," Haugland said, acknowledging the onesie's indisputable out-of-this-world funkiness. "We have such fabulous things that we don't get to show off often," she said. "This is such a good opportunity to get pieces in front of people that have never been on view before." Icons galore Besides being a fashionista's delight, the show will almost certainly be lauded by fashion historians, as well. The work of the icons is on full display here: Chanel suits, Balenciaga baby doll dresses, Oscar de la Renta ball gowns, and James Galanos column dresses. Their work is complemented nicely by pieces from designers who are not quite household names (yet), but who are revered in the industry. A purple, feathered Peter Som cocktail dress from 2008 is one such standout. Rei Kawakubo, who sits at the helm of the highly conceptual Japanese brand Commes des Garcons, is also represented, for serious fashion gravitas. Among the Kawakubo pieces on display is an architectural coat from the 2018-19 fall season acquired from the Chestnut Street specialty store Joan Shepp. "'It's one of the most amazing parts of my career," Shepp told me. The museum bought the coat from Shepp, who donated a pair of shoes to complete the outfit. "Who would ever think I would make it into the Philadelphia Museum of Art?" Red-carpet lingo from E! Haugland organized "Fabulous Fashion" around themes that are familiar to those of us who peruse glossies, follow bloggers, or simply watch E! red carpet specials: shape and volume, embellishment, color and pattern, metallics, and drape. There is also an entire section of the exhibition exploring bridal fashion. Because we are in the Philadelphia Museum of Art the official home of Princess Grace's wedding gown there is a glass case holding the princess's wedding accessories, including her shoes and headpiece. The delicate gown itself is currently in storage and not part of the show. Also here, in a nod to our museum's (and our city's) solid fashion cachet, is a hooded wedding gown created by another Philadelphia-born designer, Gustave Tassell. Because of of the piece's monklike vibe, New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art wanted to include this 1968 silk and wool moire nuptial dress in its just-closed exhibition "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination." But Haugland said nope. "I wanted to use it in my exhibition," she said. Fash facts Haugland rattled off factoids with the ease of a zipper making its way up a bodice with a 23-inch waist: Patrick Kelly's flamingo-style gown was fashioned with his muse Josephine Baker in mind. In the color and pattern section is a color-blocked red, white, and blue minidress that mirrors a piece of art by Ellsworth Kelly that the museum owns don't miss it. Kelly collaborated in 2013 with Calvin Klein creative director Francisco Costa to make the dress. Tucked into the exhibits metallics section is a covet-worthy body-skimming gown by Paco Rabanne from 1966. The piece, fashioned from plastic discs and metal chains, was given to the museum by late Inquirer fashion editor Rubye Graham Hennessy. (Other items in the exhibit that once belonged to her are a Pucci printed dress with matching nylon tights, and a 1962 hat color-blocked Mondrian-style designed by prominent Pennsylvania-born milliner Sally Victor.) Across from the Rabanne is a very cinched-at-the-waist, glittery gown that fashion designer Anne Fogarty, author of The Fine Art of Being a Well Dressed Wife, wore to a swanky event at the Art Museum in the 1950s. Haugland who is also in the midst of planning "Little Ladies: Victorian Fashion Dolls and the Feminine Ideal," set to open Nov. 11 didn't set "Fabulous Fashion" into motion until just under two years ago, shortly after the museum received a sizable donation from Kathleen Field. Field, a former fashion model, interior designer, and wife of the late developer Martin P. Field, promised the museum about five pieces. But after exploring her estate, Haugland acquired for the museum's collection more than 80 items from Field's designer collection, making for a lot of oohing and ahhing. Several are in "Fabulous Fashion," including a red Jacqueline de Ribes dress, the Lacroix catsuit, and the pink Dior suit. "She really had exuberant tastes," Haugland said. "Fabulous Fashion" was originally to focus on Field's pieces. But Haugland decided she wanted to pay homage to the museum's long-standing relationship with major donor Annette Y. Friedland, too. And from there the show grew into the main building's Dorrance exhibition galleries. Friedland, wife of late Food Fair supermarket chain owner Jack Friedland, is featured in one of the exhibit's videos and also plans to attend an opening event. From her collection there are an Emilio Schuberth gown and several Pierre Cardin dresses. "She's more reserved, so it's a nice juxtaposition," Haugland said. In the end, this is Haugland's exhibit. "I picked out a lot of my favorites," she said. Former Pa. Governor Ed Rendell has added his force to a movement to start safe injection sites in Philadelphia. Read more Ed Rendell, who enforced drug laws as district attorney and mayor in Philadelphia during much of the war on drugs, now chairs a non-profit seeking to open a safe injection site where addicts would be able to use illegal drugs under medical supervision. In my view, that's the height of hypocrisy. How can you build a career on arresting people involved in drugs and then decide to help addicts to use drugs? To be sure, the 1,217 overdoses that occurred in Philadelphia last year, many from opioids, are at the heart of the issue. As Mayor Jim Kenney and District Attorney Larry Krasner have both acknowledged to me in radio interviews, the fact that most opioid overdose victims are white is driving greater interest in solving the crisis. Unfortunately, that interest wasn't there when crack was the drug and addiction was considered a black issue. I reached out to Rendell to ask why he approached crack differently when he was mayor. "There was no remedy offered to me for users to prevent their dying from crack," Rendell said. "If there was a remedy, I would've considered it. We had no remedy other than to do arrests." Rendell argues that crack addicts who were arrested were directed toward help. Like most people in Philadelphia's black and brown communities, I don't remember it that way. I remember mass incarceration fueled by black bodies being stuffed into prisons in the war on drugs. But Rendell says he wasn't just about jailing people. He touts his 1992 executive order empowering Prevention Point Philadelphia to give out clean needles to heroin addicts to prevent the spread of AIDS through dirty needles. "The same arguments that were made then are being made around safe injection sites," Rendell told me. "I believe they're being made in good faith, but I believe this will save lives between 25 and 75 a year." But what about the other potential overdoses? How would opening such a site make a dent in them when city statistics show that 75 percent of Philadelphia overdoses happen in private residences, and not on the street? Rendell and others are willing to break the law for an idea that probably won't help the vast majority of overdose victims. Things were different when Rendell was mayor. Rendell was Philadelphia district attorney from 1978 to 1985, then became mayor 1992, a year after the federal indictments of 26 members of the Junior Black Mafia (JBM) a notorious drug gang whose murderous reign was inextricably linked to the crack era. "This is a crushing blow to the JBM leadership, but our work is not done," Deputy Police Commissioner James Clark told the Associated Press at the time. We want to make sure no one takes their place." But the dismantling of JBM created a power vacuum in Philadelphia's crack industry, and as mayor, Rendell was left with streets soaked in the blood of dealers battling for dominance. From 1992 through 1997, there were more than 400 murders a year in the city. Many of these murders were tied to the struggle for power among Philadelphia's rival crack dealers. I know, because I was on Philadelphia's streets for several of those years, suffering through a crack addiction of my own. I watched as black and brown people caught in intractable poverty were seduced by the lure of drug money. Many lives were lost. As mayor, Rendell's response was the approach one would expect from a former district attorney. He sought to uphold law and order. Even when the cases were federal rather than local, Rendell made sure we knew where he stood. In a 1997 case, U.S. v. Edwin Ramos, the Ramos drug organization had sold more than 15 kilograms of crack cocaine on the 1700 block of Mount Vernon Street. Rendell personally testified at sentencing. He called for "no leniency" in that case. Now, the same Rendell who called for no leniency is chairing an organization that seeks to enable drug dealing by giving addicts a place to use illegal drugs. This is tantamount to helping addicts die slowly rather than quickly. Because a life on drugs is no life at all. Philadelphia's heroin crisis grew to this point because city officials were willing to look the other way as long as drug dealing was confined to black and brown communities. Now that the majority of overdose victims are white, those same officials are declaring an emergency. We must help addicts get into treatment. We must support rehab programs that work. But no one ever stopped using drugs by continuing to use drugs. Rendell should know that. After all, he was the man in charge of jailing those involved in the drug trade. And if Rendell now wants to break the law to a impose safe injection site on Philadelphia, maybe he should face prosecution, too. Solomon Jones is the author of 10 books. Listen to him weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon on Praise 107.9 FM. sj@solomonjones.com: @solomonjones1 A sign reads "Because education matters, #redfored" as thousands of teachers and supporters begin an April rally in Denver. Teachers nationwide are hoping for a "blue wave" at the polls but in Pennsylvania the largest statewide teachers' union has backed Republicans in some key races. Read more As a politically engaged union activist, Ben Danson a veteran history and government teacher in the Rose Tree-Media district's Penncrest High School has long been an enthusiastic participant and donor when it comes time every fall for the state's largest teachers' union to recommend a slate of candidates. Although he's a self-described progressive, active with the Delaware County Democrats, Danson said he's understood why the Pennsylvania State Education Association, or PSEA, has always backed a handful of GOP incumbents even in an era when the natural alliance between unionized teachers and the Democratic Party has been growing stronger. It's estimated that a third of local teachers are Republicans, Danson told me, and GOP candidates who got PSEA backing were typically political moderates in a time when centrists still retained some clout in Harrisburg. But watching the state legislature fall under the increasing sway of far-right Republicans like House Speaker Mike Turzai of Allegheny County backer of anti-labor bills such as a proposal to block payroll deductions of government workers' union dues has made Danson angry that PSEA's strategy might help keep people like Turzai in power. When local PSEA leaders held a press conference last month to recommend GOP state Sen. Tom McGarrigle and two Delco Republican incumbents in the state House, Danson wrote on Facebook that "this actually makes me want to vomit." "I can't separate the Republican Party's anti-union and anti-public education stance (state and national) from these few moderate R[epublican]s who we have chosen to endorse," the Delco teacher told me in a subsequent email interview. "By endorsing them we endorse the status quo." Nationally, one of the big political story lines of 2018 is the supposed "blue wave" of angry teachers and other blue-collar union activists determined to sweep Democrats into office, but here in Pennsylvania that supposedly azure tsunami is splattered with red. And the PSEA is hardly alone among organized labor in backing Republicans in key races that will determine control in Harrisburg in a year when Democrats expect their biggest gains in a generation. For example, the state's biggest labor umbrella organization, the AFL-CIO, is backing Delaware County's McGarrigle as well as two other Senate GOP incumbents and eight Republican candidates for the state House. In Delaware County, the Electricians Local 98 longtime fiefdom of labor leader John Dougherty, considered a kingmaker for Philadelphia Democrats has spent a surprising $500,000 backing Republicans in Delaware County, including disgraced state Rep. Nick Miccarelli, not seeking re-election after two women accused him of sexual harassment and abuse. The ideal of the pro-labor Republican is a long-held notion in Pennsylvania, where blue collar workers and their unions were historically a political force that politicians of any stripe would want on their side. In a bygone era when forging a bipartisan coalition was a requirement for getting anything serious done in Harrisburg, having friends and allies on both sides of the aisle was Politics 101. "Generally speaking, our position is that public education is not a partisan issue," Chris Lilienthal, a spokesman for the PSEA, told me, in describing the organization's political recommendation process that which involves candidate questionnaires, with decisions on local races made by regional activists. "We need to elect legislators from both parties that put schools and teachers first." Times have changed, however. As Danson and other rank-and-file critics of PSEA practices note, electing even a handful of Republican incumbents means not just continued power for hardliners like Turzai but another stint as chairman of the influential State Government Committee for Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, avowed enemy of organized labor. It was Metcalfe who honored Labor Day in 2017 by posting this to his Facebook page: "Labor Day created by unions, of course it would be celebrated by avoiding work! The public sector labor unions are one of the greatest threats to economic freedom and prosperity in Pennsylvania!" And some political observers note that even so-called moderates in today's Republican Party who pay lip-serve to labor increasingly end up bucking their union patrons whipped into line on key votes by their right-wing party leadership. McGarrigle, in gaining the PSEA endorsement, won praise for enacting changes backed by teachers in the state Keystone Exams and a recent vote for increased education funding, which had lagged under a series of GOP-led legislatures. But the senator's critics note the Delco Republican also opposed public unions on a bill (SB 645) they said hampered their bargaining rights, while supporting charter-school legislation also backed by a big donor, charter mogul Vahan Gureghian. The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, or PFT, backs a slate that's more heavily Democratic than the PSEA, although it did endorse two Republicans this year Reps. Thomas Murt of Montgomery County and Gene DiGirolamo of Bucks County whom PFT president, Jerry Jordan said have been supportive. Jordan noted that Democrats even some from Philadelphia backed charter-school legislation opposed by his union. "I'd hope having a Democrat-controlled state House and Senate would make many of the changes that we need but there's no guarantee of that," he said. Attorney Christine Reuther chairs the Democratic Party in Nether Providence Township and also has an impressive union pedigree as the grand-niece of the late Walter Reuther, the mid-20th Century leader of the United Auto Workers, associated with middle-class prosperity and his fight for civil rights as a close ally of Dr. Martin Luther King. Reuther said the days of more aggressively pro-labor Republicans like Chester's Dominic Pileggi former state Senate Majority Leader, now a judge are gone, replaced by politicians egged on by right-wing talk radio and the base's contempt for unions. "Given how they feel about organized labor and collective bargaining, it's harder to cut deals with individuals" who'll by "marginalized" by the GOP for any pro-union votes, she said. She also pointed to the reality that moderate Republicans seen as too friendly to labor and teachers face the risk of a primary from their right. But 2018 poses a unique challenge. The two political parties seem further apart on issues than any time since the run-up to the Civil War. The recent, bitter brouhaha over the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh hardened those divisions and probably further energized already-angry female voters in the Philadelphia suburbs. That development that has some insiders wondering if November's "blue wave" could even be powerful enough for the Democrats to pick up the 21 seats they'd need for a miraculous takeover of the state House. They leaves union leaders in a bind. Do they make the safe choice and make sure to keep a few friends on the Republican side who may be able to help on an issue or two, even as those lawmakers face pressure from party leaders to further curtail workers' rights? Or do they bet the house on the long shot of a Democratic surge that with the likely re-election of Democratic Gov. Wolf could put pro-labor policies back on the front burner in Harrisburg? The outcome of that bet will be closely watched by rank-and-file members, who more often see modern Republicanism as a threat to unions and wonder why their leaders don't fully agree. One of them is the history teacher Danson, who's given generously to PSEA campaign efforts in the past. "I am going to see how things turn out in November," he said, "before I make a final decision on whether or not to renew my contributions." David Yager, president of the University of the Arts, in the school's new fabrication studio. Read more Spurred by one of the largest gifts in its history, the University of the Arts is in the midst of a plan worth tens of millions of dollars to renovate its current facilities and expand its already large presence around Broad and Spruce Streets. Some of the projects are already done like the transformation of an old, sculpture-studio building into a $1 million high-tech fabrication studio that gives students use of a $40,000 laser cutter, 3D printer, and other art-making machinery alongside more traditional workshop equipment. Even more ambitious efforts are on the horizon. The arts school is considering a major new residence building on or near South Broad Street a new dorm that might result in the school rejiggering its real estate holdings by selling dorm buildings in the area. "The real estate for us is really key to success," said David Yager, who took over as University of the Arts president and CEO in January 2016 and calls the facilities project a "monumental enhancement that will forever change the institution." The project was kicked into action by a bequest. The university is the beneficiary of $25 million left to the school by Dorrance "Dodo" Hill Hamilton, the Campbell Soup heiress who died in 2017. The only other gift that large the university has ever received is another $25 million gift in 2006, also from Hamilton. A visible philanthropist known for her wide hats and a green thumb, Hamilton served for decades on the board of the university, including a number of years as chairman. The new bequest, being given through a trust, is the cornerstone of the university's $50 million fund drive, which it says is its first-ever comprehensive campaign. "It took a while to get it to a point where everybody believed it was the right thing to do, and clearly the turning point was Dodo Hamilton's gift of $25 million, which for me said if we're ever going to do a comprehensive campaign, this is the opportunity to do it," said Yager. With Hamilton's bequest, the school has $34 million raised so far. But $50 million from philanthropy won't pay for everything on the school's wish list. It will be augmented with money from other sources: $11 million from the 2016 sale of the Merriam Theater to the Kimmel Center. $12 million from the recent sale of more than $51 million in bonds (the remainder was used to refinance old debt). $6 million from land already sold by the university to Dranoff Properties immediately north of Broad Street Ministry across from the Kimmel Center. Altogether, the funding sources would bring $79 million, though Yager says he is holding out the possibility that the facilities makeover could require less money. In addition to buildings, the university is seeking to fund new programs and five endowed chairs in five years. Its first-ever endowed chair, funded with a gift from longtime university trustee Brian Effron and his wife, Sherry Effron, was filled in August by glass artist Daniel Clayman. A new international MFA in dance was launched this past summer. How much of the anticipated $79 million goes to building and how much to endowed chairs and programs "is not set in stone," said university spokesperson Paul F. Healy, "as it will depend significantly on the preferences of donors as to where they wish their gifts to go. So if we said X% of the funds would be channeled to building projects but many large donors earmarked their gifts to creating new programs, the percentage would shift." New public spaces and a major new dance venue But the majority of the campaign is about buildings. Right now, University of the Arts students don't have a lot of large public spaces to comingle casually, says Yager, "so most of the gathering tends to be in their discipline, and what many of us want to do is give them a more holistic experience across the arts by casually bumping into people." A renovated Gershman Y building at Broad and Pine Streets is seen as serving that function, and renovations for a student center there have just begun. "Over the next four years, we will renovate the entire building, and there are great naming opportunities," says Yager including a chance to rename the Gershman Y building itself. An old sealed-up skylight will be opened, bringing light down into a first-floor lobby, as well as a lower level (where the pool once was), which is to be outfitted with a new fitness center, yoga and pilates rooms, showers, and lockers, and a 70- to 80-seat film-screening room. The first floor would become a roomy lobby with a cafe and gallery. Not yet under construction is a major new dance venue on the third floor. Yager envisions the old Levitt Auditorium being remade into a theater for dance performances and broadcasts. "We're currently looking for a donor for that space, but conceptually we've figured out what we need to do there, and it's major," he says. "It will be very flexible, probably seating in the 600 range, which is perfect, but can be configured to 100 to 200 seats also, more of a black box than proscenium. To me, that's really exciting. "Our dance program is really strong," he adds. "A lot of choreographers come from New York, our contacts are really deep in the dance world internationally, and if we do this it will be a major change for us and also a major hub for Philadelphia in terms of contemporary dance." A green roof, too? Also being explored is the possibility of making use of the roof as a special events space, for student lounge areas or a courtyard green. "The university doesn't have a lot of green space," says architect Peter M. Saylor, whose firm, JacobsWyper Architects, is working on various aspects of the renovation, "and this may be a way to have an interesting place for students to look down at Hamilton [the school's 'front door' neoclassical facade at Broad and Pine Streets]." Another aspect of the remake calls for the creation of the Center for Immersive Media, which will serve dance, art, film, and game-design students and faculty seeking to incorporate virtual reality and human/computer interactivity into their work, says a university spokesperson. The new center will go in Juniper Hall, in a space currently housing the theater scene shop, which is being relocated. In the Terra building at Broad and Walnut, 3 floors are currently being renovated with a $1 million recording studio and space to accommodate music school functions leaving the Merriam Theater. The new fabrication studio, nestled in the complex of structures at Broad and Pine, will serve not just obvious users like sculptors, but also others, like dancers and theater majors looking to make a prop. Already, the facility has helped a music student fabricating a new kind of musical instrument designing a mouthpiece, printing it on the 3D printer, testing it out for tone, making adjustments, and printing out another version. "Often the performing arts gets overlooked when it comes to making things, but those are the students that need access to equipment their areas don't have, and that is where the maker space comes in," says Noah Z. Brock, maker space manager. As for the new dorm building, a decision on a site and configuration is expected within a month. In making the argument for the school's first comprehensive campaign, Yager likes to point out that for a lot of colleges and universities, especially those with large endowments, the scale of gifts has to be enormous to have an impact. "At Stanford, for $5 million they don't even look at you for a building. One of the differences with us is that a gift of $100,000 makes a difference and we can actually show what that does." The entire campaign will "dramatically change the student experience," Yager says. "I see my job as leaving this place in better shape than when I got here and to really be thinking about the future. To be successful for the next 25 years, what do we need to do in the next three or four years?" 6ABC reporter Annie McCormick will delve deeper into a 2012 murder that shocked the Philadelphia area with a new true crime book scheduled for release next year. McCormick's upcoming The Doctor, The Hitman and the Motorcycle Gang will deal with the murder of April Kauffman, a New Jersey radio personality who was shot to death in her home in May 2012. As a release states, Kauffman wanted a divorce after uncovering a drug ring run by her husband, Dr. James Kauffman, and several members of the Pagans motorcycle gang that was "pumping thousands of highly addictive opioid pain pills" into the area, eventually leading to her murder. Investigators stayed on the case for years before catching a break that led to several arrests earlier this year, including that of Kauffman's husband, who police say allegedly arranged his wife's murder. Earlier this month, retired Pagans member Ferdinand "Freddy" Augello was charged with Kauffman's murder, as well as conspiracy to murder her husband. Augello could face up to 100 years in prison. Dr. Kauffman was found dead of an apparent suicide in his cell in January this year less than a month after police charged him with his wife's murder. McCormick, who joined 6ABC in Sept. 2012, covered the case extensively at its height, and now hopes to expand her reporting with The Doctor, The Hitman, and the Motorcycle Gang. The book contains "never before seen or heard details from the investigation." It is her first book. Fans of the reporter, however, will have to give McCormick a little leeway. As she wrote in a Facebook post last week, the book may cut into her time on the air. "I might not be on Action News everyday while I work on this," she wrote, "but you will probably see me weekly on 6ABC if not more." Philadelphia-based publisher Camino Books is scheduled to release The Doctor, The Hitman and the Motorcycle Gang in Spring of 2019. In 2015, children's horror author R.L. Stine's most famous work made it to the big screen with Goosebumps, a spooky, kid-friendly romp based on his 1990s book series. It's follow-up, Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween, though fun, comes off more like a direct-to-video adaptation of the original's story than a stand-alone addition to the franchise. Directed by Ari Sandel (The Duff), Goosebumps 2 follows geeky best friends Sonny (It's Jeremy Ray Taylor) and Sam (Castle Rock's Caleel Harris) as they attempt to start a junk-removal business in Wardencylffe, N.Y. The pair finds a tattered, old book during a clean-out that, when opened, resurrects devilish ventriloquist dummy Slappy, the same baddie from the first film, as well as Stine's book series. Lonely and in need of a family, Slappy uses his magical powers to create one by bringing to life all of the town's Halloween decorations to lightly terrorize the area without being too scary. Perhaps not surprisingly, the monsters are the real stars of Goosebumps 2. From a headless horseman and giant spider made of balloons, to vicious, living Gummy Bears and jack-o-lanterns that spit fire, the movie has just about all the Halloween kitsch your average small town can muster. Even the local pharmacy's Halloween aisle comes to life, spewing out chattering, spider-legged skulls and rubber masks that sprout monstrous bodies. It may just be a record for most monsters on-screen in 90 minutes, but good luck keeping count. The sheer number of monsters in the movie serves as a stand-in for its weak plot a retread of the first film, in which Stine's monsters attack a small town in Delaware. The stakes feel lower because we've seen them before, and with Slappy and his crew providing little threat outside mild jump scares, any sense of urgency is lost. After all, what's the giant balloon spider going to do if it does get you? Do they even need to eat, or do they run on helium? The world may never know. The film's human characters also suffer as a result of the recycled plot, with Sandel diving headlong into the film's monster-filled payoff in the third act. Skipping that character development makes it tough to care about any of them, but Harris and Taylor do a serviceable job with the parts they were given. The Goldbergs' Wendi McLendon-Covey, The Hangover star Ken Jeong, and Saturday Night Live's Chris Parnell, meanwhile, are pitch perfect as the film's grown-ups. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle star Madison Iseman's Sarah, sister to Taylor's Sonny, however, ends up being a bore, and finds more drama in writing a college essay than fighting supernatural beasts. Sadly, Goosebumps 2 suffers mostly from too little Jack Black, who portrayed Stine in the 2015 original. He does reprise his role here, and voices Slappy, appearing only toward the end of the film in a role that might as well have not even been included. Surprising, considering that Black carried the first film. Fans may want to stick to The House with a Clock in its Walls, another new kids' horror movie that features Black in the main role. MOVIES Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween Funding helps strongDM expand product to secure access to sensitive data everywhere BURLINGAME, Calif., Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- strongDM, the control plane for technical teams, today announced that it has closed a $1 million expansion financing round. strongDM will use the new funds to expand the sales and marketing teams to meet increasing demand. Modern technology depends on distributed and on-demand infrastructure, but relies on the same old security. That explosion in complexity creates substantial security risks by making it hard to answer who did what, when and where. We reimagined what access and auditing needs to be in a distributed world. strongDMs control plane is a single source of truth to manage access to everything, said Elizabeth Zalman co-founder and CEO of strongDM. strongDM drastically reduces the work to manage permissions or audit activity for overburdened infrastructure teams. The service is easy to deploy and has built a loyal fanbase, including Peter Tormey, Head of Infrastructure for SoFi: "When strongDM said deployment would take an hour, I assumed they were full of it and blocked out an entire day. We finished in 45 minutes. Adam Jacob, CTO and co-founder of Chef, agrees, strongDM takes the friction out of managing security and getting end users access to the systems they need. Without this new approach, businesses dramatically slow down developers productivity or sacrifice security, which increases the risk of a data breach. strongDM is redefining how companies secure access to sensitive data. strongDM is the only company that completes the promise of single-sign-on across every environment, said Godfrey Sullivan, Chairman of the Board of Splunk. Todays news follows a year of impressive growth for the company which includes: Increased revenue 492% with the addition of new clients including SoFi, Better Mortgage and Makespace. Expanded protocol support for everything tech teams need to do their job, including Linux servers, Windows servers, and every database type. Launched open-source project called Comply to help prepare for SOC 2 compliance. The project includes 30 policy templates, an online class, 7 blog posts and a Slack community to seek compliance advice. About strongDM strongDM delivers the control technical teams always wanted. In one click define permissions to any database or server across any environment. Instantly answer who did what, when and where with an audit trail of every query, ssh command or RDP session. Check us out: strongdm.com Social Media Links: LinkedIn | Twitter A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b0694781-4f2f-4136-9b39-cfdcd015989f John Cena noticed something weird during his Doctor of Thuganomics days in the WWE. He studied the crowds coming to see the events and noticed a lot of children in the mix. "It was sophisticated market research. Me poking my head out of the building and looking at the people filing into the building. I could see more families coming," said Cena, who, around 2005, started a transformation that, in a way, has led him to the Central Library of the Free Library of Philadelphia, where Friday, Oct. 12, he'll sign copies of his new children's book Elbow Grease. Cena took that "sophisticated research" and used it to his advantage. "At the time, as the Doctor of Thuganomics I was exploring my hip-hop persona, and that was fun, but he was not exactly the most palatable guy for a family audience, so I asked if I could evolve into a different kind of image," Cena recalled. Again, he took his cues form the crowd. "I looked at what they were wearing, at the signs they were carrying, and paid attention to what they cheered for," he said. Cena started sporting a crew cut and wearing fatigues, the mantle of patriotism, a move that was reflected in his offscreen persona; in 2006 he made his first movie as a lead, The Marine (he's since found success in more comedic roles, like a memorable cameo in Trainwreck and a top-billed slot in Blockers). He also started winning, and became the good guy face of the WWE. With great success, for Cena, came great responsibility. He started working with the Make-A-Wish foundation, again using the special connection he'd developed with children. He's done over 500 "wishes" for the foundation, the most of any celebrity. What he learned from working with those children he put into his first book, written for young readers. "Never give up. That's absolutely the thing. I've met so many families that are facing circumstances that are just hard to fathom, and it's amazing to see the children's attitude," said Cena, who wanted to capture that spirit in Elbow Grease. It's the illustrated story of a little truck, the smallest vehicle at the demolition derby, and the smallest of five brothers (Cena has four, not coincidentally), trying to learn to survive and to thrive. Elbow Grease is the name of the truck, and also the attribute that Cena wanted to celebrate in the story the extra amount of hard work it takes to get the job done. "The other trucks have measurable attributes. They are big, or strong, or fast, but I wanted Elbow Grease to have something intangible. I call it gumption," Cena said. "I like that word, because it connotes more than just hard work. It also means being resourceful, being creative. Also the ability to be steadfast to fail, but to keep going." Cena said gumption accounts for "100 percent" of his success as a performer, and sees the same concept circulating elsewhere in the culture, where it's also celebrated as "grit." "You see [Penn psychologist and MacArthur Genius Grant winner] Angela Duckworth and others putting forth the message, and I think it's great." Books meant a lot to Cena as a tyke in pre-internet exurban Massachusetts ("a half acre from anyone"), where he liked to hunker down with the "Busytown" stories by Richard Scarry. "Somebody came to me with the idea of doing a book, and an autobiography was suggested, but that didn't appeal to me," said Cena, who instead recalled how absorbed he became in Scarry's make-believe world. Writing something for younger readers seemed a natural fit with biggest fan base. Will he write another? "I never thought there would be a first book so this is all great. I love the book, and I put all of my heart and soul into it. But it's up to the consumer," said Cena, who's traded thuganomics for plain old economics. AUTHOR EVENT John Cena The mishandling of sexual abuse in the Catholic church continues to unfold as more information has become available through the years. Six weeks after Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, the former Vatican ambassador in the United States, accused Pope Francis of covering up sexual abuse, the Vatican broke its public silence this past weekend with a response from a powerful prefect for the Congregation for Bishops. This comes on the heel of a grand jury report that found bishops and other leaders of the Roman Catholic Church in Pennsylvania covered up child sexual abuse committed by more than 300 priests during a period of 70 years, persuading victims to not report the abuse and law enforcement to not investigate it. Following these findings, the attorneys general of New York and New Jersey launched investigations into sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in their states, and the attorney general of Illinois announced that she was launching an investigation in her state. These investigations address problems that involved the church, but sexual violence involving children and teenagers can involve anyone, anywhere at any time. In 2016, almost 300,000 children in the U.S. were alleged victims of sexual abuse, according to the Children's Bureau of the Department of Health and Human Services . Only 12 percent of child sexual abuse is reported to the authorities. The silence needs to be broken. As a doctor, I know that a victim's pain and suffering does not end when the abuse stops. Whether individuals disclose that they have been victimized or keep silent about it, consequences are inevitable. Physical ailments may surface including chronic pain and headaches. Immediate psychological reactions include shock, confusion, denial, fear, withdrawal and shame or guilt. Long-lasting emotional problems include depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD includes emotional detachment, sleep disturbances and flashbacks. Victims of abuse may even resort to suicide. The burden is heavy, as reflected in one study that found about 80 percent of 21-year-olds who were abused as children met criteria for at least one psychological disorder. Teenagers who have been abused are more likely to engage in sexual risk-taking , according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. They are also three times more likely to develop a substance abuse problem. As a doctor of teenagers, I see the drug abuse, sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancies. You probably have questions, like I do, about these sexual abuse cover-ups. Why did these crimes happen? Why were they covered up? And, equally worrisome, why didn't the children and teenagers speak up when the crimes occurred? There are many reasons why victims of sexual harassment and abuse don't come forward. These include shame, denial and minimization, fear of the consequences, low self-esteem, and feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, according to psychotherapist Beverly Engel, L.M.F.T. If it sounds complicated, well, that's because it is. How can we encourage children and teens to speak up? Parents and teachers could routinely let them know how important it is to speak up in front of peers and to adults in authority including questioning and disagreeing according to psychologist Carl E. Pickhardt, Ph.D. By practicing assertive communication, he writes, adolescents who speak up may affirm their sense of personal value: "I have something worth saying, I am worth listening to, I am worth being known, and I intend to be heard." He suggests activities to help children and teens learn to speak up: Family meal times are used for discussion times. Bed-time talks encourage recapping events of the day. Adolescents are expected to converse with parental friends. Arguing with parents is welcomed. Parents coach adolescents in how to talk with school personnel when problems arise. Students participate in speech and debate and drama classes. Students run for elective office at school. Parents expect adolescents to convincingly state their case to get more personal freedom. Don't worry, parents, you are not all alone with this daunting task. Your child's doctor or other health care provider will ask about sexual violence. That brings me to my last point. More than nine percent of U.S. teens aged 12 to 17 years have not seen a doctor or other health care provider for a year or more , according to the CDC. Perhaps I'm preaching to the choir (and I hope that I am), but if you are a parent who has not taken your child for a medical check-up for a while, I suggest that you make an appointment. If you have read this article and are thinking of ways to help your child speak up and if you are picking up your phone to make your child's important medical appointment then my time in writing this and your time in reading it have been well spent. Women expect their hair to turn gray as they age, but they may be far less prepared for another ego-challenging aspect of aging: Their hair falls out. You can cover gray with dye, but it's harder to disguise the sparsely covered scalps that millions of women start to notice in their 50s and 60s. Some unlucky ones have thinning hair long before that. This kind of hair loss is unrelated to cancer treatment or other serious health problems. Of course, there are plenty of men who wish desperately to restore their youthful locks, and a few we can think of one powerful one who cling to elaborate comb-overs, but many balding men simply clip their hair short and go on with their lives. Dermatologists say hair loss is emotionally harder for women, who are often deeply embarrassed by thinning hair even though it's quite common. By the time they reach 50, about 40 percent of women are experiencing what's known as female-pattern hair loss, said Gopal Patel, a dermatologist with Aesthetic Dermatology Associates in Media. Women of African descent struggle with even more conditions that can damage hair follicles and cause bald spots. "Hair is such an important part of youth and vitality," said Aradhna Saxena, a Montgomery County dermatologist who is affiliated with Abington Hospital-Jefferson Health. "I don't think people realize that until it's gone." It is normal for women to lose 50 to 100 hairs a day, dermatologists said. It's also normal for a woman to get more hair during pregnancy and return to normal after the baby is born. George Cotsarelis, chair of dermatology at Penn Medicine, studies hair thinning in men and women. He said women also often shed more hair than usual about three months after an illness or rapid weight loss. Hair lost that way typically comes back. People shed a little more hair in the fall than during other seasons, he said. That's probably a vestige of the coat changing animals do in preparation for winter. Many other women, though, start noticing thinning hair on top of their heads. Doctors say the defining sign is a widening of the part. The hairline itself is usually intact, but the hair becomes less dense behind it. Doctors will often run a battery of tests to make sure there are no treatable medical conditions, such as anemia, thyroid problems, tumors, or hormonal problems. "Ninety percent of the time, it's normal," Patel said. The cause of female-pattern hair loss is unknown, but doctors said there is a strong genetic component. The risk can come from male or female relatives. Though it looks as if the hair is falling out, that's not really what's happening. Cotsarelis said hair follicles are becoming smaller and producing hairs that may be so small that you can't see them. Women tend to retain more normal, thick hairs than balding men do. Like other doctors, Cotsarelis decried the lack of funding for studying hair loss. Said Patel: "The biggest challenge we face is we don't really have great data." Because the condition is usually considered cosmetic, insurance companies don't cover treatments. Doctors warn that the available treatments may thicken hair growth for some women, but that the more realistic goal is to stop or slow the thinning. While thinning generally worsens after menopause, doctors said hormone treatments typically do not improve hair growth. Minoxidil lotion or foam, which can be purchased over the counter, is the first line of treatment. About half of women who use it have not lost more hair a year later, Cotsarelis said. Spironolactone, a blood-pressure drug, can also help, doctors said. Some may also try finasteride approved to treat baldness in men off-label. The evidence that it works in women is weak, Patel said. Beyond that, things get more controversial, with some doctors saying there's inadequate evidence for other treatments. Saxena thinks there is enough scientific evidence to support some of the alternatives and recommends them to patients. But they are not for women on tight budgets. There's Nutrafol, a "nutraceutical" that costs about $80 a month. Women can also get injections in the scalp of platelet-rich plasma made from their own blood. The first four treatments cost about $2,000 at Saxena's practice in Fort Washington or Lansdale. Maintenance injections, done every three to six months, cost $515 each. Women can also buy Theradome, a light-emitting helmet, for $895 online. Saxena, who has hair loss herself, said she has had the injections and currently uses minoxidil, spironolactone, and Nutrafol. Patel said the problem with those treatments is that they have not been subjected to large or head-to-head research. There's great variation in how doctors give the plasma treatments and in laser-based devices, so it's hard for patients to know whether they're getting a proven regimen. Nutrafol seems promising, he said, but he does not think that company-funded research showing its effectiveness has been replicated. He has not recommended it yet. If their hair thinning progresses despite treatments, women are left with trying hair transplants, weaves or wigs, or letting the world see their scalps. Black women often have some extra problems. Tight braids can cause traction alopecia along the hairline. That hair might grow back with a gentler hairstyle. The more upsetting problem is central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, a type of baldness that starts at the crown of the head and spreads outward. "It's hugely, hugely difficult," said Susan Taylor, a dermatologist at Penn Medicine who specializes in treating women with CCCA. "It affects quality of life." She said it is seen "almost exclusively" in women of African descent. One study found it in 10 percent to 15 percent of black women, but Taylor thinks it's more common. "I could see women all day, every day, with this problem," she said. It used to be called hot-comb alopecia, but Taylor said even women who wear their hair natural can develop CCCA. Though its exact cause is unknown, the damage stems from scalp inflammation. If left untreated, it can "scar" or destroy the hair follicle. "The treatment is very successful in regard to preventing further hair loss, not necessarily in growing new hair," Taylor said. She tells women, "Run, don't walk" if they see bald patches. Hairdressers can play an important role, she said, because they may be the first to see the bald areas. CCCA is treated with oral antibiotics, which reduce inflammation, and cortisone cream. Sometimes, Taylor may also inject cortisone into the scalp or use Plaquenil, a drug typically used for malaria, lupus and sarcoidosis. Doctors said hair products are likely not the cause of female hair loss, so perms and dyes probably won't hurt you. Really harsh chemicals and high heat are not recommended. "Anything that causes pain is a sign of damage," Cotsarelis said. The treatments are not likely to return hair to its former glory. That means many women need to find hairstyles that make the most of what's left. Giovanni Mele, a stylist who owns Giovanni and Pileggi in Center City, said many women with thinning hair try to wear their hair long. He thinks they're much better off with short, pixie-like styles with light layering on top. He recommends that lighter-skinned women choose colors that are a little darker than blond or gray. He is a fan of a hair-thickening product made by Nioxin. Syreeta Scott, a stylist who owns Duafe Holistic Hair Care in North Philadelphia and is a passionate advocate for healthy lifestyles, tells women who notice thinning that they're likely going to have to change their hairstyles. "Wearing your hair natural, it is imperative," Scott said. A lot of women resist that, but she tells them it's not their hair that makes them successful. "It is not about your hair," she said. "It has everything to do with you showing up and being present." Local LBGT journalist Ernest Owens speaks out after someone call cops due to his Facebook post and he's hauled into an interview by the Philly PD counter terrorism unit. He feels he is a victim of posting while black. Lauren Schneiderman / Staff Read more Ernest Owens, the LGBTQ editor at Philadelphia Magazine, tends to be provocative when writing about racism and homophobia. But he had no idea that a social media comment about racial tensions in Philadelphia's Gayborhood would get him a call from the Police Department's counterterrorism unit. That's what happened last December, after someone complained to the police about what he wrote on Facebook. "I was just shocked," Owens, 27, said two weeks ago. Being questioned by detectives in an interrogation room in South Philadelphia left him shaken, he said, and factored into his decision not to cover the January 2018 Mummers Parade, as he had in the past. Owens said he believes he was guilty of nothing more than posting while black. He said the Police Department had overreacted to an emailed complaint from a white man whom he described as a prominent member of the Mummers, a group he has bashed in print over practices he perceives as racist. And he has been overwrought since learning in June that the department exonerated itself after an Internal Affairs investigation of his allegation that his civil rights were violated. It all started Dec. 14, when local DJ and gay activist Matt Beierschmitt took to Facebook to chastise gays for patronizing a nightclub named ICandy at 254 S. 12th St. Its owner had made headlines in 2016 when he was recorded making disparaging remarks about black people. Owens responded, echoing his sentiments and blasting both ICandy and the Mummers. "I say they will be shown better than told," Owens wrote. "I will just leave it at that. A great reckoning is coming." Four days later, Owens said, he got a phone call from Detective Lawrence Richardson Jr. of the Police Department's Dignitary Protection and Counter Terrorism Operations unit, informing him that he was being investigated because of his Facebook comment. "I said, 'What?'" he recalled. "I'm thinking: 'They're calling me about something on Facebook?' Police shouldn't be engaging me over a Facebook post." Philadelphia Magazine editor Tom McGrath, who had hired Owens, agreed. He wrote in a letter to Police Commissioner Richard Ross that Owens' treatment was "nothing short of outrageous." "Any interpretation of his post as implying physical violence let alone containing a criminal threat is ridiculous on its face," McGrath wrote. "What's more, summoning a journalist to explain himself and his opinions can only be viewed as an attempt to squash his constitutionally protected right to free speech." Owens said that, in June, he found out the results of the Internal Affairs probe into his complaint over being investigated, and then wrestled with whether, how and when to make this public. Police Department spokesperson Capt. Sekou Kinebrew declined to comment on Owens' and McGrath's contention that the department had overreacted. Despite his protestations that he's a journalist who was just speaking figuratively in his post, Owens said, Richardson insisted that they meet in person. Owens said he reluctantly agreed to meet Richardson the next day at the unit's headquarters at 2800 S. 20th St. During the interrogation, Owens said, he noticed paperwork listing the name of the man who had complained about his Facebook comment. That man, James DePre, a saxophone player and leader of the Quaker City String Band, said Wednesday that he emailed Owens' comment to the police after someone sent it to him and after he'd attended a parade-safety planning meeting of officers from the Third and Fourth Districts and community members, including Mummers. "At that meeting, the police said, 'If you see something, say something.' I don't even know who he is," DePre said of Owens. "'A day of reckoning is coming,'" that was the thing I reacted to. That's what prompted me to send it to the police. If you have a public event and you get a message like that, that stood out to me. So I said, 'Here it is, you can do whatever you want with it.'" Owens and DePre both say they have never met. DePre's son Jimmy is a DJ in the city's LGBTQ community. Owens said Richardson told him it was protocol for the police to look into any complaint, and that his Facebook comment was flagged as a possible threat. His Miranda rights were read, and he was asked a series of jarring questions: Do you plan to harm any Mummers or anyone from ICandy? Do you own a gun? Do you know how to make a bomb? Did you have military training? Owens said he answered no to each question and explained to his interrogators that his flagged comments "were rooted in coverage I had done in the community dealing with black and brown people and the LGBTQ community, who are discriminated against." Before leaving, Owens said, a sergeant told him that he had been cleared and that he had been interviewed due to the standard protocol known as "see something, say something." When asked to explain what would trigger a police investigation based on a social media comment, Kinebrew responded by email that an investigation "is initiated when the Police Department receives a report of a crime or criminal activity." Mary Catherine Roper, deputy legal director of the Pennsylvania ACLU, said the fact that the police investigated a single complaint against a journalist should not raise red flags. "If we started seeing a pattern of the police calling in reporters, particularly if they were focusing in on one reporter or certain kinds of reporters, then we would have concerns about it," she said. But Owens, who has a degree in communications from the University of Pennsylvania, said he believes the Police Department was complicit with DePre in chilling his free-speech rights. He disagrees with the conclusion of the Internal Affairs investigation, and believes the department allowed itself to be manipulated by a white complainant against a law-abiding black person, as in the high-profile Starbucks incident in April near Rittenhouse Square. "I think that the police definitely have to recognize their force in this situation and their power," he said. "They did not use the right level of discretion in this situation. Just because you have the authority and the power doesn't mean you have to abuse it." Doretha Crosby (center, left) the mother of David Jones, joins friends and family in a protest outside headquarters of the 15th Police District June 19, 2017, as Asa Khalif with Black Lives Matters Pennsylvania uses bullhorn. Jones was shot dead June 8, 2017 by police officer Ryan Pownall, a 12-year veteran assigned to the 15th District. In 2010, Pownall also shot another fleeing suspect, Carnell Williams-Carney in the back. TOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer Read more A Philadelphia judge Thursday downgraded a murder charge against former Philadelphia police officer Ryan Pownall in the controversial June 2017 on-duty shooting death of David Jones, 30, ensuring that Pownall will stand trial for third-degree murder instead of first-degree murder. The ruling by Common Pleas Court Judge Robert P. Coleman was made without explanation in a Criminal Justice Center courtroom packed mostly with supporters of Pownall, 36, the first on-duty Philadelphia officer since 1999 to be charged with homicide. Coleman also ruled that the grand jury that recommended criminal charges for Pownall in September had heard enough evidence to bypass a preliminary hearing, as requested by the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office. The ruling allows Pownall to be freed to await trial on charges that his supporters say are meritless. John McNesby, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, has called the prosecution of Pownall an "absurd disgrace." The judge set bail at 10 percent of $500,000, and said Pownall would be on house arrest until trial. He would be allowed to leave his home only to meet with his lawyers and attend worship services, and for approved medical appointments. Pownall did not attend Thursday's hearing. Online court records indicate that Pownall, who has been jailed in Chester County, posted bail shortly after Thursday's hearing. His formal arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 25. Police Commissioner Richard Ross fired Pownall in September 2017, citing various departmental policy violations in the fatal shooting of Jones three months earlier. Pownall, a 12-year Police Department veteran, shot Jones in the back as Jones fled from a traffic stop in North Philadelphia. Jones had a gun when Pownall pulled him over for riding an illegal dirt bike, authorities said, but the weapon fell to the ground before Jones started running away. Surveillance video showed Jones running with his hands held above his head before being shot in the back and falling to the ground. Assistant District Attorney Tracy Tripp opposed bail for Pownall, who turned himself in Sept. 4 and has been jailed since. Coleman warned that any violation of the bail terms would result in a return to jail. Coleman's ruling brought relief to Pownall's supporters, who filled the gallery seats, and frustration to Jones' survivors and supporters seated in the jury box. City prosecutors and the defense team found different things to celebrate. "This is a major victory for justice because we are proceeding to trial," the DA's Office said in a statement. "Nearly 20 years ago, judges twice tossed murder charges against the last on-duty officer who was charged with homicide. Judge Coleman's ruling today means that history will not repeat itself and a jury will hear all the evidence in the case." The statement said the office was "still reviewing the rest of Judge Coleman's rulings. We respect the integrity and independence of the judiciary and have no further comment at this time." Meanwhile, Pownall's attorney, Fortunato Perri Jr., said his client was looking forward to trial. "We look forward to having the opportunity to present his case to a fair-minded jury, and we're satisfied that when we have that opportunity a jury will find that Ryan Pownall was justified in his actions on the day of this incident and he'll be found not guilty," Perri told reporters in front of the courthouse. Pownall's supporters declined to speak to reporters and left the courthouse through a column formed by uniformed bicycle officers. "I feel wonderful!" shouted one woman, who said she was Pownall's cousin. "This is insane, this is insane," Rowena Faulk, a Jones supporter, bellowed on the sidewalk after the hearing. "How do you have somebody on video running and kill them, and you get bail so low, you can get out? If it was my son, he wouldn't see the street ever. It's not fair." Faulk, 54, a day-care center owner from Drexel Hill, said the judge's ruling showed "why the world is so messed up right now, because we are not making people accountable. I don't care if he's a cop. There are bad cops and there are good cops. He was a terrible cop. He had the most complaints." Faulk added that she did not know Jones but has followed the case in the media. "I'm standing here as a human being who knows that justice needs to be served for somebody who can't fight for themselves," she said. Donna Clement-Jackson, 49, Jones' godmother, said the judge had given Pownall "a temporary pass. He allowed him to go home to his family and friends, but we know God's delay is not a denial, and we still stand in our faith, and we stand fast that justice will be done. And we know that once it goes to trial, no matter what happens between now and then, he will be found guilty." Jones' mother, Doretha Crosby, stood beside Clement-Jackson. "I'm just taking everything in," she said, declining to answer questions. Last week, city officials announced they had agreed to pay Crosby $1 million to prevent her from filing suit over her son's death. Kem Parada, of Finders Keepers, heads uphill in Dents Run, the Elk County location where he and his father believe gold is buried. Read more BENEZETTE TOWNSHIP, Pa. Decades ago, when a tale of lost Civil War gold turned Dennis Parada from a furniture salesman into a treasure hunter, he pointed a 1969 Corvette toward a steep mining road and drove up into the wild. "That's how gung-ho he was to find this treasure," Parada's son, Kem, said Monday morning on that densely forested mountainside. On a frigid day this past March, after days of digging, the FBI seemed to dash the Paradas' lifelong dream, saying teams of investigators found nothing at the rural Dents Run site off Route 555 in Elk County, approximately 260 miles northwest of Philadelphia. The agency stands firm on that "nothing" today, even as the Paradas question what exactly happened up there during the dig. "FBI investigators must follow the facts," spokesperson Carrie Adamowski said in a statement Tuesday. "The fact here, as previously stated, is that nothing was found in the excavation." But the FBI also says the Dents Run case is an "ongoing investigation," which makes Bill Cluck, the Paradas' lawyer, scratch his head. If the site was empty, "then that's it, it's over, right, if they found nothing?" Cluck said. "Or are they investigating something I'm not sure we're allowed to talk about." The legend dates back to the summer of 1863, when a special Union detachment was tasked with transporting 26 gold bars, each weighing 50 pounds, from West Virginia to the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia. That detachment, as the story goes, was ambushed, the gold lost and supposedly buried. Dennis Parada, 66, founder of the treasure-hunting business Finders Keepers, has long told reporters he's focused on that boulder-strewn hillside thanks to a map given to him by an old man at a furniture store where he worked. All of the Paradas' detection equipment told them gold was down there, too. "You name the treasure-hunting equipment, we had it, and it all pointed to gold, gold, gold," Kem, 33, said at the site. The Dents Run area is state land, however, and Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has told Finders Keepers not to dig there. DCNR has said it was never able to confirm the Civil War-era story. If the Union gold was there, and the legend true, the gold would still belong to the federal government. Based on today's value of an ounce of gold, the lost load of 26 bars would be worth $27,381,120. Dennis, for some reason, believes there were 52 bars of gold, but once the FBI got involved and hired a contractor to scan the ground, the amount skyrocketed, he claims, the value even greater. In late January, the Paradas and journalist Warren Getler, who has written books about gold, drove to the FBI's offices in Philadelphia. The Paradas handed over their readings, thinking it would go nowhere. "We figured it was a wasted trip to Philly," said Kem, who works in law enforcement. "Within 24 hours, the agent was calling my dad." The FBI moved quickly, obtaining a warrant from a federal judge in Pittsburgh that remains sealed. Finders Keepers claims Enviroscan, a Lancaster-based firm the FBI hired to conduct the metal detection, actually found a mind-boggling seven to nine tons of gold and silver at Dents Run, which could jack the value up to hundreds of millions of dollars. Enviroscan declined to comment. When the FBI converged on Dents Run on the week of March 12, the Paradas and Getler were mostly kept at a distance the entire time, waiting in a car at the bottom of the old mining road for hours at a time. "I was promised we could be on site when they started digging," Dennis said outside his home in Clearfield County on Monday afternoon. Eventually, Dennis said, he was led up the site and asked to look into a hole the FBI had dug. It held nothing but dirt and rock. An agent asked him what he saw in there. Dennis thinks the moment was meant to embarrass him. "I said, 'Nothing,' and he said, 'That's it, there's nothing here, let's all go home,' " Dennis recalled. "I said, 'You're the one who told me there was nine tons here. You. Not me.' " Cluck estimates the government spent at least six figures to fund the operation, but he has been unable to obtain any of the reports because the investigation is ongoing. "You have 50 agents in a hotel. You've got agents flying all over the country. They rented backhoes and porta potties," he said. Conspiracies about the dig linger. One resident on the sparsely populated road that leads to the mine told the Associated Press of jack-hammering sounds all night up in the woods. People saw helicopters, large convoys of military vehicles. "I know they found gold," resident Cheryl Elder told the AP. "I know they found it, and they're being sneaky." The Paradas even mentioned that a Russian plane carrying nine tons of gold and silver bars lost some its cargo over Siberia a day after the Dents Run excavation ended. On Monday, the Dents Run site appeared grown over with invasive grasses, with little evidence there was even a dig there. Dennis said all of his equipment, all the readings he had up there for gold for years, now come back empty. "All the equipment I took back up there and there's nothing. There's no readings or nothing," he said. While Dents Run remains in limbo, Finders Keepers continues its treasure hunting at various locations in Pennsylvania, including silver taken from a Spanish shipwreck, a haul Dennis believes is buried elsewhere in Elk County. The crew is also working on an island off Nova Scotia where legends of lost bounties abound. Dennis grew up in Philipsburg, Centre County, rooting around for stones and arrowheads along the Susquehanna River. His grandmother, an antiques dealer, also fueled his interest. "I was Huckleberry Finn," he said. "I'd build rafts, jump on them, and float down the river. We did the damnedest things back then." Finders Keepers was expecting a finders fee if the gold belongs to the Union and more if it's Spanish silver. Dennis figures that would all be fought out in court. Either would mean millions for the father and son. But Finders Keepers also wants something the money couldn't buy. "Sure, we'd like some publicity, maybe television," Kem said. "We'd like some recognition for all the work we put in." People hold signs during a protest about the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington on Wednesday. Read more WASHINGTON The crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, ordered an operation to lure Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia from his home in Virginia and then detain him, according to U.S. intelligence intercepts of Saudi officials discussing the plan. The intelligence, described by U.S. officials familiar with it, is another piece of evidence implicating the Saudi regime in Khashoggi's disappearance last week after he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Turkish officials say that a Saudi security team lay in wait for the journalist and killed him. Khashoggi was a prominent critic of the Saudi government and Mohammed in particular. Several of Khashoggi's friends said that over the last four months, senior Saudi officials close to the crown prince had called Khashoggi to offer him protection, and even a high-level job working for the government, if he returned to his home country. Khashoggi, however, was skeptical of the offers. He told one friend that the Saudi government would never make good on its promises not to harm him. "He said: 'Are you kidding? I don't trust them one bit,' " said Khaled Saffuri, an Arab American political activist, recounting a conversation he had with Khashoggi in May, moments after Khashoggi had received a call from Saud al-Qahtani, an adviser to the royal court. The intelligence pointing to a plan to detain Khashoggi in Saudi Arabia has fueled speculation by officials and analysts in multiple countries that what transpired at the consulate was a backup plan to capture Khashoggi that may have gone wrong. A former U.S. intelligence official who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter noted that the details of the operation, which involved sending two teams totaling 15 men, in two private aircraft arriving and departing Turkey at different times, bore the hallmarks of a "rendition," in which someone is extralegally removed from one country and deposited for interrogation in another. But Turkish officials have concluded that whatever the intent of the operation, Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate. Investigators have not found his body, but Turkish officials have released video surveillance footage of Khashoggi entering the consulate on the afternoon of Oct. 2. There is no footage that shows him leaving, they said. The intelligence about Saudi Arabia's earlier plans to detain Khashoggi have raised questions about whether the Trump administration should have warned the journalist that he might be in danger. Intelligence agencies have a "duty to warn" people who might be kidnapped, seriously injured, or killed, according to a directive signed in 2015. The obligation applies regardless of whether the person is a U.S. citizen. Khashoggi was a U.S. resident. "Duty to warn applies if harm is intended toward an individual," said a former senior intelligence official. But that duty also depends on whether the intelligence clearly indicated Khashoggi was in danger, the former official said. "Capturing him, which could have been interpreted as arresting him, would not have triggered a duty-to-warn obligation," the former official said. "If something in the reported intercept indicated that violence was planned, then, yes, he should have been warned." The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees the warning process, declined to comment on whether Khashoggi had been contacted. Administration officials have not commented on the intelligence reports that showed a Saudi plan to lure Khashoggi. "Though I cannot comment on intelligence matters, I can say definitively the United States had no advance knowledge of [Khashoggi's] disappearance," deputy State Department spokesman Robert Palladino told reporters Wednesday. Asked whether the U.S. government would have had a duty to warn Khashoggi if it possessed information that he was in jeopardy, Palladino declined to answer what he called a "hypothetical question." It was not clear to officials with knowledge of the intelligence whether the Saudis discussed harming Khashoggi as part of the plan to detain him in Saudi Arabia. But the intelligence had been disseminated throughout the U.S. government and contained in reports that are routinely available to people working on U.S. policy toward Saudi Arabia or related issues, one U.S. official said. The intelligence poses a political problem for the Trump administration because it implicates Mohammed, who is particularly close to Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser. On Wednesday, Kushner and national security adviser John Bolton spoke by phone with the crown prince, but White House officials said the Saudis provided little information. Trump has grown frustrated, two officials said, after initially reacting slowly to Khashoggi's disappearance. Earlier this week, he said he had no information about what had happened to the journalist. White House officials have begun discussing how to force Saudi Arabia to provide answers and what punishment could be meted out if the government there is found responsible. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have reacted harshly to the disappearance. On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of senators asked Trump to impose sanctions on anyone found responsible for Khashoggi's disappearance, including Saudi leaders. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) perhaps the president's closest ally in the Senate, predicated a "bipartisan tsunami" of action if the Saudis were involved and said that Khashoggi's death could alter the nature of relations between the two countries. Kushner's relationship with Mohammed, known within national security agencies by the initials MBS, has long been the subject of suspicion by some American intelligence officials. Kushner and Mohammed have had private, one-on-one phone calls that were not always set up through normal channels so the conversations could be memorialized and Kushner could be properly briefed. For all his criticism of the Saudi regime, Khashoggi was not always opposed to Mohammed's policies. Khashoggi credited the young leader for what he saw as positive changes, including loosening Saudi cultural restrictions. Khashoggi often expressed affection for his homeland, even while saying he did not believe it was safe for him. One person in contact with the crown prince, speaking on the condition of anonymity to preserve the relationship, said Khashoggi last year asked him to give a message to Mohammed saying he needed someone like Khashoggi as an adviser. When he transmitted the message, this person said, the crown prince said that Khashoggi was tied to the Muslim Brotherhood and to Qatar, both Saudi adversaries, and that the arrangement would never happen. Two other friends of Khashoggi said that at least twice he received cordial phone calls from Qahtani, the adviser to the prince, conveying friendly messages on his behalf. In one of the calls, in September 2017, Qahtani said that Mohammed had been "very happy" to see Khashoggi post a message praising the kingdom after the government announced it was lifting a driving ban on women, according to one of the friends, who was with Khashoggi at the time. The tone of the call was pleasant, but Khashoggi also told Qahtani he would praise the government when there were "positive developments. When there are bad things, I will speak up." He spent the rest of the call advocating on behalf of several recently imprisoned critics of the regime. A friend also said that Khashoggi told him he had been approached several times by a businessman close to the Saudi ruling family. The businessman, whom Khashoggi did not name, seemed "keen" to see him every time he visited Washington and told Khashoggi that he would work with the Saudi authorities to arrange his return, the friend said. The Washington Post's Kareem Fahim and Loveday Morris in Istanbul and Josh Dawsey, Karoun Demirjian, Karen DeYoung and Carol Morello in Washington contributed to this report. The F.W. Winter building site under the Ben Franklin Bridge where Interstate Outdoor Advertising wants to erect a giant billboard. TIM TAI / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Read more A week after the Camden Zoning Board approved a controversial billboard project on the waterfront, the City Council delayed a vote to reappoint four city Zoning Board members recommended by Mayor Frank Moran. City activist and former Council member Ali Sloan-El blasted the decision by Council and said he believes it signaled a possible move to remove three of the Zoning Board members who voted in favor of the billboard. Sloan-El supports the billboard project, which has been hotly debated among community leaders and developers. The Council "took no action," a procedural move that removed four resolutions from the agenda at its meeting Tuesday night. The resolutions sought "advice and consent" from Council to reappoint Michael B. Jordan, Karen Merricks, Charles Cooper, and Franchesca Abed to the nine-member board. No reason was given at the meeting for the action. Council President Curtis Jenkins and Moran did not respond to messages Wednesday seeking comment. City spokesperson Vince Basara said he did not know why Council took no action on the reappointments. "They could appear on the next Council agenda," Basara said. "They may or may not be on the next agenda." By an 8-1 vote after a heated marathon public hearing, the Zoning Board approved a variance for a 167-foot-high, two-sided billboard on Delaware Avenue at Elm Street that would target the thousands of commuters who use the Ben Franklin Bridge. A variance was needed because the city's master plan prohibits billboards in the neighborhood. Abed, an alternate, cast the sole dissenting vote. Moran is weighing his option to veto the Zoning Board's decision. He has 10 days after receiving the board's minutes to overturn the approval. >>READ MORE: State permit review could sink Camden billboard project Also pending is a decision by the New Jersey Department of Transportation on whether a permit that it granted in 2012 by the state to Interstate Outdoor Advertising for the project should be revoked. Camden Lutheran Housing Inc., a nonprofit that opposes the billboard, asked the state to review the project. The group wants the state to determine whether billboards are permitted in that area under state and federal regulations. Opponents contend the billboard would drastically change the architectural landscape of the Camden waterfront, bring light pollution, and hamper economic development in the area. Interstate Outdoor CEO Drew Katz has said he believes the permit is valid. The son of the late Lewis Katz, a Camden native who gave millions to his hometown, Drew Katz has said he wants to use proceeds from the billboard to carry on his father's philanthropic legacy. The elder Katz, a co-owner of the Inquirer, Daily News, and Philly.com, died in a plane crash in May 2014. Proceeds from advertising sales, about $200,000 annually, would be earmarked for nonprofits in the city. A 39-year-old South Jersey man was found guilty Wednesday by a federal jury in Camden of threatening the life of U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R., N.J.) and his staff. Joseph Brodie of Millville was convicted of two counts of making threats against LoBiondo and his staff in 2017. LoBiondo represents the Second District in South Jersey. Brodie was reportedly getting help from LoBiondo's staff with veteran services when he asked for a personal meeting with the congressman and was refused. Brodie then made threats against one LoBiondo staffer, and then the congressman and other staffers. Brodie faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. No sentencing date was immediately scheduled. David Surman Jr.. seen here after his arraignment in June, has been charged with possessing a weapon of mass destruction and related offenses in connection to a series of explosions earlier this month in Bucks County. Read more A Quakertown man suspected of building and detonating a series of bombs in Bucks County in the spring now faces child-pornography charges. David Surman Jr., 30, was arraigned Wednesday after surrendering to police. He was freed after posting 10 percent of his $500,000 bail and is due back in court for a preliminary hearing Oct. 23. He had been out on bail since his arrest in the bombing case, after his mother, Kathy L. Surman, posted 10 percent of $750,000, court filings show. Surman gained widespread attention in June, when a combined task force of local, state, and federal investigators raided his home and the chemical company he owns nearby as they investigated a series of mysterious, late-night explosions in rural townships in upper Bucks County. Warrants unsealed last month show that investigators were led to Surman after a state trooper spotted him speeding away from the site of one of those blasts. State police investigating the bombing case had executed a search warrant in July for various electronic devices seized in Surman's home, including thumb drives, cell phones, digital cameras, and laptop computers, according to court documents. During a search of those devices last week, a state trooper discovered a picture he identified as child pornography. The trooper submitted a second, more expansive warrant for Surman's devices, and it was executed Sunday. During that search, investigators found a collection of pornographic images and videos depicting children, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed Wednesday. As state police built the child-pornography case against him last week, Surman waived his right to a preliminary hearing on the criminal charges he faces in connection with the bombings: possessing a weapon of mass destruction, reckless endangerment, and related offenses. He faces an arraignment in county court next month, ahead of a criminal trial tentatively scheduled to begin in February. After the car stop that first brought Surman to their attention, investigators probing the bombings delved deeper into his background. They noted that Surman's company, Consolidated Chemicals & Solvents, sold many of the same chemical compounds detected in soil samples taken from various explosion sites around the county. One of his clients was also under investigation by the FBI in Houston for an unrelated matter, according to a search warrant filed in the case. When police went to arrest Surman, they found a large, 18-inch explosive in his home, one that District Attorney Matt Weintraub described at the time as being capable of causing "mass destruction." Surman's motive for the alleged bombings remains unclear. Police believe the devices used to cause the explosions were "being deployed from the right (passenger) side of a vehicle," according to court paperwork. An SUV matching the description of the one Surman was riding in the night he was stopped was seen on surveillance footage fleeing the scene of other explosion sites. That vehicle, a Ford Explorer, is owned by Surman's girlfriend, Tina Smith. She does not face criminal charges in the case, and prosecutors say she has been cooperating with the investigation. NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA OR JAPAN, OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF ANY OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN. HAMILTON, Bermuda, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reference is made to the stock exchange release by FLEX LNG Ltd. (OSE: FLNG) (the Company) on 10 October 2018 regarding a contemplated private placement (the Private Placement) of new shares in the Company. The Private Placement has been successfully placed, raising gross proceeds of the NOK equivalent of USD 300 million, corresponding to approximately NOK 2,464 million (based on a currency exchange rate of USD/NOK 8.21), through the placing of 172,938,947 new shares (the Offer Shares) at a subscription price of NOK 14.25 per share. The Private Placement was significantly oversubscribed. Geveran Trading Co. Ltd. (Geveran), the Companys largest shareholder, has been allocated 57,646,316 Offer Shares for approximately USD 100 million, and will retain a 44.6% ownership in the Company following the Private Placement. Notices of allocation will be distributed to the investors on 11 October 2018. Completion of the Private Placement is conditional upon the Offer Shares having been fully paid and legally issued. Settlement in the Private Placement will take place on 15 October 2018 (DVP T+2). Following issuance of the Offer Shares, the Company will have an issued share capital of USD 5,409,992.87 divided into 540,999,287 common shares, each with a nominal value of USD 0.01. In order to facilitate timely delivery of already listed shares, delivery of Offer Shares allocated in the Private Placement will be made by delivery of existing shares in the Company borrowed by the Managers from Geveran. The shares delivered to investors in the Private Placement will thus be tradable on Oslo Brs immediately after allocation. The Managers will settle the share loan from Geveran with the new shares issued in connection with the Private Placement. The new shares will be registered under a separate ISIN pending approval of a listing prospectus by the Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway, and will not be listed or tradable on Oslo Brs until the listing prospectus has been approved, expected during December 2018. The share issue has been carried out as a Private Placement in order to take advantage of the current market conditions. Different transaction alternatives have been considered, and it has been concluded that the Private Placement structure would best attend to the common interest of the Company and its shareholders, taking into consideration inter alia limited discount, pre-announced and broadly marketed placement, transaction risk, availability and expected terms of alternative transaction structure and financing sources. DNB Markets, a part of DNB Bank ASA, Pareto Securities AS, ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Arctic Securities AS, Fearnley Securities AS and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.) (Oslo Branch) act as managers in the Private Placement. Advokatfirmaet BAHR AS acts as legal advisor in connection with the Private Placement. Contacts: ystein M Kalleklev, CEO Tel.: +47 23 11 40 58 Additional information about the Company can be found at: http://www.flexlng.com Important information: The release is not for publication or distribution, in whole or in part directly or indirectly, in or into Australia, Canada, Japan or the United States (including its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia). This release is an announcement issued pursuant to legal information obligations, and is subject of the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. It is issued for information purposes only, and does not constitute or form part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities, in the United States or in any other jurisdiction. The securities mentioned herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "US Securities Act"). The securities may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the US Securities Act. The Company does not intend to register any portion of the offering of the securities in the United States or to conduct a public offering of the securities in the United States. Copies of this announcement are not being made and may not be distributed or sent into Australia, Canada, Japan or the United States. The issue, exercise, purchase or sale of subscription rights and the subscription or purchase of shares in the Company are subject to specific legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Neither the Company nor the Managers assumes any responsibility in the event there is a violation by any person of such restrictions. The distribution of this release may in certain jurisdictions be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this release comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The Managers are acting for the Company and no one else in connection with the Private Placement and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company providing the protections afforded to their respective clients or for providing advice in relation to the Private Placement and/or any other matter referred to in this release. Forward-looking statements: This release and any materials distributed in connection with this release may contain certain forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they reflect the Company's current expectations and assumptions as to future events and circumstances that may not prove accurate. A number of material factors could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. A PDF accompanying this announcement is available at http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/cdfc9086-3047-4348-a5f2-7c3d83d150fe Richard Blong, 27, used Facebook to coax three girls, between the ages of 14 and 17, to send him explicit photographs. Read more Richard Blong lured his teenage victims with a keyboard, authorities say. On Facebook, he allegedly would engage them in conversation before asking them to send him pornographic images. In one case, the 27-year-old man is accused of inviting a 15-year-old girl to his Horsham home, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her. Blong was charged last week with statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and related charges, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office announced Thursday. "Predators know the seemingly private nature of cell-phone use by children and teens and their various social-media accounts," Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said in a statement. "And predators seek to use those friendly platforms to take advantage of children." Last month, authorities received a tip about possible child pornography or exploitation. The tip, they said, led them to investigate Blong. They said they found that he had coaxed three girls, between the ages of 14 and 17, to send him explicit photographs. Two of the girls lived outside the Philadelphia area and never met him in person, authorities said. A third girl went in August to Blong's home, where she was sexually assaulted, authorities said. Blong failed to post his $100,000 cash bail and was being held Thursday at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. He awaits a preliminary hearing Oct. 17. No attorney for Blong was listed in court documents. L-R George Norcross, Cooper Univ. Health Care Chairman, Susan Bass Levin President and CEO of The Cooper Foundation and Daniel J. Hilferty, President and CEO of Independence Health Group, parent company of AmeriHealth NJ applaud during the announcement at Cooper Universty Hospital in Camden on June 1, 2016. Announcement of a new Camden County Community Healthy and Athletic Assocation Read more When news broke Tuesday that George E. Norcross III had been under federal investigation, the lawyer for the South Jersey Democratic power broker touted a letter from federal prosecutors in New Jersey that said they had ended their scrutiny of his client during a probe into state-approved tax credits. But documents reviewed by the Inquirer and Daily News show that the 2016 wiretaps on Norcross' cell and work phones weren't tied to the New Jersey probe, but to a separate one on the other side of the Delaware River: the long-running investigation of Philadelphia labor leader John "Johnny Doc" Dougherty. The documents court filings related to the confidential wiretapping two years ago of both men's phones were signed by the same prosecutor, authorized by the same judge, and bear identical case numbers. What drew investigators' attention to Norcross remains unclear. But the records indicate for the first time a connection between the FBI's interest into perhaps the preeminent nonelected figure in Democratic politics in Pennsylvania and the man who holds the same kind of clout in New Jersey. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania refused Wednesday to confirm or deny that the office had ever investigated Dougherty or Norcross. Norcross' lawyer, Michael Critchley, told Politico on Tuesday that he had received assurances from Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Costello, the Philadelphia-based prosecutor leading the Dougherty probe, that Norcross was not currently under investigation by his office. Critchley declined to comment Wednesday. A lawyer for Dougherty said he was unaware until contacted by a reporter Wednesday that Norcross' phones had been tapped in connection with the investigation of the Electricians union. "To the extent that that's the case, we certainly weren't aware that his were among the phones being intercepted," said defense attorney Henry E. Hockeimer Jr. Dougherty and Norcross, through their representatives, have more than once denied any wrongdoing. Still, any connection between the men wouldn't surprise those who follow local politics. Dougherty, 58, took command of Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in 1993, and in 2015 he became the head of the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, which represents nearly 40 unions in Philadelphia and the suburbs. In his 25 years at the helm of his union, he has built the 4,700-member organization into a potent political force, placing numerous Democratic allies in elected and appointed municipal positions, and amassing one of Pennsylvania's biggest campaign war chests. In the last 18 months or so, its members have donated nearly a half-million dollars just to congressional candidates and causes in the region. Norcross, 62, has played a similar role as a political kingmaker in New Jersey. A Cherry Hill resident, insurance brokerage chairman, and chair of the board of Cooper Health System, he has been an economic and political force across the state for years. He has held sway over the largest, and thus most influential, bloc of state lawmakers in New Jersey. At times, the men have combined their political clout toward shared goals. Both were involved in planning the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia and worked the previous year to elect Jim Kenney mayor of Philadelphia. Last month, investigators in Philadelphia notified people whose conversations with Norcross were caught on the FBI wiretap of his work and cellphones. According to those documents, called intercept letters, the secret recordings began in July 2016, more than a year after investigators began listening to Dougherty's phones as well as those of other current and former Local 98 officials, including City Councilman Bobby Henon and union political director Marita Crawford. The wiretaps shut down on Aug. 26, 2016 three weeks after the probe of the union leader burst into public view with raids on the Local 98 union hall and more than a dozen other locations linked to Dougherty or other union leaders. Search warrants from those raids obtained by the Inquirer and Daily News last year suggest FBI agents have spent months poring over seized records pertaining to Local 98's activities, Dougherty's personal finances, and the role of dozens of union officials, contractors, political consultants, and Dougherty family members with ties to union work. Possible charges include embezzlement, attempted extortion of contractors, fraud, tax evasion, and honest services fraud by public officials, the legal documents say. And sources have indicated that the investigation bears the hallmarks of a racketeering conspiracy case, scrutinizing the levers by which Dougherty and his union exert their clout. Those same sources, who were not authorized to discuss the case publicly, have also said that since the wiretaps concluded, the focus of the probe has shifted toward how Local 98 spent its funds than its involvement in politics. While the Dougherty wiretaps went silent in 2016, the Norcross wiretaps resumed in October of that year and continued for about a month, the intercept letters show. But if that marked an entirely new investigation or was simply an outgrowth was unclear. Critchley on Tuesday disclosed that federal prosecutors in New Jersey had taken an interest in his client around the same time that FBI agents in Philadelphia were monitoring his client's phone. He also shared a Sept. 27 letter issued by the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey that referenced an investigation tied to Norcross and the "procurement of tax credits" one prosecutors in it declared to be closed. A spokesperson for that office would not elaborate Tuesday on the nature of that probe. In 2013, Norcross and his allies in the Legislature had worked with then-Gov. Chris Christie to overhaul New Jersey's economic incentives programs. Under the law, the state has awarded billions of dollars in tax credits to companies that moved to or remained in New Jersey. Norcross' insurance firm, Conner Strong & Buckelew, was among the companies awarded incentives to relocate to Camden. His brother U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross, a state senator in 2013, helped get the bill to Christie's desk. Staff writers Mark Fazlollah, Chris Brennan, and Holly Otterbein contributed to this article. An example of REAL ID card in Kentucky. Read more PennDot officials hosted a Facebook Live discussion Wednesday afternoon in an effort to clarify misconceptions and answer questions about REAL ID-compliant cards as the department prepares to begin issuing new cards in March. In two years, Pennsylvania's ID cards and driver's licenses will no longer be sufficient to get residents onto domestic flights or into secure federal buildings. Residents will need either passports or REAL ID-compliant cards with uniform security standards. Here are some of the most-asked questions during the discussion, and the answers. Do I need a REAL ID? If you have a passport and don't mind bringing it whenever you fly, no. If you will never board a domestic flight or have a reason to enter a secure federal building (We're not talking post offices here.), then no. If you have a U.S. military ID, no. Check PennDot's website for questions to ask yourself to decide whether you need a REAL ID. How much will a REAL ID cost? Your first REAL ID will cost $60.50 That's a one-time fee of $30 plus PennDot's $30.50 fee it charges for all ID card renewals. So will I have two cards: one drivers license/state ID and one REAL ID card? No. If you choose to get a REAL ID card, it will replace your current driver's license or ID. A gold star in the corner will mark the card as REAL ID-compliant. What if I just renewed my current ID card or will renew it before PennDot begins issuing REAL IDs in March? Remaining time on current cards will roll over onto your first REAL ID. So say your driver's license expired in September and you renewed it. If you get a REAL ID card in March, that ID will last four years plus your remaining time. That's a total of about seven-and-a-half years. Why doesnt PennDot just stop issuing current IDs and drivers licenses and only issue REAL ID cards? Some states do exclusively issue REAL ID cards. Pennsylvania law says PennDot must offer both types of cards and residents have to opt in if they want REAL ID-compliant ones. Ive seen two deadlines for REAL ID thrown around recently: August 2019 and October 2020. Whats the deadline I should remember? Last month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security granted Pennsylvania an extension until Aug. 1, 2019 to comply with the REAL ID Act. Fifteen states currently have extensions. That includes New Jersey, which has until Oct. 10, 2019. Ignore those deadlines. Oct. 1, 2020 is the deadline you need to know. Starting that day, you will need either a passport or a REAL ID-compliant card to board domestic flights or enter secure federal buildings. PennDot will begin issuing cards in March. If Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005, why hasnt Pennsylvania been issuing REAL ID cards already? The Department of Homeland Security gave the new REAL ID Act regulations to the states in 2009, which is when Pennsylvania began looking to comply, according to PennDot. But lawmakers with concerns about privacy passed a law that prohibited PennDot from complying with the federal REAL ID Act. Legislators repealed that law in May 2017. I applied months ago for PennDot to pre-verify my identifying documents to speed the process of getting a REAL ID next year. Why dont I know yet whether Im pre-verified? PennDot staff manually checks customers' records document by document, which has created a backlog in processing the thousands of applications the department has received, PennDot officials said. The department is asking people to be patient. (You can't get a REAL ID in Pennsylvania until the department begins to issue them in March, anyway. And you don't need the REAL ID until 2020.) Do you have other questions about REAL ID? Write them in the comments or send an email. On Oct. 10, the president judges of the Philadelphia courts quietly posted a notice on their website. They had eliminated a rule outlining policies on detainers, orders that can keep people locked up indefinitely if they are already on probation or parole when they're arrested for a new crime. Since then, lawyers and community advocates have been trying to figure out what that means, as the courts had routinely failed to follow the old rule, which limited automatic detainers to only a small number of very serious violent crimes. Keir Bradford-Grey, chief of the Defender Association, said the resulting practice, in which people were detained automatically even on lower-level offenses, was "unconstitutional." "It's always interesting when we ask to follow a rule and instead the rule is just rescinded," Bradford-Grey said, "but we're looking forward to what's next." At a City Hall news conference Thursday marking a different announcement the elimination of a 30 percent fee on all posted money bail Leon Tucker, supervising judge of the Common Pleas Criminal Division, said it was too soon to provide details on the replacement policy. >>READ MORE: Philly courts to stop withholding controversial bail fee "We're in the process of putting together another rule that will take its place, that will reflect what we're actually doing that is, lodging detainers only when absolutely necessary," Tucker said. He said judges lodge detainers primarily for public-safety reasons. However, advocates note that detainers are also often lodged without a hearing against people arrested on lower-level, nonviolent charges. Given that one out of 22 Philadelphia adults is on probation or parole a rate that makes the city an extreme outlier these practices affect a vast pool of people. Currently, 55 percent of Philadelphia's jail population is there on a detainer. >>READ MORE: Study finds 'indefensible' overuse of probation, parole in Pennsylvania Members of the #No215Jail Coalition and the Philadelphia Community Bail Fund said they're fearful that rescinding the rule eliminates the last vestige of protection for those under supervision. "Rule 910 requires the courts to hold hearings before issuing a detainer on someone for violation of probation or parole conditions," the groups said in a joint statement. "Rather than abiding by this rule and ensuring defendants have some measure of due process before having their freedom taken away, the court has instead chosen to simply eliminate the rule they had long ignored." Bradford-Grey said she expected to meet with court leadership next week to consult on a new rule. Tucker said the change came in part in response to a letter from the Defender Association decrying the existing process. "Not only were we not following the rule, but the way we were issuing detainers was unconstitutional as well," Bradford-Grey said. "If people were doing well on probation, why should they be locked up for a mere arrest, when there's still a presumption of innocence? Contact with the police, especially in certain neighborhoods, should not be the impetus to detain a person without a hearing, without an understanding of whether or not these allegations are even provable." Bradford-Grey said that to ensure due process, the courts should do away with automatic detainers entirely and instead allow for full, individualized hearings to determine whether a person should be detained pending trial. However, Tucker said the new rule would likely still include provisions for automatic detainers for the most serious charges, like aggravated assault, robbery, or rape. He also said that, even for less serious charges, it's reasonable for judges to continue detaining probationers who are not reporting regularly or otherwise complying with probation terms. Is not reporting a good reason to keep a defendant in jail indefinitely pending trial? "Depending on what the underlying case is," Tucker said, " yeah, most judges would think that." Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, left, and Republican Scott Wagner take part in a gubernatorial debate in Hershey , Pa., Monday, Oct. 1, 2018. The debate is hosted by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. Read more Asked in a recent poll which issue was most important in the Pennsylvania gubernatorial race, voters' most popular answer was: taxes. Property taxes have historically been Pennsylvania's most unpopular levy and nearly always a priority for voters. But this year, there's been little heat around the issue in the race between Gov. Wolf, a Democrat, and his Republican challenger, Scott Wagner. Wagner supports eliminating school property taxes, and as a state senator co-sponsored a bill to do that. Wolf campaigned in 2014 as a supporter of property tax reform or elimination, but has not supported measures to do so since a budget proposal in his first year as governor to raise the income and sales taxes to replace lost property tax revenue. It was rejected by the legislature. While complaints about the property tax have a long legacy, "there's no easy solution to it," said G. Terry Madonna, poll director and a professor of public affairs at Franklin and Marshall College. A Franklin and Marshall poll conducted in September found that taxation was the top issue among Pennsylvania voters; 12 percent said they would consider it the most when voting for governor, followed by 10 percent who cited education. Governors don't have control over property taxes, which are levied by local governments, but the majority of property tax bills are for school districts, and state funding for education can influence whether districts increase tax rates. A constitutional amendment that voters approved last year made it possible for lawmakers to approve legislation exempting homeowners from paying property taxes on their primary residences. The successful ballot question energized advocates for property tax elimination or reform, but no change has resulted. The proposal Wagner co-sponsored, known as the Property Tax Independence Act, would increase statewide sales and income taxes currently 6 percent and 3.07 percent, respectively to fund school districts while eliminating school property taxes. Wagner has said he would minimize tax increases in part by reducing government spending. "While he would sign that bill as is if it comes to his desk, he thinks that by first moving to zero-based budgeting, he will be able to find revenue that would allow for the proposed tax shifts in [the Property Tax Independence Act] not to have to be as severe," his campaign spokesman Andrew Romeo said in an email. Wagner has not provided details about the amount by which he would raise other taxes to replace school property taxes, which totaled more than $14 billion in the last fiscal year, according to the state's Independent Fiscal Office. Wolf, meanwhile, has not supported the Property Tax Independence Act. Does that mean the governor has changed his stance since he campaigned for his first term? "I would say it's now a sense of realism" more than a change of position, Madonna said. "Once you get into office you get the full dimensions of the problem." Wolf has said that expanding the sales tax to include more items could hurt taxpayers, and that it is important to protect school funding. "Gov. Wolf will continue to work with the legislature to reduce property taxes, but unlike Scott Wagner, he won't burden middle-class families and seniors by taxing groceries, clothing, and retirements," his campaign spokesperson Beth Melena said in an email. No matter who wins in November, Madonna said, action still depends on the legislature voting for a bill that would change the property tax system. "The problem," he said, "is coming up with the money to pay for any alternative." Spiritual director Losang Samten uses tools called chak-pur to create a sand mandala depicting the Green Tara, a beloved Buddhist diety, at the Chenrezig Tibetan Buddhist Center of Philadelphia. The mandala, which symbolizes healing and protection, will be completed at the end of the week and then will be dismantled during a ceremony Sunday. Read more At a time when rancorous battles over the Supreme Court, midterm elections, and kneeling athletes are dividing friends and families, Losang Samten is releasing healing energy into an angry world, if only for a moment. A former Tibetan Buddhist monk, Samten is a master of the mandala, a spiritual sand painting whose creation is part meditation, part art. Since Sunday, he and apprentice Soo Kyong Kim have spent five hours each day sprinkling grains of sand in 30 colors onto a 5-foot-by-5-inch glass table at the Chenrezig Tibetan Buddhist Center in Northern Liberties. Ever so slowly this week, an image has been emerging of the Green Tara, a beloved Buddhist deity, the mother-savior-protectress, who represents wisdom and compassion. "There is a lot of fear, concern, anger, and hatred," Samten, 66, said during an interview at the center's new headquarters on Marshall Street, where he is spiritual director. "We want to make peace." By Sunday, when the piece is finished, he and Kim, a 53-year-old musician, will have surrounded the Green Tara with 21 other goddesses. Then, Samten said, they will "dismantle" it. The mandala (Sanskrit for circle) is a spiritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism that represents the universe. It is a collection of geometric shapes that emanate from the center of a circle, and typically contain depictions of religious iconography, including deities and temples. Creating one is a meditative practice. They are using two metal cone-like instruments called chak-pur to pour the sand onto a grid drawn by Samten. One cone, filled with the sand, distributes it onto the table through a tiny hole, while the other cone, which is empty, is used to tap on the sand-filled one, an action that regulates the amount and speed at which the grains are dispensed. Samten and Kim are working on the mandala from 1 to 6 p.m. daily through Saturday, and the public is invited to watch. On Sunday at about noon, those gathered at the center will scoop up the delicately placed grains in a ritual that signifies life's impermanence. They may take home envelopes of sand as a blessing, while leftover grains that once depicted a goddess will be dumped in a body of water to bless the environment. A large picture of the Green Tara hangs on the wall of the center, a rendering that Samten has had since shortly after moving to America in 1988. >>READ MORE: The 14th Dalai Lama receives the Liberty Medal Born in Tibet, Samten fled China at 5 with his family in 1959 during the Communist takeover. The family settled in India, where Samten entered the exiled Dalai Lama's Namgyal Monastery. He served as an assistant to the Dalai Lama and began learning the sacred art of the mandala as a teenager. He was sent to the U.S. to spread the gospel of the mandala in 1988 when New York writer/artist and Buddhist practitioner Barry Bryant asked the Dalai Lama to send someone skilled in the practice. Samten settled in Philadelphia after he created a mandala at the Penn Museum and a group of professors pleaded with the Dalai Lama to allow him to stay. Since then, Samten has completed hundreds of mandalas around the world, at universities, museums, schools, and prisons, with the longest taking five weeks. Coming up are mandalas in California, New Jersey, Brazil, and in Philadelphia at the Folk Arts-Cultural Treasures Charter, where Samten is a teacher in residence. He gave up being a monk 20 years ago because he was "more comfortable" as a lay teacher in his adopted home. For the last decade, Samten has done virtually no mandalas at his own center because its 80 members have been nomads for the last 27 years, renting spaces in museums, churches, and schools. >>READ MORE: Tibetan Buddhist find a home in North Philadelphia In 2010, the community purchased its present building, on a then-decrepit block of Marshall Street, and transformed it into a quiet sanctuary for meditation. The Green Tara is the second mandala Samten has done since moving into the new headquarters, on a now-gentrified block in transition. When he's creating, Samten says, his mind is empty. There is only a mental quietness. It is a skill that Kim hasn't yet mastered. When she's creating a mandala, her mind is racing. "I'm thinking about all sorts of things, like if the line of sand" she's sprinkling on the mandala is a straight one, Kim said. Samten has slowed his mandala creation, in part, because of age his eyes, he said, aren't want they used to be but also because he is busy with other projects. He leads retreats and workshops and runs the center, which is frequented by people of all faith traditions. He worries about the future of sand painting that right now flourishes only in India. Kim gives him hope. A violist, music teacher, and graduate of Juilliard, she has been a member of the center for 20 years and studied with the mandala master throughout. Her apprenticeship became official last year as part of a program with the Philadelphia Folklore Project. "It's art. It's beautiful," Kim said, "and I want to keep up a tradition that is fading." (Left to Right) Patty Fortney-Julius, Carolyn Fortney, Teresa Miller, and Lara McKeever, shown here in Hummelsburg, PA, Tuesday September 12, 2018. The Fortney sisters, five siblings from the same family, four of the sisters shown here in this photo, were abused by the same catholic priest. JESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer Read more The Pennsylvania House rightly voted Tuesday to protect college students from the cruelties of hazing. It now goes back to the Senate, where it is expected to pass. Not so certain is whether the Senate will have the courage to stand up to the Catholic Church and insurance industry to protect child sex-abuse victims. Both bills hold powerful institutions accountable for failing to look out for the young people under their watch. The hazing bill upgrades what was merely a slap on the wrist to members of fraternities, clubs, and other campus organizations to a felony, if their rituals result in death or injury. Offenders could face up to a $15,000 fine and seven years in jail. It also holds the organizations and colleges responsible for allowing hazing and fines them. This bill results from the brutal death of 19-year-old Timothy Piazza in 2017 at the now-banned Beta Theta Pi fraternity at Penn State. Reckless fraternity brothers gave him 18 drinks in less than 90 minutes. Drunk, he stumbled down basement stairs. But instead of helping him and calling an ambulance, the brothers carried him to a couch and threw shoes at him. He died from brain injuries and internal bleeding. Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R., Centre) sponsored the bill and guided it to victory. He said he was proud to work with Piazza's parents, who turned their grief into a force for saving the lives of future college students. But what will he and the rest of the Senate do for the grieving victims of child sexual abuse, covered up for decades by the Catholic Church? Corman has an important bill locked in his committee and should release it next week when the last three full voting sessions before the election are scheduled. The bill would end statutes of limitations on criminal prosecutions and civil suits. And, it would allow victims to retroactively file civil suits for two years like Delaware, California, and Minnesota have done. But the Senate leadership's latest excuse for fighting it is a dispute over whether it is constitutional to retroactively allow victims to sue institutions that enabled abusers. It is unconscionable that they are still playing games after Attorney General Josh Shapiro's Aug. 14 grand jury report detailing appalling acts by 301 priests against more than 1,000 victims over decades. The church covered up those crimes until the statutes of limitations ran out. It had no compassion for victims who turned to alcohol, drug abuse, and even suicide. Sen. John Rafferty (R., Montgomery), an attorney and among the first to stand up for these victims, says the bill passes constitutional muster. We agree with him. If Republican leaders won't listen to Rafferty, they should listen to Pat and Ed Fortney, of Harrisburg, who are the parents of five daughters who were sexually assaulted by a priest for years. "Lawmakers are our last hope. Justice for all the victims lies in their hands," they wrote in the Inquirer. "We ask those in power: What would you do if this were your child or grandchild? Imagine for one minute what it would feel like." Don't let them down. 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... English Norwegian Orkla will publish its third quarter 2018 results on Thursday, 25 October at 07:00 CEST. The quarterly report and presentation material will be made available at this time at www.orkla.com. Telephone conference call at 08:00 CEST: President and CEO Peter A. Ruzicka and CFO Jens Staff will present the results in a telephone conference call at 08:00 CEST. The presentation and subsequent Q&A session will be held in English. To participate in the conference call, the following dial-in numbers may be used: Norway: +47 23500243, PIN: 49540027# Denmark: +45 35445577, PIN: 49540027# Sweden: +46 856642651, PIN: 49540027# United Kingdom: +44 3333000804, PIN: 49540027# United States: +1 6319131422, PIN: 49540027# A recording of the conference call will be made available on Orkla's website shortly after the presentation. Press meeting 09:00 CEST: Members of the media are invited to a meeting at 09:00 CEST in Orkla's premises at Nedre Skyen vei 26. President and CEO Peter A. Ruzicka will present the main points for the third quarter and will be available for interviews. Orkla ASA Oslo, 11 October 2018 Ref.: IR & Communications Manager Elise Heidenreich Tel.: 951 41 147 E-mail: elise.andersen.heidenreich@orkla.no WASHINGTON: The US Justice Department said on Wednesday it had arrested and indicted a spy for China`s Ministry of State Security on charges of economic espionage and attempting to steal trade secrets from several US aviation and aerospace companies. Chinese operative Yanjun Xu was detained in Belgium in April after a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe and extradited to the United States on Tuesday. The Washington Post reported he was lured to Belgium by U.S. agents. The FBI called it an unprecedented extradition and said the indictment showed the direct oversight of China`s government in economic espionage against the United States. The charges come as Washington increases pressure on Beijing over its trade policies and alleged theft of US intellectual property. Cybersecurity experts said the arrest was another sign of the escalating trade tensions between the two countries, adding they had seen increasing espionage by Beijing for business advantage. "China is actively engaging in targeted and persistent intrusion attempts against multiple sectors of the economy, including biotech, defence, mining, pharmaceutical, professional services, transportation and more," said CrowdStrike Chief Technology Officer Dmitri Alperovitch. A US Department of Justice statement said Xu, a deputy division director for the State Security Department of China`s Jiangsu province, targeted several US aerospace companies, including GE Aviation, a subsidiary of General Electric Co. It described another unnamed firm as "one of the world`s largest aerospace firms, and a leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defence, space and security systems," and a third as a leader in unmanned aerial vehicle technology. GE Aviation has supplied engines for large Boeing Co and Airbus SE aircraft, and is working on a new generation of engines for commercial planes and heavy-lift military helicopters. The indictment against Xu said he targeted aviation firms since around December 2013. It also said he made contact with experts working for the firms and recruited them to travel to China, often for the initial purpose of delivering a university presentation and paying their costs and a stipend. "This unprecedented extradition of a Chinese intelligence officer exposes the Chinese government`s direct oversight of economic espionage against the United States," the statement quoted Bill Priestap, the FBI`s assistant director for counterintelligence, as saying. John Demers, the assistant US attorney general for national security, said the case was not an isolated incident. "It is part of an overall economic policy of developing China at American expense," he said. "We cannot tolerate a nation stealing our firepower and the fruits of our brainpower." The Chinese Embassy and Xu`s lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The maximum penalty for conspiracy and attempt to commit economic espionage is 15 years, while that for conspiracy and attempt to steal trade secrets is 10 years. The Ministry of State Security is China`s intelligence and security agency and is responsible for counterintelligence, foreign intelligence and political security. Cybersecurity experts said former U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping had reached an understanding in 2015 on cyber espionage, but the agreement appeared be withering away. Chris Painter, the former U.S. State Department official who negotiated the agreement, said in a Twitter post it was "not surprising that now the relationship has deteriorated, so has the agreement." Late last month, the Department of Justice reported the arrest of a Chinese citizen in Chicago on charges he covertly worked for a high-ranking Chinese intelligence official to help try to recruit engineers and scientists, including some who worked as U.S. defence contractors. NBC News on Tuesday quoted U.S. officials as saying a professor at a top cancer research centre in Houston facing child pornography charges was also under scrutiny for alleged economic espionage for China. Recent happenings in Gujarat are unfortunate. I thought Constitution of India guaranteed free movement of its citizens throughout the country. Hence, what is happening is certainly not acceptable. Now, the revelation has come out that certain sub-ethnic group's involvement is being suspected. A leader of the said ethnic group, who is an sitting MLA from the opposition side, has been suspected of engineering the exodus of workers of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar from Gujarat. To what extent will they go and where will this all end? Gujarat, over the course of my innumerable visits, has endeared itself to me, and its people are of enterprising nature. Knowing them so, I do not thinks any ordinary Gujarati will support this. Not new At the same time, it is also borne by the record that this is not new in India. Oft and on we have such sons-of-soil and other movements happening in different parts of the country, in different states of India at different points of time. I remember in the recent past, I had to cancel my visit in a place close to Ramnagaram, near Mysuru, because there were disturbances en route at Mandya, on account of an unacceptable Supreme Court Order in the Cauvery dispute case. I had to return from Bengaluru on that day in September 2016. Karnataka incidents The state of Karnataka witnesses two kinds of movements to drive away other ethnic groups. In cases of specific discord on the interests of the state with neighbouring Tamil Nadu, the local Tamils are attacked. This is reciprocated in equal measure by their Tamilian counterparts against Kannadigas. The other kind is general disdain for people from Northeastern states, who are such friendly people and always likeable in the face of fiercest persecution in most parts of India outside their region. Maharashtra incidents Events such as these are common and repetitive in Mumbai and other cities of Maharashtra. Some political parties have eked out their survival out of such an in-group political ideology. Call it the Shiv Sena or MNS and whatever, it is indeed a reality. The migrants from UP/ Bihar are referred to with disdain as 'bhaiyyas'. No matter how long they might be staying in the state, they are persecuted. In fact, on this, I have made references in my book also as to how this repeatedly creates a law and order problem in Maharashtra requiring the Union government's intervention. These are realities of India, and one wishes they do not exist. Negative stereotype outgroups In this context, one prominent and highly-respected social anthropologist, Prof Sachidanda, whose works we used to devour in the 1980s, has opined that every hamlet, village, community, caste, and other formations always regard any intruder into the group with disdain. This phenomenon he names as negative stereotype outgroup. This trend in Maharashtra has now extended to Gujarat, where migrants from UP/ Bihar have become negative stereotype outgroups. Why do migrations take place When it comes to the question of sacrificing their self-esteem and security, why does the population of UP and Bihar have to migrate? This is a question that is not asked enough. This is a question the politicians of these states owe an answer. Whenever there is an attack or untoward incident or movement, these politicians resort to all sorts of rhetoric. I underline, I do not support this trend. But we have to address the genesis of the problem. Politicians to blame in UP and Bihar Let us now recall that Lalu Prasad Yadav ruled Bihar for more than a decade. Nitish Kumar, the present CM, with different allies has ruled the state for more than 10 years. Mayawati and Mulayam's parties ruled Uttar Pradesh for close to two decades alternatively, till 2017. A comparison to this is Narendra Modi, who was CM for about 12 years in Gujarat. See the difference in developmental levels between Gujarat and UP/Bihar. Highest investments in pre-1991 Let me also underline one more salient point. During the pre-1991 era, the amount of investments in terms of public sector in UP and Bihar were overwhelming, and other states had miniscule share in comparison. Also, in that era, location of public sector investments as per the then Industrial Policy and, due to their political might, many private investments were also happening in these two states. Further, Bihar before 2000 was a combined Bihar in which the amount of natural endowments like mineral wealth, etc. are incomparable. Poor state governance Still, due to poor governance, these two states could not harness the assets and their poor population remains poor and have to leave the state in search of employment. Will any politician from these two states answer for this? I underline that what happened in Gujarat is unpardonable, and those behind this should be prosecuted as per law. (RVS Mani is a former Central government officer who shot to prominence as a whistleblower in 2009, when he alleged he had been forced to sign documents that fabricated a narrative of 'Saffron Terror'. His book, 'Hindu Terror: Insider Account of Ministry of Home Affairs', was released recently.) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) RAIPUR: BJP president Amit Shah will arrive in poll-bound Chhattisgarh on Friday on a two-day visit during which he will address the booth-level workers of the party at four places. "With an aim to re-energise the booth-level party workers, division-level conventions are being held on October 12 and 13, which will be addressed by BJP chief Amit Shah," BJP state general secretary Santosh Pandey said. This will be Shah's third visit to the state within a month. Led by Chief Minister Raman Singh, the ruling BJP had set a target of "Mission 65 plus" in the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly and the party is now focussing on strengthening its booth-level workers. Shah will visit Ambikapur and Bilaspur towns on Friday to address the booth-level workers of Surguja and Bilaspur divisions respectively. "After the programme in Bilaspur, he is scheduled to interact with a group of lawyers," Pandey said. On October 13, the BJP chief will address party workers at Jagdalpur under Bastar division. Subsequently, he will also address the workers of Durg and Raipur divisions in state capital Raipur, he added. "During his whirlwind tour, Shah will directly interact with the party workers here," Pandey said. According to BJP sources, after Shah's visit, the aspirants for the upcoming polls will be shortlisted and the party's Central Election Committee will later announce the names of the candidates. The assembly elections in Chhattisgarh are scheduled to be held in two phases next month. As per the Election Commission's (EC's) poll schedule, the 18 Naxalism-hit constituencies of the state will go to the polls in the first phase on November 12, while polling for the rest of the 72 constituencies will be held on November 20. The counting of votes will be taken up on December 11. The BJP has been in power in Chhattisgarh since 2003. (With Agency Inputs) New Delhi: The Odisha government invited industries to explore investment opportunities in agriculture marketing in the state in order to realize the goal of enhancing farmers income in a sustainable manner at a workshop held in Gurugram on Wednesday. In the run up to the Make in Odisha Conclave (MIO) 2018, the flagship biennial global investors summit, the Department of Cooperation of the State Government organized a Consultative Workshop on Agriculture Marketing at Gurugram in association with industries partner Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The workshop was a curtain raiser event for the session on Agriculture Marketing during MIO. The workshop was attended by over 50 investors based in Delhi-NCR who expressed their interest to explore investment opportunities in Odishas agriculture marketing sector. These included companies like Maersk, Bayer, Mother Dairy, StarAgri among others. The State government sought private investments across a range of areas under agriculture marketing from quality infrastructure for storage, grading, sorting, packaging and trading of agricultural produce to providing ease of trade between sellers and buyers respectively. Speaking at the workshop, Surjya Narayan Patra, Minister, Department of Cooperation said, Odisha has already attained self-sufficiency in food production. Over the last few years, the State has experienced success in terms of crop area, production, productivity, food security, irrigation, leading to a rise in farmers income. The second edition of the biennial Make in Odisha Conclave 2018 has been scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar from November 11-15, 2018. The conclave will have sector specific seminars across food processing, smart city, logistics and infrastructure, tourism, ESDM manufacturing, aerospace & defense apart from other engaging events. The inaugural edition of the Make in Odisha Conclave was organized in 2016 to showcase the manufacturing prowess of the State and the investment potential in diverse sectors where investment intent to the tune of Rs 2.03 lakh crore were announced. Out of these investment intents received, close to 65% projects are in various stages of approval and implementation, an official release said. Bengaluru: A Karnataka minister belonging to Mayawati's BSP resigned from Chief Minister Kumaraswamy's cabinet on Thursday. In a blow to the Congress-JDS coalition government in the state, the lone BSP Minister N Mahesh quit his post citing personal reasons. He, however, said he would continue to support the ruling coalition. His surprise move came days after his party supremo Mayawati announced that her party would contest assembly elections in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh either on its own or in alliance with regional parties but not with the Congress. After submitting his resignation to the Chief Minister, Mahesh said that he quit to focus more on his assembly constituency Kollegal and to strengthen his party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. "There had been a campaign against me in my constituency that I have camped in Bengaluru and was not focusing on Kollegal. Also, there was a need to strengthen the party base ahead of the Lok Sabha elections," said Mahesh. The BSP leader said he has not yet informed Mayawati about his decision to resign. "No, I have not informed her. I have come before the media. Now I will tell Behenji (Mayawati)," said Mahesh, who is the minister for primary and secondary education. He said the Chief Minister told him that he would consider his resignation. Mahesh vowed to continue his support to the coalition government and said he would campaign for the JD(S) during the bypolls for three Lok Sabha and two assembly seats in the state on November 3. "I do not have any grouse against anybody in the government. As a minister, I did my best and toured the state. This resignation is purely due to personal reasons," he said. BSP had contested the May assembly polls in a tie-up with JD(S), which is a post-election understanding joined hands with Congress to form the government following a fractured verdict. Causing ripples in the coalition, Mahesh had also recently hit out at the Congress, BJP and JD(S), saying they were responsible for economic and social inequality in the country and projected BSP as the champion for the cause of the oppressed. "I'm saying this openly, whether it is Congress or BJP or Janata Dal, their workers will not understand the ideology that I'm speaking about. They don't need it because until there is this caste system and inequality- Congress, BJP and Janata Dal will continue to exist," Mahesh had said. (With inputs from PTI) The farmers in Punjab's Ambala held a protest on Thursday to demand a compensation for the damaged crop. The farmers demanded a compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre after sudden rain and hailstorm damaged the standing paddy crops on Wednesday. According to news agency ANI, the farmers blocked the roads in protest and demanded compensation from the government. Responding to the protest, Sharandeep Kaur, Deputy Commissioner of Ambala said that adequate compensation will be provided to the farmers but the extent of damage has to be ascertained first. "Adequate compensation will be given to the farmers after the extent of the damage is ascertained," Kaur said. Earlier on Thursday, Punjab farmers burnt stubble saying that they don't have any other alternative. The farmers added that celebrations during Dussehra and Diwali is the cause of pollution in the national capital. Adding that their loans have also been waived off by the government, the farmers said, "We have no alternative. The government has not even waived off our loans. Is stubble burning the only cause of pollution? Does crackers and celebrations during Dussehra and Diwali not contribute to it?" Paddy growers of Punjab and Haryana have become "soft targets" as they are often blamed for causing air pollution in the NCR region due to stubble burning, farm experts said on Wednesday. At least 50 Dalit families at Incholi village in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh threatened to convert after they were allegedly denied permission of placing an idol in a temple. The families said that they were refused to put an idol of Goddess Kali in the village temple by the locals, said the district administration on Thursday. A protester, Rajkumar, said that conversion is better as despite being Hindus they were stopped. He said, "We are Hindus if we can't put a goddess idol in a temple then where should we go? It is better to convert." Speaking on the issue, ADM (E) Ramchandra said that though the protesters have alleged on the idol placing issue, the ADM(E) wasn't aware of the religious conversion demand. However, he assured that the matter will be investigated and resolved. He said, "Protesters have alleged that they wanted to place an idol in the village temple and they were stopped by other locals. We will investigate the matter. I don't know about the religious conversion demand, the matter will be resolved." New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday turned down the submissions of the Centre and Chhattisgarh government to adjourn a case, which challenged the deployment of erstwhile special police officers (SPOs) as "auxiliary armed force" allegedly for anti-Maoist operations in the state, till conclusion of the Assembly polls there. The Centre and the state told a bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta that Assembly election was notified in the state and it would be held in two phases on November 12 and November 20, respectively. Terming the matter as "sensitive", the Centre and the state said it might prejudice the political parties there and the court could hear the matter on November 21. "We have nothing to do with the elections," the bench said, adding, "Any case that we decide, prejudices one side or the other. Going by your logic, we would not be able to decide any case." The Centre and the Chhattisgarh government said there was nothing emergent in the matter and it should be heard after the assembly polls. "We are not concerned with the elections," the bench said. The court said it would hear arguments on behalf of the petitioners, and the Centre and state can respond to it later. The counsel appearing for the petitioners made it clear that they were not against any political party and that they had approached the court for protection of human rights of the tribals. He told the court their main challenge was against deployment of erstwhile SPOs as 'auxiliary armed force' in the state. The counsel said the apex court had in 2011 declared as "illegal and unconstitutional" the deployment of tribals as SPOs in anti-naxal operations, but the state came out with the Chhattisgarh Auxiliary Armed Police Force Act, through which the erstwhile SPOs were engaged as auxiliary force. He argued that there were instances of "lawless violence" in certain areas of the state and some of the members engaged as erstwhile SPOs were allegedly involved in a 2011 incident where three villages were set on fire and women were raped. "The SPOs against whom complaints are pending should be prosecuted," the counsel said, adding that its members had also attacked the CBI team which had gone to Chhattisgarh to conduct a probe as per the directions of the top court. "SPOs, who have been put in this (auxiliary) force, have run amok and even the state cannot control them," the lawyer said, adding several cases against them were closed by the police. The arguments remained inconclusive and would continue on November 27. Salwa Judum, an anti-Maoist civil militia, was disarmed and disbanded in 2011 in the state following the apex court's order declaring as illegal and unconstitutional the deployment of tribal youths as SPOs in the fight against Maoist insurgency. LONDON, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global cloud communications software and solutions provider IMImobile PLC , today announced that one of the largest energy providers in the UK, npower, is its first client on Apple Business Chat. npower will be utilising Apple Business Chat to improve its customer experience for customers looking to switch to a smart meter. Apple Business Chat is a new way for consumers to connect directly with businesses using the Messages app on Apple devices. With more than 1.3 billion active Apple devices worldwide1, Business Chat provides a significant reach and an unprecedented opportunity to create powerful and seamless messaging interactions between consumers and businesses. Jon Drinkwater, Head of Digital and Data at npower, commented, We are pleased to be the first energy provider in the UK to launch Apple Business Chat. Reaching our customers via new and innovative conversational channels is key to differentiate our customer experience strategy. Customers wanting to get in touch with us about Smart meters will be able to use the Business Chat service enabled by IMImobiles platform via the Smart Contact Us page on npower.com.2 npower will use Business Chat accessed via IMImobiles contact centre chat platform, to share rich media messages with customers illustrating the benefits and installation process of switching to a smart meter. Customer service agents are also able to trigger post-chat surveys using Apple Business Chats list picker functionality. Uniquely, npower and IMImobile enabled the use of Emojis as part of the survey to increase customer responses and use the results for internal training and assessment. Jay Patel, Chief Executive at IMImobile, commented, Apple Business Chat offers a new and powerful way for consumers to engage with brands and we are pleased to be part of a small group of approved Apple providers supporting this phase of the roll out. Conversational customer engagement, service and support present a huge opportunity for businesses, more so now than at any other time and we look forward to working with npower to further optimise the customer service experience. For more information about Apple Business Chat please click here . __________________________ 1 https://www.apple.com/uk/newsroom/2018/02/apple-reports-first-quarter-results/ 2 https://www.npower.com/help-and-support/contact-us/ About IMImobile PLC IMImobile is a cloud communications software and solutions provider that enables companies to use mobile and digital technologies to improve and automate customer experience and engagement. IMImobile's cloud software platform manages over 42 billion messages and 44 billion commerce transactions a year across the world. Organisations that trust us to deliver smarter digital customer engagement include Centrica, AA, O2, EE, BT, Foxtons, Pizza Hut, Vodafone, AT&T, MTN, three of the major retail banks in the UK and public-sector organisations in India, US and the UK. IMImobile is headquartered in London with offices in Hyderabad, Little Rock, Toronto, Dubai and Johannesburg and has over 1,100 employees worldwide. IMImobile is quoted on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market with the TIDM code IMO. About npower: npower (npower Group plc) is one of Britains leading energy companies and is part of the innogy SE group. We serve 4.84 million residential and business accounts with electricity and gas (first quarter 2018). innogy SE is Germanys leading energy company, with revenue of around 43 billion (2017), more than 40,000 employees and activities in 16 countries across Europe. With its three business segments Grid & Infrastructure, Retail and Renewables, innogy addresses the requirements of a modern, decarbonised, decentralised and digital energy world. Its activities focus on its 23 million customers, and on offering them innovative and sustainable products and services which enable them to use energy more efficiently and improve their quality of life. The key markets are Germany, UK, Netherlands and Belgium as well as several countries in Central Eastern and South Eastern Europe. For further information about npower please visit npower.com - We are also on Facebook, Twitter (@npowerhq) and YouTube. New Delhi: Shortly after the sudden demise of clean Ganga activist GD Agarwal, Congress on Thursday attacked the Modi government and said, "Is Namami Gange also a 'jumla' (rhetoric)?" Calling the Centre blind, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that Agarwal's sacrifice might provide vision to the government. "Modi ji said river Ganga is calling him but it is even more polluted than it was in 2014. Rs 22000 crore was allotted for cleaning it, not even 1/4th of it has been used," he told news agency ANI. Activist GD Agarwal died earlier in the day following a heart attack in AIIMS Rishikesh in Uttarakhand. Agarwal was on an indefinite fast in Haridwar since June 22 in a bid to urge the government to clean river Ganga. The environmentalist, also known as Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand, fasted for 109 days to save the Ganga. He was forcibly picked up by the Uttarakhand police and hospitalised on Wednesday. According to AIIMS Rishikesh, the activist suffered a cardiac arrest. He was administered a potassium and heart-related medicine intravenously when he was brought at the hospital. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and expressed his condolences. "Saddened by the demise of Shri #GDAgarwal Ji. His passion towards learning, education, saving the environment, particularly Ganga cleaning will always be remembered. My condolences", he said. Union Minister Uma Bharti also expressed grief over Agarwal's demise. She said, "I am shocked by his demise. I had feared that this would happen. I have informed Nitin Gadkari and others about his demise." Agarwal had served as a professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur. He had also worked as a Member-Secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). He was protesting against hydroelectric projects on the Ganga's tributaries and had demanded a law to protect the river. Earlier, he had rejected a plea from Haridwar MP Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank to end the fast, following assurances on his demands from the Centre. Agarwal had been campaigning for the Ganga for several years and undertook a similar fast earlier as well. A few years ago, he adopted Swami Gyanswaroop Sanand as his name. As his fast continued, on September 9 Agarwal announced he will give up water in October. The National Mission for Clean Ganga officials then talked with him and Congress president Rahul Gandhi expressed support. The Ganga activist had donated his organs for medical research at the Rishikesh AIIMS, its director said. (With inputs from agencies) Pakistan violated ceasefire, injuring a jawan, in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir ending its lull after a week. The neighbouring country resorted to unprovoked firing around 9.30 pm on Wednesday night. The injured jawan has been admitted to the hospital. "Pakistan army violated ceasefire in Krishna Ghati (KG) sector of the LoC on Wednesday injuring one soldier," Defence spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Devender Anand said. He added, "The Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked firing in the KG sector around 9.30 p.m. The injured soldier has been shifted to hospital." Earlier on October 4, Pakistani troops violated ceasefire and resorted to firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, said defence officials. There was a brief firing of 30 to 40 rounds by the Pakistani Army along the LoC in Gulpur and Khadi Karmara forward areas in Poonch sector around 5:45 pm, they said. The firing lasted for 5 to 7 minutes, they said, adding that no one was injured in the ceasefire violation. YAVATMAL: A 20-year-old man has been arrested at Arni in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra for allegedly raping a minor girl in February this year, police said on Thursday. While Sheikh Sohel Sheikh Sajid (20) was arrested after the girl's parents lodged the complaint two days ago, another youth, a minor, was apprehended and sent to the children's observation home here, a police officer said. A case under IPC section 376 (rape) as well as under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has been registered in this regard, said Arni police station officer Yashwant Bawiskar. The victim studies in std IX. Her parents said in the complaint that she was gang-raped by five persons in February. The accused also shot a video of the act and later threatened to upload it on social media if she went to the police, the family said. Bawiskar said that police were investigating if more people (apart from the two accused who have been held) were involved in the crime. Meanwhile, an all-party Bandh was organised in Arni town, 30 km from here, Thursday to protest the crime and seek immediate arrest of other suspects. New Delhi: As the #MeToo movement intensifies in India, more women are coming up with their sexual harassment stories, some of which even involve several renowned personalities. Among others, Union Minister and former editor MJ Akbar has been accused of sexual harassment by at least five women who had earlier worked with him. The accusations by women journalists against their former boss has led the Opposition to demand the expulsion of Akbar from this ministerial post. Shiv Sena on Thursday said that if the ruling party believes in transparency then there should be an investigation. "I think he should resign and face the enquiry and after the enquiry, the party can take up a call," said Shiv Sena's Manisha Kayande. Pledging support to the ongoing #MeToo campaign, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said that revelations being made under this are serious and shocking. His statement came when he was quizzed by journalists about his views on Akbar. The CPI (M) also demanded the resignation of Union Minister, saying, "Since these are serious charges, M J Akbar's continuance as the Minister of State in the Central government is untenable. He should immediately resign from office." Senior journalist Akbar joined the BJP ahead of 2014 general elections and was elected to the Rajya Sabha a year later. He was made the Minister of State for External Affairs in 2016. Sources said that Akbar can be asked to quit the ministry and work for the party, instead. NEW DELHI: Intelligence agencies have warned that Pakistan High Commission officials in Bangladesh are allegedly involved in anti-Indian activities. The latest inputs from the agencies indicate that the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka has been orchestrating terror attacks in Bangladesh and West Bengal. The officials of Pakistan's notorious spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), under the cover of diplomats, had been secretly meeting terror groups active in Bangladesh and directing them for carrying out big terror attacks in Bangladesh and India. "One diplomat of Pakistan High Commission posted in Dhaka held a secret meeting recently with a Bangladeshi terror group and promised to arrange an arms training for a batch of 100 newly recruited terrorists for suicidal attacks. Input suggest that some of them would be sent to West Bengal for terror attacks after completing training, '' an intelligence officer told Zee News. The Sheikh Hasina Government had recently refused to accept the new Pakistan envoy, alleging that Pakistan is using diplomacy as a cover for ISI activities. Bangladesh government believes that the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka has emerged as a center of anti-government activities as well as anti-India activities. This is of a serious concern to India as well as Bangladesh. We are aware of how Pakistan has been using its diplomats to destabilise India. Most of the diplomats are undercover agents of the ISI. There are reports that the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka is also involved in distributing fake Indian currency notes (FICN)," another security official said. An intelligence report sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs last month has revealed that Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) held a secret meeting over its plan to carry out terror attacks during the general elections in Bangladesh. During the meeting, the terror outfit discussed plans to buy weapons and suicidal vests with the help of other terrorist groups operating in Bangladesh. It was decided during the meeting that JMB will recruit 300 new terrorists and train them before the general elections in Bangladesh. The group is also trying to conduct two-week training in the Chittagong district with an aim to establish 50 new training centers in various districts of Bangladesh with the help of Lashkar terrorists who are of Pakistani origin. It may be recalled that Bangladesh is slated to hold the country's 11th national election in the third week of December this year as the term of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Awami League (AL) party comes to an end in January 2019. NEW DELHI: Training guns on the Prime Minister over the Rafale fighter jets deal, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi again called Narendra Modi a corrupt person and questioned his silence. The PM of India is a corrupt person. He awarded Rs 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani. There is a clear-cut case against the PM, said Rahul while addressing a press meet in the national capital. Rahul's comments came after French news website Mediapart leaked a new company document of Dassault Aviation, where a senior company executive is quoted as saying that it was imperative and obligatory for the company to agree to work with Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence in order to procure the contract to produce 36 Rafale jets for India. Earlier former French President revealed that Indian PM had told them that Reliance should get a deal. Now a senior official of Rafale has said the same. It is a clear-cut case of corruption, said Rahul. Why has suddenly Defence Minister rushed to France to Rafale's plant? What is the emergency? he questioned, adding that it is a clear signal that a huge cover-up is going on and the media is being pressurised to not report on this. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday evening left for France on a three-day visit that would see her visiting the Dassault Aviation production plant that manufactures Rafale fighter jets besides other engagements. "Dassault is sitting on a huge contract. Dassault will say what the Indian govt wants it to say. Their internal document clearly stated that PM has said without this compensation the deal will not be done: Congress President Rahul Gandhi," added Rahul. Reacting to the investigative report of Mediapart on Rafale deal, Dassault Aviation released a statement saying that the company had freely chosen to make a partnership with the Reliance Group. The joint-venture, Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL), was created on February 10, 2017. Farmers in Punjab's Patiala on Thursday burned stubble stating that they have no other alternative. The farmers added that celebrations during Dussehra and Diwali is the cause of pollution in the national capital. Adding that their loans have also been waived off by the government, the farmers said, "We have no alternative. The government has not even waived off our loans. Is stubble burning the only cause of pollution? Does crackers and celebrations during Dussehra and Diwali not contribute to it?" Paddy growers of Punjab and Haryana have become "soft targets" as they are often blamed for causing air pollution in the NCR region due to stubble burning, farm experts said on Wednesday. The experts said penalising farmers without addressing their issues should not be encouraged. "Farmers have become easy targets as they are blamed for causing air pollution in NCR region including Delhi," agriculture policy expert Devinder Sharma said. "In Delhi, urban class will always blame the rural people. People in Delhi do not want to reduce pollution as they want to use cars and do not want to change their lifestyle," Sharma said, adding use of thermal plants was also one of the major reasons of pollution in the national capital. Echoing the expert's views, Punjab Chief Principal Secretary Suresh Kumar said there were diverse reasons behind Delhi's air pollution. "Delhi's traffic is a major reason of air pollution. Paddy harvesting is just for three weeks. Therefore, it will be difficult to accept that pollution is only caused by paddy growers of Punjab," he said. Punjab and Haryana are often blamed for rising air pollution and smog, caused by crop residue burning by growers. Punjab alone generates 20 to 22 million tonnes of paddy stubble annually. Sharma was of the opinion that farm mechanisation was not a solution to the problem of stubble burning. "The solution is not mechanisation. The use of machines (like happy seeder technique) could address just a minuscule scale of the (stubble burning) problem," he said. Ealier on October 6, President of Bharatiya Kisan Union Balbir Singh Rajewal had said that farmers have no alternative but to burn stubble as they are not provided with proper machineries. "Why did NGT not consider the scientific angle of the matter that microbes and rats which are harmful to crops, won't be burnt now?" Singh added. Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana Pradeep Kumar said that according to the available information, appropriate numbers of machineries have been ordered. Kumar said, "As per the information available with us, there was a requirement for 550 machineries and we have already ordered 540-545 machineries." "350 machineries have been delivered & 290-300 subsidies have also been released," Kumar added. NEW DELHI: Rejecting Rahul Gandhi's allegation of corruption against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Rafale deal, the BJP on Thursday accused the Congress chief of "lying through his teeth shamelessly" and indulging in "politics of misinformation" to build his political career. Repeatedly calling Gandhi a "clown prince", the BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra at a press conference also alleged the Congress leader comes from "a family of middlemen" and his father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi was "officially a middleman" in a defence deal. The Gandhi family had made money from every defence deal till 2014, Patra alleged, claiming that Rahul Gandhi has not been able to come out of that mindset. Patra was talking to journalists hours after the Congress president addressed a press conference where he demanded an investigation into prime minister Modi's role in the Rafale deal, alleging that he was a "corrupt man" who helped Anil Ambani pocket Rs 30,000 crore in the purchase of 36 aircraft. Rejecting the allegations, Patra said the BJP stands with the truth and accused Gandhi of making a mockery of national security. He also said the Indian Air Chief has recently described the purchase of the fighter aircraft as a "game-changer". Patra also read out from a statement of Dassault Aviation, manufacturer of Rafale fighter aircraft, to claim that Gandhi inserted "Reliance" deliberately where the firm has spoken about its commitment to offset purchase from India. The BJP leader further said the Supreme Court has also dismissed a PIL (public interest litigation) that had questioned the aircraft's price and sought the deal cancelled. He said the people will decide whether to believe Gandhi or the Supreme Court and the Air Force Chief. "People of this country do not want a clown prince to play with the national security. His press conference was full of lies and deception which he is using to build his political career. This will not happen," he said. Reacting sharply to the Congress president's allegation that Modi acted like a "chowkidar" of Anil Ambani, the BJP leader asked whether former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi was a prime minister only for Ottavio Quattrocchi, an accused in the Bofors case. Patra accused the Congress leader of "lying through his teeth shamelessly" in wrongly quoting former French president Francois Hollande as referring Modi as corrupt. Gandhi had earlier also quoted French president Emmanuel Macron as having told him that the aircraft's pricing was not part of the secrecy clause, and the French government later denied it, Patra said. "He (Gandhi) still has the audacity to hold a press conference and lie through his teeth. This is shamelessness," the BJP spokesperson said. The Congress-led UPA government had jeopardised the country's defence as the squadron strength of the Air Force fell to 31 from 44, he alleged. Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra did not get his share in the Rafale deal and therefore the UPA government cancelled it, he claimed. On Gandhi's charge that Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's trip to France was part a government cover-up, Patra said her ministry has already clarified that the visit was scheduled earlier. Bengaluru: Amid speculations that Rahul Gandhi would meet Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd's (HAL) employees in Bengaluru, Karnataka Congress on Thursday clarified that the Congress chief is not coming to meet the employees. He said that the event is being conducted by some people to hold a discussion on HAL's contribution to India. Also, anyone can participate in the event including HAL employees, he further added. "Event is being held by some people to hold a discussion on Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd's contribution to India, anyone can participate in it including HAL employees. He's not coming to meet HAL employees," Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Dinesh Gundu Rao said. His statement comes after HAL claimed that there had been no communication from the Congress chief office about any meeting with its employees. However, Rao had earlier said that Rahul would visit employees of the HAL in Bengaluru and speak on the controversial Rafale deal on Saturday, October 13. The grand old party had been accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of snatching jobs of people in Karnataka by taking away the contract from HAL. The Gandhi scion has been asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to explain why businessman Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence was chosen over State-run HAL as the offset partner of French firm Dassault Aviation. He has also been claiming that due to the deal being given to Reliance, several employment opportunities have been lost. Bengaluru: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) officials Thursday claimed that there has been no communication from Congress chief Rahul Gandhi's office about any meeting with employees. There is no communication on Rahul Gandhi's meeting with the HAL employees in Bengaluru, said Gopal Sutar, Chief of Media Communications, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Karnataka unit Congress president Dinesh Gundu Rao had said Rahul will visit employees of the HAL in Bengaluru, and speak on controversial Rafale deal on October 13/ The meeting is likely to put more pressure on the Centre which is facing allegations over the controversial multi-billion Rafale fighter jet deal. The party had been accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of snatching jobs of people of Karnataka by taking away the contract from HAL. Earlier today, Rahul said, The PM of India is a corrupt person. He awarded Rs 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani. There is a clear-cut case against the PM. Rahul has been asking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to explain why businessman Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence was chosen over State-run HAL as the offset partner of French firm Dassault Aviation. He has also been claiming that due to the deal being given to Reliance, several employment opportunities have been lost. The BJP has dismissed all allegations as false. English Danish Company announcement October 11, 2018 Announcement No. 17 In the Groups Q2 2018 Interim Report released August 14, 2018, Nilfisk guided a full-year organic growth of 3.0%-4.0% and an EBITDA margin before special items of 11.5%-12.0%. Lower than expected growth in Americas brings organic growth in the continuing branded professional business to approximately 3% while divestments and closure of production facilities lead Nilfisk to lower total full-year 2018 organic growth guidance to approximately 2%. The change of organic growth expectations relates primarily to business areas with earnings below Group average, hence Nilfisk still expects full-year EBITDA margin before special items to be within the previously guided range, however in the lower end. Preliminary results for Q3 2018 and outlook The preliminary Q3 2018 financial results show revenue of approximately 250 mEUR and total organic growth of approximately 2.6%. The preliminary Q3 2018 operational EBITDA margin before special items is 10.5% against 8.9% in Q3 2017. Q3 demonstrates with 4.5% the strongest organic growth so far this year in the professional business excluding private label with EMEA 8.2%, Americas flat growth, and APAC 2.0% organic growth. Specialty Professional grows 5.7%. With negative growth of 1.4% Specialty Consumer grows less than expected while private label in line with expectations has negative growth of 15.5% against a very strong Q3 2017. With a flat organic growth in Q3 2018, the performance in Americas is below expectations, primarily caused by timing of strategic account revenue as well as cancellation of industrial orders due to longer delivery time. Nilfisk expects positive organic growth in Americas in Q4 2018 and organic growth in the professional business excluding private label to continue the Q3 2018 performance. However, total organic growth for Nilfisk for Q4 2018 is expected to be negative since private label revenue will be approximately 15 mEUR lower, the majority of which was expected, than the exceptionally high Q4 2017. Simplification Nilfisk has executed significant initiatives supporting the ongoing multi-year simplification strategy aiming to improve long-term profitability: Nilfisk has decided to exit the Outdoor business (35 mEUR annual revenue). The Danish-based part of the business is sold effective January 1, 2019, while the Italian-based part of the business will be exited immediately with an expected completion in Q1 2019. In addition, Nilfisk has sold its US carpet restoration business (15 mEUR annual revenue) effective October 29, 2018, and the high pressure washer business Rottest in Turkey (1 mEUR annual revenue) effective September 2018. The exits of the Outdoor and the US restoration businesses will have negative impact on Q4 growth as both businesses had organic growth rates above Group average and the exit meant a cancellation of an expected new product launch in the Outdoor business. The exits are expected to be slightly cash positive, but lead to loss under special items of 30-35 mEUR of which 25-30 mEUR is expected in 2018. The exits are expected to have a positive impact on Nilfisks EBITDA margin before special items of 0.2-0.3 percentage points in 2019. Nilfisk has closed its production facilities in Suzhou, China, and outsourced production of consumer products and private label products, while consolidating the production of professional products into one site in Dongguan, China. The closure of the site in Suzhou was planned for Q4 2018 but after labor discussions and strikes at the factory, the closure was executed already in August, 2018. The earlier than expected closure had a negative impact on consumer revenue in Q3, and will also impact Q4 consumer and private label revenue. The implemented actions will lead to an intended reduction of five facilities, hence simplifying Nilfisks production set-up. Further details relating to Q3 performance will be published in the Q3 2018 Interim Report on November 14, 2018. Conference call Nilfisk will host a conference call today at 10:00 CET. Please visit investor.nilfisk.com to access the call. Presentation materials will be available on the website prior to the conference call. To dial in Denmark: +45 35 15 81 21 UK: +44 (0)330 336 9411 US: +1 929-477-0448 Conference ID: 5201865 Link to webcast: https://edge.media-server.com/m6/p/zv9kfnae Contact Investor Relations Henrik Mlgaard Head of Investor Relations T: +45 2046 4948 Media Relations Louise Refsgaard Klinge Global Media Relations T: +45 2067 0833 Attachment Amid the tussle between the Centre and the Opposition over the Rafale fighter jets deal, an official of Dassault Aviation, the maker of the aircraft, has claimed that the group's acceptance to work with Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence was an imperative and obligatory condition for securing the contract, according to a French media report. In a new company document of Dassault Aviation, accessed by French news website Mediapart, a senior company executive is quoted as saying that it was imperative for the company to agree to the deal for getting the contract to produce 36 Rafale jets for India. However, Dassault Aviation stated that the company had freely chosen to make a partnership with the Reliance Group. Dassault said that in compliance with Indian regulations (Defence Procurement Procedure), the group had committed to offsets worth 50 per cent of value of purchase and so Dassault decided to create a joint venture. According to Dassault, on the backdrop of this the group "freely chose to make a partnership with Reliance Group", reported ANI. The joint-venture, Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL), was created on February 10, 2017. Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to begin a three-day tour to France on Thursday during which both sides are expected to deliberate on further boosting their already close defence and security ties. Congress has been accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government of indulging in crony capitalism in the Rafael deal by favouring Reliance Defence and ignoring Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL). Citing the Supreme Courts move to seek details from the Centre about the decision-making process of the deal, the Gandhi scion said that processes to justify Prime Minister Modis decision are yet to be invented. The Congress chief further alleged that Sitharamans visit to France was also aimed at justifying the Rafale fighter jets deal with the country. A three-judge Supreme Court bench, comprising Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice KM Joseph, asked the government to submit the details of the decision-making process on Rafale deal in a sealed envelope. Self-styled godman Rampal was on Thursday convicted in two cases of murder by a Hisar Court in Haryana. The 67-year-old Rampal, founder of the Satlok Ashram in Hisar, Haryana was facing charges in the two murder cases. The first case against him was registered on November 19, 2014, after the body of a woman was found in his ashram following which case of murder and conspiracy was registered against him. The second case relates to the murder of five other women, including a child. Following these incidents, Rampal was charged with murder and arrested in 2006. He was given bail in 2008 but failed to appear before the court in 2014. Since 2014, Rampal has been lodged in the Hisar district jail. Ahead of his verdict, the security was stepped up and a special court had been formed in the Central Jail to pronounce the verdict. At least 2,000 security forces have been deployed in the area. However, the situation in Hisar is normal and the transport services are running smoothly. Section 144 has been imposed across Hisar district and around 2000 police personnel have been deployed, according to Ashok Kumar Meena, the District Collector. Train services from different parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana to Hisar will be halted, to maintain law and order situation in the city. Security has also been tightened at Hisar railway station and near Satlok Ashram. Srinagar: Following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Manan Wani in Handwara encounter, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Registrar on Thursday said that he was once a student at the varsity, however, he was later rusticated. The AMU has nothing to do with Wani now, he added. The university registrar further said that a few students tried to hold a gathering over his death after which three of them have been suspended. "Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Manan Wani who was killed in Handwara encounter today was once a student at AMU, he was rusticated from the University. AMU has nothing to do with him now. Few students tried to hold a gathering today over his death, 3 students suspended," AMU Registrar said. Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Manan Wani who was killed in Handwara encounter today was once a student at AMU, he was rusticated from the University. AMU has nothing to do with him now. Few students tried to hold a gathering today over his death, 3 students suspended: Registrar,AMU pic.twitter.com/DgCIZDHVYR ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 11, 2018 Terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen suffered a setback, earlier in the day, when its top commander Manaan Bashir Wani, who shunned a PhD course in the AMU to join militancy, was killed along with his associate in a gunbattle with security forces in north Kashmir. The 27-year-old Wani, who quit PhD studies in Allied Geology and joined the militant ranks in January this year, was killed at Shatgund village in Handwara area of Kupwara district during the encounter in the morning. Another Hizb militant Ashiq Hussain, who hailed from Langate area of Handwara, was also killed in the operation during which two security force personnel sustained injuries, a police official said. The encounter broke out in the early hours in Shatgund following specific intelligence about the presence of Wani along with two others in the village. Outstanding in studies, Wani, who got his basic education in Jawahar Navodya Vidyalay and Sainik School Manasbal, was considered to be the chief recruiter for militants in north Kashmir area following the elimination of some of the top ultras in the region over the past two years. After the due legal process, Wani's body was handed over to his family for last rites in which over 10,000 people participated at his native village at Tekipora in Lolab area of Kupwara district. (With inputs from agencies) Taking a jibe at the US, Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev on Thursday confirmed that the CAATSA sanctions will not be a pressure between the defence deals signed between India and Russia. Ambassador Kudashev also added that during President Vladimir Putin's visit to India, the two countries discussed strategy to identify common priority areas and how to protect the trade relationship from unpredictable factors like CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act). The remark comes at the backdrop of President Donald Trump's comment saying India "will soon find out" about his decision on the punitive CAATSA sanctions. Under the CAATSA sanctions, which was amended early this year, only Trump has the authority for the presidential waiver to India on weapons deal with sanctions-hit Russia. India last week inked a USD 5 billion deal to purchase S-400 Triumf air defence system from Moscow. The mega-deal was sealed in New Delhi during President Putin's visit for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ambassador Kudashev also hinted of more deals between the two countries as he said that within the next 2-3 months "you will see deals on frigates and Kalashnikovs". He further added that the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft is still on agenda and will be back soon. Ambassador Kudashev said that currently, India's priority is S-400 defence missile systems, frigates, helicopters, and assault rifles. The signing of the air defence system deal came amidst the warnings by the US to New Delhi against buying the weapon system. The US administration is required under a domestic law, Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions Act or CAATSA to impose sanctions on any country that has "significant transactions" with Iran, North Korea or Russia. SRINAGAR: In a major breakthrough, two top Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, including a former Ph.D scholar-turned-terrorist Manan Bashir Wani, were killed in a fierce encounter at Handwara in frontier district of north Kashmir. The encounter broke out in the early hours at Satgund in Handwara following a specific intelligence about the presence of Wani, 27, along with two others. The encounter began after the police and other security forces were fired upon by Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists holed up in the area which resulted in a heavy exchange of fire between the two sides. The firing continued till 11 AM. During the encounter, the J&K Police made repeated announcements on the public address system appealing to the terrorists to surrender. There was a lull in firing at around 9 AM, prompting the police to initiate search operation at the encounter site, but the same had to be suspended after firing resumed after 15 minutes, the officials said. Meanwhile, the killing of two terrorists in the Handwara encounter has evoked a sharp reaction from Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti. In a series of tweets, PDP chief regretted the killing of Wani and also called for finding a peaceful solution through dialogue with all stakeholders to end the bloodshed in the Valley. ''Today a Ph.D. scholar chose death over life & was killed in an encounter. His death is entirely our loss as we are losing young educated boys every day. It is high time that all the political parties in the country realise the gravity of this situation and try to facilitate a solution through dialogue with all the stakeholders including Pakistan to end this bloodshed,'' she said in her tweets. Today a PhD scholar chose death over life & was killed in an encounter. His death is entirely our loss as we are losing young educated boys everyday. 1/2 Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 11, 2018 It is high time that all the political parties in the country realise the gravity of this situation and try to facilitate a solution through dialogue with all the stake holders including Pakistan to end this bloodshed. 2/2 Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 11, 2018 Wani, who was enrolled as a Ph.D. scholar with the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), joined militant ranks in January this year. NEW DELHI: An Indian Air Force chopper, which was on a routine mission, had to force-land in the west of Tuting in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday afternoon. According to ANI, the Mi-17 helicopter force-landed west of Tuting in Arunachal Pradesh this afternoon. Today afternoon one Mi-17 helicopter on a routine mission from Tuting, Arunachal Pradesh force-landed West of Tuting. All 16 on-board are safe: Indian Air Force ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2018 There were 16 people onboard the chopper, who are completely safe, the IAF said. The helicopter was on a routine mission from Jorhat, Assam to Tuting in Arunachal Pradesh when it force-landed this afternoon, the IAF said. The chopper has to force-land after it lost total communication from its base, the IAF said. The IAF also said that the landing was made due to the bad weather. The chopper was flying from Jorhat, Assam to Tuting in Arunachal Pradesh. In April, one Mi-17 helicopter crashed during landing near Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand. The Mi-17 helicopter, which was flying to Kedarnath carrying some stuff for the Army, caught fire following a collision with an iron girder while landing at a helipad. There were eight people - six passengers, pilot and co-pilot onboard, but they escaped unhurt. In October last year, a Mi-17 helicopter had crashed near Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh killing seven military personnel. Five IAF personnel, including two pilots, and two army men were killed in the crash near the remote town of Tawang, close to the China border. The Mi-17 V5 (domestic designation Mi-8 MTV5) is a military transport variant in the Mi-8/17 family of helicopters. It is produced by Kazan Helicopters, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters. The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 13,000 kg. It can transport either 36 armed soldiers internally or 4,500 kg of load on a sling. Mumbai: Parineeti Chopra Wednesday said if people continue to ignore sexual harassment in the Hindi film industry, it would only encourage predators. In the onslaught of #MeToo, names such as Nana Patekar, Alok Nath, Vikas Bahl and Kailash Kher have cropped up with women accusing them of sexual harassment, rape and misconduct. Parineeti said if serial offenders kept getting work in the industry, it would send a wrong message. "The moment you know something, take an action. If you are quiet, you are allowing this to happen. When I know you are not the greatest man, why should I continue making films with you, acting with you? Because then you're enabling that person and he thinks 'great, I've gotten away with this. Amazing! I can do it five more times," the actor told PTI. "I am sure they (industry people) will not be working with those who have been named. "Unfortunately what has happened is, anybody who is aware that somebody was sexually offending, they continued to work with that guy. That's where those people are wrong." Parineeti said boycotting the sexual harassers was the "smallest step". "According to me, these people need to be in jail. These people are worse than terrorists and murderers. Doing such a thing to a woman, violating her, I actually cannot think of something worse," she added. The actor, however, said the process to ensure a safe working environment does not necessarily depend on external factors but internal behaviour. "What people are not understanding is, there are no rules that can be put in place. There is an unwritten rule: do not sexually harass people you are working with, or otherwise. What can we do to make it safe? Speak up when it happens, report it, take an action against that person. Keep eliminating as and when it comes. "There are no rules or laws we can put. Am I going to give you 24-hour security on set? That's always there. Am I going to be vigilante? I am always that. What do you do when I pack up and go back alone in my hotel and someone enters the room? There will be no law that will help me," she added. The actor will be next seen in "Namaste England", co-staring Arjun Kapoor. Directed by Vipul Shah, the film is scheduled to release on October 19. Washington D.C.: Melania Trump wants the sexual assault survivors to present proof of their claims. In an interview during the trip to Africa this month, the United States' first lady addressed the ongoing #MeToo movement. "If you are accused of something, show the evidence. We need to show the evidence," she said. When quizzed if men in the news who have been accused of sexual assaults are treated unfairly, she said, "You cannot just say to somebody `Oh I was sexually assaulted, or you did that to me,` because sometimes the media goes too far. The way they portray some stories; it`s not correct, it`s not right". According to a report by Variety, while she maintained that she supports women, she added that men need to be supported as well. "We need to support them, and you know also men not just women", she said. Mumbai: Mumbai Police has started an investigation regarding an FIR lodged by Tanushree Dutta against actor Nana Patekar on charges of sexually harassing her on the sets of a 2008 film, said the actress' lawyer. The FIR was lodged under sections 353 and 503 of the Indian Penal Code on Wednesday night. "We have lodged the FIR against four people - Nana Patekar, choreographer Ganesh Acharya, the producer of the film Samee Siddiqui and director Rakesh Sarang. Now, the police are investigating the case. These people have to appear before the police and if not they will be arrested," Nitin Satpute, Tanushree's lawyer, told IANS. Asked about Tanushree's protection, Satpute said: "Tanushree has been protected by the police. Security has been provided at the building where her residence is." Tanushree first spoke about Nana's misbehaviour in 2008. Two weeks ago, she recounted her experience in the wake of the global #Metoo movement. She said she was sexually harassed by the actor during the shooting of a dance sequence for the film "Horn Ok Pleasss" at the Filmstan Studio here. She said she was forced into silence a decade ago. But now, ever since Tanushree has renewed the allegation against Nana, it has sparked a #MeToo firestorm in India, with women from all quarters coming forward to share their own experiences at their workplace. New Delhi: Desi girl Priyanka Chopra has reached the pinnacle of success and stardom. The diva is a global icon and is often seen hanging out with international biggies. But this time, it was a totally different ball game. The gorgeous former Miss World caught up with reality TV sensation Kim Kardashian. And the two stunning ladies posed for shutterbugs too! The duo met at the Tiffany Blue Book Collection gala in New York on Tuesday and their pictures together have sent the internet into a meltdown. Check out the clicks right here: Also, Kim K shared a picture and wrote 'She is really pretty'. Check a screen grab: 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians' star was present at the do to extend her support to Tiffany & Co. at the launch of their Blue Book Collection. Both PeeCee and Kim K flaunted their jewells by Tiffany & Co and happily posed for pictures. Priyanka wore a shimmering gown by ace fashion designer Giorgio Armani and Kim K opted for a shiny white cut-out gown from Rick Owens with a plunging neckline. Desi girl Priyanka got engaged to international music icon Nick Jonas on August 18, 2018 after a private Roka ceremony at the actress's residence in Mumbai. Some of her close friends from the industry came and blessed the couple for their new innings in life, others thronged the social media and congratulated them. A day after Priyanka and Nick got engaged, they headed to St. Catherine's Orphanage in Mumbai. They met the children there and PeeCee even danced to one of her popular tracks from film 'Gunday'. The couple has not really spoken anything about the wedding as yet. However, nothing has been confirmed as yet. The duo has remained tight-lipped about the whole affair. Nokia FastMile high gain antennas, compact recievers and indoor gateways for 4G networks make it easier for mobile operators to deploy Fixed Wireless Access (FWA). Nokia FastMile portfolio enables mobile operators to cost effectively address fixed subscribers leveraging their Radio Access Network (RAN) for FWA October 11, 2018 Espoo, Finland - Nokia is introducing new Fixed Wireless Access products to help operators accelerate ultra-broadband deployments and deliver more bandwidth to people sooner. The enhanced portfolio includes new FastMile high-gain outdoor receivers and indoor gateways that are easy to install and significantly enhance the ultra-broadband experience for customers. Mobile operators invested in 4G to bring broadband speeds to mobile networks. Now they are poised to improve performance significantly through their investment in 5G. In both cases, mobile operators have an opportunity to capture new revenue streams from the delivery of ultra-broadband services to customers using Fixed Wireless Access technologies. With 4G networks, peak residential broadband speeds of several hundred megabits per second are possible - but not always achievable. Nokia FastMile will drive these speeds to wider areas with very-high-gain outdoor receivers that improve spectral efficiency by 4-5x versus using indoor antennas. The results are higher speeds for the user, more consistent performance at the cell edge and lower radio access network (RAN) costs for the operator. These new receivers can be equipped with Automatic Beam Alignment to help establish an optimal connection to cell sites. Nokia's FastMile smartphone application provides operators and customers with a guided set of instructions that help simplify installation. Nokia is also introducing a set of powerful indoor gateways, available in the first half of 2019, that come with high-gain antennas and 4x4 multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) to deliver superior performance. These fully self-contained residential gateways will include options for plain old telephone service (POTS) and Ethernet ports. With high gain outdoor and indoor models, operators can quickly add FWA to their portfolio with minimal upfront costs. With the evolution to 5G, operators will be able to deliver gigabit peak speeds. Rupert Wood, research director at Analysys Mason, said: "As 5G dawns, there has been as spike in interest in FWA both as a means for fixed broadband operators to complement fibre-based services, and as a means for more mobile-centric operators to offer their own challenger services to established broadband. The Nokia FastMile portfolio of high-gain outdoor receivers and indoor gateways addresses the critical condition for the success of either of these approaches: the ability to deliver a reliably high-speed performance while minimising installation costs." Federico Guillen, president of Nokia Fixed Networks, said: "When it comes to fixed broadband access, there are two things that customers typically care about: speed and reliability of the service delivered. In the wireless world, subscribers are more apt to sacrifice speed for the flexibility to be connected anywhere. New FWA technologies like Nokia's FastMile solution bring the best of these worlds together, giving mobile operators the flexibility to use existing wireless networks to deliver fast, reliable ultra-broadband access to homes and businesses. FWA complements more traditional fixed access solutions and is an important tool in the toolkit helping operators connect more people sooner." Did you know Nokia will be previewing its 5G indoor gateway at BBWF About Nokia We create the technology to connect the world. Powered by the research and innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we serve communications service providers, governments, large enterprises and consumers, with the industry's most complete, end-to-end portfolio of products, services and licensing. We adhere to the highest ethical business standards as we create technology with social purpose, quality and integrity. Nokia is enabling the infrastructure for 5G and the Internet of Things to transform the human experience. nokia.com Media Inquiries: Mark Provost Fixed Networks Communications Phone: +1.732.312.8476 Email: mark.provost@nokia.com Nokia Communications Phone: +358 10 448 4900 Email: press.services@nokia.com New Delhi: After Subhash Ghai, Alok Nath, now popular filmmaker Sajid Khan has been accused of sexual harassment by a journalist, who also assisted him later in one of his films. She has narrated the horrifying details of the alleged incident on Twitter. Check out her post: Sajid Khan has preyed on women in the industry for years. Here's my story. #MeToo pic.twitter.com/Rufzs9dsp6 YellowGlassDragon (@karishmau) October 11, 2018 "The first time I interviewed Sajid Khan in the early 2000s, he called me to his house he shared w/his sister. Thru the interview he talked about how large his p**** is & how he knew how to satisfy a woman. I ignored his trash talk & got back on track w/ my interview. He walked out of the room to show me some DVD from his collection. When he returned, his p**** was out. I got up to leave immediately only to find him blocking the way out. And, he forced his tongue down my throat. I pushed him away and ran out. I cried all the way in the train from Vile Parle to VT. I got back to my office and wrote his interview because that was my job. A few years later, I had to work with Sajid when I was at MTV. Initially, I wanted to find a way to not work on that show. Then I realised, why should I let go of an opportunity because a man can't keep his d*** in his pants. At the end of the first meeting, I forewarned him about behaving himself. I'll never forget what he said to me "You are fatter than you used to be. I won't touch you with a barge pole." And then he laughed, " her post read. Earlier, director Subhash Ghai too was accused of raping a woman. However, the director outrightly denied the allegations and said he will take legal action against the accuser. New Delhi: The ongoing Me Too movement in India has paved the way for many women who suffered in silence to finally come out and speak about their horrific experiences. A lot of biggies from all the prominent industries had to finally bite the dust. But seems like, the whole idea behind the Me Too movement didn't go down well with the Bigg Boss 11 winner Shilpa Shinde. The actress during an interview with a web portal said that "there's no rape in this industry, it's a mutual understanding." Shilpa Shinde, who had herself filed a case against her ex-producer alleging sexual harassment, told Times Now, "It's rubbish. You have to take a call that time only, it's simple. You should speak about that matter that time only. Even I got a lesson. Jab hota hai, tabhi bolo - baad mei bolne ka koi faayeda nahi, it's useless. Baad mei aap voice raise karte ho, usko koi nahi sunega, just controversy hogi nothing else. You have to take a call that time only when it happens and obviously, you need power. (Say it when it happens, there and then. If you come out later, it wont help and no one will listen." This industry is not bad and it's not very good. Everywhere these things happen. I don't know why khud hi industry ka naam kharaab kar rahe hai. (why is everyone themselves spoiling the name of the industry). So those who are working and they got work sab hi log kharaab hai? (Is everyone wrong?) Aisa nahi hai, it totally depends on you. Aapse saamne waala insaan kaise react karta hai, aap usko kaise answer karte ho. (how someone reacts to you and how you react to someone) It's totally a give and take policy. Women are speaking now but at that time also I said that there's no rape in this industry - zabardasti nahi hota. (its not forced) Whatever has happened in our industry, it's a mutual understanding. It's a mutual thing. If you are not ready to do that, just leave that thing, " she added. While her statements might enrage people who have been actively advocating the cause, Shilpa has never minced her words and she probably never well. Whether her opinions are right or wrong, this feisty woman has always spoken her heart out. New Delhi: The Amrapali group Thursday informed the Supreme Court that its nine properties in Noida, Greater Noida, Rajgir and Buxar in Bihar have been sealed in compliance with the court's order. A bench of Justices U U Lalit and D Y Chandrachud asked the Amrapali group to file an undertaking with regard to sealing of its properties by 2 PM today. The bench also sought presence of two forensic auditors Ravi Bhatia and Pawan Kumar Aggarwal at 2 PM to ascertain their satisfaction with regard to the documents to be audited. The bench will hear the matter at 2 PM today. The apex court had yesterday ordered the sealing of nine properties of the embattled real estate company after its three directors, who are in police custody, said the documents related to the group's 46 firms were stored there. The three directors had moved an application before the court stating that they were willing to hand over all documents but the police was unaware about which one needed to be seized. The directors of the group -- Anil Kumar Sharma, Shiv Priya and Ajay Kumar -- were taken into police custody on October 9 and the firm was castigated for playing "hide and seek" with the court by not complying with its orders to hand over all documents to forensic auditors. These directors had told the bench that documents related to Amrapali's 46 group companies were kept in seven locations at Noida and Greater Noida and two premises -- Rajgir and Buxar districts in Bihar. The bench had then directed that after the sealing of these nine premises, the keys be handed over to the registrar of the apex court. The court is seized of a batch of petitions filed by home buyers who are seeking possession of around 42,000 flats booked in projects of the Amrapali group. New Delhi: The festival of Navratri is here and people have begun worshipping the luminous ten-armed goddess Durga. Known as the destroyer of evil and the mother of all beings, Goddess Durga is worshipped extensively during these nine days which celebrate her birth. Goddess Durga was created as an amalgamation of the powers of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar to defeat Mahisasur- the water buffalo demon. The festival of Navratri started from October 10 this year with Dussehra on the 19th of this month. Here is a look at the nine forms of Maa Durga: Shailputri Shailputri, in Sanskrit, means 'daughter of the mountains'. This form is the first one among the nine forms of the goddess and Shailputri is worshipped as the absolute form of Mother Nature. During the festival of Navratri, the goddess is portrayed with a half-moon on her forehead, a trident in her right hand along with a lotus in her left hand. She is seen as riding on the back of a bull. The first day of Navratri is marked for the worship of Shailputri. Brahmacharini The charming form of Durga, the idol of Brahmacharini is presented to her worshipers with a Kamandalu in her left hand and rosary in her right hand. Brahmacharini, the unmarried form of the Goddess is worshipped on the second day of Navratri and is mostly known as the personification of love and loyalty. Chandraghanta Adorned with a bell shaped like a crescent moon in her hand, this form of Maa Durga is responsible for establishing justice and dharma in the world. On the third day of Navratri, goddess Chandraghanta is worshipped. Kushmanda This form of Durga is believed to be the one that eliminates darkness from the world with her smile. Each idol of goddess Durga in this form is therefore carved with a smile on her face. On the fourth day of Navratri, devotees worship this manifestation of Maa Durga. Skanda Mata This form of the goddess is always accompanied by an infant form of Lord Skanda. The goddess is portrayed with having four arms and three eyes. She is presented as sitting on a lotus and is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri. Katyayani This incarnation of goddess Durga is the epitome of love and anger and the idols having this form are portrayed as having four arms and three eyes and are mounted on a lion. The sixth day of Navratri is dedicated to Katyayani form of goddess Durga. Kalratri This form of the goddess is famous in ancient Hindu literature as being the most violent one. Worshipped on the seventh day, this is the form that evokes fear in a devotee's mind. Kalratri is believed to be the destroyer of all demonic powers, i.e. kaal. Maha Gauri Diametrically opposite to Kalratri, this form of the goddess Durga is intelligent, peaceful and calm. The extremely white goddess is depicted in idols as such and is shown as wearing white clothes, mounted on a bull. Maha Gauri is worshipped on the eighth day of Navratri. Siddhidatri On the last day of Navratri, the form Siddhidatri of goddess Durga is worshipped. This is the form that is known for her wish-fulfilling capabilities and the goddess is believed to possess several types of healing powers. The idol is shown as riding a lion. NEW DELHI: US sanctions will not be an impediment to Indo-Russia defence deals, and New Delhi and Moscow could soon sign agreements on frigates and Kalashnikov assault rifles, Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev said on Thursday. Describing the recently-inked USD 5.4 billion S-400 missile defence system deal as the "largest contract" in the history of Indo-Russia ties, he said it was one of the "speediest" agreements to be signed between the two countries and there were no protracted negotiations. The implementation of the contract, signed during President Vladimir Putin's visit from October 4-5, would start in 2020 and would last for five years, he said. "In the coming months, you can expect more deals. Talks are on, this is the normal process. We hope that within two-three months... We could soon have a deal on frigates, it is very much on the agenda of the two sides, and we could soon have a deal on the Kalashnikov assault rifles," the envoy told a select group of journalists here. "Yes," Kudashev said emphatically, when asked whether it would be right to state that Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act or CAATSA would not put pressure on India and Russia for further defence deals. His remarks come just a day after US President Donald Trump said India would soon "find out" if the punitive CAATSA sanctions apply to it over its USD 5 billion deal with Russia to purchase the S-400 Triumf air defence system. The CAATSA is a US federal law that imposed sanctions on Iran, North Korea and Russia. In Russia's case, the act primarily deals with sanctions on Russian interests such as its oil and gas industry, defence and security sector, and financial institutions. Under the CAATSA sanctions, only Trump has the authority for a presidential waiver to India on weapons deal with Russia. The S-400 deal was underplayed by New Delhi, perhaps in a bid to keep its robust ties with Washington unblemished. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin, who held their annual summit, did not mention the S-400 deal in their respective press statements. Government officials also did not publicly announce the inking of the deal, with only official sources confirming it and a joint statement making a mention of the deal. Asked about the playing down of the S-400 missile defence system deal during President Putin's visit, Kudashev said the relationship between the two countries is very close and military and technical part of it is important, but it need not be interpreted as a defining one. "The visit was about growing connectivity politically, economically, militarily in a humanitarian way, multi- dimensional... It was not about arms race, it was not about countering CAATSA, with its own CAATSA. The agenda was unifying, it was peaceful and that is why the military and technical side was important, but was one part of the statement," he said. On why the S-400 deal was not signed publicly, the Russian envoy said under Russian rules and protocol agreements are done before or on the sidelines of talks not necessarily in the presence of leaders, and added that maybe talks were on till late. The Russian ambassador also slammed CAATSA, saying it was an instrument of political pressure and unfair competition. Another Russian diplomat said the notion that some other defence deals were not signed during Putin's visit because of CAATSA was wrong as these were complex agreements and needed more time. Kudashev also invoked statements made by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj saying India does not acknowledge sanctions other than those introduced by the UN. He said that during Putin's visit, the two countries also discussed strategies to identify common priority areas and how to protect their trade relationship from unpredictable factors like sanctions. Talking about the proposal of jointly developing the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), he said that it was still on agenda, but India's priority at present were S-400, frigates, helicopters, assault rifles. Kudashev also said India and the Russia should consider signing pacts such as the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) and Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), inked between New Delhi and Washington. "Given the level of our military and defence cooperation, I think the two sides need to have a stronger legal basis like these (LEMOA, COMCASA) to secure our interests," he said. SEOUL/WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday South Korea will not lift sanctions on Pyongyang without US approval, after the South Korean foreign minister softened earlier comments that some of its unilateral sanctions were under review. Trump`s rejection of South Korea easing sanctions alone outlines the official position of the United States and South Korea that the two countries remain in lockstep on North Korea. He has encouraged U.S. allies to maintain sanctions on North Korea until it denuclearises as part of his administration`s "maximum pressure" campaign against Pyongyang. Asked about reports South Korea was considering lifting some sanctions against North Korea, Trump said: "They won`t do it without our approval. They do nothing without our approval." South Korean foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha suggested during a parliamentary audit on Wednesday that Seoul was considering easing its own sanctions against the North to encourage its denuclearisation. South Korea imposed unilateral sanctions on the North in 2010 following an attack on a warship that killed 46 South Korean sailors, banning most bilateral trade and exchanges. Kang later walked back her comments after they sparked criticism from some conservative lawmakers, claiming North Korea should first apologise for the attack. The South Korean foreign ministry also officially denied that the government was reviewing the matter. However, there are growing calls for easing sanctions. China, Russia and North Korea believe it is necessary to consider adjusting U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang at an appropriate time, China`s foreign ministry said on Wednesday. In a rare confirmation of discord between Seoul and Washington, South Korea`s Kang also said on Wednesday U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had expressed "discontent" with an inter-Korean military pact reached during a summit last month. She said there were views in the United States regarding "adjusting the pace" of inter-Korean moves. The drive for denuclearisation sprang from pledges made by Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at their historic summit in Singapore in June, although there has since been disagreement over how that would be achieved. Ukraine's President Poroshenko with the primates of the Orthodox churches decided to appeal to Bartholomew, the Ecumenical Patriarch on the provision of the tomos on the autocephaly for the Ukrainian church Open source KIEV, Ukraine For centuries, the golden cupolas of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra monastery and catacombs have been a refuge of tranquility and prayer in Orthodox Christianity. It is now caught in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia as it spills into the world of faith. What is at stake is whether the Ukrainian church can formally break away from Russias control and become a new autonomous branch among Orthodoxys more than a dozen churches. But it also reflects the wider battlegrounds of nationalism and political identity that helped touch off a separatist uprising in pro-Moscow areas of eastern Ukraine more than four years ago. Fighting has claimed more than 10,300 lives, and Moscow in 2014 annexed Crimea from Ukraine in a move that has brought international denunciations. Ukraines political leaders are now pushing for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to be fully free of Russias oversight. Moscow, however, is using its vast influence with the Orthodox world to block any rupture. The Russian Orthodox Church wont sit idly by and watch this, said Archbishop Kliment Vecheria, spokesman for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, which is part of the Russian church. An independent Ukrainian church or autocephalous in ecclesiastical terms would mean little in everyday terms for the faithful. But for Ukraines political leaders and others, it would mark another important symbolic break from Russia and its reach into Ukrainian affairs. Russia, which has the largest number of Orthodox believers and views itself largely as the leader of the Orthodox world, vehemently objects to the plan. For the entire Orthodox world the single preferable scenario is the preservation of unity, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. The Russian Orthodox Church has even compared the granting of an independent church to Ukraine to the schism between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches in 1054. The decision now falls to the spiritual leader of the worlds Orthodox Christians, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, from his base in Istanbul, the former Byzantine capital of Constantinople. He could announce this week whether to approve Ukraines appeal. More than two-thirds of Ukrainians are Orthodox Christians. But in an arrangement that dates back more than 300 years, the countrys main religious body falls under the authority of Moscow, and not Kiev. Excuse my pathos, but this is really about Russias control over the minds and souls of the Ukrainian people, said Viktor Yelensky, one of the Ukrainian lawmakers who in Aprilvoted overwhelmingly in favor of President Petro Poroshenkos appeal to Bartholomew to recognize an independent Ukrainian church. Since the April vote, Bartholomew has been visited by delegations of Ukrainian and Russian clergy, each pleading their case. According to an investigation by the Associated Press, Russian efforts to impede the process included a cyberattack on the email accounts of Bartholomews top aides. (The ecumenical patriarch himself does not use email.) Moscow is painting Ukraine as an aggressor, and theyre portraying the drive for autocephaly as an offensive. But for the Ukrainians, its defensive, said Victoria Smolkin, associate professor of history and Russian and East European studies at Wesleyan University. Publicly, the Russians are objecting on grounds of jurisdiction. Such questions as the granting of autocephaly, they say, should be decided unanimously by Orthodox Christianitys various churches not unilaterally by Bartholomew. Observers of the Orthodox Christian world say the dispute goes much deeper. It dips into the age-old struggle between Moscow and Constantinople for primacy among Orthodoxys more than 250 million followers, and Putins grand strategy of branding his regime as the worlds main defender of traditional Christian values. Constantinople is not beholden to Moscow. They are competitors, not partners, said Smolkin. It really undermines all their advertising, or marketing, so to speak, of their role on the globe, said George Demacopoulos, co-director of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University. There are real geopolitical implications for this, he continued. Especially when you have a figure like Putin, who manages to mask the sufferings of his people by this projection of international power. Russias power play is made possible by the decentralized structure of the Orthodox Church, which lacks an all-powerful central authority figure like the pope. Instead, the Patriarch of Constantinople is considered a first among equals among the other Orthodox patriarchs. His opinions thanks to tradition and Constantinoples historical central role in the formation of the Eastern Church carry more weight. The whole concept of autocephalous churches is supposed to avoid secular ambitions of power, said the Rev. John Chryssavgis, Archdeacon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, who serves as an adviser to Bartholomew. Still, many decisions are reached among Orthodoxys 14 constituent churches, which largely conform to national borders, like Bulgaria, Romania and Russia, and also include the ancient regional churches that were part of the Byzantine Empire, like the one based in Alexandria, Egypt. Should the Ukrainian church become the 15th church, fresh battles over parishes and church property are likely to erupt. According to Demacopoulos, Ukraine makes up at least one-third of the Russian churchs parishes. Their loss would be significant. Crowning these properties is the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, or the Monastery of the Caves, perched on a bluff overlooking the Dnieper River, in one of the capitals more exclusive neighborhoods. To enter through its frescoed gates is to immerse oneself in a world full of cassocked monks, hushed, genuflecting worshipers and more than 100 religious structures. At its heart is a labyrinth of catacombs, which date from the 11th century and are the final resting place of some of Eastern Orthodoxys most revered figures. For now, the Lavra is divided into an upper section, which the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture administers as a historical site, and a lower monastery, which is leased by the Moscow Patriarchate. It is reported that the soldiers stepped on an explosive device Open source During the current day, two Ukrainian servicemen died in the hostilities zone in Donbas. The press office of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) reported this on Facebook. One serviceman of the Joint Forces received injuries at the position in the area of Bakhmut highway. Two servicemen of the Joint Forces Operation died as a result of the activation of an explosive device during the fulfilment of a military mission in Donetsk sector, reads the message. It is claimed that the militants opened aimed fire from grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms at the positions of the Joint Forces Operation in the areas of settlements Krymske, Zolote, Maiorske, Krasnohorivka, Starohnativka, Hnutove, and Lebedynske. Our strongholds near Maiorske were shelled from 120mm mortars, and Hnutove from 82mm. Moreover, the enemy used the weapons of infantry fighting vehicles against the defenders of Krymske and Maiorske, and anti-tank missile systems at the positions of the Joint Forces in the area of settlements Zolote and Hnutove. Also, a sniper fire was performed against the defenders of Hnutove, the HQ added. As it was reported earlier, a 24-year-old warrior from 73rd from the separate mechanized brigade named after Chorni Zaporozhtsi died in the JFO zone on October 9, the press office of the brigade reports on Facebook. The leadership and the personal staff of our brigade with great sadness report that on October 9, as a result of the shelling, our blood-brother senior soldier Feshko Yuriy Yuriovich, born in 1994, has died, reads the message. The leadership of the brigade expresses condolences to the relatives of Feshko due to his death. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry condemned the limitations and provocations committed by Russia and its occupant forces against the OSCE monitors, specifically the attack on the monitors that occurred in Donbas on October 10. This is mentioned in the Ministry's statement on the website. 'The Kremlin tries avoiding the responsibility for fueling the conflict and blocking the compliance with Minsk agreements,' reads the message. The Ministry is especially concerned about the hostile treatment of Russian occupant forces of the SMM monitors, which was accompanied by threats and use of weapons. 'In full support of the SMM, we once again demand that Russia stop intimidating SMM observes, drop the closed-area practice for the OSCE monitoring and guarantee a free access of OSCE SMM to the entire occupied territory of Ukraine, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol,' the statement says. On October 10, pro-Kremlin militants attacked the SMM patrol near Donetsk water filtration plant. On the same day, four Ukrainian servicemen deceased in the combat zone. The backlash against his truculence may encourage oligarchs to repatriate offshore capital, but there wont be enough to boost growth Open source Not even all of Russian President Vladimir Putins allies in Moscow understand why he pushes ahead so stubbornly with baiting the U.S. and its European allies, an activity that has started to look grotesque in light of recent intelligence failures. There is, however, one potential upside to the strategy, if one can call it that: It forces Russians whove moved their capital overseas to consider repatriating it. Thats one of Putins oldest strategy goals. On Wednesday, Alexei Kudrin, Putins former finance minister and currently head of the Audit Chamber, Russias budgetary watchdog, described escalating Western sanctions as a major threat to Russias growth that could even lead to a recession next year. That, of course, is a big challenge to all of the presidents goals, Kudrin said. We have no such global problems for Russia, no such military and political risks that would require increasing tensions with other countries. Until recently, the conflict with the West helped Putin maintain a high popularity rating. Now the euphoria that followed the 2014 Crimea annexation is gone, and confrontation with the U.S. and European nations is no longer helping. According to a September poll by the Levada Center, one of the few remaining independent pollsters in Russia, trust in Putin was down to 39 percent compared with 59 percent in November 2017. There could be any number of reasons why Putin continues with a policy that does no one, including himself, any good: The Russian leaders machismo, the lack of face-saving solutions to crises caused by aggression in Ukraine and ham-handed actions of Russian spies, the inertia of escalation, even an erosion of Putins control over Moscows warring enforcer clans. But only one explanation makes sense from a rational point of view: Putin doesnt mind pushing Russia toward greater economic isolation if an increasingly toxic climate for Russians in the West leads to repatriation of capital exported from Russia since the early 1990s. Presumably, thats quite a lot of money. In a 2017 paper, Filip Novokmet, Thomas Piketty and Gabriel Zucman estimated the offshore wealth held by Russians at about three times Russias official foreign reserves, or about $1 trillion at the time of publication. There is as much financial wealth held by rich Russians abroad in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Cyprus, and similar offshore centers than held by the entire Russian population in Russia itself, they wrote. Net private-sector capital outflows tracked by the Russian Central Bank add up to a total of $613 billion. Both estimates sound plausible if one considers that the cash and direct foreign investments attributable to the 24 Russian billionaires tracked by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index add up to about $115 billion. Bring It Home Trying to get the money back is one of Putins oldest and least successful projects. In 2002, he called on Russian businesspeople to repatriate their offshore investments to protect them from Western governments: Otherwise youll be swallowing dust trying to get your property back through the courts. No one listened for years: Western economies loved the Russian cash. In 2014, as the U.S. and the European Union began imposing Ukraine-related sanctions on Russia, a record of $160 billion was moved out of Russia by the financial and non-financial sectors combined. The consensus among wealthy Russians was that as the country turned inward, the West would still welcome them and their money. Putin and the Russian government wouldnt give up, however. Measures aimed at capital repatriation are arguably one of the most coherent of Russias current economic policies, along with fiscal and monetary stabilization. In 2015 and 2016, the government offered a financial amnesty to Russians who declared their foreign assets and allowed them to transfer the cash to Russia tax-free. Again, barely anyone took up the offer. According to First Deputy Prime Minister Anton Siluanov, a mere 7,200 declarations were filed. The government hasnt reported how much money was repatriated, probably because it was negligible. This year, the amnesty was revived with additional incentives. Up until March 2019, Russians closing their offshore companies can move their assets to Russia tax-free with a guarantee that their previous tax-avoidance schemes wont be investigated. In addition, Russia has created two special administrative districts on islands close to Vladivostok and Kaliningrad, the countrys easternmost and westernmost big cities. These areas provide tax advantages to holding companies, something Russian business sought outside the country, setting up holdings in Ireland, the Netherlands, Cyprus and on various remote islands. At the same time, Putins business ombudsman, Boris Titov, has been running a propaganda campaign among Russian businessmen who have fled to the West fearing all kinds of reprisals in Russia. Hes been offering them his and Putins help in clearing their names if they come home. About 40 people are on Titovs so-called London List, and he hopes to bring 10 of them to Russia by the end of the year. So far, the program has been slow to take off: Only four people have returned, and some of them arent completely out of legal trouble. Trust Problem This time around, Putin has a better case for returning wealth to Russia than ever before. Thats a direct consequence of the recent intelligence failures, which make Russians living or keeping money overseas feel unsafe regardless of their political preferences. One of the London List returnees, Sergei Kapchuk, who had received political asylum in the U.K., became convinced he was in a greater personal danger from U.K. intelligence than from anyone in Russia. Thats an isolated case, but being hunted by Russian goons in the West is scarier for some Russian exiles than trying to deal with their problems at home under Putins gaze. Even to Russian billionaires who dont fear for their life and liberty, the West has been inhospitable. This year, Roman Abramovich lost his U.K. visa, Suleiman Kerimov faced money-laundering charges in France, and Viktor Vekselberg and Oleg Deripaska have been hit with U.S. sanctions that have disrupted their businesses. All four belong to Russias top 20 wealthiest people, according to Forbes Russia. Some of the Russian super-rich are still fighting to keep operating in the West. Kerimov beat the French charges in court. Mikhail Fridman, a Russian billionaire who was forced by U.K. regulators to sell off some North Sea oil investments in 2015, is merging his and his Russian partners European energy investments into a joint company with Germanys BASF. The Russians will have a minority stake in the company with sales of more than $5.4 billion, and BASFs political clout is likely to protect them from further regulatory trouble. It is, however, too late for billionaires already hit with sanctions. The government expects Deripaska to be one of the first big clients of the new Russian offshore zones. Theres also evidence that some wealth is being quietly repatriated by wealthy Russians whose names are less well-known than those of the billionaires. Russian private banks, in particular the one set up by state-controlled Sberbank, the nations biggest lender, have reported quick growth as clients transfer assets from Europe; Sberbank Private Bankings assets almost tripled in the year to June 2018. Foreign investment from offshore areas traditionally favored by Russian business has returned after a dramatic slump pushed it into negative territory in 2014 and 2015. And yet theres no evidence in Russias balance-of-payment statistics of a massive cash repatriation. Moreover, the data show a continuing capital outflow not at the panicky rate of 2014, but higher than in the 1990s and 2000s. The Ministry of Economic Development recently had to increase its capital flight forecast for this year to $41 billion from the previously expected $18 billion. Even with Russian money increasingly unpopular in the West, moving it to Russia requires a leap of faith. Putins flagging popularity and uncertainty about his future moves, especially given a continuing escalation with the West, dont do much to inspire confidence. The difficulty of bringing back the London List exiles is evidence that the Russian law-enforcement system is still predatory, and the number of criminal cases against entrepreneurs keeps growing. Is It Worth It? Putin may hope that further hostilities with Europe and the U.S. will leave wealthy Russians no choice but to repatriate their capital. The aggressive Russian intelligence presence in Europe would then kill two birds with one stone, making everything Russian appear toxic and putting pressure on the emigre community. But if thats Putins plan, it makes little economic sense. The offshore capital may have been a big deal when Russia was a poorer country. Now, though, its a large economy that absorbs too much money for the offshore cash to make a big difference even if the pace of repatriation picks up. Last year, according to official statistics, 165.7 trillion rubles ($2.5 trillion) was invested in the Russian economy. This includes every type of direct and financial investment except that of banks, pension funds, insurance companies, the government and small business; if all the outflows recorded by the Central Bank came back, theyd be enough for three months of investment at last years rate. Most of the money comes from domestic and, in the case of portfolio investments, legitimate foreign investors, who hold a quarter of Russias domestic debt and more than 40 percent of its foreign-currency-denominated obligations. If these foreigners divest under threat of tougher sanctions, even successful capital repatriation wont make up for the loss of capital. In the absence of better options, the Russian government is forced to keep increasing incentives for repatriation. But theres no substitute for economic openness, the rule of law, and good relations with neighbors when it comes to boosting investment and, with it, growth. Under Putin, all three are looking increasingly remote. Read the original text at Bloomberg Opinion. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Premier Health Group (CSE: PHGI, OTCQB: PHGRF) (the Company or Premier Health), a Company focused on developing innovative approaches that combine human skill based expertise with emerging technologies for the healthcare industry, is pleased to announce that it has selected Reliq Health Technologies Inc. (Reliq) (TSXV: RHT or OTCQB: RQHTF) as its exclusive technology partner. Reliq will be providing Premiers subsidiary, HealthVue, primary care clinics with a HealthVue-branded telemedicine, remote monitoring & AI solution for its clinical staff and more than 100,000 active patients. We are very excited to be selected by Premier Health Group as the exclusive technology partner for their HealthVue Clinics. We look forward to helping HealthVue establish themselves as a technology leader in primary care, said Dr. Lisa Crossley, CEO of Reliq Health Technologies, Inc. Incorporating Reliqs technology platform into their clinics will allow HealthVue to improve access to care and convenience for patients, supporting HealthVues goal of rapidly increasing their patient numbers and practice revenues. Reliq and HealthVue will share in new practice revenue streams created by the implementation of this technology platform. Expanding our user base into British Columbia with this partnership and into Australia with our recently announced pilots there clearly validates the relevance of our solution in multiple different clinical applications, geographies and healthcare systems. The HealthVue patient app powered by Reliq Healths technology platform will allow patients to book appointments, see their GP or a specialist via telemedicine, review their own chart, chat with clinic staff and pharmacists, refill prescriptions and share health data collected in the home with their HealthVue care team, said Dr. Essam Hamza, MD, CEO of HealthVue. Telemedicine visits are already covered by the provincial health insurance plans in several provinces so there is no cost to the patient to access this service, which we will ultimately be able to offer to patients 24/7. The technology component of our practice is easily scalable, low cost and high margin, allowing us to rapidly grow our business and create significant shareholder value. HealthVue expects to make the first version of the app available to their patients in Q4-18. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dr. Essam Hamza, MD" Chief Executive Officer About Premier Health Premier Health is a Canadian company that is strategically poised to take advantage of business opportunities in the global health care industry. We are developing innovative health care approaches that combine human skill based expertise with emerging technologies, and will set the gold standard for services in locations of interest worldwide. Premier Healths subsidiary, HealthVue is focused on developing proprietary technology to deliver quality healthcare through the combination of connected primary care clinics with telemedicine and artificial intelligence (AI). We currently have an ecosystem of over 100,000 active patients and have plans to rapidly increase that number both domestically and internationally. The HealthVue team has a strong track record of successfully creating value in healthcare and technology enterprises. The Management team has deep clinical, financial and operational expertise and a passion for improving healthcare for all patients. About Reliq Health Technologies Reliq Health Technologies is a healthcare technology company that specializes in developing innovative software solutions for the Community Care market. Reliqs powerful iUGO Care platform supports care coordination and community-based healthcare. The iUGO Care platform integrates wearables, sensors, voice technology and intuitive mobile apps and desktop user interfaces for patients, clinicians and healthcare administrators. iUGO Care allows complex patients to receive high quality care at home, improving health outcomes, enhancing quality of life for patients and families and reducing the cost of care delivery. iUGO Care provides real-time access to remote patient monitoring data, allowing for timely interventions by the care team to prevent costly hospital readmissions and ER visits. Reliq Health Technologies trades on the TSX Venture under the symbol RHT and on the OTCQB as RQHTF. Cautionary Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on Premier Health's expectations, estimates and projections regarding its business and the economic environment in which it operates, including with respect to the implementation of its shareholder communications initiative and the timing thereof. Although Premier Health believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements and readers should not place undue reliance on such statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and Premier Health undertakes no obligation to update them publicly to reflect new information or the occurrence of future events or circumstances, unless otherwise required to do so by law. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Premier Health Group Inc. www.healthvue.com Email: investors@healthvue.com In the Mediterranean Sea, at Paliovuna region, the Greek law enforcers detained a Ukrainian yacht with 57 illegal migrants within the joint operation with the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. Three citizens of Ukraine were among the crew of the vessel as the border guards reported. "The next day, at the Athens Airport, the law enforcer detained one of the partakers of the criminal organization who passed the recruited Ukrainians abroad during 20170-2018 where they were involved in the mentioned criminal activity," the border guards reported. It is noted that from the point of view of the Ukrainian legislation, the Ukrainian sailors serve as the victims in this criminal scheme. "They were recruited and taken abroad for the involvement in the further crimes. In the majority of the cases the fraudulent methods of the conviction were used to motivate the Ukrainians to the commitment of the criminal activity; they were not reported the real aim of the transportation of the people at the yachts and in 100% of the cases they were not reported about the negative consequences in the case of their detention," the message said. Oleg Slobodyan, Ukrainian Deputy Head of the State Border Guard Service, claimed to 112 Ukraine that it was not the first case of the cooperation of the Ukrainian border guards and Europol. "It is not the first case of the efficient cooperation of the State Border Guard Service with the departments of Europol. Our aim here is to liquidate the channels of the transportation of the illegal migrant as even these sailors are most likely to be the victims of such business as very often they do not know why they are hired and do not understand the level of their responsibility and what they will face in the case of the exposal. In this case, our compatriots transferred 57 citizens of Afghanistan. Our citizens need the legal support from the Foreign Ministry that is already provided as far as I know," he said. Over two hundred Ukrainian sailors are now held in custody in Greece and Italy. State Secretary for Ukraines Foreign Ministry Andriy Zayets said that on August 7. As of June, there were 151 Ukrainian sailors in Greece, 98 of them were detained for transporting illegal migrants. Over a hundred Ukrainian citizens are now held in Italian prisons, judged for the same kind of violation. Ukraines Foreign Ministry reported that 42 citizens of Ukraine were convicted and 78 Ukrainians are under the investigation in Greece due to the accusation of the transfer of the illegal migrants. Earlier we reported that 214 Ukrainian sailors imprisoned in Greece, India, Spain, Libya, Oman and Sri-Lanka. According to Baltic and International Maritime Council and ISF, 69,000 Ukrainians worked on foreign ships in 2015. Ukraine was enlisted to the TOP-6 largest supplier of the workforce to the ship owners. Related video: Prosecutor General's Office prepared a notice of suspicion against the former 'official' assigned by the pro-Russian government in the occupied Crimea Open source Natalya Poklonskaya, the ex-'prosecutor' in occupied Crimea, is now the suspect in the prosecution of Ukraine's political prisoner Oleg Sentsov. Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine currently prepares a notice of suspicion against the former 'official' assigned by the pro-Russian government in occupied Crimea. Poklonskaya and another judge of the local 'court' in Crimea are suspected of involvement in illegal imprisonment and creation of a criminal organization. The Ukrainian side stated it found enough evidence to suspect the said officials in the illegal imprisonment of Ukrainian citizens Oleg Sentsov, Oleksandr Kolchenko, Oleksiy Chyrniy, and Hennadiy Afanasyev. The investigation says that Poklonskaya joined an organized crime gang created by the Russian government officials, who aimed to change the state borders of Ukraine; she organized an illegal prosecution of Ukrainian citizens who stood for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and supported the request to choose the arrest as the restriction measure for Sentsov and other mentioned citizens. As the 'court' and the 'Prosecutor's Office' in Russian-annexed Crimea do not act within the Ukrainian law, their decisions are not recognized by Ukraine, and thus have no legal consequences, the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine concludes. According to Levente Magyar, Hungarian Foreign Ministry State Secretary, Hungarys foreign ministry has summoned Ukraines ambassador to Budapest after Ukraines anti-Hungarian policy reached a new level Open source Hungarian Foreign Ministry summoned Lyubov Nepop, Ukrainian Ambassador in Budapest, because of the publication on Myrotvorets website (reveals personal information of people who are considered to be "enemies of Ukraine;" curated by the government intelligence Security Service - Ed.) about more than 300 Zakarpattia officials, who have both Hungarian and Ukrainian citizenship, as Hungry Today reported referring to Levente Magyar, Hungarian Foreign Ministry State Secretary. Hungarys foreign ministry has summoned Ukraines ambassador to Budapest after Ukraines anti-Hungarian policy reached a new level", the message says. According to Magyar, the summons was due to the existence of a death list of Transcarpathian Hungarians in Ukraine, as well as a call for the collective deportation Ukrainian-Hungarian dual citizens on the Ukrainian Parliaments website. The state secretary referred to an extremist Ukrainian website that had published a list containing the data of 300 Hungarian state or local council officials in Transcarpathia who it claims are dual citizens, the news agency reads. Reportedly, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared the Hungarian consul in Berehove, Zakarpattia region, persona non grata and obliged him to leave Ukraine within 72 hours. In response, Hungary decided to expel a Ukrainian consul in Budapest as a reaction to the similar measures of Kyiv. Earlier, Ukrinfrom published a video where a few Ukrainians were receiving Hungarian passports and owed allegiance to Hungry in the Consulate in Berehove. The Hungarian diplomat recommended not to inform the Ukrainian authorities about receiving the new documents. Ukraine's Foreign Minister said that the video was checked on the authenticity. If it is authentic, the Hungarian consul will be expelled from the country. In his turn, Peter Szijjarto, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, claimed the attempts to intimidate the Transcarpathian Hungarians and threatened to make Ukraines integration more complicated. Later it was also reported that for seven years, the Hungarian consulates in Berehove and Uzhhorod of Zakarpattia region have been granting Hungarian citizenship to local residents who are citizens of Ukraine. Yuriy Lutsenko, Prosecutor General, claimed that Ukraine's Security Service investigates this case; however, the service denied this. Tamas Menczer, Hungarys Foreign Minister Spokesperson later reported that Hungary does not intend to withdraw its consul from Berehove due to the scandalous video about the issuance of Hungarian passports to the Ukrainians. In its turn, Ukraine claimed that if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary does not withdraw its consul from Berehove, Ukraine will offer him to abandon the territory. Related video: Kurt Volker, the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine: The U.S. rejects the initiative on a referendum Open source Russias idea to conduct a referendum on Donbas status was not approved in Washington. At the briefing in Brussels, Kurt Volker, the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine, said that it contradicts with the Ukrainian Constitution and Minsk Agreements, as Interfax-Ukraine reports. The U.S. rejects the initiative on a referendum. There is no legal basis for this in the Constitution of Ukraine and Minsk Agreements, he stressed. Also, he urged to recall that as a result of Russian aggression, more than a million of Donbas residents had to become IDPs. Earlier, Bloomberg, referring to the sources, reported that the Russian President Vladimir Putin after his meeting with the U.S. President Donald Trump proposed to carry out a referendum in Donbas. According to the interlocutor, Trump asked Putin not to discuss the idea of the referendum at the press conference after the Summit so that the U.S. President had time to think about it. The source added that Putin offered to hold voting among local residents in Donbas concerning the status of their region. Everything has to be carried out under the auspices of the international community. Russian sources state that such a referendum should not follow a Crimean scenario, it should be only about the autonomy of Donbas in Ukraine. Later, Garret Marquis, the Head of the U.S. National Security Council, stated that the Administration was not considering the support of the referendum. In his turn, Ukraines Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said that the sequence of such statements of the Russian authority is a breakdown of Ukraine. Kurt Volker assured that the U.S. did not support the idea of conducting any referendums on occupied Donbas as they would be illegitimate. Secretary-General of the EU was informed that Russia refused from returning to PACE Russia does not intend to return to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in January. Thorbjrn Jagland, the Secretary-General of the EU, claimed this as Interfax-Ukraine reported. "I was told that Russia will not return to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in January. They will not pay for the whole year," Jagland said. "We need to set the budget that will consider this fact," he noted. On October 9, the members of the PACE voted for keeping the current limitations against the Russian delegation in the Assembly. Earlier 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 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. Related video: The multinational drills are underway, with the troops and the aircraft based at Starokostyantyniv airfield U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch and President Petro Poroshenko observed the course of the multinational Clear Sky 2018 military exercise at Starokostiantyniv airfield, Vinnytsia region, central Ukraine. 'Hundreds of American military personnel are participating to underscore U.S. support for Ukrainian independence, democracy, prosperity & security,' the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine reported on Thursday. Earlier, U.S. Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagles and Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules arrived in Ukraine to take part in international military exercises Clear Sky 2018, the purpose of which is the consolidation of peace and security. Clear Sky 2018 is a joint and multinational exercise, where 950 officers from nine countries will take part, including Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, the UK, and the U.S. The troops and the aircraft are based at Starokostyantyniv airfield. Related: U.S. Air Force aircraft arrived in Ukraine for Clear Sky 2018 exercise Open source A Russian citizen was detained in Minsk airport. Austrias law enforcement authorities declared him wanted through Interpol, as Belta reports. The man was detained on October 4, on the next day the Deputy Minsk Transport Prosecutor ordered the preventive measures in a form of detention with a view to extradition, the message says. For now, the Russian born in 1988 is in a prison. He is suspected of involvement in terrorist activity. Graz district attorney issued the arrest warrant in April 2016. On October 9, the Belarusian side informed their Austrian colleagues about detention through Interpol. The General Prosecutor Office has to receive the materials for extradition within 40 days since the day of detention, the message says. Open source Russian journalist and famous host of the 60 minutes TV-show was interrupted by the delegates of the Ukrainian delegation who were singing Ukrainian national anthem when she was trying to interview on the sidelines of PACE. On October 9, 2018, the members of the PACE voted for keeping the current limitations against the Russian delegation in the Assembly. The Russian delegation has refused from participating in the work of the assembly after being sanctioned for illegal annexation of Ukrainian Crimea. In summer 2017 Russia has stopped payments to the Council of Europe. Now Moscow is pressuring PACE to change its law in order to avoid future sanctions. As we reported earlier, 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. 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. This makes 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. Some locals were hospitalized with complaints against the chemical irritation; he doctors advise to leave the city Open source The citizens of Armyansk, occupied Crimea, complain about new chemical emissions to the atmosphere as Hromadske reported citing the information of the local citizen. According to Kateryna Pyvovar, the distinctive smell was felt in the city in the morning on October 10. Her children and she were hospitalized with complaints against the chemical irritation. The citizen of Armyansk claimed that she got burns of the nasal mucosa. She added that the doctors confirmed the poisoning by the chemicals. "A doctor wrote that it is an allergic reaction to the toxic substances," a woman reported to the news agency, noting that the doctors advise her to leave the city. Also, the users of the social networks report on the signs of the chemical emissions. As we reported, an unknown substance was discharged in the air in Armyansk, North Crimea in August. A greasy mud with a yellow shade appeared on metallic objects, roofs, and leaves on the trees. Moreover, toxic chemicals were detected in the air in the Kherson region, southern Ukraine. On September 6, it was reported that the plant on the production of the titanium dioxide, the subsidiary of Titanium investments in Crimean Armyansk would completely stop its work on Sunday, September 9. Reportedly, 61 Ukrainian border guards were affected by the emission of chemicals. Five of them have been hospitalized. They were in Odesa Clinical Hospital of State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS). Related video: Andriy Mirutenko was found guilty in facilitating the commission of a terrorist act and illegal handling of arms The court sentenced ex-Berkut officer (Berkut special police force violently dispersed protesters during the Euromaidan protests in Kyiv) to nine years behind bars for passing the information about the location, military equipment, and displacement of Ukrainian military to the militants of the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic, as Izium District Court of Kharkiv region ruled on October 5. Andriy Mirutenko was found guilty in facilitating the commission of a terrorist act and illegal handling of arms. He faces nine years behind bars without seizure of property. In 2013-2014 Mirutenko was performing his functional responsibilities, including during Maidan as Berkut officer. After the special forces unit was dissolved, he was seconded to the Anti-Terrorist Operation area in Donbas. According to the investigation, he was passing the information about Ukrainian military to the militants. In particular, in July 2014, in a phone conversation with one of them, Mirutenko told about the arrival of Arsen Avakov, the Internal Minister, and the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko to the headquarters of the Anti-terrorist operation in Kharkiv region. Also, the ex-Berkut officer told the militants about the plan of the liberation of Sloviansk, location of ATO headquarters, and military equipment availability on a checkpoint near Sloviansk. Besides, Mirutenko kept ammunition rounds without permission. The investigation considered that story of the convicted in Sloviansk could damage the interests of Ukraine, as the authority and the majority of the militants left the city in time, which helped them to avoid entrapment and capture. Miturenko did not admit guilt. At the court session, he stated that he did not know that his interlocutor was involved in the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic, he found out that Avakov and Poroshenko were arriving from television news, and the equipment he was talking about was visible and not hidden. Mirutenko also stated that he did not know where he got the ammunition rounds. He said that the prosecution is based on assumptions and asked to find him not guilty. He also insisted on questioning of Avakov in the court, yet he did not come by subpoena. The court took into account that at work Mirutenko was characterized positively, he had rewards, that he is a participant in hostilities and has a spinal disease. Also, he is a correspondent at Four seasons magazine (with a higher legal education). He also has an underage child at the expense. The court sentenced ex-Berkut officer to nine years behind bars, yet he will be under house arrest till the sentence comes into force. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FinCanna Capital Corp. (FinCanna) (CSE: CALI) (OTCQB: FNNZF) a royalty company for the U.S. licensed medical cannabis industry, announces that its investee company ezGreen Compliance (ezGreen) which provides a state-of-the-art enterprise compliance and point-of-sale (POS) software solution for licensed medical cannabis dispensaries and cultivators, has expanded its proprietary Business Intelligence Dashboard (BID) with the addition of a new comprehensive taxation feature to automate essential revenue reporting functionality. Testing with a cannabis management company carrying a portfolio of over 30 dispensaries in the state of California, the company believes it is the only comprehensive tax reporting solution in the market. ezGreens new proprietary taxation functionality resolves the problem of labour intensive, error prone manual inputting of key financial data as it is designed to ensure that critical financial information is instantly captured and seamlessly organized for complex municipal and state tax reporting. ezGreens automation of the state taxation formulas are customizable to track both municipal and state requirements around sales and excise taxes. ezGreen intends to roll out this new taxation feature as a fully integrated component of its Business Intelligence Dashboard to the companys affiliate network which includes a pipeline of over 200 dispensary client locations. With 30 states in the U.S. having some form of cannabis regulatory policies in place, navigating through state by state license, tax and compliance issues has been challenging for the legal, medical cannabis industry. ezGreens, Business Intelligence Dashboard is a proven front-to-back compliance solution that supports both the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state laws by ensuring secure customer data storage and transmission that protects customers from potential security breaches and financial and criminal liability resulting from such violations. Other ezGreen BID platform features include, free custom business analytics, managed workflow capabilities and third-party inventory validation allowing for real-time reporting and cross referencing of seed-to-sale and point-of-sale databases. Additionally, ezGreen Compliance is working with several State Cannabis Control Boards on developing opioid diversion strategies by setting secure reporting mechanisms, integrating with ezGreens BID platform to track essential inventory and sales data. Compliance reporting is becoming a must have for every business in the cannabis industry, said Andriyko Herchak, President and CEO of FinCanna Capital. We believe ezGreen is clearly the industry leader in the compliance software space as evidenced by their superior Business Intelligence Dashboard which now incorporates a mission critical taxation reporting solution. Compliance reporting is an enormously lucrative space and we are confident ezGreen will deliver outstanding results for our shareholders. Specifically developed to address the needs of the cannabis Industry, ezGreen Compliance is a HIPAA certified POS solution developed and supported by Automated HealthCare Solutions (AHCS). AHCS is a leading point of care tracking and dispensing software solution developed over the past 16 years which currently supports 3,500+ active physician operated clinics and dispensaries, all while maintaining HIPAA compliance following essential Health and Human Services standards in the United States. About ezGreen Compliance ezGreen Compliance, located in Fort Lauderdale FL, provides through its ezGreen software technology, a proven state-of-the-art enterprise compliance and point-of-sale software solution for licensed medical cannabis dispensaries and cultivators. Navigating through state-by-state license, tax and compliance issues has been challenging for the legal cannabis industry. ezGreen Compliance helps its customers comply with both the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and State Laws by ensuring patients confidential data is being handled properly, helping to protect from possible security breaches and financial and criminal liability resulting from potential violations. For more information around a HIPAA compliance strategy for the Cannabis industry, please visit www.ezgreencompliance.com . About FinCanna Capital Corp. FinCanna provides financing to top-tier companies in the licensed medical cannabis industry in exchange for a royalty on revenues. FinCanna, led by a team of finance and industry experts, is building its diversified portfolio of royalty investments in scalable, best-in-class projects and companies in U.S. legal states, with a focus on California. For additional information visit www.fincannacapital.com and FinCannas profile at www.sedar.com . FinCanna Capital Corp. Andriyko Herchak, CEO & Director Investor Relations: Arlen Hansen Kin Communications 1-866-684-6730 CALI@kincommunications.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Forward-Looking Information Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements about the market for, and effectiveness of, ezGreen software, the ability of ezGreen Compliance to expand operations and generate sales and revenues, the results of operations of Chameleon Collective, FinCannas ability to fund and source future projects, and FinCannas ability to earn and realize revenues from its investee companies. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the risks identified in the CSE listing statement available at www.SEDAR.com and other reports and filings with the applicable Canadian securities regulators. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made, and the respective companies undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. Kyiv and the roads which lead to the capital suffer heavy traffic jams, this time due to a new protest of the drivers against the fuel prices rising. Several kilometres-long traffic jams occurred before the entrance to Kyiv from Kotsyubynsky side. Before the protest, its organizers, Auto Euro Force movement, threatened in Facebook that it would become a traffic collapse, as a large number of participants was announced. The aim is to reduce the cost of fuel to springs level (May 15, 2018), by reducing excise rate for fuel and its link to hryvnia instead of euro, as it is now. The format: 1. Driving your own car, stop at 9 am taking the right lane, obligating the traffic safety measures, switch on alarm and headlights, give a sound signal as a protest without blocking the road. 2. Do not use flags of the organizations and parties. 3. The protest lasts for one hour, from 9 am till 11 am, on October 11, Thursday, the message says. Same protests are carried out today in other cities. The Kyiv-Chop highway is blocked in particular. Reportedly, fuel prices increased in Ukraine. According to Alasania, there are no legal grounds for approving the sanctions against the TV channels Open source The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine acted emotionally when it adopted a decision on the sanctions against 112 Ukraine and NewsOne TV channels. There will be no consequences for the broadcasters as Zurab Alasania, the CEO of the National TV and Radio Company of Ukraine reported to 112 Ukraine. "Most likely, it was an emotional act. They wanted to do this and they did. I doubt that there will be some consequences," he said. "They should assume measures during the last year: monitor, make comments, spot everything and then to file an appeal to the National Council. The council reacts properly, by the prevention, then the court will take place and so on. It is a legal way and it should be like this. If they did so, emotionally, they had a right for this. I doubt that the NSDC will solve something, there are no legal grounds for this," he added. 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. ***** 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. Related video: The documents on the ratification of the authorities can be filed at the last week of January The delegation of Russia can return to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) only in January as it is necessary to file the documents on the ratification of the authorities at the last week of the month. Georgy Logvinsky, the MP and representative of the Ukrainian delegation to PACE claimed this as 112 Ukraine reported. "Russia was humiliated twice; it has posed the demands to lift the sanctions at all or to form in the way that they cannot be imposed. Exactly this plan was carried out," Logvinsky said. The next consideration of the resolution on the return of the delegation can take place in January after the deadline of the documents filing. Accordingly, Russia will not be able to file these documents upon a new procedure until 2020. On October 9, the members of the PACE voted for keeping the current limitations against the Russian delegation in the Assembly. Earlier the Committee on Rules of Procedure of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe 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 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. Related video: Rob M. It's taken over a year, but the Department of Agriculture is finally beginning the process of introducing hemp production to New Mexico. Back in March 2017, Governor Susana Martinez vetoed a couple bills that would have legalized state-regulated industrial hemp cultivation for research purposes. Luckily the good governor was called up on the issue when lawmakers filed a lawsuit against her over the vetoes. A judge for the state Supreme Court ruled against Martinez, saying she illegally vetoed the bills (along with eight others) a few months later, and the rest has been a waiting game. Until the Department of Agriculture announced that they wanted public comment on a set of hemp regulations. They set up five meetings to take place across the state this month to develop a rule to accompany statutory language which allows the department of agriculture to administer an industrial hemp program. Under the new rules, an individual or organization will need to apply annually for a license from the department to grow hemp. It might take up to five weeks to receive a response. Growers are required to pay licensing fees and pay for testing (to ensure the product is within the legal limit for THC by volumehemp is just cannabis that has a THC level lower than 0.3 percent, according to these rules). Procedures have to be in place for destroying any hemp that tests too high in THC and is magically transformed into cannabis. Anyone caught growing hemp without a license will be given five business days to submit a valid application or destroy the plant. They could also be banned from applying for a license for up to five years. The fees can get pricey, so don't expect to be growing hemp in your backyard anytime soon. The closest hearing will be held at the Los Griegos Center (1231 Candelaria Rd. NW), this Monday, Oct. 15, at 6pm. After public comment has been heard, a hearing officer will then make a recommendation on the final regulations. Did CBD Just Get Legalized? The short answer: No. The long of it: The US Drug Enforcement Agency made a strange move last week and rescheduled CBD-derived substances (wait for it) as long as they are certain drug products that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. So some FDA-approved drugs containing CBD and no more than 0.1 percent of THC are now schedule V controlled substances (distinguished from cannabis' status as a schedule I substance). The only drug this actually applies to at the moment is Epidiolex, a drug made of pure CBD and used specifically to treat patients two years and older with Dravet or Lennox-Gastaut syndrometwo rare forms of epilepsy. It was approved by the FDA in June, leaving everyone on the outside scratching their asses and wondering what the hell was happening in Washington. Some people are out there trying to throw a party and say this is proof of a coming change in federal policya sea change signaling a new rational age. But those kids are being naive. This is Big Pharma swinging its junk and letting the peons know that house rules is house rules. You've just witnessed the DEA sayingwith a straight face, no lessthat CBD is okay over here, but not over there. And you swallowed it down like sugar in your medicine. For shame, America. N.M. Senate Race Highlights Change Out of the three candidates in the state Senate race, two have voiced support for the legalization of cannabis. Both incumbent Democrat Martin Heinrich and former governor Libertarian Gary Johnson support the legalization of cannabis for adults over 21. Johnson has been a longtime supporter of removing the drug from the federal list of controlled substances, and Heinrich was notably a co-sponsor of the Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act this past summer. Republican challenger Mick Rich says he's oppose to legalization (surprise, surprise). Now even with two pro-legalization senators in D.C. it's doubtful as hell that we'll see any pro-cannabis legislation get passed federally in the next few years, but I like to think that society moves like the ocean and watching for ripples is like foretelling the future. (Or maybe I'm just battling the election blues.) LDS Church Backs MMJ in Utah In another sign of the times, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (don't call them Mormons, anymore) officially announced that they were in support of Utah legislation that would legalize medical cannabis, according to The Herald Journal. In case you're not impressed: These are the same people who forbid the members to drink coffee or alcohol. That's beyond teetotaler and way beyond what I'd expect from a conservative group in a conservative state. In fact when my buddy first mentioned the story to me, I started laughing before he could even get to the good part. Medical marijuana in Utah? Ridiculous! Baked Goods Hemp Rules The Department of Agriculture to hold regulations hearings 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!) PRINT | EMAIL | PERMALINK Best of Burque Restaurants 2018 Vegetarian Cuisine Best Vegetarian Food Jambo Cafe You like it! You really like it! Jambo Cafe, once just a Santa Fe secret, has become Albuquerque's darling. Alibi readers voted Jambo Cafe number one in a number of categories (check out Miscellanyit won a ton there) and we can see why. Chef Ahmed Obo's unique foodboth vegetarian and non-veggiemakes our mouth water. Try the coconut tofu curry, an appetizer of savory stuffed phyllo (filled with spinach, olives, feta, chickpeas and red peppers) or the jerk tofu sandwich. No matter what you choose, you know it's going to be delicious; the polls don't lie. (TG) 2) The Acre 3) Annapurna's World Vegetarian Cafe Best Vegan Food The Acre And here we see the elusive vegan roaming the streets for their next meal. Vegans rarely leave the den with the distrust of others inadvertently adding animal products to the delicacy, rendering it inedible for even the most lax of vegan predators. Something substantial must be in the air to pique this animals interest. The Acre is grilling, baking and serving up a bit of vegan heaven. Make sure to check out the steak on your next visit. (RB) 2) Annapurna's World Vegetarian Cafe Best Veggie Burger The Acre While the avocado is still extra, it completes the veggie burger experience. How can you have the most authentic meat-eating experience with out it? The Acre Burger is a beet, black bean and quinoa patty that is sure to satisfy even the burliest meat-eater taking his veg girl out on a date. (RB) 2) Grassburger 3) Rustic on the Green Best Tofu Dish Crispy Salted Tofu with Lemongrass and Chili at An Hy Quan Vegetarian Restaurant There's no need to hide tofu behind frills at An Hy Quan. The crispy salted tofu is served on a bed of rice with a light lemongrass and chili sauce. This delicious flavor combination is also served with a cup of soup. Warm up this season with this delicious dish! (VS) 2) Mongolian Tofu at Fan Tang 3) Tofu Scramble at Cafe Lush Best Vegan Dessert The Acre Vegetarians and vegans alike scour the city looking for sweets to delight the palate without destroying the planet. A search that seems never ending, until now. Pudding, crisp and cake, it's never a mistake! Get over to The Acre for desserts that will put an end to your travels for good. (RB) 2) Flying Star Cafe 3) Brixens Some movies have wide orbits, encompassing grand themes and epic actions. Others have a smaller orbit, revolving around less grandiose worlds. And some movies simply spin in place like a top. The Old Man & The Gunwhich reportedly marks the final on-screen appearance of legendary actor Robert Redfordis decidedly in the latter category. Its no less credible a work of cinematic art for its humble aspirations. But its also such a delicate, micro-sized production that it can scarcely hold up to the strain of being The Last Film Robert Redford Will Ever Make. The Old Man & The Gun is written and directed by indie oddball David Lowerywhose all but incomprehensible resume consists of the Terrence Malick-esque crime drama Aint Them Bodies Saints, the low-key Disney remake Petes Dragon and the impenetrably arty supernatural whatsit A Ghost Story. Lowerys new film is loosely based on an eye-catching New Yorker article by David Grann about a gentleman named Forrest Tucker. Not to be confused with the F Troop actor of the same name, Forrest Tucker was a septuagenarian thief who broke out of San Quentin prison and went on an audacious string of bank robberies, circa 1981. Redford here plays Tucker, an unflappably charming old gent who prefers to walk into banks wearing his Sunday best, calmly flash a pistol and politely ask the teller to fill his briefcase with money. He is assisted on his cross-country spree by aged tough guy Waller (musician and occasional actor Tom Waits) and longtime getaway driver Teddy (Danny Glover). While passing through Texas, Tucker crosses paths with well-seasoned widow Jewel (Sissy Spacek). He invites her out for pie and coyly confesses to being a professional bank robbera boast she quickly dismisses as idle joshing. At the same time, Dallas police detective John Hunt (Casey Affleck at his most perfectly disheveled) is turning 40 and ruminating about how much he hates his job. A report of a senior citizen robbing a bank briefly sparks his interest, however. A little digging and Hunt turns up a string of bank heists leading in a straight line from San Francisco to Dallasall of them pulled by a group of elderly men, which he soon dubs The Over The Hill Gang. So. Hunt applies himself to uncovering the identity of this past-his-prime criminal mastermind and Tucker continues merrily robbing banks and romancing Jewel. Thats about the long and the short of it. Although there are plenty of opportunities here for wry humor, romance, action, all that jazz, Lowery has more than proven hes not interested in anything overtly, traditionally filmic. There are a few lightweight heists and a lot of low-key conversations in run-down diners. The films one shootout takes place entirely off screen. Lowery further prunes away the films all-too-brief story with a number of cat-and-mouse montages that feel more dismissive than cinematic. The end result is something so insubstantial and unassuming that it melts away like a meal of communion wafers and cotton candy. Though it plays out as a genial character study, The Old Man & The Gun seems conspicuously devoid of character motivation. Hunt isnt all that interested in catching Tucker. And Tucker doesnt seem to care much whether hes arrested or not. He doesnt even spend his ill-gotten gains, piling them up in the dusty floorboards of his house. Nonetheless, the film does accrue a mild sense of purpose by the time the credits role. Why does Forest Tucker rob banks? Because thats what he does. Its as simple as that. Hes been doing it since puberty. And at 70, hes not about to stop. He doesnt need the money, really. But the smile on his face and the glint in his eye as he pulls back his jacket to show a bank clerk his gun tells you all you need to know. The point of the act is the act itself. (The real Forest Tucker didnt go on a cross-country crime spree, but he did leave his Florida retirement community to rob four banks at age 79.) Redfords legendary charm and his long history of playing lovable criminals on screen (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting) are well exploited here. Redford, for his part, seems as relaxed and comfortable on screen as hes ever been. Affleck, as Redfords foil, has relatively little to do. Though he IDs Tucker and susses out his intriguing backstory (featuring no less than 16 prison breaks), Hunt is unconnected to the mans eventual capture. The two cross paths only briefly on screen. Mores the pity. Everyone else in the impressive cast (which also includes Elizabeth Moss and Keith Carradine) barely counts as a cameo. This is Redfords world, after all, and everybody else is just a bit player. As an affable, sedentary tale of a likable old roguea sort of Catch Me If You Can for the AARP setThe Old Man & The Gun serves its purpose. There are flashes of wit and moments of heart andthanks almost entirely to its starits a hard film not to like. But its not the sort of film you can get excited about. Applaud too loudly and you might just break its hip. Thursday 11 How Far Is Tattoo Far? (MTV 7:01pm) When it comes to subjects like drinking, teen pregnancy and tattoos, I trust MTV to know whats too far and go way beyond that. Friday 12 The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell (Netflix streaming anytime) This bizarro cooking show features the scary desserts of baker Christine McConnelland a bunch of creepy Jim Henson puppets. The Haunting of Hill House (Netflix streaming anytime) Shirley Jacksons seminal ghost story gets a TV series remake with Carla Gugino, Timothy Hutton and Henry Thomas. The Romanoffs (Amazon streaming anytime) Producer Matthew Weiner (Mad Men) is behind this odd anthology series about people around the world who believe they are descendants of the Russian royal family. Aaron Eckhart, Amanda Peet, Diane Lane, Kathryn Hahn, Noah Wylie, Christina Hendricks and John Slattery are among the ensemble cast. Titans (DC Universe streaming anytime) For only $74.99 a year, you can watch well, this live-action adaptation of DCs Teen Titans comic. Eventually there will be other stuff. But for now, you get emo Robin and friends. Saturday 13 Cucuy: The Boogeyman (Syfy 5pm) Popular Latino boogeyman and Albuquerques South Valley substitute for Zozobra (where hes known as El Kookooee) gets his own low-budget Syfy horror flick. Above and Beyond: NASAs Journey to Tomorrow (Discovery 7pm) Less than a month after bowing in IMAX theaters, Discoverys 60th anniversary of NASA documentary heads to the airwaves. Sunday 14 Charmed (KWBQ-19 8pm) Sarah Jeffery, Melonie Diaz and Madeline Mantock replace Alyssa Milano, Shanned Doherty and Holly Marie Combs as TVs new Power of Three, a trio of sisters who discover their secret witchy powers. Camping (HBO 8pm) Jennifer Garner and David Tennant star as a not-so-happily married couple meticulously planning an outdoor trip to celebrate his 45th birthday. Lena Dunham is the creator, but its based on a British series. The Alec Baldwin Show (KOAT-7 9:01pm) Actor Alec Baldwin scores a rare primetime talk show gig with this unscripted, one-on-one chat-em-up. First up: Jerry Seinfeld. Eli Roths History of Horror (AMC 10:12pm) Horror director Eli Roth (Cabin Fever, Hostel, The Green Inferno) explores the history of scary movies. Tonights subject: zombies. Harvey Birdman, Attorney General (Cartoon Network 1am) Adult Swims surreal take on the old Hanna-Barbera character returns just when we need him the mostand with an improved job title from the 2001 to 2007 go-around (Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law). Monday 15 Constantine: The Legend Continues (KWBQ-19 8pm) Originally titled Constantine: City of Demons and aired as a web series on The CWs Seed, this animated mini-movie is a spinoff of NBCs short-lived but largely spot-on version of DCs supernatural detective series. Having incorporated the character (played by Matt Ryan) into Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow, The CW goes ahead and airs this mature audience toon. Tuesday 16 The Conners (KOAT-7 7pm) ABCs Roseanne reboot pulls a Valerie. (Star Valerie Harper got written out of the second season of her eponymous 1986 sitcom, which became The Hogan Family.) T-Pains School of Business (Fuse 9pm) Auto-Tuned rap star T-Pain hosts this Shark Tank-esque series in which he profiles 18 innovative startup companies created by millennials. Wait. Are they talking about the same T-Pain I am? Wednesday 17 Mans Greatest Food (Cooking 7pm) This new culinary series starts off with beef. Kinda all downhill from there, dont you think? Courtesy Democratic Party of New Mexico It is time to get it on, rock the vote and turn the tide around. As we head into the time of casting votes in the midterm election, Weekly Alibi looked at what Bernalillo County has on the ballot. As of last week, the countys registered voter breakdown looks like this: there are 193,168 Democrats, 117,716 Republicans, 98,664 Independents/Decline to State, 3,622 Libertarians and 4,099 citizens registered to other parties. Absentee voting began this week here in Bernalillo County. Early voting at the County Clerks Annex at 1500 Lomas Blvd. started on Tuesday, Oct. 9 and will commence at all other locations on Saturday, Oct. 20. The anxiously awaited 2018 Voters Guide put out by the League of Women Voters of Central New Mexico was published recently too. It includes Bernalillo and Sandoval County ballots. Check out the Secretary of State website for more interesting information at: sos.state.nm.us For early and mobile voting locations visit bernco.gov/elections. For the full League of Women Voters of Central New Mexico guide, which includes short candidate questions along with more information about the bond questions and amendments, visit lwvcnm.org. Most importantly, stay tuned to Weekly Alibi for more election profiles and coverage. As an official wonkette, I took a cruise through the Bernco side and have determined for Alibi readers the essential points, distilled into the brief but essential list that follows. The Sexy Ones The top of the ballot will show the $174,000-a-year United States Senate seat contended for by Martin Heinrich-D, Gary E. Johnson-L and Mick Rich-R. As a supporter of Heinrich since the man ran for City Council in Alibis district, we continue to proudly support our progressive senator. As for Gary, well Libertarianism is a political practice of those few with vast resourcesenough to be able to consider themselves islands, apart from concepts like community. Then there are the three US Representative races that pay $174,000 per year. District one, which takes in Bernalillo County, has three contenders: Debra Haaland-D, Lloyd Princeton-L and Janice Arnold-Jones-R. Next week, Weekly Alibi will feature an interview with Haaland and brief biographies of her competition. The other two US Representative positions are not on our Bernco ballot. The District 3 race is all but done, as it has been year after year; District 2 will be a potent indicator of the magnitude and reach of the coming blue wave. The $110,000 a year governors gig is next on the ballot, with Michelle Lujan Grisham-D and Steve Pearce-R duking it out. Check out our policy paper on Pearce, one page over. And look for a feature on Alibi-endorsed Lujan Grisham to follow on our pages thereafter. Howie Morales-D, and Michelle Garcia-Holmes-R, both want the $85,000 job of Lieutenant Governor and though they ran independent primary campaigns, both are now tied to the big guns, as it were. The gloves are off between Maggie Toulouse Oliver-D, Ginger Grider-L and Gavin Clarkson-R for the $85,000 Secretary of State paycheck. Brian Colon-D and Wayne Johnson-R both want to collect $85,000 as the next State Auditor. The editorial board at Weekly Alibi liked much about Colons bid for mayor and believes he has a place in state government; contrariwise, we would would like to remain polite but quite distant from this version of Johnson. The states Treasurer is a $85,000 dream job for Tim Eichenberg-D and Arthur Castillo-R. Hector Baldaras-D, A. Blair Dunn-L and Michael Eugene Hendricks-R are vying for $95,000-a-year Attorney General position, a position we might add, that Baldaras has held with much honor, action and commitment for one term already. Stephanie Garcia Richard-D, Michael Lucero-L and Patrick Lyons-R are running for the important $90,000-a-year position of Commissioner of Public Lands. The entire State House of Representatives are up for reelection so check out who is running where you live and make a good choice because it pays big bucks of $164 a day plus mileage for the annual 30 or 60 day sessions and any interim meetings. As part of that process, take care to note news, good and bad about representatives of the ruling party here in the Land of Enchantment. N.M. Courts There is one open seat for a justice on the states highest court. The $139,818-a-year State Supreme Court seat is being sought after by Michael Vigil-D and Gary Clingman-R. In a twist that will change the composition at the top judges table, two senior justices have announced their retirements at the end of the year and it will be up to the new governor to appoint replacements who will fill out the terms of the retirees before standing for reelection. The State Court of Appeals has four contested positions. The appellate judges are paid $132,727 per year. The battle for position one features Kristina Bogardus-D and Stephen French-R facing off; position two includes Jacqueline R. Medina-D and Henry Bohnhoff-R battling it out. The third position candidates are Briana Zamora-D and Emil Kiehne-R. Position four candidates are Megan Duffy-D and Daniel Joe Gallegos. J. Miles Hanisee is up for Court of Appeals judicial retention. Nineteen Bernalillo County Metropolitan Judges are up for retention as well. These are yay or nay votes for these candidates to stay on the job and collect a yearly salary of $119,870. So guess this is your chance to get back at that traffic ticket judge. Log on to the New Mexico Judicial Performance Commission at nmjpec.org to see how the judges on your ballot scored with this judicial review agency. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Squire Mining Ltd. (CSE:SQR; FRA:9SQ; OTCQB:SQRMF) (Squire or the Company). Squire is pleased to announce Ennoconn Corporation (Ennoconn) as our hardware manufacturer for next generation mining systems to mine Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin and other associated cryptocurrencies. Ennoconn is a leading industrial motherboard designer and total hardware system solution provider headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan and listed on the Taiwan stock exchange (TPE:6414). In 2007, Foxconn Technology Group, the largest Electronic Manufacturing Service company in the world, became the majority shareholder of Ennoconn, forming a strong strategic alliance in embedded system and electronic manufacturing. On August 21, 2018, Squire announced that AraSystems Technology Corp. (AraSystems), a subsidiary of Squire, had entered into a provisional non-binding agreement with a major global technology assembly company. This company, now revealed to be Ennoconn, will assist in the design and assembly of our next generation mining rig at such time as a working prototype of our debut ASIC chip is completed. On October 3, 2018 Squire announced the successful completion and testing of its FPGA working prototype microchip, with early results of the terahash-to-energy consumption ratio, indicating that the final ASIC chip and mining system has the potential to reduce operational costs by up to 40% for enterprise mining facilities. This cost reduction was estimated by one leading enterprise mining group to be worth up to $60M per year in savings to their operations alone . . The final ASIC chip and mining system together are expected to provide up to a four times improvement in the performance of mining the blockchain, a process that enables miners to be paid, thereby increasing the return on investment, and profit, for miners. Such calculations are based on comparisons with the majority of current generation mining machines operating inside enterprise facilities around the world. Following this success, the Company has signed a binding Memorandum of Understanding with Ennoconn and funded work to commence Phase 1 design and development of AraSystems next generation mining system in collaboration with its partners in Taipei, Taiwan and in Seoul, South Korea. Definitive documentation will be entered into following delivery of final specifications and data sheets to Ennoconn later this month. Squires engineers are currently working with Ennoconn to design and develop AraSystems mining rig which will house the debut ASIC chip currently under development by the Companys subsidiary AraCore Technology Corp (AraCore), in conjunction with GaonChips and Samsung Electronics (see news releases dated September 25 and October 3, 2018). In turn, Ennoconn will be responsible for mass assembly of the mining rig once all design, development and testing work has been completed. A prototype of the mining rig along with full specifications of the AraCore ASIC chip are expected to be presented at the CoinGeek Conference in London on November 28 30, 2018, with presales expected to commence on or around that date. Significant interest has already been expressed by several of the industrys largest enterprise mining companies, which currently host hundreds of thousands of mining machines in their facilities across the world. We are very pleased to be partnering with the skilled engineers at Ennoconn, one of the worlds leading electronic manufacturing companies, stated Simon Moore, Executive Chairman and CEO of Squire. As we launch our next generation mining rig with a suite of proprietary innovations, its imperative that our manufacturing partners have the talent, experience and capacity to not only deliver unique hardware, but also deliver best in class quality. We believe Ennoconn will help ensure the production of an exceptional mining rig for the marketplace he said. Further, Mr. Moore noted, based on initial interest from the sector, the potential for significant sales and the subsequent revenue for Squire is on track in the coming year which would make Squire and its partners a noteworthy industry provider of crypto mining hardware and next generation innovation on a global scale. The Canadian Securities Exchange accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. About AraSystems Technology Corp. AraSystems is a joint venture company established by Squire and Future Farm Developments Ltd. (Future Farm), a Hong Kong based technology company, to manage the development, manufacture and assembly of the Companys next generation mining rigs. Squire owns a 75% interest in AraSystems and Future Farm owns the remaining 25% interest. About AraCore Technology Corp. Aracore is a joint venture company established by Squire and Peter Kim to design and develop next generation ASIC chips for mining Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin and other associated cryptocurrencies. Squire owns a 75% interest in Aracore and Peter Kim owns the remaining 25% interest. About Squire Mining Ltd. Squire is a Canadian based company engaged, through its subsidiaries, in the business of developing data mining infrastructure and system technology to support global blockchain applications in the mining space including applicable specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips and next generation mining rigs to mine Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin and other associated cryptocurrencies. For further information contact: Simon Moore, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Telephone: (604) 929 - 0900 Over the last decade the LGBTQ+ community has seen progress in nearly every facet of our society. Following the Supreme Courts decision on Obergefell v. Hodges which codified the right of same-sex couples to marry, many felt that our work was done. But that couldnt be further from the truth. Across the country and here in New Mexico, opponents of queer liberation and self-determination have re-organized under the guise of religious freedom advocates. While they may have conceded the issue of marriage for the moment, they are working to rip the wires out of the machines that were built to protect us from discrimination and oppression. Since 1993, Equality New Mexico has been at the forefront of demanding progress and winning equality for LGBTQ+ New Mexicans, including establishing basic nondiscrimination protections, fighting for marriage equality, protecting young people from so-called conversion therapy and bullying. Fortunately, New Mexicans have leaders like Sen. Martin Heinrich, who has been a champion for LGBTQ+ equality throughout his career, and before it was politically expedient. As a Congressman, he was a co-sponsor of the original Dont Ask, Dont Tell repeal bill, and he consistently fought against constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage and the Defense of Marriage Act. Since marriage equality became the law of the land, Sen. Heinrich has been fighting for LGBTQ+ students rights and to prevent transgender discrimination in the military. Thats why Equality New Mexico endorsed Martin Heinrich for the US Senate. New Mexico cant afford a senator like Gary Johnson, who likes to boast about his support of LGBTQ+ equality, but a closer look at his position reveals a different story. Whether its his support for Supreme Court justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh or his radical opposition to hate crime lawsGary Johnsons record doesnt match his rhetoric. We need leaders who will stand with the LGBTQ+ community, not just in their words but with their actions. Since holding political office, Sen. Heinrich has been a solid and trusted partner in fighting for our rights, and he did so before the national conversation on the issue changed. There is too much at risk this November and we need candidates who are steadfast in their commitment for LGBTQ+ protections and equality. Editors note: The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those held by this newspaper. Barcelona, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TokenMatch (www.tokenmatch.net), a joint venture between CoinAgenda founder Michael Terpin and Lydians Capital managing partner Leonard Boord, will host its fifth edition in a global series of token presentations for funds, family offices and accredited token buyers at an exclusive event in Barcelona on Friday, October 19, from 8 am until 6 pm, following Crypto Economy ICO 2018 Barcelona. The one-day matchmaking event, which takes place in private boardrooms at the SB Glow Hotel, Carrer de Badajoz, 148-154 in Barcelona, features carefully selected ICOs (with a minimum ranking of 4.0 on a scale of five and average ranking of 4.5 on aggregated ICO ranking sites) with top investors and funds experienced in the digital currency sector. This will be our sixth edition of TokenMatch and the one with the most European focus to date, said Terpin. Europe and Spain represent an important new source of capital for token purchases, so TokenMatch Barcelona offers a unique opportunity to present in a private boardroom setting to leading investors from across Europe and the world in one day. How this works: Investors and token buyers are separated into boardrooms, each holding an average of 20 or more buyers. Each token team has 20 minutes to present to each boardroom, including deep Q&A and feedback from investors, made possible by the small room setting. Hot breakfast and lunch, plus breaks, demo stations and a cocktail party add additional opportunities to network and persuade potential token buyers. ICO executives and investors alike continue to tell us that our small-format conferences provide a great platform for deal making, noted TokenMatch co-founder Leonard Boord, managing director of Lydians Capital. TokenMatch is a great opportunity for token project founders to meet only investors, including some of the most influential funds in the blockchain world, in a closed-door environment. About Token Match Token Match, created and organized by CoinAgenda founder Michael Terpin and Lydians Capital managing partner Leonard Boord, is an exclusive, high-end event, featuring meals and a cocktail party. Attendance is by invitation only and limited to 21 ICOs team founders and 80+ investors. The first event was held during New York Blockchain Week (visit http://tokenmatch.net/past-events/ for the teams that presented), with subsequent events taking place in New York, London, San Francisco and Singapore. TokenMatch is also hosting an event on November 29th in New York . For more information, please visit www.tokenmatch.net or contact info@tokenmatch.net. SHANGHAI, China, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ctrip, Chinas leading online travel agent, today announced a new partnership with 30K, the worlds leading frequent flyer content provider, to bring flight mileage benefits information to its users. The information is displayed within the fare details section on the search results page as well as within the upsellable fares section on the booking section. The feature is available on Ctrips Chinese language website and mobile apps. Mr. Xiong Xing, Ctrip Group CTO and CEO of Ctrips Flights and International Business Units, said: Chinese travelers are becoming more sophisticated. Additional value-added information such as aircraft type, seat configuration and accruable frequent flyer mileage are increasingly becoming important decision-making factors when they select airlines for their journeys. This partnership with 30K enables us to provide accruable mileage information for each selected fare and can help encourage travelers to upgrade. This is also a welcome development for airlines, as OTAs provide more valuable options to travelers and create further opportunities for upselling. Alex Jawad, the CEO and Co-founder of 30K, said, Frequent flyer programs are growing around the world as travelers seek value and rewards for their air travel loyalty. At the same time, the Chinese travel audience continues to expand exponentially. Ctrip has recognized the accelerated sophistication of this ever more important demographic by offering its valuable high frequency travelers a de-commoditized experience. Ctrip joins a long list of meta search engines across the world including Hipmunk from the USA and Ixigo from India, that have partnered with 30K this year. Ctrip is 30Ks first Chinese customer and the largest travel retailer to integrate its Milefy API to date. About 30K: 30K was launched in California, USA, in 2012 as the worlds first aggregator of frequent flyer program content for personalized application in travel shopping and booking platforms, connecting travel retail with the top 25% of travelers that make up above 70% of worldwide aviation revenue. 30Ks technology returns content of the top 75 frequent flyer programs and serves to de-commoditize airfare shopping by bringing to the fore underlying benefits that are uniquely tailored to each individual travelers frequent flyer memberships. The company won the "Best Business Travel Innovation award by GBTA in 2017 and its CEO, Alex Jawad, was named one of the Future Leaders of Travel by Phocuswright in 2016. About Ctrip.com International, Ltd. Ctrip.com International, Ltd. is a leading travel service provider of accommodation reservation, transportation ticketing, packaged tours, and corporate travel management in China. It is the largest online consolidator of accommodations and transportation tickets in China in terms of transaction volume. Ctrip enables business and leisure travelers to make informed and cost-effective bookings by aggregating comprehensive travel related information and offering its services through an advanced transaction and service platform consisting of its mobile apps, Internet websites and centralized, toll-free, 24-hour customer service center. Ctrip also helps customers book vacation packages and guided tours. In addition, through its corporate travel management services, Ctrip helps corporate clients effectively manage their travel requirements. Since its inception in 1999, Ctrip has experienced substantial growth and become one of the best-known travel brands in China. For further information, please contact: International PR Ctrip.com International, Ltd. Tel: (+86) 21 3406 4880 ext 196455 Email: Pr@ctrip.com Alex Jawad 30K.com, Inc. Tel: +1-415-549 5163, +34 652 665 442 English Swedish Radisson Hospitality AB (publ) will release its Financial Report Q3-2018 on Thursday, 25 October 2018 at 7:30am CEST. Federico J. Gonzalez, President & CEO, and Knut Kleiven, Deputy President & CFO, will also host an audio webcast on the same day, at 10:00am CEST. To access the telephone conference, please dial one of the following numbers: Location Phone Number Belgium National free phone 0800 58228 Belgium +32 (0)2 404 0659 France National free phone 0805 101 219 France +33 (0)1 76 77 22 88 Norway National free phone 800 51084 Norway +47 2100 2610 Sweden National free phone 0200 880 389 Sweden +46 (0)8 5664 2753 United Kingdom National free phone 0800 358 6377 United Kingdom +44 (0)330 336 9127 USA National free phone 888-254-3590 USA +1 929-477-0448 Confirmation Code: 5407820 To follow the webcast, please visit: https://www.radissonhospitalityab.com/investors For further information, contact: Renu Hanegreefs-Snehi, Vice President, Corporate Communications, PR & Reputation Management renu.snehi@radissonhotels.com Lucie Cardona, Director, Corporate Communications, PR & Reputation Management lucie.cardona@radissonhotels.com Dublin, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Crohn's Disease Market and Competitive Landscape - 2018" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Global Crohn's Disease Market and Competitive Landscape - 2018, provides comprehensive insights into Crohn's Disease pipeline, epidemiology, market valuations, product sales, market forecast, product forecasts, and market shares. This study accurately estimates and forecast Crohn's Disease market size and drug sales. This research also provides insights into Crohn's Disease epidemiology and late stage pipeline. The research is classified into following sections - Crohn's Disease overview with definitions, symptoms, etiology, diagnosis, treatment options; Crohn's Disease pipeline insights covering late stage clinical trials pipeline; Crohn's Disease prevalence trends by countries; Crohn's Disease 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: Crohn's Disease pipeline: Find out the drugs in clinical trials for Crohn's Disease 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 Crohn's Disease by stages, phase 3 clinical trials, phase 2 clinical trials, and phase 1 clinical trials, by pharmacological class, by company Crohn's Disease epidemiology: Find out the prevalence of Crohn's Disease by countries - US, Europe, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan; prevalence forecast to 2023 Find out the prevalence of Crohn's Disease by countries - US, Europe, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan; prevalence forecast to 2023 Crohn's Disease products: Identify key products marketed and prescribed for Crohn's Disease 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 Crohn's Disease by brand name, by molecule, by company, by branded / generic, by countries - US, Europe, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan Crohn's Disease market size: Find out the market size for Crohn's Disease 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 Crohn's Disease drugs by countries - US, Europe, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan; Find out how the market advanced from 2014 Crohn's Disease drug sales: Find out the sales of Crohn's Disease drugs by countries - US, Europe, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan, Global Find out the sales of Crohn's Disease drugs by countries - US, Europe, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan, Global Crohn's Disease drugs sales forecast: Sales forecast for Crohn's Disease drugs to 2023 by countries - US, Europe, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan Sales forecast for Crohn's Disease drugs to 2023 by countries - US, Europe, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan Crohn's Disease market share analysis: Find out the market shares of Crohn's Disease drugs and outlook by countries - US, Europe, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan Benefits of this Research: Evaluate commercial market opportunities for Crohn's Disease drugs Synthesize insights for business development & licensing Track market size, competitor drug sales, market shares in Crohn's Disease 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 Crohn's Disease market Develop forecast models, healthcare frameworks, or economic models Answer key business questions; supports decision making in R&D to long term marketing strategies Key Topics Covered: 1. Crohn's Disease: Disease Overview 1.1. Crohn's Disease Symptoms 1.2. Crohn's Disease Etiology 1.3. Crohn's Disease Diagnosis 1.4. Crohn's Disease Treatment Options 2. Crohn's Disease Pipeline Insights 2.1. Crohn's Disease Phase 3 Clinical Trials 2.2. Crohn's Disease Phase 2 Clinical Trials 2.3. Crohn's Disease Phase 1 Clinical Trials 3. Crohn's Disease Epidemiology Analysis 4. US Crohn's Disease Market Insights 4.1. Marketed Products for Crohn's Disease in US 4.2. US Crohn's Disease Market Size & Forecast 4.3. US Crohn's Disease Product Sales Forecast 4.4. US Crohn's Disease Market Share Analysis 5. Germany Crohn's Disease Market Insights 5.1. Marketed Products for Crohn's Disease in Germany 5.2. Germany Crohn's Disease Market Size & Forecast 5.3. Germany Crohn's Disease Product Sales Forecast 5.4. Germany Crohn's Disease Market Share Analysis 6. France Crohn's Disease Market Insights 6.1. Marketed Products for Crohn's Disease in France 6.2. France Crohn's Disease Market Size & Forecast 6.3. France Crohn's Disease Product Sales Forecast 6.4. France Crohn's Disease Market Share Analysis 7. Italy Crohn's Disease Market Insights 7.1. Marketed Products for Crohn's Disease in Italy 7.2. Italy Crohn's Disease Market Size & Forecast 7.3. Italy Crohn's Disease Product Sales Forecast 7.4. Italy Crohn's Disease Market Share Analysis 8. Spain Crohn's Disease Market Insights 8.1. Marketed Products for Crohn's Disease in Spain 8.2. Spain Crohn's Disease Market Size & Forecast 8.3. Spain Crohn's Disease Product Sales Forecast 8.4. Spain Crohn's Disease Market Share Analysis 9. UK Crohn's Disease Market Insights 9.1. Marketed Products for Crohn's Disease in UK 9.2. UK Crohn's Disease Market Size & Forecast 9.3. UK Crohn's Disease Product Sales Forecast 9.4. UK Crohn's Disease Market Share Analysis 10. Europe Crohn's Disease Market Insights 10.1. Europe Crohn's Disease Market Size & Forecast 10.2. Europe Crohn's Disease Product Sales Forecast 10.3. Europe Crohn's Disease Market Share Analysis 11. Japan Crohn's Disease Market Insights 11.1. Marketed Products for Crohn's Disease in Japan 11.2. Japan Crohn's Disease Market Size & Forecast 11.3. Japan Crohn's Disease Product Sales Forecast 11.4. Japan Crohn's Disease Market Share Analysis 12. Global Crohn's Disease Market Insights 12.1. Global Crohn's Disease Market Size & Forecast 12.2. Global Crohn's Disease Product Sales Forecast 12.3. Global Crohn's Disease Market Share Analysis 13. Research Methodology For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/rvhfdz/global_crohns?w=12 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. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canadas anemic growth rate of capital investmentwhich has slowed to a 40-year lowhas lagged behind growth rates in the United States and other developed countries in recent years, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. Slowing rates of capital investment by business are particularly notable for Canada, which risks impeding economic growth and living standards, said Steven Globerman, professor emeritus of economics at Western Washington University and co-author of Capital Investment in Canada: An International Comparison . The study finds that, between 2015 and 2017, gross fixed capital formation (GFCF)a common measure of investmentincreased only 2.5 per cent in Canada, compared to 6.4 per cent for the United States. In particular, from 2015 to 2016 (the latest year of available comparable data), Canadas rate of GFCF investment actually fell 1.2 per cent, while countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) saw an increase of 3.6 per cent. Investment growth in recent years has been especially weak in Canadas business sector, particularly in the areas of machinery, equipment and intellectual propertyinvestments that lead directly to improvements in productivity that benefit workers and consumers. In fact, machinery and equipment investments in Canada in 2015 were 8.9 per cent of GFCF compared to 15.5 per cent in the U.S., while investment in intellectual property (patents, ideas, innovations, etc.) in Canada in 2016 was 11.9 per cent of GFCF compared to 26.2 per cent in the U.S. Canada is falling behind other developed countries in business capital investmenta vital ingredient for increasing living standards and prosperity, Globerman said. Encouraging greater levels of investment with more favourable tax treatment of business income and capital gains should be a priority for policymakers across Canada. MEDIA CONTACTS: Steven Globerman, Senior Fellow Fraser Institute To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact: Bryn Weese, Media Relations Specialist (604) 688-0221 ext. 589 bryn.weese@fraserinstitute.org Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter | Like us on Facebook SAN DIEGO, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Envision Solar International, Inc. (QTCQB: EVSI), the leading producer of unique and sustainable infrastructure products for electric vehicle charging, energy security and outdoor media, announced the successful delivery of EV ARC products to five California State Hospitals, including Napa, Atascadero, Metropolitan, Patton and Coalinga. The delivery marks the first EV ARC products deployed by a hospital. The five State Hospitals chose the EV ARC product because of its rapid and impact free installation, utility-bill-free EV charging and versatile capability of providing a source of both EV charging and backup power in the event of grid failure. The deployments follow the hospitals extensive plans in disaster mitigation and improving resiliency. The EV ARC product will provide clean solar energy for public and workplace EV charging and serve as a backup generator in the event of a blackout. The California Department of State Hospitals is the latest agency to recognize the benefits of driving on sunshine and improving resiliency with our EV ARCs, said Envision Solar CEO, Desmond Wheatley. We are delighted to be working with them and look forward to enabling more, clean, green impact-free charging infrastructure for them in the future. The hospitals deployment of the EV ARC products is also influenced by the new goals set by the State to increase the adoption of EVs and EV charging stations. The State of California has set a goal of having at least 1.5 million EVs in use in the State by 2025 and Governor Browns Executive Order B-48-18 directs State entities to spur the installation of 250,000 zero-emission vehicle chargers by 2025. Invented and manufactured in California, the patented EV ARC and EV ARC HP products fit inside single parking spaces without reducing available parking. EV ARC generates enough clean solar electricity to power up to 225 miles of EV driving in a day. EV ARC HP DC fast charging systems provide up to 1100 miles per day. The EV ARC systems solar electrical generation is enhanced by EnvisionTrak (patented) which causes the solar array to follow the sun, generating up to 25% more electricity than a fixed array. The energy is stored in the EV ARC products on-board energy storage for charging day or night, and to provide EV charging and emergency power during grid failure. The EV ARC product is a permanent solution that provides Level I, Level II and DC Fast Charging but because it requires no trenching, foundations or installation work of any kind, it is deployed in minutes and can be moved to a new location with ease. EV ARC products are manufactured in the companys San Diego facility by combat veterans, individuals with disabilities, and other minority demographics and highly talented, mission-driven team members. About Envision Solar International, Inc. Envision Solar, www.envisionsolar.com, is a sustainable technology innovation company whose unique and patented products include the EV ARC and the Solar Tree with EnvisionTrak patented solar tracking, SunCharge solar Electric Vehicle Charging, ARC technology energy storage, and EnvisionMedia solar advertising displays. Based in San Diego, the company produces Made in America products. Envision Solar is listed on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol [EVSI]. For more information visit www.envisionsolar.com , call (858) 799-4583. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , and YouTube. Forward-Looking Statements This Press Release may contain forward-looking statements regarding future events or our expected future results that are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. All statements in this report other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by terms or phrases such as estimate, project, predict, believe, expect, anticipate, target, plan, intend, seek, goal, will, should, may, or other words and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or results. Statements contemplating or making assumptions regarding actual or potential sales, market size, and demand, prospective business contracts, customer orders, trends or operating results also constitute forward-looking statements. Our actual results may differ substantially from those indicated in forwarding-looking statements because our business is subject to significant economic, competitive, regulatory, business and industry risks which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Our operating results, financial condition, and business performance may be adversely affected by a general decline in the economy, unavailability of capital or financing for our prospective customers to purchase products and services from us, competition, changes in regulations, a decline in the demand for solar energy, a lack of profitability, a decline in our stock price, and other risks. We may not have adequate capital, financing or cash flow to sustain our business or implement our business plans. Current results and trends are not necessarily indicative of future results that we may achieve. KIRKLAND, Wash., Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GrowLife, Inc. (OTCQB: PHOT), one of the nations most recognized indoor cultivation product and service providers, today announced the company will exhibit at HempFest Calgary on Oct. 13-14, 2018. The annual cannabis trade show will be held at Stampede Park at 1801 Big Four Trail SE, Calgary, Alberta. HempFest Calgary will take place just days before Canadas October 17 legalization of cannabis, which will also allow for cannabidiol (CBD) hemp oil to be extracted from the hemp plant, creating massive opportunity for GrowLife to offer products and services to the expanding marijuana and hemp industries. Deloitte estimates the Canadian cannabis market has a base retail value between $4.9 billion to $8.7 billion , which would rival the size of the $5 billion Canadian spirits market. During the two-day event, GrowLife Commercial Division President Joe Barnes, along with other staff members, will be in attendance to meet with other cannabis industry leaders within Canada as well as discuss GrowLifes products and offerings with media, exhibitors and attendees. The timing to exhibit at this industry event could not be better as the country prepares for adult use legalization, becoming the first G7 nation to do so, on October 17, said GrowLife CEO Marco Hegyi. As the industry prepares for massive growth, this event presents an ideal opportunity to market our e-commerce and direct to consumers sales channels of thousands of cultivation products and make meaningful connections with leaders in cannabis cultivation. When ancillary services such as those offered by GrowLife are factored into the overall value of the Canadian cannabis industry, Deloitte estimates the base retail value of the Canadian cannabis market will expand to between $12.7 billion and $22.6 billion. GrowLife aims to be a primary provider of ancillary products and services to service growers, testing labs, lighting, and security systems throughout North America. Earlier this year, GrowLife opened a new retail location GrowLife Hydroponics in Calgary, Alberta, to meet the demands of the growing Canadian cannabis cultivation market. In addition to GrowLifes participation at HempFest Calgary, the company will host a legalization celebration at its GrowLife Hydroponics storefront, located at 2323 32nd Ave #113 in Calgary, Alberta, on October 17 during the business hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. We are excited to exhibit at HempFest Calgary, and look forward to hosting our own celebration of Canadas adult-use legalization at our Calgary storefront on October 17, Barnes said. Earlier this year, we opened our Calgary storefront knowing it would serve as a pivotal location for supporting our distribution offerings throughout the country. Now, with legalization almost here, we are thrilled to hit the ground running and supply the Canadian cannabis industry with what they need to have successful and cost effective growing operations. The promise of legalization has spawned a so-called green rush, with the industry now worth more than $60.6 billion on the Canadian Stock Exchange. GrowLife is poised to serve as the picks and shovels leader for this new industry, offering industry-leading hydroponics and thousands of other brands and products that cater to cultivators of all sizes. For more information about GrowLife, please visit the companys website . Products can be purchased at ShopGrowLife.com . Additional commentary on the company and the industry as a whole can be found on the CEOs blog . About GrowLife, Inc. GrowLife, Inc. (PHOT) aims to become the nations largest cultivation service provider for cultivating organics, herbs and greens and plant-based medicines. Our mission is to help make our customers successful. Through a network of local representatives covering the United States and Canada, regional centers and its e-Commerce team, GrowLife provides essential goods and services including media, industry-leading hydroponics and soil, plant nutrients, and thousands more products to specialty grow operations. GrowLife is headquartered in Kirkland, Washington and was founded in 2012. For more information, The GrowLife 2017 Stockholder Review presentation can be found on the Companys homepage at www.GrowLifeInc.com . Public Relations Contact: CMW Media Cassandra Dowell, 858-264-6600 cassandra@cmwmedia.com www.cmwmedia.com Investor Relations Contact: info@growlifinc.com FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT: This release contains statements 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. These statements appear in a number of places in this release and include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of GrowLife, Inc., its directors or its officers with respect to, among other things: (i) financing plans; (ii) trends affecting its financial condition or results of operations; (iii) growth strategy and operating strategy. The words may, would, will, expect, estimate, can, believe, potential and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond GrowLife, Inc.s ability to control, and actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. OTTAWA, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avivagen Inc. (TSXV:VIV) (Avivagen) is pleased to announce that it has signed its first distribution agreement for OxC-beta Livestock in Malaysia. With a total annual feed production of 4.4 million metric tonnes, the Malaysian market is dominated by feed for poultry broilers and layersi. This market, which grew by 3% in 2017, has been driven by the growing popularity of chicken-based fast food restaurants including Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Nandos, The Chicken Rice Shop, Kenny Rogers Roasters, and Ayamas.ii Avivagens distribution partner in Malaysia, TLC Veterinary Services, is the principal supplier to farms that supply KFC, the leading fast food chain in Malaysia with over 600 restaurants.iii As part of this agreement, TLC Veterinary Services has agreed to undertake the registration process of Avivagen in Malaysia. Given the Malaysian governments stated goal of targeting the year 2020 to produce antibiotic free chicken, Avivagen believes this distribution agreement ideally positions the company to take advantage of this country wide mandate.iv OxC-beta Livestock is a proprietary product shown to be effective and economic in replacing the antibiotics commonly added to livestock feeds. OxC-beta Livestock is currently registered and available for sale in the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and New Zealand. Avivagen intends to accelerate market access and the commercial uptake of its OxC-beta Livestock product, a product that has the potential to eliminate the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in livestock feed, which is a problem that needs an urgent solution. About Avivagen Avivagen is a life sciences corporation focused on developing and commercializing products for livestock, companion animal and human applications that, by safely supporting immune function, promote general health and performance. It is a public corporation traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol VIV and is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, based in partnership facilities of the National Research Council of Canada and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. For more information, visit www.avivagen.com. The contents of the website are expressly not incorporated by reference in this press release. About OxC-beta Technology and OxC-beta Livestock Avivagens OxC-beta technology is derived from Avivagen discoveries about carotenoids, compounds that give certain fruits and vegetables their bright colours, and is a non-antibiotic means of maintaining optimal health and growth. OxC-beta Livestock is a proprietary product shown to be effective and economic in replacing the antibiotics commonly added to livestock feeds. OxC-beta Livestock is currently registered and available for sale in the Philippines, Taiwan, New Zealand and Thailand. Avivagens OxC-beta Livestock product is safe, effective and could fulfill the global mandate to remove all in-feed antibiotics as growth promoters. Numerous international livestock trials with poultry and swine using OxC-beta Livestock have proven that the product performs as well as, and, sometimes, in some aspects, better than in-feed antibiotics. Forward Looking Statements This news release includes certain forward-looking statements that are based upon the current expectations of management. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties associated with the business of Avivagen Inc. and the environment in which the business operates. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking, including those identified by the expressions aim, anticipate, appear, believe, consider, could, estimate, expect, if, intend, goal, hope, likely, may, plan, possibly, potentially, pursue, seem, should, whether, will, would and similar expressions. Statements set out in this news release relating to the distribution agreement in Malaysia, timing of the Malaysian governments policy initiatives, Avivagens positioning and ability to take advantage of those initiatives, the possibility for OxC-beta Livestock to replace antibiotics in livestock feeds as well as fill a critical need for health support in certain livestock applications where antibiotics are precluded, Avivagens intention to accelerate market access and the commercial uptake of its OxC-beta Livestock product and the size of market opportunities are all forward-looking statements. 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. For instance, Avivagens distribution partner in Malaysia is under no obligation to purchase the product from Avivagen, the Malaysian government may change or eliminate its mandated timing for antibiotic free chicken, Avivagens products may not gain acceptance in Malaysia or allow Avivagen to take advantage of the Malaysian governments policy initiatives, Avivagens products may not gain market acceptance or regulatory approval in new jurisdictions or for new applications and may not be widely accepted as a replacement for antibiotics in livestock feeds, new market access may not occur in the timeline or manner expected by Avivagen and the market opportunities may not be as large as Avivagen anticipates due to many factors, many of which are outside of Avivagens control. Except as required by law, Avivagen assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Information as to market size if various jurisdictions is sourced by Avivagen from third parties. While Avivagen believes such third-party sources to be reliable, it has not independently verified such information and readers should not place undue weight on such information. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For more information: Avivagen Inc. Drew Basek Director of Investor Relations 100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0R6 Phone: 416-540-0733 E-mail: d.basek@avivagen.com Kym Anthony Chairman & Interim CEO 100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0R6 Head Office Phone: 613-949-8164 Website: www.avivagen.com Copyright 2018 Avivagen Inc. OxC-beta is a trademark of Avivagen Inc. ________________________________ i 2018 Alltech Global Feed Survey ii US-Gain report: Malaysia Grain and Animal Feed-2018 GAIN Report # MY8002 iii https://kfc.com.my iv : https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/333981 Division Executive Brings More Than 30 Years of Experience OLNEY, Md., Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sandy Spring Bank announced today that Michael J. Burke has joined the company as Treasurer and Division Executive. Burke will focus on leading a strong and dynamic Treasury team and enabling the bank to continue to deliver competitive and sophisticated financial solutions. With an eye towards effectively managing risk and optimizing the banks overall performance, Burke will also help the bank manage regulatory requirements as the company continues to grow and expand its presence throughout the Greater Washington D.C. region. Michael brings a wealth of experience in global, regional and community banking to our team, said Philip J. Mantua, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Sandy Spring Bank. He brings fresh ideas that will help us elevate our capabilities and continue to gain momentum in this highly competitive market. With more than 30 years of banking experience, Burke joins Sandy Spring Bank from United Community Banks, Inc., in Blairsville, GA, where he was Senior Vice President and Treasurer. Prior to that position, Burke was Senior Vice President and Manager of Strategic Business Development at Marshall and Ilsley Corporation in Milwaukee, WI. With a company-wide focus on personalized client service, Sandy Spring Bank is well-positioned to grow in this market, said Burke. I am impressed with the banks track record of success, diverse product and service offerings and commitment to investing in local communities across the region. Sandy Spring Bank is the largest, locally-headquartered community bank in Greater Washington D.C. This year also marks the banks 150th anniversary. In recognition of this milestone, the bank officially launched the Sandy Spring Bank Foundation and engaged employees in several community outreach efforts, including planting 150 trees throughout the region. All employees have also been encouraged to volunteer at least 50 hours in the community and the bank is facilitating service activities throughout the year to help employees achieve this goal. About Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc., headquartered in Olney, Maryland, is the holding company for Sandy Spring Bank. Independent and community-oriented, Sandy Spring Bank offers a broad range of commercial banking, retail banking, mortgage and trust services throughout central Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Greater Washington D.C. Through its subsidiaries, Sandy Spring Insurance Corporation and West Financial Services, Inc., Sandy Spring Bank also offers a comprehensive menu of insurance and wealth management services. Visit www.sandyspringbank.com for more information. Media Contact: Jen Schell 301-570-8331 jschell@sandyspringbank.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a3cd064c-117e-47e6-bfb0-791d1606db52 Introducing Hersheys Milk Chocolate Bar with Reeses Pieces candy HERSHEY, Pa., Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) today revealed one of the most epic brand collaborations of all-time: Hersheys Milk Chocolate Bar with Reeses Pieces candy. The new bar combines two iconic brands Hersheys & Reeses to create the ultimate mash-up. The mashup between Hersheys Milk Chocolate and Reeses Pieces candy is an ultimate celebration of the top two iconic chocolate franchises that will melt your heart to pieces for a once-in-a-lifetime epic treat, said Kriston Ohm, Senior Manager, Hersheys brand. A Sweet Engagement The new epic candy bar also received an epic endorsement from real-life (and recently engaged couple), Jenny Ries and Craig Hirschey (and yes, pronounced like Reese & Hershey). Ries is marrying Hirschey in an engagement so ironic, yet perfect with the launch of the new Hersheys and Reeses mashup. It wasnt long before Hersheys and Reeses (the brands) learned of this sweet engagement. The chocolate brands, who had been planning to create one of the most epic collaborations over the past year, now had the ability to mirror the real-life couple Ries and Hirschey. To celebrate this engagement and the launch of the new candy bar, Hirschey and Ries were invited to a once-in-a-lifetime photoshoot in Hershey, Pa. the home of Hersheys and Reeses. The couple was treated to the ultimate chocolate photo shoot and a full day alongside the iconic Hersheys and Reeses mascots. They created picture-perfect moments to announce their upcoming marriage, with iconic shots from renowned Hershey, Pa. attractions including, Hersheys Chocolate World, Hersheypark and The Hotel Hershey. This is a match made in chocolate heaven! Were excited our favorite brands are helping us celebrate, especially since we all have matching sweet names, said Jenny Ries. Craig and I cant thank Hersheys and Reeses enough for throwing us the sweetest engagement celebrations. The couple showcased their special love story while celebrating with their favorite chocolate and namesake brands. Engagement announcements appeared in both the couples and the brands hometown papers to celebrate Hirschey and Ries while teasing the new product. Marrying Two Iconic Brands The sweet matrimony doesnt end with the engagement celebrations. Consumers can celebrate the sweet marriage of their two favorite brands when the Hersheys Milk Chocolate Bar with Reeses Pieces candy becomes available at retailers nationwide in late November 2018 (and stay tuned for the Hirschey and Ries wedding in February 2019). The new mash-up will be available in a standard bar and king-size bar. Official Product Name : Hersheys Milk Chocolate Bar with Reeses Pieces candy : Hersheys Milk Chocolate Bar with Reeses Pieces candy Size : Standard size 1.55 oz. (MSRP starting at $0.99) and king size 2.55-oz. (MSRP starting at $1.69) : Standard size 1.55 oz. (MSRP starting at $0.99) and king size 2.55-oz. (MSRP starting at $1.69) Availability: The product will be available on shelves nationwide starting in late November 2018 About The Hershey Company The Hershey Company, headquartered in Hershey, Pa., is an industry-leading snacks company known for bringing goodness to the world through its iconic brands, remarkable people and enduring commitment to help children succeed. Hershey has approximately 17,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 80 brands around the world that drive more than $7.5 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hersheys, Reeses, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers and SkinnyPop. For more than 120 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on helping children succeed. To learn more visit www.thehersheycompany.com To learn more - Visit: www.thehersheycompany.com Follow: http://www.twitter.com/hersheycompany https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hershey-company?trk=top_nav_home http://www.facebook.com/hersheycompany http://www.youtube.com/hersheycompany http://www.instagram.com/hersheycompany Contact: Anna Lingeris/Hersheys Phone: 717-649-7214 alingeris@hersheys.com Julia Darrenkamp/Ketchum Phone: 312-228-6817 julia.darrenkamp@ketchum.com Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/820dcce8-3afa-4976-a92f-88291b639ec7 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dda2dceb-a0c2-4757-b294-30681fa3f599 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/189e1a1f-c384-4783-b839-8b6242bf1e80 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cd128cba-10e8-43cc-a221-d081f5fdb641 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/67fed5b8-f25f-4749-8fb0-87742531d5ed http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3c7c9611-8520-4d67-839a-e352e6592ac4 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e32b7a17-28c8-4297-b957-a54cd877dd80 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/51057070-af4b-43e7-9085-e999d1e97788 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a20dfffb-1331-4655-b269-eed5689301b5 TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Datametrex AI Limited (the Company or Datametrex) (TSXV: DM, FSE: D4G) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a consulting agreement with Sussex Strategy Group (Sussex). Sussex, established in 1998, is a well-respected public affairs and government relations firm. This is a key step for Datametrex and our subsidiary companies to gain greater visibility and credibility with key government agencies and officials. We look forward to working with the team at Sussex as we build on the great work and inroads Nexalogy has accomplished with the Federal Government. With the introduction of Canntop AI as a trusted social discovery tool for the cannabis sector we see great value in working with a premier public affairs firm to open new opportunities for our companies with government as well as the sector itself, says Andrew Ryu, CEO & Chairman of the Company About Sussex Strategy Group Canadian owned and operated, Sussex offers a variety of public affairs services including government relations, corporate and crisis communications, issues management, digital advocacy campaigns, legislative and media monitoring, policy analysis and development, procurement facilitation, research and grassroots mobilization, and social media issue management. Sussex believes that working with government and the media requires specialized tools and a unique skillset that can only be developed with front-line experience. Their consultants have decades of direct working experience with and within government, media, digital and social media companies. Sussex clients include corporations, associations and non-profit organizations. www.sussex-strategy.com About the Company Datametrex AI Limited is a technology focused company with exposure to four exciting verticals. Big Data, collecting data from retail point of sales environments. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning through its wholly owned subsidiary, Nexalogy (www.nexalogy.com). Implementing Blockchain technology for secure Data Transfers through its associate company, Graph Blockchain (www.graphblockchain.com). Industrial scale Cryptocurrency Mining through its wholly owned subsidiary, Ronin Blockchain Corp (www.roninblockchain.com). Additional information on Datametrex is available at: www.datametrex.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Words such as may, would, could, should, potential, will, seek, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect and similar expressions as they relate to the Company, including the expected completion of the proposed shares for debt transaction, are intended to identify forward-looking information. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Such statements reflect the Companys current views and intentions with respect to future events, based on information available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Material factors or assumptions were applied in providing forward-looking information. While forward-looking statements are based on data, assumptions and analyses that the Company believes are reasonable under the circumstances, whether actual results, performance or developments will meet the Companys expectations and predictions depend on a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results, performance and financial condition of the Company to differ materially from its expectations. Certain of the risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Companys forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation: the directors of the Company or the TSX Venture Exchange not approving the shares for debt transaction; changes in laws or regulations; the ability to implement business strategies or to pursue business opportunities, whether for economic or other reasons; state of capital markets and ability by the Company to raise capital; litigation; potential failure of the Companys business plans or model; unanticipated costs and expenses, potential conflicts of interest of officers and directors; and other general economic, market and business conditions and factors, including the risk factors discussed or referred to in the Companys annual Managements Discussion and Analysis for the year ending December 31, 2017, filed with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedar.com. Should any factor affect the Company in an unexpected manner, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, the actual results or events may differ materially from the results or events predicted. Any such forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Moreover, the Company does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this press release is made as of the date of this press release the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable law. For further information, please contact: Jeffrey Stevens President & COO Phone: (647) 400-8494 Email: jstevens@datametrex.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. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Deer Horn Capital Inc. (CSE: DHC, OTCBB: GODYF) (the Company or Deer Horn), reports the Company has signed a binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with Colorado Klondike LLC to acquire a purchase option on the Colorado Klondike tellurium property located in south-central Colorado, USA. The Colorado Klondike property is a tellurium prospect held previously by First Solar Inc. as a potential primary source of tellurium for the companys cadmium-telluride (CdTe) solar panels. Colorado Klondike LLC, operated by former First Solar management, acquired the property in 2013 after First Solar terminated its worldwide raw materials exploration program. The Colorado Geological Survey (CGS), in partnership with the Colorado School of Mines, reported on work performed by First Solar on the Colorado Klondike property in the 2015 Colorado Mineral and Energy Industry Activities 2014-2015 publication. In particular, the CGS noted: Surface sampling by First Solar, Inc. in 2006 found very high tellurium grades of up to 3.3% (33,000 ppm), along with locally high gold grades. Tellurium occurs principally as the native element and as altaite, a lead-telluride mineral. First Solar is the worlds largest manufacturer of thin-film solar modules and tellurium is a critical element in the photovoltaic material. Tellurium grades at Klondike were the highest encountered in the companys nationwide exploration program. First Solar acquired the land in 2010 and began systematic exploration including geophysical investigations. However, the company discontinued their tellurium development program in early 2012 and sold the property to Colorado Klondike LLC. Surface samples such as these are preliminary in nature and not conclusive evidence of the likelihood of a mineral deposit. Were very happy to be expanding our tellurium property portfolio at a time when technology is discovering important new applications for the metal, said Deer Horn president and CEO Tyrone Docherty. Its also important that Colorado Klondike gives us an asset that can be explored for most of the year. First Solar also conducted geophysics, drill program planning and permitting on the Colorado Property, preparing for an extensive exploration program before selling the property to Colorado Klondike LLC. Easily Accessible with Mostly Year-Round Exploration The Colorado Klondike property is located 10 miles (16 km) from the small town of Saguache and is easily accessible via paved and gravel roads. It is situated on the lower, south-facing slopes of the Cochetopa Hills on the northwest margin of the semi-arid San Luis Valley. Although the average elevation is 9300 ft (2835 m), the area receives just 40-50 inches (100-150 cm) of snow in a typical winter due to its sheltered position east of the Continental Divide. Annual precipitation averages 12-14 inches (30-36 cm). Most exploration work can be performed year-round. Deer Horn is conducting further due diligence on the property in anticipation of signing a full agreement later in the year. For more information, please visit www.deerhorncapital.ca , or download the Deer Horn Fact Sheet . On behalf of the board of directors of Deer Horn Capital Inc. Tyrone Docherty Tyrone Docherty President and CEO For further information please contact: Tyrone Docherty 604.789.5653 tyrone@deerhorncapital.ca Investor Relations, Craig Doctor (604) 278-4656 craig@docsconsultingltd.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulations services accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking information All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Companys control. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date hereof or revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events. Rafael Vela told RPP Noticias TV and radio news station that the prosecutor in charge of the case, Jose Domingo Perez, has been "carrying out a very thorough investigation for more than a year." "Perez is a very meticulous prosecutor who always guarantees the rights of defendants," Vela said, adding that the request to detain Keiko "was within due process." Fujimori, leader of the Fuerza Popular party, was taken into custody Wednesday during a court hearing in front of Judge Richard Concepcion Carhuancho. The judge ordered her to be held for 10 days along with 19 other people, including two former Cabinet ministers and people accused of funneling illegal contributions from Odebrecht to Keiko Fujimori's unsuccessful 2011 and 2016 presidential campaigns. Concepcion Carhuancho said that he granted the prosecution's request because there were "well-founded elements of conviction" on charges of money laundering and obstruction of justice. Both Marcelo Odebrecht, the company CEO, and Odebrecht 's former top executive in Peru, Jorge Barata, have told Peruvian prosecutors that the construction giant provided campaign contributions to Keiko Fujimori, who has repeatedly denied having received that money. Keiko inherited the party leadership from her father, disgraced former President Alberto Fujimori, who is expected to return to prison soon to complete serving a 25-year sentence for crimes against humanity. Efe Agency: All rights are reserved. It is expressly prohibited reproduction without prior written permission from the Efe Agency. (END) EFE/RMB Loading... The head of Peru's team of prosecutors investigating bribery by Brazilian corruption giant Odebrecht said Thursday that the detention of opposition leader Keiko Fujimori on suspicion of accepting illegal campaign contributions was justified.Publicado: 11/10/2018 Rafael Vela told RPP Noticias TV and radio news station that the prosecutor in charge of the case, Jose Domingo Perez, has been "carrying out a very thorough investigation for more than a year." "Perez is a very meticulous prosecutor who always guarantees the rights of defendants," Vela said, adding that the request to detain Keiko "was within due process." Fujimori, leader of the Fuerza Popular party, was taken into custody Wednesday during a court hearing in front of Judge Richard Concepcion Carhuancho. The judge ordered her to be held for 10 days along with 19 other people, including two former Cabinet ministers and people accused of funneling illegal contributions from Odebrecht to Keiko Fujimori's unsuccessful 2011 and 2016 presidential campaigns. Concepcion Carhuancho said that he granted the prosecution's request because there were "well-founded elements of conviction" on charges of money laundering and obstruction of justice. Both Marcelo Odebrecht, the company CEO, and Odebrecht 's former top executive in Peru, Jorge Barata, have told Peruvian prosecutors that the construction giant provided campaign contributions to Keiko Fujimori, who has repeatedly denied having received that money. Keiko inherited the party leadership from her father, disgraced former President Alberto Fujimori, who is expected to return to prison soon to complete serving a 25-year sentence for crimes against humanity. Efe Agency: All rights are reserved. It is expressly prohibited reproduction without prior written permission from the Efe Agency. (END) EFE/RMB The head of Peru's team of prosecutors investigating bribery by Brazilian corruption giant Odebrecht said Thursday that the detention of opposition leader Keiko Fujimori on suspicion of accepting illegal campaign contributions was justified.Published: 10/11/2018 09:51 | Lima, Oct. 11. According to INEI's Technical Report on Evolution of Exports and Imports, this month's highlight was the farming sector, which posted a 17.8% rise driven by higher sales of avocados (76.1%), blueberries (48.6%), as well as powdered, mashed or chunked paprika (34.6%). Likewise, the fishery sector kept a favorable outcome for the fifth month in a row, explained by greater transactions of squid, giant squid , and cuttlefish (83.6%), frozen prawns (82.5%), as well as fresh and frozen trout fillet (114.6%). Thus, the federal order ( DA-2018-36 ) issued on October 4, 2018 updated and replaced another one published on June 11, 2018 ( DA-2018-19 ), which suspended the importation of fresh pomegranate arils from the Inca country into the North American market. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NATURALLY SPLENDID ENTERPRISES LTD. (TSX-V: NSP)(OTCQB: NSPDF) (Naturally Splendid or NSE or the Company or Naturally Splendid USA) is pleased to provide a further update on its previously announced non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) between Naturally Splendid USA Ltd. and NeutriSci International Inc. ("NeutriSci") (TSX-V: NU, OTCQB: NRXCF, FRANKFURT: 1N9), together the (Parties). Naturally Splendid USA and NeutriSci are pleased to announce the extension and addition of binding terms to the previously announced LOI. This new binding LOI signifies the successful completion of an agreement to produce a sublingual HempOmega tablet using NeutriScis IP and technology, as well as a sublingual tablet combining HempOmega and CBD (cannabidiol). A definitive agreement will follow in the coming weeks. The definitive agreement will include at least two NeutriSci formulated sublingual tablets, including: a CBD/HempOmega fortified sublingual tablet; and a HempOmega fortified sublingual tablet. Both parties have agreed to expand the initial scope of distribution. The newly developed HempOmega sublingual tablet will now be available through Naturally Splendids partner distribution networks in South Korea, Japan and Australia. In addition, Naturally Splendid will commence distribution of NeutriScis neuenergy in the Australian market. Neuenergy is a revolutionary energy tab designed to deliver enhanced focus and mental clarity with no sugar, no calories and no crash associated with typical energy products. Production will begin on the full spectrum HempOmega tablets to be sold in South Korea, Japan and now Australia, and will be manufactured at a licensed partner facility in Northern California. Additionally, as regulations allow, Naturally Splendid will begin marketing the CBD / HempOmega sublingual tablets in regions where CBD (cannabidiol) products are approved for sale. Doug Mason, CEO of Naturally Splendid commented: This is yet another significant milestone for NSEs proprietary HempOmega, the micro-encapsulated hemp seed oil ingredient that continues to excel in the product formulations it was intended to enhance. We have been eagerly developing this product with NeutriSci for sale in international territories, and executing this extended LOI will accelerate our entry to these markets, as well as allow for new formulations to be launched rapidly. Accessing our already established distribution network gives NSE and NeutriSci an advantage most companies are still striving to achieve. We anticipate a swift and timely closure to the definitive agreement and will provide updates in short order. NSE would like to thank NeutriSci for their commitment and contribution to producing high-quality, innovative products, that we are excited to be co-producing. NeutriScis CEO, Glen Rehman commented, This new arrangement brings us a final step closer to introducing and establishing a one-of-a-kind HempOmega product into the Asian and Australian marketplace. This ground-breaking product becomes accessible to millions of potential users and sets the stage for further expansion into the region. We look forward to the continued international diversification and execution of our expansion plans as we move forward with this product and others that incorporate our technology and IP! About NeutriSci International Inc. NeutriSci specializes in the innovation, production and formulation of nutraceutical products. Established in 2009, NeutriScis is building sustainable sales models with Convenience, Chain Drug, and Mass Market and Supermarket retailers for neuenergy, the Companys natural energy and focus supplement that has at its core, the beneficial effects of blueberries. Neuenergy contains a unique patented combination of blueberry extract (pterostilbene) and naturally derived caffeine, and is a revolutionary energy tab designed to deliver enhanced focus and mental clarity with no sugar, no calories and no crash associated with typical energy products. To find out more about neuenergy, please visit www.getneuenergy.com . For more information, please visit: www.neutrisci.com . About Naturally Splendid Enterprises Ltd. Naturally Splendid is a biotechnology and consumer products company that is developing, producing, commercializing, and licensing an entirely new generation of plant-derived, bioactive ingredients, nutrient dense foods, and related products. Naturally Splendid is building an expanding portfolio of patents (issued and pending) and proprietary intellectual property focused on the commercial uses of industrial hemp cannabinoid compounds in a broad spectrum of applications. For more information e-mail info@naturallysplendid.com or call Investor Relations at 604-673-9573 On Behalf of the Board of Directors Mr. Douglas Mason CEO, Director Contact Information Naturally Splendid Enterprises Ltd. (NSP TSX Venture; NSPDF OTCQB; 50N Frankfurt) #108-19100 Airport Way Pitt Meadows, BC, V3Y 0E2 Office: (604) 465-0548 Fax: (604) 465-1128 E-mail: info@naturallysplendid.com Website: www.naturallysplendid.com Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Naturally Splendid cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond Naturally Splendid's control including, Naturally Splendid's ability to compete with large food and beverage companies; sales of any potential products developed will be profitable; sales of shelled hemp seed will continue at existing rates or increase; the ability to complete the sales of all bulk hemp seed purchase orders; and the risk that any of the potential applications may not receive all required regulatory or legal approval. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Naturally Splendid undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has adopted a resolution authored by German socialist Frank Schwabe which concerns human rights monitoring in unrecognized states. The resolution was adopted by 39 votes in favor and 7 against, Samvel Farmanyan, member of the Armenian delegation to PACE, HHK MP, said on Facebook. As a result of long-time coordinated and team work, we succeeded in not only neutralizing the initially problematic wording in the draft, which concerned Armenia and Artsakh, but also to achieve the resolution, essentially, having recorded that the assembly welcomes the readiness of the government of Artsakh to cooperate with respective bodies of the Council of Europe and the UN to make the human rights situation in Artsakh subject of monitoring. The results of the voting of the resolution speak volumes. Only the Azerbaijani delegation voted against the resolution, by once again opposing itself to the assembly and tensing its isolation at PACE, the MP said. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. Delegates of the XVII summit of the International Organization of La Francophonie applauded and saluted the eternal presence of Charles Aznavour. In opening remarks, PM Nikol Pashinyan said that he wants to express the endless pain which he feels when thinking about Aznavour. Such a valuable person, who left us on October 1. This great person, the ambassador of French language was 100% French, and at the same time 100% Armenian. As he himself used to say, he would like to be next to us longer, to express his dedication to his beloved two countries, France and Armenia, also to mark the Francophonie celebration, to which he served his all life. His masterpieces of French chanson, which have already accompanied many generations and will continue to accompany many more, will remain in our memories for long time. We grieve because we love. He, being a vigorous defender of Armenia, the ambassador of our country in international organizations, has kept Armenias name high. We will eternally be grateful to him. He left us, but is present in our thoughts. Instead of holding a moment of silence to honor his memory, I am asking to celebrate his memory by warmly applauding Charles Aznavours eternal presence, Pashinyan said. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. Armenia doesnt put an issue of changing the process of the negotiations process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, and never has, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan told France24 in an interview. The negotiations process must continue in the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship format, Pashinyan said. The Armenian PM also talked about the meeting and agreements reached with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of the recent CIS summit. Pashinyan stressed that he talked with Aliyev not only about options of settlements of the NK conflict, but also the creation of necessary atmosphere for reaching peaceful settlement. It is impossible to speak about the settlement of the conflict if there is no necessary atmosphere for peaceful solution. We agreed on several issues, in order to de-escalate the tension in the Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact and the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Pashinyan said. Pashinyan also stressed that the fact that Azerbaijan is refusing to negotiate with Nagorno Karabakh uncovers the true goal of Azerbaijan which is that Azerbaijan wants the territory of Nagorno Karabakh without the people who live there. Their goal is to cleanse the territory from the people living there, he said. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. La Francophonie is making significant efforts for the settlement of conflicts and crises in the Francophone territory, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said in his opening remarks at the XVII summit of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) in Yerevan, Armenia. The PM was addressing the challenges threatening mankind, drawing the attention of heads of state on genocide and the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. At the time when we are preparing to mark the 70th anniversary of the UNs adoption of the convention on prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide, it is our duty to multiply our efforts to prevent new genocides, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The consistent existence of these conflicts also obliges us to reiterate our commitment to peaceful settlement of conflicts within the framework of known international negotiations formats, Pashinyan said. The Armenian PM emphasized that this also concerns the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the negotiations process of which is proceeding in the format of the OSCE Minsk Groups three co-chair countries France, United States, and Russia. He noted that it concerns a conflict which is lasting for already decades and has caused numerous sufferings. The PM noted that Azerbaijan is refusing dialogue with Nagorno Karabakh, which for more than 25 years is already exercising its right to self-determination, and its elected representatives. We are convinced that Nagorno Karabakh should have a decisive voice in the peaceful negotiations process and its status must be decided taking into account the lawfully binding force of the right of free expression of will of the people of Nagorno Karabakh, he said. At the same time, the Armenian PM noted that the security issue has a key significance for Nagorno Karabakh. According to the PM, Nagorno Karabakh has become a victim of [Azerbaijan's] ignoring of its rights, discrimination and atrocities so frequently that the repeated attempts of use of force and rejection of dialogue threaten the very physical existence of the people of Nagorno Karabakh. We believe that the creation of an atmosphere aimed at peace is of key importance for advancing the settlement process and our entire efforts are aimed that encouraging reaching quick and comprehensive agreements around means of mutual trust, which have vital importance for preparing the populations of all conflicting sides to peace, he said. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. President of France Emmanuel Macron deliver remarks at the opening ceremony of the XVII summit of the International Organization of La Francophonie in Yerevan, Armenia. I would like to address my first words to you, Mr. Prime Minister, thanking for the reception. I would also like to congratulate you on organizing this summit at its best. You know what kind of a high place your country has in the hearts of the French people. In Paris, Marseille, Lyon, or elsewhere, the word Armenia causes very delicate and emotional emotions in the souls of the French people, Macron said, addressing PM Nikol Pashinyan. Emmanuel Macron also addressed the late Charles Aznavour, emphasizing that the legendary crooner was a symbol of Armenia, France and Francophonie. He was a huge talent of singing, who sang about our happiness, misfortunes, our light approaches toward life. He sang with a unique sadness, which is unique to people living in wandering. We all know that he is Armenian, he was singing and preserving Armenianness, was encouraging courage. By fully acknowledging the great crime, the Genocide, a victim of which was also he, I want to voice the name of this great man, Charles Aznavour, Macron said. Speaking about the La Francophonie summit, the French president said that today, a great big family has gathered in Yerevan, a family which includes all continents. We all belong to this family and dont have the same skin color, our Gods dont have the same names, some also dont believe in God. We live in different climate conditions, our songs arent similar. Weve also had wounds which are only beginning to heal. Nevertheless, this diverse family is united around one language. We perceive and express this language with diversity, however we all understand each other. This language doesnt belong to anyone, it is everyones. This language was able to accept the thoughts of everyone. Our communication is expressed not only through this language but also our vision addressed to the world. Our vision is regularly being reconsidered and updated. Brotherhood, peace and justice are the cornerstones of our organization, he said. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. French President Emmanuel Macron has signed the guest book of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute after paying tribute to the genocide victims in the Yerevan memorial. We are here today with difficult emotions and feelings. On behalf of France, I pay homage to all those who fell with the sun in their eyes, those who just wanted to live. France denounced the genocide back in 1915 by scholars. And it accepted the children and families who were fleeing the genocide, and those who exulted our nation even more. France will never forget and will fight for truth and recognition. This sad bowing. For those, who fell. For present and future generations, Macron said in the guest book. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan has reassured that Armenia doesnt have sovereignty restrictions, and he, as the countrys leader, is the warden of sovereignty. Generally theres been much talk about the presence of the Russian 102nd military base in Armenia to justify that supposedly Armenias sovereignty has restrictions. I am reassuring that today Armenia is as much sovereign as, for example, France. In this situation I consider myself the warden of Armenias sovereignty and I am happy that all our partners, including Russia, respect Armenias sovereignty, the Armenian PM said in an interview to France24. Pashinyan also noted that Russian authorities fully support the anti-corruption fight in Armenia. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 10, ARMENPRESS. Prince of Monaco Albert II says he attaches great importance to the role of education for preventing extreme poverty in Francophone countries. Albert II was delivering remarks at the XVII summit of the International Organization of La Francophonie in Yerevan. Living together is a lot easier when we share the same language, he said, referring to the summits slogan, Living Together. We have obliged to convey the La Francophonies humanism and peace values to the residents of countries who are members of the organization. The amount of countries willing to join our organization proves the exemplary nature of the OIF. We must be attentive towards one of the most vulnerable areas, education. In this context I express gratitude to Michaelle Jean for the implemented work. We should spare no effort to stop the spread of extreme poverty, he said. He noted that next year Monaco will host the OIF Ministerial Conference. He thanked the Armenian government for the high level organizational issues and reception of the XVII summit. Albert II also honored the late Charles Aznavour. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. The only way for resolving the Armenian domestic political developments is the path of dialogue, negotiations and agreements, in conditions of law, rule of law and the Constitution, President Armen Sarkissian told reporters during a visit today to the Charles Aznavour Home in Yerevan. Reporters asked whether the president plans to sign the controversial bill into law. After returning [from abroad] I began meetings with the prime minister, the Speaker of Parliament, and political parties, with the goal to achieve what we are speaking about, in order for the transition to once again happen within the framework of the Constitution and law, he said. The controversial bill is an amendment to the Rules of Procedure law of the parliament, whereby in the event of a parliament session being unable to be held because of lack of quorum, or if lawmakers are anyhow prevented from participating, it will be considered interrupted rather than failed, with a possibility of resuming at a later date. The aim of the bill is apparently a limitation of possible circumstances of dissolution of parliament. The bill was adopted on October 2 by the parliament which is dominated by Republicans [HHK], which sparked demonstrations. Adopted bills should be signed into law by the president to come into effect. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijani military has opened sniper fire at an army position of Artsakh, Arshavir Gharamyan presidential special envoy of Artsakh said on Facebook. He said that the Azerbaijani sharpshooters opened more than 40 shots in one hour. This is how Heydars son is keeping the agreement on the ceasefireMore than 40 shots in one hour from sniper rifles, in the direction of the dog which has climbed up the trench from fury, he said. He posted a photo of the wounded dog (pictured above). Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Integrated Cannabis Company, Inc. (CSE: ICAN, OTCQB: ICNAF) (Integrated Cannabis), is pleased to announce a retail focused collaboration with New Age Farm, Inc. (CNSX: NF, OTCMKTS: NWGFF, FSE: 0NF) (New Age Farm), to deliver CBD education and innovative CBD products to the Colorado market this Fall. Integrated Cannabis with their CBD lifestyle brand X-SPRAYSTM and New Age Farm with their CBD lifestyle brands Kured and Fresh Water CBD will be teaming up to sell their innovative CBD products in a new and innovative way: pop-up stores in Denver. The two companies have been working together and are ready to roll out their suite of products backed by an effort to educate and excite the public around the benefits and uses of CBD. Between our Sprays, vapes and beverages, all infused with CBD, we will be able to offer a well-rounded variety of products that complement each other and provide health benefits for consumers. This is an excellent opportunity to combine marketing efforts and get out into the public to bring awareness and education on the benefits of CBD and the many innovative ways to deliver it, said John Knapp, CEO of Integrated Cannabis. We are excited to team up with Integrated Cannabis to bring an innovative approach to further grow our collective brands along with the overall knowledge and acceptance of CBD and its vast benefits. I have personally known Mr. Knapp for years and we have worked together and in parallel from the early days of the cannabis industry in Colorado and other legal markets.We are looking forward to prove our new concept in the Denver market and will use this experience to take the template nationwide, said Josh Bartch, CEO of New Age Farm. About Integrated Cannabis Company Integrated Cannabis Company, Inc. is comprised of dedicated scientists and product engineers who are passionate about health and creating health and lifestyle products utilizing advanced delivery systems and formulations. For more information, please visit the companys website at: www.x-sprays.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD John Knapp Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact: Email: integratedcannabis@gmail.com The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. 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 or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan met with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay on October 11, who has arrived in Armenia to participate in the 17th summit of Francophonie. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of MFA Armenia, the interlocutors discussed issues referring Armenias active involvement in the activities of the UNESCO, exchanged views on joint projects in the sphere of culture and science. In this context the interlocutors highlighted the importance of the full use of the potential in the sidelines of the UNESCO for exchange of experience in the spheres of innovations and creative education. Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Audrey Azoulay also referred to the 17th summit of Francophonie and the events in the sidelines of it. The sides shared the opinion that Francophonie and UNESCO share common values and goals, which can serve as firm grounds for establishing effective partnership in a number of spheres. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. In the sidelines of the 17th summit of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian met today with President of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid. Estonia has an observer status in OIF. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Presidents Office, President Sarkissian welcomed the participation of the President of Estonia in the summit. During the meeting the Presidents of the 2 countries referred to the opportunities of expanding the scope of mutually beneficial cooperation. Particularly, the partnership in the spheres of tourism and IT was highlighted, as well as the activation of youth exchange programs. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian and Mrs. Nouneh Sarkissian, President of France Emmanuel Macron and Mrs. Brigitte Macron attended the presentation of the architectural project of Aznavour center at the Charles Aznavour Residence on October 11. ARMENPRESS reports Nicolas Aznavour, the son of French-Armenian chansonnier, who is also the founder of Aznavour Foundation and Director Kristina Sarkisian presented the goals and activities of Aznavour center. An interactive museum will operate in the center, dedicated to Charles Aznavours life, as well as music, French and film making will be taught. The two Presidents, accompanied by their wives and the leadership of the Foundation toured in the area of the center, which will open its doors after the full reconstruction of the building. Afterwards, Emmanuel Macron and Armen Sarkissian gave speeches. Armen Sarkissian quoted the words of Aznavour that he is 100% French and 100% Armenian, adding that he was also 100% internationalist, citizen of the world. Dear Nicolas, on behalf of the entire Armenian people, my wife and personally me I once again extent deep condolences on the occasion of this great loss. Your father, the great poet, once said in a philosophic manner that life is very simple there is birth, there is death and there is life between them. But let me say that in case of a great poet, musician and artist such as Aznavour there is something beyond all that a second life coming after death. His second life started a few days ago, President Sarkissian said. Armen Sarkissian thanked Emmanuel Macron for what he, his wife and the entire French people did to show the great respect and appreciation towards Aznavour. Nicolas Aznavour said that its a pity for him and the staff of the Foundation to present the project of Aznavour center without the presence of his father. Aris Adamian is the architect of the center, who discussed the reconstruction issue of the center with Aznavour when he was still alive. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke about the planned meeting with great chansonnier Charles Aznavor that was to take place at Charles Aznavour residence but failed to happen and the struggle of Charles Aznavour for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, noting that April 24 will be remembered in France as the Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. ARMENPRESS reports Macron and Aznavour were scheduled to meet in that residence on October 11. We were scheduled to meet here today. He was looking forward to that meeting. We talked about that during our last conversation, Macron said, adding that he had prepared some surprises in line with his character. We said good-bye to him last week in Paris and thanked him. Today we are here, remaining faithful to our promise given to him. We have to continue his struggle, which he never failed, Macron said. The French President added that Aznavours struggle was first of all for the sake of Armenia, in order the Armenian nation could raise their heads and withstand the wounds of history. In his speech Macron also recalled the Spitak earthquake of 1988, pointing out Aznavours role in providing support to the survivors. Today Aznavour Foundation under the auspices of Nikolas and Kristina continues that humanitarian mission throughout the world, Macron said. Together with the Diaspora we will continue Charles Aznavours struggle for the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide. That struggle is also the struggle of France, the French President said, reiterating that April 24 will be remembered in France as the Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. Macron noted that 43 thousand young people in Armenia speak French, and highlighted the role of Aznavour center for further popularization of the French language in Armenia. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 11, ARMENPRESS. In the sidelines of the 17th summit of Francophonie Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received President of Moldova Igor Dodon, Prime Minister of Belgium Charles Michel and Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the official website of Prime Minister of Armenia, the President of Moldova congratulated Nikol Pashinyan on organizing the Francophonie summit on a high level and expressed confidence that the discussions taking place will be productive and will foster the future development of the organization and the strengthening of partnership between the member states. The interlocutors discussed various issues of bilateral interest, including the prospects for developing bilateral economic partnership. Nikol Pashinyan highlighted the future deepening and expansion of bilateral relations and added that the Armenian Government is interested in developing and implementing mutually beneficial projects. During the meeting with the Belgian PM Charles Michel Pashinyan warmly welcomed him in Yerevan, thanking for accepting the invitation and visiting Armenia. According to the Armenian PM, Charles Michel is perceived in Armenia as the friend of the Armenian people for his activities and attitude towards Armenians. The Prime Minister of Belgium highly appreciated the works done by the authorities of Armenia in the direction of the organization of the OIF summit and expressed satisfaction with the discussions. The interlocutors discussed the future development of the Armenian-Belgian relations, the works done for the implementation of the issues discussed during their previous meeting, as well as issues referring to the expansion of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the sidelines of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. During the meeting with Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay, PM Pashinyan welcomed her participation in the works of the summit of Farncophonie, which is a good opportunity for discussing future projects and activities. PM Pashinyan said that Armenia highlights the continuous strengthening of the cooperation with UNESCO and the consistent attention of the organization to the preservation of the cultural heritage in the region. The Director-General of UNESCO congratulated the Armenian PM on the occasion of organizing the OIF summit at a high level, noting that she is glad to be in Yerevan and participate in this important event that consolidates the Francophone countries. The sides exchanged views on the partnership between Armenia and UNESCO, directions and goals of the activities of the organization and referred to the prospects of developing cooperation particularly in the spheres of science, culture and preservation of cultural heritage. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, 11 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 11 october, USD exchange rate stood at 485.62 drams. EUR exchange rate stood at 558.03 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 7.34 drams. GBP exchange rate stood at 638.83 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price stood at 18510.04 drams. Silver price stood at 223.66 drams. Platinum price stood at 12802.7 drams. Each year, the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) holds a competition to showcase the best environmental photography from around the globe. The contest seeks to inspire people to start thinking and caring about the planet and is open to professional and amateur photographers of all ages. The photos this year focus on pollution, climate change, and humans' complicated relationship with the Earth. "These photographs remind us that we all live on the same planet and that the actions we take affect others around us. The emotive response they trigger from spectators makes them a powerful catalyst for positive change," read a release for the contest. "They are also a reminder that there is always hope, and happiness to be found, even during the hardest of times." Here are some of the best photographs from the 2018 Environmental Photographer of the Year contest Captions have been condensed and edited for clarity. Environmental Photographer of the Year 2018 winner: "End Floating" by Saeed Mohammadzadeh (Iran, 2017) "The photo shows a ship sitting in salt in the Urmia Lake in Iran. Climate change is intensifying the droughts that speed up evaporation in the region. The lake has also been suffering from illegal wells and a proliferation of dams and irrigation projects causing it to reduce significantly in volume. Noxious, salt-tinged dust storms inflame the eyes, skin, and lungs of residents in surrounding areas. The drying up of the river is destroying local habitats due to the extreme salinity levels of 340 grams per litre, which is over eight times saltier than ocean water." Changing Climates Prize 2018 winner: "Dryness" by Chinmoy Biswas (India, 2018) "A child is found sitting on dry land where the land is cracked and has scaled due to lack of water. Long dry spells can cause the ground to remain open underground even after they have visibly sealed on the surface." Story continues Built Environment Prize 2018 winner: "And Life Rises" by Younes Khani Someeh Soflaei (Iran, 2017) "A woman and her little daughter are standing next to their damaged items recovered from the rubble of their house in Sarpol-e Zahab, following the devastating earthquake that hit the region in 2017 and killed over 600 people. A destroyed Mehr Residential Complex can be seen in the background." Sustainability in Practice Prize 2018 winner: "Bulrush" by Ummu Kandilcioglu (Turkey, 2017) "The photograph shows a worker making straw from the reeds for a living." Young Environmental Photographer of the Year 2018 winner: "Happiness on a Rainy Day" by Fardin Oyan (Bangladesh, 2017) "Bangladesh's children are fond of a rainy day. They love to bath and play in the rain. The country is flat and occupied by the huge Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta, and is therefore exposed to floods, especially during monsoon season." Highly Commended: "Boulmigou The Paradise of Forgotten Hearts" by Antonio Aragon Renuncio (Burkina Faso, 2017) "Children playing on old tires that will be burned to warm the rock and make it more brittle in the polluted quarry of Boulmigou. This process has terrible consequences: fires, respiratory diseases, groundwater contamination, and brutal pollution that destroys the environment and leads to death." Highly Commended: "Save Turtle" by Jing Li (Sri Lanka, 2018) "We found a young turtle caught in a net bag when we were searching for whales in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. The turtle was flapping its wings for help. A free-diver saved the turtle." Highly Commended: "Not in My Forest" by Calvin Ke (Malaysia, 2018) "One million plastic bottles are produced every minute, and over 90% are not recycled. This plastic waste pollutes our environment, reaching even the remote jungles of Borneo, Malaysia, where I saw this southern pig-tailed macaque. The watchful monkey clutched a discarded bottle, examining and tasting it before sinking into this expressive pose." Highly Commended: "Urban Life in Singapore" by Thigh Wanna (Singapore, 2017) "About 80% of the people in Singapore live in high-rise apartment buildings. Air pollution remains a significant problem in a number of Asian locations. Health facility provision is also a problem for many parts of the region." Highly Commended: "Floating life on river under pollution" by Tapan Karmakar (India, 2018) "River pollution increases every day in India. This image shows the Buriganga River located in Dhaka, Bangladesh." Visit INSIDER's homepage for more. Japan activated its first marine unit since World War II in March to defend islands in the East China Sea, and this week Marines and sailors with the US 7th Fleet trained with it for the first time. Japanese forces are in the Philippines for the second edition of the Kamandag exercise, an acronym of the Tagalog phrase, "Kaagapay Ng Mga Mandirigma Ng Dagat," which translates to "Cooperation of Warriors of the Sea." Kamandag, usually a bilateral US-Philippine exercise, runs from October 2 to October 11 this year, and one of the first drills conducted during saw members of Japan's Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade load five of their amphibious assault vehicles aboard the USS Ashland, a US Navy 7th Fleet amphibious dock landing ship based in Japan, carrying a contingent from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. Below, you can see how troops from each country teamed up to steam ashore. A few days later, unarmed Japanese troops and armoured vehicles took part in an landing operation, hitting the beach alongside US and Filipino marines and acting in a humanitarian role. That was the first time Japanese armoured vehicles have been on foreign soil since World War II. Source: Business Insider "The Japanese Ground Self-Defence Forces normally keep things in Japan, so for them to come out and participate with us and the Filipino navy and marine corps has been huge," said Cmdr. Patrick German, the Ashland's commanding officer. US and Filipino troops carried out mechanised operations and counterterrorism training. While Japanese armour was present, their focus was elsewhere. "The Japanese have their amphibious assault vehicles here. They will be conducting operations during this exercise in conjunction with us, though a different mission. They will be focused more on amphibious operations and humanitarian-aid capacity," said 1st Lt. Ross Ochs, a US Marine amphibious assault vehicle platoon commander. Story continues The exercise was the first time a Navy ship performed amphibious operations with the new Japanese unit, which was stood up this spring. (Japan has said the ARDB will carry out other naval exercises this year.) Source: Business Insider "We really tried to help the Japanese build the ARDB on a marine-to-marine level and a service-to-service level," Marine Brig. Gen. Chris McPhillips, commander of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and leader of US forces involved in the exercise, told Stars and Stripes on Tuesday from the Philippines. McPhillips said the exercise improved the forces' ability to work together in an emergency and enhanced communications at all levels. Source: Stars and Stripes "Our goal was to allow them to operate from US ships and learn how amphibious operations are conducted," he added. "Specifically, the mechanics of getting [amphibious] vehicles on and off of ships." Source: Stars and Stripes Japan, which disbanded its military after World War II, set up the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade in March. It currently has about 2,000 members and is expected to grow. It will train to defend islands in the East China Sea, where Japan and China have territorial disputes. Source: Business Insider "Given the increasingly difficult defence and security situation surrounding Japan, defence of our islands has become a critical mandate," Japanese Vice Defence Minister Tomohiro Yamamoto said at the unit's activation in early April. Source: Reuters The government of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has taken a number of steps to strengthen the military, expanding the budget and adding new commands. Japanese warships recently ventured into the Indian Ocean to reassure partners there, and Japanese subs recently carried out exercises in the crowded waters of the South China Sea for the first time. Abe himself also plans to visit the northern Australian city of Darwin in November - the first visit by a Japanese prime minister since Japanese forces bombed the city during World War II. Critics in Japan have expressed concern that the country is at risk of contravening the constitutional restriction against developing offensive capabilities and waging war. The amphibious brigade was particularly worrying, as critics believed such a unit could be used to project force and threaten neighbours. Source: Reuters Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman may have been involved in a plot to lure journalist and prominent Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi from his home in Virginia to Saudi Arabia, The Washington Post reported on Tuesday night, citing US intelligence intercepts. Additionally, the intercepted intelligence raises questions about whether the Trump administration was obligated to warn Khashoggi that he may have been in danger. Khashoggi, a former adviser to senior officials in the Saudi government who had been living in the US, entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to secure official documents. He has not been seen since, leading to speculation he could have been kidnapped or killed inside the consulate. The crown prince last Wednesday told Bloomberg News that Turkish authorities were welcome to search the consulate. "We have nothing to hide," he said. New reports published on Wednesday indicate that the Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman may have been involved in a plot to lure journalist and prominent Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi from Virginia back to Saudi Arabia. Khashoggi, a former adviser to senior officials in the Saudi government who had been living in the US, entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to secure official documents. The 59-year-old has not been seen since, leading to speculation that he could have been kidnapped or killed inside the consulate. Turkish officials have accused the Saudis of killing Khashoggi and withholding evidence that could provide clues about his disappearance. Surveillance footage recorded on October 2 outside the consulate in Istanbul appears to show Khashoggi walking into the building. There is no known footage of him leaving the consulate. The crown prince last Wednesday told Bloomberg that Turkish authorities were welcome to search the consulate. "We have nothing to hide," he reportedly said. The New York Times cited an unnamed senior official who said Turkish authorities believe Khashoggi was killed on orders from the "highest levels" of the royal court. Story continues A former US official told The Washington Post that the operation may have involved sending a 15-person squad on two private aircrafts that entered and departed from Turkey at different times. The alleged operation resembled a "rendition," typically used to remove someone from one country and bring them to another for interrogation. Months earlier, Khashoggi had received numerous phone calls from senior Saudi officials close to Prince Mohammed who offered him protection and other benefits if he returned to Saudi Arabia. Khashoggi told friends that he was wary of the offers, and believed the Saudi government could not be trusted to keep him safe, The Post reported. The Saudi ambassador to the US on Sunday told The Washington Post it would be "impossible" for consulate employees to kill Khashoggi "and we wouldn't know about it." Should the Trump administration have warned Khashoggi if he was in danger? Jamal Khashoggi US intelligence officials are obligated to warn people - American citizens or otherwise - if they discover a threat to a person's life or safety, according to the US Intelligence Community Directive 191, also known as "Duty to Warn." Khashoggi was a US resident, adding to speculation that the US may have failed to adequately respond to potential threats against Khashoggi. That question gained additional significance in light of the close relationship between White House adviser Jared Kushner, who is President Donald Trump's son-in-law, and Mohammed bin Salman. The prince has reportedly bragged about having Kushner "in his pocket." According to The Post, it was unclear to officials with knowledge of the intel if Saudi agents had discussed harming Khashoggi as part of efforts to lure him back to Saudi Arabia. "Capturing him, which could have been interpreted as arresting him, would not have triggered a duty-to-warn obligation," a former official told the newspaper. "If something in the reported intercept indicated that violence was planned, then, yes, he should have been warned." Moscow, Tehran, and Damascus have repeatedly accused the US of training Islamic State fighters at the al-Tanf garrison in Syria, but all they have been able to do is complain about it. In reality, the base disrupts the flow of weapons from Iraq to Syria. It also has served as a training ground for Syrian rebels fighting the Syrian government - rebels who US analysts say are not terrorists. Russia and the Syrian government warned the US in early September that they planned to carry out counterterrorism operations near a key US garrison in southeastern Syria known as al-Tanf, where several hundred Marines have been stationed since at least 2016. But the US responded with a live-fire exercise, and the Russians backed down. In fact, the al-Tanf garrison has long drawn the ire of Moscow, Tehran, and Damascus - but all they have been able to do is complain about it. The Russian state-owned media outlet Sputnik quoted Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem as saying late last month that the US was "gathering the remnants of the Islamic State at this base in order to later send them wage war on the Syrian army." Late last year, Russian Gen. Valery Gerasimov told Russia's Pravda that satellite and other surveillance data indicated "terrorist squads" were stationed at al-Tanf and that terrorists were "effectively training there." Iran's Press TV cited Gerasimov's quote in an article published this past June titled "US forces training terrorists at 19 camps inside Syria: Russian expert." Without any real evidence, US adversaries have lobbed many rhetorical attacks against the US forces accusing them of harboring or training terrorists at al-Tanf. Damascus and Russian state-owned media even claimed in June that the US was preparing a "false flag" chemical attack"identical to the kind that took place in Douma" at al-Tanf. "The U.S. led Coalition is here to defeat ISIS, first and foremost, and that is the objective of the presence in at al-Tanf," US Army Col. Sean Ryan, a spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve, told Business Insider in an email. Story continues "No U.S. troops have trained ISIS and that is just incorrect and misinformation, it is truly amazing some people think that," Ryan said. The US has trained Syrian rebels at al-Tanf, namely a group called Maghawir al Thawra. Omar Lamrani, a senior military analyst at Stratfor, told Business Insider the group was "fairly secular by regional standards and has been at the forefront of the fight against ISIS." Lamrani further described the idea that the US is training the Islamic State or like-minded groups at al-Tanf as "certainly absurd." "To the Russians and Iranians, almost any group fighting against the Syrian government can be labelled a terrorist group," Lamrani said. So why do Russia, Iran, and the Syrian government care so much about this garrison? "I'd say that the primary reasons why Iran cares about it so much is, again, it blocks the Baghdad-Damascus highway," Lamrani said. Tehran uses the highway to transport weapons to the Syrian capital of Damascus, where the government is based. "The reason they want the land route is that it's easier to bring [weapons] across land in greater quantities, and the shipping route is very vulnerable to Israeli interception, and the air route is expensive and often gets hit by Israeli airstrikes," Lamrani added. Moscow, on the other hand, is upset about al-Tanf, according to Lamrani, because "it's the last area in Syria where the United States is involved with rebels on the ground that are not Syrian Democratic Forces." The Russians and the Syrian government have "open channels" with the SDF and want to negotiate - not fight - with them, Lamrani added. But Moscow, Tehran, and the Syrian government's ire might go beyond just stymieing the flow of weapons to Damascus and training rebels. "There's a history at that garrison at al-Tanf," Max Markusen, an associate director and associate fellow of the Transnational Threats Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Business Insider. "I think that the Syrian regime, the Russians and Iranians, would see it as a [symbolic] victory if the United States pulled out of there than just sort of tactical level objectives," Markusen said, adding that there's much resentment for the US having trained rebels at al-Tanf. But they haven't sought to use force to expel US troops because "the costs of escalation are too high," Markusen said. So they're relegated to discrediting the al-Tanf garrison. Going forward, "we will continue to see an escalation of rhetoric," Markusen said, but "I don't there's going to be a major outbreak of conflict." LOS ANGELES, CA, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE Geopulse Exploration, Inc. (OTC PINK: GPLS), DBA Cannco Brands & Development (Geopulse), a blockchain-based logistics, trade finance and promotion ecosystem for the cannabis sector, is pleased to announce that its team members will be attending Start Engine Summit in Santa Monica, CA on October 19th 2018. The Summit, titled Tokenizing the World promises to bring together many thought leaders in the industry including former SEC Chairman, Christpher Cox. Cannco management welcomes inquiries from interested parties and potential strategic partners at the event. Additionally, the Company has been making progress on its own technology development: Our technology leadership, in coordination with Applicature.coms development team, have made significant progress in identifying several blockchain technologies that will be integrated to support our financial and supply chain management use cases. stated CTO, James Iacabucci. We are also beginning discussions with several established blockchain service providers, to explore integrating their solutions to accelerate our time to market., he continued. The Company is continuing its successful capital raise on StartEngine.com which has received commitments from almost 300 investors. Management expects to make further announcements regarding its developments in the coming weeks. About Geopulse, DBA Cannco Brands Geopulse Exploration, Inc. (OTC PINK: GPLS) develops a blockchain-powered logistics, financial services and promotion platform for the unbanked, early stage and explosive growth U.S. and Canadian cannabis sector. Management is comprised of tech and finance veterans with strong product management experience. Among its assets (or pending acquisitions) are THCFinder.com, 300,000 user geo-finder app for cannabis dispensaries and MMJ medical offices throughout the US; CannCoin, a native token underlying a distributed ledger logistics and financial services ecosytem for cannabis; revenue generating StonerDays.com, an online D2C lifestyle community with 700,000 followers. Cannco Brands intends to provide the commercial services such as transparent supply chain management, business banking and merchant processing, trade finance, direct-to-consumer engagement solutions. Safe Harbor Notice Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking statements" (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Geopulse Exploration, Inc. cautions that statements made in this news release constitute forward-looking statements and makes no guarantee of future performance. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the time statements are made. These statements may address issues that involve significant risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions made by management. Actual results could differ materially from current projections or implied results. Geopulse Exploration, Inc. undertakes no obligation to revise these statements following the date of this news release. Nick Cummins has managed to hide away from the backlash of his shock Bachelor finale decision up until now. But last nights episode of A Current Affair showed the program track down the Honey Badger in Papua New Guinea to ask him about his choice to choose no one at the end of the dating show. Do you understand how upset those girls are? ACAs reporter Reid Butler asked the 31-year-old former rugby union player. A Current Affair tracked down Nick Cummins in Papua New Guinea to ask him about his choice to choose no one at the end of The Bachelor. Photo: Channel Nine Youre kidding, arent ya? Nick responded, wearing a white rob after what looked like a dip in his hotels pool. When the reporter continued, Can we ask you some questions about the mess you left back home?, it was clear the Honey Badger was less than impressed and said he was away from Australia to have a break and would address it in his own time. Last week the nation witnessed a very dramatic Bachelor finale when Nick rejected both Brittany Hockley and Sophie Tieman. The Honey Badger wouldnt budge. Photo: Channel Nine Since then the Bachelor has faced a wave of backlash on social media, from both fans and contestants of the show. Upon arriving in Australia on Wednesday, he reportedly snapped at local media after being quizzed about the Bachelor. Its six months ago I think were all over it. I think you need to [get over it], he told a photographer at Brisbane airport, reports Daily Mail Australia. Got a story tip? Send it to tips@oath.com Want more lifestyle and celebrity news? Follow Yahoo Lifestyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Or sign up to our daily newsletter here. In normal times, African countries would have loudly saluted the choice of Rwanda's Louise Mushikiwabo as head of the world community of French-speaking countries. Instead, her nomination -- set to be enshrined at a summit of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) in Armenia on Thursday and Friday -- has met with tight lips or muttered criticism. For some African commentators, the decision is a stitchup between French President Emmanuel Macron and Rwandan President Paul Kagame that does little for France's reputation or the OIF's mission. "The silence is deafening," said Mathias Hounkpe of OSIWA, the West African branch of the Open Society network of thinktanks, describing how African countries have responded. Other voices harshly recall France's history of back-door dealings in former sub-Saharan colonies, often at the expense of human rights and democracy. "It's like Francafrique," said Ivory Coast commentator and author Alex Kipre, referring to a notorious policy of interference that Paris insists was ditched years ago. Macron "has used La Francophonie as a French toy," said Paul Berenger, head of the opposition Mauritian Militant Movement on the French-speaking Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. "This is bad news for La Francophonie. It is supposed to promote the values of the French language and human rights." - Joint pitch - Created in 1970 along lines blazed by the Commonwealth, the OIF brings together 58 countries and regional governments, representing 274 million speakers of French around the world. Just months ago, the big name expected to be adopted in Erevan was the current OIF secretary general, Michaelle Jean -- a Canadian of Haitian descent who in 2014 became the first woman and non-African to helm the organisation. But her fortunes changed in May when Kagame visited Paris. After talks with Macron, he announced -- in English -- that his foreign minister would be seeking the leadership of the world's francophone community. Macron declared his support, saying Mushikiwabo had "every quality for the job". The Macron-Kagame pitch, say analysts, is part of an effort to turn the page of nearly a quarter-century of acrimony, rooted in accusations by Rwanda -- rejected by France -- of French involvement in the 1994 genocide. Rwanda's fury at France was such that in 2003 it made English an official language alongside the country's first language, Kinyarwanda, and French. Five years later English replaced French as the language of education, and in 2009 Rwanda joined the Commonwealth, even though as a former Belgian territory its historic ties to Britain were negligible. In July, African francophone countries officially rallied behind Mushikiwabo. This was in line with their policy of backing an African candidate sensitive to the needs of states that comprise more than half of the OIF membership. - 'Problem' Rwanda - But their support was lip service, said Senegalese political analyst Babacar Justin Ndiaye. Rwanda "is a problem," he said, saying the country had "turned its back" on La Francophonie in the past, and its record on human rights was at odds with the organisation's commitment to democracy. "France has been manoeuvering to satisfy Rwanda, to win it over," he told AFP. Mushikiwabo's level of French was "rough," he said, quipping that the Academie Francaise -- the porticoed Paris institution that is the official guardian of the French language -- would be "dumbstruck". The choice of Mushikiwabo "has been rushed through -- politics have taken precedence over language, democracy, demography," he said. "Many factors have been sacrificed on the altar of diplomacy." Rwandan Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo is expected to be appointed head of the world's group of French-speaking nations at a summit in Armenia In 2003 Rwanda made English an official language alongside the country's first language, Kinyarwanda, and French After talks with Macron, Kagame announced -- in English -- that his foreign minister would be seeking the leadership of the world's francophone community Freddy Vainer was only four years old when he and his family were forced to flee Copenhagen to escape being deported to Nazi concentration camps, but he remembers it like it was yesterday. "My grandfather was at the synagogue on October 1, 1943 when he found out that he had to flee," he said. That month nearly 7,000 Danish Jews made the desperate journey by boat to neighbouring Sweden. Occupied by Nazi Germany since April 1940, Denmark surrendered but retained some independence of its institutions until the end of the summer of 1943, when the Danish government was forced to resign. At first the Jewish population seemed relatively safe, and were not forced to wear a yellow star. But "in September orders from Berlin were being sent to deal with the so-called Jewish question," Cecilie Banke, a researcher at the Danish Institute of International Studies, told AFP. She said that plans were leaked from within the German authorities so Denmark's Jewish population could be warned. "This is the essence of the rescue operation, the Jewish population knew so they could actually flee and since information was leaked, the Danish population could also help Jews to flee," Banke added. "This is the exception in the story of the Jews in World War Two," said Silja Vainer, Freddy's wife. More than 6,500 Jews who mainly lived in Copenhagen left their homes and hid mostly near the coast north of the capital before fleeing by sea, largely to the towns of Gilleleje and Snekkersten. While Freddy and his family hid in a house in the northwestern coastal town of Hellebaeck before finding someone to take them across the water, 197 others were arrested trying to escape. - The great escape - A fisherman agreed to take only five of Freddy's eight-member family. Freddy said he stayed at the docks with his mother and grandmother before finally crossing over. The passage cost on average 1,000 Danish kroner per person (the equivalent today of 2,700 euros, $3,100). "My grandfather also paid for others who didn't have any money so that everyone could flee," Freddy, a former doctor in his eighties, recalled. His future wife Silja was three-and-a-half years old during the exodus. However the people smuggler her family's friends found refused to sail with adults and children together. She had to hide in an orphanage for a few days with her brother and a cousin while her parents made the crossing. "Then one day, some people came and made us take a bath in a big wooden bathtub and then we left," she added. "When we were at the beach, I remember the stones and the sound (of the waves). And then someone took me and placed me in a rowing boat and hid me under the fisherman's net," Silja said in her bright apartment, surrounded by family photos. They were later placed in a trawler en route to Sweden. Silja was reunited with her family upon arrival -- except for her paternal grandparents, who refused to leave Denmark. They were deported to the Theresienstadt concentration camp, like about 500 other Danish Jews, 50 of whom died there. However Silja's grandparents returned to Denmark after the end of the war. - 'Nightmares all my life' - By the end of September 1943, neutral Sweden had formally offered asylum to Danish Jews and prepared to welcome them. "We fled with almost nothing and were given clothes when we arrived in Sweden," Freddy said. His family members who worked as tailors moved to the Swedish textile town of Boras near the west coast. Meanwhile, Silja and her family moved to the central town of Vingaker. She kept some photos of herself showing a smiling long-haired girl playing with her brother and neighbours at the time. They returned to Denmark after the nation was liberated on May 5, 1945. Neither Silja nor Freddie could return to their old apartments which were rented to other families. But they quickly found new housing. "The municipality of Copenhagen made sure that all the belongings of the Jews, who were forced to flee, were kept in good condition and we recovered everything," added the former teacher. On their way to their first classes at the Jewish School in Copenhagen when they were children, they did not talk about their experience. "One of my classmates had lost his father, a brother and a sister during the crossing, and he never talked about it," Freddy said. In his family, not a word was uttered about their escape and Sweden while for Silja, "we could not avoid talking about it". "I've had nightmares all my life and worked a lot to try to not cry," she said with a sob. "We'll always be refugees." Thousands of Jews were forced to flee Copenhagen to escape being deported to Nazi concentration camps Danish Queen Margrethe and Israel's President Reuven Rivlin meet in Copenhagen to mark the 75th anniversary of the rescue of the Danish Jews Bosnian prosecutors on Thursday charged 17 people including a retired Bosnian general with war crimes against hundreds of people, mostly ethnic Serbs, during the country's 1990s conflict. Retired general Atif Dudakovic and 16 others were accused of "crimes against humanity" including the "murder of more than 300 ethnic Serbs" as well as "persecution and maltreating of civilians and prisoners of war," Bosnia's prosecutor's office said in a statement. The suspects were all members of the mainly Muslim Bosnian army fifth corps, commanded by Dudakovic. The unit was operating in western Bosnia, a region which was completely surrounded by Serbian forces from Croatia and Bosnia. The ethnic Serb victims were "mostly elderly civilians, as well as prisoners of war who either surrendered or were arrested," the statement added. The 17 suspects were also charged with destroying 38 Orthodox churches and other religious targets. The indictment against Dudakovic, now 64, also refers to crimes against Bosnian Muslims in the region of Bihac and Cazin, the prosecutors said. Although Bosnia's 1992-1995 war was fought between its three main ethnic communities -- Croats, Muslims and Serbs -- in this region Bosnian Muslims also clashed with each other. Commanders of Bosnian forces have rarely been tried for war crimes. Two chiefs of staff, General Rasim Delic and Sefer Halilovic, were tried by the UN tribunal in The Hague. Delic was sentenced to three years in prison by the international court in 2008 but died while awaiting an appeal verdict. Halilovic was acquitted in 2005. Muslim wartime commander of Srebrenica, Naser Oric is being retried on war crimes charges. Oric was acquitted last year by a Sarajevo court of killing three Serb prisoners at the start of the war, but that ruling was overturned in June for procedural reasons. Bosnia's 1992-1995 war claimed some 100,000 lives. Local authorities are allowed to try low-profile war crimes cases while a UN tribunal, which has now closed, was tasked with hearing cases involving top wartime officials. Activists (pictured May 2018) holding up a banner that reads, "Heroes, Not Criminals", protest against the arrest of general Atif Dudakovic, who has been accused of "crimes against humanity", along with 16 others France on Thursday summoned Venezuela's ambassador to Paris over the death in detention of a Venezuelan opposition activist. Venezuelan authorities say that Fernando Alban, a 52-year-old Caracas city council member accused of taking part in a failed drone attack on President Nicolas Maduro, committed suicide on Monday by jumping out a window of the headquarters of the state intelligence service. But his supporters say he was murdered -- a theory echoed by the United States, a fierce critic of Maduro's regime. The French foreign ministry said he had summoned the ambassador over Alban's "suspicious death" and called on Caracas to "shed light on this death through an impartial and independent inquiry". France's relations with Caracas have also soured since Maduro came to power following the death of his mentor Hugo Chavez, with Paris accusing his government of an "authoritarian drift" and Caracas accusing Paris of trying to foster regime change. The French foreign ministry on Thursday reissued an appeal for the liberation of all political prisoners in Venezuela and respect for basic rights. People carry a huge Venezuelan flag during the October 10, 2018, funeral cortege of late opposition councilor Fernando Alban, who Venezuelan authorities say committed suicide by jumping out of a window of the state intelligence service headquarters Applause erupted outside a Kiev cathedral Thursday after Orthodox clerics in Istanbul agreed to recognise the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate also agreed to reinstate the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Patriarch Filaret, who addressed journalists and worshippers in Kiev. Patriarch Filaret, who was excommmunicated by the Russian Orthodox Church in the dispute with Moscow over the status of the Ukraine Church, said he hoped the change could take place without violence. He said other churches would have the right to exist in the country after the "autocephaly" -- or granting of independence -- but would not have the right to say they were part of a unified Ukrainian Church. "Unification will take place purely on a voluntary basis, without any violence," he said outside Saint Volodymyr's Cathedral in Kiev. An AFP reporter at the scene said the dozens-strong crowd was festive, chanting "Glory to Ukraine". At the entrance to the cathedral, Lyudmyla Kosnur said she had been praying for the independence decision. "We are waiting for a real Ukrainian church, where prayers will be in the Ukrainian language, understandable for Ukrainians," she said. "We are inspired but we are worrying a little, we are waiting for the end of this proccess". Meanwhile a man named Artem, 27, said the "Ukrainian people, the church, the state" had made the decision. "I believe there should be no control (over us), they cannot influence us in any way," he told AFP. "There are territories, there are borders." Ukrainian Orthodox Church Patriarch Filaret, who was excommunicated by the Russian Orthodox Church, will be reinstated in addition to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church gaining independence Fernando Moura and his herd may not look like heroes but the Portuguese farmer and his 370 goats are the latest recruits in the country's battle against summer forest fires. Hoping to contain wildfires that threaten its mountains each year, Portugal's government has hired goats to munch through undergrowth and create natural, cost-effective fire barriers. Soaring temperatures often spark blazes across Portugal's mountain ranges, forcing authorities to dispatch hundreds of firefighters, soldiers and water-dumping aircraft. More than 100 people were killed in the country's wildfires last year, prompting criticism from firefighters over a lack of government coordination. Moura's four-legged brigade are part of a pilot project, started earlier this year, to clear combustible scrubland from some of Portugal's major mountain ranges. Authorities hope the firefighting goats will help stop blazes spreading from one forest to another and better contain any fires. "In the past we never used to have such massive fires like today. We used to have thousands of animals cleaning up by grazing and there were hundreds of herders like me," Moura told AFP. "Now I am almost the last." - 'Natural, cost-effective' - For the next five years, Moura and his goats have one mission -- to roam across the slopes of the central Serra da Estrela range and clear around 50 hectares (123.5 acres) of scrubland to create the natural firewalls. Around 40 goat herders are taking part across the country in the initiative, which is expected to show results quickly although officials say a full evaluation of its efficiency will only come at the end of its five year-run. Better able to access remote, rocky areas, goats may be more effective than men in bulldozers on the mountain slopes. "It's the most natural and cost-effective method," said Antonio Borges, head of Portugal's Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests, or ICNF. - Abandoned fields - At dawn, every day of the year, Moura looks out on the slopes and ridges of the Serra da Estrela national park, one of the highest peaks on the Portuguese mainland. Thick walking stick in hand, the 49-year-old herder appears as quick and sure in step as his herd as he cajoles the animals with whistles perfected over a lifetime on the mountainside. For his work, Moura gets paid 125 euros ($144) for each hectare cleared in the first year, and 25 euros per hectare for each of the following four years. A small supplement comes from goat milk cheese and meat. In Portugal's hilly interior regions, many residents have left for lives elsewhere. Only the elderly remain in some villages, leaving abandoned fields easy prey for flames. "There is a lot of wild vegetation left around our villages," Moura said, perched on a huge granite outcrop overlooking the slopes. - Long-term results - After last year's fatal wildfires, this summer was calmer, with significantly fewer fires started, burned surfaces reduced by 60 percent from the average of the last 10 years and no deaths. Still, in August, wildfires burned the Algarve region, threatening the tourist destination. "Portugal remains very vulnerable," said Tiago Oliveira, head of a team of experts charged by the government with reforming fire prevention strategies. "New initiatives for forest management will take decades to produce results. It's a long-term task." For Moura and his herd, the day's work ends at sunset, when the goats are left with his sheep dogs in an enclosure set among the imposing mountains, while Moura returns to his village in the valley with the goats' milk for his wife to make cheese. Next morning, he's up again early and headed back to the slopes for what for him is a labour of love. "My goats, I really like them. It's me who created this herd," he said. "I tried once working in a factory. But it wasn't for me. I could never abandon my goats." Goats are the latest recruits in Portugal's battle against summer forest fires Fernando Moura and his herd of goats are part of a pilot project to clear combustible scrubland from some of Portugal's major mountain ranges Authorities hope the firefighting goats will help stop blazes spreading from one forest to another and better contain any fires Around 40 goat herders are taking part across Portugal in the initiative Every day at sunset Fernando Moura leaves the goats with his sheep dogs in a mountainside enclosure and returns to his village in the valley with the goats' milk for making cheese English French Quebec City, October 11, 2018 - (TSXV: HEO) - H 2 O Innovation Inc. ("H 2 O Innovation" or the "Corporation") is proud to announce its independent subsidiary, Piedmont, a global leader in corrosion resistant equipment for desalination plants in the industrial and municipal markets, recently secured large orders for its coupling and FRP cartridge filter housing product lines. In addition, Piedmont developed and released new products. Through its strong international distribution network, Piedmont secured several new orders for both flexible coupling and/or FRP cartridge filter housing business lines, during the first quarter of our fiscal year 2019, in more than 15 countries. "The synergies between both product lines are undeniable and allow us to offer package deals to our customers and become more competitive on the desalination market. These synergies resulted in the award of several large-scale seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination projects with capacities of up to 66.0 MGD (250,000 m3/day). Piedmont has a unique offering and is well positioned to take advantage of the current optimistic market prospects. Ultimately, this could lead to more important orders across all product lines", said Ties Venema, Commercial Director of Piedmont. Furthermore, Piedmont recently released a new painted iron coupling, the Style L. This economical option is designed for low pressure applications and only used for freshwater treatment, allowing us to reach a larger customer base and new industry verticals. The team is also on the verge of launching another new line of filters that will allow Piedmont to increase its potential scope of supply on SWRO projects, where ultrafiltration (UF) is used as the pre-treatment. The launch of these new filters will further extend our product portfolio and increase our business opportunities within the desalination industry. "Piedmont is rapidly positioning itself as the "Go-To" component supplier for the largest builders of Desalination & Water Reuse plants in the World. Adding new products used in UF and RO plants to the Piedmont portfolio enables us to leverage the same sales team and distribution network to sell multiple product lines. Today, a Piedmont customer meeting in Madrid, Paris or Seoul, where the largest EPCs in the desalination market are active, can lead to 3 contracts for 3 different products used on the same desalination project. This is a great way to leverage our sales efforts and increase our revenues while maintaining stable operating and selling expenses. The idea to grow our presence close to our major clients by opening an office in Spain back in 2015 has paid off in a big way on the sales side. It also helped our engineering team to align product development with our customers' needs and specifications, and thus design future Piedmont products with relevant improvements", added Guillaume Clairet, COO of H 2 O Innovation. About Piedmont Piedmont is a global leader in corrosion resistant equipment for desalination plants and meets critical customer demand for a wide range of applications in the industrial and municipal markets. For more information, visit www.piedmontpacific.com. About H 2 O Innovation H 2 O Innovation designs and provides state-of-the-art, custom-built and integrated water treatment solutions based on membrane filtration technology for municipal, industrial, energy and natural resources end-users. The Corporation's activities rely on three pillars which are i) water & wastewater projects, and services; ii) specialty products, including a complete line of specialty chemicals, consumables and specialized products for the water treatment industry; and iii) operation and maintenance services for water and wastewater treatment systems. For more information, visit www.h2oinnovation.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) nor the Alternext Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. - 30 - Source: H 2 O Innovation Inc. www.h2oinnovation.com Contact: Marc Blanchet +1 418-688-0170 marc.blanchet@h2oinnovation.com Attachment Malaysia has decided to abolish the death penalty, a senior minister said Thursday, with more than 1,200 people on death row set to win a reprieve following a groundswell of opposition to capital punishment. Executions are currently mandatory for murder, kidnapping, possession of firearms and drug trafficking, among other crimes, and is carried out by hanging -- a legacy of British colonial rule. Human Rights Watch hailed the "fabulous news", with its deputy director for Asia Phil Robertson saying the move would increase pressure on other countries in the region to follow suit. The government decided to scrap capital punishment because the Malaysian public had shown they were against the death penalty, communications and multimedia minister Gobind Singh Deo Gobind said. "I hope the law will be amended soon," he told AFP. Government minister Liew Vui Keong reportedly said earlier Thursday there would be a moratorium on executions for inmates currently on death row. "Since we are abolishing the sentence, all executions should not be carried out," the Star newspaper quoted him as saying. Liew said the amended law would be put before parliament next Monday. The government's announcement was "an encouraging sign", Amnesty International's Kumi Naidoo said in a statement. "There is no time to waste ?- the death penalty should have been consigned to the history books long ago." The moratorium on the death penalty affects, among others, two women accused of assassinating the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il last year. A Malaysian court last year ruled the case could proceed against Indonesian national Siti Aisyah and Doan Thi Huong of Vietnam after Kim Jong Nam's murder at Kuala Lumpur Airport. Australian citizen Maria Elvira Pinto Exposto, 54, who was found guilty of drug smuggling by an appeals court in May, will win a reprieve. "The reprieve can be in the form of a life sentence," Gurdial Singh, president of the National Human Rights Society, told AFP. Two Chilean tourists, currently on trial for the murder of a Malaysian man, would also have faced the death penalty if found guilty of murder. The abolition could also pave the way for the extradition to Malaysia of a convicted hitman in the high profile murder of a Mongolian model who was the lover of one of ex-prime minister Najib Razak?s close associates. Former Malaysian police officer Sirul Azhar Umar was convicted in Malaysia for the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2006, but fled to Australia. Australia has said it can only extradite him if Malaysia abolished the death penalty. - 'Barbarous, cruel' - In April last year, Amnesty International ranked Malaysia 10th in the use of death penalty among the 23 countries that carried out capital punishment in 2016. Between 2007 and 2017, 35 individuals were hanged, the New Straits Times newspaper said. A total of 1,267 prisoners are on death row, making up 2.7 percent of the 60,000-strong prison population. Malaysian rights advocates welcomed the decision, saying there was never any proof that mandatory death sentences deterred offenders from violent or drug-related crimes. "The death penalty is barbarous, and unimaginably cruel," N. Surendran, an advisor with the Lawyers for Liberty rights group, said in a statement. Once capital punishment is scrapped, Malaysia will have the moral authority to fight for the lives of Malaysians facing death sentences abroad, he added. Only 23 countries retain the death penalty, with China believed to be the "world's top executioner", according to Amnesty International in its report last month on capital punishment in 2017. There were 993 executions recorded in 2017 in 23 countries, but Amnesty's numbers do not include the "thousands" it says are believed to have been executed in China, which classifies this information as a state secret. Excluding China, Amnesty says Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Pakistan -- in that order -- carried out 84 percent of all executions in 2017. In Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand have death penalty laws. Capital punishment is currently mandatory in Malaysia for murder, kidnapping, possession of firearms and drug trafficking, among other crimes The moratorium on the death penalty will effect two women accused of assassinating the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il last year When asked in an interview why she chose cyber bullying as a pet cause, US President Donald Trump's wife had a surprising answer. "I could say I'm the most bullied person on the world," Melania Trump told ABC News in an interview that took place during her trip this month to Africa. When pressed, the US First Lady said that she could certainly be "one of them, if you really see what people saying about me." That, she said, is "why my 'Be Best' initiative is focusing on social media and online behavior." ABC on Thursday released clips of the interview ahead of a longer piece set to air Friday. The 48-year-old former model may be smarting from online and press mockery for her attire during last week's trip to Ghana, Malawi, Kenya and Egypt. Her use of a white pith helmet while on safari in Kenya drew comparisons to a 19th century colonial administrator. At her final stop in Egypt she wore white pants, a pleated white shirt and a black tie with a beige jacket -- with comparisons to Michael Jackson, fictional character Carmen Sandiego, and the French archaeologist villain in the first Indiana Jones movie. In rare comments to the press before departing Egypt Trump said she wanted "to talk about my trip and not what I wear." But it's impossible not to talk about Melania Trump without noticing her attire. In June she raised eyebrows when she visited an immigrant children's shelter in Texas wearing a trench coat with the words "I really don't care, do u?" emblazoned on the back. Earlier, in August 2017, she departed the White House to visit Hurricane Harvey flood victims sporting stiletto heels -- but later in Texas appeared wearing white sneakers. Despite the catty online comments, Trump said that her time in the White House has been positive. "I am enjoying it. I really love to live in the Washington and the White House," she told ABC. Trump also said that she would support her husband -- who has a long history of using Twitter to demean and belittle his opponents, sometimes using sexist language -- if he wants to run for a second term as US president. US First Lady Melania Trump visits the pyramids in Egypt on the final stop on her 4-country tour through Africa At a new private museum in Lebanon, a contemporary sculpture of a mortar missile is displayed alongside millenia-old statues retrieved from the bottom of the sea. Named after the Mesopotamian god of wisdom, the Nabu Museum opened in late September to showcase the cultural wealth of an ancient region devastated by conflict. Its inaugural exhibition includes 60 contemporary works, as well as around 400 antiquities from Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Egypt and Yemen. "We have a more or less complete picture of what was once the cradle of civilisation," says French curator Pascal Odille. Next to a private beach in the village of El-Heri in Lebanon's north, the museum's collection sits in an impressive futuristic cube of steel, coated with a rusty orange patina. A tall glass opening in the metal and concrete structure provides a view straight through the museum's interior and out to the sea. Designed by Iraqi artists, the museum for the first time opens up the private art and antiquities collections of wealthy businessmen to the public for free. Drawn from the homes and warehouses of its patrons, the exhibits are displayed on two floors, floodlit by the sunlight streaming through the tall windows. There are "ushabti" from Ancient Egypt, finely carved turquoise figurines traditionally placed in coffins to ensure passage to the afterlife. Nearby, a contemporary sculpture of a mortar missile by Lebanese artist Katya Traboulsi is adorned with hieroglyphs. The artwork is topped by a sculpted bust of the Ancient Egyptian god of the sky, Horus, instead of a warhead. - 'Ray of optimism' - Visitors can see Lebanese artist Saliba Douaihy's abstract landscape paintings, one largely red, the other bright blue. But they can also admire terracotta statues harking back to the Phoenician period found during marine excavations off the southern coast of Lebanon. "You can see the seashell and limescale deposits on them," says Odille, of the figures from the sixth or seventh century BC. The museum's founders -- two Lebanese and a Syrian -- want it to be a beacon of hope in a region scarred by conflict and the brutality of jihadists. "Nabu is the god of writing and wisdom. Not the god of war," says Lebanese co-founder Jawad Adra. "We're a ray of optimism in this region, amid all this obscurity," says the 64-year-old, whose colourful, modern-art inspired tie contrasts with his grey suit. The project cost $7 million, the organisers say. But the works on show only represent a fraction of its founders' private collections, and there are plans to switch the exhibits every few months. Adra's personal collection includes 2,000 items from the Levant and Mesopotamia regions, according to the exhibition's catalogue. The businessman says his hobby dates back to his childhood. "I've been collecting stamps and coins since I was 10," says Adra, who now heads a Beirut-based polling company and owns quality control labs in the Gulf. He says it is time to give back. To set up the museum, he banded together with Syrian business partner Fida Jdeed, and fellow Lebanese entrepreneur Badr El-Hage, who runs a rare book firm in London. - 'Payback' - "We've all reached an age where we're starting to ask ourselves, 'What have you done? What have you given your country?'," he says. Lebanon's interior minister recently attended an evening inauguration ceremony at the Nabu Museum. In Lebanon, a 2016 law demands all private owners of antiquities register their items with the ministry as part of its efforts to combat illegal trafficking. Adra says that "a large part" of his collection has been declared to the authorities, and he is registering the rest. In recent years, part of the region's cultural heritage has been damaged, destroyed or looted by armed groups including jihadists. The Islamic State group in particular swept across large parts of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014, wrecking countless historical sites in territory it controlled. Mahmud Al-Obaidi, who designed the museum building with fellow Iraqi artist Dia Azzawi, sees the project as compensation for years of loss. "I feel this place is payback for everything that has been destroyed," says the 53-year-old, who left Iraq in 1991 for Canada. With governments in the region busy battling troubled economies and poverty, personal initiatives are key to preserving culture, he says. "Our states don't take culture seriously," says the artist, dressed in a light blue linen shirt and dark blue jacket, whose work is on show inside the museum. Yet, passing civilisations live on in their art, Obaidi says. "They don't realise that everything fades away, but it's the books, paintings and antiquities that remain," he adds. The Nabu Museum is a new private museum in northern Lebanon showcasing contemporary art alongside antiquities French curator Pascal Odille says the Nabu Museum has "a more or less complete picture of what was once the cradle of civilisation" Lebanese co-founder Jawad Adra(L), pictured with curator Pascal Odille, says the museum is "a ray of optimism" in a region devastated by conflict The Nabu Museum's inaugural exhibition has around 400 antiquities from Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Egypt and Yemen, as well as contemporary art The museum was designed by Iraqi artists and, for the first time, opens up the private art and antiquities collections of wealthy businessmen to the public for free The Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate on Thursday said it had agreed to recognise the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, in a move welcomed with jubilation by Kiev but condemned as "catastrophic" in Moscow. Russia had warned against allowing the Ukraine Church to sever its ties with Moscow, with the powerful head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, travelling to Istanbul earlier this year in a bid to dissuade the patriarchate. The issue is set to play a key role in Ukraine's March 2019 presidential elections, with incumbent President Petro Poroshenko making independence from the Russian Orthodox Church -- known as autocephaly -- a key issue as he plans a re-election bid. Poroshenko quickly hailed the decision of the Patriarchate, which is based in its historic home of Istanbul, the former Constantinople and once the capital of the Byzantine Empire before the Ottoman Muslim conquest of 1453. "This is a victory of good over evil, light over darkness," Poroshenko said in televised remarks, adding that Ukraine has been waiting for this "historic event" for more than 330 years. But the Russian Orthodox Church said that the Patriarchate had taken "catastrophic" decisions both for itself and global Orthodoxy. "The Patriarchate of Constantinople has crossed a red line," a spokesman for Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, Alexander Volkov, said in televised remarks. - 'Canonically reinstated' - The Patriarchate of Moscow, which is strongly backed by the Kremlin, argues it technically oversees most of Ukraine's Orthodox parishes and has warned that independence would provoke a rift in global Orthodoxy. The Ukrainian Church is currently split into three bodies, one technically overseen by the Patriarch of Moscow, a fact the Kiev government considers unacceptable given its ongoing war with Russia-backed rebels in the east. An Istanbul synod meeting chaired by Patriarch Bartholomew, seen as the first among equals of Orthodox Church leaders, "decreed to proceed to the granting of autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine," said an official statement read in Istanbul, formerly Constantinople. In another key move, the synod also agreed to reinstate the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Patriarch Filaret and Kiev Metropolitan Makariy to their canonical ranks following their excommunication in the dispute with Moscow. "Thus, the above-mentioned have been canonically reinstated to their hierarchical or priestly rank," said the statement after a meeting that began on Tuesday. - 'Serve Ukrainian people' - Ukraine's Orthodox church split from Moscow in the 1990s, with the charismatic Filaret a foremost proponent of a new independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In his first reaction, Filaret said Thursday's decision would allow his country to finally establish a united church in Ukraine and vowed to soon convene a meeting to address the issue of unification and elect a new patriarch. "We want the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to be united not only in appearance but also in spirit so that it could serve the Ukrainian people," Filaret told reporters outside St Volodymyr Cathedral in Kiev. The Moscow Patriarchate has already downgraded its ties with Bartholomew I over the affair, which it considers an unjust encroachment on its spiritual territory. On Wednesday, an influential Moscow Patriarch cleric went so far as to warn that parishioners will not hand over churches to a new Orthodox institution willingly. "Of course, people will take to streets and protect their sacred sites," Hilarion, a bishop in charge of diplomacy at the patriarchate, was quoted by Russian agencies as saying at a religious congress in Kazakhstan. Bartholomew I, a Turkish citizen of Greek origin who commands huge international respect for promoting inter-faith dialogue, will also not want to antagonise the Turkish authorities who are pressing a policy of a strong alliance with Russia. Ukraine and Russia have been at loggerheads since 2014 when Kiev street protests urging Ukrainian integration with Europe prompted the ousting of pro-Moscow president Viktor Yanukovych. Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea later that year and backed rebels who carved out two unrecognised breakaway regions in Ukraine's mineral-rich east in a conflict that continues to this day. Ukrainian authorities and many worshippers are wary of the influence of Kirill, a strong ally of President Vladimir Putin who has supported the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and the separatists in the east of the country. The Ukrainian Church is currently split into three bodies, one technically overseen by the Patriarch of Moscow, a fact the Kiev government considers unacceptable given its ongoing war with Russia-backed rebels in the east Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said the decision "is a victory of good over evil, light over darkness" US Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday warned Central American nations to be cautious when building relations with China, which has been increasingly active in the region. Amid mounting tensions between the United States and China, Pence brought up ties with Beijing as he met in Washington with leaders of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras as well as Mexico's foreign secretary. "I say to each of those nations represented here, on behalf of our administration, as you build commercial partnerships with other nations including China, we urge you to focus on and demand transparency and look after your and our long-term interests," he said. El Salvador in August recognized Beijing in the latest diplomatic setback for Taiwan, the self-ruling democratic island which China considers to be a renegade province. Central America has remained the key bastion for Taiwan, with Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua still maintaining ties with Taipei rather than Beijing, which has used its economic muscle and promises of investment to entice governments. The United States recognizes Beijing but is congressionally bound to ensure Taiwan's defense, with President Donald Trump's administration especially vocal on defending Taiwan diplomatically. China has also ramped up trade with Latin America as a whole in the Asian power's quest for natural resources, in places commercially outpacing the United States which has rejected foreign influence in the region in a policy dating nearly two centuries. Pence was meeting with the Central American leaders to stem the flow of undocumented migration into the United States, a key issue for Trump, who rose to power characterizing immigrants as criminals and vowing to build a wall on the southern border. The vice president asked the Central American leaders to send a message to their citizens that, "If they can't come to the United States legally, they should not come at all." "As the old saying goes, there's no place like home," Pence said, using the memorable line of Dorothy in the classic movie "The Wizard of Oz." Pence acknowledged that greater prosperity in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras -- the so-called Northern Triangle -- was vital to encouraging undocumented migrants from making the treacherous path north. "Your people will stay home if they believe there is a brighter future for them there," he said. "Today even as countries like China try to expand their influence in the region, the best way to solve these problems, we believe, is to strengthen the bonds between the US and the Northern Triangle and all the nations of our hemisphere, to strengthen the economic ties between our nations." US Vice President Mike Pence, pictured in Washington on October 4, 2018, brought up ties with Beijing as he met with Central American leaders The United States said Wednesday it will refuse any post-war reconstruction assistance to Syria if Iran is present, expanding the rationale for US involvement in the conflict. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, speaking to a pro-Israel group, vowed an aggressive push to counter Iran across the Middle East and said that Syria was a decisive battleground. "The onus for expelling Iran from the country falls on the Syrian government, which bears responsibility for its presence there," Pompeo told the Jewish Institute for National Security of America. "If Syria doesn't ensure the total withdrawal of Iranian-backed troops, it will not receive one single dollar from the United States for reconstruction," Pompeo said. Pompeo's speech effectively broadens the official explanation for why the United States is involved in Syria's civil war, which a monitoring group says has killed close to 365,000 people since 2011. Former president Barack Obama authorized military action with the goal of rooting out the Islamic State group, or ISIS, the extremist force that has boasted of a slew of grisly attacks both in Syria and the West. The United States has about 2,000 troops in Syria, primarily to train and advise forces other than ISIS that are waging an increasingly precarious fight to topple President Bashar al-Assad. Pompeo acknowledged that Assad was stronger thanks to Iranian and Russian help and said that, with ISIS "beaten into a shadow of its former self," new priorities had emerged. "Defeating ISIS, which was once our primary focus, continues to be a priority. But it will now be joined by two other mutually reinforcing objectives," Pompeo said. "These include a peaceful political resolution to the Syrian conflict and the removal of all Iranian and Iranian-backed forces from Syria." - Trump hesitant on Syria - The US funding threats are unlikely to make an immediate impact in Syria. Trump, a vocal critic of foreign aid as he promotes an "America First" policy, in August pulled the United States out of Syria's near-term reconstruction, suspending $230 million after Gulf Arab allies made their own pledges. But Pompeo's speech marks a new sign that the United States is not leaving Syria anytime soon after Trump, a onetime critic of foreign interventions, earlier this year mused aloud about withdrawing troops. Trump's national security adviser John Bolton, a longtime hawk on Iran, told reporters last month that US troops would stay "as long as Iranian troops are outside Iranian borders." Iran, ruled by Shiite Muslim clerics, has deployed both troops and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah to prop up Assad, a secular leader who belongs to the Alawite sect and is facing down hardline Sunni Muslim forces. "Iran has seen instability in Syria as a golden opportunity to tip the regional balance of power in its favor," Pompeo said. He warned that Iran, a sworn foe of Israel, would open a new front against the Jewish state if it remained in Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has similarly warned that he will never accept an Iranian presence in Syria. Trump has withdrawn from an international agreement negotiated under Obama through which Iran slashed its sensitive nuclear work in exchange for sanctions relief. Pompeo boasted that Trump has imposed on Iran "some of the harshest sanctions in history." The Trump administration has closely allied itself with both Israel and Saudi Arabia, the Sunni kingdom which sees Iran as its chief rival in the region. Pompeo in his speech did not air any criticism of Saudi Arabia, which has been accused by Turkish government sources of killing a prominent Saudi journalist last week inside its Istanbul consulate. Pompeo also did not demand a withdrawal by Russia, which maintains its only permanent military base outside the former Soviet Union in Syria, a Cold War ally. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vowed to press forward with President Donald Trump's push to isolate Iran, boasting of imposing "some of the harshest sanctions in history" COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Washington Prime Group Inc. (NYSE: WPG) today announced that the Company will hold a conference call on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the Companys third quarter 2018 financial and operating results. The dial-in number for the conference call is 844.646.4463 (or +1.615.247.0256 for international callers), and the participant passcode is 7075197. The live audio webcast of the call will be available on the investor relations section of the Companys website at www.washingtonprime .com . A replay of the call will be available on the Companys website, or by calling 855.859.2056 (or +1.404.537.3406 for international callers), passcode is 7075197, beginning on Thursday, October 25, 2018, at approximately 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time through midnight on Thursday, November 8, 2018. About Washington Prime Group Washington Prime Group Inc. is a retail REIT and a recognized leader in the ownership, management, acquisition and development of retail properties. The Company combines a national real estate portfolio with an investment grade balance sheet, leveraging its expertise across the entire shopping center sector to increase cash flow through rigorous management of assets and provide new opportunities to retailers looking for growth throughout the U.S. Washington Prime Group is a registered trademark of the Company. Learn more at www.washingtonprime.com . It might seem absurd to question whether Saudi Arabia can be considered francophone, but the world's club of French-speaking countries will take up the matter at a meeting that opened Thursday in Armenia. The Arabic-speaking kingdom is not expected to be admitted as a full member of the International Organisation of Francophonie (OIF), but it will probably be granted "observer" status. Still the debate is set to highlight one of the biggest challenges for the 54-strong OIF grouping as it looks to expand its influence by admitting new members -- at the risk of diluting its identity and losing sight of its original mission. It has already admitted Moldova in eastern Europe, where francophones account for 2.0 percent of the population, as well as Egypt (3.0 percent francophone) or Bulgaria as full members, while Ukraine and Uruguay have been given observer status. Ireland too has applied for observer status which is set to be considered at the two-day meeting under way in the Armenian capital Yerevan. "The OIF is running a real risk of losing its cohesion," Pierre-Andre Wiltzer, a former French minister responsible for "Francophonie" who is one of a growing group of critics, told AFP. Such worries are set to be compounded by the naming of a new head of the organisation at the summit in Armenia on Thursday and Friday with Rwanda's foreign minister, Louise Mushikiwabo, tipped for the role. Rwanda recently dropped French from its constitution in favour of English -- and Rwandan President Paul Kagame spoke English when announcing his minister's candidacy for the job during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in May. - African effect - The membership list and leadership of the OIF also raises questions about what the organisation should strive to achieve. It held its first summit in 1986 to strengthen ties among then 40 French-speaking members, with the group modelled along the lines of the Commonwealth club which brings together the former territories of the British empire. "Over time the OIF has looked to all sorts of matters which it can hardly influence", such as the search for peace, sustainable growth, or the defence of human rights, Wiltzer said. Macron, like his predecessors, is keen to support the organisation, seeing the OIF as a means of spreading influence and promoting French as a global language, which he has stated as one of his goals. On a visit to the west African country of Burkina Faso last year, Macron appealed to Africans to resist the lure of English and make French "the first language in Africa and maybe even the world in the coming decades". Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, a junior minister in charge of Francophonie in Macron's government, recently told RFI radio that he wanted the organisation to "concentrate on the core of its mission which is language and culture." "What we've seen recently is perhaps a scattering effect." French is currently the world's fifth most spoken language after Mandarin Chinese, English, Spanish and Arabic, according to official French estimates based on the population of countries where French is an official language. But some experts have questioned that figure and said an estimate by Ethnologue, a reference guide to world languages that ranks French 14th, may be closer to the mark. But thanks to the high birthrate in many French-speaking African countries, OIF estimates that the population of its member countries will jump from 274 million now to 700 million in 2050. - A mini UN? - Though the impulse of the OIF to increase its membership might be understandable, why would countries like Saudi Arabia or Egypt be interested in joining? "Countries which haven't much to do with 'Francophonie' nevertheless see it as offering potential influence, as though the OIF were a mini United Nations," Linda Cardinal, a specialist at Ottawa University in Canada suggested. The OIF's budget of 85 million euros (97 million dollars), mainly paid by France and Canada, pales in comparison with the UN's 5.6 billion budget, however. "The OIF would never pretend to be at the same scale," she added. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan opens the 17th Francophone countries summit in Yerevan, which will consider expanding its influence by admitting new members French President Emmanuel Macron sees the OIF as a means of spreading influence and promoting French as a global language, which he has stated as one of his goals Saudi Arabia has dropped a bid to join the world's club of French-speaking countries, officials said Thursday, as the Gulf monarchy faces criticism over the disappearance of a critical Saudi journalist. The International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF) was set to study the Saudi bid at a summit on Thursday, but the kingdom asked to "postpone" its membership application in a letter, spokesman Bertin Leblanc told AFP. Leblanc gave no reason for the postponement or details of the letter. But the announcement came as Saudi Arabia faces growing international pressure to provide a convincing explanation for the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi after he visited the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week. Turkish officials have said he was killed but Riyadh denies that. Saudi Arabia's OIF application had faced strong opposition from the group's member states who have criticised Riyadh over human rights violations. Established in 1970, the OIF unites the world's French-speaking countries. It has 58 members and 26 observers which together account for a population of over 900 million people, including 274 million French speakers. The Armenian capital Yerevan is hosting the annual summit of the Francophonie on Thursday and Friday, with French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau both in attendance. French is currently the world's fifth most spoken language after Mandarin Chinese, English, Spanish and Arabic, according to official French estimates. Saudi Arabia had been set to make a bid to join the world's club of French-speaking nations Saudi Arabia has been under growing pressure over the missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi Mangled vehicles, wet mattresses, rubble, trees torn right out from their roots and mud everywhere: Sant Llorenc des Cardassar was in disarray Wednesday after flash floods hit the Spanish holiday island of Majorca. Located some 10 kilometres (six miles) from the sea, the town was the worst affected by floods that left at least 10 people dead, including Britons and a Dutch woman, in an island known for its beaches and tourism. A five-year-old boy is still missing. Intense, driving rain on Tuesday afternoon surprised locals who only had a precious few seconds to react before a torrent tore through the 8,000-strong town after a river overflowed. Pedro Sanchez, a resident in Sant Llorenc, said he jumped into his car when he saw the murky flood water rise. "But I saw that the water was taking me away," the 40-year-old told AFP. "It rose two metres (6.5 feet) in 30 seconds, and luckily the water pressed me against a wall," he said, standing in a road blocked by a jumble of bed bases and debris. "I got out through the car window and got to safety on the roof of a neighbour's house." He said he was lucky to survive, and his car wasn't too damaged. "My father's car has been ruined," he added. As emergency vehicles came and went, residents used brooms to chase out water from their homes, or tried to get rid of the thick mud with hoses. The streets were full of branches and the trunks of trees torn out of the soil had been moved to the sides. - 'Ground zero' - Carmen Barco, her shirt and trousers covered in mud, told AFP that her elderly mother saw water pour into her kitchen. "The water rose more than a metre and a half in the house," said the 50-year-old, who lives in Palma de Majorca and came to help. Barco said her mother climbed out of a window and managed to get to the top half of the house, where she spent the night. "There are two inches of mud, the furniture is strewn across the floor, clothes, photos, all scattered. But she's alive, thank god." Jose Daniel Capo, the 36-year-old director of a night club nearby, came to help out. He arrived at seven in the morning and described the scene as "a disaster". "All the houses were flooded, they were bailing out water," he said. He added that lots of people from neighbouring villages came to help. "We went to the town hall and they told us where we had to go," he said. "We've been taking mud out of the houses. And tomorrow we're coming in the morning," added Juana Maria Mulet, who came with friends from the nearby town of Manacor. Demetrio Barrachina of the emergency military unit told AFP the situation "continues to be difficult" in Sant Llorenc. "We're going to focus all our efforts on this ground zero" all night, he said. He added rescue workers were looking for the five-year-old who disappeared in the area. Altogether, some 450 emergency workers have been deployed in the village. Intense, driving rain on Tuesday afternoon surprised locals who only had a precious few seconds to react before a torrent tore through the 8,000-strong town after a river overflowed Locals people have struggled to remove debris from the streets and muddy water from their homes Located some 10 kilometres (six miles) from the sea, the town was the worst affected by floods that left at least 10 people dead, including Britons and a Dutch woman Many homes are caked with a thick layer of mud A North Queensland snake catcher has issued a warning after a python wrapped itself around her neck causing her to pass out. Sue Ambler, a snake catcher from Mission Beach, Queensland, took to Facebook after she tried to remove a snake from a tree recently. I was catching a snake the other day and things turned for the worse, she wrote. When I grabbed the snake out of the tree it landed around my neck (and) before I could unwind the snake from my neck it tightened around my neck and face. Before long it asphyxiated me to the point I passed out and fell to the ground. Mission Beach snake catcher Sue Ambler said she was strangled recently by a python and nearly killed trying to remove the serpent from a tree. Source: Facebook/ Sue Ambler and Getty Images (File pic) Luckily, the woman wasnt alone. The client who called her about the snake witnessed the horrific scene and rang an ambulance. If it wasnt for the quick thinking of the people I was catching the snake for I wouldnt be alive to tell my story, Ms Ambler wrote. As an ambulance guy said, one more minute and I would have been dead. Ms Ambler wrote the incident came as a warning to anyone encountering snakes, and how as a professional snake catcher this can even happen to us. Even though pythons are non-venomous they are dangerous too so please dont handle snakes by yourself, she wrote. Call in a professional snake catcher. I ended up with two black eyes and I busted a lot of blood vessels in my eyes. The snake catcher said the snake wrapped itself around her neck causing blood vessels to burst in her eyes. Source: Facebook/ Sue Ambler The snake catcher added she received a friction burn on her nose from the python tightening around her face and is still in quite a lot of pain. So please call a snake catcher and dont remove snakes by yourself, she wrote. Last week, an elderly Toowoomba resident was shocked when she found an eastern brown snake draped over the vanity in her home. The woman, who lives alone, was absolutely panicked and called her son who contacted Toowoomba Snake Catchers 24/7. Last month, a little boy out exploring his familys Queensland property became trapped in a tree after an agitated red-bellied black snake slithered around the base. Young Zeffy was just about to make his way down the tree on the Pomona property when he heard something hissing beneath him. An earthquake Thursday killed three people in Indonesia and rattled hotels where IMF delegates are attending a major summit, a fortnight after a quake-tsunami killed more than 2,000 elsewhere in the archipelago. The 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Bali and Java islands in the early hours, jolting residents awake and sending them rushing into the streets. Some attendees in Bali for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings this week evacuated their hotels as the quake shook the island. "I felt the quake for at least 30 seconds and I panicked. At first I didn't want to go out but then I decided to leave," Katharina Sudiyono, an Indonesian attendee at the summit, told AFP. Peter Jacobs, head of the Indonesian Central Bank's IMF-World Bank taskforce, said delegates in Bali's Nusa Dua district for the summit were quickly informed of the situation. "Many summit participants woke up and asked questions, but we immediately sent out information to them that there had been an earthquake and the impact in Nusa Dua," he told AFP. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries in Bali and the summit proceeded Thursday uninterrupted. "We send our condolences to those affected by the earthquake. Here in Bali, the earthquake has not caused significant damage nor any disruption to the meetings," an IMF spokesman said. The conference centre was designed to withstand seismic events, and participants had been told to remain there in the event of a quake. In case of tsunami risk, attendees would be evacuated to a nearby building. Holidayers in the island's popular tourist districts also rushed into the streets as buildings swayed. "Wow, that was really strong and it lasted a long time," said one woman who took refuge in a hotel parking lot in Nusa Dua, a few kilometres from where the IMF and World Bank are holding their meetings. Others in Nusa Dua, south of Bali's main international airport, also panicked. "The quake was very big. I immediately woke up and took my little kids out of the house," Ni Komang Sudiani told AFP. "All my neighbours were also running, said the mother of two. - Volatile archipelago - Dwikorita Karnawati, the head of Indonesia's geophysics agency who was also in Nusa Dua for the IMF summit, said no tsunami warning was issued. "I felt the quake too," she told AFP. "We are also still gathering data from our team in East Java.' In East Java, three people were crushed to death in their sleep when the quake brought down buildings in Sumenep district and sent people fleeing their homes. "Everybody panicked and the entire village ran outside. We have never experienced an earthquake as strong as last night," Zainurrohman, a 21-year-old from the district told AFP. "We stayed outside until dawn," he said. Many Indonesians go by one name. The tremor's epicentre was in the Bali Sea around 40 kilometres (25 miles) off the eastern end of Java island, according to the United States Geological Survey. The tremor comes after a 7.5-magnitude quake and subsequent tsunami struck off the Indonesian island of Sulawesi last month -- around 1,000 kilometres northeast of the latest quake's epicentre -- killing more than 2,000 people. Thousands more remain missing since the twin disaster ravaged the city of Palu and surrounding areas. The search for the dead is expected to end Thursday. A string of earthquakes in Lombok in eastern Indonesia killed more than 550 people over the summer. Indonesia, one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth, straddles the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide and many of the world's volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Bali and Java islands killing three people and rattling hotels where IMF delegates are attending a major summit The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank are holding annual meetings in Nusa Dua on Indonesia?s resort island of Bali An earthquake Thursday killed three people in Indonesia and rattled hotels where IMF delegates are attending a major summit, a fortnight after a quake-tsunami killed more than 2,000 elsewhere in the archipelago. The 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Bali and Java islands in the early hours, injuring nearly 30 people and sending residents rushing into the streets. Some attendees in Bali for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings this week evacuated their hotels as the quake shook the island. "I felt the quake for at least 30 seconds and I panicked. At first I didn't want to go out but then I decided to leave," Katharina Sudiyono, an Indonesian attendee at the summit, told AFP. Peter Jacobs, head of the Indonesian Central Bank's IMF-World Bank taskforce, said delegates in Bali's Nusa Dua district for the summit were quickly informed of the situation. "Many summit participants woke up and asked questions, but we immediately sent out information to them that there had been an earthquake and the impact in Nusa Dua," he told AFP. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries in Bali and the summit proceeded Thursday uninterrupted. "We send our condolences to those affected by the earthquake. Here in Bali, the earthquake has not caused significant damage nor any disruption to the meetings," an IMF spokesman said. The conference centre was designed to withstand seismic events, and participants had been told to remain there in the event of a quake. In case of tsunami risk, attendees would be evacuated to a nearby building. Holidayers in the island's popular tourist districts also rushed into the streets as buildings swayed. "Wow, that was really strong and it lasted a long time," said one woman who took refuge in a hotel parking lot in Nusa Dua, a few kilometres from where the IMF and World Bank are holding their meetings. Others in Nusa Dua, south of Bali's main international airport, also panicked. "The quake was very big. I immediately woke up and took my little kids out of the house," Ni Komang Sudiani told AFP. "All my neighbours were also running, said the mother of two. - Volatile archipelago - Dwikorita Karnawati, the head of Indonesia's geophysics agency who was also in Nusa Dua for the IMF summit, said no tsunami warning was issued. "I felt the quake too," she told AFP. "We are also still gathering data from our team in East Java.' In East Java, three people were crushed to death in their sleep when the quake brought down buildings and damaged some 210 houses in Sumenep district, East Java police spokesman Frans Barung Mangera told AFP. In nearby Sampang district, 27 people were injured and 36 houses damaged across eight villages, Mangera added. The tremor jolted many residents awake and sent them rushing into the streets. "Everybody panicked and the entire village ran outside. We have never experienced an earthquake as strong as last night," said Zainurrohman, a 21-year-old from the district who like many Indonesians goes by one name. "We stayed outside until dawn," he told AFP. The tremor's epicentre was in the Bali Sea around 40 kilometres (25 miles) off the eastern end of Java island, according to the United States Geological Survey. The tremor comes after a 7.5-magnitude quake and subsequent tsunami struck off the Indonesian island of Sulawesi last month -- around 1,000 kilometres northeast of the latest quake's epicentre -- killing more than 2,000 people. Thousands more remain missing since the twin disaster ravaged the city of Palu and surrounding areas. The search for the dead is expected to end Thursday. A string of earthquakes in Lombok in eastern Indonesia killed more than 550 people over the summer. Indonesia, one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth, straddles the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide and many of the world's volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. Three people were crushed to death in their sleep when the quake brought down buildings and damaged some 210 houses Map locating the epicentre of a 6.0-magnitude quake Thursday Some attendees in Bali for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings evacuated their hotels as the quake shook the island Beijing on Thursday dismissed US espionage accusations against an alleged Chinese intelligence agent who was extradited from Belgium as made "out of thin air" -- upping the ante in a case likely to exacerbate tensions between the global powers. The Justice Department said Xu Yanjun, an official of the Ministry of State Security, had plotted since 2013 to obtain trade secrets from GE Aviation and other companies. An indictment suggested he was lured to Belgium in a counterintelligence operation where he was arrested under a US warrant on April 1. The announcement came as tensions escalate between Washington and Beijing over geopolitics, trade, hacking and corporate espionage. Xu was handed over by Belgium to the United States on Tuesday, the first time a Chinese intelligence officer has been extradited from another country. "This unprecedented extradition of a Chinese intelligence officer exposes the Chinese government's direct oversight of economic espionage against the United States," said FBI assistant director Bill Priestap. But Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the United States was "making something out of thin air", adding: "We hope the US side can deal with this in accordance with law." Last week Vice President Mike Pence painted China as a virtual enemy of the United States on all fronts, and said it was trying to undermine President Donald Trump. "What the Russians are doing pales in comparison to what China is doing across this country," Pence said in a speech. - Brainpower 'stolen' - Justice officials cast the arrest of Xu as part of the global fight against China's alleged campaign to steal US economic secrets. "This case is not an isolated incident. It is part of an overall economic policy of developing China at American expense," said Assistant Attorney General John Demers. "We cannot tolerate a nation's stealing our firepower and the fruits of our brainpower. We will not tolerate a nation that reaps what it does not sow." The indictment said Xu was the deputy division director with the Ministry of State Security's Jiangsu State Security Department. The MSS is the Chinese state's main foreign intelligence and counter intelligence bureau. Xu allegedly ran a five-year operation trying to steal trade secrets from Ohio-based GE Aviation -- one of the world's leading aircraft engine manufacturers -- and other aviation companies, including US military suppliers. He sought to recruit sources in and around the company and bring them to China, to woo their support and gain inside information on GE's technology. In one instance, Xu targeted data on the design and composite materials of GE engine rotor blades, sending an informant specific questions he wanted answered, according to intercepted communications cited in the indictment. He was the second Chinese national in two weeks charged by the Justice Department with attempting to steal aviation industry secrets. The cases appear closely linked. On September 26 the US charged electrical engineer Ji Chaoqun with knowingly acting as an agent of China, due to his contacts with an unnamed "high-level intelligence officer" from the Jiangsu State Security Department. Ji's indictment said he had been recruited to help identify potential recruitment targets for the MSS official. Both indictments suggested US counterintelligence officials had recruited informants in the scheme to help accumulate evidence against the two Chinese. GE Aviation's aircraft engine technology was the target of a Chinese espionage operation, according to the US Department of Justice Hundreds of Venezuelans demanded justice Wednesday at the funeral of an opposition activist who died in government custody, as the United States called out Caracas for its "involvement" in his death. Fernando Alban, a 52-year-old 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. Authorities say he committed suicide by jumping from a 10th-floor window of the headquarters of the state intelligence service after asking to go to the bathroom. But his supporters say he was murdered. Alban was buried in a cemetery in the eastern part of the capital after mourners walked for several kilometers (miles) in a funeral procession that began at the central university of Venezuela. "Maduro's dictatorship is death," said one placard held by a young man. "Justice!" another said. The United States joined the chorus of complaint from the international community over Alban's death -- and pointed the finger of blame at Maduro. "The United States condemns the Maduro regime's involvement in the death of Venezuelan opposition councilman Fernando Alban," the White House said in a statement. "The Trump administration will continue to increase pressure on the Maduro regime and its insiders until democracy is restored in Venezuela," it added. "The United States calls for the immediate release of all Venezuelan political prisoners, and for the Maduro regime to take direct, credible steps to reestablish democracy in Venezuela and to prevent further suffering and bloodshed." Both the United Nations and the European Union have called for an investigation into Alban's death. On Wednesday, Venezuela's Attorney General Tarek William Saab, who is close to Maduro, again dismissed the idea of an assassination. "He died from blunt force trauma linked to the fall... there is no evidence of mistreatment prior to the fall," Saab told reporters, reading from an autopsy report. 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 mired in a deep economic crisis. President Donald Trump, who has previously shown little interest in Latin America beyond trade relations and border issues with Mexico, is increasingly focusing on Venezuela. The administration is ramping up criticism of Maduro, whose authoritarian socialist government is struggling to manage the fallout from economic collapse in the once wealthy country, whose leaders are under US sanctions. Maduro, meanwhile, accuses the United States of manipulating the opposition in his country and seeking to oust him. Mourners carry an enormous Venezuelan flag at the funeral of opposition activist Fernando Alban, who died in a fatal fall while in government custody View of the hearse carrying the remains of Venezuelan opposition figure Fernando Alban - who was in pretrial detention when he died on October 8 in what officials have called a suicide A mourner in the funeral cortege of late Venezuelan opposition councilman Fernando Alban carries a sign that reads: "Maduro's dictatorship is death" New state-of-the-art seat manufacturing facility in Chomutov, Czech Republic Multiple seating programs for the BMW Group Manufacturing plant creates in 300 new jobs SAILAUF, Germany, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just over a year ago, Magna launched its first-ever seating business and facility with BMW Group. Today, Magna employees and customer representatives celebrated the grand opening of another new seating facility to support BMW business. The new plant in Chomutov, Czech Republic, will be supplying seating systems in various configurations for several BMW models. Production is expected to start before the end of this year. The state-of-the-art facility uses smart factory manufacturing concepts to increase efficiency and quality output for customers as well as provide a flexible work environment for employees. The plant has a production area measuring 6,000 square meters and the capacity to produce more than 360,000 seat sets per year. The plant has created 150 new jobs and is expected to add an additional 150 employees throughout 2019. This is a big win for our employees as well as our community, where we are making a positive economic impact. Our facility is using the latest technology with special attention given to high flexibility so that we can react quickly to new developments and changing requirements of our customers, said General Manager Martin Polivka of Chomutov Seating. We dont just build seats, we define whats possible and we deliver on that to meet our customers ever-changing needs, said Mike Bisson, President Magna Seating. Continuing to win business with a customer like BMW Group is critical to our global growth and speaks to our ability to produce innovative, cost-effective seating solutions. Magnas seating group has 16 manufacturing locations in Europe, five of them in the Czech Republic, along with 50 manufacturing locations and six R&D centers around the rest of the world. TAGS Automotive seating, automotive seat systems, Magna seating INVESTOR CONTACT Louis Tonelli, Vice-President, Investor Relations louis.tonelli@magna.com , (+1) 905.726.7035 MEDIA CONTACTS Tracy Fuerst, Global Director of Corporate Communications & PR tracy.fuerst@magna.com , (+1) 248.631.5396 Rej Husetovic, Director Corporate Communications & Media Relations Europe rej.husetovic@magna.com , (+49) 6093 9942-5056 ABOUT MAGNA We have more than 173,000 entrepreneurial-minded employees dedicated to delivering mobility solutions. We are a mobility technology company and one of the world's largest automotive suppliers with 339 manufacturing operations and 89 product development, engineering and sales centres in 28 countries. Our competitive capabilities include body exteriors and structures, power and vision technologies, seating systems and complete vehicle solutions. Our common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MG) and the New York Stock Exchange (MGA). For further information about Magna, visit www.magna.com . THIS RELEASE MAY CONTAIN STATEMENTS WHICH CONSTITUTE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS UNDER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LEGISLATION AND ARE SUBJECT TO, AND EXPRESSLY QUALIFIED BY, THE CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMERS THAT ARE SET OUT IN MAGNAS REGULATORY FILINGS. PLEASE REFER TO MAGNAS MOST CURRENT MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL POSITION, ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM AND ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 40-F, AS REPLACED OR UPDATED BY ANY OF MAGNAS SUBSEQUENT REGULATORY FILINGS, WHICH SET OUT THE CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMERS, INCLUDING THE RISK FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL EVENTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE INDICATED BY SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. THESE DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW ON MAGNAS WEBSITE AT WWW.MAGNA.COM. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/99f51b5e-31df-44d8-aca5-43b70d33e853 The entrepreneur behind a luxury music festival in the Bahamas that collapsed in chaos in 2017 was sentenced to six years in prison by a US judge on Thursday after admitting fraud. Billy McFarland, 26, was the force behind the Fyre Festival, which billed itself as the ultimate upscale getaway amid a fast-growing market for music events. Hundreds of partygoers headed to the Bahamas, some paying more than $100,000 each, but instead found tents that wouldn't have looked out of place in relief camps and cuisine that was just rudimentary sandwiches. "Today, McFarland found out the hard way that empty promises don't lead to jet-setting, champagne and extravagant parties -- they lead to federal prison," said US Attorney for Manhattan, Geoffrey Berman. The New Yorker admitted wire fraud, bank fraud and making false statements in a two-pronged plea in March and July. Had he gone to trial and been convicted, he could have faced 20 years in prison. In addition to his jail time, he was ordered to forfeit $26 million. Prosecutors said McFarland repeatedly misrepresented himself to build his Fyre Media tech company and the ill-fated festival. He falsified statements to show investors that his company earned millions of dollars from April 2016 and February 2017 through talent bookings, which in reality has grossed just $57,443, prosecutors said. The US Attorney's office said that at least 80 investors fell victim to his scheme, losing more than $24 million. McFarland also falsely boasted about Magnises, a credit card and private club geared at millennials, prosecutors said. He told investors that he sold Magnises for $40 million while in truth no sale had taken place, they said. In the first damages awarded, a judge in North Carolina earlier this year handed two fans each $1.5 million in compensation, plus $1 million each in punitive damages, far more than the minimum sought. Seth Crossno and Mark Thompson said that they shelled out $13,000 with a promise of exclusive accommodation on a private island but instead wound up in a relief camp-style tent and left when they felt unsafe. Numerous festival-goers posted pictures on social media of shambolic scenes, leading to online mockery of the high prices many had paid. The Fyre Festival was abruptly canceled and attendees evacuated, leading to online mockery of many of the young fans who had bought into the advertising of the event as a uniquely high-end music party. The government of the Bahamas, a country of more than 700 islands where tourism is the largest industry, apologized and assisted in evacuations -- but stressed it was not involved directly in the event. The government of the Bahamas, where tourism is the largest industry, apologized over the disastrous Fyre Festival and assisted in evacuations, but stressed it was not involved directly in the event A New York judge on Thursday threw out one of six sexual assault allegations against disgraced Hollywood tycoon Harvey Weinstein, a victory for a defense now clamoring for the entire case to be dismissed. Weinstein, an international pariah after being accused by more than 80 women of sexual misconduct, is still charged with rape in March 2013 and a forced act of oral sex in 2006, which could see him spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted. The 66-year-old father of five was arrested in May, eight months after he was initially accused in the media of decades of sexual misconduct. He is out on a $1 million bail and denies any non-consensual sex. On Thursday he sat in a Manhattan criminal court in a dark suit to hear the prosecution agree to drop a forced act of oral sex lodged by Lucia Evans against him in 2004, due to witness inconsistencies. A letter from prosecutors, subsequently unsealed by the judge, revealed credibility issues and seemed to suggest that Evans, an aspiring actress in 2004, may have performed oral sex on Weinstein of her own volition, in the hope of obtaining an acting part. The document also referenced possible police misconduct, after a detective failed to turn over details from a witness interview, and a draft email from Evans to her husband that exposed further inconsistencies in her account. While Weinstein is still fending off allegations related to two other women, Thursday's decision amounts to a serious setback for the prosecution, who have already been criticized for their track record on bringing Weinstein and other alleged sex offenders to justice. "We are moving full steam ahead," prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon said in court. - 'Irreparably damaged' - Defense lawyer Ben Brafman asked in August for the entire case to be thrown out, disclosing emails that showed his client and the alleged rape victim were in a "long-term, consensual, intimate relationship." "When one of the principle allegations in this indictment is predicated on perjured testimony that's a very big, important development," he told reporters on Thursday. "I think this grand jury is irreparably damaged. I think the case against Mr Weinstein is, in my view, not sustainable," Brafman added. The lawyer said his client was "obviously relieved and to some degree pleased" by Thursday's development and accused the district attorney of prosecuting Weinstein under pressure from the press. "When you are vilified in the media, as has Mr Weinstein, there is a rush to judgment which is offensive to the concept of fairness and due process," he told reporters. The next hearing is scheduled for December 20. - 'Far from over' - Evans's lawyer Carrie Goldberg defended her client and other survivors of sexual assault, who have been galvanized by the #MeToo movement against harassment. Evans made her allegations against Weinstein in The New Yorker last October, helping to spur countless other women to come forward. "Over 80 women have accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual violence and if our justice system fails to hold him criminally accountable then something is wrong with our justice system," the lawyer told reporters. "The case against Harvey Weinstein is far from over and we expect the district attorney to move forward with the other cases. Lucia will continue her fight in other venues." She pitched the Weinstein case in the wider cultural watershed that has gripped the United States since Weinstein's career imploded last year in a blaze of accusations that triggered a major reckoning about harassment in the workplace, and gave rise to the #MeToo movement. "There's a reason why powerful abusers are scared and lashing out right now," she said. "Victims are now becoming warriors and this is just the beginning." Brafman, who helped former IMF boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn escape criminal prosecution for alleged sexual assault in 2011, insisted there was no condemnation of a #MeToo movement helping women. But "when a movement pushes the prosecutor to arrest people who have not committed a crime and then charges them with those crimes then it's a dangerous movement," he said. Harvey Weinstein (R) leaves the Manhattan Criminal Court after the prosecution dropped one charge against him due to witness inconsistencies Harvey Weinstein, pictured arriving for a Manhattan Criminal Court hearing, was arrested in May Attorney Benjamin Brafman says the case against his client Harvey Weinstein is "not sustainable" Harvey Weinstein arrives at Manhattan Criminal Court on October 11, 2018 The latest television commercial released by Republican U.S. Rep. John Katko's campaign raises a new issue in the 24th Congressional District race: A tax lien issued by the Florida Department of Revenue against Democratic challenger Dana Balter for unpaid sales and use taxes. The lien was issued five years ago and satisfied within a two-month period, but nothing gets overlooked in political campaigns. And Katko, R-Camillus, views this as a serious problem for Balter, a Syracuse Democrat. Let's review the ad's claims. The tax lien Balter's campaign said she "turned a hobby restoring old furniture into a small business." That business was Dana Balter Designs. In January 2013, the Florida Department of Revenue issued a lien for unpaid sales and use taxes. Balter, the lien outlines, failed to pay $1,832.42 in sales and use taxes owed by her business. When fees, interest and penalties were included, the lien said she owed $2,176.30. Two months after the lien was issued, the Florida Department of Revenue issued a satisfaction of tax lien document noting that Balter paid the debt "in full." Balter's campaign said "when she found out she'd underpaid the taxes by $47.29 she paid them immediately and in full." A document provided by the campaign shows she paid $111.08 the $47.29 she owed, plus a $50 penalty, $3.69 in interest and a $10.10 fee. In Katko's TV commercial, the tax lien is referred to as a "sheriff's warrant." That's an inaccurate description of the document. The lien wasn't issued by a sheriff's department or a law enforcement authority. The Florida Department of Revenue issued the lien. The document is directed to "the clerks of the circuit courts and the sheriffs of the state of Florida," but it's not issued by either of those entities. Balter's 'swanky' home The TV ad features photos of the condominium Balter lived in while in Naples, Florida. The main image used in the ad is of a clubhouse within the Grey Oaks community where the condo was located. It wasn't the actual condo Balter called home for more than a year. Moments later in the ad, more images are shown. One appears to be an interior shot of the condo, although Balter's image is obstructing the view. A separate shot shows a pool, which is connected to the clubhouse, not the condo Balter lived in. An exterior image of the condo is briefly shown in the ad. The ad makes it appear that the clubhouse and pool were part of Balter's home while in Naples, but that's not accurate. While she had access to them as a resident of the community, the building and pool weren't part of her property. The condo Balter lived in at 2422 Terra Verde Lane in Naples was owned by her brother, Stephen. Records show Stephen Balter and his wife, Lara, owned the 2,900-square-foot, three-bedroom condo until 2016, when they sold it for $835,000. Viewers may believe, based on the ad, that Balter lived there in 2013. However, her campaign said she lived there from fall 2010 to spring 2012. She re-enrolled at Syracuse University and resumed her studies in August 2012, so she was in central New York when the lien was issued. 'Wants to raise our taxes here' After revealing the tax lien issued to Balter, the ad highlights the Democratic challenger's stance on taxes. Katko has repeatedly claimed that Balter will vote to raise taxes if she's elected to Congress. Much of Katko's criticism has focused on Balter's support for Medicare-for-all, a single-payer health insurance system. Balter announced her support of Medicare-for-all when she launched her congressional campaign in September 2017. When asked how to fund Medicare-for-all, Balter has said it would be financed by increasing the Medicare payroll tax. In response, Republicans have seized on this to criticize her for wanting to raise taxes. Balter defends the proposal by explaining that if Medicare-for-all is adopted, the tax increase would be offset by lower or no out-of-pocket medical expenses. In her view, people may pay more in taxes, but they would be paying less (or nothing at all) for medical expenses. Love 7 Funny 5 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 11 A trio of unions representing thousands of New York government employees are supporting state Sen. Jim Seward for re-election in the 51st Senate District race. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Civil Service Employees Association and the Public Employees Federation endorsed Seward, R-Milford, Wednesday. In an endorsement letter to Seward, CSEA President Danny Donohue wrote that the union needs elected leaders "who will fight for good jobs, good benefits, and strong communities. And we need elected officials who will never quit on the working men and women who make our state great." Seward received the endorsement, Donohue explained, because he "(holds) these same values and have proven so time and time again." Brian McDonnell, political and legislative director of AFSCME, echoed that sentiment in his own endorsement letter to Seward. "As a state senator, you have been an advocate for working families and the essential public services that New Yorkers rely on," McDonnell wrote. Seward is seeking a 17th term in the state Senate. He was first elected in 1986. In a statement, Seward said his top priorities include eliminating state mandates and providing property tax relief. He welcomed the support of the public sector unions. "One of New York state's top assets is our workforce," he said. "We rely on the people who punch the clock day in and day out and I will continue to fight for legislation that puts them first," he said. Seward is being challenged in the 51st district race by Democratic candidate Joyce St. George, a Delaware County resident with a law enforcement background. She operates a crisis management business in New Kingston, where she resides. The 51st district is comprised of nine counties. The Cayuga County towns of Locke, Moravia, Niles, Owasco, Sempronius and Sennett are in the district. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Artists are not eligible for induction to the Rock Hall of Fame until 25 years after release of their first recording. Lively debates break out every year over omissions. See who got the honor for this year. MORAVIA Residents are set to vote on the Moravia Central School District's possible multi-million dollar capital improvement project this winter. The district board of education voted at a Wednesday meeting to advance the project to a community vote Dec. 5. District Superintendent John Birmingham had previously said the project would span 15 years and cost around $35 million. The first phase would come to $10 million, with around $10 million to $11 million for phase two and about $15 million for phase three, Birmingham previously said. The proposed project is set to have no community tax impact, Birmingham said. This would be possible, Birmingham had said, as the state resets the amount the district can spend on each building every five years, and the district would grow its reserve fund. The district would use $2 million in reserves for the project if taxpayers support it, Birmingham had previously said. Birmingham had previously said 98 percent of the plan would be eligible for state aid and the district would get around 83 cents from the state for every dollar spent within that eligibility. Safety would be a major focus of the project if approved, with window film and fortified entrances, making outside visitors unable to reach student areas without hitting additional security. The plan's scope also includes lighting and heating, ventilation and air conditioning system improvements. Certain school areas would receive air conditioning. Birmingham had said it was determined installing air conditioning throughout the buildings would cost $70 to $90 per square foot, but he had said he wished the district could afford that undertaking. He noted elements included in the proposed plan such as air circulation and lighting could be manipulated to cool rooms. Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 1 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. New York was recently ranked in a report as the nation's leader in the number of barn fires that cause animal deaths. Last Thursday, just in time for National Fire Prevention Week this week, the Animal Welfare Institute released a report, the first of its kind, that broke down the 2.7 million animal deaths that occurred in potentially preventable barn fires between 2013 and 2017. "AWI thought it was necessary ... nobody had really compiled this information before," said AWI's Farm Animal Policy Associate Alicia Prygoski who wrote the report. Prygoski said the organization compiled the report to help bring an awareness to where, when and why barn fires were happening. Then, AWI also offered some recommendations to help lower the prevalence. "Ideally, it's all about prevention," she said, adding that once a fire starts, "it's too late." The report found, by analyzing media reports, there were 326 barn fires that killed animals in the U.S. during the five-year time frame. Thirty-one of those fires, nearly 10 percent, took place in New York. On a national level, chickens represent about 95 percent animal deaths, but Prygoski said cows, pigs, and sheep made up the majority of the fatalities in New York. Only about a dozen states had more than seven fires with animal fatalities over the time period analyzed and New York was the leader in the upper Midwest and Northeast regions the regions where fires were most common. Prygoski noted the number of fires and animal deaths in the data are also likely low as not all fires may have received media coverage, or even in the case of media coverage the number of animal deaths may not have been disclosed. The Aurora Ridge Dairy Farm's fire in Ledyard this spring, for example, didn't report the number of animal deaths after a devastating, accidental fire destroyed a calf barn that housed 300 calves. Farm co-owner Dave Harvatine told The Citizen at the time that about 110 calves were in the portion of the building that burned down, but he was reluctant to give a number of fatalities, only commenting that the farm "lost some, but saved a lot ... we lost more than we wanted to." Prygoski said any farm, no matter the size, can implement some type of fire protection. The report included suggestions for farms including installing sprinkler systems, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and doing employee training and fire drills. The report also included suggestions for larger entities, such as governments and insurance companies, to enforce. "The answers (the AWI) put forward are not realistic," said Melinda Pitman, a volunteer firefighter with the Poplar Ridge Fire Department, who began volunteering the day after the Aurora Ridge Dairy Farm fire. Pitman thought sprinkler systems would be too costly for family farms and, along with smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide detectors, keeping them clean enough to function in a barn wouldn't be feasible. "Additional inspections by local fire departments would add an unnecessary burden to small, local, volunteer departments," she added, which are already hurting for volunteers. Pitman said employee training and drills on farms were the most helpful suggestions. She added that communicating with local farmers, like Poplar Ridge does, and being aware of water sources and hazards on the farm would also be a helpful measure for local fire departments. AWI empathizes with smaller farms and farmers who's livelihoods are affected by fires, Prygoski said, but she added that fire protection in barns for animals is also better for farmers' safety and preventing devastation, too. "It's a problem we're hoping to curb a little bit," she said. Staff writer Megan Ehrhart can be reached at (315) 282-2244 or megan.ehrhart@lee.net. Follow her on Twitter @MeganEhrhart. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 5 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. Why is John Katko trying to mislead us? In a pre-approved television ad, he tells us over and over that his opponent in the congressional campaign, Dana Balter, is a visitor from Connecticut who is running for office for the sole purpose of raising our taxes. As Mr. Katko knows, Dana Balter moved to Syracuse in 2003, where she has a job and owns a home. Yes, her job title is "visiting professor" because that is the title her employer uses for professors who do not yet have tenure. It does not mean that she is merely visiting Syracuse. If Mr. Katko believes that he is better qualified to serve as our congressional representative because he has lived in the area longer than she has, why doesn't he just say that? Why misrepresent the situation? Mr. Katko also knows that Dana Balter's statement that taxes would have to be raised was made in the context of explaining how we could afford to offer universal health care to our citizens and was accompanied by the statement that any increase in taxes would be totally offset by even greater decreases in the cost of health care to the taxpayer. Ms. Balter supports expanding Medicare as a way of providing inexpensive base line health care to all, with the ability to purchase supplemental care from private insurers for additional coverage, the same system that already exists for people over 65. If Mr. Katko is opposed to universal health care or to this specific plan for lowering the cost of health care for taxpayers, why doesn't he say that, instead of showing us repeated clips of heavily edited video that misrepresent Ms. Balter's position? I would like to hear Mr. Katko's position on bringing down the cost of health care and expanding its availability, as well as any thoughtful critique he has of Ms. Balter's proposal, but I guess I'm not going to get that opportunity. He would rather provide me with misleading propaganda, with the implied insult that I'm too stupid to notice that's what he's doing. Apparently he doesn't want to engage on the issues. This makes my choice in the upcoming election easy. Ms. Balter not only has well-researched proposals she is willing to share with me, she is also being straightforward about them. I don't want a representative in Washington who is devoted to hoodwinking constituents. Judith Trice Auburn Love 7 Funny 6 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 4 Last week, Stormy Daniels published her first book, a memoir titled Full Disclosurea book in which she described her 2006 sexual encounter with Donald Trump in painstaking detail, right down to the allegedly unusual appearance of Trumps penis. But if Trumps lawyers have their way, based on a filing they made in a Los Angeles federal district court on Monday, publishing the book may have backfired in a big way, as they now claim that Daniels book, with its explicit and uncensored description of her tryst with Trump, has rendered her lawsuit against Trump obsolete. Daniels sued Trump in March, to invalidate a hush agreement she signed to keep her quiet about the affairjust days before the 2016 presidential election. A month ago, Trump first asked a federal judge to dismiss the lawsuit, saying that he would no longer seek to enforce the hush agreement and that he never considered it valid anywayeven though he had earlier countersued Daniels for $20 million, over her alleged violations of the deal. The AVN Hall of Famers lawyer, Michael Avenatti, brushed aside the move, saying at the time that Trump was merely trying to avoid being subjected to a deposition in the casewith Avenatti doing the questioning. On Monday, however, Trumps lawyers renewed the request for the judge to throw out Daniels lawsuit, saying that the details described in Daniels bookwhich currently ranks third on the Amazon.com sales ranking for political biographies and memoirsrender her lawsuit moot, according to Bloomberg News. Avenatti told Bloomberg that he was not concerned about Trumps claim that the book invalidates Daniels lawsuit, saying that the case still has several outstanding issues that prevent a judge from summarily throwing it out. In addition to recovering attorneys fees from Trump and his former fixer Michael Cohen, who is also named in Daniels suit, Avenatto said that he wants Trump and Cohen to sign a written admission that the $130,000 they paid Daniels in exchange for her silence was an illegal campaign contribution intended to influence the 2016 election. Cohen has already admitted exactly that, in his August 21 guilty pleas to eight felonies in a New York federal court. Cohen in his pleas said that Trump ordered him to make the payment to Daniels, for the principal purpose of influencing the election. Photo by Adam Bielawski / Wikimedia Commons HOLLYWOOD, Calif.The Str8UpGayPorn Awards, presented by Flirt4Free, has unveiled the details of its official 2018 Str8UpGayPorn Awards Pre-Party. The event is being sponsored by NakedSword, Falcon, PornHub, and Men.com and will take place on Saturday, October 20, at Beaches on the Santa Monica Blvd. Strip in West Hollywood. The pre-party at Beaches will have an open bar from 8 to 10 p.m. for industry-invited guests only and there will be a photo booth, giveaways, and more. Fans can see dozens of the biggest gay adult stars in attendance including Wesley Woods, Falcon Exclusive's Austin Wolf, and Alam Wernik along with Men.com exclusive models Diego Sans and William Seed and several more. Tim Valenti, President of Falcon Studios Group and The NakedSword Network, said, We love to throw a good party, so we couldn't pass up helping kick off the 2018 Str8UpGayPorn Awards with a pre-party in West Hollywood. We'll see everyone's beautiful faces at the pre-party on Saturday and at the ceremony on Sunday. Come by and talk to me and Sister Roma on the night of the show as we tape an episode of the Tim and Roma Show." Red carpet will begin at 7 p.m. and run till 8:30 p.m. and will be hosted by the one and only mr. Pam and gay adult star Bruce Beckham. A rep from PornHub and Men.com stated, We are thrilled to be a part of the 2018 Str8UpGayPorn Awards again this year. It looks like its going to be an action packed weekend. We're looking forward to seeing everyone at the special pre-party on Saturday in West Hollywood and at the big show on Sunday in Hollywood. The second annual Str8UpGayPorn Awards, presented by Flirt4Free and hosted by Bianca Del Rio, will begin at 8:30 p.m. after the red carpet concludes. Allan Troy, Director of Creative and Marketing at Beaches, commented, Beaches is excited to host the talented creators and performers represented at the Str8UpGayPorn awards. We are supporters of talent and creativity within all industries and of course are always on board for a good party. Industry members may RSVP via the industry registration link. There are less than two dozen VIP tickets remaining to gay porns biggest night so far this year. To get one, visit Str8UpGayPornAwards.com. ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland and Labrador, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fortis Inc. ("Fortis" or the "Corporation") (TSX/NYSE:FTS) has been advised that as of early today, gas is now flowing in Enbridge's 30-inch natural gas line. This line was shut down as a precautionary measure following the October 9, 2018 incident on Enbridge's 36-inch gas line near Prince George, B.C. This means more natural gas supply will gradually start to flow into the gas systems of our British Columbia utility, FortisBC. Gas supply will continue to be constrained until the 36-inch gas line is repaired. As a result, FortisBC is asking customers to avoid non-essential use of gas until the situation is completely resolved. Customers can continue to access information at fortisbc.com . Both Fortis Inc. and FortisBC thank customers for their conservation efforts and support during this time. About Fortis Fortis is a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry with 2017 revenue of C$8.3 billion and total assets of C$50 billion as at June 30, 2018. The Corporation's 8,500 employees serve utility customers in five Canadian provinces, nine U.S. states and three Caribbean countries. Fortis shares are listed on the TSX and NYSE and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com , www.sedar.com , or www.sec.gov . For more information, please contact: PENNSAUKEN, N.J.Williams Trading Co. and System JO have added new courses to their leaning model designed to educate retailers on the basics of selling lube. This six-part series from System JO will be a great way to help improve sales and help salespeople feel confident when answering customers questions about lubricants. The last course is sure to have users feeling an abundance of confidence once they graduate from all six courses, said Scott D., director of sales and marketing. Store associates who a complete the series will also receive a free gift upon certification. Williams Trading Co., a System JO Preferred Partner, has exclusively launched the new e-learning mini-series to teach the ins and outs of selling lubricants. The full series are available now. You can view the new System JO modules on Williams Trading University here. The complete line up of System JOs Lube 101 courses is now complete. This multi-course series offers content that will have you confident answering all the questions your customers may have. The newest courses include System JO: Water Based Lubricants and Selling Lubricants, which are the final courses in this mini-series. In the System JO: Water Based Lubricants course users get to learn all of the ins and outs on the difference between water based lubricants and other lubes such as silicone, the benefits of using water based lube, the best time to use these types of lubes and key selling points to help close sales. In the informative Selling Lubricants e-learning course users get a chance to learn very unique and different ways to sell more System JO. This course is filled with simple and easy tips on how to close a sale, upsell and inform customers on different types of lubricants. This final course in this six-part series leaves the user with all the knowledge they need to feel confident when selling lubricants. At the end of this series learners will feel like they are on their way t o becoming lubricant experts, thanks to System JO Lube 101 e-learning courses. Williams Trading University (WTU) is a free resource provided to our dealers with the collaborative support of our vendors. Since its September 2015 launch, WTU has certified over 85,000 store associates, impacted retail sales growth, and provided a better store experience for all customers. View the complete portfolio of e-learning courses here at www.wtulearn.com The full System JO line is now in stock for immediate shipment. Williams Trading Co. offers drop shipment services for all e-commerce channels. For product ordering and shipping information, contact a Williams Trading sales representative at (800) 423-8587 or visit WilliamsTradingCo.com. VNALive.com owner Vicky Vette has announced that busty British cougar Chellie DD has been voted #1 cam girl by fans on VNALive.com for the month of September. Second place went to Shanda Fay. Third place went to Vegas MILF Sofie Marie. This is the first time Chellie has won the monthly award. Chellie is now based in Orlando. "I was floored to find out I won the monthly cam award," saide Chellie DD. "It makes it even sweeter that it's my first win ever. I cam a lot on Streammate for my private shows but the one and only place I do group membership shows is through my website ChellieDD.com. If you're looking for British girls with big knockers, check me out! Thanks to Vicky Vette and the fans of VNALive!'' Vicky Vette added, Chellie is a gem. Such a sweetheart... oh... and she's got gigantic boobs. LOL. Chellie is one of the reasons VNALive.com works. She's fun, chatty and always willing to engage fans. I am grateful that she cams on our platform." Click here for a complete list of the VNALive monthly cam girl winners. VNALive.com was launched by Vette in October 2012 as a cam platform for solo girls to add live group shows to their membership sites. Custom designed and built, Vette hosts and runs VNALive. The platform is 100% mobile friendly (all live shows can be watched on a phone). Any girl (or webmaster) with a membership site can add VNALive.com to their site (in usually 30 minutes or less). Stars such as Julia Ann, Nikki Benz, Sunny Lane, Nina Kayy, Penny Pax, Deauxma and Sara Jay all use VNALive, as well as popular solo girls like Hot Wife Rio, Maxine X, Sofie Marie and Nicky Ferrari in the USA, Shanda Fay in Canada, BBWs such as Sam 38G, Maria Moore, Kimmie Kaboom & Kristi Maxx. The most popular monthly girl wins $250. Second place wins $150. Third wins $100. Site operators or models interested in adding VNALive.com or camming on the platform can reach Vette at [email protected]. Chellie can be found on Twitter @ChellieDD; Instagram @Chellie_DD and SextPanther. LOS ANGELES iWantClips is featuring dominatrix, Money Princess Isabella in this weeks Artist Spotlight from iWantBlog.com. The professional discusses business, bilingual clips, avocados, and more in a revealing interview. To read the full interview click here or visit iWantBlog.com. Money Princess Isabella has a great story, which crosses countries and languages, said Jay Phillips, president and co-founder of iWantEmpire, which operates iWantBlog, iWantClips, iWantCustomClips, iWantPhone, and iWantFanClub. If her message of empowerment through hard work reaches even one new artist, it will set the stage for their success. I hope everyone will read what she has to say, and let it resonate and inspire them. Artist Spotlight is iWantBlogs weekly feature, giving fans an inside look at popular trending artists through an interview-style feature that delves into their life and work. The section is promoted extensively on social media and through iWantEmpires network. A German native with a huge European following, the popular dominatrix has been on the rise since her arrival on iWantClips thanks to imaginative worship and humiliation clips which showcase her Alpha personality and commitment to engage with her fans. To visit her iWantClips store, click here. Before I got started with iWC, I had about 500 German findom/femdom Clips. I found iWC through Twitter, I joined, and I started making clips in English! Now Ive got about 500 English clips and Im happy I did this, she said during the interview. Sometimes it's hard work, but I love it. I can't imagine living without filming clips and talking to my slaves and fans! The race between Republican Mark Harris and Democrat Dan McCready for the 9th U.S. Congressional District is one to watch. Recent polls show a close, competitive race for the open seat between Harris, a pastor, and McCready, a veteran and businessman.Jonathan Kappler, executive director of the North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation, said taking the district is critical for the Democratic Party to gain control of the House in November.Kappler said.The Civitas Institute, a conservative public policy organization, released a poll Monday, Oct. 8 showing McCready leading Harris by 4 percent. The poll, conducted by SurveyUSA from Oct. 2 to Oct. 4, surveyed 556 likely voters in the 9th District. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.7 percent.McCready received support from 45 percent of respondents, while 41 percent chose Harris. Three percent of respondents said they would vote for Jeff Scott, the Libertarian candidate. Twelve percent are undecided.Meantime, The New York Times/Siena College poll painted a different picture of the 9th District race. In the NYT/Siena College poll, Harris leads with 47 percent over McCready who was picked by 42 percent. Eleven percent were undecided. Scott was not included in this poll.Civitas President Donald Bryson said.Although Republicans have held the district for decades, the Cook Political Report and FiveThirtyEight rate the district as a toss up. The district is an open seat after Harris defeated the incumbent, Rep. Robert Pittenger, in the May 2018 primary.Kappler said McCready has a funding advantage over Harris after much of Harris' fundraising was depleted battling Pittenger during the primary.Kappler said McCready fits one of the molds the Democratic Party is pushing to help flip the House from red to blue. McCready is more business-oriented and a veteran, which may help him with the area around Fort Bragg.The NYT/Siena College poll surveyed 502 people in the district between Oct. 1 to Oct. 5. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.9 percent."These results show that all of the momentum in the 9th District is all on the side of Mark Harris and the Harris campaign," Andy Yates, general consultant and strategist for the Harris Campaign said in a news release.The New York Times, however, cautioned from reading too much into one poll.the Times said in its poll release. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mountain Boy Minerals Ltd (Mountain Boy or the Company) (TSX.V: MTB; Frankfurt: M9U) announces it has received an update on drilling at the Red Cliff property from Decade Resources Ltd., its joint venture partner and operator on the project. Mountain Boy Minerals holds a 35-per-cent interest in the Red Cliff property, located in the Golden Triangle British Columbia, just north of Stewart. The latest drill intersections, as reported by Decade: WATERPUMP ZONE DDH No. From To Core Length** Gold g/t MON-2018-19 161.04 168.29 7.26 10.60 MON-2018-24 101.68 102.13 0.46 11.90 MON-2018-28 139.02 140.09 1.07 7.44 and 143.75 144.21 0.46 5.31 MON-2018-29 115.40 117.38 1.98 14.49 MON-2018-35 154.12 155.12 1.0 21.10 ** True width is believed to be 70 % of intersection length. MONTROSE ZONE DDH No. From To Core Length** Gold g/t MON-2018-38 190.34 191.16 0.82 20.30 and 197.5 197.96 0.46 3.87 and 206.4 207.01 0.61 2.17 MON-2018-39 187.8 188.78 1.0 3.5 and 189.6 190.18 0.58 3.44 and 193.08 193.38 0.3 17.0 MON-2018-42 160.52 162.5 1.98 2.41 and 165.7 167.23 1.52 4.57 MON-2018-43 191.16 191.92 0.76 3.94 and 194.21 197.26 3.05 4.35 and 200.15 201.68 1.52 4.61 MON-2018-44 190.03 195.12 5.09 5.34 including 190.03 191.31 1.28 13.90 ** True width is believed to be 70 % of intersection length. Mountain Boy and Decade are now in the process of organizing a comprehensive independent review of the Red Cliff project. That review would assess all the drilling and other results to date and would include re-logging and re-sampling of the drill core, as appropriate. That review would form the basis for planning further exploration of this extensive mineralized system, which has been identified over a 2.3 kilometre length. Drilling has tested the system in several areas where the operator was able to gain access for a drill rig, but much of the system remains untested. Lawrence Roulston, President, CEO and Director of Mountain Boy commented, We are encouraged by these latest results, which support our belief that Red Cliff represents a large and well-mineralized gold-copper system. Located just 2.5 kilometres from a paved highway, Red Cliff is ideally situated for mine development. A comprehensive review will provide further guidance in how best to advance this project. Mountain Boy also reports that a highly productive field season will be wrapping up next week. The five-member geological team worked in close cooperation with Auramex Resource Corp, as the two companies have adjacent properties in the Bear Valley/Bear Pass area. Results will be compiled and reported over the coming weeks. In addition, Mountain Boy announces that it has closed the private placement announced August 17, 2018 of flow-through common shares. A total of 1,812,500 flow-through shares, were issued at an offering price of $0.08 per FT Share for gross proceeds to the Company of $145,000. The proceeds of the private placement will be used for property exploration. The flow-through shares issued under this placement are subject to a four-month hold period until January 5th, 2019. Ed Kruchkowski, P. Geo., a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, is in charge of the exploration programs on behalf of the Company and is responsible for the contents of this release. About Mountain Boy Resources Ltd. Mountain Boy Resources is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company with a property portfolio of gold and silver projects within the Stewart region in the very prolific Golden Triangle region of British Columbia. In addition to the Red Cliff interest, Mountain Boy Resources own 100 per cent of the high-grade MB silver project, and 100 per cent of the BA and Surprise Creek volcanic massive sulphide (VMS) copper-lead-zinc-silver projects. The Company is in the process of exchanging a 20 per cent interest in the Silver Coin project for 3,746,874 shares of Ascot Resources Ltd. For a complete listing of the Company assets and developments, visit the Company website at www.mountainboyminerals.ca . On behalf of the Board of Directors: Lawrence Roulston President & CEO (604) 914-2142 For further information, contact: Nancy Curry VP Corporate Development (604) 220-2971 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. North Carolina's 2018 election cycle may be considered a "blue moon" - but Democrats aren't just standing around without a dream in their hearts. They dream of a sweeping victory this year, and are working hard to try to accomplish it.Every 12 years, North Carolinians go to the polls in midterms with no statewide races on the ballot other than for the appellate courts. That's what constitutes a blue-moon election. Lacking a presidential, gubernatorial, or U.S. Senate contest to galvanize public attention across the state, voter turnout tends to be low.What will happen this year? At least until the tumult of the past two weeks, Democrats have looked confident. They've recruited solid candidates in key districts and raised significant funds for them. Most polls have favored them.So does history. In most modern midterm elections, the party holding the White House have lost congressional and legislative seats. The opposition party's core voters are usually more motivated to turn out, to vote against policies they dislike and to check the power of the president's party.Let's consider the specific case of the North Carolina General Assembly. In the 12 midterm elections since 1970, the party not controlling the White House has gained an average of 11 seats in the state legislature - an average of eight seats in the N.C. House and three seats in the N.C. Senate.If we zero in on blue-moon elections only, there have been four since 1970. The average legislative swing against the president's party during blue-moon cycles has been an impressive 17 seats. This is one of those times, however, when the average can be misleading. In three of those cycles, the gains by the opposing party were moderate: +10 Democratic seats in 1970 (with Nixon in the White House), +10 Democratic seats in 1982 (Reagan), and +7 Democratic seats in 2006 (Bush).The outlier was 1994, the Clinton era, when Republicans gained a whopping 39 seats, clinching the House with a 26-seat gain and nearly winning the Senate with 13. If we go with the median (10) rather than average gain for the out-of-power party, blue-moon elections don't look much different from midterms as a whole.Although the anti-White House dynamic will be working against them, Republicans have some advantages of their own. In recent years, at least, GOP-leaning voters - being older and less transient - have tended to vote more reliably during midterm cycles than Democratic-leaning voters have.Also, congressional and legislative elections don't happen statewide. They occur within districts. The current electoral maps favor Republican candidates. While Democrats are correct to cite favorable redistricting as an explanation, that's not the only one. Democratic-leaning voters are disproportionately found in large cities. Even with neutrally drawn maps, running up big majorities in urban districts wouldn't help them win suburban and rural districts.Going into the 2018 cycle, Republicans have a 75-45 majority in the N.C. House and a 35-15 edge in the N.C. Senate. That's more than the required three-fifths vote to override a veto. Democrats are hoping to strengthen Gov. Roy Cooper's hand by breaking one or both GOP supermajorities.That would take a four-seat gain in the House and a six-seat gain in the Senate. Based on historical trends, the former is more likely than the latter. As we have seen, a net gain of something like eight Democrats in the House and three in the Senate would be normal. If Republicans manage to keep their General Assembly losses to single digits, that would be comparatively impressive. And if Democratic gains surged into the 20s or higher, that would constitute a catastrophe for the GOP. Its legislative majorities, not just its supermajorities, would be in danger.I recognize that elections are won race by race. I expect some surprises on Election Day. But with few exceptions, voters in midterms have tended to break against the party in the White House. And in North Carolina legislative races, a loss in the low teens is par for the course. Should Beaufort County's commissioners be resolved to ask the federal government to defend our Southern Border by ending the Biden /Harris Open Border policy in regards to that one border that is intentionally made OPEN? Yes, Illegal Migrants are a huge expense to local governments. No, the cost of Undocumented Immigrants is insignificant in our providing a pathway for Dramatic Demographic Upheaval.. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Body and Mind Inc. (CSE: BAMM, US OTC: BMMJ), (the Company or BAM) has been requested by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) to comment on the recent increase in the trading volume and price of the Company's common shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange. The Company is not aware of any material change in its business or affairs that have not been disclosed and that would have contributed to the recent increase in trading activity. The Company has been actively pursuing opportunities with different parties over the past several months in the regular course of business. Due to a recent increase in interest from such parties, the Company has established a Special Committee of directors to assist the Company with the review of potential transactions. The Committee is comprised of three directors of the Company, of which two are independent. No definitive agreement has been entered into at this time and there can be no assurance that a transaction will be consummated. 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. For further information regarding Body and Mind Inc . please contact: Michael Mills 778-389-0007 mmills@bamcannabis.com About Body and Mind Body and Mind is a publicly traded company investing in high quality medical and recreational cannabis cultivation and production and retail. Our wholly owned Nevada subsidiary was awarded one of the first medical marijuana cultivation licences and holds cultivation and production licenses. Body and Mind products include dried flower, edibles, topicals, extracts as well as GPEN Gio cartridges. Body and Mind marijuana strains have won numerous awards including the Las Vegas Hempfest Cup 2016, High Times Top Ten, the NorCal Secret Cup and the Emerald Cup. Body and Mind continues to expand operations in Nevada and Ohio and is constantly reviewing accretive expansion opportunities. For more information please visit our web site at http://www.bamcannabis.com . Safe Harbor Statement Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements as such term is used in applicable United States and Canadian laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as expects or does not expect, is expected, anticipates or does not anticipate, plans," estimates or intends, or stating that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of activities, variations in the underlying assumptions associated with the estimation of activities, the availability of capital to fund programs and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, accidents, labor disputes and other risks. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release. Certain matters discussed in this news release and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may constitute forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Many of these factors are beyond the Companys ability to control or predict. Important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially and that could impact the Company and the statements contained in this news release can be found in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities. VIENNA, Va., Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Carequality , a national-level, interoperability trusted exchange framework , is actively seeking input from the healthcare community as it adds support for FHIR-based exchange. Member and non-member stakeholders from across the healthcare continuum are encouraged to participate in the new FHIR Implementation Guide Technical and/or Policy workgroups. The former will concentrate more on specifications and security, while the latter will focus on the rules of the road. Carequality has demonstrated the power of a nationwide governance framework in connecting health IT networks and services for clinical document exchange, said Dave Cassel, Executive Director of Carequality. We believe that the FHIR exchange community will ultimately encounter some similar challenges to those that Carequality has helped to address with document exchange, and likely some new ones as well. Were eager to engage with stakeholders to map out the details of FHIR-based exchange under Carequalitys governance model. With much of the healthcare industry either starting to implement FHIR at some level, or planning to do so, the Carequality community is thinking ahead to the type of broad, nationwide deployments that Carequality governance can enable. The new policy and technical workgroups are expected to work in concert with many other organizations contributing to the maturity and development of FHIR. The workgroups will not duplicate the work that is underway on multiple fronts; including defining FHIR resource specs and associated use case workflows. Instead, the workgroups will focus on the operational and policy elements needed to support the use of these resources across an organized ecosystem. The overarching goal of all healthcare interoperability project is to improve outcomes, lower costs, and broadly improve overall population health, said Cassel. We believe that adoption of FHIR in the Carequality Interoperability Framework can advance all of these goals by improving the availability of useable clinical information, expanding the scope of exchange, and significantly lowering the costs of participating in interoperable exchange. Individuals interested in participating in either or both workgroups should email admin@carequality.org, and indicate which workgroup is of interest. What is Carequality? Carequality is a national-level, consensus-built, common interoperability framework to enable exchange between and among health data sharing networks. Carequality brings together diverse groups, including electronic health record (EHR) vendors, record locator service (RLS) providers and other types of existing networks from the private sector and government, to determine technical and policy agreements to enable data to ow between and among networks, platforms, and geographies. The Carequality Framework provides the essential elements for trusted national exchange, such as common rules of the road (including a Trusted Exchange Framework), well-defined technical specifications and a participant directory. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered an operation to lure Washington Post contributing journalist Jamal Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia where he was to be detained, U.S. intercepts show. The whole torture, dismemberment, and death inside the Saudi embassy thing that apparently happened was a rendition gone bad, according to this report. From Shane Harris at the Washington Post, whose reporting is based on descriptions of U.S. intelligence intercepts of Saudi officials discussing the plan: The intelligence pointing to a plan to detain Khashoggi in Saudi Arabia has fueled speculation by officials and analysts in multiple countries that what transpired at the consulate was a backup plan to capture Khashoggi that may have gone wrong. A former U.S. intelligence official who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter noted that the details of the operation, which involved sending two teams totaling 15 men, in two private aircraft arriving and departing Turkey at different times, bore the hallmarks of a "rendition," in which someone is extralegally removed from one country and deposited for interrogation in another. But Turkish officials have concluded that whatever the intent of the operation, Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate. Investigators have not found his body, but Turkish officials have released video surveillance footage of Khashoggi entering the consulate on the afternoon of Oct. 2. There is no footage that shows him leaving, they said. The intelligence about Saudi Arabia's earlier plans to detain Khashoggi have raised questions about whether the Trump administration should have warned the journalist that he might be in danger. Intelligence agencies have a "duty to warn" people who might be kidnapped, seriously injured or killed, according to 2015 federal directive. "The obligation applies regardless of whether the person is a U.S. citizen. Khashoggi was a U.S. resident," Harris writes. The Trump administration's response to the likely abduction and murder of Jamal Khashoggi is sickening. Administration officials have not commented on the intelligence reports that showed a Saudi plan to lure Khashoggi. "Though I cannot comment on intelligence matters, I can say definitively the United States had no advance knowledge of [Khashoggi's] disappearance," deputy State Department spokesman Robert Palladino told reporters Wednesday. Asked whether the U.S. government would have had a duty to warn Khashoggi if it possessed information that he was in jeopardy, Palladino declined to answer what he called a "hypothetical question." Read the whole piece. Trump walks tightrope amid global outrage over disappearance of Saudi journalist https://t.co/kLjPNLAp7m Ram Ramgopal (@RamCNN) October 11, 2018 "On Helen's form, which was filled out with assistance from officials, there is a checked box next to a line that says, "I withdraw my previous request for a Flores bond hearing." Beneath that line, the five-year-old signed her name in wobbly letters." What the Trump administration is doing to these thousands of children is morally repulsive. We have to stop it. Here's an excerpt from a New Yorker feature on Helen, "a smart, cheerful five-year-old girl" seeking asylum from Honduras. She ends up in court, separated from her parents. The organization helping her is lupenet.org, and you should support their work. They managed to get Helen reunited with her mother, and out of Trump's brown kid prisons. But here's what happened to her: In July, Helen fled Honduras with her grandmother, Noehmi, and several other relatives; gangs had threatened Noehmi's teen-age son, Christian, and the family no longer felt safe. Helen's mother, Jeny, had migrated to Texas four years earlier, and Noehmi planned to seek legal refuge there. With Noehmi's help, Helen travelled thousands of miles, sometimes on foot, and frequently fell behind the group. While crossing the Rio Grande in the journey's final stretch, Helen slipped from their raft and risked drowning. Her grandmother grabbed her hand and cried, "Hang on, Helen!" When the family reached the scrubland of southern Texas, U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended them and moved them through a series of detention centers. A month earlier, the Trump Administration had announced, amid public outcry over its systemic separation of migrant families at the border, that it would halt the practice. But, at a packed processing hub, Christian was taken from Noehmi and placed in a cage with toddlers. Noehmi remained in a cold holding cell, clutching Helen. Soon, she recalled, a plainclothes official arrived and informed her that she and Helen would be separated. "No!" Noehmi cried. "The girl is under my care! Please!" Noehmi said that the official told her, "Don't make things too difficult," and pulled Helen from her arms. "The girl will stay here," he said, "and you'll be deported." Helen cried as he escorted her from the room and out of sight. Noehmi remembers the authorities explaining that Helen's mother would be able to retrieve her, soon, from wherever they were taking her. Later that day, Noehmi and Christian were reunited. The adults in the family were fitted with electronic ankle bracelets and all were released, pending court dates. They left the detention center and rushed to Jeny's house, in McAllen, hoping to find Helen there. When they didn't, Noehmi began to shake, struggling to explain the situation. "Immigration took your daughter," she told Jeny. "But where did they take her?" Jeny asked. "I don't know," Noehmi replied. The details from the sham legal process are nauseating. Excerpt: According to a long-standing legal precedent known as the Flores settlement, which established guidelines for keeping children in immigration detention, Helen had a right to a bond hearing before a judge; that hearing would have likely hastened her release from government custody and her return to her family. At the time of her apprehension, in fact, Helen checked a box on a line that read, "I do request an immigration judge," asserting her legal right to have her custody reviewed. But, in early August, an unknown official handed Helen a legal document, a "Request for a Flores Bond Hearing," which described a set of legal proceedings and rights that would have been difficult for Helen to comprehend. ("In a Flores bond hearing, an immigration judge reviews your case to determine whether you pose a danger to the community," the document began.) On Helen's form, which was filled out with assistance from officials, there is a checked box next to a line that says, "I withdraw my previous request for a Flores bond hearing." Beneath that line, the five-year-old signed her name in wobbly letters. Summer went on, with no sign of Helen's return. Noehmi and Jeny contacted LUPE (La Union Del Pueblo Entero), a nonprofit community union based in the Texas Rio Grande Valley, to ask for help getting Helen released. Continued: Founded by the famed activists Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta in 1989, lupe fights deportations, provides social services, and organizes civil mobilizations on behalf of more than eight thousand low-income members across south Texas; Jeny, employed as an office cleaner, was one such member. Tania Chavez, a strategy leader for the organization, met with the family to hear their story. You need to read the entire story. There's a positive update to share. Helen made it back to her mom. LUPE and the community of people online who read about her case took action. Other kids need help, too. Click Here to Support LUPE's Immigration Legal Defense Work. If you're a registered voter, you need to vote in November. Stop this racist atrocity. [A photo taken of Helen during her time in custody. Photograph via The New Yorker, Courtesy Eugene Delgado] Well this is fun: The United States Government Accountability Office released a report today that explains, in no uncertain terms, that the majority of the nation's new-fangled, high-tech weapons systems are hilariously vulnerable to cyber attacks. From the Washington Post: The report by the Government Accountability Office concluded that many of the weapons, or the systems that control them, could be neutralized within hours. In many cases, the military teams developing or testing the systems were oblivious to the hacking. A public version of the study, published on Tuesday, deleted all names and descriptions of which systems were attacked so the report could be published without tipping off American adversaries about the vulnerabilities. Congress is receiving the classified version of the report, which specifies which among the $1.6 trillion in weapons systems that the Pentagon is acquiring from defense contractors were affected. The Government Accountability Office used a team of hackers to see what sort of shenanigans could be caused with a little bit of access and a whole lot of digital kung-fu. The results aren't a good look for America's military. In one instance, the red team that the GOA used was pitted against Pentagon personnel tasked with holding the line against cyberintrusions. The security checks that the Pentagon were easily bypassed, thanks to the use of easy-to-crack passwords and "insiders" who were familiar with the program acting as meatspace backdoors to what would normally be secure systems. It gets worse: hackers working for the GAO reported being able to watch, in real time, a system operator's every move. Everything they did on screen was observable from a remote location and, if the hackers had wanted to, they could have taken the system over. The Washington Post reports: One team reported that they caused a pop-up message to appear on users' terminals instructing them to insert two quarters to continue operating. So yeah: the most powerful military force in the world is, despite recent efforts to tie off existing vulnerabilities, ill-equipped to detect or fend off against cyber attacks that could cripple many of the technological advantages that the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines use to maintain an edge over enemy combatants. Super. Image via United States Air Force Academy DENVER, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pax8 , the leader in cloud distribution, today announced that Channel Futures has selected Ryan Walsh, Chief Channel Officer at Pax8, as a winner of the 2018 Circle of Excellence Awards. Ryan has more 16 years of experience helping channel partners build successful cloud practices by enabling them to easily sell, bill, and manage cloud subscription services. He is dedicated to offering the education partners need to achieve more with cloud through his leadership with Channel Futures Think Tank and as the Co-Chair of CompTIAs Channel Advisory Board. Under his direction, Pax8 is redefining how distribution works for the channel in a cloud-centric world. It is an honor to receive this award from Channel Futures for the innovations we are offering channel partners and our dedication to their business growth, said Walsh. This award shines a spotlight on the importance of the partner journey to the cloud and how Pax8 is focused on offering the best Wingman experience in the industry. We thank Channel Futures for this recognition and their leadership. Channel Futures Circle of Excellence winners were honored during an awards ceremony at the Fall 2018 Channel Partners Evolution in Philadelphia. These winners will be featured on a special Channel Futures Immersion Center on the Channel Futures website. Circle of Excellence award winners represent the best in channel management. Through their thought leadership, partner loyalty and business performance, they distinguish themselves from their peers, said T.C. Doyle, editorial director at Channel Futures. Added Kelly Danziger, market leader of channels at Informa, Channel Futures is proud to honor these remarkable executives for their achievement and commitment to the channel. Their unwavering dedication to the channel community sets a high standard that inspires others. To learn more about Pax8, please contact the cloud solutions advisors at (855) 884-PAX8, email info@pax8.com , or visit www.pax8.com . About Pax8 Pax8 is the leader in cloud distribution. As a born in the cloud company, Pax8 empowers managed service providers (MSPs) to capitalize on the $1 trillion cloud opportunity. Through billing, provisioning, automation, industry-leading PSA integrations, and pre-and-post sales support, Pax8 simplifies cloud buying, improves operational efficiency, and lowers customer acquisition cost. Pax8 is a proven, award-winning disruptor in the market, earning accolades like NexGens Best in Show two years in a row, Biggest Buzz at IT Nation, CRNs Coolest Cloud Vendor, Best in Show at XChange two years in a row, HTGs Rookie of the Year, and more. If you want to be successful with cloud, you want to work with Pax8. Get started today at www.pax8.com . Follow Pax8 on Facebook , LinkedIn , and Twitter . About Informa Informa is one of the worlds leading knowledge providers. We create and deliver highly specialized information through publishing, events, training, market intelligence and expertise, providing valuable knowledge to individuals, businesses and organizations worldwide including the emerging markets of India, China and South Africa. About Informa's Channel Group Channel Futures is devoted to helping digital architects better manage their operations and deliver higher-value business solutions to end customers. Channel Futures provides inspiration, insights and tools to the diverse ecosystem of companies that comprise the "new channel," which includes managed service providers (MSPs), systems integrators, born-in-the-cloud companies, telecom agents, VARs and other market specialists that operate outside the traditional information and telecommunications technology (ICT) ecosystem. For more than two decades, Channel Partners has been the leader in providing news and analysis to indirect sales channels serving the business technology. It is the unrivaled resource for resellers, aggregators, agents, brokers, VARs, systems integrators, interconnects and dealers that provide network-based communications and computing services, associated CPE and applications as well as managed and professional services. Channel Partners is the official media of the Channel Partners Conference & Expo and Channel Partners Evolution. - Zimbabwe is facing the very real threat of another financial crisis like the one experienced in 2008 - Bread is being rationed, empty shelves are forcing shops to close and motorists are queuing for kilometres to buy fuel - The latest crisis has been brought on by a controversial new 2% tax on all electronic transactions announced by finance minister Mthuli Ncube last week PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see Briefly news on your News Feed! Zimbabwe is facing the very real threat of another financial crisis on the level as the one which crippled the country in 2008. Bread is being rationed in shops across the country while empty shelves are forcing some shops to close altogether and motorists are queuing for kilometres to buy fuel. The latest crisis started last week when the countrys finance minister Mthuli Ncube announced a controversial new 2% tax on all electronic transactions. The measure was meant to stabilise the economy and provide some much-needed additional revenue for the government but now looks like it might be backfiring with devastating consequences. READ ALSO: Zweli Mkhizes KZN house raided in connection with political killings investigations Most ordinary Zimbabweans rely on electronic transfers to go about their daily lives and make most of their day-to-day purchases using electronic channels. This is caused by the country still relying on the US dollar as its main currency. Briefly.co.za gathered that while there have always been shortages of hard currency in the country the cash shortage has escalated in recent months which has caused actual cash-flow in the country to grind to a virtual halt and made Zimbabweans almost entirely reliant on electronic cash. Thesouthafrican.com reported that Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appealed for calm and reassured Zimbabweans that his government remained in control of the situation. Mnangagwa said the government would guarantee the continued availability of critical commodities such as fuel and basic food items. The president warned Zimbabweans that there was no quick fix or easy solutions. Predictably the shortages have spawned a thriving black market filled with cowboy traders eager to take advantage of desperate people by heavily inflating the price of essential food items. In one case a street vendor was doing a brisk business selling cooking oil for $12 instead of the usual $3.70 per litre. PAY ATTENTION: Save mobile data with FreeBasics: Briefly is now available on the app Meanwhile, IOL.co.za reported that international chain and franchise stores such as Edgars, KFC, Truworths and St Elmos have temporarily shut various stores in the capital Harare and other locations in the country. KFC said it was unable to purchase chickens and other stock due to the critical cash shortage. Worryingly many pharmacies in the country are running out of essential and chronic medication which has the potential to threaten the lives of countless people. The latest crisis will come as a blow to Mnangagwa who won a dispute election barely three months ago largely on the promise of reviving the ailing Zimbabwean economy. The unemployment rate is generally believed to be well above 90%. READ ALSO: Malusi Gigaba goes on the defensive, opens up about relationship with Guptas For more amazing, funny and informative videos, please visit Briefly South Africa's YouTube Channel. Do you have a story to share with Briefly? Visit our Facebook page where you can send us a message or leave us a comment. Your story could be shared online. To stay up to date with the latest news, download our news app on iTunes or GooglePlay today. Source: Briefly.co.za - Benedict Maaga was driving along a road in Vanderbijlpark - A man named Lucas asked him for a lift to the highway so he could find work in Johannesburg - He discovered Lucas has been unemployed for 10 years PAY ATTENTION: Click "See first" under the "Following" tab to see Briefly News on your newsfeed! A Gauteng resident has shared a heartbreaking story of Lucas, whom he referred to as one of South Africa's 10 million unemployed citizens. Writing on Facebook, Benedict Maaga said he was driving along a road in Vanderbijlpark when Lucas asked him for a lift. Lucas was trying to get to the highway so he could proceed to Johannesburg to get work for the day, Briefly.co.za gathered. PAY ATTENTION: Save mobile data with FreeBasics: Briefly is now available on the app Benedict learned that Lucas is a former truck driver who has been unemployed for 10 years. He hitches lifts every day to find work. He explained: His daily existence, he tells me, is quite dire. He doesnt know what, if anything, will be eaten tonight as his wife too is unemployed. Benedict took Lucas as far as he could and gave him the R100 he had in his pocket. He said he was moved by Lucas' "combination of desperation and hope." READ ALSO: Police raid Zweli Mkhize's KZN home in ongoing political killings investigation The concerned South African urged his fellow citizens to show more empathy when talking about the unemployed. While Benedict said people cannot be expected to give lifts to every stranger, they can be a little more understanding: My plea however, would be for a little empathy when referring to 'lazy poor people' who, unlike us, 'havent worked hard enough to lift themselves up by their bootstraps like us.' I have heard [this] more times than I care to remember. Lets be a little kind, as it costs us very little to do so. READ ALSO: Fancy cars and a multimillion rand home: Benni McCarthy's net worth Benedict's story touched the hearts of many commenters. One of them wrote: Such an awesome story! So true, don't be overwhelmed by just how much needs to be done. Start with one person and make a difference in their life. Find out what gift Will Smith gets for his birthday in this hilarious cartoon from our Briefly - South Africa YouTube channel. 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 With the country's economy continuing to haemorrhage badly despite the government's best efforts, analysts and ordinary citizens are urging President Emmerson Mnangagwa to engage opposition leader Nelson Chamisa to stem an economic 'Armagedon' similar to 2008.Among the proposals that are being bandied about as possible remedies to Zimbabwe's fast-deteriorating economy are growing calls for the formation of another government of national unity.More to follow.... News / National by Staff reporter President Emmerson Mnangagwa is leaning heavily on his officials to restore sanity in the country's economy with analysts saying their knee-jerk responses betray unprecedented levels of panic.Mnangagwa's governing Zanu-PF party now believes that there is a third force behind the economic meltdown, bent on sabotaging its efforts at reviving the economy.Party spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo issued a stinging statement on Tuesday, blaming external forces for throwing spanners into the works - two months after the July 30 polls."It is therefore correct to suggest that there is a hidden hand in all what is transpiring in our economic scenario; economic sabotage is at play," Khaya Moyo said."The fluidity of exchange rate fluctuations on the informal market and the rampant price escalations are artificial and cannot be justified as they are not informed by economic fundamentals," he added.Earlier, party youths had declared war on illegal foreign currency traders and Zanu-PF bigwigs suspected of driving rates on the thriving black market.Zanu-PF youth league secretary Pupurai Togarepi gave the traders a week to leave the streets or face the consequences.Despite his ominous warning, the bond note continued to crash precipitously against the United States dollar - causing mayhem in mainstream business and resulting in panicking shoppers rushing to hoard basic goods.Yesterday, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube - whose austerity measures triggered a storm last week - issued another statement to calm the markets.The crisis followed his introduction of a transaction tax pegged at two cents per dollar that backfired spectacularly after it was roundly rejected by crisis-weary Zimbabweans.Ncube appeared to be mellowing yesterday, saying the country shall continue to use the multi-currency system, put in place by government in 2009."This system entails that foreign exchange earners are not prejudiced of their regulatory foreign exchange receipts and that those who do not earn foreign exchange have access to foreign exchange through the banking system as is per the current policy of foreign exchange management system," he said.The Finance minister said it is critical to re-state government's great commitment to reducing fiscal imbalances which are the root cause of the many challenges the economy is facing."The challenges include cash shortages and the proliferation of foreign exchange parallel market rates which have a negative effect on prices," Ncube said in a statement."These challenges require that government positions the economy on a strong footing by implementing reforms that include cutting on government expenditure, working towards import parity pricing system, increasing efficiency on government delivery systems and fast-tracking the State-owned enterprises reforms, among a host of reforms."Political analyst Maxwell Saungweme said believing that the price hikes were not a result of economic fundamentals at play, but sabotage of a political nature was "sheer illiteracy and psychosis wound in one".He blamed the crisis on Zanu-PF's excessive borrowing from the central bank to bankroll its elections campaigns as well as policy inconsistencies in government."To try and explain this as economic sabotage is very rudimentary and heedless and points to a panicking government," Saungweme said.He said focus should be on getting every Zimbabwean together and confront the fallout from the policy changes together than further dividing people by cooking up unfounded economic sabotage claims."Smart people look for solutions and obtuse ones look for blame," Saungweme said.United States-based human rights activist Dewa Mavhinga said what is obtaining in the economy was predictable "given the lie perpetuated for years that the bond note was the same as the US dollar"."Another factor that contributed to the madness is the cruel and unjustifiably punitive two percent tax to the suffering masses of Zimbabwe," Mavhinga said.He said overtaxing Zimbabweans will not result in the country being open for business, as Mnangagwa claims."Rather, the clueless authorities are closing Zimbabwe for business," said Mavhinga. News / National by Staff reporter AIR Namibia has cancelled flights to Zimbabwe as an interim measure after one of its aircraft was impounded by authorities in Harare last Friday.A plane Air Namibia was leasing from West Air - a V5-WEB - was impounded as a result of a pending court case brought by five Zimbabwean nationals against Air Namibia.Earlier this year, the media reported that a family claimed they had visas from the Turkish consulate in Harare to travel to Turkey via Frankfurt.Air Namibia, however, reportedly received instructions from the German immigration officials in Pretoria not to allow the passengers onto the flight.The family then sued Air Namibia in the High Court of Zimbabwe for US$1 million, and requested that the sheriff be directed to attach any of the airline's moveable property at its town office in Harare, as well as to impound any of the airline's aircraft landing in Zimbabwe.In a statement Tuesday, the airline's spokesperson, Paul Nakawa, said flights to Zimbabwe would be cancelled pending the finalisation of the matter."The airline has resolved to divert the current flights between Hosea Kutako International Airport and Victoria Falls to Livingstone, Zambia, for the period 6 October 2018 to 27 October 2018."We trust that Air Namibia can count on the continued support of its passengers, and we continue to strive for the most professional and pleasant experience for our passengers," he added.Nakawa stressed that the airline has invested significantly in Zimbabwe by having flights to that country yearly, and even at a time when that country's economy was in tatters, Air Namibia continued flying there to support it."To date, we remain one of the very few airlines promoting Zimbabwe as a tourist destination as part of the Southern African Development Community, and in line with our mandate for the development of the region."As an airline, we operate in compliance with international safety and other regulatory requirements. Hence, the reason why Air Namibia is one of the few African carriers permitted to fly in the European space, and further to be granted rights to fly to the United States via our codeshare agreements."The matter at hand is the case of Zimbabwean passengers who were travelling as a family with visas obtained from the Turkish consulate in Harare. The family failed the security test, and were denied boarding to fly to Frankfurt, and subsequently sued Air Namibia," the spokesperson explained.The five applicants brought action against Air Namibia on 14 March 2018. On 21 March 2018, Air Namibia's lawyers filed a notice of opposition that the claimants did not meet satisfactory immigration requirements to proceed with their travel, among other issues."After more than three months with the claimants not having filed any answering affidavits, Air Namibia's lawyers on 22 June 2018 filed an application to have their case dismissed, and the family was served with the papers on 27 June 2018. They were supposed to respond to it within 10 days."Air Namibia proceeded to instruct the law firm Honey and Blanckenberg to represent the airline with respect to the matter," Nakawa noted.He added that efforts are currently underway by the law firm to appeal to the Zimbabwe supreme court."With reference to the turn of events above, our position is that the family's claim is baseless as we have done everything within the ambit of industry practice, standards and norms."As an airline, we reserve the right to refuse passengers on our flights if they fail to meet the immigration requirements of the countries we fly to, as that will be contravening international immigration laws."If the Zimbabwean system allows and supports such lawlessness, they are a risk to us, and we will be consulting our mandate holder on our future as far as flights to Zimbabwe are concerned." News / National by Stephen Jakes MDC Alliance legislator Ruth Labode has rapped the ruling Zanu PF for grabbing power through rigging the election and failing to implement the programmes it promised during campaigns."l have a few questions to my Zanu PF friends. You say you won elections (according to ZEC & Con court). You had your working plan going into the elections, that in the event that you are declared winners you would implement to improve people's lives right ? You have dozens of mega deals that you signed after November 17 and to date you are still signing new ones right? I deliberately ignored pre November 17 so that we concentrate on what you call a new "dispensation" she said."You don't need or seek any endorsement from a loser" who is just power hungry as you put it right?. You have a wonderful team of technocrats in the cabinet right? You have all powers in the legislative assembly right? over two thirds majority in both houses. You have 100% representation in the cabinet (Executive ). The judiciary is fully functional and 100% behind you right? (Taking even from their new themes where they have banners inscribed "Zimbabwe is open for business" which has been President Emmerson Mnangagwa's mantra since taking oath of office last year. You have flown several meetings on ZBC T.V. and Zim Papers of President ED with "several multi billionaire investors" warming up to the new dispensation right?. You have Britain and your all weather friends (China and Russia ) on your side right?"She said so what has MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa got to do with the current crisis bewildering our nation?"Why are you saying Chamisa is holding back the nation? Has Chamisa got power to stop your warmed up multibillionaire investors? Has Chamisa got power to Influence the currency exchange rates of your RTGs balances / Nostro / Bond notes and USD? Does Chamisa control the coming in of Fuel into the country? Does Chamisa control the the price hikes on almost all basic commodities on the shelves?," she said. "What exactly do you want." News / National by Simbarashe Sithole Unfair distribution of Presidential input scheme landed an Mvurwi village chairman in trouble after he allegedly stabbed a disgruntled member of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and was finally dragged to Guruve magistrates courts yesterday.The village chairman of Rongore farm, Mvurwi Kudakwashe Musona aka Macharonga pleaded not guilty to assault charge before Guruve resident magistrate Shingirai Mutiro who remanded the matter to 26 October.The state alleges on 21 September 2018 at Rumanje farm villagers were receiving the presidential inputs and the chairman Musona ordered people to pay 10 cents each so as to get the input which the whole village complied.A member of the (ZNA) who is also a villager at Rongore Milton Kachasu was ordered to pay $1.50 and refused to pay labelling the chairman corrupt.After the distribution of the inputs the two went for a beer drink where they had a misunderstanding over the unfair distribution of the input.Musona reportedly poured a bottle of Super Chibuku on the soldier who also bought his bottle and retaliated.The two pulled each other outside a bottle store for peaceful talks and talked before tearing each other's clothes.They stayed in the bottle store drinking separately for a while and called each other to go home on their way home they Musona pressed a stub of lighted tobacco on Kachasu's right eye before stabbing him three times on his right hand. News / National by Staff reporter Zanu-PF has scoffed at reports that the economic challenges prevailing in the country will push President Emmerson Mnangagwa to engage the opposition MDC Alliance and form a government of national unity (GNU).The opposition MDC Alliance utterances that its leader Advocate Nelson Chamisa holds the key to the country's economic revival while at the same time subjecting the people of Zimbabwe to untold sufferings by inviting illegal sanctions came under the spotlight at the Zanu-PF special caucus meeting to discuss the prevailing economic situation.The caucus meeting resolved for a national dialogue between key stakeholders with the ruling party, government and party's Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu scoffing at reports of a GNU with the Chamisa led MDC Alliance."After extensive consultation and investigations, we discovered that there is a hidden hand in the economic situation prevailing, MDC Alliance is going round claiming it has the keys to economic revival envisaging that the situation gets dire and force a GNU, never, President Mnangagwa has a full mandate given to him by the people, they invited sanctions and at the same time want to take advantage to cause chaos in the economy, we are on top of the situation and very soon we the whole agenda will be exposed," laments Dr Mpofu.Another burning issue which came under the spotlight at the caucus meeting was the need for the monetary and fiscal authorities to revisit the new policy measures especially the two percent tax.Legislators from rural areas appealed to the government to spare the poor by lifting the exemption tax cap from the proposed $10 dollars to $500 which is the minimum wage. News / Press Release by Thembani Dube, 1893 MHRRM's Secretary for Information and Publicity The 1893 Mthwakazi (Matebeleland) Human Rights Restoration Movement (1893 MHRRM) hereby confirms that Moses Mzila Ndlovu, a strong, principled and fierce advocate for Truth, Justice and Reparations for the Matebele "Gukurahundi" Genocide will be attending, as a Guest Speaker, the 1st Matebeleland "Gukurahundi Genocide Conference in the United Kingdom.Mr Ndlovu is a former Movement for Democratic Change legislator in Zimbabwe. He is also a former Zimbabwean Minister of State in the Organ of National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration in the short-lived 2009 to 2012 Global Political Agreement (GPA) Government of Zimbabwe.Mr Ndlovu's strong, principled and fierce advocacy for Truth, Justice and Reparations for the Matebeleland "Gukurahundi" Genocide has landed him in rough and dirty Zimbabwean cells. On the 15th April 2011, Mr Ndlovu together with Reverend Marko Mkandla, was arrested on his way to Victoria Falls in Matebeleland North, for having addressed a Matebeleland "Gukurahundi" Genocide Memorial Service. At the time of this arrest, Mr Ndlovu was still a Minister of State in the Organ of National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration. The arrest was calculated to humiliate him and demean as well as ridicule his Ministerial position Since then he has received trumped up charges for various things but has been acquitted in court.In 1983, the then Government of Robert Gabriel Mugabe unleashed a North Korean trained crack unit called the 5th Brigade of Zimbabwe in Matebeleland. This unit caused a lot of untold suffering in its genocidal forays in our territory and turned Matebeleland into its ethnic killing fields and ethnic "rivers of blood". The result was the death of between 50 000 to 100 00 law-abiding and God-fearing Matebele people. Thousands endured torture and rape of unimaginable proportions. The survivors remain traumatised, enslaved and held hostage in Zimbabwe by the same tyrannical rulers who committed and continue to commit heinous crimes against them.The Matebele Genocide Memorization events of the above Genocide remain banned in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean readily police pounce on any Matebeleland activists and leaders that peacefully arrange these memorial gatherings and prevent them from going ahead.Mr Ndlovu's attendance to the conference will be a big boost to the 1893 Mthwakazi (Matebeleland) Human Rights Restoration Movement as it ups its campaign for Truth, Justice and Reparations for the Matebeleland Genocide that happened in the 80s in Zimbabwe.The Conference will be held on the 3rd November 2018 the United Kingdom. It will be the 1st Conference of its kind in the diaspora and will provide further opportunity to disseminate information about the genocide, offer a networking platform with other Nations that have suffered Genocide as well as maintain the campaign for Truth, Justice and Reparations on the international radar. The public are therefore invited to attend the Conference in numbers.The Conference is scheduled to take place in Luton town, located 46 kilometres north of London, United Kingdom. The Conference will take place from 11:00 am to 5 pm on the day.The venue for the conference is:The Lansdowne Hall, The Lansdowne Club, 70 New Bedford Road, Luton, Bedford, LU3 1BS.Several topics regarding the Matebele "Gukurahundi" Genocide will be presented, ranging from survivor's narratives or testimonials to legal, forensic anthropology and human rights perspectives as well as sharing experiences of how other parts of the world are dealing with their own Genocides and campaigns for Truth, Justice and Reparations.Professor Gregory Stanton of Genocide Watch, an international organization that, "...exists to predict, prevent, stop, and punish genocide and other forms of mass murder" will be providing a short video on the Matebele "Gukurahundi" Genocide for watching on the day. The Movement will also avail Zenzele Ndebele's recent documentary on the Genocide for watching on this day.It is hoped that the Conference will emerge with a Consensus Statement on the way forward on the redress of this Genocide, a statement that will seek to create a road map and a comprehensive Agenda from survivors themselves and stake holders alike in dealing with this issue.More updates to follow as the conference approaches.For more information about the Conference kindly contact the 1893 MHRRM on +44 (0) 7889 422 695 Fyre Festival Organizer Billy McFarland Got Sentenced To Six Years In Prison Trending News: Fyre Festival's Organizer Has Been Sentenced To Six Years In Jail Remember the Fyre Festival, that music festival in the Bahamas backed by Ja Rule and Kendall Jenner. You know, the one that promised a lavish party on an island only to be one of the most satisfying failures in recent memory (as long as you didn't have tickets)? Well, the guy who organized it, Billy McFarland, is going to be behind bars for a really long time. McFarland, who's just 26 by the way, was charged with multiple counts of wire fraud and has been sentenced to six years behind bars, VICE News reports. A Serial Scammer The court concluded that McFarland was a serial scammer, responsible for millions in lost income to investors and customers. His schemes included the Fyre Festival which ended up more like an episode of Lost than a festival a luxury benefits club called Magnises and a ticket scheme involving NYC VIP Access, which scammed people out of $150,000. It is my conclusion based on all the submissions that the defendant is a serial fraudster and that to date his fraud like a circle has no ending," said U.S. District Court Judge Naomi Buchwald, according to the VICE News report. Related: Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino From 'Jersey Shore' Got Sentenced To 8 Months In Jail Excuses, Excuses During the case, McFarland's lawyers said their client suffers from bipolar disorder and McFarland himself plead for forgiveness, but the judge didn't buy it. Bipolar does not excuse behavior, Buchwald said. It Could Get Worse For Him While six years seems harsh, and it is, the judge had the power to sentence him to 20 years. Even still, more consequences could be on the way for McFarland. Through this sentencing, McFarland is supposed to pay $26,182,386. In a lost case that concluded in July, it was ruled that he has to be $5 million in damages. There's also the pending class action suit from all the festival-goers, which could have him paying much more. Not sure how he's gonna pay for all that or what that'll mean for his sentence. So to conclude: You can fraud American taxpayers out of their livelihood, but if you piss off some rich influencers, you're going to pay big time. You Might Also Dig MIDLAND, VA, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Smith-Midland Corporation (OTCQX: SMID). On October 9th, The Associated General Contractors Association (AGC) awarded Smith-Midland top-honors in their category for the Latitude Mixed Use project at a ceremony in The International Spy Museum, Washington, DC. Additionally a Merit Award for Transit, Highway & Bridge was given for Smith-Midlands work on the Eisenhower Avenue sound wall project in Alexandria, VA. The two awarded projects are indicative of the diversity, ingenuity and quality achieved by Smith-Midland for their clients. Latitude Architectural Precast Project Arlington, VA The Latitude Apartments is a 12-story, mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly luxury apartment community situated directly across from the Virginia Square Metro in Arlington, Virginia. This Davis Carter Scott design built for Greystar Apartment Communities included 70,000 sq. ft. of acid-wash finished architectural precast concrete panels (746) manufactured and erected by Smith Midland Corporation for builder CBG Building Company. The Latitude has also earned LEED Gold certification and a coveted Grand Aurora Award for Best Mixed-Use Project 2018, from the Southeast Building Conference. To see pictures and read more about this project. Eisenhower Sound Wall Project Alexandria, VA In May 2018, Smith-Midland worked to install 10,000 sq. ft. of reflective precast noise wall manufactured using geometric form liners, creating a unique and aesthetically pleasing solution. In coordination with GeoStructures and HITT Contracting, Smith-Midland provided the design, fabrication, and installation of the sound wall at the perimeter of an upscale town home living complex located at 2900 Eisenhower Avenue. To see pictures and read more about this project . Its the dedication of our entire Smith-Midland team that really makes the difference, said Ashley Smith, CEO. Getting recognized for all that hard-work means a lot to us. Link to full press release with images of awards. About Smith-Midland Corporation Smith-Midland Corporation is a publicly traded company (OTCQX: SMID). Smith-Midland develops, manufactures, and sells a broad array of precast concrete products for use primarily in the construction, transportation, and utilities industries. Smith-Midland Corporation has three manufacturing facilities located in Midland, VA, Reidsville, NC, and Columbia, SC. Easi-Set Worldwide, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Smith-Midland Corporation, licenses the production and sale of Easi-Set products, and provides diversification opportunities to the precast industry worldwide. For more information, please call (540) 439-3266 or visit www.smithmidland.com. FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Deutsche Telekom will launch commercial 5G operations in Germany in 2020, as long as enough commercial devices are available, Chief Executive Tim Hoettges said on Wednesday as he pledged to keep up the pace of network investments. Hoettges renewed a pledge to invest 5.5 billion euros ($6.32 billion) a year in building Telekom's broadband network in Germany, according to a statement issued before a meeting on network strategy to be hosted by Germany's main industry lobby. His comments signaled the intent of Deutsche Telekom, the market leader that is partly state owned, to out-invest its competitors as Germany prepares to auction 5G licenses in early 2019. Yet Hoettges also appealed for cooperation on building out Germany's fiber-optic network, critical both for providing gigabit-speed internet connections and ensuring that 5G services such as networked factories and smart cities can operate. "5G is not just another network, but an important element of value addition in our customers' products," Hoettges said, adding that he would invite industry to join in the development of a standardized European 5G platform. Deutsche Telekom would host a user conference to assess the demands on its 5G network, he added. Germany, along with most European countries, is lagging countries like Japan, Korea or the United States in its plans to roll out 5G services. A lack of available 5G-enable smartphones is a key concern when it comes to offering retail services. ($1 = 0.8708 euros) (Reporting by Douglas Busvine; editing by Thomas Seythal) By Stephanie Nebehay LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Reuters) - Switzerland's highest court ruled on Wednesday that prosecutors cannot extend Swiss banking secrecy rules to all corners of the globe to pursue whistleblowers. In a case drawing international scrutiny, the Federal Supreme Court by a 3-2 majority rejected an appeal by Zurich prosecutors in the case involving former private banker Rudolf Elmer, who denied all the charges. The Swiss Banking Act requires employees of Swiss-regulated banks to keep client information confidential, but a number of staff have leaked account details to foreign authorities in the past decade as Western governments crack down on tax evasion. Some lawmakers in the European Union had worried that the prosecutors' move, if successful, would have deterred potential whistleblowers from supplying information on people accused of shifting their wealth to tax havens through accounts protected by secrecy laws. Zurich prosecutors had asked the court to interpret the law so that the secrecy obligation is widened to include people with looser working relationships to Swiss banks and their subsidiaries abroad. They were appealing against the 2016 acquittal of Elmer on charges brought under the secrecy law. Elmer, who was in the courtroom, expressed relief at the verdict. "It's a positive one, definitely," he told Reuters. "It was made clear by the court that Swiss bank secrecy law is not applicable to banks in countries outside of Switzerland. I think that was very clear today and I'm glad it is now clear for all," his attorney, Ganden Tethong, added. Elmer, who headed the Cayman Islands office of Swiss private bank Julius Baer until he was dismissed in 2002, later sent documents with details of alleged tax evasion to the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks and to tax authorities across the globe. "FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES" Zurich's upper court ruled in 2016 that the bank secrecy law did not apply to him as an employee of the Caribbean subsidiary, rather than of the parent bank in Zurich. In their appeal, the prosecutors argued that if they could not apply the law to people connected to Swiss banks outside the country, this deprived banking secrecy of its substance "with far-reaching consequences that cannot be accepted". Switzerland is the world's largest center for overseas wealth management and in recent years has responded to international pressure, especially from the EU and United States, for greater transparency. This includes participation in the Automatic Exchange of Information program, an agreement among developed economies which aims to ensure that offshore accounts are known to tax authorities where the account holders live. In their appeal, prosecutors called for Elmer to get a 36-month jail sentence, 24 of which would be suspended. The Zurich upper court had given him a suspended sentence for forging documents and threatening Julius Baer following his dismissal. The federal court rejected appeals from both the prosecutors and from Elmer, so the Zurich court's sentence stands. (Writing by Michael Shields; Editing by Alison Williams) By Jackson Njehia GRUMETI, Tanzania (Reuters) - In Tanzania's Grumeti Game Reserve, next to Serengeti National Park, elephants roam, rangers sleep more peacefully at night, and poachers have been put on notice, thanks to new technology designed to protect one of the world's most endangered species. In response to the surge in ivory poaching in Africa, where the elephant population fell by around 20 percent between 2006 and 2015, U.S. philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and technologists from his company Vulcan Inc. have developed EarthRanger. Their tech platform aggregates remote sensor readings of animal movements, trackers on radios and vehicles, camera trap photos and data from GPS-powered "geo fences" to give rangers in wildlife reserves and parks such as Grumeti a clear view of protected areas. The platform alerts them when threats are picked up through the data. "EarthRanger... takes you from being reactive and always behind and always after an animal has been killed, or a ranger has been injured or killed to being proactive, to really being able to anticipate and get ahead of the problem," said Ted Schmitt, Vulcan Inc's business development manager for conservation technology. From EarthRanger's operations room in Grumeti, the rangers view screens where they can observe every elephant which has been fitted out with a tracking collar. Game scout Gotera Gamba said the technology has made the conservation work he and other scouts do far easier and more efficient -- saving the lives of elephants and protecting staff on the reserve from poachers. "Previously our job was very difficult because, for example, if you got an alert it would take a very long time before you go out to respond as you had to note it on a notebook, and rigorous communications with the radio room." (The story has been refiled to correct the name of tech platform and first name of Vulcan business development manager from Paul to Ted) (Reporting by Jackson Njehia; Writing by Maggie Fick; Editing by Gareth Jones) WestJet's first 3 long-haul Dreamliners will fly direct between Calgary and Europe The first three of WestJet's 10 new long-distance Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners will offer direct international flights between Calgary and Europe, the company announced Wednesday. The new planes mean direct flights between Calgary, Dublin and Paris. One of the new planes will also fly the already established Calgary to London, England, route. "This is a huge day for WestJet. This signals our first real venture into becoming a full-service, fully global network carrier," said airline chief executive Ed Sims. "It's a transformation of an organization that started 22 years ago, flying low cost, point-to-point. We're now rubbing shoulders with the big guys around the world." Travel times for Albertans WestJet also hopes the routes will bring up to 185,000 visitors to the Calgary area each year, starting in April 2019 when the international flights are scheduled to start. Watch when WestJet unveiled the new planes: Sims said the new routes and schedules will ease trans-Atlantic travel troubles for local people. "One of the advantages of having a Calgary-based carrier flying out of Calgary is we get to chose our slots that are best for Albertans," he said. "So we'll be flying these international routes between 7 o'clock in the morning and 10 o'clock in the morning." The company said the three new routes will support 650 full-time jobs and $100 million in economic output. More Dreamliners on order The Dreamliners have a range of 14,000 kilometres and are said to be as much as 20 per cent more fuel efficient than WestJet's current fleet of 767s. WestJet has ordered a total of 10 of the planes, with the first arriving in Calgary in early 2019 and the other two by April, according to the airline. The hubs for those additional planes has not been announced. The company also has options for an additional 10 Dreamliners to arrive between 2020 and 2024. Each plane will carry 320 guests in business, premium and economy-class sections. The newly revealed business class features 16 private pods with lie-flat seats. Dexter Van Zile is Christian Media Analyst for the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America (CAMERA). His opinions are his own. Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh. blogspot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work. . ..Jewish Policy Center..Fall '18..This past spring I attended the Christ at the Checkpoint Conference (CATC), a biennial event organized by Bethlehem Bible College, an outpost of Christian anti-Zionism located in Beit Jala. The conference gives Palestinian Christians in the West Bank an opportunity to demonstrate their value to the corrupt tyrants who control Palestinian society (and protect Christians from jihadist violence) by demonizing Israel to Evangelicals from North America and Europe. The message offered at these conferences, which have taken place every even-numbered year since 2010, is that Evangelical support for Israel hinders the ability of Christians in the Middle East to live in peace and share their faith in Muslim-majority countries in the region. Speakers also seek to elicit feelings of guilt from the Western Christians while downplaying the problem of Arab and Muslim supremacism and Jew-hatred. With this narrative, Westerners are encouraged to expiate their guilt over Western colonialism by embracing a narrative that portrays Jews and their homeland as an obstacle to all that is good in the Muslim and Arab Middle East.A few hours before the first night session of the conference, organizers escorted twenty or so attendees from the Orient Hotel, the conference venue, to the nearby Walled Off Hotel where they were exposed to anti-Zionist propaganda produced by Bansky, a charlatan who has turned anti-Israel contempt into a consumable art form that privileged young Westerners can purchase to demonstrate their authenticity and solidarity with the oppressed peoples of the world.The walls of the hotels piano bar are covered with paintings and sculpture that portray Israels security barrier as something out of a horror movie. One painting, for example, showed a dozen children sitting in swings circulating around an Israeli-built guard tower. On another wall hung a particularly gruesome sculpture of Jesus Christ hanging on the cross with scythe-like blades extending from the horizontal bar of the cross and a stretch of rope (a noose?) hanging from beneath Christs feet.There are no images of hooked-nose Jews with long, serpentine hands trying to seduce white women from Europe on the walls of the piano bar, but there may as well be. The stuff on the walls is creepy, scary and edgy enough to give viewers something to pretend to think about as they wander around. The overall effect of the art on display at the Walled Off Hotel is to leave visitors with the feeling that Israel is a very bad, bad country and that visitors are part of the elect capable of seeing just how bad the country is.It seems to work on this crowd. CATC attendees, well-to-do Evangelicals from the United States and Europe, looked at the exhibits with admiring eyes, as if they were young, naive children at a haunted house on Halloween, with the unseen Jew as the monster. These Christians feast their eyes on the imagery, nod approvingly and ask laudatory questions of the hotel staffers, oblivious to the fact that they were being exposed to demonizing propaganda intended to incite base emotions of hate and fear against the Jewish state, whose citizens have been subjected to terrible acts of Arab and Muslim violence over the past several decades, which of course is not highlighted on the walls of the piano bar. The hotel is a sick place and the authenticity-seeking Evangelicals who visit bought its blasphemous and demonizing message hook, line and sinker. They like the hotel, which for them is a cool place to hang out. They like the vibe.As attendees walked back toward the conference venue past the security barrier, where a graffiti artist with bad hand writing has spray-painted F**k Jews, I strike up a conversation with a woman whose husband is a pastor at a church back in the States. She had spent some time in the West Bank while her husband studied Arabic and had learned all about how terribly Israel mistreated the Palestinians during her time there.In light of what she had learned while listening to her Palestinian friends who all told her the same story she concluded it was her job to convince all of her Trump-loving, Israel-supporting friends that not every Palestinian is a Muslim, not every Muslim is a terrorist, that there are Palestinian Christians and that these Christians are brothers in Christ, but Jews are not.When I told her that I was a Zionist but didnt support Israel for religious reasons, she was mystified and asked how someone could support Israel without invoking spiritual or religious belief. I told her that the Jews were a people, and that European and Middle East history demonstrated that Jews could not live safely as a minority in either location and that Israel was a legitimate expression of the Jewish right to self-determination.At this point, my conversation partner told me that the Israelis use the Holocaust to justify their mistreatment of the Palestinians. I struggled not to lose my temper as I walked her through the peace offer Arafat turned down at Camp David and also his refusal to accept the Clinton Parameters, both of which would have given the Palestinians a state. When she realized that she didnt know as much about the conflict as she thought she did, she said, Well, its complicated.Well, thats a start, I said to myself.The episode was appalling, but instructive, reminding me once again that the same techniques used to turn mainline Protestants against Israel over the past few decades are being deployed against Evangelicals in America with troubling effectiveness.There has always been a small number of people in the Evangelical community in the States who regard the Jewish state and its inhabitants with contempt, but overall, since the 1967 Six-Day War, American Evangelicals have been regarded, with good reason, as solid allies of the Jewish state. Every once in a while an Evangelical leader will say something ugly about Jews, like G-d not listening to their prayers, but when it comes time for Israeli soldiers to arm themselves and do battle with their enemies, Evangelicals support them.The reasons for this support are rooted in a number of factors, none of which are mutually exclusive and most of which are mutually reinforcing. Some Evangelicals, for example, think Israel will play a role in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Others support Israel because they think Gods promises endure forever and do not want to worship a deity who changes his mind about the blessings He confers on humanity. Some Evangelicals worry about the threat of jihad on the rights of Christians and other minorities in the Middle East, and think Israel is a model of how to promote human rights in the Middle East. Remorse over the role Christianity played in laying the ground for the Holocaust in Europe is also a factor.Mainline, or liberal Protestants, who struggle with Evangelicals for hegemonic status in American civil society, do not typically support Israel. In fact, their churches assail Israel at nearly every opportunity. They make a great show of respecting the religious sensibilities of diaspora Jews in the United States, but freak out whenever an Israeli Jew picks up a gun or builds a wall to defend his home and family. They ignore Muslim and Arab Jew-hatred, but are always on the lookout for right-wing antisemitism. Pointing out that Israel does a better job protecting the rights of women and gays than any other country in the Middle East does not generate much sympathy from mainline Protestants, and even antagonizes some of them into hating Israel even more, justifying their contempt with charges of pink-washing.Ominously enough, it appears that growing numbers of Evangelical Protestants are starting to embrace the mainline progressive narrative of the Israeli-Arab conflict. Under this narrative, Israeli efforts to protect Jewish life and property are blameworthy while Arab and Muslim efforts to kill and terrorize Jews are not. Given that Evangelicals represent about 30 percent of the American population, and that most of them believe that God gave the land of Israel to the Jewish people, a decline in support for Israel represents a strategic threat to Israel and to the Jewish people throughout the world.Anti-Zionism is an attractive agenda for some Evangelicals, millenials especially, because it allows them to demonstrate to their peers many of whom regard conservative Christians with contempt that they are not the retrograde troglodytes that they have been portrayed as for the past 100 years.In the aftermath of the Scopes Monkey Trial in 1925, which pitted bible-believing conservative Christians who were opposed to the teaching of evolution in schools against progressive Christians and secularists, conservative Christians have been what scholar Susan Harding calls the repugnant other that their adversaries can inveigh against to demonstrate that they are on the side of modernity. For a few decades after the trial, conservative Christians who believed in the inerrancy of the Bible lived in a self-imposed exile in American society, having very little to do with wider American culture.In the 1980s, conservative Christians under the leadership of Jerry Falwell came roaring out of their ghetto, formed the Christian Right and helped Ronald Reagan get elected president in 1980. Not everyone in the Evangelical community wants to be associated with the Christian Right, which is regarded as a horror by progressive Christians and secularists. Some Evangelicals, millenials especially, have internalized the contempt directed at the conservative wing of their community by growing numbers of non-Evangelical Americans. One way progressive and young Evangelicals can demonstrate that they are not like the followers of Jerry Falwell who was a staunch supporter of Israel is to come to the West Bank, hang out at the Walled Off Hotel and listen to Palestinian Christians blame Israel for their suffering while lauding the crooks in the Palestinian Authority. And sadly enough, thats what a growing number of Evangelicals are doing, including the woman walking next to me in Bethlehem.As I part company with my conversation partner on our way into the Orient Hotel where the Christ at the Checkpoint Conference is taking place, I suggest that maybe she should read Yossi Klein Halevis recent book,to learn some more about the Israeli perspective of the conflict. It seems like a weak counter to all of the hateful imagery broadcast at the Walled Off Hotel and the distorted narrative that she will be subjected to over the next few days, but its the best I can do. SUWANEE, GA, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (OTCQB: SNWV) and Premier Shockwave, Inc. are pleased to announce that Premier Shockwave, Inc. and the dermaPACE device were featured on American Indian Living Radio during the September 24, 2018 broadcast hosted by Dr. David DeRose. Premier Shockwave is the exclusive dermaPACE distributor to the Indian Health Service (IHS) and Tribally operated healthcare services market for SANUWAVE Health, Inc. Mr. Stolarski was interviewed while at the National Tribal Public Health Summit at the Mystic Lake Casino and Resort in Prior Lake, MN, May 22 - 24, 2018. Dr. DeRose began the interview by saying that he had never heard of using shock waves to treat diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) but had looked at some of the scientific photographs and found them to be pretty impressive stuff. Stolarski replied that the treatment was very legitimate and noted that the device was recently cleared by the FDA on December 28, 2017. Stolarski continued by detailing the 336-patient double-blinded, randomly-controlled FDA study conducted without physician assisted closure and without the assistance of antimicrobial or antibacterial assistance which achieved statistically significant rates of complete closure by 20 weeks in DFUs treated with dermaPACE in conjunction with standard of care as compared to wounds treated with only standard of care. The dermaPACE has the potential to save the tribal healthcare system many thousands of dollars per patient by exhibiting lower incidences of lower limb amputation and wound recurrence. The device is aimed at chronic wounds, or those wounds four weeks and older. Mr. Stolarski called it a feel good technology from both a cost and quality of life standpoint. Dr. DeRose questioned the mechanism of action and compared it to other ways we stress the body to make it stronger. Mr. Stolarski explained that it basically creates angiogenesis to improve healing. Both agreed on the analogy of stressing the body, or specifically tissue in this case, to make it stronger and to heal it. Dr. DeRoses show is broadcast throughout the United States. Stolarski indicated that anyone interested in the technology could contact him via the website at www.premiershockwave.comor by emailing him at mikes@premiershockwave.com. He noted that Premier Shockwave is currently the sole distributor for the Indian Health Service, VAs and Military Treatment Facilities, but that SANUWAVE Health plans to start rolling out dermaPACE technology to other US Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) shortly. Listen to an excerpt of Dr. David DeRoses American Indian Living Radio interview with A. Michael Stolarski, President and CEO of Premier Shockwave, by clicking here http://www.premiershockwave.com/dermaPACE. To listen to the full broadcast of this program or other American Indian Living Radio programs, go to www.AmericanIndianLiving.org. About SANUWAVE Health, Inc. SANUWAVE Health, Inc. (OTCQB:SNWV) ( www.sanuwave.com ) is a shock wave technology company initially focused on the development and commercialization of patented noninvasive, biological response activating devices for the repair and regeneration of skin, musculoskeletal tissue and vascular structures. SANUWAVEs portfolio of regenerative medicine products and product candidates activate biologic signaling and angiogenic responses, producing new vascularization and microcirculatory improvement, which helps restore the bodys normal healing processes and regeneration. SANUWAVE applies its patented PACE technology in wound healing, orthopedic/spine, plastic/cosmetic and cardiac conditions. Its lead product candidate for the global wound care market, dermaPACE, is US FDA cleared for the treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers. The device is also CE Marked throughout Europe and has device license approval for the treatment of the skin and subcutaneous soft tissue in Canada, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. SANUWAVE researches, designs, manufactures, markets and services its products worldwide, and believes it has demonstrated that its technology is safe and effective in stimulating healing in chronic conditions of the foot (plantar fasciitis) and the elbow (lateral epicondylitis) through its U.S. Class III PMA approved OssaTron device, as well as stimulating bone and chronic tendonitis regeneration in the musculoskeletal environment through the utilization of its OssaTron, EvoTron and orthoPACE devices in Europe, Asia and Asia/Pacific. In addition, there are license/partnership opportunities for SANUWAVEs shock wave technology for non-medical uses, including energy, water, food and industrial markets. About Premier Shockwave, Inc. and Premier Shockwave Wound Care, Inc. Premier Shockwave, Inc. is the leading shock wave company for podiatric and orthopedic applications using OssaTron and dermaPACE devices throughout the United States and currently serves over 30 VA Hospitals and Military Treatment Facilities in the continental United States and Alaska. Premier Shockwave, Inc. will manage the dermaPACE business for Premier Shockwave Wound Care, Inc. For additional information about the company, please go to www.premiershockwave.com . About Dr. David DeRose In addition to serving as Host and Executive Producer of American Indian Living Radio, David DeRose, MD, MPH is a board-certified specialist in both Internal Medicine and Preventive Medicine. He is making a difference in Indian Country and beyond with his innovative natural approaches to chronic diseases. Check out his free on-line program for diabetes and high blood pressure at http://www.compasshealth.net/diabetes-bp/ Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to financial results and plans for future business development activities, and are thus prospective. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Companys ability to control. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Among the key risks, assumptions and factors that may affect operating results, performance and financial condition are risks associated with the regulatory approval and marketing of the Companys product candidates and products, unproven pre-clinical and clinical development activities, regulatory oversight, the Companys ability to manage its capital resource issues, competition, and the other factors discussed in detail in the Companys periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement. For additional information about the Company, visit www.SANUWAVE.com. The New Testament reading in church recently was a well-known passage from the Letter of James. In the NRSV translation of James Letter, Chapter 3 is headed Taming the Tongue and here James is giving the young church community some sound advice about minding what they say. At this time, Christians were meeting in small groups, in their homes; depending on shared letters from their leaders to teach them about spiritual matters. This was a time of political upheaval and the Christian church was very new, and scattered and quite small, though growing quickly. There were constant rumours and false teachings, and lots of scandal and gossip, and James warns against the dangers of all such chatter. In the New English Bible the general heading for the Letter of James is Practical Religion seems rather appropriate. In Chapter 3 James writes, So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits ... The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body ... For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tonguea restless evil, full of deadly poison. James Chapter 3:58 Move forward a couple of thousand years and we can see that nothing has changed, really. Sure, there was no electronic media or tweeting or instant chatter back in the early years of the first millennium, but if that had been a thing you can bet it would have been buzzing just as it is today. Our world is so full of words, isnt it? A constant stream of language assails us, not only audibly and face-to-face. Theres social media, tweets, instant messages, phone calls, all clamouring for attention. News and fake news. Amazing offers. Personality tests. It can be quite overwhelming. Its also a huge distraction. Every time I check my email, I find an ever increasing amount of unsolicited mail. Some of it looks kind of legit, such as the two I got just this morning, informing me that my parcel had been returned because the address was incorrect and can I please come to Sydney or Rome (yes, Rome is in Italy!) to the central mail centre and collect the package. As if! Other emails are quite entertaining and speak in very flowery English, with lots of affirmation of my esteemed character and personable generosity, not to mention my apparently extreme integrity and trustworthiness regarding the gazillions of dollars which they want to entrust to me. I do love some of these, particularly this one: The real geniuses [presumably me] simply have their bright ideas closer together don't miss this offer. We will be happy to amaze you with our work. Sure there are kind words, instructive words, encouraging messages, lovely everyday conversations over a cuppa. But when it comes to media generally, it is not always so. Theres always someone with an opinion, wanting to share it with you. The opinion may or may not be based on anything factual that doesnt really matter, does it? It is so easy for trolls and others to jump onto the interwebs and fling about their opinions and half-baked truths and false facts, while lurking in anonymity in the darkness of the electronic sphere. Fake news? Yeah. Heaps of it. Nasty personal attacks? Sure, go for it. Snake oil miracles? Yep. Seems there are miracles and cures for any affliction youve got, real or imagined. Words, words, words A bewildering mass of truths and untruths. All with no care, and no responsibility, because the speakers believe they have a right to their opinion and if youre upset thats your problem, not theirs. Its good to turn it all off sometimes and reach for a real book, or spend time talking with a friend. James was right and his words ring as true today as they did 2,000 years ago. The tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. Mind what we say! Sheelagh Wegman, BA, IPEd Accredited Editor is a freelance editor and writer. She belongs to St Davids Cathedral in Hobart and lives in natural bushland on the foothills of Mt Wellington. Sheelagh Wegmans previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/sheelagh-wegman.html In my ministry I have been privileged to be the Senior Pastor of a church in the Sutherland Shire. The Shire is a Bible belt and has some wonderful churches. Christian surfers is just one ministry that owes much of its beginnings to the Shire. So it is not surprising that a Christian Prime Minister of Australia would be connected to one of the Shire churches. I know the church he is connected to and it has a wonderful history of faithful gospel ministry in the Shire and beyond. One of its former pastors was pastoring at that church when I was in the Shire. He is Michael Murphy, a Pentecostal leader and a National Chair of Alphacrucis College. In response to a number of negative postings on Facebook about Scott Morrison and his faith, Michael posted the following on his Facebook page: The post As a personal friend for over 12 years & his former pastor, Ive been musing over what this means to us as people of faith. He is not a celebrity to claim but bears an incredible God given responsibility for the future of our great nation. Already, Ive heard & seen a few believers giving their opinion as to his ministerial efforts to date or what he needs to do!! Heres just a few suggestions as to how you may consider conducting yourself to assist him in his endeavours to see our great nation move forward: 1. Do pray for him, rather than preach at him. 2. Do see his appointment as a responsibility, rather than claiming him as your right. 3. Do encourage him, rather than instruct him. 4. Do ask God for his blessing & protection on his family, rather than being only committed to his support for yours. 5. Do realise that his responsibility is to govern for all Australians, not just those of your denomination or expression of faith. 6. Do seek his peace, rather than have a piece of him. 7. Do attempt to understand the pressures of the office, rather than add pressure on him from your office. 8. Do intercede for Gods agenda to operate through him, rather than push your agenda to him. 9. Do use you social media influence to build up, rather than grand stand or point scoring to your mates. And most of all... 10. Every AM pray for your PM! A lot of sense I believe Michaels ten points make a lot of sense, are consistent with biblical truth and encourage us to give him a fair go. We need to pray that Prime Minister will act justly, with mercy and stand firm on the Judea-Christian heritage of our country. I am bemused at times when people assert that we dont have a Christian heritage. The Christian faith and politics is part of who we are. Political association with faith goes back to the beginning of Australian colonisation and debates over the shaping of society and moral reform date back to the 1800s. In fact fierce debates existed among society, and are continuing even to this very day in certain domains, about the sanctity of the Sabbath, and reform of marriage lawreform of the liquor industry and gamblingand the ways in which society should be Christianised. (Breward, 32) Such deep rooted conflict was in part a conflict of visions about Australia. (Breward) Stuart Piggin, formerly from the department of Ancient History at Macquarie University states that, historically, Australia is a country more Christianised than secular and that pro-Christian developments, particularly in the political arena, are consistent with deep-seated, long-term factors in the national experience. This Christian heritage might surprise most as typically the media and popular thought has been dominated by secularists who have embraced the notion of irreversible secularisation understood as an ever diminishing role for religion. (Piggin) Our Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has a God given opportunity to give a sense of hope to all Australians. A hope that we will be committed to our foundations and move forward as a nation in the spirit of the Sermon on the Mount and the human dignity and human worth for people that Galatians 3:28 advocates. This dignity and worth should flow from the beginning of life until the end of life. Let us, as Michael Murphy suggests, positively pray for Scott Morrison as we hold him accountable before God to lead our nation. Rev Dr Ross Clifford AM is the Principal of Morling College (NSW Baptist) and author of numerous books many of which focus on Christian Apologetics. He is a Vice President of the Baptist World Alliance, President of the Asian Baptist Association, an acclaimed international preacher and speaker, a columnist in many Christian publications, winner of many national and international awards and for many years the Sunday evening Sydney Radio 2CH host. Ross is married to Bev, father and grand father. Photo - Soldier crabs are a good illustration of political leaders I recall an ABC Religious program Compass running a two week documentary program on Australia's Prime Minister's religious affiliations and how that affected their politics. There have been recent articles in mainstream media before the big 5 by-elections back in July where Malcolm Turnbulls Christian credential influences him. There were a number of fascinating insights revealed. Julia Gillard lost the evangelical conservative vote that Kevin Rudd worked so hard to established with his credential as a practising Christian. John Howard actively pursued his Christian faith but it was a private faith and such considerations did not affect the politics of necessity. Both Paul Keating and Tony Abbott as mainstream Catholics and such considerations were factors in their politics. Bob Hawke's dad was a Congregationist Minister. His parents were very close to their son's spiritual well-being and although Bob sought a different way, his commitment to the Christian cause was never far from his heart. This was evidenced in his Reconciliation pitch between business and the union movement. Malcolm Fraser's austere Presbyterian roots was never disguised. I recall many a story of Sir Robert Menzies who would seek out his Presbyterian minister for a brief discussion for wisdom when tough political decisions were required. Now new Prime Minister Scott Morrison, an overt evangelical Pentecostal brand Christian who is never frightened to say a word in season to the nation. All this was very interesting and so as we turn to some practical issues associated with the civil society in light of the Prime Ministerial religious attitude, the central issue that affects every person is that of political correctness. Photo - Beach alive is a good illustration of political leaders when speaking of the future Quietened down There is not a commentator today who would not disagree with the tenant that the whole notion of political correctness has to a real extent been so pillaged that its treated today as a poor response to society. There are three reasons for this, the first is that by and large the civil society has moved sideways to accommodate a reasoned level of a fair go to those once pillared. The second, is that greater concerns have taken over and we can count on our hands what these are. The Islamist threat within our borders is real and challenging, the very nature of young Australian Muslims who travelled to Syria / Iraq to fight the Jihad frightens us all. The last thing we want imported is a blood stained politic. Political correctness takes a very dirty great step of retreat when this Goliath is at the door. Other political issues have been the boat asylum seekers who have been seeking a way into Australia through non-legal UNHCF means. The Australian people voted with their feet overwhelmingly way back in 2013 trashing the then Labor Government whose open door policy proved very debilitating. Labor now dares to go there. A third issue has been the economy and the huge national debt which the Coalition Government with a fresh budget is itself struggling to deal with. If your family is having trouble having enough money to feed the kids, cover medical expenses, give them a decent education, then political correctness is not your number one issue. It is these everyday life situations that effect us all and the question is not longer how might any committed Christian - simply talking about their life as a follower of Christ, or even offering to pray for someone they care about - break some kind of perceived political correctness - those days have passed, there are much greater issues upon our neighbours hearts. Photo - Childrens play ground is a good illustration of political leaders on their soap box Every day life We need to realise that just as we have freedom as Christians in Australia, those of every other faith have the same freedoms to practice and talk about their faiths. There is no cause to be cause offensive. Being astute and sensible is a responsibility for the Christian. Robust debate about such things in western society is part and parcel of democracy and Christians need to be conversant with their subject and become part of this community discussion. This can happen on a train, in a school P&C meeting, over a coffee with friends, in fact anywhere; as long as they do not deliberately offend (to make an offence) those who are obviously not being receptive to the message they are trying to tell. Western societies are political in nature, they are not Christian Kingdoms, so getting involved in politics is important for those who are movers and shakers. There are times in which Christians need to use 'political correctness' in social issues to ensure the underprivileged get a fair go. Christians need to be aware that there are those who disagree ideologically with the Christian world view, and some will use 'political correctness' and any other means to oppose anything Christian within the public domain. Nor should the Christian have a persecution complex as many people simply do not wish to be confronted with religious ideas. A friend of mine is not a Christian and doesn't want to be lumped-in or seen to be as one with committed Christians. Nothing sinister at all. This also needs to be recognised and may require God's timing for a word in season. Christians have confidence in prayer and in the workings of the Holy Spirit. The economy of God and the politics of man are intertwined. There are numerous Biblical examples of this, such as Joseph in Pharaohs court, Esther before the King and the Apostle Paul before Herod's court. This confidence will help us realise when it is appropriate to share our faith to help others, and where it is politically incorrect to speak out due to the sensitivities of others. It can be tricky. Photo - Beautiful butterfly is a good illustration of political leaders on a good day Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand. Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html The UK Supreme Court has ruled in favour of Ashers, the Belfast bakery owned by evangelical Christians who in 2014 refused to bake a cake featuring a slogan in support of same-sex marriage. The customer, Gareth Lee, said their action was discriminatory and the bakery was taken to court by the Equality Commission. Ashers was ordered to pay 500 in damages for breaching anti-discrimination laws, a decision upheld by the Court of Appeal. The Christian Institute Daniel McArthur refused to serve Gareth Lee a cake with a slogan supporting gay marriage. Now the Supreme Court has ruled in favour of the owners. In a judgment delivered today, Lady Hale said: 'The bakers did not refuse to fulfil [Lee's] order because of his sexual orientation. They would have refused to make such a cake for any customer, irrespective of their sexual orientation. 'Their objection was to the message on the cake not to the personal characteristics of Mr Lee. 'Accordingly this court holds that there was no discrimination on the ground of the sexual orientation of Mr Lee.' After the five Supreme Court judges unanimously upheld the appeal, Ashers' general manager Daniel McArthur spoke to gathered media on the steps of the court. He said: 'I want to start by thanking God. He has been with us during the challenges of the last four years. Through the Bible and the support of Christians, he has comforted us and sustained us. He is our rock and all his ways are just. 'We're delighted and relieved at today's ruling. We always knew we hadn't done anything wrong in turning down this order. After more than four years, the Supreme Court has now recognised that and we're very grateful. Grateful to the judges and especially grateful to God. 'We're particularly pleased the Supreme Court emphatically accepted what we've said all along we did not turn down this order because of the person who made it, but because of the message itself. "The judges have given a clear signal today. In fact it couldn't be any clearer. Family businesses like ours are free to focus on giving all their customers the best service they can without being forced to promote other people's campaigns. 'I know a lot of people will be glad to hear this ruling today, because this ruling protects freedom of speech and freedom of conscience for everyone. 'On behalf of my family can I say thank you to everyone who has supported us or prayed for us through all this. 'I do want to take this opportunity to thank our whole legal team for working so hard for us over the last four years. And also to thank the entire Christian Institute staff for their help and support from the very beginning. 'We want to move on from this now, and I'm sure Mr Lee does too. And let me just finish by saying that he will always be welcome at any of our shops.' The Evangelical Alliance's UK director Peter Lynas has been campaigning on the issue and told Christian Today the verdict was 'absolutely brilliant news and absolutely the right decision'. 'It's clear the Supreme Court was taking this very seriously,' he said. The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland said in a statement it was 'disappointed in the judgment given today by the Supreme Court in the case of Lee v Ashers Baking Company Limited and Others'. It continued: 'This case was about Mr Lee being denied a service by the bakery, which he felt was discriminatory. The Belfast County Court and the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal found that Mr Lee had been discriminated against on grounds of sexual orientation, political opinion and religious belief, in line with case law developed over the years. 'The Supreme Court has overturned these findings and we will have to look at the implications of its judgment carefully.' Long-time gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell welcomed the ruling, saying: 'This verdict is a victory for freedom of expression. As well as meaning that Ashers cannot be legally forced to aid the promotion of same-sex marriage, it also means that gay bakers cannot be compelled by law to decorate cakes with anti-gay marriage slogans. 'Businesses can now lawfully refuse a customer's request to emblazon a political message if they have a conscientious objection to it. This includes the right to refuse messages that are sexist, xenophobic or anti-gay, which is a good thing. 'Although I profoundly disagree with Ashers opposition to marriage equality, in a free society neither they nor anyone else should be forced to facilitate a political idea that they oppose.' Ashers was supported by The Christian Institute, which funded its defence. Spokesman Simon Calvert said: 'We are delighted at this common-sense ruling. It's a total vindication of Ashers Baking Company and the McArthur family. The United Kingdom has a long and proud tradition of free speech and today's ruling is a resounding reassertion of that tradition. 'They have strongly underlined the law on compelled speech, quoting a previous case which said "Nobody should be forced to have or express a political opinion in which he does not believe." 'The Court recognised that this case was about declining to support a particular message, not declining to serve a particular customer. 'The Court strongly agreed with Ashers' lawyers that this case has always been about the message on the cake and not the customer; the message, not the messenger. 'Ashers is now free to go back to doing what it does best serving all its customers, from every walk of life.' Its a rare occasion when two growers and factory owners team up to collaborate on a cigar, but thats exactly what AJ Fernandez and Jochy Blanco have done for the San Lotano Dominicano a new addition under AJ Fernandezs San Lotano line. The cigar combines Nicaraguan tobaccos grown on Fernandezs farms and Dominican tobacco grown on Blancos farms. While Fernandez will be handling the distribution through his company, production will be done at Blancos Tabacalera Palma factory. Its the first time a cigar under the AJ Fernandez Cigar Company brands portfolio is coming from a factory outside of his own. According to a report by Cigar Aficionado, the blend features a Brazilian Cuban-seed wrapper combined with a Dominican binder and fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The San Lotano Dominicano will come in five sizes: Corona (6 x 44), Robusto (5 x 50), Toro (6 x 50), Box Pressed Torpedo (6 1/2 x 52), and Gran Toro (6 x 60). BATON ROUGE, La., Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OncBioMune Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCQB:OBMP) ("OncBioMune" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of a proprietary immunotherapy cancer vaccine technology and targeted cancer therapies, is pleased to announce that the protocol for the planned Phase 2 clinical trial of ProscaVax for advanced prostate cancer to be hosted at Urology Clinics of North Texas (UCNT) has been submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval to initiate the study. We expect the FDA and IRB process to move quickly and have the first patient injected before the first of December. The trial is designed to build upon a successfully completed Phase 1a trial of ProscaVax in patients with advanced prostate cancer that have failed previous therapy with documented rising prostate specific antigen (PSA). In the Phase 1a trial, ProscaVax, the Companys lead immunotherapy platform candidate consisting of a combination of prostate cancer associated PSA with the biological adjuvants interleukin-2 (IL-2) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), was shown to be safe and well tolerated. At 19 weeks post-therapy, 80 percent of patients (n=20) in the Phase 1a trial demonstrated stable disease/no prostate cancer progression. Of those 16 patients, 12 completed additional follow-up examinations at 43 weeks post-therapy. Overall survival was 100% for all 20 patients and 12 of the 17 evaluable patients (70.6%) continued to live with stable/progression-free disease. The latest study is structured to expeditiously add to the body of clinical evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of ProscaVax by using an independent Institutional Review Board and accessing for enrollment the large population of prostate cancer patients being treated at UCNT. UCNT is a premier urology group with ten centers in North Texas and a team that includes 12 physicians honored with inclusion in the peer-selected The Best Doctors in America list. We are thrilled to be working with the esteemed prostate cancer experts at UCNT and to have completed all necessary negotiations and protocol finalizations to move towards a second clinical trial of ProscaVax in late-stage patients. We believe that ProscaVax will again be able to deliver a meaningful therapeutic benefit to these patients with advanced disease that currently are presented with almost no safe and effective options, commented Dr. Jonathan Head, Chief Executive Officer at OncBioMune. Combined with the initiation of the worlds first ever study of a vaccine in early-stage prostate cancer patients in active surveillance at a teaching hospital of Harvard University, we are steadily building our position as a leader in immunotherapy with a novel approach to prostate cancer. As we grow this footprint, we believe that there will be an increase in our market valuation followed by potential partnering opportunities. About Prostate Cancer According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men other than skin cancer, with about 1 in 9 men diagnosed during their lifetime. ACS estimates that about 164,690 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed during 2018 and approximately 29,430 men will die from the disease this year. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, trailing only lung cancer. Approximately 2.9 million men are living with prostate cancer today. The average age of diagnosis is 66, with the disease considered rare in men under the age of 40. Sign up for OncBioMune email alerts at: http://oncbiomune.com/email-alerts/ . About OncBioMune Pharmaceuticals, Inc. OncBioMune Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of novel cancer immunotherapy products, based on their proprietary vaccine technology designed to stimulate the immune system to attack tumor cells without damaging healthy tissue. Our lead pipeline product, ProscaVax, has successfully completed enrollment and vaccination of 20 prostate cancer patients and is collecting long-term follow-up results for the 1a portion of their Phase 1a/1b clinical trial. Due to the impressive results and proven safety profile of ProscaVax, OncBioMune is forgoing the 1b portion of the trial to advance ProscaVax into Phase 2 studies. A Phase 2 trial is scheduled to commence at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center a Harvard University teaching hospital evaluating ProscaVax as a front-line therapy in prostate cancer patients in the active surveillance category, representing the first mid-stage trial of an immunotherapeutic vaccine in this patient population. OncBioMune also has a portfolio of targeted therapies, some of which are biosimilars and generics to blockbuster drugs. OncBioMune is headquartered in Baton Rouge, LA. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause OncBioMune Pharmaceuticals' actual results and experience to differ materially from anticipated results and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. OncBioMune Pharmaceuticals has in some cases identified forward-looking statements by using words such as "anticipates," "believes," "hopes," "estimates," "looks," "expects," "plans," "intends," "goal," "potential," "may," "suggest," and similar expressions. Among other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements are OncBioMune Pharmaceuticals' need for, and the availability of, substantial capital in the future to fund its operations and research and development; the fact that OncBioMune Pharmaceutical's vaccines and therapeutics may not successfully complete pre-clinical or clinical testing, or be granted regulatory approval to be sold and marketed in the United States or elsewhere. A more complete description of these risk factors is included in OncBioMune Pharmaceutical's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. OncBioMune Pharmaceuticals undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to any such forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by applicable law or regulation. Contact: OncBioMune Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Jonathan F. Head, PhD Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board Jhead@oncbiomune.com Mombacho Cigars has officially unveiled details on its long-awaited Casa Favilli line, a cigar named for the companys factory in Grenada, Nicaragua. More importantly, its one that is quite unique in that it utilizes a Nicaraguan Broadleaf wrapper. On Prime Time Special Edition #24 back on February 28, 2018, company President Claudio Sgroi discussed the Casa Favilli line and that it would incorporate the use of a Nicaraguan-grown Broadleaf from Jalapa. The rest of the blend incorporates Nicaraguan tobaccos. Cigar Aficionado reports the cigar comes in three sizes packaged in 12-count boxes: Robusto, Toro, and Torpedo. The publication also reported release is slated for 2019 with a soft-launch to select retailers in 2018. Our full interview with Sgroi appears below. The 1:24:00 mark is where you can hear about the project. At a glance, here is a look at the Mombacho Cigars Casa Favilli: Blend and Origin Wrapper: Nicaraguan Broadleaf (Jalapa) Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Country of Origin: Nicaragua Factory: Casa Favilli Vitolas Offered Robusto: 5 x 52 Torpedo: 5 1/2 x 52 Toro: 6 x 52 Tamil Nadu: 20 boats, 229 fishermen yet to receive cyclone alert October 11,2018 | Source: The Times of India More boats from Kanyakumari district that were engaged in deep sea fishing in the Arabian Sea, have received information on the cyclone and are returning to the shore. The number of boats that have not received information was 46 with around 510 fishermen on Monday. It was reduced to 20 boats with 229 fishermen on Tuesday morning. The fisheries department officials said that efforts were on to pass information to these boats. Officials said that of the 646 boats that were in the sea on October 3, as many as 549 boats had returned to the shores till Tuesday morning. Seventy-seven boats that received the information are heading to the nearest shores. Seventeen boats have received information through Oman as they were fishing close to their territorial waters and are heading to the nearest shore, an official said. He said that around 100 boats from Kanyakumari district reached Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa costs. However, there were allegations by fishermen who reached Goa that they were struggling without water. One of the fishermen R Anto, 45, from Chinnathurai, said that their boat Velankanni Annai from Poothurai in Kanyakumari district reached Goa early on October 5. We contacted the fisheries officials and our associations in Tamil Nadu, but we are yet to get water. We have food for us for the next two-three days. Since we left the catch midway and rushed to the shore, we are also running short of diesel, he said. Fellow fisherman P Antony, 52, of Chinnathurai said that they are ready to sell their catch to get money to fill fuel but are unable to sell the fish. The fisherman said that there are only small boat jetties in Goa where fishermen go for fishing in smaller boats. They are not allowing us to sell our catch as it would directly affect their business. The government should facilitate sale of fish or provide us with basic amenities and fuel to help us return to fishing harbours in Kochi or Thengapattanam (Kanyakumari district), he said. Kanyakumari district collector Prashant M Wadnere told TOI that an early alert and good coordination by the Navy and Coast Guard helped fishermen reach the shores in time. This is better model for such times of distress in the future, he said. Stating that around 150 boats could have reached the shores in other states in the western coast, he said that arrangements have been made to meet their basic amenities. However he said that the government has not taken any policy decision on providing them fuel to get back home. Fishermen have made the representation to the monitoring officer for the district B Jothi Nirmala, who will be taking it up with the government, he added. Meanwhile in Tuticorin district, two mechanised boats from Tharuvaikulam with 19 fishermen on board, that were feared missing over the last six days, were traced by the Coast Guard on Tuesday afternoon. Owner of one of the boats Jesus Gift A Ravi said that the kin of those on board were tense over the plight of the men due to the red alert. We were discussing to go in search of the men but got the news that the men and the boats are safe in the Indian Ocean off Kanyakumari district. They are likely to reach the shore late on Tuesday night or in the early hours of Wednesday, Ravi said. Bain & Companys second China outbound M&A report identifies a winning formula to help companies use acquisitions to win both at home and overseas BEIJING, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chinese outbound M&A deal activity represented more than 40 percent of deals in Asia-Pacific from 2015-2017, but saw this share drop dramatically in the first half of 2018. Despite this dip, the latest stage of M&A is helping Chinese companies gain market share in utilities, construction and Internet-based businesses in countries such as Brazil. The number of Chinese outbound deals for 100 percent ownership from 2016 to 2017 more than doubled vs. 2013 to 2015, and the number of deals for 50 percent to 100 percent ownership jumped more than threefold. According to Bain & Companys second China outbound M&A report, More Rigor Means Better Results in Chinas Global Pursuit, a host of factors contributed to the decline in deal activity. Currency depreciation took a toll, as did fears of the effects of the USChina trade wars on both domestic company profits and US opportunities. Deals were hurt by restrictions on investments in the US, Germany, Australia and other markets, as well as by the Chinese government, who are more carefully and closely monitoring outbound investments. Yet, the research suggests there are still ample opportunities for more overseas acquisitions. In 2017, China spent only 0.6 percent of its GDP on outbound M&A as a percentage of GDP, China usually spends half of what Japan usually spends on outbound M&A. Another significant evolution: The number of private enterprises acquiring overseas is growing much faster than acquisitions made by state-owned enterprises. As a result, Bain & Company anticipates an increase in deals aimed at capturing new capabilities required to grow businesses at home and for accessing global markets. Chinese companies looking to acquire beyond Chinas borders focus on achieving dual goals: winning at home and exporting abroad, which enables them to strengthen their domestic competitive stance while simultaneously positioning for global expansion, especially in other developing markets, said Phil Leung, who leads Bain & Companys Asia-Pacific Mergers & Acquisitions practice. This latest stage of M&A is helping Chinese companies gain market share in utilities, construction and Internet-based businesses in countries such as Brazil, India and Indonesia, though Europe and North America remain the largest capital destinations. The shift to using acquisitions to win both at home and overseas brings with it new and more complicated rules for success. Based on its work with leading Chinese acquirers, Bain & Company has identified a winning formula to help companies avoid costly mistakes and apply more rigor to their acquisitions: Aim for frequent and material M&A. One fundamental has not changed. M&A creates the most value for any company anywhere in the world when it is frequent and material over time. This was a finding from Bains original extensive research on M&A and it has been reconfirmed across industries and geographies in numerous follow-up studies. Chinese acquirers are getting the message. Bain & Company analyzed the performance of more than 700 Chinese companies that made acquisitions from 2013 to 2017. The overall average total shareholder return (TSR), defined as stock price changes assuming reinvestment was 11.6 percent. Companies with more frequent and large dealsthose we refer to as mountain climbersdid much better, however, with an average TSR of 18.6 percent. Develop a repeatable model for outbound M&A with disciplined capabilities. Shandong Ruyi sets a standard for repeatable outbound M&A, as the company started life as a regional woolen mill, textile and apparel manufacturer. Since 2010, and with the help of a dedicated team, Ruyi acquired more than 10 companies, focusing on integration along the textile and apparel value chain. A hallmark of its repeatable approach is to keep an acquired companys operating model largely unchanged and to retain key employees. The formula works well: The strategy of engaging in frequent acquisitions has helped the company double its stock price over the past five years. Evolve M&A capabilities to deal with a complex environment when entering global markets. Leaders are becoming more adept at evolving their capabilities for the more complex requirements of different types of deals. Generally speaking, there are four variations of outbound deals: those aimed at acquiring natural resources; those intended to import technology and brands; those that will give an acquirer access to developing markets; and those that will help it explore developed markets. The capabilities required for each are vastly different, and companies need to evolve their capabilities to address those varying needs. Chinas outbound boom will only continue as companies look to capture new capabilities that strengthen their domestic position, while also growing overseas for a leadership position in industries in which they can gain a competitive edge, said Hao Zhou, partner with Bain & Company and head of Greater China M&A. But as they build their repeatable models, they will also need to keep one eye on the future. In China, as elsewhere, winning outbound acquirers will be those that make the necessary adjustments to evolve their M&A strategy along with a global market that never stops changing. Editors note: To receive a copy of the report or arrange an interview with the authors, please contact: Nicholas Worley at nicholas.worley@bain.com or +852-2978-8830. About Bain & Company Bain & Company is the management consulting firm that the world's business leaders come to when they want results. Bain advises clients on strategy, operations, information technology, organization, private equity, digital transformation and strategy, and mergers and acquisition, developing practical insights that clients act on and transferring skills that make change stick. The firm aligns its incentives with clients by linking its fees to their results. Bain clients have outperformed the stock market 4 to 1. Founded in 1973, Bain has 56 offices in 36 countries, and its deep expertise and client roster cross every industry and economic sector. For more information visit: www.bain.com . Follow us on Twitter @BainAlerts. Media Contact: Nick Worley Bain & Company Tel: +852-2978-8830 nicholas.worley@bain.com Pakistan: LHC seeks report from Fisheries & Labour Dept over protection of fisher folk October 11,2018 | Source: Daily Times The Lahore High Court on Wednesday asked the Fisheries & Labour Departments to show what measures they were taking to protect Punjabs fisher folk from debt bondage. The court was hearing an application from the Fisheries Department asking for the vacation of the stay granted against the auction of leases on Punjabs public waters. The challenge has been rejected pending a further hearing on October 24, 2018. Main case proceedings will begin on November 29. Asking for a vacation of the stay, the assistant advocate general argued that that the stay was against the rules of the Fisheries Department and the interests of the government. He also argued that it would result in a loss of Rs 100 million in revenue. The government lawyer argued that the existing rules of the Fisheries Department provide a complete mechanism for fishing communities. He said that the existing department rules of fishing allow fishing communities to apply for fishing licenses, which they had not done so. He also argued that the petitioners had not used the existing mechanisms of redressal by not applying for fishing licenses and not asking Bonded Labour Vigilance Committees to improve their conditions. The lawyer for the petitioners, Syed Ghazanfer Shah, argued that there were around 600,000 bonded fisher folk in Punjab, who would suffer irrevocable losses if the auction lease system was re-instated. He argued that the fishers had enjoyed their first month of freedom after decades of debt bondage fishing for themselves after the LHC granted a stay against the auction of fishing leases on August 18. He argued that this was one of first cases in the world of bonded labour on a public resource. He said that this perverted the fundamental character of public waters as a public trust held by the state for the benefit and welfare of its citizens. He argued that the existing license system was only for recreational fishing, such as angling, but it did not apply to traditional fisher folk who had been fishing for centuries and for whom fishing is a livelihood, requiring the use of larger nets and boats, a point which the government counsel accepted. He said that the petitioners were part of the Sindu Bachao Tarla, which had been campaigning against the lease auction system for over two decades. They had exhausted all avenues of redressal and were now turning to the LHC for relief. The learned counsel also argued that this was a case of bonded labour as a consequence of the Fisheries Departments leasing policies and according to law, it was the task of the Fisheries Department to prove that this was not the case. It was the task of the state to abolish bonded labour and not aid and abet it, which makes the stay necessary. LHC judge Shujaat Ali Khan asked the Fisheries Department what protections were being offered to traditional fishing communities under the auction system. The government counsel argued that the lease auction system was like landlords, who own land and keep workers who know how to till the land. He argued that just because the tillers work the land it does not give them rights in the land but just in the crop. The learned counsel for the petitions replied that the example fundamentally misunderstands that privately owned land is different to a public resources in waters that are held as a trust for public welfare and benefits. He further argued that historical fishing communities have fishing rights in the public waters, which are being violated. Tamil Nadu: Fisheries department seeks Rs 1,220-crore aid to build groyne fields in 4 districts by SV Krishna Chaitanya October 11,2018 | Source: The New Indian Express The Tamil Nadu Fisheries department is planning to build groyne fields at 21 locations across four districts and a proposal has been submitted to the Union government, seeking a financial aid of Rs 1,220 crore. The grant is sought under the Green Climate Fund as part of the Tamil Nadu State Action Plan on Climate Change (TNSAPCC). Fisheries officials said the objective was to stabilise the 54.25-km identified vulnerable coastal stretches of Tamil Nadu. Over a period of five years, construction of groynes, break waters, retaining wall for bar mouth stability, tree plantations and other site-specific suitable structures are proposed to reduce sea erosion, the officials said. It aims to mainly develop comprehensive shoreline management plan and to promote livelihood development activities along the highly vulnerable coastline stretch, including Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram. In fact, the proposal was sent to the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in 2015, which, in turn, forwarded the proposal to the Union government and the project has since been under the scrutiny of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. This was one of the 13 proposals submitted by minister KC Karuppannan to Union Environment Minister Harsha Vardhan on Tuesday. However, environment activists have raised an alarm, saying this would do more harm than good. Today, the pristine long white sandy beach stretch of Muthukadu, about 30 km from Chennai, is a victim of man-made disaster. The sea erosion has reached dangerous levels and the coast is fast destabilising swallowing property and livelihood of local fishermen. The root cause of the problem is groyne field built by the Fisheries department in 2016. About 400 metres of beach vanished. Groynes just shift problem from one place to another and this cannot be a long-term solution to sea erosion, said Pooja Kumar of the Coastal Resource Centre. Activists raise alarm Environment activists have raised an alarm, saying this would do more harm than good. Today, the pristine long white sandy beach stretch of Muthukadu, about 30 km from Chennai, is a victim of the man-made disaster. The sea erosion has reached dangerous levels and the coast is fast destabilising swallowing property and livelihood of fishermen. The root cause of the problem is groyne field built by the Fisheries department in 2016. About 400 metres of beach vanished. Groynes just shift the problem from one place to another and this cannot be a long-term solution to sea erosion, said Pooja Kumar of the Coastal Resource Centre. 10 October 2018 - On this 16th World Day Against the Death Penalty, France reaffirms its opposition to the death penalty everywhere and in all circumstances. France is committed to the universal abolition of this unjust, inhumane and ineffective punishment and calls on all nations that still apply the death penalty to establish a moratorium on it with a view to its definitive abolition. France welcomes the decision by Mongolia, Guinea and Burkina Faso to abolish the death penalty. It also welcomes Gambias ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights aimed at abolishing the death penalty, as well as Guatemalas abolition of capital punishment for ordinary crimes. France reiterates its concern over the continued use of the death penalty in all too many countries. France invites all nations to mobilize ahead of the Seventh World Congress Against the Death Penalty to be held from February 27 to March 1, 2019, in Brussels. It also calls on states to support the adoption of the resolution calling for a universal moratorium on the death penalty by the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly. | 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 diplomatie.gouv.fr, October 10, 2018 Silver Spring TODAY, October 1, 2018, Ben Jealous, former National President and CEO of the NAACP received the endorsement of Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States. Jealous worked closely to help pass many of the monumental achievements accomplished by the Obama Administration, most notably the Affordable Care Act which Jealous seeks to build on as Governor. Recently, Obama has come out in favor of Medicare-For-All calling it a good new idea. Jealous has made his plan for Medicare-for-All a core part of his policy agenda and polls show that the majority of Marylanders support it. As President of the NAACP, Jealous spearheaded a successful 1.2 million voter turnout effort which led to him being called the unsung hero of Obamas re-election. Ben Jealous is an accomplished civil rights leader, businessman, and advocate for working people, said Obama. His exemplary work as national President of the NAACP and as a leader in Maryland fighting for the DREAM Act, marriage equality, voting rights, and the abolition of the death penalty make him the best candidate for Governor. As a social impact investor, Ben has worked closely with small businesses, creating jobs and building a more inclusive economy. He has the vision, experience, and courage to move families forward, which is why I ask all Marylanders to stand with me in supporting his election as Marylands next Governor. Im honored to receive this endorsement from President Barack Obama, said Jealous. Across the country, progressive candidates are seeking to build on the successes of his Administration and continue to deliver real solutions for working people. As governor, Ill build on the Affordable Care Act as well as President Obamas progressive economic agenda to pass serious healthcare reform as well as expand economic opportunity for all Marylanders. Jealous has been endorsed by several key national figures that represent the breadth of the Democratic Party. These surrogates support Jealous progressive economic agenda which is focused on expanding educational opportunity and ambitious healthcare reform. Senators Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand and Elizabeth Warren in addition to Vice President Joe Biden have all endorsed Jealous campaign for governor in addition to progressive organizations representing over 100,000 Marylanders. | 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 My father was sentenced to death in Belarus in 2016. 10 months later, he was executed. We were only notified 1 month after his death, as is usual in Belarus. I used to visit my father in prison once a month. He was escorted to our meetings by 5 prison guards. His hands were tied together and he couldn't see where he was going. He was always stressed when he came to see me. He knew he was either going to see me, his lawyer or he was going to be shot. The prison guards would stay with us, listening carefully to what we were talking about. We never spoke about what he did or about his case. We only spoke about personal matters. I remember the last time I saw my father. It was on 5 November 2016. He was saying: 'Everything is fine, we have enough time, don't worry.' One prison guard was joking ironically: 'Yes, you have a bit of time. Just a bit left.' The guard was making it clear that my father's execution was going to happen sooner or later. He wanted to crush my father's morale while I was there. I can only imagine how they acted one on one, with no relatives or loved ones present. I gave my father a parcel, thinking I would go again a month later. Just as I was planning to visit him again, we got the letter. He'd been shot the day I went to see him. We didn't ask for any of his personal belongings. My mother was scared they would send us his prison uniform. But it's a shame because he had personal photographs. I think they threw them out or burnt them - they could have returned them to us. My father had been accused of killing his girlfriend but the whole trial was very strange. It was more like a circus. One witness turned up drunk. His testimonies were contradictory, even the judge questioned it. The witness was saying: 'Oh, I can't remember exactly.' The entire case was built on such testimonies and evidence. 'Nobody else could have done it' was the main line of argument in the case and the fact that my father had a criminal record. The court didn't care about who else could have done it. It's bizarre but that's how it was - our government decided the outcome. The death penalty is a longstanding practice in Belarus. Its thought that during the Soviet times up to 250,000 people were executed and buried in a place called Kurapaty. It might seem like a long time ago, but it's still happening today. People are executed and nobody is notified. Families have no idea where their loved ones are buried. For us, it's hard to come to terms with what's happened because we didn't bury my father, we didn't see his body - so it's like he's still out there somewhere, alive and well. We do have a plot for his grave. We've kept it very plain, but it doesn't stop us from praying for him. It's harder for my mother because some people keep telling her he's still alive. Others call and say they can show her where he's buried - if we pay. There are few people who pay attention to the fact we still have the death penalty in Belarus - so I am grateful to organisations such as Amnesty International which continue to draw public attention to the problem and which campaigned for my father's death sentence to be commuted. After he was sentenced to death, nobody ever discussed it with me in our small town in Belarus. However, people on the internet had a lot to say. People didn't understand why my mother and I supported him. Some said we should be shot as well or placed in a psychiatric hospital. People also said things about my 4-year-old daughter. That's what hurt me the most. They said she should be shot because she will grow up to be the same. People often ask me why I tell my story. I don't talk about political issues, I'm not interested. I am telling my personal story, how it affected my family. Despite the tragedy that struck our family, we are moving on - I need to, especially for my daughter. I have a great creative job, which I love. It's helping me to heal, move on from my problems and forget all the difficulties we've faced. I didn't even know the death penalty existed in Belarus - the 1st time I heard about it was in court. When the public prosecutor demanded the death penalty, I was shocked. I thought he was mistaken. That's the problem. Before you face it yourself, you don't think about it. There are at least 4 prisoners known to be on death row in Belarus. To mark World Day Against the Death Penalty, Amnesty International is launching a campaign highlighting cases in Belarus, Ghana, Iran, Japan and Malaysia, where the death penalty is commonly used. To find out more, visit www.amnesty.org | 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 "Whether guilty or not, the outcome of the death penalty is the same. In Iran, the death penalty is by hanging, and it takes from several agonising seconds to several harrowing minutes for death to occur and for everything to be over." Every year several hundred people are executed by the Iranian authorities. Every year several hundred people are executed by the Iranian authorities. According to reports by Iran Human Rights (IHR) and other human rights groups, death row prisoners have often no access to a defence lawyer after their arrest and are sentenced to death following unfair trials and based on confessions extracted from them under torture. These are issues which have been addressed in IHRs previous reports. The current report is based on first-hand accounts of several inmates held in Iran's prisons and their families. The report seeks to illustrate other aspects of how the death penalty affects the inmate, their families and, as a consequence, society. How does a death row inmate experience his final hours? Speaking about the final hours of a prisoner prior to his execution, Saeed (name changed), who has been on death row for a while and has even been taken to the gallows once, told IHR: "Recently, there has been an increase in the number of the days inmates at Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj are kept in solitary confinement ahead of their execution and so you can no longer really speak of an inmate's final hours. Generally, the prisoners have their hands and feet cuffed in this period to make sure they harm neither themselves nor their guards and to avoid any trouble during their transfer. Prisoners sentenced to death are moved to solitary confinement on Saturdays and usually executed on Wednesdays. There have been cases where the execution was postponed to Wednesday in the following week. During this time, prisoners are given only government food to eat. And that food is absolutely inedible. While still in their ward, they do their own cooking, making their own meals and throwing away the government food. The final visit is the most awful thing there is and, to my mind, worse than the execution itself. A prisoner who is taken to his final visit hasn't cleaned himself and eaten in days and has had to wash his hands in the toilet bowl of his solitary confinement cell. As the windows are sealed shut, the solitary confinement cell is steaming hot in the summer. I could virtually see the sweat coming out of the cells of my skin. Imagine, in these conditions, the prisoner, whose hands and feet are cuffed, is brought to the last visit and given 10 minutes to say goodbye to his family. Granted, in some cases, they do uncuff the prisoner's hands. The families weep, they cry out in anguish, then the 10 minutes are over, and they hold on to the prisoner's hands and feet and won't let him leave the visiting room. The male guards forcefully separate the women from the prisoner as there are no female officers to do that. These are frantic and reprehensible moments for the families, and most prisoners whose hands and feet are tied become angry and, frequently, they are subjected to electric shocks and beaten with truncheons once they have left the room. The final visit is usually held after office hours because that is when the visitors' section is closed. On the one hand, the blankets which are given to prisoners in the solitary confinement cell reek of vomit. When they moved me to solitary confinement, there was a blanket under the dustbin and slime was dripping on it from the waste in the bin. The officer told me to pick it up. I told him it was dirty. The officer said that the other blankets were even dirtier, and he was telling the truth. All the blanket smelled of urine, excrement and rubbish. There is no fixed time for taking a death row inmate to his execution. Usually, it is between 5 and 6 in the morning. But there was a case where an inmate, Mohammad Ghiasvand, who was convicted of a murder under a group fight was held in solitary confinement for a week and was executed at 8 in the morning. When he was picked up to be executed, he thought they were taking him to meet his lawyer. He didn't know that he was going to be executed on his own. Unless someone has pity on you, no one gets to know (about the execution) and you are not told when you are going to be executed individually or in twos. As in the nights before, the prisoner is kept in solitary confinement for the last night. His hands and feet tied together, he lies on the floor of the cell with his eyes fixed on the ceiling. Sometimes, if the prisoner is lucky, his hands are tied in the front and he gets to masturbate." Drugs: a refuge for death row inmates Prisoners wait between several months and several years before their death sentence is carried out. Anxiety, depression and, in many cases, suicide is rampant among death row inmates and as no specialised healthcare provider and adequate medication are available in prison, most of the prisoners revert to the use of narcotic drugs. To procure drugs in prison, you need money. Generally, maintaining good relations with the guards and other prison staff is helpful. To make money, addicted prisoners are forced to sell drugs, and to be able to sell drugs in the prison environment you need some kind of power structure to protect yourself and this kind of power can be acquired in group structures. For this reason, most prisons have gangs consisting of death row inmates who traffic drugs. Ali (nicknamed Black Ali) was one of the prisoners at Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj. He was imprisoned after having been found guilty of murder for having killed someone in a street fight. Soon after being throw in prison he became addicted to drugs and started to peddle drugs in order to cover his expenses. As it happened, prison officers discovered drugs in his cell and this time he was sentenced to death for possessing and dealing drugs. After having been convicted to death, Ali began to shoot heroin and soon infected with HIV. In order to earn money, he then became a "fall guy" who, every time drugs were found in the prison facility, would report to the prison guards and say: "Those drugs belong to me". In return for doing so, the actual owners would give Ali drugs or pay him money to buy more drugs. As a result, he was convicted to death in 8 more cases of drug possession. In 2011, Ali put an end to his life at the Rajai Shahr Prison facility. Sexual relations between death row inmates Sexual relations between prisoners, particularly between death row inmates who have no hope of ever coming out of prison alive, is very common. Although, for the most part, the prisoners engage in such relations voluntarily and based on mutual consent, sometimes weak prisoners engage in such relations with strong prisoners and drug sellers for the protection they afford and in return for drugs. Execution: The punishment inflicted on an inmate's family A prisoner incarcerated at Urmia Prison who faces the death sentence reports: "In truth, my execution is punishment for my family. My mother will lose a son, my wife her husband, my sister her brother and, most important of all, my daughter will never get to see her father again. But me, after I'm dead, I will no longer be around to be punished. Alongside the psychological aspects and the behavioural issues that death row inmates need to come to terms with, the prisoners' families also have their burden to bear. For families of prisoners, especially of prisoners who are married and have children, this is particularly agonising. It appears that there are some similarities in what children of death row inmates experience in society. In the knowledge that their father or mother have been put to death on account of the societys laws, they are confronted with the concept of death and need to find a way to move on with their lives. Having been marked while they are still children, they will have to suffer the stigma of being the child of someone who has been executed for the remainder of their lives. As a result, these children are much more likely to develop anti-social behaviour, personality disorders and other mental issues. Gholam (name changed) was executed in 2017 at Urmia Prison after being found guilty of drug trafficking. He had received 300 thousand tomans, a paltry sum, for the job of carrying the drug. The person who had hired him was never arrested although Gholam disclosed his identity. Fellow inmates report that Gholam was called out for execution on a Friday morning at 8 am. Moments before he was going to be executed, he gave the attending judge a picture of his children and said: I did it to fill their empty stomachs, don't make my children orphans. Gholam's wife now lives in Urmia with her two children and receives an insignificant allowance from welfare, which hardly suffices to make ends meet. The family had been renting a place and when Gholam was executed the landlord found out and demanded that Gholam's wife and children vacate the premises. Gholam's wife and children lived with relatives for roughly one year until they finally found a room to rent in one of Urmia's poorest neighbourhoods. The people of the neighbourhood have been told of Gholam's fate and the two children are sometimes made fun of at school. Also, ever since he was executed, Gholam's wife has been routinely harassed by men wanting sexual relations with her. A family friend says: Even the local cleric went after her once he found out that she has no husband. Depression, anxiety and even suicide are prevalent among the family members of the death row inmates. The families of inmates who have been put to death, most of whom are from the lower social classes, do not receive any psychological support and counselling. The story of a 52-year-old mother's suicide in Kermanshah after her son had been executed in 2013 was even reported by the State media. After two years in prison, Fereydoon was sentenced to death at Dizel Abad Prison (Kermanshah) for carrying drugs. He, too, had agreed to act as a courier for a small fee due to money problems. Fereydoon was married and up until he was incarcerated he had also cared for his mother. 3 days after Fereydoon's execution, his mother took her own life by hanging herself. Whether guilty or not, the outcome of the death penalty is the same. In Iran, the death penalty is by hanging, and it takes from several agonising seconds to several harrowing minutes for death to occur and for everything to be over. However, before their death sentence is carried out, the inmates spend some time in prison or the detention centre. Many death row inmates do not consider these few minutes of struggle on the threshold to their death the main punishment, but rather the days and nights they spend in prison awaiting their death. It is undeniable that the families of those condemned to death, and particularly the children, also suffer from the profound impact this experience has on their lives; so much so, that these children and families themselves, in enduring this punishment, can be said to experience a death of their own. The effects appear at the time of the actual execution and last for many years thereafter. The indifference or hostility shown by society is capable of exacerbating the trauma that the families of prisoners suffer on account of the execution of a loved one or even just the risk of execution. That is why, until the death penalty is completely abolished in Iran, civil society organisations, need to pay particular attention to the families of death row inmates, especially to their children. | 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 Iran Human Rights (IHR); October 10, 2018: According to statistics department of Iran Human Rights (IHR), Iranian authorities have executed 207 prisoners including 5 juvenile offenders between January 1 and October 10, 2018. This report is being published on the occasion of the 16th World Day Against the Death Penalty, which aims at raising awareness on the inhumane living conditions of people sentenced to death. This year we celebrate World Day Against the Death Penalty while several human rights activists are in prison for their peaceful activities against the death penalty in Iran. Atena Daemi, Narges Mohammadi and Nasrin Sotoudeh are among them and are held in women ward at the Evin prison in Tehran. On this day, Iran Human Rights (IHR) urges the civil society institutions as well as Iranian citizens to join the abolitionists' movement. IHR also calls on the international community to demand an unconditional end to juvenile and public executions and immediate release of imprisoned anti-death penalty activists. These demands must be on top of the agenda in the bilateral and multilateral dialogue between the members of the international community and the Iranian authorities, said IHRs director, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam. He continued: The death penalty is an inhumane punishment that dictators use to spread fear among the people in order to continue their rule. This inhumane punishment must not be tolerated by the international community. According to reports by IHR, so far in 2018, at least 207 prisoners have been executed in Iran but only 75 cases were announced by the official Iranian media. Moharebeh (waging war against God) charges, 8 on drug-related charges, 155 on murder charges (qisas or retribution in kind) and 21 for rape. 20 prisoners, including three Kurdish political prisoners have been executed on(waging war against God) charges, 8 on drug-related charges, 155 on murder charges (or retribution in kind) and 21 for rape. In the same period of time in 2017, 437 execution were registered by the IHR statistics department, 221 of which for drug offenses. Reduction in the number of drug-related executions form 221 in 2017 to 78 in 2018 is the main reason for the relative decrease in the number of executions in 2018 compared with those of 2017. The new amendment to Iranian Anti-drug law which was enforced on November 14, 2017, has led to a significant decrease in the number of drug-related executions. However, Iranian authorities continue executions for other charges and Iran remains the biggest executioner of juvenile offenders also this year. Most of the juveniles executed by the Iranian authorities are charged with murder. According to the Iranian Islamic Penal Code, murder is punishable by qisas (retribution in kind). Iranian authorities use Islam as a pretext to continue the execution of juvenile offenders and consider any objection against the death penalty as the protest against Islam. In 2013, Sadeq Larijani, head of the judicial system of Iran, said, as per our previous announcements, most of the claims about violation of human rights in Iran, including opposition against the death penalty, is indeed opposition to Islam. Qisas (retribution in kind) is the direct order of Quran. Iran is among the few countries in the world that issues the execution verdict for minors. So far in 2018 at least 5 juvenile offenders have been executed in different Iranian prisons. Iran Human Rights (IHR) has identified them as AmirHossein Pourjafar, Ali Kazemi, Mahboubeh Mofidi, Abolfazl Chezani Sharahi, and Zeinab Sekanvand. The aforementioned juvenile offenders were executed while under Article 91 of the Islamic Penal Code which was added to the law 5 years ago, allows judges to issue alternative verdicts for the minors whom the judge considers not mature enough to realize the nature of the crime committed. However, the article could neither stop nor even decrease the execution of juvenile offenders. Since the application of article 91, at least 35 juvenile offenders have been hanged in Iranian prisons. In this regard, more orchestrated pressure on Iranian government from international institutions, human rights organization and countries with diplomatic relations with Iran, is needed to force Iranian authorities to unconditionally abolish the death penalty for offenses under 18 years of age. Iran Human Rights (IHR) has been a member of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty (WCADP) since 2009 and an elected member of its Steering Committee since 2011. In 2002, WCADP announced 10th of October of each year as the World Day Against the Death Penalty. The Coalition consists of more than 140 members from five continents. | 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 SMITHFIELD, Va., Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Smithfield Foundation , the philanthropic arm of Smithfield Foods, Inc. , is pleased to announce a $50,000 donation to The Virginia Chamber Foundation to advance the groups goal of strengthening the states business climate as well as directly supporting the HIRE VETS NOW program. HIRE VETS NOW provides access to transitioning service members and veterans with career opportunities with partnering businesses prior to re-entry into the civilian workforce. The Virginia Chamber Foundation is pleased to partner with Smithfield Foods on our continued work to improve Virginias economy and bring Virginia back to the top of national business climate rankings, said Keith Martin, executive director of the Virginia Chamber Foundation. This contribution to the HIRE VETS NOW program highlights our shared commitment to integrate our nations veterans into the business community. Smithfields investment in these initiatives underscores their commitment to leadership and service and we are grateful for their continued partnership. Smithfields donation will also provide direct support for the development of the Virginia Economic Dashboard. This resource will provide user-friendly, timely, and comparative economic data to allow decision makers to track Virginias progress on improving its business climate. Continual performance assessment on key economic indicators will signal to Virginias business community and policy makers available opportunities to strengthen the states economic competitiveness. We are proud to continue our support of this great business development organization here in our home state of Virginia, which also provides such a valuable resource to active military and veterans, said Keira Lombardo, senior vice president of corporate affairs for Smithfield Foods and president of the Smithfield Foundation. Part of Smithfields social purpose is to honor the service and sacrifice of American veterans and the HIRE VETS NOW program is the type of program that provides genuine career development support for our military community. Smithfield has a long history of supporting veterans and military families through volunteerism, food and charitable donations, and partnerships. In 2016, Smithfield introduced two new veterans' initiatives Operation 4000! and Smithfield Salutes. Through Operation 4000!, Smithfield is working to employ 4,000 veterans10 percent of its U.S. workforceby 2020. Smithfield Salutes is an employee engagement program that helps veterans working at Smithfield in their transition to civilian life. To learn more about Smithfield's support of veterans, visit smithfieldfoods.com/veterans . About Smithfield Foods Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan's Famous, Farmland, Armour, Farmer John, Kretschmar, John Morrell, Cook's, Gwaltney, Carando, Margherita, Curly's, Healthy Ones, Morliny, Krakus and Berlinki. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com , and connect with us on Facebook , Twitter and LinkedIn . About The Virginia Chamber Foundation The mission of the Virginia Chamber Foundation is to strengthen Virginias long-term competitiveness through implementation support for Blueprint Virginia 2025. The Foundation conducts research, provides metrics for the states progress and produces events on issues facing business. For more information, visit https://www.vachamber.com/foundation/about-the-foundation/ . Media Contacts: Soldiers hold rifles while marching during a celebration to mark Reunification Day in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam April 30, 2015. Photo by Reuters/Kham The Vietnamese military has successfully privatized 32 enterprises and divested all state capital from 10 joint stock companies. Major General Nguyen Van Duc, director of the Ministry of Defense's department of propaganda and training, said Tuesday that the ministry has successfully completed the equitization of 32 enterprises out of the 38 ones it had scheduled to equitize during 2013-2015. It will continue to equitize 29 that are focused on trade, construction and service sectors by 2020, he said. The ministry has withdrawn capital from 10 joint stock companies and is continuing to implement the same process on another 11. By 2020, the number of military-run businesses will be reduced from 88 to 17, Duc added. Meanwhile, the military has developed new Coast Guard and cyber command units without having to increase the number of troops. He stressed that the aim of the structural reorganisation of the military is to meet the requirements of building a refined, compact and potent organization, improving its combat readiness with appropriate steps. Under the restructuring plan for military-run businesses until 2020, the Ministry of Defense will continue to run 17 wholly state-owned enterprises, of which 12 are currently undertaking military and defense tasks. At a meeting with Ho Chi Minh City leaders in June last year Deputy Defense Minister Le Chiem said the military "wont do business anymore. The military will focus on defense purposes only, he said. Giant neighbor China in 1998 prohibited the armed forces and armed police from running businesses. They were still allowed to use surplus resources to provide paid services to the public in certain fields, but the Chinese government issued an order to end that practice in May 2017. Buildings seen in downtown of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Photo by Shutterstock/Sam's Studio Land shortage and increasing congestion are major dampeners on apartment development in central HCMC, industry insiders have said. According to property consultancy DKRA Vietnam, in the third quarter of this year a total of 18 apartment developments came into the market with 7,152 units. Of this number Districts 1, 3, 4, 10, and a part of District 5 only contributed 805 units, or 11 percent. In the last three quarters these areas accounted for only 8.1 percent of the total new supply in the city, with 2,159 units. DKRA Vietnam's director of research and development, Nguyen Hoang, said this was due to the fact that clean land referring to land already cleared for construction -- in the city centre is fast becoming scarce. It is not easy to free up land either due to the very high costs involved, he pointed out. If investors are able to acquire land in District 1 or central HCMC, they usually develop high-end, luxury apartments. Concurring with this, Nguyen Tien Dung, general director of Sai Gon Trien Vong Ltd. (Savista), said trade space and office developments would be more profitable than housing in the city centre. Besides, because of the high population density in the core areas of the city, urban planning authorities tend to discourage large-scale housing projects there, he explained. Even if developers build apartments in the downtown areas, there is little space left for facilities and amenities that would increase the value of the project, Dung said. "In contrast, in suburban projects, investors could afford to use 60-70 percent of the total area for lakes and greenery." But while inner city residents can easily find amenities such as swimming pools, shopping malls and gyms in their neighbourhood, parking space is the real problem, he pointed out. With the high prices and scarcity of land, providing parking space is a headache. It is difficult to meet the needs of residents and greatly inflates prices. Even some high-priced luxury apartment developments in the downtown areas are incapable of providing parking space for all its occupants. Earlier this year many residents of an apartment complex voiced their discontent against the developer for not providing parking space. Despite the high prices they paid, they had to take part in a lucky draw to be allotted a parking spot. Those who lost had to find space elsewhere or pay for parking. Average parking fees in the city could go up to VND1.5 million ($64.60) per month, or range from a few hundred million dong to a billion ($43,050) for buying a spot outright. The city has eight million registered vehicles, up 70 percent from 2010, including nearly 1 million cars. According to its plans, HCMCs 930 ha central area should have eight underground public parking lots, but none has been built so far. Experts believe that with the current parking space crisis will be a major competitive advantage in downtown projects and one of the key determinants in the purchasing decision. For instance, Novaland Groups mixed-use development Grand Manhattan has drawn a lot of attention after the company announced a special offer of a car parking slot for every apartment. Tan Son Nhat Airport is flooded after heavy rain in August 2016. Photo by Khanh Bang The Ministry of Transport is prioritizing construction of water reservoirs and pumping stations while upgrading Tan Son Nhat airport. These constructions at the nations largest airport in Ho Chi Minh City are expected to be completed before next year, the ministry has said. The constructions are part of an expansion plan for the Tan Son Nhat airport that seeks to alleviate the situation of being overloaded. The airport has to handle 36 million passengers per year, way above its designed capacity of 25 million. The expansion project, which could be funded by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) per a suggestion from the ministry, also includes the construction of a third terminal and the expansion of a plane parking area. If funds can be sourced from private and public sources, construction of the third terminal and the runway expansion is expected to be completed before 2022. The ministry also suggested an upgrade for the airports runways and accompanying facilities, which are expected to be done between 2019 and 2020. Funding for this, estimated at VND4,460 billion ($192 million), would be sourced from the Vietnamese governments emergency fund and from the airports revenues. The northern section of the airport, which contains plane maintenance facilities, among others, would have its expansions and upgrades funded through private funds. Vietnams airline market is the third fastest growing in Asia-Pacific, and the country is grappling with a severe lack of airport capacity. Vietnam served more than 94 million air passengers last year, up 16 percent from the previous year, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam. Covering 800 hectares, Tan Son Nhat has space for 57 aircraft at a time, but sometimes it has to handle more than 70. The international airport currently has only two runways that are sometimes closed due to flooding or lightning strikes. In August, the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Flood Control Steering Center asked the municipal administration to allocate VND150 billion ($6.7 million) from the city budget for upgrading the Hy Vong Canal, a major drainage canal for the Tan Son Nhat Airport which is often clogged with garbage, to prevent flooding at the airport. In 2015, heavy rains flooded several parts of the airport, with water rising to as high as 20 centimeters, threatening to compromise the airports power generators, and prompting employees to barricade the area with sand bags. Littering that blocked a two-kilometer long drainage canal had caused the flooding. Nguyen Van Cu Street in downtown Can Tho is flooded during high tides on Wednesday evening. Photo by Cuu Long The Mekong Delta is subsiding faster than the rise in sea level, causing urban flooding, and humans are to blame. For the past four days, seasonal floods and high tide have flooded Can Tho City, said to be the capital of the Mekong Delta region. As a result, many streets and houses in the citys inner area are almost two feet under water. The tide on the Hau River, one of the two tributaries of the Mekong, reached 2.23 meters on Wednesday, the highest ever. Explaining the high tide, Le Anh Tuan, a researcher at Can Tho University, said it was partly due to climate change but also a result of human activities. Left to nature, the water would flow to low lying areas in the watershed, but rapid urbanization has seen the building of irrigation systems and dykes to prevent flooding. Since the natural flow is blocked, the flood waters will hit downstream areas, including Can Tho, and combined with the subsidence, the impact of flooding gets worse, Tuan said. Tuan, deputy head of the university's Research Institute for Climate Change, said the region now subsides two to three centimeters each year, 10 times faster than the sea level rise. The subsidence has serious implications for the region, as can be seen in the flooding of its biggest city, Can Tho. Areas with heavy construction or where groundwater is exploited more has seen worse subsidence, Tuan said. Ky Quang Vinh, head of the climate change office in Can Tho, shared the idea that humans are to blamed for flooding in the area. Vinh said the main reason for the flooding in Can Tho was subsidence caused by overexploitation of groundwater. It is possible that Can Tho residents do not use much of the groundwater, but other locations in the delta do, he said. Results of a study released in 2016 by the Vietnam Association of Hydrogeology said that by 2015, the level of groundwater in the Mekong Delta had dropped by 15 meters. It did not compare the drop with a previous figure. The study said that if, in the past, residents could hit water by digging around 100 meters into the ground, they would have to go twice as deep for fresh water now, and worse, most of the groundwater was contaminated with salt or chemicals. A study on the impacts of 25 years of groundwater extraction on subsidence in the Mekong Delta, released by the Dutch University of Utrecht last year, found that between 1991 and 2015, the Mekong Delta had sunk an average of 18cm, with the sinking levels ranging between 9cm and 53cm in different places across the region. Vietnamese workers attend a meeting of labor export. Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs A new South Korean policy allows voluntarily departing Vietnamese illegal migrants to return legally and not be blacklisted. Under the new clemency-offering policy for illegal workers, from October 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019, Vietnamese workers who voluntarily return home will not be restricted from re-entering Korea, included in a blacklist, or be reported to Vietnamese authorities. South Korean officials said the policy aims at pursuing and sanctioning unlawful workers and employers in construction and other sectors that affect the employment opportunities of local people or have a negative impact on local customs. Illegal foreign workers who are arrested in raids will be deported and banned from returning to South Korea for 10 years. They will also be blacklisted and reported to Vietnamese authorities. The Overseas Labor Center under Vietnam's labor ministry said it has formulated procedures to support Vietnamese workers in Korea. Workers can report on their situation on the website of the center if they need help returning to Vietnam. If the migrant worker has lost his/her passport or the passport has expired, the Embassy of Vietnam in South Korea will assist them in getting new documents, it said. South Korea is one of the largest labor export markets for Vietnam. However, the number of migrant workers who reside in the country illegally is relatively high. There are over 45,398 Vietnamese migrant workers in South Korea by the end of June 2018. The majority of them register under the Employment Permit System, according to official labor reports. Yet the Vietnamese also account for 30-40 percent of around 200,000 illegal foreign workers in South Korea. The 015 Tran Hung Dao docks in Jeju Island, South Korea on October 10. Photo courtesy of Bao Hai Quan A Vietnamese frigate participates in an international parade at sea Thursday with warships from 12 other countries. The 015 Tran Hung Dao, a Russian built Gepard-class frigate with advanced military equipment, arrived in South Korea Wednesday along with a Vietnamese delegation for the International Fleet Review, Bao Hai Quan (Vietnamese Navy) newspaper reported. It is captained by Colonel Le Hong Chien, Deputy Commander of the Naval Region 4 Command, which manages waters along Vietnam's south central coast. Vice Admiral Pham Hoai Nam of the Vietnam Peoples Navy will also be present at the event. The fleet review is taking place off Jeju Island between Wednesday and Monday. 13 countries including the U.S., Russia and India are set to show off 41 warships, including the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier, and more than 20 military planes at this years event, with the main display on Thursday, media reports said. Russia and the U.S. have sent the largest contingents, with three warships each. China has sent delegates but no vessel, said a South China Morning Post report. Vietnam's Tran Hung Dao is on its 9,300-kilometer long journey to Japan, South Korea and China, beginning last month. The voyage, the longest that any Vietnamese naval vessel has undertaken, aims to strengthen friendly relations, cooperation and development among naval forces in the visited countries and affirm the capability and position of the Vietnam People's Navy in the nations international integration. The warship had paid a three-day visit to Japan last month, in which its crew participated in a series of friendly games with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in Yokosuka. After the fleet review in South Korea ends, it will travel to Zhanjiang, China for a joint ASEAN-China maritime field training exercise. Several foreign naval ships have visited Vietnam in recent months, reflecting the country's growing willingness to boost security ties and intensify defense diplomacy efforts with major powers, experts have noted. Ukrainian agri-businesses need US$6 bln if land moratorium lifted MP The issue of financing can be partially solved by creating a mortgage bank with a state-owned controlling stake. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Designers reveal missile boat to be manufactured for Ukrainian Navy The 64.46 m long and 9.6 m wide boat will have a standard displacement of 550 tonnes and full displacement of 640 tonnes. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Dubai, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Argentum 47, Inc. ( www.arg47.com ), formerly known as Global Equity International, Inc., (OTCQB: ARGQ) and its fully-owned foreign subsidiaries, a specialist in both Retail and Corporate Financial Services, Corporate Consultancy and Human Resources, with offices located in Dubai and the United Kingdom, today would like to Update the Market on the current status of the Companys affairs and also on its achievements and up and coming milestones. Towards the end of September 2018, we agreed an extremely advantageous addendum to a loan the Company received in 2013. This loan, amounting to $480,000 (inclusive of principal, interest and penalties), was non-convertible and had been dormant on our books for years. We contractually agreed to pay a total of 220,000 GBP or US$286,642 at a rate of just US$3,000 a month for 36 months and a bullet or ad hoc payment on or before month 36. This agreement has allowed our Company to write off US$193,358 as a gain on debt extinguishment, which was healthy for our balance sheet. Yesterday, October 10, 2018, the Company received a further US$653,000 of funding from Xantis Aion Securitisation Fund (Luxembourg). The funding agreement signed with Xantis Aion in June of 2018 calls for an obligatory conversion into equity no earlier than 366 days post receipt of each tranche of investment at a minimum of $0.02 per share or higher. There are no provisions in the funding agreement that call for a possible discount in this minimum conversion price of $0.02. This recent round of funding from Xantis Aion is yet another significant step in the acquisition program our Company has currently underway. The target companies are very well identified, researched and analyzed for the best value proposition for our Company, Argentum 47 Inc. and its subsidiaries. This recent tranche of funding clearly demonstrates the continual long term goals of the Company to acquire suitable assets at the right price at the right time and to build the funds under administration and associated passive and non passive revenue streams. As of today, the Company is extremely proud to reiterate that it has not issued a single common share since December of 2017. Also, we expect the "Appointed Representation Agreement" with Aurum Wealth Limited to be fully approved by the UK Financial Authority (FCA) and operational sometime next week. Aurum stated in their quote in our last PR that they have the capacity to grow, by 3 to 5 million GBP per month the Funds under Administration of our recently acquired financial advisory firm, Cheshire Trafford (UK) Limited, that currently has US$39 million under administration. This meteoric growth will obviously translate into a substantial uplift of Cheshire Traffords annual revenues. Finally, our CEO, Peter Smith, will be doing an interview with Uptick Newswire this afternoon (West Coast time). Peter will endeavor to expand on our progress during Q3 2018 and also managements recent trip to South East Asia. Peter Smith, CEO of Argentum 47, Inc., said: Our process of acquisition is a medium to long term project whereby we will continually be seeking the right targets and raising the required funding for execution on those targets. Our first acquisition, the UK FCA regulated Cheshire Trafford, is undergoing some great development plans to grow the business; we are appointing a very experienced individual, Mr. Nicholas Tuke, to manage this growth and development and build the UK arm of our business further. These next rounds of funding will acquire further assets in the UK and in South East Asia where we are still contemplating the true value and economics of what can be acquired. As a business, we are in a very good shape at the moment and will continue to grow over the coming months and years. Our capital markets client, Creditum Limited, is also developing quite nicely with further updates from us and them sometime in Q4 when we will kick-start a listing on a major Stock Exchange for this client. About Argentum 47, Inc. and Subsidiaries. Argentum 47, Inc. (Argentum) is a full service Financial Intermediary, Corporate Consultancy, Retail and Corporate Financial Services and Human Resources Company. Through its wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries, it advises both business and retail customers with their most critical decisions and opportunities pertaining to growth, capital needs, structure and the development of their financial plans. With offices in Dubai and he United Kingdom, Argentum has developed significant relationships in the US, UK, Central Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia to assist clients in realizing their full value and potential. Bringing business to external capital and resources, and retail customers to a suite of secure effective financial solutions. Furthermore, as Argentum has offices in key financial centers of the world, they are able to introduce their clients to the right financial partner without geographical constraints. Safe Harbor Statement This press release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements related to anticipated revenues, expenses, earnings, operating cash flows, the outlook for markets and the demand for products. Forward-looking statements are no guarantees of future performance and are inherently subject to uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon, among other things, assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management, including managements own knowledge and assessment of the Companys industry and competition. The Company refers interested persons to its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other SEC filings for a description of additional uncertainties and factors, which may affect forward-looking statements. The company assumes no duty to update its forward-looking statements. Ukraine's prosecutors probing into involvement of Ukrainian companies in construction of Kerch Strait Bridge In total, 25 deliveries of break stone amounting to 28,000 tonnes have been made to Russia. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Over 25,000 ha of farmland given to Ukrainian state for free after owners' death The moratorium on farmland purchase and sale is still in effect in Ukraine. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Ukrainian government agencies targeted in another cyber attack SBU The hackers used software that allowed them to monitor users, copy files, and intercept passwords. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, Md., Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MacAulay-Brown, Inc. (MacB), an Alion company, announced today that its subsidiary, Enlighten IT Consulting , LLC, (EITC), has been approved by Amazon Web Services (AWS) as a Managed Service Provider (MSP). AWS MSP was designed for consulting partners skilled at cloud infrastructure and application migration to deliver seamless and low-risk managed services to AWS customers. Enlighten passed a comprehensive third-party audit of MSP capabilities with help from valued customers utilizing Enlightens Big Data Platform (BDP) and analytics in AWS GovCloud. As a proven MSP partner, Enlighten delivers superior value and services for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC). Over the last few years, Enlighten has transformed its collaboration with key mission partners to rapidly develop, deploy, innovate, and operate an accredited BDP via the Rapid Analytic Deployment and Management Framework (RADMF). The proprietary framework consists of complex cybersecurity mechanisms to deploy BDP components and a suite of powerful capabilities in AWS GovCloud, including Enlightens new RAPID analytical workbook for data scientists. Instead of procuring various isolated tools, customers can utilize a single solution all in one place. Our government customers are seeking solutions allowing them to perform their missions better, faster and more securely, said David Levy , Vice President of Federal Government for AWS. Enlightens RADMF managed service on AWS GovCloud does just that by providing critical big data and cyber capabilities for the defense community. Its accelerated the pace in which Enlightens customers can immediately realize mission impact for Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO) and Data Fusion challenges. As an approved MSP partner, we have a tremendous opportunity to offer our customers a bundled suite of capabilities that are fully operational, said Duane Shugars , Senior Vice President and General Manager of Enlighten. In addition to rapid deployment and management of BDP, our flagship product now includes Artificial Intelligence (AI), an automated pipeline for Machine Learning (ML), and secure Data Science Development and Operations. To learn more about Enlighten IT Consultings AWS partnerships, certifications, and reseller qualifications, visit https://aws.amazon.com/partners/find . ALION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY At Alion, we combine large company resources with small business responsiveness to design and deliver engineering solutions across six core capability areas. With an 80-year technical heritage and an employee-base comprised of more than 30% veterans, we bridge invention and action to support military readiness from the lab to the battle space. Our engineers, technologists, and program managers bring together an agile engineering methodology and the best tools on the market to deliver mission success faster and at lower costs. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards; as such, Alion is ISO 9001:2008 certified and maintains CMMI Level 3-appraised development facilities. Based just outside of Washington, D.C., we help our clients achieve practical innovations by turning big ideas into real solutions. To learn more, visit www.alionscience.com . ABOUT MACAULAY-BROWN, INC., an ALION COMPANY For 39 years, MacAulay-Brown, Inc. (MacB), an Alion company, has been solving many of the Nations most complex National Security challenges. MacB is committed to delivering critical capabilities in the areas of Intelligence and Analysis, Cybersecurity, Secure Cloud Engineering, Research and Development, Integrated Laboratories and Information Technology to Defense, Intelligence Community, Special Operations Forces, Homeland Security, and Federal agencies to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world. MacB was acquired by Alion Science and Technology in August 2018. To learn more, visit www.macb.com. ABOUT ENLIGHTEN IT CONSULTING, LLC, (EITC), an ALION COMPANY Since 2007, Enlighten IT Consulting, LLC, (EITC), an Alion company, has been an innovative provider of advanced and mission-critical big data infrastructure, secure cloud engineering, and analytic solutions for federal, state, and local clients with specific emphasis on the warfighter and decision makers responsible for national defense and security. A premier partner of Amazon Web Services (AWS), Enlighten has collaborated with AWS to provide innovative solutions to meet many of the challenges facing the U.S Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community related to big data, cyber analytics, data fusion, and IT transformation. The company is headquartered in Linthicum Heights, Maryland. Enlighten was acquired by MacB in December 2016. Follow MacB 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 Joint-stock company Ukrtransgaz on Wednesday signed a contract with state-owned enterprise (SOE) Zorya-Mashproekt to reconstruct the Yahotyn compressor station for UAH 2.248 billion (VAT included), according to an announcement posted in the ProZorro e-procurement system. The press service of Ukrtransgaz reported that under the project, it is planned to build a new compressor workshop at the Yahotyn compressor station by 2021, consisting of four gas compressor units driven by 16 MW gas turbine engines and the required engineering infrastructure. As reported, three companies submitted bids to participate in the tender of Ukrtransgaz to reconstruct the compressor station with the expected cost of up to UAH 2.466 billion: public joint-stock company Sumy Machine-Building Science and Production Association (Sumy NPO), Zorya-Mashproekt and private joint-stock company Interbudmontazh Construction Association. The winner of the tender is to ensure design works, supply equipment, conduct construction and assembly works and jointly with the customer launch the facility. Ukrtransgaz said that the application of the Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC) contract would allow not getting attached to one manufacturer at the tender stage and expand competition. One of the main additional evaluation criteria is the efficiency of equipment in the bids. This parameter characterizes the level of fuel gas costs at the modernized Yahotyn compressor station Ukrtransgaz, wholly owned by NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy, operates the system of trunk gas pipelines and 12 underground gas storage facilities of the country. Four Ukrainian servicemen were killed and three others were wounded as militants have opened fire on the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Donbas 28 times over the past 24 hours, the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) headquarters has reported. "Russian invaders opened fire on the positions of our troops. At the same time, the enemy used weapons banned by the Minsk agreements 12 times [...] Two soldiers of the Joint Forces were killed and three were injured as a result of shelling. Two soldiers sustained fatal wounds when a mine blew up," the JFO HQ said in a report on its Facebook page on Thursday. Illegal armed groups opened fire from 120mm and 82mm mortars, anti-tank missile systems, IFV weapons, ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun, grenade launchers, heavy machineguns and small arms. Snipers were also active. Ceasefire violations were recorded on the outskirts of the settlements of Krymske, Novotoshkivske, Zolote, Stepne, Troitske, Luhanske, Maiske, Zaitseve, Avdiyivka, Krasnohorivka, Maryinka, Novomykhailivka, Starohnativka, Pavlopil, Hnutove, Lebedynske, and Shyrokyne. According to Ukrainian intelligence, six militants were killed and ten others injured in the past day. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has sent 12 trucks with humanitarian aid to the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Ukraine's State Border Guard Service reported on Thursday. The ICRC trucks carrying 239.5 tonnes of relief supplies have passed through the Novotroitske entry and exit checkpoint in the Volnovakha district of the Donetsk region, the service said. Kyiv is applying to host the famous European nomadic Biennial of contemporary art - Manifesta, the press service of the Kyiv mayor has reported. "Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko signed a letter of application for hosting the famous Biennial of Contemporary Art Manifesta in the Ukrainian capital. If approved, the Biennial will be held in 2022 and will provide Kyiv with at least 200,000 additional tourists from different countries of the world," Kyiv City State Administration said on Wednesday, October 10. The note says Manifesta is extraordinary popular and has reputation as a bold experimental cultural event. "The Biennial began in the Netherlands after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The goal was to create a forum for contemporary art that would reflect the trends in Europe better than conservative art exhibitions. The Biennial changes its location every two years, deliberately avoiding the dominant centers of artistic production. The changing location of the Biennial works as insurance against corruption and allows you to attract representatives of young European art," Kyiv City State Administration said. Deputy Kyiv Mayor Viacheslav Nepop said holding Manifesta in Ukraine would emphasize the status of Kyiv as the cultural center of Europe. "We will create an additional platform for the dialogue of domestic and foreign artists, we will be able to present national artistic achievements and practices, as well as develop the direction of event tourism," he said. The application was initiated by the Ukrainian Institute - a state institution that represents Ukraine abroad. According to Diana Popova, Director of the Department of Culture of Kyiv City State Administration, Kyiv has already proven its ability to host large-scale European events such as Eurovision and the Champions League final. "Therefore, we will be happy to host one of the most important European forums of contemporary art in the capital of Ukraine," the official said. The popularity of Manifesta is provided by a large-scale program that includes not only an exhibition of works, but also educational events - seminars, discussions, publications. Events within the Manifesta stretch over time for two or more years, holding the attention of lovers of modern art to the chosen venues of the Biennial. In 2016, 150 artists took part in the Biennial in Zurich, and 1,400 journalists covered the event. During the period of the Manifesta, 33.6% of the guests of Zurich arrived purposefully at the Biennial. In general, this art event brought Zurich investments of 21.2 million Swiss francs. San Jose, California, 11 October 2018 , Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Media Alert Lynx Software Technologies ArmTechcon October 16-18 2018 San Jose Convention Centre Booth #927 Lynx Software Technologies, a world leader in the embedded software market is demonstrating LynxSecure, its award-winning Separation Hypervisor at Arm TechCon. LynxSecure simplifies safety certification processes for Arm based designs, providing military-grade security coupled with highly efficient virtualization to multi-core Arm SoC-based designs. LynxSecure is available on the Xilinx Zynq Ultrascale+ MPSoC, and the NXP S32V. Commenting, Lee Cresswell, vice president of global sales at Lynx Software Technologies, said, LynxSecure supports mixed criticality development, from bare metal code running alongside full stack Linux, with secured communications capabilities between safely separated applications, allowing the mixing and matching of runtime environments on multi-core Arm-based SoCs. LynxSecure simultaneously supports functional safety certification through hardware supported system partitioning and highly secure by design system resource management for real-time multi-core applications. Developers can run safety-critical OSes and applications next to general purpose OSes on a single SoC without compromising the performance, safety or features of either, because LynxSecure 6.0 offers true secure separation and safe partitioning between these different environments and the devices that they use. For automotive, Lynx and ETAS have created a safe and secure hypervisor foundation for the ETAS RTA-VRTE platform software solution incorporating the AUTOSAR Adaptive Platform standard. RTA-VRTE supports the next generation of cross-domain and vehicle computer ECUs being introduced in upcoming vehicles. Lynx is also a lead contributor to the Industrial Internet Consortium; IIoT Security Framework and drove its guidance on end point security. Lynx will be demonstrating the LynxSecure Separation Kernel Hypervisor running on a Xilinx UltraScale+ MPSoC at Arm TechCon. The demonstration will show a mixed criticality system, with LynxSecure running across Cortex-A53 processors, providing secure domains hosting a safety-critical RTOS next to Linux domains running general purpose computing applications. LynxSecure protects against any fault conditions or threats that manifest in the GPOS domains from compromising the applications running in the safety domain, that are still able to maintain their deterministic behaviour regardless of the performance of the rest of the system. About Lynx Software Technologies Through precision engineering, Lynx Software Technologies develops advanced processor and multi-core SoC resource management technology that empowers innovative companies to create the safest, most secure systems in the world. Lynx is committed to providing the highest levels of safety and security in its Virtualization and RTOS products. The LynxOS-178 RTOS is the first and only time- and space-partitioned, FAA-accepted Reusable Software Component (RSC). The latest product in the portfolio, the award-winning LynxSecure offers a secure separation kernel and embedded hypervisor that forms a platform for the development of highly secure systems. Since it was established in 1988, Lynx Software Technologies has created technology that has been successfully deployed in thousands of designs and millions of products made by leading automotive, communications, avionics, aerospace, medical, and transportation companies. Lynx headquarters are located in San Jose, CA. Ukraine seeks to make Russia fulfill its obligations in the Council of Europe and the requirements of decisions made in response to aggression against Ukraine, Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe Dmytro Kuleba has said. "Something burns in Russia. Going through a defeat is very hard to it, and has it already got confused in threats. First they leave PACE, then they leave the whole Council of Europe. Withdrawal is not a tragedy. Our goal is unchanged - to make Russia fulfill its obligations in the Council of Europe and the requirements of decisions made in response to the aggression against Ukraine," Kuleba wrote on his Twitter account on Thursday. Earlier, Ukrainian parliamentarians, members of the delegation of the Verkhovna Rada to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, said that a report on changes to the PACE statute on the powers of delegations, which was lobbied by Russia, had been postponed to January 2019. U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker has said he has no plans to meet Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov. As for my meeting with Surkov There is no planned meeting. I would like to have a productive conversation the next time we meet, Volker was quoted as saying on Thursday during a telephonic briefing. Volker last met with Surkov in Dubai on January 26, 2018. The sides then did not agree on the law on aspects of local self-government in Donbas, Interfax reported. No concrete agreements were made. It was the fourth meeting between the two. Russia's idea of holding a referendum "on the status of Donbas" contradicts the Constitution of Ukraine and the Minsk Agreements, U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker has said. The United States rejects the referendum initiative. There is no legal basis for this in the Constitution of Ukraine and the Minsk Agreements, Volker said during a telephonic briefing in Brussels on Thursday. In this context, he also urged to take into account the fact that more than a million people from Donbas had been forced to leave their homes due to Russian aggression. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko notes the increased combat readiness of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "Some 39 combat brigades, a number of military units of operational, logistics and technical support have been formed. Groups of forces that are ready to repel aggression on potentially dangerous areas have been created, and not only from the east, but also from the Crimean direction. The troops should be kept ready, including from Transdniester and from the north," Poroshenko said during a meeting with the commanders of the brigades (regiments) of the Armed Forces, the National Guard and the State Border Service of Ukraine in Khmelnytsky region on Thursday. According to the president, an increase in the aviation fleet and the fleet of anti-aircraft missiles has strengthened the air defense. The head of state said that he had just inspected the Clear Sky 2018 multinational exercises. "These are the largest exercises that we have had in the last four years. It has 50 aircraft from all NATO member countries and our Ukrainian air force. The purpose of the exercise is to increase the level of compatibility of our combat aviation with the air forces of the United States of America," Poroshenko said. Illegal armed formations did not allow the observers of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) into the village of Verkhnioshyrokovske of Novoazovsky region and the village of Yuzhna Lomuvatka of the Briankivsky Town Council of Luhansk region to carry out monitoring. "Systematic obstacles by the armed forces of the Russian Federation regarding the activities of international observers continue. In accordance with the OSCE SMM report published on October 10, 2018, the militants prohibited the Mission from traveling to Verkhnioshyrokovske and Yuzhna Lomuvatka for monitoring," the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said on Facebook on Thursday. Also, according to the OSCE SMM, the Mission's unmanned aerial vehicle recorded six firing positions and construction of a militant dugout in the village of Zolote-5, two of which are located near the houses of local residents, as well as new trenches with a total length of up to 100 meters. "The armed forces of the Russian Federation continue arranging fortifications within the settlements, which causes a huge threat to the lives of civilians," the message says. From November 19 to 21, 2018, the key event of the year in the Ukrainian energy sector, the Ukrainian Energy Week '18, will take place in the NSC "Olimpiyskiy". Here will meet the most influential representatives of national and foreign companies, which will turn the location into a central place for B2B and B2C communications of the energy sector. Organizer - A7 CONFERENCES. Investment partner - A7 CAPITAL. Official carrier Turkish Airlines. Legal partner international law firm Dentons. Exclusive financial partner - UKRGAZBANK. Partners: GOLAW, Poltava Petroleum Company, IKNET, HUAWEI, Photomate s.r.o., INGO Ukraine Insurance Company, Exhibition partner - EnergoSystems. Supported by NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine, Ukrainian Wind Energy Association, Bioenergy Association of Ukraine. Business Travel Partner - Airlife. The event will bring together four important Ukrainian forums that have been gathering key energy players for over three years: - II "Ukrainian Oil and Gas Investment Forum '18" | November 19 - "Ukrainian Renewable Energy Forum 18" | November 20 - "Ukrainian Energy Efficiency Forum 18" | November 21 - "Ukrainian Housing Cooperative Forum 18" | November 21 The forums have become a regular meeting place for representatives of the energy sector, Ukrainian and foreign developers, investors, government officials and representatives of financial institutions. Their goal is to establish business contacts and create the basis for making important decisions, finding investment opportunities, discussing the development and ways of reforming key energy sectors. The first of Ukrainian Energy Week will be the Ukrainian Investment Forum "Oil and Gas". For the third time, the forum will bring together leading Ukrainian and international companies to discuss the prospects of the sector. The forum's key industry experts will cover the following topics: global trends in the oil and gas sector, the oil and gas market in Ukraine, and sector financing. It is projected that since Ukraine produces less than 2% of gas each year, its own reserves should be 54 years old. In Europe, the average is 12 years, so Ukraine ranks first in Europe to provide the country with its own gas deposits. This confirms the relevance of the forum and the understanding of its own capacity, because Ukraine is able to extract gas more intensively due to the attraction in the investment industry and modern technologies. This will be discussed at the Ukrainian Oil and Gas Investment Forum, November 19. The second forum on the Ukrainian Energy Week will be the Ukrainian Renewable Energy Forum. The forum will be held for the third time and became widely publicized among Ukrainian and international companies due to the relevance of the topic of alternative energy. Wind energy, solar and bioenergy, as well as investment opportunities of renewable energy in Ukraine are topics on which the forum will focus. Recently, the issue of renewable energy has become more relevant. During June 2018, deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine registered 8 bills on changes in the system of further stimulation of the development of "green energy" through a system of auctions. It is November 20, within the framework of the Ukrainian Renewable Energy Forum, a separate panel will be held on the development of the Ukrainian wind energy sector, which will consider the modern conditions of the construction of wind power in Ukraine and the experience of foreign companies in the Ukrainian wind energy market. In the course of the discussion, issues of responsibility for the imbalances for electric power producers at the WEU and SES within the framework of the Law of Ukraine "On the Electricity Market" will be discussed, which will take effect from July 1, 2019. Shifts are also taking place in the biofuel market, where, as the world practice shows, a single electronic trading platform is an effective mechanism. Work on the implementation of such a platform is underway. The final energy week forum will be the 2nd Ukrainian Energy Efficiency Forum. As part of this year the Ukrainian housing cooperative forum will be held. The Energy Efficiency Forum will raise the current issues for the second time: Ukraine's energy efficiency strategy, energy efficiency reforms, investments in the energy efficiency market, as well as cooperation with other energy sectors. The State Department for Energy Efficiency stresses that the introduction of "green" bonds in Ukraine will allow mobilizing the necessary investments for implementation of projects in the field of energy efficiency, as well as cheapen these financial resources. By 2020, the national targets set 11% of the net energy in the final energy consumption and 75% of the green energy in the total primary energy supply by 2035. Issues in the oil and gas sector, renewable energy and energy efficiency will be considered during November 19-21 at the Olympic NSC. In addition to the main program during the event, a large-scale exhibition and thematic seminars will be held. Among the key speakers of the Forum: Maria Barabash, President, A7 CAPITAL; Sergiy Savchuk, Head of the Department of Energy Efficiency, Georgiy Geletukha, Chairman of the Board, Bioenergy Association of Ukraine, Andriy Konechenkov, Chairman of the Board, Ukrainian Wind Energy Association; Max Lebedev, Managing Partner, GOLAW; Yuri Podolyak, Commercial Director, IK NET; Anton Abramov, General Director, Photomate LLC; Victor Gladun, General Director, JV Poltava Petroleum Company, Yaroslav Petrov, Partner, Asters Law Firm, Valentyna Bilyk, Vice President, A7 CAPITAL, Rodion Morozov, Head of Ecological Projects Department, Ukrgasbank, Jamil Malikov, Deputy Chairman, The State Agency on Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Eugene Sushchenko, Investment Director, A7 CAPITAL, and others. More details and registration via the link: a7conf.com/uew Organizer - A7 CONFERENCES. Investment partner - A7 CAPITAL. Official carrier Turkish Airlines. Legal partner the international law firm Dentons. Exclusive financial partner - UKRGAZBANK. Partners: GOLAW, Poltava Petroleum Company, IKNET, HUAWEI, Photomate s.r.o., INGO Ukraine Insurance Company, Exhibition partner - EnergoSystems. Supported by NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine, Ukrainian Wind Energy Association, Bioenergy Association of Ukraine. Business Travel Partner - Airlife. General information partner is RBC-Ukraine. General news partner Interfax-Ukraine. General radio-partner Voice of the Capital radio. Informational TV Partner NewsOne. Exclusive TV partner - The first business TV channel. International media partners: Renovaveis magazine, UBN, PvEurope, Business1. Financial Media Partner Financial club. Informational Law Parther Liga.zakon. Specialized media partner - AW-Therm. Career Partner HeadHunter. Media partners: Liga.net, "Novoje vremia", Business Journal, Energobusiness, journal "Ecology of enterprise", Ukrainian Energy, EcoTown, Elektrovesti.net, "Occupational Safety and Fire Safety" Magazine, ProfBuild, journal "Equipment and tools for professionals", FDK Journal, journal "Industry is in focus". Supported by: Ukrainian Business Association, Ukrainian Wind Energy Association, Ukrainian Association for Renewable Energy, Association of Energy Auditors, American Chamber of Commerce, Kyiv Post, Council of Entrepreneurs under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and others. Media Accreditation: +38 096 515 43 90, +38 044 227 27 77, victoria@a7-group.com (contact person: Victoria Shcherbatiuk). General news partner Interfax-Ukraine. Washington, Oct 11, 2018 (AFP) - The United States said Wednesday it will refuse any post-war reconstruction assistance to Syria if Iran is present, expanding the rationale for US involvement in the conflict. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, speaking to a pro-Israel group, vowed an aggressive push to counter Iran across the Middle East and said that Syria was a decisive battleground. "The onus for expelling Iran from the country falls on the Syrian government, which bears responsibility for its presence there," Pompeo told the Jewish Institute for National Security of America. "If Syria doesn't ensure the total withdrawal of Iranian-backed troops, it will not receive one single dollar from the United States for reconstruction," Pompeo said. Pompeo's speech effectively broadens the official explanation for why the United States is involved in Syria's civil war, which a monitoring group says has killed close to 365,000 people since 2011. Former president Barack Obama authorized military action with the goal of rooting out the Islamic State group, or ISIS, the extremist force that has boasted of a slew of grisly attacks both in Syria and the West. The United States has about 2,000 troops in Syria, primarily to train and advise forces other than ISIS that are waging an increasingly precarious fight to topple President Bashar al-Assad. Pompeo acknowledged that Assad was stronger thanks to Iranian and Russian help and said that, with ISIS "beaten into a shadow of its former self," new priorities had emerged. "Defeating ISIS, which was once our primary focus, continues to be a priority. But it will now be joined by two other mutually reinforcing objectives," Pompeo said. "These include a peaceful political resolution to the Syrian conflict and the removal of all Iranian and Iranian-backed forces from Syria." The US funding threats are unlikely to make an immediate impact in Syria. Trump, a vocal critic of foreign aid as he promotes an "America First" policy, in August pulled the United States out of Syria's near-term reconstruction, suspending $230 million after Gulf Arab allies made their own pledges. But Pompeo's speech marks a new sign that the United States is not leaving Syria anytime soon after Trump, a onetime critic of foreign interventions, earlier this year mused aloud about withdrawing troops. Trump's national security adviser John Bolton, a longtime hawk on Iran, told reporters last month that US troops would stay "as long as Iranian troops are outside Iranian borders." "Iran has seen instability in Syria as a golden opportunity to tip the regional balance of power in its favor," Pompeo said. He warned that Iran, a sworn foe of Israel, would open a new front against the Jewish state if it remained in Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has similarly warned that he will never accept an Iranian presence in Syria. The Trump administration has closely allied itself with both Israel and Saudi Arabia, the Sunni kingdom which sees Iran as its chief rival in the region. Pompeo in his speech did not air any criticism of Saudi Arabia, which has been accused by Turkish government sources of killing a prominent Saudi journalist last week inside its Istanbul consulate. Pompeo also did not demand a withdrawal by Russia, which maintains its only permanent military base outside the former Soviet Union in Syria, a Cold War ally. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 Trend: State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) has been included to the list of 100 most significant, resilient, and impactful asset owner and public executives of 2018. In this globally recognized list, SOFAZ has been ranked 10th amongst hundred most impactful public investors. The list includes the most influential investors at the worlds largest sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations, pensions, and central banks, who have successfully managed assets amid current circumstances. The top 100 ranking has been compiled by the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute (SWFI) based on several dimensions including, innovation, funding, environmental circumstances, returns, unique programs and initiatives undertaken. To see the full list, please follow the link below: https://www.swfinstitute.org/swf-news/press-release-public-investor-100-rankings-released-for-2018/ The State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), established in December 1999 by the Presidential Decree is a legal entity and an extra-budgetary institution. The Fund is a mechanism whereby energy-related earnings are accumulated and efficiently managed. The cornerstone of the philosophy behind the SOFAZ is to ensure intergenerational equality with regard to benefit from the country's oil wealth, whilst improving the economic well-being of the population today and safeguarding the economic security of future generations. For more information about SOFAZ, please visit http://www.oilfund.az/ SWFI is a global organization designed to study sovereign wealth funds, pensions, endowments, central banks, and other long-term public investors in the areas of investing, asset allocation, risk, governance, economics, policy, trade, and other relevant topics. For more information about SWFI, please visit https://www.swfinstitute.org/ Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 25 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Oct. 11. 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. 11 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: It is necessary to double efforts for peaceful settlement of conflicts within recognized international negotiation formats, Armenian media reported citing Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan as saying at the opening ceremony of the 17th Francophone Summit in Yerevan. This also applies to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Pashinyan added. The prime minister of Armenia once again touched upon the topic he raised earlier on the necessity to include the representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh in the negotiation process. In his speech, Pashinyan seven times mentioned the name of the occupied region in its internationally recognized form, Nagorno-Karabakh, never having used the word Artsakh used by separatists and a number of politicians in Armenia. Moreover, in his interview with the French TV channel France 24, the Armenian prime minister stated that Armenia doesnt ask to change the negotiations process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, and never has. The negotiations process must continue in the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmanship format, Pashinyan said. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FogHorn , a leading developer of edge intelligence software for industrial and commercial Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, today announced that FogHorn Chief Executive Officer David King and Chief Technology Officer Sastry Malladi have been selected to serve as an expert resource during three education sessions at IoT Solutions World Congress, set to take place Tuesday, Oct. 16 through Thursday, Oct. 18, in Barcelona, Spain. The company will be exhibiting at the show in the Industrial Internet Consortium Pavilion, stand 411. FogHorns participation plans are as follows: Optimizing Elevator Performance With On-Board Edge Computing and Data Analytics : King and Michael Nilles, chief digital officer of Schindler Group, are scheduled to highlight Schindlers implementation of edge intelligence during this joint presentation. In this session, King and Nilles will discuss Schindlers deployment of FogHorns edge intelligence solution and how the FogHorn Lightning platform has enabled Schindler to conduct predictive and pre-emptive maintenance on its elevators, cut inspection fees, and accelerate development time for the data science team. The session will take place from 12:25 p.m. to 1:10 p.m. GMT+2, Tuesday, Oct. 16, in Room 4. King and Michael Nilles, chief digital officer of Schindler Group, are scheduled to highlight Schindlers implementation of edge intelligence during this joint presentation. In this session, King and Nilles will discuss Schindlers deployment of FogHorns edge intelligence solution and how the FogHorn Lightning platform has enabled Schindler to conduct predictive and pre-emptive maintenance on its elevators, cut inspection fees, and accelerate development time for the data science team. The session will take place from 12:25 p.m. to 1:10 p.m. GMT+2, Tuesday, Oct. 16, in Room 4. Why Edge First in Oil & Gas? : King will also serve as a panelist on a session focus on edge computing in the oil and gas industry at IoT Solutions World Congress. The session will take place from 10:25 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. GMT+2, Tuesday, Oct. 16, in Room 2. King and fellow panelist Harvard Devold, group vice president of ABB, will discuss use cases in midstream and upstream oil and gas, the edge compute strategy and technologies deployed, and realized business benefits. The discussion will be moderated by Jesse DeMesa, principal partner at Momenta Partners. King will also serve as a panelist on a session focus on edge computing in the oil and gas industry at IoT Solutions World Congress. The session will take place from 10:25 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. GMT+2, Tuesday, Oct. 16, in Room 2. King and fellow panelist Harvard Devold, group vice president of ABB, will discuss use cases in midstream and upstream oil and gas, the edge compute strategy and technologies deployed, and realized business benefits. The discussion will be moderated by Jesse DeMesa, principal partner at Momenta Partners. Critical Enablers: Edge/Fog Technologies and Applications : Malladi will participate in a panel on FogHorns behalf, from 1:20 to 2:05 p.m. GMT+2, Tuesday, Oct. 16, in Room 3. The discussion will explore the benefits of using fog or edge computing technology across various industry verticals, citing different use cases, business needs and market trends. Fellow panelists include Rigado CEO Ben Corrado, Bosch Evangelist Kai Hackbarth, and Antony Passemard with Google Cloud. This discussion will also be moderated by DeMesa. : Malladi will participate in a panel on FogHorns behalf, from 1:20 to 2:05 p.m. GMT+2, Tuesday, Oct. 16, in Room 3. The discussion will explore the benefits of using fog or edge computing technology across various industry verticals, citing different use cases, business needs and market trends. Fellow panelists include Rigado CEO Ben Corrado, Bosch Evangelist Kai Hackbarth, and Antony Passemard with Google Cloud. This discussion will also be moderated by DeMesa. Google booth presentation plans: FogHorn will also be a partner in the Google booth (GRAN VIA, Hall P2, Level 0, Street B, Stand 245). The FogHorn team will share a presentation on edgifying machine learning (ML) including the use of closed-loop, edge-to-cloud ML, from 12:30 to 12:45 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 17 at the booth. FogHorn will also be a partner in the Google booth (GRAN VIA, Hall P2, Level 0, Street B, Stand 245). The FogHorn team will share a presentation on edgifying machine learning (ML) including the use of closed-loop, edge-to-cloud ML, from 12:30 to 12:45 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 17 at the booth. Demonstration with ADLINK: FogHorn, along with its partner ADLINK , will demonstrate condition-based monitoring and predictive maintenance on an industrial system using ADLINKs Vortex Edge platform, combined with FogHorns Lightning 2.0 software . New capabilities with Lightning 2.0 include advancements in edge-based machine learning, improved automation and scalability and an enhanced operator user experience. The co-demonstration will include the utilization of one of FogHorns newest features, Sensor Fusion, which provides the ability to process and infer on multiple data streams of different types. The demonstration will also showcase the value of correlating motor speed, vibration, and temperature sensor data into real-time insights to minimize downtime and predict failure conditions. Were very excited to be exhibiting at IoT Solutions World Congress, and showcasing our latest product release, optimized to help industrial organizations move quickly and easily to large scale production, said King. I also look forward to joining fellow experts and colleagues to discuss the tremendous progress of IIoT projects in 2018, as well as what is on the horizon in terms of edge computing strategies and innovation. Visit the Industrial Internet Consortium Pavilion to meet with a FogHorn representative. To learn more about FogHorns planned sessions at IoT World Congress, visit www.foghorn.io . About FogHorn FogHorn is a leading developer of edge intelligence software for industrial and commercial IoT application solutions. FogHorns software platform brings the power of advanced analytics and machine learning to the on-premises edge environment enabling a new class of applications for advanced monitoring and diagnostics, machine performance optimization, proactive maintenance and operational intelligence use cases. FogHorns technology is ideally suited for OEMs, systems integrators and end customers in manufacturing, power and water, oil and gas, renewable energy, mining, transportation, healthcare, retail, as well as Smart Grid, Smart City, Smart Building and connected vehicle applications. FogHorn and Lightning are trademarks of FogHorn. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: The issue concerning the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was raised during the third meeting of the speakers of the parliaments of Eurasian countries. Speaking at the meeting, speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament Oqtay Asadov stressed that the prosperous future of the peoples living on the Eurasian continent can only be built on the basis of mutual economic cooperation, good neighborly relations, mutual respect, humanism and tolerance. Asadov said that wars and hotbeds of conflicts that flaring up on the Eurasian continent, including the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, continue to greatly limit the development of a vast region. "For over 25 years, the Armenian armed forces continue to occupy 20 percent of the internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan, that is, the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven adjacent districts, he said. As a result of ethnic cleansing, one million civilians were expelled from Armenia and occupied Azerbaijani territories." Asadov also added that according to the resolutions # 822, 853, 874 and 884, adopted in 1993 by the UN Security Council, as well as resolution # 62/243, adopted in 2008 by the UN General Assembly, the sovereignty, territorial integrity, inviolability of Azerbaijans borders were uniquely confirmed. According to those resolutions, the Armenian armed forces must be immediately withdrawn from the territories of Azerbaijan, he added. Unfortunately, the international efforts that have been made up till now to resolve the conflict had no effect because of the non-constructive and destructive position of Armenia, he said. It should be clear to everyone that the unresolved conflict is a constant threat to peace and stability not only in the South Caucasus region but also on the Eurasian continent and worldwide. I am sure that the international community must finally have its weighty word in this issue and the conflict must be resolved on the basis of the universally accepted principles and norms, in particular, on the basis of the principle of the territorial integrity of countries, Asadov said. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: Today, Azerbaijan holds a worthy place among the most stable states of the world, going on path of dynamic development, the Chief Editor of the SES newspaper, political expert Bahruz Guliyev told Trend. He was commenting on the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the results of the socio-economic development of nine months of 2018 and the upcoming tasks, held under the chairmanship of President Ilham Aliyev on October 9. The political strategy of President Ilham Aliyev underlies this achieved success, he added. The expert noted that the stability is important for the development and progress of any region. There is no chance of sustainable development without a stable and safe environment. "Touching on these factors, the head of state stressed that security, order and stability are maintained and strengthened in Azerbaijan. Balanced, purposeful and successful policy underlies this success. Despite the fact that Azerbaijan is in a region where there are conflicts that have a negative impact on a number of progressive initiatives, Azerbaijan is taking decisive steps, strengthening its position in the international arena. All these are one of the visual indicators of purposeful policy of the president." "The head of state also stressed at the meeting that external risks must be taken into account in order to ensure consistent development, the systematic work must be done to prevent such risks. Thanks to the determination of President Ilham Aliyev, these risks have been eliminated. One of the priorities of the policy pursued by the president is to ensure implementation of social policy, the main goal of which is to provide a comfortable life for the Azerbaijani people, external risks have been eliminated thanks to the wise policy of the leadership of the country, and the wide ways have opened for the implementation of the upcoming tasks." Guliyev also reminded that Azerbaijan is implementing big projects, organizes important international events on the global scale. "Azerbaijan is on the forefront of the events held in foreign countries. Accordingly, just this fact should be regarded as the highest personification of the authority of President Ilham Aliyev," he said. "As the head of state noted at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, this year alone he made 12 foreign visits, and the heads of 15 states and governments arrived in Azerbaijan. The significance attached and the attention paid to Azerbaijan is the proof that our country is a reliable partner, a decent and faithful neighbor, because, as stated by President Ilham Aliyev, our words and actions coincide. Of course, these successful results stimulate dynamic development and progress of the Azerbaijani people, the Azerbaijani state. All this is the real indicator and successful result of the policy and strategy of President Ilham Aliyev." Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the inauguration of Guba district central hospital. The president and his wife cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the hospital. After viewing the conditions created at the hospital, President Aliyev met with the hospital staff and posed for photographs together with them. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the opening of ABAD Factory Production Complex in Guba. The president and his spouse cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the complex, and viewed conditions created there. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: The Metsamor NPP in Armenia is a bomb that is waiting to explode, Azerbaijani MP Asim Mollazade said Oct. 11 during the autumn session of the PACE in Strasbourg (France). "The Metsamor NPP is located in a seismic zone. This is actually a bomb waiting to explode. If another earthquake occurs in Armenia, it will lead to radioactive contamination in vast territories, including Europe," said the Azerbaijani MP. He noted that the EU allocated specific budgetary resources to the Government of Armenia in order to solve the problem of the Metsamor NPP. "The money has disappeared, and the nuclear power plant is still operating. The Ex-Prime Minister of Armenia Hrant Bagratyan said that this station provides an opportunity to create a "dirty bomb" and that they are ready to use this bomb against Azerbaijan," Mollazade said. Construction of the Metsamor NPP started in 1970. After the devastating earthquake in Spitak city in 1988, the plant was shut down, but in 1995, despite international protests, the nuclear power plants operation was resumed, and moreover, the second reactor was launched. Ecologists and scholars from the whole region think seismic activity in the area turns operation of the Metsamor NPP into an extremely dangerous undertaking, even in the case of the construction of a new-type reactor. The autumn session of PACE began its work on October 8 in Strasbourg. The Azerbaijani delegation headed by chairman of the parliamentary committee on international relations and inter-parliamentary ties, head of Azerbaijans permanent delegation to PACE Samad Seyidov takes part in the session to be held on October 8-12. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 Trend: Azerbaijan is taking important measures to deepen economic reforms and increase the competitiveness of the economy, Azerbaijans Prime Minister Novruz Mammadov said. He was speaking at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers chaired by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev dedicated to results of socio-economic development in the nine months of 2018 and objectives for the future. In particular, important work is carried out in the industrial sector, non-oil sector, he said. Macroeconomic situation in Azerbaijan is stable, investment and infrastructure projects are being consistently implemented, social problems of the poor, the families of martyrs, the disabled of the Karabakh war, as well as IDPs are constantly in the center of attention of the state. As the Azerbaijani president noted, the opening of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) this year and the TANAP project are great achievements, Mammadov noted. The recent launch of the Azerspace-2 satellite into orbit and the creation of Sumgait, Mingachevir and Masalli industrial districts is our success. All the issues envisaged in connection with infrastructure projects are resolved. The government care for the development of agriculture and increasing employment in the Azerbaijani districts shows its high efficiency. Significant progress is observed in the field of cotton growing and viticulture, fruit growing, vegetable growing. Speaking about the successful results in the socio-economic field of Azerbaijan and purposeful work to further deepen economic reforms, Prime Minister Novruz Mammadov said that as President Ilham Aliyev noted, Azerbaijan, the international position of which further strengthens, contributes to the development of stability, security and cooperation in the region. After concluding thorough exchange of views on the results of socio-economic development, Prime Minister Novruz Mammadov gave relevant instructions to the relevant departments of the Office of the Cabinet of Ministers in connection with the planned measures to implement the instructions given by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev at the meeting. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: Chairman of the Azerbaijani parliament Ogtay Asadov met with Chairman of the Iranian parliament Ali Larijani in Turkeys Antalya city, the Azerbaijani parliament said in a message on Oct. 11. According to the message, the views on the development of relations between the legislative bodies of the countries were exchanged at the meeting within the third gathering of the chairmen of the parliaments of the Eurasian countries. The sides appreciated the dynamics of development of relations between parliaments. The views on the North-South transport corridor were exchanged during the meeting, at which the prospects for the development of relations between the countries were touched upon. Asadov stressed that the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway creates big prospects for the North-South transport corridor. The third meeting of the chairmen of the parliaments of the Eurasian countries was held in Antalya with the organizational support of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. At the meeting which was held under the motto "Economic Cooperation, Environment and Sustainable Development in Eurasia", Azerbaijan was represented by a delegation led by Chairman of the Azerbaijani parliament Ogtay Asadov. The Azerbaijani delegation also included chairman of the committee of the Azerbaijani parliament Ali Huseynli, MPs Khanlar Fatiyev, Agalar Valiyev, head of the parliaments office Safa Mirzayev and others. Over 350 people, including representatives of parliaments of 39 countries and a number of international organizations attended the event. In conclusion, a declaration was adopted. The dialogue of the chairmen of the parliaments of the Eurasian countries, which was launched two years ago in Moscow and continued last year in Seoul, has become a tradition. Azerbaijan takes an active part in this process. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: Speaker of the Azerbaijani parliament Ogtay Asadov met with Speaker of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia Vyacheslav Volodin in Turkeys Antalya, the Azerbaijani parliament said in a message on Oct. 11. The dynamics of relations between the parliaments of the two neighboring countries were appreciated at the meeting, held during the third session of the speakers of the parliaments of the Eurasian countries. The sides exchanged views on the creation of joint commissions between the parliaments of Azerbaijan and Russia. Volodin stressed that all opportunities are being used to further expand ties. Appreciating the important role of inter-parliamentary ties in the development of Azerbaijan-Russia relations, Asadov added that each meeting is useful and important. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: Today there are all conditions for the development of agriculture in Azerbaijan, MP Tahir Rzayev told Trend on Oct. 11. Rzayev was commenting on the speech of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the results of social and economic development in the first nine months of 2018 and further tasks. In this direction, important reforms are being carried out, he said. The development of agriculture also gives impetus to the development of other sectors. "The areas associated with agriculture are developing, Rzayev said. New processing enterprises are opening, which leads to the employment and the creation of new jobs." President Aliyev pays special attention to the development of agriculture, he said. "Regular visits of the president to the regions, his participation in the opening of processing enterprises, holding meetings on the development of cotton and other agricultural sectors in the regions contribute to the development of agriculture," he said. Rzayev also said that modern equipment was purchased for the development of agriculture. All this deserves positive assessment and is the result of the attention of the president to the improvement of the well-being of people, he said. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 Trend: The recent visits of mayors of the French cities of Alfortville and Valence to Azerbaijans occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region are gross violation of the norms and principles of international law, as well as the Azerbaijani legislation, Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry told Trend. The ministry, strongly condemning these visits, noted that they serve to promoting the illegal separatist regime created by Armenia in the occupied Azerbaijani territories. Such provocative acts of the local authorities violate the letter and the spirit of the agreements signed between France and Azerbaijan, as well as the national legislation of France, the ministry said. Moreover, such visits are not conducive to the earliest resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, reads the statement of the ministry. We recall the Circular on external actions of local authorities, signed by the minister of internal affairs and the minister of Europe and foreign affairs of France on May 24, 2018, which obliges the local authorities to respect the international obligations of France and prohibits them from interacting in any form, including concluding agreements, carrying out visits and holding joint actions with separatist authorities which have not been recognized by France, the statement said. Once again we draw the attention of the French side to the mandatory nature of this Circular, adopted and acting in accordance with Article 73 of the French Constitution and Article L.1115-1 of the General Code of Local Authorities, and call on them to take all necessary measures for unconditional and immediate implementation of its provisions, Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry said. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. MELVILLE, N.Y., Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nikon Instruments Inc. today announced the winners of the forty-fourth annual Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition. First place was awarded to Emirati photographer Yousef Al Habshi, who sees the eyes as the windows to stunning insect artwork and research. The 2018 winning image captures part of the compound eyes and surrounding greenish scales of an Asian Red Palm weevil. This type of Metapocyrtus subquadrulifer beetle is typically less than 11 mm (0.43 in) in size and is found in the Philippines. Al Habshi captured the image using a reflected light technique and stacking of hundreds of images. The winning image is a compilation of more than 128 micrographs. According to Al Habshi, the main challenge was to show the black body against the black background without overexposing the skin and scales. He was able to strike the perfect balance by controlling the background distance from the subject and using deft lighting and sample positioning. Because of the variety of coloring and the lines that display in the eyes of insects, I feel like Im photographing a collection of jewelry, said Al Habshi. Not all people appreciate small species, particularly insects. Through photomicrography we can find a whole new, beautiful world which hasnt been seen before. Its like discovering what lies under the Oceans surface. While beautiful to photograph, weevils present infestation problems world-wide and often destroy crops. Al Habshis photography has helped advance the work of his partner, Professor Claude Desplan, of New York University Abu Dhabi. His lab and Al Habshis photos have contributed a better understanding of the Red Palm Weevil and how to better control the population. The Nikon Small World competition is now in its 44th year, and every year we continue to be astounded by the winning images, said Eric Flem, Communications Manager, Nikon Instruments. Imaging and microscope technologies continue to develop and evolve to allow artists and scientists to capture scientific moments with remarkable clarity. Our first place this year illustrates that fact beautifully. Second place was awarded to Rogelio Moreno for his colorful photo of a Fern sorus, a clustered structure that produces and contains spores. The image was produced using image stacking and autoflorecence, which requires hitting the sorus with ultraviolet light. Each color represents a different maturity stage of each sporangium inside the sorus. Saulius Gugis captured third place for his adorable spittlebug photo, captured using focus-stacking. This spittlebug can be seen in the process of making his bubble house. Spittlebugs produce the foam substance to hide from predators, insulate themselves from temperature fluctuations and to stay moist. In addition to the top three winners, Nikon Small World recognized an additional 92 photos out over almost 2,500 entries from scientists and artists in 89 countries. The 2018 judging panel included: Dr. Joseph Fetcho : Professor, Associate Chair of the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior at Cornell University. : Professor, Associate Chair of the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior at Cornell University. Dr. Tristan Ursell : Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and at the Institute of Molecular Biology at the University of Oregon. : Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and at the Institute of Molecular Biology at the University of Oregon. Adam Dunnakey : Broadcast journalist at CNN International. : Broadcast journalist at CNN International. Jacob Templin : Senior video producer at Quartz. : Senior video producer at Quartz. Eric Clark (Moderator): Research Coordinator and Applications Developer at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at Florida State University. For additional information, please visit www.nikonsmallworld.com, or follow the conversation on Facebook, Twitter @NikonSmallWorld and Instagram @NikonInstruments. 2018 NIKON SMALL WORLD WINNERS The following are the Top 20 and Honorable Mentions for Nikon Small World 2018. The full gallery of winning images, along with Images of Distinction, can be viewed at www.nikonsmallworld.com 1st Place Yousef Al Habshi Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Eye of a Metapocyrtus subquadrulifer beetle Reflected Light 20x (objective lens magnification) 2nd Place Rogelio Moreno Panama, Panama Fern sorus (structures producing and containing spores) Autofluorescence 10x (objective lens magnification) 3rd Place Saulius Gugis Naperville, Illinois, USA Spittlebug nymph in its bubble house Focus Stacking 5x (objective lens magnification) 4th Place Can Tuncer Izmir, Turkey Peacock feather section Focus Stacking 5x (objective lens magnification) 5th Place Dr. Tessa Montague Harvard University, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA Parasteatoda tepidariorum (spider embryo) stained for embryo surface (pink), nuclei (blue) and microtubules (green) Confocal 20x (objective lens magnification) 6th Place Hanen Khabou Vision Institute, Department of Therapeutics Paris, France Primate foveola (central region of the retina) Fluorescence 40x (objective lens magnification) 7th Place Norm Barker Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Pathology & Art as Applied to Medicine Baltimore, Maryland, USA Human tear drop Darkfield 5x (objective lens magnification) 8th Place Pia Scanlon Government of Western Australia, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development South Perth, Western Australia, Australia Portrait of Sternochetus mangiferae (mango seed weevil) Stereomicroscopy, Image Stacking 1x (objective lens magnification) 9th Place Dr. Haris Antonopoulos Athens, Greece Security hologram Darkfield Epi-illumination 10x (objective lens magnification) 10th Place Dr. Csaba Pinter University of Pannonia, Georgikon Faculty, Department of Plant Protection Keszthely, Hungary Stalks with pollen grains Focus Stacking 3x (objective lens magnification) 11th Place Nilay Taneja & Dr. Dylan Burnette Vanderbilt University, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology Nashville, Tennessee, USA Human fibroblast undergoing cell division, showing actin (gray), myosin II (green) and DNA (magenta) Structured Illumination Microscopy 60x (objective lens magnification) 12th Place Luciano Andres Richino Punto NEF Photography Ramos Mejia, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina Urania ripheus (butterfly) wing scales Image Stacking 20x (objective lens magnification) 13th Place Charles Krebs Charles Krebs Photography Issaquah, Washington, USA Balanus glandula (acorn barnacle) Autofluorescence 5x (objective lens magnification) 14th Place Andrew Moore & Dr. Erika Holzbaur University of Pennsylvania, Department of Physiology Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA African green monkey cell (COS-7) stained for actin and microtubules Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) Microscopy 100x (objective lens magnification) 15th Place Antoine Franck CIRAD - Agricultural Research for Development Saint Pierre, Reunion, Reunion Island Varroa destructor (mite) on the back of Apis mellifera (honeybee) Focus Stacking 1x (objective lens magnification) 16th Place Dr. Amanda D. Phillips Yzaguirre Salk Institute for Biological Studies La Jolla, California, USA Mouse oviduct vasculature Confocal 10x (objective lens magnification) 17th Place Caleb Dawson The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Department of Stem Cells and Cancer Melbourne, Australia Breast tissue in lactation: Milk filled spheres (red) surrounded by tiny muscle cells that squeeze out milk (yellow) and immune cells that monitor for infection (blue) 3D Confocal Microscopy 63x (objective lens magnification) 18th Place Justin Zoll Justin Zoll Photography Ithaca, New York, USA Amino acid crystals (L-glutamine and beta-alanine) Polarized Light, Image Tiling 4x (objective lens magnification) 19th Place Pierre Anquet La Tour-du-Crieu, Ariege, France Vespa velutina (Asian hornet) with venom on its stinger Reflected Light, Focus Stacking 6.3x (objective lens magnification) 20th Place Dr. Nicolas Cuenca & Isabel Ortuno-Lizaran University of Alicante, Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain Human retina Immunocytochemistry and Confocal Microscopy 40x (objective lens magnification) Honorable Mentions Anne Algar Hounslow, United Kingdom Daphnia (water flea) with eggs Darkfield with Polarizing Filters and Waveplate, and Image Stacking 4x (objective lens magnification) Dr. Michael Boyle Smithsonian Institution, Smithsonian Marine Station Fort Pierce, Florida, USA Polytrochus larva of a pelagic gymnosome pteropod with externalized cup-shaped mouthparts used for feeding (actin in red; nuclei in grayscale; and serotonin-positive elements in green) Confocal 10x (objective lens magnification) Dr. Emilio Carabajal Marquez Madrid, Spain Emmonsite (iron tellurite mineral) Focus Stacking 20x (objective lens magnification) Tracy Debenport Somerville, Massachusetts, USA Penicillium vulpinum (mold) Stereomicroscopy 2x (objective lens magnification) Sergii Dymchenko SDym Photography Bellevue, Washington, USA Shell of a Litchi chinensis (lychee) Reflected Light, Transmitted Light, Focus Stacking 2x (objective lens magnification) Charles Krebs Charles Krebs Photography Issaquah, Washington, USA Charaxes sp. (emperor butterfly) wing Reflected Light, Image Stacking 10x (objective lens magnification) Anatoly Mikhaltsov Childrens Ecological and Biological Center Omsk, Russian Federation Pinus heldreichii (Bosnian pine tree) cross section Brightfield, Image Tiling and Stacking 25x (objective lens magnification) Jacek Myslowski Wloclawek, Poland Mosses Autofluorescence 6.3x (objective lens magnification) Walter Piorkowski South Beloit, Illinois, USA Bubbles and single cloth fiber (red) on a rock surface Reflected Light, Image Stacking 10x (objective lens magnification) Teresa Zgoda Campbell Hall, New York, USA Chameleon embryo Stereomicroscopy, Autofluorescence 5x (objective lens magnification) About Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition The Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition is open to anyone with an interest in photography or video. Participants may upload digital images and videos directly at www.nikonsmallworld.com. For additional information, contact Nikon Small World, Nikon Instruments Inc., 1300 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, NY 11747, USA or phone (631) 547-8569. Entry forms for Nikons 2019 Small World and Small World in Motion Competitions are available at www.nikonsmallworld.com. About Nikon Instruments Inc. Nikon Instruments Inc. is a world leader in the development and manufacture of optical and digital imaging technology for biomedical applications. Nikon provides complete optical systems that offer optimal versatility, performance and productivity. Cutting-edge instruments include microscopes, digital imaging products and software. Nikon Instruments is one of the microscopy and digital imaging arms of Nikon Inc., the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology. For more information, visit www.nikoninstruments.com. Product-related inquiries may be directed to Nikon Instruments at 800-52-NIKON. Media Contact Kristina Corso 212-931-6189 kcorso@hotpaperlantern.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e39a20a1-9a02-42f2-8d61-8b7026a27684 Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 Trend: In its response to the question addressed by the German Bundestag, the government of the Federal Republic of Germany clearly stated its position over Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a message on Oct. 11. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry was commenting on the response of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany to the question addressed by German Bundestag on the Germany-Armenia relations, as well as the position of US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent expressed at the press conference in Baku on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The government of the Federal Republic of Germany considers Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts, controlled by the armed forces of Armenia, as inalienable parts of Azerbaijan and it does not recognize the illegal regime created in the occupied Azerbaijani territories, the message said. German Chancellor Angela Merkel voiced the same position during her visit to Azerbaijan and underlined the support for the efforts towards the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on the UN Security Council resolutions, the ministry said. During his visit to Baku, Kent reiterated the position of the State Department on the settlement of the conflict and stated that the US position is based on the four resolutions of the UN Security Council, the ministry added. Both of these statements are another vibrant evidence of international communitys support for the settlement of the conflict based on the norms and principles of international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, as it was voiced by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in his speech at a recent meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, the ministry said. This latest clear position of international community is a strong message to the Armenian leadership to return back to the peaceful talks on the conflict settlement, withdraw troops from the occupied Azerbaijani territories and launch substantive talks soon, the ministry said. The OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs stated numerous times that status quo is unacceptable and unsustainable, the ministry added. 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. 11 By Leman Zeynalova, Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: Branches of three more Russian universities, namely, Moscow State Institute of International Relations, the Higher School of Economics and the Moscow State University of Humanities and Economics will open in Azerbaijan, Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikhail Bocharnikov said at a press conference in Baku on Oct. 11. The diplomat stressed that much attention in bilateral relations between Russia and Azerbaijan is paid to education sector. "This is the most important part of our humanitarian cooperation, he said. During the recent meeting of the presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan in Sochi, a number of important documents was signed, including a road map dedicated to humanitarian cooperation. In particular, there are some issues concerning the expansion of inter-university cooperation." Bocharnikov stressed that today two branches of the Russian universities operate in Azerbaijan. "This is a branch of Moscow State University and I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, he said. So, the task of opening branches of three more Russian universities in Azerbaijan has been also outlined in the roadmap, which was signed as part of a bigger document. Among them are Moscow State Institute of International Relations, the Higher School of Economics and the Moscow State University of Humanities and Economics." The Russian diplomat also stressed that about 15,000 students from Azerbaijan are currently studying at Russian universities. Bocharnikov stressed that Russia always attaches great importance to the Baku Humanitarian Forum. "The meetings of the presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan at the high level stimulate the development of relations in all spheres, the diplomat said. And the fact that four meetings took place this year is of great importance. I would say that they [the meetings] give a very significant impetus to the development of a benevolent atmosphere in our relations." The friendly contacts established between the presidents of the two countries apply to all formats of relations between Russia and Azerbaijan, Bocharnikov added. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn, @FDolukhanov Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 By Azad Hasanli Trend: Transparency and accountability are the basis for stable and rapidly developing economy, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Chamber of Auditors Vahid Novruzov told Trend. Novruzov stressed that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev pays special attention to ensuring transparency in the economy. "This is not coincidence because world practice shows that only transparent economy can be sustainable, develop rapidly and actively attract foreign investments," he added. "Without transparency, neither investors nor local entrepreneurs will be interested in investing in the economy." "The systematic work has been recently carried out in the country in expanding transparency in the economy," Novruzov said. "Many decrees, orders, state programs have been recently signed in this direction." "Amid high transparency, entrepreneurs' faith in the country's economy and its financial system is growing," he said. "This issue has been also reflected in strategic roadmaps. For example, if we do not register trade, the shadow economy will grow. This, in turn, can slow down sustainability and economic development." Novruzov stressed that presently, one of the priorities is the training of professional personnel in the fields of accounting and auditing. "Our main task is to implement accounting and auditing in compliance with international standards," he said. "For this purpose, we need professional staff. We are working on that." --- Follow the author on Twitter: @AzadHasanli Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Oct. 11 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: The Minister of Communications and Informatization of Belarus Konstantin Shulgan met in Ashgabat with Minister of Communications of Turkmenistan Bairamgeldi Ovezov, the Belarusian Embassy to Ashgabat said in a statement. The parties discussed topical issues of interaction between the two countries in the field of communications, outlining the promising areas. Earlier it was reported that the representatives of the Republican Production Unitary Enterprise Precision Electromechanics Plant (Belarus) have discussed the issues of cooperation in the field of satellite broadcasting with the Ministry of Communications of Turkmenistan. The "Precision Electromechanics Plant" provides technical support to the national satellite communication system based on BELINTERSAT-1 satellite. During the discussions, the directions of cooperation in the field of functioning of the satellite communication system and a number of other promising projects aimed at expanding the range of telecommunications services were outlined, the message says. The launch of the first Turkmen satellite TurkmenAlem 52E took place on April 28, 2015 from Cape Canaveral (the state of Florida, USA). The satellite is equipped with three antennas covering dozens of countries in Europe and Asia, as well as the countries of the Middle East and North Africa. The satellite has 38 active communication channels transponders. Of these, 26 are used by Turkmenistan, the remaining 12 have been granted on the long-term lease to Space Systems International-Monaco S. A. M. company. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 Trend: Russia's Voronezh-based "Rudgormash" company will supply gold mining equipment worth 1 billion rubles ($ 15.1 million) to Uzbekistan by the end of this year, Podrobno.uz reported. "This year we are fulfilling a fairly large order for the supplies to the gold mining industry of Uzbekistan, in price terms, this order costs more than 1 billion rubles. Under this contract, we have supplied drilling rigs and spare parts for them. But that's not all," President of the Russian company Anatoly Chekmenev told "Kommersant newspaper. "As it turned out, the new gold deposits are being developed there where the equipment will be needed. I hope that our partnership will continue, because they like the Rudgormash equipment. According to preliminary estimates, next year we will cooperate with them in about the same volumes," said Chekmenev. Rudgormash is a group of specialized enterprises for the development, production and sale of mining equipment. The company was founded in 1939, over the past 20 years, it has supplied over 4,500 units of various types of equipment to the CIS countries. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: The cancellation of the construction of the shipping channel in Istanbul is out of the question, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of Turkey told Trend Oct. 11. It was stressed that this project is one of the important and strategic projects in Turkey that are included in the governments Vision 2023 plan. As previously reported, due to economic problems in Turkey, the implementation of the project of construction of shipping channel in Istanbul may be suspended. The ministry also stated that all the projects that have begun as part of the Vision 2023 plan will be implemented. The intention to implement the project of construction of the Istanbul shipping channel was announced for the first time in 2011 by the current President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The length of the shipping channel in Istanbul will be 43 kilometers, and in the framework of the construction project, a special authority will also be created in order to control the operation of the channel after its commissioning. The purpose of the construction of the Istanbul channel is to reduce the burden of shipping on the Bosphorus Strait, as well as to prevent the threat of environmental and man-made disasters on one of the most intense sea routes in the world, the ministry said. The width of the Istanbul channel, according to plans, will be 400 meters, and its depth - 25 meters. The channel will be able to let pass 150-160 vessels per day. Currently, the Bosphorus is used by an average of 150 vessels per day, of which about 30 are oil tankers. Annually about 150 million tons of oil and oil products are transported through the Black Sea Straits, while the throughput capacity of the Bosphorus is estimated at 200 million tons. The Istanbul channel will run parallel to the Bosphorus and will actually make the European part of Istanbul an island and finally separate it from Europe. The channel will pass from the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea through the Kucukcekmece Lake. On the banks of the artificial channel, it is planned to build new residential complexes, which will be connected with other areas of the 15 million metropolis thanks to modern transport infrastructure, including metro and high-speed trains, as well as with the third airport in Istanbul. As part of this project, the construction of a new port is also expected. It will be possible to use tankers with a length of 275 meters, a width of 48 meters and a capacity of 14,500 DWT on the Istanbul shipping channel, which is being built as part of the governments Vision 2023 plan. The construction of the navigable channel will continue for five years and the minimum service life of the canal will be 100 years. The official exchange rate for October 11 is 6.0995 TL / USD. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 Trend: Uzbekistan may join the UN project on the maritime and continental routes of the Great Silk Road the "United Nations Maritime-Continental Silk Road Cities Alliance (UNMCSR CA), Podrobno.uz reported. The Director and Coordinator of the Maritime-Continental Silk Road Cities Alliance project Wu Tszyan Bo spoke about the details of this project. "The Alliance seeks to promote the exchange of economic, technological and other personnel between countries and regions in support of a broader concept of strengthening cooperation between the 21st century Silk Road economic zone and the Maritime-Continental Silk Road Cities Alliance project. This project is supported by the Chinese government and the UN headquarters. We strengthen long-term relationships and partnerships with major cities of the Great Silk Road. We also help Chinese investors and entrepreneurs discover and launch new projects in these cities," he said. He noted that in the framework of the project, the fruitful meetings have been held in Samarkand, Tashkent, the Bukhara region and Khiva. He also added that he hopes Uzbekistan will join the United Nations Maritime-Continental Silk Road Cities Alliance. This, he believes, will help develop relations between the business circles of Uzbekistan and China, establish new enterprises and startups in Uzbekistan. Tehran, Iran, Oct. 10 Trend More than $139 million worth of goods were shipped from Iran to Qatar in the first six months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21), up more than 60 percent from the same period last year, Irans customs figures showed. Iran exported 718,333 tons of goods worth $139.4 million to Qatar over six months, the data showed, cited by Mehr news agency on October 10. Qatar accounted for 1.27 percent of Irans exports in terms of weight and 0.60 percent in terms of value, making it the 19th biggest importer of Iranian goods. White cement, steel, wooden artifacts, vegetables, sweets, rosewater, henna, fruits, sugar, and bitumen oil were among the products exported to Qatar during the period, according to the report. This comes a year after the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain imposed an embargo on Doha, accusing it of supporting terrorism. The four states cut diplomatic and transport ties last year. Qatar, which had many of its imports trans-shipped from the UAE and received the bulk of its fresh food across the Saudi border, denied the accusations against it. Imports into Qatar plunged about 40 percent from a year earlier in the initial weeks of the boycott, but they have since mostly returned to normal as Doha has found new sources of products in countries such as Iran and Turkey, and developed new shipping routes through places such as Oman. Qatar has also launched a drive to produce more things locally, including foods. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 By Taleh Mursagulov Trend: Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates are discussing the expansion of joint investments, as well as the ways of developing economic cooperation, the Arab media outlets reported on Oct. 11. This issue was discussed during the meeting between Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the United Arab Emirates Dashgin Shikarov and Director General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mohammad Helal Al Muhairi. Strong trade and economic ties between Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates can be expanded by updating investors in Abu Dhabi about investment opportunities in Azerbaijan, especially in the areas of industry, tourism, health care and education, Al Muhairi added. In turn, Shikarov also urged UAE businessmen to invest in Azerbaijan, especially in such fields as tourism, infrastructure and transport. He stressed that in December, the trade delegation from Azerbaijan intends to visit Abu Dhabi. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Turkey can import meat from Russia only upon condition of compliance of that meat with halal standards, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey told Trend Oct. 11. The ministry noted that it is necessary to take into account the fact that halal standards are important for Turkey, since the population of the country professes Islam. The ministry also noted that if Russia turns to Turkey for permission to import meat, then they will have to take into account these requirements of Turkey. Earlier the Minister of Agriculture of Russia, Alexander Tkachev, said in an interview with TASS: "We expect Turkey to make a decision in the near future on admission of Russian meat and dairy and fish products to its market." Tkachev added that the Russian agriculture watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor is constantly in contact with Turkish colleagues on this issue and expressed hope that soon the Russian products will enter the Turkish market and will be "appreciated by consumers". According to the data from Turkey's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, presently, Turkey imports animals from such countries as Austria, Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Greece and Romania. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu DENVER, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bext360 , a software company that leverages technologies to streamline critical supply chains in emerging economies, announced at the World Knowledge Forum that it is releasing a new set of sustainability features to its traceability SaaS platform. The Bext360 system tracks and blockchains goods at every step in the supply chain, providing transparency on a shared ledger, which is updated and validated in real time. Now, organizations can connect traceability and sustainability metrics within the Bext360 platform to provide a comprehensive view of their supply chain management practices. Today, companies are expected to track their carbon footprint while monitoring related activities within their supply chains as both customers and partners hold these organizations to account for their impact. Indeed, new research suggests there is a strong link between business leadership on climate change and a companys profitability. A study by the non-profit CDP, formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project, found that S&P 500 companies, which build sustainability into their core strategy outperform those failing to demonstrate leadership on climate change. Specifically, companies that actively manage and plan for climate change secure an 18% higher return on investment (ROI) compared to companies that do not; the ROI is 67% higher than companies refusing disclosure of their emissions. Other studies indicate that millennials are leading the charge in sustainable investing, which rose 33% between 2014-2016 to $8.72 trillion, according to Morgan Stanley . The Bext360 platform is currently applied to an array of commodities, including timber, cotton, coffee and minerals. The new sustainability module expands reporting beyond traceability by enabling organizations to quantify sustainability metrics for every actor across the supply chain. The module facilitates analysis of the tracked data to understand the environmental, social, and economic impact at each tier in the supply chain. Further, it provides companies with a data management tool to assess their progress against internal sustainability goals, to review sustainability initiative outcomes, and, ultimately, drive strategic investment for individualized sustainability action plans. Companies can also share their blockchain-traced sustainability data and related analysis with partners to ensure that all global suppliers are meeting identified corporate social responsibility policies. There is solid evidence that sustainability improves the financial results for companies of all sizes, from small coffee co-ops to popular brands like Patagonia, said Bext360 CEO Daniel Jones. Were proud to provide a technology platform for our partners to analyze, trace, and share data on their sustainability efforts, to help them make better management decisions and become even more environmentally friendly and socially conscious. About Bext360 Bext360 develops technologies that strengthen local businesses and communities in emerging economies by increasing access to capital and streamlining critical supply chains. Bext360s platform revolutionizes supply chains with IoT, blockchain, machine vision and artificial intelligence, while bringing consumers and farming communities together to improve product quality, community livelihoods and the consumer experience. Bext360 technology builds upon the fundamental shift in mobile access, microfinance, and mobile/digital payments in developing countries. A guiding principle of Bext360 is to build community by enabling buyers and other organizations with direct paths to improve the quality of both the product and the communities that produce their goods, whether it is coffee, seafood, cotton, to palm oil. For more, please visit www.bext360.com. Press Contact: Kim Vu kim@bext360.com Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 Trend: New World Bank research released today gives policymakers compelling evidence that delivering better outcomes in childrens health and learning can significantly boost the incomes of peopleand of countrieswith returns far into the future. A Human Capital Index, launched today at the World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings in Bali, Indonesia, shows that 56 percent of children born today across the world will lose more than half their potential lifetime earnings because governments are not currently making effective investments in their people to ensure a healthy, educated, and resilient population ready for the workplace of the future. Human capitalthe knowledge, skills, and health that people accumulate over their liveshas been a key factor behind the sustained economic growth and poverty reduction rates of many countries in the 20th century, especially in Asia. For the poorest people, human capital is often the only capital they have, World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim said. Human capital is a key driver of sustainable, inclusive economic growth, but investing in health and education has not gotten the attention it deserves. This index creates a direct line between improving outcomes in health and education, productivity, and economic growth. I hope that it drives countries to take urgent action and invest more and more effectively in their people. Building human capital is critical for all countries, at all income levels, to compete in the economy of the future, Kim added. The Human Capital Index measures the amount of human capital that a child born today can expect to attain by age 18, given the risks of poor health and education that prevail in the country where he or she lives. The Index measures each countrys distance to the frontier of complete education and full health for a child born today. The measure includes: Survival Will children born today survive to school age? School How much schooling will they complete and how much will they learn? Health Will they leave school in good health, ready for further learning and/or work as adults? The HCI reflects the productivity as a future worker of a child born today, compared with what it could be if he or she had full health and complete, high-quality education. The first edition of the HCI presents a ranking of 157 countries. The top five states investing in human capital are Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Finland. There also results of three Central Asian states that are Kazakhstan (31st), Kyrgyzstan (76th), and Tajikistan (89th). The Index is included in the forthcoming World Development Report 2019 on the Changing Nature of Work, which addresses the importance of investing in human capital to prepare for the future of work. The Index is part of the World Bank Groups Human Capital Project, which recognizes human capital as driver of inclusive growth. In addition to the Index, the Human Capital Project includes a program to strengthen research and measurement on human capital, as well as support to countries to accelerate progress in human capital outcomes. The Government of Uzbekistan recognizes the importance of investing in people to build the human capital that is crucial for Uzbekistans economic transformation and future, World Bank Country Manager for Uzbekistan Hideki Mori said. We welcome the fact that Uzbekistan has become the first Central Asian state to join 27 other nations from around the world supporting implementation of the Human Capital Project, Mori noted. Some 28 countries* spanning various regions and income levels have expressed advance interest in participating in the Project and have nominated focal points within their governments to work with the World Bank Group. These countries have begun work on elevating human capital policy dialogue across their government line ministries and identifying national priorities for accelerating progress on human capital, based on each countrys own development plans. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: The Turkish "Zorlu Holding" company, together with four other companies which are members of the consortium for development of a domestic Turkish car, have presented the first prototypes of the vehicle, the Turkish media reported Oct. 11. It is reported that the prototype has been developed together with the "Vestel Elektronik" company and is entitled as "VEO". Earlier, the Minister of Science, Industry and Technology of Turkey Faruk Ozlu said Turkey will invest $3 billion in creating domestic car. Ozlu said work is currently underway to develop prototypes of five different models of the domestic car. The minister also noted that one of the cars will be equipped with an electric motor. The prototypes of the domestic Turkish cars will be presented at the Geneva motor show, which will be held in 2019. On November 2, 2017, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the names of companies that will participate in the creation of the domestic car - Anadolu Grubu, BMC, Kraca Holding, Turkcell and Zorlu Holding. Erdogan stressed that the creation of a domestic car will strengthen the economy of Turkey. The president also said that Turkey will export domestic cars to neighboring countries. The cars developed in Turkey will be manufactured with different types of body and engines. The purchase of a domestic car in Turkey will be exempt from special consumer tax. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: Representatives of Uzbekistans state-run energy operator Uzbekenergo and the World Bank Group held a meeting to discuss reforms in the electricity sector of Uzbekistan, Uzbek media reported. The parties discussed a plan on expansion of generating capacity at the lowest cost, research on tariffs, institutional reforms in the electricity sector and renewable energy development. The delegations of Uzbekenergo and the World Bank agreed on the main directions for defining a plan for expanding generating capacity for the electricity sector in order to meet the growing demand for electricity and achieve the strategic goals of diversifying the energy balance and ensuring the sustainability of the industry. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct.11 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Transnational Finance and Production Petroleum Company Ukrtatnafta has imported 480,000 tons of oil from Azerbaijan over the first nine months of 2018, a source in Ukraines oil market told Trend. Ukrtatnafta, which owns the Kremenchug Oil Refinery, has been buying Azeri Light since 2017. The company imported about 850,000 tons in 2017 and 480,000 tons over the first nine months of 2018, said the source. Ukrtatnafta, an international oil refining company, signed an agreement with Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR in late 2016 on the annual delivery of 1.3 million tons of Azerbaijani oil to the Kremenchug Refinery. Ukrtatnafta expected that thanks to the supplies of Azerbaijani oil in 2017, the processing of crude would grow by over 41 percent, however, the processing grew by 8 percent to 2.3 million tons for the year primarily due to the decrease in the volume of imports by Ukrnafta, the Ukrainian oil and natural gas extracting company. --- Follow the author on Twitter:@Lyaman_Zeyn OPEC sees the oil market as well supplied and is wary of revisiting a glut next year, the groups secretary-general said on Thursday, suggesting producers are in no rush to expand a June agreement that raises output, Reuters reports. Oil prices have rallied this year on expectations that U.S. sanctions on Iran will strain supplies by lowering shipments from OPECs third-largest oil producer. Brent crude last week reached $86.74, the highest since 2014. OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo, speaking at the Oil & Money conference in London, said there are many non-fundamental factors influencing the oil market that are beyond oil producers control. The market has been reacting to perceptions of a possible supply shortage. The market remains well supplied, he told a briefing. The projections for 2019 clearly show a possible rebuild of stocks, he said of the supply and demand balance for next year. One of those factors, according to analysts and some members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, has been the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to reimpose sanctions on Iran. Trump has demanded that OPEC cool prices by pumping more oil. Barkindo, asked whether Trumps criticism of OPEC was unfair, said: The market is currently being largely driven by decisions taken elsewhere - outside OPEC, outside non-OPEC. OPEC and allied producers - not including the United States - agreed in June to return to 100 percent compliance with output cuts that began in January 2017, after months of underproduction in Venezuela and elsewhere pushed adherence above 160 percent. Producers have yet to increase supply enough to reach 100 percent. Barkindo, responding to a question whether producers needed to go beyond full delivery of the agreement, said they were taking it step by step. We have to continue to assess to see how and when we will achieve the 100 percent conformity and how the market would respond, hoping that some of these non-fundamental factors will evaporate by then, he said. We remain faithful to what we agreed in June. OPEC holds its next policy-setting meeting in December. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 Trend: A meeting with the General Manager and Executive Director of the Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd company Yangzhong Hu has been held in Tashkent, Podrobno.uz reported. During the meeting, the parties discussed possibility of the participation of the Chinese company in the project of creation of "Safe City". During the meeting, the parties agreed to jointly study the issues related to the project, which may be useful in determining the conceptual approaches to the implementation of the project on the development of the Safe City hardware-software complex. The Hikvision company has extensive experience in developing technologies in the field of video surveillance systems and in the implementation of Safe City projects. The products of Hikvision company are successfully used in more than 150 countries around the world. The company's headquarters is located in Hangzhou. Founded in 2001, the Hikvision company employs today more than 13,000 people, including the scientific and research staff consisting of 4,000 people. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: Minister for the Development of Information Technologies and Communications of Uzbekistan (MITC) Shukhrat Sadikov met with the CEO of the Veon Group Kjell Morten Johnsen, the press service of the Uzbek ministry stated. The parties noted successful experience of Beeline in the mobile communications market of Uzbekistan. The company constantly introduces new technologies, and also actively participates in the social life of the country. The counterparts discussed further cooperation in introduction of modern telecommunication technologies and services, in particular, expansion of the 4G network. Johnsen expressed his intention to further expand the investment program to provide modern telecommunications services, noting the high level of ICT development in Uzbekistan. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 By Huseyn Veliyev - Trend: Hacker group MuddyWater carried out a targeted attack on government institutions of Azerbaijan, according to the Kaspersky Lab's report. The review provides a sample of a phishing document created to attack the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan. MuddyWater's attacks are based on social engineering to convince users to activate macros. The attackers rely on a number of vulnerable hosts to deliver their attacks. This hacker group appeared in 2017 and was originally aimed at government facilities in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Recently, however, it has targeted the state institutions of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Pakistan, Jordan, the Middle East, Europe and the US. Recently, Mali, Austria, Russia, Iran and Bahrain have also become victims of MuddyWater attacks. The attack is carried out mainly on government and military facilities, telecommunications operators and educational institutions. The attacks of the group have increased since early 2018. The greatest activity has been observed since May, the attacks are still ongoing. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @h_veliyev Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 By Fikret Dolukhanov Trend: Uzbekistan and France will cooperate in space science, Earth observation, telecommunications satellites, space applications, space research and technology and coordination of international regulatory issues, the press service of Frances National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) announced. The corresponding framework agreement was signed by Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov and CNES President Jean-Yves Le Gall during the official visit of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to France. Besides developing joint projects, the signatories of the agreement will focus on exchanging experience and good practice, training and promotion of space activities, in particular to engage younger generations. A joint steering committee will be formed to coordinate these efforts. Earlier Franco-Italian aerospace manufacturer Thales Alenia Space has confirmed to Trend its intention to cooperate with Uzbekistan in development and production of satellites and satellite equipment. The company representative added that as part of the visit of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to France, Thales and Uzbekistan confirmed their joint determination to continue discussions in order to establish global cooperation in the space sector. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @FDolukhanov Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 Trend: On October 9, The Prime Travel Market was organized by Prime Consulting for the third time, with the support of the State Tourism Agency (STA) and the Azerbaijan Tourism Association (AZTA), and has become one of the most successful events in the field of luxury tourism in Azerbaijan. By tradition, the exhibition was held at the JW Marriott Absheron hotel, in the halls of which professionals from the tourism sector of Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Belarus, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, India, Mexico, Turkey, Greece, United Arab Emirates and South Africa gathered, to get acquainted with the news in the hospitality industry, new host companies and the services provided, as well as build successful partnerships and strengthen existing ones. This year, according to the organizers of Prime Travel Market, a large number of both local and foreign travel agencies took part in the exhibition. The participants of the event were 5 star hotels, exclusive resorts, global hotel chains, unique boutique hotels, airlines, leading tour operators, and concierge companies. The partners of the third Prime Travel Mart exhibition were Ganja Sharab and Turkish Airlines. Organizers of Prime travel Market were pleased to offer the visitors about 20 valuable prizes. Prime Travel Mart has deservedly won the reputation of one of the most efficient B2B events in the tourism industry in the region. The next Prime Travel Market event is scheduled for March 2019. LOS ANGELES, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- City National Bank, Americas Premier Private and Business Bank, announced today that Daniel P. Brousseau, a highly regarded management consulting executive, has joined the bank as senior vice president and head of client experience. In this newly created role, Brousseau will be responsible for the banks client experience strategy and implementation. He will report directly to Thomas Miller, executive vice president of Marketing and Product Strategies at City National. We are pleased to have an experienced professional of Dans caliber on our team, said Miller. City Nationals reputation for offering exceptional client experience is part of our DNA, and Dan has developed a unique expertise in this area. Brousseau brings nearly 30 years of management consulting and industry experience to City National. Prior to joining the bank, he served as director in the customer experience practice at West Monroe Partners, where he worked with executives and their teams on client experience strategy, governance, experience design, customer insights and measurement, and organizational change. Brousseau also launched and led Forrester Researchs customer experience and digital strategy consulting practice globally. City National is known for putting client service first, and Im delighted to be joining such a well-regarded firm at a time when it is experiencing dynamic growth, said Brousseau. For an image of Brousseau, go to: https://www.cnb.com/PublishingImages/Daniel-Brousseau.jpg About City National Bank With $48.9 billion in assets, City National Bank provides banking, investment and trust services through 72 offices, including 19 full-service regional centers, in Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, Nevada, New York City, Nashville, Atlanta, Minneapolis and Washington, D.C. In addition, the company and its investment affiliates manage or administer $67.3 billion in client investment assets. City National is a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), one of North Americas leading diversified financial services companies. RBC serves more than 16 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the United States and 34 other countries. For more information about City National, visit the companys website at cnb.com. Media Contact: Debora Vrana, City National Bank, 213-673-7631 Debora.Vrana@cnb.com Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Oct. 11 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Islamabad hosted a workshop on assessing the strategic regional significance of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a message. The event was organized by the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Pakistan together with the Measac Research Center. Expert of the Measac Research Center Abdul Rahman Bilal made a presentation on the technical features of TAPI, its future route, issues of financing and feasibility study. Director General of the Measac Research Centre Mohammad Abdullah Gul highly appreciated the regional importance of the TAPI gas pipeline, designed to unite peoples and ensure peace and stability in the region, the message said. Ali Muhammad Khan, minister of state for parliamentary affairs of Pakistan, noted that the TAPI project will serve as a bridge among nations. In all the speeches, the TAPI gas pipeline was defined as a project designed to strengthen the economies of the countries of the region, speed up integration and ensure peace and stability in the region, the message said. The total length of the TAPI gas pipeline will be approximately 1,840 kilometers. Turkmen section of TAPI, the construction of which started in December 2015, will be 205 kilometers. Then the pipeline will pass through the Afghan cities of Herat and Kandahar (816 km), then on the territory of Pakistan, through the city of Quetta and Multan (819 km), and will reach the settlement of Fazilka in India. On February 23, 2018, has begun the construction of the Afghan section of the TAPI gas pipeline, which will export gas from the Galkynysh field in Turkmenistan. The possible costs of the TAPI project vary within $8-10 billion. The consortium, with the participation of the Asian development Bank (ADB), continues active negotiations with all interested parties. Various options of participation in the project, such as participation in the company's share, project financing, financing through international development banks and with the help of export credit agencies from around the world are being examined. As the leader of TAPI Pipeline company Limited, Turkmengas State Concern, which has a controlling stake, acts as the main financier and project manager. The consortium also includes the Afghanistan Gas Corporation, Inter State Gas Systems (Private) Limited and Indian GAIL. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 Trend: Russian President Vladimir Putin will make an official visit to Tashkent on October 18-19, Podrobno.uz reported. The city authorities are already actively preparing for this event. In particular, two high-rise buildings, located near the International Airport named after Islam Karimov, have been decorated with illumination, styled on the Russian and Uzbek flags. Your browser doesn't support video. Please download the file: video/mp4 During the visit of the Russian president to Tashkent, the Days of Moscow will be held. Such events as the performance of the cadet corps, opening of the exhibition-presentation of the Moscow Zoo, the holding of a friendly tournament in fencing and Sambo, presentation of Russian cuisine and products, and much more will be organized. Iran is among the worlds top three handicrafts producers, said the head of the handicraft association of the central Iranian province of Isfahan, IRNA reports. Close to 60 percent of Irans total handicrafts are produced in Isfahan, making the province the countrys top producer of such items, Abbas Shirdel told Iran Daily. He said Iranian handicrafts has the greatest diversity worldwide, overtaking China and India which rank higher than Iran is terms of producing such items. Of the total 297 types of handicrafts produced in Iran, 199 pertain to Isfahan Province, which shows the high status of the art and creativity among the people of the province. He said Isfahan is leading in production of all kinds of handicrafts, describing the provinces artists as creative and innovative. Shirdel said handicrafts play an important role in the presentation of a countrys art and culture to the world, adding given its position in production of such items, in 2015, Isfahan Province was recognized by the World Crafts Council (WCC) as the World Crafts City and registered as a UNESCO creative city. He noted that in the same year, the world crafts secretariat was established in the city. Shirdel noted that by increasing production and exports of handcrafts Iran can generate revenue without selling oil and raw minerals to other countries. Warning that the art of making certain handicrafts is fading into oblivion, he said in case this happens to any of the handicrafts currently produced in the country a large number of jobs will be lost leading a decrease in the number of the countrys sources of income. At present, more than 40,000 people are involved in the field of producing handicrafts in Isfahan Province. A major part of the livelihood of a large number of people in this province depends on this sector. He noted that there are 18 handicrafts centers, also called houses, in Isfahan, which help preserve and promote the art related to the making of different kinds of crafts. Shirdel listed some of the provinces famous techniques for crafts production as Khatam an ancient Persian technique of inlaying, toreutics artistic metalworking, Kashani, making porcelain enamel, Kalamkari a type of hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile, and wood carving. He said the art of making porcelain enamel with a historical background of close to 5,000 years has been registered internationally. Highlighting the importance of managing and organizing Irans handicrafts exports more effectively, Shirdel noted that currently, Isfahans overseas sales of crafts are done merely through individuals and passengers visiting the city. He said Isfahan Provinces handicraft are exported to most countries even China which is among the worlds biggest producers and exporters of such items. Pakistan on Thursday opposed unilateral sanctions imposed by the US on Iran saying that it would continue to trade with Iran in own interest, IRNA reports. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal while replying to a question at his weekly news briefing in Islamabad said that Pakistan in principle is opposed to coercive economic sanctions which affect the human development and add to the poverty of not only a specific country but the entire region. He added that sanctions limit the economic opportunities and suffocate regional trade. We should analyze all available options to continue trade with Iran in our interests, the official noted. We are not in a competition with any country on our ties with Iran, he said. The US unilateral withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) despite Iran adherence to the agreement is regrettable, he noted. The spokesperson added the JCPOA represents a good example of negotiated settlement of a complex issue through dialogue and diplomacy. The JCPOA stipulates the gradual removal of the Wests sanctions against Iran in exchange for Tehran maintaining a peaceful nature of its nuclear program. However, US President Donald Trump announced in May the withdrawal of the United States from the 2015 nuclear deal and the reinstating of the first round of sanctions in August. Dr Mohammad Faisal said that engagements with the United States have been increased ever since the assumption of present government in Pakistan. About recently held talks with US special representative Zalmay Khalilzad, the spokesperson said Pakistan conveyed to the US side that it will take all possible steps in good faith to facilitate the political settlement in Afghanistan. However, it remains a shared responsibility and the role of the US, Afghan government and other regional players is important, he noted. To a question, the spokesperson said both Pakistan and China are open to third party investment in some CPEC projects including the special economic zones. He said that Pakistan has not shied away from talks with India and is open to discuss all issues including Jammu and Kashmir and terrorism. The spokesperson said there are no restrictions on media in Pakistan and the media outlets are operating freely. Iran is the top exporter of rose water in the world, said the head of Rose Water and Herbal Essences Union in Kashan, central Iran, IRNA reports. Reza Navvabi told Iran Daily that Iran exports rose water to 30 countries, mainly to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain. The UAE imports rose water in bulk, then repackages and exports the product to ensure a more efficient and lucrative trade, he added. Navvabi noted that despite efforts to introduce the product to the world, rose water is not in high demand since many nations are unaware of its use unlike rose essence which is well-known and widely consumed in perfume industries of Bulgaria and Turkey. He added that China began importing rose water from Iran two years ago, along with Korea that uses the comforting and refreshing effect of the product in saunas, and Germany which has recently imported it to meet food industries demand. Iran produced 30,000 tons of rose water in Kashan in the year to March 20, 2018 and the figure is expected to reach 33,000 tons this year, he noted. Navvabi further said the country exported 4,300 tons of rose water, and 35,000 tons of herbal essence in the one-year period; adding that overseas sales of the latter increased by 42,000 tons during the last six months. Currently 75 percent of rose water is produced in 730 traditional workshops and 68 factories of Kashan, and the neighboring cities of Qamsar, Neyasar and Bazrak, he added. Primarily used either in confectionary and ice-cream industries or as a natural medicine, rose water is also common during funerals and religious ceremonies. In addition, 80 types of herbal essences are produced in Kashan. They are used to cure many kinds of ailments such as diabetics, kidney disorders, heart disease, obesity and depression, Navvabi concluded. Tehran, Iran, Oct.11 Trend: According to the report, Karbasian quit his post as the head of IMIDRO after a new legislation on retired employees was ratified by the country. The important new retirement law, approved by the Guardian Council and enacted by the Iranian parliament, could effectively put an end to the decades-long practice of the re-employment of some government workers upon their retirement. Karbasian announced his resignation during a recent meeting in Tehran with IMIDROs senior officials. He added that Ardeshir Sa'ad Mohammadi, the deputy of IMIDRO Mines and Mining Industries Development, will replace him temporarily. IMIDRO is a major state-owned holding company active in the mining sector in Iran. IMIDRO has 8 major companies and 55 operational subsidiaries active in steel, aluminum, copper, cement and mineral exploitation fields. Tehran, Iran, Oct. 11 Trend An Iranian provincial official said a total of 479 non-Iranians are catching Lanternfish the countrys waters in the southern province of Hormozgan. According to Iran Fishery Organization, some 479 foreigners are fishing for Lanternfish in the province, using 91 fishing vessels, Mohammad Ali Salimi, the head of the provinces Department of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare, said, IRNA reported on October 11. Their activities are legal and they all have working permits, he added. These foreigners will be replaced with local fishermen in the near future, Salimi said. The remarks came after a member of the Supreme Council of Provinces in Iran said in August that overfishing by Chinese ships in waters off the southern Iranian coasts in the Persian Gulf has put seafood resources at risk there. Excessive fishing by huge and industrial Chinese ships (in the Persian Gulf) is endangering species of aquatic animals, Kianoush Jahanbakhsh said on August 10. What I say is what Iranian fishermen, locals and eyewitnesses (in Hormozgan province) say, Jahanbakhsh said at the time. He noted that this has affected local fishermens livelihoods. Tehran, Iran, Oct. 11 Trend The second edition of Tehrans international printing and packaging exhibition is underway in the Iranian capital. The international printing and packaging exhibition kicked off in Tehran on Thursday with participants from nearly 130 domestic and foreign firms in attendance, IRIB news agency reported on October 11. Representatives from Italy, Germany, India, Turkey and Pakistan are showcasing their latest products and achievements in the event, according to the report. Visitors and investors from Georgia, Qatar, Libya, the UAE, Iraq, Russia, Afghanistan, India and Pakistan are also present in the expo. The aim of the exhibition is to gather the people active in this industry and to present domestic capabilities along with the foreign manufacturers, so that all can use the synergy made by this event and take an effective step for business growth, produce high quality packaging, and help to increase non-oil exports. Packaging is an important, influential and competitive way to earn revenue and increase exports, and it is a way to communicate with consumers. By analyzing the consumers' behavior, famous commercial brands try to produce different types of packaging to attract more customers in their target markets. The process of packaging includes ideas and designs, raw material, using packaging machines and tools, utilizing modern packaging technologies, printing, and others. Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze and EU Ambassador Carl Harcell met to discuss Georgias progress and trends towards the European integration and ongoing reforms this week, GeorgiaToday reports. Georgia's integration into the EU is a top priority for us and the support of European friends in this process has a great importance, said Bakhtadze during the meeting with the new head of the EU Delegation to Georgia. It was noted that Georgia leads the Eastern Partnership in terms of reforms implemented and progress achieved. They emphasized the importance of further strengthening the Eastern Partnership and that they would celebrate the 10th anniversary of the initiative next year. The focus was on the progress of the visa liberalization process, the road map of Georgia's integration into the European Union that Georgia received after successful reforms in 2015, and also on the new high level bi-lateral cooperation format, the first meeting of which will be held in Brussels in November with the Prime Minister of Georgia and the President of the European Commission. In addition, the discussions touched on the high level of relations between Georgia and the European Union, on meetings with European Commission President Junkers and EU High Representative Federica Mogherini during the Prime Ministers visit to the United States, and on general high-level visit dynamics. Prime Minister Bakhtadze informed the Ambassador about ongoing reforms, including fundamental changes in the education sector, and praised the Erasmus Program, which has increased its funding for Georgia. Both parties underlined the successful implementation of the Association Agreement and DCFTA (Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area), as well as cooperation between Georgia and the European Union. The Prime Minister and the Ambassador also discussed the serious humanitarian situation in the occupied territories and the EU's role in overcoming the situation, as well as the Georgian government's peace initiative aimed at restoring confidence among conflict affected populations. Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani met with the Special Representative of the Federal Government of Germany for East Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia, Michael Zibert, GeorgiaToday reports. The meeting took place on the sidelines of Georgian delegations visit to Frankfurt, as Georgia is the Guest of Honor at the large-scale Frankfurt Book Fair. Zibert noted that Georgias participation as the Guest of Honor at the 2018 Frankfurt Book Fair provides yet further proof of the close friendship between Georgia and Germany. Bilateral relations between Georgia and Germany in various fields were discussed by both sides. High appraisal was given to the German Chancellor Angela Merkels visit to Georgia in late August. It was highlighted that the tasks identified during this visit will bring the co-operation between the two countries to an even higher level. Special attention was paid to the importance of creating formats for regular contact between the business communities of the two countries. Georgias European and Euro-Atlantic integration agenda was also discussed by the government representatives. Georgias progress in the implementation of its commitments under the Association Agreement and the Georgian Governments new initiative - Roadmap for EU Integration- was highly appraised. The role of German support in bringing Georgia closer to the European structures was also underlined. Kyoto and Santa Clara, Calif., Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ROHM has launched a new branding MUS-IC reflecting ROHMs focus on solutions for high-fidelity audio products. This branding covers a range of D/A converter ICs (DAC ICs), optimized for high-fidelity reproduction, and power supply products. The increased adoption of high-resolution audio sources has lately strengthened the demand for audio equipment that can deliver an appropriate sound quality. Audio DAC chips, which convert high-resolution digital audio data to analog without degrading the original sound source, are one of the most important components for determining the quality in audio equipment. ROHM has state of the art D/A converter technologies that are optimized for high-fidelity reproduction of high-resolution sound sources. These DAC chips, which deliver class-leading low noise and low distortion (S/N ratio and THD+N characteristics) as demanded by top audio equipment manufacturers, have been optimized for sound quality through repeated listening tests and laboratory measurements. Leveraging 50 years of expertise in developing audio ICs allowed ROHM to establish sound quality design technology capabilities for high-fidelity audio reproduction that is close to the original sound source and thereby offer products designed with an emphasis on sound quality; including sound processors and power supply ICs. In May 2018 ROHM unveiled an initial development sample of a DAC chip at the international Hi-Fi Audio show held in Munich, Germany where it received recognition from top audio equipment manufacturers who expressed a keen interest in its adoption once it is commercialized. In addition to this DAC chip, ROHM also offers a product portfolio of power supply ICs (BD372xx series) and sound processors (BD3470x series, BD34602FS-M). All products optimized for high fidelity audio applications are listed under its new audio device brand ROHM Musical Device MUS-IC. We have developed this product range by combining our sound quality design technology with the corporate mission of Quality first, and our vertically integrated manufacturing. We are also implementing activities that contribute to the dissemination and development of music culture with the ROHM Music Foundation., said Naruhiro Okamoto, Manager of the Audio Development Department at ROHM. The team of experienced engineers has developed the ultimate IC solution which is perfectly represented by the new audio device brand MUS-IC. ROHM Musical Device MUS-IC Web Page can be found at here. Going forward, ROHM will strive to become a total-solution provider of audio components that will contribute to the development and progress of music culture with faithful music reproduction and all under the ROHM Musical Device MUS-IC brand. Initiatives for the Audio Market 1970s: Started offering audio ICs for analog audio 1980s/1990s: Provided products combining analog and digital technologies for digital audio 2000s: Developed multimedia and multifunctional products for compressed audio 2012: Implemented activities to achieve sound quality design technology 2015: Established sound quality design technology that ensured high-fidelity by optimizing 28 parameters related to sound quality October 2016: Released the BD3470xKS2 series of high-fidelity sound processors for home audio that leveraged proprietary sound quality design technology 2016: Began development of power supply ICs for high-fidelity audio 2016: Started development of DAC chips for high-fidelity audio February 2017: Introduced the BD34602FS-M series of high-fidelity sound processors for car audio February 2017: Released the BM94803AEKU audio SoC that supports high-resolution audio sources March 2018: Offered the industrys first power supply ICs for Hi-Fi audio applications (BD372xx series) May 2018: Showcased the DAC chip at international Hi-Fi audio exhibitions HIGH END and hifideluxe Munich Terminology High-resolution Audio Source General CD quality audio sources are played back at a sampling frequency of 44.1kHz and 16bit quantization bit rate, but with high-resolution audio sources sampling frequencies 96kHz or more and 24bit quantization are common. In other words, the amount of information contained in high-resolution audio sources is much greater, resulting in higher quality audio. Hi-Fi (High Fidelity) Audio Refers to the faithful (high quality) reproduction of an audio source. About ROHM Semiconductor ROHM Semiconductor is an industry leader in system LSI, discrete components and module products, utilizing the latest in semiconductor technology. ROHM's proprietary production system, which includes some of the most advanced automation technology, is a major factor in keeping it at the forefront of the electronic component manufacturing industry. In addition to its development of electronic components, ROHM has also developed its own production system so that it can focus on specific aspects of customized product development. ROHM employs highly skilled engineers with expertise in all aspects of design, development and production. This allows ROHM the flexibility to take on a wide range of applications and projects and the capability to serve valuable clients in the automotive, telecommunication and computer sectors, as well as consumer OEMs. Attachment The European Union and Russia could start reciprocally lifting restrictive measures by excluding parliament members from sanctions, Russian Federation Council's temporary Commission on Information Policy and Communications Alexey Pushkov told, TASS reports. "My position is that it is important to exclude parliament members from sanctions. In my opinion, the EU should establish a dividing line - everything that hampers dialgoue and contacts between parliamentarians should be excluded from the sanctions regime. It is up to them, but they are violating their own principles here because parliament members are elected precisely to express their points of view and the opinions of their electorate. They should not by punished for it," Pushkov said. "Conditions have not been created yet for mutual refusal of sanctions against parliament members, but we should promote this effort. I think that if the process of lifting sanctions starts at all, it will start with this," he noted. Not only EU blacklisted some Russian parliament members, but Russia put several European Parliament members on a similar list, Pushkov added. The official said that he plans to meet with members of different factions in the European Parliament. "The people I met understand that EU-Russian relations have hit a dead end. They generally think that it is important to get out of this sutation, and that sanctions do not bring any results in this regard," he concluded. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 Trend: The Board of Directors of the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) in its 91st Meeting held on 3/9/2018 approved appointment of Mr. Ayman Amin Sejiny, as General Manager (CEO) of ICD. Dr. Bandar Hajjar, the President of IsDB and Chairman of ICD Board of Directors said: "After a rigorous search, the Board concluded that Ayman's considerable experience in banking sector, along with his strong track record of success as a CEO, made him the outstanding candidate for the role. Mr. Ayman has demonstrated throughout his career the ability to work successfully in different environments, designing and leading strategies which resulted in impressive value creation. I look forward to working with him to create the next chapter of ICD's story of success. Mr. Ayman Amin Sejiny is highly accomplished financial industry leader. He served as Chief Executive Officer of Ibdar Bank BSC, Bank Alkhair, Barclays Capital Saudi Arabia and as the Chairman of Open-Silicon, Inc and Bahrain Financing Company Group as well as a Board member of Unicorn Bahrain. Mr. Sejiny has in-depth knowledge and more than 24 years experience in investment and corporate banking in the local, regional and international markets. He held a senior role in a number of regional and international financial institutions, including Citi Bank and ABN AMRO affiliate in Saudi Arabia (Saudi American Bank SAMBA and Saudi Hollandi Bank). Mr. Sejiny is Board and C-Level performer with vast experience in innovating financial processes and products and establishing boards, managements and institutions in highly regulated and sophisticated jurisdictions and industry sectors. Mr Ayman holds a BA in Finance from Eastern Michigan University, United States. Mr Ayman Sejiny, incoming CEO, said: "I have admired ICD from the outside for many years and am delighted, therefore, to have been chosen to lead the corporation in the next exciting phase of its journey. I greatly look forward to meeting employees, leaders, customers and other stakeholders after I join in October and to working with them to achieve further success in the years to come." Germanys BMW will pay 3.6 billion euros ($4.2 billion) to take control of its main joint venture in China, the first such move by a global carmaker as Beijing starts to relax ownership rules for the worlds biggest auto market, Reuters reports. The luxury carmaker said on Thursday it would increase its stake in its venture with Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd to 75 percent from 50 percent, with the deal closing in 2022 when rules capping foreign ownership for all auto ventures are lifted. The move will likely spur BMW to shift more production to China, helping to protect profits amid a whipsawing trade war between Washington and Beijing that has raised the cost of BMW importing cars manufactured at its U.S. plant in South Carolina. The deal also marks a milestone for foreign carmakers which have been capped at owning 50 percent of any Chinese venture and have had to share profits with their local partner, and could encourage rivals such as Mercedes maker Daimler. We are now embarking on a new era, BMW Chief Executive Harald Krueger said in a speech in Shenyang, northeast China, where the joint venture is based. He thanked Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, whom he said personally supported the plan. Evercore ISI analyst Arndt Ellinghorst called the deal a major breakthrough. In the future, BMW will have the full control over the biggest regional profit pool of its business, he wrote. Beijing has been keen for global carmakers to invest more in China and has also eased restrictions that cap foreign ownership of electric vehicle businesses at 50 percent. The joint venture plans to add a new plant, spending over 3 billion euros on a large-scale expansion of the existing production facility, Krueger said. Yale Zhang, head of Shanghai-based consultancy Automotive Foresight, said: Others will follow over time, but the divorce schedule depends on how strong or capable the local partner is. Chinas latest attempts at restricting outward investment by its residents show just how nervous policymakers in the worlds second largest economy are about possible capital flight spurred by a broadening Sino-U.S. trade war, Reuters reports. Beijing has been gradually easing monetary and fiscal policy this year, as it seeks to steer the economy through a period of slowing domestic growth and declining stock markets against the backdrop of escalating trade tensions with Washington. While the Chinese central bank has tightened its grip on the currency, which is down about 10 percent since the first salvos in the trade war were fired in March, it has refrained from direct intervention on a large scale to support the yuan, also known as the renminbi. Unobtrusively, though, China has been moving to rein in currency outflows via the handful of overseas investment channels available to mainland investors. The last thing the government wants to see is capital stampeding out of China, said Tang Xiangbin, a foreign exchange analyst at China Minsheng Banking Corp. Sources say approvals have been put on hold for a niche overseas investment product in Shanghai known as the Qualified Domestic Limited Partnership, or QDLP, scheme. The foreign exchange regulator has also not issued fresh quotas in the past three months under another overseas investment scheme, the Qualified Domestic Institutional Investor, or QDII, data shows. [nL4N1WQ31P] So far the informal instructions, known as window guidance, appear to be a precautionary move. There is hardly any sign of the heavy flight of capital seen previously during the 2015-16 market turmoil. Yet analysts point to a host of factors that explain Chinas conservatism. While there are still heavy restrictions on how much of money Chinese businesses and retail investors can move overseas, Shanghais bond and stock markets are more accessible to foreigners since 2015, thanks to Connect schemes that allow two-way flows between mainland exchanges and Hong Kong. Portfolio flows into China have grown and Chinas level of external debt is higher. Meanwhile, the famed trade surplus the export powerhouse ran with the rest of the world has been shrinking. Victor Shih, an associate professor of political economy at the University of California, San Diego, says currency devaluation could be an attractive option for China to offset the impact of the trade war. But he warned the tactic had limits, as it could create a panic on the renminbi which becomes difficult to control. The Tel Aviv-based company has developed a Security Orchestration, Automation and Response (SOAR) technology platform, Globes reports. Israeli cybersecurity company Demisto today announced the closing of a $43 million Series C funding round led by Greylock Partners with the participation of previous investors Accel Partners, ClearSky Security and others. This brings the company's total funding to date to $69 million. Demisto will leverage these funds for international market expansion, and accelerating adoption and deployment of its Security Orchestration, Automation and Response (SOAR) technology platform, and take SOAR beyond Security Operations Center (SOC) use cases. Intel's executives led by CEO Bob Swan will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later this week, Globes reports. The entire international management of Intel will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later this week. Netanyahu will give them a review of Israeli technological innovation spanning cyber, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum computing, among other things. Intel will tell Netanyahu that Israel can become an international center for autonomous vehicles. The exact meeting date has not been set. For the first time, Intel is holding its annual event of strategic discussions by senior management, headed by interim CEO Bob Swan, in Israel. Dozens of Intel executives will attend the event, including the CFO, the president of Intel Capital, global computer and servers managers, the 5G communications manager, and Intel's AI manager. Swan said today, "The visit highlights our commitment to Israel and our belief that Israel is a catalyst in promoting the technology that will drive the coming era. Israel will become a global center for autonomous driving technology, AI, and core computing, all of which are extremely important for the world." The event was initiated and pushed by Mobileye cofounder, current CEO of the Mobileye group in Intel, and senior Intel VP Prof. Amnon Shashua, who is leading the visit and acting as the guests' guide on their tours. Among other things, the visit is designed to study in depth Israel's unique role as a source of global innovation. Intel's management is holding discussions today in various business groups, and is meeting with employees and executives in Intel Israel and Mobileye and hearing from them about their work. Among other things, meetings were held with the management of Intel's plant in Kiryat Gat, which was named Intel's most outstanding fab. Intel's management also met with the management of the Mobileye plant in Jerusalem. An event is being held today in Haifa in honor of 9th generation Core 900 processors. Thousands of employees are attending the event, which is taking place at the Haifa International Convention Center. The new AI center, founding of which was supported by Intel will be inaugurated tomorrow in the presence of Intel's management. Shashua said, "Israel has become a general world center of autonomous driving developers. The next revolution will originate in Jerusalem and affect all of our lives. The historic visit to Israel by Intel's senior management emphasizes Israel's importance to the company's vision and strategy." Early this year, the government granted Intel NIS 1 billion for expansion of its fab in Kiryat Gat. Intel says that the purpose of the meetings in Israel is not to promote additional investments in Israel, but these meetings constitute part of the yearly strategic discussions being conducted by the company's management on questions concerning Intel's future direction and plans. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 Trend: Petrochemical and Refining Congress: Russia and CIS 2018 will gather decision-makers from oil&gas and petrochemical companies in Moscow, on November 26-27. Following types of companies were selected: Vertically integrated companies (KazMunayGas, Zarubezhneft, Shell, TUPRAS and others) Oil and gas refineries, petrochemical companies (SvRichLTD, Antipinsky Refinery, Gazpromneft - Moscow Oil Refinery, Oil refinery Brod and others) EPC/licensors (SICIM, Consolidated Contractors Company, KBR, Koch-Glitsch and others) Design centres (Oil and Gas Research Institute RAS Institute of Petrochemical Processes named after Yu. Mamedaliyev of ANAS, UzEngineering and others) Governmental bodies and agencies from Russia and CIS. Full list, containing names, positions and companies is available upon request at https://goo.gl/YxcP3f Despite all industry threats and challenges, what we should fear is not changes, but stagnation. This is equally true for any region Europe, Russia or Asia, Kristina Sabirova, the Project Director, believes. Investments into innovations require thorough analysis of risks: companies are looking for cutting-edge technologies that will be advancing. PRC Russia&CIS 2018 features investments into innovations, promising digital technologies, advanced petroleum refining and other topical issues. This is good for CIS countries: companies are gathering, discussing different solutions. This is rapidly changing market, you have to know what is going on very quickly. This is how company can grow and develop. This is the best way to share cases and discuss any potential partnership or cooperation - thinks Kanan Mirzayev, Deputy General Manager- Strategy and Business Development at Petkim Petrochemical Holding of SOCAR Turkey. The Congress Organizer, BGS Group, is known as the organizer of closed-door congresses in Europe, including AUTOMA Congress, Petrochemical and Refining Congress Europe, Exploration and Production Offshore Congress Hub and some more. Additional information is available at the website: https://goo.gl/ZKQsTk Russia expects the US to show understanding regarding the Soyuz carrier rocket failure at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The Roscosmos State Space Corporation will not conceal any causes from its American counterparts and will provide them with all the necessary information, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov told, TASS reports. "I think the Americans will show understanding regarding this situation. Naturally, we will not conceal the causes," he assured, stressing that to do anything on the contrary "is not the way things are done in such situations." "Of course, they should know. We will convey all the necessary information on this incident to them," Borisov promised, when asked whether the launch failure at the Baikonur spaceport will affect Russia-US space cooperation. He recalled "today only Russia ensures the transportation of space crews to the International Space Station." Borisov did point out that there are quite a few emergencies and tragic incidents in the space industry, adding that such things "have happened in the history of US astronautics and in Russia." "This is a high-tech industry, which is associated with risks. It is not for nothing that our cosmonauts always receive prestigious awards for their space flights. People risk their lives," he emphasized. He noted that the analysis of the emergencies is going to be subject to special scrutiny. "As the one who is in charge with this industry, I will certainly brief the countrys leadership on all the details and the progress into the causes of the emergency landing by the commission," he pledged. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 11 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Three people got poisoned in the building of the prosecutors office in Turkeys Izmir province, the Turkish media reported on Oct. 11 Reportedly, rescuers and ambulances arrived at the scene. According to the preliminary reports, the cause of the poisoning is gas leakage. Other details of the incident have not been reported. Currently, people are being evacuated from the building. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that India "will soon find out" about his decision on the punitive CAATSA sanctions after India signed a USD 5 billion deal to purchase the much-vaunted S-400 air defence system from Russia, Economic Times reported. Under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act or CAATSA sanctions, which was amended early this year, only Trump has the authority for the presidential waiver to India on weapons deal with sanctions-hit Russia. India last week inked a USD 5 billion deal to purchase S-400 Triumf air defence system from Moscow. The mega deal was sealed in New Delhi during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Asked about the agreement between India and Russia, Trump while interacting with reporters in the Oval Office of the White House, said, "India will find out. Aren't they?" "India is going to find out," he reiterated in response to India specific question. Asked when, he said, "You will see. Sooner than you think." ATLANTA, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta) today is hosting a workshop designed to cultivate interest among women and minority college students in pursuing a career in the financial services industry. The one-day event titled College Life to Corporate Life: Women and Minorities in the Financial Services Industry, will expose students, from freshmen to seniors, to an array of professions in financial services and give them an understanding of what it takes to be successful in the field. Attendees will learn about FHLBank Atlanta and hear from employees from various FHLBank Atlanta departments including Information Technology, Risk Management, Community Lending, Legal, Accounting, and Government Relations who will provide an overview of their jobs and discuss possible career paths in financial services for their respective positions. Arthur L. Fleming, Senior Vice President and Director of Community Investment Services at FHLBank Atlanta, is leading the event and says that one main goal is to let students know about career options they might not have otherwise considered. I started out as an urban planner and attorney many years ago working on land use planning matters, said Fleming. Financial services was not something I ever thought about as a career pursuit when I was a student, but it has been very challenging and rewarding. I hope the students come away from today with a greater appreciation for the opportunities that are available to them in financial services, regardless of their majors. The Henry Arthur Callis Foundation of the Cobb County Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is a co-sponsor of the event, providing gift cards to students that participate in the Whats My Brand segment of the agenda. Attendees will also hear best practices on preparing for job interviews, resume preparation, and how to dress for success. The workshop will also position students for possible networking, internship, and mentoring opportunities. About FHLBank Atlanta FHLBank Atlanta offers competitively-priced financing, community development grants, and other banking services to help member financial institutions make affordable home mortgages and provide economic development credit to neighborhoods and communities. The Banks membersits shareholders and customersare commercial banks, credit unions, savings institutions, community development financial institutions, and insurance companies located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. FHLBank Atlanta is one of 11 district banks in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Since 1990, the FHLBanks have awarded approximately $5.8 billion in Affordable Housing Program funds, assisting more than 865,000 households. For more information, visit our website at www.fhlbatl.com. CONTACT: Peter E. Garuccio Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta pgaruccio@fhlbatl.com 404.888.8143 US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday South Korea will not lift sanctions on Pyongyang without US approval, after the South Korean foreign minister softened earlier comments that some of its unilateral sanctions were under review. Trumps rejection of South Korea easing sanctions alone outlines the official position of the United States and South Korea that the two countries remain in lockstep on North Korea. He has encouraged US allies to maintain sanctions on North Korea until it denuclearizes as part of his administrations maximum pressure campaign against Pyongyang. Asked about reports South Korea was considering lifting some sanctions against North Korea, Trump said: They wont do it without our approval. They do nothing without our approval. South Korean foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha suggested during a parliamentary audit on Wednesday that Seoul was considering easing its own sanctions against the North to encourage its denuclearization. South Korea imposed unilateral sanctions on the North in 2010 following an attack on a warship that killed 46 South Korean sailors, banning most bilateral trade and exchanges. Kang later walked back her comments after they sparked criticism from some conservative lawmakers, claiming North Korea should first apologize for the attack. The South Korean foreign ministry also officially denied that the government was reviewing the matter. However, there are growing calls for easing sanctions. China, Russia and North Korea believe it is necessary to consider adjusting U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang at an appropriate time, Chinas foreign ministry said on Wednesday. In a rare confirmation of discord between Seoul and Washington, South Koreas Kang also said on Wednesday US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had expressed discontent with an inter-Korean military pact reached during a summit last month. She said there were views in the United States regarding adjusting the pace of inter-Korean moves. The drive for denuclearization sprang from pledges made by Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at their historic summit in Singapore in June, although there has since been disagreement over how that would be achieved. A United Airlines flight from Florida to Newark, NJ, had to turn around roughly 10 minutes after takeoff because of engine failure, Fox News reported. The flight took off from Fort Myers at 12:12 p.m. Wednesday afternoon when the unexpected happened. About 10 minutes into the flight, there was this loud bang noise right outside my window. It sounded like a gunshot or canon, passenger Cliff Maloney told Fox News. Maloney, president of the Young Americans for Liberty, told Fox News as soon as the noise happened, the left engine started to quiet down and the right engine started roaring to over-compensate. I looked out my window at the [left] engine and I could see it was sputtering, he said. We've all seen [the movie] Sully so that was my first gut reaction, what if the other engine is out and we're just drifting? Maloney added. All of us on the plane were worried and obviously fearing the worst. Soon after the engine malfunction, the pilot came on the intercom and informed the passengers they would be making an emergency landing. The tone in his voice was very reassuring and calming. It was like he had full control of the situation, Maloney said. The flight attendants started preparing the passengers for landing as the pilot made a full U-turn back to the Fort Myers airport. Though Maloney said he was reassured by the pilots calm demeanor, once he saw the rescue and emergency services waiting for the plane on the runway, he started to panic a little. It got real when we were approaching the runway, he said. Fortunately, the plane landed at the Florida airport safely and after an inspection by the fire rescue team, all 79 passengers deplaned without incident. Everyone on board took the time to thank the pilot as we were getting off, Maloney said. He handled everything like a true professional. United Airlines released a statement to Fox News apologizing for the inconvenience. United flight 2397 from Fort Myers to Newark safely returned to the airport for a mechanical issue. We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience caused by this delay in their travels. We are working to get them to Newark as soon as possible. Several passengers had already been placed on new flights to Newark. By Seana K. Magee, KYODO NEWS - Oct 11, 2018 - 08:20 | All, World Two Japanese atomic bomb survivors delivered a petition Wednesday to disarmament officials at the United Nations calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons, an appeal backed so far by more than 8.3 million people around the world. Sueichi Kido, secretary general of Nihon Hidankyo, or the Japan Confederation of A- and H-bomb Sufferers Organizations, presented the "Appeal of the Hibakusha" to Romanian Ambassador Ion Jinga, who currently chairs the General Assembly committee that is charged with tackling disarmament and international security. (Sueichi Kido, center, and Ion Jinga, second from left) "Our ultimate goal as the Hidankyo and the United Nations, we are the same, we have the same conviction of eliminating the use of nuclear weapons and to do that we have to collect more and more signatures around the world from millions to hundreds of millions," Kido said through an interpreter. "I wish to see a world where there are no nuclear weapons within my lifetime." The organization, which started the petition two years ago to mark its 60th anniversary, aims to collect hundreds of millions of signatures by 2020. In that year, the United Nations will also conduct a review of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, as occurs every five years. "To actually eliminate the use of nuclear weapons, the government and the people, the citizens, have to get together hand-in-hand and then fight the evil," Kido added. "I believe these signatures are an expression of that." Jiro Hamasumi, the organization's assistant secretary general, accompanied Kido to the event also attended by Izumi Nakamitsu, the U.N. high representative for disarmament affairs. Both of the men are known in Japanese as "hibakusha," atomic bomb survivors, most of whom are currently in their 80s or 90s. The first atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima by the United States in the closing days of World War II on Aug. 6, 1945. It was followed by a second warhead detonated over Nagasaki three days later, ushering in the nuclear era. After accepting the petition against nuclear weapons, the Romanian ambassador stressed that survivors and their families deserve admiration for their persistence and advocacy. "Personally, I am absolutely impressed by your work and by the way hibakusha, survivors of nuclear bombs, have chosen to live their lives in dignity and to share their sad experience in order to avoid such tragedies to be repeated," Jinga said. He told Kyodo News it was his first time to meet victims of nuclear weapons. Rebecca Irby, founding partner and CEO of PEAC Institute, which promotes peace education and art communication in the United States and Japan, is heading up the international campaign to promote the petition and also participated in its delivery at the United Nations. Having previously lived in Japan for five years and produced the 2013 documentary film "That Day" about a Hiroshima survivor, Irby praised the hibakusha as well as the United Nations for amplifying their voices. "I think it's an unspeakable value (having them visit the United Nations) and what has always been so touching to me is how dedicated the hibakusha are to this cause and also how there isn't resentment," she said. "There is just a fervent, undying will to see our world free of nuclear weapons." The event took place on the sidelines of the annual committee proceedings which started last week and where resolutions on disarmament and international security issues are currently under negotiation. KYODO NEWS - Oct 11, 2018 - 19:30 | World, All North Korea, China and Russia have urged the U.N. Security Council to review sanctions against Pyongyang, arguing the country has already started taking practical measures toward denuclearization, its state-run media reported Thursday. The three nations have also confirmed their opposition to sanctions individual countries have imposed on North Korea aimed at preventing it from developing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, the Korean Central News Agency reported. The stances were expressed Tuesday at talks in Moscow between North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou and Russian Vice Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov. Choe, who handles nuclear weapons issues and negotiations with the United States, and Kong, who doubles as China's special representative for Korean Peninsula affairs, arrived in Beijing by air on Thursday. North Korea and the United States have agreed to hold working-level talks soon to arrange a second summit meeting between leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump that could take place by the end of this year. Choe is expected to serve as a representative of North Korea's side of the envisioned working-level meeting. She did not answer reporters' questions as she arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport. Trump said earlier this week that he wants to meet with Kim after the U.S. midterm elections on Nov. 6 and that he is considering three or four possible locations for their second summit following the first one on June 12 in Singapore. Choe returned to Pyongyang by air from Beijing later Thursday, Kyodo News confirmed. KYODO NEWS - Oct 11, 2018 - 12:30 | World, Feature, All Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido is trying to bring back tourists from overseas in the wake of last month's massive earthquake, targeting vibrant Asian economies including Hong Kong. The hotel industry in Hokkaido is still reeling from the magnitude-6.7 earthquake that jolted the southwestern region of the prefecture on Sept. 6, cutting power supply to over 5 million residents, killing 41 people and injuring more than 700. Press reports said the quake caused at least 10 billion yen (about $90 million) in canceled reservations mainly by schools and foreign tourists. The total damage to the Hokkaido infrastructure and all local industries is estimated to exceed 400 billion yen, according to Japanese newspaper reports. "We are delivering our message to the whole world in six languages: Hokkaido is safe and has recovered already," Yasuhiro Tsuji, vice governor of Hokkaido, told NNA in an interview. "We are cooperating with airlines in order to raise the number of travelers." Tsuji was in Hong Kong this week for "Hokkaido Showcase: Food, Tourism and Investment," hosted by the provincial government and the Japan External Trade Organization. It is the first such event held overseas since the disaster. A total of 14 companies and organizations exhibited in the food section of the event space while six companies and organizations joined a seminar on tourism. Hokkaido's nature draws many skiers from around the world and also offers a cool, dry summer. Tsuji said his prefecture is placing importance on Hong Kong, where people already have deep knowledge of Japanese food and culture. Last year, a record 28.7 million people from overseas visited Japan, up 19.3 percent on year, according to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization. Japan also attracted a record 2.2 million people from Hong Kong in 2017, up 21.3 percent from 2016, the data showed. (NNA/Kyodo) All educational institutions will remain shut in Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Alappuzha districts on Tuesday. English French Revenue grew by +5.5% at constant exchange rates at the end of September 2018 KEY FIGURES Revenue Year-to-date September 2018 634.3 million Total growth +0.7% Growth at constant exchange rates +5.5% Growth at constant exchange rates and scope 1 +5.5% of which companion animals +8.4% (+7.4% outside of the USA) food producing animals +2.6% 1 Growth at constant exchange rates and scope is the organic growth of sales, excluding the impact of exchange rate changes, by calculating the indicator for the financial year in question and that for the previous financial year on the basis of identical exchange rates (the exchange rate used is that in effect for the previous financial year), and excluding the impact of changes in scope, by calculating the indicator for the financial year in question on the basis of the scope of consolidation for the previous financial year. Quarterly consolidated revenue Group revenue reached 204.3 million in the third quarter, an increase of +6.1% at real rates when compared to the same period in 2017. At comparable exchange rates, third-quarter revenue saw faster growth than in the first half, showing sustained growth of +9.3%. The quarter's growth is mainly driven by activity in the United States, which is enjoying a favorable base effect compared to the same period in 2017. It should be noted that ex-distributor sales in the United States of Virbac products to veterinary clinics are growing overall by +14%, with Sentinel and Iverhart posting growth of +7% and +45% respectively, compared to 2017. Latin America exclusive of Chile, driven by double-digit growth in Brazil and Mexico, and with Asia Pacific buoyed by China, New Zealand and Australia, contribute positively to growth, offsetting a stable Europe and declining Chile. In terms of species, growth originates primarily from the companion animal segment, with products such as parasiticides, petfood, vaccines and dermatology ranges. Furthermore, products for cattle, such as vaccines and food supplements, play a role in the quarter's performance. Cumulative revenue at the end of September Revenue reached 634.3 million versus 630.2 million over the same period in 2017, recording total growth of +0.7%. Excluding the negative effect of exchange rates, notably the Indian rupee, the American and Australian dollar, and the Brazilian real, revenue is growing at +5.5%. In the United States, activity grew by +6.4% at real rates, including +13.8% at comparable exchange rates, steadily improving since the beginning of the year. This performance is due to large sales of Sentinel in the third quarter, as well as by sustained performance in dental ranges and specialty products. It should be noted that ex-distributor sales in the United States of Virbac products to veterinary clinics are growing well at +6% at the end of September. Although Sentinel is now at just -1%, Iverhart ranges continue growing at +30%, and all other ranges post average growth of +19% at the end of September 2018. Outside of the United States, the Group is stable at real rates at the end of September, however, organic growth remains strong at +4.5%. Europe shows growth of +2.5% at real rates, including+3.0% at constant rates, due to a good contribution by France, the United Kingdom, and Germany in particular, offsetting difficulties encountered in Southern Europe (competition facing the vaccine against canine leishmaniosis and declining antibiotic sales in Spain). In the rest of the world, the Asia-Pacific area shows a change of -1.9%, including +6% at constant exchange rates (+7.8% excluding an unfavorable base effect related to licensing revenue recognized in 2017), mainly due to momentum in India, New Zealand and Australia. Growth in Latin America, exclusive of Chile, amounted to +1.6% at real rates and +13.5% at constant rates, driven by activity in Brazil and Mexico. Lastly, Chile shows a decline of -11.5% at real rates, including -6.4% at constant rates, due in particular to weaker antibiotic and oral vaccine sales compared to the same period in 2017. In terms of species, revenue in the companion animal segment is rising overall by +4.6%, including +8.4% at constant exchange rates. The ranges showing the most significant growth are the specialty ranges (especially Zoletil and Suprelorin), petfood, and the dental range, which offset the decline in parasiticide ranges. In the food producing animal segment, total change amounted to -3.6%, including +2.6% at constant exchange rates. Performance varies at constant rates, with the bovine sector growing at +8.1%, buoyed by nutritional products and ruminant vaccines, while industrial (swine and poultry) and aquaculture show respective declines of -3.8% and -14.8%, related to weaker sales of antibiotics and oral vaccines for salmon. Outlook The Group anticipates growth in revenue at constant rates that should show a low single-digit increase in 2018 compared to 2017, and a current operating profit, before depreciation of assets arising from acquisitions ratio on revenue at constant exchange rates with growth at around 1 point at constant exchange rates compared to 2017. Debt relief should be around 30 million for the year at constant exchange rates. Furthermore, the Group obtained a relaxation of its financial agreement (net debt/Ebitda) with its bankers for 2018. Thus, it is at 5.0 at the end of June, 2018, and at 4.25 at the end of December, 2018. The Group's financing is ensured primarily through an RCF (Revolving credit facility) line of 420 million euros, maturing in 2022, as well as bilateral bank loans, financing by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Schuldschein disintermediated contracts, whose terms are between four and ten years. CONSOLIDATED DATA Unaudited - in million euros 2018 2017 Evolution Evolution at constant exchange rates Evolution at constant exchange rates and scope 1 1st quarter revenue 193.5 199.7 -3.1% +3.3% +3.3% 2nd quarter revenue 236.5 237.8 -0.6% +4.4% +4.4% 3rd quarter revenue 204.3 192.7 +6.1% +9.3% +9.3% Revenue at the end of September 634.3 630.2 +0.7% +5.5% +5.5% Focusing on animal health from the beginning Virbac offers veterinarians, farmers and pet owners in more than 100 countries a comprehensive and practical range of products and services. With these innovative solutions covering the majority of animal species and diseases, Virbac contributes day after day to shape the future of animal health. Los Angeles, CA, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PCL Construction Services, Inc. recently named Cathy Orquiola as vice president and district manager of the companys California Buildings division where she will oversee all operations throughout California including Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange County. Cathy first joined PCL in 1998 as assistant project manager in Orlando and returned to PCL in 2015 as director, Corporate Development. Prior to returning to PCL, Cathy rose through the ranks and became vice president, operations manager of an international construction firm, overseeing all southeast projects from Savannah, Georgia, to Puerto Rico. In January of 2017, Cathy was promoted to district manager of California Buildings, where under her leadership, the office achieved a record profit of over $30 million. Cathy was recently recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the 500 Most Influential People in Los Angeles. We are lucky to have Cathy in our corner, said Deron Brown, PCLs executive vice president. Her dedication to the construction industry, enthusiasm for developing employees, and willingness to think outside of the box has led to many great successes, and no doubt, many more to come. Cathy graduated from the Florida Institute of Technology with a bachelors degree in civil engineering. She is actively involved in the United Way and Make-a-Wish Foundation and is currently a board member for the ACE Mentor program. ### About PCL Construction PCL is a group of independent construction companies that carries out work across the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and in Australia. These diverse operations in the civil infrastructure, heavy industrial, and buildings markets are supported by a strategic presence in 31 major centers. Together, these companies have an annual construction volume of more than $6 billion, making PCL one of the largest contracting organizations in North America. Watch us build at PCL.com. Attachment Boston, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wasabi, the hot cloud storage company, today announces plans to open its first European data center in Amsterdam, NL this coming December. With the addition of its latest data center, Wasabi will make its international debut by offering EU markets the lowest cost, highest performance cloud storage service available, now with very low latency for European customers. Wasabis hot cloud storage service enables companies to store their data at one-fifth the cost and 6x the speed of Amazon S3 with no additional egress fees. Wasabi customers will have more connectivity options, additional data center redundancy, automatic data replication and failover services, and faster speeds with close proximity to their own data centers. With its newest data center opening, Wasabi enables high-speed exchange between Wasabi storage and customer compute resources with multiple public and private interconnect options. Wasabis data centers provide public cloud connections via multiple and redundant 10 Gbps interfaces in either U.S. East (Ashburn, VA) or U.S. West (Hillsboro, OR) locations, and the new Amsterdam data center opening in December. Wasabis Direct Connect option enables private connectivity into Wasabi's data centers, delivering a high-speed (N x 1 or 10 Gbps) private secure connection from an on-premises data center or colocation site directly to Wasabi. Wasabi also supports the termination of AWS Direct Connect allowing companies to connect their AWS resources to Wasabi using AWS Direct Connect (available in N x 1 or 10 Gbps speeds). Over 20 percent of our business comes from outside the United States despite not yet having opened our first international data center, said David Friend, CEO of Wasabi. Our recent $68M capital raise was specifically aimed at enabling Wasabis global expansion to serve the rapidly growing customer demand for our hot cloud storage services. Amsterdam is the perfect initial location to establish our presence in the EU, and is the first of several planned international data center expansions to take place over the next 12-18 months. Wasabi chose to house its data center operation inside the Amsterdam Science Park facility, Europes most dense networking hub which ensures the best possible route choices, lowest latency to EU markets and lowest available cost. The Science Park facility is home to the worlds top mobile networks and service enablers, social media and video sites, cloud companies, advertising businesses and electronic traders. About Wasabi: Wasabi is the hot cloud storage company delivering low-cost, fast, and reliable cloud storage. Wasabi is 80% cheaper and 6x faster than Amazon S3, with 100% data immutability protection and no data egress fees. Created by Carbonite co-founders and cloud storage pioneers David Friend and Jeff Flowers, Wasabi is on a mission to commoditize the storage industry. Wasabi is a privately held company based in Boston, MA. Follow and connect with Wasabi on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and our blog. 2018 Wasabi Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. WASABI and the WASABI Logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Wasabi Technologies, Inc. and may not be used without permission of Wasabi Technologies, Inc. All other brand names mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective holder(s). The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Wasabi shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. All rights reserved. Longmont, Colorado, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With a career in physical therapy and medical sales, Tanya Kensley has always had a passion for helping people. As a mother of two school-age children, she was all too familiar with the challenges of dealing with head lice. The two concerns came together when she opened her first Lice Clinics of America treatment center in Fort Collins. I decided to open my first clinic because I saw that there was a definite need for a cure for head lice that did not involve putting pesticides on our childrens heads, Tanya said. I also really love helping families during what can be a very emotional and stressful time. Tanya recently opened Lice Clinics of America Longmont (https://liceclinicsnortherncolorado.com). Like the Fort Collins clinic, Lice Clinics of America Longmont provides screening, diagnosis and treatment options for people infested with head lice. Staffed by certified operators, Lice Clinics of America is the exclusive provider of head lice treatment using the AirAlle device, a revolutionary solution that uses heated air to dehydrate head lice and eggs. In clinical trials, the AirAlle device was found to kill live lice and more than 99 percent of eggs (nits). Most treatments take about an hour and are guaranteed to be effective. Head lice have become difficult to treat with traditional products because the lice have become immune to the chemical pesticides that the products use. The most recent study in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that 98 percent of so-called super lice in most U.S. states are resistant to their active ingredients. The pesticides used in traditional lice products have also been linked to developmental and behavioral problems in children. I want families to know they dont have to use pesticides to treat head lice, Tanya said. Unfortunately, head lice are more prevalent and harder to treat because super lice are now found in all parts of the world. Its important to use a solution like the AirAlle device that is pesticide-free and has been scientifically studied and proven to be effective. The AirAlle medical device is equally effective against super lice because it doesnt rely on pesticides. The device has treated more than 400,000 cases of head lice worldwide with a success rate better than 99 percent. Lice Clinics of America Longmont is located at 421 21st Ave., Suite 210. The clinic is open seven days a week by appointment. The AirAlle treatment comes with a 14-day guarantee when all family members are treated or screened for head lice. With more than 350 clinics in 36 countries, Lice Clinics of America (www.LiceClinicsOfAmerica.com) is the largest network of professional head lice treatment centers in the world. Lice Clinics of America and AirAlle (www.airalle.com) are brands owned by Larada Sciences, Inc., which is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Vietnam seeing high demand in IT jobs With Vietnams information technology (IT) and digital industries accelerating rapidly, the need for strong IT skills, digital literacy, and interpersonal skills are in high demand, senior Australian academic Dr. Alan Sixsmith from the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) told a workshop during his visit to Vietnam in September. Strong IT infrastructure and digital technologies reinforce economic growth and productivity, he said. With the Vietnamese Governments E-commerce Master Plan and IT Master Plan paving the way, these industries are predicted to contribute 8-10 per cent of Vietnams GDP by 2020. With this growth in mind, Australias Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)s 2018 report into Vietnams Future Digital Economy highlighted the need for more than 1 million IT workers by 2020, with the demand for IT skills growing by 47 per cent annually. According to Gartner, hot trends in IT in Vietnam include artificial intelligence (AI), cloud storage, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), and blockchain. Other key areas include the Internet of Things (IoT), e-commerce, and business process and IT outsourcing. Dr. Sixsmith visited Vietnam in September for a series of workshops with UTS Insearch in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, highlighting careers in IT and engineering. Talent shortages in AI are already acute right across Asia - globally the work-ready talent supply in AI is estimated at just 300,000 people, with demand for several million specialists, Dr. Sixsmith said. This means high-tech talent in AI will remain in short supply globally for the foreseeable future. Already employers across Asia report difficulty in finding suitably-qualified IT staff to fill vacancies. Hays Asia reports 18-22 per cent of organizations are finding it difficult to recruit entry to middle level IT staff. With global demand for IT specialists accelerating, those who have deep skills in developing and managing IT will remain at the front of the pack, he went on. Getting the right human capital to deliver on the opportunities ahead will be challenging. Vietnamese employers need excellent IT skills and digital literacy, but these employees should to come with strong soft skills and social skills to build effective teams and communicate with global customers. Multidisciplinary skills and cross-industry experience will be in demand to draw on creativity, collaboration, problem solving and the application of knowledge. UTSs Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Sydney is among the leading research centers in AI, working on developing theoretical foundations and advanced algorithms. It aims to lead developments in computational intelligence, business intelligence, computer vision, data science, machine learning, brain computer interface, social robotics, and information systems. Vietnam Economic Times VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osino Resources Corp. (TSXV: OSI) ("Osino or the Company), is pleased to announce today, the Company opened the TSX Venture Exchange. Co-founders, Heye Daun, CEO and Alan Friedman, President of Osino joined Tim Babcock, Director, Listed Issuer Services and Dean McPherson, Head, Global Mining from the TSX Venture Exchange to open the market. Osino Resources is a Canadian gold exploration company with assets in Namibia, created by the co-founders of Auryx Gold Corp. which was sold to B2 Gold Corp. after advancing the Otjikoto Gold Project in Namibia. Heye Daun, CEO of Osino commented, Going public on the Toronto Venture Stock Exchange was an important step for Osinos growth. Opening the market and ringing the bell is a celebration of the Companys successes to date. He continued, I would like to thank all of our shareholders for the continued support, and I look forward to a beneficial relationship moving forward. Osino Resources commenced trading on the TSX Venture Exchange on June 28, 2018 under the symbol OSI. About Osino Resources Osino Resources Corp. (TSXV: OSI) is a Canadian company, focused on the acquisition and development of gold projects in Namibia. Osinos Namibian interests comprise eighteen exclusive exploration licenses located within the central and northern zones of Namibias prospective Damara belt, mostly in proximity to and along strike of the producing Navachab and Otjikoto Gold Mines. Osino is currently focusing its efforts on developing the flagship Karibib Gold Project and defining new exploration targets in the Otjikoto East area and on our other licenses. The Karibib Gold Project is located approximately 130 km north-west of Namibias capital city Windhoek. By virtue of their location, the projects benefit significantly from Namibias well-established infrastructure with paved highways, railway, power and water in close proximity. Namibia is mining-friendly and lauded as one of the continents most politically and socially stable jurisdictions. Osino continues to evaluate new ground with a view to expanding its Namibian portfolio. Further details are available on the Company's website at https://osinoresources.com/ CONTACT INFORMATION Osino Resources Corp. Heye Daun: CEO Tel: +27 (21) 4182525 hdaun@osinoresources.com Julia Becker, Manager, Investor Relations Tel: +1 (604) 785 0850 jbecker@osinoresources.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e63c5482-4341-4d1d-92e0-57aa0a9a56cc Researchers of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU) came closer to solving one of the key issues of offshore oil production, namely they developed a special method of nondestructive testing of drilling rig elements in the oil wells, which will ensure the efficient oil production and reduce the time and cost of equipment repair. According to scientists now it is obvious that the use of traditional nondestructive testing technologies developed in the past becomes ineffective for the diagnosis of modern structures made of corrosion-resistant and high-strength structural materials. Conventional methods of ultrasonic diagnostics can't detect the microcracks caused, for example, by the metal "fatigue" which occurs during repeated loading and unloading of the structure. Currently, there is no effective method of nondestructive testing, which allows making the calculation of the remaining tool life. However, scientists of SPbPU conducted the research in this field. It was an innovative research due to the fact, that the last major results in the field of nondestructive acoustic testing were obtained more than thirty years ago, and were limited to the cases of elastic deformation of structures. Though inelastic, irreversible structural deformations are the most interesting cases in technical diagnostics. A generalization of the acoustoelasticity method developed by the researchers of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University Professor A. Belyaev, Professor V. Polyansky, associate Professor A. Semenov and a graduate student of SPbPU Dmitry Tretyakov funded by the Russian Science Foundation, is based on the study of mechanical stresses, plastic deformations and microcracks in industrial structures by applying the mathematical models of fracture mechanics to the results of experimental measurements of ultrasonic wave velocities (Patent for invention #2648309). This method allows one to describe the effect of stresses, plastic deformations and systems of microcracks on the velocity of acoustic waves, but, more importantly, it allows us to give numerical estimates of damage throughout the structure. According to experts, this method of measuring mechanical stresses can be extended to a wide class of deformation and lead to direct practical application in industry. At the same time, a number of completely new effects that were discovered by Dmitry Tretyakov formed the basis of this new method. Siemens expressed the interest in the application of the method of nondestructive testing of the gas turbine engine blades. The research results obtained for the cases of plastic deformation of samples made of the high-strength steels confirmed the effectiveness of the method developed by SPbPU scientists. In the near future, Dmitry Tretyakov in collaboration with the fellow researchers will start to develop a technology to determine the internal structure of oil layers and the nature of its damage. This technology is to predict the consequences of drilling and hydraulic fracturing, as well as provide an opportunity to diagnose working wells. The solution to this problem is important to ensure the efficient and safe operation of the energy complex of Russia. ### San Antonio, Texas, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- San Antonio-based Petro Waste Environmental LP (PWE) today announced expansion into the Eagle Ford Shale with the commencement of construction on its DeWitt County Landfill. Already the largest oil and gas landfill operator in the Permian Basin, with four Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC)-licensed landfills, the DeWitt County Landfill will be PWEs first facility to operate in the Eagle Ford. Construction is scheduled for completion in January of 2019. The company also holds a permit for a second landfill in McMullen County scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2019. As the recovery in the Eagle Ford has taken root, Petro Waste is seeing a growing demand for our services, said Petro Waste Founder and Chief Executive Officer George Wommack. Many of the customers we serve in the Permian Basin also have considerable operations in the Eagle Ford. The development of the DeWitt County facility will enable us to provide the same level of service in the Eagle Ford that theyve grown accustomed to in the Permian. Located on 204 acres south of State Highway 72, in Nordheim, the DeWitt County Landfill will accept oil- and water-based mud, oil- and water-based drill cuttings, contaminated soil, and RCRA-exempt non-hazardous exploration and production (E&P) waste. It will also provide washouts and other ancillary services. The facility is wholly owned and operated by Petro Waste Environmental LP. Petro Waste operates four oil and gas waste landfills in the Permian Basin the Deep Six Landfill in Reeves County and the Big Lake Landfill in Reagan County, both of which opened in June 2018; the Orla Landfill in Reeves County, which opened in April 2017; and the Howard County Landfill, which opened in September 2017. In addition, PWE holds an RRC permit to build a 115-acre waste disposal facility in Pecos County as well as an additional Eagle Ford permit in McMullen County. Wommack said the Petro Waste team is extremely proud of its conviction in the long-term fundamentals of the Texas oil and gas industry over the past five years and its commitment through the industrys downturn. During a period when other oil and gas infrastructure companies cut back or halted development work, Petro Waste aggressively pushed forward with permitting and construction activity in an effort to ensure PWEs customers would have the landfill infrastructure in place when customers chose to send rigs back into the field. This gave Petro Waste the ability to construct the largest E&P waste landfill platform in the Permian Basin and with the opening of the DeWitt County Landfill, Petro Waste takes a major step toward establishing that same kind of robust platform in the Eagle Ford Shale. The exploration and production of oil and gas creates various forms of waste that must be processed and disposed of according to strict regulations set by the Railroad Commission of Texas and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In recent years, technological advancements have helped E&P companies extract hydrocarbons from the earth more efficiently, but these new techniques have increased the volume of non-hazardous solid wastes and high-solids-content waste fluids. These wastes consist primarily of oil-based drilling muds and cuttings and high-solids-content frack flow-back water. The historical lack of infrastructure capable of efficiently processing and disposing of these waste streams near drilling sites previously made it necessary to truck large quantities of the waste over long distances to the few existing facilities capable of accepting the materials. Petro Waste has addressed this infrastructure shortage. The company has constructed highly advanced, RRC-permitted waste-processing and disposal facilities throughout the Permian Basin and is currently doing the same across the Eagle Ford Shale. The increasing public interest in the use and disposal of E&P waste will likely lead to more stringent regulation, an even higher level of engineering standards in facility design and the construction of more institutional-quality facilities. Petro Waste is building its facilities and training its personnel with that future in mind. Through its innovative, forward-thinking operations, Petro Waste is reducing environmental impacts of the oil and gas industry today, and those benefits will only multiply as the company expands operations to other plays throughout the United States. Our commitment to our customers is always at the forefront of everything we do, said Wommack. We aim to help them streamline their businesses from the well site to the waste site, while cutting transportation costs, and protecting the environment and the public safety. That has always been our pledge, and it is our pledge today. ### ABOUT PETRO WASTE ENVIRONMENTAL LP Petro Waste Environmental LP is building one of the largest networks of oilfield solid waste-processing and disposal facilities in the United States, strategically located throughout the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford Shale and other active plays across the country. The company provides all forms of non-hazardous E&P waste-processing and disposal. Petro Waste is continually adding new facilities to ensure its customers have access to waste disposal facilities that meet federal and state guidelines as close as possible to their drilling sites. For more information, visit http://www.petrowastelp.com. * Bahrain aims to eliminate budget deficit by 2022 * Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and UAE pledge $10 bln of support * Support to be made via long-term, interest-free loan -source By Davide Barbuscia DUBAI, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to give Bahrain $10 billion to support the country's funding requirements as it embarks on a fiscal programme aimed at eliminating its budget deficit by 2022. Bahrains finances have been hit hard by a slump in oil prices in 2014 and the help from its neighbours is needed to prevent Bahrains rising public debt from triggering a financial crisis. It also makes sense economically and politically for the three wealthy Gulf states, which are diplomatic allies of Bahrain. Any collapse of Bahrains currency or a potential credit crunch could undermine confidence throughout the region. A package of reforms announced by the Bahrain government on Thursday are aimed at delivering 800 million Bahraini dinars ($2.12 billion) in annual savings and eliminate its budget deficit by 2022. Manama had projected a $3.5 billion budget deficit in 2018. The fiscal balance programme combined with the financial support agreement from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait allows for a "swift and achievable" progress to continued economic growth and prosperity, Shaikh Khaled bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Financial Affairs, said in a statement. The programme includes reforms aimed at reducing public expenditure and inefficient spending while also simplifying government processes and increasing non-oil revenue. Story continues The $10 billion financial support from Bahrains neighbours will be delivered through a long-term, interest-free loan, a source familiar with the agreement said. The financing will be provided gradually and according to an agreed schedule, the source added. Saudi Arabia, connected to Bahrain on its eastern coast by a causeway, has for years provided political and economic support to its Sunni-ruled neighbour. Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia and the UAE sent security forces to protect the government in Manama from a Shi'ite-led uprising in 2011. Bahrains fiscal programme also comes ahead of a November election, the second since 2011, when protesters took to the streets demanding more democracy. The country has increasingly relied on international debt issues over the past few years but had to cancel a conventional bond sale in March as investors demanded higher returns, raising doubts over Bahrains ability to continue to access the international markets. The $10 billion loan will not be sufficient to cover Bahrains funding needs until it balances its budget, but it will help the country to continue to raise external financing, said the source familiar with the agreement. The Bahraini dinar touched 17-year lows this year and the cost of insuring Bahrains sovereign debt against default hit record highs in June before the country's three rich Gulf neighbours reassured financial markets by announcing they were in talks about a major aid package that would be linked to the kingdom's progress in reforming its finances. Bankers and officials in the Gulf previously told Reuters that Bahrain has been discussing for more than a year the possibility of obtaining such aid from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The small size of the Bahraini economy makes it relatively easy for its wealthier neighbours to bail it out, protecting their own economies from the risk of contagion. On Thursday Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates also provided a $2.5 billion aid package to Jordan to help it to implement austerity measures that had sparked massive protests in June. The help was pledged at the time of the protests because conservative Gulf states feared that instability in U.S. ally Jordan, which has long backed their foreign policy positions, could have repercussions for their own security. ($1 = 0.3768 Bahraini dinars) (Editing by David Goodman) Stock Market News For Nov 16, 2018 Wall Street finished in the green reversing its five-day negative trend on Thursday following news that United States and China have ramped up their efforts to resolve lingering trade disputes Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when Bank of New York Mellon (BK) reports results for the quarter ended September 2018. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates. The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on October 18. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower. While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise. Zacks Consensus Estimate This trust bank is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.04 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +6.1%. Revenues are expected to be $4.14 billion, up 3.3% from the year-ago quarter. Estimate Revisions Trend The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.83% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period. Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Earnings Whisper Estimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction). The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is subject to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier. Story continues Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only. A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP. Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell). How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Bank of New York Mellon? For Bank of New York Mellon, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.03%. On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3. So, this combination indicates that Bank of New York Mellon will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue? While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number. For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Bank of New York Mellon would post earnings of $1.03 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.03, delivering no surprise. Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates two times. Bottom Line An earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss. That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported. Bank of New York Mellon appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BK) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. FILE PHOTO: Amazon and Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos addresses the media about the New Shepard rocket booster and Crew Capsule mockup at the 33rd Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S., April 5, 2017. REUTERS/Isaiah J. Downing/File Photo By Joey Roulette ORLANDO, Fl. (Reuters) - The U.S. Air Force on Wednesday said that it had awarded a total $2.3 billion in contracts to develop rocket launch systems for national security missions. The awards go to Amazon.com billionaire Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin; United Launch Services, part of the United Launch Alliance (ULA) joint venture between Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin Corp; and Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems. The three contracts are part of a Department of Defense initiative to assure constant military access to space and curb reliance on foreign-made rocket engines, like ULA's flagship Atlas V rocket that uses Russian-made RD-180 boosters. The contracts are to develop rockets and carry defense payloads into space. Centennial, Colorado-based United Launch Services received $967 million to develop its Vulcan rocket; Kent, Washington-based Blue Origin was awarded $500 million to build its New Glenn booster, and Northrop Grumman of Arizona received $791.6 million for its OmegA rocket. Blue Origin's and Northrop's prototype vehicles for military launches are expected to be ready to fly by late 2024 and ULA's Vulcan rocket development should be completed by March 2025. Blue Origin said in a statement following Wednesday's announcement that it will build a launch site at the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, although it did not say what rockets would launch from the site. ULA announced in September that its Vulcan rocket will be powered by Blue's BE-4 liquid rocket engines. (Reporting by Joey Roulette, Editing By Peter Henderson and Rosalba O'Brien) * BMW to raise stake in Brilliance Auto to 75 pct * China is set to relax foreign auto ownership rules * BMW first major carmaker to take control of a China JV * Deal will close in 2022 when restrictions eased * JV will spend 3 bln euros expanding Shenyang facility (Adds comment from Daimler CEO) By Norihiko Shirouzu SHENYANG, China, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Germany's BMW will pay 3.6 billion euros ($4.2 billion) to take control of its main joint venture in China, the first such move by a global carmaker as Beijing starts to relax ownership rules for the world's biggest auto market. The luxury carmaker said on Thursday it would increase its stake in its venture with Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd to 75 percent from 50 percent, with the deal closing in 2022 when rules capping foreign ownership for all auto ventures are lifted. The move will likely spur BMW to shift more production to China, helping to protect profits amid a whipsawing trade war between Washington and Beijing that has raised the cost of BMW importing cars manufactured at its U.S. plant in South Carolina. The deal also marks a milestone for foreign carmakers which have been capped at owning 50 percent of any Chinese venture and have had to share profits with their local partner, and could encourage rivals such as Mercedes maker Daimler. "We are now embarking on a new era," BMW Chief Executive Harald Krueger said in a speech in Shenyang, northeast China, where the joint venture is based. He thanked Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, whom he said "personally supported" the plan. Evercore ISI analyst Arndt Ellinghorst called the deal a major breakthrough. "In the future, BMW will have the full control over the biggest regional profit pool of its business," he wrote. Story continues Beijing has been keen for global carmakers to invest more in China and has also eased restrictions that cap foreign ownership of electric vehicle businesses at 50 percent. The joint venture plans to add a new plant, spending over 3 billion euros on a large-scale expansion of the existing production facility, Krueger said. Yale Zhang, head of Shanghai-based consultancy Automotive Foresight, said: "Others will follow over time, but the divorce schedule depends on how strong or capable the local partner is." Daimler's Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche told Reuters last week that recent signals from the Chinese authorities were encouraging, but the German carmaker did not yet have legal permission to make a move. "If we do, we need to see what opportunities there are," Zetsche said at the Paris Motor Show, adding any steps depended on talks with BAIC Motor Corp, Daimler's partner in joint venture Beijing Benz. As trade tensions have escalated, China's government has pledged to open up its markets more widely, including cutting taxes on imported vehicles, cancer medicines and a range of consumer goods. The country's leaders have also played up other milestone deals such as German chemical maker BASF winning approval in July to build China's first wholly foreign-owned chemicals complex. The rule changes have already helped Tesla Inc gain Beijing's approval for a wholly-owned manufacturing and sales company in Shanghai, the first time a foreign carmaker will be able to establish a full presence in China without a partner. BMW is one of the biggest exporters of vehicles from the United States to China, putting it firmly in the crosshairs of the trade war. "Given the trade dispute between the U.S. and China, there is a powerful incentive for automakers to produce vehicles in the market where they sell them," said independent auto industry analyst James Chao. He said control of the joint venture could spur BMW to bring production of models like the BMW X4, X5 and X6 sport utility vehicles, which are currently built in the United States, to China. NOT BRILLIANT FOR BRILLIANCE But if the move is a big win for BMW, it spells a diminished role for its Hong Kong-listed partner. Brilliance, which makes the vast majority of its revenue from BMW-branded cars, has seen its shares tumble nearly 50 percent this year on talk that such a deal was in the offing. Its shares were suspended on Thursday. Brilliance Chairman Qi Yumin lauded the venture's past success and said the future offered further opportunities, in comments posted on the firm's WeChat account. He added that while the situation was complex, the partners would need to "stick together through thick and thin". A number of carmakers said earlier this year they had no immediate plans to change their Chinese joint venture structures despite the planned rule changes. But Chinese demand for mass-market passenger cars has fallen, increasing the dependence of some local players such as BAIC on income from ventures with premium brands like Daimler. Industry insiders and analysts fear sales could fall this year for the first time in decades. China auto sales dropped in July and August. BMW finance chief Nicolas Peter, however, said the firm remained bullish about its top market. "Number one reason why we invest in China is because we are absolutely convinced the market has a further growth potential," Peter said in an interview at the Shenyang event. He said the firm was also investing in extra capacity in the United States. The term of the joint venture will also be extended to 2040 from 2028. ($1 = 0.8642 euros) (Reporting by Norihiko Shirouzu in Shenyang, Additional reporting by Edward Taylor in Frankfurt and Yilei Sun and Gaurika Juneja in Bengaluru; Writing by Adam Jourdan; Editing by Edwina Gibbs, Georgina Prodhan and Mark Potter) Chevron Corporation CVX is set to sell its last stake in the oil exploration license offshore Norway, becoming the first oil supermajor to exit the Norwegian continental shelf. The company will offload its 20% interest in the PL859 exploration license in Norways Arctic to a Norwegian company DNO. The financial terms of the transaction have been still kept under wraps. Subject to satisfactory conditions and regulatory approvals, the deal is set for closure in a few months. While Chevron exits Norway completely through this transaction, its peers including Royal Dutch Shell plc RDS.A, BP plc BP and Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM have also scaled down their footprint in the country amid the crude slump, in order to deepen their focus on other lucrative prospects. The deal brings Chevron a step closer to its intention of withdrawing from the aging North Sea, in a bid to streamline portfolio. The move is part of Chevrons strategic review of global portfolio to determine the competitiveness of all its projects. The decision seems to be a prudent one, as extracting oil from North Sea is not so economical since production costs are much higher than returns. Notably, output from North Sea accounts for just about 3% of Chevrons total production, providing around 50,000 barrels of oil and 155 million cubic feet of natural gas a day. Instead, the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company wants to sharpen its focus on the lucrative shale exploration in Permian, along with some of its major projects in the Gulf of Mexico and Kazakhstan. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. In sync with its objectives, Chevron decided to put up many of its North Sea oil and gas assets for sale this July. In fact, recently, the company also inked a deal to divest its entire stake in the Rosebank oilfield to Equinor. While Chevron has already clinched a deal with Equinor for its Rosebank properties, it is yet to offload other North Sea assets like Britannia and its satellites, along with Alba, Alder, Captain, Elgin/Franklin and Erskine fields. The marketing of these properties is still at a nascent stage. If these planned sales are properly executed, the company will just be left with 19.4% interest in the Clair field for its U.K. portfolio, which is operated by BP. Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside? Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana. Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look. See the pot trades we're targeting>> 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 Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDS.A) : Free Stock Analysis Report Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) : Free Stock Analysis Report BP p.l.c. (BP) : Free Stock Analysis Report Chevron Corporation (CVX) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Dr. Kai-Fu Lee, AI expert and former President of Google China, presents a Deans Lecture at NYUs Tandon School of Engineering October 9, 2018. If artificial intelligence data were oil, then China is the new Saudi Arabia. Thats how Kai-Fu Lee, former president of Google China, sees the future world order for business AI, predicting that Chinas level of sophistication could eclipse that of the U.S. in as few as two years. In a presentation at New York Universitys Tandon School of Engineering Tuesday, Lee laid out theories from his new book, AI Superpowers: China, Silicon Valley, and the New World Order, predicting that Chinas model for fostering new AI growth might prove superior to the U.S. Lees rationale is based on the confluence of four distinct factors that he says currently operate more symbiotically in China than they do in the U.S.: abundant data, hungry entrepreneurs, AI scientists, and AI-friendly policy. AI policy in the drivers seat In China, we have a phrase that translates to let the bullet fly, Lee said. If it hits somebody, then regulate it. Lee says Chinas techno-utilitarian environment creates a growth platform unbridled from legislative influences in the U.S. that can easily tap the brakes, and potentially hamstring efforts to capitalize on an industry expected to generate $15.7 trillion in global GDP by 2030. Take self-driving vehicles, for example. According to the National Conference of State Legislators, 29 U.S. states have enacted their own laws regulating autonomous vehicles. And governors in 10 states have issued executive orders curbing testing and use. Story continues China, on the other hand, adopted national guidelines earlier this year that permit any city to perform tests on self-driving cars. The country has started engineering multi-tiered roads and entire cities tailored to incorporate driverless vehicles. Lee says the U.S. remains by far ahead of China in terms of AI technology, yet Chinas policy decisions and infrastructure spending will likely help it catch up. Its something private companies cant do, he said. Are Americans ready to hand over more personal data? In Lees estimation, U.S. infrastructure and policy hurdles loom larger than privacy concerns for the success of homegrown AI. No doubt, he says, Chinese consumers have been quicker to offer up personal information in exchange for utility and convenience. Use of peer-to-peer lending platforms, already considered mainstream in China and recently under increased regulatory scrutiny, require handing over a wealth of personal and behavioral data to the companies that run them. Yet Lee says American consumers may not be the privacy hawks theyre characterized to be. Instead, he argues, American businesses arent probing deep enough into the value of their own data, meaning theyre not doing enough with the information on a per user basis. I think most Americans would be okay with [more privacy pervading] usages, but entrepreneurs arent going deep enough with those usages, Lee said. How many people refuse to order food because of privacy? Lee asks. How many people refuse to ride Uber because of privacy, or refuse to use Apple pay because of privacy? Data is Chinas AI trump card Bottom line, according to Lee: Data is more important than algorithms, and thats where China is king, as its internet population surpassed 800 million users this year compared to roughly 290 million internet users in the U.S. Lee acknowledges that Chinas ability to amass so much data came from copying AI technology born in Silicon Valley, though he insists Chinese engineers and entrepreneurs have evolved into innovators. Chinese businesses are building products and services at scales that cannot be copied, he said. This is the China approach. Its not Steve Jobs, or SpaceX approach, but it works. So who will win AI superpower wars? Its impossible to tell unless the U.S. produces another well-funded Steve Jobs, according to Lee. Steve Jobs trumps everybody, he said. Alexis Keenan is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. - By Holly LaFon Summary For the year ended July 31, 2018, Davis New York Venture Fund returned 16.3% versus 16.2% for the S&P 500 Index.1 Davis New York Venture Fund also outperformed the S&P 500 Index for the last three consecutive calendar years and in more than 84% of all rolling 10 year periods.1 Over the most recent one, three, five and 10 year periods, a $10,000 investment grew to $11,626, $14,047, $17,565, and $23,767, respectively.1 An investment of $10,000 at inception would now be worth $2.5 million, more than twice as much as a comparable investment in the S&P 500 Index.1 While money continues to pour into passive index funds and exchange- traded funds (ETFs), historical data indicates actively managed funds may be poised for a rebound. Our Portfolio is positioned to take advantage of select opportunities in today's market including global leaders selling at bargain prices, dominant lesser known businesses in necessary economic niches, blue chips of tomorrow, and beneficiaries of short-term misperceptions. Our Portfolio is also positioned to avoid potential losses facing the index if the prices of an overvalued but widely owned group of companies we refer to as dividend darlings continue to decline in the years ahead. The average annual total returns for Davis New York Venture Fund Class A shares for periods ending June 30, 2018, including a maximum 4.75% sales charge, are: 1 year, 9.28%; 5 years, 11.28%; and 10 years, 7.86%. The performance presented represents past performance and is not a guarantee of future results. Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions. Investment return and principal value will vary so that, when redeemed, an investor's shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. The total annual operating expense ratio for Class A shares as of the most recent prospectus was 0.89%. The total annual operating expense ratio may vary in future years. Returns and expenses for other classes of shares will vary. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance quoted. For most recent month-end performance, click here or call 800-279-0279. Story continues This report includes candid statements and observations regarding investment strategies, individual securities, and economic and market conditions; however, there is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts will prove to be correct. Equity markets are volatile and an investor may lose money. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. 1Class A shares without a sales charge. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. As of July 31, 2018. Inception of the Fund was February 17, 1969. Rolling 10 year period data is as of June 30, 2018. Investments cannot be made directly in an index. There is no guarantee Davis New York Venture Fund will continue to outperform the market over the long term. See endnotes for a description of Outperforming the Market. Results of Our Investment Discipline For the year ended July 31, 2018, Davis New York Venture Fund performed roughly in line with the S&P 500 Index and generated cumulative returns of 16.3%, 40.5%, 75.7%, and 137.7% over the one, three, five, and 10 year periods.2 Through the first seven months of 2018, Davis New York Venture Fund continued its long record of building shareholder wealth. As the chart below indicates, the value of an initial $10,000 investment has increased in all periods shown.2 NY_Shareholder_Wealth_2Q18.JPG On a relative basis, our results have also beaten the market over the long term and outperformed the S&P 500 Index in 84% of all 10 year periods. Compounded over decades, our advantage over the index has created enormous value for shareholders. Just consider an initial $10,000 invested in Davis New York Venture Fund at our inception would now be worth more than $2.5 million, more than twice as much as an equivalent investment in the S&P 500 Index.3 NY_Since_Inception_2Q18.JPG While our investment discipline has not always been rewarded by the market over shorter periods, this active management approach has created wealth for our shareholders in the long run. By standing apart from the crowd, keeping expenses low, investing alongside our shareholders, and ignoring short-term fads, we have built wealth for shareholders and beaten the S&P 500 Index since 1969.3 2Class A shares without a sales charge. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. As of July 31, 2018. Inception of the Fund was February 17, 1969. Investments cannot be made directly in an index. There is no guarantee Davis New York Venture Fund will continue to outperform the market over the long term. See endnotes for a description of Outperforming the Market. 3Class A shares without a sales charge. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. As of July 31, 2018. Inception of the Fund was February 17, 1969. Investments cannot be made directly in an index. There is no guarantee Davis New York Venture Fund will continue to outperform the market over the long term. See endnotes for a description of Outperforming the Market. Why Now May Be a Good Time to Invest in an Actively Managed Fund like Davis New York Venture Fund Successful long-term investing requires a willingness to look beyond conventional thinking. Today, conventional wisdom argues passive investing is superior to active management. As a result, money has drained out of actively managed funds and poured into passive index funds and ETFs. While the data showing the S&P 500 Index has outperformed the average active manager over the long term is true, we believe the results are misleading in three important ways. First, active and passive strategies have historically moved in a cycle. During parts of this cycle such as in the last decade or so, passive strategies tend to outperform. However, during other parts of the cycle, even the average active manager has outperformed the index over long periods of time. For example, the chart below tracks the percentage of large cap active managers that outperformed the S&P 500 Index over five-year time periods since 1975. The gold circles represent inflection points where the number of active managers outperforming the market began to increase. Underperformance of active strategies is near an all-time high. If the cycle were to continue, this may point to potential wisdom of moving toward active management. NY_Active_Vs_Passive_2Q18.JPG Second, while active managers tend to underperform when the S&P 500 Index gallops ahead, they tend to outperform when market returns moderate. In the chart below, each dot above the line represents a period in which the average manager outperformed the index. As is clearly shown, the lower the market return, the more active managers outperform. While the direction of the market is unknowable in the short term, the fact the index has almost doubled in the last five years and the market has gone more than eight years without a 20% correction versus a historical average of two-and-a-half years leads us to expect more moderate returns in the years ahead. NY_Active_Vs_Passive_Outperform_2Q18.JPG Finally, certain active funds including Davis New York Venture Fund have outperformed in the vast majority of rolling 10 year periods. As a result, while the data shows the average active manager has underperformed, investors need not choose an average manager. In fact, increasing evidence suggests active managers with certain identifiable characteristics such as low fees, low turnover, proper incentives, an experienced team, and a differentiated portfolio are far more likely to outperform both the index and the average active manager. For example, the chart below shows managers with low fees and a high investment in their own funds have outperformed in 89% of all rolling 10 year periods.6 NY_Funds_with_Low_Fees_2Q18.JPG Putting these thoughts together, we believe the headwinds active managers have faced in recent years could well become tailwinds in the years ahead. Howard Marks (Trades, Portfolio), the widely admired Chairman of Oaktree Capital Management, recently asked, "...what happens when the majority of equity investment comes to be managed passively? Then prices will be freer to diverge from "fair," and bargains...should become more commonplace.... Can you picture a world in which nobody's studying companies or assessing their stocks' fair value? I'd gladly be the only active investor working in that world." While we cannot predict when this transition will occur, we would note over the last two years, the results of Davis New York Venture Fund have exceeded the S&P 500 Index by more than 600 basis points. While the investor herd continues to stampede into passive funds and ETFs, we are encouraged not just by these recent results but also by the data shown illustrating that identifiable factors such as relatively low expenses, alignment of interest and a willingness to look different from other investment managers, all of which are central to our firm's investment culture, have proven to be durable hallmarks of long-term outperformance. Because these characteristics are shared by all five of the equity strategies managed by our firm, investors should not be surprised that in addition to Davis New York Venture Fund, all of our other equity strategies, including Davis International Fund, Davis Global Fund, Davis Financial Fund, and Davis Opportunity Fund have outperformed their index and their peers since their inception.7 NY_Equity_Specialist_2Q18.JPG 4Source: Morningstar Direct. Universe: Large Value, Large Blend and Large Growth. There is no guarantee that the number of active managers outperforming the market will continue to increase or that active and passive managers will continue to move in cycles. 5 Sources: AMG Funds, Morningstar. Chart plots median actively managed large-cap funds, with manager tenure of greater than 10 years (longest-tenured portfolio manager), annualized three-year rolling returns (with a quarterly frequency) over the 20 year period ending March 31, 2016 against the S&P 500 Index returns. Black plot points indicate periods of outperformance and gold plot points represent underperformance. The distance of the points from the diagonal line indicates the degree of over- or underperformance. The fund category used is the Morningstar large-cap fund universe, including growth, value and blend categories. Performance is net of fees. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. 6Source: Capital Group, based on Morningstar data. Based on monthly rolling periods from July 1996 to June 2016. Funds in the "Average Fund" group are those U.S. domestic equity funds in the Morningstar Large Value, Large Blend and Large Growth categories. "Funds with Low Fees and High Ownership" are those U.S. domestic equity funds in the Morningstar Large Value, Large Blend and Large Growth categories filtered for the quartile with the lowest net expense ratios (NER) and the quartile with the highest manager ownership. U.S. index is S&P 500 Index. The index is unmanaged and, therefore, has no expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. For live funds, only the oldest share class was used. For dead funds with multiple share classes, the median monthly returns were used. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. 7As of 7/31/18. Class A shares without a sales charge. Figures will vary in future periods. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Lipper Peer Category data is compiled using Lipper, as of 7/31/18. The index and Lipper Peer Category respectively for each fund are: Davis New York Venture Fund: S&P 500 Index and Large Cap Core; Davis International Fund: MSCI ACWI (All Country World Index) ex US and International Multi-Cap Growth; Davis Global Fund: MSCI ACWI (All Country World Index) and Global Multi-Cap Core; Davis Financial Fund: S&P 500 Index and Financial Services; and Davis Opportunity Fund: S&P 1500 Index and Multi-Cap Core. Index and Lipper Peer Category average returns are based on the Funds' inception dates except for Large Cap Core, which is based on February 28, 1969. Inception dates for the Funds are: Davis New York Venture Fund: 2/17/69; Davis International Fund: 12/29/06; Davis Global Fund: 12/22/04; Davis Financial Fund: 5/1/91; and Davis Opportunity Fund: 12/1/94. 8Portfolio is constructed from the bottom up, on a company by company basis, and is not designed to mirror an index. 9Gross expenses. As of the most recent prospectus. See endnotes for expense ratios. 10Includes Davis Advisors, the Davis family, our employees, and Fund directors. As of June 30, 2018. How is Davis New York Venture Fund Positioned to Take Advantage of Select Opportunities in Today's Market? Long-term investment returns result from capitalizing on opportunities as well as avoiding risks. As a result, our success in building wealth and outperforming the averages over the long term is driven both by the securities we own as well those we choose to avoid. Starting with the positive side of the ledger, we group the opportunities into four categories: select global leaders selling at bargain prices, dominant lesser-known businesses in necessary economic niches, blue chips of tomorrow, and beneficiaries of short-term misperceptions. Global Leaders Trading at Bargain Prices--Some of the strongest and best-known companies in the world make up the largest portion of the Portfolio. This fact is nothing new. What is unusual though is the opportunity created when short-term concerns depress the share prices of these companies allowing us to purchase shares at below-average prices. For example, United Technologies (UTX) holds a preeminent position in three attractive industries: jet engines and other aerospace equipment through its Pratt & Whitney division, elevator manufacturing and servicing through its Otis division, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning and refrigeration systems through its Carrier division.11 Each of these businesses generates a high return on equity and possesses durable competitive advantages. Yet, the entire company trades at a discount valuation as the market frets about short-term concerns. The opportunity to own such a global leader at a discount price is a value investor's dream. Dominant Lesser-Known Businesses--Davis New York Venture Fund also invests in a group of lesser-known businesses that dominate dull but necessary niches in the global economy. Whether these companies participate in unglamorous industries or are headquartered in different countries, these businesses are not household names to U.S. investors. As a result, their shares often trade at a discount to better-known companies despite having the same qualities of market dominance and durability as the global leaders described above. Such companies include LafargeHolcim's dominance of the world cement industry, Safran's leadership in jet engines (the company has been an equal but less well-known partner of General Electric for more than 30 years), and Ferguson PLC's dominance of U.S. plumbing supplies. These companies combine the relevance and resilience of blue chip businesses with below-average valuations. Blue Chips of Tomorrow--Another theme is fast-moving companies that use innovation to disrupt the economics of larger but less agile competitors. Similar to evolution, capitalism is a process of constant change that rewards businesses that can adapt. Over the decades, we have seen many examples of today's disrupters emerge as tomorrow's blue chips. Several of Davis New York Venture Fund's core holdings reflect this dynamic. Amazon (AMZN) has not only revolutionized the retail business, but also the information and technology industry through Amazon Web Services (AWS). Alphabet (the parent company of Google) began by making the world's information accessible through the internet and emerged as the largest and most profitable advertising firm in the world, the brains behind the vast majority of all smart phones, a leader in internet video, and an emerging leader in artificial intelligence and self-driving cars. Chubb Limited (CB) is another example of an innovator that has been just as disruptive in the insurance industry. Seizing on an underappreciated tax advantage in the early 1990s, a group of leading executives started a company named Ace Limited that practically created the offshore reinsurance industry. Building on this foundation, the company grew into the world's most highly valued property and casualty insurance company culminating in its 2016 acquisition of blue chip Chubb Limited whose name the company retained. Beneficiaries of Short-Term Misperceptions-- Short-sighted investors often avoid companies that face short-term problems, creating an opportunity for long-term investors willing to look beyond today's headlines. In banking, for example, memories of the financial crisis of 2008-2009 combined with subsequent anti-banking rhetoric and media coverage have blinded investors to the fact carefully selected banks are both cheap and safe, in our opinion. Contrary to popular perception, many top tier banks are not only reporting record earnings but are also far better capitalized than at any time in the last 50 years. While unloved now, we believe the leading financial companies we own will be big contributors to Davis New York Venture Fund's future returns as the reality of their strong economic fundamentals and rising dividends eclipse current investor perceptions. Similarly, although oil prices have risen more than 50% over the past year, the shares of many energy companies remain depressed as investors still recall the dramatic and unsustainable collapse in oil prices that occurred from 2014 through 2016. Taking advantage of this opportunity, we own shares in innovative, well-positioned companies such as Apache Corporation and Encana that should benefit as investor perceptions catch up with reality. Finally, we have purchased shares in two previously well-regarded companies tainted by recent scandals. At such times, our research focuses not on the past but on the future, asking whether the problems that have come to light can be fixed and if so whether the decline in share price presents a buying opportunity. Buying when a company is in the headlines for unfavorable reasons is never easy and in no way reflects a minimizing of a company's past bad actions. But organizations like people can learn from their mistakes and often emerge stronger. We describe such situations as "headline risk" investments and believe our willingness to look beyond the headlines can lead to fantastic opportunities. Although there are no certainties, we believe both Facebook and Wells Fargo will emerge from their recent scandals as better companies. As a result, we established a position in Facebook this year and added to our position in Wells Fargo when the headlines were unfavorable. All in all, the carefully selected businesses that make up Davis New York Venture Fund combine above-average resiliency and growth with below-average prices. 11Individual securities are discussed in this piece. While we believe we have a reasonable basis for our appraisals and we have confidence in our opinions, actual results may differ materially from those we anticipate. The return of a security to the Fund will vary based on weighting and timing of purchase. This is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any specific security. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Where Do We See the Biggest Risks? Being selective when choosing which companies to own can be a big driver of performance over the long term. However, choosing which companies not to own can be equally important. For example, in the early 2000s, we trounced the market both by owning companies that did well and by avoiding most of the overvalued tech and telecom darlings that collapsed when the internet bubble burst. Although these bubbles seem obvious in retrospect, investing in such companies at the time often seems safe because their prices have gone up for so long and the press is filled with flattering reports. In other words, investors often feel safest when risks are greatest. In our year-end report, we wrote about the bubble emerging in many popular dividend-paying stocks. We highlighted our concern that prices of many of these well-known and substantial companies have been bid up to bubble valuations by investors whose thirst for short-term income has blinded them to these companies' deteriorating fundamentals. Since then the stocks of many of these companies have fallen 20% or more. While this decline has gone some distance to deflating the bubble, we believe many of these dividend darlings still face further corrections. Similarly, with memories of the last recession fading, the market has bid up the shares of low quality companies with high leverage to levels that seem risky to us. As shown in the chart below, disciplined investors like us who avoid low quality companies were penalized during this unusual period. However, our years of experience have taught us paying high prices for low quality is ultimately a loser's game. While our choice to avoid such companies has detracted in the short term, we expect our decision to contribute to relative returns in the years ahead. NY_Low_Quality_2Q18.JPG 12Source: Ford Equity Research. 1/1/09-6/30/18. Quality Rating is based upon a number of factors that indicate a company's overall financial strength and earnings predictability. Company size, debt level, earnings history, revenue history and industry stability are all factors used to determine a firm's quality rating. As expected, higher quality stocks have lower average levels of earnings variability and debt as a percent of equity, in addition to higher average earnings and revenue growth persistence ratings, and market capitalizations. High quality stocks also tend to have lower standard deviations of annual returns. Accordingly, a firm's quality rating may be used to gauge the risk associated with a particular stock. Conclusion So far in 2018 and indeed in all periods shown, Davis New York Venture Fund added to its nearly 50 year record of building wealth for investors. Over long periods, Davis New York Venture Fund has also outperformed the passive indexes. A $10,000 investment at the Fund's inception would now be worth $2.5 million, more than twice as much than if the money had been invested in an index fund.13 While the consensus wisdom currently favors passive investing, significant data shows active and passive strategies move in cycles. A review of these cycles indicates active investing strategies may be poised for a period of relatively stronger returns particularly if market returns moderate in the years ahead. In our view, our outperformance of the index over the last two years may be the beginning of this cyclical reversal. Furthermore, contrary to consensus thinking, a select group of active funds, including Davis New York Venture Fund, with characteristics such as low costs, an alignment of interests with their shareholders and portfolios constructed differently than the index have outperformed in the vast majority of all rolling 10 year periods. Turning from active management in general to the prospects for Davis New York Venture Fund in particular, the Fund's holdings of global leaders, dominant but lesser known companies, blue chips of tomorrow, and beneficiaries of short-term misperceptions offer a powerful combination of strong, attractively priced businesses that should add to our long-term record of building shareholder wealth in the years ahead. In addition to the returns generated by these companies, Davis New York Venture Fund's relative returns may also benefit from our decision to avoid widely held but overvalued segments of the index such as dividend darlings and over-priced low quality companies. As always, we recognize and expect the years ahead will include times of market corrections and disruptions. While unpleasant, such periods are inevitable and generally create opportunities for investors with the judgment and experience to take advantage of them. In short, at a time when pundits and commentators are making the case experience and judgment do not matter and the best investors can hope for is an average result, we strongly disagree. We believe a carefully selected portfolio of durable, well-managed businesses with competitive advantages, selling at a discount to true value and overseen by a seasoned team with a long track record of generating proven results will produce a better-than-average outcome. In investing, as in any other profession, skill matters. For more than 49 years, we have demonstrated the value of that skill by building wealth for our shareholders and generating results that exceeded the market averages. With the vast majority of our net worth invested alongside our shareholders, we have every incentive and intention to build on this record in the years and decades ahead. We value the trust you have placed in us and look forward to continuing our investment journey together. 13Class A shares without a sales charge. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Before investing in the Davis Funds, you should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Funds carefully before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contains this and other information about the Funds. You can obtain performance information and a current prospectus and summary prospectus by visiting davisfunds.com or calling 800-279-0279. Please read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before investing or sending money. Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal. This report includes candid statements and observations regarding investment strategies, individual securities, and economic and market conditions; however, there is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts will prove to be correct. These comments may also include the expression of opinions that are speculative in nature and should not be relied on as statements of fact. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. PANAMA CITY, Fla. (AP) Supercharged by abnormally warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Michael slammed into the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday with potentially catastrophic winds of 155 mph, one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S. mainland. Michael blew ashore near Mexico Beach, a tourist town about midway along the Panhandle, a lightly populated, 200-mile stretch of white-sand beach resorts, fishing towns and military bases. Its winds roaring, it battered the coastline with sideways-blown rain, powerful gusts and crashing waves, swamped streets, bent trees, stripped away limbs and leaves and sent building debris flying. Explosions apparently caused by transformers could be heard. "The window to evacuate has come to a close," Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Brock Long said. The meteorological brute quickly sprang from a weekend tropical depression, becoming a furious Category 4 by early Wednesday, up from a Category 2 less than a day earlier. It was the most powerful hurricane on record to hit the Panhandle. "I've had to take antacids I'm so sick to my stomach today because of this impending catastrophe," National Hurricane Center scientist Eric Blake tweeted as the storm drawing energy from the Gulf's unusually warm, 84-degree water grew more scary. More than 375,000 people up and down the Gulf Coast were urged to evacuate. But emergency authorities lamented that many people ignored the warnings and seemed to think they could ride it out. Story continues Diane Farris, 57, and her son walked to a high school-turned-shelter near their home in Panama City to find about 1,100 people crammed into a space meant for about half as many. Neither she nor her son had any way to communicate because their lone cellphone got wet and quit working. "I'm worried about my daughter and grandbaby. I don't know where they are. You know, that's hard," she said, choking back tears. Hurricane-force winds extended up to 45 miles (75 kilometers) from Michael's center. Forecasters said rainfall could reach up to a foot (30 centimeters), and the life-threatening storm surge could swell to 14 feet (4 meters). The storm appeared to be so powerful that it is expected to remain a hurricane as it moves over Georgia early Thursday. Forecasters said it will unleash damaging wind and rain all the way into the Carolinas, which are still recovering from Hurricane Florence's epic flooding. Meteorologists watched satellite imagery in complete awe as the storm intensified. "We are in new territory," National Hurricane Center Meteorologist Dennis Feltgen wrote on Facebook. "The historical record, going back to 1851, finds no Category 4 hurricane ever hitting the Florida panhandle." Colorado State University hurricane expert Phil Klotzbach said in an email: "I really fear for what things are going to look like there tomorrow at this time." Scientists say global warming is responsible for more intense and more frequent extreme weather, such as storms, droughts, floods and fires. But without extensive study, they cannot directly link a single weather event to the changing climate. With Election Day less than a month away, the crisis was seen as a test of leadership for Scott, a Republican running for the Senate, and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, the Democratic nominee for governor. Just as Northern politicians are judged on how they handle snowstorms, their Southern counterparts are watched closely for how they deal with hurricanes. Hours ahead of landfall, seawater was already lapping over the docks at Massalina Bayou near downtown Panama City, and knee-deep water was rising against buildings in St. Marks, which sits on an inlet south of Tallahassee, Florida's capital. Huge waves pounded the white sands of Panama City Beach, shooting frothy water all the way to the base of wooden stairs that lead to the beach. More than 5,000 evacuees sought shelter in Tallahassee, which is about 25 miles from the coast but is covered by live oak and pine trees that can fall and cause power outages even in smaller storms. Only a skeleton staff remained at Tyndall Air Force Base, situated on a peninsula just south of Panama City. The home of 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 out all but essential personnel. The base's aircraft, which include F-22 Raptors, were flown hundreds of miles away as a precaution. Forecasters predicted 9 to 14 feet of water at Tyndall. Evacuations spanned 22 counties from the Panhandle into north-central Florida. "We've told those who stayed to have their life jackets on when the storm comes," Tress Dameron, Franklin County emergency management coordinator, told The News Herald in Panama City. In St. Marks, John Hargan and his family gathered up their pets and moved to a raised building constructed to withstand a Category 5 after water from the St. Marks River began surrounding their home. Hargan's 11-year-old son, Jayden, carried one of the family's dogs in a laundry basket in one arm and held a skateboard in the other as he waded through calf-high water. Hargan, a bartender at a riverfront restaurant, feared he would lose his home and his job to the storm. "We basically just walked away from everything and said goodbye to it," he said, tears welling up. "I'm freakin' scared I'm going to lose everything I own, man." ___ Associated Press writers Tamara Lush in St. Petersburg, Fla.; Freida Frisaro in Miami; Brendan Farrington in St. Marks, Fla.; Russ Bynum in Keaton Beach, Fla.; Jonathan Drew in Raleigh, North Carolina; and Seth Borenstein in Kensington, Md., contributed to this story. For the latest on Hurricane Michael, visit https://www.apnews.com/tag/Hurricanes . Global Mobility Leader Ushers in Motown 2.0 the next wave of automobile innovation DETROIT, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DMI , a global leader in end-to-end mobility solutions, today announced the expansion of its Detroit-based Center of Excellence for Connected Vehicles. As a pioneer in connected cars, DMI plans to create hundreds of jobs to support accelerating demand from the automotive industry. I like to think of our Center as Motown 2.0 the next wave of automobile innovation with mobility being the new motor, said Jay Sunny Bajaj , Founder and Chief Executive Officer of DMI. Detroit is my hometown, so it feels rewarding to be able to play a role in the citys revitalization. With more than 250 million connected cars forecasted to hit the road by 2020, todays auto manufacturers are increasingly focused on mobility within the driver experience. New research shows todays drivers expect a smartphone-style experience from the moment they turn the ignition switch including voice commands, touch-screens and apps. As the auto industry becomes increasingly tech-savvy, automakers and OEMs need to balance the demands of always-on consumers with driver safety, says Dan Perlick, President of IoT and Cloud Services at DMI. Our Center of Excellence for Connected Vehicles helps automakers address this urgent challenge. The Center of Excellence is part of DMIs continued investment in the city of Detroit and the American auto industry. The companys Detroit office currently employs 250 connected vehicle experts, with plans to create up to 750 additional jobs over the next two years. DMI currently works with seven of the top ten OEMs supporting a diverse set of connected vehicle initiatives, ranging from driver experience to new revenue models. The expansion comes just one year after DMI announced its acquisition of Detroit-based Lochbridge a market leader in IoT solutions for the automotive industry. DMIs Center of Excellence is part of a broader corporate presence in Michigan. Outside of automotive, DMI brings its expertise in digital transformation and IoT to many other Michigan-based clients, including the City of Detroit, Detroit Public Schools and the State of Michigan, as well as numerous locally-based enterprises. To learn more about DMIs automotive solutions, visit: https://dminc.com/industry-solutions/automotive/ About DMI: DMI, a leading end-to-end mobility company, combines all the skills and services necessary to deliver mobile enterprise solutions. Built to reinvent business for the connected world, DMI has expertise in enterprise-strength web and app development, IoT, digital commerce, analytics, brand and marketing, and secure device and app management. The companys unique, integrated approach to mobility has resulted in dramatic growth as well as an expanding client base, which includes hundreds of Fortune 1000 commercial clients and all fifteen U.S. Federal Departments. Additional information is available at www.dminc.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. Media Contact: Donna Savarese DMI Senior Director of Media Relations dsavarese@dminc.com T 240.200.5878 M +1.314.401.8114 6550 Rock Spring Dr. 8th Floor Bethesda, MD 20817 DMInc.com | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Google+ New Film Narrated by George Clooney Tells Story of Syrian Refugee Girls Rediscovering Their Dreams News highlights: On International Day of the Girl, HP is launching a new film showcasing the impact of technology on education, spotlighting Syrian refugees and Lebanese students. The new film highlights how HP, the Clooney Foundation for Justice, UNICEF and Google.org are partnering to improve the lives of thousands of students. PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, on the International Day of the Girl, HP Inc. launched a powerful new film titled A Generation Found. The film, narrated by George Clooney, tells the story of two young Syrian girls living in refugee settlements in Lebanon who regain access to quality education following years of uncertainty. It is the result of a unique partnership between HP, the Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ), UNICEF and Google.org focused on improving educational opportunities and learning outcomes for underserved communities. More than 65 million people around the world have been forcibly displaced , a record high since World War II, according to the U.N. Refugee Agency. Five million of those have been displaced from Syria since 2011, and more than a million are now living in Lebanon. An estimated 200,000 of these refugees are children. Only a small number of refugees less than one percent of 17.5 million in 2016 will ever be resettled. A Generation Found Four years ago, Marah, a 12-year-old fourth grader, and her family were uprooted by the violence in Syria. And Rawaa, a 12-year-old second grader, was living with her family in the countryside near the southern Syrian city of Aleppo when the fighting broke out and forced their displacement. Marah and Rawaa were at risk of becoming part of the lost generation of Syrian refugees who might grow up without the basic human right of education. But now, as the film reveals, thousands of young Syrians living in Lebanon are getting back to school. Education plays a critically important role in creating opportunities and enabling a more just, equitable and inclusive society. HP and its partners are supporting the broader goal to enable better learning outcomes for 100 million people by 2025. Story continues Watch the new film here: https://youtu.be/BC-5pREVAhc Through this unique partnership, new technology is being used in nine public schools across Lebanon, from Beruit to the Beqaa Valley, and will reach nearly 3,500 Syrian refugee students, as well as thousands of Lebanese students and teachers as the program is now deployed for its first full school year. The nine schools often serve Lebanese learners in the morning, and then operate a second shift to serve Syrian students. HP is also providing teacher training, curriculum planning support and a first for these students laptops, which will be used daily in every classroom. By equipping classrooms with the latest educational technology and giving teachers the proper training and tools, HP and its partners are providing new ways of learning for not just the students who attend second shifts in the afternoon, but for all of the students in each of the nine schools. Today, with the culmination of more than a years work between the organizations in Lebanon, HP not only celebrates and amplifies the voices and stories of strong girls and refugees around the world, but it also seeks to shift mindsets and reinvent the way people think about refugees. Join us in changing perceptions and changing the dialogue as we highlight their stories, hopes and dreams. RELATED LINKS Read more about the story behind A Generation Found on the HP Garage Read how HP and Girl Rising are partnering on a Creative Challenge to empower girls To donate to the ongoing efforts to support this displaced community, visit www.unicefusa.org/lebanon About HP Sustainable Impact: www.hp.com/sustainableimpact About the Clooney Foundation for Justice The Clooney Foundation for Justice was established in late 2016 by George and Amal Clooney to advance justice in courtrooms, classrooms, and communities around the world. Having helped public schools in Lebanon open additional doors to Syrian refugee children for the past academic year, CFJ is proud to bring state of the art technology to those classrooms this year. For more information on the Foundation and its work, please visit www.cfj.org . About HP HP Inc. creates technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. Through our portfolio of printers, PCs, mobile devices, solutions and services, we engineer experiences that amaze. More information about HP Inc. is available at http://www.hp.com . Copyright 2018 HP Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. Emily Horn, HP emily.horn@hp.com www.hp.com/go/newsroom A video accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0fd7f577-fd1e-48d8-b7c5-5664e301f7bc DUBAI, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered officials to urgently find solutions to overcome a crisis spurred by U.S. economic sanctions, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Thursday. "There is no crisis and no problems in the country that we cannot resolve... Officials should find solutions to overcome the existing economic hardship and to disappoint the enemy by resolving it," Fars quoted Khamenei as telling officials on Wednesday night. "With unity we can overcome all crises." (Writing by Parisa Hafezi Editing by Gareth Jones) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) A San Francisco judge said Wednesday she is considering tossing out the lion's share of the $289 million judgment against agribusiness giant Monsanto and ordering a new trial over whether the company's weed-killer caused a groundskeeper's cancer. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Suzanne Bolanos didn't formally rule on any issues after a two-hour hearing to consider Monsanto's demand to toss out the entire jury verdict in the first of thousands of similar cases across the country to go to trial. The San Francisco jury in August said Monsanto knew or should have known its best-selling Roundup weed-killer causes cancer and hit the company with $250 million in punitive damages, which are designed to punish companies who act recklessly. The jury also awarded DeWayne Johnson $33 million in so-called "pain-and-suffering" damages and $6 million in actual damages. But Bolanos issued a written tentative ruling ahead of the hearing saying she intended to strike down the punitive damages and schedule a new trial on that issue. During the hearing, Bolanos also said she was troubled by the $33 million in "non-economic" pain-and-suffering damages the jury awarded. Johnson's lawyer argued for $1 million a year for the next 33 years. But Monsanto's lawyers argued that Johnson is expected to live for two more years an argument that appeared to resonate with Bolanos who mulled out loud about fashioning an order reducing the entire verdict to under $9 million. Ultimately, Bolanos ordered lawyers to submit written argument by Friday and said she would rule after that. Johnson and his lawyers left court without comment. So did Monsanto's legal team. However, Bayer AG, which acquired Monsanto in June, said it agreed with the judge and "continues to believe that the evidence at trial does not support the verdict and the damage awards." Story continues "The jury's verdict was wholly at odds with over 40 years of real-world use, an extensive body of scientific data and analysis ... and approvals in 160 countries, which support the conclusion that glyphosate-based herbicides are safe when used as directed and that glyphosate is not carcinogenic," Bayer's statement said. "Tentative rulings are common in California and it's rare for judges to reverse themselves," said David Levine, a professor at the University of California's Hastings Law School in San Francisco. During the hearing, the judge said she was concerned with improper statements Johnson's lawyer Brent Wisner made during his closing arguments. Despite the judge's order not to, Wisner compared Monsanto to tobacco companies and said company executives would be drinking champagne in their boardroom if the jury sided with the St. Louis-based company. The judge admonished the jury to disregard those comments at the time, but wondered Wednesday if they entitled Monsanto to a new trial. "It was intentional and purposeful," Monsanto attorney George Lombardi argued. Johnson's lawyer Michael Miller said the judge's admonition during the closing arguments was sufficient. "The jury did not miscarry justice," Miller said. "Its decision was unanimous it should be respected." In her tentative ruling, Bolanos wrote that plaintiff Johnson failed to produce "clear and convincing evidence of malice or oppression" by Monsanto. She wrote that he did not provide any evidence that Monsanto employees believed that exposure to the product caused his lymphoma. Monsanto had argued ahead of the hearing that Johnson failed to prove that Roundup or similar herbicides caused his lymphoma and presented no evidence that Monsanto executives were malicious in marketing it. Regulators around the world have concluded on "multiple occasions" that the active ingredient in Roundup glyphosate is not a human carcinogen, the attorneys said in court documents. They called the jury verdict extraordinary and said it requires "exceptional scrutiny." Johnson's attorneys responded in court documents that the jury was well-educated and attentive. The evidence at trial was "more than sufficient to support an inference" that Johnson's cancer was caused by his exposure to Monsanto's herbicides, the attorneys said. "Mr. Johnson's story is tragic and could have been prevented if Monsanto actually showed a modicum of care about human safety," they said. Johnson's lawsuit is among hundreds alleging Roundup caused cancer, but it was the first one to go to trial. The jury in August determined that Roundup contributed to Johnson's cancer and Monsanto should have provided a label warning of a potential health hazard. Johnson sprayed Roundup and a similar product, Ranger Pro, at his job as a pest control manager at a San Francisco Bay Area school district, according to his attorneys. He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2014 at age 42. Many government regulators have rejected a link between glyphosate and cancer. Monsanto has vehemently denied such a connection, saying hundreds of studies have established that glyphosate is safe. New state-of-the-art seat manufacturing facility in Chomutov, Czech Republic Multiple seating programs for the BMW Group Manufacturing plant creates in 300 new jobs SAILAUF, Germany, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just over a year ago, Magna launched its first-ever seating business and facility with BMW Group. Today, Magna employees and customer representatives celebrated the grand opening of another new seating facility to support BMW business. The new plant in Chomutov, Czech Republic, will be supplying seating systems in various configurations for several BMW models. Production is expected to start before the end of this year. The state-of-the-art facility uses smart factory manufacturing concepts to increase efficiency and quality output for customers as well as provide a flexible work environment for employees. The plant has a production area measuring 6,000 square meters and the capacity to produce more than 360,000 seat sets per year. The plant has created 150 new jobs and is expected to add an additional 150 employees throughout 2019. This is a big win for our employees as well as our community, where we are making a positive economic impact. Our facility is using the latest technology with special attention given to high flexibility so that we can react quickly to new developments and changing requirements of our customers, said General Manager Martin Polivka of Chomutov Seating. We dont just build seats, we define whats possible and we deliver on that to meet our customers ever-changing needs, said Mike Bisson, President Magna Seating. Continuing to win business with a customer like BMW Group is critical to our global growth and speaks to our ability to produce innovative, cost-effective seating solutions. Magnas seating group has 16 manufacturing locations in Europe, five of them in the Czech Republic, along with 50 manufacturing locations and six R&D centers around the rest of the world. TAGS Automotive seating, automotive seat systems, Magna seating Story continues INVESTOR CONTACT Louis Tonelli, Vice-President, Investor Relations louis.tonelli@magna.com , (+1) 905.726.7035 MEDIA CONTACTS Tracy Fuerst, Global Director of Corporate Communications & PR tracy.fuerst@magna.com , (+1) 248.631.5396 Rej Husetovic, Director Corporate Communications & Media Relations Europe rej.husetovic@magna.com , (+49) 6093 9942-5056 ABOUT MAGNA We have more than 173,000 entrepreneurial-minded employees dedicated to delivering mobility solutions. We are a mobility technology company and one of the world's largest automotive suppliers with 339 manufacturing operations and 89 product development, engineering and sales centres in 28 countries. Our competitive capabilities include body exteriors and structures, power and vision technologies, seating systems and complete vehicle solutions. Our common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MG) and the New York Stock Exchange (MGA). For further information about Magna, visit www.magna.com . THIS RELEASE MAY CONTAIN STATEMENTS WHICH CONSTITUTE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS UNDER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LEGISLATION AND ARE SUBJECT TO, AND EXPRESSLY QUALIFIED BY, THE CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMERS THAT ARE SET OUT IN MAGNAS REGULATORY FILINGS. PLEASE REFER TO MAGNAS MOST CURRENT MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL POSITION, ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM AND ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 40-F, AS REPLACED OR UPDATED BY ANY OF MAGNAS SUBSEQUENT REGULATORY FILINGS, WHICH SET OUT THE CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMERS, INCLUDING THE RISK FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL EVENTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE INDICATED BY SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. THESE DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW ON MAGNAS WEBSITE AT WWW.MAGNA.COM. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/99f51b5e-31df-44d8-aca5-43b70d33e853 Rosmah Mansor, wife of Malaysia's former Prime Minister Najib Razak, arrives to give a statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in Putrajaya Rosmah Mansor, wife of Malaysia's former Prime Minister Najib Razak, arrives to give a statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in Putrajaya, Malaysia September 26, 2018. REUTERS/Lai Seng Sin/Files KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's anti-graft agency arrested former first lady Rosmah Mansor and expects to charge her in court on Thursday with money-laundering, among other infringements, it said. Rosmah, the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, was detained after being questioned by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), it added. "Rosmah will face several charges," the agency said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that the charges covered infringements of a law against money laundering and other unlawful activities. Her arrest follows three rounds of questioning by anti-graft agents over state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), from which U.S. authorities say more than $4.5 billion was misappropriated. Last Wednesday, she was questioned for nearly 13 hours. Rosmah, 66, had arrived at the agency's headquarters at around 0300 GMT on Wednesday, wearing traditional Malay clothing in lime green and accompanied by her lawyers. The agency did not say if the charges against her related to 1MDB. Lawyers for Rosmah had earlier said she had been arrested and that she would face money laundering charges. Najib, 64, himself faced questioning on Wednesday by the anti-money laundering and anti-terror financing division of Malaysia's police over a money laundering inquiry, media said. Najib, whose coalition suffered a stunning election defeat in May, faces 32 charges ranging from money laundering to abuse of power and criminal breach of trust in the effort to uncover how billions of dollars went missing from 1MDB. The couple's world has been turned upside down since Najib lost the election to his one-time mentor Mahathir Mohamad, who swiftly reopened a probe into 1MDB. Corruption accusations have dogged Najib for years, and came to a head in 2015, when the Wall Street Journal reported that nearly $700 million in 1MDB funds was diverted to his personal bank account. Rosmah has long been in the public eye over her penchant for handbags, jewellery and shopping sprees. (Reporting by Rozanna Latiff and Joseph Sipalan; Writing by A. Ananthalakshmi; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Magna Gold Corp. (TSXV: MGR.P) (Magna or the Corporation), is pleased to announce that it has entered into an arms length option agreement (the Agreement) dated September 25, 2018 (the Effective Date) with Beatriz Delia Yepiz Fong (the Seller), an individual resident in the Sonora State of Mexico. The Agreement is subject to regulatory approval. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Corporation will acquire from the Seller an option (Option) to acquire a 100% undivided interest (the Proposed Transaction) in two mining claims (the Mercedes Property) located in the municipality of Yecora, Sonora, Mexica, for a four-year period. The Property consists of two contiguous claims covering an aggregate area of approximately 345 hectares is located approximately 250 kilometers east-southeast along the Federal Highway 16 from the state capital, Hermosillo. In consideration of the grant of the Option, Magna will: (i) pay to the Seller an aggregate of US$1,340,000 plus VAT of 16%, paid in installments commencing on the 6th month from the Effective Date and ending on the 48th month from the Effective Date; (ii) issue to the Seller a 3% net smelter returns (NSR), capped at US$3,500,000 and subject to the right of the Corporation to acquire all 3 percentage points of the NSR at a price of $500,000 per percentage point, within the first three (3) years of commercial production of the Mercedes Property; and (iii) conditional on the completion of a going public transaction within six months of the Effective Date, issue 2,442,105 common shares (Common Shares) of the Corporation to the Seller. On the Effective Date, the Discounted Market Price of the Common Shares was $0.30 per Common Share. The Proposed Transaction will constitute the Corporation's qualifying transaction (the "Qualifying Transaction") pursuant to Policy 2.4 Capital Pool Companies (the "Policy") of the TSX Venture Exchange (the Exchange). The Proposed Transaction does not constitute a Non-Arms Length Qualifying Transaction under Exchange policies, and as such, shareholder approval is not expected to be required in connection with the Transaction. Following completion of the Proposed Transaction, it is anticipated that the Corporation will be listed on the Exchange as a Tier 2 mining issuer. No concurrent financing is anticipated to occur in connection with the Proposed Transaction. Pursuant to the Policy, Sponsorship of a Qualifying Transaction of a capital pool company is required by the Policy, unless an exemption is obtained. The Corporation intends to seek a waiver to the sponsorship requirement. There is no assurance that an exemption will be granted. Mercedes Property Mercedes is an exploration property located within the Sierra Madre Occidental province (Figure 1), a historically productive, regionally extensive Tertiary volcanic field which stretches from the United States/Mexico border to Central Mexico. Previous work at the La Lamosa area, one of the mineralized targets within the mining concessions, reports disseminated gold mineralization hosted within an andesitic and rhyodacitic volcanic complex intruded by a quartz-feldspar porphyry (QFP). Gold and silver are target commodities sought at Mercedes and the property exhibits textures and alteration consistent with high sulphidation epithermal mineralization, typical of important discoveries in the region. The project is located 43 km from Alamos Gold 3 Moz Mulatos Gold Mine, 40 km from Agnicos 1 Moz La India Gold Mine, and adjacent to Minera Alamos Santana and Santa Rosa projects. Infrastructure and support services are available to the project; paved Federal Highway 16 passes through the western portion of the claims. Electricity, mail, phone services and accommodation are available at the nearby villages of Yecora and Santana. An electrical line (C.F.E.) passes through the property as it parallels the paved highway. Figure 1 Property Location http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/42288dde-6a98-4518-8b58-75cd488b3738 Mercedes is located toward the western edge of the mineral province and is predominantly underlain by intrusive rocks, granodiorite-monzonite plutonic rocks and quarts feldspar porphyry dykes and stocks exposed by erosion of intermediate and felsic volcanic packages of the lower and upper volcanic sequences. The thick volcanic sequences are characteristic of the region and form much of the Sierra Madre Occidental. Outcrop in key areas of the property are strongly altered, brecciated intrusives and some propylitically altered volcanics. Zoned assemblages of silica, vuggy silica, phyllic, argillic and distal propylitic alteration are recognized. The main prospect area La Lamosa is a prominent, highly oxidized red ridge, visible from the highway (see figure 2). At least two additional similar targets are clearly identified within the claim boundaries. Figure 2 La Lamosa Hill Picture taken from Highway 16 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0671b7f5-f72b-4972-9111-25fcfca86b33 In addition to a small artisanal shaft developed on a thin quartz vein in the southeast of the property, previous exploration work includes two phases of drilling and extensive surface sampling by other explorers. In 1996 Compania Minera Fernanda SA de CV completed 15 Reverse Circulation holes for a total of 1018m and in 2008 Norma Mines SA de CV drilled 10 diamond drill holes for a total of 1133m. Both drill programs tested the La Lamosa area. Records for the RC drilling are incomplete though reference to the results indicate continuous, consistent gold and silver intercepts from beneath the alteration zone on the ridge. Diamond drilling conducted later by Norma mines did confirm the presence of broad anomalous grades but did not quite replicate the tenor of those previously reported. Gold occurs in oxide, mixed oxide/sulphide, and sulphide reported in previous drilling with pyrite being the primary sulphide mineral along with minor amounts of enargite. Selected drill mineralized intercepts are shown in the Tables 1 and 2: Table 1 Summary of 2008 diamond drill hole program as reported by Norma Mines SA de CV: HOLE From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (ppm) Ag (ppm) Prospect 08MER001 0 144 144 0.49 12.4 La Lamosa incl 0 32 32 0.86 8.2 incl 51 144 93 0.44 16.0 08MER002 0 113 113 0.37 11.6 La Lamosa incl 26 27 1 3.32 28.6 incl 110 113 3 1.17 20.2 08MER003 0 57 57 1.15 13.5 La Lamosa incl 11 24 13 1.22 20.5 incl 34 35 1 16.02 53.6 incl 35 36 1 7.67 42.8 incl 41 42 1 4.52 21 08MER004 60 61.5 1.5 0.05 121.5 La Lamosa 08MER005 25.5 28.5 3 0.005 84.7 La Lamosa 08MER006 no significant intervals La Lamosa Table 2 Summary of 1996 RC drilling program as reported by Compania Minera Fernanda SA de CV: HOLE_ID AZI DIP Total Depth (m) Average Hole Grade Au ppm Ag ppm YRC-2 85 -60 90 1.743 24.5 YRC-3 200 -60 100 1.711 40.5 YRC-4 101 -60 60 1.825 34.4 YRC-5 0 -90 45 1.840 25.6 YRC-6 157 -60 72 1.713 27.4 YRC-7 145 -80 66 1.687 52.0 YRC-8 160 -60 70 1.861 34.1 YRC-9 316 -60 70 1.534 44.1 YRC-10 140 -70 66 2.056 75.0 YRC-11 130 -70 70 1.681 50.7 YRC-12 0 -90 48 1.264 18.0 YRC-13 40 -60 70 1.901 68.2 YRC-14 153 -60 86 1.830 67.2 Total RC drilling program 913 1.749 44.1 Over the course of the years several Companies have carried out rock geochemistry work on the property. Obtained reports show strong oxidation in the form of hematite/limonite/jarosite staining and strong silica, vuggy silica and argillic alteration. Figure 3 and Table 3 below show the latest NI 43101 Technical Report data verification sampling. Figure 3 Rock Chip and Grab Sampling Map at Mercedes, Dale Brittliffe P. Geo. October 2010: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b8384336-e0c5-4cb8-9655-afa3172da13c Table 3 Assay Results from Chips Rock Sampling on Surface at Mercedes Property. Dale Brittliffe P. Geo. October 2010: Sample No. E Nad27 z12 Mex. N Nad27 z12 Mex. Description Au ppb Ag ppm Cu ppm Pb ppm Zn ppm 986063 687684 3142756 Chip sample - 1m - quartz breccia, historical diggings,in clay rich, silica altered structure above collapsed workings 821 40.8 21.1 619.7 15 986064 687724 3142667 Float, vein material, Quartz, malachite, azurite, PbS, vein fragments -0.2m diam. 185 100.0 >10,000 28.7 358 986065 687715 3143656 Chip, 5m composite - Outcrop near YRC-5, intrusive breccia, sil-clay alt, FeOx, jarosite 179 1.0 118.5 140.0 49 986066 687685 3143623 Chip, 10m composite - intrusive breccia, sil-clay alt, FeOx, jarosite, 340/40E slickenside, 648 2.3 83.2 158.0 6 986067 687578 3143521 Chip sample 8m composite, intrusive breccia. sil-clay alt, FeOx, jarosite 1375 5.9 23.4 493.0 5 986068 687571 3143523 Chip sample, 8m composite, intrusive breccia, sil-clay alt, FeOx, jarosite 475 5.6 8.1 298.6 3 986069 687565 3143529 Chip Sample, 10m composite, Intrusive breccia, sil-clay alt, FeOx, jarosite 561 17.5 18.8 416.2 3 986070 687614 3143526 Chip sample, 6m - Intrusive breccia, sil-clay alt, FeOx, jarosite, as intersected in hole MER-08- 03 1634 14.6 14.1 786.1 3 986071 687602 3143521 Chip Sample 6m - Intrusive breccia, sil-clay alt, FeOx, jarosite, intersected in hole MER-08-03 549 8.8 12.4 603.9 3 986072 687632 3143548 Chip sample 1.2m, intrusive breccia - "vuggy silica" sil-clay alt, FeOx, very strong jarosite- hem, boxwork, possibly intersected in hole MER-08-03 2072 57.7 45.8 6921.9 13 986073 687653 3143563 Chip sample 3m, Intrusive breccia, dark grey sil-clay alt, FeOx, jarosite, boxwork, probably not intersected in hole MER-08-03 94 3.7 61.1 513.5 4 986074 687663 3143548 Chip 0.7m, Quartz-tourmaline breccia, sil-clay alt, FeOx, jarosite, 95% qtz-tourmaline & 5% FeOx, probably not intersected in hole MER-08-003 195 8.2 85.0 >10,000 9 986075 687674 3143608 Chip sample 2m - Intrusive breccia, sil-clay alt, FeOx, sample taken sub-parallel to the main trend & true sample width is 1m 136 4.0 22.7 395.5 2 986076 687847 3143760 Grab - Quartz-tourmaline vein 51 0.5 14.0 824.5 3 986077 687781 3143818 Grab - Quartz-tourmaline-sericite vein (or intrusive) 12 0.2 35.4 38.6 10 986078 687742 3143696 Grab - Quartz-tourmaline vein 44 0.7 22.2 2193.1 3 A mineral exploration program is being designed to both evaluate the property and determine the grade and extent of La Lamosa area. The program will consist of diamond drilling, property wide geological mapping and prospecting including collection of chip samples and soil sampling. The exploration will be designed to evaluate La Lamosa and identify additional analogous zones. All technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Dale Brittliffe, P.Geo., an independent consultant to the Corporation and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Management of the Resulting Issuer Subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, it is currently anticipated that the board of directors of the Corporation will consist of three individuals who are currently directors of the Corporaiton, biographies of whom are set below: Arturo Bonillas Zepeda, Laura Cristina Diaz Nieves, and Alexander Tsakumis. Miguel Angel Soto y Bedolla has been appointed as the Vice President of Exploration of the Corporation. Other than the foregoing officer and proposed directors, it is anticipated that there will be no additional insiders of the Corporation upon completion of the Proposed Transaction. Prior to completion of the Qualifying Transaction, management intends to appoint a new individual to act as Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation. Francisco Arturo Bonillas Zepeda, Sonora, Mexico Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and Director Mr. Bonillas is a Mexican citizen and has over 35 years of experience in Mexican mining and exploration. He is currently Chairman of the Advisory Board of Discovery Metals, a Mexican-focused base metals exploration company whose securities are listed on the TSX, and Director of Telson Mining Corporation (formerly Telson Resources Inc.) whose securities trade on the TSXV. He is the former President and co-founder of Alio Gold Corp., formerly Timmins Gold Corp. (Alio). During his 10-year tenure with Timmins, he oversaw its transition from exploration and development to mid-tier gold producer, and guided it to several years of positive reserve and resource growth, throughput and production. Alexander Peter Tsakumis, British Columbia, Canada Director Mr. Tsakumis has over twenty-five years of investment experience with private and public companies. Mostly recently, Mr. Tsakumis was the Vice President of Corporate Development at Alio Gold Corp. for nine years, where he played a pivotal role in the development of the corporation from a junior exploration to a production company. He has also acted as Director and Vice President of Corporate Development for various publicly traded companies, one of which has its securities traded on the New York Stock Exchange, for over 10 years. Laura Cristina Diaz Nieves Director Ms. Nieves is a citizen of Mexico and is currently a lawyer. She is a founding partner at the firm DBR Abogados S.C. which specializes in mining and corporate law where she has gained extensive experience and knowledge on mining companies. She has served the mining and exploration industry for over 25 years as legal counsel to several North American public companies. Ms. Nieves has also served as a director of Marlin Gold Mining Ltd until May 2012 and is currently a director of Goldplay Exploration Ltd., both of which are listed on the TSXV. Ms. Nieves holds law degrees from both the Universidad Ibero-Americana where she studied European and North American Law, and Universidad Femenina de Mexico, where she obtained her law degree. Miguel Angel Soto y Bedolla Vice President of Exploration Mr. Soto is a Mexican citizen and has over 40 years of experience in the Mexican mining and exploration, over 25 years of experience as a senior executive of several exploration companies; widely recognized as one of the top mining professionals in the country, co-Founder of Timmins Gold Corp whom played an important role in the transition of the company from exploration to an operating company. During that time, led the 4x increase of San Franciscos gold resource from 611 Koz to 2.4 Moz., active member of the Society of Economic Geologists. For more information, please contact Francisco Arturo Bonillas Zepeda, the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and a director of the Corporation. Francisco Arturo Bonillas Zepeda CEO, CFO, Corporate Secretary and Director E: Arturo.bonillas@gmail.com T: 647.259.1790 Completion of the transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, Exchange acceptance and if applicable pursuant to Exchange Requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the transaction, any information released or received with respect to the transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative. The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. 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. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements", which involves known and unknown risks, and are based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive shareholder or regulatory approvals; and the results of continued business development, marketing and sales. 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 of this news release should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. TOKYO (AP) Tokyo's famous fish market reopened Thursday at a new location but retained its most famous tradition: the tuna auction. The customary clanging of bells opened the auction for raw and frozen tuna, which crammed the huge warehouse wall-to-wall, at the waterfront Toyosu facility. The rhythmical shouts of the auctioneers and the special hand signals by the bidders that followed were unchanged from Tsukiji, the smaller, more accessible home the market recently left after more than eight decades. The top bid for tuna, a delicacy much like premium-grade beef in Japan, was 4.28 million yen ($38,000), not an unusually high price for quality tuna. The more than 400 kinds of seafood at the market come from all over Japan, as well as from abroad, including octopus, eel, sea urchin and other items special to Japanese cuisine. The market serves top restaurants and everyday supermarkets alike. The move was delayed for two years because of worries about contamination, including arsenic, at the Toyosu site. Measures were taken to ensure safety, such as better water pumps and extra concrete sealing. Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike attended the opening and expressed hopes for the location's success. "Of course, things are different here," she said of how the new place may take getting used to. "We must build the Toyosu brand, day by day, to make it a symbol of Tokyo, and of Japan. I hope to move forward with all of you." Officials and workers then clapped rhythmically in celebration of Toyosu's opening, the same customary gesture for good luck that had closed Tsukiji on Oct. 6. Free-of-charge tours for the public start Saturday, including seeing the auction from a huge glass window. Visitors will not be able to go on the auction floor as they could at Tsukiji. Reporters got a tour of the grounds Thursday. Story continues Like Tsukiji, Toyosu also has a vegetable wholesale area, where auctions also take place. In several spots in the same market complex are tiny restaurants, including the ones that used to be at Tsukiji but also new ones. Still, much of the humbly quaint atmosphere of Tsukiji was gone in the sterile factory-like environment of Toyosu. Whether Toyosu can attract tourist traffic remains to be seen. Serving as reminders were the people zipping around in their scooting carts, as busy as ever. Toyosu is a bit farther to get to than Tsukiji, which is within walking distance of downtown Ginza. Toyosu is reachable by an unmanned monorail called Yurikamome. A walkway from Shijo-mae station, which means "in front of the market," leads right to the Toyosu market. About 40,000 people used to visit Tsukiji each day, not just retailers and restaurant operators but also "salarymen" on lunch breaks and tourists from all over the world. It's unclear whether the stalls serving noodles and raw-tuna bowls that remain in the area surrounding Tsukiji will continue to be a draw without the backdrop of a real market. Many fish wholesalers, workers and supporters had opposed the move out of Tsukiji, alleging that Toyosu was inefficient and unsafe. A handful of businesses were continuing to sell inside Tsukiji, saying they hoped to fight the planned tearing down of the old construction. Tsukiji is being turned into a parking lot for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. What gets built afterward is undecided, according to the Tokyo city government. But it's clearly prime real estate, and plans under consideration include a casino. ___ Follow Yuri Kageyama on Twitter at https://twitter.com/yurikageyama On Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/yurikageyama/?hl=en Her work can be found at https://www.apnews.com/search/yuri%20kageyama WASHINGTON, Oct 11 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping plan to meet at the G20 summit in Argentina in late November, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing officials in both countries. White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow told reporters at the White House on Thursday that a meeting between the two leader at the global gathering in Buenos Aires is under discussion. (Reporting by Jeff Mason and Susan Heavey Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) U.S. President Donald Trump holds a campaign rally in Council Bluffs, Iowa, U.S., October 9, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis By Roberta Rampton and Lisa Lambert WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Tuesday repeated his threat to slap tariffs on an additional $267 billion of Chinese imports if Beijing retaliates for the recent levies and other measures the United States has imposed in an escalating trade war between the economic giants. Trump, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, also said China is not ready to reach a deal on trade. "China wants to make a deal, and I say they're not ready yet," Trump said. "I just say they're not ready yet. And we've canceled a couple of meetings because I say they're not ready to make a deal." When asked whether he was ready to levy new taxes in case of retaliation from China, Trump said, "sure, absolutely." He added that the current U.S. trade imbalance with China means "they've already retaliated." Last month Trump imposed tariffs on nearly $200 billion of Chinese imports and then threatened more levies if China retaliated. China then hit back with tariffs on about $60 billion of U.S. imports. Citing the growing trade war, the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday cut its global economic growth forecasts for 2018 and 2019. Asked about Trump's remarks at a regular news briefing in Beijing on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said a trade war was bad for the global economy and not in the interests of either country. "But China's resolution to protect its own legitimate interests is unwavering. No one should have any illusions about this," Lu said. The United States wants to pressure China to make sweeping changes to its trade, technology transfer and high-tech industrial subsidy practices. Trump's latest comments underline a threat by Washington that it may ultimately impose tariffs on more than $500 billion worth of Chinese goods - nearly the total amount of U.S. imports from China last year. (Additional reporting by Christian Shepherd in BEIJING; Editing by Bill Berkrot & Shri Navaratnam) Oct 11 (Reuters) - U.S. energy regulators approved Canadian energy company Enbridge Inc's request to put part of its $2.6 billion NEXUS natural gas pipeline from Ohio to Michigan into service. NEXUS is one of several gas pipelines designed to connect growing output in the Marcellus and Utica shale basins in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio with customers in other parts of the United States and Canada. Enbridge said the facilities the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Wednesday allowed the company to put into service will enable it to transport about 0.97 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd). One billion cubic feet of gas is enough to fuel about 5 million homes for a day. Once the 255-mile (410-km) NEXUS project is fully in service, it will be able to carry up to 1.5 bcfd of gas from the Marcellus and Utica shale fields to the U.S. Midwest and Gulf Coast and Ontario in Canada. NEXUS is a partnership between Enbridge and Michigan energy company DTE Energy Inc. Earlier this week, Enbridge said it put part of its $200 million Texas Eastern Appalachian Lease (TEAL) gas pipeline project into service. TEAL is an expansion of Enbridge's Texas Eastern system designed to deliver 0.95 bcfd of gas to NEXUS. When it started construction of the NEXUS pipe in late 2017, Enbridge estimated the TEAL and NEXUS projects would enter service in the third quarter of 2018. Enbridge said it completed the NEXUS project in September when it asked FERC for permission to put part of pipeline into service. New pipelines built to remove gas from the Marcellus and Utica basins have enabled shale drillers to boost output in the Appalachia region to a forecast record high of around 29.4 bcfd in October from 24.2 bcfd during the same month a year ago. That represents about 36 percent of the nation's total dry gas output of 81.1 bcfd expected on average in 2018. A decade ago, the Appalachia region produced just 1.6 bcfd, or 3 percent of the country's total production in 2008. (Reporting by Scott DiSavino) Event showcases breakthrough algae innovations in human health, agriculture, wastewater and fuel HOUSTON, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Texas-based companies and universities are working with the Algae Biomass Organization to bring the 2018 Algae Biomass Summit , an annual conference of investors, scientists and entrepreneurs to The Woodlands, October 14-17. It is the first time in its 12-year history that the largest algae conference in the world has been held in Texas. Texas is becoming a natural focal point for a new generation of algae farmers and product developers that are using advanced cultivation technologies to develop markets for agriculture, human nutrition, energy and more. New algae-based products include nutritional supplements, cooking oils, aquaculture feeds and even plastics. Today we see more commercial algae cultivation operations than ever, but we also see more room to grow than ever, said Matt Carr, Executive Director of the Algae Biomass Organization, the trade association for the industry and host of the annual conference. The favorable business climate in Texas, land availability and a solid resource base is attracting the eyes of those looking to build this industry into a new category of American agriculture. Some of the new leaders in the algae industry believe Texas is well positioned to become a home for thousands of acres of algae farming operations and the jobs that would come with them. A Texas A&M regional impact analysis estimates that for every 1,000 acre feet of algae ponds, Texas will see 245 new jobs created and $12.8 million of added value. Texas is also home to many of the resources that algae farming needs: inexpensive land, saline water, sun and CO2. A 2016 study by the Department of Energy determined that Texas consistently ranked near the top of states where algae can be produced cheaply and efficiently with the local resources available. The resource base has not gone unnoticed by state officials, who have made Texas one of the few states that have prioritized algae farming regulations. The state recently brought algae farming into the states aquaculture farming regulations, allowing for an easy permitting process for companies that want to begin cultivation or processing operations. Texas has an unprecedented opportunity to harness waste carbon dioxide, wastewater and underutilized land as resources that can build an entirely new industry and economic base, said Rebecca White, Vice President Operations at Texas-based Qualitas Health, and co-chair of the Summits Local Host Committee. We wanted to bring algae farmers from around the world to Texas to see how they can do business here. Several companies and Universities in Texas are playing leading roles in the emerging algae industry: iWi: https://www.qualitas-health.com/ ExxonMobil: http://corporate.exxonmobil.com/en/research-and-technology/advanced-biofuels/advanced-biofuels-and-algae-research Acclergy: http://www.accelergy.com/technology_terrasync.html AlgEternal Technologies: https://algeternal.com/ Texas A&M Algae Research and Development Facility: https://agrilife.org/algaeforfuel/ UTEX Culture Collection of Algae at the University of Texas at Austin: https://utex.org/ Midland College: https://www.midland.edu/ More information about the Algae Biomass Summit can be viewed at: https://www.algaebiomasssummit.org . About the Algae Biomass Organization A 13-year-old Colorado Springs-area middle schooler, who reportedly was arrested recently for allegedly sexually harassing and assaulting female classmates, has become a cause celebre among far-right media that claim the #metoo movement has gone too far. One of the girls has obtained a temporary restraining order against the boy, whose family has raised nearly $20,000 since posting an online appeal for donations for a defense fund for their son. The boys father claims his son, who is white, was arrested after he made a girl mad on Snapchat by using a black cartoon character as his Bitmoji, a picture that represents a character. Dennis Bailey Jr. contacted the editor of a website run by former Brietbart writer Milo Yiannopoulos to publicize what he says in his online appeal for donations are false accusations as a way of getting revenge against his son. An opening summary of the article on Yiannopoulos website states: In a scene from #metoo meets The Crucible, four female students have accused an eighth-grade boy of sexual assault after he refused to apologize for going against political correctness. In the restraining-order complaint filed in 4th Judicial District Court, a 13-year-old girl claims in the most recent incident the boy was aggressively grabbing my boobs and butt, at a park in August. The accuser also alleges the boy was aggressively petting her while they rode in a church van. The driver told him to stop, but he did not, she stated. The temporary restraining order bars the boy from getting within 100 yards of the girl. A court hearing for a permanent restraining order is scheduled for next week. Because the arrest and accusations involve minors and claims of sexual assault, The Gazette is withholding the names of those involved. School District 49 spokesman David Nancarrow said a D-49 school last month investigated reports that a male student engaged in inappropriate conduct. The El Paso County Sheriffs Office investigated and shared their conclusions with the school and the district, he said. A school administrative team developed a response to promote safety and assign appropriate consequences, Nancarrow said, adding that The student has since chosen to enroll in another school. Sheriffs Office spokeswoman Jackie Kirby said a student was arrested at Horizon Middle School on Sept. 19, but declined to provide further details because it involves a juvenile. The boys father referred questions from The Gazette to his lawyer, Mark Hanchey of Colorado Springs, who did not respond to repeated phone calls. Bailey said online that the incident started when his son changed his Snapchat Bitmoji to a black cartoon character, following a conversation his son had with friends about online anonymity. That triggered accusations of being racist, Bailey wrote, adding that his son started getting threats at school that he was going to get beat up for being racist. He refused to be bullied into changing it, Bailey wrote. In retaliation, the father said, one girl and some of her friends accused his son of sexual assault. Bailey said a school administrator intimidated his son while questioning him for several hours. No one even called us (parents) or let us know what was going on, Bailey wrote. They couldnt coerce a confession out of him, so they suspended him from school anyway, and called the cops and had him arrested. I honestly believe that its completely fabricated, but in the era of #metoo, they led him away in handcuffs. Kirby declined to say if the boy was handcuffed when he was arrested. As of Wednesday, 399 donors had pledged $18,645, far exceeding the initial goal of $5,000. The money will be used to defend his son on the criminal charges and to pay for a lawsuit Bailey said he is considering filing. Any remaining money will be split up between someone elses defense and his sons college fund, Bailey wrote. We intend to fight the charges with whatever it takes, he said. Denise Harrison hasnt ever seen anyone get shot or die from a bullet wound. But her 15-year-old daughter has. That shouldnt happen to anybody, Harrison said. As a freshman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., Brooke Harrison watched three students in her honors English class die after being shot by a gunman Feb. 14. My daughter has seen that, Harrison said, crying for the loss of innocence, pain and agony of all who were affected by the actions of 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz. The former student killed 17 people at Brooke's school on Valentines Day. Brooke will be in Colorado Springs to make her first public speaking engagement about her experiences, delivering simple but powerful messages to adults and teens. She and her mom will speak at the El Paso County Democratic Partys annual dinner, Everybody Welcome, at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Antlers hotel, 4 S. Cascade Ave. Tickets can be ordered online at epcodemparty.org. Brooke also will speak Friday to a small group of students at Palmer Ridge High School in Monument. She said she lives with the haunting memories every day, but she's discovered that talking about it helps. Now she hopes to help others by doing more public speaking. In the beginning, I went into a weak stage, not wanting to talk to anyone, being depressed and shocked at what had happened, she said in a phone interview from Parkland. It was kind of unbelievable that one of my close friends passed away, and 17 people in my school died as a whole. Telling my story has been the best therapy for me. Brookes story is difficult to hear. Feb. 14 had been a normal day at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High until last period, she said. She had brought valentines for her friends and planned to hand them out after school. Students in her freshman honors English class were working in silence on an essay-writing assignment. With 20 minutes left until school got out, gunshots erupted in the hallway, and bullets started penetrating the wall and the glass in the classroom door. Students flung themselves on the floor and looked for protection, Brooke said. I was in a place that wasnt well covered, so I tried to get behind the teachers desk, but a lot of people were trying to get there, and I was pushed back, she said. I got down on the floor with another classmate, who got shot in the arm and started coughing up blood. I was in direct view to the door. If the shooter really wanted to, he could have shot me. She said she looked across the classroom and saw another student bleed out in his seat and die. Eight of the 25 students in Brookes class were shot that day. Three died. One, Alaina Petty, was a close friend, whose death left Brooke with her biggest regret. I never really got to tell Alaina how much she meant to me. I thought we had all the time in the world. Brooke said she started advising some of the gunshot victims to apply pressure, breathe slowly and stay awake. I knew basic medical stuff because my dad and I watch action movies, and my grandma is a nurse, she said. The shooting spree lasted seven minutes, and it took 20 minutes for help to arrive, which Brooke said felt like hours. A lot of kids were crying or praying. You could hear some screaming, No, no. As it was the first classroom Cruz attacked, students didn't have time to prepare, Brooke said. Eleven people were killed on that first floor and six on the third floor. Second-story classrooms had time to follow emergency procedures, turning off the lights, locking doors and taking cover. Brooke couldn't call her mother until SWAT teams rushed students outside. She didnt even know a shooting was going on at my school, Brooke said. She gave a sworn statement about what she saw to the FBI. That introduced me to wanting to talk more, to more people, she said. Shes coming to Colorado Springs at the request of a college friend of her moms, Amy Roth Sandrolini, a local communications strategist. Brooke said she's not here to promote a political agenda. Rather, her messages lean toward motivational. One of the biggest things Ive learned is: Dont let a traumatic event in your life define what type of person you are, Brooke said, and dont let it define your future. Take your pain and turn it into purpose. Brooke said she didnt know the shooter, but those who did werent surprised to learn he did the unthinkable. Her mom said she's still outraged by the failures that law enforcement went to Cruzs house more than 40 times but never arrested him, that threats Cruz made on social media were not followed up, that no one took seriously Cruzs mental imbalance. It was one thing after another, Harrison said. If just one time hed been arrested or committed or Baker Acted (a mental health law in Florida for involuntary institutionalization), he never would have been able to buy that gun. Theres all these places to place the blame, but we all need to take responsibility. People reported him, they thought it was taken care of, and it wasnt. He fell through the cracks, and look at the consequences. Brooke is calling on people to be kind to one another. Maybe if a few people would have been nicer to Nikolas Cruz, maybe that would have changed something, she said. I think people underrate how much being nice to someone can make all the difference. Brooke said she thinks people dont understand the emotional scars carried by survivors of school shootings. What kids saw and heard that day are going to stay with us forever. School shootings have such long-term, detrimental effects. Mike Donahue, founder of Value Up, a Monument-based nonprofit and a nationwide author and speaker on respect, bullying, youth suicide and school climate, will listen to Brookes presentation at Palmer Ridge High and offer her pointers to help launch her speaking platform. School shootings are a result of kids not valuing human life, Donahue said. Obviously, this kid in Parkland stopped valuing himself he died on the inside and was looking for a place to basically say, If Im dead, youre dead, Donahue said. His organization, which includes Columbine High survivor Craig Scott as a presenter, helps students nationwide learn to value themselves and others. We could do better, Harrison said. Our lives were shattered, and we have to keep the momentum going so this doesnt happen in another community. A parade along Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs is seen in this undated photograph. A sign reads Virtue Liberty Patriotism. Baltimore, MD, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Greater Cannabis Company, Inc. (OTC: GCAN) (the Company), a biotechnology company focused on development and manufacturing of innovative delivery systems for the Cannabis market, today announced that it has filed an additional patent to further protect its proprietary Eluting Transmucosal Patch (ETP) platform. The United States Patent and Trademark Office has accepted the filing entitled, Oral Dissolving Film for Rapid and Sustained Release and Delivery of Cannabinoids, and as of September 27, 2018 has issued the Company a priority application number of US 62/737,153. The Companys ETP technology has a unique mode of action, which allows for both a rapid onset of delivery, as well as a controlled slow and sustained release of drug actives over several hours. The eluting patch technology allows the proprietary thin film to firmly attach to the oral mucosa while being non-irritating and unnoticeably thin. Upon administration in the oral cavity, the eluting patch can release different cannabinoids at different dosages and rates depending on the desired effect. We are rapidly building our intellectual property portfolio surrounding our innovative and proprietary technology. We believe we have several points of difference with our ETP platform, which are novel and will offer greater economic and desired effects for the industry, said Aitan Zacharin CEO of Greater Cannabis. We can now facilitate the controlled release of active agents quicker and with a greater bioavailability than more conventional methods of cannabinoid administration. With this patent filing we are further fortifying our competitive advantage. The global market opportunity for Cannabis is rapidly growing,and projected to reach over $30 billion according to recent studies. The need for safer and more effective routes of administration remains unmet. The Company believes its technology is well positioned to help solve this problem and intends to seek commercialization partners for the eluting patch technology in the United States and globally. The Greater Cannabis Companys technology is protected by multiple global issued patents under its license with Pharmedica, an Israeli-based biopharmaceutical company. The Company intends to submit additional patent applications, which are currently in process. More information on the Greater Cannabis Company and its technology can be found on the Companys new website, www.gcanrx.com . About The Greater Cannabis Company: The Greater Cannabis is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative Cannabinoid delivery systems. Greater Cannabis deploys its licensed, patented technology platform for use in the Cannabis industry. The Companys conveyance platform can be utilized to deliver Cannabinoids without the harmful side effects found with other routes of Cannabinoid administration. The technology is versatile in that for the first-time patients can receive lower dosing, enhanced bioavailability, and controlled rapid and delayed release using a fully dissolvable, non-irritant oral eluting patch. Greater Cannabis mission is to bring our technology to the global market through partnerships with leading Cannabis and pharmaceutical companies, for the benefit of patients and consumers. Forward Looking Statements and Disclaimer: Winter arrived early with a hint of snow in the Pikes Peak region this year. But are the snow squalls Wednesday that left a light dusting from the foothills to the Colorado Springs Airport where 1.3 inches was recorded a hint of whats to come? Not necessarily. I dont think the early snowfall is any indication, really, of the winter coming ahead, said Klint Skelly, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pueblo. But if you still insist on getting your hopes up for an epic ski season, the region is on track to enter El Nino sometime soon, which could bring extra snow to Colorado, he said. During El Nino, unusually warm ocean waters west of South America influence temperature and precipitation. If we get an El Nino of any sort, generally speaking, it means that theres more low pressure systems that are able to make it far enough south to impact southern Colorado, Skelly said. Right now, were in a watch for that. Many Coloradans are hoping an especially white winter will help pull the region out of a lengthy drought that has made the risk of fire extreme, prolonged fire seasons and reduced the mountain snowpack to historically low levels. With the El Nino in place, we have a better chance of getting our average snowpack, Skelly said. Its not guaranteed, because there have been winters in the past that we were in a pretty strong El Nino, and we still received less snow than we thought we were going to, less than average. That being said, the probability of us hitting normal or above normal is greater than not being in an El Nino year. The average date of the citys first measurable snowfall greater than or equal to 0.1 inches of snow is Oct. 26, the National Weather Service in Pueblo says. The earliest arrival was Sept. 3, 1961, when 4.2 inches fell in Colorado Springs. Wednesdays high temperature was 37 degrees, far below the Oct. 10 average of 65 degrees, weather service data show. Freezing temperatures caused some icy conditions Wednesday morning, especially in northern El Paso County, and snow affected schools in the Pikes Peak region. Cripple Creek-Victor School District RE-1 was on a two-hour delay, and Big Sandy School District 100J in eastern El Paso County was closed. But in most areas the snow quickly melted, leaving little accumulation. Several locations across El Paso County got about an inch of snow, weather service data show. A third consecutive freeze warning is in place overnight Wednesday and into Thursday morning in the Colorado Springs area, the weather service says. Thursday brings patchy fog and chances of rain and snow showers, then the weather is expected to clear up until Saturday night, when chances of rain and snow showers return. Slightly warmer weather is ahead, too. The weather service predicted highs of 46 degrees Thursday, 55 degrees Friday and 58 degrees Saturday. The Gazettes Leslie James contributed to this report. PANAMA CITY, Fla. The Latest on Tropical Storm Michael (all times Eastern): 2:25 p.m. A Florida hurricane expert says officials need to study why so many people refuse to evacuate ahead of a deadly storm such as Hurricane Michael. Craig Fugate is former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and a former emergency management chief for the state of Florida. Fugate is skeptical of reports that 285 people refused to obey mandatory evacuation orders, though he did not doubt that many people in the Panhandle felt like they could not afford to evacuate or thought the storm would not hit so hard. He said, "Why people didn't evacuate is something we should be studying ... Is there more the government can do? But we ask that every time." He also said preventing more devastation in future hurricanes depends on people abandoning arguments that stringent building codes make homes too costly or difficult to build. He called that "the realistic future Florida must face." He added, "We have to build better, more resilient homes so hurricanes aren't so devastating. It's not that we don't know how to build them." ___ 2:15 p.m. Forecasters say Tropical Storm Michael is speeding over the Carolinas on its way to the Atlantic Ocean. The National Hurricane Center says the storm is moving northeast at 23 mph (37 kph) with top sustained winds have dropped to 50 mph (85 kph). Forecasters say Michael's heavy rains are causing flash flooding across parts of North Carolina and southern Virginia. Up to 7 inches (18 centimeters) of rain could fall in some parts of the the two states. At 2 p.m. EDT, the storm was centered about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Greensboro, North Carolina. It was expected to emerge over the ocean Thursday night. ___ 1:55 p.m. Florida's governor is asking for a two week delay in a debate with the Democratic incumbent in the U.S. Senate race so he can focus on response and recovery from Hurricane Michael. Republican Gov. Rick Scott issued a statement Thursday asking CNN to postpone the debate with Sen. Bill Nelson, which was originally scheduled Oct. 16. Scott cited "catastrophic destruction caused by Hurricane Michael," and said he's certain Nelson agrees the response should be a priority. He said, "We appreciate CNN understanding the dire situation in North Florida," and added, that Scott "will have no time for campaigning in the next few weeks as he focuses exclusively on recovery efforts for the foreseeable future." ___ 1:30 p.m. Virginia's governor has declared a state of emergency in anticipation of Hurricane Michael's remnant passing through the state. Gov. Ralph Northam issued the declaration Thursday and urged Virginians to prepare for possible flash floods, strong winds, tornadoes and power outages. Northam said the declaration would also allow Virginia to help neighboring states deal with cleaning up after Michael. Michael was downgraded to a tropical storm after slamming into the Florida panhandle Wednesday. Deadly tornadoes hit Virginia last month as the remains of Hurricane Florence made its way over the state. ___ 1:30 p.m. The Florida resort city of Panama City Beach appears to have escaped the worst of Hurricane Michael. While houses along the city's beachfront had broken windows and missing shingles, the destruction was nowhere near that sustained by Mexico Beach or even Panama City, just 10 miles to the east. Panama City Beach's streets were remarkably free of sand and falling trees, the kind of debris making rescue and recovery efforts so difficult in other areas hit by the storm. Michael roared ashore Wednesday as a powerful Category 4 hurricane near Mexico Beach, rendering the town nearly unrecognizable. Panama City Beach was mostly empty Thursday because residents and tourists alike heeded the evacuation order. The city had no electricity at 1 p.m. Thursday but few power lines were down. ___ 1:10 p.m. The power is still out for most customers in Tallahassee. People love the trees in Florida's state capital, where canopy roads have large oak trees on both sides of some streets that branch out and meet each other above the traffic. The area also has above-ground utility lines and often loses power when branches fall during severe storms. Many of these trees were lost to Hurricane Michael, but the city has quickly cleared them from the busiest roadways. Grocery stores, gas stations and drug stores are open and running on generator power, traffic is busy despite police warning people to stay off the roads so utility crews can better restore power. ___ 12:50 p.m. Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida will remain closed while officials assess what they're calling "widespread catastrophic damage" from Hurricane Matthew. Base leaders say no injuries were reported, but an initial assessment found roof damage to "nearly every home" on the base, which is very near where the center of the Category 4 storm made landfall. Col. Brian Laidlaw, commander of the 325th Fighter Wing, said on Facebook that "Tyndall residents and evacuated personnel should remain at their safe location." His mandatory evacuation order applied to some 600 families living on the base. He later warned personnel to make plans for an extended time away. Laidlaw says they're "developing plans to reunite families" and "provide safe passage back to base housing." ___ 12:40 p.m. The western part of North Carolina is being lashed by bands of rain from Hurricane Michael, causing some water rescues and a landslide that closed a road. Gov. Roy Cooper urged all residents to be on alert as the storm blows through the state. He said officials were monitoring several rivers for potential flooding in the central, eastern and western parts of the state, though not the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Florence last month. In western North Carolina's Henderson County, emergency services director Jimmy Brissie said first responders have been busy since the early morning helping people in cars trapped in high water and residents who need help leaving low-lying areas. He said about 20 people were pulled out of neighborhoods inundated by flash flooding. He said he's not aware of any injuries. McDowell County emergency services director Adrienne Jones said a landslide closed a road, and a swift-water rescue crew pulled a man to safety in Buncombe County. In Asheville, two people in a hammock who found themselves surrounded by floodwater were pulled onto an inflatable boat. ___ 12:30 p.m. Thousands of National Guard troops, law enforcement officers and medical teams are working their way into damaged communities to search for survivors of Hurricane Michael. What authorities don't want are evacuees trying to come back to check on their properties. Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford says residents aren't being allowed past checkpoints until crews clean up downed power lines and trees. Florida emergency officials say the devastation is so massive that it remains unclear if people who ignored evacuation orders were killed. Authorities said that 285 people in Mexico Beach refused to leave, and many homes in that community were washed away. A National Guard team found 20 survivors there overnight and more crews were working through the wreckage on Thursday. Hospitals and nursing homes are so damaged in the Panama City area that ambulances and helicopters are being used to ferry patients elsewhere. Michael remained a hurricane for 12 hours and 200 miles as it moved over Florida and Georiga, and other teams are looking at reports of possible tornado damage well inland. ___ 12:15 p.m. Experts at the National Hurricane Center say Hurricane Michael's devastating storm surge reached as high as 14 feet (4.27 meters) in some areas of Florida's Gulf coast. The center's storm surge unit said Thursday that peak storm surge ranged from 9 feet (2.7 meters) to 14 feet (4.27 meters) from Mexico Beach east through Apalachee Bay. Officials said the highest storm surge hit near Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe, based on available observations and post-landfall models. Officials had been warning that the surge of water pushed by the storm could be as serious as the hurricane's punishing winds. The threat of the storm prompted local officials to order mandatory evacuations in several Florida coastal counties. ___ 11:55 a.m. A coroner has identified the 11-year-old girl who was killed as Hurricane Michael blew through south Georgia. Seminole County coroner Chad Smith on Thursday identified the girl as Sarah Radney. Smith said an official cause of death had not been determined but that it would likely be massive blunt force trauma. Seminole County Emergency Management Agency director Travis Brooks said strong winds picked up a portable carport Wednesday and dropped it down on the roof of the home where the girl was inside. One of the carport's legs punctured the roof and hit the girl in the head. Seminole County is in the southwest corner of Georgia. ___ 11:50 a.m. The largest hospitals in Panama City are shutting down and evacuating patients due to heavy damage from Hurricane Michael. Officials at Bay Medical Sacred Heart announced that they're transferring about 200 patients to hospitals in Pensacola and Jacksonville, and to Mobile, Alabama. Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center says it has suspended all services and is evacuating patients as well. Sacred Heart's statement says the transfers began at 3 a.m. Thursday with 39 critical care patients and would take about 48 hours to complete. Damage at Sacred Heart includes blown-out windows, a cracked exterior wall and a roof collapse in a maintenance building that stores supplies necessary for long-term care. The hospital says no patients were injured and its emergency room remains open on generator power. ___ 11:35 a.m. Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal is urging people in the Hurricane Michael disaster area to "be patient." He says emergency crews need to do their work to clear debris from roadways and restore power to hundreds of thousands of residents. Deal said about 450,000 power outages were reported in Georgia, and one death, that of an 11-year-old girl in the southwest corner of the state. Deal says the primary mission at this point is to clear roadways so that officials can assess the damage. Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black predicts long-lasting damage to the state's farms. He says pecan crops are badly affected and entire fields of cotton are completely wiped out. ___ 11:25 p.m. A federal judge is rejecting a push to extend Florida's voter registration deadline because of Hurricane Michael, saying there's "no justification" to do so. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled late Wednesday against the Florida Democratic Party, which called the Republican-led response to the storm's disruption confusing and inadequate. Florida's deadline to register to vote was Tuesday, 29 days ahead of the Nov. 6 election. Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner told local election supervisors that if their offices were closed Tuesday due to the hurricane, then they could accept paper applications for a single day once their offices reopen. ___ 11 a.m. Tropical Storm Michael is drenching the Carolinas with heavy rains as it heads toward the Atlantic Ocean. The National Hurricane Center says the storm's top sustained winds have dropped to 50 mph (85 kph). At 11 a.m. EDT, the storm was centered about 35 miles (60 kilometers) south-southeast of Charlotte, North Carolina. It was expected to emerge over the ocean Thursday night. Forecasters say Michael remains a large weather system, with tropical storm-force winds extending up to 185 miles (295 kilometers) from its center. Michael could drop up to 7 inches (18 centimeters) over parts of the Carolinas and southeastern Virginia. ___ 10:55 a.m. Most hurricanes quickly fall apart as they move over land. Not Michael. The third-most powerful hurricane on record to hit the U.S. mainland carved a path of destruction for roughly 200 miles (320 kilometers) from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico before its top sustained winds dropped to tropical-storm strength. The National Hurricane Center says Michael did not lose its hurricane status until early Thursday, when its winds finally dropped below 74 mph (119 kph) near Browndale in central Georgia. Based on its internal barometric pressure, Michael was the third most powerful hurricane to make landfall, behind the unnamed Labor Day storm of 1935 and Camille in 1969. Based on wind speed, it was the fourth-strongest, behind the Labor Day storm, Camille and Andrew in 1992. Michael had top sustained winds of 155 mph (250 kph) when it hit Mexico Beach on Wednesday. It's down to a tropical storm now as it moves over the Carolinas, but forecasters expect it to strengthen again once it moves over the Atlantic. ___ 10:50 a.m. South Carolina is getting heavy rains and gusty winds as Tropical Storm Michael speeds through. But officials aren't seeing anything like the damage inflicted by Hurricane Florence last month. Authorities say about 150,000 South Carolina customers are without power. Trees are downed and there's minor flash flooding, including standing water that closed ramps onto Interstates 85 and 385 in Greenville. Waves were hitting the top of the Charleston Battery, but the city wasn't reporting the kind of widespread flooding it gets several times a year. The National Weather Service says winds along the coast gusted to nearly 60 mph (97 kph) and parts of Chesterfield County already had 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) of rain with more to come. Parts of the county saw more than 20 inches (50 centimeters) of rain in Florence. Areas to the east that were hit even harder by Florence's flooding are reporting much less rain from Michael. ___ 10:40 a.m. Gov. Rick Scott says people from Florida's Panhandle to the Big Bend woke up to "unimaginable destruction." He says Hurricane Michael have changed lives forever, and "many families have lost everything." He says "this hurricane was an absolute monster." Florida officials also said Florida's big mental hospital in Chattahoochee is "entirely cut off" by land, so they're dropping food and supplies in from the air. The mental hospital has a section that houses the criminally insane, but they say the facility itself has not been breached. In Panama City, Bay County emergency management officials say most roads remained blocked by water or debris Thursday morning, so survivors in the should "stay put and standby." As for people outside the disaster zone, they're asking people moved by images of the destruction to make monetary donations to relief organizations, rather than sending supplies. ___ 10:10 a.m. Gov. Rick Scott says the Florida National Guard got into Mexico Beach and found 20 people who survived a direct hit from Hurricane Michael. The town where the hurricane made landfall Wednesday remained very difficult to reach by land a day later, with roads covered by fallen trees, power lines and other storm debris. Overhead video from a CNN helicopter Thursday morning reveals widespread devastation across the town of about 1,000 people. Entire blocks of homes near the beach have been washed away, leaving nothing but concrete slabs in the sand. Rows and rows of other homes are smashed to pieces or crunched to the ground and leaning at odd angles. The town was under a mandatory evacuation order as the rapidly developing storm targeted the coast, but some people were determined to ride out the hurricane. ___ 10 a.m. Utilities in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama reported that more than 932,000 customers were without power in the wake of Hurricane Michael. Nearly half of those affected were in Florida, which bore the brunt of Michael - the most powerful storm on record to hit the state's Panhandle. It left widespread destruction as it crossed into Georgia toward the Carolinas, a region still reeling from epic flooding in Hurricane Florence. The Category 4 storm made landfall Wednesday afternoon amid beach resorts and coastal communities, packing 155 mph (250 kph) winds. Michael thrashed Georgia as a hurricane and eventually weakened to a tropical storm early Thursday. Despite the downgrade, the storm was still pounding the Southeast with heavy rains, winds, and a threat of spinoff tornadoes. ___ 9:50 a.m. The Army Corps of Engineers is sending in generators to help get power to storm-ravaged areas, and teams to start clearing debris and begin building temporary roofs. Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Brock Long said officials were just starting to go in and survey the damage but expect power to be out for weeks in some areas. Hurricane Michael made landfall in Mexico Beach, just down the coast of Panama City, and left a wide path of destruction in its wake. Long says "Mexico Beach took the brunt, that's probably ground zero." Red Cross officials say 7,800 people were in 100 shelters across three states. They said it's still not clear how many people stayed put and would need to be rescued. ___ 9:40 a.m. Emergency officials in South Carolina are reporting no injuries or deaths so far as Tropical Storm Michael moves across the state. Emergency Management Division spokesman Derrec Becker said thousands of people lost power though, and 10 shelters are open for people seeking safety from the storm. Becker said about 55 people were in the shelters early Thursday. The Talmadge Bridge on U.S. 17 over the Savannah River between Savannah, Georgia and South Carolina remains closed because of the threat of high winds on the suspension bridge. Some other highways are still closed because of flooding and damage from Hurricane Florence last month. ___ 9:30 a.m. Waves of search and rescue teams are fanning out across the Florida Panhandle looking for people who rode out Hurricane Michael. The U.S. Coast Guard in Mobile, Alabama, says its crews have rescued 27 people, mostly from damaged homes. Petty Officer Third Class Ronald Hodges told The Associated Press that a Jayhawk rescue helicopter crew pulled nine people from a bathroom of their Panama City home after their roof collapsed Wednesday afternoon. Crews were out early Thursday searching for more victims. He says the number of rescues remains fluid and there were no reports of deaths so far from the Coast Guard's missions. Florida emergency officials say they're starting to transfer patients out of damaged health care facilities. They're also trying to figure out the extent of damage to roads and bridges. A huge swath of Interstate 10, the main east-west route near the coast, is blocked off due to damage. ___ 9:15 a.m. Authorities are correcting early reports about the death of an 11-year-old girl as Hurricane Michael blew over southwest Georgia. Seminole County Emergency Management Agency director Travis Brooks said it wasn't a tree but a carport that hit her home and killed her. He said strong winds picked up a portable carport Wednesday and dropped it down on the roof. One of the carport's legs punctured the roof and hit the 11-year-old girl in the head. Brooks said he wasn't able to get out much overnight to fully assess the damage in the county, because downed power lines and trees made roads impassable in the darkness. But he said the sheriff told him it looked like a bomb had gone off. ___ 9 a.m. Michael is now centered over South Carolina and is still a tropical storm after a long land journey over the southeastern United States. A day after slamming into Florida's Gulf Coast as a strong Category 4 hurricane, Michael still had top sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kmh) and higher gusts, with tropical storm-force winds reaching 160 miles (260 km) from its center. As of 9 a.m. Thursday, the storm was about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west-northwest of Columbia, South Carolina, moving northeast at 21 mph (33 kph). It's expected to keep blowing across central and eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia before crossing into the Atlantic Ocean by late Thursday or early Friday. And at that point, forecasters expect Michael to strengthen again over open water. ___ 7:30 a.m. Fires still burned in the early morning darkness the day after Hurricane Michael made landfall in Mexico Beach, a Florida Gulf Coast beach town that doesn't usually get much attention. Michael pushed a 10-foot (3-meter) storm surge and 155 mph (249 kph) winds, just shy of a Category 5 hurricane, and Mexico Beach got the worst of it. A reporter and photojournalist from the Tampa Bay Times ventured there in the dark early Thursday, finding the town of about 1,000 almost impassable. They reported seeing many destroyed homes, some with staircases leading to doors suspended 10 feet (3 meters) in the air with nothing on the other side, entire structures washed away. Refrigerators and toilets and piles of soggy furniture are strewn across properties. And amid the wreckage, the crew spotted survivors people who rode out the storm. One couple was looking for their mother's portable oxygen machine. Another man was shining a flashlight from his balcony as alarms sounded and fires burned. ___ 6:45 a.m. The Florida Highway Patrol has closed an 80-mile stretch of Interstate 10 to clear debris from Hurricane Michael. In an email sent early Thursday, spokesman Eddie Elmore said the road was closed "due to extremely hazardous conditions." The agency is working with the Florida Department of Transportation to clear the interstate which is the major east-west route across northern Florida and the Panhandle. Elmore said the road is closed west of Tallahassee, between mile marker 85 near DeFuniak Springs and mile marker 166 near Lake Seminole. The email didn't say how long the work was expected to take. ___ 5:00 a.m. Tropical Storm Michael continues to weaken as it over eastern Georgia as it makes its way toward the Carolinas. Early Thursday, the eye of Michael was about 90 miles (144 kilometers) northeast of Macon, Georgia and 45 miles (72 kilometers) west of Augusta. The storm's maximum sustained winds have decreased to 50 mph (80 kph) and it was moving to the northeast at 21 mph (33 kph). The National Hurricane Center says the core of Michael will move across eastern Georgia into Central South Carolina on Thursday morning. It will then move across portions of central and eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia into the Atlantic Ocean by late Thursday or early Friday. ___ 12:00 a.m. Hurricane Michael's battering waves swamped streets and docks and shrieking winds splintered trees and rooftops. The most powerful hurricane on record to hit Florida's Panhandle left widespread destruction and wasn't finished Thursday as it crossed Georgia toward the Carolinas, a region still reeling from epic flooding in Hurricane Florence. Authorities say at least one person died, a man hit by a falling tree on a Panhandle home. The supercharged storm crashed ashore Wednesday afternoon amid beach resorts and coastal communities, a Category 4 monster packing 155 mph (250 kph) winds. Downgraded to a tropical storm over south Georgia, it was weakening by the hour. But it's still menacing the Southeast with heavy rains, winds and a threat of spinoff tornadoes. The bragging rights to open Colorados 2018-19 season are poised to shift southwest. While perennial openers Arapahoe Basin and Loveland ski areas had yet to announce by Wednesday when their lifts would run, humble Wolf Creek Ski Area was proud to report a kickoff party set for 9 a.m. Saturday. The mountain near Pagosa Springs will continue to host skiers and riders only on Saturdays and Sundays until otherwise announced. Davey Pitcher of the family-owned Wolf Creek expected three lifts to run this weekend, accessing beginner and intermediate terrain stocked with the powder that graces the states snowiest ski area. While the industry relies on robust snowmaking operations, including at A-Basin and Loveland, Wolf Creek counts on Mother Nature. Pitcher said he still anticipated possibly sharing the opening weekend, but it could be a peoples choice. Well have all-natural snow, and theyll have man-made, he said. Pitcher said Wolf Creek was nearing the 30-inch snow total that accompanied opening day in 2011, the last time it beat out A-Basin and Loveland to be the first Colorado ski area to open. With a base of 14 inches and building, Pitcher said visitors should expect typical early-season conditions. He was just finishing a run on intermediate slopes reached by the Treasure lift when he said, Its gonna ski pretty good. The sun could come out and change it, he added. But people can have a good time, be with friends, have a burger and beer and kick off the year. Pitchers decision came as a storm rolled through Wednesday, forcing a chain law on Wolf Creek Pass. He was especially happy considering last seasons late Thanksgiving start at the ski area. And surely, in the wake of the 416 fire, a whole region is happy. The white-capped San Juan Mountains were a welcome sight this week after a summer of record drought conditions. The forecast late Wednesday called for a chance of snow showers Thursday over Wolf Creek, with clouds parting for a potential bluebird Saturday. Tickets to ride the beginner Nova lift will cost $29. Users of the rest of the mountain, taking either the Treasure or Bonanza lifts, will be charged the local rate of $50. The rental shop will be open. A news release Wednesday from A-Basin said snowmaking continued for 15 hours, and the plan was to keep firing guns through the night and morning with snowfall still expected. A spokeswoman said an opening had not been set, but the budget called for Oct. 19. Messages to Lovelands spokesman were not returned. 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. TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alacer Gold Corp. (Alacer or the Corporation) [TSX: ASR and ASX: AQG] plans to release its third quarter 2018 operating results, financial statements and the related managements discussion and analysis before the TSX market opens on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 (North America). The Company will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the results at 5:00 p.m. on October 30, 2018 (North America Eastern Daylight Time) / 8:00 a.m. on October 31, 2018 (Australian Eastern Daylight Time). You may listen to the call via webcast at http://services.choruscall.ca/links/alacer20181030.html . The conference call presentation will also be available at the link provided prior to the call commencing. You may participate in the conference call by dialing: 1-800-319-4610 for U.S. and Canada 1-800-423-528 for Australia 800-930-470 for Hong Kong 800-101-2425 for Singapore 0808-101-2791 for United Kingdom 1-604-638-5340 for International Alacer Gold Call Conference ID If you are unable to participate in the call, a webcast will be archived until January 30, 2019 and a recording of the call will be available on Alacers website at www.AlacerGold.com or through replay until Tuesday, December 11, 2018 by using passcode 2661# and calling: 1-855-669-9658 for U.S. and Canada 800-984-354 for Australia The corresponding financial statements, managements discussion and analysis, press release, and presentation will be posted on Alacers website, www.SEDAR.com, and on www.asx.com.au. About Alacer Alacer is a leading low-cost gold producer, with an 80% interest in the world-class Copler Gold Mine (Copler) in Turkey operated by Anagold Madencilik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. (Anagold), and the remaining 20% owned by Lidya Madencilik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. (Lidya Mining). The Corporations primary focus is to leverage its cornerstone Copler Gold Mine and strong balance sheet to maximize portfolio value and free cash flow, minimize project risk, and therefore, create maximum value for shareholders. The Copler Gold Mine is located in east-central Turkey in the Erzincan Province, approximately 1,100 kilometers southeast from Istanbul and 550 kilometers east from Ankara, Turkeys capital city. The Corporation continues to pursue opportunities to further expand its current operating base to become a sustainable multi-mine producer with a focus on Turkey: Copler Sulfide Expansion Project (the Sulfide Project) The sulfide plant construction is complete and a staged start-up is underway. The Sulfide Project is expected to deliver long-term growth with robust financial returns and adds 20 years of production at Copler. The Sulfide Project will bring Coplers remaining life-of-mine (LoM) gold production to approximately 4 million ounces at All-in Sustaining Costs averaging $645 per ounce1, 2. Copler Oxide Plant Production Over the course of 2018, Alacer will process oxide ore from three primary sources: Copler in-pit, Cakmaktepe and blended material comprising limestone rich in-pit oxide material and stockpiled low sulfide, high carbonate ore. To maximize the processing capacity of the oxide plant, the expansion of the existing heap leach pad is being accelerated and is expected to be complete in 2018. In addition, the Corporation continues to evaluate opportunities to further extend oxide production beyond the current reserves with ongoing in-pit exploration, Copler District exploration, and evaluation of options to further increase heap leach capacity. District & In-Country Exploration Activities The systematic and focused exploration efforts in the Copler District, as well as in other regions of Turkey, are progressing. The Copler District remains the focus, with the goal of continuing to grow oxide resources that will deliver production utilizing the existing Copler infrastructure. In the other regions of Turkey, targeted exploration work continues, including work on the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for the Gediktepe Project3. Alacer is a Canadian corporation incorporated in the Yukon Territory with its primary listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The Corporation also has a secondary listing on the Australian Securities Exchange where CHESS Depositary Interests (CDIs) trade. For further information on Alacer Gold Corp., please contact: Lisa Maestas Director, Investor Relations at +1-303-292-1299 ____________________________ 1 All-in Sustaining Costs per ounce is a consolidated non-IFRS performance measure with no standardized definition under IFRS. For further information and a detailed reconciliation to IFRS, please see the Non-IFRS Measures section of this MD&A. 2 Detailed information regarding the Sulfide Project, including the material assumptions on which the forward-looking financial information is based, can be found in the technical report dated June 9, 2016 entitled Copler Mine Technical Report (the Copler Mine Technical Report) available on www.sedar.com and on www.asx.com.au. Alacer confirms that all material assumptions continue to apply and have not materially changed. 3 Additional information on the Gediktepe Project can be found in the press release entitled Alacer Gold Announces a New Reserve for its Gediktepe Project Providing Future Growth, (the Gediktepe PFS) dated September 13, 2016, available on www.sedar.com and on www.asx.com.au. *** Dr Fagin is a Senior Fellow at the Independence Institute in Denver, and a longtime promoter of skepticism and critical thinking. He is a contributing writer for the Skeptical Inquirer, a member of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, and has represented the skeptical perspective at panels and public debates in Colorado Springs for more than two decades. His views are his alone. Readers can contact Dr. Fagin at barry@faginfamily.net. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Golden Arrow Resources Corporation (TSX-V: GRG, FSE: G6A, OTCQB: GARWF), Golden Arrow or the Company, is pleased to announce that it has signed Definitive Agreements to acquire the 3,450 hectare Atlantida Copper-Gold Project (Atlantida or the Project) in Chiles 3rd Region. Atlantida is an advanced project which combines mineral rights from two separate owners and includes an extensively drilled copper-gold deposit with an historic resource estimate. By consolidating the land package, Golden Arrow believes there is potential to identify new mineralization and define a significant copper-gold resource. Previous exploration at Atlantida resulted in an historic resource estimate of 427 million tonnes averaging 0.43% copper equivalent (see Table 1; A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify this estimate a current mineral resource, and Golden Arrow is not treating this as a current mineral resource estimate). The resource includes a deep porphyry copper-gold target and a near-surface skarn with higher gold grades which together cover an area of approximately 225 hectares. Situated within the consolidated Atlantida property, this skarn zone is located on the western edge of the claim hosting the historic resource, and extends onto an adjacent claim (now under option by Golden Arrow) that has historic workings but has had limited modern exploration. Golden Arrows due diligence surface rock samples in this area returned up to 3.7 g/t gold and 1.98% copper, providing an excellent target for new mineral resources. In addition, based on the preliminary due diligence review, Golden Arrow believes the Project is prospective for discovery of similar targets elsewhere within the consolidated Atlantida properties. Expansion into this area of Chile that is host to multiple world-class copper and gold deposits broadens our opportunities to acquire advanced projects like Atlantida, in order to potentially quickly build resources and value for our shareholders, commented Joseph Grosso, Executive Chairman, CEO & President. Golden Arrow has built an excellent portfolio of precious and base metal assets in Argentina which we continue to explore. Golden Arrow has completed legal and technical due diligence on the Project. The Company is planning an aggressive program to delineate and drill test targets throughout the Project area. The Atlantida Project will be managed under New Golden Explorations Inc., a 100% owned subsidiary of Golden Arrow. About the Atlantida Gold-Copper Project The Atlantida Project includes two separate land packages that Golden Arrow has consolidated into a single project through the signing of two Definitive Agreements. The first agreement includes a 48 month earn-in with minimal costs in the first year and total payments of US$4 million. There is a 2% Net Smelter Royalty (NSR) payable with half available for repurchase under certain terms. The second agreement includes a 24 month earn-in period for a total of US$2 million and a 1% NSR that can be repurchased in full under certain terms. The total land area of the consolidated Project is approximately 3,450 hectares. The Project is road-accessible and is located 60 kilometres northeast of Copiapo at an altitude of 1700 metres above sea level. There is an abundance of both outcrop and old workings. The Atlantida Project is situated within a metallogenic belt limited by the Atacama Fault System to the west and the Domeyko Fault System to the east. Within the project area, a copper-gold deposit covering a 1.5 kilometre by 1.5 kilometre (225 hectares) area has been identified. Mineralization is hosted by porphyries intruded into limestone host rocks, as well as in the skarn at the porphyry-limestone contact. These intrusives are very close in age to others in the region that host major copper porphyry deposits, such as Relincho, Lomas Bayas, Sierra Gorda and Spence, and epithermal gold vein deposits such as Guanaco and El Penon. Previous operators include Inmet Mining Corporation and First Quantum Minerals Ltd. and over 29,000 metres of drilling, as well as surface sampling and geophysical work has been carried out in the deposit area. According to the preliminary information received by Golden Arrow, Inmet Mining completed a mineral resource estimate for the Atlantida deposit in 2012, as shown in Table 1. Table 1. Historic Resource Estimate (Inmet, 2012). Zone Tonnage (Mt) Copper (% Cu) Gold (g/t Au) Molybdenum (ppm Mo) Copper Equivalent (% CuEq) Porphyry Cu-Au-Mo 257.5 0.25 0.21 42 0.42 Porphyry Au 130.5 0.06 0.53 3 0.38 Skarn 39.1 0.30 0.62 8 0.72 Total 427.1 0.20 0.34 27 0.43 As it was completed by a major company, it is believed likely that the methodology used was reliable, however, the key assumptions and parameters used in the estimate are unknown to the Company at this time. Following a review of the information acquired, Golden Arrow will determine if it will immediately pursue the completion of a current mineral resource estimate by an independent Qualified Person, using CIM best practices and following the guidelines of NI 43-101, or first proceed with additional exploration. Immediately to the west of the resource area previously explored by Inmet Mining-First Quantum, the consolidated Atlantida project includes old workings in mineralized skarn and porphyry. Golden Arrow collected 31 due diligence rock samples in this area. These returned a maximum of 3.7 g/t gold and 1.98% copper, with the average result of 0.51g/t gold and 0.49% copper. Methodology & QA/QC Due diligence rock samples were shipped for preparation and analysis at Activation Laboratorios Ltda, (Actlabs) an internationally recognized assay service provider, in Coquimbo, Chile. Actlabs has ISO 9001:2015 certification and ISO 17025 accreditation. Samples were assayed for gold by Fire Assay/Atomic Absorption finish plus multi-element package by ICP-OES following a four acid digestion (Code 1F2). Plus 1% Cu samples were re-assayed by four acids and reading by Atomic Absorption by 7AAS-01 Cu % 4ACID-AAS 1g/100ml Metales Base. The Company follows industry standard procedures for the work with a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program. Duplicate and standard samples were inserted in each batch of samples sent to the laboratory for analysis. Golden Arrow detected no significant QA/QC issues during review of the data. Qualified Persons The results of the Company's exploration program have been reviewed, verified (including sampling, analytical and test data) and compiled by the Company's geological staff under the supervision of Brian McEwen, P.Geol., VP Exploration and Development to the Company. Mr. McEwen is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the contents of the news release. About Golden Arrow: Golden Arrow Resources Corporation is an exploration company earning production income. The Company has a successful track record of creating value by making precious and base metal discoveries and advancing them into exceptional deposits. Golden Arrow owns a 25% share of Puna Operations Inc., a joint venture operated by SSR Mining, with more than 8 years of forecast production and upside potential at the Pirquitas-Chinchillas silver mining project. Golden Arrow is actively exploring on its more than 200,000 hectares of properties in Argentina. 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 Joseph Grosso _______________________________ Mr. Joseph Grosso, Executive Chairman, President and CEO For further information, please contact: Corporate Communications Tel: 1-604-687-1828 Toll-Free: 1-800-901-0058 Email: info@goldenarrowresources.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. This news release may contain forward-looking statements. 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. English German Sika is expanding its presence in Kazakhstan and strengthening its position in two of the country's growth regions. To reinforce existing production operations in Almaty in the southeast of the country, Sika is simultaneously commissioning two further concrete admixture production plants, one in the capital Astana and the other in Atyrau in the west. The capital of the country, Astana, and Kazakhstan's western region are attractive markets: In the past three years alone, there have been inflows of approximately USD 17 billion into Astana's dynamic construction market. Major projects such as the new Light Rail Transport System of Astana (LRT) and the Abu Dhabi Plaza structure, which will be the highest building in central Asia, are fueling substantial demand for concrete. This applies to the oil and gas industry in the region around Atyrau too. One example is the Prorva access channel, which will connect one of the biggest oil fields in the region - the Tengiz oil field - with the Caspian Sea. Ivo Schadler, EMEA Regional Manager: "With Astana and Atyrau, we are tapping into two promising regional markets. This will accelerate our growth in Kazakhstan significantly. At the same time, the new production plants will reinforce our competitive position to a substantial degree, since we will be able to produce locally, in proximity to our customers and with an optimized supply chain." DIVERSIFICATION OF THE ECONOMY DRIVING CONSTRUCTION DEMAND Kazakhstan's economy is witnessing a clear uptrend, which is being driven by the rising oil price, increasing Chinese investment, and the state capital expenditure program aimed at greater diversification for the country and reduced dependency on oil. According to estimates, the construction industry is expected to grow by 5.9% in 2018, with annual growth averaging 4.9% until 2022. CONTACT Dominik Slappnig Corporate Communications & Investor Relations +41 58 436 68 21 slappnig.dominik@ch.sika.com SIKA CORPORATE PROFILE Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protecting in the building sector and motor vehicle industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 101 countries around the world and manufactures in over 200 factories. Its more than 18,000 employees generated annual sales of CHF 6.25 billion in 2017. The media release can be downloaded from the following link: Fully permitted mining operation strategically located in European setting Elevated cobalt of up to 0.54% identified in initial EVX sampling program Historic resource with size and grade potential VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- European Electric Metals Inc. (TSXV-EVX) (EVX or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Gerold Sh.pk. (Gerold), an arms length party, which holds the Skroska Iron-Nickel mine (Skroska) in Albania. Gerold previously ran a 200 tons per day mine at Skroska, a fully permitted mining operation covered by a 20-year mining license, which was issued in 2008. Gerold conducted mining operations on Skroska from 20082013 using an open stope method. The operation previously focused on nickel production and the mine was put on care and maintenance in 2013 due to low nickel prices. EVXs geological team believed there was potential for high-grade cobalt in this geological setting and during sampling realized this potential. All underground infrastructure and mining equipment necessary to conduct mining operations is in place, owned and onsite. The mine is 16 kilometers on a paved road to a rail loading station that connects the mine to a shipping port. In addition to the commencement of mining operations, the Company will also target to confirm and expand the historic resource through drilling and undertake a study to evaluate an expansion of the historic mining rate. EVX geologists investigated the possibility of higher-grade cobalt zones at Skroska, believing there may be similarities between mineralogy of Skroska laterite deposit and the Geovics Cameroon laterite deposit. During sampling at the Skroska the EVX geological team took 18 laterite samples collected from 10 different underground locations. The assays ranged from 0.05% to 0.54% Co and from 0.36% to 1.92% Ni. Ten of these samples assayed 0.15% Co and above and are shown in the table below. The presence of this cobalt-rich laterite had not been previously recognized at Skroska. Sample Sample Width % Co % Ni % Fe 2 O 3 % MnO Number Meters 1A 0.80 0.20 1.46 67.00 0.289 1B 0.75 0.16 1.36 62.96 0.394 4A 1.05 0.16 1.33 71.60 0.625 6A 1.05 0.15 1.46 71.01 0.44 7A 0.85 0.18 1.39 64.79 0.56 7T 0.50 0.35 1.45 55.22 0.71 8C 0.70 0.22 1.12 76.09 0.95 8B 0.75 0.20 1.31 76.28 0.86 9A 0.70 0.24 1.46 65.89 0.64 9T 0.40 0.54 1.92 51.00 0.51 The samples were taken vertically from the pillars/columns of the mine and have widths varying from 0.40 meter to 1.10 meters. Where two samples have the same preceding number (i.e. 7A and 7B) it means they were taken from the same location and are contiguous. The majority of the samples were collected at Level-815 of the underground mine, with three samples taken at Level-850. The sampling program covered a lateral distance of approximately 420 meters. The location of the samples and their corresponding assays are shown in the Companys website (www.europeanelectricmetals.com). The samples were sent to ALS Lab in Serbia for preparation and sent to their laboratory in Ireland for analysis. The analytical suite selected was ME-XRF12n. This analytical suite is suitable in the analysis of ore grade nickel laterite samples. Mr. Fred Tejada, EVX CEO and Director states, We are excited our geological team recognized the potential for the cobalt-rich horizons at Skroska and very pleased that this potential has been confirmed in the sampling program, via high grade cobalt results. This transaction represents a major step towards our goal of becoming an ethical source of high-grade cobalt production, within a European setting. The Skroska Mine The Skroska deposit had a historic resource of 22.4 million tons grading 0.99% Ni, 50% Fe and 0.065% Co. The reserve is historic in nature (see note below). The laterite deposit ranges from 2 meters to 10 meters in thickness and averages 6 meters thick. It occurs between the ultramafic rocks (serpentinized) below and limestone on top or as a capping. The limestone is a competent rock which makes it a natural roof for the open stope underground mining method employed in the mine. Approximately 100,000 tons were mined by Gerold at an operating rate of 200 tons per day and 55,000 tons were shipped to China, while about 15,000 tons in Macedonia (information provided by Gerold Sh.pk. personnel). The rest of the mined materials are stockpiled in the mine site (the stockpile is not included in the Agreement). Prior to Gerold, mining was conducted by a state-run enterprise from 1985 to 1990 extracting 1.054 million laterite ore and delivering to the Elbasan Ferro-Nickel smelter some 58 kms to the west of the mine (based on available government information). Based on the sampling done by EVX in July 2018, the mine openings (haulage, development and production areas) were observed to be accessible and free of major blockages. Electrical power supply to the underground areas was available while major mine equipment both inside the underground works and on the surface were observed to be in good condition and are reported to be operational. The Companys geologists persisted in looking at the possibility of higher grade in some of the deposits similar to grades in the Geovic Cameroon deposit. Having had indications of elevated Co in prospecting done, the Companys geologists conducted a 2-day sampling program in Skroska in July. EVX geologists sampled the appropriate horizons and came back with very high cobalt grades. Cobalt has not been a significant contributor in the past as all the laterite production in Albania was processed for nickel and iron. Historically, prior to Albania building its own smelter in 1976 in Elbasan, the laterite ore was shipped to China and Czechoslovakia. The Company has 4 months to conduct due diligence study which will include among others a study to determine if mining operations can be re-started within 6 to 12 months. Historical resource estimates are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Terms of the Agreement Under the terms of the agreement, the Company will acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares (Quotas") of Gerold for total consideration of 5.41 million over three years, comprising payments totaling 5.2 million and share issuances valued at 210,000. The Company will purchase 100% of the Quotas of Gerold for 3.03 million and will purchase a loan of 2.38 million (the Loan) due from Gerold by paying 2.17 million and by issuing 210,000 in shares of the Company. The Company will acquire equity interests in Gerold proportionate to the amount paid and can elect to accelerate the payments to accelerate the equity interest accumulation. The Company is required to make payments and issue shares as follows: Pay 200,000 in 4 months from Closing. Pay 480,000 to the vendors and purchase 486,948 of the Loan on the 12th month from Closing. Pay 1,085,000 to the vendors and purchase 931,526 of the Loan on the 24th month from Closing. Pay 1,265,000 to the vendors and purchase the balance of the Loan by paying 751,526 and by issuing 210,000 in shares on the 36th month from Closing. Notwithstanding the above, EVX may defer the Equity and Loan payments due on the 24th month to the 36th month and make the payments for both the 24th month and the 36th months together. Gerold will retain a 1.5% NSR which the Company can buy at any time for 1.50 million. A copy of the agreement has been filed on SEDAR which can be reviewed for details. EVX has 4 months to conduct due diligence from date of signing of the Agreement. Note: The tonnage and grade estimates stated above are historic in nature and were obtained from the records at the Albanian Geological Survey. The estimate done, using Russian Style Polygon method, are roughly equivalent to the National Instrument 43-101 inferred category. No qualified person has done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources. EVX considers the historical estimates relevant in guiding exploration efforts and planning although EVX is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources. EVX will need to undertake a comprehensive review of available data, including further drilling, to verify the historic estimates and classify them as current resources. Jose Mario Castelo Branco, EuroGeol, a Qualified Person under the meaning of Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and Chief Geologist of the Company is responsible for the technical content of this news release. About European Electric Metals Inc. European Electric Metals Inc. is a Canadian listed public company, with a focus on electrification themed projects in Europe. A major shareholder of EVX is the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The goal of EVX is to become a major source of battery metals such as copper, nickel and cobalt, and the Company seeks to do so within safe, stable and logistically attractive European jurisdictions. The Company's projects are ideally located with excellent road, port and grid power availability, and near European countries that are poised to experience dramatic growth in the electric-vehicle-manufacturing industry. There is a strong battery-manufacturing industry within Europe with many more projects in the pipeline. On behalf of the Company, Fred Tejada, Chief Executive Officer and Director Forward-Looking Statements. This news release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to the Company and Skroska are based on the beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Company management. Such statements reflect the current risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including but not limited to, without limitations, exploration and development risks, expenditure and financing requirements, general economic conditions, changes in financial markets, the ability to properly and efficiently staff the Companys operations, the sufficiency of working capital and funding for continued operations, title matters, community relations, operating hazards, political and economic factors, competitive factors, metal prices, relationships with vendors, governmental regulations and oversight, permitting, seasonality and weather, technological change, industry practices, and one-time events. Should any one or more risks or uncertainties materialize or change, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and forward-looking statements may vary materially from those described herein. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, except as required by law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 488-1090 West Georgia St. Vancouver BC, Canada V6E3V7 Tel: 604-687-7130 www.europeanelectricmetals.com info@europeanelectricmetals.com OAKVILLE, Ontario, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MADD Canada is proud to announce that The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, is the recipient of a 2018 Citizen of Distinction award for her outstanding efforts to strengthen Canadas impaired driving laws. The Citizen of Distinction Award is presented annually to individuals, groups or organizations that have made a major provincial/territorial or national contribution to the anti-impaired driving movement in Canada, leaving a lasting legacy in the areas of research, prevention and education, legal issues or victim issues. With incredible leadership and innovation, Minister Wilson-Raybould has ushered in new legislation and policies which will effectively and significantly enhance Canadas impaired driving laws, said MADD Canada National President Patricia Hynes-Coates. Impaired driving continues to be a leading criminal cause of death in Canada, claiming hundreds of lives and causing thousands of injuries each year. To address that, and to prepare for the upcoming legalization of cannabis, Minister Wilson-Raybould and her colleagues introduced Bill C-46, which implements new driving limits and testing measures for cannabis and other drugs, mandatory alcohol screening, and several other evidentiary and procedural changes to enhance the enforcement and prosecution of impaired driving. Mandatory alcohol screening, in particular, will have a tremendous impact. MADD Canada estimates the measure will reduce impaired driving by approximately 20%, saving some 200 lives and preventing more than 12,000 injuries each year. We are very honoured to announce this Citizen of Distinction award in recognition of Minister Wilson-Rayboulds ongoing efforts and commitment to reduce impaired driving, prevent crashes and save lives, Ms. Hynes-Coates said. On behalf of our MADD Canada volunteers and members across the country, I thank the Minister for her dedication and passion to this cause. I am deeply honoured to receive this award from MADD Canada, said Minister Wilson-Raybould. It is a reflection not just of our Governments work, but that of countless colleagues, officials and ordinary Canadians who want to do everything possible to keep our roads safe. I am incredibly proud that, because of Bill C-46, Canada now has one of the toughest impaired driving regimes in the world. Thank you to MADD Canada for this award, and for your decades of critical advocacy in fighting the scourge of impaired driving. MADD Canada hopes to present the award to Minister Wilson-Raybould in person this November. About MADD Canada MADD Canada is a national, charitable organization that is committed to stopping impaired driving and supporting the victims of this violent crime. With volunteer-driven groups in more than 100 communities across Canada, MADD Canada aims to offer support services to victims, heighten awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and save lives and prevent injuries on our roads. English Finnish St1 NORDIC COMPANY RELEASE, 11 OCTOBER 2018 AT 4:15PM EET St1 has signed an agreement with the Universite Mohammed VI Polytechnique in Morocco and its affiliated fertiliser company, OCP, for the implementation of an afforestation pilot. Over a period of three years, the project will examine the carbon sequestration by trees under various controlled conditions in Morocco. The goal of the pilot is to find the optimal solution for the use of land improvement and irrigation systems in cost-effective forest growth and carbon sequestrating. The Natural Resource Institute Finland LUKE will serve as the forest expert in the project. The pilot is also the first step towards creating a validated and approved tool for combating climate change through carbon sinks created via afforestation. A total of 16,000 seedlings acquired from Morocco will be planted in a four-hectare research area in Rhamna Ben Guerir. Planting will begin in January and the project will involve testing seven tree species, including carob, eucalyptus and acacia. Various types of soil improvement, such as water retention improvements and fertilisation, will be performed to provide a viable substrate in the currently dry soil. In addition, the project will involve studying the role of irrigation and the optimisation of water consumption by using a sub-surface drip irrigation system. The first results of the three-year pilot will be obtained in a year's time. The university will implement a practical field test to study and measure the trees growth both above and below ground. As a partner, LUKE, the Natural Resource Institute Finland, will contribute technical and practical forest know-how and expertise to the project, by directing and monitoring the field test. In addition, the project will involve a local farmer, on whose land different growing methods will be tested. An internationally accepted method of carbon measurement is an absolute prerequisite, if carbon sinks created through afforestation are to become an official and commercial method of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. During the summer, the University of Helsinki began a measurement conceptualisation project with the aim of creating an internationally accepted comprehensive measurement method for carbon-sequestrating projects, which would enable the carbon trading of the future. The carbon sequestration from the atmosphere is essential Climate change is leading to rapid and dramatic changes in our planet's ecosystem. Numerous forecasts indicate that the objective of the Paris Climate Agreement to limit global warming to less than 2C will not be achieved by the current methods. Emissions will be further increased by the rapid growth of populations, economies and energy demand in emerging countries. In addition, some 100 billion tonnes of excessive carbon are already in the atmosphere. A recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirms the impossibility of achieving the objective by current means, and highlights that the range of methods require carbon sinks, such as new forests. Viable land areas could be increased through the large-scale afforestation of arid regions. Afforestation projects combined with agriculture would help the populations of regions affected by drought and desertification, thereby reducing migratory pressures. Only the private sector has sufficient financial resources for large-scale global afforestation. However, the EUs current climate policy does not allow companies to invest in growing carbon sinks, since the climate benefit achieved through such means cannot be counted with regard to the emissions trading and the non-emissions trading sector, although their importance is recognised in principle. Measurable, auditable and transparent carbon sequestering through afforestation should be added to the means of combating climate change as soon as possible. Link to press release by Helsinki University here Watch a video about carbon farming here For more information, please contact: Heidi Laurila, Project Manager +358 400 653 139, heidi.laurila@st1.fi St1 Nordic Oy is a Nordic energy group whose vision is to be the leading producer and seller of CO2-aware energy. The Group researches and develops economically viable, environmentally sustainable energy solutions. St1 focuses on fuels marketing activities, oil refining and renewable energy solutions such as waste-based advanced ethanol fuels and industrial wind power. The Group has 1400 St1 and Shell branded retail stations in Finland, Sweden and Norway. Headquartered in Helsinki, St1 employs currently more than 750 people. www.st1.eu Attachments French English See infographic and PDF version attached. Rueil Malmaison, 11 October 2018 VINCI Airports - Q3 2018 traffic* Continued traffic growth across the VINCI Airports network: +6.1% excluding Japan, affected by exceptional climate events Airports Worldwide: robust performance by recently acquired airports portfolio (+8.4%) Europe: new summer season traffic records set by French (+8.5%) and Portuguese (+4.2%) airports Cambodia: two-figure growth maintained (+16.4%) Thanks to its ambitious international development policy, the VINCI Airports network handled more than 180 million passengers for the first time in a 12-month year-on-year period. In the third quarter of 2018, traffic across the 44 platforms managed by VINCI Airports reported a +2.8%* increase relative to the third quarter of 2017, with a record 51.3 million passengers handled by the company's network. Excluding Japan's performance, which was adversely affected by a succession of exceptional climate events, the growth rate was +6.1%. In the United States, at the five American airports now operated by VINCI Airports under concession or full management contracts**, traffic increased +8.8% overall compared with the third quarter of 2017, totalling 2.4 million passengers. Passenger traffic at Orlando-Sanford International Airport in Florida rose +6.4% thanks to the performance of Allegiant, its main airline. With +11.4% growth and 1.4 million passengers handled over three months, Hollywood Burbank Airport in California confirmed the appeal of America's west coast. In Latin America, Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia, Costa Rica, recently integrated into the VINCI Airports network, posted growth of +4.5%. It handled nearly 890,000 passengers since the beginning of the year, confirming the attractiveness potential of the ciudad blanca and Guanacaste region which, served by several direct flights, are particularly favoured by Americans and Canadians. Costa Rica has been strengthening its position as the most popular tourist destination in Central America for several years. Daniel Oduber Quiros is the country's second-largest international airport after San Jose. In Chile, traffic at Santiago airport increased +6.2% in the third quarter of 2018, stimulated by growth in international traffic related mainly to the opening of new routes towards Latin America (Peru, Paraguay and Brazil). The Emirates airline started operations in July with the strategically important Santiago-Sao Paulo-Dubai route, which now links Chile to Asia and the Middle East. In parallel, Brazilian airline JetSmart celebrated its first year of service and its one millionth passenger, confirming the soundness of the domestic market. In Brazil, Salvador airport's traffic grew +3.0% in the third quarter, maintaining its positive momentum despite the local political context and the devaluation of the Brazilian real. The fall in traffic from Argentina, caused by the economic crisis in that country, also resulted in seasonal adjustments in August and September. In the Dominican Republic, the decline in traffic at the six airports operated by VINCI Airports stabilised at -0.4% in the third quarter of 2018. Eleven new routes were opened towards North America, Europe and other Caribbean islands in the past three months as part of a determined policy to expand the services on offer. The transformation of Santo Domingo's Las Americas airport (+1.4%) as a Caribbean hub continued successfully. In Asia, the three Cambodian airports continue to post strong traffic growth, particularly at Phnom Penh (+21.6%) and Sihanoukville (+73%). During the third quarter of 2018, they handled 2.4 million passengers, i.e. a +16.4% increase compared with the same period in 2017. The marketing policy continued successfully: 13 new routes were opened during the third quarter at the three airports. This performance reflects the emergence of ever-increasing domestic traffic, fuelled by eight local airlines, and flourishing international tourism, mainly from other Asian countries (China, Thailand, South Korea and Vietnam). In Japan, traffic at the three airports managed by VINCI Airports in the Kansai region declined by 7.0% over the quarter, as a consequence of the temporary suspension of operations in September at Kansai International Airport (KIX), which resulted in a 14.2% fall and the flight cancellations related to the torrential rainfall in July and the earthquake in Hokkaido in September. A category 5 typhoon hit the west of Japan on 4 September, causing significant damage to KIX's Terminal 1, as well as some of its runways, and led to the closure of the single bridge accessing the airport following a collision with an oil tanker. Operations started up again partially on 7 September, with a return to full operation on 21 September. In a major achievement, the airport was completely reopened in under three weeks after the catastrophe thanks to the combined efforts of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, government agencies and Kansai Airports. Once the operational and passenger handling capacities were entirely restored, traffic momentum at KIX returned to normal. A far-reaching communication campaign was launched by Kansai's tourism players, targeting Asian markets such as China and South Korea. Osaka-Itami airport (+4.6% growth over the period) and Kobe airport (+1% growth) were mobilised to limit the impact of the temporary closure of KIX, demonstrating the relevance of the integrated management of the three regional airports. Over a 12-month year-on-year period, the three Kansai airports posted a sound performance with +4.9% growth in passenger numbers. In Europe, the 10 Portuguese airports reported their best ever summer season, with 17.3 million passengers handled between July and September, i.e. a +4.2% increase on the 2017 figure. Over the first nine months of the year, 42.9 million passengers used VINCI Airports' Portuguese facilities, representing +7.0% traffic growth. Portugal exceeded the 42 million passenger mark over the period. With the country's popularity as a summer destination for European tourists (notably Spanish, French and German), low-cost airlines had a very fine season. National airline TAP also posted a very good performance. Lisbon airport handled 2 million more passengers (+10.3%) since the beginning of the year compared with same period in 2017. In France, VINCI Airports' 12 facilities recorded a sharp increase in traffic during the third quarter (+8.5%), with 5.8 million passengers handled across the entire network. Traffic at Nantes Atlantique rose 11.3%, with all-time records set in July and August due to particularly sharp growth in international traffic thanks to the 10 new routes opened this summer. Lyon-Saint Exupery recorded 5.9% growth compared with the third quarter of 2017. For the first time, monthly passenger numbers exceeded 1 million in July and August. Three regional airports posted two-figure growth over the quarter: Rennes (+19.2%) and Clermont Ferrand Auvergne (+15.1%), both of which set new traffic records in July, as well as Toulon-Hyeres (+16.1%), thanks mainly to the success of the new Roissy-Charles de Gaulle route. In the United Kingdom, Belfast International Airport, which joined the VINCI Airports network in September, handled close to 2 million passengers in the third quarter of 2018, representing 12.2% growth over the same period in 2017, driven by the popularity of the London Stansted route operated by Ryanair. * Data at 100% estimated at 11 October 2018. 2018 and 2017 data include full-year airport traffic. ** Following the acquisition of Airports Worldwide's portfolio (press release of 29 August 2018), including Orlando-Sanford International Airport (management under concession), and Hollywood Burbank, Atlantic City International, Macon Downtown Airport and Middle Georgia Regional Airport (full management contracts). Data for Ontario International, Raleigh Durham International and Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International airports, which are under partial management contracts, are not included. VINCI Airports passenger traffic at 30 September 2018 (in thousands of passengers) Q3 2018 Q3 2018/ Q3 2017 change (%) Cumul. 9 months 2018 End Sept. 2018/End Sept. 2017 change (%) 12-month period 12 months y-o-y change (%) VINCI Airports 51,281 +2.8% 142,872 +6.7% 186,443 +7.8% Portugal (ANA) 17,262 +4.2% 42,891 +7.0% 54,596 +8.1% Japan (Kansai Airports) 11,570 -7.0% 35,726 +3.1% 47,686 +4.9% France 5,786 +8.5% 15,327 +9.1% 19,483 +9.3% Chile (Nuevo Pudahuel) 5,773 +6.2% 17,093 +9.2% 22,862 +10.3% Cambodia (Cambodia Airports) 2,444 +16.4% 7,644 +21.3% 10,128 +21.9% Dominican Republic (Aerodom) 1,243 -0.4% 3,819 -2.7% 5,016 -1.9% Brazil 2,007 +3.0% 5,865 +3.6% 7,867 +4.5% Costa Rica 205 +4.5% 888 +2.1% 1,107 +0.1% United Kingdom 1,951 +12.2% 4,822 +5.8% 6,111 +4.7% Sweden 664 -1.6% 1,703 +4.4% 2,185 +5.6% United States 2,376 +8.8% 7,094 +9.8% 9,402 +10.6% PRESS CONTACT VINCI Press Department Tel: +33 (0)1 47 16 31 82 media.relations@vinci.com About VINCI Airports VINCI Airports, a top five global player in the international airport sector, manages the development and operation of 44 airports located in France, Portugal (including the Lisbon hub), the United Kingdom, Sweden, Cambodia, Japan, the United States, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Chile and Brazil. Served by more than 250 airlines, VINCI Airports' network handled over 177 million passengers in 2017. Through its expertise as a comprehensive integrator and the professionalism of its 12,000 employees, VINCI Airports develops, finances, builds and operates airports, leveraging its investment capacity, international network and know-how to optimise the management and performance of existing airport infrastructure, facility extensions and new-build construction projects. In 2017, its annual revenue for managed activities amounted to 3.2 billion, for consolidated revenue of 1.4 billion. More comprehensive information is available on www.vinci-airports.com About VINCI VINCI is a global player in concessions and contracting, employing close to 195,000 people in some 100 countries. We design, finance, build and operate infrastructure and facilities that help improve daily life and mobility for all. Because we believe in all-round performance, above and beyond economic and financial results, we are committed to operating in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. And because our projects are in the public interest, we consider that reaching out to all our stakeholders and engaging in dialogue with them is essential in the conduct of our business activities. VINCI's goal is to create long-term value for its customers, shareholders, employees and partners, and for society at large. www.vinci.com Appendix - Passengers and commercial movements at 30 September 2018 I. Passenger traffic by airport (in thousands of passengers) VINCI Airports share (%) Q3 2018 Q3 2018/ Q3 2017 change (%) Cumul. 9 months 2018 End Sept. 2018/ End Sept. 2017 change (%) 12-month period 12 months y-o-y change (%) Portugal (ANA), of which: Lisbon (LIS) 100 8,532 +6.5% 22,235 +10.3% 28,755 +11.6% Porto (OPO) 100 3,502 +9.1% 9,099 +10.6% 11,659 +10.6% Faro (FAO) 100 3,394 -3.6% 7,115 -2.3% 8,563 -1.0% Madeira 100 987 -2.6% 2,584 -1.9% 3,321 -0.5% Azores 100 844 +3.8% 1,852 +2.6% 2,293 +4.3% TOTAL 17,262 +4.2% 42,891 +7.0% 54,596 +8.1% Japan (Kansai Airports) Kansai (KIX) 40 6,418 -14.2% 21,394 +2.8% 28,580 +5.8% Itami (ITM) 40 4,317 +4.6% 11,945 +3.2% 15,947 +2.9% Kobe (UKB) 40 835 +1.0% 2,386 +5.0% 3,159 +7.0% TOTAL 11,570 -7.0% 35,726 +3.1% 47,686 +4.9% France, of which: Lyon-Saint Exupery (LYS) & Lyon-Bron (LYN) 31 3,166 +5.9% 8,412 +6.9% 10,833 +6.8% Nantes Atlantique (NTE) 85 1,935 +11.3% 4,786 +13.0% 6,040 +14.2% Saint Nazaire Montoir (SNR) 85 4 -3.7% 15 -11.1% 20 -14.7% Rennes Bretagne (RNS) 49 269 +19.2% 655 +16.6% 818 +15.2% Dinard Bretagne (DNR) 49 42 -12.3% 90 -10.1% 112 -6.0% Grenoble Alpes Isere (GNB) 100 12 -1.6% 313 +3.1% 356 +3.5% Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc (CMF) 100 1 -8.8% 180 +9.4% 202 +10.6% Toulon Hyeres (TLN) 100 203 +16.1% 451 +13.0% 556 +10.8% Clermont Ferrand Auvergne (CFE) 100 118 +15.1% 330 +11.5% 430 +9.2% Poitiers Biard (PIS) 100 36 -6.4% 94 +0.4% 118 +1.0% TOTAL 5,786 +8.5% 15,327 +9.1% 19,483 +9.3% (in thousands of passengers) VINCI Airports share (%) Q3 2018 Q3 2018/ Q3 2017 change (%) Cumul. 9 months 2018 End Sept. 2018/ End Sept 2017 change (%) 12-month period 12 months y-o-y change (%) Chile (Nuevo Pudahuel) Santiago (SCL) 40 5,773 +6.2% 17,093 +9.2% 22,862 +10.3% TOTAL 5,773 +6.2% 17,093 +9.2% 22,862 +10.3% Cambodia (Cambodia Airports) Phnom Penh (PNH) 70 1,303 +21.6% 3,920 +28.6% 5,111 +28.2% Siem Reap (REP) 70 975 +4.7% 3,315 +10.0% 4,509 +12.2% Sihanoukville (KOS) 70 166 +73.0% 409 +71.2% 508 +66.8% TOTAL 2,444 +16.4% 7,644 +21.3% 10,128 +21.9% Dominican Republic (Aerodom), of which: Santo Domingo (SDQ) 100 1,031 +1.4% 2,916 -1.6% 3,879 -1.0% Puerto Plata (POP) 100 160 -18.2% 720 -10.8% 912 -9.5% Samana (AZS) 100 37 +49.4% 146 +22.4% 176 +24.6% La Isabela (JBQ) 100 14 +77.2% 34 +42.1% 44 +37.6% TOTAL 1,243 -0.4% 3,819 -2.7% 5,016 -1.9% Brazil Salvador (SSA) 100 2,007 +3.0% 5,865 +3.6% 7,867 +4.5% TOTAL 2,007 +3.0% 5,865 +3.6% 7,867 +4.5% Costa Rica Liberia (LIR) 45 205 +4.5% 888 +2.1% 1,107 +0.1% TOTAL 205 +4.5% 888 +2.1% 1,107 +0.1% United Kingdom Belfast (BFS) 100 1,951 +12.2% 4,822 +5.8% 6,111 +4.7% TOTAL 1,951 +12.2% 4,822 +5.8% 6,111 +4.7% Sweden Stockholm Skavsta (NYO) 90 664 -1.6% 1,703 +4.4% 2,185 +5.6% TOTAL 664 -1,6% 1 703 +4,4% 2 185 +5,6% United States, of which: Orlando-Sanford (SFB) 100 740 +6.4% 2,363 +7.9% 3,096 +8.6% Hollywood Burbank (BUR) MC* 1,353 +11.4% 3,859 +12.5% 5,167 +13.6% Atlantic City (ACY) MC* 283 +3.2% 872 +4.1% 1,137 +2.9% TOTAL 2,376 +8.8% 7,094 +9.8% 9,402 +10.6% *MC: Management Contract Total VINCI Airports 51,281 +2.8% 142,872 +6.7% 186,443 +7.8% Commercial movements by airport Commercial movements VINCI Airports share (%) Q3 2018 Q3 2018/ Q3 2017 change (%) Cumul. 9 months 2018 End Sept. 2018/ End Sept. 2017 change (%) 12-month period 12 months y-o-y change (%) Portugal (ANA), of which: Lisbon (LIS) 100 59,586 +4.4% 161,696 +8.2% 211,661 +9.3% Porto (OPO) 100 25,882 +6.4% 69,412 +7.2% 89,935 +7.2% Faro (FAO) 100 21,522 -3.4% 46,352 -2.6% 56,259 -1.6% Madeira 100 7,396 -11.1% 20,475 -8.2% 26,484 -7.1% Azores 100 9,525 +4.1% 22,455 +1.6% 28,157 +2.1% TOTAL 123,974 +2.3% 320,490 +4.7% 412,619 +5.6% Japan (Kansai Airports) Kansai (KIX) 40 41,674 -13.0% 137,075 -0.4% 184,651 +1.4% Itami (ITM) 40 35,023 -1.1% 103,237 -0.6% 137,807 -0.7% Kobe (UKB) 40 7,876 +13.0% 21,643 +7.4% 29,018 +8.8% TOTAL 84,573 -6.3% 261,955 +0.1% 351,476 +1.1% France, of which: Lyon-Saint Exupery (LYS) & Lyon-Bron (LYN) 31 32,402 +2.6% 91,804 +0.3% 120,761 +0.4% Nantes Atlantique (NTE) 85 16,755 +7.4% 44,492 +6.2% 57,534 +7.4% Saint Nazaire Montoir (SNR) 85 326 -27.7% 1,194 -23.3% 1,594 -22.1% Rennes Bretagne (RNS) 49 3,609 -1.5% 9,854 -1.7% 12,876 -0.4% Dinard Bretagne (DNR) 49 503 -25.3% 1,279 -14.8% 1,659 -11.1% Grenoble Alpes Isere (GNB) 100 283 -2.1% 3,571 +1.1% 4,136 -3.0% Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc (CMF) 100 483 +11.5% 5,758 -0.2% 6,810 +0.3% Toulon Hyeres (TLN) 100 4,499 +4.4% 9,161 +6.3% 10,946 +7.7% Clermont Ferrand Auvergne (CFE) 100 2,220 -4.0% 6,837 -12.2% 9,178 -17.7% Poitiers Biard (PIS) 100 664 +5.7% 2,093 -0.1% 2,705 -1.0% TOTAL 61,744 +3.0% 176,043 +1.0% 228,199 +1.0% Commercial movements VINCI Airports share (%) Q3 2018 Q3 2018/ Q3 2017 change (%) Cumul. 9 months 2018 End Sept. 2018/ End Sept. 2017 change (%) 12-month period 12 months y-o-y change (%) Chile (Nuevo Pudahuel) Santiago (SCL) 40 37,514 +5.0% 110,713 +8.2% 148,935 +10.5% TOTAL 37,514 +5.0% 110,713 +8.2% 148,935 +10.5% Cambodia (Cambodia Airports) Phnom Penh (PNH) 70 13,052 +23.0% 38,346 +30.1% 49,936 +30.0% Siem Reap (REP) 70 9,980 -1.5% 32,974 +4.3% 44,942 +6.4% Sihanoukville (KOS) 70 2,056 +23.0% 5,402 +40.7% 7,137 +44.6% TOTAL 25,088 +11.9% 76,722 +18.2% 102,015 +19.2% Dominican Republic (Aerodom) , of which: Santo Domingo (SDQ) 100 10,041 +7.0% 27,507 -3.9% 36,826 -4.1% Puerto Plata (POP) 100 1,166 -22.1% 5,270 -7.8% 6,836 -6.1% Samana (AZS) 100 315 +66.7% 1,131 +12.5% 1,431 +19.2% La Isabela (JBQ) 100 2,115 +11.8% 5,971 -0.7% 8,032 +1.3% TOTAL 13,803 +4.9% 40,520 -4.3% 53,998 -3.7% Brazil Salvador (SSA) 100 21,838 +12.0% 60,772 +7.3% 80,774 +7.3% TOTAL 21,838 +12.0% 60,772 +7.3% 80,774 +7.3% Costa Rica Liberia (LIR) 45 2,328 -17.3% 9,738 -11.6% 12,716 -1.9% TOTAL 2,328 -17.3% 9,738 -11.6% 12,716 -1.9% United Kingdom Belfast (BFS) 100 13,872 +9.9% 36,655 +2.9% 47,153 +1.0% TOTAL 13,872 +9.9% 36,655 +2.9% 47,153 +1.0% Countries with greater gender equality see a smaller proportion of women taking degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), a new study has found. Dubbed the gender equality paradox, the research found that countries such as Albania and Algeria have a greater percentage of women amongst their STEM graduates than countries lauded for their high levels of gender equality, such as Finland, Norway and Sweden. The researchers, from Leeds Beckett University and the University of Missouri, believe this might be because countries with less gender equality often have little welfare support, making the choice of a relatively high-paid STEM career more attractive. The study, published in Psychological Science, also examined what motivates girls and boys to study STEM subjects, including overall ability, interest or enjoyment in the subject and whether science subjects were a personal academic strength. The researchers found that while boys and girls achievements in STEM subjects were broadly similar, science was more likely to be boys best subject. Girls also tended to register a lower interest in science subjects. These differences were near-universal across all the countries and regions studied. Professor of psychology GijsbertStoet said this could explain some of the gender disparity in STEM participation. The further you get in secondary and then higher education, the more subjects you need to drop until you end with just one. We are inclined to choose what we are best at and also enjoy. This makes sense and matches common school advice. So, even though girls can match boys in terms of how well they do at science and mathematics in school, if those arent their best subjects and they are less interested in them, then theyre less likely to choose to study them. The researchers then looked at how many girls might be expected to choose to further study in STEM-based areas on these criteria. The results show that there is a disparity in all countries, but with the gap once again larger in more gender-equal countries. Broader economic factors appear to contribute to the higher participation of women in STEM in countries with low gender equality and the lower participation in gender-equal countries. Countries with higher gender equality tend also to be welfare states, providing a high level of social security for their citizens, compared to those with lower gender equality which tend to have less secure and more difficult living conditions. Using the UNESCO overall life satisfaction figures as a proxy for economic opportunity and hardship, the researchers found that in more gender-equal countries, overall life satisfaction was higher. Professor Stoet said: STEM careers are generally secure and well-paid but the risks of not following such a path can vary. Despite extensive efforts to increase participation of women in STEM, levels have remained broadly stable for decades, but these findings could help target interventions to make them more effective, the researchers said. Its important to take into account that girls are choosing not to study STEM for what they feel are valid reasons, so campaigns that target all girls may be a waste of energy and resources, Professor Stoet said. If governments want to increase womens participation in STEM, a more effective strategy might be to target the girls who are clearly being lost from the STEM pathway those for whom science and maths are their best subjects and who enjoy it but still dont choose it, he said. If we can understand their motivations, then interventions can be designed to help them change their minds. Q1. The central idea of the passage is that: Q2. According to the passage, the study proves all of the following EXCEPT: Q3. The study looks at all of the following factors affecting choice of STEM subjects EXCEPT: Q4. According to the passage, the gender disparity in STEM participation arises partly from: Q5. According to the passage, in gender-equal countries: Q6. According to the passage, which of the following is likely to reduce the gender disparity in STEM? a)The results of a study on gender participation in STEM are counter-intuitive and do not reflect gender equality prevalent in society in general.b)The results of a study on gender disparity in STEM can be used to help target interventions to improve female participation in STEM.c)Initiatives designed for improving female participation in STEM can be more effective if based on the results of the study on gender disparity.d)The study on gender disparity in STEM results have been contradictory and must be used to bring gender parity in STEM.a) Gender equality does not lead to greater female participation in STEM.b)Female participation in STEM is lower in higher gender equality countries than in lower gender equality countries.c)Female participants in STEM in countries with higher gender equality are more risk-averse than those in countries with lower gender equality.d)Girls in less gender-equal countries were more likely to graduate in STEM than girls in more gender-equal countries.a)A students overall academic aptitude.b)A students curiosity about the subject or subjects under STEM.c)Affirmative action towards a gender-equal society.d)Social organisation and economic factors.a)In general, boys show a greater interest in STEM than girls do.b)The absence of any real consequences to not choosing STEM for girls.c)Reasons that validate the choice of girls not to study STEM.d)The economic disparity between the girls who choose STEM and those who do not.a)Majority of the girls who study STEM do so because of their interest in the subject rather than for economic or other reasons.b)STEM is a high paying career option but entails more difficult working conditions for women.c)The risk of not choosing a career in STEM is lower than it is in gender unequal countries.d)STEM is not chosen as a career by as many people as it is in gender unequal countries.a)Campaign to target girls to encourage them to study STEM.b)Bring in legislation to improve gender parity in society.c)Initiate reforms for the economic development.d)Design incentives to prevent drop outs from STEM. Rock750 wrote: Letter to the editor : Our city plans to allow major commercial development along the south waterfront and, in so doing, to increase its tax revenue. But, to succeed commercially, the development would inevitably create far more road traffic than the existing roads to the waterfront can handle, causing serious traffic congestion. Providing enough roads or public transportation to the area would cost far more than the city could gain from the increased tax revenue. Which of the following, if added to the citys plan, would be most likely to help solve the problem the letter describes? (A) Funding construction of new roads to the waterfront with a system of tolls on the new roads to the waterfront (B) Allowing residential development along the waterfront so that there will be waterfront residents who can walk to the commercial development (C) giving tax breaks to developers of businesses along the waterfront to offset any tax levied on them for construction of roads or public recreation (D) Evaluating the net benefits that the commercial development would bring to the city in terms of improved quality of life for the citys residents rather than its financial terms (E) Allowing commercial development in other city neighborhoods whose roads are not seriously congested with traffic Rock750 (A) Funding construction of new roads to the waterfront with a system of tolls on the new roads to the waterfront (B) Allowing residential development along the waterfront so that there will be waterfront residents who can walk to the commercial development (C) giving tax breaks to developers of businesses along the waterfront to offset any tax levied on them for construction of roads or public recreation (D) Evaluating the net benefits that the commercial development would bring to the city in terms of improved quality of life for the citys residents rather than its financial terms (E) Allowing commercial development in other city neighborhoods whose roads are not seriously congested with traffic Magoosh Test Prep Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. William Butler Yeats (1865 1939) Mike McGarryEducation is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. William Butler Yeats (1865 1939) Signature Read More DearI'm happy to help. This is a great question.So, the problem is --- tax revenue from waterfront development won't pay for fixing all the problems caused by this development. The city will wind up with horrible traffic and no financial plan for dealing with it. That's the problem we need to address.Toll roads! That magic form of income! Yes, this would have the advantage that more traffic leads to more money, so as long as traffic is a problem, there's money coming in that can solve the problem. Brilliant! This works as a correct answer.Hmmm. Not satisfying. Those residents would still have to drive home and park, adding to traffic, and folks who live elsewhere would still have to drive there. It doesn't sound as if this would do much to solve the problem. This is incorrect.If the city gives tax breaks, that's even less money coming into the city's coffers, and that exacerbates the problem. This is incorrect.Hippie cop-out. If the current plan involves tons of traffic, then nobody is a fan of that. This is very weak. This is incorrect.Hmm. This could create even more traffic elsewhere in the city, so the entire city would be in gridlock. That certainly doesn't sound like something that makes the problem better. This is incorrect.Does all this make sense?Mike_________________ Ashburn, Va., Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, as part of the Great Urban Parks Campaign, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) awarded grant funding totaling $2 million to support green infrastructure projects in 10 U.S. communities. These communities join cities, such as Atlanta, Georgia; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; and Denver, Colorado, in using green infrastructure in parks to increase climate resiliency, access to outdoor recreation and more. The 2018 Great Urban Parks Campaign grant recipients include: Bernalillo County (Albuquerque, New Mexico) City of El Paso (El Paso, Texas) City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department (Grand Rapids, Michigan) City of Lake Charles (Lake Charles, Louisiana) City of Memphis Parks and Neighborhoods Division (Memphis, Tennessee) Heartland Conservation Alliance (Kansas City, Missouri) Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department (Miami, Florida) Local Government Commission (Salinas, California) Louisville Parks and Recreation (Louisville, Kentucky) New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (Brooklyn, New York) NRPA is proud to play a leading role in helping communities combat the adverse effects of climate change, said Rebecca Wickline, NRPA senior vice president of development. Congratulations to our 2018 Great Urban Parks Campaign grant recipients, who are making a difference in their communities and beyond by implementing green stormwater infrastructure in parks. Green stormwater infrastructure in parks is an efficient way to improve water quality, increase climate resiliency through reduced flooding, enhance the ability of the site to hold and retain stormwater, and improve wildlife habitat, all while providing increased access to nature and outdoor recreation in underserved communities. These 10 new projects will address heat island effect, food insecurity and improved access to waterways, trails and play, to provide additional best practices, effective models and geographic representation of green stormwater infrastructure in parks. NRPAs Great Urban Parks Campaign aims to improve environmental and social outcomes in underserved communities through green stormwater infrastructure projects in local parks. The campaign also offers a variety of evidence-based educational resources for park and planning professionals including A Resource Guide for Planning, Designing and Implementing Green Infrastructure in Parks. Four cities were awarded funding in 2016 and a description of these projects is available here. Funding for the Great Urban Parks Campaign grant was provided by The JPB Foundation. To learn more about the benefits of green infrastructure, watch this video. To learn more about NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org. ### About the National Recreation and Park Association The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPAs flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org. Smithfields 47th Stop of the 2018 Helping Hungry Homes Tour LOWELL, Ark., Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Smithfield Foods, Inc. donated more than 30,000 pounds of protein to Northwest Arkansas Food Bank as part of the companys 2018 Helping Hungry Homes donation tour. Now in the programs 10th year, Helping Hungry Homes is Smithfields signature hunger-relief initiative focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure. The donation, equivalent to more than 120,000 servings, will help families fight hunger in Northwest Arkansas. At Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, we are grateful for the longtime support weve received from Smithfield and their true advocacy for hunger relief in Arkansas and across the country, said Mike Williams, Director of Development of Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. This plentiful donation of protein will assist us in our efforts to nourish the community and our neighbors in need for many meals to come. Smithfield presented the donation to Northwest Arkansas Food Bank at an event this morning. Members of each organization discussed food insecurity in the local community and the significance of this donation, which will provide protein throughout the food banks service area, reaching more than 63,000 food insecure individuals across Northwest Arkansas counties. This is the 47th large scale protein donation made by Smithfield to food banks across the country during its 2018 Helping Hungry Homes tour. Since the programs inception in 2008, Smithfield has provided more than 100 million servings of protein to food banks, disaster relief efforts, and community outreach programs nationwide. As a food company, we believe that no one should go hungry and recognize our ability to help those who may be facing food insecurity, said Jonathan Toms, associate manager of charitable initiatives for Smithfield Foods. This belief stems from our companys social purpose and passion to prevent hunger and provide support through donations of wholesome protein to those who need it most from coast-to-coast. For more information about Smithfield Foods Helping Hungry Homes initiative and a list of upcoming donation events, visit helpinghungryhomes.com . About Smithfield Foods Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan's Famous, Farmland, Armour, Farmer John, Kretschmar, John Morrell, Cook's, Gwaltney, Carando, Margherita, Curly's, Healthy Ones, Morliny, Krakus and Berlinki. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com , and connect with us on Facebook , Twitter and LinkedIn . About Northwest Arkansas Food Bank Northwest Arkansas Food Bank was established in 1988 by a group of concerned citizens who saw the need for hunger assistance in Northwest Arkansas. Over the past 30 years, the Food Bank has grown to serve citizens of Benton, Washington, Madison, and Carroll counties, a commitment still strong today. Each year, the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank distributes over 12 million pounds of food in Benton, Washington, Madison, and Carroll counties. It is through partnerships with well over 160 member agencies that we are able to reach out to those in need. The Northwest Arkansas Food Bank is an affiliate of Feeding America. Media Contacts: Dalton Agency for Smithfield Jana Beasley (904) 534-8568 jbeasley@daltonagency.com Northwest Arkansas Food Bank Mike Williams (479) 347-2382 mike.williams@nwafoodbank.org A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a633b3c4-06d5-45ec-b47f-7dea48d2e2db SPRING HOPE, N.C., Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- Hemp, Inc. (OTC PINK: HEMP), a global leader in the industrial hemp industry with the largest multipurpose industrial hemp processing facility in the western hemisphere, announced today the company is featured in an article by Mail Tribune regarding Oregons burgeoning hemp industry. The Mail Tribune is a seven-day daily newspaper based in Medford, Oregon, that serves Jackson County, Oregon, and adjacent areas of northern California. The article includes comments from Hemp, Inc. CEO Bruce Perlowin on the potential of Oregons industrial hemp industry and elaborates on Hemp, Inc.s expanding operations within the state. The hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) market is expected to hit $591 million this year, and it may grow 40 times this sizeto $22 billion by 2022, according to a new report by Brightfield Group. The article, A fruitful hemp harvest, but for how long?, details the immense opportunity Southern Oregon farmers expect to see with the federal legalization of hemp. The article also features footage from inside Hemp, Inc.s hemp cultivation and processing company, Local Processing Center, Inc. (LPC) in Medford, which recently began processing the harvest of more than 100,000 pounds of industrial hemp from the first of many farms they have contracted with in that area. In the article, Hemp, Inc. CEO Bruce Perlowin explains why Oregon hemp farmers are well positioned to profit off of the national industrial hemp industry. Currently, LPC has the capacity to dry 85,000 pounds of industrial hemp a week and that amount is projected to increase to 125,000 pounds a week as additional infrastructure developments are completed. While Oregons hemp industry prepares for the potential impact of the 2018 Farm Bill that would legalize hemp nationwide, lawmakers missed the bills initial Sept. 30 deadline. Regardless of when the 2018 Farm Bill passes, Congress has confirmed that the hemp pilot program regime, passed in the 2014 Farm Bill, remains in place. The 2018 Farm Bill includes hemp legalization that is backed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Hemp, Inc. has previously announced its support for McConnells introduction of a bill to remove industrial hemp from the federal governments schedule of controlled substances. We are thrilled to be featured in Mail Tribunes coverage of the Oregon hemp industry that allows the public and our shareholders more insight into our operations there, said Hemp, Inc. CEO Bruce Perlowin. Our focus is on supporting the local family farm, and we are proud to have already assisted numerous farmers in the area by processing thousands of pounds of hemp. Hemp, Inc.s latest move into Oregon is a part of the company's national growth strategy to expand operations in desirable hemp-growing markets, including development of our 500-acre Arizona hemp growing community and our upcoming line of CBD pre-rolls. We are proud to be on the forefront of this billion-dollar industry. Notably, there are now 40 states in the nation that have legalized hemp. Companies seeking to enter or further develop their footprint in the industrial hemp marketplace are aligning with Hemp, Inc. for the companys proven expertise and state-of-the-art hemp processing and manufacturing infrastructure in Spring Hope, North Carolina and operations in additional states. Hemp, Inc.s 85,000 square foot hemp processing and manufacturing facility has been operational since August, 2017. To read the article, A fruitful hemp harvest, but for how long?, click here. ABOUT HEMP, INC. With a deep-rooted social and environmental mission at its core, Hemp, Inc. seeks to build a business constituency for the American small farmer, the American veteran, and other groups experiencing the ever-increasing disparity between tapering income and soaring expenses. As a leader in the industrial hemp industry with ownership of the largest commercial multi-purpose industrial hemp processing facility in North America, Hemp, Inc. believes there can be tangible benefits reaped from adhering to a corporate social responsibility plan. SOCIAL NETWORKS http://www.twitter.com/hempinc (Twitter) http://www.facebook.com/hempinc (Facebook) https://www.facebook.com/KingOfPot (Bruce Perlowin's Facebook Page) https://www.facebook.com/TheHempUniversity/ (The Hemp University's Facebook Page) SUBSCRIBE TO HEMP, INC.'S VIDEO UPDATES "Hemp, Inc. Presents" is capturing the historic, monumental re-creation of the hemp decorticator today as America begins to evolve into a cleaner, green, eco-friendly sustainable environment. What many see as the next American Industrial Revolution is actually the Industrial Hemp Revolution. Watch as Hemp, Inc., the No. 1 leader in the industrial hemp industry, engages its shareholders and the public through each step in bringing back the hemp decorticator as described in the "Freedom Leaf Magazine" article "The Return of the Hemp Decorticator" by Steve Bloom. "Hemp, Inc. Presents" is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by visiting www.hempinc.com. To subscribe to the "Hemp, Inc. Presents" YouTube channel, be sure to click the subscribe button. UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC EVENTS Across the globe, the hemp industry is rising to astronomical levels. In the wake of the hemp industry projected to grow 700% and hit $1.8 billion by 2020, there has been more education and networking within the industry. That means more events and conferences, thus, Hemp, Inc. has started compiling an ongoing list of upcoming hemp events around the world. Check out the listing of international and domestic events here. FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER AND DISCLOSURES This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties. IceViking strongly condemns physical attacks and harassment directed towards them. They are also often victims of the Islamic idea. This is true when it comes to the cruel and tragic treatment of Muslim women and children when it is in accord with the Koran, the example of Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia, which may be applied regardless of where a Muslim male may find himself in the world, whether in a Muslim or non-Muslim country. However, in no way, shape or form should one judge all Muslim men because of what is in Islamic scripture and what constitutes the Islamic law, Sharia. "Race", ethnicity or basically anything that you are "merely" born with should never be a basis for bigotry and discrimination. Apostates from Islam have been executed for 1400 years in accord with the Koran and the words and actions of the Islamic prophet Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia. They should be lovingly helped. Furthermore, approximately as many as 11,000,000 Muslims may have been killed by other Muslims since 1948. To quote the website The Religion of Peace (TROP), edited by Glen Roberts: While it may be safe to say that a true Muslim would not intentionally kill another true Muslim ( 4:92-93 ), the Quran places no such value on the life of a Muslim who is not true. Consider verse 9:73 : Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them, their abode is Hell. The Arabic for strive hard uses the same root as Jihad - and the context in this sura is holy war (see v. 86 and 91). Thus, there are two distinct classes of people that a true Muslim is to target with harshness: disbelievers and hypocrites. A disbeliever obviously refers to a non-Muslim, so a "hypocrite" must be a Muslim of some sort. In fact, hypocrites are those who say they believe, but do not act as they should. In other words, they are "Muslims", but not true Muslims. They will go to hell just as unbelievers do, and so, according to the verse, their lives matter for naught. The same sura says that a hypocrite can be recognized not just by lack of piety (reluctance to follow Sharia), but by fear of death ( 9:56 ), reluctance to fight ( 9:44-45 ) and even friendliness toward non-believers ( 9:67 ). A true Muslim would thus be a pious person who relishes martyrdom, is eager to fight, and shuns non-believers. Even the Quranic passage that warns against killing "believers" ( 4:88-94 ) is more complicated than it first appears. It never says that a true Muslim is incapable of killing another Muslim, just that it should not be done. In fact, it makes exceptions for the unintentional killing of "believers" in war and mandates the killing of "hypocrites." Verse 17:33 says, "Do not kill anyone which Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause" . The greatest cause of all is that Islam be superior ( 9:33 ), which is exactly what Islamic terrorists say is their goal. Thus believing Muslims are allowed to be collateral damage in the war on unbelievers. There is sadly a phenomena that I`ve noticed in Sweden and elsewhere of people using true facts about Islamic doctrine and history as a cover for all sorts of irrational targeting of Muslims, ranging from xenophobia and racism to verbal abuse and physical attacks. This is strongly condemned by this website and does not in any way serve serious criticism of orthodox Islam and other important work. It`s also important that one tries to express oneself in a civilized way. Words matter. In this bloggers humble opinion the root cause of the problem is the ancient doctrine of orthodox Islam. In simple terms a non-Muslim is a Kafir. " The Koran defines the kafir and kafir is not a neutral word. A kafir is not merely someone who does not agree with Islam, but a kafir is evil, disgusting, the lowest form of life." An exact quote, as stated in the writings of Dr. Bill Warner in the article "Kafir" at http://www.politicalislam.com/kafir . In the perfect Koran (Allah`s direct and literal word as revealed to Mohammed through the angel Jibril), Muslims are told 89 times to emulate Mohammed in all ways (see Koran 33:21 for instance). Mohammed`s example, the Sunna, is found in the Hadith (stories of what Mohammed said and did) and the Sira (biographies of Mohammed). Islamic law, Sharia , is directly derived from these unchanging scriptures. It is based on the Koran`s numerous commands to obey Allah and obey the Messenger, that is Mohammed (see Koran 4:59 for instance). Islam is Sharia. Sharia is Islam. It is a capital crime for Muslims to deny Sharia in any way. A Muslim is someone who submits to Islam and submitting to Islam means obeying the Sharia of Allah. Sharia law includes pronouncements for both Muslims and non-Muslims (Kafirs). Islam is a "complete way of life", a "complete code of life", a "complete system of life". Islam is not just a religion but also a comprehensive ideology. Islam is a supremacist ideology. Islam is a totalitarian and imperialistic ideology akin to Communism and Nazism. Islam is a civilization. Islamic law, Sharia, is a manual for a civilization. Islamic law, Sharia, governs every aspect of life. It has a say about every conceivable human act . Non-Muslims are morally and legally inferior in Islam. Women are morally and legally inferior in Islam. The History of Jihad: From Muhammad to ISIS by Robert Spencer is the first one-volume history of jihad in the English language and a great book on the topic. Allah guarantees Paradise to those who "kill and are killed" for him (Koran 9:111). A hadith depicts a Muslim asking Muhammad: "Instruct me as to such a deed as equals Jihad (in reward)." Muhammad replied, "I do not find such a deed." (Bukhari 4.52.44) Muhammad himself said: I have been commanded to fight against people so long as they do not declare that there is no god but Allah, and he who professed it was guaranteed the protection of his property and life on my behalf except for the right affairs rest with Allah. (Sahih Muslim 30) Freedom of speech, human rights, democracy, science and human lives are all at stake in the fight against the Islamic Jihad. Another troublesome email has surfaced between U.S. District Court Judge Colin Bruce and the U.S. attorneys office headquartered in Springfield. Attorneys for Jason Gmoser, a convicted child pornographer sentenced to life in prison by Bruce in 2017, last week asked for a new trial based on an email the judge sent to a prosecutor in his case just one week before his first trial in 2016. Youre doing fine, the judge wrote. Lets get this thing done. The judges message came in response to an email from assistant U.S. attorney Elly Peirson, who had attached proposed jury instructions, a witness list and a list of exhibits. Peirsons email was copied to defense counsel, but the judges response was not. While looked at by themselves, the comments may seem innocuous, wrote Bradley Kraemer, an attorney for Gmoser, in a request for a new trial filed Oct. 2. However, when viewed in a broader light, it projects the appearance of impropriety. Judge Bruce was a career prosecutor and member of the U.S. attorneys office. His contact in this case and others creates the image that he still has a connection to that office. It creates the appearance of a sense of team or unity between the judge and the U.S. attorneys office. The appearance of impropriety in this case creates an appearance of bias against the defense and is contrary to the foundation of our legal system itself. Gmosers motion marks at least the second request for a new trial since emails between Bruce and employees of the U.S. attorneys office have come to light. In August, Sarah Nixon, convicted of kidnapping in Bruces court in 2016, asked for a new trial based on emails between the judge and Lisa Hopps, a paralegal in the U.S. attorneys office, while Nixons trial was pending. In the emails, Bruce criticized the performance of prosecutors and assessed odds for conviction. The judge recused himself in August and asserted in a court filing that the emails were innocuous. Nonetheless, U.S. District Court Judge James Shadid, chief judge for the Central District of Illinois, removed Bruce from all criminal proceedings in August, two days after Illinois Times reported on the exchanges. In the Nixon case, the U.S. attorneys office disclosed the emails in a May letter to her lawyer, who subsequently filed a request to supplement the court record to introduce emails between Bruce and Hopps, with the judges emails attached as exhibits. Bruce denied the request, even though it was not opposed by prosecutors, and he sealed his ruling, as well as a document filed by prosecutors saying they had no objection to supplementing the record with emails between the judge and Hopps. The motion to supplement the record also was sealed. Shadid, who took jurisdiction of the case after removing Bruce, unsealed the documents last month at the request of Illinois Times. The 2016 email from Bruce to Peirson in the Gmoser case was disclosed to the defendants lawyer in a Sept. 19 letter signed by Peirson, who also provided a copy to Gregg Walters, an assistant U.S. attorney who is the offices ethics adviser. Walters declined comment. According to Peirsons letter, the U.S. attorneys office, prompted by the discovery of emails in the Nixon case, has conducted a search of emails for any messages exchanged between Bruce and employees at the federal prosecutors office and examined messages for potentially inappropriate communications between Bruce, who was a federal prosecutor for 24 years before becoming a judge in 2013, and employees of the U.S. attorney. Steven Beckett, a University of Illinois law professor who also is a practicing criminal defense attorney, said that he recently received two letters from the U.S. attorneys office disclosing messages between the judge and employees of the federal prosecutors office. He said he deemed the exchanges inconsequential. Incredible, Beckett remarked when read the 2016 email from Bruce to Peirson in which the judge wrote, Lets get this thing done. Lawyers have ethical obligations to report misconduct by judges, but precisely what conduct would trigger a required report and who should receive a report isnt clear under rules of professional conduct promulgated by the Illinois Supreme Court. Under the rules, a lawyer who knows that a judge has committed a violation of applicable rules of judicial conduct that raises a substantial question as to the judges fitness for office shall inform the appropriate authority. The rules dont define substantial question or appropriate authority. Jim Grogan, deputy administrator and chief counsel for the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, an arm of the state Supreme Court that investigates allegations of wrongdoing by lawyers, said that he couldnt comment on whether the ARDC is looking into emails that passed between Bruce and any employee of the U.S. attorneys office. Speaking generically, Grogan said that the line between OK and not-OK, when it comes to communications between lawyers and judges, often hinges on the perspective of the opposing party. The way I phrase it is, if I was a lawyer on the other side, would I want to know that? Grogan said. In a written statement Sharon Paul, spokeswoman for the U.S. attorneys office, confirmed that the U.S. attorneys office has searched its email system for emails between Bruce and employees that might be inappropriate. Further, the office is reviewing procedures and practices to ensure each of our employees upholds the highest ethical standards of the Department of Justice, Paul wrote. Contact Bruce Rushton at brushton@illinoistimes.com. J.B. Pritzker was recently endorsed by Crains Chicago Business. The states premiere business magazine endorsed a candidate whose biggest promise is to raise taxes on the publications well-off subscriber base. Gov. Bruce Rauner has called Pritzkers graduated income tax proposal a green light to raise taxes on everyone. Pritzker has infamously dodged hundreds if not thousands of questions about what the graduated rates will be and where the cutoff will be between a middle-class tax cut and tax hike on the wealthy. The reason Mr. Pritzker doesnt want to answer the question, Rauner said during the last debate, is because he knows its going to crush the middle class, and he doesnt want to admit it before the election. Maybe. But the main reason that people like Rauner hate Pritzkers idea is not that itll necessarily make middle-class families pay more taxes. Increasing taxes on everyone is a very difficult thing to do here. A two-percentage point tax hike only passed in 2011 because the state was in extremely dire fiscal straits. Before that, the tax rate wasnt increased by more than a half a point since the income tax was created in 1969. The rate was increased last year because a bipartisan supermajority in both chambers reacted to another extremely dire fiscal condition after part of the 2011 increase expired. But it would be a whole different ball game with graduated rates. The temptation for politicians to raise taxes only on the rich will be really difficult to resist during tough fiscal times. Right now, with a flat tax, that cant be done. A tax hike for one is a tax hike for all. But if our states constitution is amended to allow for graduated rates, a Democratic legislature could decide down the road to slap an extra surcharge on all annual income over, say, a million dollars. And then do it again. Who would be opposed to that? Well, millionaires, of course, but theres not enough of them to stop the Democrats. Im not saying that Rauner is trying to block a graduated tax for his own personal sake. Im saying that Rauner truly believes that wealthy people create jobs, and harming wealthy people harms job creation, and that harms the poor and the middle class, and Democrats dont care about wealthy people, so the graduated tax must be stopped at all costs to protect the wealthy and the poor and the middle class. The reality is more jobs were created in the four years after Illinois January 2011 tax hike than the four years after it was automatically lowered and then raised again. Gov. Rauner warned that the 2017 tax increase passed over his veto would be a disaster for the state and imperil our economic and fiscal future, but hes now crowing about recent job growth and a balanced budget. Three polls in a row have shown Pritzker with double-digit leads. The most recent poll by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute had Pritzker ahead of Rauner by 22 points. One of Rauners many weaknesses exposed by the poll was that only 67 percent of Republicans supported him. I crunched the numbers and found that even if he captured 90 percent of the Republican vote, hed move from his current 27 percent all the way up to 31.5 percent. And if he then captured every single one of the undecided independents (an impossibility), hed go from 31.5 percent to 37 percent. The governor is spectacularly unpopular, but the current political environment is just horrible for his party. The partisan split in the Simon poll was a whopping 49 percent Democrat to 27 percent Republican. The last off-year Democratic wave was 2006, and exit polls showed the partisan makeup of the Illinois electorate was 46 percent Democrat to 31 percent Republican. Thats close to the Simon Poll results. The current environment simply makes it easier for a Democrat to talk about a tax hike and still win, particularly if his opponent is as unpopular as Rauner. LAS VEGAS, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CV Sciences, Inc . (OTCQB:CVSI) (the Company, CV Sciences, our, us or we), preeminent supplier and manufacturer of phytocannabinoids including industry-leading brand, PlusCBD Oil, is pleased to announce that it will be a featured panelist at Invest Like the Pros: TheStreets Boot Camp for Investors , to be held on October 13, 2018 in New York City. Attendees will learn from prominent experts on various topics ranging from short-term trading strategies to the current state of the cannabis industry to the future of big tech, and more. CV Sciences Chief Executive Officer, Joseph Dowling, will be on a panel entitled, How to Play the Fast-Emerging Cannabis Industry, where experts will discuss the state of the industry, future direction and how investors can profit. Mr. Dowling will highlight how CV Sciences has led the hemp CBD industry with its commitment to transparency, quality products, and strong operational and financial performance. We are pleased to participate in TheStreets investing conference, stated Mr. Dowling. The CBD industry is an exciting investment opportunity with numerous new product categories and emerging vertical markets all gaining strong momentum. We embrace our industry position as we continually strive to provide leadership and credibility to one of the fastest growing industries. Investors are seeking credible information about how they can profit from the cannabis industry, said James R. Freiman, TheStreets SVP of Media Revenue. Our events bring together experts from a variety of sectors, such as Mr. Dowling, in order to educate investors and give them actionable trading advice. To learn more about the event, visit TheStreets Boot Camp for Investors. About CV Sciences, Inc. CV Sciences, Inc. (OTCQB:CVSI) operates two distinct business segments: a drug development division focused on developing and commercializing novel therapeutics utilizing synthetic CBD; and, a consumer product division focused on manufacturing, marketing and selling plant-based CBD products to a range of market sectors. CV Sciences, Inc. has primary offices and facilities in San Diego, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Additional information is available from OTCMarkets.com or by visiting www.cvsciences.com. FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties. CONTACT INFORMATION: ir@cvsi.com 866-976-4784 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 NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP, a leading corporate and securities law firm, announced today that ten of its attorneys were recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine for 2018: Partner Tara Guarneri-Ferrara, Partner A.R. John Hitchings, Associate Ashley Jaber, Associate Will Rao, Partner James Turner and Partner Jay Yamamoto were all named New York Metro Rising Stars for 2018 Founding Partner Michael Ference and Partner Sameer Rastogi were recognized for their work in the Securities Litigation category Founding Partner Gregory Sichenzia was recognized for his work in the Securities and Corporate Finance category Associate Owen Kloter was recognized for his work in the Business Litigation category The entire list of Super Lawyers for 2018 can be found here . About Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP provides experienced, professional representation in all matters involving the securities industry, as well as in general corporate, litigation, real estate and trusts & estates matters. The firms clients range from start-ups to established, listed companies, spanning public and private corporations, partnerships, broker-dealers, investment banks, investment advisors, registered personnel, public and corporate customers and investors, and other entities. Areas of expertise include corporate finance, including initial and secondary public offerings, corporate and commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, securities litigation and arbitration, administrative practice before regulatory agencies, and broker-dealer regulation. Follow the firm on Twitter , LinkedIn, and Crunchbase. Contact: Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP 212-930-9700 Experts in both public opinion and policy spoke on the relationship between the United States and Korea during a forum Wednesday night. The discussion focused on the growing role of public diplomacy and the importance of the public engaging in efforts to bring peace and stability to the region. Jacob Poushter, a researcher with the Pew Research Center, says the countrys opinion of the Korean peninsula is shaped by a number of factors, including partisanship. Although diplomacy is steadily moving ahead between countries, panelists say there is still no negotiation from the Koreas on a major topic- nuclear weapons. Poushter says concerns about nuclear attacks span across the countries in the Asian pacific region who look to the U.S for security. They expect the US to defend them in case of attack they also expect the US to be a leader in terms of creating public diplomacy, says Poushter. Pew research shows three-quarters of Americans say North Koreas nuclear program is a major threat to the United States. Some experts say denuclearization would come slow, because their program is a form of diplomatic leverage Others noted that with the progress from President Trumps up-front negotiation approaches with the Koreas, there is potential for a major achievement in foreign diplomacy relations. The event was hosted by the Indiana University Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. Fars News Agency quoted Brigadier General Gholam-Hossein Gheib-Parvar as saying we are facing a full-scale war against the world arrogance and the US president has clearly shown his enmity. He reportedly added that in this respect, Saudi Arabia and Israel operate as arms in the region while providing the US with intelligence for a battle against the Islamic Revolution. Similar claims have been applied to domestic opponents of the Iranian regime, especially in the wake of a mass uprising that began at the end of last year. In the midst of that uprising, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei credited the leading Resistance group, the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran, with facilitating the nationwide protests, but also asserted that PMOI members were operating as foot soldiers for the triangle of Irans foreign enemies. Here also, Khamenei and other officials failed to cite any evidence to substantiate their narrative of foreign sources for their domestic troubles. Still, Khamenei continues to weigh in with similar commentary on the developing situation, and he was quoted by the Fars report on Tuesday. His latest remarks seem to highlight sensitivity to the ways in which the Islamic Republic may be perceived by its own people and by the international community, and Fars described him as recommending that supporters of the regime stay vigilant in the face of the new hostile campaign against Iran, warning against any action that could fuel the ongoing propaganda war. This media war is aimed at creating anxiety, anguish, hopelessness and a feeling of having hit a dead end as well as making the people cynical about one another and about the governing bodies, and exaggerating and amplifying the economic problems in the minds of the society, the supreme leader said, apparently blaming foreign propaganda for the domestic protests and labor strikes that have been continuing ever since the nationwide uprising and have been fueled in part by worsening economic conditions. The International Monetary Fund released a global report on Monday which estimated a 1.5 percent decline in the value of the Iranian economy for this year. According to Radio Free Europe, the World Economic Outlook also anticipated the rate of decline to accelerate through the following year, culminating in a 3.6 percent loss. This stands in stark contrast to the four percent growth that the IMF had previously estimated for those two years, before it was clear that US sanctions would be taking effect after the American withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, and that much fo the world would be complying with those sanctions. The new IMF figures may be regarded as the latest piece of evidence that the Trump administrations high-pressure strategy is working. And while some detractors expect this strategy to have a harmful effect on the Iranian people rather than on the Iranian regime, the ongoing unrest inside the Islamic Republic suggests that those people themselves view the situation differently. Iran News Wire reported on Tuesday that a strike by transportation workers all throughout the country had surpassed its 16th day and that many bazaar merchants had joined in the labor protests. Rather than objecting to the US-led sanctions, those protests have clearly taken aim at the Iranian governments own mismanagement of the economy, as evidenced by that governments emphasis on repressing the protesters or even denying that they are active. The aforementioned report provided some detail regarding this repression as well as pointing out that it is characteristic of Tehrans response to economic protests, including the previous trucker strikes in June. The Iranian Resistance generally views both of those strikes, and various other Iranian protests, as extensions of the December-to-January uprising, which included chants of death to the dictator and explicit calls for a change of government. Maryam Rajavi, the leader of both the PMOI and its parent coalition the National Council of Resistance of Iran, issued a statement on Tuesday praising the bazaar merchants for joining the truckers in their strike and reiterated that the action is part of the peoples uprising. She added that regardless of foreign sanctions, Irans national wealth is wasted on suppression and export of terrorism and external wars and is stolen by the ruling mullahs. The issue of domestic repression in response to protests was on prominent display on Monday when the Iranian judiciary formally recommended the death penalty for at least 17 participants in the truck drivers strike. Threats of this sort of sentencing had been repeated several times over the previous two weeks, with judiciary officials citing multiple charges that could justify capital punishment. These include enmity against God and a charge of banditry related to the blocking of roads that are used as trucking routes. Death Penalty News quoted the head of Qazvin Court as saying, The judiciary will without any tolerance deal with those who disrupt the security of drivers and also those who intend to take advantage (of the strike) and create insecurity. But the same report quotes another official, representing the Fars Province transportation department, as insisting that the demonstrations are not happening as reported, but only involve rumors based on dissidents taking advantage of the drivers needs. These two types of statements, although contradictory, are both indicative of the need that Khamenei highlighted in his remarks on Tuesday: the need to control the narrative for both domestic and international audiences, in order to avoid fueling sentiments that oppose the clerical regime. But at a time when judiciary officials have acknowledged both arrests and prospective death sentences for protesters in numerous Iranian provinces, this will surely be difficult to achieve. The difficulty is amplified by the fact that the United States will certainly oppose all of Tehrans efforts to portray itself in a more positive light. There is an open question, however and one that may have a substantial impact on Irans potential for controlling its own narrative about whether or not the European Union will join in this opposition. Its strategies so far have not engendered much optimism among critics of the Iranian regime, and that fact was underscored by an editorial published on Tuesday by the Washington Examiner. The article focuses on Irans foreign policy, although its description of Europes unfounded optimism about Iranian moderation could certainly be extended to Irans domestic situation as well. Criticizing the EUs description of the Iran nuclear deal as a boon to world peace, the author noted, It has been over three years since the deals signing, and Irans expansionist aggression and sponsorship of terrorism across the Middle East has only been emboldened. The article continued: In Syria, Iranian militias have carried out some of the worst of President Bashar Assads murderous acts. In Lebanon, Iran continues to fund Hezbollah, a terrorist organization with a dangerous hold over the region, whose chief goal is the destruction of the state of Israel. And in Iraq, following a long history of Iranian influence undermining post-war stability, this month, the U.S. faced mortars fired by Iranian proxies near its embassy in Baghdad. It is these activities that are particularly relevant to Khameneis appeal for vigilance and the Basij commanders attempt to portray Iran as the victim of coordinated and one-sided foreign threats. While the Islamic Republic is unlikely to seriously alter any of these behaviors, certain public narratives may provide European policymakers to go on clinging to unfounded optimism while avoiding participation in the Trump administrations high-pressure strategy. In this sense, Khameneis appeal may help to explain some Iranian lawmakers motivations in voting on Sunday to join the international convention for Combating the Financing of Terrorism. Ordinarily, the Islamic Republic is bold in its rejection of such international agreements as foreign cultural imposition and contributors to a plot for the soft overthrow of the theocratic regime. But in this case, a great deal may be riding on Irans foreign reputation, as Europe weighs compliance with the US sanctions and the International Court of Justice considers Irans request to recoup assets that were seized by the US in order to pay damages to victims of Iran-backed terrorism. Arguments in that case are expected to continue through Friday, and they come close on the heels of the ICJ ruling in favor of Iran after it challenged current sanctions as violations of the 1955 Treaty of Amity between Iran and the US. But an Iranian victory in the current case may be more difficult to achieve, given that Tehrans historical support for international terrorism is not seriously in doubt. Neither, for that matter, is its ongoing support of militant organizations such as Hezbollah, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, and various paramilitary groups in Syria and Iraq. IN Homeland Security published an article on Tuesday arguing that the failure to challenge those paramilitaries could seriously alter the balance of power in the entire Middle East, allowing Tehran to more effectively pursue its intended dominance of Shiite Muslim communities and Shiite thought in general. Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs pointed to recent revelations by Ahmad Montazeri, the son of one of the Islamic Republics founding ayatollahs, regarding formerly undisclosed details of Iranian terror plots against Saudi Arabia. Provided that those details and Irans regional activities continue to receive significant public attention, it will surely be difficult for Iranian officials to credibly portray themselves as the victims of unearned aggression, especially at a time when they are also directing their own aggressive activities inward, at the sources of persistent domestic unrest. During current President Hassan Rouhanis time in office, there have so far been at least 3,602 executions. Worryingly, this figure includes dozens of juvenile offenders and many political prisoners and women. This year alone, more than 220 people have been executed. Some of these were carried out in public. The Iranian regime is losing its grip on power and it is trying to regain control with the excessive use of force and the threat of execution. Since the beginning of the year, the people of Iran have been continuing to hold protests across the country and there is an overwhelming desire for regime change. The people are calling the regime out for its corruption and meddling abroad and they know that the only way for their situation to improve is if the clerical regime is replaced. A spokesman of the judiciary recently said that truckers who were participating in the nationwide strike would be given the death penalty. International law does not allow juveniles people under the age of 18 at the time they committed their crime to be executed. However, Iranian officials judge the maturity of the offenders themselves and issue a death sentence if they want. For example, Abolfazl Chezani Sharahi was executed a few months ago at the age of 19 for a murder he committed when he was 14. It was judged that when he carried out the crime he was mature. Political prisoners are also routinely executed in Iran. They are given grossly unfair trials including the denial of access to a lawyer. Many were tortured into confessing to allegations made up by authorities. Several of these so-called confessions have been broadcast on state television. The treatment of prisoners in Iranian prisons is inhumane. They are denied the most basic of amenities and are left to suffer in dirty conditions. Many inmates are put in solitary confinement and use of bathroom facilities are limited. Food is also limited and they are made to eat in unsanitary conditions. It has also been reported that prison guards have hung prisoners by their wrists, or upside down by their feet. Reports also indicate that prisoners have been flogged while they are eating and others have had their fingernails pulled out. Frequently, the families are denied their loved ones body for burial until they pay a sum of money which they are told is for the noose or bullet that killed them. Human rights activists are calling on the relevant organisations, including the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, to do everything in their power to put an end to the arbitrary use of the death penalty in Iran. This article is part of our series that explores Tehrans terror activities and Iranian diplomat Assadollah Assadis role in a bombing plot against the opposition rally in Paris in June 2018. In a statement, the NCRI said: The Iranian resistance welcomes the decision of the Bamberg Supreme Court and stresses on speeding up judicial proceedings in the case of the largest Iranian state-sponsored terrorism project and its operational commander, Assadollah Assadi, and disclosure of all its details. The Iranian regimes state-sponsored terrorism should be referred to the United Nations Security Council. They warned that the orders for this attack came from the Supreme Security Council, with approval from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, President Hassan Rouhani, and Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. They said that failure to act against Irans state-sponsored terrorism and expel all Iranian diplomats from Europe would only embolden the Regime to commit more terrorist acts in Europe. After all, the Iranian Regime has already attempted two terrorist attacks in Europe in 2018 alone; one against the NCRIs Free Iran Gathering in Paris and one against an Iranian Resistance groups compound in Albania. The state Supreme Court in Bamberg, Germany, agreed on Monday to extradite Assadi to Belgium, citing that all extradition conditions have been met and that the accused, who was based in Vienna, cannot invoke diplomatic immunity. The mullahs have been trying to pressure European countries to allow Assadi to return to Austria and escape justice since July 1, when he was arrested in Germany. Of course, the other countries have refused to do that, citing the obvious dangers of allowing a terrorist to go free. The Iranian Resistance revealed Assadis three-decade-long record of assassination, spying, and murder back in 2008 and he should have rightly been investigated then. In addition to Assadi, five other people were arrested following coordinated raids by European police forces. This includes a man identified as Mehrdad A., who was detained in Paris and a husband and wife who were arrested in Belgium with 500 grams of the powerful explosive TATP and a detonator on them. France advised that the Iranian intelligence ministry was behind the plot, despite obvious denials by the Regime, so they recalled their diplomats from Iran in September and put a six-month freeze on Assadis assets last week. Assadi, who is suspected of hiring the terrorist and supplying them with the bomb, will appear before the Belgian judge in charge of the case today. TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Asian Mineral Resources Limited (the Company) (ASN-TSX Venture) announced today that it has issued 4,766,808 common shares at a price of $0.50 per share to extinguish $2,383,404 of liabilities pursuant to settlement agreements with certain of the Companys creditors. Further details on each of the settlement agreements can be found in the Companys press release disseminated on September 21, 2018. Separately, the Company has also entered into an agreement with a group of investors pursuant to which such investors have advanced the sum of $360,000 to the Company, conditional upon, and in anticipation of the Company completing an equity financing at a future date to be determined by the Company and such investors. Should the Company fail to complete an equity financing by the date determined by the Company and the investors, the Company will return the full amount of the advance to the investors. The advance will initially allow the Company to pay administrative expenses and make payments to certain trade creditors. Mr. Robin Widdup has, today, resigned as Chairman and Director of the Company. Assuming the role of Chairman will be Chris Castle, a longstanding Director since 2000 and Chairman during the Companys formative years. We wish to thank Mr. Widdup for his tenure as Chairman and Director during some of the most challenging years for the Company, commented Duncan Blount, CEO of Asian Mineral Resources. Since he first became involved with the Company in 2010, Mr. Widdup has provided significant contributions through his technical expertise and capital markets guidance. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors. About AMR AMR formerly owned and operated the Ban Phuc Nickel Mine in Vietnam. Following a strategic review process, AMR announced on July 17, 2018 the completion of the sale of the Ban Phuc Nickel Mine and that it had entered into an option agreement with Island Time Exploration Limited for the exclusive right to acquire up to 75% interest in four mineral titles totalling 3,687 hectares situated east of Duncan in the Victoria Mining Division, whose primary target is volcanogenic, polymetallic massive sulphides. AMR will provide a further update on its progress with this investment opportunity and any other new opportunities in due course. Forward-Looking Statements Statements made in this news release may be forward-looking and therefore subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such statements can typically be identified by terminology such as may, will, could, should, expect, plan, anticipate, believe, intend, possible, continue, objective or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to AMRs efforts to secure future capital investment and find new opportunities in resource base companies. Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. AMR does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements; such statements speak only as at the date made. Going Concern Risk As described in AMRs most recent Management Discussion & Analysis, the continuing operations of the Company are dependent upon its ability to continue to raise adequate financing, to commence profitable operations in the future, and repay its liabilities arising from normal business operations as they become due. There remains a significant risk that the Company is unable to find alternative sources of financing for on-going working capital requirements. These material uncertainties cast significant doubt upon the Companys ability to continue as a going concern. Failure to obtain sufficient financing could force the Company into reorganization, bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings. Additional financing may not be available when needed or, if available, the terms of such financing might not be favourable to the Company and might involve substantial dilution to existing shareholders. Failure to raise capital when needed would have a material adverse effect on the Companys ability to pursue its business strategy, and accordingly could negatively impact the Companys business, financial condition and results of operations. For further information: Paula Kember Chief Financial Officer Telephone: (416) 360-3412 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. There is nobody so irritating as somebody with less intelligence and more sense than we have. - Don Herold Sometimes the appropriate response to reality is to go insane. - Phillip K. Dick In the fight between you and the world, back the world.- Frank Zappa HAMILTON, Bermuda, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- More than 50 senior industry representatives will join Bermuda government and regulatory leaders taking part in next weeks Executive Forum in Miami, showcasing the island as a leading finance centre for LatAm and global business. Organised by the Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA), the complimentary full-day event takes place Thursday, October 18 at the Intercontinental Hotel Miami. Fifteen presentations and panel discussions will highlight investment and business opportunities available in Bermuda, while also underscoring the many synergies shared by the island and Florida, a corporate gateway to Latin America. Experts will cover the gamut of industries that leverage Bermuda as a platform for international businessincluding property-casualty re/insurance, asset management, trust and private-client, high-net-worth services, family offices, life sciences, cyber risk and healthcare liability, life and annuity insurance, captive insurance, plus new fintech, insurtech, blockchain, virtual currency and digital assets industries. Highlights include a seaside chat about topics of mutual interest between Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Premier David Burt which launches the event in the morning, while Bacardi executive Douglas Mello delivers the lunch-time keynote, detailing the spirits giants Cuban heritage and the decision to establish its global headquarters in Bermuda a half-century ago. Notably, one of the days industry panels will be conducted in Spanish, featuring Bermuda-based professionals of Hispanic heritage discussing Bermudas appeal as a centre of excellence. Were thrilled to have Bacardis participation and that of Mayor Suarezboth underscore the firm links between our two communities, said Sean Moran, BDA Interim CEO. Bermuda and Florida have established natural synergies over time. Not only does our reinsurance industry provide most of the states natural disaster coverage, but we also share commonalities as coastal communities pertaining to ocean access and the industries and risks associated with it. Joining the Premier from government will be Minister of National Security Wayne Caines, appearing on a closing panel on blockchain, and Junior Finance Minister Wayne Furbert. Kristin Jacobs, Executive Director of Resiliency Florida and a Democratic member of Floridas House of Representatives, will speak on a panel on climate and ocean risk; the Bermuda Monetary Authoritys Managing Director of Insurance Supervision, Craig Swan, will address ways Bermuda is innovating via insurtech; and John Huff, CEO, Association of Bermuda Insurers & Reinsurers (ABIR). Bacardi and the Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) are partnering with the BDA on a networking reception that concludes the event. Earlier in the day, the BTAs Glenn Jones will moderate a panel on products and lifestyle for the next generation of travellers. The Bermuda Tourism Authority is pleased to share this platform with the Bermuda Business Development Agency and its partners. Together, were adding tourisms exciting resurgence to the dynamic conversations about business out here in Bermuda, said BTA CEO Kevin Dallas. Well focus our discussions around Bermudas landscape of luxury experiences, which have improved impressively over the past few years, and are well positioned for further enhancements, particularly as relates to hotel properties and superyacht legislation. This is the third cross-sector event produced by the BDA. Previous forums in London in 2017 and New York this spring each drew impressive turnouts of between 250 and 300 executives who heard panel discussions by Bermudas top industry and regulatory leaders detailing the islands advantages to onshore communities and businesses. Other participating groups and companies in the Miami forum include: AIG, Allied World, Apex Fund Services, Appleby, Arch Capital, Athene Life, AXA XL, AXIS Capital, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS), Bermuda Shipping & Maritime Authority (BSMA), Bermuda Yacht Services, Butterfield Bank, Carey Olsen Bermuda, Chubb, Conyers, Dana Philanthropy, Deloitte, DrumG, EFG Wealth Management, EY, Hamilton Princess, Harbour International Trust, Hotelco Bermuda Holdings/St Regis, Integro Insurance Brokers, KPMG, Markel CATCo, Marsh, Meritus Trust, Norton Rose Fulbright, Omega One, Paragon Brokers, PwC, Quest Management Services, Risk Cooperative, SeaHeal, Shyft Network, The Nature Conservancy, Uulala, and Willis Towers Watson. Were very proud of the impressive Team Bermuda wholl take part in this event with us, noted Moran. We have a strong delegation from a broad range of industries and are looking forward to their contributions. Included are timely topics such as our islands unique positioning in respect to superyachts, for example, as well as blockchain and ICOs. We intend for delegates to leave the event fully understanding that Bermuda is open for business. For agenda details or to register for the October 18 Bermuda Executive Forum in Miami, contact the BDA at info@bda.bm or go to http://bda.bm/bermuda-executive-forum-miami/. MEDIA CONTACT: Rosemary Jones Head of Communications & Marketing rosemary@bda.bm 441 278-6558 441 337-4696 CONNECTING BUSINESS The BDA encourages direct investment and helps companies start up, re-locate or expand their operations in our premier jurisdiction. An independent, public-private partnership, we connect you to industry professionals, regulatory officials, and key contacts in the Bermuda government to assist domicile decisions. Our goal? To make doing business in Bermuda smooth and beneficial. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1074d43a-5078-4499-81c4-ba7ba9c9b7f7 CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SPX Corporation (NYSE:SPXC) announced today that it will release its third quarter 2018 financial results after market close on Thursday, November 1, 2018. SPX Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Gene Lowe and SPX Corporation Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Scott Sproule will discuss the company's third quarter results during a conference call at 4:45 p.m. Eastern time. Those interested in participating in the conference call should dial in five minutes prior to the start of the call. The call will be simultaneously webcast via the company's website at www.spx.com and the slide presentation will be available in the Investor Relations section of the site. Conference call Dial in: 877-341-7727 From outside the United States: +1 262-558-6098 Participant code: 7339597 A replay of the call will be available by telephone through Thursday, November 8th. To listen to a replay of the call Dial in: 855-859-2056 From outside the United States: +1 404-537-3406 Participant code: 7339597 About SPX Corporation: SPX Corporation is a supplier of highly engineered products and technologies, holding leadership positions in the HVAC, detection and measurement, and engineered solutions markets. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, SPX Corporation had approximately $1.4 billion in annual revenue in 2017 and more than 5,000 employees in 14 countries. SPX Corporation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol SPXC. For more information, please visit www.spx.com . Investor and Media Contacts: Paul Clegg, Vice President, Investor Relations and Communications Phone: 980-474-3806 E-mail: spx.investor@spx.com The traffic is being blocked on Bohatyrska Street and Peremohy Avenue. Owners of cars with foreign registration plates have been blocking several streets in Kyiv since 09:00 Kyiv time on Thursday, October 11, protesting against an increase in fuel prices. The traffic is being blocked on Bohatyrska Street and Peremohy Avenue. The organizers have previously announced the traffic of cars and minibuses will be suspended amid their rally. Houston, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Houston Exponential today announced the first closing for HX Venture Fund. The Fund is Houstons first venture capital fund of funds and closed the first round with $25 million in commitments from nine leading Houston companies. The Limited Partners in the first round closing include: Insperity, Chevron, Shell, Quanta Services, Westlake Chemical, The Plank Companies, PROS, HEB and Camden. HX Venture Fund is a significant component of Houston Exponentials mission of positioning Houston as a top 10 innovation ecosystem by 2022. The closing marks a key milestone for HX Venture Fund, which aims to achieve an attractive return for investors, appeal to leading venture capital firms to offer their expertise and risk capital to the region and create a pathway for innovation and information to flow among corporations, startups and innovators. This is another transformational moment for Houston, said Gina Luna, chair of Houston Exponential. From day one at Houston Exponential, we have been executing a plan to accelerate the growth of the ecosystem, including connecting Houston startups with the capital they need to grow their businesses. This is a significant, tangible milestone. Houstons leading companies have stepped up in a big way to make this happen, and this is a clear signal that Houston is committed to success. Houston Exponential was formed in October 2017 as a vehicle to bolster Houstons innovation ecosystem. Houston Exponential combined three different initiatives: the Mayors Technology and Innovation Task Force, the Houston Technology Center, and the Greater Houston Partnerships Innovation Roundtable. Houstons tech scene is certainly on a roll. The fact that these companies have stepped up and invested in the HX Venture Fund is a testament to our shared commitment to further develop the innovation environment here," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said. So many partners are contributing: the Innovation District announced by Rice, the TMC3 campus in the Texas Medical Center, Verizon choosing Houston as a 5G launch point, Microsoft enriching online strategies in city government and with the public, and Google announcing big deals with energy firms here. Houston is ripe for opportunity and we are starting to turn some heads across the tech world. The Anchor Investor of the Fund is Insperity, a leading provider of human resources and business performance solutions headquartered in Houston. Insperity made a commitment up to $5 million last October. In addition to the initial commitment, Insperity contributed the necessary runway capital to launch and support the daily operations of the Fund through the formation period. This is a great day for Houston and startup businesses across our community, said Paul J. Sarvadi, Insperity co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer. "Insperity is committed to helping businesses run better, grow faster and make more money. That is what Houston Exponential and the HX Venture Fund are all about and we are proud to be part of the effort. The Fund was launched based on the best practice model established by the Renaissance Venture Capital Fund in Michigan that has elevated the positioning of the states innovation economy while generating financial returns that have outperformed national benchmarks. Renaissance Funds CEO and Fund Manager, Chris Rizik, serves on the HX Venture Funds investment committee. Ive spoken to many cities about Renaissances fund of funds model and the impact it has had on Michigan, said Rizik. Houston has leaned into this model and it is impressive what they have been able to accomplish in a short time. It is a testament to the commitment of Houstons business and tech leaders to growing the ecosystem. Its really exciting to see. Joining Chris Rizik on the investment committee are Charles Tate and Paul Hobby. The Fund manager is Guillermo Borda. Borda has held a variety of venture capital and private equity roles, including managing capital via large fund of funds for four of the largest public pension funds in the U.S. The nine Limited Partner companies include diverse representation across several sectors including energy, computer hardware development and manufacturing, software development, business services, and real estate development. Successful closing of this first round of funding comes at a time of accelerated momentum for Houston Exponential and the innovation ecosystem including the announcement of the Houston Innovation District in Midtown Houston by the Rice Management Company, managers of the Rice University endowment. In addition, the Texas Medical Center, the worlds largest medical city, announced the TMC3 expansion, a 30-acre translational research campus set to break ground next year. Houston Exponential was launched in October 2017. The organizations three main goals are to make Houston a top 10 innovation ecosystem, generate $2 billion in venture capital annually and create 10,000 new technology jobs a year by 2022. ### Houston Exponential Houston Exponential is a dynamic organization that serves, organizes, champions and grows the regions innovation ecosystem. HX is accelerating the development of Houstons innovation economy, fostering a robust ecosystem that supports high-growth, high-impact startups. HX was created by the Greater Houston Partnerships Innovation Round Table, Mayor Turners Innovation and Technology Task Force, and the Houston Technology Center. By convening the ecosystem, helping to build an innovation district in Houston, attracting talent to the region and promoting Houstons image, both locally and nationally, as a vibrant, innovative economy where startups thrive, we will bolster Houstons innovation ecosystem and drive the region to become a top 10 startup ecosystem. Global resolution secures patient access to Sandoz biosimilar Hyrimoz (adalimumab)[1] for the reference medicine Humira ** Resolution paves way for 2018 launch in key European markets and secures US market entry planned in 2023 Holzkirchen, October 11, 2018 - Sandoz, a Novartis division and the global leader in biosimilars, today announced a global resolution of all intellectual property (IP) related litigation with AbbVie concerning the proposed Sandoz biosimilar Hyrimoz (adalimumab)[1] for reference medicine Humira** (adalimumab). "In order to realize the promise of early and expanded access and healthcare savings, biosimilars must be available as soon as possible to the patients and physicians who need them. This settlement helps remove uncertainty regarding when our biosimilar adalimumab will be available and allows us to focus on expanding access for patients to the medicine they need to manage their chronic disease," said Stefan Hendriks, Global Head of Biopharmaceuticals, Sandoz. Under the terms of the agreement, AbbVie grants Sandoz a non-exclusive license to AbbVie's intellectual property relating to Humira, beginning on certain dates in certain countries in which AbbVie has intellectual property. The license period will begin on October 16, 2018 in most countries in the European Union, and on other dates in various other countries outside the US where AbbVie has IP. In the US, the license period will begin on September 30, 2023. Sandoz will pay royalties to AbbVie for licensing its Humira patents. All litigation pending between the parties will be dismissed. AbbVie will make no payments to Sandoz. The precise terms are confidential between the parties. Sandoz biosimilar adalimumab was recently approved by the European Commission (EC) for the 31 countries of the European Economic area, which comprises the 28 member countries of the European Union plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It is the seventh approved Sandoz biosimilar medicine. Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "secures," "paves way," "potentially," "plan," "expected," "proposed," "potential," "can," "will," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "portfolio," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential launches, marketing approvals, new indications or labelling for Hyrimoz and the other investigational or approved biosimilar products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from Hyrimoz and such other biosimilar products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that Hyrimoz or the other investigational or approved biosimilar products described in this press release will be launched in any market, or at any particular time. Neither can there be any guarantee that Hyrimoz or such other products will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that, if approved, such products will be approved for all indications included in the reference product's label. Neither can there be any guarantee that Hyrimoz or such other products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding Hyrimoz and such other products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; competition in general, including potential approval of additional biosimilar versions of such products; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures; litigation outcomes, including intellectual property disputes or other legal efforts to prevent or limit Sandoz from selling its products; general political and economic conditions; safety, quality or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Sandoz Sandoz is a global leader in generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars. As a division of the Novartis Group, our purpose is to discover new ways to improve and extend people's lives. We contribute to society's ability to support growing healthcare needs by pioneering novel approaches to help people around the world access high-quality medicine. Our portfolio of approximately 1000 molecules, covering all major therapeutic areas, accounted for 2017 sales of USD 10.1 billion. In 2017, our products reached well over 500 million patients and we aspire to reach one billion. Sandoz is headquartered in Holzkirchen, in Germany's Greater Munich area. Sandoz is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Sandoz_global at http://twitter.com/Sandoz_Global. Follow our blog at www.sandoz.com/makingaccesshappen. References: [1] European Medicines Agency. Hyrimoz. Key Facts. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/medicines/human/EPAR/hyrimoz . Accessed October 2, 2018. **Humira (adalimumab) is marketed by AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG in Europe and Humira is a registered trademark of AbbVie Biotechnology, Inc. # # # Novartis Media Relations Central media line: +41 61 324 2200 E-mail: media.relations@novartis.com Eric Althoff Novartis Global Media Relations +41 61 324 7999 (direct) +41 79 593 4202 (mobile) eric.althoff@novartis.com Chris Lewis Sandoz Global Communications +49 8924 476 1906 (direct) +49 174 244 9501 (mobile) chris.lewis@sandoz.com Michelle Bauman Sandoz Global Communications ++1 609 720 6699 (direct) ++1 973 714 8043 (mobile) michelle.bauman@sandoz.com Novartis Investor Relations Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944 E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nevada Copper Corp. (TSX: NCU) (Nevada Copper or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has completed, and SEDAR-filed, a Technical Report (Technical Report) prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) for its 100%-owned Pumpkin Hollow Copper Project located near Yerington, Nevada. The Technical Report, entitled Pumpkin Hollow Development Options NI 43-101 Technical Report: Pre-feasibility Study 5,000 tons/day Underground Project (Case A), Feasibility Study for a 70,000 tons/day Open Pit/Underground Project (Case B), and Preliminary Economic Assessment of an Open Pit Project with Initial Capacity of 37,000 tons/day and Expansion to 70,000 tons/day (the PEA study), has an effective date 17 August 2018. The Pumpkin Hollow underground project is currently under construction and is expected to commence production in Q4 2019. The Technical Report includes the previously prepared 2017 prefeasibility study on the underground project, as well as the previously prepared 2015 feasibility study on the potential development of an integrated open pit and underground mine, both of which studies remain current and valid. The Technical Report also includes the new preliminary economic assessment (the PEA) on the open pit project, which was undertaken to contemplate an alternative option of developing the open pit independently from the underground mine. The open pit project plan outlines a Phase I (Initial Capacity of 37,000 tons/day) and Phase I+II (70,000 tons/day). The PEA study demonstrates that attractive economic returns can be achieved, while reducing the waste requirements and improving grade mined from a less costly and smaller scale project. See the Companys news releases dated September 10, 2018 and September 24, 2018 for further information. The report highlights the economic strengths of Phase I and Phase I + II A summary of the Phase I and Phase I+II life of mine technical details and economic results are presented in Table 1. The data shows that the 37Kstpd option alone has sufficient economic merit to pursue as an alternative to the expanded case, as Phase I alone can deliver an NPV7.5% post-tax of $567M with an IRR of 18%. Table 1: PEA Phase I versus Phase I+II Comparison Metrics1 Category Unit PEA Phase I+II Phase I Only Ore M tons 405 205 Ore Grade Life of Mine %Cu 0.48 0.54 Ore Grade Life of Mine %Cu-eq 0.51 0.57 Waste Total M tons 1,250 686 Strip Ratio (including Pre-Strip) 3.1 3.4 Waste Pre-Strip Only M tons 92 92 Strip Ratio (excluding Pre-Strip) 2.9 2.9 RoM Production M tpa 13.5 to 25.5 13.5 LOM Years 21 16 LOM Payable B lbs Cu 3.3 1.9 North Pit Strip Ratio 3.4 3.2 North Pit Ore M tons 252 173 North Pit Ore Grade % 0.54 0.55 South Pit Strip Ratio 2.5 4.0 South Pit Ore M tons 154 31 South Pit Ore Grade % 0.39 0.46 Operating Cost $/ton RoM 10.9 12.1 C1 Cost (incl. by-products & royalties) $/lb Cu 1.67 1.66 Initial Pre-Production Capital $M 592 592 Expansion Capital $M 447 0 Sustaining Capital $M 445 305 LOM Capital $M 1,485 897 AISC2 (C1 + sustaining capital + tax) $/lb Cu 1.99 2.01 Pre-Tax NPV 7.5% $M 1,174 733 Pre-Tax IRR % 21 19 Post-Tax NPV 7.5% $M 927 567 Post-Tax IRR % 19 18 Further highlights of the PEA include: Lower scale of upfront capital cost and phased expansion: Initial capital cost estimate: US$592 M with a production rate of 37K stpd Low initial capital intensity: US$7,588/st 3 Cu-eq 4 for 37K stpd production period and US$6,010/st 5 Cu-eq for the whole of life of mine steady state operations Strong project economics (phase I and phase II): Pre-tax NPV 7.5% of US$1,174 M and IRR of 21% Post-tax NPV 7.5% of US$927 M and IRR of 19% Average life of mine EBITDA: $272 Mpa (steady state operations average) Payable Copper: life of mine average 177 M lbspa (steady state operations average) First five-year copper grades averaging 0.57%Cu (0.61% Cu-eq.) C1 Cash Costs: US$1.67/lb net of by-product credits 21-year mine life Phased expansion creates potential to fund required project capital internally: Potential to fund ongoing development work and construction through future cash flows from the (separate) Underground Mine, reducing need to access equity markets Phase 2 expansion capital costs of US$447 M to increase to a 70K stpd rate in year 8 of the life of mine. 1 Utilizes analyst consensus long-term copper price of $3.20/lb 2 All-In Sustaining Costs 3 Capital intensity: pre-production capital cost ($592M) / average Cu-eq tons produced in Years 1-8 (78ktpa) 4 Cu-eq. calculated using prices / recoveries: Cu 3.20/lb & 89.3%; Au $1,325/Oz & 67.3%; and Ag $20.01/Oz & 56.3%. Applies to all Cu-eq references throughout this press release. 5 Capital intensity: pre-production capital cost ($592M) / average Cu-eq tons produced in Years 1-19 (99ktpa) Qualified Persons The information and data in this news release was reviewed by Gregory French, P.G., Vice-President Exploration & Project Development of Nevada Copper, Robert McKnight, P.Eng., Executive Vice-President and CFO of Nevada Copper, both of whom are non-independent Qualified Persons within the meaning of NI 43-101, together with the following independent qualified persons: Ted Minnes P.E., Golder, consultant, responsible for mine planning, mine design and cost estimation. Ronald Turner, PG, Golder, consultant, responsible for geology and mineral resource estimation. Aleksandar Petrovic, P.Eng. Sedgman, responsible for mineral processing, infrastructure design and cost estimation. Notes to Reader on Preliminary Economic Assessments The Technical Report contemplates two potential options for developing the Pumpkin Hollow mine. Case A (the 2017 Underground PFS) contemplates an underground mine as a stand-alone case and that is not impacted by the results of the PEA, and construction has commenced on the underground project on this basis. Case B (the 2015 Integrated Open Pit and Underground FS) is described as an integrated open pit and underground mine case. Despite the fact that construction has commenced on the underground project, the open pit can be developed and designed (including with regard to surface facilities and services) as an integrated operation for some years to come before Case A and Case B might be considered to become mutually exclusive to one another. The PEA was undertaken to evaluate a different approach to developing the open pit by emphasizing a smaller scale and lower cost operation to the previous studies. The results of the 2017 Underground PFS and 2015 Integrated Open Pit and Underground FS remain valid and represent viable options for developing the Pumpkin Hollow project, with the PEA assessing an alternative development option for the open pit at a conceptual level. The PEA does not change the key assumptions and conclusions set out in the 2015 Integrated Open Pit and Underground FS. Please note that the PEA is preliminary in nature, that it includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. About Nevada Copper Nevada Coppers (TSX: NCU) Pumpkin Hollow project is the only major, shovel-ready and fully-permitted copper project in North America. Located in Nevada, USA, Pumpkin Hollow has substantial reserves and resources including copper, gold and silver. Its two fully-permitted projects include: the high-grade Pumpkin Hollow underground project which is in construction with a view to near-term commencement of copper production; and the Pumpkin Hollow open pit project, a large-scale copper deposit with substantial mineral reserves, and which is currently undergoing an optimization program to target a reduced-capex, staged-development approach. Additional Information For further information please visit the Nevada Copper corporate website ( www.nevadacopper.com ). NEVADA COPPER CORP. Matthew Gili, President and CEO For further information call: Rich Matthews, VP Investor Relations Phone: 604-355-7179 Toll free: 1-877-648-8266 Email: rmatthews@nevadacopper.com We seek safe harbour. AMEs Kick-off Season of Pentecost at 94th Annual Conference Declaring a season of Pentecost, Bishop Clement W. Fugh, presiding prelate of the 5th Episcopal District of the AME Church, and Episcopal Supervisor Alexia Butler Fugh, will emphasize spiritual renewal and revival during the 94th Session of the Southern California Annual Conference. The five-day symposium, which opens Wednesday, Oct. 17, and concludes Sunday, Oct. 21, brings together hundreds of AMEs representing 50+ churches in Southern California and Nevada to participate in the business sessions, workshops and worship services held at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport Hotel, 5711 W. Century Blvd., in Los Angeles. Inviting people of all faiths to attend, Fugh said the conference will highlight the age of the professing church. We will explore the significance of Jesus meeting with His disciples following the crucifixion when they were in hiding, he explained. Next, we will delve into the rich treasures that unfold when the day of Pentecost is fully come. ADVERTISEMENT The Rev. Roosevelt Lindsey, Jr., and the Rev. Dr. Allen Williams, Sr., are the host and co-host presiding elders, respectively. Also, for the first time in their church history, Pastor Dwaine Jackson and the members of Bryant Temple AME will serve as conference hosts. We are excited to play such an important role in this conference and we are confident that everyone who attends will be energized and rejuvenated in their walk with Christ, Jackson said. Activities began on Oct. 17, at 8 a.m., with the Women In Ministry and the Womens Missionary Society conventions. At 7 p.m., the WMS will host the worship service. Fugh will convene the business session on Oct. 18, at 9 a.m., featuring the roll call of ministers and delegates along with reports by various committees. The Opening Worship Service takes place at 7 p.m., with preaching by the Rev. Dr. J. Arthur Rumph, pastor of Grant AME Church in Los Angeles. On Oct. 19, Fugh will expand on his season of Pentecost vision for the new conference year. Also, pastors will deliver reports on their churches accomplishments during 2017-2018. The Conference Lay Organization will sponsor a community education town hall at 7 p.m. The agenda on Oct. 20 includes sessions for members of the Young Peoples Division as well as the Ordination Service at 10 a.m., with preaching by the Rev. Dr. Dennis Dickerson, a retired general officer of the AME Church and professor at Vanderbilt University. The conference ends on Oct. 21, at 3 p.m., with the Closing Worship and Commissioning Service. Bishop Fugh will preach the sermon and announce the pastoral appointments for 2018-19. ADVERTISEMENT To learn more, call Bryant Temple AME Church at (323) 293-6201. Avi Bernard Produces Film with Tony Award Winning Writer Youve heard him on the radio on KJLH 102.3 FM. Youve seen him on KTLA News Channel 5 as an on-air personality. He has appeared on various television shows such as True Detective, Murder in The First and HBOs Barry. Avi Bernard will continue his acting abilities in his upcoming film, Why Torture Is Wrong and the People Who Love Them. The film, which Bernard will produce, is based on a play written by Tony Award winner Christopher Duran. The Venice native spoke to the Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper about his upcoming project. LOS ANGELES SENTINEL NEWSPAPER: You are known for working in radio and acting. How did this all begin? ADVERTISEMENT AVI BERNARD: In college, I took a couple of drama classes just for fun. I figured out at the end of college that acting is something that I wanted to do. After college, I worked on an Internet radio station. Then I met Dominique DiPrima at KJLH and asked for an internship. I worked my way up from there while still auditioning for roles. LAS: What sparked your interest in making the play into a movie? BERNARD: It happened years ago at a theater bookstore. I saw an interesting title called Why Torture Is Wrong and the People Who Love Them. I read the first scene and was immediately hooked. After a few years, I decided I wanted to make this into a film. I started doing the research and reached out to the writer, Christopher Duran. LAS: How did Mr. Duran jump on board? BERNARD: I eventually got him to do an interview at KJLH. Thats how I started to build a friendship with him. I never thought I would become friends with the actual writer, especially a Tony Award winner. LAS: What makes his writing appealing to you? BERNARD: My interest sparked from his over the top comedic style. He does far out dark comedy, but with a message. Its all political satire. ADVERTISEMENT LAS: Speaking of dark comedies, what is Why Torture Is Wrong and the People Who Love Them about? BERNARD: Its about a White woman who marries a Muslim man. The father is a right-winged Republican who believes his new son-in-law might be a terrorist. From that point, he starts to interrogate him about a non-existent terror threat. LAS: Wow that sounds intense. Why do you feel this story needs to be told now? BERNARD: Look at our current political climate. Though the story is satire, some people today truly have prejudice against other minorities. It is all happening right now because of fear. That amount of fear can lead people to hurt others. LAS: On your social media, you use the hashtag #MakeAmericaLaughAgain. Where does that saying stem from? BERNARD: Its just a play on the ridiculous Make America Great Again slogan. I often ask, when was America great? What America are you trying to go back to? It has never been great for minorities. The upcoming film is currently in production. Anyone can donate by visiting startengine.com/makeamericalaughagain. All donations are tax deductible. Californias Net Neutrality Legislation Hit with Lawsuit Before she left her position earlier this year as commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, Mignon Clyburn vigorously fought to keep Obama-era broadband and Internet protections and net neutrality laws. Clyburn surmised that, if left unchecked, companies would exploit consumers and siphon every dollar they could. Last week, President Donald Trumps Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the state of California over its new net neutrality protections just hours after Gov. Jerry Brown signed the bill into law on Sunday. ADVERTISEMENT According to CNN, the California law would be the strictest net neutrality protections in the country, and could serve as a blueprint for other states.Under the law, Internet service providers will not be allowed to block or slow specific types of content or applications, or charge apps or companies fees for faster access to customers. The Department of Justice claims that the California law is illegal and that the state is attempting to subvert the Federal Governments deregulatory approach to the Internet. Under the Constitution, states do not regulate interstate commerce the federal government does, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement. Once again the California legislature has enacted an extreme and illegal state law attempting to frustrate federal policy. The Justice Department should not have to spend valuable time and resources to file this suit today, but we have a duty to defend the prerogatives of the federal government and protect our Constitutional order, Sessions said. The FCC voted last December to repeal Obama-era protections and the net neutrality rules, approved by the same organization two years earlier, prohibited Internet service providers such Comcast and Verizon from speeding up or slowing down traffic from specific websites and apps. Democrats, like Clyburn, argued the new FCC rules give too much power to Internet service providers, which they fear will throttle down speeds for some websites and services while ramping it up for others who pay more. We are supposed to be here protecting the consumers experience and interests when it comes to communications and other services, Clyburn told NNPA Newswire. ADVERTISEMENT We are supposed to be enablers of opportunities, both for businesses and individuals. A strong advocate for enhanced accessibility in communications for disabled citizens who also works closely with representative groups for the deaf and hard of hearing, Clyburn said shes fought to promote strong competition across all communications platforms with a belief that the more robust and competitive the marketplace, the less need there is for regulation. The daughter of U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) and a graduate of the University of South Carolina, Clyburn began her service at the FCC in August 2009 after 11 years in the sixth district of the Public Service Commission of South Carolina. The protections she championed in 2015 prohibited broadband providers from blocking or slowing traffic. The rules also banned them from charging companies such as Netflix to reach their customers faster than their competitors. The FCC is one of the most significant federal agencies and most people dont think about it or never heard of it unless theres a wardrobe malfunction at the Super Bowl or a four-letter word used during family hour, Clyburn said. We are enablers of technology. We can ensure that more Americans can be connected. What we do can both make programs like Lifeline more ubiquitous and answer todays needs when it comes to telecommunications or we can close the books where they dont work ideally, she said. Clyburn said when one thinks about telecommunications, its impossible to effectively communicate in the 21st century without communicating with broadband. I say to people that when they [ask] what does the FCC does. If you hear or see a signal transmitted over the air, the FCC had something to do with that, she said. Technology also counts as big business and California stands as the largest economy in the United States and the fifth largest in the world. The state has significant influence over how other states regulate businesses and even federal laws and regulations, according to CNN. Trump is testing that power. Its critically important for states to step in, State Sen. Scott Wiener, who co-authored the bill, told CNN. What California does definitely impacts the national conversation. I do believe that this bill will move us in a positive direction nationally on net neutrality, Wiener said. Chicago Verdict Raises Hope of Greater Police Accountability A rare scene in the American justice system unfolded Friday in a Chicago courthouse: A White officer stood before a mostly White jury and was convicted of killing a Black teenager. It was the second such verdict nationally in two months. Jason Van Dykes guilty conviction for second-degree murder and multiple counts of aggravated battery for fatally shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times came two months after a Texas officer was convicted in the killing of a 15-year-old unarmed Black boy. The pair of guilty verdicts could signal a shift in momentum after years of delayed arrests, non-indictments and not guilty verdicts. Activists and advocates say that their efforts, along with the ubiquity of cellphone camera evidence, could be changing the power balance between police and Black communities. ADVERTISEMENT Were starting to see some verdicts that are in line with justice, said Rashad Robinson, executive director of Color of Change, a civil rights group that has supported electing reform-minded district attorneys in cities such as Chicago and Philadelphia. No verdict is going to bring Laquan back or change the way he was taken from his family, friends or community. But being able to start sending a message to law enforcement that they are not above the law is important. It was not an outcome some expected, despite evidence including a video of McDonalds shooting. It is extremely rare for police officers to be tried and convicted of murder for shootings that occurred while they were on duty. Before the conviction Friday, only six non-federal police officers had been convicted of murder in such cases and four of those were overturned since 2005, according to data compiled by criminologist and Bowling Green State University professor Phil Stinson. Several cases in the past few years including the police-involved deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri; Eric Garner in New York; Tamir Rice in Cleveland; and Freddie Gray in Baltimore have ended in disappointment for many in the Black community, as White officers have gone unpunished in their deaths. Black Lives Matter built momentum from that outrage after 18-year-old Brown, who was unarmed, was fatally shot by a White Ferguson police officer in August 2013. Fueled by social media and nightly street protests, thousands of young people pressed for change in how police deal with Black communities. Protests spread around the country when other African Americans were killed by police. They demanded arrests, indictments, convictions and police reform. The Justice Department investigated multiple police departments and found patterns of racial discrimination. The McDonald case fueled a racially charged atmosphere in Chicago, and the city anticipated violence if the verdict had gone the other way. Police officers lined the streets and activists converged downtown in anticipation of the verdict. If jurors would not convict a police officer who shot a man 16 times, when that man was not threatening the officer in any way, when would they convict? said Georgetown University law professor and former federal prosecutor Paul Butler. The concern was that it was a very real possibility, based on the way these cases usually go. If the jurors hadnt convicted Van Dyke, it would have been an outrage, but it would have been a familiar outrage. Van Dyke, 40, was the first Chicago officer to be convicted of murder for an on-duty shooting in 48 years. He was taken into custody moments after the verdict was read. ADVERTISEMENT It culminated a series of events that convulsed Chicago in the aftermath of the 2014 shooting. City officials resisted for months releasing a dashboard camera video that showed Van Dyke fire 16 shots at the teenager, who was walking away from officers. Police said McDonald was armed only with a small knife. The city erupted in protest after the video became public. Mayor Rahm Emanuel fired the police superintendent and a Justice Department investigation found a pervasive cover-up culture in the Chicago Police Department, which is headed for federal reforms. The Cook County district attorney, Anita Alvarez, was ousted from office in the 2016 primary election for failing to seek timely charges against Van Dyke. This summer, Emanuel announced that he would not seek re-election as strained relations with the Black community took its toll on his political prospects. The verdict marks one step in the fight for racial justice and progress, said Charlene Carruthers, an activist and the founding national director of Black Youth Project 100. We still have a lot more work to do, Carruthers said. This is a moment where people are seeing that the blue wall that exists in Chicago has a crack in it. This is an opportunity to continue our organizing and act on the visionary demands that we have to transform our community. Civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson called the verdict a small sign of progress in Chicago, which leads the nations largest cities in police-involved killings. The peoples cup has run over with these police violations of peoples rights, he said. People were hoping for the best and expecting the worst. Jackson lamented the lack of diversity on the jury which had a lone African American, although Blacks make up a third of Chicagos population and wondered whether Van Dykes conviction would overshadow the need for overall reform. They were killing before, and subsequently, Jackson said. The system continues unabated. But activist Robinson says the recent verdict sends a message to police and others in power. Those in power know there will be consequences for not valuing Black lives. CRL Calls for Firing of CFPB Fair Lending Official Who Used N-Word Recent and stunning disclosures of racially-offensive writings by a high-ranking official at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has unleashed an escalating barrage of criticisms, including calls for the official to be fired and more probing questions regarding the agencys commitment to fair lending. Since a September 28 Washington Post article first reported how Eric Blankenstein, CFPBs Policy Director for Supervision, Enforcement and Fair Lending, used a pen name in blogs dating as far back as 2004, a spate of fury has been unleashed. Disguising his authorship, Blankenstein claimed that the use of the N-word was not racist, and further alleged that most hate crimes were hoaxes. A subsequent New York Times article alleged that people who perpetuated the Obama birther conspiracy are not racist either, and noted that as late as 2016, Blankensteins personal Twitter account posted racially charged comments. ADVERTISEMENT Keep in mind that Blankenstein was hand-picked by CFPB head Mick Mulvaney. Patrice A. Ficklin, a CFPB career staff member and Director of its Office of Fair Lending and Equal Opportunity reports to Blankenstein and is quoted in the Post article. Ficklin said, And while he has been collegial, thoughtful and meticulous, I have had experiences that have raised concerns that are now quite alarming in light of the content of his blog posts experiences that call into question Erics ability and intent to carry out his and his Acting Directors repeated yet unsubstantiated commitment to a continued strong fair lending program under governing legal precedent. By October 1, Anthony Reardon, National President of the National Treasury Employees Union, advised CFPB of its dissatisfaction with the Blankenstein blogs. There should be zero tolerance for comments that Blankenstein has admitted authoring and nothing less than swift and decisive action is called for, said Reardon. That someone with a history of racially derogatory and offensive comments has a leadership position at CFPB reflects poorly on CFPB management and your commitment to fulfilling the mandate of the agency to ensure that discriminatory and predatory lending practices are stopped. Two days later, on October 3, the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) publicly called for Blankenstein to be fired. Mr. Blankenstein must be removed from his post and this must be combined with a demonstrable commitment by CFPB head Mick Mulvaney to fair lending, said Yana Miles, CRLs Senior Legislative Counsel. Thus far, the Mulvaney approach has been worse than inaction it has been an appalling retreat from enforcing anti-discrimination laws. The enduring legacy and present-day experience of financial discrimination is the key driver of the racial wealth gap. Vigorously addressing this is a legal and moral imperative. ADVERTISEMENT A second civil rights organization agreed with CRLs call for Blankensteins termination. Eric Blankensteins racist and sexist remarks show that he is not fit to lead the CFPB Office of Fair Lending, said Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Our nations history of financial discrimination is the key factor in the growing racial wealth gap. Entrusting Blankenstein given his history of racially derogatory remarks will undermine progress for fair lending efforts to close the gap, continued Gupta. If the CFPB is serious about eradicating discrimination, it must immediately remove Blankenstein, and must ensure that it is led by a person with a demonstrated commitment to civil rights enforcement. His writings make clear that Mr. Blankenstein is not that person. The same day, another pivotal development occurred. A letter signed by 13 U.S. Senators representing 11 states wrote Mulvaney, demanding answers to a series of questions no later than October 22. The questions span Mulvaneys personal awareness of the writings, the guidelines and procedures used to fill the position, whether a Member of Congress, or an executive branch employee recommended his hiring, what action he intends to take as Acting Director and more. In part, the Senators letter states, We are deeply concerned that you have placed a person with a history of racist writing at a senior position within the Consumer Financial Protection BureauMr. Blankenstein was not hired through the competitive service process like most CFPB employers; he is one of your hand-selected political appointees. Further, you have specifically tasked him with overseeing the CFPBs fair lending supervision and enforcement work at a time when you have decided to restructure the Office of Fair Lending and Equal Opportunity. The letter was signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Maria Cantwell (D-Washington State), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Edward Markey (D-MA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jack Reed (D-RI) Mark Warner (D-VA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). Even before the Blankenstein scandal, Mulvaneys actions and inactions at the CFPB have brought a series of concerns by civil rights and consumer advocates alike. Particularly noteworthy among their stated concerns under Mulvaney include: CFPB has yet to issue any violations of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act; The Bureau declared an intent to ignore the Disparate Impact standard, a long-standing legal test that holds the effects of discrimination, not the intent are legal violations; Personally praised the repeal of anti-discrimination auto lending guidance; Sided with payday lenders in their challenge of the Bureaus payday rule promulgated under the previous director; Announced the Bureaus fair lending office would be stripped of its supervisory and enforcement powers; and Relegated the development of regulation on fair lending for minority and women-owned businesses to a low-level concern. It took decades of vigilant struggle for civil rights, fair lending, and consumer protection to be codified in federal laws. It is time to remind the CFPB and all federal agencies that they have a duty to uphold the nations fair lending laws regardless of personal beliefs. DeRay Mckesson: On The Other Side Of Freedom Civil rights activist DeRay Mckesson newest book On The Other Side Of Freedom: The Case for Hope shares his story of triumph, tragedy, and tribulations. Mckessons current book tour made a stop in downtown Los Angeles at The Ace Hotel on Oct. 1. The evening was hosted by the Los Angeles Times and moderated by L.A. Times reporter Trevell Anderson. The memoir shares an in-depth analysis of Mckessons transition from schoolteacher to a national political activist. In 2014, Michael Brown was gunned down by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri. This prompted Mckessons journey to protest the treatment of Black bodies across the nation. ADVERTISEMENT I didnt really have anything with me. I didnt know anyone in Missouri, Mckesson said to a packed house. I went on Facebook and asked people for help. That first night I had tear gas thrown at me. Tear gas didnt stop Mckesson. He continued his venture to activism by organizing protests, initiating public dialogues, and creating communities throughout the country. If I wouldve wrote the book three years ago, I wouldve written about the pain of protesting, but I wasnt at the point at where I could talk about what the lessons were at that moment. I finally got to a point where I was able to share all the lessons Ive learned. Thats the main reason I wrote the book, said Mckesson. Wearing his signature blue vest, Mckesson spoke about the risk his organizers endured. People walked into the risk. We didnt know everything in 2014, but we knew that Michael Brown should be alive. We moved confidently every day and walked in the same truth. Though the book dwells into his political activism, Mckesson shared personal stories. One of which involved his sexuality. ADVERTISEMENT This is also the first time I wrote about being gay, said Mckesson. He continued to share more personal journeys. My mother left me when I was three and didnt come back until I was 30. Thats something I wanted to incorporate in the book. On The Other Side Of Freedom: The Case for Hope shares startling statistics between race dynamics and wealth. Mckesson shared some thought provoking data. White high school dropouts have more wealth than all Black graduates combined, Mckesson told the audience. Mckesson went on to share a story on what happened when he went to a party and shared those statistics. A White man walked up to me and said, the only reason that White people have more wealth is because there are more White people. I said, well the only reason there is more white people is because your history killed us and you enslaved the rest. At that moment he was looking at me highly confused. The podcast host also told the audience the difference between being an ally and an accomplice. An ally stands on the side waving and supporting, said Mckesson. An accomplice loves you up close. Accomplice says, let me know what can I do. They say, let me stand beside you, let me help you in this work.' On The Other Side Of Freedom: The Case for Hope is available currently where books are sold. Jesse Louis Jackson is Our Civil Rights Icon Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson turns 77 on October 8, 2018. Nobody has led a less storied life. He first took a public stand for civil rights when he was just a kid attempting to use the library in his hometown of Greenville, South Carolina. His activism brought him to the attention of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and he served Dr. King for years before his assassination. From then, Rev. Jackson founded and led Operation Breadbasket, the Rainbow Coalition, and the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. Along the way he ran for President twice, gaining millions of multiracial votes and enough support to provide him with significant influence on Democratic platforms. One of the most important things about Rev. Jackson is the way that he empowered others. When I listened to the Colored Girls Minyon Moore, Yolanda Caraway, Leah Daughtry and Donna Brazile speak their truth at the National Museum of African American History and Culture on October 1, I was reminded that Jackson has been pivotal in the lives of so many African American political figures. We can call the roll, and name names, but I wont do that for fear of leaving someone out. What I will say is that there would be no President Barack Obama were there not a Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm who ran for President in 1972, nor a Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, who ran for President in 1984 and 1988. Jackson changed the way that African American people saw ourselves politically. Before him, we thought we could not make a difference. Because of him, we know that we can. Before him, we did not believe, in his words, that the hands that picked peaches could pick Presidents. Because of him Stacy Abrams is a possible winner (if we vote) as governor of Georgia; Andrew Gillum is a possible winner as governor of Florida, and unlikely candidates for Congress are poised to win. Thanks to Rev. Jesse Jackson, African American people claimed political audacity. We dont have to wait our turn, follow the rules, and defer to the status quo. We can, like Ayanna S. Pressley, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Lucy McBath, just buck up against the system and decide to do it our way. We dont have to climb up the ladder of a broken party system or wait for the blessing of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Instead, we can step out when the time is right, and the possibilities are there. ADVERTISEMENT Nearly 45 years after his historic run for President, Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson is engaged in multiple fights. He is fighting for social and economic justice, as he always has, ever since he defied library protocol and insisted on his right to have access to a taxpayer funded public library. He is fighting police brutality and the unnecessary murders of young black men like Chicagos own LaQuan McDonald. He is fighting for young people to thrive in a nation that is biased against them. And he is in the personal fight of his life, fighting Parkinsons disease as passionately as he fights injustice. Those of us who know Rev. well are excited by his good days and concerned by the days that are not so good. We see the occasional slowed gait, shaking hands and slurred speech, but we also see the days when his rhetorical representation is as excellent as it ever was, and then we cheer. WE know that this is an indefatigable leader, one who will be no more slowed by a physical impediment than he has been by structural racism. And so, we cheer whenever we see him stand up, whether he is standing on his own might, or whether he is assisted. We cheer the long and fruitful life of a civil rights icon who has made the world better for so many people and opened the door for hundreds of African American politicians. I am writing this from a profoundly biased space. I met Rev. Jackson nearly 50 years ago, when I was an Essence Magazine intern supervised by Chicagoan Leniece Taylor, who was a friend of Rev. Jacksons. Ive been connected since then, as a delegate in 1984, a campaign surrogate in 1988, a family friend, and most recently President of PUSH/EXCEL the education arm of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. I could not have been more delighted than when the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation bestowed upon Rev. Jesse and Mrs. Jacqueline Jackson a lifetime achievement award, both because they deserve it, but also because Mrs. Jackie doesnt often get the recognition she should get as the wind beneath his wings. Im biased, yall, and thats just that. Our icon, our leader, is celebrating another birthday, and thats a great thing! He is fighting, as he always has, injustice; but he is also fighting Parkinsons. And he is not yielding space in either fight. If you appreciate Rev. Jackson as much as I do, let him know! You can go to the Rainbow website, www.rainbowpush.org to send a note, or you can hit him up on Facebook. Lets rain this brother down with birthday blessings for his 77 years of service. Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist. Her latest book Are We Better Off? Race, Obama and Public Policy is available via www.amazon.com for booking, wholesale inquiries or for more info visit www.juliannemalveaux.com New Mount Calvary Presents RESET Revival Pastor Sonja R. Dawson and New Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church family will host their Annual Fall Revival 2018 with the Rev. Terry Streeter, senior pastor of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Washington D.C., as the revivalist. The revival will begin on Sunday, Oct. 14, at the 7:30 a.m., and 10:45 a.m., worship services. Services will on Monday, Oct. 15, through Thursday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. The theme is RESET. With over forty years of pastoral ministry, Rev. Streeter is known as a teachers teacher and has used his ministerial gifts of preaching, teaching, and evangelizing, both domestically and internationally, with messages of hope, love, and Kingdom principles to transform the lives of men, women, boys and girls from all racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, said Dawson. In addition, we are delighted to announce two additional revival services with a special young adult service on October 17, at 7 p.m., with Minister Franchesca White of Holy Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, shared Dawson, who added that Streeter will preach at the Mens Revival service on Friday, October 19, at 7 pm. To the community at-large, please join us for this life-changing event as we become redeemed by the Word, renewed by the Holy Spirit and reset in our purpose. ADVERTISEMENT New Mt. Calvary is located at 402 E. El Segundo Blvd., in Los Angeles. For information, call (310) 324-0644 or visit newmtcalvary.org. Officers In Freddie Gray Case Appeal Claim To Supreme Court Five of the police officers charged in the death of a Black man who suffered a fatal spine injury while in custody are appealing a lawsuit against Baltimores top prosecutor. The Daily Record reports that the appeal filed Thursday follows a May decision by a Richmond, Virginia-based federal appeals court to block the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges Baltimore States Attorney Marilyn Mosby maliciously investigated and defamed them. Freddie Gray died at 25 years old in 2015, a week after he suffered a spinal injury in a police van. His death sparked days of protests. ADVERTISEMENT Mosby charged six officers in his death and arrest. Three were acquitted and Mosby dropped the remaining cases. The appellate court found Mosby has prosecutorial immunity. The appeal asks the Supreme Court to review that finding. English French MONTREAL, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Velan Inc. (TSX: VLN) (the Company), a world-leading manufacturer of industrial valves, announced today its financial results for its second quarter ended August 31, 2018. Highlights Sales of US$91.4 million for the quarter Net loss 1 of US$2.4 million for the quarter EBITDA 2 of US$1.4 million for the quarter Net new orders (Bookings) of US$103.5 million for the quarter Order backlog of US$469.0 million at the end of the quarter, of which US$163.0 million is scheduled for delivery beyond the next 12 months Net cash of US$51.3 million at the end of the quarter (millions of U.S. dollars, excluding per share amounts) Three-month periods ended August 31 Six-month periods ended August 31 2018 2017 2018 2017 Sales $91.4 $76.5 $169.2 $147.6 Gross Profit3 19.3 15.7 37.1 29.6 Gross profit3 % 21.1% 20.5% 21.9% 20.1% EBITDA2 1.4 (4.2) (0.1) (6.7) EBITDA2 per share basic and diluted 0.06 (0.19) (0.01) (0.31) Net loss1 (2.4) (5.6) (6.2) (9.9) Net loss1 per share basic and diluted (0.11) (0.26) (0.28) (0.46) Second Quarter Fiscal 2019 (unless otherwise noted, all amounts are in U.S. dollars and all comparisons are to the second quarter of fiscal 2018): Sales amounted to $91.4 million, an increase of $14.9 million or 19.5% from the prior year. Sales were positively impacted by an increase in improved MRO business and in shipments of large project orders that were ordered in the prior fiscal year for the Companys North American operations. This increase was partially offset by decreased shipments from the Companys Italian operations which was caused by the lower order bookings by the subsidiary in the prior year. Net loss 1 amounted to $2.4 million or $0.11 per share compared to $5.6 million or $0.26 per share last year. The improvement is primarily due to the higher volume of shipments that occurred in the quarter compared to last year. Despite a higher sales volume and improved margins, fierce competition and weakness in the Companys North American operating markets continued to apply pressure on the Companys overall results, highlighting the need to accelerate its global cost reduction and transformation initiatives. amounted to $2.4 million or $0.11 per share compared to $5.6 million or $0.26 per share last year. The improvement is primarily due to the higher volume of shipments that occurred in the quarter compared to last year. Despite a higher sales volume and improved margins, fierce competition and weakness in the Companys North American operating markets continued to apply pressure on the Companys overall results, highlighting the need to accelerate its global cost reduction and transformation initiatives. EBITDA 2 amounted to $1.4 million or $0.06 per share compared to a negative $4.2 million or $0.19 per share last year. The $5.6 million improvement in EBITDA 2 is primarily attributable to a higher sales volume and a higher gross profit percentage. amounted to $1.4 million or $0.06 per share compared to a negative $4.2 million or $0.19 per share last year. The $5.6 million improvement in EBITDA is primarily attributable to a higher sales volume and a higher gross profit percentage. Gross profit percentage increased by 60 basis points from 20.5% to 21.1%. The increase in the gross profit percentage is mainly attributable to the higher sales volume, which helped to cover the Companys fixed production overheads, as well as a product mix with a higher proportion of higher margin product sales. However, the continued pressure on pricing continues to affect the Companys margins, particularly in its North American operations. Net new orders received (bookings) amounted to $103.5 million, an increase of $11.0 million or 11.9% compared to last year. This increase is due primarily to new orders booked by the Companys Italian operations, which was partially offset by a decrease in orders booked in the Companys North American operations, which had recorded significant large project orders in the prior year. The Company ended the quarter with net cash of $51.3 million, a decrease of $0.3 million or 0.0% since the beginning of the quarter. The Companys net cash remained stable over the course of the current quarter The increase in bookings and the improved sales performance was achieved thanks to the recovery observed in the oil and gas markets benefitting mainly MRO and upstream valve bookings, and also in part by the realignment in the prior year of the global sales force along vertical market lines rather than geographic lines. Results for the six-month period ended August 31, 2018 Sales amounted to $169.2 million, an increase of $21.6 million or 14.6% from the prior year. Sales were positively impacted by an increase in shipments from the Companys North American and French subsidiaries, which were partially offset by decreased shipments from the Companys German operations. Sales were positively impacted by an increase in shipments from the Companys North American operations resulting from the improved MRO business and the large project orders that were booked in the prior fiscal year, although, delays in the shipments of certain large project orders in both the German and North American operations of the Company caused by various customer-related, supply chain and internal operational issues are still present. Net loss 1 amounted to $6.2 million or $0.28 per share compared to $9.9 million or $0.46 per share last year. The $3.7 million improvement is primarily attributable to a higher gross profit percentage, partially offset by an increase of administration costs. At the current sales level, the Company was not able to generate a gross margin sufficient to cover all its fixed administration and other costs. amounted to $6.2 million or $0.28 per share compared to $9.9 million or $0.46 per share last year. The $3.7 million improvement is primarily attributable to a higher gross profit percentage, partially offset by an increase of administration costs. At the current sales level, the Company was not able to generate a gross margin sufficient to cover all its fixed administration and other costs. Gross profit percentage increased by 180 basis points from 20.1% to 21.9%. This improvement is due to a higher sales volume and a product mix with a greater proportion of higher margin product sales. EBITDA2 amounted to a negative $0.1 million or $0.01 per share compared to a negative $6.7 million or $0.31 per share last year. The $6.6 million improvement in EBITDA2 is primarily attributable to a higher sales volume and a higher gross profit percentage. Bookings amounted to $189.7 million, an increase of $25.0 million or 15.2% compared to last year. This increase is due primarily to higher orders booked by the Companys Italian and North American subsidiaries, particularly in the oil and gas sector. The bookings of the Italian operations of the Company were negatively affected by the cancellation of a significant order in the prior fiscal year. Furthermore, the Company noted a significant increase of its non-project valve order bookings in its North American operations for the current year. Even with the positive bookings figure, the Company still believes it is necessary to accelerate the assessment of its global manufacturing footprint, supply chain and cost structure as per its Velocity 2020 strategic plan. Consequently, the Company has begun a global cost reduction and efficiency transformation initiative with the goal of reducing annual supply chain, production and overhead costs. As a result of bookings outpacing sales in the period, the Company ended the period with a backlog of $469.0 million, an increase of $4.5 million or 1.0% since the beginning of the current fiscal year. The positive book-to-bill ratio was in part negatively impacted by the weakening of the euro spot rate against the U.S. dollar at quarter end. Administration costs amounted to $43.7 million, an increase of $2.5 million or 6.1% compared to last year. This increase is primarily attributable to an increase in sales commissions and freight to certain overseas project customers due to the increased sales volume in the Companys North American operations as well as the investment in the sales force that was announced at this time last year. The increase of administration costs was partially offset by the reduction of the costs recognized in connection with the Companys ongoing asbestos litigation. The fluctuation in asbestos costs for the period is due more to the timing of settlements in these two periods rather than to changes in long-term trends. The Company ended the period with net cash of $51.3 million, a decrease of $13.2 million or 20.5% since the beginning of the year. This decrease is primarily attributable to cash used by operations, investment in property, plant and equipment, long-term debt repayments, as well as distributions to shareholders via dividends. Net cash was also negatively impacted by the weakening of the euro spot rate against the U.S. dollar over the course of the current year. Foreign currency impacts: In spite of the drop of the euro spot rate at quarter end, the average exchange rates of the euro strengthened 6.4% against the U.S. dollar when compared to the same period last year. This strengthening resulted in the Companys net profits and bookings from its European subsidiaries being reported as higher U.S. dollar amounts in the current period. Based on average exchange rates, the Canadian dollar strengthened 1.6% against the U.S. dollar when compared to the same period last year. This strengthening resulted in the Companys Canadian dollar expenses being reported as higher U.S. dollar amounts in the current period. The net impact of the above currency swings was generally favourable on the Companys results. Our second quarter was an improvement in several respects on our first quarter, in terms of sales, margins, expenses, Net Income and order bookings, all of which showed positive signs in the quarter compared both to last year and our first quarter. We recorded an EBITDA profit for the quarter and conserved our cash, said John Ball, CFO of Velan Inc. These improvements notwithstanding, we continue to actively seek ways to improve our competitive position and profitability for the future. Yves Leduc, President and CEO of Velan Inc., said, As I stated earlier this year, we are working to make important changes to improve our operating results. We are happy with the improved performance on several fronts in this quarter, but the need to transform remains as strong, as we are slowed down by our complexity and must realign our business and global supply chain to markets where we can drive faster and more profitable growth and achieve greater pricing power through our engineering and design capabilities. Dividend The Board declared an eligible quarterly dividend of CDN$0.03 per share, payable on December 28, 2018, to all shareholders of record as at December 14, 2018. Conference call Financial analysts, shareholders, and other interested individuals are invited to attend the second quarter conference call to be held on Friday, October 12, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. (EDT). The toll free call-in number is 18772218474, access code 21896631. A recording of this conference call will be available for seven days at 14166264100 or 18005585253, access code 21896631. About Velan Founded in Montreal in 1950, Velan Inc. ( www.velan.com ) is one of the worlds leading manufacturers of industrial valves, with sales of US$338 million in its last reported fiscal year. The Company employs over 1,800 people and has manufacturing plants in 9 countries. Velan Inc. is a public company with its shares listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol VLN. Safe harbour statement This news release may include forward-looking statements, which generally contain words like should, believe, anticipate, plan, may, will, expect, intend, continue or estimate or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar expressions, all of which are subject to risks and uncertainties, which are disclosed in the Companys filings with the appropriate securities commissions. While these statements are based on managements assumptions regarding historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that it believes are reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may differ materially from those expressed herein. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by the applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Non-IFRS measures In this press release, the Company presented measures of performance and financial condition that are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards (non-IFRS measures) and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. These measures are used by management in assessing the operating results and financial condition of the Company. In addition, they provide readers of the Companys consolidated financial statements with enhanced understanding of its results and financial condition, and increase transparency and clarity into the operating results of its core business. The term EBITDA is defined as net income or loss attributable to Subordinate and Multiple Voting Shares plus depreciation of property, plant & equipment, plus amortization of intangible assets, plus net finance costs plus income tax provision. Refer to the Reconciliations of Non-IFRS Measures section in the Companys Management Discussion and Analysis included in its Interim Report for the quarter ended August 31, 2018 for a detailed calculation of this measure. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. ___________________________________ 1 Net earnings or loss refers to net income or loss attributable to Subordinate and Multiple Voting Shares. 2 Non-IFRS measures see explanation above. 3 In accordance with the current fiscal year's presentation, the comparative figures were adjusted in order to reflect a more accurate allocation of cost of sales and administration costs. Velan Inc. Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (Unaudited) (in thousands of U.S. dollars) As At August 31, February 28, 2018 2018 $ $ Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 70,114 85,391 Short-term investments 158 647 Accounts receivable 129,735 137,382 Income taxes recoverable 11,848 8,012 Inventories 167,357 170,790 Deposits and prepaid expenses 3,946 4,222 Derivative assets 76 604 383,234 407,048 Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment 87,860 89,864 Intangible assets and goodwill 21,693 20,210 Deferred income taxes 18,487 22,034 Other assets 400 1,037 128,440 133,145 Total assets 511,674 540,193 Liabilities Current liabilities Bank indebtedness 18,780 20,848 Short-term bank loans 2,059 1,074 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 62,038 63,441 Income taxes payable 1,430 2,186 Dividend payable 497 1,678 Customer deposits 43,762 48,963 Provisions 9,526 10,798 Accrual for performance guarantees 32,089 32,655 Derivative liabilities 1,492 1,615 Current portion of long-term debt 7,474 8,151 179,147 191,409 Non-current liabilities Long-term debt 12,658 13,978 Income taxes payable 2,033 2,078 Deferred income taxes 2,590 2,889 Other liabilities 8,547 8,222 25,828 27,167 Total liabilities 204,975 218,576 Equity Equity attributable to the Subordinate and Multiple Voting shareholders Share capital 73,090 73,090 Contributed surplus 6,066 6,057 Retained earnings 249,554 256,668 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (26,525) (19,790) 302,185 316,025 Non-controlling interest 4,514 5,592 Total equity 306,699 321,617 Total liabilities and equity 511,674 540,193 Velan Inc. Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (in thousands of U.S. dollars, excluding number of shares and per share amounts) Three-month periods ended August 31 Six-month periods ended August 31 2018 2017 2018 2017 $ $ $ $ Sales 91,375 76,531 169,249 147,618 Cost of sales1 72,032 60,817 132,169 117,978 Gross profit 19,343 15,714 37,080 29,640 Administration costs1 21,460 21,652 43,684 41,226 Other expense (income) (8 ) 1,223 (24 ) 1,519 Operating loss (2,109 ) (7,161 ) (6,580 ) (13,105 ) Finance income 220 240 362 368 Finance costs 770 214 944 366 Finance income (costs) net (550 ) 26 (582 ) 2 Loss before income taxes (2,659 ) (7,135 ) (7,162 ) (13,103 ) Recovery of income taxes (104 ) (1,694 ) (933 ) (3,076 ) Net loss for the period (2,555 ) (5,441 ) (6,229 ) (10,027 ) Net loss attributable to: Subordinate Voting Shares and Multiple Voting Shares (2,438 ) (5,591 ) (6,165 ) (9,895 ) Non-controlling interest (117 ) 150 (64 ) (132 ) (2,555 ) (5,441 ) (6,229 ) (10,027 ) Net loss per Subordinate and Multiple Voting Share Basic (0.11 ) (0.26 ) (0.28 ) (0.46 ) Diluted (0.11 ) (0.26 ) (0.28 ) (0.46 ) Dividends declared per Subordinate and Multiple 0.02 0.08 0.05 0.15 Voting Share (CA$0.03 ) (CA$0.10 ) (CA$0.06 ) (CA$0.20 ) Total weighted average number of Subordinate and Multiple Voting Shares Basic 21,621,935 21,646,695 21,621,935 21,642,740 Diluted 21,621,935 21,646,695 21,621,935 21,642,740 1 In accordance with the current fiscal year's presentation, the comparative figures were adjusted in order to reflect a more accurate allocation of cost of sales and administration costs. Velan Inc. Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (in thousands of U.S. dollars) Three-month periods ended August 31 Six-month periods ended August 31 2018 2017 2018 2017 $ $ $ $ Comprehensive income (loss) Net loss for the period (2,555 ) (5,441 ) (6,229 ) (10,027 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) Foreign currency translation adjustment on foreign operations whose functional currency is other than the reporting currency (U.S. dollar) (1,390 ) 5,538 (6,822 ) 11,811 Comprehensive income (loss) (3,945 ) 97 (13,051 ) 1,784 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to: Subordinate Voting Shares and Multiple Voting Shares (3,732 ) (30 ) (12,900 ) 1,896 Non-controlling interest (213 ) 127 (151 ) (112 ) (3,945 ) 97 (13,051 ) 1,784 Other comprehensive income (loss) is composed solely of items that may be reclassified subsequently to the consolidated statement of loss. Velan Inc. Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Unaudited) (in thousands of U.S. dollars, excluding number of shares) Equity attributable to the Subordinate and Multiple Voting shareholders Number of shares Share capital Contributed surplus Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Retained earnings Total Non-controlling interest Total equity Balance - February 28, 2018 21,667,235 73,090 6,057 (19,790 ) 256,668 316,025 5,592 321,617 Net loss for the period - - - - (6,165 ) (6,165 ) (64 ) (6,229 ) Other comprehensive loss - - - (6,735 ) - (6,735 ) (87 ) (6,822 ) 21,667,235 73,090 6,057 (26,525 ) 250,503 303,125 5,441 308,566 Effect of share-based compensation - - 9 - - 9 - 9 Dividends Multiple Voting Shares - - - - (685 ) (685 ) - (685 ) Subordinate Voting Shares - - - - (264 ) (264 ) - (264 ) Non-controlling interest - - - - - - (927 ) (927 ) Balance - August 31, 2018 21,667,235 73,090 6,066 (26,525 ) 249,554 302,185 4,514 306,699 Balance - February 28, 2017 21,667,235 73,584 6,017 (35,550 ) 281,343 325,394 6,517 331,911 Net loss for the period - - - - (9,895 ) (9,895 ) (132 ) (10,027 ) Other comprehensive income - - - 11,791 - 11,791 20 11,811 21,667,235 73,584 6,017 (23,759 ) 271,448 327,290 6,405 333,695 Effect of share-based compensation - - 20 - - 20 - 20 Share repurchase (38,700 ) (422 ) - - (114 ) (536 ) - (536 ) Dividends Multiple Voting Shares - - - - (2,394 ) (2,394 ) - (2,394 ) Subordinate Voting Shares - - - - (973 ) (973 ) - (973 ) Balance - August 31, 2017 21,628,535 73,162 6,037 (23,759 ) 267,967 323,407 6,405 329,812 Velan Inc. Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow (Unaudited) (in thousands of U.S. dollars) Three-month periods ended August 31 Six-month periods ended August 31 2018 2017 2018 2017 $ $ $ $ Cash flows from Operating activities Net loss for the period (2,555 ) (5,441 ) (6,229 ) (10,027 ) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operating activities 3,453 3,120 7,003 8,465 Changes in non-cash working capital items 2,225 11,125 (3,980 ) 263 Cash provided (used) by operating activities 3,123 8,804 (3,206 ) (1,299 ) Investing activities Short-term investments 438 61 489 (463 ) Additions to property, plant and equipment (3,278 ) (1,328 ) (5,290 ) (2,915 ) Additions to intangible assets (3 ) (258 ) (99 ) (405 ) Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets 115 2 125 61 Net change in other assets 51 (3 ) 578 52 Cash used by investing activities (2,677 ) (1,526 ) (4,197 ) (3,670 ) Financing activities Dividends paid to Subordinate and Multiple Voting shareholders (488 ) (1,638 ) (2,130 ) (3,269 ) Dividends paid to non-controlling interest - - (927 ) - Shares issued under Share Option Plan - - - - Repurchase of shares - (502 ) - (536 ) Short-term bank loans 1,020 482 985 227 Increase in long-term debt - - 607 - Repayment of long-term debt (1,268 ) (821 ) (1,930 ) (1,559 ) Cash used by financing activities (736 ) (2,479 ) (3,395 ) (5,137 ) Effect of exchange rate differences on cash (3 ) 2,629 (2,411 ) 5,927 Net change in cash during the period (293 ) 7,428 (13,209 ) (4,179 ) Net cash Beginning of the period 51,627 64,620 64,543 76,227 Net cash End of the period 51,334 72,048 51,334 72,048 Net cash is composed of: Cash and cash equivalents 70,114 90,562 70,114 90,562 Bank indebtedness (18,780 ) (18,514 ) (18,780 ) (18,514 ) 51,334 72,048 51,334 72,048 Supplementary information Interest received (paid) (132 ) 140 (168 ) 121 Income taxes paid (2,421 ) (1,207 ) (4,354 ) (2,759 ) For further information please contact: Yves Leduc, President and Chief Executive Officer or John D. Ball, Chief Financial Officer Tel: (514) 748-7743 Fax: (514) 748-8635 Web: www.velan.com Senator Kamala Harris Statement on Confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on her vote on the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to be Associate Justice of the Supreme Court: When Judge Brett Kavanaugh was first nominated, I said that he represents a direct and fundamental threat to that promise inscribed above the Supreme Court, Equal Justice Under Law. In the weeks since then, the basis for my concern has been confirmed. ADVERTISEMENT Senate Republicans used raw power to rush an unfit nominee onto the Supreme Court when the American people have more questions than answers about Judge Kavanaughs suitability to serve. When Dr. Christine Blasey Ford came forward with serious and credible allegations of sexual assault, not only was she attacked by Senate Republicans, she was mocked by the President of the United States. The White House then prevented the FBI from investigating critical aspects of the allegations or interviewing key witnessesnot even permitting the FBI to interview Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Ford. As a former prosecutor, I have led investigations and I have tried these cases in a courtroom. I have spent countless hours with assault survivors. And when I look at what has occurred over these few days, we have fallen short in fulfilling our constitutional duty to fully evaluate Judge Kavanaughs nomination. This process has been a disservice to Dr. Ford. This process was a disservice to survivors everywhere. And this process has been a disservice to the American people. The Judge Kavanaugh the American people saw before the Judiciary Committee does not have the character, the temperament, or the judgment to sit on the highest court in our land. His own partisan, evasive, dishonest, and aggressive testimony demonstrates that we cannot trust him to be a fair and unbiased jurist. He is simply unfit. The Senate should have put partisanship aside and demanded better. Millions of Americans are rightly outraged at this hasty and unjust process, which threatens to cloud the legitimacy of the Supreme Court of the United States. And they are rightly fearful that Justice Kavanaugh will undermine Roe v. Wade, roll back access to affordable healthcare, and side with powerful and partisan interests over the most vulnerable. It is now up to each of us to continue to fight for justice and equality and hold our government accountable. Success On The Way Ask Dr. Jeanette: Presumption of Innocence-The Assault on Lady Justice! The presumption of innocence: the principle that one is considered innocent unless proven guilty. The burden of proof is on the one who declares, not on one who denies. Brett Kavanaughs appointment to the lifetime position of Supreme Court Justice has piercing implications for the past, today and future; a pivotal, historical moment. Some say Brett Kavanaugh is privileged and that the presumption of innocence only belongs to the privileged. Thats somewhat true; but not altogether true. This event produced mass hysteria! If kangaroo courts and media lynch mobs succeed in overturning a Supreme Court appointment [I dont believe they will], they will have proven that their war on the presumption of innocence extends even to the highest court in the land. If a Supreme Court justice cant be presumed innocent, what hope do the rest of us have? [Daniel Greenfield-Frontpage Mag] My thoughts: Its about more than the presumption of innocence. It goes deeper and seems to always go to spiritual battle grounds. The god of this world has blinded the eyes of many. They can neither see nor understand the deeper meaning. My hope: Brett Kavanaugh experiencing this mass hysteria that after he is appointed, he will identify with the persecution of others, which without this experience, he may never have been able to closely identify with the infirmities, injustices experienced by other deeply wounded, persecuted by a system where volumes of persons have been wrongfully accused, convicted, sentenced, imprisoned and denied justice. Lady Justice has lost her way, tripped and fallen. Can she get up and regain her footing? Justice is blind. [We wish.] meaning that justice is impartial and objective. There is an allusion here to the Greek statue for justice, wearing a blindfold so as not to treat friends differently from strangers, or rich people better than the poor ones. Thats an honorable intent; but it doesnt work all the time. ADVERTISEMENT People call for justice and fair treatment. Maybe, just maybe, Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh and other sitting Supreme Court Justices will catch the bug and look more closely at their reasons for being appointed to such a high office. Maybe, just maybe, other Court Judges will consider their great responsibility and trust placed in them. When it comes time to vote for Judges, its difficult to know who they are. Its like a hunt and peck guessing game. You dont know what youre getting and more than that, matters become so obscure that when something happens and a person is wrongfully charged..convicted, thats when maybe you pay attention to see what kind of judge that person is. Kavanaugh had multiple background checks. But, theyre just mad! It could be that the Judges we vote for have made some good decisions, some not so good? Taste of Soul Spotlight: The Gumbo Pot Gumbothe word alone evokes memories, family recipes and good eating for most. Richard Taylor, owner of The Gumbo Pot, will be bringing the classic dish to Taste of Soul (TOS) on October 20. So, if you are a connoisseur of good gumbobring yourself, mouth and appetite too. Taylor is an Angeleno, born and raised, and attended Francis Cabrini school and graduated from Serra High School in 1974. He also attended L.A. Harbor College and Cal State L.A. He met his wife Lynne, as they both ran track at Santa Monica College and have been married 34 years. Their union blessed them with two children. I started in the restaurant industry at age 16 with part time jobs in summer, climbing up the school of hard knocks ladder from casual dining to fine dining, and eventually completed formal culinary training at Epicurean Cooking School in Beverly Hills, said Taylor. ADVERTISEMENT His familial roots go back to Louisiana with his grandparents having migrated to Los Angeles in the 1920s. My grandmother Sally, my great aunt Becky and my aunt Nicky were the real cooks in the family, but through Gods providence and blessing, I seemed to inherit the family taste buds and cooking gene they had been given, said Taylor. According to Taylor, in 1984, an entrepreneur named Sam Duvall capitalized on the Creole Cajun craze made popular by chef Paul Prudhomme and opened Ritz Cafe on Pico & Beverly. The Ritz Cafe made $3 million in its first 6 months of operations. I worked there under a black chef from Mississippi named Albert who had worked for the Brennan family in New Orleans, said Taylor. It was there I learned how to make quality gumbo in a high volume, high production environment. He continued, Later I again worked for Duvall when he opened a Caribbean-themed restaurant called Sugar Shack on Pico & Robertson. The Ritz Cafe and Sugar Shack were wildly popular and well known in Los Angeles during those years. The one thing I always vowed after my experience working for Ritz and Sugar Shack was that if I ever got my own place, I would dedicate it to New Orleans food and the contributions of African American chefs everywhere who made it so well known. ADVERTISEMENT In 1988, Taylor and his wife moved to Eugene, Oregon so she could get her undergraduate degree in business. Encouraged by his deacon, Taylor opened a booth at weekend market and the idea for The Gumbo Pot was born. I was a classic cartoon fan and remembered Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny going for a swim in a giant cooking pot little did they know they were really being boiled for supper by Yosemite Sam! That concept of cooked cartoon characters jumping out of a hot pot was the basis for The Gumbo Pot and is the theme of the logo we still use today. Taylor continued to grow as a chef seizing an opportunity to be the chief cook for six months on a fishing boat in Alaska. He later joined his wife who was attending graduate school in San Diego. It was here that he opened the first restaurant called The Gumbo Pot in the downtown San Diego business district in the early 90s. He would spend time building a clientele and being a food vendor at different events. During the 90s, we opened 2 more Gumbo Pot restaurants in San Diego, but soon after the birth of our son in 1998, my wifes dad died and we decided to move to Northern Californias wine country, said Taylor. A chef I worked with at the culinary school had always said if you wanted to get serious about food you need to go to the wine countryso off we went! He worked at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley and worked at Greystone restaurant under Chef Todd Humphries, who emphasized the use of fresh herbs and simple, perfectly seasoned Mediterranean cooking. He and his family eventually moved back to San Diego. The Gumbo Pot attends SoCal farmers markets, street fairs and special events. Taylor states its a family affair as his adult children sometimes help out when they have the time. When asked what sets his gumbo apart from the others, he states the proof is in his culinary training. My background as a trained chef and experience incorporating classic French technique with knowledge of foods from the African American diaspora is what people say really differentiates The Gumbo Pot from other food vendors, said Taylor. Paying homage to that arduous journey our West African ancestors took through the Caribbean, to Brazil and to New Orleans, and creating that fusion of Creole/Caribbean flavors so many of us love is the inspiration for the food as well. The Gumbo Pots menu includes gumbo ya-ya, which has chicken and sausage, jambalaya, red beans & rice, and Grandmas Gumbo. Grandmas Gumbo includes seafood like shrimp and fish, and we also offer Shrimp Creole, Shrimp Etouffee, Seafood Creole and Seafood Etouffee, said Taylor. He is looking forward to his first TOS and sharing his gumbo with TOS Nation. The Gumbo Pot is so looking forward to helping make the event a success, and in being part of the Los Angeles community once again, said Taylor. The Gumbo Pot wants to say thank you to the L.A. Sentinel and Taste of Soul organizerswe are very impressed and excited about the commitment of the organizers and sponsors to make this such a special event. Thanks for having us! There you have itgumbo by a highly-trained and traveled chef at Taste of Soul on October 20. Make sure you stop by The Gumbo Pot booth and have some! For more information on Taste of Soul, please visit tasteofsoul.org Get the Taste of Soul App for up-to-the-minute performer & stage info, interactive maps, exclusive offers, discounts, contests and more available on Apple App Store and Google Play. USC Hosts Space Panel and First Man Movie Screening for South L.A. Students USC hosted students from the Neighborhood Academic Initiative (N.A.I.), one of the universitys community programs, for a panel on pioneers in space exploration and research followed by a private film screening of First Man, on Friday, Oct. 5 in downtown Los Angeles. I hope that it reinforces for the [students], the importance of a STEM education in the sciences, technology, engineering and math, which will allow them to pursue their dreams and aim high, stated USC interim President and former president and CEO of the Aerospace Corporation, Dr. Wanda Austin. Austin was joined on the Trojan Space Pioneers panel by Charles Bolden, a former NASA Administrator, Garrett Reisman, director of space operations at SpaceX and rocket scientist and aerospace engineer Anita Sengupta who served as the panels moderator. The panelists discussed riveting topics surrounding personal interactions with Neil Armstrong, the landscape of space research and their personal accomplishments in the industry. ADVERTISEMENT Each panelists had a commonality beyond their extensive experience in the aerospace engineering field, all earned degrees from USC. Armstrong who was the first man on the moon, was completing his graduate degree in the astronautical engineering program in the USC Viterbi School of Engineering during the time depicted in the movie, First Man. USCs Viterbi School of Engineering currently leads among colleges in recruiting women in engineering with women accounting for 45 percent of incoming USC freshmen majoring in engineeringtwice the national average. Growing up as a young adolescent in the Bronx, New York, Dr. Austin had never heard of NASA research mathematician Katherine Johnson whose contributions to space were depicted in the film Hidden Figures. In 2015, former President Barack Obama awarded Johnson with the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom. One of the important things that we have to do is make sure that young women very early in their careers are exposed to the fact that there are women doing amazing things in science and technology, emphasized Austin. It is this exact philosophy that led N.A.I. and Foshay Learning Center alumnus Sierra Williams to earn her B.A. in industrial and systems engineering from Viterbi. Williams sees Dr. Austins accomplishments as a source of inspiration. Just being first-generation, low-income, and a minority student in all of its entirety I feel like it makes your story and what youre going for, the reason behind what youre doing, more powerful, started Williams, who is currently obtaining her masters degree in operations research engineering from USC. Being able to say that Im here Im a graduate student at USC and I have the same degree as the interim president is amazing because theres no one that I really know thats had that position that Im aiming for and so being the first in my family is really important. Williams hopes to carry the torch set forth by pioneers like Johnson and Dr. Austin. Though there is a competitive number of female students, the number of enrolled Black students in the Viterbi School is still severely lacking. ADVERTISEMENT Right now there are only approximately 50 Black students in the Viterbi School overall, according to Williams. We work really hard to bring about diversity in the field, said Bolden, whose career spans 34 years with the Marine Corps and 14 years as a member of NASAs Astronaut Office. Bolden also serves as a USC Trustee. He traveled to orbit four times aboard the space shuttle between 1986 and 1994. It was not until Boldens mentor, Dr. Ron McNair who was an African American physicist and NASA astronaut, encouraged him to apply for a specialized program that Bolden even considered being an astronaut. I never dreamed of going to space, Bolden remarked. Theres still glass ceilings and thats the disappointing part. We still have a lot of work to do. It is the precise reason, USC has focused its efforts into ensuring students from public schools like Foshay Learning Center have resources to explore their interests in STEM. Sulara Merghani is a junior at Foshay and enrolled in the N.A.I. From the NAI program, Ive gotten motivation, described Merghani. Ive learned to be determined, to go for what I want, to have a dream and go for my dream. Following the panel, students were provided with an exclusive screening of the new movie First Man, the story of Neil Armstrongs journey being the first man to land on the moon. The biographical drama directed by Damien Chazelle, starring Ryan Gosling is based on the book First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong that was written by James R. Hansen. Im in the health academy at school and we read about life in space and all the struggles of being in space and what the astronauts have to go through, so coming to see the movie with my fellow health academy students its like we learned about this and now were going to come and see it for the first time, Im looking forward to it, commented Merghani. One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind, Neil Armstrong once stated. Pioneers like Johnson, McNair, Austin, Bolden, and Armstrong have chartered the path for the next generation of space pioneers. A Russian spacecraft traveling to the International Space Station Thursday had to make an emergency landing when a rocket engine failed to fire. It was the latest in a recent series of failures for the Russian space program, which is also used by the U.S. to carry its astronauts to the station. United States astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexei Ovchinin landed safely about 20 kilometers from Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan. The city is about 450 kilometers from the Russias Baikonur space center, which Russia operates through an agreement with the Republic of Kazakhstan. Both the U.S. space agency NASA and Russias Roscosmos reported that the two were quickly recovered from the landing area by rescue crews. A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin said, Thank God the crew is alive after they had landed safely. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, who watched the launch at Baikonur tweeted that Hague and Ovchinin are in good condition. He added that a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident will be conducted. What happened? About two minutes after launching, the three-stage Soyuz booster rocket suffered an unspecified failure of its second stage. Russias TASS news agency said the capsule carrying the two men separated from the troubled rocket safely. This caused the capsule to drop very sharply into the Earths atmosphere. Parachutes helped slow the returning capsule. Search and rescue teams were sent to recover the crew. Russias RIA news agency reported that Russia has immediately suspended all manned space launches after the failure. Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin said he had ordered a state commission to carry out an investigation into what went wrong. He said Russia will share all relevant information with the U.S. The Russian space program has suffered several failures in recent years. In August, the crew found a hole in a Russian Soyuz capsule docked to the orbiting space station. The hole caused a brief loss of air pressure before being fixed. The Russian space agency also sent 70 rocket engines back to production lines in 2016 to replace broken parts. However, Thursdays incident was the first manned launch failure since 1983 when a Soyuz rocket exploded in the launch area. The cosmonauts safely escaped in that accident as well. International Space Station not threatened The two astronauts were to arrive at the International Space Station (ISS) six hours after the launch to join an American, a Russian and a German currently aboard the station. The TASS news agency said that the ISS crew has enough supplies and that the failed launch will not affect operations. Relations between the U.S. and Russia have been very tense in recent years. Russian activities in Ukraine, charges of interfering in the U.S. presidential election of 2016 and the conflict in Syria are some of the main issues. However, the two sides have continued their cooperation in space. The U.S. and other nations have depended on Russia to carry astronauts to the ISS since the retirement of the Space Shuttle program in 2011. In coming years, American aerospace companies SpaceX, with its Dragon 2, and Boeing, with its Starliner, are expected to return to space. Im Mario Ritter. Mario Ritter adapted this story for VOA Learning English from AP and Reuters stories. Hai Do 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 capsule n. a small part of a spacecraft that is separate from the rest of the ship where people live and work stages n. a section of a rocket that has fuel and an engine booster n. part of a rocket that provides force for the launch and the first part of flight relevant adj. relating to a subject in an appropriate way The third most powerful hurricane on record to hit the U.S. mainland has caused widespread damage in several southern states. It also led to at least two deaths. Hurricane Michael struck land in northern Florida Wednesday as a Category 4 hurricane, with winds up to 250 kilometers per hour. On Thursday, Michael weakened to a tropical storm with winds of about 80 kilometers per hour - as it kept moving northeast. Weather officials believe the storm will pass over North and South Carolina before heading out to the Atlantic Ocean in coming days. Effects of the storm One man was killed when a tree fell onto his house outside Tallahassee, Florida. In southwest Georgia, an 11-year-old girl died after debris from the storm hit her home. More than 700,000 homes and businesses were left without power in Florida, Alabama and Georgia. Thousands spent the night in shelters after fleeing their homes to escape the storm. Television footage showed flooding and destruction in the small Florida town of Mexico Beach, where the storm first made landfall. Many homes were shown covered with floodwaters up to their roofs. Wood and metal from destroyed buildings covered streets and moved through flooded neighborhoods. A number of buildings were destroyed or left without roofs in nearby Panama City, Florida. Empty streets were covered with storm debris, fallen trees and downed power lines, the Associated Press reported. The storm left hundreds of cars with broken windows, the AP said. Many of the cars had been moved by the wind. Brock Long leads the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. He said Michael was the most intense hurricane to strike that part of Florida since record keeping began in 1851. Overall, Michael was the third strongest storm on record to strike the U.S. mainland. Only Hurricane Camille on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1969 and the unnamed Labor Day hurricane of 1935 in Florida were more intense. U.S. President Donald Trump spoke about the storm on Wednesday night. He offered his "thoughts and prayers" to those in its path. He said he would be visiting Florida soon. Rick Scott is the governor of Florida. He said about 3,500 Florida National Guard troops and more than 1,000 search and rescue experts had been activated. The U.S. Defense Department sent an additional 2,200 military troops to the area, along with helicopters and water rescue vehicles. Scott promised his government would do everything it can to help communities suffering effects from the storm. Even though Michaels winds had eased, the storm was still expected to drop heavy rain across many parts of the U.S. East Coast, leading to possible flooding. Im Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Kelly Jean Kelly 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 debris n. broken pieces of something American labor unions are increasingly critical of President Donald Trumps tariffs on imported products like steel from China. A growing number of union members question whether the tariffs will lead to more manufacturing jobs, better wages and working conditions. At the Bull Moose Tube steel piping factory in Georgia, 56 United Steel Workers union members have been barred from their workplace for more than six weeks. The union had rejected a new agreement with the company. The proposed deal offered a small wage increase, but asked workers to pay a lot more for their healthcare. Im going backwards instead of forwards, said steelworker David Horton. He has been off the job without pay since August 22. Employees have been demonstrating near the factory while the company brought in non-union workers during the labor dispute. A USW strike may seem unusual given all the help the industry has received after Trump ordered 25 percent tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. The new taxes took effect last March in what the president called a national security measure. Since then, metal prices have increased by 30 percent and profits for American steel companies have jumped. Yet Bull Moose Tube workers were unhappy with the company's offer and decided to call a strike. Union members at two other companies have also voted to strike:15,000 workers at factories owned by ArcelorMittal and 16,000 at U.S. Steel. Tariff effect Union workers say they are being asked to accept deep cuts in pay and benefits after years of asking for nothing. They note that since the 1970s, the U.S. steel industry has been weak. This is not what they had hoped would come from the tariffs. Joey Casey is the president of the United Steelworkers local office at Bull Moose Tube. Casey told VOA, I dont think that President Trump intended to increase the value of steel and increase the steel production in the country for companies to use it like theyre using it on us." "I think its an abuse, he added. But U.S. steel companies may be slow to increase worker wages because business leaders see tariffs as measures that will one day be cancelled. Ian Murry is a labor expert with the Competitive Enterprise Institute. In the long run, the jobs that are created or saved are unsustainable. And eventually, if the tariffs go away, that industry is going to suffer very, very badly," he warned. Major labor groups have close ties with the Democratic Party, but they quietly supported the presidents tariffs in the beginning. Trump is a member of the Republican Party. USW had asked the Trump administration to leave Canadian steel free from tariffs, partly because the union has more than 225,000 Canadian members. Tariffs went into effect on Canadian steel at the beginning of June. Now, it is harder to understand how the unions feel about tariffs. VOA reached out to the leadership of USW and several other unions. None agreed to answer questions. Credit for helping Union leaders say tariffs should be combined with other measures, such as rebuilding roads and bridges, and providing training programs to workers. We think that at times tariffs can be an appropriate tool, said Josh Nassar, the United Auto Workers legislative director. But he added that tariffs are not an answer in and of themselves. He was speaking last month to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee about the effect of tariffs on car manufacturers. Labor unions are against most of the Trump administrations economic policies. They oppose tax cuts for the rich to easing rules that protect worker rights and safety. They are deeply critical of the Trump agenda, noted Leon Fink, a labor historian. The labor movement also opposes Trumps effort to ease environmental rules and what they say are his administrations anti-immigrant policies. But some union members give the president credit for trying. It was nice to see the president step in and try to do something for the industry, said Casey, leader of the striking workers at the Bull Moose Tube plant. Im Dorothy Gundy. VOAs Brian Padden reported this story. Susan Shand adapted his report for Learning English. The editor was George Grow. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story tariff n. a tax placed on imported good benefit n. profit or assistance gained from something intend v. to plan or want to do something unsustainable adj. something that must end appropriate adj. the right behavior or way agenda n. a plan or goal that guides someone's behavior and that is often kept secret When JBL and Lenovo launched smart displays powered by Google Assistant this summer, the companies tapped into a platform Google announced at the start of the year. But when Google launched its own smart display this week, the company didnt follow suit. The Google Home Hub is a $149 smart display with a 7 inch touchscreen display, a built-in speaker, and a mic array. You can use it to talk to Google Assistant, play videos or music, or control your smart home gadgets. You cant use it to make video calls, because the Google Home Hub does not have a camera. Thats not the only thing that sets it apart from other Google Assistant-enabled smart displays though. As Ars Technica points out, Lenovo, JBL, and LG have all announced devices based on the same technology: they all have Qualcomm SD624 chips and run software based on Googles Android Things (a version of Android optimized for Internet of Things devices). The Google Home Hub, meanwhile, uses an Amlogic processor and software thats similar to what runs on a Google Chromecast device. While the company hasnt really explained the discrepancy, theres one obvious difference: the Google Home Hub is the cheapest smart display with Google Assistant to date. JBLs solution sells for $200 or more, and Lenovos is $250. Interestingly, most of the differences seem to be under the hood. The Google Home Hub user interface seems to be pretty much the same as for the Lenovo Smart Display and JBL Link View. Meanwhile, 9to5Google connected some dots and concluded that theres a chance the Google Home Hub may be capable of running Googles new Fuchsia operating system rather than an Android-based OS. Its unclear if the Home Hub runs Fuchsia out of the box, but it appears that the company has at least been testing the operating system on the device. Share this article: Share this: Facebook Twitter Reddit Pocket Tumblr Pinterest LinkedIn Email CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Velvet Energy Ltd. ("Velvet") and Iron Bridge Resources Inc. (TSX: IBR) ("Iron Bridge") today announced that Iron Bridge has entered into an amalgamation agreement (the "Amalgamation Agreement") with Velvet Acquisition Company Ltd. ("AcquisitionCo"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Velvet, under which Iron Bridge will amalgamate with AcquisitionCo, with the amalgamated entity ("Amalco") becoming an wholly-owned subsidiary of Velvet (the "Amalgamation"). The Amalgamation, which is subject to the approval of the holders (the "Iron Bridge Shareholders") of common shares of Iron Bridge (the "Iron Bridge Shares"), will constitute the subsequent acquisition transaction proposed by Velvet in order to acquire all of the Iron Bridge Shares that Velvet did not acquire under its offer to purchase all of the outstanding Iron Bridge Shares (the "Offer"), which expired on October 5, 2018. Velvet acquired an aggregate of 143,788,237 Iron Bridge Shares under the Offer, representing approximately 87.7% of the number of outstanding Iron Bridge Shares. A special meeting (the "Meeting") of the Iron Bridge Shareholders has been called for 9:00 a.m. (Calgary time) on November 6, 2018 at 2400, 525 - 8th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta to consider, and if thought advisable, pass a special resolution in relation to the Amalgamation (the "Amalgamation Resolution"). The Amalgamation Resolution must be passed by 66 2/3% of the votes cast by Iron Bridge Shareholders, voting in person or by proxy at the Meeting. In addition, pursuant to applicable securities laws, the Amalgamation must also be approved by a simple majority of the votes cast by "minority" Iron Bridge Shareholders represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting. Velvet currently holds approximately 87.7% of the issued and outstanding Iron Bridge Shares, all of which are entitled to be treated as "minority" Iron Bridge Shares, and Velvet has advised that it intends to vote all of its Iron Bridge Shares in favour of the Amalgamation. An information circular and proxy statement (the "Information Circular") and related documents are expected to be mailed on or about October 16, 2018 to Iron Bridge Shareholders of record on October 2, 2018 and will be filed on SEDAR (under Iron Bridge's profile) at www.sedar.com. Subject to the terms of the Amalgamation Agreement, each Iron Bridge Shareholder (other than Velvet and any of its affiliates or any Iron Bridge Shareholder who validly exercises dissent rights in relation to the Amalgamation) will, upon completion of the Amalgamation, receive one redeemable preferred share of Amalco (each, a "Redeemable Preferred Share") for each Iron Bridge Share. The Redeemable Preferred Shares will be automatically redeemed immediately following the completion of the Amalgamation for $0.845 in cash per Redeemable Preferred Share (the "Amalgamation Consideration"). The Amalgamation Consideration is the same as the consideration that was available to Iron Bridge Shareholders under the Offer. As Velvet intends to vote the Iron Bridge Shares held by it in favour of the Amalgamation Resolution, and, under applicable securities laws, all such votes, are entitled to be counted in respect of the Amalgamation Resolution at the Meeting, it is anticipated that the Amalgamation will be approved and take effect on or about November 6, 2018 (the "Effective Date"). At that time, Amalco will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Velvet, the Iron Bridge Shares will thereafter cease to trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange and Iron Bridge will apply to cease to be a reporting issuer under applicable securities laws as soon as reasonably practicable following the Effective Date. Important Notice Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information can be generally identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "expected", "intend", "may", "will", "project", "plan", "should", "believe" and similar expressions. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information concerning the timing of the Meeting, the manner in which the Iron Bridge Shares held by Velvet will be voted at the Meeting, that Amalco will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Velvet upon completion of the Amalgamation, the completion of the Amalgamation and the timing thereof, the Amalgamation Consideration, the redemption of the Redeemable Preferred Shares and the timing thereof, the anticipated de-listing of the Iron Bridge Shares from the Toronto Stock Exchange following the Amalgamation, Iron Bridge ceasing to be a reporting issuer under applicable securities laws following the Amalgamation and the timing thereof, the mailing and filing on SEDAR of the Information Circular and related documents. Forward-looking statements are based upon the opinions and expectations of management of Velvet and Iron Bridge as at the effective date of such statements and, in some cases, information supplied by third parties. Although Velvet and Iron Bridge believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions and that information received from third parties is reliable, it can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or outcomes to differ materially from those anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such things as new laws and regulations, failure to obtain approval of the Amalgamation Resolution by Iron Bridge Shareholders and/or complete the Amalgamation in the manner contemplated by the parties or at all. Having regard to the various risk factors, readers should not place undue reliance upon the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and such forward-looking statements should not be interpreted or regarded as guarantees of future outcomes. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof neither Velvet or Iron Bridge undertake any obligation to update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws in force in Canada. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. For further information: Ken Woolner President and Chief Executive Officer (403) 781-9134 Chris Theal Chief Financial Officer (403) 781-9162 Peter Henry Vice President, Finance (403) 781-9133 Malvern, PA & Morehead, KY, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rajant Corporation, a Philadelphia-based global wireless network company, and Morehead State University (MSU) in Eastern Kentucky continue their reach for the stars, literally and figuratively, with their latest collaboration. Together, Rajant and Morehead leadership are venturing to Italy in search of the brightest student minds, who are studying engineering. There is a dual mission in that MSU will establish a reciprocal student exchange with Italian universities and recruit engineering talent for U.S. companies, like Rajant, among soon-to-be graduates who might otherwise lack connection to the wealth of high-tech career opportunities due to Italys youth unemployment rate, which stands over 30%. Morehead State Universitys students are exceptional and were very happy to support Dr. Malphrus establishment of an exchange program that introduces them to equally talented Italian students, says Bob Schena, Rajants co-founder and CEO. Since March 2015, Rajant has invested more than $2,000,000 into the Morehead facility which expands Rajants Engineering and Development capabilities to four locations. When fully staffed, Rajant will have fifty employees in Morehead and a good number of those will be MSU graduates. This commitment within Kentucky follows our relocation and expansion of Rajants Malvern, Pennsylvania headquarters this summer. All of this infrastructure strengthens Rajant to better serve our growing global base of customers as we expand our leading Kinetic Mesh wireless technology into IIoT industries, like petrochemical, transportation, ports, and oil and gas. Dr. Benjamin K. Malphrus, Executive Director of Morehead Universitys Space Science Center, will travel with Bob Schena to Italy on October 17th. Visits include La Sapienza University of Rome, where Dr. Malphrus will also be making a presentation on the Lunar IceCube mission (a NASA probe developed by Morehead State University and its NASA partners that will orbit the Moon), and Politecnico di Milano, Italys largest technical university. Others may also be incorporated with time permitting. According to Dr. Malphrus, The Rajant/Morehead State trade and research mission to Italy has the potential to significantly impact our research and academic programs at the Space Science Center. We have had great success collaborating with Italian universities and companies specializing in small satellite technologies. We have also had numerous outstanding Italian students in our Master of Science in Space Systems Engineering program. Our hope is to develop new relationships and expand our exchange programs with Italian universities, particularly with those that have programs in aerospace engineering. These associations have the potential to advance small satellite technologies in both the U.S. and Europe. Paul Hellhake, Rajants CTO and co-founder, oversees Rajants Morehead facility. Our Kentucky office capabilities include radio manufacturing, testing, and validation prior to customer shipment. Other functions include CAD design, rapid fabrication through 3-D printing and software development, shares Paul. We leverage additional capabilities via the Morehead University Space Science Center, such as vibration testing, environmental testing, and machining. Dr. Malphrus adds about their collaboration, Rajant has been invaluable. The establishment of a Rajant facility in Morehead has helped us begin to realize our dream of evolving the Eastern Kentucky economy to be high-tech based. The partnership with Rajant has created local jobs for graduates from our Space Science program, has expanded our research and development in inter-spacecraft communications and small satellite constellation technologies, and has established the first of what we hope will lead to a cluster of aerospace and defense companies in Appalachian Kentucky. #### About Morehead State University Space Science Center Morehead State University (MSU), located in Morehead, Kentucky, is a comprehensive public university with robust undergraduate and graduate programs, emerging doctoral programs, and an emphasis on regional engagement. MSU aspires to be the best public regional university in the South through prioritizing student success; outcomes; academic excellence; and rankings, reputation, and regional responsiveness. At the center of MSUs Department of Earth and Space Sciences is the Ronald G. Eaglin Space Science Center (SSC). The facility houses state-of-the-art equipment and laboratories that will give you valuable hands-on learning experiences. The Space Science Center is home to MSU's Program of Distinction, the Bachelor of Science in Space Science. For more information, visit www.moreheadstate.edu. About Rajant Corporation Rajant Corporation is the exclusive provider of private wireless networks powered by the patented Kinetic Mesh network, BreadCrumb wireless nodes, and InstaMesh networking software. With Rajant, customers can rapidly deploy a highly adaptable and scalable network that leverages the power of real-time data to deliver on-demand, mission-critical business intelligence. A low-latency, high-throughput and secure solution for a variety of data, voice, video, and autonomous applications, Rajants Kinetic Mesh networks provide industrial customers with full mobility, allowing them to take their private network applications and data anywhere. With successful deployments in more than 50 countries for customers in military, mining, ports, oil & gas, transportation, petrochemical plants, and municipalities, Rajant is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, with additional facilities and offices in Arizona, Kentucky, and Alabama. For more information, visit www.rajant.com , or follow Rajant on LinkedIn and Twitter. Attachments Ro, 11 October 2018 Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, is currently in China attending meetings and will reportedly try to help the local Apple branch to boost its sales after a disappointing iPhone XS launch. Still, one of the main reason for visiting the country is to strengthen the company's relationship with Shanghai. The CEO met with the secretary of the Chinese Communist Party in hopes of further improving the relationship between the US and China. Tim Cook also attended a board meeting at the Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management and some even speculate that he's going to meet the Chinese president too but Apple's staff refused to comment on that. And while he's there, Cook will try to help with the unsatisfactory sales of 2018 iPhone models, which is going to be a hard task considering the steep price of the handsets in China and the strong competition. The premium segment is occupied by Huawei's $700 phones that eat away a good chunk of the iPhone sales, especially when the top-end iPhone XS Max costs $1,850. That's a really big difference. Via Australia and Japan yesterday reaffirmed their commitment to pressuring North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program and enforcing sanctions on Pyongyang. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Australia and Japan are committed to working closely with allies and partners to ensure North Korea is pressured to end its nuclear and missile programs. Payne and Defense Minister Christopher Pyne were meeting in Sydney with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya. We need to see real steps to complete, verifiable irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Payne told reporters. Payne and Kono had discussed sanctions enforcement with the United State at last months U.N. General Assembly in New York. Iwaya said the international community must remain united to achieve the dismantling of North Koreas weapons of mass destruction. Meanwhile, Australia and Japan warned China and the United States to settle their differences over trade and political issues using existing rules. No country wishes for a new cold war, Kono said. President Donald Trump has stepped up pressure on China by raising tariffs on billions of dollars of Chinese goods. Beijing has retaliated by imposing penalties on billions of dollars of U.S. products. AP The Chinese central government fully endorses the work of the Legislative Assembly (AL), according to Chinese vice-premier Han Zheng. Yesterday during a meeting with ALs delegation, Han mentioned Beijings endorsement of Macaus legislation body. The previous Legislative Assembly firmly supported the Chief Executive and the [Macau] SAR government in administering Macau in accordance with the law. It has played an important role in comprehensively and accurately implementing the One Country Two Systems policy, especially at advancing the system of the SAR established by the Constitution and the Basic Law, said Han. We have also fully comprehended that it [Macau AL] has made active contributions to the development of Macaus democracy, to the rule of law and to social progress, said Han. The meeting between Han and Macaus lawmakers, which took place yesterday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, lasted for approximately one hour. This is also the third time since the handover that the Macau legislation body has visited mainland China officials. According to a report by TDM, AL chairman Ho Iat Seng said that being received by the vice premier of the State Council was a great encouragement to all members of the Macau AL. Han also brought up three prospects for the Macau AL: to protect and implement the constitutional responsibility of the Basic Law and the constitution, and to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty; to respect the executive-led system; and to have Macau find its own position, in terms of co-operating with the countrys development after the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. On Tuesday, a total of 29 lawmakers, including Ho, departed from Macau for a three-day visit to Beijing and Tianjin. Besides meeting Chinese leaders in Beijing, the lawmakers will also meet with Tianjin Peoples Congress. Prior to departure, lawmaker Song Pek Kei expressed that Macau could benefit by learning from mainland Chinas rather advanced legislation system. Other lawmakers hope to know more about the Greater Bay Area projects. JZ A local 78-year-old course instructor has been arrested after having sexually assaulted two female minor students, aged 8 and 9 years old. The two victims are sisters. The suspect, surname Chan, was an instructor and in charge of a music and painting interest class in a club located at the Santo Antonio area. According to the Judiciary Police (PJ), the two girls started attending Chans class in April. Since the beginning of the summer vacation, Chan started sexually assaulting the sisters when they arrived early to classes or left classes late. Frightened, the two victims did not tell their parents about Chans sexual advances until September 25. On October 4, PJ took Chan from his workplace to the police station for investigation. Chan denied the accusations and claimed that he was only adjusting the studying position of the student, claiming that it was normal physical contact. He also said that he tried his best to avoid unnecessary physical contact. PJ has already transferred case to the Public Prosecutions Office with Chan charged of sexual assault of children. PJ is still investigating the existence of other victims. In May, a 30-year-old male worker who had been working at the D. Jose da Costa Nunes kindergarten since 2015 was accused of sexually abusing children under his care after the parents of three children came forward to accuse the Philippines national of inappropriately touching the children. The construction of flood barriers (levees) in low-lying areas of the city and namely the Inner Harbor, was previously announced by the government as a measure to prevent some storm surge flooding in the area are to be built after 2021. This has been acknowledged by the Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) during a meeting held with Macaus Inner Harbor Friends Association to gauge the flood prevention works that have been done in the area. According to a statement issued by DSAMA, the bureau has concluded the analysis and scientific research on the improvement measures that can be implemented to prevent floods, concluding that such measures include the installation of over 10 drain valves on the lower walls in the Inner Harbor, which would be open to facilitate faster draining of water that has accumulated after a storm surge. DSAMA said that the installation of such valves is possible [] during the second semester of next year. As for the flood barriers which are to be built in between piers number 23 and 26, DSAMA said it can only be built after the conclusion of the construction works of the Box-Culvert of the Rainwater Collection and Pumping Station of the Northern area of the Inner Harbor. The work is expected finish during 2021, reaffirming that the project is included on the mid-term measures. Citing the same research and analysis ordered by the government, the bureau said that studies concluded that the solution of deepening the riverbed in the area would not contribute to solving the problem of flooding. According to the results, in the case of deepening of the Inner Harbor [riverbed], the level of the tide will raise and will change the scale of movement of the tides in the Hung Wan channel and in the Inner Harbor area, causing more tides to move to the Inner Harbor, DSAMA stated, adding the growth of tides volume in the Inner Harbor will be superior to the volume of the possible excavation, so the level of water in the Inner Harbor will not decrease, but will increase. RM Four years after it arrived on the remote U.S. territory of Saipan, Imperial Pacific International Holdings Ltd. is faltering in its effort to turn the obscure island into a gambling hub to rival Macau. In August the Hong Kong-based company, which attracted attention across the gaming industry for the vast volumes of bets recorded in its Saipan operations, reported a 51 percent decline in first-half revenue that sent earnings tumbling by more than 90 percent. At the end of June it had almost 8 billion Hong Kong dollars (USD1.02 billion) in uncollected debts from gamblers more than Macau casinos that cater to the highest of high rollers. Imperial Pacific faced problems that required it to delay paying some Saipan workers in August, according to local media and an internal memorandum seen by Bloomberg News. Saipans regulators last month approved four junket operators that can work with Imperial to bring high-stakes players to the casino, which caters to Chinese high-stakes players. The operator also received a two-and-a-half year extension to complete the 340-room hotel that it committed to building atop the gambling facility, saying that a shortage of workers was slowing progress. The setbacks for Imperial Pacific may threaten one of the most unusual, and controversial, resort projects in recent gambling history. Saipan, the main landmass of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, is located more than 5,000 miles from the U.S. mainland, and was captured by American troops in one of the bloodiest battles of the Second World Wars Pacific campaign. After the local garment manufacturing industry collapsed in the early 2000s, the island was left with virtually no economic base until Imperial Pacifics casino, which opened in 2015, began posting betting volumes that shocked industry veterans, some of whom said there was no way to generate them legitimately. Imperial Pacific has always disputed the assertion, countering that it complies with all relevant regulations and has anti-money laundering procedures in place. Imperial Pacific declined to comment for this article. The casino operator, controlled by Chinese businesswoman Cui Lijie, has become by far the largest outside investor in Saipans history and a significant force in local politics. The company has acquired long-term land leases on the island. Among others, its entered into financial transactions worth millions of dollars with relatives of the territorys governor, Ralph Torres, a staunch supporter of the project. Both Imperial Pacific and Torres, who is campaigning for a second term in Novembers general election, have denied that there is anything improper in their relationship. Imperial Pacifics construction efforts have slowed ever since U.S. prosecutors, acting on arrests by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, said that many Chinese workers on the site employed by the companys contractors had arrived posing as tourists, and were working illegally. Separately, federal inspectors said conditions on the casino site were unsafe. Imperial Pacific has blamed those alleged violations on its contractors, and said it had no knowledge of any illegally employed workers, or of substandard construction practices. Now, the financial viability of the facility is unclear. As Imperial Pacific began posting per-table betting volumes that outstripped the grandest Macau casinos, what was largely unknown at the time was the amount of uncollected debt that was rapidly accruing, said Andrew Klebanow, a senior partner at Global Market Advisors, a gaming industry consultancy. A comparison with Wynn Macau Ltd., which also caters to so-called VIP players, illustrates the depth of the issue. The Macau operator posted first half casino revenue of HKD16.5 billion almost eight times more than that of Imperial Pacific yet Wynns uncollected debts from gamblers were less than one-tenth of Imperials. Imperial Pacific also may have underestimated the challenges of building a resort on an island in the middle of the Pacific, said Klebanow. In asking island regulators for more time to complete the project, the casino operator cited a drastic reduction and non-availability of skilled labor in Saipan, which has a population of just 50,000. According to local regulators, delays resulted in part from a substantial work stoppage that followed the FBIs actions. In subsequent months, the number of workers on the site fell to as low as 200, compared with at least 1,500 staff that Imperial said it needed to complete the project, according to the license extension document. The extension of the resort completion date, to February 2021, was the latest of several instances in which Saipans government has eased the conditions of the companys license agreement. As consideration for the extension, Imperial Pacific agreed to donate $500,000 to the islands cash-strapped hospital, according to a stock exchange filing. Investors have reacted negatively to Imperial Pacifics recent setbacks. The companys Hong Kong shares have declined almost 52 percent since mid-2017, reducing its market value to about $1.13 billion. Inventive Star Ltd., a holding company controlled by Cui, has steadily increased its stake at the same time, and currently owns almost two-thirds of Imperial Pacific. The gaming operator has also experienced high-level executive departures. Marco Teng, a former human-resources manager who was serving as chairman of the Saipan operation, resigned in August, as did Cai Lingli, a senior executive and board director. Cai had a broad range of responsibilities and signed off on the companys various agreements, including land deals with relatives of Torres. Teng resigned to pursue other interests while Cai stepped down to spend time with her family, according to company statements. Imperial Pacifics setbacks in Saipan present local citizens with a dilemma. The building of a mega-casino is a divisive issue on the island, and opposition politicians have consistently called for Torres to be less accommodating toward the company and to force it to contribute more to local coffers. Unlike most casinos elsewhere, Imperial Pacific pays no gambling-specific taxes. On the other hand, Saipan has few prospects for economic development or large-scale employment, and losing the casino project would be a significant blow for the islands economy. With Imperial Pacifics ability to deliver unclear, Saipan may need to consider granting a license to a second casino operator even though the company was granted the sole license, said Ed Propst, an opposition lawmaker. We have the right to do so, because they havent lived up to their agreements, Propst said. Matthew Campbell, Bloomberg South Korea is considering lifting some of its unilateral sanctions against North Korea to create more momentum for diplomacy aimed at improving relations and defusing the nuclear crisis, the Souths foreign minister said yesterday. During a parliamentary audit of her ministry, Kang Kyung-wha said the government is reviewing whether to lift sanctions South Korea imposed on the North in 2010 following a deadly attack on a warship that killed 45 South Korean sailors. South Korea then effectively shut down all cross-border economic cooperation except for a jointly run factory park in the North Korean border town of Kaesong, which was shuttered in February 2016 after a North Korean nuclear test and long-range rocket launch. The so-called May 24 measures of 2010 also banned North Korea from using shipping lanes in South Korean territory. A move by South Korea to lift its unilateral sanctions would have little immediate effect since U.S.-led international sanctions remain in place. But its clear the Souths liberal government is preparing to restart joint economic projects if the larger nuclear negotiations between the United States and North Korea begin yielding results. Many parts of the May 24 measures now duplicate with the United Nations sanctions (against North Korea), Kang said. As negotiations continue to improve ties between the South and North and achieve denuclearization, theres a need to flexibly review (lifting the measures) as long as it doesnt damage the larger framework of sanctions against the North. South Korean President Moon Jae-in has described inter-Korean engagement as crucial to resolving the nuclear standoff. A large number of South Korean business leaders accompanied Moon last month to Pyongyang, North Koreas capital, where he and leader Kim Jong Un agreed to normalize operations at the Kaesong factory park and resume joint tours to North Korea when possible, voicing optimism the international sanctions could end and allow such projects. The North and South also announced measures to reduce conventional military threats, such as creating buffer zones along their land and sea boundaries and a no-fly zone above the border. The North also said it would dismantle its main nuclear facility in Nyongbyon if the United States takes unspecified corresponding measures. Despite the current mood of detente and negotiation between the Koreas, the removal of sanctions will be a difficult decision for Seouls government. South Koreans are deeply divided along ideological lines and many people still harbor deep anger over North Koreas 1950 attack that started the Korean War, killing and injuring millions. There has been occasional bloodshed ever since the 2010 attack on the warship was followed months later by North Koreas shelling of a South Korean border island that killed four and gutted homes. Kangs comments drew an angry reaction from conservative opposition lawmakers. Chung Jin-suk of the Liberty Korea Party demanded that Moons government consult with the families of the sailors who died in 2010 before making any decision on sanctions. Kangs ministry later tried to downplay her comments, saying in a statement that no decision was imminent. During her conversation with lawmakers, Kang described Seouls unilateral sanctions as a key obstacle in restarting South Korean tourism to the Norths Diamond Mountain resort, which was suspended in 2008 following the shooting death of a South Korean woman there. But the removal of such sanctions wouldnt be enough to get the tours back on, said Koh Yu-hwan, a North Korea expert at Seouls Dongguk University and a policy adviser to Moon. While U.N. sanctions against North Korea dont ban tourism, they do place strict restrictions on the transfer of funds, he said. Still, the lifting of the 2010 sanctions could offer at least some tangible benefits to the North. For North Korea, the most meaningful result from the lifting of the May 24 measures would be that its ships will be able to travel through Jeju Strait again, said Koh, referring to waters between South Koreas mainland and the southern island of Jeju. This will allow them to save time and fuel. As part of the agreements reached during Moon and Kims meetings, a liaison office between the countries opened in Kaesong last month. Seouls Unification Ministry said Tuesday that water being supplied to the office is being provided to the towns residents as well. Using a facility that draws from a reservoir near the factory park, South Korea has been pumping 1,000 to 2,000 tons of water to the liaison office and about 15,000 tons to the rest of the city every day, ministry spokesman Baik Tae-hyun said. He said the resumption of the water supply does not violate sanctions. The closure of the factory park had deprived Kaesong residents of what had been a steady supply of water and electricity. South Korea is providing electricity to the liaison office, but not to the towns residents. There are also humanitarian considerations as the residents of Kaesong have to rely on the parks facility for water, Baik said. This has nothing to do with restarting the Kaesong factory park. Other moves by the Koreas to reduce tensions include temporary reunions between war-separated relatives and military agreements that call for reducing weaponry and guards at the border and demining sections of the Demilitarized Zone. Kim Tong-Hyung, Seoul, AP Pompeo displeased by agreement between Koreas South Koreas foreign minister said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed displeasure over an agreement reached between the rival Koreas last month to reduce conventional military threats between them. Kang Kyung-wha replied Yes yesterday when a lawmaker asked her whether a Japanese media report was correct that Pompeo had complained strongly about the agreement, which was announced during a summit between the Koreas in Pyongyang last month. Kang did not specify what Pompeo was unhappy about. She said Pompeo asked multiple questions about the content of the agreement. The agreement calls for the creation of buffer zones along the Koreas land and sea boundaries and a no-fly zone above the border to prevent accidental clashes. It also provides for a reduction of weaponry and guards at the border and the demining of sections of the Demilitarized Zone. Kangs comments are likely to fuel speculation that Washington wasnt fully on board before Seoul signed the agreement. The outgoing president of the Maldives filed a complaint with police yesterday challenging the results of last months presidential election in which he was defeated by the opposition candidate. President Yameen Abdul Gayooms Progressive Party of the Maldives said in a statement that lawyers filed the complaint over serious allegations of vote rigging, fraud, malpractice and corruption. The statement said the party is seeking a remedy from the High Court and Supreme Court, but did not specify what kind of relief it wants. The opposition alliance has said Yameen is attempting to cling to power. Yameen, who has rolled back many of Maldives democratic reforms, was decisively defeated by opposition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the Sept. 23 election and quickly conceded defeat. The constitution allows two weeks to submit a challenge from the day that official election results are announced. The election was generally seen as fair, although the opposition alleged ahead of time that Yameens government was using state resources to rig the vote in his favor. Yameens five-year term ends on Nov. 17. Four of the countrys Elections Commission five members have fled the country because of threats from supporters of Yameens party who accused them of rigging the election in favor of Solih, Elections Commissioner Ahmed Shareef said. He said groups had gathered in front of the members homes and threatened them, saying they had accepted bribes from the opposition. AP BOISE, Idaho, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Albertsons Companies and Albertsons Companies Foundation announced today that, through the generous donations of customers, the Hunger Is fundraiser to fight childhood hunger in America raised a record $7.2 million in just 30 days. The 2018 campaign, which engaged communities to support their most vulnerable citizens, raised enough to provide 22 million breakfasts for kids in the 2,300+ communities in which Albertsons Companies operates. I am blown away by the generosity of our customers, said Albertsons Companies President and CEO Jim Donald. Their donations will fund 22 million breakfasts to kids in need and help us Make Every Day a Better Day in the communities we serve. Together, through one- and two-dollar donations at a time, we are having a tremendous impact on the lives and the futures of young people. Throughout September, many of the companys stores, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, ACME Markets, Tom Thumb, Randalls, Pavilions, Star Market, and others accepted Hunger Is donations at checkout. All donations will benefit hunger relief organizations in the communities in which they were raised and will be extended in the form of grants. Hunger Is Impact on Childhood HungerSince the 2014 inception of Albertsons Companies Foundations Hunger Is campaign, the initiative has had the following dramatic and lasting impacts on childhood hunger in America: $30.2 million raised and donated to hunger relief programs across the U.S. 77 million breakfasts made possible for kids in need 200,000 kids lives touched each year 281 organizations and food banks awarded Hunger Is grants to connect children to healthy food in their communities Following the fundraising effort each year, dozens of boots-on-the-ground foodbank partners turn the generosity of our customers into real results. For example, the Sunshine Division in Portland, Oregon is a 95-year-old organization that provides food and clothing to low-income residents. The organization serves the entire Portland metro area, where nearly 38 percent of children qualify for free or reduced-price school breakfast and lunch. Unfortunately, many children have no access to school meals during the summer when school is out. To bridge the gap, the Sunshine Division provides low-income families with summer food boxes containing healthy breakfast, snack, and lunch items that kids can prepare themselves. The Sunshine Division provides approximately 44,000 more children with healthy breakfasts and other meals during the summer months, thanks to Hunger Is funding. Childhood Hunger Statistics The need for sweeping, coast-to-coast initiatives to fight childhood hunger remains urgent. According to Feeding America, the nations largest hunger relief organization: There are more than 12 million children in the U.S. who struggle with hunger in the U.S. who struggle with hunger 21 percent of children in food-insecure households may have to rely exclusively on donations from programs like Hunger Is to make ends meet in food-insecure households may have to rely exclusively on donations from programs like to make ends meet Households with children are more likely to be food insecure than those without children The Hunger Is campaign seeks to decrease those numbers. Funds from previous campaigns were granted to more than 270 organizations that perform critical work in battling childhood hunger. Organizations receiving Hunger Is funds are chosen by stores in cooperation with the Hunger Is Advisory Committee (HIAC) and Albertsons Companies Foundation. The HIAC is comprised of leaders from the most respected hunger advocacy organizations in the U.S. including Feeding America, Food Research & Action Center, Hunger Free America, Share Our Strength, and WhyHunger. Albertsons Companies is a Visionary Partner of Feeding America. For more information about Albertsons Companies commitment to hunger relief, please visit us here. About Albertsons Companies Albertsons Companies is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, with both a strong local presence and national scale. We operate stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia under 20 well-known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaws, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs, as well as meal kit company Plated based in New York City. Albertsons Companies is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. In 2017 alone, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, the company gave nearly $300 million in food and financial support. These efforts helped millions of people in the areas of hunger relief, education, cancer research and treatment, programs for people with disabilities and veterans outreach. About Albertsons Companies Foundation Founded in 2001, Albertsons Companies Foundation, formerly Safeway Foundation, supports causes that impact customers lives. Albertsons Companies stores provide the opportunity to mobilize funding and create awareness in our neighborhoods through the generous contributions by our customers, our employees passion and partnerships with our vendors. We focus on giving locally in the areas of health and human services, hunger relief, education and helping people with disabilities. Albertsons Companies and Albertsons Companies Foundation have invested $1 billion in our neighborhoods since 2001. For more information about Albertsons Companies Foundation, visit www.albertsonscompaniesfoundation.com. Attachments The call came at night and was chilling. You listen, but you dont speak, the man on the other end said. Weve come in two work teams, two work teams just for you. In her first one-on-one interview since her husbands disappearance in China, the wife of the former head of Interpol described the threatening phone call that prompted authorities in the French city where the international law enforcement agency is headquartered to place her under police protection. French authorities are still trying to determine whether China did indeed, as the mysterious caller menaced, dispatch agents to get to Grace Meng, the wife of Meng Hongwei. But she has good reason to be fearful: Speaking out about the fate of her high-profile husband risks Chinas ire and, she said, is putting her in great danger. However, she hopes that doing so will help other families in similar circumstances. He has disappeared for so long and nobody has given me any information or told me where he has gone. This is very common now in China, she told The Associated Press during an interview. 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. Meng Hongwei who was Chinas vice minister of public security while also leading Interpol vanished while on a trip to China late last month. A long-time 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. Speaking to the AP late Monday at a hotel in Lyon, the French city where she lives and Interpol is based. Grace Meng said she had put their two boys to bed when she got the threatening call. It was one week after her last contact with her husband. On Sept, 25, he sent her from China an emoji of a knife suggesting to her he was in danger. The man who called her on her mobile phone spoke in Chinese, she said. She said the only clue he 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. Just imagine: My husband was missing, my kids were asleep, all my other phones werent working, and that was the only call I got. I was so frightened, she said. 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. Chinese authorities said Monday that Meng Hongwei is 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 is 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 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 the AP that police are investigating the threat against her, but said the probe has yet to determine whether there were indeed Chinese teams sent to Lyon. Chinas move to go after the Interpol president, an official with 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 ministerial meeting in Lyon this week that he disapproved of Beijings conduct. Brudzinski thinks it shows China believes it can act with impunity in an ostentatious way, without limit. 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 school teachers. He rose through the ranks based on his own merit, she said, and remained an idealist who longed to see the rule of law established in China. Tearfully, she said she hasnt yet been able to tell their young sons about his detention. 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. John Leicester and Gillian Wong, Lyon, AP Chinas luxury shoppers may be shunning pricey autos, but theyre still finding an appetite for handbags and champagne as the trade war plays out unevenly across the countrys high-end retailing landscape. Report cards from LVMH, home of Louis Vuitton leather goods and Dom Perignon champagne, as well as casino operators in Macau offer signs that the trade fight with the U.S. and the accompanying economic slowdown arent entirely derailing the China-led boom in top-end retail. Thats helping to offset gloomier scenarios in BMW and Mercedes showrooms and luxury real-estate offices. French giant LVMH said Tuesday its luxury retailer DFS performed especially well at the key Chinese tourist destinations of Hong Kong and the gambling enclave of Macau, while the companys wines and spirits business grew rapidly in China, too. LVMH said it did well in all its markets as it reported a 10 percent jump in third-quarter sales. Chinese demand is intact, said Deborah Aitken, senior analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence in London. LMVH is the first to confirm Asian markets are buoyant. The economic standoff between the U.S. and China escalated last month when President Donald Trump slapped a 10 percent duty on $200 billion of Chinese imports including handbags, and said the levy will jump to 25 percent in 2019. China said it would retaliate with levies on $60 billion worth of U.S. goods. As retailers pass on the duties to consumers and Chinese markets sell off, the tit-for-tat spat has raised concerns shoppers would rein in spending. Chinese consumers make up the lions share of growth for the luxury business as an increasing number of families cross the income threshold to become affluent. Relief also showed up in Macau during the Golden Week holiday, which is often seen as a thermometer for Chinas economy. Chinese tourist arrivals in the worlds largest gaming center for the period that ended Sunday jumped 14 percent from a year earlier. High rollers bet 10 percent more in the first six days of October than in the same period last year, according to Morgan Stanley. Still, the casinos robust performance isnt wiping out analyst concerns that the industry will grow at a slower pace in the next few months amid a weakening macro economy in China. Other sectors of the luxury market werent so fortunate during Golden Week. While the holiday is typically a buoyant period for new-home sales, transactions this year were the lowest since at least 2014, according to China Securities Co. Official home-sales data for October is due next week. Chinese households are also balking at committing to other big-ticket items. Jaguar Land Rover, the British marquee brand owned by Tata Motors Ltd., reported sales in China slumped 46 percent last month, amid uncertainty over import duty changes and trade tensions. Fashion is holding up better. Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd., the worlds biggest jewelry retailer by revenue, notched double-digit sales growth in mainland China and Hong Kong for the three months ended June. Same- store sales in Hong Kong rose 26 percent, helped by improving local consumer spending and reviving mainland visitation. LVMH reported its results after the European market closed on Tuesday. The shares fell as much as 5.2 percent in early trading yesterday as Morgan Stanley downgraded the luxury-goods sector, citing slowing earnings growth. Angus Whitley, Daniela Wei, Bloomberg Switzerlands high court has upheld the acquittal of a former private banker who handed over confidential client information to WikiLeaks, ruling he wasnt bound by the countrys strict banking secrecy laws at the time. The Federal Tribunal validated a ruling by Zurichs regional supreme court in the case of Rudolf Elmer, a former top accountant at a Cayman Islands affiliate of Swiss bank Julius Baer who was fired in 2002. The tribunal agreed yesterday that as an employee of the affiliate, Elmer wasnt bound by Swiss banking secrecy laws when he gave the information to WikiLeaks in 2008. The secret-busting group went public with the information in 2011. The case increased pressure on Switzerland to relax its strict banking secrecy rules. The tribunal upheld convictions against Elmer on other charges. ST. LOUIS, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Post Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:POST), a consumer packaged goods holding company, today announced its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.625 per share on the Companys 2.5% Series C Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock for the dividend period from the date of August 15, 2018 to November 14, 2018. The dividend will be paid on November 15, 2018 to preferred shareholders as of November 1, 2018. About Post Holdings, Inc. Post Holdings, Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a consumer packaged goods holding company operating in the center-of-the-store, refrigerated, foodservice, food ingredient, and active nutrition food categories. Through its Post Consumer Brands business, Post is a leader in the North American ready-to-eat cereal category offering a broad portfolio including recognized brands such as Honey Bunches of Oats, Pebbles, Great Grains and Malt-O-Meal bag cereal. Post also is a leader in the United Kingdom ready-to-eat cereal category with the iconic Weetabix brand. As a leader in refrigerated foods, Post delivers innovative, value-added egg and refrigerated potato products to the foodservice channel and the retail refrigerated side dish category, offering side dishes and egg, sausage and cheese products through the Bob Evans, Simply Potatoes, All Whites, Bettern Eggs and Crystal Farms brands. Posts Active Nutrition platform brings good energy to a wide range of consumers looking to live healthy lives through brands such as Premier Protein, PowerBar and Dymatize. Post participates in the private brand food category through its partnership with Thomas H. Lee Partners in 8th Avenue Food & Provisions, a leading, private brand centric, consumer products holding company. For more information, visit www.postholdings.com. Contact: Investor Relations Jennifer Meyer jennifer.meyer@postholdings.com (314) 644-7665 Lead Plaintiff Deadline is October 23, 2018 NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP announces that a federal securities class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District for the District of Nevada against CV Sciences, Inc. ("CV Sciences" or the "Company") (OTCMKT: CVSI) and certain of its officers, on behalf of shareholders who purchased or otherwise acquired CV Sciences securities between June 19, 2017 and August 20, 2018, both dates inclusive (the Class Period). Investors who have incurred losses in the shares of CV Sciences, Inc. are urged to contact the firm immediately at classmember@whafh.com or (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774. You may obtain additional information concerning the action on our website, www.whafh.com. If you have incurred losses in the shares of CV Sciences, Inc., you may, no later than October 23, 2018, request that the Court appoint you lead plaintiff of the proposed class. Please contact Wolf Haldenstein to learn more about your rights as an investor in CV Sciences, Inc. The filed Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that its Patent #15/426,617: received a non-final rejection from the USPTO on April 27, 2017; a final rejection from the USPTO on December 14, 2017; and consequently, Defendants' statements about CV Sciences' business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and/or misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. On August 20, 2018, Citron Research alleged that CV Sciences misrepresented the status of one of its key patents. Citron Research said that the Company failed to disclose a rejected patent that the Company "continued to hype." Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP has extensive experience in the prosecution of securities class actions and derivative litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts across the country. The firm has attorneys in various practice areas; and offices in New York, Chicago and San Diego. The reputation and expertise of this firm in shareholder and other class litigation has been repeatedly recognized by the courts, which have appointed it to major positions in complex securities multi-district and consolidated litigation. If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions regarding your rights and interests in this case, please immediately contact Wolf Haldenstein by telephone at (800) 575-0735, via e-mail at classmember@whafh.com , or visit our website at www.whafh.com. Follow the firm and learn about newly filed cases on Twitter and Facebook. Contact: Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP Kevin Cooper, Esq. Gregory Stone, Director of Case and Financial Analysis Email: gstone@whafh.com , kcooper@whafh.com or classmember@whafh.com Tel: (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774 Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome. New Braunfels, Texas, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) and the Headwaters at the Comal are excited to kick-off a very rare and unique educational archaeology excavation opportunity. During the recent Phase I of restoration of the Headwaters at the Comal, a number of significant cultural resources and artifacts were discovered, including; a number of rock middens and hearths, indicating habitation of the site. Most features contained organic materials, lithic tools, and debris, which suggests good preservation and excellent research opportunities. Samples researched to date indicate resources range from the Early Archaic and Middle Archaic through Paleo-Indian periods. The Headwaters at the Comal is a conservation legacy by NBU, and we are proud to introduce and share this rare, educational opportunity to individuals and organizations who are committed to preserving these historic artifacts. The potential for unique discoveries are abundant. This is a real opportunity to discover what and who came before us - and their way of life. This site could be the site in all of Texas and perhaps even the United States. What: News Conference to kick-off the Big Dig at the Headwaters at the Comal When: Wednesday, October 17, 2018, 10:00 a.m. Where: The Headwaters at the Comal, 333 Klingemann Street, New Braunfels, TX 78130 Who: Ian Taylor, CEO, NBU and NBU Board of Directors, Nancy Pappas, Managing Director, Headwaters at the Comal and the Headwaters at the Comal Board of Directors Mason Miller, MA, Media Director/Archaeology Principal Investigator and Tim Griffith, Archaeology Principal Investigator, AmaTerra, Environmental, Inc. Todd Ahlman, Ph.D., Director, Center of Archaeological Studies, Texas State University Tiffany Osburn, Central and West Central Texas Regional Archaeologist and Project Reviewer, Historical Commission, Archaeology Division ### About New Braunfels Utilities : Dedicated to excellence in service, New Braunfels Utilities is one of 2,000 community-owned, not-for-profit public power electric utilities in the nation. The mission of New Braunfels Utilities is to enhance the quality of our community by providing innovative, essential services. Governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of local residents appointed by the New Braunfels City Council, New Braunfels Utilities is committed to being a recognized and trusted community partner, providing electric, water, and waste water services. Utility revenues are continually invested back into the systems of the customers, which benefits the community. New Braunfels Utilities makes an annual transfer to the City of New Braunfels, which in turn helps to pay for services such as fire, police, and parks. Follow NBU on Facebook at newbraunfelsutilities, on Twitter at nbutility, and to learn more visit nbutexas.com. About the Headwaters at the Comal: The Headwaters at the Comal, where everything begins is the intersection of water and history. Upon completion, the Headwaters at the Comal will be an environmental showcase for all ages a place for research, learning, and enjoyment that highlights the hydrological environmental, and cultural history of the region. To learn more about the Headwaters at the Comal, visit headwatersatthecomal.com. About AmaTerra: AmaTerra Environmental, Inc. is an Austin, Texas-based environmental consulting company that is celebrating its 20th year. AmaTerra specializes in helping public- and private-sector construction project teams successfully navigate through environmental permitting processes and local, state, and federal agencies appropriately manage those precious environmental, biological, and cultural resources that they oversee. AmaTerras staff includes professional ecologists, wildlife biologists, architectural historians, archaeologists, public outreach specialists working in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and throughout the United States on projects ranging from small city sidewalks to massive multi-county water pipelines and more not to mention the occasional spacecraft landing facility! AmaTerras archaeologists and architectural historians have been working with the design team on the Headwaters at the Comal since 2013 and are thrilled with the opportunity to continue working on such an important site. About Texas Historical Commission: The Texas Historical Commission (THC) is the state agency for historic preservation. The THC works to save the real places that tell the real stories of Texas. The THC also assists sponsors of development projects like Headwaters at the Comal in complying with state and federal laws that protect and consider historic and archeological sites. Attachments Just 8 percent of Brazilians told the Pew Research Center in 2017 that representative democracy is a very good form of government the lowest of all 38 countries surveyed. Most of the article is about what we can expect from Jair Bolsonaro, sometimes called the Brazilian Trump, who is very likely to be Brazils next president, recommended and interesting throughout. Three prominent medical societies today issued a new clinical guideline for physicians treating men with early-stage prostate cancer using external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Adoption of the guideline could make treatment shorter and more convenient for many patients with prostate cancer, the most common malignancy among American men. Developed by a panel of experts from the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and American Urological Association (AUA), the new guideline recommends offering patients a treatment option known as hypofractionated radiation therapy as an alternative to longer, conventional courses of radiation. ASTRO, ASCO and AUA published the guideline in their respective journals, Practical Radiation Oncology, Journal of Clinical Oncology and The Journal of Urology. "Conclusive evidence from several large, well-designed randomized trials now confirms that dose escalation can almost universally benefit men with early-stage prostate cancer who choose to manage their disease with external radiation," said Howard Sandler, MD, FASTRO, FASCO, chair and professor of radiation oncology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and co-chair of the guideline panel. "Significant advances in treatment planning and delivery have enabled oncologists to deliver more powerful, life-saving doses of radiation in fewer visits and without compromising quality of life." External beam radiation therapy is a standard definitive treatment option that confers outcomes equivalent to radical prostatectomy for men with localized prostate cancer. When EBRT is hypofractionated, patients receive larger radiation doses across fewer treatment sessionstypically completing treatment in four to five weeks, compared with eight to nine weeks for conventional radiation. Extremely hypofractionated courses, also known as ultrahypofractionation, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) or stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR), can be completed in as few as five treatments. The recommendations apply to patients who require or prefer treatment instead of surveillance and have opted for EBRT instead of radical prostatectomy, brachytherapy or other treatment options for localized prostate cancer. Key recommendations are as follows: For men who have opted for EBRT, moderate hypofractionation (fraction size of 240-340 centigray (cGy)) should be offered as an alternative to conventional fractionation (180-200 cGy) regardless of cancer risk group, patient age, comorbidity, anatomy or baseline urinary function. Suggested regimens for moderate hypofractionation include the two schedules used with the largest number of patients in randomized clinical trials: 6,000 cGy delivered in 20 fractions of 300 cGy over four weeks, or 7,000 cGy delivered in 28 fractions of 250 cGy over five and a half weeks. While moderately hypofractionated EBRT confers similar early cancer control and side effects to conventional fractionation, physicians should counsel patients about a small increased risk of short-term gastrointestinal toxicity and discuss how data are limited for oncologic outcomes beyond five years post-treatment. Ultrahypofractionation (500 cGy) guidance varies by prostate-cancer risk: for low-risk patients who have opted for EBRT, it may be offered as an alternative to conventional fractionation; for intermediate-risk disease, it may be offered, but the expert panel strongly encourages treating these patients as part of a clinical trial or multi-institutional registry; for high-risk disease, the panel does not suggest offering ultrahypofractionation outside of a trial or registry. Recommendations for ultrahypofractionation were graded by the panel as "conditional," reflecting the limited base of current evidence on this approach. Suggested regimens for ultrahypofractionation include the two schedules used most commonly in published studies: 3,500 cGy in five fractions of 700 cGy, or 3,625 cGy in five fractions of 725 cGy. For five-fraction regimens, the expert panel recommends against total radiation doses larger than 3,625 cGy outside of clinical trials or registries. Consecutive daily treatments also should be avoided when using five fractions. Recommendations also address the technical aspects of planning and delivering hypofractionated prostate radiation, including target and normal tissue volumes, dose constraints, margin definitions and delivery techniques. The expert panel universally recommends the use of image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) and avoidance of non-modulated conformal techniques. Fraction sizes between 340 and 500 cGy have been examined in very few studies and were therefore outside the scope of the guideline. Also excluded from the current guideline are treatment for locally advanced or metastatic disease, post-operative radiation, salvage therapy and re-irradiation. "Men who opt to receive hypofractionated radiation therapy will be able to receive a shorter course of treatment, which is a welcomed benefit to many men. When clinicians can reduce overall treatment time while maintaining outcomes, it's to our patients' benefit, as they can spend less time away from family and less time traveling to and from treatment," said Scott Morgan, MD, FRCPC, assistant professor of radiation oncology at the University of Ottawa and co-chair of the guideline panel. "Image guidance and other advances in radiation therapy delivery have enabled radiation oncologists to treat prostate cancer with a therapeutic dose of radiation in a shorter treatment period than was previously possible," said Daniel Barocas, MD, associate professor of urology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and guideline co-author. "Results so far show comparable early cancer control to conventional fractionation, while maintaining an acceptable side effect profile. This has benefits to the patient in terms of reducing the treatment burden and cost, and may increase the acceptability of external beam radiation therapy." To develop this guideline, a 16-member expert panel of clinicians, researchers and a patient advocate reviewed studies published from December 2001 through March 2017; sixty-one articles, including four large prospective randomized clinical trials with more than 6,000 patients, were evaluated. The guideline was approved by the ASTRO, ASCO and AUA Boards of Directors following a period of public comment. It has been endorsed by the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO), the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR). Explore further ASCO and Cancer Care Ontario update guideline on radiation therapy for prostate cancer Lead Plaintiff Deadline is October 24, 2018 NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Ampio or the Company) (NYSE: AMPE) in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, on behalf of a class consisting of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the publicly traded securities of Ampio between December 14, 2017 and August 7, 2018, both dates inclusive (the Class Period). Investors who have incurred losses in the shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. are urged to contact the firm immediately at classmember@whafh.com or (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774. You may obtain additional information concerning the action on our website, www.whafh.com. If you have incurred losses in the shares of Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., you may, no later than October 24, 2018, request that the Court appoint you lead plaintiff of the proposed class. Please contact Wolf Haldenstein to learn more about your rights as an investor in Ampio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The filed Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Companys business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose that: the FDA would find Ampios AP-003-C Phase 3 clinical trial inadequate and not well-controlled; as a result, Ampio had not successfully completed two pivotal clinical trials for Ampion; consequently, Defendants public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On August 7, 2018, after the market closed, Ampio announced updated business disclosures relating to its AP-003-A and AP-003-C trials, disclosing that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that a single trial the AP-003-A study alone does not appear to provide sufficient evidence of effectiveness to support a Biologics License Application (BLA) and that the FDA does not consider the AP-003-C trial to be an adequate and well-controlled clinical trial. On this news, shares of Ampio fell $2.25 per share or over 78% to close at $0.61 per share on August 8, 2018. Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP has extensive experience in the prosecution of securities class actions and derivative litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts across the country. The firm has attorneys in various practice areas; and offices in New York, Chicago and San Diego. The reputation and expertise of this firm in shareholder and other class litigation has been repeatedly recognized by the courts, which have appointed it to major positions in complex securities multi-district and consolidated litigation. If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions regarding your rights and interests in this case, please immediately contact Wolf Haldenstein by telephone at (800) 575-0735, via e-mail at classmember@whafh.com , or visit our website at www.whafh.com. ## Follow the firm and learn about newly filed cases on Twitter and Facebook. ## Contact: Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP Kevin Cooper, Esq. Gregory Stone, Director of Case and Financial Analysis Email: gstone@whafh.com , kcooper@whafh.com or classmember@whafh.com Tel: (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774 Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome. High doses of acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol, can damage the liver. This figure shows how acetaminophen (APAP) is broken down into a reactive compound (NAPQI) that binds covalently to proteins at cysteine residues. While this effect is well known, it does not account for all of the changes observed in acetaminophen-induced liver failure. Researchers have reported that binding by the reactive compound NAPQI activates a protein modification pathway called glutathionylation, which impairs protein function. The research illuminates early steps in a cascade of failures that can cause tissue damage, liver failure and sometimes death by acetaminophen overdose. Credit: Chan et al., Molecular & Cellular Proteomics 2018 Acetaminophen is a common pain reliever found in every pharmacy. However, it is also the No. 1 cause of acute liver failure in the United States. In the liver, acetaminophen is converted into a new compound that covalently binds to proteins at an amino acid called cysteine. These covalent binding events are known to contribute to the toxicity of acetaminophen, but they cannot fully account for its role in liver failure. The compound is known to impair the activity of mitochondria, the cell's energy supplier, but does not bind directly to some of the enzymes in mitochondria whose activity it affects. Now researchers have found a new way that the breakdown product affects proteins in the liver. James Chun Yip Chan and colleagues at the National University of Singapore examined glutathionylation, a post-translational modification made to cysteine residues, in response to acetaminophen toxicity. In a study published in the journal Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, the researchers reported a new proteomic approach to isolate and identify glutathionylated proteins and applied it in cells treated with acetaminophen. They found that an acetaminophen breakdown product can cause glutathionylation, suggesting a new mechanism for the damage the drug causes. Usually, glutathione is added to cysteine residues to protect them from damage by oxygen under stressful conditions. Chan and colleagues showed that acetaminophen and its breakdown product activate glutathionylation in a dose-dependent way. The modification affects proteins involved in mitochondrial fuel uptake and energy production, leading to metabolic dysfunction and other effects linked to acetaminophen toxicity. This research helps explain the drug's toxicity at high doses, especially among enzymes that are impaired by acetaminophen treatment without binding directly to the drug or its metabolites. The findings may also apply to other drugs with similar structures. Explore further Toward a safer form of acetaminophen More information: James Chun Yip Chan et al, Reactive Metabolite-induced Protein Glutathionylation: A Potentially Novel Mechanism Underlying Acetaminophen Hepatotoxicity, Molecular & Cellular Proteomics (2018). Journal information: Molecular & Cellular Proteomics James Chun Yip Chan et al, Reactive Metabolite-induced Protein Glutathionylation: A Potentially Novel Mechanism Underlying Acetaminophen Hepatotoxicity,(2018). DOI: 10.1074/mcp.RA118.000875 In this Friday, April 27, 2018 file photo, Joseph James DeAngelo, 72, who authorities suspect is the "Golden State Killer" responsible for at least a dozen murders and 50 rapes in the 1970s and 80s, is accompanied by Sacramento County Public Defender Diane Howard, right, during his arraignment in Sacramento County Superior Court in Sacramento, Calif. Authorities said they used a genetic genealogy website to connect some crime-scene DNA to DeAngelo. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) About 60 percent of the U.S. population with European heritage may be identifiable from their DNA by searching consumer websites, even if they've never made their own genetic information available, a study estimates. And that number will grow as more and more people upload their DNA profiles to websites that use genetic analysis to find relatives, said the authors of the study released Thursday by the journal Science. The use of such databases for criminal investigations made headlines in April, when authorities announced they'd used a genetic genealogy website to connect some crime-scene DNA to a man they then accused of being the so-called Golden State Killer, a serial rapist and murderer. In general, such searches begin on a site by finding a relative linked to a DNA sample. Then sleuths can use other information like published family trees, public records and lists of survivors in obituaries, plus whatever they know about the person whose DNA began the process. They can build their own speculative family trees. Eventually, that can point to someone whose DNA is then found to match the original sample. With DNA databases "you need just a minute fraction of the population to really identify many more people," said Yaniv Erlich of Columbia University, an author of the study. Each person in a DNA database acts "as a beacon that illuminates hundreds of distant relatives," said Erlich, who is also chief scientific officer of the MyHeritage website. His paper focused on Americans of European descent because such people are over-represented in DNA databases, which makes it easier to find relatives. The researchers started with the 1.28 million participants on the MyHeritage site at the time they did the work. Most had a northern European genetic background. For each, they looked for relatives more distant than first cousins elsewhere in the database. About 60 percent of the time, they found someone whose genetic similarity was at least equal to that of a third cousin, similar to the degree of relatedness that led to the Golden State Killer suspect. Third cousins share great-great-grandparents. With some basic assumptions about what kind of data would be available for a criminal suspect, the researchers calculated they could pare down the possible identity of the initial person to just 16 or 17 people. That's limited enough that police could zero in with further investigation, Erlich said. Erlich and his co-authors suggested that such searches could cast a broader net in the near future. A database with DNA profiles of just 2 percent of a population is enough to match nearly everybody with somebody who's as closely related as a third cousin, researchers said. From that, they calculated that the genetic profiles of about 3 million Americans of European descent could deliver the equivalent of a third cousin for more than 90 percent of that ethnic grouping. Websites are getting very close to that, said Erlich, noting that MyHeritage now has more than 1.75 million participants. He said the website does not allow forensic searches. Two DNA experts unconnected to the study said third and fourth cousins can both lead to identifications. In this Aug. 1, 2014 file photo, tools used for DNA testing are shown in a DNA lab at the forensic science center of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation in Edmond, Okla. About 60 percent of the U.S. population with European heritage may be identifiable from their DNA by searching consumer websites, even if they've never made their own genetic information available, a study estimates. That number will grow as more and more people upload their DNA profiles to websites that use genetic analysis to find relatives, researchers said. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File) "Because the average person has so many of these distant cousins, it becomes reasonably probable that one or more of them is in a publicly searchable database, even if only a small fraction of the U.S. population is included," Graham Coop and Michael Edge of the University of California, Davis, wrote in a statement to The Associated Press. "The fact that most suspects could be identified in this way is predictable" from mathematical calculations, and the new paper provides a convincing demonstration, they said. However, the work raises important policy questions, they said. Should anyone other than law enforcement be allowed to conduct such searches? And under what circumstances should they be permitted? "How should we react to the fact that the decisions of our fourth cousins, whom one may never have met, affect one's privacy?" they asked. In an interview, Edge noted that when people add their DNA profiles to a publicly searchable genealogy site, "they're not necessarily thinking about the genetic privacy of their distant relatives." Amy McGuire, a professor of biomedical ethics at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, said that police searches using DNA and genealogy websites have sometimes pointed to an incorrect person. "You would hope ... the victim of the false lead can be easily cleared" by providing DNA, she said. "But you still have some invasion into that person's personal life by being investigated." Some people would say that's worth it to aid the cause of justice, but others "would find that very distressing," she added. McGuire said there's an active legal debate about whether police should be able to "go on a fishing expedition" using DNA genealogy websites without a warrant. She recently published a survey that suggests most people support letting police search genetic genealogy databases. But support was much higher for investigations involving violent crimes and crimes against children than for nonviolent crimes. Explore further How cops used a public genealogy database in the Golden State Killer case More information: Y. Erlich el al., "Identity inference of genomic data using long-range familial searches," Science (2018). Journal information: Science Y. Erlich el al., "Identity inference of genomic data using long-range familial searches,"(2018). science.sciencemag.org/lookup/ 1126/science.aau4832 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. An investigation by The BMJ reveals how vaginal mesh implant manufacturers "aggressively hustled" their products into widespread use, how regulators approved them "on the flimsiest of evidence" and how the medical profession failed to set up registries that might have picked up problems far sooner. It also names prominent individualsall on mesh guidelines committeeswho take money from mesh manufacturers for various activities including research grants, speaker honorarium and consultancy, as do the medical royal colleges, creating a potential for bias. And even where payments are declared, it is very hard to unpick their value, and there is no obligation on clinicians to declare their interests. Altogether, this "hair raising" story offers lessons for the entire medical community, manufacturers and regulators, says author andinvestigative journalist, Jonathan Gornall. Vaginal mesh implants were introduced in 1998 as a quick and easy way to treat stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women. Twenty years on, their use in the NHS is suspended pending the findings of a major government reviewand companies are facing tens of thousands of compensation claims. In a series of special reports published today, Gornall charts the rapid rise of mesh in the UK and tracks down some of the doctors who warned of the consequences of mass launching a product on flimsy evidence. He also tracks the failure of the surgical profession to register patients getting mesh implants, despite warnings from NICE and others dating back to 2003. It wasn't until February 2018 that Jeremy Hunt, the former health secretary, announced that his department would be investing 1.1m "to develop a comprehensive database for vaginal mesh to improve clinical practice and identify issues." If all of [these warnings] had been heeded, "today's mesh crisis might have been largely averted," argues Gornall. In a second report, Gornall goes in search of Ulf Ulmsten, the Swedish obstetrician who invented mesh, and uncovers how the original evidence was mired in a multimillion pound deal, industry funded research, and undisclosed conflicts of interest. Gornall describes how, in March 1997, Ulmsten was paid $1m by global medical giant Johnson and Johnson ahead of a study to test the effectiveness and safety of his new tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure. While Johnson and Johnson deny allegations that the payment was conditional on the study proving successful, and rejected any suggestion that this had compromised the results of that trial, Gornall questions whether this was 'wallet driven' research. Finally, Gornall reports on the NHS surgeons, professional bodies, royal colleges and medical conferences that benefit from corporate funding and how this financial involvement is hidden from patients. He describes how, despite government guidance on conflicts of interests, it remains difficult to unpick industry funding of clinicians in the UKand specialists in vaginal mesh are no exception. But it isn't only individual clinicians who have financial links with industry, says Gornall, who cites links between some of the leading mesh device companies and several royal colleges, including the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The UK Pelvic Floor Society, whose members use synthetic meshes for prolapse and incontinence surgery, is also supported by Shire, Cook Medical, Medtronic, THD, and BK Medical, he adds. But regardless of the perceived or actual effect of such extensive industry influence within specialist branches of the medical profession, none of this information is freely or easily available to the public in the UK, argues Gornall. The UK trails far behind the US in putting the relationship between doctors and industry in plain sight, he writes. Without legislation, he believes that "it is all too easy for patients to draw conclusions harmful to public confidence in the healthcare system." In an editorial, Chris Allan and colleagues at Newcastle University warn that Europe's new device regulations "will fail to protect the public, unless they are reinforced." They argue that the new rules, which come into force on 26 May 2020, "require further tightening to protect public safety." At the very least, for all high risk devices, national authorities such as Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK "should take over conformity assessments to reduce commercial conflicts of interest," they write. And they say clinical studies of both efficacy and effectiveness "should be a condition of pre-market approval," and all data including clinical studies and investigations "should be available to everyone, ending differential rights of access for regulators and the public." Dr. Fiona Godlee, The BMJ's Editor in Chief and Professor Carl Heneghan of Oxford University's Centre for Evidence Based Medicine, say the postmarketing assessment of vaginal mesh has been "a shameful episode in the history of implantable devices." Surgeons, manufacturers, regulators, and governments have all played their part in this failing, they write in an editorial. "Mandated national registries are needed for all implantable devices, to protect patients, improve outcomes, reduce costs, and identify best practice. Another mesh tragedy is otherwise inevitable." Explore further Inadequate regulation for vaginal mesh products has exposed women to unnecessary harms, warn experts More information: Jonathan Gornall. The trial that launched millions of mesh implant procedures: did money compromise the outcome?, BMJ (2018). Jonathan Gornall. The trial that launched millions of mesh implant procedures: did money compromise the outcome?,(2018). DOI: 10.1136/bmj.k4155 Jonathan Gornall. Vaginal mesh implants: putting the relations between UK doctors and industry in plain sight, BMJ (2018). DOI: 10.1136/bmj.k4164 Chris Allan et al. Europe's new device regulations fail to protect the public, BMJ (2018). DOI: 10.1136/bmj.k4205 Carl Heneghan et al. Surgical mesh and patient safety, BMJ (2018). DOI: 10.1136/bmj.k4231 Jonathan Gornall. How mesh became a four letter word, BMJ (2018). DOI: 10.1136/bmj.k4137 Journal information: British Medical Journal (BMJ) Credit: CC0 Public Domain U.S. states with high levels of household gun ownership have higher rates of fatal shootings of civilians by police than states with lower gun prevalence, according to a new study led by researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Northeastern University. The study found that there was a link between rates of police shooting deaths and state-level gun ownership among all victims, but was strongest for rates of police shootings of victims who were armed with guns. The study will be published in the Journal of Urban Health on October 11, 2018. "Police in the U.S. are at much higher risk of being killed on the job than police in other high-income countries. Virtually the only way U.S. police are killed is with guns. In states where more civilians have guns, police may have more encounters with people who are armed, or who police fear may be armed. In these situations, police, rightly or wrongly, may feel more need to protect themselves," said lead author David Hemenway, professor of health policy at Harvard Chan School and co-director of the Harvard Injury Control Research Center (HICRC). In the U.S., law enforcement officers kill more than 1,000 civilians each year. The rate of these killings is far higher than in other high-income nations. In recent years, studies have used data gathered by various news organizations to explore fatal police shootings of civilians in the U.S., often with a focus on marked racial disparities in these shootings. The new study is the first to look at the extent to which firearm prevalence helps explain the wide variation across states in rates of fatal police shootings of civilians. The researchers used data from 2015-2017 from the Washington Post's "Fatal Force Database," which assembles information from news reports and other sources on the number of U.S. civilians shot and killed by police in the line of duty. The researchers also looked at levels of household gun ownership in each state, and adjusted for the violent crime rate, the proportion of the population that is non-white, the proportion of the population living in poverty, and urbanization. There were 2,934 fatal police shootings nationwide from 2015-2017; 56% of those killed were armed with a gun. To illustrate the size of the differences across states, the researchers compared rates of fatal police shootings in the 10 states with the highest levels of gun ownership ("high-gun states," including Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and West Virginia) with rates in the five states with the lowest levels of gun ownership ("low-gun states," including Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York). Because low-gun states tend to be more populated than high-gun states, the researchers included more of the latter in the analysis so that they would be looking at roughly the same population in each of the two groups. The rate of fatal police shootings in the 10 high-gun states was 3.6 times greater than in the low-gun states. In the high-gun states there were 499 fatal police shootings, while there were 138 in the low-gun states. Fatal police shootings per 1 million residents ranged from a high of 9.91 in New Mexico to a low of 0.87 in New York state. The study found that across all 50 states, civilians in states with high levels of household gun ownership had a much higher likelihood of being shot and killed by police, even controlling for rates of violent crime. Co-author Deborah Azrael, director of research at HICRC, emphasized that "the paper focuses on the states where fatal police shootings occur, not whether some, any, or all of the shootings were justifiable or preventable." Co-author Matthew Miller, professor at Northeastern University, adjunct professor of epidemiology at Harvard Chan School, and co-director of HICRC added that the findings likewise do not address whether armed or unarmed civilians who were killed posed an actual threat to law enforcement or were guilty of a crime. "Previous studies have shown that police in the United States are more likely to be shot and killed in states with high rates of gun ownership," said Hemenway. "This study shows that civilians in these states are also more likely to be shot and killed by the police." Explore further Study: States with lenient gun laws see more civilians fatally shot by officers More information: "Variation in Rates of Fatal Police Shootings across US States: The Role of Firearm Availability," David Hemenway, Deborah Azrael, Andrew Conner, Matthew Miller, Journal of Urban Health, October 11, 2018, "Variation in Rates of Fatal Police Shootings across US States: The Role of Firearm Availability," David Hemenway, Deborah Azrael, Andrew Conner, Matthew Miller,, October 11, 2018, DOI: 10.1007/s11524-018-0313-z This transmission electron microscopic (TEM) image depicts Lassa virus virions adjacent to some cell debris. Credit: CDC/C.S. Goldsmith Lassa fever belongs to the same class of hemorrhagic fevers as Ebola. Like Ebola, it has been a major health threat in Western Africa, infecting 100,000-300,000 people and killing 5,000 per year. A new vaccine against both rabies and Lassa has demonstrated effective protection in animal models of disease, according to research publishing in the journal Nature Communications, on October 11th. The research also points to a new way to test for protection against the virus, a finding that could significantly speed vaccine development in humans. "This two-component vaccine showed good protection from exposure to both virus types in preliminary animal studies," said senior author Matthias Schnell, Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) and Director of the Jefferson Vaccine Center. Because the vaccine is inactivated and based on a rabies vaccine that has been used for decades, the safety profile of the combination vaccine is excellent and likely safe enough to administer to pregnant women, who have a high risk of miscarriage when infected with Lassa virus. In addition, it can be likely produced in a stable lyophilized format that is easy to use in clinics that lack refrigeration. "Perhaps more importantly, however, we've discovered how to test for protection, which could vastly improve our ability to translate these findings into a human-ready vaccine," said Dr. Schnell. The results suggest a change in how researchers will analyze for potency in Lassa virus vaccine development, and could have implications for other hemorrhagic fever viruses as well. Because it would be unethical to test vaccine efficacy by intentionally exposing people to a pathogen, vaccine researchers instead test for so-called surrogates of immunity, a proxy for immune protection, based on results from animal studies. One of the most common surrogates for vaccines against viral pathogens is the neutralizing antibodyone of the antibodies made during an immune reaction that binds and blocks the part of the virus that helps it enter and infect cells. "The neutralizing antibody works like putting glue on a key," says first author Tiago Abreu-Mota, MD/Ph.D. student in Dr. Schnell's lab visiting from University of Minho, Portugal. "By junking-up the key, or entry molecule, the virus can no longer open the door to the cell." Although the immune response generates antibodies that fight infection in other ways, the neutralizing antibody has been something of a gold standard in vaccine development. High levels are usually a good indication that the immune reaction is strong enough to deflect viral disease. In the case of Lassa virus, however, neutralizing antibodies have not been very good surrogates, since they are produced in much lower quantities. Dr. Schnell, together with colleagues from the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) and University of California, San Diego (UCSD), looked at antibodies against other parts of the Lassa virus glycoprotein. Although these antibodies can't block the infection, the researchers showed that in the case of Lassa, they can be quite effective at tagging the virus or virus-infected cell with a beacon for quicker identification by other immune defense cells, such as the natural killer immune cell. The researchers used this concept to develop a new test to quantify the number of cells killed by antibody tagging/NK cell attack, creating a new surrogate of protection against Lassa virus hemorrhagic disease, based on flow cytometry. They also showed that a certain class of IgG against Lassa virus is beneficial. The new surrogate of protection will aid in the development of a more potent vaccine against Lassa virus. The researchers are also exploring other approaches to help determine vaccine protection in the field. Explore further DNA vaccine against Ebola virus shows potent and long-term efficacy in preclinical studies More information: Tiago Abreu-Mota et al, Non-neutralizing antibodies elicited by recombinant LassaRabies vaccine are critical for protection against Lassa fever, Nature Communications (2018). Journal information: Nature Communications Tiago Abreu-Mota et al, Non-neutralizing antibodies elicited by recombinant LassaRabies vaccine are critical for protection against Lassa fever,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06741-w Lithuania's parliament on Thursday passed a law that will allow doctors to prescribe marijuana-based medicine in the Baltic EU state. The lawmakers voted 90-0 with three abstentions in favour of the legislation that will now go to President Dalia Grybauskaite to be signed into law. "It is a historic decision to ensure that patients can receive the best possible treatment," said lawmaker Mykolas Majauskas who tabled the bill. Other European countries have legalised cannabis for medical purposes including Austria, Britain, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece and Italy among them. "Of course, it does not mean cannabis will be available to get at a drugstore to smoke before going to a nightclub," Majauskas said. The law will come into force in May next year. Selling the drugs will require a licence from the state regulator. Recreational use of marijuana remains illegal in Lithuania, a Baltic state of 2.8 million people. Explore further German lawmakers green-light medical cannabis use 2018 AFP Credit: CC0 Public Domain Becoming overweight at a young age can trigger a molecular chain reaction that leads some girls to experience puberty early, according to new research published in Nature Communications. Scientists have discovered a molecular mechanism that leads overweight female rats to have early-onset puberty. "Knowing how nutrition and specific molecules play a role in starting puberty early could one day help physicians prevent the condition in humans," said one of the study's corresponding authors, Alejandro Lomniczi, Ph.D., a research assistant professor at OHSU's Oregon National Primate Research Center. Girls have been experiencing puberty earlier in life for the last 150 years or so, with 12.5 years being the average age girls start puberty today. Early-onset puberty can lead girls to experience health problems later, including increased incidence of ovarian, uterine and breast cancers, as well as being at a higher risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. But the human genomethe complete set of nucleic acid sequences in human DNAhasn't changed substantially in the past 150 years. So Lomniczi and colleagues are now exploring if the difference might be due to epigenetics, or changes caused by gene expression rather than changes in the genetic code itself. Gene expression is when genes make functional products such as proteins. Lomniczi's previous research identified two gene families that keep puberty in check when rodents and nonhuman primates are young. This new study builds on that earlier work by specifically examining how gene expression and body weight are involved in puberty in rats. For this study, the team raised three kinds of female rats: overweight, lean and average-sized. While focusing on the hypothalamus, the bottom part of the brain that controls reproductive development, they found that a puberty-activating gene called Kiss1 was expressed differently in each rat type. Lomniczi and colleagues identified the enzyme SIRT1 in the hypothalamus as being a key player in transmitting body weight information to the brain. In overweight rats, there is less SIRT1 in the hypothalamus, allowing the Kiss1 gene to be expressed earlier, leading the rats to undergo puberty early. In lean rats, SIRT1 is higher for a prolonged period of time, taking longer for Kiss1 gene activation, which delayed puberty in those rats. Lomniczi continues to explore the causes of early-onset puberty through animal model studies. He's also examining how the circadian clock and endocrine disruptors might play a role. Explore further Epigenetics helps explain early-onset puberty in females More information: M. J. Vazquez et al, SIRT1 mediates obesity- and nutrient-dependent perturbation of pubertal timing by epigenetically controlling Kiss1 expression, Nature Communications (2018). Journal information: Nature Communications M. J. Vazquez et al, SIRT1 mediates obesity- and nutrient-dependent perturbation of pubertal timing by epigenetically controlling Kiss1 expression,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06459-9 Cross-cultural comparison of facial expression models of pain and orgasm. To identify any cross-cultural and culture-specific action units, we used MI to measure the relationship between AUs and culture (Methods, Cross-Cultural Comparison of the Facial Expression Models of Pain and Orgasm). Each color-coded face map shows the AUs that are common across cultures (red, low MI) or specific to one culture (blue, high MI, P < 0.05; see color bar to the left). As shown by the red coloring, pain shows several cross-cultural face movements (see AU labels below) and no culture-specific face movements. Orgasm also showed cross-cultural face movements (e.g., brow raiser, AUs 1 and 2) with culture-specific accents such as jaw drop (AU26) and mouth stretch (AU27) among Westerners, and lip corner puller (AU12) among East Asians. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2018). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1807862115 A team of researchers from the UK and Spain has found evidence showing that contrary to popular belief, the orgasm face is not the same as the pain face. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers describe their research and what they found. It has become common for people to equate the faces of people experiencing orgasm with those experiencing serious painlikely due to Hollywood interpretations of both. In this new effort, the researchers contradict such suggestions with evidence to the contrary. To learn more about the faces people make while experiencing orgasm or intense pain, the researchers created a computer program to mimic a wide variety of gender-neutral facial expressions. They started with mathematical models that have been developed for animating facesit included a core set of 42 movements representing different parts of a face. They then asked 80 adults (half male, half female) to determine if the expressions showed "orgasm," "pain" or something else. They used the results to build better models and then asked another 104 people to assess the simulated facial expressions. The researchers found a clear distinction between perceptions of pain and pleasuremost of the volunteers agreed on which was which. But there was more to the study. The volunteers had also been divided into two cultural groupshalf from Western cultures and half from Asian cultures. Both groups saw clear differences between orgasmic faces and pained faces, but they differed markedly in what they saw as the face of a person experiencing an orgasm. Those from western cultures tended to choose wide-eyed expressions with gaping mouths. Asian volunteers, on the other hand, chose smiling faces with tightened lips. The researchers suggest the differences could be explained by fundamental cultural beliefs such as the value that is placed on behavior related to high or low arousal states. The movie illustrates the stimulus generation and task procedure using an example trial. On each trial, a dynamic face movement generator (1) randomly selected a combination of individual face movements called action units (AUs; 21) from a core set of 42 AUs (minimum = 1, maximum = 4, median = 3 AUs selected on each trial). A random movement is assigned to each AU individually using seven randomly selected temporal parameter values onset latency, acceleration, peak amplitude, peak latency, sustainment, deceleration, and offset latency. In this example trial, four AUs are randomly selected brow lower (AU4) color-coded in yellow, cheek raiser (AU6) color-coded in blue, nose wrinkler (AU9) color-coded in pink, and lip stretcher (AU20) color-coded in red. The randomly activated AUs are then combined to produce a random facial animation (here, Stimulus trial). Observers in each culture viewed the resulting facial animation played once for a duration of 2.25 seconds. If the random face movements matched their mental representation of a facial expression of pain or orgasm, they categorized it accordingly (here, Pain) and rated its intensity on a 5-point scale from very weak to very strong (here, Strong). Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2018). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1807862115 [The researchers contend that their study was more than just for curiosity's sake; they believe their findings could be useful in studies looking at how humans interact from a cultural perspective. The movie shows example dynamic mental representations of the facial expressions of pain or orgasm from one observer in each culture. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2018). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1807862115 Explore further Group finds facial expressions not as universal as thought More information: Chaona Chen et al. Distinct facial expressions represent pain and pleasure across cultures, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2018). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Chaona Chen et al. Distinct facial expressions represent pain and pleasure across cultures,(2018). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1807862115 2018 Medical Xpress Credit: CC0 Public Domain Two teams of researchers have independently published papers describing research conducted using the full set of data in the UK Biobankboth in the journal Nature. The first team comprised researchers from the U.K., Australia and Switzerlandthey searched the Biobank looking for associations between genetic variants and features that could be used to fill in gaps in the data. The second team consisted of researchers from Oxford Universitythey used the Biobank to compare genetic data with an associated 10,000 MRI brain scans. Nature has also published a News and Comment piece by staff writer Matthew Warrenhe outlines another way the Biobank and others like it are being used for gene-based research efforts. The two papers are the first to be published describing studies conducted using the UK Biobank. The UK Biobank is a database that holds genetic data for approximately 500,000 people (between the ages of 40 and 69) living in the U.K. It also includes other data for the same individuals that describe lifestyle, body type and test results done on saliva, blood and urineas a bonus, it also has thousands of MRI scans. The Biobank started back in 2006, and was put together by a team that will continue to add new data obtained from the original volunteers over the next 30 years. It is based in Manchester, England. In the first study, the researchers used genotype imputation (a statistical procedure) on markers in the Biobank to fill in gaps in the data. This is expected to assist future researchers who use the Biobank in their efforts. In the second study, the researchers compared genetic information in the Biobank with MRI scans from the same volunteers, looking for patterns. They report that they connected 150 individuals with brain disorders or other abnormalities that showed up on an MRI where relationships were found. They also found connections for genetically based diseases such as multiple sclerosis, which they linked to genes in white matter. The UK Biobank is expected to be an important tool for genetics researchers in the coming decades due to its size and variety of date. Iit will be open to anyone who wishes to use it at no cost. Explore further Colorectal Diseases Biobank links genetics and colorectal cancer More information: Lloyd T. Elliott et al. Genome-wide association studies of brain imaging phenotypes in UK Biobank, Nature (2018). Lloyd T. Elliott et al. Genome-wide association studies of brain imaging phenotypes in UK Biobank,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0571-7 Clare Bycroft et al. The UK Biobank resource with deep phenotyping and genomic data, Nature (2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0579-z Journal information: Nature 2018 Medical Xpress Credit: CC0 Public Domain Each year, more than 10,000 pregnant women in Australia suffer from preeclampsia and 30,000 die from it on a global level. The condition, characterized by high blood pressure, can be fatal and have long-term health effects for both mothers and babies. It causes the death of 780 babies each day. These numbers, according to Dean and Foundation Chair of Medicine at Western Sydney University Professor Annemarie Hennessy, are unacceptable, and profoundly sad, when the condition can be prevented and patients better cared for with effective treatments and responsive systems of care. With more than 20 years' experience in both preeclampsia research and clinical practice as an obstetric and renal physician Professor Hennessy says the key to better health outcomes for the condition is balancing rigorous, world-leading scientific research with thorough teamwork, and personalised delivery of care. "Regardless of the effectiveness of various drugs and treatments, these interventions still need to be given to the right patient at the right time and in the right way. Once this is understood, it opens doors to better treatments and health outcomes," says Professor Hennessy. Leading the charge in achieving this balance, Professor Hennessy herself balances being a world-leading researcher with being a clinician passionate about delivering the best care for every patient. She is a leader of medical education who encourages future clinicians to 'deep dive' into research and to be better informed about the best possible care that can be provided. As a researcher, Professor Hennessy heads up the Western Sydney University preeclampsia research team which, among other things, is continuing to investigate the links between high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease in women, especially around the time of pregnancy. Using MRI technology this research has been able to identify connections between placenta and a mother's damaged blood vessels potential markers for future blood pressure problems. In turn, this work could unlock the possibility of non-invasive methods for the early detection of preeclampsia. Professor Hennessy is also head of the HRI vascular immunology research group based at the Heart Research Institute. At Western and the HRI, she supervises a number of Ph.D. students including Dr. Shikha Aggarwal who is investigating a potential new blood test for preeclampsia, Dr. Katrina Chau who is investigating new proteins in pregnancy, and Dr. Renuka Shanmugalingham who is investigating the toxic effect of poor blood supply on the placenta. These clinical scientists are not only making important new discoveries about women's health, but they have become champions in the region for better care of women across the board. As a clinician, Professor Hennessy knows of the importance of partnerships in ensuring the best possible outcomes for her patients. Beyond her work as an active obstetric and renal physician based at the Campbelltown Hospital, where she has a close working relationship with researchers, nurses and obstetricians she has also held positions in hospital management, clinical service delivery planning and workforce and vocational training with the NSW Ministry of Health. As a teacher of medical education since 1997, Professor Hennessy has also been a long-term advocate for quality postgraduate training and seen first-hand the power of incorporating research into clinical teaching. "What lies at the heart of clinical training and at the heart of research is the same: questioning a vital skill to teach our future clinicians," says Professor Hennessy. While Professor Hennessy's research focus is preeclampsia, she says her approach to health which encompasses world-leading scientific research, nurturing partnerships, personalised delivery of care and passionate delivery of clinical education that incorporates research is one that could be applied to any disease and condition. "To consider health in such a holistic way, forces us to also think of treatment and health delivery in a holistic way to match robust science, with personalised and effective treatment delivery that responds to community needs. My hope is that this approach will not only have a major impact of the prevention and treatment of preeclampsia, but on healthier individuals and communities more generally." Explore further Marked increase in cardiovascular risk factors in women after preeclampsia 2018 Third Quarter Conference Call Date: November 1, 2018 Time: 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- You are invited to participate in Acadian Timber Corp.'s (TSX: ADN) 2018 Third Quarter Conference Call & Webcast on November 1, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss with members of senior management our results and current business initiatives. These results will be released after market close on October 31, 2018 and will be available on our website at www.acadiantimber.com under Press Releases. The Third Quarter Conference Call will also be webcast live on our website, where it will be archived for future reference. To participate in the Third Quarter Conference Call, please dial 1-866-521-4909 toll free in North America (Canada and the USA), or for overseas calls, please dial 1-647-427-2311 at approximately 12:50 p.m. For those unable to participate in the Third Quarter Conference Call, a taped rebroadcast will also be available until midnight November 30, 2018. To access this rebroadcast, please dial 1-800-585-8367 or 1-416-621-4642 Conference ID #8389355. If you have any questions about the Conference Call, please contact Jon Syrnyk, Investor Relations at +1-604-661-9622 or jsyrnyk@acadiantimber.com. Acadian Timber Corp. is a leading supplier of primary forest products in Eastern Canada and the Northeastern U.S. With a total of 2.4 million acres of land under management, Acadian is the second largest timberland operator in New Brunswick and Maine. Acadian owns and manages approximately 1.1 million acres of freehold timberlands in New Brunswick and Maine and provides management services relating to approximately 1.3 million acres of Crown licensed timberlands in New Brunswick. Acadians products include softwood and hardwood sawlogs, pulpwood and biomass by-products, sold to approximately 100 regional customers. Acadians shares are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ADN. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Veritas Pharma Inc. (CSE: VRT; OTC: VRTHF; and Frankfurt: 2VP) (Veritas or the Company) is pleased to announce that its CEO Dr. Lui Franciosi and Medical Director Dr. Scott Alexander will be attending the 3rd International Medical Cannabis Conference, or (CannX) in Tel Aviv, Israel from October 14 to 16, 2018. CannX is a meeting of global leaders in all areas of medical cannabis where the latest scientific and clinical research, agricultural practices, innovation, and business opportunities are explored. Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, will be chairing this conference. He was the first person to isolate, elucidate and synthesize 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active principal of cannabis, and provided a great understanding of the chemicals that form the basis of the bodys cannabinoid system. Israel has been one of the world's leading countries for medical cannabis research. It has numerous academic organizations as well as companies that have conducted extensive scientific research in the development of efficacious, data-driven cannabis treatments to help patients. Veritas CEO, Dr. Lui Franciosi stated that Our time in Israel will enable us to get a better sense of latest preclinical and clinical research being conducted in both academia and industry. Dr. Alexander and I are also interested in learning more at the Conference about their recent research demonstrating the safe and effective use of cannabis in the elderly and the related reduction in prescription drug use, including opioids, in this population. Eyal Mishori, the Co-founder & CEO of IsCann Group, will also be in attendance. He has organized a number of meetings for Veritas with leading Israeli scientists, clinicians, biotech firms, and investors to further the Companys understanding of medical cannabis, establish potential new research collaborations, as well as investigate potential licensing opportunities for acquiring select products for specific patient populations in Canada. About Veritas Pharma Inc. Veritas Pharma Inc. is an emerging pharmaceutical and IP development company, who, through its 100% owned subsidiary Cannevert Therapeutics Ltd. (CTL), is advancing the science behind medical cannabis. It is the Companys aim, through its investment in CTL, to develop the most effective cannabis strains (cultivars) specific to pain, nausea, epilepsy and PTSD, solving the critical need for clinical data to support medical marijuana claims. CTLs unique value proposition uses a low-cost research and development model to help drive shareholder value, and speed-to-market. Veritas investment in CTL is led by a strong management team, bringing together veteran academic pharmacologists, anesthetists & chemists. The companys commercial mission is to patent protect IP (cultivars & strains) and sell or license to cancer clinics, insurance industry and pharma, targeting multi-billion-dollar markets according to Deloittes Insights and Opportunities. Veritas Pharma Inc. is a publicly traded company in Canada, on the Canadian Stock Exchange under the ticker VRT; in the United States, on the OTC under the ticker VRTHF; and in Germany, on the Frankfurt exchange under the ticker 2VP. For more information, please visit our website: veritaspharmainc.com On behalf of the Board of Directors " Dr. Lui Franciosi" Dr. Lui Franciosi President and Chief Executive Officer Further information about the Company is available on our website at www.veritaspharmainc.com or under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the CSE website at www.thecse.com. Investor and Public Relations Contact Veritas Pharma Inc. Jamie Hyland Telephone: +1.416.918.6785 Email: ir@veritaspharmainc.com Website: www.veritaspharmainc.com The CSE has not reviewed, nor approved or disapproved the content of this press release. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atlas Blockchain Group Inc. (CSE: AKE) (XFRA: A49) (OTCPINK: ATLEF) (the Company or Atlas) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent dated October 8, 2018 (the Letter Agreement) between the Company and Isracann Biosciences Inc. (Isracann), a private British Columbia company. Operationally located in Israel, Isracann aims to embark on an industrial-scale cannabis farming enterprise targeting both domestic and international commercial opportunities. With three (3) agreements in-place, the venture holds rights to over 580,000 square feet of prime agricultural land with preexisting production permits equivalent to Canadian ACMPR cultivation licensing. Israel has been a leader in cannabis research for over 50 years and further enjoys extremely favorable climatic conditions, both of which strategically factor into premium product development opportunities. Proximally located to Europes undersupplied markets ideally situates Isracann with potential access to a consumer base, which based on population alone, is larger than the size of the USA and Canada combined. The Letter Agreement contemplates a proposed business combination transaction (the Acquisition) pursuant to which the Company will acquire all the issued and outstanding common shares of Isracann (Isracann Shares) in exchange for common shares of the Company (Atlas Shares). The Acquisition is an arms length transaction and is expected to constitute a fundamental change under the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the CSE). Details of the Acquisition Pursuant to the terms of the Letter Agreement, shareholders of Isracann will receive one Atlas Share for each Isracann Share held at the closing of the Acquisition (the Closing). It is currently anticipated that 43,480,000 Atlas Shares will be issued pro rata at a deemed price of $0.50 per Atlas Share to the shareholders of Isracann. In addition, each common share purchase warrant issued and outstanding entitling holders to acquire Isracann Shares (the Isracann Warrants) will be exchanged for one common share purchase warrant of the Company on financially identical terms (the Replacement Warrants). It is currently expected that an aggregate of 28,000,000 Replacement Warrants will be issued to the holders of Isracann Warrants. The Letter Agreement sets out certain terms and conditions pursuant to which the Acquisition will be completed. The Acquisition remains subject to certain closing conditions including, without limitation, the (a) completion of customary due diligence, (b) negotiation and execution of a definitive agreement (the Definitive Agreement), (c) completion of a concurrent equity financing to raise aggregate minimum gross proceeds of $5,000,000 and up to $15,000,000 (the Concurrent Offering), (d) the receipt of all required regulatory and third party approvals and, if applicable, the approval of the shareholders of the Company and Isracann, respectively. There can be no guarantees that the Acquisition will be completed as contemplated or at all. The Company anticipates that certain of the Atlas Shares issued pursuant to the Acquisition may be subject to escrow requirements and hold periods required by CSE policies and applicable securities laws. Prior to Closing, the Company will consolidate its issued and outstanding share capital on a three (3) old Atlas Share for one (1) new Atlas Share basis. The Atlas Shares to be issued in connection with the Acquisition, the Concurrent Offering and otherwise detailed in this press release will be issued on a post-consolidated basis. Concurrent Financing Prior to the Closing, Atlas and/or Isracann will complete a brokered and/or non-brokered offering of securities for gross proceeds of up to $15,000,000. Terms, including pricing, will be determined in the context of the market and will be announced by separate press release in due course. Closing of the Concurrent Offering is subject to a number of conditions, including receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including the approval of the CSE. All securities issued in connection with the Concurrent Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws. A finders fee may be paid in connection with the Concurrent Offering to eligible arms length finders in accordance with CSE policies. The aggregate net proceeds from the Concurrent Offering will be used to complete the Acquisition and to provide general working capital. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. None of the securities to be issued pursuant to the Acquisition or the Concurrent Offering have been or will be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), or any state securities laws, and any securities issued pursuant to the Acquisition and the Concurrent Offering are anticipated to be issued in reliance upon available exemptions from such registration requirements pursuant to Rule 506(b) of Regulation D and/or Section 4(a)(2) of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable exemptions under state securities laws. In addition, the securities to be issued pursuant to the Acquisition and the Concurrent Offering under an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act will be restricted securities as defined under Rule 144(a)(3) of the U.S. Securities Act and will contain the appropriate restrictive legend as required under the U.S. Securities Act. Any public offering of securities of Atlas to be made in the United States must be made by means of a prospectus containing detailed information about Atlas and management, as well as financial statements. Bridge Loan In connection with the Acquisition, Atlas will advance $3,000,000 to Isracann to fund Isracanns working capital requirements to completion of the Acquisition (the Bridge Loan). The Bridge Loan will carry interest at a rate of 10% per annum, payable annually in arrears, and will be secured by a general security agreement over all of the assets of Isracann. Assuming completion of the Acquisition, the Bridge Loan will be forgiven on Closing. Completion of the Acquisition of Isracann Biosciences Inc. is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, shareholder consent and approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange as required. About Isracann Biosciences Inc. Isracann, is an Israeli-based cannabis company, focused on becoming a premier cannabis producer offering low-cost production targeting undersupplied, major European marketplaces. Based in Israel's agricultural sector, Isracann will leverage its development within the most experienced country in the world with respect to cannabis research. The company has secured agreements with three (3) licensed Israeli producers for medicinal marijuana cultivation. Disclosure and Caution Further details about the proposed Acquisition and the Concurrent Offering will be provided in a comprehensive press release issued upon the entering into of the Definitive Agreement and in the disclosure document to be prepared and filed in respect of the Acquisition. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the disclosure document, any information released or received with respect to the Acquisition may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Charlie Kiser Charlie Kiser Chief Executive Officer The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ, materially from the Companys expectations are disclosed in the Companys documents filed from time to time with the Canadian Securities Exchange, the British Columbia Securities Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission, the Alberta Securities Commission, and the Alberta Securities Commission. Netflix has revealed its ISP Speed Index for September 2018, with Cool Ideas retaining the top spot. South Africas ISPs achieved an average speed of 2.48Mbps during the month, which is consistent with the previous month. The index is a measure of prime-time Netflix performance on particular ISPs, and not a measure of overall performance of the networks. Netflix said it calculates the average bitrate of Netflix content, in Mbps, streamed by its members per ISP. We measure the speed via all available end-user devices. For a small number of devices, we cannot calculate the exact bit rates, and streaming via cellular networks is exempted from our measurements, said Netflix. Netflix recommends a 5Mbps connection for full HD streaming, which may explain why the average speeds are all below the 5Mbps mark. Fastest ISPs for Netflix The fastest 10 ISPs for prime-time Netflix streaming in South Africa are listed below. September 2018 Rank ISP Speed Previous Speed Change 1 Cool Ideas 3.80Mbps 3.76Mbps 2 Vox 3.33Mbps 3.30Mbps 3 Cell C 3.26Mbps 3.29Mbps 4 Vodacom 3.20Mbps 3.18Mbps 5 MTN 3.15Mbps 3.15Mbps 6 Afrihost 2.68Mbps 2.67Mbps 7 Cybersmart 2.53Mbps 2.51Mbps 8 Telkom 2.13Mbps 2.17Mbps 9 MWEB 2.13Mbps 2.03Mbps 10 Neotel 1.85Mbps 1.80Mbps Now read: The difference between R99 and R169 Netflix In 2016, Netflix made the decision to start actively blocking VPN services, preventing users from accessing content available on the platform in other countries. The companys subscriber growth and share price took a bit of a dip following the announcement, but that has not seemed to impede the meteoric rise it has enjoyed since. Many South African Netflix subscribers were upset at the change, considering the relatively sparse amount of content available on Netflix at the time compared to countries like the United States. Previously, South African subscribers were able to use free VPN services to select a specific location to route their traffic through. This had the effect of changing the users Netflix region, and in many cases granting them access to additional content. Accessing international content While many popular free and paid VPN services are no longer able to grant users access to international Netflix content, there is a painless and efficient way of watching content from the US or European Netflix catalogues. Just after Netflix began its crackdown on VPN software, Opera released the complete version of its VPN-equipped browser to users around the world. The browser includes a built-in VPN that can be enabled in the Privacy and security settings. Once enabled, it can be turned on and off by simply clicking the VPN icon to the left of the browsers navigation bar. When enabling the free VPN, users can opt to select one of the following three regions: Americas, Europe, or Asia. It is important to note that Operas VPN does not offer the same anonymity and security of a paid VPN service, but it does allow you to route your traffic through a proxy location in a region of your choice, which is apparently enough to beat Netflixs VPN protection. You can still use Operas built-in browser VPN to access extra-regional content from Netflix with no noticeable reduction in stream quality. MyBroadband tested the VPNs functionality by simply downloading the browser, enabling the VPN by selecting the Americas region, and logging in to Netflix with an existing account. Immediately, we discovered we could access content which was not present on the South African version of the streaming service, while our favourites list and show progress was saved regardless of region. This also worked when selecting the Europe region, with our traffic routing through an IP address in Sweden. Streaming overseas The problem surrounding Netflixs blocking of VPN services and limiting of content depending on region is a complex one. On one hand, Netflix acquires broadcast licences for certain regions and not others, meaning that users paying a subscription in South Africa should not have access to content exclusive to the US version of the platform. However, if a South African travels overseas and attempts to access their Netflix account, they might find that they are unable to access their favourite domestic content due to regional restrictions in the country they are visiting. These subscribers may argue that they pay for the South African Netflix catalogue and should have access to its shows, regardless of their physical location. There is no clear solution to the problem, and organisations such as OpenMedia have previously argued that the better solution is one that does not sacrifice user privacy. Many Internet users make use of VPN services to preserve their privacy and anonymity, and OpenMedia argued that Netflix should not force them to compromise their privacy simply to access its catalogue. In the meantime, Operas VPN remains a relatively painless way to access international content on Netflix, although it does not provide the same level of privacy and security as a paid VPN service. The economic cost of fraying trust in Europe Mutual suspicion among EU member states threatens to unravel inter-dependence Martin Sandbu AFP The EU is often rightly described as an international legal order. But its formidable legalism makes it easy to lose sight of another, equally profound aspect of the European project: the decades-long cultivation of trust between its members. Quite apart from challenges to the rule of law, the withering of that trust threatens to debilitate Europe politically, of course, but economically as well. Take the case of Lyudmyla Kozlovska, a Ukrainian political activist who was refused entry and deported from the EU at Brussels airport last month. Ms Kozlovska had attracted the ire of Polands government for the work of a rights organisation she set up and runs with her Polish husband in Warsaw. While on a trip to Ukraine she was banned from returning home and put on a blacklist in the Schengen Information System. In this way, the Polish government committed all the members of Europes borderless travel area including those Belgian border guards to excluding her from their territory. Warsaw claims irregularities in the funding of Ms Kozlovskas non-governmental organisation. Even if true, this seems far below the threshold of seriousness that would justify an activists expulsion from most of Europe at one governments say so. The more plausible motive is in response to a Facebook post last year by her husband that called for peaceful civil disobedience against the Polish governments crackdown on independent institutions. Warsaw now faces deep suspicion that it has used a mechanism designed to protect national security to punish an irritating democracy activist. In defiance of the Polish move, Germany issued Ms Kozlovska with a short-term visa last week so she could address legislators in the Bundestag. This is an extraordinary series of events. The Schengen treaty was a trailblazing step in international governance. Doing away with border controls (in normal times) required an unprecedented degree of solidarity and trust that other countries would treat each members security as seriously as its own. The Kozlovska case shows how fragile this is. Once the interdependence built into the Schengen Agreement is seen as exploitable for domestic politics, its long-term sustainability is surely in question. This is about more than Ms Kozlovska, and hits at the political foundation of the Schengen accord. It goes beyond it too. Once you start looking, the whole fabric of European co-operation relies not just on common legislation but on shared expectations of how members use the powers that remain in their hands. Weak control of money laundering in Latvia and Estonia (as well as more established financial centres) undermines the integrity of the entire European banking system. Maltas liberal granting of citizenship is an oligarchs fast-track to the rights and freedoms afforded by the EU as a whole. Disenchantment with eurozone countries budget policies has meant the blocs fiscal rules have fallen into disrepute, even as they have been made ever more detailed. These and many other examples involve member states not so much breaking the law as applying it or interpreting it in ways that flout shared European interests. That distrust makes it harder for EU countries to unite politically is obvious. The economic damage is less apparent, but just as grave. Europes economic strength depends not only on the legal order of its internal market and compliance with its formal rules. It also depends on the degree of trust between its participants. Trust makes for better laws. It is easier to make the trade-offs necessary for broad prosperity and growth with shared confidence that nobody is taking undue advantage of others. Those who trust one another will more often comply voluntarily with common rules, requiring fewer resources for monitoring and enforcement. But trust also economises on the need for codes, contracts and lawyering in the first place. Economies with a high degree of mutual trust enjoy the tremendous advantage of not having to codify the terms of economic activity excessively. Trust ensures that any legal or contractual gaps are filled by a shared understanding of how things should be done and a willingness to act on that understanding. The predictability this creates is a huge economic asset. One substitute for lost trust is more detailed legislation. (Independent legal analysis now argues the Belgians should have questioned the reasons behind Ms Kozlovskas blacklisting before acting on it; no doubt litigation and jurisprudence will follow.) But laws and contracts cannot cover all the cracks of undefinable events as well as trust can. In any case the loss of trust limits how much law can be passed to take its place. If stricter rules cannot defuse a sense that common institutions are being unfairly exploited, the logical reaction will be a push to roll back mutual interdependence. Abusing the trust that smooths economic activity across Europe is short-sighted in the extreme. It will lead either to more centralised lawmaking, or to the slow disintegration of cross-border economic links. Smaller, less developed countries, with a weaker base of domestic trust to start on, would suffer most from such a future. It would be a tragedy if the newer member states, which gained the most from joining a European ecosystem of trust, were the ones who blighted it. A Scottish lord appeared before a small crowd at St. Helenas Rianda House earlier this month and expressed concern over the talk about the formation of something called America. The 13 Colonies are part of the British Empire, he declared. St. Helenas Dr. John O. Wilson, dressed in a Scottish kilt and beautiful tweed jacket, was portraying John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, who was born in 1730 and died in 1809. Lord Dunmore served as the British governor of the Province of New York from 1770 to 1771 and after the death of Lord Botetourt, replaced him as the governor of Virginia. You may not know my history, Wilson said as Dunmore. As a 15-year-old, I fought along with my father in the 1746 battle along Bonnie Prince Charlie for the clan Murray. After the battle of Culloden, the father was imprisoned for four years in the Tower of London and the family was placed under house arrest. The wearing of the kilt was prohibited in London, Wilson said. John Murray joined the British Army at the age of 20 and afterward was posted to the New World. Wilson has a passion for American history and more importantly, about the values of America as laid out by this countrys founders. He loves to teach, debate and discuss those values, their legacy and the future. Four years ago, 36 people gathered in the Rianda House to do just that. From that start, Wilson has worked with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and developed The Idea of America into a dynamic program that has grown into 80 seminars in 10 states that have reached 800 people. The basis for the seminar is Wilsons book, The Idea of America, which was published in July. On Oct. 3, Wilson presented a framed thank you letter from Mitchell B. Reiss, president of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, to Julie Spencer, executive director of the Rianda House. In part, it stated, It is with the greatest of pleasure that I write to congratulate you, and through you to the many volunteers at Rianda House, for your leadership in creating the Idea of America seminar program. This vital endeavor, begun in 2014, has brought together educators, scholars and community leaders from across the country to understand and celebrate the ongoing civic and civil debates that brought our country into existence. After receiving the framed letter, Spencer thanked Wilson, adding, We couldnt have done it without you. It reminds me of what we can do together. In the audience were nine of the original 36 people who discussed Wilsons The Idea of America. Wilson announced three programs at Rianda House on Oct. 3. First, a five-week seminar based on The Idea of America, would be held Mondays, Oct. 8 through Nov. 5 at Rianda House; second, he and his wife, Beclee Wilson will host two on-site seminars in Williamsburg in 2019, one in March, the second in September; and the Napa County chapter of the League of Women Voters will use his The Idea of America seminar beginning in January, as a model for a statewide program. Besides Wilson, Rianda House seminar facilitators include James Scanlan and Dr. James Haslip. What wed like to say is that 1,000 Ideas of America seminars in this nation would make a difference, Wilson said. It would make a difference because our nation faces a critical period right now as we all recognize as to what it means to be an American, what are the basic values that we embrace that were stated at our founding. Various people gave voice to those founding values and then others, including Abraham Lincoln, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez, expanded them. America was born on the most important enlightenment value that was ever stated, Wilson said, that every human being is equal as a human being, that every life is valued. That is the key. 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. A body found in a Sonoma County creek on Sunday was that of Aaron Winokur, 51, of Napa, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday afternoon. His cause of death is still unknown, but the Coroner's Office found no signs that he was killed, according to a sheriff's statement. Toxicology results are pending. Winokur was found fully clothed, on his back, by nearby residents just before 10 a.m. on Sunday. His body was quite decomposed and appeared to have been in the creek bed for some time, according to the sheriff. Detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit and Crime Scene Investigations Unit were initially called to the scene in case of foul play. Next of kin has been notified, according to the sheriff's office. Courtney can be reached at 707-256-2221. You can send her an anonymous tip, and follow her reporting on Twitter and Facebook. 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. Gandona Estate winery in the mountains near Lake Hennessey won county rules exceptions so it can build a small expansion while avoiding an ancient landslide. The winery at 1533 Sage Canyon Road asked to build a two-story office and storage structure near its winery building. The lone suitable spot on the Pritchard Hill property with stable soils is within the setback for an access road and on a slope exceeding 30 percent, a county report said. Napa County in 2008 approved the rule exceptions that allowed the construction of the winery building. But since then, critics have claimed the county hands out these exceptions too readily. On Oct. 3, the Planning Commission by a 3-1 vote granted the exceptions needed for the office/storage building to be constructed, along with a visitation increase. Were beat up an awful lot for making exceptions and variances, but in this particular case, it seems to me that its kind of a natural extension of whats already been entitled, Commissioner Dave Whitmer said. Commissioners Jeri Hansen and Terry Scott also voted in favor of the Gandona requests. Thank you for providing us a good example of what an exception should be, Scott said. Commissioner Anne Cottrell cast the dissenting vote. A variance under state and county law must meet certain criteria, such as that without it the owner would suffer hardship resulting from special circumstances on the property not shared by nearby properties. Cottrell said Gandona failed to meet all the criteria. I am concerned we undermine our own regulations when we allow too many exceptions, Cottrell said. The commission also allowed Gandona to increase annual visitation from 1,061 guests to 4,444 guests, a total combining tastings and marketing events. This winery is exactly what the general plan and winery definition ordinance envisioned 19 acres of vineyards, all the grapes are processed at the winery onsite, attorney Priscillia de Muizon said on behalf of Gandona. The winery has a low-profile design. Theres no landscaping other than the natural trees and features, she said. An undersized laboratory in the winery building drove the expansion request. The laboratory will move into office space and the office space will be relocated to the new building, the Gandona application said. Gandona will continue to have an annual wine production cap of 20,000 gallons. Gandona Estate is on land ranging from about 800 feet to 1,500 feet in elevation, with views from its vineyards of Lake Hennessey far below. The vintner is Manuel Pires, who bought the property in 2006. The winery is named after the nickname of Pires' grandfather in Portugal. 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. SACRAMENTO If Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom is elected governor, he said hell keep building the states two contentious public works projects: the bullet train and twin water tunnels. But hell scale back both. Hell be more cautious, realistic and practical about the super-expensive projects than termed-out Gov. Jerry Brown. Newsom will concentrate on completing a high-speed rail line from the San Joaquin Valley to the San Francisco Bay Area. The southern half of the ambitious project, from the valley into Los Angeles, will be delayed until the initial line proves to be financially feasible and can attract more money from taxpayers or private investors. As for the embattled water project in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, Newsom said he will try to reduce its size to one tunnel. That would ease northern fears of a Southern California water grab. The Democratic front-runner and his underdog rival, Republican businessman John Cox, competed in a debate Monday. But the train, tunnels and other vital state issues werent raised. So I called Newsom and he phoned back. I also called and emailed Cox, but neither the candidate nor his staff responded. He previously has said hed kill both big projects. Who won the debate? No one. The event was so obscure it might as well not have happened. Unfortunately, it will be the only gubernatorial debate before election day. Tough luck for voters, who want to hear more from the candidates. Newsom is adhering to the front-runners common playbook: Minimize debates and dont give your underdog opponent a free public forum. And dont risk a debate when you could say something really stupid and lose votes. This debate wasnt even televised. It was on public radio at 10 oclock in the morning after the rush when commuters might have been listening on a Monday, Columbus Day. The radio station, KQED in San Francisco, made the debate available statewide for any broadcaster that wanted it. Cox shouldnt complain. He could have had a televised debate in prime time but screwed up. CNN wanted to host a Q&A, and Newsom initially agreed. But Cox demanded that the questions be limited to certain subjects. Newsom objected, and CNN pulled out. The sole debate can be summarized this way: Newsom repeatedly accused Cox of being a lackey for Trump and Trumpism. Cox consistently charged that Newsom had been in government 16 years and hasnt done much. Actually, not doing much if anything is the official job description for lieutenant governor. Newsom also was San Franciscos mayor for seven years, and Cox blamed him for the citys homeless problem. Of course, homelessness is rampant in cities all over California where Newsom was never mayor. Times reporters Phil Willon and Dakota Smith wrote a story about the debate in Tuesdays paper. I wanted to ask the candidates questions that werent asked. Newsom agreed, Cox didnt. On the $77 billion bullet train, which is way behind schedule with a cost more than double original projections: The plan a few years ago was unrealistic and we werent being honest and transparent about the project, Newsom said. But he said he thinks that has changed. Hes optimistic that the line from the San Joaquin Valley to Silicon Valley can be built. That would allow tech workers to live affordably in Merced or Modesto and commute to well-paying jobs near San Jose. Its not a train to nowhere, Newsom said. Its insulting to suggest the Central Valley is nowhere. This is an economic development project, connecting the fastest growing and most dynamic economic regions in the country. That project is achievable and realistic. The second phase [boring through the Tehachapi Mountains to Los Angeles] is an open-ended question. On the $17 billion monstrous twin tunnels under the delta that would siphon fresh Sacramento River water into aqueducts headed mainly to Southern California, Newsom said: Id like to see a more modest proposal, but Im not going to walk away. Doing nothing is not an option.... The status quo is not helping salmon. How modest? A single tunnel. With less capacity, he continued, northerners might have some trust that the dominant Metropolitan Water District of Southern California wouldnt get too greedy. Mark my word, Newsom said. If Im [elected], this is going to be on my front burner from Day 1. Im going to come in with a fresh set of ideas on both projects. Education is another subject that wasnt raised in the debate. Newsom would focus on the readiness gap kids not being prepared to start school. He wants universal access to preschool. Where would he get the money? We need to prioritize. And then theres the time bomb-ticking issue of Californias outdated, unstable tax system. Its too vulnerable to the economic cycle when times are good, the state over-collects, when theyre bad, taxes tank. The state relies too narrowly on the rich. It needs to broaden the tax base. Im open to putting everything on the table, Newsom said. That includes Proposition 13 not so much on residential property, but commercial. He envisions lowering the state income tax rate for the middle class and extending the sales tax to services. Jerry wasnt interested in it, Newsom said of Brown. This is tough stuff. Taxes could occupy a whole debate. Throw in the train, water and education. But there wont be another debate. Just mind-numbing mailers and TV spots. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Napa Police Department posted on Facebook Wednesday afternoon three photos of men who are thought to have stolen more than $17,000 worth of equipment from a store on Auto Row. The photos are blurry, but appear to depict three men who police say used a crowbar to break into Audio House, an auto shop that specializes in car customization. The burglars set off an alarm in the pre-dawn hours, police said previously, which drew officers to the scene. Surveillance video caught the getaway car. Police had previously reported that $10,000 worth of merchandise was stolen. A police spokesperson did not respond to a request for clarification. The Facebook post can be seen at https://bit.ly/2Nx4s6c. Anyone who recognizes the burglars is asked to contact Napa police at 707-257-9223 and ask for Detective Garrett Smith. Courtney can be reached at 707-256-2221. You can send her an anonymous tip, and follow her reporting on Twitter and Facebook. 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. An Anaheim woman attending a birthday party in early Thursday morning stabbed another guest with a kitchen knife, American Canyon police say. Two Southern California women were arguing outside the American Canyon home in the 200 block of Pinecreek Lane when one of them was stabbed in the arm, Chief Oscar Ortiz said. She was transported to Queen of the Valley Medical Center for treatment. Responding at 3:30 a.m., officers arrested Daisy Adame Atondo, 26, who was found about a block away, on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. The knife was found in the living room next to a mattress, Ortiz said in a statement. Party guests identified Atondo as the assailant, police said. Atondo was booked in the Napa County jail on $50,000 bail. Courtney can be reached at 707-256-2221. You can send her an anonymous tip, and follow her reporting on Twitter and Facebook. 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. SACRAMENTO -- If Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom is elected governor as expected, he'll keep building the state's two contentious public works projects: the bullet train and twin water tunnels. But he'll scale back both. He'll be more cautious, realistic and practical about the super-expensive projects than termed-out Gov. Jerry Brown. Newsom will concentrate on completing a high-speed rail line from the San Joaquin Valley to the San Francisco Bay Area. The southern half of the ambitious project, from the valley into Los Angeles, will be delayed until the initial line proves to be financially feasible and can attract more money from taxpayers or private investors. As for the beleaguered water project in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, Newsom will try to reduce its size to one tunnel. That would ease northern fears of a Southern California water grab. The Democratic front-runner and his underdog rival, Republican businessman John Cox, competed in a debate Monday. But the train, tunnels and other vital state issues weren't raised. So I called Newsom and he phoned back. I also called and emailed Cox, but neither the candidate nor his staff responded. He previously has said he'd kill both big projects. Who won the debate? No one. The event was so obscure it might as well not have happened. Unfortunately, it will be the only gubernatorial debate before election day. Tough luck for voters, who want to hear more from the candidates. Newsom is adhering to the front-runners' common playbook: Minimize debates and don't give your underdog opponent a free public forum. And don't risk a debate when you could say something really stupid and lose votes. This debate wasn't even televised. It was on public radio at 10 o'clock in the morning -- after the rush when commuters might have been listening -- on a Monday, Columbus Day. The radio station, KQED in San Francisco, made the debate available statewide for any broadcaster that wanted it. Cox shouldn't complain. He could have had a televised debate in primetime but screwed up. CNN wanted to host a Q&A and Newsom initially agreed. But Cox demanded that the questions be limited to certain subjects. Newsom objected. And CNN pulled out. The sole debate can be summarized this way: Newsom repeatedly accused Cox of being a lackey for "Trump and Trumpism." Cox consistently charged that Newsom had "been in government 16 years and hasn't done much." Actually, not doing much if anything is the official job description for lieutenant governor. Newsom also was San Francisco's mayor for seven years, and Cox blamed him for the city's homeless problem. Of course, homelessness is rampant in cities all over California where Newsom was never mayor. Times reporters Phil Willon and Dakota Smith wrote a comprehensive story about the debate in Tuesday's paper and you can look that up. I wanted to ask the candidates questions that weren't asked. Newsom agreed, Cox didn't. On the $77-billion bullet train, which is way behind schedule with a ticket price more than double original projections: The plan a few years ago was "unrealistic and we weren't being honest and transparent about the project," Newsom told me. But he thinks that has changed. He's optimistic that the line from the San Joaquin Valley to Silicon Valley can be built. That would allow tech workers to live affordably in Merced or Modesto and commute to well-paying jobs near San Jose. "It's not a train to nowhere," Newsom said. "It's insulting to suggest the Central Valley is nowhere. This is an economic development project, connecting the fastest growing and most dynamic economic regions in the country. That project is achievable and realistic. "The second phase [boring through the Tehachapi Mountains to Los Angeles] is an open-ended question." On the $17-billion monstrous twin tunnels under the delta that would siphon fresh Sacramento River water into aqueducts headed mainly to Southern California, Newsom said: "I'd like to see a more modest proposal, but I'm not going to walk away. Doing nothing is not an option.... The status quo is not helping salmon." How modest? "A single tunnel." With less capacity, he continued, northerners might have some "trust" that the dominant Metropolitan Water District of Southern California wouldn't get too greedy. "Mark my word," Newsom said. "If I'm [elected], this is going to be on my front burner from Day 1. I'm going to come in with a fresh set of ideas on both projects." I also asked him about education, another subject that wasn't raised in the debate. Newsom would focus on the "readiness gap" -- kids not being prepared to start school. He wants "universal access to preschool." Where would he get the money? "We need to prioritize." And then there's the time bomb-ticking issue of California's outdated, unstable tax system. It's too vulnerable to the economic cycle -- when times are good, the state over-collects, when they're bad, taxes tank. The state relies too narrowly on the rich. It needs to broaden the tax base. "I'm open to putting everything on the table," Newsom said. "That includes Proposition 13 -- not so much on residential property, but commercial." He envisions lowering the state income tax rate for the middle class and extending the sales tax to services. "Jerry wasn't interested in it," Newsom said of Brown. "This is tough stuff." Taxes could occupy a whole debate. Throw in the train, water and education. But there won't be another debate. Just mind-numbing mailers and TV spots. Not all mobs are equal, apparently. There was a time, less than a decade ago, when the sound of red-faced protest was music to Republican ears. That, of course, was when Barack Obama was president, and the tea party movement was hijacking congressional town-hall meetings with shouts of "Tyranny!" There were plenty of shoving matches. Democratic lawmakers were burned in effigy. The police were regularly called in to restore a semblance of order. Democrats tried to dismiss the significance of all this disruption. "It's not really a grass-roots movement," said Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who would soon lose the majority that had made her Speaker of the House. "It's Astroturf by some of the wealthiest people in America to keep the focus on tax cuts for the rich instead of for the great middle class." Meanwhile, Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., lauded the conservative agitation as a pure expression of the frustrations and values of ordinary Americans. "You're the people who prove the politicians wrong when they say that all this activism and unrest was crafted, somehow, in a boardroom, down on K Street," he said. "The grass-roots movement isn't Astroturf, as they like to put it. It's something that started at your kitchen tables." Now it is the Democrats who are making the noise, and the argument is playing in reverse. "You don't hand matches to an arsonist, and you don't give power to an angry left-wing mob. Democrats have become too EXTREME and TOO DANGEROUS to govern. Republicans believe in the rule of law - not the rule of the mob," President Donald Trump tweeted Saturday about the demonstrations that erupted after the Senate voted to confirm his nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Other Republicans have taken their lead from Trump. "Mob rule," Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said of the protests. "Screaming animals," wrote Fox News' Todd Starnes, adding for good measure that those who demonstrated in the Senate gallery should be "tasered, handcuffed and dragged out of the building." As for McConnell, he declared he is "proud of my members for not knuckling under to those kind of moblike tactics." Just as Democrats once dismissed the outrage of tea-party agitators as having been ginned up by the Koch brothers, Republicans see the hand of George Soros behind the hundreds who showed up to voice their objections to Kavanaugh. In the case of Soros, the conspiracy theories also carry a familiar whiff of anti-Semitism, as Trump and others suggest - with no evidence - that the foreign-born Jewish billionaire is paying demonstrators to do his bidding. "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!" the president tweeted on Tuesday. "Screamers in Congress, and outside, were far too obvious - less professional than anticipated by those paying (or not paying) the bills!" There can be a sort of solace in the thought that all of this anger is being manufactured by an evil genius, rather than accepting it as evidence that a significant share of the populace opposes what your party has done. But as Democrats learned from the trouncing they received in the midterm elections of 2010 and 2014, this kind of rationalization can be dangerous to a party's health. Republicans also contend that there is a qualitative difference between the liberal protesters who confronted senators in the Capitol last week and the conservative ones of previous election cycles who aired their grievances at town meetings in individual congressional districts. But it was telling that during this year's August recess, most lawmakers of both parties decided not to hold any town meetings at all, rather than face another wave of constituent fury. The superheated media environment amplifies the volume of these protests, but the tactics themselves are hardly new. And sometimes they are the only way for the aggrieved to make themselves heard over powerful interests. In 1989, then-House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dan Rostenkowski, D-Ill., was chased down a Chicago street by a group of seniors angry about the cost of a new Medicare catastrophic health-insurance program. When one of them draped herself over the hood of his car, the 6-foot-4 congressman escaped by dashing through a gas station. "These people don't understand what the government is trying to do for them,'' Rostenkowski said as he fled the furious seniors. Still, he got the message: The Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act was repealed less than a year after it went into effect. Sometimes the key to surviving in politics is knowing when to listen - a lesson the Republicans might learn the hard way, come Nov. 6. Karen Tumulty is a Washington Post columnist covering national politics. She joined The Post in 2010 from Time magazine and has also worked at the Los Angeles Times. I am writing this letter in support of Liz Alessio to fill one of the two seats up for election on the Napa City Council. I have known Liz her entire life and I can say with great confidence that her extensive experience, along with her passion and dedication to the community, make her an excellent candidate. Once Liz becomes involved in a project or program, she demonstrates initiative and commits one hundred percent. This is made apparent by her continuous community activism over the years as well as her service in various leaderships roles for more than a dozen public and nonprofit organizations. Just to name a few, this includes serving as the executive director of With LOVE from HOME, which provides thousands of care packages to those serving our country in combat zones, as well as serving as a board member for Community Development and Investment, The Napa Housing Coalition, and the Napa Historical Society. Through all of her time spent helping others, Liz has proven to be a strong, charismatic, and inspirational leader. As a result of her ambition and tireless hard work, Liz was a recipient of the California State Assembly District Four Woman of the Year Award. Her extensive work in local programs and nonprofit organizations has given her exposure to many facets of the community. This exposure and diversification provide her with the distinct foundation thats ideal for serving as a member of the City Council. Not only is Lizs experience pertinent to being on the City Council, but she is also well-versed on many of the issues currently facing the City of Napa. It is apparent that there is a significant lack of affordable housing for those who work in the community, which further contributes to the increased traffic congestion. Liz has expressed her recognition and desire to improve and collaboratively address these complex situations. She also realizes the importance of public safety in the community and has participated in ride-a-longs to better understand the day-to-day challenges faced by the individuals who strive to keep our community safe. Moreover, shes spoken to fire and police personnel to not only learn about their jobs, but to also understand the concerns and needs necessary to provide the best service possible to the community in the future. Public servants are elected to represent the needs of their constituents, which requires certain qualities and characteristics. It is clear Liz has a passion for community service. She is approachable, an excellent communicator, and maintains the highest level of integrity. In other words, she embodies the qualities of a confident, but very humble leader. Citizens of Napa, Liz Alessio, if given the opportunity, will do an outstanding job serving you as a member of the Napa City Council. Tim Borman Napa A Brooklyn man has allegedly been leveraging his position as a self-appointed "spiritual leader" to entice women to his apartment, using the guise of religious "rituals" to incapacitate and rape his victims. On Wednesday, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced the indictment of 51-year-old Nigel Kennedy, who has been charged with "first- and third-degree rape, first- and second-degree sexual abuse, and other related charges," according to the DA's office. "We allege that this defendant is a sexual predator who used his religious stature to lure women, then drugged and raped them," Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez said in a statement. "We will now seek to hold him accountable for these despicable alleged acts." On the night of August 30th, 2016, Kennedy allegedly brought a 42-year-old woman back to his East Flatbush apartment, promising a "church ceremony" that ultimately involved Kennedy "speaking in tongues" and feeding the victim a "clear liquid that tasted like alcohol." She subsequently passed out, and said she awoke unable to move, but aware of another body on top of hers. She then lost consciousness a second time, coming to the next morning around 5 a.m. and finding herself naked on a bed in the apartment. Kennedy feigned ignorance about her nakedness, the DA said, and the woman left, "suffering from nausea, vomiting, and dizziness" for the rest of the day. A second woman, 28, came forward with a similar story, alleging thaton May 16th of this yearshe showed up at Kennedy's apartment around 10:30 a.m. to receive a "spiritual reading." Launching into the same type of pseudo-ritual, "The defendant allegedly blew smoke in her face and poured a substance that tasted like alcohol into her mouth," according to the DA. When she grew dizzy and threw up, Kennedy made her drink the liquid again. Like the first woman, she lost consciousness, and awoke to find her pants off and Kennedy raping her. "Relax, it's part of the ritual," he allegedly told her when she tried to push him off. After the assaults, both women had rape kits taken, and the DNA collected matched Kennedy's. Authorities arrested him at JFK airport on September 7th, as he returned from Trinidad. The DA believes Kennedy met both women through the religious goods store he used to own, and is urging anyone else who experienced similar treatment at Kennedy's hands to contact a tip line. I encourage anyone else who may have been victimized by him to call the DAs Action Center at 718-250-2340. https://t.co/tsR602kqIx Eric Gonzalez (@BrooklynDA) October 10, 2018 On its own, the top offense (first-degree rape) Kennedy faces carries a 25-year maximum prison sentence. He is currently being held on a $35,000 bail, awaiting trial on December 11th. Freelance journalist and author Michael Scott Moore was no stranger to writing, international travel or piracy in Somalia. He wrote and edited for Spiegel Online in Germany, where he followed the trial of 10 Somali pirates in Hamburg. In 2009, he wrote a series of columns on U.S. and E.U. counter-piracy measures from the Horn of Africa. California-born Moore is the author of a comic novel about Los Angeles called Too Much of Nothing, and Sweetness and Blood, a travel book about the spread of surfing to odd corners of the world, named one of the best titles of 2010 by The Economist. Moore had to trudge through Indonesia, Morocco, Cuba and Israel (he even surfed the Gaza Strip) to complete the book. In January, 2012, Moore, then 43, traveled to Somalia on a grant from the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting to research a new book on piracy. Shortly thereafter, he was abducted by a local gang of pirates in Galkayo and held prisoner for two years and eight months. The captors demanded a $20 million ransom for Moores release. Id pushed the edges of privilege by chasing a book in Somalia, wrote Moore in his memoir, The Desert and the Sea. Id taken a ridiculous risk. The Napa Center for Thought & Culture is hosting An Evening with Michael Scott Moore at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Congregation Beth Shalom, 1455 Elm St. in Napa. Tickets are $25. After Moores presentation, Rabbi Niles Goldstein will interview him about his experiences, followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience. Tickets and information can be found at NCTCNapa.Eventbrite.com. Over excruciatingly long days, nights, weeks and months, Moore was confined, often in handcuffs, in small, stifling cells. No less than seven guards moved him to different safe houses every few weeks terrified that U.S. Navy SEALs would try to rescue their prisoner. As months turned into years, Moore grew increasingly anxious, worried that at any moment he could die in captivity. The devastation I felt was foolish and brutal. Foolish because I should have known better and brutal because hope had become a psychological risk, Moore wrote in his memoir. I had to detach myself like a Buddhist from my own desire to be free, the way I had to detach myself during a hunger strike from my profound desire for food. I had to quiet my raging thoughts and quit hoping for any future at all. I just learned to adjust to the shifting currents of indignity with as much quiet loathing as I needed to keep myself sane. To find any semblance of sanity, Moore plotted and executed an unsuccessful escape by jumping from the deck of the Somali-captured Naham 3, a Taiwanese tuna vessel, where he was held for a short period of time with 30 other hostages. He managed to scrape together scraps of paper and pen to keep notes, which, when found, were often confiscated. He begged for and received an improvised yoga mat to build his strength. He went on a hunger strike. He read the only book available to him the Bible. Moore shares in his memoir that there were many times during his ordeal that he contemplated suicide. Toward the end of his captivity, however, Moore had a dramatic change of heart when he heard a homily from the Pope on a small, static-filled radio. I was sitting there feeling guilty about all sorts of my own problems, all sorts of mistakes that I had made, said Moore in an NPR radio interview. And what the Pope said was very eloquent. And it said something about how the mercy of God can actually lift these sins away. In other words, if you forgive other people, you can be free of your own mistakes. And that worked. It really did. I changed my mental attitude towards the guards and stopped directing hatred towards them, during a good portion of each day. And I felt lighter in myself. And I started to get on with the business of just surviving. Evy Warshawski is on the board of the Napa Center for Thought & Culture and is a partner in E & M Preents. When mountains were created millions of years ago, volcanic eruptions resulted in extrusive and intrusive lava soils. These mountains were less fertile, and it was realized long ago that food crops and orchards thrived off the fertile land of the flats. But up on the angled slopes of the mountains, some winemakers found a perfect location for vineyards. The Napa Valley produces four percent of Californias wine, yet only five percent of Napas wine production comes from mountain fruit. One of these wineries is Cardinale. Cardinale was created in 1982 with the mission to produce Cabernet Sauvignon from the highest-quality vineyards throughout the North Coast. By 1995, the wine was made from predominately mountain fruit from Napa and Sonoma vineyards, and by 2002, the wine was made from 100 percent Napa Valley vineyards. Today, the final blend is made from exclusively mountain fruit from Mount Veeder, Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain and Diamond Mountain. Growing grapes on the mountains has some challenges. For one thing, mechanization is not possible so there is the cost of hand-picking. Growing on the mountains can cause some fear, such as fear of not ripening and fear of not handling the tannins. There is the economic pressure as mountain vineyards do not produce high yields. Finally, there are the expectations around flavor as many people want big, lush, ripe wines and that is not what mountainous fruit produces. But there are advantages to planting on a mountainside. Gilian Handelman, director of wine education for Jackson Family Wines, explained some of the benefits of growing grapes on mountains. Weather: When you are at 1,400 feet elevation, you are above the fog line. The result is that the sun exposure is more intense, resulting in the grapes forming a thick skin to protect them from the sun. The exposure to the sun may be more intense and good for ripening, but heat exposure is less. In addition, rainfall does not collect because the vines are on an angle and the rain runs down the mountain. Soil: There are two soil types found in the mountains, extrusive and intrusive volcanic soils and a mix of sedimentary, metamorphic ocean soils. Environment: On the mountainsides, soil vigor is low. Silt blows down the mountain and all that is left is parent rock. There is also not a lot of groundwater. In addition, you cannot eliminate the flora at elevation, and that means there are trees surrounding the vineyards. Vines: Mountain fruit provides lower yields and smaller berries. And there is very low disease pressure as botrytis thrives in wet climates. In addition, typically phylloxera did not attack mountain vines so many of them are own-rooted. For 35 years, Cardinale has been focused on mountain fruit, working with four vineyard sites along the Mayacamas Mountains and the Vaca Mountains. Mt. Veeder consists of more rocks, and therefore, more drainage, and the wines produced have notes of bell pepper and blueberry skin and are the apex of tannin. The high elevation and deep topsoil of Spring Mountain produces a fruit-forward wine. The black lava rock of Diamond Mountain and heat of Calistoga result in a wine with intense fruit. And, Howell Mountain, with its red and white compressed volcanic ash and intense sun exposure, results in more consistent growth with higher yields and fruit-driven wines. I enjoyed a retrospective tasting recently of Cardinale wines, going back more than 20 years. This tasting offered a liquid diary of the influence from each mountain vineyard and demonstrated how wines from mountain vineyards get better and better with age. Cardinale 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon Dark fruit notes, brown spices and a touch of sweetness with elegant tannins, this wine is still powerful after 23 years but also elegant. Cardinale 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon A dense and opulent wine with aromas of blueberry, blackberry, tobacco and cedar and sandy tannins that cover the tongue. Cardinale 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Floral aromas as well as notes of black cherry cassis and anise are present in this wine that has silky tannins and has many more years of life left. Cardinale 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Considered a perfect year, this wine is very pretty with aromas of fruit, graphite and anise and velvety tannins. Cardinale 2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Considered one of the coolest vintages ever, the wine has notes of bell pepper, dark cherry and spice and grippy tannins. Cardinale 2014 Napa Valley Cabernet SauvignonWhile still young, this structured wine has floral and red and purple fruit aromas and drying elegant tannins. Allison Levine is owner of Please The Palate, a marketing and event-planning agency. A freelance writer, she contributes to numerous publications while eating and drinking her way around the world. Contact her at allison@pleasethepalate.com One day in the spring of 2014, Graham Veysey walked to his neighborhood bar craving wine, only to be told the watering hole in question stocked only canned beers. Thats the moment, he says, when inspiration struck. I thought to myself, Why isnt there wine a can? Veysey said, adding that he quickly Googled wine in a can to discover only one result for a small Champagne variety. Thats not what Im talking about; I want a 12-oz. can, he said. The name Mancan popped into my head, and I bought mancanwine.com that night. Veysey immediately phoned his childhood friend and business school alum, Fisk Biggar, who agreed to come aboard the nontraditional venture. But while the duo believed in their idea from the start, their first major hurdle was a supply problem: Veysey and Graham lived in Cleveland, in a climate outright hostile for grape-growing. To get Mancan off the ground, they would need to head west to Napa County. Despite several initial nos to their unorthodox idea, eventually winemaker John Allbaugh got what the Clevelanders were going for. He shared the ethos and he sourced his juices from Napa, Sonoma and other parts of wine country, Veysey said. One of the things we did and the supply chain was very important we wanted to make sure that we could hit the same taste profile year after year, can after can. And at a consistency that you dont normally have throughout the wine industry. Veysey and Biggar spent the next 18 months working with Allbaugh, a fixture on the California wine scene, on the proper wine juice and quality consistency. Although the Mancan founders needed to hire labor and suppliers in Northern California, the duo opted to keep corporate home office back in Ohio, with distribution handled out of a facility in American Canyon, close to the vineyards themselves. The pair worked in a converted firehouse in Cleveland, whose image is on every can of their product. With our distribution partners out of Napa County, everything is heat- and cold-stabilized, Veysey said. So that ensures the quality of product when were shipping it across the country doesnt get compromised. Quality, he said, was the initial key to getting to market, with Mancan starting out in San Francisco, going store to store and bar to bar to get proof of concept. We had to over-deliver on quality to give that wow factor with folkswho were trying it for the first time, Veysey said. Convincing a winemaker to join the venture was tough, but not as difficult as running up against doctrine that might posit that wine never, ever, ever belongs in cans. Each time we told somebody that was at all affiliated with the industry, many, many jaws fell, Veysey recalled. However, Veysey and Biggar were quick to point out the benefits of canned wine. Similar to canned beer, the product wouldnt skunk if exposed to sunlight, was far more transportable than bottles, and dosing the can with nitrogen essentially locked in the flavor profile. Furthermore, each can carries 175mL of wine, so the customer actually gets more product than with a similarly sized beer or the smaller mini-bottles of wine that are industry standard. Weve been able to expand peoples wine programs at various venues they dont necessarily move a bunch of wine by offering awesome wines in a can, Veysey said. You not only have that high-quality juice, but you also have that proven package of a 12-oz. aluminum can. Mancan retails in four varieties: red blend, white, rose and a fizz, the semi-sparkling option. All four have scored above 80 percent in reviews by Jim Gordon of Wine Enthusiast. Veysey and Biggar say they believe the wine market is perhaps now at a place where the craft beer sector was a decade ago, when canning began to make inroads against bottles. Altering the provincial attitudes of customers one Mancan at a time will bring more wine connoisseurs into the fold, they say. You get people to understand [that we] enhance the portability, enhance the shelf life, and you can [earn back] folks whose jaws might have dropped at first, Veysey said. Mancan retails at BevMo in Napa, and sells in 16 other states and four countries, with more expansions planned as Veysey and Biggar increase their cadre of can converts. The simple answer is to get them to try it, Biggar said. When they have that first sip of our wine and they realize that weve done what we intended to do which was overdeliver on a quality wine product in a vessel that they didnt expect it come from thats our conversation mechanism right there. The proof is in the pudding. The number of people who say to us that theyre not going to drink wine out of a can has almost completely vanished, Biggar said, though he adds there are invariably those who simply refuse to abandon the bottle. Theres obviously a place for bottles of wine, and we love bottles as well. The product does do the talking for us, and certainly weve converted a surprising number of people. From anti-incumbency to failure in constituency debate, social media impact, party machinery, nations traditional stance to remain away from foreign influence and populist pledges were some of the major factors for PDPs defeat in primary round of Bhutans parliamentary polls 2018. Prior to the parliamentary elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by former Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, was considered as the strongest party as it could maintain a clean image with no reports of corruption during its 5-year term since 2013. The PDP, which was able to revive the damaged economy of Bhutan prior to its victory in 2013 parliamentary polls, had high hope of return to power as it cut fuel price hike, electrified several rural areas, created subsidized employment generation schemes and reopened loans by resolving rupee crisis. But like 2013, the anti-incumbency factor played a major role in the parliamentary polls this year. Several high-profile candidates also joined the PDP but that too could not save the party from losing electoral battle this time. Also read: Bhutan: DPT not to replace candidates for general elections The voters of Bhutan, who have experienced just 10 years of the new parliamentary system in the country, opted for a change and cleared way for the final battle of power between Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) and Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) keeping aside the PDP. In the preliminary round of the parliamentary polls, Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) secured top spot with 31.5% of the votes, followed by Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) with 30.6% votes while PDP came third with 27.2% of votes. Also read: Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgays party ousted in election As per Bhutans constitution, only two political parties can take part in the final round of general elections, PDP, being the third, will not be able to participate in the final round of polls scheduled to be held on October 18, 2018. PDP, which came to power in 2013 by defeating DPT led by Jigmi Yoezer Thinley, Bhutans first Prime Minister after being elected through parliamentary process, criticized the DPT government for its pro-China stand ignoring the age-old relationship with India. But the people of Bhutan, particularly the elite section, could not fully support Tobgay-led PDP for its complete support towards India during the Doklam standoff as Bhutan has been maintaining a cordial relationship with both neighbouring China and India and at the same time keeping a distance from foreign influence. This stand of the PDP on the issues of Doklam and relations with China also harmed the party in the parliamentary polls. In the four-cornered race in September, nearly 66 pc of the electorate cast their votes a higher voter turnout than 55.3 pc in the primary round in 2013. There are 47 seats in the National Assembly of Bhutan and 24 is the magic figure. Harvard-educated and environmentalist Tobgays PDP held 32 seats in the National Assembly after the 2013 elections. The poor performance of PDP in the constituency debates, as per political observers, was also one of the strong causes of the partys defeat in the primary round while DNT emerged as the biggest beneficiary of the debates. The well-prepared DNT overpowered both PDP and DPT in most of the debates. PDPs late start of the social media game also hit the partys poll campaign. The party also miserably failed to counter the fake news circulated through incendiary posts. An overconfident PDP leaderships lack of interest to take help of any forum to promote the party through social media cost it dearly. Besides, it has been reported that PDP could have won the 2018 primary round race if only EVM votes were counted as the party secured the highest EVM votes (56,180) compared to the other parties (DNT 55,166 and DPT 53,108). Due to regional politics, both PDP and DNT fared poorly in the East, which is identified as the stronghold of DPT. Except one seat, DPT won almost all the seats in eastern Dzongkhags (Bhutan has total 20 Dzongkhags). It has also been observed that the PDP during its five-year tenure did not work to strengthen the organization of the party and base. Most of its MPs (PDP had 33 MPs) and coordinators reportedly ignored the party workers due to its wrong perception that the voters would vote them to power again on the basis of their performance. PDP, despite that it implemented the 11th Plan and achieved a lot in several sectors, could not satisfy the voters during its campaign and was thrown out of power. However, PDP keeps high hopes of return after five years as it had a graceful exit being in the third spot in the primary round of the parliamentary polls. In a tragic incident, a drunk Royal Bhutan Army driver claimed the life of a poor pillion rider at Rangia in Kamrup district on Thursday. The 45-year-old pillion rider died on the spot when a speedy Royal Bhutan Army truck, the driver of which was allegedly in an inebriated condition, rammed into the bike that his brother was riding. The accident took place on Rangia-Bhutan road near the Vishnu temple in Rangia town. The victim, identified as Nabin Das from Athgaon in Kamalpur area, was coming to Rangia riding pillion with his younger brother. Police with the help of locals took Nabin to nearby Siddhinath Sarmah hospital where he was declared brought dead. Eyewitness said the Royal Bhutan Army driver was under the influence of alcohol. The incident has evoked massive reactions in the area. Locals have demanded strict action against the rashly driven Bhutanese vehicles. This is not an isolated incident. Earlier also rashly-driven Bhutanese vehicle have killed many people on Assams roads. It is high time to initiate crackdown on them, said a local Armenia PM, representatives of IT companies discuss prospects for public-private partnership Traces of ancient easternmost Roman aqueduct discovered in Armenia Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group view 'with deep concern' recent events on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Putin, Macron discuss situation regarding settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Armenia Parliament Speaker: Checkpoints are placed in territories that are considered Azerbaijan Ukrainian MP: Yerevan and Kyiv are working on regulating and strengthening bilateral ties Situation on border discussed during opposition 'Armenia' faction's session chaired by Robert Kocharyan Political scientist: Armenian-Ukrainian relations have tremendous potential 41-year-old Azerbaijani man dies in mine explosion in Akna 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 Armenia parliament to not hold special session based on opposition's demand 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 Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance dropped one of the charges against Harvey Weinstein on Thursday, striking the count that came from an allegation Lucia Evans made to the New Yorker last year. The larger case against Weinsteinwho stands accused of habitually targeting and assaulting women over the course of decades, sexually abusing and in some cases raping his victimswill proceed "full steam ahead," prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon reportedly assured the judge in Manhattan Criminal Court on Thursday. According to the Hollywood Reporter, attorneys did not clarify what was suspect in Evans's story, but what she told the New Yorkerthat Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him in 2004, after dangling prospective film and television roles in front of the aspiring actressallegedly included "inconsistencies" one of the magazine's fact checkers originally flagged. Weinstein's defense attorney, Benjamin Brafman, reportedly contended that "the integrity of these proceedings has been compromised" because, according to Brafman, Evans lied about the incident, both to the press and to a grand jury, and because a detective may have intervened to suppress a witness who could have corrected the record. In a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, Evans's lawyer, Carrie Goldberg, said: "Let me be clear: The decision to throw away my client's sexual assault charges says nothing about Weinstein's guilt or innocence. Nor does it reflect on Lucia's consistent allegation that she was sexually assaulted with force by Harvey Weinstein. It only speaks volumes about the Manhattan DA's office and its mishandling of my client's case." According to Variety, the prosecution did not challenge the defense's motion to dismiss the Evans-related count, bringing the total number of criminal charges against the disgraced movie mogul down to five. But even without the Evans charge, Illuzzi-Orbon maintains that the prosecution maintains its strong case that Weinstein engaged in a pattern of "predatory sexual assault." The Manhattan DA's office did not immediately respond to our request for comment about the dropped charge. YEREVAN. The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie has to remain a platform for dialogue and sobering, French president Emmanuel Macron said in his address to the participants of the Francophonie summit in Yerevan. We live in different climates, we believe in different gods, we sing differently. There were wounds between us that were just beginning to heal. We are so different, but at the same time cohesive. We are united by language, and this language belongs to all of us, noted Macron. The French leader emphasized that the link between the organization members is being carried out not through the language only, but thanks to the vision of the world, hope, desire for peace, brotherhood, justice. Macron recalled that the summit is taking place at an important moment. We see enormous changes in the world. Lies, hate propaganda. All the rules around which we have united in recent decades are no longer in force. The dignity of man, the equality of men and women, everything is being questioned on all continents, said Macron. What can we do? Create a sobering atmosphere. Due to some reasons we started accepting injustice. The Organisation de la Francophonie can become a place where sobering rules. Without empty words. There is no one among them who could dictate will and rules, principles of democracy. I mean also myself, because France used to do it. From now on and till the summit in Tunisia, the motto of Francophonie has to be returning to the hearts of youth. CLAIM: China infiltrated Apple and Amazon with a tiny chip surreptitiously installed on server motherboards A new report published by Bloomberg Businessweek reveals how communist China has been secretly embedding microchips into American technology as part of a massive effort to thwart elections and engage in other forms of malicious cyber warfare. As relayed Bloomberg Businessweek, the report comes after a multi-year investigation into Chinas infiltration of United States infrastructure, both corporate and governmental. According to the evidence, China has been installing tiny computer chips, no larger than a grain of rice, into everything from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines to military drones to computer motherboards, giving the Red Party unimpeded access to all sorts of American electronics. The release of this eye-opening report came about a week after President Donald Trump stood up at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council and accused China of tampering with U.S. elections, along with Russia. Just a few hours after the report was released roughly one week later, Vice President Mike Pence gave a speech at the Hudson Institute in Washington, where he was expected to string together a narrative of Chinese aggression, including several specific examples of Chinas: aggressive moves against American warships, of predatory behavior against their neighbors, and of a sophisticated influence campaign to tilt the midterms and 2020 elections against President Trump. Another point of contention is Chinas manipulation of its capital markets and debt-leveraging strategies, both of which are used as weapons of control by China to force foreign governments to do their bidding. Amazon reportedly tipped off U.S. intelligence about communist Chinese subversion of American technology Its a far-reaching narrative of communist Chinese subversion that, at its pinnacle, seems to center around Chinas use of tiny microchip invasion into American technology, and, perhaps most critically, servers utilized by both the military and intelligence communities for national security purposes. And it was none other than online retail monolith Amazon that, after discovering the anomalous chips on server motherboards, reportedly tipped off American intelligence to this technological invasion by China, as did Apple, which was also privy to Chinas machinations. Nested on the servers motherboards, the testers found a tiny microchip, not much bigger than a grain of rice, that wasnt part of the boards original design, reports indicate. During the ensuing top-secret probe, which remains open more than three years later, investigators determined that the chips allowed the attackers to create a stealth doorway into any network that included the altered machines. Multiple people familiar with the matter say investigators found that the chips had been inserted at factories run by manufacturing subcontractors in China. It was this revelation that directly contributed to shifting the narrative away from Russian collusion, and instead towards China, which the Trump administration says is the most serious threat to national security. What the Russians are doing pales in comparison to what China is doing across this country, are the words that The New York Times (NYT) reiterated would be spoken by VP Pence during his Hudson Institute speech on the matter. Silicon Valley startup known as Elemental paved the way for communist Chinese infiltration in U.S. government computers, reports Bloomberg At the root of the problem is a technology company known as Elemental that, back in 2006, got its start developing advanced graphics chips for video streaming purposes. Elemental teamed up with the CIA and other American spy agencies to develop servers that these entities could use for military missions. Elemental reportedly teamed up with another company known as Supermicro that it tasked with manufacturing advanced motherboards for special-purpose computers that would be used by the government. And it was here, according to reports, where China found its backdoor into American technology. A sizable portion of its engineers were native Mandarin speakers, explains Zero Hedge about Supermicros workforce. The microchips were inserted at Chinese factories that supplied Supermicro, one of the worlds biggest sellers of server motherboards. It sounds rather simple, but apparently its not that easy to do especially when the government is involved. Infiltrating computer hardware in this manner, especially at the nation-state level, is akin to a unicorn jumping over a rainbow, according to an anonymous source that spoke to Bloomberg Businessweek. At the same time, China does currently maintain a global monopoly over the manufacturing of microchips. Roughly 75 percent of all mobile phones and 90 percent of all personal computers are made there, illustrating how China already infiltrated the world of technology long ago. As far as the tiny microchips are concerned, Chinas ultimate goal, according to reports, was to gain long-term access to sensitive government secrets. Everyday consumers appear to not have been targets, though whats currently known about the situation isnt exhaustively conclusive. Expect to hear a lot less about Russia, and a lot more about China as the deep states interference myopic focus on the former shifts to the latter, Zero Hedges analysis of the invasion concludes. We imagine well be hearing a lot more about the breach from senior U.S. officials, including both the vice president and the president himself, in the very near future. Sources for this article include: Bloomberg Businessweek ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com ok Reply Thread Link So, this "era" didn't work, ah? Reply Thread Link get ready for Bitterer! Reply Parent Thread Link I did though, which is why I'm confused. Dangerous Woman struggled a lot more before Side to Side. This era had a successful lead single and a moderately successful second single and Breathin is picking up radio play. But like another user said, the album probably has way too many triggering songs and she's over it. Reply Parent Thread Link Good because sweetner is mostly boring af imo Reply Thread Link guess she wants to release one with more songs she selected about the guy she's currently with. Reply Thread Link after that rumor that taylor ~allegedly~ told perez hilton her next album would be out before the end of the year and the state of pop radio today, i'm not against ariana grande and taylor swift fighting it out on the billboard charts for the latter half of the year. Reply Thread Link see this why i don't trust stans for rumors cause it's a game of telephone. there's also probably no way she'd release it while on tour for reputation overseas. but this is also the first time (?) she's hinted at new music before one era is over. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Taylor would destory her lol Reply Parent Thread Link idg "eras" either, tbh. Reply Thread Link I'm not the biggest fan of her pseudo-brown self, but I think she deserves some time to calm down and get some support. Her whole attitude is kind of alarming. Reply Thread Link From a casual perspective she reads like someone who has been manic for a lot of the year and idk if that's even close to what it is I just hope she has a good psych team. And this isn't shitting on her like the poor woman has been through a lot in the past two years and has severe PTSD, mental health is no joke. So much of what she does publicly lately parallels manic behavior tho. Reply Parent Thread Link yeah like even on insta/twitter within a day she'll talk about how she's so tired of everything and then will post all about how she can't wait to tour and make more music. I really hope she's got a good team of mental health professionals because I would be curled up in bed every damn day after what she's had to go go through. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link so when will her 2018 Tom Green boyfriend era be over? Reply Thread Link After the release of this impulse album lol Reply Parent Thread Link you know its true! this decades version Reply Parent Thread Link This is making me hopeful for whatever she releases, Christmas & Chill remains ICONIC to this day Reply Parent Thread Link Santa Tell me knocks. Reply Parent Thread Link I listen to it year-round lmao Reply Parent Thread Link "True Love" is one of her best songs ever. Reply Parent Thread Link wonder if she's trying to meet some contract requirements before she pops out a kid? Reply Thread Link Releasing music while its still fresh and not worrying about the rules of eras and singles is something I can get used to 100% Reply Thread Link ia Reply Parent Thread Link so.. a mixtape? Reply Parent Thread Link nnnnnn you know whT Reply Parent Thread Link this is why hip-hop is so successful now, they release music while it's fresh. Reply Parent Thread Link she's lost it Reply Thread Link Aw, I actually enjoyed the Sweetener era (minus Pete) and thought the album was cute but Im glad shes feeling passionate enough about her new music to want to release it so soon. Reply Thread Link She's really over this era, huh? Reply Thread Link I honestly wonder if thats because it was inspired a lot by Mac. It probably reminds her a lot of him, and she wants to move past it. Reply Parent Thread Link The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a build in commercial crude oil inventories of 6 million, speeding up an oil price decline prompted by a variety of factors, including APIs Wednesday estimate that inventories had risen by a hefty 9.75 million barrels in the week to October 5. EIA said refineries last week operated at 88.8 percent of capacity, processing 16.2 million bpd of crude and producing 9.7 million bpd of gasoline and 5 million bpd of distillate. This compares with 10 million bpd of gasoline and 5 million bpd of distillate a week earlier. Gasoline inventories last week added 1 million barrels, compared with a 500,000-bpd fall a week earlier. Distillate inventories declined by 2.7 million barrels, after a 1.8-million-barrel draw a week earlier. EIAs data will add to a mix of stock market losses and Hurricane Michael that has passed the oil-producing and refining parts of the Gulf of Mexico and is now making its way north of Florida. More than 40 percent of oil production capacity in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut in, but it will be brought back online quite quickly, analysts believe, curbing any bullish impact on prices. More bearish news is on the way for West Texas Intermediate, however, after it became clear earlier this week U.S. oil exports to China had slipped down to nothing in August from about US$1 billion worth of crude just two months earlier. The bullish case for oil remains hinged singularly on the effect U.S. sanctions against Iran, coming into effect on November 4, will have on global supply, while concern is mounting about demand. The IMF earlier this week revised down its outlook for global GDP following a slowdown in emerging economies in the latest indication oil prices are already hurting demand. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Although the Chinese government has not yet gone so far in the ever-escalating trade war as to sanction United States oil, imports are drying up anyway as Chinese buyers shy away from U.S. crude. According to U.S. Census Bureau data released last week, for the first time since 2016, China has halted purchases of U.S. crude, importing zero barrels in August. A major blow coming from the second biggest economy in the world--a blow that is sure to have reverberating repercussions and retaliations. After Washington lifted restrictions on exports at the end of 2015, China began buying vast quantities of U.S. crude, and has even been giving Canada a run for its money as the number one importer in some instances. Chinese imports represented 23 percent of total U.S. crude exports in 2017 and averaged 22 percent this year--until August. That is definitively no longer the case, as tensions have ramped up significantly in the past months after the Trump Administration began a trade war at the beginning of this year. In just one part of a long series of retaliations, China threatened in June to impose a 25 percent tariff on crude imports. This was in direct response to U.S. President Trumps hefty $50 billion levy on Chinese imports. China took a shot at U.S. crude despite Trumps threats that his $50 billion would be followed with more levies in the case of Chinas retaliation. Now, according to some experts, we can expect the trade war with China to continue escalating, perhaps at an even more accelerated rate, when U.S. sanctions officially hit Iran next month. Trump Administration officials have stated that their intention is to slash Iranian oil exports from their current 1.7 million barrels per day all the way down to zero. This objective, however, is likely to be undercut by China, which currently buys around one quarter of Iranian crude and will not be joining a unilateral cut-off of Iranian oil imports. I dont expect China to acquiesce to Washingtons demands, given the worsening relations between the two nations, said Stephen Brennock, oil analyst for PVM Oil Associates. Related: Trump Threatens Irans Oil Clients China is not the only country that is opposed to reinstating sanctions on Iran. Practically all major buyers of Iranian oil have opposed the cut-off. But few, if any, countries have the ability that China does to risk their relationship with the United States. Chinas relationship with the Trump administration is already stressed, to put it lightly. They have far less to lose by siding with Iran and endangering the success of U.S. sanctions, adding fuel to the trade war fire. At the same time, both the U.S. and China have an incentive to deescalate--China in order to stay (or return to) in Washingtons good graces and the U.S. to circumnavigate a potential oil price shock. However, with the impending oil sanctions on Iran just around the corner and very little time for diplomacy, its difficult to predict which way they will go. Regardless of what is coming down the pike, the trade war with China is already having dire consequences. It remains to be seen just how it will impact the U.S. oil industry to lose a massive consumer like China at the drop of a dime, but we know that the impact will be considerable. There have been plenty of think pieces about how the trade war will end up hurting the U.S. but now we will see in real time what the real-life repercussions are, even more so when Iran gets pulled into the mix next month. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Oil is still the worlds leading energy source, with growing demand, a fluctuating pricing system, and much of its production in volatile regions. The oil markets value is larger than the worlds valuable raw metal markets combined, with an annual production valued at US$1.7 trillion. A flourishing black market is no surprise, with about US$133 billion worth of fuels stolen or adulterated every year. These practices fund dangerous non-state actors such as the Islamic State, Mexican drug cartels, Italian Mafia, Eastern European criminal groups, Libyan militias, Nigerian rebels and more and are a major global security concern. The top five countries accused of oil trafficking Nigeria, Mexico, Iraq, Russia, and Indonesia are also producers. It is estimated that Nigeria alone loses US$1.5 billion a month due to pipeline tapping, illegal production and other sophisticated schemes. In Southeast Asia, about 3 percent of the fuel consumed is sourced from the black market, estimated to be worth up to US$10 billion a year. In Mexico, drug cartels launder drug revenues through the oil trade Other countries are not immune. Turkey is not an oil producer yet serves as a major transit route for hydrocarbons flowing to Europe from OPEC countries like Iraq and Iran. As an energy hub, Turkey is strategically situated for the illegal trade and lost an estimated US$5 billion in tax revenue in 2017. An uptick in smuggling oil and other refined products began 2014, when ISIS took control of major Syrian and Iraqi oil fields. As with most commodities, the volume of oil smuggling is primarily linked to fluctuating prices. With climbing oil prices, illicit trade is expected to increase. The European Union is a prime example on how price disparities of fuel within its own member state countries tend to incentivize illegal trade producing counterintuitive routes. Lower oil prices in Eastern Europe have created maritime smuggling routes to the United Kingdom and Ireland. Ireland estimates it loses up to $200 million annually with fuel fraud, while up to 20 percent of fuel sold in regular gas stations in Greece is illegal. The legal complexities and ambiguities of the global oil and gas trade often create an opening for illegal activity. In some cases, subnational actors openly export oil despite official prohibition by central governments. The Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq maintains it is their regions constitutional right to export oil independently, in defiance of the central government. With Baghdad withholding the regions 17 percent of budget share, the regional government sought economic independence through hydrocarbons and found a degree of international sympathy, given its role in combatting ISIS and hosting 1.9 million refugees and internally displaced people. The unrefined product was sent via pipeline through Turkeys Ceyhan port, loaded by various Greek shipping companies on tankers, then stored in Malta or Israel until buyers were found. Shifting routes of Kurdish oil tankers can be observed on sites like tankertrackers.com. Authorities who benefit from the trade often stymie efforts to combat illegal trafficking, as seen in countries like Iraq or North Korea, with terrible consequences for citizens. Conflict and illicit trading near the Niger River Delta reduced overall foreign direct investment in recent decades. With 90 percent of the worlds goods, 30 percent of which are total hydrocarbons, traded by sea, much of the illegal fuel trade is conducted on water. Two thirds of global daily oil exports are transported by sea, reports the UN Conference on Trade and Development, and a staggering 64 percent of international waters are areas beyond any national jurisdiction. Non-state actors offshore West Africa, Bangladesh or Indonesia take advantage of loopholes created by international law and the law of the sea. Transfer of illegal fuel is often done ship to ship on neutral waters with one ship commercially legal, recognized as carrying legitimate imports at the final port of destination. Thus, illegal crude from countries such as Libya or Syria finds its way to EU markets. Recently Russian ships have been found involved in smuggling oil products to North Korea through ship to ship transfers. Related: Will Big Oil Ever Win Back Investors Trust? Armed theft and piracy also occur. Hijackings off the coast of Somalia resumed in 2017, the first since 2012, after the international community reduced enforcement. Beyond jurisdictional issues, many governments are overwhelmed by other maritime security threats and cannot prioritize the illegal trade. In fact, fuel traders have reported that the problem is so pervasive that many companies calculate in advance for losses up to 0.4 percent of any ordered cargo volumes. The industry runs on high risk tolerance. Transparency International estimates that over the next 20 years, around 90 percent of oil and gas production will come from developing countries. The relatively low average salaries of state employees relative to the private sector in developing countries encourage the temptation to look for other income sources. Consider Mozambique, where immense offshore natural gas reserves have been discovered. Emerging from decades of civil war, the country has a diverse wasta system an Arabic term for bribing and asking for favours along with strong political allegiances and state structures that struggle to withstand internal and external pressures. Estimates suggest that 54 percent of all cargo movements in the capital city, Maputo, involve bribes, and Mozambique risks following the path of Nigeria, a country in need of socioeconomic development despite vast oil and gas reserves under development since 1958. The country is reported to have already lost around US$400 billion since its independence in 1960 due to theft or mismanagement in its oil sector. The Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development suggests that the impacts of the illegal oil trade go underestimated, and the affected countries suffer from the deteriorating rule of law, loss of biodiversity, pollution, degradation of critical farmland, increasing health problems and armed conflicts. Other opportunity costs include increased financial risk premiums for investors with billions of dollars lost annually due to illegal bunkering, pipeline tapping, ship-to-ship transfers, armed theft, adulteration of fuel and bribery. Illicit trade allows authoritarian states to maintain revenue flows for years despite international sanctions designed to weaken their rule. In the 11th year of UN oil sanctions, Iraqs dictator Saddam Hussein had managed to become one of the worlds richest men, with an estimated US$3 billion in wealth Related: The Overlooked Giant In Renewables Some governments condone the illicit trade. An intertwining of regime structures and corruption often supported by governments and corporations is a major stumbling block for the international communitys attempts to contain illegal trading. So far, governmental and industry efforts to halt the practice have been ineffective and it could be that the illegal oil trade offers enough benefits to consumers, producers and government officials to disincentivize investigation. Some officials suggest that condoning trade in illicit oil and petroleum products helps keep regional and local security intact. The first global conference on fuel theft, held in Geneva in April, may be a watershed moment. The conference aimed at encouraging discourse among stakeholders within the hydrocarbons industry on how to tackle the scale of this global crime and was based on the work of Ian Ralby, I.R. Consilium and the Atlantic Councils Global Energy Center, which produced Downstream Oil Theft: Global Modalities, Trends, and Remedies, the most extensive examination of illicit downstream hydrocarbons activity published to date. Similar challenges confront the rapidly growing liquefied natural gas market. Strong international cooperation is required, or detrimental effects for global security, the environment and economic prosperity will continue. Unless monitored and addressed by robust policy and regulation, the illegal oil activities will remain a key funding source for terrorism, organized crime, authoritarian states and violent non-state actors. By Yale Global More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Irans crude oil production dropped by 371,000 bpd between the second quarter of this yearwhen the U.S. announced the return of the sanctionsand September, according to the secondary sources in OPECs closely-watched Monthly Oil Market Report published on Thursday. Irans oil production in September plunged by 150,000 bpd from August to reach 3.447 million bpd last month. This compares to average Iranian production of 3.818 million bpd in the second quarter this year, as per OPECs secondary sources, highlighting the fact that Iran has been cutting oil production, although not at the fast rate at which its exports have been dropping over the past two months. Iran, for its part, claims a much smaller loss in its oil productionTehran self-reported to OPEC that its crude oil production in September stood at 3.755 million bpd, down by 51,000 bpd from August, when Iran self-reported production of 3.806 million bpd, compared to OPECs secondary sources estimate of 3.597 million bpd for August. Irans self-reported average production for the second quarter was 3.804 million bpd. Among all OPEC members, Iran booked the steepest decline in production in September, followed by another slump in Venezuelathis time by 42,000 bpd to below the 1.2-million-bpd mark1.197 million bpd, according to secondary sources. Other OPEC members, however, almost entirely compensated for the loss of production in Iran and VenezuelaOPECs total production increased by 132,000 bpd in September to 32.761 million bpd. OPECs biggest producer Saudi Arabia opened up the taps to add 108,000 bpd of production last month, lifting output to 10.512 million bpd. Riyadhs self-reported number is very close to the secondary sources10.502 million bpd. Related: Will Big Oil Ever Win Back Investors Trust? Another big jump came from Libya, whose oil production continues to recover after a turbulent summer with port blockades and severely curtailed production. Libyas production rose by 103,000 bpd to average 1.053 million bpd, as per secondary sources. Angola and Nigeria also contributed to the cartels higher production. OPECs efforts to boost supply were helped by its key partner in the deal with the non-OPEC nationsRussia. Production in Russia hit a post-Soviet record at 11.54 million bpd in September, up by 150,000 bpd from August, OPEC said, citing preliminary estimates. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Natural gas prices have spiked over the last few weeks as U.S. inventories run low ahead of the peak winter heating season. Nymex natural gas prices have jumped nearly 15 percent over the past month, rising to roughly $3.30 per million Btu (MMBtu). The market has clearly grown a little concerned about adequate supplies heading into the winter and that is reflected in natural gas prices rising to their highest point since the beginning of the year. For the week ending on September 28, natural gas inventories stood at 2,866 billion cubic feet (Bcf), or 636 Bcf lower than at the same point a year earlier, as well as 607 Bcf below the five-year average. Inventories dropped to extraordinarily low levels last winter as much of North America became enveloped in exceptionally cold weather. As tens of millions of people cranked up the heat, the U.S. burned through record levels of natural gas. That stood in stark contrast to the year earlier, when a much milder winter led to above-average levels of gas in storage. Natural gas markets are cyclical, with a buildup in storage between April and November the so-called injection season and steep drawdowns during the winter. The stockpiling during injection season is necessary to provide enough supply to consumers for winter heating needs. But the problem is that the U.S. is currently on track to finish up the injection season with the lowest level of gas sitting in storage in 13 years. Even though demand sees seasonal peaks and valleys, consumption is rising on a structural basis as more coal plants shut down and more gas is exported in the form of LNG. Related: The Overlooked Giant In Renewables That trajectory has been clear for much of 2018, but up until only recently, traders were not concerned about shortages. Natural gas production continues to soar, and several new pipelines in the Appalachia region are expected to unlock new markets, allowing drillers to produce eve more natural gas. For example, just days ago, the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline came online, connecting more Marcellus shale gas to the U.S. south. Investors saw this as a boon to natural gas drillers Cabot Oil & Gas saw its share price jump on the news since it can now ship more gas out of the Marcellus. In short, despite low inventories, traders have not been concerned about the natural gas supply/demand balance heading into winter. That is, until recently. Record power burn over the last few weeks from unseasonably high temperatures put more strain on inventories. According to S&P Global Platts, U.S. gas demand has averaged 72.5 Bcf/d since September 1, up 9 percent over the same period last year. Adding to the market pressure is a series of nuclear outages, pushing more gas-fired power plants into service. Overall, U.S. power burn is at a record high so far in October. Related: Goldman: The Oil Market Can Handle Iran Outages Compounding matters, temperatures in the U.S. Midwest and Northeast are about to plunge, dropping from the mid-80s F in many places down to the mid-50s F or even mid-40s F. Its almost as if we are going to flip directly from summer to winter, bypassing the low-demand period of autumn. The pressure on supply does not bode well since we havent even entered the drawdown season yet. Nevertheless, this does not mean that a price spike is inevitable. Because the factors that drove cash market strength over the past month namely, a very warm September and multi-year highs in nuclear outages are temporary, we believe cash prices will come back down to earth once these fundamental supports wear off, Barclays analysts wrote in an October 4 note. We remain bearish versus NYMEX futures, but we have raised our 4Q18 and 2019 forecasts to $2.95 and $2.72, respectively, to reflect lower storage. However, the investment bank acknowledged that with inventories at their lowest level in more than a decade, the market has very little cushion to withstand weather demand swings, leaving pricing risk skewed to the upside. Volatility is on the rise and the market will balance on a knifes edge in almost any weather scenario, the bank concluded. By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Canadian oil and gas companies agreed to or proposed deals worth more than US$7.7 billion (C$10 billion) just in the past week and a half, tempted by lower price valuations for Canadian oil firms despite the risk of drawing shareholder anger with spending. Last week, Husky Energy launched an unsolicited US$5 billion (C$6.4 billion) bid to acquire MEG Energy. We are committed to realizing this opportunity and strongly believe the Offer is in the best interests of Husky and MEG shareholders, as well as our respective employees and other stakeholders, Husky Energy said upon announcing the offer. Huskys shares, however, dropped 3 percent after announcing the hostile bid, Canadas Financial Post reports. Again last week, Precision Drilling Corporation said that it was buying Trinidad Drilling in an all-share deal valued at US$788 million (C$1.028 billion), including assuming Trinidad Drillings debt. Precision Drilling emerged as a white knight for Trinidad Drilling, which had rejected a hostile offer from Ensign. Precision Drillings offer is a 25-percent premium to the hostile offer from Ensign, Trinidad Drilling said. The M&A spree continued this week, with International Petroleum Corp buying BlackPearl Resources in a deal valued at US$1.36 billion, and Parkland Fuel Corporation buying 75 percent of SOL, the largest independent fuel marketer in the Caribbean, for US$1.21 billion. When we looked at the business, it fit very well with ours, Parkland president and CEO Bob Espey told Financial Post in an interview. Related: Will Big Oil Ever Win Back Investors Trust? According to analysts, its difficult to do deals in the current M&A environment in Canada and even at the low valuations of the companies, there are risks. It just seems like were in the kind of environment where you stick your head up above the trenches and it gets shot off, Financial Post quoted Michael Freeborn, CIBC World Markets director and head of energy investment banking, as saying at a conference this week. Dave Harrison, JP Morgan managing director, head of Canadian natural resources, believes that companies should not surprise investors with acquisitions not fitting their asset base. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Chinese refiners are buying more and more very cheap heavy Canadian crude oil to make up for the dwindling supply of Venezuelas heavy grades as Chinas road construction sectora key consumer of the heavy oils bitumen yieldis booming. China purchased 1.58 million barrels of heavy Canadian crude oil for loading in September, up by nearly 50 percent compared to the 1.05 million barrels it imported from Canada in April, Bloomberg quoted data by cargo-tracking and intelligence company Kpler on Thursday. Analysts expect the Chinese purchases of heavy Canadian oil to continue to be high in October amid the typically peak construction season. The high Chinese demand for bitumen-yielding heavy crude coincides with reduced supply of Venezuelas Merey crude grade due to the crumbling production in the Latin American country. But more importantly, China is sourcing heavy crude from Canada at a bargain pricealthough international benchmark oil prices have rallied in recent weeks, Canadas oil is heavily discounted due to severe bottlenecks because of a lack of pipeline capacity. As of Wednesday, the price of Western Canadian Select (WCS)the benchmark price of oil from Canadas oil sands delivered at Hardisty, Albertatraded at the huge discount of US$50 a barrel to WTI. Chinas appetite for bitumen-yielding heavy crude is expected to stay strong throughout the rest of the year, because infrastructure spending in the second half of 2018 is seen rising at five times the pace from the first half, according to Bloomberg. Related: The Overlooked Giant In Renewables Cheap Canadian oil could help the Chinese refiners processing it to book better refining margins. According to Kpler data quoted by Bloomberg, the Canadian heavy crude cargoes are being delivered at ports in China serving the smaller independent Chinese refinersthe so-called teapots. Meanwhile, oil prices in Canada are plummeting. The WCS discount to WTI grew to US$48 a barrel on Wednesday morning, the highest differential since at least 2011, according to Tim Pickering, founder of Calgary-based price tracker Auspice Capital, quoted by The Canadian Press. The Edmonton Sweet discount to WTI jumped to a multi-year high of US$27.50 a barrel, three times the typical size of the discount. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Freight rates for Aframax tankers to Asia have reached their highest level so far this year, as Chinas small refiners received new crude import quotas and as Asian refiners are hastening to hire ships to transport more crude oil from the Middle East to Asia in view of dwindling supply from Iran, market participants tell S&P Global Platts. Demand for Aframaxes has increased in recent months amid higher oil supply from Saudi Arabia and Russia and the freshly issued import quotas for Chinas independent refinersthe so-called teapotswhich are larger than before, S&P Global Platts quoted Ole-Rikard Hammer, an Oslo-based senior analyst with Arctic Securities, as saying in a report. According to a Platts source with an owner of an Aframax, the current supply of good ships is tight, and special requirements at some Asian load ports have further tightened the Aframax market. Currently, owners of Aframaxes earn more than US$12,000 per day on the Indonesia-South Korea route, brokers told Platts. Just three months ago, the earnings were half of this, according to the brokers. Over the past three months, tanker tracking data suggested that Irans crude oil and condensate exports started to drop considerably in August, and the slump continued through September. According to preliminary tanker tracking data compiled by Bloomberg, observed exports of Iranian crude oil and condensate plunged in September to 1.72 million bpd, down by 260,000 bpd month-on-month and the lowest level since February 2016. Related: The Overlooked Giant In Renewables At the same time, China has raised by 42 percent the oil import quota for its non-state refinersmost of which are the independent refinersfor 2019 as new refinery capacity is planned to enter into operation next year. China is allocating a total of up to 202 million tons, or 4.06 million bpd, in import quotas to non-state refineries for next year, S&P Global Platts reported earlier this month, citing a communication by the Chinese Commerce Ministry. Companies have until November 10 to apply, and those who havent imported crude oil in 2018 will not be allocated quotas for next year, the ministry noted. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: hepjam/iStock/Getty Images Jamaicans have used salt mackerel for hundreds of years in a well-known dish called "mackerel run down." The "run down" aspect comes from the slow cooking, or cooking the fish until it has been literally "run down," or made tender and juicy by the slow cooking process. You don't have to fly to Jamaica to enjoy a taste of the island at home, however. If you can find salt mackerel in the grocery store, you can recreate this Jamaican favorite in your own kitchen. Soak the mackerel overnight in cool water in a bowl in your refrigerator. This will remove some of the salt and make it taste more fresh. Take the mackerel out of the refrigerator. Fill a large saucepan with cool water and bring it to a boil over high heat on the stove top. Add the mackerel and boil them for 15 minutes. This removes any lingering traces of salt. Remove the fish from the water with a skimmer and allow it to cool until you can easily handle it. Remove the heads and bones. Chop the fish into 2-inch strips width-wise. Pour the coconut milk into the saucepan and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and add the onion, scallion, tomatoes, garlic, thyme, sea salt and fresh ground pepper, and Scotch bonnet peppers, if you are using them. Simmer the ingredients for 10 minutes to blend the flavors. When 6 million yuan (US$866,000) worth of jewellery vanished overnight from a shop in southern China, the owner was puzzled. There were no signs of forced entry, and the security guards stationed round-the-clock outside reported nothing unusual. The only red flag at the plaza store in Laibin, Guangxi was that the surveillance cameras cut out at about 3am. Every night we have guards from a security company at the door, and the lights are kept on inside the store, the owner, surnamed Wang, told Southern China Daily News on the day of the robbery. Store employees arrived in the morning of September 5 to find all but a handful of the shops gold and platinum necklaces, bracelets and jewellery were gone, Wang said. A hole in the floor of the shop was the first clue. Police then uncovered an elaborate heist that they suspect was orchestrated by a debt-laden Fujian man, who was arrested on September 20 and remains under investigation, according to details released on Wednesday by a district court in Laibin. The suspect, a construction worker identified as Ye Jiangyun, had come to Guangxi to find work in the ceramic tile industry after his business failed. But he allegedly moved his focus to the Zhou Liu Fu jewellery shop after noticing that the newly renovated plaza basement provided an easy access point to enter the shop from below, according to the national Supreme Peoples Procuratorates online publication. Ye is accused of spending eight days tunnelling through the ventilation ducts, using an electric cutter and hammer, iron tongs and a flashlight that he had bought online, according to the report. It said he worked only in the early morning so the sound would go undetected. On the evening of the robbery, Ye is suspected of cutting the video surveillance wire and entering the shop via a hole he made in the floor. He is charged with stealing 9.75kg of gold and half a kilo of platinum jewellery. Story continues My business was losing money, and I owed a lot to a lot of people. I really cant repay it, Ye is quoted by the court report as saying. I wanted to rob the jewellery store to pay off debt. After the robbery, investigators said, Ye hired a car online to take him from Guangxi to Fuzhou city on the southeast coast, a 14-hour trip. Police spotted Ye through surveillance footage and finally caught up with him in Fuzhou 15 days after the jewellery was taken, the report said. Ye awaits prosecution in Laibin. The report did not state if the jewellery had been recovered. This article Chinese man accused of tunnelling for 8 days in brazen jewellery shop raid first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. The United States said Wednesday it will refuse any post-war reconstruction assistance to Syria if Iran is present, expanding the rationale for US involvement in the conflict. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, speaking to a pro-Israel group, vowed an aggressive push to counter Iran across the Middle East and said that Syria was a decisive battleground. "The onus for expelling Iran from the country falls on the Syrian government, which bears responsibility for its presence there," Pompeo told the Jewish Institute for National Security of America. "If Syria doesn't ensure the total withdrawal of Iranian-backed troops, it will not receive one single dollar from the United States for reconstruction," Pompeo said. Pompeo's speech effectively broadens the official explanation for why the United States is involved in Syria's civil war, which a monitoring group says has killed close to 365,000 people since 2011. Former president Barack Obama authorized military action with the goal of rooting out the Islamic State group, or ISIS, the extremist force that has boasted of a slew of grisly attacks both in Syria and the West. The United States has about 2,000 troops in Syria, primarily to train and advise forces other than ISIS that are waging an increasingly precarious fight to topple President Bashar al-Assad. Pompeo acknowledged that Assad was stronger thanks to Iranian and Russian help and said that, with ISIS "beaten into a shadow of its former self," new priorities had emerged. "Defeating ISIS, which was once our primary focus, continues to be a priority. But it will now be joined by two other mutually reinforcing objectives," Pompeo said. "These include a peaceful political resolution to the Syrian conflict and the removal of all Iranian and Iranian-backed forces from Syria." - Trump hesitant on Syria - The US funding threats are unlikely to make an immediate impact in Syria. Trump, a vocal critic of foreign aid as he promotes an "America First" policy, in August pulled the United States out of Syria's near-term reconstruction, suspending $230 million after Gulf Arab allies made their own pledges. But Pompeo's speech marks a new sign that the United States is not leaving Syria anytime soon after Trump, a onetime critic of foreign interventions, earlier this year mused aloud about withdrawing troops. Trump's national security adviser John Bolton, a longtime hawk on Iran, told reporters last month that US troops would stay "as long as Iranian troops are outside Iranian borders." Iran, ruled by Shiite Muslim clerics, has deployed both troops and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah to prop up Assad, a secular leader who belongs to the Alawite sect and is facing down hardline Sunni Muslim forces. "Iran has seen instability in Syria as a golden opportunity to tip the regional balance of power in its favor," Pompeo said. He warned that Iran, a sworn foe of Israel, would open a new front against the Jewish state if it remained in Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has similarly warned that he will never accept an Iranian presence in Syria. Trump has withdrawn from an international agreement negotiated under Obama through which Iran slashed its sensitive nuclear work in exchange for sanctions relief. Pompeo boasted that Trump has imposed on Iran "some of the harshest sanctions in history." The Trump administration has closely allied itself with both Israel and Saudi Arabia, the Sunni kingdom which sees Iran as its chief rival in the region. Pompeo in his speech did not air any criticism of Saudi Arabia, which has been accused by Turkish government sources of killing a prominent Saudi journalist last week inside its Istanbul consulate. Pompeo also did not demand a withdrawal by Russia, which maintains its only permanent military base outside the former Soviet Union in Syria, a Cold War ally. Bangkok, 11 October 2018: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in conjunction with AirAsia, Bangkok Airways and VietJet Air launch a new campaign Mega Deal to ThailandTravel Is a Big Deal to encourage tourists from ASEAN countries, especially Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos, with special price tickets from the three airlines to pull ASEAN tourists to Thailand in Q4 as well as to strengthen the relationship in ASEAN. Open for reservation from today until 31 December 2018. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) disclosed the increasing number of foreign tourists visiting Thailand by 11% or around 2 million tourists compared to the previous year. The three most visited ASEAN countries to Thailand are Malaysia, the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam totaling over 5,628,156 tourists. It is a group of countries that can facilitate easy travels in a short time and having similarities in culture, food and languages. Mega Deal to ThailandTravel Is a Big Deal is a proactive campaign to stimulate tourism in Thailand. The three airlines have cooperated with TAT to encourage both tourists and businessmen to visit the land of smiles and experience the new shades of Thailand tourism. AirAsia revealed that the airline is pleased to contribute to the growth of Thailand tourism with this new campaign. Thailand is a destination that responds to the lifestyle of everyone, whether a shopper, a foodie, or a cultural and leisure-seeker. This campaign will stimulate travelers especially from ASEAN countries to experience Thailand in more variety, which is in line with this year TATs main campaign Open to the New Shades. Bangkok Airways also pointed out that Thailand is one of the top countries that is regarded as the beautiful destination. Whether Chiang Mai, Krabi or Phuket, it is surrounded by beautiful scenery. In addition, Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, not only offers a great shopping experience and beautiful culture, but it is also a gateway to welcoming international flights operated by Bangkok Airways. It will help boost up the movement of Thai tourism, especially from the ASEAN region. At the same time, the domestic route also has various destinations from the top cities to the secondary cities that TAT has also been promoting this market. This could create a good impact. For This cooperation, VietJet Air regards this campaign as a key strategy for the growth of Thai tourism. All the cities have unique local experiences waiting to be delivered to tourists. VietJet Air is also offering the great deals to travelers from all 6 ASEAN countries and willing to be one of the partners to promote Thailand tourism. Check out your flight to Thailand at Air Asia: https://goo.gl/s2cYtM Book now from 8 14 October 2018 Travel from 8 October 31 December 2018 Bangkok Airways: https://goo.gl/JpWBmf Book now from today 31 December 2018 Travel from today 31 December 2018 Vietjet Air: https://goo.gl/LQ2n2s Book now from today 31 December 2018 Travel from today 31 December 2018 Credit: Wiratchai wansamngam, Shutterstock Is antibiotic resistance signalling the end for modern treatments of udder infections in the dairy industry? Not so fast, according to researchers who are developing breakthrough technology that's effective against all tested bacteria. Antibiotic resistance is increasing dramatically all over the world. As more and more bacteria become resistant to the antibiotics designed to kill them, they render these drugs ineffective, undermining our ability to treat common infectious diseases. Unless urgent action is taken, the World Health Organization foresees us entering a post-antibiotic era where common infections and minor injuries can once again prove fatal. The EU-funded project PanaMast is tackling the problem of antibiotic resistance by focusing on bovine mastitis, a commonly occurring inflammation of the udder affecting dairy cattle worldwide. While mastitis is normally treated using conventional antibiotics, PanaMast is developing the world's first non-antibiotic solution to treat lactating cows. Health and economic benefits of the innovative technology Called long-acting reactive species (LARS), the novel non-antibiotic antimicrobial technology has so far been found to be effective against all tested microorganisms, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). More importantly, it doesn't induce resistance. Highly effective against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, LARS has also demonstrated an excellent safety/low toxicity profile in vivo and in vitro. It can be administered in different ways, including in aerosolised or nebulised form, and its low minimum inhibitory concentrations make it appropriate for a wide range of therapeutic applications. Besides the health advantages it presents, the new treatment also offers significant economic benefits to dairy farmers. With conventional antibiotics, farmers lose milk revenues, since milk from cows undergoing treatment cannot be sold for a period of time during and after treatment. Furthermore, when the antibiotics don't work, infected cows have to be culled. This costs the European and American dairy industries over EUR 3 billion a year. But when infected cows are treated with LARS, milk can potentially be sold both during and after treatment, significantly benefiting farmers and milk producers. In a press release published by project leader Westway Health, CEO Dr. Ruairi Friel explained the company's innovative approach: "The genesis of the idea was knowing that there are other ways to kill bacteria like MRSA. This is done every day around the world using disinfectants for example, or through steam cleaning. What we have been able to develop is a new method of killing bacteria which does not harm living tissue. Our solution is based on a combination of compounds inspired by nature, and if we can develop and scale our solution we believe we can help tackle this global challenge of antibiotic-resistance." By the end of the 24-month project, PanaMast (Progressing a non-antibiotic antimicrobial treatment for Bovine Mastitis towards market PanaMast) intends to have completed the testing of its novel product and have it ready for market implementation (technology readiness level 8). Subject to regulatory approval by the European Medicines Agency, the aim is to have the product available on the market by 2021 or 2022. Explore further Rapid diagnostic test for bovine mastitis on the horizon More information: PanaMast project web page: PanaMast project web page: westwayhealth.com/h2020/ CRISPR-associated protein Cas9 (white) from Staphylococcus aureus based on Protein Database ID 5AXW. Credit: Thomas Splettstoesser (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0) Researchers at Stanford University have reworked CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology to manipulate the genome in three-dimensional space, allowing them to ferry genetic snippets to different locations in a cell's nucleus. The new technique, dubbed CRISPR-genome organization or simply CRISPR-GO, uses a modified CRISPR protein to reorganize the genome in three dimensions. If CRISPR is like molecular scissors, then CRISPR-GO is like molecular tweezers, grabbing specific bits of the genome and plunking them down in new locations of the nucleus. But it's more than just physical relocation: Displacing genetic elements can change how they function. The research sheds new light on how the genome's spatial organization in the nucleus governs the function of the cell overall. "The question of why spatial organization in a cell matters is an important one, and it's also not one that scientists agree on," said Stanley Qi, Ph.D., assistant professor of bioengineering and of chemical and systems biology. "CRISPR-GO could provide an opportunity to answer that question by enabling us to target, move and relocate very specific stretches of DNA, and see how their new placements in the nucleus change how they function." Most mammalian cells contain a nucleus that houses more than 6 feet of DNA, if stretched out in a line. This genetic material determines the fate of the cells and, if out of place or damaged, can lead to disease. Previous studies have shown that DNA tends to clump in certain areas in the nucleus. How that placement affects the DNA's function, however, is still unclear. In the proof-of-principle study, Qi investigated three distinct subregions of the nucleus using CRISPR-GO, testing an overarching hypothesis: Do genes and other genetic elements behave differently in different zones of the nucleus? So far, their data show that specific compartments and some free-floating bodies of proteins in the nucleus can sway the function of repositioned DNA. Depending on where the genetic materials are located, some nuclear regions repress gene expression and some accelerate telomere growth, and subsequently cell division. One protein body may even hold the power to suppress tumor formation. A study detailing this research will be published online Oct. 11 in Cell. Qi is the senior author. Postdoctoral scholar Haifeng Wang, Ph.D., is the lead author. Bridging the gap Demystifying the physical details of the genome has proved to be a tedious task, but there are some existing technologies that allow scientists to peer into cells and see how their guts are physically organized. What's been missing is a way to tamper with this organization. CRISPR-GO is the first to offer researchers a means to do so. By decommissioning the "cutting" mechanism of CRISPR-Cas9, the editing tool becomes more of a delivery system, which Qi used to deliver small stretches of DNA via a programmable guide RNA to a new location in the nucleus. There are three essential parts of CRISPR-GO. First, there's what Qi calls the "address" of the genetic target that you want to relocatea stretch of DNA that's targeted with a complementary strand of binding RNA. Then, you need the destination's addressthe specific portion of DNA in a nuclear compartment to which you want to move the chromatin. Finally, there's the "bridge," which, in this case, is a catalyst that sparks the congealing of the target DNA to its new home in the nucleus. "Kids often like to build little railroads to help trains get from one station to another," said Qi. "It's not so different from what we're doing here." Different room, different function Qi describes the functionalities of the nuclear compartments like the spaces of a house. In every room of your home, you do different thingsin the kitchen, you cook; in the bedroom, you sleep. In the nucleus of a cell, the same concept applies. There are multiple compartments in the nucleus that all have specific roles in upholding cell functionality overall. Qi and his lab investigated three distinct areas of the nucleus, testing whether they could somehow shift the function of chromatin depending on where they moved it. By using CRISPR-GO, the researchers observed that genes relocated to a part of the nucleus called the Cajal body, an amorphic and somewhat mysterious blob of proteins and RNA, stopped expressing proteins. "We were super-excited to see this; it's the first time that researchers have evidence to show the Cajal body can have a direct gene-regulation effect, in this case repressing gene expression," Qi said. "It suggests that the Cajal body has some unexpected role in controlling transcription." That could be big, as transcription is an important process that synthesizes the "code" for protein production. When Qi used CRISPR-GO to move the DNA of telomeresthe molecular caps of chromosomes that are associated with longevityfrom the middle to the edge of the nucleus, the telomeres stopped growing, halting the cell cycle and reducing cell viability. The opposite, however, happened when telomeres were moved closer to the Cajal body: They grew and, in doing so, increased cell viability. The third application used CRISPR-GO to form a promyelocytic leukemia body. This glob of proteins is known to suppress pro-tumor genes. By positioning it next to cancer-causing genes in the nucleus, Qi plans to test if it can help curb tumor formation. "Another unique advantage of CRISPR-GO is that we can track the interactions between chromatin DNA and nuclear compartments in real time under a microscope," Wang said. While the evidence shown by CRISPR-GO is exciting, the research is still in a pilot stage, and there's more work to be done before the findings can be confirmed, Qi said. "We're very excited about the potential here and, while we've answered a couple questions, we've opened up about 20 more," Qi said. It will be even more important to decipher why these location-based effects take place in specific nuclear compartments, and what the underlying cause is, he said. One day, Qi hopes, this line of research will come to bear on human health. Explore further Researchers show that nucleosomes can inhibit CRISPR-Cas9 cleavage efficiency Artist's depiction of a disorder-induced transition to the topological Anderson insulator phase. A river flowing along a straight path is altered by disorder in the underlying landscape. After going through a transition (waterfall), the river forms a closed loop -- a shape with a different topology than that of the initially straight path. In the topological Anderson insulator phase, the trivial band structure of a normal material is transformed into a topologically nontrivial band structure due to disorder and disruptions in the tunnel couplings between lattice sites. The winding number in the topological Anderson insulator phase is distinct from that of the normal case without disorder. Credit: Lachina Creative, copyright Bryce Gadway, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Topological insulators (TIs) host exotic physics that could shed new light on the fundamental laws of nature. What's more, the unusual properties of TIs hold tremendous promise for technological applications, including in quantum computing, next-generation miniaturized data storage, and spintronics. Scientists around the globe are working to understand the microscopic properties of these materials that freely conduct electricity along their edges even though their bulk is an insulator. Now a team of experimental physicists at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have made the first observation of a specific type of TI that's induced by disorder. Professor Bryce Gadway and his graduate students Eric Meier and Alex An used atomic quantum simulation, an experimental technique employing finely tuned lasers and ultracold atoms about a billion times colder than room temperature, to mimic the physical properties of one-dimensional electronic wires with precisely tunable disorder. The system starts with trivial topology just outside the regime of a topological insulator; adding disorder nudges the system into the nontrivial topological phase. This type of topological insulator induced by disorder is called the topological Anderson insulator, named after the noted theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate Philip Anderson, an alumnus of University Laboratory High School on the U of I campus. Surprisingly, while disorder typically inhibits transport and destroys nontrivial topology, in this system it helps to stabilize a topological phase. The observation was made possible through close collaboration with an international team of theoretical physicists at the U of I, at the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), and at the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC) in Spain, who elucidated the quantum physics at work and identified the key signature the experimentalists should look for in the system. Theoretical physicist Pietro Massignan of UPC and ICFO comments, "Intuitively, one would think that disorder should play against conductance. For example, running is easy in an open field, but gets harder and harder as one moves through an increasingly denser forest. But here we show that suitably tailored disorder can actually trigger some peculiar conducting excitations, called topologically protected edge modes." Meier is lead author on the paper. "Interestingly," he adds, "in a 3-D or 2-D topological system, those edge states would be characterized by freely flowing electrons. But in a 1D system like ours, the edge states simply sit there, at either end of the wire. In any TI, the boundary states have the dimensionality of your system minus one. In our 1D topological Anderson insulator, the boundary states are basically just points. While the boundary physics is actually a bit boring in this system, there is rich dynamics going on in the bulk of the system that is directly related to the same topology-this is what we studied." The group's experimental observation validates the concept of topological Anderson insulators that was worked out roughly a decade ago. The topological Anderson insulator phase was first discovered theoretically by J. Li et al. in 2009, and its origin was further explained by C. W. Groth, et al. that same year. Five years later, a pair of works, one by A. Altland et al. and one by the group of Taylor Hughes at the U of I working with the group of Emil Prodan at Yeshiva University, predicted the occurrence of the topological Anderson insulator in one-dimensional wires, as realized in the new experiments from the Gadway group. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Professors of Physics Bryce Gadway (far right) and Taylor Hughes (second from right) pose with graduate students Alex An (left) and Eric Meier, in Gadway's lab at the Loomis Laboratory of Physics. Credit: L. Brian Stauffer, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Gadway emphasizes, "Our taking on this research was really inspired by the 2014 prediction of Taylor Hughes and his graduate student Ian Mondragon-Shem at the U. of I. Taylor was a key collaborator. Likewise, our colleagues in Spain made a tremendous contribution in introducing the concept of mean chiral displacement, which allows to measure the topology directly in the bulk of the material." "Working with Taylor," Gadway adds, "our Spanish colleagues found that the mean chiral displacement is essentially equivalent to the topological invariant of such a one-dimensional system, something called the winding number. This was critical to our being able to take the data on the system and relate what we saw in experiment to the system's topology. This was one project where having a bevy of theorists around was a big help, both for performing the right measurements and for understanding what it all meant." "This is an exciting result in terms of potential applications," Gadway affirms. "This suggests we may be able to find real materials that are almost topological that we could manipulate through doping to imbue them with these topological properties. This is where quantum simulation offers a tremendous advantage over real materialsit's good for seeing physical effects that are very subtle. Our 'designer disorder' is precisely controllable, where in real materials, disorder is as messy as it soundsit's uncontrollable." "Gadway's experimental setup is a theorist's dream," Massignan adds. "It was like playing with LEGO: the model we envisaged could be built step-by-step, in a real laboratory. Every single element of the Hamiltonian we had in mind could be implemented in a very careful way, and changed in real time." ICFO postdoctoral researcher Alexandre Dauphin adds, "This platform is also very promising for studying the effects of both interaction and disorder in topological systems, which could lead to exciting new physics." NSF Program Director Alex Cronin oversees the funding program that supported this experimental effort. He points out the importance of this fundamental research that successfully employs engineered quantum systems to uncover new physics: "Before we get full-scale quantum computers to study a broad range of exotic systems, we already have quantum simulators like this one that are producing results right now. It is exciting to see new discoveries made with quantum simulators like this." These results were published online by the journal Science on Thursday, 11 October, 2018. After submitting their work to the journal, the researchers of this study learned of the parallel observation of this same phenomenon by another research team at the University of Rostock, Germany. "Their team used photonic waveguides to mimic the physical properties of this same kind of system, and they studied properties at the boundary of the system. We used cold atoms and observed bulk properties to get at a really clear visualization of the topology," Gadway states. "These two works were complementary and together they illustrate how diverse physical systems can be controlled and made to exhibit the same kind of interesting phenomena." Explore further Quantum simulation reveals mobility edge in a low-dimensional disordered landscape More information: "Observation of the topological Anderson insulator in disordered atomic wires" Science (2018). Journal information: Science "Observation of the topological Anderson insulator in disordered atomic wires"(2018). science.sciencemag.org/lookup/ 1126/science.aat3406 Supporting collaborative research -- the new OpenMTA launched today enables the open exchange of biological materials. Credit: Phil Robinson A new easy-to-use legal tool that enables open exchange of biological materials is launched today. The OpenMTA is a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) designed to support openness, sharing and innovation in global biotechnology. Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) provide the legal frameworks within which research organisations define terms and conditions for sharing their materialseverything from DNA molecules to plant seeds to patient samples. Use of the OpenMTA allows redistribution and commercial use of materials, while respecting the rights of creators and promoting safe practices. The new standardised framework also eases the administrative burden for technology transfer offices, negating the need to negotiate unique terms for individual transfers of widely-used materials. The OpenMTA launches today with a commentary published in the journal Nature Biotechnology. It provides a new way to exchange materials commonly used in biological research and engineering, complementing existing, more restrictive arrangements. The OpenMTA also promotes access for researchers and individuals working in less privileged institutions and world regions. The agreement was developed through a collaboration, led by the San Francisco-based BioBricks Foundation and the UK-based OpenPlant Synthetic Biology Research Centre, a joint initiative between the University of Cambridge, John Innes Centre and Earlham Institute. The collaboration brought together an international working group of researchers, technology transfer professionals, social scientists, and legal experts to inform the creation of a framework that could improve sharing of biomaterials. The team identified five design goals on which to base the OpenMTA: (i) access, (ii) attribution, (iii) reuse, (iv) redistribution, and (v) non-discrimination. Additional design goals include safety and sharing in an international context. Dr. Linda Kahl, Senior Counsel of Biobricks Foundation, said: "We encourage organisations worldwide to sign the OpenMTA Master Agreement and start using it. In five years' time my ideal is for the OpenMTA to be the default option for the transfer of research materials". "Instead of automatically placing restrictions on materials, people will ask whether restrictions on use and redistribution are appropriate and instead use the OpenMTA to promote sharing and innovation." Professor Jim Haseloff, University of Cambridge, UK, said: "The OpenMTA provides a new pathway for open exchange of DNA componentsthe basic building blocks for new engineering approaches in biology. It is a necessary step towards building a commons, a resource accessible to all, that will underpin and democratise access to future biotechnological advances and sustainable industries." Dr. Nicola Patron, Synthetic Biology Group Leader at the Earlham Institute, said: "We have used the OpenMTA to provide so-called 'DNA parts' developed for our own research to scientists at several international research organisations. We hope that use of the OpenMTA will enable these materials to be shared and reused by plant scientists and biotechnologists everywhere. We believe that easy access to research materials accelerates both fundamental research and the application of scientific research to agriculture, industry and medicine." Dr. Colette Matthewman, Programme Manager for the OpenPlant Synthetic Biology Research Centre, John Innes Centre, Norwich, said: "We hope to see the OpenMTA enable an international flow of non-proprietary tools between academic, government, NGO and industry researchers, to be used, reused and expanded upon to develop new tools and innovations." Drew Endy President of the BioBricks Foundation, and Professor at Stanford University said: "The OpenMTA provides a permissive foundation supporting many communities and interests. It is a critical step forward in enabling all people to benefit from next generation biotechnologies. "To accelerate widespread adoption we encourage universities, corporations, funders, and charities to consider making the OpenMTA their default MTA (http://www.openmta.org)." OpenMTA -- supporting sharing and innovation in global biotechnology. Credit: BioBricks Foundation The new agreement was also welcomed by Dr. Joanne Kamens, Executive Director at Addgene, a leading global charity that helps scientists share plasmids. "Addgene is excited to see this new option becoming available to increase reagent sharing and scientific collaboration. This kind of open exchange drives innovation and accelerates research," she said. Dr. Fernan Federici, an early adopter of the OpenMTA, from the Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago, Chile, said: "The OpenMTA will be particularly useful in Latin America, allowing researchers to redistribute materials imported from overseas sources, reducing shipping costs and waiting times for future local users. We are implementing it in an international project that requires sharing genetic tools among labs in four different continents. We believe, the OpenMTA will support projects based on community-sourced resources and distributed repositories that lead to more fluid collaborations." Explore further Building synthetic plants More information: Linda Kahl et al. Opening options for material transfer, Nature Biotechnology (2018). Journal information: Nature Biotechnology Linda Kahl et al. Opening options for material transfer,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/nbt.4263 Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky This composite image, made from nine frames, shows the International Space Station, with a crew of three onboard, in silhouette as it transits the Sun at roughly five miles per second, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018. Onboard are Commander Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency, Serena Aunon-Chancellor of NASA, and Sergey Prokopyev of Roscosmos. The trio will soon be joined by Nick Hague of NASA and Alexey Ovchinin of Roscosmos, who are scheduled to launch on October 11 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Explore further New crew blasts off for ISS A jury ordered Roundup producer Monsanto to pay Dewayne Johnson $290 million in damages for not warning him that the weed killer might cause cancer A judge on Wednesday was mulling whether to gut a jury order that Monsanto pay $290 million in damages for not warning a groundskeeper that its weed killer product Roundup might cause cancer. In motions filed after the historic August verdict, Monsanto urged the judge to strip away the $250 million punitive portion of the damages, arguing that a new trial was justified. Rival attorneys argued before California state Judge Suzanne Bolanos, who did not say when she would rule on the motions. Jurors unanimously found that Monsanto acted with "malice" and that its weed killers Roundup and the professional grade version RangerPro contributed "substantially" to Dewayne Johnson's terminal illness. The San Francisco jury ordered Monsanto to pay $250 million in punitive damages along with compensatory damages and other costs, bringing the total figure to nearly $290 million. Johnson, a California groundskeeper diagnosed in 2014 with non-Hodgkin's lymphomaa cancer that affects white blood cellssays he repeatedly used a professional form of Roundup while working at a school in Benicia, California. Monsanto attorney George Lombardi argued in court Wednesday that the evidence presented at trial did not support the jury verdict, and that an attorney for Johnson was wrong to urge jurors to teach the company a lesson. Monsanto was fined $290 million in August for not warning a groundskeeper that its weed killer product Roundup might cause cancer "The message it sent to this jury was that you can look beyond what Mr Johnson's case is about and you can go out to things that you think society would like to hear about," Lombardi said in court. Johnson sat nearby as his attorneys countered that jurors came to a lawful verdict based on what was presented at trial, and that Bolanos should deny Monsanto's motions. "We have a jury that got it right and did it right," argued Johnson's attorney, Michael Miller. "We need to respect the jury's verdict." Explore further Monsanto asks judge to throw out $289M award in cancer suit 2018 AFP Researchers at Linkoping University use fruit flies as a model organism to study sex differences in aging. Credit: Karin Soderlund Leifler/Linkoping University The aging of males and females is influenced by how they choose to invest their available energy, according to a study of fruit flies carried out at Linkoping University, Sweden. The results, published in The American Naturalist, support the idea that differences in strategy between the sexes to maximise the number of offspring contribute to differences in aging between males and females. Differences in aging and the length of life between males and females are common in the animal realm. Males often have shorter lifespans than females. A research group at Linkoping University is trying to find out why this is the case. One possibility is that sex differences in aging lead to maximum numbers of offspring that animals produce during life. "The idea is that each individual has a certain amount of resources that can be used for different activities. The individual can either invest more energy into increasing the probability of having as many offspring as possible, here and now, or invest more energy into maintaining the body in good shape, to live longer and continue to have offspring. We wanted to test the theory that the sexes give different priorities to the way they use their resources, and that this contributes to sex differences in aging", says Martin Brengdahl, doctoral student at the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology and principal author of the article describing the study. The strategies used by the sexes for successful reproduction differ. In many species, the possibility for males to father many offspring depends on how well they compete with other males for the available females. It may be a case of winning physical battles, or attracting females in various ways using bright colours or attractive sounds. This evolutionary mechanism that determines the access of a male to females, and in this way his possibility to pass on his genes to the next generation, is known as "sexual selection". The researchers used fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster, to investigate whether sexual selection lies behind sex differences in aging. They wanted to determine whether the two sexes are affected differently when they are in poorer physical condition, in other words, when they have poorer access to nutrients and energy. In particular, they were interested in the ability of the flies to reproduce, and how this ability changes when the flies age, in a process known as "reproductive aging". The flies were allowed to do what they are experts at: eating and mating. However, the researchers had manipulated the genetic material of some of the flies, such that they had many small harmful mutations in their genes. These mutations had a negative influence throughout life, meaning that an individual with such mutations converted food to useful energy slightly less efficiently. Thus, even though all of the flies had access to the same food and could eat equal amounts, the manipulated flies were in poorer physical condition. In order to mate with available females, the aging males were compelled to compete with young males. It turned out, as expected, that males in good physical condition were better at this than those who were in poorer condition, independently of how old they were. The reproductive aging of males, however, decreased at the same rate, independently of whether they were in good or poor physical form. Things were different for females. Early in life, there was no difference between the number of offspring produced by females in good condition, who could use the available resources better, and the number produced by mutated females, who were in poorer condition. The two groups, however, aged at different rates. As the females became older, those who were in good physical form had more offspring than their less fortunate sisters. The results are compatible with the idea that it is access to resources, such as the energy from food, that limits the number of offspring a female can have. "The results show that sexual selection contributes to the differences between the sexes in reproductive aging. This "is" probably because females in good condition, with good access to nutrients, invest the extra resources into maintaining their bodies, such that they can continue to reproduce to a more advanced age. Males, in contrast, seem to invest a great deal of their resources, independent of their condition, into trying to ensure that they achieve successful mating here and now", says Martin Brengdahl. The researchers believe that the result is valid for species other than fruit flies, while there may be differences between species in the way in which aging is influenced when resources are limited. Explore further X chromosome not the reason for sex differences in lifespan More information: Martin Brengdahl et al. Genetic Quality Affects the Rate of Male and Female Reproductive Aging Differently in Drosophila melanogaster, The American Naturalist (2018). Journal information: American Naturalist Martin Brengdahl et al. Genetic Quality Affects the Rate of Male and Female Reproductive Aging Differently in Drosophila melanogaster,(2018). DOI: 10.1086/700117 BioBits kits are designed to be used by students and teachers with no biological training. They use simple, hands-on experiments some using common household fruits to teach concepts of synthetic and molecular biology. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University An affordable children's educational kit is the latest commercial spinoff of research pursued by the U.S. Army to create advanced materials for Soldier systems. A team of researchers funded by the Army created and designed a new resource for science teachers. BioBitTM is an educational platform for teaching synthetic biology to kindergartners through high school. The team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University and Northwestern University recently tested the platform in the Chicago Public Schools where students and teachers helped. The test findings showed that students and teachers performed experiments successfully. The program fills a gap in current science, technology, math and engineering education, said Dr. Dawanne Poree, the Army's lead program manager on this project. "The BioBitTM Explorer kit enables hands-on demonstrations of cutting-edge science that is inexpensive and easy to use, circumventing many current barriers for implementing exploratory biology experiments in classrooms," Poree said. Chicago-area teachers partnered to develop curricula for high school math and middle school science classes, emphasizing the cross-cutting nature and the value of this activity at various educational levels, officials said. U.S. Army-funded research for advanced Soldier systems leads to the development of an affordable children's educational kit commercially available for schools. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University The high cost and specialized equipment required for even the simplest demonstration of synthetic biology tools prevent many K-12 and some undergraduate schools from effectively teaching these methods, Poree said. "If the United States is to continue leading research in synthetic biology in the coming decades, then current students must be encouraged to pursue long term study in this field," Poree said. The kits are commercially available for an $100 to $200 for materials for a classroom of about 30 students. BioBits is based on the latest methods in synthetic biology. They incorporates methods for freeze-drying harmless cellular extracts into pellets that can be packaged and distributed to classrooms. These pellets provide individual experiments that can be activated in the classroom to reveal the power of synthetic biology through pre-designed reactions, said Dr. Michael Jewett, of Northwestern University. These pellets provide individual experiments that can be activated in the classroom to reveal the power of synthetic biology through pre-designed reactions. The kits are based on freeze-dried molecules that, when a DNA template and water are added, produce fluorescent proteins that can be viewed using a simple, handheld device. Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University This platform grew out of prior and ongoing research funded by the Army Research Laboratory's Army Research Office to develop new tools in synthetic biology with the goal of adapting cellular machinery to produce non-biological materials. Specifically, researchers were initially exploring the mechanisms of protein synthesis inside cells with the long term goal of harnessing and adapting cellular machinery to produce non-biological materials. This research involves the development of new methods in synthetic biology that will be required to utilize powerful biological enzymes to create polymers of interest for the Army. Research in synthetic biology will be essential for realizing scientific discoveries in the 21st century such as responsive materials, game-changing chemical, material, and drug manufacturing methods, the detection and elimination of toxic chemicals, and medical applications ranging from the detection and treatment of traumatic brain injury to the development of integrated prosthetics. More information: Ally Huang et al, BioBits Explorer: A modular synthetic biology education kit, Science Advances (2018). Journal information: Science Advances Ally Huang et al, BioBits Explorer: A modular synthetic biology education kit,(2018). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aat5105 Passengers walk on the platform at Mecca train station on October 11, 2018 as Saudi Arabia's new high-speed railway opens Saudi Arabia's new high-speed railway opened to the public on Thursday, whisking Muslim pilgrims and other travellers between Mecca and Medina, Islam's holiest cities. The Haramain High Speed Rail system will transport passengers 450 kilometres (280 miles) via the Red Sea port of Jeddah at speeds of up to 300 kilometres per hour. Two trains, each carrying 417 passengers, departed from Mecca and Medina at 8 am (0500 GMT), according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency. Two daily services are initially planned in each direction, it said. Saudi King Salman on October 25 inaugurated the high-speed railway, which local officials described as the biggest transportation project in the region. The new link will slash the travel time Mecca and Medina from several hours to 120 minutes, transport officials said. The rail project, dogged by several delays, was built at a cost of more than $16 billion, according to Saudi media. In 2011, Saudi Arabia signed a deal for a Spanish consortium to build the rail track, supply 35 high-speed trains and handle a 12-year maintenance contract. Passengers wait at Mecca train station on October 11, 2018 as Saudi Arabia's new high-speed railway opens The kingdom is boosting its infrastructure spending and expanding its railways, including with a $22.5 billion metro system under construction in the capital Riyadh, as it seeks to diversify its oil-dependent economy. The annual hajj pilgrimage, which is to be held in September next year, attracts more than two million Muslims to the Mecca region. Explore further Saudi hackathon seeks high-tech fixes to hajj calamities 2018 AFP Recent evidence of above-average levels of education among genocide perpetrators and terrorists, such as those who carried out the 9/11 attacks, has challenged the consensus among scholars that education has a general pacifying effect. Is it true that more schooling can promote peaceful behavior and reduce civil conflict and other forms of politically-motivated group violence? In a study released online today in Review of Educational Research, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Educational Research Association, three Norwegian researchers attempt to bring clarity to this question by undertaking the first systematic examination of quantitative research on this topic. For their analysis, Gudrun stby, Henrik Urdal, and Kendra Dupuy of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) reviewed the last 20 years' worth of statistical studies-42 published between 1996 and 2016-on the relationship between education and political violence. "Based on our analysis, the evidence very strongly suggests that increasing education levels in the population at all levels of the education system-primary, secondary, and postsecondary-reduces most forms of armed conflict and fosters peace," said stby, a senior researcher at PRIO. "This has important policy implications since, compared to other factors that affect political violence, education is something that almost all governments can do something about through national policy," stby said. The researchers note that while the expansion of postsecondary education has been voiced as a concern-particularly as it relates to recruiting terrorists and promoting low-level protests-the evidence suggests there is little reason that governments should be cautious about rapidly expanding access to education. "Although some evidence suggests that terrorists are often well educated and rarely marginalized, this does not imply that providing education in areas prone to terror will lead to more terrorist violence," said Urdal, director of PRIO. "The higher-than-average education levels among recruits to terrorist organizations are likely to be a selection effect, whereby more educated and thus qualified recruits are chosen over those who are less qualified." "Restricting educational opportunities for young people is not likely to be a productive strategy for governments seeking to curb terrorism," Urdal said. Overall, the researchers found that lack of male education appears to be the strongest predictor of conflict. Systematic inequalities in access to education between religious and ethnic groups also appear to fuel conflict, whether this is caused by grievances among or simply by too few opportunities for young people in the disadvantaged group. Higher levels of gender parity in educational outcomes are also associated with less violence. "While the policy implication of our findings-invest in education-is already pursued as a broader economic development agenda, security arguments may be helpful for generating domestic and international support for education programs," said Dupuy, a senior researcher at PRIO. "There is every reason to keep up the pressure for education expansion, especially at the postsecondary level, and for policymakers to be particularly committed to reducing educational inequalities related to gender, ethnicity, and religion." The researchers note that there is very limited research available on the effects of religious versus secular education, including research on the possible links between curricula and violence. "We were surprised that there was no evidence on the effect of education content or quality on the risk of political violence," said stby. "The lack of such data warrants more attention from future research." The full article can be viewed online here. Explore further Education improves economic rationality, study finds Provided by American Educational Research Association To describe what happens at the big bang, two very different perspectives on the world must be combined into a single unified framework. This is what Thomas Hertog was working on with Stephen Hawking until Hawking died last year. Credit: Shutterstock The multiverse challenges science as we know it, and Hawking wasn't pleased with it. But our journey to the edges of time has since reshaped our vision of the cosmos, and ourselves. When I first met Stephen Hawking in his Cambridge office in 1998 he had mixed feelings about the multiverse the idea that our universe is but one of many. Together, we set out on a quest to gain a deeper understanding of it. Our journey led us to the big bang and the beginning of time, and paved the way for an entirely new vision of the cosmos. The multiverse is a natural, and probably even unavoidable, consequence of a quantum world that is fundamentally governed by uncertainty and chance. But the existence of a multiverse challenges science as we know it and limits what cosmology has to say about our world. Some have even argued the multiverse idea should not be regarded as science at all, since we can't hop from one universe to another to test it. Hawking, stubborn, smart, and above all infinitely passionate about cosmology, disagreed with this. "My goal is simple", he once declared. "It is a complete understanding of the universe. Why it exists, and why it is the way it is." Thus we set out to weave the intuitive idea of the multiverse into a rigorous and testable framework for cosmology. Our journey I had come to Cambridge from Belgium to study theoretical cosmology, and Hawking took me on as his graduate student. Working shoulder to shoulder, for days on end, we gradually found ourselves on the same scientific wavelength. He was a truth seeker, with an insatiable passion for pure scientific inquiry and an incredible joie de vivre. I believe this is what kept him going despite his physical challenges. It's also what made working with him so much funyou never quite knew when the physics ended and the party began. Stephen and I grew close through our intellectual connection and shared joy of discovery. We became soul mates in our mission to get a grip on the multiverse. During the first years of our collaboration, Stephen communicated through his computer by pressing a mouse he held in his hand to direct a cursor on the screen and select the word he wanted from a digital dictionary. This way he would compose sentences at a rate of a few words per minute. When he lost the strength in his hand needed to control the mouse, Stephen switched to moving the cursor on the screen by activating a motion sensor mounted on his glasses with his cheek. And when this too became difficult, I would position myself in front of Stephen, clearly in his field of vision, and probe his mind by firing questions. Stephen's eyes would light up brightly when my arguments resonated with his intuition. We would build on this, navigating and exploiting the common language and the mutual understanding we had developed over the years. Exploring the edges of the universe Our search for a deeper understanding of the underlying architecture of the cosmos led us to the most extreme realms of our universe at the edge of time: At the end of time deep inside black holes, and the beginning of time at the Big Bang. What happens at the edges of the world, when time ceases to be meaningful, and Einstein's theory of gravity breaks down? "My goal is simple," Stephen Hawking declared. "It is a complete understanding of the universe. Why it exists, and why it is the way it is." Credit: Shutterstock Are the physical conditions at the universe's origin anchored within the realm of the natural sciences, encoding the overall evolution of the universe that emerges? Why does the universe bother to exist at all? Quantum theory predicts a multiverse At our universe's origin, the macroscopic world dominated by gravity and described by Einstein's warping of space-time merges with the microscopic world of particles, ruled by quantum theory. To describe what happens at the Big Bang, these two very different perspectives on the world must be combined into a single unified framework. But quantum theory predicts probabilities for different outcomes. In the quantum theory of particles these could be probabilities to find a particle in one place or another. Applied to cosmology, however, the outcome is an entire universe! So, any quantum theory of the Big Bang will thus predict a variety of different universes, each with its own evolution. Together these form a multiverse, a superposition of many worlds, existing in parallel. The hologram at the beginning of time Drawing on new developments in string theory, Stephen and I developed such a quantum model of the Big Bang. String theory predicts that our universe is fundamentally a hologram that reveals itself only in the most extreme conditions, such as those at the Big Bang. This is a bit abstract, but a hologram is a kind of change of dimension in which all information in a volume of space is projected and encoded on a surface. We used the notion of holography, developed in string theory, to project out the dimension of time in the earliest stages of evolution of our universe, and to describe these in an entirely timeless fashion. In doing so our theory avoids the breakdown of Einstein's theory of relativity at the Big Bang, because we lose any notion of time on our way towards it. In control of the multiverse Shortly before his passing I sensed Stephen strongly felt holography gave us the grip on the multiverse he had always searched for. We are certainly not down to a unique universe, but our description of the Big Bang as a hologram implies a significant reduction of the multiverse, down to an ensemble of universes which evolve in a way similar to ours. With characteristic and unmitigated enthusiasm, Stephen declared we were at last in control of the multiverse and he liked being in control. Perhaps we are. But much more research is needed to decode the hologram at the beginning of time to fully apprehend the new view of the universe that it conceals. This story is republished courtesy of ScienceNordic, the trusted source for English-language science news from the Nordic countries. Read the original story here. Credit: CC0 Public Domain MIT Sloan applied economics professor Tavneet Suri wishes for the day when data sets are as readily available in developing countries as they are in the United States. In an effort to help that disparity, she's been researching the link between mobile banking apps and poverty levels in Kenya. Why data tracking is important to your work "I think the sad thing is in emerging markets in developing countriesat least the ones I worked in Africadata is so sparse. When I started my Ph.D. it was very clear that I wasn't going to be able to take a data set off the shelf. It doesn't exist. Whatever you want to study, it doesn't exist. And I always envy people who work on the U.S. because it's like, 'oh, go find this data set, apply for it.' And I'm like wow, what would the world be like if there were a hundred data sets on different things? "I think my wish list would be, everybody who's doing this, put your data out and make it public." Data that matters When mobile banking reached Africa, Suri watched what happened to the financial resilience of Kenyan citizens. Thanks to the ease of sending and receiving money by phone, friends and family could more quickly help someone who needed financial help. "After we did this resilience piece we waited a few years and went back in 2014 to say 'OK, the product's been around for six, seven years. What's the longer term effect it has over those periods?' "We found that it reduced poverty by 2 percentage points in Kenya. This was approximately 190,000 households moved out of extreme poverty as a result. And then we see that these effects are slightly bigger for the female-headed households. Then we also looked within the household and we see that one of the ways this is happening is that women were switching occupations. They were moving out of agriculture into more business-retail. I don't mean 'starting Apple' business. I mean, a little bit of retail. Instead of just growing your vegetables for your own consumption, taking them to the market and setting up a stall and selling, that sort of small-scale business." What should you focus on in the future? "What's next is a bunch of work with actually private-sector players in the market. So with the telcos, and with the banks, trying to think about how do you build the right set of digital products that will help poor people. And what sorts of digital products do you want and how do you build them in the way that creates a lot of impact for people but also preserves the fact that you might need to make some money at the end of the day. "The way the private sector seems to be able to scale in emerging markets is really striking. Every household in Kenya has an account on mobile money now. It would have been very hard for an NGO to try and go door-to-door to get everybody to do this." Explore further Mobile money access lifted two percent of Kenyan households out of poverty: study Credit: CC0 Public Domain Researchers at the University of East Anglia have joined forces with Norfolk and Suffolk Wildlife Trusts to investigate the cause of mysterious hare deaths in the region. Over the past month, landowners, farmers and members of the public have reported sightings of obviously sick and dead hares. Members of the public are now being urged to photograph sick and dying hares and share their sightings with Dr. Diana Bell, from UEA's School of Biological Sciences. Dr. Bell has recently been studying the impacts of diseases on rabbit populations, including myxomatosis and strains of hemorrhagic disease. Dr. Bell said: "Both Suffolk Wildlife Trust and I have been told about hares that have been found either dying or already dead at different sites around the county. "The death of any animal is obviously distressing but we're asking people to try and photograph these hares to help us understand what is happening. "Getting good images of the bodies of these hares, along with their exact location, is crucial for us to rule out or identify possible diseases." East Anglia is a stronghold for brown hare, which have experienced a national decline of more than 80 per cent in the past 100 years and are almost entirely absent from the south west of the country. One of the issues facing the species is an intensification of agriculture, which has limited their supply of food and habitat. There is also no closed season for hares, which means that they can be shot legally at any time of the year including during breeding season. Illegal hare coursing is also still prevalent. Hares can be distinguished from rabbits in a number of ways. Hares are larger than rabbits, with longer hind legs and black-tipped ears that are as least as long as their heads. Ben McFarland, Head of Conservation at Suffolk Wildlife Trust, said: "The reports of hare deaths are obviously of great concern, especially considering the importance of the populations in this region. "We are monitoring all sites closely and asking anyone who sees an animal that is dead or unwell to get in touch." Have you seen a sick or dead hare? Please send a photograph of the hare (including its head and bottom), and details of its location, to Dr. Bell by emailing d.bell@uea.ac.uk. Explore further Severe declines of mountain hares on Scottish grouse moors Mexican immigrants to the United States, such as these farmworkers, are assumed by many white Americans to be in the country illegally, regardless of their documentation. Credit: Shutterstock Fueled by political rhetoric evoking dangerous criminal immigrants, many white Americans assume low-status immigrants from Mexico, El Salvador, Syria, Somalia and other countries President Donald Trump labeled "shithole" nations have no legal right to be in the United States, new research in the journal American Sociological Review suggests. In the eyes of many white Americans, just knowing an immigrant's national origin is enough to believe they are probably undocumented, said Ariela Schachter, study co-author and assistant professor of sociology in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. "Our study demonstrates that the white American public has these shared, often factually incorrect, stereotypes about who undocumented immigrants are," Schachter said. "And this is dangerous because individuals who fit this 'profile' likely face additional poor treatment and discrimination because of suspicions of their illegality, regardless of their actual documentation." Findings suggest that the mere perception of illegal status may be enough to place legal immigrants, and even U.S. citizens, at greater risk for discrimination in housing and hiring, for criminal profiling and arrest by law enforcement, and for public harassment and hate crimes in the communities they now call home. "When people form impressions about who they think is 'illegal,' they often do not have access to individuals' actual documents. There have actually been a number of recent incidents in which legal immigrants and even U.S. born Americans are confronted by immigration authorities about their status. So these judgments seem to be based on social stereotypes. Our goal was to systematically uncover them," said study co-author Rene D. Flores, the Neubauer Family Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Chicago. From a broader sociological perspective, Schachter and Flores argue that an immigrant's real standing in American society is shaped not just by legal documentation, but also by social perceptions. "These findings reveal a new source of ethnic-based inequalities'social illegality'that may potentially increase law enforcement scrutiny and influence the decisions of hiring managers, landlords, teachers and other members of the public," they conclude in the research. Conducted in November 2017, the experimental survey asked a representative sample of 1,500 non-Hispanic white Americans to guess whether a hypothetical immigrant was in the country illegallyand perhaps a threat worth reporting to authoritiesbased on the reading of a brief biographical sketch. By systematically varying the immigrant's nation of origin, education level, language skills, police record, gender, age, race and other variables, researchers created a pool of nearly 7 million unique immigrant sketches that touched on a range of stereotypes. Each respondent was randomly assigned to view 10 of these unique sketches during the survey. Bar chart shows percentage of White Americans who suspected an immigrant was illegal based on biographical details shown. Source: Who are the Illegals? The Social Construction of Illegality in the United States; Rene D. Flores, Ariela Schachter, American Sociological Review 2018 Using complex statistical analysis, researchers estimated how much each of these individual immigrant traits and stereotypes influenced the assumptions of white Americans from various demographic backgrounds, geographic regions and self-identified political affiliations. Surprisingly, the study found that white Republicans and white Democrats jump to many of the same conclusions about the legal status of hypothetical immigrantsexcept when it comes to the receipt of government benefits. Democrats rightfully recognize that in order to receive government benefits, immigrants must have legal documentation, whereas Republicans are more likely to suspect that receiving benefits marks an immigrant as illegal, even though by law undocumented immigrants are blocked from receiving federal benefits such as welfare. Most tellingly, even the slightest hint of an immigrant with a criminal background has a huge effect on whether a white American suspects that the immigrant is in the country illegally. "Saying an immigrant committed a crime had a larger impact on suspicions of illegality than saying they were, say, Mexican," Schachter said. "This is true for both white Democrats and white Republicans. There's a clear implication that the Trump administration's rhetoric on immigrant criminality is driving these beliefs, which, again, are not based in reality. In fact, other research finds that undocumented immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans." The study also demonstrates significant differences in how immigrants from various countries and differing social statuses are likely to be treated in the United States. It found that white Americans seldom suspect European and Asian immigrants of being in the country illegally, even though undocumented immigrants from these regions now constitute almost 20 percent of the nation's undocumented immigrant population of about 11 million. The study categorizes these immigrants as experiencing "invisible illegality" because their status is so rarely questioned. Immigrants from Syria, Somalia and other nations denigrated by the Trump Administration during the "Muslim Ban" controversy also face higher suspicions of illegality, even though most have a documented legal right to be in the country based on refugee status. Likewise, the study found immigrants from violence-torn El Salvador, many of whom have been granted the right to remain in the United States on a temporary basis, are significantly more likely to be suspected of illegality and reported to authorities, as compared to immigrants from Canada or Italy. Explore further Undocumented immigrants least likely to see a doctor, but still healthier than other populations More information: Rene D. Flores et al. Who are the "Illegals"? The Social Construction of Illegality in the United States, American Sociological Review (2018). Journal information: American Sociological Review Rene D. Flores et al. Who are the "Illegals"? The Social Construction of Illegality in the United States,(2018). DOI: 10.1177/0003122418794635 7 hours ago Stocks wobble on Wall Street ahead of retailer earnings Stocks wobbled in afternoon trading on Wall Street Monday as the market comes off its first weekly loss in six weeks and investors move past the recent round of mostly solid corporate earnings. The S&P 500 was mostly unchanged as of 3:04 p.m. Read Article Blog Archive November (1) October (2) September (2) August (3) July (3) June (3) May (2) April (2) March (3) February (2) January (2) December (2) November (2) October (2) September (3) August (3) July (4) June (4) May (5) April (4) March (4) February (4) January (4) December (4) November (6) October (2) September (3) August (2) July (10) June (3) May (2) April (8) March (5) February (3) January (4) December (4) November (5) October (5) September (4) August (7) June (4) May (4) April (2) March (5) February (2) January (4) December (3) November (4) October (4) September (3) August (4) July (4) June (5) May (3) April (3) March (4) February (5) January (5) December (2) November (3) October (4) September (4) August (4) July (4) June (5) May (4) April (4) March (5) February (4) January (4) December (5) November (4) October (4) September (4) August (4) July (4) June (4) May (3) April (4) March (3) February (4) January (2) December (5) November (5) October (8) September (7) August (7) July (8) June (8) May (5) April (7) March (6) February (2) January (4) December (3) November (7) October (3) September (3) August (4) July (5) June (8) May (7) April (7) March (5) February (6) January (8) December (6) November (5) October (7) September (4) August (7) July (7) June (6) May (8) April (10) March (12) February (3) January (8) December (9) November (7) October (7) September (8) August (9) July (5) June (7) May (4) April (4) March (5) February (8) January (6) December (5) November (5) October (5) September (2) August (2) July (3) June (2) May (5) April (1) March (3) February (4) January (1) December (3) November (3) October (3) September (2) August (2) July (2) June (4) May (4) April (4) March (4) February (4) January (3) December (5) November (5) October (4) Malaysia was once an Asian tiger, but has now become a small kitten due to problems left behind by the previous administration, according to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir. He further revealed that the new government would have to consider certain steps to pay off the inherited national debt, including the introduction of new taxes. Dr Mahathir acknowledged that bringing in new taxes would be an unpopular move. I dont think that is something welcomed by the people, but we may have to devise new taxes in order to have the money to pay our debts, he said. Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said that members of the public should expect new tax measures to be announced during the tabling of the upcoming Budget 2019 on 2 November. Another way in which the Malaysian government could raise funds is to sell off some of its assets, such as land. Dr Mahathir said that the previous government had done this, but the land was sold to foreigners. I dont think that would be good for us, but we can still send land to locals so that they can develop the housing projects and settlements that they believe will give them returns, he said. In the meantime, Dr Mahathir highlighted on the necessity of growing the Malaysian economy, which would allow the countrys debt to appear smaller in comparison to its GDP. For this purpose, we have invited investors, he said. During my recent trip to the UK and US, I met a lot of big companies interested in investing in Malaysia, and I believe in time they will come and their investment will contribute to the growth of Malaysia. These statements were made at the Pakatan Harapan governments first investor conference on 9 October, themed Malaysia: A New Dawn. It was attended by over 1,200 institutional investors from 10 countries, including Hong Kong, Japan, the UK, and the US. It is hoped that with forums like this, people can give ideas to the government and that the government can implement some of those ideas, said Dr Mahathir. I am sure that this country will again grow to become yet another tiger. (Source: Free Malaysia Today, The Star) 0 0 votes Article Rating SHARE Malaysia Airlines has launched MHexplorer, a student travel programme that offers great money-saving privileges. The programme is open to students between the ages of 18 and 26 years old and is completely free of charge. Among the benefits you get as a MHexplorer member are: Additional 10kg of check-in baggage Up to 20% flight discounts all year round (Malaysia, Australia, UK) 1x complimentary flight date change 4x special offers annually for friends and family The cheaper fares under MHexplorer are only available for Malaysia Airlines outbound flights departing from Malaysia, Australia, and the UK only. Australia and the UK are two of the most popular overseas study destinations among Malaysian students and clearly, this programme would benefit Malaysian students studying there the most. And if youre one of those international students who will try to bring their entire arsenal of belongings overseas, youll appreciate having an extra 10 kg of luggage so you can include your rice cooker, instant noodle packets, and extra pair of shoes in your packing list. To view the discounted fares, you have to be a MHexplorer member and access the flights through the MHexplorer site. Any bookings made through this programme will be classified under the student passenger type. You can enrol for the MHexplorer programme by logging in with your Enrich member ID and uploading a copy of your student card. Applications will be processed within two working days and Malaysia Airlines reserves the right to approve or decline your application. Since your MHexplorer membership is linked to your Enrich ID, you will also receive benefits of the Enrich frequent flyer programme, earning you air miles that can be redeemed for flights in the future. If you dont already have an Enrich membership, its pretty easy to sign up all you need to do is fill out your details and youll even be rewarded with some Welcome Miles for registering. An Enrich membership is also free of charge. So, if youre a student between the ages of 18 to 26, you dont have anything to lose head on over to the MHexplorer website to get those travel benefits now. 0 0 votes Article Rating SHARE Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Jacqueline Martinez Garcel is CEO of the Latino Community Foundation in San Francisco. Arturo Vargas is CEO of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund based in Los Angeles. Maricela Rodriguez is senior communications program manager of The California Endowment. " " Artist's conception of the long-sought-after distant solar system Planet X (aka Planet Nine), which could be shaping the orbits of smaller extremely distant outer solar system objects like 2015 TG387 (aka "The Goblin") Roberto Molar Candanosa and Scott Sheppard, courtesy of Carnegie Institution for Science Deep in the most distant reaches of the solar system, astronomers have discovered a small world with an astonishingly long orbit around our sun. The world has been nicknamed "The Goblin," and its discovery could lead us to find another, more monstrous world that's steeped in mystery and intrigue: the fabled Planet X. The discovery of The Goblin, a small dwarf planet officially called 2015 TG387, has been tracked by telescopes since 2015, and astronomers have now determined just how extreme its orbit is. It's currently located about 80 AU from the sun (where one AU, or astronomical unit, is the average distance at which Earth orbits the sun) or nearly 2.5 times farther away than Pluto. At the farthest point in its highly elongated 40,000-year orbit, TG387 reaches a whopping 2,300 AU (over 200 billion miles or over 340 billion kilometers) away. "We think there could be thousands of small bodies like 2015 TG387 out on the solar system's fringes, but their distance makes finding them very difficult," said David Tholen, of the University of Hawaii and co-investigator of the new study submitted for publication in The Astronomical Journal. "Currently we would only detect 2015 TG387 when it is near its closest approach to the sun. For some 99 percent of its 40,000-year orbit, it would be too faint to see." A handful of objects like TG387 are known, and they are thought to be a part of a population of icy worlds that populate the Inner Oort Cloud. However, TG387 has the most extreme orbit that doesn't take it anywhere near the gravities of the planets of the solar system. In other words, its orbit isn't influenced by planets like massive Jupiter. But it appears the 300-kilometer (186-mile) wide dwarf planet isn't immune from being pushed around. Something is out there, in the dark, mysteriously shepherding The Goblin's sluggish stroll around the sun. Advertisement Enter Planet X For many years, planet-hunting astronomers have been searching for something large lurking in deep space a hypothetical planet that could be 10 times the mass of Earth and approximately the size of the ice giants Uranus or Neptune. The problem is that it orbits so far away that it's extremely hard to find in the vast expanse of space, but a planet of that size should leave some forensic evidence of its presence in the gravity it exerts on other objects in its deep space domain. In January 2015, Caltech astronomers Konstantin Batygin and Mike Brown announced that they had found that evidence imprinted in the orbits of five small objects in the distant hinterlands of our planetary system. These objects are apparently being corralled, like cattle being guided toward an enclosure, by an unknown gravitational force independent from the known planets that orbit the sun. This gravitational corralling could be the evidence for Planet X called unofficially "Planet 9" by Batygin and Brown that astronomers have been looking for all along. And the discovery of TG387 has reinforced this theory. "These distant objects are like breadcrumbs leading us to Planet X. The more of them we can find, the better we can understand the outer solar system and the possible planet that we think is shaping their orbits a discovery that would redefine our knowledge of the solar system's evolution," said study co-author Scott Sheppard, of the Carnegie Institution for Science, in a statement. After collecting years of observational data, the researchers ran computer simulations for how different Planet X orbits would impact the motion of TG387. One simulation showed that a large, super-Earth-like planet with a highly eccentric (elongated) orbit at a distance of several hundred AU could be the phantom culprit, a scenario that closely resembles the hypothetical orbit of Batygin and Brown's Planet Nine. " " A comparison of 2015 TG387 at 65 AU with the solar system's known planets. Saturn can be seen at 10 AU and Earth is, of course, at 1 AU, as the measurement is defined as the distance between the sun and our home planet. Roberto Molar Candanosa and Scott Sheppard, courtesy of Carnegie Institution for Science Interestingly, this gravitational shepherding has forced this group of small objects into similar, stable orbits that keep them far enough away from the hypothetical planet's orbit. According to the researchers, this is similar to Pluto; although the dwarf planet crosses Neptune's orbit, Pluto keeps a healthy distance from Neptune to avoid a collision or being flung out of its stable orbit. "What makes this result really interesting is that Planet X seems to affect 2015 TG387 the same way as all the other extremely distant solar system objects. These simulations do not prove that there's another massive planet in our solar system, but they are further evidence that something big could be out there," said researcher Chad Trujillo, of Northern Arizona University. Advertisement Planet X: A Long History The search for Planet X is steeped in a rich history of scientific curiosity. Originally, the hunt for Planet X was centered around the search for what turned out to be Pluto. In fact, the story begins a little before that. In 1843, British astronomer John Couch Adams studied the orbital perturbations of Uranus and calculated that the gravity of another, undiscovered planet must be the culprit. Sure enough, this was the forensic evidence of gravitational interference that led to the discovery of Neptune. This method of planetary discovery has been used on multiple occasions and, over time, astronomers reported strange perturbations in Neptune's orbit, inspiring astronomers to hunt down a mysterious world that was nicknamed Planet X. " " This is the image HowStuffWorks first came up with when Caltech astronomers announced they'd found evidence of Planet Nine, aka Planet X. Caltech/R. Hurt/HowStuffWorks In 1930, after painstakingly surveying astronomical plates, astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovered a planet and it was assumed that the hunt for Planet X was complete. Planet X was Pluto! Alas, as the years went on, astronomers realized that Pluto was too tiny to explain perturbations in any large planet's orbit. In fact, Pluto was deemed so tiny that it was demoted (controversially) from its planetary status in 2006, creating a whole new subclass of dwarf planets. So, although the search for Planet X resulted in the discovery of Pluto, it wasn't the Planet X astronomers were hoping for. Other clues to the presence of a massive planet in the outer realms of the solar system have since come to light, including strange features in the Kuiper Belt (a region around Pluto's orbit that contains countless tiny worlds that are greatly influenced by the gravities of the solar system's planets), but the strongest clues are now coming from even farther afield, far past Pluto and the Kuiper Belt and into a region that pushes the limits of our observational abilities. Now That's Interesting Planet X was also a favorite for doomsday theorists who claimed it would rampage through the inner solar system causing all kinds of chaos and terror when the Mayan calendar "ended" on Dec. 21, 2012. It seems that the reality of Planet X is a lot less scary. Liyana documents the inspiring story of a young girl in rural Swaziland, whose parents die from AIDS, and whose little twin brothers are stolen by child traffickers after she and her frail grandmother are assaulted and abused. Liyana must then set out, against all the odds but with her loyal white bull by her side, to find her brothers and save them from men and monsters. If this sounds closer to fiction than documentary then you are not entirely wrong, but where that dividing line actually lies is decidedly unclear. Liyana, the girl, is the fictional creation of a group of young Swazi orphans. These children are guided through the creative process by Gcina Mhlophe, a South African icon of storytelling, who uses her craft to help traumatized children process their past, and awaken to their potential. Liyana, the documentary, is brought to life through a combination of charismatic narration by the children themselves, mesmerizing animation by Nigerian-born artist Shofela Coker, and live footage from the the children's lives shot by directors Aaron and Amanda Kopp. Though Liyana is fictional, she is undeniably grounded in the experiences of these children, themselves orphans (Swaziland has a 25% HIV infection rate) and survivors of violence. The journey they take her on reveals to us something of the heartbreaking trials already encountered in their short lives, and reveals to them their own capacity to transcend those tribulations. Even more importantly, it awakens in them a power to determine their own lives; to create the story they want their lives to tell, defined by their dreams for the future and not their nightmares of the past. Liyana is heart-wrenching without being traumatizing, empowering without being heavy-handed, and altogether gorgeous and surprising and satisfying; the film enjoyed a successful festival run. (It took home Best Documentary honors when it premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival in June 2017, and has also won for Artistic Bravery at the Durban International Film Festival.) The latter award in particular speaks to the creative novelty at the heart of Liyana. This is a fundamentally collaborative film-making endeavor, hinging in equal parts on the childrens creative guide Mhlophe, their own creativity and vulnerability, the gorgeous animation by Coker, and the Kopps who directed, and whose deep roots in Swaziland sewed the seeds of this beautiful endeavor. As a documentary about the age-old power of storytelling, Liyana sits comfortably alongside the best in the canon of this sub-genre, but I have to say that I think this film offers something even more, and not just because of its hybrid medium and collective creation. Liyana elevates the power of storytelling beyond the symbolic and abstract, to become something profoundly tangible; there is a visceral weight to the story composed by these children, and to its significance in their lives. Liyana is as real as their potential, and as the lives they will all go on to lead. I left this film feeling similarly empowered, despite the incomprehensible distance between my life experiences and theirs. We dont just all have stories to tell, or to learn from; we are stories, and the power to author our own lives is something we all need reminding of from time to time. Liyana will remind you, and charm and inspire you in the process. NAIROBI (Reuters) - Two Kenyan teachers were killed when suspected al Shabaab militants threw an explosive device at a house at a school in Mandera county near the Somali border, police said. Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack overnight. "Last night we killed two non-Muslim Kenyan teachers after we attacked their school in Arabow village of Mandera county", Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaabs military operations spokesman, told Reuters on Wednesday. The teachers were killed in a fire caused by the explosion in the attack at Arabia Boys Secondary School, police said on Twitter. Police reservists guarding the school "engaged the attackers who then fled as more reinforcements were mobilised", police said. The al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab aims to topple Somalia's U.N.-backed government and impose its own strict interpretation of Islam. They have intensified attacks in Kenya since it sent troops into Somalia in 2011. (Reporting by Humphrey Malalo in Nairobi and Feisal Omar in Mogadishu; Writing by Clement Uwiringiyimana and Maggie Fick; Editing by Alison Williams) Bristol University has seen a series of tragic suicides within the last year (Getty Images) Bristol University is introducing full-time mental health staff in all halls of residence, following a series of suicides in the student population. Since 2016, 11 students have died as a result of suicide at the university. In a message released on World Mental Health Day, Professor Hugh Brady, Bristols Vice-Chancellor and President, laid out a series of measures to tackle the crisis in mental health. These include: an opt-in service where students can allow the university to contact a nominated third party about concerns regarding their mental health introducing full-time professional staff in all halls of residence to help identify and support vulnerable students introducing similar trained staff in all academic departments to work with tutors improving GP and counselling services to ensure same-day treatment is available where required a new curriculum initiative focusing on wellbeing and resilience, available to all students English student Ben Murray died as a result of suicide in May The father of Ben Murray, who died as a result of suicide in May this year, has been campaigning for a change in the law so that parents of struggling students can be told about concerns regarding their mental health. His father James Murray said: Having gone through all the different moments when we could have intervened to save our sons life, its absolute nonsense that you would look at an issue and say: Youre an adult therefore data privacy applies. Data privacy that may cause the vulnerable to lose their lives makes no sense at all. Announcing the measures, Professor Brady said today: As the new academic year commences, the wellbeing of our students remains firmly at the forefront of all our minds following a number of student deaths by suicide over the past two years. Every student death is a tragedy in its own right. To have a number in quick succession tears at the very heart of our University and our thoughts remain with their families and friends. READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK Pope Francis says abortion is like hiring a hitman to solve a problem This is now the worlds most powerful passport for travel freedom University pulls Brexit debate because there were no women on the panel Two Britons killed in taxi among nine dead in Majorca flash floods Christian bakers win Supreme Court ruling that they discriminated against Support Gay Marriage cake Story continues Throughout the last two years, we have often found ourselves in the national spotlight when it comes to student wellbeing because of a number of tragic student deaths by suicide. At times we have felt like a lightning rod for this issue which sadly affects all UK universities and the wider community. As young people are especially vulnerable to suicide coverage we take the reporting of it very seriously. Significant guidelines have been developed for media around the reporting of these issues, from agencies such as the Samaritans, and we work hard to be sensitive towards those involved. The move comes on the day Theresa May announced the appointment of the UKs first suicide prevention minister. Jackie Doyle-Price will be tasked with tackling the stigma that surrounds suicide. The Prime Minister also pledged 1.8 million to fund the Samaritans helpline for the next four years. With the academe, government, private sector and community all involved, almost 52,000 public high school students and 1,781 of their teachers will be able to use 21st century learning tools as they study Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The days of learning calculus and physics with Manila paper and chalk are over for these students. On September 25,2018 during an awarding ceremony held in the iconic Plaza Aurora in Laoag City, Caltex Fuel Your School (FYS) turned over PHP3 million worth of 21 st century learning tools to the 30 highest-need public high schools in Ilocos and Cordillera regions. From June 1 to July 31, 2018, the students and teachers worked the hardest in promoting Caltex FYS to people online and to their communities; they liked, shared, and promoted the program. During this period, each fuel up was matched by Caltex and branded marketer, Northern Star, with a PHP1 donation. Twenty-six Caltex stations in Ilocos and Cordilleras participated. The community promotions included flash mobs, motorcades, and flyering. By the end of July, the target of PHP3 million in total donations was reached, enough to provide PHP100,000 worth of modern teaching and learning equipment to each of the 30 public high schools selected by the Department of Education (DepEd). The students generated most of the buzz and this unique participative approach to social investment, where the recipients have high buy-in, enabled Caltex to run FYS in different locations in the country for the past four years, namely the National Capital Region, Davao, Bicol and, now, provinces in Northwestern Luzon. A total of PHP14 million in STEM learning equipment was donated by Caltex which is currently helping 4,781 public high school teachers and 1.477 million students better teach and learn STEM, respectively. STEM education is important in a countrys competitiveness. The Philippines needs more mathematicians, engineers, and scientists for its long-term growth prospects. With the new equipment provided by Caltex FYS, more students will find STEM interesting and pursue careers in STEM. Story continues Northern Star Chief Operating Officer Juan Miguel Delgado said, We are a company that values learning and quality education. As part of the downstream energy sector, we rely on a broad range of STEM professionals, from engineers to accountants to help grow our business. It was a good learning experience to help raise the quality of education of our nations future problem-solvers, innovators and inventors that also contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals target to build and upgrade education facilities wherein Northern Star proudly provides solutions. Moreover, our network of Caltex retailers readily provided assistance to the project to support the participating high schools in the areas where we operate. Northern Star and Caltex executives turned over laptops, multimedia projectors, calculators, digital microscopes, laboratory equipment and even robotics sets during the awarding event. In early May, Caltex and Northern Star invited public high school teachers to submit STEM projects. These teachers are from the 30 highest-need public high schools in the region selected by DepEd. It was inspiring to see the high interest in STEM among the teachers through the innovative projects that they submitted. This shows that our teachers do not lack the necessary skills or knowledge to bring the wonders of STEM to their students; however, due to the high cost of such specialized equipment, much effective demonstrations and characterizations are unmet. Caltex and Northern Star seek to fill this gap in resources for STEM education and bring greater STEM awareness among the public, added Delgado. One of the most active high schools that campaigned for Caltex FYS was Ilocos Norte Agricultural College (INAC) in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte. The online campaign, flash mobs, and flyering they did bore fruit when the school received their much need learning tools in August. Teacher Hazel Bareng, INAC math adviser, said, Caltex Fuel Your School is a big help not just to students but also to us teachers. By acquiring modern learning equipment, we can now provide every student a hands-on learning experience. Teacher Hazels students now have enough scientific calculators and a multimedia system to unlock the wonders of math. They can use the new 65-inch LED TV, laptop, and projector when tackling complex subject matters such as graphing and GeoGebra. Previously, the students had to huddle around and take turns using a single scientific calculator. Northern Star leveraged its 26 Caltex stations in Ilocos and Cordillera regions and donated PHP1.5 million directly to Caltex FYS. All the selected 30 public high schools have already received their educational equipment. Some schools received their new equipment as early as August and are being put to good use by the students. Keithlyn Manayan, grade 12 student of INAC, said, With the new equipment, we are excited to go to classes and study STEM. We dont have to waste time taking turns and the lessons have come to life with the videos explaining topics like GeoGebra. We are learning better and faster than we previously did with chalk and Manila paper. We are eager and confident to prove ourselves with the education that we are getting now. Special awards were given to top performing high schools which will receive additional laptops each. Narvacan National High School bagged the award for the school with the most post likes, La Union National High School gets the award with the most Caltex fans, and Abra National High School topped the school with the most fuel ups. Caltex Fuel Your School enables us to contribute in the development of the education sector by making modern learning equipment available to STEM students in Northern Luzon. We support the governments vision of improving the countrys quality of education for us to produce more competitive leaders, particularly in the fields of STEM, said Louie Zhang, country chairman of Chevron Philippines Inc. Since its Philippine launch in 2015, Caltex FYS has funded almost 120 classroom projects at 118 public high schools in Manila, Davao, Bicol and Ilocos Region. Caltex Fuel Your School was recognized by different award-giving bodies such as the Silver and Gold Anvil Awards from Public Relations Society of the Philippines, a merit recognition from the coveted Quill Awards, and the American Chamber of Commerce CSR Excellence Awards. Caltex FYS beneficiaries were selected by Chevrons project partners, the DepEd and the American Chamber Foundation of the Philippines based on stringent criteria such as having the highest need public high school students in their enrollment and a sharp focus on STEM learning. Teachers can choose the learning materials they need up to P100,000 in value per school. Were very grateful to the Caltex Fuel Your School program. Not only will this help the overall STEM track of our dear school, it will also open up new avenues for us to produce more globally competitive students. It feels great to know that the joint effort of our teachers and students has resulted into an amazing award, exclaimed Abra National High School teacher Agnes Faye Bringas. I am amazed by the teamwork and the winning spirit of our participating schools, DepEd, our retailers and the community. Not only did we reach our goal of PHP3 million to give to public high schools, we have proven that by working together, businesses and customers can help fill the gap in teaching resources in our public education system. But more needs to be done and more can be done if we will all support STEM education. So, I call on other companies, businessmen, charitable groups and other sectors to support STEM learning for it is the path to a long-term inclusive economy, ends Zhang. For more information about the STEM projects of the beneficiary schools, you can visit caltexfuelyourschoolph.com. Caltex Fuel Your School Caltex Fuel Your School Caltex Fuel Your School Caltex Fuel Your School The post Caltex Turns Over Modern Learning Tools to 52,000 Public High School Students in Ilocos, Cordilleras appeared first on Carmudi Philippines. China has called on Canada to join Beijing in protecting free trade and suggested it should not join any protectionist measures, apparently taking aim at the new trade deal between the US and Canada that could potentially isolate China on international trade. The Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi made the appeal to the Canadian foreign minister Chrystia Freeland during a phone call on Thursday, calling on Ottawa to work with China in advancing a China-Canada free trade agreement. Beijings move came days after the conclusion of talks for the new US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) which effectively gives the United States a veto if Canada or Mexico enters into a free trade agreement with a non-market economy language widely seen as referring to China. China hopes Canada will take concrete action to protect a free trade regime with China, and put forward the establishment of a China-Canada free trade zone, Wang told Freeland, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. [China] opposes any kind of protectionism and any behaviour which shows double standards. No attempts that aim at preventing Chinas modernisation will succeed. Freeland is quoted by the ministry as saying that the USMCA should not harm other countries rightful interests and that Canada will continue to pursue free trade negotiations with other countries. Ottawas attempt to launch free trade talks with Beijing collapsed last year after Chinese leaders reportedly rejected progressive elements of Canadas trade agenda, including gender and labour rights. Goodbye Nafta, hello USMCA: Canada and US reach last-minute deal to save trade pact with Mexico US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said Washington was ready to add the veto clause to future trade agreements between the US and other parties, including the European Union and Japan. Last week, the Chinese embassy in Ottawa condemned the veto clause, potentially restricting Canada and Mexico signing deals with a non-market economy country, as an excuse made by some countries to shirk their obligations and refuse to meet their international commitments. Story continues China threatened with isolation by veto written into US-Mexico-Canada trade deal We condemn the hegemonic acts by related countries of publicly interfering with the sovereignty of other countries, and we feel sorry for the damaged economic sovereignty of the countries concerned, the embassys spokesperson Yang Yundong said in a statement. The USMCA needs to be approved by the governments of all three counties, including the US through Congress, which is not expected to take it up until early next year. Although the special clause does not name China directly, it could greatly impede Chinas future trade talks with Canada or Mexico because the US has refused to classify China as a market economy under the World Trade Organisation framework, an observer said. Donald Trump celebrates Nafta replacement as historic trade agreement with Canada and Mexico Kotaro Tamura, Asia fellow at the Milken Institute and a former senator and parliamentary secretary in charge of economic and fiscal policy in Japans Cabinet Office, said the US would demand a similar clause be applied in future trade deals. The US will do more loyalty tests to its allies to contain China in terms of trade, because Chinas treatment of intellectual property ... can be a reasonably convincing reason to get such economically developed allies as Japan and EU in line with the US, he said. This article Canada should choose free trade with China, not US protectionism Beijing first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. Brazil's frontrunner for the presidency, Jair Bolsonaro, on Thursday declared "I am an admirer of Trump" and rejected being labeled an extreme-right candidate because of his rhetoric blasting crime, current migration policies and past views favoring torture. Speaking during his first news conference since securing 46 percent of the vote in a first round election last Sunday -- trailed by leftist Fernando Haddad, who took 29 percent -- Bolsonaro said: "I'm not far-right. Point out to me an act of mine that is far-right." He added, echoing a theme of US President Donald Trump, "When I spoke of the migration question, it's because we can't have a country with open borders." Bolsonaro, a 63-year-old populist and seven-term congressman who was once a paratrooper, declared: "I'm an admirer of President Trump. He wants a great United States -- I want a great Brazil." His comments came as he and Haddad campaigned ahead of an October 28 run-off that polls suggest Bolsonaro should easily win. But the race is one of the most polarized in memory in Brazil. Bolsonaro's detractors highlight his contentious past comments demeaning women and gay people, and talking nostalgically of Brazil's 1964-1985 military dictatorship. Haddad, 55, on the other hand, is despised by a large chunk of Brazil's 147 million voters for belonging to the Workers' Party, which is seen as corrupt and was in power for 13 years to 2016, during which the country experienced a boom then a devastating bust. - Violent incidents - A spate of violent incidents reported in the Brazilian media since last weekend's first round election has crystalized fears that the febrile atmosphere is tipping the country into dangerous territory. Many of the incidents involved Bolsonaro backers targeting Haddad supporters for assault and threats. On Monday, a 63-year-old man was stabbed to death in a bar in northeastern Salvador for reportedly saying Brazilians preferred the Workers Party. A transgender woman, Julyanna Barbosa, told AFP she was attacked with an iron bar by street vendors in a western Rio district yelling "Bolsonaro must win to clear this trash off the street." A Brazilian journalists' association, ABRAJI, said it had recorded 62 physical assaults on media workers linked to the election. "Bolsonaro isn't going to kill a transgender person. He's not going to beat up a black with his own hands. But his discourse is going to legitimize other people to do so," read an online comment posted by a Brazilian, Duda Rodrigues. Both candidates sent out tweets disavowing the violence and calling for it to stop. "This appeal is welcome, because the situation is really delicate," said a sociologist studying violence in the country, Ignacio Cano, of Rio de Janeiro State University. - Reaching out - A Datafolha voter intention survey published Wednesday credited Bolsonaro with 58 percent support, to 42 percent for the leftist candidate, going into the run-off. Bolsonaro's main pillars of support are better-educated, better-off male Brazilians and millions who follow Brazil's burgeoning evangelical churches. Haddad's support is concentrated in the poorer, blacker northeast of the country, where many are still grateful to Lula for poverty-reduction successes. Both candidates are reaching out to try to bolster their support. Bolsonaro on Thursday called elected members of his ultraconservative Social Liberal Party and other deputies backing him to Rio to show the level of support he has. Haddad was trying to woo Brazil's influential Catholic bishops. He also dropped images of Lula and the Workers Party signature red color from his campaign material. On Thursday, Haddad said he was confident of closing the gap with Bolsonaro. "We need only eight points to get to 50 (percent of polled support). We have two weeks of work to get those eight points," he told journalists in Brasilia. Police in western China used a drone to find a man who had wandered into a desert and got lost, local media reported. The 30-year-old, who was not identified, and his friend had been driving through the Taklimakan Desert in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, when they decided to stop to have a look around, Beijing Youth Daily reported on Wednesday. As one man wandered off into the wilderness his friend stayed in the vehicle. After about an hour, the man in the car became concerned for his friends safety and called the police. Police from nearby Qiemo county responded but after an initial search on foot failed to find the man, they called in a drone operator. He didnt have anything to eat. There was no water, only a mobile phone, but theres no mobile phone signal in some areas in the desert, a police official was quoted as saying. He said temperatures in the area sometimes rose to more than 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). The report said the man disappeared about 3pm on Sunday and was found about an hour later after the drone searched an area of about an 8km (five mile) radius. He was spotted just 2km from where he had started. He had apparently seen the drone and tried signalling to it by waving his jacket, the report said. But as the drone was close to running out of power, the operator flew it back to base, put in a new battery and then returned to the man, who then used it as a guide to finding his way back. Even if you are close to where you started, when you are surrounded by desert its very difficult to find your way back, a police officer was quoted as saying. Drones are increasingly being used for search and rescue missions across China and around the world the first reported case was in 2013 in Canada. The flying machines have also been used in China to deliver emergency supplies, while the government said earlier this year it was working on a new design for use by firefighters. This article Chinese police use drone to rescue man lost in Xinjiang desert first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. Turkey and the United States on Thursday ratcheted up the pressure on Saudi Arabia to explain how a journalist vanished after entering its Istanbul consulate last week, with US lawmakers warning that military ties were at risk. President Donald Trump became more forceful in his call for answers from Saudi Arabia but he also rebuffed calls from the US Congress to show more resolve, saying he would not jeopardise arms sales to the close ally. Khashoggi, a Saudi national whose articles have criticised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has not been seen since October 2 when he went to the consulate in Istanbul to obtain official documents for his upcoming marriage. Turkish officials have said he was killed -- reportedly by a 15-man "assassination team" that arrived on two planes -- but Riyadh insists that he left the consulate safely. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in his most extensive remarks on Khashoggi, challenged Saudi Arabia to provide CCTV images to back up its account. "Is it possible there were no camera systems in a consulate, in an embassy?" he asked. "If a bird flew, or a fly or a mosquito appeared, the systems would capture this; they (Saudi Arabia) have the most cutting-edge systems," he was quoted as telling Turkish reporters. The consulate said CCTV cameras were not working that day and dismissed the murder claims as "baseless". The Washington Post reported however that the Turkish government has told US officials it has audio and video recordings which show how Khashoggi was "interrogated, tortured and then murdered" inside the consulate before his body was dismembered. AFP was unable to independently verify the report and US State Department officials weren't immediately available for comment. - 'We're being very tough' - The case has come to threaten the strong relationship the Trump administration has built with Prince Mohammed, initially hailed by US supporters as a reformer who wants to turn the oil-rich conservative kingdom into a hub for innovation. The two sides have worked together in confronting Iran despite growing concern over the prince's campaign against dissidents, which critics say has revealed the true face of his rule. Raising his tone a notch from Washington's initial low-key response, Trump expressed determination to get to the bottom of the matter. "We can't let it happen. And we're being very tough and we have investigators over there and we're working with Turkey and frankly we're working with Saudi Arabia," Trump said in an interview with "Fox and Friends". However, a Turkish diplomatic source quoted by the state-run Anadolu news agency denied US investigators had been tasked on the case. Asked to elaborate, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert later said that the United States had offered help but declined further details. Trump, however, quickly tried to take a major means of US influence off the table -- arms sales. "That would not be acceptable," Trump said in the Oval Office. "They are spending $110 billion on military equipment and on things that create jobs." The Saudis will "take that money and spend it in Russia or China or someplace else. I think there are other ways. If it turns out to be as bad as it might be, there are certainly other ways of handling the situation." But the US Congress, which enjoys wide oversight powers and can temporarily block arms sales, made clear that ties with Saudi Arabia were at risk. Cory Gardner, a senator from Trump's Republican Party, told reporters that arms sales would be "a huge concern" if Saudi Arabia is found responsible. "We can't let even an ally believe that they have carte blanche to do anything they want," added Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Lawmakers also invoked a law named after Sergei Magnitsky, the Russian anti-corruption accountant who died in custody, that could lead to sanctions against any officials responsible for harming Khashoggi. - Britain warns of 'serious consequences' - Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary of Britain, another key Saudi ally and trading partner, told AFP he was "extremely worried". "If these allegations are true, there will be serious consequences because our friendships and our partnerships are based on shared values," he said. United Nations officials in turn have expressed "concern about Khashoggi and his fate" to Saudi contacts, said Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Khashoggi is a former government adviser who fled Saudi Arabia in September 2017 and lived in suburban Washington, fearing arrest back home. In his columns for The Washington Post and comments elsewhere, he was critical of some policies of Prince Mohammed as well as Riyadh's role in the bloody war in Yemen. Human Rights Watch urged Prince Mohammed to "release all evidence and information" concerning Khashoggi's status Turkish authorities have been given permission to search the consulate -- Saudi sovereign territory -- but this has not yet taken place. Ankara and Riyadh have worked over recent years to maintain cordial relations despite disputes on key issues, such as the ousting of the Islamist Egyptian government and the blockade on Turkey's key regional ally Qatar. Relations between Turkey and the United States, meanwhile, have been in crisis over the two-year detention of US pastor Andrew Brunson. But should he be released at his next hearing Friday it would help restore confidence between the NATO allies. burs-ft/dw Kenya moved to the top of the Africa Cup of Nations Group F despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Ethiopia in Bahir Dir on Wednesday. With early pacesetters Ghana out of action after opponents Sierra Leone remained suspended by FIFA over government interference, it was left to both teams to seize the opportunity to consolidate their positions. Japan-based striker Michael Olunga had the best chance to put Kenya ahead in the 19th minute when he latched on to an Erick Johanna pass but his left-footed shot was cleared from the line with the Ethiopian keeper Samson Assefa well beaten. Getaneh Kebede squandered an open opportunity for the home side on the half hour, but the Ethiopian attacker saw his long-range effort hit the post. Kenya substitutes Paul Were and Eric Ouma brought some fresh legs, and their combination up front twice came close to breaking the deadlock. Ethiopian dangerman Shimelis Kebede was also left ruing a golden chance when he hit the post in the 68th minute. The result Kenya moved top on four points, with a superior goal difference over Ethiopia, who occupy second spot. Both teams meet again in the return match in Nairobi on Sunday. Three days after Hurricane Michael's devastating strike, search teams in Florida pressed their hunt for victims into hard-to-reach areas Saturday, as the death toll rose to 17 and officials scrambled to deliver aid to those who lost everything. The mammoth storm, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm on Wednesday, claimed lives in four states, but Florida suffered the worst damage by far. Large parts of the state's panhandle were pulverized by the strong winds and rain, and eight storm-related deaths have been reported in Florida so far. "Mexico Beach is devastated," Governor Rick Scott said of the town hardest hit by the hurricane, the most powerful to hit the United States in decades. "It's like a war zone," he said while touring the town of 1,000 people on the Gulf of Mexico. Rescue teams with sniffer dogs were searching for possible victims buried under the rubble in the debris-strewn community. US media have reported one death in the town -- the body of an elderly man was found hundreds of yards (meters) from his home. Brock Long, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), warned that the death toll could yet rise. "I hope we don't see it climb dramatically. But I have reasons to believe we still haven't got into some of the hardest-hit areas," he said. Government and private relief centers were opening up to provide badly needed food, water and other aid to people whose lives were upended by the monster storm. As somber residents began making it back to homes still intact, officials said it could take 10 days to compile a final damage estimate. In Mexico Beach, dozens of structures -- homes, shops and restaurants -- were lifted off their foundations by storm surge and winds of 155 miles per hour (250 kph). Some were moved hundreds of feet inland while others were simply smashed to bits. "Very few people live to tell what it's like to experience storm surge," Long said. "Storm surge causes the most amount of loss of life." Building codes on Florida's Panhandle, in the state's northwest, are less rigorous than in the state's south, where severe hurricanes hit more frequently. The devastation wrought by Michael has sparked debate on whether an era of warming oceans and more severe storms might require tougher building standards in coastal areas. Underlining the unpredictability of modern storms, a category one hurricane dubbed Leslie was heading Saturday on a highly unusual path toward the Iberian peninsula. - Nothing left to save - Across the storm-hit US region, relief efforts were shaping up. In Panama City, Florida, the Salvation Army and other charitable groups opened distribution points for food and supplies. A few stores were reopening, and cars lined up at the few open gas stations. At the city's St. Andrew Baptist Church, associate pastor Mark Bateman told AFP the church was gearing up to feed up to 500 people, with supplies -- including pet food -- provided by a statewide Baptist group. "We're doing good," Bateman said, despite damage to the church's roof. "But lots of our members are not doing so well." Back in Mexico Beach, residents were picking up the pieces. "I spent my life savings and retirement to stay here. So I can't sell it now," retiree Bob Tenbrunson told AFP. "I can't sell it now. So I just have to be hopeful that (the city) will be rebuilt and fixed." But some found nothing left to save. Beyond Florida, five storm-related deaths were reported in Virginia -- including that of a fireman whose firetruck was struck by a semitrailer truck. One died in Georgia and three more were killed in North Carolina. Hundreds of thousands of people remain without electricity in Florida, Georgia and Virginia, and officials say that, even with line crews arriving from across the country, it could be weeks before power is fully restored. - Communication problems - Meanwhile, a wide swath of Florida's northwest coast has been without telephone or Internet service, adding to the daunting challenges facing residents, loved ones trying to reach them, and the work crews struggling to bring them relief. Daniel Fraga, an electrician, told AFP he has only an extremely weak and intermittent signal. "Basically everything has shut down," he said, adding that there are "too many people on the same service." Governor Scott tweeted Saturday that cellphone provider AT&T was providing resources in impacted areas, "including sending numerous phones and other mobile resources that will enhance communication for first responders." President Donald Trump said he planned to visit Florida and Georgia early next week, tweeting, "We are working very hard on every area and every state that was hit -- we are with you!" The Pentagon said about 5,000 US servicemen were deployed to help with relief and recovery efforts, using 100 helicopters and 1,800 high-water vehicles. Tyndall Air Force Base, home to F-22 stealth fighters, suffered extensive damage, according to aerial photos of the coastal facility. By Jack Kim SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oxfam on Wednesday rejected Singapore's defense of its low taxes after the NGO ranked the wealthy city state among the 10 worst-offending countries in fuelling inequality with its low-tax regime. Oxfam's Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) index ranked Singapore 149th of 157, below Afghanistan, Algeria, and Cambodia, and marginally higher than Haiti, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. The index assesses social spending, taxation and labor policies. It ranked Denmark, Germany and Finland as the top three. Oxfam's head of inequality policy, Max Lawson, said the impact of Singapore's tax policy went beyond its borders, serving as a tax haven for the rich and big corporations. "Singapore's harmful tax practices mean that they are eroding the revenue of other countries in the region and globally, revenues that those countries could be investing in schools and hospitals," Lawson told Reuters. Singapore Social and Family Development Minister Desmond Lee said on Tuesday public service in terms of the standard of education and health care, as well as affordability of housing, spoke loudly about Singapore's social policy accomplishments. "Yes, the income tax burden on Singaporeans is low. And almost half the population do not pay any income tax," Lee said in a statement. "Yet, they benefit more than proportionately from the high quality of infrastructure and social support that the state provides," he said. "In Oxfam's view, Singapore's biggest failing is our tax rates, which are not punitive enough." Lee also said 90 percent of Singaporeans owned their homes and home ownership was 84 percent even among the poorest 10 percent of households. "No other country comes close," he said. "We set out to achieve real outcomes for our people - good health, education, jobs and housing - rather than satisfy a collection of ideologically driven indicators." (Editing by Nick Macfie) Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) regular serviceman, 3rd Warrant Officer (3WO) Muhammad Sadikin Bin Hasban, died on duty in Brunei on Tuesday morning. The 33-year-old had been supervising contractors carrying out maintenance work at a helicopter evacuation site when he was hit by a falling tree branch. According to the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), resuscitation efforts were carried out onsite by an SAF doctor before the unconscious man was conveyed via helicopter and ambulance to Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital close to 10am, more than an hour after the accident struck. 3WO Sadikin succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 11:50am. Photo: The Singapore Army / Facebook Arrangements were made to fly his body back to Singapore, and he was accorded a military funeral yesterday. Servicemen from the 9th Singapore Division/Infantry and the Army gathered at Lim Chu Kang Muslim Cemetery to pay respects to the man, who was described as well-respected by his trainees, subordinates, peers, and superiors. The late 3WO Sadikin was a dedicated and committed leader who always gave his best in everything he did, wrote SAF in a post. The positive attitude he exuded never failed to resonate with the people he engaged with. He had shown the utmost professionalism in the way he conducted himself as a soldier, trainer and more importantly as a commander, who put everyones interest before himself. Well-respected On Facebook, multiple accounts and tributes posted by his former trainees, friends, and infantry-mates painted 3WO Sadikin as a strict commander, but with a funny and caring side as well. Facebook screengrab Facebook screengrab Facebook screengrab Facebook screengrab Facebook screengrab Facebook screengrab The post SAF encik who died in Brunei accident accorded military funeral; former trainees and colleagues pay tribute appeared first on Coconuts. The seed round was led by AccelerAsia Ventures and Aletra Capital Partners Singapore fintech startup hoolah has raised a 7-figure sum in a seed round led by AccelerAsia Ventures and Aletra Capital Partners. iGlobe Partners and a number of angel investors also joined the round. The new investment will allow the company to scale its technology and commercial teams to enhance its solution and expand its merchant base. Founded in February this year by Co-founder and CEO Stuart Thornton, hoolah provides a zero-interest installment omni-channel payment solution to retail and travel merchants. Consumers can pay for items in four equal instalments over two months with no additional costs. The company is currently focused on e-commerce sellers in Singapore. But it will be expanding to neighbouring markets such as Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong. hoolah will also be rolling out its product for physical stores in the future. With this system, hoolah hopes to help merchants tackle the issue of conversion and cart abandonment. On average, about 75 per cent of online shoppers leave an e-commerce site without purchasing due to the high costs of the items (especially when they tally up auxiliary charges such as shipping). This affects the merchants bottom line and they are stuck with unmoved stock as a result. Also Read: Indonesias Dekoruma raises Series B funding, aims to expand in the market By allowing shoppers (especially those without access to credit cards) to stagger their payments, merchants can increase their sales, and this may lead to enhanced customer loyalty and quicker stock cycles. One of hoolahs client, The Fifth Collection, an online provider of high-end vintage fashion, said that the integration process with the installment payment platform was seamless. We saw the value almost instantly. With our focus on sustainable luxury in retail and millennial consumers and hoolahs focus on millennials and driving affordability, it was a clear win-win, said The Fifth Collection CEO Michael Finn. Story continues We are very much looking forward to furthering our relationship with hoolah and partnering to expand our respective businesses, he added. Image Credit: hoolah The post Singapores hoolah raises 7-figure round to boost online purchases appeared first on e27. Earlier this week, the nation reacted in simultaneous shock and agreement when Singapore was ranked way, way at the bottom rungs of the Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index. The Little Red Dot a haven of economic prosperity enough to be a setting for Crazy Rich Asians floundered in 149th place in the index ranks countries on its efforts to reduce inequality. Out of 157 countries, we were positioned just below Bangladesh and above Laos, which was followed by Madagascar, Bhutan, Sierra Leone, Chad, Haiti, and Uzbekistan, with Nigeria coming in last. Oof. Real outcomes Photo: Desmond Lee / Facebook Then came Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee who spoke out against the results. In a Channel NewsAsia report, he took issue with the index released by global developmental charity Oxfam and stated that the country actually sets out to achieve real outcomes in sectors such as health, education, jobs, and housing instead of satisfying a collection of ideologically driven indicators. Part of the reason for Singapores massive drop in ranking was attributed to Oxfams introduction of a new indicator under the harmful tax practices category. It said Singapore has a number of these, citing our low maximum personal income tax rate for the highest earners, which is set at 22 percent. Other reasons include Singapore having very low tax rates or providing tax havens for corporates and individuals to avoid or evade taxes. Besides our countrys tax practices, Oxfam described Singapore as having a relatively low level of public social spending, with only 39 percent of our budget allocated to education, health, and social protection, behind South Korea and Thailands 50 percent. According to the CNA report, Lee mentioned that nearly half of the Singapore population dont need to pay income tax, and yet they benefit more than proportionately from state-provided infrastructure and social support. The minister also pointed out that despite spending lesser than 5 percent of the countrys GDP on healthcare, Singapore is still found to possess one of the best healthcare systems in the world, including one of the lowest infant mortality rates. The logic is applied to education as well Singapore students consistently outperform others in international rankings despite the relatively low social spending in education, Lee stated. Story continues That we achieved all of this with lower taxes and lower spending than most countries is to Singapores credit rather than discredit, he concluded. Beyond borders Speaking to Reuters, Oxfam rebutted Minister Lee, stating that Singapores low tax policy creates ripples beyond its borders as it serves as a tax haven for big corporations. Singapores harmful tax practices mean that they are eroding the revenue of other countries in the region and globally, revenues that those countries could be investing in schools and hospitals, Oxfams head of inequality policy Max Lawson told Reuters yesterday. Lawson did not elaborate further in the Reuters report, but what his statement means is that Singapores economic success is built on the foundations of opportunities sacrificed by multiple countries. Big if true. The post Singapore minister speaks out against low position in Oxfam inequality index; Oxfam doubles down on verdict appeared first on Coconuts. FILE PHOTO: Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel speaks during the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 26, 2018. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel launched a twitter account on Wednesday after saying that digitising one of the western hemisphere's least connected countries is a priority to boost the economy and defend the revolution. Diaz-Canel, who took office from Raul Castro on April 19, tweeted a photo of a ceremony celebrating the 150th anniversary of the first Cuban war of independence from former colonial power Spain from his account @DiazCanelB. It quickly got several hundred replies, some welcoming Diaz-Canel to the twittersphere, others attacking Cuba's leaders and its one-party system. Castro, 87, did not have an official twitter account. He and his late brother Fidel Castro had run the country for nearly 60 years. Cuba observers are on the lookout for signs of whether Diaz-Canel, the first non-Castro president in decades, will usher in economic and political reforms in the Communist-run country. In the first half year of his presidency, Diaz-Canel has demonstrated more a change in style of communication, showing himself to be more open and modern, than a shift in rhetoric or policies.. His first tweet included the hashtag #somoscontinuidad, "we are continuity". Whether because of a lack of cash, a long-running U.S. trade embargo or concerns about the flow of information, Cuba has lagged behind in web access. Until 2013, internet was largely only available to the public at tourist hotels in Cuba. Now Cubans mainly access the web at Wi-Fi hotspots in parks and plazas throughout the country although the country's telecoms monopoly ETECSA has said it is working on rolling out home access and mobile internet for all the population. In the first high-level U.S delegation to Cuba after he took office, Diaz-Canel met former Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt. He also met with executives of U.S. tech companies during his first trip to the United States in late September. (Reporting by Sarah Marsh; Editing by Susan Thomas) Temasek Foundation, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Indonesias MoRTHE will collaborate to implement a fintech learning programme for higher education providers in the archipelago Temasek Foundation International (TF Intl) and Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) will partner with Indonesias Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education (MoRTHE) to deliver a new programme that encourages an exchange of knowledge among academia, industry partners and regulators in the fintech sphere. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by MoRTHEs Director of Learning, Dr. Ir. Paristiyanti Nurwardani, and NPs Principal, Clarence Ti, on the sidelines of the third Indonesia-Singapore Leaders Retreat in Bali, Indonesia. The collaboration was made possible by TF Intl, which has committed a grant of about S$523,000 (approx. US$380,000) for this cross-border programme. Over the next three years, the three parties will collaborate to implement a fintech learning programme for higher education providers in Indonesia. Some 180 academic leaders and faculty from Indonesian tertiary institutions will work towards developing fintech curriculum and capability. Also Read: Indonesias Dekoruma raises Series B funding, aims to expand in the market The programme will span over two runs, ending in 2020. The institutions confirmed for the first run include Institute Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Politeknik Negeri Jakarta (PNJ), Universitas Indonesia (UI), Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI), Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD) and Univeristas Airlingga (UNAIR). The programme will include experiential learning through lab crawls, hackathons, seminars and workshops. The course participants will get to visit and network with fintech developers and users to gain fresh insights into the emerging field, as well as take part in challenges that will inspire innovative applications for the financial sector. Theres a lot our two countries can learn from each other as fintech starts to impact the way our populations gain access to financial services. This MOU is just a start of a conversation on how we can best support the growth of necessary skills in both our countries, said Ti. Story continues We hope to develop lecturers with high performance and good understanding in fintech to supply talent who can compete in the industrys 4.0 era. This MoU will give a lot of benefits to Indonesias higher education, especially in universities and polytechnics. They will have an opportunity to get knowledge and information about fintech, from the best resources and work together to have many innovations in fintech, as well as inspire over 4,000 higher education institutions in Indonesia, said Nurwardani. The digital economy is disrupting work and indeed lives. This means that educators need to collaborate to reinvent and update their skills to keep pace with industry developments. This programme will enable educators from Indonesia and Singapore to exchange knowledge and develop new ways to train aspiring youths in financial technology, said Benedict Cheong, CEO of TF Intl. Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash The post Temasek Foundation commits US$380K grant for cross-border fintech programme between Singapore, Indonesia appeared first on e27. Hundreds of Venezuelans demanded justice Wednesday at the funeral of an opposition activist who died in government custody, as the United States called out Caracas for its "involvement" in his death. Fernando Alban, a 52-year-old 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. Authorities say he committed suicide by jumping from a 10th-floor window of the headquarters of the state intelligence service after asking to go to the bathroom. But his supporters say he was murdered. Alban was buried in a cemetery in the eastern part of the capital after mourners walked for several kilometers (miles) in a funeral procession that began at the central university of Venezuela. "Maduro's dictatorship is death," said one placard held by a young man. "Justice!" another said. The United States joined the chorus of complaint from the international community over Alban's death -- and pointed the finger of blame at Maduro. "The United States condemns the Maduro regime's involvement in the death of Venezuelan opposition councilman Fernando Alban," the White House said in a statement. "The Trump administration will continue to increase pressure on the Maduro regime and its insiders until democracy is restored in Venezuela," it added. "The United States calls for the immediate release of all Venezuelan political prisoners, and for the Maduro regime to take direct, credible steps to reestablish democracy in Venezuela and to prevent further suffering and bloodshed." Both the United Nations and the European Union have called for an investigation into Alban's death. On Wednesday, Venezuela's Attorney General Tarek William Saab, who is close to Maduro, again dismissed the idea of an assassination. "He died from blunt force trauma linked to the fall... there is no evidence of mistreatment prior to the fall," Saab told reporters, reading from an autopsy report. 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 mired in a deep economic crisis. President Donald Trump, who has previously shown little interest in Latin America beyond trade relations and border issues with Mexico, is increasingly focusing on Venezuela. The administration is ramping up criticism of Maduro, whose authoritarian socialist government is struggling to manage the fallout from economic collapse in the once wealthy country, whose leaders are under US sanctions. Maduro, meanwhile, accuses the United States of manipulating the opposition in his country and seeking to oust him. The United States said Thursday that it will increasingly restrict civilian nuclear exports to China as President Donald Trump vowed a hard line on trade, bluntly warning not to think Americans are "stupid." The US Energy Department said it would make it more difficult to ship nuclear technology to China, one of the few growing markets for new plants as the Asian economy tries to meet rising electricity demand through low-carbon sources. "The United States cannot ignore the national security implications of China's efforts to obtain nuclear technology outside of established processes of US-China civil nuclear cooperation," Energy Secretary Rick Perry said in a statement. The measures are the latest salvo in a widening US drive to pressure China, with the Trump administration recently slapping $250 billion in tariffs. The Energy Department said it would not end exports to China but would show greater scrutiny and that there "will be a presumption of denial" for new licenses related to the state-owned China General Nuclear Power Corp. The company was indicted last year along with a naturalized US citizen on charges of conspiring to develop sensitive nuclear material with US know-how without going through the required approval process. The US already carefully reviews nuclear exports through the Energy Department's so-called Part 810 authorizations, which verify if the technology goes to peaceful use and will not be sent to a third country. "For decades China has maintained a concerted, central government-run strategy to acquire nuclear technology to gain economic advantage," a US official said on condition of anonymity. The United States last year shipped $170 million in nuclear exports to China, according to official figures. A 2017 Commerce Department report ranked China as the second largest market for US nuclear exporters, second only to Britain. "We understand that the US industry may suffer in the short term from this decision," the official said. "However, China's concerted effort to emulate and displace US nuclear products could cause the permanent loss of global markets and domestic jobs in the long run," he said. - 'Americans are not stupid people' - Former president Barack Obama in 2015 signed off on an extension of nuclear cooperation between the United States and China, with his administration arguing that Beijing had moved to tighten controls as part of renewal negotiations. Relations between the world's two largest economies have soured sharply, however, with Trump earlier Thursday vowing to inflict economic pain on China if it does not blink in a trade war. "They lived too well for too long and, frankly, I guess they think that the Americans are stupid people. Americans are not stupid people," Trump said in an interview on "Fox and Friends." The mogul-turned-president boasted that his tariffs had already "had a big impact." "Their economy has gone down very substantially," he said. "I have a lot more to do if I want to do it. I don't want to do it but they have to come to the table." Trump is pressing China to improve trading conditions for US products and to end what US businesses say is widespread theft of their intellectual property. China has responded by imposing counter tariffs, which the Trump administration alleges show political interference by targeting products from key states in next month's congressional elections. The International Monetary Fund this week cited the trade war as it lowered its 2019 growth forecast for China, which is set to see its slowest expansion since 1990. The IMF also lowered estimates for the United States and the global economy as a whole. Trump renewed his charge that past presidents Obama and George W. Bush "let China get out of control" through the massive US imports of manufactured goods. "We have helped rebuild China more than any other factor. We have helped rebuild it. I said it's over." The Supreme Court in the northwestern US state of Washington on Thursday ended use of the "racially biased" death penalty and immediately converted all death sentences to life imprisonment. Washington, where there have been no executions since 2010, becomes the 20th state in which executions are banned. The death penalty is not unconstitutional "per se," but it is "invalid because it is imposed in an arbitrary and racially biased manner," the state's top court unanimously ruled. The death penalty has been "unequally applied -- sometimes by where the crime took place, or the county of residence, or the available budgetary resources at any given point in time, or the race of the defendant." As administered in Washington state, the death penalty "fails to serve any legitimate penological goal," the court said. The state's highest court issued the ruling while handling the case of Allen Eugene Gregory, sentenced to death for the rape and murder of a woman in 1996. In his appeal Gregory included a study that showed the death penalty was applied differently from one court to another in Washington State and that, all things being equal, the probability of being sentenced to death was 4.5 times higher for African-Americans than for whites. According to the Death Penalty Information Center the ruling directly affects eight people on the state's death row. In their ruling, the justices noted that the state Supreme Court had already declared the death penalty unconstitutional three times earlier -- in 1972, 1979 and 1981 -- but that each time a new law was adopted. Washington State has only carried out five executions since 1976 and Governor Jay Inslee, a Democrat, declared a moratorium on executions in 2014. "This is a hugely important moment in our pursuit for equal and fair application of justice," said Inslee, commenting on the ruling. The use of the death penalty is on retreat across the United States, where only 39 people were sent to death row in 2017, compared to 295 in 1998 or even 114 in 2010. Of the 30 states in which capital punishment is still legal, there have been no executions in 16 of them since 1976. Since the start of the year 18 inmates have been executed in the United States, 10 of whom were put to death in Texas. Victims of Hurricane Michael voted for climate deniers Posted on 11 October 2018 by John Abraham Floridians are staring down a very powerful Category 4 typhoon that is causing extensive damage. The high winds, heavy rains, and storm surge will cost billions of dollars. We know that climate change is making these storms stronger. The storms feed off of warm ocean waters, and those waters are much warmer now because of climate change. I have written about the science in more detail here and here. But basically, Michael strengthened because it passed over really warm waters. Waters that were hotter because of human-caused warming. Water ocean temperatures around Florida as Hurricane Michael evolved. Illustration: NASA EOSDIS/LANCE Predictably, the hurricane strengthened as it hit shore. As I write this, Michael is coming ashore and the pressure is still falling (low pressures in a hurricane signify a stronger storm). It appears that Michael may have the third-lowest pressure for a hurricane hitting the USA. Infrared image of Hurricane Michael Photograph: NASA/NOAA/UW-SSEC-CIMSS, William Straka III It is a wonder that a state like Florida, which will get pummeled by Michael, could vote for someone that denies climate change. Think of how backwards the situation is the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has reportedly been banned from using the terms climate change and global warming. This policy reportedly went into effect when Florida elected a science denier, Rick Scott, to governor. Rick Scott has been condemned by people in Florida for his backward stance. It is climate denial like his that has contributed to the suffering of residents in the state. Its not that my colleagues havent tried to help Governor Scott understand how his policies hurt his state. A few years ago, scientists met with him and urged him to take climate change seriously. He remained silent. It isnt that the local media hasnt tried. Major newspapers have called upon Rick Scott to take action on climate change. But to little avail. Maybe its because Rick Scott invests in companies that oppose climate change regulations? It isnt that his political opponents havent tried. Recently, Florida Democrats petitioned Rick Scott to acknowledge climate change. Fortunately, while Rick Scott is now running for Senate, hes being challenged by Democrat Bill Nelson. He understands science and believes in facts. Nelson writes, Climate change is real, and we must take action to protect ourselves. Denial of this scientific reality is simply not an option, especially in Florida. Rick Scott isnt the only politician from the state of Florida to reject science and diminish climate change. Senator Marco Rubio has as well. Florida voters could put an end to this nonsense. In the current race for state Governor to succeed Scott, Republican candidate Ron DeSantis is ignoring science. He recently claimed that climate change is not an issue for states to mitigate. Say what? Lets hope Ron DeSantis loses. His opponent is Andrew Gillum, who is clear as day when he says, Climate change is real, it is impacting Floridians directly, and we will not be silenced on the matter. When Im Governor, we will not just talk about climate change we will put Floridians to work to make our state more energy independent and resilient and transform our state into the Solar Capital of the United States! But its not just Florida; there are other states getting hit by Hurricane Michael that are also led by climate deniers. For instance, Georgia will be hit by Hurricane Michael. One of the senators there, David Perdue, congratulated President Trump when he pulled out of the Paris Climate Accord. Georgias other Senator, Johnny Isakson also denies the science. He too supported President Trumps reckless actions. At the congressional district level, the denial continues. Republican Representative Barry Loudermilk was pleased when President Trump walked away from the Paris Agreement. His opponent, Flynn Broady trusts and understands science, however. His position could not be any clearer as he writes, We have the technology and knowledge to develop and place into practice renewable energy sources, reduce carbon emissions, and move our energy needs away from carbon fuels. We owe it to the world to participate in the Paris Agreement and the Kyoto Protocol. As the leading industrial nation we must lead the effort. Click here to read the rest The most interesting thing about the factually challenged screed Donald Trump published in USA Today on Wednesdayin which he attacked Democrats as Venezuelan-style radical socialists for supporting single-payer health insurancemay have been its intended audience. Democrats have turned health care into their single strongest policy issue, and Trump was evidently trying to turn it against them heading into the November midterms. But rather than make a case that all Americans would suffer under single payer, the presidents op-ed mostly attempts to scare the bejesus out of old folks. Democrats would gut Medicare with their planned government takeover of American health care, Trump (or more likely, his ghostwriter) explains. Advertisement Its early days yet, but so far this is shaping up to be among the main Republican lines of attack on single payer. When Trump writes that In practice, the Democratic Partys so-called Medicare for All would really be Medicare for None, hes basically cribbing a line from his friend Lindsey Graham. At a CNN town hall debate last year in which he faced off against Bernie Sanders, the senator from South Carolina told the audience that, Berniecare is socialism full-born. Hes a nice man, but if you want Medicare for all, youre going to wind up with Medicare for nobody. In January, the Wall Street Journal ran an op-ed by former Mike Pence staffer Chris Jacobs titled, Sanders Proposes Medicare for None. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These broadsides have very little to do with the actual legislation that Democrats have proposed. Sanders bill, for instance, would offer a program to all Americans thats more generous than the current iteration of Medicare; it would cover more services while eliminating co-pays and deductibles, other than those on prescription drugs. Trumps op-ed argues that government-run insurance would inevitably lead to the massive rationing of health care. Doctors and hospitals would be put out of business. Seniors would lose access to their favorite doctors. There would be long wait lines for appointments and procedures. Previously covered care would effectively be denied. Trump doesnt precisely explain why any of this would happen, but thats not really the point. Making grandma nervous is. Advertisement Seniors might not seem like the most obvious target for an antisingle payer campaign. They dont exactly have the most to gain from a new federal insurance program. But given that they already enjoy government health care, they also dont have a ton to lose (aside from the choice of enrolling in Medicare Advantage plans, which are privately run). Right now, most progressive policy wonks are worrying about how Democrats can sell single payer, or a version of it, to Americans who dont want to give up their employer-based insurance or who dont want to pay higher taxes. Trumps op-ed barely bothers talking to those groups. It only nods a couple times to the fact that Sanders-style single payer would ban most private coverage, largely to underscore the idea that Democrats (who, it should be noted, havent all signed on to single payer) are Maduro-esque commies. Advertisement Advertisement But terrifying loss-averse elderly voters over health care has worked for Republicans before, and theres reason to think it could work again. Throughout 2009 and 2010, talk of death panels and cuts to Medicare (which, in fact, were mostly just reductions in excess insurer payments) helped mobilize resistance to Obamacare. Keep your government hands off my Medicare may have become a liberal punchline, but that didnt make it any less of a real sentiment. Today, Americans over 65 have the dimmest view of socialism among any age group, and some polling suggests theyre the most likely to oppose single payer. (Other surveys have found otherwise.) Theres every reason to assume Republicans will at least attempt to frighten aging baby boomers into believing Democrats are about to sell them out, in order to provide free health care for Mexican immigrants. And I mean that literally. Taking a page from the European right, which regularly casts immigrants as a drain on the welfare state, Trumps op-ed argues that Democrats want to end immigration enforcement, so that millions more would cross our borders illegally and take advantage of health care paid for by American taxpayers. In other words, the Republican fight against single payer is going to sound very familiar. It will be keep your government hands off my Medicare, writ large. A Star Is Born is the most important film event of the year, but thus far its resonance with that other important 2018 cultural touchstone, astrologynewly in vogue thanks to millennials, the internet, and perhaps the terribleness of the rest of the worldhas gone unremarked upon. That ends now. Stars, birth obviously A Star Is Born is just calling out for an astrological reading. Slate staffers and amateurvery amateurastrologists Daniel Schroeder and Heather Schwedel decided to call up the movies birth chart in order to mine it for celestial insights that other critics and prognosticators may have missed. Advertisement Heather Schwedel: Tell me something, boy. What time and place should we use as A Star Is Borns official birthdate to begin this analysis? Daniel Schroeder: I think we should do midnight, Oct. 5, in Brooklyn, New York, because why not? (I pulled the film-festival chart too, but its not interesting.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schwedel: So this movies sun sign is Libra. Does that strike you as correct? Schroeder: Oh, most certainly. Libra is a symbol of balance, and this movie seems to be all about that, trying to balance art and life. Schwedel: Yes! And balancing artistry with commercial forces, pop with rock so much push and pull between poles. Schroeder: Libra is a very social sign, so it makes sense that everyone was agog for the movie before it even came outall those memes about taking another look. It was already in the conversation. Advertisement Schwedel: I was also struck by how a Libra wants everyone to like them, and this movie is an old-fashioned crowd pleaser. And Libra is ruled by Venus, so its also apt this movie is a capital-R Romance. Its just, like, the most classic, sweeping love story. I think Dana Stevens review mentioned Romeo and Juliet. Libras are obsessed with love, right? Schroeder: They so are. Schwedel: Libras are flirts, too is this movie flirty? Theres certainly flirting in it. Schroeder: Oh yes, I can remember thinking as soon as I saw the nose scene, Find you a man who touches you the way Cooper touches Gagas nose. Advertisement Schwedel: Such a move. What about the stereotype that Libras are vain and superficial? Advertisement Schwedel: Yeah, its all right there on the surface. Schroeder: This movie is obsessed with image, whether its the gaudy Vitamin C wig (in the words of our colleague Inkoo Kang) that Gaga ends up in for the second half of the film, or the fact that Bradley Cooper pitched his voice down an octave to sound like Sam Elliott, or even just all the intense close-ups on Coopers sweaty drunken face. Schroeder: Ive seen complaints, particularly from gay Twitter, that the movie doesnt hold up because the first and second halves seem like completely different films. Advertisement Schwedel: Which is so Libra! Schroeder: Exactly! At times it doesnt know what movie it wants to be and thats why I love it. Messy art is so good. Advertisement Schwedel: Wait, this totally relates to the movies big song, Shallow. Schroeder: What do you think Ive been listening to during this whole chat? Schwedel: Turning it on to get in the zone. Shallow is also like two different songs. Again, balance/indecisiveness! Schroeder: For sure, there are two sides and theyre both communicating different things to each other. Also just loved how it went from her singing a few bars in a parking lot to him crafting an entire song for her. Advertisement Schwedel: I wish we could do a star chart JUST for Lady Gagas HAAA AH AH AH AH, AAAH AAAH, AH AH AH AH HAAA scream thing. Schroeder: That deserves its own chart, essay, and separate award at the Oscars. Advertisement Schwedel: What are some other negative Libra characteristics that you saw in the movie? Self-indulgence? Tardiness? This movie definitely took forever to be made. Schroeder: It so did. It was like waiting for that new Robyn track. Schwedel: OK, have we basically covered the movies sun sign? Schroeder: The only other thing Id say about the Libra sun is that Gagas shift from country to pop is such a Libra move: just wanting to please as many as possible, and willing to be pushed around by that manager bro. Schwedel: Lets talk about the movies moon sign. Moon in Leo, right? First impressions? Schroeder: Just to clarify, the moon sign is about your emotional self, where you retreat to for comfort but also where you can get stuck or complacent. So Leo Moons arent necessarily pushing for the spotlight, but they THRIVE when its thrust upon them. The Leo Moon is literally just Gagas scene performing Shallow as a sign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schwedel: Because Leos love performing and are very theatrical. Schroeder: So, so, so much. Trust me: Im a Leo rising. This movie shows that performance can be a safe place for Cooper and Gaga, but it can also become an impediment. Cooper cant turn down the Grammy gig even though he probably should have. And then Leos are leaders, too. Schwedel: I can see the leader thing at its core, this is like, a big, important Hollywood movie, which can be unsubtle in a way some people dislike. Schroeder: Its embracing melodrama without a hint of irony, giving permission to just love it. Schwedel: *Touches your nose meaningfully* Schroeder: This might be too sappy and personal, but I really cried a lot during the end of the movie. I can easily be manipulated to cry, so it wasnt hard, but when Im finished crying at a movie, Im often suspicious of what made me cry, and I didnt feel that way at all after watching this. Advertisement Schwedel: Ive heard so many crying stories. OK, lets get into its rising sign. Schroeder: Before I get ahead of myself, I should explain that rising signs are how we first present to the world, first impressions, etc. A Star Is Born is a Cancer rising. One of the most interesting Cancer-rising aspects is that the movie feels like an old friend, someone were familiar with and comforted by. Cancers are mom signs, nurturing but guarded, very gentle. This is why people were ready to let the film wash over them before it even premiered. Advertisement Advertisement Schwedel: Totally! Schroeder: Its a remake, so we really have known this story for so longsince the 30s. Schwedel: And even if you havent seen any of them, its so deeply embedded into Hollywood that you kind of know it anyway. Advertisement Advertisement Schroeder: Cancer risings are really creative but insecure in their creativity, too, which I think really strikes a chord with Gagas whole journey. Schwedel: What other interesting things do you see in ASIBs chart? Schroeder: Looking deeper into the chart, I also see that its Venus is in Scorpio and thats fascinatingkinda puts a twist on the whole films meaning. Schwedel: Go on. Schroeder: I mean, on the surface it makes sense. This is an intensely emotional film about a love that runs transcendently deep. Scorpios love finding intense passion with their partners but also have something of a destructive streak in that vein. Gaga and Cooper were always doomed, like Romeo and Juliet, and Gagas character was so drawn to Cooper because he was this destructive force. She was attracted to the chaos and implosion. Maybe nothing was more satisfying to her than the shower after the Grammys. Advertisement Advertisement My other note about Scorpio Venus is that this deep pain Gaga experiences (and maybe longs for) really serves her art and nourishes her Leo moon at the end of the film as she belts out Ill Never Love Again. Schwedel: Listening to that right now. Schroeder: SAME. Schwedel: We should mention that Bradley Cooper is a Capricorn. Schroeder: For sure, such a workhorse. Schwedel: Capricorns are ambitious and determined, so I can definitely see only a Capricorn being able to pull off this ridiculous project. Schroeder: He knows how to GET THE JOB DONE. Schwedel: Directed, acted, AND worked on the script! Schroeder: Cooper is never happier than when hes finishing work projects. Capricorns find their worth through their work first and foremost. Hes dedicated to its success. It also makes so much sense that he wasnt really into that New York Times profile of him. Advertisement Advertisement Schwedel: Hes cagey in the press, always. Schroeder: As a Cap, he just wants the work to speak for itself, because to him he doesnt matter. His work does. Schwedel: Then Gaga is an Aries. Schroeder: Oh Lord, of course Gaga is an Aries. She is GREAT at press, because as an Aries, she just knows how. Aries are fun and fiery, but sometimes just too much. Advertisement Schwedel: But perfect for this role, right? Schroeder: So perfect. This is a great Aries role because shes always got to be game but also doesnt really put up with bullshit, like when she basically calls Cooper a drunk who needs to get it together cause shes done picking up his shit. Advertisement Schwedel: Perhaps portends badly for awards season, thoughwe loved her in the movie, but are we going to be exhausted after five months of her Aries-ing all over the place? I worry about the Anne Hathaway trajectory. Schroeder: If we get another talking-to-the-Oscar-statuette moment, Ill turn on her. Schwedel: Oooh, lets do A Star Is Borns horoscope for Oscar night. Is that possible? Do we have advanced-enough tools? Feb. 24, 2019. [Our amateur astrologers attempt to do some research, but the results are inconclusive ] Schroeder: Daily horoscopes are not often right or helpful, anyway. Schwedel: Maybe its better if we dont know. More drama that way. In the moment Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, their fates became forever intertwined. Ever since, their fortunes have teeter-tottered back and forth, with each gain for one seemingly corresponding to an equal and opposite loss for the other. Just this week, Swift, who until recently was claimed by neo-Nazis as an icon and suspected by others of being a stealth Trump supporter, came out in support of Democrats. Meanwhile, Kanye George Bush doesnt care about black people West was scheduled on Thursday to have a friendly lunch with President Donald Trump. This latest Freaky Fridayesque turn will leave each winning over some new fans while alienating some old ones, but given that pop music fandom has always been steered by the young and more liberal, theres little question who this week is up and who is down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So how else to recap their teeter-tottering fortunes except with a literal teeter-totter? Below, nearly a decade of Kanye West and Taylor Swift, in one seesaw. Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints replaced its men-only session at its General Conference with a womens session for the first time. (Previously, men had their own meetings at every twice-yearly conference, and women met annually on a different weekend.) The president of the church, 94-year-old Russell Nelson, used the historic session to issue Mormon women a challenge: to fast from social media for 10 days. Nelson presented the fast as an invitationless a command than a nudge to reset priorities. What do you notice after taking a break from perspectives of the world that have been wounding your spirit? he asked, describing the way social media tends to bring negative and impure thoughts to your mind. But for some women, the suggestion couldnt have seemed like a worse, or more tone-deaf, moment. I dont know why my prophet felt this was a good time for women in the church to step back, said Michelle Quist, a Republican candidate for city council in Salt Lake County, Utah. I know our national dialogue has been caustic but theres still a national conversation going on. If were not in it, then we cant influence the conversation for good. Even if Quist doesnt curtail her own social media use as a candidate, she said, she estimates she will lose about 20 percent of her audience in the crucial last few weeks before the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Mormon women who use social media professionally were also jarred by Nelsons abruptness. The social media fast took everyone by surprise, said Jana Riess, a columnist, editor, and author. I am not in a position where I can simply give up social media for 10 days without any warning. She said she plans to observe the fast at a later time, perhaps over the Christmas holiday. (Language note: Nelson recently issued a statement strongly discouraging the use of the terms Mormon and LDS, although the church had previously embraced the shorthand and the language is still in widespread use.) I dont know why my prophet felt this was a good time for women in the church to step back. Nelson also didnt specify when the fast should begin, or even what precisely he meant by social media. But many Mormon women have felt called to plunge in immediately and totally. Amy Parker attended the session on Saturday with two of her daughters, who are 9 and 11. Her first thought when she heard Nelsons challenge, she said, was that she would deactivate her personal accounts but maintain her businesss Instagram presence. She operates an Etsy shop selling hand-sewn turbans for babies that brings in between $800 and $1,000 in sales a week and is largely driven by social media. But she soon decided to seize the fervor she was feeling after the conference and just go for it. On her businesss Instagram account, which has 4,500 followers, she posted a cheerful graphic reading unplug, and told her followers she would back in 10 days. Advertisement Advertisement It would be awesome to say the prophet asked me to stay off of social media and it didnt affect my sales, or I got double the sales, she said on Wednesday. Thats not what happened. She restocks her Etsy shop on Mondays and typically gets 70 percent of her orders that day. This Monday, without posts to nudge customers, she made only one sale. In a culture that strongly values both hard work and stay-at-home motherhood, many Mormon women like Parker rely on social media for their incomes: Multi-level marketing, for example, is the second-biggest industry in Utah behind tourism. Advertisement With a major election less than a month away, Nelsons timing was particularly unfortunate for women involved in politics. Parker is a member of Mormon Women for Ethical Government, a left-leaning group founded in the wake of the 2016 election to encourage LDS women to become politically involved. She is helping to organize a nonpartisan voter prep party in her neighborhood where women will gather to review the issues, with the goal of boosting turnout in the midterms. Her group had planned to distribute sample ballots and other materials online before the party, but now they are handing out invitations and information by hand and hoping for the best. Advertisement Advertisement Parker remains cheerful about her participation in the fast. The conference was spiritually inspiring to her, and she has found herself with extra time for some long-postponed projects over the last few days. But she did take note of the fact that women were the only ones being asked to make this particular sacrifice. That pricked me, she said. She wasnt the only one: What irks me about it personally is that men have not been invited to do this yet, said Riess. To be fair, Nelson suggested a weeklong social media fast earlier this year for young people ages 12 to 18, and its possible that a similar call for men will come in the future. But another speaker this weekend urged women specifically to limit their reliance on cellphones. Asking only women and children to abstain so far, Riess said, sends a message that teenagers and women may be using the internet for frivolous reasons. In her column on Monday, she noted that only one woman addressed the full audience last weekendcompare that with 26 talks delivered by men. For the first time in a very long time, a large number of Americans has started to debateand worry aboutwhether American democracy is going to survive. But Americans, like most people, have their own specific idea of what democracy means, based in large part on our own distinct history. In his new book, Can Democracy Work? A Short History of a Radical Idea, From Ancient Athens to Our World, James Miller examines how people have thought about democracy over time and across the world. He views democracy as inherently unstable and the American faith in its success as somewhat ahistorical. But does this really mean, I wondered while reading the book, that the cure for an ailing democracy is not, in fact, more democracy? Advertisement I recently spoke by phone with Miller, who is also a professor of politics at the New School for Social Research. During the course of our conversation, which has been edited and condensed for clarity, we discussed how the Trump era is changing the American conception of democracy, what we can learn from the French Revolution, and why the internet is just like the printing pressand why that might not be good for democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isaac Chotiner: It seems to me that your questioncan democracy work?is really two separate questions. One is whether the will of the people expressed in some pure form will inevitably lead to dictatorial or bad outcomes. The second is whether democracy can ever be expressedwhether we can ever have a fair society, with everyone voting, etc., and with the will of the people actually being expressed. Advertisement James Miller: The reason I wrote my book is that its not entirely clear how weve gotten into a position where every regime around the world virtually claims to be some form of democracy, whereas for 2000 years, democracy was a reviled form of government. To even begin to answer your question, its necessary to ask what form of democracy we are actually talking about here. In the case of ancient Athens, one of the ways that Athenian democracy was rendered functional was the rise of orators that were popular with the demos, and literally they were demagogues. They could persuade the people and lead them. The quality of these orators varied. Pericles is often cited as a very noble and virtuous leader. There were other mendacious kinds of demagogues in ancient Athens. Advertisement Advertisement But in Athens, the way the people was defined was so narrow and so exclusionary. You had to have both parents who had been born in the city itself. Out of a population of maybe 200,000, only 30,000 were citizens, but the citizens who were participants, they were men, not slaves and not aliens. Because they were a very tiny number, they were able to see themselves as a kind of chosen people. They were paid to participate in assemblies and on juries. I think its important to recognize that the worlds first democracy was exclusionary and nativist, and it worked for 200 years. It did not produce dictators. The reason that eventually Athens collapsed has to do with Macedonia and the empire of Alexander the Great. Advertisement Advertisement Theres nothing that guarantees that democracy will produce liberty or liberal outcomes. Nothing. James Miller [Then] democracy really disappears for a long time as a word and as an ideal that can be spoken of without hedging your rhetoric. When it reappears, its during the French Revolution. In the French Revolution, you have a very complicated specific situation in which a team is in league in part with other monarchs in Europe and is tacitly trying to undermine a constitutional monarchy, which leads to the creation of a great deal of democratic mobilization in the city of Paris, which sets the stage for a constitutional convention, in which [you get] the worlds first, in my view, democratic constitution. Ancient Athens didnt have constitutions. The constitution itself is never actually implemented because theres a seizure of power by Robespierre and his friends, which leads to a Reign of Terror. Advertisement Advertisement The standard trope that radical democracy leads to tyranny has its warrant in the actual events of the French Revolution. Lenin was obsessed with not suffering the same fate as Robespierre. The way to not suffer the same fate is to consolidate ironclad power and kill your enemies in ways that Robespierre did not do. Theres a tradition of that being the moral that you took from the French Revolution. The multitudinous forms of democracy on display in the modern world have their antecedents in this kind of key moment. Theyre different responses to what you do about the obvious potential that in the right circumstances, democracy could produce a tyranny, because it did, and it has subsequently. Advertisement Right, but this gets confusing because you could say that if a tyranny develops, then by definition that is ignoring or going against democracy rather than the expression of democracy getting out of hand, and that a real democracy cant get out of hand because democracy is about these things that are the opposite of tyranny. Advertisement Here I lean on Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who understood the paradox this way. He thought the only legitimate government was one in which the people were sovereign. In my view, that is the modern definition of democracy. Heres the paradox: How do you institutionalize that? How do you know theyre really sovereign and who gets to be the people in any given circumstance? A sovereign people, however theyre defined, could as a matter of choice create a government that is a government of natural aristocrats or an elite. Advertisement Advertisement In other words, one could imagine a sovereign people endorsing a government of checks and balances like that in the United States. One could imagine that in certain circumstances a sovereign people might vest emergency powers in a small group. The original meaning of dictatorship in the ancient context was that. One can also imagine that a sovereign people might actually feel that the most efficient way to meet an emergency would be by vesting supreme power in one great leader. If the people are truly sovereign, they can decide any form of government they want. Thats the profound meaning of democracy. Theres nothing that guarantees that democracy will produce liberty or liberal outcomes. There is nothing that guarantees that a sovereign people would respect human rights as we call them today. Nothing. Advertisement It seems to me that this goes against an underlying idea most Americans have. Its true that the people could all vote for a fascist. Its true that Vladimir Putin can have 80 percent approval ratings, even though we do not consider Vladimir Putin a democrat. But I think most Americans would say, You know what? If you have a free press, if you have a civil society, if you have real access to the vote for everyone, including ethnic or religious minorities, its unlikely those things are going to happen. This is maybe changing in the past couple years because were all shaken up by whats going on, but I think Americans have a sense of, oh, if Russians actually had access to good sources of information and they understood what was going on and all these things, then someone like Putin would be less likely to rise. Dont you think thats an underlying optimism of liberal democracy, and do you think thats changed? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, first of all, I think that you very crisply summarized the beliefs that were instilled in me growing up and that most Americans believe, and they believe so profoundly that its very, very hard for Americans to understand that democracy has taken different forms. Theres a tendency, which I certainly feel I was taught, to tie up democracy and truth and goodness in a very tidy package. John Dewey, as a democratic theorist, is guilty of this. Its bred a certain complacency. I believed that we invented democracy, and we had the best democracy in the world. It was only when I became more directly involved in dissenting politics and became a historian and a theorist of democracy that I saw that that wasnt the case. Advertisement I think that whats happening now is that some of the [bad things], in terms of the evolution of modern putatively self-governing societies that were taken in Europe, including in the last 100 years, that were unthinkable in the United States for the reasons youve explained. It now seems like, Whoa, that might actually happen in the United States. Ive noticed this with things like freedom of speech. Twenty years ago when I was growing up, I can remember people saying things like, In the marketplace of ideas, you have good ideas and you have bad ideas, and you talk about them, and together you end up with the best democratic solution or the right idea. Advertisement Advertisement Exactly. Whereas now, of course, everyone is terrified of bad ideas, whether its a fake news story going viral on Facebook or whatever. No one thinks, Oh, you throw all the good and the bad together, and democracy is coming out with the best possible solution. Were all terrified. Advertisement Right. I also think that the whole idea of the marketplace of ideas, I just think there are a number of changes that have occurred in the last 20 years. One of them is the challenge posed by mass migration in various parts of the globe. Also, I think a factor is the appearance of the internet, in that it has been a disruptive technology that should be compared to the invention of the printing press. The printing press enabled the glories of humanism, but it also very quickly devolved into facilitating the Protestant Reformation, the pamphlets of Luther, and essentially produced 200 years of absolutely bloody religious warfare. Advertisement OK, so were both saying that we need to be real about what all this means, that democracy isnt always peaches and cream or whatever the saying is. But you can also say, Hey, Trump won with a minority of the votes. He won because of the Electoral College. Part of the reason hes winning is because money and bad information are distorting politics. You could still make the argument that in fact what we need is more democracy. Advertisement When I was younger, I thought the great panacea solution to sham democracy was more democracy. That conclusion is no longer clear to me. I think its much more complicated. Its much more complicated because of institutional questions of scale involving political parties, nation states, transnational organizations, but also and at least as importantly, psychological problems of human beings and how much complex information they can digest in a way that facilitates them coming to some kind of reasonable political judgment. Advertisement I think that making [your] argument with some acknowledgement of what the true challenges are is helpful. In a way, the most important thing to do in the next [month] is kind of simple, which is: People who often are very cynical or dubious about the power of their vote and whether or not it matters have to be persuaded to come out and actually vote. One of the things that produced Trumps victory was that kind of apathy. Even in the kind of democracy we have in the United States, which in many ways I think is very strictly limited and could be made much better and more efficient if there were reforms to getting money out of politics, if the Electoral College were abandoned and so on and so forth: Just vote to start with, because there is this power, which has evolved, and we have it in the United States. If you step back and look at world history, almost no country on the face of the earth since 1750 has the ability that we in America actually have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right, although I guess you could spin the apathy around voting the other way and say this is actually the success of democracy, right? The reason some people are too lazy to vote is that theyre generally more or less happy with whats going on, and that if you look at times where theres an economic crisis like 2008, voter turnout goes up. Well, thats what I was taught by my political science professors. Apathy was a sign of a successful democracy. I never bought it, and I dont buy it. I think that kind of argument in American political science is a byproduct of the fact that one of the peculiarities of the United States is we labor under a Constitution that was meant to be undemocratic and still is. People end up making excuses for some of the results of that. Advertisement Has your opinion of these subjects youve been writing about changed in the past couple of years? Well, yes, I felt many of my hopes tempered. I feel sort of chastened. I think whats happened with Brexit, with Trump, these are all things that happen in democratic societies. Theres a lot of turbulence. If you want a serene and stable form of government, I dont think anybody should choose a democracy because it involves ordinary people getting involved and making political decisions in whatever specific form it takes in the modern world. I suppose where I end up in the book is realizing that its something that Vaclav Havel said at the time when he was president. In a modern democratic society, one of the constant dangers is that people become demoralized by the challenges and the difficulties. Therefore, for anybody who still harbors hopes for the capacity of ordinary people to exercise more power and take more responsibility in public affairs, you at a certain point have to reassert as an article of faith that there is a kind of moral consonance that you have to act upon, that really theres a great wellspring of decency and goodness in ordinary people. Really when the chips are down, you have to bring yourself back to that. Im sorry that sounds a little corny, but thats where I ended up. Everything else you said is depressing, so you can end on corniness. Thank you. Were 27 days from Election Day, and the most likely outcome is that Democrats will take control of the House but not the Senate. Democrats whove white-knuckled their way through the difficult 2018 Senate map, then, are counting the minutes until all this will be over, and the party can make its Senate comeback in the 2020 cycle. After all, thats how it usually works: In 2014, Republicans picked up nine Senate seats in their response to the 2008 Obama wave; in 2016, Democrats clawed back a couple of the seats Republicans won in the 2010 Tea Party wave. Republicans this cycle are trying to unseat all of the Obama coattail-riders from his 2012 re-election. By the laws of our alternate-turn politics, it should come full circle in 2020 when Democrats avenge that 2014 Republican wave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the next cycle is the one where the harsh reality of the Senates structural bias towards smaller, less dense states truly begins to sink in for Democrats. All those seats that Democrats lost in 2014? Good luck taking them back. As the Washington Examiners Philip Klein observed earlier this week, the Democrats numerical advantage in opportunitiesRepublicans will be defending 22 seats, Democrats just 12masks the number of actual opportunities the party will have. Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner is the only truly endangered Republican target on the map. Though Maine Sen. Susan Collins, the only other Republican up for re-election in 2020 in a state that Hillary Clinton won in 2016, has gotten some recent attention over her Brett Kavanaugh vote, defeating her will be an uphill task, even for a kinda-household name like Susan Rice. Maine isnt that blue of a stateClinton only won it by 2.9 percentage pointsand Collins won her three previous re-election races with 58, 61, and 68 percent of the vote. Shell get a stronger challenge in 2020 than she did in 2014, but she has a lot of room to spare. Advertisement The next cycle is the one where the harsh reality of the Senates structural bias towards smaller, less dense states truly begins to sink in for Democrats. Elsewhere, Democrats will have another opportunity in Arizona to fill the last two years of the late Sen. John McCains seatthough likely against an incumbent appointed by the Republican governorand a long-shot chance to unseat Sen. Thom Tillis in North Carolina. As Klein points out, its Democrats who will be defending the single most endangered incumbent, Alabama Sen. Doug Jones. Advertisement So why is the map so limited? The vague notion that 2020 should present so many more pickup opportunities for Democrats stems from the seesaw feeling weve become inured to over the last few Senate cycles. What this misses, and what should be so frightening for Democrats looking at their Senate prospects down the road, is how many of those 2014 Republican pickups Democrats have no chance of taking back. Advertisement Advertisement Republicans picked up four seats in 2014 from retiring Democrats: South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds won Sen. Tim Johnsons seat, West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito won Sen. Jay Rockefellers seat, Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst won Sen. Tom Harkins seat, and Montana Sen. Steve Daines won Sen. Max Baucus seat. (Baucus had given up his seat to serve in the Obama administration; his appointed replacement, John Walsh, dropped out of the race over a plagiarism scandal.) These Republicans arent going anywhere. Once the senior Democrats that had held those seats for decades retired, they were Republicans for the takingand the keeping. Incumbent Democrats were also defeated in 2014 in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Alaska by Republicans who will not lose those seats in 2020. Advertisement Rather than a pendulum shift in Democrats favor, the 2020 Senate election is shaping up to be the moment when the organic Republican majority within the Senate falls into place. Trump won 46 percent of the popular vote in 2016 but 60 percent of states, and states like Idaho and Wyoming get just as many senators as California. Unless a whole bunch of red states suddenly turn blue, Democrats will be stuck where they are: in the minority. Advertisement Some Democrats are hopeful that the sharp red shift in predominantly smaller, whiter, more rural states will be counterbalanced as diversifying states like North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Texas turn blue. But those smaller, whiter, more rural states have already completed their shift to the right; the others have a longin some cases, really longway to go before they can be considered blue in the way that we consider, say, Arkansas red. The Democratic frustration of living under minority rule isnt exactly subdued right now. But its about to become one of the biggest political stories of the next decade. A day after Hurricane Michael pounded the Florida Panhandle, federal emergency workers are still focused on search and rescue, as the damage from the storm has left some communities isolated by impassable roads and others razed entirely. At least six deaths have been confirmed from the hurricane, according to the Washington Post. Four were tallied in Gadsden County, west of Tallahassee, according to CNN. One of the victims was a man who died after a tree fell on his home. In Iredell County in North Carolina, a 38-year-old man was killed when a tree fell on a vehicle, according to the Post. In Seminole County, Georgia, an 11-year-old girl died when the winds ripped a carport off the ground and threw it into the house where she sat right next to her grandmother, striking her head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One major point of concern for officials had been the hospitals, which are particularly in need of electricity. They had reason to worry: Emergency officials have evacuated more than 300 patients from storm-damaged hospitals in Panama City, according to the New York Times. Five hospitals total have been closed in the region, along with 11 nursing facilities. After Hurricane Irma, which walloped southern Florida last year, 11 people died from heat-related causes in a nursing home that lost power. Several nursing homes and hospitals in the region are currently operating on generator power. Advertisement Hurricane Michael is one of the strongest storms to ever hit the United States, and it destroyed entire blocks of homes when it made landfall in Mexico Beach yesterday. This unbelievable drone video shows just some of the devastation. pic.twitter.com/qoQCVOlVkH WNDU (@WNDU) October 11, 2018 Advertisement According to the Times, more than 1 million homes and businesses are currently without power. Advertisement Mexico Beach, at the epicenter of the hurricanes destructive path, saw winds crush entire neighborhoods, and the storm surge swept away entire blocks of homes. Authorities said that 285 people in the city had refused or been unable to evacuate. Florida Gov. Rick Scott said 20 people were rescued from Mexico Beach overnight Wednesday, and he urged those who had evacuated from coastal areas not to try to return until search and rescue teams had completed their work. Advertisement Advertisement Michael, now a tropical storm, was the most powerful storm to hit Florida since Hurricane Andrew in 1992, just shy of a Category 5 but still the third-most powerful hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. on record. It is expected to cross the Carolinas and leave the coast by early Friday. Virginia declared a state of emergency Thursday, joining Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and North Carolina in doing so. Meanwhile, President Trump approved disaster requests for Georgia and Florida to allow federal authorities to coordinate response efforts. As rescuers move into more devastated areas along the coast and sort through more debris, the death toll is expected to rise. Climate change is a hoax. If its not a hoax, its overrated. If its not overrated, its a problem for other countries, not for us. Its just a pet issue for panicky liberals. If you believe any of these things, I have bad news: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changebasically, the worlds best weather and earth scientistshas just issued a report on rising temperatures and the problems theyre causing around the world. One of the problems is migration. People are fleeing the hotter parts of the world. If we keep burning coal and oil, we wont be able to build a wall high enough to keep out the millions of refugees heading north. Advertisement The IPCC report outlines this threat and the research behind it. From 2008 to 2015, more than 100 million people were displaced by floods, 60 million by storms, and nearly 1 million by extreme temperatures. Over the past four decades, the rate of such dislocations has increased by 60 percent. The number of likely environmental migrants or environmental refugees is projected at 50 million to 200 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scientists are documenting the precise effects of temperature on migration. Two years ago, a worldwide study based on 30 years of data found that in countries reliant on agriculture, every one-degree increase in temperature on the Celsius scalethats about 1.8 degrees Fahrenheitcorrelated with a 5 percent increase in migration to other countries. A study published in 2015 found that in 142 countries, a one-degree rise in Celsius was associated with a 1.9 percentage increase in migration flows to the United States, Western Europe, and a few other highly industrialized nations. Advertisement The principal factor seems to be agriculture. Extreme heat is correlated both with lower crop yields and higher outmigration flows, says the 2016 study. A separate report, published last year by scientists in Germany, explains that heat destroys rice and wheat, causes diseases in animals, and accelerates soil degradation. In Pakistan, a study published four years ago found that high temperatures drove migration by wiping out over a third of farming income. The temperatures in Pakistan triggered an 11-fold increase in migration within that country, often from villages to cities, as men sought easier places to make a living. Similar effects, albeit less dramatic, have been reported in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and sub-Saharan Africa. Borders can slow this movement, but they cant stop it. In 2010, researchers found that a 10 percent decline in Mexican crop yields correlated with a 2 percent increase in emigration. Based on climate projections, they calculated that by 2080, climate-induced effects on agriculture would cause a significant share of Mexicos working population2 to 10 percentto leave the country. Thats on top of the number who would leave Mexico for other reasons. And they wont be heading south. Advertisement Advertisement The 2015 global study calculated that on an annual basis, each degree of increase in temperature would produce 100,000 additional migrants to the United States, Europe, and other highly industrialized countries. But that figure doesnt take account of illegal migrants, since their movements werent documented. Migration estimates also understate the effects of slow-onset natural disasters, such as rising heat, drought, and sea levels, since, as the German report notes, these problems cause people to migrate alone or in small groups, making it more difficult to identify them as environmental migrants. Advertisement The effects of temperature on global population movement are likely to accelerate for several reasons. One is that weve already degraded soil in much of the world, and more heat could finish the job. Fifty million people live in Africa near Lake Chad, which was nearly depleted 30 years ago and remains threatened by advancing desertification in the entire Sahel region. Twenty million live in drought-prone areas of East Africa (in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen). These regions are projected to suffer some of the worst damage and violence as droughts worsen. A lot of the inhabitants will leave. Advertisement Another reason to expect acceleration is secondary migration. Today, most people who flee climate change move to nearby cities, particularly on the coast. But as temperatures and sea levels rise, we can expect many of these people, who have already migrated within their countries, to be driven out of their countries altogether. One emerging threat to these cities of temporary refuge is coastal flooding, which is already a major driver of climate migration. Another threat is the urban heat differential. Due to population density, energy use, and sparsity of vegetationall of which are exacerbated by climate changecities run hotter than surrounding areas do. Heat waves there can be life-threatening. Even if we limit the average global temperature rise to two degrees, the increase in some big cities will double that. Advertisement Advertisement If you worry, as President Trump does, about people pouring into our country, its time to wake up. All of these mediating factorssoil erosion, population density, coastal flooding, and the exponentially increasing misery of rising heatimply that the rate at which climate change drives international migration will escalate. People who cant make a living in nearby plains, mountains, or cities will find their way to other countries. Probably to your country, if youre already a favored destination. Thats the pattern shown in studies of climate migration. Advertisement Unlike people who have fled the temporary droughts or floods of the past, these migrants will stay. Climate disaster refugees generally tend to migrate back to the regions they were force to leave as soon as conditions allow it, says a 2015 report from the University of Hamburg. But when the physical environment is vanishing or permanently becoming uninhabitabledue, for example, to desertification or rising sea levelsdisplaced people become permanent disaster refugees. Advertisement So if you worry, as President Donald Trump does, about people pouring into our country, its time to wake up. A two-degree increase in global temperatures could trigger significant population displacement concentrated in the tropics, says the IPCC report. Tropical populations may have to move at distances greater than 1000 [kilometers], and a rapid evacuation from the tropics could lead [to] concentration of population in tropical margins and the subtropics, where population densities could increase by 300% or more. As temperatures continue to rise, these people wont stop in the overcrowded subtropics. And no wall will keep them out. On Thursday, President Donald Trump invited popular musical artist and entrepreneur Kanye West to the Oval Office. West, the creator of such megahits as Gold Digger and Black Skinhead, spoke at length before an assembly of reporters as he sat across from Trump at the Resolute Desk. He wore Trumps signature Make America Great Again hat and said some truly wild stuff! Theres theories that theres infinite amounts of universe, and theres alternate universe, West reportedly said while encouraging the president to commute the sentence of someone he knows. No one man should have all that power! Advertisement Also on Thursday, Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp blamed his opponent in that states gubernatorial race for manufacturing outrage over the recent news that Kemp was using the power of his office to purge hundreds of thousands of voters from the rolls and block tens of thousands of mostly black voters from re-registering. Abrams is afraid to run on her extreme record so she manufactures outrage off a problem she created, Kemp said of Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams, who is campaigning to become the first black woman elected governor in the United States and is seeing many of her would-be constituents disenfranchised by her opponent because of their skin color. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, at the Oval Office, West was seen typing his password into his phone. That password was 000000. LOL! Advertisement On Tuesday, the Associated Press reported that after purging 1.4 million voter registrations from the rolls since 2012 and 670,000 registrations in the last year alone, Kemp was refusing to re-register 53,000 voters because of the states exact match verification law that requires names on applications to match exactly those on file with the Georgia Department of Driver Services or the Social Security Administration. Of those not being allowed to re-register, nearly 70 percent were black. (Georgias total population is about 32 percent black.) During his White House visit, West reportedly stepped around the Resolute Desk to give the president a hug and say, I love this guy! Kemps blatant attack on the rights of black Georgians was made possible in part by the 2013 Supreme Court ruling Shelby County v. Holder, which ended the Voting Rights Acts federal preclearance requirement in certain states for voting changes that might discriminate against minority voters. The Department of Justices Civil Rights Division could still investigate Kemps disenfranchisement plan, but that seems unlikely given that Trump is a vocal Kemp supporter and Attorney General Jeff Sessions has been extremely supportive of voter purges. Advertisement Advertisement Its possible, though, that a future West administration takes a different approach to voting rights! During his meeting with Trump, West said he would consider running for president. Only after Trump will have left office in 2024, though, West insisted. He got that ambition, baby, look at his eyes! By 2024, it seems likely that many states will have further suppressed voting rights to such a degree that it could entrench Republican rule for years, no matter what a healthy majority of the population wants. Just this summer, the court voted 54 to allow Ohios voter purge system, which could serve as a further model for Georgia and other states, to remain in place. And Brett Kavanaughwho was elevated to the Supreme Court after the Senate and the White House declined to properly investigate multiple credible allegations of sexual assault and likely perjury in his Senate testimonyis poised to join the courts hard-liners in upholding voting restrictions that disproportionately affect minority voters in extreme ways. As election expert Richard Hasen has previously written in Slate, the court this summer set the burden for proving discrimination on voters, who now have to meet the almost impossible bar of demonstrating discriminatory effect and intent. Kavanaugh could join Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch in a bloc saying that outright racial discrimination in redistricting will be totally cool now, pushing the court further to the right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to release the love, West said in the Oval Office on Thursday. We dont have the reparations but we have the 13th Amendment, he added. I dont answer questions in simple sound bites. You are tasting a fine wine, Kanye said also of his White House discourse. It has complex notes to it. The president responded that Kanye can speak for me anytime he wants. Hes a smart cookie, the president continued. He gets it. There was other voting rights news just this week as well, as the Supreme Court refused to block a North Dakota voter restriction that would prevent thousands of the states Native Americans from voting in this Novembers crucial Senate election. Thanks in part to this broad-based attack on voting rights, Republicans seem poised to maintain control of the Senate for at least another four years, which could allow them to confirm yet more hard-line Supreme Court justices, who would allow even more extreme voter crackdowns that disproportionately affect minorities, which could affect the voting rights of millions of Americans for generations. Oh, and yes, Kanye West was at the White House! That shit cray! This piece was originally published on Just Security, an online forum for analysis of U.S. national security law and policy. The question of whether the United States is failing to respond adequately to foreign governments attempted kidnappings or assassinations of political opponents, dissidents, and journalistseven when they take place on the soil of NATO alliesis raising concerns for many. How President Donald Trump and the U.S. government as a whole have responded to such actions is further complicated by whether the U.S. and its intelligence community have advance knowledge of such attacks. Thats because there is an internal government order in place requiring U.S. intelligence agencies to warn an intended victim if the agency acquires information that a threat of kidnapping, murder, or serious bodily injury is imminent. Advertisement This question is already being raised with respect to the fate of Saudi journalist and U.S. resident Jamal Khashoggi, who disappeared a little over a week ago after he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Turkish authorities have said they believe Khashoggi was murdered inside the consulate and have provided what they believe is evidence of the plan to reporters. The Saudi government has denied all allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked whether the United States had any kind of a responsibility to warn Khashoggi, President Trump said on Thursday, Its not our country and its not a citizen. But why should that matter? The standing executive-branch order that requires warning such victims applies explicitly to noncitizens, especially in foreign countries. Although I cannot comment on intelligence matters, I can say definitively the United States had no advance knowledge of Jamal Khashoggis disappearance, State Department deputy spokesman Robert Palladino said Wednesday afternoon. He repeated almost those exact same words again later in the press briefing. Asked whether the United States had any advance knowledge that there might be some kind of threat to him should he go into the consulate in Istanbul, Palladino replied, We had no advanced knowledge. Advertisement But on Tuesday night, the Washington Post reported that U.S. intelligence agencies intercepted communications that indicated a Saudi plan to capture Khashoggi may have been in the works: Before Khashoggis disappearance, U.S. intelligence intercepted communications of Saudi officials discussing a plan to capture him, according to a person familiar with the information. The Saudis wanted to lure Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia and lay hands on him there, this person said. It was not clear whether the Saudis intended to arrest and interrogate Khashoggi or to kill him, or if the United States warned Khashoggi that he was a target, this person said. Advertisement (The Post then updated its report to refer to two unnamed sources rather than one.) ABCs Conor Finnegan noted a potential difference in what the Post reported (information about a plan to capture Khashoggi) and what Palladino denied (information about a plan to disappear Khashoggi). Advertisement If any U.S. agencies did have foreknowledge of a potential Saudi plan to kidnap, kill, or maim Khashoggi, they had an obligation to warn him. Advertisement Intelligence Community Directive 191titled Duty to Warnobligates U.S. intelligence agencies to inform the potential victim of a kidnapping or murder plot if the U.S. agency becomes aware of such a threat in the course of collecting or acquiring intelligence. The directive allows for a waiver in very limited circumstances. If no waiver applies, the directive stipulates that close cases should be resolved in favor of informing the intended victim. On Wednesday night, the Washington Post reported new information about the Saudi plans that were intercepted by U.S. intelligence. The plan appeared to involve luring Khashoggi and then detaining him in Saudi Arabia. The Post is careful to note that Palladinos statement does not address this plan. Administration officials have not commented on the intelligence reports that showed a Saudi plan to lure Khashoggi, the Post states. Advertisement Advertisement What is further interesting is that the Post quotes an unnamed former senior intelligence official who suggests this plan might not have triggered the Directive 191 obligations. Capturing him, which could have been interpreted as arresting him, would not have triggered a duty-to-warn obligation, the former official said. If something in the reported intercept indicated that violence was planned, then, yes, he should have been warned. If any U.S. agencies did have foreknowledge of a potential Saudi plan to kidnap, kill, or maim Khashoggi, they had an obligation to warn him. Thats not completely accurate in my opinion. Kidnapping alone, without any anticipated serious bodily harm, triggers the directives duty to warn. A plan to lureand render Khashoggi against his will (i.e., forcibly transfer him)to Saudi Arabia looks like a case of kidnapping. If U.S. intelligence agencies knew about it in advance, they had a duty to warn him. Advertisement Some have speculated about the possibility that the U.S. intercepted the information before Khashoggi entered the Saudi Consulate on Oct. 2 but only assessed that information afterwardfor example, once it became clear that something nefarious may have occurred. In other words, perhaps the U.S. government uncovered information about Saudi plans to kidnap Khashoggi but only following a post-incident query of prior signals intelligence. But that is not how Washington Post reporters appear to be describing the situation. And the latest Washington Post report on Wednesday evening strongly suggests the information was known well in advance: The intelligence had been disseminated throughout the U.S. government and was contained in reports that are routinely available to people working on U.S. policy toward Saudi Arabia or related issues, one U.S. official said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the U.S. had known of a threat to kidnap, kill, or maim Khashoggi beforehand, the one waiver provision that might apply is if any attempt to warn him would have unduly endangered sources, methods, or intelligence operations. But any attempt sounds limited in scope, and the directive explicitly encourages U.S. agencies to think innovatively of ways to warn an intended victim and minimize such concerns. The directive states, for example, Communication of threat information to the intended victim may be delivered anonymously if that is the only method available to ensure protection of U.S. government personnel, sources, methods, intelligence operations, or defense operations. There is one other waiver provision that provides an exemption to the duty to warn if the intended victim, or those responsible for ensuring the intended victims safety, is already aware of the specific threat. Theres some indication that Khashoggi had knowledge of other attempts by the Saudis. But that does not appear to be anything close to the knowledge of the specific threat envisioned by the waiver. Otherwise, Khashoggi would not have entered the consulate as he did. Advertisement The less-than-forceful signals sent by President Trump in response to Khashoggis disappearance are accentuating a climate of fear among those who could also be targeted by the Saudis or other regimes willing to engage in similar methods. Khashoggi is a rare individual who became a U.S. resident and connected in his professional network to powerful institutions such as the Washington Post. If this could happen to someone like him, what does it mean for others? My family used to feel that I am safe when I am outside Yemen, but after the alleged kidnapping and murder of Khashoggi, they said to me that they now worried that the whole world has become unsafe for me, said Radhya Almutawakel, director of the Mwatana Organization for Human Rights in Yemen, where she has led work investigating and advocating against Saudi abuses. The new Republican talking point is that Democratic Party is an out-of-control death squad of sewer communists because it allowed women to criticize and confront Brett Kavanaugh and the senators who supported him. Heres Donald Trump at a Tuesday rally in Iowa: They wanted to destroy [Kavanaugh]because they wanted to destroy me, too. How could you do that? In their lust for power, the Democrats have become totally unhinged. Theyve gone, theyve gone crazy. No: theyve gone crazy. You dont hand matches to an arsonist, and you dont give power to an angry, left-wing mob. And thats what the Democrats have become. Advertisement Heres South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham in a Wednesday appearance on Fox News riffing on Michelle Obamas famous assertion that when they go low, we go high: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres my view of the Democratic party regarding Kavanaugh. Going low [would be] a step up for you. You are in the gutter in terms of the Democratic Partys approach. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said in a Tuesday radio interview he is concerned that Democratic protesters whove been confronting officials in public are going to murder someone: I really worry that someone is going to be killed and that those who are ratcheting up the conversation they have to realize that they bear some responsibility if this elevates to violence. Earlier in the week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Republican senators were literally under assault from protesters during Kavanaughs hearings. All of this, really, because of four womenChristine Blasey Ford and Deborah Ramirez, who came forward to accuse Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct by giving careful first-person accounts of their allegations to journalists, and Ana Maria Archila and Maria Gallagher, who told Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, while he was waiting for an elevator in a public place, that theyd been sexually assaulted. When will this brutal, despicable onslaught of defamatory hearsay and nightmarish violence end??? The following is part of a debate between Daniel Hemel and Christopher Sprigman over how progressives should react to the right-wing takeover of the judicial system as heralded by the seating of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The Kavanaugh confirmation presents a challenge for progressives like me who want to see the Supreme Court continue to play an influential role in American political life. While the justices are no doubt influenced by ideology, they generally strive to stay above petty party politics. Not Brett Kavanaughor, at least, not the Brett Kavanaugh who appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee at the end of last month. Revenge on behalf of the Clintons. What goes around comes around. These are the words of a partisan warrior, not an ostensibly neutral jurist. They will continue to resonate in our memories as long as Justice Kavanaugh remains on the bench. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while Kavanaughs words were potent, the institution that he joins is feeble. The court is, by design, the least dangerous branch, in Hamiltons words. It lacks both the power of the sword and the power of the purse, and therefore must rely on the explicitly political branchesthe executive and the legislatureto enforce its decisions. It therefore cannot speed too far ahead, or lag too far behind, the existing political consensus. Political scientist Robert Dahl got it right six decades ago when he wrote that except for short-lived transitional periods the Supreme Court is inevitably a part of the dominant national alliance, and in the absence of substantial agreement within the alliance, an attempt by the Court to make national policy is likely to lead to disaster. Advertisement Nor should we want it any other way. The linchpin of democratic legitimacy is consent, and a tribunal of unelected judges who could dictate national policy without the consent of the electorate or the political branches would be an illegitimate institution in a democratic society. The Supreme Court cannot countermand the political branches unless the political branches acquiesce to its rulings. Historically they have, but only because historically the court has not cut loose from the dominant national allianceat least, not for long. Advertisement Which is not to say that the court is an irrelevant institution. To the contrary, and notwithstanding its ultimate dependence on the political branches, the court still can serve a restraining function when the political branches stray too far from core constitutional commitments. It cannot save a people from ruin, as thenHarvard law professor James Bradley Thayer recognized at the end of the 19th century, but it can spur the political branches to reconsider decisions that disregard fundamental and widely shared values. In former Yale law professor Alexander Bickels oft-quoted words, the court can remind us of that which may have been forgotten in the moments hue and cry. Advertisement Advertisement An institution is more than any one individual, and moreover, we should be playing a long game here. The court has not always performed this function of providing a sober second thought when fear and paranoia have intoxicated the political branches. But it often has. It is correct to mentionand lamentthe courts reprehensible decision in Korematsu v. United States, but we often forget that on the same day as Korematsu, the court ruled unanimously in Ex Parte Endo that the Roosevelt administration could not hold American citizens in military detention merely on account of their Japanese ancestry. We should remember the internment of Japanese Americans as a horrific episode in our countrys history, but we also should remember that it was that same court that brought that episode to an end. Advertisement Ex Parte Endo does not stand alone. From the 1866 decision in Ex Parte Milligan (which protected citizens access to civilian courts in wartime) to the 1971 decision allowing publication of the Pentagon Papers and the post-9/11 Guantanamo cases, the courtusually by bipartisan majoritieshas served as a check on the other branches worst excesses. Not always, to be sure; the courts signoff on President Trumps third travel ban may go down in history as another instance in which judicial safeguards failed. Yet even in the travel-ban litigation, it was the failure of the first travel ban in court (albeit at one level below the Supreme) that prompted the president to pare back some of the most onerous restrictions. Advertisement Beyond its function as a check on jingoistic hysteria, the Supreme Court also at times has played a representation-reinforcing role, striking down laws that prevent racial and political minorities from participating effectively in the political process. For example, in the first half of the 20th century, the court invalidated state laws that excluded black Americans from voting in primaries. In the 1964 case Reynolds v. Sims, the court established the principle of one person, one vote, which led to the invalidation of state legislative districts with grossly unequal populations. Over the next several decades, the court repeatedly struck down state laws that precluded political minorities (Communists, socialists, and right-wingers alike) from gaining access to the ballot. Here, the courts worst errors have resulted not from overreach but from its reluctance to go further on subjects such as partisan gerrymandering and voter identification. The principal problem with the courts voting-rights jurisprudence has not been too much constitutionalism, but too little. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to serving as a restraining force and a representation re-enforcer, the court hason a few occasionsgotten a half step ahead of progressive social change. Brown is one example. To be sure, far too many school systems still are divided on racial lines, but court-ordered desegregation has had meaningful effects on educational attainment for black Americans in the places where it occurred. Lawrence v. Texas was largely symbolic, but the marriage-equality ruling a dozen years later in Obergefell v. Hodges was much more than symbolic for the tens of thousands of same-sex couples who have wed since June 2015 in states that previously banned their unions. Roe v. Wade may have been a disaster politically, but the pre-Roe status quo was even more of a disaster for the thousands of women who died due to back-alley abortions in the decades before the ruling. Advertisement True, the court also has slowed progressive change at various junctures. But the court can do no more than throw sand in the gearsit cannot bring the engine to a halt. Progressive reforms stalled at the beginning of the 20th century not primarily on account of the Lochner court but because progressives lost control of Congress and the presidency at the ballot box. The court interfered with FDRs First New Deal but ultimately allowed the most important elements of the Second New Deal to take effect. More recently, the Roberts court made way for the key parts of the Affordable Care Act, and while it did impede the ACAs Medicaid expansion, the chief obstacle to universal health care was not judicial oppositionit was the Republican victories in special and midterm elections in 2010. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And then there is Citizens United. A far harder case than critics on the left often acknowledge, it is a far less consequential one as well. The much more important impediment to meaningful campaign finance reform is the lack of political will for a robust public financing system. If such will ever coalesces, it is doubtful that the court can stop the popular juggernaut for long. In the past, it never has. Advertisement In sum, the courts worst moments have been moments of weakness, not overexertions of strength. It will forever be the least dangerous branch, but that is no reason to enfeeble it further. Concededly, now-Justice Kavanaughs recent testimony leaves one to wonder whether he will supply the sober second thought that the court, in its finest moments, can provide. But an institution is more than any one individual, and moreover, we should be playing a long game here. Part 1: Should Progressives Wage War on the Supreme Court? Part 2: The Supreme Court Is a Historically Regressive and Presently Expendable Institution Part 4: Three Plans for Saving Voters From a Right-Wing Activist Supreme Court Part 5: Why Supreme Court Term Limits Wont Work and What to Do Instead The legal left is at a crossroads. With Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaughs confirmation, and with President Donald Trump filling appellate judgeships at a breakneck pace, the federal courts are likely to lean right for the foreseeable future. Landmark decisions such as Roe v. Wade are in peril. Laws enacted by progressive state legislatures, or by a future Democratic Congress and president, are at heightened risk of being struck down by a coterie of federal judges that is not just conservative but also partisan and activist. Advertisement We have been here before. In the early part of the 20th century, a conservative Supreme Court gutted state and federal laws limiting child labor, setting minimum wages, regulating banks, and pursuing other progressive agenda items that had wide popular support. Progressive politicians and intellectuals responded by attacking the courts institutional legitimacy and calling the very idea of judicial supremacy into question. As President Franklin Roosevelt said in one of his fireside chats in 1937, We have reached the point as a nation where we must take action to save the Constitution from the court. Roosevelt responded with a court-packing plan thatthough unsuccessful on its own termsdid what it was intended to do. An overawed Supreme Court allowed Roosevelts Second New Deal to proceed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the dawn of the 21st century, we found ourselves at a similar juncture. The courts 54 decision in Bush v. Gore laid bare the reality that rulings handed down by judges areat least at timespolitics by other means. That decision inspired many progressives to ask whether a transparently partisan court should continue to enjoy the power to override the electorates will. This time, however, the modal response from the left was not an all-out attack on the normative foundations of judicial supremacy. Progressives focused instead on ways to vindicate their values while preserving the enormous power of federal courts. At the dawn of the 21 st century, we found ourselves at a similar juncture. Fast-forward to 2018. A Republican again occupies the White House without having won the popular vote, and another right-wing takeover of the courts is well underway. And yet again, the left seems almost certain to divide over how to deal with a right-wing judiciary. Some will say that progressives continued embrace of judicial supremacy postBush v. Gore turned out to be a mistake. By conceding the institutional legitimacy of an activist and partisan Supreme Court, progressives paved the way for decisions striking down common-sense gun regulations, corporate campaign finance laws, key components of Obamacare, voting rights protections, and much more. Advertisement Advertisement In the eyes of those who subscribe to this view, progressives gave up on democracy. And they effectively tied their own hands by acknowledging that the law is whatever the Supreme Court says it is, which all too often means that the law is whatever the Republican Party and the Federalist Society want it to be. Others will respond that the decision by progressives after Bush v. Gore to stay faithful to judicial supremacy brought some significant gains. They will point toward post-2000 Supreme Court decisions that affirmed important progressive values while striking down popularly enacted laws, including decisions that barred the execution of intellectually disabled individuals, that outlawed the horrific practice of mandating life without parole sentences for minors, that recognized the due process rights of Guantanamo detainees, and that legalized same-sex marriage for all 50 states. The wiser approach, they will argue, is the one that progressives most recently followed: choosing to fight inside the court rather than against the court. The two of us find ourselves on opposite sides of this divide. In a series of posts, we will try to convince each other that our own view is the right one for the left. If history is any guide, the left needs to have this debate. Now. Part 2: The Supreme Court Is Retrogressive and Expendable Part 3: The Supreme Court Is a Bulwark of Democracy Part 4: Three Plans for Saving Voters From a Right-Wing Activist Supreme Court Part 5: Why Supreme Court Term Limits Wont Work and What to Do Instead President Trump is worried that the U.S. response to Saudi Arabia over the disappearance and possible murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi might crimp American arm sales to the kingdom, which could be jeopardized if Congress and the White House impose sanctions. I dont like stopping massive amounts of money that is being poured into our country, Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday. I know they are talking about different kinds of sanctions, but [the Saudis] are spending $110 billion on military equipment and on things that create jobs for this country. I dont like the concept of stopping an investment of $110 billion into the United States. Advertisement U.S. intelligence has determined that the government of Saudi Arabia, at the direction of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, planned to get Khashoggi out of the U.S. and into Saudi Arabia, according to the Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. intelligence has determined that the government of Saudi Arabia, at the direction of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, planned to get Khashoggi out of the U.S. and into Saudi Arabia, according to the Washington Post, and then detain him there. Before he disappeared into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week, senior Saudi officials close to the crown prince had called Khashoggi to offer him protection, and even a high-level job working for the government, if he returned to his home country. Advertisement But Khashoggi doubted their sincerity and, it seems, the Saudi government needed to resort to more extreme efforts to get their critic out of the relative safety of the U.S. None of the intelligence reviewed by the Post showed a plan to kill Khashoggi, leading many to conclude that if he were killedas alleged by Turkish officialsit was part of an interrogation or kidnapping attempt gone wrong. But even so, the intelligence that Saudi Arabia wanted to get Khashoggi was disseminated throughout the U.S. government and was contained in reports that are routinely available to people working on U.S. policy toward Saudi Arabia, the Post reported, thus raising the question of what senior officials like Secretary of State Mike Pompeo or Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats knew about the plan. Advertisement Advertisement But the most consequential question is what, if anything, Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner knew about the plot or bin Salmans role in it. Kushner is close to his fellow prince and has reportedly taken charge of much of the Trump administrations relationship with Saudi Arabia and with bin Salman specifically. Getting the Saudis to agree to buy $110 billion worth of weapons and military equipment was one of the signature accomplishments of Trump and Kushners outreach. Kushner and Mohammed have had private, one-on-one phone calls that were not always set up through normal channels so the conversations could be memorialized and Kushner could be properly briefed, the Post reported, and Kushners relationship with Mohammed has long been the subject of suspicion by some American intelligence officials. The FBI has thwarted a plot by a New York man to set off a bomb on the National Mall in Washington on Election Day, according to the Associated Press. Paul Rosenfeld, 56, from Tappan, New York, was arrested and charged on Wednesday with manufacturing a bomb and transporting explosives across state lines. His plan, according to the FBI, was to blow himself up to bring attention to a political system called sortition, which was most famously used in ancient Athens and in which public officials are selected randomly from a pool of eligible voters. Had he been successful, Rosenfelds alleged plot could have claimed the lives of innocent bystanders and caused untold destruction, according to the assistant director of the FBIs New York field office. Advertisement On Tuesday, federal authorities raided his home, where they found the bomb in his basement. The 200-pound bomb contained eight pounds of black powder inside a heavy plywood box equipped with hardware for moving it, according to court filings. After he was stopped by authorities, Rosenfeld confessed to ordering the powder online and having it delivered to a location in New Jersey before transporting it to New York, where he built smaller versions of the bomb and set off test explosions. According to NBC News, a reporter who had received messages from Rosenfeld alerted authorities to the danger. Rosenfeld had sent letters and text messages to the reporter in Pennsylvania in August and September warning that he planned to blow himself up somewhere in the heart of D.C. The FBI believes Rosenfeld acted alone, and he faces up to 20 years in prison. On Thursday, the Washington Supreme Court ruled that capital punishment violates the state constitution. The court held that, as applied in Washington State, the death penalty has been imposed in an unlawfully arbitrary and racially biased manner. It thus converted all death sentences to life imprisonment and barred the future imposition of capital sentences. The courts ruling was unanimous and cannot be reversed by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Washington Supreme Court rooted its decision in a provision of the state constitution that bars any cruel punishment. For decades, the court has held that this clause provides greater protection than its counterpart in the federal Constitution, the Eighth Amendment. Nevertheless, in 2012, the court upheld the death penalty, noting it had seen no evidence that racial discrimination pervades the imposition of capital punishment in Washington. That finding spurred a death row inmate to commission a study by Katherine Beckett, an expert on race and criminal sentencing, to analyze the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beckett found that capital punishment, as practiced in Washington State, is infected by racism. According to her report, black defendants were 4 times more likely to be sentenced to death than similarly situated white defendants. Moreover, prosecutors are more likely to seek the death penalty in counties with larger black populations. Becketts conclusion was stark: In Washington State, black offenders were at greater risk of execution than white offenders whod committed an identical crime. In light of these findings, the court held Thursday that capital punishment is imposed in an arbitrary and racially biased manner and fails to serve any legitimate penological goals. The problems go beyond race: Most prosecutors in the state have stopped seeking the death penalty, so all current capital sentences arise from just six of Washingtons 39 counties. The location of your crime may therefore determine whether you live or die. This random and capricious application of the ultimate punishment, the court ruled, fatally undermines any state interest retribution and deterrence of capital crimes by prospective offenders. There are currently eight inmates on Washingtons death row. The court converted their sentences to life imprisonment and forbade the state from conducting any further executions. Because its ruling is based entirely in the state constitution, the U.S. Supreme Court cannot overturn it. And the court left no room for future reconsideration of its unanimous decision. Capital punishment is over in Washington State. Artificial intelligence is creeping into our smartphones in small, subtle ways. Googles Pixel 3, announced Tuesday, can answer robocalls on your behalf thanks to Googles Duplex technology and Google Assistant. Meanwhile, Android P, the latest operating system for Googles phones, can learn from how you interact with phone alerts to suggest stopping notifications for particular apps, reducing the amount of unnecessary intrusions your phone makes into your daily life. But theres another new phone in the pipeline that takes these kinds of developments further. By pairing them with more robust voice control, it may help fill in the picture of how well talk to the next generation of smartphonesand what theyll learn about us in order to talk back. Advertisement Essential, the company formed by former Android chief Andy Rubin, is developing a smartphone that will try to mimic the user and automatically respond to messages on their behalf, Bloomberg reports. The device will shun the extra-large edge-to-edge displays currently trending in smartphones in favor of a smaller display and a focus on voice. The eventual goal, based on statements Rubin made in a 2017 interview, is for a phone thats a virtual version of you. The device might not be ideal for everyone but would suit those who aim to spend less time glued to their screensa problem both Apple and Google have begun trying to solve with behavior-monitoring softwareas well as those who may want a smaller-screened device to complement a larger smartphone or phablet. Essentials phone could be the first in a new breed of smartphones designed specifically around voice interactions and A.I., rather than apps, photos, and video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of voice being the primary mechanism for more and more functions, the phone will become less app-centric and more subject-centric, centered on key relationships in your life." Design Caffeine CEO Greg Nudelman Right now, phones cant match devices like Amazons Echo or Googles Home when it comes to voice controls. The Essential device points to a future where thats changed. Voice is going to be a huge aspect of the home screen, mobile-experience strategist and UX design company Design Caffeine CEO Greg Nudelman told me. When digital assistants and voice control first began to debut on connected devices, it was more of a gimmick than a useful tool. Their knowledge base and feature sets were extremely limited, but in the seven years since Apple introduced Siri, the four years since Amazon first showed off Alexa, and the two years since Google Assistant debuted, these virtual assistants capabilities have expanded dramatically to encompass smart home device control, interactions with third-party apps and services, and stats about a wider variety of subjects and events. Voice assistants still have issues: They dont always understand queries correctly, they have distinct limitations in their functionality, and, on a phone, its not always socially acceptable to voice a command to your phone. (Weve also seen, as in the case of Googles Duplex A.I., that these systems can cross the line into creepy territory.) But paired with A.I. and something called contextual awareness, a phone like Essential could advance the technology significantly. Advertisement Advertisement The smartphone home screen were currently familiar witha grid of app icons, perhaps augmented by a handful of widgets as on Androidsisnt necessarily the one well have in a few years. Instead, the experience could center around contextual awareness, the concept of your phone being cognizant of your activities and whereabouts in a useful way. As a result of voice being the primary mechanism for more and more functions, the phone will become less app-centric and more subject-centric, centered on key relationships in your lifepeople, objects, groups, organizations, Nudelman said. Advertisement The large home screen dominated by apps could be replaced by one either focused on relationships and people or by an experience centered around notifications that need dealing with. Were already seeing the beginnings of this: Both Android and iOS have notification centers that are proving increasingly important to the overall smartphone experience. Notifications are being grouped more logically than in the past, now include more context (such as thumbnails of photos that have been sent), and have shortcuts for us to quickly take action on those alerts, like the ability to reply directly to a text. These features bypass the need to visit a specific app to take action on a notification. Advertisement Advertisement And with contextual awareness, a device could more easily learn how to respond on a users behalf, as Essentials phone will reportedly do. If it senses youre driving, it could respond to a message saying that youll get back once you arrive at your destinationditto if youre working out, or if it knows that youre in a meeting for the next hour. Knowing your location, what activity you may be doing, or whats next on your schedule, the device could also tailor notifications, apps, and other experiences so that theyre specifically relevant to your current situation, sparing you tasks or alerts that are better suited for another time. Of course, such an experience would have drawbacks. With a smaller screen, watching HD video streams may be tough. Its also unclear whether this phone might provide a more limited, curated Android experience than users are accustomed toits possible device owners might have to use Essential-built apps for the experience to work, rather than third-party alternatives, for example. (At the very least, its software will surely support only a limited number of third-party apps, as weve seen with the early stages of other digital assistants.) And then theres the question of whether the phones A.I. will even work as promised. A prototype of Essentials phone may be ready by the end of the year, according to Bloomberg, in time for a quiet debut with the companys partners at CES in January. Its certainly an ambitious project: While Googles Pixel 3 may use more A.I. than any phone yet, it does so with conscientious subtlety. Essential would be throwing that restraint out the window and offering consumers a radically different smartphone experience. Its biggest bet is whether consumers will be willing to take the leap too. When Google executives decided in March not to alert the public that the company had found a bug within its moribund social media platform, Google Plus, that had exposed the personal data of 500,000 users, they likely felt they were sparing themselves a public firestorm. According to an internal memo obtained by the Wall Street Journal, advisers within Google noted that going public with news of the data exposure, which the company patched quickly, would mean us coming into the spotlight alongside or even instead of Facebook despite having stayed under the radar throughout the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Going public almost guarantees Sundar will testify before Congress, the memo reportedly read. The strategy worked for a while. Google largely laid low for the past six months while Facebook became the subject of multiple federal investigations for its porous privacy practices, with its CEO Mark Zuckerberg weathering two days of intense questioning from Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a blog post Monday, likely responding to the Journals scoop about the vulnerability, Google wrote that the bug allowed developers to potentially access data that wasnt marked as public by users who didnt consent for their information being shared. While there arent clear, broad federal laws about what to do in the event of personal details improperly being exposed by a platform, Google has its very own set of federal guidelines that its supposed to follow. The Federal Trade Commission, the agency that deals with consumer-protection issues, slapped the search giant with a consent decree in 2011 after it found that Google had mishandled user data on an earlier social media project called Buzz. Whats unclear is whether Google violated this decreeand could therefore face some expensive consequences. Advertisement The 2011 Google order prohibits misrepresentations, specifically referencing misrepresentations about the efficacy of privacy controls, said Justin Brookman, the director of consumer privacy and technology policy at Consumers Union, who previously served as the policy director of the FTCs Office of Technology Research and Investigation. The order also says if youre going to share data with third parties in a new way from what users were told, you need opt-in consent. Advertisement Since, with this bug, Google did expose personal data beyond what the company had permission from users to share, it could be interpreted as a violation of the FTC order, which could lead to fines, according to Ashkan Soltani, who previously worked as the chief technologist at the Federal Trade Commission. With Googles consent decree its not supposed to matter if theres any harm. Its supposed to be based purely on deception, said Soltani, who added that fines issued for violating the consent decree would cover the number of days Google engaged in the deceptive practice. So if they patched it after two days, then the violation would be for two days, Soltani said. Google could be fined up to $16,000 per day per individual violation. With 500,000 users affected over two days, that could add up to about $16 billion, though its unlikely the FTC would charge the fine in full. If Google hadnt obtained consent from the users of Google Plus to share their information with the software developers, then, if the reports are correct, Google could well have problems with the FTC, said David Vladeck, a professor at Georgetown Law School and the former director of the FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection. Even if the problem was an unanticipated bug, what is Googles defense for concealing that bug for six months? Vladeck asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FTC told me it doesnt comment on specific incidents. (Google did not respond to my request for comment.) But agency Chairman Joe Simons said in a statement that when we see a significant breach that puts consumers private data at risk, you can be assured that we will be looking into it. We are committed to holding companies accountable if their practices violate the law. Details will matter here. And a lot depends on what Google told Google Plus users in its terms of service at the time they signed up for the service, according to Brookman. Another factor that might suggest restraint by the FTC is the number of users affected: 500,000 is a lot fewer users than, say, the approximately 50 million to 90 million Facebook users affected by the Cambridge Analytica scandal, as Soltani points out. For an agency with limited resources its unclear whether they would actually pursue something like this unless Congress or others made an issue of it, Soltani said. Advertisement But as of Wednesday, both Republican and Democratic lawmakers made it clear that Googles privacy slip is part of the same privacy debate theyre having over Facebook. In a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Wednesday, Sen. John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota and the chair of the committee, said, In the wake of Facebooks Cambridge Analytica scandal and other similar incidents, including a vulnerability in Google Plus accounts reported just this past week, it is increasingly clear that industry self-regulation in this area is not sufficient. Thune stated that a more national privacy standard for such companies was needed. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, announced he would be ask the FTC to investigate Google. And Sen. Mark Warner, a Democrat from Virginia, wrote in a Twitter thread on Monday that he found Googles decision to not disclose to be outrageous and lamented that Google was invited to testify to Congress last month but declined to send a top executive, leading the committee to place an empty chair in the hearing room. Its clear that Congress needs to step in, Warner wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Rather than keeping the public and Congress in the dark about issues like this, Google should work with Congress to develop some smart, reasonable guardrails that protect Americans and their data. Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) October 9, 2018 Google CEO Sundar Pichai did finally agree at the end of September to testify to Congress. His company now has until Oct. 30 to respond to senators questions, while Pichai is scheduled to testify in front of the House Judiciary Committee sometime after the November midterm elections, though an exact date has not been set. One way or another, Googles decision to keep the Google Plus bug to itself is not going away. In the eyes of foreigners Slovaks are friendly when they overcome their first fears. News: Receive favorite authors articles by email. Try the new feature and turn on the subscription. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled We are Trnavans, all three of us, said Naima Abdi in Slovak and her other two co-debaters smile and nod. Naima from Somalia has lived in Slovakia since 2009 and she speaks fluent Slovak, only making a few mistakes from time to time. She and her colleague spoke at an event organised by the IOM Migration Information Centre Slovakia, which is supposed to connect foreigners with Slovaks. The first contact with Slovakia was not pleasant, admits Naima, who moved to Slovakia when she was 16-years-old. Her father was the first to come to Slovakia, found a job and then arranged a visa for his family. Slovakia is not a well-known country among migrants and Naima was shocked when she found out where she was supposed to live. Everyone was staring at us. Literally everyone, she said, explaining that she has six brothers and when they decided to go somewhere as a family, it was even worse. Despite this, she has no negative experience towards her as a foreigner in Slovakia. Ameer Mayyahi ended up in Slovakia when he and his father escaped from Iraq. His parents are artists and they were persecuted because of their opinions. Even though the majority of Ameers family lives in the US, he decided to stay in Slovakia. I feel like at home in Slovakia, now, he opined. Goethe Institute in Bratislava is hosting a virtual reality project inspired by Franz Kafkas novella The Metamorphosis. News: Receive favorite authors articles by email. Try the new feature and turn on the subscription. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled In a corner of the library in the Goethe Institute in Bratislava, Martina Obsitnikova receives special glasses, headphones, gloves and slippers. This outfit transfers her into the virtual room of salesman Gregor Samsa from one of the best-known works of Franz Kafka, the novella The Metamorphosis. As she moves around, she just realises that she does not have arms and legs any more, but insect limbs. A glance at the mirror reveals the truth she has transformed into a huge, ugly insect. When I saw that I have insect limbs, it was not so strange, but when I saw myself in the mirror, I became frightened, said Obsitnikova after she took off the outfit. I did not expect something like this. It looked highly realistic. VR for virtual reality In the novella Kafka describes the feelings of a travelling salesman, Gregor Samsa, who awakes one morning transformed into a gigantic insect, the reader not getting any answer as to how and why this has happened. Kafka instead emphasizes how Smasa will come to terms with the transformation, how his parents will react and what his boss will say. An American director living in Prague, Mika Johnson, teaming up with the Czech teams Achtung 4K and 4Each, created the project with art and animation as well as interactive objects for the local Goethe Institute. VRwandlung A virtual-reality project based on the Franz Kafka novella The Metamorphosis at the Goethe Institute, Panenska 33, in its library a visit to the room installation is free of charge visitors can choose from three languages: Czech, German and English booking through FB page of the Goethe Institute is necessary the installation is open during workdays between 14:00-18:00, on Wednesday till 19:00, until the end of October the experience lasts about 10 minutes, 5 minutes for the three-dimensional installation itself. The rest accounts for preparation and putting and removal of the outfit. it is more convenient not to wear glasses under the special VR glasses since they are quite tight VRwandlung transfers Franz Kafkas work from the pages of the book to virtual reality, explains Johnson as cited on the website of the Goethe Institute. The protagonist is no longer Gregor Samsa, but you. During the virtual visit, the visitor can wander around Samsas room and even pull out some drawers and look in the mirror. What are the police doing to solve the current problems? News: Receive favorite authors articles by email. Try the new feature and turn on the subscription. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Several foreigners have recently complained about the return of long waiting lines in front of the Foreigners Police new building on Regrutska Street in Bratislava. Once again, terrible experience at the foreigners police, wrote Evan Konstantinopoulos on October 8 on Facebook, describing how five years after his first registration in Slovakia, he had the unpleasant experience of visiting the Foreigners Police department in Bratislava. Six hours of waiting and I was 15th in the order for my application while for unknown reasons positions six and seven were served in the last 30 minutes. Rapid increase in application numbers The Bureau of Border and Foreign Police knows about the current situation and is doing everything it can to improve the situation. The reason for this situation is the nearly 50-percent increase in the number of applications from foreigners, which results in longer waiting lines in some departments, Denisa Baloghova, spokesperson for the Police Corps Presidium, told The Slovak Spectator. Though there is an increase in the number of applications across Slovakia, the biggest pressure is in Bratislava. This is why were trying to solve the situation in this department as a priority, Baloghova added, specifying that the police officers from other Foreigners Police departments, which are not so busy, are coming to help in Bratislava. Starbucks continues to add to their already impressive (at least by coffee industry standards) benefits package. Along with things like an expansive transgender health care policy, 100% tuition coverage for first-time bachelors via Arizona States online program, and paid parental leave, Starbucks has announced the newest addition to their package: a subsidized backup care plan for children and seniors. Called Care@Work, Starbucks has teamed up with Care.com to provide all employees at US company-owned stores with an online service connecting families and caregivers, per the press release. In practical terms, this means all 180,000+ employees will receive 10 subsidized backup care days for children and adults. Using the Care@Work portal, employees will be able to schedule last-minute care for their loved ones for the subsidized cost of $1 an hour for in-home backup child and adult care or $5 per day for in-center child care for the allotted 10 days. After exhausting these days, other serviceslike pet sitting and housekeepingbecome available, though at full cost to the employees. The move comes in response to a significant sector of the work force having difficulty balancing their job and their family. From the press release: A recent analysis of the National Survey of Childrens Health showed that 2 million working parents had to quit their jobs in 2016, the year of the survey, because of child care issues. The crunch isnt just being felt by parents, but also for those who are caring for their own aging relatives. One in five U.S. workers report they are currently providing assistance for older relatives and friends, according to a report by the AARP Public Policy Institute. Nearly 70 percent of those who do say they had to take time off or make other work adjustments because of caregiving. Also included in the Care@Work package are resources to help Starbucks employees with senior care planning. This give participants access to a Senior Care Advisor for professional guidance and a customized plan for senior care to help understand long term caregiver options, housing alternatives, finances and legal concerns all at no cost. For all the (often justified) grumbling people to about Starbucksat this very moment, someone is angrily typing, BUT WHAT ABOUT [WHATEVER THEIR BEEF IS], SPRUDGEthe company continues to lead the charge in creating a robust employee benefits package. For more information, read the full Care@Work press release here. Zac Cadwalader is the news editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge. All media via Starbucks He has been competing with amateur status since he began driving, but on Wednesday (Oct. 10) at Monticello Raceway, Tony Ciuffetelli drove like a professional when he won both divisions of the French-American Friendship Competition. The former corrections officer won one race from behind and the other on the front end. In the third race, Ciuffetelli avoided the congestion in front of him and rallied Sams Fortune to a come-from-behind triumph in 2:03.4 over seven rivals. Three races later, he sent Brandos Music Man to the front and made every pole a winning one en route to a 2:00.4 victory. This is my first driving double and I'm certainly thrilled, a smiling Ciuffetelli said in the paddock as he handed the reins to the horse's caretaker. Starting from the post 2 with Sams Fortune, Ciuffetelli got away slowly as four others sped for the lead. They were in fifth place when the field passed the first quarter as France's Sandrine Oyer was stuck on the limb with Five Star Stud. As the race progressed, French driver Jerome Maillard had Tattle Tell Teen on the lead as Frenchman Jean Marc Freyssence and Four Star Lefty were second-over behind Oyer's pacer, which made a block for anyone trying to get around. Sensing a problem, the U.S.A.'s Alan Schwartz wheeled Lightning Madison three-deep, and they paced by the leaders while followed by Ciuffetelli and Sams Fortune. At the top of the lane, Lightning Madison had a three-length lead, and despite being hung out the entire way, Five Star Stud was still in contention. At that point, Sams Fortune was fifth on the far outside and still five lengths off the leader. But as the field progressed in the lane, Lightning Madison faded to finish third and Sams Fortune rallied to a length victory over Five Star Stud. I made it through the traffic, and when we finally cleared and headed for home, my horse was the strong horse and we went on to win it, Ciuffetelli explained. The winner is owned by Pete and Donna Siebert and trained by Siebert. He paid $7.80. After all the road trouble Ciuffetelli had in the first event, he hustled the betting favourite Brandos Muscle Man to the lead from post 6 and played catch me if you can and nobody could. They chugged along unchallenged for a one-length victory in a time of 2:00.4 as French rivals finished second and third. With a two-hole trip, France's Jerome Malliard was second best with Ralph R, and his countryman Jean Marc Freyssence was third with Bootswiththefur, albeit in a dead-heat with Linda Marie, driven by American Jerry Fielding. He's a classy old horse, Ciuffetelli said referring to Brandos Muscle Man. And even though the old veteran knew just what to do, I still had to keep after him in the stretch. The winner is owned by Rick Dane and Monica Banca and trained by Dane. He paid $4.80. For Ciuffetelli, who has sights on possibly being the amateur driver of the year, his season's stats after today's races are: 10-7-6 in 50 starts with a UDR of .318. On Friday (Oct. 12), the final race in the French-American Friendship Competition will be at The Meadowlands. (NAADA) "Precision Jumping Limits from Flight-phase Control in Salto-1P" is the academic sounding title of a paper that should nonetheless delight those interested in robotic movement. Justin Yim and Ronald Fearing, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, are the paper's authors. Their work was presented earlier this month at IROS 2018 in Madrid. This is a monopedal robot, called Salto-1P. Video notes further described Salto-1P as a small monopedal jumping robot capable of continuous high-power hopping. Why do they call it Salto? James Holloway in New Atlas satisfied the curious. Saltatorial Locomotion on Terrain Obstacles is the answer, whatever "saltatorial" means. Holloway and Google helped out there too. Saltatorial means adapted toward leaping. Saltus is a Latin word for leap. Actually, watching a one-legged robot jump around in a non-stop frenzy is strangely riveting itself. However, the researchers at UC Berkeley had more of targeted movements in mind. The team is fixed on delivering a robot that can do jumping that gets it right as to where it lands next. "Two small propellers allow the robot to twist in midair, but all the motive force comes from the single leg," said Hackaday. One can understand IEEE Spectrum choosing to call it a "robotic pogo stick" (but that is not the story; it is rather about what the stick can now accomplish). The researchers were not interested in just coming up with a hyper machine flinging itself about. TechCrunch wrote about its capabilities: (1) it can watch a surface for a target, wrote John Biggs, and (2) "essentially fly over to where it needs to land using built-in propellers." Why their recent work matters: It's all about the controller, which they upgraded to improve precision on landing"a feat that was almost impossible using the previous controller system," said Biggs. Evan Ackerman explained that Salto-1P's hardware is the same as last year: one actuated elastic leg for hops, "an inertial tail that spins to control pitch, and half a quadcopter to control yaw and roll." But this year, it is all about the controller. The team's goal for Salto-1P was a better controller to do things that need accurate foot placement. Ackerman said that "even more aggressive behaviors, like jumping between walls, involves an entire sequence of jumps that all need to be accurate, since a single inaccurate jump will likely cause the robot to fall and smash itself to bits." In their paper, the authors discussed their deadbeat foot placement hopping control. What does that mean? Well, they are dealing with "a new control algorithm that can land Salto-1P's foot at particular spots on the ground like jumping on stepping stones or playing one-leg hopscotch." They are calling this "deadbeat foot placement hopping control". Holloway told New Atlas readers about the team's approach. "The controller uses what's known in mathematics as a Taylor series approximation, which can be used to approximate answers to complex equations, including those governing forces acting on a point." End result: a robot engineered such that it can not just hop but hop between designated spots, "as if jumping from stepping stone to stepping stone or playing hopscotch." It can hop on the ground, or between objects of increasing height, said Holloway. Their list of what's-next work on this leaping robot includes investigating the effects of non-rigid or sloped terrain on jumping performance and control strategy. Also, according to Ackerman, "We spoke with Justin Yim at IROS, who told us that he's working toward increasing Salto-1P's jumping precision even more, while also weaning it off of the external localization and computing systems that keep it confined indoors." 2018 Tech Xplore Dedicated to the Restoration of Progressive Democracy Mountain Shadows in Wayanad is just the place for a dreamy vacation Brendan Dahill has been appointed General Manager and Executive Producer at Essential Media (The Pacific: in the Wake of Captain Cook with Sam Neill, Todd Sampsons Body Hack, Living Universe, Gourmet Farmer, The Principal, Rake, Jack Irish). Dahill spent 7 years at the ABC notably as Head of Network Programming and Channel Controller of ABC1, plus Head of Non-Scripted Productions. He joins from Gordian Media, the production company he launched in 2017 that became a joint venture with NBC Universal and Matchbox Pictures earlier this year. He was previously Managing Director of Keo Films Australia overseeing War on Waste, River Cottage Australia, Struggle Street & Bullied. Previous roles include Director of Television at BBC Worldwide Australasia, plus stints at the BBC, ITV and UKTV in the UK, and Discovery Channel Europe. At Essential Media, which recently launched Essential Scripted after the exit of producer Ian Collie, he will oversee both scripted and factual production in Australia and New Zealand., reporting to Essential Media CEO Chris Hilton. We are very excited to welcome Brendan to the Essential Media Group. With his boundless energy, deep knowledge of content and extensive network of friends in the industry hes a great addition to our team, said CEO of Essential Media Chris Hilton. I am delighted to be joining the Essential Media Group at this exciting moment in their evolution. I am looking forward to working with the talented team here to create great shows and tell amazing Australian stories to the rest of the worl, said Dahill. Essential was acquired by Kew Media Group in July with offices in Los Angeles, Dallas Fort-Worth, and Sydney. VICE, Screen Australia, and the Australian International Documentary Conference have called for entries for announced the second Pitch Australiana pitching competition,. The prize is a $50,000 commission for a short form documentary to be released on VICE.com. Sally Caplan, Head of Content at Screen Australia says, Our first edition of Pitch Australiana unearthed director Inday Ford who had only recently graduated from AFTRS and presented a wildly different perspective on a controversial subject. This year were looking for the next distinctive Australian story that has the potential to shine a light on a topic in a unique way, with access to great characters. Katy Roberts, Head of Video at VICE Australia, said: Were thrilled to be able to return for another year with Pitch Australiana. The series is intended to be an ongoing, diverse portrait of modern Australia, so expanding the filmmakers and storytellers we are able to work with is essential to that mission. Were very thankful to Screen Australia and AIDC for their ongoing support. Alice Burgin, Conference Director of AIDC says Pitch Australiana is literally where dreams are made! The generous contribution of Screen Australia and VICE make this a unique opportunity for a new generation of talent to come to AIDC and really be seen, heard and celebrated. We cannot wait to welcome them and their projects next March. The Pitch Australiana competition is open to early career Australian filmmakers that have at least one documentary production credit to their name. Filmmakers will be pitching for the chance to secure funding for a production to be released through VICEs lauded tent-pole digital documentary series, Australiana. The short form documentary will be released through VICEs global digital network, and will join previous Australiana films also broadcast on local TV channel SBS VICELAND. Four pitches will be selected to compete for the prize in a public pitching forum, given to a panel of VICE and wider documentary community representatives on Monday 4 March during AIDC 2019 in Melbourne. Entrance to watch the pitch will be free for student card holders. Australiana is a series committed to presenting stories from the perspectives of Australian communities, individuals and subcultures that are overlooked or ignored. At its heart, its a way to offer a voice to those on the fringe. Shooting Cats was the winner of the pitching competition at AIDC 2018, with the project due for release in November. Directed by Inday Ford and produced by Dylan Blowen, Shooting Cats is an observational documentary that explores the catastrophic impact feral cats have on Australian wildlife and the complexities environmentalists face in their attempt to find solutions to this epidemic. Previous Australiana episodes also feature teenage burnout stars in regional Victoria, the Indigenous queer experience in the Tiwi Islands, Australias medicinal marijuana black market, and a search for love in the outback. Call for pitch submissions is now open. The deadline for applications is 10 December, 2018. Information session: ACMI on Tuesday 13 November to be streamed live across the country. More info at VICE. Workers at a factory in Ballygawley, Northern Ireland. Photo: Getty In an unprecedented move, 21 of Northern Irelands leading business organisations have written to prime minister Theresa May, urging her to tackle severe Brexit-related labour shortages in the region. Since the June 2016 Brexit referendum, the number of workers from the European Economic Area in Northern Ireland has fallen by 26%something the groups warn is adding further pressure to an already tight labour market. Last month, a report from the Migrant Advisory Committee, which is likely to influence UK government policy, recommended the drastic limitation of the post-Brexit immigration of low-skilled European Union migrant workers. Whole sectors of the Northern Irish economy, such as its farming and manufacturing sectors, depend on low-skilled migrant workers. Experts and interest groups have previously warned that many businesses may be forced to move south of the border to Ireland if they are not able to hire such workers from the EU. READ MORE: Migrant report recommendations would hit the lifeblood of Northern Irelands economy Unfortunately, it fails to provide the necessary solutions and we believe it is therefore critical to create an immigration policy with sufficient flexibility to address Northern Irelands labour needs, the letter says. Research conducted by the Confederation of British Industry indicates that a substantial cut to both EU and international workers would see a 9.1% GDP decrease for Northern Ireland by 2041. Representatives of 21 Northern Ireland business organisations signed the letter. Pic: Confederation of British Industry In the letter, which was also sent to home secretary Sajid Javid and Northern Ireland secretary Karen Bradley, the groups advise that Northern Ireland needs an approach similar to that of Ireland, which has already introduced a sector-based scheme that grants visas to non-EU workers. We need regional flexibility to resolve the significant labour challenges faced by key sectors of Northern Irelands economy, the letter says. Despite the concerns raised by local industry over the last year, they have not received any indication that there has been serious consideration given to the solutions required, the organisations say. The organisations include farming unions, employers federations, retailer groups, hospitality sector representatives, as well as the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Confederation of British Industry. A customer stands underneath an illuminated Apple logo as he looks out the window of the Apple store located in central Sydney, Australia, May 28, 2018. REUTERS/David Gray By Stephen Nellis and Douglas Busvine SAN FRANCISCO/FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Apple Inc (AAPL.O) is taking control over the power-management technology at the heart of its iPhones in a $600 million deal with Dialog Semiconductor (DLGS.DE) that also secures the German-listed company's role as a supplier to the U.S. tech giant. The agreement to license technology and take on people from the Anglo-German chip designer is not only unusual, but also the largest of its kind by Apple, whose last sizeable acquisition was the $350 million purchase of Face ID creator PrimeSense in 2013. Dialog shares surged as much as 34 percent on Thursday, their most since 2002, as the deal bought the company time to reduce its dependence on Apple - which it expects to account for three-quarters of this year's sales. Dialog's shares had tumbled earlier this year when it said Apple planned to use chips from another supplier. Dialog Chief Executive Jalal Bagherli told Reuters he could now lead a "managed, smooth" transformation of the business as Dialog seeks new opportunities in areas such as the Internet of Things that includes connected devices like home speakers, fitness trackers or smart watches. LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIP Since the first iPhones a decade ago, Apple has used Dialog power-management chips to extend their battery life. Under the deal, Apple is buying patents, taking on a 300-strong engineering team, most of whom already worked on chips for Apple devices, and Dialog offices in Britain, Italy and Germany. Dialog said its 2018 revenue would not be affected and it would continue shipments of existing main power management integrated circuits (PMICs) to Apple. It expects to sell current and future generations of so-called sub-PMICs to Apple. Bagherli said that Apple increasingly viewed main PMICs, which are central to the operation of its devices, as a strategic element that it wanted to control directly. This was not the case for sub-PMICs that manage features such as on-board cameras, he told Reuters. Story continues After the deal, Dialog expects Apple to account for 35-40 percent of its total revenues in 2022. That is down from around 75 percent in the current year. Headcount will fall to 1,800. The chipmaker also said it would begin a share buyback program for up to 10 percent of its stock following its next quarterly trading update. The $600 million windfall will add to Dialog's already-healthy net cash position of $525 million, analysts said. Other chip designers in Europe have struggled to manage their relationship with Apple due to its sheer scale. Britain's Imagination Technologies ended up being sold to a Chinese-backed fund last year after losing Apple as a client. "Dialog has bought itself much more than just time," said Karsten Iltgen, an analyst at Bankhaus Lampe, which rates the stock 'buy'. "Its Apple business has been clearly defined and put on a sound long-term footing." EUROPE PUSH Half of the deal's value, or about $300 million, is cash for the Dialog engineers and offices and the other $300 million is pre-payment to Dialog for supplying chips over the next three years, the companies said. Dialog said it would continue to deliver chips to other customers, focusing on the automotive and internet-of-things markets, among others. It forecast that its sub-PMIC business would achieve compound annual growth rates of 30-35 percent between 2018 and 2022. Its AMS, Connectivity and Automotive & Industrial business would grow at a 10-15 percent rate. The deal represents an expansion of Apple's chip design operations, which kicked into high gear in 2010 when the company released its first custom processor for the iPad and iPhone. Apple is buying about 16 percent of Dialog's workforce. Apple said these employees would stay in Europe and would report to Johny Srouji, the company's senior vice president of hardware technologies who oversees Apple's chip design efforts. "Our relationship with Dialog goes all the way back to the early iPhones, and we look forward to continuing this long-standing relationship with them, Srouji said. Apple has added around 20,000 employees in Europe since 2000. It already has a chip design centers in Munich, Germany, where it employs 1,000 staff, and St Albans, Britain. The deal will give Apple four more from Dialog, in Livorno in Italy, Swindon in Britain, and Nabern and Neuaubing in Germany. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2019, subject to customary closings and regulator approvals, Dialog said. It expects annual operational savings of $35 million from the deal, but declined to give more detail on its financial impact ahead of an investor presentation on Nov. 1. Dialog said Qatalyst Partners acted as its financial adviser and Linklaters as its legal counsel. (Additional reporting by Nadine Schimroszik; Editing by Edmund Blair, Jane Merriman and Keith Weir) By Jan Strupczewski NUSA DUA, Indonesia (Reuters) - Italy's fiscal policy must lead to debt reduction because policies that raise debt are not good for the Italian people, European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Pierre Moscovici said before Italy sends its draft budget for scrutiny in Brussels. Italy's populist government is to present to the European Commission on Monday its draft budget for 2019, which assumes a deficit of 2.4 percent of gross domestic product, three times as much as foreseen by the previous government. This means a higher structural deficit -- which excludes one-offs and business cycle swings -- which in turn means higher public debt in a country which already has a debt-to-GDP ratio of 133 percent, the second highest in Europe after Greece. "I understand that the Italian government wants to implement programmes to fight poverty, for social inclusion or for investment. But this is perfectly compatible with serious public finances and is a matter of political choice," Moscovici told Reuters in an interview. "If debt rises, in the end, who pays? The Italian citizens. So a budget that would increase public debt would be a budget against Italian people," he said on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund's annual meetings in Indonesia. The draft Italian budget also raised concern on financial markets. Italian three-year bond yields rose to five year highs at an auction on Thursday and benchmark 10-year paper traded at 4-1/2-year highs. Many officials are privately concerned about the possibility of Italy sparking another sovereign debt crisis like the one triggered by Greece in 2010 that nearly destroyed the euro zone. Italy's economy is almost 10 times bigger than Greece's. "We don't want a crisis, neither a political crisis nor a financial crisis. With a minimum of goodwill we can avoid bad scenarios," Moscovici said. But the Italian government reiterated on Thursday it would not backtrack on its 2019 budget plan regardless of mounting market concern over its financial sustainability. Story continues "We will not take a step back. We'll invest in jobs and economic growth," Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said. Moscovici struck a more conciliatory tone. "I do not want us to be in a confrontational mood, because it leads us nowhere. Rome vs Brussels is absurd, because Italy is so close to the heart of Europe," he said. 'RULES MUST BE MET' Moscovici said he would travel to Rome next Thursday and Friday to discuss the budget with Finance Minister Giovanni Tria and other officials to find a solution. The commission's focus is on Italy's structural deficit, which under the rules should fall by 0.6 percent of GDP next year, but under the current plan is to rise by 0.8 percent of GDP. "It is clear that there might be a gap at the end of the dialogue, but we need to reduce that gap," Moscovici said. "We have shown a lot of flexibility to Italy and I am not talking about that anymore. Rules have to be met. You talked about markets -- everybody will be watchful about the direction of the movements -- whether they tend to increase the deficit or decrease it," he said. The draft Italian budget assumes economic growth of 1.5 percent, that is to accelerate to 1.6 percent in 2020 and slow slightly to 1.4 percent in 2021. These forecasts are seen as optimistic by euro zone officials and by the Italian Fiscal Board, an independent body set up to check budget assumptions. "Of course the forecast on public finances is linked to the forecast on growth," Moscovici said. If Italy's deficit targets do not change the Commission has the right to reject the draft budget and demand a new one -- a move it has never resorted to so far. (Reporting By Jan Strupczewski; Editing by Toby Chopra) The brand logo of Alphabet Inc's Google is seen outside its office in Beijing, China August 8, 2018. Picture taken with a fisheye lens. REUTERS/Thomas Peter By David Shepardson (Reuters) - Three influential Republican U.S. senators on Thursday asked Alphabet Inc's Google unit to explain why it delayed disclosing vulnerabilities with its Google+ social network. Google said this week it would shut down the consumer version of Google+ and tighten its data sharing policies after revealing that the private profile data of at least 500,000 users may have been exposed to hundreds of external developers. The letter from Senator John Thune, who chairs the Commerce Committee, and two other senators who chair subcommittees - Jerry Moran and Roger Wicker - asked Google to explain a reported delay in disclosing the issue. "Google must be more forthcoming with the public and lawmakers if the company is to maintain or regain the trust of the users of its services," the letter said. The company did not immediately comment. The letters asked whether the vulnerability was revealed previously to any federal agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission, and if there were "similar incidents which have not been publicly disclosed?" Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai agreed last month to testify before a House of Representatives panel in November after meeting with lawmakers. Thune said in an interview that the Senate may also call Pichai to testify. On Wednesday, three Democratic senators wrote the FTC asking them to investigate Google+. In 2012, Google agreed to pay a then-record $22.5 million fine to settle FTC charges it misrepresented to Apple Safari Internet browser users that it would not place tracking "cookies" or serve them targeted ads. Google acknowledged it had made prior mistakes in privacy issues in written testimony before the Senate Commerce Committee last month but did not disclose the Google+ issue. The three Republicans said they were "especially disappointed" with the failure of Google's chief privacy officer, Keith Enright, to disclose the issue. Story continues The three Republicans asked Google to turn over a memo, reported by the Wall Street Journal earlier this week, that said that a factor in not disclosing the issue earlier was that it would draw "immediate regulatory interest" and "almost (guarantee)" that Pichai would have to testify before Congress. They called the memo "troubling." Congress and the Trump administration are looking at ways of creating new national privacy protections. Facebook Inc has acknowledged it failed to protect the data of some 87 million users that was shared with now-defunct political data firm Cambridge Analytica. Massive breaches of data privacy have compromised the personal information of millions of U.S. internet and social media users. These include notable breaches at large retailers and credit reporting agency Equifax Inc . (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Dan Grebler and Jonathan Oatis) VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria may follow the United States and Hungary in backing out of a United Nations agreement on migration, its government said on Wednesday, citing concern about its sovereignty and potential restrictions on its freedom to act. The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration was approved in July by all 193 U.N. member nations except the United States, which backed out last year. Hungary's right-wing government led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, an immigration hard-liner, has said it will not sign the final document at a ceremony in December. Poland, which has also clashed with Brussels by resisting national quotas for asylum seekers, is considering taking the same step. "We view some of the points in this agreement very critically. We will therefore do everything to maintain the sovereignty of our country and ensure that we as the Republic of Austria can decide for ourselves on migration issues," Chancellor Sebastian Kurz told a news conference. Kurz led his conservatives to victory in last year's parliamentary election by pledging to prevent any repeat of the European migration crisis that began in 2015, when Austria took in more than 1 percent of its population in asylum seekers. Kurz went into government with the anti-Islam Freedom Party and together they have agreed to restrict immigrants' access to welfare payments as part of an agenda that is also heavy on law and order. Speaking after a weekly cabinet meeting, Kurz and his vice chancellor, the Freedom Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache declined to say specifically which points they were concerned about other than that they affect countries taking in migrants. "We are in close contact with states like Switzerland and we in the government will determine a concrete course of action in the coming weeks," Kurz said, adding that Denmark was another country with similar concerns. The Swiss government, however, said in a statement on Wednesday that its own analysis had found that the U.N. pact "corresponds with Switzerland's interests in migration". Story continues It described the accord, which aims to set standards for safe and orderly migration, as politically rather than legally binding. Austria said it was examining the extent to which the agreement is binding. "It cannot ... be that any formulations are adopted that could perhaps or possibly be interpreted to mean that migration can be a human right. That can and must not be the case," Strache told the news conference. (Reporting by Francois Murphy and Alexandra Schwarz-Goerlic; additional reporting by Michael Shields in Zurich; editing by Larry King) By David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada made mistakes in its dealings with Saudi Arabia which helped spark a diplomatic dispute, the former Canadian ambassador to Riyadh said in frank remarks on Wednesday. In August, Saudi Arabia froze new trade with Canada, expelled envoy Dennis Horak and ordered all Saudi students home after the embassy issued an Arabic language tweet urging the immediate release of women's rights activists. "It was a situation that didn't need to occur ... to sort of yell from the sidelines I don't think is effective," Horak said in a phone interview. Horak's comments mark the first time a senior Canadian official has conceded Ottawa was partly responsible for the row. Horak also said the Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau - which continually stresses the importance of human rights - should have spent more time trying to improve ties with the Saudis. The tweet in question was a translation of a message initially sent out from the foreign ministry in Ottawa. Horak, now retired, said he did not know the tweet was going to be issued and would have advised against it. "The urging of immediate release I think went too far," he said, and described the Saudi government's response as a "serious over-reaction". Gulf sources told Reuters that Riyadh considered the tweet to be a break with diplomatic norms. Analysts say the Saudi response shows the limits of reforms by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who runs its day-to-day government. He has launched a campaign of social and economic change, but has not eased the absolute monarchy's total ban on political activism. Horak, noting the two nations have not had a particularly strong relationship in recent years, said whether or not ties improved would depend to a large extent on Riyadh. Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, speaking on the sidelines of a United Nations meeting, asked Canada on Sept. 26 to apologise for its actions and to stop treating the kingdom as "a banana republic". Story continues Horak, who was head of Canada's diplomatic mission in Iran when the previous Conservative government cut ties with Tehran in 2012, said Ottawa needed to put more effort into talking with nations it did not always agree with. "We're wrong not to engage a country like Saudi Arabia," he said. "We yell via tweet or statement ... but in terms of trying to effect change, or trying to have any influence on those issues we're interested in, it's not effective because they have no investment in the relationship. So why would they listen to us?" he added. In a statement, the office of Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland referred to Horak as "a retired public servant" and said Canada would always stand up for human rights. Saudi authorities were not immediately available for comment. (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by James Dalgleish) European Union's Brexit negotiator Barnier takes part in the EU Commission's weekly college meeting in Brussels European Union's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier takes part in the EU Commission's weekly college meeting in Brussels, Belgium, October 10, 2018. REUTERS/Yves Herman By Gabriela Baczynska and Alastair Macdonald BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Wednesday an agreement with Britain could be "within reach" next week, calling for decisive progress in the talks in time for a summit of all 28 EU leaders. Negotiators from both sides have been locked in talks this week to overcome differences on the biggest outstanding hurdle to a deal - how to keep the UK frontier with the Irish republic free of border checks after Britain leaves the EU in March. Barnier told small business leaders that the talks were "continuing intensively this week, day and night, with the aim ... of having a deal within reach, if we follow through to the end of this negotiations, on Oct. 17." Leaders of the 27 countries that will remain in the EU meet in Brussels on Oct. 17, a day before British Prime Minister Theresa May joins the summit. Barnier reiterated that as much as 85 percent of a withdrawal agreement had already been agreed, boosting the pound on financial markets. Policing of the deal and agreeing rules on produce such as camembert cheese and Parma ham that is protected inside the EU against imitations from elsewhere needed more polishing, he added. He also stressed the EU's insistence that Britain must accept possible checks on goods moving between its mainland and its province of Northern Ireland, saying Brexit will trigger the need for customs, value-added tax and compliance checks with EU standards. Both sides want to avoid a return to checkpoints on the Irish border as this would hinder trade and risk reigniting violence in the province two decades after a peace deal. Barnier said customs forms could be completed in advance online and the "only visible systematic checks" would involve scanning bar codes on lorries or containers on ferries or in ports. For industrial goods, he said it could be done by "market surveillance authorities" in company premises but he added that checks on animals and animal-derived products would still have to take place on the border. Story continues "Our challenge is to make sure that these procedures are as easy as possible and not burdensome," he said in his speech in the European Parliament, which ended with a standing ovation. However, a small Northern Irish party which supports May's minority government in the Westminster parliament vehemently opposes any checks between the province and the rest of Britain. Barnier said he realised such checks were politically difficult but this was the consequence of Britons voting to leave the EU. He reiterated the EU's line welcoming May's proposals for a bold free-trade deal "without tariffs or quotas" and close security ties after Brexit. But he stuck to the EU's rejection of London's plan for a "regulatory framework for goods", saying it would give Britain an unfair competitive advantage by allowing access to parts of the bloc's single market without ensuring the country honours all of its conditions. "DAY AND NIGHT" TALKS The 27 EU states will get an update on the negotiations at a meeting of national ambassadors, without Britain, on Friday evening. The sides will continue negotiations through the weekend with hopes for a breakthrough as early as Monday. The 27 EU leaders meeting next Wednesday in Brussels want to be able to announce "decisive progress" on the Brexit deal to agree to hold another summit in November. That would be to finalise work on a declaration of close future ties with Britain that would also be part of the Brexit package. Both the EU and Britain have signalled progress in recent days, boosting sentiment in financial markets which fear the most damaging no-deal Brexit. Barnier said the cost of such a development would be "very high" for Britain but also some sectors of the EU economy, such as the car industry. "That is why the no-deal is not and has never been our (preferred) scenario, even if our responsibility is to be prepared," he said. The European Commission also looked at preparations among the 27 states for multiple disruptions that this would involve, including customs checks and duties kicking in immediately on all imports and exports. (Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska and Alastair Macdonald, additional reporting by Alissa de Carbonnel and Daphne Psaledakis; Writing by Gabriela Baczynska, Editing by Angus MacSwan, Janet Lawrence and David Stamp) FILE PHOTO: Cars are seen at Kaiserdamm street, which could be affected by a court hearing on case seeking diesel cars ban in Berlin, Germany, October 8, 2018. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch/File Photo Thomson Reuters By Amanda Cooper and Shadia Nasralla LONDON (Reuters) - Governments not energy firms need to take the lead in achieve U.N. targets to contain global warming, with policies that will change fuel and other energy consumption habits, oil and gas companies said. A U.N. panel called this week for "unprecedented" changes in how the world consumes energy and a dramatic rise in the use of renewable power to contain global warming at lower levels and protect the planet from heatwaves, floods and rising sea levels. "Clearly it's a call to action," BP Chief Executive Dudley told an Oil & Money conference in London this week. "Not only oil and gas companies, but you need that in agriculture, you need that in steel production, you need that in the use of people pushing the button on the wall to get electricity," he said. Several oil and gas firms are among those taking steps to contain emissions of some greenhouse gases. Royal Dutch Shell, BP and Exxon Mobil have all set targets to reduce methane emissions. "Lets stop quibbling in society about whose fault it is and who should do more," Shell Chief Executive Ben van Beurden said. To contain the rise in global temperatures at 1.5 degrees Celsius, the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPC) said manmade global net carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions would need to fall by about 45 percent by 2030 from 2010 levels. It said emissions should be "net zero" by mid-century. Van Beurden said that, while such a target could be met, "it would not be commercially viable under todays regulations and policies and market designs, so things would have to change." BP's Dudley said more industry collaboration would help, saying cooperation between the energy industry and carmakers was helping achieve greater fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. "We can do this even faster and more efficiently I think with clearer, smarter policy signals from governments," he said. Story continues Governments have been introducing steps to reduce emissions, including promoting the use of electric cars, phasing out sales of more polluting diesel vehicles and encouraging use of renewable sources of energy. U.S. emissions have fallen to levels last seen 30 years ago as it uses more gas, which produces lower emissions than other fossil fuels such as oil and coal. Britain's carbon pricing policy has cut its emissions to the lowest in over a century. But demand for oil continues to climb. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates global oil demand will hit 100 million barrels per day (bpd) for the first time this year. Without a major shift in policies, the IEA expects world oil demand to rise for at least the next 20 years, heading for 125 million bpd around mid-century. "The era of oil is far, in fact, very far from over," chief executive of Abu Dhabi oil company ADNOC Sultan al-Jaber said. "There is healthier demand for our product, which is undeniably good news for our industry." Qatar Petroleum CEO Saad Al Kaabi said it was too much to expect a dramatic reduction in the use of oil and gas, given demand vehicle fuel and petrochemicals. "Oil is not going to completely go away but it is going to reduce," he said. "Unless you give me a solution that's different than just 'renewables', or say you want to do away with nuclear power also and so on, unless there is another way of getting there, it's difficult to comprehend how we'll achieve it," he said. (Reporting by Shadia Nasralla and Amanda Cooper; Editing by Edmund Blair; Writing by Amanda Cooper; Editing by Edmund Blair) See Also: Greece has banned overweight tourists from riding donkeys (Caters) A Greek island has slapped a ban on overweight tourists from riding donkeys over reports of shocking spinal injuries. Pictures of obese holidaymakers on Santorini climbing narrow steps on top of the animals have prompted lawmakers to act. Animal rights activists claim the animals are being forced to carry heavy loads and work for long hours, seven days a week with no shelter, rest or water. They say the donkeys are left with spinal injuries and open wounds as a result. Authorities say the donkeys are being left with shocking spinal injuries (Caters) Now, Greeces Ministry of Rural Development and Food has published a new set of regulations regarding donkeys wellbeing that state donkeys giving tourists rides in Santorini should not carry any loads heavier than 100kg, or one fifth of their weight. The bulletin states: Under no circumstances should animals be used that are 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. MORE: Christian bakers WIN Supreme Court ruling that they discriminated against Support Gay Marriage cake MORE: New plans for multi-billion pound Thames Tunnel the largest project of its kind since M25 was completed The bulletin adds: 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. Elisavet Chatzi, 45, a volunteer from Athens who took part in protests in Santorini over donkeys treatment there earlier this year, said: Its 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. Greeces Ministry of Rural Development and Food has published a new set of regulations regarding donkeys wellbeing (Caters) 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. Story continues 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. However, other campaigners allege that nothing has changed on the island despite the new rules. Maria Skourta, 42, the leader of the Athens branch of Direct Action Everywhere, said: While this [the bulletin] means they will stop carrying fat tourists, the donkeys are still forced to carry cement, appliances, and all sorts of heavy weights. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves his hand to thousands of Basij members at Azadi stadium in Tehran, Iran October 4, 2018. Khamenei.ir/ Handout via REUTERS By Parisa Hafezi DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered officials to urgently find solutions to ease an economic crisis spurred by the re-imposition of U.S. sanctions, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Thursday. Washington reintroduced steps against Irans currency trade, metals and auto sectors in August after the U.S. withdrawal from a multinational 2015 deal that lifted sanctions in return for limits on Irans nuclear programme. U.S. curbs on Irans oil exports are set to come into force in November. Combined with rising inflation, growing unemployment, a slump in the rial and state corruption, this has caused Iran's economy to deteriorate. The International Monetary Fund predicts it will shrink 1.5 percent this year and 3.6 percent in 2019, before recovering slowly. "There are no problems in the country that we cannot resolve... Officials should find solutions to overcome the existing economic hardship and to disappoint the enemy by resolving it," Fars quoted Khamenei as telling officials on Wednesday night. "With unity we can overcome all crises." Khamenei also said Iran could resist the pressure of U.S. sanctions by relying on its own natural and human resources. "We need extraordinary efforts ... to find solutions for those domestic economic challenges and to confront cruel American sanctions. Serious decisions should be made," he said, state TV reported. The reimposition of sanctions on Iran's oil industry, the backbone of the country's economy, will likely make matters worse. Iran's pragmatist President Hassan Rouhani championed the 2015 nuclear deal but has been lambasted by his anti-Western hardline rivals for failing to bring economic prosperity to Iran in the years since. "The soaring prices and the drop of purchasing power of those lower-income Iranians have put pressure on them," Khamenei said. The cost of living has soared in Iran in the past months and economic grievances have led to sporadic demonstrations against profiteering and corruption, with many protesters chanting anti-government slogans. Story continues Iranian officials have accused arch-foes the United States and Israel, as well as regional rival Saudi Arabia and government opponents living in exile of fomenting unrest and waging an economic war to destabilise Iran. Three people were sentenced to death last month in a drive against financial crime after Khamenei called for "swift and just" legal action to confront the "economic war" by foreign enemies. (Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Gareth Jones and Riassa kasolowsky) Poland's Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz, left, and his counterpart from The Netherlands, Stef Blok, right, chat prior to talks on bilateral and European Union matters at the Belvedere Palace in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) WARSAW, Poland (AP) The Latest on Polish judicial reforms (all times local): 4 p.m. Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok has urged that a solution be found to Poland's dispute with European Union leaders over the government's sweeping changes to the judiciary. Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz hosted Blok Wednesday for talks on European Union matters including questions over Poland's rule of law under the conservative government. EU leaders say that recent changes to Poland's judiciary put judges under political control. Blok said Poland has a big role in the building of European cooperation based on common rules. He urged a solution to the controversy and a stop to Poland's drawn-out discussions with EU leaders. On Wednesday, Polish President Andrzej Duda appointed new judges to the Supreme Court, ignoring rulings that have suspended appointments pending a procedure before the European Court of Justice. ___ 12:05 p.m. Poland's president has sworn in new Supreme Court judges, stepping up the conflict over control of the judiciary and ignoring another top court that said the appointments should be suspended pending an opinion by European Union judges. A spokesman for President Andrzej Duda said Wednesday that 27 judges took the oath to serve on the Supreme Court. It is part of changes made to the judiciary by the ruling conservative party, which says that judges active during the communist era must be replaced. Many of the court's judges have been forced to retire, but argue that the move was unconstitutional. The court is seeking the opinion of the EU's Court of Justice and, backed by the Supreme Administrative Court, has suspended the nomination of new judges. Duda ignored that, however. Storyful The Austrian government has announced that unvaccinated residents will be placed on lockdown beginning Monday, November 15.According to Austrian news outlet Die Press, the measures will affect around two million people.In this footage, streamed live by the federal chancellery, Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg announces his plan for the lockdown of the unvaccinated or Lockdown fur Ungeimpfte. He was speaking after a meeting earlier with the governors of Austrias nine provinces.The corona situation in Austria is serious, said Schallenberg, according to a Google translation of remarks reported by Die Press. We have to raise the vaccination quota, its shameful. Help us break this fourth wave, the only way is vaccination.Just over 64 percent of Austrians are fully vaccinated. Credit: Federal Chancellery via Storyful BANGKOK (Reuters) - The son of fugitive former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived at the office of the attorney-general on Wednesday to face an indictment for money laundering, in a move his supporters called politically motivated. Ahead of a general election scheduled for next year, supporters of the Shinawatras, backed by poor, rural voters, accuse the military government, which took power after a 2014 coup, of seeking to hobble the family and its allies. The military government denies it is singling out the family. On Wednesday, Panthongtae Shinawatra, 38, also known by his nickname "Oak", was accompanied on his visit to the authorities by both his sisters and many senior members of the Thaksin-backed Puea Thai Party. "Panthongtae Shinawatra will be prosecuted...on charges of money laundering and conspiring to launder money of the amount of 10 million baht," the Attorney General said in a statement. Last year, authorities formally charged him with having received a cheque for 10 million baht ($304,000) in 2004, in relation to a prior corruption case over fraudulent loans of 9.9 billion baht made by state-owned Krungthai Bank when his father was prime minister. Panthongtae declined to speak to reporters. His lawyer declined to comment when contacted by Reuters. "I believe that Oak did not know the money he received came from wrongdoing," Watana Muangsook, a member of the Puea Thai Party, told reporters. If found guilty of the charges, Panthongtae could face a jail term of up to 10 years. Thaksin, whose populist movement's struggle with the Thai establishment has dominated politics for more than a decade, lives in exile after fleeing Thailand to escape a jail sentence for corruption following his overthrow in a 2006 coup. His sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, overthrown as prime minister in 2014, fled Thailand in August last year to avoid conviction in a criminal negligence case she said was politically motivated. Story continues Later, she was sentenced in absentia to five years in jail. ($1=32.8600 baht) (Reporting by Aukkarapon Niyomyat and Panu Wongcha-um; Editing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Clarence Fernandez) See Also: RFI A short week of sharp contrasts at the Paris special criminal court where the trial is taking place of those suspected of involvement in the November 2015 terrorist killings in the French capital. With the 11 November national holiday, and the court closed on 12 November to mark the sixth anniversary of the Paris attacks, there were only two days of hearings this week. The atmosphere could hardly have been more different on each of those days.On Tuesday, two anonymous police investigators shared Security officers and residents assess the damage at Arabia Boys Secondary School after suspected al Shabaab militants threw an explosive device at a teacher's house in Mandera county Security officers and residents assess the damage at Arabia Boys Secondary School after suspected al Shabaab militants threw an explosive device at a teacher's house in Mandera county, Kenya, October 10, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer NAIROBI (Reuters) - Two Kenyan teachers were killed on Wednesday when suspected al Shabaab militants threw an explosive device at a teachers house in Mandera county near the Somali border, police said. The teachers were killed in a fire caused by the explosion in the attack at 1 a.m. (2200 GMT on Tuesday) at Arabia Boys Secondary School, police said on Twitter. Police reservists guarding the school "engaged the attackers who then fled as more reinforcements were mobilized", police said. The al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab aims to topple Somalia's U.N.-backed government and impose its own strict interpretation of Islam. They have intensified attacks in Kenya since it sent troops into Somalia in 2011. (Reporting by Humphrey Malalo; Writing by Clement Uwiringiyimana, Editing by William Maclean) Alpha Financial Markets said it expected both revenue and adjusted EBITDA to come in "considerably ahead" of last year, after a half year of progress for the asset and wealth management industry consultant. Alpha FMC said its UK, US, Europe and Asia businesses had all progressed "well" in the six months ended 30 September. The AIM-listed outfit also revealed it had improved its cash generation, assisting it in maintaining its "robust balance sheet". Alpha also said it had continued to attract talent and grow its consulting teams throughout the period, with its total fee generating consultant headcount up 28% to around 350. Chief executive Euan Fraser said: "We are pleased with the group's continued progress in the first half. We have continued to invest in and grow our skilled consulting teams globally and recently launched Alpha's eleventh practice, FinTech and Innovation, where we believe there is exciting potential." "Our pipeline remains robust and while we have not observed a 'Brexit effect' on client demand we continue to monitor the situation and clients' responses closely." As of 0930 BST, Alpha shares had slipped 2.90% to 218p. Prime Minister Theresa May will meet ministers on Thursday afternoon to discuss Brexit negotiations with the EU as the government faces tensions from the Democratic Unionist Party. The meeting comes as the DUP, key ally to the Conservative government, threatened to withdraw its support for the budgets if May agrees to the EUs backstop solution for the Irish border issue regarding Brexit. The UK and the EU have yet to strike a deal on the future relationship after Brexit. May urged MPs to "put the national interest first" and support the deal that is agreed with the EU. There is still a key issue that needs to be dealt with, how to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. DUP Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson condemned the EUs backstop that would keep Britain in the customs union for an unspecified time-limited period, since it would exclude Northern Ireland from any new British trade deals and see checks on goods moving from mainland Britain to the province. She [May] will not have DUP support regardless of whether the government tries to bribe, bully or browbeat us into accepting it, he wrote in the Daily Telegraph newspaper. On Wednesday, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said there would have to be checks on goods travelling to Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK, because they would effectively be arriving in the EU's single market in the case there is no hard border with the Republic of Ireland. "I understand why such procedures are politically sensitive," he said, but added "Brexit was not our choice, it is the choice of the UK." The meeting comes ahead of a key EU summit next week where Brexit will be discussed. Delta Airlines turned in a set of third-quarter profits that topped expectations on the Street, with revenues boosted by a strong demand for travel and despite the US carrier's fuel bill surging during the all-important summer travel season. The second-biggest airline in the US told investors on Thursday that its net income rose 13% over the three months ending on 30 September to reach $1.31bn, while revenues picked up 8% to $11.95bn. Delta saw earnings-per-share come in at $1.80 each for the quarter, beating estimates of $1.74 each. However, the carrier's fuel costs soared 35% on an adjusted basis year-on-year, including a $12m benefit from its own refinery. Looking forward, Delta said it expects fourth-quarter earnings of $1.10 to $1.30 per-share, broadly in line with Wall Street expectations, and an annual profit of around $5bn, despite being hit with a $2bn hike to its fuel costs, thanks to strong demand and higher fares. As of 1445 BST, Delta shares had gained 2.66% to $51.03 each. Producers from the Organisation of Petroleum and Exporting Countries are unlikely to increase output in the short-term, after the cartels secretary-general said the market was already well supplied. Speaking at the Oil & Money conference in London, Mohammad Barkindo acknowledged that the market had been reacting to perceptions of a possible supply shortage. Oil prices have rallied through 2018, with Brent crude reaching highs of around $86 this month, on fears that US sanctions on Iran will affect supply. Iran is OPECs third-largest oil producer and while other nations are looking to start trading with the country again, the US has enforced fresh barriers. But Barkindo said: The market remains well supplied. The projections for 2019 clearly show a possible rebuild of stocks. OPEC also updated its supply and demand forecasts for next year, reducing demand for 2019 to 31.8m barrels per day because of economic challenges such as trade disputes and volatile emerging markets. It also pointed to an excess of supply, as non-OPEC countries increase output. According to the cartel, production rose by 132,000 barrels per day in September to 32.76m, the highest this year. OPEC will next meet in December to set 2019 targets. Stocks on the Continent finished near their session lows, tracking the big declines seen in Asia overnight, where investors had replicated the losses sustained on Wall Street during the previous session. Some strategists were clearly worried, cautioning clients to "not buy the dip". On that note, before the opening bell on Thursday, Barclays's Maneesh Deshpande, wrote: "In our view the two main catalysts behind the current equity selloff were recent commentary by Fed officials on terminal level of rates and by the Trump Administration on US-China trade. "Fundamentals have not changed but we expect volatility to remain elevated in the short term and do not recommend buying this dip." At the closing bell, the pan-European Stoxx 600 was down by 1.98% or 7.28 points to 359.65, alongside a fall of 1.48% or 173.15 points to 11,539.35 for the German Dax and the Cac-40 had slid 1.92% or 99.85 points to 5,106.37. In terms of the market internals, the Stoxx 600's sector gauges for Technology and Basic Resources trimmed earlier losses to finish 1.04% and 0.97% lower, but Oil&Gas did end the session near its worst levels, shedding 3.04% as Brent crude oil futures continued to get hammered. To take note of, the Technology sector sub-index did finish only marginally above its 52-week lows. In parallel, the yield on the benchmark 10-year Italian government note climbed six basis points to 3.56%. Similarly-dated French OATs on the other hand were higher, pushing their yields down by two basis points to 0.88%. Overnight, Tokyo's Nikkei-225 dropped 3.89% to 22,590.86 and the Shanghai Shenzen CSI 300 by 4.80% to 3,124.11. Thursday's losses came despite a mixed start on Wall Street on the heels of a larger-than-expected slowdown in US consumer prices. According to the US Department of Labor, the rate of advance in consumer prices in the States slowed from a year-on-year clip of 2.7% in August to 2.3% in September (consensus: 2.4%). The flow of fresh data on Thursday was otherwise quite thin, with only final readings on consumer prices in France, Spain and Portugal referencing the month of September having been published. Out of those, the only report that yielded any surprises was Spain's, with the country's national statistics office bumping-up its estimate for the year-on-year rate of change in harmonised CPI from 2.2% to 2.3%. Meanwhile, in France, INSEE confirmed that its measure of harmonised CPI was ahead by 2.5% last month, as did Portugal's own statistics unit, saying CPI was up at 1.8%. The UK could move to a 1970s-style three day week to conserve energy in the event of a worst-case Brexit scenario, the Office for Budget Responsibility warned on Thursday. Asked to examine the possible scenarios resulting from an abrupt and disorderly Brexit, the OBR said there was a risk that a recession could lead to shortages of imported products, which could be aggravated if households and businesses try to stockpile goods. "In a scenario where the UK and EU are unable to agree to the continued mutual recognition ('grandfathering') of existing product standards and professional qualifications, all existing goods may need to be re-approved before sale and services trade would be severely restricted by the loss of market access, the OBR said. It added it could lead to bottlenecks of goods while waiting for approvals: "Should these bottlenecks turn out to be significant, it might prompt households and businesses to attempt to stockpile goods in advance, further aggravating the shortages." Nevertheless, the OBR said it was "next to impossible to calibrate with any confidence the potential impact of this sort of scenario in advance. "However, while not a direct parallel, it is worth noting that the 'Three-Day Week', introduced in early 1974 in response to energy shortages and increased militancy on the part of the miners, was associated with a fall in output of a little under 3% that quarter." The OBR also said there would be no Brexit dividend for the public finances, something that Chancellor Philip Hammond had recently promised. Prime Minister Theresa May also said that a Brexit dividend would help pay for higher spending on Britains NHS, although some experts say its highly unlikely that there would be any extra money as lower economic growth would balance out the effect of no longer paying into the EU budget. Inquiry into alliance with Iberia, Finnair, American Airlines The UKs competition regulator on Thursday said it was starting a probe into a revenue sharing deal on trans-Atlantic routes between British Airways , Iberia , Finnair and American Airlines . The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it is investigating the Atlantic Joint Business Agreement under the rules on agreements restrictive of competition. The 10-year revenue-sharing joint venture was struck in 2010 and covers routes between Europe and North America, allowing the partners to co-operate on pricing, capacity and schedules. The routes are London-Dallas, London-Boston, London-Miami, London-Chicago, London-New York and Madrid-Miami. The CMA said it was looking into the arrangement ahead of Britain's departure from the EU when the European Commission may no longer have responsibility for competition in the UK...to review afresh the competitive impact of the agreement in anticipation of the expiry of the commitments. The CMA said the new investigation would apply UK and EU law, adding that the case was at an early stage and "no assumption should be made that the Atlantic Joint Business Agreement infringes competition law". IAG, which owns British Airways and Iberia, said in a statement it would respond to the review. British Airways and Iberia's transatlantic joint business with American Airlines and Finnair has been bringing significant benefits to millions of travellers. It provides them with improved access to cheaper fares and easier journeys to more destinations, the company said. Engineer to review division after poor Malaysia performance Engineering group Keller on Thursday warned that its Asia Pacific business would report a full year pre-tax loss of 12 - 15m. The company cited worsening market conditions in Malaysia and the Australian and South East Asia (ASEAN) region. Keller added that it had completed a reassessment of project performance in its ASEAN unit and Waterway business in Australia after as a result of recent changes of the management. As a consequence the group is undertaking a strategic review of the affected business units and will update the market in due course with the outcome of the review. Keller said the rest of its business was trading in line with expectations. Shares in Keller fell 26% to 706p on Thursday. Broker Peel Hunt cutting its 2018 PBT forecast to 83m from 101m and for 2019 cut to 105m from 115m, resulting in an 18% drop in EPS to 82p for 2018 and a 9% drop to 103.5p for 2019. "The shares before today have performed relatively well with a rise of 2% vs a sector which is down circa 6% or so. On our revised forecasts the shares are now trading on a PE of 11.7x and an EV/EBITDA of 5.8x broadly similar to long run averages. We continue to like the groups leading market position and broad geographic spread but investor confidence will be dented following this announcement." The broker cut its target price to 1040p and downgraded its recommendation to 'hold'. Brexit uncertainty has crushed confidence in the property market, according to the official surveyors body, with buyers evaporating, prices falling and sales taking a record amount of time to complete. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said the time taken to complete a property sale has widened to 19 weeks, the longest duration since it began collecting data. Guardian Theresa May is fighting to keep the delicate Brexit negotiations on track after the DUP threatened to vote down the budget and bring down her premiership if a divorce deal meant that Northern Ireland was treated separately from the rest of the UK. The prime minister responded by summoning senior cabinet members to Downing Street on Thursday, where she was expected to update them on progress amid signs that the sabre-rattling DUP and the Tory right were acting in concert against her. Guardian BP chief executive Bob Dudley has branded fears that the oil industrys $1 trillion investments in oil and gas could be left stranded by a shift to low-carbon energy as misguided. The oil boss said campaigners calling for financial institutions to divest from oil and gas companies to avoid so-called stranded assets are underestimating the flexibility of oil companies. Telegraph Elon Musk has shot down reports that James Murdoch was the frontrunner to take his role as Tesla chairman when he steps down next month. Mr Musk was forced from his post as part of a settlement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission over alleged securities fraud, where he claimed he had "funding secured" for a takeover of the electric car maker. Telegraph The boss of Tesco said he felt genuine shock when three weeks after joining the group he was presented with a document alleging that the supermarket had materially misstated its profit forecast by nearly 250 million. Dave Lewis, chief executive of Britains biggest grocer, told Southwark crown court that although aware that Tescos business was under enormous pressure soon after joining in September 2014, he had no hint from senior management that any figures reported to the City may have been misstated. The Times More than 20 cases of alleged bullying and harassment have been investigated by the Bank of England since Mark Carney became governor five years ago with a promise to professionalise the central bank. In response to a freedom of information request, the Bank said that the 21 incidents it had investigated since July 2013 included cases both inside and out of the workplace, social events and business trips. The Times Mark Embree, a Virginia Tech graduate who was a student in the University Honors Program and Virginia Techs most recent Rhodes Scholar, is now helping develop an innovative program within the Virginia Tech Honors College called the Calhoun Discovery Program. Embree has an impressive track record of academic work that extends back to his undergraduate career as a Hokie. Graduating from Virginia Tech in 1996, Embree won the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award that year and went on to the University of Oxford for his doctorate as a Rhodes Scholar. Since returning to Tech as professor of mathematics in the College of Science four years ago, Embree has led the development of a popular new major in computational modeling and data analytics (CMDA). The program educates students to model the world, learn from voluminous data, and compute quickly enough to solve timely problems. Data science changes our world every day, Embree said, and CMDAs rapid growth demonstrates that Virginia Tech students are drawn to this profession. Fortunately, the university had the foresight to design this innovative degree before many other institutions recognized its importance. Embree credits the University Honors Program and the mentorship of Jack Dudley in helping establish his academic career. Dudley served as the director of the University Honors Program from 1990 to 2008 and worked hard to develop an effective program at Virginia Tech, producing winners of major national and international scholarships like the Rhodes, Truman, and Marshall scholarships. Jack helped generations of Virginia Tech students understand what a university was about and kindled a hunger for learning and discovery, said Embree. He had a special gift for connecting students to faculty mentors who would challenge students to develop as scholars. During his tenure, Dudley also established important aspects of the Honors Program that remain the foundation of what is now the Honors College, such as experiential learning, undergraduate research, and sustained relationships with faculty. As the late President Emeritus Charles W. Steger said in 2008, Dudley challenges students to push the envelope of their abilities to try new experiences and new ways of learning and he works tirelessly to provide them with opportunities for intellectual growth and stimulation. Now, more than 20 years after being a student at Virginia Tech, Embree is picking up where Dudley left off, working with faculty across the university in establishing the Honors Colleges newest initiative: the Calhoun Discovery Program. The Calhoun Discovery Program (CDP) is an innovative educational platform that promotes hands-on and collaborative learning among diverse students. Funded by VT alumnus David Calhoun, the program will give full tuition scholarships and an annual experiential learning grant of $2,500 to about 50 students each year. The program will pull students from several distinct disciplines within the fields of engineering, architecture, urban studies, business, science, humanities, and social sciences. Students will learn together in Discovery Studios located in Hillcrest Hall and work with university faculty and industry partners, such as Boeing. Embree is a member of the small group of faculty that has been designing the innovative curriculum for CDP since the announcement of Calhouns gift in March. In the same way that we will challenge students to cultivate interdisciplinary collaboration amongst themselves, said Embree, we have been tasked with designing this program in a collaborative and interdisciplinary way. It is a privilege to join a great group of faculty designing this new program. I am delighted to be part of such a special opportunity for Virginia Tech. The Calhoun Discovery Program is Virginia Techs most recent embodiment of the universitys mission to reimagine the roles of education and technology. The Honors Program, under longtime director Dudley, successfully produced nationally recognized scholars, one of whom would later return to Virginia Tech to continue innovating education and technology through the Calhoun Discovery Program. We are excited to see the full impact of the Calhoun Discovery Program on the Honors College and Virginia Tech, more broadly, said Paul Knox, dean of the Honors College. Mark Embree and the rest of the Design Team are working on a curriculum that teaches students how to approach innovative technologies with the ultimate goal of changing society in positive ways. After an advanced transdisciplinary education at Virginia Tech, Calhoun Scholars will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to positively impact their communities across the United States and the globe. Jonathon Bond in The Spectator: Now Greece can finally turn the page in a crisis that has lasted too long. The worst is over. With these triumphant words, Pierre Moscovici, the EU Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, declared an end to the EUs eight-year 289 billion bailout programme to Greece, the largest rescue in financial history. Except Greeces financial crisis isnt by any means over and the EUs blithe and self-congratulatory announcement is a stain on Brusselss moral authority. As a Greek property owner, a committed Grecophile and a disappointed Remoaner, I have witnessed with rising horror the slow water-boarding of the Greek population over the last eight years. Every one of my Greek friends has a tale to tell of families under intolerable pressure, of parents forced to leave their infant children to seek work overseas, and of grandparents funding two generations of unemployed adults from their diminishing savings and from meagre pensions already savagely cut by the EU. The EU has enforced a 25 per cent contraction in the size of the Greek economy during the last eight years (more severe than the great American depression of the 1930s) and its fiscal punishments have caused youth unemployment to reach a staggering 44 per cent. More here. Coral Davenport in 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. More here. Wendy Graham at The Dublin Review of Books: After decades of attention to Oscar Wildes 1895 trials and his incarnation of the homosexual subject, a spate of recent publications reconsiders his 1882 American lecture tour, among them David Friedmans Wilde in America (2014), Roy Morris Jrs Declaring His Genius: Oscar Wilde in North America (2013), and Sharon Marcuss Salome!! Sarah Bernhardt, Oscar Wilde, and the Drama of Celebrity (2011). Editors Matthew Hofer and Gary Scharnhorst set the stage for this reappraisal by assembling the first complete and reliable record of Wildes interviews in Oscar Wilde in America: The Interviews (2010). While these publications illuminate Wildes redefinition of Victorian masculinity, they also highlight his self-promotion, burgeoning celebrity, and vending of aestheticism before he became a gay icon. To this compendium, Michele Mendelssohn adds an exciting new chapter, or one so old that it deserves fresh examination. She ponders coverage of the Irish aesthete Wilde, which harmonised with racist caricatures of black dandies in American minstrel shows and newspapers. Back in 1882, Lloyd Lewis and Henry Justin Smiths Oscar Wilde Discovers America offered a whistle stop account of Wildes tour replete with historical magazine illustrations, reviews, and gossip, which frequently conflated aestheticism with race matters. A juxtaposition that seemed unremarkable and inoffensive in 1882 receives extensive scholarly elaboration in Mendelssohns fascinating book. more here. 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. The Bernalillo County Commission on Tuesday awarded a $53 million contract to a St. Louis-based company for medical, dental, mental health and psychiatric services at the Metropolitan Detention Center. The vote was 3-0 with Commissioners Steven Michael Quezada and Lonnie Talbert absent from the meeting. Centurion Detention Health Services, which provides correctional health care services in Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, Tennessee and Vermont, will take over duties from Nashville-based Correct Care Solutions and begin a four-year contact on Jan. 1. Orthopedic, obstetrical, optometry and telemedicine services, which will be provided at MDC as opposed to transporting inmates to off-site facilities, are also part of the contract. The contract also includes two transition planning personnel with expertise to assist with health care needs as inmates reintegrate to the community. Contracts with companies that provide medical services for inmates have evolved greatly over time, County Attorney Ken Martinez said. Now they are doing things that you wouldnt have thought about 10 years ago, such as preparing folks for when they leave the jail, Martinez said. Now that weve built the Resource Re-entry Center, its important that our medical contractor up on the hill is preparing a package for resource re-entry with their transition planners, and (the county is) working with University of New Mexico Hospital for transition planners down here to then become community planners, because now youre no longer in jail, youre part of the community. County officials opened the Resource Re-entry Center, tasked with assisting former inmates in accessing housing, job opportunities, shelter and medical treatment, in May. The Centurion contract allows for up to 1,550 inmates. If the population exceeds that number, the cost per inmate goes up an additional 43 cents each day until the population is brought back down. Compensation from the county to Centurion for the contracts first and second years is a fixed cost of $13 million, and for the third and fourth years, it is about $13.3 million and $13.7 million, respectively. Funding for the contract will come from the general fund, health care gross receipts tax, methadone maintenance funding and future revenue growth. Also during Tuesdays meeting, commissioners approved a $200,000 annual increase for the Behavior Health Initiatives Community Connections project. Extra funds were needed to issue about 120 already funded housing vouchers because workloads of case managers who support and work with individuals who receive vouchers are at capacity. The Community Connections project consists of two programs: a re-entry supportive housing program and a supportive housing expansion for frequent utilizers of services. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal No televised debate will be held between the two candidates for Bernalillo County sheriff, because the incumbent turned down the invitation to debate his challenger. Sheriff Manuel Gonzales declined to appear this Sunday for an hourlong debate hosted by KOAT-TV and the Albuquerque Journal against Republican candidate Lou Golson, who had accepted the invitation, said Greg Shepperd, KOAT news director. Without both candidates agreeing to appear, Shepperd said, the station canceled the event. Gonzales, a Democrat, in an interview said it was a campaign strategy to turn down the debate, but declined to explain further. I dont discuss my campaign strategy with media or anybody outside of my inner circle, he said. Golson, a retired Albuquerque police officer, said Tuesday that he had been looking forward to the debate. He had agreed to it several months ago and found out last week the event was canceled. The people need to have their questions answered. They are the ones who put us into office, Golson said. They deserve our time. Gonzales appeared at a forum with Golson several weeks ago. I believe my opponent Ive been out to forums with him whatever I say he tries to make his own, Gonzales said. I dont believe he has a platform, and I dont see the benefit. Golson said his primary goals for the Sheriffs Office have been posted on his website since he announced his run. Those are putting lapel cameras on deputies and building stronger relationships among city, county, state and federal agencies to target people with long criminal histories. We have our differences, but to (Gonzales) credit, we have a lot of the same ideas, Golson said. Its just that hes had 3 years to put them together, and he hasnt. Gonzales said hes confident voters know where he stands on issues and are satisfied with how he has run the sheriffs agency. The public knows exactly where I stand. Ive been here 3 years, and they come up to me every day in the public and support me, he said. I have no doubts that Ill be re-elected. I feel very confident were doing an outstanding job. Meanwhile, KOAT also canceled its 2nd Congressional District debate, also hosted by the station and the Journal, after Republican candidate Yvette Herrell failed to accept its invitation. Shepperd said the station made multiple calls to her campaign, which said it would check her schedule. But when Herrells campaign did not get back to KOAT, the station decided to cancel. Democrat Xochitl Torres Small had accepted the tentatively scheduled Oct. 19 debate. The district covers southern and eastern New Mexico and is currently represented by Republican Steve Pearce, who opted to run for governor rather than seek another term in Congress. Taos and its surrounding areas could enjoy a significant boost in tourism through a new local charter air service linking Taos Regional Airport with Austin International and Dallas-Love Field airports in Texas. Taos Ski Valley Inc. has purchased a 30-passenger Dornier 328 jet from Ultimate Jetcharters, an Ohio-based company that offers East Coast shuttle service and charter flights. The Ski Valley signed a management agreement with Ultimate to operate the newly-formed Taos Air service. Starting Dec. 20 and through March, Taos Air will provide one round trip flight between Taos and each of the Texas airports every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday or holiday Monday, for a total of six round trips per week. Tickets will cost $399, said Taos Ski Valley CEO David Norden. Ultimate Jetcharters will operate Taos Air with its own crew and flight attendants and manage day-to-day operations, Norden said. Its the first air service connecting Taos with Texas, and the first commercial flights out of Taos Regional Airport since shuttle service to Albuquerque and Santa Fe ended 10 years ago, said Taos Mayor Daniel Barrone. That service was financed through grants and ended when the grants ran dry. Taos Air service is enabled by a new, $24 million runway that opened last fall at the Taos Regional Airport, financed by the Federal Aviation Administration. With the new runway in place, we are committed to positioning the Taos Regional Airport as an economic driver for Taos County and northern New Mexico, Mayor Barrone said in a statement. To that end, we are working with the state and our regional partners to develop and fund year-round, long-term air service. The flights could bring more winter vacationers to the area, helping to strengthen and diversify the local economy. Its a great opportunity for economic development in our community, not only for Taos but for surrounding areas, Barrone told the Journal. We have three ski valleys here, each with a different terrain and experience, plus rich local history, culture and arts. Its an opportunity for people who dont usually come here to visit Taos. Tourism is one of the areas economic mainstays. About 80 percent of local government revenue comes from gross receipts taxes, and about half of that is generated through tourism, Barrone said. For Taos Ski Valley, the new air service is part of a $300 million resort renovation project the company launched a few years ago. That includes new ski lifts and snow-making machines, a hotel that opened last year, expanded restaurant service and a new childrens center. The issue has been access to and from northern New Mexico, Norden said. The new air service will make things easier for guests. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal A mesmerized Laura Song, a native of China who now lives in Colorado Springs, had trouble putting into words the spectacle of seeing her first mass ascension during Saturdays opening of the 47th annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. But her criticism of the traffic congestion in and out of Balloon Fiesta Park was direct and concise: You guys have had this for how many years? You should have figured it out by now. That was the sentiment of many people who got caught in traffic or were waiting at park-and-ride locales with no buses in sight when the mass ascension began. Wait times, congestion and delays were even worse this year than in years past, they said. In fact, that was the case, said Balloon Fiesta Executive Director Paul Smith. Although its not yet known how many people in total attended the opening session, a record 21,000 park-and-ride tickets were sold. The previous record was 17,500, set a few years ago. The problem, said Dennis Christiansen, the fiestas coordinator of traffic and park-and-ride, was sheer volume. Although traffic delays and wait-time problems have occurred on the closing weekend and during midweek sessions, the first Saturday is always the craziest, he said, and this year was made worse when weather forecasters predicted that Saturday flying conditions would be fine, but worsening weather might prevent Sunday and Monday launches. Fiesta officials are taking the criticism seriously and initiating steps to make the rest of the annual event run smoother, they said. Among the adjustments being made is limiting the number of park-and-ride tickets sold, said Smith, who acknowledged fiesta officials have not determined what that number might be. In the interest of comfort, the number of portable toilets will be increased at park-and-ride lots, and lot managers will have better access to loudspeakers to relay information, good or bad, about delays and wait times, Christiansen said. Limiting the number of park-and-ride tickets sold, however, does not preclude people from driving their cars to Balloon Fiesta Park, Smith said. So it may solve one problem over here, but moves it to a different location. Thats why we have not done it in the past. Two intersections were particularly problematic Saturday one at Second and Alameda, where the traffic signal continued to flash red until 10:30 a.m., causing confused motorists to stop and go; and one at Alameda and Jefferson, where because of the timing of the signal lights, park-and-ride buses often had to wait through three cycles before they could go, decreasing the number of trips they could make between the pickup lots and the fiesta grounds, Christiansen said. Additional Albuquerque police officers will be on hand for the rest of the fiesta to direct traffic at key intersections along heavily traveled entrance and exit routes, Smith said, and there will be a concerted effort to make sure that traffic signals are set properly. And park-and-ride buses will also be positioned more effectively at the fiesta turnaround area, Christiansen said, in the hope of getting more buses out quicker, which will in turn get them back quicker so we can squeeze another run in. However, some conditions are out of their control, such as four non-bus-related vehicle accidents Saturday two on the West Side and two in Northeast Albuquerque which no doubt diverted additional traffic into already heavily traveled fiesta routes, said Smith. Further, we have a limited number of access points to and from the park, he said. We are kind of landlocked here. We have a reservation (Sandia) to the north, a neighborhood to the west, and AMAFCA (flood control) channels on two sides. How much the adjustments will affect traffic remains to be seen, but its too late for Susan Morales, who traveled in a caravan to Albuquerque from Los Alamos with family members from California, Texas and Alabama 14 people in three vehicles, she told the Journal. They purchased park-and-ride/fiesta admission tickets online in August, paying $15 for each of 11 adult tickets and $12 each for three seniors. The group was at the Coronado mall park-and-ride site before 5 a.m. Saturday, where there were already hundreds of people waiting, and we didnt see more than four buses coming and going, Morales said. About 7:30 a.m., people wearing parking attendant vests announced there would be no more buses, even though there were still hundreds of people waiting in line at the time. Her group got back into its vehicles, determined to drive directly to Balloon Fiesta Park, but it took nearly an hour to get to Paseo del Norte and I-25. The group gave up and headed back to Los Alamos. We believe they didnt have enough buses running and they oversold tickets, and Im not talking about a handful of people who got left behind; Im talking about hundreds of people and thats just that one park-and-ride site, Morales said. There were plenty of buses, Christiansen said. The fiesta rented 225 buses for opening and closing weekend, and about 200 buses for Thursday and Friday (park-and-ride does not operate Monday through Wednesday). Each bus accommodates 40 people. The problem was traffic prevented them from making more than one or two trips in time to get riders to Balloon Fiesta Park before the mass ascension began. Were not traffic people; were balloonists, said Christiansen, adding that the traffic plan was put together in conjunction with professionals at the New Mexico Department of Transportation, the Albuquerque Police Department and the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office. Were pretty good at putting 10 pounds of stuff in a 5-pound bag, Smith said. The trouble is, and Saturday was a prime example, when you have 12 pounds of stuff and try to put it in that 5-pound bag. It just doesnt work. Balloon Fiesta Today Kids Day A.M. 6:00: Dawn Patrol 6:30: Laser Light Show 7:00: Special Shape Rodeo 8:00: Competition Flying Begins 8:30-11:30: AIBF Chainsaw Carving Invitational P.M. 1:30-5:00: AIBF Chainsaw Carving Invitational 6:00: Special Shape Glowdeo 7:45: Laser Light Show 8:00: AfterGlow Fireworks Show Friday A.M. 6:00: Dawn Patrol 6:30: Laser Light Show 7:00: Special Shape Rodeo 8:00: Competition Flying Begins 8:30-11:30: AIBF Chainsaw Carving Invitational P.M. 1:30-5:00: AIBF Chainsaw Carving Invitational 6:00: Special Shape Glowdeo 7:45: Laser Light Show 8:00: AfterGlow Fireworks Show People who were not accommodated at park-and-ride lots after purchasing tickets can request a refund by sending an email to parkandride@balloonfiesta.com. Include your name and order number. A credit will be issued to your credit card. If the ticket was purchased longer than 120 days ago, also include your address, and the refund will be mailed. After a judge twice rejected an agreement in which Jessica Kelley would have pleaded guilty to child abuse resulting in death, her defense attorney is asking the court to dismiss the count altogether. State District Judge Charles Brown rejected the agreement, finding there was insufficient evidence to support the charge. In one of several motions filed Tuesday, Mark Earnest, who is representing Kelley as she faces accusations in the death of Victoria Martens, argues that the evidence presented at that hearing is as good as it gets. At the conclusion of the September 14, 2018, hearing the court, in effect, found that the undisputed facts do not make out the elements of the charged crime, Earnest wrote. At that hearing, prosecutors and Kelleys attorneys agreed on a set of facts intended to show her guilt. And in his motion, Earnest says when facts are undisputed and only questions of law are before the court, a judge has the authority to decide the legal issues and dismiss the count as appropriate. The rejection of the agreement, he argues, was essentially a legal determination that Kelley did not commit that crime. Earnest has also filed a request asking the court to move the trial, which is scheduled for January, out of the Albuquerque area, citing what he characterized as unceasing, severe and misleading media coverage of the case. The cumulative prejudice from all of the media coverage in this case, almost every bit of it negative in reference to Ms. Kelley, is too deep and too widespread in Bernalillo County, Earnest wrote. Ms. Kelley deserves at least a chance at a fair and impartial jury untainted by the publicity that has constantly surrounded this case. He suggests the court move the case to Rio Arriba, McKinley or Taos counties. In a separate motion, Earnest has asked to keep out of trial a series of statements secretly recorded on a device hidden near Kelleys jail cell. The recordings, he writes, were made in violation of the Constitution, and the detective who arranged them never sought a warrant. The Fourth Amendment protects against surreptitious recording of private conversations where a speaker has a reasonable expectation of privacy, Earnest wrote. Earnest also filed a request seeking to use at Kelleys trial a document prosecutors compiled that outlines Fabian Gonzales involvement in the case. Prosecutors say that Victoria was killed by an unknown man who may have been retaliating against Gonzales after a fight days before during Kelleys prison homecoming barbecue, during which Gonzales was punched by a pregnant woman. Kelley was watching the 10-year-old when a stranger walked into the apartment and killed the child. Prosecutors filed a request Tuesday asking a judge to let them tell jurors about Kelleys drug use to help establish that she was aware of the effects of drug intoxication. Kelley is set for an evidentiary hearing on Nov. 6. WASHINGTON Here is how to interpret the alarming new United Nations-sponsored report on global warming: We are living in a horror movie. The world needs statesmen to lead the way to safety. Instead we have President Trump, who essentially says, Hey, lets all head to the dark, creepy basement where the chain saws and razor-sharp axes are kept. What could go wrong? The answer is almost everything, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The impact of human-induced warming is worse than previously feared, the report released Monday says, and only drastic coordinated action will keep the damage short of catastrophe. To this point, climate change has been a slow-motion calamity whose impacts, month to month and year to year, have been hard to perceive. Unfortunately, according to the report, that is about to change. The burning of fossil fuels on an industrial scale has raised global temperatures by about 1 degree Celsius/1.8 degrees Fahrenheit. That may not sound like much, but look at the consequences were already seeing: Stronger, slower, wetter tropical storms. Unprecedented heat waves. Devastating floods. Dying coral reefs. A never-before-seen summer shipping lane across the Arctic Ocean. Meanwhile, humankind continues to pump heat-trapping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at a tragically self-destructive rate. The IPCC calculates that a further temperature rise of about 1 degree almost inevitable, given our dependence on coal, oil and gas would be challenging, but manageable. An increase of about 2 degrees, however, would be disastrous. Whats the difference? With a 1-degree rise, about 14 percent of the worlds population would be vulnerable to severe and deadly heat waves every five years; with a 2-degree rise, that figure jumps to 37 percent. With a 1-degree rise, an additional 350 million city dwellers worldwide will face water shortages; with a 2-degree rise, 411 million people will suffer such drought. With a 1-degree rise, coral reefs will experience very frequent mass mortalities; with a two-degree rise, coral reefs will mostly disappear. Small differences can have huge impacts. Under the 1-degree scenario, up to 69 million people will be newly exposed to flooding. Under the 2-degree scenario which the report estimates would boost sea-level rise by as much as 36 inches the number rises to 80 million. Please dont dismiss all of this as just another boring compendium of carefully hedged facts and figures. I have followed the IPCCs research since covering the first Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The new report strikes a different tone that combines weary fatalism with hair-on-fire alarm. In dry, just-the-facts language it predicts declining fisheries, failing crops, more widespread risk from tropical diseases such as malaria, economic dislocation in the most-affected countries and, by logical extension, greater political instability. All of these impacts are bad with one more degree of temperature rise. With 2 degrees they are much, much worse. The obvious solution is to dramatically reduce carbon emissions. The IPCC says that emissions need to decline by at least 40 percent by 2030, and to reach net zero by 2050, if we are to hold warming to one more degree. Yet last year, according to the International Energy Agency, global emissions hit an all-time high. Since 2016, representatives of 195 nations including all the big emitters signed on to the landmark Paris agreement calling for systematic emissions reductions beginning in 2020. But President Trump, who has ignorantly called climate change a hoax, withdrew the United States from the pact. Even worse, Trump is aggressively trying to increase reliance on coal, which contributes a disproportionate amount of carbon dioxide emissions compared with other fossil fuels. U.S. carbon emissions actually fell slightly in 2017, due to the expansion of the renewable energy sector. But Trump administration policies are designed to reverse that trend; and if they fail to do so, it will be because rest of the world is already moving toward clean energy a huge economic shift that threatens to leave the United States behind. When you read the IPCC report, you see that what the world really needs is visionary leadership. As the worlds greatest economic power and its second-largest carbon emitter, the United States is uniquely capable of shepherding a global transition to renewable energy. Instead, however, the Trump administration rejects the science of climate change and actively favors dirty energy sources over clean ones. Humanity has no time for such foolishness. Im the president of the United States. Im not the president of the globe, Trump thundered at a recent rally. On what planet does he think this nation resides? Email eugenerobinson@washpost.com. Copyright, Washington Post Writers Group. EL PASO, Texas Police in El Paso say officers fatally shot a man in the parking lot of a police station when the man arrived there with a handgun. Police Sgt. Enrique Carrillo says the man was shot about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday after being confronted by officers. Carrillo says no officers were injured. The dead mans name hasnt been released. Carrillo said the man was linked to calls police received earlier Wednesday, but declined to provide details. Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting. SANTA FE The Santa Fe Police Department has arrested a 17-year-old boy in the shooting death of a Michigan man on Airport Road late last month. Zachary Gutierrez was arrested by detectives Thursday for the killing of 64-year-old Richard Milan on Sept. 26, according to a news release. Police say Milan who was driving from California back to Kalamazoo, Mich., and stopped in Santa Fe to visit family was walking his dog on Airport Road that evening when he encountered a group of young people near Lucia Lane. Milan was shot in the leg and later died at the hospital. Gutierrez, who has been in police custody since Saturday on different crimes, is charged with an open count of murder and tampering with evidence. SANTA FE Gov. Susana Martinez was in Nevada on Thursday to campaign for a GOP gubernatorial candidate and speak at an American Bail Agent Coalition conference. The Republican governor, who will leave office at the end of this year when her second term ends, left New Mexico on Wednesday and is scheduled to return today, a spokesman said. Martinez has largely stayed out of New Mexicos gubernatorial race, which pits Republican Steve Pearce against Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham. But she was scheduled to attend campaign events for fellow Republican Adam Laxalt on Thursday in Las Vegas, including a campaign volunteer appreciation rally and phone bank kickoff. Laxalt is the son of former Sen. Pete Domenici, who revealed in 2013 that he had secretly fathered Laxalt out of wedlock in the 1970s. He is currently Nevadas attorney general, and is running for governor this year against Democrat Steve Sisolak. Meanwhile, Martinezs travel costs for her Nevada trip are being covered by the American Bail Coalition, a New Jersey-based group that advocates for the growth and sustainability of the bail bond industry. Although the governor initially supported a 2016 constitutional amendment dealing with pretrial detention, she has since called on New Mexico legislators to repeal and replace the amendment and new court rules that she says allow dangerous criminals to be released back onto the streets. Next month, Bernalillo County commissioners will vote on an economic development proposal listed on public documents only as Project Oryx. County filings show that Project Oryx involves an Albuquerque-based manufacturer transferring its operations into an approximately 16,000-square-foot building, a move the business says will allow it to add 139 full-time jobs. The company is seeking $2 million in state Local Economic Development Act funding for tenant improvements, as well as $25 million in industrial revenue bonds from the county, a financial mechanism for providing a property tax abatement. At an administrative meeting on Sept. 25, commissioners announced their intent to vote on the proposal. That vote will take place at a regular meeting on Nov. 13. If the project is approved, the county will act as the fiscal agent for the state LEDA funds. The countys interim economic development director, Deanna Archuleta, said the name of the company and additional details about the project will be publicly available no later than Nov. 9. Economic development officials have long given code names to major projects as a way to grant anonymity to companies until a deal is in its final stages. The Facebook data center, for example, was known as Project Antelope and the company was called Greater Kudu when it received a $30 billion industrial revenue bond package from the village of Los Lunas in June 2016. Facebooks identity wasnt revealed until the next month, when it filed a request with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission under its own name. But Archuleta said the county rarely uses code names for economic development proposals, and only at the request of the company or the state. She said some businesses are concerned that a building owner wont negotiate in good faith if its known that assistance from the county is likely; others are concerned that information will leak about a client base or a proprietary technology that could create changes in the marketplace. I really prefer not to use (code names) if at all possible, said Archuleta. In our first conversation with the company, we make it clear their name is going to be on everything, and ask them if theres going to be a problem with that. Eighty to 90 percent of the time, they say no. We make exceptions on a company-by-company basis. Commissioner Lonnie Talbert, who is sponsoring the proposal, said through a county spokesman that commissioners had signed a non-disclosure agreement with the company and are unable to comment on the project. If approved, the $25 million IRB package would be less than the $30 million IRB offered to Admiral Beverage Corp. in 2012 but more than the $16 million IRB given to Lowes contact center in 2011. Among the largest IRBs offered in recent years were $100 million for Wagner Equipment Co. and $80 million for General Mills, both in 2016. The tax abatements associated with IRBs are typically a small fraction of the total IRB sum. In the case of Project Oryx, the abatement for personal property would be about $1.5 million over a 20-year period, according to county filings. The company behind Project Oryx plans to invest $23 million in its new operation, which will be engaged in high-volume manufacturing. The filings do not contain information about the location of the project. The company has committed to an annual payroll of about $11 million within five years, under the terms of the IRB. The companys current head count is 15 employees, and if it grows to 154 employees, the positions will have an average salary of $70,760. Archuleta said there are clawbacks associated with the proposal tied to both job numbers and payroll. SANTA FE A Santa Fe pet food company plans to create up to 11 new manufacturing jobs a part of a move into a new, 8,000- square-foot facility. Martys Meals is expanding with a $2 million investment in its operations over the next 10 years, according to a news release from the states Economic Development Department. Founder Sandy Bosben said the company currently has five manufacturing employees. Bosben told the Journal the company plans to move from its current location on Pen Road to a new storefront and manufacturing facility on Cordova Road, next to The New Baking Co. in the Coronado Shopping Center that also includes Trader Joes. She also mentioned plans to open an online store that she hopes will be up and running by Christmas. Martys Meals, which started in Santa Fe in 2010 and also has a Boulder, Colo., location, makes raw, organic and non-GMO food for customers, feeding 5,000 dogs and cats each month. It also offers pet training classes and other events at both the New Mexico and Colorado locations. In support of the expansion, the Economic Development Department plans to provide up to $175,000 in Local Economic Development Act funding. Martys Meals puts more than $500,000 into the local economy on an annual basis, the departments release states. With the states investment, Bosben said, We can expand partnerships with New Mexico farmers and ranchers who are committed to agricultural practices protecting our planet; we can employ a growing workforce that benefits from good wages and benefits; we can contribute to New Mexicos economic strength; we can expand to new markets; and most importantly, we can provide more pets with the kind of nutritious food that will assure them healthier, longer, happier lives. Economic Development Secretary Matt Geisel described the company as a homegrown susccess story as well as one that utilizes local agriculture to create its products. Producers from all over New Mexico, from places like Embudo, Tucumcari, San Juan Mountains, Santa Cruz, Roswell, Santa Fe and Espanola, to name a few, are all part (of) this success story, he said. REDDING, Calif. - A team from the Redding Police Department conducted a sweep of a local park known for illegal camping and drug activity. Riverfront park sits just off Parkview Avenue. For years homeless people have used it to camp illegally and do drugs. Well, we've been here almost three years, said nearby resident Vicente Lopez. And constantly it's getting it's getting a little bit worse every year. Lopez said it's not the homeless that concern him, but the drug use happening feet away from his home. And you know that's what they're doing because they come five or six times a day, stay half an hour and they're gone, Lopez said. Wednesday, the team spent most of the morning cleaning up trash and drug paraphernalia. A lot of the trash they cleaned up just today, said RPD homeless outreach officer Phil Eoff. It was actually pretty clean in here today. There wasn't a whole lot compared to what we've seen in the past. And while it wasn't a huge haul, officers say just last week they collected more than 10,000 pounds of trash from the Henderson Open Space just across the river. But cleaning up trash is just one part of their mission. And we also follow up on homeless camps and homeless people that have been referred to us by our community cleanup officers and our code enforcement officers, Eoff said. Wednesday, Eoff and his team encountered a father and two children camping in the park along the river. And as my outreach officer from Shasta County was talking to them, she realized that the oldest juvenile should be, or is enrolled in Shasta High School, he said. Together, they talked with the family to figure out the best way to get them off the streets. So she was trying to facilitate that, talking to the father about the services that are available here in Shasta County for him to try and get him and his juveniles off the street so they're not camping out here and get them into school, Eoff said. Officers were able made contact with the mother of the two children who drove down from Oregon to be reunited with her children. Governor-General recognises leaders in life-saving healthcare Thursday, 11 October 2018 From cow dung spread on the umbilical cords of African newborns, to Vegemite and water being used to feed babies in the Australian outback, a lack of knowledge about best healthcare practice has the potential to do more harm than good. At the University of Adelaide, the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) is a world-leading team of researchers whose work ensures that evidence-based knowledge reaches the people who need it most, improving the outcomes for thousands of people right across the globe. This Friday (12 October), the Patron of the Joanna Briggs Foundation, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove, AK, MC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, and Her Excellency Lady Cosgrove, will host a reception at Admiralty House, Sydney, in recognition of the work of the Joanna Briggs Institute in improving health for disadvantaged communities. JBI is an international not-for-profit health research institute of the University of Adelaide that collaborates with more than 70 partnering organisations across the world. JBI fosters long-term, sustainable change in health practices by training healthcare professionals to deliver evidence-based healthcare, and providing the best available evidence to inform clinical decision making. The Governor-General has been patron of the Joanna Briggs Foundation for four years. The reception hosted by Their Excellencies will acknowledge how this work is changing lives and fulfilling a critical role, assisting health professionals from around the world to become effective leaders and agents of change. "Supporting healthcare professionals from disadvantaged communities to become leaders in evidence-based practice is crucial for achieving sustainable change on an international level," says JBI Executive Director, the University of Adelaide's Professor Zoe Jordan. "For over 20 years, we have heard stories from health professionals about their work with mothers and babies. In Uganda, cow dung was being used on the umbilical cords of newborns. In remote Australia, mothers were using Vegemite and water in bottles to feed their babies. "Stories like these are numerous, and while they reflect issues with infrastructure and funding, most were simply about lack of access to good-quality evidence and training. "Everyone should have access to the best available knowledge to make decisions about the care they give and receive," says Professor Jordan. JBIs innovative Evidence-based Clinical Fellowship Program bridges the gap between research and practice by empowering clinicians to identify critical issues and providing them with the knowledge, skills and resources needed to look for evidence-based solutions. Former JBI Clinical Fellow and registered nurse from Papua New Guinea, Sylvia John, says: "For many years I noticed that common diseases were under-diagnosed and mishandled. I wanted to make some changes in asthma management but lacked the knowledge to do so. "Implementing evidence-based practice through the JBI Evidence-based Clinical Fellowship Program has led to great improvements in patients quality of life, and more importantly, has saved lives," says Ms John, who will be attending the Governor-General's reception this Friday. Contact Details Media Release Discovery Kids, the fastest growing kids channel this year, will premiere special episodes of Little Singham to celebrate the forthcoming festive season. The festivities start on October 10 with the campaign 10 Days 10 Villains with special content lined up for kids. Little Singham will travel to Ahmedabad to dance on the beats of dandiya, little does he knows that danger is awaiting while he is practicing his moves. Immediately after Navratri, The Dussehra special episode on 19th October will have Little Singham fight with a life-sized mechanized robot who has been replaced by the statue of Raavan on the day of Dussehra to create havoc in Mirchi Nagar. He will come face to face with 10 new monstrous, more powerful and dangerous villains to tackle new difficulties with same zest and style. Discovery Kids in collaboration with Rohit Shetty Picturez and Reliance Animation, launched Little Singham at a never-before scale, and the show made immediate connect with children across the country Little Singham, Indias youngest supercop, has received huge traction amongst the advertisers as well. The property 10 Days 10 Villains is Presented by Hersheys and Co-Powered by Lost Kitties (Hasbro). Speaking about the special programing Uttam Pal Singh, Business Head of Discovery Kids, said, Little Singham has become a rage leading to more and more children joining the Little Singham squad daily. We are bringing exciting offerings this festive season with full blown fun package of fresh content, action filled episodes supplemented by on-ground activities through our school contact program. Little Singham is creating history across dimensions. The IP has helped in propelling ratings of Discovery Kids by more than 400% this year. Little Singham Mobile Game added to the IPs success hitting the top of the charts in the Arcade section by garnering more than 5 million downloads till date. Watch Navratri and Dussehra special episodes from 10th October to 19th October at 1:30 PM and 5:30 PM only on your favorite kids animation channel Discovery Kids. Durga Puja is undoubtedly one of the biggest festivals in India and celebrated with much fervour. Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd. (KNPL), one of the leading paint companies in India and pioneers of Healthy Home Paints had conducted a much successful and popular pujo activity, Nerolac Shera Para Shera Pujo across Kolkata and other cities of West Bengal. Kansai Nerolac had unveiled a large Durga Maa mural in Kolkata on 8th October 2018 for commemorating this years pujo festivities! The event was graced by Bengali actor Rituparna Sengupta, Ram Mehrotra, VP, Sales & Marketing, India & Nepal at Kansai Nerolac and Tapas De, General Manager at Hotel The Peerless Inn. Kansai Nerolac has effectively engaged with its customers through the product portfolio and customer awareness campaigns promoting transformation and environmental sensitivity over the years. The Durga Maa mural signifies the same vision of transformation and beautifying Kolkata in its fourth consecutive year celebration of Nerolac Shera Para Shera Pujo. The magnificent portraiture, conceptualized by FCB Ulka and brought to life by artist Tushar Kamble, is inspired by the rich tradition of Bengal and local folklore, currently adorns the walls at Peerless Inn, Taltala. Depicting the homecoming of Maa Durga, the elements used in the visual identity illustrate the grand celebrations that happen during pujo, when men and women rhythmically dance to the beats of the dhak along with traditional dhanuchi dance competitions. The mural also demonstrates the lions - vahan (vehicle) of Maa Durga. Flaunting the traditional Bengali flavour, the art is a splendid amalgamation of the pujo festivities and the power that Maa Durga epitomizes. Speaking on the unveiling, Mr Ram Mehrotra, VP Sales & Marketing India & Nepal for Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd , said, Bengal has always been an important market for us. Inspired by the cultural spirit and essence of the state, we have undertaken several activities to engage with our customers. In the past, we have launched Shades of Bengal a coffee table book that unravels various shades and spirituality of Bengal. The Durga Maa mural is yet another attempt to connect with our Bengali audience by adding colour and happiness to their lives on an auspicious occasion like this. The idea behind painting the mural at Peerless Inn was, if put simply, to make Durga Maa stay back, even after Durga Pujo concludes a commemoration from Nerolac as giving joy back to the city of joy. He added, Nerolac, along with extensive support from paint trade dealers over the years, has continued to flourish. As a part of this years initiative, we also organized a community-building initiative called Paintdaan, wherein Nerolac dealers across West Bengal donated minimum one litre of paint towards the marvellous mural. Supporting the initiative, Bengali actor, Rituparna Sengupta, said, I feel immensely proud to be a part of this magnificent unveiling! It is overwhelming to see such creative spells and love of the people of Bengal for Maa Durga, during this time. Shera Para Shera Pujo is indeed a distinguished initiative and Nerolac has been doing a great job of bringing local communities together, thus enhancing community building. Commenting on the initiative, Tapas De, General Manager at Hotel Peerless Inn, the event partner, said, We are honoured to partner with Kansai Nerolac for this unique initiative. Durga Puja is the biggest socio-cultural festival in Kolkata and Kansai Nerolac has provided, a remarkable opportunity to host Durga Maa at our hotel. The mural showcases the true meaning of Durga Pujo. Shera Para Shera Pujo 2018 witnessed an overwhelming response with over 300 registrations across Kolkata and beyond making it the biggest Mural and Pujo competition in the state. This year too, both competitions are running simultaneously, in association with Red FM, one of the leading radio stations in Kolkata. Consumers can vote for their favourite Pujo on www.nerolac.com/sheraparasherapujo.com. Winners for both competitions will be announced on the website and cash prizes would be given out to top three murals as judged via public voting & Red FM RJs. United Breweries Limited now announces its foray into the non-alcoholic beverage segment with the launch of Kingfisher Radler in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Kingfisher Radler, brings a new outlook to the soft drink category, a 100% natural drink that contains 30% less sugar than carbonated soft drinks. Every sip is a perfect blend of fresh barley malts and natural lemon juice. The introduction of Radler caters to a segment of health-conscious, young adults who are on the lookout for a refreshing new alternative. The launch of Kingfisher Radler marks another major milestone into the UBL product portfolio, after the successful launch of brands such as Kingfisher Storm and Amstel, strengthening its ability to cater to emerging different consumer segments. Commenting on the occasion, Ramesh Viswanathan, Chief New Business Officer, United Breweries Limited, said, United Breweries is widening its product portfolio and addressing new consumers and new consumption occasions. This product category, malt based non-alcoholic beverage, is growing fast in Europe and we are pioneering the effort in India. The product would be made widely available across outlets carrying soft drinks, through our new distribution network for non-alcoholic beverages. The brands 360-degree communication will dramatize Kingfishers historic entry into Non-Alcohol moments and settings. Especially high on the list is a series of light-hearted, compelling TV commercials, fizzing with freshness. Kingfisher Radler will be available in three refreshing flavours - Lemon, Ginger-Lime and Mint-Lime. The product will be in two classic formats - a 300 ml can and a 300 ml glass bottle, with a conveniently-designed ring-pull cap and a striking packaging design. The 300 ml Cans will be priced at Rs.45/-. As part of its test-launch strategy, Kingfisher Radler will be launched in United Breweries home state of Karnataka; and for the first time ever in the state of Gujarat. 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. Two Aiken-area leaders have endorsed S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster's gubernatorial campaign. Both Aiken Mayor Rick Osbon and Aiken County Council Chairman Gary Bunker announced their formal support for the incumbent governor during a small rally Wednesday. "I absolutely endorse this man," Osbon said, standing on stage at the Aiken Municipal Building. "He's been incredible to the party." Bunker, during his endorsement speech, retraced his own Republican roots and recalled his previous work alongside the governor. In a follow-up interview, Bunker said he offered his endorsement because McMaster is a "solid conservative Republican" who also has "been a party builder." Osbon, during the Republican primary, endorsed then gubernatorial-hopeful John Warren. S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster lands Aiken endorsements at Thursday rally The governor said he was thankful for the endorsements and counts on their collective leadership. Since then, the mayor said, he's steered toward McMaster's camp because of the governor's responsiveness, "good track record" and "leadership on economy," among other things. "I'm proud to be supportive," Osbon said. Earlier this year, a herd of Aiken County-based Republican lawmakers state Sen. Tom Young as well as state Reps. Bill Taylor and Bart Blackwell announced their support for the governor. "Donald Trump and Henry McMaster make a great partnership," Taylor said at the time, "and South Carolina will benefit from that." McMaster is facing state Rep. James Smith, a Columbia Democrat, in the coming election. On Wednesday, McMaster urged South Carolinians to get out and vote come Nov. 6. "We have an opportunity in this state, in this election, to keep this course, keep us going," the governor said. Andrew Brunson, the evangelical pastor being tried on espionage and terror charges in a controversial case that has badly bruised the United States relations with its NATO ally Turkey, is due to appear in court tomorrow. Hopes on the American side are that the 50-year-old native of Black Mountain, North Carolina, who has been held for a year in prison and under house arrest since July, will finally be freed. The hearing comes amid a burgeoning alignment between Washington and Ankara over Jamal Khashoggi, the dissident Saudi journalist who is feared to have been murdered by a Saudi hit squad in the kingdoms consulate in Istanbul. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a Washington audience yesterday, Im very hopeful that before too long Pastor Brunson and his wife will be able to return to the United States. It remains unclear whether Pompeo was airing a wish or speaking on the basis of solid information. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, however, added to the cautiously optimistic mood, telling reporters en route home from an official trip to Hungary yesterday, I am not in a position to intervene in the judicial system. Whatever the judiciary decides, I am obliged to abide by." He refrained from alluding to the bizarre allegations against Brunson that he had previously characterized as dark terror links. They include claims that Brunson, together with assorted Americans of the Mormon faith, was involved in the failed plot to bloodily overthrow Erdogan in July 2016 and to foment Kurdish separatism by converting Kurds to Christianity. The future of Turkeys increasingly turbulent ties with the United States seem to hinge on the outcome of Fridays proceedings, with the White House and Congress threatening to enact assorted sanctions if he and several other Americans and Turkish nationals working at US diplomatic missions in Turkey, all seen as political hostages, are not released. Washington has already frozen the US assets of Turkeys justice and interior ministers under the Global Magnitsky Act used to sanction criminals worldwide. It has also doubled tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel, dealing a further blow to Turkeys wobbly economy. But the angry rhetoric from Ankara and Washington has abated in recent months as both sides appear to be reassessing the costs of a complete break. Howard Eissenstat, an associate professor of Middle East history at St. Lawrence University and nonresident fellow at the Project on Middle East Democracy, told Al-Monitor, I suspect both the United States and Turkey are looking for ways to back away from the brink, and certainly Brunsons release would be a step in the right direction. Moreover, Eissenstat said, Erdogan is beginning to feel the limits of his attempts to step away from Turkeys traditional alliances. He has already attempted to hedge his fight with the US by warming ties with Europe, but both the economic crisis and new tensions with Russia and Iran over the future of Syria highlight the continuing value of cooperation with the US. Jamal Khashoggis apparent assassination might be one vehicle to help leverage further cooperation. Turkish analysts echoed the view that the Khashoggi saga may ease tensions, even though Turkish officials have refuted Trumps assertion that US investigators were in Turkey working with Turkish investigators on the case. Asli Aydintasbas, a prominent Turkish journalist and senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told Al-Monitor, During one of the worst periods in Turkish-American relations, this twisted and tragic saga has led to a thaw, with some level of communication between US and Turkish security agencies. Aydintasbas further noted, Ankara never really expected Washington to come forth in the way it has, with President Trump and the Hill making it clear that they wont let this slip. There was a real fear in Ankara that if it started screaming blue murder that nobody would pay attention and just pad along to the next Saudi-sponsored oil and gas conference, leaving Turkey completely isolated. This angle might explain why the famously combative Erdogan has been relatively tame in his comments about the alleged assassination despite Turkish officials having kept up a steady stream of leaks to the media asserting their conviction that Khashoggi was killed in Turkey. In his latest comments, Erdogan said, We cannot remain silent in the face of such an incident. He poured scorn over Saudi claims that their security cameras had not been working at the time of Khashoggis visit, but Erdogan has yet to call out Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who allegedly wanted Khashoggi silenced. There has been no formal presentation by Turkish investigators of their findings and they have yet to conduct a search of the Saudi mission, as announced earlier this week. US officials speaking to CNN supported the allegations that Saudi Arabia was targeting Khashoggi, saying US intelligence had intercepted communications between Saudi officials discussing plans to lure him back to the kingdom and detain him. Getting Khashoggi to the consulate in Istanbul may have been a backup plan. Khashoggi was last recorded entering the consulate on Oct. 2 to secure documents that would enable him to marry his Turkish fiancee and has not been heard from since. Despite the reports that US intelligence was aware Khashoggi was at risk, Trump has maintained a determinedly equivocal stance, saying of his alleged murder, "Again, this took place in Turkey, and to the best of our knowledge Khashoggi is not a United States citizen, is that right? He's a permanent resident, okay as to whether or not we should stop $110 billion from being spent in this country that would not be acceptable to me." This all suggests it may be too early for Turkey to assume that the White House is squarely on its side on the matter. But Congress clearly is, with 22 senators signing a letter to Trump yesterday saying they had triggered a provision of the Global Magnitsky Act requiring that the president determine whether a foreign person is responsible for gross human rights violations. Should Brunson be freed tomorrow, Turkish officials may be off the Magnitsky hook, at least for the time being. A bipartisan group of 22 senators sent a letter to President Donald Trump today demanding a federal investigation into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which could lead to sanctions against senior Saudi officials. The letter was signed by every member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee except Rand Paul, R-Ky., who prefers an immediate end to US arms sales to the kingdom. The recent disappearance of Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi suggests that he could be a victim of a gross violation of internationally recognized human rights, the senators wrote in the letter. The letter was led by Sens. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., Bob Menendez, D-N.J., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the respective chairmen and ranking members of the Senate foreign relations and foreign aid panels. The move comes as Saudi Arabia has increasingly alienated itself from even its staunchest allies on Capitol Hill amid a brutal war in Yemen and a crackdown on dissent under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Under the Global Magnitsky Act, Corker and Menendez have the authority to compel the president to complete an investigation and issue possible sanctions against foreign officials for human rights violations. The administration has 120 days to comply. A Saudi national and Washington Post columnist critical of Prince Mohammed, Khashoggi lived in exile in Virginia in Democratic Rep. Gerry Connollys district. After attending a rally with Khashoggis supporters outside the Washington Post today, Connolly told Al-Monitor that the journalists presumed abduction could not have happened without the approval of the crown prince and therefore we have to have a very strong reaction. Others are equally dubious of Riyadhs assertions that it was not involved. Corker recently raised Khashoggis disappearance with Saudi Arabias ambassador to the United States, Prince Khalid bin Salman, who claimed that security cameras at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul only provide live streams and do not record footage. That would be quite an anomaly for an embassy or consulate not to keep video recording themselves, Corker told Al-Monitor. He said theyd had some technical issues. It wasnt a very good conversation. Corker also noted that the Saudis arrived late for a meeting with him and Menendez. Menendez left, as he should have, said Corker. And I think they got the picture that theyre not particularly well received here right now. According to Turkish media, 15 Saudi intelligence officers flew to Istanbul to allegedly murder and dismember Khashoggi when he visited the Saudi Consulate there to finalize divorce papers so that he could marry his fiancee. Corker told reporters that the US intelligence hes read corroborates some of the Turkish claims. Graham also had uncharacteristically harsh words for the US ally today. It would show complete contempt by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against international norms, Graham said. It would show contempt for our relationship. It would be a game changer. Notably, Grahams former chief of staff, Andrew King, lobbies for Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Glover Park Group. Graham added that he plans to speak with the Saudi ambassador this evening. Nine of the Republican senators now calling for an investigation, including Corker, voted against Pauls motion last year to block an arms sale to Riyadh over its aerial campaign against Yemens Houthi rebels. Today, Corker said the Khashoggi incident would definitely affect US arms sales to Saudi Arabia. The Yemen war had already prompted Menendez to place a hold on the sale of tens of thousands precision guided munitions to Riyadh in June. Democratic leaders in the House have also threatened to end US midair refueling support for the Saudi coalitions anti-Houthi campaign in Yemen should they take Congress in November. Separately today, Sens. Todd Young, R-Ill., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., led seven senators in another letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticizing him for certifying that the Saudis are endeavoring to reduce civilian casualties in Yemen despite the recent uptick of deaths. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Jerry Moran, R-Kan., who voted against Pauls arms hold last year, signed on to that letter. Nonetheless, the Saudis have received ardent support from the Trump administration, enjoying a closely knit relationship with both the president and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders noted today that Kushner, national security adviser John Bolton and Pompeo all spoke with Prince Mohammed about the missing Washington Post journalist Tuesday a week after Khashoggi failed to re-emerge from the Saudi Consulate. In both calls they asked for more details and for the Saudi government to be transparent in the investigation process, Sanders said in a statement. And although the Washington Post reported Tuesday that US intelligence had intercepted Saudi communications discussing plans to lure Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia and capture him, Trump has so far maintained that I know nothing right now. Ironically, Trump has previously used his authorities under the Global Magnitsky Act to sanction two Turkish Cabinet officials for Ankaras ongoing detention of a US citizen. While Corker expressed confidence in Trumps handling of the situation, Khashoggis home-state lawmakers have been less charitable. Connolly and Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., penned a letter to Trump on Tuesday urging him to personally raise the issue with the Saudis and Turks. Kaine told Al-Monitor that the Trump administration does not seem to be showing any sense of urgency about this. They should feel the burden is on their shoulders to prove that hes safe, Kaine said. Egypt's gas imports, which saved Egypt from frequent daily power cuts five years ago, has become a thing of the past, as Minister of Petroleum Tarek el-Mulla announced Sept. 29 that the country stopped importing liquefied natural gas (LNG). According to Mulla, Egypt has managed to achieve self-sufficiency in gas due to the Zohr gas field whose output increased six times since its inauguration in January. In the past, Egypt had sufficient supplies of gas and was exporting gas by pipeline to Jordan and Israel. In 2004, Jordan and Egypt signed a gas trade agreement, and a similar deal was reached with Israel in 2005. But the political and economic struggles that followed the January 25 Revolution affected the gas sector. In 2013, international oil-producing companies suspended operations as the Egyptian government stopped payments. As a result, the country suffered from an acute energy shortage and daily electricity blackouts occurred. To end its energy crisis, Egypt resorted to importing gas from Algeria, Jordan, France and Russia in 2014. According to Hamdi Abdel Aziz, spokesman of the Ministry of Petroleum, Egypt imported a total of 118 LNG cargoes in fiscal year 2017, costing about $2.5 billion. However, the Italian energy company Eni's discovery of the Zohr gas field in the Mediterranean Sea in 2015 has secured Egypt's natural gas demand for decades to come. The giant gas field, which has estimated reserves of about 30 trillion cubic feet, is one of the largest gas discoveries in the Mediterranean Sea. The daily output of the Zohr gas field increased from 350 million cubic feet since it started operating in January to 2 billion last month, bringing Egypt's overall gas production to 6 billion cubic feet per day, according to Mulla's statement. Medhat Youssef, a petroleum expert and former vice president of the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation, expects that the recently discovered gas fields in Egypt could turn it into a regional gas hub within the next few years. The Atoll gas field, which was discovered by British Petroleum in 2015, lies in the North Damietta Concession in the East Nile Delta. In the same year, Eni discovered the Nooros gas field located offshore in the Nile Delta. Egypt can become a regional gas trading and exporting hub, thanks to the abundant supply from the newly discovered field of Zohr. Eni announced [in August] the discovery of a new field in the western desert. In addition to this, Egypt has 19 plants for natural gas treatment and two liquefying facilities with total capacities of 12 million tons per day," Youssef told Al-Monitor. He noted that Egypt's proximity to the main international trade routes and the presence of the Suez Canal enable it to become a regional energy hub, since it facilitates the transportation of oil and gas. Osama Kamal, petroleum expert and a former minister of petroleum, told Al-Monitor that the European Union (EU) can become a possible energy customer for Egypt in the coming period. The visit by EU Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete to Egypt in April this year reflects the EU's interest in that, he noted. During his visit, Canete said, Egypt is becoming an important gas and electricity hub that can provide energy security for the EU and for the entire region. There is much to gain in terms of access to new sources of energy and market opportunities, for European and Egyptian citizens and businesses alike. Egypt has taken many vital steps in order to become a regional gas hub after the discovery of the new gas fields. In August 2017, the country enacted a new law that set up a natural gas regulatory authority charged with devising plans to open the gas market to competition between the private sector and the government. The law prevents the state's monopoly of the gas sector, by allowing the private sector to directly ship, transport, market, store and trade natural gas using the country's network and pipeline infrastructure. In September 2018, Egypt signed an agreement with Cyprus for a $1 billion pipeline connecting Cyprus' Aphrodite gas field to liquefaction plants to be constructed in Damietta and Idku. According to an Aug. 20 statement by the Ministry of Petroleum, 61 agreements with investments of $14 billion have been signed for oil and gas exploration in Egypt since June 2014. Rashad Abdo, head of the Forum for Economic and Strategic Studies, told Al-Monitor that ceasing gas imports would save the country $250 million per month, and $3 billion annually, and these savings could be used to give a major boost to more investments in other sectors. Abdo believes that Egypt could turn into a net exporter of natural gas in the next few years if the government acts on the diversification of its energy mix, as demand is growing faster than production rates. The faster Egypt directs to renewable energy sources, the greater gas surplus would be available for exportation in the medium run, Abdo said. The Pentagon grounded the US militarys entire fleet of F-35 joint strike fighters today including two jets handed over to Turkey in August as US investigators try to determine what caused a September crash at a military base in South Carolina. Why it matters: Lawmakers have pressed the Donald Trump administration to re-examine US military ties with Turkey. New defense authorization legislation requires the Pentagon to look into removing Ankara from the F-35 program in light of the detention of evangelical pastor Andrew Brunson, whose case is set for another hearing on Friday. The Defense Department remains insistent that it will deliver 100 of the fifth-generation stealth fighters to Turkey. But grounding the aircraft could delay their delivery to Turkey thats currently set for next summer, giving Congress more time to find other avenues to block the sale. A number of lawmakers have already pressed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to sanction Ankara for its $2.5 billion purchase of the S-400 missile system from Russia. If at first you dont succeed: Try again. Experts told Al-Monitor last month that the Air Force, which doesnt have enough available F-35s, according to the Government Accountability Office, amid plans to expand the force by four squadrons, could reabsorb the stealth fighters sold to Turkey if Congress or the Trump administration get in the way. That would require some tweaking to get the jets back up to US military standards. If you look at the systems, what we sell overseas is not everything we keep for ourselves, retired Air Force Col. John Venable told Al-Monitor in September. Whats next: The Defense Department will begin inspections on 320 F-35s stationed globally to fix a faulty fuel tube in the engine. Once the problem is resolved, the Defense Department can begin flights again, including for Turkish pilots training on the aircraft at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. Oh, and lest we forget, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis still owes Congress that report on removing Turkey which produces a fuselage for the F-35 from the jet program. Know more: Check out Jack Detschs coverage of the Pentagons latest push against the Turkish F-35 sale detractors here. Jack Detsch GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah is urging donors and international institutions to help the Palestinian Authority (PA) invest, work and move freely in the West Banks Area C, which Israel controls. Hamdallah briefed the Council of Ministers on Oct. 2 in Ramallah on the outcome of the Sept. 26-27 meetings of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee which coordinates development aid to Palestinians held at UN headquarters in New York. The official Wafa news agency quoted him as saying, We will be able to count on ourselves and depend less on donors when the PA is enabled to invest in Area C. The 1995 Oslo II Accord divided the West Bank into Areas A, B and C. While the PA has security and administrative control over Area A, it only has administrative control over Area B, which is under Israeli security control. The accord gave Israel full administrative and security control over Area C, which consists of 61% of the West Bank, which has many natural resources and a lot of agricultural land. The deputy economy minister, Manal Farhan, told Al-Monitor, Urban sprawl and population growth continue to lead to less and less land in Areas A and B, which is why Palestinians need investment and agriculture [projects] in Area C. In this regard, genuine international pressure is required to force Israel to approve investments in our occupied land. She said Area C is part of the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967, and pointed out that UN resolutions, particularly Security Council Resolution 242, call for Israeli withdrawal from those territories. Farhan said Palestinians in Area C live under worsening living conditions due to lack of development. Villages in Area C are lacking in water supply networks, with 70% of Palestinians there mainly depending on rainwater in the winter and water tanks in the summer. The lack of investment in Area C has meant that the majority of Palestinians there work in the agriculture and livestock grazing sectors or find jobs inside Israel, she added. Farhan said PA investment plans for Area C are built upon boosting cooperation with Palestinian nongovernmental organizations, promoting partnership with donors to provide additional services in the health and education sectors and developing the infrastructure to have access to natural resources. The Planning and Administrative Development Ministry and the Economy Ministry have in hand dozens of plans and investment projects in Area C. These include setting up factories for the white stone that Palestinian mountains there are rich in, and tourist attractions in the Dead Sea for travelers seeking both leisure and therapy. There are also plans to set up big agricultural projects in the Jordan Valley, which is famous for its abundant water and fertile soil. These projects can meet the Palestinians need for food without having to rely on food aid, Farhan said. She said these investments would create thousands of jobs for Palestinians and increase GDP by 35%. The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, B'Tselem, said in a report dated Nov. 11, 2017, In the West Bank, the potential for urban, agricultural and economic development remains in Area C, considering the Palestinian population concentrations in Area A and Area B. The report said Israel is taking advantage of its control over the planning and construction sectors in Area C to prevent Palestinian residents from building infrastructure in that area by designating large swaths of land as state land, firing zones or nature reserves and by allocating land to settlements. In late 2016, the Civil Administration provided data, upon the request of the Israeli nonprofit Bimkom (Planners for Planning Rights), showing that 53 building permits in Area C were granted out of the 1,253 Palestinian applications in the last three years. Meanwhile, the Civil Administration issued more than 2,000 demolition orders of Palestinian buildings in Area C during the same time. Khalil Tufakji, director of the Maps and Survey Department at the Orient House in Jerusalem, told Al-Monitor, In parallel to the Israeli bans that prevent Palestinians from using their land in Area C for agriculture, construction or investment [purposes], the Israeli settlements policy in said area is based on the privatization of large parcels to build its own settlements and factories and have agricultural fields, based on a well-organized and developed structural planning. Arab 48 reported that the Land Research Center of the Arab Studies Society said Sept. 13 that Israeli settlements and outposts in the Palestinian territories occupied in 1967 increased from 144 before Oslo to 515. Tufakji said Israeli policy is a clear indicator that Israel is unwilling to surrender Area C and seeks to annex it to the state of Israel. Based on that, the possibility that Israel will enable the Palestinian government to make investments and build facilities and allow urban expansion in Area C is ruled out. Nasr Abdel Karim, an economics professor at Birzeit University, told Al-Monitor. The best solution in order for Palestinians to rely on themselves is to invest in Area C, in light of the foreign aid cuts to the PA. He said that while the natural resources and necessary land to achieve Palestinian economic development are available in Area C, 68% of it has been allocated for Israeli settlements. Abdel Karim and Tufakji agreed that it is difficult for Palestinian investment projects to take place in Area C without Israeli consent, even if they were to be funded by the EU. This is because Israel previously demolished facilities funded by the EU in Area C and has not been held accountable at the international level. Tufakji said Israel seeks to plunder and drain Palestinian resources in Area C. It is drawing down underground water in this area, supplying the settlements and even Israeli cities with it, while preserving the Israeli underground water reserve inside the Green Line. He said Israel also set up dozens of quarries in this area with the goal of excavating stones and producing gravel to set up settlements or even other [buildings] within Israeli cities. A 2016 report issued by the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said Israel had demolished more than 120 EU-funded facilities in the West Bank in the first three months of that year. In October 2017, Belgium, France, Spain, Sweden, Luxembourg, Italy, Ireland and Denmark demanded that Israel pay 30,000 euros ($35,000) in compensation for the Israeli demolition of facilities and infrastructure these countries had built for Palestinians in Area C. Israel, however, declined, saying the European activity in Area C was illegal and was conducted without being coordinated with Israel. Abdel Karim said political and economic independence is required for any development in Area C, which indicates that sustainable Palestinian development there can only be brought about when the Israeli occupation is over and illegal settlements in the West Bank are demolished in accordance with international law. After months of a drastic and ongoing depreciation, the Iranian rial started recouping losses last week, mostly on the back of government intervention. The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has since been largely successful in maintaining the value of the national currency, which has taken a beating due to structural problems in the economy and psychological factors relating to the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). But the question now on the minds of Iranian observers and investors alike is how sustainable the monetary regulator's policies will be, especially considering its track record of fanning the currency crisis with poor decision making. The rial, which has lost approximately 75% of its value this year, hit a record low rate of 190,000 against the US dollar on Sept. 26, shortly after the showdown between Presidents Hassan Rouhani and Donald Trump at the United Nations. Three days later, a top state body comprised of the heads of the executive, legislative and judicial branches gave the CBI the green light to intervene in the foreign exchange market. Of note, only weeks before, recently appointed central bank chief Abdolnaser Hemmati had promised to stay away from such interventions. Since the green light from the Supreme Council of Economic Coordination immunized the CBI from the hazards that got its top foreign exchange official arrested in early August, the regulator has started pumping serious money into the currency market, and cracked down on black market speculators. Meanwhile, in what seemed to be an orchestrated psychological operation to restore the publics trust, almost all Iranian media outlets whether conservative or Reformist and a number of senior officials, including Rouhani's chief of staff, asserted that the positive trajectory of the rial is here to stay. In parallel, news emerged that the judiciary has sentenced three major economic offenders including a man branded the "sultan of coins" to death, sending a stern warning to black market players. The combined effect of these factors led the rial to gain as much as 25% in two days to reach about 140,000, where it is currently hovering. Indeed, the same herd mentality that had driven people to form long queues in front of exchange shops to buy dollars only days before, prompted scores to gather again across the country, this time to prevent losses by selling hoarded hard currency. But unsurprisingly, the few that were ready to buy hard currency only did so at relatively low rates. Many on social media have accused the government of profiting off the predictable panicked response, something Rouhani has categorically denied. The president also promised that the CBI is ready to maintain for a whole year the same level of market interference it has displayed over the past week. The central bank's efforts to prop up the rial have gone beyond direct intervention. Indeed, it has moved to allow licensed money changers to sell up to 5,000 euros to each customer at the open market rate something that was previously banned, with the exception of designated groups of customers and told banks to buy foreign currency as dealers refused to sell. These measures will further shrink the black market, in turn boosting CBI's supervisory capability. Furthermore, as exchange shops have been told by their own association to purchase US dollars at the 100,000-rial range and banks are buying at slightly lower rates of about 950,000 rials, it is evident at what level the government aims to stabilize the rial at least in the short term. Significantly, the CBI has also been given more authority to conduct open market operations and rein in unruly quasi-state firms, many of which are petrochemical exporters that have in recent months intensified the currency crisis, as reported by Al-Monitor. While the prospect of mandatory foreign currency repatriation by exporters will continue to frustrate genuine private sector players who describe it as a historically failed method, the CBI's coffers will be replenished by billions of dollars if quasi-state violators are truly dealt with. This can to a degree calm fears about Iran's reduced oil revenues as the United States ramps up pressure on buyers. What is more, the regulator wishes to issue foreign currency bonds, an idea that was initially floated in early February but was not executed at the time. Experts believe that the initiative has the potential to thwart panicked dollar purchases and thereby further help support the rial. But that is contingent on the CBI issuing necessary guarantees, as the general public has yet to fully regain its trust in the banking system after banks accepted foreign currency deposits a few years ago only to pay interest in rials calculated at the much lower official rate. Another factor that has contributed to rising expectations of the rial's comeback is the prospect of Iran joining the UN Terrorist Financing Convention, which has grown more likely with parliaments Oct. 7 ratification of a bill to counter financing of terrorism, in a major blow to hard-liners' vigorous opposition. The legislation, which is now being reviewed by the Guardian Council, is the last of four highly contested bills pursued by the Rouhani administration in order to comply with the action plan set out by the Financial Action Task Force for the Islamic Republic to exit its black list. Of note, the task force's latest statement signaled that it is Iran's last chance to pass legislation required to comply with anti-money laundering and terror financing guidelines, so the stakes have never been higher. Should Iran fail to adhere to the action plan this month, it is widely believed that its embattled banking system will be even more isolated, further straining trade ties. Lastly, positive news coming out of Europe has increased the prospects of the rial strengthening. Indeed, the European Unions apparent effort to operationalize a long-awaited special-purpose vehicle prior to November, when a second round of US sanctions are due to come into effect, has been received as a highly positive development, even as it remains to be seen to what extent it can sustain trade and investment in Iran. Meanwhile, as CBI head Hemmati has noted, the Nov. 5 implementation of further US sanctions is not expected to massively impact Iran's economy since market actors have already largely prepared themselves for the restrictions. As such, if the Rouhani administration finally shows the Iranian public that it means businesse and that it has learned from past mistakes all while maintaining a constructive relationship with the EU and other parties to the JCPOA in order to keep the nuclear deal alive it still has a fighting chance at establishing a degree of stability to the rial and the economy at large for the foreseeable future. The "sudden" and "enigmatic" resignation by Nikki Haley from her position as US ambassador to the United Nations hit the headlines of most Iranian papers Oct. 10, as they reviewed her anti-Iran stances and particularly her vehement opposition to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Pejoratively describing the US diplomat as "the anti-Iran sheriff," Reformist paper Etemad recalled her "show" in Washington where she gathered ambassadors to present what she claimed was evidence of Iranian military aid to Yemen's Houthi fighters. The editorial dug into the roots of Haley's "blind hostility" toward Iran in her "fervent support for Israel during her youth a sentiment that she still maintains with no less passion." "Haley is too ambitious to think of anything less than the presidency in 2020 or 2024," Etemad concluded, a prediction that was also raised by Reform-leaning daily Hamdeli. Haley's anti-Iran positions were the central themes in the Iranian medias coverage of her resignation, which featured speculations about the reasons for her decision to step aside later this year. According to Khorasan, the US diplomat's resignation could be traced to her idea for President Donald Trump to chair the Sept. 26 UN Security Council meeting on nonproliferation, which focused on Iran. It described the session as a "political failure" for both Haley and the US government. "All those present at the meeting criticized the US withdrawal from the Iran [nuclear] deal, prompting Trump's departure from the session ahead of schedule," wrote Mardomsalari under a headline that referred to Haley as "the enemy of the United Nations." The world body, according to the editorial, will now enjoy "a sigh of relief" for some time before Trump assigns a new envoy. Haley's Iranian counterpart also reacted to her decision. "Mrs. Haley entered the UN with a unilateralist approach," said Gholam-Ali Khoshroo, who heads Iran's mission at the United Nations. "She looked upon the UN as a military base or a prison." But on social media, Haley's resignation divided opponents and supporters of the Islamic Republic. "People like Nikki Haley, who are standing by the Iranian people today, will be the honorary citizens of our country the day after the [Islamic Republic's] overthrow," tweeted one user, while another sat on the other side of the spectrum: "Haley was a perfect manifestation of hostility, hawkishness, warmongering, sedition and hatred. " As coverage of Haleys resignation was featured in Iran's Reformist and moderate papers, the leading conservative outlets Kayhan, Javan and Vatan-e Emrooz looked the other way. Representing the most hard-line camp in Iran known as "the worried ones," they have been under fire by Reformists for effectively siding with the more extreme members of the US administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in their rigid opposition to the JCPOA. In surprising news, the local Iranian press reported Sept. 25 that Ali Khomeini, a grandson of revolutionary leader and Islamic Republic of Iran founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, had transferred from Qom seminary in Iran to the Najaf seminary in Iraq. The news had ripple effects in both Qom and Najaf seminaries. Questions were raised about the reasons for the transfer especially by the grandson of Ayatollah Khomeini, who was a prominent lecturer at Qom. It should be noted that it was from Qom that Ayatollah Khomeini launched his revolution against the shah. Why would Ayatollah Khomeinis grandson leave Qom for another religious institution known for having a different jurisprudential, political and social vision? Al-Monitor visited Ali's residence in Najaf, which is where his grandfather lived when he was exiled by the shah's regime in Iran. Ayatollah Khomeini lived in Najaf for nearly 15 years, where he focused on religious and political activities, taught and wrote religious books, and led the Islamic revolution in Iran. With official support from the Iranian government, the Tehran-based Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeinis Works recently renovated Ali's house in Najaf. He is expected to start his teaching activities in Arabic from his new residence, which carries great symbolic connotation to Ayatollah Khomeini. Ali, 33, is a prominent Khomeini figure. He is the son of Ahmad Khomeini, who was the right-hand man to his father, Ayatollah Khomeini, during the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Ahmed died in mysterious circumstances in 1995. Some accused influential parties in the Iranian regime of assassinating him for criticizing the Iranian regime after the death of his father. Ali also has family ties with Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the leading religious authority of the Najaf seminary. Ali is married to the daughter of Ayatollah Javad Shahrestani, the son-in-law and representative of Ayatollah Sistani. Family ties play a significant role in the religious ruling system in Shiite institutions. Therefore, the relocation to Najaf of Khomeini's grandson, who is affiliated with the Reformist camp in Iran, would bridge ties between this camp and the Najaf school. The Reformist camp calls for reducing and limiting the role of the guardianship of the jurist, a doctrine known in Iran as "velayat-e faqih." The Najaf school also opposes the application of this doctrine and calls for a secular regime in Iraq. Reformists in Iran welcomed Ayatollah Sistanis leadership in Iraq after 2003 and his political approach calling for a secular regime instead of religious rule. Reformists saw this as a source of inspiration for changing Iran's religious regime. The rulings of Ayatollah Sistani are well understood by the Reformists in Iran, Masoumeh Ebtekar, the vice president of Iran for Women and Family Affairs, told the journal New Perspectives Quarterly back in 2005 shortly after Shiites in Iraq regained power. Ebtekar added, There is a lot of debate on his thought, especially the way he is promoting tolerance. In order to keep himself and his family away from possible negative political repercussions, Ali refrained from making any statement to the media about his transfer to Najaf. But his teacher, Mohammad Reza Naini, revealed in a statement the reasons behind Khomeinis move to Najaf. Najaf offers [broader] teaching potential than Qom, especially for those who seek knowledge. Naini seems to be hinting that specific political trends prevail in Qom seminary to the detriment of education in religious sciences. These political trends are trying to entrench the political hegemony of Ayatollah Khamenei in Qom seminary at the expense of traditional activities at the Najaf seminary, which include learning, teaching and scientific research. Ali's move from Qom to Najaf comes as part of a pattern that began with the fall of the Iraqi former regime. Large numbers of religious students in the Iranian city of Qom want to move to Najaf for various reasons, mainly the prestigious historical role and status of Najaf and its deep-rooted symbolism. Others invoke political harassment in Qom that is practiced by lobbyists affiliated with the Iranian political regime. These lobbyists clamped down on a number of religious authorities including Ayatollah Hussein-Ali Montazeri, a pupil of Ayatollah Khomeini. They closed some of their offices and disrupted their lessons. Al-Monitor discovered that 400 students have transferred from Qom to Najaf so far, 100 of them in the past year alone. This indicates that transfer is constantly on the rise. Al-Monitor met with some students from Qom seminary who transferred to Najaf and asked them about their reasons for relocating, given the better financial and public services situation in Qom. Saeid (a pseudonym) said, I have more freedom in my educational activities in Najaf. Nobody forces me to adopt a specific political opinion, and teachers do not politically harass me if I take part in a studying session. I attended the classes of Ayatollah Yousef Saanei, whose office was shut down by conservative paramilitary groups at Qom seminary in the wake of [former] President [Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad's election for a second presidential term in Iran. The Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom affiliated with the rule in Iran issued a fatwa that Saanei was unfit for religious leadership, and he was banned from religious and educational activities in the seminary. All aforementioned indications show that the political intervention in the Qom religious seminary, which was known throughout history for its independence from the Iranian regime, could expand the religious and social influence of Najaf at the expense of Qom, which conversely had flourished during the former Iraqi regimes suppression on the Najaf seminary. Given that Saudi Arabia is Irans main regional rival, Iranian censors have allowed the Iranian media to extensively cover the disappearance and possible murder of The Washington Post columnist and Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Turkey. In addition to daily headlines about the missing journalist, the focus has also been on possible tensions between Saudi Arabia and Turkey. While Aftab News covered the Khashoggi case with the headline Tensions between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, the article itself did not dive deep into the possible dimensions of the conflict. It noted instead that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was demanding proof of Khashoggis exit from the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The website Tabnak's headline read Saudi denies Turkish forces entry into the home of Saudi general consul. Iranian Students News Agency chose the headline Erdogan: Saudi explanations regarding Khashoggi case are not satisfactory. IRIB news featured statements by Republican People's Party opposition party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu in their headline: The Turkish government must reconsider ties with Saudi Arabia. Student News Network translated an article by Agence France-Press headlined The disappearance of Khashoggi will result in tensions between Saudi [Arabia] and Turkey. The article highlighted that the two countries remain on opposite sides regarding a number of regional issues, including the Saudi-led blockage of Qatar, Saudi [Arabia's] anti-Muslim Brotherhood position and [its] policies toward Iran. The article wrote that if it is proven that Khashoggi was indeed murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, extensive consequences for Riyadh-Ankara relations would follow. A rift between Saudi Arabia and Turkey could be welcome news to the Iranian government. While Iran and Turkey disagree on a number of regional developments, particularly on the Syrian civil war in which they are backing opposing sides, the two countries have deep economic ties. Any conflict between Saudi Arabia and Turkey could allow Ankara-Tehran ties to deepen further while simultaneously isolating Saudi Arabia, Irans rival. Despite the intensity with which the Iranian media has covered the Khashoggi case, more seasoned analysts have attempted to offer a more nuanced perspective. Sadegh Maleki wrote in IR Diplomacy that Turkey has more concerns regarding the Khashoggi case due to Khashoggi's ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. Maleki warned that Iran must not follow Turkish authorities and media in creating a heightened atmosphere. He also noted the hypocrisy of the outrage, given that the Turkish government themselves are experts in eliminating their political and security opposition. Maleki wrote that killing opposition figures is condemnable, but that in the Middle East in particular it is a matter of historical fact and will always be so. While Maleki did not address this, Iran itself is no stranger to assassination campaigns abroad throughout the 1980s and 1990s a point never mentioned by domestic media in their coverage of the Khashoggi case. Maleki added that rather than genuinely mourning the likely death of a well-known journalist, governments are using his murder to concede concessions from one another over a bitter event. The Khashoggi case, Maleki wrote, will eventually leave headlines and no longer be at the top of the news, but the problems between Iran and Saudi will remain. He added that rather than sit back and issue prescriptions for one another, they should spend more time correcting their own behaviors before it is too late. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned Sept. 27 to the UN General Assembly hall in New York to send what he termed a message to the tyrants in Tehran. He announced that Israel would never allow a regime calling for its annihilation to develop nuclear weapons and would keep acting against its presence in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. Netanyahus tough stance on Iran evidently did not impress the young Palestinian who killed Kim Levengrond-Yehezkel and Ziv Hajbi on Oct. 7 at the West Banks Barkan industrial area where they worked. The Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip who launch incendiary kites and balloons into Israel to burn the fields of the neighboring Israeli communities were not impressed, either. Netanyahu is unable to defend his people in those places, at this point in time. In terms of Irans nuclear program, Netanyahu actually has cause to boast. The determined campaign he led against it catapulted the issue to the top of the international agenda and accelerated negotiations that resulted in Irans signing of the 2015 agreement with six world powers on curbing its nuclear ambitions. That was the agreement about which Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot said this past March, For now, we cannot detect any Iranian violations of the agreement. Right now the agreement, with all its faults, is working and is putting off realization of the Iranian nuclear vision by 10 to 15 years. Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amos Gilad, former head of the Military Intelligence Research Division and of the Defense Ministrys Political Affairs Bureau, had reservations about the deal. Still, in July, he said, Why does it need to be revoked? They [the Iranians] are adhering to the agreement. Gilad warned, We are merely pushing the Iranians to strike out at us harder than ever. Instead of 130,000 missiles, well get 200,000, a reference to rockets Iran is believed to have supplied to its proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon. An unnamed US intelligence official, speaking after Netanyahus UNGA speech, dismissed claims of a new Iranian nuclear facility that Israel had allegedly exposed. The official told Reuters that the facility Netanyahu alluded to was full of filing cabinets and documents not of aluminum pipes or centrifuges for uranium enrichment. So far as anyone knows, there is nothing in it that would allow Iran to break out of the JCPOA [agreement with Iran] any faster than it otherwise could, the official was quoted as saying. At the same time, International Atomic Energy Agency chief Yukiya Amano said that contrary to Netanyahus suggestion that Iran was preventing inspectors from entering suspected nuclear sites, the agency enjoys unfettered access to carry out inspections at all the sites it seeks to visit. The explanation for the gap between Netanyahus presentations and press briefings regarding the Iranian nuclear threat and the assessments by Israeli and international experts should be sought in the Palestinian arena. In fact, it can be found in the prime ministers own comments regarding the murder of Levengrond-Yehezkel and Hajbi. This despicable terrorist, this evil man, wished to kill Jews and at the same time destroy the fabric of joint [Palestinian-Israeli] life in Barkan, Netanyahu wrote on Facebook, pledging to remember the two victims forever and to keep developing the Barkan zone. Netanyahu certainly knows there is no joint life in Barkan, only the type of coexistence one finds between a rider and his horse. The Palestinians employed as laborers at the Barkan plants are banned from entering nearby Israeli settlements and are forced to lead their lives under military rule. As with other industrial parks Israel has established in the West Bank, Barkan was built on land considered by the international community (including the United States) and international law as occupied territory. A promise to develop Barkan, located in the heart of the West Bank, is tantamount to a commitment to perpetuate and deepen the Israeli occupation there. Occupation with no hope or end in sight is a surefire recipe for violence. During Netanyahus nine years in power, 144 Israelis have been killed and hundreds injured in terror attacks, the vast majority of which occurred in territories under Israeli occupation. Netanyahu succeeded in mobilizing world powers against Irans nuclear program and convinced US President Donald Trump to withdraw from the deal. He was also successful recently in distancing the Iranians from the Israel-Syria border. Israels Iron Dome anti-missile systems intercept rockets fired by Hamas at southern Israel, and engineers at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems are busy developing means to intercept incendiary balloons and drones carrying explosives launched from the Gaza Strip. However, no democratic regime is able to defend its citizens against a young man born under occupation who foresees living his entire life without a single day of freedom. Israeli defense chiefs have repeatedly warned that collective punishment of Palestinians, destruction of suspected terrorist homes and mass arrests of Palestinians do not deter lone terrorists and merely strengthen the hand of rejectionist organizations. The heads of the Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet have repeatedly warned the governments defense Cabinet that the ongoing Gaza border insurrection could spread to the West Bank. The Iranian nuclear threat appears to be the least of their concerns for the safety of Israels citizenry. The residents of Israels Gaza border communities are also far more worried about the incendiary kites and balloons landing daily in their fields and orchards than about Netanyahus warnings against Irans nuclear bombs. Netanyahu has built his career on generating terror-phobia as an expert in the relentless fight against terrorism. He has portrayed every diplomatic concession to the Palestinians as a surrender to terrorism and campaigned vociferously against the release of Palestinian terrorists from Israeli jails. Having said this, Oct. 18 will mark seven years since the prisoner swap deal in which Netanyahu ordered the release of over 1,000 Hamas inmates in return for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit held captive by the organization in Gaza for five years. The Iran-phobia Netanyahu has been riding in recent years is a fig leaf designed to ignore the occupation policy of his government. This week, as mentioned, his policy took the lives of two more Israelis. Sadly, they do not appear to be the final victims. Facing this real threat, we are sure to see Netanyahu pursuing his Iran-phobia strategy. Let's prepare for another PowerPoint presentation, depicting a nuclear facility in the heart of Tehran and the exposure of missile launchers on the outskirts of Beirut. Israel and Qatar have been growing closer over the last few months as a result of their joint efforts to save Gaza from collapse and prevent another war between Hamas and Israel. Still, the relationship is something of a paradox. In the past, Israel regarded Qatar as a country that aided Hamas, a terrorist organization. (Much to Israels chagrin, the former ruler, Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani funneled huge amounts of money to Gaza). But now Israel is pleased that the current ruler, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is providing Gaza with financial support. While Qatar is continuing its tradition of aiding the Hamas regime, it is also helping Israel avoid another war. In that way, everyone benefits from the wealth and munificence of the tiny emirate. Israels political and security apparatus considers Qatars aid activities a lifesaver with the potential to prevent or at least delay another war between Gaza and Israel. Nevertheless, the two countries' increasing closeness has been kept discreet, largely out of fear that Egypt might see it as a way of subverting the boycott it imposed on Qatar in 2017. This discretion explains why a meeting that took place in Larnaca last June between the Qatari emissary to Gaza, Mohammed al-Emadi, and Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman was not covered by the press. News of the meeting was only revealed by Israels Channel 10 some two months later. According to the report, Qatar committed to investing $350 million to advance certain projects in the Gaza Strip and to pay the salaries of government employees there. Qatar wants to spare Hamas from another round of bloodshed that everyone says could erupt at any moment. It also wants to preserve Hamas' rule. But Qatar has another reason it might want to grow closer to Israel. In August 2017, Qatar renewed its ties with Iran, vexing several neighboring Sunni countries. On the backdrop of the economic sanctions and boycott by Sunni nations, the emirate wants to forge closer ties with the US administration, something the Qataris believe could help lift the siege. To achieve this objective, the country has hired a media consultant (political strategist Nicolas Muzin) identified with the American Jewish right. It has also launched an extensive campaign Dont let Qatar fall into the hands of Iran" among the Jewish community so that the powerful and influential Jewish lobby would help win it the support of the current administration. Interestingly, Qatars efforts to get the siege of Gaza lifted could get Qatars own siege lifted too. In February, President Donald Trumps adviser for Middle East affairs, Jason Greenblatt, said that cooperation between Israel and Qatar would help Gaza. Greenblatt was voicing the administrations position that Qatar is the bridge connecting Hamas and Israel. His comments came in response to Al-Emadi's Feb. 22 interview with Reuters in Jerusalem. In it, he admitted that the money that Qatar was transferring to Gaza was helping Israel avoid another war. He added that this aid had the support of the United States and that this level of cooperation was proof that Doha was distancing itself from Hamas. This in itself is another paradox, since the money that Qatar was giving to Gaza was helping the Hamas regime stay in power. Israel once accused Qatar of aiding a terrorist group. However, with the United States interested in keeping Qatar out of Irans grasp and with the Jewish lobby working on the Emirates behalf, Israel has grown supportive of the Qatari emissarys activities. In so doing, it is making it possible to save Gaza before another war erupts in the south. At the beginning of October, it was reported that Qatar is providing emergency aid to Gaza by way of Israel. As soon as the money was transferred to Gaza, there was a race against the clock to provide Gaza with the diesel it needed to keep its local power plant running. The first convoy of tanker trucks made its way through the Kerem Shalom border crossing into Gaza Oct. 9. The number of tanker trucks crossing daily into Gaza is expected to grow to 15 by the end of the month. The regular supply of diesel will ensure that every home in Gaza will have as much as eight hours of electricity a day for the next four months. In addition to this operation, for the first time ever, Israel approved the transfer of Qatari funds directly to Gaza, without going through the Palestinian Authority. Al-Akhbar reported that the money is earmarked specifically for civilian salaries and not for members of the Hamas security forces, though it remains unclear what kind of oversight could be put in place. What this means is that Israel has given a green light to Qatari funding of the very mechanism with which Hamas maintains its control over Gaza. A source in the Civil Administration told Al-Monitor that the Qatari emissary has an open line to Israel. In recent months he had visited Israel and Gaza practically once a month. But given the growing tension in Gaza, his visits now are even more frequent. He is in direct contact with the head of the Civil Administration, as well as with Minister for Regional Cooperation Tzahi Hanegbi, Israel's representative to the Committee for Donor Nations. It has already been noted that Al-Emadi even met with Liberman no small matter, considering the significance of an official Qatari emissary meeting with an Israeli defense minister. In his defense, it is easy to explain that the meeting was intended to prevent bloodshed. An improved relationship between Israel and Qatar could contribute to future economic cooperation in many different fields. Israeli businessmen think of Qatar as a gold mine whose potential has yet to be tapped. Israels Bureau of Economic Interests in Doha was closed several years ago, but given the closer relations now developing with Qatar, Israeli industrialists and tech entrepreneurs could have an easier time obtaining visas to visit the country. The month of October began with a rare occurrence in the Middle East. Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip joined Palestinians living in Israel for a one-day strike to protest Israel's new Nationality Law. The law, passed in July, specifies that Israel is a Jewish state and that Jews have rights that minorities do not. Asaad Abdel Rahman, a former member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, called the event historic, noting how rare it is that all three communities protest on the same day on the same issue. He said, The strike, which was very well observed in the 1948 areas, in the West Bank and Gaza reminds us of past historic events carried out by Palestinians. Abdel Rahman told Al-Monitor that if such an event became a trend, it could be of extreme importance. If this unity of purpose and serious cooperation for a common national goal continues, this would be a good thing, he said. Anis F. Kassim, editor of the Palestine Yearbook of International Law, told Al-Monitor, This protest reflects a high level of maturity and an awareness of the dangers posed by the new Jewish Nationality Law. Arab unity in the protests is of extreme importance in standing up to this discriminatory law. Kassim said he believes the unity of Palestinians reflects a shift in priorities toward the one-state solution. I think the next slogan we will be hearing more of is that of 'A state for everybody.' Diana Butto, a former member of the PLO's negotiating team who now lives in Haifa, told Al-Monitor that the Oct. 1 strike is sign of a new era led by Palestinian citizens of Israel. She said, What is important and new is that this time Palestinians in the 1948 areas are leading, and the West Bank/Gaza leadership is following. Butto, who is a lawyer, said the strike was the first where Palestinians initiated a joint protest action not as a result of violence, but based on a political issue. She said the conflict between Fatah and Hamas has weakened the Ramallah-based leadership, making the strike possible. Like Kassim, Butto told Al-Monitor that the unity of the different Palestinian communities reflects a possible shift away from the two-state solution. It is definitely bringing the struggle for equal rights in one state much closer, she said. Jawdat Manaa, a refugee from the Dheisheh camp near Bethlehem and a former spokesman for the camps youth club, told Al-Monitor that the strike is the most visible example of the closing of efforts to reach a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Manaa said, The Israeli law serves Israels security and legitimizes the settlers terror, the army occupation and the Israeli governments use of laws to discriminate against their own citizens who number 1.8 million. Around 1.8 million of Israel's population of 8.8 million are Palestinian. Manaa said a new era has dawned in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict where Israel, which has rejected a peaceful solution, will be the eventual loser. With support from the right-wing Israeli government, the Trump administration has invalidated all final status issues, which means that there is nothing left to negotiate, he said. While most Palestinians appear to have publicly supported the strike, some in East Jerusalem complained that the strike, because it was held on a Jewish holiday, allowed Jewish extremists to have that part of the city all to themselves. Khalil Assali, editor of the East Jerusalem-based website Akhbar El Balad, told Al-Monitor about the public discontent in Jerusalem. Because of the strike, stores were not open, and Palestinians then did not go out to shop, leaving a void of sorts. People were angry at the political leaders for serving the Israeli agenda by leaving the city empty of Palestinians, a situation that was quickly filled up by thousands of extremist Jews who held unprecedented religious ceremonies in the Old City of Jerusalem, Assali said. Assali said that a number of innocent Palestinian passers-by were assaulted by rowdy Jewish extremists who were able to hang around the Old City with no one to hold them accountable for such actions. Despite the rarity of the recent strike, Palestinians have in the past held joint events. Land Day in 1976 and protests involving the second intifada in 2000 produced immediate responses that united Palestinians for a short time, but these events failed to produce a permanent structure or continuous protests Palestinians are indeed unhappy with the status quo of no peace, no war and a continuing occupation which appears to be what the Israeli government wants to perpetuate in the absence of a Palestinian surrender or acquiescence to a US peace plan likely to be biased in Israel's favor. Perhaps a unity of purpose and aim could indeed represent a new era in the Palestinian national struggle for freedom from occupation and for equality. RAMALLAH Palestinian artist Jack Persekian, born and raised in East Jerusalem, grew up keenly aware of the long and tumultuous history of the divided city. As an adult photographer, he found a way to portray the transition through his art by combining old and new photos. Persekians One Hundred Years, which consists of 12 photographic works, is currently exhibited at the French-German Cultural Center in Ramallah as part of the biennial Qalandiya International Festival. The exhibition will run until Nov. 11. He started work on the project two years ago and the content is still constantly evolving, as Persekian keeps taking new pictures of obscure spots and alleys in Jerusalem and matching them with old photographs of the same places, to show the extent of the changes that have taken place in the turbulent, multicultural city. All of the old photos come from a collection of pictures of Jerusalem taken by the American Colony photography crew a group of 15 photographers who worked in a private studio between 1898 and the 1950s. Most of these photos can be found in the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, and they are available to the public online. Persekians own shots capture the same place, making sure to use similar lighting and angles. The presentation of the photos illustrate the layers of history. The old photos are placed in large wooden boxes, with lights placed inside the thick frame. The new photos are placed on the glass that covers them, enabling the visitors to peel off the modern layer simply by opening the lid. An information panel next to each photograph displays the name of the American Colony photographer who took the photo, as well as the time and the name of the place. The photos are a unique visual representation of the details of life in Jerusalem, the stages of the citys development and the changes that took place during the British mandate and the Israeli occupation, all of which have affected the population and the shape of the city, Persekian told Al-Monitor. The changes that make the project so striking also make it challenging. Many of the places photographed by the American Colony crew no longer exist buildings were demolished or empty lands were built upon. Just a few spots survived without major change and I was able to capture them, too, he said. Recreating the right angles and perspective is a delicate and difficult process," he said. "It took a lot of time and effort and I was only able to reproduce 40 of the 200 pictures I took from the Library of Congress, Persekian said. Only 12 of those are on display in the German-French Cultural Center. photo by Palestinian artist Jack Persekian of the Temple Mount Image: Ahmad Melhem At the opening, Persekian explained some of the photos to the visitors. Pointing to a picture showing a view of the Temple Mount from the Mount Scopus, he explained that the original photo was taken in 1934 and developed in 1939. He compared the old and new pictures, which show the destruction in what is known as the Jewish Quarter, where many old buildings were demolished during the British mandate for excavations. In another picture, he drew attention to the disparities in buildings in the northern, western and southern parts of Jerusalem compared to those in the east. He explianed that the British resolutions during the mandate prevented the construction of buildings in the eastern part of the city. The history of Jerusalem is not only read about in books, but can be studied and analyzed through photographs and photographic archives that tell a lot about the history of the city, Persekian explained. He said his exhibition particularly calls on Jerusalemites to re-evaluate their relationship with the space surrounding them and dive into its details. I live in Jerusalem, but when I saw the new photos above the old ones, I was shocked by the striking changes that erase the Palestinian presence through the demolition of Palestinian homes, Suleiman Mansour, a Palestinian artist known for his work Jamal Al Mahamel ("the Camel of Grievances"), told Al-Monitor. Residents dot not notice this change, but it becomes evident when compared to pictures taken a hundred years ago. This is why the exhibition is an important documentation attempt to monitor changes in Jerusalem over the years. Persekian currently heads the nonprofit Al-Ma'mal Foundation for Contemporary Art, which he helped found in Jerusalem in 1998. He is also one of the founders of Anadiel Gallery. He served as the director of the Palestinian Museum between 2013 and 2015, but resigned less than a year before its inauguration. He has held several exhibitions around the world. This exhibition, an earlier version of which was previously displayed in Jerusalem, is still another early stage of Persekian's ultimate vision for the project. He said that his future work will focus on changes in the Bab al-Khalil area, given its importance and sensitivity. Bab al-Khalil (also known as Jaffa), is one of the historic gates of the city of Jerusalem, and has undergone major changes over the past century, most notably in 1922, when the British demolished many properties nearby, while Israel paved a street near it in the 1990s. He plans to publish a photography book with information and details about the changes in Jerusalem based on references dating back to the British era, such as urban planning plans and related resolutions. President Donald Trump said today that hes still determining how the White House will respond to the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi from the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul last week, after Congress asked the administration to look into potential sanctions against Riyadh. We're looking for the answer, and I think probably you'll have an answer sooner than people think, Trump said. But Trump placed a caveat on his answer, suggesting he wasnt willing to let Khashoggis disappearance get in the way of the $110 billion in future US arms sales with Saudi Arabia pledged during a 2017 visit to Riyadh, even as influential lawmakers concluded today that the exiled journalist was murdered. Again, this took place in Turkey, and to the best of our knowledge, Khashoggi is not a United States citizen, Trump said, acknowledging the exiled journalists permanent resident status. Experts told Al-Monitor that under US law, the federal government cannot prosecute the overseas murder of green-card holders such as Khashoggi. The Washington Post revealed Wednesday that US intelligence intercepts found that the Saudis, on the order of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, sought to lure Khashoggi from his Virginia residence and detain him. Once close to the royal family, Khashoggi sought political asylum in the United States and had become increasingly critical of Prince Mohammed. Experts told Al-Monitor that if and when the Trump administration chooses to act, it could have a growing menu of options to punish Saudi Arabia, from minor aid cuts to sanctions that strike at the heart of the House of Saud. The bilateral relationship is wide and varied, and for better or for worse that provides a number of avenues, said Rob Berschinski, a deputy assistant secretary of state during the Barack Obama administration. The calculation that is no doubt going through the minds of policymakers is the calibration of the response. On Wednesday, 22 senators from both sides of the aisle sent Trump a letter that triggers a federal probe into the Khashoggi case, giving the US president 120 days to investigate possible human rights abuses and hand down far-reaching sanctions. The lawmakers noted that Khashoggis disappearance suggests that he could be a victim of a gross violation of internationally recognized human rights. But the Global Magnitsky Act allows the US to potentially sanction any official involved in human rights abuses. That means the Trump administration could sanction officials linked with crackdowns on Saudi womens rights protests or other abuses at the end of the investigation ordered by Congress. As a legal matter, there is zero requirement for them to have any nexus to the crime that the US is basing its public messaging [on], said Berschinski, now a senior vice president at Human Rights First. Its not just any official in human rights abuse, its any official with any relation to any unit with any abuse. Its just the widest possible aperture that you could have. If the White House decides against sanctions, it has other ways to name and shame Saudi Arabia. Both the Obama and Trump administrations set a precedent for expelling foreign diplomats; 60 Russian officials were kicked out for the poisoning of a former Soviet spy and his daughter that took place in Britain this year. The most likely response is something like what we saw in response to the [Sergei and Yulia] Skripal poisonings, where they treated diplomats as persona non grata, said Scott Anderson, a former State Department lawyer and now a fellow with the Brookings Institution. It seems likely Turkey will find itself in the position to do that. The US could as well. Under international law, Anderson added, Turkish authorities likely have the ability to search the Saudi consular residence, where vans were seen heading two hours after Khashoggi arrived at the consulate. And while Trump has tried to take any blockage of arms sales to Saudi Arabia off the table, some lawmakers are considering alternatives. Senate Foreign Relations ranking member Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., has already put a hold on sales of precision-guided munitions to Riyadh and the United Arab Emirates over worries of mounting civilian casualties in the Yemen air war. After Secretary of State Mike Pompeo certified in September that the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen had made a good faith effort to reduce noncombatant deaths, it appears unlikely to limit in-air refueling of coalition jets to put leverage on Riyadh. But Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., who represents Khashoggis home district, told Al-Monitor hes also considering measures to cut US military training that Saudi Arabia needs to fly its fighter jets or drive its tanks. Participation in the International Military Education and Training program also makes the beneficiaries eligible for discounts on other military training programs. As things advance technologically, that training is pretty specialized, Connolly said. Not just anyone can go in the cockpit of an F-35 and fly off into the sunset. Julian Pecquet contributed to this report 1. Comments must not be racist, misogynistic, homophobic, or otherwise bigoted. 2. Comments must not involve little more than name-calling and insulting remarks. 3. Comments must not be made by "anonymous" or "unknown". 4. Comments must not try to sneak in some free advertising for themselves (like spam). I invite anyone who wishes to comment on this blog to do so. I enjoy the comments, whether you agree with what I have said or not. But some people want to abuse the right to comment, and since this is my blog, I have decided to lay down the following rules. If your comment violates these rules, it will not be published. A thick porterhouse steak drops onto the grill. It sizzles as flames and smoke artfully waltz in and out of view. The director instructs the food stylist on where to position the tongs, and the camera operator frames up the shot to capture the next step in the recipe--the turn. From temperature to hue to grill marks, every detail matters. The team waits in anticipation for the right moment, and then, "Action!" Like clockwork, they execute the calculated choreography while incorporating creative expressions. The camera screen shows tongs picking up the steak and as it turns, an excellent sear and precise grill marks are revealed. Working quickly with light, angles, ingredients, and props, the crew continues to record each remaining step of the recipe. When all is complete, their efforts will result in a how-to video for Food & Wine magazine's online division that is informative, entertaining, and absolutely taste-tempting. All of this and so much more happens right here in Birmingham at the Food Studios. "We have the honor of creating content for some of the country's finest brands, including Southern Living, Real Simple, Food & Wine, People, MyRecipes.com, and more," says Allison Lowery. As director of the Food Studios, Lowery oversees the strategy, budget, and team of test kitchen chefs, photographers, and stylists who create more than 7,000 recipes and photographs annually. "In 2015, Time Inc. made the decision to move all of its food content creation to the Birmingham office, where [our] brands have been creating stellar food content with great success for the last 20-plus years," Lowery says. The multimillion-dollar investment meant more space, more staff, and an opportunity to craft the ultimate production area for culinary artistry. Led by a cohort of editors and managers within the company, including Food & Wine Editor in Chief Hunter Lewis, the design of the space benefited from decades of combined experience. A team of more than 45 test kitchen chefs, photographers, video producers and directors, and food and prop stylists contributed insights as well. And the wish list was specific. Says Lowery, "Our test kitchens need to be as similar to the home cook's as possible. Our goal is to test and perfect recipes that home cooks can prepare at home with success. Recreating a home kitchen is important to deliver on the promise our brands hold with their audience. "We also need kitchens as close to our photo and video sets as possible. Food can be unpredictable and very short lived when it gets under the lights of a set. We have our kitchens steps away from their final destination on a set, which prevents food from dying before we get the perfect shot." The 40,000-square-foot Food Studios opened in January 2016 with 28 test kitchens, 13 production bays, two showcase kitchens, and a four-kitchen, state-of-the-art video studio. Fully functioning for both photography and video, the main showcase kitchen features an expansive marble island and white subway tile. It also provides a landing space for visiting chefs and cooking demonstrations, and houses a tasting table where all recipes in development are tasted and evaluated. "The best design feature of the space is its versatility," Lowery says. "The design is super simple. We need to use the space for a variety of brands with very different aesthetic personalities. We need to be able to prop a kitchen for a Southern Living Christmas shoot and pull it off for a summer salad story for Real Simple." With clever curtains and movable doors and partitions, the space can be configured for an array of occasions, including large events with non-profit partners such as Children's Hospital of Alabama and Jones Valley Teaching Farm. Complementing the Food Studios, the parent company, Meredith Corporation, also has an in-house prop room that houses more than 100,000 items including things like flatware, plates, cookware, fabrics, and surfaces required to pull off successful shoots for the diverse mix of brands. "When we moved in, it was just a huge empty room, but the team of prop stylists and our prop coordinator, Audrey Davis, have developed a system of organization that puts the space to its best use," Lowery says. "Custom shelving, turning old layout cabinets into flatware organizers, and file cabinets turned color-coordinated fabric holders are just a few of the innovative ways they make that space work." All of these designs, supplies, and innovations combine to make one incredible workspace. In the first half of 2018, the creative professionals at the Food Studios tested 3,500 recipes and shot 3,100 photos. More than 130 recipes grace the tasting table each week, and during that same time, approximately 120 recipes are prepared for video and photography. Lowery notes that the team is on track to develop, test, and photograph 7,000 recipes this year. "The magic happens when this amazingly talented group can do their thing," Lowery says. "There is real artistry in beautiful food photography, and there's a happy combination of science and art in recipe development, testing, and editing. Our leadership team tries to create schedules and workflows that allow them to focus on their work and less about how can we get all this done. Everything comes together when we have mutual respect for the work we're all doing." And having a beautiful space to work in inspires the creativity necessary to produce lasting content. "Really the coolest part of our jobs is the diversity of food content we get to create," Lowery says. "We go from refined recipes gracing the cover of Food & Wine's Best New Chefs issue to trending Mayonnaise Ice Cream in the matter of a day. We've done everything from Pickle Milkshakes and Unicorn Cake to a Pop Tart Gingerbread house. But we never lose sight of our goal to create recipes that work for home cooks. Simple, healthy, delicious weeknight meals never go off trend." Details See more from the food studios through its Instagram account @timeincfoodstudios. --By Andrea Fanning | Photos by Tamika Moore This story appears in Birmingham magazine's October 2018 issue. Subscribe today! Two Alabama corrections officers were injured early Thursday at Staton Correctional Facility. Alabama Department of Corrections spokesman Bob Horton said a male officer at the Elmore facility was hurt about 5:30 a.m. when he was assaulted by several inmates as he entered a housing area inside the prison. A second male correctional officer who responded to the assault was also injured as he tried to separate the inmates from the first officer. Prison officials were able to de-escalate the situation by gaining control of the inmates and securing the housing area without further incident. The two correctional officers were taken to a local hospital where they were treated for their injuries and later released. Horton said prison officials are not releasing the names of the officers or the inmates who were involved pending the ongoing internal investigation. A 73-year-old Birmingham man is in jail, accused of sexually abusing an adolescent girl who was at a summer day camp. A Jefferson County grand jury indicted Doshie Hopkins on two felony charges. He is charged with sex abuse of a child under the age of 12 and enticing a child for immoral purposes. The reported incident happened in July 2017 in Fultondale. The victim in the case was 11 years old at the time, but because of her age and the nature of the crimes, additional details are not being released. Fultondale Police Chief D.P. Smith said the victim was a participant in a private daycare and summer care program in Birmingham. The facility was being renovated so the students had temporarily relocated to the owners home in Fultondale. Hopkins, he said, stopped by the home to drop off watermelon. It was during that visit, he said, that the crime took place. Police launched their investigation, which was lengthy because of the process of interviewing a child victim. Once complete, the findings were presented to a grand jury for indictment. Hopkins was booked into the Jefferson County Jail Oct. 5. He remains behind bars on bonds totaling $45,000. A Birmingham man is being held on $200,000 bond, accused of disseminating child pornography involving young boys. David Aaron Drake, 19, was arrested Tuesday, according to jail and court records. He is charged with four counts of displaying obscene mattering involving a child under the age of 19. The suspect lives on the citys Southside. According to charging documents, Drake on Sept. 26 did willfully and knowingly, disseminate or display publicly an obscene mattervideo depicting a male child under age 12 performing sodomy on another male child under age 12. All four charges against Drake are felonies. The case was investigated by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys Internet Crimes Against Children Unit. Additional details about the investigation into Drake werent immediately available. He is set to make his first court appearance in November. Sunday is no day to count calories, if youre planning to visit Pepper Place in Birmingham. Breakin' Bread, one of the citys premier food festivals, will take over the space at 2829 Second Ave. South and offer tastings of signature dishes from more than 30 restaurants, 1 p.m.- 5 p.m. Visitors can sample shrimp fritters, chicken and chorizo paella, pumpkin bolognese, grilled wings, black-eyed pea hummus, baklava cheesecake and more at the event, now in its 16th year. All of the participating eateries are members of Birmingham Originals -- a coalition of local, independently owned restaurants -- and all believe that a vital restaurant community makes the city a better place to live. Breakin' Bread also features wine, beer, cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. This years agenda includes music, childrens activities and a makers market, where area artists and craftsmen will display and sell their wares. Heres a look at whats cooking at the festival, with dishes planned by most of the restaurants that will be on scene: Five Point Public House Oyster Bar: Alabama coast oyster ceviche. Avondale Common House: Blackened shrimp with roasted poblano sweet corn, couscous, tossed baby arugula and salsa verde crema. Bellinis Ristorante: Pumpkin bolognese (ground Angus beef and sweet Italian sausage slow-cooked in house with marinara tossed in handmade pumpkin linguine and fresh basil) with white chocolate bread pudding. Bistro V: Braised pork shoulder with baked grit collard casserole. The Bright Star: Baklava cheesecake. Cantina: Fish tacos with housemade cilantro mayo, slaw and chile de arbol salsa. Continental Bakery/Chez Lulu: Belgian chocolate espresso pot de creme and Alabama wild yeast sourdough. dg: Polenta pound cake with whipped goat cheese, lavender honey and orange biscotti. El ZunZun: Braised short rib and mole negro nachos (topped with our mole negro, pickled vidalias, house made creme fraiche, queso fresco, breakfast radishes and cilantro. FoodBar: Ginger chili beef. Homewood Gourmet: Cajun boudin with crispy pork rind. Hot and Hot Fish Club: Shrimp and grits with verjus aauce and country ham. The J. Clyde: Black-eyed pea hummus with freshly prepared pita chips and soda/beer floats. JoJo's on Broadway: Brown sugar and chipotle smoked wings. Mafiaoza's Pizzeria: Grilled wings and caprese skewers. Moss Rock Tacos & Tequila: Fire-roasted tomato salsa with chips and tater tot nachos with homemade chorizo. Ocean: Thai green curry shrimp fritter with green apple chili sauce. OvenBird: Chicken and chorizo paella with calaspara rice, fall vegetables and saffron aioli. Satterfield's: Buttermilk biscuits with Conecuh sausage marmalade, roasted apples and cheddar fondue. Sky Castle: Mediterranean lamb burger topped with tabouli and feta cheese. Slice Pizza & Brewhouse: Brown butter Pasta (bacon, cherry tomatoes, basil, oregano, browned butter deglazed with white wine then reduced). Sol's Sandwich Shop & Deli: Gumbo with chicken, shrimp and sausage, served over rice. Ted's Restaurant: Greek souvlaki with Greek coleslaw. Vecchia Pizzeria & Mercato: House-made meatballs with fresh basil marinara and white chocolate bread pudding. Vino: Apple fritters (homemade fried dough with fresh apples and cinnamon, topped with sugary glaze). Tickets for Breakin' Bread are $35 general admission (includes unlimited food sampling and two drink tickets for wine, beer or the featured vodka cocktail) and $99 VIP (includes unlimited food sampling and wine, beer and cocktails, access to a lounge area and early entrance at 12:30 p.m.). Admission is free for children age 12 and younger. Proceeds benefit Jones Valley Teaching Farms Woodlawn High School Urban Farm project. The school has a two-acre farm, built for and managed by high school students. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Colleen Washington had never seen the inside of an emergency shelter before Wednesday. She hadnt planned on it, either, until the clouds darkened and the sirens blared and a police officer yelled that everyone in her tiny inland neighborhood needed to leave. "In my 58 years, I have never evacuated," she said to an old friend, who also was taking refuge inside the gymnasium at Lawton Chiles High School in Tallahassee. "But, girl, we had to evacuate. I have grandchildren, and I needed to go." As Hurricane Michael barreled toward Florida's Panhandle, an unfamiliar feeling struck the state's hilly capital city Wednesday morning: panic. Eighty miles inland, residents were used to the dangers of downed trees and power lines. But after the hurricane was upgraded to a life-threatening Category 4 storm overnight, residents rushed to the city's largest hurricane shelter. About 100 people were inside Tuesday night. By Wednesday afternoon, there were 330 residents, 149 cats and dogs, and one parakeet. Many of the residents had reached the gym in the moments before the doors were closed. "I was scrambling," Washington told her friend as she recounted her family's rush to safety. Her daughters picked up all the water bottles in their home and some vienna sausages. Her granddaughters gathered up their tablets and some crossword puzzles. They packed their pit bull, Gracie, and traveled 30 miles to the largest shelter in Tallahassee. There, they joined dozens of others hustling to get inside before the gym doors closed at noon. Thomas Haygood, a librarian, and his girlfriend, Brigitte Gonzalez, a billing specialist, followed the signs on the high school campus that said, "pet-friendly shelter" with their two soaking wet bloodhounds, Holly and Scarlet. "We weren't sure we were going to make it," Gonzalez said. "We were going to be in big trouble." They live on the second floor of a squat, two-story stucco apartment building with a floor-to-ceiling window in the living room. Their first instinct was to move their twin mattress to the hallway to escape any injury if the window broke. Then, they thought it might be better to move the mattress to protect the window from shattering. Eventually, Haygood's sister in Birmingham, Alabama, called and told them to get out of the apartment. They called a couple hotels but didn't have the money to pay for them. So they chose the hurricane shelter. They just grabbed what they could: frozen water bottles, some Gala apples and mixed nuts. They gave Holly medication to keep her calm and hoped Scarlet wouldn't betray her natural fondness for people. "I never thought I would live through something this bad," Haygood said. "It all still doesn't make sense." The gym had filled with tents, inflatable mattresses and sleeping bags. Some residents came with walkers; others carried strollers. On one end of the room, a handful of evacuees watched an expanding, animated cone churn on cable news; on the other end, an 11-year-old set down some blankets where he placed his 32-inch television to play video games. "At least it's orderly here," Washington's friend, Dorothy McCaskill, said. She had been to this shelter three times in three years. Her neighbors came, too, and it was just as well, since they lived close to the school. "When I moved here 20 or 30 years ago, we didn't have these tornadoes and hurricanes in this part of Florida," McCaskill said. "Now we get one every year. It's just nature now. Everything is changing." Washington doesn't remember ever feeling remotely frightened about an act of God. The closest was Hurricane Kate in the 1980s, when a tornado uprooted a tree in her backyard and it crashed through her family's house. Still, no one was hurt. But she was a grandmother now and lived in a home surrounded by 26 pine trees. She had shuddered to think of the damage that could be done to her backyard, so she moved the lawn furniture and the barbecue grill into the garage. Then came the call for her to evacuate, and the harsher realities of a life-threatening storm began to settle in. Instead of thinking only about her furniture, she started thinking about her home. "We have to evacuate," she was screaming around the house, and now her grandchildren were nervous. Her youngest, 6-year-old Chyla, started to cry. The sudden rush of nervousness forced them to take an unexpected stock of their lives and what was important. Around them, others made similar calculations. They took coolers of quickly made tuna sandwiches and their flat-screen TVs. A teenage girl stuffed notes of affirmation in paper bags and gathered her favorite pillows. "It was amazing to look at a house full of stuff and think you only need a few things," Washington's daughter, Cinta Sheffield, said. "We had to humble ourselves to think about what's truly important." Washington scanned the room at the shelter. Around her was a racially mixed crowd, of all ages, all under a gym roof and looking to do little more than survive. She was glad to have seen an old friend. But she was thankful to see so many strangers living together peacefully. "Everything now is Republicans and Democrats," she said. "But sometimes you need a reminder that we are just people." A man started laying a blue blanket behind her. Jerrith Davis, 23, interrupted her. "You know I survived Harvey?" he said. He told her that he was living in a tent an hour outside of Houston and then had to evacuate. Since then he moved from hurricane shelter to homeless shelter to an apartment that burned down, moving farther and farther east. He and his girlfriend of seven years had been living in a tent in Tallahassee since July, until the shelter opened. "I'm happy now," Davis said. "I'm good because I got ninety dollars in my pocket, and air in my lungs and bread in my belly and a roof over my head. I'm a little nostalgic now because I remember what it was like to be able to take a shower and have food and see people smiling." "Amen!" Washington said. It was about 3 p.m. The shelter had extended it hours to take in more residents, but now, opening the door was too dangerous. The rain pounded on the roof and the television lost its cable feed. The worst had come. The wind howled and the lights on the gym scoreboard flickered. The power went off and a generator kicked in. The wind howled against the doors. Washington's eyes widened. Her grandchildren held each other and gasped. "You hear what's going on outside," she said. "I'm glad we are inside." And then she took a scoop of Cheez-Its for herself. A Birmingham fundraiser for the Senate Republicans' campaign arm scheduled for tonight and headlined by Vice President Mike Pence has been canceled, according to a source familiar with the event. Pence was expected to attend a fundraiser tonight for the National Republican Senatorial Committee in the Magic City after stopping by Delta Airlines' TechOps facility in Atlanta and campaigning with Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp, the Associated Press reported. The source could not immediately confirm whether Hurricane Michael prompted the NRSC to cancel the Birmingham fundraiser. Pence had previously been scheduled to campaign with Kemp in July, but that trip was canceled because of Hurricane Florence. The vice president has been a popular figure on the campaign trail for Republican candidates. In September 2017, Pence was in Birmingham to boost then-Sen. Luther Strange before his Republican primary runoff election against Roy Moore. Moore ultimately won that race but lost to Democrat Doug Jones in the December 2017 general election. Judges in the nations federal criminal courts increasingly are balking at what they call unlawful efforts by U.S. immigration authorities to continue to detain people charged with entering the country illegally, even after they have been granted bail. The rulings complicate the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" crackdown on defendants who are charged with illegally crossing the border but whom judges have determined do not pose a flight or safety risk. The decisions force prosecutors to make a choice - charge defendants with illegal entry or reentry and risk that a federal judge releases them pending trial, or keep suspects locked up in civil detention pending deportation proceedings and forgo criminal prosecution. A recent decision by a federal judge in Washington highlights the human and legal issues at stake, the case of a dishwasher from El Salvador who has a wife and two children in the District of Columbia, where he returned after two deportations. The surge in such criminal cases stems from an April 2017 announcement by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions prioritizing Justice Department prosecutions of entry and reentry crimes. More than 60,000 people have faced such criminal charges since then, with twice as many new prosecutions this July, the most recent month for which data is available, compared with the same month in 2017, according to Syracuse University's Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, which monitors cases. Individuals caught without documents on a first offense can be charged with a misdemeanor, but anyone caught in the United States after a prior deportation can be charged with a felony and face more than a year in prison. Immigration-related prosecutions are now the majority of all federal criminal cases, stretching far beyond states bordering Mexico. Advocates for immigrants say the recent court rulings may limit the use of the criminal charges to pressure defendants to abandon efforts to stay in the United States. The impact on overall removal efforts remains to be seen, but courts appear to be pushing back at an expansion of prosecutors' and Immigration and Customs Enforcement's authority. In the District of Columbia, one rejection of the tougher tactics came from U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth, a 1987 appointee of President Ronald Reagan. On Sept. 26. Lamberth said the government cannot have it both ways - asking federal courts to deny bail to defendants awaiting criminal trial and then, if a judge disagrees, holding them anyway in the immigration system. The decision came in the case of Jaime Omar Vasquez-Benitez, 38, who court papers say was picking food up at a restaurant in July when D.C. police stopped him for suspected gang activity and turned him over to ICE. Federal public defenders say Vasquez-Benitez had quit a gang and fears for his life if deported. He was charged in August with felony reentry despite deportation orders in 2008 and 2014. A federal magistrate and district judge ruled Vasquez-Benitez should be released on bail, but U.S. marshals returned him to ICE custody. Defense attorneys moved to enforce the release order, and the case ended up in front of Lamberth after Vasquez-Benitez was indicted. Lamberth ruled that a landmark 1966 U.S. bail statute specifically covers migrants and must "trump" more-general immigration laws, releasing Vasquez-Benitez into a high-intensity supervision program. He wrote that courts have long "upheld as sacrosanct" the principle that no one can act as prosecutor and judge at the same time, and that the Justice Department cannot ignore bail rulings any more than it can shrug off a defendant's right to a speedy trial. The judge said prosecutors can pursue both criminal charges and civil removal cases against defendants but must abide by a judge's decision to grant bail. Or they can forgo charges and keep defendants locked up in civil detention while pursuing deportation. People detained without valid immigration documents may well be worse off if uncharged, "languishing" indefinitely without speedy trial or access to bail in ICE detention camps far from families or counsel, the judge noted. "Nevertheless, the government can do that" under immigration law, Lamberth wrote. "But so long as the government invokes the jurisdiction of a federal court, the government must consent to the Court's custodial dominion over the criminal defendants before it." A decision on whether to appeal is pending. Bill Miller, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office for the District of Columbia, said, "We are reviewing the ruling and have no further comment at this time." In a July 2017 Justice Department bulletin to 94 U.S. attorney offices nationwide, Oregon federal prosecutor Gregory R. Nyhus said that federal criminal statutes and civil immigration laws "are reconcilable" and that "courts should be encouraged to harmonize these statutes rather than focusing on [one] to the complete exclusion of the other." The government's position - that it can hold Vasquez-Benitez strictly for deportation on a reinstated removal order, unrelated to his prosecution - has yet to be decided by an appeals court. Rulings by trial judges in similar cases have varied. Since July 2017, federal judges in Washington, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Detroit and Austin have rejected the government's approach, drawing on a 2012 opinion in Oregon by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruling that "the executive branch has a choice to make" between holding an undocumented person for deportation or prosecuting that person under criminal law and the Constitution. Federal judges in Buffalo and Philadelphia have come down on the other side, saying that criminal and immigration laws can "coexist" on "parallel" tracks. Before the Trump administration, prosecutors would typically drop criminal charges to pursue civil removal if a previously deported defendant won bail. Yihong "Julie" Mao, staff attorney with the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild, said the group was "heartened" by court rulings upholding undocumented immigrants' right to bail and pretrial release based on family and community ties. She added: "This is fundamentally a separation-of-powers issue. The Department of Justice cannot be both judge and prosecutor." Assistant federal public defender Mary Petras, who is representing Vasquez-Benitez in D.C., declined to comment. In court filings, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Clair Kohl argued that the defendant's case is not covered by the 2012 ruling, because ICE is holding him solely to deport him, not to prosecute him. The Salvadoran man was first arrested in 1997, falsely claimed Mexican citizenship and was allowed to go to Mexico, according to court papers. He was deported in 2008 after serving a three-year sentence for felony obstruction of justice in the District of Columbia and again in 2014, before he was caught for a fourth time this July. Prosecutors would have prosecuted Vasquez-Benitez even in past years because of what they said in court papers was his "threatening, violent behavior" and felony criminal conviction. Vasquez-Benitez was convicted of obstruction of justice for telling a woman in 2005 she would "pay the consequences" if she called the police, and a 2014 arrest warrant in El Salvador said he has been charged with extortion, prosecutors said. "There may come a time . . .[when] immigration proceedings have concluded . . . forcing the United States to choose between physical removal and continuation of this criminal case. That time, however, has not yet come," wrote Kohl and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Dewar in an unsuccessful effort to detain the man. Petras told the court the man is a longtime restaurant worker, and his wife works part time as a hotel housekeeper. Both have family members nearby, and the couple's 3-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son attended a recent court hearing. Petras argued the man posed no flight risk, because he is seeking to halt his deportation after gang members in El Salvador sent him a message warning that he had "signed his death warrant" by quitting the gang and removing gang tattoos. The lawyer said the fact that her client has lived in the D.C. area for years and returned shows that he wants to be here and that he has no intent or incentive to flee." Vice President Mike Pence is planning to visit Georgia and Alabama on Thursday. The trip to Atlanta and Birmingham includes an appearance in support of Republican Brian Kemp's bid for Georgia governor. The White House says Pence will visit the Delta Airlines' TechOps facility in Atlanta on Thursday to meet with employees and deliver remarks. Pence will then attend two political events, including a Georgia GOP fundraiser. Pence had been scheduled to come to Georgia last month but the event was cancelled because of Hurricane Florence. Pence headlined a rally for Kemp in July ahead of the Republican primary runoff. Kemp faces Democrat Stacey Abrams in next month's general election Pence will then travel to Birmingham for a National Republican Senatorial Committee fundraiser. Houston County and Dothan officials urged people to be patient today as work crews chip away at the job of restoring electricity and clearing roads in the aftermath of Hurricane Michaels destruction. Gov. Kay Ivey stopped by the Houston County Emergency Management Center after a flyover and land tour of damage in the Wiregrass area. Ivey thanked the crews for their efforts. Im grateful to learn that theres no loss of life in this area that we know of yet, Ivey said. Storm damage in Alabamas Wiregrass area did not approach the devastation in Florida, but the hurricane did cause widespread problems including downed trees and power lines and damaged homes. Parts of southeast Houston County, closest to the path of the hurricane, saw extensive home damage. Dothan Fire Chief Larry Williams said rescue teams from Birmingham, Hoover and the Alabama Fire College helped with a search of damaged houses today. Williams said all residents were accounted for and no injuries came to light. There were several minor injuries and one serious injury caused by a fallen tree at one home on Wednesday. Charles Metzger, director of public works for Dothan, said there are still hundreds of trees down but that major roads have been cleared. Metzger said he expects roads to be cleared of debris by the middle of next week. Billy Mayes, director of public utilities, said about 18,000 electrical customers remain without power, down from 24,000 on Wednesday night. Mayes said he expects it to take until Monday or Tuesday to complete the task of restoring power. Houston County Commissioner Mark Culver said county office buildings are still without power and probably wont be operational again until at least Monday. Culver said residents can place debris from storm damage from Hurricane Michael at the curb and it will be picked up, although that wont be immediate. A curfew that was put in place for the storm ended at noon on Tuesday. But Culver said people should still try to keep the roads clear. If you dont have any reason to be out there, dont be, Culver said. Deputy Fire Chief Chris Etheredge said residents should be careful about hiring people to remove debris, repair roofs and provide other services in the wake of the storm. Etheredge said to make sure those who offer their services are licensed and insured. There were six shelters in the county on Wednesday, but those shelters were closing and shelter operations were being consolidated at the Houston County Farm Center, Etheredge said. The Red Cross and Salvation Army were helping with the operation. Etheredge said there was as many as about 300 people in the shelters, but that number had dropped to 39 today. LA Attorney General on a Mission From email. October 9th, 2018 Continuing Fight to Protect Second Amendment Rights, AG Jeff Landry Leads 17-State Coalition Against Overreaching Gun Restriction BATON ROUGE, LA - With federal court decisions impacting Louisiana people, regardless of where the lawsuits originate, Attorney General Jeff Landry is leading a 17-state coalition against a New York City gun restriction which threatens Second Amendment protections. In an amicus brief filed today, General Landrys coalition asks the United States Supreme Court to consider the permitting schemes burden on Second Amendment rights, the full extent of those rights, and the applicability of those rights to self-defense outside the home. The restrictive policies memorialized in New York Citys premises permit scheme unduly burdens the Second Amendment rights held by all Americans, said General Landry. Criminalizing travel with a securely stored firearm creates an imbalance in our federal system that weighs against lawful exercise of the Second Amendment inside and outside of New York City. The terms of New York Citys pricey permit prohibit removing any firearm from the home with two exceptions, practicing at a range in the city or hunting in the state - and hunting requires authorization from the citys police department. To remove a firearm from the home for any other purpose requires a separate, yet similarly expensive carry permit that is very difficult to obtain. In their legal brief, General Landry and his counterparts argue that New York City did not show sufficient cause to burden citizens gun rights in their pursuit of crime prevention and public safety, both of which are frustrated by restricting licensed and trained gun owners from carrying outside their homes. This restriction has the practical implication of leaving thousands of firearms in unoccupied homes, where they are of no use to their lawful owners when faced with dangerous situations. The need for self-defense is not limited to the home and the right to possess a firearm should not be either, said General Landry. From self-defense to hunting, the lawful exercise of our Second Amendment rights should be fully supported. New York Citys regulation not only offends the Second Amendment and other constitutional protections, but it also poses a serious economic burden. New Yorks regulatory scheme discriminates against interstate commerce because it deprives out-of-state businesses of access to a local market by forbidding its citizens from hunting and patronizing ranges outside the State with their own guns, wrote General Landry and the others. The 16 states joining Louisiana in the brief are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin through their Attorney Generals and Mississippi and Kentucky through their Governors. The case is New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. et al. v. City of New York et al. "You don't have to be Jewish to fight by our side." You just have to love freedom. 2018 JPFO All rights reserved. jpfo@jpfo.org 1-800-869-1884 Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership 12500 NE 10th Pl. Bellevue, WA 98005 USA "America's most aggressive defender of civil rights" We make the NRA look like moderates Join JPFO Back to Top As part of a plea deal hatched with prosecutors, an Anniston man was sentenced to prison today for his role in a deadly robbery-gone-wrong in Huntsville. But Robert Thorntons legal troubles arent over. In less than two weeks, hes scheduled for trial on an unrelated murder charge in Etowah County. In the Madison County case, Thornton, 22, received a 20-year split sentence that includes three years to be served in prison and another three years of probation. Thornton will get prison credit for the 19 months hes already served in jail awaiting the outcome of his case. Thornton was charged along with three other men in a felony murder and robbery case. In exchange for a guilty plea to robbery, Madison County prosecutors dismissed the murder charge. The charges stemmed from a botched robbery at a home in north Huntsville on Dec. 22, 2016. Montarious Hill, 20, of Anniston, was killed. Hill and Thornton were among five men who went to rob a home on Broadmeadow Lane, authorities said. All of the men were from Anniston, but they were in the Huntsville area to pick up a friend who recently got out of prison. Thornton was one of three people who stayed in the car to serve as a lookout or getaway driver during the robbery, according to prosecutors. Wielding a gun, Hill burst into the home with another accomplice, said Madison County Assistant District Attorney Paul Barnett. But the people in the home also were armed, and one of them fatally shot Hill. Thornton and the other three survivors were charged with felony murder under Alabamas accomplice liability laws. Felony murder is regularly used to charge accomplices when a person dies while committing a felony act like robbery. Defense attorney Larry Marsili said Thornton is satisfied with the plea agreement. From the beginning, he wanted to accept responsibility for the role that he had in the incident, Marsili said. But (he) always maintained that he certainly was not intentionally involved in any kind of murder or anything like that. Barnett said prosecutors believe Thornton was aware of or involved in a plan to commit the robbery. Considering the circumstances, we thought this (plea) was an appropriate resolution, he said. Thornton is the third of four suspects to plead guilty in the case. The other co-defendant, Jaleel McElderry, is set for trial later this year. Quindarious Sterling, who also stayed in the car during the incident, pleaded guilty to a reduced robbery charge. He received a 10-year sentence, split to serve one year and one day in prison, plus three year of probation. Antonio Thompson , who went into the house with Hill, pleaded guilty to a robbery charge. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Thompson was injured in the gunfire that erupted inside the home. In Etowah County, Thornton is set for trial Oct. 22 on an unrelated murder charge that stems from a 2015 night club shooting. Hill, too, had been charged in that slaying, but his case was dropped following his death. Marsili said if Thornton pleads guilty or is convicted in Etowah County, they hope the judge will order that his sentences from both counties run concurrently. Mr. Thornton is a young man and certainly the circumstances were not what he would have hoped to have found himself in, Marsili said of the Madison County case. Hes deeply saddened by the loss. (Hill) was a personal friend of his. After prison, Thornton will have an opportunity to come back out and demonstrate that he can be a productive member of society, the attorney said. While recovery efforts following Hurricane Michael were in early stages on Thursday, and communication with some of the hardest-hit areas was limited, tales of heroism had already begun to emerge. In Panama City, Bay Medical Sacred Heart hospital "sustained roof, structural, and water damage" forcing the evacuation of about 200 patients. That included 39 in intensive care, according to a report from the hospital. "All patients, family members, and staff are safe and patient care will continue until the last patient is transferred," CEO Scott Campbell said in statement issued by the hospital. Patients were being transferred to Ascension hospitals in several other cities, including Providence Hospital in Mobile, Ala. Campbell said hospital officials hoped to reopen the emergency room as soon as possible. The hospital statement said that in addition to the 200 patients, some 1,500 "employee and physician families and pets as well as large numbers of first responders" rode out the storm at the battered facility. The New York Times quoted Dr. Brian Rourke, the head of the anesthesiology department, as saying the experience "was like hell." "Our staff and physicians have demonstrated extraordinary dedication throughout this crisis, providing exemplary care for our patients," Campbell said. "This has been a truly noble effort and we are deeply grateful for their sacrifice." Prior to the storm's arrival, the U.S. Coast Guard reported that it had pre-staged "shallow-water response teams, maritime environmental response teams, air assets, and a communication asset along the Alabama and Florida coasts." The service reported late Thursday morning via Twitter that its personnel had "saved 17 lives and assisted 6 others" in the early hours of its response. The #USCG has saved 17 lives and assisted 6 others #HurricaneMichael pic.twitter.com/teOeRv1421 USCG Heartland (@USCGHeartland) October 11, 2018 According to the Dothan Eagle, Dothan Fire Chief Larry Williams said his crews performed 22 rescues during the storm, some involving severely injured victims. As the storm bore down on the Panhandle on Tuesday, a delegation from the Humane Society in Naples, Fla., traveled to Tallahassee to rescue 37 dogs and nine puppies from a shelter, according to a report by WFTX-TV4. According to WFTX, five people took two transit vans for the operation, motivated by a warning the Tallahassee shelter couldn't withstand the storm. The Humane Society is looking for homes for the 46 animals; the Naples branch can be reached at 239-240-8395 or via www.hsnaples.org. "America's Cajun Navy," a Louisiana-based volunteer flotilla often active in Gulf Coast disaster recovery efforts, has been active in the Panama City area, reports WFLA-TV8. By early Thursday morning, according to the station, the group had rescued around two dozen people. The group said on its Facebook page that it couldn't move around the city freely due to downed power lines and that "there isn't one telephone post left standing in this city." It said the National Guard had taken command of the area. A sign outside of Heroes Sports Bar & Grille in downtown Mobile, Ala., on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, welcomes Hurricane Michael evacuees from Florida. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com). Florida Panhandle residents began returning home Thursday, though a good number of Hurricane Michael evacuees were expected to remain in Alabama for the time being. Meanwhile, a group of evacuees from an assisted living facility in Okaloosa County, Florida, are in the process of being transported to a shelter in Robertsdale. The latest updates in coastal Alabama come as rescue and recovery efforts are underway following a storm that caused widespread damage after it made landfall, packing 150 mph winds, near Mexico Beach, Florida. "It's a mixed bag," said David Clark, president & CEO of Visit Mobile. "We have some availability. It's still pretty solid with occupancy throughout the city. I think some people are starting to go back. But some people are staying an extra night or so right now." Hotels in southern and central Alabama were filled up on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, as Florida Panhandle residents evacuated ahead of Michael's landfall. "I think you will probably have some relief crews who are traveling from the west to east who are stopping by here," said Clark. "You are starting to get some of that as they are about ready to go into Florida to help." At the Baldwin County Coliseum in Robertsdale, more than two dozen first-responders from "all over the place," stayed Wednesday night, according to Elliott. The ambulance crews were heading to Okaloosa County to "retrieve" the residents who were being displaced for an undetermined amount of time. Elliott said the shelter will be operated by the Alabama Department of Public Health as a "special needs" facility. He said the Baldwin County Commission, during an emergency meeting Thursday, voted to approve the use of the county's emergency funds to operate the shelter until Nov. 13. Elliott said he anticipates the county receiving a federal reimbursement once President Donald Trump is expected to declare a federal disaster in Michael's wake. Elliott said he didn't get the impression that the assisted living residents were injured during the storm. The brunt of Hurricane Michael's devastation affected Bay County, Florida, and east into Gulf and Franklin counties. "It's limited information at this point and we don't have specific information," said Elliott. The residents were expected to arrive to Robertsdale later in the day. Back in Mobile, some Florida residents passed time by walking around downtown's Dauphin Street during a seasonal, sun-soaked morning. "I have thoroughly enjoyed being here," said Jennifer Geno, a Fort Walton Beach resident who walked around the downtown with her two children, Jackson and Mia, and husband, Paul. Paul Geno is stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base, which is about 12 miles east of Panama City, and was ordered to evacuate. He said that while his house in Fort Walton Beach is OK, a lot of his friends experienced losses. The Air Force base, he said, "doesn't look good." Geno said he waiting to hear word on whether he should return Thursday or wait until Friday. Mobile also offered a temporary home for Stacy Hamilton, who evacuated from her apartment at Alys Beach and stayed at a downtown hotel. She was returning to Alys Beach on Thursday, where she works as vice-president of marketing for a luxury beach resort. For Hamilton, the evacuation served as a quick reunion to Mobile where she served as vice-president of marketing and communications with the Mobile Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau, now Visit Mobile. "All of the hotels and restaurants and operations downtown Mobile were super friendly and welcoming everyone with open arms," Hamilton said, who still owns a home in Mobile. "We went through this last year with (Irma). Everyone has been helpful and courteous and it makes a good impression on people who are under a lot of stress and who are worn out." This post was updated at 1:10 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, and will be updated throughout the day. For the past 11 years I have served the citizens of Alabama, representing Baldwin County and the Gulf Coast area in the Alabama State Senate. As a firm believer in the value of term limits and the idea of citizen-legislators, I have decided against seeking re-election, allowing others to step forward and serve. If the father of our country, George Washington, could return to Mount Vernon after two terms as president, surely no office holder is irreplaceable. And Baldwin County is a nice place to come home to. As a departing member of the Baldwin County legislative team, I want to say a few words about all that has been accomplished for the citizens of south Alabama. First, thanks to Rep. Randy Davis from Daphne (delegation chairman), Rep. Joe Faust of Fairhope and Rep. Steve McMillan of south Baldwin County, it is now easier for coastal homeowners to claim insurance discounts for construction that fortifies a home against wind damage. Following hurricanes Ivan and Katrina in 2004 and 2005, home insurance premiums skyrocketed on the coast. If coastal homeowners made repairs or improvements to prevent wind damage, they were required to present detailed construction records before they could receive an insurance discount. Thanks to Rep. Daviss 2018 bill, homeowners now need only present a builders certificate to get a break on their insurance. The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill was a crisis for the coast, and the Baldwin County delegation worked hard to make sure that coastal residents were fairly reimbursed for damages. In addition to settlements with Mobile, Fairhope and Baldwin County, BP in 2016 agreed to pay the state of Alabama approximately $1 billion for economic damages. As you may recall, this set off an intense battle in the State Legislature. Some northern Alabama lawmakers argued that the coast shouldnt receive any of the states settlement with BP, and that all of the money should go to Medicaid and debt repayments. Even though we were out-numbered six-to-one, coastal lawmakers held our ground, worked the process, and garnered support from other thoughtful legislators to secure $120 million for infrastructure projects in Baldwin and Mobile counties. Funded with other BP monies, the new Lodge at Gulf State Park is set to open in November, 14 years after the previous facility was torn down after damage from Hurricane Ivan. The lodge will include 350 guest rooms and 40,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space. For years, the Baldwin County delegation worked hard to pass enabling legislation sponsored by Rep. McMillan, and we worked closely with former governors Bob Riley and Robert Bentley and Gov. Kay Ivey to finance and facilitate the re-building of the lodge and meeting place. Since 2010, I have served as chairman of either the Education Trust Fund or the State General Fund budgets. Sometimes that has felt a little like swimming in the Gulf of Mexico and getting caught in a rip current, but I am deeply proud of the work conservative Republicans have done to put Alabamas finances on stable footing. From 1980-2011, the education budget was prorated 11 times, but since the Republican majority passed the Rolling Reserve Act in 2011, which I sponsored in the Senate, proration has not occurred a single time. That fiscal discipline allowed the Legislature to give teachers a 4 percent pay raise in 2016 and a 2.5 percent pay raise this year, pay back $437 million in debt, and put aside over $200 million dollars in the Education Budget Stabilization Account. It has been an honor to serve with Baldwin Countys capable legislative team, which includes Greg Albritton, a fellow state senator, and Harry Shiver, Alan Baker, Thomas Jackson, Faust, McMillan, and Davis in the House of Representatives. I want to personally thank each of you for your service to our constituents in south Alabama, and for putting up with me. To the citizens of Baldwin County: it has been the privilege of a lifetime to represent you in the Alabama Legislature. Thank you. Trip Pittman of Montrose represents Baldwin County in the state senate, and is a small business owner, a former member of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, and has served in the Alabama National Guard. In Manilas largest slum, children hunt for scraps of food amid the rubbish against the backdrop of rising skyscrapers. Manila, Philippines In Tondo, Manilas largest slum, children root around in the rubbish, looking for old chicken to boil and eat. Life in Tondo, an area that more than 100,000 people call home, centres around a dump where families make what living they can by sorting through the rubbish to find anything to sell. Twice a week, a colourful truck approaches the children. On those two days, they know theyre going to be able to enjoy a fresh, hot meal. As young as three, they run to gather around the staff from Bahay Tuluyan, a non-profit organisation that brings food to the slum and other impoverished areas. Some of the children help carry the large vats of food to a concrete room where they wait impatiently for staff to set up. Theyre anxious for a meal, having faced the daily realities of hunger. The malnutrition problem is massive. We have seen some kids very malnourished, and we continue to see that. Catherine Scerri, deputy director of Bahay Tuluyan Many belong to the more than 33 percent of Filipino children who suffer from malnutrition and associated complications such as stunting. The malnutrition problem is massive, says Catherine Scerri, deputy director of Bahay Tuluyan. We have seen some kids very malnourished, and we continue to see that. In Manilas financial district just a few miles away, glittering skyscrapers are being built at a breakneck pace. Theyre emblematic of the Philippines soaring economy, which grew by nearly seven percent in 2017. And despite the fact that stunting and malnutrition are reported to cost the Philippines 326bn pesos ($6bn) each year or about three percent of the nations GDP the governments eyes are elsewhere. Thousands have built homes in a rubbish dump in Tondo, Manilas largest slum, where they make a living scavenging recyclables to resell [Anne Bouleanu/Al Jazeera] President Rodrigo Duterte has turned his focus to waging a war on drugs in the poorest areas of Manila, a campaign Human Rights Watch says has killed at least 12,000 people. The poor are the most targeted and, in areas like Tondo, the sound of a motorcycle sends children running as they fear police officers may be coming to arrest or kill someone they know. Save the Children has found an overall reduction in malnutrition rates across Asia. In contrast, malnutrition rates continue to rise in the Philippines. Bahay Tuluyan is trying to keep up with the crisis to support the growing number of street children orphaned by the war on drugs and facing hunger. It provides temporary housing for homeless youth, delivers meals for those in the citys slums, invites children to shower at their facilities and offers community support for young people at risk in the city. A child plays with neighbourhood dogs in Tondo before eating a hot meal provided by Bahay Tuluyan. For many children, this will be their only full meal of the day [Anne Bouleanu/Al Jazeera] Gani Damil, 17, has suffered as a direct result of the war on drugs. He has not seen his mother in years, and his father and brother were arrested and imprisoned on drug charges in 2016. He was stranded on the streets when he came in contact with Bahay Tuluyans mobile food unit. Its not OK, Damil says of homelessness, hunger and living conditions, which over the years have included stays at Bahay Tuluyans shelter. Im not sure about the future I want to help my family. Bowls of rice with chicken are the only full meals of the day for many of the dozens of children who flock to the food station. They play and watch puppet shows staged by some staff members while others prepare the food, laying out brightly coloured plastic bowls. A young girl carrying a toddler walks towards a community room where Bahay Tuluyan delivers hot meals for children each week [Anne Bouleanu/Al Jazeera] For malnutrition to be reduced, governments need to have a laser focus on it, said Lawrence Haddad, executive director of the Geneva-based Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition. Every sector needs to be firing: health, agriculture, education, water, sanitation, womens empowerment, poverty reduction, inequality reduction, for significant progress to be made. Leadership from the very top is essential. The Duterte government has its priorities and I dont see nutrition high among them. Late last month, President Duterte appeared to admit to extrajudicial killings in the drugs war. In a speech at the presidential palace, he said: What are my sins? Did I steal money? Even just one peso? Did I prosecute somebody I sent to jail? My only sin is extrajudicial killings. The reported extrajudicial activities of the current administration can create fear and close down public debate on how well the government is doing on any given issue, particularly on malnutrition. Lawrence Haddad, executive director of Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition Haddad said the killings and malnutrition could be linked. The reported extrajudicial activities of the current administration can create fear and close down public debate on how well the government is doing on any given issue, particularly on malnutrition, he told Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera contacted the Manila mayors office and city council for comment but did not receive a response by time of publishing. Philippine President Rodrigo Dutertes war on drugs has killed thousands [Czar Dancel/Reuters] As more and more children face hunger, the Duterte government is committing resources to attracting international investors. In the financial district of Makati, security guards stand at a mall entrance to inspect bags upon entry, but some believe they also serve another purpose to keep the visibly poor out. Theres direct discrimination, Bahay Tuluyans Scerri says. Its a private security guard with no accountability to anybody, so they can just arbitrarily keep that kind of clientele out of the mall. And in the most densely populated city on earth, we have a playground nearby thats been turned into a car park Theres nowhere for kids to go. People protest against the government of President Rodrigo Duterte on the anniversary of the 1972 Martial Law declaration in Manila, in Philippines, September 21, 2018 [Eloisa Lopez/Reuters] The government also gave broad support to creating Bonifacio Global City, a smoke-free, luxury development site within Manila that is home to universities, hospitals, pedestrian-friendly streets and acres of green space that provide a relief from Manilas poor air quality. The skyscrapers are eco-friendly, often designed by architecture firms from countries such as Denmark and the United States and funded by investors the Duterte government is eager to attract. In the first quarter of 2018, the Philippines brought in $2.2bn in foreign direct investment, an increase of 43.5 percent over the first quarter of 2017. It continues to attract more investment and foreign companies have proven eager to set up shop in Manila, building offices for financial institutions such as HSBC, Bank of America and Deutsche Bank. Blocks away from the skyscrapers, children wander barefoot through the street, selling sweets and trinkets to passersby, hoping to make a few pesos to buy food for the night. Its not OK, Gani Damil says again. But he spends his time looking towards the future, uncertain as it may be. Life will go on, he says, come what may. Tyree Colion, a rapper and ex-gang member, risks his life setting up No Shoot Zones in communities with record murders. Late on a Sunday evening in July 2017, rapper and former gang member Tyree Colion was stabbed in the neck in East Baltimore. Bleeding, the 42-year old pressed a t-shirt into his wound with one hand and launched a Facebook Live broadcast with the other. He turned the camera on himself. Im losing too much blood, he said, gasping for air. In the background, his female companion could be heard screaming for help, pleading with him to hold on. Yo if I die, keep pushing them zones, he said, before falling onto the pavement and losing consciousness. Several thousand Facebook subscribers who were tuned in knew the zones Colion was talking about. But for Tracy Cox, a paramedic from West Baltimore who happened to be watching online, it was her first exposure to the concept. All I could think was, Oh my God, I just watched somebody die,' she told Al Jazeera. It really took me aback. But Colion narrowly escaped death that night. Minutes before the stabbing, he had been walking the streets of one of the USs most dangerous cities, talking to residents about creating No Shoot Zones, his initiative to take Baltimores streets back from gun violence. With property owner consent, urban non-violence advocate Tyree Colion places No Shoot Zone banners on buildings and storefronts [Courtesy: Tyree Colion] A week after the knife attack, from the Intensive Care Unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Colion, whose given name is Tyree Moorehead, once again fired up Facebook Live. By now, Cox was actively following his quest to restore Baltimore to a place where residents could safely sit on their stoops and mow their lawns and where children could play without fear of being shot. He had a trach [tube] in his throat, and he tried to talk but couldnt, Cox said. He just looked into the camera and was speaking to us with his eyes as if he was saying, Thank God Im alive and Im here for a reason.' Restoring safety to Baltimores mostly African American residents was reason enough. By the end of 2017, homicides had soared to the highest levels of any major American city per capita and Baltimore recorded 344 killings, most of them shootings. What came in my heart was seeing so many elders and females crying and scared, he told Al Jazeera. The streets were empty. Im talking about neighbourhoods that had people in them. People werent even going to work. Another reason was residents eroded trust in the police. In April 2015, that trust hit a low point when a 25-year-old black man, Freddie Gray, died from a crushed spinal chord while in police custody. Following Grays funeral, Baltimore protested and the National Guard was called in to quell a week of rioting, sporadic looting and arson. It had been less than a year since similar riots erupted in the St Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri after a policeman shot and killed an unarmed black teenager, Michael Brown. As in Ferguson, police actions in Baltimore were increasingly met by scores of people training their mobile phones on officers and posting the videos to social media. Known as the Ferguson effect, this intensified already fraught relations between police and residents and led some police departments, like Baltimores, to pull out of the most volatile neighbourhoods. With police largely absent, shootings went nuts, Colion said. People went crazy. As he saw the riots being played out on national TV, he decided to do something. A protester throws a tear gas canister back towards riot police after a 10pm curfew went into effect following the funeral for Freddie Gray on April 28, 2015, in Baltimore [AP Photo/David Goldman] It was like a puzzle that just dropped out of the sky, he said. I thought about California having no gun zones. You get caught in Hollywood with a gun and you get an inflated sentence, so people are thinking man, Im not going up there with no guns. But these laws are made for people from out of town, movie stars and sh**. My idea was for people to enforce the zones on their own. Colion was up against a steep challenge in neighbourhoods suffering from the compound effects of inter-generational job, education and income inequality as well as the drug and alcohol abuse that has fuelled much of the violence. Baltimore had become an emblem for the challenges facing African Americans. Armed with a vision, a knife for self-defence and a can of spray paint to demarcate the No Shoot Zones, Colion began talking to residents, community leaders, children and gang members. As someone who had served 15 years in prison for gang-related murder, people listened. I go out there in the gang members' face and say what it is. I say, 'If you really run it, these are what areas not to shoot in. You decide what areas have suffered enough.' Tyree Colion, founder, No Shoot Zones I go out there in the gang members face and say what it is, Colion told Al Jazeera Rewind in an update of the 2012 Fault Lines documentary, Baltimore: Anatomy of an American City. I say if you really run it, these are what areas not to shoot in. You decide what areas have suffered enough.' Block by block, Colion walked Baltimores streets, engaging residents in parks, playgrounds and corner shops, filming his interactions on Facebook Live. To get buy-in for the No Shoot Zones, he spoke with families and community elders, gang members and children at risk of being conscripted into gangs. Today, Colion has about 15 people helping him to implement, keep records on and manage community activities for the zones. By his count, hes created 106 No Shoot Zones over a three-year period since 2015. Young men walk past abandoned houses in the Sandtown-Winchester neighbourhood of Baltimore, a block away from where Freddie Gray was arrested [AP Photo/Patrick Semansky] Since we started, there have only been six shootings in the zones, he said, but thats counting from the time the paint went down. There have been no shootings in the zones for the past two years. Colion has expanded his model to other cities and has worked with gang bosses, local celebrities and residents in New York, Chicago, Washington, DC, Houston and Philadelphia to create an additional 11 No Shoot Zones, bringing the total to 117. When organisations are established by citizens to reduce violence, often they are effective. Patrick Sharkey, professor and chair, department of sociology, New York University As homicides in cities like Baltimore, Chicago and St Louis had been rising, they were dropping in major cities across the US from New York to Miami to Los Angeles. Countrywide, the US homicide rate fell by about half from 9.8 killings per 100,000 in 1991 to 5.3 in 2016. And, in 2015, New York recorded historically low homicide rates 290 compared with nearly 2,000 homicides in 1990. So far in 2018, homicides in Baltimore have been down every month except April but social scientists warn that its too early to say why, or to establish a link between the lower numbers and resident initiatives like Colions, or city programmes like Safe Streets, a Baltimore health department initiative where gangsters-turned-social workers canvas the city, looking to link at-risk individuals with social services and to defuse tense situations before they turn violent. New York University sociologist and author Patrick Sharkey spent five years studying the reasons for the drop in crime in six American cities. In his 2018 book, An Uneasy Peace, The Great Crime Decline, the Renewal of City Life, and the Next War on Violence, he presents studies of neighbourhoods where residents have played a role in helping to restore safety and quality of life to their communities. When we think of how to deal with a surge in violent crime in some cities, he told Al Jazeera, the default response is to look to the police and the criminal justice system. But when organisations are established by citizens to reduce violence, often they are effective. Members of the Baltimore Police Department stand guard outside the departments Western District police station during a protest in response to Freddie Grays death in Baltimore [AP Photo/Patrick Semansky/File] Bucking the trend of violence, residents and community leaders began to mobilise, Sharkey wrote in a January 2018 Los Angeles Times column. They took public parks back from drug dealers, created safe spaces for young people and provided services to addicts and former inmates. But while some Baltimore neighbourhoods have focused on urban renewal, most have been caught in a dynamic where gangs and law enforcement have dominated public spaces. Residents lived in constant fear of being shot. The police can focus on violent offenders in key spaces, Sharkey told Al Jazeera, but the idea is to shift from a model where theyre expected to dominate that space and control violence on their own. In cities like New York, there was a recognition of the need for a new model, but in other cities, that didnt happen. While New York and Los Angeles were setting the model for community policing, and building trust with residents, cities like St Louis, Chicago and Baltimore were grappling with police brutality and frayed relationships with the communities they were meant to protect. Following the death of Freddie Gray, and the ensuing riots, the Baltimore Police Department went into disarray, beset by internal division, allegations of incompetence and corruption scandals. The city is on its fourth police commissioner since 2015 and, two years after the riots, all six police officers who had been accused in the arrest and death of Freddie Gray were cleared of charges, given internal discipline and allowed to return to work. There's not one person in Baltimore who hasn't felt the sting of gun violence. Tracy Cox, Baltimore paramedic Two months after the knife attack that nearly took his life, Colion was back on the streets, pushing the zones. Tracy Cox, the paramedic, and her husband arranged to meet Colion. He was accompanied by his parole officer, a requirement following his arrest on vandalism charges for spray painting No Shoot Zone on Baltimore city streets and abandoned buildings. He showed me his logbooks, with the zones detailed and his expenses meticulously mapped out, she recalls. Hed received $460 for a Christmas toy drive for kids in the No Shoot Zones. I suggested he use some of the money to pay his parole fine but he said, Thats not what the money is used for. I respected him one hundred percent for that. From then, on I became a strong member of the No Shoot Zones. A mother of three, Cox said she supports the zones because she wants a better future for her children. She wants them to be able to sit on their front steps and not worry about getting their heads blown off. In 2009, my brother was kidnapped and murdered, she explains. Theres not one person in Baltimore who hasnt felt the sting of gun violence. Cox and her husband joined Colion on a number of his walks. The first No Shoot Zone was created on Lafayette and Monroe, she says, the heart of West Baltimore. The dealers dont hang in the No Shoot Zone. The kids can play without being shot. I ride through there every day and its quiet. At night its like a deserted neighbourhood. People have tried different things, but the only thing thats working right now is the No Shoot Zones, Cox said. We have more and more people in the city, and even in other cities, who are asking for No Shoot Zones, because they actually work. Before Labor Day, Colion was preparing a No Shoot Zone celebratory cook-out, one of many picnics hes held on a rolling basis to give communities a chance to celebrate the absence of shootings. I feel like our people are gonna win. I feel like aint nobody gonna feel like shootin today, you feel me? I got $200 in my pocket, Im going out to have NSZ t-shirts made up, Colion told Al Jazeera. Weve got toys for the kids to play with therell be sparring and games. Guaranteed not to get shot. In Baltimore, were known for people getting shot up. [The cook-outs are] like a reward system. Weve given more than 50 cook-outs and theres never been a problem. At some point, you cant say thats luck. Hes a man with a message, Cox said of Colion. He wants to save the city. He wants to save the children. He wants the city to be safer for everyone. Zambias public debt has increased significantly in recent years, and concerns over a possible crisis have lately attracted the attention of Western media. On September 3, a report by British business intelligence outlet Africa Confidential warned of escalating debt caused by allegedly unsustainable Chinese loans and claimed that Zesco, the state-owned national electricity company, has been in talks about a takeover by a Chinese company. The Zambian government refuted the allegations and denied the existence of plans for Zescos privatisation. The allegations coincided with increased Western concern over the expansion of Chinese loans to African countries. Two weeks after the UK froze its aid to Zambia following an investigation into large-scale corruption in a Social Cash Transfer programme it supported, other donors (Ireland, Finland and Sweden) did the same. In early August, 16 US senators, led by Trump loyalist David Perdue, sent a letter to the US Secretaries of Treasury and State, to warn against Chinas use of debt-trap diplomacy to advance the Belt and Road Initiative and create a world economic order centred around the Asian superpower. The senators wrote that China pumps large loans for infrastructure projects into countries in Africa, Asia and Europe with the explicit purpose of leveraging the debt to influence national policies and gain control over strategic assets and resources. Their letter expressed concern over the role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in bailing out countries indebted to China and called for decisive action to stop the Chinese hegemonic project. Who are Zambias creditors? However, the reality of Zambias debt tells a different story: China is not the only major player. As the Economist magazine wrote in September, China probably holds a quarter to a third of Zambias external debt. In recent years, Zambia joined several other African countries in borrowing US dollars through large bond sales (known as eurobonds) on international markets controlled by Western institutions. The government issued three eurobonds between 2012 and 2015 for a total of $3bn this does not include interest repayments, which keep going up due to sinking investor confidence. The yields on these bonds reached 17 percent last month. The first 10-year eurobond was issued in 2012 with a 5.6 percent yield. It is also true that Zambia has heavily borrowed from Chinese sources and critics point out that a large number of these loans might be unaccounted for in the government official figures. Either way, the government declared a staggering $9.4bn of external debt in June this year, or 34.7 percent of GDP, up from $1.9bn at the end of 2011, or 8.4 percent of GDP. But while the figures are worrying, it is irresponsible to pour fuel on the fire. A debt default would open up opportunities for vulture funds and international creditors to take over the countrys rich mineral and land resources and the few remaining parastatals that survived two decades of aggressive privatisation and public spending cuts imposed by the IMF and the World Bank from the 1980s to the mid-2000s. Health, education and other public services have already been decimated and the mining sector, previously under state control, is now for the most part in foreign hands as are most sectors of the formal economy. Zambia is the 4th most unequal country in the world, and 74.3 percent of the population lives on less than $3.20 a day. It is a tragic irony that China is now being blamed by the West for allegedly doing exactly what the IMF has been doing for decades: providing unsustainable loans to countries in need to further plunge them into debt, weaken state capacity and open up national economies to international investors (primarily from Western countries). While China might be pursuing its own debt traps, they are certainly less experienced than the IMF when it comes to leveraging debt over heavily indebted countries. Chinese vs Western debt The real story here is not that Zambia is once again trapped by international creditors. Rather it is that the IMF and its Western allies are scared of losing their grip on Zambia and other African countries, threatened by the parallel economic system that China has built in recent years. China is understandably hiding details of its loans from IMF oversight and Zambias President Edgar Lungu and his entourage are now perceived as an open threat to Western hegemony due to their vocal support for Beijing. At the end of August, after protracted negotiations over a failed bailout, the IMF recalled its envoy from Zambia, Alfredo Baldini, apparently under pressure from government officials unhappy with his conduct. Lungus blatant mismanagement of public finances and his increasingly authoritarian tendencies show that his stance is far from principled and is driven by desperation. But Western criticism of the Zambian president is not well-intentioned either. The Western media has downplayed the fact that an eventual IMF bailout would come with hefty conditionalities, imposing further spending cuts and privatisations in an already downsized state. There is no evidence that suggests that an IMF programme would be better than a Chinese deal. It was the IMF and World Bank that pushed hard for the privatisation of the national electricity company in the 1990s and early 2000s. Zesco became a symbol of resistance in a country that was largely sold out to foreign investors and their local brokers in business and politics. The attempts at privatising the parastatal failed. In 2016, talks of privatisation resurfaced. In an interview with the authors, Ernest Chanda, editor of Zambian independent newspaper The Mast, pointed out that throughout 2016, rumours about Saudi Arabias interest in buying Zesco circulated in connection with Lungus state visit to the kingdom in May that year, and the announcement that Saudi Arabia offered to provide cheap oil to Zambia. This year, the signing of a memorandum of understanding on diplomatic and political consultations, and an agreement to export Zambian goats to Saudi Arabia made headlines in local news. The Saudi government is financing several projects in Zambia, including hospitals and roads. Western media have been largely silent about these developments. This is not surprising, given Saudi alignment with the US and UK administrations. We should be careful however not to replace one form of xenophobia anti-Chinese sentiment with another: Much debate about Saudi Arabia is accompanied by Islamophobic undertones. The truth is that fears about Saudi and Chinese presence in Zambia deflect from continued, but threatened, Western hegemony. In a world of depleted mineral resources, Western countries, especially resource-dependent Europe, need Zambias copper, uranium and cobalt the latter is in high demand recently due to the booming electric vehicle industry. The West is also interested in the landlocked countrys strategic position at the heart of the African continent. Zambia has borders with eight countries and close ties with neighbouring conflict-ridden and resource-rich Democratic Republic of the Congo. The threat of debt default Hopefully, the current alarmism in the West will not cause the country to default. But if it does, the biggest losers will be the Zambian people. A default could trigger a chain reaction and bring down other African economies that borrowed heavily through eurobonds and are struggling with debt repayments. What Zambia needs is debt cancellation and a strong state that takes back control of strategic national resources such as mining and agricultural land, as used to be the case at the height of former President Kenneth Kaundas socialist rule from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. Thanks to his nationalisation policies, Kaunda was able to make significant progress on reverting Zambias colonial legacy and redistributing national wealth across society. With all the neoliberal rhetoric that has dominated Zambian politics in the past three decades, many Zambians look back with nostalgia at those years. However, neither President Lungu nor his main opponent Hichilema is willing or able to deliver wide-ranging redistributive reforms of the kind implemented by Kaunda. Zambians will have to search elsewhere if they hope to revert the trend. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Throughout her term as ambassador to the UN, Haley did everything in her power to undermine the Palestinian struggle. The abrupt resignation of the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, on October 9 has provoked much speculation about her motivation to do so and her political ambitions. But for Palestinians and certainly, for many other small nations targeted by Haleys angry diplomacy for the last two years the news brought about a momentary feeling of relief. Over the past year and nine months, Haley happily led the Trump administrations vicious efforts to undermine the Palestinian struggle for rights and self-determination, spewing hatred against Palestinians and singing the praises of Israel at every opportunity she got. There can be no rational explanation for Haleys absurd resentment of Palestinians and love of Israel, other than sheer opportunism. In his bestselling book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, Michael Wolff describes Haley as an opportunist who is as ambitious as Lucifer. And judging by her career path, she likely is. Haley was almost completely unknown, even nationally, when President Donald Trump selected her to be the face of American diplomacy at the UN early last year. Born into an immigrant Indian family, Nimrata Nikki Haleys career as an accountant took several unexpected turns leading to her being the governor of the state of South Carolina for two terms. If she was arguably suited to that post, she was most certainly unqualified to become the top US foreign policy emissary at the worlds most important international institution. As soon as she was confirmed to her new position, she developed a disposition that would be remembered by Palestinians as the most aggressive and arrogant among all US envoys to the UN since the establishment of Israel and destruction of Palestine in 1948. It could be argued that Haleys anti-Palestinian behaviour at the UN was the natural outcome of deepening US support for Israel. True, the US-Israel pact at the UN is as old as Israel itself. But the last two decades have taken this relationship to new heights. The already slanted US position on Israels occupation of Palestine and its brazen use of its veto power to shield Israel from international criticism reached their zenith during the term of George W Bushs ambassador to the UN, John Negroponte (2001-2004). The Negroponte doctrine the instant rejection, and if necessary, vetoing of any UN Security Council resolution critical of Israel remained a staple in US foreign policy until today, with the notable exception of Resolution 2334. On December 23, 2016, the Obama Administration abstained from voting on a resolution that condemned Israels construction of illegal Jewish settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Obamas final act, although feeble and ineffective, violated the main tenet of US diplomacy at the UN. Expectedly, Resolution 2334 enraged Israel and its supporters in the new Trump administration. Soon after, Haley arrived in New York with a clear and urgent mandate: to right that wrong and reaffirm the US unconditional support for Israel at the UN. Eager to reassure Israel that it has not been abandoned by Washington, Haley launched her pro-Israel campaign at the annual policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in March 2017, using bizarre, tactless language. Theres a new sheriff in town, she announced before 18,000 conference attendees, intoxicated with excitement. I wear heels. Its not for a fashion statement, she declared. Its because if I see something wrong, were going to kick em every single time. By something wrong, Haley was referring to any censure of Israel, or demand of accountability and respect for international law at the UN, as in Resolution 2334, which she described as a kick in the gut. The US doesnt have a greater friend than Israel, she affirmed. Haley stayed true to her words. She turned the UN into a platform for defending Israel and demonising Palestinians and their supporters within the international community. The Haley doctrine went even further than Negropontes, as the latter was largely confined to blocking resolutions critical of Israel. Haley, on the other hand, stood up for Israel at every opportunity, and, along with Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon, she conspired to punish countries and UN agencies, including UNESCO and UNRWA, for recognising Palestinian rights or providing aid to Palestinian refugees. Haley, therefore, tried to manage the UN from within rewarding and punishing as she saw fit to end what she strangely perceived as the organisations systematic targeting of Israel. Haley recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and called for the relocation of her countrys embassy before the Trump Administration officially did so in December 2017. The capital should be Jerusalem and the embassy should be moved to Jerusalem, she told the right-wing Christian Broadcasting Network during an interview in May 2017. In a visit to Israel in June 2017, she accused the UN in a press conference held jointly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of bullying Israel. If theres anything I have no patience for, its bullies and the UN was being such a bully to Israel because they could, she said. The notion, that of the UNs supposed unfairness to Israel, was at the heart of Haleys skewed discourse. A few months later, in November 2017, she spoke about why she visited Israel: I went to Israel to see firsthand the country the United Nations spends half its time on. Unfortunately, Im not kidding its ridiculous. It seems like the rough breakdown at the UN is half the time on Israel and half the time on the other 192 countries. Of course, if Haley took time to mull over this statement, she would have realised that the unresolved occupation of Palestine would have not been a recurring issue at the UN if it were not for the blind and unconditional US support of Israel. But, of course, such introspection is of no importance to Haley, who continued her anti-Palestinian tirade for months to come. In December 2017, the self-proclaimed anti-bullying diplomat threatened those who voted in favour of an Egypt-sponsored draft resolution that expressed deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem. She vetoed the draft, of course, which was supported by all other members of the Security Council, calling the vote an insult that wouldnt be forgotten. On May 14, Israeli snipers opened fire at unarmed protesters at the fence separating besieged Gaza from Israel, killing more than 60 and injuring thousands. Haley was the only member of the Security Council who couldnt comprehend the international outrage over one of the worst Israeli massacres in years. No country in this chamber would act with more restraint than Israel has, she lectured the other ambassadors soon after they stood a moment of silence in memory of Gazas victims. While her term at the UN was short-lived, her impact was devastating and scarring for international efforts to bring justice for Palestine and for the Palestinian peoples faith in the effectiveness of the UN altogether. And while Haley was duly criticised by Palestinians for impeding international law, she was endlessly celebrated by Israel and its friends in Washington for being a true friend of Israel. Shes a great champion of Israel in the Security Council, said Elliott Abrams, a neo-con who served as the deputy national security adviser during the presidency of George W Bush. Soon after her resignation was announced, Danon spoke fondly of Haley for challenging anti-Israel bias in the UN. Thank you for your support for the State of Israel, which helped lead to a change in Israels status in the UN, he tweeted, writing with a tender tone: Thank you for your close friendship and common paths. Wherever you are, you will continue to be a true friend of the State of Israel. The US-Israeli love affair at the UN and their ongoing war on Palestinian rights are likely to remain unchanged, even after Haleys departure. But she personally did so much damage with her bullying tactics that she certainly wont be missed in Palestine. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. If the Trump administration has failed to resolve the GCC rift, how can it have the GCC form a military alliance? The Trump administration is continuing to push forward with plans to establish a so-called Arab NATO. The military alliance is supposed to include the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in addition to Egypt and Jordan. Officially referred to by the Trump administration as the Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA), the new eight-member Arab NATO is meant to serve as a bulwark against Iranian aggression, terrorism, extremism while bringing stability to the Middle East. Late last month at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with his counterparts from these eight Arab states to discuss making such a vision a reality. Yet, US officials have yet to provide a timeframe for the formation of such an alliance. According to US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Arabian Gulf Affairs Tim Lenderking, the alliances launch will happen at a summit in the US scheduled for early 2019. However, key questions about this idea remain unanswered, prompting scepticism about MESAs prospects for success. Do these Arab states have the military capabilities to make this alliance a realistic source of security and a bulwark against Irans expanding and consolidating influence? Could they ever set aside political and ideological differences to unite and cooperate in such a capacity? How would NATO, including Turkey, cooperate with such a transnational Arab institution? Unquestionably, such questions will be addressed at the upcoming US-GCC Camp David Summit. {articleGUID} It is important to note that Washingtons interest in establishing such an Arab security alliance is not new and precedes the Trump administration. When Barack Obama was president, the White House discussed this idea with US allies in the Arab world, both in the form of a Saudi-led Islamic Force and an Egypt-led Arab Force. Both Trump and Obama saw such an Arab alliance as advancing US interests by reducing the heavy burdens of responsibility placed on Washingtons shoulders when it comes to security in the Arab world. However, the Arab NATO idea has received far more support from the Trump administration than it did from the Obama White House given the current US presidents extremely anti-Iranian foreign policy. As analysts Andrew Miller and Richard Sokolsky have pointed out to President Trump, who seems to crave a confrontation with Iran but does not necessarily want to commit US troops to such an endeavour, the prospect of an Arab alliance willing to take the initiative is something to be encouraged and abetted. In all probability, MESA will not come to fruition despite the extent to which the US administration supports the creation of this anti-Iranian alliance of Arab states. The blockade on Qatar, Oman and Kuwaits unease with Saudi Arabia, the UAEs increasingly aggressive foreign policy and lingering tensions between Egypt and Saudi Arabia over the Syrian crisis among other issues will continue to be major stumbling blocks. To be sure, much of the tension between Arab capitals has to do with disputes over the question of who in the Sunni Muslim world qualifies as an extremist and questions about how or when the Arab states could or should engage with Tehran. Among the eight states that are supposed to constitute MESA, half have allowed the Muslim Brotherhood to legitimately operate in their domestic and/or foreign politics (Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and Qatar). Others (Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE) have cracked down on the Islamist movements local branches, with Abu Dhabi leading the effort to make the Gulf Muslim Brotherhood-free. Regarding Iranian ascendancy in the Arab world, certain members of the so-called Arab NATO, namely Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait and to a lesser extent Egypt and Jordan favour a more accommodating relationship with the Islamic Republic due to a host of national interests stemming from internal sectarian dynamics, energy needs, security dilemmas, trade, and investment. Yet, Abu Dhabi (but not so much Dubai), Bahrain and Saudi Arabia see a more confrontational approach towards Tehran as best serving their security interests at a time when the Iranian regime is flexing its muscles in the region. Ultimately, at this juncture, plans for MESA are highly unrealistic, given the lack of military capabilities on the part of these Arab states, as evidenced by the disastrous campaign in Yemen, as well as the political and ideological frictions between the GCCs six member-states, Egypt, and Jordan. After all, if the Trump administration has failed to convince government officials in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Manama, and Cairo to merely talk to their counterparts in Doha, it is unreasonable to expect that it would be able to bring them together in a military alliance capable of tipping the regional balance of power against Iran. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Downed trees and power outages as damaging winds and torrential rain lash the region. Cyclone Titli, packing winds up to 165 kilometres per hour, has slammed into eastern India, killing two people and triggering widespread flooding and power outages. The eye of the storm, which intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal, made landfall early Thursday in coastal Odisha and Andhra Pradesh states. There were reports from Odishas districts of Ganjam and Gajapati of trees being uprooted along with electricity and communication poles, news agency dpa said. The two deaths were reported from the city of Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh. A man was crushed when his house collapsed on him and the other fatality was struck by a falling tree, according to the Times of India. VSCS TITLI crossed north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coasts to the southwest of Gopalpur during 0430-0530 IST of 11th. Bulletin at https://t.co/QSfsJn8fMK pic.twitter.com/8oVHWjuU5r India Met. Dept. (@Indiametdept) October 11, 2018 Officials in neighbouring Bangladesh said they were on alert in the coastal district of Coxs Bazar, home to around one million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar living in tarpaulin and bamboo shelters. {articleGUID} As it hit the coast, the sustained winds were 165 km/h, meaning the system would have been classed as a Category 2 hurricane if it were rated on the 5-point Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. However, it is believed that major damage has been avoided, partly due to the emergency measures which were put in place before the storm hit. Over 300,000 people were moved to higher ground, schools were ordered to remain closed on Thursday and Friday, air and train travel suspended and fishermen were instructed to stay away from the sea. The storm is now moving northeast and the winds are weakening. However, more heavy rain is expected in the next 24 hours, which could lead to flooding. Indias most powerful cyclone, packing winds of up to 260 km/h, struck Orissa in 1999, killing more than 10,000 people. Authorities say opposition figure committed suicide while in custody; the US and others say he was tortured and killed. Hundreds of Venezuelans demanded justice at the funeral of an opposition activist who died in government custody as the United States called out Caracas for its involvement in his death. Fernando Alban a 52-year-old Caracas city council member accused of taking part in a failed drone attack on President Nicolas Maduro was in pre-trial detention on Monday at the time of his death. Authorities say he committed suicide by jumping from a 10th-floor window of the headquarters of the state intelligence service after asking to go to the toilet. Alban was arrested on Friday at the capitals international airport upon arrival from a trip to New York City to galvanise world opinion against Maduros socialist government. Opposition leaders, backed by several foreign governments, have accused Maduros government of torture and killing Alban. Both the United Nations and the European Union have called for an investigation into his death. Alban was buried on Wednesday in a cemetery in the eastern part of the capital after mourners walked several kilometres in a funeral procession. Maduros dictatorship is death, said one placard held by a young man. Justice! another said. Among them was Maria Betancourt, who never met Alban, but felt the need to show support for the late political leader. He represented in his fight what we all want: liberty in Venezuela, a democratic Venezuela, she said. We want what everybody in the world wants opportunity. Not this disaster were living. Involvement condemned The United States joined the chorus of condemnation from the international community over Albans death and pointed the finger of blame at Maduro. The United States condemns the Maduro regimes involvement in the death of Venezuelan opposition councilman Fernando Alban, the White House said in a statement. The Trump administration will continue to increase pressure on the Maduro regime and its insiders until democracy is restored in Venezuela. Vice President Mike Pence tweeted his own condemnation, placing blame for Albans death on Maduros government. We condemn the death of Venezuelan opposition member Fernando Alban at the hands of the Maduro regime in the strongest terms. The regime continues to kill innocents & those standing up for democracy. We stand w/ the Venezuelan people & demand the release of political prisoners. pic.twitter.com/6lkoWLpjuR Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) October 10, 2018 On Wednesday, Venezuelas Attorney General Tarek William Saab, who is close to Maduro, again dismissed the idea of an assassination. He died from blunt force trauma linked to the fall There is no evidence of mistreatment prior to the fall, Saab told reporters, reading from an autopsy report. 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. From January to September 2018, at least 2,798 civilians have been killed and 5,252 others injured across the country. Afghan civilians continue to be killed in record numbers by anti-government armed groups this year, the United Nations said, noting that the deaths have been the highest since 2014. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said that from January to September 2018, an estimated 2,798 civilians have been killed and 5,252 others injured in attacks across the country. The casualties were blamed on suicide bombings and the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by anti-government elements. The report released on Wednesday said the use of IEDs increased in frequency and in lethality, causing record high civilian casualty levels in the first three quarters of 2018. Ground engagements, targeted killings, aerial operations and unexploded mines were also blamed for the deaths. Of grave concern, the report noted, that anti-government elements increasingly directed attacks against civilians from ethnic and religious minorities. Afghan security forces have struggled to battle the Taliban and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) since the US and NATO formally concluded their combat mission in the country in 2014 and shifted their focus to a support and counterterrorism role. Among the latest attacks in Afghanistan were the suicide bombing in eastern Nangarhar province, that left at least 68 people dead, and a suicide explosion in Kabul in August, targeting a Shia neighbourhood, that killed 34 students. Election-related violence targeting voter registration centres also killed 126 civilians and caused 240 injuries, the report found. As there can be no military solution to the fighting in Afghanistan, the United Nations renews its call for an immediate and peaceful settlement to the conflict to end the suffering of the Afghan people, said Tadamichi Yamamoto, head of the UN agency, said. All parties can and should do their utmost to protect civilians from harm, including by making concrete progress toward peace. Long-delayed parliamentary and district council elections are scheduled for October 20 this year. Deliberate targeting The latest UN findings said Nangarhar, Kabul, Helmand, Ghazni and Faryab were the provinces most impacted by the conflict. For the first time, Nangarhar surpassed Kabul as the province with the most civilian casualties in the first nine months of 2018, more than double the number recorded during the same period in 2017. Every civilian death leaves a family devastated, grieving and struggling to come to terms with the loss, and each civilian injured or maimed causes untold suffering, Danielle Bell, head of UNAMAs human rights official, said. The worrying rise in civilian casualties in Nangarhar reflects an unacceptable trend that is indicative of how Afghan civilians continue to bear the brunt of this ongoing conflict. The UN called on anti-government groups to cease immediately the deliberate targeting of civilians, particularly with the use of illegal and indiscriminate IEDs. All parties to the conflict must also protect civilians from harm, and adhere to their international humanitarian law obligations. The EU announced Cambodia could lose its special access to European markets over undemocratic practices. Cambodias foreign ministry on Thursday said a decision by the European Union to ramp up trade pressure on the country over human rights concerns was an extreme injustice, adding it risked destroying decades of development in the country. The EU last week said Cambodia would lose its special access to the worlds largest trading bloc as a response to human rights concerns surrounding a July election that extended Prime Minister Hun Sens three-decade rule. The Cambodian government can only take this decision as an extreme injustice when the EU blatantly disregards the considerable progress made by the country, despite its recent tragic past, Cambodias Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. By implementing these withdrawal measures, the European Commission risks negating 20 years worth of development efforts. The EU announced that Cambodia would lose its special access to European markets under the so-called Everything But Arms (EBA) preferential trade scheme after it conducts a six-month review of Cambodias duty-free status. EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said unless there were improvements, the trade preferences would be suspended, though the blocs delegation in the country clarified the process still involved further decisions that could take a year. Khmer Rouge Cambodia emerged from decades of war and the genocidal Khmer Rouge years in the early 1990s. Over the past two decades, it has been the worlds sixth-fastest growing economy, with average GDP growth rate of 7.6 percent, according to the World Bank, largely because of its garment exports bound mostly for the EU and the United States. Cambodias exports to the EU were worth 5bn euros ($5.8bn) last year, according to EU data, up from negligible levels less than a decade ago, with the EU using its trade policy to help develop Cambodias economy. The $7bn apparel industry is the kingdoms largest formal employer, providing jobs to some 740,000 people in a country with a population of 15 million. Analysts say losing the trade scheme would be a major blow to the ruling party, which has hitched its star to economic progress and stability and faces questions of legitimacy after the vote. Sit down and talk Labour advocates have also cautioned against the move, citing its potential impact on employees. Ath Thorn from the Coalition of Cambodia Apparel Workers Democratic Union said the government and the EU should sit down for a talk and find ways to avert the loss of the trade deal. Rights groups said the July general election was not fair because of the lack of a credible opposition. The main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) was dissolved by the countrys Supreme Court at the governments request last year and did not take part in the election. Following the CNRP dissolution, Hun Sens allies ramped up a crackdown against critics, including opposition politicians and independent media. Explainer: What we know about the Khashoggi probe What we know about the inquiry into what happened to Saudi writer and critic, Jamal Khashoggi. Search to end on Friday evening, two weeks after the double disasters hit the Southeast Asian country. Indonesia has extended by a day its search for victims of a magnitude 7.5 quake and tsunami on Sulawesi Island at the request of relatives of the many still missing. A spokesperson for Indonesias disaster mitigation agency on Thursday said the search would go on until Friday evening, two weeks after the double disasters hit the Southeast Asian country. The national search and rescue agency will handover its task to the Palu city search and rescue agency and they will continue the work, National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) spokesperson Sutopo Nugroho said. Some 10,000 rescuers toiled on what would have been the final day of searching the ruins of the seaside city of Palu, as relatives kept hoping their loved ones could be found and given a proper burial. {articleGUID} The official death toll was raised to 2,073. No one knows how many people are yet to be found in Palus ruined neighbourhoods, but it could be as many as 5,000, the disaster agency said. A magnitude 6 quake off Java and Bali islands early on Thursday added to the crisis, killing three people, damaging buildings and sparking panic. In Palu, on the west coast of Sulawesi, hundreds of kilometres northeast of Bali, survivors waited for news by the debris that has entombed their relatives as workers in orange hard hats and excavators worked. In these conditions, we realise it is very difficult to get all the bodies out; but we expect our family members to be found but they havent so the government needs to give us a solution, Mursyid Hussein, a Palu resident told Al Jazeera. Are they going to ask our permission before they convert this into a mass graveyard? he added. Very little hope Rescue teams are working with residents to try to identify where victims could be. However, it is mostly guesswork because of how far the ground moved during the liquefaction. We hope the families understand that theres very little hope at this point, said search volunteer Hadrianos Poliamar. At the same time, if they ask us to help, if theyre pointing please look here, my family is under here, of course, we cant say no, we have to dig. We want to help as many as we can, he said. Nur Alam Shah, a military search and rescue worker, said he was prepared to stay for as long as he was needed. But its tough now. Its been too long the bodies are no longer intact. At most we can find maybe a skull, or some bone fragments, he said. The government has said it needs to call off the search for bodies because of concern about the spread of disease and begin to focus on the next phase, which is rebuilding. Nearly 88,000 people were displaced and many are living in crude shelters in the hills around Palu. The government is seeking 10,000 tents to help house the displaced. Omar al-Razzaz, a former World Bank economist, looks to revive stagnant economic growth and cut public expenditure. Jordanian Prime Minister Omar al-Razzaz announced a cabinet reshuffle on Thursday as the government looks to push through reforms intended to revive stagnant economic growth and cut public expenditure. Al-Razzaz, a former World Bank economist, was appointed by King Abdullah II in June to replace Hani al-Mulki, who resigned to defuse a crisis that saw some of the largest protests in years over planned IMF-driven austerity measures, including tax hikes. Seen as a better communicator than his predecessor, al-Razzaz had promised to restore public trust in a country where many blame successive governments for failing to deliver on pledges of reviving growth that is stuck at around two percent, cutting waste and curbing corruption. But instead, he installed many old-guard conservatives and tribal figures in his cabinet who had held sway in previous administrations, and critics who have so far stopped short of calling for new street protests say he has taken no clear steps to hold anyone accountable for corruption. Al-Razzaz also angered unions and civic bodies when he introduced an IMF-inspired bill in September, making only cosmetic changes to one that brought down al-Mulki. Having said he would re-evaluate his team after 100 days in office, al-Razzaz reduced the 29-member cabinet to 27, keeping key ministries notably the interior, finance and foreign portfolios unchanged. Bloated bureaucracy Jordans bloated bureaucracy is responsible for some of the worlds highest government expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP). Under an IMF austerity plan, it must rein in spending to cut spiralling debt standing a $37bn, equivalent to 95 percent of GDP. Warning that Jordan would pay a heavy price if a tax reform bill failed to pass into law this year, al-Razzaz said he wanted to push the bill through to avoid higher servicing costs on over $1.4bn of foreign debt due in 2019 and to retain IMF support. Any rejection of the bill that parliament will begin debating next week raised the prospect of ratings downgrades, al-Razzaz said in an interview with state television last month. We will pay a heavy price if we enter next year without a tax bill, al-Razzaz said, adding the reform would bring in an extra $423m in revenue. Jordans economy has also been hit by regional conflict that has weighed on investor sentiment. California judge considers greatly reducing jurors award of $290m to cancer victim who used Monsantos Roundup. A US judge is considering whether to overturn a jury order that agribusiness giant Monsanto pays $290m in damages for not warning a groundskeeper that its weed killer product Roundup might cause cancer. In motions filed after the historic August verdict, Monsanto urged the judge to strip away the $250m punitive portion of the damages, arguing a new trial was justified. Rival attorneys argued before California state Judge Suzanne Bolanos, who did not say when she would rule on the motions. Bolanos issued a written tentative ruling ahead of the hearing, saying she intended to strike down the punitive damages and schedule a new trial on that issue. The argument appeared to resonate with Bolanos who mulled out loud about fashioning an order reducing the entire verdict to under $9m. Ultimately, Bolanos ordered lawyers to submit written arguments by Friday and said she would rule after that. Landmark ruling Jurors unanimously found that Monsanto acted with malice and that its weed killers Roundup and the professional grade version RangerPro contributed substantially to Dewayne Johnsons terminal illness. The San Francisco jury ordered Monsanto to pay $250m in punitive damages along with compensatory damages and other costs, bringing the total figure to nearly $290m. Johnson, a California groundskeeper diagnosed in 2014 with non-Hodgkins lymphoma a cancer that affects white blood cells says he repeatedly used a professional form of Roundup while working at a school in Benicia, California. Monsanto lawyer George Lombardi argued in court Wednesday that the evidence presented at trial did not support the jury verdict and a lawyer for Johnson was wrong to urge jurors to teach the company a lesson. The message it sent to this jury was that you can look beyond what Mr Johnsons case is about and you can go out to things that you think society would like to hear about, Lombardi said in court. Modicum of care {articleGUID} Johnson sat nearby as his lawyers countered that jurors came to a lawful verdict based on what was presented at trial and that Bolanos should deny Monsantos motions. We have a jury that got it right and did it right, argued one of Johnsons attorneys, Michael Miller. We need to respect the jurys verdict. Johnsons attorneys said the evidence at trial was more than sufficient to support an inference that Johnsons cancer was caused by his exposure to Monsantos herbicides. Mr Johnsons story is tragic and could have been prevented if Monsanto actually showed a modicum of care about human safety, they said in written arguments. Activists say far from silencing Khashoggi, Saudi authorities have turned him into an icon for press freedom. Istanbul, Turkey Activists and journalists agree that the disappearance of a prominent Saudi journalist after a visit to his countrys Istanbul consulate sends a chilling and extremely distressing message to dissidents and journalists from Saudi Arabia and all around the world. Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of his governments policies, entered the consulate to take care of paperwork on October 2 but never left the premises, according to the Turkish authorities. He needed the documents in question to be able to marry his Turkish fiancee, who was waiting for him outside the building on the day of his disappearance. {articleGUID} Dana Ahmed, a Saudi Arabia researcher with Amnesty International, said that Khashoggis case sends a shockwave through the Saudi Arabian dissident community, both inside the country and abroad. [It] sends a chilling message to any dissident or human rights defender that they are not safe anywhere. It erodes any notion of safety from the authorities repression of dissent, she told Al Jazeera. Anonymous Turkish officials have described the incident as a premeditated murder, saying the journalist was killed inside the consulate and that his dismembered body was subsequently moved out of the building. Saudi officials say the journalist left the consulate after his brief visit, rejecting the Turkish claims as baseless. Meanwhile, Turkish media has shared photos, video footage and the identities of 15 Saudis who allegedly partook in the suspected assassination, all of whom reportedly travelled to Istanbul the day of Khashoggis visit to the consulate. Authorities believe the group, which allegedly includes Saudi intelligence officers and a forensic expert, was sent to carry out the killing of the famed critic. Turkeys foreign ministry has said Saudi authorities would allow them to enter the consulate premises. However, the sides have been negotiating the nature of the visit, according to reports. On Thursday, Turkeys official Anadolu news agency reported a Turkish official as saying that Ankara and Riyadh will form a joint group to look into the case. Extremely distressing Dana Ahmed said that if reports about Khashoggis murder are true, the incident would be an abysmal new low for human rights in Saudi Arabia. Such an assassination within the grounds of the consulate, which is territory under Saudi Arabian jurisdiction, would amount to an extrajudicial execution, she added. Sezgin Tanrikulu, a Turkish human rights lawyer and member of parliament (MP), said that the extremely distressing incident is a case of forced disappearance. Forced disappearance is a crime against humanity. And the fact that this was committed against a dissident journalist in the middle of Istanbul is extremely distressing in terms of the security of journalists or anyone with views against government policies worldwide, he told Al Jazeera. {articleGUID} Khashoggi, who in the past held management positions at Saudi newspapers and a short-lived television project, left Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2017. He revealed later in his column for the Washington Post that he fled his country because he was afraid of being arrested in his home country. The journalist has been critical of the Saudi authorities policies and crackdown on dissent, activists, businessmen, and some members of the royal family in 2017. He said that his people were asked to abandon any hope of political freedom. The conflict in Yemen is another issue Khashoggi has disagreed with his government over, calling on Riyadh to end the cruel war and to face the damage that resulted from more than three years of war. Stronger and louder Tawakkol Karman, the Yemeni journalist and Nobel Peace Laureate, told Al Jazeera that the attempt by Saudi Arabia to shut down Khashoggi failed. Jamal Khashoggi did a great job in telling the truth, as a well-known figure with a voice. He was very honest, she said. They thought they would be able to silence him. However, the opposite happened. They made his voice stronger and louder. And they made him an icon for press freedom and expression rights, she added. {articleGUID} Sherif Diab, an Egyptian activist, said that individual people and the international community must react firmly to what happened to Khashoggi. 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 journalist 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. The international condemnation of the disappearance of Khashoggi is gradually getting louder. {articleGUID} The United Nations, the United States and some members of the European Union have all called for a thorough investigation over the fate of the Saudi writer. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described Khashoggi as a journalist I knew for a long time and a friend, and called for Saudi Arabian authorities to prove that he is alive. On Wednesday, 22 bipartisan US senators sent President Donald Trump a letter, asking him to probe and potentially sanction Saudi Arabia in line with US human rights law for the disappearance and alleged murder of Khashoggi. Trump said on the same day that he talked to Saudi Arabian officials at the highest levels about the disappearance of Khashoggi, adding that he wanted Washington to get to the bottom of the matter. Washington, DC Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he would seek punitive economic sanctions against Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other officials in the kingdom if a formal US investigation shows they were involved in killing Jamal Khashoggi. Graham told Al Jazeera on Thursday that he had read US intelligence that points to the Saudi governments involvement in the disappearance of the Saudi writer. Ive already seen the intel. It was very unnerving. You dont have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure this out, Graham said. Deputy State Department Spokesman Robert Palladino said on Wednesday that while he cannot comment on intelligence matters, he could say definitively the United States had no advance knowledge of Jamal Khashoggis disappearance. The comments came a day after the Washington Post for whom Khashoggi wrote columns reported that US intelligence had intercepted communications of Saudi officials planning to abduct the prominent journalist and critic. Khashoggi, who had spent the last year in the United States in self-imposed exile after fleeing Saudi Arabia amid a crackdown on those critical of the kingdom, disappeared on October 2 after entering the Saudi consulate to obtain papers needed for marriage. According to several media outlets, citing unnamed Turkish sources, police in Turkey believe the writer was killed inside the diplomatic facility. Saudi Arabia maintains Khashoggi left the consulate before disappearing. {articleGUID} Graham said that if the Saudis are implicated the US will need to take a firm stand. They put us in a bad spot, the Saudis did, and they need to pay a heavy price because I dont want anybody to be confused about how we feel about stuff like this, Graham said. If it turns out that this man was killed or mistreated by the Saudi government, we expect stuff like this from [Russian President Vladmir] Putin and we come down hard on him when he does it. So, everything we did to Putin, I want to do to Saudi Arabia. Magnitsky Act A bipartisan group of 22 US senators sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Wednesday triggering a US government investigation under the Magnitsky Act, a 2012 sanctions law originally aimed at Russians and expanded by Congress in 2016 to apply globally. {articleGUID} Graham said he believes Trump is taking the correct approach by following the Magnitsky investigative process and, if its shown to be the case, he will not tolerate Khashoggis killing. I would unleash the sanctions from Hades, Graham said. I want to make an example of this government if they did this. I dont want anybody else thinking that if they have an alliance with us we dont care about values. Graham added that he was not satisfied by a conversation yesterday with the Saudi Ambassador in Washington. I dont believe anything they say, Graham told Al Jazeera. Graham also drew a distinction between reacting to Khashoggis death with economic sanctions and curtailing US arms sales to Saudi Arabia or limiting US military support for the war in Yemen. The Yemen war is a proxy war with Iran, Graham said, adding that Yemen and Khashoggi are two different things, a sentiment echoed by other Republicans. On Thursday, Trump said he saw no reason to block Saudi Arabias investments in the US. Theyre [the Saudis] spending $110bn on military equipment and on things that create jobs for this country, Trump told reporters outside the White House. I dont like the concept of stopping an investment of $110bn into the United States, because you know what theyre going to do? Theyre going to take that money and spend it in Russia or China or someplace else. {articleGUID} The comments drew ire from some in the Senate. Everything that we know points to the Saudi government and yet none of us want to jump to conclusions. If I had to bet today, they ordered it, they killed him and probably very high-level people were aware of it, Bob Corker of Tennessee, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Al Jazeera. The Magnitsky process, which involves a 120-day investigation, creates lots of pressure on the Saudis and the Trump White House, he said. We are well aware the administration has a huge political investment in Saudi Arabia as it relates to the whole Middle East peace process, Corker said. We have got to send a signal early on that going around killing journalists is totally inappropriate and if he (bin Salman) has been involved theres got to be sanctions. The United States has started taking action against individuals linked to the killing of US-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said while investigations continue into The Washington Post columnists killing, the administration has identified some individuals linked to Khashoggis death and have revoked their visas and entered visa lookouts. While not specifying who the individuals were, Pompeo said the list included officials from the Saudi intelligence services, the royal court, foreign ministry, and other Saudi ministries. The State Department is also working with the Treasury Department to review the applicability of the Global Magnitsky sanctions to those individuals, he said. US Senators triggered the terms of the Global Magnitsky Act earlier this month, which requires the president to investigate and determine if a foreign person is responsible for Khashoggis death within 120 days. These penalties will not be the last word on this matter from the United States. We will continue to explore additional measures to hold those responsible accountable, Pompeo said. Were making very clear that the United States does not tolerate this kind of ruthless action to silence Mr Khashoggi, a journalist, through violence. We continue to maintain a strong partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Neither the president nor I am happy with this situation. The writer disappeared on October 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain documents needed to get married. On Saturday, the Saudi Arabian government confirmed Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate in what they said was a fistfight that escalated and led to his death. {articleGUID} Turkish and US officials continue to question the latest Saudi version of how Khashoggi was killed, probing for further answers. Heres a look at the Magnitsky Act and how it applies to Khashoggis case: What is the Magnitsky Act? The Magnitsky Accountability Act was signed into law by then-President Barack Obama in December 2012, in response to human rights abuses against Russian lawyer and auditor Sergei Magnitsky. {articleGUID} Russian authorities arrested Magnitsky in 2008 after he worked with investor William Browder, who had hired him to uncover massive tax fraud totalling $230m linked to people connected to the Kremlin. Magnitsky was beaten in custody and died in 2009, days before his supposed release. At the time of its passage, the Magnitsky Act targeted 18 Russian individuals, barring them from US entry and US bank dealings. In 2016, it was expanded to give the executive branch power to impose targeted sanctions or visa bans on individuals who have committed human rights violations anywhere in the world. Holding a threat of significant sanctions, the law is also meant to deter human rights violators from partaking in future violations, according to Mai El-Sadany, the legal and judicial director at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy in Washington. The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act is an unprecedented human rights tool [it] enables the president of the United States to apply targeted sanctions against individuals involved in human rights violations, El-Sadany told Al Jazeera. How is it triggered and what does it require the White House do? Upon receipt of a letter from a chairman and ranking member of an appropriate House or Senate committee, the president has 120 days to determine if a foreign individual committed a human rights violation. A classified or unclassified report is then submitted to the committee explaining whether or not sanctions will be imposed and, if so, what sanctions. {articleGUID} Violations would include extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights against individuals who seek to obtain, exercise, defend, or promote human rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, according to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. How was it applied in Khashoggis case? What happens next? According to State Secretary Pompeo, the State Department is consulting with congress to hold those responsible for Khashoggis death to account. Jordan Tama, a professor at the American University and scholar on US foreign policy and congress, said the administration might choose to impose some sanctions to try to pre-empt congress from taking stronger action against Saudi Arabia. After Pompeo announced US travel restrictions on some individuals involved in Khashoggis killing, Tama said financial sanctions, in the form of freezing accounts and assets, are expected to come next. Congress members would not be satisfied with just visa bans if the United States believes certain Saudi officials are responsible for this murder, he said. They would want financial consequences, which are seen as more significant sanction. They will want to know who is sanctioned and how high up [they are]. Congress may also look to pass a law to restrict arms sales to Saudi Arabia or put a hold on current weapons deals, Tama said. This comes two weeks after a letter, signed by a bipartisan group of 22 senators on October 10, demanded President Donald Trump to investigate any violations committed against Khashoggi and invoking the Global Magnitsky Act. Upon receipt of the letter, the White House has 120 days to report back to the committee with a decision and determine whether it will impose sanctions on the foreign individual(s) involved in the gross violation of internationally recognized human rights against an individual exercising freedom of expression. The letter was sent by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Bob Corker (R-TN), ranking member and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), ranking member and chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs. The letter was also signed by Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ben Cardin (D-MD), John Barrasso (R-WY), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Ed Markey (D-MA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Todd Young (R-IN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Chris Coons (D-Del), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Tom Udall (D-NM). What will it mean for US-Saudi relations? The enactment of the Magnitsky Act has been seen as a major blow for US-Saudi relations by many in Washington. {articleGUID} Although Trump told reporters on Thursday that he saw no reason to block Saudi Arabias investments in the US, an impending investigation into Khashoggis disappearance could potentially lead to economic and political sanctions on individuals in the oil-rich Gulf state. James Zogby, founder and president of the Arab American Institute in Washington, DC, said Khashoggis case has led to a tremendous shift in public opinion, towards Saudi Arabia, not only among [Americans] but also in the Senate. Whether or not the president implements sanctions, he said, Khashoggis case would continue to haunt Saudi Arabia. Not putting sanctions on individuals will only poison the well [for] future arms sales and future exemptions to sanctions, he said. Clearly in the Senate, where Congress can act without the president, there will be repercussions. This is something that has been building. This has got to be a concern for [Saudi Arabia]; having a good relationship with President Trump does not translate to getting a free pass from the Senate. Government plans to abolish the death penalty for all crimes and halt the 1200 pending executions. Malaysias cabinet has agreed to abolish the death penalty and halt pending executions, a move that has been hailed by international human rights groups and foreign diplomats. A proposed bill on abolishing capital punishment is likely to be discussed by the government when the Malaysian parliament meets on Monday. All death penalty will be abolished. Full stop, a Channel NewsAsia report cited Law Minister Liew Vui Keong as saying. Keong called for a halt on all executions until the decision is in effect, saying: Since we are abolishing the sentence, all executions should not be carried out. We will inform the Pardons Board to look into various applications for convicts on the [death penalty] waiting list to either be commuted or released, he said. {articleGUID} Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo confirmed that the cabinet, which met on Wednesday, had resolved to end the death penalty. I hope the law will be amended soon, he told AFP news agency. More than 1,200 people are on death row in Malaysia, which mandates hanging as punishment for a wide range of crimes including murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking and treason, among others. Welcome move The decision was welcomed by rights advocates and foreign diplomats. We strongly welcome announcement by Malaysian Government of (its) intention to abolish the death penalty, Dag Juhlin-Dannfelt, the Swedish ambassador to Malaysia, wrote on Twitter. Impressive & bold move, he added. We strongly welcome announcement by Malaysian Government of intention to abolish the death penalty. Impressive&bold move. Equally impressed by moratorium w/ immediate effect on further execution of death penalties. Malaysia Baharu again sets an example 2 b emulated. @MalaysiaMFA Dag Juhlin-Dannfelt (@DDannfelt) October 11, 2018 Amnesty International also cheered the news, calling it an astounding announcement. The rights group had urged Malaysia to completely abolish the death penalty for all crimes, with no exceptions, calling it a terrible stain on the countrys human rights record. {articleGUID} The death penalty is barbarous, and unimaginably cruel, N Surendran, an adviser with Lawyers for Liberty, a Malaysian rights group with close ties to the centre-left Peoples Justice Party, said in a statement. Once the death penalty is scrapped, Malaysia will have the moral authority to fight for the lives of Malaysians facing death sentences abroad, he added. Many Asian countries such as China and neighbouring Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, still impose capital punishment, while 142 countries worldwide have rejected it. Are Merkels allies set to lose majority in Bavaria elections? Polls indicate Bavaria-based Christian Social Union heading for worst showing in over 60 years in Sundays vote. The storms eye is moving towards the Carolinas, which are still reeling from Hurricane Florence floods. The most powerful hurricane to hit Floridas panhandle caused wide destruction and killed at least two people as it moved northeast. Michael was downgraded by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) from a Category 4 hurricane to a tropical storm early on Thursday. The storms eye is moving across southern Georgia and towards North and South Carolina, which are still reeling from epic floods caused by Hurricane Florence last month. The NHC in Miami said Michaels eye was about 25 miles (40km) east of Macon in central Georgia at 2am (06:00 GMT) on Thursday. The storm had top sustained winds of 96 kilometres per hour and was moving to the northeast at 32km/h. The two people killed in the storm were a man who died when a tree toppled onto his house in Florida and a girl who died when debris fell into a home in Georgia, officials and local media said. Nearly 30 million people are in danger of being impacted by Michael, according to estimates. Over 370,000 people are without power in Florida, Alabama and Georgia. #Michael weakens to a tropical storm over south-central Georgia. Here is the 12 am EDT update on October 11th. This is the last hourly update. Next update will be the intermediate public advisory at 2 am EDT. pic.twitter.com/89wX6xYzrs National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 11, 2018 Long recovery The storm made landfall near Panama City in the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday, the most powerful hurricane to hit the region since the mid-1800s, according to the Federal Emergency Management Service. Michael shattered houses and buildings, downed power lines and ripped up trees when it crashed ashore, carrying winds of up to 250km/h and causing deep seawater flooding. I think everything from Panama City down to Mexico Beach is way worse than anybody ever anticipated, Florida Governor Rick Scott told the Weather Channel. This is going to be a long recovery but Florida is resilient, we help each other, and we survive, Scott said. We worked all night in endangered circumstances. The governor pleaded with people in the hard-hit areas not to go home yet. I know you just want to go home. You want to check on things, and begin the recovery process, Scott said. But we have to make sure things are safe. A house is on the highway The Coast Guard said it rescued at least 27 people before and after the hurricane hit, mostly from homes along the Florida coastline, and searched for more victims. Among those brought to safety were nine people rescued by helicopter from a bathroom in their Panama City home after their roof collapsed, Petty Officer 3rd Class Ronald Hodges said. Megan Williams, left, and roommate Kaylee OBrian take belongings from their destroyed home after several trees fell on the house during Hurricane Michael in Panama City [Gerald Herbert/AP Photo] In Panama City, Vance Beu, 29, was staying with his mother at her home in a complex of single-story wood-frame buildings. They piled up mattresses around themselves for protection. A pine tree punched a hole in their roof, and Beus ears popped because of the drop in barometric pressure from the storm. The roar of the winds, he said, sounded like a jet engine. It was terrifying, honestly. There was a lot of noise. We thought the windows were going to break at any time, Beu told the Associated Press. Sally Crown rode out Michael on the Panhandle thinking at first that the worst damage was the many trees downed in her yard. But after the storm passed, she emerged to check on the cafe she manages and discovered a scene of breathtaking destruction. Its absolutely horrendous. Catastrophic, Crown to the Associated Press. Theres flooding. Boats on the highway. A house on the highway. Houses that have been there forever are just shattered. Michael intensified quickly President Donald Trump had declared a state of emergency for all of Florida on Wednesday. The designation allows federal funds to be provided for disaster relief and authorizes FEMA to coordinate disaster relief. Michael sprang quickly from a weekend tropical depression, going from a Category 2 on Tuesday to a Category 4 by the time it came ashore. It forced more than 375,000 people up and down the Gulf Coast to evacuate as it gained strength quickly while crossing the eastern Gulf of Mexico towards north Florida. It moved so fast that people didnt have much time to prepare. Based on its internal barometric pressure, Michael was the third-most powerful hurricane to hit the US mainland, behind the unnamed Labor Day storm of 1935 and Camille in 1969. Based on wind speed, it was the fourth-strongest, behind the Labor Day storm (296 kph), Camille and Andrew in 1992. Washington, DC A bipartisan and influential group of US senators called on President Donald Trump to investigate and potentially sanction Saudi Arabia under US human rights law for the disappearance and alleged murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In a letter released by Senator Bob Corker, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the senators invoked terms of the 2012 Magnitsky Act requiring the president to determine whether a foreign person is responsible for an extrajudicial killing and demanding a report to Congress within 120 days. Our expectation is that in making your determination you will consider any relevant information, including with respect to the highest-ranking officials in the government of Saudi Arabia, the letter signed by 22 senators said on Wednesday. The Magnitsky Act provides for an automatic trigger if members of Congress request an investigation. The law sought to punish Russian officials for the death of Russian accountant Sergei Magnitsky in a Moscow prison in 2009 and led to the sanctioning of a number of high-ranking Russians by the Obama administration. {articleGUID} Khashoggi, 59, a Saudi national who had been living in the United States for the past year, entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 2 to obtain papers for his planned marriage. His fiancee reported him missing when he did not come out. Turkish investigating authorities have told state-owned media Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate. The Saudi government has denied that and said he left the building unharmed. Saudi-US turning point? The incident has received widespread attention in the US where it prompted outcries from friends and colleagues of Khashoggi, free press advocates and critics of the Saudi war in Yemen. Details of the Turkish allegations that Khashoggi was ensnared at the consulate by a 15-man Saudi hit squad, killed and dismembered have shocked American political elites. Analysts say Khashoggis suspected death is likely to mark a turning point in US-Saudi relations and will pose a challenge to the Trump administration, which has relied on the Saudi monarchy to assert its policy goals in the Middle East. The administration has decided that, of all the Arab actors in the region, they are banking on the Saudis as the critical linchpin for at least three elements of their regional policy: Containing and confronting Iran, securing Saudi help in the seemingly hopeless Israeli-Palestinian peace process and counting on the Saudis to help moderate oil prices, said Aaron David Miller, a Middle East analyst at the Wilson Center in Washington. Into this context comes this incredibly brazen, horrible act. So how does the administration then reconcile that with 600-plus days of policy? I dont know where they go. They will work to find the balance. I dont know if they will succeed or not, Miller told Al Jazeera. Transparency President Trump didnt speak about Khashoggi until October 8 when he told reporters at the White House he didnt like what he was hearing and that he expected the situation to sort itself out words that brought the president criticism. Trump amplified his concern in comments on Wednesday at the White House, calling it a bad situation and promising to demand answers from Saudi officials. {articleGUID} White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders issued a statement saying National Security Adviser John Bolton and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about Khashoggi, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo followed up with an additional call to the crown prince. In both calls, they asked for more details and for the Saudi government to be transparent in the investigation process, Sanders told White House reporters. The biggest potential impact of Khashoggis disappearance is going to be on perceptions in the US of Saudi Arabia and bin Salman, who has cultivated an image of being a progressive reformer and a leader working to bring the kingdom into a more democratic future. In a widely publicised visit to the US last year, bin Salman reached out to segments of society with visits to Washington, New York, Boston and Los Angeles. If there is more evidence and, as one would expect, it turns out he was actually killed deliberately, I think it is going to be a turning point in how American political elites view Saudi Arabia. It is going to be a game-changer in perception, Shibley Telhami, a pollster at the University of Maryland, told Al Jazeera. Friends and former colleagues of Khashoggi announced a #JusticeforJamal campaign at a press conference in front The Washington Post newspaper, where he had been a well-regarded opinion columnist, and organised a vigil by about 35 people in front of the Saudi Embassy in Washington. Its obvious this has reached beyond anything else, said Medea Benjamin, a leader and cofounder of the CodePink anti-war group, which has been challenging US officials on American military support for the Saudi campaign in Yemen. Its ironic that you can kill all of these poor schoolchildren and so many thousands of innocent people in Yemen and yet the US continues to sell them weapons, Benjamin told Al Jazeera. There is a now a person who has disappeared who is more important to the people in power because he was a journalist and works for a US paper and was a US resident. Stop sending arms Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who led an effort to block US arms sales to Saudi Arabia that fell four votes short in the Senate last year, said he would seek another vote. If theyre responsible, or even if theres any indication that theyre implicated in killing this journalist that was critical of them, weve got to stop sending them arms, Paul told a Louisville a radio station, News Radio 840 WHAS. Trump recently embarrassed the Saudis saying in US political rallies the monarchy is propped up by US military power and wouldnt last two weeks without US support. Mongi Dhaouadi, a regional director of United Voices of America, a non-profit group that promotes Muslim civic engagement in the US, said Khashoggi was preparing to launch a new pro-democracy group called DAWN, an acronym for Democracy in the Arab World Now. Khashoggis friends fear thats why he may have been killed by the Saudi government. He was actually going to head the group. He was going to be the CEO, Dhaouadi told Al Jazeera. In terms of the Trump administration, we dont think that they will change. We have hopes that within Congress, especially the Senate at this point, there are some voices on both sides of the aisle. Hell to pay Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican close to Trump and among the 22 senators demanding action, told reporters on Capitol Hill there would be hell to pay if the Turkish governments allegations are true. {articleGUID} If this man was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, that would cross every line of normality in the international community, Graham said. Other signatories to the Magnitsky letter include Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, as well as Senators Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Marco Rubio of Florida, Ben Cardin of Maryland, and Tim Kaine of Virginia. Kaine, a Democrat and former vice-presidential running-mate to Hillary Clinton, said in a tweet: Jamal Khashoggi is a Virginia resident, so his disappearance is personal to me. Representative Gerry Connolly, a Virginia Democrat, said at the #JusticeforJamal press conference that he viewed Khashoggi as a constituent. The fact that Jamal was not a US citizen does not mean that he was not my constituent, Connolly said. My district has citizens and non-citizens alike and they are entitled to the protection of the United States laws and diplomatic activity on their behalf. And I take Jamals personal security as seriously as I would any constituent of mine. Defenders of press freedom decried Khashoggis disappearance and called for a sharp response by the US government. National Press Club President Andrea Edney said in a statement: If harm has come to him, those responsible must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The group PEN America, which advocates for free expression of journalists and artists worldwide, joined the #JusticeforJamal campaign. Its a bit difficult to say with certainty exactly what has happened and we want to remain hopeful that Jamal is alive and there will be a resolution to this that returns him to his family, Summer Lopez, a senior director at PEN America, told Al Jazeera. But, if the Saudi government carried out a murder inside a diplomatic facility in Turkey, that is a pretty drastic situation and will likely have some real repercussions for the US-Saudi relationship, Lopez said. The reaction weve seen from Congress already is quite significant. Srinagar: Scholar-turned-militant Mannan Wani was among two militants killed in a gunfight with the government forces in Shatgund village of north Kashmirs Kupwara district on Thursday. A police official confirmed the killing of two militants in the gunfight that raged intermittently since 2:30 am in the village following a cordon-and-search-operation (CASO). He identified one of the slain militants as Mannan Wani, who had joined militant ranks in January earlier this year. Wani was enrolled as a PhD scholar with the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) before picking up gun. The identity of other militant was yet to be established. A cousin of Wani said they have completed all formalities at the concerned police station. Additional Director General of Police Muneer Khan told Greater Kashmir that the family of Manan Wani has identified one of the slain as their son. We are cross-checking, he said, adding that his slain associate is a new recruit, identified as Ashiq of Tulwari Langate. Giving details, the official said the police and other forces cordoned off Shatgund Qalamabad village following intelligence inputs about presence of the militants. There was a lull in firing at around 9 AM, prompting the police to initiate search operation at the gunfight site, but the same had to be suspended after firing resumed after 15 minutes, he said. Our correspondent Shah Muzamil who was present near the site of the gunfight said that intense exchange of fire took place for nearly an hour from 11 am. Quoting locals, he said that the bodies of the two militants were taken away by the forces from the site of the gunfight. Authorities have suspended the Internet services in the Kupwara district as a precautionary measure. Schools and colleges have also been closed in the district. Educational institutions have also been closed in parts of valley in wake of the gunfight. Meanwhile, clashes have erupted near the site of the gunfight with youth pelting the forces with stones which responded by firing tear gas. Several protesters were reportedly injured in the clashes which were going on at the time of filing of this report. US, the UK and Israel to carry out a fleet-wide inspection of a fuel tube within the engine of the F-35 aircraft. The US Department of Defence grounded its global fleet of F-35 stealth fighters on Thursday as a result of the first-ever crash of the costliest plane in history. A Marine Corps F-35B was completely destroyed in a crash during training in South Carolina on September 28. The pilot safely ejected. According to Joe DellaVedova, a spokesperson for the F-35 programme, the US and its international partners including the UK and Israel have temporarily suspended F-35 flight operations for a fleet-wide inspection of a fuel tube within the aircraft engine. The action to perform the inspection is driven from initial data from the ongoing investigation of the F-35B that crashed in the vicinity of Beaufort, South Carolina, DellaVedova said in a statement. He added that suspect fuel tubes would be removed and replaced. Planes that are found to have good tubes already installed will be returned to operational status. Inspections were expected to be completed within the next 24 to 48 hours. The United Kingdom, however, said the measure did not affect all of its F-35s and that some flying missions had been paused, not grounded. Safety is our paramount concern, therefore the UK has decided to pause some F-35 flying as a precautionary measure while we consider the findings of an ongoing inquiry, a British Ministry of Defence spokesman said. F-35 flight trials from the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth are continuing and the programme remains on schedule to provide our armed forces with a game-changing capability. A Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft is seen at the ILA Air Show in Berlin, Germany [Axel Schmidt/Reuters] Most expensive weapons system The South Carolina crash came only one day after the US military first used the F-35 in combat, with Marine Corps fighters hitting Taliban targets in Afghanistan. The primary goal following any mishap is the prevention of future incidents, DellaVedova said. We will take every measure to ensure safe operations while we deliver, sustain and modernize the F-35. On Wednesday, Defense News reported that Secretary of Defense James Mattis had ordered the Air Force and Navy to make 80 percent of the fleet of key fighters, including the F-35, mission capable within a year. The order sent ripples through the halls of the Pentagon, where officials have long bemoaned the general lack of readiness for key equipment. Launched in the early 1990s, the F-35 programme is considered the most expensive weapons system in US history, with an estimated cost of some $400bn and a goal to produce 2,500 aircraft in the coming years. Once servicing and maintenance costs for the F-35 are factored in over the aircrafts lifespan through 2070, overall programme costs are expected to rise to $1.5tr. Proponents tout the F-35s radar-dodging stealth technology, supersonic speeds, close air support capabilities, airborne agility and a massive array of sensors giving pilots unparalleled access to information. But the programme has faced numerous delays, cost overruns and setbacks, including a mysterious engine fire in 2014 that led commanders to temporarily ground the planes. So far, the US military has taken delivery of 245 F-35s, most of them to the Air Force. Tucson, Arizona The first thing Alfredo* bought for his parents when he started working was a refrigerator. He was still in Mexico, in the city of Mazatlan in Sinaloa, where he worked in a little store. But he wanted a better life, so he moved on with his wife and child. First to the state of Sonora, later crossing the border to Arizona in 1993 on a US visitors visa. In Arizona, Alfredo washed dishes in a restaurant for a year, a job he got through another migrant he had met. Eventually, he found himself working as a handyman, plumber and landscaper throughout Tucson. From the moment he started working, Alfredo sent money back to his parents. The money was for improvements to the house he grew up in, which had no plumbing nor electricity. All those years in Tucson, Alfredo paid taxes using an International Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). He wanted to follow the rules of the new country he was living in, which he also believed would eventually help him become a US citizen. Now, 26 years later, Alfredo finally received his green card, giving him the opportunity to travel back to his home country and his family for the first time since he left. In five years, as the rules now dictate, he will also be able to become a US citizen. But Alfredo considers himself lucky. He received his green card as the Trump administration announced a proposal that, if implemented, would have possibly blocked him from obtaining it, according to his immigration lawyer, Rachel Wilson. Only money matters Under the proposed rule change, announced in September and officially published on Wednesday, immigration authorities could deny green cards, visas or even admission to immigrants who use or may use public assistance programmes, including food stamps, non-emergency Medicaid, housing vouchers and other types of federal assistance. {articleGUID} Although immigrants must already prove they wont be a public charge, the proposal details that the use or potential use of public assistance programmes may now work against their applications. Alfredo and his wife did accept food stamps for their baby daughter 20 years ago. We got food stamps for her in the first years after she was born, Alfredo told Al Jazeera, sitting in the office of his immigration lawyer. Because we were just starting, this gave us that little extra to make ends meet. Because their daughter was a US citizen, they were eligible for food stamps as a household. The stamps were to buy eggs, milk and tortillas. As soon as Alfredo made enough money, she no longer went to collect the stamps. Alfredo and his wife consider themselves lucky to have obtained their green cards before the proposal was announced [Eline van Nes/Al Jazeera] Additionally, an individuals English proficiency level may factor into the decision on his or her application. For Alfredo, this may have proved difficult as his English is limited to his work as a handyman. It remains unclear if past use of food stamps or limited English proficiency would be deemed a public charge under the proposal, which lawyers said is part of the problem. The difficulty with this new rule is that its all very vague, Wilson told Al Jazeera. We dont know for sure if those food stamps would be a problem because the parents were only the ones picking them up. They were officially for the daughter. But their daughter was just born, so she couldnt do that by herself, Wilson said. What they clearly dont take into account in the new rule is the 26 years of paying taxes. Under the new rule, these dont count against the possibility that the applicant might have to make use of public assistance in the future. Advocates also fear the new proposal will adversely affect low-income individuals, as well as those with disabilities. This proposal says work and family dont matter only money matters, the National Immigration Law Center said in a statement last month when the rule was first announced. Children may lose access to benefits that, in their later years, could mean better health, higher educational achievement, more work, and greater earnings. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Rights groups warn that immigrants may forgo desperately needed public assistance out of fear of losing their eligibility for legal resident status. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a research institute promoting accessibility of the food-stamp programme, worries specifically for pregnant women and young children. It said in a September statement: Children may lose access to benefits that, in their later years, could mean better health, higher educational achievement, more work, and greater earnings. Abhorrent The public-charge rule dates back the Immigration Act of 1882, which included a clause that allowed for denial of entry to any convict, lunatic, idiot or any person unable to take care of himself without becoming a public charge. {articleGUID} Immigrants had to prove they had at least $25 to be able to provide for themselves until they found a job. Since then, its implementation has varied depending on the administration. For example, the public-charge rule was enforced more strongly during the 1930s by President Herbert Hoover. The current proposed rule would narrow the definition of public charge. This proposed rule will implement a law passed by Congress intended to promote immigrant self-sufficiency and protect finite resources by ensuring that they are not likely to become burdens on American taxpayers, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said in a statement last month. The people who clean your room in a fancy hotel are immigrants; they are part of the fabric of our society. We need that labour here. When we start saying, 'we want people from this country and not from that country' ... well, you will start to find a lot of ugliness underneath that. Rachel Wilson, lawyer In the new rules, its also possible for immigration services to demand a public-charge bond of $10,000 or more if they decide a migrant might become a public charge. That bond is another problem, Wilson told Al Jazeera. There is only a minimum amount given, no maximum. So the official might as well ask for an amount no one is able to pay unless they are very rich. Wilson said she doesnt understand why the government tries to exclude a certain part of the migrant population. The people who clean your room in a fancy hotel are immigrants; they are part of the fabric of our society. We need that labour here. When we start saying, we want people from this country and not from that country well, you will start to find a lot of ugliness underneath that. DHS stated that it receives seven million applications for permanent residency, immigration status and temporary work visa every year. Since 2001, roughly one million people obtain green cards yearly. According to Pew Research Institute, the majority already live in the US. USA Today reported that the proposed rule could affect more than 380,000 applicants each year. Wilson believes that more than 50 percent of her clients could be affected by the new rules and as a result, wont be able to apply for a green card any more. {articleGUID} I think this is an incredibly unfair policy. To use this public-charge rule to exclude people as if they are not part of this society is abhorrent, Wilson said. The official version of the proposed rule was published on the Federal Register on Wednesday. The public has until December 10 to make comments and suggestions on the rule. Changes may be made before the rule is implemented. The rule changes are expected to go into effect at the beginning of next year. So close to the November midterm elections, many say the proposal seems to be a way for the Trump administration to show how serious they are about closing the borders. Were not criminals Although Alfredo and his wife received their green cards, the couple still isnt completely confident about their situation as of yet. They are now in their five-year probation period before they can become US citizens. {articleGUID} Due to the ever-uncertain changing immigration laws and regulations, Alfredo and his wife were advised by their lawyer not to use their real names when speaking to the media. That feels like something strange to do, Alfredo said. We are not criminals. We have nothing to hide; we just have no idea what will happen with this administration and to us if we come forward with our names. Wilson nodded and said: Them having to talk about this anonymously just goes to show what we have become in the United States. Immigration has always existed on earth. We go where there is work; we go where there is safety. *Name has been changed to protect the individuals identity. Lara Alqasem, who is of Palestinian origin, has been held at Israeli airport for the past week over alleged ties to BDS. A 22-year-old American graduate student has appealed against her detention at Israels international airport over her alleged support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Lara Alqasem appeared in a Tel Aviv court on Thursday. She will remain in detention until the court delivers a ruling; no date for the ruling has been fixed. Israel has come under heavy criticism for its handling of Alqasems case. Alqasem, who is of Palestinian descent, has been held at Israels Ben Gurion Airport for more than a week since arriving from the United States to begin a masters degree at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, despite having a valid visa. A senior Israeli minister on Wednesday defended the governments handling of Alqasems case. Gilad Erdan, who oversees the governments efforts to counter the Palestinian-led boycott movement, said that Israel has the right to protect itself and decide who enters its borders. On Tuesday, Erdan said he would be open to changing his position if Alqasem personally denounces the boycott of Israel. The BDS movement started in 2005, after a call issued by Palestinian civil society groups for people of conscience around the world to help end Israels abuses against Palestinians by cutting off cultural, academic and economic ties with the state. Alqasem, from the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Southwest Ranches, Florida, is a former president of the University of Florida chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. The Hebrew University has called on the authorities to allow her in to study and has supported her appeal. Alqasems detention, which has lasted for more than a week, is the longest anyone has been held in a boycott-related case. While waiting for her appeal to be heard, Alqasem has been spending her days in a closed area with little access to a telephone, no internet and a bed that was infested with bedbugs, according to people who have spoken to her. Israel enacted a law last year banning any foreigner who knowingly issues a public call for boycotting Israel from entering the country. It also identified 20 activist groups from around the world whose members can be denied entry upon arrival. As a general principle, we value freedom of expression even in cases where we dont agree with the political views expressed and this is such a case, US State Department deputy spokesman, Robert Palladino, told reporters on Wednesday. Our strong opposition to the boycotts and sanctions of the state of Israel is well-known, he said. Israel is a sovereign nation that can determine who enters. Turkey releases names of 15 Saudi suspects in Khashoggi murder Turkish news source says they include special forces officers and one is close to Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Abu Dhabi also accused of building an army base in Somaliland, according to an unpublished UN report seen by Al Jazeera. A new report by a panel of experts from the UN Sanctions Committee seen by Al Jazeera reveals that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has continued to violate arms embargo imposed on Somalia. The report, yet to be released, notes that the UAE has carried on with the construction of a military base in Berbera in Somalias Somaliland region, including the transfer of military equipment despite international resolutions against these arms shipments. The UAE began construction of the base last year, under an agreement with officials in Somaliland, a northern region of Somalia that self-declared independence from the latter in 1991 following a civil war. The UAE is investing in developing a port, which is strategically located close to Yemen, where UAE troops have been fighting as part of an alliance with Saudi Arabia against Houthi rebels since 2015. Somalia has previously urged the UN Security Council to take action against the construction of the UAE base in Somaliland. The report also noted that the panel of UN experts did not receive a response from authorities in Somaliland when they were asked to comply with the embargo in place. When the panel asked the UAE to present them with more details of the construction of the base, the response was: The UAE concluded all agreements with the Somali regions based on constitutional powers granted to the heads of those regions to achieve security, stability and prosperity for the Republic of Somalia and its people. In September 2017, maritime police in the Somali state of Puntland intercepted a ship heading from Yemen to Somalia and seized weapons found on board, the international team of experts said. In a review by the panel on some of the Chinese weapons found in the vessel, Beijing said no Chinese company had violated the sanctions, without providing further clarification. Serbian authorities, when reviewing the number of machine guns seized onboard the ship, said that they had sold 1,000 submachine guns to the UAE in 2016, with the UAE armed forces as the final user of those weapons. The panel said it had not received any response from the UAE when asked to clarify why weapons were on board the seized ship. UAE Ambassador to the UN Lana Nusseibeh said she could not comment because the report had not yet been published. That being said, the UAE is fully aware of all Security Council resolutions and is in full compliance with the sanctions imposed, Nusseibeh told Reuters news agency. We also reaffirm our continued cooperation with the Monitoring Group throughout its mandate. The Security Council imposed an arms embargo on Somalia in 1992 to cut a flow of arms to feuding armed groups who overthrew President Mohamed Siad Barre and plunged the country into war. Zimbabwes attempt to revive the economy makes matters worse for its struggling health system. By The US had boots on the ground in Central Asia when it entered Afghanistan in 2001, but regional dynamics have shifted. 93 nepali workers robbed at border in three years: Study Ninety-three Nepali migrant workers, who were returning home for Dashain and Tihar festivals, were robbed of money along with their belongings at various points in the Nepal-India border within the last three years, according to a recent study of Needs Nepal, a social organisation working for safer immigration and human trafficking. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them. A recent release of documents of actions and beliefs of British citizens during World War II amply illustrates both the achievement by some of greatness and the strong pro-Nazi partisanship, bitterness, and even villainy of others who were born great, at the pinnacle of the elitist British society. It is a pleasure to recall heroic achievement. On September18, 2018, a statue was unveiled by Prince William, duke of Cambridge, of Major Frank Foley in the West Midlands city of Stourbridge where he had retired. This was a tribute to a courageous man, son of a railroad worker, Catholic-educated and deeply religious, a man seriously injured during World War I. Foley was passport control officer at the British embassy in Berlin, in reality the head of the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) station from where he recruited agents and acquired information about German military research. After Kristallnacht, Foley risked his own life to save at least 10,000 Jews from death by the Nazis, even going into Nazi internment camps to get Jews out, hiding some in his own home, and getting them forged passports. He was honored as a British Hero of the Holocaust in 2010, and as a Righteous Gentile by Yad Vashem in Israel in 1999. Foley is sometimes referred to as the "British Schindler," but Foley saved more Jews than the latter's 1,200. In the future, it might be more appropriate to refer to Schindler as the "German Foley." Foley's noble story is told in a new book, Agent Jack by Robert Hutton, which also reveals startling accounts of the more ignoble life of those "born great" in Britain before and during World War II. It exposes those well placed and wealthy aristocrats who were sympathetic to the Nazi cause, appeasers of Hitler and anti-Semites, and a number of anti-Semitic groups during the 1930s and after, such as the Liberty Restoration League; the Imperial Fascist League, led by Arnold Leese; the Link, led by Admiral Barry Domvile, whose motto was "Perish Judah"; and Patriotic Societies. The aristocrats were a shameful, dishonorable group. The duke of Westminster, probably the wealthiest man in Britain, named his dog "Jew." The duke of Buccleuch, lord steward of the Royal Household, the largest private landowner in Europe, attended the 50th birthday party of Hitler in April 1939. The duke of Bedford was an acquaintance of German ambassador Joachim von Ribbentrop. Lord Tavistock, later duke of Bedford, funded a number of fascist causes. Coco Chanel, opportunist, sometime friend of Winston Churchill, and intense anti-Semite, was involved with the duke of Westminster (Bendor) for over ten years. She was also a collaborator with Nazis during World War II. Starting as a "horizontal collaborator" and the mistress of Baron Hans von Dinklage, she became a Nazi secret agent, codenamed "Westminster," working for General Walter Schellenberg, head of SS intelligence. Her most ambitious act was to take part in the 1943 operation Modellhut, via the British embassy in Madrid, a plan to get a message to Winston Churchill that a number of important Nazis wanted to break with Hitler and were interested in negotiating a separate peace with Britain. Chanel, the glamorous designer of haute couture who revolutionized women's fashions with the chic little black dress and pearls, escaped any serious punishment or prosecution after the war. It is highly likely that had she testified, her evidence would have exposed the sympathies and activities of the British-born elite, senior British officials, Wallis Simpson, and even members of the royal family. That experienced and shrewd American philosopher, Mae West, informed us in one of her films "to keep a diary and someday it will keep you." The recently revealed British documents and diaries may not have mercenary value, but they provide important commentary on the great and the good. One surprising revelation is about Sir William Strang, a leading adviser to the British government for twenty years; permanent undersecretary at the Foreign Office, 1949-53; and opponent of a policy of appeasement. He was generally respected and honored, and his career was protected, but a 1943 MI5 report has come to light, written by Victor Rothschild, head of MI5's counter-sabotage department. It reveals that Strang personally hated Jews: "Bolsheviks and the Jews are the two greatest enemies of all that was decent." The declassified MI5 files indicate the presence of an internal enemy of socially important homegrown fascists prepared to undermine Britain during the war and, even more unfamiliar, the unusual attempt of MI5 to neutralize the men and women who looked kindly on the triumph of the Nazis. In the interwar years, pro-Nazi forces had emerged, led by the magnetic and charismatic Sir Oswald Mosley, who presented a variety of policy alternatives. Mosley started his political career as a conservative, then independent, then Labor, before founding the New Party, which became the British Union of Fascists (BUF) in 1932, a group with its black-uniformed paramilitary corps, the Blackshirts. Mosley and his associates were imprisoned in May 1940 under Defense Regulation 18B, WHICH allowed internment of people suspected of being Nazi sympathizers, but he was released in November 1943 and put under house arrest. What is important is that British fascism had considerable support among the well born. George Orwell wrote that English fascism, when it arrives, is likely to be of a "sedate and subtle kind." Though subversive, in the main, it avoided extremism and political violence. In 1934, Mosley founded the elite January Club, a discussion group of prominent individuals. The Anglo-German Fellowship, 1935-39, formed to foster friendship between the two countries, had important corporate sponsors including Price Waterhouse, Thomas Cook, and Unilever and organized dinners with prominent Germans, including Joachim von Ribbentrop. The secretive Right Club, formed by the politician Archibald Ramsay in May 1939, of anti-Semitic and fascist sympathies, opposed to war with Germany, had as its main objective "to oppose and expose the activities of organized Jewry." It held that if there was a war, "it would be entirely due to the Jews and Duff Cooper" (Conservative Party politician, close friend of Churchill, opponent of appeasement, and anti-Nazi). The club tried to leak sensitive correspondence between Churchill and FDR to discourage U.S. support for Britain. The chair at the meetings of the Right Club was taken by the fifth duke of Wellington. A curious operation has now been revealed. Because of the number of socially important people with responsible positions who were sympathetic to Hitler and were spreading anti-Semitism, MI5, at the suggestion of Victor Rothschild, wanted to prevent any potential problem. He thought a useful way to control acts of possible subversives would be to create a fifth column, a fake Gestapo cell. A unit was led by Eric Roberts, an obscure ex-bank clerk, given a pseudonym as "Jack King," who identified as a Nazi spy. He made transcripts of conversations with the five hundred Nazi sympathizers he identified, who supplied him with information in the belief that it was going to Berlin. All the reports went to MI5. The 500 were all anti-Semites, who listened to German news bulletins, thought the BBC was offering lying propaganda, and even sought opportunities to help the Luftwaffe strike Britain, such as setting fire to Jewish shops in the city of Leeds to help the Luftwaffe find targets. Eric Roberts remained unknown to the British public, remained silent about his remarkable operation, and retired to Canada after the war. Born of the sun, he traveled a short while toward the sun and left the vivid air signed with his honor. Since the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the left continues to question the legitimacy of his appointment. This is based in part upon the claim that the FBI conducted a cursory or even sham reinvestigation of his background, related to Christine Blasey Ford's accusations. Republicans and conservative pundits generally and rightly dismiss this complaint as a Democratic "talking point." Nonetheless, the push persists, in print, on television, online, and in social media. So it may be worth clearly articulating why the FBI correctly limited its reinvestigation. Objections generally focus on three groups of witnesses or potential witnesses, who were not interviewed or were only partly interviewed by the FBI. First are Ford and Kavanaugh, who were not interviewed. Second are the two accusers who surfaced after Ford made her allegations, Deborah Ramirez and Julie Swetnick. Ramirez was interviewed by the FBI, but not Swetnick. Third, there is an amorphous group of "volunteer" witnesses and witnesses suggested by Ford's supporters, who supposedly could offer testimony regarding their knowledge of Kavanaugh, Ford, Ramirez, or Swetnick. Let's address all these in turn. Blasey Ford Ford was not interviewed for a number of legitimate reasons. Most obviously, she had already testified under oath before the Senate to everything she "remembered" about Kavanaugh's alleged assault. Neither she nor her attorneys have offered anything since to enhance that testimony. So not only was interviewing Ford unnecessary, but it would have wasted time and complicated matters. Had the FBI interviewed Ford, it is highly likely she would have attempted to embellish her testimony. We know this because she has already embellished her testimony. In her first version of the incident, supposedly reported to her therapist in 2012, Ford described four anonymous attackers, identified only as students at an exclusive local school. When she reported the incident in the letter to Senator Feinstein, the account had been significantly embellished. The four attackers were reduced to Kavanaugh and an accomplice. Nobody else was mentioned in the letter. Subsequently, through her attorneys and in her Senate testimony, Ford embellished her account by adding her friend Leland Keyser and another male student as people present in the house at the time of the attack, making four again, perhaps to keep things more consistent with her original claim. An FBI interview would have invited further embellishment, and experienced agents would know this. This would have not only complicated the situation (which, of course, the Democrats wanted), but exposed Ford to criminal liability for making false statements to the FBI. The FBI, quite reasonably, did not want to create such a situation, in which it might be accused by the right of allowing Ford to spout more unsubstantiated accusations, or by the left if it accused her of false embellishment of her testimony. That Ford's attorneys invited this speaks volumes as to their true interests in the matter. Brett Kavanaugh This would have been the content of a Kavanaugh interview: FBI agent: Judge Kavanaugh, what can you tell us about Ms. Ford's allegation that you sexually assaulted her somewhere in Maryland about 36 years ago? Kavanaugh: Nothing. I have no idea what she is talking about and had no part in any such incident. FBI agent: Thank you for your time. Ramirez and Swetnick The FBI interviewed Ramirez. It's highly probable she told them what she told the New Yorker, which is that 35 or so years ago, she thinks Kavanaugh exposed himself while drunk at a party. She has nobody to back up the claim, despite her own efforts to find witnesses. Ramirez explained to those she spoke with in her search that she didn't remember clearly, either. After first reporting her suspicions to the New Yorker, and taking a week to talk with her attorneys, she became more certain of her uncorroborated account. Presumably, the FBI duly noted her account along with her inconstancy, doubts, and lack of corroboration. The FBI chose not to interview Swetnick. The obvious reason is that her allegations were so bizarre and unbelievable that it would have been a complete waste of time. The FBI is not obligated to run down every wild accusation as part of a background check. Not only that, but Swetnick publicly recanted much of her claims anyway. Other witnesses There are actually no identified witnesses to the attack Ford alleged other than Ford. Kavanaugh and the other three people Ford identified deny that anything occurred. If Ford was attacked over three decades ago, it appears that it was by a person she has not identified. Ford's supporters insist there are other relevant witnesses, but these all fall into the categories of bolstering Ford or Ramirez or impugning Kavanaugh. In the case of the former, they are supposedly people to whom Ford at one time or another spoke to about the alleged assault. They are offered to bolster the case that Ford did not just make this story up a couple months ago. However, nobody on the Senate Judiciary Committee accused her of this. Republican senators gave Ford the benefit of the doubt as to her subjective honesty. As her honesty has not been contested, it would be improper and a waste for the FBI to interview witnesses about it. As for the latter, for the most part, they are old classmates of Kavanaugh who have come forward to say, nonsensically, that although Kavanaugh admits to occasional heavy drinking in college, his drinking was "more than heavy" and that he must have suffered some memory losses as a result. This is not probative at all as to whether Kavanaugh committed the alleged offense, nor does it even, as many on the left would like to think, open Kavanaugh to a future charge of perjury. This is utterly unprovable gossip, which the FBI knows is a waste to pursue. Moreover, the FBI already has much more contemporaneous accounts of Kavanaugh's social activities thirty years ago. He first worked for the federal government as a clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit right after law school. He would have had a background check then. That almost certainly would have included law school and probably college mates. I had such a check myself in 1980 when still in college to get a Top Secret clearance for a post-graduation job at the State Department. Investigators came to my dorm and interviewed my roommate, friends, and nearby students. My college activities were not really different from Kavanaugh's, and I suppose they noted it. I got my clearance without any problem. I'm sure it was not very different for Kavanaugh. The impressions of those investigators thirty years ago are light-years more probative than the opinions of some of Kavanaugh's disgruntled former classmates today. I don't expect that anything I've written here will change the mind of a Democrat determined to believe that Kavanaugh is unfit. But the FBI did not whitewash the reinvestigation and that's the end of it. Fresh off getting their britches kicked over the Kavanaugh nomination, the American left has come up with yet another scheme to stymie the GOP and strangle the MAGA program in its cradle. This is the product of John Burton, an Obama acolyte and political activist who, harnessing the crowdsourcing process (the "Wiki effect"), has signed up an army of amateur volunteers to examine the records of dozens of vulnerable GOP candidates with the intention of publicizing these findings in a string of October surprises. Burton is an ex-banker who worked for the Obama campaign as an opposition researcher. After Donald Trump was elected, he joined the "Resistance," according to his own words, out of guilt that he'd allowed Trump to be elected. He immediately organized a telephone campaign in which, shortly after the inauguration, 78,000 callers contacted the Senate Judiciary Committee demanding an investigation into "Russian collusion." Some sources give him credit for the Mueller investigation, which is arguable, to say the least. Burton then applied himself to organizing "Citizen Strong," a 501(c)(4) "grassroots" outfit dedicated to ending the Trump menace. Anticipating the 2018 elections, he has organized 16,000 volunteers who have been searching the net for "damaging material" on GOP candidates. Citizen Strong is targeting three Senate races, 22 House races, and 133 state legislative races in 13 states. The effort has been financed by what even his supporters call "dark money." (It should also be mentioned that one of the individuals involved is an evident Russian immigrant named "Tanya." Another is named "Vlad." You'd really think they'd know better.) The purpose is to unleash all this material prior to November 6, throwing GOP electoral efforts into chaos and delivering the seats in contention to the Dems. We will pause here for the usual suspects to respond, as they did to the Mueller investigation and the Kavanaugh hearings, by racing back and forth and screeching, "It's over... it's hopeless... nothing can be done... They've won... we're finished, I tell you..." Moving on, we will now calmly examine the reasons why it's by no means "all over": Forewarned is forearmed. The legacy media, specifically Bloomberg Businessweek, have prematurely spilled the beans on Burton and his effort, apparently under the assumption that it's a done deal. But in politics, nothing is a done deal. There is plenty that can be done to curtail this, as long as people know it's coming which they now do. Forewarned is forearmed. The legacy media, specifically Bloomberg Businessweek, have prematurely spilled the beans on Burton and his effort, apparently under the assumption that it's a done deal. But in politics, nothing is a done deal. There is plenty that can be done to curtail this, as long as people know it's coming which they now do. Twenty eighteen is not the year for leftist dirty tricks. Consider the left's recent ambush attempts. The Mueller investigation continues squishing its way around the streets of Washington like a giant amoeba, occasionally crushing a bystander but leaving its major target President Trump untouched while becoming a greater embarrassment with each week that passes. The Democratic effort to fire a delusory woman at Judge Brett Kavanaugh collapsed into utter catastrophe, with the Dems in far worse shape than they were before they tried it. Almost simultaneously, the New York Times (a notorious metropolitan gay paper) published an "expose" of President Trump's taxes, which revealed a lot of "tax evasion" that turned out to be totally legal loopholes, several of which are utilized by the NYT's own accountants. It may well be that the time for this type of maneuver is over. Every tactic has its season, and the day of massive, well financed mud showers may well be past its use-by date, due to large-scale abuse. It's easily possible that people will greet Burton's effort with "another Blasey Ford-type scam." (It shouldn't be forgotten, either, that this is the year of #Walkaway, in which lifetime Democrats are cutting ties to the party over exactly this type of thing.) There's no reason to believe that Burton is actually competent at this. The Mueller investigation claim is pure resume puffery. So many people were squalling for an investigation at the time that taking credit for it is like claiming credit for photosynthesis a bad sign, as any human resources specialist will tell you. We also know nothing about his previous experience with the Obama campaign. If he's out of the same pod as Eric Holder, Loretta Lynch, Hillary, Samantha Power, or Susan Rice...well, that speaks for itself, doesn't it? The "Wiki principle" has its drawbacks. When designed and run by capable hands, such as the Cambridge Citizen Scientist program, it can work well. By utilizing trained, experienced scientists to filter the findings, Cambridge has produced a lot of excellent scientific material that would have been unobtainable by other means. But otherwise... Well, look at Wikipedia itself. Decades after its founding, it's still a byword for error, incompetence, and disinformation. My favorite example involves the Klan entry, where for years a photo of a farnicoco a hooded Spanish Holy Week penitent was labeled as a "typical Klansman." But just the other day, while looking for a map of N.Y. Congressional District 14, I stumbled over the Wiki version, which I immediately recognized as bogus the map placed the bulk of the district in Manhattan, not in the Bronx, where it belongs. There is no sign that Burton has solved this problem or is even aware that it exists. Now, it's statistically certain that a substantial number of his volunteer army of 16,000 are stupid, incompetent, disturbed, or vindictive and may well produce material that is mistaken to the point of being legally actionable. In this era of the GOP Unbound, this could well mean that Burton and the staff of Citizen Strong will exit stage right pursued by a blizzard of writs, subpoenas, and judgments. It's doubtful that his dark money sources will care for this. A few examples of Citizen Strong's exposes have already been released (though nothing on the chief target, Dana Rohrabacher, accused of you guessed it Russian collusion). They are less than world-shattering. We've been informed that the wife of Wisconsin state rep. Tyler Vorpagel, who has voted for welfare reform, was collecting unemployment while working on his campaign!!! It may come as news to J.P. Morgan alumnus Burton as well as his Russian comrades-in-arms that unemployment compensation is not welfare. It's a form of insurance, paid for by workers while employed. We can be sure that Wisconsin's middle- and working-class voters will know the difference. Similarly, Representatives Mike Bost of Illinois and Dave Schweikert of Arizona will be pilloried for staying at Ritz-Carltons or the Waldorf while traveling a silly piece of class warfare that might agitate Occupy activists but few others. Political offices do come with some privileges. This should be news to nobody. The rest is of much the same tenor all of it reaching, exaggerated, and essentially empty. Citizen Strong may have come up with something earth-shattering, but thus far, there's no sign of it. Simply repeating "Blasey Ford" and underlining that this is the same type of operation which it is should negate the bulk of it. Mentioning such names as "McCabe," "Strzok," and "Page" would not be out of place. The inevitable errors and misstatements can also be utilized, particularly if malice or deliberation can be suggested. The Vorpagel unemployment error mentioned above certainly fits this mold and needs to be hard-pedaled not only by the Vorpagel campaign, but by all other targets as well. If Citizen Strong can screw up a simple piece of information such as that one, then what's the rest of its material worth? We can rest assured that there will be plenty more coming. Nor can we overlook the "dark money" factor. What are Burton and his organization hiding? Who's paying the bills? What's their agenda? Citizen Strong is clearly applying the total transparency principle to political activity. Well, playmates what's good for the goose. Let's see what you've got hidden in your closets then we'll see about listening to what you're peddling. There's one last thing we can be sure that John Burton hasn't thought of, because Democrats and leftists never do. The Democrats are the Wile E. Coyotes of the political world. They are constantly introducing new tactics, new weapons, and new tricks, always acting under the impression that circumstances consistently bend their way and that nothing can go wrong, nor can these new tricks be used against them. Back in the early '70s, they lowered the voting age to 18, assured that all those late teens would vote for them. They went instead for Richard Nixon. More recently, the half-clever Harry Reid cut the Senate votes needed for confirmation of federal judges to a simple majority, which pushed through a large cohort of Obama appointments but also laid the basis for the GOP doing the same thing with the Supreme Court appointment of Neil Gorsuch. In between, there's a never-ending list of surefire Acme gimmicks that left the Dems with sooty faces and smoke rising from their whiskers. Burton's scheme is likely another one of those. Anybody even conservatives and Republicans can recruit an army of internet volunteers, and probably get better results. After all, it's the Democrats who are hiding the real dirt. DiFi's husband Richard Blum's problem is not unemployment insurance, and the Clintons have not simply been sleeping in the Waldorf on the taxpayer's dime. John Burton has opened a door. Let's see what comes through. The RINO is an interesting political phenomenon and relatively new. It stands for Republican in Name Only, meaning that although the office-holder is a registered Republican, his voting record and public statements are too often aligned with liberal causes. Charlie Baker, the current governor of Massachusetts, is a classic example of the RINO. He openly and proudly supports the Bathroom Bill (a Mass. ballot question that will allow any person of any sex or "gender identity" to use any public bathroom he chooses); refuses to come out strongly against sanctuary cities; and will not champion the rollback of Massachusetts's onerous state sales tax, which was raised by preceding Democratic Governor Deval Patrick from 5% to 6.25% an astonishing 25% increase. In fact, Baker's overall policy approach and his stances on traditional Republican-conservative issues are so left-leaning that he has earned the derisive sobriquet of "Tall Deval" a reference to his 6-ft., 5-in. height and his liberal governing philosophy. That his approval rating is so high in heavily Democratic Massachusetts that he is called "The Most Popular Governor in the Country" says it all. He is, indeed, the prototypical RINO. This kind of politician seems to exist only on the Republican side of the fence. Only Republicans have to scramble to make sure all their members are on board for crucial congressional votes. When a Senate vote looms on a controversial measure, only Republicans have to be certain that all their members are on the same page. John McCain was famous for deviating from Republican orthodoxy, earning him the positive-intentioned nickname from the liberal mainstream media of "Maverick of the Senate." There are many Republican politicians who are famous for their voting or public speaking "undependability," such as Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Jeff Flake (Ariz.), Rand Paul (Ky.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.), and Susan Collins (Maine), and, before her, Olympia Snowe (Maine). With the Senate as closely divided between the parties as it's been in recent years, a few perfidious Republican senators are all it takes to defeat a conservative initiative. The reverse is not true on the Democratic side. There are no DINOs. Rarely will a Democratic senator speak out against his party's approved position or threaten to vote with the opposition. If a Democrat votes with the Republican position, it's almost always when the measure would have passed anyway and the Democrat in question has been given the behind-doors "nod-nod, wink-wink authorization" that it's okay with the Democratic hierarchy if he votes against the party in order to preserve his popularity with his local electorate. A Joe Manchin (W.Va.), for example, may vote with the Republicans occasionally, but only when it's "safe" to do so. When was the last time Joe Manchin was the deciding conservative vote on a truly contentious issue, the way Republican McCain was when he sided with the liberals on the Obamacare repeal vote? It just doesn't happen that way. Those are the facts. That's the way things actually are. There are RINOs but no DINOs. The question is, why? Is there something inherent in the liberal and conservative mindsets that predetermines a proclivity to deviating from party convention? This is where it gets interesting, because any answer to this question is pure, unprovable conjecture. Conservatives will say this: by their nature, conservatives are more emotionally and intellectually honest, more no-nonsense than liberals, per the old cliche, "conservatives think, but liberals feel." Conservatives simply look at how things are and act accordingly. They have an inherent, fundamental belief in the ability of the individual to determine his own fate and make his own choices, as opposed to the State being better able to control and determine the direction of an individual's life. If this belief in the individual sometimes leads a rogue Republican to deviate from the party line, then that's simply the price that must be paid for adhering to the precept of individual responsibility and opportunity. Being faithful to one's conscience and value system will require actions that are politically inconvenient even counterproductive on occasion. Conservatives think liberals are fundamentally disingenuous, far too frequently in service to Democratic political goals. By dividing the electorate into racial, sex-based, and social subgroups (like women, minorities, immigrants, gays and transgenders, low-income, etc.) and then convincing each group of its victimhood status at the hands of Republicans, Democrats orient their election strategy around the concept of relieving these groups' grievances via tax-funded government policies. "You're poor because of Republicans vote for us, and we'll change that." "You're not welcome in this country because of Republicans vote for us, and we'll change that." "You can't advance at work because of Republicans vote for us, and we'll change that." Then, in order for Democrats to win their elections, the victim groups must remain victimized so the Democrats can continue to come to their "rescue" with yet another tax-funded government program. If any of these groups is successful, it no longer needs the Democrats' help, so it's in the Democrats' interest that these victim groups remain disadvantaged. Staying together in party unity on major votes to continue or introduce new targeted tax-funded government programs is a simple matter of job preservation for the Democrats. That's how conservatives see it. Conservatives see themselves as being more concerned with the big picture, the country as a whole, rather than individual racial, demographic, or ethnic groups. Conservatives think policies that lead to a good economy or strong national security or energy independence (free of undue OPEC influence) redounds to the benefit of all Americans, in every group, both sexes, every ethnicity. Thus, given their concern for the big picture, it's understandable that there may be an independent-thinking RINO here and there, because conservatives are not looking at job preservation the same way liberals are. Liberals simply feel that their positions are incontrovertibly correct, therefore there will never be a DINO because there is no need. In their view, RINOs happen in those rare instances when a Republican has a moment of clarity. The fact remains: "RINO" is a well accepted term in the popular political lexicon. The term "DINO" doesn't exist. Draw your own conclusions. Well, not exactly. The title is meant to illustrate the politically correct absurdities that have permeated our culture, the assault on history and eternal truths, the endless intimidation, and the endless apologies that result. All men are rapists, all women are victims, the Founders were slave-owners, and Winston Churchill was a genocidal maniac. Tear down the statues that remind us that the Confederacy did exist; that we fought a civil war that ended slavery; and, yes, that we apologized at Gettysburg. Remember that all men are rapists, all women are victims, all people are hopelessly dependent on government, and Alyssa Milano is a great intellect. Now we have retired astronaut Scott Kelly demonstrating that he should have dialed up the oxygen in his spacesuit, apologizing to the world for quoting Winston Churchill as others grotesquely rewrite history to condemn the man who helped save the world from a new dark age under the rule of Nazi Germany. Retired Astronaut Scott Kelly apologized Sunday after quoting social justice thought criminal Winston Churchill even though he was attacking Republicans celebrating the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Kelly wrote: "One of the greatest leaders of modern times, Sir Winston Churchill said, 'in victory, magnanimity.' I guess those days are over." It is hard to be magnanimous when you are falsely charged with gang rape. Astronaut Kelly glosses over the same type of character assassination he heaps on Winston Churchill, a defender of Western civilization whom Kavanaugh critics hate. Were it not for Churchill, his critics would be speaking German, something Scott Kelly should realize as he checks in to the nearest re-education camp: "Did not mean to offend by quoting Churchill. My apologies," he wrote. "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." It should not transcend devotion to the truth, unless Scott Kelly agrees that history is a lie agreed upon. Winston Churchill is attacked because he was a staunch defender of Western civilization against barbarism. Brett Kavanaugh was attacked because he is a defender of the Constitution and the presumption of innocence against anarchy and mob rule. Just which side is Scott Kelly on? Churchill's critics, like Kavanaugh's, can't get their history right. For example, accusing Churchill of deliberately orchestrating a racially motivated famine in India in 1943: Some, like Dr. Shashi Tharoor, have alleged that "Churchill has as much blood on his hands as Hitler does." He bases this assertion on the prime minister's 1943 decision to divert food aid from famine-stricken Bengal to British Expeditionary Force soldiers deployed in Greece, contributing to a plague of starvation that claimed 4.3 million people. That atrocity, it is implied, is an outgrowth of Churchill's antipathy toward the cause of a free India. But even if a pro-dominion advocate like Earl of Halifax Edward Wood had succeeded Neville Chamberlin in 1940, he would still have had to triage food aid to maximize the chances of victory in a war for national survival. To contend that the terrible choices forced upon leaders in wartime are equivalent to a campaign of ethnic cleansing and genocidal extermination precipitating that war isn't enlightenment. It's grotesque monomania. Scott Kelly seems to forget that war for national survival. War forces terrible choices. It was a war brought on by appeasers like Neville Chamberlain, who waved pieces of parchment and proclaimed "peace in our time" as they condemned tens of millions to death. Had Churchill been prime minister in 1936 when Hitler's horse-drawn army marched back into the demilitarized Rhineland or when Hitler demanded the Sudetenland in 1938, World War II would not have occurred. Yes, World War II ended with Poland, which was the cause of it all, behind the Iron Curtain. But that was as much the fault of Democrats like Roosevelt and Truman. An alliance with Stalin was the price to be paid for defeating Hitler. History consists of, what's that phrase, fifty shades of gray. As Ben Shapiro notes in National Review: Good-faith conversations about American history recognize the multifaceted moral nature of human existence: the fact that George Washington was a slaveholder does not render his status as father of the country moot; the fact that Abraham Lincoln spent most of his career advocating for colonization of black Americans in Africa rather than their full integration into American life does not obliterate Lincoln's role as the Great Emancipator. Human beings are products of their time and they are capable of holding viewpoints that resonate down through the ages and the prejudices of their own age. Undoubtedly, a century from now, few will look kindly at even the most broadminded Americans' views on a variety of issues. But the process of civilizational development requires us to separate the wheat from the chaff and to celebrate the wheat. Truman himself carries a lot of liberal baggage, having dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, another terrible choice forced by war that ended World War II and spared a million casualties in the proposed invasion of the Japanese home islands. The inhabitants were Asians, which makes Truman an old white racist guilty of an atrocity. We eventually won the Cold War and liberated Eastern Europe, an event the left celebrates annually. But before that, there was Winston Churchill, who warned us about the timid souls in politics and war who feed the crocodile, hoping it will eat them last. Daniel John Sobieski is a freelance writer whose pieces have appeared in Investor's Business Daily, Human Events, Reason Magazine, and the Chicago Sun-Times among other publications. Ammar Campa-Najjar is flooding the airwaves in Southern California and getting lots of warm, friendly press coverage. The left-wing Democratic candidate, who claims to be a moderate, is seeking to topple now indicted Republican Duncan Hunter, who most certainly has made a hash of his own prospects. Any mention of Campa-Najjar's rather spectacular terrorist heritage (Grandpa was a top leader of the extremely gruesome Black September terrorist massacre of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics) is brushed off as not his circus, not his monkeys, something he's repudiated, and in any case, something he's far from, given that he's 29, never met the guy (who was rubbed out by Israeli commandos), and claims to have been raised Catholic. For this, he's always given an easy pass by the press as his TV ads roll on and on and on, obviously the effect of a large campaign war chest. ...except that Breitbart has turned up some appalling information to suggest what he really stands for. Turns out he's not just taken money from the radical, Islamic terrorist-coddling and excusing Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR); he's given money to CAIR, too. Breitbart's Joel Pollak did the investigative reporting: The campaign of Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar, who is running against incumbent Republican Rep Duncan Hunter Jr. (R-CA) in California's 50th congressional district, and donated $650 to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in 2017, public records show. ...and... It is not clear why Ammar Campa-Najjar's campaign donated the money to CAIR. Federal Election Commission (FEC) records list the purpose of the contribution as a "civic donation," made to CAIR's Washington, DC, office. The Islamist Money in Politics project (IMIP), a program of Daniel Pipes' Middle East Forum, reported last week that Campa-Najjar had received nearly $9,000 in campaign contributions from CAIR officials. Money in, money out, and one hand washes the other. CAIR's the group that was declared an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation terrorist-financing scandal and paid for a good Islamic funeral for as well as cash to the surviving family of the creepy two San Bernardino terrorists who slaughtered more than a dozen people in that 2015 Islamic terror attack, according to Breitbart. Well, sure, you might note CAIR is left-wing, and this is ethnic politics, right? Ethnic likes ethnic? Breitbart found that not true at all. According to the report: IMIP research fellow Oren Litwin told Breitbart News, via e-mail: "Politicians clearly can't control who donates to them; still, it is interesting that prominent Islamists have chosen to support Mr. Campa-Najjar when other Arab or Muslim candidates, such as fellow Californian Omar Qudrat [a Republican running in California's 52nd district], receive zero donations from Islamists. The question is, what makes Mr. Campa-Najjar so much more attractive to them?" Pollak notes that a Palestinian ambassador to the U.N. also kicked in cash in 2017 for Campa-Najjar's campaign. We can also throw in that Campa-Najjar has been enthusiastically endorsed by anti-Semitic Democratic Socialists of America New York congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. What a guy. Guess the people who danced on 9/11 find a kindred soul in Campa-Najjar, despite the image he puts out about being Mister Moderate. Combine the fake image he's projecting in his bid to topple Hunter and the unusual amount of cash he's getting, and one can only suspect that he's the cat's-paw of some gamy special interests. According to OpenSecrets, his campaign cash coffers look like this: FEC documents, meanwhile, show this: A click onto the individual contributions doesn't turn up anything special, except that the far-left Obama hipster outfit ActBlue seems to be doing matching donations to the campaign. The unitemized individual contributions are large, however, and that raises questions as to whether it's dark money or other shadowy campaign financing outfits that are putting cash in. The data date only to June, and with the campaign in high gear, it's likely he's gotten a lot more. Who is financing him? Well, we know that CAIR is. Sadly, Hunter is doing a lousy job of bringing this candidate's sponsorship forward. We see no ads at all from him and weak warnings about the man's left-wing orientation and efforts to hide his ties to a gamy terrorist-coddling organization. The other Arab-American candidates don't do that, but he does. What a dangerous thing it will be if this guy gets elected to office, standing up as CAIR's little pawn and making his grandpa proud. In what was hailed as a rare espionage victory against China, U.S. officials successfully extradited a Chinese intelligence official lured to Belgium back to the U.S. on charges of economic espionage. According to the New York Times: The extradition on Tuesday of the officer, Yanjun Xu, a deputy division director in China's main spy agency, the Ministry of State Security, is the first time that a Chinese intelligence official has been brought to the United States to be prosecuted and tried in open court. Law enforcement officials said that Mr. Xu tried to steal trade secrets from companies including GE Aviation outside Cincinnati, in Evendale, Ohio, one of the world's top jet engine suppliers for commercial and military aircraft. The Times report, which is good, notes that this kind of economic secret-stealing is business as usual for the Chicoms, whose national security strategy seems to be premised on thievery instead of innovation. The coming trial, in federal court in Cincinnati, could further expose China's methods for stealing trade secrets and embarrass officials in Beijing part of what current and former administration officials said was a long-term strategy to make stealing secrets costly and shameful for China. Federal prosecutors will have to present additional evidence to prove their case, which could include intercepted communications between government officials or even testimony from cooperating witnesses. The Times reporter even offered some rare, rare (hope she doesn't get into trouble) implied praise for the Trump administration for actually going after this matter: China has for years used spycraft and cyberattacks to steal American corporate, academic and military information to bolster its growing economic power and political influence. But apprehending an accused Chinese spy all others charged by the United States government are still at large is an extraordinary development and a sign of the Trump administration's continued crackdown on the Chinese theft of trade secrets. That's what this whole thing is really about: China's theft of trade secrets is part of its trade war against the U.S., and President Trump is the first one pushing back. As Seb Gorka noted on Twitter, that raises questions about what all the current criticism about President Trump's so-called "trade war" against China is good for. The espionage here shows that the Chinese struck first: Guess who started the Trade War? https://t.co/rF6PgfM9QS Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) October 10, 2018 Oh, and as a bonus, President Trump has apparently done a masterly job of encouraging U.S. allies to start acting like allies and cooperate in these ventures. Cripes, he got Belgium to cooperate, and as a bonus to Belgium, it sheds its reputation as an incompetent state. Obviously, with the bust of this Chinese official, and the fallout that comes with information that rolls out in court, the answer to that Gorka question is increasingly clear. They've been at war with us for years, and nobody's noticed. They gave a war, and nobody in previous U.S. administrations came. Now they're caught, and word is about to get out. Was Christine Blasey Ford's testimony against Judge Brett Kavanaugh a total con job? It had all the earmarks of an 11th-hour ambush, facilitated by the dismissal of the lack of corroborating evidence, a predictable presumption of guilt ginned up by media that feed sensationalism and mob rule, and the calculated protection of the impenetrable shield of the #MeToo movement. It almost worked. There are also fingerprints of a Deep State political hit job. The Steele dossier and Kavanaugh accusation have a lot in common, each being based on uncorroborated charges involving sex tailor-made to foment a media circus, which is now the tail that wags the political dog in America. To better understand these destructive forces, we need to follow the lawyers, just as we need to follow the money. Flanked on each side of Ford at her October 4 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee were attorneys Debra Katz and Michael Bromwich. Michael Bromwich's selection to Ford's legal team may be specifically related to his longstanding ties with the FBI and DOJ. Interestingly, he happens to be an attorney for Andrew McCabe, the former FBI director fired for lying to investigators from his own agency. Out of all the lawyers in the most lawyered city in America, why would Ford choose him? Maybe Bromwich was chosen for Ford as the one attorney uniquely positioned to influence a final anticipated FBI investigation through McCabe's remaining supporters within the FBI. Debra Katz, introduced to Ford by Senator Dianne Feinstein, is more than just a lawyer. An early major fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's presidential bid, Katz is also a left-wing street activist involved with various resist Trump efforts. She serves as vice chair of the Project on Government Oversight, a "core grantee" of George Soros's Open Society Foundation, which also funded some 20 of the largest groups that led the anti-Kavanaugh protests. Ford visited and probably sought counsel from her Best Friend Forever and lawyer, Monica McLean, in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware for four days in late July. There Ford drafted and sent the fateful July 30 letter accusing Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault. It turns out that friend Monica was a former FBI special agent, having joined the DOJ in 1992 as a lawyer for the FBI, where she worked for 24 years, retiring after Trump was elected. After Ford's accusation against Kavanaugh blew wide open, McLean saw potential blowback coming as a result of her involvement with Ford. She got legal counsel from attorney David Laufman, former DOJ prosecutor and chief of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control. Laufman had previously assisted FBI Counter-Intelligence chief Peter Strzok on both the Hillary Clinton and Russian investigations including the infamous "unsworn" interview with Clinton. Laufman resigned from the FBI in February, and Strzok was fired from the bureau in August. These connections clearly support conjecture as to the scope and lengths to which people associated with the Deep State work together to destroy a nominee to the Supreme Court as they've been doing to the duly elected president. What's more vital to contemplate and support is that at least one grand jury is currently hearing testimony far from the media's klieg lights from various individuals associated with the known cast of characters behind the rigged Hillary Clinton investigation and Robert Mueller's dubious Russian collusion inquiry. One can find encouragement that much more truth will be forthcoming as the unsealing of many thousands more indictments widens the scope of grand jury inquiries. This latest Supreme Court nomination process has revealed the raw, unscrupulous, scorched-earth politics of the Democrats for all to see. Apparently for them, it's now all in with Saul Alinsky, whose ten rules for radicals can be boiled down to one: "the ends justify the means." Great harm has been inflicted on the Senate, the Supreme Court, and constitutional due process. Let us hope now that the unraveling of the Christine Blasey Ford story can act as a catalyst for the wheels of justice to begin turning at a faster pace. Boldness is needed, and there is simply no more important or cathartic action to end double standards and restore equality before the law and restore faith in government institutions than the prosecution of "high crime and misdemeanor lawbreakers," whoever they are. Scott Powell is senior fellow at Discovery Institute in Seattle and managing partner at RemingtonRand LLC. Reach him at scottp@discovery.org. The disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has become more than an international incident. Democrats have seized upon the issue to criticize Donald Trump for not calling out the Saudi government, who Turkey says is responsible. Khashoggi disappeared after going into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and apparently not coming out, according to his fiancee. Evidence is mounting that the journalist, a prominent critic of the Saudi regime who wrote for the Washington Post among other U.S. publications, was murdered by Saudi intelligence on the direct orders of Crown Prince Salman. It's been reported that U.S. intelligence knew of the plot to kill him, which is raising questions about why the government didn't warn the journalist. Politico: When it comes to the mystery surrounding Khashoggi, the administration is "trying to sweep it under the rug," said Randa Slim, an analyst with the Washington-based Middle East Institute. Still, Slim and others warned that, if the worst proves true, the Khashoggi case could cause lasting damage to the U.S.-Saudi relationship. For one thing, there is intense anger in Congress, where many lawmakers from both parties were already increasingly uneasy over Saudi actions in places like Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition battling Iranian-backed rebels stands accused of potential war crimes. There's also frustration among reporters and U.S.-based foreign policy analysts, many of whom knew Khashoggi. For now, the case "doesn't break the U.S.-Saudi relationship," predicted Gregory Gause, a Saudi expert at Texas A&M University. "What it does is, it makes it even more difficult to get anything through Congress that is seen as pro-Saudi." It could get worse, said a D.C.-based Middle East analyst, who requested anonymity to speak frankly: "If the Saudis don't come up with a credible answer to this, they're done in this town." For the U.S. to accuse the Saudis of murder based on media reports is absurd. In fact, the Washington Post is reporting that Crown Prince Salman wanted to lure Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia and detain him, not kill him in Turkey. The Post says there may have been a "backup" plan to kidnap the journalist and perform a "rendition" to bring him back to the country. In this scenario, something went horribly wrong, and Khashoggi was killed. But that's entirely speculative. The issue has galvanized some senators to call for an investigation. AP: Top U.S. senators are triggering an investigation into the disappearance of a prominent Saudi journalist that will require President Donald Trump to consider possible sanctions on officials in Saudi Arabia. Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker and top Democrat Bob Menendez triggered the probe Wednesday under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Trump will be required to give a report to Congress within 120 days. The senators said in a letter that Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance suggests "a gross violation of internationally recognized human rights." More than a dozen Republican and Democratic senators signed it. Democrats are accusing Trump of being too close to the Saudi regime and condemning his "milquetoast" response to the disappearance of Khashoggi. Trump apparently can't please anyone. The administration is being prudent and circumspect in its measured response to the incident. Are we really supposed to believe the Islamist government of Turkey and accept without question its explanation that Khashoggi was murdered by an elite hit squad sent by the Saudi government? You have to wonder what the media would be saying if the Trump administration flew off the handle and harshly criticized the Saudi government with little or no proof. It would have been more "evidence" that Trump can't conduct foreign policy intelligently. U.S. intelligence will no doubt discover the truth of what happened. It's doubtful the Saudis would ever come clean and admit responsibility for Khashoggi's death. But Washington insiders are saying it will be hard to maintain good relations with the kingdom if a Saudi journalist who was living in America was murdered by the regime. The trade war between the United States and China continues to periodically escalate as new tariffs and counter-tariffs are announced. Government statistics agencies in China continue to claim that all is well and that there is no substantial impact of American tariffs on Chinese industry. Over the years, Chinese statisticians have become infamous for crafting an acceptable narrative of central government competence and stability rather than an accurate picture of any particular performance metric. For example, during quarters of weak economic growth, it's routine to inflate the growth rate in the reported statistics, then, when the economy has a boom quarter, understate the growth in order to maintain the image of a stable and controlled economic boom. However, there is a prominent metric that works independently from this system of chronically incorrect statistical reporting: the CKGSB Business Conditions Index, compiled by the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business. This particular metric has fully illustrated the expansions and contractions of Chinese industry over its seven year history, providing a unique statistical insight into a nation where accurate economic data can be at times hard to come by. The most recent reading of the CKGSB Index was its lowest level on record, showing in detail the heavy toll President Trump's trade war is having on Chinese industry. "Most surveyed companies are now experiencing unprecedented difficulties and have become increasingly pessimistic about business prospects for the next six months," Li Wei, the economics professor at CKGSB who oversees the survey, said in a commentary accompanying the September survey results (which were recently removed from the CKGSB website). "For most, business has never been worse." To put the record low number of the CKGSB Business Conditions Index into perspective, the current reading of 41.9 is far lower than even Russia's record-low PMI of 47.6, and that country is currently suffering heavily from economic sanctions. As those critical of President Trump's trade policies continue to point to the high cost of the trade war on American businesses, this survey and associated research illustrate just how much of a toll the trade war is taking on Chinese industry. If the results of this particular metric hold true for industry throughout China, the United States is well and truly winning this trade war, despite the large number of metrics and articles with claims to the contrary. As the trade war continues to damage industry in China, it's important to remember that international trade is not like a light switch that can be easily switched on and off at will. Chinese companies continue to lose market share to competitors throughout the rest of the world, as their goods become uncompetitively priced due to the tariffs. The share of the market they previously possessed may be lost permanently, as China's competitors become integral parts of the supply chain of goods to American businesses. For this reason every day the trade war continues, the lost contracts and relationships with American businesses will do short- to medium-term damage to Chinese industry. The growth potential of the Chinese economy will also be impacted, unless a resumption of previous agreements underpins a negotiated agreement between the two nations. While President Trump may endure criticism and attacks by those critical of his trade policies, the impact of the trade war on the American industry overall remains relatively marginal. Meanwhile, President Xi is dealing with the reality of a China potentially in too much debt to once again spend its way out of trouble and with too much on the line geopolitically to gracefully back down from the dispute. Ultimately, if metrics like the CKGSB Index are correct, the United States is currently winning this trade war, as the impact on Chinese industry seems to be of a far greater magnitude than that experienced by American business. Tarric Brooker is a freelance journalist and political commentator. He also runs a political and current affairs website at avidcommentator.com. Image credit: Pixabay. A remarkable feat Nepal has set an extraoedinary example by achieving five years of Zero Poaching of rhinos between 2011 and 2018 An odd form of hubris has overtaken Democrats in both their political and media branches. They are so certain that President Trump is ignorant and they are smart that they march right into traps of their own devising. Consider this face-plant by Andrea Mitchell, dead certain that President Trump must be incorrect in has claim about Abraham Lincoln: that event the Gettysburg Address was criticized by Lincoln's contemporaries. Transcript via Grabien: MITCHELL: "The book is 'Presidents of War' and it is extraordinary, it is compelling. You bring it to life. One quick question; one quick fact-check. The president has been saying that Abraham Lincoln was criticized for the Gettysburg Address at his rallies in defending his own ability to for history to prove that he will surmount the criticism. Was he criticized?" [crosstalk] BESCHLOSS: "Yes, he was criticized for to Gettysburg Address by newspapers that hated Lincoln and wanted to support his opponent the next year when he ran for reelection. Not too unusual, but there were huge numbers of newspapers who understood Lincoln and even at that moment knew that Gettysburg Address would be a great document in American history." MITCHELL: "So it wasn't all fake news?" BESCHLOSS: "It was not all fake news." MITCHELL: "Michael Beschloss, thank you. Monumental." BESCCHLOSS: "Thank you. Thank you for having me, Andrea." MITCHELL: "Congratulations." Over the past few weeks, a new wave of gun control bills has been signed into law in California and Maryland. California and Maryland already have some of the strictest gun control laws in the country. These include bans on certain semi-automatic rifles like the AR-15 and bans on magazines that hold more than ten rounds of ammunition. Now, in the wake of high-profile mass shootings in 2018 such has the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting in Florida, lawmakers in the state pushed through several new gun-related bills that were then sent to the governor's desk in each state. California Democratic governor Jerry Brown signed into law several gun control bills in California while simultaneously vetoing a handful of others. Perhaps the most notable of the bills Governor Brown signed into law is one raising the age limit for purchasing long guns such as rifles and shotguns from eighteen to twenty-one, with exceptions for military service members and law enforcement officers. Currently, federal law allows those eighteen years of age or older to purchase long guns from a licensed dealer. Another law signed by Governor Brown prohibits the possession of firearms for California residents who have been convicted of domestic violence charges, in addition to those who have been hospitalized for mental health reasons for at least one year. Another bill makes it easier for law enforcement officers and family members to take firearms away from those believed to be a threat to themselves or to others. All that said, Brown also vetoed bills that were passed by the Legislature. Most notably, he vetoed a bill that would have allowed school personnel or an individual's coworkers to petition a court to have that individual's firearms confiscated. Brown argued that either law enforcement or immediate family members of the individual petitioning the court is sufficient for the time being. Under current California law, if a judge grants the request, gun-owners must surrender all their owned firearms for at least twenty-one days, during which time the judge would determine whether to extend the order for a year. The gun-owner would not be legally allowed to purchase guns or ammunition. Maryland Three gun control bills were passed by the Maryland legislature and formally signed into law by Republican governor Larry Hogan, who is up for re-election this November. The first bill was a ban on the sale and possession of bump stocks and similar devices that increase the firing rate on most common over-the-counter semiautomatic rifles, similar to laws passed in California, Hawaii, and Florida. The second bill, known as a red flag law, allows family members, medical professionals, and police officers to restrict certain firearms (such as the popular AR-15 rifle) from Maryland residents deemed a threat to others or to themselves. The third law closes a loophole in a previous Maryland law that did not require a convicted domestic abuser to turn in his firearms so long as those firearms were owned before conviction. With the loophole now closed, any Maryland resident who is a convicted domestic abuser will have to surrender his guns either to a licensed firearms dealer or to law enforcement, regardless of whether the guns were purchased before conviction or not. The three new gun control bills represent the latest instance where the relatively centrist Hogan has shown that he is willing to break from his party on certain issues such as gun control. At a recent debate with Democratic challenger Ben Jealous, Hogan indicated his support for gun control and specifically for closing loopholes in Maryland's existing gun laws. Maryland's and California's new gun control bills represent the latest tightening of already strict laws concerning firearms in those states. With heavy Democratic majorities in the legislatures of both states, it's not at all difficult to see gun laws in those states tightening even more in upcoming years. Sam Bocetta is a freelance journalist specializing in U.S. diplomacy and national security, with emphases on technology trends in cyberwarfare, cyberdefense, and cryptography. Currently working as a part-time cybersecurity coordinator at AssignYourWriter.co.uk. I am amazed that there aren't more of these incidents. A Russian rocket carrying a Soyuz space capsule with a Russian and an American astronaut aboard suffered a failure before it reached orbit, necessitating an emergency landing. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos's Alexey Ovchinin were in good condition after making an emergency landing in Kazakhstan, NASA officials said. Fox News: The pair lifted off in Kazakhstan at around 2:40 p.m. local time from the Russia-leased Baikonur Cosmodrome atop a Soyuz booster rocket. The pair was set to dock at the space station six hours after launch, but the booster rocket failed minutes after launch. NASA said Russian space officials informed the agency that the crew was in good condition after making an emergency landing 12 miles east of the city of Dzhezkazgan. Spacecraft returning from the ISS normally land in that region. The U.S. does not have its own launch capability for crew to get to the International Space Station, which is why we've been hitching rides with the Russians since the shuttle was retired in 2011. This is only the second use of a launch abort system with humans on board. The first occurred on another Soyuz rocket that failed in 1983. The Soyuz is considered a reliable launch vehicle, but the failure yesterday highlights the need for the U.S. to have its own capability to launch crews to the ISS. After years of delay, the SpaceX Dragon capsule is scheduled to take off next April with a crew on board. NASA has tentatively signed off on the flight, but given the problems in the past and Elon Musk's current troubles, nothing is certain. Boeing also has a manned vehicle, the Starliner, that might be ready by next year. NASA is developing the Orion space capsule for flights to Earth orbit and the Moon. None of these vehicles is proven. All are years behind schedule. Despite extending the life of the space shuttle by several years to give NASA time to develop an alternative, they failed miserably. So here we are, seven years after the last shuttle flight, still begging the Russians for a ride to the ISS. Forget the Moon and Mars. We can't even launch people 120 miles above the Earth. While there's no doubt that private industry must play a dominant role in the future of manned space exploration, NASA and the European and Russian space agencies must show better leadership. Even though the launch vehicles will be privately developed, the space infrastructure launch facilities, astronaut training, and regulatory regime will be government-owned and run for a while. Eventually, a way must be found to dramatically reduce the cost of getting humans into orbit. Currently, the price per pound is about $3,500. Elon Musk believes he can cut that in half almost immediately. Regardless, it appears at this point that government is more of an impediment to the private, commercial exploitation of space than an asset. Canada plans to impose temporary safeguard duties of 25% on imported steel to protect domestic steelmakers, the countrys Department of Finance said on Tuesday October 11. The duties will go into effect on October 25 and will apply to the following products: Heavy plate Concrete reinforcing bar Energy tubular products Hot-rolled sheet Pre-painted steel Stainless steel wire Wire rod They 25% safeguard will be levied in cases where the level of imports from trading partners exceeds [the] historical norm, Canada's Department of Finance said. The provisional measures will remain in place for 200 days, pending an investigation by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT), the department said. CITT will then determine whether final safeguards are necessary. The safeguards are intended to protect Canadian steelmakers and workers from harm caused [by] excessive imports of steel as well as from steel that has been diverted from other countries to the Canadian market. The Finance Department said such measures are appropriate under international law, given exceptional circumstances. It did not explicitly target imports from any particular country. The department also softened countermeasures aimed at US steel imports and imposed in retaliation to the President Donald Trump administrations Section 232 tariffs and quotas. Canada hit its northern neighbor with retaliatory tariffs on July 1 after the US had slapped Canadian steel with 25% Section 232 tariffs on June 1. Given the longstanding integration of Canada-US supply chains, the government recognizes that Canadian countermeasures against US imports can create challenges for Canadian manufacturers that rely on steel and aluminium imported from the United States, the Finance Department said. The Canadian government therefore unveiled a process for Canadian companies to request relief from the countermeasures. A portion of this relief will be temporary, offered until such time that Canadian producers are able to adequately meet domestic demand, the Finance Department said. And relief will be granted only on a case-by-case basis, it added. Fastmarkets AMM reported ahead of the announcement that safeguard measures were expected to be rolled out on October 11. Canada in August launched a public consultation on possible safeguard measures to protect its domestic steelmakers from imports on key products such a plate, rebar and hot-rolled coil. Trump in March set 25% tariffs on most steel imports into the country, triggering a wave of knock-on safeguards in regions such as the European Union. Governments and industry representatives have feared that steel destined for the US, the worlds top steel importer, could be diverted elsewhere en masse, disrupting markets. That happened in August when Trump doubled Section 232 tariffs on Turkish steel to 50%. The move resulted in shipments initially destined for the US being diverted to other markets, such as Canada, market sources have told Fastmarkets AMM. Canada makes more sheet than it consumes, and so that country's sheet prices have declined after Canadian mills lost some of their access to the US spot market. Prices there also lost ground because some steel shipments bound for the US from Turkey were redirected to Canada following the US' doubling of the tariff versus Turkey, sources said. The result is that US and Canadian HRC prices, prior to June 1, had moved roughly in tandem after taking into account the exchange rate between the US and Canadian dollars. Since the tariffs went into effect, Canadian HRC prices have declined. Fastmarkets AMM's hot-rolled coil index currently stands at $41.28 per hundredweight ($829.60 per ton). Canadian steel prices, in contrast, are at $35-36 per cwt - a spread of approximately $5-6 per cwt. In short: Non-profit public interest advocates at Consumer Watchdog blasted Google over the Google+ data debacle that saw information of up to 500,000 users leaked, having proclaimed that the episode serves as final evidence that the tech giant cannot be trusted to police its own platforms. The organization welcomed the June enactment of the California Consumer Privacy Act, asserting that other states need to follow suit as quickly as possible and draft their own legislation that would force Google and other tech companies to start treating their users data with more respect. Consumer Watchdog Privacy and Technology Project Director, Mr. John M. Simpson, concluded that Google doesnt care about consumer privacy, so to expect it to continue policing itself going forward is asking for more trouble down the road. Among other things, new laws should provide consumers with the ability to take any company that put their data at risk to court, the industry veteran said, adding that the Google+ gaffe also likely constitutes yet another violation of Googles Buzz settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. Background: Consumer Watchdog already criticized the lack of Google+ policing in 2013, having done so with a seven-month study that uncovered an abundance of online predators and explicit content on the platform. Earlier this week, the Mountain View, California-based tech giant admitted to identifying the aforementioned vulnerability in March. The data of half a million Google+ users has been exposed since 2015 until Google patched the problem with no public disclosure this spring, with the firm consequently deciding the platform isnt worth maintaining and announcing its intentions to wind down its consumer version within the next ten months. Google has no way of knowing whether none, some, or all of the 500,000 people in question were affected by the bug in its People APIs because it only keeps associated logs for two weeks, claiming it has that policy in place for privacy reasons. Advertisement The issue was discovered amid Facebooks Cambridge Analytica scandal, which likely played a large part in Googles decision to avoid disclosing it, with the ordeal ultimately being discovered by the Wall Street Journal. The eventual disclosure came only a day before Google announced a wide variety of new consumer electronics and shifted the public discourse about its operations to a more positive note. The matter is still currently being investigated by authorities in both the United States and the European Union, having already prompted a company-wide effort to lock down third-party access to some data on Googles part. Impact: Consumer Watchdogs reaction to the Google+ debacle is neither surprising nor the first instance of such backlash against Alphabets subsidiary, and it almost certainly wont be the last, either. The scandal was the tipping point for Google+, a network that has been dying for many years now, though Google still intends to continue maintaining it as an enterprise product, i.e. something that can rival Facebooks Workplace. Long-reaching ramifications of the Google+ scandal are still difficult to speculate about, though the firm will almost surely be facing numerous private lawsuits, both domestically and abroad. In short: Google is pushing forward with its idea to launch a censored version of Search for China and the company may introduce such a controversial product as early as next spring, according to a transcript of a July 18 communication from Ben Gomes, the firms Internet search chief. The document obtained by The Intercept earlier this week reveals Mr. Gomes believes a censored Google Search for China is extremely important to the company and its future ambitions. The Tanzania industry veteran who has been with Google since 1999 also expressed displeasure with the ongoing trade war between Washington and Beijing as part of the same communication, indicating the tense geopolitical situation inhibited Googles efforts to launch a censored version of Search in the Far Eastern country. Back then, the engineer said a Chinese variant of Search could launch in as little as six to nine months, i.e. as early as January 2019, though he acknowledged that timeline is not definitive due to the uncertain nature of the initiative and the fact that Google is treading entirely new ground with the project. Background: Code-named Project Dragonfly, Googles efforts to launch a censored version of Search have been met with harsh criticism from both sides of the political spectrum in the United States, with even Vice President Mike Pence recently publicly calling for the company to drop the initiative immediately. The effort whose existence was only known to several hundred people out of Googles 80,000-strong workforce before news about it broke two months back even prompted some employees to quit and blast Alphabets subsidiary for abandoning its ideology in favor of profits. Advertisement While Google Search was once available in China already, the company pulled the plug on the service in 2010 in protest of the Communist governments systematic censorship. As the firm already established absolute search dominance in the West, its growth opportunities are now essentially non-existent outside of China, at least as far as user acquisition is concerned. The ambition to return to the Chinese Internet search market still comes at an inopportune time as Google only recently opted against renewing its contract for Project Maven, a controversial U.S. government initiative that saw it collaborate with Pentagon on weaponizing artificial intelligence technologies. While that decision was prompted by employee activism, Washington didnt respond well to Googles refusal to continue collaborating with the U.S. military while simultaneously working with Beijing officials on having Project Dragonfly approved for commercialization. Impact: Googles insistence to continue pushing ahead with censored Search for China suggests the company is truly concerned about its growth in the West stagnating and is willing to accept any negative publicity so long as its given the approval to compete for the attention of over 800 million Internet users in the Far Eastern country. How well will that strategy pay off remains to be seen but as things stand right now, Google is likely to be subjected to significant scrutiny and criticism from government officials and activists in the near future, which wont mix well with bias allegations against the company that are already widespread in stateside conservative circles. In short: Samsungs live streams are officially set and ready to kick off the companys October 11 A Galaxy Event at 5 p.m. Malaysia Time. The key focus of the event is expected to center around the launch of a 2018 update to the companys Samsung Galaxy A9 series featuring no fewer than four primary cameras. For the time being, the company has listed six separate ways to watch the live-streamed event regardless of location. Those include all three of its primary websites the Samsung Newsroom, Samsung.com, or Samsung Mobile Press sites and its main social media accounts on both Twitter and Facebook. For the latter of those, users can watch via either the official Samsung Newsroom page or the Samsung Mobile page. Background: The expectation of a quad-camera-equipped Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) handset stems from prior leaks of the device, and from the upcoming events 4x fun tagline. Samsung has also traditionally announced its mid-range A9 series devices around this time of year and just in time for the upcoming holiday shopping season. Setting that aside, the cameras are definitely expected to be this years showstopper. The rear-facing main camera array, for example, is expected to effectively separate specific functionality into separate cameras. The primary shooter is expected to be a 24-megapixel sensor with a f/1.7 aperture and optical image stabilization. Backing that up will be a second, depth-sensing camera set at 5-megapixels with a f/2.2 aperture while a 120-degree wide-angle sensor will be present at 8-megapixels and a f/2.4 aperture. Zooming will be handled by a 10-megapixel snapper with a f/2.4 aperture enabling 2x optical zoom. The cameras are expected to be arranged vertically along the left-hand side when viewed from the back, with an LED flash below. In terms of the general specifications, the handset is expected to pack a 6.28-inch Super AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution. While Android 9 Pie isnt totally out of the question, the more likely scenario is Android Oreo covered over by Samsungs usual Experience. If the leaks up to this point have been accurate, then inside, a Snapdragon 660 SoC backed by 6GB of RAM and 128GB of microSD card-expandable storage will be on offer, providing users plenty of room for their apps, music, movies, and more. Driving all of this is a battery capacity thats expected to be in the region of 3,720 mAh. Impact: At least one previous leak of the events main attraction had briefly appeared on Samsungs own website before being taken down. So it seems as though there may not actually be much left for the company to announce about this years iteration of the Samsung Galaxy A9. Bearing this in mind, neither pricing nor availability for the Android device are currently known. So there could be at least a few surprises still to come at the A Galaxy Event, regardless of the leaks that have come through so far. Razer on Wednesday announced the Razer Phone 2, its second-generation smartphone meant to further refine the companys take on mobile gaming. Refine is the key word here because in accordance with recent leaks, including those from AndroidHeadlines, the new handset could more accurately be described as the Razer Phone 1.5 as it looks virtually identical and features similar internals and software features to those its predecessor has been offering since last year. Most of the annual improvements Razer introduced are unlikely to significantly affect ones everyday experience, provided they owned the original gaming phablet, though theres still no denying the Razer Phone 2 is more flashy and delivers noticeably more computational power. If it looks like the Razer Phone 1 Advertisement The new device looks almost identical to the Razer Phone, save for having a slightly revamped front-facing lens and an RGB lighting system installed beneath the rear-facing Razer logo on the back that depicts a triple-headed snake. The 16.8 million colors that the setup can display can serve as essentially the most in-your-face LED light indicator ever implemented into a mobile device and while the aesthetics are similar, the feel isnt because the Razer Phone 2 ditches the all-metal design for a glass back, which some may deem a more elegant solution that also allows for wireless charging, though it also makes the device more fragile and slippery. The handset is also both wider and thicker (158.5 x 78.99 x 8.5 mm) than its predecessor (158.5 x 77.7 x 8 mm), so it stands to reason its heavier as well, though its weight info has yet to be disclosed. has hardware thats almost identical to the Razer Phone 1 Looking below the familiar exterior yields more similarities with Razers first gaming smartphone; 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 64GB of UFS storage with a microSD card slot are still part of the package, with the only difference being that the phones memory is now expandable by up to 1TB (not that it matters since you wont be able to buy 1TB microSD cards for some time anyway). A 5.72-inch IGZO LCD panel with a QHD (2,560 x 1,440) resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and a traditional 16:9 aspect ratio makes a return as well, together with a 12-megapixel dual-camera setup, an 8-megapixel front camera, and a 4,000mAh battery. The main hardware improvement comes in the form of the newer Snapdragon 845 chip from Qualcomm that provides the Razer Phone 2 with some 30-percent more raw processing power compared to what its predecessor yielded, according to the firm. The 3.5mm headphone jack isnt on offer this year either, so as far as hardware is concerned, this is essentially the 2017 Razer Phone with a better chip and a more flashy (literally) rear panel. Advertisement its probably Razer Phone 2? While extremely similar to its predecessor in most aspects, the Razer Phone 2 does introduce some novelties. Besides the aforementioned RGB lighting system and a better chip, its also equipped with a new vapor chamber cooling system that sounds extremely similar to what Samsung has been using in its flagships for several years now. Without going into too many technical details, this is basically the only viable take on the idea of implementing a water cooling setup into a smartphone and should allow the Razer Phone 2 to maintain its peak performance levels for longer than its predecessor did, which should be a major selling point to anyone looking into (semi-)serious mobile gaming. On the imaging side of things, Razer touts the newly included optical image stabilization as a massive improvement to its original cameras, with the system itself still relying on Sony-made sensors. The battery capacity remained unchanged across two product generations, as did the handsets support for Qualcomms Quick Charge 4.0 which can replenish half of the said cell in 30 minutes, but the inclusion of a more efficient chip should see the Razer Phone 2 last slightly longer on a single charge than the 2017 phablet did. Another improvement comes in the form of the handsets body thats now IP67-certified for resistance to dust particles and water, whereas the first Razer Phone had no official IP rating. Finally, the dual stereo speakers of the device now support Dolby Atmos, allowing for a mobile surround experience thats both louder and more immersive. Advertisement Still the ultimate option for mobile gamers In spite of incremental improvements, the Razer Phone 2 unsurprisingly continues being touted as the ultimate option for mobile gamers. A custom Nova Launcher implementation based on Android 8.1 Oreo is part of the newly announced device, whereas the phone has been optimized for a broad range of popular titles such as Marvel Future Fight, PUBG Mobile, RuneScape, and Guns of Boom. Razer also takes pride in the fact that its new handset is the only smartphone on the market that currently features Netflix certification for HDR and Dolby Surround 5.1 content. Coupled with the return of the 120Hz display and the fact that the device is running a lightweight implementation of Android, anyone who games a lot on their mobile device will certainly at the very least want to consider the Razer Phone 2 this fall. Second-generation phone, first price hike Advertisement Whereas last years Razer Phone launched at $699, its successor is now $100 more expensive. Pre-orders start today in the United States, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region, with Razer.com being the only retailer to accept them. While a firm global release date has yet to be attached to the new Android gaming handset, the Razer Phone 2 should start shipping to customers no later than early November. The San Francisco, California-based manufacturer hasnt outright referenced its price hike but apparently feels convinced the newer chip, RGB lights, and extra software tweaks and additions are worth the price difference. While many OEMs discount their previous-generation products after releasing their successors, Razer didnt do so and is actually still prominently featuring the original Razer Phone on its website, going so far as to allow consumers to easily compare the two and decide which one is the right fit. The move clearly signals that the 2017 device wont be getting discontinued anytime soon as Razer apparently has a different understanding of product generations. Australian tourist injured in Myagdi bike accident An Australian tourist was injured in a motorbike accident near Galeshwor some 3-km away from Beni, Myagdi on Thursday. In short: Samsung is looking into the concept of dual-screen smartphones, having recently envisioned something akin to the ZTE Axon M, albeit with much more refined hardware, software and a user experience thats not gimmicky, which is how many reviewers described the 2017 smartphone which the Chinese company advertised as technically foldable. According to new IP documentation reviewed by AndroidHeadlines, Samsung filed to patent a dual-screen phone concept in September, having done so in a highly unconventional manner, with the companys patent documentation being uncharacteristically detailed and describing a wide variety of use cases for the device. Samsung envisioned four main operating modes for the dual-screen phone with several variations: stand and table modes depicted above, as well as folded and outfolded modes intended for in-hand use. All four of those setups would be able to leverage two screens as one larger display, or utilize the extra panel for various purposes. Samsung sees many gaming applications for its invention that could essentially operate as Nintendos 2DS and 3DS consoles, using the secondary display for supporting information or gameplay itself. Social media is another app category that could benefit from the addition of another screen, as is mobile photography, the patent reads, though it doesnt cover any specific camera system. The device would also feature a single motherboard, with the main implication of that fact being that the concept wouldnt be that of two phones joined with a hinge but a single handset with an extra display thats rather thin and rotates around the actual body of the creation. The South Korean conglomerate also believes the invention could serve as a miniature laptop alternative in landscape mode, as per the same filing. While the display control software Samsung thought of would always classify one panel as the main screen, most applications, including the companys staple Always-On Display, would be capable of leveraging either or both at the same time. Advertisement Background: Samsung has been pursuing foldable smartphones for over half a decade, according to countless reports, industry insider claims, and statements from the company itself. The Seoul-based original equipment manufacturer is currently on course to start selling its first-ever foldable phone in 2019 but it may announce it as early as this year so as to beat Huawei to doing the same, sources claimed this summer. Its next big opportunity to do so assuming the handset wont launch at a dedicated product event is the next iteration of the annual Samsung Developer Conference, a two-day happening starting in San Francisco on November 7. Despite the newly uncovered IP filing, the companys idea of truly foldable smartphones revolves around devices with a single panel of the OLED variety thats both energy-efficient and bendable, as its own officials such as Samsung Mobile CEO DJ Koh said on numerous occasions. Its hence unclear how this concept that has already been commercialized by the Kyocera Echo back in 2011 fits in that grander plan; while patents are never a guarantee of commercial ambitions, the level of detail contained in Samsungs latest filing suggests the company certainly thought about this idea more than it does about many other additions to its intellectual property portfolio. Regardless of whether the dual-screen concept ever amounts to a consumer-grade device, Samsungs first smartphone with a bendable screen should launch as a niche offering priced at over $1,500, with previous reports suggesting the two will still share some selling points, including a focus on gaming. The South Korean OEM has been leveraging games in an attempt to target a younger demographic for the better part of this year; it most recently did so with the Galaxy Note 9, the latest addition to the popular phablet series that has traditionally been aimed exclusively at adults (not that those dont play games). The firms initiative saw it partner with Epic Games and feature popular battle royale title Fortnite as both a timed Galaxy device exclusive and a game that truly excels on its newest Android flagships. Advertisement While the aforementioned approach is still the subject of significant skepticism, Samsungs thinking appears to be clear games and high-end smartphones are a natural fit, even if the latter havent been designed with gaming as their primary purpose, which is the case with products such as the Razer Phone 2 launched just yesterday. As smartphone tech currently doesnt get more high-end than foldable handsets and given Samsungs existing marketing practices, its likely that gamers will certainly be a demographic the company will be targeting with such devices, even if it already has a gaming-first smartphone in the works. Impact: The sheer volume of use cases and details Samsung presented as part of its newly discovered IP filing is uncharacteristically detailed for patent requests, especially those describing something as ordinary as a smartphone, two screens notwithstanding. That state of affairs suggests the company may actually be much closer to commercializing the concept outlined above than what can be said for most other electronics patents, including those from Samsung itself. Regardless, the vision for foldable smartphones Samsung has been publicly communicating up to this point revolved around a single screen and many display technology breakthroughs, making it unclear whether the new filing is an outlier or signals a more profound, inclusive strategy for next-generation handsets. Mr. Koh previously confirmed the tech juggernauts first foldable smartphone wont be its last, so while Samsung will certainly be using it to test the global market response to such devices, it firmly believes a significant demand for them will be created sooner rather than later. Advertisement Once Samsung turns the Galaxy F or however its first bendable device will be called from an Android smartphone into an Android smartphone lineup, the company may not take long until it starts expanding the idea of foldable handsets to more form factors. The one uncovered here might actually be among the first variants Samsung will introduce given how none of the technologies it utilizes are next-generation stuff in the sense that they cant already be mass-produced with reliable yield rates, as suggested by the companys own statements included in the documentation reviewed by AndroidHeadlines. So, Samsung may eventually end up delivering the worlds first dual-screen smartphone people will actually want to use. In short: Three top Republican legislators wrote to Google on Thursday, demanding the company explains its decision to cover up a major blunder that exposed data of up to 500,000 Google+ users. Republican Senators Roger Wicker (MS), John Thune (SD), and Jerry Moran (KS) asked for detailed documentation that led to the cover-up after the vulnerability was discovered in March, including a memo recommending non-disclosure which was cited by the original report of the ordeal published by the Wall Street Journal earlier this week. In a letter addressing Google Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai, the Senators expressed a great concern for the matter at hand, inquiring why the firm only admitted to the blunder after the incident was discovered by the media. The legislators also suggested the incident violated the firms 2011 Proposed Consent Agreement with the Federal Trade Commission which required it to disclose the Google+ vulnerability to an independent assessor examining its privacy program as part of that deal. Questions were also raised about whether Google covered up other vulnerabilities in the past and is possibly still doing so. Finally, the Republican Senators took aim at Googles business model in their Thursday letter, asking whether the firm believes users of its free services should be given the same level of protection and risk notification as those who pay for its solutions as part of G Suite packages designed for enterprises. The lawmakers want to hear the tech giants response no later than 5 PM EST on October 30 and are especially disappointed they werent briefed on the matter by Google Chief Privacy Officer Keith Enright who attended a Senate committee hearing on digital privacy just two weeks ago. Advertisement Background: The original report on the bug that exposed data of hundreds of thousands of users claimed Google was fearful of the general publics reaction to the slip-up, especially given how the bug was discovered amid the peak of Facebooks Cambridge Analytica scandal. While Alphabets subsidiary hasnt commented on the matter one way or another, data security experts agree that was likely the case. They knew theyll create an outcry, according to Eric Schrock, Chief Technology Officer of virtualization and data security company Delphix. In a statement provided to AndroidHeadlines, Mr. Shrock said Google likely wanted to wait until its ready to time the disclosure so as to publicize it alongside some positive news. They wanted to say yes, we made a mistake, but look at all this other cool stuff,' he believes. Thats precisely what the company ended up doing; besides the acknowledgment of the vulnerability, its Monday communication included an announcement that Google+ itself was being killed off within ten months, which was accompanied by an unprecedented disclosure of some of its key performance metrics, such as the fact that over 90-percent of all Google+ sessions were shorter than five seconds. Additionally, Google announced its revamping Android developer policies simultaneously with the vulnerability admission, revealing its limiting third-party access to data such as call logs and SMS history. Finally, the disclosure came less than 24 hours before the companys annual hardware event which saw launches of a number of new products such as the Pixel 3 Android flagships and the Pixel Slate Chrome OS tablet, further shifting the conversation about Google away from the Google+ debacle. The timing did a lot to keep the disclosure in the public spotlight for as little as possible. Google said it found no evidence of the vulnerability being abused, though it also admitted its potential evidence pool is surprisingly limited the company only keeps logs for the People API set which contained the bug in question for two weeks, whereas affected users possibly had their data exposed since 2015 until this spring. The vulnerability allowed developers to pull Google+ profile data that has been marked as private by all users who shared their public info through the People APIs. Potentially compromised data includes names, email addresses, occupations, and other tidbits people were able to input into static fields of Google+ profiles, then choose to share or not share them with some of their circles. Advertisement Impact: Initial reports suggest Google didnt disclose the vulnerability to an independent assessor and may end up being hit with a multi-million-dollar fine for violating its 2011 agreement with the FTC. Google has yet to indicate whether it intends to respond to the Senators letter, though that seems like a probable scenario despite the fact that the communication lacks legal elements that could compel it to do so. The incident is currently being investigated by regulators in both the United States and the European Union, with the latter already having a straightforward path toward litigation the General Data Protection Regulation. The law that went into effect in late May could see Google fined up to four percentage points of its annual revenue, which would amount to a ten-figure sum, though if the European Commission ever chooses to prosecute the matter, its likely to settle for much less. Despite minimizing the impact of the disclosure as far as public criticism is concerned, the Mountain View, California-based Internet juggernaut still drew the attention of some established advocacy groups, regulators, and legislators. Google cannot be trusted, Consumer Watchdog wrote in its latest release, calling for more U.S. states to follow Californias example and enact strict laws similar to GDPR that would hold companies responsible for doing a poor job at protecting user data, in addition to allowing wronged consumers to take such corporate entities to court. Advertisement Google has recently been attracting a lot of negative publicity: the political right in the U.S. is accusing it of being biased toward liberal worldviews, legislators and human rights advocates are blasting it for its insistence on launching a censored version of Google Search for China, and Capitol Hill is taken aback by the fact that the firm opted not to renew its contract for Project Maven, a controversial initiative started by Pentagon that saw it collaborate with the Defense Department on weaponizing artificial intelligence. Combined with the new Google+ debacle and the fact that Google will also be held responsible for any foreign election meddling abusing its platforms in the run-up to next months mid-terms, the company has a rough period ahead of it. Buddha Air announces divestment programme Private carrier Buddha Air on Wednesday announced pursuing a well-planned divestment programme to enhance its operational and management efficiency as it plans to spread its wings and set course for exotic foreign destinations by 2020. The first Egyptian Rafale squadron (34 Wild Wolves) is now fully operational and remaining aircraft will equip a new unit within the 203rd Tactical Fighter Wing Storm at Gebel El Basur Air Base, about 85km north-west of Cairo. However, Egypts plans for the wing have been thrown into disarray by delays to a planned follow-on buy of 12 more aircraft. It was expected that the new batch would allow the formation of three squadrons each with 12 aircraft, or of two larger 18-aircraft units. Despite this uncertainty, the Egyptian Rafales are in full operational service, and flew their first combat mission on May 26/27 last year, providing air cover for strikes against Daesh targets. Egypt placed an order for 16 two-seat Rafale Bs and eight single-seat Rafale Cs in February 2015, though the Egyptian aircraft soon received their own designations; the two-seaters becoming Rafale DMs and the single-seaters Rafale EMs. Deliveries began on July 20 2015, when the first three Egyptian Rafale DMs were delivered, allowing them to take part in the opening ceremonies for a new side channel of the Suez Canal, located at the northern side of the east extension. These first three Rafales were originally built for the French Air Force as Rafale Bs, but were diverted to Egypt instead, following the removal of some French equipment. The first two-seat Rafale DM built from scratch for Egypt left Dassault Aviations assembly line in mid-December 2016 ahead of delivery on January 28 last year, with two further aircraft built as Rafale DMs. Dassault delivered only a single Rafale to France in 2017, but sent eight single-seat Rafale EMs to Egypt. Three went from Bordeaux-Merignac to Gebel El Basur on April 4 2017, with two more following on July 26 and three on November 28, all staged via the French Air Forces Base Aerienne 125 at Istres-Le Tube. Dassault had flown the first Egyptian Air Force Rafale EM single-seater on July 1 2016. Initial flight-testing was undertaken from Bordeaux-Merignac and then transferred to Istres. By the end of 2017, the Egyptian Air Force operated 14 Rafales, of the 24 originally ordered. These were armed with Mica air-to-air missiles, and AASM Hammer guided missiles and were expected to receive MBDA SCALP cruise missiles. Egypt has long planned to acquire 12 further Rafales and a contract aimed at converting Egypts 12 options into firm orders is believed to have been drawn up during Egyptian leader, Abdel Fattah al-Sisis, visit to Paris in October 2017. French Finance Minister, Bruno Le Maire, was initially reported to have been reluctant to agree to the sale because of the payment terms asked for by Egypt. But, in the event, the order was held up by another, rather different problem, with the US refusing to clear the export of a key (but unspecified) component for the SCALP cruise missile. In the meantime, Egypt is preparing to introduce 48-50 MiG-29M2 fighters into service. These lack the long-range strike capabilities of the Rafale, but if the SCALP issue cannot be resolved, the usefulness of the more expensive Rafale may be limited, and the need for 12 further aircraft will be hard to justify, despite the Egyptian Air Forces long-standing links with Dassault (having flown the Mirage 5, and the Mirage 2000, as well as the Falcon 7X). The Rafale was procured precisely because it has strike capabilities lacking in Egypts other fighter aircraft types. Another Rafale customer, Qatar, has successfully decided to buy 12 extra Rafale fighter jets as part of an existing contractual option, Dassault Aviation has confirmed. Qatar has provided a down-payment for the 12 aircraft, allowing Dassault to record the deal in its 2018 order book. The order came into effect on March 27. Qatars original 6.3 billion ($7.8 billion) order for 24 Rafales was signed on May 4 2015, and included weapons and some training provision. Dassault is increasing its production rate to two Rafales per month, double the recent rate, in response to recent sales to India, Egypt, and Qatar. The assembly line will, of course, still shut down for a traditional French one-month summer holiday in August. The programme will include a series of educational awareness presentations and displays, social media discussion sessions, mental health-themed drawing and photography competitions for staff and their families, as well as a special health and wellness VIP event on the day itself. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: Qatar Airways has always been a strong advocate for promoting better mental health and wellbeing among its staff through its Priority 1 - Your Health & Wellness campaign. A healthy mind is every bit as important as a healthy body, but the stigma associated with mental health issues is often a huge factor is preventing those struggling, from seeking the right kind of help and support. We aim to tackle this by encouraging people to view as broken down into five themes of Be Active, Connect, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give. Our message is that, by redirecting your energies towards boosting your physical health, reaching out to those around you, becoming more aware of your feelings, trying new things and focusing on kindness and sharing, you can combat many of the negative emotions and behaviours that affect our everyday lives. We are delighted to partner with Hamad Medical Corporation to champion this important global initiative. Qatar Airways Group Medical Director, Dr. John Roberts, said: Encouraging an awareness of practices that can lead to greater emotional wellbeing in the workplace is a key part of this campaign. We invite all staff and family members to participate in the many activities designed to promote greater understanding of ways we can support ourselves and each other in this important area. An initiative of the World Federation of Mental Health and supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), World Mental Health Day takes place every year on 10 October with the objective of raising awareness of mental health issues and promoting greater emotional wellbeing. Among the Qatar Airways events and activities that have been organised for this years programme include a photography competition, Mental Health through my Lens, inviting Qatar Airways Group employees to submit a photo with a description of how the image connects to one of the five themes. Young children of staff can also get involved by drawing a picture to illustrate the theme Happiness in my world, and a series of presentations will be on display at all main Qatar Airways offices to promote greater awareness of key mental health issues. American Company Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and German Company Rheinmetall Defence have joined forces to meet the U.S. Army's requirement for the NGCV (Next-Generation Combat Vehicle-Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle) program. The global industry team will offer the new KF41 Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle paired with Raytheon weapons, sensors and system integration expertise to provide the Army with an advanced, modular, survivable and lethal solution with unmatched growth potential. The NGCV is expected to replace the Bradley IFV tracked armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle. The KF41 Lynx tracked armored IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle was unveiled by the German Company Rheinmetall in June 2018 during the defense exhibition Eurosatory 2018 in Paris, France. (Picture source Army Recognition) Scheduled for fielding in 2026, the Next-Generation Combat Vehicle will be optimized for urban combat and rural terrain. The Army has named the NGCV as a top modernization priority supported under the service's new Futures Command structure. "We fully understand the Army's need to quickly modernize its aging family of combat vehicles. Our team offers a fresh, innovative approach, not business as usual," said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, Raytheon Missile Systems president. "Raytheon will equip the new Lynx with the world's most advanced technology to deliver a modern fighting vehicle that will keep U.S. soldiers far ahead of battlefield threats for decades to come." Raytheon technology earmarked for the Lynx could include advanced variants of Raytheon weapons, next-generation thermal sights, the Coyote unmanned aircraft system and the company's Active Protection System. Like those systems, the vehicle will be made in America. German Company Rheinmetall unveiled the KF41 Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle in June 2018 during the Defense Exhibition Eurosatory 2018 in Paris, France. The new, tracked, armored vehicle is designed to address the critical challenges of the future battlefield, with a focus on growth capacity and lower life-cycle costs. The Lynx IFV will provide the Army a next-generation lethal, powerful, lifesaving and adaptable fighting vehicle that represents true leap ahead capability compared to legacy vehicles. The Lynx can also be adapted to enable optional manning features, such as remote operation of the vehicle and Lance turret. "Rheinmetall and Raytheon have worked together successfully for many years on numerous programs," said Ben Hudson, global head of Rheinmetall's Vehicle Systems division. "We are once again combining the best of German and American engineering to provide the U.S. Army with a step change in capability, giving soldiers the overmatch advantage they expect and deserve. Production of the Lynx in the U.S. will enable additional development and sustainment of the world-class American defense industrial base." China will sell 48 advanced armed drones to Pakistan. Called the Wing Loong II, the drone can be used for both combat and surveillance missions. Although details of when and deal price is not clear, the drones will enhance Pakistans capabilities in the backdrop of India signing a deal with Russia for the S-400 missile defence system. Chinese Wing Loong II UAV, made by Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company (Picture source: Army Recognition) The Wing Loong II is an improved version of the Wing Loong 1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. Falling in the category of Medium Altitude Long Endurance, it is manufactured by the Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company. The UAV has been developed primarily for Peoples Liberation Army Air Force and export. The concept of the Wing Loong II was unveiled at the Aviation Expo China in Beijing in September 2015. 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. The deal is nevertheless trustworthy, given the close military ties between the two countries and Pakistan's need for drones, 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. 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. 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. US drones like the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper are technologically more advanced, but Washington limits their export, Song said. Congress defers central working panel meeting indefinitely The Nepali Congress has postponed Thursdays Central Working Committee meeting until further notice. 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. Universal Studios Scares Up Stranger Things Experience Trending News: Enter The Upside Down At Universal Studios' Epic Halloween Event Last year around this time, Stranger Things fans were prepping for a fresh season of the Netflix hit to land just in time for Halloween. That's not the case this fall, however, as the supernatural sci-fi series is sadly taking 2018 off. Wannabe dwellers of the Upside-Down needn't wait till next year to get their Stranger Things fix though, as Universal Studios is bringing the show to life at their Orlando, Hollywood, and Singapore theme parks. As part of the parks' annual Halloween Horror Nights event, the Stranger Things attraction invites fans to relive the first season's most iconic and spine-chilling moments. Presented as a haunted house of sorts, the goosebumps-inducing experience includes all of the Eggo Waffle references and Demogorgon encounters you might expect. Constructed in a massive sound-stage, which takes seven or so minutes to navigate (less if you're running in fear), it offers a brilliant blend of scares and fan-service. After braving a behind-the-scenes tour of the house at Universal's Orlando location though, we discovered there's much more to it than breakfast treats and Upside-Down beasts. Matt Cabral Thoughtfully crafted in collaboration with Netflix and the show's creators, the Duffer brothers, the experience is no rip-off, but rather an authentic representation of the series' debut season. Beginning in Hawkins National Laboratory and concluding in the fictional town's middle school, the attraction retells the show's story with amazing attention to detail. Look-alike actors bring fan-favorite characters to life, while detailed sets, props, special effects, and plenty of spooky lighting set the mood with unmatched immersion. Audio effects and dialog ripped right from the series also do their part to put you in Hawkins' scariest spots. Walking past a protective Sheriff Jim Hopper, as he fires a pistol in the air and yells Go! in your face, for example, is just one of many moments that will make you feel like you're living in Eleven's world. There's also encounters with the kids starring spot-on performers as well as Joyce Byers, who'll shoot you a crazed glance as she attempts to breach her living room wall with an ax. You'll have a hard time taking your eyes off Mrs. Byers, especially with those iconic Christmas lights flashing coded messages from Will above the couch, but it's worth averting your gaze to soak in the details. Brimming with authenticity, the living room's filled with cool vintage props (all from 1984 or earlier), from VHS cassettes to classic toys, that sell the moment with realism to spare. Matt Cabral The same attention to detail can be found in Will's bedroom, another lovingly created set that's unmistakable from the show's counterpart. A boombox on the boy's bureau blasts The Clash's Should I Stay Or Should I Go, while everything from his tube socks to his E.T. plush toy bring you back to a time when big hair ruled and parallel worlds bred child-abducting creatures. Speaking of the Demogorgon, prepare for the infamous Upside-Down ugly to scare your pants off multiple times, usually from the most unexpected of places. While there's technically just a single Demogorgon in the franchise's fiction, the haunted house uses multiple live actors and puppets to ensure its represented at key moments. For fans, this means emitting a blood-curdling scream at least a handful of times when coming face-to-slimy-face with the nightmare-conjuring creature. Matt Cabral Like the other nine haunted houses at Halloween Horror Nights, Stranger Things hopes to have you howling in fear. So while it presents a must-see tribute to the series, it's no museum or prop exhibit. For all intents and purposes, it has you walking (jumping?) through the shows first season and its most heart-stopping moments. There's much more to the attraction than the aforementioned encounters, but we wouldn't want to spoil all the fun and frights for you. If you want to brave the Upside-Down for yourself, while getting a good dose of '80s nostalgia, Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights through November 3rd. Matt Cabral You Might Also Dig Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Corruption has thrived in Nepal Army: CoASThapa Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) Purna Chandra Thapa has acknowledged that corruption has flourished in Nepal Army. Chris Ward, Cooper Grace Ward (CGW) managing partner, will be leading a global network of independent law firms. Ward has been elected as president of ADVOC Asia. Because of the structure of ADVOC, Ward will also be the global head of the organisation, CGW said. He will be ADVOC Asias president until June 2020. I am honoured to be elected president of ADVOC Asia and to take on the role of leading the organisation globally. ADVOC is a great organisation which brings benefits for clients and team members of each of the 93 firms in the network, Ward said. Massons has helped Austral Bricks in the sale of industrial land in the Sydney suburb of Riverwood. The commercial property specialist firm helped sell the two adjoining land parcels, which are about nine hectares big, for $41m to an unnamed south Sydney buyer. Austral has committed to a partial leaseback of 2.17ha for 10-years. This was a fantastic outcome for our client, Austral Bricks, and followed a highly competitive expressions of interest campaign for the property, said Jodie Masson, who jointly led the firms team. Clyde & Co has added two senior lawyers to its Hong Kong team with one hire and one relocation. Moving to the region is partner Christopher Jobson, a preeminent marine lawyer who has been in Abdu Dhabi as managing partner having previously been in Dubai. Its a return to Clydes Hong Kong office for Jobson; he first joined the firm there in 1990. He will hold a regional management role and sit on the firms Asia Pacific management board. According to various sources, a problem with the launch rockets boosters caused some issues soon after launch, creating the need for the Soyuz capsule to abort the ascent to the International Space Station and perform a maneuver NASA calls ballistic descent.Both men managed to survive their crash, and are currently in Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, being checked out by medics while eating nuts and crackers, as seen from the photos released by the American Space Agency.Their next stop is the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, outside Moscow, a move which could mean that a re-launch of the mission is not yet been considered.Officially its too early to say what exactly led to the problems encountered by the two men during their Expedition 57 launch, where they would have stayed for the next six months. Both NASA and the Russian space agency Roscosmos said they would be setting up teams to look into the matter.NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and the NASA team are monitoring the situation carefully, said the Americans in a statement.NASA is working closely with Roscosmos to ensure the safe return of the crew. Safety of the crew is the utmost priority for NASA. A thorough investigation into the cause of the incident will be conducted.Coincidently, the heads of the two space agencies, Jim Bridenstine and Dmitry Rogozin, were at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan from where the Soyuz rocket took off.The two were supposed to have a meeting over the now infamous hole on the ISS , which caused a minor oxygen leak and heated debates between the two agencies. To be more precise, the M2 Competition lapped the Green Hell in 7:52.36, all while manhandled by Sport Auto.We're talking about a German magazine that has become an authority in terms of independent Ring numbers and yet the chronograph stunts it delivers still remain slightly below the official ones.Then again, if you're looking to defend the entry-level M car's time, you should know that BMW M test driver Jorg Weidinger also took the wheel, setting a lap time of 7:50.It's difficult not to compare the said lap time with the 7:50 the BMW M3 CSL did back in 2003. Sure, that was a limited edition destined for the track, but even if we compare the M2 Competition to the non-M 2019 BMW Z4 M40i, the first is only three seconds quicker.For the record, both the all-wheel-drive (with heavy understeer tendencies) Audi TT-RS and the front-wheel-drive Honda Civic Type R (7:43.8, anybody?) are noticeably quicker.And the lap time isn't the main problem here. For one thing, the non-Competition M2 covered in Ring 7:58 when the car was launched back in 2015, so we can talk about progress. However, if the M2 were a tail-out, fun little car, much fewer people would have reasons to complain.Nevertheless, as you'll notice in the piece of footage at the bottom of the page, understeer is at home in the BMW M2 Competition. In fact, if you head over to the 6:30 point of the clip, you'll notice the effect this has on Sport Auto test driver Christian Gebhardt.For instance, when the Renault Megane RS one-upped the BMW 1M Coupe on the Ring earlier this decade, the Bimmer could at least play the drifter card.While we expect the suspension setup (read: safety net) and the lack of certain tires (perhaps the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 would) to be responsible for this, we would still expect the standard version of the M2 Competition to behave like a proper RWD toy.Hopefully, the upcoming BMW M2 CS, which has recently been spied doing its thing on the Ring, will address this matter. Previously under White Knight Automobiles, TCCCI is going to make some major changes in the local MG range, expand the dealer network to 16 branches, as well as upgrade the service centers. To further boost the marque's presence in the Philippines, TCCCI will be setting up roadshows nationwide towards the end of the year and well into 2019. The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI) has been a long time distributor of Chevrolet vehicles in the Philippines. This year however, their business portfolio has now expanded to two automakers as the company takes over the operations of MG in the Philippines. With that, MG Philippines will have a total of six vehicles in the lineup by 2019. The initial range will consist of six models, consisting of a sedan, compact crossover, and a subcompact crossover. Serving as the entry-level model of the local MG range is the ZS, their subcompact crossover. That puts it at the same class as the Ford EcoSport, Suzuki Vitara and Nissan Juke. Three variants are available with the manual-transmission Style, followed by the automatic Style, and is topped off by the Alpha. A 1.5-liter engine powers all the ZS models and it makes 114 PS and 150 Nm of torque. Moving up the range is the MG 6, the lone sedan in the range for now. Competing in the compact sedan class, the MG 6 is set to go head to head against the likes of the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, and Mazda 3. Two grades are available upon launch with the Alpha as the base and the Trophy as the top of the line model. Both are powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter mill with 162 PS and 250 Nm of torque. A seven-speed dual clutch transmission is standard on both. At the top of the lineup sits the RX5 and will be in the same segment as the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, and Subaru Forester. Like the MG 6, there are two model lines which are dubbed Core and Style in the case of the RX5. It also uses the same powertrain combination found in the MG 6 with its 1.5-liter turbo producing 162 PS and 250 Nm of torque, which is then paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Prices for the MG Philippines range are as follows: MG ZS Style M/T: Php 818,888 MG ZS Style A/T: Php 868,888 MG ZS: Php 998,888 MG 6 Alpha: Php 1,068,888 MG 6 Trophy: Php 1,188,888 MG RX5 Core: Php 1,058,888 MG RX5 Style: Php 1,228,888 If you've been waiting for an interesting city car, one that takes the size and shape of a subcompact hatchback, then the Hyundai Santro -a model just revealed online by Hyundai in India- might be worth waiting for... because it could become the new generation Hyundai Eon. The name Santro may be unfamiliar to our market, but it's really the Indian marketing name for the older Hyundai Atos/Atoz; a model that was succeeded by the first generation i10 in 2007. Reports indicate that this model will replace the diminutive Eon and slot in as the entry grade model under the Grand i10. Our spy photographers have snapped up the new Santro before while it underwent winter testing in Europe, but this is the first time Hyundai has released official images of the undisguised model. The design is a departure from the previous design cues of Hyundai; they're calling this the Rhythmical Tension design theme. The big cascade grill dominates the front and appears to be extended by the foglamp trim. The design of the of the Eon, err, Santro is completed by a rather liberal use of creases and character lines to accentuate the hood and wheel arches, breaking up the tendency of tall, economy hatchbacks to become rather slab sided and featureless. Bruce Whitman, chairman, president, and CEO of FlightSafety International, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 85. Whitman joined the U.S. Air Force after graduating from Connecticuts Trinity College in 1955, earning ratings as a pilot, navigator and bombardier before being appointed Assistant to the Commander at Homestead Air Force Base in 1957. He started at FlightSafety International in 1961 and was promoted to CEO in 2003. All of us with FlightSafety are deeply saddened by Bruces passing read a statementfrom the company. We are deeply indebted to Bruce for his many contributions to the aviation industry, his service in the United States Air Force, support of our veterans and those who currently serve, his contributions to Orbis International, and dedication to educate and foster patriotism among young people. We are thankful for his outstanding leadership of FlightSafety and especially for his friendship, guidance, and vision. Whitman served in many advisory and leadership positions in aviation groups including the National Business Aircraft Association, Flight Safety Foundation, National Air Transport Associations Air Charter Safety Foundation, General Aviation Manufacturers Association and National Aeronautic Association. He was Chairman Emeritus of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation and a Director Emeritus of the Civil Air Patrol and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. He was awarded the Living Legends of Aviation Lifetime Aviation Industry Leader Award in 2013. One Aviation has entered into a consensual restructuring, the company said in a news release on Wednesday, and has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company has secured financing that will enable it to maintain its normal operations and plan for the future, according to the release. The path to this outcome has been long and difficult, said CEO Alan Klapmeier. The management team appreciates the generous support it has received from its employees, service providers, suppliers and customers throughout the process. Development of the EA700 Canadaan upgraded version of the Eclipse EA500 twinjet, with more range and faster cruisewill continue, and the company said it also will continue to provide service, maintenance and upgrades to the existing fleet of EA500 and EA550 jets. The company didnt announce any plans for the Kestrel turboprop, and Klapmeier has not responded to AVwebs request for more details. The companys financial problems over recent years have been widely reported. Earlier this year, the company was behind on its hangar rental fees in Albuquerque, and downsized from three hangars to one. Previously, its operations in Maine, in support of the Kestrel turboprop, were shut down, and jobs were cut from both Kestrel and Eclipse staff. A number of companies and individuals are backing away from doing business with Saudi Arabia until more answers are provided on the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who Turkish officials believe was murdered inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. The big picture: Many of the world's largest prospective financial deals involve Saudi Arabia and are predicated on trust in Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) as a reformer. Meanwhile, there is speculation that MBS was personally involved in Khashoggi's disappearance. The fallout Several companies and individuals have pulled out of Saudi Arabia's Future Investment Initiative (FII), a massive conference colloquially known as "Davos in the Desert" hosted by MBS and the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund from Oct. 23-25, while the investigation into Khashoggi's disappearance continues. The announcements, in chronological order: Australia announced Saturday that "official Australian representation at the forthcoming Future Investment Initiative event in Riyadh is no longer appropriate," per Reuters citing a joint statement from Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Trade Minister Simon Birmingham. Notable companies and individuals who are still attending FII: EDF CEO Jean-Bernard Levy, per CNN. Venture capitalist Jim Breyer. Total CEO Patrick Pouyanne, per Reuters. Companies and individuals cutting business ties: Richard Branson, billionaire entrepreneur and founder of Virgin Group, announced Thursday that he will suspend his directorships of two Saudi tourism projects and is suspending talks of a $1 billion investment with the country: "What has reportedly happened in Turkey around the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, if proved true, would clearly change the ability of any of us in the West to do business with the Saudi Government." Ernest Moniz, former energy secretary under President Obama, is suspending his involvement advising Saudi Arabia on a $500 billion smart city project. Neelie Kroes, a NEOM board member and former vice president of the European Commission, told the WSJ she would be suspending her role in the project until more is known. Hollywood agency Endeavor Content is reportedly pulling out of a $400 million investment deal with Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund (The Hollywood Reporter). BGR Group, a lobbying firm, is no longer working for Saudi Arabia, according to Jeffrey Birnbaum, president of BGR's public relations division, (The Daily Beast). Be smart: As Axios' Dan Primack writes, it's "much easier to bail on a conference than it is to unwind complex and lucrative business relationships." Go deeper: Primack and New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof discuss the Khashoggi news on Axios' Pro Rata Podcast. This is an updating list. Chief Justice John Roberts on Wednesday transferred more than a dozen judicial misconduct complaints related to the Supreme Courts newest associate justice, Brett Kavanaugh, to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Colorado for further review. The details: The 15 complaints are related to remarks Kavanugh made during his confirmation hearings last month. They were initially filed with D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals where Kavanaugh served as a federal judge for 12 years before his confirmation to the high court last Saturday. The backdrop: People familiar with the issue told the Washington Post that the allegations center on whether President Trump's Supreme Court pick was dishonest and lacked judicial temperament during his Senate testimony. The Post notes that complaints made against judges are usually handled by the chief judge. A justice on the court asked Roberts last month to refer the complaints to another appeals court for review, saying that they should not be handled by Kavanaughs colleagues, reports the Post. The outcome of the review is unclear. Arthur D. Hellman, a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh, told the publication that the 10th Circuit will likely toss the case because it is no longer within their jurisdiction, now that Kavanaughs nomination has been confirmed. Michael Cohen, President Trump's former attorney who until June served as the Republican Partys deputy finance chair, today changed his party registration from Republican to Democrat, according to a knowledgeable source. Between the lines: The move fits a pattern of Cohen publicly breaking from the man for whom he once said hed take a bullet. Cohen went online around noon to the Albany-based New York State Board of Elections to make the change, according to the source. Keep in mind that Cohen has been signaling his break with Trump for months now, after Trump didn't lift a finger to defend him from charges of campaign finance violations over Cohen's payments of hush money to keep two women quiet about their affairs with Trump. In his guilty plea in August, Cohen implicated Trump by suggesting that the then-presidential candidate directed him to keep the affairs quiet. His quote to George Stephanopoulos in July: I put family and country first. The source with knowledge of the situation told Axios that Cohens party switch is consistent with what he told Stephanopoulos on July 2, that constituted his declaration of independence two days before Independence Day, with the key message to Stephanopoulos that now I put my family and my country first. The other side: Cohen's move is sure to be treated with skepticism by Trump's allies. They've already been saying that Cohen is simply being opportunistic now that hes headed for prison and is exiled from Trumpworld. His sentencing is scheduled for December. The backstory: This isn't the first time Cohen has changed his party registration. He was a registered Democrat before 2017, when he became a Republican after being asked, and agreeing to become, deputy chairman of the Republican National Committees Finance Committee with Steve Wynn serving as chairman. (Wynn stepped down amid sexual misconduct allegations.) NASA is citing an issue with a Russian Soyuz booster rocket as the cause of the aborted launch of a rocket carrying NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, two minutes after takeoff from Russia Thursday morning. Details: The rocket reached about 31 miles in altitude just below the boundary of space when the failure occurred, Deputy Chief Astronaut Reid Wiseman said during a press conference Thursday. The crew landed approximately 11 miles outside of Zhezqazghan, a small city in central Kazakhstan. NASA officials praised Russian rescue efforts for retrieving both crews safely. Neither crew was injured in the process. Wiseman told reporters, "The crew experienced about 6-7 times Earth's gravity, which is not insignificant, but from everything we've seen, the crew's in great shape, they're in biking order, they're healthy." The current International Space Station crew, commanded by Alexander Gerst, will stay put and can get resupplied while NASA decides the next steps. A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. The big picture: The Soyuz rocket is currently the only way U.S. astronauts can access low Earth orbit, pending the certification of SpaceX and Boeing's spacecraft for the Commercial Crew program, which won't come for at least another year. When asked about the U.S.-Russia relationship moving forward, Kenny Todd, International Space Station operations integration manager, responded: "Clearly over the last 7 years we have relied on the Russians to get our astronauts to space and that partnership has just continued to grow. ... We're very proud of the relationship that we have here at NASA and with our Rococosmos. When it comes to technical issues, they really don't know political boundaries ... we've made a lot of good things happen." What's next: Todd explained that the Russian agency is setting up an investigation into what caused the failure, but added that they do not suspect criminal activity. The group running the investigation "will be tasked with trying to understand exactly what happened and what recovery efforts are needed in order to get flying again," Todd said. Editor's note: This article has been corrected to indicate the Soyuz rocket is manufactured and operated by Russia. President Trump said Thursday during an expansive interview on "Fox & Friends" that he would overrule Attorney General Jeff Sessions if he tries to stop a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill in the Senate, a favorite project of Jared Kushner. There has to be a reform because it's very unfair right now. It's very unfair to African Americans. It's very unfair to everybody. And it's also very costly. Why it matters: In the past, Trump has been more hesitant on the topic particularly regarding federal sentencing guidelines thanks to tough-on-crime Republicans like Sessions and Sen. Tom Cotton. His latest remarks are a victory for Kushner, Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, Sen. Dick Durbin and other members of Congress who have worked to get the reform bill through the House to find compromise in the Senate. Context: Trump is meeting with Kanye West to discuss prison reform later today. He has previously met with Kim Kardashian, West's wife, to discuss clemency and prison reform efforts and commuted Alice Johnson's sentence after Kardashian's advocacy. What's next: Trump does not plan to openly push for the bill until after the midterms due to opposition from hardline conservatives like Cotton. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he will bring the bill to the floor sometime after the midterms if it has more than 60 votes. By Trend Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 25 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Oct. 11. 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 Sara Israfilbayova Transparency and accountability are the basis for stable and rapidly developing economy. Chairman of the Azerbaijan Chamber of Auditors Vahid Novruzov told Trend that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev pays special attention to ensuring transparency in the economy. This is not coincidence, because world practice shows that only transparent economy can be sustainable, develop rapidly and actively attract foreign investments. Without transparency, neither investors nor local entrepreneurs will be interested in investing in the economy, he underlined. Novruzov went on to say that the systematic work has been recently carried out in the country in expanding transparency in the economy, adding that many decrees, orders, state programs have been recently signed in this direction. Amid high transparency, entrepreneurs faith in the countrys economy and its financial system is growing," he said, further saying that this issue has been also reflected in strategic roadmaps. The economy of Azerbaijan has been developing successfully and dynamically over the last decade. Currently, the country is eager to develop the non-oil sector of the economy and the government does its best to create conditions for a business doing and a proper business climate in the country. Thus, the volume of non-oil exports of Azerbaijan increased by 14 percent in January to July 2018 compared to the same period of last year. In order to stimulate the business development in the country, the government creates favorable conditions for entrepreneurs. One of these steps is the suspension of inspections. During the period of the laws validity, only tax audits, quality control of medicines by relevant executive authorities, verification of compliance with safety regulations and safety control of food products, as well as checks on cases that threaten the health and life of people, national security and economic interests may be carried out. Moreover, the government creates many other conditions as, issuance of the investment incentives documents following the approval of amendments proposed to the Tax Code of the country. Under the investment incentives document, half of the revenue of an individual entrepreneur, profits of legal entity are exempted from income tax for seven years. Import of equipment for the implementation of the projects is also exempt of VAT and customs duties. Also, the state refunds 3-6 percent of the customs value of goods to non-oil exporters within the framework of mechanisms on promoting exports of non-oil products. Besides, the geography of export of Azerbaijani products is considerably expanding, and the number of entrepreneurs engaged in foreign trade activity is growing. Today it covers more than 80 countries of the world, and in particular, the CIS countries, the Persian Gulf region, the EU, China and others. Promotion of the Made in Azerbaijan brand, which is an initiative aimed at entering new markets, became one of the priorities of the countrys foreign economic policy. President Ilham Aliyev signed the Decree on large-scale promotion of local non-oil products in foreign markets as Made in Azerbaijan on 5 October 2016. This Decree includes nine different support mechanisms to stimulate exports and promote Made in Azerbaijan abroad. Depending on the support mechanisms, the costs relating to their realization are fully or partially covered by the state budget. The export missions play an important role in expanding non-oil exports and promoting the domestic made products. Over the past year Azerbaijan has organized a number of different missions to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, China, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Germany, Qatar and other countries. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Donor support to education wanes A gradual decline in the share of bilateral and multilateral donors in budgetary support could trouble the government as its liability grows with the compulsory and free education law taking effect. By Sara Israfilbayova Azerbaijan plans to open its next trade and wine houses in Shanghai, China. Azerbaijani Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev made the remarks during the meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Azerbaijan Wei Jinghua, adding that Azerbaijan pays great attention to cooperation with China. It was stressed that the Trade House of Azerbaijan, opened in September 2018 in the Chinese city of Liuzhou, will contribute not only to the expansion of trade and economic relations between the two countries, but also to the recognition of Azerbaijani products in China and cooperation in the sphere of culture and tourism. The minister noted that Azerbaijans wine house has already been opened in the Chinese city of Urumqi and now, trade and wine houses are planned to be opened in Shanghai. During the meeting, the views on the first China International Import Expo, to be held on November 5-10 in the city of Shanghai, were exchanged. The Azerbaijani delegation will visit China to participate in the exhibition. The exhibition will feature products and services of more than 30 companies of Azerbaijan. During the visit, prospects for expanding economic cooperation with official representatives of China will also be discussed. The minister went on to say that Azerbaijans relations with China are developing in the areas of logistics, trade, investments, tourism and the humanitarian sphere. Jinghua, in turn, stressed that China is interested in the development of relations with Azerbaijan and shared his opinion on the prospects for the development of cooperation. Economic ties between Azerbaijan and China play a large role in the bilateral political relationships. The cooperation between China and Azerbaijan strongly contributes to the realization of the Great Silk road program. The Great Silk Road is a general name of a caravan road, which has been the main two-way trading bridge of East and West since the 3rd century BC up to now. The Great Silk Road starts in Japan and China stretches up to Europe cutting through India, Afghanistan, Iran, Central Asia, Caucasus, Asia Minor, Northern Africa including connecting the Indian Ocean, the Chinese Sea, the Japanese Sea, the Red Sea, the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Mediterranean Sea. China became Azerbaijans 4th largest trading partner in 2017. Customs data of Azerbaijan estimated bilateral trade at a record close to $1.3 billion in 2017, up 33 percent from the previous year. Exports of Azerbaijani goods amounted to $433.8 million (3.21 percent of total exports), while imports of Chinese products to Azerbaijan reached $854.5 million (9.73 percent of total imports). The main export products from Azerbaijan to China last year were chemical products, fuel, and plastics. From China to Azerbaijan over the past year were imported electric equipment, vehicles and spare parts, clothing, ceramic products, household items. --- Sara Israfilbayova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Sara_999Is Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Narmina Mammadova Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates are discussing the expansion of joint investments, as well as the ways of developing economic cooperation, the Arab media outlets reported on October 11. This issue was discussed during the meeting between Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the United Arab Emirates Dashgin Shikarov and Director General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mohammad Helal Al Muhairi. Strong trade and economic ties between Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates can be expanded by updating investors in Abu Dhabi about investment opportunities in Azerbaijan, especially in the areas of industry, tourism, health care and education, Al Muhairi added. In turn, Shikarov also urged UAE businessmen to invest in Azerbaijan, especially in such fields as tourism, infrastructure and transport. He stressed that in December, the trade delegation from Azerbaijan intends to visit Abu Dhabi. There has been fruitful and trustful collaboration between Azerbaijan and the UAE for more than 25 years. The two countries are keen to deepen economic cooperation. To date, more than 250 companies from the UAE work in Azerbaijan. The UAE-Azerbaijan Joint Economic Committee previously said both countries were to focus on nine key areas for bilateral cooperation, including air transport, tourism, communications, environment, water, agriculture, renewable energy, modern technology and industry. Azerbaijan mainly imports high-tech products, electronics, industrial goods and building materials from the UAE and exports to the UAE fruits, juices, nuts, metal semi-finished products and so on. According to the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee, the trade turnover between Azerbaijan and the UAE amounted to $28.457 million in January-July 2018, which is 67 percent more than in the same period of 2017. At the same time, exports from Azerbaijan to the UAE amounted to $12.317 million (an increase of 58.8 percent), while imports - $16.139 million (by 73.8 percent). --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Chairman of the Azerbaijani parliament Ogtay Asadov met with Chairman of the Iranian parliament Ali Larijani in Turkeys Antalya city, the Azerbaijani parliament said in a message on Oct. 11. According to the message, the views on the development of relations between the legislative bodies of the countries were exchanged at the meeting within the third gathering of the chairmen of the parliaments of the Eurasian countries. The sides appreciated the dynamics of development of relations between parliaments. The views on the North-South transport corridor were exchanged during the meeting, at which the prospects for the development of relations between the countries were touched upon. Asadov stressed that the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway creates big prospects for the North-South transport corridor. The third meeting of the chairmen of the parliaments of the Eurasian countries was held in Antalya with the organizational support of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. At the meeting which was held under the motto "Economic Cooperation, Environment and Sustainable Development in Eurasia", Azerbaijan was represented by a delegation led by Chairman of the Azerbaijani parliament Ogtay Asadov. The Azerbaijani delegation also included chairman of the committee of the Azerbaijani parliament Ali Huseynli, MPs Khanlar Fatiyev, Agalar Valiyev, head of the parliaments office Safa Mirzoyev and others. Over 350 people, including representatives of parliaments of 39 countries and a number of international organizations attended the event. In conclusion, a declaration was adopted. The dialogue of the chairmen of the parliaments of the Eurasian countries, which was launched two years ago in Moscow and continued last year in Seoul, has become a tradition. Azerbaijan takes an active part in this process. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Laman Ismayilova The 9th European Film Festival solemnly opened in Baku on October 10. The festival is co-organized by the Embassies of the EU Member States accredited in Azerbaijan, the Embassy of Norway and Park Cinema, Trend Life reported. The event was attended by representatives of diplomatic missions accredited in Azerbaijan, famous figures of culture and art and numerous cinema fans. Addressing the event, Head of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Azerbaijan Kestutis Jankauskas said that the festival had aroused great interest, and a large number of viewers had come to the show. It was stressed that two films "Wild Amsterdam" (Netherlands) and "Kincsem" (Hungary) opened the festival. Mark Verkerk, director of the film "Wild Amsterdam," and producer Ignas van Schaick stressed that it is a great honor for them that the European Cinema Festival opened with their films. In his speech, well-known director and producer, Chairman of the Lithuanian Filmmakers Union Arunas Matelis invited all viewers to the screening of his film "Wonderful Losers: A Different World", which will be shown on October 11 as part of the festival. Further, the guests enjoyed the films "Wild Amsterdam" and "Kincsem". The film "Wild Amsterdam" -reveals all the secrets of this dynamic city through the eyes of its animal inhabitants. This story, "told" by the cat Fritz, reminds us that the city exists not only for people. Amsterdam is an ideal place to explore the deep and often comical connections between humans and animals. The film "Kincsem" tells the story of Erno Blaskovich, who lost everything after the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. Kincsem, a magnificent horse gives a purpose of his meaningless, self-destructing life. He gets a chance to gain everything back: revenge, love and fame. The 9th European Film Festival will last until October 21. The program features 19 films from 17 European Union countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom), as well as Norway and Azerbaijan. The films are selected to suit all audiences. The films "Barbara", "Wonderful Losers: A Different World", "Perdidos", "Dream Team 1935", "Bubblegum", "Dark blue world", "In Syria", "See You Up There", "Halima's path", "303 Squadron", "Pioneer", "Summer's Over", "A Serious Game", "Finding your feet", "The Vanishing of Pato", "The grandfather", "Hddn artq uygunluq" will be screened at the festival. All events will be open to the public and organized free of charge on "first come first served" basis. The European Film Festivals are organized on an annual basis with the aim to build and develop the cultural links existing between the EU countries and Azerbaijan, and to contribute to better understanding of the European values through the European movie industry. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov Branches of three more Russian universities will open in Azerbaijan, Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mikhail Bocharnikov, told journalists on October 11. These will be branches of MGIMO, the Higher School of Economics and the Russian State University for the Humanities and Economics, the ambassador said. The Russian envoy noted that the branches of these universities will open in Azerbaijan within the framework of humanitarian cooperation on the basis of the roadmap agreed upon by the presidents of the two countries. The XII Azerbaijan International Exhibition "Education-2018", which presents Russian universities, opened in the capital. Russian-Azerbaijani relations in the field of culture and education are developing steadily. There are two branches of two Russian universities, Moscow State University named after M. V. Lomonosov and First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov, in Azerbaijan. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Laman Ismayilova The conference titled "Decorative Arts and Interior" opened at the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum on October 10. The organizers are the two international committees of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) - Decorative Arts and Design (ICDAD) and Historic House Museums (DEMHIST), Azertag reported. Deputy Culture Minister Sevda Mammadaliyeva wished success to the conference. Speaking about the work done to organize museum activity in Azerbaijan, the Deputy Minister said that in recent years, President Ilham Aliyev has signed more than 15 orders on the development of the museum. She stressed that there are more than 250 museums in Azerbaijan. The conference allows local museums to get acquainted with working methods, new approaches and close relationships with foreign museum workers. The Chairman of the National Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), Director of the Carpet Museum, PhD in Art Studies Shirin Melikova spoke about the activities of the committee. She noted that ICOM Azerbaijan unites national museums, scientists, artists, art figures, persons directly related to museum affairs and members of ICOM. The main tasks of ICOM National Committee are to strengthen cooperation in the field of museum affairs and culture and to study the progressive experiences of foreign museums. In her speech, Shirin Melikova stressed the role of museums in society in modern times. Pointing to the activities of the Carpet Museum, she spoke about the history, activities and projects implemented by this cultural center. As many as 42 delegates from 14 countries, including Azerbaijan, Austria, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Japan, the USA, India, Egypt, the Czech Republic, Georgia and Turkey will attend the conference, which will last until October 12. President of ICOM Suay Aksoy said that the Caucasus region is rich in geography, culture and art. "ICOM's work has a strong moral goal. It is to create and maintain these relationships between different people and nations. Museums are indispensable for the protection of the global heritage. Museums play an important role in terms of environment, cultural, economic and social stability around the world. Museums also help us understand the past," said Aksoy. President of ICDAD Helena Koenigsmarkova, DEMHIST President Elsa Rodrigues and other speakers noted the importance of the conference, the role of the museum in the organization of the work and exchange of views. The conference continued with lectures. Presentation of the book "Art Structures from the Collection of the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum" by Shirin Melikova, published under the 2016-2017 program of member states with the support of UNESCO, was also held. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Today, Azerbaijan holds a worthy place among the most stable states of the world, going on path of dynamic development, the Chief Editor of the SES newspaper, political expert Bahruz Guliyev told Trend. He was commenting on the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the results of the socio-economic development of nine months of 2018 and the upcoming tasks, held under the chairmanship of President Ilham Aliyev on October 9. The political strategy of President Ilham Aliyev underlies this achieved success, he added. The expert noted that the stability is important for the development and progress of any region. There is no chance of sustainable development without a stable and safe environment. "Touching on these factors, the head of state stressed that security, order and stability are maintained and strengthened in Azerbaijan. Balanced, purposeful and successful policy underlies this success. Despite the fact that Azerbaijan is in a region where there are conflicts that have a negative impact on a number of progressive initiatives, Azerbaijan is taking decisive steps, strengthening its position in the international arena. All these are one of the visual indicators of purposeful policy of the president." "The head of state also stressed at the meeting that external risks must be taken into account in order to ensure consistent development, the systematic work must be done to prevent such risks. Thanks to the determination of President Ilham Aliyev, these risks have been eliminated. One of the priorities of the policy pursued by the president is to ensure implementation of social policy, the main goal of which is to provide a comfortable life for the Azerbaijani people, external risks have been eliminated thanks to the wise policy of the leadership of the country, and the wide ways have opened for the implementation of the upcoming tasks." Guliyev also reminded that Azerbaijan is implementing big projects, organizes important international events on the global scale. "Azerbaijan is on the forefront of the events held in foreign countries. Accordingly, just this fact should be regarded as the highest personification of the authority of President Ilham Aliyev," he said. "As the head of state noted at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, this year alone he made 12 foreign visits, and the heads of 15 states and governments arrived in Azerbaijan. The significance attached and the attention paid to Azerbaijan is the proof that our country is a reliable partner, a decent and faithful neighbor, because, as stated by President Ilham Aliyev, our words and actions coincide. Of course, these successful results stimulate dynamic development and progress of the Azerbaijani people, the Azerbaijani state. All this is the real indicator and successful result of the policy and strategy of President Ilham Aliyev." --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Azerbaijan has become one of the most authoritative and reliable members of the world community, Azerbaijani MP Javanshir Feyziyev told Trend on Oct. 10. Feyziyev was commenting on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs speech at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to the results of social and economic development in the first nine months of 2018 and the further tasks. He added that Azerbaijan has been recently able to greatly strengthen its positions on international arena. "Over the past nine months, the president made 12 visits abroad, Feyziyev said. The heads of 15 countries and governments arrived in Azerbaijan. Of course, during these visits a big number of documents were signed. Important agreements on the development of both bilateral and multilateral cooperation of Azerbaijan with countries and international organizations were reached." Important advances were made in Azerbaijans relations with the EU and NATO, he said. In the summer 2018, a document titled "Partnership Priorities was signed with the EU. Of course, this is an important document that reflects the priorities of cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan. He said that the strengthening of the position of Azerbaijan on international arena is also associated with an active position as a member of the Non-Aligned Movement. Feyziev stressed that another achievement in Azerbaijans foreign policy is significant progress in relations with Muslim countries. "Azerbaijan has great prestige throughout the Muslim world, he said. This is connected with the fact that Azerbaijan makes an important contribution to the unity and solidarity in the Muslim world. 2017 was declared the Year of Islamic Solidarity in Azerbaijan and the country also hosted the Islamic Solidarity Games. Of course, Azerbaijans work is appreciated in the Islamic world. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The merits of President Ilham Aliyev in enhancing the international image of Azerbaijan are unequivocally invaluable, the Member of the Political Council of the New Azerbaijan Party, the Chief Editor of Iki Sahil newspaper Vugar Rahimzade told Trend Oct. 10. Rahimzade noted that the tasks set in Azerbaijan are carried out successfully and timely. Naturally, the stability and security in the country are important factors which ensure dynamic development. The successful development strategy, designed for the future, acts as a decisive factor in the entry of the young independent country into the ranks of the developed countries of the world, Rahimzade added. During his speech on October 9 at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, dedicated to the results of socio-economic development in the first nine months of 2018 and the upcoming tasks, the President stressed that the international positions of Azerbaijan were further strengthened. The head of state also said that Azerbaijan is known in the world as a reliable partner," Rahimzade added. He noted that important reforms have been implemented this year in order to ensure the development of the economy. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Certificates of 26 registered religious communities were presented in the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations of Azerbaijan, the Committee said in a message. The event was attended by the Committees leadership, heads of the Committees departments and the chairmen of the registered religious communities. Speaking at the event, the Committees First Deputy Chairman Sayyad Salahli spoke about relations between the state and religion in Azerbaijan, stressing that in Azerbaijan the state always shows attention and care to the religion sphere. Salahli also urged the chairmen of the religious communities to more actively participate in the preservation and transfer of traditions of tolerance and multiculturalism to future generations. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Explosion at plant injures 5 Five Indian workers were injured in an explosion at an iron plant of Jagdamba Steels at Simara Sub-Metropolitan City-2, Bara district, on Wednesday. Four of them are said to be in a critical condition. By Trend Modernization of Baku oil refinery will bring Azerbaijan big economic profit, President Ilham Aliyev told a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers. The process of reconstruction and modernization of Baku oil refinery is underway. It is a very important industrial project. It will allow us to produce better quality oil products. After the reconstruction, gasoline to be produced in Azerbaijan will meet the Euro 5 standards. It will positively influence the country's environmental situation, President Aliyev added. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Hacker group MuddyWater carried out a targeted attack on government institutions of Azerbaijan, according to the Kaspersky Lab's report. The review provides a sample of a phishing document created to attack the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan. MuddyWater's attacks are based on social engineering to convince users to activate macros. The attackers rely on a number of vulnerable hosts to deliver their attacks. This hacker group appeared in 2017 and was originally aimed at government facilities in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Recently, however, it has targeted the state institutions of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Pakistan, Jordan, the Middle East, Europe and the US. Recently, Mali, Austria, Russia, Iran and Bahrain have also become victims of MuddyWater attacks. The attack is carried out mainly on government and military facilities, telecommunications operators and educational institutions. The attacks of the group have increased since early 2018. The greatest activity has been observed since May, the attacks are still ongoing. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Narmina Mammadova Azerbaijan, which seeks to improve ecological situation of the Caspian sea and protect marine species on the brink of extinction, including the salmon, established fish-breeding farms that annually release certain amount of fish into the waterbodies of the country. As many as 370 million young fish of various species were released into the water basins of Azerbaijan in January-September 2018. This was stated by head of the department for increasing and protecting the biological resources of water basins of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources Farida Alekberova, Azertag reported. Alekberova said that, 75,000 fry belong to salmon breeds, 7.59 million - to sturgeon, and 362 million of them are carps. Nine species of fish were on the verge of extinction in Azerbaijan in 2014. These included barbel chanari, Caspian trout (salmon), sea pike perch, Chekhon, Caspian barbel, South Caspian white-eyed and spike, river trout and shirvan roach. These species of fish are rare at present, and one of the reasons for this is the lack of spawning grounds, Senior Researcher of the Ichthyology Laboratory of the Zoology Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan Namig Mustafayev believes. The scientist noted that the majority of Caspian fish rise along the rivers to spawn, but cannot enter 90 percent of the rivers and swim the required distance because of the construction of reservoirs. A decrease in the sturgeon population was influenced by a decrease in food supply and illegal fishing. The pollution of the Caspian oil also played a role in reducing fish populations, the scientist stated. According to scientists, usually poaching is one of the main reasons of reducing fish populations. Last month, in connection with the start of the fishing season, the Water Transport Police Department of the General Directorate of the Police for Transport under the Internal Affairs Ministry launched raids to identify people engaged in illegal fishing. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the inauguration of a 100-seat Gunash orphanage-kindergarten in the city of Guba. The president and his spouse cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the orphanage-kindergarten. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the opening of ABAD Factory Production Complex in Guba. The president and his spouse cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the complex, and viewed conditions created there. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The US must respect the Turkish justice, the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, commenting on the arrest of the American pastor Andrew Brunson, the Turkish media reported Oct. 11. President Erdogan noted that Turkey is a democratic and sovereign republic, and no one has the right to interfere in the affairs of the country's law enforcement agencies. Earlier, Ismail Halavurt, the lawyer of the US pastor Andrew Brunson convicted in Turkey, filed an appeal to the Constitutional Court of the country. Halavurt appealed to the court for serious crimes of Turkey to cancel the decision on the house arrest of Brunson. Previosly, US President Donald Trump promised to impose large sanctions against Turkey for detaining the US pastor Andrew Brunson, who is accused in being connected to the coup attempt in Turkey in 2016.. " The United States will impose large sanctions on Turkey for their long time detainment of Pastor Andrew Brunson, a great Christian, family man and wonderful human being, Trump tweeted. He is suffering greatly. This innocent man of faith should be released immediately!" The court in the Turkish province of Izmir decided earlier to transfer the American pastor Andrew Brunson to house arrest. By the court decision dated July 25, Brunson is prohibited from leaving Turkey. A week ago, the same court rejected the petition of the pastors defense for release. The next hearings for the Brunson case have been scheduled for October 12. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The Metsamor NPP in Armenia is a bomb that is waiting to explode, Azerbaijani MP Asim Mollazade said Oct. 11 during the autumn session of the PACE in Strasbourg (France). "The Metsamor NPP is located in a seismic zone. This is actually a bomb waiting to explode. If another earthquake occurs in Armenia, it will lead to radioactive contamination in vast territories, including Europe," said the Azerbaijani MP. He noted that the EU allocated specific budgetary resources to the Government of Armenia in order to solve the problem of the Metsamor NPP. "The money has disappeared, and the nuclear power plant is still operating. The Ex-Prime Minister of Armenia Hrant Bagratyan said that this station provides an opportunity to create a "dirty bomb" and that they are ready to use this bomb against Azerbaijan," Mollazade said. Construction of the Metsamor NPP started in 1970. After the devastating earthquake in Spitak city in 1988, the plant was shut down, but in 1995, despite international protests, the nuclear power plants operation was resumed, and moreover, the second reactor was launched. Ecologists and scholars from the whole region think seismic activity in the area turns operation of the Metsamor NPP into an extremely dangerous undertaking, even in the case of the construction of a new-type reactor. The autumn session of PACE began its work on October 8 in Strasbourg. The Azerbaijani delegation headed by chairman of the parliamentary committee on international relations and inter-parliamentary ties, head of Azerbaijans permanent delegation to PACE Samad Seyidov takes part in the session to be held on October 8-12. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Islamabad hosted a workshop on assessing the strategic regional significance of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a message. The event was organized by the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Pakistan together with the Measac Research Center. Expert of the Measac Research Center Abdul Rahman Bilal made a presentation on the technical features of TAPI, its future route, issues of financing and feasibility study. Director General of the Measac Research Centre Mohammad Abdullah Gul highly appreciated the regional importance of the TAPI gas pipeline, designed to unite peoples and ensure peace and stability in the region, the message said. Ali Muhammad Khan, minister of state for parliamentary affairs of Pakistan, noted that the TAPI project will serve as a bridge among nations. In all the speeches, the TAPI gas pipeline was defined as a project designed to strengthen the economies of the countries of the region, speed up integration and ensure peace and stability in the region, the message said. The total length of the TAPI gas pipeline will be approximately 1,840 kilometers. Turkmen section of TAPI, the construction of which started in December 2015, will be 205 kilometers. Then the pipeline will pass through the Afghan cities of Herat and Kandahar (816 km), then on the territory of Pakistan, through the city of Quetta and Multan (819 km), and will reach the settlement of Fazilka in India. On February 23, 2018, has begun the construction of the Afghan section of the TAPI gas pipeline, which will export gas from the Galkynysh field in Turkmenistan. The possible costs of the TAPI project vary within $8-10 billion. The consortium, with the participation of the Asian development Bank (ADB), continues active negotiations with all interested parties. Various options of participation in the project, such as participation in the company's share, project financing, financing through international development banks and with the help of export credit agencies from around the world are being examined. As the leader of TAPI Pipeline company Limited, Turkmengas State Concern, which has a controlling stake, acts as the main financier and project manager. The consortium also includes the Afghanistan Gas Corporation, Inter State Gas Systems (Private) Limited and Indian GAIL. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Fed up by harassment, Nepali women are going online to share their #MeToo stories Ever since #MeToo landed in India, many had hoped that the movement would hop the border into Nepal and lead to the exposure of predators in powerful positions. However, most women sharing their #MeToo stories in Nepal have largely refrained from naming and shaming the perpetrators and instead, centred around making public the incidents they went through and expressing solidarity with other women. Freight train reaches Janakpur from India A freight train laden with 5,500 tonnes of ballast reached Janakpur from Jharkhand, India, on Wednesday. Imagine Nepal to explore Rara Imagine Nepal is back with another expedition after the successful conquests of Manang and Lomangthang Joseph Luiz can be reached at 395-7368 or by email at jluiz@bakersfield.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @JLuiz_TBC. You can reach Sam Morgen at 661-395-7415 or smorgen@bakersfield.com. You may also follow him on Twitter @smorgenTBC. In preparation for repairs to Isabella Dam, test blasting began at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday next to Isabella Lake. Residents were warned to va Spencer Platt, Staff / Getty Images Electricity from solar panels and wind farms accounted for at least 20 percent of the total power load in 10 states last year, according to a new report by the Energy Information Administration. The highest tally came in Iowa, where 37 percent of electricity came from wind and solar. Also listed were Kansas, Oklahoma, California, Minnesota, Vermont, Colorado, Maine, North Dakota and South Dakota. Washington Congress has approved a sprawling bill to improve the nation's ports, dams and harbors, protect against floods, restore shorelines and support other water-related projects. If signed by President Donald Trump, America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 would authorize more than $6 billion in spending over 10 years for projects nationwide, including one to restore wetlands damaged by Hurricane Harvey last year. The bill also would help improve harbors in Seattle; Savannah, Ga.; and San Juan, Puerto Rico; and would extend a federal program to improve drinking water quality in Flint, Michigan, and other cities. The bill also sets up a new framework for large water projects run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The changes are intended to increase local input and improve transparency. The Senate approved the bill, 99-1, on Wednesday. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, cast the lone dissenting vote. The House approved the bill last month on a voice vote. Lawmakers from both parties hailed the measure, which they said will create jobs and help communities across the country fix irrigation systems, maintain dams and reduce flooding. "America needs comprehensive water infrastructure legislation that will cut Washington red tape, create jobs and keep communities safe," said Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The panel's top Democrat, Delaware Sen. Tom Carper, said the bill invests in critical infrastructure like dams and ports and expands federal efforts to prevent another water crisis similar to the one in Flint. 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. One person and a toddler were sent to the hospital after colliding with the back of a sanitation truck, according to information from the Vidor Police Department. At approximately 7:45 a.m. Thursday, VPD responded to a call in reference to a major vehicle accident on a service road of Interstate 10 eastbound near FM 1132. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville annually honors eight remarkable graduates at its Alumni Hall of Fame Ceremony. The College of Arts and Sciences had the pleasure of recognizing not one, but two impressive alumni during the ceremony Friday, Sept. 28 in the Morris University Centers Meridian Ballroom. On this weeks Segue, co-host Greg Budzban, PhD, CAS dean, interviews Roderick Nunn, DM, one of the Colleges newest Hall of Fame inductees. Nunn graduated with a bachelor of music degree with a specialization in jazz performance in 1993. The second CAS inductee was the Honorable David R. Herndon, BA Government 74, judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. This Segue episode featuring Budzban and Nunn will air at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14, on WSIE 88.7 FM The Sound. Nunn serves as executive vice president and head of education and employment for the St. Louis-based Concordance Academy of Leadership, a national organization leading the way in reducing recidivism for formally incarcerated citizens. He also serves as an adjunct professor in the doctor of management program at the University of Maryland University College. One of the first questions I always ask our guests is how SIUE fit into their lifes journey, Budzban says. What initially brought you to SIUE? SIUE was an affordable, quality and convenient option for me, Nunn says. While in high school at East St. Louis Lincoln, I asked my parents if I could take private lessons from Brett Stamps, the former director of the jazz studies program. This all led me to joining the program myself. Your academic path really took a turn from how your career ultimately ended up, Budzban mentions. How did your activities as a student eventually direct you in a particular way? Some of my professional prospects fell through in New York and Los Angeles, and I decided I didnt want to perform or teach as a career anymore, Nunn says. I needed to broaden my horizons, so I headed over to whats now the Kimmel Student Involvement Center, joined the student senate and pledged in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. I now had all these opportunities to lead and caught this leadership bug! Its stuck with me ever since. Upon his graduation in 1993, he immediately moved to the Illinois state capitol in Springfield. He soon enrolled in a masters degree program in public administration at the University of Illinois Springfield. Later on, he received a doctor of management in community college policy at the University of Maryland University College. Nunns illustrious career also includes serving three Governors in both Illinois and Missouri. As Missouris state workforce director, he oversaw more than 1,000 professionals charged with providing job placement and training to Missourians. He was then appointed Missouris director of education and workforce innovation, leading the states P-20 education and STEM initiatives. He went on to serve as president of St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. Under his leadership, the college won several national, state and local awards for excellence and innovation in workforce development. Your background in music was something that created value for you, Budzban says. How did it do that? I hadnt considered it until I was 15 or so years into my career when people began asking me how I was such a gifted collaborator, Nunn recalled. I was a trombonist, and every musician knows that your individual sound blends into the overall sound of the band. I have always been a member of ensembles or worked a part of a larger team, but I have stood out as a first chair trombonist or a leader. I was responsible for leading other musicians. In jazz ensembles, I was often called upon to improvise and be an innovator in the moment. It comes from years of experience, knowledge of that instrument and being efficient in your craft. Commitment and dedication are other gifts that music gave me! To hear the entire conversation between Budzban and Nunn, which features more on workforce development, the alums experience at St. Louis Community College, and his current position at Concordance Academy of Leadership, tune in to this weeks Segue. . By Madelaine Deardeuff, SIUE Marketing & Communications Allegations that Saudi agents flew into Turkey and murdered one of the kingdom's leading critics would have sent shock waves through bilateral relations at any point. But with the two countries already on opposite sides of some of the Middle East's defining rifts, the accusations -- voiced in off-record briefings by Turkish officials and vehemently denied by Saudi rulers -- are potentially even more explosive. Each chilling leak about the possible fate of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and the resultant international condemnation, makes a behind-the-scenes compromise that much harder. Khashoggi, who's been living in self-imposed exile for the past year, vanished on Oct. 2 after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain a document. The Washington Post, citing unnamed U.S. officials, reported on Wednesday that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the abduction of Khashoggi to get him back to the kingdom. The Saudi government has said it had nothing to do with his disappearance. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he can't remain silent over Khashoggi's fate, adding to growing differences between the countries. Those disagreements run deep and extend far: from Turkey's support for a leading Islamist group that Saudi Arabia has designated as terrorists, to relations with Shiite power Iran and the Saudi-led boycott of Qatar. Here's an overview. Qatar Standoff Saudi Arabia and three allies broke ties with Qatar in June 2017 after accusing the gas-rich nation of financing terrorism and intervening in the affairs of other Arab states, accusations it denies. Turkey responded to Saudi demands that it withdraw Turkish forces from Qatar by instead building up its military presence there. It also sent food, milk and other goods to help Qatar through the boycott. The defiance angered Prince Mohammed, who labeled Turkey part of a "triangle of evil," lumping it in with Shiite power Iran and Islamic extremist groups. He also accused Turkey of trying to revive a caliphate, a historical reference to when the Ottoman Empire ruled much of the Middle East. In August, Qatar promised to invest $15 billion in Turkey, potentially helping it avoid a financial crisis after the lira plummeted in value. Not long after, the Qatari emir gave Erdogan a luxury jet worth about half a billion dollars. Muslim Brotherhood Turkey is sympathetic to the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist organization that several Gulf Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, have banned and designated as a terrorist group. While the Brotherhood renounced violence decades ago, some of its offshoots haven't. Saudi Arabia's absolute monarchy stepped up its opposition to the Brotherhood as it emerged more powerful from the 2011 Arab Spring revolts that toppled autocratic regimes. The Islamic movement won elections in Egypt and held power for a year before it was ousted in mid-2013. As military leader Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi took off his uniform and became president, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states provided billions of dollars in assistance. Under El-Sisi, Egyptian forces killed hundreds of Brotherhood supporters and detained thousands more. In contrast, Turkey welcomed Muslim Brotherhood members fleeing persecution in the Middle East. Erdogan, as an elected Islamist leader, claims an affinity with the Brotherhood. His ruling party sees itself as a product of the same demographic forces that brought the organization to power in Egypt. 'Moderate' Islam Erdogan has pushed back against Saudi Arabia's efforts to rebrand the form of Islam practiced in the kingdom. After Prince Mohammed said that Saudi Arabia was returning to a moderate version of the faith, Erdogan shot back. During a speech in Ankara, he said Islam "cannot be either 'moderate' or 'not moderate.' It can only be one thing." Erdogan criticized the crown prince, saying "perhaps the person voicing this concept thinks it belongs to him. No, it does not belong to you." Iran Saudi Arabia and its closest Gulf allies have been enthusiastic backers of President Donald Trump's offensive to isolate and weaken Iran, their chief regional foe. That's included waging war on Yemen's Houthi rebels, who the Saudis say are backed by Iran, in a military intervention that has deepened one of the world's worst humanitarian catastrophes. Prince Mohammed warned in a March interview with the Wall Street Journal that war with Iran is likely in the next 10-15 years if pressure isn't put on its ruling clerics. In another interview with The Atlantic, the prince said that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was worse than Hitler, accusing him of trying to "conquer the world." In contrast, Turkey has maintained trade ties with Iran and increasingly cooperated with Tehran in the war in Syria as its own security interests drifted away from those of traditional allies, including the U.S. Media Society urges government to correct its anti-media attitude Nepal Media Society has expressed serious reservations over anti-media policy adopted by the government following the enforcement of Criminal Code and the law relating to right to privacy. Move to field Gautam in Kathmandu-7 may backfire Members of the public, party cadres, and leaders from the opposition as well as the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) have come down heavily against the ruling party after Kathmandu-7 lawmaker Rambir Manandhar announced on Tuesday to resign so that senior NCP leader Bam Dev Gautam could contest the by-election there. Here are the most read gastroenterology stories for the week of Oct. 4 through Oct. 10: 1. 2 more charges dropped against West Virginia gastroenterologist accused of sexual assault 6 insights Click here 2. 4 key strategies ASCs can use to help patients understand screening & diagnostic colonoscopy differences Click here 3. 7 insights about newly elected ACG president Dr. Sunanda Kane Click here 4. 'Butts and Guts 5K Race', 'A Human CRC Awareness Ribbon' & more: ACG releases 2018 SCOPY award winners Click here 5. Drs. Steven Matulis, Douglas Morgan, & more: 6 GI physicians making headlines Click here The following hospitals announced or completed plans in the last week to expand, upgrade or renovate their facilities. 1. Advocate Aurora Health breaks ground on $130M outpatient facility Advocate Aurora Health, a recently merged entity comprised of Downers Grove, Ill.-based Advocate Health Care and Milwaukee-based Aurora Healthcare, broke ground Oct. 9 on a $130 million ambulatory surgery center and medical office building. 2. Georgia OKs Piedmont Athens' $171M expansion, renovation project Georgia regulators greenlighted Piedmont Athens (Ga.) Regional Medical Center's $171 million expansion and renovation project. 3. UC San Diego Health to open at least 10 primary care sites UC San Diego Health will open more than 10 express and primary care sites over the next four years to increase patient access to providers. 4. Columbia UMC-trained cardiologists open tech-focused heart clinics in New York: 6 things to know A group of cardiologists trained at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City is opening a string of technology-infused preventive cardiology clinics across the city. 5. Novant Health to open 15 urgent care centers in North Carolina Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health, in partnership with GoHealth Urgent Care, plans to establish a large network of urgent care centers across North Carolina. The first phase of the project will include constructing 15 centers in Charlotte and Winston-Salem, N.C. 6. UPMC Hamot breaks ground on $111M patient tower Erie, Pa.-based UPMC Hamot broke ground on the largest construction project in its 135-year history a $111 million patient care tower. 7. Sibley Memorial Hospital to open proton therapy center in 2019 Washington, D.C.-based Sibley Memorial Hospital, part of Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Medicine, is constructing a proton treatment center for cancer patients. Average capital and administrative costs of a hospital visit in Colorado increased at nearly double the rate of the national average from 2009-16, The Denver Post reported, citing preliminary information collected for the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. The average overhead costs of a hospital visit in Colorado increased 64.6 percent, from $2,408 to $3,964, during that period. That's compared to the national average, which increased 32.8 percent, from $2,244 to $2,980. While the overhead costs of a Colorado hospital visit were significantly above the national average, so were Colorado hospital profit margins, according to the report. Preliminary data show the median Colorado hospital profit margin was 10 percent in 2016, which includes investment revenue. The median profit margin nationally was 5.9 percent in 2016. "The state's [profit margins] are highly reflective of a good economy in Colorado and a good investment market, but all those things can change, and those percentages can drop down to even negative levels for a long period of time," Chris Tholen, executive vice president of the Colorado Hospital Association, told The Denver Post. Amid Colorado hospital overhead costs and revenue, privately insured patients are increasingly on the hook, The Denver Post reported, citing the preliminary data. Colorado hospital revenues per patient, accounting for outpatient volume, increased from $36,551 in 2009 to $64,225 in 2016. This 76 percent increase is above the 53 percent increase in revenues per patient nationally during that period. "That cost shift is occurring and putting pressure on hospitals to drive prices higher for private insurance, which then gets passed on to employees and their employers," Kim Bimestefer, executive director of the department of Health Care Policy and Financing, which oversees Colorado's Medicaid program, told The Denver Post. "We are trying to align with our employers to understand their pain and drive the price down for the good of the entirety of the state." But the Colorado Hospital Association has taken issue with the preliminary Health Care Policy and Financing data, noting other studies that found the state's health spending per privately insured beneficiary is near or at the national median, according to the report. The association also said increased prices for privately insured patients is partially because of Medicaid expansion, which Colorado implemented in 2013. The state's consultants have agreed to refine the preliminary data more, but consultants and Colorado officials are confident the final results will be similar, according to the report. Read the full story here. More articles on healthcare finance: Physicians push back on telemedicine reimbursement proposal Nearly half of consumers find purchasing healthcare stressful 4 indicators of future high-cost patients The proportion of nursing home residents who received physical, occupational and speech therapy in the last days of their lives increased 65 percent between October 2012 and April 2016, according to a study in The Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. For the study, researchers from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York examined data from 647 nursing home facilities in New York and 55,691 long-stay deceased residents. The study authors focused on residents who received very high to ultrahigh rehabilitation services such as physical, occupational and speech therapies in the last 30 days of their lives, according to Bloomberg. Lead author Helena Temkin-Greener, PhD, told the publication rehabilitation therapy has proved extremely beneficial to some nursing home residents when prescribed appropriately. However, for residents approaching the end of their lives, it could postpone more appropriate hospice or palliative care, and may even speed up seniors' decline. At the same time, the treatment has significant financial benefits for facilities. "There's a possibility that nursing homes know a patient is approaching end of life, but the financial pressures are so high that they use these treatments so they can maximize revenue," Dr. Temkin-Greener said. On the other hand, "if it's being driven by a failure to recognize that a resident is approaching end-of-life, then it calls for improving the skills of nursing home teams." Daniel Ciolek, associate vice president of therapy advocacy at American Health Care Association, told Bloomberg: "It is important for [skilled nursing facility] providers and their care teams to consider the risk-benefit of potential therapy interventions and dosage relative to the resident's current health status." For the full Bloomberg report, click here. Access the full study here. More articles on healthcare finance: Walmart is changing how we pay for healthcare: 5 things to know Struggling Oklahoma hospital solicits donation from country music star 15 health systems with strong finances Here are 15 recent news updates on major health IT and technology companies: 1. Accenture will donate a virtual reality application to select hospitals looking to support patients battling phantom limb pain. 2. Allscripts plans to integrate information from various state-regulated electronic prescription drug monitoring programs into its EHR systems through a partnership with Appriss Health. 3. Amazon has filed a patent for its virtual voice assistant, Alexa, aimed at detecting whether a user is sick and selling medicine in response. 4. A patent granted to Apple in late 2017 suggests the company may expand its smartwatch capabilities to include blood pressure monitoring. 5. Athenahealth added an instant claims advance solution from Aquina Health to its "More Disruption Please" program. 6. BlackBerry unveiled a blockchain solution targeted toward the healthcare industry, along with plans to use the technology to support rare disease research. 7. Cerner CEO and Chairman Brent Shafer revealed details of the EHR vendor's newest suite of solutions, dubbed the "opioid toolkit," during a keynote address at the annual Cerner Health Conference Oct. 9. 8. Cerner recognized five providers as "physician all-stars" at its Cerner Physician Community meeting Oct. 7-8, an event within the Cerner Health Conference. 9. The U.S. Defense Department began testing its new Cerner EHR at a second set of pilot sites. 10. eClinicalWorks integrated with CMS' Blue Button 2.0, an open application programming interface tool. 11. Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic completed its "Plummer Project," the name given to its systemwide rollout of a new Epic EHR. 12. President Donald Trump signed the Veterans Affairs Department appropriations bill, which includes a provision mandating that the agency decide the fate of its Epic-Leidos patient-scheduling project. 13. GE's former Value-Based Care Solutions Group, which was recently acquired by private equity firm Veritas Capital, is changing its name to Virence Health Technologies. 14. Illumina-backed LunaDNA asked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to approve its plan to pay customers for sharing their genetic data. 15. CVS Health's MinuteClinic launched virtual healthcare services in a 16th state, Delaware, through a partnership with Teladoc. Amid industry changes and an uncertain political climate, people seek to make positive changes in healthcare. However, they may not always know how to do so. Fortunately, there are many ways to make a difference. Becker's tapped 13 industry leaders for 27 ideas on how hospital and health system leaders, physicians, medical schools, patients and policymakers can take action and positively contribute to healthcare today. Note: Comments are in leaders' own words, lightly edited for length and clarity. Things hospital and health system leaders, medical schools, physicians and policymakers can do today. Thomas Bauer, MD, Clinical Medical Director of Oncology Services, Hackensack Meridian Health (Edison N.J.). 1. Keep in mind potential for waste or unnecessary spending. I think patients are starting to pay closer attention to the necessity of care rendered now because as more patients have high-deductible insurance plans, how they spend their money becomes critically relevant to them. The patient is much more cautious about getting unnecessary testing when they have to pay for it. So, the patients are starting to be critical of what physicians are doing to make sure care really is necessary. Hospital administrators have always been concerned about that because they have a bottom line and they need to not spend more than they need to provide the care that they need to. But now I think that everyone else is catching up to those sentiments. Being cognizant of what we order and why we order is important, be it lab tests, or radiographic studies and procedures. Robyn Begley, DNP, RN, CEO, American Organization of Nurse Executives and Senior Vice President and CNO, American Hospital Association. 2. As healthcare professionals, it is important we lead by example and focus on our personal health. We need to care for ourselves so we can care for our patients, healthcare team and community. Jay Bhatt, DO, CMO, American Hospital Association. 3. Each day across our country, patients, physicians, hospital leaders and policymakers are taking a range of actions that make a positive contribution to the healthcare field. While these actions can take many forms, most start with simply having the awareness that you do have the ability to move the needle in a positive direction when it comes to providing care and advancing health. Second, realizing that we must all be good stewards of health. And third, the importance of sharing a positive message should not be underestimated. Positive messages can be crucial in helping to build inner strength and getting people through trying times. We should also consider what matters to patients. Sam Flanders, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Quality and Safety Officer, Beaumont Health (Southfield, Mich.). 4. Measure safety culture frequently and act on results. Measuring must be done at the unit level for local change to occur, rather than an aggregate result. Strong safety culture means that healthcare team members have what they need to do their jobs, have supportive and engaged leadership and are comfortable speaking up about problems, even small ones. No one can anticipate and engineer out every possible failure, but if everyone on the team is comfortable speaking up, we can make healthcare safer. 5. Teach performance improvement methods that engage the front-lines and encourage continuous improvements every day, everywhere. Avoid "tool based" methods that rely on performance improvement experts; there will never be enough experts to be everywhere. Instead, educate and empower your front-line team members to detect and correct problems "in the moment," even if they are small. Discourage work-arounds that can lead to safety and quality problems. This creates an atmosphere of sustainable, continuous daily improvement. Matthew A. Gibson, PhD, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Erlanger Health System (Chattanooga, Tenn.). 6. What can I do today to support our front-line staff in raising the personalized geriatric care in our system to a level that I would want for my 71-year-old mother? Is there a partnership with a health plan or nontraditional, new healthcare entrant that we can consummate that would improve access and compel conscientiousness in my 60-year-old neighbors with chronic hypertension and diabetes? Are we being intentional enough with our general pediatricians in helping them materially impact health disparities among the underserved children in the hundreds of rural miles across our service area? Numerous healthcare organizations across the country are adept at delivering trauma treatment down to quality clinic based primary care. As leaders we should shepherd the continued delivery of this quality care, but also challenge ourselves to facilitate investment of our resources to solve questions such as those above. No one is in a better position than a senior leader to affect far reaching, positive change among those their organizations are privileged to serve. It is incumbent on us as leaders in healthcare to leverage our platforms to make decisions that yield meaningful, scalable, positive change. Alan Goldsmith, Executive Vice President and CFO, Broward Health (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.). 7. Leaders and policymakers must subscribe to an agreed upon healthcare delivery model. Quality care must be patient centric and consistent. Achieving a high standard of care is best achieved through the leveraging of technology and removal of system-wide silos. When you leverage technology, you obtain more real time data that can be used to drive results. Technology also enables us to simplify processes, which can result in expense reductions while improving patient outcomes. Technology is most viable when hospitals are working as a cohesive system. Hospitals that are part of larger systems, such as Broward Health, must cease acting as independent silos and instead marry their objectives with enterprise and national health initiatives. We win as a team and lose as a silo. Darrell Kirch, MD, President and CEO, Association of American Medical Colleges. 8. Medical schools and teaching hospitals are very concerned about the growing problem of student and physician stress, burnout and depression. Organizational leaders must continue to help students and residents maintain their resilience as they encounter the challenges of a rapidly changing healthcare environment. Physicians should be trained at every stage to assess and address their own stress and burnout. AAMC member institutions are training students and clinicians to know when to ask for help. 9. Health system leaders can act at multiple levels. Interventions to address learner well-being, such as counseling programs, mind-body skills training, curricular changes, and group-based faculty mentoring, are being created at medical schools and in residency training programs. These programs also help reduce the fear of stigma and professional consequences, increasing the chance that students and residents seek the help they need. Most importantly, institutions can establish a program led by a chief wellness officer to help make well-being a priority, identifying workplace issues that contribute to burnout, and then working toward solutions and changing the culture. 10. Medical schools, health systems and other organizations can join the National Academy of Medicine's Action Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience, a network dedicated to promoting well-being across all career stages and specialties. Fred Kniffin, MD, President of University of Vermont Health Network Porter Medical Center (Middlebury). 11. To advance healthcare reform and new/innovative population health initiatives, hospital leaders need to focus on aligning our interests with our patients. For too long, our fee-for-service reimbursement system has provided incentives for providers to develop services that generate revenue based on more utilization (caring for people who are sick), when our patients obviously would prefer less utilization (to be healthy). There will always be a role for hospitals to care for the sick and injured, but if we are going to truly bend the cost curve and be successful in the world of population health, we must find new ways to align our incentives with our patients' incentives, so that "improving the health of our community" is not only a clinical goal for providers, but a financial goal as well. Steve Roach, President and CEO of UMass Memorial-Marlborough (Mass.) Hospital. 12. Be more aggressive in adapting to industry changes. Healthcare has been a constant for many years. We do change and adjust to all the issues and the challenges we face through reimbursement or cost or anything around that, but we're extremely slow at predicting what the future's going to hold and being willing to change our business models to reflect that. So we have to be much more aggressive around that. 13. Provide more opportunities for new talent. Because healthcare has been relatively solid and stagnant in what it does, we're losing out on some of the new talent that comes out who are developing artificial intelligence, who are working at high-tech firms and those firms can pay significantly higher than hospitals for those talents. We have to find a way to provide some opportunities for that and apply those technologies to make improvements in healthcare. David Strong, President and CEO of Orlando (Fla.) Health. 14. Create an environment that people can thrive and enjoy their work. Fear and uncertainty lead to poor outcomes. 15. Be present with each person you see today. It's a gift to them and you. 16. Soak in and be thankful for each moment you are given. Bernard J. Tyson, Chairman and CEO, Kaiser Permanente (Oakland, Calif.). 17. Stigma associated with mental health conditions can stop people from speaking up about their struggles. We must continue to make asking for support for mental health conditions as accepted as asking for treatment of diabetes or high blood pressure. Only then will we create a culture of acceptance, so people can feel comfortable to seek the care they need. 18. Today, mental health is considered separate from physical health, yet to achieve total health, we must reconnect the mind to the body and treat people holistically mind, body and spirit. Brett Oliver, MD, Practicing Family Physician and CMIO, Baptist Health (Louisville, Ky.). 19. From a clinician's perspective try to remember why you went into medicine in the first place and although the climate or situation changes over time, it is still a blessing and a privilege to be allowed into people's life where they are often most vulnerable to serve them. There is still great joy in that and joy is infectious. You can positively change the environment you find yourself in for the better! 20. Send a handwritten note to a patient or colleague once a week. It does not need to be long or verbose but the positive impact on that person in this age of computers is powerful. I've had patients and colleagues that remember the gesture years later and remark on the impact it had on them. 21. Refuse to fall into a victimization mindset and think the best of people and change. If the government places new requirements on the practice of medicine, insist that your default thought is "someone smart believed this would help patients," and try to understand why. 22. Get more sleep we are way too sleep deprived! Things patients can do. Robyn Begley, DNP, RN, CEO, American Organization of Nurse Executives and Senior Vice President and CNO, American Hospital Association. 23. Talk to your nurses. Studies routinely identify nursing as the profession most trusted by the public. People feel comfortable talking to nurses. Do not hesitate to ask nurses questions about your health or treatment plan. Nurses are patient advocates. They are adept at interpreting people's questions and responding using easily understood terms. Every day, nurses help patients, families and the community navigate the complex health system. Matt Eyles, President and CEO, America's Health Insurance Plans. 24. Whether you get your coverage through your employer, on the individual marketplaces, or if you're eligible for a federal program like Medicare, it is important to review your coverage options, know what your plan will and will not cover, and actively shop when possible. Make sure you understand how your coverage fits with your medical priorities for the year for example, is your preferred physician and hospital in-network, what options exist for telehealth services, and what is the coverage for the medications you need? 25. Right now, drug prices continue to rise at rates that are out of control, and we need real policy solutions to bring prices down. That's why it's more important than ever to be a smart consumer of medications. Make sure to ask your doctor about all the treatment options available. Check different pharmacies for the best deal including mail order services your insurance provider may offer. Also, ask your pharmacist if you're getting the best price at the counter. 26. Unfortunately, some patients receive "surprise doctor bills" when treated at an in-network facility (e.g., hospital) but not all the physicians who practice at that facility participate in their health plan's network. If you need to go to the hospital for a procedure that's not an emergency, ask whether every provider is in your health plan's network. Review your options beforehand to see if there's an urgent care clinic that's close by or a telehealth option you can use for a more convenient, more timely venue of care. If it's a true emergency, don't hesitate to call 911 or go the emergency room immediately. If you need help, call your health plan they can answer any billing, coverage or network question you have to make sure you're getting the right care for you at the right time. 27. Last but certainly not least, take care of yourself and make time to focus on your health. Prevention is key allot enough hours for sleep, make smart food choices, exercise, track and manage your chronic conditions, and adhere to your medication regimen, if you have one. When you prioritize your health, you're establishing a pathway to long-term wellness and fewer medical complications. More articles on leadership: Federal officials to inspect 2 DMC hospitals after ex-cardiology leaders cite patient safety issues Living like a leader: A day with AHA chair elect and Atlantic Health System CEO Brian Gragnolati Public outrage prompts Montana hospital to fire nurse with felony child porn record Washington, D.C., officials said they will do everything they can to keep St. Louis-based Ascension from closing Washington, D.C.-based Providence Health System later this year, according to the Washington Business Journal. The D.C. Council held a meeting Oct. 10 to discuss potential strategies to keep Providence open for at least the next three years. Hospital staff members and concerned community members also attended the meeting, the report states. Council members told the Washington Business Journal they aim to stall the hospital's planned Dec. 14 closure through legislation that would require hospitals to inform the public of their intentions and obtain city approval for closure. One city council member told the publication they have sent a bill to the city's budget and attorney general offices to identify any fiscal issues or legal impediments to the legislation before pushing it forward. "If Providence Hospital closes, at best, this will merely exacerbate the significant health service inequities in the District of Columbia. And worse, the closure will create significant disruption in the district's emergency healthcare system or place another hospital in perilous financial distress," the city council member told the Washington Business Journal. Ascension, which did not send representatives to the Oct. 10 meeting, announced plans earlier this year to reposition the hospital as a "health village" and shutter select services at the facility. The decision drew criticism from community members, hospital staff and public officials. The city council member told the Washington Business Journal the council's chief concern is that Ascension's plan to close the hospital would create significant issues for patients on the eastern side of the city, who would need to travel further to obtain care. The individual also pointed to the Catholic health system's lack of a relationship with the local community and hospital leadership. Earlier this year, Ascension abruptly fired nine of the Providence's 12 board members. In an Oct. 11 statement to Becker's Hospital Review, an Ascension spokesperson said: "To be clear, the decision to close Providence Hospital was not an easy one. For many years, Providence has been performing very poorly financially. Providence is simply not serving this community in a sustainable way: its discharges have been declining over the past five years, and the District of Columbia's data show that the hospital is underutilized. Further, studies have indicated that the highest healthcare needs in the D.C. community include providing place-based care and care coordination. Instead of investing in an underperforming hospital facility, we are committed to transforming Providence into a new healthcare delivery system. "As we re-envision the new Providence, we are actively engaging with members of the D.C. community to ensure that the services that Providence will provide make a substantive impact on the health of the D.C. community. Providence has been holding internal listening sessions with associates and attending community meetings to share information and obtain thoughts on the future of Providence. We have assembled transition teams representing associates and physicians to help define transition plans. We are regularly engaging with the D.C. Department of Health and, in partnership with the D.C. Hospital Association, we created workgroups with other local hospitals and healthcare institutions that meet regularly to ensure a smooth transition of services and patients. "We will have more plans to share and continue to collaborate and seek input from internal and external stakeholders, community leaders and partners. The new Providence will look to transform the way care is delivered in the District with a new community-focused perspective that addresses healthcare inequities and provides other types of needed services to improve health and wellness. The effort will sustain Providence for generations to come while improving the health of the community it is privileged to serve." To access the full report, click here. Editor's note: This article was updated at 7:45 a.m. Oct. 12 to include additional comment from Ascension. Triggered by an unfolding ethics crisis at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, several Boston hospitals are warning physicians to publicly disclose all of their financial ties to pharmaceutical or medical device companies, The Boston Globe reports. Memorial Sloan executives have been attempting to contain the fallout from a series of lapses since reports surfaced that its CMO Jose Baselga, MD, PhD, failed to disclose significant financial ties to the drug industry and other healthcare companies in more than 100 research articles. Dr. Baselga, a highly respected cancer researcher, resigned from his post following the report. A few weeks later, Memorial Sloan Kettering's President and CEO Craig Thompson, MD, resigned from the boards of Merck and Charles River Laboratories, citing a need to focus more intently on hospital priorities. The mounting problems in New York prompted a strongly worded memo from a Boston-based Partners HealthCare lawyer to physicians and researchers at three big Boston-hospitals Massachusetts General, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Partners HealthCare. The lawyer, Christopher Clark, said in the memo to researchers and physicians that academics don't often get in trouble for their relationships with industry; however, they lose public trust because they fail to disclose the relationships. "These situations create a stain on the reputation of the individual involved that can never be erased; often the result is career-altering and sometimes career-ending," Mr. Clark wrote in the letter, according to The Globe. "They also generally reflect badly on the institution involved." Several other Boston-based hospitals Boston Children's Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute are advising physicians to carefully review all submissions to medical journals to prevent any big fall out. In addition, the upheaval in New York prompted Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to review the outside positions held by physicians, including its CEO Laurie Glimcher, MD, who sits on the board of drug giant GlaxoSmithKline. Read the full report here. Culbertson, Mont.-based Roosevelt Medical Center officials said Oct. 9 they fired a nurse one week after receiving backlash during a community meeting regarding the decision to rehire her after she spent time in prison on a child pornography charge, according to the Billings Gazette. The hospital's board of directors met during a closed-session meeting Oct. 9 to review community members' comments regarding their decision to rehire Denise Carlson, RN, a registered sex offender, that were made during a community meeting Oct. 3, RMC CEO Audrey Stromberg said in an Oct. 9 statement obtained by the Billings Gazette. The hospital held a meeting Oct. 3, inviting the community to share their thoughts on Ms. Carlson's rehiring. RMC initially announced their decision to rehire her in September, and Ms. Carlson's first day of work at the hospital was Oct. 1, according to the report. Ms. Carlson pleaded guilty to a single charge of receiving child pornography on her computer in June 2009, admitting to downloading sexually explicit images and videos of minors for nine years before federal investigators traced her activities on a file-sharing program in 2008. She was released from federal prison in 2016 after serving more than six years. The Montana Board of Nursing issued Ms. Carlson a probationary nursing license in November 2016, according to information from the state's licensing database obtained by the Billings Gazette. Board members discussed her case again in July 2016 and deemed her a "low risk" danger to society. The board ultimately granted Ms. Carlson a restricted license on the condition she continue mental health treatment and monitoring. The terms of her release and potential return to work at RMC also stipulated Ms. Carlson follow restrictions placed on her computer use at the hospital. The nursing board also said Ms. Carlson was to primarily work with long-term patients at RMC, according to Ms. Stromberg. Court documents obtained by the Billings Gazette state Ms. Carlson had no previous record of sex crimes or child abuse, and that she passed a polygraph test and had letters on her behalf from friends and family indicating she had been a competent, caring mother, the report states. To access the full report, click here. In the typical hospital, clinical service lines operate autonomously. At best, these service lines are independent operatives. At worst, they are warring factions. The truth is the typical hospital is simply not set up for symbiosis. This content is sponsored by TeamHealth. However, hospitals can keep the peace between their service lines becoming nimbler and collectively building momentum toward the same goals with a simple strategy: service line integration. Integrating key service lines can improve performance within each respective line and help the hospital achieve clinical, operational and financial goals. This was the case for one Alabama-based health system which officially began the integration of its hospital and emergency medicine lines in April 2018. In just a few months, health system leadership had already made measurable progress in reducing length of stay, expanding emergency department and hospital bed capacity, and improving patient and clinician satisfaction. What follows is an overview of one health system's decision to integrate, the key steps that went into the process and how it has measured success so far. Why integrate hospital and emergency medicine Hospital medicine and emergency medicine are natural partners. The emergency department functions as the hospital's front door and decisions the care team makes in that threshold can determine a patient's entire episode of care. The hospital medicine team is equally vital, functioning as the main team to oversee a patient's care after admission. Together, these two teams dictate almost the entire patient care experience inside the hospital. However, hospital medicine and emergency medicine can have an adversarial relationship. When the two service lines operate independently, emergency medicine physicians are incentivized to push tests and other costs into the inpatient environment, while physicians on the inpatient side may feel the emergency department didn't do enough legwork to determine the root cause for a patient's admission. If hospital medicine is backed up ordering additional tests, patient length of stay can drag out, ultimately causing a backlog in the ED. In this worst-case-scenario, the ED can hemorrhage potential hospital revenue: Patients may leave unseen, or the ED may have to go on diversion and route ambulances elsewhere. Meanwhile, patients who experience long wait times and duplicative services are unlikely to give positive experience scores, which can damage the hospital in the long-run. Hospital medicine and emergency medicine teams can often end up at odds prior to integration, according to Jeremy Lindley, DO, a TeamHealth emergency medicine system medical director. Dr. Lindley started as an emergency medicine physician before migrating into leadership as a medical director, ultimately moving up to oversee five EDs within a regional system as part of TeamHealth, a hospital staffing firm based in Knoxville, Tenn. At the time, this Alabama health system employed its hospital medicine group. While they did a great job, their leadership and goals were not aligned with the emergency medicine group, which was managed by TeamHealth, according to Dr. Lindley. Patients were not discharged fast enough, creating a backlog, increasing waiting times and stunting capacity. The service lines needed to be integrated. "Hospital performance can definitely be improved by clinical integration because the emergency medicine providers and the hospital medicine providers share the same goals and same metrics, and they both have an interest in pulling the patient as quickly as possible out of the ED into the appropriate hospital setting," Dr. Lindley said. However, initial attempts to integrate organically were unsuccessful. In April, the system decided to officially integrate both service lines under the management of TeamHealth. "There is value in having one solutions company manage both service lines because they are so closely integrated and really control the flow of admission to the hospital," Dr. Lindley said. "Integration creates capacity, decreases waste and also improves clinical outcomes." The system hired Amit Kachalia, MD, system medical director and facility medical director of TeamHealth Hospitalist Services, as Dr. Lindley's counterpart on the hospital medicine side. "Any work we've done on integration has been a direct result of [Dr. Kachalia's] hard work, leadership and innovation," Dr. Lindley said. The integration removed inefficiencies from the backend of the ED, ultimately allowing the hospital to increase patient volumes. Integration also sparked a massive change in motivation and collaboration among the physicians, according to Dr. Kachalia. "This caused a huge paradigm shift in our perception at the hospital. [Hospital medicine was] considered a group that was really toxic," Dr. Kachalia said. "After this change, this group was perceived to be one of the nicest groups to work with." Drs. Kachalia and Lindley broke down how they managed this transformation from toxic to collaborative into a few simple steps. 3 keys to successful service line integration Both leaders identified the following three components as essential to success: 1. Leadership with a clear vision. "The only way this works is leadership," Dr. Lindley said. "Dr. Kachalia took the hospital medicine group the same group that's been there, no new players, same providers and changed the way they think." Dr. Kachalia said he approached it as follows: Create a vision of the ideal integration, map a path to reach that vision and communicate it clearly to the whole team. "If the team doesn't buy in, most of the processes we do will not yield results," he said. Dr. Kachalia stuck by this vision and encouraged the providers to do so as well, even though every day was not perfect, according to Dr. Lindley. The strategy paid off. "When you can tell that someone is an expert in this particular field, they have humbleness and passion about a vision it's really hard not to follow," Dr. Lindley said. "He leads by engaging and enlisting his team to move this goal and vision forward." 2. Buy-in from hospital administration. Buy-in from the top was essential to the integration plan, according to Dr. Kachalia, who has championed similar projects at other facilities. The service lines should be integrated right up to the C-suite. Leaders of both lines should co-present joint proposals to hospital leadership, and back those proposals with benchmark data and thorough explanations. Luckily, health system leadership was on board with the project from the start. Steve Schwartz, DO, TeamHealth's Southeast Group president, planted the seeds of integration and has been working to position the organization to integrate service lines for years, according to Dr. Lindley. Integrating hospital medicine and emergency medicine under one management company was a natural progression of this plan. 3. Clinician engagement and cultural optimization. "The emergency medicine physicians and hospital medicine physicians had to be willing to accept change," Dr. Lindley said. "People don't like change. It makes them fearful. It upsets the balance." Integrating culture takes time and requires collaboration from leadership. "What generally happens is those two groups [aren't used to] collaborating and work as two separate teams," Dr. Kachalia said. "Once we have good leadership in place on both sides, the next point is to make sure engagement of the clinicians can be generated." Beyond communicating and exemplifying the shared vision, Drs. Kachalia and Lindley also engaged Dr. Bryan Ballentine, associate system medical director, to organize social events so physicians from both sides could get to know each other better on a personal level. The events Dr. Ballentine organized improved communication and collaboration, and as a result, leaders from both groups were able to resolve issues by working together and participated in critical conversations. These small gestures added up to create a feeling of unity, so each physician felt like a partner with an equal hand in outcomes. "[Dr. Kachalia] took the culture of the existing group and made it a 'yes' culture, where [physicians] want to be helpful, want the next admission, want the next transfer," Dr. Lindley said. Shared metrics for shared goals The service lines not only adopted shared goals and challenges, but also assumed congruent metrics for success. These metrics included the decision to admit to departure time for ER patients, ER length of stay for admitted and discharged patients, patient experience scores and clinician satisfaction. The service lines also began to collaborate on initiatives like antibiotic stewardship and proper opioid administration. Tracking these metrics helped the groups better align their systems and wring out inefficiencies. For example, before the integration, hospital medicine was staffed heavily during the day and significantly less at night. This didn't align well with patient arrival patterns in the ED. Noticing this need, Dr. Kachalia upped hospital medicine coverage from noon to midnight. "By matching the hospital medicine staffing, the capacity for admissions and the burden of work has decreased, particularly for the [staff] who work at night. It's been a huge win and the ER docs are so grateful," Dr. Lindley said. The integration has dramatically improved clinician satisfaction in both the ED and the hospital. Although hospital medicine physicians were initially apprehensive, the integration was quick to drive results in throughput and efficiency. Patients are discharged faster, more beds are available and the ER is able to accommodate more ambulances. "Now that we are several months into this and it's obvious to everyone that we definitely moved the needle on satisfaction and length of stay and also the needle on morale and work environment, the hospital medicine group would say very positive, favorable things about this integration," Dr. Lindley said. The positive results of integration have also translated into financial gains for the hospital. "This is a huge win for the hospital," Dr. Kachalia said. "The hospital wanted to close a unit down so they could do some repair work. They were able to close it early by a few months because of reductions in length of stay and a lot of other efficiencies that have resulted in the hospital." Conclusion As demonstrated by these early successes, as well as successes experienced at other TeamHealth integrated sites across the country, clinical integration of central service lines like emergency medicine and hospital medicine can have a dramatic effect on a hospital's performance from a clinical, operational and financial standpoint. While the process is not easy, if an organization selects strong leaders to build consensus around a vision, integration can be hugely successful in making hospitals more efficient. Creating a streamlined, coordinated team enables the organization to maximize profits in today's healthcare environment, improve outcomes for patients and create an overall superior experience. "Now that I've experienced this at my facility, I wouldn't want it any other way," Dr. Lindley said. Nepal buys Rs 700m mansion for its ambassador in Washington At a time when state agencies have been prescribed austerity to reduce burden on the public coffers, the government has purchased a lavish mansion as the residence of the Nepali ambassador to the United States of America at a cost of $6.8 millionapproximately Rs700 million. Stanford (Calif.) Health Care and an employees union are disputing over a November ballot initiative to place a 15 percent cap on hospital charges in Palo Alto, Calif., The Stanford Daily reported. Seven things to know: 1. The ballot initiative, initially filed in May, would place a 15 percent cap on the amount Palo Alto-based hospitals can charge in excess of direct patient care costs. Hospitals, medical clinics and other providers in Palo Alto would have to refund payers for charges exceeding the 15 percent cap within 180 days of each fiscal year. 2. The Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West sponsored the measure. It represents healthcare workers at Stanford Health Care which has a main campus in Palo Alto. 3. Stanford University announced its opposition to the measure in a Sept. 28 statement. The measure "would threaten Stanford Health Care's ability to provide top-quality healthcare to patients from Palo Alto and across the region," officials said. "Such a policy is estimated to reduce Stanford Health Care's budget by 25 percent, requiring significant cutbacks and the possible closure of many services and programs that are essential to high-quality healthcare in the local area." 4. Union spokesperson Sean Wherley argued the measure will provide accountability for local healthcare providers and the city, according to the report. "This is about transparency [and] letting people understand how much [they] are being charged, and why [they] are being charged so much more than the clinic down the street or in the neighboring community," he told The Stanford Daily. "This is our chance as an organization to get healthcare costs under control." 5. The union has also taken issue with Stanford Health Care's profits, but the system said these are necessary resources to maintain its specialists, facilities and community benefit program, and that the system invests all its profit margin. 6. Palo Alto City Council members voted this summer to oppose the measure. According to the report, they attributed the decision to not having adequate bureaucratic infrastructure to regulate healthcare charges from local providers. 7. As of Oct. 3, the political action committee of the union and the opposition committee Protect Our Local Hospitals and Health Care had spent a combined $1.8 million on the measure. More articles on human capital and risk: Pottstown Hospital nurses ratify labor deal UPMC workers strike; nonunion hospital workers launch political action committee UPMC workers set to strike in Pittsburgh Three additional women are accusing a longtime California physician of sexual misconduct after officials were made aware of several other sexual misconduct allegations against him, according to a Los Angeles Times report. The women filed a federal lawsuit Oct. 10 against Patrick Sutton, MD, alleging the obstetrician at Pasadena, Calif.-based Huntington Hospital made unwanted sexual remarks during visits in the 1990s, the report states. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, marks the latest sexual misconduct allegations against Dr. Sutton. Earlier this month, the physician lost his leadership role in Huntington Hospital's obstetrics and gynecology department after officials learned of multiple sexual misconduct allegations against him. In the most recent lawsuit, three women accuse Dr. Sutton of sexual misconduct, according to the report. All three women had babies at the hospital. The women's lawyers allege Dr. Sutton made lewd comments and groped one of the plaintiffs during a 1999 postpartum visit, the report states. They also allege he instructed another plaintiff suffering from a migraine during pregnancy to "masturbate in order to make the blood rush to her head" and report back to him. A previous complaint filed by the Medical Board of California alleged Dr. Sutton examined a patient in 2016 and made inappropriate remarks about the patient's body. According to the report, that allegation is still pending. At least two other complaints against Dr. Sutton have surfaced, alleging sexual misconduct during exams in 1998 and 2008. Dr. Sutton entered into agreements with the medical board regarding those cases and was placed on probation. Additionally, two other women in a 2005 lawsuit accused Dr. Sutton of sexual harassment. Dr. Sutton settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount, according to the report. Regarding the most recent lawsuit filed this week, a Huntington Hospital spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times administrators were reviewing the allegations. "Huntington Hospital takes seriously all issues of patient health and safety," the spokesperson said. Dr. Sutton's attorney did not immediately respond to a request from the Los Angeles Times for comment on the lawsuit's allegations. Alyssa Rege contributed to this report. More articles on legal and regulatory issues: Kentucky hospital's ex-chief of staff fails to halt $361M sale to Baptist Health Hospital management company CEO wants money, property released amid investigation 7 latest healthcare industry lawsuits, settlements Humana faces a $700,000 fine from the Texas Department of Insurance due to its network adequacy, the department said Oct. 8. Humana put consumers at risk of facing high out-of-pocket costs due to an inadequate number of in-network anesthesiologists in Texas' Harris, Bexar, and Travis counties, according to the department. A lack of in-network anesthesiologists affected patients seeking services at more than 20 hospitals and surgical centers. In August, the department contacted Humana after learning about several cancellations of network contracts for anesthesiology services. Humana agreed to immediately correct the cancellations and reprocess bills at in-network rates after meeting with the department. "Protecting consumers from balance bills was a priority in this case, and we've done that," Texas Insurance Commissioner Kent Sullivan said. "Humana has agreed to process these as in-network claims. Not one Humana consumer will pay extra because of this network issue." "The matter addressed under the Texas Department of Insurance Consent Order is unique to Humana's commercial health insurance business in Texas. It does not in any way impact Medicare or other government business," Humana spokesperson Marina Renneke told Becker's in an emailed statement. "To provide assurances to our commercial insurance members and respond to concerns raised by the Texas Department of Insurance, Humana agreed to the Consent Order, as we always strive to meet state and federal regulatory standards. The Texas Department of Insurance has now certified that the Humana commercial facility-based surgical anesthesiology network is adequate." More articles on payers: WellCare inks value-based payment agreement with 14K-physician group Insurance plans lack alternative therapy coverage for back pain ACA sign-up site scheduled to be down most Sunday mornings during open enrollment Kaiser Permanente Colorado, the largest insurer in the state, recorded losses of $65 million in the last three years, and says soaring hospital prices are to blame, according to The Denver Post. Kaiser's underwriting losses on its insurance plans in Colorado totaled $280 million from 2015 through 2017. Due to strong investment income, Kaiser limited its net losses on its operations in Colorado to $65 million, according to The Denver Post, which cited documents the company filed with the state. "We think the tactics that are being employed by some of the employees and health systems in Colorado are unfair business practices, and we are developing right now a list of strategies to address those things," Kaiser Permanente Colorado President Ron Vance told The Denver Post. Kaiser is doing a thorough review of its operations in Colorado after a recent investigation by The Denver Post showed Colorado hospitals increased their prices by 76 percent from 2009 through 2016. Mr. Vance said some hospitals in the state are "good partners," while others refuse to enter into reasonable contracts with the insurer. He said Kaiser incurs significant costs when its members go out of network for care because hospitals can use chargemaster prices instead of the discounted rates typically negotiated with insurers. "When that occurs, we have a choice to make," Mr. Vance told The Denver Post. "Do we pass on those exorbitant costs to our members or do we cover those costs? Historically, the vast majority of those costs we've chosen to cover and not pass on to our members, which has driven some of the financial challenges we face." Kaiser's review of its Colorado operations will focus on hospital pricing and several other areas, including sales strategy, hospital contracting, pharmacy, quality documentation and real estate. Access the full Denver Post article here. More articles on payers: ACA sign-up site scheduled to be down most Sunday mornings during open enrollment How Florida's HCA-dominated for-profit market affects insurance payments Walmart, GM should be 'wake-up call' for private insurers CMS released its report card for Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans Oct. 10. Medicare ranks Medicare Advantage and Part D plans on a quality scale of one to five stars, with five representing excellent performance and one reflecting poor performance. CMS also pays bonuses to plans with high ratings. In 2019, most beneficiaries will be able to select a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan with four or more stars, CMS said. Notably, CMS is removing a star rating unit for Medicare Advantage plans beginning in 2019. It will remove the Beneficiary Access and Performance Problems measure from its star rating calculations. The BAPP measure considers CMS' sanctions, civil money penalties and compliance data like notices of noncompliance, warning letters and corrective action plans. To assign stars, Medicare analyzes how health plans performed on some of the following measures: breast cancer screening, colorectal cancer screening, annual flu vaccine, improving or maintaining physical health, improving or maintaining mental health, monitoring physical activity and adult body mass index assessment. Here are the plans receiving a five-star rating: Note: Some plans are repeated or grouped together below. This is because CMS' ratings are grouped by contracts and not by plans. Therefore, a contract can have multiple plans. Medicare Advantage and Part D 1. Kelsey-Seybold Plan Administrators 2. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan 3. Humana's Careplus Health Plans 4. Guidewell's Health Options 5. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan (different contract) 6. Medical Associates Health Plan (MA only) 7. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of The Mid-Atlantic States 8. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of The Mid-Atlantic States (different contract) 9. Tufts Associated Health Maintenance Organization 10. Humana's Cariten Health Plan 11. Care Wisconsin Health Plan 12. Cigna's Healthspring of Florida 13. Anthem's Healthsun Health Plans 14. Martin's Point Generations Advantage 15. Gundersen Health Plan of Minnesota Part D only 16. Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, BCBS of Rhode Island, BCBS of Vermont (same contract) 17. Excellus Health Plan 18. Independent Health Benefits Corp. 19. Wellmark Iowa and South Dakota, BCBS of Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming (same contract) More articles on payers: Insurance plans lack alternative therapy coverage for back pain ACA sign-up site scheduled to be down most Sunday mornings during open enrollment How Florida's HCA-dominated for-profit market affects insurance payments In an effort to increase drug price transparency, President Donald Trump signed two bills into law that ban insurers from writing gag clauses into their contracts with pharmacists, according to CBS News. Here are five things to know: 1. Gag clauses have been blamed for complicating price transparency efforts at the pharmacy counter. These clauses, which insurers and pharmacy benefit managers often write into their contracts with pharmacies, prevent pharmacists from telling a consumer that it would be cheaper to buy a drug out of pocket than through their insurance. 2. President Trump signed two bills targeting these gag orders: the Know the Lowest Price Act and the Patients' Right to Know Drug Prices Act. 3. The Know the Lowest Price Act applies applies explicitly to Medicare Part D, which pays for prescription drugs and to Medicare Advantage, a health plan managed by private insurers. The Patients' Right to Know Drug Prices Act targets commercial and private health insurance. 4. Both bills were passed by Congress last month in nearly unanimous votes, according to NBC News. 5. "President Trump took bold action today to lower the amount that Americans must pay for prescription drugs by signing bipartisan legislation to make gag clauses illegal. I applaud Congress for taking swift action, and specifically Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, for her work on this legislation," said CMS Administrator Seema Verma in a press release. Iris Zink, MSN, RN, went above and beyond the call of duty to keep patients healthy by donating a kidney to one of her longtime patients at Lansing (Mich.) Rheumatology, reports Fox 47 News. The rheumatology-certified nurse practitioner has treated the patient, Ginny Holcomb, for more than 15 years. When Ms. Holcomb was diagnosed with kidney cancer, Ms. Zink said she didn't think twice about donating a kidney. "There was just no hesitation. I didn't want to see her die. I couldn't watch it," Ms. Zink told Fox 47 News. The women learned they were a perfect match after about a year of tests and underwent the transplant in July. Ms. Zink has fully recovered from the surgery, and Ms. Holcomb's condition is improving. "We're bonded for life; she's got part of me in her," Ms. Zink told Fox 47 News. Ms. Holcomb responded, "It's a beautiful thing to have someone else's body part in you." The women said they hope their story inspires other people to consider organ donation. More articles on clinical leadership and infection control: CMS to terminate Texas hospital's Medicare contract over patient safety issues WHO leaders discuss mental health issues facing young adults Only 53% of inmates with HIV receive treatment 2 years after release More than half of HIV-infected individuals released from prison do not maintain a care routine due to adequate access to healthcare, according to a study published in PLOS Medicine. Here are six things to know: 1. Researchers examined comprehensive custody and pharmacy data from the Connecticut Department of Corrections and the Connecticut Department of Public Health for 1,094 incarcerated adults diagnosed with HIV before their release between 2007-11. Pharmacy data came from the health department's Enhanced HIV-Aids Reporting System and CAREWare service utilization databases. 2. Researchers found only 67.2 percent of inmates still received care for their HIV one year after being released from prison. This figure dropped to 53.1 percent at the two-year mark and fell to just 42.5 percent after three years. 3. People who maintained an HIV care routine were more likely to have health insurance and access to intensive case management to help connect them to support groups and housing, among other services. Researchers found people with health insurance were about twice as likely to reach viral suppression than individuals without coverage. 4. Researchers also analyzed re-incarceration rates among study participants and found 48 percent retained HIV care compared to 34 percent of those who were not reincarcerated. However, people released from prison had more control of their HIV symptoms than those still in jail. 4. David Wohl, MD, co-director of HIV services at the North Carolina Department of Corrections in Raleigh and professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, notes it is difficult to apply the study's findings to other states, as each has specific Medicaid coverage policies for inmates. "This is a best-case scenario," Dr. Wohl told NPR. "The services described in this paper don't exist in North Carolina." 6. Frederick Altice, MD, co-author of the study and director of the HIV and Prison Program at New Haven, Conn.-based Yale University, told NPR the healthcare system fails inmates with HIV. "[HIV] is a chronic disease," Dr. Altice told NPR. "People don't need services six weeks after release. They need them immediately." More articles on clinical leadership and infection control: It's no secret that smoking is terrible for your health especially your lungs. That's why most of the country banned it from public establishments years ago. But smoke still flows freely in a place most people consider safe and sterile: hospitals. This piece is sponsored by Stryker. No one's lighting up cigars in the labor and delivery ward anymore, yet we're allowing surgical smoke into operating rooms, where patients including newborns delivered via cesarean section and their healthcare providers are at their most vulnerable. Modern surgical tools used in almost every open procedure utilize electric heat to cut skin and tissue and seal blood vessels. The process produces smoke that contains dangerous, toxic chemicals, including many that are also found in tobacco smoke benzene, toluene, carbon monoxide, and around 150 other substances. These chemicals are known to cause everything from watering eyes and sneezing to serious issues like asthma and cancer. In addition, the smoke can even transmit viruses from the patient's body. That's not what most patients sign up for. But it's not just patients who are at risk. The biggest victims of surgical smoke are the ones exposed to it most healthcare professionals like me. More than 500,000 healthcare workers are exposed to surgical smoke every year, and operating room staff can inhale the equivalent of up to 27 cigarettes a day that's a pack and a half, unfiltered. When they inhale the smoke, the microscopic particles can enter the bloodstream through the blood, spreading viruses and toxins to the rest of the body's organs and tissues. Several years ago, I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a life-threatening condition in which the tissue of the lungs toughens up, making it harder and harder to breathe. I was eventually consigned to an oxygen tank 24 hours a day. My life was effectively over. Thankfully, I was able to get both of my lungs replaced, but not everyone is so fortunate. I wasn't a smoker, and I didn't work with asbestos or in a hazardous work environment or so I thought. In fact, I have personally been exposed to over 30,000 hours of surgical smoke while performing 11,000 surgeries. While pulmonary fibrosis is distinct from COPD, the most common smoking-related lung disease, I believe the toxins and deadly substances in surgical smoke destroyed my lungs. We know this exposure takes a toll on the body. We know many of the substances from the smoke can be detected in bodily substances for days or even weeks. We know operating teams have an almost 50 percent higher chance of respiratory disease than the general public. But we don't yet know to what extent surgical smoke can cause other deadly diseases, and we shouldn't put our health on the line when we step into the surgery suite. Ever since my traumatic experience with pulmonary fibrosis, I insist every operating room I work in has a surgical smoke evacuation device. These devices are capable of removing nearly all of the smoke, creating a safer and more sanitary environment. Rhode Island banned surgical smoke from its operating rooms just a few weeks ago, and it's time for lawmakers and voters across the nation to do the same. There's no excuse for inaction. Our physicians, patients and nurses have been exposed to toxic fumes for too long. We banned smoke once, and we can do it again. Dr. Anthony Hedley is an orthopedic surgeon at the Hedley Orthopaedic Institute in Phoenix. The World Health Organization is highlighting mental health adversities among young people in honor of World Mental Health Day, which is Oct. 10. Here are five things to know: 1. Half of all mental health illnesses appear by age 14, but many cases go undetected and untreated, according to the WHO. Suicide is also the second leading cause of death among people ages 15 to 29. 2. The WHO cited lifestyle changes, such as going off to college, and increased technology use as stressors that can exacerbate existing mental health issues in young people. 3. Many adolescents live in areas affected by natural disasters and epidemics, which also makes them more vulnerable to mental distress and illness. 4. The WHO seeks to highlight mental distress and illness issues for the public to better understand their warning signs and symptoms, while bringing in government involvement to improve health and educational efforts. 5. The organization hosted a meeting in the U.K. Oct. 10 for healthcare leaders and researchers to discuss ways to improve governmental investment in mental health and boost treatment interventions, according STAT's Morning Rounds e-newsletter released Oct. 10. More articles on clinical leadership and infection control: Nepal secures $200m from World Bank The government and the World Bank signed two agreements totaling $200 million (Rs23.5 billion) as budgetary support to underpin a programme of critical reforms in Nepals financial and energy sectors. LifeSouth Community Blood Center, a major blood supplier to hospitals in Florida, Alabama and Georgia, is urging the public to donate blood after Hurricane Michael slammed the region, the company tweeted Oct. 11. The storm cancelled several blood drives at schools and businesses, which resulted in a substantial drop in donations. LifeSouth is experiencing a shortage of type O blood and platelets from all blood types. "LifeSouth needs the help of blood donors after Hurricane Michael to maintain the blood supply at hospitals and communities greatly impacted by the severe storm," the company said in a statement. "LifeSouth urges the community to visit a donor center or a bloodmobile and donate." Neurosurgeon T. Forcht Dagi, MD, filed a $1 million lawsuit against Delta Airlines alleging false imprisonment in March 2015. However, the lawsuit is likely to be dismissed, according to Law 360. Here are five things to know: 1. Dr. Dagi was accused of stealing a Delta employee's kit bag while flying from Boston to London. While the bag was found elsewhere on the plane, flight attendants prohibited the neurosurgeon from leaving the London airport. 2. Delta argued the neurosurgeon's claims are preempted by the Montreal Convention treaty on international air. Additionally, the airline reiterated the two-year statute of limitations has passed. 3. The federal judge in the case said he is likely to dismiss the $1 million lawsuit; however, he has not made his decision final. 4. Dr. Dagi's attorney is arguing the convention treaty should not apply because the neurosurgeon left the plane when the incident occurred. The neurosurgeon is also arguing the flight attendant pressured him to allow him to search his personal luggage. 5. Board-certified, Dr. Dagi is a neurosurgeon at Boston-based Massachusetts General Hospital. He served as president of the Georgia Neurosurgical Society and director of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Agriculture is one of the industries which could be hit hardest by labour shortages (stock) Northern Ireland's business groups have warned Brexit-inflicted labour shortages could shrink the economy by more than 9% over the next 20 years. The warning is made in a letter to Theresa May, signed by representatives from 21 major business groups in Northern Ireland, which highlights the local necessity of migrant labour. Read More The projection is drawn from research by CBI, one of the UK's largest business groups, and finds GDP could decrease by 9.1% by 2041 due to a lack of labour from the EU and internationally. The number of EEA workers in the United Kingdom has dropped by 26% since the Brexit referendum in 2016. "Migrant labour is crucial to the success of the local economy," the letter states. "It fills gaps in both low-level and high-level jobs and is particularly relevant to key sectors such as agri-food, hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, construction, education and digital industries hence the wide interest from the various signatories to this letter. "There is also a critical co-dependence between low-skill labour and higher skilled jobs across many industries and often low-skilled jobs act as the lynchpin for entire supply chains." Read More The letter addresses a number of issues raised in a recent report from the UK Migration Advisory Committee, which called for the cap on high-skilled migrants to be scrapped, as these workers make a positive contribution to public finance, and for EU workers to be subject to the same visa restrictions as workers from elsewhere. "In an economy as fragile as ours this is simply unthinkable, but the impact of labour shortages is already evident," the letter says, noting Northern Ireland's aging population as another aggravating factor. The letter says it backs the committee's recommendation to remove the cap on the number of skilled workers, but said there was "no justification" for a 30,000 salary threshold placed on those wishing to emigrate into the United Kingdom - saying it would "damage Northern Ireland's economy". "We require regional flexibility for Northern Ireland to be developed through consultation with industry as soon as possible, with minimum salaries and quotas adapted in line with our specific regional needs," the letter says. Talks between London and Brussels over the final shape of the Brexit agreement are heading for a crunch stage, with a summit set to take place in Brussels next week, with the post-Brexit customs arrangement yet to be agreed. The Government is expected to outline its position on the backstop for Northern Ireland in the coming days. There has been push back from the DUP to any deal that could potentially place economic barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. On Tuesday, DUP leader Arlene Foster said she would have to see a legal text of a 'hybrid-backstop' which has been proposed. Belfast City Airport has unveiled plans for its new bar and restaurant 'The Artisan'. The premises will open as part of a 15m investment at the airport and create 15 new jobs. Read More Work is nearly completed on the 280 square metre premises which will have seating for over 100 people. The new restaurant will use produce from a number of local Northern Irish suppliers. It is hoped that it will be ready to open its doors by the end of October. Joanne Deighan, Commercial Manager at Belfast City Airport, said that The Artisan will add a new dimension to the airport's offering. The Artisan will represent a 25% increase in our food and beverage facilities with our partner HMSHost UK Ltd. providing a broader choice for our customers," she said. Were really happy with the designs and the progress of the works on site as our opening date approaches. The Artisan will be a different food and beverage offering to any outlets we have had previously, so it is a really exciting time and we are looking forward to opening the doors to our passengers. The Artisan has been a big part of the 15m investment in airport facilities announced earlier this year. The reconfiguration of the departure lounge and the central security area are significant projects and whilst we have worked extremely hard to make sure our passengers have not been inconvenienced throughout these works, we must thank them for their patience. Plans for Belfast's first 'build to rent' apartment scheme have been given the thumbs-up. The 15m project in the Cathedral Quarter is expected to create 110 jobs. Belfast City Council officials have completed a report recommending the green light for the 16-storey building on Academy Street, between Ulster University and The MAC. It will go before the City Hall's planning committee on Tuesday. The application from Holywood firm Lacuna and Welsh and developer Watkin Jones for 90 units was downsized from an original 19-storey structure with 105 units. Made up of 60 two-bed and 30 one-bed apartments, the project will require the demolition of an existing building that has been vacant for more than a decade. Most of the site had been used for car parking in recent years. The ground floor of the high-rise will include a cafe, a management suite and services. The proposal also says it will bring improvements to the public realm on the surrounding Academy Street, Exchange Street and Hector Street. The development is expected to create 110 jobs, both directly and indirectly, during the construction phase and 25 when completed. Lacuna and Watkin Jones say the apartments could house 145 residents, bringing an estimated 1.8m in economic spend in the city centre area. The site is located just across the road from a planned 430-bed student block on Little Patrick Street by the same developers, which was granted approval earlier this year. The developers are behind three other student accommodation projects in the city. They said their combined investment in Belfast will eventually top 100m. The Academy Street plan is one of three major build to rent schemes proposed for Belfast. They involve secure long-term tenancies from a landlord who retains ownership. In January local firm Vinder Capital Ltd and London-based Aldgate Developments announced the 25m Residence at Quay Gate scheme in east Belfast. Just last month Olympian Homes, the owners of the former UTV studios at Havelock House in the south of the city, announced plans to demolish the building and replace it with rental-only accommodation. In the report on the Academy Street bid, planning officials said the decision to approve was made after "a finely balanced consideration" between the potential impact on the cathedral conservation area and the provision of "a landmark piece of architecture" in place of a vacant building and surface car park. The report highlighted the economic boost of bringing more than 100 residents into the city centre, along with the considerable level of investment in the building phase. Planners also described the build-to-let scheme as "unique to Belfast", adding that it "will create a new form of residential accommodation in the city centre". The report concludes: "This mix of residential and retail uses will add to the diversity of the city centre and complement the nearby University of Ulster (sic)whilst driving the much needed regeneration of this area and increasing the rates base that can be used for wider investment." According to the Future Belfast website, the high-rise was designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. It said the company Five Nine Living is expected to manage the building. One-in-four construction firms in Northern Ireland are performing worse than this time last year, with a senior industry figure warning of "a crisis point coming". John Armstrong, of the Construction Employers Federation (CEF), said the lack of an Executive at Stormont is hitting both major infrastructure projects and smaller procurement works. He was speaking after the CEF and business advisory firm BDO released the state of trade survey for the first half of 2018. It found that 82% of building firms believe the absence of an Executive has resulted in the loss of capital or tenders. The survey is based on the opinions of 88 of the best-known building firms, who between them represent 50% of construction output. Some 25% said profit margins were worse than last year, with 12% reporting better margins and 55% staying the same. But against the backdrop of the ongoing political uncertainty, rising costs and labour shortages, the CEF said the fact that most firms maintained an equilibrium was positive. However, when firms were asked what they felt was the most critical development to aid future success, 65% felt the restoration of an Executive at Stormont was number one. Mr Armstrong said there was an "urgent" need for an Executive to make decisions on large projects and deliver a pipeline of smaller procurement contracts. "With only 59 schemes in-procurement at the mid-point in the financial year, there is a crisis point coming within the industry," he added. "When we also consider the public sector capital budget is at its highest point since 2007 and several high-profile Executive flagship schemes are not running to their initial financial plan, there should be an abundance of opportunities for contractors to tender for public works." The survey reflected growing pessimism within the industry. One-in-three (34%) believe the industry will deteriorate this year, compared with 26% in the previous survey. The responses, however, were more optimistic when addressing their own company, with 39% expecting their workforce to grow in 2018. The newspaper group which owns Northern Ireland newspapers the News Letter and the Derry Journal has put itself up for sale. The Johnston Press group took the action on Thursday following the completion of a strategic review of its business which has been ongoing since last year. Recent market valuations have put the price of the company at around 3m, with any potential buyers taking on 220m in borrowing due for repayment next June. The group owns more than 200 local and regional titles across the United Kingdom and the Republic, as well as a number of news websites. Included in the group is national newspaper 'i', which it acquired in 2016, and well-known regional titles The Scotsman, and The Yorkshire Post. It owns a large number of local titles across Northern Ireland. The company has said there is no certainty an offer will be made, and that it reserves the right to withdraw itself from sale at any time. In a statement released on Thursday the company said: "Since commencing the strategic review of financing options first announced in March 2017, the company has focused on exploring all options available to it in relation to its 220m outstanding 8.625% senior secured notes due for repayment on 1 June 2019. "Pursuant to this strategic review and in order to assess all strategic options to maximise value to its stakeholders, the Board of Johnston Press announces [on Thursday] that it has decided to seek offers for the company." The head of Northern Ireland's Equality Commission has defended spending more than 250,000 of taxpayers' money supporting a gay rights activist in his legal challenge against Ashers Bakery. Dr Michael Wardlow was speaking after the Christian owners of the Belfast bakery yesterday won an appeal at the UK's highest court over a finding that they discriminated against Gareth Lee by refusing to make a cake decorated with the words "Support Gay Marriage". Read More The five judges on the Supreme Court in London were unanimous in their judgment in what has become widely known as the 'gay cake case'. The ruling follows the latest round of legal action brought against family-run Ashers Bakery by Mr Lee, who won his case initially in the county court and then at the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal. Around 500,000 has been spent to date on the landmark case - 250,000 by the Christian Institute to fund the McArthurs' appeal and a further 250,000 spent by the Equality Commission to advocate for Mr Lee. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph last night, Dr Wardlow rejected calls from a number of politicians to quit. "People are genuinely entitled to make whatever calls they want but I am not considering resigning at the minute," he said. Defending the commission's role in spending considerable sums of public money pursuing the case, he said: "This was over four-and-a-half years and represents less than 20% of our overall budget. "In terms of how we spend public money, we are very prudent and in this case we believe that it was important to support Gareth." Dr Wardlow confirmed that Mr Lee is now weighing up his options regarding taking the case further with a possible appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company. Click through the gallery to read the full judgement. [File photo] PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company. Click through the gallery to read the full judgement. [File photo] "At this stage Gareth hasn't made his mind up yet about what he is going to do next. "It is up to him to decide the next course of action and he has a number of options available to him which he will now consider with his barrister," he said. The controversy first flared when Mr Lee, a member of the LGBT advocacy group QueerSpace, walked into Ashers on Royal Avenue in May 2014. He ordered the 36.50 cake featuring Sesame Street puppets Bert and Ernie for a private function marking International Day Against Homophobia. His order was accepted and paid for in full, but two days later the company called to say it could not proceed due to the message requested. The DUP's Ian Paisley has written to Secretary of State Karen Bradley asking her to review how the publicly funded body spends its money after it confirmed the bill for pursuing the Ashers case over more than four years. The North Antrim MP said: "The Equality Commission have got to seriously examine why they allocated so much time and public resources to this case when it was so unceremoniously dumped by the Supreme Court." UUP MLA for South Antrim Steve Aiken also said "serious questions" needed to be asked about the use of public money by the commission. TUV leader Jim Allister and the DUP's Jim Wells have both called on Dr Wardlow to consider his position, accusing him of "wasting taxpayers' money pursuing Ashers". Announcing the Supreme Court's decision yesterday, its president Lady Hale said: "This conclusion is not in any way to diminish the need to protect gay people and people who support gay marriage from discrimination. "It is deeply humiliating, and an affront to human dignity, to deny someone a service because of that person's race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief. "But that is not what happened in this case." The court also said Mr Lee had no claim against Ashers on the grounds of religious belief or political opinion. Ashers Bakery owners Daniel and Amy McArthur said that they were "delighted and relieved" by the ruling, which they said "protects freedom of speech and freedom of conscience for everyone". They also said that Mr Lee would "always be welcome in any of our shops". Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp However, Mr Lee expressed his concern at the decision, saying: "I'm concerned not just for the implications for myself and other gay people, but for every single one of us." The Rainbow Project gay advocacy group said the case had done damage to Northern Ireland's gay community. The incident occurred around the Tullymore Road in Londonderry. Credit: Google. Police in Londonderry have slammed someone who shot a grandmother's cat 25 times with a pellet gun as a "despicable excuse of a human being". The cat is currently receiving treatment at the vet who said that it has serious injuries and has 25 pellets in its body. The incident occurred around the Tullymore Road area. Police appealed for information on the 'PSNI Foyle' Facebook page. "I have been sitting here wondering how to word this post without typing exactly what is on my mind but here goes," a PSNI spokesperson said. "Officers have just spent time consoling a grandmother who found her wee cat with serious injuries. "The cat would not go far from its home. "If you have any information that can help us find the despicable excuse of a human being that caused this then please ring 101 and quote ref no 654 11/10/18." Nepali pashmina, coffee export disappoints Nepali coffee and pashmina, despite having high potential on securing a good deal of export earnings from foreign markets including the European Union (EU), have failed to do so over problems such as low volume of production and lack of initiative. Existing checks on agricultural goods travelling between Great Britain and Northern Ireland would have to increase ten-fold after Brexit, the EU's chief negotiator has said - an ultimatum likely to enrage unionists and eurosceptics. Speaking to business leaders in Brussels, Michel Barnier laid out new details about the EU's updated plan to find a solution to the Irish border issue. Intensification of checks is highly unlikely to be accepted by the DUP, who have said they will use their crucial Commons votes against any deal that treats Northern Ireland differently from the rest of the UK. Mr Barnier said customs and VAT details could be filled out online by traders and that the only physical checks needed for them would be the scanning of a barcode on a ferry across the Irish Sea or at a port. He said such checks "already exist in many EU member states, such as between mainland Spain and the Canary Islands". The negotiator also said the EU believed regulatory compliance checks for industrial goods could be carried out at the premises of businesses. But Mr Barnier warned that so-called phytosanitary checks on live animals and other agricultural products had to be carried out at the border, and would have to apply to 100% of all imports. Some of these checks already exist, but they are only conducted as spot-checks and applied to just 10% of imports. "EU rules are very clear: such checks must happen at the border because of food safety and animal health reasons," he told business leaders. "Obviously in the future the island of Ireland will remain and must remain a simple epidemiologic area. "Such checks already exist in the ports of Larne and Belfast. However, they would have to cover 100% rather than 10% of live animals and animal-derived products, which would involve a significant change in terms of scale." He added that there would have to be "administrative procedures that do not exist today" but that "the EU proposes to carry out these checks in the least intrusive way possible". "The UK wants to leave and will leave the single market and customs union. "This means that there must be checks on goods travelling between the EU and the UK and checks that do not exist today," he warned. Mr Barnier said such checks could be reduced in scope in the future if the UK and EU signed a veterinary agreement down the line as part of a trade deal. The motorcyclist killed in a crash in Portadown on Wednesday evening has been named as 22-year-old Nathan Doran. Mr Doran was killed after a crash between his bike and a white Ford Focus car at 10.30pm on Wednesday on the Dobbin Road in Portadown. Officers from the PSNI's collision investigation unit are appealing for witnesses and would especially like to hear from anyone who was travelling on the Dobbin Road at around the time of the collision and who may have captured dashcam footage. Please call 101, quoting reference number 1430 10/10/18. The body was found on Newcastle beach, in Co Down Police are investigating after a member of the public discovered a body on a beach in Northern Ireland. The member of the public reported the find just before 5am on Thursday. It's thought the body was discovered by a man out walking his dog on the beach in Newcastle. The promenade in the Co Down town has been sealed off. However, at this stage it is not thought the discovery is being treated as suspicious. SDLP MLA Colin McGrath appealed for information to be passed to the police. The MLA for South Down said: "My sympathies go out to the family of the individual, as well as the locals who found the body this morning. "The local community are in shock this morning, but I have no doubt they will rally together to support one another at this time. "I would encourage anyone who may have information to contact the PSNI." A PSNI spokeswoman said: "Police are examining the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a man's body on the beach in Newcastle. "The body was found by a member of the public shortly before 5am." Churches in Northern Ireland have welcomed the Supreme Court decision on the Ashers Bakery case as an "affirmation of religious freedom and expression", but added that it is "not a licence to discriminate". A spokesperson for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland claimed the ruling had "made clear that business owners can in conscience refuse to promote messages that run contrary to their personal beliefs". They stated: "We believe that the unanimous decision of the Supreme Court is an important milestone in helping to strike a proper and much-needed balance in law between the legitimate expression of conscience in all aspects of society and protection from unjust discrimination. "As individuals created in the image of God, we are called to love our neighbour so it goes without saying that today's ruling is not a licence to discriminate. "On the contrary, in the interests of the common good and human dignity, the law must protect people from discrimination, while properly valuing the role of conscience in the public square. Their statement added that the Supreme Court has "allowed for a more reasonable approach to be taken, while protecting and reaffirming the inherent value of an individual's freedom of conscience and ability to express - or just as importantly refuse to express - an opinion." The chairman of the Church of Ireland's Church and Society Commission, Bishop Kenneth Kearon, said the Supreme Court judgment "affirms the rights of the business and does not significantly impact on the freedom of choice for the customer". The Methodist Church said the decision gave "protection" against people being "forced to provide a service that conflicts with their own religious or moral convictions". Methodist president Rev Billy Davison added: "When competing rights and freedoms conflict, it is hard to satisfy all sides, but we welcome the clarity that this judgment brings." Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, Rev Gordon Dane, commended the McArthur family's "diligence". Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company. Click through the gallery to read the full judgement. [File photo] PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company. Click through the gallery to read the full judgement. [File photo] No response was received from the Catholic Church. The dramatic CCTV footage of a terrorist attempt to blow-up prison officer Adrian Ismay was played in court at the trial of a west Belfast man accused of murdering the 52-year-old father of three. The non-jury, Belfast Crown Court trial has already heard that the footage of the March 2016 explosion outside Mr Ismay's Hillsborough Drive home was uncovered from an east Belfast Willowfield Funeral Home whose security camera overlooked the scene. The footage captured Mr Ismay's blue VW van driving towards the Cregagh Road shortly after 7am on the morning of March 4. However, it never reached the junction. As the van approached a ramp, suddenly a booby-trap device exploded under the vehicle. The front bumper of the van is blown off, as black smoke, debris and dust from the blast could clearly be seen billowing up around the van before Mr Ismay limps from the driver's side to the passenger side and opens that door. Ultimately three passersby come to his aid, helping him across the street to a side wall. The court had already heard that as he sat on the pavement, the St John's Ambulance man and member of the Community Service Volunteers directed those helping him how to bandage and treat his wounds. 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. Watching a video of the CCTV footage from the dock was 48-year-old Christopher Alphonson Robinson, from Aspen Park, Poleglass. He denies the murder of Mr Ismay, possessing the undercar improvised explosive device, and alternatively, supplying a vehicle knowing or suspecting it would be used in terrorism. 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 had heard the footage was uncovered by police who "trolled" local shops and businesses for any security camera film that may have captured what happened. In addition to securing film of the moment of the no-warning blast, their investigations also turned up, what the prosecution claim is film of the bomber's car, a red coloured Citroen C3. Footage of the car was also played to the court, allegedly showing it as it drove through Belfast, until it was then seen driving past Mr Ismay's home, shortly before 2.30am. It then returns, parking up, its headlights off. Moments later someone running down the street was pictured getting into the back of the C3 before driving off, its headlights still switched off. 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. The prosecution claim that the Citroen car belonged to Robinson's the sister-in-law. While a senior scientific officer said that traces of RDX explosive were found on swabs taken from the rear of the C3, he agreed with the defence that "so minute" were the traces that they could have been three to four times removed from any direct contact with the military grade explosives. In addition to the alleged 29 sightings of the C3 allegedly captured by CCTV cameras, including police cameras and security equipment mounted on shops and local businesses, the court was also shown the alleged 26 sightings of Robinson's own silver-coloured Skoda car and the routes it took earlier that evening. Artist Louise Walsh with a portion of her sewing machine sculpture, which the Department for Communities has said it would no longer fund Plans for a sculpture to honour thousands of former shirt factory workers in Londonderry have been hung out to dry after it was revealed the artwork would cost up to 330,000 to complete. Some 85,000 of public money had already been spent on creating the artwork, which was being funded by the Department for Communities, before it was abandoned yesterday. Co Cork artist Louise Walsh originally started work on the factory girls artwork in 2006, but now Derry and Strabane District Council has been told the current project is to be scrapped as it no longer represents value for money. The department told the council a tender process for a new sculpture would now begin. Mayor John Boyle said 85,000 had already been spent on the incomplete artwork, but is confident that the city will eventually have a tribute in place. "The decision has come down to the Department for Communities, they are not prepared to fund it any more," he said. "The council has always been very supportive of the project. "Planning permission has already been granted and that's a major hurdle that's already been overcome. We won't be starting again from the very beginning." The sculpture was originally to be located at King Street in the Waterside, but that changed to Harbour Square due to planning problems, which led to a redesign of the original piece. Those issues saw initial costs spiral. The Department for Communities said the decision to halt the original project was "disappointing" but it could not justify investing further money in it due to financial considerations. "Given the passage of time, the cost of completing the project would now result in a total cost of almost four times the original budget, meaning that, regrettably, the project no longer represents value for money," it added. "The department and Derry City and Strabane District Council are still committed to commemorating the contribution of factory workers." SDLP councillor Martin Reilly said: "The problems with the previous commission were not of council's own making and it is disappointing that they could not be resolved. "The whole ethos behind this sculpture was to remember and celebrate the work of the generations of women who were the backbone of the regional economy for decades. Their sterling work stands in stark contrast to a process which has been an example of how not to deliver a project. "I'm confident that this new approach will see a piece of art placed at Harbour Square to finally deliver a tribute to the Factory Girls." Prime Minister Theresa May with DUP leader Arlene Foster during Mrs Mays visit to Co Fermanagh in July DUP leader Arlene Foster has warned Theresa May she cannot "in good conscience" recommend a Brexit deal which keeps Northern Ireland in the customs union. Mrs Foster, speaking after a third day of talks in Brussels, said the decisions made by the Prime Minister in the comings days will be "critical" for Northern Ireland. She added that Northern Ireland was not being offered the "best of both worlds." Read More "Brussels wants Northern Ireland to have access to the EU single market and trade within the rules set by the EU under the European Courts of Justice," she said. "However, Brussels also wants to place an effective one-way turnstile from Northern Ireland into the rest of the United Kingdom. "Trade from Great Britain into Northern Ireland would be in danger of restriction. Indeed, Northern Irelands access to any new United Kingdom trade deals would also be regulated by Brussels. "That is not the best of both worlds. That is the worst of one world. " Mrs Foster said the Prime Minister, as a unionist, could not "in good conscience" recommend a deal which places a trade barrier on United Kingdom businesses moving goods from one part of the UK to another. She added: "We will take decisions based on what is best for everyone in Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. On Wednesday DUP Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson warned the Prime Minister that his party would pull support and collapse her government if Northern Ireland was left "languishing in the stifling embrace of the EU" after Brexit. He said: "She will not have DUP support regardless of whether the Government tries to bribe, bully or browbeat us into accepting it." The DUP has also said it will vote down the Prime Minister's budget if the party's Brexit "red lines" were not respected. Prithvi Man Shrestha is a political reporter for The Kathmandu Post, covering the governance-related issues including corruption and irregularities in the government machinery. Before joining The Kathmandu Post in 2009, he worked at nepalnews.com and Rising Nepal primarily covering the issues of political and economic affairs for three years. Flybe has cancelled all flights departing from Belfast City Airport early Friday morning due to high winds forecast from Storm Callum. Only flights operating between 6am to 9.30am have been cancelled, apart from flight BE731 to Leeds Bradford and BE680 to Edinburgh which have been delayed until later that day. Flybe has said all customers affected by the cancellations should not travel to the airport. A Flybe spokesperson said: "The safety of its passengers and crew is our number one priority and Flybe will, as always, do everything possible to minimise any disruption." Customers are asked to continue to check the airline's live flight information for the latest updates on its website. Affected customers can rebook to travel on an alternative flight or ask for a refund for any part(s) of their journey not taken. May 9, 2014: Gareth Lee places an order at Ashers Baking Company on Belfast's Royal Avenue for a cake to be decorated with the slogan Support Gay Marriage alongside the Sesame Street characters Bert and Ernie. The order is accepted by Karen McArthur and payment of 36.50 is made in full. May 11, 2014: Mr Lee is informed that the order cannot be completed and offered a full refund. June 26, 2014: Equality Commission writes to Ashers requesting that modest compensation be paid. October 24, 2014: Equality Commission puts the bakery officially "on notice" of impending court action. March 26, 2015: The three-day civil suit opens at Belfast County Court. Mr Lee says he was "left feeling like a lesser person" when his order was declined. March 27, 2015: In evidence, Ms McArthur, an Ashers director, said she had taken the order to avoid a confrontation in the shop but as a born-again Christian "knew in her heart" it could not be completed. Her son, Daniel McArthur, the firm's general manager, tells the court his family could not compromise their deeply held religious beliefs. May 19, 2015: District judge Isobel Brownlie rules in favour of the Equality Commission. The judge finds Ashers acted unlawfully and directly discriminated against Mr Lee on grounds of his sexual orientation and political beliefs. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company. Click through the gallery to read the full judgement. [File photo] PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp She said Mr Lee was treated "less favourably", contrary to the law. The company is ordered to pay agreed costs of 500. June 10, 2015: Ashers say they will appeal against the judgment. February 3, 2016: An appeal hearing is dramatically halted after a last-minute intervention from Attorney General John Larkin who claims the case raised a potential conflict between NI's equality legislation and European human rights laws. Mr Larkin told senior judges the McArthur family should have constitutional protection for turning down a customer's order based on their religious beliefs. March 3, 2016: Mr Larkin is given the green light to make representations at the full appeal hearing. May 9-12, 2016: The Court of Appeal sits again to hear an appeal against Judge Brownlie's decision. October 24, 2016: Judges uphold the ruling that Ashers Bakery discriminated against Mr Lee. May 2017: Ashers Bakery announces it is to appeal its case to the UK's highest court. May 1, 2018: The Supreme Court sits in Belfast for the first time to hear the case. October 10, 2018: In its verdict, the Supreme Court rules the owners of Ashers Bakery did not discriminate against Mr Lee by refusing to make a cake supporting gay marriage. The UK's best known gay rights activist has described the Ashers cake verdict as a "landmark ruling for freedom of expression". Peter Tatchell said he was "delighted" that the UK's highest court had ruled that the bakery's refusal to make a cake with a slogan supporting same-sex marriage was not discriminatory. Read More The veteran gay rights champion, who initially opposed Ashers but then supported the bakery, also said the ruling was "a vindication for those of us who have stood up for the principle of freedom of expression". Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph just moments after the five justices on the Supreme Court delivered their unanimous judgment, Mr Tatchell said he had been "optimistic" about a ruling in Ashers' favour. "Such a strong unanimous verdict is pretty rare so this was a very clear vindication by the highest court in the land that businesses should not be required to promote political messages with which they disagree," he said. "This verdict will ensure that freedom of expression is upheld." Mr Tatchell said it would have been "a very retrograde step" had the verdict gone the other way. "If the verdict had gone against Ashers it would've potentially meant that a Muslim printer could be required by law to publish cartoons of Mohammed or that a Jewish printer could be forced by law to publish a book advocating Holocaust denial," he said. Mr Tatchell said he believed people were confused over what the case was really about and said yesterday's ruling would "hopefully" provide clarification. "This case was never about sexual orientation," he said. "Ashers did not refuse to serve Gareth Lee because he was gay. The legal issue was whether a business should be compelled by law to facilitate ideas with which it disagrees. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company. Click through the gallery to read the full judgement. [File photo] PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company. Click through the gallery to read the full judgement. [File photo] "Thankfully the court upheld the principle of freedom of expression." Mr Tatchell said that although he supported the McArthurs' right not to have to provide a cake with the "Support Gay Marriage" slogan "because the law shouldn't compel businesses to aid political messages", he is opposed to their stance on same-sex marriage. He added: "I very strongly disagree with Ashers' opposition to marriage equality. In a democratic society we should all be equal before the law. This includes the right of gay people to marry the person they love." Marianne OKane said the high levels of interest in the trial ensured a better understanding of the court system (Public Prosecution Service/PA) A high profile rape trial in Belfast gave the public a better understanding of the court system, a senior Public Prosecution Service official has said. In March, following a trial that dominated the headlines across the UK and Ireland, Ulster rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding were cleared of rape. They both denied raping the same woman in Mr Jacksons house in the early hours of June 28 2016. Blane McIlroy, who was accused of exposure, and Rory Harrison, who was charged with perverting the course of justice and withholding information, were also found not guilty. PPS assistant director Marianne OKane said the high levels of interest in the trial ensured a better understanding of the court system. She was speaking on Thursday as the service revealed statistics for rape and sexual offences in 2017/18 which showed a rise in the number of files it received. The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) today published its Statistical Bulletin: Cases Involving Sexual Offences 2017/18 https://t.co/LW6cg7v91x pic.twitter.com/0WZNz8ZMvU NISRA (@NISRA) October 11, 2018 The PPS received 1,587 files in 2017/18 involving an alleged sexual offence. This was an increase of 21% on 2016/17 (1,312). There was a rise of 34.2% in the number of files received involving an alleged rape offence, from 395 to 530. The statistics also showed a drop in the overall conviction rate at the Crown Court in cases involving alleged sexual offences from 73.8% in 2016/17 to 63.8% in 2017/18. Ms OKane said: What I think that trial did was reveal to the public the mechanics of how a rape trial proceeds and allowed a more informed public discussion about the issues that we encounter in all rape cases. One of the benefits was that at least the public has a better understanding of how these cases proceed and the complexities in prosecuting and indeed defending those cases. I do take heart from the fact there is still a consistent increase in the level of reporting of complaints to police over the last year, and thats a trend we see continuing. I think that is hopefully due in part to the awareness campaigns that we participate in and the public confidence that if they do make a report to the police, they can and they do expect to receive professionalism and empathy. DUP leader Arlene Foster has praised the owners of Ashers Bakery for pursuing their case to the UK's Supreme Court, describing yesterday's judgment as "historic and seminal". Mrs Foster said Amy and Daniel McArthur had shown "grace and perseverance" and that the ruling had provided clarity for "people of all faiths and none" going forward. Read More "A fundamental freedom was on trial. It is dangerous for society if our laws force people to say things they don't believe," she wrote on Twitter. TUV leader Jim Allister also praised the McArthur family for their "tenacious and Christian stand" and said that the issue "had run away with itself". He said: "The effort to impose the LGBT agenda on Christian businesses by compelling promotion of their political demands, irrespective of the conscience or religious belief of the business owner, needed to be reined in. While our local courts hadn't the wisdom or vision to do so, I'm glad the Supreme Court grasped this nettle," he added. Expressing her disappointment, Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O'Neill said her party believed the earlier decision taken by the Belfast County Court and the Northern Ireland Court of Appeals had been the correct one. "Further exploration is required. There can be no uncertainty on the application of equality law," she wrote on Twitter. People Before Profit's Gerry Carroll said that the ruling proved the courts could not be relied on to stand up for the LGBT community. "The only way we can win is with people-power sweeping the country and pushing back against those who want to outlaw, discriminate and disrespect the community," the West Belfast MLA said. North Belfast Alliance councillor Nuala McAllister said her thoughts were with Northern Ireland's LGBT community following the ruling. The former Lord Mayor of Belfast also paid tribute to Gareth Lee for taking the case, describing him as "an amazing person". Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company. Click through the gallery to read the full judgement. [File photo] PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company. Click through the gallery to read the full judgement. [File photo] She added: "It was not easy for him but he carried himself with great dignity throughout." A veterinary pathologist has found no evidence that a puppy allegedly bludgeoned to death with a hammer was also put in a microwave, the High Court heard today. Nothing in the report indicates the dog called Sparky had been subjected to physical suffering before dying, a judge was told. Details emerged as a man accused of inflicting the fatal injuries was granted bail once more. Kyle Keegan, 24, from Gilpins Manor in Lurgan, Co Armagh, is charged with causing unnecessary suffering to the 11-week-old pet on February 3 this year. The dog's remains were found in a bin following the suspected attack at a drink and drug-fuelled house party in the Ailsbury Park area of the town. A postmortem confirmed the pup had sustained a number of fractures as well as severe brain trauma. Police went to the scene of the alleged killing after being alerted to concerns about the dog. The animal's remains were seized along with a blood-spattered T-shirt said to belong to Keegan. A blood-stained hammer which had allegedly been hidden behind a kitchen appliance was also taken for further examination. Prosecutors said the investigation developed when a 16-year-old youth went to police expressing fear for his safety due to social media posts linking him to the incident. Expand Close Accused: Kyle Keegan / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Accused: Kyle Keegan The teenager, who has so far refused to make a formal statement, claims he heard bangs and a puppy yelp, the court was told. Crown lawyer Natalie Pinkerton said the youth alleged he saw Keegan with a bloodied hammer in his hand. She contended that the accused is a contributor to a mixed DNA profile found on the suspected weapon. Defence counsel Barry McKenna referred to suspicions raised at previous hearings that the dog had also been put in a microwave. Tests were to be carried out in what he described as a "live issue" at the time. But Lord Justice Treacy heard the veterinary pathologist's report, contained in papers served by the prosecution, now appears to have ruled that out. "I find no evidence that the puppy was exposed to microwave radiation," the expert concluded. She also stated there is "no indication of physical suffering at the time of the puppy's death or in the period shortly before death are recognised in the evidential material I have examined". Mr McKenna submitted: "It's a disturbing case, but these are two significant matters." Keegan has been in custody since June due to alleged breaches of his previous release conditions. Granting renewed bail, the judge said: "This is a horrible case, and it's a very, very serious charge." He ordered Keegan to attend his GP within seven days and warned that any further breaches will lead to him remaining in prison until trial. Diana Johnson MP (left) who has launched a Private Members Bill to decriminalise consensual abortion in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a cross-party group of MPs and co-sponsors by the statue of Millicent Fawcett in Parliament Square MPs have launched a parliamentary bid to end the ban on most abortions in Northern Ireland. Labour's Diana Johnson and a cross-party coalition of colleagues will introduce a 10-Minute Rule Bill on October 23 which would remove the procedure from criminal law so that it is treated in the same way as all other medical procedures. Ms Johnson, who represents Hull North, said: "Abortion law is underpinned by criminal law and I think most people today would say that's not appropriate. "It's a healthcare issue, it's about a woman deciding what is best for her and her family. "That's what the bill is about, taking the criminal law out, but it's keeping in place all the regulation and professional standards in common law around abortion." The bill, which has been co-signed by Conservative MP Anna Soubry, would include Northern Ireland despite devolution. Ms Johnson said: "Because we're talking about a breach of women's human rights in Northern Ireland, it's a matter for Westminster Parliament." MPs and supporters gathered in Parliament Square to launch the bill yesterday as opinion polls commissioned by Amnesty International suggested 65% of adults in Northern Ireland agree abortion should not be a crime and 78% of British people are in favour of decriminalisation. Ms Johnson said the findings showed "widespread support" for the bill from the public. But John Deighan of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) said abortion was not something which should be treated like a medical treatment and this "extreme" bill "would put vulnerable women in danger". He said: "Abortion does not cure any disease, but is the deliberate ending of an innocent life. "There is strong social controversy about abortion, particularly around allowing it on demand, at the expense of the taxpayer. "It is thus ridiculous to suggest that the power to regulate it be taken away from elected politicians and handed to factions of the medical profession, who won't have to answer to anyone." Abortion was legalised in England, Wales and Scotland in 1967 but is banned under most circumstances in Northern Ireland. The government has resisted calls to step in to legislate for reform in Northern Ireland following a Supreme Court judgment in June that found the current legal framework is incompatible with human rights laws. The law on abortion was devolved to Holyrood as part of the Scotland Act 2016 and there have been similar calls for decriminalising the procedure in Scotland. The daughters of Antia Rooney Chloe (left) and Natalie at the inquest into her death yesterday A mother-of-three who died after falling from a fourth floor hospital landing had been found at a bridge by a concerned member of the public the day before, an inquest heard yesterday. Anita Rooney (50), a respected businesswoman from Dungannon, died on May 18, 2016 in Craigavon Area Hospital after being admitted as an in-patient at an acute medical unit (AMU). At the opening of a three-day inquest into Mrs Rooney's death held in Armagh Courthouse, coroner Joe McCrisken heard that Mrs Rooney had a history of mental health problems. The inquest was attended by her grown-up children Thomas, Natalie and Chloe, and husband Michael. On the day before her death Mrs Rooney, who had been seeing a consultant psychiatrist on an out-patient basis, had "deliberately misused" alcohol, a prescription drug and non-prescription drugs, it was said. She consumed them, the inquest was told, on May 17 after arriving at a bridge over the Blackwater River, and was subsequently taken to the hospital by ambulance after a passer-by alerted the emergency services. After her admission to the emergency department in Craigavon later that day, a triage nurse had deemed Mrs Rooney, who had worked in the recruitment sector, to be at "high risk of further self-harm", the inquest heard. Mrs Rooney was admitted directly to the acute medical unit and no formal risk assessment was carried out, the coroner was told. Dr Lekha Thankamma, who examined Mrs Rooney in the AMU, explained that while she was made aware of Mrs Rooney's health problems, including the circumstances of her admission, it was decided a psychiatric examination could not take place until the following day, which had been arranged. She explained that this was due to the medical risks associated with what Mrs Rooney had taken. "Her (physical) medical needs needed to be addressed," she said. "She was not well enough to be assessed (by a psychiatrist)." The doctor added that while Mrs Rooney had asked if she could go home, she was not "agitated" and had "expressed willingness" to remain in the hospital. She stressed that if Mrs Rooney had displayed behaviour to the contrary, a mental health team on call would have been alerted. Members of Mrs Rooney's family listened intently during the inquest hearing, and a woman dabbed away tears with a tissue as the inquest earlier heard details from two doctors who came to Mrs Rooney's aid when she was discovered conscious at the bottom of the stairwell. Mrs Rooney was found on the second floor at around 11am on the day she died. Nurse Naomi Magee, who had started her shift earlier that morning, said she had spotted Mrs Rooney missing from her bed around 20 minutes prior to the patient being found at the stairwell. The nurse raised the alarm in "accordance with hospital policy". She also said that she had earlier declined Mrs Rooney's request to go outside to have a "smoke and some fresh air". The nurse told the inquest that Mrs Rooney was "agreeable" to what she said. "She was extremely compliant with staff. She walked back to her bed, was calm and sat back down again," added Ms Magee. When she was asked by a legal representative for the family if she was aware that Mrs Rooney had gone missing from the unit earlier that same morning, and had to be brought back by a staff member, the nurse said she had not known. She added that it wasn't always the case that this information would be shared between colleagues, unless someone had been deemed at serious risk of fleeing the hospital. Reflecting on what he heard, the coroner said he had to consider guidelines established by the National Institute for Health Care and Excellence (Nice), a non-executive public body of the Department of Health. Mr McCrisken told the hearing that it advises that the psychiatric treatment of an individual with self-harm should "not be delayed unless life-saving treatment is required". Pointing to Nice guidelines that also recommend an individual suffering from self-harm should be closely monitored while under medical care, the coroner said the "12-hour period" between Mrs Rooney's attempt to take her own life and her time in hospital may point to recommendations being made in his ruling. The inquest continues today. One arrested for raping 14-yr-old in Sunsari Police have arrested a man for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl from Sunsari. There was a 36.6% increase in the number of people charged or reported for rape in Northern Ireland in 2017/18, compared to the previous year. The new data came from the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) Statistical Bulletin: Cases Involving Sexual Offences 2017/18. It comes as the Criminal Justice Board's independent review of the arrangements to deliver justice in serious sexual offence cases. Sir John Gillen is leading the review in the wake of the high-profile rugby rape trial. Read More In 2017/18 the PPS received files including a total of 1,700 suspects. 567 of these suspects were charged or reported for rape and 1,133 for other sexual offences. This showed a 36.6% increase for rape offences and a 15.1% increase for sexual offences over the previous year. The PPS received a total of 1,587 files involving a sexual offence, an increase of 21%. There was also a rise of 34.2% in the number of files involving a rape offence from 395 to 530. Two-hundred-and-twenty four defendants appeared before the Crown Court in cases involving sexual offences. The overall conviction rate was 63.8% compared with 73.8% in 2016/17. Sixty defendants were dealt with in the Crown Court for an offence of rape and 45.0% of these were convicted of at least one offence. Approximately 15% of defendants were convicted of an offence of rape. Following the findings the PPS has called for a new collaborative approach to improve conviction rates for sexual offences, including rape. Assistant Director Marianne O'Kane acknowledged the challenges in prosecuting sexual offence cases. Over the last three years the PPS has established a dedicated team of senior public prosecutors who have worked closely with our partners to ensure consistency in best practice procedures to build cases, support victims and ensure that prosecutions are brought robustly, but fairly," she said. Against this backdrop we are seeing a significant increase in both the complexity and the volume of cases." Mrs O'Kane said that the PPS were supporting the independent review into sexual offence cases. We consider that a broad criminal justice perspective, combined with inputs from wider society, will be key to achieving positive change. On this basis, we fully support and are contributing to the independent review being undertaken by Sir John Gillen," she said. "We look forward to hearing the considered responses when his findings are published. In the meantime, we are committed to continuing our work to engage actively with partners in criminal justice and with representatives of victims. Mrs O'Kane issued a message to the victims of sexual crime. In our view it is vitally important to build an understanding of the PPS approach to dealing with these cases as part of any examination as to how they are handled within the wider justice system," she said. Finally, I want to take this opportunity to reassure all victims that at all times we will treat you with respect and sensitivity and that you can be assured of a first class prosecution service. A photographic agency hired to take pictures of the Christian owners of a bakery after their Supreme Court victory in the gay cake case has refused to hand over the images, saying the company was standing up against discrimination. On Wednesday, Ashers bakery in Belfast won an appeal over a claim that they had discriminated against a customer after they refused to make him a cake iced with the slogan Support Gay Marriage". Read More A photographer was booked using the agency Perfocal for a business event which listed only a few details about the brief, with no mention of the specific court case or the individuals to be photographed. But the photographer later realised that the client was the lobby group Christian Institute, which has spent hundreds of thousands of pounds backing the bakery in their legal challenge. The images were then withheld and a refund issued. In a statement Tony Xu, the founder of the booking site, said: We appreciate that this looks like tit for tat, and it is. He said the firm had been booked for many religious ceremonies, as well as same-sex weddings. In short, we welcome customers from all backgrounds, he said. When our photographer on the ground learned what it was while doing the job, they felt immediately uncomfortable with the situation, as many members of the public are, but remained professional. As soon as I found out though, I realised this was an opportunity to highlight exactly why this kind of result is damaging. This isnt just about standing up against discrimination, I hope our stance serves as an example of exactly where this kind of judgement could lead us. Where does it end? Mr Xu added: "Division is being felt everywhere, and Id sooner we all appreciated each other regardless of our differences. Our knowingly tit-for-tat stance is purely intended to highlight what this kind of judgement opens the door to." Police have released images of two men they wish to speak to in connection with a serious assault in Belfast City Centre. The assault took place in the Victoria Square area, William Street South, between 3am and 4:30am on Friday September 28. Police believed that the two men in the CCTV images may have information which could assist police with their inquiries. The reference number for this incident is 641 of 01/10/18 and detectives can be contacted on the non-emergency number 101. 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. Police Chief Constable George Hamilton has hit out at the "conspiracy" theories around police mishandling of evidence describing it as ironic given such a "rich source of evidence" was lost in the decommissioning process. Northern Ireland's most senior police officer did not criticise the reasons for decommissioning but said it had left his officers with "one hand tied behind their back" in investigating Troubles crimes. Speaking to the BBC, Mr Hamilton said only about 4% of 1,700 unsolved Troubles murders were likely to result in convictions but said there should not be an end to investigations into crimes committed in the past. "I would not be defeatist about it," he said saying his officers would always follow the evidence and it was important for families to have possibility of justice. "But that is because of the passage of time, reduction in the quality of evidence, memories fade, witnesses die, frankly, and as time passes the chances of a criminal justice outcome are significantly reduced." TUV leader Jim Allister said that he agreed with the chief constable saying the decision to prevent examination of weapons was shameful. "We are now reaping what we sow," he said. Former UUP leader and first minister David Trimble insisted the IRA decommission before Sinn Fein could enter government. Legislation prevents police for examining those weapons, as well as those decommissioned by loyalist paramilitaries. The chief constable described that "as a major line of inquiry that is significantly reduced for us". "There is a certain irony that when the police misplace or lose evidence, or evidence decays over the years because of the passage of time, and perhaps even because of some tardiness around our storage facilities and so on, then there's some sort of conspiracy attached to that," said Mr Hamilton. "Alongside that we have a decision taken by the government, agreed by the political parties at the time, for the decommissioning process. "Now I'm not questioning that, I'm not criticising it, I'm just saying that a rich source of forensic evidence is ballistic forensic evidence that we can recover from firearms and munitions and bombs and so on that have been recovered. "Now, if all of that's been decommissioned, and there's a legislative provision to say that none of it would be forensically examined before decommissioning, then we're starting off with one hand tied behind our backs, so to speak. That was the politics of situation. Jim Allister TUV leader Jim Allister said the decision to allow decommissioning without forensic examination of the weapons was "appalling". "That was the practise of Belfast Agreement politics," the MLA said. "In order to sanitise and to deliver from public scrutiny and accountability the IRA and other terrorists were allowed to decommission with the promise in legislation there would be no forensic examination of their weapons of murder. "That was shameful at the time and now we are reaping what we sow. "That was the politics of situation which impinged and destroyed the criminal justice opportunities which should have been there and would have been there had politics not gotten in the way of it." SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly has called for the term 'paramilitaries' to be scrapped from common usage, with the groups instead to be referred to as 'criminals'. The party's Policing and Justice Spokesperson made the comments after attending a Communities in Transition briefing by Co-operation Ireland, an all-Ireland peace-building charity. For too long we have given local criminal gangs too much legitimacy by referring to them as paramilitaries. There is no such thing as paramilitary violence or paramilitary activity, there is only violence and criminal activity," she said. "Those involved in ruling our communities with an iron fist, guilty of racketeering, drug dealing and intimidation have no right to be heralded as anything more than criminals." Mrs Kelly's comments were echoed by Peter Sheridan, the chief executive of the Co-operation Ireland charity. The remarks come amid a renewed focus legacy issues and historical investigations into the actions of groups active during the Troubles. This week a group of eight Westminster peers, including four former Secretaries of State, signed an open letter to Northern Ireland Secretary of State Karen Bradley calling for a 150m package to deal with legacy issues being used to compensate victims, rather than pursue investigations. In response to this Mrs Kelly said the two elements of dealing with the legacy process were not mutually exclusive, and said: "Legacy is not an a la cart menu, where you can pick and choose what outcome suits you on any given day." The top civil servant who was in charge of the Renewable Heat Incentive has told a public inquiry into the botched green energy scheme that DUP advisers kept vital information from him. Dr Andrew McCormick was the permanent secretary of the Department for Enterprise (Deti) which launched the RHI in 2012. He faced extensive questioning yesterday about the summer of 2015, when serious concerns emerged about the scheme's cost controls. During his evidence to the RHI inquiry, he claimed DUP special advisers, or 'spads', Timothy Cairns and Andrew Crawford knew the reality of the risks but deliberately did not inform him. Dr McCormick also faced uncomfortable questions from the panel about why he and other senior officials failed to pick up on multiple warning signs. In July 2015, Andrew Crawford wrote to Timothy Cairns to outline the dangers of a spike in RHI applications and the abuse by some poultry producers. Dr McCormick said this meant they had an obligation to act, calling it "an incredible lost opportunity" as it was "crystal clear" they understood the problem. Panel member Dame Una O'Brien asked if the special advisers were keeping the information from him. "Yes, that's what happened," he said. "It seems very clear to me that it is withholding information that was relevant." This contradicted previous evidence by Mr Cairns, who said he raised the matter with Chris Stewart, Dr McCormick's deputy at the time. Mr Stewart said he'd been told of a potential spike in RHI applications and of allegations the scheme was being abused. Dr McCormick said his officials would have picked up on this if Mr Cairns had been more direct. Inquiry counsel David Scoffield, however, said it appeared that unless Deti officials were given highly direct evidence "not very much gets done". Earlier in his evidence, Dr McCormick was asked if he felt let down by his officials. "I feel we've missed a big opportunity, that seems to imply a collective responsibility on all of us to have fought more, asked more," he said. "This element feels like a collective failure." He added: "I should have had a better grip on detail." Panel member Dr Keith MacLean challenged this, saying "it's not really nitty gritty" but a fundamental principle of the scheme. Explaining the thinking in Deti at the time, Dr McCormick said officials had been caught up in "a celebration of success" after a huge spike in RHI applications in the summer of 2015. The apparent success had followed years of frustration over a low uptake, but they failed to realise the scheme was being abused. Inquiry chair Sir Patrick Coghlin raised the matter of how some industry figures promoting RHI that year using leaflets with the phrases 'cash for ash,' and 'burn to earn'. Asking how this failed to be reported back to Deti officials, Dr McCormick declined to comment in detail as he said this could jeopardise an ongoing disciplinary process. During the summer of 2015, the renewable energy firm Solmatix sent a letter to Deti officials. It warned some "unscrupulous beneficiaries" were taking advantage of the scheme while many within the poultry sector were going further and actively exploiting it. Dr McCormick said that he wasn't made aware of this, but that it should "absolutely" have been passed to the internal audit as well as to senior managers. Until relatively recently, he said he thought the only whistleblower was Janette O'Hagan who warned Deti of abuse to the scheme. "Some knew and didn't tell. Those who knew and tried to tell us deserve credit and shame on us for not having noticed," he said. Yesterday's evidence also focused on an urgent submission made to the Deti Minister at the time, Jonathan Bell, in July 2015 about the need to address cost controls. Asked if this was appropriately red-flagged, Dr McCormick said: "No, the word urgent is not sufficient in this context." He said the submission took nearly two months to turn around, when it would normally have taken Mr Bell a week. "He could be quick when he wanted to be. At one stage in September 2015 we saw him clear 10 submissions in 10 minutes," he said. "I'm not sure how much they were read, he was at the other end of a phone. I have my suspicions on that." Mr Bell had previously said the delay was because he was not made aware of this before going on holiday that summer, or immediately when he returned. Dr McCormick said Timothy Cairns had shown a reluctance in processing the submission, but admitted there was no reason civil servants didn't raise the matter with Mr Bell directly. Police have arrested three people. Four people arrested by the PSNI's terrorism investigation unit have been released. Police made the arrests in connection with violent dissident republican activity following searches in Co Tyrone and Co Armagh on Thursday morning. Two women, aged 31 and 23, and a 30-year-old man were arrested. A 55-year-old man was arrested later on Thursday. Properties in Drumquin, Benburb and Armagh were searched and a number of items have been seized. A 55-year-old man and 31-year-old woman have been released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service. A 23-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man have been released unconditionally. Three people have been taken to hospital. Three people have been taken to hospital following a two vehicle crash in Co Antrim. The incident happened at 3.23pm on Thursday on Upper Road near Greenisland. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service sent two rapid response paramedics, two emergency ambulance crews and one intermediate care vehicle to the incident. After assessment and initial treatment at the scene, two patients were transported to Antrim Area Hospital and a third was taken to Royal Victoria Hospital. A spokeswoman for the Northern Health and Social Care Trust said the two patients being treated in Antrim were both in a stable condition. The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust declined to give an update on the condition of the patient in the Royal Victoria Hospital. The PSNI has said the Old Carrick Road has been closed. More than 800 young people across Northern Ireland have been caught watching television without a TV licence in the past year More than 800 young people across Northern Ireland have been caught watching television without a TV licence in the past year. The figures released yesterday by TV Licensing revealed that 810 people between the ages of 18 and 25 were caught watching live TV or BBC iPlayer illegally. And TV Licensing is reminding students that they could face prosecution and a fine of up to 1,000 if caught watching live TV or BBC iPlayer on any device. The research also indicated that 92% of students are aware that the 150.50 licence is needed for watching BBC iPlayer on a TV set. Currently students who live in halls of residence and watch live TV or iPlayer shows in their room will need to be covered by a TV licence. Students in shared houses also require their own licence if they use a TV or device in their room and have a separate tenancy agreement. However, there is a legal loophole. The TV Licensing website states that students could be covered by a parent's licence if a student's out-of-term address (usually their parents' home) is covered by a TV licence; if they only use TV receiving equipment that is powered solely by its own internal batteries; and they have not connected it to an aerial or plugged it into the mains while watching TV. Karen Grimason of TV Licensing said: "Every year there are myths which circulate around campus about when you do and don't need a licence. "As most students own at least one device capable of showing live TV or watching BBC iPlayer - such as a laptop, smartphone or tablet computer - it's important they know the law around being correctly licensed. "If you're watching live TV on any device, including mobiles and tablets, or watch catch-up programmes on BBC iPlayer, you need to be covered by a TV licence." Recent research showed a TV remains the most popular method for watching live shows with the number of students taking one to university rising from 23% to 27% since last year. However, for those watching BBC iPlayer, most students are using a laptop, with 65% watching on a portable computer and 28% watching on their smartphone. Rape accused made public in Rukum Police on Thursday made public a man arrested for raping a 30-year-old woman in Rukum district. A victims' group is to meet senior BBC Northern Ireland figures over the broadcaster's use of controversial commentators. It comes after Jude Collins was heavily criticised over remarks he made on social media about IRA victim Patsy Gillespie. Mr Collins is a commentator on Radio Ulster and other BBC platforms. Kenny Donaldson from the South East Fermanagh Foundation (SEFF) confirmed that he has secured a meeting with BBC NI's head of news Adam Smyth and colleagues in Belfast next Thursday. His aim is "to raise with the corporation the concerns and palpable hurt of innocent victims and survivors of terrorism surrounding recent comments made by pundits and commentators used by BBC and/or its associated programmes." Yesterday, a BBC spokesman said: "We are aware of the South East Fermanagh Foundation's concerns and have agreed to their request for a meeting. This will allow us to discuss any issues relating to the BBC's output." Mr Donaldson said many members of his organisation "have expressed hurt and dismay at recent remarks made by pundits Jude Collins, Chris Donnelly and others". He stressed: "Comments made have shown gross insensitivity for the harms and enduring trauma experienced by innocent victims of Provisional IRA terrorism." Mr Gillespie's widow Kathleen hit out at a Twitter post by Mr Collins in which he said her late husband had chosen to work for the security forces even though he knew this made him a target for the Provisional IRA. In August, Mr Collins was described as "beneath contempt" after claiming the victims of the Omagh bomb were not murdered. It came in a blog post published on the 20th anniversary of the Real IRA massacre which killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with unborn twins. Mr Donaldson said that Mr Collins "has a history of inflaming innocent victims/survivors of terrorism", adding that "his most recent remarks concerning Patsy Gillespie are frankly disgusting". "Because a family man dared to seek to provide for his family through an honest day's work, Mr Collins views him as culpable for his own murder; that is sick," he said. "The same Mr Collins has previously [upset] the Travers family and others with remarks which can only be described as bile speak." Mr Donaldson also referred to recent comments from Chris Donnelly, a former Sinn Fein election candidate turned media commentator, who suggested a memorial to 18 soldiers killed by the IRA near Warrenpoint be removed to halt sectarian attacks on it. Mr Donaldson said he will be "raising these matters directly with the BBC when we meet with them in the coming days". He added: "We trust that an outcome will follow where pundits used by the corporation and/or its associated programmes will be those who are pro-democracy." Mr Donaldson said SEFF acknowledged "that the majority of BBC personnel and pundits are not individuals who seek to cause division, hurt and distress to already vulnerable people." He added: "Let's remember, the corporation exists as a result of taxpayers' contributions - very many of whom are innocent victims/survivors of terrorism." Aer Lingus chief executive Stephen Kavanagh will step down in January after four years at the helm of the Irish carrier (Niall Carson/PA) Aer Lingus chief executive Stephen Kavanagh is to step down in January after four years at the helm of the Irish airline. The carriers owner, International Airlines Group (IAG), said he will be succeeded by Sean Doyle, who is currently director of network, fleet and alliances at fellow IAG-owned group British Airways. Mr Kavanagh will remain on the airlines board as a non-executive director after handing over the reins on January 1. Willie Walsh, IAG chief executive and Aer Lingus chairman, said: Stephen has been an exceptional chief executive and has transformed and modernised Aer Lingus. After a 30-year career, he has decided to step down. We wish him all the very best for the future and heartfelt thanks for all his outstanding achievements. After a 30-year career in Aer Lingus, with the last four years as chief executive, Ive taken the decision to step down to pursue other interestsStephen Kavanagh, Aer Lingus Mr Kavanagh said: After a 30-year career in Aer Lingus, with the last four years as chief executive, Ive taken the decision to step down to pursue other interests. Incoming boss Mr Doyle, who is originally from Cork, has worked at British Airways since 2003. His previous roles at the group have spanned financial, strategy, commercial and alliance, before he joined the executive management committee in 2016. Mr Walsh said Mr Doyle was ideally suited to lead Aer Lingus. Dublin-based Aer Lingus saw operating profits surge 51% to 104 million euros (91 million) in the first half of 2018. Aer Lingus was bought by IAG in 2015 for 1.3 billion euros (1.1 billion), which saw low-cost rival Ryanair sell its near 30% stake to the BA owner. Ryanair had tried and failed three times to buy Aer Lingus. Theresa May is facing a fresh challenge to her Brexit plans from her Democratic Unionist Party allies, who are threatening to vote against the Budget if she breaks their red lines. The radical move is one of the options being considered by the DUP if attempts to nail down a deal with Brussels include any proposals that would leave Northern Ireland being treated differently to the rest of the UK, the Press Association understands. The DUP agreed a confidence and supply deal to support Mrs May after last years general election and losing the partys support in the Commons would mean possible defeat on the budget at the end of October and a no-confidence vote. In a move seen by some as a warning shot, DUP MPs failed to back the Government in voting against a Labour amendment to an Agriculture Bill outlining post-Brexit reforms on Wednesday night. Despite their abstention, it was still defeated by 59 votes. This is an important moment. Clearly No10 are negotiating a backstop that makes the UK a permanent EU colony. We cannot escape EU laws & ECJ until they allow us to which they may never do. Thats not what the biggest majority in our history voted for #NoColonyStatus 1/4 Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) October 10, 2018 The development came as former foreign secretary Boris Johnson warned that a backstop arrangement for Northern Ireland being negotiated by the Government would leave the UK a permanent EU colony. In a series of tweets, Mr Johnson said that the deal would keep the UK in the customs union and Northern Ireland in the single market, and would mean increased checks on goods travelling between the province and the British mainland. DUP leader Arlene Foster insisted on Tuesday that her party would not accept customs or regulatory checks on goods travelling in either direction between Northern Ireland and Great Britain after meeting EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels, and again following talks on Wednesday with European Parliament Brexit co-ordinator Guy Verhofstadt. The partys Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson later explicitly warned the Government against doing a deal that kept Northern Ireland in the Single Market, writing in the Telegraph the party could not support any deal which includes such economically and constitutionally damaging arrangements. He added: When we entered into the confidence and supply arrangement with the Government, we did so to enable it to deliver on the fiscal elements of its domestic programme and the referendum result to leave the EU. If the Government decides in the face of EU belligerence to cut and run and leave part of the UK languishing in the stifling embrace of the EU, then that would be totally unacceptable to us and many others in the House of Commons. It would have implications not just for Brexit legislation 50% of which would not have passed without DUP support but also for the Budget, welfare reform and other domestic legislation. Another busy day in Brussels. Starting off with @guyverhofstadt as we make the case for NI. We will not accept anything which separates NI from the rest of the UK. pic.twitter.com/GA4GuC3QyS Arlene Foster #WeWillMeetAgain (@ArleneFosterUK) October 10, 2018 Mr Barnier told a business audience in Brussels that agreement on a withdrawal deal was within reach at the crunch October 17-18 summit of the European Council, with 80-85% of the accord now finalised. But he made clear that the EU envisages a deal involving new customs and regulatory checks on goods travelling from Britain to Northern Ireland, including health and sanitary inspections for 100% of animals and animal products arriving in ports like Larne and Belfast from the rest of the UK. The DUP has 10 MPs, although Ian Paisley cannot vote in the Commons until November 20 after being suspended for failing to declare two family holidays paid for by the Sri Lankan government. Expand Close Theresa May urged MPs to act in the national interest over Brexit at Prime Ministers Questions (PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Theresa May urged MPs to act in the national interest over Brexit at Prime Ministers Questions (PA) Downing Street insisted that defeat on the budget would not amount to a vote of no confidence in the Government under the terms of the legislation which provides for fixed-term, five-year parliaments. Senior Cabinet ministers will gather in Downing Street on Thursday for the latest in a series of briefings on the state of negotiations, though it is not expected that any fresh decisions will be made at the meeting. The Government has said it will publish revised proposals for the Irish border in due course. The Prime Minister has come under growing pressure from Brexit-backing Tories to drop the plan agreed by the Cabinet at her country residence in July and instead seek a Canada-style free trade deal. Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington is also due to hold Brexit meetings with figures from the UKs devolved administrations on Thursday. The de-facto Deputy Prime Minister was pressed on the DUPs support when he appeared on ITVs Peston on Wednesday night. He said Mrs May was committed heart and soul, not just cerebrally to the Union and would only put her name to a deal that treats Northern Ireland on a par as a full part of the United Kingdom. #TeamJunckerEU today: state of play of #Article50 negotiations for the withdrawal of United Kingdom; information on ongoing preparedness and contingency work (#Brexit). Progress report on #SecurityUnion. Presentation of the annual report of the Independent European Fiscal Board. pic.twitter.com/MHcvxbfOUi Margaritis Schinas (@MargSchinas) October 10, 2018 Mrs May earlier used her first appearance in the Commons since Septembers Salzburg summit to urge MPs to act in the national interest and back a Brexit deal amid warnings that decisive progress is needed before a crunch European Council summit in Brussels next week. Initially framed as the deadline for agreement on the terms of UK withdrawal from the EU, division remaining on issues such as the status of the Irish border, and expectations are growing that the final moment of decision will be put back to a special summit in November. The DUP has stepped up warnings to Theresa May not to compromise over the Northern Ireland border in her efforts to secure a Brexit deal. Following three days of talks with key figures in Brussels, DUP leader Arlene Foster said the Prime Minister could not in good conscience accept the proposals currently on the table from the EU. Her intervention came as Mrs May met key Cabinet ministers in Downing Street to brief them on the progress in the Brexit negotiations. The Prime Minister was reported to have played down the prospects of a breakthrough at next weeks EU summit in Brussels, billed as the moment of truth by European Council president Donald Tusk. The last of meetings in Brussels for now. Meeting with Danuta Hubner, who is part of the EU Brexit steering group. We have been clear and continue to reiterate our message: There cannot be a barrier between GB and NI. pic.twitter.com/TO4SGnHxaD Arlene Foster #WeWillMeetAgain (@ArleneFosterUK) October 11, 2018 In a statement Mrs Foster, whose party props up the Government at Westminster, said the EU plan would effectively mean imposing a trade barrier between the Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. The Prime Minister is a unionist. Many of her cabinet colleagues have assured me of their unionism, she said. Therefore, they could not in good conscience recommend a deal which places a trade barrier on United Kingdom businesses moving goods from one part of the Kingdom to another. Mrs Fosters latest shot across the bows came after the party had earlier made clear that it would be prepared to vote against the Budget and other domestic legislation if Mrs May crossed their red lines. I know that she will never sign up to a Brexit deal that compromises our territorial integrityJeremy Hunt Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt insisted that ministers would not sign up up to any plan which compromised the territorial integrity of the UK by imposing a border in the Irish Sea. The DUPs red lines are actually Theresa Mays red lines, he told BBC News. She has made it very, very clear that she will not allow there to be border down the Irish Sea, that the integrity of the United Kingdom must remain intact. I know that she will never sign up to a Brexit deal that compromises our territorial integrity. However, Mrs Foster said the EUs proposals would place an effective one-way turnstile between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Trade from Great Britain into Northern Ireland would be in danger of restriction. Indeed, Northern Irelands access to any new United Kingdom trade deals would also be regulated by Brussels, she said. Expand Close Sir John Major has accused Brexiteers of bullying Theresa May (Dominic Lipinski/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sir John Major has accused Brexiteers of bullying Theresa May (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Suspicions remain among hardline Tory Brexiteers that Mrs May is heading for a compromise which could tie the UK to EU customs arrangements indefinitely something which Boris Johnson has warned would reduce Britain to a permanent EU colony. Negotiations between the two sides have focused on the proposals for a so-called backstop to ensure that there is no return to a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic after Britain has left the bloc. However Brexiteers including Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab are insisting any arrangement which would see the UK effectively remain part of the customs union while negotiations over a free trade deal take place must be strictly time-limited something the EU has been resisting. Earlier Brexiteer Cabinet minister Esther McVey pointedly refused to endorse Mrs Mays Chequers blueprint for Brexit, although she insisted the Prime Minister had her full support. Invited by the BBC to offer her backing to Mrs Mays Chequers plan, the Work and Pensions Secretary said: I am completely supportive of the Prime Minister. In the increasing fraught atmosphere at Westminster, Sir John Major accused Tory Brexiteers of bullying Mrs May, saying their behaviour was even worse than that of the Eurosceptics he famously dubbed bastards when he was in No 10. The former prime minister famously branded rebellious Eurosceptics during his premiership bastards, but said those making life difficult for Mrs May were even worse. He told the BBCs Political Thinking podcast: `Their behaviour was pretty intolerable, but not nearly as intolerable as the way the present Prime Minister is being treated. Meanwhile Tony Blair suggested Labour should vote down whatever deal Mrs May brings back to Parliament in the hope of forcing a second referendum. He said the Prime Minister was caught in a dilemma between a soft Brexit which would not match the hopes of Leave voters or a more decisive break from Brussels which could hit the economy. I would advise them to hold firm against Brexit because either of these choices are unpalatable, he said at an event in London hosted by Reuters. Denis Naughten was criticised in the Dail on Thursday over his dealings with US businessman David McCourt (PA) Irelands communications minister has resigned over a controversy surrounding the countrys national broadband plan. Denis Naughten made a statement in the Irish parliament on Thursday afternoon before leaving the chamber. Mr Naughten said it had become clear to him that Irelands premier Leo Varadkar had no confidence in him. The former minister had been due to answer questions from the opposition over his dealings with US businessman David McCourt, who is leading the sole remaining bid for a contract to roll-out high-speed broadband to more than 500,000 homes across the country. If I was a cynic, which Im not, the outcome is about polls rather than telecoms poles, its more about optics than fibre opticsDenis Naughten It emerged on Wednesday that the minister had paid for a lunch for the businessman in Leinster house in April and the pair also had a meeting in June. It follows revelations that Mr Naughten met Mr McCourt at a New York dinner in July. Minutes of the New York meeting showed that a 10-minute discussion took place between officials from the Department of Communications and Mr McCourt. According to the minutes, Mr McCourt addressed his remarks to a department official and not to the minister. Mr Naughten said he had been left in an impossible stark position that a politician never wanted to find themselves in. Do I make the decision myself to resign or wait for that decision to be made for me? And what do I do against the backdrop of the opposition not having sought my resignation? he said. If I was a cynic, which Im not, the outcome is about polls rather than telecoms poles, its more about optics than fibre optics. He added that meeting telecoms people was part of his role. Minister @DenisNaughten announces 647 million for Communications, Climate Action & Environment funding which is an 11% increase under Budget 2019https://t.co/uJQAjuSZuq @SeanKyneTD @merrionstreet #Budget19 pic.twitter.com/wcFAgZcqbl Dept. Environment, Climate and Communications (@Dept_ECC) October 10, 2018 Thats the context in which I had meetings with Mr McCourt and thats how it should be seen, he said. He added: Ive given the Taoiseach my resignation. I wish my cabinet colleagues well. The Roscommon politician said he was absolutely satisfied that there had been no interference in the procurement process. Mr Naughten said: The political and media frenzy over the last week has been deeply unhelpful. Commentary by those who are not procurement experts that this process is dead in the water and does not have the capacity or capability to roll out the NBP is incorrect and has been deeply damaging. Speaking on Virgin Media Ones Ireland AM programme on Thursday morning, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that he had full confidence in the ministers position. But when pressed about whether he was satisfied with Mr Naughtens explanation of the meetings, Mr Varadkar said: So far, yes. Ryanair has launched 15 new routes despite the worst-summer ever and threats to air service in the case of a no-deal Brexit. Ryanair launched its Ireland Summer 2019 schedule in Dublin on Thursday with their chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs warning that no agreement between the UK and EU about the UKs exit from the European Union would make flights to the UK impossible. Echoing Ryanair chief executive Michael OLearys statement last month, Mr Jacobs said that the risk of a no-deal Brexit grounding flights across Europe is being underestimated. Brexit we should all be worried about and talking about. Expand Close Tourism Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons, Ryanairs chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs and Dublin Airport MD Vincent Harrison (Niall Carson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Tourism Ireland chief executive Niall Gibbons, Ryanairs chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs and Dublin Airport MD Vincent Harrison (Niall Carson/PA) There is no real progress until the transition agreement is signed and that gives us 20 more months of the status quo, but in the meantime there is a risk that in April next year it will not be possible to fly between the UK and Ireland, he said. Ryanair have blamed staff shortages and union disputes for 2018s performance as the worst year on record for flight disruptions and cancellations. Services in Ireland, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Italy and Belgium were just some of the areas that saw strikes over the summer in a conflict between the airlines management and staff. Its not because the skies are too busy, its because of a shortage of staff, particularly at the weekend, Mr Jacobs said. Summer of 2019 could also be bad, so we will continue to make noise about this because we dont want mistakes to be repeated. Today we're launching our biggest ever summer schedule in Ireland - with 15 new routes including exciting connections such as Dublin to Gothenburg and Thessaloniki, Cork-Malta and Shannon-Ibiza Read the full details here https://t.co/BYO2kk8oVr pic.twitter.com/2oGrLcpbLi Ryanair (@Ryanair) October 11, 2018 Weve made good progress on union agreements, and were targeting to have more done by Christmas. Mr Jacobs also warned that weaker airlines are set to go bust, due to additional costs such as air fuel now at $85-6 (64) a barrel, a 50% increase in the price of aviation fuel since this time last year. Mr Jacobs said: Oil makes up about half the cost base of any airline. Primerva, a Scandinavian airline have already gone bust. I think its probably fair to say, industrial relations at Ryanair was the news story, in the coming months it will be about fuel and consolidation and which airlines go bust. Airlines will go out of the market and capacity will be cut, which were already seeing in the industry. Despite the turbulent industry forecast, Ryanair were keen to stress they are confident in their new summer schedule and passenger growth. 15 new routes were launched, including connections to Gothenburg and Thessaloniki, which will deliver 16.4m customers through Dublin, Cork, Kerry, Knock and Shannon airports, which will grow the companys Irish traffic by 3%. This passenger growth, if you take that 16.4m in Ryanair in Ireland alone, that would be the worlds 23rd biggest airline, so if Ryanair Ireland was its own separate airline, it would be bigger than Swiss, Thai, its now the same size as Qantas, Mr Jacobs added. This gives you an idea about the importance of Ireland and the size of Ryanairs Irish operation. The group now offers 150 routes in total in Ireland, with over 1,000 weekly flights and 12,500 on-site jobs. The DUP has stepped up warnings to Theresa May not to bow to Brussels over the Northern Ireland border as the Prime Minister briefed senior ministers on the Brexit negotiations. As key Cabinet members met in Downing Street, they were warned by DUP leader Arlene Foster that they could not in good conscience accept the proposals currently on the table from the EU. Following the meeting, ahead of next weeks crunch summit in Brussels, Government Chief Whip Julian Smith insisted ministers were fully behind Mrs Mays negotiating strategy. We are conducting an extremely tough negotiation. The Prime Minister is doing an exceptional job and everybody is behind her, he told reporters. The last of meetings in Brussels for now. Meeting with Danuta Hubner, who is part of the EU Brexit steering group. We have been clear and continue to reiterate our message: There cannot be a barrier between GB and NI. pic.twitter.com/TO4SGnHxaD Arlene Foster #WeWillMeetAgain (@ArleneFosterUK) October 11, 2018 It was reported, however, that a number of ministers, including Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab, Environment Secretary Michael Gove and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, raised concerns during a meeting lasting around an hour and a half. Earlier, amid speculation possible of ministerial resignations, Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey, who was not at the meeting, pointedly refused to endorse the Prime Ministers Chequers blueprint for Brexit. Asked by the BBC to offer her backing to Mrs Mays plan, she sidestepped the questions saying: I am completely supportive of the Prime Minister. With the negotiations coming to a head, the central focus of the discussions is thought to have been the issue of the Northern Ireland backstop intended to ensure there is not return of a hard border with the Republic. The EU wants Northern Ireland effectively to remain in the single market and the customs union to avoid the need for customs checks until there is a final free trade deal between the UK and the EU. I know that she will never sign up to a Brexit deal that compromises our territorial integrityJeremy Hunt Mrs May insists such an arrangement must apply to the whole of the UK to avoid the creation of a border in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. However Tory Brexiteers fear that she is about to concede to EU demands that it must be open-ended, despite previous assurances from ministers it would have to be time-limited. Without a time limit, critics say Britain could be tied to the EU indefinitely unable to negotiate free trade deals with other countries. Boris Johnson has said it would reduce the UK to a permanent EU colony. Following three days of talks with key figures in Brussels, Mrs Foster, whose party props up the Government at Westminster, said the DUP could not accept the EU proposals as they stood. The Prime Minister is a unionist. Many of her cabinet colleagues have assured me of their unionism, she said. Therefore, they could not in good conscience recommend a deal which places a trade barrier on United Kingdom businesses moving goods from one part of the Kingdom to another. Expand Close Sir John Major has accused Brexiteers of bullying Theresa May (Dominic Lipinski/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sir John Major has accused Brexiteers of bullying Theresa May (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Her latest shot across the bows came after the party had earlier made clear that it would be prepared to vote against the Budget and other domestic legislation if Mrs May crossed their red lines. Mr Hunt insisted ministers would not sign up up to any plan which compromised the territorial integrity of the UK by imposing a border in the Irish Sea. The DUPs red lines are actually Theresa Mays red lines, he told BBC News. She has made it very, very clear that she will not allow there to be border down the Irish Sea, that the integrity of the United Kingdom must remain intact. I know that she will never sign up to a Brexit deal that compromises our territorial integrity. In the increasing fraught atmosphere at Westminster, Sir John Major accused Tory Brexiteers of bullying Mrs May, saying their behaviour was even worse than that of the Eurosceptics he famously dubbed bastards when he was in No 10. He told the BBCs Political Thinking podcast: Their behaviour was pretty intolerable, but not nearly as intolerable as the way the present Prime Minister is being treated. A tribunal investigating allegations that top police officers in Ireland orchestrated a smear campaign has found senior gardai officers had a plan to spread historic claims of sexual abuse about another officer. The Disclosures Tribunal found former Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan was part of a campaign of calumny against whistleblower Maurice McCabe and he was actively aided by his former press officer Superintendent David Taylor. The tribunal said it was convinced Superintendent Taylor pursued a scheme that somehow evolved out of his cheek-by-jowl working relationship with Mr Callinan. The report found Sgt McCabe was a genuine person who at all times has had the interests of the people of Ireland uppermost in his mind. It found he regarded those interest as superior to any loyalty which he had to the police force of the State. Neither interest should ever be in conflict, it said. The Disclosures Tribunal investigated allegations that Garda chiefs orchestrated a smear campaign, including false sex abuse claims, against Sgt McCabe a scandal which almost brought down Irelands fragile minority government last year. Superintendent Taylor, who worked for the press office between 2012 and 2014, had claimed he was ordered by Mr Callinan to negatively brief journalists about Sgt McCabe. Expand Close Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe (Niall Carson/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe (Niall Carson/PA) The extensive interim report said it did not accept the evidence of Superintendent Taylor that he was given specific instructions by Mr Callinan to spread the false sex allegations and went on to described his evidence as daft. It also labelled Superintendent Taylor as a witness whose credibility was completely undermined by his own bitterness. It added: The truth is that Superintendent David Taylor completely understated his own involvement in a campaign of calumny against Maurice McCabe. He claimed, for the first time, while giving evidence to the tribunal that he was acting under orders. That was not the case. The tribunal is convinced that he pursued a scheme that somehow evolved out of his cheek-by-jowl working relationship with Commissioner Callinan. Their plan was that there was to be much nodding and winking and references to a historic claim of sexual abuse while, at the same time, saying that the Director of Public Prosecutions had ruled that even if the central allegation did not have credibility issues, what was described did not amount to an offence of sexual assault or even an assault. It praised Sgt McCabe for doing a considerable service by bringing the matters of senior gardai manipulating and abusing penalty points to the attention of the public. He has done so not out of a desire to inflate his public profile, but out of a legitimate drive to ensure that the national police force serves the people through hard work and diligence, it added. He is an exemplar of that kind of attitude. Notwithstanding everything that happened to him, he remains an officer of exemplary character and has shown himself in giving evidence to the tribunal as being a person of admirable fortitude. The report also found that there was no credible evidence that former Commissioner Noirin OSullivan, who was Mr Callinans successor, played any part in the campaign orchestrated by Mr Callinan and Mr Taylor. All of the evidence is to the contrary in fact, it said. One of the first things she did was to get rid of Superintendent Taylor, the incumbent press officer. She did this because she neither trusted him nor liked him. She reached out to Maurice McCabe and attempted to solve the workplace-related issues which surrounded him. It further stated that it was also improbable that she did not have an inkling at the very least about Commissioner Callinans views. The tribunal, described as a huge task, sat for 102 days and examined tens of thousands of documents. In further praise of Sgt McCabe, the tribunal stated that as a gardai, he was concerned to maintain standards. It said that his focus was on the need of a police force to respond efficiently to victims and on the duty of everyone working in the public service to question themselves as to what, in any days work, they had done for the taxpayer on that day. This is laudable. It is also no more than is expected of any public servant, it said. The tribunal also cleared former Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald stating that it accepted the evidence in her response to the OHiggins Commission which was set up to investigate some of the original complaints made by Mr McCabe in relation to policing standards in the Co Cavan and Co Monaghan division. The tribunal accepts this evidence is an honest appraisal of the situation. It was not a lazy dodging of the issues but rather a considered response to the information, it said. It also stated that the former Minister for Justice and Equality had selflessly decided to resign in the national interest in November 2017. The report also slammed public relations speak, stating that public life is dominated by spin and that plain speaking is elided in favour of meaningless public relations speak. This is a hideous development in Irish public life, it added. Plain speaking by those who know what they are talking about is the only acceptable way to address the Irish people. The wife of a British academic being held in solitary confinement in the United Arab Emirates has said her husband was not spying and was only there for research purposes. Matthew Hedges, a PhD student at Durham University, was reportedly taken into custody at Dubai airport on May 5 after travelling to the UAE to interview sources about the countrys foreign policy and security strategy. The 31-year-old, who lives in Exeter, has been held without charge ever since, and his wife, Daniela Tejada, is calling on UAE officials to admit that theyve made a mistake and release him. Ms Tejada, 27, said she has not been told what exactly her husband is accused of, but said she would not rule out the prospect of him being accused of spying. She said reports that he has been accused of spying are highly speculative, adding: But weve been kept in the dark so its impossible to know. However, the only thing that I do know is that he most certainly wasnt. Not just because he knows the region very well, and he knows that its not a safe thing to do, but because hes a man of integrity. And he would never do anything to compromise that. And the only reason he went to the UAE was for his academic research. Speaking to the Press Association, Ms Tejada, from Bogota in Colombia, said: I feel like, above all things, I want everyone to know that Matt was just doing research, and that he should not have faced any of what hes facing for just having a sense of inquiry, and academic curiosity. She added: Hes just a good person, and a good student, and he has an untouchable record wherever you look at it. I feel like the fair and just thing for the UAE to do would be to admit that theyve made a mistake and to release him, because he deserve it. Expand Close Matthew Hedges with his wife, Daniela Tejada (Family Handout/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Matthew Hedges with his wife, Daniela Tejada (Family Handout/PA) Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt is understood to have personally raised Mr Hedgess case with his UAE counterpart amid concerns over his mental health and well-being. British officials have visited Mr Hedges twice, although he is said to have been prevented from discussing his case with them. Mr Hedges case was heard by a court in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, but was adjourned until another hearing on October 24. Ms Tejada said she is worried about her husband being heavily medicated with anti-depressants, anti-anxiety pills and sleeping pills. She said he has been vomiting every day for the past three months or so, and was initially only allowed a shower once a fortnight. Ms Tejada said he was given a mattress about a month ago, but had been sleeping on the floor until then. The conditions in which hes being kept are appalling, she said. The fact that after such a prolonged time of being mistreated, every little gesture becomes so meaningful to him that I wouldnt be surprised if hes developing some sort of Stockholm syndrome, and is thus more easy to manipulate, she said. She has only seen her husband once since he was detained, and described the 45-minute visit as distressing. Ms Tejada said he described the interrogation period as very intense, adding that he kept asking her if anyone had approached her, making her think he had been threatened with his family. The couple have been allowed weekly phone calls, monitored and lasting a maximum of five minutes, but have been forbidden from discussing the case. Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained In Dubai and a legal expert on the UAE, said: It is alarming that the UAE would accuse him of spying simply for pursuing research. We are not aware of the specific subject matter of his research in the UAE, but in the past he has studied the Muslim Brotherhoods activities, influence and agenda in the country, and around the region; and it is possible that the UAE authorities disliked what he has written in the past, and suspect him on purely political and ideological grounds. Ms Stirling said it has been reported in Gulf news that Mr Hedges has been accused of spying, adding: While the official charges have not been confirmed in court, it is almost a certainty that they related to charges of espionage or defaming the government of the UAE. According to a profile on the Durham University website, Mr Hedges research includes Middle Eastern politics, the changing nature of war, civil-military relations and tribalism. Durham Universitys Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart Corbridge, said: We are seriously concerned about Matts welfare and well-being and we remain in close contact with his family. Ms Tejada said Mr Hedges is being held in an undisclosed location in Abu Dhabi. Taihu culture forum kicks off next week Leading officials and scholars from around the world will gather in Beijing next week for the fifth meeting of China's flagship cultural forum to discuss how to build a community with a shared future for mankind through cultural exchanges, China Daily reported. Sammy Wilson last night warned Theresa May that the DUP would bring her government down if she leaves Northern Ireland languishing in the stifling embrace of the EU. The 10 DUP MPs who prop up the Conservative government are preparing to vote against Mrs Mays Budget if the Prime Minister breaks their Brexit red lines. The radical move is one of the options being considered by the DUP if attempts to nail down a deal with Brussels include any proposals that would leave Northern Ireland being treated differently to the rest of the UK, it is understood. In a move seen by some as a warning shot, DUP MPs failed to back the Government in voting against a Labour amendment to an Agriculture Bill outlining post-Brexit reforms last night. Despite their abstention, it was still defeated by 59 votes. But losing DUP support in the Commons would mean possible defeat for the Government on the Budget and a no-confidence vote. And in a Daily Telegraph article, DUP MP Sammy Wilson warned: If the Government decides in the face of EU belligerence to cut and run and leave part of the UK languishing in the stifling embrace of the EU, then that would be totally unacceptable to us and many others in the House of Commons. It would have implications not just for Brexit legislation 50% of which would not have passed without DUP support but also for the Budget, welfare reform and other domestic legislation. The East Antrim MP added that treating Northern Ireland differently from the rest of the UK is the road to parliamentary defeat for any deal which the Prime Minister brings forward. She will not have DUP support regardless of whether the Government tries to bribe, bully or browbeat us into accepting it. However, if the Government decides to stand up to the outrageous, capricious and extortionate demands from Brussels, she will have our full support and she could rally the country behind her, he said. However, Downing Street insisted that defeat on the Budget would not amount to a vote of no confidence in the government under the terms of the legislation which provides for fixed-term, five-year parliaments. Earlier, DUP leader Arlene Foster insisted her party would not accept customs or regulatory checks on goods travelling in either direction between Northern Ireland and Great Britain after meeting EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier in Brussels. Mrs Foster, who was in Brussels for meetings with key figures including senior MEP Guy Verhofstadt, said: This is our second day of encouraging representatives of the EU27 to recognise the damage to Northern Ireland by any exit deal which annexes Northern Ireland away from the United Kingdom. Firstly, it is clear from our meetings that any form of border in the Irish Sea will impede access for Northern Ireland to new UK trade deals. That removes one of the key benefits of leaving the EU. Secondly, best of both worlds is not on offer. The EU wants a one-way turnstile from GB and one-way rules from Brussels. Thirdly, if we have a regulatory border, the problem is not on day one after leaving. The problems arise in the years after we leave. Northern Ireland will have to follow EU rules with no power to influence them, and have limited access to the UK single market. She called for a deal that works for everyone and respects the 2016 referendum result, adding: We will not burden future generations with a deal which diminishes Northern Irelands position in the UK. The development came as former foreign secretary Boris Johnson warned that a backstop arrangement for Northern Ireland being negotiated by the government would leave the UK a permanent EU colony. In a series of tweets, Mr Johnson said the deal would keep the UK in the customs union and NI in the single market, and would mean increased checks on goods travelling between the province and the British mainland. Sinn Fein deputy leader Michelle ONeill said her party had always said that the confidence-and-supply deal between the Conservatives and DUP will end in tears. The DUP/Tory pact was never about the interests of our economy, the rights of our citizens or our peace and political process, she said. Our task now is to ensure that Ireland doesnt become collateral damage in the Tory party civil war or in the divisions that are now emerging between the DUP and Theresa Mays government. SDLP Brexit spokesperson Claire Hanna MLA said if the DUP is so opposed to the backstop, then logically they should advocate for regulatory alignment for all of the UK. She added: These latest threats seem to be indicating that this is now their preference, but they need to have the maturity to come out and say it, instead of hiding behind fear-mongering on constitutional change. Britains relationship with Oman is a longstanding and historical one that extends far beyond the military, a senior officer from the Gulf states military has said. It comes as more than 5,500 UK personnel and 70,000 of their Omani counterparts are poised to take part in Exercise Saif Sareea 3 over the coming month. The largest British joint military exercise for 17 years, they will train side-by-side in locations across the Middle Eastern country in searing temperatures and testing conditions. In a rare interview, Lieutenant Colonel Anwar Al Safi Al Huraibi, of Chief of Staffs Sultans Armed Forces Headquarters, said the relationship between the two countries is a long standing one. We are sharing the counter piracy, the arms controls and some human types of trade being eradicated by the strong will of both countries and both nationsLieutenant Colonel Anwar Al Safi Al Huraibi He highlighted how this relationship also extends into both commercial and social aspects, and how the resulting joint military exercises show the strength of their relationship. It is not a new relationship it is an old one that goes back to the early 16th or 17th century, but it is not about also the history itself, he said. It is about the values of that the countries shared, and the two countries always standing side-by-side together to promote their values of peace and maintaining stability in the region. And to be more precise, we are sharing the counter piracy, the arms controls and some human types of trade being eradicated by the strong will of both countries and both nations. Expand Close Lieutenant Colonel Anwar Al Safi Al Huraibi (Ben Birchall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lieutenant Colonel Anwar Al Safi Al Huraibi (Ben Birchall/PA) Both countries will be using their Challenger Two battle tanks and Typhoon Eurofighter jets during the exercise, amongst a host of other kit and equipment. Saif Sareea 3 aims to provide the opportunity for both countries to establish how to operate combat operations, but also as a joint force, involving soldiers, ships and aircraft. Britains ambassador to Oman, Hamish Cowell, described the scale of the exercise as very impressive, adding: There is a big sense that it is really good for both of us. Expand Close A Warrior armoured fighting vehicle crew prepare to camouflage their wagon (Ben Birchall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A Warrior armoured fighting vehicle crew prepare to camouflage their wagon (Ben Birchall/PA) The Omani military are very committed to this it is probably their biggest exercise. Asked what he thinks Omani personnel will gain from Saif Sareea 3, Lt Col Al Safi Al Huraibi said the experience will be beneficial to both sides. Describing the exchange of expertise and experience between the British and Omani military, he said this is something very important. As well as tactics, techniques and procedures, he said the process of how to plan and execute an operation in a successful manner will also be an important aspect of what they will learn. RT @RoyalAirForce: The 1st Chinook arrived in Oman to support #SaifSareea 3 last week & was reassembled by engineers from @RAF_Odiham. The Chinook will be using its extreme versatility as the UK Armed Forces work alongside the Sultan's Armed Forces. pic.twitter.com/qRUfl0c117 RAF Museum (@RAFMUSEUM) October 10, 2018 Being in a coalition or working with a friendly force we have to share the same technology, we have to share the same communications systems, he added. And also we have to have some kind of common ground in doctrine or concept. This is not just a short term exercise, but the things that make our coalition stronger by sharing these values and terminology, and techniques, tactics and procedures. A key message from the British government has been that Gulf security is our security, something that has been stressed on visits to the region in recent months and years. Expand Close A British soldier removes his boots (Ben Birchall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A British soldier removes his boots (Ben Birchall/PA) Mr Cowell said Saif Sareea 3 demonstrates our commitment to that, adding: Joint cooperation between our defence forces is an important sign to be attached to the region and its stability. But with the exercise at least five years in the planning, he stressed that it is not addressing or aimed at any particular issues. This is a sentiment echoed by Lt Col Al Safi Al Huraibi, who said Saif Sareea is a pre-planned exercise that is not connected to any changes directly in the region. The message is that the two nations are friends, that we can work together, and that we share the same commitment promoting peace in the region, he added. Joaquin Echeverria Alonso and Maria Miralles De Imperial Hornedo receive the George Medal awarded to their late son (Yui Mok/PA) The father of a hero honoured for his actions at the London Bridge terror attack has said he is sorry that his son cannot collect the medal himself. Ignacio Echeverria, who was killed as he tried to help a woman being attacked, was among those to receive honours at Buckingham Palace on Thursday. He was posthumously awarded The George Medal for confronting armed terrorists in order to protect others at London Bridge. Expand Close Ignacio Echeverria tried to stop the knife-wielding terrorists with only his skateboard (Met Police/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ignacio Echeverria tried to stop the knife-wielding terrorists with only his skateboard (Met Police/PA) Mr Echeverria, a 39-year-old banker, was among eight people killed and nearly 50 injured as terrorists mowed people down with a car and went on a stabbing rampage before they were shot dead by police on June 3 2017. He became known in the media as a skateboard hero as he tried to fight off the attackers using his skateboard. Joaquin Echeverria Alonso, who received the honour on behalf of his son, said the Queen asked him about his bravery on the night of the attack particularly that he had tried to use his skateboard to fight off the terrorists. Expand Close The couple spoke to the Queen through a translator (Yui Mok/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The couple spoke to the Queen through a translator (Yui Mok/PA) Through a translator Mr Alonso, who had flown to London from Madrid, said the day was a special moment but very emotional for him and his wife Maria Miralles De Imperial Hornedo. He said: To recognise the courage of my son, he will be remembered. He was a generous man and he helped when it was necessary. Among the honours list were three police officers who say they acted instinctively during the London Bridge attack. Pc Wayne Marques, who was stabbed repeatedly as he fought off terrorists on June 3 last year, said the award was an amazing honour. Expand Close Pc Wayne Marques receives The George Medal (Yui Mok/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pc Wayne Marques receives The George Medal (Yui Mok/PA) He said: Its a once-in-a-lifetime thing to make my friends, family and colleagues proud. Pc Marques, from the British Transport Police, was awarded The George Medal for great courage. He said: You can do nothing but appreciate the acknowledgement that the Queen, the royal family and the British public have given us. For me nothing was done for a medal, we did what we needed to do at the time. Also awarded The George Medal was Pc Charlie Guenigault of the Metropolitan Police, who was off duty at the time of the attack. PC Charles Guenigault proudly displays his George Medal , presented by The Queen #Investiture. The off duty @metpoliceuk Constable was seriously injured whilst protecting others by distracting and attempting to stop the terrorists during the #LondonBridgeattack pic.twitter.com/aPAIHmm6Az The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 11, 2018 He said: [The Queen] was saying about me being off duty and asked why I made the decision, and I said Im not really sure, it just came to me at the time. You dont do what we did intending to end up in Buckingham Palace, for all of us we did it pretty instinctively. Speaking about their nerves ahead of the day, Pc Guenigault said: Whats the worst that can go wrong that hasnt already happened? My parents and grandparents are here and for them its nice. Pc Guenigault, who was enjoying a night with friends following a shift on June 3, ran towards attackers and received serious injuries to his head, back and stomach. ScotRail has suspended all services between Dundee and Aberdeen (Danny Lawson/PA) Rail services between Dundee and Aberdeen remain suspended after a train derailed near Stonehaven. No-one was injured when the non-passenger train came off the tracks at around 5pm on Wednesday, but the incident has had a major impact on travel. A bus replacement service is in operation while the train is removed and checks are carried out on the line, with ScotRail warning the suspension will continue until at least 6pm on Thursday. UPDATE: Due to a low speed derailment at #Stonehaven, the line is closed. This means our services between Glasgow / Edinburgh Aberdeen / Inverurie will terminate and start back from Dundee. Trains wont stop at stations between Aberdeen & Dundee. ^CT pic.twitter.com/QA1TSvtgC6 ScotRail (@ScotRail) October 11, 2018 The train operator said: Engineers are on site at Stonehaven, and will begin work to rerail the train as quickly as possible. Once this has been done, Network Rail will also need to inspect the track for damage and make any repairs necessary. Other services affected by the incident include the Caledonian Sleeper between Aberdeen and London Euston, and LNER trains between Aberdeen and Leeds/London Kings Cross. Due to derailment at #Stonehaven there are no trains travelling North from Dundee. On conclusion of investigation, train will be removed & any damage to track will be assessed & repaired before service can resume Contact your train operator for alternative travel information pic.twitter.com/vO7fOjZpbn Network Rail Scotland (@NetworkRailSCOT) October 11, 2018 Network Rail said: Due to a derailment at Stonehaven, there are no trains travelling north from Dundee. On conclusion of an investigation, the train will be removed and any damage to the track will be assessed and repaired before service can resume. Contact your train operator for alternative travel information. Meanwhile in Argyll and Bute, a 60-mile road diversion route is still in place as work continues to make the A83 safe at the Rest and Be Thankful following a landslip. The first of 3 boulders has been made safe on slope above #A83 at #RestAndBeThankful. Road remains closed while teams work to secure remaining boulders which were exposed following multiple landslides on Tuesday after prolonged heavy rain, more here: https://t.co/BQaEByG14D pic.twitter.com/1B3DvtuKo0 BEAR NW Trunk Roads (@NWTrunkRoads) October 11, 2018 Operators closed the route on Tuesday morning after around 2,500 tonnes of debris reached the catch-fences above the road following heavy rain. Bear Scotland said it is concerned about large boulders at risk of slipping further down the slope on to the road. A transgender prisoner has been jailed for life after admitting sexually assaulting two women inmates while being held on remand and the previous rapes of two other women. Karen White, 52, was described as a predator who was a danger to women and children, Leeds Crown Court heard. White, who was born male but now identifies as a woman and is transitioning, was jailed for two counts of rape, two sexual assaults and one offence of wounding. The court heard she used her transgender persona to put herself in contact with vulnerable women. She must serve a minimum term of nine-and-a-half years before parole can be considered. You are a predator and highly manipulative and in my view you are a dangerJudge Christopher Batty White appeared by video link from HMP Leeds, and sat impassive during the hearing, wearing a patterned blouse and glasses with shoulder-length blond hair. She attacked two women while at HMP New Hall, a womens prison between September and October last year. At the time she was on remand for other offences. White also had previous convictions for indecent assault, indecent exposure and gross indecency involving children, violence and dishonesty. Passing sentence Judge Christopher Batty told the defendant: You are a predator and highly manipulative and in my view you are a danger. You represent a significant risk of serious harm to children, to women and to the general public. The prosecution suggest the reason for the lack of commitment towards transitioning is so the defendant can use a transgender persona to put herself in contact with vulnerable persons she can then abuseChristopher Dunn Christopher Dunn, prosecuting, told the court: She is allegedly a transgender female. The prosecution say allegedly because theres smatterings of evidence in this case that the defendants approach to transitioning has been less than committed. The prosecution suggest the reason for the lack of commitment towards transitioning is so the defendant can use a transgender persona to put herself in contact with vulnerable persons she can then abuse. Mr Dunn told the court White was first arrested after attacking a 66-year-old neighbour with a steak-knife in Mytholmroyde, West Yorkshire last August 15. She accused her victim of a sexual approach and slobbering all over her in the communal laundry at their accommodation then later stabbed him with the knife, saying: Im going to kill you. While on remand at HMP New Hall, White began gender re-allignment, wearing a wig, make-up and false breasts. While there she became friendly with another female inmate, until an incident on September 13 last year while in the queue for prisoners to get medication. Mr Dunn said: The complainant, while waiting, felt something hard press against the small of her back. She turned around to see the defendant stood there. She could see the defendants penis erect and sticking out of the top of her pants, covered by her tights. The matter was then reported to police and another prison assault came to light. Another inmate told how she was in the prison workshop with White when the defendant was making inappropriate comments about blow jobs. White then grabbed her hand and put it on the defendants left breast with the words: Oh look, they are not real ones. White admitted both offences of sexual assault. Even now 15 years on I still struggle with mental health and suffer horrendous flashbacks. Until 15 years ago I was a strong womanOne of White's victims While in jail, White had written to an earlier victim he had raped but which was not reported to police at the time. She subsequently complained to the prison authorities and police began to investigate. The woman, in her 20s, told police White had violently raped her five or six times between January and December 2016, while they were in a relationship after meeting at a psychiatric unit in West Yorkshire. White was described as violent and controlling, who told his victim what to wear, how to dress and even made her change her name. He would also fly into a violent rage for minor infractions from his regime. Mr Dunn said it left his victim vulnerable, demotivated, demoralised and terrorised. In a victim impact statement she said she had tried to take her own life and was worried she cannot have children due to the internal damage from the rapes. The final victim dated back 15 years to August 2003, the court heard, and again came to light after police investigations following Whites arrest last year. The defendant, who was then known as Stephen Wood and living in Manchester, had offered to help decorate a flat belonging to the wife of a friend, who was two months pregnant. While in the flat, White secretly spiked the womans drink with vodka until she passed out, the court heard. Mr Dunn continued: The complainant woke up and felt the defendant on top of herhaving sex with her. White was arrested but no information was given in court as to why he was not prosecuted at the time. The victim told the court in a statement the attack had ruined her life and her husband had not believed her. This woman had also tried to commit suicide. In a statement to the court she said: I have no relationships with anyone. I felt very dirty as a woman. I became very depressed. Even now 15 years on I still struggle with mental health and suffer horrendous flashbacks. Until 15 years ago I was a strong woman. The court heard White began identifying as a woman around the time she was remanded into custody awaiting trial for attacking the neighbour last August and about to embark upon gender re-assignment. While on remand White freely admitted to probation officers she was sexually interested in children and could abuse a child and think nothing of it. Outside court, Detective Inspector David Rogerson, of West Yorkshire Police, said: White has pleaded guilty to a number of serious sexual offences which span many years. White was originally called Stephen Wood and was from the Manchester area. We welcome Whites guilty pleas to these offences, which have spared the victims the ordeal of a trial. We are pleased to see White appropriately sentenced by the courts for what are very serious offences. A source said White is currently inside a male prison and that is where he will serve his sentence. A Prison Service spokesman said: We apologise sincerely for the mistakes which were made in this case. While we work to manage all prisoners, including those who are transgender, sensitively and in line with the law, we are clear that the safety of all prisoners must be our absolute priority. A prison source said White is still legally a man. But even if she was to have gender transition surgery and legally change her gender to a woman it is highly unlikely she would be then transferred back to a female prison because of the nature of her offences and the danger she poses to other women inmates. Three St Bernard brothers who quite literally cant be without one another have prompted a mass response after a tweet went viral. Goliath, Gunther and Gasket arrived at the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) in Canada underweight but otherwise healthy however, to get them adopted became a more difficult challenge when the extent of their bond became apparent. While friendly and playful, their behaviour assessment showed signs of the trio being bonded with each other, including high levels of anxiety, searching and attempting to escape in order to find each other when separated, a news release read. Wanted: Special Adopter! We are facing a giant adoption challenge (literally) & need your help to find these 3 brothers their forever home! Gasket, Gunther & Goliath are 2-year-old Saint Bernard's & while friendly & playful, their assessment showed they are bonded. pic.twitter.com/y48ijE4DDs Edmonton Humane Society (@EdmontonHumane) October 9, 2018 The dogs were thought to be around two years of age, with the EHS looking for a family to take all three as a group. But despite the massive undertaking including around $300 a month on food for the 350 lb group hundreds came forward not just with an interest in adopting, but also with crucial information. WOW! Since putting out the call for help to find a forever home for our trio of bonded Saint Bernard dogs, we have received an incredible response from interested adopters! THANK YOU to everyone who has shared their story to connect these gentle giants with their new family pic.twitter.com/u7zQj5p16s Edmonton Humane Society (@EdmontonHumane) October 10, 2018 It turns out the dogs are five years old rather than two, a surprise for the EHS given the brothers excellent teeth, while it was also confirmed that Gunther, Goliath and Gasket were litter mates. Interest has come from as far as Australia, but the society are keen to find a home closer to Edmonton to minimise the stress on the dogs. Over 200 emails have come in so far from people who generously want to open their hearts & homes to these 3 dogs including within Alberta, across the country, & even in the United States & Australia. Edmonton Humane Society (@EdmontonHumane) October 10, 2018 Due to the overwhelming response, we are closing applications for now to review the ones received & begin to schedule adoption interviews. With the number of applications received, we are confident we will be able to find a forever home nearby that will keep these 3 together. Edmonton Humane Society (@EdmontonHumane) October 10, 2018 Such is the volume of interest in these giant fellas that applications are currently closed so others can be reviewed and interviews scheduled. The EHS said they will share further updates on the dogs, but it looks as though a forever home is in sight. A boomwhacker is a stick which, when whacked, plays a musical note a simplistic instrument that, as you can imagine, requires many hands to make a complex tune. The Harvard Undergraduate Drummers (THUD) have mastered the remarkable teamwork required, however, and their glorious renditions of classic tunes are a marvel to behold. A team made entirely of undergraduate students, the university troupes percussive delights have garnered millions of views on YouTube, but the process from idea to viral video is a long one. The group edit sheet music of the chosen song, pulling out notes and adding others to suit the instruments, before colour coding each note so each corresponds to a boomwhacker with each band member commanding a small selection. This can be a lengthy process but its important to make sure no one part is impossibly complex, THUD director and student Dody Eid told the Press Association. The goal is to have parts make as much sense as possible to the individual person playing his or her notes. Sometimes this goes well, other times not so much. Its a learning process and we are still figuring out the best way to systematise it. Once notes are assigned, it is time for rehearsal, and lots of it, to ensure the timings and dynamics of each part are correct. A lot of it really comes down to feel and muscle memory, said assistant director Ben Palmer. After playing the song enough and internalising it, we have a sense of where our notes come in. Also, many times our parts will play off each other, so we give each other cues by looking at each other just before we play. Its really a fun and dynamic process! THUDs repertoire includes songs by Journey, Toto and The Beatles and even the James Bond theme tune, but remarkably its a video game tune that has caused them the most difficulty. Id say the hardest one to put together to date has been the Mario theme, said assistant director Yasmin Luthra. Although the piece is short, it involved a lot of coordination on our part to be both rhythmically precise and musical. This was mostly because the Mario theme had very few notes repeated in a row, unlike many other songs we play on Boomwhackers, meaning a different person was playing after almost every note. Yasmin added: That being said, we have a very exciting boomwhackers project coming up that will be our biggest challenge by far If youd like to hear more from THUD and their incredible boomwhacker abilities, check out their website or go to their YouTube, Instagram or Facebook. What became known as the 'gay cake' court case was often simplistically portrayed as a stand-off between a set of Christian beliefs and the rights of the LGBT community Don't make the mistake of thinking that the Ashers case was simply a silly skirmish between religious conservatives and gay activists over some icing on a cake. It was far more important than that. In fact it was about the right of each one of us - gay or straight, religious or secular, right or left - to choose our own beliefs and hold to them, without the strong, authoritarian arm of the state reaching in to batter us into submission. Read More That's the entire basis of an open, respectful and tolerant democracy, right there. So the judgment of the Supreme Court, which unanimously declared that Gareth Lee was not discriminated against when his request for a cake with a gay marriage slogan was rejected by the bakery, was the only possible verdict, if you believe in freedom of conscience for all. This vexatious, divisive and unbelievably costly case - we're talking nearly half a million pounds - was brought by the Equality Commission in 2014. Ever since then, I've been saying that it was never about the customer, always about the message on the cake. Look, if I believed for a single moment that Gareth Lee had been directly discriminated against, I would have been straight down to Ashers with my placard, ready to protest. There can be no justification for genuine discrimination in our society, and any business found guilty of such revolting behaviour deserves to be prosecuted and hit hard where it hurts: in the pocket. Gay people have suffered enough hostile, hateful behaviour over the decades in Northern Ireland. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company. Click through the gallery to read the full judgement. [File photo] PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company. Click through the gallery to read the full judgement. [File photo] There's no place for the DUP-proposed "conscience clause" either, which to my mind is a charter for legitimising discrimination. But as the president of the Supreme Court, Lady Hale, observed, that's not what happened in this instance. "The bakers did not refuse to fulfil [Mr Lee's] order because of his sexual orientation," she said. "They would have refused to make such a cake for any customer, irrespective of their sexual orientation. Their objection was to the message on the cake, not to the personal characteristics of Mr Lee". She added: "Accordingly, this court holds that there was no discrimination on the ground of the sexual orientation of Mr Lee." We should all be celebrating. The fundamental human right not to be forced to express approval for a particular political position has been resoundingly upheld. Significantly, the veteran gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell welcomed the judgment. He said: "This verdict is a victory for freedom of expression. "As well as meaning that Ashers cannot be legally forced to aid the promotion of same-sex marriage, it also means that gay bakers cannot be compelled to decorate cakes with anti-gay marriage slogans." As Tatchell added, this also includes the right to refuse messages that are sexist and xenophobic. Which is just the way things should be in a fair and just society, isn't it? If I ran a feminist bakery, for example, I wouldn't want pro-life activists coming in and demanding I make cupcakes with a slogan like 'abortion is murder' in pink icing on top. I have to say, I was glad when Peter Tatchell weighed in. I was getting tired of being one of the few liberal-minded people to stand alongside the McArthurs on this particular issue. Despite being a vocal supporter of gay rights for many years, including same-sex marriage, and frequently speaking out against the chokehold religious fundamentalism continues to exert on the politics of Northern Ireland, I know some people regarded me as a traitor to the cause. Up popped the old Troubles-era mantra, beloved of ideologues with a one-track mind: you're either with us or against us. It was truly saddening to hear Gareth Lee say that the rejection of his order made him feel like a second-class citizen. Gay rights have a long way to go in Northern Ireland, and deeply engrained prejudice undoubtedly still exists. But if the seemingly endless saga of the gay cake tells us anything, it's that the answer to religious intolerance is not more intolerance. The Supreme Court decision in what has become known as the gay cake case is not only a victory for Ashers Bakery and for the McArthur family, it is an important victory for religious freedom, here in Northern Ireland and across the United Kingdom. It was back in May 2014 that Gareth Lee, a gay activist and member of Queerspace, ordered a cake with a message supporting gay marriage. It was for a gay rights event in Bangor, which was to be hosted by Alliance councillor Andrew Muir, then the Mayor of North Down Borough Council. The order was refused, because of the message that had been requested for the cake and the matter was then taken by Gareth Lee to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. In March 2015, the case came before the Belfast County Court and District Judge Isobel Brownlie found in favour of Gareth Lee and the Equality Commission. Ashers Bakery appealed the decision and it was heard by the Appeal Court in Belfast, with the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan Morgan, and two other senior judges. The Appeal Court gave its ruling in October 2015 and found that Ashers had discriminated against Mr Lee. Now, four years after the original incident, the Supreme Court has ruled in favour of Ashers, thereby overturning the earlier decisions at the County Court and the Appeal Court in Belfast. The Supreme Court in London is the final court of appeal in the United Kingdom and the judgment of the Supreme Court was clear, coherent, unequivocal and unanimous. This judgment must have come as a great relief to the McArthur family, who have had this issue hanging over them for the past four years. They have a strong Christian faith and they have displayed great Christian grace, but we are all human and they must be relieved. It will also have come as a relief to the Christian Institute and others, who have been working to support Ashers Bakery, and a relief to the many people who have been profoundly concerned that religious freedom was being eroded. The Supreme Court judgment drew on the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), especially articles 9 and 10: Article 9 protects the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the right to manifest ones religion, or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance. The freedom not to express an opinion which one does not hold is also protected by Article 10, which provides that everyone has the right to freedom of expression. What we believe influences how we behave and that is why the reference in Article 9 to the right to manifest ones religion is so important. I am sure that lawyers will now write lengthy articles analysing the judgment, but I am unable to understand how the judges at the County and Appeal courts in Belfast reached their decisions. The Supreme Court judgment was unanimous and overturned their earlier judgments. The Supreme Court judgment should be an encouragement to Christians and to other social conservatives to stand firm for what they believe. Mr Lee had the support and the resources of the Equality Commission, but, in the end, the McArthur family was vindicated. Too often, the public square is surrendered too easily to those who want to marginalise a Christian worldview. As regards the Equality Commission, it has seemed to many people that the commission was pursuing an agenda of intolerance that would deny people the right to manifest their faith. The Supreme Court judgment should be a wake-up call to the Equality Commission, but their initial response has been less than encouraging. This particular judgment was made in relation to gay marriage on the basis of Articles 9 and 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, but the principles of freedom of religion and freedom of expression, as set out in the ECHR, apply across a number of contentious issues and this judgment is, therefore, a landmark judgment. The phrase civil and religious liberty has been part of our political vocabulary for more than three centuries and these are principles we do well to defend. What became known as the 'gay cake' court case was often simplistically portrayed as a stand-off between a set of Christian beliefs and the rights of the LGBT community What became known as the 'gay cake' court case was often simplistically portrayed as a stand-off between a set of Christian beliefs and the rights of the LGBT community. It was a very parochial view that may have suited some people's political agenda, but its ramifications went much further, embracing such fundamental rights as the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and the right to freedom of expression. Essentially, the unanimous verdict of the five judges of the Supreme Court - the highest court in the land - was that the owners of Ashers bakery, which refused to provide a gay man with a cake bearing a message supporting gay marriage, did not discriminate against him because of his sexual orientation, but refused his order because of their deeply held objection to the message. As Lady Hale, president of the Supreme Court, said when reading out the verdict, the company would have refused to provide that cake bearing that slogan to a heterosexual customer. Most people will see this as a common sense conclusion to a case that has spanned three court appearances, 1,600 days and cost in the region of 500,000. While the Equality Commission has been criticised for spending around half of that money - which comes from the taxpayer - it can argue that the court cases eventually produced some clarity on fundamental issues and rights. These rights come from the European Convention on Human Rights, drafted in 1950 as a response to the horror of what happened in Europe during the Second World War, when that most fundamental right - the right to life - was taken from millions of people. The hope was that the Convention would prevent such horrors being visited on the Continent in future. It was also seen as a bulwark against communist subversion of member states of the Council of Europe, which drafted the 18 articles. The Convention was written in general terms and it has been up to courts to interpret the articles. What this case has done is to add weight to those articles which were pertinent to the issues being judged. In that way it sets parameters within which those considering bringing other cases in future can make a more reasoned judgment on the likely outcome. It is good that the rights in this case were determined, because unless the Convention is regularly challenged, rights can atrophy or fall into disuse or get chipped away until their original intention is diminished. While the Equality Commission and the LGBT community have reacted with natural dismay to the verdict of the Supreme Court, they should heed the strong words of Lady Hale that it should not be thought in any way to diminish the need to protect gay people and people who support gay marriage from discrimination. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company. Click through the gallery to read the full judgement. [File photo] PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company. Click through the gallery to read the full judgement. [File photo] And she added: "It is deeply humiliating, and an affront to human dignity, to deny someone a service because of that person's race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief. But that is not what happened in this case." These are important statements which undermine those who criticise the verdict or suggest that it makes the LGBT community feel like second class citizens. Instead, by copper-fastening the rights of everyone to freedom of conscience and freedom of speech, it does a service to the whole of society. If only for that reason, the Equality Commission would be unwise to continue with this case. Watchdog traps joint attorney with cash bribe in Pokhara A team from corruption watchdog on Wednesday detained a joint attorney for accepting Rs 500,000 bribe in Pokhara. David Trimble, John Hume and U2s Bono on stage at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast to promote a Yes' vote in 1998 If the peace process was to collapse after Brexit it would not be the fault of those who voted to leave the EU and now expect the result to be delivered. Blame would lie entirely with those who chose to use violence in response to decisions with which they don't agree. It is still something of a shock, though, to discover that a staggering 87% of those who supported Leave in Northern Ireland would, according to a new study, consider the collapse of the peace process a price worth paying for Brexit. Leave voters in England, fair enough. There's no particular reason why they should be expected to care if Brexit was followed by violence in a part of the country they don't understand and care little or nothing about. The same Future of England study found that they don't mind if they lose Scotland either. And why would they? The Scots spend half their lives moaning about the English. It might be a blessed relief for those on the southern side of that particular border to be rid of the rebellious Scots Nats. Cheaper, too. But why would anyone in Northern Ireland itself value peace so little, considering that they suffered the bloody consequences of a vicious, internecine conflict for decades? That makes no sense. It makes even less sense that, according to this ongoing research, commissioned from YouGov by the universities of Edinburgh and Cardiff, Northern Ireland had the highest proportion of people who claimed not to care about the collapse of the peace process. Even people in Wales apparently worry about it more than we do. Not by much, but enough to make one wonder what's going on. Call me a cynic, but I must admit that my first instinct on seeing the headlines this week was to conclude that the choice couldn't have been as clear-cut as all that, and this was merely a sensationalist interpretation of the results. In fact, the choice really does seem to have been phrased that bluntly. The question put to respondents by YouGov between May 30 and June 4 this year was: "Some have suggested that leaving the European Union might present challenges to the UK. One of these includes the unravelling of the peace process in Northern Ireland. If this happens would you say that - A: It was worth it to take back control? B: Leaving the EU was not worth jeopardising the peace process?" Given that stark choice, nearly nine out of 10 of those who voted Leave on this side of the Irish Sea really did pick the first option. Looking at it more closely, though, doubts do start to creep in. There seem to be an awful lot of hidden assumptions in that question and no way to challenge them in the given answers. It sets up a false dilemma. It's overly simplistic. It's like asking: "Some have suggested that female equality would lead to a breakdown of Western civilisation. If that happened, would you think it was - A: Entirely justified. B: Not worth it, I'll just stay here in the kitchen, thanks." It's a "when did you stop beating your wife" kind of question, which seems to have been designed to make a splash rather than uncovering anything meaningful about people's attitudes to huge and complex issues. At the very least it requires further probing. Other questions in the poll have multiple possible answers. For example, it asks Scottish voters whether Scottish MPs should be allowed to become ministers at Westminster and there are six possible answers, from Strongly Agree through Tend To Agree to Neither Agree Nor Disagree back to Tend To Disagree and Strongly Disagree. There's also an option for Don't Know. Respondents in here were given none of that range of options on what is undoubtedly a far more serious subject. They weren't even allowed to answer Don't Know. They were simply cornered and asked, Jeremy Paxman-style: "Peace or Brexit? Come on, make up your mind, we haven't got all day." There was no way to answer the question with any of the nuance that it needs. It's too easy to dismiss the findings of polls whose results don't chime with one's own prejudices. There may have been issues in this particular research with the methodology or wording, but the results for Northern Ireland are consistent with the rest of the UK, making them much harder to dismiss out of hand. Respondents were also at liberty to refuse to answer if they didn't like the superficial Either/Or choice on offer, but they didn't. They freely made their choice in favour of Brexit above all else, bizarre as that might be. Because it is bizarre. There's no getting away from that. It's almost like the Belfast Agreement in reverse. In 1998, 71% of people in Northern Ireland and 94% in the Republic decided that peace was more important than any particular constitutional squabble. Now that seems to have been turned on its head, upsetting the received wisdom that support for the peace process has been hardwired into our collective consciousness to the extent that anyone who is deemed to threaten peace automatically places themselves outside the political mainstream. Even questioning the republican movement's bona fides has long risked the accusation of being "anti-peace". It's frankly disturbing if that consensus is as fragile as this new study suggests. However irritated Leave voters may be by the rampant doom-mongering that surrounds the UK's departure from the EU - of which that silly poll question could legitimately be considered yet another example - they shouldn't be so blase about the possibility, however hypothetical, of peace crashing down. Assuming, that is, that the findings are accurate. Research which produces startling results should not be dismissed without good reason, but it's always worth looking at more sceptically if it doesn't accord with lived experience. The mind boggles as to where YouGov found its latest respondents, but there can't genuinely be that many of them around if their existence is such a baffling mystery to many of us who actually live here. Well, can there? Alliance is a party of human rights and equality, and always has been. We believe those protections should reinforce each other. Fundamentally, equality protections are there for good reason - to ensure respect and inclusion for all, and to avoid direct or indirect discrimination. The state has a duty to ensure non-discrimination across all equality grounds, including political opinion, religious belief and sexual orientation, while respecting everyone's right to freedom of religion and belief and freedom of expression. Balancing protection from discrimination with freedom of expression is a challenge. Where tensions arise, we must reflect on how to ensure rights and equality protections can better interact, such as in light of the decision of yesterday's Supreme Court ruling in respect of Ashers Bakery. Discrimination against members of the LGBT+ community sadly remains a problem in our society. This goes well beyond the failure to legislate for equal marriage, as important as that issue is. We also lack a comprehensive sexual orientation strategy and, given yesterday's Supreme Court judgment was handed down on World Mental Health Day, it is worth mentioning the startling statistic that over 70% of LGBT+ people in Northern Ireland have experienced mental health issues, much of that linked to alienation, discrimination and bullying in society. Recognition must be given to the fact that freedom of religion does not clash with LGBT+ rights - many people from all faiths and none understand the importance of equality and practice it, while many members of the LGBT+ community are also members of faith communities. In addition, the right to freedom of religion and belief must include the right to freedom from religion, something often neglected in the discussion. Alliance's preference was this case not to go to court but rather be resolved through mediation. However, we respect the right of the Equality Commission to take this case, and we recognise there was significant public interest issues at its heart fuelling that decision. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company. Click through the gallery to read the full judgement. [File photo] PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company. Click through the gallery to read the full judgement. [File photo] The attacks on the Equality Commission from some quarters are as sad as they are predictable. The Equality Commission, and its sister organisation, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, are bodies proposed in the Good Friday Agreement tasked with protecting and enhancing our human rights and equality protections. They also have vital roles in keeping law and practice under review, in advocacy for the highest standards of rights protections and, most pertinently in this context, taking important test cases to ensure abuses are tackled and to clarify the law. In short, they are there to protect us all and it is crucial they are given support from all quarters and all parties. The Supreme Court judgment in the Ashers case is significant, with a number of implications arising from it. Nevertheless, it must be stressed the judgment concerns a specific, complicated case and relates to a limited and particular context, so great care should be taken in drawing wider conclusions. There will nevertheless be many people concerned about the apparent erosion of their rights and dignity as a result of it. It is therefore important to be clear it does not give carte blanche for businesses to set aside their equality responsibilities or provide an excuse for discrimination. Equality protections and duties remain in place and the law remains clear - it is illegal for any provider of goods, facilities and services, regardless of any personal opinions, to discriminate against any person or persons based on the full spectrum of equality grounds specified in Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. What it certainly does not do is create a de facto 'conscience clause' and Alliance remains resolutely opposed to any such exemption, either through the back door or via legislation. It does, however, require a discussion as to how we better manage such perceived conflicts in rights while preserving the dignity of all involved, and furthering equality and human rights for everyone. Naomi Long is leader of the Alliance Party The Ashers bakery case may have been seen locally as a debate in relation to the conflict between those who support gay marriage and those who don't, but it is likely to have much wider implications in light of the Supreme Court ruling yesterday. Gareth Lee brought a claim against the McArthurs and Ashers for direct and indirect discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, contrary to the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 ('the SORs') and/or on grounds of religious belief or political opinion, contrary to the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 ('FETO'). Read More His claim was supported by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. The district judge in the County Court in Northern Ireland held that refusing to complete his order was direct discrimination on all three grounds. The appellants appealed by way of case stated to the Court of Appeal, arguing that FETO and the SORs were incompatible with the McArthurs' rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). On October 24, 2016, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, holding that Mr Lee had suffered direct discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and that it was not necessary to interpret the SORs to take account of the McArthurs' ECHR rights. The Supreme Court, however, took a different view. Delivering judgment on behalf of the Supreme Court, Lady Hale, its president, stated that the McArthurs could not refuse to provide their products to Mr Lee because he was a gay man or because he supported gay marriage, but that was different from obliging them to supply a cake iced with a message with which they profoundly disagreed. She said: "This conclusion is not in any way to diminish the need to protect gay people and people who support gay marriage from discrimination. It is deeply humiliating, and an affront to human dignity, to deny someone a service because of that person's race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief. "But that is not what happened in this case." She went on: "As to Mr Lee's claim based on sexual discrimination, the bakers did not refuse to fulfil his order because of his sexual orientation. They would have refused to make such a cake for any customer, irrespective of their sexual orientation." Undoubtedly, this case again brought to the fore issues relating to freedom of expression. It is likely to be used as judicial precedent for not only those on both sides of the gay marriage debate, but indeed for any organisation choosing to refuse to provide a particular service on the basis that it is not discriminating against anyone because of their sexual or political orientation, etc, but because providing particular aspects of that service is profoundly inconsistent with the service provider's beliefs. The Supreme Court was careful to distinguish this from discriminating against someone purely on the grounds of their sexual orientation or political belief, but the outworking of the decision is likely to provide fertile ground for those on each side of any argument. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company. Click through the gallery to read the full judgement. [File photo] PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company. Click through the gallery to read the full judgement. [File photo] From the perspective of a lawyer, the case the Supreme Court ruling is engrossing. There has been much debate about the costs incurred on both sides in this litigation, and they are no doubt very substantial, albeit that the Equality Commission on one side and Christian alliance groups on the other may have eased the financial burden on the parties. However, the Supreme Court plays a vital role in the development of the law by dealing only with cases that include an element of wider public interest. As a result, the costs of dealing with civil cases in the Supreme Court are shared across users of the Supreme Court and all litigants bringing civil cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It remains to be seen if the Equality Commission, who supported Mr Lee, will seek any further ruling on this case by way of possible referral to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. The parties, as in this case, are required to explore all possible appeal processes in the UK courts in order to preserve the possibility of any future appeal to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. The matter is undoubtedly complicated by the fact that the UK, being a party to the European Convention on Human Rights, appears to have become entwined with the issues surrounding Brexit. Interesting times indeed. Paul McDonnell is a Belfast-based lawyer and editorial legal counsel for Independent News and Media (NI) It's been a long time coming, but finally we have the icing on the cake. A decision from the Supreme Court that reminds us of the importance of freedom of conscience, belief and expression for everyone. Ashers took issue with the message on the cake, not the customer, and the Supreme Court has supported their freedom to do so. It turns out there is no such thing as a 'gay cake'. It's disappointing that this case has been pitched as Christians versus the LGBT community. This ruling affirms that this was never the case. The McArthur family have served Mr Lee in the past and made clear he will always be welcome in future. The Supreme Court agreed that it is an affront to human dignity to deny someone a service because of that person's race, gender, disability, sexual orientation or any of the other protected personal characteristics. But Lady Hale said "that is not what happened in this case and it does the project of equal treatment no favours to seek to extend it beyond its proper scope". This is perhaps the key line in the judgment. There was not discrimination in this case, and when we over-reach we undermine our case. The McArthur family will take great comfort from this ruling. The Supreme Court accepted that they had served Mr Lee and other gay people before and therefore had not discriminated on the basis of Mr Lee's sexual orientation. This part of the ruling must be a particular relief for the family after four years of court battles. The court found there was no discrimination based on religious belief. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company. Click through the gallery to read the full judgement. [File photo] PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Daniel and Amy McArthur of Ashers Baking Company. Click through the gallery to read the full judgement. [File photo] The key would have been Mr Lee's religion and that has never been discussed in this case. The religious beliefs of the McArthurs was part of their defence and should not have been used against them. Finally, the court indicated there was a stronger case on the grounds of political opinion. But ultimately they concluded that would have led to compelled speech that could not have been justified. So all three grounds that Ashers were originally found to have discriminated on have been unanimously dismissed by the highest court in the land. Ashers have won the legal battle, but everyone will share in the benefits. Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell was initially critical of Ashers, but is now a strong supporter of the free speech arguments in this case. He, Stephen Fry and many others have welcomed the Supreme Court decision, aware of the wider implications. It is their support that reminds me that this is a win for everyone. We all now have a responsibility to speak well and wisely about this case. Some have suggested that the law is now less clear and that more discrimination may occur. This is deeply unhelpful. If the Equality Commission believe the Supreme Court have made the law unclear, then it is important that they provide clarity. The commission also need to review how they handle these types of cases, making space for dialogue before issuing proceedings. The mark of a free and democratic society is that competing views are discussed and debated. We have seen an increase in 'no-platforming' and safe spaces. All of these undermine a free and fair society. The Supreme Court have rightly ruled that it would be wrong to compel the McArthurs to use their creative talents to promote a political cause which is against their deeply held views. Common sense has prevailed - Ashers can get back to making cakes, we can get back to eating them and we can all stop talking about them. Peter Lynas is director of Northern Ireland at the Evangelical Alliance A Bangladeshi lawyer answers questions from reporters in front of the Old Dhaka Central Jail after a court handed down sentences related to a grenade attack at a political rally in 2004, Oct. 10, 2018. A Bangladeshi court sentenced 19 people to death and the son of opposition leader Khaleda Zia to life imprisonment Wednesday over a 2004 grenade attack at a rally attended by politician Sheikh Hasina, who is now the countrys prime minister. Twenty-four people were killed and more than 300 injured on Aug. 21, 2004, when 13 grenades exploded after Hasina had finished addressing an anti-terrorism rally attended by thousands of supporters in the capital Dhaka. Judge Shahed Nuruddin of Dhakas Speedy Trial Tribunal convicted 49 defendants who faced multiple charges related to the grenade blasts, which prosecutors said were aimed at assassinating Hasina and leaders of the then-opposition Awami League party. Those who are sentenced to death shall be hanged by the neck until they are dead, Nuruddin said as he condemned 19 defendants to death, including former cabinet minister Lutfuzzaman Babar, former Deputy Minister Abdus Salam Pintu and several former army intelligence officers. Thirty-one of the accused were in the courtroom during the sentencing, but others were tried in absentia, including Tarique Rahman, son of Zia, the 73-year-old former prime minister who is serving a five-year jail term after a court convicted her of corruption in February. Rahman, who lives in London, received a life sentence for each of the two conspiracy charges filed against him. Eighteen others received the same verdict. The remaining 11, including three former chiefs of police, received up to five years in prison for negligence of duties in the broad daylight attack that also killed Ivy Rahman, the wife of former Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman. Leaders of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) described the verdict as political vengeance and announced a week of protest rallies, starting Thursday. Hundreds of armed police officers were deployed outside the courtroom during the sentencing, but there were no street protests. Prosecutors said members of the militant group Harkat-ul Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh carried out the grenade attack, with support from influential members of the then BNP-led government, including Rahman. Babar, Pintu, former National Security Intelligence chief Rezakul Haider Chowdhury and former NSI official Abdur Rahim received death sentences for planning and conspiring the grenade attack, public prosecutor Mosharraf Hossain Kajol told BenarNews. The four men were in the courtroom when the verdict was handed down. Thirty-one of the accused, including alleged militants, were brought to the court from the Kashimpur jail near Dhaka. This is a verdict based on fabricated stories, one of the militants shouted from inside the prison van as BenarNews asked for his comment. This is not a justice. Naked political vengeance Hasina, who narrowly escaped assassination as supporters shielded her from the grenade blasts, has been the prime minister since January 2009. Aides said she suffered permanent hearing impairment due to the explosions. Rahmans conviction would effectively prevent him from returning to Bangladesh and, in turn, bolster the Awami Leagues bid to retain power in a general election expected to take place in December or early next year, analysts told BenarNews. Rahman, 53, was appointed leader of the BNP in February, a few hours after a Dhaka court sentenced his mother over charges that she embezzled 21 million taka (about U.S. $252,000) from an orphanage trust. The special court then also sentenced Rahman and four others to 10 years in prison each. Zia had described the case as politically motivated. The opposition BNP rejected the verdict against Rahman. This is a verdict dictated by the government, BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told a news conference on Wednesday. The judgment is the reflection of naked political vengeance of the government. We reject this verdict, dictated verdict. Defense attorney Sanaullah Mia said Rahman did not receive justice. Tarique Rahman was not involved in the attack, Mia told BenarNews. He was implicated in the case for political vengeance of the government. He said Rahmans legal team would proceed to the High Court to petition for reversal of the verdict. The court has asked us to appeal in 30 days. We will appeal once we get a copy of the final verdict, he said. Awami League chief Obaidul Quader told reporters that his party was happy that the trial was over after 14 years. But we are not completely happy, he said, without elaborating. Hours after the verdict, the Washington-Based firm BGR Public Relations sent a news release to BenarNews detailing how prosecutors had stated that Rahman played an integral role in coordinating and planning the failed assassination of Hasina and the Awami League leadership. Terrorists allegedly met with, took directions from, and were assured of administrative support from Tarique Rahman, as well as from other co-conspirators, the news release said. Government seeks death sentence According to Law Minister Anisul Huq, the government might file an appeal before the High Court to demand that the punishment against Rahman and others be upgraded from life imprisonment to death sentence. Tarique was the mastermind. He was the central man who tried to exterminate Awami League and Sheikh Hasina. Tarique Rahman should have received the capital punishment, Huq told reporters on Wednesday. Ataur Rahman, a former political science professor at Dhaka University, told BenarNews that the ruling Awami League primarily would gain from Rahmans conviction, as he described the sentencing as the biggest political debacle for the opposition. He said the BNP had surmounted the challenges and united its forces even after Zias conviction, but this verdict puts the BNP into another political debacle. He said the sentencing of Zias son would help the ruling Awami League gain some public sympathy because it could portray that the BNP was headed by a former prime minister who was convicted of corruption, and now by Rahman, who received a life sentence for planning to kill the nations leader. The BNP would make a mistake if they go for street violence, Rahman said, referring to the rallies planned by the opposition starting this week. But, on the other hand, the ruling party could also lose public support if its leaders pushed for a death sentence against Zias son, he said. Family members mourn at the grave of Freddy Budiman in Surabaya, Indonesia, following his execution on drug charges, July 29, 2016. As rights groups commemorated World Day against the Death Penalty, the Malaysian government on Wednesday took its first step toward abolishing capital punishment, while a Bangladesh court ordered 19 people be executed for participating in a 2004 assassination attempt. And in response to a call by Amnesty International (AI) to abolish capital punishment in all cases, Indonesias attorney general said the death penalty was needed as a deterrent. In Malaysia, Law Minister Liew Vui Keong announced that the cabinet of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had decided to make a motion to parliament to get rid of the death penalty as a punishment for 17 crimes, including drug offenses. We need to look into it and hear the views of all, but as it stands today, the decision is to abolish the death penalty, Liew told reporters. New Malaysia, new look, new hope where everyone has a right to life, he told BenarNews, adding, All death penalties will be abolished. Full stop. Parliaments next session begins on Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 11. Amnesty International later responded with a statement on its website praising Malaysias move. Todays announcement is a major step forward for all those who have campaigned for an end to the death penalty in Malaysia. Malaysia must now join the 106 countries who have turned their backs for good on the ultimate cruel, inhumane, degrading punishment the world is watching, AI Secretary General Kumi Naidoo said in a statement. Bangladeshs sentencings stemmed from a grenade attack 14 years ago targeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who served as opposition leader at the time. The court sentenced 19 others to life in prison, including Tarique Rahman, the son of Hasinas nemesis, then-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. He has been living in exile in London while his mother has been in prison since February after both were sentenced for their roles in an embezzlement case from a trust fund. Earlier this week, Hasinas cabinet approved draft legislation allowing capital punishment in drug-related cases. Parliament must approve the legislation before it can become law. In Indonesia, Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo said the government would exercise prudence and transparency in carrying out executions and only after a death-row inmate had exhausted all legal avenues to get the sentence overturned. The death penalty isnt something pleasant, Prasetyo told reporters in Jakarta. But it has to be done, considering the danger posed by criminals who deserve the death penalty. Indonesia has not executed anyone over the last two years after 18 drug traffickers were put to death in 2015 and 2016. Of those executed, only three were Indonesian citizens. President Joko Jokowi Widodo defended the governments tough stance at that time, saying the country faced a drug emergency. Philippines and Thailand In the Philippines, where President Rodrigo Duterte declared a war on drugs when he took office two years ago, leading to the deaths of about 4,500 drug suspects, according to police estimates, and as many as 12,000, as claimed by rights organizations, capital punishment has been illegal since 2006. Duterte has said he would like to change the law. Capital punishment is not only about deterrence, its about retribution, he said during his annual address in 2017. The president could run into a road block getting lawmakers to approve any changes in the majority Catholic nation. House Speaker Gloria Arroyo served as president when the punishment was abolished. In Thailand, a 26-year-old man was put to death for aggravated murder in June, the first use of capital punishment since two convicts were executed in August 2009. At the time, AI called the move a major setback for Thailand. This is a deplorable violation of the right to life. Thailand is reneging on its own commitment to move towards the abolition of the death penalty, and is putting itself out of step with the current global shift away from capital punishment, AIs Katherine Gerson said. AI recorded nearly 1,000 executions in 23 countries in 2017. It said the figures did not include executions in China where the death penalty is classified as a state secret. The World Coalition against the Death Penalty said two thirds of countries across the globe have abolished the death penalty in law and practice, but 56 countries and territories use capital punishment. All governments retaining the death penalty must immediately abolish it and put an end to the appalling conditions of detention that too many death row prisoners are forced to endure, said Stephen Cockburn, deputy director of AIs global issues program. Arie Firdaus in Jakarta, Hadi Azmi in Kuala Lumpur, Felipe Villamor in Manila and Kamran Reza Chowdhury in Dhaka contributed to this report. 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 Uyghurs in Ankara, Turkey, protest against the Chinese government over alleged oppression in Xinjiang province, Feb. 5, 2018. The Malaysian government sent 11 Uyghur refugees from Chinas Xinjiang province to Turkey after dropping immigration charges against them in defiance of a request by Beijing that they be returned there, their attorney said Thursday. The move came after a Kuala Lumpur Court granted a request by prosecutors to apply a discharge not amounting to acquittal. Fahmi Abdul Moin, a lawyer representing the Uyghurs, said his team sent a letter in July to the Attorney Generals Chamber asking that the charges be dropped. Officials with the Attorney Generals Chamber, as well as the home minister and his deputy could not be reached for comment late on Thursday. Fahmi said he had raised the issue of the alleged systematic oppression of the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs in Xinjiang and discrimination against them by the Chinese government, which have forced many to flee the country. As such, my clients are part of the victims of the ongoing turmoil in the Xinjiang province and were forced to escape, Fahmi told BenarNews. He told prosecutors that his clients had entered Malaysia as a temporary transit point and hoped to sort out their refugee status with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) before joining an existing Uyghur community in Turkey. Fahmi said they flew from Malaysia to Turkey on Wednesday morning. Escape from Thailand The Uyghurs fled to Malaysia after escaping from a detention center in southern Thailand in November 2017. The 11 were part of a group of 20 who broke out of the center by drilling holes in a wall. Their capture and detention in Malaysia for violating the Immigration Act by entering the country illegally became known in February when Chinese officials requested they be returned to Beijing. Later that month, then-Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia was in talks with Thailand to return the Uyghurs, while the government led by then-Prime Minister Najib Razak sought a diplomatic solution to the case. We will take action that will not hurt the feelings of any country, Zahid said at the time. Dolkun Isa, the German-based president of the World Uyghur Congress, had urged the Malaysian government to not send them to China and to respect the international principle of non-refoulement by working with UNHCR and resettling the refugees in a safe third country. When Uyghurs are handed to Chinese authorities, they will face torture and jailed, they probably will go missing or face death, he told Radio Free Asia, a sister-entity of BenarNews. He said Uyghurs sent from Malaysia to China had disappeared. International relations The decision by Kuala Lumpur to release the Uyghurs move could further strain Malaysias relationship with China. Since assuming power in May, the government of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has halted major Chinese projects including a railway and two pipeline projects approved by Najib, citing a mounting national debt. In an interview with Bloomberg News, Mahathirs likely successor as prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, called for formal talks with China regarding its crackdown against the Muslim minority that has included the reported incarceration of Uyghurs in secret detention camps. Anwar said the Malaysian government had raised the Uyghurs with the Chinese government, which sees them as an internal issue. This has gone out into the mainstream media as an issue, and I believe we should use a proper forum to start highlighting these issues and seek this understanding from the Chinese authorities, he told Bloomberg. Anwar also shared his thoughts on why Muslim governments have been silent on the Uyghurs. Theyre scared. Nobody wants to say anything, he said. A Philippine military jeep patrols the southern city of Marawi about six months after security forces killed Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, April 10, 2018. Two suspected members of the Abu Sayyaf group have been killed and four of their companions captured by Philippine security forces on the southern island of Jolo, where authorities believe the militants are holding several hostages, the military said Thursday. A joint team of soldiers and local police officers were conducting patrol operations near the town of Indanan when they were attacked Wednesday, leading to a gunbattle, regional military spokesman Lt. Col. Gerry Besana said. Two of them have resisted and our police and soldiers were able to neutralize them, Besana said. Killed in the operation were Hassan Radjik and Kemar Jade, known members of the Abu Sayyaf in Indanan. Four other suspected militants, Lino Tantung, 42; Hamjir Sahidal, 19; Sajiyal Asiral Alamia, 46; and Arajal Amicul Aida, 46; were arrested. Authorities recovered assorted weapons from the militants, but it was not clear if the security forces found any signs of the hostages in Indanan. Besana said the operation were part of the sustained effort of soldiers to get rid of banditry and violent extremist groups in the area. Last week, the Abu Sayyaf snatched Shariff Benjamin Asama Ubaid, a teacher from another part of Jolo. He was taken at gunpoint, but was subsequently freed after ransom money was exchanged for his freedom, the military said. The gunmen are believed to be still holding 12 hostages, including three Indonesians and seven Filipinos. During the past two years, the extremists beheaded a German and two Canadians they had kidnapped for failing to pay millions of dollars in ransom. The Abu Sayyaf is the smallest, but the most radical Muslim militant faction operating in the southern Philippines. Last year, Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, the acknowledged head of the Islamic State in the country, led the daring takeover of the predominantly-Muslim city of Marawi, also in the south. He was aided by hundreds of other Filipino militants, as well as fighters from Southeast Asia and the Middle East. He was killed in October, ending the five-month siege that had left an estimated 1,200 people dead, most of them militants. But the entire southern region of Mindanao remains under tight military control, with dozens of other militants believed to be still at large. Those who had escaped from Marawi may have sought refuge in areas controlled by other militant groups, including the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a more organized group protesting a peace deal between Manila and the larger Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The BIFF had also pledged allegiance with the IS, although it did not send fighters to Marawi last year. Earlier this week, military officials said security forces had killed Norodin Taib, a known BIFF bomb expert blamed for several attacks in the south. He was shot dead when soldiers raided his hideout in the town of Shariff Aguak, regional military chief Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said. He resisted arrest and lobbed grenade to our men. The grenade-throwing incident prompted the soldiers to neutralize him, Sobejana said, adding that the slain suspect was one of the suspects in the bombings last month in the town of Isulan. Three people were killed and dozens of others were injured in the Aug. 28 Isulan attack blamed on the BIFF. Twenty-five BIFF men were charged for the night market attack. Mark Navales in Cotabato City contributed to this report. A measles outbreak in Thailands southernmost province of Yala killed five children and infected more than 300 others a month after their parents declined government efforts to get them vaccinated, a health official said Wednesday. Dr. Songkran Maichum, a public health physician, said officials have reacted by traveling to the infected areas and accelerating the vaccination program. The measles virus has continued to spread, especially in the areas where fewer children were vaccinated, he said. We found 341 people infected from Sept. 1 to Oct. 9. Measles, a highly contagious and infectious airborne disease caused by a virus, usually develops 10-12 days after exposure to an infected person. It spreads easily through the coughs or sneezes of infected people and can lead to deadly complications. Symptoms begin with fever, nasal congestion, drooping red eyes and susceptibility to light. By the fourth day, victims begin to suffer from high fever and a reddish-brown rash will appear. To control the measles outbreak in Yala, a full set of personnel and vaccinations were deployed, Songkran said. The Ministry of Public Healths epidemiology bureau reported 2,149 measles cases in September throughout Thailand. Along with predominantly Muslim Yala, outbreaks were reported in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Samut Sakhon, Chiang Mai and Amnat Charoen provinces. Gen. Surachet Chaiwong, the government special representative for conflict resolution in the Southern border provinces, told BenarNews that officials met with Islamic leaders to discuss efforts to prevent a measles outbreak. Many Muslims cite religious concerns for refusing to have their children vaccinated. Five children who died from a measles outbreak over the past two weeks never received a measles vaccination, Surachet said. The Ministry of Public Health and the Islamic leaders have reached out to tell local people that Muslim children can receive vaccinations. According to the World Health Organization, more than 134,000 children die each year worldwide, including 54,000 from the Southeast Asian region, because of measles outbreaks. In 2016, it said, an estimated 4.7 million children in Southeast Asia did not receive measles vaccinations. Dr Tanarak Plipat, deputy director-general of Thailands Department of Disease Control, told The Nation newspaper in September last year that the vaccination coverage rate in most part of the country was at 95 percent, with the exception of the Deep South provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. Dr. Winai Dahlan, founding director of the Halal Science Center at Chulalongkorn University, confirmed that all types of vaccines can be given to Muslims. There is no such vaccine that cannot be given to Muslim people. The meeting at the Islamic Central Board of Thailand today answered an inquiry about vaccinations in the Deep South because of concerns about a rumor that the vaccines have partial mixture of pig, he said. First time in decade, voters will soon decide preferred form of county government Linemen Dusty Davis, on left, Briggs Thompson and Dalton Jones stage at the Myrtle Beach Service Center to pickup supplies for their trucks in preparation for Hurricane Florence Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018 in Myrtle Beach. 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 11, 2018 Contact: Tara Cornelisse, (415) 971-8773, tcornelisse@biologicaldiversity.org EPA Considers 300,000-acre Expansion for Bee-toxic Pesticide Flupyradifurone Poses New Threat to 38 Protected Species in Southeast PORTLAND, Ore. The Center for Biological Diversity today urged the Environmental Protection Agency to deny Bayer CropSciences request to allow the highly bee-toxic pesticide flupyradifurone to be sprayed on tobacco in states like Kentucky and North Carolina. Although flupyradifurone is known to harm pollinators like bees and freshwater invertebrates like mussels, the pesticide maker is asking the EPA to approve its use across more than 300,000 acres in areas that are home to more than three dozen protected species. Expanding use of this dangerous chemical will threaten many endangered species, as well as bees already battered by neonicotinoid pesticides, said Tara Cornelisse, a senior scientist with the Center. Pollinators and many aquatic invertebrates across the Southeast are already struggling. Approval of yet another highly toxic pesticide for tobacco will add to their toxic load and likely result in further losses. Flupyradifurone is a systemic pesticide with the same mode of action and potential for harm as neonicotinoid pesticides, a leading cause of pollinator declines. While the pesticide industry has touted flupyradifurone as a replacement for neonicotinoid pesticides, it poses many of the same risks to non-target species as neonicotinoids. For example, flupyradifurone impairs learning, memory and affinity for nectar rewards in honey bees. Further, flupyradifurone is highly water soluble and decreases the viability of freshwater mussel larvae; it also negatively impacts aquatic mayfly larvae survival at levels comparable to neonicotinoid pesticides like imidacloprid and clothianidin. Because flupyradifurones negative effects worsen with increased dosage, its use on tobacco would compound the harm already caused by widespread use of other neonicotinoids on corn and soy in tobacco-growing counties. Approval of this harmful neurotoxin would create a dangerous double-whammy for bees and freshwater mussels already suffering from exposure to neonics, said Cornelisse. Expanded use of this harmful pesticide is a risk we cant afford to take. Among the 38 threatened and endangered species living in areas where tobacco is grown are 17 species of freshwater mussels that play essential water-purifying roles in aquatic ecosystems. The greatest amount of tobacco acreage under consideration for the pesticides use is in North Carolina and Kentucky. Other areas include Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia and South Carolina. Endangered freshwater mussel species that would face increased harm include the Georgia spinymussel, dwarf wedgemussel, rayed bean and orangefoot pimpleback. In addition, flupyradifurone is likely to harm and kill native bees that are important for the pollination and survival of nine endangered flowering plants, including smooth coneflower and Shorts bladderpod. The Center and allies sued the EPA over its initial approval of flupyradifurone, challenging the agencys refusal to take common sense measures to protect endangered species from this new and controversial pesticide. This litigation is in its initial stages at the Washington, D.C. Court of Appeals. The period for public comment on the approval request ends on Friday. Although the EPA often approves new uses quickly, the agency has not established a timeframe for this approval process. Phase I trial to evaluate safety and immunogenicity of vaccine candidate engineered to elicit targeted immune response against HIV. The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) announces the start of a Phase I clinical trial (IAVI G001) to test a novel vaccine candidate designed to stimulate the immune system to initiate a key first step in the generation of potent proteins, known as broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), against HIV. The trial will evaluate the safety of the candidate and the immune responses it is able to induce. The candidate, known as eOD-GT8 60mer, represents an important step forward in the quest to develop an HIV vaccine. Researchers widely agree that a vaccine that induces bNAbs will likely be the best way to confer durable protection against the virus. bNAbs are desirable because in laboratory experiments, they are effective against many of the genetically diverse strains of HIV, and in animal studies, they can block infection of a virus similar to HIV. The world urgently needs new ways to prevent HIV infection, and chief among these is a vaccine, said Mark Feinberg, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of IAVI. Fortunately, a new generation of HIV immunogen candidates, including eOD-GT8 60mer, is entering clinical trials. These candidates are being developed using highly sophisticated and elegant vaccine science and provide a precedent for vaccine strategies targeting the induction of specific immune responses believed to be critical in protecting against HIV infection. Over the past 15 years, scientists have gained an unprecedented understanding of the structure of HIVs outermost envelope protein, which is the target of all bNAbs. From large cohort studies of HIV-infected volunteers, researchers isolated and characterized many bNAbs that develop naturally, but only rarely, during the course of HIV infection, and identified where they bind to the virus. These sites of vulnerability on the virus were then used to design vaccine immunogens, using what is referred to as a structure-based vaccine design approach. The eOD-GT8 60mer candidate is based on one of these sites targeted by bNAbs. The candidate was developed in the laboratory of Dr. William Schief, director of vaccine design for IAVIs Neutralizing Antibody Center (NAC) at Scripps Research and professor at Scripps. It is the first candidate to enter clinical trials that was designed using a structure-based vaccine approach, and it is the first in a sequence of engineered vaccine candidates that Dr. Schief and his colleagues are developing. In this trial, our goal is to prove that it is possible to induce responses from special, targeted B cells, said Dr. Schief. Well have a promising outcome if some of the vaccine recipients produce B cells expressing a specific type of antibody, whereas placebo recipients do not. This would confirm that we are able to induce the desired initial immune response, and the next step will be making technical refinements to improve performance. There are several steps involved in the development of bNAbs, and in animal studies, the eOD vaccine candidate successfully elicited antibodies that are precursors to the much more specialized antibodies that scientists classify as broadly neutralizing. It is envisioned that eOD or a similar engineered vaccine candidate would be the first in a series of vaccinations that would elicit the bNAbs believed to be needed to protect against HIV infection. This is a big moment, not just for HIV vaccines, but for vaccine science as a whole, said Dr. Dennis Burton, scientific director of the NAC and chair of the Scripps Research Department of Immunology and Microbiology. This trial is going to tell us how much control we can have over the immune responses induced by a targeted vaccine candidate. If this type of vaccine engineering is successful, it can be applied more broadly, bringing about a new day in vaccinology. If we can really drive immune responses in predictable ways, we can make better, more effective vaccines, not just for HIV but for other viruses, too. The IAVI G001 trial will enroll 48 healthy adult volunteers who will receive two doses of eOD-GT8 60mer, along with the AS0 B 1 adjuvant developed by the pharmaceutical company GSK, or placebo. Adjuvants are substances used to enhance immune responses induced by a vaccine, and the AS01 adjuvant is used in licensed vaccines. The doses are spaced two months apart and are administered through intramuscular injection. The trial is taking place at two sites: George Washington University (GW) in Washington, D.C., and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington. At GW, the trial is led by Dr. David Diemert, associate professor in the Department of Medicine, who will serve as the principal investigator at this site, and Dr. Jeffrey Bethony, professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Tropical Medicine, who will direct the specimen processing and biorepository aspects of the trial at GW. At the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the trial is led by Dr. Julie McElrath, senior vice president and director of the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division. The Collaboration for AIDS Vaccine Discovery (CAVD) Comprehensive T-Cell Vaccine Immune Monitoring Consortium/The Dale and Betty Bumpers Vaccine Research Center at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/National Institutes of Health (NIH), the CAVD Comprehensive Antibody Vaccine Immune Monitoring Consortium, and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center will be performing key analytical assays in support of the trial, to assess whether the targeted immune response is elicited. The CAVD Vaccine Immunology Statistical Center played a major role in the study design and analytical methods to evaluate the data. Results of the IAVI G001 trial are expected in late 2019. IAVI developed the eOD-GT8 60mer candidate with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery (CHAVI-ID) at NIAID at the NIH, and Scripps Research. Research at the NAC that contributed to the development of eOD-GT8 60mer was also made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID administers the U.S. foreign assistance program providing economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 120 countries worldwide. The contents are the responsibility of IAVI and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States government. OPPI also released its annual publication- In Science we trust. The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) celebrated their 52nd Annual Day recently. Themed #HealthMeetsHope, the Chief Guest of the Annual Day celebrations, Shri. Sidharth Nath Singh, Honble Minister for Health, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh delivered the inaugural address. At the event, he also released OPPIs annual publication- In Science we trust. Science continues to transform and inspire humankind and this publication has content curated from across the globe on developments, large and small across a broad spectrum of scientific research that have promoted purpose and wellbeing in the society. Shri Sidharth Nath Singh, Health Minister, Uttar Pradesh appreciated OPPIs efforts in building the pharma landscape of India. Speaking about the relevance of the OPPI Annual Day theme Health Meets Hope, Singh said it is relevant with the pharma industry delivering "hope" while facilitating health remains the responsibility of Government. He believes that the industry and Government need to collaborate to deliver a sustainable model of healthcare. Elaborating on the efforts to improve health outcomes in the state of Uttar Pradesh, Singh mentioned that the state with a population of 23 crore people it recorded a low levels of AMR and mortality rates- both maternal and infant. Singh said that the State is focused on leveraging technology for improving healthcare delivery. Incentivising the industry through mega pharma parks with fully equipped R&D centres and pathological laboratories, he said, UP is a land of Unlimited Potential so I urge you to come to Uttar Pradesh and enjoy the ease of doing business here. We have a single window system that allows quick approvals and vlearances. Above all, we adhere to ethical practices in the best interest of our people." Speaking on the occasion, A.Vaidheesh, President- OPPI and Vice President, South Asia & Managing Director, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd said, Millions of patients, over the world are in good health today, because of scientific research that has brought new treatments to them. Discovery of new treatments calls for dedicated commitment from researchers fueled by hope from patients as they battle diseases, both known and unknown. Research in medicine does not end with one discovery it is a series of continuous efforts to better outcomes for patients. As we celebrate the 52nd OPPI Annual Day, we celebrate this very spirit of science as OPPI members are committed to bringing newer treatments for unmet medical needs. Kanchana TK, Director General, Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India, added, Our annual publication In Science We Trust acknowledges the fact that scientific advancements enable social change and need thoughtful public policies that promote innovation and discovery. Collaborative partnerships between Government, research institutions, the industry and Academia to drive the scientific temperament is required for the progress of mankind. The event also witnessed the release of the inclUsion a compendium of Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) initiatives of OPPI members. Commenting on the release, Kanchana TK continued, Diversity and inclusion reinforce organizational performance. It needs to be on the dashboard of every business head and not just remain a HR responsibility. OPPI member companies have several initiatives for D&I that makes for an inclusive ecosystem that fosters a more productive and collaborative work environment, in which there are many yous and one us. OPPI conferred the OPPI Lifetime Achievement Award 2018 to Dr Abhay and Dr Rani Bang, Indian social activists, and researchers known in the medical fraternity for their ground-breaking research on community health in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. OPPI acknowledged the outstanding contribution of scientists towards finding innovative methods for developing a healthier today and tomorrow. Prof Padma Venkitachalam Devarajan (Professor in Pharmacy, Head, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology) was awarded the OPPI Scientist award. Dr Sripada S. V. Rama Sastry (Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali) was handed over the OPPI Young Scientist award. Dr Indu Pal Kaur (Professor of Pharmaceutics, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Punjab University) won the OPPI Women Scientist award. By Benjamin Jumbe. The electoral commission has banned forthwith any processions after political rallies. This is one of the measures taken to avoid a repeat of the Arua chaos in which one person was shot dead and others sustained injuries. Now addressing journalists at the release of the program for by elections of district chairperson and other lower local government councils in Busia, commission chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama said no politician will be allowed to have a procession after any rally. He further implores Ugandans to shun any acts of violence The district with a total of 151,798 registered voters has 234 polling stations By Damali Mukhaye. The Uganda national examination board in conjunction with police has arrested one teacher for selling fake paper of the forthcoming Uganda certificate of education to the heads of schools. Addressing journalist, the uneb executive secretary Dan Odongo says that the teachers were caught selling fake science papers of physics, chemistry and mathematics and many schools have fallen victim of that. He says they have arrested one teacher while five are on the run, warning schools that have fallen victim to stop misleading students with the fake papers they have bought but rather concentrate in what they have taught them in class. He warns all those planning to sell fake exams since police and the board is aware. Seaweed Is It Really Good For Your Hair? Hair Care oi-Amruta Agnihotri When people say Japanese women are beautiful and have strong and silky hair, you instantly look up to Google to know what it is that makes their hair so perfect and flawless? Well, a lot of things actually. And, one of them is seaweed. Japanese women have always been known for their beautiful hair and skin and we have always wondered as to how do they manage to look so perfect all the time? Why Is Seaweed A Good Choice For Hair Care? Seaweed - a key ingredient in Japanese beauty regime helps to cleanse and condition your tresses. It is often used in deep hair conditioning treatment. It helps to reduce hair loss and promote hair growth. Regular usage of seaweed makes your hair strong and long. What's more? Seaweed is packed with a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants that are beneficial for your hair. Seaweed is especially recommended for those with dry hair problems as it helps to hydrate your scalp and nourish it, thereby solving your dry hair problems. Seaweed is easily available in the market in the form of powder. You can buy it and store it at your home and use in your hair care routine. How To Make A Seaweed Hair Mask? Ingredients 2 tbsp dried seaweed powder 1 ripe avocado 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp yogurt 1 tbsp honey How to do In a small bowl, peel some ripe avocado and extract its pulp. Keep it aside Now take another bowl and add dried seaweed powder to it Next, add olive oil and yoghurt and mix all the ingredients well Add honey to the mixture and mix everything well Lastly, add the mashed avocado to the mixture and blend all the ingredients until they form a semi-thick creamy paste. Your mixture is now ready for application How to apply Start coming your hair and dividing it into small sections. Take one section at a time. Using a hair brush, start applying the pack on your hair. You can also massage your hair from roots to tips with the mixture using your fingers. Ensure that you do not miss the tips of your hair as that is where the split ends are Ensure that you cover all the sections of your hair while applying the mixture Cover your head with a shower cap and rest for about half an hour Wash off your hair with a mild shampoo. Repeat this pack once a week for desired results. GET THE BEST BOLDSKY STORIES! Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 14:36 [IST] He Put 'Used' Girlfriend On eBay And Then This Happened! Pulse oi-Syeda Farah Noor Things that we do for fun can always take a serious or an ugly turn, so one needs to be careful when they decide to play a prank on somebody, and in this case, it proves it all. This is a funny case of a British man named Dale Leeks who tried selling his girlfriend on eBay, and he did not expect his post to become viral. Image Source: dale.leeks / kelly.m.greaves / facebook Check out what he posted on eBay to troll his girlfriend by putting her up for auction on the site! He Wanted A Laugh And Hence Posted It Dale Leeks posted the ad as a joke after his girlfriend Kelly Greaves' had recently whipped him on his butt during a horse-riding shop. He Wanted To Take Revenge Even though it was a funny reason, Dale Leeks wanted to take some fun revenge, and hence decided to auction his girlfriend on a site. He Described Her As ... In his post, he described her as a "miniature collectable" and linked her to a used car because she makes a "constant whining noise" and "the rear end leaks a bit but nothing that can't be plugged." He Showed Her The Ad Before the couple left for dinner on the same day, Dale showed the ad that he had posted about her, and they had a laugh too until he realised that his post was going viral, as people were bidding on his girlfriend from Europe, Australia and the United States. The Post Was Pulled Down Within 24 hours of the post going viral, it was removed by the site. The bidding had reached USD 119,000 in 24 hours. The website said the post violated its policy of selling human body parts or remains. Dale Was Happy Dale revealed that he did not expect the post to go viral and claimed that he would not like to bid her for real, as he loved her to bits. What is your take on this story? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Auspicious Astrological Occurrences In Navratri 2018 Faith Mysticism oi-Renu Navratri is observed four times in a year namely Ashadh, Chaitra, Vasant and Sharadiya Navratri. While two of these (Ashadh and Vasant) are less popular and are known as Gupt Navratri, the other two are celebrated with huge religious vigour and account among the most popular festivals of India. Among these two, Sharadiya Navratri, also known as Maha Navratri, started on October 10 and will continue until October 18 for the year 2018. October 19 shall be observed as Dussehra. However, Navratri this year has come with highly auspicious occurrences according to astrology experts. Here are the reasons. Read on to know more about the astrological occurrences of Navratri 2018. Navratri Vahanas Of Goddess Durga It is said that each year Goddess Durga comes riding on a vehicle and goes riding on another vahana when the Navratri ends. Different Vahanas (vehicles) symbolise different forms of messages for the devotees. This year, as per the astrologers, Goddess Durga has come riding on a boat and shall leave while riding an elephant. It is considered highly auspicious when the goddess comes riding a boat. Every year, the Vahana of the Goddess is decided by astrologers on the basis of which day the Kalash Sthapana and Vijay Dashmi fall. Besides the lion, Goddess has a horse, an elephant, a boat and a palanquin that she chooses from. A boat symbolises a good harvest and an elephant symbolises prosperity and fruits of hard work. Most Read : Nine Colours For Nine Days Of Navratri Navratri Of Nine Days Depending on the Tithis of the Hindu calendar, the number of days that the Navratri is celebrated for, keeps changing. Though all the nine forms of the Goddess are worshipped, the number of days might be eight, nine or ten as well. Since this year the Navratri shall be observed for nine days, it is considered auspicious again. Three Auspicious Occurrences This Navratri, three auspicious Yogas (astrological occurrences) are occurring. A Raj Yoga, Sarvarth Siddhi Yoga and an Amrit Yoga are occurring this year. A day when any of these Yogas occurs is considered to be highly auspicious for beginning any new work, project, entering a new house, etc. Besides this, a date-wise list of some occurrences is given below. October 10 - Pratipada Ravi Yoga October 12 - Chaturthi Ravi Yoga October 13 - Panchami Ravi Yoga October 14 - Shashthi Ravi Yoga, Sarvarth Siddhi Yoga October 15 - Saptami Ravi Yoga Most Read : Significance Of Each Day In Navratri Venus In Its Astrological House Venus will be staying in its own astrological house during the Navratri. This is considered auspicious, as it will help people to achieve success in all ventures; especially in married life and pleasures associated with Venus. Thus, Venus being placed in its own house makes it an auspicious occurrence. Most Read : Navdurga: The Nine Forms Of Goddess And Their Significance Significance Of A Thursday During Navratri It is said that the benefits of a Thursday puja multiply two times during Navratri. There will be two Thursdays during this Navratri, thus making it more auspicious for those who perform a puja or observe a fast on Navratri. GET THE BEST BOLDSKY STORIES! Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 10:30 [IST] Reciba en su email: noticias de ultima hora, analisis tecnicos o el cierre de mercado Email no valido Nombre requerido Recibira las informaciones mas relevantes del dia en tiempo real Que informacion desea recibir? Noticias de Ultima hora Boletin Cierre de Mercado Boletin analisis tecnico Boletin Fundsnews Debe seleccionar un tipo de boletin Acepto la Politica de privacidad Debe aceptar la politica de privacidad Responsable EMPRESAS DEL GRUPO WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Finalidad La remision de informacion, novedades y promociones Establecimiento o mantenimiento de Relaciones Comerciales. Legitimacion Consentimiento del interesado. Interes legitimo en el desarrollo de la relacion comercial Destinatario Empresas del Grupo WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Derechos Acceso, rectificacion, supresion, limitacion, oposicion y portabilidad Informacion adicional Politica de Privacidad de nuestra pagina Web + INFORMACION Canada NewsWire MONTREAL, Oct. 10, 2018 MONTREAL, Oct. 10, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Inspired Minds, the organizers of the World Summit AI, whose second edition is currently taking place in Amsterdam, have announced that they will be holding a similar event in the Americas from 2019 to 2021. Thus, the World Summit AI Americas will be held in Montreal for at least three years. Tourisme Montreal has signed a four-year agreement with Inspired Minds, the London-based firm behind Word Summit AI. The fact that Montreal was selected to host the Americas version of the event confirms the destination's leadership in artificial intelligence (AI). The event is expected to attract 6,000 participants, which will amount to 32,500 room nights in Montreal hotels during this period. "I am delighted that the collaboration between Tourisme Montreal and Inspired Minds has led to this exciting announcement. I would like to thank the entire AI community in Montreal, and in particular Yoshua Bengio from the University of Montreal and Element IA for helping make this possible," said Yves Lalumiere, President and CEO of Tourisme Montreal. In the past few years, Montreal has become a global hub for research and excellence in AI. The city boasts a strong academic base, particularly at McGill University and the University of Montreal, where Professor Yoshua Bengio, the leading expert in the field, works. Montreal is also home to the Institut de valorisation des donnees (IVADO), and has attracted major digital players such as Google, Microsoft, IBM, Samsung, Thales and Facebook, all of which have set up AI research labs in the city. "We are very proud to welcome the coming editions of the World Summit AI. The quality of our research centres and the dynamism of our innovation ecosystem make Montreal the ideal place to discuss the latest advances in the field of intelligence," said Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante. "The BEC team, together with the Canadian High Commission in London, identified this bid opportunity for Canada and hosted the client to BEC's inaugural Innovate Canada in Montreal this past May, but it was the collaboration between Tourisme Montreal and Montreal's AI community that solidified the win," says Chantal Sturk-Nadeau, Executive Director of Business Events Canada. "Proof, yet again, that when we all work together great things can be accomplished." About Tourisme MontrealTourisme Montreal is a private, non-profit organization that works to position Montreal as an international-calibre leisure and business travel destination. The organization leads innovative tourist welcome strategies with a twofold objective: ensuring that visitors enjoy a quality experience and maximizing the economic benefits of tourism. Uniting more than 800 tourism professionals, Tourisme Montreal plays a leading role in the management and development of Montreal's tourism business, and makes recommendations on issues surrounding the city's economic, urban and cultural development. For more information, go to www.mtl.org. SOURCE Tourisme Montreal PR Newswire LONDON, Oct. 10, 2018 LONDON, Oct. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- This report provides forecast and analysis of the palletizers market at the global level. It provides historical data of 2013-2017 along with forecast from 2018 to 2028 in terms of revenue (US$ Mn) and volume (Units). The report also includes macroeconomic indicators along with an outlook on packaging demand and industrial robots demand globally. In addition, it includes global drivers, restraints and recent trends of the palletizers market. The report also comprises the study of opportunities for palletizers manufacturers and also includes detailed value chain analysis.Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5503698 In order to provide users of this report with comprehensive view of the market, we have included detailed competitiveness analysis and company players with their SWOT analysis and strategy overview. The dashboard provides detailed comparison of palletizers manufacturers on parameters such as operating margin, total revenue, product portfolio, and what we call 'innovation scale'. The study encompasses market attractiveness analysis by machine type, product type, end-user industry, and region.The report includes unit sales of palletizers and the revenue generated from sales of palletizers globally and across all important regional economies. The global palletizers market is segmented on the basis of Machine type into conventional palletizers and robotic palletizers. Conventional palletizers segment is further segmented into low-level palletizers and high-level palletizers.On the basis of product type, the global palletizers market is segmented into cases & boxes, bags & sacks, pails & drums, trays & crates and bundles.On the basis of end-user industry, the global palletizers market is segmented into food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, chemical, building & construction and others (ceramics, glass, etc.)Palletizers market numbers have been assessed based on sales and weighted average pricing of palletizers by machine type and then aggregate revenue is derived through country pricing trends. Palletizers market size and forecast for each segment have been provided in the context of regional markets. The palletizers market has been analyzed based on expected demand and current palletizers market scenario. Pricing is considered for the calculation of revenue that are average country prices obtained through primary quotes from numerous regional palletizers manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors. All key end users have been considered on the basis of secondary sources and feedback from primary respondents. Country demand patterns have been considered while estimating the palletizers market for various end uses of palletizers in different regions across the globe. Top-down approach has been used to estimate the palletizers market by country. Palletizers market numbers for all the regions by machine type, by product type and by end-user industry have been derived using the bottom-up approach, which is cumulative of each region's demand. Company-level palletizers market share has been derived on the basis of revenues reported by key manufacturers. The palletizers market has been forecast based on constant currency rates.A number of primary and secondary sources were consulted during the course of the study. Secondary sources include Factiva, World Bank, Packaging Digest, Hoover's, and company's annual reports and publications.Detailed profiles of companies are also included in the report to evaluate their strategies, key product offerings and recent developments. The key players of the global palletizers market are Premier Tech Chronos Ltd., ABB Ltd., FANUC Corp., Kion Group, Kuka Group, Honeywell International Inc., Okura Yusoki Co., Ltd., Columbia Machine, Inc., Fuji Yusoki Kogyo Co., Ltd. and Concetti S.P.A.Key Segments CoveredBy Machine TypeConventional PalletizersLow-levelHigh-levelRobotic PalletizersAnthromorphicGantryBy Product TypeCases & BoxesBags & SacksPails & DrumsTrays & CratesBundlesBy End-Use IndustryFoodBeveragePharmaceuticalCosmeticsChemicalBuilding & ConstructionOthersBy RegionNorth AmericaUSCanadaLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoArgentinaRest of Latin AmericaWestern EuropeGermanyItalyFranceUKSpainBeneluxNordicRest of Western EuropeEastern EuropeRussiaPolandRest of Eastern EuropeMiddle East & Africa (MEA)GCC CountriesSouth AfricaNorth AfricaTurkeyRest of MEAAsia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ)ChinaIndiaASEANSouth KoreaAustralia & New ZealandRest of APEJJapanDownload the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5503698 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 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/palletizers-market-robotic-palletizers-to-witness-increasing-adoption-across-multiple-end-use-industries-global-industry-analysis-2013---2017--opportunity-assessment-2018---2028-300728697.html SOURCE ReportBuyer PR Newswire SAINT PAUL, Minn., Oct. 10, 2018 SAINT PAUL, Minn., Oct. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ryan Companies unveiled their concept for the City of Saint Paul's Ford Site Master Plan in a neighborhood presentation at Highland Park Middle School tonight. The concept is the culmination of years of effort and thousands of hours of community conversations, research and due diligence, and offers a collaborative vision for the future of the site. In June of 2018, Ford awarded Ryan the development rights to the prominent 122-acre site. Since the award, Ryan Companies has been deeply engaged with city staff and the community in a series of group events where interested stakeholders shared their views on the approved plan. The Ryan team conducted a number of listening sessions with the general public, numerous meetings with neighborhood groups, and various resident gatherings, as well as dozens of meetings with City officials. "We are grateful for the community's thoughtful feedback during the past few months. We have received thousands of comments and data points which have helped our team shape a project that we are incredibly excited about and that brings forward the City's vision," said Tony Barranco, Senior Vice President of Development at Ryan Companies. "We know how important this site is to Saint Paul and its residents, and we take the role of building on the strong foundation of the Highland neighborhood seriously." In addition, Ryan Companies has devoted significant personnel to project due diligence including specialists in retail, multi-family and mixed use; construction, architectural, engineering, and environmental experts; and related specialists in legal, accounting, and community engagement. Specifically, Ryan conducted extensive due diligence to verify that the 122-acre parcel has been remediated and that it is safe for development. The environmental remediation plan undertaken by Ford has been overseen and approved by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the regulatory body that manages remediation action plans in the State of Minnesota. "We have taken our due diligence period very seriously, and we would not move forward with the development if we were not confident that it was cleaned up to residential standards," said Mike Ryan, Market Leader, Ryan Companies North Region. The City of Saint Paul's vision for the site is to create a connected, livable, mixed-use neighborhood that looks to the future. Ryan Companies' plans honor and build upon that vision, creating an extension of this highly regarded neighborhood. The concept focuses on high quality retail, residential and commercial buildings in alignment with market conditions and future growth. Committed to maintaining and extending the character of the existing neighborhood and to thoughtful transitions into and out of the site, the plan will include: Over 50 acres of public and open space that includes: And private development including: "After years of planning and discussing the future of this site we are thrilled to share the vision," said Mike Ryan. "We believe we have struck the right balance of housing types, open space, amenities, shops, affordability and yes, ballfields! Our goal has been to build the City's plan, to soften the edges of the site, maintain all that is beloved about Highland Park, while at the same time enhancing it. Neighborhoods like this are very rare, and I can't imagine a location in the state where a new resident would rather live," added Ryan. Overall, the project is estimated to bring over $1B of economic development to the area. Specifically, the project will create over 14,000 construction jobs over the course of the redevelopment and approximately 1,300 permanent jobs in a variety of industries including: retail, healthcare, office, senior living, housing, fitness and building operations. Ryan will submit their master plan and zoning amendment requests to the Saint Paul City Council for master site plan approval. In parallel, the Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) process will begin. Infrastructure work is anticipated to begin the Fall of 2019. About Ryan Companies US, Inc. Founded in 1938, Ryan Companies offers comprehensive commercial real estate services as a national developer, architect, capital investment consultant, builder and real estate manager with a focus on bringing lasting value to its customers and the communities in which it works. Ryan market depth includes retail, industrial, healthcare and senior living. Ryan development and corporate build-to-suit work spans a wide range of product types including office, mixed-use, hospitality, multifamily housing and mission critical facilities. Ryan has nearly 1,300 employees in 16 offices and has completed projects in 38 states. For more information, visit ryancompanies.com. CONTACT: Kathy Jalivay Ryan Companies US, Inc. [email protected] 612.492.4630 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ryan-presents-vision-for-development-of-ford-site-300729037.html SOURCE Ryan Companies US, Inc. PR Newswire HONOLULU, Oct. 10, 2018 HONOLULU, Oct. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Samantha Lockwood, opened an Authentic Bikram studio in Honolulu. Bikram Yoga HI, located at 1130 North Nimitz Highway, Suite B280 (in the Nimitz Center, 2nd floor above Eagle Cafe) will be offering free introductory classes for the Month of October for all Oahu residents. Residents who attend their first free class will be able to experience the therapeutic power of Bikram Yoga. "We are inviting all Oahu residents to come experience Bikram Yoga taught by certified Bikram teachers," said Lockwood. "We are offering the original 90 minute, 26 posture series with two breathing exercises that has helped thousands to improve the quality of their health and life." Lockwood has been around yoga her entire life. She became the youngest teacher to complete the Bikram Teacher Training in 1999 at the age of 17 and also received a medal for the Best Posture at the completion of her training. Since that time, she has gone on to teach Bikram Yoga across the country and internationally together with Bikram Choudhury, the founder of Bikram Yoga. Her early involvement in yoga was the result of her mother and father who were both successful actors and entrepreneurs that practiced Bikram Yoga in Beverly Hills. Originally from Los Angeles, Lockwood has been a frequent visitor to the islands since childhood and has spent many years between the Hawaiian Islands and California. She lived on Kauai for three years before recently moving to live on Oahu. "Kauai was the first place I enjoyed running a traditional Bikram Yoga studio and I'm looking forward to running this new larger studio space in Honolulu! I can't wait to bring this healing yoga practice to even more people." Similar to her parents, Lockwood began her career as an actress, following in the footsteps of her famous father, veteran sci-fi icon Gary Lockwood (2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)) Star Trek and co-star of two films with Elvis and her mother Denise DuBarry who was in the Black Sheep Squadron and Charlie's Angels. Lockwood played the leading lady, "Kate" in the Showtime action comedy titled Shoot the Hero (2010) as well as various roles in popular shows like CSI: NY and Hawaii Five-0. She has also been featured in numerous commercials. "We really want to provide the authentic Bikram Yoga for local practitioners," said Lockwood. "We are the one of the few true Bikram studios offering 90 min lessons with currently certified and re-certified teachers who attend the Bikram Yoga Teacher Training. Our aim is to teach with aloha and remain true to the style and sequence created by Choudhury in hopes that many will come to know and experience the therapeutic lasting benefits." Bikram Yoga HI Honolulu will be offering the first class to any Oahu resident for free during October. It will also be offering special rates on introductory annual packages throughout the month. For more information on Bikram Yoga HI Honolulu class times and pricing, visit www.bikramyogahi.com and follow @bikramyogahonolulu on Instagram. CONTACT: Samantha Lockwood 808-762-9806 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/samantha-lockwood-opens-authentic-certified-bikram-yoga-studio-in-honolulu-with-free-introductory-classes-300729126.html SOURCE Bikram Yoga HI Honolulu PR Newswire VIENNA, Oct. 11, 2018 VIENNA, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- YITU Technology was featured at the 3rd "Bridges for Cities - Belt and Road Initiative: Developing Green Economies for Cities" in Vienna to showcase its advanced smart city solutions as one of the leading companies representing a case city: Shanghai. The "Bridges for Cities" event, jointly held by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Finance Center for South-South Cooperation (FCSSC), aims to deliver concrete outcomes to facilitate the implementation of sustainable urban-industrial development projects in cities across the Belt and Road and beyond. Over 188 cities from 88 countries attended the event. In Vienna, YITU shared its insights and practice of AI technology on how the company is engaged in Shanghai's urban intelligent development, as well as demonstrated a use case in the form of AI-enhanced healthcare as part of Shanghai's smart city exhibition. YITU's intelligent healthcare solutions are currently adopted seamlessly into clinical work flow by over 100 top-ranked hospitals in China, showing great potential for a future intelligent healthcare system. "AI will play a crucial role in the progress of building smart cities by automating essential functions and aid city planning. To accomplish such a goal, AI companies shoulder great responsibilities to find a commercial use for the technology so that cities can be more intelligent and convenient for their inhabitants," said Fan Jingyan, Vice President, Government Affairs of YITU Technology. "Over 30 countries and regions have been benefited from YITU's state-of-the-art AI technologies to contribute to create a better, smarter and more convenient world." Bernardo Calzadilla-Sarmiento, UNIDO's director of Department of Trade, Investment and Innovation commented, "it's impressive to see how much AI is changing human society. We look forward to seeing YITU share its experience to more cities around the world." Shanghai is one of the four case cities to demonstrate their urban industrial solutions at the event, chosen specially by UNIDO for their potential to adopt new technologies for positive change. These pioneer cities introduced the projects they have currently implemented and discussed the trends and challenges for future smart urban cities. Shanghai's planners are banking on smart city development and intelligent manufacturing to further enhance the city's global reputation. As one of the companies representing Shanghai and an avid participant in Shanghai's intelligent city development, YITU has been sharing its experience and expanding its cooperation with cities across the Belt and Road region and beyond. In September, YITU and UNIDO ITPO Shanghai (Investment and Technology Promotion Office of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization) signed a strategic cooperation agreement for promoting the growth of developing countries assisted with AI technology. YITU has always been committed to helping more cities around the globe with its leading technologies, and strategic partnerships with international organizations including UNIDO will accelerate this vision. Along with working closer together with UNIDO, YITU is widely acknowledged for its AI capabilities and efficiencies that contribute to higher and bigger international platforms. It not only shows technology innovation has become mainstream in sustainable development, but also that Chinese companies are becoming a significant and leading force in global sustainable development. About YITU Technology YITU Technology (YITU) is a pioneer in practical artificial intelligence (AI) research and innovation that provides advanced AI-based business solutions to build a safer, better and healthier world. YITU owns a world-class R&D team that drives industrial development to find comprehensive solutions in the areas of machine vision, speech and language understanding. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/yitu-showcases-smart-city-solutions-at-unido-event-to-enhance-global-urban-livability-300729236.html SOURCE YITU Tech 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. A total of 190 new Canadians were welcomed to the community during two separate citizenship ceremonies hosted in Brandon on Wednesday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 10/10/2018 (1132 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us 10102018 Fatimat Idris and her son Daniel Mustapha of Nigeria are greeted by Judge Suzanne Carrier to receive their certificates of Canadian citizenship during a citizenship ceremony at the Dome Building on Wednesday. 95 people from 14 different countries became Canadian citizens during the ceremony. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun) A total of 190 new Canadians were welcomed to the community during two separate citizenship ceremonies hosted in Brandon on Wednesday. "I appreciate everyone for being supportive and being kind and always being there for myself and my family and the opportunity given to me," new Canadian citizen Fatimat Idris said. Idris and her son Daniel, 8, took their oath of citizenship at theDominion Exhibition Display Building No. II, also known as the "Dome Building," along with 93 others on Wednesday afternoon. Another ceremony welcoming 95 new citizens was held in the morning. 10102018 Bill Biglieni is greeted by Brandon East MLA Len Isleifson and Brandon West MLA Reg Helwer after receiving his Canadian citizenship during a citizenship ceremony at the Dome Building on Wednesday. 95 people from 14 different countries became Canadian citizens during the ceremony. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun) Walking the stage was an exhilarating and joyful experience, Idris said. "Canada is one of the best countries." Leaving Nigeria five years ago, Idris travelled to Canada with her young son in search of a better life a life she wanted to see filled with greater opportunity for the both of them. Idris started on the path toward becoming a Canadian citizen in 2013, with the two travelling more than 10,000 kilometres from Nigeria to Canada on June 20, 2013. 10102018 Eleven-month-old Ezra Candelaria smiles and waves a Canadian flag during a citizenship ceremony at the Dome Building on Wednesday. Candelaria's parents Shaun and Cherielynne, from the Philippines, both became Canadian citizens in the ceremony. 95 people from 14 different countries became Canadian citizens during the ceremony. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun) "The dream came true, I was so excited especially when I landed in Canada . I came to my dream land; my land of opportunity," Idris said. The opportunities presented for citizens both in terms of education and career opportunities played a major role in her decision to set off to Canada in the pursuit of a new life. More importantly, Idris said that she feels safe in her new country, especially after recent problems in Nigeria. With family still in the Nigeria, Idris hopes that they will soon be able to join her Canada. 10102018 Efrain Rojas and Fatimat Idris sing the Canadian national anthem alongside fellow new Canadians during a citizenship ceremony at the Dome Building on Wednesday. 95 people from 14 different countries became Canadian citizens during the ceremony. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun) "Im very excited Im happy," she said. "Its a privilege and its a great opportunity to be a Canadian citizen." Moving to Brandon and later Souris, Idris said that she has has found a welcoming community in the Westman area. The support she received from Canadians in terms of their friendliness, caring and accommodation made her and her son's journeys on the path to citizenship feel easy. "Im home," she said. "I feel like Im actually in my home, so I feel so excited." The country is a symbol of joy, hope and opportunity, Idris said, where people care about each other and are friendly, but more importantly the country is a beacon offering unique and important opportunities. "Its a great reminder of what we have as Canadians," citizenship Judge Suzanne Carriere said. "We are so lucky, and it is so easy to take that for granted." Being around the excitement and happiness of those taking their oath of citizenship is always a privilege, saidCarriere, who has conducted more than 30 citizenship ceremonies. Seeing the joy in peoples faces as they receive their citizenship a dream dream come true for many is always a special moment, she said. "Its an absolute honour and a privilege,"Carriere said. "It really makes you grateful for being a Canadian." @The_ChelseaKemp ckemp@brandonsun.com After six months of chemotherapy in her Guatemalan hometown, doctors told Debbie Cohen de Mishaan that she would need to go to America for surgery and radiation therapy. The forty-eight-year-old mother of three was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2017. In September, she began making plans to travel to Houstons MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her parents and a friend would accompany her. Arriving at Aishel House, Debbie perked up. This was not like the places she had stayed on previous trips to Houston. The impeccable accommodations, the consideration to detail and incidentals provided her with an unexpected level of comfort. The apartments were beautiful, she says. Everything we needed was there. Rabbi Lazer and Rochel Lazaroff take care of patients and their families who come for treatment to any of the twenty-one hospitals in Texas Medical Center: lodging, hot meals, commutes, and other support services relieve families of some stress during their difficult ordeal. In 1995, the Lazaroffs opened Aishel House with a single apartment that they rented out at a nominal fee. Since then, they have provided over sixty thousand nights of accommodation. Demand for their services is universal, and they host people of all backgrounds. Lazer, a Texas native, is also a chaplain at St. Lukes and Texas Childrens hospitals. Debbie came at the right time. In May, the Lazaroffs had opened the doors of a new thirty-five thousand-square-foot facility, dedicated by artist and philanthropist Barbara Hines. The building contains twenty one-bedroom apartments and three two-bedrooms, each equipped with a full kitchen. The ground floor features offices, a synagogue, a handicapped-accessible mikvah (still under construction), and two additional kitchens. Debbie smiles in front of the Aishel building Theres a lot of cooking going on at Aishel House, where guests have the option of using their private kitchens or enjoying dinners prepared by volunteers. Hot, homemade soup is always on hand. And Shabbat dinners are served on fine china, with flower arrangements for the tables and lobby provided by a local community member. The accommodations could easily be mistaken for a boutique hotel, which is precisely what the Lazaroffs had in mind. We want people to feel loved, taken care of, says the rabbi, noting that most guests visit during periods of extraordinary personal strain. Before I left, says Debbie, I told them, I need to come back here with my family. Supporting People Patients who travel for treatment are particularly vulnerable. Staying in an unfamiliar city, often for weeks or months at a time, they find themselves separated from their homes and communities at the time when they need those resources most. Thats why the Lazaroffs started Aishel House to be supportive of people. Guests are treated as family. Rochel will get up at 6:00 A.M. to say goodbye to patients before they leave for morning appointments, and she also likes to surprise them when they come back late. Arthur Kupperman came to MD Anderson from his home in Florida to be treated for non-Hodgkin lymphoma last November. He stayed at Aishel House for ten days before checking into the hospital for two months of in-patient treatment. He says that the convivial atmosphere at the Shabbat dinners he attended made for a pleasant contrast to the impersonal environment of a hotel. For lone caregivers, isolation can compound feelings of helplessness, as Arthurs wife, Bonnie, learned during the couples earlier trips to Houston. When youre on your own, you flounder, she says. Sometimes, things dont go well, and the patient needs help. If youre in an apartment by yourself, you have to stand in the middle of the street and yell. Knowing that the Lazaroffs were downstairs, ready to help get her husband to the right doctor was a huge comfort. Bonnie, a retired newspaper reporter who has been involved in Conservative and Reform synagogues her whole life, hesitated when her husband first suggested Aishel House. She didnt think she would feel comfortable with Chabad. The welcoming, the openness, has just been incredible, she says. Tikkun olam they [the Lazaroffs] exemplify the whole thing. Inside, the building is modern and spacious Mitzvah Matchmakers Much of the Lazaroffs work is made possible by a dedicated corps of volunteers who cook meals, assemble welcome packets, and shuttle patients to and from the hospitals, airport, and grocery stores. Retirees, students, and young professionals are drawn to Aishel House as a place where they can make a difference in peoples lives. Were mitzvah matchmakers, says Rochel, who coordinates the volunteers. People come, and they pick what works for them. After Hurricane Harvey, people just showed up at our door to volunteer. They knew something would be happening here, and it was. Josh Tillis and Danya Skolkin were to be married and had planned to host a dinner for their out-of-town wedding guests at Aishel House, where Danyas mother was a longtime volunteer. But when the wedding was postponed because of the hurricane, the Lazaroffs used the food they had ordered for the wedding dinner to feed displaced Houstonians instead. The bride and groom pitched in to help cook. Their story was later featured in a series of articles about weddings written for The New York Times. The Heart of the Matter People who spend their lives caring for patients battling terminal illness are sometimes advised to detach emotionally, to better cope with the stress. But the Lazaroffs have been doing this for twenty-five years, and theyve never detached. We still cry, Lazer says. Rabbi Lazer Lazaroff speaks at a fundraising event Their work may be emotionally taxing, but its part of the job description. The Lubavitcher Rebbe partook of everyones joy and everyones pain. Were his emissaries, and we have to do the same in our little corner of the world. When treatment is successful, as it was for Debbie, the Lazaroffs celebrate. After her first trip, Debbie returned to Houston for another seven weeks of radiation therapy, bringing her children and husband with her as promised. Her children played ball with the Lazaroff children, while Debbie studied Torah with Rochel. She says that the experience felt so good, she almost forgot why she was there. We came there for a long treatment and we ended up with a short vacation. By Ann O'Loughlin A bank-appointed receiver has launched High Court proceedings against the occupants of a property in Pearse Street, Dublin. The court heard the property, which the receiver wants to sell, has been occupied as part of "a politically motivated campaign" highlighting the current homelessness situation. The application seeking vacant possession of the premises at 76 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 has been brought by insolvency practitioner Mr Declan Taite who was appointed as receiver over the property by AIB in 2013. Mr Taite claims the property has been occupied by persons unknown since early September who have no lawful right to be on the premises. The court heard agents for the receiver, who had been inspecting the property on a regular basis, first noticed the locks had been changed and that persons had moved into the property around September 6 last. The receivers' agents have been unable to gain access to the property due to some sort of a blockade placed behind the door. Persons had been seen inside and around the building but have not identified themselves, the receiver also claims. A banner with the words "Pearse Street Occupation" written on it has also been placed outside the building the court heard. As a result of the occupation, Mr Taite seeks various orders directing those in the premises to cease trespassing and that they give up vacant possession of the property. At the High Court today Ms Justice Caroline Costello granted lawyers for the receiver, on an ex parte basis, permission to serve short notice of the proceedings on the occupants of the premises. The Judge adjourned the matter to a date next week. The application is the latest in a series of High Court actions brought against persons occupying what had been vacant in central Dublin as part of a campaign to highlight Ireland's homeless and accommodation crisis. By Padraig Hoare The only data centre in Munster has doubled in size, as part of a 6m investment that it says will be a catalyst for Corks transition to 5G, the next evolution of mobile device technology. Cork Internet eXchange (CIX) data centre, at Hollyhill, on Corks northside, has doubled in size, to 1,200 sq m, following the opening of a new data hall, and the new investment will increase its connectivity capacity by 500%, it said. The firm, which connects businesses, said it will be creating 15 new jobs in Cork, Toronto, and Hyderabad, in India, over the next three years, as it enters new markets. Its data centres will be fully powered by renewable energy by 2020, following a partnership with a windfarm in Dunmanway. CIX chief executive, Jerry Sweeney, said: It sees the expansion of our physical data centre, as well as a massive increase in our connectivity capacity, which will provide some of the fastest connectivity in Ireland. The firm said the increased capacity would assist Cork in adapting to 5G. The successor to the current 4G on most mobile networks, 5G is the next generation of mobile technology, built upon the foundation of 4G. It will provide four main features, such as ultra-high speeds, as well as the ability to connect a huge amount of devices. It will also increase the reliability of the connection and will mean very low latency, which is the amount of time a message takes to navigate across a system. Mr Sweeney said the new investment would mean CIX had the lowest latency in the Republic to the UK and the lowest in Europe to the US. By Ann O'Loughlin The imprisoned boss of a fundraising platform business at the centre of an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of 3.8m in charity donations intends to contest High Court orders freezing his assets. Ms Justice Caroline Costello was informed today that Peter Conlon, MD of Dublin-based donation platform Pembroke Dynamic Internet Services - currently detained in a Swiss prison - intends to oppose the continuation of the injunction freezing his assets. The injunction freezing Mr Conlon's assets including his bank accounts below a value of 3.8m, was granted earlier this year following an application to the court by the liquidator appointed to the company, Mr Myles Kirby, in January. Mr Conlon (63), with an address at St Marys Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin, was detained at Zurich airport shortly before Christmas. Mr Kirby, who was appointed to wind up the company over a 400,000 debt owed to Revenue, sought the orders after he commenced an investigation into Pembroke Dynamic. As part of his probe, Mr Kirby discovered various charities have not received some 3.8m donated to them via the platform. Mr Kirby claims Mr Conlon is "guilty of very serious misconduct" as company funds were used for personal expenditure. About 700 national and international-based charities have been contacted as part of the liquidator's investigation. Pembroke, which previously traded as Ammado Internet Services, was an online donation platform through which people could give money to various charities, with the company taking 5%. Since the freezing orders were obtained, the case has been adjourned with the temporary injunction remaining in place. Today, Rossa Fanning SC, for the liquidator, said his client was seeking to fix a date for the hearing of an application to have the injunction remain in place until the case has been decided. Counsel said Mr Conlon has been formally served with the documentation in the case at the Swiss prison where he is currently incarcerated. As counsel was making his submissions, Ms Justice Costello was made aware of a letter emailed to the court on behalf of Mr Conlon. The Judge said that Mr Conlon was indicating in the letter that he intended to oppose the application to continue the freezing orders and that he had retained an Irish solicitor to represent him. Mr Fanning said that his client was unaware of the communication from Mr Conlon until it was read by the Judge. In light of the email's contents, counsel, who said that the fact Mr Conlon remains in a Swiss jail presents its own difficulties, asked that the case be adjourned for several weeks. The Judge agreed and listed the case for mention to a date in November. Ryanair has launched its Ireland Summer 2019 schedule with 15 new routes including exciting connections such as Dublin to Gothenburg and Thessaloniki, Cork-Malta and Shannon-Ibiza. The company announced that over 150 routes in total will deliver 16.4m customers through Dublin, Cork, Kerry, Knock and Shannon airports, as it grows its Irish traffic by 3%. The nine new routes from Dublin are Bordeaux (2), Bournemouth (4), Cagliari (2), Frankfurt (2 daily), Gothenburg (2), Lourdes (2), Luxembourg (3), London Southend (2 daily) and Thessaloniki (2). Five new routes from Cork are Budapest (2), London Luton (daily), Malta (2), Naples (2) and Poznan (2). The new route from Shannon is Ibiza (2). Ryanairs Kenny Jacobs said the company were pleased to launch their biggest ever Irish Summer schedule (2019). "With 15 new routes and over 150 routes in total, which will deliver 16.4 million customers through our 5 Irish airports, as we grow our Irish traffic by 3%. Irish customers and visitors can book Summer 2019 flights from today, so theres never been a better time to book a low fare flight with Ryanair. "Ryanair continues to grow Irish traffic, routes, tourism and jobs, while the 16.4m customers who will travel to and from Ireland will support and sustain over 12,500 ancillary jobs, alongside a tourism spend over 2bn. To celebrate the launch of our Ireland Summer 2019 schedule we are releasing seats for sale on routes just 14.99 for travel from October to December, which are available for booking until midnight Sunday (14 Oct). Since these amazing low prices will be snapped up quickly, customers should log onto www.ryanair.com and avoid missing out. Dublin Airport Managing Director, Vincent Harrison said Ryanair was an important customer and the airport were delighted to see further expansion on its route network from Dublin Airport for next summer. "The addition of these new services means that Ryanair is now connected to more than 100 destinations from Dublin Airport, offering more choice and flexibility for customers. We wish Ryanair every success with its new routes and we will continue to work closely with its management team to promote and market these new services. CEO of Tourism Ireland, Niall Gibbons said the announcement was good news for Irish tourism as it prepared for 2019. "Tourism Ireland already works very closely with Ryanair and we look forward to co-operating with them to maximise the promotion of their services to Dublin, Cork, Kerry, Knock and Shannon Airports next year. "As an island, the importance of convenient, direct, non-stop flights cannot be overstated they are absolutely critical to achieving growth in inbound tourism. 2018 looks set to be another record year for Irish tourism, with the latest CSO figures showing more than 7.2 million arrivals from overseas during January to August this year an increase of almost +8% when compared to the same eight-month period in 2017. "Todays announcement by Ryanair is really positive and augurs well for prospects for tourism to Ireland in 2019 and beyond. - Digital Desk The Disclosures Tribunal, which is chaired by Justice Peter Charleton, has published its third interim report. The report found: Sgt Maurice McCabe was "repulsively denigrated for being no more than a good citizen and police officer"; The Tribunal found former garda Commissioner Martin Callinan and former press officer Dave Taylor engaged in a campaign to harm Sgt McCabe's reputation. Superintendent Dave Taylor completely understated his own involvement in a 'campaign of calumny' against Maurice McCabe and it was not the case that he acted under orders; No credible evidence that Deputy Commissioner Noirin OSullivan played any hand, act or part in any campaign against Sgt McCabe; Former Minister Tribunal Frances Fitzgerald's evidence was an "honest appraisal" of events leading to her resignation, and "not a lazy dodging of the issues". She "selflessly resigned". Noirin OSullivan welcomes Charleton report A spokesman for former Garda Commissioner Noirin O Sullivan has said she welcomed the Charleton report. He told the Irish Examiner she was attending a family engagement over the weekend and would study the report in full next week and issue further comment thereafter. Maurice McCabe feels 'vindicated' by Charleton report Maurice McCabe's solicitor Sean Costello has said Sgt McCabe is "relieved" that Mr Justice Peter Charlton has released the 400-page report, and feels vindicated by it, adding that "this chapter is now finished". Mr Costello said the report shows Sgt McCabe is "an honest and genuine man". He added that Sgt McCabe and his wife, Lorraine, will now take time to go through the report in depth and digest the findings. Latest: Garda Commissioner Harris to set up group to examine Charleton's 'difficult' findings Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said An Garda Siochana fully accepts the findings of Mr Justice Charleton in today's third interim report, although it "makes for difficult reading for the organisation". Commissioner Harris, who took over the role last month, said the report is "an opportunity to change how (An Garda) operates so we provide a professional and ethical service to the public". He said he will establish a group "to examine Mr Justice Charletons findings from policy, process, discipline and cultural perspectives to identify the lessons to be learnt and changes to be made". He further acknowledged Mr Justice Charletons comments about Sergeant McCabe, who is referred to in the report as a "good citizen" who was "repulsively denigrated" in a smear campaign. Commissioner Harris said: "I acknowledge the difficult time he and his family have endured and I hope this chapter is drawing to a close. I will ensure Sergeant McCabe and all Garda personnel referenced in the report receive appropriate supports." Garda Commissioner Drew Harris Latest: Tribunal report says former Commissioner Callinan and press officer Taylor were involved in McCabe smear campaign The Disclosures Tribunal has found two senior gardai were involved in a smear campaign against the Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe. The Tribunal found former garda Commissioner Martin Callinan and former press officer Dave Taylor engaged in a campaign to harm the garda whistleblowers reputation. However, the report also finds there is no credible evidence that former Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan played any hand, act or part in any smear campaign. Former Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan The report finds Martin Callinan made derogatory remarks to two TDs and the Comptroller and Auditor General about Maurice McCabe. In a section headed 'John McGuinness TD and Commissioner Callinan', the report says Public Accounts Committee chairman John McGuinness TD had met Maurice McCabe on a number of occasions since 2011 in relation to the penalty points issue and other concerns which he was raising. Deputy McGuinness told the tribunal that he was one of the public representatives who had heard rumours about Maurice McCabe. Those rumours intensified in the lead-up to Maurice McCabes appearance before the Public Accounts Committee in January 2014. There was a period of what the report says was "intensive correspondence" between Deputy McGuinness and Commissioner Callinan, when the Public Accounts Committee were moving towards a compromise whereby, contrary to the wishes of the Commissioner, a serving sergeant (Maurice McCabe) was to appear to testify on matters gleaned from PULSE, a system of information reserved to gardai, but was to do so in private. This was in advance of a meeting on January 24, 2014 between Commissioner Martin Callinan and John McGuinness TD in the car park of Bewleys Hotel at Newlands Cross in Dublin. Prior to that meeting, phone records demonstrate contact between the two men, on January 23 and 24. John McGuinness TD told the tribunal that these phone calls were to arrange the meeting. John McGuinness told the tribunal that Commissioner Callinan led him to believe that there was an ongoing investigation into sexual allegations against Maurice McCabe. John McGuinness TD described how what had been said had shocked and worried him. Commissioner Martin Callinan had a radically different view of the car park meeting and rejected the account given by Deputy McGuinness. Commissioner Callinan told the Tribunal: "I didn't at any point in the conversation try to undermine the working of the Public Accounts Committee or speak in derogatory terms of Sergeant McCabe, nor would I." However, the Tribunal report states: The conversations as described by John McGuinness TD took place. The report goes on to say: "As far as Commissioner Callinans state of emotion left him, it was only by a frontal attack that he might head off what he saw as the undermining of standards of duty and loyalty to which he had devoted his career. That involved, regrettably, a pretence that Maurice McCabe was not only unreliable, but that reliance on him would be a trap, the springing of which, through him being charged with one or multiple sexual abuse allegations, would leave Deputy McGuinness looking more than foolish." Of the view of Maurice McCabe between Martin Callinan and Dave Taylor, the report says: "The evidence establishes that there was a meeting of minds between the two police officers as to how Maurice McCabe was to be viewed. On an overall view of the evidence, this confirms that Commissioner Martin Callinan was not alone in his attempts to denigrate the character of Maurice McCabe. They were acting together." Latest: Sgt McCabe has done State considerable service, says Minister Flanagan; Tusla apologises Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan has welcomed the report saying that the tribunal's investigation "goes to the heart of how An Garda Siochana handle allegations of wrongdoing within the force". Minister Flanagan reiterated the point that Sgt Maurice McCabe had done the State considerable service and that his actions "arose out of a legitimate drive to ensure that An Garda Siochana serves the people". "It is worth pointing out that Mr Justice Charleton says in his report that it is important to read it in its entirety to appreciate the sense of its overall findings," Minister Flagan said in a statement. "I and my officials will examine the report to see what actions are required in the light of its contents and conclusions." The Minister said that he will an implementation plan to Cabinet this term, taking careful account of the conclusions of Mr Justice Charleton. Meanwhile, the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, has also responded to the publication of the report. Tusla said that it would like to "reiterate our sincere apology to Sergeant McCabe and each member of his family for the impact Tuslas errors had on them. "Tusla is sincerely sorry that its standards did not meet those which could be reasonably expected by Sergeant McCabe and his family." The agency also extended an apology to others who were affected by the errors that were made. It said that a full response would be issued once the report has been examined in full. Maurice McCabe and his wife Lorraine Latest: Tribunal accepts honest appraisal given by Frances Fitzgerald of events leading to her resignation The Disclosures Tribunal has accepted evidence given by former Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald regarding the controversy which led to her resignation in November 2017, and says she "selflessly resigned". Frances Fitzgerald said at the time that she was resigning over her handling of the whistleblower scandal to avoid an "unwelcome and potentially destabilising" snap election. In a Dail speech to mark her resignation, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he believed she would be vindicated by the Disclosures Tribunal. Her resignation followed a storm of controversy over emails she received advising her of the legal strategy by former Garda commissioner Noirin OSullivan against Garda whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe. In her evidence regarding an email from Michael Flahive, an assistant secretary in the Department of Justice, Ms Fitzgerald said: "I mean, the way I would have responded to the email was that, first of all, it was about something that was happening at the OHiggins Commission. Now, I would have regarded the OHiggins Commission as really quasi-judicial under the Commission of Investigation Act, it was private, it was independent and I did not see any role for myself in relation to the OHiggins Commission... It would have been completely inappropriate for me, as Minister, to interfere, to have any political interference. The day of political interference in something like that was well gone, as far as I was concerned. The report said that it accepted this evidence as "an honest appraisal of the situation. It was not a lazy dodging of the issues but rather a considered response to the information". It also is satisfied that Frances Fitzgerald and former Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan did not speak to each other about the matter. Maurice McCabe a 'genuine person', who experienced a 'campaign of calumny' against him The latest report from the Disclosures Tribunal has found that garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe is a genuine person who at all times has had the interest of the people of Ireland uppermost in his mind. This section of the Disclosures Tribunal was looking to see whether senior gardai engaged in a campaign to smear Sgt McCabe. The report is more than 400 pages long and is divided into four sections including one which focuses on allegations that Sgt McCabe's character was assassinated. The report strongly criticises former Garda Press Officer Dave Taylor for "disgraceful behaviour", describing him as a witness "whose credibility was completely undermined by his own bitterness". The Tribunal found that Superintendent Taylor was part of a "campaign of calumny" against Maurice McCabe. "The tribunal is convinced that he (Superintendent Taylor) pursued a scheme that somehow evolved out of his cheek-by-jowl working relationship with (former Garda) Commissioner Martin Callinan," the report states. The report also found that whistleblower Maurice McCabe is a "genuine person who at all times has had the interests of the people of Ireland uppermost in his mind", and that Sgt McCabe regarded those interests as "superior to any loyalty" which he had to the police force of the State. "Neither interest should ever be in conflict," it added. In terms of then Deputy Commissioner Noirin OSullivan, the report found there is no credible evidence that she played any hand, act or part in any campaign against Maurice McCabe. Former Deputy COmmissionner and Commissioner Noirin O Sullivan The report also strongly criticises the child and family agency Tusla for its handling of the false rape claim made against Sgt Maurice McCabe. Maurice McCabe is praised throughout the report which notes that people will be horrified about all the negative things said about him and all the reports which floated around. Charleton on Noirin O'Sullivan part 2: "it was more than improbable that nothing emerged in the car journey with him back to Garda Headquarters from the meeting of the Public Accounts Committee on 23 January 2014. It was disappointing to hear her evidence on this." #iestaff Daniel McConnell (@McConnellDaniel) October 11, 2018 Update 12.55pm: Maurice McCabe 'repulsively denigrated' for being 'good citizen' The Disclosures Tribunal has found that Sgt Maurice McCabe was "repulsively denigrated for being no more than a good citizen and police officer". The tribunal, which is chaired by Justice Peter Charleton, has published its third interim report. It follows hearings investigating whether there was a smear campaign orchestrated by Garda management against the Garda whistleblower. The report strongly criticises former Garda Press Officer Dave Taylor for "disgraceful behaviour", describing him as a witness "whose credibility was completely undermined by his own bitterness". Peter Charleton also concluded that Superintendent Taylor completely understated his own involvement in a campaign of calumny against Maurice McCabe and that it was not the case that he acted under orders. You can read the full report below. The Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe says the Government needs to know where it stands with Fianna Fail on the Confidence and Supply agreement. Both parties have agreed to talks in the coming weeks to try to secure an extension to the current deal, agreed back in 2016. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has indicated the talks may not begin until after the EU Brexit summit next week. Minister Donohoe says it is important the political situation remains stable here against a backdrop of uncertainty over Brexit. "What I believe is important is given the speculation which has even intensified today, given the fluidity of British politics at the moment and the impending importance of the European Council meeting next week and what will take place in November that we do need to know where we stand," said Minister Donohoe. "We have to enter into that period of uncertainty with a stable environment here in Ireland." Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has earmarked Halloween as a potential deadline for concluding the exchanges. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin told the Dail this evening that the Taoiseach had spent much of this year trying to create an instability which would allow him to collapse his own government. Yet again this week we see stories based on Fine Gael sources focused not on getting to grips with the housing and health emergencies or the cost of living crisis but on when it suits them to force an election, Mr Martin said. We need to put these games aside and to focus on the issues at hand. Digital Desk A Roma supporter lashed out at a Liverpool fan as he fell to the ground during a joint attack ahead of a Champions League semi-final, a court has heard. Filippo Lombardi, 21, is accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Sean Cox, 53, outside Anfield before the first leg of the game on April 24. Opening the trial at Preston Crown Court on Thursday, Neville Biddle, prosecuting, said: Before the match, a Liverpool supporter Sean Cox, a middle-aged family man from Dublin, who was a lifelong Liverpool supporter and who had come to Liverpool with his older brother Martin, was assaulted and knocked unconscious and seriously injured. He added: Its the Crowns case that two men were involved in the assault on Sean Cox this defendant and another. It was the other man that struck the blow that felled Sean Cox and rendered him unconscious. The Crown say this was a joint attack by the other man and the defendant, they were both acting together and therefore equally responsible for the injuries inflicted. The court was told a second man had been arrested in Rome and was awaiting extradition. Mr Coxs wife and other family members sat in the public gallery for the start of the trial, along with about six members of Lombardis family. Mr Biddle said Lombardi and the man shown on footage punching Mr Cox, referred to as N40, were at the front of a group of about 50 fans who walked from Liverpool Lime Street station to the stadium ahead of the match. He said: A witness, Mykel Askew, was on Venmore Street when he noticed the group of Italian fans all walking in the same direction approaching the ground, many of them had their faces covered and they were chanting in Italian. He believed that they were going to cause trouble. Some of the group were taking their belts off and were holding them in a threatening manner. The court heard Mr Cox, from Dunboyne, Co Meath, Ireland, and his brother had been outside the Albert pub when they heard the group chanting and Martin Cox had gone to move away from them. Mr Biddle said: Even as he did, he turned to see Sean Cox lying motionless on the ground. He said footage pieced together from CCTV and mobile phones showed Lombardi raising his belt as if to strike Sean Cox, before the other man punched him. He added: As he is falling to the ground, the defendant lashes out at him as he falls. It is quite clear, the Crown say, the defendant and N40 are acting together in a joint attack on an innocent bystander. He said Lombardi was identified on footage by Italian officers and arrested before leaving the match. Alison Gurden, defending, said Lombardi, who had an Italian interpreter with him in the dock, had admitted an offence of violent disorder and accepted his behaviour following the attack on Mr Cox went too far. She said: Theres no dispute Mr Cox suffered catastrophic injuries and its clear that Mr Cox suffered those injuries due to the fact he was punched but Mr Lombardi would tell you he didnt punch Mr Cox and he doesnt accept he assaulted either Sean Cox or his brother Martin Cox. She said Mr Lombardi had no idea N40 was going to assault Mr Cox or anyone else in an unprovoked attack. The trial is expected to last until next week.- Press Association Earlier: Italian supporter in court to face charge over injured Liverpool fan Sean Cox An Italian man accused of attacking and seriously injuring an Irishman outside Anfield before a Liverpool match is due to stand trial today. Sean Cox, from Dunboyne in Co. Meath, suffered severe brain injuries when he was hit just minutes before a Champions League game last April. Inset: Sean Cox Sean Cox was attacked while making his way to Anfield less than an hour before Liverpool were due to kick-off against Italian side Roma last April. He spent weeks in a local hospital before he was transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. He was recently moved to the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoghaire where he is undergoing an intensive 12-week treatment plan. Filippo Lombardi from Viale Antonio Ciamarra in Rome is charged with wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm on the 53-year-old married father of three. It is an offence which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The 21-year-old is due to stand trial before a judge and jury this morning, and it is understood some of Mr. Coxs family members, including his wife Martina have travelled to Preston to watch proceedings. His case was mentioned briefly yesterday and a jury is due to be sworn in this morning to hear whats expected to be a five-day trial. Digital Desk By Ruaidhri Giblin A man who murdered his infant son 17 years ago is seeking to have his conviction declared a miscarriage of justice on grounds that he was diagnosed with schizophrenia in recent years. Yusuf Ali Abdi, with a last address at The Elms, College Road, Clane, Co Kildare, pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to murdering his son, Nathan Baraka Andrew Ali, in an apartment at that address on April 17, 2001. Abdis defence at trial was that he was insane and a number of medical experts were called by the defence to support that view. He claimed he was a zombie and that voices told him to hit the child, so he struck his son against a wall several times, by swinging the child by the legs. The Prosecution also called a number of medical witnesses to say he was not psychotic. Crucially, the prosecution called Dr Damien Mohan of the Central Mental Hospital who said Abdi was not suffering from psychosis. Abdi was found guilty of murdering his son by a 10-2 majority jury verdict and given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Paul Carney on May 28, 2003. He lost an appeal against his conviction in 2004 but was back in court today seeking to have his conviction declared a miscarriage of justice on the basis of alleged new or newly discovered facts. Counsel for Abdi, Barry White SC, instructed by MacGuill and Company Solicitors, said his client was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2013. In light of the diagnosis, it was submitted that Dr Mohans diagnosis in 2003, though bona fide, was erroneous and amounted to a new or newly discovered fact which showed there had been a miscarriage of justice. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Jonathan Kilfeather SC, said the 2013 diagnosis was an opinion as opposed to a fact. They argued that allowing Abdis appeal would open the floodgates and trials should not be reopened simply due to the passage of time. President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham, who sat with Mr Justice John Edwards and Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, said the court would reserve its judgment. He said it was a case that raised significant issues. During counsels submissions, Mr Justice Edwards remarked that unless there were new insights based on advances in science, opinions debated at the time were what mattered. Mr White said his client came from Somalia to Ireland in 1997 and was granted refugee status in 2000. He married Irish woman Amanda Bailey and they had a son. In support of his contention that the 2013 diagnosis was a new or newly discovered fact, Mr White detailed a review of material related to Abdis experience in detention since his sons death, which was carried out by Dr Aggrey Washington Burke, a London-based consultant psychiatrist. The records reviewed by Dr Burke indicated that on discharge from the Central Mental Hospital in June 2003, to begin serving his life sentence, Abdis diagnosis was depression with no sustained evidence of psychosis. On a second admission to the CMH in September 2005, a senior medic was of the view that there was more clinical evidence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder than of any psychotic psychiatric disorder. In 2007, Abdi was again in the CMH for four months following his assault on a prison officer. He complained of low mood and of hearing voices commanding him to hurt others. He was observed banging his head against the wall. On that occasion, the senior medic believed Abdis complaints were not supported by observations consistent with a psychotic illness. However, a final diagnoses in October 2013, after almost five months in the CMH, were paranoid schizophrenia and antisocial personality disorder. Dr Burke noted that Abdi had presented with long-standing delusions involving prison officers and psychiatric staff. He described thought interference from supernatural forces and an extensive persecutory belief system which appeared delusional in nature. A decision was taken to stop his medication, and it was felt his mental state deteriorated. When his medication was recommenced his mood seemed to improve. Dr Burke further noted that since Abdis first admission to hospital in 2001, he has consistently received anti-psychotic medication. Since he was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2013, he has received increased doses of the said medication with great effect and has not been involved in violent attacks on staff in prison or in hospital. In light of the diagnosis in 2013, it was submitted that Dr Mohans diagnosis, though bona fide, was erroneous and amounted to a new or newly discovered fact which showed there had been a miscarriage of justice. Minister of State Pat Breen has said tonight that he did attend a number of meetings and events with David McCourt, including a dinner with former Minister Naughten. In a statement, he said that he had arranged for Mr Naughten to attend dinner at Mr McCourt's home and said that, to his knowledge, the National Broadband Plan was not discussed. He said other meetings with Mr McCourt were due to his investment in Ireland and all meetings were recorded in his ministerial diary. Minister Breen, who has responsibility for Trade, Business & Employment, also says he has no part in the rollout or procurement of the broadband plan. "Mr McCourts home is about 10 miles from my home in Clare," he said. "I have gotten to know Mr McCourt on a personal basis, have visited his Co Clare home several times." Pat Breen statement on Naughten/McCourt controversy pic.twitter.com/ohVn6Oy329 Hugh O'Connell (@oconnellhugh) October 11, 2018 Communications Minister Naughten resigned from cabinet today over revelations he met four times with Mr McCourt, the only bidder still in the national broadband plan process. On Wednesday, it emerged Mr Naughten held a hugely controversial and previously unknown June 28 meeting with the billionaire Irish-American businessman. In addition, it also emerged Mr Naughten "facilitated" and paid for a 37 Leinster House lunch for Mr McCourt and his daughter on April 18, although he did not attend. Speaking in the Dail this afternoon, the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that he asked Mr Naughten to resign last night upon learning of the meetings with Mr McCourt. In a statement issued by the Taoiseach, he said that he had "no doubt that he [Denis Naughten's] intentions were honourable at all points" during his meetings with Mr McCourt. However, the Taoiseach said the Independent TD left himself open to allegations of a conflict of interest in how he handled the awarding of the contract the broadband plan, and that his actions left him with no choice but to seek his resignation. Richard Bruton has been appointed as Communications Minister "on a temporary basis", Mr Varadkar said. Digital Desk Latest: Denis Naughten had four private dinners with the only bidder for the national broadband plan, the Taoiseach has said. Speaking in the Dail this afternoon, Mr Varadkar said that he asked Mr Naughten to resign last night upon learning of the meetings with businessman David McCourt. Mr Naughten tendered his resignation today as Minister for Communications. Go to 6.55 in the video below to hear the Minister's resignation The Taoiseach said he left himself open to allegations of a conflict of interest in how he handled the awarding of the contract the broadband plan, and that his actions left him with no choice but to seek his resignation. Richard Bruton has been appointed as Communications Minister "on a temporary basis", Mr Varadkar said. In a statement issued by the Taoiseach, he said that he had "no doubt that he [Denis Naughten's] intentions were honourable at all points" during his meetings with Mr McCourt. "But I do believe he left himself open to allegations of a conflict of interest and an inappropriate relationship with Mc McCourt which could have in turn brought the process into question, thus potentially jeopardising the project in its entirety. "I deeply regret that these events have happened. But I believe in resigning, Denis has acted in the public interest. I am determined to see the National Broadband Plan through to completion. "Sometimes there are days when I have to make decisions that may cause deep personal distress to others but are necessary for the good of the country. Today is one of those days. "I have known Denis for over twenty years and we were in Young Fine Gael together and I have had nothing but respect for him as a person and a politician. I know today is a difficult day for Denis and those close to him. However, my job as Taoiseach must always be to put the public interest first." Digital Desk Earlier: Denis Naughten resigns as Communications Minister after broadband controversy Communications Minister Denis Naughten has resigned from cabinet over revelations he met three times with the only bidder still in the national broadband plan process. In a shock statement to the Dail this afternoon, Mr Naughten said bluntly "I've given the Taoiseach my resignation", saying "it is clear the Taoiseach does not have confidence in me". On Wednesday, it emerged Mr Naughten held a hugely controversial and previously unknown June 28 meeting with billionaire Irish-American businessman David McCourt. In addition, it also emerged Mr Naughten "facilitated" and paid for a 37 Leinster House lunch for Mr McCourt and his daughter on April 18, although he did not attend. The meetings followed a third meeting with Mr McCourt in New York in July. On Wednesday, Mr Naughten responded to questions from the Irish Examiner over whether he will resign by saying he has done "nothing wrong". However, 24 hours later, he told the Dail this afternoon he is quitting cabinet. Mr Naughten said he met Mr Varadkar last night to offer to move aside on the national broadband plan and give his responsibility on the matter to junior minister Sean Kyne. He said he also offered to instigate a review of his role in the matter. However, after saying Mr Varadkar responded by telling Mr Naughten he needed to "reflect on my position", Mr Naughten said "it is clear the Taoiseach does not have confidence in me". "I'm now left in that impossible stark position a politician never wants to be in. Do I make the decision to resign or wait for the decision to be made for me. It's more about optics than fibre optics," he said, before adding to shock in the Dail: "I've given the Taoiseach my resignation." The decision by Mr Naughten to quit the cabinet will intensify fears of a potential general election, although it remains unclear at this stage if he will continue to support the Government. In addition, the decision is believed to have caught both Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and other senior cabinet officials off-guard, as Mr Varadkar and Tanaiste Simon Coveney were not present in the Dail when Mr Naughten stepped down. Responding to Mr Naughten's shock resignation, a number of Fianna Fail TDs including Timmy Dooley, Eugene Murphy and others turned their targets to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who they insisted now has questions to answer. In particular, Mr Murphy said: "One person is to blame, the Taoiseach. He may have thrown Denis Naughten under the bus, but I would remind the Taoiseach the bus is still rolling down the road and he is wandering all over that road. This could be the rock he falls on." Green party leader Eamon Ryan repeated the question, before adding bluntly: "Do we have a Government? That's the sort of question we have this afternoon... I think the future of this Government hangs in the balance this afternoon, that's the real story." Similarly, Independent TD Thomas Pringle said: "The chief whip is running around trying to rally members now, when everyone else seems to have fecked off and not aware of what happening." Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice said: "It's nearly like down the country when someone dies, everyone says how great you were when you're gone." 10 days that toppled a minister (and possibly a Government): Early October: It emerges Communications Minister Denis Naughten met with billionaire Irish-American businessman David McCourt in New York in July at Mr McCourt's request. Officials claim broadband was not discussed. Thursday, October 4: Meeting minutes confirm a "brief discussion" broadband took place at the New York meeting, but that Mr Naughten did not engage in discussions. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar tells reporters in Brussels there is no issue. Wednesday, October 10: Mr Naughten admits he "facilitated" a 37 Leinster House lunch for Mr McCourt for his daughter's birthday on April 18, which Mr Naughten did not attend. At a subsequent budget media briefing, he admits to a further June 28 meeting, but rejects claims he should resign. Wednesday night, October 10: After the emergence of the second and third McCourt meetings, Mr Naughten speaks with Mr Varadkar just before midnight and says he has "just remembered" about a fourth meeting last year. Thursday morning, October 11: Mr Naughten tells Mr Varadkar of three more private dinners, including one organised by Mr McCourt's "personal friend", junior business minister Pat Breen, who it separately emerges has met Mr McCourt numerous times since 2016. Thursday afternoon, October 11: An irate Mr Naughten resigns, lashing out at Mr Varadkar who he says left him no choice. An hour later, Mr Varadkar tells the Dail about the four new meetings. Thursday night, October 11: Both Government and opposition TDs privately admit the Government may not have the Dail numbers to survive. This is because the confidence and supply deal with Fianna Fail states the minority Fine Gael Government must have the support of 57 TDs. The Government can currently rely on 56 TDs - namely 49 Fine Gael TDs, unaligned Independent TD Katherine Zappone, four Independent Alliance TDs, and both Michael Lowry and Sean Canney in opposition. While ex-Fine Gael TD Peter Fitzpatrick, Independent TD Noel Grealish and Mr Naughten himself could give support, all three are currently sitting firmly on the political fence. Elaine Loughlin, Political Correspondent Six rural towns are to receive 100,000 each to encourage families to return to living in town centres, Minister Michael Ring has announced. A pilot scheme is to be introduced as part of Budget 2019 in a bid to rejuvenate rural towns by getting more people to live there. However, it will be up to each of the six identified towns to come up with specific ideas and plans. Announcing the new scheme Mr Ring said: "We are setting up the pilot scheme we are saying to the communities it's up to you now, the six towns that have been picked we want them to come back to us with any idea that they have." Boyle, Co Roscommon; Callan, Co Kilkenny; Ballinrobe, Co Mayo; Banagher Co Offaly; Castleblayney, Co Monaghan and Cappoquin in Co Waterford have been selected for the initial pilot scheme. Mr Ring said he would be asking the local authorities to work with businesses, voluntary organisations and members of the community in these towns. "A lot of towns have suffered in the last few years in relation to dereliction, there are a lot of vacant buildings and shops in towns. "We are giving these towns the funding, we are asking them to get consultants to work with the local authorities, to work with the community and to come back with ideas of how they think we can address the difficulties that they have." The proposals put forward by the six towns over the coming months will then feed into how a 1bn Rural Regeneration fund is spent across the country in the next 10 years. Some 55m of this fund is to be used next year to provide grants of at least 500,000 to towns and villages with a population of under 10,000. Mr Ring added: "The six towns that we have picked they may come back with six different ways that they could see their town being developed. "Some towns may like to see the Derelict Sites Act being used more, some towns might go back and say if we got a small bit of grant aid or if the local authorities put housing in it would help," he said. Here, Michael Clifford explains what the Charleton Tribunal is all about. What was this Charleton Tribunal about? The tribunal was set up in February 2017 to investigate allegations that Sergeant Maurice McCabe had been smeared by various individuals or agencies. Sgt McCabe was not a popular man in some quarters as he had blown the whistle of malpractice in An Garda Siochana. Maurice McCabe back in 2017. Is this about senior guards fixing penalty points for family and friends? Partly. McCabe had complained about widespread abuse by senior gardai of the penalty points system in road policing. Despite early denials from senior management, the sergeant was fully vindicated when agencies outside An Garda Siochana examined his allegations. At a Public Accounts Committee meeting in January 2014 about the allegations, then Commissioner Martin Callinan described the actions of McCabe and former garda John Wilson as disgusting. That was a turning point in the whole whistleblowers' saga. McCabe also complained about malpractice in criminal investigations in Co Cavan. A commission of Inquiry in 2015, chaired by Judge Kevin OHiggins largely vindicated his claims here again. So he put noses out of joint? Definitely. A big policing and political row flared in 2013 and burned on and off for four years. Along the way, two ministers for justice left office, as did two garda commissioners and the secretary general of the Department of Justice. McCabes actions have been described in official reports and in parliament as doing the State a service. The plain people of Ireland think hes a great guy, but there are some reservations in the centres of power which were disrupted. Former Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald and Former Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan. And the smears on his character? There are three specific areas that the tribunal examined. A former head of the garda press office Supt David Taylor made a protected disclosure claiming he was part of an organised smear campaign against McCabe in 2013-14. Shockingly, it was discovered in early 2017 that a totally false allegation of child rape had been generated against McCabe in the child and family agency Tusla, and passed on to the gardai. And during the OHiggins commission, McCabe claims there was an attempt to portray him as bearing a grudge against the force. He believed that a recording he had of a meeting dating from 2008 was all that saved him from being cast in the darkest light. David Taylor. Werent tribunals supposed to be a thing of the past? So we thought. But after the false child rape allegations surfaced, McCabe and his wife demanded a public inquiry. They said that they wouldnt trust a behind-closed-doors inquiry because of their experience in OHiggins. The Government had little choice but to acquiesce. At the time the country was shocked over what had been done to McCabe and trust in the system was low. Anything less than a public inquiry would have attracted serious heat. Costly business though? It sure is. Everybody had to be lawyered up. The senior gardai, including two former commissioners, had three senior counsel and few juniors. There were up to 30 lawyers at the hearings in Dublin Castle at various points. However, unlike tribunals from yesteryear, this one was managed by Judge Peter Charleton with a sharp and pacey focus. It sat for 97 days between February 2017 and July 2018. Ann O'Loughlin A Greyhound owner has asked the High Court to quash a decision which led to the withholding of 36,500 in race prize money after he was fined for the doping/contamination of three of his dogs. Owen McKenna, from New Inn, Cashel, Co Tipperary, claims findings of an Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) control committee, which were later upheld by an appeal board, were made in breach of fair procedures, arbitrary and based on errors of fact, among other things. In February 2017, an IGB control committee imposed five fines totalling 1,000 on Mr McKenna in relation to the dogs "Farloe Rumble", "Offshore Bound" and "Farloe Blitz" which had run at Shelbourne Park on September 5, 2015. It also decided the prize money of 36,500 would be forfeited. Mr McKenna lodged an appeal and year ago an appeal committee upheld a finding in relation to a substance, Hydrochlorothiazide, which could affect greyhound performance and as there are no threshold levels for this prohibited substance. It also found Mr McKenna engaged in a reckless feeding regime for which he must accept the consequences. His appeal was dismissed, the fines upheld and the forfeiture of the prize money affirmed. Mr McKenna brought High Court judicial review proceedings which Ms Justice Miriam O'Regan began hearing today. He seeks orders quashing the appeal committee findings and says they are serious sanctions which affect his right to earn a livelihood and his right to a good reputation and amounts to an unlawful discrimination against him in relation to other owners. He claims he was not afforded fair procedures and there was a failure in the chain of evidence in that the samples taken from the dogs which were sent for analysis to the UK for three months. There was also a failure to give reasons as to why the feeding regime was other than normal. He also says the IGB had changed its feeding policy in November 2015 and retrospectively applied this new regime to September that year when the dogs raced. There was no breach under the previous regulations, it is claimed. The IGB opposes the application and the case continues. Prime Minister Abe promises aid for the repatriation and relocation of Myanmar refugees. During her official visit, the Myanmar leader held bilateral talks to encourage investment and trade between Japan and Myanmar. The Rohingya crisis has had a negative impact on Myanmars economy. Tokyo (AsiaNews) The Japanese government "will give its maximum assistance to help Myanmar build up a democratic country. Tokyo highly values Suu Kyis efforts to cope with a difficult agenda, including economic reforms and issues related to Rakhine state, said Japanese Prime Minister Shinto Abe at a joint press conference yesterday that wrapped a state visit to Japan by Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. Without directly citing the crisis affecting the Rohingya Islamic minority, Abe said that the refugee issue poses a "very complex and grave" problem. He promised aid for the repatriation and the relocation of refugees in Myanmar. For her part, Suu Kyi said, I appreciate the stance of Japan and also welcome it, noting that an independent commission, launched in July, has been given extensive and powerful authority to conduct an effective probe into human rights abuse allegations in Rakhine. Over the previous six days, Suu Kyi took part in the 10th Mekong-Japan Summit where she held talks to encourage investment and trade between Japan and Myanmar. Her visit to Japan began on 5 October. Two days later, she visited an agricultural plant in the village of Izumizaki (Fukushima Prefecture) to see how Tokyo deals with rural depopulation. Back in the capital, the next day she took part in the Myanmar Silk Promotion Event, organised by the ASEAN-Japan Center. In Tokyo, Suu Kyi spoke at the Myanmar Investment Conference "Strengthening the Bond Between Myanmar and Japan" organised by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). In her speech, she told representatives of 400 Japanese companies that they can invest in her country with confidence, despite the ongoing challenges such as the humanitarian crisis in Rakhine State. She stressed the positive changes by her government in favour foreign investments and provide a better legal framework. For Myanmars civilian government, economic reforms are a key to complete the countrys democratic transition after sixty years of isolation under the military dictatorship. However, Myanmar's economic growth has slowed down due to a sharp drop in foreign investment (nearly US$ 900 million less over the past year), as the country's image suffered as a result of the violence against Muslim Rohingya. In order to revitalise the tourist sector, the authorities have launched a programme that allows citizens of Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Macao to enter the country without a visa. Yesterday morning, Aung San Suu Kyi led the Myanmar delegation to the international summit chaired by the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, in the presence of the leaders of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. The subject of the discussion was Japans "Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy", which aims to offset Chinas growing influence in the region through the latters Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). According to Tokyo, this plan will promote the development of quality infrastructure in the countries crossed by the Mekong River. Stumped? Ask us. The FYI column is designed to let readers email (to newsroom@lufkindailynews.com ) or call in (to 632-6637) questions you want answered, whether about road construction, how-to tips, trivia or other information. You do not have to leave your name. You also can use that email address or phone number to give us a news tip anonymously, if youd like. Irish actor Robert Sheehan has opened up about how he questioned his sexuality in a wide-ranging interview with Hot Press magazine. The Portlaoise actor rose to fame after starring roles in the E4 comedy Misfits and Irish drama Love/Hate. In a personal interview, Sheehan spoke to Hot Press about his attitude to love, sex and sexuality. "I think it would be irresponsible not to question my sexuality," Sheehan said speaking to Jason OToole. I had a couple of experiences when I was younger with dudes where I tried it, experimented, to see if it did anything for me. And it didnt. Sheehan also revealed that he is no longer in a relationship with Kingsman actor Sofia Boutella. He said while they were no longer together, they were still friends. "We still love each other a lot. We still acknowledge that, you know." The 30-year-old also speaks candidly about how he has no more interest in one-night stands and about sleeping with fans. Sheehan portrayed gang member Darren in Love/Hate and played opposite fellow Irish star Ruth Negga. The actor addresses playing opposite Negga and discusses having to portray sex scenes. "Luckily, we were very comfortable with one another, says Sheehan. Robert Sheehan and Ruth Negga in Love/Hate "And she is, of course, a beautiful, beautiful young woman so there may have been the occasional erection that popped up there!" Sheehan also reflects on the MeToo movement, stating that "it makes you self-examine and it makes you ask yourself, Am I being compassionate enough to women about their position in society, challenges they have to face? "I think in that regard its been very helpful. Theres been a lot of healthy compassion encouraged out of men towards womens position." Sheehan also expressed an opinion that drugs should be legalised. Speaking about his own experience with drugs, he said: "I think the old delicious cannabis was definitely my favourite. I keep it to a very occasional dabble now. "What I like about weed is that it isnt a depressant at all, whereas alcohol is. You take a load of depressants when you go out drinking; whereas weed doesnt take anything away from your ability to naturally be happy." The full interview can be read in the new Hot Press which is in stores from Thursday, October 11. - Digital Desk A New York man whose business ventures targeted wealthy, status-seeking millennials was sentenced to six years in prison for defrauding investors of $US27.4 million ($38.5 million) in the disastrous 2017 Fyre Festival and then, while out on bail, running a separate concert-ticket scam. Billy McFarland was handed a six-year term. Credit:AP Billy McFarland, 27, appeared with family members in a Manhattan courtroom on Thursday as U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald delivered the sentence. He pleaded guilty in March and July to the separate scams, which the government said were orchestrated to help pay for an extravagant lifestyle. "I can't believe how wrong I was," McFarland, wearing eyeglasses and a tan prison jumpsuit, told the judge before the sentence was handed down. "I can't believe how stupid I was. I betrayed the trust of my investors, customers, family and the court. My mistakes were severe and they hurt a lot of people." McFarland, who read from a prepared statement, said the "extremely bitter reality" is that he'd squandered his privileged upbringing. He went on to describe the violence and intimidation he's dealt with in jail awaiting sentencing, saying incarceration had given him a new perspective on life. Those remarks brought his family members to tears. Telstra chairman John Mullen has staunchly defended giving cash bonuses to departing executives, following criticisms of the multimillion-dollar payments ahead of its annual general meeting next week. After multiple proxy firms recommended shareholders vote against the telco's remuneration report, Mr Mullen lodged a letter with the Australian Stock Exchange apologising for any lack of clarity and sent personal letters to proxies critical of his approach justifying bonuses for departing wholesale group executive Will Irving and chief financial officer Warwick Bray. Telstra chairman John Mullen has defended the telco's multimillion-dollar executive bonuses. Credit:Jessica Hromas Three proxy adviser firms have recommended investors vote down Telstras remuneration report, including Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) which took issue with the two executives' payments. It advised shareholders that "despite the [company's] poor performance, disclosure indicates that departing executives will be granted sizeable cash rights in lieu of restricted shares and performance rights". In a letter to ISS head of Australia and New Zealand research Vas Kolesnikoff, Mr Mullen said: "With respect to the two departing executives, let us put this in context. The two executives received entitlements completely in line with their contractual entitlement as 'good leavers'." A rebuke of the Telstra board appears all but inevitable next week. And while it may just look like a protest against executive bonuses amid a falling share price and mass job cuts, it could hint at a more significant repudiation of the company. Shareholders are cranky. Whether that translates into a "first strike" at the Telstra annual meeting in Sydney next Tuesday remains to be seen, but based on whispers from close to the company and among corporate governance experts, it certainly seems a live possibility. Telstra chairman John Mullen (left) and chief executive Andy Penn Credit:Nic Walker Three major proxy advisory firms have recommended against the company's remuneration report, which is sometimes all it takes to get above the 25 per cent voting shareholder threshold required for that to happen. A second strike can trigger a board spill. It almost goes without saying, but all of this is bad news for chief executive Andy Penn, who earlier this year was under serious pressure and unveiled drastic plans to slash 8000 jobs and cut $2.5 billion in costs. Online electronic goods retailer Android Enjoyed and its parent company are now restrained from misleading customers, in a win for NSW consumers. It comes after NSW Fair Trading began proceedings against the company and its sole director Yuen Ho Wong in September following hundreds of complaints from customers. Digital Marketing and Solutions Pty Ltd, which operates as Android Enjoyed and CameraSky, and Mr Wong have agreed to comply with an interim injunction placed against them by the NSW Supreme Court. Gillian Woolley said it took her months to get her money back after she tried to buy a phone through CameraSky. Better Regulation Minister Matt Kean said the injunction was "a great outcome for consumers". Thirty years ago, Djon Mundine and a group of artists from Ramingining in Central Arnhem Land set to work on a project to mark the Bicentenary of Australia. Djon Mundine, conceptual producer of The Aboriginal Memorial 1987-88. Credit:Jamila Toderas While the nation celebrated 200 years of European settlement, the indigenous community was looking for a way to demonstrate the resilience of their culture. The Aboriginal Memorial is a collection of 200 hollow log coffins, each representing both a year of settlement, and the indigenous people who have died fighting for their country, in a dedicated gallery off the foyer of the National Gallery of Australia. But 30 years on, questions are being asked about what Australia has since achieved in terms of reconciliation and the recognition of indigenous communities. They knew a thing or two, those ancient Greeks and Romans. Why else would we still be telling their stories, thousands of years later? Next to the Bible, classical mythology has probably inspired more Western literature than any other source. Perhaps the most famous example is James Joyce's transformation of a hero's marathon voyage around the gods and monsters of the Mediterranean into a day in the life of a Jewish Irishman in Dublin. Kamila Shamsie. In the 21st century, those gods and monsters have wormed their way into everything from high lit to children's and young adult stories notably Rick Riordan's bestselling series about a contemporary boy Perseus, Percy Jackson. The old gods and goddesses are capricious, scheming bullies who pursue destruction, rape and petty revenge, which works pretty well as soap opera. But the philosophy and moral compass of these tales are often at odds with today's sensibilities. We believe in free will, but the ancient mortals had no choice but to succumb to their fate: look what happened to Oedipus. The Great Barrier Reef Foundation, the non-profit group that received a controversial $443.4 million grant from the Turnbull government, has launched a bid to secure further donations of as much as $400 million. The Collaborative Investment Strategy, to be announced on Friday, is the centrepiece of what the foundation hopes will be Australia's largest environmental fundraising campaign. The Great Barrier Reef Foundation plans to raise donations to almost match the $443.4 million grant from the Turnbull government. Credit:Gary Cranitch The aim is secure $300-$400 million over six years in addition to the government's grant with $100 million of that earmarked to double the funds set aside for the reef restoration and adaption plan. A "corporate giving campaign" will target companies in a bid to build on the foundation's tally of $52.8 million such funds raised over its 18-year existence. A Canberra video production company has won a prestigious international gong for a documentary on victims in the fight against ISIS. Newcast Studios recently received a Cannes Corporate Media and TV award for its documentary on the work of Canberra medical firm Aspen Medical in Iraq. Aspen Medical managed trauma field hospitals and maternity units in a number of war-ravaged areas during the height of the fight against ISIS. Newcast was a silver winner in the informational films category at the international competition, which attracted more than 1000 entries. The ACT has among the lowest level of subsidised mental health care treatment, but Canberrans are most likely in the country to receive subsidised community-based treatment. The latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report showed more Canberrans were reaching out for support in addressing mental health concerns. Community mental health services are on the rise. Credit:SHUTTERSTOCK The report, based on 201516 data, showed the ACT had the highest rate of community-based mental health care services in the country. Canberrans were accessing community mental health services at rates about twice the national average. An Australian journalist was physically with Kurdish guerillas in their camps in war-torn Iraq but "was not one of them", his lawyer has told a Sydney jury. Renas Lelikan was with them "as a trusted guest and friend" to record what was happening but although he saw bombs exploding he had no intention of engaging in fighting, Phillip Boulten SC said in the NSW Supreme Court on Thursday. Renas Lelikan arriving at court this week. Credit:AAP He was continuing the defence opening address at the trial of 40-year-old Lelikan who has pleaded not guilty to engaging in hostile activities in a foreign state but has admitted being a member of an illegal terrorist organisation, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The Crown alleges Lelikan was in the mountainous regions of southern Turkey and northern Iraq in 2012, following some time in Europe, to engage in armed conflict for the PKK. A safety officer who was one of the first responders to the scene of the 2016 Dreamworld tragedy says she struggled to convince Dreamworld management to bring staff in early for safety training, due to budgetary constraints. Her evidence to the inquest into the deaths of Cindy Low, Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett and Roozi Araghi, came after she told the court that a failure to activate a manual ride alarm delayed the response. (Clockwise from top left) Cindy Low, Kate Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett and his partner Roozi Araghi died after being thrown from a raft at the theme park in 2016. Credit:Fairfax Media, insets supplied The Thunder River Rapids Ride malfunctioned on October 25, 2016, when a raft flipped over and killed the four tourists. Rebecca Ramsey was employed at Dreamworld as a ride operator before later qualifying as a registered nurse and safety officer. A man who set himself alight inside a Melbourne bank has pleaded guilty to lighting the blaze that seriously injured four other people and caused at least $2.5 million damage. In this image from CCTV footage shown in court, Nur Islam empties petrol onto the floor of the bank. Nur Islam appeared via video link before the County Court on Thursday and admitted to pouring petrol inside the Commonwealth Bank branch in Springvale on November 18, 2016, and then setting it alight. Thirty-seven people, including children, were in the bank, a court heard last year, and four of them were seriously injured. Islam also suffered burns to 60 per cent of his body. The 23-year-old man pleaded guilty to arson with the intention to endanger life, four counts of recklessly causing serious injury and 11 of recklessly causing injury. Dozens of charges were withdrawn when he agreed to plead guilty. The Age can reveal that the Victorian Ombudsman has received complaints from a number of the families who were caught up in the saga, and that some have received a formal letter or call to say their complaint had been referred to an investigator within the Ombudsmans office. Victorias public sector watchdog is investigating a scam that saw thousands of newly arrived migrants buy beachside blocks only to discover that they would never be allowed to build on them - with some handing the land back for free and many paying rates and charges on worthless sites for decades . The Ombudsmans office was unable to confirm an investigation was under way, with a spokeswoman saying the watchdog investigates complaints and protected disclosure matters under conditions of complete confidentiality. This means the Ombudsman is not able either to confirm or deny the existence of an investigation unless or until a report is tabled in Parliament. The saga of the beach blocks is often referred to as the longest-running planning dispute in Victorias history. From the mid-1950s until the end of the '60s, 11,800 subdivided blocks on a 25 kilometre stretch of Gippslands Ninety Mile Beach were sold by real estate agents Willmore & Randell, largely to unsuspecting migrants who believed they were buying a part of a future Surfers Paradise. Some of the promotional material for Golden Beach and surrounds, once touted as Victoria's Surfers Paradise. Credit:Jason South Soon after they bought the blocks, people were told the land in many parts of the subdivision was unstable or subject to flooding. Essential, promised infrastructure was never developed. A later report suggested possible rising sea levels due to climate change made the sites even more problematic. Most of the blocks are now deemed worthless. Planning regulations and state and council policy governing the area has changed many times, creating confusion and worry among landowners, with many handing their title back for little or no compensation. It was revealed this year that some of the blocks given back to the council would now be sold on the open market for a significant profit. It's months overdue, but Canberra's justice system finally has its new digs. Cases will officially be heard in new courtrooms from Monday, with stage one of the $160 million Canberra court revamp completed. Media were given a sneak peak on Thursday of the new facilities, which includes six courtrooms, chambers, a library, public entry, jury facilities, and a dedicated remote witness zone with seven video conference suites and waiting areas. Chief Justice, Helen Murrell shows attorney general, Gordon Ramsay around the new court room's advanced technology. Pictured with in court technology officer, Drani Sarkozi. Credit:Elesa Kurtz The project has been beset by delays, with stage one initially scheduled to be completed late last year, after expansion works started in March 2016. Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the religious exemptions were not intended to "licence students being kicked out of school because of their sexuality" and he was not aware of any cases where the legislation had been used in that way. The ACT is one of the states and territories that already exempts religious educational institutions from discrimination laws. ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr says the government is reviewing and could close a loophole that already allows religious schools to reject gay students and teachers. Discrimination on the basis of someones sexuality is wrong whether it happens at school, work or anywhere else. The ACT has recognised freedom from discrimination as a fundamental right within our Human Rights Act for more than a decade. This is the clear intent of the government," Mr Barr said. "However, we are reviewing the legislation and if there is any possibility of a loophole of interpretation of the Act that would allow this kind of discrimination, the government will quickly move to close it. ACT Discrimination Commissioner Karen Toohey said the Ruddock proposal would "render pointless the ACT's current review of discrimination laws. "We know the significant effects discrimination and exclusion have on peoples health and well being and prioritising the rights of religious organisations to discriminate over peoples right to identity, inclusion and to fair and equal treatment is a backward step," Ms Toohey said. Ms Toohey said while the exemption existed in Canberra, "in our experience schools rarely rely on these provisions to exclude students recognising the devastating impact this has on a child or young person". One of the nations top energy officials says electricity supplies in Australia would continue uninterrupted if the coal industry shut down within 30 years, contradicting the Morrison governments warning of devastating blackouts if it adopts the dramatic plan. Australian Energy Market Operator chief executive Audrey Zibelman also said renewable energy, storage and gas will be the cheapest ways to replace electricity capacity lost when ageing coal plants close. AEMO chief executive Audrey Zibelman says phasing out coal by 2050 won't disrupt electricity supplies. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The United Nations climate body, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, on Monday said radical emissions reduction across the worlds economies, including a phase-out of coal by 2050, was required to avoid the most devastating climate change impacts. The Morrison government dismissed the findings. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg insisted this week that coal is an important part of the energy mix. Some Fairfax Media readers know how this cut has been achieved. They have written in to tell us they are waiting longer to get permanent residency for a spouse they married overseas, for instance. The queue for family visas runs to tens of thousands of applications. Many of those who get permanent residency are already in the country when they apply. The fall in the permanent intake does not mean there were fewer feet on the street. The real argument is about those who come in for a period of time. Net overseas migration includes any visitors who stay for 12 months or more during a period of 16 months. That is where the cities are experiencing huge growth. Foreign students are still flocking to Australia's universities. Credit:James Brickwood The number of overseas students in Australia reached 513,000 late last year, up from 342,000 five years earlier, according to an analysis by the Parliamentary Library. The number of temporary visitors on working holidays was 137,000, down from 146,000 five years earlier. Berejiklian has a goal that sounds reasonable: return the growth in Sydney to the levels seen during the Howard government. This would mean a 50 per cent cut in net overseas migration. That fact alone shows just how much the numbers have swollen over the past decade. Loading This is another reminder of that political impotence. The intake has kept growing regardless of all the assurances from the nations leaders. The last decade has seen Kevin Rudd welcome a big Australia and Julia Gillard reject it, while Tony Abbott vowed to cut the intake. I am all in favour of Australia selling education but what I dont want us to be doing is selling immigration outcomes in the guise of selling education, Abbott said in July 2010, about five weeks before the election that year. This is not so different to the warning from Labor employment spokesman Brendan OConnor in July this year, when he expressed doubts about the uncapped student visa scheme. One of the problems weve had is weve had people coming to Australia, signing up to Mickey Mouse courses, he said. The hard part is doing something about it. The numbers have grown regardless of the unease about the program. Light rail construction outside Sydney Town Hall in June. Credit:Jessica Hromas To put a cap on these students is to halt the growth in revenue at the nations universities. Catriona Jackson, the chief executive of Universities Australia, says international education brings in about $11.2 billion to the NSW economy each year. She adds that 86 per cent of international students go home after their courses. This is just one example of the way the challenge is easy to complain about and hard to fix. Why cut the number at all? The problem may be the inability to build the transport and housing to cope with the influx witness the long wait in Sydney for the light rail that is meant to run along Anzac Parade to the University of NSW. In a valuable analysis published by Inside Story last month, former Immigration Department deputy secretary Abul Rizvi mentions two ways to slow the growth in overseas students in the big cities: reduce the points for students who graduate from Australian city universities and apply for permanent visas; and apply stricter English tests for those who go to capital cities rather than regional universities. Rizvi makes a broader point, however, by questioning whether the government should attempt this when it has not worked out a longer-term plan in an age when people are drawn to the big cities. After all, that is where the jobs are. The dumping of Malcolm Turnbull keeps tempting Scott Morrison and his ministers to talk as if they are a 'new' government. Credit:AAP Federal cabinet will consider a whole-of-government population policy, including visa changes, in the weeks ahead. The repeated declaration about sending migrants to the regions highlights the severe shortage of big, practical ideas from the government so far. The awkward fact is that the number of regional sponsored migration scheme visas fell from 20,000 in the year to June 2013 to 10,200 in the last financial year under Coalition rule. Why should voters believe the Coalition can turn that around now? The new population and migration policy could be a hugely impressive plan, but history tells voters not to put too much faith in the political declarations about migration. The dumping of Malcolm Turnbull keeps tempting Scott Morrison and his ministers to talk as if they are a new government as if every idea can be treated in isolation without a reminder of their collective record over the past five years. On religious freedom, the government faces a renewed social dispute it tried to settle with the same-sex marriage plebiscite a year ago. On energy, the government declares the National Energy Guarantee dead but then starts a painful debate over how to fill its own policy vacuum. There are more than a few policies where ministers keep driving around Mount Panorama. If things need fixing now, who can they blame but themselves? They werent elected yesterday. Global humanitarian giant Medecins Sans Frontieres says the mental health of refugees on Nauru has deteriorated to an "absolutely devastating" state, as dozens of men, women and children are knocked back for resettlement in the United States under Donald Trump's "extreme vetting". Doctors who spent the past 11 months on the island reported a "shocking" 78 cases of attempted suicide, suicidal thought or self-harm by refugees - including an attempted suicide by a 9-year-old. Medecins Sans Frontieres psychiatrist Beth O'Connor said the US rejected about 70 people for resettlement in May, and more had followed in the months since, causing deep distress. "They became extremely hopeless," she told Fairfax Media. "It wasnt just the people who had the negative response [from the US] it was the other refugees and asylum seekers as well." Recommendation 3 Commonwealth, state and territory governments should consider the use of objects, purposes or other interpretive clauses in anti-discrimination legislation to reflect the equal status in international law of all human rights, including freedom of religion. Recommendation 4 The Commonwealth should amend section 11 of the Charities Act 2013 to clarify that advocacy of a traditional view of marriage would not, of itself, amount to a disqualifying purpose. Recommendation 5 The Commonwealth should amend the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 to provide that religious schools can discriminate in relation to the employment of staff, and the engagement of contractors, on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or relationship status provided that: The discrimination is founded in the precepts of the religion. The school has a publicly available policy outlining its position in relation to the matter and explaining how the policy will be enforced. The school provides a copy of the policy in writing to employees and contractors and prospective employees and contractors. Recommendation 6 Jurisdictions should abolish any exceptions to anti-discrimination laws that provide for discrimination by religious schools in employment on the basis of race, disability, pregnancy or intersex status. Further, jurisdictions should ensure that any exceptions for religious schools do not permit discrimination against an existing employee solely on the basis that the employee has entered into a marriage. Recommendation 7 The Commonwealth should amend the Sex Discrimination Act to provide that religious schools may discriminate in relation to students on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or relationship status provided that: The discrimination is founded in the precepts of the religion. The school has a publicly available policy outlining its position in relation to the matter. The school provides a copy of the policy in writing to prospective students and their parents at the time of enrolment and to existing students and their parents at any time the policy is updated. The school has regard to the best interests of the child as the primary consideration in its conduct. Recommendation 8 Jurisdictions should abolish any exceptions to anti-discrimination laws that provide for discrimination by religious schools with respect to students on the basis of race, disability, pregnancy or intersex status. Recommendation 9 State and territory education departments should maintain clear policies as to when and how a parent or guardian may request that a child be removed from a class that contains instruction on religious or moral matters and ensure that these policies are applied consistently. These policies should: Include a requirement to provide sufficient, relevant information about such classes to enable parents or guardians to consider whether their content may be inconsistent with the parents or guardians religious beliefs Give due consideration to the rights of the child, including to receive information about sexual health, and their progressive capacity to make decisions for themselves. Recommendation 10 The Commonwealth Attorney-General should consider the guidance material on the Attorney-Generals Departments website relating to authorised celebrants to ensure that it uses plain English to explain clearly and precisely the operation of the Marriage Act 1961. The updated guidance should include: A clear description of the religious protections available to different classes of authorised celebrants, and Advice that the term minister of religion is used to cover authorised celebrants from religious bodies which would not ordinarily use the term minister, including non-Christian religions. Recommendation 11 The Commonwealth Attorney-General should consider whether the Code of Practice set out in Schedule 2 of the Marriage Regulations 2017 is appropriately adapted to the needs of smaller and emerging religious bodies. Recommendation 12 The Commonwealth should progress legislative amendments to make it clear that religious schools are not required to make available their facilities, or to provide goods or services, for any marriage, provided that the refusal: Conforms to the doctrines, tenets or beliefs of the religion of the body Is necessary to avoid injury to the religious susceptibilities of adherents of that religion. Recommendation 13 Those jurisdictions that have not abolished statutory or common law offences of blasphemy should do so. Recommendation 14 References to blasphemy in the Shipping Registration Regulations 1981, and in state and territory primary and secondary legislation, should be repealed or replaced with terms applicable not only to religion. Recommendation 15 The Commonwealth should amend the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, or enact a Religious Discrimination Act, to render it unlawful to discriminate on the basis of a persons religious belief or activity, including on the basis that a person does not hold any religious belief. In doing so, consideration should be given to providing for appropriate exceptions and exemptions, including for religious bodies, religious schools and charities. Recommendation 16 New South Wales and South Australia should amend their anti-discrimination laws to render it unlawful to discriminate on the basis of a persons religious belief or activity including on the basis that a person does not hold any religious belief. In doing so, consideration should be given to providing for the appropriate exceptions and exemptions, including for religious bodies, religious schools and charities. Recommendation 17 The Commonwealth should commission the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative information on the experience of freedom of religion in Australia at the community level, including: Incidents of physical violence, including threats of violence, linked to a persons faith Harassment, intimidation or verbal abuse directed at those of faith Forms of discrimination based on religion and suffered by those of faith Unreasonable restrictions on the ability of people to express, manifest or change their faith Restrictions on the ability of people to educate their children in a manner consistent with their faith The experience of freedom of religion impacting on other human rights The extent to which religious diversity (as distinct from cultural diversity) is accepted and promoted in Australian society Recommendation 18 The Commonwealth should support the development of a religious engagement and public education program about human rights and religion in Australia, the importance of the right to freedom of religion and belief, and the current protections for religious freedom in Australian and international law. As a first step, the panel recommends that the Attorney-General should ask the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights to inquire into and report on how best to enhance engagement, education and awareness about these issues. Recommendation 19 The Australian Human Rights Commission should take a leading role in the protection of freedom of religion, including through enhancing engagement, understanding and dialogue. This should occur within the existing commissioner model and not necessarily through the creation of a new position. Prime Minister Scott Morrison is facing growing calls to make public a sweeping review of religious freedom in a growing row over its contentious findings, as some of his own conservative colleagues argue for the swift release to ensure a fair debate on the ideas. Mr Morrison is holding to his plan to keep the report confidential until federal cabinet has taken a position on bold proposals including a new law to ban religious discrimination and new rules on how religious schools could turn away gay students. In an unlikely alliance, conservatives at the Institute of Public Affairs are calling for the immediate release alongside similar calls from Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, who declared it "ridiculous" that Australians could not already see the report. Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Credit:AAP Fairfax Media revealed key findings from the report this week in a series of reports on proposals to address fears of religious discrimination, clarify the treatment of religious charities and amend the laws that govern religious schools. New York: It's a rare day indeed when Donald Trump is not necessarily the biggest star in the White House - or the person with the most outlandish things to say. But that's what happened on Thursday local time in Washington when rapper Kanye West, wearing a red "Make America Great Again" cap, met with Trump and proceeded to drop the f-bomb in the Oval Office. Veteran White House reporters said it was the most bizarre thing they had seen in their careers. "Let's stop worrying about the future, all we have is today," West told reporters, speaking in the sprawling, stream-of-consciousness style Trump likes to deploy at his rallies and press conferences. "Trump is on his hero's journey right now. He might not have thought he'd have a crazy motherf----r like (me)." Washington: First lady Melania Trump said in an interview broadcast on Thursday that there have been people in her husband's White House whom she doesn't trust, including some who still work there. During the interview with ABC News, conducted during her recent solo trip to Africa, Trump also asserted that she is one of the most bullied people in the world, as she discusses her child-welfare initiative, Be Best, which includes a focus on combating cyberbullying. Trump was asked by ABC's Tom Llamas if the president has had people working for him that she didn't trust. "Yes," she replied, adding that she has let her husband know. "Some people, they don't work there anymore." Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC Two weeks ago, legislation was introduced that would increase the number of street vendors in our communities. Former Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito failed to pass a similar law in the waning days of her term in December 2017. This renewed effort should also be dead on arrival because allowing more vendors on our sidewalks without reforming our citys street vending flaws would be bad for many neighborhoods brick-and mortar businesses. The current proposed legislation (Intro 11162018), sponsored by Councilwoman Margaret Chin of Manhattan, would gradually expand the number of permits to vend foods on the streets and sidewalks of New York City. Specifically, 400 new licenses would be issued every year beginning in 2019 until 2028. Currently, there is a cap of about 5,000 street vending licenses, but Sean Basinski, Director of the Street Vendor Project at the Urban Justice Center, estimates there are actually between 10,000 and 12,000 food vendors when accounting for those operating without a license. In addition to dealing with the thousands of street vendors operating illegally and the inherent unfair competition that brick-and-mortar businesses face from these vendors, there are also many other problems with our system for regulating this industry that must be addressed before we entertain lifting the current cap. Ironically, many of the same members of the Council that are pushing to increase the number of vendors are the same ones that voted to place a moratorium on the number of Uber and Lyft vehicles on our streets until the city can evaluate how the increase of for-hire vehicles is impacting traffic and the taxi industry. The same logic should prevail here. There are many reasons why street vendors, particularly those that sell food, place brick-and-mortar businesses at a competitive disadvantage. For example, street vendors dont pay rent or insurance premiums and do not face the constant barrage of city, state, and federal regulations with inspectors itching to dole out hefty fines for violations. As a result, street vendors, who are too often just a stones throw from a business, can sell similar products for much less. The mom-and-pop shops we all grew up with are also facing extraordinary increases in the minimum wage, with it soon going up to $15 per hour. They also are dealing with the continued growth of internet home delivery services like Fresh Direct and Amazon. Allowing more street vendors could be a death knell for some. Mobile food carts often unsanitary conditions must also be addressed before expansion. Think about it: When was the last time you saw a sink at your local produce or food cart? Our neighborhood restaurants must follow strict health and safety regulations to protect customers and employees. Street food vendors face no such scrutiny or fines. Neighborhoods face quality-of-life issues relating to more street vendors on their blocks. Our commercial areas are tight enough, and having street carts also on the sidewalks increases both traffic and litter. Last year, Manhattan Community Board 8s Street Vendor Committee noted the additional litter and sidewalk congestion associated with these unregulated vendors in their opposition to increasing the number of licenses. Additionally, several years ago Brooklyn Community Board 10 and the 86th Street Business Improvement District in Bay Ridge requested including food carts in the streets vendor-free zone because of these same issues. During last years debate about expanding the permits, New York City Business Improvement District Association President Robert Benfatto summed the core issue up best when he said, merely lifting the cap to garner more opportunities for street vendors a worthy goal without addressing the concerns of public space and the dire economic straits of brick-and-mortar retail helps no one. In addition to expanding the number of street vendors, the bill also includes creating an office of street vendor enforcement. This is sorely needed, as no one seems to take responsibility for dealing with street vendors in city government. Creating and enforcing logical rules like ensuring a produce cart doesnt set up shop right outside a supermarket is the first step to real reform. There are plenty of communities where there is a shortage of establishments that sell food where street vendors would make sense and be welcomed with open arms and not jeopardize established businesses. Also included in the bill is the creation of a street vendor advisory board, which is another beneficial idea. We should pass these two parts of the bill and hold off on increasing the number of street vendors to review how a reformed modern street vending system works. Bob Capano is the Chairman of the Brooklyn Reform Party and has worked for Republican and Democrat elected officials. Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC Flatbush Cheers to state Sen. Kevin Parker (DFlatbush) for hosting this years Black College Expo on Sept. 29 at Medgar Evers College. College-bound high schoolers and parents joined the generous senator, along with members of the National College Resources Foundation, to learn about opportunities to further their education. The expo facilitated the interaction of students with college recruiters to plan for their futures. Families were able to discuss the college admissions process, scholarship opportunities, and what attending a historically black college means to their academic success. At the event, students and parents had the opportunity to participate in the discussions. In addition to co-sponsoring the event, Sen. Parker afforded a $1,000 scholarship to an attendee headed to college next year. It can be difficult for parents and students to navigate the college admissions process, and this event helps by focusing on both accessibility and affordability for students of color, explained the senator. This is my third year collaborating with the Black College Expo, and I could not be more proud of how well-planned and informative the exhibition has been for community residents. I am thankful to the National College Resources Foundation for being such a critical resource for students of color here in New York State and across the country, the lawmaker added. Every year The Black College Expo aims to create a platform for children of color to learn more about the college admissions process, and to network and gain insight on scholarships. We are proud to partner with state Sen. Kevin Parker, as he has been instrumental in helping us reach our goals for the New York City tour stop, and we look forward to our continued partnership with his office, said Diana Love, director of College Access and New Business Development at National College Resources Foundation. State Sen. Kevin Parker district office [3021 Tilden Ave. in Flatbush, (718) 6296401]. Borough Wide Save the date Its legendary its the Legends of the Village. VillageCare is hosting its 20th benefit gala, honoring actress Olga Merediz and long-time employee of VillageCare Domingo Rodriguez on Nov. 5 at Tribeca Rooftop at 2 Desbrosses St. in Manhattan. The event brings sponsors together to celebrate major accomplishments while raising much-needed funds to support programs that promote healing, better health, and well-being for those served. VillageCare began in 1977 by community volunteers to rescue and reorganize a for-profit nursing home slated for closure. The much larger organization now provides post acute care, community-based services, and managed long-term care. So mark the time 6 pm cocktails, 7 pm dinner and dancing and RSVP by Oct. 19. VillageCare Legends of the Village gala (2 Desbrosses St. between Hudson and Greenwich streets in Manhattan, www.villa gecar e.org ) Nov. 5 at 6 pm. Cant make the gala? No problem, you can donate by calling (212) 3375743 or emailing found ation @vill ageca re.org . Brownsville Welcome! Its a new office for Brooklyn Legal Services Tenant Rights Coalition. The advocacy group held an open house on Sept. 27 to commemorate the opening of its latest addition. For three years, the team of attorneys and advocates has been providing legal and advocacy services to tenants in East New York, Brownsville, and surrounding neighborhoods, assisting thousands of tenants to fight evictions, address bad housing conditions, and force scofflaw landlords to comply with the law. We are here to fight for the rights of Brooklyn tenants and be a force against landlords who abuse and displace tenants, said Luis Henriquez Carrero, director at Brooklyn Tenant Rights Coalition. Brooklyn Legal Services Tenant Rights Coalition [Eastern Parkway and Rockaway Avenue in Brownsville, (718) 2375500, www.legal servi cesny c.org ]. Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC Theyre finally taking out the trash. A controversial waste transfer station years in the making finally opened in Gravesend on Oct. 1, a spokeswoman from the Department of Sanitation confirmed. The Southwest Brooklyn Marine Transfer Station at Shore Parkway and Bay 41st Street will export waste to an as-yet-unknown location via barges in a bid to reduce traffic and lessen pollution, according to Sanitation spokeswoman Dina Montes. Local activists and pols protested the station before and since construction began in December 2014, arguing that it will lead to increased truck traffic, air pollution, and unearth toxic chemicals from the sites history as a city garbage incinerator that operated without a permit for 40 years. Construction on the station was briefly halted last year, when workers found asbestos a notorious carcinogen on the site. The station is part of the citys Solid Waste Management Plan, approved by the Council in 2006, which mandated the city export waste by rail or barge from three private transfer stations and five city-owned transfer stations rather than by long-haul truck trips, Montes said, adding that the plan is expected to reduce truck traffic associated with waste export and slash greenhouse gas emissions by 34,000 tons annually. The district manager of the local Community Board 11 declined to comment on the opening, stating that the board supported Sanitations original application for the site. Longtime opponent Assemblyman Bill Colton (DGravesend) took a defiant tone, warning that the mayor will be on the hook for any harm it causes his constituents, and vowing to push to close the facility. Although Mayor DeBlasio may have pushed this dangerous project on our community, now we will hold him fully liable for all the negative impacts we had anticipated will occur, he said. I promise that we will continue to fight for its final closure, and we will prevail. Reach reporter Julianne McShane at (718) 2602523 or by e-mail at jmcsh ane@c ngloc al.com . Follow her on Twitter @juliannemcshane. Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC 61st Precinct Sheepshead BayHomecrest Manhattan BeachGravesend Designer thief Freebooters stole designer accessories worth more than an estimated $19,000 from an apartment on E. 24th Street on Oct. 3. The raiders stole a watch, a leather tote bag, two handbags, and a pair of suede boots, all by the designer brand Valentino, from the apartment near Voorhies Avenue between 8:30 am and 8:30 pm, according to cops. Commercial burglary Police arrested a suspect for allegedly breaking into a commercial building on Exeter Street on Oct. 1. The suspect broke through the front door window, busted a panel to an office door, and ransacked other rooms in the building near Oriental Boulevard between 12:40 and 1:15 am, according to cops. The suspect was arrested later that morning at 9:38 am, cops said. Depressing robbery A burglar entered a womans on E. 24th Street apartment on Oct. 1 and stole cash and medication. The victim told police that the filcher got in through an unlocked open window and stole cash, a laptop, bank cards, and anti-depressants, from the apartment near Kings Highway between 6:45 and 7:30 pm. Rogue severance package A former employee burgled his a commercial building on Sheepshead Bay Road on Oct. 1, cops said. The owner of the business near Emmons Avenue said told police that the disgruntled employee broke the lock of the door and slid through the front window to steal the keys for a business van and some cash from the register at 9:30 pm. The owner also has an active order of protection against the former worker, according to cops. Vacation raid A looter broke into an apartment on E. 26th Street between Oct. 3 and 5. The prowler broke the front door lock and stole a gold chain from the apartment near Kings Highway, at some point between when the victim left for vacation at 9:30 pm on Oct. 3, and when the victim returned at 8:30 pm on Oct. 5, according to cops. Cash withdrawer A purloiner broke into a clothing store on Avenue U sometime overnight on Oct. 5 and stole cash. Police said that the bandit broke the glass side door of the store near Nostrand Avenue sometime between 10:40 pm on Oct. 5 and 8 am the next day. The thief broke into three cash registers, stealing some $700, along with the cash register drawer, police reported. Cashing in A rustler broke into an office on E. 13th Street between Oct. 5 and 7. The brigand got into the building near Kings Highway through an unlocked gate and back door sometime between 1:30 pm on Oct. 5 and 5:15 pm two days later. The snake broke the door lock to the office, stealing some $200, according to police. Kevin Duggan Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC An East Flatbush man and self-proclaimed spiritual leader has been charged with raping two women after drugging them during religious ceremonies. Nigel Kennedy was arraigned on Oct. 10 for allegedly abusing his position of religious authority to give his victims drinks that knocked them out, and then rape them at his apartment, according to the district attorneys office. We allege that this defendant is a sexual predator who used his religious stature to lure women, then drugged and raped them, said District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. Kennedy allegedly brought a woman to his apartment on E. 52nd Street in East Flatbush for a religious ceremony on Aug. 30, 2016 at around 10 pm, according to the indictment. He then allegedly started chanting and poured a clear liquid that tasted like alcohol into the victims mouth and she lost consciousness, the indictment read. When the woman came to, she felt a person on top of her, but wasnt able to move and lost consciousness again, waking up at 5 am the next day naked on a bed, according to court filings. Kennedy allegedly told her that he didnt know how she got naked and then she left, feeling nauseated, dizzy, and vomiting for the rest of the day, according to the district attorneys office. The defendant allegedly used the same tactic to rape another woman on May 16, 2018, the indictment read. The second victim accompanied Kennedy to his apartment on E. 32nd Street in East Flatbush for a spiritual reading at about 10:30 am, according to the authorities. Kennedy allegedly blew smoke in her face and poured a substance that tasted like alcohol into her mouth. She then lost consciousness and, upon waking up, noticed her pants were off and the defendant was having sex with her, according to the indictment. She tried to push him off but couldnt, so she told him to stop, but Kennedy allegedly refused, telling her, Relax, its part of the ritual, and when he got off her she left, according to the district attorneys office. Both victims went to the hospital afterwards and sexual assault evidence was collected from them, including the same male DNA, which matched Kennedys, according to the district attorneys office. The second victim identified Kennedy and he was arrested on Sept. 7, 2018, after arriving at John F. Kennedy Airport from Trinidad. He has been charged with first- and third-degree rape, first- and second-degree sexual abuse, and other related charges, according to the indictment, and faces up to 25 years in prison. Kennedy is being held on $35,000 bail and was ordered to return to court on Dec. 11, 2018, according to the district attorneys office. The district attorney said his office will work to hold Kennedy to account and asked that any other possible victims of his come forward. We will now seek to hold him accountable for these despicable alleged acts, and I encourage anyone else who may have been victimized by him to call the DAs Action Center at (718) 2502340. 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 opened up about being locked up. A play about a man adjusting to life after prison, opening next week at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, draws on the real experience of its star, who spent 33 years behind bars. The story of Jack &, which starts its four-night run on Oct. 17, is fictional, but the emotions and experiences it portrays are true to the realities of incarceration and re-entering society, said the shows writer. Weve created a fictional character together, based on his actual experience as he chooses to share them in the work, so the first monologue begins with him talking about him being in the community room while serving time and the kinds of conversations that bubble up in that, said Kaneza Schaal, who lives in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The shows lead actor, Cornell Alston, was behind bars for more than three decades. Schaal saw him perform in a prison production of Ma Raineys Black Bottom, and immediately knew she wanted to work with him. His performance was stunning and kind of expanded my own dreaming about theater, she said. Jack & breaks down into three parts the first is a monologue performed by Alston, the second is a kind of sitcom inspired by Amos & Andy, and the third combines movement and music, drawing on African-American traditions to create a formal re-entry ceremony, said Schaal. We created this collaboration on this kind of time-travel musical score that goes through switches, through many different social and sonic codes, she said. And the performance in the third section is from many different materials, one of which is an African-American debutante and cotillion balls. Schaal has brought her piece all around the country, and everywhere it debuts, she makes sure to connect with those personally impacted by serving time. In each place it travels weve been making contact in local re-entry communities, said Schaal. Its very important to us have audiences who would otherwise not be spending time together in the same room. Schaal believes in the power of the arts to help formerly incarcerated people, and particularly young people, with the complexities of re-entry back into society, she said. Cornell talks so much about the importance of the arts in his personal process of re-entry, and I cant speak to the experience of 33 years serving time, but I speak the language of performance that is the language we work in together, she said. And one of the things we work on together is how to begin doing more work in juvenile detention centers in the state of New York, and building out a platform for folks, particularly young people coming out of serving time in prison and having continued contact with the arts. Jack & at BAM Fisher [321 Ashland Pl. between Lafayette Avenue and Hanson Place in Fort Greene, (718) 6364100, www.bam.org]. Oct. 1720 at 7:30 pm. $25. Reach reporter Julianne Cuba at (718) 2604577 or by e-mail at jcuba @cngl ocal.com . Follow her on Twitter @julcuba. Username: Password: or Register Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread Thread Rating: 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average 1 2 3 4 5 New York City recognizes "X" gender option on birth certificates LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 465855 10-11-2018 08:23 PM Post: #1 New York City recognizes "X" gender option on birth certificates Advertisement I recently read that the Sauds have given citizenship to a robot.(Sophia) We have already declared corporations as people. So, already, non people can be people. From what I have been reading about the theory...the end result is to have robots as taxpayers when they replace human workers. They just give them a birth certificate, mark it gender X & pay taxes such as the human worker would. Of course they won't require a paycheck. According to the theory this is why we are having all of this transgender stuff going on. I'm just posting it as a theory, not as my own belief. I will withhold judgement for now. But, I have wondered about the loss of tax monies to the government if robotics did take over the work force. Well, according to this theory, there will be no loss. New York City recognizes "X" gender option on birth certificates NEW YORK Non-binary New Yorkers -- people whose gender identity doesn't fit traditional male/female definitions can soon change their birth certificates to "X." New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the bill Tuesday. It goes into effect Jan. 1. The bill removes the requirement that residents need an affidavit from a doctor or mental health professional to change the gender on their birth certificates. It also allows parents to choose the "X'' designation for their newborns. New York City joins California, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington state in allowing a third gender option on birth certificates. Washington, D.C. allows gender-neutral driver licenses. Maine announced this summer that in July 2019 a system upgrade will allow Maine driver's licenses and ID cards to be printed with three gender options -- "M", "F" or "X" -- directly on the cards. De Blasio, a Democrat, says New Yorkers should be free to tell their government who they are - and "not the other way around." https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-york-ci...de-blasio/ I am not posting this as a left/right thing but as a conspiracy theory.I recently read that the Sauds have given citizenship to a robot.(Sophia) We have already declared corporations as people. So, already, non people can be people.From what I have been reading about the theory...the end result is to have robots as taxpayers when they replace human workers. They just give them a birth certificate, mark it gender X & pay taxes such as the human worker would. Of course they won't require a paycheck.According to the theory this is why we are having all of this transgender stuff going on.I'm just posting it as a theory, not as my own belief. I will withhold judgement for now. But, I have wondered about the loss of tax monies to the government if robotics did take over the work force. Well, according to this theory, there will be no loss.NEW YORK Non-binary New Yorkers -- people whose gender identity doesn't fit traditional male/female definitions can soon change their birth certificates to "X." New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the bill Tuesday. It goes into effect Jan. 1.The bill removes the requirement that residents need an affidavit from a doctor or mental health professional to change the gender on their birth certificates.It also allows parents to choose the "X'' designation for their newborns.New York City joins California, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington state in allowing a third gender option on birth certificates. Washington, D.C. allows gender-neutral driver licenses. Maine announced this summer that in July 2019 a system upgrade will allow Maine driver's licenses and ID cards to be printed with three gender options -- "M", "F" or "X" -- directly on the cards.De Blasio, a Democrat, says New Yorkers should be free to tell their government who they are - and "not the other way around." Isabella Registered User User ID: 421592 10-11-2018 08:42 PM Posts: 27,008 Post: #2 RE: New York City recognizes "X" gender option on birth certificates If parents are able to use the X on their childs birth certificate how will the government keep track of males who are required to register with selective Services at 18? LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 465855 10-11-2018 08:43 PM Post: #3 RE: New York City recognizes "X" gender option on birth certificates Saudi Arabia Is First Country to Give Citizenship to Robot November 05, 2017 Saudi Arabia says it has become the first country in the world to grant citizenship to a robot. The female robots name is Sophia. She was recently introduced at a large investment conference in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Sophia was presented as an example of how robot technology and artificial intelligence will make machines more human-like in the future. The announcement was made as Sophia was taking part in a group discussion in front of a crowd. The leader of the discussion was journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin. He informed Sophia of the Saudi governments decision. https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/sa...98338.html I found the article on Sophia. Most likely it has been posted here before. There is a video & pics and all of that at the link.November 05, 2017Saudi Arabia says it has become the first country in the world to grant citizenship to a robot.The female robots name is Sophia. She was recently introduced at a large investment conference in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.Sophia was presented as an example of how robot technology and artificial intelligence will make machines more human-like in the future.The announcement was made as Sophia was taking part in a group discussion in front of a crowd. The leader of the discussion was journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin. He informed Sophia of the Saudi governments decision. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 465855 10-11-2018 08:44 PM Post: #4 RE: New York City recognizes "X" gender option on birth certificates Isabella Wrote: (10-11-2018 08:42 PM) If parents are able to use the X on their childs birth certificate how will the government keep track of males who are required to register with selective Services at 18? Good point. Good point. Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread 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 Data privacy rules in Asia are limiting the spread of financial technology, an industry body said on Thursday, calling on regulators to set out broad principles rather than precise rules. Companies around the world want to make better use of the large pools of data they have to both cut costs and offer additional services. But governments and regulators in Asia and elsewhere are tightening rules on how that data is used. "Governments in Asia say that they support fintech, and they want fintech firms to enter their market, but data privacy rules are a major stumbling ... JPMorgan Chase & Co and Bank of America Corp have placed the jobs of chairman and chief executive in the hands of one person, and now No. 3 Citigroup Inc must decide whether to follow suit. The matter will be resolved in the next few months as the current chairman, Mike O'Neill, reaches 72, the company's retirement age for directors. Citigroup CEO Mike Corbat will soon know if he will be taking on the additional duties of chairman or working for a new boss. "The change in the chairman is the biggest corporate governance decision at Citigroup in six years," said ... IT services major Thursday said it has set up an Innovation and Talent Hub in Reading, to train computer science graduates and degree apprentices in digital technologies. The multifunctional hub will be a centre of excellence for 'Ascent', Wipro's talent development programme launched in 2017 to train UK-based computer science graduates and degree apprentices in digital technologies, said in a statement. To date, the programme has trained and placed 95 digital technology graduates and 40 digital technology degree apprentices in client projects at across the UK, it added. No investment details were disclosed. In addition, the hub will also run work experience programmes for school leavers, internship programmes for university students, and training programmes for employees. ALSO READ: Wipro techies run in 125 cities across 34 countries Besides, it will also provide a collaborative space for co-innovation and unique learning projects with clients, the statement said. "Our Innovation and Talent Hub in Reading reinforces our commitment to developing fruitful partnerships with academic institutions, incubate talent and encourage a workplace culture that fosters innovation and fresh thinking," Wipro CEO and Executive Director Abidali Z Neemuchwala said. He added that the company recognises the value of nurturing and skilling local talent and the facility in Reading embodies its commitment to local hiring. Wipro, which has been present in the for over two decades, works with customers across sectors like financial services, energy, natural resources, utilities, retail, and consumer goods industries. Wipro has IT development centres and digital pods in Reading, Hemel Hempstead, East Kilbride, Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh and London. A case was registered against veteran actor and three others for allegedly molesting an actor on the sets of a movie, police said Wednesday. A Bollywood actor had accused actor Patekar of sexually harassing her on the sets of the film in 2008, an official said. Following the actor's complaint the case was registered at Oshiwara Police Station against Patekar, choreographer Ganesh Acharya, producer Samee Siddiqui and director of the movie, Rakesh Sarang, he said. "We have registered a case against Patekar and others under section 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman)of IPC," Additional Commissioner of Police (West Region) Manojkumar Sharma told PTI. As of now, no arrest has been made so far, he said. "We are investigating the case and enquiries are on with this regard," he said Earlier in the evening, the actor had reached the Oshiwara Police Station in burkha to record her statement regarding the case, another official said. After recording the statement, the police registered the offence late midnight, he said. Joby Pathrose, a farmer living a kilometer away from the usually languid Periyar river in southern India, was woken in the night by the sound of rushing waters. Hours later his plantations and everything he owned were completely submerged. There was absolutely no warning from the government side, said Pathrose, describing the devastating flooding that hit his village of Okkal, in Kerala state, on Aug. 15. Pathrose says local authorities had advised his fields were safe, despite the incessant rains that battered Kerala at the peak of the monsoon. More than 5 million ... McDonalds has teamed up with PayMaya Philippines Inc. to accept cashless payments through self-ordering kiosks in its select stores in Metro Manila. Wed like to congratulate McDonalds for bringing this remarkable innovation to their stores in the Philippines. Through our respective innovations we hope to transform the experience of McDonalds customers whenever they order their favorite food, and push the adoption of the cashless lifestyle by more Filipinos, PayMaya Philippines chief operating officer and managing director Paolo Azzola said. Ordering and paying for McDonalds favorites are now more convenient, as PayMaya powers the cashless experience in the quick-service restaurant chains new Self-Ordering Kiosks, now available in select stores in Metro Manila. The new Self-Ordering Kiosk allows for faster and smoother transactions at participating McDonalds branches, as customers will only have to tap their orders at the screen and pay for their purchases by tapping or inserting their VISA or Mastercard at the terminal on the machine. After payment, they can proceed to the Claim Counter to pick-up the food they ordered.The cashless transactions at McDonalds Self-Ordering Kiosks are powered by One by PayMaya Business, an all-in-one payments terminal that can accept several transaction modes, including cards- and mobile-based payments. Customers can try out the Self-Ordering kiosks powered by PayMaya at the McDonalds McKinley West (Fort Bonifacio), Kapitolyo (Pasig), Robinsons Galleria (Pasig), Madison (San Juan), and Pioneer (Mandaluyong) branches of McDonalds in Metro Manila. Aside from facilitating quick transactions, One by PayMaya Business terminals are designed to be user-friendly because they look very much like most smartphones today. In the wake of I-T raids on the residence of Network-18 founder Raghav Bahl and offices of news portal 'The Quint', Editors Guild of India (EG) has expressed concern, saying it is 'perturbed' over Bahl's statement that officials tried to see 'sensitive journalistic material'. "Editors Guild of India expresses concern over the search and survey conducted by the Income Tax Department at the offices of The Quint and at the residence of its founder Raghav Bahl," a statement issued by the EG said. 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 The and another Hindu organisation claimed to have forcibly shut around 400 and chicken shops at different locations here on Wednesday, demanding that they remain closed during Navaratri. Chief of Shiv Sena's unit Gautam Saini told PTI that around 300 members of different Hindu organisations assembled at the Lord Shiva temple located at the Old Railway road on Wednesday morning and headed to different places to close shops. Locals claimed a group of Sena workers assembled at Palam Vihar on Wednesday and forcibly shut down markets in Surat Nagar, Ashok Vihar, Sector 5 and 9, Pataudi Chowk, Jacobpura, Sadar Bazaar, Khandsa Anaj Mandi, Bus Stand, DLF area, Sohna and Sector 14. They said 50 per cent of the shops are already closed amid fears of clashes as such exercise is launched every year around since the BJP came to power in 2014 at the Center and in Haryana. State president of Hindu Sena Ritu Raj said, "The Hindu organizations will continue their effort throughout The next target is new where there are a large number of meat shops." Majority of the meat sellers used blinds to cover their shops. However, the Sena and other Hindu outfits have threatened to close them down too, sellers alleged. "We have requested and served notices to every meat selling outlet to shut shop during Navaratri. This time we have not served notices to restaurants, like KFC and other chains, as them serving chicken cannot be seen in the open," Shiv Sena's in-charge Sanjay Thakral told PTI. The party workers have also asked owners of non-vegetarian food outlets to shut shop during the nine-day festival. "We have requested every meat shop owner to close their outlets. Sixty shops have been shut. If the rest 940 shops remain open, then we will have no option but to forcefully shut them down like we did in the previous couple of years," Thakral said. There are nearly 1,000 meat and chicken shops in Gurugram. A dispute emerged during the march by workers of Hindu outfits on Wednesday morning to close the shops and local police arrested some of the leaders. "We have arrested four leaders of Hindu organisations during the march. An FIR has been registered against them under relevant sections of the IPC for disturbing peace. Further investigation is underway," Gurgaon police PRO Subhash Bokan said. Asked if the meat shops were forcibly shut, DCP (crime) Sumit Kuhar said, "We are looking into the matter. No one is authorised to take law in their hands. We will not let anyone forcibly close down meat shops during Navaratri. If anyone wants to voluntarily close his shop, then it is up to him. We have directed all city SHOs to keep a watch on the situation." He said aggrieved persons must file police complaints in this regard. President Donald on Wednesday said that India "will soon find out" about his decision on the punitive sanctions after India signed a $5-billion deal to purchase the much-vaunted S-400 air defence system from Russia. Under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act or sanctions, which was amended early this year, only has the authority for the presidential waiver to India on weapons deal with sanctions-hit Russia. India last week inked a $5 billion deal to purchase S-400 Triumf air defence system from Moscow. The mega-deal was sealed in New Delhi during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Asked about the agreement between India and Russia, while interacting with reporters in the Oval Office of the White House, said, "India will find out. Aren't they?" "India is going to find out, he reiterated in response to India specific question. Asked when, he said, "You will see. Sooner than you think." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was also in the room when Trump answered the question on sanctions. Pompeo was scheduled to meet the president later. Pompeo and Defence Secretary James Mattis had earlier argued the case for a waiver to India. Last week, the White House had said that the US presidential waiver on weapons deal with sanctions-hit Russia is intended to "wean" countries like India off the Russian equipment. "The (CAATSA presidential) waiver is narrow, intended to wean countries off Russian equipment and allow for things such as spare parts for previously-purchased equipment," a White House Security Council Spokesperson had said after the conclusion of the S-400 contract. The US embassy spokesperson in New Delhi had said that the CAATSA was aimed at Moscow and not intended to damage the military capabilities of its "allies and partners. The Uttar Pradesh government is planning to open six pharma parks across the state and has received an investment commitment of about Rs 50-60 billion from domestic and multinational pharma companies, a senior minister said Thursday. The government is in talks with several multinational companies like Mylan, GE, Pfizer and Sanofi along with domestic players for setting up pharma units in the state, Uttar Pradesh health minister Sidharth Nath Singh said. "Uttar Pradesh is already a major centre having 30 per cent of manufacturing and exports of pharmaceuticals in the country. We had announced new pharma policy three months back and have already received an investment commitment of about Rs 50-60 , of which we hope that several will materialise soon," Singh told PTI here. Speaking on the sidelines of the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) annual celebration event, Singh said, the government is setting up six pharma parks in Noida, Bundelkhand, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, and Allahabad, which will help in achieving faster growth. The government will allot 100 to 250 acres of land and offer incentives like free electricity, zero stamp duty and interest free loan up to Rs 100 million for the infrastructure development, he said. "We are also reimbursing for five to seven years the state GST component. For the R&D support, we are providing capital intensive subsidy in the form of reimbursement to 60 per cent (up to Rs 5 million for the maximum unit)," Singh said, adding that the the state offers single window system and follow ethical practises. Singh said the Centre's is a huge programme and "we intend to be the backbone of implementing this initiative". He said the state government has already reached out to 1,000 private and public hospitals and is reaching out to 1,000 more. "We already have a huge training programme for the ASHA, ANMs and Angadwadi workers in UP to speed up the training process," he said. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the US "will take care" of the countries which will continue to import oil from Iran after the November 4 deadline when US sanctions on Iranian oil purchases take effect. "We will take care of them," Trump told reporters when asked about the decision of some countries like India and China to continue to purchase oil from Iran. Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday said that two state refiners have placed orders for importing crude oil from Iran in November. ALSO READ: US sanctions shows alarming signs of ... Several Chinese companies plan to relocate to the Philippines, but the Finance Departments push to remove the tax incentives may discourage these new investments, according to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. Peza director-general Charito Plaza said she would seek an audience with President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider the lifting of tax incentives given to investors under the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-Quality Opportunities or Trabaho bill in order to attract the Chinese companies. Plaza said many Chinese investors were moving out of China and were planning to transfer their manufacturing base in the Philippines to take advantage of the incentives the country enjoys under the Generalized System of Preferences scheme with the US. Theyre not are looking at Indonesia, Vietnam and others. They want to be here in the Philippines because of the talented and skilled workforce. I will inform the president about that, Plaza said. She said she was optimistic about getting a positive response from the president. Peza send a letter to the Office of the President two days ago. Plaza said while the principals of the Chinese companies started discussions with Peza, the executives said they might look elsewhere if the incentives would differ from the usual set of perks.She said the ongoing trade war between the US and China was hurting Chinese exporters and many of them decided to bring their business to the Philippines which enjoys export incentives to the US. Plaza said once the Trabaho bill forced foreign locators to shut down operations in the Philippines and transfer to other countries, it would be very difficult for Peza to woo these investors again. Enough of the warnings, enough of the bullying, enough of the scolding, I have to speak up because I am protecting the interest of the country, she said. The impression is that our policies are unstable. The government does not respect contracts it entered into with the investors. This is a big blow to our credibility compared to the policies and laws of the government, Plaza said. Bayer AG's Monsanto unit on Wednesday received a tentative ruling for a new trial on the $250 million in punitive damages awarded by a jury to a groundskeeper who alleged the company's glyphosate-based weed killers, including Roundup, caused his cancer. According to a court filing in San Francisco's Superior Court of California, Judge Suzanne Bolanos was considering whether to grant the company's motion for a new trial on the punitive damages. The judge's ruling, granting a new trial on the punitive damages, is tentative and was being discussed at a court ... Pakistan has requested financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund to address its economic challenges, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said on Thursday. Lagarde said in a statement that the request came during her meeting with Pakistani Finance Minister Asad Umar, and central bank governor Tarik Bajwa on the sidelines of the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Bali. "An IMF team will visit Islamabad in the coming weeks to initiate discussions for a possible IMF-supported economic program," Lagarde said. "We look forward to our continuing ... Robredo leaves for US, Canada to attend fora posted October 11, 2018 at 11:00 pm by Rio N. Araja October 11, 2018 at 11:00 pm VICE President Leni Robredo will leave today for the United States of America and Canada to attend a series of engagements, including a speech before a top policy think tank based in Washington, D.C. The Office of the Vice President, in an advisory, said she will deliver the keynote address at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on Oct. 18 for the CSIS-Pertamina-Banyan Tree Leadership Forum and the US-Philippines Strategic Initiative. The fora are considered to be premier platforms for discussing issues that have significant impact on Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific.Aside from other speaking engagements before Filipino associations, the vice president is also scheduled to meet with potential partners for her offices flagship anti-poverty program, Angat Buhay, as well as with Filipinos who thrived here for Istorya ng Pag-asa. Before her departure, the Vice President was invited to attend the Galing Pook Awards 2018 and 4th Jesse Robredo Leadership Award at the Novotel Manila in Quezon City. 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. A Chinese intelligence official has been arrested and charged with conspiring and attempting to commit economic espionage and steal trade secrets from multiple US aviation and aerospace companies, the Department of Justice said Wednesday. Yanjun Xu, aka Qu Hui, aka Zhang Hui, a Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) operative, was extradited to the US on Tuesday, following which the charges were unsealed on Wednesday. Arrested in Belgium on April 1, Xu was indicted on four counts of conspiring and attempting to commit espionage and theft of trade secrets. Xu is a Deputy Division Director with the MSS's Jiangsu State Security Department, Sixth Bureau. The MSS is the intelligence and security agency for China and is responsible for counter-intelligence, foreign intelligence and political security. Beijing on Thursday dismissed US charges against an alleged Chinese intelligence agent who was accused of a state-sponsored effort to steal trade secrets, saying American authorities were "making something out of thin air". "We hope the US side can deal with this in accordance with law," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a regular press briefing. MSS has broad powers in China to conduct espionage both domestically and abroad. According to the indictment, beginning December 2013 and till his arrest, Xu targeted certain companies recognised as leaders in the aviation field both in and outside the United States. This included GE Aviation. He identified experts who worked for these companies and recruited them to travel to China, often initially under the guise of asking them to deliver a university presentation. Xu and paid the experts' travel costs and provided stipends. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years. "This indictment alleges that a Chinese intelligence officer sought to steal trade secrets and other sensitive information from an American company that leads the way in aerospace," Assistant Attorney General John Demers said. "This case is not an isolated incident. It is part of an overall economic policy of developing China at America's expense. We cannot tolerate a nation stealing our firepower and the fruits of our brainpower. We will not tolerate a nation that reaps what it does not sow," he said. Innovation in aviation has been a hallmark of life and industry in the United States since the Wright brothers first designed gliders in Dayton more than a century ago, US attorney Benjamin Glassman said. "US aerospace companies invest decades of time and billions of dollars in research. This is the American way. In contrast, according to the indictment, a Chinese intelligence officer tried to acquire that same, hard-earned innovation through theft," he alleged. "This case shows that federal law enforcement authorities can not only detect and disrupt such espionage, but can also catch its perpetrators," Glassman added. When the cookbook author and food editor Chandra Ram was a child visiting relatives in India, the sounds coming from the kitchen would make her jump. There shed be in the sitting room, snuggled up with a Hanuman comic book, and it would come out of nowhere, this high-pitched shriek, she said a periodic wail like an oncoming train crossed with a gym teachers whistle and a mating cat. This was the sound of the traditional stovetop pressure cooker, a fixture in Indian kitchens for decades. The electric pressure cooker that Ms. Ram was using ... The sell-off in Indian equities intensified on Thursday as worries over slowing global growth, escalating trade tensions, and rising US treasury yields spooked investors worldwide. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had on Tuesday downgraded its outlook for global growth from the estimated 3.9 per cent in July to 3.7 per cent in 2018 and 2019. On Thursday, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said the global economy might not be strong enough to withstand the rising trade tensions. The S&P declined 2.2 per cent, or 759 points, to 34,001, the lowest close since April 11. In intra-day trade, the index had dropped as much as 1,037 points to 33,724. The capitalisation of the BSE-listed companies witnessed an erosion of Rs 2.69 trillion. On a year-to-date basis, returns are now in negative territory. The 50-share slumped 2.2 per cent to 10,234, with only nine of its components ending with gains. Concerns about trade wars and global crude oil prices, coupled with the liquidity tightness back home, are weighing on sentiment, said Navneet Munot, executive director and chief investment officer, SBI Mutual Fund. US equities slumped on Wednesday led by technology stocks, as rising US Treasury yields triggered a flight of money from risky assets such as equities. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 832 points to below 26,000, the third-worst point decline in history. The Nasdaq dropped more than 4 per cent, the worst decline in terms of percentage since June 2016. The dip in US equities roiled Asian on Thursday, with the benchmark indices in China, Japan and Hong Kong slipping at least 3.5 per cent. Chinas benchmark equity gauge Shanghai Composite closed 5.2 per cent lower, the biggest loss since February 2016, and ended below the psychological 2,600-mark, according to Bloomberg. The Hang Seng index slid 3.5 per cent, the most in eight months. Back home, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) dumped worth Rs 29 billion, the provisional data showed. FPIs have offloaded worth Rs 251 billion since August, taking their year-to-date sales to Rs 285 billion. In comparison, domestic institutions have shopped for equities worth Rs 968 billion this year. The surge in domestic equity inflows has insulated the Indian equity several times in the past few years. Flows in equity mutual funds through systematic investment plans continue to be robust (Rs 60-70 billion). While this is unlikely to get impacted significantly by the recent sell-off, lumpsum investments from retail and wealthy investors are beginning to taper off, believes SBI MFs Munot. We expect Indian equities to grind lower in the coming months, given our expectation of further earnings downgrades led by higher interest rates, rising inflation, and its impact on economy, coupled with weaker-than-expected monsoon so far, said Jitendra Gohil, head - India equity research, Credit Suisse Wealth Management, in a recent note put out by the brokerage. Gohil said investors needed to be cautious as valuations remained stretched relative to peers and historical averages. Indian equities were trading at a 12-month forward price to earnings multiples of 16.1 versus 10-year average of 15. While the domestic equity flows are slowing, they still remain high. We expect sharp slowdown amid heightened risk aversion. We maintain our book profits call on equities that started in early September, Gohil said. The rupee closed at 74.1 against the dollar, down nearly 14 per cent in the year-to-date, making it the worst-performing currency in Asia. Global crude oil prices eased to $82 a barrel. Prices have been hovering near $85 a barrel, the most since November 2014, on fears that the impending sanctions on Irans petroleum industry would lead to constricted supplies. According to experts, high oil prices coupled with a weak rupee could disrupt Indias trade balance, increase the risk of fiscal slippage, and pose an upside risk to inflation. A little more than 66 per cent, or 1,805, of the declined on Thursday. Twenty-eight of the 30 components and 17 of the 19 sectoral sub-indexes compiled by the slid, with realty, IT and metal indices falling more than 3 per cent each. The basket of energy stocks gained after crude oil prices fell and on hopes that they would not be called to bear the excess subsidy burden. Investors will look for cues from the September quarter results in the coming days. An analysis of data from Capitaline shows the 41 state-owned stocks have halved from their 52-week highs and another 32 are currently trading at 12-44 per cent below their 52-week highs. Experts say investor sentiment towards the PSU space is at one of its lowest points. The PSU space has underperformed the most, whether large-caps or mid-caps. Investors dont like it when the government compromises ... 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 YES Bank has moved higher by 15% to Rs 268 on the BSE in intra-day trade ahead of the first meeting of the search & selection committee today for finalization of the advisory firm. The stock bounced back 24% from its intra-day low of Rs 217. The private sector lender on Friday after market hours had said that it has invited proposals from global leadership advisory firms and will finalise the company in the committees first meeting, which is scheduled to be held on October 11. Since then, the stock of YES Bank has rallied 25% as compared to 0.65% decline in the S&P BSE ... Having been instated as the Canadian High Commissioner to India for a day on Thursday to mark the International Day of the Girl Child, Baby, a student from Bihar, highlighted the recent cases of violence against people from her state in Gujarat. Speaking to ANI, Baby said, "It's really saddening. If there had been such facilities in our state, there would be no need for anyone to go to another state. It's the lack of education and opportunities that make people move out of their state." "People do not understand the importance of education, ignoring it and focusing on earning money, for which they go to other states. If those people were educated, they would have found some occupation closer to home, maybe could have started a business," Baby added. Expressing her delight over becoming the High Commissioner of Canada to India, Baby said, "It's a great experience. I got an opportunity to learn. I was a girl confined to her village, district, now I had the chance to become the High Commissioner. I've learned how to express myself, how to connect with others and how to solve any problem through dialogue." On October 8, a political science student from Amity University in Noida, Esha Bahal, was chosen as the British High Commissioner to India for 24 hours. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Journalist Abhijit Mitra has written an apology letter to the House Committee and the Speaker of the Odisha Assembly over his derogatory remarks on Konark's Sun Temple and other offences he is accused of. Mitra was summoned before the House Committee on Thursday. He, however, did not appear. The House Committee issued another summon to the scribe to appear on October 23 while directing the Director General of Police to issue the notice. The leader of Opposition and chairman of the House Committee, Narasingha Mishra informed, "Abhijit Mitra has sent an Email in which he mentioned that he has committed an unpardonable mistake and he accepted his fault." He said, "As the House Committee issued a notice to Abhijit Mitra to appear on October 11, he is bound to respect the decision of Committee. Considering the cyclone and cancellation of flights, the House Committee is giving him a chance to appear on October 23." The committee will also probe a breach of Privilege Motion moved against him. Mitra was arrested by Odisha Police on September 20 from Delhi with the assistance of Delhi Police on charges of hurting religious sentiments of the people. He was later granted bail by a local court. The matter later escalated to the Supreme Court where his bail plea was quashed. The three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi, said: "We have seen your remarks on Sun Temple. You are inciting religious feelings of people of this country. How are you entitled to bail?" During a visit to the Konark Sun Temple on September 16, Mitra had posted a satirical video on Twitter, wherein he made certain comments. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Terming the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) as a 'conscience keeper' to the nation, President Ram Nath Kovind called the top auditor body to focus more on providing outcome-based auditing and technology-based insights. While addressing the 29th Accountants General Conference on "Auditing and Accounting in a Digital Era" here on Wednesday, President Kovind said, "Audit is not an end in itself. It is a means to make governments work better. Given this, I believe we have to emphasise outcomes as a more meaningful measure of programme value than output. Through the use of data analytic techniques you can assist in not only giving insights for the present but also aid in providing credible forecasts." He added, "The broad mandate and range of audit assignments, transactions and operations - as well as the expertise required for a thorough analysis - is challenging. You have always risen to the occasion. You are not a mere keeper of accounts but a conscience keeper to the nation and a key partner in India's progress." The President was also happy to note that the institution of the CAG came out with a data management policy and is increasingly using data analytics in its audit work. He added that with the use of data analytic techniques, the CAG could assist in not only giving insights for the present but also aid in providing credible forecasts. With the tools appropriate to managing and examining the expanding data in a digital economy, the CAG is positioned to anticipate long-term trends and emerging issues related to the economy, education, health, environment, security among others, President Kovind said. The President further said that there is a massive decentralisation of funds, functions and functionaries and greater flexibility available to state governments. "A number of welfare schemes are also implemented through urban local bodies and panchayats. However, it is a fact that accountability mechanisms at the local level are not as robust. The social audit to account whether the money was spent properly, and made the intended difference, is mostly conducted by the scheme beneficiaries," President Kovind added. The President further said that the CAG, as an institution, could partner with local citizens and state audit societies to train them, build capacities and issue advisories on framing of guidelines, developing criteria, methodology and reporting for audit. President Kovind further went on to say that the top auditor body may deliberate on how it would identify, understand and measure outcomes to study the impact of programmes. He stated that such a study of programme effectiveness would be a big boon to policymakers, and should also include a dialogue with the implementing agencies to understand their motivations and perspective. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Coordination among diverse technologies is leading to Fourth Industrial Revolution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday. Speaking of the opportunities that will be made available with the launch of this Centre, he said, "Under such conditions, launch of this centre in India after San Francisco, Tokyo and Beijing opens door to infinite possibilities for future." The Prime Minister also said that technological advent can take development in India to new heights, he said, "Artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, big Data and several other new technologies have the capacity to take development in India to new heights, generate new employment opportunities and enhance life of every Indian." The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is the fourth major industrial era after the initial Industrial Revolution of the 18th century. It is characterised by a fusion of technologies that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital and biological spheres. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The 'very severe cyclonic storm', Titli, which made landfall near Gopalpur district in Odisha this morning will weaken gradually and is expected to turn into a "deep depression" by Friday morning, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday. "It (cyclone Titli) is very likely to move northwestwards for next 12 hours and then re-curve northeastwards towards Gangetic West Bengal across Odisha. It is very likely to weaken gradually becoming severe cyclonic storm around noon, cyclonic storm around evening of today and a deep depression by morning of tomorrow, October 12, 2018," IMD stated. Earlier on Thursday, Odisha's Gopalpur and Andhra Pradesh's Kalingapatnam reported surface wind speed of 126 kmph at 04:30 am and 59 kmph at 03:30 am respectively. The cyclonic storm caused 'heavy to very heavy rainfall' in Ganjam, Gajapati and Puri districts of Odisha. Damage of thatched and asbestos house, street lights, roads blockage due to falling of trees, has been reported in Ganjam district. Further, minor damage to power and communication has also been reported in the district. Meanwhile, 13 Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed in several districts of Odisha, including Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Kendrapada, Nayagarh, Bhadrak, Jagatsingjpur, Balasore, Jajpur, Khurdha and Sambalpur. Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) has also deployed its teams in nine districts--Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Khordha, Cuttack, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Boudh and Kalahandi. Fire services team are also on alert to respond at short notice of the district administration. Several preparedness measures have also been taken to ward off any untoward situations. A total of 30 District Emergency Operation Centres have been activated to track and respond to the cyclonic storm effectively. 300 Powerboats of Special Relief Organisation have been kept ready for relief operation while 879 multi-purpose cyclone or flood shelters have been kept in readiness for sheltering people to be evacuated. Meanwhile, all government officials have been directed to stay in headquarters and not to avail leave. All schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres will also remain closed till October 12. As of now, around 3,00,000 people have been evacuated and 1112 relief camps have been opened for the evacuees in the shelters. The situation is being closely monitored at different levels. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Criminal syndicates continue to smuggle prohibited drugs into the country, this time using the Philippine postal system. On Thursday, Customs officials at the Port of NAIA presented P27.5 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, cocaine and cannabis seized in separate occasions at the Central Mail Exchange Center in Pasay City. The contrabandfound in different packages of P850,000 worth of marijuana (500 grams) concealed inn portable heater, P14.3 million of shabu, were declared as baby dress and birthday card, and P12.3 million worth of cocaine declared as supplementary sheetwere turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Based on the documents, the marijuana came from USA and consigned to one Raven Delosa of Quezon City while the 204 grams of shabu was from the United Kingdom and consigned to Joy Bido of Dasmarinas in Cavite who was arrested last month. The 2,329 grams of cocaine, on the other hand, came from Sao Paolo, Brazil and was consigned to Johnmel Natividad of Caloocan City. The consignees will be charged with violation of provisions of Republic Act 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and RA 9165 otherwise known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002. The latest apprehension brings to 27 the total number of drug busts made by the Port of NAIA led by its collector Carmelita Talusan in span of six months. Talusan and her NAIA team of examiners, operatives from the X-Ray Inspection Project office and the bureaus Enforcement Group, continue to strengthen their vigilance to prevent the entry of drugs and other anti-social and prohibited goods. In June, Airport and Customs authorities also intercepted in CMEC a package shipped from Canada containing marijuana worth more than P100,000.Four vacuum-sealed plastic pouches containing 343 grams of cannabis dried leaves was discovered in the parcel upon examination by authorities. Meanwhile, the authorities also presented a smuggled mangrove snake intended for export to Taipei which was turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The sender was traced from a certain Darryl Lim, a resident in Mandaluyong City. The government said that shabu, marijuana and ecstasy are the top three narcotics distributed in the streets and these prohibited substances are manufactured by Chinese, Taiwanese and Mexican drug syndicates. Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena Jr. ordered his men to protect our borders and increase the revenue collection. He said the governments crackdown on drug dealing in the country will continue with the goal of catching protectors and financiers of the illegal drug trade. In a separate event, the bureau turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development assorted clothes, beddings, pillows and blankets to aid the victims of typhoon Ompong situated in Cordillera Administrative Region. This activity is in compliance to the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to the Customs bureau to give to the DSWD BOC-seized goods as aid to the thousands of families affected by typhoon Ompong. Dassault clarified on Wednesday that it had "freely chosen" India's Reliance Group for a partnership to set up joint-venture Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL) to manufacture parts for Rafale aircraft and Falcon 2000 business jets. In a statement, Dassault further confirmed that "it has sold 36 Rafale aircraft to India within the framework of the September 2016 Inter-Government Agreement between France and India". The aviation company also mentioned that it created the joint venture to deliver the offsets committed to India. "In compliance with the Indian regulations (Defence Procurement Procedure) and as frequent with such a contract, Dassault Aviation has committed to offsets in India worth 50 percent of the value of the purchase", the release read. "In order to deliver some of these offsets, Dassault Aviation has decided to create a joint venture. Dassault Aviation has freely chosen to make a partnership with India's Reliance Group", they further added while stating that DRAL was created on February 10, 2017. The statement further stated that the Central Works Council was informed about the creation of DRAL on May 11, 2017 by the Chief Operating Officer Loik Segalen, in compliance with French regulations. Dassault also said that "negotiations are ongoing with a hundred-odd other potential partners" and also confirmed that other partnerships have been signed with companies like "BTSL, DEFSYS, Kinetic, Mahindra, Maini, SAMTEL." They also clarified that the DRAL plant in Nagpur, the cornerstone of which was laid down on October 27, 2017, will manufacture parts for Falcon 2000 business jets and "in a second step", parts for Rafale aircraft. They confirmed that the first Falcon 2000 parts will be delivered by the end of this year, adding that an initial team of Indian managers and skilled workers were trained in France for the manufacturing processes. The Rafale jets were chosen during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) tenure in 2012. Initially, India had planned to buy 18 off-the-shelf jets from France, with 108 others to be assembled in the country by the state-run aerospace and defence company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). However, in 2015, the Centre led by Prime Minister Modi scrapped the UPA's plan and announced that it would buy 36 "ready-to-fly" Rafale jets instead of seeking a technology transfer from France's Dassault Aviation and making the aircraft in India. The deal was signed in the year 2016. The Congress has been alleging that the Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has been procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the then UPA government. The controversy took a new twist recently after former French President Hollande, with whom the deal was cleared, claimed that the Indian government had proposed Reliance Defence's name as the offset partner for Dassault Aviation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turns out, E-cigarettes can indeed help people give up smoking faster than any other methods out there. A recent study by the University of Exeter and University of Melbourne and funded by Cancer Research UK, confirmed that in order to stop people from smoking, e-cigarettes should be advertised more openly. The study appeared in the Harm Reduction Journal. Hannah Farrimond, from the University of Exeter, who led the research said, "There are real opportunities for stop smoking services to use e-cigarettes more actively to help people give up smoking, but for this to happen policies around the country need to be consistent, and people need to share best practice and know what others are doing." Farrimond further mentioned that for the smoking cessation work to succeed the initiative should go beyond specialist clinics where only a few smokers go to. Experts believe that this initiative should support smoking cessation in psychiatric units, community mental settings, community centres, and smoke-free hospitals. George Butterworth, of Cancer Research UK's senior policy manager, said that e-cigarettes are far less harmful than tobacco cigarettes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj on Thursday met Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah in Dushanbe. Swaraj is in Dushanbe to participate in the two-day 17th Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Swaraj also met Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Sirojiddin Muhriddin on Thursday. This will be the second CHG meeting since India became a full member of SCO in June last year. Swaraj had also attended the last year's meeting at Sochi. Swaraj is attending the SCO CHG meeting and shall participate in the restricted as well as extended formats. The meeting is a forum that enables India to engage with SCO member countries and Observer states of Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia. It is the first major meeting since Kyrgyzstan took over as chair of the organisation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The first test launch of the unmanned version of Russia's new Federation spacecraft atop the new Soyuz-5 rocket has been suggested to be rescheduled from 2022 to 2023 after two test launches of the rocket with other spacecraft are held, a source in the aerospace industry told Sputnik on Thursday. The unmanned version of Federation was initially set to be launched from Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome atop Soyuz-5 in 2022, with the second test flight planned for 2023, when the spacecraft was set to dock to the International Space Station (ISS). The manned flight was expected to be held in 2024. However, in July, the Russian Space Corporation (Roscosmos) said that during its first launch in 2022, the Soyuz-5 rocket will not bring Federation to the orbit, as it had initially been planned, but will have another spacecraft atop of it. "According to the new schedule of the Soyuz-5 launches, which is being formed now, five launches of the new carrier rocket are planned to be held before 2025. The first launch is scheduled for mid-2022, the second launch is set for late 2022 . The launch of the unmanned version of the Federation spacecraft on the Soyuz-5 rocket is suggested to be held in 2023 after two test launches of the rocket are held," the source said. It is still unclear which spacecraft the Soyuz-5 rocket will bring to space in 2022, according to the source. In mid and late 2024, two more launches of Soyuz-5 rockets were slated to be held in order to bring an unmanned spacecraft and a crew to the ISS, the source added. "Thus, the terms for the launch of the manned version of the Federation spacecraft, set for Roscosmos for 2024, remain," the source pointed out. The Russian space agency has not immediately responded for comment. The Russian spacecraft manufacturer Energiya has been working on the Federation spacecraft since 2009, aiming to substitute Soyuz rockets, which have been used to bring crews to the ISS for over 50 years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Vikramaditya Singh, on Thursday, joined Congress in the presence of senior leaders Ambika Soni and Ghulam Nabi Azad. Singh is the son of senior Congress leader Karan Singh and the grandson of last ruling Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh. Expressing happiness, Singh said, "It is a very important day for me as I joined Congress today; my father has been associated with Congress since the time of Jawaharlal Nehru. I joined the PDP in 2014 after Mufti Mohammad Sayeed asked me to. I resigned as the government did not fulfill the promises it made and it felt like the public was being cheated." Addressing the media, Soni said, "All of us know Vikramaditya Singh. Last year he resigned from his post as the Member of the Legislative Council from the BJP-PDP government after they failed to fulfill their promises. We wanted him to join Congress since then." Welcoming Singh into the party, Azad said, "He is the elder son of Karan Singh and a political legacy which is centuries old. His father was a cabinet minister in Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinet, in Indira Gandhi's cabinet. He resigned from the BJP-PDP government as they did the exact opposite of what they promised." Singh resigned from PDP in October last year, stating that it was not possible for him to work with a party "that continues to disregard the demand and aspirations of Jammu region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) One of the two terrorists who were gunned down by security forces on Thursday morning has been identified as Hizbul Mujahideen's top commander Manan Wani. Giving the details, the Jammu and Kashmir police informed that the other terrorist too was a Hizbul operative and identified as Ashiq Hussain Zargar, a resident of Tulwari Langate. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti described the killing of the top Hizbul commander as a 'loss'. Taking to twitter, she wrote that security forces gunned down two top HM terrorists including a former Ph.D scholar-turned-terrorist Manan Bashir Wani, Handwara district of north Kashmir. Mehbooba twitted, "Today a PhD scholar chose death over life and was killed in an encounter. His death is entirely our loss as we are losing young educated boys every day. It is high time that all the political parties in the country realise the gravity of this situation and try to facilitate a solution through dialogue with all the stakeholders including Pakistan to end this bloodshed." An encounter broke out on Thursday morning between security forces and terrorists in Shartgund Bala area of Qalamabad. Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Tilda Swinton crossed all milestones for her upcoming horror film titled 'Suspiria', in which she will be seen playing two different roles, one of which is the character of an 82-year-old man, Dr. Josef Klemperer. The film revolves around a ballet dancer Susie, played by Dakota Johnson, as she uncovers the terrifying secrets behind a famous dance company, headed by Madame Blanc also played by Swinton, reported People. The Oscar-winning actor and the film's director Luca Guadagnino kept the information of her playing the male character under wraps while filming, going so far that they created the fake identity of Lutz Ebersdorf and credited him for playing the character. Swinton finally revealed to the New York Times that she pretended to be Ebersdorf to play the role of Klemperer. "The intention was never to fool anybody. The genius of [makeup artist] Marc Coulier notwithstanding, it was always our design that there would be something unresolved about the identity of the performance of Klemperer," said Swinton. She transformed into this male character with the help of Oscar-winning makeup artist Coulier, who created male prosthetics for her. For creating her facial transformation, Coulier said Swinton's "slightly androgynous look" helped but they still thickened her neck and jaw with prosthetics. "She did have us make a penis," said Coulier. "She had this nice, weighty set of genitalia so that she could feel it dangling between her legs, and she managed to get it out on set on a couple of occasions," added Coulier. The actor transformed completely and preferred being called 'Lutz' on the sets of the film, taking on the false identity of a male actor to play the role. Many of the crew members on the set were unaware of it and "They were all like, 'Is this a famous actor, Lutz Ebersdorf?' They'd go on IMDb looking for him, and there wasn't any information," said Coulier. Swinton's only regret was that she couldn't prolong the ruse until the release of the film. Photographs of her emerged in the costumes in March 2017. "My original idea was that Lutz would die during the edit, and his 'In Memoriam' be the final credit in the film," she added. The horror movie will release on November 2 worldwide. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) People of Nepal on Thursday welcomed with great fanfare its first freight train laden with 5,500 tonnes of ballast. The train set off from India's Jharkhand yesterday. It is for the first time in five years that a complete locomotive comprised of 53 goods wagons had reached Nepal from India through the Janakpur-Jaynagar broad-gauge railway. The train took 18 hours to reach its destination. Earlier, trains used to run on narrow gauge. According to Kathmandu Post, the broad gauge has also been laid along the 34 kilometres segment between Jaynagar and Kurtha. Efforts are on from both sides to operate the train between these two places by mid-December. The report further suggests that this rail service project worth Rs 5.5 billion has been divided into three phases. The first phase includes construction of a 34-km segment between Jaynagar and Kurtha, the second comprises construction of an 18-kilometre segment from Kurtha to Bhangaha in Mahottari district, and the third comprises construction of a 17-kilometre segment from Bhangaha to Bardibas. Speaking to ANI, Balram Mishra, Director General of the Department of Railways, Nepal, said, "Earlier, we had a narrow gauge service from Jaynagar to Janakpur but due to the construction of the broad gauge the old system is not going to work anymore. So at present, we are planning to have the weight lease agreement with the Indian company through the Indian Government and we will run the train on the basis of that." Railway service between Janakpur-Jaynagar was suspended in 2014. Interestingly, this track was built by the British 80 years ago, when India was under its rule, in order to transport timbers from the forest of Mahottari to India. The railway line was spread in 52 kilometres from Bijulpura in Nepal's Mahottari to Bihar's Jaynagar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Aligarh Muslim University' Registrar Dr. Abdul Hamid on Thursday informed that Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Manan Wani was rusticated from the University and that the varsity had no knowledge of his know-how ever since. Speaking to ANI, Dr. Hamid said, "Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Manan Wani who was killed in Handwara encounter today was once a student at AMU but he was rusticated from the University. AMU had nothing to do with him now." He also underscored that three students have been suspended after a group of them attempted to gather inside the university premises following the death of the terrorist. "Few students tried to hold a gathering today over his death but we have given a clear message that no anti- activity will be tolerated in AMU. We did not allow them to gather and 3 students were also suspended," Hamid said. An encounter broke out on Thursday morning between security forces and terrorists in Shartgund Bala area of Qalamabad. Hizbul Mujahideen's top commander Manan Wani and another Hizbul operative Ashiq Hussain Zargar were killed by security forces in this encounter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Malaysian government is planning to abolish the death penalty. The proposed bill is expected to be discussed in the Malaysian parliament on Monday, reported Al Jazeera. Malaysian cabinet has also put around 1200 pending executions on halt. The proposed bill is being hailed by the international human rights groups and foreign diplomats. Dag Juhlin-Dannfelt, the Swedish ambassador to Malaysia took to Twitter to welcome the move. "We strongly welcome announcement by Malaysian Government of intention to abolish the death penalty. Impressive&bold move. Equally impressed by moratorium w/ immediate effect on further execution of death penalties. Malaysia Baharu again sets an example 2 b emulated," Dag tweeted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Facebook makes American society better Facebook makes American society worse Worse because of the way some people use Facebook Worse because of the way Facebook itself is run Facebook has no effect on American society No opinion Vote View Results The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has announced the Bohol Panglao Airport, designed to be the countrys first eco-airport and dubbed as the Green Gateway to the World, is now 95.16 percent complete. To conform with its environment-friendly theme, sustainable structures were used, along with solar panels on the roof of the Passenger Terminal Building which will provide 30 percent of its electrical requirements, CAAP said Thursday. The Bohol Panglao Airport also stood out for its Sewage Treatment Plant that is currently at 99.72 percent and expected to be completed by Oct. 18. The airport is expected to accommodate more than two million passengers in its opening year alone, from 800,000 passengers currently being accommodated by the Tagbilaran airport. Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade recently led the inspection of the facility and checked the progress of the construction worksfrom the runway to the passenger terminal, perimeter fence, and the sewerage treatment systemin order to ensure that the project will be completed as scheduled. Tugade said the airport could accommodate seven aircraft at one time, including large aircraft for international flights, and was expected to accommodate two million passengers in its opening year.The Panglao Airport will replace the old Tagbilaran Airport to accommodate more passengers going to and from the province of Bohol. Tagbilaran Airport, especially its runway, was placed under preventive maintenance, repair, and patching works due to degradation caused by continuous rains recently. Heavy rains resulted in water to infiltrate under the runway and causing potholes and cracks. The preventive maintenance in Tagbilaran was a collaborative effort between the Department of Transportation, CAAP, local government unit, and private contractors enlisted to assist in the delivery and repair works. The government is also rehabilitating and expanding eight other provincial airportsNaga, Tuguegarao, Cauayan, Dumaguete, Dipolog, Cotabato, Pagadian, and Ozamiz to enable them to operate for nighttime commercial flights. Meat shops across Gurugram were forcibly shut down by members of the Sanyukt Hindu Sangarsh Samiti (SHSS) on the first day of Navaratri on Wednesday. The SHSS is a group of 22 local units of right-wing organisations. The members of the Hindu outfit claimed that the district administration had proposed to shut down the meat shops for nine days during the Navaratri period. However, due to non-cognisance, the members took to the streets to protest against the same. A member of the SHSS said, "We had met with the administration and said that the meat shops in Gurugram should be shut during Navaratri. We had demanded that these shops should be closed for nine days. But, the administration did not take any notice and hence, we are on the streets to close these shops. We are requesting the people to shut down their shops. If they do not do, we will force them to close their shops. If there is any law and order problem, then the administration is responsible for it." A shopkeeper alleged that he was cleaning his shop when a group of men forced him to pull the shutters down. He claimed that he was thrashed when he did not pay heed to the threats. "I was cleaning my shop after opening when a group of men approached and threatened me to pull the shutters. When I refused to do, I was thrashed by them. I have a proper commercial license as well," the shopkeeper said. Another shopkeeper said that they did not receive any order from the administration in this regard. He said, "These organisations had earlier said that they have no problem. But now, they are forcing us to close our shops. We will protest against this injustice. We have not received an order from the administration requesting us to shut down our shops. But if it comes, we will close our shops in these nine days." Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Gurugram, Vinay Pratap Singh, said that strict action will be taken against those who tried to forcibly shut down the shops. He stated, "The municipal corporation is doing their routine exercise on cracking down on meat shops. Such incidents should not be connected to Navaratri. If anyone tries to forcibly close any shop and take the law into their own hands, it is an offence and strict action will be against such people." Last year, the local unit of the Shiv Sena activists took to the streets of Gurugram, closing down meat shops for the Navratri festival. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Melania Trump wants the sexual assault survivors to present proof of their claims. In an interview during the trip to Africa this month, the United States first lady addressed the ongoing #MeToo movement. "If you are accused of something, show the evidence. We need to show the evidence," she said. When quizzed if men in the news who have been accused of sexual assaults are treated unfairly, she said, "You cannot just say to somebody 'Oh I was sexually assaulted, or you did that to me,' because sometimes the media goes too far. The way they portray some stories; it's not correct, it's not right." According to a report by Variety, while she maintained that she supports women, she added that men need to be supported as well. "We need to support them, and you know also men not just women," she said. #MeToo , a movement against sexual harassment and sexual assault, began a year ago in Hollywood after The New York Times and The New Yorker published several stories about decades-long predation of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In the wake of a Garba event, the Mali community in Madhya Pradesh's Alirajpur has asked girls above the age of 10 to not wear jeans and top. "We are holding a Garba programme. We have decided that girls above the age of 10 will not wear jeans and top. They will not wear it in houses too and not in any of other events," Manjula Mali, president, women committee of the Alirajpur community. "The reason is that men don't look at women in a decent way. So, we need to make our girls understand," she added. The men of the community have also given go-ahead to the decision. "We have taken this decision because boys don't see women properly. We want to run this event properly as per our religion and customs," said Himmat Mali, president of the community. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president on Wednesday said neither Telangana caretaker Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao nor Congress president can bring development to the state. Addressing the Samara Bheri public meeting in Karimnagar on Wednesday, Shah stated that the development which was happening all over the country will be brought to Telangana if the public gives a chance to the BJP to form government in the state. Shah further came down heavily on Rao over the call for early polls in the state, causing a heavy financial burden for the public. "Why he (Rao) has called for early polls and brought a heavy financial burden on the Telangana public? KCR was afraid of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Shah said. The BJP chief also condemned the caretaker chief minister's decision to not implement the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojna (PMJAY) - Ayushman Bharat in the state, saying, "He says Telangana poor do not need the money. He fears that if he implements the scheme, Narendra Modi Ji will become popular, KCR has stopped Rs 500,000 aid for the poor." Firing a fresh salvo against Gandhi, Shah said that Congress has not been able to form governments in any state under his leadership. "Under Rahul baba and company's leadership, the Congress has not been able to form governments in any state. Even if one uses binoculars, one cannot find the Congress in any state right now," he said. Further targeting Congress, Shah said that when former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao had died, the party did not perform the final rites and neither allowed his body to be displayed at the party headquarters. He said that when former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away, the BJP made all-out efforts to commemorate him. "When the great Atal Ji passed away, the BJP spared no efforts to commemorate him. The Prime Minister walked for five kilometres for his final journey as a tribute to Atal Ji. On the other hand, when a great son of Telangana, former Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao passed away, the Congress, Sonia Gandhi did not let his pyre burn. They did not display his body at the headquarters for people to see," Shah said. "The public should question the Congress for this insult to a great Telegu leader," the BJP supremo added. He also highlighted his party's initiatives undertaken in the state, from increasing funding from Rs 160 billion under the Congress-led Central government's 13th Finance Commission, to Rs 1.15 trillion under the BJP government's 14th finance commission, Rs 150 billion under the Mudra loan scheme, Rs 8.33 billion under the AMRUT mission, etc. Shah's onslaught tirade against Gandhi and other opposition leaders comes in the wake of the impending Legislative Assembly elections in the state, which are due to be held on December 7 to elect members of the 119 constituencies. More than 21,000 websites offering pornographic contents have been shut down in Nepal so far following the government banning porn sites, according to the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA). The Nepal government has cracked down on pornographic websites in view of increasing incidents of rape and sexual harassments in the country. The NTA started banning such websites from September 24 acting on the direction by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to ban sharing, distribution and broadcasting port content through any medium. There are over 100 internet service providers operating in Nepal. Nepal's law mentions pornographic content as illegal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "I want to help little girls get an education to build a brighter, more secure future," said global star Priyanka Chopra, on the occasion of International Day of the Girl Child. To mark the important day, the 36-year-old, who is working with YouTube to highlight the impact of educating girls in India, took to Twitter to share a video. In the clip, the actor - a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador - appeals to everyone to give girls a chance at everything. She captioned it as, "Let them raise their voices so they achieve their dreams. This #InternationalDayOfTheGirlChild, @YouTubeIndia, @UNICEFIndia and I want to help little girls get an education to build a brighter, more secure future." Talking about her initiative, 'The Sky is Pink' star, in an official Google blog post, said, "Today, on October 11, 2018, International Day of the Girl Child, I have teamed up with YouTube to highlight the importance of educating a girl child. What I love about it is that through this campaign, viewers will be directly linked to stories from NGOs making an impact all across the nation." Priyanka also mentioned about her decade long association with UNICEF - which has been to empower girl child and to ensure access to education for the girls. "The statistics staring at us may be staggering but then, let us not focus on how big the numbers are. Worldwide, over 250 million children and youth are out of school, so the battle is global. Which means, more effort from all of us as a responsible society," read the post. She added that if the battle is big, we need to match our efforts to that scale, "and up the ante on how we can help reduce that number. Bring more smiles, send more girls to school, ensure less dropouts and empower every girl child's dream." The International Day of the Girl Child is an annual initiative launched by the United Nations (UN) in 2012, with the need to address issues affecting young women across the globe such as child marriage, inequality and gender-based violence. This year, the theme is focused on helping girls overcome adversity. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Stepping up his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, Congress president Rahul Gandhi will meet Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) employees on October 13 here. Confirming the news, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president Eshwar Khandre told ANI, "Rahul Gandhi is visiting Bengaluru on October 13. He will meet the official and the workers of the HAL to motivate them." Khandre described the HAL as the 'pride' of the nation and informed that the Gandhi scion would praise their capacity and capability. Accusing Prime Minister Modi of making false promises on the Rs 58, 000 crores Rafale deal, the Congress leader informed that Gandhi would also take part in a rally being organsied in the city on the fighter aircraft deal. Gandhi has time and again alleged that the Prime Minister Modi-led government opted to make Reliance Defence the Offset partner in the controversial Rafale deal, thus ousting the government-run HAL from it. The Congress has been alleging irregularities in the deal signed between India and France in 2016 under Prime Minister Modi's government to buy 36 Rafale jets. The party alleged that the Modi government has been procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the then United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2012. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Shiv Sena on Thursday called for an investigation into alleged harassment charges levelled against Union Minister MJ Akbar. Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande , while speaking with ANI, said that the Union Minister should resign until a verdict on the issue is pronounced. "The allegation has been levelled by half a dozen female journalists. This should be taken very seriously. Such allegations are very serious. If BJP believes in transparency then there should be an investigation. I think he should resign and face the enquiry and after the enquiry, the party can take up a call," Kayande said. She also praised the MeToo campaign and said the campaign has encouraged women to speak up. "I think the MeToo campaign has gained momentum and many things can come out. I strongly believe that many times people are mocking those who are raising their voices but their concerns were not heard or addressed at the right time. Many women did go to the police station or may have complained at the right forum also but they were not heard. This has given them a boost up, the women have gained a morale boost. This is a highly charged emotional agitation which was very much needed. Justice can be done even after 10 years," she added. Akbar has come under fire after a woman journalist Priya Ramani claimed on Twitter that in the article which she had written for Vogue India in 2017 about her gut-wrenching incident of sexual misconduct was to expose MJ Akbar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Singapore Airlines will be flying its newest plane, the Airbus A350-900 Ultra Long Range (ULR), non-stop from Singapore to New York in a record 19 hours, starting today. The airline will initially run flights three times a week from Singapore to New York's Newark Liberty International Airport until October 18, until another Airbus A350-900 expands the fleet. This remarkable feat has been achieved due to Airbus' latest wide-bodied aircraft, the Airbus A350-900 ULR, which was inducted into Singapore Airlines' fleet on September 22 while six more have been ordered, reports CNN. The aircraft has the capability to fly 11,160 miles which is 1,800 miles more than the standard A350. The interiors have been designed keeping the passenger's comfort in mind, with 67 business class seats and 94 premium economy seats which ensure that there is enough leg-room for all who take the 19-hour journey. The first Airbus 350-900 ULR test flight took off on April 23 from Airbus' assembly plant in Toulouse, France and lasted a 5-hour round trip. Prior to this, Qantas Airlines was hailed for plying their Boeing 787 on a "ground-breaking" 17-hour non-stop route from Perth to London earlier this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Thursday said that Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's current visit to France was an attempt by the Narendra Modi-led government to "cover up" the alleged Rafale scam. Addressing a press briefing over the issue, the Congress chief alleged, "Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's trip to France is part of the government's "cover-up" on Rafale. Why has Defence Minister suddenly rushed to France to Rafale's plant? What is the emergency?" According to media reports, Sitharaman is likely to take stock of the progress in the supply process of Rafale fighter jets by Dassault to the Indian Air Force (IAF). There are also speculations that she is likely to visit the facility where the jets are being manufactured. Intensifying his attack on the ruling government, Gandhi reiterated that there is a clear cut case of corruption against the Prime Minister of India. The Congress chief reiterated his earlier statement about Reliance Defence being deliberately chosen by the government as the Offset partner for the deal. "Prime Minister gave the Rafale deal to Anil Ambani to save his (Anil Ambani) business," he said. "Earlier, former French president revealed that Indian Prime Minister had told them that Reliance should get a deal. Now a senior official of Dassault has said the same. It is a clear-cut case of corruption against Prime Minister of India. Both the official and ex-president of France have said clear cut that the Indian Prime Minister gave Rs 30, 000 crores "compensation" to Anil Ambani. Rafale Company's senior executive has clearly stated that choosing Anil Ambani's company was a compensation for the purchase of Rafale." Gandhi added that Dassault Aviation, the makers of the Rafale fighters, will say what the Indian government wants them to say. "Dassault is sitting on a huge contract. Dassault will say what the Indian government wants them to say. Their internal document clearly stated that Prime Minister has said that without this compensation the deal will not be done," he added. Gandhi also termed Prime Minister Modi as a "corrupt man". "I would like to clearly tell the youth of the country that the Prime Minister of India is a corrupt man," he stated. Asserting his claim, the Congress president said, "Even the former French President has stated that the Prime Minister of India is corrupt. The media that is questioning is being suppressed." He also criticised the Prime Minister for being silent over the raging controversy. After a French media report cited a Dassault executive as saying that the joint venture with Reliance Defence was "imperative and mandatory" for the deal, the company clarified that it had "freely chosen" India's Reliance Group for a partnership to set up joint-venture Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL) for manufacturing parts of the Rafale aircraft and Falcon 2000 business jets. In a statement, Dassault further confirmed that "it has sold 36 Rafale aircraft to India within the framework of the September 2016 Inter-Government Agreement between France and India". The Rafale controversy took a new twist after former French president Francois Hollande claimed that the Indian government proposed Reliance Defence's name as the offset partner for Dassault Aviation. However, he later backtracked and said only Dassault could comment on the partnership. The Congress has been accusing the Centre of irregularities in the high-profile Defence fighter jets contract, alleging that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The House of Representatives on Wednesday night ratified the bicameral committee report which recommends the creation of a Department of Housing and Urban Development intended to rationalize and coordinate the functions and powers of various housing agencies of the state. Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez, chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development, endorsed the committee report for plenary adoption. The committee report of the bicameral panel consolidated the two versions of the DHUD measure. Benitez said the proposed DHUD would not only help address the huge housing backlog in the country but also focus on building communities and habitats in both rural and urban areas. Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was among the principal authors of the proposed law. The ultimate goal is to provide decent and affordable houses to every Filipino family at the soonest possible time and at the least cumbersome manner, said Arroyo in her bills explanatory note. The bill abolishes the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council as it proposes to merge the functions of the HUDCC and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board. Benitez said the enactment of the proposed Department of Housing and Urban Development was long overdue. He said the approval of the bill in both chambers of Congress came after nearly three decades of numerous attempts to establish the department. The first bill was filed in 1989. The consolidated version of the bill reflects the best and most acceptable acceptable legislative proposal as it contained recommendations made by various housing stakeholders during the year-long 2015 National Housing Summit, Benitez said.Under the measure, Benitez said the final DHUD proposal defined the functions of the proposed department that would include the formulation, development, and coordination of housing and urban development policies, finance and production and public housing. The DHUD is mandated to implement a rational, well-balanced, orderly and efficient redevelopment of the urban communities and the development of new settlements in rural and non-farm areas. It must assure families of decent and affordable housing, job and livelihood opportunities, efficient transit educational opportunities and clean environment in the communities that will be created, said Benitez. Another author of the bill, 1-PACMAN Party-list Rep. Michael Romero, noted other vital functions of the DHUD were the development and maintenance of a shelter and urban development management program and the implementation of programs on housing and real estate development regulations. Romero backed the creation of the DHUD to address the inherent institutional weaknesses of the various housing and land use agencies. The creation of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating was supposed to solve the problem; its limited resources and authority serves as constraints in achieving success, Romero said. The proposed DHUD will be headed by a secretary who will be appointed by the president as member of the Cabinet, according to Benitez. Three undersecretaries and three assistant secretaries will also be appointed upon the recommendation of the secretary. Attached to the DHUD are the following existing government corporations: National Housing Authority; Home Guarantee Corpor., National Home Mortgage Finance Corp., Home Development Mutual Fund and Social Housing Finance Corp. The HLURB is reconstituted as the Human Settlements Adjudication Commission which will absorb the adjudicatory authority of the former. Congress leader Alpesh Thakor who is on a day long fast against alleged violence in Gujarat, on Thursday said that the environment in the state has been vitiated by spreading rumours on social media. Asserting that no one has been attacked in Gujarat, Thakor told ANI, "I am doing 'Sadbhavna Upvas' because the image of my Gujarat is being maligned. There is no place for violence in Gujarat. Nobody was attacked here. The environment has been vitiated due to social media. We have never supported regionalism and will never take it forward." Last week, non-Gujarati natives, particularly those hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, were allegedly attacked and asked to leave the state after a native of Bihar was arrested for allegedly raping a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district. It was alleged that the Kshatriya Thakor Sena members staged protests in the northern part of the state against giving jobs to non-Gujaratis. Thakor who heads the 'Kshatriya Thakor Sena, however has refuted allegations of his involvement in the violence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A carrier failure occurred during the launch of the Russian Soyuz MS-10 manned spacecraft from the Baikonur space center to the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday, which made the capsule with the crew return to Earth in a ballistic descent mode. The crew safely landed in Kazakhstan and got in touch with rescue teams. Crew members, Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin and NASA astronaut Nick Hague are in good condition. The launch failure was announced during live stream by the Russian State Space Corporation Roscosmos. According to a Sputnik source, the capsule with the spacecraft crew was jettisoned from the carrier automatically by the emergency system. Russia's Central Military District announced that military paratroopers parachuted from an AN-26 aircraft to the scene, where the Soyuz MS-10 crew members were found after the failure of carrier rocket, to facilitate the evacuation. Oleg Orlov, the director of the Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, confirmed that the condition of the crew was assessed as good. The program of manned and cargo launches to the ISS would be revised, with all Russian manned launches suspended until clarification of the causes. "In connection with the incident, the Roscosmos emergency commission made the decision to suspend all launches of Soyuz-FG rockets, which are used to take astronauts to the ISS, until the causes are found out," the source said. The source added that a launch scheduled for December could be similarly delayed. Russian State Space Corporation Roscosmos established an emergency commission after the launch incident. "A state commission was formed by my decision to determine the cause of the Soyuz-FG carrier rocket accident. It has already begun work. Telemetry is being studied. Rescue services have been working from the first second of the accident. The Soyuz-MS spacecraft emergency rescue system worked properly. The crew was rescued," Rogozin wrote on Twitter. Rogozin himself departed for the site of the emergency landing of the Soyuz crew. Meanwhile, a source told Sputnik that the commission would carry out an inspection at Space Rocket Centre Progress where Soyuz-FG rocket was produced. Commenting on the situation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that President Vladimir Putin would be provided with all the necessary information about the launch incident. "Of course, the president will be provided with all the necessary information," Peskov told reporters. He noted that, according to the information at his disposal, the safety systems and the crew of the Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft worked properly. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov, in turn, said that preliminary data showed that the Soyuz carrier rocket failure took place when the first stage was separating from the second stage. "The situation is certainly unpleasant, but, as you know, there have already been such cases in the history of astronautics. On the other hand, the efficiency of the emergency rescue system has been confirmed, which is very important," Borisov told reporters. He said personnel changes in the Roscosmos State Space Corporation were possible once causes of the Soyuz accident and those guilty were established. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump has set a suspense ball rolling over his take on India-Russia recent S-400 Triumph air defence missile deal. Trump said that India will soon find out whether the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) will be levied on the country for the purchase of high calibre missile systems from Russia. When asked if India would be given a waiver for the purchase, Trump while addressing the media in the Oval Office of the White House on Wednesday, said: "India will find out?" "India is going to find out, aren't they?" he added on being asked if CAATSA sanctions apply to India. The USA, while reacting to the USD 5 billion deal, had previously said that it cannot prejudge any sanctions decisions, and clarified that CAATSA is not intended to impose damage to the military capabilities of its allies or partners. Jinnie Lee, spokesperson of the US Embassy in New Delhi, had said: "The intent of our implementation of CAATSA is to impose costs on Russia for its malign behaviour, including by stopping the flow of money to Russia's Defence sector. CAATSA is not intended to impose damage to the military capabilities of our allies or partners." CAATSA, is a United States federal law that imposed sanctions on Iran, North Korea and Russia. On August 2, 2017, Trump signed it into law. The US had recently sanctioned China's Equipment Development Department (EDD) for purchasing S-400 air missile systems and aircraft in violation of CAATSA. However, India is hoping to get a waiver from the US on the grounds that it needs the missiles for its self-defense keeping in view the fragile security situation in the South Asian region. Citing its long-standing Defence partnership with Russia, India also stated that the decision for S-400 purchase was taken several months before CAATSA was enacted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United Kingdom has announced the new Race at Work Charter which is signed by high-profile businesses leading the way on increasing ethnic minority representation in the workplace. UK Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday launched a series of measures to tackle the ethnic disparities at the workplace, stated a press release from the UK government. "Developed jointly by the government and Business in the Community (BITC), the new Race at Work Charter announced by the Prime Minister today will commit businesses to a bold set of principles and actions designed to drive forward a step-change in the recruitment and progression of ethnic minority employees," the press release read. Talking about the Race at Work Charter, Theresa May said, "One year on from publishing the Race Disparity Audit, the government is delivering on its promise to explain or change ethnic disparities in all areas of society, taking action to support young people into work with funding of 90 million from dormant bank accounts, and acting on the recommendations of the Lammy review including by increasing diversity within prison officer recruitment." The government has named WPP UK Country Manager and Chairwoman of MediaCom UK & Ireland Karen Blackett OBE as its Race at Work Champion. Blackett said, "As the Government's Race at Work Champion, I'm committed to helping businesses address inequality at all levels by taking practical steps such as introducing apprenticeships, offering mentorships and capturing ethnicity data to create a more inclusive and representative workforce." The government has also roped in NHS England, Standard Life Aberdeen, Norton Rose Fulbright, Saatchi and Saatchi, KPMG, RBS, the Civil Service and the leader in communications services, WPP as the signatories to the Charter. May, will also launch a consultation on ethnicity pay reporting in response to the Race Disparity Audit's Ethnicity facts and figures website data on Thursday along with the Race at Work Charter. "In the first consultation of its kind, the government will invite employers to share their views on a mandatory approach to ethnicity pay reporting, since the number of organisations publishing information on the pay gap for people from different ethnic backgrounds voluntarily remains low. The consultation, open until January 2019, will set out in detail what information employers should publish to allow for decisive action to be taken while also asking employers how ethnicity data can be collected without placing undue burdens on businesses," read the press release. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma, on Thursday, handed over an appointment letter for a government job to Kalpana Tiwari, the wife deceased Apple executive Vivek Tiwari. Last month, Tiwari was allegedly shot dead by a patrolling constable in Lucknow for refusing to stop his car. Speaking to ANI, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "I have been in contact with the family since the day this unfortunate incident took place. Vivek was a hardworking youth. We have given a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to his wife Kalpana and Rs 5 lakh each to both their children and Vivek's mother. Kalpana has been made a special officer (OSD) in the municipal corporation. She has completed the joining formalities today. We will do whatever we can for the family." After receiving the appointment letter, Kalpana told ANI, "He (Dinesh Sharma) gave me the appointment letter today. He told me that they will fulfil all the promises they made whether it is regarding justice or anything else. I think the investigation is going in the right direction and as of now, I am satisfied with the investigation. " On October 2, the postmortem report of Tiwari revealed that he died due to a gunshot injury on the left side of his chin. During the preliminary investigation, the cop who allegedly shot the Apple executive claimed that he fired at his car in self-defence as it tried to run over his motorbike. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US Department of Defense awarded contracts worth USD 1.05 billion to three companies, namely United Launch Services, ATK Launch Systems Inc. and SpaceX for launch system and rocket propulsion prototypes on Wednesday, according to a press release. The release further stated that a USD 967 million contract was awarded to United Launch Services for the development of a Launch System Prototype for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) programme. It also mentioned that a USD 46.9 million contract was awarded to ATK Launch Systems Inc. for the development of three rocket propulsion system prototypes for the EELV programme, while SpaceX was awarded a $33.6 million contract for the development of the Raptor rocket propulsion system prototypes for the same programme. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States has cut off financial aid to Syria for the reconstruction of the war-torn nation unless the Iranian troops are sent off. Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo on Wednesday at Jewish Institute for National Security of America asserted that Syria should ask the Iranian soldiers to leave the country if it wants to continue receiving aid for the reconstruction from Washington in the future, reported RT. "If Syria doesn't ensure the total withdrawal of Iranian-backed troops, it will not receive one single dollar from the United States for reconstruction," Pompeo added. Talking about the presence of the Iranian forces in Damascus, Pompeo said, "The onus of expelling Iran from the country falls on the Syrian government." There has been a visible friction between Tehran and Washington after the US accused Iran of facilitating terrorist activities in the Middle East. On May 8, US President Donald Trump announced had Washington's withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or the Iran nuclear deal which limited the country's uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief. The Iran nuclear deal was signed between six countries in 2015 - Iran, US, Britain, Germany, Russia, France and China for lifting economic sanctions on Tehran in exchange for limitations to the country's nuclear programme. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Warning about United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi's alleged affiliations to Russia's former intelligence agency KGB, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Thursday said that India should be careful of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Swamy's statement comes after United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday set a suspense ball rolling over his take on India-Russia recent S-400 Triumph air defence missile deal. He said that India will soon find out whether the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) will be levied on the country for the purchase of high calibre missile systems from Russia. Talking about the same, Swamy told ANI, "It's not possible in this world to be friends with everybody. We have to choose friends and then stay with them. In my opinion, Israel, China and the United States of America are more important friends for us for our present situation than Russia." "Russia is a bankrupt country. It just lives on oil revenues. Inside Russia there are lots of other problems. Putin should prove that he wants to be our friend by declassifying files of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Lal Bahadur Shastri. They are not state secrets because that was in the Soviet Union (time). He should tell us why Sonia Gandhi went to Russia twice recently to meet him in the last six months. He must give us record of Sonia and her father's KGB affiliations. But, he is playing both sides. So, we got to be careful," he added. India and Russia signed the much-awaited agreement for the purchase of five S-400 Triumph air defence missile systems earlier this month. The deal was signed on the sidelines of the 19th India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Putin. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian companies are not only investing in Africa but are also forging new people-driven partnerships and creating jobs, which are impacting lives of common people in these countries, said Mr C R Chaudhary, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The Minister was addressing the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) - Exim Bank of India India-West Africa Regional Conclave which was organised on October 8-9, 2018 in Abuja, Nigeria has mapped emerging synergies and complementarities between the two emerging regions. The minister appealed to all West African countries to avail of India's Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme to increase their exports to India. He expressed hope that the conclave will open a new chapter in India-West African economic relations. The CII-EXIM Bank Regional Conclave on West Africa is happening at the right place at the right time to steer multi-dimensional relations between India and West Africa onto a higher trajectory, he said. West Africa is getting greater attention from India, both diplomatically and economically, he said. He lauded ECOWAS for playing the role of an enabler and catalyst in transforming economic fortunes of the region. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Receives petroleum coke import exemption from Supreme Court of India Rain Carbon Inc. (wholly owned subsidiary of Rain Industries) announced that the company will resume shipments of petroleum coke to its Vizag calcining facility in Visakhapatnam, India. This follows on 09 October 2018 ruling by the Supreme Court of India that exempts calciners from the nation's recent ban on the importation of petroleum coke for use as fuel, which was enacted as part of the country's effort to reduce industrial emissions. Rain Carbon uses green petroleum coke (GPC) as its primary feedstock in the production of calcined petroleum coke (CPC), which is an essential raw material in the anodes required during the electrolytic process of aluminium production. The company also imports CPC for blending at its Vizag facility. Under the Supreme Court's ruling, India's calcining industry will be permitted to import up to 1.4 million metric tons of GPC annually; the ruling also permits India's aluminium industry to use up to 500,000 tons of imported CPC per year. 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 organization of judges on Thursday urged the government to implement a marshal system tasked to provide protection for members of the bench after the recent killing of a judge in Ozamiz City. The Philippine Judges Association, through its president and Marikina Regional Trial Court Judge Felix Reyes, suggested the enactment of a law creating the Philippine Marshal System that would provide security for justices and judges and also handle cases of killings and attacks against them. Reyes stressed the killing of their colleague, Ozamiz City RTC Judge Edmundo Pintac, last Monday called for a stringent measure to protect judges. This Philippine Marshal System will address the security concerns facing our justices and judges, Reyes said in an interview. According to him, their organization was now drafting the bill to be submitted to Congress for this purpose. The Philippine Marshal will be placed under the authority of the Supreme Court. Were considering hiring retired police and military personnel to serve as marshals to justices and judges. Police and military personnel retire at age 56 while marshals can retire at 65, Reyes explained. The PJA official bared that the proposed body would also have investigative and possibly also prosecutorial powers to run specifically after perpetrators of attacks against judges and justices. Meanwhile, Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez admitted that security provided to judges nationwide may be not enough. Currently, theres only one staff who can accompany a judge to and from work. They can also request for police escorts in case of death threats. But there are currently about 2,500 judges nationwide, he said.Marquez disclosed that about 30 judges had been killed in line of duty over the past 10 yearsPintac being the latest victim. The SC official further bared that Pintacs killing could be work-related. I talked to investigators and the widow and it appears that Judge Pintacs death was really work-related, he said. The Philippine National Police has created a task force to investigate the latest killing of a judge. The Supreme Court has called on the PNP to expedite its probe and bring the perpetrators to justice. Pintac handled the drug cases against Parojinog siblings Ozamiz Vice Mayor Nova Princess and Reynaldo Jr. before they were transferred to Quezon City RTC earlier this year. The slain judge had denied their request to attend the funeral of their parents and other family members who were killed in a raid conducted by police in July last year. Software giant TCS will announce its Q2 September 2018 earnings on Thursday, 11 October 2018. Aviation stocks will be watched after the government on Wednesday reportedly cut excise duty on jet fuel to 11% from 14% with effect from 11 October 2018. PTC India, supplying 290 MW power to Bangladesh, has signed two new agreements for supplying 200 MW power to Bangladesh on short term and long term basis to a total for 15 years. The short term Power for 200 MW power is from power pool of West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company (WBSEDCL) and long term power will be supplied through imported coal from Meenakshi Energy's imported coal based project. With this new addition in cross border supply PTC will add more than 1.5 billion units to its existing supply of 7 billion units with neighbouring countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal). The transaction is expected to give export earning of $1.8 billion over its contract period. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 10 October 2018. ITI, a PSU under Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, received purchase order for executing the RajNet project from RajCOMP Info Services, a Government of Rajasthan undertaking, for establishing approximately 40,000 outdoor Wi-Fi access points in the state of Rajasthan with an order value of approximately Rs 334 crore on rate contract basis. The project envisages supply, installation and maintenance of approximately 40,000 outdoor Wi-Fi access points along with associated RF Radio equipments in a period of six months followed by operation and maintenance of the network for a period of five years. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 10 October 2018. Cochin Shipyard announced that its board will meet on 16 October 2018, to consider the proposal for buyback of the fully paid-up equity shares of the company. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 10 October 2018. Oil India has made 2 Hydrocarbon Discoveries in Dibrugarh & Tinsukia district in the Upper Assam Basin during the second quarter of the financial year 2018-19, in the wells West Lohali -1 and Dhakuwal-l respectively. These discoveries are envisaged to open up new areas for further exploration in Assam and would help in enhancing the gas production with future appraisal & development activities. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 10 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.) Wipro announced the launch of its Innovation and Talent Hub in Reading, reinforcing the company's commitment to develop talent and strengthen STEM skills in the United Kingdom. The multifunctional hub will be a centre of excellence for 'Ascent', Wipro's talent development programme launched in 2017, to train UK-based computer science graduates and degree apprentices in digital technologies. To date, the programme has trained and placed 95 digital technology graduates and 40 digital technology degree apprentices in client projects at Wipro, across the UK. The graduates are from multiple universities in the UK while Sheffield Hallam University is the learning provider for the apprentices who are studying for a Bachelor of Science degree in digital technology. In addition to 'Ascent', the hub will run work experience programmes for school leavers, internship programmes for university students, and training programmes for employees. It will also be the centre for Wipro's TopGear platform, which provides an opportunity for the company's employees across the UK to work on crowdsourcing-based technology challenges. The hub will also provide a collaborative space for co-innovation and unique learning projects with clients. In September, Wipro announced that it will partner with King's College London, to support the development of the first Master of Arts in STEM in the UK, and Sheffield Hallam University to offer the 'Wipro Teacher Fellowship' and 'Wipro Teacher Mentor' programmes. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least three persons died and four more were injured in Indonesia after an earthquake measuring 6-magnitude on the Richter scale shook the Bali Sea early on Thursday, official said. The sea is located between the islands of Bali and Java. Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesperson for the Indonesian Disaster Prevention Agency tweeted images of several destroyed buildings that the victims were found in the Sumenep district of Java. The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the hypocentre of this tremor was located about 10 km deep and below the ocean floor, Efe news reported. The quake struck at 49.5 km northeast of Panji in eastern Java and 157 km northwest of Denpasar in Bali. The latest tremor occurred on the same day that the Indonesian authorities planned to conclude the search for victims of the earthquake and the subsequent tsunami which shook Sulawesi Island in the central region of the country almost two weeks ago. According to the latest official report, at least 2,045 people died in that disaster and some 5,000 are still missing, possibly trapped under mud and debris. The Indonesian archipelago is situated within the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire", an area known for its intense seismic and volcanic movements, which produce about 7,000 earthquakes each year, most of which are of moderate magnitude. --IANS in/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two major quakes hit Indonesia and Papua New Guinea located in the Pacific Ring of Fire on Thursday, killing at least three people in Java. An earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter struck off the coast of the islands of Java and Bali in Indonesia killing three people in buildings than shattered like a house of cards, Efe news reported. The quake occurred in the Bali Sea located between the islands of Bali and Java. Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesperson for the Indonesian Disaster Prevention Agency tweeted images of several destroyed buildings that the victims were found in the Sumenep district of Java. Later a 7.0 quake shook the New Britain island of Papua New Guinea (PNG), according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). It occurred at a depth of 40.3 km at 6.48 a.m. and the epicentre was located some 117 km east of Kimbe, the capital of the province of Western New Britain, with a population of 27,000. The Pacific Tsunami Centre had initially warned of huge waves but the alert was later cancelled. There were no immediate reports of damage in PNG. The USGS said the hypocentre of the Indonesian tremor was located about 10 km below the ocean floor. It struck at 49.5 km northeast of Panji in eastern Java and 157 km northwest of Denpasar in Bali. The latest quake came on the same day when the Indonesian authorities planned to conclude the search for victims of the quake-tsunami that struck its Sulawesi Island on September 28. The latest toll in the September quake is 2,045 from that disaster while around 5,000 are still missing, possibly trapped under mud and debris. The Australian Tsunami Warning Centre also reported no risk for Australian coastlines. The PNG earthquake was followed by three aftershocks of between 5.7 and 6.2 magnitude. Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a geologically active region which frequently experiences tremors. The Indonesian archipelago is in an area that experiences intense seismic and volcanic movements, which produce about 7,000 earthquakes each year, most of which are of moderate magnitude. --IANS in/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Forty-nine per cent of Americans have said that the US has "mostly failed" even after being 17 years into war in Afghanistan, according to a new poll. The poll released by the Washington-based Pew research centre also showed that about 35 per cent of respondents said it has mostly succeeded, reports Xinhua news agency. In surveys conducted in 2014 and 2015, opinions about the mission were similarly more negative than positive, said Pew. The centre also revealed that between 2009 and 2011, when asked whether the US will succeed or fail to achieve its goals, majorities said Washington would be successful. Meanwhile, fewer Americans feel confident today that it was a right decision to use military force in Afghanistan. The poll showed that 45 per cent of people said it was a right decision, down sharply from 69 per cent in 2006. Pew also noticed that Republicans have consistently expressed more support than Democrats for the decision to use force in Afghanistan, though support has fallen in both parties over the past decade. The US waged a "war on terror" in Afghanistan not long after the September 2001 attacks. --IANS ksk/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Film: "Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava"; Language: Telugu; Director: Trivikram Srinivas; Cast: Jr. NTR, Pooja Hegde, Jagapathi Babu, Sunil, Supriya Pathak and Eswari Rao; Rating: *** There's so much to like and debate in Trivikram Srinivas's "Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava", which marks the filmmaker's maiden collaboration with actor Jr. NTR. For starters, when was the last time a mainstream Telugu film featuring a star of Jr. NTR's stature had a title named after its female protagonist? Pooja plays Aravinda and her character is the pivot of this story of factionalism, revenge and politics. The film relies heavily on its women characters and Trivikram builds a very strong premise on this front, only to squander it with the tried-and-tested commercial treatment. Set against the backdrop of Rayalaseema and revolving around two warring families which have shed blood for two generations, the story is centered on Jr. NTR's character Veera Raghava Reddy, who is forced to walk the same violent path as his father and grandfather quite early on in the film following an unfortunate incident. But the women in his life -- who have seen enough blood and have borne losses --- make him realise and give him an opportunity to choose peace over revenge, but his decision comes at a price. For a film that is fuelled by the ideologies of its women -- a welcome change in mainstream cinema and a masterstroke by Trivikram -- wish the women had more screen space, especially Supriya Pathak and Eswari Rao. Quite early on, we witness Jr. NTR put down his weapon after losing someone very dear to him in a bloody ambush when explained by his grandmother what it would mean to his future generations if he continues to wield the sword. It's a beautiful scene which captures the never before spoken sentiment behind factionalism. If you were to look at factionalism from a woman's point of view, "Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava" is what we would get. Unfortunately, Trivikram gives in to everything that one expects from a run-of-the-mill commercial potboiler to make the film masses-friendly. It is understandable that for a story about factionalism, you need to show bloodshed, but a creative should have been taken with regards to the fashion in which it gets glorified. There's a thin line between portrayal and glorification and the film definitely crosses it when it comes to showcasing violence on screen. In a role that required him to carry a lot of emotional baggage and anger, Jr. NTR delivers a performance that is worthy of celebration. Even in the action sequences -- barring the first one -- you see him fight with guilt and not with vengeance. The guilt is born from the idea that despite being the torchbearer for change and peace for his people, the circumstances still force him to fight. Jr. NTR breathes life into a character that is torn apart between revenge and peace. Pooja Hegde gets a meaty part and she deserves praise for making efforts to dub in her own voice, a rarity these days when it comes to heroines in Telugu cinema. Jagapathi Babu shines in a role that is very similar to his character from "Rangasthalam". Violence runs in his DNA, and there are scenes where he is nothing less than a blood-thirsty monster. A shout-out to action choreographers Ram-Lakshman for their impressive contribution. As much as you squirm in the seats looking at the bloodshed, you are mesmerized by the action which gets elevated by Jr. NTR's screen presence. There's also Thaman's music and background score that deserves a mention. "Peniviti" and "Yedo Poyinado" are two of the best tracks of the album. (Haricharan Pudipeddi can be contacted at haricharanpudipeddi@gmail.com) --IANS hp/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Ayushmann Khurrana says his forthcoming film "Badhaai Ho" is his "cleanest film" so far as earlier he has worked in movies around some taboo subjects of society. Ayushmann interacted with the media here as the makers of "Badhaai Ho" hosted a baby shower for 50 expecting mothers, along with his co-actors Sanya Malhotra, Gajraj Rao, Neena Gupta, producer Priti Shahani and director Amit Ravindernath Sharma here on Wednesday. "Badhaai Ho" revolves around an old couple becoming parents again. The comedy-drama features Ayushmann as the son of an elderly couple who find out that they would be turning parents for the third time. "People have now started calling me Men's Grihshobha (women's magazine) because I have been a part of films which depicted issues of men. But this ('Badhaai Ho') is the cleanest film of mine because it is neither based on sperm donation ('Vicky Donor') and nor based on erectile dysfunction ('Shubh Mangal Saavdhan'). "You don't have to tell your child what's happening in the film while watching it... It's a completely fun and quirky family entertainer," said the actor. Since Ayushmann plays a man whose parents are expecting a baby in old age, asked how he looks at this situation, Ayushmann said: "If this would have happened with me in my real life, then I also would have felt embarrassed but eventually it's a decision of the mother and father. "Our parents should have their own choices to lead their life, but it gets a bit too much when your parents are expecting a baby when you are all grown up but I think eventually it's their decision." The film will release on October 19. --IANS iv/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) German automobile manufacturer BMW is set to acquire majority stake in its joint venture in China, BMW Brilliance Automotive, by spending $4.2 billion, according to a statement by the group on Thursday. For the first time ever, Beijing is all set to lift restrictions in the Chinese automobile sector, allowing BMW to increase its stake from 50 per cent to 75 per cent in the joint venture, Efe news reported. "The company has signed an agreement with its joint venture partner, a subsidiary wholly owned by Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd. (CBA), to acquire an additional 25 per cent shareholding," said the statement. BMW Group has sought to "further strengthen its long-term cooperation with CBA, increase production capacity at the existing sites" in China. BMW will invest more than $3 billion in its manufacturing sites in the northeastern city of Shenyang and "expand the localization of additional models including 'new energy vehicles'". The agreement will conclude in 2022, the year from which foreign manufacturers will no longer need joint ventures to operate in the country, the report said. This year, China will eliminate the 50 per cent cap on ownership for firms selling specialized vehicles and electric and hybrid cars. In 2020, this measure will also be extended to commercial vehicles and in 2022 to passenger vehicles. --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bahujan Samaj Party's (BSP) lone Minister N Mahesh in Karnataka's JD-S-Congress coalition government resigned on Thursday, citing personal reasons. "I have sent my resignation letter to state Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy for accepting and relieving me from the cabinet post as I want to devote my time to the people of my constituency," Mahesh told reporters. Mahesh, 62, a Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, was elected from Kollegal segment in the state's southwest Chamarajanagara district in the May 12 assembly elections in a pre-poll alliance with the ruling Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S). Kollegal is about 105 km from the state capital Bengaluru. "Though I have resigned from the ministry for personal reasons, my party will continue to support the coalition government and remain an alliance partner of the JD-S," said Mahesh. "I am not able to give time to my constituency people who voted for my party and elected me to represent them in the assembly. As the next Lok Sabha elections are due early next year, I have to also strengthen my party's presence in the state," said the BSP leader. As an alliance partner, Mahesh said the BSP would have seat adjustment with the JD-S in the general elections. Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy told reporters that there was no threat to his 3-month-old coalition government following the resignation of Mahesh. "There is no threat to my government, which is stable. Our party's alliance with BSP continues. As I know the reason behind his (Mahesh) resignation, I will handle it. Leave it to me," asserted the Chief Minister. Asked if he would accept the resignation, Kumaraswamy said he would look into the issue and decide. The 27-member cabinet has 15 Congress ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, 10 JD-S, including the Chief Minister and one each from its ally BSP and Karnataka Prajnyavantha Janatha Party (KPJP), a regional outfit. Of the 34-member cabinet strength, the Congress has six vacancies and JD-S one. Though BSP contested in 22 assembly segments in the recent state election, only Mahesh won. JD-S, however, won 36 of the 200 seats it contested. Mahesh resignation comes ahead of 5 by-elections on November 3 in the state, including three for the Lok Sabha and two for the assembly to fill vacancies caused by four resignations and the death of a newly-elected Congress legislator from Jamkhandi in the northwest Bagalkot district. --IANS fb/prs (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday asked the Chandigarh administration to exempt Sikh women from wearing helmet while driving two-wheelers in the Union Territory. The move came after Sikh bodies, led by Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) President Sukhbir Singh Badal met Rajnath Singh earlier on Thursday. The Ministry also advised the Union Territory administration to follow the notification issued by the Delhi Government giving an exemption to Sikh women from wearing "protective headgear (helmet)." The Delhi Transport Department in its notification issued on June 4, 1999, had carried out an amendment to Rule 115 of Delhi Motor Vehicle Act 1993, making it optional for women "whether riding on pillion or driving motorcycle to wear a protective headgear." The rule was further amended through another notification dated August 28, 2014, whereby the word "women" was replaced by "Sikh women". --IANS rak/shs/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Sandiganbayans Third Division will proceed with the trial of Janet Napoles brother, Reynald Lim, for graft and malversation of public funds owing to his alleged role in the P900-million Malampaya fund scam. In an Oct. 5 resolution, the anti-graft courts division denied Lims motion to dismiss his case. Lim and Napoles were among the 25 individuals charged with 97 counts each of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents for allegedly diverting the fund releases drawn from the P900-million Malampaya Fund allocated by the Budget Department to several non-government organizations controlled by Napoles in 2009. Lim said there was no sufficient ground to hold him liable for the alleged illegal actions in light of the fact that he is not a public official. He said he is accused of conspiracy being the brother of Napoles, against him was that he is the brother of Napoles, the alleged pork barrel mastermind. He said the failure of the pork scam whistleblowers to pinpoint him as one of those who supposedly fabricated documents to justify the release of the P900 million may not be a solid proof charges filed against him are strong.But the Sandiganbayan said: Consistent with the avowed policy of the Anti-Graft Law to repress certain acts of public officers and private persons alike which constitute graft and corrupt practices or those which may lead thereto, our Supreme Court has underscored that private persons when acting in conspiracy with public officers may be indicted. The anti-graft court also urged Lim to prove his innocence of the charges leveled against him during the full-blown trial of the case. The assertion of the accused-movant that there is an absence of proof of conspiracy between him and his co-accused remains a matter of defense and is evidentiary in nature. The truth thereof is thus best passed upon after a full-blown trial on the merits, the resolution read. Authorities in China's far-western Xinjiang region appear to have officially legalised so-called re-education camps for people accused of religious extremism, after denying such that such centres exist, a media report said on Thursday. The Xinjiang government on Tuesday revised a local law to encourage "vocational skill education training centers" to "carry out anti-extremist ideological education", the CNN report said. Human rights organizations have long alleged the Chinese government has been detaining hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs -- a Turkic-speaking, largely Muslim minority native to Xinjiang -- in such centres as part of an effort to enforce patriotism and loyalty to Beijing in the region. In an August 29 report, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination expressed alarm at reports of Uyghurs and other Muslims being held for long periods of time without charge or trial "under the pretext of countering terrorism and religious extremism". However, Hu Lianhe, a spokesman for China's United Front Work Department, told the UN Panel that "Xinjiang citizens including the Uyghurs enjoy equal freedoms and rights" in contrast to the Committee's report. Maya Wang, senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch, said Xinjiang's regional government did not have the authority under China's constitution to legalise the detentions. "Without due process, Xinjiang's political education centres remain arbitrary and abusive, and no tweaks in national or regional rules can change that," CNN quoted Wang as saying. In the past year, Beijing has radically attempted to tighten its hold over the remote region following a spate of violent attacks that the government blamed on Uyghur Muslim separatists trying to establish an independent state. In a submission to the UN, the Germany-based World Uyghur Congress estimated at least 1 million Uyghurs were being held in political indoctrination camps as of July. Tuesday's announcement came a day after local leaders in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang, announced the beginning of an anti-halal campaign. This isn't the first time China has cracked down on elements of the Muslim faith in Xinjiang. In 2017, authorities first banned a wide range of activities, including wearing face coverings and having a long beard. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China on Thursday said "some people" cannot stand its friendship with the Maldives even as its President-elect Ibrahim Solih has assured that his country will implement all the projects agreed between Beijing and Male. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said its Ambassador to the Maldives Zhang Lizhong met Solih recently and told him that Beijing was willing to work and deepen cooperation with the new government after pro-Beijing leader Abdulla Yameen was defeated in last month's election. Yameen had earlier signed a slew of agreements with Beijing perceived to be favouring China more. In the run-up to the polls, Solih's Maldivian Democratic Party had criticized the increased Chinese investment, especially the Free Trade Deal Abdulla's government rushed through Parliament without debate. Giving details about the meeting between Solih and Chinese envoy, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said: "He (Solih) said his government will stay committed to enhancing ties with China following the already signed cooperation agreements and continue to implement the existing projects. "The new government in the archipelago nation will continue to explore cooperation in more areas such as infrastructure, livelihood and tourism so as to move forward our bilateral ties," said Lu. Asked if Beijing was worried if Solih's government might review the Chinese projects, Lu said that China and the Maldives cooperate on the basis of equal consultation between the two governments. Beijing aims to contribute to the Maldives' social and economic development, he said. "We also noted that at different stages some people don't want to see the smooth progress of our cooperation," the spokesperson added. The Maldives sits on one of the world's busiest shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean where both India and China vie for influence. The Maldives has always been a traditional ally of India. But under Yameen's presidency, the country moved closer to China, worrying New Delhi. China, which didn't even have an Embassy in Male until 2011, has stepped up its engagement in the country by building bridges, airports and high-end housing complexes. Yameen also approved China's Belt and Road project, which India does not support. --IANS gsh/soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that a Chinese intelligence officer will be brought to Washington to face economic espionage charges, the first time that such an extradition has taken place. Yanjun Xu faces four charges of conspiring and attempting to commit economic espionage and theft of trade secrets, according to the indictment, reports CNN. Xu was arrested in Belgium in April and was extradited to the US on Tuesday after losing his appeal. He faces up to 25 years' imprisonment. DOJ officials said the indictment marks the first time a Chinese Ministry of State Security operative has been arrested and brought to the US to face charges. He has been charged with working to get aviation employees to inadvertently reveal trade secrets to the Chinese government. "This unprecedented extradition of a Chinese intelligence officer exposes the Chinese government's direct oversight of economic espionage against the US," Bill Priestap, Assistant Director of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division, in a statement on Wednesday. Xu was one of several Ministry of State Security officials who, starting in 2013, allegedly identified aviation industry experts at at least three companies, including Cincinnati-based GE Aviation, and invited them to China under the guise of speaking at universities for an idea exchange, according to the Justice Department complaint. "Effectively Xu and his (Chinese Ministry of State Security) colleagues sought to groom experts to hand over trade secrets," Ben Glassman, the US attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, told the media on Wednesday. "China has made clear that it has a program where it is seeking to acquire leading technological information in this industry and several others." Glassman stressed that while it was apparent that Chinese officials were using insider recruitment as well as online hacking to further their interests, perpetrators could be brought to justice when private companies and the federal government worked together, CNN reported. Xu made his initial appearance Wednesday afternoon in federal court in Cincinnati, Glassman added. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) October 8, 2018, brought two bits of news of a global nature. While both of them were defining pieces of news of our times, many missed the unmistakable and potent link between the two. That nexus in reality is so powerful that it has potential to transform the global pathways for action on climate change. It also is influential driver to alter the mind and will of political leaders, including the climate-deniers as well as the stallers and breakers of the global consensus. The first news came in from city of Incheon in South Korea where IPCC-Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a UN body of climate experts from 40 countries, released 'The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 deg C'. For common man the title with its figure of '1.5 deg C' sounded far from any immediate importance. But the report was requested by 197 countries of the world that have ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to reinforce the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015. The raison d'etre of the Paris Agreement is a need to keep a global average temperature rise this century well below 2 deg C and to strive to limit the temperature increase even further lower to 1.5 deg C above pre-industrial levels of later part of 18th century. The challenge of restricting the rise to 1.5 deg C came mainly from nearly 60 small island countries who in reality are facing their existential threat due to sea level rise driven by global warming . IPCC's special report gives unequivocal message that the global average temperature rise has already reached 1 deg C. With the current speed of action, the additional rise of half a degree is just about 12 years away, within the lifetime of most of the humanity living today. There is threat that beyond rise of 1.5 deg C, humanity would enter the era of irreversible change. Report even goes to details in quantifying the damages when the rise in temperature would be 1.5 deg C and compares that with rise of 2 deg C. It then hints at the possibility of human societies and natural ecosystems crossing certain thresholds to cause sudden and calamitous changes called 'tipping point'. The report appears to even enter into dark and cataclysmic spaces of climate impact beyond 2 deg C. The call for urgency is never expressed so dramatically in the 33 page summary of the report. The near impossible time lines like: the world needs to reduce CO2 emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 from the 2010 levels and reach net-zero emissions by 2050, virtually all of the coal plants and gasoline-burning vehicles on the planet would need to be quickly replaced with zero-carbon alternatives in next two decades at the latest are shattering. Adverse impacts on the ecosystems and human societies are estimated to be much greater than anticipated earlier and the rate of decarbonisation of the world economy has been strongly suggested to be faster than what was recommended before. Surprisingly, the report radiates some hopes that, however, belie the fact that the pledges given in the Paris agreement would lead the temperature rise to 3.5 deg C -- which is beyond the catastrophe. Sadly, the negotiators of the Paris Climate Agreement are still nowhere near to finalising the rule-book for implementation of the agreement, for which the deadline is fixed at the end of 2018. The rule book is expected to include the mechanism of raising the ambitions and pledges. Nearly two decades of similar warnings from IPCC's five assessments have been washed away by inactions and obstructions. So why this special report would make a difference? This is where the mighty and potent link with the second news of October 8th takes the central stage. The second news came from Stockholm soon after the first news from Incheon. William Nordhaus of Yale University and Paul Romer of New York University, pioneers in adapting the western economic growth model to focus on climate change issues and sharing the benefits of technology to address environmental issues, won the 2018 Nobel Economics Prize. Why is this transformative news? Because it is the first time economists have provided the practical and evidence based trigger to take action on climate change. Nordhaus was recognised for his pathbreaking assessment of the economic impact of climate change, and his advancement for the governments to tax the carbon emissions. Romer is known for his work on the role of policy in encouraging technological innovation. During their press conference Dr Romer said: "One problem today is that people think protecting the will be so costly and so hard that they want to ignore the problem and pretend it doesn't exist". He went on to state the limitless capability of humans for the collective and coordinated growth in the world of globalisation, without harming the ecosystems. This is the kind of message that dares to address the complex challenge of keeping the temperature rise below 1.5 deg C. In short economic instruments and technology innovation are now being framed into economics, that are more appealing for the business-minded political leaders. Economists are now poised to be at the core of the climate change negotiations. The finance ministers, who are either shy or wary of climate change, may now try to fall in line of action. (Rajendra Shende is Chairman TERRE Policy Centre and former Director UNEP. The views expressed are persona;. He can be contacted at shende.rajendra@gmail.com) --IANS rs/tb/hs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) on Thursday accused the Congress, the BJP and the RSS of using the Supreme Court ruling allowing women in the 10-50 age group to enter the Sabarimala temple to try topple the Kerala government. Addressing the media after a high-level LDF meeting here, LDF convenor A. Vijayaraghavan claimed that there was a secret pact between the Congress and the BJP/RSS. "The attempt to overthrow the Pinarayi Vijayan government by raising the emotions over the Sabarimala verdict is meant to disturb peace in the state," said Vijayaraghavan. He added that the state government was duty bound to implement the apex court directive and it was doing just that. The LDF, led by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), also decided to launch counter political rallies across the state. The first one would be held at Pathanamthitta, the district where the Sabarimala temple is located, on October 16. It would be addressed by Vijayan. On October 24, a rally would be held at Kollam. The LDF will soon decide the dates of rallies in other districts this month. Meanwhile, the BJP is leading a 'long march' to the state capital from Alappuzha which will reach here on October 15. "The state government, if it requests the Centre to bring an ordinance against the verdict, I am sure it will be done," state BJP President P.S. Sreedharan Pillai told the media. In the state capital, BJP youth wing members clashed with the police after they were prevented from entering the official residence of Devasom Minister K. Surendran. Speaking to the media, Surendran said the BJP had hijacked the protests and was now giving political colour to the Sabarimala verdict. "The BJP is trying to recreate what they did during the controversial 'rath yatra'" of 1989, he said. Varous Hindu organisations also launched a 'long march' to the state capital from Pandalam and will reach here on October 14 to protest against the state government for not filing a review petition against the apex court verdict. On Monday, Vijayan declared that the Kerala government won't file a review petition against the Supreme Court ruling that women in the age group of 10-50 can also enter the hill top Sabarimala temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. --IANS sg/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Thursday demanded the resignation of Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar over allegations of sexual assault against him by several female journalists. "Seven women journalists have come forward recounting their experience of sexual harassment and unacceptable behaviour from M.J. Akbar when he was the editor of various newspapers," the party said in a statement. "Since these are serious charges, Akbar's continuance as a Minister in the Central government is untenable. He should immediately resign from office." Akbar, who is currently on an official visit to Nigeria, has reportedly been asked to cut short his visit. Congress leader S. Jaipal Reddy and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen President Asaduddin Owaisi have also demanded the former editor's resignation if he fails to come clear on the allegations. --IANS mak/ksk/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Thursday rescued eight Nepali girls, who were going to be trafficked to Gulf countries, from a hotel in Paharganj area. According to the Commission, it received a tip-off from a non-governmental organisation KI Nepal, which informed that some girls are being kept in Hotel Omaxe Deluxe. Following the call, DCW Chief Swati Maliwal along with Commission members and staff of the NGO conducted a raid at the hotel with the assistance of Delhi Police. The girls, who have come from earthquake affected areas in Nepal, were lured with employment opportunities in Delhi, the Commission said. "Passports of some were taken away and after having waited for several days in the hotel, they started getting concerned to go back to Nepal but had no means to do so," it added. The girls, all aged above 20, have now been sent to a stay home provided by an NGO associated with Nepal Embassy. Delhi is a major transit route for trafficking Nepalese girls to the Gulf, DCW Chief noted, and urged the Ministry of Home Affairs and Nepal government to put an end to it. --IANS som/mag/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Accusing Congress President Rahul Gandhi of spreading lies on the Rafale deal, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday termed the entire Gandhi family corrupt. "Rahul Gandhi is repeatedly lying. He is making a mockery of the national security. The entire Gandhi family is corrupt and they are pointing fingers at others?" BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra told the media here. Patra's remarks came soon after Gandhi called Prime Minister Narendra Modi "corrupt" and asked him to quit in the light of fresh revelations over the Rafale fighter jets deal. "The 'crown prince' claims to have all kinds of details about Rafale...why doesn't he go to Supreme Court?" Patra said. He dared Gandhi to produce the evidence to prove his allegation that former French President Francois Hollande had called Modi corrupt. "He (Gandhi) has said the former President of France has said the Indian Prime Minister is corrupt. I challenge Rahul Gandhi to produce any such statement where he has (Hollande) claimed that. Where had he used such a language?" Patra said. --IANS and-nks/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Environmentalist G.D. Agarwal, who was on a fast for the last 111 days demanding a clean Ganga, died after a heart attack in Rishikesh on Thursday. The 86-year old former IIT-Kanpur professor, Agarwal had been on hunger strike since June 22 for a pollution-free and uninterrupted flow in the Ganga. He had demanded that steps be taken to make the river free-flowing for natural cleansing, and also a ban on construction of all hydroelectric projects along the tributaries of the Ganga besides enactment of the Ganga Protection Management Act. Agarwal had sent several letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had in 2014 pledged on the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi that immediate steps would be taken to ensure cleaning of the holy river. However, the government paid no heed to his demands, said 'IITians for Holy Ganga', a forum formed to preserve the heritage and ecology of the river. Agarwal, who is also know as Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand, had given up water a couple of days ago after government failed to respond to his satyagraha. He was moved to the AIIMS, Rishikesh, on October 9 from the protest site. Activists and politicians criticised the government for not listening to Agarwal. Calling the BJP government "insensitive", Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh said the BJP, which garnered votes in the name of the Ganga, could not save the son of the Ganga (Agarwal). In a tweet, he said he had raised the issue in Parliament to save Agarwal. Senior Supreme Court lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan criticised the government saying Agarwal was forcibly picked up by the Uttarakhand police and hospitalised. "He passed away today after his pleas to save the Ganga fell on Modi's deaf ears. RIP Dear Sir. This world is not for pure souls," Bhushan tweeted. Union River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Nitin Gadkari had in August this year said nearly 70-80 per cent of the cleaning work of the Ganga would be completed by March 2019 and the holy river would become completely clean by 2020.--IANS spk/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday expressed concern about the fate of Jamal Khashoggi, the dissident Saudi journalist who disappeared from his country's consulate in Istanbul last week. The 59-year-old Saudi national has not been heard from since he entered the consulate building on October 2 for paperwork required to marry his Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, with Turkish press claiming the journalist was either kidnapped or murdered inside the facility. Saudi Arabia denies this. On a flight back from Hungary, Erdogan was cited by media as saying that Turkey could not remain silent over Khashoggi's disappearance, stressing the authorities were investigating the case in all its dimensions. The Turkish leader rejected commenting on allegations that Khashoggi was killed at the consulate, but said he was worried, Efe news reported. Erdogan added that US President Donald Trump had also voiced his worries over the matter. The US leader said on Wednesday that he had talked to the Saudi authorities "at the highest level" about Khashoggi. "We cannot let this happen to reporters, to anybody... We're demanding everything. We want to see what's going on there," Trump said. The White House said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and senior officials had spoken to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and asked for more details about the situation. Khashoggi distanced himself from the Saudi monarchy in 2017 and lived in self-imposed exile in the US, where he began writing op-eds for the Washington Post criticizing his country's royal institutions. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two members of a terror group were killed while four others were arrested after police and military operatives launched combat operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group in Indanan, Sulu past midnight Thursday, the military said. Lt. Col. Gerry Besana, public information officer of the Western Mindanao Command, said the two ASG bandits were killed after they resisted arrest following an anti-terror and illegal drugs operations in Barangay Kajatian at about 1:30 am. Besana identified the two slain bandits as Jade Hassan, alias Radjik, and Kemar Jade while the four arrested militants were Lino Tantung, 42; Hamjir Sahidal, 199; Sajiyal Alamia, 46 and Arajal Amicul Aida, 46. Police and military forces recovered a 12-gauge shotgun with 8 bullets; two cal..45 pistols with two magazines and 14 live bullets from the scene of fighting. Authorities also seized a heated sealed transparent plastic believed to be shabu from Sahidal. Besana said the bodies of the two slain were held for postmortem care at Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital while the recovered firearms and ammunition were turned over to the ARMM-Sulu for documentation. He said the operation leading to the killing was part of the intensified joint law enforcement conducted by the Joint Task Force Sulu and Sulu Police Provincial Office in accordance with the War on Drugs of President Rodrigo Duterte. Besana also said the operations formed part of the efforts of JTF Sulu to get rid of the banditry and violent extremist group in the area. Time and again, the government forces have given terror groups two options: one, to lay down their arms and return to the fold of the law or, two, fight and deal with the full force of the law (sic), he said. Besana said the JTF Sulu had convinced significant number of Abu Sayyaf who decided to surrender and live a new life and were now assisted by the government agencies.Since January, hundreds of ASG members were forced to yield to the security forces following massive combat operations against terror groups operating not only in Sulu but also in Basilan and other parts of Mindanao. Meanwhile, the military scored anew in its fight with the communist New Peoples Army in recent encounters and surrenders across the country. The largest number of surrenderers was recorded in Eastern Mindanao with 8,665 NPA cadres yielding to authorities covering the period from January to Oct. 10 this year, according to authorities. At least 821 firearms were seized from the former NPAs and encounters and 324 improvised explosive devices and 131 encampments. I commend our troops in the Eastern Mindanao Command and local government units for being able to handle an overwhelming number of surrenderees (sic), they still continue to come down and go back to the folds of the law, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. said. Aside from the EMC, military units in Northern Luzon Command also showed significant scor against the communist terrorists. These recent developments show that your Armed Forces is deliberate in our operations against insurgents and terrorists in all parts of the country. I continuously remind our troops in the five area commands to intensify operations against terrorists, said Galvez. We also urge members of these terrorist groups to go back to the fold of the law instead of dying in senseless battles. The government is very eager to help returnees in all the ways that it can to sustain their families and help them go back to the normal way of living, away from armed struggle, Galvez added. Actor Anil Kapoor, who was a part of Plan International celebration of the International Day of the Girl 2018 on Thursday, says that the future of India is bright with more girls taking up positions of power. "I am confident that with more and more girls taking up positions of power, our country's future will definitely be bright. This is my 12th year of association with Plan India. I am always eager to lend my support to the cause of gender equality. It is inspiring to see young girls progressing with such confidence and rigor," the actor said in a statement. On the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child (IDG), 17 Girl Changemakers from across 10 states stepped into the roles of ambassadors and high commissioners of 17 countries and relayed messages of equality, freedom and power for girls and young women. The IDG Diplomatic Missions takeover was a joint collaboration between Plan India and the Delegation of the European Union to India, actively supported by the participating diplomatic missions Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, EU, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Israel, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. "This is such a proud moment for us. It is wonderful to see 17 of our young girls leading from the front and performing their duties with such diligence and responsibility," the actor said. The Girls Changemakers are representing 10 Indian States: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan and Jharkhand. They have been selected through a rigorous screening process and will be bringing their unique perspectives to the national level. This is the second year that Plan India and Diplomatic Missions have partnered to give girls the agency to share their stories of courage and leadership while expressing their unequivocal commitment to the larger movement of girls' rights and leadership. Bhagyashri Dengle, Executive Director, Plan India, says that "considering the crucial role that women play in a country's economic and social development, there is a need for sustained efforts from all stakeholders to work towards the goal of achieving gender equality." Tomasz Kozlowski, Ambassador of the European Union to India speaking on behalf of all the 17 Diplomatic Missions said, "Girls Takeovers are a call for a social and political change to tear down the barriers that continue to hold girls back. "Girls, boys, men and women all have an important role to play in building a society that empowers every member to reach their full potential. The empowerment of women and girls is critical in achieving Sustainable Development Goals, and diplomatic missions in Delhi are proud to participate to this year's takeover." --IANS nv/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Thursday announced that his government will grant industry status to the information technology sector to encourage start-ups in the state. The government will improve the eco-system for promoting the IT sector at various levels in the state, Rupani said here at the inauguration of a 3-day Vibrant Gujarat StartUp and Technology Summit here. With the grant of industry status, the IT sector would be eligible for state benefits that are extended to the manufacturing sector. The Summit, in its second year, aims to attract the brightest entrepreneurial minds from across the nation to ideate, innovate and help them shape their ideas for the development of the state and the nation. The Summit also seeks to create an ideal start-up ecosystem, enabling businesses to compete with the best in the world. "I am pleased to see so many young faces in the audience. This shows that the youth of Gujarat is an active participant in the state's vibrant economy and it is the youth that will find the solutions for our development goals through innovative ideas," Rupani said. The Gujarat government currently supports 184 start-ups and aims to nurture up to 2,000 start-ups at Rs 7,000 crore by 2021. --IANS akk/shs/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Gujarat High Court on Thursday asked the state to file an affidavit on a public interest litigation plea that sought action against those involved in attacks on migrant workers and those who failed to protect them. The PIL was filed by lawyer-rights activist Khemchand Koshti to challenge the "action or inaction of the state as well as police in not taking any preventive steps" to stop the attacks on migrants living in Gujarat. The petitioner contended that this was not only illegal and unreasonable, but also violated Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 of the Constitution. The petitioner said that more than two lakh migrants had fled Gujarat to their home states after the rape of a 14-month-old girl in north Gujarat's Sabarkantha district. After this, "some political leaders addressed meetings and gave inflammatory speeches to provoke local inhabitants and thereafter incidents of violence/attacks on migrants spread across the state". He claimed that there were nearly one crore migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha and other states who worked in Gujarat's factories, construction industry, and all GIDCs, while others were employed as carpenters, plumbers, electricians or painters. The petitioner accused the respondent state government and its DGP of "not taking preventive measures to prevent such incidents and not providing proper protection/security to migrants residing in the state from many years." He pointed out that these migrants had integrated themselves into the culture and ethos of gujarat while earning their livelihood, and also been contributors to its development. --IANS desai/tsb/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday directed the Punjab government to issue a seven-day advance notice to the former state police chief before taking any action against him. Punjab's former Director General of Police Sumedh Singh Saini, appointed by the previous Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal)-BJP government and who retired early this year, had moved the High Court apprehending arrest under false cases. Several cases of corruption were filed against the current Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and his close aides when Saini headed the Punjab Vigilance Bureau. Saini, in his plea, had said that the current Congress government in the state could unleash vendetta against him and sought the court's directions to the state to keep his arrest in abeyance for a specific period to enable him to seek recourse to legal remedies. Justice Gurvinder Singh Gill directed the state government to give a prior notice to Saini in case action was contemplated against him. The Punjab government and CBI have been put on notice for November 28 by the High Court. --IANS js/shs/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least two people were killed as Hurricane Michael, one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the continental the US, slammed into the state of Florida, unleashing a trail of destruction by flooding beach towns, peeling off roofs and snapping trees before advancing to the Carolinas. Two people, including a child, were killed by falling debris, the US media reported on Thursday. Hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses were left without electricity in Florida, Alabama and Georgia. Michael made landfall on Wednesday around 2 p.m. near Mexico Beach, Florida, dashing homes into pieces, swallowing marinas and leaving piles of rubble where shopping centres once stood, CNN said. It was the strongest to hit the continental US since Hurricane Andrew in 1992. "Hurricane Michael is the worst storm that the Florida Panhandle has ever seen," said Governor Rick Scott of Florida, where 375,000 people were ordered evacuated. Now, having weakened to a tropical storm, Michael was on its way to the Carolinas. However, the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said that winds picked up at certain points along the Georgia and South Carolina coast. Large parts of Georgia, the Carolinas and southeastern Virginia could still see deadly flash floods on Thursday and remain under a tropical storm warning, it said. Storm-surge warnings were in place between Panama City Beach and Keaton Beach in Florida, and between Ocracoke Inlet and Duck in North Carolina. According to officials, one person was killed on Wednesday after a tree fell on a house near Greensboro, Florida. The second death was reported in Georgia's Seminole County early Thursday, apparently caused by debris crashing through a mobile home and killing a child inside, the Washington Post reported. Travis Brooks, Director of Seminole County's emergency management agency, told ABC News there was "complete and total devastation". The entire county was "pitch black" and there were no clear roads, he said. The hurricane earlier reportedly killed 13 people as it passed through Central America: six in Honduras, four in Nicaragua and three in El Salvador. --IANS soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India has the third-largest higher educational system in the world. In 2016, there were 799 universities and 39,071 colleges spread across the country. These numbers are staggering. The growth of higher in India over a little more than half a century has been even more staggering. Between 1950 and 2014, the number of universities in India increased by 34 times. And, between 1950 and 2013, colleges increased by 74 times. This quantitative explosion in higher institutions has not been matched by the quality of the they provide. In fact, the gap between quantity and quality is so large that it stands as one of the major obstacles in the way of India being a world leader. To become such a leader, India needs to develop a world class higher education system. Two years ago, the Narendra Modi administration attempted to put some focus on quality in higher education with its introduction of draft regulations for a new initiative called the "UGC (Declaration of Government Educational Institutions as World Class Institutions) Guidelines, 2016." By 2018, when the first six institutions were named under this initiative, they were designated as "Institutions of Eminence" as opposed to "world class institutions". Although the label has been changed, the intent remains the same. That is to give considerable discretion to and elevate the status of these institutions. This is not necessarily a bad thing. But, it will do little to address the underlying problems of higher education in India. This is true because the focus is completely wrong. These universities are the tip of the higher educational iceberg. Enhancing the capacity of a few institutions, thus possibly enabling them to be rated a little higher in the world rankings of higher education institutions, does nothing for the many. That's not to say that India does not need world class institutions of higher education. It is to say that more, importantly India, needs a world class higher education system. A world class higher education system is one that is student- or customer-centred rather than institution-centred. It comprises certified and caring institutions that have the resources required and the core mission of ensuring that students/customers acquire the knowledge/skills/abilities and dispositions that they need to achieve their individual goals and to maximise their contribution to society. India's current system has been almost exactly the opposite of that. The emphasis has been primarily on a select group of institutions and individuals rather than embracing and addressing the needs of the whole. There are many steps that must be taken to change this and to make the Indian higher education system world class. They include: - Increase public financing. The federal and state governments currently provide limited funding for higher education. As a result, over 70 percent of the higher education institutions are operated by the private sector. These institutions are not well regulated and are of highly variable quality. Public sector financing could be used to support existing public institutions and to establish new ones in regions in which there are limited higher educational opportunities. - Enhance the infrastructure. Colleges and universities throughout India have inadequate physical settings, lack equipment, and suffer from a shortage of competent teachers. Ensuring that each higher educational institution is infrastructurally sound, establishes the proper environment for learning and growth. - Expand access to and participation in higher education. The enrollment in higher education is approximately 15 per cent of the eligible population. This percentage needs to be much higher for India to be considered and to become a developed or developing country. It also needs to be representative of the entire population, including females, those from the weaker sectors, and rural areas. - Enforce standards and requirements appropriately. The announced replacement of the University Grants Commission (UGC) with the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) created considerable debate within and outside of the educational community. The essential question regardless of whether there is an UGC, HECI or some other agency with an acronym. must be: Is the proper data being collected and used to monitor performance and ensure accountability for each institution in the higher education system? - Place an emphasis on vocational education. The higher education system must meet the needs of potential employers and prospective employees. Currently, there is a mismatch. The higher educational system must equip itself to be the provider of first resort and give the country the skilled workforce it requires. There are many other steps that must be taken, such as addressing politicians controlling many educational institutions, to make India's higher education system world class. But there must be only one mindset. That mindset must be that the country's higher education system must be restructured, redesigned, and renewed in a way that benefits all of India and all Indians. (Frank F. Islam is an entrepreneur, civic and thought leader based in Washington, D.C. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at ffislam@verizon.net) --IANS frank/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Central government on Thursday rejected the findings of the World Bank's Human Capital Index (HCI), which has placed the country at 115th position out of 157 countries on various parameters, such as survivability measured by under-five mortality rate. "The government of India, therefore, has decided to ignore the HCI and will continue to undertake its path-breaking programmes for human capital development aiming to rapidly transforming quality and ease of life for all its children," the Finance Ministry said in a statement. The HCI has been constructed for 157 countries. It claims to seek to measure the amount of human capital that a child born today can expect on attaining the age of 18. The HCI index values are contended to convey the productivity of the next generation of workers, compared to a benchmark of complete standard and full health. "There are serious reservations about the advisability and utility of this exercise of constructing HCI," the statement said. "There are major methodological weaknesses, besides substantial data gaps. For instance, for the schooling parameter, though quantity is assessed using enrolment rates reported by UNESCO, quality is gauged using harmonised test scores from major international student achievement testing programmes." According to the HCI, a child born in India today will be only 44 per cent as productive "when she grows up as she could be if she enjoyed complete and full health". "The HCI in India for females is marginally better than that for males," the report said. On the probability of survival up to the age of 5, the report said it is "96 out of 100 children born in India". The report pointed out that in India, "a child who starts school at age of 4 can expect to complete 10.2 years of school by her 18th birthday". --IANS rv/mgu/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Israel has detained a US graduate student for more than a week, accusing her of supporting the Palestinian-led boycott movement. Lara Alqasem, a 22-year-old of Palestinian heritage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, arrived in Israel on a student visa to attend Jerusalem's Hebrew University but never made it out of the Ben Gurion International Airport, Tel Aviv, after she was found to have ties to the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, better known as BDS, her lawyer, Leora Bechor, said. "There was no justification to deny her (entry at the airport) when they could have made their decision at the time her student visa was to be issued," Bechor told CNN on Wednesday. "Someone with a visa in hand places their faith in the government's decision, so if the government plans to revoke a visa it has already issued, it must be held accountable." Alqasem has been held in a detention facility at the airport since arriving in Israel on October 2. She has access to a phone but cannot receive visits except from her lawyers. Israel's Ministry of Strategic Affairs, which handles BDS cases, called Alqasem a "prominent activist" who met the criteria of being refused entry into the country. In a statement to CNN, Minister of Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan said: "Israel, like every democracy, has the right to prevent the entry of foreign nationals, especially those working to harm the country. Therefore we work to prevent the entry of those who promote the anti-Semitic BDS campaign, which calls for Israel's destruction." The Ministry added that Alqasem was free to return to the US anytime. A US Embassy official told CNN on Wednesday: "We are following the case and have provided consular services to Alqasem." At the US State Department briefing on Tuesday, spokeswoman Heather Nauert said: "It's ultimately up to the government of Israel, or any country for that matter, to decide which individuals, which Americans, it wants to let in." Hebrew University's academic senate condemned Alqasem's detention and called for her immediate release. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Income Tax officials on Thursday carried out what it said were "surveys" at the residence and office premises of Raghav Bahl, head of news portal The Quint, over alleged tax evasion, provoking angry reactions. According to the officials, a team reached the residence of Bahl -- the former head of Network18 TV -- in Noida in Uttar Pradesh on Thursday morning and looked for documents and evidences related to the case. The search was on even late in the evening. A senior tax official told IANS that surveys were being carried out over the issue of "bogus long-term capital gains obtained from the sale of some particular companies". "This issue is about Rs 100 crore worth. We are particularly looking at the tax evasion angle," the official said, adding that the three others covered under the tax surveys were Kamal Lalwani, Anup Jain and Abhimanyu Chaturvedi. Poonam Agarwal, an Associate Editor at The Quint, tweeted that income tax officials were trying to clone data from Bahl's wife Ritu Kapur's gadgets. "When she screamed and asked me about the law of privacy and whether they can clone her journalistic and personal material, while I was standing outside her residence, two IT officers pulled her inside the house," Agarwal tweeted. The IT action attracted angry reactions from the Congress, the Editors Guild and Bahl himself. At a press briefing, Congress President Rahul Gandhi said: "They (government) will raid, harass, attack and suppress. That's their agenda... The government is trying to suppress the " Amnesty International described the IT action as "a clampdown on free press", saying that the authorities were attempting to silence anyone expressing views critical of the government. "The Income Tax Department's survey ... raises disturbing questions on whether the news website is being targeted for speaking truth to power. It appears that the authorities are attempting to silence anyone expressing views that are critical of the government," Aakar Patel, Executive Director of Amnesty India, said in a statement. Noted lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan tweeted: "No doubt that The Quint and Raghav Bahl are being raided by the IT department only because they have been critical of the government and in order to intimidate the IT, ED and CBI are being misused by this government like never before." The Editors Guild expressed concern, saying "motivated income tax searches and surveys" will undermine freedom. The Guild noted that Bahl had to warn the officials that if they tried to touch anything not relevant to tax issues, he "shall seek extremely strong recourse". In a note to the Editors Guild, Bahl said The Quint was a "fully tax compliant entity" and would provide all access to all appropriate financial documents. The Editors Guild said in a statement that while the Tax Department was "within its right to make inquiries", it should not exercise its powers in a way that could be seen as an "intimidation of the government's critics". "The Guild believes that motivated income tax searches and surveys will seriously undermine the media's freedom and the government should desist from such attempts," it said. It said it was "perturbed" over Bahl's statement that he had to strongly advise the tax officials that they should not try and pick up or see any other mail or document which was likely to contain sensitive journalistic material. Meanwhile, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said: "We believe in freedom of press and democratic values. But if any media house is involved in corruption, they have to face the consequences." --IANS aks/mak/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has offered his government's support to the Swachh Bharat Mission, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation said on Thursday. "In a written message, Prime Minister Abe said that Japan will cooperate with India, which promotes the Clean India initiative under Prime Minister Modi's leadership," said the Ministry. He further underscored Japan's commitment to realize healthy societies in Asia and congratulated India on the success of the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention (MGISC). "Securing clean water and improving sanitary conditions is a common challenge in the world. We hope for the further progress of each country's efforts to address the challenge through active discussions at this convention (MGISC)," Abe said in the message. MGISC was a four-day international conference that brought together ministers for sanitation and other leaders in WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) from around the world. The convention was inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind, addressed by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and the concluding session was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, it added. --IANS sm/mag/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Government lawyers have filed a formal objection before the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 to the documentary evidence filed by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on defects in the amnesty he availed of in connection with the pending coup detat charges against him. In a 10-page comment, the Department of Justice prosecution panel, led by Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon, filed its objection to the documentary exhibits of Trillanes. Pending before the court is the prosecution panels motion for the issuance of a hold departure order and a warrant of arrest against the embattled lawmaker, whom state lawyers claimed had failed to comply with all the requirements for a valid grant of amnesty for acts he committed when he was still in the military. Among the challenged documents was the original copy of the affidavit of Lt. Col. Josefa C. Berbigal of the Judge Advocate General Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines dated Sept. 20, 2018. The prosecution panel said they object to the purpose of the document because Col. Berbigal failed to substantiate during her testimony on Oct. 5, 2018 her statements in her affidavit that accused Trillanes admitted his guilt to the offenses subject of the amnesty. Instead, during her cross examination, she testified that accused Trillanes only admitted guilt to the incidents but not the offenses for which he is being charged, the prosecution noted, adding that Berbigals statement that the application for amnesty was in order, complete and in compliance with all the requirements of Proclamation No. 75 is misleading. The prosecution added that during her testimony, Berbigal could not confirm this allegation by presenting the original, duplicate or photocopy of the application. The prosecution added that he has no authority to conclude that Trillanes complied with all the requirements of Proclamation No. 75, adding that as mere head of the secretariat, she is not the approving authority to determine who among the applicants are qualified. The DOJ added that Berbigal had no authority to administer oath to accused Trillanes because Department of National Defense Department Order No. 323 specifically provides for a notary public to be assigned at the secretariat who will duly administer the oath of the amnesty applicants. They further objected to the testimony of former DND undersecretary Honorio S. Azcueta, noting that the latter failed to substantiate his claim that he caused the strict compliance with all the requirements set forth by Proclamation No. 75 and DND Circular No. 1. The panel also objected to the affidavit of Dominador E. Rull Jr., citing that it is self-serving and contains baseless and biased statements, the witness being the executive assistant of accused Trillanes, and had no authority to determine whether the alleged application form was properly filled up by accused Trillanes. The prosecution also objected to the affidavit of Emmanuel C. Tirador, a co-accused of Trillanes in the case. The DOJ also opposed Trillanes counsels presentation of a blank application form for amnesty, citing that a mere blank application form cannot prove the existence of a duly filled up application form. The form, the prosecution said, cannot prove admission of guilt by the accused Trillanes because the same document requires the submission or attachment of a separate narration of facts of his involvement/participation in the offenses by which he is charged. Meanwhile, Judge Elmo Alameda of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 slated for October 12 the hearing on Trillanes appeal on Friday.Alameda is the same judge who ordered Trillanes arrest last month on rebellion charges. Trillanes had sought to set aside the premature arrest order for its supposed lack of legal and factual basis. Trillanes has, through his counsel, urged the court to take a second look at its September 25 arrest order that effectively revived a dismissed rebellion case against him over the 2007 Manila Peninsula Siege. The senator asked the court to vacate and set aside the arrest order, to set the case for hearing for the proper reception of evidence, and to ultimately deny the governments motion seeking an arrest and a hold departure order against him. According to Trillanes, Alamedas ruling, Trillanes sets dangerous, deep-seated and wide-ranging implications on the countrys judicial and legal system. To put it simply, the assailed ruling of the Honorable Court is tantamount to a total and complete surrender of the independence of the judiciary and a tragic capitulation to the President of the judicial power lodged upon the Courts by the Constitution, Trillanes motion said. The president in August declared as void ab initio the amnesty granted to Trillanes in 2011 because the latter reportedly failed to file an application and to admit his guilt over the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny and the 2007 Manila Peninsula Siege. The publication of the proclamation on September 4 set in motion the Department of Justices efforts to pursue the revival of coup detat and rebellion cases against Trillanes, a staunch Duterte critic, which were dismissed after he was granted an amnesty. Trillanes argued that the courts finding that he did not apply for amnesty had totally and absolutely no basis at all, which belies the prosecutions claim that he did not file an application was anchored on mere innuendo. It claimed that there was nothing in the certificate issued by Lieutenant Colonel Thea Joan Andrade - which states there is no available copy of Trillanes amnesty application - that the senator did not apply at all. Trillanes appeal also said that the prosecution failed to offer enough basis to overturn the presumption of regularity in the performance of official duty -- that is, that the senator would not have been granted amnesty if he did not comply with all the requirements. It also claimed that the GMA News Online article that the prosecution cited as basis that he did not admit his guilt was susceptible to misquotation and misreporting, and amounted to double hearsay. It also said that the four defense witnesses -- two of whom were part of the committee that processed amnesty applications -- and the supporting documents the Trillanes camp submitted to the court should clearly prevail over the specious and self-serving insinuations of the prosecution. The Maldives top court has agreed to hear a legal challenge filed by the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) against the results of last month's presidential elections, the media reported on Thursday. The PPM, led by outgoing President Abdulla Yameen, said it had filed the case against the results of the September 23 polls, alleging rigging, Xinhua news agency reported. In a message on its official Twitter account, the Department of the Judicial Administration said the top court had agreed to hear the case. However, the court was yet to schedule a hearing. The PPM said in a statement that the decision to seek legal recourse through the Supreme Court and High court was taken in accordance with the relevant articles of the Elections Act which said that poll-related complaints could be probed only through a court order. The decision to seek legal recourse was taken by the party council in order to uphold the electoral right of its candidate and running mate as well as the rights of the party's members and the 96,000 people who voted for the president, the PPM said. The Elections Commission earlier dismissed the allegations raised by the PPM and said there were no irregularities or complaints that could affect the outcome of the election. Yameen had, a day after the presidential polls, conceded defeat and said he accepted the results of the election. In an address to the nation, he said he would stay on in presidency until the end of his term on November 17. --IANS soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man and his lover have been arrested for trying to kill his wife and dump her in an abandoned area in Ghaziabad before they were caught by police. The police admitted the woman with a gunshot wound in a hospital and detained Yashwant Rana alias Sunny and his lover Anshu. The incident occurred on Wednesday night in Murad Nagar area. The police said Sunny, a resident of village Ghatewar in Baghpat district, was married to Shivani (27). On Wednesday, a police team on night patrol stopped his car for routine check, only to notice a woman lying in an unconscious stage on the rear seat with a gunshot injury. The police rushed the woman to the hospital and took Sunny and Anshu into custody. The man told the police that he brought out his wife under the pretext of outing near the Upper Ganges Canal. At about 9.30 p.m., he shot the wife on a service road. After that he looked for a place to dump her. But she did not die. "The condition of the injured woman is stable and the man and his lover have been arrested," said Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Krishna. --IANS sps/mr/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi "corrupt" and asked him to quit in the light of fresh revelations over the Rafale jets deal -- that inclusion of a private defence partner from India was an "imperative and obligatory" condition for awarding the contract. French news portal Mediapart said the name of Reliance Defence was given to Dassault Aviation - manufacturer of the Rafale jets - as "obligatory" offset partner for the deal announced by Modi in April 2015. Questioning Modi's "deafening silence" on the issue, despite allegations of corruption directed at him, Gandhi said the Prime Minister must resign. "The Prime Minister of India is corrupt," Gandhi said at a special media briefing here. "Allegations of corruption are being directed at him and the Prime Minister is silent. He should resign if he cannot respond (to the charges)," he said. Gandhi also read out excerpts from Wednesday's Mediapart report, which said, quoting Dassault's Chief Operating Officer Loik Segalen, that the choice of the Indian private entity was a "compensation" for the purchase of the fighter jets. "What is he being compensated for?," asked Gandhi. "Earlier, former French President (Francois Hollande) had revealed that the Indian Prime Minister had told them that Reliance should get a deal. Now Dassault's second senior-most executive has said the same thing," said Gandhi, alleging that "Modi put Rs 30,000 crore in his industrialist crony's pockets." "Ex-President of France, no less, has said that India's PM is corrupt, now the company which got the contract, its senior executive is saying that India's PM is corrupt," said Gandhi, pointing to the French website's earlier report quoting Hollande as saying that India had proposed the Indian private entity as the partner for the deal. There is a clear-cut case of corruption against the Prime Minister, he said, ridiculing the Modi government for shying away from a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the deal. On Dassault reiterating that it "has freely chosen to make a partnership with India's Reliance Group", Gandhi said the jet manufacturer was "sitting on a huge contract and will say what the Indian government wanted it to say". Following the Mediapart report, Dassault Aviation in a statement on Wednesday reiterated that it had "freely chosen to make a partnership with India's Reliance Group." Gandhi also questioned the motive behind Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's three-day visit to France, and alleged that there was a 'huge cover-up going on" and the "media was being pressurised". "The Defence Minister is going to France, what can be a more clear message than that," he said. The Congress has twice petitioned the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for a special and forensic audit and also moved the Central Vigilance Commission seeking a probe and seizure of relevant documents pertaining to the deal. --IANS and/shs/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tributes to political leader Jayaprakash Narayan and Sangh Parivar veteran Nanaji Deshmukh on their birth anniversaries. "India remembers the great Loknayak JP on his Jayanti. His unflinching commitment to protect our democratic fabric will never be forgotten," the Prime Minister tweeted. "We also remember his notable efforts towards India's freedom struggle and working for the welfare of the marginalised." Narayan, popularly known as Loknayak or JP, was an Indian Independence activist, theorist and political leader, remembered especially for leading the mid-1970s opposition against Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for whose overthrow he called for a "total revolution". The Prime Minister also remembered Deshmukh for his "organisational skills". "Tributes to Nanaji Deshmukh on his Jayanti. He worked tirelessly towards upliftment of our villages and for the welfare of our hardworking farmers. His organisational skills were also greatly admired," he said. --IANS mg/ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a first, researchers have developed a vaccine for the three main pathogens that cause traveller's diarrhoea and deaths of children in developing countries, where it is estimated that these three common pathogens kill more than one lakh children under age five each year. Traveller's diarrhoea is a digestive tract disorder that commonly causes loose stools and abdominal cramps. According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates, up to 80 per cent cases of travellers' diarrhoea are caused by bacteria. The novel conjugate vaccine yokes together proteins from pathogenic Escherichia coli or E. coli with sugars from Shigella and Campylobacter jejuni. All three bugs are major causes of bacterial diarrhoea globally. In tests on mice, the vaccine provided immunity against all three pathogens, said Professor Mario Monteiro, a chemist at the University of Guelph in Canada. Currently, no licensed vaccines exist against any of these pathogens. Monteiro had, in 2009, developed a sugar-based vaccine that worked only against campylobacter. It is undergoing human trials but is still an estimated decade away from potential release. Monteiro noted that the new three-in-one approach, published in the journal Vaccine, may ultimately overtake the earlier single-target vaccine, although any new vaccine may take decades to test and release. "We're targeting three pathogens at the same time," he said. "Instead of three shots, maybe you only need one." Monteiro said further research is needed to determine the optimum amounts of protein and sugars in the vaccine and to make the vaccine more efficient. --IANS rt/mag/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Veteran actress Neena Gupta, who will be seen in commercial drama "Badhaai Ho", says she is glad to work in times when opportunities have opened up for senior actors in content driven films. Neena has been a part of notable films like "Gandhi", "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron", "Mandi", "Utsav" and "Mulk". She has also worked in television shows like "Saans" and "Buniyaad". Last year, she took to social media to ask for work. Her message, "I am a good actor looking for good parts to play", brought attention to how despite being a National Award-winning actress, writer and director, she did so. Since then, her visibility has increased. In "Badhaai Ho", she plays an old woman who gets pregnant again after having two grown up children. Asked how it feels to be in a period where senior actors are getting an opportunity to play meaty roles in content driven films, she said, "Yes...it never used to happen earlier. It feels really nice to be in times where senior actors are getting meaty roles in content driven films." She is grateful to the film's team for roping her in for the film. "It's my first full-fledged role in a commercial film, which will have good release as well. So, I feel very fortunate to be part of this film." "Badhaai Ho" tackles the subject of a couple expecting a baby in old age -- something that society in India is likely to make fun of. Asked how she felt being part of an ageless love story, Neena said: "You shouldn't call it an ageless love story. It's an 'ageful' romance and there shouldn't be any kind of objection to it. I think it's a personal choice of a husband and wife if they want to extend their family. "It also depends upon various factors which we have talked about in this film is that whether you can afford to have a child, whether your health permits you to look after your child... So, it is between the couple what they want to do in their life." Besides Neena, "Badhaai Ho" also stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Sanya Mahotra, Gajraj Rao and Sheeba Chaddha in key roles. The film is directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma and produced by Vineet Jain, Aleya Sen, Hemant Bhandari and Priti Sahani under the banner of Junglee Pictures and Chrome Pictures. It will release on October 19. --IANS iv/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) National Law Institute University (NLIU) will get solar power for Rs 1.76 per unit in first year as against the current rate of Rs 7.40 under the rooftop solar tender for central government buildings floated by the Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam, MPUVN announced on Thursday. The rate discovered through the auction is less than one-fourth of the present rate and the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between bid winner AMP Solar and NLIU was signed on Thursday, a statement said. The rate would increase by 3 per cent per annum and would thus double to Rs 3.57 at the end of project life of 25 years, which would still be less than half of the present discom (distribution company) rate," it said. The bids for rooftop solar at NLIU and other central government buildings has been won by Delhi-based AMP Solar, it added. The MPUVN rooftop solar tender for central government buildings has fetched the lowest tariff quote of Rs 1.38 per unit attracted by an auction in the country so far, an MPUVN statement said earlier this month. State government medical colleges, also a beneficiary in the tender, have got a rate of Rs 1.63 per unit for the first year. The RESCO-II tender issued by MPUVN attracted 9 international and domestic bidders, who oversubscribed the 8.6 MWp rooftop tender capacity by more than 630 per cent. The RESCO project in Madhya Pradesh is being implemented as a part of the Centre's Rooftop Solar Programme with support from the World Bank under the Global Environment Facility Fund. --IANS bc/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former USfirst lady Michelle Obama announced on Thursday a new initiative aimed at empowering adolescent girls around the world through education. "An educated girl can lift up her family, her community, and her country," said Michelle Obama as she launched the program on behalf of the Chicago-based Obama Foundation, Xinhua reported. That's why I'm so proud that today the Obama Foundation is launching the Global Girls Alliance in support of adolescent girls' education around the world," she added. The Global Girls Alliance is teaming up with GoFundMe to create a fund-raising platform, encouraging people to take action in support of girls' education. The platform will enable grassroots leaders to seek funding for projects that can break down the physical, cultural, and financial barriers that keep adolescent girls from getting an education and fulfilling their potential, says the Global Girls Alliance on its website. Five projects that will benefit girls' education in Uganda, Malawi, India, Ghana and Guatemala are now open for donations. Former US President Barack Obama said on twitter that he hopes the Global Girls Alliance will be another great chapter in Michelle's effort to get girls the opportunities they deserve. --IANS ahm/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Experts have urged for an agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan on the apportionment of the Kabul river water and warned that construction of reservoirs on the river would disturb its entire ecology. The announcement was made on Wednesday during a conference titled "Sustainable usage of the Kabul River: Challenges and opportunities for Pak-Afghan cooperation" held at the University of Peshawar, reports Dawn news. The varsity's Vice Chancellor Mohammad Asif said that the Afghan government with the financial and technical support of India had planned construction of 12 reservoirs on the Kabul River that would generate 2400 megawatts of electricity. He said that construction of dams on the river would drastically affect the agriculture sector in Pakistan, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the water flow in three main tributaries of the river had already declined by more than 50 per cent. He stressed the need for having a bilateral water treaty between Islamabad and Kabul for the reasonable and equitable use of the Kabul River water. Peshawar-based Afghan Counsul General Moeen Marastial said that his government was ready for negotiation with Pakistan on water issues within the framework of international conventions. The experts said that the Kabul River played a key role in irrigating lands in Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera and adjoining areas. They said that the river was mainly fed by the Chitral river, which was known as the Kunar river in Afghanistan. --IANS ksk/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde on Thursday said that a bailout deal with Pakistan would require "absolute transparency" of its debts, many of which come from China's landmark Belt and Road Initiative. "In whatever work we do, we need to have a complete understanding and absolute transparency about the nature, size, terms of the debt that is bearing on a particular country," Lagarde said at the IMF and World Bank Group annual meetings in Bali, Indonesia. She added the IMF needed to understand the extent of the position of the debt, including lending from sovereign governments and from state-owned enterprises, so that officials could determine a country's debt sustainability, Efe news reported. Her statements indicated that Pakistan could be forced to disclose the full extent and terms of Chinese lending it received in recent years as part of its participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, China's vast global infrastructure-spending programme. Earlier this week, Pakistan said that it would be seeking a loan from the IMF. The country has a ballooning trade deficit, falling currency and is quickly exhausting its foreign-exchange reserves. Experts say the country needs about $12 billion to cover its imports and meet upcoming debt payments. Lagarde said she didn't meet Pakistan's Finance Minister Asad Umar or received a formal request for IMF assistance yet. But she said that the IMF will meet the Pakistani delegation on Thursday and that the IMF was "available to its entire membership". Pakistan's requirement for an IMF loan has already been complicated by its ties to China. It has been the largest recipient of funding under Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative. In July, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that Washington didn't want to see any IMF lending to Pakistan "go to bail out Chinese bondholders or China itself". The US has accused China of "debt-trap diplomacy" by lending countries money to pay Chinese companies to build infrastructure that the recipients can't afford. Pakistan's new government of Prime Minister Imran Khan had suggested it might try to avoid working with the IMF, but the recent turbulence in its stock and currency markets left it no choice, officials said. Stepped up disclosure on debts, such as those from China, will be a requirement, Lagarde said, adding that was not only going to apply to Pakistan, but all countries. --IANS soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The House of Representatives Committee on Good Government will reopen next month its inquiry into the allegedly irregular procurement of P3.5 billion worth of the Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine from French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur to exact accountability from the government officials involved in the mess. Camiguin Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo, the panels chairman, said he will take up the issue when Congress resumes session next month. We will be trying to tie up some loose ends. Probably we can still hold a hearing or two, Romualdo said. Congress adjourns session beginning today, Friday, for its Halloween break. Romualdo, who assumed the chairmanship of the committee that was then led by Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, also said his panel might invite former President Benigno Aquino III, former Health secretary Janette Garin, and then Budget secretary Butch Abad. Garin and Abad both served under the past administration as resource persons. Pimentel then said the committee that he ledafter having conducted several hearingswould recommended the filing of charges against Aquino and the others involved in the Dengvaxia mess. He also then said that the committee did not clear anybody, including Aquino, of administrative, civil and criminal liability. The House good government and public accountability committee investigated the controversy, together with the health committee led by Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan. Romualdo said he had already coordinated with Tan on the plan to reopen the congressional inquiry. He said reopening the probe on the Dengvaxia mess will be a fresh start.I was not part of the previous panel and I have not even read the articles in the newspapers, Romualdo said. The Pimentel committee was not able to officially release its report since Pimentel was replaced as the committee chairman following the surprise election of Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in July. The draft 38-page committee report included in its recommendations the filing of the appropriate administrative and criminal cases against the government officials and employees involved in the irregular procurement of the dengue vaccine for having violated [Executive Order] 49, EO 292 on the disbursement of public funds, [Republic Act] 9184 and pertinent rules and regulations. It also recommended the filing of the appropriate administrative and criminal cases against the government officials and employees, including private individuals, involved in the irregularity on the registration of Dengvaxia and on the procurement thereof under Revised Penal Code and Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The draft committee report also said despite noble intentions, the committees determined that there was undue haste in the procurement of the vaccines and the implementation of the dengue vaccination program disregarding existing laws, rules and regulations. French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi Pasteur manufactured the drug, which in April 2016 was made the focus of a massive inoculation campaign by the Aquino administration. In November 2017, Sanofi admitted that the vaccine could worsen the symptoms for seronegative children or those who had never contracted dengue but were given Dengvaxia shots anyway. By this time, nearly 900,000 Filipino school children had been vaccinated under the anti-dengue program. Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi "corrupt" following fresh revelations by French website Mediapart that inclusion of a private defence partner from India was an "imperative and obligatory" condition for securing the Rafale jets contract. Mediapart said the name of Reliance Defence was give to Dassault Aviation as "obligatory" offset partner. Questioning Modi's "deafening silence" on the issue, despite allegations of corruption directed at him, Gandhi said the Prime Minister must resign. "The Prime Minister of India is corrupt, I want to tell the youth of the nation that he is corrupt," Gandhi said at a special media briefing here. "Allegations of corruptions are being directed at him and the Prime Minister is silent. He should resign if he cannot respond (to the charges)," he said. Gandhi reading out excerpts from Wednesday's Mediapart report on an internal Dassault document, said that the group accepted to work with Reliance as an "imperative and obligatory" condition for securing the fighter jet contract. "Rafale's senior executive has clearly stated that choosing Anil Ambani's company was a compensation for the purchase of Rafale. "Earlier former French President (Francois Hollande) had revealed that Indian Prime Minister had told them that Reliance should get a deal. Now Dasaullt's second senior-most executive has said the same thing," said Gandhi alleging that "Modi put Rs 30,000 crore in his industrialist crony's pockets." In its earlier report the French website had quoted Hollande as saying that India had proposed Reliance Defence as the partner for the deal. "There is a clear-cut case of corruption against the Prime Minister," said Gandhi ridiculing the Modi government for shying away from a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the deal. He also questioned the visit of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to France wondering if her three day trip from Wednesday was in connection with process to justify Modi's decision to purchase the fighter jets. --IANS and/in/hs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turning up the heat on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called him "corrupt" and asked him to quit following revelations that inclusion of an Indian private defence partner was an "imperative and obligatory" condition for awarding the contract. Rebutting Gandhi's allegations, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party accused the Congress President of belittling national security and spreading lies. Gandhi's latest salvo came following French website Mediapart on Wednesday reporting that Reliance Defence was given to Dassault Aviation, manufacturer of the Rafale jets, as an "obligatory" offset partner for the deal announced by Modi in April 2015. "The Prime Minister of India is corrupt," Gandhi said at a special media briefing here. Questioning Modi's "deafening silence" , despite allegations of corruption directed at him, Gandhi said the Prime Minister must resign. "Allegations of corruption are being directed at him and the Prime Minister is silent. He should resign if he cannot respond (to the charges)," he said. Gandhi also read out excerpts from Mediapart report, which quoting Dassault's Chief Operating Officer Loik Segalen, said that the choice of the Indian private entity was a "compensation" for the purchase of the fighter jets. "What is he being compensated for," asked Gandhi alleging that "Modi put Rs 30,000 crore in his industrialist crony's pockets." "Ex-President of France (Francois Hollande), no less, has said that India's PM is corrupt, now the company which got the contract, its senior executive is saying that India's PM is corrupt," said Gandhi, pointing to the French website's earlier report quoting Hollande as saying that India had proposed the Indian private entity as the partner for the deal. Gandhi said it was a "clear-cut case of corruption" against Modi and ridiculed the BJP government for shying away from a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe (JPC) into the deal. On Dassault reiterating that it "has freely chosen to make a partnership with India's Reliance Group", Gandhi said the jet manufacturer was "sitting on a huge contract and will say what the Indian government wanted it to say". Gandhi also questioned the motive behind Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's three-day visit to France, alleging that there was a "huge cover-up going on" and the "media was being pressured". "The great Rafale cover-up has begun. To try and show the deal is legitimate, Raksha Mantri will need to generate minutes of imaginary meetings held between the French and our Ministry of Defence and both sides will need to agree on a common story to be spun to the media," said Gandhi about Sitharaman's visit beginning Wednesday. He said the country will soon realise the "truth about Modi" who came to power on the expressed promise of fighting corruption. Alleging massive irregularities in the deal, the Congress has twice petitioned the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for a special and forensic audit and also moved the Central Vigilance Commission seeking a probe and seizure of relevant documents pertaining to the deal.It has also been persistent in demanding a JPC probe. Besides questioning the "inflated" price of the jets, the Congress has also been targeting the Centre over the propriety of a newly-founded private company getting the Rs 30,000 crore Rafale offset contract at the cost of the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). Gandhi is slated to meet HAL employees on Saturday at the defence PSU headquarter in Bengaluru. Hitting back, the BJP accused Gandhi of mocking and jeopardising national security. "He is trying to build his political career by spreading lies on Rafale," BJP spokesperson Sambit patra said, alleging the entire Gandhi family was "corrupt". Patra dared Gandhi to produce evidence to prove his allegations that Hollande had called Modi corrupt. --IANS and/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two astronauts aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft that made an emergency landing after their rocket malfunctioned on lift-off to the International Space Station (ISS) were safe and in good condition, NASA said on Thursday. The Soyuz MS-10 launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to the ISS at 4.40 a.m. on Thursday with Russian Cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin and US astronaut Nick Hague on board. It was Hague's maiden space mission. According to NASA, there was an "issue with the booster" and the "crew is returning to Earth in a ballistic descent mode", which is a sharper angle of descent compared to normal. The four strap-on boosters were jettisoned as planned shortly after lift-off and the flight was proceeding under the power of its second stage core booster when the mishap occurred. "Shortly after launch, there was an anomaly with the booster and the launch ascent was aborted, resulting in a ballistic landing of the spacecraft," NASA said in a statement. The two astronauts reportedly felt "weightlessness" as the crew capsule detached. They landed about 20 km east of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, where rescue crews were scrambled to find them. "Search and rescue teams were deployed to the landing site. Hague and Ovchinin are out of the capsule and are reported to be in good condition. They will be transported to the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia outside of Moscow," NASA said. "NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin are in good condition following today's aborted launch. I'm grateful that everyone is safe," NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a tweet. NASA worked closely with the Russian space agency Roscosmos to ensure the safe return of the crew. "A thorough investigation into the cause of the incident will be conducted," NASA stated. The Russian space agency Roscosmos was also planning to carry out inspection of the rocket space centre where the Soyuz FG rocket was produced. "A state commission was formed by my decision to determine the cause of the Soyuz-FG carrier rocket accident. It has already begun work. Telemetry is being studied," Chief of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin wrote on Twitter. "Rescue services have been working from the first second of the accident. The Soyuz-MS spacecraft emergency rescue system worked properly. The crew was rescued," he added. The malfunction could cause trouble for NASA as the agency is waiting for both Boeing and SpaceX to deliver homegrown spacecraft so it no longer has to rely on Russia to send supplies and crew to the ISS. NASA astronauts currently use Russian Soyuz spacecraft, and its contract is set to expire in November 2019. It was first such mishap for Russian Soyuz capsule in 35 years. In August 1983, Soyuz 7K-ST No.16L intended to visit the Salyut 7 space station had an on-pad abort when the capsule pulled away from an exploding booster. There was another abort mission with the Soyuz spacecraft, in Mongolia in 1975. --IANS rt/na/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The opposition to the Supreme Court ruling allowing women in the 10-50 age group to enter the Sabarimla temple in Kerala has "exposed the hypocrisy and patriarchal worldview of some political parties and caste organisations", the CPI-M has said. "The RSS had taken a stand in 2016 that women should have the right of entry to all temples. But this position has been reversed as far as the Sabarimala temple is concerned," said an editorial in the CPI-M journal "People's Democracy". "RSS General Secretary Suresh Joshi has claimed that restriction of women's entry to Sabarimala is a matter of tradition and faith of millions of devotees, whose 'sentiments' cannot be ignored. "In Kerala, the RSS chief Gopalankutty stated that the Sangh would honour the judgement but the very next day they made an about-turn," said the Communist Party of India-Marxist. The editorial said the protests by "devotees" being organised by the BJP and RSS against the Supreme Court ruling have been joined by the Nair Service Society, the erstwhile royal family of Pandalam who were earlier custodians of the temple and the hereditary family of priests at the temple. "The stance adopted by these forces of social conservatism could be expected. But what was not anticipated was the hypocritical and opportunist stance adopted by the Congress in Kerala," said the editorial. It said that while Congress spokesman Randeep Surjewala in New Delhi said the party wholeheartedly welcomed "this progressive and far-reaching decision" of the Supreme Court, the Congress took an opposite stand in Kerala. "Kerala, thus, presents the curious spectacle of the Congress subscribing to the upper caste and patriarchal notions of the RSS-BJP combine. If the Congress thinks that such an opportunist stance will help it to gain Hindu votes, they are sadly mistaken," it said. "Pandering to socially regressive Hindutva views will only strengthen the hands of the BJP and the RSS with the Congress being seen in the company of those who want to turn the clock back in Kerala society. "The forces who are at the back of the protests by 'devotees' are those who are not reconciled to the social changes and progressive reforms in Kerala." --IANS mr/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Oscar Romero, the Salvadoran priest who championed social justice for the poor and dispossessed, will be proclaimed a saint by Pope Francis on Sunday, almost four decades after he was assassinated by a right-wing death squad. "Oscar Romero is revered in his native El Salvador. He ranks alongside the likes of Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi as one of the most remarkable figures of the 20th century," the Guardian quoted Clare Dixon, head of the Catholic aid agency Cafod's Latin America region, as saying on Wednesday. "His canonisation will give Romero the wider recognition he so richly deserves. He denounced the violence which was tearing his country apart, he spoke out against oppression, and stood against injustice alongside people living in poverty." The former archbishop of San Salvador, who was closely associated with the Latin American liberation theology movement of the 1960s and 70s, will be canonised along with six others at a ceremony in Rome's St Peter's Square. For years, conservatives within the church sought to block Romero's canonisation because of his association with liberation theology, a movement whose followers argued that it was not enough for the church to empathise with and care for the poor. Francis began the process of declaring Romero a saint soon after becoming pope. About 250,000 people attended Romero's beatification ceremony - the penultimate step towards becoming a saint - in San Salvador in May 2015. Romero was shot through the heart by a sniper while celebrating mass in a hospital chapel on March 24, 1980, a day after he had called on the military to stop killing innocent civilians in El Salvador, the Guardian reported. Numerous death threats had been made against him. At his funeral, the army opened fire, killing dozens of mourners in a crowd of more than 100,000. His murder came at the start of a 12-year civil war, in which more than 75,000 people were killed and thousands disappeared. --IANS ksk/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Thursday again sent the CMD and two Directors of real estate major Amrapali to police custody till documents of all 46 group companies seized for forensics audit were sorted and catalogued. Sending CMD Anil Kumar Sharma and Directors Shiv Priya and Ajay Kumar to police custody, a bench of Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said: "We want to know where has Rs 2,600 crore gone? What is the trail of money? Where the money has gone?" The court said that the three will be present during cataloguing of documents, which CMD Anil Sharma said is likely to take 15 days. The sorting and cataloguing of documents will be done in one office only at any point of time and not simultaneously in different offices. On the completion of sorting and cataloguing in one office, the activity will shift to another office. The three were set free a day earlier after sealing of seven premises of the company in Noida and Greater Noida where documents relating to the 46 companies are stocked. However, as a relaxation, the bench permitted them to stay at their homes for tonight. The three were directed to report to Station House Officer of Sector 62 police station before 8 a.m. on Friday, from where they will be taken in police custody to one of the sealed company offices to commence cataloguing of documents. During the entire process, likely to last 15 days, de-sealed offices will function from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thereafter, the said office will be resealed by police and CMD Sharma and two others lodged in Park Accent Hotel. They will surrender their mobile phones to police during their hotel stay. Cataloguing was ordered after forensic auditors Pawan Kumar Aggarwal and Ravi Bhatia told the court that documents relating to 46 companies were stacked in gunny bags in places with no power supply or other facilities. They told the court that unless these documents are sorted out and catalogued, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to proceed with forensic auditing of the accounts of the group's 46 companies. Amrapali CMD was allowed to solicit the assistance of company staff in sorting and cataloguing of documents. But it should not lead to crowding and exceed a maximum of 20 people. Internal and statutory auditors working with Amrapali group too were asked to chip in. At the outset of the hearing, the court was told that seven offices of the Amrapali group located in Noida and Greater Noida (both in Uttar Pradesh) and two others in Buxar and Rajgir districts of Bihar have been sealed. The court asked forensic auditors to take a call if they wished to shift the documents kept in Buxar and Rajgir to Delhi to save time. Meanwhile, the court said that it will hear the suo motu contempt notice issued against the three company officials after four weeks. On Tuesday, the apex court had sent the three to police custody till they handed over all documents related to their 46 companies to court-appointed forensic auditors. --IANS pk/tsb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court will hear on Friday a plea challenging the West Bengal government's decision to release Rs 28 crore as a "gift" to the organisers of Durga Puja in the state. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi agreed to hear the plea after it was mentioned by advocate P.V. Dinesh for an early hearing. The petitioners have challenged an October 10 order of the Calcutta High Court dismissing the plea against the grant of Rs 28 crore to Puja organising committees in the state. The petitioners Sourav Dutta and D. Banerjee - advocate at Calcutta High Court - have contended that the grant of public money goes against the tenets of secularism, which is a basic structure of the Constitution. Since no public purpose would be served by granting money and/or handing out concessions to Durga Puja organisers, the petitioners have contended that the decision violates the provision of Article 282 of the Constitution and should be set aside. Further, there is no provision of law by which the State Exchequer could be utilised for giving gift to puja organisers, says the petition. --IANS pk/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Several Goa Cabinet Ministers will on Friday meet ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar at AIIMS in New Delhi, during which allocation of additional portfolios to Ministers was expected, a BJP leader said on Thursday. During the meeting at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) intensive care unit, Parrikar is expected to announce the allocation of additional portfolios, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader said on condition of anonymity. State leaders and senior bureaucrats will be present on the occasion. Public Works Department Minister Sudin Dhavalikar told IANS: "I do not know exactly who all have been called, but I have been informed by the CM's office on phone to attend the meeting. Several other Ministers will also be present." The Congress in Goa has already slammed Friday's proposed meeting, claiming it was an insult to the people of Goa. "By calling a Cabinet meeting at AIIMS, where Parrikar is admitted, and flying Ministers and bureaucrats to Delhi, the BJP-led coalition government is humiliating the people of Goa," state Congress spokesperson Akbar Mulla said. Parrikar was admitted in the AIIMS last month as he is suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer. The former Defence Minister has been in and out of hospitals in Goa, Mumbai, New York and now Delhi for the last seven months, even as the Opposition has slammed Parrikar for neglecting administrative responsibilities on account of his illness, while also demanding his resignation. --IANS maya/tsb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Indian soldier was injured in clashes on Tuesday between the Indian and Pakistan Army on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district. Defence sources said Pakistan Army violated the ceasefire in Nowshera sector of Rajouri. "A soldier was injured in Pakistani firing in Kalal area of Nowshera sector. He has been shifted to hospital for treatment," a source said. The source also said Pakistan also initiated an unprovoked ceasefire violation in Krishna Ghati (KG) sector of Poonch district also. "Around 6 p.m. Pakistan Army violated ceasefire in Mankote, Basoni, Dharana and some other areas in KG sector with mortars and small arms. Indian positions retaliated strongly and effectively," the source said. Defence Ministry spokesman Lt Col Devender Anand said that at about 11.30 a.m., Pakistan initiated unprovoked shelling with mortars and firing by small arms along the LoC in Nowshera sector. "The Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively," he said. The two armies had on Monday also traded heavy fire in Nowshera sector and in neighbouring Poonch district. All educational institutions within a five-kilometre distance of the LoC have been shut by the authorities in Poonch and Rajouri districts. --IANS sq/vd (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.) Stephen Hawkings final scientific paper has been released by physicists who worked with the late British cosmologist on his career-long effort to understand what happens to information when objects fall into black holes. The work, which tackles what theoretical physicists call "the information paradox", was completed in the days before Hawking's death in March. It has now been written up by his colleagues at Cambridge and Harvard universities and posted online, the Guardian reported on Wednesday. Malcolm Perry, a professor of theoretical physics at Cambridge and a co-author on the paper, "Black Hole Entropy and Soft Hair", said the information paradox was "at the centre of Hawking's life" for more than 40 years. The origins of the puzzle can be traced back to Albert Einstein. In 1915, Einstein published his theory of general relativity, a tour-de-force that described how gravity arises from the spacetime-bending effects of matter, and so why the planets circle the sun. But Einstein's theory made important predictions about black holes too, notably that a black hole can be completely defined by only three features: its mass, charge, and spin. Nearly 60 years later, Hawking argued that black holes also have a temperature and because hot objects lose heat into space, the ultimate fate of a black hole is to evaporate out of existence. "The difficulty is that if you throw something into a black hole it looks like it disappears," said Perry. "How could the information in that object ever be recovered if the black hole then disappears itself?" In the latest paper, Hawking and his colleagues show how some information at least may be preserved. The physicists show that a black hole's entropy may be recorded by photons that surround the black hole's event horizon, the point at which light cannot escape the intense gravitational pull. They call this sheen of photons "soft hair". Among the unknowns that Perry and his colleagues must now explore are how information associated with entropy is physically stored in soft hair and how that information comes out of a black hole when it evaporates. --IANS ksk/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The leadership of the House of Representatives has no intention to exclude Vice President Leni Robredo from the line of succession under its proposed Transitory Provisions of the draft federal charter, a legislator said on Thursday. I believe there was no intention to violate the existing line of succession which must include the Vice President as the first successor, Cebu City Rep. Raul del Mar told reporters. Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo really wanted to correct [the specific provision] as soon as possible, Del Mar said. I was able to tell the Speaker that this will be corrected during the period of amendments, in so far as I am concerned. I will introduce the amendment in that provision to put back the Vice President as the first-line successor. Now, she not only readily agreed. She said we cant wait! That has to be done immediately. The House, in plenary session, decided Wednesday night to amend the approved committee report on the draft federal constitution by including Robredo in the line of succession during the transition period to federalism. Del Mar moved to recommit to the committee level the draft Constitution as contained in the resolution of both chambers of Congress No. 15 under committee report 88.No lawmaker objected to Del Mars motion. The amended Article XVII (Transitory Provision) will read: In case a vacancy arises by reason of removal, resignation, permanent incapacity or death of the incumbent president, the incumbent vice president shall act as president until a president has been chosen and qualifies. Del Mar raised the issue on the floor after the proposed provision drew flak for allegedly singling out Robredo in favor of former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who has a pending electoral protest against her. House Majority Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. then said the House would make an amendment on the matter at a proper time. He said the amendment would be submitted to the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Amendments led by Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso, a retired Court of Appeals justice. Scientists have at last found a cure for Schlodomoniasis -- a deadly brain infection caused by the "inter-galactic parasite Klaousmodium cruzi" -- they claim to have identified for the first time. Beth Smith and co-workers at "Sanchez Institute for Biomedical Sciences for Doopidoo Research" in Morocco have published their discovery in three science journals and also reported a novel method called "Magnetic Oddities Radiation Therapy (MORTY)" to treat the infection. The study was carried out in "Wakandan population". If readers are breaking their heads to understand the startling findings and decipher the strange words like "Wakandan" and "Doopidoo", Farooq Ali Khan, a college professor and PhD student in Hyderabad and a co-author of the paper, had the last laugh. "It was not intended to be a scientific paper," he told this correspondent in an email. "It was my sting operation to expose publishers of predatory journals who are churning out fake science for profit." Open access journals are supposed to provide an online platform for rapid dissemination of latest updates in science and technology. Their publishers don't charge the readers as access to these journals is free, but they charge the authors wanting to have their research papers published in these journals. Inspired by previous publishing "stings", Khan wanted to test whether open access journals would publish an obviously absurd paper liberally salted with nonsense for the sake of money from gullible authors anxious to publish. He created a spoof manuscript titled "Newer Tools to Fight Inter-Galactic Parasites and their Transmissibility in Zygirion Simulation", and submitted it to several suspect journals from the list kept online by Jeffrey Beall -- an associate professor and librarian at the University of Colorado who coined the term "predatory journal" -- as a public service to his colleagues. All the hilarious fake names like "schleem", "dinglebop" and "schwitinization", that do not make any sense, as well as images and graphs published in the paper, were fabricated. The "Zyrgion simulation", and "intergalactic parasites" are all references to "Rick and Morty" -- a US Cartoon Network's animated science fiction programme about the misadventures of mad scientist Rick Sanchez and his grandson Morty Smith. Khan, a great fan of "Rick and Morty", submitted the paper with Beth Smith (Rick's granddaughter in the cartoon show) as the corresponding author and himself as co-author. Two other authors' names were made-up, and Sukant Khurana -- a scientist at Central Drug Research Institute in Lucknow, who offered to help Khan in this sting, was another author -- all affiliated to an institution in Morocco that does not exist. The so-called "Magnetic Oddities Radiation Therapy" developed by the authors to treat the brain infection is again nothing but an expansion of "MORTY", a character in the cartoon show. Anyone with commonsense would have noticed all the nonsense and consigned the paper to trash, but Khan surprisingly found it was accepted for publication by 10 journals for fees ranging from $75 to $650. After some bargaining over fees, three scientific journals -- ARC Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences, and Clinical Biotechnology and Microbiology -- published the paper without a second glance. Khan says his "scientific prank" was intended to expose the seriousness of predatory journal industry and to create awareness among people who are beginning their careers in science. "These predatory journals are polluting the scientific record with junk science and are also resulting in fake news." "When the Open Access Declaration was drafted in 2002, no one would have imagined that many unscrupulous individuals would pollute the entire system of scholarly communication with predatory journals solely with the idea of making money," Subbiah Arunachalam, renowned information scientist and Distinguished Fellow of the Centre for Internet and Society in Bengaluru, told this correspondent in an email. "Unfortunately, many Indians -- both individuals and companies -- are in this business," he said. "Predatory journals pose a big threat to the integrity of research." "These are shameful acts by greedy publishers," Subhash Lakhotia, a professor of zoology at the Benaras Hindu University, told this correspondent in an email. "Until we stop payments of all kinds of open access charges and modify the present faulty assessment system that relies on numbers of publications, predation in one or the other form would continue." (K.S. Jayaraman is a veteran science journalist. He can be contacted at killugudi@hotmail.com) --IANS ksj/vm/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A student protesting against reservation hurled a sandal at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday here but it missed the target by a few metres, police said. The Chief Minister along with his senior ministers was present at a public function in Bapu Sabhgar when Chandan Kumar Tiwari threw the footwear at him. Tiwari was quickly detained by the police. But some Janata Dal-United workers still managed to thrash him before the student was taken away. Tiwari told the media he was against reservation and has been protesting against the Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Bihar. --IANS ik/in/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The death toll from the heavy rains and winds in Sri Lanka rose to 12 on Thursday, with over 69,000 others across the island nation affected, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said. DMC Spokesperson Pradeep Kodippili said that even though the rains have now now reduced, displaced in safe shelters were urged not to return to their homes due to the threat of landslides, reports Xinhua news agency. He said people living in low lying areas were also advised to be cautious as rivers had reached danger levels and could overflow. Kodippili said a red landslide warning remained in place in Kalutara district and people in the risk prone areas had been evacuated to safe shelters. Hundreds of officials from the security forces and the police had been deployed in the flooded areas and were continuing in rescue operations and distributing first aid and dry rations to those affected. President Maithripala Sirisena has also ordered for the continuous supply of dry rations, drinking water and health facilities to be distributed to those who were in safe shelters and those affected by the floods. The Meteorology Department in its latest weather update said the severe Cyclonic Storm "Titli" in the Bay of Bengal, which had brought heavy rains, was now located 1,200 km away from Trincomalee in the east, and was likely to intensify further and move north-westwards later Thursday. However, it warned that heavy falls of about 75 mm could be expected in some districts in Sri Lanka. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US foreign military sales totalled to $55.66 billion in 2018, a 33 per cent increase compared to the nearly $42 billion in weapons sold in 2017, the Defence Cooperation Agency announced. According to the announcement on Wednesday, is the highest annual total for military sales to foreign governments since 2012 when the US conducted upwards of $69 billion in arms deals with allies and partners around the world, reports CNN. The upward trend is due, in part, to the administration's push to relax restrictions on foreign military sales. Though critics suggest human rights concerns are being relegated in the rush to increase sales. Since taking office, President Donald Trump has demonstrated an insatiable appetite for selling American weaponry abroad -- at times using face-to-face meetings with foreign leaders to make a personal sales pitch. Trump signed a nearly $110 billion defence deal with Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in May 2017 in Riyadh, on what was his first stop abroad as President. In the same month, the US government reauthorised the export of Paveway munitions to Saudi Arabia, ending former President Barack Obama's December 2016 ban. In April, the administration rolled out its "Buy American" plan to lift -- what it views -- as self-imposed policy restrictions that limit potential opportunities for business. "These policy changes advance US national security and foreign policy because they make FMS more attractive in a very competitive market," DSCA Director LTG Charles W. Hooper said in a statement on Wednesday. "The US not only sells the world's most state-of-the-art defence systems, but we also strengthen our alliances and attract new partners through enduring strategic and defence partnership," he added. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said on Thursday the fact that a Ph.D scholar chose death over life has a strong message that unless a dialogue is started, local youth will continue to die. Commenting on the killing of Manan Bashir Wani, the Hizbul Mujahideen commander who was killed in a gunfight along with his associate in Kupwara district on Thursday, Mufti said in her Twitter page: "Today a Ph.D scholar chose death over life & was killed in an encounter. His death is entirely our loss as we are losing young educated boys every day." Wani, a Ph.D scholar of Aligarh Muslim University, had joined militancy in January this year. He belonged to Lolab area of Kupwara district and was killed in an encounter along with his local associate in Shatgund village of the same district. Mehbooba Mufti called for a dialogue asking the political parties that unless talks are held, the bloodshed in Kashmir would continue. "It is high time that all the political parties in the country realise the gravity of this situation and try to facilitate a solution through dialogue with all the stakeholders including Pakistan to end this bloodshed," she said in another tweet. --IANS sq/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), the worlds largest experimental fusion facility in which India is a scientific partners, will start generating "a new, clean, safe and unlimited light" by 2025, its Director General, Bernard Bigot has said. ITER aims to prove that fusion power can be produced on a commercial scale. If successful, generations to come will benefit from fusion energy. The quest to harness fusion power for commercial energy generation has been actively researched since the 1950s. The reason it has taken so long is a combination of science and engineering challenges, Bigot said. Construction of ITER began in this nuclear fusion facility in the southern French countryside in 2010 and there have been delays in its construction but now have largely overcome, he said. "The ITER project is very much on track to achieve first plasma by 2025," Bigot told this visiting IANS correspondent. This means the reactor is able to generate a molten mass of electrically-charged gas -- plasma -- inside a core. Creating controlled fusion requires a force that can overcome the repulsion between two positively charged nuclei, he said. "Here at ITER we are doing a large-scale experiment to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion energy -- one of the biggest challenges of our civilisation," he said. ITER means "the way" in latin. Nuclear fusion, the first industrial-scale fusion reactor, if successful, will illuminate the way to produce clean, cheap, and abundant energy for millions of years. To current estimates this is estimated to happen in the second half of this century This nuclear fusion facility is an international cooperation among the European Union, Russia, the US, Japan, China, India and South Korea, all contributing with products and expertise. "But it is clear that fusion is not a quick fix; that would be an exaggeration. But we are clearly getting close to fusion being ready to deliver," said Bigot. This is why we are beginning to see private investment, and it is why 35 countries are willing to invest in the ITER project," an optimistic Bigot added. Bigot does not view fusion to be a "panacea"; ideally, he views fusion as part of a global sustainable energy mix (in combination with renewable) in a clean energy future. Why fusion technology has taken so long to see the light of day, he replied: "Different scientists have different predictions about the date when fusion will be available." "The private sector fusion companies are sometimes promising fusion electricity quite quickly -- although we view most such claims with some skepticism. In the view of ITER members, most consider it feasible for fusion to be providing electricity on a commercial scale by mid-century; some are more eager and hope to construct electricity-generating fusion plants sooner than that." ITER, the most complex science project in human history, will use hydrogen fusion, controlled by superconducting magnets, to produce massive heat energy. In the commercial machines that will follow, this heat will drive turbines to produce electricity. Scientists say a pineapple-sized amount of hydrogen offers as much fusion energy as 10,000 tons of coal. Bigot said when the scientists prove that fusion is a viable energy source, it will eventually replace burning fossil fuels, which are non-renewable and non-sustainable. "Fusion will be complementary with wind, solar, and other renewable energies." Safety is a very high priority for ITER. "The physics of magnetic confinement fusion (like the ITER tokamak design) is considered to be extremely safe. There is no possibility of a meltdown-type of nuclear accident," he said. This tokamak, weighs as much as three and a half Eiffel towers, is a donut-shaped configuration for the containment of the plasma, which is where the reaction at temperatures hotter than the sun will take place. ITER project had completed over 55 per cent of the "total construction work scope through first plasma". First plasma, scheduled for December 2025, will be the first stage of operation for ITER as a functional machine. A multi-national 20 billion euro initiative as per 2016 estimates, Bigot said for ITER members the financial contribution to the project is 80-90 per cent in the form of components. "India's expertise is an investment in Indian companies. This is the strong benefit of being a recognized, reliable partner to the other ITER countries involved (China, the European Union, Japan, Korea, Russia and the US) for large-scale scientific R&D collaboration. "This also leverages the Indian financial investment: by paying for about nine per cent of the ITER project, India receives access to 100 per cent of the intellectual property contributed by all members," the Director-General, who assumed the post in 2015, said. In its facility in Hazira, a port in Surat district in Gujarat, Indian contractor Larson & Toubro is manufacturing segments of the upper cylinder of the cryostat, the giant refrigerator that will house the ITER tokamak, which will produce 500 megawatts of thermal power. The ITER's 55 per cent milestone is getting significant attention. The progression rate is in the order of 0.7 per cent per month. The concept of the ITER project was conceived at the 1985 Geneva Summit between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. When the ITER Agreement was signed in 2006, it was supported by leaders like French President Jacques Chirac, US President George W. Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. A commercial fusion plant will be designed with a slightly larger plasma chamber, for 10-15 times more electrical power. (Vishal Gulati's visit is at the invitation of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). He can be reached at vishal.g@ians.in) --IANS vg/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a shot in the arm for in Telangana, social worker Padmini Reddy,wife of senior leader C Damodar Rajanarasimha,joined the party here Thursday. Rajanarasimha was the deputy Chief Minister in undivided Andhra Pradesh when N Kiran Kumar Reddy was Chief Minister. Welcoming her into the fold, state president K Laxman said Padmini Reddy had made a name for herself with her social work in Medak region and also among women. He said the Modi government appointed a woman, who is married into a Telugu family, as the country's Defence Minister (Nirmala Sitharaman) and made another woman leader as the Lok Sabha Speaker (Sumitra Mahajan). Padmini Reddy joined the party as she appreciated the good work done by the NDA government, he said. Laxman said the NDA government has taken several measures for the benefit of women, including launching schemes like 'Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana' and enhancing maternity leave. Padmini Reddy joining the party would strengthen the BJP, he said. Alleging that the TRS government did not distribute Rs 28 billion loans to a single woman Self-Help Group (SHG) under a low-interest scheme, Laxman said his party, if elected to power, would undertake a loan waiver for SHGs. On Padmini Reddy joining BJP though her husband is a senior leader, he said "personal freedom is available to work in the political arena." Damodar Rajanarasimha heads the state manifesto committee for the December 7 assembly elections in the state. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said Thursday he will be more visible as he becomes the next spokesperson of President Rodrigo Duterte. He made the statement even as Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque on Thursday denied the claim by the Kabayan party-list group that he had sent feelers to become one of its nominees in next years midterm elections. Absolutely false, Roque told reporters in a text message in response to Kabayans claim that it was not surprised about receiving a feeler from Roque, who used to be their member. Panelo confirmed to reporters that he would replace Roque who remains undecided on whether to join the coming elections. He said being the Presidents mouthpiece was not new to him as he had spoken on behalf of Duterte since the start of his campaign. In fact, the executive order creating this office, my present position, states that I am the spokesperson of the President, said Panelo in a video sent by Communications Secretary Martin Andanar. So actually nothing has changed, the only difference I think is that I would be more visible this time. Panelo implied that the tasks of the spokesman is similar to that of his concurrent job as Dutertes legal adviser. As Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, I was really speaking for the President on matters of sensitive issues that require my articulation of the thoughts and ideas of the President, he said.Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go said Panelo would start his job as Dutertes spokesman next week. Roque, meanwhile, said he did not resign, denying speculation two days after the President disclosed he threatened to give up his post for being kept in the dark about Dutertes sudden hospital visit on Oct. 3. However, he was out of the loop anew as he admitted he was unaware of the recent development in commands at the Palace. Not yet, he said, adding he will defer commenting on everything until he came back from an intercessional conference in China on Monday. Asked if he will push through with his senatorial candidacy, Roque said he had not decided yet. Last week, Roque took the weekend to reflect and decide on his career as a government official. He has been offered by the President to head the planned reorganization of Presidential Communications Operations Office to the Office of the Press Secretary. As many as 102 parliamentarians contributed a total of Rs 43.67 crore from their Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) fund for rehabilitation works in flood-affected Kerala, according to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Of them, 56 Rajya Sabha members contributed Rs 29.57 crore and 46 Lok Sabha members gave Rs 14.10 crore for the relief works. The data of the MPLADS division under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation shows that 102 members of Parliament (MPs) have contributed Rs 43.67 crore from MPLADS fund for rehabilitation works in Kerala till October 8, 2018, a ministry statement said. As many as 30 MPs contributed Rs 1 crore each which is the maximum that an MP can contribute. Eleven MPs gave Rs 50 lakh or more, while 14 MPs contributed Rs 25 lakh. Rest contributed between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 25 lakh. As per the guideline of the scheme, an MP can contribute up to 1 crore from their MPLADS fund for the area affected by severe calamity. The MPLADS has a provision for members to contribute funds for rehabilitation and reconstruction works in the areas affected by severe calamity. After declaration of the Kerala floods as calamity of severe nature by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Minister of Statistics Program Implementation, D V Sadananda Gowda, issued an appeal to all MPs on August 24, 2018 to contribute from their MPLADS fund for rehabilitation works in affected areas of Kerala. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Government Railway Police has arrested a 21-year-old man for allegedly raping a three-year-old girl after abducting her, while she was sleeping with her mother on a Jodhpur railway station platform, an official said Thursday. Jodhpur railway police station in-charge Ravindra Bothra said his men swung into action and arrested the accused, Kailash Chand in the middle of the act with the toddler in bushes near the station, soon after he abducted her. The police also recovered the baby, who was found in a bad shape, and sent her to hospital for treatment, he said. SHO Bothra said the girl's parents, engaged in farm labour, had been sleeping at the railway platform at the Ria Ka Bagh railway station on Wednesday night. Waiting for a train to Ramdeora, the family had fallen asleep with the girl by their side at around 11 pm. As the accused Kailash Chand saw the girl sleeping with her parents, he picked her up and took her to bushes a little away from the station. Meanwhile, the parents of the girl woke up and began looking for her, the SHO said, adding they eventually reported the matter to the GRP. The GRP men immediately swung into action, launched a search operation for the missing girl and found a heavily drunk Kailash "violating the girl", he said. A farm labourer and native of Asind in Bhilwara, Kailash had himself come to Jodhpur in search of work, the SHO said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thirty-two labourers from Jharkhand who were allegedly forced to work for a company in Riyadh since 2016 and held hostage there, have returned home following the intervention of the External Affairs Ministry, the office of Union Minister Jayant Sinha said. The labourers hailed from Hazaribagh, Bokaro and Giridih districts of the state. Sinha, the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, had in July this year written to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj after his office received calls from the labourers, requesting his helping for returning home. In his letter to the External Affairs Minister, Sinha said the labourers were promised jobs in a reputed construction firm, but when they reached Riyadh in Saudi Arabia in July 2016, they were forced to work for another company. The labourers were held hostage and reportedly not paid wages since October, 2017. Their passports were also seized, the letter stated. The labourers returned to their home late last week following the intervention of the External Affairs Ministry. "It is a very joyous moment for us as we have been able to bring our people back to India safely. Today every Indian abroad lives with an assurance that their country stands with them," Sinha, an MP from Hazaribagh, said in a statement on Thursday. One of those labourers, Khirodhar Mahto (26) from Hazaribagh district, said, "We contacted Jayant Sinha's office and had sought his help." "We are very happy that we returned to our home after the Indian Embassy in Riyadh arranged for our return following a directive from the External Affairs Ministry," he said. Another labourer, Sikandar Ali from Giridih district, said nine workers are still in Riyadh and they are expected to return to India within a few days. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 34-year-old man was allegedly shot dead by a motorcycle-borne assailant at Dugri Phase 1 here Thursday, police said. The deceased was identified as Mandeep Singh, an architect by profession, they said. At the time of the incident, Singh was supervising the construction of a new bungalow at Dugri, said Ludhiana Commissioner of Police Sukhchain Singh Gill. The accused fired four shots at Singh, he said. According to the police, it could be a case of personal enmity. The police are examining the CCTV camera footage of the incident to identify the accused, Gill said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) More than 50 lakh girls of West Bengal have been empowered by the Kanyashree scheme of the state government, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday. Banerjee took to the Twitter on International Day of the Girl Child to state that her government has allocated a budget of Rs Rs 5600+ crores for the scheme. Kanyashree is a conditional cash transfer scheme aiming at improving the status and well being of the girl child by incentivising schooling of teenage girls and delaying their marriages until the age of 18. "More than 50 lakh girls have been empowered through this scheme which has a budget of Rs 5600+ crores," she said on her Twitter handle. Kanyashree scheme was launched in 2011 soon after Banerjee came to power in West Bengal toppling the 34-year-rule of the Left Front government. On the International Day of the Girl Child, she said, "I am happy to share that our #Kanyashree Prakalpa for girl child had been feted by the @UN in 2017." The scheme received the United Nations Public Service Award last year. International Day of Girls, declared by the United Nations is observed worldwide annually since its inception on October 11, 2012, to support more opportunity for the girls and increase awareness of gender inequality. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Thursday claimed it conducted a raid at a hotel in central Delhi's Paharganj and rescued eight Nepali women from there. However, police said it was not a case of human trafficking, and the women have not alleged exploitation or abuse. "This is not a case of human trafficking, so no question of rescue arises. No offence is made out based on the inquiry done so far," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Mandeep Singh Randhawa. The commission claimed it received a tipoff from an NGO which informed that some Nepali women were being kept in a hotel in Paharganj and were being trafficked to Gulf countries. "DCW Chief Swati Maliwal along with members Vandana Singh and Kiran Negi conducted the raid with the assistance of the Delhi Police and found these eight Nepali girls, who were rescued," the women panel said in a statement. Police said the women's statements were recorded in the presence of officials from the Nepal Embassy and the NGO. All are aged above 20 years. They are being sent to short stay home provided by the NGO, Randhawa said. "All women have valid documents. Identification documents required as per the law have been taken by the hotel," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday allayed fears of job loss due to technological development, saying artificial intelligence, blockchain and other technologies will change the nature of employment and provide more opportunities. Speaking at the launch of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Modi said his government is open to policy changes to help reap benefits of the fourth industrial revolution. He said 'Industry 4.0' and the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) would lead to better healthcare and reduce costs. It would also help farmers and benefit the agriculture sector, he said. Modi said that as work progresses in the country, one of the targets is 'Solve for India, Solve for the World'. "Some people are worried that the advancement of technology will have negative impact on jobs but the reality is otherwise. The Industry 4.0 will touch those aspects which still remain untouched so far. It will change the nature of job and create new opportunities," he said. Recognising this aspect, Modi said the government has launched several initiatives like Start Up India, Stand Up India, Digital India and Atal Innovation Mission. Noting that India is going to play a major role in the fourth industrial revolution, the Prime Minister said diversity, demographic potential, fast growing market and digital infrastructure have the potential to make India a global hub of research and innovation. While the previous industrial revolutions eluded the country, India's contribution to the fourth industrial revolution would be astonishing, he said. "India was not independent when the first and second industrial revolution happened. When third industrial revolution happened, India was struggling with challenges of just attained independence," he said. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, Internet of Things, blockchain and big data hold potential to take India to new heights, the Prime Minister said. Launching the centre, Modi said it opens the door to immense possibilities in the future. The centre at Mumbai is the fourth in the world after San Francisco, Tokyo and Beijing. "Emerging fields, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, internet of things, blockchain, and big data can take India to new heights of development, and improve the quality of life of its citizens," he said, adding for India, this is not just an industrial transformation, but a social transformation. Listing the achievements of his government, Modi said teledensity has increased to 93 per cent and nearly 50 crore Indians now have mobiles. India is the largest mobile data consuming country in the world and also the one with the cheapest data rates, he said, adding mobile data consumption has increased 30 times in four years. Over 120 crore Indians have Aadhaar, he said, adding that work to connect all the 2.5 lakh village panchayats with optic fibre would be completed soon. On blockchain technology, the Prime Minister said it would help in promoting the vision of minimum government and maximum governance. It will help in fast-tracking government services such as management of natural resources and property registration, he said. The government is working on a national strategy for blockchain technology and will also announce a drone policy, he added. Speaking at the event, RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani said the future India will be propelled by three powers -- next generation digital infrastructure, power of youth and power of the largest pool of next generation entrepreneurs. "Each one of these three pillars supported by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious Digital India programme...I think this will create plethora of opportunities," he said. The new technologies, including Internet of Things and blockchain, will help India to address challenges in education, healthcare, agriculture, job creation and environmental stainability, he said. "I strongly believe that government, private sector and civil society have to form a coalition to tackle these most complex challenges," he said, adding that the results can double the income of 115 million farmers. He added that India is a country that will make this whole industrial revolution a people-centric revolution. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor, who is facing the heat over the violence against Hindi-speaking migrants in Gujarat, observed a day-long fast here Thursday for "peace and harmony" and asserted that "no one is a migrant". He said "someone may have said something" against the migrants and that the real culprits were those who politicised the issue. He ended the fast in the evening by drinking a glass of juice offered by a girl from a migrant family. After the rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on September 28 and arrest of a labourer hailing from Bihar for the crime, six districts in Gujarat have seen incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking migrant workers. The attacks led to exodus of an estimated over 60,000 migrants, mostly from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. In his address at the venue of his 'Sadbhavna Upvas' (goodwill fast) near his residence in the Ranip area here, Thakor said he never spread hatred. "I am not at all into spreading hatred... We (his Thakor community) are pure at heart. It is possible that someone may have said something (against migrants), but we do not harbour grudge against anyone. We never indulge in violence," the Congress MLA said. Thakor, who heads the Gujarat Kshatriya Thakor Sena, also said that some people were doing politics over the issue. "We all need to make sure that Gujarat's image does not get tarnished. No one is a migrant... The word itself is wrong. I think some people are politicising the issue. This is an attempt at breaking the country. Dividing people in the name of states is something I or my people will never do," he said. Thakor also said that Congress president Rahul Gandhi has advised him to practise the politics that unites the country. "At this point, I remember Rahul Gandhi's words. He told me, Alpesh, we should do the politics which unites the country," Thakor said. "Alpesh, we have to make people understand the language of love," he further quoted the Congress president as saying. The ruling BJP has been blaming Thakor and his Kshatriya Thakor Sena for the outbreak of violence. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Tuesday asked Rahul Gandhi to take action against Thakor. Earlier, following the rape of the 14-month-old girl, Thakor, the MLA from Radhanpur, had blamed a "non-Gujarati" for the crime. On Thursday, however, he said he was merely demanding justice for the girl. "I will never allow this poison of division to spread among the people in Gujarat... I think such incidents are part of a conspiracy to malign Gujarat's image," he said. "We only demanded justice for the 14-month-old girl. But we were labelled as anti-nationals. We are not like that. We may have committed some mistakes, but we are not those who harass poor people. Ultimately, we all are Indians. Stop maligning our image," Thakor said. While police have arrested several members of the Thakor Sena in connection with the attacks on Hindi-speaking people, the Congress MLA claimed that police were harassing "innocent" youths from his community. Before starting his fast, Thakor visited the Sabarmati Ashram and paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi in the morning. Thakor told reporters that he will visit other states to spread the message of "peace and harmony", and urged the members of his community to invite migrants to their homes or visit them to build an atmosphere of trust. Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda and Leader of opposition Paresh Dhanani visited the fast venue. Earlier, Thakor had been caught up in a controversy when a video purportedly showing him berating migrant workers went viral after the rape incident. The BJP termed his fast "drama". "As the Congress is caught in its own trap, their MLA was forced do such political drama....What is the use of such drama after spreading poison of casteism and regionalism? The Congress should answer why their MLAs are issuing inflammatory statements which are responsible for the spread of violence," BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said. State authorities had said on Wednesday that the number of migrant workers leaving Gujarat has come down after they were reassured about their safety. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid a controversy over alleged presence of formalin in fish imported in Goa, the fish and other edible products, including milk and fruits, would now be tested by the Export Inspection Council (EIC) before they are cleared for consumption, a state minister said here Thursday. The EIC is the Central authority for certification of seafood for export. Food and Drugs Administration Minister Vishwajit Rane said the EIC will do random sampling of fish, milk, fruits and vegetables in the coastal state before certifying them. The minister had called upon Union Commerce and Industries Minister Suresh Prabhu against the backdrop of formalin issue. "The EIC, along with the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI), Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and Quality Council of India (QCI), will establish a scientific protocol for sampling and testing to detect the presence of formalin (a chemical preservative) in fish, which will boost confidence of consumers," Rane told PTI. Goa has witnessed a huge controversy over the alleged presence of formalin in fish imported from other states. Rane said a state-of-the-art laboratory facility for testing the edible products will come up in Goa which will cover the entire state and Konkan region. Rane and Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai held a meeting on Monday on the issue. The minister said the QCI has also agreed, subject to requirement by theGovernment of Goa, to launch a mobile food testing lab in the coatal statewith a facility to test formaldehyde (formalin) in fish. "The proposed EIC laboratory will be set up at a cost of Rs 15 crore, which will be borne by the Central government," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UttarakhandHigh Court Thursday ordered the Centre to appoint a regular director for Dehradun-based National Institute for Visually Handicapped which was in the recently for alleged sexual harassment of the institute's students by its staffers. A bench of Acting Chief Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice Manoj Tiwari asked the Central government to appoint a regular director for the institute within three weeks or else the principal secretary of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment will have to appear before it to explain the failure. The court had earlier taken cognisance of reports about NIVH's students' protests against the teachers and staffers allegedly involved in sexual abuse of the inmates and had turned the reports into a public interest litigation. While adjudicating the PIL, the bench said, "It could never be imagined in any civilised society that teachers would be involved in sexual harassment and abuse of students. It is a black spot on the entire teachers' community." "The teachers and staffers of an institution are torch-bearers for the specially challenged children. The children may be blind, but they are required to be shown the light by the teachers and the ministerial staff. Earlier on August 20 too, the court had directed the government to appoint a regular director of the institute within three weeks. The court, subsequently on August 29, had ordered Uttarakhand Agriculture secretary D Senthil Pandian to hold an inquiry into the NIVH affairs on an urgent basis and complete it within 15 days. Pandian had later submitted a report in a sealed cover, which the court opened on September 13 in the presence of various parties and considered it. The report said Nachiketa Rout was the officiating director of the institute and since he was on leave, Dr Geetika Mathur was working in his place. On the same day, the assistant solicitor general had given an undertaking to the court that a regular director of institute would be appointed within a month. No regular director, however, has been appointed till date, the court was told Thursday, after which the bench reiterated its order. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A woman bettor was so close to taking home the grand prize of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Offices Ultra Lotto 6/58, at that point with a jackpot of P900 million . The woman, identified as Marivic Reynon, had the winning six numbersbut the problem was she placed her bet on the wrong lotto game. The womans niece May Crisolo shared the sad tale on Facebook on Sunday. Her post of the lotto ticket has since gone viral. Its like money that became stone, she wrote in Filipino on her caption. Crisolo told Coconuts Manila through a Facebook message that her aunt Marivic was the unlucky bettor. She called me. She couldnt stop crying and then she sent us that picture, Crisolo said in Filipino. Crisolo said Reynon placed her bet on Oct. 4 at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, and the Ultra Lotto 6/58 results came out on Oct. 5. The six winning numbers for the Ultra Lotto 6/58 draw were: 01-30-27-36-49-12.Reynon had the numbers in this order: 01-12-27-30-36-49. But Reynon placed her numbers on the Super Lotto 6/49. The PCSO has several lotto games like the Ultra Lotto 6/58, Grand Lotto 6/55, Super Lotto 6/49, Mega Lotto 6/45, and Lotto 6/42 among others, which is probably why Reynon got confused. The winning numbers for the Super Lotto 6/49 game Reynon joined, which had a jackpot prize of over P90 million, were: 36-30-01-09-06-22. She got 01, 30 and 36 right. The standard prize for getting three winning numbers is P20. Crisolos Facebook post had over 16,200 shares and 6,500 likes as of the articles posting. READ: 113 lotto bettors a number shy of P1-billion jackpot An Army jawan was injured when Pakistani troops violated ceasefire and resorted to firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, a defence spokesperson said Thursday. The Pakistani troops violated ceasefire in Krishnagati sector at 9.30 pm Wednesday night, he said. The injured soldier was evacuated to a military hospital and is out of danger, the spokesperson said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 15 people drowned when an overcrowded and dilapidated riverboat sank in northwest DR Congo, local sources said Thursday, in the latest shipwreck disaster to hit the vast central African country. The death toll may be much higher, with differing reports of how many people were aboard the boat, which had travelled from the Central African Republic before capsizing in the Ubangi River on Saturday night. "Fifteen of my constituents drowned in the shipwreck," Gbodi Kete, an official for the Bosobolo territory in DR Congo's North Ubangi province, told AFP. However Kete said there were also victims from the Central African Republic. An officer from the Congolese naval force said 26 people had died, but added it was difficult to determine the exact number aboard as the boat's manifest had not been found. The Liberte radio station in Gbadolite, the capital of North Ubangi, reported that a total of 42 people were dead or missing. "The sinking was caused by the poor condition of the boat, which broke apart after hitting a big rock," a witness told Liberte. Shipping disasters are common in the Democratic Republic of Congo, leaving many dead in the country's lakes and rivers because of overcrowding on old and poorly maintained vessels, a lack of life jackets and the fact that many people do not know how to swim. In September, 27 people died after an overloaded boat that capsized in the northern Mongala river. And in May, 50 people died in a similar accident on another river in the country's northwest. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bank of Baroda's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer P S Jayakumar was Thursday given one-year extension, an order issued by the Personnel Ministry said. Jayakumar, a chartered accountant by qualification, had joined Bank of Baroda in October, 2015. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved extension in tenure of Jayakumar for a period of one year, i.e. till October 12, 2019, beyond his currently notified period of appointment of three years that expires on October 12, 2018, it said. Prior to his appointment as the MD and the CEO of the bank, he was the co-founder and CEO of VBHC Value Budget Housing (VBHC), a leader in housing for low and moderate income household, as per his bio data. He is a career banker since 1986 and has spent over 23 years in Citibank in India and Singapore. Jayakumar has contributed to several innovations in retail banking in India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sent notices to the Centre and the chairman of the SAIL over the death of 11 workers in a blast at the steel major's Bhilai plant in Chhattisgarh. An explosion took place at the state-owned Steel Authority of India Limited's (SAIL) Bhilai plant in Chattisgarh's Durg district Tuesday, leaving nine dead and 14 injured. Two more had succumbed to injuries later at a hospital. The NHRC in a statement said it has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports about the major industrial accident. The commission has issued notices to the secretary of Ministry of Steel and the chairman of the SAIL, seeking a detailed report, including the steps taken for relief and rehabilitation to the aggrieved families, treatment of the injured along with the report of inquiry, if ordered in the matter. The commission would also like to know as to what steps have been taken to ensure that such accident do not recur in future. Apart from this, the superintendent of police, Durg, Chhattisgarh, has been directed to inform about the details of the FIR registered in the matter and present status of the investigation. The response from the authorities is expected in four weeks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Trading of charges between the BJP and the Congress continued on Thursday on the issue of attacks on Biharis in Gujarat which has forced thousands of migrants from the state to return to their homeland. Senior BJP leader and Union minister Giriraj Singh sought to pin the blame for the violence in the western state, which is ruled by his party, on Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor whom he compared to Mumbai terror attacks accused Ajmal Kasab. "Thakor's men are spreading terror in Gujarat just like Kasab did in Mumbai on 26/11", Singh told a channel here, referring to the alleged involvement of an organization run by the Congress MLA in the violence that has taken place in a number of Gujarat districts following rape of a 14-month-old girl in Banaskantha. Hitting back, senior Congress leader Prem Chandra Mishra said "we do not expect anything better from Giriraj. But he and his party should do some soul searching before levelling allegations against Alpesh Thakor". "The BJP needs to tell the people of Bihar why migrants from here are being targeted wherever the party is in power. Besides the unfortunate happenings in Gujarat, there has been this diktat in neighbouring Maharashtra to auto drivers that they must learn Marathi", Mishra told PTI. "The BJP is dragging the name of a Congress MLA to hide its own failures. It is responsible for an economic crisis in previously better off states like Maharashtra and Gujarat and with no solutions in sight, Biharis are being made scapegoats. And this is happening with the BJP's tacit approval", the Congress MLC alleged. Meanwhile, scores of people claiming to be supporters of the "Savarn Morcha" - a pro-upper caste organization - staged a demonstration in front of the main gate of state Congress headquarters at the Sadaqat Ashram. "Some of the agitators said they belonged to Savarna Morcha. One or two also claimed to be Bajrang Dal activists. Youth Congress activists confronted them and there was a prolonged heated exchange, though it did not lead to physical violence", BPCC spokesman H K Verma said. He said "we find it strange that those claiming to be aggrieved by violence against Biharis in Gujarat have a grouse against the Congress, which rules neither the state nor the Centre. Even if one were to accept that Alpesh Thakor is in any way involved, who has stopped the Gujarat government from taking any action". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A parliamentary panel headed by veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, in a draft report prepared by it, has questioned the mechanism for calculating the country's GDP and asserted that the methodology needs review to reflect the ground reality. The report, which was tabled in the Estimates Committee meeting on Thursday, created a rift among the BJP parliamentarians of the panel, as Joshi was in favour of adopting the report, while other party members led by MP Nishikant Dubey strongly opposed it. While Joshi was opposed by his own party MPs over the report, the opposition parliamentarians came out in his support at the meeting, according to a source who was present there. "Detailed examination reveals several inadequacies in the GDP measuring mechanism, most noticeable being depletion of natural resources not being taken into consideration," the report stated. It also said there is no mechanism to assess whether increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) leads to happiness among the people. In the report, the committee concluded that the mechanism developed for GDP estimation needs review. It should reflect the ground reality, it further said. Countering the claims in the report, Dubey said India has adopted and followed all globally accepted parameters for calculating the GDP, and in an era of globalisation, the country cannot isolate itself by developing an indigenous method to calculate the index. He further said if the country does so, it will severely impact flow of foreign investment and the country's ratings by international agencies. About calculation of unemployment in the country, the report claimed annual employment and unemployment surveys have their own limitations, and said it is disturbing to note that the most precise period for which complete data on employment is available is 2011-12. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Karnataka BJP Thursday named a fresh face, a retired Commercial Tax officer from the Vokkaliga community, as its candidate for the November 3 Lok Sabha bypolls in Mandya constituency. The party is expected to pick its candidate forthe Ramanagara assembly seat in a couple of days. "Dr Siddaramaiah, Retired Additional Commissioner, Commercial Tax has joined the BJP. He will be our candidate from Mandya Lok Sabha constituency," state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa told reporters in Shivamogga. He said Siddaramaiah hails from the Vokkaliga communityand his family has a political background, as his father BDoddabore Gowda had got elected to the assembly from Srirangapatnaand Mandya constituencies. Interestingly, the announcement of Siddaramaiah's nameas the BJP candidate from Mandya Lok Sabha constituency camesoon after he joined the party in Bengaluru Thursday. BJP expects Siddaramaiah's Vokkaliga background to help its prospects in Mandya, the region dominated by the community, where its position is relatively weak. Stating that the party's candidates would be in the fray from all five constituencies going for the bypolls, Yeddyurappa said there were two or three names for Ramanagara and the candidate would be finalised tomorrow or the day after. "Our mission is to win all the five seats in the bypolls," he added. The state BJP had on Tuesday finalised thenames for two out of three parliamentary and one out of twoassembly constituencies that will go for the bypolls on November 3. It had recommended the names of B Y Raghavendra,son of Yeddyurappa and Shanta, sister of senior party leader B Sriramulu for Shivamogga and Ballari and former MLA Shrikant Kulkarni for Jamkhandi assembly segment, to the party's centralelection committee. Bypolls for three Lok Sabha constituencies- Shivamogga, Ballari and Mandya and two assembly constituencies- Ramanagara and Jamkhandi, will take place on November 3. The counting of votes will be on November 6. On the other hand, the ruling coalition that has decided to put up a united fight against BJP in the by elections is yet to finalise the names of candidates. Hectic parleys are on within both parties tofinalise the candidates for the seats they would be contestingfrom, in accordance with the arrangement reached. Congress would fight in Ballari and Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituencies and JDS in Mandya, its traditional stronghold in the Vokkaliga belt in the old Mysuru region. For the assembly by-polls, the Congress will contest from Jamakhandi and 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. By-elections have been necessitated after BJP's B S Yeddyurappa (Shivamogga) and B Sriramalu (Ballari), and C S Puttaraju of JD(S) (Mandya) resigned as MPs after they got elected to the assembly in May this year. By-polls 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. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP Rath Yatras in West Bengal to be held in December would reach out to the general people in the state to garner support for the Assam NRC and the proposed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, party state unit president Dilip Ghosh said Thursday. The matter was discussed by the party's central leadership and its West Bengal unit Thursday in a meeting here. The office bearers meeting was attended by the party national general secretary Kailash Vijayvergiya and senior leader in-charge of the state Arvind Menon, party sources said. Ghosh said the Rath Yatras would be held in December but the campaign for it will begin just after Durga Puja this month. During the meeting, he urged party workers to reach out to the people on the two issues so that TMC'S "falsehoods" on the two issues can be countered, the sources said. The NRC includes the names of Indian citizens who have been residing in Assam before March 25, 1971 and is touted as the proof of Assamese identity. ' The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955, seeks to grant citizenship to people without valid documents from six minority communities - Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan after six years of residence in the country. The Assam NRC has been criticised by the Trinamool Congress, who accused the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre of unleashing ''super emergency''. The three Rath Yatras will be taken out by BJP with an eye on the next Lok Sabha polls. It will cover 42 Lok Sabha constituencies and will highlight state-level issues as well as constituency specific issues, the sources said. The first Rath yatra is slated to start from the temple town of Tarapith in Birbhum district on December 3 and BJP president Amit Shah is likely to take part in it, Ghosh had told PTI earlier. The second Rath Yatra is slated to be held on December 5 from Namkhana to Gangasagar in South 24 Parganas district and the third and last one would be held from December 7 in Cooch Behar, he said. Meanwhile, in a boost for BJP in Purulia district, where the party has made steady inroads, former All India Forward Bloc (AIFB) MP Narahari Mahato joined the party. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP is trying to convert India into "RSS Raj", AIMIM chief Asaduddin alleged on Thursday and hit out at Amit Shah, the chief of the saffron party, saying he was "frustrated and lost". The remark of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief came a day after Shah lashed out at Owaisi, a bitter critic of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and said it was the saffron party alone that could fight people like him and not the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), (TDP) or the Congress. At a public meeting here Wednesday, Shah had also flayed caretaker Telangana Chief Minister and TRS chief for not celebrating September 17, the day the erstwhile Nizam's state merged with the Indian Union, as the "Hyderabad Liberation Day". "Due to the fear of and for the Muslim vote-bank, Chandrasekhar Rao stopped celebrating the Hyderabad Liberation Day," he had said. Reacting to Shah's comments, Owaisi, the Hyderabad MP, advised him not to "dance to the tune of gau rakshaks (cow vigilantes)". "Amit Shah is frustrated and lost and he does not know what to do in Telangana. "Because the people in Telangana believe in a composite culture and vouch for the 'Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb (cross-culture)'. In Telangana, we have governance according to the Constitution and people are governed by the rule of law," he said. "You (BJP) are trying to make India a Raj of the RSS. That is why the people of Telangana completely oppose (you) and will not allow the RSS and its sister organisations (to do) what they are doing in the BJP-ruled states. "I want to ask Amit Shah, why are you dancing to the tune of the gau rakshaks? Why are you not taking action against these people who are harming the youth of the country?," asked. According to the AIMIM leader, unlike in the BJP-ruled states, boys and girls are not harassed in Telangana while they talk to each other and people are not killed "in the name of cow". Owaisi also claimed that there were no incidents of communal violence in the southern state in the last four-and-a-half years. At least seven Nigerian soldiers were killed in a Boko Haram jihadist attack on a military base near the Niger border, the military said here. The Islamists and the army were engaged in a fierce battle on Monday in Metele, a village in Nigeria's northeast Borno State, the military said in a statement posted on Twitter Wednesday. Seven soldiers died and 16 were wounded "in action" the army said, but military and civilian militia sources put the death toll higher. "We lost 18 men in the fight which lasted for seven hours," a military officer told AFP, speaking from the Borno state capital of Maiduguri. "Our men fought hard and dealt heavy blows on the terrorists but they were overwhelmed by the enemy who overran the base," said the officer who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak on the incident. A civilian militia assisting the military in fighting the jihadists said that on Tuesday 18 bodies of soldiers were brought to the garrison town of Monguno, 120 kilometres (70 miles) from the attacked base. "The fighting was fierce. It started around 4:30 pm and continued till 11:30 pm," the militia man said. Boko Haram suffered "heavy" casualties but managed to invade the base and take weapons, he said, adding that the jihadists destroyed "those they could not take away." Boko Haram's Islamic State group-backed faction -- known as Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) -- operates in the Lake Chad region and has in recent months intensified attacks on military bases in Borno and nearby Yobe states. The attacks are seen as a sign of a hardline takeover in ISWAP by more radical lieutenants who executed the group's de facto leader over his willingness to hold peace talks with the Nigerian government. Scores of soldiers have been killed, injured or missing in the latest wave of attacks but the military has repeatedly denied or played down losses to the jihadists. More than 27,000 people are thought to have been killed in the nine-year Boko Haram Islamist insurgency that has triggered a humanitarian crisis and left 1.8 million people without homes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Majority of Filipinos are against the imposition of the death penalty for specific crimes related to illegal drugs, a Social Weather Stations survey showed. The survey, which was conducted for the Commission on Human Rights, showed that only 33 percent of the respondents agree with reinstating the death penalty for committing serious crimes related to illegal drugs. SWS listed the seven drug-related crimes as follows: Importation of illegal drugs; maintenance of drug dens; manufacture of illegal drugs; murder under the influence of drugs; rape under the influence of drugs; sale of illegal drugs; and working in drug dens. For six out of seven specific serious crimes related to illegal drugs, 33 percent or less demand the death penalty, SWS said in its report. It added that the only exception is the crime of rape under the influence of drugs, for which 47 percent (still a minority) think that capital punishment should apply. The strongest demand for the death penalty is at 47 percent, for rape under the influence of drugs. For the other six crimes, the demand for the death penalty is from 22 percent to 33 percent, the pollster said. A majority of those polled said they prefer life imprisonment for crimes related to illegal drugs. Meanwhile, senators belonging to the minority bloc have called for an immediate investigation into the recent spate of killings in Cebu under the one-time, big-time anti-illegal drug operations of the Philippine National Police. In filing Senate Resolution No. 915, the senators said they are gravely concerned about the recent wave of killings in Cebu due to the involvement of some police officers who are reportedly pursuing the governments all-out war on drugs. The allegation that police officers themselves are behind some of the killings is highly disturbing, said the minority senatorscomposed of Minority Floor Leader Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, Antonio Trillanes IV, Leila de Lima and Benigno Aquino IV.The senators said police authorities can only use force in legitimate police operations but only when it is strictly necessary, for lawful law enforcement purposes, proportional to lawful objectives, and damage and injury are to be minimized. As duty bearers, the PNP must observe proper operational procedures in order to fulfill the organizations obligation with respect to human rights-based policing, they pointed out. Last July 18, the members of the Senate minority bloc have issued a joint statement expressing alarm over the brazenness of killings in the country, especially in Metro Cebu where scores of suspected drug offenders were arrested and killed without due process. In the three phases of the OTBT operations initiated by PRO-7, a total of 19 suspected drug personalities have already died. In its third phase of operations alone, at least 10 suspected drug offenders died and 76 were arrested. The PNP, for its part, admitted there is still a lot that needs to be done in the war against illegal drugs. PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Benigno Durana made the remark after President Rodrigo Duterte revealed another matrix which indicated the involvement of seven active and retired police officers in illegal drug activities. This means the war against drug is still far from over, and we need to continuously cleanse our ranks of misfits and scalawags, Durana said. Our counter intelligence continues not only for these police officers [in the drug matrix] but also for other police officers who may have derogatory reports against them, especially in illegal drugs, Durana said. A court here Thursday sent BrahMos Aerospace engineer Nishant Agrawal, who is accused of passing off sensitive information to the ISI, to police remand for seven days. Special Chief Judicial Magistrate Himanshu Dayal Srivastava passed the order on an application moved by Inspector Pankaj Awasthi of the the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of the Uttar Pradesh Police. The custody remand period would begin on Thursday at 9 pm. Agrawal was arrested Monday in a joint operation by the Uttar Pradesh Police and their Maharashtrian counterpart at BrahMos' Wardha Road facility in Nagpur for allegedly leaking "technical information" to Pakistan. He was flown to Lucknow From Nagpur. The ATS Thursday sought his custody from the court for the purpose of interrogation. Agarwal's lawyer opposed the remand, pleading that he was a young scientist who is being implicated as part of a "conspiracy". The court said secret and prohibited information was found from Agarwal's laptop. It also took note of his activity on Facebook. It is alleged that Agrawal was in contact with two Facebook accounts -- 'Neha Sharma' and 'Pooja Ranjan' -- suspected to be operated by Pakistani intelligence agents. He has been booked under the Official Secrets Act. BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the 'Military Industrial Consortium' (NPO Mashinostroyenia) of Russia. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Leading bourse BSE Thursday said it has signed a pact with Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME), international energy futures and commodities exchange in the middle-east, to explore ways in maximising the potential of the commodities market in India. The partnership comes on the heels of BSE's launch of its commodities derivatives trading platform on October 1. In a statement, BSE said that the strategic collaboration with the energy-focused commodities exchange will help create a resourceful commodities derivatives market to facilitate tremendous growth in the country's energy sector. This synergy will help Indian corporates to hedge their exposure on BSE's commodities derivatives segment. "With the fundamental objective of evolving the commodity derivatives market, we are pleased to associate with DME in this endeavour that will immensely help all stakeholders," BSE MD and CEO Ashishkumar Chauhan said. Raid Al-Salami, head of DME, said as the world's fastest growing major economy India offers seamless opportunities across industries, particularly in the energy sector. "With its growing needs for energy imports, the country has become a key focus market for global industry players, and our collaboration with BSE will enable us to tap into the country's thriving energy market. "We will leverage our expertise in facilitating energy futures and commodities trading to enable BSE to further promote its new trading platform for commodities derivatives and better serve the needs and interests of the domestic derivatives market," he added. Launched in June 2007, DME lists Oman Crude Oil Futures Contract (DME Oman) as its flagship contract, providing the fair and transparent crude oil benchmark for the region. DME Oman is the sole benchmark for Oman and Dubai crude oil. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Thursday said some 'radical thinking' is needed on the part of CAG while auditing books of accounts of state-owned companies as they are now expected to take quick decisions to compete with their private sector peers. Jaitley said the environment in which the PSUs operate have changed after 1991, though they have to adhere to the rules framed when state owned companies used to enjoy monopoly in their respective sectors. "We still have not paid enough attention to this chaining of the public sector to the legal regime that we have done, particularly in sectors where there is competition. And therefore, this impacts on their performance, this impacts on the timetable, whereas the private sector is free from this. If we want them to exist, survive, and survive with full financial strength then how do we allow them a level playing field," he said while addressing the 29th Accountants General Conference here. He said the time has now come for the CAG, government and judiciary to appreciate the competitive environment, in which the PSUs now operate is entirely different from the pre-1991 regime. "Therefore, these are all situations ... will require a more radical thinking and I am sure in your future deliberations, this is one area which will occupy your mindspace," Jaitley told the accountants general. The Finance Ministry's Economic Survey in 2017 had flagged the issues concerning functioning of the PSUs. It said that decision making suffers from 4Cs -- courts, CVC (Central Vigilance Commission), CBI (Central Burear of Investigation) and CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General). Jaitley said while PSUs have to face audit by the CAG and follow a prescribed procedure for tenders and hiring employees, the private sector companies enjoy flexibility as there is no fear of such audit. He said the public sector companies are unable to take quick decisions as compared to their private sector counterparts because of various regulation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CBI Thursday questioned a senior Enforcement Directorate officer, a recipient of Presidential Certificate, in connection with the Tamil Nadu gutka scam in which several politicians, policemen and customs and excise officials are under scanner, officials said. They, however, refused to disclose whether S K Sheoran, presently posted as Deputy Director in the Enforcement Directorate, was questioned as a witness or a suspect in the case. He was posted as Assistant Director in the Directorate General of Central Excise Intelligence when the scam allegedly took place and questioning pertained to his work, they said. Sheoran, an Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise) officer, was questioned by the agency at its Chennai office Thursday, they said. He is a recipient of Presidential Award of Appreciation Certificate for specially distinguished record of service, given to the officers of the Customs and Central Excise Department on Republic Day in 2015. The agency also questioned Superintendent of Police, Villupuram, Jayakumar, the then deputy commissioner of Central Crime Branch, in connection with the scam at its office in Chennai, they said. The scam surfaced when a diary of purported payments to the high and mighty in police, politics and other regulator agencies was seized during searches at the godown, offices and residence of a gutka manufacturer Annamalai Industries on July 8, 2017. The company was allegedly manufacturing and selling MGM brand of gutka (a concoction of tobacco and pan masala) in Tamil Nadu in spite of a ban imposed on such activities in the state in 2013. The company was facing charges of tax evasion to the tune of Rs 250 crore. A DMK leader had approached the Madras High Court in April this year, seeking a CBI probe into the alleged bribery of top officials and politicians who allowed the company to operate with impunity in the state, they said. It was alleged by the petitioner that monthly payments worth over Rs 14 lakh were made to Health Minister Vijayabaskar, while payments in lakhs of rupees were made to officials of the Central Excise, Food Safety and Sales Tax department of the state, senior police officials and politicians, among others. This was challenged in the Supreme Court by a Tamil Nadu health official but the apex court sided with the Madras High Court order and asked the CBI to register a case. The agency had registered an FIR against unidentified officials of the Tamil Nadu government, the Central Excise Department and the Food Safety Department in May. The company was earlier known as Jayam Industries and was rechristened as Annamalai Industries to continue the sale after Tamil Nadu banned gutka in 2013, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CBI has taken over investigation in two 25-year old murder cases in Mumbai allegedly involving gangster Chhota Rajan, who is in the judicial custody, officials said. Both the cases were registered in Ghatkopar police station in 1993 with one pertaining to the murder of a hotel owner's relative and another of the brother of businessman. In one case it was alleged that, on May 27, 1993 at 19:30 hrs, two unidentified shooters fired bullets at Ashok Krishna Shetty, cousin of Karianna Shetty, the owner of the Ashoka Hotel. Ashok succumbed to wounds while his friend with whom he was was sitting, Sadanand Suvamna, was injured in the attack. The second case was related to killing of the brother of a businessman on September 10, 1993 by unidentified shooter. It is alleged that when Dilip Hansraj Mota was going with his brother Muksh alias Bharat, along with Mechanic Mohram, by road, an unknown person fired from a revolver which killed Mukesh, they said. The Mumbai police which was probing the matter earlier had filed charge sheets in both cases but the Maharashtra government handed a total of 71 cases, in which role of Chhota Rajan was suspected, to the CBI after Rajan was deported from Indonesia in November, 2015, they said. These two cases were part of cases referred to the CBI by the state government, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Centre has decided to study Karnataka's latest agri-dashboard model that indicates if mandi prices of crops are ruling below the minimum support price (MSP), so that the government can make timely intervention to protect interest of farmers, a senior state government official said Thursday. The agri-price analysis dashboard, which the Karnataka government launched in July known as KRIPA, provides analysis of whether spot prices are ruling below MSP and also forecasts rates for next three months. "In a meeting with the Union Agriculture Ministry officials Wednesday, our dashboard was discussed in detail. The centre has in-principally agreed to study it and see if it can pursue with other states to implement," agri-price advisory body Karnataka Agricultural Prices Commission Chairman T N Prakash Kammardi told reporters here. The dashboard provides prices prevailing in 176 Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) mandis in Karnataka, the arrival and sale of crops as per varieties among other details on a daily basis, he said. "Based on this data, the government can quickly decide whether it has to intervene in the market immediately and start procurement at the MSP and save farmers from distressed sale," he added. Recently, the state government had submitted a proposal before the central government for timely procurement of green gram at MSP based on this data. Kammardi said, earlier there used to be delay in the MSP procurement in Karnataka in the absence of timely details about price crash in crops from district headquarters. Declaring MSP alone is not important, it is necessary to ensure farmers get it. There is a strong mechanism to buy wheat and rice in the country. The dashboard will help to ensure MSP to farmers for other crops, he added. The state official said that the Centre's recently approved market assurance scheme, price deficiency payment and private procurement will go a long way in ensuring MSP to farmers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress leadership will Friday decide on the candidates for the upcoming two-phase assembly election in Chhattisgarh. According to sources, the Congress' Central Election Committee (CEC) chaired by party chief Rahul Gandhi will hold its meeting Friday evening to decide on the candidates for Chhattisgarh. The first list of nominees is likely to come out late Friday. Rahul Gandhi has not reconstituted the CEC even though he has appointed new members to the Congress Working Committee, the highest decision-making body of the party. When asked, AICC General Secretary Ashok Gehlot said some party leaders who are no longer in the reconstituted CWC continue to be members of the CEC. The CEC comprises Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, A K Antony, Ahmed Patel, Ambika Soni, Ashok Gehlot, Janardan Dwivedi, Mohsina Kidwai, Oscar Fernandes, Mukul Wasnik, Girija Vyas and Veerappa Moily. The Congress is seeking to oust the Raman Singh government in Naxal-affected Chhattisgarh. The BJP has ruled the state for three successive terms. Rahul Gandhi also set up a core committee for the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress which includes top party leaders P L Punia, Bhupesh Baghel, T S Singhdeo, Charan Das Mahant, Arvind Netam, Kamla Manhar and Tamradhwaj Sahu. As many as 18 Maoist-affected constituencies of the state would witness polling in the first phase on November 12, while the rest 72 constituencies would vote in the second phase on November 20. Votes will be counted on December 11. The gazette notification for the first phase will be issued on October 16 and filing of nominations would begin on the same day. The final date for filing nominations is October 23 and scrutiny of nominations would be completed by the next day. Contestants may withdraw their nominations by October 26 for the first phase. Similarly, the gazette notification for the second phase will be issued on October 26 while the last date to file nominations will be November 2 and scrutiny will be completed by the next day. Candidates can withdraw their nominations till November 5 after which 72 constituencies would go to polls on November 20. According to the Election Commission, there are total 1,85,45,819 voters including 92,95,301 men, 92,49,459 women and 1,059 third-gender voters in the state. The state has 23,632 polling booths, out of which 19,240 are in rural and 4,392 in urban areas. Out of 90 constituencies in 27 districts, 18 in 16 districts are Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected and sufficient security forces are being arranged for polls. The BJP is in power in the state since 2003. In the 2013 Assembly polls, it got 49 seats while the Congress won 39 and one seat each was won by the BSP and an Independent. China and Russia have backed easing sanctions on Pyongyang "at an appropriate time", as South Korea's foreign minister said Seoul was mulling lifting its own measures, threatening cracks in global restrictions on the nuclear-armed North. Pyongyang is sanctioned under multiple UN Security Council resolutions over its weapons programmes and has repeatedly called for the measures to be loosened, citing a freeze in its nuclear and missile tests. At three-way talks in Moscow, vice foreign ministers from North Korea, China and Russia agreed "it is necessary to consider adjusting sanctions on the DPRK by the UN Security Council at an appropriate time", Beijing's foreign ministry said in a statement late Wednesday, using the North's official name. China is the North's main diplomatic backer and Pyongyang also has friendly relations with Russia. In contrast the United States, which spearheaded global efforts to squeeze the North Korean economy last year, has been adamant that the sanctions remain in place until Pyongyang's "final, fully verified denuclearization". US ally Seoul has also mooted relaxing its own unilateral measures against Pyongyang. The South's dovish President Moon Jae-in favours engagement with the North and has dangled large investment and joint cross-border projects as incentives for steps towards denuclearisation. South Korea suspended most trade with the North in 2010 following a North Korean torpedo attack on a South Korean warship that killed 46 sailors on board. Pyongyang has denied involvement. "We are reviewing it with related government agencies," South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha told parliament on Wednesday. Kang later backtracked, saying she had misspoken, and her ministry said no active review was in place. South Korea's unification minister Cho Myoung-gyon added Thursday that there has been "no detailed review" on lifting sanctions but said Seoul has taken measures for cross-border cooperation "in a flexible manner". In response to Kang's remarks, Trump said: "They won't do it without our approval. They do nothing without our approval." President Moon has vowed to honour the UN sanctions, but Seoul opened a joint liaison office in the North Korean border city of Kaesong last month and has promised to pursue roads and rail projects between the two countries. South Korean media urged caution Thursday, saying relaxing sanctions now could jeopardise any chances for the North's denuclearisation. The Korea JoongAng Daily said in an editorial it was "dumbfounded" by Kang's comments. The conservative Chosun Ilbo newspaper added: "What brought the North to the negotiating table for denuclearisation was the unprecedented tough sanctions. "By lifting sanctions now, is the South Korean government saying it will dismantle North Korea's nuclear weapons or help it keep them?" it said. Last month, the North's foreign minister told the United Nations there was "no way" his country would disarm first as long as sanctions remain in place. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China's development assistance to countries is aimed at increasing their dependency on it, the head of America's aid agency has said, amidst China's attempt to increase infrastructure investment as part of President Xi Jinping's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. China had been accused of engaging in "debt diplomacy" by loading developing countries with debt as part of a strategy to build its influence across the region under the BRI. China has denied criticism that its finance model is predatory and smothers recipient countries like and China in debt they cannot pay. Mark Green, the United States Agency for Development (USAID) Administrative said the overseas developmental aid of the United States and that of China is fundamentally different. "They are fundamentally different. So, what we always say is, 'We're working to help countries on their journey to self-reliance.' What we want is for countries to lead their own bright future. We want them to go from being traditional assistance recipients, to partners, to fellow donors," he said. "China's a very different model. They build dependency. So, the choice is self-reliance versus almost servitude. What they do are loans, and as we're learning more and more, often unsustainable financing that's mortgaging a country's future," Green said. The US asks countries to take on their own challenges, foster their self-reliance, build their next generation of leaders, and then join us, in terms of leadership around the world, he asserted. When these countries do not pay their loans, they mortgage strategic assets, he alleged. is one of a number of countries that have accepted Chinese financing for projects of Beijing's "Belt and Road Initiative" for building roads, ports and other infrastructure across the globe. The new government in is reportedly concerned over heavy Chinese loans under the Sri Lanka last year granted a 99-year lease on the Hambantota deep-sea port to Beijing, after it was unable to repay Chinese loans for the $1.4-billion project. "So, you see ports being, essentially, taken over by China. Sole, exclusive use of those ports. Dangerously extractive, often, strategic minerals, what should have been the birthright of young Africans, is tied up by financing from China," Green said. "And so, what happens is those young Africans never see the benefits. They never see the broad-based economic growth based upon their resources. Instead, the benefits go elsewhere," he said. While giving aid, he said, US asks for reforms. "We ask them to respect certain rights and values. What we want for them is to become, eventually, trading partners," he said. "But equal partners, in that. And the way that you do that is incentivise market-based reforms, build their capacity, increase their incomes. So, we want them to move, in terms of fully independent sovereign nations, leading their own future and becoming partners of ours," Green said. (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.) WashingtonUS President Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded that Saudi Arabia provide answers over the disappearance of journalist and US resident Jamal Khashoggi, whom Turkish officials suspect was murdered after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The Trump administration sharply upped the pressure, reversing an initially low-key response after Washington Post contributor Khashoggi vanished on October 2. Trump said he had talked more than once and at the highest levels to partners in Saudi Arabia, which is one of Washingtons closest allies and a key market for the US weapons industry. Were demanding everything, Trump told reporters. We cannot let this happen, to reporters, to anybody. We are very disappointed to see whats going on. We dont like it and were going to get to the bottom of it, he added. In a later interview with Fox News at Night, Trump said it would not be a good thing at all if the Saudis were proven to be involved. Twenty-two senators wrote to Trump invoking the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which requires the president to open an investigation and determine whether sanctions should be imposed. The act is used in cases of suspected extra-judicial killing, torture, or other gross violation of internationally recognized human rights against an individual exercising freedom of expression, the senators said. Asked in the Fox interview about suggestions in Congress that arms sales to the kingdom be blocked, Trump replied that such a move would hurt the US economy. Frankly, I think that would be a very, very tough pill to swallow for our country, he said. Trump spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said National Security Advisor John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Trumps close aide and son-in-law Jared Kushner had all spoken to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the past two days. The United States has not confirmed Turkish claims that Khashoggi, a US resident and one of the more outspoken critics of the regime of King Salman and his son Prince Mohammed, had been lured to the Istanbul consulate and murdered by a team of 15 government operatives sent by Riyadh to Istanbul. But The Washington Post reported Wednesday that Prince Mohammed himself had ordered an operation targeting Khashoggi. Saudi officials were heard discussing a plan to lure Khashoggi from the US state of Virginia, where he resided, and detain him, the newspaper said, citing unnamed US officials discussing intelligence intercepts. The case has sparked outrage from human rights and journalism groups. In the calls by Bolton, Kushner and Pompeo, Sanders said, they asked for more details and for the Saudi government to be transparent in the investigation process. Trump also said he was looking into a meeting in the White House with Khashoggis fiancee, Hatice Cengiz. US peace activists Code Pink mounted a protest in front of the Saudi Embassy in Washington Wednesday, brandishing signs saying Where is Jamal Khashoggi? and Khashoggi: Another Victim of Saudi Violence. We are very very disturbed by Khashoggis disappearance, said Code Pink founder Meda Benjamin.We think that there is very little hope that Jamal is still alive. The Washington Post, where Khashoggi has been a regular contributor over the past year, also called for answers. Reports about Jamals fate have suggested he was a victim of state-sponsored, cold-blooded murder, said Post publisher and chief executive Fred Ryan. Silence, denials and delays are not acceptable. We demand to know the truth, he added. Khashoggi, 59, is a longtime leading Saudi journalist and former government advisor who went into exile last year after 33-year-old Prince Mohammed rose to power under his father the king. He has been critical of the monarchys continued arrest of critics on both the left and right, despite its professed reforms. He has also repeatedly assailed Riyadhs role leading the war against Yemens Huthi rebels, a campaign closely identified with Prince Mohammed that has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths and generated a major humanitarian disaster. Khashoggi was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain papers for his pending marriage to Cengiz, who is Turkish. Riyadh insisted that Khashoggi left the building and called the murder claims baseless. Turkish investigators say they have CCTV footage showing him entering the consulate, but not leaving. A source told the Washington Post that US intelligence intercepted communications of Saudi officials discussing a plan to capture him. The Saudis hoped to lure Khashoggi to Saudi Arabia and lay hands on him there, the source told the Post. But State Department deputy spokesman Robert Palladino told reporters they had no such tip. The US had no advance knowledge of Jamal Khashoggis disappearance or of any kind of threat, he said Wednesday. The issue threatened the strong relationship the Trump administration has constructed with Prince Mohammed. The two sides have cooperated on challenging Iran, on supporting Israel and on the war against the Huthis. But Prince Mohammed has drawn growing scrutiny over his campaign against critics. Reporters Without Borders said in a statement that between 25 and 30 professional and non-professional journalists are currently detained in Saudi Arabia. For the first time, a Chinese intelligence official has been extradited to the US to face espionage charges for conspiring and attempting to steal trade secrets from multiple American aviation and aerospace companies, the Department of Justice has said. Yanjun Xu, aka Qu Hui, aka Zhang Hui, a Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) operative, was extradited to the US on Tuesday, following which the charges were unsealed on Wednesday. Arrested in Belgium on April 1, Xu was indicted on four counts of conspiring and attempting to commit espionage and theft of trade secrets. He was extradited to the US on Tuesday after losing his appeal. "This unprecedented extradition of a Chinese intelligence officer exposes the Chinese government's direct oversight of economic espionage against the United States," said Bill Priestap, assistant director of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division, in a statement. The arrest of the Chinese official is the latest in relation to the theft of technology. Xu is a Deputy Division Director with the MSS's Jiangsu State Security Department, Sixth Bureau. The MSS is the intelligence and security agency for China and is responsible for counter-intelligence, foreign intelligence and political security. The MSS has broad powers in China to conduct espionage both domestically and abroad. According to the indictment, beginning December 2013 and till his arrest, Xu targeted certain companies recognised as leaders in the aviation field both in and outside the United States. This included GE Aviation. He identified experts who worked for these companies and recruited them to travel to China, often initially under the guise of asking them to deliver a university presentation. Xu and others paid the experts' travel costs and provided stipends. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years, the justice department said. On Thursday in Beijing, the China's foreign ministry said that it hopes the US can deal with the matter in accordance with the law. It accused the US of "making something out of thin air". "We hope the US side can deal with this in accordance with law," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said. Xu made his initial appearance Wednesday afternoon in federal court in Cincinnati, Ben Glassman, the US attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, told reporters. Glassman said that innovation in aviation has been a hallmark of life and industry in the United States since the Wright brothers first designed gliders in Dayton more than a century ago. "US aerospace companies invest decades of time and billions of dollars in research. This is the American way. In contrast, according to the indictment, a Chinese intelligence officer tried to acquire that same, hard-earned innovation through theft," he alleged. "This case shows that federal law enforcement authorities can not only detect and disrupt such espionage, but can also catch its perpetrators," Glassman added. Assistant Attorney General John Demers said: "This indictment alleges that a Chinese intelligence officer sought to steal trade secrets and other sensitive information from an American company that leads the way in aerospace." "This case is not an isolated incident. It is part of an overall economic policy of developing China at America's expense. We cannot tolerate a nation stealing our firepower and the fruits of our brainpower. We will not tolerate a nation that reaps what it does not sow," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Classic Legends Pvt Ltd, a part of the Mahindra Group, is set to bring back popular motorcycle brand of yesteryears Jawa to the Indian market next month, a top company official said Thursday. The company, in which the Mahindra group has 60 per cent stake, plans to unveil three products on November 15 and will play in the 250cc plus mid-segment of the Indian motorcycle market. "We are looking to launch the brand with three products...We are going to be a mid-segment player with Jawa," Classic Legends CEO Ashish Joshi told PTI here. He, however, declined to share details of the products that have been lined up for introduction. When asked by when the Jawa models will hit the market, he said "very soon" after the unveiling on November 15. Jawa will enter a segment, which is currently dominated by Royal Enfield. Other global players such as Harley Davidson and Triumph have also been targeting to capture a significant part of the segment. Classic Legends Thursday unveiled a 293cc liquid cooled single cylinder engine that will power the soon-to-be launched Jawa motorycles. The engine has been developed from the ground up through a collaboration between the group's R&D centre in Pune and technical centre in Varese, Italy. While developing the engine, Joshi said the brief was "always to build an engine that had the Jawa DNA. Classic, yet sporty". Commenting on the market penetration plans, he said, "At the launch itself, we will have around 100 dealerships pan India". These will be in metros, tier II and III cities, Joshi added. Bullish on the Indian market, he said in the past few years a lot of customers have been upgrading from the mass segment to mid and upper end of the motorcycle segment thus providing a lot of opportunities. The Jawa bikes will be rolled out from Mahindra Group's Pithampur plant in Madhya Pradesh. Joshi said Classic Legends will leverage on Mahindra's strengths in production, sourcing and R&D for Jawa. "What Mahindra brings to us is a very solid backing in terms of sourcing, expertise in manufacturing and R&D. All of these of very strong foundations for us," he added. When asked if the company planned to export Jawa motorcycles, Joshi said, "The license we have for Jawa brand is for India and other similar markets such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and ASEAN countries. However, our primary focus will be on the Indian market". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Six policemen were injured when they tried to intervene in a clash between members of two communities over installing a Durga idol in the Sisaye Salon locality here, police said Thursday. The incident occurred Wednesday when some people tried to install the idol of Goddess Durga in the Risiya police station area without permission of the authorities concerned, Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Ravindra Kumar Singh said. People from the other community objected to it, leading to a clash. The members from the Hindu and Muslim communities indulged in brick-batting, he said. The clashing groups also attacked the police team rushed to control the situation. Six policemen -- two sub-inspectors and four constables -- were injured in the incident, the ASP said. He said he was not aware if there were any injuries suffered by the clashing groups. Police have registered cases against 290 people of the two communities, naming 40 of them. 15 of them have been arrested, he said. The officer said additional force has been deployed in the area, and the situation is under control. District Magistrate Mala Srivastava and SP Sabharaj Singh also visited the area. Orders were issued earlier against installation of idols, especially at disputed places, without permission, the ASP said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A complaint of rash driving lodged against Prateik Babbar here in Goa was withdrawn within 24 hours of filing on Thursday, after the complainant and the Bollywood actor reached an "amicable settlement", the police said. The actor has also withdrawn a cross complaint he had filed against the man, identified as Paulo Correa, a police official said this evening. Both the complaints were filed at Porvorim police station Wednesday night. No FIR was registered against either of them, the official added. A case of rash driving under the Motor Vehicles Act was lodged against Prateik Babbar after his car allegedly dashed Correa's scooter on the Panaji-Mapusa highway Wednesday evening, the police had said. After the mishap, an altercation ensued between Babbar and Correa, who alleged that the actor abused him in front of his sister who was riding pillion, police said. Babbar, on his part, filed a complaint against Correa, alleging that the latter had smashed his car's window-shield, police said. Babbar Thursday submitted an affidavit to Porvorim police informing them that Correa had withdrawn the case, the official said. "I have to state that Paulo Correa and myself have amicably settled the dispute and in view thereof we do not wish to prosecute or proceed with the said complaint or any other proceedings arising from the aforesaid accident," stated the affidavit. Correa too submitted a similar affidavit stating that he was withdrawing the case, the official said. Porvorim police inspector Paresh Naik said both the parties have filed the affidavits and withdrawn the cases against each other. Police were investigating whether the actor, who is in his early 30's, was driving under influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. A police official had said a probe was on to check whether Babbar could also be booked under IPC sections, as Correa had accused the actor of threatening him. Earlier in the day, Babbar had refused to give his blood sample for analysis when he was taken to the state-run Asilo Hospital in Mapusa town. Prateik, the son of actor-turned-politician Raj Babbar and his wife late Smita Patil, has worked in films like "Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na", "Dhobi Ghat", "Dum Maro Dum" and "My Friend Pinto". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress on Thursday accused the Centre and the erstwhile BJP-PDP government in Jammu and Kashmir of "spoiling" the atmosphere in the state and held them responsible for the current situation there, where people are "afraid" to cast their vote. The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, who hails from the state, said this was not the first time that voter turnout in municipal polls in the Kashmir Valley has been low compared to that in the Jammu region. Senior party leader Ambika Soni alleged that the state and central governments are squarely responsible for the current situation and for bringing the state to a level where the "fear of bullet forced people not to cast their vote". The two leaders claimed the previous Congress-NC government in Jammu and Kashmir had helped normalise the situation and people had been coming out in large numbers to exercise their franchise. But the erstwhile BJP-PDP government and the Centre has brought the situation to that prevailing in the early 1990s, they alleged. "The Central government spoiled the entire atmosphere in the Kashmir Valley and took us back to the early nineties. "So I squarely hold the Centre India responsible for this, for creating a situation where people are afraid to go to the polling stations," Azad told reporters after former PDP MLC Vikramaditya Singh, the son of ex-Union minister Karan Singh, joined the Congress. The second phase of the municipal polls in the state on Wednesday, saw 78.6 per cent of over 1.28 lakh voters exercising their franchise in Jammu, while in Kashmir region 3.4 per cent of 2.20 lakh electorate cast their votes. The low voter turnout in Kashmir was in line with a meagre 8.3 per cent turnout in the Valley during the first phase of the election. Azad said this was not the first time that there was a huge gap between Kashmir and Jammu regions in terms of voter turnout. "This is not first time since we had militancy, which has been for almost three decades. In between, of course, things had improved when we were in power. After the BJP and the PDP formed a coalition government, things went from bad to worse. "So, for this we shouldn't be held responsible, the Centre and the BJP should be held responsible for worsening the condition of Jammu and Kashmir," he said. On being asked about holding simultaneous polls for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and the Lok Sabha, Soni, who is AICC general secretary in-charge of party affairs in the state, said the Congress has fought elections despite tough situations. "We congratulate all the candidates, but that doesn't change the scenario there... With what face or how are they (BJP) going to convince the people that the law-and-order situation is in full control. We will assess it after this election," she said. After joining the party, Vikramaditya Singh said he was disillusioned with the PDP as it "failed" to fulfil its promises and "betrayed" the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Vikramaditya Singh had joined the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party (JKPDP) at the instance of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and was nominated as a member of the state Legislative Council in 2015. He resigned in October last year both as an MLC and from the party, following differences with the coalition government headed by then chief minister Mehbooba Mufti. Azad said Karan Singh had joined Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinet heralding a young generation entering and now his son, Vikramaditya Singh, has joined the Congress heralding the entry of the new generation. "Vikramaditya Singh brings with him a rich political legacy and we hope that he will help weaken the BJP and strengthen the Congress in the Jammu region and in the state of Jammu and Kashmir," he said. The PDP-BJP combine had formed government in the state with promises of reducing distances between people of the Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir regions and ushering in development in the state, but just the opposite has happened, Azad alleged. "Distances between people of the three regions of the state have risen, unemployment and terrorism have also spiked, while development and tourism went down," the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said. Vikramaditya Singh said he quit the PDP as "it betrayed the people of Jammu and Kashmir by not fulfilling the promises made to the people, including safety and facilities like making bunkers for them and farmers living along the Indo-Pak border". Vikramaditya Singh said he was happy that he was in the Congress to which his father belonged and remained a member for over 50 years. Besides Soni and Azad, Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Ghulam Ahmed Mir was also present at the joining event of Singh. Earlier, Vikramaditya Singh met Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and formally joined the party his presence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mizoram Chief Minister and state PCC chief Lal Thanhawla would contest from two constituencies in the election to the 40-member state legislature to be held on November 28. The names of the candidates was announced by Lal Thanhawla at a meeting of party workers at the Aizawl Congress Bhavan Thursday. Seven sitting legislators were denied party tickets while 12 nominees would be fighting the polls for the first time. The names of four candidates two from Siaha district, one from Lunglei district and one from Lawngtlai district were yet to be announced. Lal Thanhawla would contest from Serchhip seat, his home turf and also from Champhai South. The party has a single woman candidate in Cooperation Minister Vanlalawmpuii Chawngthu. The average age of the nominees was 57. There were four candidates below the age of 40, eight in the age group of 41-50, 14 in 51-60 range, four nominees in the 61-70 age group and five candidates above 70. Congress, which has its government only in Mizoram in the entire North-East faces a major challenge to hold its fort in the state poll on November 28. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Activists of the Delhi Congress' Purvanchal Morcha Thursday protested outside the Gujarat Bhawan here against attacks on Hindi-speaking migrants in the state. Senior Delhi Congress leader and former MP Mahabal Mishra slammed the BJP-led Gujarat government, accusing it of playing "divisive" "It is very sad that the BJP, which has always played divisive and regional politics, is fanning sentiments against people from the Purvanchal region in Gujarat, resulting in forced migration of thousands of people working in the state," Mishra said during the protest. Shivji Singh, president of the Delhi Poorvanchal Congress, alleged the BJP government in the state is instigating locals against Purvanchalis there. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A consulting firm allegedly linked to former union minister P Chidambaram's son Karti has moved the Madras High Court challenging the 'freezing' of its bank accounts by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the INX Media money laundering case. When the petition filed by the Advantage Strategic Consulting Private Limited came up for hearing Thursday, Justice R Mahadevan adjourned it to Friday. The ED Thursday said it has attached assets worth Rs 54 crore of Karti in India, the UK and Spain in connection with the INX Media money laundering case. Fixed deposits worth Rs 90 lakh, kept in a bank in Chennai, in the name of ASCPL have also been attached, it said. The ED had registered the money laundering case on the basis of a CBI FIR and had alleged that irregularities took place in the FIPB clearance to INX Media for receiving overseas funds to the tune of Rs 305 crore in 2007 when Karti's father was the Union finance minister. In its petition, the ASCPL submitted that the ED had in September 24 directed branch managers of three banks here not to allow any debit from the current accounts of the company without obtaining prior permission. Contending that the ED's directive was illegal, without authority of law and arbitrary, it wanted the court to quash it. According to the petitioner, the ED in its letters to the Nungambakkam branches of the DCB Bank and Indian Overseas Bank and the Mylapore branch of the Axis Bank, where the ASCPL holds accounts, had referred to the investigation under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Karti. The ED had said that it had come to its notice during the investigation that these accounts besides those of Karti and others were suspected to have been used for the purpose of money laundering, the petitioner submitted. The agency had also requested the bankers to provide transcript, account opening form and KYC documents of the accounts, the company said. The ASCPL also submitted the CBI in its FIR in the case had alleged that Karti had received Rs 10 lakh through it as illegal gratification for influencing the FIPB officials. It said the company had filed a petition seeking to quash the FIR which is pending in court. The petitioner further contended that the ED had no jurisdiction to investigate the alleged offence under the PMLA in relation to INX Media deal and hence the communication sent by the agency to the bankers for freezing its accounts was without authority of Law. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court ordered framing of charges against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Dinesh Mohaniya Thursday for allegedly outraging the modesty of a woman and rioting in the Govindpuri area here in 2016. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal said "prima facie" there were enough evidence to put the AAP politician and his associate, Yovan Sharma, on trial. "I have no reason to believe at this stage, considering the statements of the victims that the allegations are groundless," the judge said. According to the police, in March 2016, both the accused, along with their supporters, had entered the house of a man, assaulted him and outraged the modesty of a female family member in the Govindpuri area of south Delhi. The court directed framing of charges against Mohaniya under sections 452 (house-trespass), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 147 (rioting) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CPI(M) on Thursday demanded the resignation of Union Minister M J Akbar after some women journalists accused him of sexually harassing them. The party in a statement said seven women journalists have come forward recounting their experience of sexual harassment and "unacceptable behavior" by Akbar. As the #MeToo campaign gathered momentum in India, some women journalists have come out and accused Akbar, a former editor and now the minister of state for external affairs, of sexually harassing them during his stint as a journalist. Akbar was an editor of many publications before he took to The CPI(M) said, "Since these are serious charges, M J Akbar's continuance as a the Minister of State in the Central government is untenable. He should immediately resign from office. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "For being made to look like a fool, Roque has threatened to resign." "For being made to look like a fool, Roque has threatened to resign." Lest we are perceived as un-Christian, let me say at the outset that I wish President Rodrigo Duterte well. His physical well-being and success in running the government for some 105-million Filipinos is a matter of national concern. What is unchristian were Digongs blasphemous utterances against Pope Francis and that stupid God. Im not going to exclaim repent, you sinner! My Christian faith after all believes that God is not vengeful. But He does work in mysterious ways. Lets now put into perspective why there is so much speculation on what ails the President. Initially, I did not want to go into this. But the ones who are fueling further speculations on the Presidents health is himself and the politicians. After quietly slipping into the Cardinal Santos hospital in San Juan City the President without disclosing the result of the tests, blurted out Cancer na kung cancer. Often, his fawning supporters and Cabinet members after such remark defend The Boss, and would say the President must not be taken seriously or his words were taken out of context. A few days after his endoscopy and colonoscopy tests, the President himself said he was negative for cancer. Why not then Dutertes doctors with the Presidents permission, be the ones to issue a medical bulletin saying the President does not have cancer? That should do it, end of story. Mr. Duterte is the President of the Republic who sought the highest office in the land. It was not foisted on him and no one pushed him into the presidency. Therefore, it must be a given that whatever he says or does must be taken seriously. Then, like throwing gasoline into a fire to put it out, the President himself speculated that Vice President Leni Robredo would be a weak president. His words, not mine. Then there is a clause under the proposed federalism under charter change that bypasses Vice President Robredo in the line of succession in the event of the President stepping down due to serious illness or death Under the proposed federalism form of government, the Senate PresidentSenator Tito Sotto in this casewould take over as caretaker President during the transition period. Opposition members of the House of RepresentativesEdcel Lagman, Gary Alejano and Tom Villarinreacted to the move as against what is mandated in the 1987 Constitution. Fortunately, there are still a few good men left in the House and through them the Vice President was included in the line of succession. Robredo remarked the exclusion ploy was an act of desperation by the Presidents men.In the Senate, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senator Francis Pangilinan said there is no more time in the current Congress to deliberate on charter change and the federalism proposal. Again, lest I am labeled a loyalist yellow of the opposition Liberal Party, I would like to make clear I have no love lost for the LPs and its dysfunctional leader, former President Noynoy Aquino. Yes, he is the same Aquino whose criminal neglect left dead 44 commandos of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force, massacred by combined elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Force and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters. Going back on the Presidents state of health, it does not help that his own Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque was left out of the loop. Poor Harry Roque. He was not told the President went to the Cardinal Santos Hospital for endoscopy and colonoscopy examinations. Not knowing the Presidents schedule for the day, Roque was made to appear as lying when he said his boss just took a rest for the day. For being made to look like a fool, Roque has threatened to resign. Special Assistant to the President Christopher Bong Go who knows more about the President than anyone else, then announced that Mr. Duterte is in Hong Kong for a brief respite with official partner Honeylet Avancena and their daughter. Bong Go, of course, was with them Both Roque and Go are seeking a seat in the Senate. It would be interesting to see who will win. The one whos out of the presidential loop, or the one who knows all the secrets of the President including the Presidents state of health. Mr. Duterte is not keen about Roques running for the Senate. He thinks Roque cannot win therefore lessening his control of the Senate. On the other hand, can Duterte afford to lose his loyal and constant companion Bong Go? Being senator is a full-time job. Go cannot be in two places at the same time in the Senate and in Malacanang. The SAP is also known as President Dutertes walking medicine cabinet who dispenses all his needed medications. A very severe cyclonic storm packing winds of up to 150 kmph and widespread rains hit eastern India Thursday, killing eight people in Andhra Pradesh and one in Odisha, damaging homes, uprooting trees and power lines in the two states. Cyclone 'Titli' made landfall on the eastern coast early Thursday, wreaking havoc mainly in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha's Gajapati and Ganjam districts. Traffic on the Chennai-Kolkata National Highway was hit after uprooted trees blocked some sections of the road. The South Central Railway as well as the East Coast Railway cancelled several trains while some were terminated midway, officials said, adding a few express trains were also diverted. Train services between Khurda Road in Odisha and Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh also remained suspended since 10 pm Wednesday. According to the India Meteorological Department, Cyclone 'Titli' made landfall near Palasa in Srikakulam district, southwest of Gopalpur in Odisha with an estimated maximum sustained surface wind speed of 140-150 km per hour gusting to 165 km per hour between 4.30 am and 5.30 am. The cyclonic storm system is now moving northeastwards towards Gangetic West Bengal across Odisha and will weaken gradually, the IMD said. The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority said the cyclone caused widespread damage in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram, and threw normal life out of gear as heavy to very heavy rains lashed the two north coastal districts since late Wednesday night. While a 62-year-old woman died at Gudivada Agraharam village after a tree fell on her, a 55-year-old man died in a house collapse at Rotanasa village in Srikakulam, the SDMA said. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Office said the other six killed were fishermen who had ventured into the sea. Of the 67 fishing boats that had gone into the sea over the last few days from Kakinada in East Godavari district, 65 had returned to the shore safely, the CMO said. The road network in Srikakulam district suffered extensive damage, while the power distribution network was also severely affected. More than 2,000 electric poles were uprooted. The Eastern Power Distribution Company that caters to the electricity needs of the north coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, reported that the distribution system for 4,319 villages and six towns in Srikakulam district was affected. In Odisha, the cyclonic storm led to very heavy rainfall mainly in Ganjam, Gajapati and Puri districts and caused minor damage to power supply and communication. An eight-year-old boy drowned in a canal in the Hinjili area of Ganjam district, where five people were reported missing after being swept away in the flood waters. Ganjam Collector Kulange Vijay Amruta said the five people, including two women and two children, were swept away by flood water while returning home from a cyclone shelter in Sorada. As the cyclone triggered heavy downpour after crossing the Odisha coast, fear of flood gripped many areas as the major rivers in the state's southern region are rising menacingly, prompting the state government to launch a fresh evacuation. In all, eight districts -- Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore -- were affected, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi said. Officials said southern Odisha districts like Gajapati, Ganjam and Rayagada were pounded by incessant rains since Wednesday, leading the water levels of Bansadhara and Rushikulya rivers to rise. While vast areas were inundated in south Odisha districts, reports of flash flood poured in from various parts, they said. The state government on Wednesday evacuated over three lakh people to safe places. The evacuees were housed in 1,112 shelters. Altogether, 105 pregnant women in Ganjam district and 18 in Jagatsinghpur have been shifted to hospitals, Sethi said. Gajapati district was the worst affected in Odisha. It received 228.4 mm rainfall triggering flood scare, the SRC said. Water Resources Secretary P K Jena said with the Bansadhara and Rusikulya rivers rising, the Odisha government is taking measures to avoid a flood. The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at some places in Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Rayagada, Koraput, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Boudh, Bolangir, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Khurda, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Angul, Bhadrak, Balasore districts till Friday. Power supply and telephone links got disrupted, and road communication snapped due to uprooted trees at many places in Gajapati district, Sethi said. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the situation and instructed officials to expedite restoration efforts once the situation improves. "The chief minister gave instruction to send two more teams of NDRF to Gajapati where extensive damage has been caused to roads, hutments, electric and telephone poles," Chief Secretary A P Padhi said. Thirteen teams of the National Disaster Response Force and Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force were deployed in affected areas along with fire brigade personnel. According to East Coast Railway CPRO, J P Mishra, some railway station buildings were damaged at a few places, including in Palasa. Signal poles and overhead electric masts were damaged at places between Palasa and Kottabomali stations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cyclone Titli, which made its landfall early Thursday, uprooted trees and electric poles and damaged hutments in Odisha's Ganjam and Gajapati districts but no loss of life was reported from any part of the state, officials said. The very severe cyclone Titli made its landfall near Palasa in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, southwest of Gopalpur town in Odisha, between 4.30 and 5 am. In all, eight districts Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore have been affected by "very severe cyclone Titli", Special Relief Commissioner B P Sethi said. The cyclone triggered heavy to very heavy rainfall in Ganjam, Gajapati and Puri districts of Odisha, causing minor damage to power and communication. "There has been no major destruction or report of casualty from any part of the state so far. Some damages like uprooting of trees and electric poles and damage to hutments were reported from Ganjam and Gajapati districts," he said. Power supply and telephone links got disrupted and road communication snapped due to uprooted trees at many places in Gajapati district, Sethi said. Efforts are now on to clear roads blocked by uprooted trees and to restore power supply in affected areas, he said. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has instructed officials to expedite restoration efforts once the situation improves. He asked officials to provide relief materials to cyclone-affected people. "The chief minister gave instruction to send two more teams of NDRF to Gajapati where extensive damage has been caused to roads, hutments, electric and telephone poles," Chief Secretary A P Padhi said. Thirteen teams of National Disaster Response Force and Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force have been deployed in affected areas along with fire brigade personnel. "The damage is less than what we had feared," the chief secretary said. He said communication to all block headquarters in Gajapati district was hit as roads were blocked by uprooted trees and broken branches. Padhi said the state government moved over three lakh people Wednesday to safe places which helped avoid loss of life in the natural calamity. The evacuees are housed in 1,112 shelters where food and sanitation facilities are available. Altogether, 105 pregnant women in Ganjam district and 18 in Jagatsinghpur have been shifted to hospitals, Sethi said. Train services between Khurda Road in Odisha and Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh remained suspended since 10 pm Wednesday, East Coast Railway sources said. "We are optimistic about restoration of train services on the route by (this) evening," said East Coast Railway Chief PRO, J P Mishra. Damage was caused to railway station buildings at a few places, including Palasa, while signal poles and overhead electric masts were damaged at some places between Palasa and Kottabomali stations, he said adding that steps were being taken to clear the railway tracks. In Ganjam, reports of damage to hutments and other structures and uprooting of trees were received from some areas, the special relief commissioner said. According to a report by the India Meteorological Department, Cyclone Titli made the landfall near Palasa with an estimated maximum sustained surface wind speed of 140-150 kmph gusting to 165 kmph. The landfall process was complete and "the centre of eye of cyclone Titli lies over the land," the IMD said. The system is now moving northeastwards towards Gangetic West Bengal across Odisha and will weaken gradually, it said. An hour after the landfall, Gopalpur in Odisha reported surface wind at 126 kmph, Kalingapatanam in Andhra Pradesh recorded a wind speed of 56 kmph. Director of Meteorological Centre Bhubaneswar H R Biswas said the "very severe cyclonic storm" is being monitored by the coastal Doppler Weather Radars at Visakhapatnam, Gopalpur and Paradip. Odisha's water resources secretary P K Jena said the flood situation is not alarming anywhere in the state. Water level of the Rusikulya and Bansadhara rivers are being monitored, he said. Balasore received very heavy rainfall of 117 mm and Paradip recorded 111 mm of rainfall, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cyclone Titli uprooted trees and electric poles and damaged hutments in Odisha's Ganjam and Gajapati districts after making landfall early Thursday morning, but no loss of lives was reported from any part of the state, officials said. The cyclone also triggered heavy rainfall in at least three districts and caused minor damage to power and communication. "There has been no major damage or report of casualty received from any part of the state so far. Some destruction was reported from Ganjam and Gajapati districts," Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi said. Power supply and telephone links got disrupted and road communication snapped due to uprooted trees at many places of Gajapati district, the SRC said. Efforts are on to clear roads blocked by uprooted trees and restore power supply in affected areas at the earliest, he said. In all, eight districts - Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore - have been affected by "very severe cyclone Titli", he said. Cyclone 'Titli' triggered heavy to very heavy rainfall in Ganjam, Gajapati and Puri districts of Odisha, while damage of hutments and asbestos-roofed houses, street lights, road blockade due to uprooted trees were reported from Ganjam. Road communication between Paralakhemundi and Mohana and some other block headquarters in Gajapati had been disrupted under the impact of the cyclone, he said. In Ganjam, reports of damage to hutments and other structures and uprooting of trees were received from some areas, he said. The latest India Meteorological Department (IMD) report said cyclone 'Titli made the landfall between 4.30 and 5.30 am in south-west coast of Gopalpur near Palasa in Andhra Pradesh with an estimated maximum sustained surface wind speed of 140-150 kmph gusting to 165 kmph. The landfall process has been completed and "the centre of eye of cyclone 'Titli' lies over the land," the IMD said. The system is now moving northeastwards towards Gangetic West Bengal across Odisha and it will weaken gradually, it said. An hour after the landfall, Gopalpur in Odisha reported surface wind at 126 kmph, Kalingapatanam in Andhra Pradesh recorded wind speed of 56 kmph. As cyclone 'Titli' entered the land mass, some districts, including Ganjam, Gajapati and Puri, are receiving good amount of rainfall coupled with high speed wind. Director of Meteorological (MeT) Centre Bhubaneswar H R Biswas said the "very severe cyclonic storm" (VSCS) is being monitored by the coastal Doppler Weather Radars at Visakhapatnam, Gopalpur and Paradip. As part of its pre-cyclone preparedness, the Odisha government has evacuated over 3 lakh people living in low-lying areas of the five coastal districts ahead of the landfall. They were accommodated in 1,112 cyclone shelters. Altogether, 105 pregnant women in Ganjam district and 18 in Jagatsinghpur have been shifted to hospitals, the SRC said. He said 13 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have been deployed at several places along with fire brigade. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A very severe cyclonic storm packing winds of up to 150 kmph and widespread rains hit eastern India Thursday killing eight people in Andhra Pradesh and damaging homes, uprooting trees and power lines in the state and in Odisha. Cyclone 'Titli' made landfall on the eastern coast early on Thursday wreaking havoc mainly in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha's Gajapati and Ganjam districts. Traffic on the Chennai-Kolkata National Highway was hit after the uprooted trees blocked some sections of the road, according to officials. The South Central Railway as well as the East Coast Railway cancelled several trains while some were terminated midway, officials said, adding a few express trains were also diverted. Train services between Khurda Road in Odisha and Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh also remained suspended since 10 pm Wednesday. While no loss of lives was reported in Odisha, the "very severe" cyclonic storm left a trail of destruction uprooting trees, electric poles and damaging hutments in the affected districts. The cyclonic storm system is now moving northeastwards towards Gangetic West Bengal across Odisha and will weaken gradually, the IMD said. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone 'Titli' made its landfall near Palasa in Srikakulam district, south west of Gopalpur in Odisha with an estimated maximum sustained surface wind speed of 140-150 km per hour gusting to 165 km per hour between 4.30 am and 5.30 am. The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) said the cyclone caused widespread damage in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts, and threw normal life out of gear as heavy to very heavy rains lashed the two north coastal districts districts since late Wednesday night. While a 62-year-old woman died at Gudivada Agraharam village after a tree fell on her, a 55-year-old man died in a house collapse at Rotanasa village in Srikakulam district, the SDMA said. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said the other six killed were fishermen who had ventured into the sea. Of the 67 fishing boats that had gone into the sea over the last few days from Kakinada in East Godavari district, 65 had returned to the shore safely, the CMO said, adding efforts were on to bring back the remaining two boats. The road network in Srikakulam district suffered extensive damage, while the power distribution network was also severely affected. More than 2,000 electric poles were uprooted by strong winds. The Eastern Power Distribution Company, that caters to the electricity needs of the north coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, reported that the distribution system for 4,319 villages and six towns in Srikakulam district was affected. In Odisha, the cyclonic storm led to very heavy rainfall mainly in Ganjam, Gajapati and Puri districts and caused minor damage to power supply and communication. In all, eight districts -- Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore -- were affected by the cyclonic storm, Special Relief Commissioner B P Sethi said. "There has been no major destruction or report of casualty from any part of the state so far. Some damages like uprooting of trees and electric poles and damage to hutments were reported from Ganjam and Gajapati districts," he said. Power supply and telephone links got disrupted, and road communication snapped due to uprooted trees at many places in Gajapati district, Sethi said, adding efforts are now on to clear the blocked roads and to restore power supply in affected areas. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the situation in the state and instructed officials to expedite restoration efforts once the situation improves. He also directed the officials concerned to provide relief materials to cyclone-affected people. "The chief minister gave instruction to send two more teams of NDRF to Gajapati where extensive damage has been caused to roads, hutments, electric and telephone poles," Chief Secretary A P Padhi said. Thirteen teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force were deployed in affected areas along with fire brigade personnel. "The damage is less than what we had feared," the chief secretary said. Padhi said the state government on Wednesday evacuated over three lakh people to safe places, which helped avoid loss of life in the natural disaster. The evacuees are housed in 1,112 shelters where food and sanitation facilities are available, he said. Altogether, 105 pregnant women in Ganjam district and 18 in Jagatsinghpur have been shifted to hospitals, Sethi said. Some railway station buildings were damaged at a few places, including in Palasa. Signal poles and overhead electric masts were damaged at places between Palasa and Kottabomali stations, he said. Horticulture crops suffered extensive damage in Srikakulam district while paddy crops suffered damage in Vizianagaram. Coconut plantations, banana and mango trees were the worst hit, according to a preliminary official report. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) One more employee who was critically injured in an explosion at the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) in Durg district of Chhattisgarh died Thursday, taking the death toll in the incident to 13, police said. Senior technician of Energy Management Department Satya Vijay, who had suffered over 80 per cent burns, died at the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital Research Centre in Bhilai, Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Shukla told PTI. Nine people had died and 14 others were injured on Tuesday due to a blast in a gas pipeline at the plant of the state-owned Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). Three more employees had succumbed during treatment. Chief Executive Officer of the Bhilai Steel Plant M Ravi was removed in the wake of the incident on Wednesday. CEO of SAIL's Durgapur Steel Plant in West Bengal, Arun Kumar Rath, has been appointed the new CEO of the BSP. Union Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh,Chief Minister Raman Singh and Union Minister of State for Steel Vishnudeo Sai on Wednesday met the injured employees at the hospital. Singh had said that two committees -- an internal committee of SAIL and another of the steel ministry -- will conduct probe into the incident. Families of the deceased employees will get ex-gratia of Rs 30 lakh each while the seriously injured employees will get Rs 15 lakh each, he had announced. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma Thursday termed as "flawed" the government's decision to replace the Cabinet Secretary with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval as the head of the Strategic Policy Group (SPG). Sharma alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi has done a disservice to the nation by doing so. "NSA Doval replacing the Cabinet Secretary as head of National Strategic Group is a manifestation of PM's utter disregard for practices, rules and institutional sanctity. The BJP government had repeatedly undermined institutions having specific mandate and defined jurisdictions," he wrote on Twitter. He said the decision is "flawed" and will not make up for failures in foreign policy and securing India's strategic interests. Sharma said the NSA is a political appointee whereas the cabinet secretary, chiefs of the armed forces, IB and RAW are institutions. "By subordinating them PM had done a disservice to the country," he alleged. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) North Delhi Mayor Adesh Gupta Thursday inspected the Rani Jhansi Grade separator and said the ambitious flyover project would be commissioned on October 16. The 1.6-km-long flyover, from near St Stephen's Hospital to Filmistan Cinema, was originally scheduled to be completed by 2010, but has missed several deadlines. "The grade separator will be commissioned on October 16 by Union Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri... The ambitious project is ready for commissioning and it would ease traffic flow between ISBT Kashmere Gate and Karol Bagh areas," the mayor was quoted as saying in a statement by the NDMC. The North Delhi Municipal Corporation had earlier said that the project would be completed by November 30. Its commissioning would help in improving overall traffic movement in this part of central Delhi, Gupta said. The commissioning ceremony would also be attended by Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel, Lt Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal, BJP national vice president Shyam Jaju and its Delhi president Manoj Tiwari. "We had faced lot of challenges in construction of this separator but we kept working on the project and finally it is ready for citizens. A free flow of traffic would help in reducing pollution and save fuel as well," the mayor said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opposition parties Thursday sought to corner the BJP-led NDMC over the segregation of students into Hindu and Muslim sections at a municipal school in North Delhi, with the AAP alleging an "RSS connection" to the shocking act that led to suspension of the school's in-charge. During the proceedings of the Standing Committee of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), the AAP and the Congress also demanded "stricter action" against the accused in-charge, saying "his mere suspension was not enough". "Action should be taken against other senior officials, too, who could be involved in it. It is a shocking case that goes against the harmonious culture of India, as we know it," AAP leader Vikas Goel said. "A mere school in-charge could not have possibly done this act without connivance of other senior officials. Also, I suspect the RSS' involvement in it, since elections are due next year," he alleged. The head of the school in Wazirabad was suspended Wednesday for "segregating students" into Hindu and Muslim sections, the commissioner of the civic body had said here, while denouncing his action as "unimaginable" and "unpardonable". Senior Congress leader Mukesh Goel said other NDMC-run schools should also be inspected to see if such a practice was being followed there and appropriate actions should be taken accordingly. Mayor of North Delhi Adesh Gupta Wednesday said the school in-charge was "found to be guilty in preliminary investigation". "Social divide on the basis of caste, community or religion would not be tolerated in the schools of the NDMC," he said. Congress' Goel also alleged that the revenues earned through parking charges and conversion charges were "unaccounted" and demanded explanation over it. "As per the response given by the NDMC, Rs 1090.36 cr has been earned in conversion charges from 2006 till August 31, 2018 and Rs 274.04 cr from parking charges in the same period. I want to ask what happened to that money," he said. Standing Committee chairperson Veena Virmani took cognisance of the issue raised by him and directed officials to give a "proper reply" to his queries in the next meeting of the panel. AAP's Goel raised the issue of motels and farm houses, alleging "irregularity" in their operations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vice President Venkaiah Naidu Thursday deprecated some communities being not allowed into temples, saying there was no religious sanction for it. Hindu texts held sacred like the Vedas or Upanishads does not prescribe such restrictions, he said and batted for a change in indiviual mindset to reverse such practises and usher in larger societal change. "...you have certain cases where some communities are not allowed into temples. What is this? Who told you? No veda, no upanishads has pressed that only particular community should be allowed," Naidu said in his convocation address at the Presidency College here. Societal changes should happen and to facilitate it a change in mindset was needed, he told the students adding,"you must have a progressive outlook." In parts of Tamil Nadu and elsewhere in the country, Dalits have historically faced opposition from other communities over them entering temples. Stressing on morals, values and ethics, the Vice President said students should question irrational and illogical things. "You should grow up with courage and conviction to question the irrational and critique the illogical. You should develop the moral fibre and strength of character to shape and develop your own opinions and view points." To develop such qualities and sustain them, students should always be ready to learn and forever be open to new experiences. He said students were privileged to graduate from Presidency college which has a history of over 178 years. Naidu listed out challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, black money and corruption that the country was facing. Though government was working on all these, youngsters must be socially conscious to fight these challenges, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "We should not have the harrowing, expensive and ultimately democracy-draining experience we had in 2016." Calling Senate President Tito Sotto and Senator Dick Gordon. Now that you have started it, can you please wrap up the hearings on the problems encountered during the 2016 elections and be more aggressive in having all the necessary safeguards in place to ensure the conduct of clean, honest and credible elections next year? I believe the joint legislative committee on the automated electoral system has gathered enough information to craft and put in place a system which banishes forever the ghosts of elections past specially 2016. Never again should we let Smartmatic and its co-conspirators, in and out of the Commission on Elections, make a mockery of our electoral process. Never again should we let this foreign-owned company or any foreigner for that matter decide the fate of our democracy. For that is what this company and its partners have done over the past four electoral cycles. As a consequence we have stumbled into all kinds of problems and questionable results using their so-called proprietary automated electoral system in that elections courtesy of Smartmatic and its co-conspirators. Indeed, the conduct and the subsequent results of the 2016 elections remains a blight, a sorry reminder of the sad state which the Venezuelans and their enablers have brought our processes to. The ongoing protest over the results of the vice presidential contest is instructive. Having been intimately involved in the campaign of then-Senator Bongbong Marcos and our own party list, we recognized the tell-tale signs of a concerted effort to ensure that the wishes of then-President Aquino and his party was foremost in the conduct of that elections. It was as if all safeguards and, yes, modicum of decency were thrown out of the window to ensure the victory of the Aquino slate. We are not just talking here of the use or should we say abuse of government resourcesfrom the 4Ps to directed projects to manipulated contracts and even the selection of people manning the security forces and the other agencies mandated to provide assistance to the Comelec in the conduct of the elections. These and the many other small things which formed the cogs in the manipulation machine down to the lowest levels were so obvious loads of questions and petitions were lodged at the poll body and the courts even before the actual voting took place. But to no avail. The most sophisticated, nay brazen, operations took place at the highest levels of the Comelec under the baton no less of the infamous Chairman Andy Bautista. It was Bautista early on who organized what turned out to be the most corrupted electoral system and practice in living memory. Remember the leak of the voters list which the National Privacy Commission exposed? Well, it turns out that the same was the handiwork of a group of Comelec employees working in tandem with an LP-aligned election operations group. That was just the start of an entire process meant to inform and educate voters about the value of voting LP.It was also the Bautista-led Comelec which allowed the use of what turned out to be coded signs in the ballot itself. How could Bautista and his people explain, for example, the use of Daang Matuwid as an appellation of the LP candidates for President (Mar Roxas) and Vice President (Leni Robredo)? Yet the same was allowed as if the duo had used these as call names for some time all along. Sige nga. Would any of them answer to that appellation now if and when they are called in public? Then, the printing of ballots. Under the guidance of the Comelec and its mandated printer, the National Printing Office, all ballots should have the necessary features to ensure security and safety. Check out how many ballots were printed, which machine printed what and which ballots were printed elsewhere or outsourced. Just the logs of the printing alone you will see proof of what the critics had earlier called an overprint of some 5 million ballots. Why the over print? Where did these extra ballots go? Your guess is as good as mine. Then, there is the matter of contract workers, mostly IT personnel, to man the thousands of precincts all over the country. In case you are not aware, these workers serve as the repair-cum-monitoring guys called upon to ensure that the vote counting machines and the aggregating/tallying systems are working. Again, check the companies contracted for the purpose and the list of personnel deployed for election day work and you will see why the Aquino administration was so cocky about the chances of its candidates down to municipal level making it. Then, the last-minute changes in the rules including, among others, deployment and acceptance of ballots and other election paraphernalia and instructions to field personnel on their conduct before, during and after the voting. It was only after the voting has taken place, for example, that the parties and the public found out that seven regional canvass centers were activated which was contrary to the published rules. Why, where and what these centers were supposed to do was known only to Bautista and his boys. The lame excuse was to expedite the resolution of issues concerning the VCMs. Well, the transfer of 25 or so VCMs from Camarines Sur to Santa Rosa, Lagunathe national resolution (for want of a better word) center was contested by then-Rep. Louie Villafuerte and formed part of his petition before the HRET. Up to now, that remains unanswered. How many such cases happened all over the country in 2016? We dont know. Yet such transfers presumably affected the results as the Villafuerte petition alleged. Then, the case of the tweaking of the N in the middle of the national canvass by Venezuela Marlon Garcia which was the subject of a case we brought before the Comelec and the Manila RTC. There was no rhyme or reason for that tweak. Neither Comelec nor Smartmatic could come out with any credible justification of that intrusion which altered the results of the voting altogether. No matter how these guys justify that action as merely a lapse on the part of Garcia and that the system remained uncorrupted after that, the overwhelming public view is that the same caused Marcos over-a-million lead at that time to wither and die. Thus, the ongoing protest at the Presidential Electoral Tribunal. So, with this litany of problems should we just let things stay as they are specially since we are now being told that it will be next to impossible to change our partner-provider, Smartmatic, and let us suffer the same fate as in the 2016 elections? We should not. Never again should we have that harrowing, expensive and ultimately democracy draining experience. Lt Governor Anil Baijal directed Delhi Police Thursday to develop intelligence and take action against organised gangs forcing children into begging in the national capital, his office said. Baijal directed the force to take exemplary and deterrent action against such gangs. The directions were issued at a meeting on law and order, chaired by the L-G and attended by Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash, senior officers of the Delhi government and police. "The lt. governor directed Delhi Police that Crime Branch and local police should develop intelligence and take action against organized gangs that force children/grownups into begging and take exemplary and deterrent action against them," the LG office stated in a statement. It stated that the LG also asked the police to visit the families of children included in "Pehchaan Scheme" and "Operation Milap" to provide a sense of security to the parents. Baijal asked Delhi Police to analyse the statistics of untraced children and the cases in which children are still untraced should be thoroughly investigated, the statement stated. "The trend of the recovery of children including the places from where they are recovered should also be analysed," the statement added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi University has introduced a new system for its faculty members to manage their personal and professional information and update it on a periodic basis, an official said. However, some professors have written to DU's vice-chancellor objecting to the administration asking teachers to provide Aadhaar details and other personal information in the application for the system called 'University Information Management System'. According to a DU official, the system is being implemented to bring uniformity in the format of faculty members' bio-data uploaded on the website. "Department heads and faculty members have been given an OTP to login to the system and upload their details. This will be a flexible system as they will be able to update their profile on a regular basis and will not have wait to update the database annually," the official said. For instance, if a professor has finished some research paper or completed an additional course, they would be able to update the details as soon as they do it and not wait for the year to end to update it. These details will be uploaded on the website, he said, adding Thursday was the last day to upload details. He said it is not binding on the faculty members to upload their Aadhaar details and they can skip that option. Some members of the DU's Executive Council have written a letter to vice-chancellor demanding withdrawal of the letter sent to departments asking them to upload details. "When the teachers have been submitting their performance appraisal along with the list of publications annually, then what is the rationale behind asking on every three months basis? Will the university ask for such information on a monthly or daily basis? "The teachers have already submitted PAN card and other personal documents to the branches concerned and should not be directed to submit them again and again," read a letter from EC member Rajesh Jha. Many other professors are opposed to the idea of submitting Aadhaar card details, which they feel is a violation of the Supreme Court verdict and an invasion of their privacy. The Supreme Court had last month declared the Centre's flagship Aadhaar scheme as constitutionally valid but struck down some of its provisions including its linking with bank accounts, mobile phones and school admissions. The time table of the teachers has already been furnished for the university's website, the letter said. "The EC provides for periodicity for the submission for student attendance, then what is the need for asking the number of classes taken in a specified period? It clearly shows the intent of suspicion of the administration towards the teachers," the letter said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has frozen over a dozen bank accounts of environmental NGO Greenpeace and its linked entity after it conducted searches at their premises in Bengaluru on charges of alleged forex violations, officials said Thursday. The NGO said in a statement that it strongly denies all allegations against it and that the ED action was "part of a larger design to muzzle democratic dissent in the country". Official sources in the central probe agency said the searches, under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), were conducted on October 5 in Bengaluru as it was detected that it incorporated a commercial entity called DDIIPL in 2016 after the Union Home Ministry cancelled Greenpeace India Society's (Chennai) FCRA registration the previous year for alleged violation of norms. "Every rupee that goes into Greenpeace India's environmental work is a donation made by ecologically conscious people in the country. "Greenpeace India's work for clean air, promotion of renewable energy, safe food for all and climate change mitigation is carried out with a unique combination of passion and professionalism. We strongly object to attempts of defaming Greenpeace India through false claims and accusations," the NGO said. Official sources said the ED searches were carried out on charges of "contravention of the FEMA" and the office premises of DDIIPL and Greenpeace India Society were covered. The agency said Ms Direct Dialogue Initiatives India Pvt Ltd (DDIIPL) was created to "facilitate the operational activities of Greenpeace" and claimed that the new entity received FDI of Rs 99 lakh from a Netherland-based organisation followed by another tranche of Rs 15 crore. "As on date, DDIIPL received foreign direct investment (FDI) to the tune of Rs 29 crore," the agency said in a statement. It said a British national was also made the director of DDIIPL in October, 2017. "We do not have anything to hide and are ready to provide the government with financial details as required. At the same time, we will reserve the right to constitutionally challenge attempts to malign our very existence as an independent environmental organisation," Greenpeace said. Officials said senior executives of the two entities were questioned by ED officials during the searches and subsequently 14 bank accounts, holding over Rs 11.61 crore of DDIIPL and Greenpeace India Society have been frozen under the FEMA. The ED alleges that DDIIPL spent around Rs 21 crore for its expenses since inception "with no substantial revenue generation so far". It also alleged DDIIPL was "engaged in similar activities" that were being undertaken by Greenpeace, for which the home ministry had cancelled the latter's Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) license in September, 2015. The agency has now sought the list of Indian donors to DDIIPL as it detected that it was allegedly raising funds to five entities, most of whom are linked to Greenpeace. The ED also suspects that a number of employees have "migrated" from Greenpeace to DDIIPL and are involved in similar tasks undertaken in the past by the latter organisation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged Saudi Arabia to release footage of Jamal Khashoggi and President Donald Trump demanded answers over his fate, as the kingdom faced growing pressure Thursday to provide a convincing explanation for the journalist's disappearance. The Washington Post, the daily to which Khashoggi was a contributor, added to the mystery by reporting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered an operation to "lure" the critical journalist back home. Khashoggi has not been seen since October 2 when he went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain official documents for his upcoming marriage. Turkish officials quoted in media have said he was killed but Riyadh denies that. The mystery has captivated the world but also threatens to harm brittle Turkish-Saudi relations and hurt efforts by the crown prince to improve the image of his country with a reform drive. Erdogan challenged Saudi Arabia to provide CCTV images to back up its account that Khashoggi had left the consulate safely, indicating he did not find the current Saudi explanations sufficient. "Is it possible there were no camera systems in a consulate, in an embassy? Is it possible that there was no Saudi camera system where this incident took place?" Erdogan told Turkish reporters in comments published in newspapers. "If a bird flew, or a fly or a mosquito appeared, the systems would capture this; they (Saudi Arabia) have the most cutting-edge systems," he was quoted as saying. The consulate said CCTV cameras were not working that day and dismissed the murder claims as "baseless". The case is also threatening the strong relationship the Trump administration has built with Prince Mohammed, who wants to turn the oil-rich conservative kingdom into a hub for innovation and reform. The two sides have worked together on challenging Iran despite growing concern over the prince's campaign against dissidents, which critics say has revealed the true face of his rule. In a reversal from Washington's initial low-key response, Trump reaffirmed that he has to "find out what happened". "We can't let it happen. And we're being very tough and we have investigators over there and we're working with Turkey and frankly we're working with Saudi Arabia," Trump said in an interview with "Fox and Friends". Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary of key Saudi ally and trade partner, Britain, warned there would be "serious consequences" if the allegations were true. "People who have long thought of themselves as Saudi's friends are saying this is a very, very serious matter," he told AFP. Khashoggi is a former government adviser who fled Saudi Arabia in September 2017 and lived in the US fearing arrest back home. In his columns for the Washington Post and comments elsewhere, Khashoggi was critical of some policies of Mohammed bin Salman as well as Riyadh's role in the war in Yemen. While unnamed Turkish officials quoted in the media have been giving sometimes macabre details of the alleged murder, Erdogan has so far been more circumspect. He has said Saudi Arabia must prove its version of events but so far has stopped short of directly accusing the kingdom or laying the blame on the powerful crown prince. "It's not possible for us to stay silent regarding an incident like this," Erdogan said. He added that it would "not be right" to comment yet but said he had "concerns". Ankara and Riyadh have worked over recent years to maintain cordial relations despite disputes on key issues, such as the ousting of the Islamist Egyptian government and the blockade on Turkey's key regional ally Qatar. Friends of Khashoggi told the Washington Post that for several months, senior Saudi officials were offering him protection, "even a high-level job working for the government" if the critic returned to the kingdom. Khashoggi was sceptical of such offers. Turkish police are looking into a team of 15 Saudis who they say were at the consulate at the same time as Khashoggi and arrived in Istanbul on October 2 on board two private planes. Turkish media have said the 15 were an "assassination team" and that they took the consulate's footage with them. After images of the men and their names were published by pro-government Sabah daily, media identified most of them as senior figures in Riyadh or close to the crown prince. Turkish authorities have been given permission to search the consulate -- Saudi sovereign territory -- but it has not yet taken place. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Not impressed with Pakistan's efforts to combat terror financing, a delegation of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has asked it to do more to strengthen its legal framework if it wants to avoid being blacklisted by the Paris-based anti-money laundering watchdog, according to a media report on Thursday. Currently placed on the FATF'S 'grey list', Pakistan has been scrambling in recent months to avoid being added to a list of countries deemed non-compliant with anti-money laundering and terrorist financing regulations by the FATF, a measure that officials here fear could further hurt its economy. A second team of experts from the FATF arrived over the weekend to review the progress made by Pakistan on an action plan agreed in June to address global concerns. Dawn reported that the delegation of the Asia Pacific Group (APG) of the FATF was not impressed with the progress made by Pakistan so far as it found the legal framework insufficient, and the institutional arrangements weak. According to sources, the delegation feared that the setup installed for scrutinising the activities of non-profit organisations, brokerage houses, exchange companies and donations of corporate entities - registered under the companies act - was not robust enough. The sources said that the APG believed that even in areas where the legal framework appeared vigorous, the implementation mechanism was not geared to track down financial flows of the entities in question, because the agencies involved were not well-connected, according to the report. This weakness was prominent in real estate brokerages where large business transactions remained outside the ambit of legal records. A team of the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) reported to the APG that brokerage houses were largely documented though real estate dealers and their operations were generally outside its area of regulation. The APG also noticed shortcomings in commodity trading - and the effectiveness of laws against money laundering through cross-verification of service providers. The sources said the delegation asked the relevant authorities to issue deadlines for resolving the flagged weaknesses so that the problems could be remedied and future performance evaluations be made on the proposed matrix. The authorities would also have to properly record the number of donation boxes placed by religious and other organisations at restaurants and business centres among other places. Besides, all currency and real estate dealers would have to record every transaction - both small and large. The purpose of the mutual evaluation visit is to assess the effectiveness of Pakistan's Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime under FATF methodology. The visiting team included Ian Collins of the United Kingdom's Scotland Yard, James Prussing of the United States Department of the Treasury, Ashraf Abdullah of the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Maldives, Bobby Wahyu Hernawan of the Indonesian Ministry of Finance, Gong Jingyan of the Peoples Bank of China and Mustafa Necmeddin Oztop of the Turkish Ministry of Justice. In June 2018, Pakistan made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and the APG to strengthen its AML/CFT regime and to address its strategic counter-terrorism financing-related deficiencies by implementing a 10-point action plan. The successful implementation of the plan and its verification by the APG is a prerequisite for the FATF to remove Pakistan from its grey list. Earlier in August, the APG - as part of the mutual evaluation -identified a series of deficiencies in Pakistan's AML/CFT mechanisms. By the end of September next year, Pakistan must comply with the 10-point action plan it committed to with the FATF or else it will fall into the black list. The authorities are required to upgrade agencies and their human resource assets to be able to handle foreign requests to block terror financing and freeze illegal assets. The authorities are working on strengthening laws for extradition of those involved in terror financing and money laundering on requests from FATF-member countries. By January next year, Pakistan will identify and assess domestic and international terror financing risks to and from its system to strengthen investigations and improve inter-agency cooperation, the Federal Investigation Agency, the State Bank of Pakistan, the SECP, banks, the interior department as well as all other associated federal and provincial agencies, the report said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Angry villagers Thursday pelted stones on a police team which had gone to arrest a person accused of harassing a girl here, injuring five policemen, officials said. A case has been registered against 100 people under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Law, Superintendent of Police (rural) Alok Sharma said. Police booked seven people for allegedly beating family members of the victim who protested the harassment in Budhana town of the district. Security has been tightened and additional police personnel have been deployed in the area. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dissident BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha Thursday said people want answers from the government on the Rafale deal and "ignoring" the questions being raised over the agreement would not do. His remarks come amid relentless opposition attack on the government over the deal. Addressing a gathering here on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, who gave the clarion call of 'Sampoorna Kranti' (complete revolution), Sinha asked why PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited was "sidelined" in favour of a private firm as an offset Indian partner of Dassault Aviation for manufacturing the fighter aircraft. "The public want an answer on the Rafale deal. You have to speak up, and mere ignoring it will not do. Why was HAL which had the experience of manufacturing MiGs and Sukhoi sidelined and a 10-day-old company with (virtually) zero balance and zero experience was given the job," the BJP MP said, flanked by former party leader Yashwant Sinha and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav. He said power should be a medium to serve the people "not to reap dividends". Sinha has often spoken going against his party line and criticised the NDA government's policy. He defended his remarks attacking the government, saying, "If speaking the truth is considered as mutiny, then I am a mutineer." "Making hollow promises, giving speeches and indulging in rhetoric will not work any more. Party is always bigger than a person and the country is bigger than the party. If I am talking in the interest of the country, then what is wrong in it?" Sinha said Jayaprakash Narayan was his inspiration to join On demonetisation, he said it was not a decision of the party. "Had it been the decision of the party, then friend, philosopher and guide LK Advani would have known about it. MM Joshi, Arun Shourie, Yashwant Sinha and a worker like me would have known about it," he said. After demonetisation, there was a "complicated" GST, he said. He also termed Yashwant Sinha, who quit the BJP and has been critical of the party for some time, a "source of strength" for him. "A few days ago, Yashwant Sinha was asked to draw comparison between the Atal Bihari government and the current one headed by Narendra Modi. He said that during Atal's regime, there was lokshaahi (democracy), today there is tanashaahi (dictatorship). I had said that there is one-man-show, two-man-army," Sinha said. The gathering burst into peals of laughter when a youth stood up and said to Shatrughan, "I love you (mujhe aapse pyaar ho gaya hai)." To which, the actor-turned-politician replied, saying, "Don't blush otherwise I will be accused of #MeToo." Government agencies are conducting raids on opposition leaders but their intensity has mellowed down (in view of elections), he said, adding he too was targeted. He also asked the audience to keep an eye on technical snags in EVMs during elections. "This is my dil ki baat". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Punjab and Haryana High Court Thursday gave interim relief to former Punjab DGP SumedhSingh Saini while directing the state government to give a week's notice to the former top cop in case police proposes to arrest him, if any case is made out against him. The High Court directed the issuance of a seven-day advance notice to Saini in case police proposes to arrest him, Saini's counsel Venod Ghai said. The court issued notice to the state government and CBI for November 28 on his plea seeking directions to Punjab to hand over investigation in any matter registered against him to the CBI or any other independent agency outside the state, he said. Saini had moved the High Court in light of Justice (retd) RanjitSingh Commission's findings concerning him. The commission looked into the acts of omission and commission committed by the police in the 2015 Behbal Kalan sacrilege row in which two youth were killed after police firing on protesters staging demonstration against incidents of sacrileges. The commission was set up by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh in April 2017 under Justice Ranjit Singh (retd). Saini was seeking issuance of directions to the state to keep any proposal for arresting him in abeyance for a specific period to enable him to seek recourse to legal remedies, his counsel said. The former DGP claimed that he was seen as a man who had launched criminal prosecution against the present chief minister and his coterie. He added that a number of criminal cases were registered against members of the political party now in power in Punjab during his tenure as state Vigilance Bureau head. His counsel said the petitioner was not summoned at any stage by the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission looking into the sacrilege incidents. He was in Chandigarh and not at Kotkapura where the force was allegedly used, his counsel submitted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four persons were arrested for allegedly involving in unlawful activities, including drug peddling, in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, police said Thursday. Tariq Munir, Ghulam Mustafa, Mohd Safeer and Imran Khan, residents of Thanamandi, were arrested, they said. A report for their detention was submitted by police to the executive magistrate, who later issued order for their detention under various sections of the CrPC, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and three wounded in the country's conflict-torn east in the latest spike in violence, the defence ministry said on Thursday. Over the past 24 hours two soldiers have been killed in shelling and two more received fatal injuries during a mine explosion, the ministry said in a statement said. Kiev forces accused Moscow-backed rebels of using weapons banned by peace agreements and firing at their positions nearly 30 times. Rebels for their part accused the Ukrainian army of violating the truce more than 22 times. The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said that on Wednesday its monitors recorded a sharp increase in ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous day, including 520 explosions. The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine also said it observed newly laid mines on both sides of the contact line. Early on Wednesday a patrol was monitoring the security situation in the area of the Donetsk water filtration station when they heard the whistling sound of two bullets flying some 10-50 meters over their heads, the mission said. The mission could not determine the direction of the fire, and departed. The Ukraine conflict has claimed over 10,000 lives since April 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. A series of truce agreements have helped reduce the fighting, although sporadic clashes continue and both military personnel and civilians face a constant threat from landmines. Ukraine and its Western allies have accused Russia of funnelling troops and arms across the border. Moscow has denied the claims despite substantial evidence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A free-of-cost English medium play school exclusively poor tribal children was inaugurated on the outskirts of Jamshedpur on Thursday. Set up by a charitable body, the air-conditioned school building was built on 3000 sq ft of land at Baliguma on the Dalma foothills. Besides basic to children, the school authorities would provide books, uniform and food, Anima Das Memorial Charitable Trust chairman P N Das said. Free transport would also be available to the students of the play school that would start academic activities after Diwali, Das said. It would have a 100-seat capacity, he said adding that over 70 girls and boys in the age group of 3 to 5 years have already been enrolled. "We decided to set up the school after consulting 20 village chiefs and after we were convinced that they would enroll their children in it," Das said. A tribal teacher would be appointed for the school which was inaugurated by former Tata Steel vice-president Om Narayan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A team of top officials of Japanese IT firm Fujitsu Thursday held talks with the Kerala government to explore possibilities of setting up a software development centre at the Technopark here. Fujitsu Consulting India CEO Shrikant Vaze and senior director Manoj Nair met Kerala chief ministerPinarayi Vijayan here, an official release said. This was followed by a discussion with chief secretary Tom Jose, IT secretary M Sivasankar and Technopark CEO Hrishikesh Nair. The team evaluated the existing ecosystem and zeroed in on Thiruvananthapuram as a possible location for the proposed project. In the coming months, Fujitsu would study the existing IT ecosystem, the support facilities in the capital district and conduct further discussions. The discussions with Fujitsu officials assume significance as it comes close on the heels of the decision of a leading Japanese carmaker Nissan to open a global digital hub for electric cars, the release said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress President Rahul Gandhi Thursday condoled the death of environmental activist G D Agarwal, saying he sacrificed his life for the Ganga river and vowing to take his fight forward. "He sacrificed his life for saving the Ganga. Saving the river is equivalent to saving the nation. We will never forget him and we will take his fight forward," Gandhi said in Facebook post. The Indian Youth Congress said it had also organised a candlelight march over the death of Agarwal who died on Thursday at AIIMS-Rishikesh. Agarwal, also known as Swami Gyan Swaroop, was on a fast-unto-death for a clean Ganga. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three policemen posted at the Kavi Nagar police station here were suspended on Thursday for allegedly thrashing a couple, officials said. SHO Kavi Nagar Pradeep Kumar Tripathi, senior sub-inspector Hind Veer Singh and chowki in-charge Balram Singh Sengar have been suspended, Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Krishna said. On Wednesday, Dhan Singh, a native of Muzaffarnagar, and his wife Manju Singh, were counting money in their car when a police patrolling team, including Sengar, reached the spot and questioned the couple. The couple got into a heated argument with the team, following which they were allegedly thrashed and taken into custody, the police said. Dhan and his wife were taken to the police station where they were allegedly thrashed again, booked under various sections of the IPC and arrested, they added. Manju raised the matter before Krishna on Thursday after getting bail, following which the trio was suspended. No one will be spared if found guilty, Krishna said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A nine-year-old girl from Noida, who was allegedly denied treatment at a Delhi government hospital for not having Aadhaar, has been admitted to the Safdarjung hospital after Union Health Minister JP Nadda intervened. The matter was highlighted by Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Manoj Tiwari, who had recently tweeted, hitting out at the Delhi government over the incident. "Kejriwal ji why are you dividing the national capital of the country...JP Nadda ji no better thing will happen in this Navaratri if this girl gets treated (sic)," Tiwari had tweeted last Tuesday, tagging the Union health minister. A few hours later, Nadda had tweeted back, saying the girl was brought to the Safdarjung hospital. "Bitiya has been brought to the Safdarjung hospital. The doctors of the department concerned will treat her. I pray to goddess Jagdamba for the long life of our Bitiya," the minister had tweeted in Hindi. Medical Superintendent of Safdarjung hospital Dr Rajendra Sharma said the girl suffered from frequent convulsions and was referred to the central government-run hospital for treatment. "She is being treated by a paediatric neurologist," he said. According to a report, nine-year-old Priya from Noida was denied treatment at the Delhi government's Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Narayan hospital for not having an Aadhaar card from Delhi. A statement from the Safdarjung hospital said the girl was admitted to the hospital on October 10 and diagnosed by paediatric neurologist Dr Rachna Sehgal on the directions of the Union health minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) GMR Infrastructure Thursday said its arm Kakinada SEZ has inked a pact with Andhra Pradesh Gas Development Corporation (APGDC) for supply of piped natural gas. "Kakinada SEZ, a subsidiary of GMR Infra, signed an MoU with APGDC to get access to piped domestic natural gas for its upcoming 10,500-acre zone," the company said in a filing to BSE. With this development, Kakinada SEZ would be the first zone on the eastern coat of India to provide piped natural gas to all its industrial units. The zone, which is located on the Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor, offers 8,521 acre of industrial land with another 1,879 acre earmarked for a Greenfield commercial port. "This unique development will be a boon for gas dependent industries like ceramics, glass, fertilisers and chemicals in this region. Since gas constitutes a major portion of their costs, a 30-40 per cent saving on gas price will yield significant competitive advantage. "This is expected to attract significant overseas and domestic investments, giving a boost to 'Make in India' and 'Sunrise Andhra Pradesh' initiatives," Kakinada SEZ CEO Challa Prasanna said. APGDC has agreed to lay a spur line from the main trunk line to the zone premises for facilitating piped gas access to commercial and industrial customers. APGDC, which is the authorised entity by Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) for laying, operating and expanding gas distribution network in AP, is executing the Kakinada-Srikakulam high pressure Natural Gas Pipeline (KSPL) to facilitate supply of gas for industrial use. The work for phase I of KSPL is underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Budget carrier GoAir became the sixth domestic carrier to hit international skies with the launch of its inaugural flight to Phuket from New Delhi Thursday. The inaugural flight (G8 031) with 182 passengers on board was given a ceremonial flag off for Phuket in Thailand at 0100 hours Thursday from New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, the airline said in a release. Besides the national carrier Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express, private carriers Jet Airways, IndiGo and SpiceJet also fly international. GoAir's first international service was operated by Airbus A320 Neo aircraft, the airline said, adding that it will soon mark the commencement of a direct service on New Delhi-Phuket route twice a week and on Mumbai-Phuket sector thrice a week. "The launch of our first service to Phuket represents another step of transition from a domestic carrier to a global airline. Phuket is a key market in India and holds a significant base for business and tourism. We are delighted to welcome Phuket as a part of our new global network; we look forward to providing more flexibility of choice to our customers and contributing to this growth," said Cornelis Vrieswijk, chief executive officer, GoAir. GoAir became eligible to fly overseas two years ago when it took delivery of its 20th aircraft, which was also the first Airbus A320 Neo for the airline. GoAir currently operates over 1,544 weekly flights across 23 domestic destinations with a fleet of 38 Airbus A320 planes, including 19 A320 Neos. GoAir, which launched its domestic operations in November 2005, was granted rights in August 2016 to operate to nine countries, including China, Vietnam, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, among others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CBI Thursday questioned a deputy director in the Enforcement Directorate in connection with its probe into the Tamil Nadu gutka scam, officials said. S K Sheoran, Deputy Director in the Enforcement Directorate (ED), was an assistant director in the DGCEI when the scam allegedly took place. He was questioned at the Chennai office of the agency, they said. The agency also questioned Superintendent of Police, Villupuram, S Jayakumar in connection with the scam, they said. The scam came to light on July 8, 2017, when income tax sleuths raided the godown, offices and residences of a pan masala and gutka (a concoction of tobacco and pan masala) manufacturer in Tamil Nadu, who had been facing charges of tax evasion to the tune of Rs 250 crore. The manufacture, storage and sale of the chewable forms of tobacco, including gutka and pan masala, were banned by the Tamil Nadu government in 2013. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rival groups are reporting intense battles in eastern Syria between the Islamic State group and US-backed fighters. The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces says the fighting on Thursday is over the village of Sousah where a sandstorm has caused bad visibility. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the fighting began on Wednesday, when IS launched an offensive against the opposition group, killing 10 of them. The fate of 35 other opposition fighters is unknown. The Observatory said 18 IS gunmen have been killed while the IS-linked Aamaq agency reported 18 deaths among SDF fighters. Sousah is in the last pocket held by IS in Syria that the SDF has been trying to capture since last month. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Odisha Assembly House Committee Thursday asked the DGP to ensure physical production of Abhijit Iyer Mitra before it on October 23 even as the Delhi-based journalist through an e-mail tendered apology for his remarks against Odisha, Konark and lawmakers. A notice will be soon be served to Iyer Mitra to appear before the House Committee in person on October 23 and the Director General of Police has been directed in this regard, said Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra, who is also heading the House Committee. Iyer Mitra, a friend of former MP Baijayant Panda, was supposed to appear before the committee on Thursday. He, however, failed to make his presence before the committee following which a notice is being sent. Earlier, the House Committee had asked Iyer Mitra to appear before it in person on October 11 for his alleged remarks against Konark temple, Odisha and MLAs. Stating that Abhijit Iyer Mitra has sent an email to the Speaker of OLA in which he has mentioned to have committed 'unpardonable mistake' and accepted his fault, Mishra said he should appear before the committee. "But, as the House committee issued notice to Abhijit Iyer Mitra to appear before it, he is bound to obey it. Considering the cyclone Titli and cancellation of trains and flights, the House Committee was of opinion that he might have been unable to depose due to such reasons and did not intend to dishonour the panel," Mishra said. The House Committee constituted by Odisha Assembly had earlier summoned Iyer Mitra to depose before it in connection with the breach of privilege motion moved against him. Two FIRs have been registered against his name at Konark Police Station and at Saheed Nagar Police Station under different sections of IPC. Iyer Mitra, who was arrested on September 20 by the Odisha police in the national capital but was granted bail by a Delhi court directing him to join the probe. The trial court had granted relief to Iyer Mitra on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and one surety of the like amount on a plea moved by him, while directing him to join the investigation. The Supreme Court on October 4 had refused to grant bail bail to Iyer Mitra. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi dismissed the plea of Iyer Mitra and observed that he "incited religious sentiments". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An MI-17 helicopter of the IAF with 16 Air Force personnel on board Thursday made an emergency landing in West Tuting of Arunachal Pradesh near India-China border due to technical problem, officials said. The chopper was on routine sortie from Jorhat to West Tuting, IAF PRO Wing Commander Ratnakar Singh said. He said all the 16 Indian Air Force personnel on board were safe. The technical snag occurred when the chopper was returning from West Tuting, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Rashtriya Lok Dal Thursday said it is in favour of a 'mahagatbandhan" to defeat the BJP but it's difficult to say if the alliance will take shape at the national level or will vary from state to state. Party vice president Jayant Chaudhary said here that parties with similar ideologies will come together to defeat the "anti-farmer, anti-youth BJP at any cost". "The RLD is in favour of a mahagatbandhan to defeat the communal BJP at any cost, but it's difficult to say at this stage if it will come up at the national level or will be different in every state," he said. Taking potshots at the Uttar Pradesh government's claims of making the state roads pothole-free, Chaudhary said that his party is launching a campaign "selfie with potholes" from today to highlight the plight of the common people. "The government had claimed that roads will be made pothole-free by June 2017 but there's no change anywhere in the state... As per the available figures, 3,597 people have lost their lives in the country in 2017 because of the bad condition of roads and the maximum have been in Uttar Pradesh - 987," he said. "The reality is that 803 lives have been lost in terror activities while more than that have died in UP because of bad roads," he said, adding that people are being asked to click their selfie with potholes. He also gave a WhatApp number for sharing such photographs which will be made public by the party through various social media platforms to apprise the people about the false promises of the BJP-led state government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the US and the EU proposing significant changes to tally each UN member state's share of peacekeeping financing, India has expressed concern over such efforts to introduce the element of maximum ceiling in paying for peacekeeping budgets. During a session of the General Assembly's Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary), the representatives of the US and the European Union proposed significant changes to the way in which each Member State's share of peacekeeping financing is tallied up. Setting out her government's position, the representative of the United States which accounts for 28.47 per cent of the USD 6.7 billion peacekeeping budget for 2018/19 said no other international organisation depends on one country for more than one quarter of its assessed resources. India expressed concern at the efforts by delegations to introduce the element of maximum ceiling in the peacekeeping scale. "The peacekeeping scale must continue to clearly reflect the special responsibilities of the permanent members of the Security Council for the maintenance of peace and security. The current system of discounts applied to the peacekeeping scale for developing countries based on low per capita income must continue," First Secretary in The Permanent Mission of India to the UN Mahesh Kumar said at the session Wednesday. The American delegate Cherith Norman-Chalet said that as President Donald Trump noted in his recent address to the General Assembly, the United States is calling for a 25 per cent ceiling on the peacekeeping scale of assessments, adding that such a ceiling would be in the organisation's best interests while reducing its reliance on any single member state. She said her delegation looks forward to working with all Member States to negotiate an equitable share of the burden. "We recognise this will not be easy, but we believe there is a way if there is a will," she added. The European Union's representation, emphasising that the bloc's member States are the largest collective financial contributors to the United Nations, said that like the regular budget peacekeeping rates of assessment should reflect Member States' capacity to pay while taking into account the special responsibility of the five permanent Security Council members. Specific additional peacekeeping discounts should be based on justifiable, objective and comparable criteria that would provide relief to countries with low per capita income, the EU delegate said. Kumar further said that India calls for reform in the Security Council, and reiterated its readiness to fully assume financial responsibilities arising out from India's permanent membership of the Security Council. "Our insistence on efficient utilization of resources and the entire current reform exercise would not mean much if assessments are not paid on time. All the members of the United Nations should honour financial obligations arising out of the membership in full, on time and without any conditions," he said. Kumar noted that more than USD 3.3 billion assessed amount is outstanding and this is roughly one third of the annual assessment of the organisation. "This hampers efficient deployment of resources in the service of mandates given by the member states. This situation put those member states that would have benefitted from the efficient implementation of mandates, and the member states that would have paid their assessments on time to a serious disadvantage, he said. He also noted that contributions of several developing countries including India are due for significant increase, based on the current methodology. He voiced India's commitment to fulfilling its financial responsibilities. India has paid in full its regular budget assessment for the year 2019 in advance. Kumar said that despite the upcoming appreciable increase in India's assessed contribution, India believes that the current methodology has worked well and must continue. The principles of "capacity to pay" and the "low per capita income adjustment" are fundamental criteria in the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations. "They are not negotiable," he said adding that core elements of the current methodology of the scale of assessments, such as base period, Gross National Income, conversion rates, gradient, floor, ceiling for Least Developed Countries, and debt stock adjustment must be kept intact. As the largest cumulative Troops and Police contributor to the peacekeeping operations, India is "acutely aware" of the role of adequate resources in the implementation of peacekeeping mandates. "The failure to honour financial obligation in full towards the peacekeeping operations has over the years resulted in the prolonged and unacceptable situation of some closed peacekeeping missions ending in financial deficit," he said. He expressed concern that Troop and Police contributing countries, who render the greatest service in maintaining international peace and security, are forced to wait endlessly for their payments. "There are large amounts due to India both from the closed and active peacekeeping missions," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India suffered a whopping $79.5 billion economic loss due to climate-related disasters in the last 20 years, according to a UN report which highlights the impact of extreme weather events on the global economy. The report titled 'Economic Losses, Poverty and Disasters 1998-2017' was compiled by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. It states that the years between 1998 to 2017 have seen a dramatic rise of 151 per cent in direct economic losses from climate-related disasters. In terms of the impact of disasters on the global economy between 1998 and 2017, affected countries reported direct losses of $2.908 trillion, more than twice of what was lost in the previous two decades. Illustrating the growing threat from climate change, extreme weather events now account for 77 per cent of total economic losses of $2.245 trillion, said the report released on Wednesday. This represents a "dramatic rise" of 151 per cent compared with losses reported between 1978 and 1997, which amounted to $895 billion. The greatest economic losses have been experienced by the US at $944.8 billion, followed by China at $492.2 billion, Japan at $376.3 billion, India at $79.5 billion and Puerto Rico at $71.7 billion. Storms, floods and earthquakes place three European countries in the top ten nations for economic losses: France, $48.3 billion; Germany, $57.9 billion and Italy $56.6 billion. Thailand with $52.4 billion and Mexico at $46.5 billion complete the list. In terms of occurrences, climate-related disasters also dominate the picture, accounting for 91 per cent of all 7,255 major recorded events between 1998 and 2017. Floods (43.4 per cent) and storms (28.2 per cent) are the two most frequently occurring disasters. During this period, 1.3 million people lost their lives and 4.4 billion people were injured, rendered homeless, displaced or in need of emergency assistance. 563 earthquakes, including related tsunamis, accounted for 56 per cent of the total deaths or 747,234 lives lost, the report said. The report was released ahead of the International Day for Disaster Reduction on October 13. In his message for the day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in the wake of the devastating and in Indonesia, it was clear that disasters have a steep human cost as millions of people are displaced every year, losing their homes and jobs because of extreme weather events and earthquakes. "A better understanding of the economic losses from extreme weather events can help to generate greater action on and increased ambition on reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. "Measuring economic losses can also motivate Governments to do more to achieve the targets of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, which seeks a substantial reduction in disaster losses by 2030," he said. Guterres said that reducing the economic losses from disasters has the power to transform lives and contribute greatly to the eradication of poverty. A key target of the global plan to reduce disaster losses, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, is to reduce economic losses from disasters and the report highlights the fact that 63 per cent of disaster reports contain no economic data. Another key highlight is the disproportionate impact of disaster events on low and middle-income countries even if high-income countries bear the brunt of absolute economic losses. Only one high-income territory ranked among the "top ten" in terms of annual average percentage losses relative to GDP - Puerto Rico with 12.2 per cent. UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Disaster Reduction Mami Mizutori said much needed to be done to address the high number of deaths in seismic zones. "The death and suffering caused by this month's and in Indonesia brings home the need to raise public awareness and to apply high standards for construction in seismic zones. "The report's analysis makes it clear that economic losses from extreme weather events are unsustainable and a major brake on eradicating poverty in hazard exposed parts of the world," Mizutori said. Mizutori said there was a need to do a much better job of capturing economic loss data if nations are to have a fuller understanding of what works when it comes to reducing economic losses, saving lives and livelihoods, and managing disaster risk. While high-income countries recorded losses for 53 per cent of reported disasters between 1998 and 2017, low-income countries only recorded them for 13 per cent of disasters. The report concludes that is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. It said disasters will continue to be major impediments to sustainable development so long as the economic incentives to build and develop hazard-prone locations outweigh the perceived disaster risks. "Integrating disaster risk reduction into investment decisions is the most cost-effective way to reduce these risks; investing in disaster risk reduction is therefore a pre-condition for developing sustainable in a changing climate," the report states. In the backdrop of some oral polio vaccine vials being found contaminated with the type-2 polio virus, the UNICEF and the WHO Thursday reiterated India's status as a polio-free country. In a joint statement issued Thursday, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) said the risk of children getting vaccine derived poliovirus was "minimal" in India because of a high routine immunisation coverage in the country. The two global agencies also asserted that all vaccines provided under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) are safe and urged people to get their children vaccinated not only for their protection but also to keep Indian polio free. "Certified polio-free in March 2014, India continues to remain vigilant against all three types of polioviruses. The last polio case due to wild poliovirus in the country was detected on 13 January 2011," the statement said. It stated that type 2 poliovirus containing vaccine has been phased out globally, and in India, in April 2016, as a part of the polio endgame strategy. Like in other countries, bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) has replaced the trivalent OPV (tOPV) in all polio campaigns and routine immunisation in India. As advised by the India Expert Advisory Group, the country continues to conduct mass vaccination campaigns against polio, using bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV), to maintain high immunity. Referring to the recent incident in which type 2 polio vaccine virus was found in some sewage and stool samples, the organisations said that detection of the virus demonstrates a robust polio surveillance system jointly managed by the health ministry, the WHO and partners. A team of Indian Council of Medical Research, Drug Controller General of India and Ministry of Health investigated the matter. "A few vials of bOPV, supplied by one manufacturer in India, were found to contain traces of Type 2 polio vaccine virus. The Ministry of health took immediate and decisive action withdrawing the vaccine supplied by this manufacturer from all states that it was supplied to. "Despite the risk of vaccine derived polio being minimal, the immediate withdrawal of these vaccines demonstrates the commitment of the government to the health of children," the statement stated. "In view of high routine immunization coverage being achieved in India under Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), the risk of children getting vaccine derived poliovirus is minimal," the statement added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India should learn to counter technology domination, which is sought in fields as diverse as human genomics and nuclear weapons, by assuming tech leadership, a former principal scientific advisor to the government has said. Technology seen as power will continue to be so in the foreseeable future, Dr Rajagopala Chidambaram said at a programme Wednesday. Genomics is an area within genetics that concerns the sequencing and analysis of genome, an organism's complete set of DNA, including all of its genes. Chidambaram's address was part of a series called 'Metamorphoses', aimed at bridging the gap between advancement of digital, smart technology and its understanding by humans, organised with the active involvement of former foreign secretary Shyam Saran. During his address at a session on 'Automation, Artificial Intelligence & the Future of Jobs' at the India International Centre in New Delhi, Chidambaram touched upon the subjects of automation, robotics, humanoids and artificial intelligence. "Futurologist Alvin Toffler had said that 'Yesterday violence was power, today wealth is power and tomorrow knowledge will be power'. And those who have capabilities to transform knowledge into technology will have power, so I will paraphrase Toffler to say technology is power," said Chidambaram, who had an over 16-year stint as the principal scientific adviser. "Technology domination is sought in fields as diverse as human genomics and nuclear weapons through the mechanisms of intellectual property rights and technology control regimes, and India should learn to counter this through technology leadership," he said at the talk organised jointly by the NITI Aayog, Centre for Policy Research and the India International Centre under the umbrella event 'Metamorphoses'. On automation, he said it leads to improved efficiency, higher quality and convenience, but it has its disadvantages too, like it increases carbon footprint at a time when we are fighting climate change, and also poses cyber security threats. "Robots are useful for remote handling of hazardous materials explosives, infectious biological material, etc," he said. The senior scientist also quoted the World Economic Forum (WEF) Future of Jobs Report 2018 to explain the impact of technological advances on jobs. "The report says that '...it is critical that the existing businesses take an active role in supporting their existing workforce through reskilling and upskilling'. The drivers of change for technology advances are high-speed mobile internet, AI, widespread adoption of big data analytics and cloud technology," he said. Chidambaram said AI is used in nuclear field for decision support system and for managing off-site emergency, besides in the cyber sector, adding, that some people are scared of long-term developments of AI. Anna Roy, advisor NITI Aayog, said the government has tasked it to prepare a national strategy as far as use of technology is concerned. "That strategy should clearly delineate the role of the government, where it should go and not go, where it should be an enabler and where be at the forefront, how do we position India globally in this field and the concerns related to it, as in ethics and privacy," she said. Former foreign secretary Saran said Metamorphoses is an initiative that seeks to bridge the gap between the advancement of digital, smart technology and its understanding by humans. "It also intends to delve into the consequences of the use of such technologies, both good and not-so-good, given their use is very pervasive, and on a daily basis," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President has said that India would soon "find out" if the punitive CAATSA sanctions apply to it over its USD 5 billion deal with to purchase the S-400 Triumf air defence system. The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act or CAATSA is a US federal law that imposed sanctions on Iran, and In Russia's case, 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 and its alleged meddling in the 2016 US India last week inked a deal to purchase the S-400 Triumf air defence system from The mega deal was sealed in New Delhi during the visit of Russian President for the annual summit with Prime Minister Asked about the agreement between India and Russia, Trump while interacting with reporters in the Oval Office of the on Wednesday, said, "India will find out. Aren't they?" "India is going to find out, he said. Asked when, he said, "You will see. Sooner than you think." Secretary of State was also in the room when Trump answered the question on CAATSA sanctions. Pompeo was scheduled to meet the president later. Pompeo and Defence Secretary had earlier argued the case for a waiver to India. Under the CAATSA sanctions, which was amended early this year, only Trump has the authority for the presidential waiver to India on weapons deal with sanctions-hit Last week, the had said that the US presidential waiver on weapons deal with sanctions-hit Russia is intended to "wean" countries like India off the Russian equipment. "The (CAATSA presidential) waiver is narrow, intended to wean countries off Russian equipment and allow for things such as spare parts for previously-purchased equipment," a National Security Council Spokesperson had said after the conclusion of the S-400 contract. The spokesperson in New Delhi had said that the CAATSA was aimed at Russia and not intended to damage the military capabilities of its "allies and partners. She did not get to go school until she was eight, but now 22, Susheela, has certainly made up for the time lost. Today, she is the Deputy Head of Mission Embassy of Switzerland, albeit for a single day. To mark the International Day of the Girl Child (IDG) on Thursday, Susheela and 16 other girl change-makers from across 10 states stepped into the shoes of ambassadors and high commissioners to relay messages of equality, freedom and power of girls and young women. "It was the biggest day of my life. I not only got to visit the Switzerland embassy, but also sat on the very chair of Tamara Mona (Deputy Head of Mission Embassy of Switzerland). "I got to travel in her car, sit in the meetings, discuss issues like gender equality, and education. She also introduced me to all the officials and told them I was the boss today," Susheela told PTI on the sidelines of an event organised in a joint collaboration between Plan India and the delegation of the European Union to India. Hailing from Bikaner in Rajasthan, Susheela, according to Plan India, was the first girl in her village to pursue higher education. "She is presently in the second year of her Master of Arts in Sociology. Since her bold decision, 15 girls from her locality have followed in her footsteps," said a Plan India spokesperson. Susheela, who expressed her desire to become the Indian prime minister someday, admitted that she was "nervous" for the day because she believed she had to travel all the way to Switzerland to take over the responsibility. "I thought I had to go to Switzerland. But then they told me that it will be in the capital only. Anyway, I am very happy. "The deputy head told me that she can let me know if she plans to visit Switzerland one day. For the time being, I have invited her to visit my village in Rajasthan," she said. Actor Anil Kapoor, who is also a Plan India patron and Goodwill Ambassador, launched the 'Girls Get Equal Campaign' that focuses on advocating the power of girls and their right to be equally seen, heard and valued. "'Girls Get Equal', well personally, I feel girls are superior. In my life I have three women and they rule my life. "It is true that girls have always been equals... we have just not given them the place that already belongs to them. This needs to change. We need to work towards a world where girls can live, love, and lead without fear and discrimination, " he said. Also, present on the occasion Tomasz Kozlowski, Ambassador of the European Union to India said the empowerment of women and girls was critical to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and added that the diplomatic missions in Delhi were proud to participate in this year's takeover. "Earlier today, I gave all my powers to two wonderful girls and I am not sure whether they have decided to give me the power back. "I am very happy and proud to have allowed Shalini and Subhalaxmi to take over my office this morning. They did a great job," said the ambassador. Globally, Plan International has launched the #GirlsTakeover action as a new campaign that calls for increased investment in girls' power, activism and leadership. The IDG Diplomatic Missions takeover was supported by the participating diplomatic missions of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, EU, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Israel, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On the International Day of the Girl Child, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi Thursday urged everyone to build a fair, equitable and just environment for women and children in the country. Gandhi said the long perpetuated discrimination against the girl child has to be battled out and put to rest for once and all so they can enjoy "every legitimate right to be born, to be educated and lead a dignified and healthy life". "As responsible citizens of this nation, we all have a responsibility to build a fair, equitable and just environment for women and children in the country. I urge everyone to join the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Andolan by valuing each girl child and empowering her with education," she was quoted as saying in a statement. She said time has come to not only recognise the current notable achievements of girls in every sphere but to provide them substantiative support in every aspect. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) State-owned Indian Oil Corp (IOC) Thursday said it will invest Rs 54.63 billion in setting up network for retailing to automobiles and piped to households in seven districts. had in the recently concluded 9th bid round for city gas licences won permits for seven cities on its own and another nine in a joint venture with Adani Gas. The company, in a regulatory filing, said its board in a meeting Wednesday approved investments in seven cities it has won on its own. " has won the Bidding for implementation of (CGD) for 7 Geographical Areas viz Coimbatore district, Salem district (in Tamil Nadu), Bokaro district (in Jharkhand), Rewa district (in Madhya Pradesh), Aurangabad district (in Maharashtra), Guna district (in Madhya Pradesh) and Jagtial district (in Telangana). "The Board has approved the estimated total capital investment of Rs 54.63 billion on the implementation of the CGD projects. The investment in CGD business will help to expand and consolidate its gas business," it said. The company, however, did not specify the investments to be made in the nine cities it had won in the joint venture with Adani. IOC said its board also approved a Rs 5.20 billion investment for production of ethanol using LanzaTech gas fermentation technology at Panipat refinery in Haryana. The proposed ethanol plant is designed to produce 33.5-kilotonnes per annum of anhydrous ethanol for use in automotive fuel. "The project has the potential of greenhouse gas reduction required to limit global climate change," it said. The board approved "installation of facilities for production of ethanol from PSA Off Gas of Hydrogen Generation Unit (HGU) at Panipat refinery using gas fermentation technology of LanzaTech USA at an estimated cost of Rs 5.20 billion," it said. The board also approved a Rs 13.32 billion investment in laying a pipeline from Paradip in Odisha to Haldia in West Bengal. The Paradip-Somnathpur-Haldia pipeline "would enable placement of products from Paradip Refinery, Odisha to Somnathpur, Odisha for meeting the local demand as well as to Haldia, West Bengal for onward movement through other pipelines," the company said. One of the sons of former and imprisoned Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi was released Wednesday on bail after security forces detained him briefly for spreading false information in an interview he gave to Associated Press (AP) last week. The 23-year-old Abdullah Morsi, according to a judicial source, was freed Wednesday after paying $280 in bailout. He was arrested at the family villa on the outskirts of Cairo early in the morning. Security forces broke into the house on the lookout for him over the dissemination of false news in connection with an interview with AP on his fathers detention. Mohamed Morsi, toppled in 2013 by incumbent leader AbdelFattah al-Sisi, has been sentenced to 25 years for spying for Qatar. Another court ruling pressed 20 years in prison against him for the killing of protesters during demonstrations in 2012. Abdullah, the youngest of the former leaders five children was convicted in 2014 on charges of drug possession, and sentenced to one year in prison, a sentence that he had already served. Osama, another son, is currently in prison and is facing a 10-year prison sentence following a court ruling last month for participating in protest against his fathers overthrow. Osama, Reuters reports, has planned to appeal against the court verdict. Union minister Smriti Irani Thursday declined to comment on the allegations of sexual harassment against her ministerial colleague M J Akbar even as she said justice should be given to the "ladies who are speaking out". As the #MeToo campaign gathered momentum, some women journalists have come out and accused Akbar, Minister of State for External Affairs, of sexually harassing them during his stint as an editor in two newspapers. "The gentleman concerned would be better positioned to speak on this issue," Irani, the Union Textiles Minister, told reporters here while responding to questions over allegations against Akbar. "I appreciate that the media is accosting his (former) female colleagues but I think it is for the gentleman concerned to issue a statement (and) not for me because I was personally not present there, Irani added. She urged people not to mock the women who are speaking out against the harassment meted out to them. I have said again and again on this particular issue, especially about women speaking out that anybody speaking out that in no way should be shamed, victimised or mocked. That is my only appeal to everybody who is witnessing this surge of outpouring of emotion, of anger on the internet and offline also, she said. She underlined that women dont go to work to be harassed but to work to live their dreams and earn a respectable living. So, I will say here today it must be very difficult for women to come out and talk about whatever happened in their professional lives. It is extremely an important part in time in our society where more and more women are getting the support, so they can speak out. "I feel there are enough instruments in our judicial and police systems to deliver justice and I am hopeful that all these ladies who are speaking out get, due to due process, the justice that they deserve, Irani said. Akbar has not reacted to the allegations so far. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian Space Research Organisation will set up a centre at the Central University Jammu (CUJ) to expand its presence to the northernmost state of India. ISRO Chairman K Sivan signed memorandums of understanding with CUJ Vice Chancellor Ashok Aima and officials of Central Space Instruments Organisation (CSIR-CSIO) to set up the centre Thursday. Union minister Jitendra Singh was present during the signing of the MoUs at CUJ campus in Samba. The centre, named Satish Dhawan Center for Space Science, is proposed to be spread on an area of about 1,150 square metres. The area of space application is of particular interest to Jammu and Kashmir as its economy and human lives are affected by vegetation cover, forest area, snow, landslides, avalanches, ground water, cloud cover, which can be monitored from space through remote-sensing. Also, considering the recurring natural calamities, requirement of strengthening ground-based observational capabilities of this region for weather and atmospheric research is of utmost important. The centre will take care of the emerging geospatial and space technology requirements for the development of the region. Union minister Singh said the collaboration between ISRO and CUJ was a landmark achievement for Jammu and Kashmir. Saying that ISRO would become a pan-India organisation with the establishment of the centre, he urged the youth to develop scientific temper and interest in space research. Sivan said the centre will help in tapping the potential of space applications for the region in various fields like disaster management, health, education, communication, weather forecasting and land-use planning. He said IRSO was dedicated to the mission of utilising space sciences for the benefit of mankind as envisaged by Vikram Sarabhai and Satish Dhawan, the founding fathers of ISRO. The centre will have facilities for geospatial data analysis that will help in for sustainable use of natural resources and planning land-use pattern, he said. It will have ground-based observations for atmospheric studies, research lab for astrophysics, atmospheric sensing and glacier studies lab for better use of large quantity of water is stored in the form of seasonal snow, ice and glaciers in the rivers of North India. Apart from this, disaster management centre will also be set up. The establishment of Materials Sciences Lab for space applications would give special focus to synthesise and design new sensors and materials for space applications. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvergiya Thursday declined to make any direct comment on the demand for Union minister M J Akbar's resignation over charges of sexual harassment but said it is for the government to decide. The BJP leader said that he (Akbar) is part of the government and it is for the government to decide, he told reporters here when asked if Akbar should resign. Vijayvargiya was in the city for BJP's office bearers' meeting here. Various opposition parties including the Congress has demanded the resignation of Akbar after some women journalists accused him of sexually harassing them during his role as editor of various outlets. As the #MeToo campaign gathered momentum in India, some women journalists have come out and accused Akbar, a former editor and now the minister of state for external affairs, of sexually harassing them during his stint as a journalist. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The IT Ministry has received more than 400 responses from companies, industry bodies and government departments on the draft personal data protection bill, and will take stock of suggestions before its proposed introduction in Parliament, according to a senior official. The deadline to submit suggestions on the government's draft personal data protection bill closed on Wednesday. An official, who did not wish to be named, said the IT Ministry will start systematically analysing and crystallising the responses now, following which, it will further consult related stakeholders and certain ministries like Law and Justice. The official said some of the responses talk of how the language of the draft bill can be tightened to avoid its multiple interpretation in the future, and added that some suggestions were around the costs surrounding mandatory localisation or storage of data, that the bill proposes. Many global industry bodies have contended that data localisation proposed in the draft bill could have "significant negative effects" on the ability of companies to do business in India. The ministry hopes to take stock of all the feedback over the next 1.5 months and give final touches to the draft by November-end, for its subsequent introduction in Parliament. Parliament is expected to convene for the winter session in November-December. The official said that a number of ministries and departments, including Corporate Affairs, Social Justice and Women and Child Development, and Youth Affairs have also sent in their feedback. The draft personal data protection bill was crafted by a high-level panel headed by Justice B N Srikrishna, and was submitted to IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in July-end. The draft bill moots "explicit consent" for processing 'sensitive personal information' like religious or political beliefs, sexual orientation and biometric details. It suggests steps for safeguarding personal information, defining obligations of data processors as also rights of individuals, while proposing penalties for violation. The areas covered by the recommendations include consent, what comprises personal data including sensitive personal data, exemptions which can be granted, grounds for processing data, storage restrictions for personal data, individual rights and right to be forgotten. The draft of Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018 also restricts and imposes conditions on the cross-border transfer of personal data, and suggests setting up of Data Protection Authority of India to prevent any misuse of personal information. It provides for a penalty of Rs 15 crore or 4 per cent of the total worldwide turnover of any data collection entity, including the state, on violation of personal data processing provisions. Failure to take prompt action on a data security breach can lead to a penalty of up to Rs 5 crore or 2 per cent of turnover, whichever is higher. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik's remark favouring a particular individual for the post of mayor of Srinagar were being presented in a distorted manner as the local bodies elections in the state are being conducted in a fair and transparent way, a Raj Bhavan spokesperson Thursday said. He was referring to Malik's interview to NDTV in which he had hinted that a "foreign-educated person" was going to become the mayor of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC). The spokesperson said the governor's administration made it clear in unequivocal terms that the ongoing process for the urban and rural local bodies polls in the state are being conducted in a free, fair and the most transparent manner and the outcome will be exclusively in the hands of the people. "Over the past three days, ever since the governor gave a live interview to a TV channel in Delhi, there has been a persistent attempt by that channel and certain other channels to play up one part of the interview in a distorted manner leading to a flurry of allegations that the governor has already decided that a certain candidate will be the mayor of Srinagar," the spokesperson said. He said the governor had just said that he has information about the likelihood of a certain candidate becoming mayor and how if it happens, it will upset some political parties. "This possibility too has been a topic in media for quite some time. In a discussion on the boycott of the polls by two local parties and the impact of the polls on them, this is a simple statement on a possible outcome which may be inconvenient to them if it happens," he said. The spokesperson said that in no way can the statement of the governor be construed to mean that he has either decided the mayor of Srinagar or is involved in the electoral process. "The electoral process is in the hands of an independent chief electoral officer who is responsible for conducting a free and fair poll. That is what he is doing, along with officials involved in the electoral process. The mayor of Srinagar is to be elected by the councilors of the Municipal Corporation of Srinagar and that is not a pre-determined outcome. "The governor has no role in the election either of councilors, and even less so, in the election of the mayor," the spokesperson said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader Raj Babbar on Thursday accused the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh of "forcibly acquiring" land from farmers for a proposed international airport in Gautam Buddh Nagar's Jewar. Babbar, the chief of the Uttar Pradesh unit of the Congress, Thursday visited the region in western part of the state adjoining the national capital, Delhi, and met with the locals. An international airport is proposed to be developed in Jewar. Over 1,300 hectare of land from five villages - Rohi, Parohi, Dayanatpur, Ranhera and Kishorpur is to be acquired during the first phase of the green field project. A total of 5,000 hectares of land is to be acquired for the green field airport estimated worth Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 crore. "The BJP government is forcibly acquiring land from farmers in the name of (making) an airport in Jewar. The new land acquisition act, which was made due to efforts of (Congress national president) Rahul Gandhi clearly says that the government cannot acquire land from farmers without their will and proper compensation. Today I witnessed this 'sarkaari dadagiri' in Jewar," Babbar tweeted. Some landowners, including farmers and villagers, initially resisted the land acquisition citing various reasons such as "inadequate" compensation amount and related benefits besides the resettlement policy. By mid-September around 71 per cent farmers and land owners in the five villages had given their consent for land acquisition, according to district officials. According to the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, the consent of at least 70 per cent of land owners is mandatory for government to proceed with acquisition of land in any such project. BJP leader and Jewar-Greater Noida MLA Dhirendra Singh, however, said that Babbar's statement was motivated to "capture space in the press" but his government was committed to "ensuring development" in the region. "As of now, 74 per cent people have given their consent for land acquisition. It is only people from the Samajwadi Party or the Congress who are opposed to this because they can't see the region get developed. Our aim is to get this airport made so that jobs can be generated for the youth locally and also help in the growth of northern India," Singh, who had quit the Congress to join the BJP in January 2017, told PTI. He claimed that most of the people who joined Babbar's programme in Dayanatpur village Thursday were "outsiders". "Hundreds of vehicles from outside had come along with people for the event,", Singh said. He added that if any land owner was aggrieved they could take a legal recourse. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Jammu and Kashmir Police constable has been awarded the 'Shaurya Chakra' posthumously for showing exemplary courage while fighting militants in the restive state, officials said. Manzoor Ahmed Naik, who was a resident of Uri in Baramulla district, laid down his life at Haffu Nigeenpora village of Tral in South Kashmir's Pulwama district on March 5, 2017 during a gunfight with militants. Naik was a part of cordon and search operation in the area jointly conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Rashtriya Rifles and the CRPF. On the day, the 33-year-old policeman, who became a father soon after he lost his life, was trying to flush out militants holed up in a house, after escaping a volley of fire in his first attempt, a home ministry official said. In his first attempt, Naik, undeterred by blazing fire from assault rifles, crawled in the pitch dark and placed explosives around the house. As he started retreating, he came under heavy fire, but he escaped unharmed. The explosives planted by him, though, brought down half of the house. After a wait of two hours, when the exchange of firing stopped, Naik again volunteered to plant explosives to bring down what remained of the house. As he charged towards the house second time, he was hit by a volley of bullets from a militant. Despite, his wounds, the constable placed the explosives on remaining part of the house before breathing his last, the official said. During the encounter, two militants of Hizbul Mujahideen were killed and large quantity of arms and ammunition including 2 AK-47 Rifles were recovered from the possession of the killed militants. Naik, without caring for his personal safety and besides being seriously wounded continued to fight till his last breath, another official said. Honouring his exemplary bravery, Naik was awarded Shaurya Chakra posthumously by the government, the official said. The Shaurya Chakra is the country's military award for valour, courage action and self-sacrifice. It is third in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards after the Ashoka Chakra and the Kirti Chakra. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Energy is looking to acquire stressed hydro projects to increase its renewable energy portfolio, along with reviving its 240-megawatt (MW) Kutehr hydro power project in the state. The company at present has two operating hydro power projects with a total capacity of 1,300 MW in the state, which it had acquired from Jaiprakash Power Ventures for Rs 9,700 crore in FY16. "We want to increase our hydro power portfolio and we are definitely looking at various opportunities including stressed hydro projects at present. "We are evaluating a few of them in addition to reviving our own 240-MW Kutehr project," the company's chief operating officer (energy business), Sharad Mahendra, told reporters here. The work on the Kutehr project was stalled eight years ago mainly due to lack of a favourable hydro policy and clarity on long-term power purchase agreement for the capacity. "Himachal Pradesh has come out with a hydro policy, which is enabling us to revive the project. We are hopeful of signing the long-term PPA with the Haryana government very soon," he said. Mahendra said the company has participated in the bids invited by the Haryana government for long-term PPA for 500 MW of hydro projects. "We have participated in the bids and are hopeful that we will sign the agreement for our entire 240 MW capacity. Once the PPA is in place, we will be able to complete the project in four years, and the cost of construction would be around Rs 2,500 crore," he said. When asked whether the company was looking at a specific size of hydro projects in its total portfolio, he said, "There are many underconstruction projects and we will have to evaluate them on the basis of how much they are complete. Currently we are not looking at any specific project." The country's hydro capacity is nearly 45,000 MW, out of which 3,200 MW is in the private sector, which includes 1,300 MW of JSW Energy alone. Nearly 10,000 MW of capacity is under various stages of construction and implementation. JSW's two operational project include the 300-MW Baspa-II hydroelectric plant and 1,000-MW Karcham Wangtoo plant. "Since the time we have acquired the project, we have managed to increase the production as compared to the pre-acquisition time. Our plants have long-term PPAs of nearly 35 years with states like Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana and 40 years with Himachal Pradesh, and the average tariff is Rs 4.39 per unit," said Mahendra. He further said that at this average rate of tariff, it makes the sector more financially lucrative in the renewable segment, especially when there is uncertainty in the solar power space. "Unlike solar, hydro is not just cheaper, but the power can be made available anytime. Though there is no substitute to thermal power, which is the primary source, hydro is a better, cleaner and a financially lucrative option," added Mahendra. JSW Energy presently has a total power generation capacity of 4,531 MW, which includes a thermal power capacity of 3,140 MW and hydro power of 1,300 MW. The facility at Karcham-Wangtoo is a 1,000 MW run-of-the-river hydropower plant located on the Sutlej river in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, while the Baspa plant is located on the river Baspa, a tributary of the Sutlej. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Kerala High Court Thursday dismissed a PIL filed by a Hindu group seeking entry of Muslim women into mosques for offering prayers. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Rishikesh Roy and Justice A K Jayasankaran Nambiar rejected the plea, observing that the petitioner was neither an aggrieved party nor were his rights affected. Petitioner Swamy Dethathreya Sai Swaroop Nath, Kerala unit president of Akhila Bharatha Hindu Maha Sabha, had cited the recent Supreme Court order lifting the ban on entry of women of menstruating age into the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala and sought a direction to the Centre for issuing an order enabling Muslim women to offer prayers in mosques. He had contended that Muslim women were being 'discriminated' as they were not allowed to enter and pray in the main prayer hall of mosques in violation of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution (equality before law and protection of life and personal liberty). He also said Muslim women were allowed entry in Mecca. The petitioner had also claimed imposition of a dress code like purdah (veil) for Muslim women would enable anti-social elements to misuse it and commit crimes. This was an encroachment into the realm of personal liberty and social security, he had submitted. On September 28, a five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had lifted the ban on entry of women of menstrual age into the famous hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Drawing inspiration from the Supreme Court verdict permitting women of all age groups into the Sabarimala temple, a Kerala-based Muslim women's right group is gearing up to approach the apex court, demanding the entry of women in all mosques across the country. NISA, a progressive women's forum, will soon move the top court. The group will not just seek permission for women to offer prayers in the mosques, but also fight for appointing them as 'imams' (clerics). The outfit, which has been campaigning for gender equality within Islam, also wants to curb the practices of polygamy and 'nikah-halala', a community law that allows a Muslim woman to remarry her former husband only after marrying another person and consummating the wedding with him. NISA president V P Zuhra told PTI that there were no records stating that the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad had opposed women entering mosques and offering prayers. She also hailed the top court verdict lifting the ban on the menstruating women from offering worship at the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple as "historic". "Like men, women also have the constitutional rights to offer worship according to their belief. So, like in Sabarimala, we want the entry of women in all mosques, cutting across denominations and establish their right to worship," the activist said. Zuhra said discussions were on with the lawyer and a petition in this regard would be filed at the Supreme Court soon. She said at present, women are allowed to offer prayers at mosques under Jamaat-e-Islami and Mujahid denominations, while they are barred from mosques under the predominant Sunni faction. Even in the mosques where women are allowed, there are separate entrances and enclosures for worship for men and women, the NISA chief said. "Our demand is to end this gender discrimination and allow Muslim women to pray in all mosques, cutting across denominations," said Zuhra, one of the earliest petitioners against triple talaq in the apex court. She urged the orthodox section in the community to explain who had asked them to impose such restrictions on women which amount to violation of constitutional rights. "There is no such gender discrimination to offer worship in Mecca, the holy city. The faithful, both men and women, together circle the Kaaba. Then why are the restrictions imposed on us in our mosques?" she said. The rights campaigner said there were records showing that Prophet Muhammad himself had allowed his wife in the mosque. "There are several women scholars in the Muslim community. But they are not allowed to be Imams and lead prayers in mosques. This practice also should be changed," she said. NISA had approached the apex court recently, demanding equal property rights for Muslim women. On September 28, a five-judge Constitution bench, headed by then chief justice Dipak Misra, lifted the ban on the entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former US energy secretary under President Barack Obama, Ernest Moniz, has suspended his participation on the board of advisors of the Saudi futuristic city NEOM, tying his return to more evidences on the fate of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The veteran journalist disappeared one week ago in the Turkish city of Istanbul after entering his countrys consulate for some paperwork. Given current events, I am suspending my participation on the NEOM board, Moniz said. Moniz, CEO and president of the Energy Futures Initiative who also served as head of the energy department under Barack Obama has been appointed along several others on the board of advisors of NEOM city; a $500 billion mega high-tech city which is the center piece of the Saudi vison 2030 spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman. Moniz has conditioned his return to learning all the facts about Khashoggis disappearance. Khashoggi; a Saudi journalist and veteran analyst has vanished since October 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to certify his divorce document, required to marry his Turkish fiancee. He has left the kingdom for over one year now and has established himself in Washington. He is a contributor to the Washington Post. Turkish authorities have launched an investigation into his disappearance and believe that the journalist might have been killed and dismembered inside the diplomatic compound. The kingdom has rejected as baseless the claims and agreed Tuesday to allow the Turkish investigators to search the consulate. Moniz is not the first senior US personality to have taken position in the disappearance of the journalist who has criticized policies of king Salman and his son Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman. Also on Wednesday, the White House said that White House National security adviser John Bolton and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner have spoken to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the missing Saudi journalist. Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Bolton and Kushner spoke to Prince Mohammed on Tuesday. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also talked with the Crown Prince and reiterated the United States request for information. According to U.S. press reports, President Donald Trump said the U.S. is demanding answers from Saudi Arabia about missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and wants to bring his fiancee to the White House. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday that he has a call in to Khashoggis fiancee, Hatice Cengiz. Trump says nobody knows exactly what happened and expressed hope that Khashoggi is not dead. He says hes spoken with the Saudis about what he called a bad situation, but he did not disclose details of his conversations. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday solicited whole-hearted support from the BJP workers so that the state government can function efficiently. Addressing the BJP state executive meeting at Pasighat in East Siang district, Khandu said the state government in the last two years has been able to come out with several reforms only because of support from the party. He appealed for more cohesion among party workers and the government so that the fruits of development schemes percolate to the last man, a party release said. The chief minister said that the state executive meeting, held once every three months, is to build efficient teamwork between the party and the government. He said government policies and programmes wont be successful unless the government functionaries and party members put their collective efforts. He appealed the party workers to make people aware about the important govt schemes and flagship programmes and volunteer for the governments Sarkar Aapke Dwar programme. Khandu also appealed the party members to give their whole-hearted dedication to the party and rise above individual interests. Divulging the governments reform on Staff Selection Board, the chief minister said the policy would curtail corruption and nepotism in government recruitment process. "Such policy will also encourage the younger generation to follow the path of hard work and imbibe competitiveness instead of taking shortcut means to get into government jobs," Khandu added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opener Usman Khawaja and Travis Head defied Pakistan with some solid batting to take Australia to 215-3 at lunch on the fifth and final day of the first Test in Dubai on Thursday. Khawaja followed up his first innings score of 85 with a fighting 82 not out, and debutant Head was unbeaten on 70 for his maiden half-century, both blunting Pakistan's spinners. The pair have added 128 runs for the fourth wicket to raise Australia's hopes of a draw -- or even a world-record run chase. Australia, set a daunting 462-run target, still need another 247 runs while Pakistan need seven wickets to go 1-0 up in the two-match series. No team has successfully chased more than the 418-7 West Indies made against Australia in the Antigua Test in 2003. Pakistan had expected early wickets after jolting Australia to 136-3 at the close on the fourth day, but nothing worked for skipper Sarfraz Ahmed who made multiple bowling changes. Pakistan could have had Head leg-before off leg-spinner Yasir Shah on 44, but Sarfraz did not review English umpire Richard Kettleborough's not out decision when replays showed the ball was hitting the wickets. Khawaja has so far hit eight boundaries while Head has five. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The process of landfall of the very severe started early Thursday with surface wind reaching speeds of 126 kmph at Gopalpur in Odisha's Ganjam district, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. "The process of landfall has started and it will completely cross the Odisha coast in one or two hours. The system will pass close to Gopalpur," H R Biswas, Director of Metereological Centre, Bhubaneswar, told PTI. The IMD said, "The forward sector of the eye of the storm has been entering into the land mass." While Gopalpur in Odisha reported surface winds at 126 kmph, Kalingapatanam in Andhra Pradesh recorded wind speed of 56 kmph. As the landfall process started, at least five districts like Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Khurda and Jagatsinghpur are receiving good amount of rainfall coupled with high speed winds under the impact of Titli. Biswas said the very severe cyclonic storm (VSCS), 'Titli', is being monitored by the coastal Doppler Weather Radars at Visakhapatnam, Gopalpur and Paradip. The latest observations indicate that 'Titli', over west-central Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of about 19 kmph during the past six hours. After the landfall, the system is very likely to re-curve gradually northeastwards, move towards Gangetic West Bengal across Odisha and weaken gradually. Reports of trees, electric poles getting uprooted and damages to kuchha houses were reported, officials said, adding that road communication in some places, including Gopalpur and Berhampur, was snapped. Meanwhile, the Odisha government has geared up its machinery to tackle the situation. The state government has already evacuated over 300,000 people living in low lying areas and kuchha houses ahead of the landfall in five coastal districts. Visuals from Gopalpur: The Sri Lankan parliament has passed a law to pay compensation to the victims of the 30-year-long separatist war between the Sri Lankan Army and the LTTE, nearly a decade after the end of the conflict that claimed at least 100,000 lives. The Office for Reparations Bill was passed on Wednesday with a 59-43 vote and it will benefit survivors and victims of the kin in several armed uprisings in the country, officials said. The long-delayed legislation had been a key demand of the international observers urging reconciliation in the ethnically divided nation. Former president Mahinda Rajapakse's supporters voted against the bill arguing that the bill would benefit separatist Tamil rebels crushed in the military campaign. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which led the separatist war for a separate Tamil homeland for three decades in the island nation, was finally crushed by the Lankan military in 2009 with the death of its supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran. Since his election in 2015, President Maithripala Sirisena has faced international criticism for not taking any step towards the reconciliation process. The United Nations Human Rights Council had also pressed the Sirisena administration to take urgent steps towards addressing the war-era abuses. Finally in March, the government established an office to trace the tens of thousands missing since the end of the civil war. "We have had a long history of conflict not only in the north, but also in the south...people had disappeared (during the conflict)...it is also necessary to find out what happened to them and give reparations to the affected people," Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said during the parliamentary debate. According to official figures, around 20,000 people are missing due to various conflicts, including the separatist war, in the north and east of the island nation. R Sampanthan, the Leader of the Opposition, said, "The ascertainment of the truth, delivery of justice, the issue of accountability, reparations and non-recurrence are all fundamental components of the transitional justice mechanism." "Financial reparation must be given to the people who need to be economically empowered," Sampathan, who is also the leader of the main Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance, said. The pro-Sinhala majority nationalist Joint Opposition argued that the bill would benefit the LTTE who ran an armed separatist campaign for over 30 years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has rejected US' claim that China might set up a "forward military base" at a strategic port it has leased to the communist nation, describing it as "imaginary". Last year, Colombo had leased the Hambantota port to Beijing for 99 years after it failed to repay a Chinese loan of USD 1.4 billion for the project. China gaining the control of the port has raised concerns that the country could use the harbour for military purposes. Addressing a programme at London's Oxford University on Monday, Wickremesinghe said some people are seeing "imaginary Chinese Naval bases in Sri Lanka. Whereas the Hambantota Port is a commercial joint venture between our Ports Authority and China Merchants - a company listed in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange." "There are no foreign naval bases in Sri Lanka," he emphasised. His comments came days after US Vice-President Mike Pence alleged China of using "debt diplomacy" to expand its global influence and said that Hambantota "may soon become a forward military base for China's growing blue-water navy". Several media reports suggested that the deepwater port, which is near a main shipping route between Asia and Europe, is likely to play a major role in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The BRI, also known as the Silk Road Economic Belt, is a development strategy proposed by the Chinese government which focuses on connectivity and cooperation between Eurasian countries. The Chinese government calls the initiative "a bid to enhance regional connectivity and embrace a brighter future". However, other nations, including India, see it as a push by Beijing to take a larger role in global affairs with a China-centred trading network. India's has been vocal in expressing its opposition to the BRI, which includes the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that traverses through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Wickremesinghe said Lankan Navy's Southern Command was being relocated in the Hambantota port to control security and "the US Defence Department has been briefed on these developments". He said Sri Lanka was also concluding a commercial agreement that would see the Airport Authority of India (AAI) taking over the control of the Hambantota airport, which was built with high interest commercial loan from China. The Prime Minister said, "In this atmosphere of suspicion, many countries fear that the South China Sea issues can spill over, leading to future militarisation and military competition in the Indian Ocean." "This has resulted in a number of stakeholders intensifying their interest and presence in the Indian Ocean by expanding their fleets, upgrading their bases, securing access to foreign ports, and aggressive naval posturing via joint exercises, extended sorties, and live-fire drills. "The Indian Ocean region requires a common understanding that will ensure peace and stability within the region...There is also a need to work towards building a regional framework for both trade and security while ensuring that the region remains free, open and inclusive...The interests of the smaller states are best served by advocating for and upholding a rule-based order in the region," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : The lone BSP Minister in the JD(S)-Congress government in Karnataka N Mahesh today quit his position citing personal reasons, but said he would continue to support the ruling coalition. Speaking to reporters after submitting his resignation toChief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, the minister for primary andsecondary education said he quit to focus more on his assembly constituency Kollegal and to strengthen his party ahead of Lok Sabha elections. "There had been a campaign against me in my constituency that I have camped in Bengaluru and was not focusing on Kollegal. Also, there was a need to strengthen the party base ahead of the Lok Sabha elections," said Mahesh. Mahesh vowed to continue his support to the coalition government and said he would campaign for the JD(S)during the bypolls for three Lok Sabha and two assembly seats on November 3. "I do not have any grouse against anybody in the government. As a minister I did my best and toured across the state. This resignation is purely due to personal reasons," Mahesh said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : In a blow to the Congress-JDS coalition government in Karnataka, the lone BSP Minister N Mahesh today quit his post citing personal reasons, but said he would continue to support the ruling coalition. His surprise move came days after BSP chief Mayawati announced that her party would not forge an alliance with the Congress "at any cost" for the Assembly polls in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, in a setback to efforts to forge opposition unity. Speaking to reporters after submitting his resignation toChief Minister H D Kumaraswamy,Mahesh said he quit to focus more on his assembly constituency Kollegal and to strengthen his party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. "There had been a campaign against me in my constituency that I have camped in Bengaluru and was not focusing on Kollegal. Also, there was a need to strengthen the party base ahead of the Lok Sabha elections," said Mahesh. The BSP leader said he has not yet informed Mayawati about his decision to resign. "No I have not informed her. I have come before the media. Now I will tell Behenji (Mayawati)," said Mahesh, who is the minister for primary and secondary education. He said the Chief Minister told him that he would considerhis resignation. Mahesh vowed to continue his support to the coalition government and said he would campaign for the JD(S) during the bypolls for three Lok Sabha and two assembly seats in the state on November 3. "I do not have any grouse against anybody in the government. As a minister I did my best and toured the state. This resignation is purely due to personal reasons," he said. BSP had contested the May assembly polls in a tie-up with JD(S), which in a post-election understanding joined hands with Congress to form the government following a fractured verdict. Causing ripples in the coalition, Mahesh had also recently hit out at the Congress, BJP and JD(S), saying they were responsible for economic and social inequality in the country and projected BSP as the champion for the cause of the oppressed. "I'm saying this openly, whether it is Congress or BJP or Janata Dal, their workers will not understand the ideology that I'm speaking about. They don't need it because until there is this caste system and inequality- Congress, BJP and Janata Dal will continue to exist," Mahesh had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) Thursday decided to convene a meeting to review drought-like situation in the state on October 13. The meeting will take place in Aurangabad on Saturday, the MPCC said in a statement. The party has invited all leaders from Western Maharashtra, Vidarbha, North Maharashtra and elected representatives from Marathwada region for the meeting. The meeting will be attended by the party's state unit chief Ashok Chavan, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, senior leaders including Prithviraj Chavan, Manikrao Thakre, Balasaheb Thorat and Harshwardhan Patil. The meeting will take stock of the prevailing drought-like situation in the state and steps to be taken to tide over the problem, it said. "A review of all promises made by the BJP-Shiv Sena government to farmers and their implementation will also be carried out," the statement added. The party accused the state government of being apathetic towards the condition of farmers and resorting to delay tactics in declaring scarcity in the state. "The party has planned to conduct a tour of the state to give a message to farmers that it stood by them in their hour of crisis," the statement added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The ruling BJP in Maharashtra Thursday said the government will purchase power from Central grid as well as private companies to make up for the shortage which is to the tune of 3500 MW. The BJP also claimed the duration of power load-shedding in the state used to be 14 hours per day under the erstwhile Congress-led UPA government, of which the NCP was a constituent. Earlier in the day, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said the state was reeling under power shortfall of "3000 MW" and appealed to the government to declare the exact quantum of shortage. He had claimed the rural areas were facing power cuts every day because the coal supply meant for the state is being "diverted" to poll-bound Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Hitting back at the NCP, State unit BJP spokesperson Vishwas Pathak, who is also a consultant to state power minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, said the current shortage is to the tune of 3,500 MW. "The state is purchasing power from Central grid as well as from private power generation companies," Pathak said. "I am ready to debate the issue of load-shedding with the NCP on any platform. When the NCP was in power (in alliance with the Congress), the load shedding used to be in force for 12-14 a day. We have brought down the duration significantly," he said. When asked about the NCP's claim that the state government was not buying power from the Narmada hydro-electric power generation project under its quota, he said, "Though power is available there, its rates are higher than the ones offered by Central grid and private companies. Why should we buy power at a higher cost?" Pathak said the NCP failed to bring electricity to the iconic Elephanta Caves island near Mumbai when in power, but the BJP government completed the task, which remained unfulfilled for the last 70 years, within four years of coming to power. Pathak refuted the allegations that the government was selling generators of the Koradi vision (thermal) power generation plant. "We followed the procedure mentioned in the tender and sold the old power generation sets, many of which were not functioning properly. The entire decision was taken on the directions of the Central government," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maldives Supreme Court Thursday announced it would examine President Abdulla Yameen's challenge against his shock defeat at last month's election and fixed a hearing for Sunday. "The Supreme Court has decided to accept the constitutional dispute filed by President Yameen and it would be heard," the court said on Twitter. It later said a hearing will be held on Sunday at 1:00 pm (0800 GMT). Yameen, whose main political rivals were either in jail or in exile, was unexpectedly beaten in the September 23 election by unity opposition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, with 58.4 per cent of the vote. The court announced the hearing date after meeting with the Indian Ocean archipelago nation's chief elections commissioner Ahmed Shareef. Shareef told reporters in the capital Male that Yameen had called for an annulment of the results and a fresh election. The United States and the European Union had threatened sanctions if the vote was not free and fair and if Yameen, 59, did not accept the result. Yameen had already conceded defeat and reluctantly said he would leave office in November, when his term ends. But he has been publicly urging his supporters to challenge the results. Yameen's lawyer Mohamed Saleem said Wednesday that the decision to file the challenge came after receiving and reviewing "numerous complaints" by Yameen's supporters. "So in light of that, President Yameen decided that the challenge must be filed for the rights of his supporters," he added. Hamid Abdul Ghafoor, spokesman for the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), said Wednesday that the legal challenge was "an attempt by Yameen to create unrest". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A group of UN independent human rights experts have called for the immediate release of 24 people, mostly from Bahai minority, who have been held by the de-facto authorities in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, since the middle of last month. The detainees face charges of apostasy or abandoning the state-sanctioned religion teaching the Bahai faith and spying; the latter, is subject to the death penalty. The five UN experts said that charges must be dropped and discriminatory practices based on religion, outlawed. At least 22 of those being held are Bahais, including eight women and one minor. The individuals were prosecuted on 15 September without investigation or warning prior to the start of the trials. Bahai is a faith that emphasizes the worth of all religions since its establishment in the 19th century, according to the international communitys website. Around one per cent of Yemens non-Muslim population are estimated to subscribe to the faith. Houthi rebels, who are Shia Muslims, have controlled Sanaa since 2014, as part of the long-running conflict with officially-recognized Government forces and their allies for full control of the country. According to news reports, the Houthis have been responsible for a wave of detentions targeting Bahais. UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ahmed Shaheed said the recent wave of detentions in Yemen appears to be an intimidation tactic intended to pressure Bahais into recanting their faith. In a statement last May, he stressed that it is unacceptable for anyone, including persons belonging to religious minorities, to be targeted or discriminated based on religion or belief. The statement from the UN experts said: We are very concerned at the criminal prosecution of these persons based on charges connected to their religion or belief. Referring to charges of espionage, they added, we are particularly concerned that some of the convictions include crimes that carry the death penalty. Five of the indicted attended a court hearing on 29 September in Sanaa, where the judge ordered the names of the remaining 19 individuals to be published in a local newspaper. The next court appearance is scheduled for later this month. We reiterate our call to the de facto authorities in Sanaa to put an immediate stop on the persecution of Bahais in Yemen, the UN experts said, adding that international human rights obligations apply to de facto authorities, the same as any governing authority. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday said that media should play a crucial role in spreading awareness on obesity. On the occasion of World Obesity Day, she also urged others to help in raising the awareness level of the people about the "prevalence, severity and diversity of the stigma about weight." On #WorldObesityDay2018 let us raise awareness about the prevalence, severity and diversity of the stigma about weight. The media must play a crucial role in this regard, Banerjee wrote on her Twitter handle today. The World Obesity Federation, this year, has called upon the people to end the stigma associated with obesity besides urging the media to stop using stigmatising language and imagery against obese people. Instead it should portray obesity in a fair, accurate and informative manner. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Technology giant Google said on Thursday that it has no employee in the name of Garvit Sahni, who was arrested by Delhi Police for allegedly stealing money to meet his girlfriend's expenses. The 24-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly stealing Rs 10,000 from the handbag of a woman at a five-star hotel in Lutyens' Delhi last month. After arresting him, police had said that Sahni worked as an executive at Google. However, Google has denied any association with him. "We would like to put it on record that we have no record of a Google employee with this name or credentials," said a Google spokesperson in a statement. Sahni had told police that he stole the money as he was facing a financial crunch and did not have the money to bear his girlfriend's expenses. Police had recovered Rs 3,000 of the stolen money from him. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 23-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly decamping with a truck carrying copper wire meant to be exported to Jordan from National Highway-8, which connects Delhi and Jaipur, police said Thursday. Abid, a resident of Bharatpur district in Rajasthan, was arrested after the Crime Branch received information he was to come to Bamnoli village in Delhi to sell more than 12,000 kg of stolen copper wire. The wire and the truck have been recovered, they said. The wire was to be exported to Jordan, said Ajit Singla, additional commissioner of police (crime). Abid, a truck driver by profession, disclosed that he and his brother-in-law, Roja Khan, had decamped with the truck loaded with copper wire of a fellow driver, Singla said. Abid was trying to sell the wire when he was arrested. The police team is now looking for Roja, said Singla. A few days ago, the crime branch arrested two persons involved in a similar crime involving a truck and recovered 10,000 kg of tea, Singla added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man has been arrested along with his girlfriend while trying to dump his critically injured wife at a secluded place near Ganga Canal in Murad Nagar after shooting at her, the police said Thursday. Deputy Superintendent of Police Prabhat Kumar said Yashwant Rana alias Sunny, a native of Doghat village in Baghpat district, was arrested along with his girlfriend Anshul after some people informed police about their suspicious movement at a secluded place near the canal. As Rana was trying to dump his wife Shivani, 27 after firing at her, she raised an alarm, attracting attention of the people, who informed police. The police swung into action and soon intercepted Rana's car, in which he was driving around looking for a secluded place to dump his injured wife. Rana admitted during interrogation by police that the injured woman was his wife to whom married three years ago but was not getting along with her. Accordingly, he was trying to get rid of her, he told police, adding he had brought her to Nivari on the pretext of an outing and had shot at her near Ganga canal some time ago. The police rushed the injured woman to a hospital, where she is currently undergoing treatment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 24-year-old man allegedly killed his grandmother after a quarrel here in Maharashtra, a police official said Thursday. Umesh Kondilkar, a resident of Chamtoli village near Badlapur township here, used to have frequent fights with his grandmother Tarabai Kondilkar (70) over petty issues, he said. The duo again had a tiff over some issue late Tuesday night following which the man attacked the elderly woman with an axe, killing her on the spot, the official at the Badlapur police station said. Based on a complaint filed by a family member, the accused was arrested Wednesday and booked under IPC section 302 (murder), he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra State Commission for Women on Thursday issued a notice to Marathi poet Dinkar Manwar over a poem which has drawn criticism from certain quarters for 'insulting' tribal women. The poem is part of "Drushya Naslelya Drushyat" (In A Scene Which Can't Be Seen), Manwar's debut collection of poems which was included in the syllabus of Mumbai University. The poem uses the imagery of 'breasts of tribal girl' at one place while talking about ever-changing colours of water. The imagery provoked protests from some organisations for allegedly insulting tribal women, and the poem was dropped from the syllabus by the varsity. The State Commission for Women too received complaints against Manvar for "hurting and insulting" the sentiments of the tribal communities. "Acting on the complaints, the commission has issued a notice to the poet and has asked him to appear on October 20," said a statement issued by the commission here. Vice-Chancellor of Mumbai University has also been directed to clarify the stand of its syllabus committee which included the poem in the curriculum, the statement added. Members of Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad and the NCP's student wing had burnt copies of the poem at the varsity's Kalina campus here recently. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) which has forged an alliance with the Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) for the next month's Chhattisgarh Assembly elections, will launch its election campaign on October 13. BSP chief and former Uttar Pradesh CM Mayawati will address a mega rally in Bilaspur town on Saturday, BSP's Chhattisgarh unit president O P Bajpayee said Thursday. JCCJ chief Ajit Jogi will also be present during the rally, he added. As per the poll alliance agreement, the BSP will contest 35 seats, while the JCCJ will fight 55 seats for the 90-member Assembly. Ajit Jogi has been made the chief ministerial candidate of the coalition. "After her (Mayawati's) visit, names of the candidates, who will contest the 35 seats as per the poll alliance with JCCJ, will be finalised," Bajpayee said. As per the poll schedule, 18 naxal-affected constituencies in the state will go to polls in the first phase on November 12, while polling for the rest of the 72 constituencies will be held on November 20. The counting of votes will be held on December 11. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) / -- The Microland CSR arm recently engaged with the Rotary Club of Parur to initiate a sustained engagement program for the weaver community of Kerala. The recent floods in Kerala caused immense destruction to the centuries-old handloom textiles industry in the small town of Chendamangalam in the Ernakulam district of Kerala. Microland has committed itself to the revival of the industry in the aftermath of these floods. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/717242/Microland_Logo.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/767596/Handlooms_before_rehabilitation.jpg )(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/767598/Microland_Kerala_Handloom.jpg )"Chendamangalam consists of 5 co-operatives employing approximately 600 weavers. The Rotary Club in partnership with Microland is supporting the Paravur Town Handloom Weavers Co-operative Society Ltd. No. H. IND (E) 1 which consists of 88 active members. Majority of the weavers are women, and many have lost their looms due to the floods," said Dileep MV, Secretary, the Rotary Club of Parur. "Each loom will take minimum 1 month to be operational depending on the scale of destruction. Apart from the loss of their looms during the floods, the weavers have also lost the supplies that were procured before the floods. While the Paravur Town Handloom Weavers Co-operative Society is supporting the members with yarn, the looms need to be up and running for the weavers to get back to work. Microland is working with local carpenters to rebuild the looms to expedite the rehabilitation of the weavers," said Karishma Bhuyan, CSR Leader, Microland Limited. "Microland is committed to act ethically and address the social and environmental issues prevalent in the society. Our core focus areas are what we call the three E's - Education, Environment and Employability, and we have established a participatory approach to design and execute our initiatives. We believe CSR is an important mandate that allows us to reflect upon and evolve our relationships with local communities, Government and Microlanders, to achieve meaningful positive impact on ground," said Pradeep Kar, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director, Microland Limited. In the past Microland has supported with relief items as a first-level response during the Kerala, Kodagu and North East floods. Recognizing the need of providing economic stability in the aftermath of natural calamities, Microland's goal is to expand its efforts to address the impact on livelihoods. About Microland: Microland accelerates the Digital Transformation journey for global enterprises enabling them to deliver high-value business outcomes to their customers. Headquartered in Bangalore, India, Microland has more than 3,800 professionals across its offices in Australia, Europe, India, Middle East and North America. Microland enables global enterprises to become more agile and innovative by integration of emerging technologies and the application of automation, analytics and predictive intelligence to their business processes. For more info: https://www.microland. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Thursday was apprised by a super-speciality hospital here that Uttar Pradesh politician D P Yadav, facing life term in the MLA murder case, would undergo spinal surgery on October 19. 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. Yashoda Superspeciality Hospital at Ghaziabad, in its medical report filed in pursuance of an earlier order, told a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi that Yadav's viral fever has gone now and he would be operated upon by using local anaesthesia on October 19. The bench, also comprising Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, considered the report and extended the interim bail of the controversial politician for undergoing the surgery. It also directed the hospital to furnish a fresh report on October 22 and fixed the matter for hearing a day after. After perusing the report, the court today said the surgery, which was said to be a complicated one, can be done through laproscpoic method by using local anaesthesia. Earlier, the apex court had directed the hospital to furnish a report whether Yadav was fit to undergo spinal surgery and had cautioned him against taking any "undue advantage". The bench, which had earlier granted an interim bail for 15 days to Yadav for undergoing pre-operation tests, had taken strong note of the fact that the tests have not been done on the ground that he was having viral fever and had warned that it would send him back to jail. 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. 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.) The government has said that almost all the demands made by Ganga activist G D Agarwal, who was on an indefinite hunger strike and died Thursday, had been accepted. On Wednesday, Water Resources and Ganga River Rejuvenation Minister Nitin Gadkari had said, "We have accepted almost all his demands (on cleaning of the Ganga). One demand was to to ensure environmental flow and we have come out with a notification." The government on Tuesday had come out with the e-flow gazette notification. The notification states the minimum environmental flows for Ganga river that is to be maintained at various locations on the water body. The second demand, Gadkari said, was to bring a legislation to protect Ganga. He said the legislation has been sent to Cabinet for approval, following which it will be tabled in Parliament. "He had some demands related to (upcoming) hydro-power projects (on river Ganga). We are trying to bring all stakeholders together and sort the issue at the earliest. I had also written a letter to him stating that we have accepted nearly 70-80 per cent and that we need him and he should stop his fast," the minister had said. Agarwal died at the AIIMS hospital in Rishikesh on Thursday. Reacting to Agarwal's death, AAP leader and party's Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh said the activist was on an indefinite hunger strike for more than 100 days and the "insensitive government" was "waiting for him to die". "I had requested the government to save it, but those seeking vote on his name could not save him (sic)," Singh tweeted. Senior Congress leader and former environment minister Jairam Ramesh expressed anguish over his "martyrdom". "He was an indefatigable crusader not only for Nirmal Ganga but also for Aviral Ganga. It was my privilege and good fortune to be able to implement some of his important suggestions to ensure uninterrupted flow in the Ganga and its tributaries in Uttarakhand. I salute his commitment and dedication, his scholarship and learning, his faith and passion," Ramesh said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States Senate has adopted with an overwhelming majority the creation of the United State Development Finance Corporation (USIDFC). This mega-agency, which will have the capacity to mobilize $60 billion, is mainly meant to counter Chinas growing economic influence in Africa and is seen as a response to the Chinese initiative One belt, one road. The new agency was born following the US administrations decision to merge several government agencies. Its parent body, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), was established in 1971 by President Nixon to help US companies invest in the development of emerging economies. USIDFCs main task is to counter the Chinese economic influence in Africa and take charge of several projects managed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), among which the largest is the Development Credit Authority. The Senates endorsement comes a month after Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China would extend $60 billion financing to Africa. The financing will be provided in the form of government assistance as well as investment and funding by financial institutions and companies, Xi Jinping said. The war of influence that Americans and Chinese are engaged in in Africa promises to be tough. Actually, after the success of the China-Africa Economic Forum held in Beijing last September, during which the Chinese president announced the $60 billion additional investment in the continent, the United States has reacted with the creation of the new institution. Distanced by China, which has become in a decade Africas leading trading partner, leading investor and financial lender, the United States is responding by announcing the creation of this major development finance institution, whose main goal is to counter Chinese influence in Africa. This new institution will be able to mobilize $60 billion, the exact equivalent of the amount announced by the Chinese President on September 3 before the African Heads of State and Government meeting in Beijing. The USIDFC will be able to invest and take equity stakes in companies or development projects in the continent. Americans claim this financial instrument is put in place to fight the Chinese debt diplomacy that left many developing countries heavily indebted, as put by Ray W. Washburne, president and CEO of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). However, China remains Africas largest trading partner. Trade between Africa and China has grown from $765 million in 1978 to over $170 billion in 2017, and is soon expected to reach $400 billion. A 50-year-old man died after being hit by a Royal Bhutan Army vehicle on Indo-Bhutan Road here Thursday?, police said. Nabin Das was knocked down by the vehicle near the Rangia Public Bus stand under Kamalpur Police Station in Kamrup district of, they said. He was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries, police said. Sources said the vehicle has been seized and its driver detained. Officials of the neighbouring country have rushed here after being informed about the incident, they said. The RBA vehicle was part of a convoy of the force on way by the Indo-Bhutan Road to the land-locked Himalayan kingdom through its Samdrup Jhongkar entry point near here, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) / -- Mr. Kieran Murphy (President & CEO, GE Healthcare) lauded the alumni, their parents and the GE Healthcare Institute Skill Creation team for their efforts in helping India's healthcare sector at the GE Healthcare Institute's Alumni Day held on the 9th of October, 2018. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/767498/Kieran_Murphy_GE_Healthcare.jpg )(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/767499/GE_HCI_Alumni_Day.jpg )(Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/767500/GE_HCI_Saint_Elizabeth_Health_Care.jpg )India has 84% shortfall in the healthcare technician demand-supply gap (as projected by National Skill Development Corporation [NSDC]). This is why GE Healthcare partnered with the Tata Trusts in 2016 and launched a unique skill creation initiative to train 10,000 youth in various technical areas of expertise in healthcare over a period of 3 years. At the Alumni Day (Mumbai), the alumni came back to share their stories, be awarded for their achievements and most importantly meet the people who made it all possible. The function was attended by parents who are proud of the education and financial stability their children now have. The GE HCI team were overwhelmed to witness a change in the mind-set of parents from wanting to marry the girl child to now supporting her skilling. The alumni had graduated as technicians in the fields of X-Ray / Operation Theatre / Anesthesia / Radiology and were placed in reputed organisations such as Jupiter Hospital, Ayush Hospital, SRL Diagnostics, Birla Diagnostics, Usha Diagnostic, Curra Multi-Speciality, Dr. Gandhi's Nursing Home, Vedant Hospital, Titan Hospital, Infinity Medisurge and more. On the Alumni Day, they bring with them testimonials from their employers : 'Proactive', 'Enthusiastic' and 'Great technical skills in recording patient history on digital images' are just some of the testimonials. It then comes as no surprise that 93% of the employers found the GE HCI training to be of good quality and appropriate to their requirements. Also present at the event were Mr. Nalinikanth Gollagunta (President & CEO, GE Healthcare India & South Asia and MD, Wipro GE Healthcare), Mr. Marut Setia (Executive & Head, Education Solutions & Customer Engagement, Africa, South Asia & ASEAN GE Healthcare), Ms. Anita Rajan (COO, Tata STRIVE & VP, Tata Sustainability Group), Dr. Sangeeta Pikale (Maharashtra State Director Health Sector Skill Council), Dr. Manoj Gandhi (Dr. Gandhi's Nursing Home and Secretary Bombay Nursing Homes Association, BNHA), Ms. Tazim Virani (MD, SE Global at Saint Elizabeth Health Care, Ontario, Canada) and representatives from Tata Trusts, BVG, Sami Infotech, Care24 and Magic Bus. The Skill Partner institutes at the event in Mumbai were IL&FS, Virohan Institute (Satya Saluja Group), Dexter Skills, Edujobs and Drishtee. At this event, GE Healthcare Institute signed a MoU with Saint Elizabeth Healthcare (Toronto) to train youth in a course in Palliative Care. Ms. Tazim Virani spoke about the work done by Saint Elizabeth Health Care in Canada and how palliative care is an opportunity for students from India. The Alumni Day event for Delhi NCR was held on 14th September. Present at this event were alumni who are working at reputed organisations such as Nu Life Diagnostics, Focus Imaging, Rama Hospital, Indogulf Hospital, Om Diagnostics, Amrapali Hospital, Pushpanjali Hospital, Dr. Lal Path, Rainbow Hospital, Scientific Pathology and Home Aid Service. The skill partners at the event were Virohan Institute (Satya Saluja Group), Dexter Skills, IL&FS, Drishtee (Moradabad), Pushpanjali Hospital (Agra), Aadhar Hospital (Agra) and AMTEK (Channel Partner). GE healthcare institute continues to design courses that help fill the gap of healthcare professionals and give young citizens a solid career. #GEHealthcareIndia #GEHCIAlumniDay About GE Healthcare Institute GE Healthcare Institute is committed to work for a healthier society and would like to contribute to the youth of this generation by providing them with skill development opportunities. For further information on the Skill Creation initiative, please visit: http://www3.gehealthcare. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jharkhand Governor Droupadi Murmu Thursday said the Centre and the state government have begun works to protect tribal culture, tradition and spreading awareness about tribal icons so that the generations next will be able to know about them. Speaking after the laying of foundation stone for renovation, protection and museum of old Birsa Munda Jail here, Murmu said that Birsa Munda and others had launched struggle against the British rule and "Birsa Munda has been given the status of Bhagavan." An official release quoting the governor said that the Centre and the state governments began works to protect tribal culture, tradition and spreading awareness about tribal icons so that the generations next will be able to know about them. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Raghubar Das said that our forefathers had sacrificed to get freedom. "We cannot repay their debt. But by building memorials and museums we can make efforts in taking their thoughts to the people. And todays programme is a phase in that regard," Das said. Das said that there will be a statue of other heroes of the state along with Birsa Munda in the old Birsa Munda Jail premises. The statue of Maharaja Madara Munda of Chhotanagpur will also be built here. Along with this, the site of Dumbariburu, where Birsa Munda was arrested and 400 people of tribal society were martyred, will also be restored, the chief minister said. "We have added biography of Tana Bhagat to syllabus. In addition to this, postal stamp has been issued on the occasion of Sarhul and Karma festival to promote the tribal cultural heritage and traditions," Das said. Highlighting the fight by the tribal society against the British since 1766, Das said the movement of Birsa Munda lasted from 1895 to 1900 before his martyrdom took place on June 9, 1900 in this jail. "We will make such a museum that people around the world will visit Jharkhand. A statue of Birsa Munda will be made of 100 feet high. Also, there will be information about our martyr soldiers on the border. The history of the heroic sons of India, including Albert Ekka, will be set in the adjacent park. The height of the tower will be 150 feet in the park. It will be known as Birsa Munda." Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oraon said that the erstwhile Atal Bihari Vajpayee government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi worked for the all-round development of tribal society. "As the Minister of Tribal Affairs, I have been given the responsibility of this department. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the work of developing and restoring the villages of martyred is being done," the release said quoting Oraon. He said that overall development of the village of martyrs is the priority of the Centre and the state governments. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US sanctions will not be an impediment to Indo-Russia defence deals, and New Delhi and Moscow could soon sign agreements on frigates and Kalashnikov assault rifles, Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev said Thursday. Describing the recently-inked USD 5.4 billion S-400 missile defence system deal as the "largest contract" in the history of Indo-Russia ties, he said it was one of the "speediest" agreements to be signed between the two countries and there were no protracted negotiations. The implementation of the contract, signed during President Vladimir Putin's visit from October 4-5, would start in 2020 and would last for five years, he said. "In the coming months, you can expect more deals. Talks are on, this is the normal process. We hope that within two-three months... We could soon have a deal on frigates, it is very much on the agenda of the two sides, and we could soon have a deal on the Kalashnikov assault rifles," the envoy told a select group of journalists here. "Yes," Kudashev said emphatically, when asked whether it would be right to state that Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act or CAATSA would not put pressure on India and Russia for further defence deals. His remarks come just a day after US President Donald Trump said India would soon "find out" if the punitive CAATSA sanctions apply to it over its USD 5 billion deal with Russia to purchase the S-400 Triumf air defence system. The CAATSA is a US federal law that imposed sanctions on Iran, North Korea and Russia. In Russia's case, the act primarily deals with sanctions on Russian interests such as its oil and gas industry, defence and security sector, and financial institutions. Under the CAATSA sanctions, only Trump has the authority for a presidential waiver to India on weapons deal with Russia. The S-400 deal was underplayed by New Delhi, perhaps in a bid to keep its robust ties with Washington unblemished. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin, who held their annual summit, did not mention the S-400 deal in their respective press statements. Government officials also did not publicly announce the inking of the deal, with only official sources confirming it and a joint statement making a mention of the deal. Asked about the playing down of the S-400 missile defence system deal during President Putin's visit, Kudashev said the relationship between the two countries is very close and military and technical part of it is important, but it need not be interpreted as a defining one. "The visit was about growing connectivity politically, economically, militarily in a humanitarian way, multi- dimensional... It was not about arms race, it was not about countering CAATSA, with its own CAATSA. The agenda was unifying, it was peaceful and that is why the military and technical side was important, but was one part of the statement," he said. On why the S-400 deal was not signed publicly, the Russian envoy said under Russian rules and protocol agreements are done before or on the sidelines of talks not necessarily in the presence of leaders, and added that may be talks were on till late. The Russian ambassador also slammed CAATSA, saying it was an instrument of political pressure and unfair competition. Another Russian diplomat said the notion that some other defence deals were not signed during Putin's visit because of CAATSA was wrong as these were complex agreements and needed more time. Kudashev also invoked statements made by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj saying India does not acknowledge sanctions other than those introduced by the UN. He said that during Putin's visit, the two countries also discussed strategies to identify common priority areas and how to protect their trade relationship from unpredictable factors like sanctions. Talking about the proposal of jointly developing the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), he said that it was still on agenda, but India's priority at present were S-400, frigates, helicopters, assault rifles. Kudashev also said India and the Russia should consider signing pacts such as the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) and Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), inked between New Delhi and Washington. "Given the level of our military and defence cooperation, I think the two sides need to have a stronger legal basis like these (LEMOA, COMCASA) to secure our interests," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The much-awaited scheduled hearing in the politically-sensitive Rs 64 crore Bofors pay-off case will not take place Friday in the Supreme Court as it has been deleted from the cause list which contains a record of businesses for the day. The cause list till Thursday afternoon showed that the petition filed by the CBI was listed for hearing before a bench comprising justices R Banumathi and Indira Banerjee in court number 8 as item number 43. The matter was deleted from the cause list late Thursday evening. Another petition filed by advocate and BJP leader Ajay Agrawal was not mentioned in the cause list. Agrawal said when he contacted an apex court official about the matter not there in the cause list, he was told that it has been deleted by an administrative order. Some law officers said the CBI was all set to argue on Friday before the Supreme Court to admit its petition in the case which was filed early this year after an inordinate delay of 13 years. Attorney General K K Venugopal and newly-appointed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta were to appear for the CBI. In the petition filed by Agrawal, Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh is appearing for the CBI which has been named as one of the respondents. The CBI on February 2 filed its appeal against the May 31, 2005 decision of the Delhi High Court quashing all charges against the accused persons in the case. The Special Leave Petition (appeal) of the CBI is filed in seven bulky volumes running into 1,782 pages which also contains various annexures. The agency had failed to file the appeal within the mandatory 90 days period but Agrawal filed the petition challenging the High Court Order on September 17, 2005. Agrawal, who contested the 2014 Lok Sabha election from Rae Bareli against the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi, filed the appeal after the CBI did not challenge the high court order due to the denial of permission by the then UPA government to file a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court. The BJP leader has been pursuing the case for over a decade. After lot of deliberation, the CBI this year got the nod from the NDA government to file an appeal in the apex court. The filing of the appeal assumes significance as Attorney General Venugopal in January advised the agency against moving a petition against the high court verdict after a delay of more than a decade. Later after consultations, law officers were in favour of the appeal as the CBI came out with "some important documents and evidence" to challenge the high court order. Sources in February had said the agency swung into action after the Attorney General orally gave it a go-ahead to file the appeal in the case in which it cited the October 2017 interview of private detective Michael Hershman, who alleged that the then Rajiv Gandhi-led Congress government had sabotaged his investigation. Hershman, who is the president of the US-based private detective firm Fairfax, had claimed in television interviews that Rajiv Gandhi was "furious" when he had found a Swiss bank account "Mont Blanc". He had also alleged that the bribe money of the Bofors gun scandal had been parked in the Swiss account. The CBI in its appeal stated that further investigation was necessary in view of the reports relating to Hershman's interviews. The CBI filed the appeal against the May 31, 2005 decision of the high court by which all accused, including Europe-based industrialists Hinduja brothers -- S P Hinduja, G P Hinduja and P P Hinduja -- were discharged from the Rs 64-crore pay-off case. Before the 2005 verdict of Justice R S Sodhi (since retired), another judge of the Delhi High Court, retired Justice J D Kapoor, had on February 4, 2004, exonerated Rajiv Gandhi in the case and directed the framing of charge of forgery under section 465 of the IPC against Bofors company. The Rs 1,437-crore deal between India and Swedish arms manufacturer AB Bofors for the supply of 400 155mm Howitzer guns for the Indian Army was entered into on March 24, 1986. Swedish Radio on April 16, 1987, had claimed that the company had paid bribes to top Indian politicians and defence personnel. The CBI on January 22, 1990, had registered the FIR for alleged offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery under the Indian Penal Code and other sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act against Martin Ardbo, the then president of AB Bofors, alleged middleman Win Chadda and the Hinduja brothers. It had alleged that certain public servants and private persons in India and abroad had entered into a criminal conspiracy between 1982 and 1987 in pursuance of which the offences of bribery, corruption, cheating and forgery were committed. The first charge sheet in the case was filed on October 22, 1999 against Chadda, Ottavio Quattrocchi, the then defence secretary S K Bhatnagar, Ardbo and the Bofors company. A supplementary charge sheet was filed against the Hinduja brothers on October 9, 2000. A special CBI court in Delhi on March 4, 2011, had discharged Quattrocchi from the case saying the country could not afford to spend hard-earned money on his extradition which had already cost Rs 250 crore. Quattrocchi, who had fled from here on July 29-30, 1993, never appeared before any court in India to face prosecution. He died on July 13, 2013. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Russia's ties with Pakistan should not be a matter of concern for India as Moscow's relationship with New Delhi is of a "strategic, long-term" nature, the Russian ambassador here said Thursday. Russian envoy to India Nikolay Kudashev said his country's relationship with Pakistan was aimed at ensuring a stable Pakistan, contributing towards regional stability and efforts to combat terrorism. Asked if during the summit meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week, the Indian side expressed concern over the growing Russia-Pakistan ties, Kudashev answered in the negative. "What is it to be concerned about. The relationship is very clear. We need a stable Pakistan...as far as I understand, this is also the idea of the Indian side," he told a select group of journalists. On holding of military exercises with Pakistan, he said it was a counter-terror drill and nothing more should be read into it. "Compared with India, our military and tactical cooperation with Pakistan is almost nil," he said. On new developments in Russia-Pakistan relations in the last few years, he said "something new should happen to bring Pakistan to the regional mainstream" and to convince it to invest more in fighting terrorism. "Pakistan joining the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) is a proof that this effort is succeeding. I don't feel there is any matter of concern for India. Our relationship with India is of strategic long-term nature," he asserted. "No sensible person in Russia will say that we develop relations with Pakistan at the cost of India. It's impossible," the Russian envoy said. Asked whether it will be fair to say that Russia and the US have serious differences over Afghanistan, the ambassador answered in the affirmative. "...Because the American strategy for Afghanistan failed after 10 or more years of military presence. The security situation is deteriorating and there is not even a single report to the UN Security Council (by the US)," he said. Talking about a peace conference on Afghanistan that was scheduled to take place in Moscow recently, he said there was a request from the Afghan side to postpone the meeting. The Taliban had indicated its willingness to attend the conference. Asked if India conveyed anything on attending the conference, Kudashev said, "There was no denial (of attending from the Indian side)." As far as engaging with the Taliban is concerned, it is a matter on which the Afghan government has to decide, he said. Kudashev said that during the Modi-Putin summit, Russia also reiterated its support for India's Nuclear Suppliers Group membership bid. He also said the MoU signed in the field of civil nuclear cooperation during President Putin's visit will pave way for new nuclear power projects of Russian design in India, and collaboration in third countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An influential students' body of the north-east Thursday urged the Centre to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the entire region to detect and deport the illegal immigrants living there. The North East Students' Organisation (NESO) also claimed that China continued to issue staple visa to those residents of Arunachal Pradesh, who desired to travel to the neighbouring country, and urged the Centre to take up the issue with the Chinese authorities. "Infiltration of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh is continuing unabated. We demand that like Assam, the NRC should be implemented in all the other north-eastern states," NESO chairman Samuel B Jyrwa told a press conference here. The NRC, a list of Assam's citizens, is currently being updated under the Supreme Court's supervision. A NESO delegation met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju Wednesday and placed the demands. The apex body of the students' organisations of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura also strongly opposed the proposed move to amend the Citizenship Act, saying this would allow the illegal immigrants to take up Indian citizenship. According to the draft Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016, the government intends to grant citizenship to the Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists and Christians, who have faced alleged religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and taken shelter in India. "Irrespective of their religion, we consider anyone living in India without valid documents as illegal immigrants," said NESO advisor Samujjal K Bhattacharjya. He also claimed that China continued to issue staple visa to the residents of Arunachal Pradesh and said the Centre must intervene to put an end to the practice. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress-affiliated NSUI and Left-backed AISA held protests on Thursday against the alleged inaction of the Delhi University (DU) against DUSU president Ankiv Baisoya, who is accused of furnishing fake degree to gain admission in the varsity. Hundreds of members of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) demonstrated near the Arts Faculty in DU's North Campus. The Supreme Court had ordered an investigation into the matter. However, disregarding this order and overstepping the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines, this matter is being pushed aside without proper action being taken, the students' body said. NSUI activists had sought permission to meet K T S Sarao, head of the department of the Buddhist Studies, where Baisoya is enrolled. However, he was unavailable, it said. The student activists alleged that the university authorities used force to disperse the protesters and that they were detained by the police. They also claimed that false allegations were levelled against Delhi NSUI president Akshay Lakra, Saurabh Yadav and Sunny Chillar. "These allegations involved causing hurt, and breaking things by using force. However they were just a display of the level of sycophancy that has increased in our administration and police authority as well," the NSUI said. The varsity authorities assured the students' body that a proper investigation will be conducted into the charges by a committee and its judgement will be made public, it added. Members of All India Students' Association (AISA) protested outside the office of the dean of students' welfare against the DU administration's alleged unwillingness to cancel Baisoya's admission. Baisoya has made a mockery of the DU admission process and the DUSU elections, AISA said. Student activists blocked the road to the Chhatra Marg when the DU administration refused to meet them. AISA DU president Swali Prakash said, "Almost a month has passed since the declaration of the DUSU results. The administration is clearly trying to delay the cancellation (of his admission) to avoid re-elections." If his admission is cancelled after 60 days, DUSU VP Shakti Singh, who is also from BJP's students' wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and was allegedly involved in beating up students of Zakir Hussain College just two days before the elections, will become the president, Prakash said. "Whatever is the case, either a forge or a goon will be DUSU president. This shows how closely the DU administration is linked to the RSS-BJP," she added. The NSUI had last week circulated a letter from the registrar of Thiruvalluvar University to Tamil Nadu's principal secretary of saying Baisoya never studied at the varsity. Earlier, the NSUI had released a letter from the varsity sent in response to a communication from the student's body stating that the university's BA certificate submitted by Baisoya is fake. Meanwhile, unidentified persons barged in the Department of Buddhist Studies between and caused extensive damage to property. A case has been registered in the matter. No one was named in the complaint submitted by Sarao to the DU administration and Maurice Nagar police station. Around 20 persons barged into the premises of the Department of Buddhist Studies between 1.40 pm and 1.45 pm and caused extensive damage to the department property, Sarao said in his complaint. All the notice boards were destroyed, locks and doors of two rooms were damaged and the seminar room was vandalised, among other things, the complaint said. According to the complaint, the incident was captured by the department's four CCTV cameras. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A New York judge on Thursday dismissed one charge against Harvey Weinstein, but left the disgraced Hollywood titan facing five other charges in connection with alleged sexual assault. The 66-year-old father of five, out on a USD 1 million bail and forced to wear a GPS monitor, attended the latest court hearing and denies any non-consensual sexual relations. "This is obviously a very positive development," Weinstein's defence lawyer, Ben Brafman, told reporters outside the court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Obama Foundation is launching an initiative aimed at boosting educational opportunities for girls around the world. Former first lady Michelle Obama on Thursday announced the launch of the Global Girls Alliance that will work with organisations worldwide to increase public awareness and action. Obama says the alliance aims to lifting up grassroots leaders all over the world who want to clear away the hurdles that many girls face when trying to get an education. The Chicago-based foundation says more than 98 million adolescent girls worldwide don't go to school. The alliance's website highlights programs around the world and offers ways for the public to support those programs. The Obama Foundation was started in 2014 with the aim of continuing "the great, unfinished project of renewal and global progress. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ethiopia will roll out a visa-on-arrival regime for all Africans entering the country, President Mulatu Teshome said on Monday. The president, who was speaking at the opening of the new session of the countrys parliament in Addis Ababa, said there would be no need for Africans to necessarily apply for visas before flying into the country. All African passport holders need to do is fly in and have their visas stamped on arrival. The move comes barely four months after Prime Minister Abiy announced that the country had started issuing visas online for tourists and other visitors across the world. Ethiopia boasts the continents best national carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, which has made the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, not just a regional but global aviation hub. According to the Visa Openness Index, its still easier for Americans to travel around Africa than it is for Africans themselves. Africans still need visas to travel to 55% of other African countries, although visa openness levels have improved from 2015 levels on average. Africans can get visas on arrival in just 25% of other countries and dont need a visa at all to travel to just 20% of other countries on the continent. Electric vehicle manufacturer Olectra-BYD Thursday said it has signed an agreement with Uttarakhand government to deploy 500 AC Electric Buses in the state with an investment of Rs 700 crore. As per the pact, Hyderabad based Olectra Greentech in a strategic tie-up with China's BYD Auto Industry will deploy the Made in India' eBuzz K7 (9 meter) and eBuzz K9 (12 meter) electric buses in the state. Olectra-BYD has started trial run for one month between Dehradun to Mussoorie and the charging infrastructure has been installed at Dehradun, the company said in a statement. The bus offers state-of-the-art technologies like CCTV camera, GPS navigation, panic button and many more to ensure the safety of passengers, it said. The impetus given to electric vehicles manufacturing and tax benefits to the manufacturers as well as buyers in the EV Policy, showcase the state government's vision and commitment to conserve the environment, Olectra Greentech Executive Director Naga Satyam N said. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery installed in the bus enables it to travel up to 250 km in a single charge. The MoU was signed between Uttarakhand Transport Corporation MD Brijesh Kumar Sant and Olectra Greentech Executive Director Naga Satyam N in the presence of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Om Metals Infraprojects' Thursday said its special purpose vehicle (SPV) Bhilwara Jaipur Toll Road Ltd (BJTR) has sought termination compensation of Rs 523 crore from the Rajasthan government. BJTR, which was formed to execute road projects, served a termination notice to the Rajasthan government citing material default, a company statement said. As per the termination clause 37.3.2 of concession agreement, the government of Rajasthan is liable to pay complete debt due on the project and 150 per cent of the adjusted equity. The Rajasthan government has to pay 1.5 times of equity, debt and compensation as permitted in the concession agreement. Total claim sought by BJTR is Rs 523 crore out of which lenders outstanding dues is Rs 205 crore, according to the release. The project is operational since December 2014. From April 2018, the private vehicles were made toll free by the state government and the company was exploring with NHAI to convert the state highway into a national highway. BJTR had received this project for the development of a two-lane road from Jaipur to Bhilwara via Malpura, Kekri and Shahpura (SH-12) on DBFOT (design, built, finance, operate and transfer) basis through PPP model. It has also been talking to the state government for allowing compensation for loss on account of exempted vehicles. This SPV, where Om Metals has 49 per cent stake, had completed the development of 212 km road project of Jaipur-Bhilwara stretch on build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis and commercial operation date (COD) achieved in December, 2014. Om Metals has executed 100 per cent of engineering procurement and construction (EPC) work for a total project cost of Rs 410 crore. Commenting on the development Vikas Kothari, president and director of Om Metals Infraprojects said, "With this development there would be realisation of deployed cash flow into company." "We will be able to take up more large projects in our core area of irrigation and hydro-mechanical projects. This would spur the growth rates in our business in the years to come," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opposition parties in Maharashtra on Thursday demanded that a Marathi book, recommended to school students for extra-curricular reading, should be withdrawn as it contains a derogatory reference to prince Sambhaji, the eldest son of King Shivaji. The book is about the life of 17th century saint-poet Ramdas, and it refers to the advice Ramdas is believed to have proffered to Sambhaji who became king after Shivaji's death. The book has been recommended to students under the Union government's Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan scheme. Sambhaji Brigade, a Maratha organisation, submitted a written complaint to the state commissioner Thursday, claiming that the book makes unsubstantiated and derogatory claims about Sambhaji. Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan said the reference to Sambhaji in the book was objectionable, and the book should be withdrawn. The government should "apologise to the people of Maharashtra" for recommending such a book, Chavan said. NCP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde also demanded withdrawal of the book and apology from Maharashtra minister Vinod Tawde. department officials could not be reached for comments on the issue. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 30 per cent of posts of Chief Information Commissioners and Information Commissioners are lying vacant across the country, according to a study released Thursday by the NGO Transparency International India. It said more than 2.5 crore RTI applications were received by all public authorities -- central and state government departments under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act -- during 2005 and 2016, it said. "Out of the 156 posts of Chief Information Commissioners and Information Commissioners at the Union/State level, around 48 posts are vacant, i.e. 30.8 per cent vacant posts in Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions," the study said. There has been no appointment of State Chief Information Commissioners (as on October 10, 2018) for Andhra Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Nagaland, it said. There are vacancies of Information Commissioners in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Tripura, among others, the study said. During the years 2005-2016, more than 2.525 crore RTI applications were received by all public authorities as maintained by the Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions, said the study which was released on the eve of the RTI Day. A penalty of about Rs 1.93 crore was also imposed by the Central Information Commission during the years 2005-2016 on various public authorities and official concerned, it said. The RTI Act empowers citizens to seek time-bound reply from government departments on governance related matters. Recently, on the occasion to mark the International Right to Know Day (September 28, 2018), the Halifax-based Centre for Law and Democracy (Canada) and Access Info Europe (Spain) published the rank for 123 countries on RTI Implementation. "India ranks 6th with a score of 128 and has dropped down the list by two places. Its failure to top this ranking is demonstrative that global standards of the right to access have advanced considerably since India's law was first passed," the Transparency International India said. Giving details of RTI's implementation at the Union level, the NGO said about 66.6 lakh RTI applications were received and out of these 4.8 lakh were rejected. "The implementation of the Act has been limited in its extent because of the existence of a fundamental problem with the mindset of the persons sitting in the power. "The diverging objectives of the persons in power and as envisaged by the Act, has proven to be the biggest hurdle in the successful implementation of the Act," said Rama Nath Jha, Executive Director, Transparency International India. He said structural and procedural difficulties have also proven to be one of the major hindrances in the popularising RTI Act as a tool of the masses. "Information delayed is information denied! Pendency in Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions, acts counter to the objective of the Act," the study has pointed out. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A high-level constitutional body in Pakistan on Thursday recommended the removal of a high court judge for his scathing remarks against the country's powerful spy agency ISI, the first such case in nearly five decades. The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) recommended to remove Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, who was facing a case of alleged misconduct over his controversial speech targeting the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Justice Siddiqui while addressing the Rawalpindi District Bar Association on July 21 had alleged that the ISI was manipulating judicial proceedings to constitute panel of judges to get favourable decisions. The army had asked the chief justice of Pakistan to take the notice of the remarks after IHC chief justice Anwar Kansi rejected the allegations against Siddique. The matter was referred to the SJC, which is the body to take up complaints against judges of higher courts and also recommend punitive actions including removal from judiciary. A five-member SJC bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, was hearing the case. The SJC after hearing the case issued its decision on Thursday, asking Prime Minister Imran Khan to remove Siddique as his conduct was unbecoming of a judge. The Council is unanimously of the opinion that in the matter of making his speech...Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, Judge, Islamabad High Court, Islamabad had displayed conduct unbecoming of a judge of High Court and was, thus, guilty of misconduct and he is, therefore, liable to be removed from his office, the panel said. The 39-page opinion of the SJC was penned by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa. Siddiqui's lawyer Hamid Khan said that though there is no provision of appeal against the decision of the SJC but he will take the matter to the Supreme Court. Siddiqui is the second judge removed by SJC since removal of Justice Shaukat Ali of Lahore High Court in 1973 for corruption. Most of the judges have opted to tender their resignation to avoid an SJC inquiry. However, Justice Siddiqui opted to face the charges of misconduct. The proceeding of the case against judge Ali went on for 10 months. Interestingly, cases of misconduct against chief justice Nisar and three other judges of Supreme Court have been with the SJC for a long time but no proceeding has taken place. But the case against Siddiqui was decided after preliminary hearing held in-camera. Siddiqui is the second senior most judge of the IHC and was in line to become chief justice of IHC in November when incumbent Kansi is set to retire. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan President Arif Alvi sacked a high court judge on Thursday after a high-level constitutional body recommended his removal for making a scathing speech against the country's powerful spy agency ISI. The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) had recommended to remove Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, who was facing a case of alleged misconduct over his controversial speech targeting the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Justice Siddiqui while addressing the Rawalpindi District Bar Association on July 21 had alleged that the ISI was manipulating judicial proceedings to constitute panel of judges to get favourable decisions. The army had asked the chief justice of Pakistan to take the notice of the remarks after IHC chief justice Anwar Kansi rejected the allegations against Siddique. The matter was referred to the SJC, which is the body to take up complaints against judges of higher courts and also recommend punitive actions including removal from judiciary. A five-member SJC bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, was hearing the case. The SJC after hearing the case issued its decision on Thursday, asking Prime Minister Imran Khan to remove Siddique as his conduct was unbecoming of a judge. The Council is unanimously of the opinion that in the matter of making his speech...Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, Judge, Islamabad High Court, Islamabad had displayed conduct unbecoming of a judge of High Court and was, thus, guilty of misconduct and he is, therefore, liable to be removed from his office, the panel said. The 39-page opinion of the SJC was penned by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa. Later, the law ministry issued a notification that President Alvi removed Siddiqui as IHC judge in the light of recommendations of the SJC. Siddiqui's lawyer Hamid Khan said that though there is no provision of appeal against the decision of the SJC but he will take the matter to the Supreme Court. Siddiqui is the second judge removed by SJC since removal of Justice Shaukat Ali of Lahore High Court in 1973 for corruption. Most of the judges have opted to tender their resignation to avoid an SJC inquiry. However, Justice Siddiqui opted to face the charges of misconduct. The proceeding of the case against judge Ali went on for 10 months. Interestingly, cases of misconduct against chief justice Nisar and three other judges of Supreme Court have been with the SJC for a long time but no proceeding has taken place. But the case against Siddiqui was decided after preliminary hearing held in-camera. Siddiqui is the second senior most judge of the IHC and was in line to become chief justice of IHC in November when incumbent Kansi is set to retire. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistani police have seized several ancient Buddhist sculptures that smugglers were attempting to smuggle out of the country. The police seized the artifacts from a passenger vehicle on way to Gilgit Biltistan from Abbotabad district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The seized artifcacts included four big and eight small sculptures of Budha. DSP Abbotabd Cantonment told media on Thursday that they had received a tip-off that artifacts stolen from an archaeological site would be smuggled to Northern areas. Acting on the information, police started searching vehicles on a check post at Muslimabad area. During checking, police intercepted a vehicle and recovered 11 sculptors of Budha hidden in a luggage loaded on the roof of the vehicle. Police has arrested one person. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's anti-graft body has summoned the country's envoy to the US Ali Jahangir Siddiqui to question him for allegedly paying Rs 15 crore in bribe to a top government official to get the plum diplomatic post, a senior official said Thursday. Ambassador Siddiqui has been issued a notice to appear before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on October 19. "The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore has summoned Siddiqui for October 19 after a transaction of Rs 15 crore between him and former principal secretary to prime minister Fawad Hasan Fawad has surfaced," a senior official of the anti-corruption watchdog told PTI. He said an investigation into Fawad's income beyond means case revealed that Siddiqui had paid him Rs 15 crore in bribe to get approval from former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for his (Siddiqui) appointment as ambassador to the US. "The NAB has summoned Siddiqui to quiz him on October 19 at its Lahore office in relation to the charges that he transferred Rs 15 crore into the account of Fawad to get the ambassadorship," the official said. He said the NAB had also termed Siddiqui's reply in another case of stock manipulation "unsatisfactory". "The NAB will also quiz him regarding the alleged role of his company M/s Azgard Nine Limited (ANL) in the manipulation of shares that caused losses of billions of rupees to the national exchequer," the official said. The NAB is probing affairs of the ANL with regard to siphoning off funds amounting to over Rs 200 crore in 2008, which were used to purchase an Italian Company Monte Bello SRL. Foreign company Fairtal SRL, Sweden, was used for the deal, which suffered losses along with its shareholders. There are also allegations that the shares of a company named Agritech Limited were sold to various financial and government institutions at a price higher than the market rate to settle loan defaults, resulting in a loss of Rs 4000 crore to various financial and government institutions, the NAB said. The top anti-graft agency has also received an investigation report from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), which looked into this case about a decade ago. The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has also reportedly provided details of a business deal and a shares transaction by the ANL and Agritech Limited. According to the SECP report, the ANL had indulged in "active manipulative trading" during the review period (2007-08). In its report titled "On the manipulative and other prohibitive activities into ANL 2007-08", the SECP concluded that the JS Group had orchestrated a scheme of manipulation in the scrip (primarily known as a document acknowledging debt) of the ANL during the period under review. The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had earlier lambasted former Prime Minister Abbasi for appointing Siddiqui for the diplomatic post, citing nepotism. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Pakistani extremist Islamist party is demanding the country's Supreme Court uphold the death sentence for a Christian woman convicted of blasphemy. Asia Bibi has appealed her sentence and the court earlier this week postponed ruling on the final appeal. Her lawyers say she was falsely accused. The Tehreek-e-Labbaik party said on Wednesday that if the court's three-judge panel frees Bibi, the judges will face "consequences". The party also says its supporters will rally on Friday to demand death for Bibi. The charge against Bibi dates back to a hot day in 2009 when she went to get water for fellow farm workers. Two Muslim women refused to drink from a container used by a Christian. Bibi was later accused of insulting Islam's prophet, a charge which carries the death penalty. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NCP president Sharad Pawar has called a meeting of senior leaders of the party's Maharashtra unit Friday to discuss candidates for the next year's Lok Sabha elections. "He is keen to finalise or at least shortlist the candidates as early as possible so that preparations for the polls can start," a party leader said here Thursday. "Seat-sharing talks with the Congress are likely to be concluded soon. Except three or four seats which might be contentious, both parties know which seats they will contest," the leader said. "We will have to give some seats to smaller allies. Out of 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra, we (Congress and NCP) should be able to declare candidates for 38 seats early on," the leader said. The NCP has demanded that the two parties should contest equal number of seats in Maharashtra this time. In 2014, the Pawar-led party had contested 21 seats in the state, winning four, while the Congress contested 27 and won two seats. State unit leaders of the Congress and NCP will also be meeting Friday evening to discuss poll preparations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United Nations Security Council has called for dialogue on the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The move follows a five-day visit to the Central African nation. The DRC is scheduled to hold long-delayed elections on December 23, 2018. President Joseph Kabila has declared he will not stand for the polls, in line with the countrys Constitution. The UN envoys visited the office of the independent electoral commission responsible for organizing the election. They also met all the actors involved in the electoral process to discuss stakes in the December 23 polls. According to the deliberation of the 15-member team, the voting machine has brought controversy in the country. The French Ambassador to the United Nations thus called for consultation. He stressed the importance of additional steps to build confidence before the elections. He also urged the Congolese electoral commission to be transparent. Last month, President Kabila said every effort would be made to ensure peaceful and credible elections in the country. He also vowed to oppose any interference in the electoral process during the run-up to the polls. President Kabila renewed his call for the withdrawal of the UN peacekeeping mission, known by its French acronym MONUSCO. Saddled with mounting debts, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday asked the finance ministry to conduct an analysis of how Pakistan's debt rose five-fold to Rs 30 lakh crore in 10 years, the state media reported. "We need to know where that money went and what projects it was used in. Our government has just come in and we have been forced to take loans to pay off the loans that they [the previous governments] took. At least we should know where those loans went," he said while while chairing a meeting of his Cabinet. Pakistan's foreign currency reserves dropped to USD 8.4 billion in late September, barely enough for current debt payments. Khan's government blames the previous administration for the country's economic woes. It is unclear how much Pakistan will seek to borrow from the International Monetary Fund, but the country's media outlets have reported that at least USD 8 billion is needed to tackle the current crisis. During the Cabinet meeting, Khan instructed the finance Ministry to conduct an analysis of how Pakistan's debt increased from Rs 6,000 billion to Rs 30,000 billion in the span of 10 years, Radio Pakistan reported. "This analysis is also important as our government, which sees that the country is already in debt, will have to think twice about taking more loans. We will at least have to see that the loans that we take create more wealth so that they can be returned," he said. Khan directed the finance ministry to present its detailed analysis on the matter in another Cabinet meeting. The prime minister's directive came on a day when Pakistan's Finance Minister Asad Umar met with IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde in Nusa Dua, Indonesia and formally sought a bailout from the global lender. "During the meeting, they requested financial assistance from the IMF to help address Pakistan's economic challenges," Lagarde said in a statement. "An IMF team will visit Islamabad in the coming weeks to initiate discussions for a possible IMF-supported economic programme," she said. Pakistan has approached the IMF for a bailout a dozen times since the late 1980s. The most recent was in 2013, when it received a USD 6.6 billion loan to tackle a similar financial crisis. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police will record statements of witnesses before summoning Nana Patekar and three others in connection with a complaint of sexual harassment filed by actor Tanushree Dutta, an official said Thursday. Dutta has accused Patekar of touching her inappropriately on the sets of a Bollywood film in 2008. The investigation is at a preliminary stage. Since it is a 10-year-old case, police need to verify all the facts first, the official, privy to the probe, said. "As part of the probe, we will record statements of all witnesses related to the case before summoning the accused," he said. In a complaint filed last Saturday, Dutta alleged that during the shooting of a song sequence for "Horn OK Pleassss", she was inappropriately touched by Patekar even after she had clearly mentioned that she will not perform lewd, vulgar or uncomfortable steps. Dutta had also claimed that she had complained to the song's choreographer Ganesh Acharya, but she was forced to do scenes which were intimate and included Patekar touching her inappropriately. Based on her complaint, a case was registered Wednesday night at the suburban Oshiwara Police Station against Patekar, Acharya, the film's producer Samee Siddhiqui and director Rakesh Sarang. Offences have been registered against them under IPC section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), the official said, adding that no arrest has been made so far. Meanwhile, a group of women activists staged a protest outside the Oshiwara Police Station, demanding proper investigation into the case and arrest of Patekar, if the allegations against him were found to be correct. After Dutta had decided to walk out of the film in 2008, her car was vandalised by goons who, she alleged, were from the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The Maharashtra State Commission for Women had Tuesday issued notices to Patekar, Siddiqui, Acharya and Sarang. The commission also wrote to Mumbai police, seeking information on the action it had taken on Dutta's complaint. Patekar has denied he misbehaved with Dutta on the sets of the film, calling her claims a "lie". The 67-year-old actor's lawyer has sent a legal notice to Dutta. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said Thursday that PhD scholar-turned militant preferring death in an encounter over life should make political parties realise the gravity of the situation and facilitate dialogue with all stakeholders to end the bloodshed in Jammu and Kashmir. Manaan Bashir Wani, who was pursuing PhD in Allied Geology at Aligarh Muslim University, quit studies and joined ranks of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit in January this year. He was killed, alongwith another associate, in an encounter with security forces in Handwara area of Kupwara district this morning. "Today a PhD scholar chose death over life & was killed in an encounter. His death is entirely our loss as we are losing young educated boys everyday," Mehbooba wrote on her Twitter handle. "It is high time that all the political parties in the country realise the gravity of this situation and try to facilitate a solution through dialogue with all the stake holders including Pakistan to end this bloodshed," she added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bollywood actor has refused to give his blood sample for analysis after he was booked by the Goa Police for rash driving, a police official said Thursday. The police wanted his blood sample to check whether the actor, who is in his early 30s, was driving under the influence of alcohol, the official said. Babbar's car allegedly dashed a scooter on the Panaji- Mapusa highway Wednesday evening following which a case of rash driving was registered against him. "When Babbar was taken for medical examination at the state-run Asilo Hospital in Mapusa town, he refused to give his blood sample," Porvorim police station inspector Paresh Naik told PTI. A case under the Motor Vehicles Act was registered, while a probe was on to check whether Babbar could also be booked under IPC sections as the scooter rider alleged that the actor threatened him after the mishap, he said. Babbar has been called Thursday at the Porvorim police station for questioning, Naik added. The complainant, Paulo Correa, 21, had Wednesday alleged that a car driven by Babbar dashed against his scooter when he was riding with his sister. After the mishap there was an altercation and Babbar used filthy language against them, he alleged. Babbar, on his part, filed a complaint against Correa, alleging that Correa smashed his car's window-shield, the police official said, adding that they have seized the car. Prateik Babbar, the son of actors and late Smita Patil, has worked in films like "Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na", "Dhobi Ghat", "Dum Maro Dum" and "My Friend Pinto". Brajesh Thakur, prime accused in the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal, was on Thursday shifted to a jail in Bhagalpur district, a prison official said. Thakur headed the NGO which ran the shelter home where more than 30 girls are said to have suffered sexual abuse. He has been in jail in Muzaffarpur since June this year. We had received a direction to shift Brajesh Thakur from the Shaheed Khudiran Bose Jail, Muzaffarpur, to the Special Central Jail in Bhagalpur. The order was complied with this morning, Jail superintendent Rajiv Kumar Singh told PTI over phone. Replying to a query, he said at present only Thakur has been shifted out of Muzaffarpur since no directions have been received so far to transfer any other accused in the case in connection with which as many 15 persons have been arrested so far. Sources in the prison department here said that the move followed a request by the CBI, which is investigating the case, since it was wary of keeping Thakur in the jail which was overcrowded and situated in a town where he was known to be an influential person. The scandal had come to light earlier this year when the Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Social Sciences, in its report of social audit conducted of shelter homes across the state, cited complaints of sexual abuse by inmates of the care unit for minor girls in Muzaffarpur. An FIR was lodged by the state social welfare department thereafter and police arrested 10 persons, including Thakur, in this connection. A countrywide outcry followed sexual abuse of many inmates being confirmed in medical examinations and reports of a girl having been beaten to death a few years ago. The Nitish Kumar government handed over the probe to the CBI in July. The social welfare minister Manju Verma also stepped down shortly afterwards following allegations that her husband Chandrashekhar Verma had close links with Thakur. In the recent past, the CBI has arrested five more persons in connection with the case one of them a social welfare department official and the remaining employees of Thakur who besides running the NGO, owned many businesses and even published a number of small newspapers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Punjab Police Thursday claimed to have solved a 10-year-old murder case of a columnist-cum-politician in Patiala with the arrest of two persons. Darbara Singh Seona, a Punjabi columnist and the general secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal, was shot dead on September 12, 2008, by unknown assailants. A case was registered at Civil Lines Police Station in Patiala city in this regard. During investigation it was found that the motive behind the killing was a family dispute, said Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh, the IGP (Intelligence) at the Organized Crime Control Unit (OCCU) of the Punjab Police. Since Seona had written a controversial article in a vernacular newspaper, prior investigations suspected the involvement of some radical elements in his killing, he said. He said two persons were arrested in the case Thursday. They were identified as Daljit Singh of Patiala and Pushpinder Singh of Jind in Haryana. After an intensive questioning, both of them confessed to the crime and revealed the names of other men involved in the crime. Both the accused have a past criminal record, he said. Kunwar said further investigation in this case was on and efforts were being made to nab the other accused. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A report by a French publication on selection of Indian partner in the Rafale deal triggered a fresh round of fierce attack and counter-attack between the Congress and the BJP with Rahul Gandhi alleging Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "corrupt" and demanding a probe into his role in the jet procurement. Strongly countering Gandhi's charges, the BJP accused the Congress chief of "lying through his teeth shamelessly" and indulging in " of misinformation" to build his political career. Calling him a "clown prince", the BJP alleged that the Congress president belonged to a "family of middlemen" with his father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi being "officially a middleman" in a defence deal. The political offensive came a day after some reports, citing French publication Mediapart, said an internal document of Dassault Aviation showed that the manufacturer of Rafale had to choose Ambani's firm Reliance Defence as its offset partner in India as a trade-off for getting the deal. On a visit to France, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in Paris that offset obligations for the deal is mandatory but not the names of the companies. In a statement, Dassault Aviation also said it has "freely chosen to make a partnership with Reliance Group, as it rejected the report by French publication Mediapart. The latest report followed former French President Francois Hollande's comments last month that France was given "no choice" on selection of the Indian partner for Dassault and the Indian government proposed the name of the Indian company. Hollande was French president when the Rafale deal was sealed. At a press conference, Gandhi also described Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's ongoing three-day visit to France as part of a "great cover-up". "The reality is that the prime minister is corrupt. The prime minister of India is a corrupt person, but he came to power on the promise of fighting corruption," Gandhi told reporters. "... in the Rafale contract. the prime minister has indulged in clear-cut corruption and there should be an investigation on it," he said. Questioning Modi's silence on the issue, Gandhi said, "It is clear there is pressure. If he is unable to respond, he should resign." The Congress president, however, did not provide any evidence to back his allegations against the prime minister. Rejecting his allegations, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra hours later alleged at his press conference that the Congress leader comes from "a family of middlemen" and his his father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi was "officially a middleman" in a defence deal. While the Opposition has been attacking the Modi dispensation over the multi-billion dollar Rafale deal, the government has been maintaining it had no role in Dassault's choice of Reliance Defence. Defence Ministry sources said Sitharaman's visit to Paris was pre-scheduled and it has nothing to do with the Rafale controversy. "Why has suddenly the defence minister rushed to France? What is the emergency?" Gandhi asked and claimed the purpose of the visit was "to put pressure on Dassault, to silence them and do a cover up". "This is the logic," the Congress chief said. Gandhi claimed a senior Dassault executive has said India's prime minister pushed the contract and now both Hollande and Dassault are saying the Indian prime minister has said that "without this compensation, this deal cannot be done". The Congress chief reiterated his charge that Modi is Ambani's "chowkidaar', and not of the country. Rebutting the charges, Patra counter-alleged that it was Gandhi family that made money from every defence deal till 2014 and Rahul Gandhi has not been able to come out of that mindset. Patra said the BJP stands with the truth and accused Gandhi of making a mockery of national security. He also said the Indian Air Force Chief has recently described the purchase of the fighter aircraft as a "game-changer". Patra also read out from a statement of Dassault Aviation, manufacturer of Rafale fighter aircraft, to claim that Gandhi inserted "Reliance" deliberately where the firm has spoken about its commitment to offset purchase from India. The BJP leader further said the Supreme Court has also dismissed a PIL (public interest litigation) that had questioned the aircraft's price and sought the deal cancelled. He said the people will decide whether to believe Gandhi or the Supreme Court and the Air Force Chief. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi Thursday demanded an investigation against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on role in the Rafale deal, alleging that he was a "corrupt man" who helped Anil Ambani pocket Rs 30,000 crore in the purchase of 36 aircraft. Gandhi's demand for a probe came a day after a report in French publication that said Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of Rafale, had to choose Ambani's firm Reliance Defence as its offsets partner in India as a trade-off for getting the deal. The government has been insisting that it had no role in Dassault's choice of Reliance Defence. The Congress president also described Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's three-day trip to France from Thursday as part of a "huge cover-up" by the government on the Rafale deal. "Why has suddenly the defence minister rushed to France? What is the emergency?" Gandhi asked at a press conference. "The reality is the prime minister is corrupt. The prime minister of India is a corrupt man," he said. Modi came to power on the promise of fighting corruption, the Congress leader said, adding that he wanted to tell the youth of the country that the prime minister was involved in corruption. On Wednesday, French investigative publication Mediapart, citing an internal document of Dassault Aviation, reported that the aerospace giant was forced to enter into a joint venture with Reliance Defence as part of a trade-off to bag the contract for the 36 Rafale jet deal. Dassault Aviation said in a statement that it has "freely chosen to make a partnership with India's Reliance Group". Last month, Mediapart quoted former French president Francois Hollande as saying that France was given "no choice" on selection of the Indian partner for Dassault and the Indian government proposed the name of the Indian company to partner with the French aerospace giant. The report triggered a massive political row with Congress escalating its attack on the government and the government firmly rejecting the charges. Both Dassault and Reliance Defence have already announced setting up of a joint venture to manufacture aerospace components and fulfil offset obligations for the Rafale deal. Under India's offset policy, foreign defence entities are mandated to spend at least 30 per cent of the total contract value in India through procurement of components or setting up of research and development facilities. 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 procurement of 126 Rafale jets. The opposition parties have alleged Reliance Defence was formed just 12 days before the announcement of the Rafale deal in 2015. Reliance group has rejected the charges. The Congress has also been demanding answers from the government on why state-run aerospace major HAL was not involved in the deal as finalised during the UPA. In its reaction following the Mediapart report, Dassault Aviation said, "In compliance with the Indian regulations (Defence Procurement Procedure) and as frequent with such a contract, Dassault Aviation has committed to offsets in India worth 50 per cent of the value of the purchase." "In order to deliver some of these offsets, Dassault Aviation has decided to create a joint-venture. Dassault Aviation has freely chosen to make a partnership with India's Reliance Group," it said. The French aerospace major said partnerships have also been signed with other companies such as BTSL, DEFSYS, Kinetic, Mahindra, Maini and SAMTEL. "Other negotiations are ongoing with a hundred-odd other potential partners," it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi Thursday demanded an investigation against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his role in the Rafale deal, alleging that he was a "corrupt man" who helped Anil Ambani pocket Rs 30,000 crore in the purchase of 36 aircraft. He also described Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's ongoing three-day visit to France as part of a "great cover-up". Gandhi's allegations came a day after a report in French publication that said Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of Rafale, had to choose Ambani's firm Reliance Defence as its offset partner in India as a trade-off for getting the deal. The government has been insisting it had no role in Dassault's choice of Reliance Defence. "The reality is that the prime minister is corrupt. The prime minister of India is a corrupt person, but he came to power on the promise of fighting corruption," Gandhi said at a press conference. "... in the Rafale contract. the prime minister has indulged in clear cut corruption and there should be an investigation on it." Questioning Modi's silence on the issue, he said, "It is clear there is pressure. If he is unable to respond, he should resign." The Congress president, however, did not provide any evidence to back his allegations against the prime minister. "Why has suddenly the defence minister rushed to France? What is the emergency?" he asked. "The #GreatRafaleCoverUp has begun. To try and show the deal is legitimate, Raksha Mantri will need to generate minutes of imaginary meetings held between the French and our Ministry of Defence and both sides will need to agree on a common story to be spun to the media. RM left for France last night," he added on Twitter. Asked about the purpose behind Sitharaman's France visit, Gandhi told reporters, "To put pressure on Dassault, to silence them and do a cover up. This is the logic." The whole idea, he said, is to put pressure on Dassault. The media was also being put under pressure, he added, asserting that the truth on the deal will come out and there was enough material for it. Answering a question on why other parties were not joining him in speaking on the Rafale deal, Gandhi said whether he speaks or someone else, the real issue is that "the ex-president of France - no less has said India's prime minister is corrupt". Last month, French investigative publication Mediapart quoted former French president Francois Hollande as saying that France was given "no choice" on selection of Indian partner for Dassault and the Indian government proposed the Indian company's name. On Wednesday, Mediapart, citing an internal document of Dassault Aviation, reported that the aerospace giant was forced to enter into a joint venture with Reliance Defence as part of a trade-off to bag the contract for the 36 Rafale jet deal. Dassault Aviation said in a statement that it has "freely chosen to make a partnership with India's Reliance Group". According to Gandhi, a senior Dassault executive has said India's prime minister pushed the contract. Now both, Hollande and Dassault, are saying the Indian prime minister has said that "without this compensation, this deal cannot be done". " Compensation' for what, what has Anil Ambani done? What is he being compensated for, that is the question?" the Congress president asked. Dassault, he said, is sitting on a huge contract and will say what the Indian government wants it to say. The Congress chief reiterated his charge that Modi is Ambani's "chowkidaar' not not the country's. "One thing is very clear... India's prime minister got the Rafale contract for Anil Ambani's company and this is not the only contract, some more defence contracts will come," he said, adding that questions will be raised on the entire defence contracts. "So to India's youth, farmers, small shopkeepers and brothers and sisters, Narendra Modi ji has done 'chowkidari' of Anil Ambani and the truth is that he has given him a Rs 30,000 crore contract to save him and his business," Gandhi alleged. On cases of corruption against Congress leaders and his own family, he said, the BJP is in government and can carry out any kind of investigation. Dassault Aviation said in a statement that it has "freely chosen to make a partnership with India's Reliance Group". "In compliance with the Indian regulations (Defence Procurement Procedure) and as frequent with such a contract, Dassault Aviation has committed to offsets in India worth 50 per cent of the value of the purchase," it said in its reaction following the Mediapart report. "In order to deliver some of these offsets, Dassault Aviation has decided to create a joint-venture. Dassault Aviation has freely chosen to make a partnership with India's Reliance Group," it said. The Congress has been alleging irregularities in the deal, saying the government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore, against Rs 526 crore finalised by UPA government while negotiating procurement of 126 Rafale jets. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi will take part in a discussion on Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's contribution to the country on October 13, but a mega protest meet against the Rafale fighter jet deal has been postponed, state Congress said Thursday. Congress' Karnataka chief Dinesh Gundu Rao said the protest meet has been postponed and would be organised on a later day in the city. "Rahul Gandhi is coming day after tomorrow (Saturday, October 13), earlier we had planned to organise a huge protest meet by gathering about a lakh people against the Rafale deal scandal and preparations were on for it...but we are not doing it as he has other commitments," Gundu Rao said. Rao, however, said Gandhi would be participating in a discussion about HAL's contribution to the country. He said this discussion was not being organised by the congress party, but by "some people" who are "pained" by the government's attempts to "ruin HAL's name." "It is a discussion about HAL organised by few, as its name is being ruined by the central government with their statements.so this will be a discussion about HAL's contribution to the country," he said. HAL employees, former employees and some common people may also be participating, he said. As Rahul Gandhi has raised this issue in a big way, they wanted him to be part of it, he said. However, the congress state unit had yesterday said Rahul Gandhi would meet employees on October 13 and will be talking about the "controversial" Rafale deal. "Shri Rahul Gandhi will meet employees of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru on October 13. He will be talking about the controversial Rafale deal, and will also address a party workers' rally in the city," the state unit of the party had tweeted quoting Rao. Replying to a question, Rao said the congress had neither organised nor sought any permission to hold a meeting inside the HAL's premises. "Who said it is being organised inside (HAL). ..we never sought permission, we are not organising the event, who told you. It is only a discussion about HAL organised by few," he added. Asked about details of the event, Rao said it is scheduled to be held at Cubbon park here on October 13 afternoon, and it may be restricted to invitees, details of which would be clear by tomorrow. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Georgian PM Says GUAM Should Strengthen By Gvantsa Gabekhadze Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze says that GUAM -a regional organization of Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and Azerbaijan, should strengthen and play bigger roles for economy and resolution of conflicts.It is crucial to fully utilize the potential of the GUAM free trade zone and to increase our efforts aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the GUAM transport corridor, Bakhtadze said during a meeting with the GUAM countries heads of state today, Bakhtadze stated in his speech last week in Moldova, during the meeting of heads of state of GUAM.In this context, the need to intensify the political consolidation of the member states under GUAM and further mobilization of international support, Bakhtadze said.Bakhtadze also held a separate meeting with his Moldovan counterpart Pavel Filip and said that Georgia and Moldova enjoy close friendship and partnership and share common European interests, mutual respect, and similar views on each other."Both sides want to maintain this positive trend in the future. We are pleased to see active contacts between various line ministries and agencies of our countries and successful cooperation in justice, law enforcement and tourism fields, Bakhtadze said.The officials spoke about the conflict issues.Pavel Filip thanked PM Bakhtadze for Georgias support for Moldova as well.Georgia has voted for a resolution which says that Russian troops should leave Moldovan territory. This is very important to us and we believe that Georgia is our friend. We support this country on its way towards the EU and our joint path of EU integration helps us deepen our relations, Pavel Filip said.They said that facing common challenges, Georgia and Moldova should cooperate for the attraction of international support. In the wake of the alleged rape of a 14-month old girl in Gujarat two weeks back, state Congress MLA Geniben Thakor has said that rape accused should be burnt alive instead of being handed over to police. A video in which the woman legislator is purportedly seen telling this to a group of women went viral on Thursday. However, Thakor clarified that she was just trying to pacify the women as they were anguished over the rape of the 14-month old girl from Thakor community. Thakor represents Vav seat of Banaskantha district. In the video captured on a mobile phone inside a house yesterday, the MLA is seen surrounded by some agitated women. "In India, everyone has to pass through the process of law (to get justice). But, whenever such incidents happen, 50-150 persons should come together and burn him (rape accused) alive on the same day. Finish him, don't hand him over to police," Thakor is seen telling the women. In her explanation, Thakor said she was only trying to calm down the women, who were moved by the rape of the toddler near Himmatnagar town of Sabarkantha district on September 28. The accused, a native of Bihar was arrested by police on the same day. "The video was shot inside my residence. That was not a public rally or a press conference. I said those words in order to pacify some 100 women visitors, who were upset due to the rape incident. There was no other intention," said Thakor. Geniben is considered close to another Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor, who is in the eye of storm after attacks on Hindi speaking migrants following the rape incident and arrest of migrant worker from Bihar. The ruling BJP has blamed Alpesh Thakor and his outfit, Gujarat Kshatriya-Thakor Sena, for the outbreak of violence. (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 Thursday appealed to the people to enrol their names in the voters' list of the state and become an active part of the electoral process. Interacting with electoral officials at Raj Bhawan here, the governor urged them to enrol every eligible citizen of the state to ensure maximum electoral participation of the people in the democratic process. The governor and wife Neelam Misra also registered their names in the state electoral roll, a Raj Bhawan communiqu said. A team of officers from Papum Pare district election office, led by district election officer Dr Joram Beda, facilitated the enrolment of the governor and his wife in the state electoral roll under special summary revision. On the occasion, Dr Beda briefed the governor about the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) activities, including educating the people about the importance of voting, the communiqu added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dassault Aviation's joint venture with represents around 10 per cent of the offset investments under the Rafale jet deal, Dassault CEO Eric Trappier has said. "We're in talks with about 100 Indian firms, including around 30 with which we've already confirmed partnerships," Trappier told AFP. Separately on Thursday, speaking at a briefing in Paris, Defence Minister reiterated the government's claim that it had no idea that would team up with Group, run by Anil Ambani. Several reports say Dassault was forced to choose by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite its having almost no experience in the aviation sector. On the eve of Sitharaman's visit, French investigative website Mediapart quoted the notes of a meeting between Dassault management and workers' representatives which described the choice of Reliance as "imperative and compulsory". "We are very clear: With the government of France, we agreed to purchase 36 Rafale aircraft in flyaway condition," Sitharaman said. "And in an intergovernmental agreement, there are no mentions of any individual firms," she said. "It is more for the companies which have chosen A, B or C as their partners to answer questions if there are any," she said. In a statement, Dassault released a transcript of what it said was Trappier's interview with AFP in which he was asked about the status of the offsets. "Signing an offset contract is a requirement of Indian law (Defence Procurement Procedure). The implementation of offsets is an obligation and, under the Indian regulation, the choice of the partners belongs to us, Trappier was quoted as saying. "In full compliance with this regulation, Dassault Aviation, therefore, decided to set up the DRAL joint venture with Reliance and build a plant in Nagpur, which should enable us to meet about 10 per cent of these offset obligations. We are in negotiations with about a hundred Indian companies and partnerships have already been concluded with about thirty of them," he was quoted as saying. He said what is called offset in English is usually translated into French as compensation or contrepartie. With regard to the staff and trades unions organizations, uses the term obligation contractuelle d'offset or obligation contractuelle de compensation, he said. Dassault negotiated for years with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the order, with the jets being jointly built in India. But those talks were cancelled after Prime Minister took office, when he decided to purchase the jets directly from France. Asked why Dassault chose Reliance over HAL as its partner, Trappier said decided to establish a long-term presence in India through DRAL, a joint enterprise in which governance is provided by an Indian Chief Executive Officer and a French Chief Operating Officer. "Dassault Aviation therefore exercises technical and industrial control over the operations, applying its standards and its flexibility. This JV will produce parts for the Falcon 2000 and Rafale. The choice of the Nagpur site, in central India, was dictated by the availability of land with direct access to an airport runway, he was quoted as saying. Dassault on Wednesday said it had "freely chosen" to form a joint venture with Reliance. But that stance was contradicted recently by former French president Francois Hollande, under whose watch the was signed. Hollande said last month that France had "no choice" but to join with Reliance after it was pushed by the Indian government -- comments which were seized upon by Indian opposition parties. Under Indian defence procurement rules, foreign companies winning contracts must "offset" or reinvest half the total value -- in this case around eight billion euros -- in joint ventures or purchases with Indian firms. "There are good doctors in Pakistan", Supreme Court Chief Justice Saqib Nisar told Pervez Musharraf on Thursday as he directed the Dubai-based former dictator to appear before the apex court to record his statement in the treason case against him. General (retd) Musharraf, 75, who has been living in Dubai since 2016, is facing the treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007. The former army chief left for Dubai in March 2016 for medical treatment and has not returned since, citing security and health reasons. The chief justice's cryptic remarks came as he headed a bench hearing the case related to National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), passed by Musharraf in 2007. The NRO granted amnesty to politicians and other individuals by quashing various corruption and criminal cases against them so they could return to the country and engage in the democratic process. During the hearing, Musharraf's lawyer Akhtar Shah submitted a reply regarding the former president's return to the country and said, "I request the bench to keep my client's illness confidential." Justice Nisar, however, remarked, "There are people present in the country who are suffering with this disease." Musharraf's lawyer then urged, "If it is necessary for Musharraf to return then he should be allowed to visit a doctor and his name should not be placed on the Exit Control List (ECL)."To this, the chief justice assured, "Let Musharraf return to Pakistan, no one will arrest him but I cannot say anything regarding the removal of his name from ECL."A person placed in the ECL cannot leave the country. "He should record his statement under Section 342 of the criminal procedure code in the treason case," Justice Nisar said while adding that "Dubai is not the best place for treatment and there are good doctors in Pakistan". Musharraf's lawyer then told the court that the former president left the country after permission from the government. The chief justice, however, said, "We are saying it again, we did not grant permission to Musharraf." "We cannot put anyone's life at risk. Musharraf should come record his statement and whenever he wants to leave for treatment he can." Naming Musharraf, former president Asif Ali Zardari and former attorney general Justice (retd) Malik Qayyum as respondents, petitioner Feroz Shah Gilani had requested the court in April to order recovery of "huge amounts of public money" misappropriated and wasted by them through unlawful means. He contended that Musharraf subverted the Constitution by declaring emergency followed by the promulgation of the NRO, through which criminal and corruption cases against politicians, including Zardari, were "arbitrarily withdrawn". A conviction for high treason carries the death penalty or life imprisonment. Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, has been declared a fugitive in the Benazir Bhutto assassination case and the Red Mosque cleric killing case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rich tributes were paid to Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan at a number of functions held at various places in Bihar which were attended by Governor Lalji Tandon, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, among others. Prasad visited the Mahila Charkha Samiti in Kadam Kuan locality of the city an organization devoted to imparting knowledge of arts and crafts among females with which JP himself and his wife Prabhavati Devi were closely associated with and announced a financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh. Whatever I am today, I am because of JP. The JP movement of the 1970s had inspired me to take active part in public life. I have always striven to live by the ideals he epitomized, Prasad told reporters on the occasion. I am making a humble contribution of Rs 50 lakh, drawn from my MPs fund, as a token of respect for the Loknayak, he said. The veteran leader popularly referred as JP was born on October 11, 1902 and died on October 8, 1979. The Bihar Governor paid a visit to Sitab Diyara, the ancestral village of Narayan a part of which falls in Saran district of Bihar and rest in the side of Uttar Pradesh. Accompanied by local BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy besides some parliamentarians from the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh, the Tandon garlanded a statue of the Loknayak. The Governor, who is also the Chancellor of all state universities, announced that a Chair named after Jayaprakash Narayan would be set up at the Jayaprakash University in Chhapra the district headquarters. Earlier, the Governor also garlanded a statue of JP at the Income Tax roundabout in Patna where he was joined by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi and road construction minister Nand Kishore Yadav among others. PTI NAC Thanks a lot. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Rohingya family of five has returned to Myanmar from Bangladesh, sources said Thursday, a rare development while a large-scale repatriation deal remains stalled. More than 720,000 of Myanmar's stateless Muslim minority fled a brutal military crackdown in August last year, taking shelter in crowded camps in Bangladesh. There they recounted tales of rape, murder and arson as villages in Rakhine state were burned to the ground. United Nations investigators have said senior Myanmar military officials should be prosecuted for genocide, but the country has rejected these calls, insisting it was defending itself against militants. Myanmar and Bangladesh signed a deal to bring back the Rohingya but many fear returning without guaranteed rights such as citizenship, access to healthcare and freedom of movement. Authorities in Myanmar say more than 100 displaced Rohingya have returned in recent months though rights groups have questioned whether the returnees did so voluntarily. The family of five "displaced people" came back to Rakhine state on Wednesday morning, state mouthpiece Global New Light of Myanmar reported Thursday. Myanmar's government has trumpeted each return but Bangladesh insists that the official process has not commenced. The Bangladesh government's Rohingya camp commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam said he had only heard about the family leaving, but has not received official confirmation of their return to Myanmar. "Anyone can go back if he/she wants," he said. "But formal repatriation has not begun." Abdur Rahim, a Rohingya camp leader in Bangladesh, said the family had been staying in the Balukhali camp in Cox Bazar district. "They returned to their home...near Maungdaw township in Rakhine yesterday," he said. UN agencies, which signed a deal with the Myanmar government to assess conditions on the ground in northern Rakhine, said they had carried out an initial survey in September of about two dozen villages. "Mistrust, fear of neighbouring communities and a sense of insecurity are prevalent in many areas," they said in a statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Russian man was apprehended at the airport here for allegedly using a fake ticket to enter the terminal area, a senior official said Thursday. G A Sergeevich was intercepted by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel as he was about to leave the Terminal-3 building of the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Wednesday, the official said. The man, who holds a Russian passport, was stopped and questioned while exiting the terminal area where passengers are not usually allowed, he said. He told the security personnel that he used a "cancelled" ticket to Bangkok to enter the terminal area as he wanted to exchange his foreign currency. The man had arrived at IGI from Ashgabat (Turkmenistan) early Wednesday, the official said. He was subsequently handed over to police and charged with alleged trespass. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As the Sabarimala issue hots up, a march by 'Yuvamorcha' activists Thursday to the house of Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran here turned violent, leading to police using water cannons and tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. The trouble started when the activists tried to break barricades put up by police a few meters away from the minister's house. Reacting to the incident, the ruling CPI(M) alleged that the ongoing stir over the Sabarimala issue by the opposition BJP and Congress along with other outfits was to destabilise the LDF-led state government. Addressing a press conference here after an LDF meeting, Front Convener A Vijayaraghavan said the nature of the stir, which included blocking the minister's convoy, "insulting" the chief minister and attacking Travancore Devaswom Board offices, indicated that the effort was to dislodge the LDF government. Alleging that the stir was to create trouble at a time when the LDF government was being praised for its relief work after the massive floods in the state last month, Vijayaraghavan said the opposition parties were using the Supreme Court verdict (on Sabarimala) as a tool to attack the government. With a view to counter the "false propaganda" unleashed by the Opposition over the issue, LDF would convene public meetings in all 14 districts this month to explain the stand of the government and the LDF, he said. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will address the meetings here on October 16, at Pathanmthitta on October 23 and at Kollam on October 24, the LDF convenor said. The government cannot reject the apex court order and it is bound to implement the same, Vijayaraghavan asserted. Meanwhile, BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai, who addressed the 'long-march' launched by NDA with the slogan of 'Save Sabarimala' at Noornad in Allpuzha district, claimed that the march was getting massive support from the general public. A sit-in by some Hindu outfits, demanding that the government go in for a review petition against the apex court order permitting entry of women of all ages into the Lord Ayappa temple at the hill shrine, continued. The Congress, BJP and various Hindu organisations have launched protests, demanding that the state government file a review petition against the Supreme court verdict. But the Left government has maintained that it will not go in for a review of the ruling. The apex court in its September 28 verdict 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.) South Korean electronics major Samsung Thursday unveiled its latest Galaxy A9 smartphone to strengthen its play in the global mid-premium phone market. The Galaxy A9, which is the world's first device to feature quad-camera setup in a smartphone, is likely to be introduced in the Indian market in November. The pricing is also expected to be announced closer to the launch date. Samsung Electronics President and CEO (IT and Mobile Communications Division) DJ Koh said the company is excited about the "debut" of the new smartphone camera technology with the Galaxy A9. "As a global leader in smartphone innovation, we understand the demand for meaningful innovation in a fast-paced world driven by visual communication," he said. Building on our legacy in smartphone camera development, we're introducing next generation technology across our entire Galaxy portfolio to give more consumers the opportunity to experience cutting edge, he added. Samsung had recently launched its Galaxy A7 at Rs 23,990 to compete in the mid-priced smart phone segment that has been growing rapidly in India. The company, which competes head-on with rival Xiaomi in the Indian market, has "changed" its strategy earlier this year for the mass and mid-price phones to bring in innovation across its smartphone range and not limit them to premium flagships. Samsung is also expected to assemble the A9 at its new facility in Noida that was inaugurated last month to meet the demand in the Indian market. The company claims that the facility, which has been set up with an investment of Rs 5,000 crore, is the world's biggest smartphone factory. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britain's foreign secretary on Thursday warned that Saudi Arabia faces "serious consequences" if the suspicions of Turkish officials that journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul turn out to be true. "People who have long thought of themselves as Saudi's friends are saying this is a very, very serious matter. "If these allegations are true, there will be serious consequences because our friendships and our partnerships are based on shared values," Jeremy Hunt told AFP. "We are extremely worried," he said. Hunt said he had spoken to Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir and had told him "how very, very concerned the United Kingdom is". Britain is a close ally and trade partner of Saudi Arabia. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Saudi Arabia to release footage of Khashoggi and President Donald Trump has demanded answers over his fate, as the kingdom faces growing pressure to provide a convincing explanation for his disappearance. The Washington Post, the daily to which Khashoggi was a contributor, added to the mystery by reporting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered an operation to "lure" the critical journalist back home. Khashoggi has not been seen since October 2 when he went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain official documents for his upcoming marriage. Turkish officials quoted in media have said he was killed but Riyadh denies that. The mystery has captivated the world but also threatens to harm brittle Turkish-Saudi relations and hurt efforts by the crown prince to improve the image of his country with a reform drive. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Grigory Karasin Threatens Georgia By Levan Khutsishvili On October 8, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin spoke about Georgian Russian relations in an interview with the newspaper "Izvestia". According to Karasin, Tbilisi continues unfriendly actions against Russia on international stages and this can create serious problems for the process of stabilizing the relationship between the two countries."Tbilisi does not yet try to restore diplomatic relations, continues working against Russia on the international arena and participates in NATO's strategy of deterrence Russia. We directly warn the Georgian partners that this kind of behavior threatens the process of normalization of relations started in 2012, because of this process citizens of both countries already have several benefits," - said Grigory Karasin.Grigory Karasin also added that Moscow and Tbilisi have a perspective that agreement on visa-free travel achieved. However, he said, the absence of diplomatic relations prevents it."As for visa liberalization, as you know, 2015 visa regime with Georgia was significantly simplified and every citizen of this country has the opportunity to obtain a visa to Russia. In fact, we do not exclude that there is a perspective for visa-free regime between Georgia and Russia. The other thing is that so far it is practically impossible to do, as the absence of diplomatic relations prevents the process. Another reason is a difficult situation in the world that affects everything, I mean an increased threat of terrorism, the problem of illegal migration and many other issues. And of course, we have to take all these things into account, "- said the Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia.Besides the difficulties in diplomatic relations Grigory Karasin spoke about the other aspects of Georgia-Russia relations and as he said progress in foreign trade and transport is obvious as the turnover of bilateral goods continues to grow, for example in January-July period it increased by 44% and according to Karasin, trade capacity in 2018 will reach $ 1 billion.Gregory Karasins reaction can be the answer of the speech of Prime Minister of Georgia Mamuka Bakhatdze made on 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly. He once again criticized Russia for aggression and occupation and asked the international society for support. All this reiterates that the Russian Federation's main motivation was a military intervention to establish military bases in our territories, not to protect the rights or interests of the local population, as they publicly, officially declare. This true intention is witnessed firsthand on a daily basis by our citizens in the occupied territories.Razor wires and other artificial barriers split families and violate fundamental human rights. Those who live along the occupation lines are even prevented from visiting houses of prayer and the graves of their ancestors. Our citizens are prohibited from educating their children in the native language.Abductions, torture, and murder continue. Archil Tatunashvili, Giga Otkhozoria, and 18-year-old Davit Basharuli are the recent victims.Because of these and many other cruel offenses, the Otkhozoria-Tatunashvili List was created to include the names of those who committed these egregious crimes. We believe that those on the list must be held accountable through applicable international law. said Mamuka Bakhtadze.As it seems the Russian side was expecting a different kind of speech, and this expectation could be related with the statement made by the previous Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili on March 9, 2018: We have already announced and are reaffirming that we are interested in achieving real progress in the Geneva International Discussions Process, for which I have confirmed the willingness of my personal involvement. We are ready for a direct dialogue with Abkhazians and Ossetians and will welcome the constructive approach of the Russian side in this regard. In case of political will, it is possible to take other reasonable steps, - stated Giorgi Kvirikashvili.This statement was understood from Russian side as a positive message, but the new prime minister of Georgia criticized Russia from the stage of UN, and Karasin, coming from the perspective of Russia and expectations they may have had, threatened Georgia ones again. The Supreme Court will hear Friday the petition challenging the West Bengal government's decision to dole out Rs 28 crore to 28,000 puja committees in the state for Durga Puja celebrations. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi was apprised that on Wednesday the Calcutta High Court had refused to interfere with the Mamata Banerjee government's decision to grant Rs 10,000 each to 28,000 puja committees in the state. The bench, also comprising Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph, was told by lawyer P V Dinesh that the decision of the state government was against the established principle of law and an urgent hearing was needed on the plea. The petition was filed by advocate Sourav Dutta against the high court's decision. The plea said that with the decision to grant Rs 28 crore to puja organisers, the state government was indulging in practices which were against the principles of secularism, which is part of the basic structure of the Constitution. "The attitude of the state government is alarming since its actions are having tendency to encourage communal passion in the community," the plea said. It also said that the high court, while dismissing the writ petition, failed to appreciate that there was "no public purpose" involved in organising Durga Puja, rather it is a "religious programme". "The statement of the Chief Minister itself shows that there is no public purpose particularly when she has clarified the said grant is being extended to the Puja Organisers on account of gift from state. Since no public purpose would be served by granting money and/or handing out concessions to Durga Puja organisers, the said decision of the state violates the provision of Article 282 of the Constitution and thus, the said decision of granting money to the puja committees is liable to be set aside," the plea said. The Article 282 of the Constitution deals with the expenditure defrayable by the Union or a State out of its revenues. The plea said there was no provision of law by which State exchequer could be utilised for giving gift to puja organiser. It also said the high court failed to appreciate that the State fund which consist payment of various taxes by citizens cannot be utilized for any religious purpose. "Use of tax-payers money for repair/restructuring/ construction of any religious place offends the sprit and object of Article 27 of the Constitution of India. The Constitution of India prohibits the state from compelling any person to pay any tax, proceeds of which is to be spent for the promotion of any particular religion or religious denomination. "Therefore, the decision of the state relating to grant for organizing Durga Puja is unconstitutional and is liable to be set aside," the plea said. Article 27 says, no person shall be compelled to pay any taxes, the proceeds of which are specifically appropriated in payment of expenses for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion or religions denomination. The high court had on Wednesday refused to interfere in the state government's decision to give Rs 10,000 each to 28,000 Durga puja committees in the state, and said the legislature is the appropriate forum to decide on such expenditure. An interim stay granted by the court on disbursal of funds stood vacated as the court disposed of the plea. The petitioner, in his plea, had challenged the government's decision to disburse funds to the tune of Rs 28 crore, claiming it was a dole to puja committees and had no public purpose. The plea also claimed that providing funds to puja committees is a violation of the secular structure of the Constitution. On September 10, Mamata Banerjee had declared that Rs 10,000 would be given to each of the 28,000 puja committees across the state --3,000 in the city and 25,000 in the districts, costing the government an amount of Rs 28 crore. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The search for those killed in Indonesia's quake-tsunami disaster was called off Thursday, despite there being around 5,000 people still missing. The magnitude 7.5-quake and a subsequent tsunami razed whole swathes of Palu to the ground on September 28. More than 2,000 bodies have been recovered since the twin disaster on Sulawesi island. But authorities fear 5,000 more could be buried beneath the ruined city, where entire villages were swallowed. Rescuers had struggled to find remains in the twisted wreckage, a job made worse as mud hardened and bodies decomposed in the tropical heat. "The search and rescue (SAR) operation for the victims will end this Thursday afternoon," SAR field director in Palu, Bambang Suryo, told AFP. The government earlier indicated these hard-hit areas would be left untouched as mass graves. Parks and monuments are planned at three of these worst-hit areas -- Balaroa, Petobo and Jono Oge - to commemorate the possibly thousands of dead who will never found. Those zones were all but destroyed by liquefaction, a phenomenon where the brute force of a quake turns soil to quicksand. Humanitarian assistance has poured into the disaster-ravaged city but the recovery ever been criticised as moving too slowly. Some foreign rescue teams were prevented from deploying quickly to the ground to assist in the search for the dead and missing. The UN says 200,000 people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance in Palu, with clean drinking water and medical supplies still in short supply. An estimated 80,000 people were displaced by the disaster, many squatting in tents outside their destroyed homes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Human rights watchdog Amnesty International India Thursday expressed concern over the Income Tax department's search at media baron Raghav Bahl's residence and office, saying it indicates a "clampdown on free press". "The Income Tax Department's 'search' on Quintillion Media Private Ltd, which runs a website - 'The Quint', and the homes of its owners, Raghav Bahl and Ritu Kapoor, indicates a clampdown on free press," Amnesty International India said in a statement. "It raises disturbing questions on whether the website is being targeted for speaking truth to power. It appears that the authorities are attempting to silence anyone expressing views that are critical of the government," it alleged. A team of I-T sleuths raided the premises of the founder of The Quint in Noida early Thursday, looking for documents and other evidence related to a case of "bogus long-term capital gains (LTCG) received by various beneficiaries". Apart from Bahl, premises of three other "beneficiaries" and professionals, J Lalwani, Anoop Jain and Abhimanyu, were searched. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sebi Thursday said it has sold two properties belonging to Pancard Clubs for a collective amount of nearly Rs 5 crore, as part of markets regulator's efforts to recover investors' money. While the land parcel located in Kerala has been sold for Rs 4.4 crore, the one in Goa has been disposed of for Rs 54 lakh, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said in separate communications. The regulator said it has received Rs 4.4 crore from ARV Ventures for land parcel in Kerala and Rs 54 lakh jointly from Ramniwas L Agarwal, Vijay J Shewakramani and Manohar Jathar for the property of Goa, after which it has confirmed the sale of these properties. These entities paid the money after emerging as the highest bidder for these properties in an e-auction conducted on August 21. Earlier in April, Sebi had sold two properties for nearly Rs 8 crore in the Pancard Clubs case. The regulator has been auctioning the assets of Pancard Clubs, which had mobilised Rs 7,035 crore from 51,55,516 investors from 2002-03 to 2013-14 through illegal collective investment schemes. In February 2016, Sebi had directed the firm and its directors to refund the investors. However, the entities did not comply with the direction following which the regulator had initiated recovery proceedings in the case and attached the properties belonging to the firm and its directors. Since the entities failed to repay the dues, Sebi had issued a notice of sale in April 2018 for selling their properties. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Security forces seized a cache of arms and ammunition in Manipur's Thoubal district, police said Thursday. A team of Manipur police and Assam Rifles (AR) while conducting a search operation at Ingourok village on Tuesday recovered one Hackler Koch assault rifle, one m-16 rifle, 784 round of 5.56 mm and some Myanmerese currency which were kept concealed underground, said a Manipur Police press release. The security forces also arrested an active cadre of proscribed militant outfit People Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) progressive group while conducting search operation at Hayel Labuk village in Thoubal district on Tuesday, the release added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A self-styled godman of Satlok Ashram at Barwala in Hisar was convicted Thursday along with 26 of his followers by a sessions court here in two separate cases of murder and other offences. Hisar Additional District and Sessions Judge D R Chaliya held godman Rampal and his followers guilty of two murders and other offences, including wrongful confinement of his victims at his hermitage. ASJ Chaliya pronounced his judgement after nearly four-year-long trial of the 27 accused in a makeshift court inside the Hisar district jail, where 67-year-old Rampal and his followers have been lodged since their arrest in November 2014. After holding the accused guilty in two cases, the judge slated October 16 and 17 respectively to pronounce the quantum of sentences for them in the two cases. The two cases against Rampal and his followers were lodged at Barwala police station on November 19, 2014. The first one (FIR No 429/2014) was lodged on the complaint of one Shivpal of Mithapur near Badrapur in Delhi, while the second one (FIR No 430/2014) was lodged by Suresh of Jakhora village of Lalitpur district in Uttar Pradesh. Both of them had complained of their respective wives' murders inside Rampal's ashram, where, they had said, the two women were held captive and later killed. Besides the murder charges, the Barwala police had also invoked offences of wrongful confinement and criminal in the two FIRs. As the police proceeded to arrest Ramapal holed up inside his ashram, his followers and devotees, numbering over 15,000 surrounded the sprawling, 12-acre ashram to prevent the godman's arrest. The ensuing violence by the godman's followers had laid to death of six persons -- five women and an infant. The Hisar district administration, meanwhile, has made elaborate arrangements to ensure there is no law and order problem in the district after the pronouncement of sentences to the godman and his followers. The police and civil administration officials said more than 4,000 police personnel, besides those of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and paramilitary forces have been deployed at various places in the district to ensure that no untoward incident takes place. The police and paramilitary forces also took out flag march in various parts of the city on Wednesday evening. Prohibitory order under section 144 of the CrPC has already been imposed by District Magistrate Ashok Kumar Meena, effective till October 17 at least. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With cyclone Titli damaging railway structures at many places, East Coast Railway (ECoR) Thursday cancelled at least six trains and rescheduled some others besides gearing up to restore normal services. After making landfall near Palasa in Andhra Pradesh, very severe cyclone Titli caused extensive damage to station buildings, platform shelters and foot overbridge at various places, an ECoR spokesman said. He said signalling poles and over-head electric masts have been damaged at several places between Palasa and Kottabomali stations. Electricity feed to over-head masts was also affected between Berhampur and Kottabomali. A number of incidents of uprooted trees and branches falling on tracks have been reported from various places, blocking rail lines. Railway teams, including track specialists, bridge engineers and over-head electricity engineers have rushed to spots for a detailed study of the impact of cyclone Titli between Brahmapur-Palasa and Palasa-Kottabomali. In view of extensive damage to railway properties, ECoR cancelled at least six trains including 22819/22820 Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam-Bhubaneswar Inter City Express from both the directions on Thursday. Similarly, 22874 Visakhapatnam-Digha Express from Visakhapatnam and 18645 Howrah-Hyderabad East Coast Express from Howrah were cancelled on Thursday, ECoR official said. Train services will be reviewed again and decision will be taken according to the circumstances, railway sources said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have reaffirmed their commitment to open trading systems that have underpinned their economic growth. The leaders met Thursday in Bali, Indonesia, on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the group will redouble efforts to reach a "substantial conclusion" to a regional trade arrangement, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, by the end of the year. That initiative includes China, India and Japan, but not the United States. Indonesian President Joko Widodo said ASEAN, which includes wealthy Singapore and poorer countries like Myanmar and Laos, also is determined to close gaps in development within ASEAN. He said: "This is important, to make sure that no one is left behind." About a dozen activists have staged a brief, peaceful protest at the annual meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Bali, Indonesia. Representatives of various rights groups held up placards and chanted "Defend peoples' rights!" and "Stop the attacks!" outside meeting rooms at a convention centre where media and civil society groups are gathered during the annual meeting. Those involved had badges allowing them to enter the tightly guarded venue. Members of advocacy groups for women, farmers and workers said their gathering of about 500 at a hotel in the city of Denpasar, miles from the conference, was twice shut down by police. An IMF staff member said she would discuss the issue and bring it to the "highest levels. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The 15th Finance Commission on a visit to Andhra Pradesh Thursday said it could not look into the issue of grant of special category as it did not form part of the its Terms of Reference. Chairman of the commission N K Singh, who along with other members held consultations with the state government on financial devolution, said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu forcefully raised the issue at the meeting to enable the state attain a level-playing field with other southern states. However, the issue of such a status did not form 'directly or indirectly or remotely' part of the rather detailed Terms of Reference given to it, Singh said. He also said absence of an institutional mechanism to oversee the implementation of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, could be the reason for the current imbroglio over the special category status. "In all other previous Reorganisation Acts, there has been an implementation mechanism. This is one unique Reorganisation Act which has no institutional mechanism, there is no institutional memory and there is no assigning of responsibility, Singh said at the meeting. Noting that the 15th Finance Commissions report was crucial since it comes at an inflection point in the Indian growth dynamics, he said for India to grow at 8-9 per cent, Andhra Pradesh must be assisted, helped in growing at over double-digit numbers over a sustained period of time. Responding to the Chief Ministers plea for all assistance to the state that suffered heavily because of the 'unscientific' bifurcation, the Finance Commission Chairman assured to take positive action. We recognise how the (state) bifurcation took place and the enormous burden it placed on you. We assure you of our positive action, Singh added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi has come out with a nearly 200-page book titled "Lalu Leela", documenting "benami" land deals allegedly involving the RJD national president and his family members. The book was released at a programme in Patna Thursday. It is a compilation of documents distributed to mediapersons by Modi in the past one year on acquisitions of properties made allegedly by Lalu Prasad and his family. "Lalu Leela" carries blurbs by Union ministers Arun Jaitley and Nitin Gadkari, who have praised Modi's "courage" to bring before the public the tales of corruption. The preface has been penned by another Union minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad. He praises Modi for his over 40 press conferences since April 2017 to "expose the wrongdoings of the Lalu family". He says, "the change of regime in Bihar on July 27, 2017 was a result of the tireless efforts of Sushil Modi". Modi's allegations against Lalu Prasad's family had triggered a political uproar last year in Bihar, then ruled by the Grand Alliance comprising the RJD, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) and the Congress. Rattled by demands of resignation of Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Prasad's younger son who was the Deputy chief minister, Kumar resigned from his post in July and walked out of the Grand Alliance. A day after, he formed a new government with the BJP and Modi became the deputy chief minister of Bihar. Several Union ministers and state leaders, including Ravi Shankar Prasad and Shahnawaz Hussai, attended the book launch. The RJD and its ally Hindustani Awam Morcha have alleged that Modi "depends on Lalu for his own political survival". RJD national spokesman Manoj Jha said "even if Sushil Modi were to get reborn seven times, he would never be able to match the stature of Lalu Prasad". "For him, Lalu is like a fuel which he keeps using whenever he realizes that his own political future is imperiled," Jha said. In a statement, HAM chief and former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said sarcastically, "Sushil Modi is performing aarti of Lalu ji. He has to do so. After all he depends so heavily on Lalu for his own political survival". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defence Minister: Well Again Buy Weapons from US By Tea Mariamidze Georgian Defence Minister Levan Izoria stated in the wake of NATO Defence Ministerial held last week that Georgia will continue to buy important military armaments from the US."It was a historic visit where it was reiterated that our cooperation has become increasingly dynamic in terms of our relationship with our main strategic partner the US as well as with NATO.I had the opportunity to speak with Defense Secretary Mattis who thanked me for the exemplary reforms that took place in the Defense Ministry and noted that the trust that we have gained in recent years is the merit of the progress we have in terms of implementing the reforms.With this confidence, we still purchased and acquired significant weaponry from the US. As the result of this confidence we did and will again buy significant weapons from the US, Izoria said.Izoria said that Georgia also initiated a broader-scale of cooperation with NATO.We have initiated the creation of NATO-Georgia Readiness Centre in Georgia which was perceived positively, Izoria said.We also discussed the unprecedented training within the NATO-Georgia cooperation that will be held in March of 2019. This is yet another step forward in Georgia's integration into the North Atlantic space," Izoria said.On November 21, 2017, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced that it made a decision approving a possible foreign military sale to Georgia for Javelin Missiles and Command Launch Units for an estimated cost of $75 million.However, it added that the sale would be possible to conclude only if backed by Congress.The first stage of the transport of US anti-tank Javelin missiles to Georgia was completed successfully in January 2018. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived in Tajik capital Dushanbe on Thursday to attend a two-day conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, which is expected to focus on boosting cooperation in fighting terrorism, besides deliberating on pressing regional and global issues. "EAM @SushmaSwaraj arrives in Dushanbe, the beautiful capital of Tajikistan to attend the SCO Heads of Government Council Meeting," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. Kumar said that over the next two days, the minister will participate in SCO-related meetings, hold bilateral talks and interact with the Indian community in Tajikistan. The meeting of the SCO's Council of Heads of Government (CHG) is also likely to review situation in Syria, Afghanistan and the Korean peninsula. It will be the second CHG meeting since India became a full member of SCO in June 2017. India was an observer at the SCO since 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region. India became a full member of the China-dominated grouping last year and New Delhi's entry into it is expected to increase the bloc's heft in regional geo- and trade negotiations besides giving it a pan-Asian hue. Along with India, Pakistan was also granted membership of SCO last year. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became its members last year. The bloc currently has eight member countries which represents around 42 per cent of the world's population and 20 per cent of the global GDP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led an official delegation to the SCO Summit in Chinese city of Qingdao in June. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Thursday met Afghanistan's Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah here and the two leaders held wide-ranging talks on the issues of mutual and regional interests. The two leaders met on the sidelines of a two-day conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's Council of Heads of Government (CHG). "Taking stock of India-Afghanistan strategic partnership. Continuing the high level exchanges with Afghanistan at every opportunity, EAM @SushmaSwaraj met Chief Executive of Afghanistan @afgexecutive Dr Abdullah...," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted. Earlier in the day, Swaraj met her Tajik counterpart Sirojiddin Muhriddin and the two leaders discussed stepping up close bilateral ties in development assistance, science and technology, health, defence and security. Swaraj arrived in Tajik capital Dushanbe Thursday to attend the SCO's CHG, which is expected to focus on boosting cooperation in fighting terrorism, besides deliberating on pressing regional and global issues. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met her Tajik counterpart Sirojiddin Muhriddin here and the two leaders discussed stepping up close bilateral ties in development assistance, science and technology, health, defence and security. The two leaders met on the sidelines of a two-day conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's Council of Heads of Government (CHG). "Both (leaders) discussed stepping up our close relationship in development assistance, Science and Technology, IT, agriculture, defence and security, health and tourism," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. Earlier in the day, Swaraj arrived in Tajik capital Dushanbe to attend the SCO's CHG, which is expected to focus on boosting cooperation in fighting terrorism, besides deliberating on pressing regional and global issues. Kumar said that over the next two days, the minister will participate in SCO-related meetings, hold bilateral talks and interact with the Indian community in Tajikistan. The CHG meeting is also likely to review situation in Syria, Afghanistan and the Korean peninsula. It will be the second CHG meeting since India became a full member of SCO in June 2017. India was an observer at the SCO since 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region. India became a full member of the China-dominated grouping last year and New Delhi's entry into it is expected to increase the bloc's heft in regional geo- and trade negotiations besides giving it a pan-Asian hue. Along with India, Pakistan was also granted membership of SCO last year. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became its members last year. The bloc currently has eight member countries which represents around 42 per cent of the world's population and 20 per cent of the global GDP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led an official delegation to the SCO Summit in Chinese city of Qingdao in June. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 'Marina Puratchi,' a Tamil film on the massive 2017 protests in the state seeking nod to hold the traditional bull taming sport 'Jallikattu,' has been referred to the Censor Board's revising committee. The movie sent for certification to the regional office of the Central Board of Film Certification by the film makers about a week ago has already been seen by the examining committee which usually comprises of four members. "Marina Puratchi is a film on the pride, sentiments, culture and uprising of the Tamil people. I am confident that the Revising Committee will give an opportunity to the Tamil people to see the movie," film director M S Raj told PTI. The film maker confirmed that the Board has intimated him that the movie would we seen by the revising committee for certification. Neither denying nor confirming the move, an official at the CBFC's regional office here said nothing could be spelt out now when the certification was under "process." The revising committee will comprise of about ten members, the official added. The movie, according to the makers, chronicles the struggle of 10 lakh Tamil people to get their "cultural right" of conducting the bull taming sport upheld by the authorities. In January 2017, massive protests were held in Tamil Nadu seeking nod to hold bull taming sport 'Jallikattu,' and the sprawling Marina beach here emerged as the epicentre of the protests. Following the protests, a Bill to allow jallikattu by amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 was unanimously adopted by the Tamil Nadu Assembly on January 23, 2017 after all parties welcomed the legislative initiative. The "Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Tamil Nadu Amendment), Act, 2017" was piloted by Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and adopted by voice vote. It was deemed to have come into effect on the day the ordinance was issued, January 21, 2017. After the passage of the Bill, jallikattu is being held in Tamil Nadu during the Pongal (harvest festival season during January) season. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Tamirabharani "maha pushkaram" (festival of worshipping of rivers), held after 144 years based on unique planetary positions as per the almanac, got off to a start here Thursday. The 12-day festival, inaugurated by Tamil Nadu governor Banwarilal Purohit at Papanasam near here, is expected to draw lakhs of devotees from different parts of the country. Elaborate arrangements had been made to enable the people to take the holy dip in the river which runs through the districts of Tirunelveli and Tuticorin. More than 60 bathing ghats had been spruced up while special 'homams' and 'pujas' would also be performed during the 12 days. Though pushkaram was celebrated every 12 years, the maha pushkaram at Tamirabharani occurs after a gap of 144 years based on a unique combination of planetary positions, signifying the transit of Jupiter to the next zodiac sign, organisers said. Speaking after inaugurating the festival, Purohit said holy rivers such as the Yamuna, Ganga, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna Cauvery and Tamirabharani were known throughout the country and people take baths in them on auspicious occasions. Taking a dip in the sacred rivers like Tamirabharani was part of the 5000-year-old Indianculture which could not be destroyed despite invasion by Muslim kings and British model of education introduced by Lord Macaulay, he said. The governor said it was necessary to get the blessings of saints and ascetics and pushkaram was celebrated also for respecting the rivers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A tanker driver was arrested Thursday for allegedly dumping a poisonous chemical waste in a drain that caused a health scare in a residential area here last week, the police said. About 1550 people had taken ill on October 3 after inhaling the noxious fumes released by the chemical. Superintendent of Police, West, Siddharth Bahuguna told reporters the accused Prakash Bala (40) has been arrested on a tip off. "Bala started dumping chemical in a nullah in Bhagirathpura area. He fled soon after the chemical started emitting gas," he said. The SP said the driver again unloaded the remaining waste in a nullah under Kshipra police station area. "As per a preliminary report submitted to police by the State Pollution Control Board, the chemical waste was of acidic nature which might have proved dangerous for the human life," the SP said. He said Bala transported the chemical waste stored in a warehouse in Nagda town of Ujjain district, over 100 kms from Indore, for dumping. Police have announced a reward of Rs 10,000 each for information on the owners of the tanker and the warehouse. The residents of settlements adjoining the nullah in Bhagirathpura area had complained of burning sensation and itching in their eyes. Several people had complained of vomiting and watery eyes. Around 1550 people were treated at special camps organised in Bhagirathpura area. A case has been registered under section 308 (Attempt to commit culpable homicide) and other sections of the IPC. Further investigation is underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Tercentenary of the New Jerusalem Church, believed to be Asia's first Protestantchurch at Tarangambadi in the district, was celebrated Thursday. Pastors from over 50 important churches the world over participated in the celebrations organised by the Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church (TELC). The Jerusalem Church was built in 1707 by BartholomeusZiegenbalg, a German-born Danish missionary, who arrived at Tarangambadi in 1706. He had dedicated the church specifically for local Tamils and conducted all prayers in Tamil. The church, which was functioning from a small building near the seashore, was damaged when a tsuanmi struck Tranquebar on November 27, 1715. Ziegenbalg then decided to build a new church nearby. The New Jerusalem Church, built on Danish architectural style, was inaugurated this day 300 years ago. To commemorate the completion of the tercentenary, the TELC had organisedcelebrations at Tarangambadi Thursday. Administrator of TELC and former judge of Madras High Court K Venkatraman inaugurated the celebrations. German Consul General from Chennai, Karin Stoll, TELC spiritual head Edwin Jayakumar and CSI Bishop of Thanjavur-Tiruchirappalli diocese Chandrasekaran, were among those who took part. As part of the celebrations, floral tributes were paid to the statue of Ziegenbalg, who served as the first pastor of the church. A procession, followed by special prayers was held. India posts released a special commemorativecover on the tercentenary. The New Jerusalem church also faced tsunami attack on December26, 2004, but reportedly did not suffer any damage. It was renovated in 2006 without changing the original structure. A large number of tourists visit the church every day. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A suspect in the 2008 Bengaluru serial blasts, who has been evading arrest all these years, has been arrested from a forest in Kannur district of Kerala, police said Thursday. He has been identified as Salim (42), a suspected Indian Mujahideen operative, they said. "Only thing we can say right now is that we have kept (detained) one person from Kerala and he has been produced before the court. Thereafter we are requesting police custody to question him, " additional commissioner of police (crime) Alok Kumar told PTI. The trial in the case, said Kumar, has reached its final stage when police got inputs about Salim, he added. "There are 32 accused in the case. The trial is already in the final stage. We got some inputs of late with regard to his movement. So we arrested him from Kannur district," Kumar said. Sources in the Central Crime Branch of police, which is probing the case, said he was evading arrest all these years and was nabbed from a forest in Kannur district Wednesday. The blasts took place on July 25, 2008 at nine places in the city killing two people and injuring 20 others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thai authorities have convicted 70 Pakistani asylum seekers of staying illegally in Thailand despite their protestations that they face persecution if they are sent home. The Taling Chan Provincial Court on Thursday issued fines and up to two-month suspended jail sentences to the group, which was charged with overstaying their visas and illegal entry. An officer in charge of the case said they will be held in a detention center until they are deported. One of the defendants said the group consists mostly of Christian Pakistanis and some Ahmadi Muslims, and that members of the two religious groups risk persecution in Pakistan. Thailand regularly deports foreigners who are in the country illegally, even if they are recognised by the United Nations as refugees fleeing persecution. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thailand's energy regulator said Thursday it would block PTT Group's multibillion-dollar acquisition of a company owned by French energy giant Engie on grounds that it could create a electricity monopoly in some areas. Engie signed a deal with Thai group Global Power Synergy Public Company (GPSC), part of state-owned PTT, in June to sell a 69.1 per cent stake in Glow, an independent coal-powered energy producer listed on the Thai Stock Exchange. The sale would have been worth an estimated USD 3 billion. But Narupat Amornkosit, secretary general of Thailand's Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), said in a statement that a unanimous decision was made to block the sale. "After the ERC discussed, it found that the acquisition might lead to a monopoly within the electricity producing companies in some industrial areas, which would reduce competition," Narupat said. GPSC is "exploring new alternatives" following the decision, president Chawalit Tippawanich in a statement. The firm also insisted that it "strictly and completely followed legal requirements," and that GPSC would discuss the development with Engie. An ERC spokesperson told AFP the company could also appeal against the decision. The planned sale of Engie's stake in Glow was a part of the French energy giant's strategy to reduce its carbon footprint. Faced with the upheaval of the European energy sector, Engie hoped to shift to renewable energies and energy services, which would have been regulated -- therefore making it less susceptible to market shifts. The group has a sizeable presence in Southeast Asia via its stake in Glow, which operates in Thailand and Laos with 800 employees. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Benefits of free trade with the Georgian Republic By Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia for the Washington Times. Since leaving the orbit of the Soviet Union in 1991 the Georgian Republic has been ruled by several different political parties, yet has been steadfast in choosing an open economy based on transparency and rule of law and resisting reintegration with its giant neighbour.This openness to trade, knowledge, technological know-how and management skills has helped Georgia advance its national interest. But it is an act of bravery for such a tiny country facing constant threat from Russian occupational troops. We in the United States must do all we can to advance Georgias economic development and its clear and demonstrated preference to be a full-fledged trading partner with the West.The United States, more than any other country in the world, has tangible incentives to work closely with Georgia. For over two decades Georgia and the United States have been consistently reliable strategic partners that have contributed mightily to each others national security.Georgias military has participated in every military campaign of the United States since 2003, and this small nation with the population of only 3.7 million became one of the largest contributors of troops to coalition forces first in Iraq, and then in Afghanistan.In fact, by 2008 Georgia was the second largest contributor of troops to coalition forces in Iraq, after the United States, and today Georgia is a largest non-NATO contributor of forces in Afghanistan. This commitment is all the more remarkable since the country has 20 percent of its territory occupied by Russia.Being a large recipient of the U.S. assistance, Georgia reciprocates not only by contributing military forces to international security operations, but also by fostering great business opportunities for American companies. Georgia itself provides excellent opportunities for U.S. enterprises in the areas of infrastructure development, transportation, telecommunications, hospitality, food and beverage industry, and finance.Georgia has free trade agreements with the EU, Turkey, CIS countries, and China, which create exceptional opportunities for U.S. companies involved in Georgia to have tariff-free access to markets of more than two billion people.The United States must do all it can to encourage expanded economic ties with Georgia to exploit these and other economic and financial opportunities, but also for important geopolitical reasons. The alternative course for Georgia would be to reintegrate into the backward governance, obsolete technological and management environment of the Russian orbit.Georgia lives, as they say, in a very interesting neighbourhood of great interest to many of the United States most challenging adversaries China, Iran, and of course, its immediate neighbour, Russia. The interests of global powers in Georgia is mostly determined by its location and available infrastructure, which ensures access to the heartland of Eurasia and to the hydrocarbon resources of the Caspian basin.The United States should prioritize keeping Georgia on its current course. Georgias commitment to economic openness democratizes the countrys key assets, transit and transportation infrastructure, to the benefit of all Georgians. This, in turn, has created a paradigm of orderly, transparent, commitment to the rule of law in doing business that the United States encourages globally.Like its international security commitments, Georgia has demonstrated its progress in building welcoming, stable and transparent economic environment. It is a good place to do business, and a beachhead in that regard, in a turbulent, unstable region.Georgia has a successful track record in completing international infrastructure projects, including energy pipelines and oil terminals. Georgia has attained high rankings in all positive international indicators, including Index of Economic Freedom of the Heritage Foundation and Doing Business of the World Bank, with particular emphasis on low rates of tax, regulation, crime, and corruption.Given this stable environment, the country enjoys strong support from international financial institutions, and from investment promotion agencies, such as the U.S. governments Overseas Private Investment Corporation. Last, but not least, entering or expanding business activities in Georgia offers American companies the potential to reach an exponentially larger regional market, thanks to Georgias free trade agreements with Turkey, CIS countries, the EU, and China.It is in the shared U.S. and Georgian interest to significantly boost bilateral trade between the United States and Georgia by adopting a Free Trade Agreement. At least three people were killed as a shallow 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia's Java and Bali islands Thursday, a government official said. The victims in East Java's Sumenep district perished after being crushed by collapsed buildings, national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said. "The earthquake happened early Thursday when they were sleeping and the quake suddenly rocked so they didn't have time to evacuate," he said, adding that damage caused by the tremor was not widespread. The strong quake was felt in Denpasar on the holiday island of Bali, where panicked people fled from buildings. "Wow, that was really strong and it lasted a long time," said a woman named Davy who took refuge in the parking lot of a Bali hotel, several kilometres from where the IMF and World Bank are holding their annual meetings this week. Some guests at the hotel in Nusa Dua, south of Bali's main airport, briefly fled outside after the strong tremor shook the building. "The quake was very big. I immediately woke up and took my little kids out of the house," Ni Komang Sudiani told AFP. "All my neighbours were also running," said the mother of two. The tremor's epicentre was in the Bali Sea around 40 kilometres (25 miles) off the eastern end of Java island, according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake was also felt in Surabaya, the capital of East Java province, which is about 200 kilometres from Situbondo, the nearest town to the quake epicentre. "I felt it for about 10 seconds. People were sleeping but got woken up by it," Tonny Akbar Mahendro told AFP. No warning was issued for the earthquake. "The quake didn't trigger any for sure," Dwikorita Karnawati, head of Indonesia's geophysics agency, told AFP. The tremor comes after a 7.5-magnitude quake and subsequent struck off the Indonesian island of Sulawesi -- around 1,000 kilometres northeast of Situbondo -- last month, killing more than 2,000 people. A string of earthquakes in Lombok in eastern Indonesia killed more than 550 people over the summer. Indonesia, one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth, straddles the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide and many of the world's volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. Three militants, including scholar-turned-terrorist Manan Wani, are believed to have been trapped in an encounter at Handwara in frontier district of north Kashmir, officials said Thursday. Giving details emerging from the encounter site, which is taking place at Satgund in Handwara, police and other security forces cordoned off a village following intelligence inputs about presence of Wani along with two others, they said. Police was making repeated announcements on public address system appealing to the militants to surrender, they said. There was a lull in firing at around 9 AM, prompting the police to initiate search operation at the encounter site, but the same had to be suspended after firing resumed after 15 minutes, the officials said. Wani, who was enrolled as a PhD scholar with the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), joined militant ranks in January this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opener Usman Khawaja hit a fighting hundred to keep Pakistan's victory bid in check as Australia reached tea at 287-5 on the final day of the first Test in Dubai. Khawaja was unbeaten on 120 for his seventh Test century and with him skipper Tim Paine was 19 not out as Australia -- set a daunting 462-run target -- need to bat out another 31 overs for a draw. Pakistan need five more wickets and have another 175 runs to play to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Khawaja had added an invaluable 132 runs for the fourth wicket with Travis Head (72) as Pakistan failed to get a single wicket in the first session after Australia resumed at 136-3. Khawaja took a single to short mid-wicket off to Mohammad Hafeez to complete his century that has so far included 11 boundaries. No team has successfully chased more than the 418-7 West Indies made against Australia in the Antigua Test in 2003. Pakistan had expected early wickets after jolting Australia to 136-3 at the close on the fourth day, but nothing worked for skipper Sarfraz Ahmed, who made multiple bowling changes. Pakistan could have had Head leg-before off leg-spinner Yasir Shah on 44, but Sarfraz did not review English umpire Richard Kettleborough's not out decision when replays showed the ball hitting the wickets. Pakistan were only rewarded after lunch when they took the second new ball as soon as it was due and Hafeez trapped Head leg-before with the first ball. Yasir Shah took his first in the match when he dismissed Marnus Labuschagne for 13. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opener Usman Khawaja hit a fighting hundred to foil Pakistan and help Australia escape with a draw in the first Test in Dubai on Thursday. The left-hander hit a solid 141 for his seventh Test hundred, while skipper Tim Paine (61 not out) and Travis Head (72) also hit half centuries as Australia finished at 362-8 late in the day with lights coming on at Dubai stadium. After Khawaja was dismissed with 14.3 overs left and Yasir Shah quickly removed Mitchell Starc (one) and Peter Siddle (nought), Paine and number ten Nathan Lyon (five not out) survived 12.1 overs. Both had some anxious moments before players shook hands with one ball to go in leg-spinner Yasir's final over. Yasir had shaken the Australian innings with 4-114 but Australia clung on. They have now won two and drawn two of their 16 Tests in Asia since 2012. Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed was full of praise for Khawaja. "We hoped to roll them out but we have to give credit to Khawaja," said Sarfraz. "We had an idea that he would understand out tactics but it wasn't easy to bat and despite that he soldiered on, we must give him credit." Paine admitted it was hard work to save the Test. "It was an extremely tough Test match," said Paine, after his second Test as captain. "Pakistan played very well but I am proud of our comeback. There was a bit of a collapse but the guys have been working hard over the last few months and I'm happy everything's gone to plan." Australia's hero was Khawaja, who started the day on 50 not out as Australia resumed on 136-3. Khawaja and Head added 79 before lunch as Pakistan failed to take a wicket in the first session. The pair eventually put on an invaluable 132 runs for the fourth wicket. Khawaja, who was born in Pakistan but moved to Australia as a child, batted for eight hours 44 minutes and faced 302 balls before he was sixth man out in the final session. He was trapped leg-before sweeping Yasir. Khawaja, who hit 11 boundaries, had a top score of 26 in five previous Tests in Asia. His innings was the second longest in the fourth innings of a Test, behind England's Michael Atherton's 645 minute vigil in scoring 185 not out against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1995. It was the highest fourth-innings score by any visiting batsman in Asia, beating New Zealand's Daniel Vettori's 140 made at Colombo against Sri Lanka nine years ago. Pakistan started the day needing seven wickets to win but nothing worked for Sarfraz, despite multiple bowling changes. Pakistan could have had Head leg-before off leg-spinner Yasir on 44, but Sarfraz did not review umpire Richard Kettleborough's not out decision. Replays showed the ball was hitting the stumps. Pakistan were only rewarded when they took the second new ball as soon as it was due and Hafeez trapped Head leg-before with the first ball. Australia wobbled but Khawaja and Paine, who batted for 3 hours and 39 minutes, ensured a draw. The second Test starts in Abu Dhabi from October 16. Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq will miss the match after he suffered a fractured finger fielding on Thursday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A top RSS functionary Thursday appeared to support the #MeToo movement currently sweeping the country's landscape. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Joint General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale expressed his opinion on the #MeToo movement by sharing a Facebook post of Ankhi Das, Public Policy Director of the social networking site, on his Twitter account. Das in her post had said,"You needn't have a #MeToo moment to support the woman journalists who have narrated their victimisation. You needn't even be a woman. You just need to have a sensibility of what is right and what is wrong." Hosabale tweeted her post and said, "I liked it. She has articulated what I was feeling." His remarks come at a time when serious allegations of sexual harassment are levelled against BJP leader and Union minister M J Akbar. Some women journalists have come out and accused Akbar, the Minister of State for External Affairs, of sexually harassing them during his stint as an editor in two newspapers. Akbar, who is on a trip abroad, has not made any remarks or given any statement on the charges against him. Hosabale's tweet is not surprising for Sangh observers and insiders as he is a seen as a moderate face of the safrron organisation. On the issue of homosexuality too, he had said that it should not be considered a criminal offence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Discussions with "very valuable ally" on a trade deal has started, the said Thursday, days after President insisted that has reached out to his administration on this. "Yes discussions (with on a trade deal) has started. No details please. But discussions have started. is a very valuable ally," Larry Kudlow, top economic advisor to President Trump, told reporters at the Responding to questions, Kudlow refrained from providing any further detail about the nature of the talks with India. On October 1, Trump accused India of having a high tariff and described it as a tariff king. He said India has reached out to him for a trade deal. Trump said this happened after he said that he will impose similar high tariff on import of Indian products. "India, which is the tariff king -- they called us, and they say, 'We want to start negotiations immediately.' When Bob Lighthizer said, 'What happened? He would never do this.' They said, 'No, we want to keep your President happy.' Isn't that nice? Isn't that nice? It's true. They have to keep us happy because they understand that we're wise to what's been happening," Trump had said. Trump, however, said that he has a good relationship with India. "My relationship with India is great, with Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi is great. They're going to start doing a lot. They've already called us to make a deal. We didn't even call them. They called us to make a deal, which is, like, shocking to people," said the US President. US President Donald Trump has mocked the #MeToo movement, saying that the campaign made it improper to use the phrase "the person who got away". Trump's claim that #MeToo prevents him for using the phrase is his latest volley against the movement, which became a force after sexual assault allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein surfaced last year. "There's an expression, but under the rules of #MeToo, I am not allowed to use that expression anymore. I can't do it," Trump said at a mid-term election rally in Pennsylvania, and then he pointed at the phrase "the girl that got away". "It's the person that got away. The old days, it was a little different than Pennsylvania to it," he said as he spoke about winning the state in the 2016 presidential election Pointing to the media, Trump said he would use the original phrase, except for the media. "I would do it except for these people up there. They would say, did you hear what President Trump said? Did you hear what he said?" he said imitating reporters. "So, there is an expression, but we'll change the expression. Pennsylvania was always the person that got away. That's pretty good," he said amidst applause from the audience. The revelation of the allegations against Weinstein inspired many women to reveal their own stories of sexual assault, but Trump has recently taken shots at the #MeToo movement by expressing concern for men who are accused of sexual assault or harassment. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's recent confirmation hearings renewed attention to the topic as the Senate considered Christine Blasey Ford's accusation that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her. The president told reporters the notion that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted someone and that the allegations from Ford and other women could be taken as fact made this a very scary time for young men in America. Trump had earlier mocked the #MeToo movement at a rally in July. He did so while simultaneously mocking Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and saying that should she win the Democratic nomination in 2020 and they were to debate, he would toss an ancestry test to her and dare her to take it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Describing Indian-American Nikki Haley as an "extraordinary person", President Donald Trump has said the outgoing US ambassador to the UN is "going to make a lot of money" in the private sector, which she intends to join. Haley, 46, the first Indian-American to hold a Cabinet-ranking position in any US presidential administration, tendered her resignation Tuesday, which Trump accepted. She had hinted in her resignation letter that she is headed to the private sector after two years at the UN and, before that, six years as South Carolina's governor. She is likely to stay in the position till the year-end so that her successor could be nominated and confirmed by the Senate. Trump exuded confidence that Haley would return to his administration in some capacity at some point. "Nikki is going to be here until the end of the year. Nikki is our friend. She has been great. I want whoever it is to spend some time with Nikki before Nikki goes out and gets herself a job, and hopefully does -- she's going to make a lot of money. And I think Nikki will come back in some form too. But she's an extraordinary person, good person," Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday. Trump told reporters that he was considering the name of four-five persons as her replacement. One of them being Dina Powell (45), the former deputy national security adviser to Trump. Asked about the timing of Haley's resignation, that too just before the mid-term polls, Trump said nothing much should be read into this. "There's no good time. I mean, there could be no good time. She told me about this a long time ago. And, frankly, it's almost four weeks. So, it's not that bad. No, I don't think so at all. I thought it was very elegantly done," he said. "If she waited until after, then they'd say, 'Oh, she'. You know, if we win, they'd say, why is she doing it. And if we lose, they'd say, oh, well, that's obvious why she's doing it. Okay? So there's really no good time to do it," the President added. Trump said Haley spoke to him about it some six months ago. "She and I had spoken at least six months ago. Maybe even a year ago, we had conversations. She wanted to be here for about two years. I think the point really was, last week at the United Nations, she wanted to get through that and then go, probably into the private sector for a while," he said. The Washington Post on Wednesday said that Haley served in the Trump administration and departed with most of her dignity intact. "That, in and of itself, is what makes her extraordinary," the daily said. At the Pentagon, Defence Secretary James Mattis said Haley had been a wonderful representative for the US. "She has been just a tremendous asset to those of us here in the Department of Defence," he said, adding that he worked very closely with her. "We saw ourselves in many occasions collaborating together on how we would deal with certain issues, alongside the secretary of state. She's done yeoman's work up there, and I would just tell you that she may be moving on but losing our respect one bit," Mattis said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkey and the United States on Thursday ratcheted up the pressure on Saudi Arabia to explain how a journalist vanished after entering its Istanbul consulate last week, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urging the release of CCTV footage from the mission. The Washington Post, which Khashoggi wrote for, added to the still unresolved mystery by reporting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered an operation to "lure" the critical journalist back home. Khashoggi, a Saudi national whose articles have criticised the prince, has not been seen since October 2 when he went to the consulate in Istanbul to obtain official documents for his upcoming marriage. Turkish officials have said he was killed -- reportedly by a 15-man "assassination team" that arrived on two planes -- but Riyadh denies that. The disappearance has captured international headlines and threatens to harm Saudi's relations with both Ankara and Washington, as well as damage efforts by Prince Mohammed to improve the country's image. Erdogan challenged Saudi Arabia to provide CCTV images to back up its account that Khashoggi had left the consulate safely, indicating he did not find the current Saudi explanations sufficient. "Is it possible there were no camera systems in a consulate, in an embassy?" he asked. "If a bird flew, or a fly or a mosquito appeared, the systems would capture this; they (Saudi Arabia) have the most cutting-edge systems," he was quoted as saying. The consulate said CCTV cameras were not working that day and dismissed the murder claims as "baseless". The case is also threatening the strong relationship the Trump administration has built with Prince Mohammed, who wants to turn the oil-rich conservative kingdom into a hub for innovation and reform. The two sides have worked together in confronting Iran despite growing concern over the prince's campaign against dissidents, which critics say has revealed the true face of his rule. In a reversal from Washington's initial low-key response, President Donald Trump expressed determination to get to the bottom of the matter. "We can't let it happen. And we're being very tough and we have investigators over there and we're working with Turkey and frankly we're working with Saudi Arabia," Trump said in an interview with "Fox and Friends". However, a Turkish diplomatic source quoted by the state-run Anadolu agency denied US investigators had been tasked to work on the case. And Trump later said the United States was not limiting arms sales to Saudi Arabia over the case. "They're going to take that money and spend it in Russia or China or someplace else," he said. Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary of key Saudi ally and trade partner, Britain, told AFP there would be "serious consequences" if the allegations were true. Saudi Arabia also dropped a bid to join the world's club of French-speaking countries, The International Organisation of the Francophonie (OIF). Khashoggi is a former government adviser who fled Saudi Arabia in September 2017 and lived in the US fearing arrest back home. In his columns for the Washington Post and comments elsewhere, he was critical of some policies of Mohammed bin Salman as well as Riyadh's role in the war in Yemen. While unnamed Turkish officials quoted in the media have been giving sometimes macabre details of the alleged murder, Erdogan has so far been more circumspect. Erdogan said it would "not be right" to comment yet but said he had "concerns". "It's not possible for us to stay silent regarding an incident like this," he said. Human Rights Watch urged Prince Mohammed to "release all evidence and information" concerning Khashoggi's status Turkish authorities have been given permission to search the consulate -- Saudi sovereign territory -- but this has not yet taken place. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 20-year-old man has been arrested at Arni in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra for allegedly raping a minor girl in February this year, police said Thursday. While Sheikh Sohel Sheikh Sajid (20) was arrested after the girl's parents lodged the complaint two days ago, another youth, a minor, was apprehended and sent to the children's observation home here, a police officer said. A case under IPC section 376 (rape) as well as under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has been registered in this regard, said Arni police station officer Yashwant Bawiskar. The victim studies in std IX. Her parents said in the complaint that she was gang-raped by five persons in February. The accused also shot a video of the act and later threatened to upload it on social media if she went to the police, the family said. Bawiskar said that police were investigating if more people (apart from the two accused who have been held) were involved in the crime. Meanwhile, an all-party Bandh was organised in Arni town, 30 km from here, Thursday to protest the crime and seek immediate arrest of other suspects. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On the High Level International Conference Preventing and Countering Terrorism in the Digital Age 10-10-2018 On October 9-10, 2018 Minsk hosted the high level international conference Preventing and Countering Terrorism in the Digital Age, organized by the MFA of the Republic of Belarus in cooperation with the OSCE Secretariat. The event attracted more than 250 participants from 46 countries and enjoyed a wide international coverage. The opening session included statements by Ambassador Thomas Greminger, OSCE Secretary General, Vladimir Voronkov, UN Under-Secretary-General and Head of the UN Counter-Terrorism Office; Yuri Fedotov, UN Under-Secretary-General, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and Director-General of the UN Office in Vienna; Sergey Lebedev, Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee and CIS Executive Secretary; Valery Semerikov, Deputy Secretary General of the CSTO; Liu Jie, Deputy Director of Executive Committee, Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The State Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Belarus Stanislav Zas read out the welcoming address of the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko to the participants of the conference. In his speech, S.Zas assured that in the framework of global and national security Belarus will continue to contribute in a tangible way to resolving global and regional problems. He also stressed the importance of interaction and exchange of information between security services and law enforcement agencies, supplemented by comprehensive partnerships between the state, civil society and business. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Makei outlined in his statement the necessity of close coordination in fighting terrorism at global, regional and national levels. He urged to create a unified counterterrorist front and join the consolidated efforts of the United Nations, OSCE, CSTO, CIS and other relevant organizations. Minister Makei drew the attention of the participants to the initiative of the President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko to renewe a large-scale international dialogue on security issues in order to resolve the deep crisis of trust in international relations and to develop together mechanisms aimed at strengthening peace and international security, as well as ensuring sustainable development. Ambassador Greminger noted that the OSCE encourages the development of nuanced approaches to countering terrorism with the use of ICT. At the same time he drew attention to the need of respecting human rights and gender aspects in this process. During the conference the representatives of the European Union, UN Counter-Terrorism Committee, UN Office on Drugs and Crime, INTERPOL, Council of Europe, line ministries and governmental bodies of the OSCE participating States and Partners for cooperation, joined by experts from Belarus, discussed topical issues on countering terrorism and ensuring cybersecurity. The agenda of the conference consisted of three sessions. The first one Implementing the OSCE Framework against Terrorism in the Digital Age focused on the progress and challenges related to the implementation of OSCE commitments in the sphere of counter-terrorism. The second session was devoted to The importance of public private partnerships in preventing and countering terrorism online". The focus was made on reviewing lessons learned and best practices, as well as on the identification of possible priority areas for strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors, including with regard to the OSCE strategic areas for counter-terrorism activities. The third session Protecting critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks emanating from cyberspace offered the opportunity for the participants to share experiences on the international and national efforts in this area. The closing statement was made by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Oleg Kravchenko who called for strengthening the mechanisms of international partnerships and legal cooperation for the effective countering of terrorism. He outlined the need to combat the dissemination of ideas of terrorism and extremism in the information sphere while protecting human rights. Mr. Kravchenko called for using the conclusions and recommendations worked out in the course of the conference in further activities to counter terrorism in the digital age. Convening this conference in Minsk is one more practical step confirmimg the consistent position of the Republic of Belarus on strengthening international cooperation in the areas having a unifying potential such as countering terrorism and cybercrime. print version Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants, including PhD scholar-turned-terrorist Manan Bashir Wani, were killed Thursday during an encounter with security forces at Handwara in frontier district of north Kashmir, officials said. The encounter broke out in the early hours at Satgund in Handwara following a specific intelligence about presence of Wani, 27, along with two others, they said. Giving details emerging from the encounter site, which ended, police and other security forces were fired upon by holed up militants resulting in exchange of fire which continued till 11 AM. Police was also making repeated announcements on public address system appealing to the militants to surrender, the officials said. There was a lull in firing at around 9 AM, prompting the police to initiate search operation at the encounter site, but the same had to be suspended after firing resumed after 15 minutes, the officials said. Wani, who was enrolled as a PhD scholar with the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), joined militant ranks in January this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britain's Opposition Labour Party on Thursday called for the legacy of the British Empire and the impact of colonialism on countries like India to be taught in schools across the UK. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said such a curriculum change was all the more important in the wake of the recent Windrush scandal, involving Commonwealth citizens being wrongly denied their citizenship rights in the UK. He also unveiled plans for an Emancipation Educational Trust, which would help educate schoolchildren about the impact of slavery and the battle to end the slave trade, as part of an event in Bristol to mark October as Black History Month. "In the light of the Windrush scandal, Black History Month has taken on a renewed significance and it is more important now than ever that we learn and understand as a society the role and legacy of the British Empire, colonisation and slavery," Corbyn said. "It is vital that future generations understand the role that Black Britons have played in our country's history and the struggle for racial equality," he said. During the visit, the Labour leader met UK-based civil rights activist Paul Stephenson, who played a central role in the Bristol bus boycott in 1963 aimed at overturning a ban on Britain's ethnic minority population working on the city's buses. "Black History Month is a crucial chance to celebrate the immense contribution of black Britons to this country, to reflect on our common history and ensure that such grave injustices can never happen again," the Labour Party leader said. "It was the bravery and determination of people like Paul, standing up against injustice, that paved the way for the first Race Relations Act and the outlawing of such discrimination in our country," he added. At present, colonial history modules are optional within the wider school curriculum. In recent times, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, the author of 'Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India', has called for colonial history to be made a compulsory part of the school curriculum in the UK. His campaign has found backing among Indian-origin MPs in Britain, including veteran Labour MP Virendra Sharma, who is also behind a specific campaign for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar during the British Raj to be taught in UK schools. "I have always campaigned for colonial history to become part and parcel of mainstream education in Britain. It is important that the future generations are aware of the role played by the British in the Indian subcontinent, the African continent and other regions," Sharma said. "The only way to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated is to learn from history," he said. The Labour Party says that as part of its plans for schools, children will be taken on visits to historical sites as well as cover the African civilisation before colonisation and the "resilience and sacrifice of those enslaved and the struggle for liberation". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A fund set up by British celebrities as part of the Time's Up movement says it has awarded more than 1 million pounds (USD 1.3 million) to help women who have experienced sexual harassment or abuse. The Justice and Equality Fund was launched earlier this year with backing from stars including Emma Thompson, Gemma Chan, Keira Knightley and Emma Watson. It said Thursday that just over 1 million pounds has been given to seven women's organisations across the UK, including a legal-advice helpline, a project geared toward helping ethnic-minority and migrant women and a Northern Irish rape crisis service. Knightley said that "to be able to fund the first rape crisis service provision in Northern Ireland for 12 years feels like a huge step forward". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) on Thursday arrested from Delhi an alleged contract killer wanted in multiple cases of murder, agency officials said. Sonu alias Shokinder (28) was nabbed by the Noida unit of the STF from Delhi's Geeta Colony, they said. "He was wanted in at least 14 serious cases of murder, attempted murder, and loot. There was a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his arrest," a senior STF official said. Sonu was also wanted in a sensational double murder case in Meerut and a contract killing case in Shamli, the official said. "For sometime he was associated with the notorious Dujana Gang also," the official added. According to the agency, Sonu got in touch with gangster Anil Dujana while he was lodged in Muzaffarnagar jail in 2011-12. The official said Sonu was being interrogated to elicit other details and make recoveries, adding that further legal proceedings against him will be carried out in Meerut. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The U S Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster, who paid a two-day maiden visit to Tripura, met its chief minister and governor and visited the tourist spots in the state during his stay, official sources said Thursday. Juster met Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb at the state secretariat Wednesday after his arrival and discussed business, connectivity and Indo-US relations. The ambassador also met Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki. He visited Neermahal, the water palace of the Tripura king Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur in Sipahijala district, about 60 km from here, besides the 500-year-old Tripurasundari Temple in Gomati district on Thursday. ONGC Tripura Power Company-run Palatana gas thermal power plant also in Gomati district. Deb tweeted Delighted to meet the Ambassador of the United States of America to India, H.E. Amb. Kenneth Juster in Agartala today. On behalf of the 37 lakh people of Tripura, I extend my best wishes to US Embassy in India for a pleasant stay in our beautiful state. The US diplomat tweeted thanking Deb for an excellent discussion on business, connectivity, and US-India relations". "Look forward to working with you to advance U.S.-India ties." he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) America's developmental assistance to countries is aimed at their self-reliance, while that of China is at increasing their dependency, the head of USAID has said. As such the overseas developmental aid of the United States and that of China is fundamentally different, USAID Administrator Mark Green told Voice of America in an interview Wednesday. "They are fundamentally different. So, what we always say is, 'We're working to help countries on their journey to self-reliance.' What we want is for countries to lead their own bright future. We want them to go from being traditional assistance recipients, to partners, to fellow donors," he said. "China's a very different model. They build dependency. So, the choice is self-reliance versus almost servitude. What they do are loans, and as we're learning more and more, often unsustainable financing that's mortgaging a country's future," Green said. The United States asks countries to take on their own challenges, foster their self-reliance, build their next generation of leaders, and then join us, in terms of leadership around the world, he asserted. When these countries do not pay their loans, they mortgage strategic assets, he alleged. "So, you see ports being, essentially, taken over by China. Sole, exclusive use of those ports. Dangerously extractive, often, strategic minerals, what should have been the birthright of young Africans, is tied up by financing from China," Green said. "And so, what happens is those young Africans never see the benefits. They never see the broad-based economic growth based upon their resources. Instead, the benefits go elsewhere," he said. While giving aid, he said, US asks for reforms. "We ask them to respect certain rights and values. What we want for them is to become, eventually, trading partners," he said. "But equal partners, in that. And the way that you do that is incentivise market-based reforms, build their capacity, increase their incomes. So, we want them to move, in terms of fully independent sovereign nations, leading their own future and becoming partners of ours," Green said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump on Thursday said US investigators were working with both Ankara and Riyadh to probe the suspicious disappearance in Turkey of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "We can't let it happen. And we're being very tough and we have investigators over there and we're working with Turkey and frankly we're working with Saudi Arabia," Trump said in an interview with "Fox and Friends". "I have to find out what happened," Trump said, when asked if US-Saudi relations would be jeopardised by the disappearance of Khashoggi, a US resident who Turkish officials suspect was murdered after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. "We're probably getting closer than you might think," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) More than 20 top US Senators have asked President Donald Trump to order an investigation into Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's whereabouts and impose sanctions against anyone found responsible for his mysterious disappearance. In a letter to Trump, the 22 lawmakers triggered the 2016 Global Magnitsky Act, which gives the President 120 days to decide whether to impose sanctions on any foreign person he determines sponsored or was involved in the disappearance of 59-year-old Khashoggi, an outspoken critic of the Saudi government and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Khashoggi, a US resident, vanished on October 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Turkish authorities suspect he was abducted and murdered by the Saudis. But Riyadh insists that the journalist had left the building and that murder claims are "baseless". Trump on Wednesday said he had taken up the case of the journalist and demanded all answers into his disappearance of from the Saudi authorities. In the letter to Trump, the Senators said the disappearance of the 'Washington Post' columnist suggested that he could be a victim of a gross violation of internationally recognised human rights. The violations includes "torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, prolonged detention without charges and trial, causing the disappearance of persons by the abduction and clandestine detention of those persons, and other flagrant denial of the right to life, liberty, or the security of person". "Therefore, we request that you make a determination on the imposition of sanctions pursuant to the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act with respect to any foreign person responsible for such a violation related to Mr Khashoggi," the lawmakers said. "Our expectation is that in making your determination you will consider any relevant information, including with respect to the highest-ranking officials in the Government of Saudi Arabia," the lawmakers said. The letter was penned by the top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, chairman Senator Bob Corker and ranking member Senator Bob Menendez, along with the leaders of the appropriations subcommittee for the State Department, Senator Lindsey Graham and Democrat Senator Patrick Leahy. Earlier in the day, Trump expressed deep disappointment over the situation. "We are very disappointed to see what is going on. Don't like it. Don't like it at all. And are going to get to the bottom of it," Trump told reporters in response to a question. "This is a bad situation. We cannot let this happen. To reporters and to anybody, we cannot let this happen. We are going to to the bottom (of it)," he said. Trump said he and the First Lady Melania had received a letter from Khashoggi's fiancee Hatice Cengiz. "We are in contact with her now. And we want to bring her to the White House. It's very sad situation. It's a very bad situation," he said. White House National Security Advisor John Bolton and White House Senior Advisor Jared Kushner spoke to Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed Salman on Tuesday about the missing journalist. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo then had a follow up call with the Crown Prince to reiterate the US' request for information. "In both calls they asked for more details and for the Saudi government to be transparent in the investigation process. We will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as available," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US will evaluate on merit a bailout package sought by Pakistan from the International Monetary Fund, the State Department said Thursday. "We understand that Pakistan has formally requested assistance from the IMF. As we do in all cases, we will examine closely all aspects, including Pakistan's debt position, in evaluating any loan program," a State Department Spokesperson told PTI. The spokesperson was responding to a question on the request made by Pakistan for a USD 8 bailout package. The spokesperson's comments came on a day when Pakistan's Finance Minister Asad Umar met with IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde in Nusa Dua, Indonesia and formally sought a bailout from the global lender. The US has the greatest influence in the IMF's decision-making process. In July, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had indicated that the US will review the bailout package in view of the massive Chinese debt on Pakistan. "Make no mistake. We will be watching what the IMF does," Pompeo said. "There's no rationale for IMF tax dollars, and associated with that American dollars that are part of the IMF funding, for those to go to bail out Chinese bondholders or China itself," Pompeo had told CNBC. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US has urged Bangladesh to revise its controversial new law that puts restrictions on the media and bring it into conformity with the country's international commitments on human rights and political freedom. Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid on Monday signed into law the new Digital Security Act which combines the colonial-era Official Secrets Act with tough new provisions such as arrests without a warrant. Some of its draconian provisions include a jail sentence of up to 14 years for spreading 'propaganda' about Bangladesh's 1971 war for independence from Pakistan, as well as a three-year sentence for publishing information that is 'aggressive or frightening'. "We encourage the Government of Bangladesh to revise the law to bring it into conformity with Bangladesh's international commitments on human, civil, and political rights," a State Department spokesperson told PTI. The law, which among other things incorporates measures restricting activities of the media personnel, has drawn wide-spread criticism both at home and abroad, including from human rights organisations, United Nations and European Union. "While we recognise the need to protect digital security, we share the strong concerns of the international community that Bangladesh's Digital Security Act could be used to suppress and criminalise free speech, to the detriment of Bangladesh's democracy, development and prosperity," the State Department Spokesperson said. The US also urged Bangladesh to revise the law so as to ensure that it provides for checks and balances against arbitrary arrest and other undue restrictions imposed on the right to legitimate exercise of freedom of expression. "The United States values freedom of expression, including online expression, as a key component of democratic governance," the spokesperson said. "The new Digital Security Act is a tool ripe for abuse and a clear violation of the country's obligations under international law to protect free speech," said Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch. In a recent joint statement, the heads of mission of the EU member states, the European Union delegation and the heads of mission of Norway and Switzerland, said the law unduly restrict the freedom of expression and the freedom of the media and undermine judicial procedural guarantees. It called upon the Bangladeshi government to continue consultations on the law and pursue the commitments taken during the Universal Periodic Review last May so as to ensure that the Digital Security Act will be in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the Constitution of Bangladesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States has warned against any attempt to undermine the democratic process in the Maldives, saying it will take appropriate steps against any such move. The warning was delivered on Wednesday by a top American diplomat, currently on a visit to the Maldives, during a meeting with leaders and officials of the country. "The United States and our partners view with great concern any attempt to undermine the democratic process. It is critical that the will of the Maldivian people be respected and upheld," a State Department spokesperson told PTI after the outgoing Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the election results in which he was defeated. "We noted before the election that the United States would consider appropriate measures against any individuals who undermined democracy, the rule of law, and a free and fair electoral process in Maldives," the spokesperson said. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice Wells was in Maldives Tuesday and Wednesday, where she met with current Maldivian government officials, the President-elect and civil society leaders. "As Wells noted to President-elect Solih during their meeting Wednesday, we are looking at what resources and tools the US government can bring to bear to assist Maldives in its return to a democratic path and in ensuring greater security and prosperity in the Indian Ocean," the spokesperson said in response to a question. "We are keen to support Maldivian initiatives to strengthen democracy, improve governance, root out corruption, enhance security, promote economic development and bilateral trade and investment, and protect the environment," the State Department official said. At her meeting with President-elect Solih, Wells pledged American support for his government and noted that the United States expected a peaceful and timely transfer of power. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The World Economic Forum on Thursday announced its new Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in India, which would aim to bring together the government and business leaders to pilot emerging technology policies. The centre, which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a function here, would be based in Maharashtra and it has selected drones, artificial intelligence and blockchain as the first three project areas, the World Economic Forum (WEF) said. Geneva-based WEF, which describes itself as an international organisation for public-private cooperation, said the new centre will work in collaboration with the government on a national level to co-design new policy frameworks and protocols for emerging technology alongside leaders from business, academia, start-ups and international organizations. NITI Aayog will coordinate the partnership on behalf of the government and the work of the centre among multiple ministries. The WEF has also entered into partnerships with the Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh governments for the new initiative and more states would be roped in going forward. "The Fourth Industrial Revolution will change how we produce, how we consume, how we communicate and even how we live," WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab said. "To make the technological progress human centred, we must pro-actively work together and create the necessary essential principles and policy standards to ensure that we use the full potential for better lives. "India is becoming a big technological global force and that is why I am especially proud to announce the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution India," he said. The WEF said initial efforts at the national level are focused on two emerging technology areas -- artificial intelligence and machine learning; and blockchain and distributed ledger technology. The first project will focus on expanding access to data to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence in socio-economic areas like education, healthcare and agriculture. The second will focus on the application of smart contracts to boost productivity and transparency while reducing inefficiency, the WEF said. At state level, the Government of Maharashtra in collaboration with the Centre is planning to undertake a drone mapping operation in the agriculture sector. The WEF said projects will be scaled across India and globally. As part of the WEF's global network, the new centre in India will work closely with project teams in San Francisco, Tokyo and Beijing, where such Centres are already present. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AAP MLA H S Phoolka announced on Thursday that he will resign as legislator as the Punjab government had "failed to take action" against former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and retired DGP Sumedh Singh Saini in the police firing incidents at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan. Phoolka, MLA from Dakha constituency, said he will resign from the post on Friday in protest of the Congress government's failure to punish the guilty. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader's decision comes a month after he gave a 15-day ultimatum to the Punjab government to arrest Badal and Saini. Later, however, he deferred his decision to resign. Phoolka said in a written statement here, on the writ petition filed by Saini, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday directed the state government that in case the police decide to arrest the former DGP, then a week's notice should be given to him. "That means neither there is any stay against investigation nor any stay against arrest, only seven days' notice is to be given. So now it is clear that there is no legal impediment against initiating criminal proceedings against Saini or Badal," he said. "But unfortunately, the Congress government is not taking any action as it has dishonest intentions. The Congress government is shielding the guilty," he alleged. Phoolka said he will not be able to submit his resignation to the Vidhan Sabha Speaker personally as an important case related to the 1984 riots is listed in the Delhi High Court. He added that he will send his resignation to the Speaker and submit a copy to the Election Commission of India in Delhi at 3 PM on Friday. In September, Phoolka had alleged that due procedure was not followed by the police in firing incidents at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan in October 2015. Two people were killed in the firing at protests against sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib. According to the report of Justice (retd) Ranjit Singh Commission, set up to probe the sacrilege and firing incidents, Badal and Saini were "aware" of the proposed police action to disperse the protesters at Kotkapura by using force. It held that the police opened fire in Behbal Kalan, in which two people were killed, "without any warning and without taking permission from civil authorities". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The body of a 25-year-old woman, with a telephone wire wrapped around her neck, was found inside a hotel room in central Delhi's Paharganj area on Thursday, police said. The police were informed in the evening after the hotel staff spotted the body, they said. The woman was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was declared brought dead, a police officer said. Police said the woman had checked into the hotel in the afternoon with a man, who is missing since the time of incident. A case has been registered and a probe in underway, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 45-year-old woman was allegedly raped and killed by unidentified persons in Jhajjar district of Haryana, a senior police office said Thursday. The incident took place when the woman was alone at her house where her body was found with hands tied with rope on Wednesday, Jhajjar Superintendent of Police (SP) Pankaj Nain said. He said that police suspect that the victim was raped before being killed by the accused. Police have announced a cash award of Rs 1 lakh for the person who will give information about the accused, he said, adding that a special investigation team (SIT) was set up to nab the accused. He, however, said that the accused will soon be arrested. Meanwhile, the villagers demanded immediate arrest of the accused. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Centre Thursday appealed to neighbouring states like Haryana and Punjab to work with full sincerity and responsibility in persuading farmers not to burn paddy stubble in order to check pollution. Union and Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan said that the Centre is monitoring the matter at all levels. "I am appealing and praying and hopeful that states will definitely work with more sincerity and responsibility as compared to earlier years (on the issue)," he told reporters here. Stubble burning has been a major concern in northern India during the harvesting season. It led to severe air pollution in National Capital Region and its neighbouring areas in the past few years, prompting the authorities to take measures to tackle the problem. The ministry, he said, has held meetings with ministers and officers of the states on the issue and asked them to distribute farm equipments to farmers by October 15. The Centre has already provided Rs 500-600 crore for the purpose, he said, adding that it was urged to the states to deal with the matter with full seriousness. He also said that going by the data till October 9, stubble burning incidents are low so far as compared to 2016 and 2017. "This is an issue where we need to increase awareness and social movement. Government needs to be very vigilant," the minister said, adding the centre is in touch with the neighbouring states. If Delhi is in problem (because of this), then our international image also gets impacted, Vardhan noted. "The message is very loud and clear to farmers and states that if the stubble is burnt in Punjab or Haryana, it is not that Delhi is going to be affected. Those states' air quality will also deteriorates and people also get affected by lung ailments and respiratory disorders. So ultimately, this is everybody's responsibility to keep people healthy," he added. When asked if Punjab would not agree on the matter, he said: "I am an optimistic person and why they should not agree to it. After all it's not anybody's personal agenda. It is the agenda of people". The minister was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of Light India exhibition. Speaking at the event, Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu asked the lighting industry to boost manufacturing and exports of the product. He said huge opportunities will come up for the industry in the aviation sector as India plans to construct 100 airports at an estimated cost of USD 60 billion (about Rs 4.2 lakh crore) in the next 10 to 15 years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The World Bank has announced that it will provide around USD 195 million concessional loan to Nepal to reform the country's financial and energy sectors. An agreement to this effect was reached during the ongoing annual meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) at Bali in Indonesia, according to officials. Chief of International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division (IECCD) at the Ministry of Finance, Krishna Nepal and the World Bank's Country Director for Nepal, Qimiao Fan inked the agreement on Wednesday in the presence of Finance Minister Yubaraj Khatiwada and Vice-Chairperson of the World Bank for South Asian region, Hartwig Schafer. Finance Minister Khatiwada lauded the World Bank for lending support in various sectors of Nepal including infrastructure development, education, health and tourism development. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Yes Bank Thursday appointed US-based headhunter Korn Ferry to assist an expert panel searching for a successor to outgoing MD and CEO Rana Kapoor. The bank had invited proposal from four global leadership advisory firms specialising in banking and finance sector to assist its five-member expert committee in identifying a new chief executive. Kapoor, the founder and promoter of the bank, has been asked by the Reserve Bank to step down after January 2019. Based on assessments and presentations made by these global advisory firms, the Search and Selection Committee has mandated Korn Ferry to assist the committee in evaluating candidates, Yes Bank said in a statement. The Search and Selection Committee is headed by Independent Director Brahm Dutt. Other members include Lt General Mukesh Sabharwal (Retd) -Independent Director, Subhash Chander Kalia, Non-Executive Non-Independent Director, T S Vijayan, former chairman of IRDAI and LIC and O P Bhatt, former chairman, SBI. All the members of the search panel were present in Thursday's meeting to hire the headhunter. The other three firms invited by the bank were Egon Zender, Spencer Stuart and Heidrick & Struggle. However, Egon Zender did not participate in the presentation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed former Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd promoter to pay the money owed to Japanese pharma major Sankyo under an arbitral award won by it in 2016. The court also asked Shivinder to come out by October 30 with a "viable" plan of payment of his share out of the arbitral award of Rs 35 billion. "You (Shivinder) are a man of honour, pay his (Daiichi) money and go," Justice Rajiv Shakdher told Singh, adding that "you cannot dissipate assets while trying to mediate". The court's observations came after Shivinder's lawyer urged that be asked to sit with his client and mediate so that the pharma company gets a "substantially better amount". The judge declined to issue any such direction and said that "this kind of stance will not help your client" and directed Shivinder to "come with a viable plan" to pay by October 30. "Bring something which is solid and substantial," the court said. In August, the court had restrained former Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd promoters brothers Malvinder and from operating their bank accounts in India or abroad and selling any property. The court also ordered release of the Rs 3.5 million Singapore dollars, which Malvinder Singh had obtained by selling his 45 lakh equity shares in Religare Healthcare Trust in April and which he was ordered to deposit in court, to Daiichi towards part payment of the award. The judge said that the money would be released to Daiichi subject to it furnishing an undertaking that it would return the amount if the are successful in their challenge of the award in a Singapore court. The court also asked the brothers to file a report on the valuation of the assets disclosed by them in the matter. Malvinder had sold the shares in the Singapore-based company in violation of the high court's direction. The shares were sold and the amount was used by the brothers to pay EMIs for an apartment in Singapore to avoid any default of payment. The high court Thursday asked Malvinder to give an undertaking that he would abide by its orders and warned that failure to comply would invite contempt action. The court on September 5 had asked Malvinder to deposit with it the 3.5 million Singapore dollars he had obtained by selling his shares in a Singapore based company, saying there has been "disobedience" of the court's previous directions. The court was hearing a petition of Daiichi Sankyo, which had come to the high court seeking execution of the Rs 3,500 crore Singapore tribunal arbitral award won by it in April 2016. It had on February 19 restrained the brothers and 12 others from selling or transferring their shares or any movable or immovable property as disclosed by them before the high court earlier. The high court had on August 10 restrained the from operating their bank accounts in India or abroad and selling any property. It had directed the brothers and their firms RHC Holding Pvt Ltd and Oscar Investments Ltd to disclose the bank account details. A Singapore tribunal had in April 2016 passed the award in Daiichi's favour holding that the brothers had concealed information that their company was facing probe by the US Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Justice while selling its shares. The high court on January 31 had upheld the international arbitral award passed in the favour of Daiichi and paved the way for enforcement of the 2016 tribunal award against the brothers who had sold their shares in Ranbaxy to Daiichi in 2008 for Rs 9,576.1 crore. Sun Pharmaceuticals Ltd had later acquired the company from Daiichi. It had, however, said that the award was not enforceable against five minors, who were also shareholders in Ranbaxy, saying they cannot be held guilty of having perpetuated a fraud either themselves or through any agent. Daiichi had moved the high court here seeking direction to the brothers to take steps towards paying its Rs 3,500 crore arbitration award, including depositing the amount. It had also urged the court to attach their assets, which may be used to recover the award. On February 16, the Supreme Court had dismissed Singh brothers' appeal against the high court verdict upholding the international arbitral award. Singh brothers' counsel had argued that the award granted consequential damages which were beyond the jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal and the award cannot be enforced under the provision of the Arbitration Act. They had claimed that Daiichi was fully aware of all facts and still chose to retain the Ranbaxy shares, instead of terminating the agreement and returning them. By Sumita LayekBENGALURU (Reuters) - Rice export prices in India eased for a third consecutive week due to waning demand and prospects of fresh supplies, while markets in Thailand and Vietnam were propped up by expectations of orders from China and Philippines. Rates for top exporter India's 5 percent broken parboiled variety fell to $365-$370 per tonne from $367-$373 last week, as demand remained tepid, traders and dealers said. "As prices are falling every week, buyers are postponing purchases," said an exporter based in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.Also weighing on prices, was a ... By Ron Bousso and Dmitry ZhdannikovLONDON (Reuters) - Energy companies and investors are focused on profits and reluctant to boost spending even after crude prices surged to four-year highs, a senior Goldman Sachs banker said on Thursday.Rattled by the recent downturn in the sector and long-term concerns over oil demand and the switch to renewables, Big Oil is facing an unprecedented challenge."We're firmly through that survival phase and the better capitalized players are now positioned to do well on the other side of it," Andrew Fry, global head of energy at Goldman said at the Oil & Money ... By Clyde RussellLAUNCESTON, Australia (Reuters) - Indonesia wants to export more coal in order to earn U.S. dollars to shore up its faltering currency, but the problem is buyers don't seem to be hearing the message.Indonesia's coal exports dropped to 24.8 million tonnes in September, down 12.4 percent from August's 28.3 million tonnes and 10 percent from 27.6 million tonnes in the same month last year, according to vessel-tracking and port data compiled by Refinitiv.If the drop isn't worrying enough, it comes even as the price of lower-grade Indonesian coal is at its widest discount to ... (Corrects title in 4th paragraph)By Anna Ringstrom and Sonya DowsettMADRID/STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - IKEA reported a 5 percent rise in annual sales on Wednesday as strong online growth and new stores in India and several other countries helped the world's biggest furniture retailer cope with mounting competition.The Swedish chain enjoyed decades of rapid growth as shoppers flocked to its out-of-town warehouses to pick up cheap furniture to assemble at home. But the rise of online rivals such as Amazon and made.com, alongside and signs of waning consumer enthusiasm for DIY home improvements, IKEA ... Dassault Aviation said it picked India's Reliance Defence as a partner for a big military combat deal on its own, countering a French online media report that said the Indian government insisted on the firm as a condition of the contract. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's purchase of 36 Rafale planes in a deal estimated to be worth $8.7 billion has become a political controversy and on Thursday his rivals seized on the revelations by Mediapart as further evidence of wrongdoing. The deal has faced scrutiny both on the price and the decision to choose billionaire Anil ... By Aaron SheldrickTOKYO (Reuters) - Oil fell to two-week lows on Thursday as it extended losses from the previous session amid a rout in global stock markets, with prices also hit by an industry report showing U.S. crude inventories rose more than expected.Supply worries also eased as Hurricane Michael likely spared oil assets from significant damage as it smashed into Florida, even as it caused at least one death and widespread destruction.Brent crude futures were down $1.15, or 1.4 percent, at $81.94 a barrel by 0624 GMT. They earlier touched their lowest since Sept. 27 at $81.35, after ... OPEC sees the oil market as well supplied and is wary of revisiting a glut next year, the group's secretary-general said on Thursday, suggesting producers are in no rush to expand a June agreement that raises output. Oil prices have rallied this year on expectations that US sanctions on Iran will strain supplies by lowering shipments from OPEC's third-largest oil producer. Brent crude last week reached $86.74, the highest since 2014. OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo, speaking at the Oil & Money conference in London, said there are many non-fundamental factors ... By Alex Lawler and Amanda CooperLONDON (Reuters) - OPEC sees the oil market as well supplied and is wary of creating a glut next year, the group's secretary-general said on Thursday, suggesting producers are in no rush to expand a June agreement that raises output.Oil prices have rallied this year on expectations that U.S. sanctions on Iran will strain supplies by lowering shipments from OPEC's third-largest oil producer. Brent crude last week reached $86.74, the highest since 2014.OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo, speaking at the Oil & Money conference in London, said there were many ... By David M. Ewalt(Reuters) - For the fourth year running, Stanford University tops Reuters' ranking of the World's Most Innovative Universities, a list that identifies and ranks the educational institutions doing the most to advance science, invent new technologies and power new markets and industries. Contributing to its solid foothold at No. 1 is Stanford's steady stream of patents and research, which are frequently cited by other academics around the world. Those citations play a key role in the ranking of the world's most innovative universities, which was compiled in partnership with ... BERLIN (Reuters) - German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said on Thursday that an orderly departure of Britain from the European Union was possible despite the short time remaining to wrap up the details of a planned exit treaty."We are convinced that a so-called soft Brexit, one based on a treaty, both for Britain's exit and for its future relationship (with the EU), is still possible," he told reporters in Berlin, adding that he had agreed with British international trade minister Liam Fox during his Wednesday visit to Berlin that this was the case."We both agreed that there were chances ... WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told members of Congress this week that the United States wants to open trade talks with the European Union, United Kingdom, Japan and the Philippines, but did not give any indication of when the administration will give formal notice.Under the U.S. "fast track" trade rules - known as Trade Promotion Authority - the administration must give Congress 90 days notice in writing before launching new trade negotiations.Lighthizer met with key senators on Wednesday to discuss the plans, according to two congressional aides briefed ... After exiting Flipkart, co-founder Sachin Bansal is currently finalising what is one of the biggest personal investments in the Indian internet space. Bansal is pumping ride-hailing company Ola with $100 million or Rs 740 crore. The entrepreneur's investment amounts to more than 10% of his personal wealth accumulated from the Walmart-Flipkart deal this year. The 37-year old co-founder of Flipkart exited the company after giving up his entire shareholding of 5.5% to Walmart that picked up 77% stake in the home-grown e-commerce giant. Bansal, who founded the company with Binny Bansal, made $1 billion from the deal. As mentioned in a report in The Economic Times, the Ola investment is not the first for Bansal. Before this, he is known to have been investing in local start-ups since 2014. However, he has always poured in significantly smaller amounts of $1-2 million. Bansal's investment in Ola will largely be through subscription of new shares as well as a small component of secondary sale by existing investors, the daily mentioned. Ola's valuation has ranged between $3billion and $4.5 billion across secondary and primary transactions in the past year. Bansal and Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal declined to comment on the development. Ola that raked in $1.1 billion from existing investor SoftBank and China's Tencent, stated in October last year that it would raise another $1 billion. According to sources that told the daily, Ola is a safe bet as it is likely to grow into one of the top 3-4 players in India. Bansal's entry into Ola is seen as a significant move as the company has been locked in a battle with the largest shareholder, SoftBank. Singapore's Temasek that picked up a secondary stake at Ola agreed to vote with the Ola founders. Sachin Bansal has also been in talks with at least two Bengaluru-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) start-ups for investments. While Ola's rival, Uber, gave up its Southeast Asia arm to rival Grab, Ola has been foraying into foreign countries. It started operations in UK, Australia and New Zealand as well as in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. (Edited by Anwesha Madhukalya) In the last week of September, highway developer IRB Infrastructure announced the financial closure of their two hybrid annuity model, or HAM projects. This paved the way for some of their projects, four-laning NH-32-earlier NH-45A-connecting Puducherry with Poondiyankuppam stretch of 38 kms and four-laning of the same stretch from Poondiyankuppam and Sattanathpuram in Tamil Nadu. IRB was lucky in convincing the banks to back these projects, but the other 56 project in the HAM weren't. Till now, 104 HAM projects worth Rs 1.25-1.5 trillion have been allocated. These 56 projects are finding it difficult to convince banks of their business plan and many of them have already sought time extension, to start execution of these projects. Banks are worried that though HAM might have lowered the traffic risks, it also attracted companies, which don't have any experience of road construction; some companies have taken more projects then their wherewithal, or in some cases they bid too aggressively that their internal rate of return (IRR) are too low. The banks are battling with their own challenges of non-performing assets, NPAs and bad debts, which have made them more conservative in giving debt. Hence they are cautious about even these 'lesser risk' projects. This trend is sector agnostic. Similarly, in renewable energy sector, the investors are keen on projects backed by the central agencies-with better credit rating-but banks are stepping back seeing the aggression. They are asking investors to put in more equity. Result: Most of the projects are seeking extension on the implementation timelines of projects-solar and wind-or are looking for raising funds -debt or equity-from outside India. The trouble is that the depreciation of currency is making their task even tougher there. Even the Indian railways had to rope in a PSU to back the railway station redevelopment plan, as banks didn't back the private players. Moreover, Harsimrat Badal-led Ministry of Food Processing Industries has already received a licence to start their bank to fund the newer entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, Nitin Gadkari-led Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, or MoRTH is trying to convince banks to back the highway projects under HAM. Three years back, his ministry replaced the infamous build operate and transfer, BOT model, with HAM. In this, the investor will not have to factor in the traffic risk as the toll collection is taken out of the equation. NHAI promised to give time bound annuity payments (40 per cent of the project cost), and the investors will only have to arrange for the rest 60 per cent from the funds. During the same time, the then New and Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal made government agencies -SECI, NTPC et al-back the projects, first solar and later wind. The aggressive bids alerted the bankers. They were simply not convinced with the IRR numbers and now 8-9 per cent deprecation of rupee worried them. 90 per cent of the solar panels (70 per cent of the project cost) in India are imported from China. The promoters are complaining that the bankers are asking them to put in more equity in the projects and in some case they ask as much as 50 per cent equity. Practically, only government owned non-banking financial corporations, Power Finance Corp (PFC) and Rural Electrification Corp (REC) are available for funds. Or the promoters can go to international market to raise funds -debt or equity-but deprecation of currency made that difficult too. All this leads to a different debate, if India requires accelerating the private investments in the infrastructure segment then the development finance institutions, or DFIs need to be reintroduced. In 90s, India introduced ICICI Bank, IDBI and IFCI with this specific requirement, but later they were converted to do universal business as commercial banks. The DFIs are required to build up a cadre of officials, who understand project implementation challenges. Currently, most of the commercial banks keep geographical and sector risk in focus, while evaluating the projects and preparing the financial feasibility study. And the project evaluation is largely outsourced. Moreover, the gestation period of most of the infrastructure projects is long and the universal banks don't have access to capital with a long term deposits. This creates liquidity mismatch, and is one of the biggest handicap in creating these institutions. In the recent report, the rating agency CRISIL noted that the private investment in the infrastructure spending hit 10 year low. They factored in the two sectors, highway and solar (along with the wind) as upswings. But the conservative banks may turn the story worse for the private investments. Hope someone is listening. (Eds: Disclaimer: The following press release comes to you under an arrangement with PR Newswire. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.) GREATER NOIDA, India, October 10, 2018/PRNewswire/ --Keen Global and Local Participation, Foreign Investments & Technology Breakthroughs Marked the Show UBM India successfully concluded the 12th edition of Renewable Energy India (REI) Expo, the three day (18th - 20th September, 2018) show at the India Expo Center, Greater Noida. This year, the show focused on approaching renewables in a more holistic manner, with due consideration to wind, hydropower and biomass along with solar energy. The expo witnessed over 750+ exhibitors participation from 45 countries, with over 1,000 delegates and 225 speakers at the 37 conference sessions. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/675607/UBM_Logo.jpg ) (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/742909/REI_Logo.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/766756/On_the_floor_REI_2018.jpg )The event was well supported by European Union India - Clean Energy & Climate Days and Business Beyond Borders (BBB), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Skill Council for Green Jobs (SCGJ), European Business Technology Center (EBTC), Euro Chambers, Bloomberg News Energy Finance, Bridge to India, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF), Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS), Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association (APVIA), TFE Consulting GmbH, PV magazine and Indian Biogass Association and German Biogass Association (IBA and GBA), among others, joining in the rich conference domain themed 'Accelerating Momentum...From Ambition to Action'.The event witnessed new product showcases including charging stations, frameless glass to glass panels, solar inverters, solar kit solutions, bi-facial modules and testing lab facilities. There was an increased presence of floating solar equipment makers, demonstrating the growing demand for such projects in the country. Business to Business (B2B) meetings were facilitated in two separate zones to enable focused and well-directed match-making. Various subjects ranging from viability of manufacturing, large-scale project development challenges caused by land and transmission bottlenecks, Rooftop challenges caused by DISCOM's, low bids, payment issues, net-metering, and financing were discussed.REI 2018 also showcased bolstering Start-ups and SMEs with the launch of Sunrisers Pavilion, Session on Advantage Telangana, crucial industry dialogues in the form of CEO Roundtable, Financial Leadership Forum, Quality & Future Round Table, 5th Indo-German Energy Symposium, EU - India Clean Energy & Climate Days and International Matchmaking, and the 4th edition of Renewable Energy India Awards to recognize the Innovation & Excellence in the field of Renewable Energy.Commenting on the successful conclusion of the show, Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, UBM India, said, "Over the years, REI has duly acquired a unique dynamism and influence as a comprehensive global platform for the RE domain addressing these challenges and aiding India's green mission. This year was remarkable, with intense global participation in the form of renowned forums such as Business Beyond Borders, European Business Technology Center (EBTC), European Commission, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF), European Union, and more. REI also witnessed a pre-bidding meet by the Govt. of Madhya Pradesh for its project RESCO and a session - Advantage Telangana by the Govt. Of Telangana which made it one of the must-attend event for green energy professionals in India and across the globe."Industry Speaks and New Launches at REI 2018: Nitin Sharma, Raychem RPG said, "This past year has been fairly tumultuous and at the same time exciting for the industry. We are particularly excited by the progress we have made in expanding our portfolio and strengthening our partnerships. We commissioned India's first MW scale Energy Storage Project - Integrating Grid, Solar and Diesel generator to provide quality and stable power to load and partnered with Dynapower, USA for Energy Storage Power Conversion System for technology collaboration. We were nominated as Knowledge Partner to International Solar Alliance (ISA) for Energy Storage System. We also launched an integrated Small Scale Energy Storage System - upto 15 KW, Launched Solar and Energy Storage Kits upto 20 KW installation & eBOS for larger applications and engineered solutions like Optimizer, DG-PV Controller and other interesting products for customers. Through REI, we connected and demonstrated exciting solution ranges to leap into brighter and sunnier future."Saurabh Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, SolarMaxx said, "REI, as in the past, proved to be a tremendous platform for the RE sector to come together and witness new technology and product launches. Our brand, SolarMaxx, once again received an overwhelming response from the industry. Our high efficiency modules, especially the half-cut cell modules were particularly appreciated. We look forward to many more such events by UBM. "Mr. Rishi Seth, Joint Managing Director, HPL Electric & Power Ltd said , "REI Expo layers an outstanding platform to showcase our latest BOS (Balance of System) product range and offerings in renewable energy, along with the hands on experience of our latest technology. REI Expo is also a meeting place for some of the major suppliers, consultants and industry experts, even what also amazes us is that the relevant people from different states and power utilities are present to witness the showcased products."He further added, "We are showcasing two new products at the expo namely Solar home Light Solution and Solar Inverter equipped with latest technology and modern designs. Our Solar home light solution is an energy solution which is specially designed for remote and rural areas. It is a highly portable product that requires negligible maintenance and perfect for outdoor activities. The second product which we are displaying at the Expo, Solar Inverter is a transformer less Inverter with 97% Efficiency. It comes with remote monitoring features enabling the user to operate the device wherever they are located and also ensure the greater security & better performance. This exceptional product has a twin MPPT charge controller in order to optimize sun light utilization at all times and is embedded with IP 65 which makes it suitable for outdoor application. Being a battery less inverter, it is quite cost effective as compared to OFF Grid invertors."Mr. Vinay Shetty, Managing Director, Canadian Solar Energy Private Limited said, "In line with its global policy to offer highest quality premium modules to its customers world wide with a sole objective to make solar energy more and more affordable and continuously drive down the LCOE, Canadiansolar has launched their most premium highest efficiency module - HiKu series 405Wp Poly PERC Module, HiDM series modules - 410Wp Mono PERC Module and 365Wp BiKu series Poly PERC Bifacial Modules in REI Expo 2018."To demonstrate their commitment to Indian customers, they are the first company to announce BIS Certification in India for their China and Thailand factory made modules. As per BTI, Canadiansolar Ranks No.1 in India for the period of October 2017 to September 2018. As per Canadiansolar, Poly PERC is more sustainable product compared to Mono PERC, in terms of lower manufacturing cost, systems cost, higher energy yield and lower LCOE."With the increasing deployment of solar energy in India, the quality of each and every component matters to help ensure investment stability for all stakeholders to continue investing in this form of energy for long term. Our vast experience in the global solar industry enables us to bring market leading PV materials that provide high efficiency, high reliability solutions to our customers," said Rajaram Pai, Business Leader - South Asia & ASEAN, DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions. "Winning the REI Award 2018 for International Excellence is of great significance to us as we continue to work together with industry partners to help build a robust quality infrastructure for India's sustainable clean energy future," Pai added.Mr. Jamie Yang, Director, Can Solar Inc. said, "At REI 2018, we displayed the Solar Storage system - 'Solar Power Bank for Home' - 2kW / 2.5kWh and a Solar DC combiner box that doesn't require wiring. REI Expo's new International Matchmaking feature helped us set up meetings prior to the show. Also, the visitors that showed up, says a lot about the blooming Renewable market in India."RenewSys, the first integrated manufacturer of Solar PV Modules and its key components launched India's first and only such initiative, the RenewSys Module Wellness Programme that will allow customers to test their PV module health at the RenewSys' Reliability Lab at Zero cost.About UBM Asia:UBM Asia recently became part of Informa PLC, a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B Events organiser in the world. Please visit http://www.ubm.com/asia for more information about our presence in Asia.About Renewable Energy India (REI)Expo:REI is organised by UBM, which in June 2018 combined with Informa PLC to become a leading B2B information services group and the largest B2B Events organiser in the world.Please visit http://www.ubm.com/india for more information about our presence in India. PWRPWR By K J M Varma Beijing, Oct 9 (PTI) 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. PTI KJV CPS AKJ CPS New York, Oct 9 (AP) 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 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 October 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 October 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. (AP) PMSPMS By Aditi Khanna(Eds: Repeating overnight story with correction in intro) London, Oct 10 (PTI) India has been ranked among the bottom 11 countries in a new worldwide index on the commitment of different nations to reduce inequalities in their populations. UK-based charity Oxfam International's 'Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) Index', released on Tuesday, 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. PTI AK KUNKUN (Eds: Updates with Economic Affairs Secretary's comment) New Delhi, Oct 9 (PTI) Coming to the rescue of cash-strapped NBFCs, State Bank of India Tuesday decided to buy their assets to the tune of Rs 45,000 crore, a move that will provide liquidity support to non-banking financing companies facing headwinds after a series of loan defaults by IL&FS group firms. The decision of SBI, Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg said in a tweet, should alleviate liquidity concerns of non-banking financing companies (NBFCs) to a great extent. NBFCs along with mutual funds have been facing a liquidity crunch following a series of loan repayment default since late September by IL&FS and its group companies. "Bank had initially planned for a growth of Rs 15,000 crore through portfolio purchase during the current year which is now being enhanced. As per the bank's internal assessment, there may be an opportunity to buy additional portfolio in the range of Rs 20,000 (crore) to Rs 30,000 crore," SBI said in a statement. Speaking to PTI, SBI Managing Director P K Gupta said, "It is a good commercial opportunity for the bank to increase the loan portfolio as NBFC assets are available at attractive rates." It will benefit both SBI and the NBFC sector as they get much-required liquidity while the bank will get good loan portfolio, Gupta explained. "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," Garg tweeted. Earlier on September 23, SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar had allayed concerns over the liquidity position of NBFCs and assured financial institutions that lending would not be curtailed to the sector. SBI said it has stepped up target purchase of "good quality portfolio of assets from NBFCs as it believes that there is good opportunity to expand its loan portfolio at attractive rates." The bank is looking for opportunities both in priority and non-priority sectors, it said. NBFC stocks have wilted due to heavy selling pressure following the IL&FS defaults since late September as investors raised concerns over the rising cost of borrowing for them amidst IL&FS crisis. Yesterday, the National Housing Bank (NHB), which regulates the non-banking finance companies, also said that it will enhance the refinance limit for NBFCs to Rs 30,000 crore to inject liquidity. The NHB earlier had set the refinance target at Rs 24,000 crore for NBFCs for 2018-19. In the second half of September, it came to light that IL&FS group defaulted on a short-term loan of Rs 1,000 crore from Sidbi, while a subsidiary also defaulted on Rs 500 crore dues to the development finance institution. While IL&FS has nearly Rs 35,000 crore consolidated debt, IL&FS Financial Services has Rs 17,000 crore of debt, which sits as a standard asset for most of the lenders, according to a report. The group has seen its various long-term and short-term borrowing programmes downgraded to 'default' or 'junk' grades by credit rating agencies, even as the regulators are also probing alleged delay in disclosure about certain loan defaults. Capital markets regulator Sebi, the Reserve Bank, the Corporate Affairs Ministry and the Finance Ministry have received complaints about alleged wrongdoings at Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS) and its various group entities, including the listed ones followed by several resignations at the group including its CEO and MD Ramesh Bawa. The board of the IL&FS was also dissolved and the government took control of the company by constituting a new six-member board under Kotak Mahindra Bank Managing Director & CEO, Uday Kotak. PTI KPM DP CS MR Bank of Baroda's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer P S Jayakumar was today given a one-year extension, an order issued by the Personnel Ministry said. P S Jayakumar, an ex-citibanker turned entrepreneur, had joined Bank of Baroda in October, 2015. Jayakumar is a chartered accountant by qualification. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved extension in tenure of Jayakumar for a period of one year, i.e. till October 12, 2019, beyond his currently notified period of appointment of three years that expires on October 12, 2018, it said. Prior to his appointment as the MD and the CEO of the bank, he was the co-founder and CEO of VBHC Value Budget Housing (VBHC), a leader in housing for low and moderate income household, as per his bio data. He is a career banker since 1986 and has spent over 23 years in Citibank in India and Singapore. Jayakumar has contributed to several innovations in retail banking in India. Jayakumar's extension also assumes significance after the government introduced a significant policy change allowing private sector professionals to head public sector banks. In mid-August 2015, the government had roped in private sector professionals to run two of its largest banks -- Bank of Baroda and Canara Bank. To induct private sector professionals at top positions at PSBs is seen as a part of process to reform the public sector industry, which accounts for over 70 per cent of the banking business, but is struggling to deal with mounting bad loans. Ravi Venkatesan, former chairman of Microsoft India and ex-independent director of Infosys, had joined Bank of Baroda as its chairman and P S Jayakumar took over as MD & CEO. However, Venkatesan declined the offer for a second term. Nokia has launched two new phones at the New Delhi event today. One of the smartphones, Nokia 3.1 Plus, falls in line with their Android One smartphone line-up which comes with Android One and the second is a part of Nokia's original series, the Nokia 8110 4G Reloaded, which is also known as the banana phone. While the Nokia 3.1 Plus was a global launch, the Banana phone was targeted towards Indian buyers. The launch date for the Nokia 3.1 Plus has not been specified but the Nokia 8110 4G will go on sale from October 24 at a price of Rs 5,999. Nokia 3.1 Plus Nokia 3.1 Plus is HMD Global's new entry in the Android ecosystem. Placed below Nokia 5.1 Plus, the device is expected to come with a sub-10k price tag in India. HMD Global has priced it at 149 euros in the global market which roughly translates to Rs 12,800. The 3.1 Plus does not carry Nokia's glass sandwich design, instead, the company has opted for an Aluminium panel with 2.5D curve. The device comes in three colours, Blue, White and Baltic. The device also gets a dedicated MicroSD slot apart from the dual sim tray. The device is powered by MediaTek's P22 chipset which comes with eight cores. In terms of optics, there's a dual lens setup with one 13MP PDAF sensor and another 5MP depth sensor. The front sensor is an 8MP selfie lens with AI features. The cameras also get Live bokeh mode where the depth can be adjusted while clicking the picture as well as after it has been taken. The display is a 6-inch HD+ panel with a conventional 18:9 aspect ratio display. Another USP of this new device, according to HMD, is a 2-day battery life. Nokia 8110 4G A part of Nokia's original series, the Nokia 8110 was launched earlier this year but has been revamped for India. The device operates on KaiOS and comes with its trademark banana shape. The device is powered by Qualcomm 205. The phone will also be able to access important apps like Google Maps, Google Assistant, Facebook etc. So far, there's no assurance about WhatsApp's availability on the phone. The device will also be able to provide Wifi hotspot, when needed. Celebrate ABAs 50th in Colombia! 2019 is the ABAs 50th Anniversary, and to celebrate were going to the very heart of bird biodiversity. Magnificent Colombia, hosting more bird species than any other country in the world, and an amazing array of endemic species, is todays hottest birding destination. Join Jeff Gordon, Liz Gordon, Adam Riley, Forrest Rowland, George Armistead, and Peter Kaestner as we usher in the ABAs next half century, and enjoy a stunning variety of eye-candy birds. Peter G. Kaestner of Baltimore, Maryland served in the foreign service as an international diplomat for decades, and by 1986 he was the first birder to see a representative of each bird family in the world. A top world lister, he is closing in on 9000 bird species seen in the world, and is number one in the world in eBird with 8992 species recorded. A devoted ABA member, Colombia is special to Peter. In 1989, while on a birding expedition, he discovered a species new to science, the Cundinamarca Antpitta (Grallaria kaestneri), just 50 miles (as the crow flies) from Bogota ABA Colombia, an invitation by Peter Kaestner & Camilo Fernandez de Soto Multicolored Tanager Colorful Puffleg Blue-billed Curassow the names are almost as colorful as the wonderful endemic birds of Colombia. Theyre the stuff dreams are made of! Everyone has heard of Colombias coffee, and its turbulent past, but how about Colombias world-beating bird list?! Near 2000 species and counting! And now, the doors are wide open and avian riches await. I first visited Colombia in August 1979 as an assistant leader on a Bird Bonanzas tour led by the incomparable Steve Hilty. We had a fabulous time and racked up some 750 species but a lack of infrastructure and of security seriously affected our trip. In Santa Marta, for example, we stayed in a hotel in town and made arduous day trips to the Guajira Peninsula and Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. I still remember the anxiety as we snuck into the dangerous Guajira to get its desert species and just as quickly snuck out before the narcos found us! Then, between 1988 and 1990, I lived and worked in Bogota, during another questionable stretch of Colombias history. Most of the country was off limits, but even so, I was able to travel widely within the safe parts and saw many, many wonderful birds. Just as important, I fell in love with this diverse, beautiful, and warm place and its incredible people. This past July, I finally returned to the Guajira as a part of a Pajariada Diplomatica to promote the Northern Colombia Birding Trail, and we were warmly welcomed. Staying in comfortable new accommodations, we saw great birds and wonderful countryside. A knowledgeable, indigenous guide showed us the birds that his community protects and reveres. In addition to the Vermillion Cardinals and the White-whiskered Spinetails, we were treated to a fascinating cultural discussion by the local people on the benefits of bird tourism in their community. Colombia has changed fundamentally in the past quarter century. A peace accord with the guerilla group FARC has resulted in vast areas of the country being pacified. In Antioquia, I recently drove my car past the entrance to famed drug-lord Pablo Escobars famed Finca Napoles near Medellin. It is now an amusement park! The Colombian Government is promoting bird tourism as a means to foster economic development in rural areas and ensure conservation of the rich environment. This effort has been an effective partnership between the U.S. and Colombian Governments, U.S. (Audubon) and Local NGOs, and local businesses and communities. Together, they are doing development right and the future for Colombia and its amazing birds is bright. In the summer of 2019, the ABA is celebrating its 50th anniversary in Colombia, with the help of Rockjumper and its Colombian partners. This event is a perfect opportunity for ABA members to experience the spectacular birdlife of our Andean neighbor, and the passion and warmth of its people. Celebrate a half-century of the ABA and its work by birding in Colombia together. You can make a real contribution to the rural development that is essential to the continued progress of this special country and the conservation of its unique birds. I hope to see you there! -Peter Kaestner From the Government of Colombia, Dear ABA Members,The Government of Colombia, working with partners both in the United States and here in Colombia, is focused on avian eco-tourism as a means to bring sustainable development to the people who live in and benefit from our varied ecosystems. We have already created the successful Northern Colombian Birding Trail, and are set to announce new birding trails in the coming months and years. I am delighted to welcome the American Birding Association to Bogota and Cali in the July 2019 to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The American Birding Association is a unique organization founded by birders for birders, that has helped promote the conservation of birds in the USA and around the world. I am certain that your event will be a great success, and that your members will enjoy our country, and given that it is the most bird-species-rich country in the world, we want you to come back again and again, to explore the remarkable diversity here. We eagerly anticipate your visit! Sincerely, Camilo Fernandez de Soto Gerente General Programa de Transformacion Productiva (PTP) For more information on this event, see ABA Travel! With the likes of Xiaomi, Samsung and OnePlus leveraging their own online stores to drive sales in India, Google reportedly wants in on the action too. So the internet giant plans to launch an online storefront for all its branded and licensed hardware products in November, The Economic Times reported. However, it won't boast any direct commerce. Taking its cues from Apple's India storefront, Google plans a website where it will merely display its product line-up, including its flagship smartphone Pixel, Chromecast, Google Home smart speakers, and Daydream, its virtual reality headset. "We are looking to launch a Google-branded online store for all hardware launched in India, with an authorised partner who will operate and manage the fulfilment," a company spokesperson told the daily. Google is reportedly in talks with several third-party partners for this, including Ingram Micro. Google's pre-launch version of its India storefront - store.google.com - currently allows users to find both online and offline retailers where they could purchase its products from. On Tuesday, when it launched Pixel 3, its storefront was updated to include accessories like charging cables, headphones, and phone covers among others. However, things will change come November, with users getting an option to purchase products, with a redirection to the partner's page where the transaction can be completed. This is unlike Google's home market, the United States, where Google's store is managed and fulfilled by the company. This development comes at a time Google is seeing its market share shrink in India. According to market research company Counterpoint Research, in 2017, Google had cornered 0.07% of the overall smartphone market in the country, while in the premium category - smartphones above $600 - its market share stood at 3%. But in the first nine months of 2018, those numbers fell to 0.03% and 1.6%, respectively. On the other hand, Mi.com, Xiaomi's ecommerce website, held 14% market share in online smartphone sales during the first quarter of 2018. In fact, Manu Jain, the company's country head previously told the daily that Mi.com had become "the third-largest [ecommerce website] in India" in terms of overall gross merchandise value (GMV). Google's proposed move could not only help it bag a bigger piece of the ecommerce pie, but also facilitate access to a wealth of customer data while helping it to exert a stronger influence over the buying experience. "A storefront allows Google to access info on the premium users looking to buy its phones. Second, it also helps the brand to control the end-to-end selling experience and have the ability to cross-sell other products and offerings, like bundling Google Home or accessories, or even, in the future, extended warranty plans or upgrade programs like Apple does well with Apple Care," Neil Shah, partner at Counterpoint Research, told the daily. According to experts tracking the online retail space, the fast-blurring lines between search and commerce has made Google realise that commerce is a powerful 'search' use case. However, there are many sceptics, too, who question how many habitual shoppers would opt to go to a Google store than to an ecommerce marketplace directly. European Union Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Wednesday an agreement with Britain could be "within reach" next week, calling for decisive progress in the talks in time for a summit of all 28 EU leaders. Negotiators from both sides have been locked in talks this week to overcome differences on the biggest outstanding hurdle to a deal - how to keep the UK frontier with the Irish republic free of border checks after Britain leaves the EU in March. Barnier told small business leaders that the talks were "continuing intensively this week, day and night, with the aim ... of having a deal within reach, if we follow through to the end of this negotiations, on Oct. 17." Leaders of the 27 countries that will remain in the EU meet in Brussels on Oct. 17, a day before British Prime Minister Theresa May joins the summit. Barnier reiterated that as much as 85% of a withdrawal agreement had already been agreed, boosting the pound on financial markets. Policing of the deal and agreeing rules on produce such as camembert cheese and Parma ham that is protected inside the EU against imitations from elsewhere needed more polishing, he added. He also stressed the EU's insistence that Britain must accept possible checks on goods moving between its mainland and its province of Northern Ireland, saying Brexit will trigger the need for customs, value-added tax and compliance checks with EU standards. Both sides want to avoid a return to checkpoints on the Irish border as this would hinder trade and risk reigniting violence in the province two decades after a peace deal. Barnier said customs forms could be completed in advance online and the "only visible systematic checks" would involve scanning bar codes on lorries or containers on ferries or in ports. For industrial goods, he said it could be done by "market surveillance authorities" in company premises but he added that checks on animals and animal-derived products would still have to take place on the border. "Our challenge is to make sure that these procedures are as easy as possible and not burdensome," he said in his speech in the European Parliament, which ended with a standing ovation. However, a small Northern Irish party which supports May's minority government in the Westminster parliament vehemently opposes any checks between the province and the rest of Britain. Barnier said he realized such checks were politically difficult but this was the consequence of Britons voting to leave the EU. He reiterated the EU's line welcoming May's proposals for a bold free-trade deal "without tariffs or quotas" and close security ties after Brexit. But he stuck to the EU's rejection of London's plan for a "regulatory framework for goods," saying it would give Britain an unfair competitive advantage by allowing access to parts of the bloc's single market without ensuring the country honors all of its conditions. The 27 EU states will get an update on the negotiations at a meeting of national ambassadors, without Britain, on Friday evening. The sides will continue negotiations through the weekend with hopes for a breakthrough as early as Monday. The 27 EU leaders meeting next Wednesday in Brussels want to be able to announce "decisive progress" on the Brexit deal to agree to hold another summit in November. That would be to finalize work on a declaration of close future ties with Britain that would also be part of the Brexit package. Both the EU and Britain have signaled progress in recent days, boosting sentiment in financial markets which fear the most damaging no-deal Brexit. Barnier said the cost of such a development would be "very high" for Britain but also some sectors of the EU economy, such as the car industry. "That is why the no-deal is not and has never been our (preferred) scenario, even if our responsibility is to be prepared," he said. The European Commission also looked at preparations among the 27 states for multiple disruptions that this would involve, including customs checks and duties kicking in immediately on all imports and exports. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie International Airlines Group announced today that Aer Lingus chief executive Stephen Kavanagh will step down on 1 January 2019. Mr Kavanagh, who was Aer Lingus chief executive four years and has worked with the company for 30 years in total, will remain on the airlines board as a non-executive director. Willie Walsh, IAG chief executive and Aer Lingus chairman, said: Stephen has been an exceptional chief executive and has transformed and modernised Aer Lingus. After a 30-year career, he has decided to step down. We wish him all the very best for the future and heartfelt thanks for all his outstanding achievements. Were delighted that Stephen will remain on Aer Lingus board and provide advice and guidance to the airline. Mr Kavanagh will be succeeded as chief executive and executive director by Sean Doyle who is currently British Airways director of network, fleet and alliances. Sean Doyle, originally from Cork, will take up his new role on 1 January 2019. He joined British Airways in 2003 and has undertaken financial, strategy, commercial and alliance roles for British Airways culminating in his appointment to the airlines executive management committee in 2016. Source: www.businessworld.ie US-based tech company Overstock is to create 100 new research and development roles in its European base, in Sligo. The new full-time positions will include junior and senior roles in areas such as software development and testing, machine learning, and data analytics. Overstock is an online retailer based in Salt Lake City, Utah that sells a broad range of home-improvement products, including furniture, decor, rugs and bedding. Overstock.com offers a variety of products including jewelry, electronics, and apparel. Its Sligo office was established in 2013 and currently employs 40 technologists. Its location on the Wild Atlantic Way was selected for the burgeoning tech community, easy access to outdoor activities, affordable cost of living, and easy commuting times. Welcoming the new expansion, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD said: I am delighted to see the expansion of Overstock and the creation of 100 highly skilled R&D jobs. It has been a tremendous year for Sligo in terms of enterprise development and this announcement reiterates the Governments commitment under the Regional Action Plans for Jobs to ensure we have the right conditions in place to encourage the creation of quality jobs in the regions. CEO, IDA Ireland, Martin Shanahan also welcomed the announcement saying: This significant expansion clearly illustrates the confidence Overstock has in the regions talented workforce to drive the companys international growth. This announcement comes on the back of a number of positive FDI investments for Sligo in recent months. Source: www.businessworld.ie A pedestrian holding an umbrella rides up an escalator as the Oriental Pearl Tower stands illuminated at night in the Lujiazui district of Shanghai (Bloomberg) In most countries, only a handful of financial institutions are large enough to warrant a too big to fail label. China isnt most countries. After a decade of runaway credit expansion and regulatory loosening, the nations $40 trillion financial system is teeming with giants. Not only have Chinas biggest financial companies kept growing bigger and more complex, but formerly little-known firms are now some of the largest on Earth. All four of the worlds biggest banks by assets are Chinese, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. alone controls $4.1 trillion, an amount that exceeds the GDP of all but three of the worlds countries. Ping An Insurance (Group) Co., a name that few outside China recognized 10 years ago, has 45% more assets than Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Its no wonder Chinese authorities are getting antsy. Theyre planning to increase the number of companies deemed big enough to become systemically important financial institutions, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday, a designation that would make the firms subject to extra capital requirements. Regulators led by Chinas central bank will initially shortlist at least 50 of the countrys largest lenders, insurers and brokerages as possible SIFIs, said the people, asking not to be identified because the matter is private. Its always better to prepare for the worst before any crisis, said Chen Shujin, a Hong Kong-based analyst at Huatai Securities Co. Chinas biggest banks all saw declines on Thursday, amid the broader stock sell-off. ICBC dropped as much as 3.6% in Hong Kong in early trading, while Bank of China Ltd.s Hong Kong-listed shares were down as much as 3%. The timeline for any changes is unclear. But as the following charts show, authorities have good reason to be concerned. Chinese banks added 202 trillion yuan ($29 trillion) of assets in the past decade, mostly through loans, official data show. By comparison, U.S. commercial banks held $17.5 trillion of assets at the end of June, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. China is home to the worlds four largest banks by assets. ICBC, Bank of China, China Construction Bank Corp. and Agricultural Bank of China Co. also reported some of the industrys biggest profits. Chinas total debt climbed to an estimated 266% of gross domestic product at the end of 2017 despite multiyear efforts to control leverage. Recent data from the Bank for International Settlements showed Chinese non-financial corporate debt is rising again as a percentage of GDP in 2018 following a year and a half of sliding from its mid-2016 record. Chinas shadow banking sector climbed to 79% of GDP at the end of last year, according to Moodys Investors Service. While the proportion has fallen in 2018, it remains a key risk factor. Squeezed by bad debt, system-wide capital adequacy ratios have dipped in recent years with dramatic declines at some smaller lenders while falling stock valuations have made it harder to raise fresh capital. Contact editor Yang Ge (geyang@caixin.com) news, crime An inquest into the death of a Canberra boy murdered by his father will look at how he came to be in the vulnerable position that ultimately led to his death, a coroners court heard Thursday. Chief Coroner Lorraine Walker said the inquiry would examine what was known by the various authorities in the ACT and other jurisdictions, and how that information was communicated to those who could act on it. But the purpose of the hearing into 9-year-old Bradyn Dillons death was not to review systemic issues in relation to care and protection, nor the circumstances of his death, Ms Walker said. Those matters were covered by the Glanfield inquiry and the murder charge. Ms Walker reserved two weeks from June 17 next year to hear the inquest. Barrister Rebecca Curren is counsel assisting the coroner, and Ms Walker gave the ACT government leave to appear in the inquest. ACT government solicitor Simone Richards told the court she acted on instructions from care and protection, though the directorate might be joined by ACT health and education. The government had briefed Sydney barrister Joe Kellaway to appear in the inquest. Following a request from the government, Ms Walker ordered that any sensitive material produced in relation to the inquest was not to be provided to other parties until further order. Graham Dillon, 30, is serving a minimum of 32 years in jail for the murder of Bradyn. Bradyn died on February 15, 2016, after Dillon told the boy to bend over a marble coffee table while he beat him with a belt, causing old head injuries to bleed again. For months Dillon had used his fists and lit cigarettes to torture the boy. Dillon bashed the boy's head at least twice in the space of two months, causing bruising and bleeding to his brain. The final assault in February 2016 knocked the boy out and he never regained consciousness. The inquest returns to court November 27 for directions. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/eddb1b49-c294-4521-a2cd-9772734b8a4c/r0_151_3819_2309_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news An inner-Brisbane sewage pump may have to be moved to make way for a proposed $315 million Brisbane Metro station. Queensland Urban Utilities submitted a development application to Brisbane City Council on Thursday proposing moving the current sewage pump station from near South Brisbane train station to Alexander Smith Place, less than 200 metres away. The park for the proposed sewage pump is on the corner of Grey Street and Peel Street, directly outside the Queensland Labor Partys headquarters. The council was involved in the selection of the new site as it related to the Brisbane Metro project. Brisbane's LNP deputy mayor, Adrian Schrinner, said the new sewage pump's location was purely coincidental. "I know they did an extensive search right around the area and even looked at opportunities on private property," he said. "This option was settled on because it's a public park. It is able to be built in a way that is sensitive to a park without a need to disrupt private property owners." An assessment report submitted as part of the application said it was the preferred site for several reasons, including its close proximity to the existing system, lower costs and reduced disruption during construction and the ability to retain mature trees on the site. Both QUU and council executive leaders have endorsed this site as the preferred location for the new pump station, the report said. The landscaped park has paved pedestrian paths and park benches and is often used as a spot for people to eat their lunch. The assessment report said the materials, colours and finishes used for the proposed pump station would integrate into the park and include artificial grass paving, and any above-ground structures coloured heritage green. The proposed pump would also incorporate an odour control unit and a vent pole, which disperses any smells emitting from the station. The assessment determined that odour impacts are unlikely to be associated with the operation of the pump station, provided a suitably sized and operated odour control unit is installed, the assessment report said. A QUU spokeswoman said the proposed relocation would allow the new station to be connected to the existing sewer network. "The new pump station will be mostly underground and have a greater capacity to cater for future growth and development in the area," she said. "We have undertaken face-to-face preliminary consultation with neighbouring property owners and public consultation will occur during the assessment period." The existing pump is on land owned by Queensland Rail and was built by South Bank Corporation in 1996, donated to the council and subsequently QUU. QUU manages 332 sewage pump stations in Queensland, including 202 in Brisbane. The assessment report said the main driver of the relocation of the pump was to enable the construction of the Cultural Centre Station as part of the Brisbane Metro. While the land is required to build the $300 million Cultural Centre station, despite being in negotiations since September 2017, the council is yet to acquire it from the state government. Cr Schrinner said the council was still waiting for the state government to hand over the land, or offer it at a cost. "There has been no movement, but it's my belief the state government wants to resolve a number of approvals at once ... and expect that [land for the metro] will be one of them," he said. Cr Schrinner said construction of the proposed underground Cultural Centre station was expected to start in 2020 with the metro running from 2023. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/23fb4f88-d89f-42fc-ac42-c62d1116cdd4/r0_136_1712_1103_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news A safety officer who was one of the first responders to the scene of the 2016 Dreamworld tragedy says she struggled to convince Dreamworld management to bring staff in early for safety training, due to budgetary constraints. Her evidence to the inquest into the deaths of Cindy Low, Kate Goodchild, Luke Dorsett and Roozi Araghi, came after she told the court that a failure to activate a manual ride alarm delayed the response. The Thunder River Rapids Ride malfunctioned on October 25, 2016, when a raft flipped over and killed the four tourists. Rebecca Ramsey was employed at Dreamworld as a ride operator before later qualifying as a registered nurse and safety officer. On Thursday, she told the inquest that when trying to arrange training for staff that was recommended during a 2015 safety audit, she encountered resistance from management due to budgetary constraints. It was always a well, well see conversation, she said, adding that she felt "fobbed off" by management when she tried to raise the issue. Ms Ramsey also noted that safety officers at the park only worked Monday to Friday. Earlier in her evidence, Ms Ramsey said she believed the sounding of a manual Rapid River Alarm would have triggered a faster response, but the alarm was not sounded. Just pushing the alarm would have had a more rapid response, she said. In 2016, the alarm policy was changed to be activated only when there was risk of injury to guests or staff. In an earlier safety response document, workers were directed to activate the alarm for any "code six" event on the Thunder River Rapids Ride, which could range from a water pump failure to a minor incident. Ms Ramsey said the change in policy was designed to reduce the number of times first aid responders had to attend the ride when they werent needed. First aid manager Shane Green had told the inquest on Wednesday that he had changed the policy in 2016 to streamline the processes by which first aid officers responded to radio calls and alarms across the park. On the day of the tragedy, Ms Ramsey arrived at the scene shortly after highly experienced paramedic and safety officer John Clark. She saw the senior ride operator Peter Nemeth and another senior ride operator, Sarah Cotter, at the scene, the inquest heard. She did not see junior ride operator Courtney Williams. Ms Ramsey said she asked Ms Cotter if it was known how many people were on the raft but neither Ms Cotter nor Mr Nemeth could tell her. When I arrived at the area someone handed me a small child and I took that small child out of the ride area, Ms Ramsey said. I wasnt aware if he was on the ride or not, there was so much going on I just was not aware. The nurse said said she joined Mr Clark in starting defibrillation on one of the victims minutes later, after returning to the scene. Ms Ramsey said she didnt know who the duty manager rostered on that day was. The duty manager was responsible for control of the emergency scene. The inquest concluded early on Thursday as lawyers agreed to pause proceedings to process and read through more than a thousand new documents, with thousands of additional pages, that Dreamworlds lawyers provided on Monday. The documents had references to witnesses still to give evidence, according to counsel assisting the coroner Ken Fleming, QC. Some rearranging of witnesses had already been agreed upon including the rescheduling of former Dreamworld attractions manager Andrew Fyfe to next week rather than Friday, due to the unexpectedly late drop of documents. Mr Fleming said his staff were desperately trying to process the documents but had been slowed down by a power outage costing them a nights work on Wednesday. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/dc054526-393d-4bc5-ad99-0263d2721da4/r2_0_728_410_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news More than 600 pairs of thongs are heading to remote communities on the Cape York Peninsula and Torres Strait to make sure barefoot patients can board flights to access health care. Nurses sparked the idea of a thong donation drive after incidents where patients arrived for flights without appropriate footwear and were unable to board. Cook MP Cynthia Lui said the donation would allow a stock of thongs to be stored at airports and health care centres in the state's north, so they could be provided to clients and patients before they boarded flights. "People who turn up without appropriate footwear are often unable to board their scheduled flights to access necessary health care in larger centres," she said. "Without footwear, they miss their flights and their entire travel plans and clinical appointments must be rescheduled. "This initiative is a simple way to ensure people are not stopped from accessing the only specialist health services that may be available to them." Staff at the Caboolture and Kilcoy hospitals organised the collection, sending boxes of the donated thongs 1600 kilometres from Brisbane to Cairns via the Spirit of Queensland train this week and accepted by the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service. Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the donation would benefit dozens of people in isolated communities on the Cape York Peninsula. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/6a3e8b1e-dfa9-49fa-b978-9787b7646e57/r0_1934_2783_3506_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg 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 [] Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) has released an employment notification calling out for aspirants to apply for the post of Assistant Professor. Those interested can check out the eligibility, salary scale, how to apply and the complete details of the government job here. Selected candidates can earn up to INR 47100. The last date to apply for the government job is Nov 12, 2018. The departments that have vacancies are: Super Specialty Clinical Hematology CTVS Endocrinology Gastroentorology Haepotology Nephrology Neurosurgery Paediatric Surgery Plastic Surgery Urology Dentistry Community Dentistry Oral Medicine and Radiology Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Oral Pathology and Microbiology Orthodontics Pedodontics Prosthodontics Also Read: UKPSC Recruitment 2018 For 14 Civil Judges OPSC Recruitment 2018 Vacancy Details CRITERIA DETAILS Name Of The Posts Assistant Professor (Super Specialty and Dentistry) Organisation Odisha Public Service Commission Educational Qualification MD Experience 3 years Skills Required Communication skills and clinical judgement Job Location Odisha Salary Scale INR 15600 to INR 47100 Industry Medicine Application Start Date October 12, 2018 Application End Date November 12, 2018 Age Limit - 21 to 45 years Meghalaya PSC Recruitment 2018 For Junior Administrative Assistants How To Apply For The OPSC Recruitment 2018 In order to apply for the OPSC Recruitment 2018, follow the steps given here: Step 1: Log on to the OPSC official website. Step 2: The list of recruitment exams will be displayed on the screen. Step 3: Click on the application link against the post you want to apply for. (The link will be active from Oct 12, 2018 only.) Step 4: Read the instructions carefully and enter the security code. Step 5: Follow the subsequent pages and complete the application process. Follow the link - http://www.opsc.gov.in/Admin/ContAttach/111819.pdf to read the detailed official notification. Step 1 Log on to the SAIL official website. Step 2 Click on the tab that reads, Job Openings. Step 3 The list of notifications will be displayed on the screen. Step 4 Under Durgapur Steel Plant, click on the link that reads, WALK IN INTERVIEW FOR REGISTRARS, SR. REGISTRARS IN DSP HOSPITAL, DURGAPUR-713205 ON 31.10.2018. Step 5 The detailed notification will open. Read the details carefully. Step 6 Scroll down to find the application form. Step 7 Take a printout of the application form. Enter your details in the fields provided. Bluebird Care Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford was nominated for a prestigious Q Mark Award for their Quality Management System at this years National Q Mark Awards. This nomination means they were in the top 6.75% of all audits completed by the EIQA on the island of Ireland. The coveted Q Mark is awarded only to companies who achieve the highest standards of quality and excellence. This was a very special year for the Q Mark Awards as the Excellence Ireland Quality Association (EIQA) celebrate 50 years trading. Bluebird Care Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford is leading provider of Care & Support services for people of all ages and we pride ourselves and delivering our services to the highest quality standards. "Being nominated again for a Q Mark award reassures us that we are delivering a quality service and this is so important," said Annmarie Nolan Care Coordinator Known as The Oscars of Business Excellence, The Q Mark Award is the highest accolade an Irish business can achieve, given both the intense competition and the exacting standards required. Speaking at this years awards Irene Collins, Managing Director of EIQA said: "Companies who achieve a National Q Mark Award nomination are fully immersed in continuous improvement. "Theres no end point where they can rest on their laurels, and that includes digging deep into their Quality Management System and asking themselves and their colleagues if there are ways to improve how they use it. "The Q Mark Award nomination clearly tells their customers that the highest standards of Quality and Excellence are at the heart of their business." Read also: Homecare provider makes jobs announcement for Carlow The National Q Mark Awards 2018 were presented by EIQA and officiated by Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD. The Master of Ceremonies on the night was inimitable broadcaster Jonathan Healy and almost 600 people representing 140 companies attended the formal black-tie ceremony. The evening was filled with celebration but also a heady anticipation as many familiar faces waited for the final results to be announced. Headline sponsors this year were eTravel, Virgin Atlantic and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Award sponsors included Noel Recruitment, Skillsteam, Shelflife Magazine, JBM Merit Solutions, Solus, Asystec, Bluemoon Communications and The Irish Independent. Funds were raised on the night for CanTeen Ireland and were much appreciated and celebrations went on into the early hours. EIQA (Excellence Ireland Quality Association) has been the Irish National Quality Association since 1968. They currently audit the standards of thousands of organisations and businesses both in Ireland and Internationally. EIQA is known as the Guardian of The Q Mark which identifies its various certifications, namely: The Q Mark for Hygiene & Food Safety, The Q Mark for Quality Management Systems, The Q Mark for Nursing Homes, The Q Mark for Leisure Centres, The Q Mark for Accessibility (ABLE) In April of this year, volunteers from the Carlow Unit of the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps competed in the Rescue Organisation Ireland Trauma Competition. The Order of Malta Ambulance Corps is a voluntary organisation that provides communities and events with emergency ambulance care. The competition is usually reserved for professional emergency service workers, but this year it was open to voluntary organisations for the first time. Despite competing against a number of professional emergency care providers, the Order of Malta team placed in three categories, and came in 2nd place in the overall competition. As 2nd place overall competition winners, the Carlow Unit team is eligible to represent Irish Emergency Medical Services and compete at the World Rescue Organisation International Competitions being held in Cape Town, South Africa on October 20 27. The team attending the event are: * Team Captain John Lally, EMT * Terry Kerschbaum, EMT * Reserve Ben Millar, EMT A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help the team get to South Africa to compete in the competition, to represent Ireland and The Order of Malta Ambulance Corps. So far, over 1,000 has been raised out of a target of 3,000. To donate, click here. Photo: BC Gov't Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee has a message of reassurance for Canadians who may fear that legalization of recreational marijuana next week will come with a wave of negative consequences: It's not as bad as you think. Washington and Colorado became the first U.S. states to broadly legalize recreational marijuana in 2012 and Inslee says few of the concerns expressed at the time became a reality. Speaking to reporters at the Cascadia Innovation Conference in Vancouver, Inslee said the state has not seen an increase in crime, adverse health impacts or significant usage by young people as a result of decriminalization. However he said there's a need for more research on traffic related issues, as the state has struggled with impaired driving. Inslee says they have seen rise in chemicals in drivers' blood streams including alcohol, amphetamines and barbiturates, however there's no evidence that pot is the problem. Recreational marijuana will be legalized across Canada on Oct. 17. Photo: File photo RCMP say there are no indications that a natural gas line explosion was criminal in nature. RCMP are working with Enbridge, the National Energy Board and Transportation Safety Board to determine the cause of the natural gas pipeline explosion that occurred earlier this week. Some 100 residents were temporarily evacuated from a rural area outside of Prince George in the late afternoon on Oct. 9. Our top priority is to ensure public and officer safety, said Insp. Shaun Wright, Operations Officer of Prince George RCMP. Our investigators, along with forensic identification services, have maintained security of the scene from the beginning and immediately engaged the assistance of our North District Major Crime Unit. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or damages to properties in the vicinity. Wright said after reviewing known information by all stakeholders, there are no indications that the explosion was criminal in nature. The investigation has now been turned over to Transportation Safety Board, with assistance from National Energy Board and Enbridge. Analysts say about 10 per cent of Western Canada's daily natural gas output was stranded when Enbridge Inc. halted transport on the 36-inch line that exploded Tuesday near Prince George as well as its neighbouring 30-inch line. PCA seeks EPA reform of non-hazardous secondary materials policy 11 October 2018 The Portland Cement Association (PCA) has called for changes to the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) non-hazardous secondary materials (NHSM) policy. PCA Vice President and Counsel for Government Affairs, Charles Franklin, explained why reforming EPA's NHSM policy was so important for the cement industry. While many cement manufacturers already strive to use alternative fuels, they are often limited by federal regulations that deem such materials to be wastes, subjecting facilities to onerous and often prohibitive permitting requirements and restrictions. "A robust alternative fuels policy supports many of the current administration's key priorities, including energy security, fuel diversification, public health and environmental protection, economic development, and infrastructure investment," said Mr Franklin. "Materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, illegal dumps, or our nation's waterways can offer great value as fuels for cement kilns. These kilns operate at temperatures that ensure highly efficient heat recovery, with emissions profiles similar to if not better than those of traditional fossil fuels." PCA, joined by several other supportive industries at the meeting, urged the administrator and his team to work with the cement industry to review current regulatory policies, guidance, and legal interpretations to identify suitable reforms. PCA and other industry associations have pledged to work with the Smart Sectors team and EPA program office to explore options for reforming EPA's alternative fuels policy in the coming months. Published under Cementos Bio Bio sells Peruvian subsidiary 11 October 2018 Chiles Cementos Bio Bio has sold its Peruvian subsidiary, Cementos Portland, in a transaction valued close to US$14m, according to La Tercera. The departure means that it will no longer be participating in a project with Brazils Votorantim Cimentos to construct a plant in Lima, which has reportedly faced a number of difficulties concerning market rivals. A further two projects that the company had planned in Peru, one concerning cement and the other lime, will remain unfulfilled after the sale. The company first acquired a 50 per cent stake in Cementos Portland in 2010. Published under Van Aalst partners Scania in cement carrier project 11 October 2018 Van Aaslt has contributed in the development in the first Tier III Scania self-discharging cement carrier called 'NACC Alicudi'. The 120m vessel operates Scania IMO tier III diesel engines with a unique pneumatic conveying system for loading and unloading cement, fly ash and granulated slag. The vessel had to fit the Scania Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system in the engine room deckhouse, which was smaller as the previous non-SCR equipped engine room deckhouse. This resulted into lowering emissions, but also, and very important for the cement carrier owner, the lowering of the height of the loading system and loading points on board the vessel. The ship will operate along the east coast of the USA and Canada for McInnis Cement over the next three years. This area has been declared a NO x Emission Control Area (ECA) for newly-built and converted vessels as from January 2016, and the NACC Alicudi is now compliant with the area emission rules. The new rules under IMO Tier III (NO x Emission Control Areas) envisage a 70 per cent reduction in NO x as well as SO 2 emissions from diesel engines. Published under LafargeHolcim receives approval for tyre burning project 11 October 2018 LafargeHolcims plans to incinerate tyres at its facility in Brookfield, Nova Scotia, has been given regulatory approval by the Canadian province. Although the company requested a three-year project the Environment Department has issued industrial approval to conduct a one-year pilot. Environment Minister, Margaret Miller, has said that the company must monitor air quality at regular intervals when the kiln is operating and monitor groundwater and surface water in the area. "We are dedicated to reducing our GHG levels," said Ms Miller. "We are looking for new technology that will give us that result, and this may be one of them." Construction of the project will begin in the autumn and winter period, with start-up expected in early-spring. Published under Joe and Teresa Giudice of Real Housewives of New Jersey has had a long legal journey, but this might be the end of the road. It has been decided that the husband will be deported to Italy after he finishes serving his time in prison. But does this mean Teresa will move to Italy once hes deported? Here is everything we know so far. Joe Giudice has been ordered to be deported to Italy after his release from prison The father is currently serving 41 months in prison for bank and bankruptcy fraud. He is expected to be done March 14, 2019, and thats when hell be deported to Italy, according to NBC News. He has 30 days to appeal this decision. Joe Giudice was born in Saronno, Italy and brought to New Jersey by his parents when he was one year old. He never became an American citizen so U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer after he pleaded guilty to counts of fraud. A source claims Teresa Giudice never thought he would get deported The mother of four daughters reportedly has been trying to be positive. That reportedly meant not going to immigration court for her husbands case and limiting her visits to him in prison. So a source told People she is taking the news hard. This is going to break her, a source said. She always knew that this was a possibility, but she put it out of her head. Thats the only way she could go on living day to day. She previously said shed relocate to Italy The reality star previously said shed pack her bags if it came to that. I mean, Italys a beautiful place to live, she told Andy Cohen on the reunion of her show. I wouldnt mind, you know, Im just saying. Listen, whatever God has planned for me, thats whats going to happen. I will embrace it the best I can. Her lawyer has already said the two wont get a divorce There were many rumors that the married couple would divorce due to both of them having to spend time apart serving time. But the wifes lawyer has already said thats not going to happen. Teresa is not talking about getting divorced, she is not thinking about getting divorced and shes not filing for divorce, Leonard Jr. told Page Six. Its not happening, not just now, but never. I cant be any more clear about it. Bravo has yet to say what this will mean for the future of Real Housewives of New Jersey Teresa Giudice is certainly a fixture on the reality show so it would be a huge shakeup if she decided to leave. Bravo has yet to comment about whats happening. But Page Six did talk to an immigration lawyer who claims Joe could still end up temporarily working in the States. If he was going to start a new business in the U.S. or if he has an offer of employment, its very likely he could come back to work or develop or direct a business on a temporary basis, Matthew Kolken, an immigration attorney and member of the American Immigration Lawyers Associations Board of Governors told Page Six. There could potentially be a non-immigrant waiver, which is a temporary visa to visit or work at a business. The show also often films in other countries every season due to casts taking trips together. So its possible this wont be the end of their appearances on the show. Teresa Giudice has yet to make an official statement on what her plans will be due to the decision. Read more: Real Housewives of New Jersey: Andy Cohen Says New Housewives Hold Their Own Season 9 Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! The 50th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO50) was co-hosted by the Czech Republic and Slovakia in July. 300 secondary school students completed two challenging five-hour chemistry examsa theoretical and a practical exam. A team of 30 authors spent two years developing and refining these practical and theoretical problems. Three members of this team, Dr. Petra Menova (pictured left), University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague (UCT Prague), Czech Republic, Dr. Erik Szabo (pictured right), Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia, and Ondrej Simunek (pictured middle), UCT Prague, spoke to Dr. Kim Meyer for ChemViews Magazine about their experiences and motivations. What got you interested in the IChO50? Ondrej Simunek: I have been participating in the Chemistry Olympiad for many years, at first as a competitor. Honestly, I fell in love with this competition and all the amazing people involved in it. During my university studies I got the opportunity to write some problems for our National Chemistry Olympiad, and when there was a call for authors for the IChO, I was sure right away that I would love to participate. Erik Szabo: In the past, I also was a participant at IChO, and as soon as I had the opportunity to become involved in the Chemistry Olympiad as an author I did. From the beginning, I was involved mainly in preparing practical tasks in physical chemistry. After several years of good experiences, I was offered to head the Team that would prepare practical tasks in physical chemistry for the 50th IChO. Petra Menova: I myself competed at two IChOs2004 in Kiel, Germany, and 2005 in Taipei, Taiwan. I have been involved in the National Chemistry Olympiad ever since I started studying at university. I worked as an author and reviewer of the competition tasks. Furthermore, I supervised and mentored secondary school students who took part. I was a Czech team mentor in 2014 in Vietnam and a head mentor in 2017 in Thailand. I would say this is something very special about the Czech author team. We are very youngaverage age 34. Most of us participated at IChO as competitors, and we are good friends. What has been the most interesting part of the experience and what the most challenging for you? Petra Menova: As the Czech Scientific Committee (SciC) head, I have supervised all Czech authors. The greatest challenge was trying to solve and review all the problems from different fields of chemistry. Although it is a lot of work, I have loved every part of it. I needed to refresh my knowledge from the early university years, I improved my communication, reviewing and editing skills, and I worked with great people, which has brought a lot of fun. Erik Szabo: I am very happy that we managed to bring attention to underappreciated topics. Our practical problems were built around chemical oscillators, which are fascinating, but not easy to work with quantitatively. Our ambition was to offer new solutions. Ondrej Simunek: The discussions about the problems with the co-authors and the process of refining the questions was interesting and challenging. By now, I have about 15 versions of some problems. It is great to see the difference from the very first draft up to the final version. The questions cover a wide range of subjects and are placed in the context of the hosting countries' histories and geography. Please explain the process for writing and vetting these questions. Petra Menova: Before starting to write the problems, we met several times for a brainstorming. During the first meeting, we listed over 100 topics related to Czech and Slovak science, history, culture, and geography. We then narrowed the list and worked on the ideas more in detail. As I have already mentioned, we are good friends, so communication was really easy. Ondrej Simunek: The most difficult part is to come up with the idea itself. We discuss it with co-authors and at last the task is sent to reviewers. In general, each problem needs a lot of editing to make it as good as possible. In the IChO regulations , it states: "When solving tasks from quantitative analytical chemistry competitors must receive the same substances but with different concentrations." With 300 pupils attending, this regulation suggests quantitative practical tests are student-specific. A small army of technical staff must be supporting the event to prepare so many unique test materials. Erik Szabo: Actually, this does not mean a different concentration for everyone, just enough different concentrations, so that the students, who are next to each other in the lab, cannot copy their neighbors results. Still, there is an entire army of technical staff, that is correct. Just to illustrate, in physical chemistry, the students work with seven different bottles, all 2100 of them had to be cleaned and labeled individually. In organic chemistry, every sample of the starting materials must be weighed and labeled, and after the competition, every product must be dried, weighed and analyzed for purity. In analytical chemistry, samples were prepared in batches of up to hundreds of liters. However, most of the effort went towards setting up all the equipment in the labs. This year there were almost 20 laboratories with 1025 students each. Each student used a great number of different pieces of glassware and other equipment. Each lab was set up by 24 people. This still took many days. The practical problems seem to require a simple laboratory: That is, not much specialized equipment is needed to complete the tasks. What restrictions have you set yourself in terms of the design of the experiments and why? Erik Szabo: There are limits in both, space and costs. From this point of view, designing a physical chemistry experiment, for example, can be very difficult. Many are technically out of the question because they rely on bulky or expensive instruments, e.g., thermostats. We had to avoid this and design an efficient task that relies on simple methods of measurement. In tasks designed for the IChO exam, where we have 300 students working simultaneously, we really had to think about details. The scale of the experiments should be small and solutions used should be as dilute as possible. Still, some chemicals were needed in many kilograms. The resources required to test so many participants in one place must be significant! Erik Szabo: Enormous. The entire Practical Exam must take place in a single session, so there are 20 laboratories operating in parallel. Each has their own crew. But it is not only about the labs, the same also goes for marking. Each problem has many questions, and each calculation must be looked at and evaluated. Marking takes another team of many members, and it must be done within 48 hours so that everything is ready in time for arbitrations with the mentors. What feedback did you receive on the IChO50 exam problems from the students and/or the mentors? Petra Menova: We got very positive feedback from both students and mentors. The mentors appreciated mostly the choice of topics, the multidisciplinarity of the problems and the necessity for the students to think rather than use textbook knowledge. The greatest approval came from the participants, though. Many of them said they had a lot of fun solving the problems and that was, in my opinion, our biggest achievement. Erik Szabo: Personally, I was very happy with the feedback I got regarding our kinetics task in the practical exam. Many mentors appreciated that we managed to develop a really nice kinetics experiment that worked well and many were quite impressed with the level of quality assurance that we introduced. Collecting feedback from the students was a bit more difficult. However, I have heard that many of them felt that time management was the most crucial. Only the best students were able to finish all three experimental tasks in time. I think that the majority will remember the competition as tough. Ondrej Simunek: Already during the event, I talked to a lot of mentors and most of them kept saying that the Olympiad was unique, outstanding, and one of the bestif not the best onethey had attended. After the Olympiad, we received plenty of unbelievably positive feedback from the mentors from all over the world by e-mail. What memory from the ten days of IChO50 stands out for you in particular? Petra Menova: It is difficult to choose among the hundreds of memories that are still live in my head. There were a few moments which really stand out, like introducing the delegations at the Opening Ceremony, student parade to the Reunion party venue, moments of great anticipation when calculating the final results at 4 oclock in the morning, joy and smiles at the Closing Ceremony, and the fireworks at the Farewell Party. For me personally, this Olympiad was mainly about people. About working with friends, making new friends, creating new bonds, and working all together to reach our ultimate goala successful and memorable Olympiad. Ondrej Simunek: It is very hard to pick just one particular memory. First and foremost, I was very grateful for getting to spend the time among all the people that I either had known from the past or that I met at this event. Second, I'll remember the experience of getting to see the IChO from the other side, as a task author and organizer. On one hand, it wasn't easy at all, but on the other hand, it was a wholly unique and enriching experience. Erik Szabo: Of course, the day of the practical exam will be the most intense memory for me. All those months of preparations, expectations, and even worrying culminated into that single day. It was incredibly relieving to see that we did not make any mistake and everything went as planned. The IChO is now 50 years old and has tested the knowledge and skills of generations of young chemists. How does the IChO stay relevant to young chemists year after year? Erik Szabo: The Chemistry Olympiad is aimed at highly motivated students, who like a challenge. However, it would not work without a network of dedicated teachers and mentors who constantly work on and develop new and fresh problems that keep the students interested. IChO, in particular, always strives for originality, I think that is the key. Petra Menova: It is a great source of motivation. Highly talented students are often not well understood by their peers and always appreciate the possibility to interact with similarly talented students from all over the world. Many friendships are formed during the competition and some last for years. Nowadays, students stay connected via social media. And sometimes they decide to go to study abroad. Ondrej Simunek: The problems are designed so that they reflect modern chemistry and new discoveries. In practical problems, new methods and technologies are used. But regardless of that, IChO is still considered to be a very prestigious competition, and just this fact makes it relevant to the competitors. Thank you for the interview! Petra Menova obtained her Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic in 2014, before completing a postdoctoral stay at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interphases in Potsdam, Germany, from 2015 to 2017 as a Marie Skodowska-Curie fellow. Currently, Menova is an Assistant Professor at the University of Chemistry and Technology (UCT Prague), Prague, Czech Republic. Her scientific interests include organic and medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, chemical biology, and chemical education. Petra Menova was the Head of the Czech Scientific Committee for the IChO50. Erik Szabo obtained his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Comenius University in Bratislava in 2012, before undertaking a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University, USA, from 2014 to 2015. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Physical Chemistry at Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia. His scientific interests include nonlinear chemical dynamics, chemical oscillators, and spontaneous chemical self-organization. Erik Szabo was the head of the team of authors for practical tasks in physical chemistry at the IChO50. Ondrej Simunek is a Ph.D. student at UCT Prague where he has also worked as a teacher since 2013. His scientific interests include organic chemistry and chemical education. Ondrej Simunek was a member of the Czech team of authors, was the contact point for the IChO50 website, was in charge of the social media outreach, and authored most of the Instagram and Facebook content. Also of Interest Monoclonal antibody treatment now available for severe COVID cases Monoclonal antibody treatment is now available for patients at risk for severe illness from COVID-19 in Pueblo and other cities. Hundreds Turn to Christ at Franklin Graham Revival in Mexico Christian Post Contributor | 11 October, 2018 by Samuel Smith Hundreds responded to the message of salvation and turned from their sins last weekend at a Billy Graham Evangelistic Association revival in Mexico's third largest city. Franklin Graham, the son of legendary evangelist Billy Graham and president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, preached at the Festival de Esperanza (Festival of Hope) in Monterey at the request of local churches. According to Graham, over 16,000 attended Saturday night's service in Arena Monterrey. On Saturday afternoon, a FestiKids event was held in which at least 1,000 people responded to Christ, according to BGEA. On his Facebook page, Graham wrote that hundreds responded to the call during Sunday evening's sermon "to turn from their sins and trust Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord." BGEA reports that at least 700 "came forward to make a decision for Christ" by standing in front of the stage during Graham's sermons. "I told the full house at Arena Monterrey that there was nothing more valuable than a soul," Graham wrote. "Your soul lives inside your body and when your body dies, your soul will live forever in one of two places Heaven or Hell." Graham told the audience that "your soul's destination depends on whether you accept or reject Jesus Christ during this life." "It's the most important decision you will ever make. The Bible tells us, 'For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?'" Graham added, citing Mark 8:36. "I'm thankful for the power of the Gospel and that many souls were saved this evening." More than 500 churches participated in the festival, according to Graham. Among the performers who provided live music for the event was multi-platinum American artist Michael W. Smith and Venezuelan Christian music artist Daniel Calveti. Among those who came forward to accept Christ was a 26-year-old English teacher named Stephanie who faced a tough year riddled with depression. She told BGEA that at one point, she wanted to kill herself. Stephanie explained that she felt like an "orphan" because she grew up in a household marred by her alcoholic and drug-addicted father who beat her mom. Stephanie admits that she had "forgotten God's love." "I just couldn't take it anymore," Stephanie was quoted as saying. "I was thanking God because I didn't take my life." Read more about the Festival de Esperanza on The Christian Post. A federal judge in Wisconsin has ruled that Wisconsins Group Insurance Board and the University of Wisconsin system must provide coverage for operations related to sex change[s] for state workers. Judge William Conley wrote in the decision that refusing to cover hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery for transgender employees is unconstitutional and discrimination. The ruling comes after two male University of Wisconsin employees decided to identify as female. One of the employees, Shannon Andrews, who works as a cancer research assistant paid for the 2015 operation out of pocket after the Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation denied coverage. The second employee, Alina Boyden, a teaching assistant, could not afford surgery because of also being denied coverage. They both filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claiming of violation of Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sex discrimination in employment. As a result of [state policies], plaintiffs health insurance plans single out transgender employees for unequal treatment by categorically depriving them of all medical care for gender dysphoria, a serious medical condition codified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and International Classification of Diseases, the lawsuit read in part. Andrews said the ruling was a step in the right direction for transgender equality. "The judges recognition that discrimination against trans women and other trans people is specifically a form of sex discrimination is an excellent recognition to have," Andrews said. I think for everybody else (this ruling is) cause for celebration because it's a major step towards equality in healthcare for Wisconsin," Andrews added. "For me and Alina personally, the fight is not over." A jury trial is scheduled for October and will determine if the two employees are eligible for compensation for damages. Photo courtesy: Kirsty Lee/Unsplash How is it that a nation known for its politeness has become so committed to killing its most vulnerable citizens? In a horrifying scene from The Man in the High Castle, Amazon Primes sci-fi dystopian series where the Nazis won World War II and control more than half of North America, the son of a high-ranking Nazi officials discovers he has an incurable genetic disorder. Committed to the party and the cause, he turns himself in to the partys death doctors and saves the Reich from having to care for him. His parents are devastated, but the public hails him as a hero. Sadly, the scenario is not as sci-fi as we might like to believe. In 2016, Canada legalized Medical Assistance in Dying also known as MAID. The terminology is, of course, a euphemism for euthanasia. To be eligible for MAID, persons must be at least 18-years-old and have a grievous and irremediable condition. Like all such death-devoted legislation, terms like grievous and irremediable are moving targets. Descriptions used in the law include expressions like serious and incurable, irreversible decline, and sufferingboth physical and psychologicalthat a person finds intolerable. Of course, nearly all of these words are subjective: Whats intolerable to one person may not be to another. If Netherlands and Belgium are any indication, we can be sure that eligibility for MAID will, like gas, expand to fill whatever space is available. Two recent stories illustrate why our fears are grounded in reality. The first story involves people with Alzheimers and other forms of dementia. As of now, MAID is not available to children or people with mental illnesses and clarifies that anyone seeking to die by doctors hands must confirm their wish to proceed at the time of the assisted death. One Ontario man in the early stages of Alzheimers wants the law changed to permit an advanced directive, since he will be unable to comply with the laws confirmation requirements later on. The Alzheimer Society of Canada offered an obvious objection: How will you protect [people with Alzheimers]? to make sure that [theyre] not vulnerable to decision-makers? After all, its possible that someone could be transformed by dementia and become someone newwith a greater tolerance for incapacity and a different definition of a meaningful life. The man from Ontario replied, I have dementia. Im still a Canadian citizen. I have full rights. I want those rights. And hes willing to sue to protect those rights. Since the right to MAID is, in large measure, a creation of the Supreme Court of Canada, I wouldnt bet against him. The second story concerns an article in The Journal of Medical Ethics , written by three Canadian doctors, which makes the case for extending MAID to minors. Children. As Wesley J. Smith notes in National Review, the goal of these doctors is to normalize euthanizing children and reduce the stigma by calling the killing a procedure. Accordingly, the authors emphasized the need to hide the identities of those killing children from the public. And, they argued against requiring parental permissionor even parental notification if it were against the childs wishes. This is right out of The Man in the High Castle. As Smith asks, Can you imagine visiting your sick child, only to learn that hospital doctors killed her because she asked to die and wanted you kept in the dark? The rage and agony would be unimaginable. The rage and agony might be unimaginable, but the scenario isnt. It represents the logic and worldview that makes euthanasia possible: the belief that some lives are more worthy of life than others. Once you accept that principle, people will eventually forget why they were originally repulsed by the idea of killing children and those with a disability. And when they arrive at the hospital only to find their loved ones room empty, theyll tell themselves, Oh, well. He had his rights. 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 11, 2018 Photo courtesy: Hermes Rivera/Unsplash Back Index Forward Weekly News Digest October 11, 2018 In addition to this week's NewsBreaks article and the monthly NewsLink Spotlight, Information Today, Inc. (ITI) offers Weekly News Digests that feature recent product news and company announcements. Watch for additional coverage to appear in the next print issue of Information Today. For other up-to-the-minute news, check out ITIs Twitter account: @ITINewsBreaks. CLICK HERE to view more Weekly News Digest items. ProQuest Makes USC Shoah Foundation Interviews Available in Hungarian Libraries The Visual History Archive includes rich content about local history in Hungaryincluding more than 1,300 Hungarian interviews that enable students and researchers to gain further insight into and understand their history, says Istvan Monok, president of the EIS Programme Board. Having access to these primary sources will ensure that these stories will never be forgotten. For more information, read the press release. Last week, Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. He has not been seen since. Now, Turkish officials believe Khashoggi, a longtime critic of the country, was murdered by Saudi officials. That same week, US officials visited the Saudi Arabian capital city of Riyadh and reported that the country seemed to be loosening some of its harsh religious laws, including reforming its religious policeonce tasked with enforcing shariah law on the streets and in homesand instituting new government programs to quash extremism. Last fall, the 33-year-old Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman announced plans to modernize Saudi Arabia and return the restrictive Muslim country to what we were before: a country of moderate Islam that is open to all religions and to the world. And while the Crown Princewho is often known by his nickname MbShas made real strides in advancing freedom, including letting women drive, incidents like Khashoggis reported death suggest that things may be more complicated than they seem. Critics will say that MbS reforms are lip service, eye candy, its trying to fool the West into thinking that Saudi Arabia is changing when in reality its still the same old, repressive, authoritarian regime its always been, said Robert Nicholson, the founder and executive director of the Philos Project, a leadership community dedicated to promoting positive Christian engagement in the Middle East. I actually think both are true. Anytime a woman can drive in a country and she couldnt drive the day before is good news. Im not going to be picky about how many other things are left undone, said Nicholson. I also think its true that Saudi Arabia is nowhere near being a beacon of human rights and has a long, long way to go. Nicholson joined associate digital media producer Morgan Lee and editor in chief Mark Galli to discuss how Saudi Arabias relationship with Iran matters, why the few Christians in the country are likely to be migrant workers, and how Christianity first arrived in that part of the world. This podcast is sponsored in part by the Tyndale House Publishers Filament Bible, an all-new print and digital reading experience. Learn more at filamentbible.com. This podcast is brought to you in part PTZOptics, helping churches live stream broadcast quality services on a budget. Visit ptzoptics.com/church-makeover by November 16 to win a complete live streaming makeover for your church. What is Quick to Listen? Read more Subscribe to Quick to Listen on Apple Podcasts Follow the podcast on Twitter Follow our host on Twitter: Morgan Lee Follow our guest on Twitter: Robert Nicholson Visit his website: The Philos Project Subscribe to Marks newsletter: The Galli Report Music by Sweeps Quick to Listen is produced by Morgan Lee, Richard Clark, and Cray Allred Blue is the color of Mars at sunset. From the surface, the cold, dim light of the setting sun comes in from the horizon as it competes with the ever-present dust, thick in the air. The plains of graveled hematite that were once shades of ochre and umber by day are now jet and onyx. In the darkness, Mars may seem to be a dead planet. But in Gale Crater, there is human movement, as NASAs Curiosity rover slowly treks its way up the shoulder of Mount Sharp. Mars is not the dying planet sprung from the imagination of writers like Edgar Rice Burroughs and Ray Bradbury. Mars is more alive than everincreasingly populated over the last two decades with the robot explorers of an emergent humanity, propelled by a sense of curiosity that infects our species. Ecclesiastes 1:13 calls humanitys curiosity about the universe both a heavy burden (in the NIV), but also a gift given to human beings by our Creator (in the NRSV). Everyone loves, but God calls us to a higher love. Everyone is curious, but God calls us to a higher form of curiosity. Last month, after nearly two years of testing and repairs, the Curiosity rover is again drilling into Martian rock in its bid to discover whatever secrets may be hidden within. One of the keys to unlocking those secrets is an instrument the car-sized vehicle carries called the ChemCam, an onboard spectrometer that uses a laser to vaporize Martian rock and then, by reading light waves, can measure the rocks chemical and mineral makeup. Exploring the universe around us is a very God-given activityto follow our curiosity and to continue the work of exploring Gods creation that has [already] begun, explains Roger Wiens, a scientist ... 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. When I was 18, I wasnt sure if I should attend a four-year college. Should I work and help support my family instead? I wondered. Should I try to go to a local college so I can stay home? What if my abuelita gets sick and dies while I am away? Could I live with myself if I were absent during her final days? I eventually left home to go to school, but it was difficult because like most Hispanics and Latinos, I value family and community over the individual. Thus far, I am the first and only member of my family to attend and graduate from a four-year undergraduate program. I also have a graduate degree. It has taken me almost 20 years to pay off the loans for the private undergraduate Christian university I attended. The school was predominantly made up of white, middle- and upper-middle-class students. I filled out my school and financial aid applications by myself. My parents didnt know how to help me, and my high school guidance counselors did not support me. Unfortunately, the school I attended had few scholarships for minorities; I suppose that was why there were very few minority students. In a school of roughly 3,000, there was only one other Hispanic or Latino student, Pablo. Today, Hispanics and Latinosterms Im using to describe Spanish-speaking people of Latin American descent in the United Statesare the largest minority group enrolled in colleges. By 2060, the total Hispanic and Latino population in the United States is expected to grow to more than one-third of the population. Yet, as scholars Matthew Desmond and Ruth N. Lopez Turley point out, All the evidence yields the conclusion that Hispanic/Latino students seem to be falling through the cracks even as they are rising, en masse, at a population pace that is fundamentally altering the American landscape. The spike in the number of potential Hispanic and Latino students, combined with the decline in birthrates, presents a growth opportunity for higher education institutions. These schools need young students from our communities in order to thrive in the coming century. They will have to attract minority students who otherwise may not think of going to college. In particular, schools that consider the role of familism as they learn to recruit the whole familynot just the individualwill provide the healthiest spaces for our students. Bound by Family Ties Desmond and Lopez Turley define familism as a social pattern whereby individual interests, decisions, and actions are conditioned by a network of relatives thought in many ways to take priority over the individual. They cite research that suggests that Hispanic adults and adolescents value interdependence, as well as family support and obligations, more so than whites. As a Puerto Rican, I can attest that familism was a powerful force in my schooling decisions. My friend Alejandra, a Guatemalan, told me that when she was a senior in high school her mother died. As a result, her abuelita asked Alejandra to postpone her college education for six years until Alejandras sister finished high school. Alejandra delayed her education for one year but says, I just couldnt do itthe grief, the loss, and then feeling stuck. I went to college after that year, but my abuelita never forgave me. The expectation in Guatemalan culture is that you prioritize family. It still makes me sad that Abuelita and I never reconciled before she died five years later. Alejandras grandmother wanted her to put family above her personal desires and needs. But Alejandras decision to move forward against her wishes had devastating effects on their family dynamics. Another friend, Xochitl, who is Tejana, tells me, It took me 13 years to finish my bachelor of arts because of having children. But it was mixed with an abusive relationship and postpartum depression. All three [reasons] are why I waited and dropped out twice. Given familial obstacles, it is a wonder that Xochitl persisted in finishing. I am proud of both her and Alejandra. Article continues below What to Look for in Colleges As it did for me, Alejandra, and Xochitl, familism plays a crucial role in the educational decisions of Hispanic and Latino students. In view of the dynamics of familism, here are a few concrete attributes that Christian parents, pastors, and extended family should look for in choosing a school: 1. Bilingual materials. Marketing materials, application forms, websites, financial aid, and any other paperwork and communication should be available in Spanish. Anything an institution can do to remove the language barrier increases its chances of recruiting and retaining students. 2. Scholarships that cover more than tuition. Some schools will cover transportation costs for on-campus visits for students and a family member. Others, such as Amherst College in Massachusetts, provide transportation twice a year for enrolled students who come from areas with a higher concentration of Hispanics and Latinos. Schools can provide targeted scholarships for housing as well. 3. Hispanic and Latino faculty and staff. When schools make a concerted effort to hire a diverse staff, they signal to potential students and guardians: Diversity is a priority to us. 4. Doctrinal flexibility. Pentecostalism is the fastest growing segment of Christianity. Pew Research reports that nearly one in five Latin Americans now describe themselves as Protestant. Pew notes that Pentecostals share many beliefs with other evangelical Protestants, but they put more emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, such as speaking in tongues, faith healing, and prophesying. The Pentecostal emphasis on these gifts makes some white evangelicals uncomfortable, but they are widespread among Hispanics and Latinos and should be welcomed on a Christian campus. Also, see if a college is supportive of having women in leadership positions within the family and in social and employment networks. 5. Multicultural intelligence. When I worked at a Christian university, I served on the diversity committee where I heard about the racist remarks that were made to students, faculty, and staff of color. For example, I learned about a campus-wide game put on by a student group called How to Catch an Illegal. In any given month, there were a number of racist comments reported in the group. Being on the committee was often demoralizing and disheartening. There were high turnover rates among students, faculty, and staff of color because of the overt and covert hostilities expressed by the majority culture. It is hard for students, faculty, and staff of color to remain in a nearly all-white environment where culturally insensitive remarks and multicultural training are sometimes not taken seriously. That is why it is of utmost importance to determine if a college or university offers multicultural training for students, faculty, and staff. 6. Mentorship programs. Some colleges organize Hispanic and Latino-only student groups that foster community. Students need a familiar and safe place on campus to be themselves and to gather strength. They also benefit by pairing up with mentors who have similar interests. This offers peace of mind to parents when their children are away from home and their local community. 7. Hybrid programs. If youre not interested in leaving home, look for a school where students can work online, visit campus a few times a year, and still earn a valuable degree. Many theology graduate programs in Europe use this hybrid model, potentially contributing to the large number of American graduate students pursuing their doctorates overseas. Article continues below Recently, I spoke to the dean of a leading divinity school in the United States who said the reason her particular school doesnt offer such programs is because the faculty doesnt want to adjust their delivery model. I told her that in order to attract more graduate students like me who come from a culture of familism, they would have to change. Though many schools still struggle to reach our students, more each year are integrating these ideas. My hope for the Hispanic and Latino community is that we will increasingly find our place in higher education and that we will be increasingly valued for the contributions we have to offer. Marlena Graves is the director of discipleship at her church, teaches classes at Winebrenner Seminary, and speaks at retreats and conferences. Her book, A Beautiful Disaster: Finding Hope in the Midst of Brokenness (Brazos Press, 2014), was named the Best Book on Spiritual Formation by a First-Time Author. She lives in the Toledo, Ohio, area with her husband and three daughters. Learn more at MarlenaGraves.com. [ This article is also available in espanol. ] 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. The former head of The Christian Post, which calls itself the No. 1 Christian website in the world, was indicted this week in what investigators say was a scheme to obtain millions in loans through false pretenses. William C. Andersonwho served as the CEO of the Christian Media Corporation (CMC International), whose flagship publication is The Christian Postand Etienne Uzacthe CEO IBT Media (until recently, the owners of Newsweek)were arraigned today on charges of fraud, conspiracy, money laundering, and falsifying business documents, following a long-running investigation by the Manhattan district attorneys office. The indictment alleges that the two companies, which were also indicted, faked financial audits to secure $10 million in loanswith $1.5 million going to CMC Internationalthen used the money to make up for deficits from general operations rather than purchasing the high-performance equipment they told financers they would. Both executives have denied the charges, noting that all the lenders had been paid back in full. In court today, they pleaded not guilty. The notion that my client intended to deceive anyone, much less engage in a money laundering conspiracy, is absurd, Andy Lankler, Andersons lawyer, told The Wall Street Journal, which broke the news of the indictment. We will vigorously defend these charges. Michelle Vu, chief of staff for The Christian Post, said in a statement to CT, There are no charges against The Christian Post (CP), no allegations of any wrongdoing by CP. CP will continue its work as usual, focusing on bringing fair, accurate and relevant news to its readers. Anderson, who was at the helm of CMC International and The Christian Post from 2010 through this summer, faces ten counts of wrongdoing, including contempt for failing to submit documents subpoenaed by investigators. The Christian publisher now lists Andrew Clark as CEO of CMC International and former World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) COO Christopher Chou as CEO of The Christian Post. CMC International issued a statement saying the company denies the charges brought by the Manhattan DAs office, and we are hoping for a fair process, and expect CMC will be exonerated. The Journal reports that the Manhattan DAs probe is ongoing and will look into the relationship between IBT Media and the California Christian college Olivet University, which has raised financial and theological questions for years. As a Christianity Today investigation dating back to 2012 revealed, IBT Media and Olivet both have ties to controversial Korean pastor David Jang, whom some followers consider the Second Coming Christ. Jangs global network founded The Christian Post, Christian Today, and the International Business Times as well as Olivet and, according to sources, continues to exert some influence behind the scenes. IBT Media bought struggling Newsweek magazine in 2013, just months after it (temporarily) ceased publishing print issues due to financial strain. When Buzzfeed reported last March that The Christian Post and other CMC International sites had participated in an ad fraud scheme just like Newsweek Media sites, the article reiterated some of the media networks connections to Jang and Olivet: Both CMC and Newsweek Media Group had funneled millions of dollars to Olivet as part of what the university has described as research and development agreements and their executives have served as advisers and trustees for Olivet. Anderson, the former Christian Post publisher/CEO, was a trustee at Olivet up until 2016. Clark, the new CMC International CEO, was responsible for registering IBT Media offices and Olivets campus in the UK, per a 2014 Mother Jones report. The company that facilitated the equipment loans at the center of yesterdays indictment, Oikos Network Inc., has also been linked to Olivet, The Wall Street Journal reported. Several weeks after IBT Medias New York headquarters were raided at the start of this year, CT discussed the ongoing controversies at the publishing group, including an incident where three editors were fired after fighting with management over what they believed had been a breach of journalistic ethics in this story, Why is the Manhattan DA looking at Newsweeks ties to a Christian university?, an article by Newsweek journalists about their own companys possible Olivet ties. Olivet did not return a call for comment. The Christian Posts top evangelical advisers told CT they have not been involved in its finances at all. Former WEA secretary general Geoff Tunnicliffe, chairman of the board of advisers for the CMC and The Christian Post, said he is not involved in management. Southern Evangelical Seminary president Richard Land offered this statement: As executive editor of The Christian Post, my role has always been more consultative and as an Op Ed writer, rather than hands on daily editorial supervision. All of my dealings with The Christian Post have been on the journalistic and news delivery side. I have found the people I have worked with to be dedicated, highly motivated, of sterling character and commitment. I have never had anything to do with the financial side of The Christian Post operation or of any of its related entities. In yesterdays indictment, prosecutors alleged that in 2015 and 2016, IBT Media and CMC International secured loans to pay for high-end servers costing between $130,000 and $180,000, but instead obtained cheaper $10,000 servers from Oikos and were transferred the rest of the money. The conspiracy was for the companies to obtain financing from financial institutions, divert the proceedings of the financing and conceal its origins in order to fund day to day operations and meet other needs unrelated to the stated purpose of the financing, and maintain a credit profile sufficient to continue the financing scheme, the indictment stated. Further investigations are also looking into fraudulent traffic-boosting on IBT Media and CMC International sites, sources told The Wall Street Journal. Correction: An earlier version of this article mistakenly referred to IBT Media as CMC Internationals parent company. The two are separate entities. A slim majority of pastors say they approve of the job President Donald Trump has done in the White House, but many are unsure. A new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research of Protestant senior pastors found 51 percent approve of how Trump has handled the presidency, with 25 percent strongly approving. After almost two years of actions and statements from the White House, most pastors likely consider some positive and others negative, said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research. When asked to evaluate the presidents job performance with no neutral option, most pastors approve. Still, almost 3 in 10 (28%) disapprove, and another 2 in 10 (20%) say they arent sure. Pastors were specifically prompted to evaluate the presidents job performance, said McConnell. There is no lack of data on President Trump, but many were still hesitant to give an opinion. Compared to the middle of President Obamas first term, we see twice as many pastors say theyre undecided on President Trumps job performance, said McConnell. In the leadup to the 2010 midterm elections, a LifeWay Research survey found 30 percent of Protestant pastors approved of President Obamas job performance. More than 6 in 10 (61%) disapproved, and only 9 percent said they were not sure. There is no lack of information on what President Trump is doing or how he is doing it, said McConnell, so the undecided posture appears to be an unwillingness to identify with either of the political sides that have emerged in American politics. The hesitancy of pastors to take sides where Trump is concerned stretches back to the presidential election. Despite 52 percent of Protestant pastors identifying as a Republican and only 18 percent calling themselves a Democrat in a LifeWay Research survey prior to the November 2016 election, only 32 percent said they planned to vote for Trump. A full 40 percent said they were undecided, with 19 percent planning to vote for Hillary Clinton. Politically Divided Pastors Pastors opinions on President Trumps performance highlight divisions among the group, which often fall along political lines. African American pastors are the least likely to approve of the presidents handling of the job. Only 4 percent approve of his performance, while 85 percent disapprove. Outside of African Americans, pastors are much more split. Slightly more than half of white pastors (54%) approve, along with slightly less than half of pastors of other ethnicities (47%). In 2016, only 6 percent of African American pastors identified as Republican, said McConnell, and nothing in President Trumps first two years has generated approval from African American pastors beyond that level. Younger pastors are the least likely age group to approve of the presidents performance. Four in 10 (41%) of those ages 18 to 44 say Trump has done a good job, while 56 percent of those ages 45 and older say likewise. Those young pastors are also more likely to say theyre not sure about the president. A quarter are unsure, compared with 18 percent of pastors ages 55 to 64 and 16 percent of pastors ages 65 and older. In 2016, pastors ages 18 to 44 were the least likely to identify with a political party and least likely to support Trump as a candidate, said McConnell. They are less tied to traditional political identities and remain slow to express approval of President Trump. Pastors responses are also split across denominations. Pentecostals (86%) and Baptists (68%) are most likely to approve of the presidents performance. Church of Christ pastors (55%) and Lutherans (41%) are more split, while few Presbyterian/Reformed (28%) and Methodists (25%) say they support the job President Trump has done. Even in these denominational divides, the views of the presidents performance largely follow political leanings, according to McConnell. In 2016, pastors in Pentecostal (76%) and Baptist (67%) churches were most likely to be Republicans. Pastors in Presbyterian/Reformed (29%) and Methodist (25%) churches were least likely to say theyre part of the GOP. Other findings in 2018 include: Pastors of churches with less than 50 in attendance are the least likely to approve of President Trumps job performance (42%). Pastors in the South (55%) and West (57%) are more likely to approve than those in the Northeast (40%). Male pastors (56%) are more likely to approve than female pastors (30%). Pastors with no college degree (71%) or a bachelors degree (67%) are more likely to approve than those with a masters degree (41%) or a doctoral degree (52%). Self-identified evangelical pastors (63%) are more likely to approve than self-identified mainline pastors (41%). With the majority of Protestant pastors identifying as Republican, it is not surprising that a majority approve of President Trump in his first term, said McConnell. Clearly, pastors political views factor in how they evaluate the presidents leadership and accomplishments in the first half of his term. Aaron Earls is online editor of Facts & Trends and a writer for LifeWay Christian Resources. For more information on this study, visit LifeWayResearch.com or view the complete survey report PDF. Methodology: The phone survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors was conducted Aug. 29-Sept. 11, 2018. The calling list was a stratified random sample, drawn from a list of all Protestant churches. Quotas were used for church size. Each interview was conducted with the senior pastor, minister or priest of the church called. Responses were weighted by region to more accurately reflect the population. The completed sample is 1,000 surveys. The sample provides 95 percent confidence that the sampling error does not exceed plus or minus 3.2 percent. Margins of error are higher in sub-groups. Comparisons are made to phone surveys of 1,000 Protestant pastors conducted by LifeWay Research Aug. 22-Sept. 16, 2016 and Oct. 7-14, 2010 using the same methodology. LifeWay Research is a Nashville-based, evangelical research firm that specializes in surveys about faith in culture and matters that affect churches. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Given the volatility of today's political climate, it may surprise you to know that, on Judgment Day when we give account to God, His main question to us will not be: What did you do with Donald Trump? Yet for many of us who profess to be followers of Jesus, that's the big issue: Where do you stand with Trump? This cannot be the basis of our fellowship. This cannot be the basis of our love for one another. This cannot be the basis of our commitment to work together for larger gospel purposes. Put another way, we can be family without full agreement. We can be united without having total harmony on all points. This is not only possible. It is essential. Jesus said to His followers, "By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35) And He uttered these incredible words in prayer shortly before His crucifixion: "I have given them the glory You have given Me. May they be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me" (John 17:22-23). Did you grasp the significance of these words? As Francis Chan writes in his important book Letters to the Church, "Jesus' prayer was not that we would just get along and avoid church splits. His prayer was that we would become 'perfectly one.' He prayed this because our oneness was designed to be the way to prove that Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus said the purpose of our unity was 'so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them.'" Our unity is that important, not just for our good, but for the good of the world. As they see our unity, they will recognize that the Father sent Jesus to be the Savior of the world. But is this what the watching world is seeing? Far from it. We swipe at each other publicly, and often without any grace. We are nasty, mean-spirited, and judgmental to one another, within the Body. Some of our social media pages are so ugly that they sound like political attack ads. We bash more than we bless. We tear down more than we build up. We scatter more than we gather and again, I'm talking about how we treat one another as brothers and sisters in Jesus. As a committed pro-lifer, I can't imagine how another follower of Jesus could vote for pro-abortion candidates like Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. But that cannot be the basis of our fellowship. In the same way, there are committed followers of Jesus who cannot understand how any of us could vote for Trump. Yet we cannot allow our opinions about Trump (or Obama or others) to be the basis of our unity in Jesus. This simply cannot be. It is contrary to Scripture, which never makes our political views the foundation of our unity. It is contrary to God's heart, who longs for His children to be one. And it is contrary to wisdom, since we know that to the extent we are divided, to that extent we fail and fall. And here's the thing about family. We can express our differences and still be family. We can say, "I totally disagree with your decision," and still be committed. Melania Trump can teach us here. While traveling to Egypt, she was asked by reporters if she always agreed with her husband's tweets. She responded, "I don't always agree [with] what he tweets and I tell him that. I give him my honest opinion and honest advice. Sometimes he listens, sometimes he doesn't. I have my own voice and my opinions and it's very important to me that I express how I feel." That's what faithful wives do. That's the language of love. That's what commitment requires. "I love you, but I differ with you here." That's being family. Melania was even asked if she sometimes tells her husband to put down his phone. She replied, "Yes!" There is no person on the planet closer to me than my bride of 42 years, Nancy. She is my best friend and the greatest gift the Lord has given me in this world. And no one absolutely no one tells me I'm wrong more than she does. No one offers me (unsolicited!) correction more than she does. And no one on the planet is more committed to me than she is. In my new book Donald Trump Is Not My SaviorI call on evangelical supporters of the President to be more nuanced in their support. You can vote for him and support him and do what Melania did. You can say, "I voted for him and support him, but I wish he didn't say that." Why must is be 100 percent support or 100 percent opposition? Is that even realistic? In the same way, we can say to our spiritual family, "I can't see how you could vote for Hillary (or, for Trump), but can we agree that Jesus is Lord? That the Bible is God's holy Word? That we need to love one another and love our neighbor? That there's far more that unites us than divides us?" You might say, "But no genuine follower of Jesus could vote for Hillary!" To be candid, I strongly warned against such a vote, saying we would have the blood of the unborn on our hands. Yet I know sincere Christians who did vote for her, although I passionately disagree with their vote. Others would say, "No genuine follower of Jesus could vote for Trump!" And around and around the circle goes, to the point that we break off fellowship over political issues. To repeat: This cannot be. I have counseled pastors with multi-ethnic congregations to have a public meeting where articulate church members who had totally disparate political views could take a few minutes to explain why they vote the way they do. Even if they don't change anyone's mind, at least they foster understanding. Then the pastor can give biblical guidelines for voting, and the congregants can respond accordingly. This much is sure: If we allow politics to divide us, the devil wins, and all of us meaning, both the church and the world lose. Unfortunately, our current church divisions are massive. Let's not make them any bigger. Let's unite around the essentials of the gospel and work together to make Jesus known to a lost generation. And we can do while respectfully expressing our differences with each other. Are you with me? Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Editor's Note: The Christian Post is a pro-life publication. We, the editors, believe that life begins at conception and thus pre-born people are deserving of legal protections. We are publishing this op-ed in the interest of extending public debate on this important topic. The issue of abortion is fraught and divides the church in the most unchristian way. The nature of the debate forces the Christian community to choose sides which engenders suspicion of the genuineness of each other's faith. The church has one foundation and ought not to be divided, especially on the issue of abortion (and some other social issues, which are also a function of choice). The church cannot be anything but anti when it comes to abortion. That has to be, as it were, its default position if it is to be faithful to the spirit of the scriptures. But note that I say the "spirit" of the scriptures. Because, in spite of what you may hear or read, the scriptures do not address abortion directly. The scriptures address the value or sanctity of life; and as with many of the things we regard as correct to do, it is a guiding principle. Yet, there are times when a life is taken without violation of that principle (Ecclesiastes 3:3). But to be anti-abortion does not, and should not constrain us to an anti-choice only position. A good Christian can be both ant-abortion and pro-choice at the same time. The problem with the debate is that the two are often conflated and confused. Additionally, the demagoguery of some prevents the intellectual exercise of nuanced thinking and an appreciation of the complexities inherent in the issue of abortion. So, while the church must remain anti-abortion by default, it is not intellectually or morally tenable to remain anti-choice. The church has to be clear on its position. It makes no sense to say that there should be no abortion in any circumstance whatsoever. That belies a level of ignorance of the complexity of abortion decision making, and an antipathy to the feelings and concerns of those for whom it is performed. The morality of abortion cannot be reduced to simple arguments. The decision to have or not have an abortion is complex and deeply personal. It exacts significant emotional toll on the individual or individuals who have to make that life or death choice. An outsider, even if that person had gone through a similar process already, cannot fully appreciate what another individual is experiencing in those crucial moments. This is simply because each individual brings their own set of background experiences that may evoke different emotional responses. What of the psychological state of mind of the woman in the case of incest or rape? Is it prudent to say to an emotionally distraught and devastated victim that it was God's plan; that it is a sin not to carry the pregnancy to the end? People are different psychologically, and the state of mind that informs their decisions on any given issue is not uniform for every circumstance. That is one reason why it is so difficult to find the "right" words to say to someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one. That is why it is a delicate balancing act to use words in comforting a friend after the breakup of a relationship, or the loss of a job, or to someone contemplating suicide to do otherwise, etc. When it comes to abortion itself, there are several reasons that it may be medically necessary. I will not go into those here, but suffice it to say that a medical decision to perform an abortion is also complex and deeply personal. The life of the fetus/child and the mother often hang in the balance. While consent is regularly required from the mother, the nature of the case may be such that either the mother or the fetus/child she is carrying has to die for the other to live. Otherwise both may die. The clinicians have to make a decision and give their best medical advice in those instances for the best outcome. Often it comes down to aborting the fetus/child. This creates moral and ethical fodder for both sides of the debate. But it is worth noting that the moral dilemma of deciding whether to save the fetus/child over the mother or vice versa, is perhaps the most consequential, heart-wrenching situation to be in. In light of this, the abortion debate seems to be doing more injustice to those who are faced with these decisions, because it is treated as binary moral issue. I think too many abortions are performed simply because of an unwanted pregnancy, even though the risks were known while engaging in sexual activity, and no preventative measures were responsibly taken. The church, I think, is on solid scriptural and moral grounds to decry these abortions, and should do so with every opportunity. There is a solid argument to be made that these selective abortions are sinful based upon the disregard for the consequences of actions that will lead to the killing of a human being. The argument can also be made that in those cases the resulting life and its potential are being treated as mere casualties of unbridled pleasure. But, even then, the church should be in favor of a woman's right to choose to have an abortion. No matter the spiritual state of ancient Israel and down through the history of the church, God gives each individual the right to choose. "Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:14-15, NKJV). It seems an unnecessary fight to be engaged in by the church because it is really not one of the essentials of the faith. The objection to abortion can be boiled down to the sinful nature of killing an unborn child. But it is in fact a fight against a person's right to choose sin. We may not like the choices some people make, but that does not mean they do not have the right to make them. The scripture teaches that the soul that sins will die, but does not deny the soul that right to sin. God calls upon us to choose his way over our sinful ways, but he does not prevent us from choosing to sin. What God does, as should the church, is to identify the sin and warn against it. Now, I suppose, someone will ask about protecting and defending the innocent. That seems to be stretching a biblical principle too far because scripture is not clear that it meant abortion, which is a special circumstance. And especially since the practice had been known during those times, with the use of herbs and roots to induce miscarriage, we would expect more explicit mention and its prohibition. Another person may go off the deep end and ask: "What about a terrorist's right to choose to blow up a building and kill many innocent people?" That is by magnitude of degrees very different from a woman deciding what happens to and in her own body. It is a personal choice for which a personal reckoning with God will come due. Marvin G. Thompson has, over the past 38 years, served as youth leader, church officer, assistant Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, and presently as a deacon and preacher, serve men's and small group ministry leadership and. Started the Berean Fundamentals blog on Christian Post to challenge Christians to live consistently with the teachings of Scripture. 17 sentenced to death over church bombings in Egypt A military court has sentenced 17 people to death for their part in deadly bomb attacks on churches in Egypt. The suicide attacks on churches in Alexandria and Tanta on Palm Sunday in 2017 killed 45 people. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the bombings as well as another attack on St Mark's, Cairo, the seat of Coptic Pope Tawadros II, that killed 28 people in December 2016. An additional 19 people were given life sentences for their involvement in the attacks. The sentences are subject to appeal. Egypt's Christians have been repeatedly targeted by militants. Earlier this year, security forces thwarted an attempted suicide bomb attack on a church in Qalyubiyah, a governorate north of Cairo. The suicide attacker was prevented by security forces from getting near the church and detonated his vest around 250 metres from the church, killing only himself. In May 2017, over 30 Christians were killed by gunmen while travelling to a monastery. They were shot dead after refusing to convert to Islam. Egypt has struggled to contain the Islamic State since President Mohammed Morsi, of the Muslim Brotherhood, was overthrown by the military in 2013. The country is currently ranked number 17 in the Open Doors World Watch List of the 50 most dangerous countries to be a Christian. Although persecution already existed in Egypt, Open Doors said the ousting of Morsi only caused radical groups to become even more violent towards Christians and that this has been compounded by the state's 'low regard' for religious freedom and other fundamental rights. 'In a country where 90 percent of the population is Muslim, Egyptian Christians have been treated as second-class citizens since the advent of Islam in the region,' Open Doors says. 'The rise of radical Islamist groups has only exacerbated Egyptian Christian persecution, affecting believers in their villages, neighborhoods, and workplaces.' Last Friday the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the unemployment rate dropped to 3.7 percent in September, a low not seen since 1969. Many of us (including me, I was born in 1969) have never seen the unemployment rate this low in our entire lives. This is great news for America. But its also a problemand an opportunity. The problem is that we may think we dont need to be concerned about unemployment. In a sense, this is true. Theres certainly no need to be pessimistic, for even if we soon have a recession the jobless rate is not likely to return to where it was a decade ago. But because we dont foresee it as a problem, we wont make it a priority. And being concerned about unemployment should be a priority for all compassionate, free market enthusiasts. The reason why is because of the outsized effect unemployment has on human flourishing. As Bryan Caplan said several years ago: When workers dont get a raise, theyre often disappointed or angry. But when workers lose their jobs, they literally weep. For most of us, a job isnt only a paycheck. A job also provides a sense of identity, purpose, and community. Happiness research strongly supports this fact, but introspection should suffice. Think about the shame and despair youd feel if you were suddenly unable to support your children. Caplan also righty notes that those who support free market approaches should be especially dismayed by the cultural and political effects of unemployment: When every able-bodied worker can easily find a place to sell his skills, the economy reveals a clear connection between moral desert and practical success. You can fairly dismiss many complaints about capitalism by harumphing, Get a job! Workers can proudly tell statist activists and intellectuals, I dont need your charity. I can take care of myself just fine. Once people lose their confidence that every able-bodied person can easily take care of himself, this individualist ethos withers and the welfare state grows like a weed. Instead of downplaying the grave evil of unemployment, we free-market economists should urge governments to redouble their efforts to fight it. How can we do so and remain free-market economists? First and foremost, by emphasizing the obvious: Every government imposes a vast array of employment-destroying regulations. Minimum wages. Licensing laws. Pro-union laws. Mandated benefits especially mandated health insurance. Anyone who appreciates the grave evil of unemployment should bitterly oppose these regulations and vigorously reject the cavalier, callous view that a heavy-duty safety net is a good substitute for a job. Government regulation is hardly the sole cause of nominal wage rigidity, but it definitely makes a bad situation worse. The time to advocate for such policies is now. If we cant roll back these job-killing policies when employment remains high, we arent likely to have much success when the level of unemployment begins to increase. We need to fight now, not only for the future unemployed but to prevent more Americans from becoming unemployed in the future. Asia Bibi's daughter says she is 'confident in God' as family await verdict on death sentence appeal The daughter of a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan is putting her faith in God as the family await the final verdict on her appeal. Asia Bibi was sentenced to death for blasphemy in 2010 after being accused of insulting Islam by Muslim co-workers on a farm where she worked. She has been in prison ever since. The Pakistan Supreme Court reached a decision on her appeal this week but is yet to publicly announce it. If the death sentence is upheld, Bibi will become the first person in Pakistan to be executed for blasphemy. Her husband Ashiq Masih and daughter Eisham Ashiq are currently in the UK for a visit hosted by Catholic charity, Aid to the Church in Need. Speaking to the Daily Mail, 18-year-old Eisham said she has missed her mother 'very, very much' over the past nine years of their ordeal. 'I was very close to her, and there hasn't been a day that I haven't been praying for her to come home,' she said. Bibi is being kept in solitary confinement and her family are only able to visit every few months because the prison is six hours away from their home in Punjab. The Daily Mail reports that their most recent meeting took place just before Eisham and her father came to the UK. It lasted only 20 minutes and was under the supervision of prison guards. 'It was a very emotional meeting, but I am confident in God and that He will set her free,' she said. Mr Masih said his wife has been kept in solitary confinement during her entire imprisonment out of concerns for her safety. In Pakistan, allegations of blasphemy can be deadly for those accused and their families. Two ministers who spoke in support of Bibi's freedom, Punjab Governor Salman Taseer and Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, were both assassinated. Mr Masih fears his wife will not be safe in Pakistan even if her sentence is overturned and she is freed. 'Asia is always saying "I am missing my children" and she is praying and praying to be free,' he said. 'We always trust in God to care for her during her suffering days. Physically and mentally she is as well as she can be. 'She has been in solitary confinement since day one as they fear someone might attack her. 'We believe they will set her free, but the circumstances are such that she would be unable to live in Pakistan as a free woman. She would not survive.' Earlier this week, the British Pakistani Christian Association's Wilson Chowdhry called upon Western countries to offer asylum to Bibi in the event of her release. 'Her release when declared must be met with an immediate response through offers for asylum from every country in the West. She deserves no less for her great stoicism,' he said. Church minister reports Scotland's hate crime posters for being a hate crime A church minister has reported the Scottish Government's hate crime posters to the campaign's own website over concerns that they are doing more to encourage hate than prevent it. David Robertson, minister of St Peter's Free Church in Dundee, said the posters produced jointly by the Scottish Government and Police Scotland were an 'absolute contradiction'. The posters are part of the One Scotland campaign promoting a 'truly inclusive' society 'where equality and human rights are respected and every individual and minority group feels valued', the campaign website says. The Police Scotland website describes hate crime as 'any criminal offence committed against an individual or property that is motivated by a person's hatred of someone because of his or her actual or perceived race, religion, transgender identity, sexual orientation or disability'. The One Scotland posters display messages warning that people who commit hate crimes will be reported to the police. The accompanying campaign website includes a tab that allows visitors to report suspected hate crimes. While the website identifies verbally abusing people for their religious beliefs as an example of a hate crime, one of the campaign posters suggests bigots are people of faith. The 'Dear Bigots' poster reads: '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.' The message on the poster is signed off: 'End of sermon. Yours, Scotland.' Mr Robertson has now reported the poster to the Scottish police, saying that it actually encourages hate against Christians. 'By your own criteria your posters, especially the one on religion is a hate incident. I perceive it as being motivated by hate and prejudice,' he said. 'Why? In my day-to-day life I experience a great deal of anti-Christian prejudice, fuelled by ignorance and prejudice. Your poster will just add to that. You imply that it is religious people who are responsible for what you call homophobia and transphobia.' Mr Robertson said he regularly receives hate mail for his Christian views and said that the prejudice against Christians had reached the point where some are 'scared' to admit going to church. 'Your poster only legitimises these attitudes and that hatred. It is based on ignorance and prejudice,' he said. 'The language of the poster is that of hatred, anger, prejudice, exclusion and intimidation. There is within it the implicit threat, if not of violence, at least of criminal prosecution. 'The poster is designed quite deliberately to mock and to stir up prejudice against religious people but especially Christians.' He added: 'At best what you are doing is virtue signalling at worst it encourages hateful behaviour. You don't encourage love by promoting hatred of religion.' Christian Concern has created three alternative posters defending freedom of speech and telling One Scotland that 'stereotyping religious people as hateful bigots is deeply disturbing - even hateful'. Fears for fate of Christian schoolgirl Leah Sharibu after execution threat The parents of Christian schoolgirl Leah Sharibu are making a last-minute appeal to save their daughter from execution at the hands of terrorists. Sharibu, along with a young nurse midwife by the name of Saifura Khorsa, is nearing the end of the 30-day warning issued by Nigerian terror group Boko Haram. "Now we watch in horror as she, and the other women and girls with her, are led before the jihadist firing squads or worse," said Founding Coalition member and Save the Persecuted Christians Director Dede Laugesen in a statement shared with The Christian Post. "Does the world even know? Do they care? Where is the outcry for Saifura? For Leah? For all the other women and girls with them? As American Christians, we can no longer turn a blind eye to what is happening worldwide to our brothers and sisters," Laugesen declared. The Sept. 16 video in question showed the execution of 25-year-old Saifura Husseini Ahmed, another midwife with the International Committee of the Red Cross. A radical with Boko Haram said in the self-titled "message of blood" that unless the Nigerian government stops ignoring the group's written and audio messages, "the other nurse and midwife will be executed in similar manner in one month, including Leah Sharibu." Christian groups around the world have been advocating for Sharibu's release ever since she was taken in a mass raid by the terror group in February. The 15 year old has refused to renounce her faith in Jesus Christ in order to be granted her freedom, and is in danger of being put to death for her decision. International Christian Concern, another persecution watchdog group, also pointed out that the deadline for Sharibu's release is fast approaching. ICC noted that Boko Haram hasn't made its specific demands public. "Despite this threat and new information, the government still has not contacted Leah's family at any point and have not acted on it," ICC noted. "Leah remains in captivity and we hope to see her released prior to the deadline." The girl's parents have said that the Nigerian government has yet to let them know what it's doing to try and save their daughter, though Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has said efforts are going on behind the scenes. "Unfortunately, since the abduction of our daughter, no government official in Nigeria has contacted us or even let us know the effort the government is making toward the release of my daughter," said Nathan Sharibu, Leah's father, last month. Para-Mallam, a person described as a close family friend in a Naija.ng article, meanwhile shot down reports that Sharibu has already been released. "For the avoidance of doubt, I hereby wish to categorically state that Leah Sharibu has not yet been released. Our consistent hope and prayer is that she should be released as soon as possible," the family friend said. "I'm issuing this statement as a very close friend of the Sharibu family who has been and is still in very close contact with them, that as at this morning (8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 5), these wild and misleading reports about her release are false and should be disregarded. Please let us continue to pray for Leah and her release, her family and Nigeria as a whole. Thank you and God bless," Para-Mallam added. Courtesy of The Christian Post 'From the bottom of my heart, I am sorry': How Black History Month has challenged a white woman October is Black History Month in the UK. Last Monday I attended a Race Equality Conference, hosted by the Race Council in Wales and 4theregion. I went to represent the charity I work for and to become better informed. I left deeply challenged. Earlier this year I attended two Windrush Generation events that celebrated the immigrants invited to the UK between 1948 and 1971 from Caribbean countries such as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados. There was one story during those events that has stayed with me. It was the story of a man who arrived at Tilbury Dock on the MV Empire Windrush with 800 others from the Caribbean on June 22, 1948. He settled in South Wales and trained as a bus conductor. When his training was completed he expected, as anyone would, to be able to put his training into practice. However, none of the white bus drivers would let him be the conductor on their bus. As I heard that story, I wondered how many of those drivers would have gone to church on Sunday, or in their childhood attended Sunday School. In the 40s and 50s, going to Sunday School was much more of a thing than it is now. How many of them would have sung hymns and choruses about a God that created everyone equal, heard sermons or lessons about how Jesus loves everyone and then on Monday wouldn't let a black conductor work on their bus? I consider myself an egalitarian. I believe that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities and I often advocate for those rights and opportunities but on Monday I realised that isn't enough. On Monday I heard the gospel 'preached' at a secular conference. Over the past few months it has become part of my faith journey to recognise that I am called to be a repairer and restorer. I believe repair and restoration is at the heart of the gospel message. At the Race Equality Conference I heard speakers talking about reparation and how powerful and important it is. And I asked myself the question, 'What does that look like for me as a Christian?' One of the conference speakers was Simon Woolley, director of Operation Black Vote. He said: 'A nation which has no room for difference, has no room for humanity.' This challenged me to my core. How do I as a white woman, who professes to follow the teachings of a Middle Eastern rabbi, make room for difference? I often read church mission statements that describe their church as one that welcomes everyone, a church where you can come as you are. But do we really mean that, and have we really considered what that could look like? If people turned up in our churches as they are, would they want to stay? Do we celebrate and embrace humanity's diversity and difference? In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, he says this: 'You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.' Jesus words tell me that I am the salt of the earth. Salt is used to enhance the flavour of food, it's used to stop things rotting and decaying and it's used to cleanse and purify. A little salt goes a long way. If I want to make room for difference because I want to make room for humanity, I need to preserve our differences, savour them and appreciate them. I need to recognise their unique flavours, making room for their distinctives to be displayed. I need to tackle the rotten stuff of racism and injustice and inequality. I need to bring out the God-flavours intrinsic in each member of humanity. Jesus also tells me that I am the light of the world. Light gives life. It gives warmth and comfort. Light dispels darkness and makes us feel safe. If I want to make room for difference because I want to make room for humanity, I need to highlight the wonders and colours and beauty of every culture, creed and skin colour; I need my light to shine in the darkest of circumstances. Where there is racism, injustice and cruelty I need to step up, challenge and advocate. During the conference, one contributor, Esther Standford-Xosei, posed the question to those present: 'Who am I, am I all I ought to be?' When asked by the Pharisees in Matthew 22, 'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' Jesus replied: '"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: "Love your neighbour as yourself." All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.' All we ought to be, is people who love. It is that simple and that complicated. She also told that where we can, we need to be 'agents of repairs'. We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world: we are repairers and restorers, wherever we are and whenever we can. For reparation and restoration to take place there has to be an acknowledgment of the damage done. We need to be able to apologise for our silence, for the pain, suffering and humiliation inflicted by people with the same skin colour as mine to apologise for not listening and not hearing. From the bottom of my heart, I am sorry. I cannot hear the stories and see the pain and not be sorry for the part I've played. I can't change the past, but I can and I must influence the present and, alongside my brothers and sisters of all skin colours, I can work towards a better future where there is room for difference because there is room for humanity. Mandy Bayton is The Cinnamon Network Advisor for Wales, a speaker and a freelance writer. Follow her on Twitter @mandyebayton Government 'stumbling in the dark' with children's mental health response The Government needs 'greater urgency' in supporting children struggling with mental health problems, The Children's Society has said. A report from the National Audit Office (NAO) this week revealed that 10% of 5- to 16-year-olds in the UK have a mental health condition but only a quarter of that figure is able to access the appropriate services. This is despite the Government allocating 1.4 billion of transformation funding towards the provision of children and young people's mental health services in recent years. The NAO report said that while the Government's ambitions were 'laudible', only 'slow progress' had been made in expanding the NHS workforce to provide the necessary services. The report cautioned that demand may be higher than originally thought and that a 'coherent and coordinated cross-sector' response would be needed to meet the Government's goal of improving mental health services to young people. 'The Government has not yet set out or costed what it must do to realise these aspirations in full and there remains limited visibility of activity and spending outside the health sector...the Government cannot demonstrate that it has yet delivered value for money,' the NAO said. Sam Royston, Director of Policy and Research at The Children's Society, said the number of young people unable to access help for their mental health conditions was 'really alarming'. He said that if the Government was serious about providing children with the same level of help for their mental health as their physical health, it should triple spending and ensure that local authorities make the services a priority in their budgets. Mr Royston also called for additional funding to provide more early help in education and provide all secondary school children with access to a counsellor 'before deep-seated problems emerge'. 'But this report shows that the Government is stumbling in the dark and struggling to get a grip on the situation,' he said. 'It still cannot reliably say how many children need mental health treatment, children who do get support still often wait for months for treatment and frontline staffing shortages continue.' He added, 'This additional funding must be combined with renewed ambition and urgency if warm words are to be turned into tangible improvements for our children and young people.' I Will Not Fear: The moving testimony of one of the Little Rock Nine Dr Melba Pattillo Beals was born in a store cupboard in a hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1941 the only space grudgingly offered her mother by white doctors. She survived to become, 15 years later, one of the Little Rock Nine, nine African American children chosen to integrate into the Central High School. Pictures of the children escorted by troopers through a screaming mob of white people are seared into the national consciousness. She has written 'I Will Not Fear' to tell of how her faith in God sustained her during her darkest days, helping her to become a civil rights warrior, an NBC television news reporter, a magazine writer, a professor, a wife, and a mother. This is an extract used with permission. December days in Little Rock, Arkansas, are filled with a foggy ground chill that bites the bones, no matter how many coats and hats one wears. On December 1, 1941, my grandmother, India Peyton, was midway on a twelve-block walk to downtown in order to see a supervisor at Missouri Pacific Hospital. She was seeking permission for my mother to be given space in the maternity section because Mother Lois was about to give birth to me. Grandma worried that the bulge of my weight in her daughter's stomach far outweighed her capacity to birth me. 'White folks don't take kindly to the notion that one of us might be in their hospital. But because Daddy Howell was a worker there, there was some hope we could get your mother in. Your mother's belly was stretched bigger than God planned it to be,' Grandma would later tell me. Mother Lois was five feet four and weighed ninety-three pounds. Doctors estimated that I could weigh at least nine pounds. Grandmother had already been told that she would not be allowed to bring her daughter to the hospital, no matter the risk. The previous morning, Grandmother India had been turned down again by the clerk. She requested to see a higher-ranking supervisor to plead for entry for Mom. Now a little more than halfway there, walking as fast as she could, she wondered whether she would ever get there. The fierce wind bit her legs and seared her cheeks. She felt as though it would knock her down. If she could have made the trip a little later, she could have ridden the bus. But at 5:30 in the morning, no buses were running. She could not risk being even a moment late for her 7:00 a.m. job as a maid at the hotel. Protecting her face with her gloved hands, she tried hard to see what was in front of her. Grandmother decided that the only way she was going to complete her trip was to pray aloud the familiar Lord's Prayer. Upon arrival at the back door, the entry assigned to people of color, she wondered whether she had the strength to swing the heavy double doors with the strong wind blowing. Just then the door swung open for her, and Mr Jeffers, the janitor, reached his hand out to her and pulled her inside to the warmth. 'Miss India, what on earth is a body doing out here in all this freezing weather?' Taking off her glasses to clear the fog, she asked Mr. Jeffers to point her to Mr Van Albor's office. 'Ohhh, Miss India, why you looking for him? He ain't gonna see nobody like us.' 'I need to get doctoring for my baby. She's with child, and I want her to come here because the baby is really big. That baby weighs too much for her little body to carry.' 'Oh Lord, you know they ain't gonna let that happen. The saying here is, if you let one in, they'll all think they're entitled to be here.' 'I got no choice, Mr Jeffers. I gotta save my baby's life.' She turned and walked toward the elevator, following his directions. On the third floor, there stood the huge wooden door that led to the hospital supervisor's office. 'I need Your help, dear Lord.' She hesitated a moment to whisper her prayer before she knocked for permission to enter. 'Good morning, Aintee. I understand you want me to do the impossible.' 'No, sir. I want you to please help me save my daughter's life. My son-in-law, Howell Pattillo, is a good man and is one of your workers here. He is a Hostler's helper on the Missouri Pacific Railroad.' 'You're not asking for special treatment, are you? You know very well that Negras aren't coddled here.' Grandma winced because he used the familiar word Negra, which racist white folks called a compromise a combination between nigger and Negro. She grasped control of herself as she squeezed her feeling tight in her throat. She could ill afford to offend him at this point. 'No, sir, of course not.' 'The answer is no, Aintee. Why are you wasting my time?' Grandma says her heart sank as she moved toward the door, and then she remembered what her pastor had instructed. 'Bishop Riley said I should ask because it is so important to save my daughter's life. She's a schoolteacher and a Christian. We and Bishop Riley would be grateful.' Grandmother's pastor had advised that the only possible way to get her daughter into the hospital was if Bishop Riley supported her. He was the only African American in our community who held sway over some members of the white community. Nobody seemed to know why, but everybody in our community knew it was just so. 'Aintee, now you know that there's no way I can give you a regular room. I'll allow her to stay here in a storage room. We have an empty room. So it's yours while it's empty. She needs to have that baby before a week passes. Do you hear me? A week.' 'Oh, thank you, sir, thank you. I will report your kindness to the bishop.' 'Hold on, Aintee. Don't get any ideas about inviting your relatives and friends to celebrate. Only you, the father, and the mother can come in that back door, and be quiet. Nobody needs to know you all are here.' 'Yes, sir.' 'And there will be no birth certificate saying that baby was born here. I don't want a parade of Negras marching here stinking up the place.' 'Of course, sir.' Backing out of the office, curtseying with her hands in a praying position, Grandmother was very grateful. On Saturday afternoon, December 6, Mother Lois began harsh, prolonged contractions and spurts of pain that overcame her. Papa dropped her and Grandma off just outside the hospital back door. Mother was in a small, windowless but clean room. She began what would become a long night and next day filled with drama and pain with Grandmother at her side. The room Mother occupied was down an isolated hallway. When Grandmother asked for pain medication, the nurse said, 'Give you niggers an inch and you take a mile.' Early the next morning, Mother was wrenched with pain and covered with perspiration. Grandmother feared that nurses and doctors would ignore her. She telephoned Dr Routen, a white doctor who had been our family doctor for several years. He came to the hospital and summoned another physician to give Mother medicine and take her to the delivery room. Meanwhile, Dad discovered a radio down the hall and was busy going back and forth between the two rooms as he announced, 'Pearl Harbor has been attacked.' December 7, 1941, was a traumatic day that looms in this country's history! Bombs were bursting in air as Pearl Harbor was shattered. Hearing announcements of this tragic event was secondary in Mother's life as she prepared to give birth to her first child. Grandmother prayed and read Bible verses as Father meandered back and forth with news of Pearl Harbor. They anticipated a difficult birth. It lasted thirty hours. Mother Lois was petite while Father was six feet four and two hundred pounds. As time grew near, Grandmother reported that there were signs of trouble. Dad was not called, as men were not allowed in the delivery room. When the birth process grew ever more difficult, the doctor decided to use forceps, though admitting this practice could lead to infection. I weighed nine pounds, eight ounces. After the birth was complete, Mom and I were taken to the storage room. On the way out, Grandma remembered seeing Mr Jeffers cleaning the birth room. By my first evening on earth, December 7, it was evident that my head was swelling, and I could not keep my tiny hands from scratching. Grandma said I cried all night long, but even though she pled with the nurse, no one would come to address my problem. By Monday, my temperature had soared to 103 degrees. My hot, swollen head was an open, bleeding wound, which alarmed Mother, Grandmother, and Father. By Tuesday, December 9, my temperature was 105. The doctor announced that the infection was spreading, and I probably would not make it. He operated on my head and inserted irrigating tubes. The next day, just outside Mother's door, Mr. Jeffers was sweeping the floor. When he heard Grandmother praying aloud as Mother cried softly, he stepped inside the door and expressed his concern. 'I guess washing her head with that there Epsom salts did not work,' he lamented. 'What Epsom salts?" Grandmother asked. 'The doctor told the nurse the baby's head needs rinsing every two hours or so with Epsom salts.' 'No,"' Grandmother said, 'the baby's been here with us, and the nurse has not come to rinse her head.' Racing down the hallway, Grandma got ahold of the nurse. 'We do not coddle niggers here,' the red-haired nurse shouted. 'Understand I don't have time for you or your baby. You don't belong here!' Grandmother grabbed her purse and left for the store to purchase Epsom salts. Only by the grace of God and an angel carrying a broom did I live. Three days later, we left the hospital. As a child growing up, I always fretted about the bald strip that ran from the top of my misshapen head down to the right ear. I was so afraid that one of my friends would say something. Grandmother always quieted my fretting explaining that it was proof of how special I was in God's eyes because He had saved my life against all odds. 'God has been kind to give you beautiful hair like shiny black satin to cover your scar. No one will know,' she said. 'God has rescued you from death because He has special assignments for you. You will get word of the tasks you are to perform when He deems you ready for His work.' That special assignment came fifteen years later in September of 1957, when I was chosen as one of the Little Rock Nine nine African American children selected by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, amid a firestorm of angry mobs determined to keep us out. It was not until fifty years later that I learned the enormity of the blessing I was granted. A cranial specialist was to examine my head because I had felt some discomfort after I accidently caught my head when closing the car trunk. As the nurse entered the room to gather preliminary information, I greeted her. She examined my head and began talking loudly and slowly to me as though I was hard of hearing and mentally disabled. 'What day is it?' she shouted, leaning in close, staring at me. 'Tuesday,' I said, curious about her behavior. Who is president?' she screeched. 'President Clinton, William Jefferson Clinton,' I repeated. At first, I cooperated with her line of questions, but then I screamed, 'Lady, I am a professor with a doctoral degree. How can I help you?' That is when, with an astonished expression, she explained to me that with my misshapen head and the nature of the injury, I could have suffered cerebral palsy or another severe brain injury. The doctor said I was a walking miracle. I whispered, 'Thank You, God,' all the way back to the car. What I know for sure is that we have a God who guides and protects us. God is always available when we call for help and even when we are unable or unwilling to call. He intervenes to rescue us, even when we don't know we need help. 'I Will Not Fear' is published by Baker Publishing Group. Joel Osteen says he follows the 'Billy Graham rule' In an age in which pastors are frequently being brought down by sexual scandals, popular author and Pastor Joel Osteen says he follows what is known as the "Billy Graham rule." The 55-year-old Osteen, whose sermons are seen on television by millions worldwide each week, spoke with The Christian Post before taking the stage for his monthly "Night of Hope" event attended by thousands at Capital One Arena last Saturday. The Houston, Texas-based pastor talked about his new book, Next Level Thinking: 10 Powerful Thoughts for a Successful and Abundant Life, and answered a number of questions touching on subjects that range from pastor accountability and depression to whether his 45,000-member Lakewood Church has considered becoming a multicampus congregation. Below is an edited transcript of CP's interview with Osteen: CP: There's a lot in the news today. It seems like every now and again, we are seeing pastors or clergy being brought down by some [sexual] scandal or another. For you, what steps for accountability do you have? Do you follow the Billy Graham rule [where men avoid spending time alone with women they are not married to]? Osteen: I do and I always have, and my father did too. I think the key for me on that is to start every day I take the first half hour of every day to search my own heart to ask God, 'Am I on track and doing this for the right reasons? Am I following what you want me to do?' To me, you can have a lot of accountability and that is important. But I think you can hide things too. I think it's important to be honest before God every day and check the reasons why you are doing what you are doing. To me, when I stand before God having a pure heart, I can go out and be my best. CP: As a pastor, especially one who is in the limelight like you are, do you find that you ever struggle with loneliness? A lot of pastors today are suffering from depression or anxiety. For you, is that something that you suffer from? What advice do you have for other pastors as we see a many pastor suicides in the news. Osteen: It is a sad thing and I think it comes to us all. I am blessed to have a health family around me and friends, so I don't suffer from that. I know it can be very lonely because as a pastor, you are busy and there is always something to do. I would just encourage other pastors to take care of themselves, not just physically or spiritually, but emotionally, and find some other friends and take time to connect. That's really one reason why we started our Champions Network. It's a group of pastors who service people. How do we connect? How do we get to know each other? When we are done with this [interview], I will go meet a couple dozen pastors who are here today and it's really just to be in relationship and to say, "Hey, we are all in this together." I think it's important to have those healthy pastoral relationships. CP: A lot of people when they refer to you they refer to the words "prosperity gospel." Would you say it's fair to consider you a prosperity gospel pastors? Osteen: I don't think so. I don't fully know what [prosperity gospel] means. I think there is only one Gospel and that is the Gospel that Jesus died and rose again. When I think of prosperity, I think of someone asking for money. I don't do that. Prosperity is having good health and being able to sleep at night and having good relationships. It's having money to pay our bills and follow your dreams. It is not about wealth and getting rich. That is kind of what I see when I hear "prosperity." I talk about all types of things. On purpose, I stay away from money [in my sermons] because people already think TV pastors are frauds and all that. I try to stay away from that, but I do believe God wants you to be blessed. We couldn't have [acquired] the Compaq Center if we didn't have people that God blessed them. I think He wants us to rise higher. This event cost hundreds of thousands of dollars tonight. That's because people are able to give and be blessed. Read the full interview at The Christian Post North Korea should open up its notorious prison camps for inspection, not only nuclear sites Kim Jong-un has signalled his readiness to allow inspectors into the dismantled Punggye-ri nuclear test site, but Open Doors USA is urging North Korea's Supreme Leader to go further. The organisation, which advocates for persecuted Christians worldwide, said the communist country's moves towards denuclearisation were a 'step in the right direction' but voiced concern that 'little has been said' in talks between the US and North Korea about the country's decades-long 'severe human rights violations'. It wants North Korea to allow the Red Cross and United Nations Council of Inquiry in to inspect the camps, which it says are 'as bad - or even worse - than Auschwitz'. According to Open Doors USA, there are 250,000 North Koreans imprisoned in the camps, including 50,000 prisoners of faith. 'We must gain transparency into how these people are being treated,' says Open Doors CEO David Curry. 'And then President Trump must make it clear that Kim Jong Un can only be invited back into the world's good graces, and be lauded for political gestures if he commits to resolving decades of human rights violations at the hands of his regime.' Following a meeting between Kim and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Pyongyang on Sunday, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said a second summit meeting between North Korea and the US was being planned for 'as early as possible'. President Moon also revealed that Kim was open to a visit from Pope Francis, a surprising announcement given North Korea's poor track record on religious freedom and the fact that it currently has no formal diplomatic ties with the Vatican. Open Doors USA questioned the invitation, saying, 'How can a dictator who uses the fear of Nazi-style prison camps to rule his people sincerely extend a visit to the Pope? North Korea has come under fire over prison conditions after missionary Kenneth Bae was sentenced to 15 years of hard labour in 2013. He revealed how he was frequently hospitalized as a result of the harsh conditions in the prison camp. After diplomatic efforts by the US, he was freed in 2014. Last year, the death of Otto Warmbier after 17 months in detention in North Korea caused international outcry. Warmbier, a 22-year-old student, died days after being returned to the US brain-damaged and in a coma. North Korean officials said botulism was to blame. Open Doors USA said: 'Otto's death serves as a disturbing reflection of Kim's disregard for human life and human rights that continues to characterise and define the communist country.' The organisation is calling on the world's Christians to join in prayer for the suffering church in North Korea and an end to human rights abuses there. 'The thought of 50,000 North Korean believers imprisoned for their faith being freed from the gates of these camps and their inhumane living conditions should drive the world's 2.2 billion Christians to their knees,' it said. 'We have a biblical responsibility to intercede for these believers and ask God to make it clear to our leaders that the time is nowfor such a time as thisto start this unprecedented freedom work for His suffering people.' US repeats call to Turkey to release pastor Andrew Brunson U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that the release of U.S. evangelical pastor Andrew Brunson by a Turkish court at his next hearing on Friday would be an important step and the right thing for Turkey to do. "It is the right thing for them to do, it is the humanitarian thing for Turkey to do," Pompeo told the annual Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) dinner in Washington. "I am very hopeful that before too long he and his wife will be able to return to the United States." Asked what his release would mean for U.S-Turkey relations, Pompeo said: "It is an important step." Brunson's case has become the most divisive issue in a worsening diplomatic dispute between Ankara and Washington that has triggered U.S. sanctions and tariffs against Turkey. Brunson is charged with links to Kurdish militants and supporters of Fethullah Gulen, the cleric blamed by Turkey for a failed coup attempt in 2016. He has denied the accusation - as has Gulen - and Washington has demanded his immediate release. Jailed or held under house arrest since October 2016, Brunson faces up to 35 years in jail if convicted. Last month the main prosecutor in his trial was replaced, a move his lawyer cautiously welcomed, saying it might be a sign of changing political will. Despite pressure from the Trump administration, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has insisted that he has no sway over the judiciary and that the courts will decide on Brunson's fate. Investar Bank plans to acquire Mainland Bank of Texas City in a deal valued at $19.9 million. The Baton Rouge, La.-based bank announced Thursday it entered into an agreement to acquire the Texas bank, its first foray into the Lone Star State. The acquisition has been approved by each company's board of directors, and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2019, pending approval of Mainland Bank's shareholders and regulatory authorities. Mainland Bank shareholders, according to the agreement, will receive 3.04 shares of Investar stock for every share of the Texas bank's stock, or approximately $79.22 per share based on the closing price of Investar stock on Oct. 10. If the acquisition goes through, Mainland Bank shareholders will own 764,000 shares of Investar stock, or about 7.4 percent of the combined company. RELATED: Icon Bank of Texas merges with BancorpSouth Mainland Bank had approximately $131.3 million in assets, $87.8 million in net loans, $113 million in deposits and $12.7 million in stockholders equity, as of June 30. The bank has a loan-to-deposit ratio of 79 percent. Robert Harris, president and CEO of Mainland Bank, said the company viewed the acquisition has an opportunity to become part of a larger community bank that could better serve its customers and expand the business. Investar, a Louisiana-chartered bank owned by Investar Holding Corp., operates 20 locations in southern Louisiana and has 269 employees. Mainland Bank has its headquarters in Texas City, and two branch offices in Houston and Dickinson. Investar hired Sandler O'Neill & Partners LP as its financial advisor, and Fenimore, Kay, Harrison & Ford as its legal counsel. Mainland hired Performance Trust Capital Partners as its financial advisor and Larry Temple as its legal counsel. The global fleet of liquefied natural gas carriers is slated for record growth this year as LNG becomes easier to trade and U.S. exports ramp up. Shippers, traders and energy companies are expected to take delivery of more than 70 new LNG carriers in 2018, according to a report by S&P Global Platts. Fleet owners ordered 28 large carriers during the first seven months of the year, compared to only 26 in 2016 and 2017 combined. The growth is largely driven by natural gas demand in China and other Asian countries where environmental concerns have forced a shift away from coal-burning power sources. In the U.S., roughly a dozen new export terminals -- including six in Texas -- are in the works to serve that market and others. RELATED: Cheniere, CME Group partner on futures contract for U.S. LNG The surge in supply and demand, the Platts report said, is helping to create a more transparent LNG market similar to oil and other commodity markets. It noted that long-term LNG contracts are beginning to give way to shorter, more flexible deals, with nearly a third of global transactions conducted on a spot or short-term basis. Traders, as a result, are taking a larger role in the marketplace, helping drive demand for new ships. Houston LNG producer Cheniere, for example. this year signed deals to sell liquefied natural gas to Swiss energy traders Vitol and Trafigura. Cheniere in 2016 became the first U.S. company to export LNG from its Sabine Pass terminal in Louisiana. The company, which now ships to nearly 30 foreign markets, is expanding that terminal and building a second one in Corpus Christi. Virginia's Dominion Energy also began exporting LNG from a terminal in Maryland earlier this year. Other U.S. companies are expected to begin exports next year, including two based in Houston. Freeport LNG is working to open its Gulf Coast terminal at Quintana Island, and Kinder Morgan is completing an export terminal in Georgia. St. Louis-based Emerson has purchased 6001 Rogerdale, a two-story, 151,000-square-foot building next to its Westchase office. Rudy Hubbard, Kevin McConn and Rick Goings of JLL represented the seller, Fort Worth-based 111 Realty OPO. Curt Stanton of Axiom represented Emerson. The now vacant building has served as a single-tenant corporate campus since it was completed in 2008. Keystone Engineering has renewed and expanded its lease for a total of 12,300 square feet at 11999 Katy Freeway. Daniel Cantrell of Keystone Engineering represented the tenant. Gary Loh and Leslie Nystrom of REIS Associates represented the landlord, Cotter Katy Freeway Building LP. Jindal Tubular has leased 4,078 square feet at 1201 Louisiana from Brookfield Properties. Michael Mannella and Dan Boyles of NAI Partners represented the tenant. Austin-based PPA Group has purchased Olympia Flats, at 2201 Hayes Road, and Westside Flats, at 2101 Hayes Road, in Westchase from Firmus Equity Partners. Matt. Phillips and Clint Duncan of CBRE arranged the sale. TF Warren Group has purchased a 33,000-square-foot office building at 25000 Pitkin Road in The Woodlands from Rayford Professional Building Ltd. Rob Banzhaf, David Alexander and Ryan Dierker of Newcor Commercial Real Estate handled the sale. MetroNational has signed office tenants at its Memorial City mixed-use development. Southland Title, represented by Randy Frnka of Great Southwest Realty Services, has moved into Memorial City Place, 9821 Katy Freeway. Mutual of Omaha Insurance Co., represented by Jay Kyle of Colliers International, has leased 5,372 square feet in Three Memorial City Place, 840 Gessner. BancorpSouth Bank has leased 5,095 square feet at 10100 Katy Freeway. Brad MacDougall represented MetroNational in the deals. Installed Building Products of Houston has leased 35,000 square feet at 27347 W. Hardy Road in Spring. James Schuepbach and Lisa Nickel with Ryoak Real Estate Group represented the landlord, Giddy Up Development. Darren OConor of NAI Partners represented the tenant. Montenegro Enterprises has leased 14,000 square feet of industrial space at 8433 Gulf Freeway. Stephen Hazen of Lee & Associates represented the landlord, Zoya Enterprises. Carolina Beltran with Matrix Realty Group represented the tenant. Raja Foods has purchased 4.6 acres of industrial land on Stafford Road between Cash and Mula roads in Stafford from Clay Development & Construction. Mike Gornek and Peyton Easley with ICO Commercial represented the seller. Alden Heights Place has purchased Panther Creek Professional Plaza II, a 30,363-square-foot medical office building at 4840 Panther Creek Drive in The Woodlands from DeLCom Properties. Neal King and Jeff Tinsley of The J. Beard Real Estate Co. handled the sale. katherine.feser@chron.com twitter.com/kfeser Steven McDonald, the director the extensive wine program at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, said he felt like he was "floating" when he got the news in early September that he had aced the wine world's most prestigious and difficult test, finally earning the coveted Master Sommelier status after six tries. But McDonald's euphoria didn't last long. Along with 23 others who thought they had earned the prized title and lapel pin that goes with it in St. Louis last month, he will have to do his blind tasting all over again. Houston police on Thursday identified a man they believe used social media and dating apps to meet women whom he then sexually assaulted. At a press conference, police said they believe 24-year-old Jorge Arturo Mar was responsible for a string of sexual assaults. INDICTED: Two men sexually assaulted a 9-month-old girl and filmed it, authorities say Police said the suspect asked women out on dates and got them into his car. But rather than going to a restaurant or a bar, the man drove the victims to a remote location and sexually assaulted them in his vehicle, then robbed them sometimes with a weapon on hand. Police arrested Mar on Wednesday. He was charged with aggravated sexual assault and aggravated burglary, after the forensics department matched his DNA to three separate cases of sexual assault and a victim identified him. He's being held in jail on $1 million bond for the aggravated sexual assault charge, and $100,000 bond for the burglary charge. In court on Thursday night, a state prosecutor described one woman's alleged encounter with Mar on Aug. 29, 2017. She said that they met on Meetme.com and he that he forced her into the back of his car by threatening her with a knife, according to the prosecutor. Mar did not have a prior criminal history. David Angelo, commander of the Houston Police Department's special victims division, said authorities believe that Mar is a serial rapist "responsible for at least eight sexual assaults." However, there are currently only three cases actually matched by MO; a fourth is pending examination. The eight sexual assaults that Angelo referenced occurred from April 2017 to August 2018. He added that a nine-month gap in reports, from August 2017 to May 2018, has them concerned there may be more victims who have not yet come forward. and encouraged victims to report other crimes. INVESTIGATED: Houston firefighter charged with sexual assault "We always start by believing (the victim) and follow the evidence," said Houston police Lt. Jacinda Guncer. "There is nothing that a woman does that causes a man to rape her, there's nothing she can do that makes it OK for a man to sexually assault her." Guncer said HPD has been seeing "quite a bit" of sexual assault through online dating and warned users to exercise caution when going on dates with people they met online. State prosecutors asked for $1 million bond because they said Mar "presents a clear and present danger to the women of Harris County." A public defender countered that the bond was exorbitantly high and "categorically unfair," considering that the other suspected instances of sexual assault haven't resulted in charges. If Mar were to make bond, the victim in the Aug. 29, 2017 case now has a protective order. Among other conditions, Mar can't make any contact with her and can't go within 200 feet of her address or place of employment. On this date in ... 1918: Health officer Dr. Arthur Sautter issued an order stating that all of Albany's churches would be closed and no services held for the first time that anyone could remember, all due to the worldwide Spanish flu pandemic that continued to ravage the Capital Region. The quarantine on theaters, schools and churches was supposed to have ended on Saturday, but Sautter called for the extension, in part because Albany saw 14 more deaths from the disease over the previous 24 hours and 332 new cases for the day by 1 p.m. 1968: Robert Boruty, 26, was in Orange County jail, just a day after returning with his 18-year-old Newburgh wife from their honeymoon in Puerto Rico. The trouble, according to State Police, was that it was Boruty's second honeymoon in a month. Agents of the State Bureau of Criminal Investigation met the couple at Kennedy airport, because the angry parents of a 21-year-old Wappingers Falls woman told them Boruty, whom they knew as Robert Beyruti, had married their daughter Aug. 25. He had apparently financed his travels and marriages with wedding gifts, money and the savings of his wives. 1993: Fifth Avenue in Troy could have been as wide as the Atlantic Ocean, given the gulf between those dedicating a monument to Christopher Columbus on one side and those who denounced the Italian voyager as a murderer on the other. In an early morning chill, supporters of the Columbus Square monument at Fifth Avenue and Jacob and King streets marked the installation of plaques bearing the names of 60 immigrants who settled in Troy. On the opposite side of the street, to the sound of a steady drumbeat, protesters denounced Columbus and questioned why the city, county and state invested money for a monument in his honor. Want to read more about the Capital Region's past? Have any memories or thoughts about how our history relates to today's events? See http://blog.timesunion.com/history/ HAMDEN Mariam Khan, a junior at Hamden High School, was appointed as the student representative to the Board of Education this week. Mariam is just really an extraordinary student, with great background and commitment (toward) public service and getting more involved, said Superintendent of School Jody Goeler. Very, very pleased to nominate, or bring to you for your appointment, Mariam Khan, whos a junior at Hamden High School and on to big things in this world. Goeler said he had interviewed seven or eight students before settling on Khan. Khan said she has been a student in town schools for 11 years. The experience offered her a wide range of possibilities, she said, allowing her to take up a larger voice about what was going on in the schools. Khan said she runs a global youth activism club at Hamden High School. Increasing inclusivity and ensuring opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds was meaningful, she said. Hamden has opened me up to so many opportunities. Its always been there, even when I was in kindergarten and when I was getting elected to (the talented and gifted program) and all those sorts of things, to now, where Im going to be on the board, said Khan. Im really looking forward to it. Khan thanked Goeler and Principal Nadine Gannon for supporting her efforts to do more and share her thoughts, as well as those of other students. Theyve never put a barrier to that, but instead embraced that kind of activism people coming out, students showing their support, and being able to talk about things they believe in, said Khan. Khan will serve on the board for two years, according to member Myron Hul. Her appointment was approved unanimously. Those in attendance then welcomed Khan with a round of applause, as she stepped forward from the crowd to take her seat at the fore of the room. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com Juan Pardo is bringing a jolt to spinal fusion procedures. Working from the Texas Medical Center, his company hopes to use electric fields to spur bone growth in high-risk patients, where the surgery to reduce back pain fails 40 percent of the time. Thats almost as good as flipping a coin, said Pardo, co-founder and principal engineer for Intelligent Implants. In health care, you want to avoid that. You want to have certain outcomes. Intelligent Implants, headquartered in Ireland, opened its Houston research and development office in 2017 with little more than a prototype. It has since created a business plan, researched U.S. regulations and started testing its device in sheep, thanks to a multitude of startup assistance programs at the Texas Medical Center. These programs include office space at the JLABS incubator, business growth assistance from the TMCx accelerator and access to a machine shop and its experienced engineers at the Center for Device Innovation, the latest offering from Johnson & Johnson at the Texas Medical Center. On HoustonChronicle.com: TMC takes major step toward collaborative biomed facility They literally hit just about all of the programs that we have, TMC Innovation Institute Director Erik Halvorsen said. The companys goal is improving the outcomes of a surgery common for chronic back pain. Spinal fusion involves removing the disk between two vertebrae and putting in a spacer that ultimately allows bone to grow and connect the vertebrae. But in patients who have diabetes or who smoke, for instance, the bone doesnt always grow. Or it grows in the wrong direction, painfully pushing against nerve roots or the spinal cord. Intelligent Implants will put a device the size of a fingertip between the vertebrae in high-risk patients. It will then activate an electric field, similar to those found naturally in the body, to attract cells carrying minerals and proteins needed for bone growth. And if the bone is growing toward nerve roots or the spinal cord, the device will create a different electric field that stops the bone from growing in those directions. People are always surprised to hear that bone is electrically active, Pardo said. The device will be charged wirelessly through a battery pack, placed in a lumbar corset worn during recovery. Halvorsen knows firsthand how often spinal fusion surgeries can fail. His 10-year-old daughter, born with a genetic defect that causes severe scoliosis, had four of these surgeries. The first two failed. Theyre working on a technology that is addressing a pretty significant unmet clinical need, Halvorsen said. Team members at Intelligent Implants discovered Johnson & Johnson Innovation in Ireland, where one of the startups co-founders is from. They toured its Houston business incubator and fell in love, Pardo said. On HoustonChronicle.com: TMCx builds bridges to Australia's health tech sector They pay rent at JLABS in exchange for access to laboratory and research facilities. JLABS also provides networking opportunities. Intelligent Implants then joined TMCx, the business accelerator that provides a 12-week curriculum to help companies shape their business plans, refine their value propositions and gain customer insight. And finally, it joined the Center for Device Innovation, a collaboration between Johnson & Johnson and the Texas Medical Center that got up and running earlier this year. The Center for Device Innovation houses technologies and projects owned by Johnson & Johnson and those of external companies like Intelligent Implants. The outside companies use the centers resources in exchange for privileges like first right of refusal, meaning Johnson & Johnson gets the first shot at commercializing the startups technology. Houston is the first city to get this Johnson & Johnson center, though it could eventually be expanded to other parts of the country, said Dana Deardorff, senior director at the Center for Device Innovation. Deardorff said Intelligent Implants expertise in electrical stimulation and wireless monitoring complement the in-house engineers who lack that experience. He also described Intelligent Implants as an example of how companies can receive different types of assistance from the 100,000-square-foot TMC Innovation Institute. It really highlights the nature of the ecosystem were trying to build, Deardorff said, and how each piece does have a unique offering. andrea.leinfelder@chron.com twitter.com/andrearumbaugh Texas Central, the developer behind the proposed high-speed rail line between Houston and Dallas, has tapped Renfe as the train's operating partner. The Spanish rail operator, in partnership with Spanish railway infrastructure company Adif, will provide technical advice on the design and construction of the Texas Central railway, and assist with its operation and maintenance plans. Once the railway is built, the company will run the trains, maintain engines and signals and oversee ticketing and passenger programs. Renfe, which has 14,000 employees and revenues of $4.1 billion, brings more than 25 years of experience to the project. The company operates 5,000 trains, including local commuter and high-speed rail lines, every day on 7,500 miles of track in Europe. It handled more than 487 million passengers, including 36 million high-speed rail passengers, and 19.6 million tons of freight in 2017. "Renfe has established a reputation for excellence in railroad operation in Spain and across the world, and we welcome them aboard," Texas Central CEO Carlos Aguilar said in a statement. "With their decades of expertise, they were a natural fit to join our other partners." RELATED: Texas company gets $300M loan for high-speed train project Renfe is the latest international company to partner with Texas Central on the high-speed rail project. Earlier this year, Texas Central announced it is working with Salini Impregilo, operating in the U.S. as The Lane Construction Corp. to lead the civil construction on the rail line. The Texas company also secured $300 million in loans from Japanese sources to fund the permitting, design and engineering for the project. The Texas Central rail line will be built and operated without taxpayer funded state or federal grants. The 200 mph train, based on the Japanese Shinkansen bullet train technology, will allow passengers to go between Houston and Dallas in 90 minutes, with a midway stop in the Brazos Valley. The project is expected to generate some $36 billion in economic benefits across Texas over the next 25 years, including creating 10,000 construction jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs. Texas Central is working with Federal Railroad Administration officials to finalize the rail lines environmental impact review, which will help determine the project's timeline and final route. Chinese oil buyers are making a beeline for a bargain across the Pacific. With Canadian oil over 60 percent cheaper than U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate and global marker Brent, Chinas refiners are being lured to the heavy, sludgy crude. Thats because -- apart from being a source of fuel -- its rich in bitumen, a black residue used to build everything from roads to runways and roofs. Chinas demand for the material is expected to increase as President Xi Jinpings government focuses on infrastructure construction in a bid to reform the worlds second-biggest economy. With the availability of other bitumen-yielding oil varieties such as Venezuelas Merey shrinking, the Asian nations refiners are turning to alternative supplies to feed the building boom at home. SUPPLY: U.S. producing even more light crude oil One of their options is Canadian crude, prices for which are tumbling as rising production runs into pipeline bottlenecks and maintenance work cuts refinery capacity at regular buyers in the U.S. Midwest. In the rest of the world, oil is surging as impending American sanctions squeeze Iranian exports and an economic crisis hits Venezuelan shipments. Fears are rising that OPEC will struggle to ease a looming supply crunch. The policy of boosting infrastructure investment has been bullish for bitumen, said Li Haining, an analyst with industry consultant SCI99 in Chinas Shandong province. The supply of the Merey grade has been disrupted since May, pushing refiners to look elsewhere. As late-September and October is traditionally the peak season for construction projects in China, demand will be further supported. China bought 1.58 million barrels of Canadian crude for loading in September, almost 50 percent higher than the 1.05 million barrels in April, data from cargo-tracking and intelligence company Kpler show. State-run refiner Cnooc Ltd. has chartered a tanker, Nordtulip, to load oil from Vancouver in October, according to shipping fixtures. STAY WARM: Texans will pay more for heat this winter With Chinese infrastructure spending in the second half of 2018 seen accelerating at five times the pace in the first six months of the year, expectations that bitumen demand will increase have boosted prices of the material to a record in the nation. That means refiners producing the residue from relatively cheap Canadian oil would enjoy better profit margins. The heavy Western Canadian Select crude grades discount to U.S. WTI was said to have expanded to $50 on Wednesday. The absolute price of WCS was near $26 a barrel. On Thursday, Brent crude -- the benchmark for more than half the worlds oil -- was trading at $81.48 a barrel at 11:29 a.m. in London. Heavy Demand Apart from Canada, China has also turned to producers such as Brazil for alternatives, said WengInn Chin, a senior oil market analyst at industry consultant FGE in Singapore. Demand for heavy crude is particularly high among the Asian nations independent refiners, known as teapots. The Kpler data shows that the Canadian shipments to China are being delivered to northeast ports including Qingdao and Yantai, which serve these processors. As the teapots face competition from new mega refineries and increased regulatory scrutiny, they are exploring strategies to stay profitable. Given that the companies have historically been adept at processing heavy crude or residual fuel oil, they could be well-positioned to capitalize on the demand for bitumen and cheaper Canadian oil, according a Bloomberg survey of three traders who participate in the market. DEMAND: OPEC sees weaker demand for its crude in 2019 as rivals surge On the demand side, there are expectations for bitumen growth in China due to a boost in infrastructure spending, said Sophie Shi, a Beijing-based analyst with industry consultant IHS Markit. With traditional heavy oil shipments shrinking globally, trade flows are being reshaped and alternative heavy oil supplies from countries such as Canada are becoming sought after. --With assistance from Catherine Ngai and Robert Tuttle. 2018 Bloomberg L.P. Leaders of Mexico's state oil company Pemex initially feared the inevitable election of leftist presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who spoke of rolling back the nation's recent energy reforms and building new refineries. Now with Lopez Obrador set to take office in two months, Pemex is seemingly adjusting its priorities to adapt to the incoming president. Pemex announced new shallow Gulf of Mexico discoveries this week that the company will develop on its own, aiming to undo the nation's decade-long reduction in oil production and rely less on volumes produced from international companies, including those from Texas. AMBITIONS: Pemex, nearing milestone in reformed energy markets, seeks to become global company More conservative administrations in recent years pushed through the constitutional amendments to undo Pemex's century-long monopoly and open Mexico up to exploration and production from energy companies worldwide. Pemex downsized and focused on becoming a profitable, competitive company. While those changes won't be undone any time soon, Lopez Obrador wants to build new refineries and reduce oil and gasoline imports, especially as Mexico is increasingly relying on U.S. companies for fuel and power supplies. By focusing on new shallow-water oil discoveries that can ramp up more quickly, Pemex now aims to produce more oil for domestic consumption, said Ulises Hernandez, director of resources, reserves and partnerships for Pemex, in a phone interview. "It really fits in with the priorities of the next administration," Hernandez said. "All of these fields are to be developed exclusively by Pemex with no partners." RELATED: Pemex hopes new Gulf discoveries reverse Mexico's decline Pemex aims to get most of these new discoveries online by the end of 2020 and rely less on U.S. oil and gas from Texas in areas like the booming Permian Basin and the Eagle Ford shale. "We want to accelerate the development of these fields to supply the necessary light oil for our refining system," he added. Pemex will continue to work with other companies for deepwater exploration and production where U.S. and European companies have more expertise. Pemex said its new discoveries offshore of southeastern Mexico near Tabasco are named Manik and Mulach and - combined with other recent finds in the region - should provide a big boost to oil and gas production volumes in the coming years. As for the new discoveries, Pemex said the Manik and Mulach plays add 180 million barrels of oil equivalent to its probable and possible reserves. They wells have the potential to produce 250 thousand barrels of oil per day and 600 million square feet of cubic gas, Pemex said. Both new finds are proving much more fruitful than Pemex initially anticipated. RELATED: Pemex insider destined for key post under Lopez Obrador Pemex also touted the potential for its other recent finds in the region that are called the Kinbe, Koban, Xikin and Esah fields. All of the recent discoveries add up to well more than 800 million barrels of oil equivalent. Still, there's the question of whether Lopez Obrador's proposed multibillion-dollar refining investments will take away from Pemex's exploration and production. Pemex Chief Executive Carlos Trevino has complained it is too expensive to build new refineries and that it's much cheaper and more efficient to overhaul and improve the existing refineries. "That's a decision that will have to be made at some point," Hernandez said. "But we will need to produce more oil to meet the refining capacity." Texas locations of Goddard School, an early childhood education provider franchise, have collected books to donate to Texas Childrens Hospital. According to a press release from The Goddard School, preschoolers from all locations in the Houston area collected a total of more than 10,000 books for book nooks at Texas Childrens Hospitals in Houston. The Goddard School donated the books to Texas Childrens Hospitals on Oct. 10, delivering the books to be sorted and put into the book nooks. Sarah Prause, owner of The Goddard School of Cypress, said the Houston branches saw a need after a different location worked with Texas Childrens Hospital. One of the schools here has been working with Texas Childrens Hospitals, and we kind of got talking with the librarian that there are several book nooks, she said. We decided we would all come together as a market. The donation is not an often occurrence for Goddard, but the organization hopes to donate again if Texas Childrens Hospital has the need, Prause said. It would definitely be a recurring thing in the future depending on how they receive it, she said. The kiddos were very excited to bring in old books they werent using anymore. We set it to 1,000 books for each [location] and some went over. chevall.pryce@chron.com 3 1 of 3 Daniel McFadden, photographer / Daniel McFadden/Universal Pictures Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Daniel McFadden, HONS / Associated Press Show More Show Less 3 of 3 "First Man," the new feature film about astronaut Neil Armstrong, opens wide Friday, but many theaters are screening the film today. And more than 500 Regal theaters will be offering a total of 14,000 free tickets to the film for veterans and active duty service members today. The first 25 service members to arrive at participating locations with a valid, government-issued military ID will be given a ticket to the 7 p.m. screening of the film. A full list of participating theaters can be found here. In the Houston area, it includes the Greenway Grand Plaza, the Marq*E Stadium 23, the West Oaks Mall Stadium 14, the Grand Parkway RPX 22 and the Lone Star 19 IMAX. Sept. 24 At 12:07 a.m., Officer Ortega observed a white Volkswagen 4 door parked in front of the park past curfew hours in the 800 block of Jaquet Drive. After further investigation, the occupants of the vehicle were placed into custody for possession of marijuana <= 2oz in a drug free zone. Officer Norman assisted in this case. At 6:45 a.m., Officer Trujillo was dispatched to 4747 Bellaire Blvd. in reference to a criminal trespass. Upon arrival, Officer Trujillo spoke with the reportee who stated when she went into their locked storage room she found the suspect inside going through their medications. Upon further investigation the suspect was found in possession of stolen medications and charged with 3rd degree felony theft. At 5:21 p.m., Officer Schwausch was patrolling the 9000 block of Interstate Highway 610 WSR in Houston when he observed a silver Kia traveling in front of him with an invalid Texas Temporary Tag. Officer Schwausch initiated a traffic stop on the Kia and made contact with the driver for the traffic violation of no valid registration. The suspect driver was found to be driving with a suspended license and no proof of financial responsibility. The front passenger was found to have 4 confirmed Houston Police Department warrants. Both were placed into custody and transported to the Bellaire Jail without incident. Officer Liccketto assisted with this investigation. At 9:52 p.m., Officer Schwausch was patrolling the 4700 block of Bellaire Boulevard when he observed a black Chevrolet in front of him with expired registration. Officer Schwausch initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and found the driver was driving with a suspended driver license and without proof of financial responsibility. The driver was arrested for driving while license invalid - enhanced. The front passenger was found to have a warrant out of Harris County Sherriffs Office. Both were transported to the Bellaire Jail without incident. Officer Liccketto assisted with the investigation. Sept. 25 At 9:05 a.m., Officer Carson was dispatched to the Bellaire Fire Department in regards to meeting with a victim of identity theft in the 5000 block of Mimosa Drive. The victims information was used by unknown suspect(s) to open an account. At 11:45 a.m., Officer Carson was dispatched to the City Hall Lobby of the City of Bellaire to meet with a victim in regards to her seeing a male pleasuring himself inside his vehicle while looking at her. Victim advised the incident occurred for about four to five minutes while she sat in traffic waiting for the train to clear the roadway. The suspect was identified and later arrested on Oct. 3. At 6:49 p.m., Officer Delgado was patrolling the 6700 block of IH 610 ESR in behind a white 2010 Dodge Avenger. Officer Delgado conducted a traffic stop for obscured plate on this vehicle. Officer Delgado made contact with the driver who provided his name and date of birth and was unable to provide any proof of financial responsibility. The driver was shown to be driving while license invalid enhanced and was placed in custody. At 9:21 p.m., Officer Liccketto was patrolling the 4500 block of Bellaire Boulevard Eastbound and observed a white Dodge truck with expired motor vehicle registration. During the course of the investigation, the driver was found to be driving while intoxicated and a felon in possession of a firearm. The driver was arrested and transported to the Bellaire Police Department for booking and processing. Officers Guerra, Delgado, Clisham, Quimby, and Sergeant Hollie assisted with the case. At 8:51 p.m., Officer Delgado was patrolling the 4700 block of Bellaire Blvd behind a silver 2015 Kia Forte. Officer Delgado conducted a traffic stop for expired motor vehicle registration on this vehicle. Officer Delgado made contact with the driver who provided her Texas Driver License and an insurance card. The driver was shown to be driving while license invalid and was placed in custody. Through investigation the Texas Liability Insurance Card was shown to be fictitious. Sept. 27 At 3:41 p.m., Officer Guerra was patrolling the 5200 block Bellaire Boulevard when he observed a blue Chevy Equinox in front of him with defective right brake light. Officer Guerra initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and found the driver was driving with a suspended driver license with prior convictions for DWI. The driver was arrested for driving while license invalid - enhanced and transported to the Bellaire Police Department without incident. At 5:59 p.m., Officer Schwausch was dispatched to HEB at 5601 Bissonnet Street in reference to a male subject who was currently detained by employees after shoplifting multiple items. Officer Schwausch arrived and after further investigation, the subject was placed in custody for theft. Officer Delgado assisted in this incident. Sept. 28 At 4:33 p.m., Officer Schwausch was dispatched to 5002 Bellaire Blvd. in reference to a subject blocking traffic in the Walgreens parking lot. Officer Schwausch arrived on scene and located the suspect. The suspect was subsequently charged and arrested for criminal trespass. At 11:46 p.m., Officer OSullivan was dispatched to a report of a disabled vehicle on the freeway in the 5900 block of IH 610 northbound. Officer OSullivan contacted Harris County Motorist Assistance Program Deputy Bowers. The driver of the vehicle was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. At 7:13 p.m., Officer Guerra was dispatched to 4400 Bellaire Blvd. On 09/28/2018 between 1840 hours and 1900 hours an unknown suspect broke the front passenger side window with an unknown object. The unknown suspect reached in through the broken window and stole multiple items. At 6:18 p.m., Officer Guerra was dispatched to the City of Bellaire City Hall Lobby in reference to a report of theft in the 5300 block of Pine Street. The investigation indicated the incident was an instance of identity theft which occurred at the above location. At 6:35 p.m., Officer Schwausch was dispatched to the Bellaire United Methodist Church at 4417 Bellaire Blvd. in reference to a wallet stolen from a purse. The investigation indicated this incident was a theft. At 4:56 p.m., Officers were dispatched to a shoplifting in progress occurring at 5000 Bellaire Blvd. Officers were able to locate the suspect and the suspect was placed into custody for theft. Officers Younger, OSullivan, and Barber responded to this call. Sept. 29 At 9:01 a.m., Officer Vorhees was dispatched to a report of a male sleeping on a residents front porch in the 4800 block of Bellaire Boulevard. Officer Vorhees made contact with the male sleeping on the residents front porch. The male was identified and arrested for an ICE Detainer. After further investigation, he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, and forgery of a government document. Officer Barber assisted with this investigation. At 11:30 p.m., Officer Bellard was doing a property check at a business located in the City of Bellaire. Officer Bellard conducted a computer query on an unoccupied gray Jetta which returned stolen out of Houston Police. The suspect entered the vehicle and left the scene without Officer Bellard noticing. Officer Bellard was able to locate the vehicle at 20230 Cypress Rosehill in the city of Tomball. After further investigation the suspect was observed in the vehicle and placed into custody for felony theft. Harris County Sheriffs Deputies assisted in this case. At 11:56 p.m., Officer Clisham initiated a traffic stop in the area of 8400 Chimney Rock Road on a vehicle after he observed the vehicle speeding. After a vehicle search and further investigation the driver was placed into custody for possession of marijuana and unlawful carry of a weapon. Sept. 30 At 3:02 p.m., Officers responded to 5130 Bellaire Blvd. in regards to a shoplifting in progress. The suspect was located and placed into custody for theft and warrants. Officers Younger, Schwausch, and Delgado responded to this call. At 8:09 p.m., Officer Schwausch was patrolling the 8000 block of Alder Drive in Bellaire when he observed a silver Hyundai traveling in front of him with expired registration as of 12/17. Officer Schwausch initiated a traffic stop on the Hyundai and made contact with the driver for the traffic violation of expired registration. The suspect driver was found to be driving with a suspended license and no proof of financial responsibility. Further investigation found the driver to be in possession of a controlled substance (synthetic cannabinoids). At 4:38 p.m., Officer Younger was dispatched to 5320 Bellaire Blvd. in regards to a criminal mischief report. When Officer Younger arrived on scene he observed that an unidentified suspect had thrown a rock through one of the front windows to the lobby. Oct. 2 At 4:31 a.m., Officer D. Norman was dispatched to a minor accident with one of the vehicles leaving the scene of the accident in the 5900 block of IH 610 SB. The reportee was following the suspect vehicle until Bellaire Officers were able to arrive on location. Upon further investigation, the driver of the suspect vehicle was placed in custody for fail to stop and give information. The suspect was transported to the Bellaire Police Department Jail for processing. Officers J. Trujillo, J. Clisham and Corporal D. Clawson assisted in this case. At 11:55 p.m., Officer D. Norman observed a vehicle pull into the parking lot of Wells Fargo located in the 5100 block of Bellaire Blvd. Officer Norman then observed a female wearing a red dress exit the vehicle and walk toward the walk-up ATM. Officer Norman observed the female squat down in front of the ATM and began to urinate on the sidewalk. At this time, Officer Norman drove into the Wells Fargo parking lot and made contact with the female and four other occupants in the vehicle. Upon further investigation three of the subjects were arrested for public intoxication, one of the subjects was arrested for evading, possession of a fictitious government document, and fail to identify to a police officer. Two missing female juveniles and one missing male juveniles from Charlotte, North Carolina were identified. Officers Y. Ortega, J. Clisham, Corporal D. Clawson, and Sergeant D. Hollie assisted in this case. The World War II Flying Fortress, Texas Raiders, and several other notable warbirds will be open to the public in Conroe for one day with the chance to tour and take flight. In recognition of Veterans Day, and sponsored in part by General Aviation Services, the Texas Raiders a B-17 bomber will be on its home base in Conroe on November 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held at General Aviation Services, 5260 Central Parkway, at Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport. Spokesperson Nancy Kwiecien said the public is invited to bring the whole family for on-board tours with the aircraft crews, or take the ultimate Living History Flight Experience in a WWII vintage warbird. Tours of the aircraft are $10 for adults, $5 for children or $20 for a family of up to five members. People can expect to get up close and personal with an authentic World War II aircraft, Nancy Kwiecien said noting two WWII veteran aviators have been invited to the event, which will feature a food truck this year. They (attendees) can see into the cockpits of the (smaller aircraft) and climb aboard the big B-17 and talk to the crews. Flights are available in the B-17 bomber, the two-man advanced trainer T-6 Texan Ace in the Hole, the open-cockpit bi-plane the N3N Yellow Peril, or the notorious SB2C dive-bomber Helldiver, the only one of its kind flying in the world. Flights start at $255 for the trainers, $475 for the B-17 bomber, and $995 for the Helldiver. Flights on all aircraft are available at various times throughout the day, and tours are available during non-flying times. The flights are 25 minutes in the air, she said. In the Flying Fortress passengers actually get the opportunity to stand up when it is in level flight and approach the windows even step up behind the flight deck and see the pilots flying the aircraft while it is in the air. (The flight will depart) out of the airport and (fly) over Lake Conroe. Its a really pretty flight as well. At the end of July, 1945 the shiny new airframe that became the famous WWII Flying Fortress Texas Raiders rolled off the assembly line in Long Beach, California. The ensuing seventy-plus years have seen the big bomber proudly serve her country in the military, in civilian aviation, and now as a flying museum for the Commemorative Air Force. The United States built over 12,700 B-17s and fewer than a dozen still fly today. CAF B-17 Texas Raiders was the first Flying Fortress to be restored solely for the purpose of education and use as a flying museum, and is one of the most accurately restored B-17s, bristling with machine guns and featuring period-specific equipment. Painted today in the colors of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in WWII, Texas Raiders took up residence in Conroe in 2017, and travels the country representing Conroe and the Commemorative Air Force on her mission of education and remembrance. We have had such a wonderful welcome from the community of Conroe, she said. Whether it is the Chamber, Visitors Bureau, city council members, the general public, everyone has been extremely welcominghappy to have us and offering support. We only appear in home in Conroe about every six or eight weeks always happy to see the public come see us when open at home base at general aviation services, she added. Those who wish to fly can call 1-855-FLY-A-B17 (1-855-359-2217) or reserve on line at www.B17TexasRaiders.org. There are limited spots. About the Commemorative Air Force Collecting, restoring and flying vintage historical aircraft for over 50 years, the CAF is dedicated to honoring American military aviation through flight, exhibition and remembrance. A 501 (c) 3 educational organization, the CAF has 12,000 members and a fleet of 165 airplanes distributed throughout the country. For more information, visit www.commemorativeairforce.org or visit www.facebook.com/B17TexasRaiders. mellsworth@hcnonline.com A field director for Democratic congressional candidate Mike Siegel was arrested at the Waller County Courthouse Wednesday after he delivered a letter demanding the county update the status of students at a nearby college whose registrations were thrown into question the day before. Jacob Aronowitz, Siegels field director, was released after about two hours, according to Lisa Seger, the Democratic nominee for Texas House District 3, who arrived at the courthouse after the arrest. The letter, addressed to County Judge Trey Duhon and Elections Administrator Christy Eason, took issue with Easons decision to require the students to fill out a change in address form to correct the registration issue. PRAIRIE VIEW A&M: Confusion for students on the last day for voter registration The arrest stemmed from Aronowitzs decision to take a photo of a clerk receiving the letter, apparently to confirm it had been received, Siegel said in a phone interview. The clerk objected to having her picture taken and complained to a nearby bailiff, Siegel said. The bailiff then stopped Jacob as he was trying to exit the building in the stairway and apparently called the police, he said. Aronowitz then called Siegel, who is an attorney. Siegel said he heard Aronowitz repeatedly ask why he was being held and whether he was free to go. At one point, Aronowitz told a detaining officer that his lawyer, Siegel, was running for Congress. Electionland 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 See More Collapse They say, what party is he from? Siegel said. I dont know why that was relevant. Though Aronowitz was released, county officials kept his phone, according to Seger, the state House candidate. Eason was not immediately available for comment. Calls placed to the Waller County Courthouse were not answered. ONLY FOR SUBSCRIBERS: HoustonChronicle.com breaks down the mid-term elections. Here's what you need to know Confusion arose Tuesday on the nearby campus of Prairie View A&M University when it was discovered that thousands of students could have registered under the wrong address, putting their voter registrations in jeopardy. Tuesday was the last day to register for the November elections. The mixup stems partly from how students get their mail: Because the university does not have individual mailboxes for students on campus, it provides a single post office box for every student. In 2016, a group of university officials, the county and the local political parties agreed to have students write down 700 or 100 University Drive as their residence when registering to vote. One of the addresses is for the university, the other for the campus bookstore. In the March primary election, however, Eason noticed the 700 University Drive address puts students in the City Hall precinct, not the one on campus. The officials decided to let students vote at the wrong polling place the one on campus but required them to fill out a change in address form. Eason said this would allow the county to ensure the students are sent to the right precinct in future elections. 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 wont work. Theres hundreds of students registered this way and that could mean long lines. It needs to be fixed, Mattox said. The letter was signed by Siegel, Seger, Mattox and Waller County Democratic Party Chair Rosa Harris. We hereby demand that Waller County update its registrations of any student currently registered at 100 or 700 University to reflect that they are part of precinct 309, the letter reads. And further, we demand that Waller County require no further documentation of affected students. The letter goes on to say that the signees believe the action is appropriate because the county advised students to use 100 or 700 University as their Residence Address despite knowing that those students actually resided on campus, in precinct 309. It was the actions of the County which led to students being registered in the wrong precinct, the letter says. Therefore, the County should take immediate steps to correct the effort resulting from its action Waller County is 70.5 percent white, according to Census data, while 82 percent of Prairie View A&Ms student body is black, university data from spring 2018 show. The county voted 63 to 34 percent for Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton in 2016. In a Twitter exchange with Seger, Duhon, the county judge, wrote that he understood Waller County does not have a good history in this area. But those of us in office now are making every effort to protect the votes of PVAMU students, Duhon continued. The right to vote is too precious to be taken lightly. County officials also refuted an apparently false rumor, circulated through a Facebook post, that claimed thousands of registrations were destroyed or rejected over the address issue. Duhon, shot down the report on Facebook and wrote that Waller Countys Elections Office had worked with university officials and local community leaders for several months to advise students of the issue and resolve it. Siegel, who is running against Republican U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, said the arrest constituted an abuse of power. There was no reason to arrest or detain (Aronowitz), he said. Prairie View A&M and the county have a fraught history with voter registration issues. In a 1979 case that reached the U.S. Supreme Court, Prairie View students secured the right to vote on the college campus without filling out a residency questionnair. Thirteen years later, a grand jury indicted 14 students on voting fraud charges that were later dropped, but prompted student marches. Then-state Sen. Rodney Ellis, a Houston Democrat, asked the Justice Department to investigate the charges. 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 jasper.scherer@chron.com A former teacher at KIPP Voyage Academy lost her job this week when two short videos surfaced on Facebook showing her making racially insensitive remarks toward a Hispanic couple. Tiffany Scott, 27, was involved in a fender bender with the couple Tuesday afternoon just before the verbal exchange. Houston police eventually arrested her on an assault charge. RELATED: Onalaska ISD superintendent regrets posting 'you can't count on a black quarterback' Scott, who taught at KIPP Voyage for two years, apologized for her comments on Thursday and acknowledged that they were inappropriate. In the seconds-long videos, Scott tells the Hispanic couple that "you swam here with the rest of your family," among other remarks. Scott claims that she was responding to derogatory insults thrown her way. The couple denies those allegations. "They asked me if I swam from Africa to Houston," Scott said of the couple, later adding, "My intentions was never to bring any other race down, so I want to go ahead and apologize for that." Jose Sanchez said his fiancee, Kimberly Lopez, took the short videos on Snapchat and posted them on Facebook. The post garnered thousands of shares and comments before Lopez removed them from public view. "[Facebook users] started attacking her," Sanchez said. "She just didn't want to see that." RELATED: Black lawmaker resigns after 'dangerous' and racist social media attacks While Sanchez said Scott was upset from the start, Scott maintains that she didn't instigate the verbal exchange. Scott said the couple spat on her and used other racial slurs. Sanchez said neither he nor his fiance made any such remarks. After Lopez posted the video on Facebook, KIPP Academy officials were notified and immediately fired Scott, according to a statement from the KIPP Regional Superintendent Daniel Caesar. "Wednesday morning, we were made aware of a video being shared on social media where a KIPP employee is observed making racially insensitive and inappropriate comments while off-campus," according to the statement. "...We acknowledge the many social media supporters who shared their concerns. We value each and every student and family that is a part of the KIPP network, and we do not tolerate discriminatory remarks of any kind. KIPP Texas Public Schools is committed to taking swift action in situations such as these, and we remain committed to our mission of preparing our students for choice-filled lives as they continue on the path to and through college." Houston police got involved in the incident around 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, according to department spokeswoman Jodi Silva. Officers responded to an "accident with a disturbance" and eventually arrested Scott on the assault charge. She was accused of slapping the cellphone out of Lopez's hands, Silva said. Scott, a Miami native, said she's contemplating litigation. She emphasized that she's not a racist and wants people to understand her point of view. "I made sure that, when I came to Houston, I gave 100 percent and I made sure that every child I taught knew that Ms. Scott loved them," she said. 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 Halloween is nearly here and Houstonians are already lining up for the festivities. To avoid being left out, we've gathered some of the most notable events happening around Bayou City. New York A Chinese spy who allegedly attempted to steal trade secrets from several American aviation and aerospace companies was charged Wednesday and extradited to the U.S. Yanjun Xu, an operative of the Chinese Ministry of State Security, is accused of recruiting experts who worked at aviation companies and paying them stipends to travel to China in order to obtain trade secrets, the Justice Department said. From 2013 until he was arrested in April, Xu would recruit employees from major aerospace companies, including GE Aviation, and persuade them to travel to China under the guise that they would give a presentation at a university, prosecutors said. Court papers document how Xu and other intelligence operatives planned to obtain "highly sensitive information" from the experts. Xu was indicted Wednesday on four counts of conspiring and attempting to commit espionage and theft of trade secrets. Federal authorities said it's the first time that a Chinese Ministry of State Security intelligence officer has been extradited to the United States for trial. According to the indictment, Xu recruited a GE Aviation employee, who sent him a presentation in February that contained the company's proprietary information. Xu later followed up with the employee asking for specific technical information and then asked the employee to meet in Europe, where he wanted the worker to provide additional information from GE, according to court papers. Xu was arrested after traveling to Belgium in April. After his appeals failed, he was extradited to the United States on Tuesday and made his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon in federal court in Cincinnati. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Colleen Washington had never seen the inside of an emergency shelter before Wednesday. She hadn't planned on it, either, until the clouds darkened and the sirens blared and a police officer yelled that everyone in her tiny inland neighborhood needed to leave. "In my 58 years, I have never evacuated," she said to an old friend, who also was taking refuge inside the gymnasium at Lawton Chiles High School in Tallahassee. "But, girl, we had to evacuate. I have grandchildren, and I needed to go." As Hurricane Michael barreled toward Florida's Panhandle, an unfamiliar feeling struck the state's hilly capital city Wednesday morning: panic. Eighty miles inland, residents were used to the dangers of downed trees and power lines. But after the hurricane was upgraded to a life-threatening Category 4 storm overnight, residents rushed to the city's largest hurricane shelter. About 100 people were inside Tuesday night. By Wednesday afternoon, there were 330 residents, 149 cats and dogs, and one parakeet. Many of the residents had reached the gym in the moments before the doors were closed. "I was scrambling," Washington told her friend as she recounted her family's rush to safety. Her daughters picked up all the water bottles in their home and some vienna sausages. Her granddaughters gathered up their tablets and some crossword puzzles. They packed their pit bull, Gracie, and traveled 30 miles to the largest shelter in Tallahassee. There, they joined dozens of others hustling to get inside before the gym doors closed at noon. Thomas Haygood, a librarian, and his girlfriend, Brigitte Gonzalez, a billing specialist, followed the signs on the high school campus that said, "pet-friendly shelter" with their two soaking wet bloodhounds, Holly and Scarlet. "We weren't sure we were going to make it," Gonzalez said. "We were going to be in big trouble." They live on the second floor of a squat, two-story stucco apartment building with a floor-to-ceiling window in the living room. Their first instinct was to move their twin mattress to the hallway to escape any injury if the window broke. Then, they thought it might be better to move the mattress to protect the window from shattering. Eventually, Haygood's sister in Birmingham, Alabama, called and told them to get out of the apartment. Your browser does not support the iframe HTML tag. Try viewing this in a modern browser like Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Internet Explorer 9 or later. They called a couple hotels but didn't have the money to pay for them. So they chose the hurricane shelter. They just grabbed what they could: frozen water bottles, some Gala apples and mixed nuts. They gave Holly medication to keep her calm and hoped Scarlet wouldn't betray her natural fondness for people. "I never thought I would live through something this bad," Haygood said. "It all still doesn't make sense." The gym had filled with tents, inflatable mattresses and sleeping bags. Some residents came with walkers; others carried strollers. On one end of the room, a handful of evacuees watched an expanding, animated cone churn on cable news; on the other end, an 11-year-old set down some blankets where he placed his 32-inch television to play video games. "At least it's orderly here," Washington's friend, Dorothy McCaskill, said. She had been to this shelter three times in three years. Her neighbors came, too, and it was just as well, since they lived close to the school. "When I moved here 20 or 30 years ago, we didn't have these tornadoes and hurricanes in this part of Florida," McCaskill said. "Now we get one every year. It's just nature now. Everything is changing." Washington doesn't remember ever feeling remotely frightened about an act of God. The closest was Hurricane Kate in the 1980s, when a tornado uprooted a tree in her backyard and it crashed through her family's house. Still, no one was hurt. But she was a grandmother now and lived in a home surrounded by 26 pine trees. She had shuddered to think of the damage that could be done to her backyard, so she moved the lawn furniture and the barbecue grill into the garage. Then came the call for her to evacuate, and the harsher realities of a life-threatening storm began to settle in. Instead of thinking only about her furniture, she started thinking about her home. "We have to evacuate," she was screaming around the house, and now her grandchildren were nervous. Her youngest, 6-year-old Chyla, started to cry. The sudden rush of nervousness forced them to take an unexpected stock of their lives and what was important. Around them, others made similar calculations. They took coolers of quickly made tuna sandwiches and their flat-screen TVs. A teenage girl stuffed notes of affirmation in paper bags and gathered her favorite pillows. "It was amazing to look at a house full of stuff and think you only need a few things," Washington's daughter, Cinta Sheffield, said. "We had to humble ourselves to think about what's truly important." Washington scanned the room at the shelter. Around her was a racially mixed crowd, of all ages, all under a gym roof and looking to do little more than survive. She was glad to have seen an old friend. But she was thankful to see so many strangers living together peacefully. "Everything now is Republicans and Democrats," she said. "But sometimes you need a reminder that we are just people." A man started laying a blue blanket behind her. Jerrith Davis, 23, interrupted her. "You know I survived Harvey?" he said. He told her that he was living in a tent an hour outside of Houston and then had to evacuate. Since then he moved from hurricane shelter to homeless shelter to an apartment that burned down, moving farther and farther east. He and his girlfriend of seven years had been living in a tent in Tallahassee since July, until the shelter opened. "I'm happy now," Davis said. "I'm good because I got ninety dollars in my pocket, and air in my lungs and bread in my belly and a roof over my head. I'm a little nostalgic now because I remember what it was like to be able to take a shower and have food and see people smiling." "Amen!" Washington said. It was about 3 p.m. The shelter had extended it hours to take in more residents, but now, opening the door was too dangerous. The rain pounded on the roof and the television lost its cable feed. The worst had come. The wind howled and the lights on the gym scoreboard flickered. The power went off and a generator kicked in. The wind howled against the doors. Washington's eyes widened. Her grandchildren held each other and gasped. "You hear what's going on outside," she said. "I'm glad we are inside." And then she took a scoop of Cheez-Its for herself. --- Video Embed Code Video: Some Tallahassee residents chose to stay in a hotel rather than their homes as Hurricane Michael lashed Florida's Gulf Coast on Oct. 10.(Ashleigh Joplin, Patrick Martin/The Washington Post) Embed code: On Oct. 2, Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. His Turkish fiancee waited outside for what should have been a routine appointment. She's still waiting. Khashoggi hasn't been seen since. The mystery lingers, but the mounting evidence points to a plot orchestrated by the Saudi government to silence one of its most prominent critics. The Turkish government claims to have evidence that a 15-member "assassination squad" arrived in Turkey to murder and dismember Khashoggi. The Turkish media has released images showing these 15 men, in what they say is clear evidence of the Saudi plot to ensure that Khashoggi would never write another Post column again. The Saudi government, as you'd expect, denies all allegations of wrongdoing. This harrowing saga has two main dimensions: Saudi brutality, certainly, but it also underscores the ways in which President Donald Trump's fawning dictator worship, his pervasive conflicts of interest and his attacks on the media have emboldened authoritarian regimes to viciously silence their critics. Let's start with the obvious: Saudi Arabia is a pitiless and despotic regime. Homosexuality, atheism, adultery and "sorcery" are all still punishable by death. The authorities chop off the heads of dissidents who speak their minds. Many executions are carried out publicly, with heads bagged and hung alongside the corpse, which is nailed to a cross and displayed as a warning. The "lucky" ones are just abducted or arrested and left to rot in a jail cell. This is one of our closest allies. The stain is bipartisan: Democratic and Republican presidents have supported the Saudis, selling them hundreds of billions of dollars of weaponry - even as they slaughter civilians in their horrifying war in Yemen. Even if you're a hard-nosed advocate of realpolitik, the cost to American soft power by being in bed with such barbarism creates greater long-term costs than the short-term gains are worth. Since Trump took office, the Saudi regime has become more brazen. Khashoggi's disappearance reflects a strategic calculation: They think they can abduct or murder a journalist working for an American news organization without facing serious consequences. So far, they're right - Trump has only called on them to investigate the disappearance. That weak response comes despite new evidence that "before Khashoggi's disappearance, U.S. intelligence intercepted communications of Saudi officials discussing a plan to capture him." Worse, it's likely that Trump's finances and his rhetoric contributed to Saudi Arabia's decision to green-light their barefaced conspiracy to silence Khashoggi. Trump's despicable dictator worship sends an unequivocal signal that the man in the Oval Office doesn't just tolerate dictators and authoritarian despots, but admires them. Two weeks ago, Trump said he "fell in love" with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Trump has praised Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, Xi Jinping of China, Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, Vladimir Putin of Russia and, of course, the current Saudi ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Since 1928, every U.S. president has made his first foreign trip to Mexico, Canada, France, Belgium, Britain or Germany. Trump's first trip was to Saudi Arabia, where he did a sword dance alongside officials who behead dissidents with swords. Furthermore, Trump's foreign policy toward Saudi Arabia is compromised by deep financial conflicts of interest. His business interests - past, present, and future - make it impossible for him to contemplate the kind of consequences that the Saudis deserve. In 1991, when Trump was $900 million in debt, he was bailed out by a member of the Saudi royal family, who purchased his 281-foot yacht, Trump Princess. Trump's other princess, Ivanka, is married to Jared Kushner, who has deep ties to the crown prince. In 2015, when asked about his relationship with the Saudis, Trump said: "I get along great with all of them. They buy apartments from me. They spend $40 million, $50 million. Am I supposed to dislike them? I like them very much." As recently as December 2016, Trump owned companies in Saudi Arabia, as he sought to build a hotel there. Three days after Trump's inauguration, lobbyists working for the Saudi government funnelled $270,000 directly to the Trump Organization by booking rooms at his Washington hotel. More recently, Trump's flagging Manhattan hotel got bailed out thanks to a lucrative visit from none other than the Saudi crown prince. It raises the disturbing possibility that Saudi Arabia will get away with abduction or murder because the president is beholden to Saudi money. Finally, Trump's attacks on the media are endangering the lives not just of Khashoggi but of journalists globally. Here's a useful thought experiment: You're in charge of an authoritarian regime. Previously, your desire to silence critics in the media was tempered by credible threats of consequences from the White House. Then, a new president unequivocally praises "strong" dictators and channels Joseph Stalin to call journalists "the enemy of the people." How would it change your behavior? Saudi Arabia provided its answer to that not-so-hypothetical question in Istanbul last week. President Trump should now press the Saudis for more answers related to the disappearance of our colleague, Jamal Khashoggi. We'll soon find out whether Trump is a diplomatic weakling in the pocket of authoritarian princes from an absolute monarchy. I hope that he will prove me wrong. Americans - and Jamal - deserve to know. Federal authorities have arrested and charged a New York state man who they say planned to build a 200-pound bomb and detonate it on Election Day on the Mall in Washington, D.C. Paul M. Rosenfeld, 56, of Tappan, New York, was charged Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York with unlawfully manufacturing a destructive device and with interstate transportation and receipt of an explosive, according to the FBI. Will Fitzhugh has been struggling for more than 30 years to persuade high schools to let students do something they rarely do - write. His weapon in this battle is his quarterly publication, the Concord Review. It is the only journal in the world devoted to scholarly papers written by high school students. The more than 1,300 history research papers he has printed have shown how much schools are missing by not encouraging lots of composition. In a new essay on the problem, Fitzhugh points out this is a blow to not only writing instruction but to what should be the center of any education - reading. It never occurs to the people who run our schools "that if students read more, they would know more, and in that way actually have some knowledge they wanted to write about," Fitzhugh said recently on his Concord Review blog. "But reading and knowledge never seem to find their way into discussions of Literacy in Our Time," he said. "When teaching our students to write, not only are standards set very low in most high schools, limiting students to the five-paragraph essay, responses to a document-based question, or the personal (or college) essay about matters which are often no one else's business, but we often so load up students with formulae and guidelines that the importance of writing when the author has something to say gets lost in the maze of the processes." This is an old-fashioned argument, which is one reason I am so taken with it. The most recent approaches to composition in the Common Core State Standards have shown little progress. Many adolescents like to write. Self-expression helps them deal with the changes in their lives. But the jargon of secondary-school English departments kills the appeal. Here is the Common Core guidance for ninth- and 10th-graders writing an argument: "Introduce precise claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that establishes clear relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons and evidence." The following statement is not a joke: Many writing classes discourage much writing. The nonprofit Education Trust found that only 9 percent of 1,876 literacy assignments in six urban middle schools asked students to write more than a single paragraph. Fitzhugh's 2002 research found that 81 percent of high schools never assigned a paper of more than 5,000 words. Sadly, English teachers don't have time to handle lengthy researched essays. They cringe at what Fitzhugh calls his Page Per Year Plan: a five-page paper in fifth grade, adding a page each year until everyone does a 12-page paper in 12th grade. He wants students to address issues they have read about, maybe even tackling a nonfiction book or two, very rare in schools. "Reading and writing are inseparable partners, in my view," Fitzhugh said in his latest piece. "In letters from authors of essays published in The Concord Review since 1987, they often say that they read so much about something in history that they reached a point where they felt a strong need to tell people what they had found out." That produced Review papers such as "North Korean Theocracy" by Ana Mariella Mundaca of the Sidwell Friends School in the District and "Socialist Realism" by Maya Krishnan of Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Md. How can schools carve out more time for reading and writing, and for editing by teachers? Retired teachers and journalists I know have offered free help, but outsiders make high school administrators uncomfortable. I have suggested a one-semester required class. No lectures. No homework. Students would only read, and then write about what they read. Teachers would sit with each student 10 minutes at a time to guide and edit their work. No papers for them to take home. Over the course of a semester, that means students would wind up with about two hours of personal editing - two hours more than they usually get. (In case you're wondering how I arrived at that estimate: The teacher would conduct four editing sessions a day - 20 a week - over a 15-week semester for 25 students. Do the math, and it comes out to two hours per student.) Teachers could use the class time now spent teaching general sentence structure, paragraphing, voice, tone and other mechanics that Fitzhugh and teenagers hate. How much more could students learn about writing by actually writing? That's how I learned. Having seen what Fitzhugh has produced, I say it's worth a try. - Mathews is an education columnist for The Washington Post, his employer for nearly 50 years. He created the annual America's Most Challenging High Schools rankings of high schools and has written nine books. The U.S. and China are set to use the latest gathering of the world's finance chiefs to marshal support for their respective cases in a trade dispute that shows no sign of ending soon. Finance ministers and central bankers from the International Monetary Fund's 189 member nations are gathering in Bali, Indonesia, this week for the fund's annual meeting. While the agenda will include discussions on the broader health of the global economy, it will also be an opportunity for American and Chinese officials to cobble together alliances. On one side is President Donald Trump, who argues his tariffs are a necessary price to pay to force China to stop what he calls unfair trading practices and theft of intellectual property. On the other is President Xi Jinping, who has positioned China as a champion of globalization and the existing trading order. In a series of speeches, Xi and his top officials have warned about the danger of tearing apart that system, while promising to gradually open up the Chinese economy. "The struggle for trade alliances carved out of political allegiances is well and truly on," said George Magnus, an economist at Oxford University's China Centre. "This is no ordinary trade spat, such as the one we saw with Japan in the 1980s. This is existential." China will resist U.S. pressure just as it overcame "bullying" by other foreign powers in the past, Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan told Bloomberg this week. That comparison with the invasions of China during what is often termed the "Century of Humiliation" suggests that the government isn't likely to back down easily. The U.S. last month slapped tariffs on a further $200 billion in Chinese goods, prompting Beijing to retaliate on $60 billion in American products. Trump and Xi may talk at a meeting of the Group of 20 nations at the end of November, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said last week. "Better to talk than not talk, but the talks have to be serious," said Kudlow, adding that Trump "believes that whole trading relationship is broken." U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Thursday met with People's Bank of China Governor Yi Gang on the sidelines of the IMF meetings in Bali. "We discussed important economic issues," Mnuchin wrote on Twitter, without elaborating. However, in an interview with Bloomberg News, Mnuchin said he's worried about the recent decline in the value of the yuan. "We are concerned about the depreciation and want to make sure that it's not being used as a competitive devaluation," he said in Bali. Until any diplomatic breakthrough, both sides are trying to rally support, but some observers see that the advantage, at least for the moment, lies with China. "The U.S. is losing the battle to isolate China within the G-20. It has lost the trust and alienated its major partners," said Thomas Bernes, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation in Waterloo, Ontario, and a former IMF executive director. "The irony is that many countries supported U.S. concerns but U.S. policy actions have driven them away." China is reaching out to Europe with pledges to improve market access. Beijing is also dangling the carrot of investment through Xi's signature Belt and Road Initiative, a sweeping project to build infrastructure across Eurasia. However, the reception of those overtures has been somewhat cool. In a July meeting between Chinese and European leaders and businesspeople, Cecilia Malmstrom, Europe's trade commissioner, praised China's "strong pleas to keep markets open and fight protectionism," but added, "we would like to see these encouraging words translated into more concrete action." The Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that he hopes "that globalization and interdependent multilateralism remain the direction of the world," but warned that "the EU is open but it is not naive." In response, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang encouraged greater European investment into China, promising to "open the door wider and create a better business environment." China has certainly made some moves to open its economy this year, announcing that foreign companies could increase their stakes in financial and car companies, and cutting import tariffs on a variety of goods to lower costs for consumers. These changes will also reduce costs for foreign companies looking to produce or sell in China. For its part, the U.S. is trying to build a more traditional coalition among free-market democracies. Last month, trade ministers from the U.S., EU and Japan expressed concern that "non-market-oriented" policies are hurting their workers and businesses and undermining global trade. Without naming China, they agreed to discuss new rules for addressing the market-distorting effects of state-owned enterprises and industrial subsidies. That's an improvement from earlier this year, when Trump was making more enemies than friends. At meetings of the G-20 and NATO, he vexed America's traditional allies with his tariffs on steel and aluminum and distaste for global institutions. Since then, the president has launched formal trade talks with Europe and agreed on a revised trade agreement with South Korea and to start talks with Japan. He has also reached a deal with Canada and Mexico, which their lawmakers must still approve, on a successor to the North American Free Trade Agreement. The new Nafta, to be rebranded the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, contains a clause that allows any of the countries to terminate the agreement if one of them signs a trade deal with a "non-market economy." While no country is named, the measure is clearly aimed at stopping Canada or Mexico from doing a deal with China. "The U.S. is making an effort to isolate China on trade," said Stephen Jen, CEO of Eurizon Slj Capital, an asset-management firm based in London. Efforts by China to win European support failed "because the EU is quietly pleased that the U.S. is confronting China on issues that have also bothered the EU," said Jen. --Bloomberg's James Mayger and Saleha Mohsin contributed. The advice originated not as a blueprint for the midterm elections but as a moral lesson for her daughters. As Malia and Sasha Obama were ushered into the center of Washington discord, their mother urged them to ignore the angry voices at odds with the "true spirit of the country" and unworthy of a response. "No, our motto is, when they go low, we go high," Michelle Obama exhorted in an address at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, delivering words that seemed to point the way to an alternative to Donald Trump's name-calling. But now, in the vertiginous political moment testing the nation's "true spirit," the former first lady's words are being repurposed and rewritten by opponents of President Donald Trump looking for guidance - moral, tactical, emotional, spiritual - as they seek to wrest back control of the country. Their efforts have taken them high up public statues and low down in the mud, as lofty ideals compete with the partisan anger convulsing American politics. The debate was touched off this week by Eric Holder, a former attorney general in the Obama White House and a possible 2020 presidential contender. Rallying Democrats on Sunday in Georgia, he said the former first lady's comments haven't aged well, and offered a new motto for a new era. "Michelle always says, 'When they go low, we go high.' No. No," he said. "When they go low, we kick them." He said a more antagonistic spirit is "what this new Democratic Party is about," adding, "We are proud as hell to be Democrats. We are willing to fight for the ideals of the Democratic Party. Republicans pounced. One of them, Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., countered with another mantra - also popularizedby the Obamas - that has been deployed frequently over the last year as a form of virtue signaling: "This is not who we are." Cory Gardner tweeted "You have other party leaders saying Michelle Obama was wrong when she said 'when they go low we go high.' But rather when they go low 'we kick them.' This is not who we are." The president was more blunt. "I think it's a disgrace," he said of Holder's comments late Wednesday when he phoned in to "Fox News @ Night." It's not just Holder who has grown weary of the decorous approach. Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, at one time quoted the maxim approvingly. "I am reminded of what my friend Michelle Obama advised us all: When they go low, we go high," she said in the fall of 2016 when Trump brought up allegations of sexual impropriety against her husband. But her thinking appears to have changed. "You cannot be civil with a political party that wants to destroy what you stand for, what you care about," she said in an interview this week with CNN's Christiane Amanpour. Some reached that conclusion long ago - as in, right after their party lost the bitterly contested 2016 election. "Michelle Obama had that beautiful line, 'When they go low, we go high,'" Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., told a Los Angeles Times columnist in March 2017. "I thought about it a lot. But I also thought, 'We lost the election.' My view now is that when they go low, we fight back." The stiffened stance of party bigwigs is shared by numerous activists and possible candidates for high office, who are promising voters that they would take the gloves off. For Dana Beyer, a transgender rights advocate in Maryland, the election itself was the turning point. In a December 2016 HuffPost column, she observed that the former first lady's sentiment, while "appropriate for the Convention," no longer applied. "The campaign is over, and the worst has happened," Beyer wrote. "Now, when they go low (and they do so every day), we must go lower. We fight them with everything we've got. Americans love a fighter, so let's give them a fight." Last June, Neera Tanden, the Hillary Clinton apostle and head of the Center for American Progress, used colorful language on Twitter to argue that, when the other side goes low, "going high doesn't . . . work." No one embodies the pugnacious spirit more than Michael Avenatti, who has risen to national prominence as the attorney representing Stormy Daniels in her bruising legal battle with the president. He famously ventured to Iowa in August and delivered a eulogy for turn-the-other-cheek politics. "When they go low, I say, we hit harder," said Avenatti, who has been flirting with the notion of a bid for president in 2020. The bare-knuckled approach is favored among some self-avowed liberals who are maddened by the inability of Democrats to stymie the president. Speaking in February on the "Lovett or Leave It" podcast, hosted by former Obama speechwriter Jon Lovett, author and commentator Roxane Gay declared the former first lady's "when they go low, we go high" remark "the worst thing that has ever happened to democracy." "When they go low, we need to go [expletive] subterranean," she said in the course of a discussion about congressional machinations over the fate of "dreamers," young immigrants in the country without status. "Until Democratic politicians start adopting that, we're never, ever going to overcome these kinds of obstacles." Lovett and Gay speculated about what Democrats might find in plumbing those depths. "Oh look, it's Ted Cruz's talking points," he quipped. "Oh my God, it's Omarosa's application to 'The Apprentice.'" Gay added: "Donald Trump's original hair." Still, others don't see controversial tactics as opposed to Obama's adage. On the Fourth of July this year, Patricia Okoumou, an activist and Congolese immigrant, invoked the former first lady's words in explaining why she had climbed the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty in protest of U.S. immigration policy - an action that led to a three-hour standoff with police, an evacuation of the New York landmark and three misdemeanor charges. Trump, in a rally in Montana the next day, mocked her as a "clown." Okoumou, after an August appearance in federal court, didn't draw inspiration from "The New Colossus," the Emma Lazarus poem that entreats, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." Instead, she said that she had taken Michelle Obama's advice to her daughters, and to the country, literally. "Michelle Obama - our beloved first lady that I care so much about - said, 'When they go low, we go high,' and I went as high as I could," Okoumou said. --- https://youtu.be/tYgZ5QO3ioc Houston police were investigating a fatal shooting Wednesday evening at an apartment complex in the Gulfton area. Paramedics found the man just after 6 p.m. in the open doorway of his apartment at the complex in the 6200 block of Westward, near Gulfton at Hillcroft, authorities said. The man, Yunier Perez Cobian, 35, died at the scene. Witnesses reported hearing five gunshots, police said. Cobian's wife was in the apartment but said she didn't see the shooting. There are no known suspects or motives. Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message. Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com Michael Paulsen, HC staff / Houston Chronicle A homeless Houston man who has been accused of being a serial killer will not appear in court on a new allegation that he made a shank, or a blade, in his cell in the Harris County Jail, his lawyers said Thursday. Lucky Ward, who has been behind bars for nearly a decade after being implicated in six deaths of homeless or impoverished women and transgender women, will waive his arraignment so prosecutors and his defense team can continue preparing for his pending death penalty trial. The weapon was discovered in his isolation cell last weekend, triggering the new charge. Accused serial killer Lucky Ward jailed for nearly a decade after being being implicated in six deaths is facing more charges in court Thursday after allegedly being caught with a shank in the Harris County jail over the weekend. It is not the first time 53-year-old Lucky Ward has been accused of illicit acts in the eight years that he has been behind bars awaiting trial. He is also adept at escaping his jail cell using everyday objects. The volatile combination of a suspect who is facing the death penalty, can make a sharpened weapon and can also get out of his cell whenever he likes is worrying to jailers and courtroom staff, officials said. Hes considered one of our most dangerous, high-maintenance inmates, said Jason Spencer, spokesman for the Sheriffs Office. Hes someone who requires constant attention, someone whos frequently trying to agitate other inmates and staff. Were looking forward to the day when hes at another facility. Ward is expected to be arraigned Thursday by state District Judge Vanessa Velasquez on new charges that he had possession of a homemade knife. Defense attorneys and prosecutors are also expected to update the judge on the progress of the death penalty case against Ward. Court records show that Ward, also known as Lawayne Jackson, was apparently happy to show jail guards how to get out of his jail cell. He demonstrated for officers how he could escape from his cell in multiple ways during a video recording, prosecutors noted in Wards file. The approximately 8-minute-long video shows a demonstration by the defendant, to officers, the multiple ways that he could escape his Harris County Jail cell if he so choose. The sheriffs office has security concerns even though Ward has been in administrative segregation, a 24-hour lockdown cell, since he was arrested. Those concerns are unwarranted, according to his lawyer who said he expects Ward to be found not guilty when the capital murder case gets to trial. A lot of his past has been blown out of proportion, said veteran defense attorney Allen Isbell. Were fighting the charges. Isbell said prosecutors may be able to convince jurors that Ward killed one person, but not all the people they are claiming. The evidence is very weak on some of those murders, he said. When they amended the indictment to seek three murders, that just increased their burden of proof. If they cant prove all three, they cant find him guilty of capital murder, thats our position. Isbell acknowledged Ward showed deputies how he was able to escape his cell but has never actually tried to get out. Instead, he volunteered to show authorities how to do it. Hopefully, he helped society by having the jail improve their system of locking down the prisoners, Isbell said. Wards mental health may be part of the trial but is not expected to be part of the defense, Isbell said. At least three clinical psychologists and a physicians assistant who have treated Ward over the past 25 years are expected to testify against him. If Ward is convicted, Isbell said, he plans to call at least three mental health professionals to show that Ward can be trusted in prison and should not be executed. So, neither mental competency or sanity is expected play a part in the trial. Were not looking at a mad dog/insane person defense. Thats not our defense, he said. Prosecutors, however, remain convinced they can win a death penalty conviction, in part because Ward is so dangerous. How dangerous is Lucky Ward? said Dane Schiller, spokes for the district attorneys office. He is charged with murdering three people, and we are seeking his execution to forever protect societyincluding anyone in prisonfrom his rage. Schiller and prosecutors Colleen Barnett and Joshua Phanco all declined to comment further. In Texas, prosecutors can seek the death penalty if a suspect kills two people in the same course of conduct, and in Wards case the prosecution is intent on proving that he killed three people in 2010. His alleged victims are Carlos Rodriguez, a 40-year-old transgender woman who was known in the community as Gypsy on Sept. 13. Police found the body of another victim, Reita Long, 52, on steps behind the chancery of the Archdiocese of Houston-Galveston near the Co-Cathederal of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston on Sept. 30. Carol Flood, 62, was found laying near the stairwell behind the previous location of the downtown YMCA in the 1600 block of Louisiana on Oct. 10. Police were able to put together a DNA profile that implicated Ward, who had been incarcerated in the past. Houston police detectives have said he is also a suspect in the 2010 deaths of Myra Ical, a 51-year-old transgender woman found near a trash receptacle in Montrose on Jan. 18 and Raquel A. Mundy, 24, who was found in a field in the East End on June 18 of that year. Prosecutors have said in court records that he is also a suspect in the 1985 slaying of Birdell Louis, a Houston woman who was strangled. Details of those additional three deaths may be aired in the punishment phase of the death penalty trial if Ward is convicted. Although he has been set for trial at least twice, his case is pending. He has gone through two other teams of defense lawyers that have backed out of his case, and there have been several prosecutors assigned, then taken off the case. The concern voiced by authorities highlights not just the backlog of court cases that continues to pile up because of limited courtrooms after Hurricane Harvey, but also the enhanced security needs of inmates who have been in jail so long that that they can manipulate the system. At least one jail guard was suspended for three days in 2014 for not handcuffing Ward when he was let out of his cell to go the recreation room. Ward apparently ran away from the guard and stabbed another inmate suspected of capital murder, according to disciplinary records. Ward has been in the jail for eight years, which is a long time even for death penalty cases, which generally take years to get to trial. But it is not that unusual when the cases involve multiple deaths that are true whodunits. The mostly homeless or impoverished victims were generally found dead in dark alleys across downtown. In fact, there is still DNA being tested from hair found on a victim who was killed in 2010. In general, both sides want more testing because prosecutors hope to build their case and the defense hopes it will implicate someone else. And neither side wants the case to come back on appeal because a new DNA test proves innocence. Brian Rogers covers Houston crime and courts. You can email him at brian.rogers@chron.com and follow him on Twitter at @brianjrogers. In the Harris County Precinct 2 commissioners race, the best-known candidate may be the challenger, as former county Sheriff Adrian Garcia seeks to unseat two-term incumbent Commissioner Jack Morman. Both men have deep ties to the precinct and are among the most evenly matched candidates on the November ballot. Precinct 2 covers much of east Harris County, from Kingwood to Clear Lake, as well as a jagged peninsula including the Near Northside and parts of the Heights, north to Aldine. Garcia is the son of Mexican immigrants and a longtime resident of Lindale Park. Morman married into a Mexican-American family and is a lifelong resident of Deer Park. If Garcia wins, he would be the first Hispanic commissioner to represent the nearly two-thirds Hispanic Precinct 2 since Morman ousted two-term incumbent Sylvia Garcia in a 2010 upset. Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston, said Garcias chances are good if he can drive high Hispanic turnout. The Democratic votes are perfectly aligned with where the Latino vote is, he said. So, if Garcia can make that happen, I think its going to be a victory for him. Rottinghaus said Morman, who opened his campaign headquarters just five weeks ago, may need to campaign more aggressively than he had planned. Heading into an election in which Democrats are motivated, he said Morman relying on voters to recall his successes as a commissioner may not be enough. Youve got to able to able to turn out your base, Rottinghaus said. Relying on peoples natural goodwill is risky. Garcia, 57, faces few of the obstacles challengers typically confront. He is well known to voters from his stints in city- and countywide offices, and he has lived in Precinct 2s Lindale Park since 1992. The jovial former Houston police officer, city councilman and county sheriff also is an enthusiastic campaigner. Adrian Garcia Party: Democratic Age: 57 Occupation: Consultant Offices held: Houston city councilman, District H, 2004-09, Harris County sheriff, 2009-15. Ran unsuccesfully for mayor of Houston (2015), Texas 29rd Congressional District (2016). Jack Morman Party: Republican Age: 40 Occupation: Attorney, county commissioner Offices held: Precinct 2 commissioner, 2011-present (two terms) See More Collapse Dressed often in a blazer and jeans, he has held town halls across the precinct throughout the year, where he addresses voters in English and Spanish on topics such as flood control and education. In July, he marched through downpours in the Lindale Park Independence Day parade. Garcia said that unlike his opponent, he regularly is out in the community talking to constituents. He joked that there are few residents he has yet to give his phone number. Im easy to find, he said in an interview at his campaign headquarters, a well-worn single-story brick building on North Main. People dont know Jack Morman. They havent seen him. They havent been engaged by him. Garcia supported the $2.5 billion flood bond Commissioners Court persuaded voters to pass in August, but said the county should have invested more in flood protection before an unprecedented storm like Hurricane Harvey flooded more than 200,000 county homes and apartments. He criticized Morman for what he said were two squandered opportunities to support Precinct 2 residents. First, Garcia said Morman should have publicly opposed Senate Bill 4, the law state legislators passed in 2017 to require local police to assist federal immigration officials. Second, Garcia said he would have criticized Gov. Greg Abbott for suspending environmental regulations for companies in the seven months after Harvey. Precinct 2 includes the Houston Ship Channel, where 460,000 gallons of gasoline spilled during the storm. Garcia said only a brief suspension, given the magnitude of Harvey, was appropriate. Weve got to get back on track as quick as possible, on all fronts, including protecting the environment, he said. Garcia said he would bring balance to Commissioners Court as a second Democrat, along with Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis. He said he would join Ellis in pressuring the county to settle a lawsuit brought by poor defendants against its cash bail system. He said the inability of the two sides to reach an agreement has contributed to Harris Countys jail overcrowding problem, which he also pledged to solve. Harris County struggled with an overflowing jail while Garcia was sheriff. Contrasting styles Morman, 40, said he prefers to focus on serving his constituents and managing the sprawling precinct, the countys largest by area. In an interview in his ninth-floor office in the downtown county administration building, he cast himself as a leader who sweats the details, ticking off some of the assets he is responsible for: 380 employees, 16 community centers, 50 parks and 1,300 miles of road. Morman said he is proud to manage a summer and afterschool youth program, as well as a service connecting veterans with benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. County commissioner is the only post he ever sought, he says, adding he is content to never seek another. Morman speaks the least of any Commissioners Court member during meetings, choosing to ask concise questions instead of engaging in the soliloquies his colleagues sometimes prefer. A civil litigator by trade, Morman often campaigns in a crisp suit. He jokes that he intends no offense if he fails to acknowledge constituents who pass him in the hallway or on the street he was shot in the face in a 2005 bird hunting accident, which cost him his right eye and nearly his life. Morman said commissioners should not waste their breath grandstanding on state and federal issues, no matter how divisive. While he has immense power in county government, Morman said he has little influence outside of it. I can call Dan Patrick and Paul Bettencourt all day long, he said of the Republican lieutenant governor and state senator. But guess what? Theyre still going to do whatever the hell they want to do. He paints Garcia as an opportunist on an election losing streak who sees Precinct 2 as a springboard to higher office. He noted that Garcia left Houston city council to run for county sheriff in 2008, quit that job to make a failed 2015 bid for Houston mayor, and then four months later unsuccessfully challenged a longtime incumbent from his own party, Congressman Gene Green. He has quit on every elected office hes ever held, Morman said. Hes a serial candidate. After this, hell run for something else. Though Harris County is more than 40 percent Hispanic, Commissioners Court lacks any Hispanic members. Morman recalled a court meeting shortly after his election when a Latina constituent said she doubted Morman could represent her interests because he is white. He explained how his wife and children are Hispanic, and assured her he would work to understand all of the communities in Precinct 2. Just because I may not look like you doesnt mean I dont get it, and I dont care, Morman said, adding he has nominated more Hispanic residents to county boards and commissions than his predecessor. Morman raised $675,000 through the beginning of October, more than Garcias $586,000 haul. The incumbents $2 million cash on hand dwarfs Garcias $134,000 in the bank. During the first half of the year, Mormons most generous donors included 16 engineering firms, including seven who gave at least $8,000. Houston Texans owner Robert McNair chipped in $10,000. Garcia has comparatively few corporate or PAC donors. His largest single donations from January to July were two $10,000 checks from individuals and $10,000 from an LLC called Better Pain Solutions. zach.despart@chron.com Twitter.com/zachdespart A man is dead after gunfire erupted in a north Houston apartment complex Wednesday night, according to Houston police The shooting happened around 6:45 p.m. in the back of a complex in the 13300 block of Northborough Drive. The victim was shot and died along a greenbelt in the back of the complex. SOUTHWEST HOUSTON: 1 killed in shooting at apartment complex A woman seen arguing with the victim is in police custody, according to Houston Police Department Homicide Detective John Stroble. Officers recovered a firearm from the scene believed to be used in the man's death Homicide detectives with the Houston Police Department were investigating as dozens of residents looked on. Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message. Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com A Sugar Land man who was excommunicated from the Mormon church last month for criticizing its practice of allowing one-on-one interviews between youth and bishops announced Thursday that he is appealing the decision. Sam Young, 65, was forewarned that he could be excommunicated for crusading against the church's policy of allowing bishops to meet with children one-on-one to discuss topics regarding their faith and personal behavior. Young, who served for five years as a bishop, has been pushing for reforms to the routine meetings after learning that some of the questions bishops asked were sexually explicit. NAME CHANGE: Mormon leader says nicknames are 'victory for Satan' Young was summoned to a rare excommunication hearing in September at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building in Sugar Land. Under church rules, Young said he has had up to 30 days to file a formal appeal with the First Presidency of the Church. "I have received pushback from people about why I am appealing the excommunication, that I shouldn't be pleading or begging on bended knee," Young said at a press conference Thursday in Houston. "I have done nothing wrong." Young has been a lifelong active member of the Mormon church. In addition to serving as a bishop, he has been a bishopric counselor, a ward mission leader, stake activities director and a seminary teacher. Church officials have declined to comment on the case. The church considers Young's case apostasy, or as it explains, "the repeated, clear and open public opposition to the church, its leaders and its doctrine." Young wants the church to reconsider its policy regarding interviews that take place between Mormon youth and church officials. He learned last year that the interviews included sexual questions like if the child masturbated or has been sexually active. He started asking around to learn more, even reaching out to his own daughters. Then countless church members shared stories with him and several agreed to let Young post what they wrote on his website, ProtectLDSChildren.org. Many of the stories talk about how the interviews led to feelings of shame, guilt, self-loathing and even suicide. The church changed its guidelines for interviews in March, stating, "If the person being interviewed desires, another adult may be invited to participate in the interview. Leaders should avoid all circumstances that could be misunderstood." Young said the change wasn't enough and places children in charge of deciding whether or not a parent is present in the interviews. He added that the new policy does not address the issue of sexually explicit questions. EDITOR'S NOTE: This article first appeared in the Houston Chronicle in 2008 The 400,000-foot plunge lasted about 23 minutes. It seemed longer. American Peggy Whitson can't recall whether she was right-side-up or upside-down in the Russian Soyuz capsule as it dived violently through the atmosphere, smoke wafting from the controls, communication lost with the ground. What the 48-year-old astronaut recalls are the waves of nausea that engulfed her as the Soyuz neared the Earth's surface. And the crushing force of gravity eight times normal that lasted, she said Friday, for about 60 seconds. TODAY: American, Russian astronauts safe after emergency Soyuz landing The capsule fell until the lower atmosphere slowed it down, with the friction causing the vehicle to glow red-hot as outside temperatures soared several thousand degrees. Finally, the first of four parachutes deployed. As the craft closed on the surface about three feet from it small rockets fired in an attempt to cushion the impact. But it was a rough landing on the central Asian plains of Kazakhstan, about 300 miles from the target area, Whitson said at Johnson Space Center, like a rolling car crash. "It was just one big hit and a roll," she told a CNN reporter. A crew mate, Russian Yuri Malenchenko, crawled from the damaged spacecraft and contacted controllers with a satellite phone, stored in the capsule for just such an emergency. Whitson and South Korean So-yeon Yi were pulled from the spaceship by Kazakhs who had witnessed the smoldering descent and had raced toward it in trucks. They spoke little Russian and no English. The Russians have begun an investigation into the causes of the Soyuz's steep descent at an angle of more than 30 degrees, an approach known as a ballistic re-entry. NASA is monitoring the inquiry. At the time of the landing, the Russian Interfax press agency, quoting unnamed officials, said the crew was in mortal danger. Since then, however, the Russians have downplayed the danger to the crew. New record for U.S. Russian Federal Space Agency spokesman Alexander Vorobyov has been quoted as saying the landing was classified as a "3" on a 5-point scale of seriousness. "I don't think I can say accurately what the risk was," Whitson said Friday. "I guess the old pilot saying that any landing you can walk away from is a good one probably applies here." The dramatic re-entry marked the end of a six-month mission to the international space station by Whitson, who became the first woman to command the orbital science lab. She also returned to Earth as the new U.S. record holder for time accumulated in space: 377 days over two missions. The wild ride back to Earth did not come as a complete surprise to the space veteran. The same steep descent was experienced in October by two Russians and a Malaysian. They, too, were not injured. "We were pretty sure that was happening to us," said Whitson, a guess confirmed by instruments that measure the forces of gravity, or G-forces. During a normal Soyuz descent, the G-forces typically do not exceed 4.5 Gs. Space shuttle crews experience about 3 Gs when they glide to a landing. Whitson and Malenchenko had rehearsed the ballistic descent in a Russian centrifuge as part of their training before they flew into space aboard the same Soyuz on Oct. 10. But neither were prepared for the additional discomfort of 8 Gs pressing against their chests after six months of weightlessness. "I felt my face getting pulled back. It was hard to breathe, and you kind of have to breathe through your stomach, using your diaphragm instead of expanding your chest," said Whitson. She said she has been asked whether she was scared. "We didn't have time," she said. She was seated to one side of Malenchenko, and Yi to the other. "I could not see Yuri's face," she said, "only his knees. So-yeon, I could not see her either. But we did have communication with each other. We could talk about what was going on. What we needed to do next." The three-seat Soyuz capsule became a mainstay of Soviet spaceflight in 1967. One of the disposable spacecrafts is launched to the American-led space station every six months to serve as a lifeboat for the crew. The flight rate is expected to double next year, when the number of astronauts living on the station expands from three to six. Growing dependency NASA is scheduled to retire the shuttle in two years. Until the space agency launches the next manned space vehicle in about 2015, the Soyuz will be the only means of transporting astronauts to the space station. The Russian inquiry could be complete by the end of May, NASA officials said. "I have no doubt we will get the best investigation possible," said Mike Suffredini, NASA's space station program manager."I think the best minds in Russia are working on this." The next launching of a Soyuz with an American on board is not planned until October. American Garrett Reisman, who flew to the orbital outpost in March, is scheduled to return to Earth in June aboard the shuttle Discovery. American Greg Chamitoff, who is scheduled to follow Reisman to the station, expressed confidence in Russian craft's capabilities to serve as a lifeboat. "Obviously, I have followed this very closely," said Chamitoff. "I'm sure there will be more analysis coming from Russia. "I'm still very comfortable being up there with (a Soyuz) as a rescue vehicle." mark.carreau@chron.com The long-awaited launch of Orion the spacecraft being built by NASA to take Americans back to the moon likely won't be ready for the planned mid-2020 lift-off because of cost and scheduling problems with the rocket that will send it into space. The delay, described Wednesday in a report from NASA's Office of Inspector General, is the second setback this week for the space agency, which reported Monday that the Hubble Space Telescope had been temporarily shut down because of a mechanical failure that crippled the groundbreaking observatory. The report concluded that NASA would need to spend an additional $1.2 billion if it wants Orion to launch in June 2020 as planned. The report did not provide a new launch date for the Space Launch System rocket, which has already been delayed multiple times. "We have concluded NASA will be unable to meet its (Exploration Mission-1) launch window currently scheduled between December 2019 and June 2020," according to the OIG report. NASA, however, remained optimistic that the Orion launch will go off as planned. "NASA has made significant progress on SLS, including core stage production, and the agency continues to plan for the launch of Exploration Mission-1 in 2020, but there are still technical and schedule risks," said Kathryn Hambleton, NASA spokeswoman. The first Orion spacecraft mission, Exploration Mission-1, is meant to go up without a crew on board. The second, Exploration Mission-2, will launch humans around the moon and is supposed to fly by no later than 2023. The OIG report puts the project's problems largely on the shoulders of Boeing, the contractor building the rocket's core stage, the body of the rocket that holds the fuel tanks and primary engines. "We found Boeing's poor performance is the main reason for the significant cost increases and schedule delays to developing the SLS core stage," the report states. Jason Davis, digital editor for The Planetary Society, expressed his disappointment at the delays, saying that NASA and Boeing have "utterly failed" to fulfill their promise to build the space agency's most powerful rocket. "You'd think by now NASA would know how to manage a rocket program," Davis said. "They've been doing that since the early days. But clearly this report shows that there's some problems." Private companies, meanwhile, continue to work to develop rockets that are reusable and cheaper. SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, sent a Tesla automobile into space earlier this year with a rocket built by the company. Double the cost Boeing was awarded a contract in 2012 to build two SLS cores for NASA, one for the first, uncrewed Orion flight and one for the second that would carry Americans around the moon. U.S. astronauts last landed on the moon in 1972. At that time, the uncrewed flight was expected to launch in 2017. But that timeline didn't work out as planned as the project has been plagued with construction delays and cost increases. "At Boeing's current expenditure rate, we project that NASA will spend at least $8.9 billion through 2021double the amount initially planned while delivery of the first Core Stage has slipped 2 years from June 2017 to December 2019 and may slip further," the report states. The report found the main reasons for the delays and cost increases were that Boeing underestimated the scope of the work and therefore the skills and workers required to complete it and continually failed to provide NASA with realistic estimates for schedule and cost. For example, the report highlighted a test of the rocket's four main engines, as well as its liquid hydrogen and oxygen fuel tanks, that must be conducted. That test is 18 months behind schedule, the report added, and may not be conducted until May 2019. Boeing told the OIG that many of the problems were related to inadequate funding, though OIG officials and NASA vehemently disagreed. "An unprecedented rocket program has inherent challenges; developing the first unit of a system that will safely carry humans into space, even more so," Boeing said in a statement. NASA personnel are not blameless in the rocket problem, either, the report found. The report states that NASA has rated Boeing's performance on the contract as "excellent" and, in some cases, "very good" despite the delays and cost changes. The space agency also already awarded Boeing 90 percent, or $323 million, of the fees available through the contract. "Considering the SLS Program's cost overages and schedule delays, we question nearly $64 million of these award fees already provided to Boeing," the report stated. NASA officials, in a statement, said they have "experienced several challenges associated with design, development, and manufacturing of such a large and highly complex system for the first time." The agency added that it "fully supports the SLS program and the core stage prime contractor, Boeing, as they have already overcome many challenges and continue to show major improvements in efficiency and management." 'They utterly failed' The OIG report offered seven suggestions to better manage the contract for the rocket, which has drawn criticism for being too expensive and unsustainable. The office suggested reviewing the contract and seeking an independent federal cost estimate. Once that review is complete, the report suggests that the contract be renegotiated based on that information. Boeing said in the statement that many of the office's suggestions already are being implemented. "Boeing recognizes the importance of the SLS program to the nation and to the future of human space flight, and we are committed to its continued success," the statement said. "We have restructured our leadership team to better align with current program challenges and we are refining our approaches and tools to ensure a successful transition from development to production." Davis said he thinks the project will eventually be canceled replaced by a commercial rocket such as SpaceX's Falcon Heavy but that likely won't happen soon. He expects that, as long as the schedule doesn't slip further, a test flight will happen. "All NASA and Boeing had to do to answer that criticism was just build the rocket and fly it," Davis said. "They utterly failed to do that. That makes it really vulnerable to cancellation down the road." The announcement Wednesday comes on the heels of problems with the Hubble Space Telescope that forced the agency to put the groundbreaking observatory in "safe mode" for an unknown amount of time while NASA works to fix the problem. Hubble has been orbiting Earth for 28 years, credited with showing the world that the universe is 13.7 billion years old and that most galaxies harbor super-massive black holes. Hubble's problems can be traced back to worn-out gyroscopes, which keep the telescope pointed accurately for extended periods of time as it sends data back to scientists studying space. Alex Stuckey covers NASA and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey. Harris County added more than 11,000 voters to its rolls in the final week before the registration deadline, the last wave in a surge of half a million new Texas voters since the March primaries. Democrats are most likely to benefit from the increase because new voters, many of whom are young and/or nonwhite, are more likely to support their party, University of Houston political science Professor Brandon Rottinghaus said. There is a long legacy of Democrats seeking to get more people registered, and the investment is likely to pay off, Rottinghaus said. This is a moment where theres going to be a lot of nail biting from Republicans on election night. More than 66,000 residents registered to vote in Harris County since the spring, more than any other Texas county, according to the Texas Secretary of State. Since the 2014 midterms, Harris County has added 280,000 voters. Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Ann Harris Bennett, who also serves as the county voter registrar, did not respond to a request for comment. Her office said Tuesday it had yet to calculate how many new voters had registered since September. Rottinghaus cautioned that there is a poor correlation between voter registration and turnout. Even as more eligible Harris County voters have registered since the 1990s, turnout has declined. Republicans, he said, are hampered by their past success since they already have registered most of their potential voters. Democrats have more room to grow, he said, especially with Latinos, African Americans, new citizens and young people. Harris Countys largest political parties had different takeaways from the voter registration surge. Democratic Party spokesman Odus Evbagharu said the jump in new voters will help the party dominate Harris County elections as it did in 2016, even as he acknowledged the challenge now lies with convincing those voters to actually show up at the polls. More Information Ten Counties with the biggest percentage increase in voter registration since the Texas Primary elections 1. HAYS - 8 percent 2. BRAZOS 5 percent 3. COMAL - 5 percent 4. TRAVIS -5 percent 5. RAINS - 5 percent 6. GUADALUPE - 5 percent 7. NACOGDOCHES - 5 percent 8. WILLIAMSON - 5 percent 9. KING - 5 percent 10. COLLIN - 5 percent See More Collapse Whether by phone, text or social media, we are contacting them constantly to remind them there is an election, he said. SECURITY: Stanart announces campaign to assure voters elections are secure Vlad Davidiuk, communications director for the Harris County Republicans, attributed the surge to registration drives by both parties. Since both parties have been working overtime to get their voters registered, and their registrations updated it does not indicate a surge of Democratic voters, he said. New numbers from the Texas Secretary of State show a record 15.7 million voters will be eligible to vote in the Nov. 6 midterm elections, which feature one of the hottest U.S. Senate races in the country between incumbent Republican Ted Cruz and Democratic Congressman Beto ORourke, the governor's race, and more than a half dozen highly competitive congressional races. SWIFT RESPONSE: Taylor Swift's endorsement of Democrats causes spike in voter registrations The two-week statewide surge is more in line with the number of voters Texas typically adds in an entire year. From 2002 to 2014, Texas added 116,000 voters a year. And the total is likely to rise as last-minute voter registrations are reported to the Texas Secretary of States office. The last day to register to vote in time for the midterm elections was Tuesday. The numbers come even as more than 2,000 voters had their registrations deemed incomplete because they registered online via the national Vote.org. Those voters have 10 days to resubmit their registrations. For subscribers: Houston Chronicles Voter Guide For subscribers: San Antonio Express-News Voter Guide Across Texas, voter registration increased 2 percent since March primary elections. In that time frame, no county has seen a jump in voter registrations larger than Hays County, just south of Austin and home to San Marcos, one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the United States. Hays has reported an 8 percent increase in voter registration since the March primary elections. Major metro counties, like Dallas, Bexar, and Harris counties have seen their voter registrations increase 3 percent since March. Suburban counties have seen a bigger jump. In Fort Bend and Montgomery counties near Houston, voter registrations grew 4 percent since March. In Collin County near Dallas, voter registrations climbed 5 percent. In Guadalupe and Comal counties north of San Antonio, voter registrations jumped 5 percent. Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos has said the surge of voter registrations and enthusiasm in this midterm election cycle is akin to what election officials often see in presidential election cycles. Early voting starts on Oct. 22, and Election Day is Nov. 6. zach.despart@chron.com jeremy.wallace@chron.com Yet another Texas Democrat in Houston running for Congress has surpassed $1 million in fundraising. Houston Democrat Todd Litton will report to the Federal Election Commission that he pulled in $466,000 over the last three months and now has raised a total of $1.3 million in his race in Houstons 2nd Congressional District. Litton, a lawyer who works with education nonprofits, is battling Republican Dan Crenshaw in a district that includes parts of West Houston, reaches north to the Montgomery County line and wraps over to the east to include Humble and Atascocita. Litton and Crenshaw are vying to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ted Poe, R-Atascocita. Crenshaw, a retired Navy SEAL, has raised just over $500,000 over the past three months and has collected about $1.5 million overall in his bid for the seat. Seven Texas Democrats seeking congressional seats have now topped $1 million, a milestone that is significant because the average amount of money spent by winning candidates for the U.S. House is just over $1.4 million over the past four years. There are now three Congressional races in Houston that have contests in which both the Democrat and the Republican have topped $1 million. In the 7th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston, and Democrat Lizzie Fletcher have each raised more than $2 million. For subscribers: Houston Chronicles Voter Guide For subscribers: San Antonio Express-News Voter Guide Further south, U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, and Democrat Sri Preston Kulkarni have also both topped $1 million in the 22nd Congressional District, which includes parts of Harris, Fort Bend and Brazoria counties. More Information Democratic challengers for Congress in Texas who have raised at least $1 million for 2018: Todd Litton - 2nd Congressional District (Houston) Lizzie Fletcher - 7th Congressional District (Houston) Joseph Kopser - 21st Congressional District (San Antonio) Sri Preston Kulkarni - 22nd Congressional District (Houston) Gina Ortiz Jones - 23rd Congressional District (San Antonio) MJ Hegar - 31st Congressional District (Williamson County) Colin Allred - 32nd Congressional District (Dallas) See More Collapse What is happening in Houston is abnormal compared to other races around the nation. Democratic challengers for Congress nationwide on average have raised just about $300,000 according the Center for Responsive Politics in the general election. Democrats have put a big emphasis on winning seats in the Houston area during the midterm elections, partly due to how well Democrat Hillary Clinton did in Harris County in 2016 in her race against President Donald Trump. Despite losing Texas overall, Clinton won Harris County, 54 to 42 percent, and Fort Bend County, 51 percent to 45 percent. Those numbers have made the 7th Congressional District one of the most competitive battles in the nation. And the races for Congressional Districts 22 and 2 are considered among the 100 or so most competitive races for Congress by many experts. jeremy.wallace@chron.com Regarding Kavanaugh puts personal abmition over countrys well-being (City/State, Sunday): Erica Greider in her column regurgitated the tired generalization of the expected Republican stereotype. Paraphrasing, she wrote that so long as it is a fellow Republican, other Republicans will forgive sexual assault. She went on to profess that it didnt matter even if Christine Blasey Ford was able to substantiate her accusation, as Republicans would have forgiven the youthful indiscretion. She is wrong on both accounts. Not all Republicans are right-wing nut jobs. The pesky fact remains that there was no corroboration. But for Democrats, and apparently for Greider, the accusation alone should be considered sufficient to derail the confirmation. It is troubling to me that so many in this country are willing, even eager, to accept political ambition taking precedence over the fundamental right to a presumption of innocence and the rule of law. If justice was truly the purpose, as Democrats disingenuously proclaim, the accusation would not have been secreted and released as it was. If one is unable to admit that, I submit they are no different than the Republican stereotype so often scorned. Raymond Ruiz, Manvell When we talk about health care, more than any other public policy area, we talk about morality. Its easy to understand why: health care, its quality and availability, affects us and our loved ones deeply. When illness strikes, the ability to afford good medical careand the policies that affect that affordabilitycan truly be a matter of life and death. Last week, former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon decried the American health-care system as immoral because it has yet to follow Europe down the path to socialized medicine. As if to echo that judgment, Nostrum Laboratories pharmaceutical executive Nirmal Mulye defended his companys decision to raise the price of an antibiotic from $474.75 to $2,392 a bottle, calling it a moral requirement to make money when you can . . . to sell the product for the highest price. Neither man is entirely correctbut Mulye is closer, scandalous as that sounds. To the extent that pharmaceutical companies have a moral obligation, it is to provide lifesaving drugs to as many people as possible. In many cases, doing so requires charging a lot for drugs up front. Setting a high price for a new drug isnt immoral; its sometimes necessary to keep the wheels turning on the worlds most innovative pharmaceutical industry. Consider that 90 percent of drugs that get tested for potential human use dont make it to market. In other words, pharmaceutical companies must rely on the 10 percent of drugs that do clear the hurdle to recoup their investments. When you factor in R&D costs with this high failure rate, the average cost of bringing a new drug to market comes out to around $2.6 billion. For drug makers, this figure always looms large. Before a company begins putting in the time and money required to bring a new drug to market, it must assess whether it has a reasonable shot at recouping its investment down the line. The price of a drug just coming on to the market reflects this concern. Mulye is certainly not acting with an eye toward future innovation; Nostrums drug, nitrofurantoin, has been on the U.S. market since 1953. Like Martin Shkreli, the infamous Pharma Bro, Mulye is simply price-gouging, taking advantage of a drug shortage to profit off of patients. But not every drug company is run by pharma bros. As long as there are markets, there will be price-gougers, con men, and cronies trying to take advantage. Anger at a few bad actors shouldnt be the guiding force for policymaking. We can give government the power to reject price increases and otherwise micromanage pharmaceutical companiesbut that level of regulation comes with consequences. With too many barriers to recouping their investments, pharma companies will stop taking risks, and innovation will suffer. Besides, in most cases, price-gouging is not the cause of high drug prices. Take the example of Sovaldi, the breakthrough cure for hepatitis C, released by Gilead in 2014. With its list price of $84,000 for a course of treatment, Sovaldi prompted an outcry from activists, lawmakers, and patients, but it inspired something else, toocompetition, in the form of two follow-on drugs that came to market in the next two years, the cheapest of which cost just over $26,000.With two competitor drugs on the shelves, the market kicked into gear. As Gilead lost profits, it lowered prices. Last year, a patient on Medicaid could get one of Gileads hepatitis C drugs for about $10,000. Last week, Gilead announced that it would begin selling authorized generic versions of two of its hepatitis C drugs, Epclusa and Harvoni. With a list price of $24,000 each, they sell for 68 percent and 62 percent less than the original formulary prices, respectivelyand $2,000 lower than the cheapest competitor currently on the market. Of course, $24,000 is still a lot to pay for a drug, but these are list prices, before discounts, rebates, andmost importantinsurance. Cost-sharing varies widely among insurers, not to mention Medicare and Medicaid. One study found that a low-income Medicare enrollee could pay as little as $10.80 out of pocket for a full course of hepatitis C treatment. The release of these affordable generics doesnt prove that Gilead is more altruistic than any other pharmaceutical company. It does prove the importance of market competition as a force for lowering drug prices. With few exceptions, most high drug prices are temporary reflections of an economic calculus. Competition can quickly alter that calculus. Lowering drug prices, then, is a question of markets, not morals. To strike the right balance between innovation and access, we need policies that encourage competition, not more regulations that let the government interfere with private industry. The more we can empower drug companies to compete with one another to see who can provide the best medicine to the most patients at the lowest price, the better off American health consumers will be. Photo by George Frey/Getty Images The charity which set out to replace funding for those that missed out following the Presidents Club scandal has said it is on track to raise 1m by the end of the year. The Diversity Project aims to see equality of opportunity across the investment and savings industry, and set up its fundraising appeal Diverse City to raise money for charities that were previously funded by the Presidents Club. The Presidents Club was at the centre of a scandal earlier this year after an undercover investigation by the Financial Times revealed the harassment of female hostesses at its all-male black tie fundraising dinners. The Diversity Project said it is working on a series of five events across the UK designed to raise around 2m in two years, 2018 and 2019, to support charities who have been affected by the revelations following The Presidents Club dinner and also provide more resources for initiatives such as work experience and mentoring which can help boost diversity and inclusion in the profession. Dame Helena Morrissey, head of personal investing at Legal & General, established the Diversity Project Charity. She has told the Financial Times that it has raised over 500,000 so far and is on track to raise 1m by the end of the year. It is holding five events in 2018, including four gala dinners. The last event, the Lord Mayors Appeal at the Guildhall, is taking place at the end of the month. Charities who will receive money from the Diverse City events include Great Ormond Street Hospital, Centrepoint, The Princes Trust and Samaritans. Supporters include M&G Investments, Legal & General and Virgin Money. The Diversity Project Charity was registered with the Charity Commission as a charitable incorporated organisation in August of this year. The Civil Society Strategy has been described as a more practical and muscular version of David Camerons Big Society, by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport expert adviser on the government's project. Speaking at NPC Ignites in London yesterday, Danny Kruger, expert adviser to DCMS, outlined some of the key parts of the governments new Civil Society Strategy. These included: collaborative commissioning between local authorities and charities; so-called citizen commissions to feed into this commissioning process; a system of investing in the social foundations of our society which he referred to as community capital and establishing a responsible business leadership programme to try and influence the private sector into doing more for the voluntary sector. In his talk, the former speechwriter for David Cameron and charity founder, said the new Civil Society strategy was less a vision of the future, an ideal state, and more of a plan as to how to get there, and said it was really about the division of labour within our society. Shared Prosperity Funds to be 'place-based' Kruger said he was currently leading a project at DCMS looking at Shared Prosperity Funds, the funding mechanism which the government envisions will replace the current EU Structural Funds, which are worth billions of pounds a year to the sector. He said these new funds would likely be distributed through a place-based giving system. For me the discovery of place, this magical land where people actually live, is one of the most important breakthroughs of our time. Certainly for the government. Realising how absolutely essential geography is to way people live, want to live and to how things do and dont work. Kruger also said that Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) have been reconfigured and redesigned over the last six months and the government has drawn up a new plan to enable LEPs to do their work better and, in particular, to harness the role of civil society in local economic planning. He also said that the government would continue looking to grow volunteering and social commitment by ordinary people; place further emphasis on community organisers and was very much in favour of the whole social impact/social enterprise revolution although he stressed that payment-by-results social investment is not the answer to every challenge. Not the silver bullet that perhaps some people claimed. Civil society not top of the agenda Kruger did admit that with the government still working towards getting some kind of Brexit deal with the European Union before the end of the month, the issues of the voluntary sector were not top of the governments agenda right now, as of course they should be. He did say however that these were epic times despite what he called the often very depressing and short-term nature of our political debate and headlines on the front pages at the moment. He also said it was a really important moment to be shaping the debate in our sector and the policy agenda for it. DCMS envisions the voluntary sector playing a pivotal, post-Brexit role in Britain, according to Kruger. He said Britain will need some old ideas like the importance of local power and association. Seeing everything through the lens of place. We need associations which are undergirded by values and virtues, a culture which says that its not all about me. He said the government recognises that global Britain is rooted in local Britain and that were only going to grab the opportunities of this new era by reinventing forms of social solidarity which served us in the past. 'It's not for government to tell charities what to do' Kruger also told the audience that government's role is as a convener and commission but it should not be telling charities what to do. "Its not for government to determine or prescribe how charities and social enterprises do their work," he said. He said that Julia Unwin's inquiry will report soon and he has been very persuaded by her argument that improving charity is a job for the charity sector. "I do think running a charity is one of the hardest jobs, having done it and struggled to do it. Very, very difficult work. So this is no insult I hope that when I say there is huge need for improvement in the conduct of many charities." The relatively friendly relationship between UK charities and the government is likely to come to an end because populist politicians do not share the same ideas as many in the sector, the chief executive of Nesta has said. Geoff Mulgan, who heads up Nesta a charity that champions innovation, was speaking yesterday at the NPC Ignites conference about how charities can harness the new power dynamic. He urged delegates to plan for a future where they had less access to those in power. In practice this means that civil society leaders are less likely to be invited to participate in things like advisory boards and have their views welcomed by ministers. He described the positive messaging from the recent Civil Society Strategy as against the grain. His guess is that the relatively friendly, easy partnership between charities and the government of the day is coming to an end because populist politicians would be a lot less favourable to a lot of the things talked about in this room. Charities need a plan Mulgan said he hoped I am wrong but that charities should prepare for a different type of relationship with political leaders. He said that the current arrangement in the UK is quite unique and that in most countries civil society leaders do not have as much access to political leaders. This sector needs to plan, he said, for how it can become more of a challenger to power because it wont have easy access to influence the agenda. He said there is an alternative vision for the future and referred to the work of the Inclusive Economy Partnership, which Nesta is involved with, which is bringing together government, private sector and civil society where there is more of a focus on problems. Charities are bystanders to the fourth industrial revolutions Mulgan warned delegates that that the sector is mainly a bystander to the fourth industrial revolution. He described this as an umbrella term for very rapid progress in things like AI but said that in the main civil society is playing no part whatsoever in this revolution. It is scarcely using new technology and is not influencing how the technology is developed. He said there is funding being directed into programmes to use technology for social good but that charities were missing a trick as a community in influencing, shaping and making use of an extraordinary new wave of technology. Mulgan said it is crucial charities get better at supporting beneficiaries because, if they dont, new tools could be used against them. This could result in charities turning up at a gun fight with bows and arrows, he warned. The Charity Technology Conference takes place on 7 November 2018. For more information and to book click here. There were several times throughout my early childhood when I thought my father might have died. I picked up on this mostly through osmosis, by listening to the adults around me when they thought I couldnt hear or understand them. Only once did my mother sit me down and tell me that there was a chance he would not be coming home, as we had been waiting for him to do since the day I was born. I found out as an adult that, at the time, she had that conversation with me because his captors had not released a video or photographs of him for a concerningly long period and there was strong intelligence indicating a hostage had been killed. Some rumors named my father, Terry Anderson. As the months stretched on with no proof that he was alive, everyone assumed the worst. But the hostage who had been killed was not my father. He was somebody elses father. My dad was Middle East bureau chief of the Associated Press when Islamist terrorists kidnapped him in Beirut in March of 1985, three months before I was born. After a lifetime of waiting in limbo, not knowing for certain if my father was dead or just being hurt by the bad men who had kidnapped him, I welcomed my dad home in December of 1991, when I was six and a half years old. That was the first time we met. My fathers story differs completely from that of Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi Arabian journalist who was reportedly abducted and likely killed in his own governments Turkish consulate on October 2. I mean to draw no comparison between the two cases. To my everlasting gratitude, my father lived to watch me grow up. Most reports indicate that Khashoggis loved ones will not be so fortunate, for which I feel immeasurable sadness. But my experience as the family member of a hostage and, later in life, as the friend of someone who was kidnapped and beheaded by the Islamic State in Syria, informs the way I watch news coverage of kidnappingsparticularly those involving journalists. For instance, I know the AP struggled valiantly to balance its responsibility to cover my fathers kidnapping objectively as a news organization with concern for his fate as an employee. The journalistic mission to be the first to break the most impactful story often does not coincide with the need for extreme sensitivity surrounding a hostage situation, but efforts were made by most news organizations not to put my father at risk by publishing things that would endanger him or make his captors angry. Thirty years later, our hyperactive news cycle has all but obliterated the systematic, careful consideration of consequences when publishing news. At no point has that been more evident than over the past week, with some coverage of Khashoggis kidnapping. Most news reports on Monday were quoting Turkish police sources who believed Khashoggi was dead. They described a chillingly efficient assassination engineered by the Saudi government, a shocking attack on press freedom in another country by a US ally. However, Turkish authorities did not officially confirm the results of their investigation until Wednesday and many conflicting reports surfaced indicating there was a possibility he was still alive in Saudi Arabia. Sign up for CJR 's daily email The journalistic mission to be the first to break the most impactful story often does not coincide with the need for extreme sensitivity surrounding a hostage situation. Even the ghost of a chance that Khashoggi was in the custody of a regime that would not hesitate to use brutal interrogation tactics should have prevented news outlets from publishing confidential information that involved Khashoggis criticism of the Saudi government. Yet that is exactly what some journalists did. On Monday, the BBC aired a conversation with Khashoggi recorded before their official interview, in which he was highly critical of the Saudi government. Presumably, Khashoggi spoke more candidly off-air because he was concerned about the consequences if he were to openly say those things. The BBC didnt know for certain that Khashoggi was dead, but it still made public an off-air interview that could have put him at risk, with the note, We wouldnt normally broadcast an off-air conversation, but weve decided to make an exception, in light of the current circumstances. A BBC News spokesperson tells CJR, 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. But Khashoggi chose what appeared in his writings after presumably weighing their potential consequences for himself. What makes this disregard for his wishes even more troubling is that Khashoggi himself was extremely careful not to call himself a dissident and further inflame the Saudis against himself and his family. The fact that he went off the record with journalists for his most severe criticism of Saudi officials like Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (known as MBS), widely seen as the architect behind his disappearance, should be an indication that he was concerned about the repercussions were he to go public with the things he told them. Khashoggi himself was extremely careful not to call himself a dissident. The most egregious offender in this regard is Thomas Friedman, veteran reporter and star opinion writer for The New York Times, who describes Khashoggi as a friend. In November 2017, Friedman wrote a much-criticized column titled Saudi Arabias Arab Spring, At Last, for which he was lavishly hosted by the Saudi government and spoke only to sources they provided. The thrust of the piece was that Mohammed bin Salman is pioneering a wave of exciting new reforms in the country, which has a beyond dismal human rights recorda hypothesis belied by subsequent reports of brutal crackdowns on activists and dissidents. Friedman wrote another column on Monday, pleading on behalf of his missing friend. While it had just been reported that the Saudis likely kidnapped and killed Khashoggi, his death had not yet been confirmed and conflicting reports that claimed he was alive were continuing to pop up. Despite this, Friedman revealed Khashoggi as an anonymous source of his in the very first paragraph of his column, going on to describe the extent of Khashoggis critical stance on Saudi Arabia, much of which had yet not been made public. In a statement to CJR, Friedman said, I gave great thought to the matter and decided in the end to reveal Jamals quote because it showed what he truly wasa Saudi patriot who wanted to improve the government, not topple it. I thought that was important for the world to know and for every Saudi to knowwhether he was dead or alive at the time of my writing. Friedmans piece has been characterized by some critics as a lengthy justification of his original laudatory column about MBS rather than an earnest attempt to draw attention to Khashoggis fate. Putting that aside, I cannot understand why an experienced reporter would be careless with the welfare of his missing friend. Evidence indicating Khashoggi was killed continues to mount, but I can personally attest that no shred of hope is too small for the loved ones of a hostage. Khashoggis family, friends, and fiancee deserved better than to watch helplessly as news outlets published information that could have hurt the man who was stolen from them. RELATED: Jamal Khashoggi, feared murdered, on press freedom in Saudi Arabia Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Sulome Anderson is a journalist based between Beirut, Lebanon, and New York City. Her work has appeared in outlets including The Atlantic, New York magazine, Newsweek, NBC News, Esquire, and Harper's. Her book The Hostages Daughter was published by HarperCollins in 2016. Civil, which is simultaneously trying to create an open platform for journalism managed by its members (via a crowdsourced constitution) and launching a new cryptocurrency to help fund and operate the platform, is one of the most ambitious media experiments in recent memory. The cryptocurrency is a branded form of Ethereum tokens that Civil started offering to potential backers and/or users of the platform on September 18, with the goal of raising at least $8 million by October 15 (the original token launch date of August 13 was postponed because the company said it wanted to give potential buyers more time to understand the process). As of Thursday, however, Civil had only managed to sell about $1.3 million worth of tokens, according to a transparency report published by co-founder Matthew Iles on Medium. Purchases worth another $800,000 or so are in the system, Iles says, but havent been completed yet. Even if those are finalized, it would still leave Civil well short of its minimum target for the financing, and significantly behind its maximum target of $24 million. And as Iles also notes in his report, more than half of the money raised so far has come from tokens that were acquired by ConsenSys, the cryptocurrency venture that originally financed Civil with a $5 million investment. This isnt how we saw this goingbut our company and our community are pushing hard to make it happen, Iles writes. We dont know if it will work. So what happens if the project doesnt hit the $8-million goal? The original plan was that any money invested would be returned to those who bought tokens, but there is a possibility those who have invested could be offered the option of keeping their tokens and continue with the project if they wish. Even if that does happen, however, it could mean less funding for the newsrooms that have already set up shop on Civil, including the Colorado Sun, Block Club Chicago, and Popula. (Instead, readers could opt to help fund them using regular currency). And it would definitely mean less funding for the Civil Foundation, which was supposed to use 100 percent of the proceeds to fund independent journalism efforts, as promised by Civil in a number of public statements. ICYMI: Do journalists pay too much attention to Twitter? Civil spokesman Matt Coolidge says the project has considered alternatives for what it will do if the $8 million target isnt reached, but he says the company wont address specifics until after the sale is complete, and that Civil is still trying hard to convince investors to acquire tokens and meet the cap. At least one former backer of Civil seems to have given up on the idea, however: Daniel Sieberg, a former Google News executive and co-founder of Civil who left the project earlier this year for undisclosed reasons, says he became increasingly skeptical about the ventures chances of success as the token sale went from the planning stages to execution and eventually left Civil Media in July. The business model just wont work, he tells CJR. Sieberg says he is pursuing a wrongful dismissal suit against Civil (when asked for comment, the company said it doesnt comment on potential disputes with former employees). Sign up for CJR 's daily email As for why the project has fallen short of its goal, one factor Iles mentions is something others have also criticized, namely the overly complicated process Civil originally set up for the launch, which required potential buyers to not only set up an online wallet and buy Ethereum coins, but also fill out a quiz testing their knowledge about cryptocurrency. The rules were later modified to allow buyers to acquire tokens using a regular bank account, but the changes may have come too late for some. Its also possible that some of the initial enthusiasm for cryptocurrency ventures has waned since Civil started its project, as the price of currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have tumbled. And on top of that, the universe of people who want to invest in a cryptocurrency as a way of helping support journalism may be significantly smaller than Civil was hoping. Although Civils goal of helping to support independent journalism is widely shared, many of its critics say the cryptocurrency model is unnecessarily complicated. If I wanted to give money to a site, I could just give it to them, CUNY journalism professor Jeff Jarvis told The Wall Street Journal. Where is the value created? I cant get my head around it (Jarvis later clarified that he is a supporter of Civil and its goals, although he said the process of governance and the use of cryptocurrency still seems overly confusing). RELATED: A Civil primer: The benefits, and pitfalls, of a new media ecosystem Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg. When the violent shaking from a massive magnitude 7.5 earthquake finally stopped, Selvi Susanti stood up and realized something strange was happening. First, she saw the ground suddenly begin to sink. Then the pavement split beneath her feet like a broken dinner plate and started to rise. Terrified, she clung to a small sliver of asphalt and surfed a river of fast-moving mud as it swallowed entire neighborhoods, carrying her higher than coconut trees for a quarter of a mile. What I saw oh my God! Houses were tumbling. They started to roll like waves. Its like a tsunami, but the difference was they were waves of soil, said Susanti, 38, weeping at the memory of seeing so many people simply disappear into the earth as they screamed for help. It felt like I was in a boat, moving around. But the difference is I was not in water, but in the mud. Many, like Susanti in the devastated village of Petobo, had no idea they were in an area already identified by the government as a high-risk zone for the devastating geological phenomenon that causes soft ground to liquefy during earthquakes. But Indonesian scientist Gegar Prasetya wasnt surprised by any of the events that occurred at dusk on Sept. 28, killing nearly 2,000 people and leaving possibly thousands more missing. He had warned people for years that the area around Sulawesi islands Palu Bay had been struck before and was due for another potential combination of factors to create a perfect storm capable of unleashing earthquakes, landslides, tsunami waves and soil liquefaction. I knew right away, said Prasetya, co-founder of the Tsunami Research Center Indonesia, who had met with government officials and residents in the area to try to raise awareness about the threat. I posted in our group, and I said, `Its happened. Disaster-prone Indonesia, part of the Pacific Basins Ring of Fire, is an archipelago of about 17,000 islands sitting atop numerous fault lines that have produced some of the largest and most deadly earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions in recorded history. Other scientists around the world wondered how this type of earthquake on a strike-slip fault, which typically does not produce dangerous tsunamis could generate waves that surged as high as 6 meters (20 feet). Again, Prasetya knew. He had published a paper nearly two decades ago highlighting six other tsunamis recorded in the Makassar Strait in the past century, predicting that a repeat event could be expected roughly every 25 years. The last one occurred in a region north of the city in 1996. Before that, Palu Bay was hit in 1968 by a very similar magnitude 7.4 quake that generated waves 10 meters (33 feet) high. This one complete village went to the sea, he said of the 1968 event. You can still see the trees from the top of the water. Some experts theorize that the Sept. 28 quake, by itself, didnt generate a big wave despite being shallow and near the coast. Theyre convinced it was instead the areas soft soil that served as the real catalyst for disaster. The temblors long, violent shaking likely triggered one or more underwater landslides due to unstable sediment deposited on the seafloor by rivers. This disruptive movement may have created the large wall of water that raced across the open ocean until being squeezed into the long, narrow bay that surrounds Palu, forcing the wave to grow higher. Imagine what happens if you drop a brick in a flat pond ripples spread in all directions, said Robert Hall, a geologist at Royal Holloway University of London, who has studied the area. Now drop the same size object in a bathtub. The waves can reflect off the sides, can amplify, and may get larger in the direction of the length of the bath. But it wasnt just weak sediment in the ocean that gave way. Wet, sandy soil also separated and came alive through liquefaction in some areas due to the earthquakes radical vibrations. The ground simply lost its strength and turned to mush beneath peoples feet, creating mud that acted like quicksand. People, houses, cars and streets were swallowed and covered by a thick carpet of what just seconds earlier had been solid earth. Fast-moving landslides also were launched above ground, possibly causing even more localized tsunami waves. We wouldnt necessarily expect to get all the worst possible factors occurring together, said Willem De Lange, a scientist from the University of Waikato in New Zealand who co-authored research on the area with Prasetya in 2001. Unfortunately this does happen. Many questions remain about exactly what happened in this complex disaster. Prasetya will begin field work with the Indonesian navy this week to try to better understand what occurred under water, and a team of international experts are expected to arrive next month to carry out an assessment. Palus population has exploded in many high-risk areas since the 1968 event, which killed 200 people and also turned soil to mud in places, leaving many newcomers vulnerable with no local history. However, the central government did produce a map in 2012 identifying large swaths of Palu, a city of 380,000 people, where liquefaction could occur. The area of Petobo, for instance, was classified as having high-risk potential. The report also recommended that housing and industrial areas should best be built in areas with low liquefaction risk. It suggested mitigation efforts, including building structures with deep foundations anchored into firmer layers of earth. Good urban planning is ultimately the key to saving lives, said Sri Hidayati, head of earthquake mitigation at the Energy Ministrys Geology Agency, which produced the report that was shared with the provincial and district governments in Sulawesi. She said its her agencys responsibility to provide the mapping, but its up to local authorities to use it or not. Calls Monday to Palus vice mayor and the mayors aid went unanswered. If everything in the future is planned based on this, I think maybe we will only experience a small number of casualties in case such a disaster occurs again, she said. Or probably no casualties at all. At a news conference in Jakarta on Monday, the head of the countrys disaster agency also confirmed that soft soil areas in Palu are not fit for housing. It is impossible to rebuild in areas with high liquefaction risk such as Petobo and Balaroa, he said, adding that people still living there will be relocated. Indonesia has been criticized for lifting the tsunami warning it issued for Sulawesis coast too soon. The earthquake knocked out power and telecommunication towers, meaning sirens didnt wail and alerts didnt light up mobile phones. Online video showed an unsettling scene as cars and motorbikes drove at normal speeds on a coastal road and oblivious people milled about on the beach while the large, fast-moving wave could be seen racing closer before exploding onshore. Its almost impossible for a tsunami warning system to predict what we saw the other day, said Adam Switzer, a tsunami expert at the Earth Observatory of Singapore. The earthquake is the warning. If youre anywhere in southeast Asia and youre on the coast and you feel an earthquake, move inland and move to higher ground and stay there. But its also not a matter of only warning people just before something happens. Prasetya said the history and geology of Palu Bay must be considered in plans to rebuild. He said soil investigations should be carried out to determine if deep piles are needed to stabilize buildings. Local knowledge should also be considered as a cheap way to save lives, such as constructing houses out of wood with thatched roofs, instead of concrete and tile. In Petobo, tsunami warnings would not have helped because there was no time to respond. 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. It felt like we were spinning in a blender, recalled Susanti, who survived by leaping to solid ground and running after the mud flow finally slowed down. I saw houses change position. Houses which were located at the east moved to the west and vice versa. I saw the twisted mud was shaped like dough. Recovering bodies from Petobo and other hard-hit areas, such as Balaroa, has been difficult because heavy equipment will sink in the soft soil and is unusable there. The government is considering turning some of these sites into mass graves, according to Wiranto, Indonesias security minister, who uses one name. It is already a ghost village. I will not go back there even if they pay me 1 billion rupiah ($65,800), said Erli Yati, 32, who also survived whats been dubbed a land tsunami by some in Petobo. She had no idea about the previous disasters there or that the ground could come alive as it did. I will not step back to that place again, she added. That was the worse experience I have ever had. Prasetya commended the idea of closing off liquefaction areas and said mitigation whether its creating and enforcing proper building codes in at-risk zones or relocating people to safer places should be implemented before the next disaster. How many souls need to be sacrificed until the government knows mitigation is important? he asked, adding hes been sounding alarms since the massive 2004 earthquake-spawned tsunami off Sumatra island killed 230,000 people in a dozen nations, more than half of them in Indonesia. Everything is back to business as usual. (Mason reported from Jakarta. Associated Press journalist Tassanee Vejpongsa in Petobo, Indonesia, and Eko Prasetyo inted from Jakarta, Indonesia.) Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. 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. According to facts stated within the appeal, Frank Scola was just 7-years-old when he was involved in a head-on collision on June 27, 2003. The plaintiff was riding in the middle seat of a station wagon driven by his mother, Kathleen Scola (Kathleen). Driving southbound on Wayne Road and intending to head east on Michigan Avenue, Kathleen realized that she accidentally drove through the intersection with Michigan Avenue. In this area of downtown Wayne, Michigan Avenue splits into two one-way roads a city block divides the two. Kathleen turned into a bank parking lot owned by Chase Bank on Wayne Road, and exited it by turning right onto the one-way, westbound portion of Michigan Avenue. She was involved in a head-on collision with a car traveling westbound on Michigan Avenue. Frank sustained serious injuries in the accident and filed a lawsuit in 2015 against the bank, asserting the defendants were negligent in that they had a duty to maintain their parking lot in a safe condition for public travel, but failed to do so because there were no signs warning drivers exiting their parking lot that the intersecting roadway, Michigan Avenue, was a one-way westbound road, although it was foreseeable that drivers would turn in the wrong direction and into oncoming traffic 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. A new law requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency to investigate how it came to award Hurricane Maria relief contracts to a company with an unproven record. The Associated Press reported last year that the newly-formed contractor, Florida-based Bronze Star, LLC, won more than $30 million in FEMA contracts but never delivered the emergency tarps and plastic sheeting for repairs of damaged homes in Puerto Rico. Democratic Rep. Sean Maloney of New York proposed the legislation, which was included in the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, citing the APs reporting. The provision passed both houses overwhelmingly and was signed into law by President Donald Trump on Friday. The law requires the Inspector General of the Homeland Security Department to begin an audit of the Bronze Star contract within 30 days and to issue a report to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs within 270 days. The review must look at the contracting and evaluation process, accountability requirements and how the cancellation of the contracts affected the provision of supplies to people in need in Puerto Rico. The Trump Administration bungled the response to Hurricane Maria so badly that almost 3,000 people died we need to get to the bottom of what happened, and that includes figuring out why we gave a $30 million contract for necessary emergency supplies to people who didnt know what the hell they were doing, Maloney said in a statement. This audit should be part of a comprehensive look at what this administration did wrong. We cant ever let this happen again. Trump has praised his administrations response to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico as an incredible, unsung success. Democrats on a Senate oversight committee found in April that FEMA failed to adequately research whether winning bidders could deliver as promised. FEMA awarded the company two contracts Oct. 10 to provide 500,000 tarps and 60,000 rolls of plastic sheeting. More than a half dozen others also bid, but FEMA said it could not provide details about their identity or their bids. It was not clear how thoroughly FEMA investigated Bronze Star or its ability to fulfill the contracts. Formed by two brothers in August, Bronze Star had never before won a government contract or delivered tarps or plastic sheeting. The company was formed less than two months before bidding on FEMAs tarp and sheeting contracts. And the address listed for the business is a single-family home in a residential subdivision. Though both brothers are veterans, neither was awarded a Bronze Star, a medal earned by service members who serve heroically in combat. One of Bronze Stars owners, Kayon Jones, told the AP previously that manufacturers he contacted before bidding on the contracts assured him they could provide the tarps but later said they could not meet the governments requirements. Jones said supplying the materials was problematic because most of the raw materials came out of Houston, which was hit hard by Hurricane Harvey. He said he sought a waiver from FEMA to allow him to order tarps from a Chinese manufacturer and for more time, but FEMA denied the request. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Nine states have legalized marijuana for so-called recreational use since 2012, including eight at the ballot box. Thirty-one states have authorized the drug for medical purposes. Four states have marijuana ballot questions this fall. Heres a look at them: MICHIGAN The proposal would amend state law to make recreational marijuana legal a decade after voters approved it medically. People 21 and older could possess up to 2.5 ounces (71 grams) of marijuana outside their home or up to 10 ounces (283 grams) within their residence, where they could grow up to 12 plants. A 10 percent tax on marijuana would be assessed by retailers, on top of the 6 percent state sales tax. Seventy percent of the revenue would be split between K-12 schools and road projects. Municipalities that authorize marijuana businesses would get 15 percent, and affected counties would receive 15 percent. There would be six categories of state-licensed marijuana businesses: retailers, testing facilities, transporters, processors, microbusinesses and growers. People under 21 who possess marijuana would be assessed a civil infraction. Employers still could fire or take other disciplinary measures against employees for working while under the influence of marijuana. Smoking or consuming marijuana while driving or in a public place would remain illegal. MISSOURI Three measures would allow patients with cancer, epilepsy and a variety of other conditions access to medical marijuana. Two would change the state constitution; the third would amend state law. If all three pass, constitutional amendments take precedence over state law, and whichever amendment receives the most votes would overrule the other. One constitutional amendment would impose a 4 percent tax on the retail sale of marijuana, with the revenue going to health and care services for military veterans and to administer the licensing of medical marijuana businesses. The other constitutional amendment would assess a 15 percent tax at the retail level while cultivation facilities would impose a separate wholesale tax on marijuana flowers and leaves. The revenue would fund a state institute to research cures for cancers and other diseases. The third proposal would assess a 2 percent retail tax to be used for veteran services, drug treatment, early childhood education and public safety in cities with medical marijuana facilities. NORTH DAKOTA The initiative would change state law to legalize marijuana for recreational use two years after voters allowed medical use. It would decriminalize non-violent marijuana-related activity for people 21 and older, including for growing, manufacturing, distributing, selling or testing the drug. Nearly 180,000 criminal records of those previously convicted of marijuana-related crimes would be required to be quickly expunged and sealed by the courts. The proposal would not limit how much marijuana could be possessed, nor would it impose an additional tax on pot. A licensing system for businesses would not be spelled out under the measure, though the state is in the process of registering medical marijuana dispensaries. Unlike in Michigan, the nations biggest pro-legalization groups so far have not committed money toward the North Dakota effort. UTAH People will vote on medical marijuana, but politicians, advocates and the Mormon church last week made a deal to legalize it under strict regulations regardless of how the ballot proposal turns out. If it passes, it will be revised under the terms of the agreement. If it fails, legislative leaders say they will get a new compromise law passed by the end of the year. The deal creates a private, state-regulated growing and dispensing operation to allow people with certain medical conditions to use the drug in limited edible forms like chewable gummies, topical lotions or balms, as oils or in devices similar to electronic cigarettes. Unlike other medical marijuana states, Utahs proposal would not allow pot smoking or for residents to grow their own. Marijuana would be exempt from state and local sales taxes. Utahs Legislature and governor earlier this year enacted a more limited law making it legal for people to use the drug if a doctor has determined they have six months or less to live. (Associated Press writers David Eggert in Lansing, Michigan, Brady McCombs and Lindsay Whitehurst in Salt Lake City, James MacPherson in Bismarck, North Dakota, and Jim Salter in St. Louis contributed to this report.) Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. AKRON, Ohio - Summit County voters will be asked during the November general election to renew and increase a Summit County Children Services tax for the next six years. Issue 8 would renew an existing 2.25 mills property tax and request a 1 mill increase, for a total of 3.25 mills for six years - 2019 through 2025. If the tax is approved, owners of a $100,000 home would pay an additional $35 per year in property taxes. The tax revenues represent about 58 percent of the agency's revenue. In May, the Summit County Social Services Advisory Board recommended the renewal levy be placed on the ballot. Summit County Children Services has not asked the community for a tax increase in more than 30 years, Executive Director Julie Barnes told cleveland.com on Thursday. In the meantime, the cost and care of children affected by the opiate crisis has increased, and the agency's resources have declined. Ohio ranks fourth in the country for opioid deaths since 2010, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reports. Last year in Summit County, 2,189 overdoses were treated in local emergency rooms. Children Services is mandated by law to protect children from abuse and neglect, Barnes said, and substance abuse leads to neglect. The agency now serves about 10,000 Summit County children each year. Since 2008, when state funding dropped and Summit County property tax values declined, Children Services staff has decreased by about 50 workers, Barnes said. In the meantime, calls to the agency's 24/7 hotline have increased from about 9,000 calls per year in 2008 to 11,000 calls in 2017, the agency reports "The struggle is the volume," Barnes said. Since the opiate epidemic began, children have entered the system at an increased rate and are staying longer in the system. The rate of children returned to protective service also has increased, Barnes said. And until a child is returned home or adopted, Children Services is financially responsible for the child's care. The agency works to identify relatives who can care for the children, and about 42 percent are placed with relatives or close family friends. That is the best scenario for kids taken from their homes, Barnes said. "No matter how bad the experience is, it's traumatic being removed from their environment," she said. If the levy is approved, the agency plans to: Boost recruitment of foster and adoptive families Provide more and better resources to support relatives who take in children despite being pressed for resources Develop more preventative services for families with substance abuse issues to help keep kids in their homes If additional funding for the agency is not approved, Children Services budget would be cut by 20 percent and the agency would be required to cut about 34 percent of its staff, the agency says. Want more Akron news? Sign up for cleveland.com's Rubber City Daily, an email newsletter delivered at 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- UN Ambassador Nikki Haley announced in The Oval Office that she is resigning...and that Jared Kushner is really a "hidden genius." Haley's resignation, effective at the end of the year, immediately sparked speculation over the reason for her departure, the timing of it and her future political plans. Trump rolled out red carpet for Haley exit. The fact that Trump rolled out the red carpet for Haley, sitting alongside her in The Oval Office in making the announcement, would indicate Haley wasn't being pushed out, but leaving on her own accord. While Haley was given a graceful goodbye that Rex Tillerson and H.R. McMaster were not, Trump and his UN Ambassador were not always on the same page during her tenure. Haley in the past had spoken out strongly against Russia. When the New York Times Op-Ed by Anonymous was published her name was one of those mentioned as the possible writer. Haley was one of the first administration members to deny being Anonymous and denounced whoever was in lengthy statement. Haley resignation well-timed. Both Haley and Trump said she had told the president of her desire to step away from her position some time ago. The explanation that the announcement was delayed because of the Kavanaugh controversy makes sense. It also makes sense that Trump may have chosen the positive optic of his popular female UN Ambassador sitting next to him in The White House in response to outrage from women over the Kavanaugh confirmation. If Haley knew she wanted to leave, it's politically astute to do it before the midterms, where Democrats are likely to win the House, and before Special Counsel Robert Mueller issues more indictments and his final report. On top of the midterms outcome, odds were Haley would find herself in increasing conflict with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton, neither of whom held those positions when Haley was named UN Ambassador. President Haley or Senator Haley? Sitting next to President Trump as her resignation was announced, Haley said she would not be a candidate for president, or any public office, in 2020. Instead, Haley said she would be helping Trump's re-election. Haley has long been talked and hyped as a future presidential contender, reportedly to Trump's annoyance. There's also new speculation she could replace Senator Lindsey Graham. Graham has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Jeff Sessions as Attorney General if he is fired. Graham has said he has no intention to leave his Senate seat. But Graham has fed the speculation himself by signing off on Trump firing Sessions after the midterms and suddenly becoming one of Trump's most vocal advocates. In the past, I've written that I don't think Trump will run in 2020. And I'm still not convinced he will, despite his talking and raising money like he has been. Trump has gone on the record already saying he doesn't like his job and misses his private sector life. More Mueller indictments and reports will make life in The White House even more unappealing to Trump. Because he doesn't like his job and to be seen as losing. Instead of running for re-election, it would fit Trump's m.o. to announce that his work is done, that he successfully did what he came to do and can do no more because of a Democrat controlled House. Now 72, Trump would ideally like to go back to New York and cash in on his presidency, like no other former president has done, while he still can. So, despite denying she'll run for president in 2020, I can see a scenario, where Haley does run in 2020, and wins, and if not in two years, then in 2024. Haley was already a strong presidential contender before she was U.N Ambassador. Her stint in the UN has just raised her profile and given her foreign policy credentials potential opponents like Governor John Kasich lack. I'm not surprised Haley has a 63% approval rating. She's a rare conservative who appeals to not only conservatives but also moderates, independents, Republicans and right-leaning Democrats. Haley would be a nightmare candidate for the Democratic Party because I think she could beat any of the Democrats currently being mentioned as potential candidates. If I was placing Las Vegas odds on who will be the first woman President of The United States, they would favor Nikki Haley, not Ivanka, Chelsea, Elizabeth or Kamala. Associated Press file photo Ex-Cleveland officer who killed Tamir Rice backs out of part-time job with Ohio police department The former Cleveland police officer who fatally shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice has backed out of taking a part-time job with an Ohio police department that recently agreed to hire him. Tamir's mother, Samaria Rice, announced at a Wednesday news conference that Timothy Loehmann rescinded his application to the Bellaire Police Department. (cleveland.com) Don't Edit FEATURED STORIES Highland Hills investigating centers around mayor's son but charges not filed (WOIO Channel 19) Former Pennsylvania priest fired from job as social worker at Ashtabula County agency (Ashtabula Star Beacon) Don't Edit cleveland.com file photo Cleveland cop accused of having cocaine in system while working previously convicted of on-duty assault A Cleveland police officer is accused of having cocaine in his system while working his regular shift, the second time he's been charged with a crime while on-duty. James Hummel, 50, is charged with first-degree misdemeanor using weapons while intoxicated. His arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 23 in Cleveland Municipal Court. (cleveland.com) Don't Edit CRIME Bedford home searched in connection with bodies found in burned car in East Cleveland (cleveland.com) 5-month-old girl dies after father crashes during car chase with Parma police (cleveland.com) Cleveland man accused of beating woman during break-in (cleveland.com) Cleveland man shot four times during fight over money in city's Central neighborhood (cleveland.com) Man accused of attacking two women at Cleveland Jack Casino over food order (cleveland.com) Police, U.S. Marshal's Service searching for man charged in connection with fatal shooting at Elyria apartment building (cleveland.com) Cleveland police searching for missing teenage girl (cleveland.com) Akron man sentenced to life in prison for shooting death of 4-year-old (WEWS Channel 5) Elyria police seek third suspect in connection to Southwyck homicide (Elyria Chronicle-Telegram) Police say teen assaulted in Lorain park (Lorain Morning Journal) Don't Edit John Kuntz, cleveland.com Mayor Frank Jackson cites success, challenges Cleveland to strive for greatness Mayor Frank Jackson delivered a challenge to Clevelanders on Wednesday to not be satisfied with the successes the city has accomplished and instead to be willing to shake things up to strive for greatness. In his 13th state-of-the-city address - his first at night - Jackson didn't have any big announcements of what's ahead. Rather, he focused on how far the city has come and the need to keep moving forward. (cleveland.com) Don't Edit Don't Edit CLEVELAND / CUYAHOGA COUNTY Cleveland to pay airport whistleblower $425,000 to settle civil rights lawsuit (cleveland.com) MetroHealth partners with hospitals in Lorain, Huron counties on Level III trauma centers (cleveland.com) Cleveland Connects: What we can learn from Louisville and Pittsburgh to improve our economy (cleveland.com) Cuyahoga County Council approves two RTA board members (cleveland.com) Lake Erie paddlers form Northern Ohio Surfrider Foundation to clean lakes, rivers (cleveland.com) Don't Edit LOCAL NEWS EAST John Carroll University student column argues against drag show, incites free speech debate (cleveland.com) Kent State University to co-lead new center for green architecture (cleveland.com) Don't Edit Courtesy of Michael Dota LOCAL NEWS WEST Elyria fire department investigating car found overturned in the Black River (cleveland.com) Don't Edit AKRON / CANTON AREA Workers allege campaign donations were expected, rewarded by Summit Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh (WKYC Channel 3) Don't Edit Emrah Gurel, Associated Press Sen. Rob Portman seeks probe into disappearance of Saudi journalist U.S. Sen. Rob Portman on Wednesday signed onto a letter asking President Donald Trump to investigate the disappearance of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and explore sanctions against Saudi Arabia if finds he was the victim of foul play. (cleveland.com) Don't Edit Don't Edit STATE Federal judge deals another blow to group challenging Ohio's voter roll purge (cleveland.com) U.S. Senate considers controversial Ohio nominees for federal judgeships (cleveland.com) Richard Cordray and Mike DeWine might seem boring, but the Ohio governor's race is anything but dull (cleveland.com) Ohio GOP House candidate criticizes his own party over attack ad (cleveland.com) Congress signs off on water bill with projects to help Lake Erie (cleveland.com) PARMA, Ohio -- A 4-month-old girl died Wednesday, two days after her father crashed into a garbage truck during a chase with Parma police who suspected the man of shoplifting food and beer. Myah Jones, the daughter of Robert Jones, died at MetroHealth, according to police and the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner. Robert Jones, 31, also died in the crash. Robert Jones' 48-year-old mother was treated and released at the hospital. Her name is not being released because police because "criminal charges are pending" against her, police said. Parma police said they believe the officer followed police policy during the two-minute chase that topped out at about 60 miles per hour and ended with the car bursting into flames. The incident began about 5 a.m., when Robert Jones and his mother separately went into Giant Eagle. Jones loaded up his cart, left some items and walked out with steak, lobster tails and beer without paying, police said. An officer pulled up behind the car, a Chevy Malibu, at the intersection of Ridge Road and West Ridgewood Drive. Jones sped up, turned on several side streets and returned to Ridge Road. He turned right on Pearl Road, skidded and slammed into the garbage truck, according to police dashboard camera video. The driver's side door slammed into the truck at the end of the two-minute, two-mile chase. Officers ran to the car, which quickly burst into flames because of a gas leak. One officer's pants caught fire and he stomped out the fire. Several officers used handheld fire extinguishers to quell the blaze and realized Jones was dead. They also spotted the 48-year-old woman in the front passenger seat and the 5-month-old in a car seat. Officers pulled the woman from a car. It took police and firefighters about seven minutes to pull the baby out of the car, police said. Police said the car Jones drove was registered to someone else. The owner of the car told police he lent the car to a woman with a child because the child was hungry, according to police dispatch records. Jones did not have any active warrants and police said Monday it appeared he was speeding from police to avoid getting arrested or cited for shoplifting. To comment on this story, visit Wednesday's crime and courts comments page. AKRON, Ohio -- A shot fired through the door of a home Tuesday night wounded a 16-year-old male in the face, police say. The teen was listed in satisfactory condition Wednesday at Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital. Police say officers were called to the home in the Lane-Wooster neighborhood on the 900 block of Snyder Street at about 10:30 p.m. The teen reportedly heard a car horn outside the house. He looked out a door to check on who it was and was shot through the door, police say. Police do not have an description of a suspect or vehicle. The shooting remains under investigation. To comment on this story, visit the crime and courts comments page. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland police are searching for a missing 12-year-old boy who ran away from home after an argument. Nyishawn T. Howard has not been seen since he left his home about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on East 120th Street near St. Clair Avenue, police said. Nyishawn is a student at Patrick Henry School, and may be in the area near East 117th Street at St. Clair Avenue, family members said. Nyishawn is 5-foot-3 and approximately 100 pounds, police said. He was last seen wearing a striped long-sleeve shirt and gray pants, according to a missing person report. Anyone with information should call Cleveland police at 216-623-5000. To comment on this story, visit Thursday's crime and courts comments page. Writing to a friend about his pessimism regarding the future of Western Civilization, Jacob Burckhardt made an interesting observation. The Swiss historian believed that history was not a linear process and that he could see that sometimes that Providence contains some surprises for us. It is with this combination of surprise and pessimism that we should analyze the Brazilian presidential election in which Jair Bolsonaro, a populist candidate with conservative tendencies, who made the defense of traditional Christian values the main point of his electoral promises, received the biggest share of votes in the first round voting on Oct. 7. Modern Brazil was born in 1985 when the military regime gave way to a civilian government. Raised to power by a civil-military movement that overthrew the proto-communist government of Joao Goulart, the military decided to build a government based on truculence and contempt towards the very civilian leadership that had supported them. This erratic behavior led to serial mistakes. To begin with, they politically destroyed the main and most popular conservative leader in Brazilian history, Carlos Lacerda, for the simple fact that they did not accept any competition. General Golbery do Couto e Silva, the mastermind of the regime, created a political theory called the pressure cooker. Accordingly to this theory since the left had been removed from power and the communist guerrillas destroyed, some space had to be left for leftism to avoid social upheaval. The area chosen by the general as an outlet was precisely culture. As a result, after the military finally left power, all cultural outlets had been taken by the left. Left-wing ideas became hegemonic in the universities. In 1964 the overwhelming majority of newspapers were openly anti-Communists. By 1985 the only conservatives working in a newspaper of great circulation, The State of Sao Paulo, were Lenildo Tabosa Pessoa, and Gustavo Corcao. Surprised by the massive popular support for the army in 1964, the left decided to rethink the strategy of the power seizure. Through Brazilian Civilization magazine, which circulated freely in spite of the dictatorial regime, the left began to look at the Marxism ideas expressed by the Italian thinker Antonio Gramsci. Soon, the strategies of domination otherwise known as long march through institutions became the lefts new mantra. The Brazilian left understood that the power seizure would not take place through violent means. Instead they turned to systematic and infiltration of institutions including religious institution. This cultural revolution by the Brazilian left was extremely efficient. The conservatives and the military ended up facing a life-and-death war over which they had no strategic understanding of its nature. The conservatives were thus marginalized from the political debate, academia, publishing, and the media. The culmination of this process of conquering power was the division of the political spoils between two leftist groups that took turns in the presidency of the republic. The PT (Workers Party) and the PSDB (Brazilian Social-Democratic Party) were born among the intellectuals of the University of Sao Paulo, more precisely at the CEBRAP (Brazilian Center for Analysis and Planning), a think-tank financed by the Ford Foundation. Among the members of this organization were the sociologist, theorist of the Dependency Theory, founder of the PSDB, and future president Fernando Henrique Cardoso (FHC), plus a dozen radical intellectuals who would join liberation theologians and syndicalist to create the PT. In the 24 years following FHCs victory in the 1994 elections, PT and PSDB became the only electoral options. Though the two groups diverge on some issues, they agree on the main goals of the Gramscian cultural revolution: the destruction of the traditional family and traditional social arrangements, feminism, while advancing abortion, and political correctness ideology. Even though the Brazilian population remained mostly attached to values considered conservative, the political system had been shaped to guarantee the leftist hegemony. It was the perfect example of what the German political theorist Robert Michels once described: The organization is which gives place to the domain of the elected over the electors, the representatives over the people. The political changes that Brazil has been going through in the last few years owe much to the advance of the internet, social networks and the translation of conservative writers into Portuguese. Here lies a parallel between contemporary populist movements that have risen against the political establishment. Brexit and other anti-system movements gained strength partly of economic issues but also because they broke through the blockade imposed by the left to create networks of supporters who were unafraid of being demonized by the media. This counter-cultural revolution broke the lefts hold on the political debate. Even those who do not agree with everything Bolsonaro says can see in him someone who dares to speak the truth. The first wave of protests in the post-1985 Brazil took place in June 2013. It began with a far-left movement demanding free public transportation in the city of Sao Paulo but quickly evolved into a mass movement against the political system as a whole. The Left, especially the PT, tried to weaponize the movement to expand its power but forgot that the PT was the system itself. In a short time, people who had never had active political participation began to engage mainly through the internet. Many young conservatives came to realize that there was a whole political world that they did not know about; they thus started to build informal communication networks for the distribution of information. These conservatives learned how to imitate the tactics of the left, which they proved to have mastered during the political crisis that culminated in the deposition of the former president Dilma Rousseff in 2016 due to a mix of corruption and economic meltdown. The wave that swept Brazil in the presidential election electorally destroyed the PSDB. The party that had divided power with the PT and served as the means whereby the left dominated the conservative electorate was reduced to irrelevance. Precisely in the moment that the left started to lose its cultural hegemony, the politically incorrect figure of Bolsonaro, a retired army captain, was able to catalyze the sense of rebellion of a significant part of the Brazilian population against the political system that has been shaped by the left over the past 40 years. He is first and foremost a real change in the Brazilian political life towards a more decent society. In sum, the Brazilian election suggests that, among other things, the Brazilian t lefts cultural dominance of politics has been destroyed, and the right is being reborn. The next step will be to see if Brazilian conservatives and classical liberals can consolidate their gains culturally as well as politically. Image: Jair Bolsonaro. O deputado Jair Bolsonaro durante promulgacao da Emenda Constitucional 77, que permite medicos militares trabalharem no SUS (Antonio Cruz/Agencia Brasil) Wikimedia [October 11, 2018] Blackcomb Consultants Creates New Senior Management Positions CHICAGO, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackcomb Consultants, an international consulting firm and enterprise technology partner for Property and Casualty insurers, announced today that three new senior management positions have been created. Two of the positions are being filled by senior Blackcomb executives, and the third will be filled by the hiring of a new Director. Blackcomb provides P&C carriers with end to end Guidewire solutions. services and support, in key areas such as Core Systems Implementation, CIO Advisory, Organizational Change Management, Performance Improvement, Hosting, Guidewire Upgrades, Production Support and Managed Cloud/Hybrid Cloud. Effective immediately, John Worthington has been named Director of Blackcomb's Upgrade Practice Area, and Francois Gravel has been named Director of Blackcomb's Cloud Practice Area. John has been a Managing Director and Guidewire architect at Blackcomb, and has been the interim Director of the company's Upgrade practice for the past year. John also has 25+ years of Information Technology experience, including nine years at Guidewire Software leading multiple successful implementations and upgrades. Francois has been a Senior Software architect and technical lead at Blackcomb, with over 20 years of experience designing and implementing software solutions for the insurance industry. Additionally, Jocelyn Davison has been named Director of Human Resources. Jocelyn has over eight years of experience in HR management. She has led various HR Departments, authored and executed company-wide HR and Talent Acquisition strategies, and managed employee relations initiatives for bth US-based and global organizations. "Our future growth and success is dependent on us putting the right industry thought leaders in place," stated Saroj "Monty" Mohanty, Managing Partner and Principal Consultant. "Our new senior managers will help us continue to have a razor-sharp focus on our customers' long-term needs, as well as making our internal culture and work environment as empowering and attractive as possible. By investing in our high growth services areas, and working to acquire and retain best-in-class talent, we will be optimally positioned to scale and grow expediently with top quality people, at all levels of our organization." About Blackcomb Founded in 2011, Blackcomb Consultants is a Guidewire PartnerConnect Consulting provider focused on providing end to end technology advisory, planning and implementation solutions and services to the Property & Casualty Insurance Industry. With offices located in Chicago, Dallas and Bangalore, India, Blackcomb offers a range of services to support business transformation initiatives for Property and Casualty insurers, regardless of their size or internal capabilities. The company's management team is made up of ex-Insurance Company technology executives, with unparalleled levels of expertise. Blackcomb's ultimate goal is to offer its clients a perfect fit when it comes to a go-to technology partner, resulting in ideal, long-term relationships. The company is privately held. Media contact: Chuck Hirsch Director of Strategy Wovn Group O: 914-730-9292 Marketing@BlackcombConsultants.com Related Images blackcomb-consultants-logo.jpg Blackcomb Consultants Logo Blackcomb Consultants Logo john-worthington-dir-of-upgrade.jpg John Worthington, Dir. of Upgrade Practice Area francois-gravel-dir-of-cloud.jpg Francois Gravel, Dir. of Cloud Practice Area jocelyn-davison-dir-of-human.jpg Jocelyn Davison, Dir. of Human Resources Related Links Blackcomb Consultants View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blackcomb-consultants-creates-new-senior-management-positions-300729342.html SOURCE Blackcomb Consultants [ Back to the Next Generation Communications Community's Homepage ] WASHINGTON, D. C. - U.S. Sen. Rob Portman on Wednesday signed onto a letter asking President Donald Trump to investigate the disappearance of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and explore sanctions against Saudi Arabia if finds he was the victim of foul play. Khashoggi - who was living in self-imposed exile in the United States - disappeared on Oct. 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul where he was obtaining paperwork that would allow him to marry his Turkish fiance. Saudi officials claim he left their facility unharmed but have not presented surveillance videos of their compound to prove he departed. Officials in Turkey say they believe Khashoggi was killed in the consulate. Portman joined a bipartisan group of more than a dozen U.S. Senators that invoked a 2016 law that allows a presidential administration to impose sanctions on individuals anywhere in the world who commit human rights violations or acts of corruption. We must demand answers and accountability about what happened to Jamal Khashoggi. Today and every day, we must always fight back against any threat to a free press. Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) October 10, 2018 "The recent disappearance of Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi suggests that he could be a victim of a gross violation of internationally recognized human rights, which includes "torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, prolonged detention without charges and trial, causing the disappearance of persons by the abduction and clandestine detention of those persons, and other flagrant denial of the right to life, liberty, or the security of person." their letter says. "Therefore, we request that you make a determination on the imposition of sanctions pursuant to the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act with respect to any foreign person responsible for such a violation related to Mr. Khashoggi." VIDEO: Turkish media close to the president published images on Wednesday of what it described as a 15-member "assassination squad" allegedly sent to target Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. https://t.co/4EUaJVco8t The Associated Press (@AP) October 10, 2018 President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he spoke to the Saudi government about Khashoggi, a critic of the current Saudi government. "This is a bad situation," Trump said. "We cannot let this happen to reporters, to anybody. We can't let this happen. And we're going to get the bottom of it. Okay? CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A 29-year-old was killed and a second woman injured in a drive-by shooting outside a convenience store, where another man was killed two months ago. Tierra East, 29, was fatally shot in the parking lot of Convenient Food Mart on Euclid Avenue near Avalon Road. A 23-year-old woman was shot in the elbow, police said. The shooting happened about 10:40 p.m. Wednesday, police said. East and a group of family members were standing in the parking lot of the convenience store when a red Dodge Dart drove by the store, police said. Someone inside the car opened fire, hitting the two women. Someone drove East to University Hospitals, where she died. An ambulance took the 23-year-old woman to the hospital for treatment. No arrests have been made in the case. A man was shot and killed on Aug. 11 in the parking lot of the same store. Sir Rell Sizemore, 28, died in that shooting. Sizemore and Tymain Jackson, 19, argued in the parking lot and Sizemore threw a punch at him, according to police. Jackson pulled out a gun and shot Sizemore in the chest, buttocks and left foot. Jackson is charged with aggravated murder in the shooting and is being held in the Cuyahoga County Jail on $1 million bond. Cleveland has 104 homicides in 2018. There were 93 homicides through Oct. 11, 2017. To comment on this story, please visit our crime and courts comments page. SALT LAKE CITY -- A U.S. Navy veteran in Utah was arrested Wednesday in connection with suspicious envelopes that were sent to President Donald Trump and top military chiefs. William Clyde Allen III, 39, was taken into custody in in the small northern Utah city of Logan, said Melodie Rydalch, a spokeswoman for the state's U.S. attorney's office. The arrest comes after authorities confirmed an investigation into two envelopes once thought to contain ricin and later found to be castor seeds, the substance from which the poison is derived. They can cause injury if swallowed. The FBI said there were potentially hazardous chemicals involved with their operation in Utah on Wednesday, but declined to give additional details. No attorney was immediately listed for Allen. The envelopes addressed to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and the Navy's top officer, Adm. John Richardson, were isolated at a mail screening facility and sent to the FBI. No one was injured, and neither envelope entered the Pentagon. Mattis is traveling in Europe this week. An envelope also was sent to the president Monday with unknown contents. The Secret Service says it didn't reach the White House. Allen served in the Navy from 1998 to 2002, according to Navy records. He worked as a damage control fireman apprentice. Two years after his Navy tenure ended, he was charged in a child sex-abuse case involving two girls he had an unspecified "relationship of trust" with, court documents state. He later pleaded guilty to lesser neglect and abuse charges and did not have to register as a sex offender. That same year, a woman filed a protective order against him in a separate case. He disputed her allegations, the details of which are not public, but agreed to the protective order. In 2008, he pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated assault and served about 2 1/2 years in prison, authorities said. He was released in 2011. New charges are expected to be filed later this week. --By Lindsay Whitehurst NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Police are investigating after a woman visiting a haunted house stabbed her friend with a knife she thought was fake after it was given to her by a worker at the attraction. The employee at Nashville Nightmare has been placed on leave after the incident, which left James "Jay" Yochim with a stab wound in his left forearm, The Tennessean reports. Yochim tells The Tennessean he was visiting the haunted house on Friday with a group of friends. According to ABC 10, Yochim and other members of his group were waiting outside Nashville Nightmare when a person they believed worked there approached them. Yochim says they were joking with the worker when the employee handed his female friend a knife and told her to stab him in retribution for being teased. "Keep in mind, we'd been chased by chainsaws, holding other weapons, all kinds of stuff all night, and it was all fake," Yochim tells the Tennessean. "So she stabs at me with it, and everything got really black." The knife went through his forearm but missed major arteries and bones. The wound required nine stitches. No charges have been filed as the incident remains under investigation by both police and Nashville Nightmare, reports say. To comment on this story, visit the crime and courts comments page. CLEVELAND -- In ways big and small, our state and federal supreme courts make decisions that affect the lives of every Ohioan. As we've been recently reminded, the U.S. Supreme Court selection process - controlled by the U.S. president and U.S. Senate - receives more negative attention than the Founding Fathers intended. The Ohio Supreme Court selection process - governed entirely by voters - receives precious little attention. At times, the results reflect as much. Decisions by the Ohio Supreme Court can have enormous impact. The court's 1997 ruling in the landmark DeRolph case found to be unconstitutional the way the state funded each of the state's more than 600 school districts. More recent decisions have abrogated (often unfairly) the rights of local governments to regulate deadly weapons, predatory lending, oil and gas drilling, traffic laws, and hiring requirements. And an August ruling allowed the Ohio Department of Education to reclaim $80 million in taxpayer money wrongfully paid the now-closed Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT) for allegedly padding its attendance records. Nevertheless, as Election Day nears, private polling shows about 70 percent of the voters in the two contests for seats on the Ohio Supreme Court are undecided. Voters tend to pay more attention to a race for township clerk than they do to the state's most important judicial body. Last time that wasn't the case was 32 years ago, when stories by Plain Dealer reporters Mary Anne Sharkey and the late Gary Webb revealed the court, led by Chief Justice Frank Celebrezze, a Cleveland-area Democrat, was awash in patronage, favoritism, vindictive punishment of enemies and a host of other suspicious activities. Celebrezze was a magic political name in Ohio politics. But in the election of 1986, the name game didn't matter. Angry voters threw Celebrezze out, replacing him as chief justice with Republican Thomas Moyer, then a little-known but highly respected appellate judge from Columbus. Moyer eventually restored a sense of dignity to the court. His successor, Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, has built on Moyer's successes. That 1986 election cemented a Republican stranglehold on the court. For all but a few years since, at least six of the court's seven members have been Republicans. Although party labels don't appear beneath judicial candidates' names on the general election ballot, they are chosen in partisan primaries. In one of this year's contests, Justice Mary DeGenaro, a Republican and former appellate judge from eastern Ohio appointed to the court by Gov. John Kasich, faces Judge Melody Stewart, a Democrat and Court of Appeals judge from the district that serves Cuyahoga County. The other contest pits Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Michael Donnelly, a Democrat, against Judge Craig Baldwin, a Republican from Newark and a Court of Appeals judge from the central Ohio area. The high number of undecided voters in these races generally benefits Republicans, who for the past 20 years have seen large expenditures on their behalf made by business interests - notably insurance and energy companies. Some Republican justices, past and present, have reputations for ruling in ways designed specifically to please their contributors. Long ago, the same was true when Democrats enjoyed a measure of success in Supreme Court elections. The last Cuyahoga County Democrat elected to the Ohio Supreme Court was the late Francis Sweeney, elected in 1992 and re-elected in 1998. That may change Nov. 6. All four candidates were rated "highly recommended" by the Ohio State Bar Association. But the bar association's selection panel gave Stewart and Donnelly slightly higher ratings than their GOP opponents. Judge4Yourself, the conscientious, nonpartisan, Cleveland area rating group, also rated Stewart and Donnelly the better candidates. (Baldwin, Donnelly's opponent, declined to participate in the Judge4Yourself rating process.) Stewart would be the first black woman elected to the Supreme Court, although the late Stephanie Tubbs Jones came close, narrowly losing a 1990 election campaign for a court seat held by a Republican incumbent. Donnelly, the son of longtime Probate Court Judge John Donnelly, is running a refreshingly unorthodox campaign. He opposes allowing prosecutors to privately argue for plea bargain in sexual offender cases. And he has argued the death penalty in Ohio is unfairly applied. Voters tend to make more mistakes in contests for judgeships than with any other offices. That's especially true in Cuyahoga County, where voters elect more than 50 judges to serve in state, county and municipal court systems. Ohioans would be better served by a bipartisan merit selection process. But twice voters have overwhelmingly rejected merit selection ballot issues, largely because of short-sighted opposition from Democratic constituencies. The Ohio Supreme Court is in desperate need of some philosophical and political balance. Expecting voters to figure that out might be a bridge too far. Brent Larkin was The Plain Dealer's editorial director from 1991 until his retirement in 2009. To reach Brent Larkin: blarkin@cleveland.com Have something to say about this topic? Use the comments to share your thoughts. Then, stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the "Follow" option at the top of the comments, and look for updates via the small blue bell in the lower right as you look at more stories on cleveland.com. PARMA, Ohio -- Assault, Ridge Road: On Oct. 3, a Burger King employee called police about a woman causing a scene and hitting people in the Ridge Road restaurant. An arriving officer located a Maple Heights woman, who had assaulted a North Olmsted man and a Lorain woman. She was arrested for assault. Theft, Marda Drive: On Oct. 4, police were dispatched to a Marda Drive home after a resident discovered that someone had removed property from his vehicle while it was parked in the driveway. There are no suspects. Police are investigating. Stolen car, Bertha Avenue: On Oct. 4, police were dispatched to a Bertha Avenue home after a Cleveland man discovered his car was missing. There are no suspects. Police are investigating. Drug abuse, Brookpark Road: During an Oct. 4 traffic stop, police discovered that a Cleveland Heights woman was in possession of suspected felony drugs. She was cited for drug abuse. Counterfeit money, Ridge Road: On Oct. 3, police were dispatched to Burger King on Ridge Road after an employee discovered that someone had paid for their meal using a counterfeit $10 bill. There are no suspects. Police are investigating. Theft, Clearview Avenue: On Oct. 2, police were dispatched to a Clearview Avenue home after a Cleveland man reported that his property had been removed from the house. There are no suspects. Police are investigating. Burglary, Broadview Road: On Oct. 2, police were dispatched to a burglary in progress taking place on Broadview Road. An arriving officer located a Parma man, who was arrested for burglary after entering a female resident's home. Drug abuse, West 130th Street: On Sept. 29, a concerned passerby called police after seeing a drunk man and woman inside of a car parked in the Sheetz parking lot on West 130th Street. An arriving officer located the couple, who it turned out both were in possession of suspected felony drugs. They were each cited for drug abuse. If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page. PARMA HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Drug abuse, York Road: On Oct. 4, police observed a car with expired license plates on York Road. While talking to the driver, 19, the officer smelled marijuana. During a search of the vehicle, police discovered marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The woman was cited for drug abuse and possession of drug paraphernalia. Drug abuse, Pearl Road: On Oct. 3, police observed a suspicious vehicle parked on Pearl Road. While talking to the driver, the officer smelled marijuana. The driver was cited for drug abuse. Disturbing the peace, North Church Drive: On Sept. 30, police were dispatched to a North Church Drive residence regarding a fight in progress. An arriving officer arrested a man for disturbing the peace, obstructing official business and resisting arrest. Dog at large, York Road: On Sept. 30, a York Road resident called police after their dog was attacked by an unleashed canine. An arriving officer located the canine, which didn't have required dog tags. The caller said he was walking his dog when the aggressive canine approached and attacked. The officer talked to the attacking dog's owner, who was unable to show proof of rabies vaccination. Police are investigating. Drug abuse, Notabene Drive: On Oct. 1, police observed a car with heavily tinted windows on Notabene Drive. While talking to the driver, the officer smelled marijuana. During a search of the car, police discovered marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The driver was cited for drug abuse, drug paraphernalia possession and illegally tinted windows. Theft, Tobik Trail: On Oct. 1, police were dispatched to a Tobik Trail residence after the homeowner discovered that her daughter had stolen $500 in cash from a bedroom. Police are investigating. Theft, Nelwood Road: On Oct. 2, police were dispatched to a Nelwood Road home after the resident discovered money was missing. The homeowner suspected an ex-boyfriend. Police are investigating. If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page. Minnesota saw three cases that year and typically sees less than one case per year. Since mid-September, six children under the age of 10 were hospitalized and diagnosed with AFM in Minnesota. The MDH has contacted doctors in the area to be on the lookout for similar cases, as local disease investigators are working aggressively to gather more information. AFM or neurologic conditions like it have a variety of causes such as viruses, environmental toxins, and genetic disorders. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., urged the CDC to investigate the national uptick of acute flaccid myelitis infections among children in an October 9 letter to CDC Director Robert Redfield, MD. Currently, little is known about how AMF develops and there are no specific treatments. Symptoms include arm or leg weakness, loss of muscle tone and reflexes, facial droop/weakness, difficulty moving the eyes, drooping eyelids and difficulty with swallowing or slurred speech. Treatment focuses only on alleviating symptoms. "The increase in AFM cases in 2014 coincided with a national outbreak of severe respiratory illness among people caused by enterovirus D68 (EV-D68)", the CDC notes on its website. The disease is not new, but there was an uptick in cases starting in 2014, the CDC says. Nationwide, a total of 38 people in 16 states were found by the CDC to have confirmed cases of AFM between January and September this year. AFM is thought to happen after someone contracts a virus, like poliovirus, West Nile virus, or adenovirus, the CDC says. "It is important to know that even though this is a rare condition and is being reported as a mystery illness, we really do understand much more about the causes of this disease", he said. Concern is growing over mysterious outbreaks of a rare polio-like condition in children. "While we don't know if it is effective in preventing AFM, washing your hands often with soap and water is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to other people". "If a parent notices a child with a weak or paralyzed limb, they should go to urgent care or the hospital immediately", said Julie Graham, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health. West Nile virus can also lead to the illness so taking steps to protect your family from mosquito bites, including using mosquito repellent, staying indoors at dusk and dawn when bites are more common, and removing standing or stagnant water near your home, can also help. A 7.0 magnitude quake slammed Papua New Guinea on October 10. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said waves less than 0.3m high could be expected on coastlines in Papua New Guinea and neighbouring Solomon Islands. "We felt the natural disaster a bit, but it was not too strong,"Constable Roy Michael told Reuters by phone from Rabaul police station". "But it is still too early to determine whether there is a possible tsunami threat to Hawaii". He added there was no damage in Rabaul, but officers were still waiting to hear from villages closer to the epicentre. The tremors comes after a 7.5-magnitude and subsequent tsunami struck off the Indonesian island of Sulawesi - around 1,000 km northeast of Situbondo - last month, killing more than 2,000 people. But scientists do not have any tide gauges close to where the natural disaster happened, so are unable to say at this point whether tsunamis have been generated. It was followed by aftershocks of magnitude 5.7 and 5.9. He said areas farther away were unlikely to be affected because the natural disaster was not "terribly large" and many regions were shielded by land masses and islands. No reports of damage or injuries have surfaced from the quake. Indonesia, one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth, straddles the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic plates collide and numerous world's volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. Papua New Guinea is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is the most seismically active region in the world. But officials have warned that as many as 5,000 people may have died in the quake, which turned the ground in areas around the city of Palu into liquid via a process called liquefaction (as seen in the top video). Chamath Palihapitiya, the outspoken Silicon Valley tech investor, called the start-up economy a charade on Wednesday, while also addressing the current the state of Social Capital, his embattled investment firm. "We are, make no mistake in the middle of an enormous multivariate kind of Ponzi scheme," said Palihapitiya, at the Launch Scale conference in San Francisco. Palihapitiya slammed the start-up cycle of raising funding rounds and spending money to boost user growth to attract bigger funding rounds. "It's all on paper, but it looks amazing," Palihapitiya said. "You've been told to grow, so you're growing. You're doing your job." Palihapitiya, who grew his personal fortune as one of the early employees of Facebook before jumping into tech investing and becoming a part owner of the Golden State Warriors, has been through his own struggles of late. Social Capital has endured the departure of numerous employees in recent weeks, and Palihapitiya announced in September that the firm would no longer accept outside investment from limited partners. Instead, Palihapitiya explained in a Medium blog post that the firm would act like a "technology holding company" for long-term investments. "I will not be a part of the charade anymore," Palihapitiya said. "I think the charade is dangerous. At some point the whole grow, grow, grow at all costs runs out of juice." Palihapitiya advised entrepreneurs in the audience to "grow real, grow slow," saying he would rather invest in companies that are growing at a steady pace of 20 percent to 25 percent a year for the next 15 years than an eye-popping but unsustainable 400 percent rate that will quickly decay. Palihapitiya also addressed the recent drama with his firm, saying he was fundamentally unhappy with how Social Capital was being run, in part due to the demands of its LPs. Rather than bow to those pressures, Palihapitiya said he decided to bring Social Capital back to its basics. "There have to be these moments where you basically circle the wagons and say enough is enough, or you capitulate," he said. "I had to either capitulate or rip it all down, and I chose to rip it all down." WATCH: Palihapitiya fires six people at Social Capital WASHINGTON The U.S. Air Force selected Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman and United Launch Alliance on Wednesday to each develop a domestic launch system prototype. The long-awaited Pentagon deal known as the Launch Services Agreement enables the U.S. to transition away from foreign propulsion systems such as the Russian-built RD-180 rocket engine. Per the award, Blue Origin will receive $500 million for the development of the New Glenn rocket, Northrop Grumman's Orbital ATK is slated for $792 million for its OmegA Rocket, and United Launch Alliance will bring in $967 million for development of the Vulcan Centaur rocket. Absent from the Air Force announcement was SpaceX, despite it winning an initial development award in 2016 alongside Blue Origin, ULA and Northrop Grumman. "SpaceX is a valuable part of our launch team," began Dr. Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, when asked about an award for SpaceX. "They have seven future launches to be done, and they are putting up critical payloads for us including GPS." "So, they have multiple launches coming up in the future, and the Air Force is interested and has the door open to work with them on certification if they want to pursue that with us. They can certainly compete in Phase 2," he added. Below is a breakdown of launch capabilities and award details. Technology stocks regained ground lost earlier in premarket trading Thursday, after getting clobbered by the worst day in over seven years on Wednesday. U.S. consumer prices rose less than expected in September. The index, a key economic indicator released at 8:30 a.m. ET, showed underlying inflation appeared to slow down. Rising rates make high stock multiples of growth technology stocks less attractive because investors use U.S. government bond yields as their "risk-free" discount rate in financial models to value equities. Shares of Netflix closed down 1.5 percent, moving off a decline of 2.7 percent in premarket trading. Amazon and Nvidia also both sunk, down 2 percent and 4.3 percent, respectively. Stock of Twitter and Facebook rose slightly, while Apple slid 1.9 percent. Technology Select SPDR Fund, which tracks the S&P 500 technology sector, closed down 0.7 percent, recovering after being down as much as 1.4 percent in premarket. The SPDR Fund is down about 4.6 percent this week. The S&P 500 Information Technology Index fell 4.8 percent on Wednesday, closing at $1,220.62, marking the biggest decline since August 18, 2011 when it dropped 5.3 percent. The largest U.S. companies by market capitalization are among those falling in the tech sector. These stocks have also been the biggest contributors to the extended market rally. Apple and Amazon are both up sharply this year, as investors have bet the companies will continue to deliver earnings growth and gain greater market share. Amazon and Netflix technically fall in different sectors but investors were selling anything tech-related in the current market rout. Courthouse in Miami where the case is taking place. CNBC MIAMI The nation's second-largest bank is squaring off in a contentious court battle against a Miami real estate attorney who is accusing it of purging 1.88 billion records to conceal alleged fraud. Bank of America, in a court filing, insists the records were copied, returned to the bank and still exist in its system. But Bruce Jacobs, a former Miami-Dade County prosecutor, says the bank got rid of loan records he was seeking that he says may be evidence of fraud because the original records may have been altered by the bank. "Bank of America thinks they're untouchable," Jacobs told CNBC. "They think they have so many zeroes in their bank accounts that they're above the law." The bank, while declining repeated requests for comment, called Jacobs' allegations in a court filing last month "simply a collection of grievances against the banking and mortgage industries generally." It said Jacobs' "baseless charges of fraud, conspiracy, perjury and other allegedly illegal or improper acts" by Bank of America have never been proven. Jacobs "nevertheless continues, without a trace of shame or irony, to recycle these reckless and rejected accusations ad nauseum." Mortgage loan servicing and foreclosure abuses were at the heart of the landmark $25 billion agreement in 2012 between the nation's five largest mortgage servicing companies, including Bank of America, and the Justice Department and 49 state attorneys general to compensate homeowners who were hit by the housing crisis. The settlement focused on what the Justice Department called "mortgage loan servicing and foreclosure abuses" as a result of the housing bubble. Many of those abuses involved what is known as robosignings. The loans are supposed to be endorsed with correct signatures when they are processed, and not at a later date, which the Department of Justice says happened in thousands of cases. The Miami case began in 2013 as a foreclosure lawsuit in Miami-Dade Circuit Court against a couple who own a condo in Bal Harbour, Florida. After a financial setback, the couple sought a loan modification from Bank of America, which serviced the loan, held by Bank of New York Mellon. Bank of New York Mellon sued for foreclosure. Originally, Bank of America was not a party to the lawsuit. The foreclosure case was settled last year, and the couple, who had to file for bankruptcy, remained in their home. However, Jacobs, who represents them, filed a countersuit against Bank of New York Mellon in which he made serious allegations against the two banks. What Jacobs said he discovered over several years according to court documents filed in his numerous foreclosure cases in South Florida and reiterated in an interview are allegations that Bank of America deliberately acted improperly. Attorney Bruce Jacobs CNBC According to a timeline Jacobs spelled out in court records, he said he learned in 2015 that a company called SourceCorp did work for Bank of America. The company's name appeared on loan records he had obtained through the discovery process in a separate Miami-Dade County foreclosure case. Jacobs said he found that odd because he had never heard of the company. Court filings show that Jacobs filed a notice to take a deposition on Nov. 2, 2015, asking for more information about the loan in the case. The following month, he filed a "notice of intent to serve (a) subpoena for deposition" on SourceCorp. That notice asks for "any relationships, agreements, work orders, instructions" related to the loan and Bank of New York Mellon and Bank of America. In January 2016, a court-ordered subpoena was issued and served on SourceCorp. Then in February 2016, SourceCorp turned over a copy of a contract with Bank of America. Jacobs said he was stunned to learn through discovery in another case more than a year later that Bank of America had ordered SourceCorp to purge its records. "And what I found out later is that as I'm going though that whole process, Bank of America has ordered SourceCorp to do a military-grade purge of all of their records, everything: 1.88 billion objects of data, metadata, encryption keys," he said. Jacobs points to two emails he received from SourceCorp as part of the discovery process that he says alerted him to the purge. The first email, dated Feb. 16, 2016, described what SourceCorp called "a final summary of the Fastrieve Purge Project." The document shows the purge took about three months to complete. Jacobs said he obtained a second SourceCorp email from June 16, 2017. It said Bank of America "had us execute an extensive project to purge all of its data, which we were obligated to do." The email was from Dimple Sehgal, corporate counsel for SourceHOV, which is SourceCorp's current name. Sehgal did not respond to multiple requests for comment via email and voicemail. Jacobs has now subpoenaed SourceCorp to appear for a deposition in connection with the records purge. A "statement of work" between Bank of America and SourceCorp describes how the bank's loan documents would be imaged and ultimately purged from SourceCorp's system, according to a document turned over in discovery. "Image storage and final disposition will be in accordance with Bank of America protocol currently in place," the document states. "All images will remain in FASTRIEVE until such time they are archived in Bank of America iPortal repository. In no case will the images be purged or deleted without Bank of America approval." The red flag, according to Jacobs' court filings, is when Bank of America actually ordered SourceCorp to start purging the 1.88 billion records: Nov. 13, 2015, which was 11 days after Jacobs filed the notice to take a deposition about the loan in the case. He said the purge continued even after the court-ordered subpoena was served on SourceCorp. In addition, Jacobs said a Bank of America flow chart he obtained as part of the discovery process shows the note endorsement process. "The flow chart shows that Bank of America corrected the lack of endorsements on original notes in open, active foreclosures by using unauthorized workers to surrogate sign endorsements on original notes with rubber stamps," Jacobs wrote in a court filing. "Later, Bank of America continued the surrogate signing process for loans about to be referred to foreclosure." In another court filing, he wrote that Bank of America "stonewalled discovery with scorched earth tactics to hide evidence of its 'delinquent note enforcement process'" involving SourceCorp. CNBC Snap is bouncing Thursday after plunging to an all-time low, but some say the worst isn't over for the long-suffering stock. Shares of the Snapchat parent bounced more than 3 percent Thursday, a day after sinking nearly 6 percent amid a broader market sell-off and closing at session lows and bringing its year-to-date losses to 55 percent. The stock's picture is grimmer considering the stock's performance since its public debut in March 2017; the company has shed $20 billion in market cap since then. Looking at the stock's severe price action a different way, the stock is now on track for its longest weekly losing streak ever, down for 14 straight weeks. The stock has become grossly oversold, Miller Tabak equity strategist Matt Maley said Wednesday on CNBC's "Trading Nation." While that may give way to a relief rally, as it did in June when the stock's relative strength index dropped to levels similar to those seen this week, the stock may have deeper issues. "If you do want to play it as a lottery ticket, you can do it that way. The problem is with lottery tickets, they can pay you a lot of money if you hit them, but more time often than not, you lose 100 percent of your money, and you have to be very careful. So on a technical basis it's almost unmarketable, and you really have to look at it on the fundamental basis and see how much cash they have on hand if they can really survive," Maley said. The company is grappling with increased competition and growing concern from Wall Street about cash reserves. Two firms cut their price targets on the stock last week, citing rising competition. "They have an awesome product, but this is a great reminder that not all great products make great products, or stocks," Mark Tepper, CEO of Strategic Wealth Partners, said Wednesday on "Trading Nation." Tepper said he's not particularly optimistic on any social media stocks right now, as he sees Google prevailing as the premium advertiser against the likes of Snap, Facebook and Twitter. Snap did not immediately reply to a CNBC request for comment. WATCH: Snap CEO Evan Spiegel's plan to reach profitability by 2019 A barista places a coffee on to a serving tray in a Costa Coffee shop in London, U.K., on Wednesday, May 2, 2018. Whitbread obtained shareholder approval for its proposed sale of its coffee chain Costa to Coca-Cola for an enterprise value of 3.9 billion ($5.1 billion) at a general meeting held in London. On Thursday morning, Whitbread announced that 99.27 percent of its shareholders voted to approve the sale. This deal was previously announced on August 31 and was met with widespread investor support with shares closing more than 16 percent higher that day. Whitbread had previously said the price reflects a "substantial premium to the value that would have been created through the previously announced demerger given the Coca-Cola system's global product distribution and vending platform." In the lead up to its decision to sell the coffee business, the British hospitality company faced intense pressure from shareholders, led by activist investor Elliott Advisors. The hedge fund congratulated the board of Whitbread on the Costa transaction when it was initially announced. At the same time, the fund noted that it "look(ed) forward to continuing to engage with them to maximise the value of the remaining businesses." Whitbread intends to return a significant majority of net cash proceeds from the deal to shareholders, as well as reduce financial indebtedness and make a contribution to the company pension fund. These measures are intended to provide headroom for further expansion of its Premier Inn hotel chain in the U.K. and Germany. Whitbread joins a raft of other consumer companies engaging in deal-making in the beverage sector, in coffee, in particular, to bolster growth. It's unfair to draw comparisons between the current concerns about Italy's budget deficit targets and Greece at the height of the its debt crisis, according to the managing director of Europe's bailout fund. Over the last eight years during the euro crisis, Italy never lost market access, Klaus Regling, managing director for the European Stability Mechanism, told CNBC's Nancy Hungerford on Thursday at the IMF and World Bank annual meetings in Bali, Indonesia. "The comparison with Greece is, I think, not quite fair, at least not when we compare Greece when it was in the difficult phase," Regling said, adding, that Italy had long been in a much better situation. "Because (Italy's) deficits were relatively small, there's a current account surplus for Italy, we know that a lot of the Italian sovereign debt is financed by residents because savings of the Italian private sector is very high," he said. Still, the country has become a concern for investors in recent weeks after its new coalition government announced plans to increase public spending in the coming years. Last month, the government agreed on a 2.4 percent budget deficit target for 2019, which is three times higher than the number that the previous government had planned. It set a debt-to-GDP target of 130 percent in 2019. Italy also predicted growth rate for next year to be 1.5 percent. U.S. intelligence intercepts show Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered that Jamal Khashoggi, a missing Washington Post columnist, be enticed to return from the United States to Saudi Arabia so that he could be detained, the Washington Post reported Wednesday. The newspaper, citing unidentified U.S. officials it described as familiar with the intelligence, said the information provides additional evidence of alleged official Saudi involvement in Khashoggi's disappearance last week after he entered the country's consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. The Washington Post report also said the intelligence suggesting Saudi Arabia planned to detain Khashoggi in the country has led to speculation among officials and analysts that his disappearance in Istanbul was perhaps a substitute plan that went awry. Khashoggi, a journalist and critic of the Saudi royal family, was last seen entering the consulate on Oct. 2. Turkish officials have claimed he was murdered and dismembered by a team of Saudi agents working under royal orders. Saudi Arabia is a close U.S. ally and the disappearance has sparked anger among U.S. lawmakers. In a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, several senators triggered an investigation and potential sanctions over the disappearance under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Media officials in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in Washington could not immediately be reached for comment by CNBC after office hours. Officials in the media affairs office of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh were unavailable early Thursday before office hours. Read more about the intelligence intercepts in The Washington Post's report. WATCH: Meet Saudi Arabia's crown prince The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank jointly released a paper that will guide policymakers around the world in their handling of the rise of financial technology commonly known as fintech. The paper, called the Bali Fintech Agenda, was launched on Thursday on the Indonesian island where the IMF and the World Bank are holding their annual meetings. The paper outlines 12 "elements" or considerations that the IMF, the World Bank and governments can keep in mind when designing policies and regulations that can maximize the benefits of fintech while keeping financial systems sound. Those "elements" include using fintech to promote financial inclusion, allowing new technology players to have level playing fields with existing companies and having countries work together to protect the global financial system. Fintech has the potential to reach the 1.7 billion adults in the world that don't have access to financial services, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said in a statement. Italy's public debt represents 130 percent of gross domestic product and totals 2.3 trillion euros ($2.6 trillion). There are strong concerns that the intentions from the new government in Rome to raise spending, and subsequently the debt pile, could brought up another debt crisis in the euro zone. "We want to avoid a crisis with Rome but at the same time we need, absolutely, to make sure that the Italian debt decreases and the stability of the euro zone is ensured," Pierre Moscovici, European Commissioner, told CNBC's Nancy Hungerford in Bali. The European Union wants to avoid a "crisis" with Italy over the country's spending plans. However, Brussels also needs to ensure the euro zone economy remains stable, the European Commissioner for economic affairs told CNBC on Thursday. "This is why I would say this is a delicate matter," Moscovici added. Italy and the European Commission have been embroiled in an ongoing battle of words over Rome's 2019 budget. The anti-establishment Italian government has said that it will change previous reforms and raise public spending, bringing the country's deficit to 2.4 percent of GDP in 2019 a number that Brussels has already criticized for being three times higher than what Italy had agreed to earlier this year. "We will have to receive next week the Italian budget. I cannot jump into conclusions," Moscovici said. "What I can see from what I know already is that there is a risk of what we call a 'significant deviation' according to our rules, which are common to all euro zone members." The 2019 budget is set to point to an increase in structural deficit, which excludes growth, by 0.8 percentage points. Rome had told Brussels that the structural deficit in 2019 would be lowered by 0.6 percentage points. "I urge the Italian authorities to be closer to the medium-term objectives," Moscovici said. Last week, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini called Moscovici and the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, the "enemies of Europe". "I am not going to respond to that kind of provocation," Moscovici said. Italy is due to submit its 2019 budget plan to the EU by next Monday. The European Commissioner has until the end of November to present its opinion on the financial plan. In 1996 at just 27, Tamara Mellon saw an opportunity when, as an accessories editor at Vogue, she saw promise in an East London Malaysian shoemaker named Jimmy Choo Yeang Keat. Working by himself in his shop, Choo's high-quality handmade women's shoes caught the attention of Princess Diana, and his notoriety grew. Sensing that Choo could produce more shoes faster by contracting with Italian factories, Mellon suggested a partnership, and the young Choo agreed. Before long the fashion footwear was being referenced on hit shows like Sex and the City and the Sopranos and paraded up and down the red carpet. In 2014 Jimmy Choo became the first luxury shoe company to go public, and three years later Michael Kors bought the luxury shoe company for $1.2 billion. Now Mellon is ahead of the curve once again, breaking all the rules of luxury fashion by abandoning seasonal collections and reimagining the shoe industry as an online, direct-to-consumer retailer that produces styles continuously her namesake Tamara Mellon line features four to six new seasonless styles every month rather than abiding by the traditional fashion calendar. Tamara Mellon says her new business model gives her an edge over her competitors. "The quality is incredible, but I don't mark my shoes up six times anymore, because I don't have to have wholesale margin in there. So my shoes are 50 percent less than what I used to charge." Photo courtesy of Getty "The next generation of brands is going to be digitally born. Everyone is shopping online, and so the business model is very different," she said. "Even though the fashion industry is a creative industry, we were really behind with technology." The next generation of brands is going to be digitally born. Everyone is shopping online, and so the business model is very different. Tamara Mellon founder of luxury footwear label Tamara Mellon She said that at Jimmy Choo "we used to design four collections a year. Giant collections. Go and see buyers, have the buyers come in, and then we'd also try and deliver collections in the wrong season. We'd try and sell spring/summer in January and February and winter in July and August." But today, she says, things are different. "[Customers] want to buy something today and ... wear it tomorrow." So Mellon and her staff which consists of 24 women and one man continuously create new designs. "We can sketch something and have it on our website in three months," she said, adding that she has produced 125 designs since the company launched. She now measures what consumers want by featuring samples on social media, such as Instagram. Production depends on the feedback Mellon receives from consumers. If consumers respond favorably and they receive requests for orders, they produce it. With social media, she said, "the feedback loop with the customer now is much shorter, so we can move much faster." CNBC She recalls the sample she made of an electric-blue nappa boot. "That's a wild color, right. So you're not really sure who will be buying it. So I took a picture of it and put it on Instagram and we said, 'Who likes it?" We had 500 requests, so I put it in production." Mellon says her new business model also gives her an edge over her competitors. "I still work with the Italian factories, so I still pay the same price as all my competitors. The quality is incredible, but I don't mark my shoes up six times anymore, because I don't have to have wholesale margin in there. So my shoes are 50 percent less than what I used to charge." Although Tamara Mellon is now attracting the attention of celebs, including Meghan Markle at a garden party in honor of Prince Charles' 70th birthday at Buckingham Palace, Meghan Markle wore the Tamara Mellon Siren pump the British designer was not without her struggles. In 2013 Mellon launched her new, Los Angeles-based line, which sold through high-end retailers like Neiman Marcus. But just two years later she filed for bankruptcy. This courtroom sketch shows Paul Manafort listening to U.S. District court Judge T.S. Ellis III at federal court in Alexandria, Va., Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018. U.S. District Court Judge T.S. Ellis threw cold water on prosecutors' aim to delay former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort's sentencing until after he has finished cooperating with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigators. Ellis, who had gained a reputation for being combative and impatient with federal prosecutors during Manafort's trial in Virginia, said in a Wednesday filing that such a move "would be highly unusual." In that trial, Manafort was found guilty on Aug. 21 of eight criminal counts including tax fraud, bank fraud and failing to file foreign bank account reports. In a separate case on similar criminal charges in Washington, D.C., Manafort struck a plea agreement with Mueller's prosecutors on the eve of the trial start date in mid-September. As part of the deal, Manafort agreed to fully cooperate with investigators as part of the special counsel's ongoing probe of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The judge in that case, Amy Berman Jackson, noted at a hearing following the plea deal that Manafort had agreed to delay his sentencing date until a time set by the government, according to The Washington Post. A spokesman for the special counsel's office declined to comment. Manafort's former business partner partner, Rick Gates, pleaded guilty in February to lying to the FBI and conspiracy against the United States, and had testified against Manafort in the Virginia trial under the terms of his deal with prosecutors to fully cooperate. The two men worked for a pro-Russia political party in Ukraine years before joining the Trump campaign. In a court filing Thursday, a lawyer for Gates asked Judge Jackson to loosen his client's release conditions by lifting his GPS monitoring and curfew requirements, as well as expanding Gates' permitted travel area to include the Eastern District of Virginia and Washington, D.C. Gates' interviews with the special counsel's office "have been numerous and they continue to this day," his lawyer wrote. His sentencing date has not yet been set. Ellis, however, said his court district "is always made in a timely manner and sentencing occurs within two to no more than four months from entry of a guilty plea or receipt of a jury verdict." Ellis said it appeared from the text of the plea agreement and other court filings that Manafort's sentencing date, as well as the government's decision on whether to re-try 10 deadlocked criminal counts, "will be deferred until after the defendant's cooperation is complete." But the judge, whose district court in Alexandria, Va., bears a plaque above the entrance doors declaring "Justice Delayed is Justice Denied," shot challenged the prosecutors' apparent scheduling preferences. "This would be highly unusual," Ellis wrote. Ellis ordered a hearing for Friday, Oct. 19, at 1:15 p.m. ET, where a sentencing date will be set and the unresolved criminal counts will be discussed. Manafort will also receive information about his right to obtain an investigative report before his sentencing. COMO, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 07: Patrick Soon-Shiong President of Nantworks attends the Ambrosetti International Economic Forum 2018 on September 7, 2018 in Como, Italy. Patrick Soon-Shiong, billionaire philanthropist and owner of the Los Angeles Times, is the latest luminary to drop out of speaking at an investor conference in Saudi Arabia after the disappearance of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. "Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong will not be attending the upcoming Future Investment Initiative event in Riyadh," a spokesman said in a statement provided to CNBC. Soon-Shiong, who recently purchased the paper, is joining a growing list of media entities who are bowing out of attending the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, also known as "Davos in the desert." The New York Times said Wednesday that it dropped out of the conference. The Economist's editor-in-chief, Zanny Minton Beddoes, and CNBC anchor and New York Times columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin have also said they would not be participating this year. Tweet: Other media outlets sponsoring the event include CNBC, Fox Business, Bloomberg and CNN. The pullback by several media leaders comes amid suspicions that Khashoggi was murdered by Saudi operatives at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. The Saudi government has denied any wrongdoing. White House officials, including President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Trump himself said Wednesday that he talked to Saudi officials "at the highest level." Khashoggi, a U.S. resident who had voluntarily exiled himself from Saudi Arabia, has been a vocal critic of the crown prince's government. As lawmakers respond to Saudi Arabia over the disappearance and suspected murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, Sen. Lindsey Graham is channeling his longtime friend, the late Arizona Sen. John McCain. "This is about universal values. This is about defining who we are and what we will accept as a nation," Graham told reporters at the Capitol on Thursday. "The one thing I've learned from John McCain above all else is that, in moments like this, you have to embrace your values," said Graham, R-S.C. "No more transactional interactions." Graham, who is a close confidant of President Donald Trump, also said he was disappointed about his exchange yesterday afternoon with the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the U.S. "It was not a very helpful phone call," he said, without offering more details. The Trump administration has yet to appoint a U.S. envoy to the Saudi kingdom, instead positioning White House senior advisor and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner in a leading role for U.S.-Middle East relations. A senior Turkish official told The New York Times that Khashoggi was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. But Saudi Arabia insists that Khashoggi left the consulate shortly after he arrived. The Washington Post reported Wednesday that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered for Khashoggi, who was living in self-imposed exile in Virginia, to be coaxed back into the kingdom and detained. Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist who had been a vocal critic of the kingdom's royal family, entered the consulate in Turkey on Oct. 2 and has not been seen outside it since, the Post reported. Graham, the chair of the subcommittee on appropriations handling U.S. foreign assistance, was one of several senators to submit a letter to Trump on Wednesday evening that requires the administration to investigate Khashoggi's disappearance. Under the Global Magnitsky Act, signed by President Barack Obama in 2012, the letter triggered a 120-day countdown clock for Trump to decide whether to impose sanctions on Saudi Arabia. The letter was co-authored by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., as well as the committee's ranking Democrat, Bob Menendez of New Jersey, and Vermont Democrat Sen. Patrick Leahy. Eighteen other senators of both political parties co-signed the letter to Trump. At the White House on Thursday, however, Trump appeared to push back on the possibility of stifling investment opportunities between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Trump told reporters that there are other ways of handling the situation with Khashoggi, though it was not immediately clear what those alternatives could be. Graham suggested Thursday that the Magnitsky investigation was the "first step" and could potentially be followed by "standalone legislation." There is "a lot of interest in sending a strong signal," Graham added. Neither the White House nor a spokesman for Graham immediately responded to CNBC's requests for comment. Khalid Bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, Saudi Arabia's energy minister and president of OPEC, speaks during a news conference following the 172nd Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meeting in Vienna, Austria, on Thursday, May 25, 2017. Several OPEC members, led by Saudi Arabia and Libya, put enough new barrels on the market in September to offset a drop in production from Iran, where U.S. sanctions are whittling away at that nation's crude exports, according to a monthly report. The 15-nation producer group also knocked down its forecast for oil demand in 2018 and 2019, and said the outlook for economic growth is softening, particularly in emerging markets. Meanwhile, OPEC raised its forecast for oil supply growth in 2018 from nonmember nations, including the United States. The report comes just three weeks before a U.S. deadline for oil buyers to cut off imports from Iran, OPEC's third-biggest producer. Concerns about the cartel's ability to fill the gap in crude supplies have pushed oil prices to nearly four-year highs above $86 a barrel. In September, OPEC pumped nearly 32.8 million barrels per day, up 132,000 bpd from August, according to figures supplied by several independent sources and cited by the group in its monthly report. Saudi Arabia put an additional 108,000 bpd on the market in September, pushing its output to 10.5 million barrels a day. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih recently said that the kingdom is pumping 10.7 million bpd this month and will hike output again in November. Libya also added 103,000 bpd to the market, as that country's production, which has fluctuated during a long-running internal conflict, continues to recover. The Saudi and Libyan increases offset a drop of 150,000 bpd in Iran, where total output fell to 3.4 million bpd. Iran claims its output remains roughly steady at just below 3.8 million bpd, according to figures supplied by the country. Production increases in Angola, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates also boosted OPEC's bottom line. Venezuela, which is mired in a protracted economic crisis, continued to lose production, while output from the remaining OPEC members remained roughly steady. OPEC warned that the world's economic prospects are beginning to diverge after a period of synchronized growth. Economic expansion is now challenged by tighter monetary policy in developed nations, weakening financial situations in some developing countries, rising trade tensions and geopolitical challenges. "Global economic growth remains solid, but is facing potential headwinds," OPEC said. "While growth in the major [Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development] economies remains well supported, decelerating trends have become visible in some emerging markets and developing countries." OPEC now expects world oil demand to grow by 1.54 million bpd this year, down 80,000 bpd from its last forecast. Meanwhile, it raised its outlook for supply growth from non-OPEC countries by 200,000 bpd to 2.22 million bpd. In 2019, OPEC expects oil consumption to rise by 1.36 million bpd, 50,000 bpd lighter than its last estimate. It also knocked down its outlook for non-OPEC supply growth by 30,000 bpd to 2.12 million bpd. OPEC said the trend in the third quarter points to some weakness in the global market for fuel this winter, largely due to lower demand for diesel in Europe. WASHINGTON The Pentagon on Thursday temporarily halted all flight operations of its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets pending a fleet-wide inspection of potentially faulty engine tubes. "If suspect fuel tubes are installed, the part will be removed and replaced. If known good fuel tubes are already installed, then those aircraft will be returned to flight status," said Joe DellaVedova, spokesman for the Pentagon's F-35 office. The inspections were expected to be completed within two days. A source close to the program confirmed that approximately 10 jets at Lockheed Martin's facility in Fort Worth, Texas, have already completed inspection and are planning to prepare for flight operations later Thursday. While Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for the F-35, the aircraft engine is manufactured by United Technologies' Pratt & Whitney and installed at Lockheed's mile-long facility in Fort Worth. "We are actively partnering with the Pentagon's F-35 Joint Program Office, our global customers and Pratt & Whitney to support the resolution of this issue and limit disruption to the fleet," Lockheed Martin said in a statement following the announcement. The suspension was spurred by a crash last month in Beaufort, South Carolina, in which a then-unknown fault in one of Lockheed Martin's F-35B jets forced its pilot to eject from the cockpit. The incident, which marked the first crash of an F-35 since the fifth-generation aircraft became operational in 2006, adds to the laundry list of challenges facing the U.S. military's most expensive weapons system. The "jack of all trades" fighter, valued at an acquisition cost of $406.5 billion, has been plagued with setbacks including faulty ejection seats, software delays and significant helmet-display issues. There are currently more than 320 F-35 aircraft operating out of 15 bases worldwide. An economic blockade on Qatar that's being upheld by its Middle Eastern neighbors has forced the country to step up reforms and its quest for foreign inflows, an investment head told CNBC on Thursday. "We are seeing a shift in Qatar economics and the entire region. As you know, Qatar is currently going through a blockade from neighboring countries but that hasn't been all that bad," Yousuf Al-Jaida, chief executive of the Qatar Financial Centre, a key agent for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to the state, told CNBC's Nancy Hungerford. "It's been a catalyst for change for the entire nation," Al-Jaida added. Qatar is still experiencing a Saudi Arabian-led blockade of the country after a high-profile diplomatic rift with its influential and powerful neighbors. The Saudi Kingdom, along with Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt imposed an economic blockade on (and severed diplomatic ties with) the small Arab state in June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorism. Qatar vehemently denies the accusations. Three Arab women wearing traditional abaya watching the futuristic skyline of Doha, Qatar. Buena Vista Images | DigitalVision | Getty Images The blockade has impacted air travel, shipping and trade routes and media, among other sectors. However, the economic impact of the blockade has been seen as short-lived, the International Monetary Fund said in May. "Growth performance remains resilient. The direct economic and financial impact of the diplomatic rift between Qatar and some countries in the region has been manageable," the IMF said in its recent report published earlier this week on the country in May, predicting respectable gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 2.6 percent in 2018. 'Doing things differently' Virgin Group founder Richard Branson suspended discussions with Saudi Arabia about a proposed $1 billion investment in Virgin's space companies following allegations that journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in the country's consulate in Istanbul. "What has reportedly happened in Turkey around the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, if proved true, would clearly change the ability of any of us in the West to do business with the Saudi Government," Branson said in a Thursday statement. Khashoggi is a U.S. resident who had voluntarily exiled himself from Saudi Arabia and was often openly critical of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's government. The journalist has not been seen since entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. Turkish officials allege that Khashoggi was murdered and dismembered by agents under royal orders from the Saudi government. The kingdom has denied any wrongdoing. Last year, the Saudi government announced its intention to invest $1 billion total into Virgin Galactic, which focuses on space tourism, and Virgin Orbit, which aims to launch small satellites into space. Branson said that he will suspend discussions amid ongoing investigations into Khashoggi's whereabouts, but did not give any other indication of when or if talks might resume. Branson also announced that he will step down from his role as director of two Saudi tourism projects aimed at transforming islands in the Red Sea into luxury resorts. Nouriel Roubini at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. David A. Grogan | CNBC Global economist Nouriel Roubini, one of the few who predicted the 2008 financial crisis, is making sure U.S. senators don't miss his warning on cryptocurrency. Within minutes of testifying at a congressional hearing on Capitol Hill on Thursday, Roubini sounded alarms on multiple aspects of the new digital asset class. "Crypto is the mother or father of all scams and bubbles," Roubini, also a professor at New York University, told the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Community Affairs at a hearing. The self-described expert on international financial markets, asset and credit bubbles and their bust, said the first warning sign came after late last year as bitcoin neared a high of almost $20,000. Roubini told senators that "literally every human being I met between Thanksgiving and Christmas of 2017" asked him if they should buy cryptocurrency, "Especially folks with zero financial literacy individuals who could not tell the difference between stocks and bonds went into a literal manic frenzy of Bitcoin and Crypto buying," Roubini said in prepared testimony. In a prepared testimony, Roubini called out "scammers, swindlers, criminals, charlatans, insider whales and carnival barkers (all conflicted insiders)" who he said tapped into "clueless retail investors' FOMO ('fear of missing out')," then took them for a ride with pump-and-dump schemes for "scammy crappy assets at the peak that then went into a bust and crash in a matter of months like you have not seen in any history of financial bubbles." Since the height of the frenzy, bitcoin has fallen more than 65 percent, in what Roubini calls "crypto-apocalypse." The total market capitalization for cryptocurrencies is down by more than 60 percent, according to data from CoinMarketCap.com. Bitcoin dropped 6 percent to a low of $6,125.75 Thursday as the rest of the global markets saw their biggest drop since February this week. Other economists and Wall Street leaders have agreed with Roubini's assessment on bitcoin. But few have as aggressively spoken out about its underlying technology, blockchain. Roubini sees almost no reason for its widespread adoption. Blockchain overhyped Human rights activists and friends of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi hold his pictures during a protest outside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey October 8, 2018. Murad Sezer | Reuters Saudi Arabia is continuing to deny its involvement in the disappearance of prominent Saudi journalist and critic Jamal Khashoggi, who was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Turkish investigators allege that Khashoggi was killed in the consulate in an operation planned by Saudi leadership and have opened a criminal investigation into the case. The Saudi government has denied the claims, calling them "baseless." But the disappearance of Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and frequent Washington Post contributor, has raised international alarm and pulled the world's attention once again to the Islamic kingdom's ongoing crackdown on dissent. The ensuing controversy and concern highlight a longer string of diplomatic and foreign policy crises that will increase the political risk associated with the country, some analysts say. "The Saudi leadership has not accurately assessed the risks of its different ventures and policies," Ayham Kamel, practice head for the Middle East and North Africa at political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, said in a client note this week. The press and international community will likely draw links between the current crisis and previous high-profile detention cases including that of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri in Riyadh and the round-up of several wealthy Saudi businessmen and royals in the Ritz Carlton, both of which dominated headlines in the fall of last year. While the Saudis have insisted no foul play, emphasizing instead the monarchy's desire to fight corruption and ensure stability in the kingdom, the mounting controversies present an increasing challenge to its image as a pro-reform investment destination. "A large part of the modernization drive in the kingdom depends on boosting confidence in the viability of the economic transition plan," Kamel wrote. "At this point, Saudi Arabia will find it incredibly challenging to contain the emerging crisis as confidence in the government's narrative will be limited. The Saudi leadership would need to present verifiable evidence to demonstrate that it is not implicated." 'We have nothing to hide' In an interview with Bloomberg Wednesday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said he would allow Turkish investigators to search the consulate, saying "we have nothing to hide." U.S. President Donald Trump, speaks with Mohammed bin Salman, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's deputy crown prince and minister of defense, left, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. Mark Wilson | Pool via Bloomberg Kamel foresees tradable Saudi assets coming under pressure and new bond issuances assessed with consideration of new risks if the situation worsens and Riyadh fails to provide a convincing defense. Since October 2, the date of Khashoggi's disappearance, the country's Tadawul index is down just under 2 percent; year-to-date, however, it's up nearly 8.5 percent. Any further impact may depend in part on the U.S. response which is likely to be minimal, looking at the warm relationship between the Donald Trump administration and Riyadh. "U.S. action seems unlikely given Saudi remains a lynchpin regional ally and the personal relationship between Trump and MBS (Mohammed bin Salman) is so good," said Timothy Ash, senior emerging markets strategist at Bluebay Asset Management. "Meanwhile, Trump has not exactly set his stall out as a friend of the media profession." The State Department expressed "concern" for Khashoggi's whereabouts, demanding transparency and saying it is "closely following the case." This comes just a few weeks after an open diplomatic spat erupted between Saudi Arabia and Canada, the latter of which had taken to Twitter to criticize Saudi's imprisonment of female rights activists and demand their release. The kingdom then shocked the world by expelling the Canadian ambassador, withdrawing its Canadian investments and cutting trade ties with the country, telling it to stay out of its affairs. "Trump, in comments in the Oval Office, told reporters on Wednesday he had raised Khashoggi's case with Saudi Arabia "at the highest level" and more than once in recent days, according to Reuters. "We're demanding everything," Trump said when asked if he was demanding information from the Saudis. "We want to see what's going on. It's a very serious situation for us and for this White House ... We want to get to the bottom of it." He said he and his wife, Melania, expect to invite Cengiz to the White House soon. "People saw him go in and didn't see him come out. We're going to take a very serious look at it. It's a terrible thing," Trump said. "This is a bad situation. We cannot let this happen, to reporters, to anybody. We can't let this happen." Some Saudi watchers have issued dire warnings for the country's ongoing stability. One of those is Bruce Riedel, a 29-year veteran of the CIA and an expert on Gulf affairs. He recently called the kingdom its "least stable in 50 years," writing in a column for Al Monitor that "confidence in the economy and the prince's handling of economic issues is dropping" and criticizing the young crown prince for "arrest(ing) any independent voice." He pointed to the Saudi-led blockade of Qatar, which has so far failed in forcing the tiny petro-state to meet its demands, as well as the still stalled public listing of Saudi Aramco. A critical juncture The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Tesla and Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk submitted a joint filing late on Wednesday in support of a settlement, saying the terms were in the best interest of investors. "We therefore respectfully submit that the court should accept and enter the proposed consent judgments," they said in a letter filed with the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York. Last week, a federal judge had ordered the SEC and Musk to justify their securities fraud settlement, which let Musk remain CEO, by Oct. 11. Musk agreed to pay a $20 million fine, and step aside as Tesla's chairman for three years, to settle charges that could have forced his exit from Tesla. The company also accepted a $20 million fine, despite not being charged with fraud. However, Musk appeared to mock the SEC on Twitter last Thursday, just hours after the court ordered him and the SEC to explain why their settlement was fair and reasonable. "Just want to that the Shortseller Enrichment Commission is doing incredible work," Musk, a frequent critic of investors betting against the electric car company, wrote. "And the name change is so on point!" Tesla shares were down 1.3 percent at $253.5 in premarket trading. WATCH: Three experts on the future of Tesla after Elon Musk settled with SEC Check out the companies making headlines before the bell: Delta Air Lines The airline earned an adjusted $1.80 per share for its latest quarter, topping estimates by 6 cents a share. Revenue was also above Street forecasts, and Delta increased its full-year revenue guidance. Walgreens Boots Alliance The drugstore operator beat estimates by 3 cents a share, with adjusted quarterly profit of $1.48 per share. Revenue fell slightly short of analysts forecasts, however. Square Chief Financial Officer Sara Friar is leaving the mobile payments company in December. She will become the chief executive officer at neighborhood social network Nextdoor. Square has begun the process of searching for a successor. Fluor Fluor said it expected third-quarter revenue of about $4.6 billion, below the $4.95 billion that analysts had estimated for the engineering and construction services company. Fluor is taking several charges related to one project in Europe and another in the U.S. Apple Apple is buying part of chip supplier Dialog Semiconductor in a $600 million deal. Dialog has been providing power management chips for Apple since the introduction of the first iPhone in 2007. Toyota Motor The automaker and SoftBank have struck their first-ever alliance, joining forces to develop self-driving vehicle services. Sears Holdings Sears has begun skipping payments to vendors, according to a Reuters report. That follows reports that the retailer was preparing to file for bankruptcy as soon as this week. Separately, The Wall Street Journal reports that Sears CEO Edward Lampert will not lend the company money to pay debt due next week. Tesla CEO Elon Musk tweeted "This is incorrect" in response to a Financial Times report that 21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch is the leading candidate to replace Musk as the automaker's chairman. Musk will give up the chairman's role as part of a recent Securities and Exchange Commission settlement. Livent Livent's initial public offering was priced at $17 per share, below the expected range of $18 to $20 a share. The lithium producer's stock will begin trading today on the New York Stock Exchange. Lear Corp. Lear was upgraded to "buy" from "neutral" at Goldman Sachs, which thinks the automotive systems and components maker will outperform its peers. BlackRock The asset manager will reportedly increase its involvement in alternative investments, putting money into private equity firm Gallatin Point Capital. The Wall Street Journal said BlackRock will invest up to $400 million in client money alongside Gallatin's investments. CVS, Aetna New York State regulators reportedly have significant concerns about the CVS purchase of Aetna, which received condition approval from the Justice Department Wednesday. The New York Post reports that the regulators may ask the DOJ for more concessions by the two companies. Costco The warehouse retailer reported a September comparable sales increase of 8.4 percent, better than the 5.5 percent increase expected by analysts surveyed by FactSet. CRISPR Therapeutics The drugmaker said the Food and Drug Administration has lifted a clinical hold on an application for a sickle cell disease treatment developed by CRISPR and partner Vertex Pharmaceuticals. GoDaddy Citi upgraded the domain name registrar's stock to "buy" from "neutral," noting an attractive valuation, strong profits, and high free cash flow from recurring subscription revenue. CORRECTION: This story has been updated to show that Fluor is taking several charges related to one project in Europe and another in the U.S. Billionaire financier Ray Dalio grew Bridgewater Associates from an operation run out of his two-bedroom New York apartment to one of the world's largest hedge funds. Today, Forbes pegs Dalio's net worth at slightly more than $18 billion. He built this success, in part, thanks to a simple formula he uses to harness the power of challenging situations: Pain + Reflection = Progress. Pain can shape us, and build our characters, Dalio explained in a LinkedIn post last week, but only if we let it. Key to this process, he says, is developing an important routine where one goes "to the pain" in difficult situations. You must routinely analyze the reasons behind the emotions you're experiencing, Dalio has said. "With practice the pain won't be as painful," said Dalio, "and you will begin to see the pleasures of the successes so that going to the pain will make you feel good rather than bad." It's common, says Dalio, to resist reflecting on your pain. It's ok to want to pay attention to other things, but know that you'll miss out on the growth and change that pain brings, Dalio wrote this past July. But whether you reflect in the moment or later, you'll find value. Dalio himself has benefited from embracing his own personal pain. Nearly 40 years ago, Dalio had misjudged the market a mistake that caused him to lose money and even let clients go. He was so broke he had to borrow $4,000 from his father to help pay for family bills. "That was extremely painful and it turned out to be terrific," Dalio said on a podcast. "I was absolutely miserable. But it gave me the humility that I needed to deal with my audacity. It made me want to find the smartest people I could find who disagreed with me so that I could understand their perspectives." Ultimately, that painful bad bet shaped Dalio's policy of "radical transparency," or extreme honesty, at Bridgewater. Through this process, people are encouraged to point out key blindspots and what anyone including Dalio could be overlooking. This approach contributes to a culture at Bridgewater where the best idea wins, Dalio says. Also painful for Dalio was receiving a memo in 1993 while chairman at Bridgewater providing some harsh feedback about his management style. After receiving it, Dalio was hurt and surprised. However, that painful experience led Dalio to re-think how he approached people, as well as Bridgewater's culture. By reflecting on his feelings in these tough moments, Dalio learned to resist running away from difficult times and emotions. "If you can develop a reflexive reaction to physical pain that causes you to reflect on it rather than avoid it, it will lead to your rapid learning and evolving." Embracing this pain, says Dalio, will "strengthen you which will give you the power you need to be more successful." Don't miss: Wharton's top professor says America should shorten the work day by 2 hours Like this story? Subscribe to CNBC Make It on YouTube! WASHINGTON U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Seoul on Tuesday for failing to finance the U.S. deployment of a missile defense system on the Korean Peninsula. Last year, the U.S. deployed two Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, launchers to South Korea in response to North Korea's increased missile and nuclear tests. "I said, so let me get this, we have a system that's very expensive and we shoot down rockets that are shot from North Korea to South Korea," Trump said to a crowd in Council Bluffs, Iowa. "Okay, so we're protecting South Korea, right? Why aren't they paying?" Trump added that he asked a "certain general" about THAAD's price tag and was told that because South Korea is an ally the United States foots the bill. "Then I said, all right, give me the bad news. Raytheon, give me the bad news. How much is it going to cost?" Trump said referring to the defense company that produces the radar for THAAD. The missile system itself is made by Lockheed Martin. "Sir, $1 billion.' I said, 'whoa, whoa!' So we're putting in a system that we pay for and it's going to cost a billion in order to protect an immensely wealthy country [South Korea] that makes all of your television sets, right?'" Trump said. In addition to protecting the region, the U.S. currently has approximately 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea, a legacy of the Korean War, which halted in 1953 in an armistice that left the two Koreas technically still at war. Moroccos 2019 draft appropriation bill will give priority to social development notably in the fields of education, health and employment, said a statement read out by Spokesman for the Royal Palace, Abdelhak Lamrini. The appropriation bill was reviewed at the ministerial council chaired by King Mohammed VI Wednesday and will be submitted to the parliament. The draft law reiterates the need to address Moroccos pressing issues in the areas of improving the educational system and promoting the social and professional integration of the youth as well as improving access to health services and restructuring social support and protection, finance and economy minister Mohamed Benchaaboun said at a presentation at the ministerial council. The bill also provides for curbing disparities between social categories and regions as well as promoting investments through a reform of the regional investment centers and boosting the attractiveness of the business climate, the statement said. The Finance Minister also said that the bill focuses on speeding up institutional and structural reforms relating to the reform of the judiciary and the implementation of advanced regionalization. He added that the bill also aims at preserving macro-economic balances, reducing the deficit and rationalizing public spending. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Gary Cohn, Director of the National Economic Council, during a retreat with Republican lawmakers and members of his Cabinet at Camp David in Thurmont, Maryland, January 6, 2018. President Donald Trump took a shot at his former top economic advisor Gary Cohn, suggesting in an interview Thursday that he has dirt on him that he could expose. Discussing the various leaks coming out of his administration that have been turned into multiple news stories and a few salacious books, Trump responded sharply when an interviewer on Fox News Channel's "Fox & Friends" suggested that Cohn, along with former White House staff secretary Rob Porter, was one of the sources. "I was very good to both of them. It could have been [them leaking]. A lot of people have said that," the president said. "Gary Cohn, I could tell stories about him like you wouldn't believe." He did not elaborate on what those stories might be, but he continued to criticize Cohn, who was National Economic Council director from the onset of Trump's term in January 2017 until April 2018. Before that, Cohn was president of Goldman Sachs. In particular, Trump alleged that Cohn left the administration because "he never thought we could make" trade deals with Canada and Mexico, which partnered with the U.S. in what used to be called NAFTA. "Gary Cohn never thought we could ever make this deal with Mexico and never thought in a million years we could make this deal with Canada," Trump said. The questions about Cohn being a leaker focused specifically on Bob Woodward's book, "Fear: Trump in the White House." The best-seller features dozens of insider stories including one-on-one conversations that would have required an eyewitness. In one passage, Woodward quotes Cohn calling Trump "a professional liar." Cohn couldn't be reached for comment. He had publicly expressed his displeasure with Trump's reaction to the racial violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, that took place in August 2017. The Bella Vita luxury condominium tower rises 20 stories over the boomtown of Luis Eduardo Magalhaes in northeastern Brazil. Its private movie theater and helipad are symbols of how far this dusty farming community has come since it was founded just 18 years ago. Local soybean producers shell out upwards of a half-million U.S. dollars to live in the complex. Nearby farm equipment sellers, car dealerships and construction supply stores are bustling too. Meanwhile, nearly 5,000 miles to the north in Boone, Iowa, farmers are hunkering down. At a recent agriculture trade show here, Iowa corn and soybean grower Steve Sheppard reflected the cautious mood. "I'm not buying any machinery, I'm not spending any money," Sheppard said. Two countries. Same business. Two very different fates. The reason: China. A growing trade war between the United States and China is re-ordering the global grains business. In response to Trump administration tariffs on Chinese goods, Beijing this year imposed levies on U.S. agricultural products. Among them was a 25 percent tariff on soybeans, the single most valuable U.S. farm export. U.S. growers sold $12 billion worth to China last year alone. The fallout has been quick. China, the world's largest importer of soybeans, has scaled back purchases of U.S. grain to feed its massive hog herd. It is turning instead to Brazil, which has ridden the wave of Chinese demand for two decades to become a global agricultural powerhouse. Brazilian soybean exports to the Asian country jumped 22 percent by value between January and September, compared to the same period a year ago. Brazilian producers are not only selling more grain, their soy is fetching $2.83 more per bushel than beans from the United States, up from a premium of just $0.60 a year ago, thanks to stepped up Chinese purchases. Prices for U.S. soybeans, meanwhile, recently sunk to decade lows that farmers say are below the cost of production. The slump has made the agricultural sector a drag on an otherwise healthy U.S. economy. The Trump administration said in July it would spend up to $12 billion in taxpayer funds to help U.S. farmers offset trade-related losses, although the aid package could shrink. Many American farmers, overwhelmingly conservative voters who helped propel Donald Trump to the presidency, are standing by their man. They believe he will eventually negotiate a better trade deal with China, whose appetite for soybeans is so vast that it cannot completely wean itself off U.S. grain. But for the time being, Trump trade policies are handing precious market share, money and momentum to Brazil, the United States' most formidable agricultural competitor. Some fear the lost ground will be hard to reclaim. "Bad news on tariffs in the U.S. is good news for them," Robert Crain, general manager for the Americas for equipment dealer AGCO Corp, said about Brazilian farmers in an interview at the Iowa show. Rudy Giuliani, attorney for U.S. President Donald Trump, arrives for the White House Sports and Fitness Day event on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, May 30, 2018. Lawyers for President Donald Trump are preparing written responses to questions sent by special counsel Robert Mueller, a person familiar with the matter told NBC News Thursday. The questions, which have been sent back and forth between the two parties and refined for months, will center around Mueller's investigation of possible collusion between Trump's associates and the Russian government, the source said. CNN reported the action by Trump's lawyers earlier Thursday afternoon. The question-and-answer phase between Trump's legal team and Mueller follows months of negotiations between the two sides over the format and subject matter of a potential interview with the president, and could signal a major shift in the pace of the ongoing probe. Mueller may send more questions back to Trump's lawyers after the first round are answered, CNN reported. Additionally, the possibility of a sit-down interview between Trump and Mueller's investigators is still being debated. "There are ongoing discussions with the Office of Special Counsel and we cannot discuss publicly the contents of those discussions," Trump's lawyer Jay Sekulow told NBC News on Thursday. A spokeswoman for another of Trump's lawyers, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for the special counsel declined to comment on the report. Mueller was appointed as special counsel in May 2017 to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The team is also looking into whether Trump obstructed justice, possibly by firing former FBI Director James Comey. WATCH: Former FBI director James Comey's full testimony before Congress The U.S.-China trade dispute is worrying because its hit to market confidence may be more significant than any real economic damage it inflicts, said Takehiko Nakao, president of the Asian Development Bank. A rise in trade tensions excluding any fallout to the automotive trade will shave 1 and 0.2 percentage points off the growth rates of China and U.S. respectively, Nakao told CNBC on Thursday at the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group in Bali. However, if it escalates further, "people will start worrying about the credibility" of the multilateral free trade system that the world has believed in for so long, he warned. "They're so connected through the global supply chain ... But if we start worrying about it, there'll be a lot of impact on the sentiment of consumers and investment," Nakao said. The ADB president urged for the two to come to a deal. "We must manage the trade, we must manage the feelings of national identity and so on," he said. WATCH: This trade deal may be what Trump needs to take on China American Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson (C), who was charged with committing crimes, including spying for the PKK terror group and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization, arrives at the address, which he was put under house arrest due to his health problems, in Izmir, Turkey on July 25, 2018. (Photo by Evren Atalay/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) The White House expects the Turkish government to release the detained American pastor Andrew Brunson in the coming days after reaching a secret deal, NBC News reported Thursday, citing two senior administration officials and another person briefed on the situation. Brunson is expected to be released after his next court hearing, which is scheduled for Friday. The deal was advanced by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton during meetings with Turkish officials last month at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York City, according to the outlet. The Turkish lira rallied more than 2 percent on the news to trade at 5.97 per U.S. dollar. The iShares MSCI Turkey ETF, which tracks the performance of Turkish stocks, jumped more than 5 percent to its session high. The detention of the pastor has been an ongoing source of tension between the U.S. and Turkey, a key NATO ally in the region. And it has inflamed Trump's religious base, earning special attention from Vice President Mike Pence. One of the president's attorneys, Jay Sekulow, serves as chief counsel at a conservative legal organization that has represented Brunson in the matter. Turkey has accused Brunson of abetting terrorist groups, which Brunson has denied. In September of last year, Turkish President Recep Erdogan unsuccessfully demanded that the United States hand over the Turkish preacher Fethullah Gulen in exchange for Brunson. Turkey has accused Gulen, who resides in exile in Pennsylvania, of assisting in a failed 2016 coup attempt. Erdogan told reporters this week, when asked about Brunson, that he would "obey whatever the decision the judiciary gives." The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment. There are some doubts within the administration about how conclusive the deal may be, NBC News reported. One senior official told the outlet that Turkey came close to a similar agreement several months ago. The State Department said Thursday that it was not aware of any deal to secure the release of the pastor, Reuters reported. The news of Brunson's potential release comes as Turkey and another U.S. ally, Saudi Arabia, are engaged in a dispute over the disappearance of a Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, who has not been seen since entering the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. A number of anonymous Turkish police sources have told domestic and international news outlets that the Turkish government believes that Khashoggi was murdered on the orders of the Saudi government. NBC reported that while the details of the agreement weren't immediately clear, it does include a U.S. commitment to scale back economic pressure on Turkey. The United States slapped sanctions on Turkey over the summer as a result of the pastor's detention. Read the full story at NBC News. -- CNBC's Fred Imbert contributed to this article. In just six years, the "Yoga With Adriene" YouTube channel has recruited over 4 million subscribers, inspiring people around the globe to strike a yoga pose or two from the comfort of their homes. This incredible success might not have happened without one pivotal conversation that host Adriene Mishler had years ago. Growing up, Mishler aspired to have two dream jobs: acting and teaching. Luckily, when "Yoga With Adriene" came along, the opportunity allowed her two passions to intermingle. But before the channel really took off, Mishler was at a crossroads in her career. "I was trying to decide whether or not I should move to LA" from Texas, Mishler told CNBC Make It. "This was after I'd been in a big movie with a big, huge American actor." With a background in professional theater, Mishler has done voice work for video games and has acted in TV shows such as Rooster Teeth's "Day 5" and in movies like "Joe" and "Good Night." Mishler recalls agonizing about whether to relocate over coffee with a close friend and mentor. "I was like, 'Should I move? Should I stay? What should I do with my life?'" The now-YouTube star said her friend gave her some of the "best advice" she's ever received. "She said, 'The best advice I can give you is, obviously, listen to your guts. But for an actor, and I think this goes for all artists: try to find one thing and that's not to take away from this passion you have of your art but try to find one voice outside of that, while you're building this.'" 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. A purge of long serving military officials in Algeria has cast a shadow on an opaque regime where an ailing president braces for a fifth term amid a silently brewing power struggle between rival clans within the regime. In August, four of Algerias six regional military commanders were let go, along with five of the six regional commanders of the gendarmerie. In September, several more officials from the gendarmerie and the army were removed from their posts and referred to military courts for investigation into charges of financial corruption. As of now, only three of the estimated one to two dozen top generals from the pre-Bouteflika era remain in the army, including its chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah, the man publicly responsible for instigating the personnel changes, Stratfor, a defense and military consultancy said in an analysis on Algeria. The purges have long been a strategy for the regime to maintain loyalty of the army, the genuine kingmaker in Algeria. Bouteflika, who suffered a stroke in 2013, is kept in power in a way that analysts explain as a move to gain time as long as the rival clans within the regime fail to find a successor. One possible explanation for the purges can be found in the concern of Bouteflikas inner circle of a potential military coup if he runs for a fifth term. The purges are also an outcome of Bouteflikas power grab to the detriment of the military. The over 80-year old president has gradually strengthened his foothold by dismissing powerful generals including former intelligence chief Mohamed Mediene, known as Toufique. Stratfor argued that the purges indicate that the chief of staff Gaid Salah is reordering the military leadership in preparation for exerting more power independent of Bouteflika, especially as the president, who is beset by health problems, grows sicker and weaker. The army chief could be removing some of the more ambitious generals who have challenged him personally, or who are aligned with Said Bouteflika, the presidents younger brother, who occupies a key behind-the-scenes role in his brothers administration, the consultancy said. 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 The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form Morocco and Chile have agreed to enhance trade exchanges and investment to give a new impetus to their cooperation and partnership that are growing rapidly. A Memorandum of Understanding was inked on Wednesday in Rabat by Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Rakiya Eddarhem and Chiles Ambassador to Morocco Alex Geiger Soffia. The MoU calls for the setting up of a joint commission which will identify the complementarity and priority sectors of cooperation to promote trade and set up a win-win partnership between Morocco and Chile. The two countries have established diplomatic relations in 1963. These relations gained momentum following the historic visit paid by King Mohammed VI in 2004 to Santiago. It was the Sovereigns first visit to this Latin-American country which has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade and a reputation for strong financial institutions. Copper is Chiles top export and provides 20 pc of government revenue. Morocco also has a diverse, open, market-oriented economy. Key sectors of the economy include agriculture, tourism, aerospace, automotive, phosphates, textiles, apparel, and subcomponents. Morocco has increased investment in its port, transportation, and industrial infrastructure to position itself as a center and broker for business throughout Africa. President of Chile Sebastian Pinera has renewed lately his countrys full support to Moroccos territorial integrity and sovereignty over the Sahara, while the Chilean parliament has adopted a resolution commending Moroccos autonomy plan for the Sahara. Last year, the Moroccan Upper House of Parliament and the Chilean Senate sealed a MoU to foster cooperation and dialogue between the two legislative institutions and MPs. The two sides agreed to hold regular consultations on issues of common interest, coordinate stands and efforts at the regional & international levels and unify visions within international parliamentary bodies. Boy, oh boy, it's been a busy week for Google. The Big G launched a series of brand spankin' new models for both of its flagship product lines this past Tuesday: the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL on the phone side and then the Pixel Slate on the Chrome OS end of the equation. A new Home Hub command center made its debut, too, and an updated Chromecast even quietly crept into the picture. All of that stuff is certainly fine heck, some of it may even warrant a good old-fashioned wallet-opening exercise but you know what? None of it is especially exciting. [Get fresh tips and insight in your inbox every Friday with JR's Android Intelligence insider's newsletter. Exclusive extras await!] I don't mean that in a bad way, either; it's just the nature of mobile tech hardware these days. The Pixel phones are more about software than anything, and these new devices are mostly incremental updates to keep the hardware feeling fresh. The Pixel Slate, meanwhile, is really just an alternate version of the Pixelbook with a detachable keyboard instead of a swiveling hinge (and all the talk about Google turning Chrome OS into an Android-like tablet platform is certainly something, but it's also nothing new for those of us who have been paying attention). As for the Home Hub? Well, it's just Google's own self-made and minimally different version of the Smart Displays announced earlier this year and already released by other manufacturers. And the Chromecast well, to be honest, I don't think anyone quite knows what makes this new model meaningfully different from the last, aside from some subtle visual tweaks that you'll never see once the thing's tucked behind your television. These are all expected and necessary progressions, in other words and products plenty of people will no doubt enjoy but they aren't truly transformational or awe-inspiring in any way. Only one device from this week's event fits that bill, and it's a device you'd be forgiven for forgetting. I'm talking about Google's wireless Pixel Stand charger a $79 accessory that's easy to write off as an inconsequential money-grab. Who cares about accessories, after all? They're usually the side show and worth little more than a cursory glance. The Pixel Stand, however, isn't your average accessory. And it's much more significant than it appears on the surface. Sound crazy? Maybe. But let me explain. Blurred lines The Pixel Stand isn't just a place to set your phone for charging. Sure, it does provide your phone with power but its actual purpose is something far grander. When you place a Pixel 3 onto a Pixel Stand, the phone effectively transforms into a stationary interface for interacting with the Google Assistant not just from a spoken command perspective but also in a visual and touch-centric model. When a phone makes contact with the Pixel Stand, you see, the device automatically launches into a special new custom Assistant mode. Google And it really is designed to be an optimal Assistant interface for any environment: A phone on the Pixel Stand can show you contextual info based on the time of day perhaps offering up a visual rundown of your agenda along with weather and personalized traffic info in the morning and then serving up shortcuts for recipes and alarm settings later in the day. It can show images from your Google Photos gallery and even pop up smart home data feeds from a Nest video doorbell, for example whenever that becomes relevant. And, of course, the Pixel-Stand-clad Assistant always listens for your voice commands and responds both audibly and with touch-ready info on its display. In other words, this plain-looking little gizmo turns your phone into a full-fledged Smart Display, only using a screen and series of microphones you already have on you instead of requiring you to own a whole other device. And it introduces some neat new tricks into the process, too like the ability to wake you up with a sunrise-emulating light progression on the screen, if you use the stand by your bed, and the ability to differentiate between multiple Pixel Stands and adjust its behavior accordingly. It's a modern twist on the old phone-into-a-laptop docking concept That last part is particularly noteworthy and it's a really interesting technological feat: Google apparently came up with a way to let the Pixel Stand communicate with phones via the wireless charging signal. That allows the phone to detect which Pixel Stand it's connecting to and then respond with the appropriate environment. So if you had a Pixel Stand by your bed, it might know to show photos of your family but to avoid bothering you with your work calendar. If you had a second stand in your office, it might show your agenda info along with nature photos instead. And if you set your phone on a random wireless charger in a friend's house or public venue, it wouldn't do anything at all (other than, y'know, charge). The other side of the story Utility aside, it's important to think about the implications of this from Google's point of view because in the big picture perspective we so enjoy considering in these cozy quarters, that angle is incredibly significant. Google, remember, is all about getting people to use Assistant these days. It's why I've dubbed this the post-OS era: More than any app, operating system, or platform, the Google of today wants you to get invested with Assistant. All that other stuff increasingly just serves to direct you into Assistant's waiting (virtual) arms. Google hasn't been shy about admitting that, either: The company's head hardware honcho, Rick Osterloh, outright described his main mission as finding ways "to get Google Assistant in front of people and build a sustainable business around it" (paraphrased words from a profile earlier this year). As I've noted before, the underlying logic seems to be that the future is less about typing into the traditional search box on a page and more about interacting with the electronics around you. And if Google Assistant is the genie inside those electronics whether we're talking about your phone, your computer, your TV, or the screen you touch and talk to at different points during your day well, at the end of the day, you're still a Google customer. And that means Google still has the connection to you that allows it to show ads targeted to your interests all over the internet. To that end, Google's been working hard trying to get Assistant everywhere it can. But you know what's easier than getting people to buy standalone gadgets for interacting with Assistant in various parts of their homes and offices? Yup, you guessed it: creating a simple stand that turns the gadget everyone already has into an optimal Assistant interface. With the Pixel Stand, Google has managed to morph its latest phone into something much more than a mobile device. It's essentially a modern twist on the old (and never particularly compelling) phone-into-a-laptop docking concept one that's catered more closely to current computing patterns and that more effectively serves Google's current business needs. The lines, they are a-blurrin'. And it's all because of one simple-seeming $79 accessory. Sign up for my weekly newsletter to get more practical tips, personal recommendations, and plain-English perspective on the news that matters. [Android Intelligence videos at Computerworld] Brexit 1) May to propose keeping the UK in a customs unions with the EU Relying on backing from Labour MPs is a dangerous gamble Leader, The Sun The Prime Minister is still far from victory Leader, Daily Telegraph Blair warns of Chequers plans impact on services Financial Times Abandon free trade plans demands Barnier City AM Johnsons tweets Twitter Theresa May will on Thursday ask her Brexit war Cabinet to agree a backstop plan that would keep Britain in a customs union with Brussels until a permanent trade deal can be agreed. British and EU negotiators are understood to have agreed in principle to an all-UK backstop plan to avoid a hard border in Northern Ireland that would remove the final major obstacle blocking a withdrawal agreement. Boris Johnson said the deal would turn the UK into a permanent EU colony and the DUP angrily threatened to break its confidence and supply deal with the Conservatives and potentially bring down the Government if the Prime Minister goes through with the plan, which it described as a sell out. Daily Telegraph >Today:ToryDiary: May on the fence >Yesterday: WATCH: Brexit Britain is an oasis of moderation even while populists rise elsewhere, notes Daniel Hannan Brexit 2) Wilson: The DUP wont prop up the Government if it gives into the EU When we entered into the confidence and supply arrangement with the Government, we did so to enable it to deliver on the fiscal elements of its domestic programme and the referendum result to leave the EU. If the Government decides in the face of EU belligerence to cut and run and leave part of the UK languishing in the stifling embrace of the EU, then that would be totally unacceptable to us and many others in the House of Commons. It would have implications not just for Brexit legislation 50 per cent of which would not have passed without DUP support but also for the Budget, welfare reform and other domestic legislationThe real danger is that we would forever be stuck in the customs union because the EU would always have the option of saying that no satisfactory arrangements were in place to avoid border checks between any part of the UK and the EUThe road which the leaks and briefings is outlining is the road to parliamentary defeat for any deal which the Prime Minister brings forward. Sammy Wilson, Daily Telegraph Freeports would boost the north after Brexit Frank Field and Simon Clarke, The Times Brexit 3) EU forces us to have school uniform tax, says Gibb Brexit 4) Whitehall falling behind on no deal planning EU law prevents the government from cutting VAT on all school uniforms, Schools Standards Minister Nick Gibb has said. But that could change when the UK left the EU, he suggested to MPs. He was responding to a call from Birkenhead MP Frank Field, who said some families were going short of food to pay for uniforms. Some of his constituents faced bills of 300 plus the devastating cost of games kits, he added. Under EU law, school uniforms for children under the age of 14 are VAT free. But those who are over 14 or do not fit average size childrens clothes attract a full VAT rate of 20%. BBC Ministers have been warned that 25 of the most important plans for a no-deal Brexit are in trouble, 13 of which have been labelled off track, The Times has learnt. Civil servants have urged cabinet ministers to approve a significant acceleration of no-deal planning and the head of the National Audit Office, Sir Amyas Morse, said the government had put business in a very difficult position. There are just over 300 no-deal workstreams across government to try to prevent the worst in the event that the UK crashes out of the EU, with fewer than 100 of these categorised as high priority. The off-track plans have not been identified. The Times EU could refuse agreement on flights The Sun Former ambassador accuses the PM of culpable naivety Daily Telegraph Spain in a panic Daily Express Universal Credit problems could be another Poll Tax, warns Major Former Conservative Prime Minister Sir John Major has strongly criticised the governments key welfare reform, saying it could cause the Tories the same problems as the poll tax in the 1980s. He expressed concern about the speed at which universal credit is being introduced and the levels of funding. He said voters would think it unfair that people were losing money, which could lead to deep political trouble. Theresa May has promised transitional protections during rollout. BBC >Yesterday: WATCH: They will be protected the Prime Ministers pledge to people transitioning onto Universal Credit The Government will force all companies to reveal the ethnicity pay gap of staff Private companies and public sector employers will be forced to reveal their ethnicity pay gap under plans to be outlined by Theresa May today. The proposals will oblige bosses to reveal how much employees from ethnic minorities are paid compared with their white counterparts in a move that will mirror the gender pay gap audit carried out last year. Some of the worst disparities are expected to be in the armed forces, police service, NHS and schools, where there are few ethnic minority chiefs. The Times Hammond faces revolt over VAT UK Government debt level among the highest in the world Philip Hammond was facing a backlash last night over plans for a 2billion Budget tax raid on small business. The Chancellor is examining controversial proposals to drag hundreds of thousands of firms into the VAT system as he looks for ways to balance the books this month. Similar plans were abandoned in the run-up to last years Budget following warnings they would be politically toxic.At present, traders only have to charge VAT if their turnover tops 85,000 a year. Daily Mail Britains hidden debt mountain is among the worst in the world, it emerged yesterday. A major report by the IMF reassessed 31 major nations net worth, balancing how much each owns to each owes.Only Portugal fared worse than the UK, as it emerges the Government now has eye-watering liabilities of more than 2 trillion which is more than 100% of our entire annual GDP. The Sun Prospect of Scottish independence is appalling, says Heseltine Lord Heseltine has described the prospect of Scottish independence as appalling, questioning whether it will really change anything very much north of the border.He said independence would result in Whitehall being substituted by Edinburgh, arguing that greater autonomy should be given to cities such as Glasgow and Dundee.If I look at the record of the British Empire and the British Commonwealth, and the incredible strengths which Scotland has contributed to this 200, 300-year human achievement, the idea of fracturing it, I find unbelievable. The Scotsman >Yesterday: Craig Hoy: In the wake of the SNPs conference, heres how we Conservatives can beat them Tory councillor resigns over hospitality and gifts A leading Conservative councillor criticised for receiving hospitality or gifts 893 times over six years, frequently from property developers seeking planning permission, has resigned after an internal investigation found he breached the authoritys code of conduct. The Guardian revealed in February the extent of the hospitality lavished on Robert Davis, who was the deputy leader of Westminster city council and until last year the chair of its planning committee, overseeing billions of pounds worth of new property developments. The Guardian Extra NHS funds could be wasted The extra 20.5 billion for the NHS will be wasted without proper funding for social care, the Care Quality Commission has warned. Almost half of A&E departments were failing because of deep-rooted problems with health and social care services in their area, the watchdog said in its annual report, adding that there were blackspots where patients face care injustice and struggle to access good services. In June Theresa May promised an extra 20.5 billion a year of NHS funding by 2023-24, saying that the health service needed to plan how the money would transform services. The Times >Today: Ben Spencer on Comment: Im an NHS consultant psychiatrist. And can tell you that this talk of a mental health epidemic is doing real harm. Christians win gay cake battle The Christian owners of a bakery today won an appeal at Britains highest court over a finding that they discriminated against a customer by refusing to make a 36.50 Support Gay Marriage cake. Five Supreme Court justices allowed a challenge by the McArthur family in a unanimous ruling in London today in what is known as the gay cake caseThe legal battle has now lasted four-and-a-half years, costing around 500,000. The Equality Commission of Northern Ireland has spent 251,000 of public money on this case, while the 250,000 of costs for the bakers has been paid by a charity called The Christian Institute. Daily Mail A victory for common sense Leader, Daily Telegraph A victory for freedom Peter Tatchell, The Times Another Labour councillor found to have made anti-semitic Facebook posts Teach children about the grave injustices of the British Empire, demands Corbyn A rising Labour star has been spreading anti-semitic conspiracy theories to children in a troubled community where some school pupils have joined Islamic State, The Times can reveal. Mohammed Pappu, 26, appeared with Jeremy Corbyn at last months Labour conference where the leader praised his local party for helping to create a fair, just and decent society. Mr Pappu shared messages on Facebook that accused Britain of attacking Syria to install a Rothschild bank. He also shared posts claiming that Israel had staged 9/11, the London bombings and the Paris terrorist attacksMr Pappu had been placed by Labour in charge of governance scrutiny at Tower Hamlets council, whose childrens services have been formally rated as inadequate. His extra responsibility boosted his council income to 19,000. The Times School children should be taught about the grave injustices of the British Empire, Jeremy Corbyn will say on Thursday, prompting a furious response from Tory politicians. The Labour leader will announce plans to improve the teaching of black British history and the history of the British Empire, colonialism and slavery to help ensure their legacy is more widely understood across the countryConservative ministers and MPs accused Mr Corbyn of being ashamed of Britain and said he should stop hating what this country stands for. Daily Telegraph Welsh Government refusing to halt dumping of nuclear mud Baker: Deranged critics boost Trump The Labour-led Welsh government has been heavily criticised after refusing to halt the dumping of nuclear mud from a power station project in the sea off Cardiff. It insisted that the debris from the Hinkley Point C construction site in Somerset was safe and argued that it would be breaking the law if it suspended the disposal licence. The Guardian Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad, we are told by the ancients. Donald Trump is no ones idea of a god but his ability to reduce his opponents to wailing, gibbering husks, like demented characters in a Greek tragedy, seems increasingly Olympian in its reach. Last weekend, as Brett Kavanaugh, the presidents Supreme Court nominee, was finally being confirmed in the Senate, the Furies were unleashed and the Republicans foes took flight from the asylum.Republicans are galvanised in a way they havent been since Mr Trump came to office. Gerard Baker, The Times US President demands answers on missing Saudi BBC >Yesterday: Andrew Mitchell on Comment: If Trumps America can hold the Saudis to account for their actions in Yemen, then so can we Timothy: We also need to take back control from the Quangos Glover: Exaggerated claims about global warming only boosts the sceptics There are several ways in which, in Britain, the balance between democracy and its constraints has gone wrong. Undemocratic institutions are not only used to prevent the tyranny of the majority but to govern without proper democratic oversightThere is the European Convention on Human Rights, to which we will remain signatories after Brexit. Through the rulings of the European Court in Strasbourg and the Human Rights Act, which instructs British judges to adhere to the European Courts jurisprudence, the Convention has become our unofficial constitution.We have over a thousand technocratic quangos that exercise power over us without scrutiny. We have hundreds of thousands of civil servants making policy and operational decisions daily without proper oversight. We have laws that bind future parliaments and delegate policy-making to unaccountable entities like the Committee on Climate Change. Nick Timothy, Daily Telegraph In 2005 the WWF formerly the World Wildlife Fund exceeded even the IPCCs pessimism at the time, and suggested that all Arctic ice might melt within five years. Its still there. In the same year, the United Nations Environmental Programme forecast that within five years some 50 million climate refugees would be fleeing large areas of the globe which would have been rendered uninhabitable by the effects of climate change. This hasnt happened yet. I suggest that the public would respond more favourably to warnings about climate change if they were balanced and measured, and avoided sensational and unprovable claims. Stephen Glover, Daily Mail Heath: The Tories dont have a God given right to exist News in brief Theresa Mays Brexit backstop breakthrough Robert Peston, The Spectator If Theresa May truly admired free markets she would embrace Canada+ Alexander C. R. Hammond, CapX The Norway option would be even worse than Chequers Hjortur J. Gumundsson, Brexit Central Hammond has been left with little to reveal in his Budget Andrew Grice, Independent The gay cake judgement protects vital freedoms Louis Staples, New Statesman The biggest vacant space is for a new centre-Right agenda: either the Tories will seize it, or somebody else will give it a go. The British Macron would not be a Chuka Umunna or an Anna Soubry: it would be a populist figure from the Right, albeit one who straddles the traditional divide. Jeremy Hosking, a City financier and major Tory donor, has carried out private polling in a number of seats that shows clear support for a new party that would help achieve what the electorate thought it would be getting. Others are thinking carefully about similar options if May decides to keep us permanently in the customs union. Allister Heath, Daily Telegraph Garvan Walshe is a former National and International Security Policy Adviser to the Conservative Party. He runs TRD Policy. The restaurant was awful. The food was terrible and such small portions. Theresa Mays conference speechwriter must have thought of Woody Allens joke when writing: Throughout our history, migrants have made a huge contribution to our country and they will continue to in the future. Those with the skills we need, who want to come here and work hard, will find a welcome. But we will be able to reduce the numbers, as we promised. If migrants are so great, and we can pick the right ones, then why reduce the numbers? If we discount mere xenophobia people who just dont like foreigners, coming over here; and brute racism, people who dont like foreigners even over there there are two main causes of the publics feelings about immigration: numbers and legitimacy. Numbers means just that: the Malthusian fear of a small island becoming too crowded. But for many the issue has been legitimacy, the idea that our elected representatives have no way of setting policy, and that the people who did set at least half of it, the European Union, were not our elected representatives. This may lie behind the markedly reduced hostility to immigration since the Brexit vote. In 2016, around 40 per cent of people thought immigration had a positive economic impact. This has risen to 50 per cent in the population as a whole, and even among Leave voters, doubling to around 20 per cent from a very low ten per cent. If it was ever to make any sense at all, the Governments net migration target was only about numbers. It could be met as easily by increasing the number of existing residents who leave, as by reducing the number of newcomers. It was devised on the hoof by a shadow minister (who it was appears to be a matter of some dispute; but we know he was white and bald) and survived eight years of government, without a system being put in place to count the numbers leaving accurately. This change in opinion gives us the chance to get off this numbers hook. Though opinion has moved in a more positive direction, it is still highly polarised. Is there a way to allay the fears of communities who worry about a further influx, while ensuring that areas that need and want immigration can get it? One method, being worked out by the Migration Matters Trust, could be to devolve work permits to city regions and national administrations in Cardiff and Edinburgh, as is already done to a certain extent in Canada. That wouldnt mean Essex posting border guards on M25 off-ramps to keep more free-wheeling Londons immigrants out. Just as most of a banks work isnt conducted by the tellers at the counter, most immigration control happens behind the border, by controlling access to welfare, requiring employers to only employ people with permission to work, and so on. It has a number of advantages over the alternatives. First, it involves less central planning than the current system and fewer creative attempts to evade target for tens of thousands of people staying more than one year, by proposing, for instance, 11-month seasonal worker schemes, and further expanding the list of shortage occupations. By involving regional authorities, it brings decision making closer to the people, and encourages them to have a debate about the quantity of immigration their community needs. Third, it is within the Governments capacity to administer. Work Permits UK, which issued permits with high standards of efficiency, was only abolished just over a decade ago. Institutional memory of its effective system has been preserved throughout government. Finally, basing a new immigration system on a salary threshold to distinguish between so-called high-skilled and low-skilled immigration, as hinted at during the Party conference, raises more questions than it answers. Even if the threshold is kept at 35,000, rather than raised (suggestions that it might be raised to 50,000 appear to be fake news) a level that seems reasonable for London will be difficult for Manchester or Glasgow, where 80 per cent of jobs pay below that figure. And though a test based on salary appears simpler than a detailed list of special occupations, it ignores the important matter of experience. Few young enthusiastic people earn 35,000 straight out of school, let alone university. Regional devolution would allow the cities where young people want to live to attract the people they need. Failing to meet an immigration target based on an arbitrary number destroyed confidence in the immigration system. Replacing it with central planning takes back control from an open European labour market only to give it to faceless bureaucrats in Whitehall. Fresh thinking is needed, and devolving work permits to city regions would just be the way to obtain consent for an immigration policy that meets Britains needs. Chequers is an ingenious attempt to balance three main concerns. First, to maintain frictionless trade. In rough terms, the proposal to do so by signing up not to alignment in some manufacturing areas, but to harmonisation and a common rule book in all of them, as well as in agri-food, leans in the direction of an EEA-type, Norwegian-flavoured solution. Second, to regain more control elsewhere for example, over financial services and, at least to some degree, over our borders. That part of Theresa Mays plan has the flavour of the more distant relationship enjoyed by Canada. Finally, the complex customs proposal provides a potential means of escaping the backstop. The Prime Minister is like a juggler trying to keep three balls in the air. The EUs response at Salzburg, driven by Emmanuel Macron, was to give Chequers two fingers and then point back to its previous positions. It doesnt trust a third party to apply its tariffs, so Mays proposed Facilitated Customs Arrangement was shredded. It dismissed Chequers attempt to carve up freedom of movement for goods, capital, services and labour as a threat to the unity of the internal market. And it worries away about the plan being a cover for a plot by those perfidious Anglo-Saxons to undercut EU social and economic standards. So back it has gone to pushing the two options it has already proposed: a very close relationship, like Norways, or a more distant one, like Canadas but with none of what it dismisses as the cherry-picking of Chequers. Of these two options, a Canadian-flavoured relationship ought to be the easier to establish. This is because it boils the negotiating problems down to a single big one: the accompanying backstop proposal to separate Northern Ireland from the UK, by effectively keeping it in the Single Market as well as the Customs Union. If a clear end-date can be found for the backstop, and agreement can be reached on customs, everything else, pretty much, will fall into place. The Prime Minister will no longer have a basis for complaining that a Canada-style settlement would divide the United Kingdom. No wonder that the European Research Group and other Brexiteering Tories cheered Donald Tusk last week when he referred to a Canada Plus Plus Plus deal: he was deliberately talking their language. All this takes us to whatever may be happening now. As during the run-up to the Chequers meeting and document, there are rumours of developments one way and the other. One version of events is that May is preparing to concede no end-date for the backstop, and the EU that the whole UK, rather than Northern Ireland alone, can in effect remain in the Customs Union. The exact terms might allow Britain to conduct free trade deals with non-EU countries on paper, but it would stymy them in practice. Another claim is that the Prime Minister is holding out for a clear exit process and date. We have no way of knowing. What we do know is that the Democratic Unionist Party is in much the same place as it was during the run-up to last Decembers Withdrawal Agreement. It fears that Northern Ireland will be amalgamated in the Single Market with the Irish Republic; that the rest of the UK will eventually escape the customs union arrangement, but that it will not; and that it will therefore not gain the benefit of any eventual trade deals with non-EU countries. In short, it sees Northern Ireland being gradually absorbed into a United Ireland. As last December, it has been shown no draft texts. ConservativeHome is told that DUP MPs feel talked down to during meetings with Julian Smith. Certainly, the Government is pressing for concessions from the party over regulatory barriers in the Irish Sea. One Cabinet Minister told this site that a four-way solution is required the DUP being the fourth player, along with the UK, the EU and the Irish Republic. So it comes about that the DUP abstained yesterday on the Agriculture Bill, which it would usually have supported. It is threatening to vote down parts of the Budget. Downing Street may be playing a game of chicken with the party, gambling that support for a deal from Labour MPs will offset opposition from the party (and the European Research Group), or that Northern Irelands Unionists will ultimately not risk a general election and a Corybn government. On the one hand, such a calculation may be right. Arlene Foster and her colleagues were unhappy last year about the backstop, even after they had eventually been shown drafts of the Withdrawal Agreement, but they went along with it. On the other, it may be misreading the DUP, not to mention the ERG. Which brings us to what Labour MPs may do. Claims that up to 30 of them may vote with the Government on Brexit are, in the ERGs view, exaggerated briefed out by a few anti-Corbyn backbenchers who are unrepresentative of the whole. More broadly, the Prime Minister is getting her ducks in a row, or trying to. The Cabinet Committee on Brexit Strategy and Negotiations, the so-called War Cabinet, no longer meets. She has taken instead to consulting informal groups of senior Cabinet Ministers. One meets today. This site was told that another met on Monday. Dominic Raab postponed a visit to Brussels this week. The EU put off publishing proposals for ways forward. Downing Street is trying to lower expectations of an EU Council Agreement next week, perhaps because the EU, to build pressure, is attempting to ramp them up. So gripping is the drama with the DUP, and so pervasive are rumours about the Governments stance on the backstop and the Customs Union, that an important piece of the jigsaw is being overlooked. Even if an end-date can be agreed for the backstop, and an exit-date for the UK from the continued customs union arrangement, where would that leave the rest of Chequers? To put it very crudely, will May take a Canadian or a Norwegian route or stick to her plan? Within the last few days, one Cabinet Minister has told this site that some friction in goods is now inevitable; another, that there can and must and will be no such friction at all. Both cant be right. Perhaps the difference can be blurred in a vague political declaration presented to Parliament alongside a precise, final Withdrawal Agreement. But the less clear the declaration is, the greater the chance, surely, of MPs voting a deal down, as they ask: why should we hand over 40 billion for nothing? So if the full Cabinet discusses a pre-summit plan next week, and the Prime Minister wont back off Chequers or even proposes further alignment, say in social and environmental matters what will its Canada-leaning members do? (We cant help suspecting that near the heart of Mays policy is private guarantees that have been given about just-in-time supply chains.) The media persistently repeats claims of a coming Cabinet showdown. But the easiest course for Penny Mordaunt, Esther McVey, Andrea Leadsom, etc to take is to keep kicking cans down roads, though a decision to stick with a customs union indefinitely could change that. CORNWALL, Ontario Charles Thomas, 20, of Hogansburg, NY was arrested on Oct. 11, 2018 and charged with flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and mischief. It is alleged on Oct. 10, 2018 the man failed to stop for police in the area of Leitch Dr., he then drove in a dangerous manner as he fled from police causing damage to a property on Leitch Drive. He was later stopped by members of the Regional Task Force and turned over to a member of the Cornwall Community Police Service. He was charged accordingly and held for bail hearing. There were 50 calls for service in the City of Cornwall in the last 24 hours (8 a.m. the previous day to 8 a.m. the day of the release). To see whats happening in your neighbourhood visit our Crime Plot Map @ http://www.cornwallpolice.ca/ . CCPS reserves the right not to post all calls for service in order to protect the identity of the victims. The relentless fight against terrorism led by Moroccos Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), since its inception in 2015, enabled the institution to dismantle 57 terrorist cells, including eight during the year 2018. These figures bring the total number of cells dismantled in Morocco, since 2002, to 183 structures that projected terrorist attempts in the Kingdom, said BECIJ Director Abdelhak Khiame, adding that the preventive and anticipatory actions undertaken by Moroccan security services also helped foil 361 devastating plots, some of which targeting sensitive sites, and hampered attempts by would-be terrorists to rally the ranks of Daesh, Islamic State in Arabic. Taken together, these counterterrorism actions led to the arrest of more than 3,129 people, 292 of whom had a criminal record, Khiame said in an interview with MAP. Focusing on the actions of the BCIJ, since its establishment in 2015, Khiame said that the Bureaus Anti-Terrorism Brigade (BLCT) managed to dismantle 57 cells, including 51, which had connections with the Islamic State and six that were related to Al Faye Wa Al Istihlal. This tireless action has helped arrest 902 people, including 14 women, 29 minors, and 22 foreigners from various nationalities, he said. Detailing BCIJs four-year track record, Khiame pointed out that 21 cells were neutralized in 2015; 19 in 2016; 9 in 2017; and 8 so far in 2018. A look at these figures, he said, shows clearly the year-on-year decline in the number of dismantled terrorist cells, which evidences the efficiency of the measures taken in the fight against terrorism. For the director of the BCIJ, the key to the success of the anti-terrorist action lies in the close collaboration between the various security services and also to a multidimensional approach that includes several aspects: security, education, fight against precariousness and fight against extremist ideology through the promotion of the values of moderate Islam. Morocco has put in place an effective multidimensional approach in the fight against the scourge of terrorism and has become a model for other countries, he pointed out, adding that Morocco is always ready to share its counterterrorism experience with partner countries at the regional and international levels. In this connection, he said, several African, European and Asian countries, in addition to Australia, have expressed their wish to take advantage of the Moroccan experience in this area. Khiame ranged over other operations carried out by the BCIJ such as the fight against organized crime. He said in this regard that 167 people have been arrested since 2015, including 74 individuals in 2015; 61 in 2016; 32 in 2017; and 22 up to early October 2018. As for the returnees from hot spots, they number, according to the BCIJ chief, 239 people. He also disclosed that 643 people lost their life on the Syrian-Iraqi front, mostly in carrying out suicide operations. Local Problems, Global Tech Photo: Kyle Hovey Coral reefs are in trouble. I mean, every ecosystem is in trouble, but coral reefs especially: ocean acidification, white band disease, rising sea temperatures, pollution, and overfishing, to name just a few, are killing reefs throughout the tropical and subtropical marine world. And as the coral itself dies, the entire lush ecosystem around it dies as well. One possible solution lies in a technology more often used to create little plastic toys and architectural models: 3-D printing. In recent years, 3-D-printing technology has expanded to new materials, including aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium. One Australian company, Reef Design Labs, is using 3-D-printed nontoxic, sturdy ceramic to create a new base for coral and coral reef ecosystems to bounce back. 3-D-printed ceramic is pretty new, having only sprung up in 2016, and Reef Design Labs installed the first large-scale 3-D-printed ceramic reef in late August. Coral reefs are formed when free-swimming coral polyps (squishy invertebrates, related to sea anemones) stick onto a rock or other hard surface, usually near land and almost always in warm water. They secrete a hard anchoring substance, made of calcium carbonate, and stay there for the rest of their lives. Other polyps build on that anchoring substance, and then more polyps build on that, and the baby reef grows into (hopefully) a large reef, which provides shelter for various animals, and in turn draws predators looking for food, creating an entire system. The coral is the basic building block of a coral reef, and if the coral dies, all the other animals will desert the area, finding little protection or food there anymore. This is happening at a terrifying rate; its estimated that half of the Great Barrier Reef, the largest such system in the world, has died since 2016. Kick-starting a rebuild process is not a new one. Environmentalists and governments have been sinking all kinds of stuff for decades, hoping that a new base will attract new coral polyps to attach and form a reef. There are lots of these: sunken ships, decommissioned tanks just hurled into the ocean, art installations. The goal is to replace the structures of the coral reefs, which have died off, and sometimes to implant corals onto them, creating a new, fresh habitat for animals and hopefully attracting new polyps to settle there. Sometimes they work. Sometimes they dont. One example: In the early 1970s, a Florida company proposed an artificial reef made of over 2 million used car tires, though mostly the proposal was designed to lure game fish. It was a wild environmental disaster; the tires came loose of their moorings and bashed into existing reefs. The chief problems with artificial reefs are pollution and sub-optimization. Sunken ships and cars can release all kinds of nasty chemicals PCB, heavy metals as they decay in the sea. Theres also the problem that coral reefs are often intricately shaped, with delicate hiding holes and caverns and pathways to provide shelter for animals. Statues like Floridas Christ of the Abyss, while pretty cool to take pictures of, dont necessarily do a great job. More recently, 3-D printing has been used to create more realistic, organic shapes of artificial reefs that couldnt be made, at least not affordably, from other manufacturing methods. Reef Design Lab submerged its first 3-D-printed reef in the Maldives this summer. Reef Design Labs reef is made of extruded ceramic, a material thats only been available for 3-D printing in the past few years. Typically this is done by extruding a ceramic resin, rather than the plastic which is more common with 3-D printers. After printing, the ceramic has to be fired, just like a ceramic vase. (The company has in the past printed reefs out of sandstone.) The entire reef isnt printed at once; instead, as Mongabay notes, its printed in blocks, like Lego, which are assembled underwater. Research has shown that ceramic is a great material for reefs: its stable, strong, nontoxic, and poses no pollutive threat to animals. These particular reefs, which took only 24 hours to print, are actually modeled to look like species of native corals, a distinctive honeycombed, pock-marked design that scientists hope will attract new fish. But its also probably worth noting that while artificial reefs do sometimes work to attract animals, they dont necessarily solve the fundamental problems facing reef environments. Artificial reefs dont dont bring the sea temperatures back to previous levels; they dont halt pollution; they dont reduce overfishing. They are a step, but not the only one. Royal Caribbean Cruises will have five ships in the Australia and New Zealand markets during the 2019-2020 season, according to Susan Bonner, vice president and managing director. The Royal Caribbean brand will return with the Ovation, Voyager and Radiance of the Seas; Celebrity with the Solstice; and Azamara with the Quest. Sailing from October to April 2019-2020, we will have approximately 250,000 lower beds in the market, up 8 percent from 230,000 beds this coming season, Bonner said. Over the holiday period, we carry more families with children, and consequently our actual guest numbers will be higher than our double occupancy estimate. Bonner added: For Royal Caribbean, about 85 percent of our guests are sourced in Australia and New Zealand. When it comes to Celebrity it is more mixed with a roughly 50-50 split between what we get locally and internationally. Azamara sources about 25 percent of its passengers here and 75 percent of the guests who are sailing locally are coming from international markets. Despite having the largest penetration of any market, Bonner is convinced there is more potential that can be tapped in Australia and New Zealand. I look upon this like we (all the cruise lines) are in this together, she said. It is about us working together with all the stakeholders to develop the new-to-cruise market. There is a lot of potential here so the pie can really grow larger for everyone. Australians love to travel, they love the water, and the Ovation and Solstice are giving guests another reason to choose a cruise for their holiday option. Having had some infrastructure restraints, Bonner said she was delighted with the New South Wales government releasing its Cruise Development Plan in July. It is addressing the capacity and infrastructure restraints in Sydney and seeks to develop a regional cruise infrastructure, including new destinations along the New South Wales coast. The plan provides a greater degree of certainty for the industry, Bonner said. We need an additional terminal (in Sydney) when you consider all the capacity coming on line and the opportunity we have to grow the market. She continued: We are making deployment decisions today for 2020 and 2021 and even further out and everybody needs to understand the infrastructure that has to be in place to deliver the right experience. Some of the islands can accommodate big ships, but there are opportunities for more collaboration, understanding of what the potential for cruise tourism is, and coming up with solutions that work for everyone. Excerpt from Cruise Industry News Quarterly Magazine: Fall 2018 Proponents of greater government intervention often argue that some freedoms are well worth sacrificing for greater social stability or public health and safety. Such is particularly the case with occupational licensing and other micro-regulations, where the government routinely imposes barriers with the stated aims of protecting consumers or stabilizing industries. But while such regulations may overly technical and practical, the cost of the corresponding freedoms is far from abstract. Its personalfelt in the form of new economic obstacles for the most vulnerable and greater protection for the privileged and well-connected. In a new short film from the Mackinac Center, we can see some of these costs among a mix of Michigan workers and business owners. From a builder to a hair stylist to a pair of massage therapists, each has either faced fines or suffered unemployment due to excessive licensure restrictions. For Mike Grennan, a builder with decades of experience, obtaining state licensure wasnt possible due to a nonviolent criminal conviction in his past. As a result, hes been unable to accept a wide range of jobs. If it requires a permit, I cant be involved with it, he explains. Lets say I want to pick up and move a house. Thats ok. But if I want to demolish the house, I have to pull a permit. As a result, hes simply unable to compete and contribute his services. But the laws arent just harming those with criminal backgrounds. For others in the film, it comes down educational or financial hurdlesstruggling to either stay aware of current regulatory policy, afford the necessary schooling, or pass excessive exams that dont actually pertain to the work at hand. For about 20 percent of jobs here in the state of Michigan, people have to have a license in order to work, explains Jarrett Skorup, author of a recent Mackinac study. There are about 200 jobs that require a license, and that means educational requirements. It means mandated college degrees. It means fees, continuing education, and all these types of barriers to entry. What we see is as soon as the government requires a license, that immediately means 15 to 30 percent higher prices for consumers. It means less competition, and it means a higher recidivism rateso actually a higher percentage of people returning to prison. According to the study, Michigans licensure regime costs the state 125,480 jobs, and ensures citizens pay $10.4 billion annually in higher prices (or about $2,700 annually per household). The state also spends more than $150 million directly on licensing individual occupations. Thankfully, just last September, Gov. Rick Snyder took action to remedy some of the issues specific to criminal justice, improving access to occupational licenses and state jobs for those with criminal backgrounds. The state licensing bureau will remove a box on occupational licensure applications that asks if the applicant was convicted of a felony, explains Derek Draplin. In addition, the governor issued an executive directive ordering state agencies to remove the felony question from initial state employment applications. Snyder hopes to set an example not only for the state government but for Michigans business community. Noting that getting a job is an essential part of successful re-entry for most prisoners. The move comes as part of a larger effort by the states Office of Regulatory Reinvention, which aims to ensure that Michigans regulatory environment is simple, fair, efficient, and conducive to business growth and job creation. The real-life consequences of these sorts of quiet regulations can be crippling to economic opportunity and mobility, not to mention our mindsets and imaginations about work and vocation in general. Further, as Skorup demonstrates in the study, such licensure requirements havent even proven themselves in the areas they aim to promoteshowing no impact whatsoever on improved public health and safety, for example. The topic of occupational licensing isnt known for ranking high on the nations list of hot-button issues, but if we truly aim to expand opportunity for all, especially the marginalized and disadvantaged, its a fight worth waging. Local Problems, Global Tech Pregnant women line up for a checkup at a government hospital in Amritsar, India. Photo: Narinder Nanu/AFP/Getty Images UNICEF estimates that 800 women die of pregnancy-related causes every day. Despite a decline in maternal mortality rates over the past few years, about a quarter of those are Indian women. Roughly 70 percent of Indias pregnant women live in rural areas, where access to doctors, monitoring equipment, and education is scarce. Technology, though, is not scarce; there are nearly a billion active phone subscribers in India. And that opens the door for some solutions. SaveMom was founded in 2016 by Sunder Jagannathan and Senthil Kumar, two tech entrepreneurs from Bangalore, India. Jagannathan and Kumar wanted to help pregnant women solve four major problems: how often to see a doctor, how to alert a doctor during the day if necessary, how to remind patients to take medicine, and how to gauge their and their babys health at home. They set to creating a sort of home-brewed smartwatch, capable of keeping appointments, monitoring heart rate, and dialing emergency services. This turned into a company, and eventually ended up winning some startup competitions Facebooks Code for the Next Billion among them. SaveMom was initially going to be an app for urban women, but after getting involved in the space, the company realized that rural women vastly outnumber those in urban areas, and that their needs were, if anything, greater. According to the WHO, 66 percent of Indias 1.3 billion people lives in rural areas. About half of all pregnant Indian women have prenatal checkups fewer than four times during their entire pregnancy, according to a national survey. Going out in the field, the SaveMom team found that many rural women saw a doctor two times or fewer during their pregnancy. So the SaveMom app, which is currently doing pilot tests and not yet available publicly, will have two different branches. One is SaveMom Premium, which features an updated version of that wearable device. It syncs with a mobile phone to set reminders for appointments, provide health information, track heart rate and physical activity, and store medical reports. SaveMom Ahalya is the other branch, designed specifically for rural areas. Ahalya is a kit, almost like a first aid kit, of specially designed gadgets: a fetal heart-rate monitor, blood-pressure monitor, pulse oximeter (thats the little clip the doctor puts on your finger while taking your blood pressure; it measures oxygen saturation in the blood), blood-glucose monitor, and a smart scale (which measures body fat, metabolic rate, and various other info). The idea is that SaveMom will partner with local governments and NGOs to bring the Ahalya kit to smaller villages, where multiple patients can share them. Theyve already locked down some partners, including the state government of Karnataka and a nonprofit called Amrita SeRVe. Those organizations can send someone out to the villages with the kit and measure every pregnant woman quickly, with no expertise needed; the app walks through the basic steps of, you know, Velcro-ing the heart-rate monitor on the patients arm. If theres internet connectivity, itll upload to the cloud right away; if not, it can be stored on a mobile device until it has connectivity. We went through a lot of WHO reports and we found that the problem was a lot bigger than we had imagined, said SaveMoms Divya Krishnan in an interview with the Bridge. In rural areas, accessibility to healthcare is a major issue and so is the lack of awareness. SaveMoms team hopes that its ease of use, coupled with Indias impressive connectivity, can help address the issue. La historia real de un tiocojonudo, a documentary based on the real-life experience of 93-year-old Barcelonan Antonio Benedico, was awarded the bronze prize in the content category at the International Echo Awards recently held in Las Vegas. View the documentary here. The documentary was created and promoted by Pullmantur Cruceros and the agency Proximity Madrid. Its distribution was digital, through a global campaign on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, reaching 10 million views in just over two weeks, according to the cruise line. Pullmantur President and CEO Richard J. Vogel commented: "I am very proud that Antonio's story has crossed borders, and is now recognized by the jury of the International Echo Awards, one of the most important events in the industry. The award is a great incentive to continue along this path, developing creative actions that allow us to go one step further and commit to innovation in our campaigns." The Echo Awards recognize the success and value of the marketing campaigns. The jury consisted of more than 400 judges from 27 countries, all selected from among the world's most influential market leaders. The documentary revolves around Antonio Benedico, a 93 year-old Barcelona watchmaker, who, after experiencing a tough 2006, decided to go on a cruise. Antonio completed 33 cruises with the company in the seven years up to 2017, and would often say that Pullmantur "has saved his life". The piece was filmed during a memorable trip on board the Sovereign in early October 2017. After overcoming a minor health problem that had prevented Antonio from travelling, Pullmantur Cruceros decided to return the affection and thank him for the loyalty shown over these years with a surprise: the cruise line reproduced his bedroom in one of the cabins on the Sovereign, so he would feel even more at home while enjoying a special cruise around the Mediterranean with his daughter and granddaughter. Since his first cruise in 2009, Benedicos life has been linked to Pullmantur Cruceros and its crew, who he considers "his other family". Benedict's affection for the cruise line is such that he says: "when I die, I want you to throw my ashes into the sea from the stern of the Sovereign." Royal Caribbean Cruises today announced it has signed an agreement with Southern Power, a U.S. wholesale energy provider and subsidiary of Southern Company, for its 200-megawatt (MW) Reading Wind Facility. The cruise company said that this initiative will offset up to 12 percent of its emissions beginning in 2020, and that it is the latest addition to its sustainability efforts, which include programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at sea and in port. This project, Southern Powers eleventh wind facility, is located in Osage and Lyon Counties, Kansas, and is said to be Southern Powers first to be validated as a carbon offset project under the Verified Carbon Standard. The agreement with Royal Caribbean provides Southern Power with the economic basis to construct the project. This agreement complements our longstanding strategic initiatives to reduce the companys emissions and become a more sustainable operator, said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, in a prepared statement. We are constantly looking for new ways to reduce our environmental footprint, both in the short and long term, and thanks to our partnership with Southern Power this is the latest step in our journey. The facility is expected to generate roughly 760,000 megawatt hours per year over the duration of the 12-year agreement, which translates to enough clean energy to offset 10-12 percent of Royal Caribbeans annual carbon emissions starting in 2020. With this program, Royal Caribbean stated that it is able to apply a new approach while continuing its primary initiatives to advance sustainability efforts across the companys fleet. According to said Southern Power President and CEO Mark Lantrip, the Reading Wind is the first project in the joint development agreement with RES America Developments Inc. (RES), qualifying for 100 percent production tax credits and is an important addition to Southern Powers portfolio. The 200-MW project was originally developed by RES who will lead the construction of the project alongside Southern Power. Reading Wind is expected to consist of 62 wind turbines manufactured by Siemens Gamesa. The project is expected to break ground in the second quarter of 2019 and is expected to be complete by the second quarter of 2020. Southern Power will operate and maintain the facility upon completion. MJM Group, a cruise interior outfitter, announced today that it has raised 160,000 for a number of local and national charities. The cruise ship fit-out specialist turned the historic refit of the Azamara Pursuit into a fundraising extravaganza by partnering with Azamara Club Cruises, and EY Entrepreneur Of The Year, to organise a mini-cruise and auction onboard the ship. MJM Group Chairman, Brian McConville, who is an Alumnus of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program, joined forces with EY and Azamara Club Cruise to host a mini-cruise to which he invited other EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Alumni, stakeholders, family and friends. The end result has been 160,000 raised for causes nominated by the three partners, according to a statement. The three key recipients are Cuan Mhuire, an all Island addiction treatment centre with facilities close to MJM Groups headquarters in Newry; Pieta House, an all island treatment centre for people who are suicidal or self-harming, EYs charity of choice for the year; and Mercy Ships, an international development organisation that deploys hospital ships to some of the poorest countries in the world. The McConville family also wanted to support several local organisations with smaller donations including the chosen charities of the three core businesses in the family group PIPS Hope and Support in Newry, MJM Groups Charity of the Year; Clic Sargent, Mivans Charity of the Year; and the RLNI, Topglass Charity of the Year. The family also supported Tinylife and local Gateways- Carcullion Gateway in Hilltown and Newry Gateway. Brian McConville said: We have been blown away by the response to this event and the generosity of all our guests. I would like to thank our partners, EY for giving us access to their alumni and particularly the Azamara team, Captain and Crew for allowing us to run this phenomenal event. I would also like to thank all those who generously donated and took part in the auction providing or purchasing prizes. We wanted to do something exceptional in our 35th year, and we did. It was an extremely memorable event and it is fantastic that the legacy of this event will be felt in our community for a long time to come through this sum of money. Richard Twynam, CEO Azamara Club Cruises, UK and Ireland said: We were honored to work alongside MJM Group in making this event happen. It was a huge success, and our chosen charity Mercy Ships is such a worthy cause. Mercy Ships has a commitment from a benefactor to match funds raised this year, so the total is going to be doubled and this will make a big difference to the amazing work that Mercy Ships does around the world. Kevin McLoughlin, Partner Lead for EY Entrepreneur Of The Year said: When Brian approached us about this idea we were on board immediately. Many of our Alumni are heavily involved in charity work and giving back to their communities, so we knew it was something that they would get behind. It was a fantastic way to raise money for Pieta House and the other charities. The huge amount of money that was raised will make a real difference to a lot of lives, we are extremely proud to be part of that. On behalf of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Alumni community, Id like to thank Brian, MJM Group and Azamara for allowing us to be part of something so special. Photo: Nine local and national charities were the recipients of 160,000 which was raised by MJM Group who organised a Charity Cruise on board the Azamara Pursuit following its historic refit in Belfast. MJM Group were supported by Azamara Club Cruises and EY Entrepreneur Of the Year. The charities who benefited from the money are Cuan Mhuire, Pieta House, Mercy Ships, PIPS Hope and Support, Clic Sargent, RNLI, Tinylife, Carcullion Gateway in Hilltown and Newry Gateway. Pictured at the cheque presentation event are (l to r) Rob Heron, Partner Lead for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Programme, Brian McConville, Chairman MJM Group, Sr Consilio, founder of Cuan Mhuire, Eamonn Duignan, Head of Finance for Pieta House, Charlene Cree, Corporate Partnership Manager for Mercy Ships and Gary Annett, CEO MJM Group. Oct. 11, 2018 CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Student Government is leading the charge to encourage students to register, vote and become an active participant in their community. I think its fantastic, said Political Science Lecturer Tim Allison, J.D., who has been advising the Student Government on their project. This generation is recognizing that their voices and their votes are crucial to making changes in our country. CSUCIs Student Government is competing in the California College and University Ballot Bowl, a friendly competition set up by the California Students Vote Project, backed by California Secretary of State Alex Padilla in partnership with the California Lieutenant Governor and a coalition of nonprofit organizations. All California community colleges, universities and private systems are invited to compete to become the campus with the highest percentage of the student body registered to vote. CSUCI throws it hat into the ring with a four-day campus extravaganza called Civic Engagement Week, which begins Monday, Oct. 15 through Thursday, Oct. 18. CSUCIs Center for Community Engagement, as well as Student Leadership programs are partnering with Student Government to host the event, which is aimed at getting students to vote and to get involved. If young people want things to change in this country, they have to step up and be their own advocate, Allison said. If they dont vote, they are resigned to letting others make decisions for them. Recent elections have shown that races all over the country have been incredibly close. Small groups of people can clearly make a difference as to who gets elected at all levels of government. Booths with information on how students can get involved in their communities and how they can register to vote will be set up at strategic locations around campus on Monday and Wednesday. Tuesday is the Constitution Day Carnival, which will last from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at CSUCIs Central Mall. There will be food trucks, carnival games and speakers focused on your rights in this country, said Student Government President Atticus Reyes, 21, a senior History major. And free ice cream for the first 100 students. State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson will be among the speakers on Thursday, which will focus more on civic engagement. There will be 80 of the Universitys community partners available to offer literature and provide information on how students can get involved in policy-making and services all around them. On a local level, sometimes people feel like theyre powerless, said Coordinator of Student Leadership Kem French, who is organizing the Thursday event. Our goal is to hopefully empower students to do something. They may not realize that just getting involved on a local level can give them a deeper understanding of the policies that affect them. French said there will be a wealth of literature available on new policies, laws and ordinances on the ballot that will affect students. Reyes said he knows of many young voters his age who are already passionate about civic involvement and he and the other organizers hope to interest even more, and make a strong showing in the Ballot Bowl. Theres this narrative that the younger population doesnt care or they dont want to participate, he said. Thats detrimental. We need to look at this population as future leaders, and we should be sparking their interest and passion. We need to make our voices be heard. Its not pro-Democrat or pro-Republican. Its just pro-democracy. The Ballot Bowl winners will be announced by the Secretary of States Office on Nov. 14. Darryck Norris, of Bridgeport, pleaded guilty Thursday to distributing heroin while released on bond and awaiting sentencing for a prior heroin distribution offense. John H. Durham, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut said the 25-year-old Norris pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport According to court documents and statements made in court, at 8:49 p.m. on Oct. 27, 2016, Milford police and emergency medical personnel responded to a residence in Milford and found an unresponsive 37-year-old male slumped over in the downstairs living area of the residence. Emergency personnel attempted lifesaving measures and administered two doses of the opiate antidote Narcan, which had no effect. The victim was pronounced deceased. Officers searched the immediate area and seized four empty plastic bags and one full baggy that contained suspected heroin. Each of the bags was stamped with the same brand stamp. Officers also seized the victims iPhone. Analysis of text messages revealed that the victim had ordered heroin from Norris earlier that day. Witness interviews and further cellphone analysis revealed that the victim had purchased heroin from Norris for several months prior to the victims overdose, according to a release from Durham. On Nov. 1, 2016, members of the DEA and Milford Police Department conducted a controlled purchase of heroin from Norris in Bridgeport. The heroin bags purchased were stamped with the same stamp that was found on the bags seized from the overdose victims residence. Norris was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on Nov. 3, 2016, and was released on a $50,000 bond. On May 17, 2017, he pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of heroin. Underhill allowed Norris to remain released on bond pending sentencing, and granted his request to attend the U.S. District Courts Support Court program. On Feb. 16, Norris was arrested by Bridgeport police and charged with possession of narcotics with intent to sell, and other offenses. Subsequent investigation revealed that Norris had been distributing heroin between approximately December 2017 and his arrest on February 16. When he is sentenced, Norris faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count of distribution of heroin. A sentencing date is not scheduled. Norris is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing. This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administrations Bridgeport Resident Office, the DEAs New Haven Task Force, and the Milford and Bridgeport Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas P. Morabito. SAN FRANCISCO - Facebook said on Thursday it purged more than 800 U.S. publishers and accounts for flooding users with politically-oriented spam, reigniting accusations of political censorship and arbitrary decision-making. In doing so, Facebook demonstrated its increased willingness to wade into the thorny territory of policing domestic political activity. Some of the accounts had been in existence for years, had amassed millions of followers, and professed support for conservative or liberal ideas, such as one page that billed itself as "the first publication to endorse President Donald J. Trump." Facebook's ability to monitor manipulation of users is under an intense spotlight in the weeks ahead of the U.S. midterm elections. But Facebook only named five of the hundreds of pages it removed. Two of the page operators said that they were legitimate political activists, not profit-driven operators of clickbait "ad farms," as Facebook claimed in a blog post. They said they were still unsure which Facebook rules they had violated or why they had been singled out for behavior that is standard in online organizing. "I would gladly abide by Facebook's terms if I understood what they were," said Chris Metcalf, the publisher of the left-leaning "Reasonable People Unite" which was shut down along with eight additional Facebook pages, which he said had a total of 2.25 million followers. "I am a legitimate political activist. I don't have a clickbait blog. I don't have a fake news website. And I haven't been doing anything that all the other pages in this space aren't doing." In its post, Facebook described the pages, with names like "Nation in Distress" and "Reverb Press," as largely domestic actors using clickbait headlines and other spam tactics to drive users to websites where they could target them with ads. The company said it was not taking issue with the nature of the content posted by the pages, but with the behaviors of the accounts, which used inappropriate tactics to artificially inflate their influence. Some of the pages and accounts had millions of followers. Facebook said it shut down the accounts for having "consistently broken our rules against spam and coordinated inauthentic behavior." "People will only share on Facebook if they feel safe and trust the connections they make here." Facebook for years has tried to squeeze spam and clickbait from its platform because it can irritate users. But Facebook has usually applied a softer punishment, downranking the sites in its newsfeed so fewer people see them - but not shutting them down altogether. But ever since Russian operatives used Facebook to target American voters ahead of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the company has been on a crusade to demonstrate that its platform won't be used to disrupt the democratic process. False information peddled by foreign actors was clear-cut manipulation. But the same content, when spread by domestic actors, could be considered free speech -- and a crackdown on it would be contrary to a principle social media embraces. At stake is the company's future ability to operate with minimal government scrutiny: Prominent Republican and Democratic politicians now say Facebook should be regulated more heavily if it cannot control a growing list of abuses, including foreign meddling, the spread of misleading news -- and if it abuses its power to censor, as conservatives have repeatedly alleged. Facebook has long struggled with where to draw lines around domestic content. After the 2016 election, company executives declined to purge thousands of misleading pages for fear that doing so would alienate conservatives, according to two people familiar with the discussions. "It is totally reasonable for companies to say if you abuse our mechanisms, we will punish you, even if the individual content is okay," said Alex Stamos, who resigned as Facebook's chief security officer this summer and is now an adjunct professor at the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University and a Hoover Fellow. "Facebook first reduced the ability to use ads to punish extreme content. Now they are attacking organic recommendation systems, such as the likes and shares used to artificially inflate posts." Facebook was "changing the rules as they went," said James Reader, who helped found Reverb Press in 2014. Reader, who calls himself a progressive, said Facebook's actions were also unfair to the conservative sites that were taken down. "This is what the First Amendment is all about. It should be a fair, equal playing field, that's all we ever asked for." The challenge of policing domestic content is even trickier than going after foreign interference because many - including Facebook itself - question whether Facebook should be in the role of deciding what constitutes legitimate political expression to begin with. By removing the groups entirely, Facebook is eliminating any opportunity to redeem themselves and is curtailing their speech for good. The issue arose earlier this summer, when Facebook took down several dozen pages run by Russian operatives. But those operatives had built ties to unsuspecting legitimate activists, whose ability to organize was squashed when Facebook removed their groups as well. The domestic pages and accounts Facebook removed Thursday had a strong political bent. Nation In Distress, which claimed to be the early Trump supporter, recently shared a link to a story that had called Rep. Maxine Waters "demented." Founded in 2012, it had amassed more than 3.2 million likes and over 3 million followers, as of Thursday morning, before it was taken down. The page linked in its "about" section to a website called "America's Freedom Fighters," which posted content and duplicated press releases that appeared to be written by others about violent crimes and gun rights -- all alongside a sidebar of ads. An administrator for the site declined to comment. On the opposite end of the political spectrum, Reverb Press posted attacks on President Trump and referred to Republicans as "cheating scumbags" to its over 700,000 followers. A second left-leaning page, Reasonable People Unite, posted a screenshot from a Twitter user who said, "Somewhere in America, a teenage girl is listening to her parents defend Brett Kavanaugh and she is thinking to herself, if something like that happens to me, I have nowhere to go." Experts said that some of the groups used unscrupulous methods to inflate their traffic. Researcher Jonathan Albright said that Facebook is simply catching up to operations that attempt to boost their reach and game its service for profit or ideological reasons. Reasonable People Unite's Metcalf, a 36-year-old graphic designer in Columbus, Ohio, said in an interview that he launched his first Facebook page in late 2015. He began to connect with other left-leaning organizers, and they developed a system of aggressively promoting one another's content. The techniques were so successful that he created eight other pages, which together generated 80 to 100 million likes, clicks, shares, and comments each month. He said that most of the news that he shared came from mainstream news organizations, such as the Washington Post, The New York Times and the online magazine Slate. Occasionally the posts would get flagged for spam, he said, which he didn't understand because he was sharing news stories. Metcalf said Facebook's policies against "coordinated inauthentic behavior" were "insanely arbitrary" and that profit was not his primary motive. "The problem with the language is that every page in this space coordinates with others, and everyone has shared content for profit. It's insane to say you can't make money," he said. He added that Facebook had also removed his wife's Facebook account, and that she now doesn't have a way to contact many far flung family and friends. At its peak, the progressive-leaning Reverb Press had a team of editors and attracted between 4 to 5 million visitors a month online driven in large part by Facebook, said Reader. A page for Reverb Press and another affiliated with it, and two owned by Reader personally, were shut down Thursday. Many of the stories that appear on the Reverb Press website, which remains active, have been aggregated from other sources. Beginning in late 2016, Facebook's changes to its platform severely depleted traffic to Reverb Press, Reader said, rendering it increasingly difficult to reach even existing fans. --- The Washington Post's Craig Timberg contributed to this report. The average customer might benefit. Photo: RJ Sangosti/Denver Post via Getty Images When two large and similar health care companies merge, the economic story tends to be pretty simple: They use their added power in the market to increase prices and profits. Consumers come out behind. At least this is true of horizontal mergers, like when an insurer buys an insurer or a hospital system buys a hospital system. But vertical mergers between companies that make up different links along the health-care chain like the just-approved merger between the pharmacy retailer CVS and the insurer Aetna are more likely, under the right conditions, to produce benefits for consumers. I think the biggest source of optimism is on the cost side, says Austin Frakt, an associate professor at the Boston University School of Public Health. There have been, in other settings, places where the management of pharmacy benefits and the rest of the health-care benefit when theyre bundled together, it does produce more value for consumers. Combining many different health-care functions under one roof can help address one of the persistent problems with the American health-care system: the disconnect between payments and outcomes. As the system works now, you pay (or your employer pays, or the government pays) a variety of companies that provide different parts of the health care you need. And those companies get paid based on what services they provide, regardless of whether you get healthier. Your pharmacy makes money if it sells you drugs. Your doctor makes money if he runs tests. Your hospital makes money if you have surgery. None of these service providers is likely to be focused enough on your integrated care. In theory, your health insurer does have good incentives to take the 30,000-foot view of your health if you get good outpatient care today, it wont have to pay to hospitalize you later but it has limited control over what the other players in the system do. The idea behind a merger like CVS and Aetna is to bring more of these functions under one roof. Aetna sells you a health plan, and then when you receive care at a CVS Minute Clinic, their focus should be on maintaining your health so Aetna doesnt have to pay extra claims in the long run instead of just focusing on what services they can bill your insurer for today. The merger also helps address one of the costly oddities of American health care: Pharmacy benefit-management companies that operate separately from insurers. Insurers contract with these companies to determine drug formularies and negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies and pharmacy retailers. There are three big PBMs that dominate the market: Caremark, owned by CVS; Optum, owned by the insurer UnitedHealthcare; and Express Scripts. In recent years, PBMs have developed a reputation for being a bit of a scam. They are supposed to represent the interests of insurers and therefore, at least in theory, the customers who pay the insurance premiums that ultimately cover the cost of drugs but in practice its hard even for the insurers to figure out how much the PBMs are doing to hold down costs, and how much of whatever cost savings they generate theyre keeping as profits. In a world of really small insurers, you want scale to negotiate with the pharmaceutical companies, so you saw PBMs emerge because they aggregate scale across the insurers, said Craig Garthwaite, a health-care economist at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern. But if youre a big insurer you can do that on your own. By merging with CVS, and therefore acquiring Caremark, Aetna will begin doing that on its own. Thats increasingly looking like the norm for large insurers: UnitedHealthcare already owns Optum; Cigna will soon be merging with Express Scripts; and Humana has its own, smaller PBM. In fact, despite all the attention to the merger, CVS-Aetna wont have that unusual a business structure once they are merged. The combined company will be in the health insurance, retail pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, pharmacy benefit mangement, and outpatient care businesses. UnitedHealthcare is already in all those lines of business (did you know they employ tens of thousands of doctors?) and Cigna and Express Scripts will be in most of them once their merger is completed. Humana has a growing partnership with Walmart; the two companies have been rumored as possible merger partners. The big question for consumers is: Even if these vertically integrated companies are more efficient because make better care choices, or because they no longer have to pay a cut to PBMs, will they pass those improvements on to consumers in the form of lower prices? They might, said Martin Gaynor, an economics professor at Carnegie Mellon and founder of the Health Care Cost Institute. Thats going to depend on how competitive those insurance markets are. We know there are issues with competition in some health insurance markets. But there are some reasons for optimism. For one, medical loss ratio rules in the Affordable Care Act limit what fraction of premium revenue insurers can keep as profit from many plans. If they save enough through merger efficiencies, theyll hit the cap and have no choice but to rebate the savings to customers. Garthwaite is more confident the mergers benefits will flow through to consumers. But he also leaves open the possibility that they might not materialize at all. He notes that improving value-for-money in health care is hard, and a lot of previous efforts have failed, even when incentives have been aligned correctly. Kaiser Permanentes managed care model is often cited as the holy grail of the benefits of vertical integration in health care. Oakland-based Kaiser sells the insurance, owns the hospitals, employs the doctors, dispenses the medication, and seems to produce superior results at better prices. People love the Kaiser model. Yet nobody has done a good job replicating it; even Kaiser has had limited success expanding it outside California. Garthwaite chalks that up to the extreme complexity of running inpatient hospitals and hes eager to see more companies adopt the UnitedHealthcare approach of uniting most of the elements of care, without getting into the messy hospital business. If that model is producing superior results, United may have been enjoying most of the benefits to itself as profit, since its setting prices in competition against companies that dont share its business model. But with Aetna and Cigna and Humana copying the approach in their own ways, competitive pressures could force more of those financial returns back into the wallets of consumers starting with this merger. A foreclosed home in Compton, California. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images As you may have noticed, the president, his hirelings, and his media peanut gallery are hyping positive microeconomic indicators as often as they possibly can. Blowout numbers on New Jobs and, separately, Services. Market up! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 3, 2018 But while perceptions of the economy have been improving lately, its also clear that the stock market, growth, and unemployment statistics mask a great deal of microeconomic struggle and insecurity. Georgetown political scientist John Sides and the Public Religion Research Institutes Robert Griffin reported today on a new study that illustrates these shadows in all the economic sunshine: A sample of 6,000 Americans told us whether they had experienced a variety of negative financial events over the last year including a drop in income, a job loss, or difficulty paying monthly bills. They also reported whether they had savings and felt financially prepared for the unexpected, as well as their overall feelings about their finances, job, income, savings and debt. Answers to these questions were only weakly associated with peoples identity as Democrats or Republicans and therefore better captured their true economic situation About one in five were somewhat or very dissatisfied with their income and 25 percent reported a drop in their income in the previous year. Savings were a real concern: 33 percent said that they did not have any savings and 40 percent were dissatisfied with their savings. Nearly half (47 percent) said that they were not very or not at all financially prepared for the unexpected. The researchers created an index of economic distress in which the average score for Americans was 29. And the clear finding was that nonwhite Americans are still suffering from disproportionate distress: In reality, it is people of color who report the most distress a fact that is not surprising but stands out clearly in the new data. Hispanic-Americans without a college degree averaged 37 on this index and African-Americans without a college degree averaged 32. In fact, African-Americans with a college degree reported slightly more distress (30, on average) than whites without a college degree. This pattern was evident at every income level. Nonwhites with the same household income as whites still reported more economic distress. This was true even when comparing nonwhites with college degrees to whites without college degrees. Trump does not seem to grasp this basic reality: So if African-American unemployment is now at the lowest number in history, median income the highest, and you then add all of the other things I have done, how do Democrats, who have done NOTHING for African-Americans but TALK, win the Black Vote? And it will only get better! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2018 But while the study found that 2016 Trump voters including white working-class Trump voters are at or below the national average for economic distress, those that are feeling the pain are not happy with him. Republicans who reported high levels of distress were 10 percentage points less likely to approve of Mr. Trump, compared with those with low levels of distress. Among independents, economic distress was associated with a steeper 17-point drop in approval. In other words, economic distress is doing what it typically does in American politics: serve as a referendum on the incumbent president. Obviously, not everyone who is doing well economically approves of Donald Trumps job performance, as his weak standing with college-educated voters particularly women shows. But his apparent belief that the strong economy he inherited from Barack Obama is lifting all boats isnt right. And thus the economic statistics he loves to cite are only a part of the picture in a country where inequality blights every gain, and the party of the more fortunate cannot expect gratitude from those left in distress. People visit a free health clinic in Wise, Virginia, on July 22, 2017. Photo: John Moore/Getty Images President Trumps Medicare for All op-ed, published on Wednesday in USA Today, builds its case on a foundation of lies. Some are familiar falsehoods: Medicare for All would take health care from seniors, lead to health-care rationing, and generally inflict pain on the innocent. Every single citizen will be harmed by such a radical shift in American culture and life, Trump warned. Republicans are masters of fire-and-brimstone rhetoric, especially on the issue of healthcare, but fear-mongering cant alter fact. As Vox noted later on Wednesday, Democrats havent actually proposed a plan that would take Medicare away from seniors, and Trumps other apocalyptic warnings are shaped by the omission of relevant facts. If private health insurance really improved health-care outcomes in ways that public systems did not, then the introduction of single-payer would indeed be a bad idea. Similarly, if private health insurance plans actually met patients needs and remained affordable, it would be much easier to believe that recent Democratic interest in Medicare for All is part of some nefarious, ideologically motivated plot, as Trump suggests. But a new report, released by the Economic Policy Institute the same day Trumps op-ed went live, undercuts many of the presidents arguments. Healthcare costs are rising, which drives up premiums for employer-sponsored, private insurance plans. That, in turn, helps keep incomes and wages low. Josh Bivens, EPIs director of research, concluded that the total cost of a family insurance plan provided by a members employer more than tripled between 1999 and 2016, jumping from an average of $5,791 to $18,142. For families whose earning fell in the bottom 90 percent, total premium costs as a share of their earnings doubled over the same period, from 25.6 to 51.7 percent. Rising costs dont just burden families, either. For single people earning in the bottom 90 percent, premiums as a share of their average annual earnings jumped from 9.7 percent in 1999 to 18.3 percent in 2016. In the past two decades, the private insurance plans that Trump allegedly wants to preserve have gotten more expensive, and have become more burdensome for American workers. These trends hit workers hardest, but theyre expensive for all parties involved. Bivens found that out-of-pocket costs for workers increased by 53.5 percent from 1999 to 2016, and costs paid by insurers increased by 48.5 percent over the same time period. In 2015, the United States spent 16.8 percent of its national GDP on health care; the United Kingdom, by contrast, spent 9.8 percent. Insurers pay more, so employers pay more, and they pass the burden down to workers, who can afford it the least. EPIs report isnt the first time that researchers have blamed costs, as opposed to utilization of services, for inflating the U.S.s overall health spending. A 2018 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that Americans dont use health care services at significantly higher rates, compared to 12 other developed nations. Rather, high salaries for doctors, high administrative costs, and high prescription drug costs all help explain why the U.S. spends such a disproportionate amount of money on health care. The narrative that has come up, that has developed, is that America spends so much more because Americans demand more health care. We have done, through the Affordable Care Act and other policy efforts, almost nothing about prices. To me, that has been the big missed opportunity, one of the studys co-authors, Ashish Jha of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, told the Washington Post at the time. The problem, in other words, doesnt lie with patients. In fact, the utilization argument bears no small resemblance to arguments that tie poverty to individual or cultural failings. Health care isnt expensive because Americans use too many services. Responsibility belongs elsewhere, with whoever sets the prices. Americans dont get their moneys worth, either. American health care isnt particularly good in comparison to other industrialized nations. According to a 2015 report by the Commonwealth Fund, the U.Ss high health expenditures dont correlate to longer, healthier lives for its residents. In fact, Americans experienced shorter lifespans and higher infant mortality rates than 12 other industrialized economies. High national expenditures obviously dont promise good health outcomes for residents. And if costs continue to rise, without any regulatory intervention, workers and employers alike will continue to pay more for health insurance while experiencing no added benefit in return for their money. Thats not conducive to higher wages. It doesnt seem like a coincidence, either, that individuals with employer-sponsored insurance still have problems paying their medical bills. A 2016 Kaiser Family Foundation study found that 19 percent of Americans who say they either have trouble with medical bills, or cant pay their bills at all, have health insurance through an employer. EPIs Bivens suggests a series of cost-containment measures, including a public option and the implementation of all-payer rate setting, which would ensure that insurance providers all pay the same rates for medical services at a particular hospital. Other, more dramatic reforms, like Medicare for All, could also help rein in health-care costs. Public support for Medicare for All or some other form of single-payer health care has gathered momentum. A reasonable observer could absolutely infer that growing public favorability toward single-payer health care stems from lived experience, and not just from a certain independent senators upstart primary campaign. The rising costs of employer-sponsored insurance arent just relevant to Medicare for All, or to the wage stagnation debate. They also undermine a pervasive myth. The idea that work can, on its own, lift people out of poverty and off the welfare rolls regularly undergirds attacks on the welfare state. Bill Clintons welfare reforms imposed a 60-month time limit on benefits in most cases, in the name of getting the poor into the workforce. That intention shaped the very name of the bill, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act. The Republican Partys recent push to weigh down other entitlement programs by adding work requirements relies on this same premise. As of September, 11 states had taken advantage of a new waiver to set work rules for Medicaid, which would, if you believe the Trump White House, help Americans rise out of poverty and attain independence. Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a version of the farm bill that would impose stricter work requirements for SNAP beneficiaries, a provision that the House Agriculture Committee chairman, Republican Michael Conaway, called a springboard out of poverty. Get a job, and self-sufficiency manifests itself. America is already great. But most Americans get health insurance through their employers. People are working unemployment numbers are down, after all. Sloth isnt the problem. If workers cant consistently count on employers for either a living wage or affordable health insurance, the act of getting a job hardly guarantees economic security. Without the cushion of independent wealth, where can an American worker stand in safety? The floorboards are rotten, and youll fall right through them. 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? Panama City after Michael. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images After making landfall Wednesday afternoon as a Category 4 storm, Hurricane Michael ripped through the Florida panhandle, leaving a scarred path of broken buildings, uprooted trees, and splintered homes in its wake. It was the worst storm that part of the state has ever seen, Governor Rick Scott said. Michael first tore apart the seaside town of Mexico Beach, arriving just before 1 p.m. with winds topping out at 155 miles per hour. An eight-foot storm surge inundated neighborhoods, covering some homes to the rooftop. You cant drive a car anywhere, you cant do anything because its littered with houses, pieces of houses, Patricia Mulligan of Mexico Beach told the Times. She went on to list what she saw on the streets after the storm passed, including refrigerators, a beanbag chair, a washing machine, a kayak and a dresser. A look at what houses in #Mexico Beach, #Florida look like right now. This is a follow up from the previous clip posted. They are now submerged and were no match for #HurricaneMichael (via Tessa Talarico) #Hurricane #Michael #HurricaneMichael2018 pic.twitter.com/GJENrhFJha Josh Benson (@WFLAJosh) October 10, 2018 Before and after images showed the complete disappearance of some coastal buildings. Before and after from Mexico Beach, FL. Notice structure in blue totally gone in after image. Put together through videos on this FB page. #HurricaneMichael #Michael https://t.co/2NfG2A0Iwu pic.twitter.com/viKcHsUsIJ Chris Dolce (@chrisdolcewx) October 10, 2018 As the storm moved northward, it tore through Panama City. A hotel housing evacuees was ripped to shreds and a local middle school had its roof peeled off like a tin can. This drone video shows the destruction at the school. Saw this video on Facebook of Jinks Middle. Ive heard five of our schools are almost all destroyed. Absolute heartbreak. pic.twitter.com/jnLSTyM4lR Jamie Hale (@JamieHaleSports) October 11, 2018 At least one person was killed when a tree crashed into his Greensboro, Florida, home. According to local reports, police received a call around 6 p.m. about a man trapped by a fallen tree. Downed power lines and other debris slowed emergency crews as they tried to respond to the call. Michael is a history-making, very devastating storm and one that were never going to forget, said Michael Graham, the director of the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The storm was the strongest to ever hit the Panhandle and the fourth Category 4 storm to hit the U.S. in the past 15 months. Its left hundreds of thousands of people without power and an untold number of people homeless. By late Wednesday, the storm had moved toward Georgia. Its expected to weaken to a tropical storm by Thursday morning and move off into the Atlantic Ocean by early Friday. Dear Editor: America is realizing the fastest deficit acceleration rate ever experienced during a healthy economy period. As the Congressional Budget Office director stated, the bigger the debt, the bigger the chances of a fiscal crisis. The CBO says our deficit is on track to increase $1 trillion per year in the next decade. America is spending more than its bringing in at an alarming rate. Revenue is down due to recent tax cuts benefiting corporations and the richest 1 percent. Expenditures are increasing. Think of the expenditure budget as a pie chart, with all pieces equaling 100 percent. In 2015, less than half of this pie (46 percent) was made up of 11 categories. The largest of these 11 were education (6 percent), government (6 percent), veterans benefits (6 percent) and Medicare/health (6 percent). These four categories accounted for only 24 percent of Americas total budget. (Interesting note: SNAP benefits accounted for less than 1 percent of the total budget pie.) The CBO predicts that, in 10 years, Americas debt interest payments will exceed the budgets of these 11 categories. The government recently voted a 10 percent overall spending increase for these categories. The military budget accounted for 54 percent of the 2015 budget pie (remember, doesnt include vet benefits). Americas military budget equaled the combined totals of nine other countries: China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, France, the UK, Germany, Japan, India and South Korea. The government recently voted to increase the military budget by 10 percent. To keep America solvent, common sense dictates hard choices must be made about taxes and expenditures. Questions are, whose taxes and what expenditures? Denise Aumick Shawangunk, N.Y. The concerned troll-in-chief. Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP/REX/Shutterstock Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell warned Democrats on Wednesday that investigating Donald Trumps (allegedly criminal) financial and business practices would only help the president get reelected in 2020 because voters dont have much taste for presidential harassment: REPORTER: Democrats have made clear that if they do win back the House, they plan to launch many, many investigations into the president and the administration. Theyve made clear that one of their lines of inquiry is going to be the presidents tax returns, the presidents businesses, the presidents hotel contract do you think thats a legitimate line of inquiry for Democrats to be talking about? McCONNELL: I think itll help the president get reelected. I remember the price we paid when actually, we did impeach Bill Clinton. I remember all the enthusiasm, lots of Republicans in the House and Senate boy, this is the ticket, this is gonna make us have a great year. It worked exactly the opposite. The public got mad at us. this business of presidential harassment may or may not quite be the winner they think it is. Needless to say, Mitch McConnell is not earnestly worried about Democrats squandering their opportunity to regain power in 2020. Like most of the Majority Leaders pronouncements, his reflections on presidential harassment are aimed at shaping reality, not describing it. Republican operatives know that Democrats will probably hold the lower chamber next year. And they know that a Democratic House will have no shortage of uses for its investigatory authority. As Axios revealed in late August, GOP staffers have already put together a spreadsheet of all the Executive branch scandals that congressional Republicans have been covering up: President Trumps tax returns Trump family businesses and whether they comply with the Constitutions emoluments clause, including the Chinese trademark grant to the Trump Organization Trumps dealings with Russia, including the presidents preparation for his meeting with Vladimir Putin The payment to Stephanie Clifford a.k.a. Stormy Daniels James Comeys firing Trumps firing of U.S. attorneys Trumps proposed transgender ban for the military Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchins business dealings White House staffs personal email use Cabinet secretary travel, office expenses, and other misused perks Discussion of classified information at Mar-a-Lago Jared Kushners ethics law compliance Dismissal of members of the EPA board of scientific counselors The travel ban Family separation policy Hurricane response in Puerto Rico Election security and hacking attempts White House security clearances Thus, McConnell is trying to rebrand congressional oversight as presidential harassment, and, thereby, propagate the notion that any Democratic investigation of White House malfeasance is partisanship run amok. After all, as Brett Kavanaugh has (conveniently) argued, the commander-in-chief has enough on his plate without the nuisance of having to explain to Congress how his personal business empire is influencing his foreign-policy decisions, or why so many Puerto Ricans died in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, or what his administration plans to do with the hundreds of children it effectively kidnapped. All that said, McConnell has a scintilla of a point: Republicans efforts to impeach Bill Clinton during his second term were not well-received. Donald Trump is much less popular than second-term Clinton. And in recent months, some polls have actually shown plurality support for his impeachment. But there is some cause for thinking that an impeachment drive would create some political difficulties for Democrats. A significant portion of independent voters (40 percent in one USA Today poll from late August) arent onboard with removing Trump from office. Further, the composition of the Senate ensures that any impeachment effort will fail (barring an event cataclysmic enough to turn McConnells caucus against the president), and thus, potentially dispirit the very Democratic base it was meant to energize But Democrats can investigate Trump without impeaching him. And using the Houses oversight powers to amplify damaging narratives about ones political opponents has actually worked quite well for McConnells party. House Republicans might have overstepped with Bill, but their harassment of Hillary Clinton worked like gangbusters: Despite the fact that their years-long investigation of Benghazi produced no evidence that the secretary of State had committed any wrongdoing, the mere existence of the probe was sufficient to persuade a large segment of the public that Clinton was personally responsible for the deaths of American soldiers overseas. In May 2016, a poll from Fairleigh Dickinson University found that a majority of independent voters and a sizable minority of Democrats believed that it was either definitely or possibly true that Hillary Clinton knew the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi was going to be attacked and did nothing to protect it. Illustration: The Washington Post If House investigations of baseless conspiracy theories can be this politically effective, probes of already-proven scandals like, say, the presidents history of dodging hundreds of millions in taxes through illicit means would presumably be even more damaging. One of the odder challenges Democrats have faced in the Trump era has been the sheer abundance of White House scandals. With the administration generating novel outrages at a nigh-exponential rate, revelations that would have defined previous presidencies wash out of the news cycle in a matter of hours. But control of the House Oversight Committee would empower Nancy Pelosis party to decide which Trumpian misdeeds linger in the public consciousness. More concretely, it would allow Democrats to put their preferred narrative about the Trump-era GOP that it is a party of corrupt billionaires, by corrupt billionaires, for corrupt billionaires in the headlines on a regular basis. And then, of course, investigating the Trump administrations flagrant violations of the public trust would also allow Democrats to fulfill Congresss constitutional obligation to check abuses of power by the Executive branch. Its plausible that McConnell simply cannot comprehend the concept of a constitutional or civic obligation. But theres little doubt that he recognizes the potential damage that presidential harassment could do to his party. His remarks to the contrary are about as credible and sincere as Fred Trumps tax returns. CALN-Caln Elementary School officials announced the opening of the Jeni Stanley Makerspace, in honor of a late teacher who impacted her students. Coatesville Area School District officials said Jeni Stanley made a strong impact on the lives of students she taught and she inspired her students on a level beyond education, showing them that they can make an impact on others around the world. Stanley was diagnosed with a rare disease called neuroendocrine cancer on Aug. 2, 2012 and she passed away on May 31, 2015. Stanleys sister, Rebecca Joyner, and her family, began the Our Jeni Memorial Fund to continue to raise awareness and to continue Jenis legacy of giving back and supporting communities. Through the Our Jeni Memorial Fund, Rebecca Joyner, Becky Daugherty and Marisa Gehris, in addition to many others, developed a proposal to create a Makerspace at Caln Elementary School. A Makerspace is a location which teachers can utilize to engage students during the day through opportunities to take risks, explore, imagine new possibilities, express creativity and embrace challenges. The intention of the Makerspace is to provide students at Caln Elementary the opportunity for creating and collaboration in a space filled with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) activities. This Makerspace is in loving memory of Jeni Stanley and it will be a space that will allow students to problem solve and persevere, while providing students access to exciting STEAM-related projects and tasks, Caln Principal Rebecca Richardson said. A ribbon cutting of the Our Jeni Makerspace recently took place and some of her former students and their families attended, in addition to colleagues and family of Jeni Stanley. Coatesville Area Senior High School student Julia Rose donated a painting in memory of Jeni Stanley to mount in the room. Rose painted the picture because she was a student of Stanleys in fifth grade. She incorporated Stanleys favorite colors and birds and she created a collaboration of some of Stanleys favorite things, including a song about three little birds. Rose, along with others in attendance, shared the impact that Stanley made on their lives. School officials said it is one that will continue to be shared through the Our Jeni Makerspace. Prime Ministers Questions left me hoping the Conservatives lose the next election lose it so badly their buttocks sting and that Jeremy Corbyn, with whom I disagree on almost everything, becomes Prime Minister. Enter Mrs May before midday. Wild cheers from perhaps three Tories. They were not cheering once she got talking. The SNPs Joanna Cherry began by moaning that one of her Polish constituents was having a hard time over his benefits. Mrs May can hardly have been expected to know about this case. Ms Cherry seized on the alleged injustice to take a wider swipe at the UKs negotiating position on EU citizens in Britain. Theresa May, pictured, entered the chamber for Prime Minister's Questions today to the wild cheers of perhaps three Tories During the overly-long session, Mrs May served up sentences of congealed porridge A combative parliamentarian might, after commiserating with the Pole for having the acidic and hyperbolic Cherry for his MP, have whacked out an answer about how we could hardly have been more generous to EU expats. If they felt ill-used here, there were transport connections to take them back to the Continent, were there not? But Mrs May instead served up four long sentences of congealed porridge. Pauline Latham (Con, Mid Derbyshire) mentioned the arts, a subject with the potential to lift politics to a rich, philosophical level. She worded it so blandly, no one stirred an eyelash. Mrs May robotically noted that Mrs Latham was a performing arts ambassador. It must be one of those titles invented by the Whips to keep MPs sweet. For the next 50 minutes almost twice as long as the session should have been MPs obsessed over issues with limited resonance. There was much about mental health. Mrs May kept talking about how proud she was of her anti-slavery legislation. Hear hear, harrumphed one her remaining swells. Zzzzzz went the nation. Mr Corbyn, a despatch box clunker, scored a few runs by mocking Mrs Mays claim to be ending austerity. Her replies dribbled on so long that one answer was, by my count, 250 words, dropping at the pace of cold glue. She lacked the verbal panache to argue for fiscal probity in a crisp, theatrical way. I have been very clear that better times are ahead, squawked Madam Glumbucket. The moment any minister says clear, electors switch off. Opposition MPs talked about spending cuts, at which Labour women gasped and fanned their faces. When a Tory MP was called, a nearby idiot (I think his name was Hoare) went into a bogus paroxysm of delight. Parliament is meant to be a cockpit of national debate, where citizens keenest concerns can be aired. Yet here is a Parliament which wants to dilute our greatest plebiscite. And the only person to mention Brexit yesterday was Kenneth Clarke (Con, Rushcliffe), one of the most obstructive Remainers! Unpleasant old man, he slandered pro-Leave Tories as Right-wing nationalists. Brexiteers, whose champions have been expunged from Government like ticks from a terriers ear, ignored the barb. No one (least of all Mrs May) called for lower taxes. With the Chancellor absent on a freebie to Bali, she could have tried that with some sport. But no. No fun. No verve. No imagination. No one attacked bad schools or overbearing officialdom or the polices disdain for catching thieves. But we did hear about Baby Loss Awareness Week and World Homelessness Day. Yes, yes, these are worthy. But if you mentioned them at a public meeting they would not tickle much interest. We have a paralysed, anti-popular, inert Government, Conservative only in name. It is fronted by an indecisive, gulping, dreary thing, prime minister only by title Just after PMQs there was a military parade under Big Ben. Busby-wearing bandsmen marched proudly through Carriage Gates. There trod the best of Britain represented, alas, by a Parliament of equivocating, compromising dullards. Our politics has become irreparably stale. To correct that we may need a further revolution, the first magnificent, yeoman revolution of Brexit having been all but neutralised by the Establishment blob. We have a paralysed, anti-popular, inert Government, Conservative only in name. It is fronted by an indecisive, gulping, dreary thing, prime minister only by title. She spreads misery like a bell-ringer in plague days. Bring out your dead. Come along inside. Well see if teas and buns can make the world a better place. The quotation from childrens classic The Wind In The Willows is emblazoned in the window of the eight Ashers bakery shops in Northern Ireland. For more than 60 years, the McArthur family, which owns the bakeries, has been true to that optimistic sentiment. The name is derived from Asher who, in the Book of Genesis, is one of the 12 sons of Jacob and forebear of one of the tribes of Israel. It was predicted his food would be rich, and he would provide delicacies fit for a king. Daniel and Amy McArthur, who won yesterdays unanimous Supreme Court ruling. They are devout Presbyterians, and their Christian views are well known to their customers The Biblical name is a public affirmation of the deeply held Christian faith of Daniel and Amy McArthur, who won yesterdays unanimous Supreme Court ruling. They are devout Presbyterians, and their Christian views are well known to their customers. There are Biblical quotations on the company website, and they have never opened on Sundays, when they attend church. Daniel and Amy McArthur, both 29 with four children aged between five and ten weeks are proud to serve Catholics and Protestants. And gays and lesbians. Transgender customers are welcome, too. But they draw a line at being used in a political game. Gay rights activist Gareth Lee ordered a cake with images of Bert and Ernie, puppets from television show Sesame Street (a former scriptwriter on the show said last month they were gay characters), along with the logo of Queerspace, a gay rights campaign group, and the slogan Support Gay Marriage. There is a strong suspicion Ashers was targeted, because if the order was rejected it was clear it would provoke a political storm. Sure enough, ever since Ashers rejected the order they have been at the centre of an intense international debate. The gay cake row has been making headlines as far afield as Australia and India. The family has been subjected to a torrent of social media abuse. They have been called bigots, religious fanatics, and Christian zealots. Yet they are nothing of the sort. I met Daniel, who has a degree in aeronautical engineering, and Amy, at their home on the outskirts of Belfast four years ago. I interviewed them just after the Equality Commission For Northern Ireland had publicly trampled over their religious beliefs to make a political point. They made me welcome, even though they knew I was openly gay and in a civil partnership. The cake they served me was delicious. They were a delightful couple, but they were bewildered (and still are) by the ferocity of the attacks on them and the way their Christian beliefs were mocked. They were crystal clear in their view of what had happened: they hadnt refused to make the cake because Gareth Lee was gay. He was a regular in their bakery, for heavens sake, as yesterdays ruling made clear. They objected to being drawn into a political controversy in support of gay marriage, which they oppose, and which is still illegal in Ulster. To hear the hysterical reaction yesterday of some of the gay community, you would think the Supreme Court had legalised discrimination against the LGBT community. The court, in fact, made an important ruling about freedom of expression. They were taken to court yesterday by gay rights' activist Gareth Lee, pictured yesterday outside the Supreme Court in London While Christian bed and breakfast owners in the recent past were clearly wrong to deny services to gay people, this case is different. It is about the refusal to facilitate an idea namely, support for same-sex marriage. Justice was done yesterday because forcing people to promote a cause they disagree with, especially in an overtly political context, is neither fair nor free. The issue at stake was not just about special protection for Christians. The truth is, if the McArthurs had lost, freedom of conscience would have been under threat, by order of the State. Im sorry, but the true test of a free and democratic society is that competing views are debated, not crushed by an unaccountable government quango which, by the way, brought this case at a reported cost to the public purse of hundreds of thousands of pounds. Since I came out in my 20s, life has become much easier for gays and lesbians. We have an equal age of consent, civil partnerships, gay marriage, and we can serve on the front line in the military. But our work is not done. Homophobic abuse is still rife. Only last year at Brighton races I was verbally abused by a group of drunks as that queer bloke off the telly. My straight friends were aghast. Ive heard it all before. The McArthurs refused to bake this cake supporting gay marriage and were taken to court I still regularly receive mail from the purple ink brigade. I dont need to open the letters to know whats inside. Its why this week Im in Cardiff in my role as chairman of the Iris Prize, an international LGBT film festival. Let me tell you, its easier to be gay in Soho than on the Swindon council estate where I was brought up. But in this more inclusive world, gays must not become authoritarian bullies. There would be a terrible irony if the bigotry and intolerance we have fought against for years was turned instead against committed Christians who have the courage to stand up for their convictions by opposing a change in the definition of marriage. The law should never have been allowed to persecute a decent Christian family which chose to stick to its guns when baking the cake would have been the easier option. Recently, the government has rightly announced that straight couples should be able to enter into civil partnerships, which were introduced for same sex couples in 2003. But how did the pendulum of equality swing so far in one direction that I could have a civil partnership but my straight friends could not? If Ashers had lost yesterday, it would have been only a matter of time before there was a test case over whether a Muslim printer should be obliged to publish cartoons of the prophet Muhammad, or a Jewish printer to publish a book that propagates Holocaust denial. Discriminating against people should be illegal, but surely we have the right to disagree with others ideas and opinions. The ruling yesterday was a victory for decency and common sense, and will hopefully put a brake on some of the more extreme views voiced by the gay community. Even veteran gay rights activist Peter Tatchell backed Ashers in their right to reject the order. And Ive made an important decision. The next time I celebrate the anniversary of my civil partnership, Ill ask Ashers to bake the cake. The cake itself is still very much under wraps...but the baker behind Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's wedding cake has offered royal fans a few tantalising glimpses of what might be unveiled when the pair wed on Friday. London-based cake designer Sophie Cabot has spent months conceiving the red velvet and chocolate cake, which is set to be the centrepiece of Princess Eugenie's wedding feast and inspired by their Kensington Palace cottage. New photos released two days before the couple marry at St George's Chapel in Windsor - in front of royals, the rich and the famous - show Cabot's masterpiece will reflect the changing seasons. Scroll down for video Let's get cracking! Baker Sophie Cabot, who's been commissioned to create Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's wedding cake has released photos of herself creating the celebratory creation, which everyone from celebrities to A-listers will feast on The costume designer turned cake designer is seen painstakingly creating berries and sugarcraft flowers to go on the cake That's a lot of eggs! The London-based baker is seen at work, with vital ingredients including eggs, caster sugar and a crucial bowl of red colouring seen before her Cabot describes her culinary creation as 'special and unique', and promises it will feature rich, autumnal colours and detailed sugar work. It's thought to have been inspired by the foliage surrounding Ivy Cottage, in the grounds of Kensington Palace, where the couple live together - a stone's throw from this year's other royal newlyweds, Meghan and Harry. Ms Cabot, who was a costume designer before turning her hand to bespoke cake making, said: 'I am incredibly excited to be given this wonderful opportunity to create such a special and unique cake. 'It has been lovely working with Princess Eugenie and Jack and I really hope they enjoy the cake on the day.' Delicate silk leaves in autumnal colours will adorn the cake, reflecting the changing seasons at Windsor Castle Mary Berry would approve: Tiny sugarcraft flowers are carefully laid out on tissue paper ahead of being added to the still under-wraps cake The vital ingredient! Giving the cake its red velvet hue is a cup of maroon-coloured liquid The royals, rich and famous will feast on the specially commissioned red velvet and chocolate cake, the design of which Sophie Cabot has been working on for months (Pictured Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank at their engagement announcement in 2017) The photos show Cabot knee-deep in industrial quantities of eggs, flour and caster sugar, with silk leaves in autumnal colours, berries and sugar-craft snowdrops carefully placed in boxes before adorning the cake. The London-based star baker launched her business in 2014 and came to the attention of the couple after supplying specially-decorated biscuits to an event for the Duke of York's Pitch@Palace programme for entrepreneurs. Princess Eugenie, who is the Queen's granddaughter and ninth in line to the throne, will marry Jack Brooksbank at St George's Chapel, Windsor, on Friday October 12. Royal fans are eagerly awaiting their first glimpse of the Princess' wedding dress on Friday, as the bride has kept details of the designer under wraps. She has confirmed only that she has chosen a 'British-based' designer, prompting odds to be slashed on Erdem, a label she and other members of the royal family have long favoured for occasion wear. He's snapped everyone from Blake Lively to Beyonce, but photographer Alexi Lubomirski has admitted he still thought he was being pranked when he got the call about a certain royal engagement shoot. The 43-year-old fashion and celebrity photographer is the man responsible for the now famous images of Prince Harry and his bride-to-be Meghan looking head over heels in love following the announcement of their wedding plans. 'Harry and Meghan's engagement had been on the TV all day,' says Alexi of the day he was offered the job. 'So when someone at the end of the line said it was Kensington Palace I thought my mate was pranking me - I almost unleashed some pretty unsavoury language.' On the day itself, Alexi recalls 'practically screaming' at the lovebirds to hold the 'perfect' frame, after asking Prince Harry to wrap his bride-to-be up in his coat on the winter's day at Frogmore House - which would later serve as their wedding reception venue. Alexi, who is father to sons Sole Luca, eight, and Leone, five, said: 'It was a really cold day and I asked Harry to wrap Meghan into his jacket. I told Meghan to turn around and face Harry and to snuggle up with him and they looked so genuinely happy... I started shouting "That's great! That's amazing!" - I was practically screaming.' The photographer joked that it might not have been the 'most appropriate' way to treat royalty, but said the couple started giggling and 'they became totally caught up in the moment, which made such a perfect photo'. Now Alexi, who is supporting Amnesty International's #FamiliesTogether campaign, has shared his top tips for capturing a perfect photo of your own. Alexi recalls asking Prince Harry to 'wrap Meghan into his jacket', before 'practically screaming' at the lovebirds to hold the frame as 'they looked so genuinely happy' The photographer, seen with his wife Giada at the royal wedding at Windsor Castle on May 19th, also took the formal photos of the royal family on the big day itself Five ways to nail the perfect family photo - by royal wedding photographer Alexi Lubomirski KEEP IT REAL 'When you're taking a family photo it can be easy to lose sight of why you're taking it - for memories. Have fun, try not to worry about the kids wreaking havoc or pulling faces. You'll probably look back and love that picture all the more for any 'flaws' you find. BE SNAP HAPPY 'If you're taking pictures of a moment, just keep pressing that button. Take 50 and review them later - there will probably be a gem in there - maybe someone hysterically laughing or maybe a really natural, happy smile.' WALK THE WALK 'I'll often try to get my kids to run towards the camera and I'll walk backwards taking the photo. With children it makes them laugh and with adults it takes their mind off the photo being taken. 'It switches one side of the brain off and immediately helps a camera-shy person feel less awkward.' AND TALK THE TALK 'When I'm taking photos I don't shut up - there's nothing worse than waiting for your photo be taken while a photographer stands there silently. 'You need to encourage people and sometimes direct them. Praise them if the pictures looking great. This will boost their confidence and also make sure you frame the perfect shot.' LEARN TO USE LIGHTING 'If the light's directly above you, you'll look awful - no matter if you're a model or not. 'Pictures will generally look better in the late afternoon as the light is lower. 'And if you can take a shot under a tree, even better - here you get open shade light which is beautiful, soft and bounces nicely off people's faces. 'You also get some interesting background environment in there too.' Advertisement When he's not on-duty, Alexi said his favourite people to photograph are his wife, Giada, who accompanied him to the royal wedding on May 19th, and his two young sons. 'Photographs of my family are incredibly important to me - they're littered across my house and instantly connect me to a moment of happiness,' said the photographer, who also took the formal family portraits on Meghan and Harry's big day. 'Many people would choose their phone if they had to save one thing if their home was burning down, but I think I'd struggle not to take photos.' Royal wedding photographer Alexi Lubomirski says his favourite subjects are his two sons; Sole Luca, eight, and Leone, five. He shared this cherished snap taken by his assistant for Amnesty International's #FamiliesTogether campaign, which is working towards compiling the UK's Biggest Family Photo Album to highlight the plight of refugee families that have been torn apart The celebrity and fashion photographer was chosen by the now Duke and Duchess of Sussex to take their engagement photos at Frogmore House, which would later serve as their wedding reception venue Royal wedding photographer Alexi said Harry and Meghan were an easy couple to shoot, because they were 'so obviously in love' His passion for family snaps is why Amnesty's campaign has chimed with him so much, Alexi said. The campaign is calling for UK rules to be eased, helping refugees who have lost their homes and been separated from their families be reunited. The charity is compiling The UK's Biggest Photo Album - billed as a celebration of family life today in all its glory - which will be presented to the Home Secretary Sajid Javid as a call to help refugee families that have been torn apart. Alexi shared his own precious photo for the album - a candid shot that his assistant took in his studio. 'I love this picture because it shows my two passions - family and photography. I was showing the kids my new camera and how it works - the photo is a simple one, just us playing together. My dream is that my boys become my assistants when they get a bit older. You get to travel a lot in my line of work, but quite often you don't have the closest people in your life to share it with.' To submit a photograph to the UK's Biggest Family Photo Album, or find out more about the campaign, visit www.amnesty.org.uk/family Europe's 'number one premium online beauty retailer' is launching in Australia. E-commerce site lookfantastic is a one shop stop for all your beauty and skincare needs, carrying more than 22,000 products for men and women. To celebrate the launch, the site is offering free delivery across Australia for the next week, beginning on Thursday. Europe's 'number one premium online beauty retailer' lookfantastic (site pictured) is launching in Australia The Australian branch of the lookfantastic group looks set to focus primarily on skin, body and hair care, and is the latest in a line of 30 dedicated websites for local markets. The brand's impressive range includes household names including including their official global online partners Dermalogica and Redken. Popular luxury label SkinCeuticals and affordable favourite The Ordinary are also available form lookfantastic. Aussie shoppers can also stock up on products from the renowned British beauty brand Illamasqua, famed for its vibrant nail polish and dramatic makeup collections. The platform also offers 'clean, organic and vegan' alternatives from names like Dr Hauschka, Antipodes and Trilogy. lookfantastic is the official global partner of luxury skincare brand Dermalogica (left); shoppers can also browse a range of cosmetics from British beauty giant Illamasqua (right) For a limited time only, lookfantastic is offering a selection of discounts on items like the Cloud Nine Straightener, which is currently marked down by $50. Savvy shoppers can avail of 30 per cent off Skinstitut sets and the cult favourite Tangle Teezer hair brush until November. Real Techniques makeup brushes are also reduced by 15 per cent while Illamasqua lipsticks and glosses are currently 20 per cent off. The site also stocks a wide collection of fragrance and hair tools from acclaimed stylists GHD. The site also stocks a wide collection of hair tools from acclaimed stylists GHD (right) and Tangle Teezer (left) Over the past four years, lookfantastic revenues have grown 40 per cent making t one of the most successful beauty websites worldwide. Lookfantastic are renowned across Europe for their in-house Beauty Boxes, which contain six travel-size treats from the world's best-loved brands. In exchange for a monthly $25 subscription, Beauty Box subscribers receive a luxury package worth more than $95 every 30 days. From the Australia headquarters, the site currently offers complimentary shipping to Australian customers. When it comes to a supermodel pout, chances are you'd expect to shell out on pricey products and expensive balms. But, as it turns out, there's one by the Australian company Lanolips, priced at $15, that has a huge celebrity following thanks to its natural formula. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley recently professed her love for the brand writing 'it's okay to follow the herd if the herd has good skin'. 'This ultra-pure formula isn't smothering or heavy, as some balms tend to be. (You know the kind: feels good when it's on, but when it fades, your lips are back to the surface of Mars),' Rosie wrote on her new website. Supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (pictured) has dished about which lip balm formula she loves using the most Australian brand Lanolips, priced at $15, (pictured) is packed with natural ingredients including lanolin The healing properties of lanolin - the main ingredient used in the Lanolips formula - are something Rosie said have helped keep her lips always looking luscious. 'Lanolin is back in a big way, and with good reason,' she said. The supermodel said the advantages of using a lanolin-based formulation is that it has the ability to hold up to 400 times its weight in water. The supermodel said the advantages of using a lanolin-based formulation is that it has the ability to hold up to 400 times its weight in water It's a product Rosie said she will apply to any part of her body 'from lips to nips - and anything in between - for some serious, lasting hydration'. 'Because every little lamb deserves a little TLC,' she added. As well as declaring her love for Australian product, Rosie also shared how Lanolips does double duty as a nail balm: 'Dab a little on your lips in the evening, then rub the excess into your cuticles for smoother mitts in the morning.' While Lanolips is a formulation developed to help hydrate dry lips, Rosie also said she will use it to keep her cuticles smooth Lanolips, is a now iconic Australian brand, created by Kirsten Carriol in 2009. The mother-of-two told Daily Mail Australia how she was on a long-haul flight back to Sydney one day and was stuck for the perfect product to stop her lips drying out. 'Like an 'aha!' moment it hit me - why aren't I using lanolin?', she said. Ms Carriol, who grew up on a remote Australian sheep farm, explained how learned as a child that lanolin, from wool, mimics human oils 'making it nature's secret to all skin moisture'. Kirsten Carriol (pictured) launched the Lanolips range in 2009 and said the secret to her success was ensuring her products are packed with high-grade lanolin 'Lanolin is a 100 per cent natural substance found on the wool of sheep that helps keep their coat protected and dry throughout the year,' product information on the Lanolips website explains. Speaking to Harper's Bazaar, Ms Carriol said her motivation for developing Lanolips was to 'create simplistic, honest products for the reformed beauty junkie'. She told the publication the secret to her success had been ensuring her products come packed with lashings of nourishing lanolin - not just the three per cent that enables other products to claim this. 'It's the high percentage of high-grade lanolin that makes my products so good,' she said. South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley receives applause after signing a bill to remove the Confederate battle flag from the state house grounds July 9, 2015 in Columbia, South Carolina. Photo: Sean Rayford/Getty Images Nikki Haley resigned Tuesday as the Trump administrations ambassador to the United Nations. The announcement shocked White House staff and fueled conjecture that she had bigger political ambitions in mind. No, Im not running for 2020, she told reporters at the Oval Office, preempting questions about her interest in the presidency. As a private citizen, I look forward to supporting your reelection, she reassured Trump in her resignation letter. Whatever she does, Haley has spent 19 months cultivating an image as the lone Cabinet member who transcended the chaos around her. She has remained insulated from the presidents unpopularity, receiving a 63 percent approval rating in a Quinnipiac University poll in April, and even publicly contradicted some of Trumps stances on Russia and Syria, casting herself as an independent among sycophants and isolationists. But Haley, a first-generation Indian-American, has also come to symbolize the Republican Partys doomed flirtation with racial inclusiveness. The GOP once saw multiracial coalition-building as key to its survival, but bet its future on full-throated white identity politics instead. Haleys journey mirrors the path of a conservative movement that gave itself good advice but chose to ignore it. Quiet as its kept, the GOP showed an earnest interest in becoming less white as recently as five years ago. After the 2012 presidential election, the Republican National Committee commissioned an autopsy titled the Growth and Opportunity Project, which sought to provide an honest review of Mitt Romneys loss to President Barack Obama that November. The 2013 report suggested a path forward focused on nonwhite voters. [In] 2050, whites will be 47 percent of the country while Hispanics will grow to 29 percent and Asians to 9 percent, the reports authors who included President George W. Bushs press secretary Ari Fleischer and Jeb Bushs 2016 senior presidential campaign advisor Sally Bradshaw wrote. If we want ethnic minority voters to support Republicans, we have to engage them and show our sincerity. Haley became an emblem of these efforts. Since her Republican primary win in the 2010 South Carolina governors race, the telegenic former state legislator had drawn comparisons to Obama and stoked speculation that she might be president by 2020. In 2012, she was floated as a possible running mate for Romney. And during an October 2014 debate for her gubernatorial reelection campaign, she projected an appealingly sunny outlook on southern race relations, dismissing her Democratic opponents calls to remove the Confederate flag from the statehouse grounds. What I can tell you is over the last three and a half years, I spent a lot of my days on the phones with CEOs and recruiting jobs to this state, Haley said. I can honestly say I have not had one conversation with a single CEO about the Confederate flag. We fixed all that when you elected the first Indian-American female governor, she added. Haleys verdict did not age well. Eight months later, Dylann Roof walked into Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston and murdered nine black parishioners. The Confederate flag was one of several white supremacist emblems he had brandished in self-portraits on his website leading up to the attack. Haley quickly became a leading voice advocating for the flags removal, and shepherded the process to fruition. No one should drive by the statehouse and feel pain, Haley told Today in July 2015 when the flag came down. No one should drive by the statehouse and feel like they dont belong. In retrospect, this moment granted the GOP a thin sheen of plausible deniability. The party of the Southern Strategy, welfare queen rhetoric, a nearly 90 percent white base, and an often flagrantly anti-black tea partyled backlash against Obama would likely not convince skeptics of its non-racist bona fides by removing the Confederate flag alone. But to have Haley a nonwhite Republican governor preside over what looked like a banner moment of racial reconciliation seemed to unambiguously advance the partys Growth and Opportunity Project goals outlined post-2012. In the end, of course, the coming wave would swallow both Haley and her party whole. Donald Trump had announced his candidacy that June. White nationalists rallied to his cause as he called for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, a wall along the U.S.Mexico border, the implementation of stop-and-frisk profiling practices in Chicago, and a complete and total shutdown of Muslims entering the United States. The GOP Establishment fell in line behind him. Haley put up nominal resistance at first, saying she was not a fan and describing the then-candidate as everything a governor doesnt want in a president ahead of the South Carolina Republican primary. I want someone who is going to hold Republicans accountable, and I want someone who is going to make a difference, not just for our party but for every person they represent in the country, she told reporters at the time. During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices, she said in January 2016, rebuking Trump in all but name. We must resist that temptation. No one who is willing to work hard, abide by our laws, and love our traditions should ever feel unwelcome in this country. But by the end of that year, Haley had a job offer from Trump, and in January 2017 was sworn in as his ambassador to the U.N., making her one of the first Cabinet members to join an administration whose commitment to a thinly veiled white nationalist agenda had become widely understood. She was quickly cast as a freelancer by pundits, someone whose aims often [didnt] seem to be linked to administration policy, according to one former senior official at the U.S. mission to the U.N., speaking to Vox. Observers cited her early condemnation of Russias annexation of Crimea as a point of divergence from Trump, who appeared committed to a warm ties with Russian president Vladmir Putin. Haleys outspokenness on this issue and others, such as U.S. military strikes in Syria, reportedly prompted the State Department, then headed by Rex Tillerson, to ask her to make sure her public comments were cleared with Washington before she made them. Regardless, Haley was equally zealous in advancing Trumps agenda as she was in circumnavigating it. In December, she went so far as to threaten U.N. General Assembly members for not backing the administrations decision to formally recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. We will take note of each and every vote on this issue, she wrote in a letter to 180 U.N. ambassadors. Haley defended Trumps Muslim ban by insisting it wasnt one, claiming she would never support such a measure even as Rudy Giuliani said the president had approached him seeking ways to institute a Muslim ban and the right way to do it legally. She praised Trump in a September op-ed for the Washington Post, writing, I enthusiastically support most of its decisions and the direction it is taking the country. The fact that it is hard to know what decisions she dissented from is telling. Shes presented herself as a staunch Trump ally in public even while claiming she privately disagreed with him at times. Its easy to think Haley has come a strikingly long way in the past five years from symbolizing Republicans calls to bring more nonwhite voters into the fold to becoming an avid surrogate for an administration that is cementing her partys descent into white-supremacist grievance politics. But her journey is typical of the Republican Establishment. She saw her partys fortunes changing and cast her lot accordingly. At this point, what might have been is irrelevant. The choice is as much her legacy as it is theirs. Parents are divided after an Australian school teacher sent a little boy home with a note praising his family for packing a 'healthy lunch'. Addressed to 'Ben's lunch', the 'star pass' praised the prep student's parents for packing him 'great healthy food'. Comprising of chopped up carrot, apples, cucumber and cheese and pikelets, the meal clearly hit all nutritional bases - but whether it needed to be singled out is the question many have been asking. Parents are divided after a school teacher sent her student's parent's a congratulatory note - for simply giving him a healthy lunch Parents were divided on the teacher's move, with some labelling it condescending. 'Oh my God, what? I'd be so appalled - what are we like ten?' Wrote one user. 'I know teachers are trying to promote healthy habits but this is so condescending,' said another. Parents were divided on the teacher's move, with some labelling it condescending Comprising of chopped up carrot, apples, cucumber and cheese and pikelets, the much lauded meal clearly hits all nutritional bases However others were more appreciate of the teacher's singling out, saying rewarding parents for keeping health paramount can only be a good thing However, others were more appreciative of the teacher's note, saying rewarding parents for keeping health paramount can only be a good thing. 'This is awesome. Too often we see on Facebook about parents being told the food they sent to school isn't acceptable,' one said. 'It's fantastic that this school is taking the opposite approach, hopefully more will do this than what has been going on.' The congratulatory message comes on the back of the 'lunchbox shaming' trend, with more and more parents revealing their children meals have been called out by schools. One mother took to Facebook to reveal how a miniature sweet treat landed her four-year-old daughter in hot water, despite bringing an otherwise healthy lunch (pictured) to school Recently, one mother took to Facebook to reveal the lunch that landed her four-year-old daughter in hot water, despite being made up of fruits and vegetables. Ultimately, upon a teacher's further inspection, it was a single Hershey's Kiss that marked the lunch too unhealthy and saw the sweet treat confiscated. 'My youngest daughter's teacher took her little Hershey's Kiss off her and told her she had to eat it at home... my eldest daughter was able to eat hers!!' wrote the girl's mother. Women's bodies go through a lot during pregnancy, which is why one model has revealed the one product that saved her skin. Rachael Finch, 30, from Sydney is known for her natural approach to beauty and she told Mamamia she has been loving a $27.95 body oil since her pregnancies. The product in question is the Stretch Mark Massage Oil from Weleda. 'It's been a favourite since I was pregnant, with both of my children. It helped with stretch marks and keep the hydration up around the dry skin,' she said. Rachael Finch, 30, from Sydney is known for her natural approach to beauty and she has revealed one of her favourite beauty products 'It's also plant-based, all-natural and has essential oils in there too,' she added. According to the creators of the product it has been designed to help skin keep its natural tone and resilience during and after pregnancy. If people use it during a regular oil massage they also claim it will prevent stretch marks forming and visibly increase skin elasticity and smoothness. It contains sweet almond oil, vitamin E rich wheatgerm oil and extract of organic arnica to do this as well as rose, neroli, myrrh and frankincense for the scent. She has been loving a $27.95 body oil since her pregnancies as it helped her skin recover and to prevent stretch marks The product from Weleda has been designed to help skin keep its natural tone and resilience during pregnancy (left) and the Sodashi Fitness Recovery Body Oil is for after exercise 'It's also plant-based, all-natural and has essential oils in there too,' Rachael said Weleda have said it has been developed with the help of experienced midwives and pharmacists. This isn't the only natural beauty product she loves as she also uses the Sodashi Fitness Recovery Body Oil ($69) for after exercise. The fusion of therapeutic botanical extracts is meant to warm and relax muscles while stimulating circulation after exercise or travel. In a recent Instagram post Rachael explained that although there are a variety of products she uses to keep her skin glowing and as 'fresh as possible', her skin 'hacks' are actually always lifestyle and food based. In a recent Instagram post she explained that her skin 'hacks' are actually always lifestyle and food based 'I aim to feed my body balanced and nutrient dense food at every meal,' she said. This means hitting all of her macronutrients and including the best organic and plant based foods where possible. She said she meditates daily and opts for activities that improve her parasympathetic nervous system, which reduces stress within her body and the ageing of cells. 'I aim to feed my body balanced and nutrient dense food at every meal,' she said Rachael also meditates daily and opts for activities that improve her parasympathetic nervous system Rachael drinks 1.5 to two litres of water per day but this varies depending on her activity levels. 'I get eight plus hours of quality sleep per night (give or take a few night with the kiddies),' she said. 'I add collagen to my smoothies and drink it via bone broth. I eat foods that are high in antioxidants, zinc and vitamin C to help repair cells and make them stronger. 'Examples include, berries, spinach, dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds and seafood.' On top of this Rachael makes sure to move her body daily to help remove toxins and promote healthy cell turnover. Since the dawn of easily accessible internet, Google has replaced friends, family and authority figures as the first port of call for general knowledge questions. But while the search engine is a trusted companion to us all, few value the digital mine of information as much as parents. Mamamia recently surveyed 100 mums and dads to discover the weirdest and wackiest queries they have laid at Google's feet - and the results are priceless. Google has become the first port of call for general knowledge questions over the past decade (stock image) According to the survey, bodily functions are one of the most common topics searched by parents. Queries about vomit and poo are asked regularly, in the form of questions like 'what does a normal poo look like?' and 'how do I get my child to poo?'. Embarrassed caregivers frequently wondered why their kids ate bizarre items like crayons, dirt and sand, while some befuddled guardians asked simply 'is my child normal?'. THE FUNNIEST THINGS PARENTS ASK REDDIT - Do they serve alcohol at Disneyland? - How to remove poo stains from carpet - Why do my kids want to watch me go to the bathroom? - How much paint is safe to ingest? - How to make a DIY funeral for a goldfish - Whats the earliest age you can send a child to school Source: Reddit and Redtricycle Advertisement Others wondered how to remove snot from a baby's nose and how to wash a penis. Children are notoriously messy, so it comes as little surprise that a huge volume of parental queries focused on housekeeping and cleaning. How to remove paint, grass, food, blood and excrement were all recurring questions. Parents regularly asked Google questions about their children eating crayons and grass (stock image) Neurological researcher Dr Jacobus Liebenberg previously told the Mirror UK that technology has become 'an extension of who we are'. 'Humans are inherently inquisitive and smartphones [with Google] answer our need for immediacy,' he said. 'Before, if you had a question about something, you had to go to the library to look up the information now, you wonder, you query, you get an answer.' A 33-year-old virgin has sought the advice of a psychologist after realising she's 'too scared to have sex'. The New Zealand woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, explained how as a teenager she shied away from sexual experiences with men. 'I'm a virgin and I think I'm too scared to have sex. Growing up, like many others, I dreamed of marriage and children,' her confession on Stuff began. The New Zealand woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, explained how as a teenager she shied away from sexual experiences with men 'I was a goody two shoes though and decided to wait until I was married before having sex - not sure why, I don't think it was a religious thing.' At uni she had a few self-described 'fun nights' with some men but she stuck to the no sex rule and instead just engaged in some cuddling and kissing. In a 2016 survey of Australians and their sex lives equal numbers (about 28 per cent) agreed and disagreed that happy relationships and marriages can exist without sex. Interestingly, twice as many men than women strongly disagreed that happy, sexless relationships are possible. But for the anon virgin, who is now in her early 30s, she's just looking for a way to break that psychological barrier and do the deed. At uni she had a few self-described 'fun nights' with some men but she stuck to the no sex rule and instead just engaged in some cuddling and kissing She admitted to never having been in a serious relationship - in the last nine years she had dated three men - and while she had been presented with opportunities to have sex, she'd turned them down. Lack of experience and reactions from a partner is potentially what is inhibiting her from getting between the sheets, so she asked psychologist Robyn Salisbury what she could do to overcome her trepidation. Mrs Salisbury argued that she shouldn't feel 'ashamed' at having waited so long and should instead recite one sentence on her next date. 'Yes, I would like to go out with you but I have to admit I've become terrified about my lack of experience,' said the professional, hoping this might calm her nerves. And if there are any negative responses to her honesty Mrs Salisbury recommends steering clear of those people. Cosmopolitan has rallied some of the nation's most celebrated women in fashion, music, art and lifestyle to acknowledge their work in their field. Held at Sydney's iconic Ivy Pool Club on Thursday, humanitarian workers and bloggers alike attended the publication's Women of the Year awards. The star-studded affair saw designer and cancer fighter Camilla Franks take out the top gong as Woman of the Year - something her team later celebrated on Instagram with a heartfelt message. The star-studded affair saw designer and cancer fighter Camilla Franks take out the top gong as Woman of the Year (pictured while pregnant with her daughter Luna) 'This year has been a pretty remarkable year for our fearless leader It was the year she and her fiance welcomed beautiful baby Luna,' her staff wrote in a caption 'This year has been a pretty remarkable year for our fearless leader It was the year she and her fiance welcomed beautiful baby Luna,' her staff wrote in a caption. 'The year that she travelled across our beautiful backyard seeking inspiration for a very special collection. The year that she spectacularly closed Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia with her first ready-to-wear collection. 'The year she established her charity initiative, The Butterfly Effect, that has empowered and changed the lives of over 1,000 young women in India. 'And throughout all of these incredible achievements, it was the year she began her fight with breast cancer,' they wrote Influencers Steph Claire Smith (left), Sammy Robinson (right) and Isabella Fiori all came away with prizes after the public voted for their favourite Instagram and Youtube stars 'The year that she took her business from strength to strength, growing it both at home and overseas. The year that she designed another two beautiful collections as our Creative Director and Tribal Leader. 'And throughout all of these incredible achievements, it was the year she began her fight with breast cancer.' They called their boss a 'creative' and 'passionate' woman with 'a conviction that knows no bounds'. The Bachelor's Laura Byrne (pictured), who was swept off her feet by Matthew Johnson in season five of the series, won fashion designer of the year for her jewellery label ToniMay DJ Tigerlily, who rose to fame for her slick beats and fluorescent blue hair, came away with performer of the year The 42-year-old was diagnosed with breast cancer in May before releasing a number of striking and beautiful photos of her shaved head in July. 'I am bald and broken but I will not be beaten,' she captioned one of the images at the time. The Bachelor's Laura Byrne, who was swept off her feet by Matthew Johnson in season five of the series, won fashion designer of the year for her jewellery label ToniMay. 'Guys I'm completely speechless and that is rarer than a solar eclipse. It was such an honour to be invited to this amazing event and be surrounded by so many inspiring women, it was a total surprise to have been nominated.... but to win it is nothing short of surreal,' she wrote on social media after the event. The event was hosted by Ksenija Lukich and included a luncheon with Sylvia Jeffreys (left), Jules Sebastian, Pia Muehlenbeck, Elle Ferguson (right), Imogen Anthony and Pip Edwards in attendance Jules Sebastian (pictured) looked modelesque as she posed on the pink carpet Influencer Jade Tuncdoruk (left) and The Bachelor's Cassandra Wood (right) were also in attendance COSMOPOLITAN WINNERS FOR 2018 * Entrepreneur of the year: Alana Pallister and Stevie Cox, I.AM.GIA * Performer of the year: Dara Hayes, DJ Tigerlily * Social media star of the year - fashion: Sammy Robinson * Social media star of the year - beauty: Isabella Fiori * Social media star of the year - fitness and travel: Steph Claire Smith * Creative of the Year: Jasmine Dowling, Typographer * Game changer of the year: Mel Thomas, KYUP! Project Founder * Fashion designer of the year: Laura Byrne, ToniMay * Sportswoman of the year: Madison De Rozario, Athlete * Humanitarian of the year: Jessica Lees, Australian Red Cross Advertisement Entrepreneur of the year went to sisters Alana Pallister and Stevie Cox for their label I.Am.Gia, which has outfitted Beyonce on tour and Ciara at the recent AMAs. Stevie, who has been very open in the past about her own cancer battle, accepted the award on behalf of the pair of them. Influencers Steph Claire Smith (lifestyle), Sammy Robinson (fashion) and Isabella Fiori (beauty) all came away with prizes after the public voted for their favourite Instagram and Youtube stars. Steph co-owns workout guide and online community Keep It Cleaner with model Laura Henshaw - who were both equally as ecstatic about the blonde bombshell's win. DJ Tigerlily, who rose to fame for her slick beats and fluorescent blue hair, came away with performer of the year. The event was hosted by Ksenija Lukich and included a luncheon with Sylvia Jeffreys, Jules Sebastian, Pia Muehlenbeck, Elle Ferguson, Imogen Anthony and Pip Edwards in attendance. For many parents, the annual school photo acts as a marker to reflect on how their child has changed with each passing year. But one Brisbane mother's experience this time around was a little bit different - to the extent that she didn't recognise her son when she first received the photos. Kelly James first took to Instagram showcase the comparison, asking why her son Alfie's school would choose to edit the pictures. 'I thought it was a bit funny, just because the changes were so overt that he just didn't look like himself,' she told FEMAIL. Mother-of-three Kelly James has revealed the extent her son's school pictures (above, right) were edited to Given she had forked out more than $130 for the photographs, the mother-of-three was disappointed the Year 1 student's facial features had been edited beyond recognisability. 'I just think it's completely unnecessary. As parents, we want these photos to reflect a moment in time of our kids,' Ms James said. 'Every freckle, dimple, and hair out of place is a part of what makes them beautiful and unique to us, and that's what we want to remember.' When compared side-by-side shots of the youngster are starkly different. 'I just think it's completely unnecessary. As parents, we want these photos to reflect a moment in time of our kids,' Ms James said (pictured with Alfie above) Instead of his regular one-toothed grin and sallow skin, Alfie's school picture shows his face white-washed to the point of looking porcelain. These feelings were compounded when she thought about the potential reasons behind the choice to edit the portraits. 'It's a little offensive that anyone thinks little kids need to be edited to make a great photograph, and I do worry that the kids will eventually notice these changes and worry they're not good enough naturally,' she said. Despite being perplexed by the photographer's decision to edit the snap, Ms James soon realised from other parents the phenomenon was not uncommon 'I've spoken with a few other parents who are less than thrilled with their children's photos,' she said And despite being perplexed by the photographer's decision to edit the snap, Ms James soon realised from other parents the phenomenon was not uncommon. 'I've spoken with a few other parents who are less than thrilled with their children's photos,' she said. 'But it seems the practice of Photoshopping and airbrushing school photos is widespread and not unique to this one company.' The Duchess of Cambridge appeared to take inspiration from Meghan last night as she opted for a daring bateau neckline favoured by the Duchess of Sussex. Kate, 36, wowed in a checked midi dress by one of her favourite designers, Erdem, as she visited the V&A museum in west London. The off-shoulder neckline strongly resembled that of the blush pink dress by Carolina Herrera worn by Meghan, which raised eyebrows at the Trooping the Colour earlier this year. Meanwhile, Kate's choice of Erdem dress also acted as a sweet nod to the Queen, as the Spring/Summer 2018 collection it featured in was inspired by the monarch. The Duchess of Cambridge appeared to take inspiration from Meghan as she opted for a daring bateau neckline for her visit to the V&A museum in west London last night The off-shoulder neckline strongly resembled that of the blush pink dress by Carolina Herrera worn by Meghan at Trooping the Colour in June (above) Celebrity stylist Rochelle White told FEMAIL: 'Kates latest look is something different from her usual style. The neckline on her recent outfit is very similar to Meghans style. 'Kate's usual look is high or square necked items that are more classic in style and cut. Meghan has mixed up her style a little bit and I think Kate is taking some inspiration from that.' She added: 'It is nice to see Kate in something different from her classic look.' The boatneck has become one of Meghan's signature looks, with fashion experts previously revealing how the neckline allows her to be 'subtly sexy' while maintaining royal protocol. Kate's Erdem dress also was a sweet nod to the Queen, as it was inspired by the monarch's wardrobe during the 1950s. The Queen is pictured here wearing tweed at a polo match in Windsor in 1958 The checked midi dress appeared on the catwalk as part of Erdem's Spring/Summer 2018 collection (above), and featured a daring cut-out below the bodice Meanwhile, Meghan has also opted for the Prince of Wales check before, wearing an off-shoulder top by New York brand Theory during her visit to Cardiff in January. The Erdem dress worn by the Duchess last night was originally shown on the catwalk as part of the British brand's SS18 collection inspired by the Queen's 1950s wardrobe. Speaking about the influences behind his show, Erdem Moralioglu explained how he questioned: 'What if the Queen kind of went to New York, and what if [American actress] Dorothy Dandridge ended up in Buckingham Palace?' The collection featured a number of tweed pieces, which appeared to be inspired by a checked jacket worn by the Queen at Windsor in 1958. Erdem has become somewhat of a go-to designer for members of the royal family, with the label being the favourite to design Princess Eugenie's wedding dress. The Duchess of Cambridge stunned in the Prince of Wales midi dress by Erdem as she opened the new photography centre at the V&A Kate finished off her look with a Jimmy Choo clutch bag and 290 earrings, which were also from Erdem Princess Eugenie has revealed that modern slavery victims and teenage cancer patients will be at her wedding to represent causes close to her heart. Representatives from 13 charities - including The Salvation Army's Stop Modern Slavery campaign and the Teenage Cancer Trust - are among the 1,200 members of the public invited to join the celebrations in the grounds of Windsor Castle tomorrow. A further 850 guests, including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and celebrities like Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field, will attend the hour-long service inside St George's Chapel. Photos taken today reveal the extensive preparations being carried out ahead of the high-profile event, with police dog handlers sweeping the streets and local officials erecting crowd control barriers in anticipation of the influx of visitors tomorrow. Eugenie and Jack have invited representatives from 13 charities - including Street Child and the Teenage Cancer Trust - to celebrate inside the grounds of Windsor Castle tomorrow. Eugenie is pictured speaking to a cancer patient at Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool, last year Photos taken today reveal the extensive preparations being carried out ahead of the high-profile event, with police dog handlers sweeping the streets near the castle, pictured Residents are also getting into the spirit of the big day, with snaps showing bunting, flags and balloons being strung up as Windsor prepares to host its second royal wedding of the year Residents are also getting into the spirit of the big day, with snaps showing bunting, flags and bunches of balloons being strung across the streets. Following the lead of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who married at St George's Chapel in May, Eugenie and Jack invited members of the public to apply to join the celebrations in the grounds of Windsor Castle. They sifted through the roughly 10,000 applications and sent out 1,200 invitations to deserving charity workers, community leaders, Royal Household staff and pupils from Princess Eugenie's former schools. Making the announcement on the Duke of York Twitter page, a spokesperson said: 'The Wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank takes place tomorrow! Crowd control barriers have been erected near Windsor Castle, pictured, in anticipation of the influx of visitors expected for the royal wedding tomorrow Police officers were seen checking and sealing drain covers around the carriage route and areas where well-wishers will be standing near Windsor Castle, pictured Last month Windsor and Maidenhead Council revealed the crowd control measures and parking restrictions that will be in place for the wedding day. Pictured today, crowd control barriers have been put up along the carriage route that will be taken tomorrow Carriage procession: Eugenie and Jack will follow Harry and Meghan's lead and embark on a carriage procession through the streets of Windsor, route pictured above. The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead today announced all roads along the route will be closed THE CHARITIES INVITED TO EUGENIE AND JACK'S WEDDING HEALTHCARE AND YOUNG PEOPLE Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Charity Eugenie was diagnosed with scoliosis aged 12 and was treated at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. Teenage Cancer Trust Eugenie, Princess Beatrice and Sarah Ferguson are Patrons of the chariy, which provides world-class cancer services for young people in the UK. Street Child Fergie merged her charity Children In Crisis with Street Child earlier this year. The charity works to provide children with an education around the world. ANTI-SLAVERY The Salvation Army Eugenie is a supporter of the Salvation Army's Stop Modern Slavery campaign. The UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women Eugenie visited organisations who have received grants from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women in Belgrade, Serbia, in September. Key to Freedom The initiative was founded by the Yorks to support the Womens Interlink Foundation, which helps vulnerable young women from West Bengal, India. THE MILITARY Supporting Wounded Veterans Jack Brooksbanks' father is executive director of the charity, which helps wounded campaign soldiers. ANIMALS AND CONSERVATION The Big Cat Sanctuary Eugenie is patron of the Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent, which aims to protect Big Cats from extinction. Elephant Family Eugenie is patron of the Elephant Family, a charity dedicated to protecting Asian elephants in their habitat. Project 0 Eugenie is an nmbassador of Project 0, which aim is to inspire people to make sustainable choices to stop the ocean from drowning in plastic. charity: water Eugenie is patron of charity: water, which works to bring clean, safe drinking water to people in developing countries. THE ARTS The Print Room at The Coronet Eugenie is patron of The Print Room, which aims to stage exciting, undiscovered pieces by great writers. Tate Young Patrons Eugenie is involved in Tate Young Patrons, who contribute to conserving works, acquiring new works and supporting education programmes. Advertisement 'The couple have invited members of the public to join the celebrations in the grounds of Windsor Castle, including individuals from charities they support.' Prince Andrew's youngest daughter is a patron of the majority of the charities, while a number also have links to the rest of the York family, and the Brooksbanks. The charity Street Child, which recently merged with Sarah Ferguson's charity, will be represented, as will Supporting Wounded Veterans, which is headed up by Jack Brooksbank's father George. Rather like Harry and Meghan, Eugenie and Jack are expected to be surrounded by A-list invitees when they tie the knot. A 'congratulations' banner was hung up with flags, bunting and blue and white balloons as the residents of Windsor prepare to welcome the royals - and thousands of visitors - to the town Preparations for Eugenie and Jack's wedding have been rather more muted than the large scale festivities for Harry and Meghan's, but bunting and flags are still being put up, pictured A-LIST GUESTS WHO COULD ATTEND THE ROYAL WEDDING Rather like Harry and Meghan, Eugenie and Jack are expected to be surrounded by A-list invitees when they tie the knot. There's expected to be some crossover of social circles with Amal and George Clooney, James Blunt, Cressida Bonas, Elton John and the Beckhams all tipped to attend their second royal nuptials of the year. The only confirmed celebrity attendees are Robbie Williams and Ayda Field, pictured. Their daughter Theodora, six, was named among the bridal party in a release yesterday But Eugenie's guest list is set to have an extra sprinkling of edginess in the form of a younger, cool crowd that includes pop singer Ellie Goulding, Cara Delevingne and Suki Waterhouse, and modelling royalty Kate Moss and Cindy Crawford. So far the only confirmed celebrity attendees are X Factor judges Robbie Williams and Ayda Field. Their daughter Theodora, six, was named among the bridal party in a release sent out by the couple yesterday. Advertisement There's expected to be some crossover of social circles with Amal and George Clooney, James Blunt, Cressida Bonas, Elton John and the Beckhams all tipped to attend their second royal nuptials of the year. But Eugenie's guest list is set to have an extra sprinkling of edginess in the form of a younger, cool crowd that includes pop singer Ellie Goulding, Cara Delevingne and Suki Waterhouse, and modelling royalty Kate Moss and Cindy Crawford. So far the only confirmed celebrity attendees are X Factor judges Robbie Williams and Ayda Field. Their daughter Theodora, six, was named among the bridal party in a release sent out by the couple yesterday. Police dog handlers were seen carrying out sweeps of Windsor on Thursday, pictured, as the town prepares for the arrival of high profile wedding guests, including the Queen Diligent officers were tasked with checking and sealing drain covers, pictured, as they carried out patrols through Windsor on Thursday ahead of the royal wedding tomorrow A police van was parked outside the walls of Windsor Castle as security was put in place ahead of the nuptials tomorrow. There has been criticism over public funds spent on the day Eugenie's second cousins Prince George and Princess Charlotte will reprise their positions as pageboy and bridesmaid for their second role in royal nuptials following Meghan and Harry's wedding in May. The bride has also enlisted several other youngsters to act as her flowergirls including sisters Savannah, 7, and Isla Philips, 6, four-year-old Mia Tindall, Maud Windsor, 5. Louis de Givenchy, son of Frenchman Olivier de Givenchy, a senior banker at JP Morgan will join Prince George as one of two page boys. Other charities invited by Eugenie and Jack (pictured at the Serpentine summer party in June) will include Supporting Wounded Veterans, which is headed up by Jack Brooksbank's father George The couple have asked the bride's cousins and children of Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, 14 and her brother James Viscount Severn, 10, to act as Special Attendants. Predictably, taking the role of Maid of Honour is the bride's older sister Princess Beatrice whose role in the wedding has been speculated for several months. The groom has followed suit asking his brother, Thomas Brooksbank, to be his Best Man and stand by his side while he says his I dos. The bride and groom-to-be have faced public criticism over their large scale wedding plans, with some arguing that no public money should be spent on the wedding of a non-working royal. Women have been revealing their earliest experiences of sexual harassment in shocking confessions that expose how young girls as exposed to unwanted verbal and physical contact from an early age. The Everyday Sexism project headed by Oxford-born feminist campaigner and writer Laura Bates asked women their earliest experiences of harassment, as it was revealed this week that more than a third of girls in school uniform have been sexually harassed in public, a survey has found. The hashtag #WhenIwas started trending on Twitter as people shared painful memories, with many revealing how the experience still haunts them to this day. One woman recalled how a many grabbed her by the shoulders outside a branch of Foot Locker in Reading when she was 12 years old and whispered in her ear that she had nice breasts. Another woman admitted she's still scared of men after an older boy put his hand in her underwear and wouldn't listen to her appeal for him to stop when she was nine-years-old. Women from the UK and around the world have revealed their earliest experiences of being sexually harassed, groped or catcalled in startling confessions (stock image) This week, the Everyday Sexism project headed by Oxford-born feminist campaigner and writer Laura Bates asked women their earliest experiences of harassment, sending the #whenIwas hashtag was trending on Twitter Women described how they experienced unwanted touching, forced kissing and catcalling from an early age, with many admitting the experiences still trouble them to this day A woman described how wolf whistling from builders started when she was just 12, and still recalls how intimidated she felt while another thought catcalling was her fault at the age of 11, as she was wearing a tank top. Others described how they felt pressured not to complain as adults around them took a 'boys will be boys' attitude, and they didn't want to seem like 'that girl' who made a fuss. Earlier this week a report from Plan International UK revealed that 35 per cent of girls have received unwanted sexual attention or contact such as being groped, stared at, catcalled and wolf-whistled while wearing their school uniform in public. One in eight girls reported being 12 years old or younger when she first experienced unwanted sexual attention. Many admitted they didn't want to make report for fear of making a fuss, while some who did found that adults didn't support or believe them The poll of 1,004 girls aged 14-21 also found that one in seven girls had been followed while in uniform, while 8% said they had been filmed or photographed by a stranger without their permission, or someone had taken a photograph up their school skirt. Some 37% of the girls questioned said they had been been sexually harassed while travelling to or from school. The findings come as Plan International UK launches a new report into the impact of street harassment on girls and women in the UK. One woman admitted she thought being harassed at the age of 11 was her fault because she was wearing a tank top The charity is calling on the Government to recognise harassment in public as a form of gender-based violence in its strategy to end violence against women and girls. Tanya Barron, chief executive at Plan International UK, said, It is shocking and deeply concerning that girls, many of whom are clearly of school age because they are in uniform, are being targeted and sexually harassed by perpetrators in the street. Its simply not acceptable that girls as young as 12 are being wolf-whistled at in public, touched against their will, stared at or even followed. This disgraceful behaviour needs to be called out and stopped. Princess Eugenie could wear a high-neck dress featuring lace detailing on her wedding day tomorrow, according to designer Suzanne Neville. The British designer predicted the royal bride, 28, could choose an elegant bridal gown with a long train on This Morning, after correctly guessing the style that Meghan chose for her wedding earlier this year. Suzanne meanwhile suggested maid-of-honour Princess Beatrice would choose a simple white dress, citing Pippa Middleton previously wearing white when she took on the role for the Duchess of Cambridge in 2011. She also picked out a fitted navy dress for mother-of-the-bride Fergie, explaining how she thought she'd choose a frock that was 'nipped in at the waist' to 'show off her beautiful figure'. Scroll down for video Bridal designer Suzanne Neville predicted that Princes Eugenie would wear a high-neck bridal gown with lace detailing on her wedding day tomorrow Suzanne noted that Eugenie (above at the UN in New York in July) often opts for high-neck dresses. Erdem (worn by Eugenie in the picture) is currently the frontrunner to design her wedding dress Speaking about what she thought Eugenie's wedding dress will look like, Suzanne said: 'With the neckline, perhaps not this lace, it might be more tradition, but she does like to wear a high neck. 'I think a V-neck would suit her really well, whether it's an open V-neck, with a long sleeve.' She added: 'It's nice to have some skin showing it opens up the dress a little. 'It would be quite nice if she did do something a little bit different. The buttons going right back up into the back of the neck. Designer Suzanne Neville predicted Princess Beatrice would wear a simple white dress in her role as maid-of-honour Beatrice, 30, (pictured on a night out in Mayfair earlier this month) often opts for high necklines and more 'covered up' looks, Suzanne commented 'A longer train would be better on the day, perhaps not as long as [Meghan's].' Suzanne said she believes Beatrice, 30, will wear a simple white dress in her role as maid-of-honour tomorrow. 'If you think about it, with Pippa again it was white, and looking back at other royal weddings, the maid-of-honour has been in the same colour,' she said. 'I've gone with a very simple dress with high neck line. She does normally wear something quite covered up.' Meanwhile, the bridal designer predicted that the Duchess of York, 58, will wear a fitted navy dress, similar to the one she wore at Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding in May. Suzanne believes mother-of-the-bride Sarah Ferguson could pick a fitted dress, that's 'nipped in at the waist' The Duchess of York, 58, wore a similar navy dress during an appearance at Ascot in June (above), and for Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding at Windsor Castle in May Who are the favourites to design Princess Eugenie's wedding dress? Erdem 2/1 Suzannah 3/1 Jenny Packham 5/1 Preen 6/1 Suzanne Neville 8/1 Alice Temperley 10/1 Burberry 12/1 Osman 14/1 Ralph and Russo 14/1 Source: Ladbrokes Advertisement Suzanne said: ' I really hope that she wears this sort of colour. I thought rather than a dark, dark navy, a light navy. 'It would look fantastic with her hair colouring. Just showing off her figure beautifully, nipped in at the waist.' Erdem is the frontrunner to design Eugenie's wedding dress tomorrow, with British designers Suzannah and Jenny Packham also among the favourites. Eugenie previously revealed in an interview with British Vogue that her wedding dress designer would be British. 'I'm not telling anyone who is making it, but I can say it is a British based designer,' she told the magazine. 'As soon as we announced the wedding, I knew the designer, and the look, straight away.' Suzanne (centre) predicted Eugenie would wear a dress featuring a high-neckline on her wedding day tomorrow The designer added that Eugenie would likely choose a longer train than the one shown, although not quite as long as Meghan's Donald Trump enters the University of Pennsylvanias Irvine Auditorium waving the peace sign for the taping of MSNBCs Hardball with Chris Matthews in 1999. Photo: William Thomas Cain/Liaison/Getty Images In late 1999, Donald Trump spent time and money exploring the self-evidently absurd notion that a shady real estate developer with a side hustle in self-help books could win the White House. With former professional wrestler Jesse Ventura occupying the governors mansion in Minnesota, there was strong whiff of populism in the air. To Trump it smelled like opportunity at least for publicity if not for power. Spurred on by longtime consigliere and former Nixon loyalist Roger Stone, he examined pursuing the nomination of the Reform Party, which Ventura had also recently joined. The Reform Party had emerged out of Ross Perots two presidential runs, in 1992 and 1996. Though Perot had never been a threat to win, he put up remarkable numbers 19 percent and 8 percent of the vote, respectively for an independent candidate, especially one as loopy and erratic as he proved to be. By the time the 2000 election rolled around, the party could offer to anyone who secured its nomination $12 million in federal matching funds and ballot access in nearly every state. Trump, still more than a decade away from adopting snarling nationalism and right-wing conspiracy theorizing as his political brand, was a comfortable fit for the Reform Party, which at that moment saw itself as a vehicle for the Forgotten Center. The party intended to focus on trade and the economy while remaining agnostic on social and cultural issues. Trumps exploration efforts were, of course, highly visible. Op-eds were written, speeches given, Reform Party delegates courted. A core group of a dozen or more advisers and consultants were involved. But as Trump was testing the waters, right-wing firebrand Pat Buchanan and his supporters were taking advantage of the Reform Partys low barrier to entry by becoming party delegates themselves. (Stone, a longtime Bush opponent, had encouraged Pat Buchanan to take a look at it, but had sided with Trump once the real-estate developer declared his interest.) Soon Perots party had undergone a hostile takeover by the Buchanan brigade, which changed the partys orientation and made it all about fighting the culture war. Ironically enough, the Buchanan campaign is now seen as an ideological precursor to Trumps in 2016. But, at the time, the columnists seizure of the party derailed Trumps flirtation with high office. Here is how those who worked with Trump to explore the possibility of a Reform Party bid remember it. Roger Stone, Trump adviser and right-wing operative: Donald was unimpressed with the candidacies of Bush and Gore. And it is important to recognize that because Ross Perot had run so strongly [in 1996] that the party had federal recognition. Therefore the nominee was entitled to a very large check, which was $38 million [Editor: It was actually a little more than $12 million.] So somebody would have the opportunity to run for the presidency on OPM: other peoples money. Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura salutes naval officers he invited to his inaugural after taking the oath of office Photo: Craig Lassig/AFP/Getty Images Jesse Ventura, former governor of Minnesota and professional wrestler: Donald Trump wanted to meet with me. He saw what I did in Minnesota [winning the governorship without major party support]. I was the hottest thing in American politics. I never thought he would pull the trigger. He talked about running for president all the time. He was my friend, absolutely. I knew him from Wrestlemania. But talk is cheap. Russ Verney, Ross Perot political adviser and 1999 Reform Party chairman: In November of 1999, I was in New England for Thanksgiving I was living in Texas, but I was in New England at the time, and I was invited by Reform Party activists in New York and Jack Essenberg, who was chairman of the Independence Party in New York, which was the state branch of the Reform Party to stop in on my way back and meet with Donald Trump. It was in his office at Trump Tower. It was a general discussion. It was more on the lens of what it would take if he wanted to run as opposed to was he going to run. It appeared to me that it was information gathering on his behalf, what the process was. It is an expensive proposition. We were on the ballot in a number of states but you still needed $10 million just for the petition drive. Jack Essenberg was there. Roger Stone was there. President Trump was very friendly, very warm. He asked a lot of questions. We ate sandwiches. Id say the whole thing took maybe 45 minutes. Phil Madsen, digital director for Ventura, and, briefly, for Trump: I never knew much about Donald Trump prior to this. I didnt do a lot of research on him either. To me he was just some rich guy from New York. He wasnt somebody I knew about or thought about or saw on TV that often. I didnt see the need to do a lot of research on him. Keep in mind there was all of this interest in third-party politics around the country and Jesse Ventura was the star of the show. Donald Trump was coming to us. Pat Choate, 1996 Ross Perot running mate and 2000 Reform Party chairman: I strongly discouraged him from getting involved with the Reform Party. I was the interim chairman. We had Pat Buchanan and a couple of other people looking at it. We were trying to get conservative Republicans to be involved. Trump sent Roger Stone to some event and talked to some of the people in the party. Basically I said we really dont want Trump involved with us. He was just a hustler, just an egomaniac. And I think events have proved me right on that point. Paul Hale, California Reform Party chairman: The Reform Party was a powerful experiment in government because we had to start from the ground up. We werent professionals. We were laypeople. So we had to build a platform, create all of our own committees. Our main theme was fiscal responsibility. The major parties were completely corrupt. We wanted to be totally ethical, do everything as straightforwardly as possible. Dave Shiflett, co-author of Trumps 2000 campaign book, The America We Deserve: I was a part of this ghost-writing writers group in Washington, D.C. Roger Stone reached out. Nobody took this seriously. Trump was a guy on a lark. The only thing I knew about him was the Best Sex I Ever Had headline. He was developing his expertise at being center stage and this was a way to get some headlines. Stone: Donald was friendly with Jesse Ventura from his days in Wrestlemania and he was friendly with Ross Perot because in a certain world all billionaires know other billionaires, and I think he was intrigued by the idea. Choate: Ross Perot and I didnt think he was a fit. Because of his morals. Because of his finances. Because of his constant hustle. Because of his egomania and his inability to work with other people. I really didnt think he would have a shot at it. They may be both billionaires but there is a zillion-dollar difference between Ross Perot and Donald Trump. For one thing, Ross Perot is a real billionaire. For another thing he made it on his own. Dean Barkley, former Ventura aide: I heard a little item on NPR that Donald Trump was coming to Minneapolis and that he was going to ask me to run his presidential campaign. I hadnt heard anything about it. So that was quite a surprise. Then a couple of weeks later Donald Trump flew out on the Trump plane. And thats how I met Donald Trump. At the penthouse suite at the Northland Inn in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. I didnt think he was serious. I thought he was doing it for the publicity. Stone: We formed an exploratory committee, built a database of those who would be delegates to the convention, started figuring out how to get Donalds name on the ballot in states where there would be primaries, and figured out some campaign-style trips. He never became a formal candidate and made it clear he was just exploring. We released a tax plan that would have increased rates on the super-wealthy, which would include Trump himself, put out a book called The America We Deserve. Donald positioned himself essentially as a fiscal conservative but more of a social progressive, which fit the Reform Party closely. Barkley: We encouraged him to do it. We told him that the problem was Perot was still a factor and wanted to quash anyone else. So not only would you have to quash Perot in the background you would have to make peace with him. Perot didnt want to give up control of the party. Madsen: I was deeply involved with Jesse Ventura, and one day I got a call from Roger Stone. He flew out and we met him at the Twin Cities airport. He told us that Trump was feeling out a presidential run. That intrigued us greatly because we had just made history with Ventura. Our dream was to start a national third party and Ventura was the star of the show at that time. We were socially moderate and fiscally conservative. We were the moderate middle. That is how we talked about ourselves at the time. Barkley: We met for a couple of hours. He and Roger and a few other people, they were taking notes and picking our brains and asking us how did we win, and I politely said I wasnt sure he was serious and I didnt want to leave the Ventura administration on a lark. I didnt say it was a lark to them but I did say that if he was serious he should let me know. I didnt know what Donald Trump stood for. He seemed more interested in being a celebrity. I just kind of wrote it off as a publicity stunt. Madsen: I met with him a couple of times. A small group met with him in his hotel suite in the Twin Cities. Melania was there, Roger Stone, and there were maybe six of us Reform Party people. Trump said almost nothing. He listened as people talked. I was a little embarrassed to be in the room. The other five people were just falling all over themselves to get on his side and to be a part of a presidential campaign. They were praising Trump and complimenting him. They just gushed over the guy. I was thinking, People, he has heard all of this before. What are you trying to do. Hes Donald Trump. People talk this way to him all the time! It was awful to watch. I felt really uncomfortable in that room. Choate: I was party chairman so I was neutral. Except Donald Trump. I really didnt want Donald Trump. Pat Buchanan makes his way through reporters, cameras, and supporters in New Hampshire in 1999, after announcing he will seek the GOPs nomination for president in the year 2000 election. Photo: Brian Snyder/Getty Images Shiflett: It was him versus Pat Buchanan and Trump was a different guy than he is now. He was fairly politically progressive. Buchanan had come out with a book that said that the concentration camps didnt kill as many people as everyone thought or something. Trump did an excellent op-ed on Buchanan that I have to admit I wrote every word of, it was a real teeth-rattler. Which is funny because now everybody says Donald is Buchanan. Stone: Pat Buchanan came along and he was a fabulous foil. Donald accused him of having a love affair with Adolf Hitler. Donald is extremely competitive, and he read something that Pat had said, and Donald knew how to make news. Engaging Pat Buchanan got him an enormous amount of coverage. It wasnt personal. It was opportunity. Shiflett: If he puts out a book, it is going to sell well. He is a carnival barker. He can move product. And so Stone calls me and tells me Donald is thinking of running for president and wants a book that tells America what his priorities would be. We knew he wasnt going to be president. There was a slightly carnival aspect to it all. Some interviewer called Stone for a story about the book and asked what other books had Donald read. So Stone called me and I said, Tell em he likes Dostoevsky. See how that flies. That would add some gravitas to the soup. Madsen: Trump flew to Minnesota, he went to the Capitol and met with Ventura. They did this joint press conference. It was a media circus. And then Trump gave a speech to a bunch of local chambers of commerce. I introduced Trump at the meeting. I almost got into serious trouble because I was too long-winded in my remarks. The airport near Mar-a-Lago was going to close and if Trump missed that he would have had to stay in Minnesota for the night. I was going to be in deep doo-doo. Shiflett: For some reason people who are very good at making money cannot write. I dont know how that is. Its not that high of a skill but they just cant be bothered to do it. People say Donald Trump doesnt read books. And that is absolutely true. Roger called me and said Trump wanted to write a book about what he would do if he were president. I said, Well, this is going to be my first published piece of fiction. Ventura: If I had been running for president that year, I would have won. I would have won as an independent. I was the red-hot one. I didnt run because I always thought you should finish the job the voters elected you to. But I would have won. You know how I know? In the year 2000, I flew into New York. It was the middle of the night. There was a construction worker fixing the streets in Manhattan. My window was open and we stopped at the light and Im sitting in the back of the car and he stops working and looks over at me and says, The wrong governor is running for president. This was midnight. In New York City. It would have been me, not Donald. Shiflett: I got off the elevator at Trump Tower, and I am just this hick writer from Virginia and there are these beautiful women just all over the place. They looked like they had been cooked up in a laboratory. They were just flawless beauties. I think Trump owned a modeling agency at the time. And Roger was there, and Donald, and I just took out a legal pad and we sketched out a couple of chapters. He just said what was on his mind. It was a one-afternoon thing. We just started going back and forth and I wrote it all out. I am a hack writer. And hack writers can stretch a word out of nothing. Verney: I was invited to meet with him in Florida with a bunch of Reform Party members, and then a couple of us were invited to be Trumps guests at Mar-a-Lago. It was a wonderful weekend. The place is just gorgeous, fantastic, everything about it is five star, including the restaurant. I was there with my wife, and Jack Essenberg and his wife were there, and here we are looking at this five-star restaurant menu and Trump comes over to our table and says, On the way down here I called the chef, I gave him my mothers recipe for meatloaf, and you have to try it. So here I am at a five-star restaurant and I have to eat the meatloaf. And let me tell you I am glad I did. It was fantastic. Stone: We had a reception in Florida with all of the Reform Party national committee members. How serious he was looking at this is a reasonable question. If you asked him today he would say Roger was more interested in it than I was. I think he loved the attention. He loved the platform. I think in the end he was less interested in running than I was in seeing him run. He saw the obstacles. Just getting on the ballot in all fifty states was going to be multi-million-dollar exercise. Madsen: He flew some of us Ventura people down to Miami to accompany him on what was sort of like a campaign trip. He wanted to see how he was going to be received by the people who supported Ross Perot. We didnt get to a Trump club. We were kind of hoping we might, but he met with a bunch of Reform Party people at a hotel somewhere. Then we all rode to Little Havana, where Trump was going to give a big speech to a bunch of Bay of Pigs Cuban veterans. It was intoxicating. He was the star of the show. To watch all of that unfold and be exposed to these historical figures and all. The Cubans were delighted to have someone of Trumps stature pay attention to them. Stone was orchestrating the whole thing, all of it for Trumps benefit. Verney: There were a good number of Reform Party people who came to Florida for a meet-and-greet. I think he wanted to see what it would take and what kind of support he could tap into. My understanding was that Mr. Trump would have had to sell his casino in order to have the liquidity to run. And in the end he didnt want to or couldnt sell his casino and just didnt have the cash. Shiflett: The book was knocked out pretty fast. It just took a couple of months. I remember the first draft I sent in I did a get a call from Trumps office and he had an assistant named Norma Foerderer, who was this very formidable woman, she had these eyes that could just burn right through you, and she called me and said you need to come up here. So I took a day trip to New York and went into her office and she said, This needs to be toned down a bit. We dont want Donald to look too strident. I thought I captured his mood pretty well but okay, we can run it through the machine again and tone it down. She was very concerned that Trump not come off as some kind of ranter. And I was thinking, that is how he talks! He is a bombastic person. And also, I was thinking, why did you fly me up here? You could have just told me this over the phone. Stone: He was enthusiastic about the publicity. He was enthusiastic about the adulation. It doesnt mean he was was ultimately going to become a candidate. I tried to persuade him. I told him that he could be nominated, that Bush and Gore were turkeys, that there is grassroots enthusiasm for him inside the party, that this is the big leagues. In retrospect I was probably buying my own spin. Shiflett: At the time he was this jet-setter. He wasnt really famous for anything. He wanted me to put in the book that he knew Puff Daddy and Muhammad Ali. He told me Oprah would be a fantastic running mate and I should put that in there. I was like, Okay, Donald. At the time she was more famous than he was. I dont think she would be interested in working for him. But it was like, Okay, we will be sure to look her up and let her know that she is under consideration. Stone: At one point he floated Oprah Winfrey as his running mate. Now why did he do that? Well, I tell you it got us on the cover of both The Daily News and The Post. She was a national figure like him. She was friendly with him, and the idea of an independent black woman on a ticket with Donald Trump was a pretty attractive, pretty special idea. And we learned through all of this that the single most important quality for a candidate with Donalds baggage was that everybody knew who Donald Trump was. He was already a national figure. Hale: A bunch of us representatives from the Reform Party, we had a meeting with Trump. He rented a room in the Beverly Hills Hotel. It was a very nice affair. The thing is, though, we were grassroots, and I didnt get the impression he represented the grassroots. He was billionaire. There was nothing unpleasant about him. He was a very nice man. I didnt get the chance to talk to him though. Stone: We went to Los Angeles, and stayed at the Hermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills. He had an event on the roof for Reform Party members and then we did a tour of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. I do remember him turning to Marvin Hier and saying, Rabbi, this is a very valuable piece of real estate. What does this go for a square foot? Shiflett: His main concern when we did the book was terrorism. The reason was that he had an uncle who taught at MIT and he told Donald that it would soon be possible to make a bomb inside a suitcase that would flatten all of Manhattan. That got Trumps attention. Among other things it would ruin the real-estate market there. And he was on to North Korea, which was interesting because nobody was onto North Korea. And the other thing was he was very much into single-payer health insurance. I remember that he wanted me to include that he didnt like the Kim family of North Korea and he wanted me to put up-front that he was outraged by the murder of Matthew Shepard. Madsen: Stone came out to Minnesota a couple of times. We were at some event, I dont really remember what, and there were a couple of women from New York who worked in Trump Tower. In what capacity I dont know. I remember them at this event getting a phone call or getting a note somehow news coming to them that Trump and Melania had split up. I was shocked. They were very nice to each other. He would hold the door open for her, she would hand him a napkin if he dropped his. They seemed like a couple that got along quite nicely. And the next time Trump came to Minnesota Melania wasnt with him. Verney: Mr. Trump mentioned the Melania situation when we were at his club in Florida. He was clearly very hurt by it. He missed her very much. That came across in all of our discussions. He was very much in love, according to him, and missed her tremendously and wanted to what he could to get the relationship back to where it was. Madsen: Stone hired me as the Internet guy. Put me on the payroll for a few weeks. I didnt really do anything. Stone had his own people but he wanted me involved because of the Ventura connection. I did almost nothing. There wasnt much work to be done. Shiflett: After the book came out Roger sent me a card and said he found the smallest font possible for my name on the cover of the book. And he did! You can barely see me. But I got paid on time and got paid well. It was more money than this hack writer had ever gotten before. I knew he wasnt going to run and nothing was going to come of it, but it is the sworn duty of hack writers to relieve rich people of their money whenever they can. Stone: In the end he correctly realized that you had to be a Republican or a Democrat to make a serious run for the presidency. He would have won the nomination but he would have handed the presidency to Al Gore. But the most important thing to recognize is the extraordinary amount of publicity this generated. Because he is Donald Trump. Because he interested. Because he is provocative. The idea of a guy proposing a tax plan in which he would pay more but the national debt would be erased? Thats pretty provocative. Madsen: In Minnesota, we [Ventura people] decided to break with the national Reform Party. It had become too much about Perot. And if we left, the Reform Party was going to fall apart. I remember telling Roger on the phone what we were doing and he said, Well, thats the end of that. And they dropped out basically the next day. Donald Trump outside the Federal Courthouse in Newark with Roger Stone, the director of Trumps presidential exploratory committee, for the swearing-in of Trumps sister as a federal appeals court judge in 1999. Photo: Daniel Hulshizer/AP/REX/Shutterstock A few days later, Donald Trump sat down for an interview with Matt Lauer and announced he was out. Ive made my decision. Im not going to be running. The Party is, as you know, self-destructing. Jesse has left, and thats a problem. And so I will not be running. Asked by Lauer what he had taken away from the whole experience, Trump said, Ive learned the life of a politician. You know the other night, I was sitting at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, watching television, and I was watching Gore on a freezing evening knocking on a door, saying, `Hi, Im the vice president, Id love your vote. Hes freezing. And Im watching McCain, and Im watching Bush, and they were all working so hard. And I said, `You know, its not such an easy life they have, as Im sitting, you know, in 75-degree weather. But he quickly added he was interested in running again, only this time as either a Democrat or a Republican and that if he did, he would come back on Lauers show to announce it. Stone: The kicker to all of this is that after he withdrew it was too late to take his name off the ballot in California and Michigan. And he won the primary of both of those states. Where are they now? Paul Hale is a bus driver in the outer reaches of the San Francisco Bay Area, a career he came to after performing as a rodeo DJ under the name Kicking Cowboy. Dave Shiflett is a self-proclaimed hack writer, living in rural Virginia, where he is working on a screenplay centered around Ronald Reagan, Sun Myung Moon, and Leon Klinghoffer. Pat Choate has written several books and runs a small policy project devoted to restoring manufacturing jobs. Dean Barkley served a brief stint in the U.S. Senate following the death of Paul Wellstone, and is now a lawyer in private practice in Bloomington, Minnesota. Jesse Ventura hosts a television show on the Kremlin-backed RT America called The World According to Jesse and has suggested he will run for president in 2020. Phil Madsen left politics, became a trucker and now runs a gym in Florida. Russ Verney runs Project Veritas, the James OKeefe led outfit that uses undercover videos to attack the liberal media. Roger Stone remains an outside adviser to Donald Trump. He has expressed belief that he could be indicted by Robert Mueller. He is about to come out with a book attacking Bob Woodward. The royal family's official Twitter account has sparked hilarity by accidentally referring to Princess Eugenie's fiance as 'Mr Jacksbrook'. The typo, which appears to be an amalgamation of Jack and Brooksbank, appeared in a tweet sharing details about the couple's wedding on Friday. Posted shortly after midday, it read: 'Princess Eugenie and Mr. Jacksbrook have invited people from the charities they support into the grounds of Windsor Castle tomorow - to help celebrate their wedding day'. According to BuzzFeed News, it took around 40 minutes for the tweet to be deleted and then reissued with the correct spelling. Who's Mr Jacksbrook? This typo, which appears to be an amalgamation of Jack and Brooksbank, appeared in a tweet sharing details about the couple's wedding on Friday Some 850 guests, including the Queen, Prince Charles and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will attend the hour-long service inside St George's Chapel when Eugenie and Jack (pictured in 2016) tie the knot tomorrow But eagle-eyed fans had already spotted the typo, with one amused follower tweeting: 'I believe "Bank Jacksbrook" is his super secret spy name.' Another penned: 'Mr Jacksbrook? Er... close!' while a third wrote: 'Think they mean Jack Brooksbank. Close enough.' The tweet was part of an announcement about the representatives from 13 charities who have been invited to Windsor Castle tomorrow to share in the couple's celebrations. A further 850 guests, including the Queen, Prince Charles and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will attend the hour-long service inside St George's Chapel. Despite the royal family deleting the tweet, eagle-eyed fans had already spotted the typo, with one amused follower tweeting: 'I believe "Bank Jacksbrook" is his super secret spy name' Princess Eugenie and her fiance Jack will marry at St George's Chapel at 11am next Friday, followed by a 15-minute carriage procession down part of Windsor High Street Photos taken today reveal the extensive preparations being carried out ahead of the high-profile event, with police dog handlers sweeping the streets and local officials erecting crowd control barriers in anticipation of the influx of visitors tomorrow. Following the lead of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who married at St George's Chapel in May, Eugenie and Jack invited members of the public to apply to join the celebrations in the grounds of Windsor Castle. They sifted through the roughly 10,000 applications and sent out 1,200 invitations to deserving charity workers, community leaders, Royal Household staff and pupils from Princess Eugenie's former schools. Making the announcement on the Duke of York Twitter page, a spokesperson said: 'The Wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank takes place tomorrow! A rundown of how Princess Eugenie and her partner Jack's wedding on Friday 12th October will unfold, following the 11am ceremony at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle Good Morning Britain's resident weather presenter, Laura Tobin, offered viewers more than just the weather yesterday, when she tried to find a girlfriend for her twin brother. The 37-year-old mother-of-one interrupted her live broadcast to wish her sibling a happy birthday - before telling viewers he was 'single and ready to mingle' and asking for those interested in a date to get in touch. While her brother, Mark Tobin, missed the embarrassing shout-out, he did later take to Twitter to call his sister 'pesky'. Scroll down for video Good Morning Britain weather reporter Laura Tobin took liberties with her morning bulletin yesterday, using her slot to wish her twin Mark a happy 37th birthday, while also making a plea to find him a girlfriend Later, the weather reporter posted this photo of her brother, Mark Tobin, on Twitter During the broadcast, Tobin shared a photo of the siblings wearing fancy dress outfits During the weather, chuckling sheepishly, she said: 'I would like to say happy birthday to my twin brother Mark, I'm one minute older than him. I'm the more important twin. 'He's single and ready to mingle! If anyone's interested, get in touch - you could be my sister-in-law in the future, who knows!' She added: 'He's going to kill me for that. I haven't got him a present, so that's literally my present!' Later, the star, who gave birth to her first daughter, Charlotte, in September last year posted a better photo of her brother, writing: 'Oops - My twin brother Mark hasn't seen this!' and adding a clip from her broadcast. He in turn responded, writing: 'Thanks sis, Im glad you didnt advertise my singleness on national TV or anything like that..... #peskysisters' While there didn't appear to be a flood of potential dates on social media, plenty of people wished the pair a happy 37th birthday. Earlier this year the meteorologist brought her then 11-month old daughter Charlotte into the studio and read out the weather with ease while the baby girl sat on her hip. Laura was praised by viewers for 'keeping it real' and representing working mums on the morning chat show. 'He's going to kill me when he sees this!' Tobin did look a little awkward at the end of her virtual personal ad for brother Mark She had been on GMB to talk about her new range of cards designed especially to congratulate the parents of premature babies, inspired by the fact she didn't receive any when her daughter Charlotte was born three months early. Charlotte was born weighing just 2.5lbs and was placed on oxygen support at first but grew strong enough and was sent home with her doting parents. Laura has created a series of cards for new mums who have given birth prematurely, with appropriate messages that have been carefully worded in light of what they've been through. She revealed that mums are sent cards meant for babies who were born full term, which contain happy messages that can be upsetting in stressful times. Laura herself didn't get any cards because she felt her family didn't know what to say, and so has brought out cards with appropriate messages like 'welcome to the world little fighter'. Linda McCartney's new vegetarian pizza range has been branded 'disappointing' by fans who claim the late activist would have been a vegan by now. Linda McCartney Foods, which the American musician and wife of Beatle Sir Paul McCartney created in 1991, has launched three new flavours, topped with vegetarian alternatives to chicken, chorizo and spicy beef. The new additions, which all have a mozzarella cheese layer, hit the shelves at Sainsbury's yesterday, but prompted something of an outcry among plant-based eaters who demanded to know why no vegan options had been included. When the brand shared the news on its official Facebook account, thousands of followers expressed their disappointment, including one who posted: 'Not even one of them is vegan when vegetarians can get pizza from literally EVERYWHERE! So disappointing Linda Foods!' Others insisted the brand shouldn't be 'still supporting the dairy industry'. Vegetarian brand Linda McCartney Foods has launched a new range of vegetarian pizzas - but vegans have slammed the brand because they all feature mozzarella cheese The new pizzas, which are being sold in Sainsbury's, feature flavours such as chicken and pesto (left) and spicy beef and jalapeno. But thousands of vegans have claimed the decision to not include any cheese-free or vegan cheese options is 'disappointing' The brand told fans it was yet to find a solution to a 'great tasting, high quality' vegan option in its range. Hannah Starrk wrote: 'So disappointing these aren't vegan. Vegetarians can buy any pizza and add your toppings. Vegans need more options like this.' Kyle Boyd added: 'Seriously, not a single one is vegan? Very disappointing and not very forward thinking. Get with the times.' Others claimed that Linda McCartney, who passed away in 1998, would have turned vegan by now had she still been alive. Paul Burgess said: 'Really disappointing, where is the vegan pizza? Why are you still supporting the dairy industry? Linda herself would have been vegan by now, we all know this.' Johanne Deverrick added: 'Linda was ahead of her time, I am sure she would be very disappointed in this new range and the management who spearhead it, in fact they should be fired, bad bad business decision!' Both Paul and Linda McCartney turned vegetarian in 1971, with Linda once saying she would not eat anything with a face. Speaking of her legacy in 2013, Paul wrote for HuffPost: 'There is definitely now an overall greater acceptance of being vegetarian. Linda played a massive part in all this. Many vegans have claimed that Linda, who became vegetarian in 1971, would have been vegan had she been alive today. Pictured: Paul and Linda in 1991 Thousands of vegans have commenting on the Linda McCartney Foods Facebook page to express their disappointment 'Over the years, she converted many people we knew. Our friends, people we worked with and even some of our roadies on tour. She had a non-aggressive forcefulness about her. 'We dreamed that one day you could be driving down the motorway and stop off for some food and there would be options for us and now of course there are.' Thousands of disappointed vegans have commented on the post to slam the brand. In response, Linda McCartney Foods wrote: 'Wed like to thank everyone for their suggestions and comments about our new range of pizzas. 'At Linda McCartney Foods, we are committed to delivering delicious vegetarian products, as well as looking for ways to go vegan without compromising on taste. 'Weve not yet found the answer for a great-tasting, high quality vegan option in our pizza range, but your feedback is important to us and we're exploring ways to make this happen. 'Thank you for your continued support in pushing meat-free eating forward, and for being with us on this journey.' Linda McCartney Foods has been contacted for comment. Advertisement A stunning photograph of Meghan Markle illuminated in light as she walks down the aisle at St. George's Chapel has been chosen as the best royal snap of the year. The incredible shot, taken by Danny Lawson for the Press Association, beat a snap of the Duchess of Cambridge gazing lovingly at Prince Louis outside the Lindo Wing, and a photograph of Prince Philip lifting his hat following his last official engagement, to the top spot. NMA's Royal Rota photography competition attracted entries from a range of royal events over the past 12 months, including Harry and Meghan's engagement announcement, and the Star Wars premiere. Members of the public voted for their favourite images from the selection to create a shortlist which was put before a panel of judges. This year, the NMA also included a special category for photographs of Harry and Meghan together to celebrate their whirlwind year. Photographer Yui Mok won this competition with a shot of the royal couple from above as they held hands during their carriage procession through Windsor on May 19. The snap delighted fans in May, due to the heart shape formed by the way the couple sat. This stunning picture of Meghan Markle walking down the aisle of St George's Chapel on May 19, captured by Danny Lawson, has been chosen as the best royal photograph of the year in NMA's Royal Rota photography competition Photographer Yui Mok's shot of Harry and Meghan holding hands during their carriage procession through Windsor won a special category dedicated to pictures of the couple. It delighted fans in May due to the heart shape formed by their positions The competition, run by the NMA, included the special category to celebrate the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's whirlwind year. Pictured: another photograph by winner Danny Lawson of the couple's first kiss Other snaps shortlisted in the public vote included Jeremy Selywn's picture of the Duchess of Cambridge outside the Lindo Wing with Prince Louis in April Cheeky Princess Charlotte was captured sticking her tongue out by photographer Andrew Milligan as she arrived for the wedding at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in May, in another snap shortlisted in the competition A beaming Queen was captured by photographer Chris Jackson as she visited the Royal College of Physicians in February Prince Philip was captured lifting his hat in this striking photograph by Hannah McKay, as he attended his final solo engagement, a parade to mark the finale of the Royal Marines 1664 Global Challenge last August Many of the pictures shortlisted are of the Duchess of Sussex, the newest member of the royal family. She was captured in this shot by photographer Dominic Lipinsk, during her visit to Brixton in January A photograph taken of Prince Harry and Meghan by Eddie Mulholland following the couple's engagement announcement in November also featured among the selection An image taken by Andrew Matthews showing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex emerging from St George's Chapel as husband and wife in May was also selected for the competition Prince William and Prince Harry looked delighted as they came face-to-face with droid BB-8 at the premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi in London in December, in an image captured by photographer Eddie Mulholland The Duchess of Cornwall and Dame Judi Dench were seen sharing an ice cream together in an image taken by Andrew Matthews on the Isle of Wight in July Prime Minister Theresa May sparked headlines as she was captured doing a low curtsy while greeting Prince William at Amiens Cathedral, France. The picture was taken by photographer Yui Mok Meghan looked embarrassed as she covered her face at the Royal Foundation Forum in February, along with Harry, Kate and William. The picture was taken by photographer Chris Jackson Photographs of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during their carriage procession through Windsor also feature, including this shot of them taken by Craig Hibbert He recently swapped London for Scotland, but James Middleton has been spotted in the capital on the eve of Princess Eugenie's wedding. The Duchess of Cambridge's younger brother, 31, was pictured on the London Underground travelling to South Kensington - just a stone's throw from his sister's home - on Thursday afternoon. The entrepreneur was last spotted in September working as a tour guide at Glen Affric Lodge, the Scottish hotel owned by his sister Pippa's father-in law. It is unclear why James is in London but with the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank at Windsor Castle tomorrow, he may well have snagged an invite. James Middleton, the brother of the Duchess of Cambridge, was spotted taking the Circle Line on the London Underground today. He got off at South Kensington station at around 4.20pm and may have snagged an invite to Princess Eugenie's wedding tomorrow Princess Eugenie's wedding with Jack Brooksbank will take place at Windsor Castle tomorrow. There'll be 850 guests but it isn't known who exactly has an invite yet. Pictured are the couple at Buckingham Palace after announcing their engagement The Palace has kept tight-lipped over who is attending the wedding, but Eugenie and Jack have invited some 850 guests to watch them tie the knot. In his low-key appearance on Thursday, James was spotted lounging on a tube seat while engrossed in his mobile phone. He clutched a book under his arm and looked relaxed and casual in a gillet with a collared white shirt, jeans and loafers. He was later seen reading from his book as fellow passengers crowded around him on the tube. If James does attend tomorrow's wedding, fellow guests can expect a more dapper display in line with his suave look at Harry and Meghan's wedding back in May. He looked comfortable as he sat on the tube and at point started reading a book that he kept under his arm. His appearance comes just weeks after he hinted he may move to Scotland permanently James Middleton was last seen working as a tour guide in Scotland. He looks very relaxed and casual in the latest photos but expect him to pull-off another dapper look if he does make an appearance at the wedding. Pictured is James at Harry and Meghan's wedding James was last pictured in September working as a host at Glen Affric Lodge near Loch Ness, owned by David Matthews, father of Pippa's hedge fund manager husband, James. He was pictured in several publicity shots dressed in tweeds with a deerstalker and posing cheesily with hotel guests at dinner. His move north was believed to be permanent after he earlier said in a magazine interview: 'The countryside is where I'm happiest and I'll be taking my four dogs to Glen Affric with me.' Affric Lodge comes with ample opportunities for hunting, shooting and fishing, along with personal gamekeepers, world-class cuisine from personal French chefs and a butler service. At one stage, James appeared engrossed in his phone as he lounged on the tube with people milling around him on the busy tube. James was spotted around the same time actress Priyanka Chopra was pictured touching down at Heathrow airport At the end of Septenber, James was spotted after taking a job as a guide at a Scottish hotel owned by his other sister Pippa's father-in law. This publicity photo shows him in tweeds with a deerstalker James worked as a host at Glen Affric Lodge near Loch Ness, owned by David Matthews, father of Pippa's hedge fund manager husband, James. He was pictured in several publicity shots posing cheesily with hotel guests at dinner Tomorrow's guest list has already been making news after it was confirmed that Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, would not be attending. Although husband Prince Charles will be in attendance, Camilla will instead be visiting Crathie primary school in Balmoral, Scotland. And James' journey on the Tube was spotted around the same time newly engaged actress Priyanka Chopra was pictured touching down at Heathrow airport on Thursday. Like James, Priyanka attended Harry and Meghan's wedding back in May. Buckingham Palace declined to comment when contacted. Kate Middleton wasnt asked to be a bridesmaid in Princess Eugenies wedding, but shell still have a key role to play in ensuring that things go smoothly on the big day. James Brookes, a Royal insider at the Express, speculates that the Duchess of Cambridge will be tasked with keeping the young members of the bridal party which will include her son and daughter Prince George and Princess Charlotte in line during the wedding on Friday. Kate played a similar role during sister Pippa Middletons wedding and was seen lending a hand with the bridesmaids during Meghan Markles May wedding to Prince Harry. Kate Middleton will have a key role to play during Princess Eugenie's wedding on Friday Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie will tie the knot at St George's Chapel after more than seven years together It was previously believed that Pippa, 35, would be left in charge of the children in addition to her duties as Maid of Honor. Royal insiders said she had a fantastic way with kids, which is why she was in the running to begin with. Joining Charlotte, three, in the bridal party will be Savannah Philips, Mia Tindall, Isla Philips, Robbie Williamss daughter Teddy and Maud Windsor. Louis de Givenchy, JP Morgan Private Banks managing director Olivier de Givenchys son, will also be a pageboy. Eugenies uncle Prince Edwards children Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn, will serve as special attendants during her big day. Heres what you need to know about Princess Eugenies big day. Who is Princess Eugenie? Princess Eugenie, born Eugenie Victoria Helena on March 23, 1990, is the younger daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah the Duke and Duchess of York. Shes ninth in line for the British throne behind her older sister, Princess Beatrice. Eugenie is Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philips sixth grandchild. Prince Andrew and Sarah divorced when their youngest daughter was six. The pair split custody of her and her sister. She told Tatler magazine her parents are the best divorced couple she knows. After completing her education in 2012, Eugenie moved to New York to work for the online auction firm Paddle8. She returned to London, England in 2015 and began working at Hauser & Wirth art gallery. In 2017 she was promoted from associate director to director. As for her personal life, Princess Eugenie underwent back surgery in 2002 to correct her scoliosis. She still has two 12-inch titanium rods in her back, but isnt expected to have to go under the knife again. In 2018 she and long-time boyfriend Jack Brooksbank announced their engagement. They had been dating for seven years at the time. Jack proposed to Eugenie during a trip to Nicaragua. Who is Jack Brooksbank? Jack Brooksbank is a 31-year-old socialite. He was once the manager of Mahiki, a hotspot that was popular with the likes of Prince Harry and Princess Beatrice. Jack is now the UK brand ambassador for Casamigos Tequila, which was co-founded by George Clooney. Tatler magazine reported that Jack is a gifted skier and met Princess Eugenie through friends during a trip to Verbier. Jack is unlikely to get a Royal title after his wedding to Eugenie. Wedding of Princess Eugenie Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank will tie the knot on Friday, October 12 at St Georges Chapel. Its the second Royal wedding of 2018, following Prince Harry and Meghan Markles nuptials in May. The 27-year-old Royal told British Vogue her wedding will be plastic-free due to her strong environmentalist stance. My whole house is anti-plastic now and Jack and I want our wedding to be like that as well. The wedding will extend into the following day, apparently. A festival with a fairground and afternoon tea will be setup on Saturday, according to the Telegraph. Princess Eugenie and Jacks wedding service will begin at 11am on Friday. Its expected to last about an hour and will be followed by a short procession ride through Windsor, England. The couple will be married by David Conner, the Dean of Windsor. Prayers will be led by Archbishop of York, John Sentamu. More than 800 people are expected to attend Princess Eugenie and Jacks wedding. Theyve invited 1,200 members of the public into the Windsor Castle grounds for their wedding and 850 people who will attend the service. Among those invited to the wedding will be Cara Delevingne, Ellie Goulding, Chelsy Davy, Cressida Bonas, George and Amal Clooney, and senior members of the Royal family. When is the Royal wedding of Princess Eugenie? Princess Eugenies wedding is at 11am GMT on Friday. Is the wedding of Princess Eugenie being televised? ITVs This Morning will air a live special edition of their show to cover the Royal wedding on Friday. Cameras will begin rolling at 9:25am GMT and will stop at 12:30pm GMT. According to Page Six, the wedding nearly didn't make it to TV. Prince Andrew had been speaking with BBC about setting something up to ensure that his daughter's big day felt as special as Prince Harry's. In the midst of those chats, ITV struck a deal with the Royals. A source said: 'Things got messy enough that Andrew had to get involved and pull his weight to clean this up and get the live show back on track.' Royal fanatics in the United States can watch the wedding on TLC in a three-hour commercial free block. Howard Lee, president and general manager of TLC, said in a statement: 'In May, we were thrilled to provide live coverage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. Now it's Princess Eugenie's turn, and US fans of the royal family will get to witness all the flourishes of this big day only on TLC.' After years of avoiding the clothing item, Chrissy Metz made a promise to herself that she would wear a swimsuit if she found one she liked. The 38-year-old This Is Us actress kept true to that promise recently when she visited Barbados with a friend. She posted multiple pictures of herself wearing what appears to be a a black one-piece bathing suit while lounging in the pool. For Glamour magazine's November issue, Chrissy explained why this moment was such a big deal, revealing: 'I grew up wearing a T-shirt at the pool.' Stunning: Chrissy Metz, 38, overcame her fear of wearing a bathing suit this year while on a trip to Barbados with a friend Happy: The This Is Us actress told Glamour magazine she avoided wearing swimsuits Something new: But she made a promise to herself to try a swimsuit and wear it if she liked it The actress continued: 'As an adult, I was like, I'm gonna find a bathing suit I like and I'm gonna wear it. Stressful: Currently, Chrissy is portraying a character in This Is Us who is struggling with her own health issues regarding weight and body image 'And there were people, like, "Oh my God, look at you! You know I could never do that.' Although Chrissy recognized this to be more of a backhanded compliment, she decided to not let it deter her from wearing what she wanted to wear. 'I'm doing what I want to do,' Chrissy said. Confidence in herself is what helped Chrissy earn her big break in acting by snagging the the role of Kate Pearson in This Is Us, now going on season three. After she landed the hit TV role, Chrissy started to tackle topics relating to body image, weight and what other roles she hoped to earn while working as an actress in Hollywood. 'People who've never been overweight don't understand what it all entails,' she said. 'They think you're just sitting in the corner and all you do is eat.' 'My thing is, Lets get to the real issues because the food is the symptom; its not the issue. Everyones filling a void with something.' Positive: 'I'm doing what I want to do,' Chrissy said in an interview with Glamour magazine Important: But the actress, pictured at the Emmy Awards, hopes to break down stigmas in the acting world and do roles that don't involve the characters weight or body image Not only does Chrissy tackle the stereotypes of being overweight in her personal life, but those issues resonate through the character she plays in This Is Us. Kate is currently handling the risks of becoming pregnant at a heavier weight than what is deemed healthy. Because she wants to have a kid of her own, the character is putting her life on the line in an attempt to carry a baby to term. Although Chrissy has found success portraying a character who struggles with her own weight, she is pushing for roles that don't involve body image. Her next role is a film entitled Breakthrough where Chrissy plays a mom who uses prayer to resuscitate her son. A big draw to the film was that it had nothing to do with her weight. 'People are still surprised that a big girl could be on TV, and it's like, Ugh, really?' she said. 'There's so much other stuff to talk about.' Picking your nose could spread pneumonia, research has warned. The bacteria which cause the deadly infection can also be spread by people poking, or rubbing their nose with their hands, if they have the bacteria on them. Experts say while it would be unrealistic to stop children touching their noses, it could help stop transmission to elderly relatives who are more likely to get sick. The disease kills millions of people around the world every year and is dangerous for the very young and old, and those with weakened immune systems. The bacteria which cause pneumonia could enter the body through the nostrils if they come into contact with someone's hands and they pick or rub their nose, researchers led by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine found Researchers led by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine carried out the study to find out how well pneumonia bacteria can spread on skin. The bacteria are normally spread as droplets in coughs and sneezes. Four groups of 10 adults were tested in different ways and had either wet or dry bacteria put on their hand and had to either poke a finger up their nose or sniff their hand. The 'wet poke' and 'wet sniff' groups had the most total bacteria transmitted, but experts found people are just as likely to spread the bacteria on their hands whether they're wet or dry. Scientists say the results could be used to advise parents to clean children's hands and toys if they're meeting relatives who are elderly or weaker, such as cancer patients. Lead researcher Dr Victoria Connor said: 'It might not be realistic to get children to stop picking, poking and rubbing their noses. WHY YOU SHOULD PICK YOUR NOSE AND EAT IT Eating what comes out of your nose could reduce your chance of getting various infections, a study found last year. Austrian lung specialist, Professor Friedrich Bischinger said: 'Eating the dry remains of what you pull out is a great way of strengthening the body's immune system. 'In terms of the immune system, the nose is a filter in which a great deal of bacteria are collected, and when this mixture arrives in the intestines it works just like a medicine.' Scientists found that nasal mucus's rich reservoir of 'good' bacteria prevents cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to teeth. Published in the American Society for Microbiology, their findings also suggest snot could defend against respiratory infections, stomach ulcers and even HIV. This builds on previous research which suggests an obsession with hygiene has led to an increase in allergies and autoimmune disorders, such as arthritis. 'From an evolutionary perspective, we evolved under very dirty conditions and maybe this desire to keep our environment and our behaviours sterile isn't actually working to our advantage,' said Dr Scott Napper from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. Advertisement 'And the presence of the bacteria can sometimes boost the immune system of children and can reduce their chances of carrying it again later in life, so it is unclear if completely reducing the spread of pneumococcus in children is the best thing. 'But for parents, as this research shows that hands are likely to spread pneumococcus, this may be important when children are in contact with elderly relatives or relatives with reduced immune systems. 'In these situations, ensuring good hand hygiene and cleaning of toys or surfaces would likely reduce transmission, and reduce the risk of developing pneumococcal infection such as pneumonia.' The new study, published in the European Respiratory Journal, is the first to demonstrate that pneumonia bacteria can spread between the hand and nose. While most people's immune systems destroy the bacteria successfully, some people can become infected. A pneumonia infection causes swelling in the lungs and the organs' tiny sacs of air can become filled with fluid, reducing the amount of oxygen the body and brain get. Researchers found that bacteria can spread at the same rate whether they are dry or wet, and whether a person picks, pokes or rubs their nose. Dr Connor added: 'Pneumococcal infection is a major cause of death around the world, and it is estimated that it is responsible for 1.3 million deaths in children under five years annually. 'The elderly and people with other causes of impaired immunity, such as chronic illness, are also at an increased risk of pneumococcal infections. 'Our current understanding of the transmission of pneumococcus is poor, so we wanted to look at how it may be spread in the community. 'Having a clearer understanding of how the bacteria is spread will allow for better advice on how transmission can be reduced, so that there is greater prevention of pneumococcal infections.' The researchers said using real people meant they could test how well the bacteria would survive in real situations. Professor Tobias Welte, president of the European Respiratory Society said: 'The findings reinforce the message that we must promote rigorous hand hygiene and basic infection control measures such as avoidance of sharing food, drink and mobile phones, in order to potentially reduce the transmission of respiratory bacterial pathogens such as pneumococcus.' Will Kilquist's mysterious symptoms stumped every expert his parents consulted. No diagnosis could explain why he couldn't sit up on his own, or why he'd frequently choke, or his neurologic and intestinal abnormalities. Then they turned to a new national network that aims to diagnose the rarest of rare diseases. His family learned Will is the only person known in the world, so far, to harbor one particular genetic mutation that triggered all those health problems. Will Kilquist, of Illinois, was born with a long list of mysterious symptoms that require a wheelchair, feeding tube and other care but his doctors were stumped at the cause. His parents Jon and Kari (sat with their children, from left, Will, Emmy and Owen) finally received a diagnosis thanks to a new national network that tackles the rarest of rare diseases 'It kind of put me at peace with myself, knowing there is absolutely nothing I could have done to prevent this,' said Kari Kilquist of Murphysboro, Illinois, Will's mother. The Undiagnosed Diseases Network , set up by the National Institutes of Health, turns scientists into detectives to attack medicine's cold cases the patients left in diagnostic limbo because their symptoms didn't match any known diseases. The idea is to offer them access to cutting-edge research, at no cost, in hopes that uncovering unique ailments would improve overall medical knowledge. Wednesday, the network published a snapshot of its early findings that highlight the desperate demand for help. More than 1,500 people applied for an evaluation between 2015 and 2017 at the network's initial seven patient sites. Just 601 in that first group were accepted, those deemed most likely to benefit, researchers reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. Scientists came up with a diagnosis for about a third, 132 of the first 382 patients to complete their evaluations. And 31 of those diagnoses were never-before-known syndromes, according to the report. Scientists hope to improve that diagnosis rate as more patients enter the program. Already, the application number has nearly doubled and more mysteries have been solved. Last month, the NIH added five more hospitals to the network. Even those who didn't get a diagnosis at first 'say we have hope just knowing there are people looking at our case still and we're not forgotten,' said Dr Euan Ashley of Stanford University, one of the network sites. Diagnosis doesn't mean doctors automatically know how to help. One in five had a specific therapy recommended. Ashley said other families were able to cancel expensive follow-up testing; he calculated the network approach could cut tens of thousands of dollars from the typical patient's diagnostic odyssey. In Illinois, Kari Kilquist didn't expect Will's treatment to change. He needs a wheelchair and feeding tube. He's a happy child, about to turn seven, who spends his days in therapy and watching Sesame Street. Still his mother jumped at one last chance for diagnosis, and perhaps a way to learn what to expect as Will grows. Will was examined at the NIH Clinical Center the Bethesda, Maryland, hospital that first tackled undiagnosed diseases and expanded the research into a network. Doctors found problems others had missed: Will produces no saliva, the reason his airways frequently clog, and doesn't sweat. The clues pointed to a gene defect that affects how the body transports crucial nutrients across cells, explaining Will's developmental problems. Now Kilquist wonders if, 'Maybe Will could someday help another family learn more about their child.' Ferrell Johnson hoped dropping from an E to a D cup would give her a 'new lease of life' An estate agent has revealed how boob reduction surgery to ease her of years of backache left her with a 'third breast' under her armpit. Ferrell Johnson, 65, from Marysville, California, hoped that dropping from an E cup to a D cup would give her a 'new lease of life'. But, instead of the smaller bosoms she was hoping for, Ms Johnson has also been left with fat necrosis - a lump of dead and damaged tissue. Speaking about her third breast for the first time since she went under the knife in March 2017, she said: 'I've been left in a mess. 'I have a fat necrosis in my right breast, and a third breast - made up of fat and tissue - under my arm. 'The first time I saw the lump in the mirror, I cried and cried. I've always been a go-getter, so it isn't in my nature to feel this way. 'This has caused so many emotional issues. I'm constantly so conscious of what I wear and how I move, as the breast can fall out of the side of my top.' Ms Johnson, who now faces complete reconstructive surgery if she wants to correct her breasts, added: 'I'm horrified at the thought of being seen in public like that.' Ms Johnson has always been busty. She reached a D cup by the time she was 14. Her bust continued to grow when she gained weight over the years, which led to her experiencing back problems. She had long-planned to have reduction surgery. But the idea was put on the back-burner following the death of her son Cortney, who took his own life in 2014, when he was 34. Ms Johnson said: 'He was always so well loved, really charismatic and bright. After he passed, I could barely do anything. I struggled so much with my grief. 'My operation was supposed to be a way of me regaining my confidence and getting back out there I can't believe this is how things turned out.' Ms Johnson hoped to go back down to a D cup after meeting with a surgeon early last year. But, instead of the smaller bosom she was hoping for, Ms Johnson has been left with fat necrosis - a lump of dead and damaged tissue - under her armpit However, she ended up being taken to a B cup - and was not worried about what she thought was a routine operation. She added: 'I went under general anaesthetic for the procedure in March 2017, so by the time I woke up, the damage was already done.' Required to wear surgical bras and bandages, it took around a fortnight for Ms Johnson to see what had actually happened. Ms Johnson said she felt discomfort under her right arm but she thought it was just her body recovering. 'I was incredibly careful about keeping the area clean. I had a nurse friend help me out, and she wore surgical gloves to take my dressings off,' she said. 'The first time I properly saw myself, I was home alone and caught sight of a lump in the mirror. I took a proper look and just burst into tears. 'It looked literally like a third breast.' Next, Ms Johnson began noticing a worrying fatty discharge, which she believed was coming from her breasts. Ms Johnson, who now faces complete reconstructive surgery if she wants to correct her breasts, said: 'I'm horrified at the thought of being seen in public like that' (pictured with her son Joe, who is now 46, when she was younger) Speaking about her third breast for the first time since she went under the knife in March 2017, she said: 'I've been left in a mess' HOW DID SHE END UP WITH A THIRD BREAST? Ms Johnson believes her problems were caused by her skin being pulled too tight during her breast reduction surgery. It took around a fortnight for Ms Johnson to see what had actually happened because she was required to wear surgical bras and bandages. Ms Johnson said she felt discomfort under her right arm but she thought it was just her body recovering. Next, she began noticing a worrying fatty discharge, which she believed was coming from her breasts. Ms Johnson rushed to a hospital, where doctors told her it looked like botched surgery. Fat necrosis - lumps of dead tissue - can occur after surgery or an injury. Advertisement She continued: 'I was excreting lumps out of my nipple. At first, they looked like long, thin worms, and I thought, 'Oh my god, what is that?' 'Then one day, a marble-sized piece of tissue fell away. 'Panicking, I raced to the emergency room of a nearby hospital, where they told me it looked like I'd had botched surgery. 'I was put on antibiotics, but I have been left with some fatty lumps that need removing. 'There's one piece of dead tissue in particular, measuring 2cm by 3cm, that causes severe pain.' Ms Johnson believes her problems were caused by her skin being pulled too tight during her breast reduction surgery. Now, her life turned upside down by what has happened, she is desperate to find another medic who can help reverse the damage. Meanwhile, her confidence has plummeted and she is now living as a virtual recluse. She said: 'I struggle to go anywhere without my son Joe. 'He's had to take on an awful lot. I ask him to walk behind me to check that the lump under my arm isn't showing. 'It is softening and pushing back a little, but it's still a third breast under my arm. 'Unfortunately, as it was elective surgery something I chose to do I'm not in a position where I can take legal action, but really, all I want is to fix this. 'I can't believe I'm now having to consider a full reconstruction, including implants, so I can look normal again. Required to wear surgical bras and bandages, it took around a fortnight for Ms Johnson to see what had actually happened. Ms Johnson said she felt discomfort under her right arm but she thought it was just her body recovering (pictured, the lump under her arm) Desperate, Ms Johnson has even written to reality show Botched, asking for help but, for now, all she can do is wait (pictured the lump under her arm) 'My insurance company have said they would help cover it but I need to lose a little weight before I can have the surgery and I'm nervous to have another operation.' Desperate, Ms Johnson has even written to reality show Botched, asking for help but, for now, all she can do is wait. She hopes that by sharing her story, she will encourage others to be cautious when selecting their own surgeons. 'I have nothing against people having surgery, but you must be thorough with finding your doctor,' she said. 'If they evade questions or don't make you feel 100 per cent comfortable, then avoid them. 'Also, think very carefully and ensure you're positive surgery is a move you want to make. 'The past few years have been an awful lot to deal with, but I want my story out there to help other women.' Delegates on the floor of the Democratic Socialists of America National Convention vote on a resolution Friday, August 4th, 2018. Photo: Scott Heins Since the New Deal era, American liberalism has had a fairly stable meaning. As Franklin Roosevelt put it, a radical was a man with both feet firmly planted in the air, and a conservative a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned to walk forward, and between those extremes, A Liberal is a man who uses his legs and his hands at the behest-at the command of his head. Liberalism meant a mixed economy, using either government or the market depending on what the evidence seemed to favor in any given case. (After Roosevelts era, liberalism also came to stand for more egalitarian social relations.) Roosevelts call for bold, persistent experimentation encompassed both the strength and the weakness of his creed. Experimentation meant liberals lacked any fixed principle to guide their shaping of the state, but it also meant that it would change with evidence. Rather than wage class war against the rich, or on their behalf, liberals set out to mediate it, preserving capitalism while sanding off its rough edges. Over time, liberalism lost its identity as a creed of the center, and for the vast majority of Americans, has come to mean left. Decades of right-wing propaganda turned liberalism into a synonym for socialism, when conservatives werent calling liberals outright socialists, which they often were. Now, for the first time in decades, real socialism as opposed to the scare term has become an extant force in American politics. As a person of very-much-liberal (and very-much-not-socialist) sympathies, I might be expected to see this as a threat. Instead I see the potential rise of socialism as a way for liberalism to restore its vitality. ++ American liberalism has always been a historical curiosity. For decades, social scientists have tried to explain why the United States, unlike most other advanced democracies, never developed a major socialist party devoted forthrightly to the material interests of a working-class base. But recently another peculiarity has overshadowed that mystery: the unique radicalism of the Republican Party. Elsewhere in the industrialized world, right-of-center parties accepted the welfare and regulatory states, advocating more cautious and market-based versions. After the New Deal, something like that appeared to be happening in the United States, too: Republican presidents like Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon expanded Social Security, established the Interstate Highway System and the Environmental Protection Agency, and proposed universal health insurance. But as the conservative movement slowly took control of the Republican Party, it grew more dogmatically anti-government. Now it is the Republicans, not the Democrats, that stand out. Among major right-of-center parties worldwide, only the GOP opposes tax increases on principle, rejects universal health insurance, denies climate change, and so on. The Republican Party operates with a level of coherence and conviction Democrats could never match, because it is driven by an ideological vision with much clearer abstract principles. Both parties believe their programs serve practical ends. Republicans believe tax cuts and deregulation increase economic growth, just as Democrats believe Obamacare helps people afford insurance and that regulating air pollution increases health. The difference is that practical reasons are the only justification for liberal policy if Obamacare did not help people afford medical care, or pollution regulations did not improve air quality, they would have no liberal justification at all. Conservatives have a deeper justification: They believe small government increases human freedom, regardless of whether it works in any empirical sense. If tax cuts or deregulation fail to yield faster economic growth, at least they restore control over property to its rightful owners, as determined by the free market. Small government is not only a means to an end but an objective of its own. Barry Goldwater denounced the immorality and discrimination of the progressive surtax objecting to the unfairness, not just the alleged growth-dampening impact, of taxing the rich at higher rates. Freedom in economic arrangements as Milton Friedman put it, using his description for a market economy is itself a component of freedom broadly understood, so economic freedom is an end in itself to a believer in freedom. We habitually think of liberalism and conservatism as mirror images, but they are asymmetric at their very core. Conservatism uses simple precepts government is the problem for which liberalism has no ready answer. Liberalism is an attempt to pragmatically balance the market with the state, adjusting each specific case with the evidence. The asymmetry between the two parties can be measured in Congress, in media organs, or in the composition of the parties. But you dont need to have any special knowledge of political science or history to grasp its consequences. It is the story of the major political events of the last generation from Bill Clintons impeachment to the Brooks Brothers riot (when mobs of Republican staffers shut down a vote recount in Miami) to the Republican refusal to negotiate anything with Barack Obama to, well, Donald Trump (around whom Republicans have formed a protective shield and prevented any oversight in return for orthodox right-wing policy on taxes and regulation). Perhaps the older curiosity the absence of a socialist party in America and the more recent curiosity the anti-state radicalism of the Republican Party are in some sense the same curiosity. Perhaps liberalism simply isnt equipped to hold up over time as the sole opposing force to an ideology that is not its parallel. Perhaps the best thing that could happen for liberalism would be for the Democrats to evolve into a party that, if not like the Republican Party, is more like it. That is, for the Democrats to become less liberal and more socialist might be the best thing for liberalism itself. ++ The rise of socialism on the American left is one of the notable developments of the Trump era. Of course, rise is an inherently relative term. The election of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the Bronx and Rashida Tlaib in Detroit will bring the number of self-identified socialists in Congress to three, along with Bernie Sanders. Among voters, the rise of socialism looks the same: a steep rise in relative terms, to a still-negligible level. Measuring the change through polling is difficult, for the interrelated reasons that pollsters and the media have traditionally used left-wing and liberal as synonymous, so there are few attempts to measure anything to the left of liberalism. One measure Ive seen, a 2016 poll of college students, offers far left as a choice in addition to liberal, and finds 4.2 percent of college students identify that way higher than in recent years, but still quite low. Democratic Socialists of America protesting on May Day, 2017. Photo: Scott Heins The upsurge is most visible among activists and, especially, intellectuals. Socialism is being advocated not only in dedicated organs like the magazine Jacobin, the podcast Chapo Trap House, but also far more frequently in liberal commentary, including op-ed sections of the New York Times and Washington Post and general-interest magazines, all of which publish socialist commentary, which was largely invisible even a half-decade earlier. The Chapo podcast has encouraged its audience to enlist in Democratic Socialists of America, a once-minuscule organization that has seen its membership rise tenfold in two years (to a still-small 50,000). Socialists are more of an intellectual vanguard vying for influence in progressive politics than an electoral constituency. But that should not discount their importance. Gaining influence over the spread of ideas can transform a partys outlook, even if it can take decades to bear fruit. The conservative movement was a minority sect within the Republican party in the 1960s, and took decades of struggle (and slow generational change, as old-line Republicans were defeated, co-opted, or simply retired) for it to attain its now-dominant position within the GOP. Parties change slowly. The Democratic Party under Trump has not changed much from the Democratic Party under Obama. The importance of socialism lies in the changes it might bring in the future. While it remains a small sect of the left, the socialist movement covers a wide range of ideological ground, encompassing plenty of fundamental disagreements. It is difficult to pinpoint where on the ideological spectrum liberal stops and socialist begins, nor the point where democratic socialism gives way to the undemocratic kind. And all these sub-identities bleed into each other around the edges. Socialists, in general, may or may not believe in any of the following: public ownership of the means of production, abolition of profit, confiscation or extremely onerous taxation of private wealth. Most would advocate, at minimum, universal unionized labor and a very large welfare state. Perhaps the most common defining trait distinguishing socialists from liberals is not any specific program, but a belief that capitalism is irredeemable. Just as conservatives believe big government is wrong whether or not it works, socialists consider capitalism an inherent attack on human dignity. The socialist argument against capitalism isnt that it makes us poor. Its that it makes us unfree, writes Corey Robin, even if liberals come to support single-payer health care, free college, more unions and higher wages, the divide between the two will remain. For liberals, these are policies to alleviate economic misery. For socialists, these are measures of emancipation, liberating men and women from the tyranny of the market and autocracy at work. Socialists ideological distrust of capitalism is an almost perfect mirror image of the conservative distrust of the state. Socialists of course draw on an enormous amount of economic and social science research to form practical arguments for their policies. (As do conservatives.) But at bottom they are motivated by a philosophical belief that their program represents human freedom, and alternative visions represent unfreedom, regardless of their technocratic merits. A recurring theme of socialist criticism of liberalism is its reliance on technocracy at the expense of ideology. A fascination with empiricism is held as the reason Democrats have allegedly abandoned the interests of the working class. Needlessly clinical is exactly their style, writes Thomas Frank of liberals. The subject, for them, must be positively cloaked in wonkery. They dont talk much about class, like some troublemaker from the 30s; they talk about inequality, which is a delicate and intricate signifier. Oh, it is extremely complex. It requires so many charts. It is the reason liberals have failed to challenge capitalist dominance. My suspicion is that what technocratic ideology really is, deep down, is just a belief that whatever the hegemonic moral ideology happens to be is by definition correct, suggests Ryan Cooper. And it is why liberals failed to anticipate Trumps victory. Statistical wizards, journalists brandishing white papers, and denizens of various social-science faculties were too busy looking at each other to see the populist tsunami rushing toward the Capitol, (Timothy Shenk in the Nation.) The critique is so common that these terms have become a kind of shorthand that pops up in any dispute between socialists and the center-left. (Bhaskar Sunkara on Ezra Klein: a technocrat, obsessed with policy details, bereft of politics, earnestly searching for solutions to the worlds problems through the dialectic of an Excel spreadsheet.) This suspicion of technocracy is reflected in Bernie Sanderss policy agenda, which emphasized abstract value statements with clear heroes and villains at the expense of detail and practicality. One recent episode pitting Sanders against much of the progressive technocracy was telling. The senator wrote a bill proposing to tax large corporations for the cost of their employees federal income support (like Medicaid and food stamps). When the liberal Center on Budget and Policy Priorities criticized the plan as regressive and unworkable, a Sanders staffer insisted the think tank which has spent decades advocating higher taxes on the rich and more generous spending for the poor had been corrupted by a donation by the Walton Foundation. None of this is to say socialism is inherently incompatible with technical policy mastery. It is simply that American socialism at the moment has incorporated a revolt against liberal technocracy as a central feature. ++ In part this is because American socialists take inspiration from American conservatives. They have studied the rights path from the political margins to power and set out to emulate it. The conservative movement decided its success required bypassing, or destroying the legitimacy of, the Harvard-to Washington technocratic elite, which implicitly accepted the legitimacy of government intervention in the economy. Socialists do not have a uniform political style, but in general, they are more likely than liberals to see the methods conservatives used to take over the GOP as an inspiration. Perhaps the most important unresolved question is whether socialists can add energy and resolve to progressive politics without threatening democratic values. Socialists, like conservatives, tend to define freedom as a certain economic outcome (for conservatives, freedom from government; for socialists, freedom from capitalism). Liberals, in contrast to both, define freedom as a process, the following of democratic norms and rules. There are of course both conservatives and socialists who follow the rules of the democratic game even at the expense of their agenda. Trump has shown the willingness of conservatives to exploit authoritarian demagoguery in the pursuit of their agenda. The ascendant socialist faction displays a militancy that can bleed into contempt for democracy. Sean McElwee, a socialist organizer, might be the lefts answer to Grover Norquist, the anti-tax activist and conservative impressario who presided over weekly meetings of conservative organizations. McElwee convenes a weekly socialist happy hour in New York, and has cited the tea party as a model. Like Norquist, McElwee is shrewd, witty, media-friendly, and dedicated to purifying his party of heretics, and defining politics as a zero-sum, ethically unbounded class war in which parties use control of government primarily to seize control of wealth and political power. There was a recent study that suggested Republicans were so effective at murdering poor people through policy that it meaningfully affected election outcomes. Thats the level of raw political brutality the GOP operates on. The sooner progressives internalize this, the better, he tweeted recently. fuck your enemies, help your friends . thats the sum of politics. there is nothing else. Democratic House candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Photo: Scott Heins/Getty Images It would be a slur against American socialism to hold up The Chapo Guide to Revolution: A Manifesto Against Logic, Facts, and Reason, published this year, as a representative account of left-wing thought. The Chapo book does, however, repeat some of the most fashionable tropes of ascendant socialism. The books five authors, who host the Chapo podcast, are forthright in their admiration for the Republican Partys approach to politics. The essential problem is not that liberals are as bad as conservatives but that there is a giant sucking void at the core of their beings, they write. Conservatives, on the other hand, have no such void at their core. They know what they want, and they have a political vision for how to get it. The most striking aspect of the Chapo manifesto is the degree to which it dehumanizes its enemies. Unlike Sanders, who presents the overwhelming majority of the country as the virtuous victims of a minuscule, predatory billionaire class, Chapo sees vast swaths of their fellow Americans as devoid of any worth or dignity. Chapters on archetypal ideological enemies (Wine Mom; Corporate Feminist; Neocon Cuck) are illustrated with literal grotesqueries. One morbid and especially earnest passage describes a conservative co-worker of Matt Christman, one of the authors. Christman recounts learning of his colleagues death and cleaning out the mans desk. The deceased had listened to conservative talk radio and had a jingoistic proIraq War editorial cartoon on his wall. Christman concludes from this that his only source of pleasure and purpose was his imagined connection to the violent triumphs of the American military. He does not pause to consider that he might have had friends or family, or some other sources of pleasure and purpose unknown to Christman, or that he might have earnestly if wrongheadedly believed that, say, deposing Saddam Hussein might make the Middle East safer and more stable. Christman simply reduces the colleagues entire existence to political error, and concludes the chilling passage, I ate the dead mans candy and threw the rest of his shit out. Chapo speaks for socialisms testosterone-addled youth wing, whose rhetoric habitually runs toward violence. I really hope Eli Lake gets to be the Michael Kelly of the Iran War, wrote Chapo host Will Menaker recently. Kelly supported the Iraq War, then died covering it, leaving a widow and two young children, which is to say that Menaker is wishing Lake, another conservative journalist, will be killed. The usual defense of this kind of rhetoric is that the real killing is done by the American military and carceral states, and any response in kind merely helps even the score. And yet it can be difficult to tell where transgressive fantasy violence ends and the real kind begins. In August, the left-wing street-fighting cult antifa beat up a Bernie Sanders supporter in Portland, mistaking him for a reactionary because he was toting an American flag. Antifa is an offshoot that hardly represents socialism, but left-wing activists frequently defend it as a valued ally, or lash out at anybody who criticizes it. The Trump era, with its authoritarian rhetoric and bludgeoning of political norms, has encouraged supporters of political violence, who present drastic methods as the only possible defense against incipient fascism. Trump has merely stoked a militant spirit that was already firing up elements on the socialist left before he came along. Nearly three decades after the Cold War ended, socialists have shed their defensiveness about communism. Previous generations of socialists defined themselves by where one stood vis-a-vis Lenin, Stalin, and Trotsky, and by what point in history (if any) they believed the revolutionary movement in Russia veered off course. The newer socialists treat that as distant, mostly irrelevant history. They are unhaunted by the fear that declaring a large swath of the polity to be an enemy class can justify stripping them of their political rights. Few socialists are eager to follow Marxisms bloody 20th-century path. But neither do very many of them worry about joining with people who might be. Jacobin is new enough not to have any contemporaneous coverage of the Soviet Union. It has, however, overlapped with the authoritarian left-wing Venezuelan regime of Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro. Its tone has been defensive and apologetic, dismissing so-called human-rights abuses as Yankee propaganda, and consistently scoffing at calls for dialogue or reconciliation harmony and understanding and instead calling for a radical commitment to press decisively forward. Jacobins apologetics for Venezuelan authoritarianism provide a vivid illustration of the endpoint of the logic of no enemies to the left. Almost everybody on the left identifies as democratic, but of course embracing the label does not guarantee results (as evidenced by the German Democratic Republic and the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea or, as those states are colloquially known, East Germany and North Korea). If your definition of democracy requires the triumph of socialism or any other economic system, then you are not a liberal democrat. The tension is already evident within the left. The DSA, swollen by an influx of Chapo devotees, has seen the formation of a North Star Caucus, dedicated to working in some kind of cooperative relationship with the Democratic Party and to committing itself to small-d democracy. Weve seen a trend of people, often operating through anonymous social media but sometimes identifying themselves openly, behaving in a manner that can be only described as toxic, note the caucus organizers. They demonstrate a willingness to scrap any hint of due process or democratic deliberation and to organize digital mobs to enforce some sort of orthodoxy. It is disturbing that pro-democratic sentiment within DSA has been challenged to the point where it is the concern of a faction. But that should not be taken as proof that socialist politics is doomed to veer into extremism and political irrelevance. There is a powerful self-correcting dynamic that is already evident: As socialist politics gets closer to actual power, it is forced to broaden out. DSA-endorsed Democratic congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorsed the partys governor candidate Andrew Cuomo in November, to the dismay of DSAs tactical maximalists. Sanders himself is a political liberal who has denounced antifa violence and the habit of campus leftists to shut down right-wing speakers. If socialists are to expand their tiny foothold in American politics, they will have to shear off their politically illiberal edges. A successful socialist movement will need to be guided by a spirit of broad social empathy, not the ethos of dehumanization and shaming favored by its online vanguard. ++ And for all the differences liberals may have with socialists and liberals, we liberals have many reasons to hope for this very outcome. Liberalism is, by its nature, a mediating force between competing sectors. It is difficult to maintain such a balance among business and labor and environmentalism when Republican control of government means completely ignoring the interests of the latter two. This same imbalance can be seen elsewhere. It has been a stable fact of American politics since the Reagan era that Democratic presidencies are forced to pay for new programs by finding wrenching and usually unpopular fiscal trade-offs, while Republican administrations can avoid that political pain by financing all their priorities with debt. David Frum has an essay in The Atlantic arguing that Republicans must rediscover their bygone liberal identity: Free trade. International partnerships. Honest courts and accountable leaders. Civil rights and civil liberties. Private space for faith but public policy informed by science. A social-insurance system that cushions failure and a market economy that incentivizes success. In the postwar generation of Eisenhower and Nixon, a broadly liberal Republican Party was not the absurdity it would seem today. The crucial premise in Frums formulation is that Democrats must open up space for Republican liberalism. As increasing numbers of Democrats shift leftward on economic issues, even to the point of identifying as socialists, their party is becoming more statist and more redistributive, he writes. Many Americans will reject this approach, and they will need a party to champion their beliefs. For the moment, Americans who subscribe to his version of liberalism have an easy choice or, put differently, no choice at all: They can vote for the Democrats, who have carried out the kind of rules-based open mixed economy he calls for. Frums argument for the Republican Party to move left requires that Democrats also move left. European democracies that have powerful socialist movements have also developed responsible right-of-center parties. Those parties have accepted the legitimacy of the state rather than clinging to simplistic anti-government bromides. They work with business, but they dont turn over the regulation of air pollution to coal lobbyists. They believe in real budget math. In the United States these positions would place them squarely within the Democratic Party. The Democratic partys moderation has enabled it to co-opt all the most viable liberal Republican policies. Cap and trade, Romneycare, the Earned Income Tax Credit every humane and practical idea that liberal Republicans have come up with has found its way into the Democratic program. And the logic of partisan competition has helped push Republicans away from all these ideas, to denounce them as socialist. And so the American equivalents of Emmanuel Macron, Angela Merkel and David Cameron all find their home in the Democratic party. But it is very weird to have a party that brings together Michael Bloomberg and Bernie Sanders. A functional two-party system would have liberal elements in both parties. Liberal arguments with socialism I have plenty would be easier to work through in a world where a bloated far right didnt cram us all into the same party. The Democratic party might eventually go too far left, and the Republican party too far right. But a tug of war between a party favoring too much government, and another too little, might wind up in just the right spot, from the liberal standpoint. To be sure, this calculation might be totally wrong. One can imagine a Corbyn-style trap, where socialists gain control over the party, drive away moderates, and refuse to compromise with the electorate. Or worse, a more socialist-influenced Democratic party might simply contribute to escalating polarization, and one side or another would eventually resort to the outright authoritarianism Trumps vote-suppressing, FBI-intimidating party is edging right up to already. (Perhaps one day chunks of this essay will be mockingly read aloud to me by my fellow gulag inmates.) In a two-party system, the optimal number of ideologically extreme parties is zero. But given that pushing that number below one is not an option in the short term, there is a case to be made that two is better than zero. The Republican Party of the modern era has waged class war that has metastasized into a war on academia, media, and governing norms. The Democrats have built a trans-class identity, out of which they have labored to hold together the besieged consensus. But it is ultimately hard to mediate a class war that is being waged from one side. A flea-borne typhus outbreak in the Los Angeles area has also rocked Long Beach the third city to be struck down in the region. Officials have this year recorded 12 cases of the bug in the city, home to 470,000 people and around 20 miles (32km) south of downtown LA. Many of the cases are among homeless people, and it is feared the disease is being spread by rats and feral cats. A further 20 cases have been recorded in Pasadena since the start of 2018 - and 59 in the whole of LA County in total. Pasadena and Long Beach are both technically in LA County, however they have their own health departments which record their own figures. A total of 91 cases of the bacterial disease have now been recorded, with 50 in LA County, 20 in Pasadena, and 12 now in Long Beach, which is the third city to have become affected 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. This year's flea-borne typhus outbreak in LA County is unusually severe. Just 67 cases were recorded in the whole of 2017. And Pasadena and Long Beach have an average of five or six per year. Officials have not managed to explain why typhus is suddenly spreading in the area as nine cases have been recorded in downtown LA in the past two months. They are investigating the issue. Symptoms of typhus in humans include fever, chills, headaches, rashes and muscle ache. In rare cases, the infection can cause liver failure or be fatal an estimated two to four per cent of untreated patients die. Los Angeles's county supervisor, Kathryn Barger, has called for more co-operation among health officials, animal control and trash collection across the affected areas, CBS LA reported. Dr Muntu Davis, the county's health officer, admitted typhus '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.' 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) '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 which are attracted to areas with trash on the streets. Twenty residents in Pasadena have been confirmed to have typhus fever this year up from the expected five cases. 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 reported. 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 same 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 commonly found 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 beauty therapist laid in a bath of her own blood after doctors dismissed her vaginal cancer as an STI. Amanda Hayes, 30, from Didcot, Oxford, was turned away by her GP for months, who insisted her persistent bloating and severe abdominal pain was just IBS. When she complained of having three-week long periods, her doctor constantly asked if she was pregnant and allegedly suggested she may be suffering from an STI. After spending New Year's Eve 2016 passing blood clots, the beauty therapist was finally referred to a gynaecologist, who discovered a 10cm tumour on the inside of her vaginal wall. Just three days later, Ms Hayes started her first round of grueling chemotherapy, which lasted until March 2017. Months later, Ms Hayes was told the 'heartbreaking' news that the disease had spread to her lungs. After being forced to endure chemotherapy and radiotherapy all over again, Ms Hayes was given the all-clear in April this year but still has to attend check-up scans every three months. Amanda Hayes was forced to lay in a bath of her own blood after doctors dismissed her vaginal cancer as an STI. Pictured June 27 2018, the first time she dyed her hair after chemotherapy, doctors also insisted her bloating and severe abdominal pain was just IBS for months Pictured November 30 during her last chemo session of 2017, doctors thought her three week-long periods were caused by an STI or that she may be pregnant. It was not until she was finally referred to a gynaecologist that a 10cm tumour was found on the inside of her vaginal wall As well as bloating, pain and bleeding, Ms Hayes began suffering from mood swings in October 2016. She initially blamed her contraceptive implant and had it removed weeks later. However, this did nothing to ease her symptoms. She also developed insomnia and would spend sleepless nights pacing around her bedroom. Despite doctors insisting it was nothing serious and recommending she just take Buscopan, Ms Hayes made another appointment to see her GP in the December. Tests revealed she was suffering from an abscess, which doctors prescribed her antibiotics for and sent her home. However, over Christmas, Ms Hayes went on to suffer a number of incredibly heavy bleeds. 'I would have to wait on the toilet for over an hour for them to stop,' she said. 'I knew it wasn't a regular period as I was passing blood clots - I'd never experienced anything like it and I was in incredible pain.' Pictured before she became unwell, Ms Hayes also developed mood swings, which she put down to her contraception implant. She would also spend sleepless nights battling insomnia, however, doctors still insisted it was nothing serious and recommended she take Buscopan Three days after she was diagnosed, Ms Hayes started chemo and radiotherapy, which lasted until March 2017. Three months on, a check-up revealed the cancer had spread to her lungs. Ms Hayes is pictured having her first round of chemo to tackle the disease in her lungs Ms Hayes called the non-emergency NHS number 111 but was told limited help was available due to them having no access to her medical records and GP appointments being sparse at that time of year. On New Year's Eve, she suffered the biggest bleed of all. 'I decided to sit in the bath until it passed,' Ms Hayes said. 'Thinking back now, I can't believe I didn't call an ambulance. I still felt okay in myself so I didn't want to waste their time with "period issues". 'But I was in a very bad way, sat in a bath of my own blood.' The bleeding eventually subsided and Ms Hayes made an appointment with her GP as soon the practice opened in the new year. Accompanied by her mother Sally, 60, Ms Hayes was referred to a gynacologist. While there, Ms Hayes suffered another episode and was asked by a nurse to try and bleed into a bedpan. After losing her hair to chemo, she got the good news last April that she was in the all-clear She claims the cancer just 'vanished' but still requires check-up scans every three months WHAT IS VAGINAL CANCER? Vaginal cancer is a very rare disease that starts in the vagina and most commonly affects women over 60. Around 250 women in the UK and 5,170 in the US are diagnosed with the condition every year. Symptoms rarely develop during the early stage of the disease but can include: Unexpected bleeding, such as between periods, after the menopause and post sex Vaginal discharge that smells or is blood stained Vaginal pain during intercourse or when urinating Vaginal lump or growth Vaginal itch Persistent pelvic pain As many as 20 per cent of sufferers have no symptoms at all. The above are also more likely to a sign of another condition, such as an infection. More than seven out of 10 cases occur in women over 70. The disease is very rare in women under 40. The STI HPV is present in over two-thirds of patients. Abnormal cells in the cervix or vagina are also associated with the cancer. These may be detected during routine cervical screenings. Surgery is the most common treatment. This may involve removing: The upper section of the vagina All of the vagina and the pelvic lymph nodes All of the vagina, womb, ovaries, fallopian tubes and pelvic lymph nodes All of the vagina and surrounding tissue, including the bladder and rectum Chemo and radiotherapy may also be required. Source: Eve Appeal Advertisement With medics finally realising the seriousness of the problem, Ms Hayes was rushed to Churchill Cancer Hospital, Oxford, where doctors discovered her tumour. A biopsy confirmed Ms Hayes had aggressive vaginal cancer, which usually only occurs in women over 60. Days later, she began her first round of chemo, which was followed by radiotherapy and brachytherapy - an internal form of radiotherapy. After the grueling treatment, which lasted until March 2017, Ms Hayes was forced to wait three months before tests revealed whether it had worked. While having a check-up, Ms Hayes was told the devastating news that the cancer had spread to her lungs. 'It was heartbreaking to hear,' she said. 'I was with my whole family, hoping to hear good news that the treatment had worked. Ms Hayes started another round of aggressive chemo in August 2017, followed by radiotherapy in January 2018 to reduce the cancer's size. After another three month cooling-off period, she finally heard the good news that there was 'no evidence of disease'. 'The cancer had vanished,' she said. 'I couldn't believe it - but I knew that it could just as easily metastasise again.' In August 2018, Ms Hayes' condition was classed as stable. Pictured on March 20 this year, Ms Hayes' hair slowly started to grow back. As a beauty therapist, she wishes to launch a mobile salon that helps patients feel more confident about themselves while they battle the disease. Many salons have a 'no treatment' policy for sufferers Pictured in May 2017, when her hair first started to thin, Ms Hayes hopes to create a fleet of 'beauty buses' for patients. She also blogs to try and help reduce the stigma of vaginal cancer Through her ordeal, Ms Hayes wrote a blog 'Happy Smiling Cancer Girl' to raise awareness of vaginal cancer. 'I want to break the taboo and let women know they can speak about these problems,' she said. 'I know it's an intimate position to be in, but speaking to your GP about any problems you may have "down there" is so important. 'That's why I blog about my journey, in the hope to reach out to others and get people to ask for proper help before I did.' As a beauty therapist, Ms Hayes is also looking to create a mobile beauty salon for cancer patients to help them feel special throughout their treatment. According to The British Association of Beauty Therapy & Cosmotology (BABTAC), 70 per cent of spas and salons in the UK have a blanket "no treatment" policy for those who have cancer or are five years post the disease. 'With a lack of understanding, therapists can unintentionally isolate those wanting a treatment due to the emotional impact it can have on the therapist,' Ms Hayes said. 'Cancer can come in many forms, and with therapists not having a good knowledge and understanding of it, they can feel intimated by adapting treatments to suit cancer clients. 'As someone from both sides of the coin, I want to bridge that gap and make treatments available to people when they need them most.' She is fundraising towards a fleet of beauty buses. Donate here. The holy grail of personalised cancer treatment could be on the horizon after scientists have discovered how to calculate the best drug dose for each patient. An AI model that replicates tumours and simulates how they will respond to treatments has been developed by researchers at University College London. This could help doctors identify the best medication and drug dose to help a patient beat the disease, while minimising side effects and the risk of treatment resistance. And it may be available on the NHS in as little as 10 years time. 'It advances the move towards truly personalised medicine, with the potential aim that one day clinicians might be able to predetermine the most effective therapeutic plan for each patient's unique tumour makeup,' joint lead author Dr Simon Walker-Samuel said. Image shows how drugs tagged with fluorescent molecules move through the bloodstream and cells of a human bowel cancer tumour. Using AI computer models, the scientists then predicted how well the growths would respond to these medications Every cancer tumour is unique, with different growths varying hugely in their blood flow and cell numbers. Tumour structure determines how well a drug is carried by its bloodstream and therefore if the growth will respond to it. To test their model, the researchers implanted human bowel cancer tissue beneath the skin of mice with weakened immune systems. Between 10 and 14 days later, drugs tagged with fluorescent molecules were administered into the tumours. The tumours were then removed and made transparent via a cocktail of chemicals. This allowed the scientists to monitor how different drugs traveled through their blood vessels and cells. Using a AI mathematical model, which the researchers named REANIMATE, they then predicted how the growths would respond to different types of medication. The study was published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering. 'The new framework has a vast potential impact in helping to develop new cancer drugs and potentially providing a cost-effective way to test their efficacy before going to human trials,' Dr Walker-Samuel said. Co-lead author Dr Rebecca Shipley added: 'This is a novel approach that provides an entirely new framework for therapy prediction in tumours and we are now developing ways of applying it to images taken from patient biopsies.' Over the next three-to-five years, the researchers plan to take smaller tumour tissue samples from biopsies to see if similar drug-response predictions can be made. In the above tumour, blood vessels are shown in grey. The coloured regions show where blood was delivered, which contained anti-cancer drugs. The red areas had the greatest amounts of blood, the green and yellow places had medium amounts, and the blue had the lowest Geoff Parker, professor of biomedical imaging at Manchester University, who was not involved in the research, told iNews: 'This work is a tour de force that provides a significant step forwards in our understanding of key areas of cancer diagnosis and treatment that could lead to more efficient and effective drug development.' One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives, figures suggest. And more than 1.7 million are told they have the disease every year in the US. This comes after research released last August suggested AI stopped prostate cancer from spreading in a patient with an advanced form of the disease. An unnamed patient with tumours that had spread outside his prostate was given a combination of an experimental drug and an approved cancer medication. AI technology, known as CURATE.AI, was used to continuously assess how well the patient responded to the drugs, with the medications' doses being adjusted accordingly, in a study by the National University of Singapore. Vaping may be as hard on the lungs as conventional smoking, according to new research. Flavorings in e-cigarettes may be particularly harmful to the lungs by triggering inflammation, scientists have warned. Battery-powered vapes, like the Juul, are promoted as a tool to help smokers quit the habit. But even short term use causes as much or more damage as the real thing, said the University of Athens team. In experiments on mice they found the additives, including flavorings, caused lung inflammation similar to or worse than that seen in traditional cigarette use. E-cigarettes have been marketed as a 'safer' alternative to combustible tobacco, but new research suggests that their flavoring and additives may be just as damaging to the lungs Study co-author Dr Constaninos Glynos said: 'The observed detrimental effects in the lung upon e-cigarette vapor exposure in animal models highlight the need for further investigation of safety and toxicity of these rapidly expanding devices worldwide.' They simulate smoking a traditional cigarette by dispensing a vapor derived from liquid chemicals in a refillable cartridge that typically contain propylene glycol, nicotine and often flavorings. Propylene glycol - a colorless and odorless additive - is found in numerous processed food and beverages. It is also used as a solvent in a number pharmaceutical drugs. The findings, published in the American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular, show e-cigs and refills are not well regulated - and their long-term effects on health are unknown. So the researchers compared several groups of mice that received whole-body exposure to varying chemical combinations four times each day, with every session separated by 30-minute smoke-free intervals. Dr Glynos said: 'Electronic cigarettes are advertised as a less harmful nicotine delivery system or as a new smoking cessation tool. 'Our findings suggest that exposure to e-cig vapor can trigger inflammatory responses and adversely affect respiratory system mechanics. 'In many cases, the added flavor in e-cigs exacerbated the detrimental effects of e-cig vapor.' One group received cigarette smoke and three others e-cig vapors containing either propylene glycol, both this and nicotine or these two ingredient and a tobacco flavoring. A fifth batch just got normal, healthy air and acted as a control. Some animals in each party underwent the regime for three days (short term) and others four weeks (long term). There was an increase in markers of inflammation, mucus production and altered lung function in all three e-cig groups - after only three days. But those getting propylene glycol alone showed fewer negative effects with long-term exposure. Dr Glynos, of the University of Athens, said this suggests the additive elicits only a temporary irritation that eventually subsides with continued use. In addition, two inflammation-producing proteins became elevated in the flavoring group. This means some of the many flavoring components on the market may not be safe for even short-term use, said Dr Glynos. The condition of the e-cig groups alarmed the researchers. The level of oxidative stress - damage at a cellular level - in those exposed to flavorings was equal to or higher than that of the cigarette group. However, respiratory mechanics were adversely affected only in mice exposed to cigarette smoke - and not to e-cig vapor after prolonged treatment. Dr Glynos added: 'We conclude that both e-cig vaping and conventional cigarette smoking negatively impact lung biology.' His findings follow a British study earlier this year that also suggested vaping is more harmful than previously thought. It found some of the effects are similar to those seen in smokers and people with chronic lung disease - boosting the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body. The University of Birmingham scientists extracted cells from lung samples provided by healthy non-smokers and exposed them to e-cig fluid, condensed vapor or nothing for 24 hours. Exposure to the vapor increased cell death and the production of inflammatory chemicals. And the ability of cells to engulf bacteria was significantly impaired in those exposed to vapor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that e-cigs are safer than traditional cigarettes. And they suggest smokers should consider switching to vaping in a bid to help them quit. But the agency also warns that the devices may cause lung disease, keep people hooked on nicotine, or act as route in to smoking for kids. The WannaCry computer hacking scandal which crippled the NHS last year cost the health service 92 million, a report revealed today. Around 72 million was spent on IT support in the wake of the virus, while a further 20 million was added to the bill from 'lost output'. In response, the Government says all health trusts should make plans to upgrade their cyber security, in a move which could cost up to 1 billion. But leaked emails seen last week showed NHS chiefs are reluctant to pay for the higher protection, saying it 'would not be value for money'. WannaCry, which spread through email, 'severely affected' 81 hospital trusts and hundreds of GP surgeries, locking staff out of their computers. Nearly 20,000 hospital appointments were cancelled as a result of May's hacking, which demanded money from employees. The WannaCry cyber attack crippled computers at 81 hospital trusts and hundreds of GP surgeries in May last year, demanding 230 from every employee who was locked out of their computer with this warning screen A report released by the Department of Health and Social Care estimated the attack cost 20 million during the five days while it was happening. The Government's report, Securing cyber resilience in health and care, was published today containing a chapter named 'Counting the cost of WannaCry'. It said a third of hospital trusts and around eight per cent of GP practices were hit by the virus known as ransomware because it demanded money to repair. As well as cancel appointments, operations were postponed, doctors and nurses had to revert back to using paper and pen, and technology like MRI machines couldn't be used. The report said the care of 'a significant number of patients' was disrupted it estimates one per cent of all work was disrupted. Although experts claim it is not possible to know exactly how much money the NHS lost through interruptions to healthcare and paying for IT support, they have estimated the cost. A cost of 20 million is thought to have piled up in the five days during the attack, from Friday, May 12, to Thursday, 18 May. Of this, 19 million was lost because staff couldn't work, and 500,000 had to be spent on emergency IT support. The immediate aftermath of the attack is then estimated to have cost 72 million in IT support in June and July alone. The Department of Health and Social Care's report is now advising that the NHS makes all its trusts' IT security meet a standard called Cyber Essentials Plus. But last week the Health Service Journal revealed health bosses were reluctant to take this step when it was first recommended by a hired expert. Letters acquired through a Freedom of Information request saw NHS Digital staff say the recommendations were 'useful' but wouldn't be good value for the whole NHS. For the whole of the health service to upgrade to the CE+ standard could cost around 800 million to 1 billion. In comparison, the Government invested a total of 61 million in boosting the security systems of local NHS trusts during the whole of 2017/18. Some 150 countries around the world were affected by the WannaCry attack and the US Government blamed it on North Korea, but this hasn't been proved. The effect of the devastating hacking has been revealed as fears of cyber attacks are high after Russian agents were found to have tried to access UK Foreign Office computers. A unit of GRU agents the same organisation which produced the novichok poisoning suspects ran a four-year global 'campaign of disinformation'. FIFA, the World Anti-Doping Agency, the US presidential race, and the Dutch government were all targets of the unit named 'Sandworm'. Countries with a culture of big families have lower rates of cancer, according to a new evolutionary study. Living in groups has been key to the survival of the human race for many reasons, many of which are obvious, many are unclear. This new study suggests an unexpected benefit: that people with plenty of siblings, aunts, uncles and children appear to have a lower risk of major disease. The research by evolutionary medicine professors in Switzerland and Australia is based on United Nations data charting average family size and disease incidence. The researchers say there are many factors at play but they believe a key element could be that the emotional environment families create has a profound effect on disease risk. The benefits of family? Evolutionary medicine professors in Switzerland and Australia charted average family size and disease incidence based on United Nations data and found a clear link (pictured: the incidence rate including all ages) Once they just looked at people aged under 50, the correlation was even stronger (pictured) 'From an evolutionary perspective, cancer is a very interesting disease because it's increasing in incidence,' Professor Frank Ruhli, director of the Institute of Evolutionary Medicine at the University of Zurich, told DailyMail.com. 'We wanted to look at what could be done, what factors could be checked for, whether there were patterns or not.' Working with researchers at Adelaide University, his team compiled data from UN agencies on 178 countries' cancer rates, types of cancers, fertility rates, household size, life expectancy, wealth and biological state index (which estimates how likely they are to reproduce). They deduced the average family size by assessing how many children a woman in that region would have in her lifetime. Those figures were put into a graph with the cancer rate data - and produced a clear line, independent of income, age, or urbanization. Communities where women had more kids also had lower cancer rates. Larger family sizes were particularly linked to lower risks of cancers of the brain, bladder, lung, stomach, breast, ovaries, colon and rectum, cervix, and melanoma. For women, this data isn't hugely surprising. While multiple pregnancies increases the risk of breast cancer, it typically lowers the risk of many other forms of cancer. Intriguingly, though, this study found men benefited the most from being in a big family when it came to cancer. That's part of the reason why Dr Ruhli emphasizes the emotional aspect of families: it seems there is something protective about the sheer fact of cohabiting in a community. 'Social interaction has an impact on our wellbeing,' Dr Ruhli said. 'It's certainly a major factor for multiple reasons: behavioral, because we act differently; we feed ourselves differently; we have different sexual behaviors; we have different interactions with other people; we take [different kinds of] risks.' The study fits neatly into the growing tapestry of research into loneliness and its ramifications. Pack mentality has always been strong worldwide, but a century ago popular psychology had it that children would be hardier if they had to fend for themselves, emotionally and physically. Despite millions enduring the horrors of the World Wars, there was no literature on PTSD. And mental health is a concern of the modern era. Increasingly, studies have shown that human interaction can have a profound physical and emotional impact on a person. Poor mental health has been shown to send blood pressure rocketing, increasing the risk of major diseases. It's a concern magnified in the era of social media, with soaring rates of anxiety among teens who supplement real contact with the internet. There are some limitations to the new study, though. The researchers were looking on a country-by-country basis, not closer. To zoom in is hard, as they point out in the study: '[I]t is nearly impossible to test the relationships at the individual family level due to rare occurrence rate of cancers, and even rarer in some individual site-specific cancers, such as ovarian cancer.' Dr Ruhli said the next step is to explore smaller cohort studies that could examine the connection more deeply. But he is sold on the premise. 'We were not surprised. Groups have been one of the advantages of man kind. It doesn't have to be family: being in a group has an effect.' Five New York doctors have been charged for prescribing millions of highly-addictive oxycodone pills to patients without examining them. Drs Carl Anderson, Dante Cubangbang, Nkanga Nkanga, Anthony Pietropinto and Nadem Sayegh have been accused of running an illegal prescription drug mill that resulted in multiple deaths and several overdoses. According to Manhattan federal prosecutors, the physicians often dished out pills under other people's names and without physically examining them or seeing them. In return, many of them received cash payments or luxury gifts such as alcohol, dinners and all-expenses paid vacations. Five New York doctors have been charged for prescribing millions of highly-addictive oxycodone pills to patients. Dr Dante Cubangbang (left) prescribed 4.6 million oxycodone pills in the last six years alone. Dr Nkanga Nkanga (right) prescribed more 100 oxycodone pills per patient per month on average Dr Anthony Pietropinto, (pictured), a psychiatrist who operated out of an office on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, allegedly prescribed thousands of oxycodone pills that led to at least one overdose death Authorities say that Dr Cubangbang, 50, whose office was in a pain clinic in Queens, prescribed 4.6 million oxycodone pills in the last six years alone. Dr Cubangbang's clinic itself dished out 6.2 million oxycodone pills, an equivalent of 180 kilograms of pure oxycodone, over six years and brought in more than $5.7 million in patient fees over the last three. Three of Cubangbang's associates - nurse John Gargan, office manager Michael Kellerman and crew chief Loran Piquant - were also charged by prosecutors. According to court documents, Gargan alone prescribed 1.6 million oxycodone pills. However, Kellerman was recorded on tape in August 2018 berating Gargan for not bringing enough patients into the clinic. 'There's no reason not to have patients,' Kellerman says on the tape, according to the court documents. 'Ten million documented people living in New York City and another two, three, maybe four million undocumented...Are you telling me you cannot...get the people to come over here?' Dr Anderson, 57, who worked and lived in Staten Island, prescribed close to one million pills, prosecutors say. 'Anderson often saw those purported patients, some of whom displayed visible signs of drug addiction, without appointments, in the middle of the night - sometimes at 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning - and required that they pay hundreds of dollars in cash for each prescription,' read court documents. Prosecutors also allege that street dealer Arthur Grande acquired a large amount of pills from Dr Anderson and sold them illegally. Grande has also been charged. Dr Pietropinto, 80, a psychiatrist who operated out of an office on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, allegedly prescribed thousands of oxycodone pills that led to at least one overdose death. District attorneys say Dr Pietropinto advised his patients to not fill their prescriptions at large chain pharmacies because pharmacists would then call him and ask why he was writing prescriptions for large amounts of oxycodone. Court documents reveal that he prescribed more than 12,000 pills for just one patient between October 2013 and May 2018. Court documents state that Dr Carl Anderson (pictured) allegedly prescribed pills without appointments, and saw patients n the middle of the night, requiring them to pay hundreds of dollars in cash per prescription In return for prescribing oxycodone pills, Dr Nadem Sayegh (pictured) allegdly received more than $100,000 in cash as well as 'expensive dinners, high-end whisky, cruises, and all-expense-paid trips' The psychiatrist charged between $50 and $100 in cash, yet filed for bankruptcy in 2015. Dr Sayegh, 64, an endocrinologist who had offices in the Bronx and Westchester, allegedly distributed more than 50,000 oxycodone pills. District attorneys say for one patient, Dr Sayegh would issue oxycodone prescriptions in his name, variations of his name, family members' names, and other names. In return, he received more than $100,000 in cash as well as 'expensive dinners, high-end whisky, cruises, and all-expense-paid trips,' court documents state. Dr Nkanga, 65, who also worked on Staten Island, allegedly prescribed 500,000 oxycodone pills, sometimes without conducting any physical examination or even seeing them in person. Prosecutors say he prescribed more 100 oxycodone pills per patient per month on average. In July 2018 he reduced this number after he told one patient he was 'very worried' that he was being watched by law enforcement. Also arrested was White Plains pharmacist Mark Klein, 47, who allegedly filled prescriptions for close to 10,000 oxycodone pills. In return, he received cash payments, free dinners and, in one instance, an all-expenses-paid vacation to Atlantic City. Prosecutors say that all the men charged, if convicted, have maximum sentences of 20 years in prison. Wearing a hearing aid or undergoing cataract surgery could prevent dementia, two major studies suggest. Cognitive decline, which affects both memory and thinking skills, is slowed after a patient's hearing and sight improve. The rate of decline is halved following cataract surgery and is reduced by 75 per cent following the adoption of hearing aids, scientists found. Manchester University researchers, who led the trials, branded the results 'exciting' as the battle for a dementia cure continues. They believe retaining sight and hearing keeps a person physically active and socially engaged, reducing their risk of the disease. Wearing a hearing aid or undergoing cataract surgery could prevent dementia (stock) The research on cataract surgery - which assessed participants between 2002 and 2014 - was published in the journal PLOS One. It compared survey answers from 2,068 people who underwent cataract surgery in England with 3,636 people who had not. The trial on hearing aids - which followed participants between 1996 and 2014 - was published in the Journal of the America Geriatrics Society. It was carried out using 2,040 participants from the American Health and Retirement survey. Both surveys assessed cognitive decline by testing the participants' memories. They were asked to immediately recall 10 words and then again at the end of the session. The scientists compared the rates of decline before and after the patients had surgery or started wearing hearing aids. Dr Asri Maharani, co-author of the studies, said: 'Age is one of the most important factors implicated in cognitive decline. 'We find that hearing and vision interventions may slow it down and perhaps prevent some cases of dementia.' She described the results as 'exciting' but added further trials are required to confirm the link. Dr Piers Dawes, fellow co-author, said: 'These studies underline just how important it is to overcome the barriers which deny people from accessing hearing and visual aids. 'It's not really certain why hearing and visual problems have an impact on cognitive decline, but I'd guess that isolation, stigma and the resultant lack of physical activity that are linked to hearing and vision problems might have something to do with it. 'And there are barriers to overcome: People might not want to wear hearing aids because of stigma attached to wearing them, or they feel the amplification is not good enough or they're not comfortable. 'Perhaps a way forward is adult screening to better identify hearing and vision problems and in the case of hearing loss, demedicalising the whole process so treatment is done outside the clinical setting. 'That could reduce stigma.' Gemma Twitchen, senior audiologist at Action on Hearing Loss said: Getting hearing aids as early as possible has a number of significant advantages. 'Research shows that early use of hearing aids makes it easier for the wearer to adapt to them, getting the most out of them. Hearing loss is a significant health issue, which, if ignored or unmanaged, can lead to isolation, dementia and mental health problems. 'Hearing aids are vital in helping people who rely on them to communicate better, stay in work and continue to have an active life, and are the only viable treatment. She added attempts to introduce rationing of hearing aids had largely been fought off - but one clinical commissioning group, North Staffordshire, still rations them. She said: We fought vigorously against the cuts to hearing aid provision for people with mild and moderate hearing loss. We are particularly concerned that North Staffordshire CCG remains the only CCG to have implemented cuts to hearing aid provision and did so against both public opinion and all clinical evidence demonstrating that hearing aids are the only viable treatment for many people with hearing loss. 'We will continue to fight against these cuts and believe hearing aids should be available to all who need them. Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK said the research 'helps underline why it is so important for older people to have access to good quality hearing aids and eye care. She added: 'Correcting problems with vision and hearing can help open up a world that was previously closed off and reduce some of the isolation and loneliness that these problems can bring.' UK Finance chief Stephen Jones gives evidence to the Treasury committee UK Finance chief Stephen Jones, who's caused a stink by claiming banks shouldn't foot the bill for compensating fraud victims, is a contender for the chief executive's office at TSB. His CV reads well senior positions at Santander, Citigroup and Barclays. While at the latter, he caught the eye of Bob Diamond who encouraged him to dye his grizzled locks. Rascally Bob confided with one of his trademark wolfish grins: 'Mine's straight outta the bottle.' Patisserie Valerie's potentially fraudulent accounting scandal is embarrassing for chairman and majority shareholder, Luke Johnson, who claimed only last May the firm had a 'strong balance sheet'. Doubly so, since the fingers-in-every-pie entrepreneur's newspaper column last month confidently advised readers: 'How to spot the next swindle.' Johnson is said to be paid 100,000 for his highly readable musings. Unilever chief Paul Polman will be hurt by revelations he's based in tax-friendly Switzerland. The self-styled humanitarian once said he was ashamed of his 10.3million remuneration and would do the job for free. His pal, U2 warbler and anti-poverty campaigner Bono, felt similarly bruised when it was revealed he repatriated 500million to the Netherlands to avoid tax on royalties. Perhaps a heart-rending duet from these poor, misunderstood souls is in order? Re. tax, carrot-topped pop hobbit Ed Sheeran handed over more money to the Exchequer last year (5.29million) than Paypal (4.13million). Extraordinary, no? Economist and ex-Monetary Policy Committee member David Blanchflower's Twitter continues to foam with anger. He's called Michael Gove a 'clueless backstabber', the Tories 'evil' and Melania Trump 'a bloody idiot'. Yesterday, he said a speech on wages by the Bank of England's polite chief economist Andy Haldane was embarrassing, idiotic and clueless. Surely Twitter's not good for his blood pressure? Goldman Sachs partner Dina Powell is favourite to be Donald Trump's next UN ambassador. Sharp-as-a-tack Powell, 45, was briefly a White House security adviser before returning to Goldman, and is one of the few members of Trump's staff Democrats respect. The Donald would much rather appoint daughter Ivanka. While for some a trip to Ikea is a joyful, meatball-filled adventure, for others it holds less appeal. You may be put off by the prospect of a long journey to one of its 18 stores across the UK, or daunted by the time and energy it takes to scour one of the 300,000 sq ft furniture mazes. But, Ikea has come up with a scaled-down solution that may help win over some of its critics. Ikea's first Planning Studio is now open on Tottenham Court Road in London Today, the Swedish chain opens the doors to its brand new city centre shop on London's Tottenham Court Road - the first of its kind, as the business starts to shake up how it sells furniture to 'the many people'. The store, measuring a comparably tiny 500 sq ft, is the firm's debut 'Planning Studio' - and couldn't be more different from the vast, out-of-town, blue and yellow boxes you're probably familiar with. Signage in the new Ikea store, which - measuring just 500 sq ft - is a destination for planning Located a stone's throw from Goodge Street tube station, on London's self-styled 'furniture row', the store targets customers mulling large, complex purchases. The shop, which specialises in kitchens and bedroom furniture, displays just a tiny portion of Ikea's range for the purpose of 'inspiration'. After booking an appointment online, shoppers - without any pressure to purchase -can sit down with an Ikea consultant to plan, order and pay. Some of Ikea's kitchens, laid out in room sets to inspire customer's planning rooms But, before you hatch plans to drop by on the commute home tonight to pick up a Billy Bookcase and lug it back on the Northern Line, think again. The Ikea Planning Studio does exactly what it says on the tin and nothing more, so no products are available to be taken home the same day. Its function, rather, is to give city dwellers more convenient access to the retailer's planning and fitting services, while also giving the business greater visibility in city centres. One of several private areas where shoppers can sit with Ikea staff to discuss and plan Speaking to This is Money at a sneak preview of the store, Jane Bisset, Ikea's new London city centre market leader, said the store is the first of many in the capital, as well as cities all over the world. Bisset says Ikea is actively looking at 'lots' of other locations in London for similar outlets, as well as other, slightly different trial formats. But, why now? This year, a cluster of retail firms including M&S, New Look and Mothercare have taken steps to slim down their store estates, retrenching from the UK's challenged High Streets, so why is Ikea is seemingly doing the opposite? Well, lots of reasons... The signage prompts shoppers to go online where they can continue their planning Like all businesses, Ikea needs to adapt to survive. It has already invested in a string of new store openings and some much-needed improvements to its online offer, to the detriment of its UK profits last year. And this first Planning Studio marks the next step in its transformation, aimed at making Ikea more visible. Bisset says that by being on the High Street, and focusing on city centres, the brand can be 'top of mind for more consumers' and therefore better placed to grow. Many of the UK's struggling retailers have too many shops in poor locations and are locked into long leases. Ikea, however, will only open shops in prime, busy locations with strong public transport links. It will also benefit from the current 'buyers market', in which landlords are eager to fill sites that have suddenly become available as the result of a firm going bust. This first store, for example, was previously home to sofa chain Multiyork, which slumped into administration last year. Unlike the High Street stalwarts, Ikea will be in a strong position to negotiate good prices and flexible lease terms. Ikea will host cooking events and demonstrations so shoppers can see the products in action The business is also confident because of its value price proposition, which makes it resilient during a downturn. And, when it comes to small stores, this isn't Ikea's first rodeo. The first type of small store Ikea opened was the so-called 'Order & Collection Point' - where shoppers could pick-up online purchases, buy a few take-home items and get some advice. Ikea piloted five of these in various sizes and locations over a two-year period before coming up with the Planning Studio. Four still remain open - including one in Westfield shopping centre in Stratford. Bisset says: 'We've learnt loads from the Order & Collection points and its how we came to the conclusion that people love having a bit more help with the planning process. 'We can hold your hand, inspire you, place the order for you and get it delivered to your home. And if you like, we can install it too.' The new store showcases products designed to inspire customers and surprise passers by But Ikea lovers fear not - the firm isn't turning its back on its typical large out-of-town stores. It sees the new small shops as supplementary to its existing offer, helping to drive more traffic to its website and its big shops in the long run by being more visible on a day-to-day basis. Bisset says: 'For me, it's about and rather than or. We know people want more options with how they meet the range. We know people want us to be closer to them. 'Our new city centre approach is designed to complement our larger stores and digital offering.' The retailer is, however, converting some of its larger stores into distribution centres to help it cope with the continued growth of furniture shopping online. It abandoned plans to set up shop in Lancashire amid spiralling costs and delays, but is due to open a new big-box store in Greenwich early next year. 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BANKRUPTCY THREAT The 125-year-old US department store Sears could be pushed into bankruptcy within days after it hired advisers to work on a potential filing while it continues trying to find other options. It has 866 stores in the US, and has a 101million debt payment due to be paid on Monday. SEX PROBE A second sexual assault probe has been opened by Swiss lender UBS as the bank investigates claims by a former employee. It is alleged that a senior staff member at the London office touched the woman inappropriately on a work night out. TRUST VOW Rebuilding trust in bailed-out Royal Bank of Scotland will take another decade, its chief executive Ross McEwan has said, after its reputation was deeply tarnished by the financial crisis. PROFITS UP A rebound in the UKs white collar job market is set to boost overall profits at recruiter Page Group by 19.7 per cent to 207.7million in the third quarter of 2018 compared to a year earlier. ELECTRIC CASH A top Tesla shareholder, Baillie Gifford, has ploughed nearly 400million into a Chinese rival of the electric car maker, taking an 11.4 per cent stake in Shanghai-based Nio. HE'S BACK Martin Gilbert, 63, has resumed his position as senior independent director of Glencore. He was given time off to deal with the takeover battle at Sky, where he was deputy chairman. FINANCE ROLE David Bauernfeind, 50, has been hired by Dominos Pizza as finance boss. HEADING OUT Chief marketing officer Andrew Gray will be leaving British American Tobacco next year after more than 32 years at the company. BUYOUT CASH German lender Deutsche Bank is backing a management buyout of rental flat company The Collective Old Oak. Deutsche and fellow investor Catalina Re are financing a 125million deal. Business rates are holding back British industry and stifling investment, one of the country's largest car makers has warned. Bosses at Vauxhall said the tax punishes firms which want to create more jobs and boost productivity. In a highly unusual intervention, it hit out at rates for charging businesses extra when they expand or buy equipment to make a factory more efficient. It follows widespread fears that massive rates bills are killing trade by wiping out shops' profits. Bosses at Vauxhall said the business rates punish firms which want to create more jobs and boost productivity Helen Foord, Vauxhall's head of government relations and public policy, said: 'We've tried to push for wholesale manufacturing business rates reform for a while. We've lost some investments because of it. 'Business rates impact business decisions on whether or not to invest in this country because it is a fixed cost.' The rates are based on the estimated rental value of a property. If a building's occupiers invest in making it more productive or bigger, this increases the likely rental value and rates go up. Adding machinery such as an air conditioning unit or indoor crane also pushes up rates. Manufacturers claim this stifles investment because improvements mean they are immediately stung with a higher bill. Foord said: 'Around 20 per cent of our business rates bill is linked to our plant and machinery, and when we invest in this our business rates go up. That is wholeheartedly a disincentive to invest.' International firms' factories such as the 1,900-worker Vauxhall site in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, must compete against other countries for new business, such as the right to make the latest model of car. These decisions are often finely balanced and high business rates can tip the scales against Britain, meaning the investment and jobs go elsewhere. Foord said that Vauxhall's German owner Opel tried to bring a major supplier to Ellesmere Port, adding: 'We were going to bring a company over to supply us and others. It was a very close call but business rates tipped the decision the wrong way.' The plea for reform comes as politicians seek to end a productivity crisis which is holding back pay growth. Research has found many companies are reluctant to invest in more efficient machinery that would allow their workers to produce more goods and could boost wages. The EEF manufacturers' association believes business rates are part of the problem. Chris Richards, head of business environment policy, said: 'You might start thinking about foreign locations where you can get a better return. 'It's a perverse concept you invest in kit to improve your productivity, then your business rates go up because of it.' The taxman is expected to rake in 30.8billion from business rates in this financial year. Coupled with housing and inheritance charges, this gives Britain the highest property taxes of any country among the OECD economic group of developed nations. A Treasury spokesman said: 'We've introduced more than 10billion of business rates support to help British businesses, including those in the motor industry.' Boss Brandon Truaxe claimed 'Almost everyone at Deciem has been involved in a major criminal activity' Beauty business Deciem, which owns cult skincare brand The Ordinary, has descended into chaos after a shock announcement by its founder in which he alleged major criminal activity at the firm. Brandon Truaxe appeared in a video on Instagram on Monday saying: We will shut down all operations until further notice, which will be about two months. 'Almost everyone at Deciem has been involved in a major criminal activity which includes financial crimes and much other. 'You have no idea what a soldier Ive been for more than 13 years. Deciem has stores in the US and Australia as well as in, London. Fans of its The Ordinary brand include Kim Kardashian. Truaxe emailed UK employees telling them to close all UK stores, bar one in London. Estee Lauder bought a stake in 2017 and said it was deeply concerned by the material posted. Luxury goods are having a shabby time on the stock market. Some of Europes biggest names in fashion including the UKs Burberry and Mulberry sank after investment bank Morgan Stanley released a damning report on the sector. LVMH, the heavyweight owner of brands such as Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior, reported stronger-than-expected sales in its fashion and leather goods divisions late on Tuesday. But a warning from the firm over what it described as an uncertain geopolitical and monetary context put investors in flight. Fashion victims: Burberry shares slumped by 8.1 per cent, or 152p, to 1728p, while handbag maker Mulberry fell 5.2 per cent, or 16p, to 289.5p LVMH and other renowned fashion houses have increasingly relied on big-spending Chinese consumers to boost their figures. But the trade war between Donald Trump and the Chinese has thrown doubt on whether demand in the country will last. Morgan Stanley downgraded the luxury sector to underweight, advising investors to decrease the proportion of shares in luxury fashion companies that they own in their portfolio. Burberry shares slumped by 8.1 per cent, or 152p, to 1728p, while handbag maker Mulberry fell 5.2 per cent, or 16p, to 289.5p. On the continent, 9billion was wiped off titan LVMH as it plummeted 7.1 per cent. Gucci owner Kering and high-end skiwear company Moncler plunged by 9.6 per cent and 10.9 per cent respectively. Stock Watch - Advanced Oncotherapy Cancer treatment company Advanced Oncotherapy was on the up after announcing another breakthrough for its proton beam therapy system. The treatment is designed to be cheaper and more efficient than any currently available in the UK. The firm added that work to create the first proton therapy centre, on Londons Harley Street, was on track to complete by the second half of 2020. Shares flew by 27.3 per cent, or 9p, to 42p. London-focused housebuilder Telford Homes might have been wishing it hadnt brought up Brexit, as its shares tumbled after it issued a trading update. Though the firm said it had just 90 homes left to sell by March in order to achieve profits of 50million, it warned that plans for Britain to leave the EU were pushing down London property prices. Recent negative commentary around the outcome of Brexit was adding to a more general downturn in the market for expensive prime homes in London, Telford said. Though the company focuses on more affordable properties with an average price of 540,000, which it believes will continue to be in demand, shares still flopped 7 per cent, or 27.5p, to 366.5p. Telfords pessimism infected the UKs other housebuilders, as nearly all ended the day with their share price in the red. The FTSE 100 slid 1.3 per cent, or 91.9 points, to 7145.74 as Burberry pushed the index lower. Packaging giants Mondi, DS Smith and Smurfit Kappa also weighed heavily, after four industry competitors joined forces to create a new sustainable company. Bway, Mauser Group, National Container Group and Industrial Container Services have merged to create a new threat to the FTSE players. Mondi fell 8.7 per cent, or 170p, to 1775.5p, DS Smith dropped 6.5 per cent, or 29p, to 418.2p and Smurfit Kappa tumbled 5.7 per cent, or 156p, to 2580p. Newly listed online lender Funding Circle, whose shares had slumped after it floated last week, finally began picking up after it emerged that fund managers Invesco and Merian took sizeable stakes in the business. Shares climbed by 9.9 per cent, or 34.7p, to 384.7p, though this was still a way off the original listing price of 440p. Aston Martin, which floated on the same day, is still miles below its debut price of 1900p even after climbing 1 per cent, or 16p, yesterday to 1610p. Mining company Vast Resources shot up 10.3 per cent, or 0.06p, to 0.64p as it was granted approval from Romanias government to open the Baita Plai metals mine. It is the first time such a licence has been granted in Romania for 19 years. Vasts 80 per cent stake in the mine is thought to be worth 37.6million, and currently the company itself is only trading at a value of 35million. High street cafe chain Patisserie Valerie is fighting for survival after discovering a 20million black hole in its accounts and an unpaid tax bill. The company, part-owned by Pizza Express tycoon Luke Johnson, said it was investigating significant, and potentially fraudulent, accounting irregularities. More than 20million could be unaccounted for and the Serious Fraud Office is now investigating. Black hole: Patisserie Valerie said it was investigating significant, and potentially fraudulent, accounting irregularities The discovery prompted the suspension of Chris Marsh, Patisserie Valeries long-serving finance chief, and the London Stock Exchange halted trading in its shares. There is no suggestion that Marsh is accused of any wrongdoing. Bosses revealed they had only just learned of a bid by tax officials to have their company wound up over 1.14million owed to HM Revenue and Customs. Auditors in spotlight Events at Patisserie Valerie sent shockwaves through Britains auditing sector. A day after UK competition officials announced a review, Grant Thornton faces questions over work for the cake shop chain, it has audited since 2007. The accountant said: Given our duty of client confidentiality it would be inappropriate for us to comment. Prem Sikka, an accounting expert based at Essex University, tweeted: What did the auditors do? Russ Mould, at AJ Bell, added: This is incredibly damaging for investor sentiment towards corporate reporting transparency in general. The company, which has more than 2,000 staff, now faces a High Court hearing in less than three weeks over the bill. Johnson, who is Patisserie Valeries chairman and has a 37 per cent stake worth 166million, said: We are all deeply concerned about this news and the potential impact on the business. It is understood Patisserie Valerie, which has more than 200 cafes across the UK, has not yet reported the possible fraud to the police. Executives were informed about the missing money on Tuesday and have brought in lawyers and advisers to comb through the finances. The company added: This has significantly impacted the companys cash position and may lead to a material change in its overall financial position. The company has requested that its shares be suspended from trading while it conducts a full investigation. Marsh, 44, has been a director at Patisserie Valerie since 2007. He is part of the management team that has transformed the chain from a business with just eight cafes 12 years ago. Advertisement Real Housewives of Atlanta star Eva Marcille has married the 'man of her dreams,' exchanging vows with fiance Michael Sterling in an emotional ceremony on Sunday. DailyMailTV was granted exclusive access to the ceremony and spoke with Marcille, 33, just moments after she said 'I do.' She described herself as 'just so blessed,' and said, 'I've spent my life trying to find out who I am and trying to find him and now life's taken me on a journey to the man of my dreams.' Federal prosecutor and former Atlanta Mayoral candidate, Sterling, 33, proposed to Marcille last Christmas. The couple tied the knot at the weekend in Atlanta's Southern Exchange Ballrooms after three years of dating. The main attraction: Eva had three dress changes for her big day but the showstopper which drew a tear from her groom and gasps from her guests, was her voluminous wedding gown from Daughters of Nonyelum, International Haute Couture and Hollywood Royal Showroom I do: The beautiful bride had her hair pulled back into an updo and topped it with a glittering tiara - but opted for no front veil Tears of joy: Eva Marcille, 33, tied the knot with beau Michael Sterling, also 33, in a lavish ceremony surrounded by their 235 closest friends and family in Atlanta on Sunday Fairy tale wedding: Sterling, a federal prosecutor and former Atlanta Mayoral candidate, proposed to Marcille, with whom he has a baby son, last Christmas Kiss the bride: Eva gushed about her new husband to DailyMailTV, describing him as the 'man of her dreams' who she has spent her life looking for Elegance: The couple tied the knot in Atlanta's Southern Exchange Ballrooms after three years of dating. The actress had a 'man' of honor, makeup artist Terrell Mullins, rather than the traditional maid of honor at her wedding Celebration time: The extravagant wedding saw the midtown venue, once a Macy's department store, transformed into a flower-filled grotto, lit by candles below and chandeliers above. The centerpiece of the room was a freestanding circular wall brimming with flowers that cascaded onto the stage and flanked the couple as they exchanged their vows Speaking to DailyMail TV before the evening ceremony, event planner Eliana Baucicault revealed that Marcille had told her that all she needed was 'her man and her fashion.' In the end she got considerably more than just that with an extravagant wedding that saw the midtown venue, once a Macy's department store, transformed into a flower-filled grotto, lit by candles below and chandeliers above. In keeping with the characteristic RHOA extravagance, the wedding cost north of $200,000. More than $20,000 of that budget was spent on the 12,000 white roses and armloads of white orchids and hydrangea blooms intended to fill the venue with 'romance.' The centerpiece of the room was a freestanding circular wall brimming with flowers that cascaded onto the stage and flanked the couple as they exchanged their vows. Eva had no less than three dress changes, but the showstopper that drew a tear from her groom and gasps from their 235 guests was her voluminous wedding gown. The haute couture mass of sparkling skirt and train came from Daughters of Nonyelum, International Haute Couture and Hollywood Royal Showroom. The bride paired it with a glittering tiara but no veil. Father of the bride: Eva was walked down the aisle and given away to her groom by her father Evan (pictured) Emotional moment: The model and actress appeared to get emotional while making her way down the aisle. She carried a bouquet of white roses Mother of the bride: Eva's mother Michelle Pigford, wore an elegant black gown and was flanked by two men while walking down the aisle Mommy's little girl: Eva's daughter with ex Kevin McCall, Marley Rae was the flower girl. The adorable four-year-old wore a mini version of her mother's extravagant gown and scattered cream rose petals down the aisle The bridesmaids: Her bridal party consisted of seven bridesmaids in burgundy gowns and seven groomsmen - who were played out down the aisle by the song, 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered' Eva said, 'I have been fortunate as a model to wear the most amazing designers and the most beautiful gowns so today I wanted to look like a bride, [and] I wanted to feel like a bride and I wanted a wedding dress, and now I feel like a princess.' But Marcille pointed out, 'To know me is to know I'm still practical.' Beneath the billowing gown, the bride wore Gucci sneakers - blinged out with dazzling studs. Marcille's four-year-old daughter by music star ex Kevin McCall, Marley Rae was the flower girl. She wore a mini version of her mother's magnificent gown and scattered cream rose petals down the aisle. Marcille said, 'My daughter was just so excited to be in the wedding. 'She doesn't really understand though, she's like, "Okay Mommy, you marry daddy I'll marry Mikey." Mind you Mikey's her little brother.' Baby Michael, Marcille's child with Sterling was born on April 13. He was carried down the aisle in a miniature tuxedo by Dolce and Gabbana. Playing nice: (Left to right) NeNe Leakes, 51, a heavily pregnant Porsha Williams, 37, Cynthia Bailey, 50, Marlo Hampton, 46, and Tanya Sam put the on screen drama aside to support their friend on her big day Supportive: All of Eva's fellow RHOA cast mates were there to witness as she and Sterling exchanged traditional as well as self-penned vows. Pictured above is Marlo Hampton RHOA's Cynthia Bailey, 51, looked elegant in a black strapless gown alongside her beau Mike Hill Cynthia Bailey and her beau Mike Hill caught the romantic vibe as they snuck in a smooch The queen bee: NeNe Leakes, 50, wore a two-toned deep cut gown that was black on the front and red in the back from Talbot Runhof Drama free: RHOA may be known for its drama but Marcille made it clear that she wanted a day filled with romance and free from the wig-pulling histrionics that have made the Atlanta version of the Bravo reality show franchise such a hit Gossip: Kandi Buruss attended the wedding with husband Todd. She wore a black beaded dress with a silver waist band. The 42-year-old is seen with Tanya Sam All of Marcille's fellow RHOA cast mates were there to witness as she and Sterling exchanged traditional as well as self-penned vows. The groom promised his 'unconditional, unrelenting,' love. He brought tears to his bride's eyes as he vowed, 'To journey with you towards the same horizon and if the time comes that God decides to take you, I will ask Her if She will let me be with you because I don't want to be in this life without you.' Marcille took a moment to gather her emotions before responding with vows of her own. She addressed Sterling as 'My king, my prince, my knight in a very sharp tux,' and recalled the night she met him at a restaurant in Atlanta. Looking like royalty: Eva gushed about her big day and told DailyMailTV: 'I wanted to feel like a bride and I wanted a wedding dress, and now I feel like a princess.' Stylish yet still practical: Beneath the billowing gown, Eva wore Gucci sneakers - blinged out with dazzling studs Love: The groom brought tears to his wife's eyes as he promised his 'unconditional, unrelenting,' love. She addressed Sterling as 'My king, my prince, my knight in a very sharp tux,' and recalled the night she met him at a restaurant in Atlanta Reception: Marcille (pictured with a guest) had requested vodka and pineapple juice as her drink of choice for the evening Dress change: The bride was photographed out of her wedding gown and sporting a much more casual dress with sneakers She said, 'I went home that night and I told my nanny, "Tonight I went on a date with my future husband." She continued, 'I know without a doubt I was designed for you. We were written.' After the rings were exchanged the congregation erupted into applause as Pastor Ozzie Smith Jr declared the couple man and wife and said, 'You may kiss the bride.' The bridal party - seven bridesmaids in burgundy gowns, seven groomsmen and a Man rather than Maid of Honor for the bride, makeup artist Terrell Mullins, was played out down the aisle by the song, 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered.' RHOA may be known for its drama but Marcille made it clear that she wanted a day filled with romance and free from the wig-pulling histrionics that have made the Atlanta version of the Bravo reality show franchise such a hit. Led by show queen bee, NeNe Leakes, 51, cast members Kandi Burruss, 42, a heavily pregnant Porsha Williams, 37, Cynthia Bailey, 50, Marlo Hampton, 46, and newcomer Shamari Devoe, 38, appeared to have taken that to heart and to have come determined to 'play nice.' The champagne, wine and cocktails flowed as guests crowded into the upstairs balcony while staff flipped the ceremonial room for a sit down dinner that featured a serpentine top table - shaped like an 'S' in honor of the couple's newly shared last name, Sterling. Guests sat down to a meal of kale, cranberry and goat cheese salad and roasted cauliflower soup. A choice of entrees followed: port wine braised boneless beef short ribs, thyme and tangerine marinated chicken breast with chardonnay butter sauce, fontina cheese risotto and julienne squash, seared salmon with fennel spinach cream, vegetable napoleon, grilled vegetables and roasted red pepper coulis and seared caramelized onion potato cake with a spicy tomato ragout A note placed on each table reminded guests to 'respect the sanctity of the moment' and abstain from using cell phones or posting anything on social media After cocktail hour and bridal party photographs, guests sat down to a meal of kale, cranberry and goat cheese salad and roasted cauliflower soup The bride's cake featured alternate layers of lemon and strawberry pound cakes. The groom's was a rich chocolate cake designed to look like an open cigar box More than $20,000 of that budget was spent on the 12,000 white roses and armloads of white orchids and hydrangea blooms intended to fill the venue with 'romance' Guests were encouraged to write their well wishes for the ecstatic couple A note placed on each table reminded guests to 'respect the sanctity of the moment' and abstain from using cell phones or posting anything on social media. In fact cell phones had been confiscated on the way into the ceremony. Meanwhile eight Bravo TV crews were there to record it all for posterity - and season 11. Marcille had requested vodka and pineapple juice as her drink of choice for the evening. The groom requested a ready supply of Old Fashioneds. After cocktail hour and bridal party photographs, guests sat down to a meal of kale, cranberry and goat cheese salad and roasted cauliflower soup. A choice of entrees followed: port wine braised boneless beef short ribs, thyme and tangerine marinated chicken breast with chardonnay butter sauce, fontina cheese risotto and julienne squash, seared salmon with fennel spinach cream, vegetable napoleon, grilled vegetables and roasted red pepper coulis and seared caramelized onion potato cake with a spicy tomato ragout. Dessert was a dulce de leche pana cotta, apple compote and one of two wedding cakes. The bride's cake featured alternate layers of lemon and strawberry pound cakes. The groom's was a rich chocolate cake designed to look like an open cigar box. Keke Wyatt performed as the cakes were cut and the guests partied late into the night. If you got incessant phone calls last week from a hospital that cares for Hawaiian monk seals, you were butt-dialed. Or, more specifically, foot-dialed. By a gecko. Marine mammal veterinarian Claire Simeone told the whole story in a hilarious Twitter thread. A tiny gecko butt-dialed a 'bazillion' times from a Hawaii seal hospital with his tiny gecko feet. The gecko was found perched on a hospital phone (pictured) making calls to everyone in the recent call history Marine mammal veterinarian Claire Simeone told the whole story in a hilarious Twitter thread Simeone said she was getting lunch when she got a call from the Big Island hospital where she's the director Simeone said she was getting lunch when she got a call from the Big Island hospital where she's the 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. Simeone says on Twitter the phone company acknowledged a 'bazillion' calls were made. She said she then walked into a lab at the hospital and found the culprit. The gecko was perched on a phone, making calls to everyone in the recent call history with 'HIS TINY GECKO FEET!' 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 Simeone says on Twitter the phone company acknowledged a 'bazillion' calls were made Social media delighted in the tale and some people offered jokes about a certain company's gecko calling to save you money on your car insurance. After discovering the mystery caller, Simeone caught the gecko and put it outside on a plant, she said Tuesday. 'If there's a little gecko that helps us share the story of conservation, then that's a win,' she said of the work she does caring for the endangered seals. 'I think people needed a little pick me up with the news cycle.' She said she then walked into a lab at the hospital and found the culprit Bosses will be made to reveal salary differences between their white and ethnic minority staff. The radical plans to tackle racial inequality mirror rules introduced earlier this year to expose the gender pay gap. More than 10,000 companies employing over 250 staff would have to publish the figures annually. Around 10million workers would be covered. Theresa May, who will unveil the plans today, said: Too often ethnic minority employees feel theyre hitting a brick wall when it comes to career progression. Prime Minister Theresa May (pictured today leaving Downing Street to attend Prime Minister's Questions) says too often ethnic minorities face a brick wall in terms of career progression The measures we are taking will help employers identify the actions needed to create a fairer and more diverse workforce. Businesses are to be consulted on the initiative part of a nationwide Race at Work Charter. Officials say the 250-staff threshold may be raised to spare smaller firms. But Mrs Mays plan was criticised by free market think-tanks. Matt Kilcoyne of the Adam Smith Institute said: Rather than engaging with the hard task of removing structural barriers to opportunity many still face, this headline-grabbing measure will raise costs to business. Migrants may face natural barriers to success from language, and illegitimate barriers from occupational licensing and discrimination. These figures will mask the complex causes of racial inequality and be used to sour relations between Britons. Len Shackleton of the Institute of Economic Affairs said: This is a Pandoras Box. There are over 100 ethnicities in this country, most of which are as different from each other as they are from white Brits. Forcing businesses to report on pay will result in meaningless statistics because the numbers for particular ethnicities within one firm are likely to be statistically insignificant, where nothing can be really be gleaned from them. Essentially the Government would be burdening businesses with more bureaucracy without any useful return. Matthew Fell of the Confederation of British Industry said pay transparency could be a catalyst for action. But he warned: Reporting must be done in a way that is supported by both businesses and employees, to recognise the wide range of ethnic groups and legitimate staff concerns about intrusiveness where sample sizes are small. Mrs May will also today set out the actions she is taking to ensure public sector leaders are representative of the communities they serve. The NHS, military, schools and police forces will have to set out plans to increase high-level recruitment from ethnic minority backgrounds. The Government is naming Karen Blackett, a senior executive at the advertising giant WPP, as its Race at Work Champion. Miss Blackett, whose parents grew up in Barbados before moving to Britain, has spoken of how her promotion was important because she is black, female and from a working-class background. The NHS will be among the employers required to set out plans to increase high-level recruitment from ethnic minority backgrounds She said: The ad industry is not diverse enough. It doesnt reflect the consumer base that our clients are targeting. Ministers have also secured a number of high-profile inaugural signatories to the Race at Work Charter. They include Standard Life Aberdeen, Norton Rose Fulbright, Saatchi & Saatchi, KPMG, RBS and Lloyds Banking Group, which has set a goal to increase the representation of ethnic minority employees at senior levels. Mrs May said last night: Our focus is now on making sure the UKs organisations, boardrooms and senior management teams are truly reflective of the workplaces they manage. Todays announcement comes a year after the Prime Minister published a disparity audit she ordered when she entered Downing Street to show how people of different ethnic backgrounds were treated. In 2017, average hourly pay for white workers was 11.34 10p higher than for the other ethnic groups together. But those from the Indian ethnic group led with 13.14 and Pakistani/Bangladeshis were worst off with 9.52. The gender pay figures published in April were criticised by some as a blunt measure that failed to account for why men and women might be doing different jobs and on different salaries. The average median salary difference was 9.7 per cent in favour of men. The figures showed that 78 per cent of employers paid men more than women on average, and 14 per paid women more. Just 8 per cent said they had no pay gap. A former reality TV star was given a 16 year jail term for killing a US Coast Guard technician while driving under the influence on a highway in Virginia. Melissa Hancock, 26, was sentenced Wednesday after earlier pleading guilty to manslaughter, driving the wrong way and failing to obey a highway sign. Hancock appeared on Lifetime's 'Little Women: Atlanta,' a reality show that focuses on women of short stature. Reality TV star Melissa Hancock (left) was given a 16 year jail term for killing US Coast Guard technician Daniel Dill (right) while driving under the influence on a highway in Virginia. Daniel Dill was driving to collect his wife Natalie (pictured) and her friends who were out in a bar celebrating her 27th birthday when he was struck by Melissa Hancock's car A court summons described Hancock as 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall and weighing 77 pounds (35 kilograms). Daniel Dill was a Logan Township, New Jersey, native who was stationed in Portsmouth, Virginia, as an information systems technician. Virginia State Police said Hancock struck Dill head-on around 2am on November 4 last year on Interstate 264. He died of his injuries the next day. Dill, 29, had been on his way to pick up his wife who was celebrating her birthday with her friends at a bar when the crash happened. She had more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in her bloodstream at the time of the crash. Hancock was sentenced to 20 years behind bars with five years suspended for involuntary manslaughter and one year for driving under the influence. In total she will spend 16 years in prison. She pleaded guilty earlier this year to aggravated involuntary manslaughter and related charges in Dill's death. She admitted consuming between two and four mixed drinks at a nightclub before getting behind the wheel. Hancock (pictured) said she had two to four drinks at Peabodys Nightclub, which turned out to be twice the legal limit of alcohol in her bloodstream when she was tested after the crash Hancock (pictured) is seen walking out of court yesterday with a zimmerframe, having suffered three fractures in her back following the car crash Hancock apologized to Dill's family in court saying, 'words cannot express my sympathy' She was also fined $3,000. The term was more than twice what state sentencing guidelines had recommended. During an emotional hearing on Wednesday in Virginia Beach Circuit Court attended by many of Dills family members and friends, Hancock expressed remorse for her actions. Words cannot express my sympathy,' she said. 'I can't believe what I have done. I could never mean to hurt anyone,' she said. Natalie Dill (pictured) spoke of the loving relationship she had with her husband Daniel Dill (pictured) was described as kind, loving and compassionate by family members in court Chris Dill Sr spoke about the impact of Hancock's actions, saying his son's death had totally destroyed the entire family. He said: When Dan died, I lost everything. I've lost my faith in God, I've lost my faith in humanity, and I've lost my faith in this justice system. He's a clean-cut guy doing the right thing, making the right choices, volunteering to be the designated driver ... it's brutal. I can't wrap my head around it'. Asked what he would like his late son to know, Chris Dill said: 'Just forgive me because I couldn't protect him'. At the crash scene, Hancock smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot, glassy eyes, police stated. Hancock appeared on episodes of the reality TV series Little Women: Atlanta, and had only lived in Virginia Beach for about a month prior to the crash. Hancock (pictured) at a court hearing where she was charged over the death of Daniel Dill She worked as a saleswoman with insurance company GEICO. Daniels wife Natalie told how she released 30 white balloons into the sky earlier this year on what would have been his 30th birthday. She told the judge about the wonderful time the two shared on the day of the crash. It was Natalie's 27th birthday and they bought a new jeep for her that they'd been saving for a year to get. That night, they went out to dinner with her family at the sushi restaurant in Chesapeake where they met. Melissa (far left) is seen with her costars in a scene from 'Little Women: Atlanta' Melissa (left) had only lived in Virginia Beach for about a month prior to the crash Natalie wanted to celebrate with some friends at the Oceanfront afterward, and Dill agreed to drop them off and pick them up so they could enjoy some drinks and not have to worry about driving. He was on his way to get them at about 2am when Hancock crashed her Cadillac head-on into his Mazda sedan, near the interstate's Birdneck Road interchange. He died the next day from severe blunt force trauma to his neck and torso. Hancock, who had just recently moved to Virginia Beach, also was injured, suffering three fractures in her back. Daniel Dill's friends and family embrace each other outside court on Wednesday She told a state trooper she had two to four drinks at Peabodys Nightclub. Her blood alcohol tested at 0.194 an hour later. The amount is more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent. Surveillance cameras from Peabodys and the Oceanfront showed Hancock leaving the nightclubs parking lot and turning the wrong way onto 21st Street, a one-way road that connects to the interstate. A witness told police that Hancock was driving fast before the accident. The crash data recorder in her car showed she was traveling 55 to 60 mph before impact. He (Daniel) and Natalie made all the right decisions that night," Dill's friend, Aaron Go, told the judge. She made all the wrong decisions. And yet they're the ones suffering the consequences. A woman has been ordered to pay her brother $273,000 and move out of the $2million family home she has lived in for 36 years following a bitter feud. The dispute between Virginia Woolf and Alwyn Kaye played out in front of the High Court at Auckland and was described by Justice Christine Gordon as 'an unhappy case between a sister and brother both now in their 60s', stuff.co.nz reported. Mr Kaye agreed to buy the three-bedroom property in November 1981 for $89,500, and paid off the mortgage before moving to Canada in July 1982. Mr Kaye agreed to buy the three-bedroom property in November 1981 for $89,500, and paid off the mortgage before moving to Canada in July 1982 Ms Woolf claimed the property was purchased by all four members of her immediate family, but Mr Kaye rejects her stance saying he was the sole owner Ms Woolf had been living in the house for 36 years with two flatmates, paying $55 each week, and the flatmates $45, which she claimed led to her fair share of equity interest in the property. Ms Woolf claimed the property was purchased by all four members of her immediate family, but Mr Kaye rejects her stance saying he was the sole owner. Mr Kaye claims Ms Woolf was simply a tenant, paying rent on the house. He argued the rent from all three residents was not enough to cover the mortgage payments. About 25 years ago, Ms Woolf was shocked to find papers which had titled her brother Mr Kaye as the sole owner of the property. Their mother Violet spoke to a lawyer who suggested a 'gifting of shares' of the property. 'This was the first of a number of communications by various solicitors on behalf of Ms Woolf over the years in which she made changing claims in relation to the property on different bases,' the judge said. During this time, Mr Kaye had paid off the mortgage and Ms Woolf was living alone and had been living in the property 'rent free for 30 years,' the judge said. When their mother died in 2006, there was nothing in her will claiming she had any interest in the property which led to Ms Woolf placing a caveat on the title of the house. The dispute was heard at the High Court at Auckland and it was described by Justice Christine Gordon as 'an unhappy case between a sister and brother both now in their 60s' In August 2014, their father died and there was also nothing in his will making a claim of interest in the property. Ms Woolf claimed she and her father's estate were co-owners of the property and had a combined interest of at least 50 per cent and wanted the property to be sold, the publication reported. Mr Kaye refuted her claim saying there was no family agreement to purchase the property and that it was always his property. 'In a nutshell, Mr Kaye says that his generosity towards Ms Woolf, allowing her to remain in the property rent free, has now backfired, given that Ms Woolf, because of her own financial position, is trying to take advantage of him by claiming an interest in the property,' the judge said. 'It is well-accepted, however, that where a person has wrongfully been in possession of another's land, the owner is entitled to recover damages or profits,' the judge said. The judge ruled Woolf would have to pay her brother $273,165.01, and would have to vacate the house within two months of the judgment. The team from Charity Navigator, the nation's largest independent charity evaluator and leading donor advocate, shares their thoughts on emerging nonprofit-sector issues and offers tips to better inform your intelligent giving decisions. Return to Main Site | Find a Charity | Receive Email Updates | Support Charity Navigator A huge change to the Violet Crumble chocolate bar has arrived. For the first time in decades, the sweet treat is now being made by an Australian-owned business. South Australian confectionery company Robern Menz started producing the chocolate bar from its Adelaide facility on Wednesday. Scroll down for video The Violet Crumble chocolate bar (pictured) is now being produced by an Australian-owned company for the first time in decades The Violet Crumble bar is being manufactured at the Robern Menz factory in Adelaide The fourth-generation family owned business purchased the Violet Crumble brand from global food giant Nestle earlier this year for an undisclosed sum. But while the manufacturer has changed, consumers are being promised the taste will be staying the same. 'The number one priority is to make sure that recipe is unchanged since 1913, that Australians have known and grown to love,' Phil Sims, Robern Menz CEO, said. Violet Crumble lovers had already taken to social media with a plea for the taste to remain unchanged. Social media reaction to news the Violet Crumble bar has changed manufacturers 'It will be interesting to see if it tastes different,' one wrote on social media, while another added 'Great. As long as Menz continue to produce their own brand/style of honeycomb without changing it I'll be happy. You don't fix what's broken'. The Robern Menz factory in Glynde, in Adelaide's eastern suburbs, underwent a $4million refurbishment to take on the additional workload. An extra 30 people have also been employed at the factory to help produce the chocolate bar which comes encased in the iconic violet and yellow wrapping. It is estimated six million Violet Crumble bars will roll off the Adelaide production line every year. Robern Menz acquired the Violet Crumble brand from global food giant Nestle earlier this year The Robern Menz factory in Glynde, in Adelaide's eastern suburbs, underwent a $4million refurbishment to take on the additional workload When the new manufacturing, sales and marketing deal was announced in January, Mr Sims said 'We are really excited to have partnered with Nestle and reached an agreement to acquire what is undoubtedly one of Australia's great brands'. 'And as the new gatekeeper of Violet Crumble, we are aware of the responsibility that comes with owning a brand so highly regarded in the Australian market place,' he added. The Violet Crumble was previously produced at a factory in Melbourne. It had formerly been manufactured in Adelaide up until 1985. Erica Dinora Gomez, 23, who taught at Bowie High School in Austin, was arrested and booked into Travis County Jail on Monday Texas authorities say a 23-year-old high school teacher has confessed to having sex with a 15-year-old student in a car. Erica Dinora Gomez, who taught at Bowie High School in Austin, was arrested and booked into Travis County Jail on Monday. She faces between two and 20 years in prison for sexual assault of a child and an improper relationship between an educator and a student, according to Austin American-Statesman. Her bail has been set at $75,000. Investigators said they became aware of the alleged relationship after the boys mother heard the front door of her apartment open and close early Sunday morning. The mother went to her sons bedroom and found him lying on his bed fully clothed. While he slept, she began searching through his cell phone, according to authorities. Investigators say that she found explicit messages sent to her son by a woman on Snapchat. The messages were sent by a Snapchat user with the name Ericadinora, the arrest report states. She faces between two and 20 years in prison for sexual assault of a child and an improper relationship between an educator and a student Investigators said they became aware of the alleged relationship after the boys mother heard the front door of her apartment open and close early Sunday morning The mother then entered the name in a search on Facebook. She noticed that the woman who appeared was once her sons math tutor. The messages in the Snapchat texts talk of fun in the back seat, Babe... Weve had car sex twice... Like that blows my mind LOL, another message is alleged to have read. Austin police said that both the teacher and the student admitted to the relationship. According to her social media pages, Gomez graduated from the University of Texas last year. She is alleged to have told police that she met the student in January. Their sexual relationship, however, did not start until August, the arrest report states. The teacher and student had sex between four and five times over the past few months, according to investigators. Bowie High School promptly fired Gomez and sent a letter to parents. The school has also made counselors available to students who need support. One man drowned and another was rescued from a Florida lake Tuesday after a fishing trip went horribly awry. The Volusia County Sheriffs Office in DeLand said deputies responded to a missing persons report from the family and friends of two men - who the department have not yet identified to the public. The two individuals set out for a fishing trip on Lake Monroe at some point Monday and were not heard from by early Tuesday - when they were reported missing. When deputies set out on the search, they spotted one of the men clinging on to a capsized boat that had been overturned. Police believe he was hanging on for some time. This man was rescued from Lake Monroe early Tuesday. Another occupant of the boat tragically drowned Deputies believe the man had been clinging onto the boat for some time when he was rescued Tuesday morning A woman named Celeste Smiley, who was at the scene during the search, said this is her husband 'He told us the boat started taking on water yesterday afternoon, and he'd been holding on all night,' the department said. A woman, named Celeste Smiley, who was at the scene during the search, said it was her husband who was rescued from the lake. The body of the second occupant was discovered roughly two hours later and two miles from where the first man was found. 'The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to the scene and took over the investigation. 'Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the gentleman who did not survive,' police concluded in the statement. The body of the second occupant was discovered roughly two hours later and two miles away The boating accident is currently under formal investigation Investigators believe the tragedy was a result of a boating accident caused by strong winds. Chad Weber, a Florida Fish and Wildlife official, said in a statement to WFTV: 'When the wind picks up, and bad weather comes in, it starts to get very choppy. 'That will be one thing that we look into to make sure that's part of our investigation... the weather conditions, and if it played a factor.' The incident is currently under formal investigation. The US owner of chocolate giant Cadbury that sells and distributes products in Britain paid no corporation tax in the UK last year, it was reported last night The US-owned firm that sells Cadbury products in Britain paid no corporation tax here last year, it was reported last night. Mondelez UK Ltd cut its bill to zero, despite profits rocketing by more than 700 per cent to 185million. The company the biggest British offshoot of the chocolate brands US owner managed to offset its profits to help slash the potential 35million tax bill. Instead, it directed a dividend of almost 250million to its immediate parent company based in Switzerland, the Daily Mirror reported. Mondelez UK Ltd is part of a network of 48 British subsidiary companies owned by US food giant Mondelez International. Last night it was revealed that despite the arms of the business making profits of 1.3billion, they paid 5.9million combined in corporation tax last year. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said: This is outrageous. Time and time again weve warned the Government this type of behaviour is unacceptable. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell told the Daily Mirror: This is outrageous. Time and time again weve warned the Government this type of behaviour is unacceptable' We have told them they urgently need to tighten the rules on tax avoidance. This will do nothing but anger people who are going out to work every day, paying their taxes through PAYE. The Government has to act now to crack down on tax avoidance. Mondelez UK accounts reveal that its turnover rose from 1.64billion to 1.66billion and its profits increased to 185million from 22million. The rise was mainly due to 146million of dividends from two subsidiaries its Terrys chocolate business and a coffee business in the Netherlands. This cash offset its profits and helped cut the corporation tax which is payable on profits to zero. Alex Cobham, chief executive of the Tax Justice Network, called on Philip Hammond to force multinational companies to produce accounts for each country Alex Cobham, chief executive of the Tax Justice Network, said Mondelez was doing a piece of financial engineering that is very sad given Cadburys long history of working to generate value in the communities where they work. He added: Mondelez are stripping value out, by siphoning off taxable profits from the UK through large intra-group dividend payments. It is a problem with international tax rules. He called on Chancellor Philip Hammond to force multinational companies to produce accounts for each country they operate in. It is not the first time Chicago-based Mondelez International has come under fire. The firm, when it was known as Kraft, was criticised for being allowed to purchase Cadbury for 11.5billion in 2010. It has also been condemned for reducing the size of Heroes chocolate tubs. A Mondelez spokesman said: In common with all global businesses, we pay corporation tax based on the laws of the countries in which we operate. The firm, which also owns Kenco, Bassetts and Oreo, employs 4,000 staff in the UK and says it is a significant contributor to the UK economy. President Donald Trump used a photo taken by avowed enemy Jim Acosta from fake news CNN to boost his claims of a high turnout at a rally. Acosta, the networks White House correspondent, noticed on Twitter that the president posted a photograph of Trump supporters waiting outside the Erie Insurance Arena in Erie, Pennsylvania. Trump is appearing at the arena on Wednesday night for a campaign rally in support of Republican Reps. Lou Barletta and Mike Kelly, who are competing in next months elections. Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, Acosta tweeted a photograph from outside the arena showing Trump supporters, many in red Make America Great Again hats, on line waiting to get in. President Donald Trump used a photo taken by avowed enemy Jim Acosta from fake news CNN to boost his claims of a high turnout at a rally Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, Acosta tweeted a photograph from outside the arena showing Trump supporters, many in red Make America Great Again hats, on line waiting to get in Trumps use of Acostas photo - without attribution - is noteworthy given that the reporter and his network have clashed with the administration and the presidents supporters since before the 2016 election Trump is seen arriving on Wedneday in Erie for a campaign rally at Erie Insurance Arena Big crowd lining up outside for Trump rally tonight in Erie, PA, Acosta tweeted. A few hours later, Trumps Twitter feed included the same exact photograph. Couldnt let these great people down, the president wrote on his caption. They have been lined up since last night - see you soon Pennsylvania! Acosta noted the similarity in photos from his tweet and Trumps message There was talk that Trump would cancel the appearance in Erie because of the devastating hurricane that is moving through Florida, Georgia, and other parts of the southeast United States on Wednesday. But the president decided to go ahead with the Erie rally. Acosta then noted the similarity in photos from his tweet and Trumps message. This looks a lot like the pic I tweeted earlier today, the CNN reporter tweeted. Trumps use of Acostas photo - without attribution - is noteworthy given that the reporter and his network have clashed with the administration and the presidents supporters since before the 2016 election. In fact, Trump supporters have let Acosta know just what they think of him at other rallies where the president has appeared. In August, Acosta was heckled by a group of Trump supporters who yelled liar, tell the truth, and CNN sucks at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall. Acosta had stood up on an elevated platform from the press area to do a live shot, drawing attention from some of those in attendance. A crowd of about 50 then walked over and started to wave signs and chant slogans denouncing Acosta and CNN. Later in the evening, when he was doing another shot, the entire auditorium screamed 'CNN sucks, CNN sucks, CNN sucks' - interrupting the Florida state officials who were speaking ahead of Trump's arrival. But not all were screaming at him, several attendees asked Acosta to take a photo with them, which he did. The longtime CNN correspondent took to twitter to address the situation, posting a video of the crowd yelling behind him. 'Just a sample of the sad scene we faced at the Trump rally in Tampa. I'm very worried that the hostility whipped up by Trump and some in conservative media will result in somebody getting hurt. We should not treat our fellow Americans this way. The press is not the enemy,' Acosta wrote. As Hurricane Michael pounded Florida on Wednesday, Trump took shelter at the campaign event, where he sought to boost Republicans before the midterms. Trump acknowledged the hurricane at the top of his rally in Erie, offering his thoughts and prayers to those in the storm's path and promising to spare no effort in the response. He promised to travel to Florida very shortly. He added: We will always pull through. ... We will always be successful at what we do. Then Trump turned back to politics. In August, Acosta (far left) was heckled by a group of Trump supporters who yelled liar, tell the truth, and CNN sucks at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall His Pennsylvania rally was the latest stop on an all-out midterms blitz. With weeks to go before the November elections, Trump and his fellow Republicans have been invigorated by the successful nomination of Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court and are seeking to use the contentious moment to unify the GOP and stave off Democratic energy at the polls. That Trump kept his appointment in Erie underscored the importance of this effort to Republicans. Earlier in the day, Trump received a hurricane briefing at the White House on the Category 4 storm. He told reporters he faced a quagmire about whether to attend the Pennsylvania rally because thousands of people were already lined up for the event. Trump, who won Pennsylvania in 2016, touted Republican Kelly and Barletta. Kelly is facing a challenge from Democrat Ron DiNicola, while Barletta is mounting an uphill campaign to unseat two-term Democratic Sen. Bob Casey. The president, who attended a fundraiser before the rally, also praised GOP gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner. After his comments about the hurricane, Trump pivoted to the midterms, celebrating Kavanaugh's appointment despite Democratic opposition and sexual misconduct allegations against him. Trump called it a historic week, saying, What the radical Democrats did to Brett Kavanaugh and his beautiful family is a national disgrace. For weeks Trump has been escalating his attacks on Democrats. He continued that effort Wednesday, claiming that Democrats want to impose socialism and take over and destroy American health care. He added: Democrats want to abolish America's borders and allow drugs and gangs to pour into our country. Trump also returned to one of his favorite themes - reliving his stunning 2016 victory. There was talk that Trump would cancel the appearance in Erie because of the devastating hurricane that is moving through Florida, Georgia, and other parts of the southeast United States on Wednesday. A resident of St. Marks, Florida walks through floodwaters (above) Was that the most exciting evening? he said to cheers. Trump also ticked through what he sees as his top achievements, including tax cuts and a new trade deal with Canada and Mexico. He talked about exiting the Iran nuclear deal and drew wild applause for mentioning his plans for a Space Force. Trump attacked Casey for opposing Kavanaugh's nomination, saying he had joined the left-wing mob. He also accused Casey, named for his politician father, for banking on the name of his father. Trump's own father, Fred, was a successful real estate developer who set his son up in business. The New York Times recently reported that Donald Trump received at least $413 million from his father over the decades, much of that through dubious tax dodges, including outright fraud. Every house should have a deep retrofit with solar panels and triple glazing if Britain is to meet its carbon target, a report claims. The Institution of Engineering and Technology says polluting gas boilers should be scrapped and replaced with heat pumps and insulating cladding should be put on the outside of homes to keep the heat in. The IET report calls for a nationwide project to retrofit 25million homes creating economies of scale which it describes as like throwing a duvet over. Every house should have a deep retrofit with solar panels and triple glazing if Britain is to meet its carbon target, the IET says The report says polluting gas boilers such as the one pictured should be scrapped and replaced with heat pumps It suggested the retrofit on each house in Britain would take two weeks and families may not have to move out. The 2008 Climate Change Act makes it a legal requirement to cut the amount of CO2 by at least 80 per cent in 2050. So far the UK has cut its carbon emissions by around 43 per cent. The UK has the oldest homes in Europe, with more than half built before 1960. Older homes can require more than double the energy to heat, compared to modern, well insulated homes. Lead author Dr Richard Miller said: We are going to have to dramatically cut the heat demand and then decarbonise whats left. For more than two hours during a police interview, financial adviser Trung The Ma maintained he had a normal client relationship with Huegio Bonham. That was until he was asked why his car was parked in Mr Bonham's Gold Coast driveway on February 3, 2014. 'I'm in big trouble,' Ma muttered in the interview played to a Brisbane Supreme Court jury on Wednesday. Ma would later confess to bludgeoning 63-year-old Mr Bonham to death with a hammer and hiding his body in storage after their business relationship soured. But he has pleaded not guilty to murder on mental health grounds. For more than two hours during a police interview, Brisbane financial adviser Trung The Ma (pictured) maintained he had a normal client relationship with Huegio Bonham His defence lawyer argues his responsibility for killing Mr Bonham was diminished because his state of mind was altered over fears of the collapse of his business and damage to his reputation and family. But prosecutors rejected his guilty plea to the lesser charge of manslaughter, saying Mr Bonham found he could not access money being managed by Ma after buying a house in the Gold Coast hinterland to set up a wellness program. They allege Ma murdered Mr Bonham, a spiritual healer, because it would be discovered he was defrauding him of $700,000. As well as hiding the body, Ma attempted to cover up Mr Bonham's death by telling colleagues and police he was in meetings at the time of the killing. But police had evidence to the contrary. Footage showed Ma buying two large plastic containers from Bunnings around the time of the alleged murder on February 3. While disposing of Mr Bonham's belongings, his wallet was left on a skip bin at Indooroopilly shopping centre, where Ma had an office, before being handed in to the information desk. When someone claiming to be Mr Bonham called up looking for it, Ma turned up six minutes later to collect it, information desk staffer Daniele Martufi testified on Wednesday. Ma would later confess to bludgeoning the 63-year-old Huegio Bonham (pictured) to death with a hammer and hiding his body in storage after their business relationship soured And when police asked him in the interview two weeks later why his black Subaru was at Mr Bonham's house on February 3, Ma said nothing for more than a minute. Eventually, he claimed Mr Bonham sent him an email saying he wanted to leave him as a financial adviser. 'I went to his house to confront him about it,' Ma said. Ma, 35, wept in court when watching himself in the interview talk about his daughter. The trial continues. Armed police swooped on a city centre bank after a passerby spotted staff sheltering under desks - only to find it was a game of hide and seek. A concerned member of the public dialled 999 after witnessing the dramatic scenes through the window of a NatWest branch, in Birmingham. Yet when firearms officers arrived at the scene they did not find raiders filling their bags with loot. Armed police were called to the city centre Natwest bank in Birmingham, only to find people playing hide and seek as part of a team building exercise Embarrassed staff admitted they were hiding under their tables during a game of hide and seek - as part of a team building exercise. The officers were promptly stood down and the incident was laughed off. Chief Inspector Dave Keen tweeted about the false alarm, which took place at 9.50am yesterday morning. He wrote: 'Thanks to the member of public who called in a suspected robbery at a bank in Birmingham today, saw staff inside hiding under desks. '@ResponseWMP @firearmsWMP quickly attended and confirmed it was a hide + seek team building exercise. Contacting us was the right call.' West Midlands Police often share the most ridiculous calls they have received. Last month, call handlers were stunned to receive a 999 alert - reporting someone having a row with a lamp post. West Midlands Police's force response account tweeted: 'Strange call of the night.....a caller called to report a man having an argument with a lamp post....You have to be careful with these angry lamp posts, very argumentative!' PhD student Matthew Hedges, pictured, was arrested by Dubai authorities as he tried to leave the country following a study trip A British student has been held in solitary confinement in Abu Dhabi for five months over spying claims, it was reported last night. Matthew Hedges, 31, had been on a research trip in Dubai for his PhD at Durham University. But he was seized at the airport in May when he tried to leave the country, according to The Times. Mr Hedges was taken to Abu Dhabi and has been held in solitary confinement since. During that time he was permitted to phone his mother once and has since had one visit from his wife, Daniela Tejada, who he has been able to call. Mr Hedges has also had two visits from Foreign Office officials, but the office has refused to comment on his case or confirm that he was being held. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said today he 'very worried' about Mr Hedges. 'I've spoken to the Emirati foreign minister twice now on this matter face to face so they are very aware of our concerns and we are monitoring it very closely,' Mr Hunt said Thursday. 'Obviously every country has a judicial process and, just like in the UK, in the UAE the judiciary operates independently of the politicians and we respect that. 'But we have a duty to make sure we are doing everything we can to make sure British citizens have due process,' he added. Matthew Hedges, pictured with his wife Daniela Tejada, has only been able to see her once since he was detained in May Yesterday the student was taken to the UAE's state security court for a hearing and allowed to speak to a lawyer. No charges were outlined and the case was allegedly adjourned to October 24. The exact nature of Mr Hedges's alleged crime has not been made clear. However, colleagues believe he was accused of spying for Qatar, which the UAE says is working to undermine it. His wife Ms Tejada, 27, told the Times: 'We all know that is not true.' She said that her husband is unharmed physically but suffering from panic attacks and depression. 'It was evident he was on medication. He was constantly shaking. He clearly did not expect to see me He seemed to be very cautious about what he said and what he didn't say, which leads me to think he might have been coerced into saying or not saying certain things', she added. Matthew Hedges, 31, was arrested on suspicion of spying as he attempted to leave Dubai Airport, file photograph Mr Hedges was in Dubai on a research trip studying for his PhDat Durham University Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, pictured, has raised Mr Hedges' case with Emirati authorities 'It breaks my heart that we have been married for nearly two years and only been able to spend four months together,' she added. 'I just want him back..' Ms Tejada, who met Mr Hedges at Exeter University, said his PhD was about Emirati security policies after the Arab Spring. He grew up partly in Dubai and worked there before his research, so was fully aware of the sensitivity of the subject. Mr Hedges has previously published a journal titled, 'The GCC and the Muslim Brotherhood: What Does the Future Hold? Middle East Policy' and is interested in Middle Eastern politics, his university staff profile suggests. His confinement has raised concerns among academics about the freedom of researchers to operate in different countries. Links have been drawn between this recent case and that of Italian-born Giulio Regeni, the Cambridge University PhD researcher was killed in Cairo for studying the Egyptian trade movement. Kristian Ulrichsen, an associate fellow at Chatham House, said that the case 'puts the UAE on a par with Iran, Egypt and Turkey.' The Foreign Office said: 'Our staff are supporting a British man following his detention in the UAE. We are assisting his family and remain in close contact with the local authorities. The foreign secretary has personally raised his case with his Emirati counterpart.' A mother-of-two has been stabbed to death at a home in a quiet cul-de-sac in a domestic violence attack. Erana Nahu, 43, was found with serious stab wounds to her arms and back in her southwest Sydney rental home about 2am on Thursday. Her partner and father of her children Jaime Fredes, 58, was on Thursday afternoon charged with murder and will soon face Campbelltown Local Court. Erana Nahu, 43, was found with serious stab wounds to her arms and back in her southwest Sydney rental home about 2am on Thursday Ms Nahu was treated by paramedics at the scene on Grahame Avenue in Glenfield but died shortly after police were called. Fredes was arrested at the same house soon after her death and taken to Campbelltown Police Station, and later charged with murder. 'My aunty didn't deserve what [was done] to her, she was a loving caring woman with a big heart and will be sadly missed,' her nephew told Daily Mail Australia. Ms Nahu's cousin said she was 'the most loving an caring person you could ever meet, she welcomed everyone with open arms into her home'. 'She was always smiling an that is what i will miss the most about my cousin. She did not deserve this at all. We will forever love her an she will forever have a place in our hearts,' she said. Her partner and father of her children Jaime Fredes, 58, (pictured) was on Thursday afternoon charged with murder Her neighbour Mattie said Fredes, the father of the two primary school-aged children, only recently moved back into the family home. 'She was a friend of mine, she was beautiful, she was the first person who we knew when we moved into the area,' she told reporters. '[She had] beautiful kids... everyone knew her. She's just a beautiful person. It's left two kids motherless 'It's not fair. There's two babies who are not going to grow up without their mum.' The mother-of-two was treated by paramedics at the scene on Grahame Avenue in Glenfield but died shortly after police were called A crime scene was established at the home and detectives were investigating. Ms Nahu young children was the seventh woman to be brutally murdered around Australia in just the past eight days. On average, a woman is murdered every week in Australia by their current or former partner, and one in three women have experienced physical violence carried out by a man. A body has washed up on a Melbourne beach, sparking an investigation. Emergency services were called to Beach Road in Parkdale, in the city's south-east just after 10am on Thursday after reports of a washed-up body, Nine News reported. The cause of death is yet to be determined, and the body - believed to be a man - has not been identified. A pair of Skechers shoes were found on the shore just metres from where the body was found. Homicide detectives were seen investigating the scene at the beach on Thursday afternoon. A body has washed up on a Melbourne beach, sparking an investigation Emergency services were called to Beach Road in Parkdale, in the city's south-east just after 10am on Thursday In a statement, Victoria Police said they were 'investigating after a person was located deceased in Parkdale this morning'. 'Emergency services were called to Beach Road following reports a body was located on the foreshore shortly before 10am,' they said. 'The exact cause of the death is yet to be determined and the deceased is yet to be formally identified.' Police have since said the man's death is not suspicious. Lifeline - 13 11 14 A new flight path planning system has resulted in almost a dozen near-collisions in the first six months since it was introduced. Planes over Tasmanian airspace have breached safety guidelines on 11 instances since September 2017, including nine cases of planes flying too low. The new system uses satellite tracking to map out flight paths. The new technology means less air traffic controllers on duty. But Airservices chief executive said the system had nothing to do with cutting costs and that passenger safety was never in doubt. New Tasmanian flight paths have resulted in 11 cases of safety breaches in less than six months (stock image) The new system reduces staff in air traffic control towers (pictured), which Airservices Australia's chief executive says makes planning flight paths more consistent and predictable Two landing planes flew within less than five kilometres of each other in December last year, the Mercury reports. Only a month later, two outbound planes were recorded to be about eight kilometres apart. Airservices Australia chief executive Jason Harfield told a Committee Hearing they take every near miss seriously. 'We continually monitor the safety of any airspace, regardless of whether it's Hobart, and sometimes when you do change things there is what we call heightened implementation risk,' he said. But Labor MP Brian Mitchell hit out at the travel authority, saying there was no problem under the old system. 'I can't recall the last time we had a clearance issue under the old system, Airservices say it's safer but there's no data to suggest that it is,' he said. Mr Harfield told a Senate Committee earlier this year pilot error was to blame for the two near misses, not new flight paths Mr Mitchell said he was concerned the new system, which requires fewer air traffic staff on duty, was put in place to save money. But Airservices said the new system helped them plan more predictable and consistent flight paths, eliminating the risk of human error. Mr Harfield told the Senate Committee earlier this year pilot error was to blame for the two near misses, not the new flight paths. Dating sites could hold the clue to what happened to a woman whose badly injured body was found dumped in a park three days after she was last seen alive. Nicole Cartwright, 32, was identified as the woman found murdered near a children's playground in Hunter's Hill, on Sydney's lower north shore, on October 3. As detectives continue to hunt her killer, sources close to the investigation told Daily Mail Australia police are probing Ms Cartwright's use of dating websites after a man came forward claiming to have been communicating with her online. Scroll down for video The dating profiles of Nicole Cartwright (pictured) could provide vital clues on what happened in the lead up to her body being discovered dumped in a Sydney park last week Ms Cartwright was last seen at a Sydney CBD train station on September 30 (pictured). Three days later on October 3 her body was found near the Buffalo Creek Reserve kids playground Sources close to the investigation confirmed to Daily Mail Australia police are probing dating profiles belonging to Ms Cartwright after reports from members of the public The man told police he was 'shocked' when he realised he had spoken to Ms Cartwright through a dating app before she was murdered. 'I'm 99% sure it the same person, the third photo on this post is the same that I know her as. She was on a hook up dating website,' the man posted online after seeing the appeals for information about Ms Cartwright's murder. 'Very strange though her profile has now been deleted and in my chats her name has been changed.' Police this week released the last known CCTV footage showing Ms Cartwright alive, smiling as she walked through a CBD train station about 9.15pm on September 30. In the days prior to her body being discovered she had visited Maroubra beach in the eastern suburbs and sent selfies from the seaside to her family. She caught trains and buses across the city in the following days, appearing to be in good spirits in footage captured on CCTV. The park is popular with local families in the area and contains a newly renovated playground A council worker made the grim discovery of Ms Cartwright's body last Wednesday. Her hands were bound together, she was suffering severe head injuries and was wrapped in an orange blanket, while nearby there were drag marks 30 metres long. But despite having not returned to her parents' Lansvale home where she lived for a number of days, Ms Cartwright's father Terry told The Australian he and his wife did not think anything was 'off' until they saw a news report. 'She wasn't really missing she lived here but it wasn't unusual for her to leave for a week or so,' Mr Cartwright said. 'We heard the description report (on the news) and thought something was off.' Ms Cartwright's parents reported her missing after seeing the news reports and just 24 hours later were told the devastating news by police. NSW Police have released this still from CCTV footage of Ms Cartwright at a train station on September 30 Ms Cartwright did not have a car and caught public transport regularly in the days leading up to her body being discovered CCTV footage shows Ms Cartwright using public transport just days before she disappeared NSW Homicide squad commander Scott Cook made a public plea for information on Wednesday. He also revealed that police were yet to locate Ms Cartwright's mobile phone, adding many aspects of her murder 'were unusual' 'Investigators have been able to place Nicole on buses and at various railway stations between 27 and 30 September, but we are seeking information from then until she was found,' Commander Cook said. 'We know that Nicole travelled by train from Bondi Junction to St Marys early on 29 September, and the following afternoon/evening, we have her at Strathfield, Central, Ashfield and then Museum Railway Stations. 'The last image we have located so far was captured as Nicole exited Museum Railway Station just before 9.15pm on the Sunday. 'We've been liaising with her family, who last had contact with Nicole on 28 September, when she sent a photo taken at Maroubra. He said police did not yet know the exact cause of her death, but confirmed her injuries were consistent with assault, stating 'she was bound with her hands tied in front of her body.' 'Of particular interest to us is any sightings or contact with Nicole after that time, and we are appealing for those people to contact us as soon as possible.' Ms Cartwright's body was found at a playground (pictured) on September 30. Her hands were tied together, her body had been wrapped in a blanket and she had severe injuries to her head She lived with her parents in Lansvale, in the city's south-west and had a wide circle of friends, according to police Ms Cartwright's devastated brother Ben shared an emotional message after Ms Cartwright's death was confirmed. 'Rest in peace my little sister. I love you with my all,' he said. 'It is with very sad and heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved daughter, sister and friend Nicole Cartwright has sadly passed away,' he posted to Facebook. 'Thank you for all the love and support we have received from family and friends over the last few days.' His wife Jackie also made an emotional post vowing her sister-in-law would not be forgotten. 'RIP to my beautiful sister in law. We miss you so much and you'll never be forgotten,' she wrote alongside a series of photos on Instagram. Ms Cartwright's sister-in-law Jackie made an emotional post (pictured) vowing her sister-in-law would not be forgotten Her devastated brother Ben shared an emotional message after his sister's death was confirmed The body had been partially concealed under a dark-coloured cloth, but beneath the covering Ms Cartwright (pictured) was suffering severe injuries to her head Police confirmed Ms Cartwright did not own a car leading her to rely on public transport around Sydney. Detective Superintendent Cook said police were unsure when her body was dumped at the park. 'At the time she was located she was wearing a dark jacket with a hood and a black and white dress with long black pants underneath. She also had a pair of black boots on and a purple collar,' he said. They are also hoping to speak to anyone who drove past Buffalo Creek Reserve with a dashcam in order to find out when Ms Cartwright's body was dumped at the park. 'We've been liaising with her family, who last had contact with Nicole on 28 September, when she sent a photo taken at Maroubra,' Det Supt Cook said. 'The last image we have located so far was captured as Nicole exited Museum Railway Station just before 9.15pm on the Sunday. 'She wasn't really missing she lived here but it wasn't unusual for her to leave for a week or so,' Ms Cartwright's father Terry told The Australian Investigators believe Nicole's body was dumped either late on the Tuesday night or very early hours of Wednesday morning 'Of particular interest to us is any sightings or contact with Nicole after that time, and we are appealing for those people to contact us as soon as possible.' Investigators believe Nicole's body was dumped at Buffalo Creek Reserve either late on the Tuesday night or very early hours of Wednesday morning. 'While it is most likely her body was brought to the area under darkness, we are still urging motorists with dashcam and travelling in that area at that time to provide us copies of their footage,' Det Supt Cook said. The body had been partially concealed under a dark-coloured cloth, but beneath the covering Ms Cartwright was semi-naked. She also had massive injuries to her head, and her body was hidden with leaves. Shocked neighbours told Daily Mail Australia the incident was out of character for the quiet area, in the exclusive Sydney suburb. Detectives from the homicide squad are investigating Ms Cartwright's death 'It's devastating because it's such a quiet little area,' the local said. 'Every weekend that park is packed full of kids playing and families having barbecues, it's a lovely spot normally. 'A council worker comes and opens the gates at sunrise and closes them at sunset, and I believe he found the body.' The park is popular with local families in the area and it features a newly-renovated playground. Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Nothing says holiday like skipping Australian Spring and heading overseas for an early taste of Summer. Jetstar is offering cheap flights to several favourite Australian holiday destinations such as Bali for just $129 and Hawaii from just $249. The discount airline is also offering ridiculously cheap flights within Australia such to various holiday spots. Jetsetters from Sydney can head to Ballina Byron for a measly $45. Jetstar is offering cheap flights to several favourite Australian holiday destinations such as Bali for just $129 and Hawaii from just $249 Jetstar is offering the 'Beach Discovery' fares between November 2018 and August 2019, or until sold out The airline is also offering flights to other national hotspots such as Brisbane to Whitsunday Coast from $57, Adelaide to Gold Coast from $82, Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast from $79 and many more. Jetstar is offering the 'Beach Discovery' fares between November 2018 and August 2019, or until sold out. Mid-December to mid-January offers are ruled out but that should not stop you from going on that holiday you deserve. The airline is also offering other national hotspots such as Brisbane to Whitsunday Coast from $57, Adelaide to Gold Coast from $82 (pictured Gold Coast) To add to the cheap offers, Booking.com has shared the best times to travel so you could save almost 60 per cent on luxury hotels. If you're headed to Seminyak, Bali, you could save 59 per cent compared to peak travel season toward the end of January. In Kuta, Bali, you get the most out of hotel accommodation savings in the third week of February where prices are 45 per cent cheaper. In Honolulu, Hawaii, a 40 per cent cheaper price tag is also available in the third week of February. The most affordable time to head to the Gold Coast, is the first week of June with prices 50 per cent cheaper. The sale starts on Thursday so if you're looking for a holiday, book now. Terms and conditions apply and deals are subject to availability. Waffle House that usually stays open through extreme weather events has closed 30 stores as Hurricane Michael lashes Florida and eyes up Georgia. Waffle House closed 22 restaurants in Florida and eight in Georgia as of Wednesday evening after Hurricane Michael made landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast on Wednesday. The chain, whose restaurants are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, is famous for staying open during many natural disasters. Waffle House (pictured) has closed 22 stores in Florida because of Hurricane Michael One twitter user posted pictures of a branch in Panama City which was deserted Wednesday Because of this, it has become an unofficial way for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to track the severity of a natural disaster. If a Waffle House closes, it suggests the event was bad enough to potentially have devastating effects on the economy. FEMA internally uses an unofficial 'Waffle House Index' to track potentially dangerous events. If a Waffle House store is open and offering a full menu, the index is green,' according to the FEMA. If it is open but serving from a limited menu, it's yellow. When the location has been forced to close, the index is red. The code doesn't just show FEMA how quickly a business might rebound, but it also shows it how the larger community is doing. Waffle House management urged all patrons and the public to take care during the storm The sooner restaurants, grocery and corner stores, or banks can re-open, the sooner local economies will start generating revenue again - signaling a stronger recovery for that community, FEMA said in a previous blog post. Pat Warner, director of public relations at Waffle House, said that the company will wait until the storm passes to see how bad the damage is and then decide which stores can be reopened. Waffle House closed 20 stores during Hurricane Florence, which hit the East Coast in September and 90 during Hurricane Irma last year. The Waffle House Index has three, color-coded levels: Green means the restaurant is open and serving a full menu. A yellow code indicates it is open but serving from a limited menu, and red indicates the restaurant has been forced to close and the area is likely in need of serious assistance. And the restaurant chain takes its role very seriously. In September, it activated its 'Storm Center' to monitor Hurricane Florence. If we are open quickly after the storm, that means the community is coming back and folks are out, we are getting back to that sense of normalcy,' Waffle House spokesman Pat Warner told CNN in September. After a storm, theyre really looking to us to be there to help them out because theyre used to us being there the rest of the year. The Australian Federal Police has raided the Department of Home Affairs office in the wake of Peter Dutton's au pair saga. Federal officers swarmed the department's headquarters in Canberra just before 11am on Thursday. Investigators remain inside the building and are reportedly searching personal devices in relation to potential leaks made against Mr Dutton. 'My assessment is that the department did an internal IT audit and found some information the AFP is executing a cooperative warrant to get the evidence to continue its investigation and prosecution,' a source told The Guardian. Scroll down for video The Australian Federal Police raided the Department of Home Affairs office in the wake of Peter Dutton's au pair saga The saga surrounds visas the former Home Affairs minister granted to two European nannies in 2015, including Alexandra Deuwel (pictured) The AFP told Daily Mail Australia it received a referral from the department in August regarding 'an unauthorised disclosure of information'. 'The matter has been accepted for investigation... The AFP has undertaken enquiries and conducted a number of activities in relation to this investigation,' a spokesman said. 'As this investigation is ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further.' The saga surrounds visas the former Home Affairs Minister granted to two European nannies in 2015. Leaked documents showed Gillon McLachlan, directed the AFL's head of government relations and to forward an email from his cousin to Mr Dutton's chief-of-staff Alexandra Deuwel was detained at Adelaide airport in October 2015 after admitting she intended to work in breach of her tourist visa for grazier Callum MacLachlan, AFL boss Gillon McLachlan's second cousin. Leaked documents showed Mr MacLachlan contacted Gillon McLachlan, who directed the AFL's head of government relations and former Liberal staffer Jude Donnelly to forward an email from his cousin to Mr Dutton's chief-of-staff. A parliamentary inquiry in September heard the leaking of emails, which showed Mr Dutton overruled the advice of border authorities to allow the French au pair into the country, had been referred the AFP to investigate. Mr Dutton has also faced questions over a second au pair he saved from deportation, an Italian woman who was apparently planning to work for a former Queensland police colleague. Ms Deuwel admitted she intended to work in breach of her tourist visa for grazier Callum MacLachlan, the second cousin of AFL boss Gillon McLachlan (pictured) Mr Dutton has also faced questions over a second au pair he saved from deportation, Italian woman Michela Marchisio Labor justice spokeswoman Clare O'Neil said Mr Dutton himself had serious questions to answer over the au pair issue. 'He told us that he didn't have any connection with the two families for whom he gave an au pair arrangement and we know that that ultimately wasn't the case,' she said. 'What I don't want to see here is... the Home Affairs Minister taking action against people who are divulging information that's probably in the public interest, when it's him that has a case to answer.' Comment is being sought from Mr Dutton's office. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing in both cases, saying he had no personal link to anyone involved. Ms Deuwel (pictured) was detained at Adelaide airport in October 2015 after admitting she intended to work in breach of her tourist visa On May 23, Claudia Patricia Gomez Gonzalez, a 20-year-old Guatemalan immigrant, was shot dead by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Rio Bravo, Texas The United States government is close to deporting three illegal aliens who were at the scene of a shooting by a Border Patrol agent which killed a young Guatemalan woman in May. The three men - ages 18, 19, and 21 - have informed the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the FBI that they wish to return to their native Guatemala. At an immigration court hearing scheduled for Monday, they are expected to end their efforts to stay in the U.S., a Guatemalan diplomat told BuzzFeed News. On May 23, Claudia Patricia Gomez Gonzalez, a 20-year-old Guatemalan immigrant, was shot dead by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Rio Bravo, Texas. She died after an unnamed agent came across her and three others whom he suspected had entered the country illegally. As he tried to take the group into custody they reportedly charged at him and tried to attack him 'using blunt objects', Customs and Border Protection said in a statement the day after the shooting. While two of the men told investigators that they did not see the shooting, a third who claims to have witnessed the shooting disputes the Border Patrol agents claim that Gomez Gonzalez attacked him. So far, the FBI and the Texas Rangers, the two agencies that are investigating the shooting, have yet to provide any official explanation as to what happened. If the three men are deported, it is unclear how it would affect the ongoing investigation. A video shows agents performing CPR on Gomez directly after the shot was fired. The woman taking the video can be heard yelling 'Why did you shoot the girl? You killed her!' in Spanish Gomez Gonzalez crossed the border into Rio Bravo after a 15-day journey that began in Guatemala and meandered through Mexico. An FBI agent who interviewed the Border Patrolman who fatally shot Gomez Gonzalez said that she attacked him with a stick, causing him to fire a bullet in self-defense. But cell phone footage of the shootings aftermath and conflicting statements by Customs and Border Protection sowed doubt in the minds of many. CBP said the agent, who had been on the force for 15 years, was allegedly assaulted and rushed by the migrants who entered the country illegally. According to the agent, the group ignored his verbal commands [to get on the ground] and instead rushed him, the statement read. The initial statement indicated that the group had blunt objects which they used to try and assault the agent. But another statement released two days later made no mention of any blunt objects. In the first statement, Gomez Gonzalez was described as one of the assailants. In the second statement, she was merely a member of a group that was being pursued by Border Patrol. Lidia Gonzalez and Gilberto Gomez look at the body of their daughter Claudia Gomez Gonzalez after her body was repatriated to Guatemala, at La Aurora international airport in Guatemala City on May 31 Tekandi Paniagua, a Guatemalan diplomat who serves as consul general in Del Rio, Texas, said the three men denied the claims that they attacked the agent before he shot Gomez Gonzalez. The three men, who have been in jail since the incident, told federal authorities that they wish to return home and no longer seek legal resident status in the U.S. Paniagua said the three men are innocent in nature who became ensnared in a criminal investigation at a time when border crossings have become a sensitive political issue in the U.S. The Texas Department of Public Safety, which oversees the Texas Rangers, and the FBI both declined comment. The Border Patrol said that the 15-year veteran agent involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave. The altercation with Border Patrol was witnessed by a local resident named Marta Martinez, who started filming directly after the shot was fired. A seven-minute video shows agents performing CPR on Gomez as Martinez yells 'Why did you shoot the girl? You killed her!' in Spanish from behind the camera. Martinez told local news station KENS that the woman's face was covered in blood, but claimed that the agent said he didn't kill her. 'I felt very angry, I don't know if I wanted to cry because what I was seeing, but I didn't think it was right what they did,' she said. Martinez told The New York Times that as the officer escorted the remaining three men away in custody, she heard him say: 'See what happens? This is what happens with you people.' A former Bega Cheese boss and convicted paedophile, known as the 'Big Cheese', is facing new sex crime charges after more accusers came forward. Maurice Van Ryn, 63, was jailed for at least 13 years in 2015 after pleading guilty to assault offences of nine children between the ages of eight and 16 between 2003 and 2014. He is facing three counts of aggravated sexual intercourse with a person aged between 14 and 16, two counts of sexual intercourse without consent, and one count of indecent assault of a person under the age of 16 between 2010 and 2011. The new charges are for alleged crimes that reportedly occurred between 2010 and 2011, the Daily Telegraph reported. The former Bega Cheese boss and convicted paedophile, Maurice Van Ryn (pictured), known as the 'big cheese' is facing new sex crime charges after more alleged victims come forward The 63-year-old (pictured, left) was jailed for at least 13 years in 2015 after pleading guilty to assault offences of nine children between the ages of eight and 16 between 2003 and 2014 The former millionaire is due to face Bega Local Court in south-east New South Wales, on October 23. The families of the Van Ryn's victims have thrown their support behind his new accusers. 'We do stand in full support of the individuals who have had the courage to go to the police and make a report,' a spokesman for the families said. Mr Van Ryn previously pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault, five of indecency and one count of assault with indecency. The fresh allegations are understood to have taken place between 2010 and 2011 The former millionaire and disgraced sex offender is due to face Bega Local Court, south-east New South Wales, on October 23 He also pleaded guilty to a charge of persistent sexual abuse of a child, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. The paedophile was undertaking 'chemical castration' treatment regularly to address his urges and reduce his libido, his defence counsel Steven Hodges said in 2014. Mr Van Ryn was CEO of Bega Cheese and held a number of board positions on companies including an investment bank and a medical firm. The pilot operating a United Airlines flight en route to New Jersey was forced to make an emergency landing in Florida Wednesday afternoon following a sudden engine explosion. One passenger aboard the United Flight 2397, Cliff Maloney, shared news about the scare in a tweet shortly after the incident. 'Life is so damn precious. Just had an engine EXPLOSION and EMERGENCY landing on my @united flight from Fort Myers to Newark,' Maloney wrote in the tweet. Maloney, who is the president of student organization Young Americans for Liberty, snapped a selfie next to the pilot, who he dubbed a 'hero'. United Flight 2397 made an emergency landing at the Southwest Florida International Airport Wednesday afternoon after a small engine explosion One passenger aboard the United Flight 2397, Cliff Maloney, (pictured right with the pilot) shared news about the scare in a tweet shortly after the incident 'This guy, with 1 engine without power, brought us down safely,' he added in the viral tweet. The passenger told USA Today the small explosion, a result of a mechanical issue that is currently being investigated, happened just 10 minutes into the air. The 79 passengers aboard the plane initially heard a 'loud banging noise' that came from a second row seat. Moments later, the pilot said over the intercom: "'Ladies and gentleman, we've had engine failure." Words you never want to hear,'" Maloney told USA Today. 'Life is so damn precious. Just had an engine EXPLOSION and EMERGENCY landing on my @united flight from Fort Myers to Newark,' Maloney wrote in the tweet The pilot managed to keep calm as he told the passengers to listen to the orders of attendants. 'The landing was great... I hate to be the fanboy who takes a selfie with him, but I've got to remember this moment,' Maloney said of the pilot. The plane safely landed back to the Southwest Florida International Airport around 1pm. It took off roughly 45 minutes prior. Passengers were then rebooked on another flight back to Newark. United Airlines Spokesman Charles Hobart said in a statement the engine is currently being inspected. The spokesman did not identify the pilot. Surgery on conjoined twins Nima and Dawa has been delayed as the girls are given extra nutritional support before their life-changing separation. Paediatric surgeon Joe Crameri had given the green light for the surgery to go ahead this Friday but it has now been postponed. The Royal Children's Hospital medical team overseeing the 14-month-old sisters said they had responded well to treatment but an extra period of nutrition support would place them in optimal health before the planned surgery. Scroll down for video Nima and Dawa (pictured with mum Bhumchu Zangmo) who were born by caesarean section on July 13 last year are believed to be Bhutan's first recorded conjoined twins The team, which has been closely monitoring the girls since their arrival nine days ago, said surgery would likely go head in coming weeks. 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 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. Earlier this week paediatric surgeon Joe Crameri gave the green light for the surgery to go ahead this Friday, but that has been postponed 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 Advertisement An expectant couple recreated one of the most famous movie scenes of all time when the mom-to-be gave birth to an alien in a bizarre Halloween photo shoot. Todd and Nicole Cameron, from British Columbia, Canada, are big fans of the Halloween season and told how they love an excuse to dress up and have fun. So when it came to their maternity shoot, the couple decided they wanted an unconventional photo shoot to celebrate their impending arrival. The quirky couple also wanted to choose a shoot which reflected their dark sense of humor and love of Halloween. The alternative photo shoot started off routinely enough with pictures of doting parents-to-be Todd and Nicole Cameron The chose a pumpkin patch as the location for their maternity shoot to share news of their impending arrival with loved-ones The sequence of action shots follows Nicole's pregnancy 'journey' and soon things start to appear not quite as they may seem Nicole soon begins to go into labor in the pumpkin patch with a concerned Todd trying to support her for her big 'delivery' The shoot itself was taken in a autumnal pumpkin patch, and starts off in a fairly normal fashion. The couple pose together under an umbrella and Todd leans down to lovingly kiss Nicoles bump. However, the shoot quickly takes a gory and bloody twist. Drawing from the famous scene in Alien, Nicole can be seen lying on the ground as an alien bursts from her stomach in a bloody eruption. Todd is then pictured chasing the gruesome alien baby as it scurries away across the pumpkin patch. The parents are subsequently seen cradling their monster child in a blanket, beaming at each other with pride. And attention to detail certainly wasnt lacking for the shoot, with the alien even sucking on a miniature dummy. There is cause for concern as Nicole starts to bleed heavily with an oddly shaped 'creature' protruding from her stomach Soon enough, a gruesome 'Alien baby' protudes from her stomach with the expectant father soaked in blood in this scene Todd can be seeing chasing after the alien baby through the pumpkin patch field in this quintessentially spooky image Todd told Bored Panda: 'I had recently found an Aliens Chestburster model at a garage sale and after putting it together and painting it, the idea for this shoot came to me. 'I had an idea for the general story and props needed, including carving the alien pod pumpkin and Nicole took care of finding our out there wardrobe. He added: We actually first met at Halloween, we always hand-make elaborate costumes and we go all out on Halloween decorations at our house, so this was really just a fun way to celebrate who we are while passing on a few smiles and laughs in the process. 'The photo shoot took about an hour and, though chilly and muddy on the pumpkin patch, it was so much fun. We just kept laughing at the absurdity of it and hoping the employees of the farm wouldnt drive by to see us covered in blood.' The delivery may not have gone smoothy, but nevertheless the new parents seemed to fall in love with their new arrival The blood-soaked couple shared a kiss with their alien baby towards the end of the shoot -surrounded by pumpkins Todd can be seeing giving the alien a bottle of what appears to be blood when the creature wasn't sucking on his soother The last picture shows the new parents with their precious bundle in what was a drama-filled and unexpected photoshoot The Camerons recreated this iconic scene from the 1979 sci-fi horror movie Alien which was directed by Ridley Scott The photographs were taken by Li Carter, a local photographer from Nanaimo, British Columbia, and this isnt the first time she has captured special moments in the couples life in an eccentric manner. In a Facebook post with the accompanying pictures, Todd Cameron wrote: Well, you won't believe what happened yesterday DURING OUR MATERNITY SHOOT!!!' Li Carter's Instagram can be found here Harvey Weinstein may get one of his charges dropped after her personal logs from the time appeared to suggest the sex was consensual. Lucia Evans accused Weinstein of forcing her to perform oral sex on him inside his Tribeca office in 2004. But one of her former employers has now turned over some personal messages she left on her company computer, a law enforcement source said. 'The writings indicate it was consensual, friendly,' a source told The New York Post. 'It has caused a split [in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office], some believe the charges should be dropped and that there's a problem [with this complainant].' So far, Manhattan prosecutors have not dropped Evans from the case. However, the source revealed there had been some internal debate whether or not to keep her claims as part of the prosecution. Harvey Weinstein may soon be facing only five charges in his upcoming criminal trial after Lucia Evans' personal log reportedly contradicted her story More than 80 women have come forward to accuse the disgraced Miramax producer of sexual assault, abuse and harassment since the Cotber 2017 bombshell New Yorker article which listed claims by dozens of women. But the prosecution's case against Weinstein rests on just three women; Evans and two others whose have orders of protection that prohibits Weinstein and the defense from revealing their identities. Nearly all the other cases are passed the statute of limitations. Evans spoke about her decision to come forward in an interview with The New Yorker earlier this year, saying: 'At a certain point, you have to think about the greater good of humanity, of womankind.' Evans' credibility was also undermined in another damning report, which revealed that the NYPD's lead investigator on the case failed to turn over statements from a casting director claiming the actress had performed the sex act to score an acting gig. 'The casting witness is a problem, but that is still 'he said, she said.' It's harder to explain away her own words,' a source said. That casting director was not named, and the story did not identify which of the two lead detectives on the case, Sgt. Keri Thompson or Det. Nicholas DiGaudio, had withheld information. 'My client has sacrificed everything for her day in court to hold Harvey Weinstein responsible for sexual assault,' said Evans' lawyer Carrie Goldberg. 'Getting to the truth is the very purpose of trials. And we have utmost confidence that her testimony and supporting evidence will prove his guilt.' It was further claimed that the detective was under investigation for witness tampering as a result of this action, though it is unclear how the unnamed individual might be charged with that offense. In a statement to DailyMail.com, Deputy Commissioner Public Information Phillip Walzak said: 'The NYPD, working with its partner DANY, is fully confident in the overall case it has pursued against Mr. Weinstein. The evidence shows that the criminal case against him is strong. The NYPD will continue to assist the prosecution any way it can to ensure justice is achieved for these brave survivors.' Harvey Weinstein (L) arrives for a court appearance with attorney Benjamin Brafman at Manhattan Criminal Court on July 9, 2018 Manhattan Supreme Court Justice James Burke is expected to rule on whether to dismiss Evan's accusations - which is count five of the indictment. He will also decide whether or not to lift the protective orders on the other women. Weinsteins lawyer, Ben Brafman argues that charges against his client should be dismissed because prosecutors hid the fact that he had a 'long-term, consensual' relationship with one of the accusers. The unnamed woman exchanged 400 emails during the 'weeks and years after the alleged rape,' court papers state. 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 They include a February 2017 email, sent around four years after the alleged sex attack. In it, the woman told Weinstein: 'I love you, always do. But I hate feeling like a booty call. :)' The prosecution argued that the emails did not prove the rape did not occur. Five additional woman have filed pre-claims accusing Harvey Weinstein of rape and sexual assault, citing official court documents. Meanwhile, one of Weinstein's most vocal accusers, Asia Argento, also had her credibilty questioned after she was accused of sexually assaulting actor and musician Jimmy Bennett in 2013. Evans, who was one of the first accusers to go public, has alleged that Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him back in 2004 after luring her to his office under the false guise of meeting a casting director. She is also the only one of the three women in the criminal case against Weinstein who has identified herself, with the other two women having orders of protection that prohibits Weinstein and the defense from revealing their identities. Evans spoke about her decision to come forward in an interview with The New Yorker earlier this year, saying: 'At a certain point, you have to think about the greater good of humanity, of womankind.' The criminal charges mark the culmination of an almost year-long investigation by NYPD and the Manhattan DA, who both released statements back in May after Weinstein was booked and charged in court. 'Today, at the NYPD's 1st Precinct, Harvey Weinstein was arrested, processed and charged with rape, criminal sex act, sex abuse and sexual misconduct for incidents involving two separate women,' said the NYPD in a statement. 'The NYPD thanks these brave survivors for their courage to come forward and seek justice. The arrest and ensuing charges are the result of a joint investigation between the NYPD and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.' Vance also released a statement that day, saying: ''Today's charges reflect significant progress in this active, ongoing investigation. 'I thank the brave survivors who have come forward, and my Office's prosecutors who have worked tirelessly on this investigation. I would also like to thank Commissioner James O'Neill and our dedicated partners at the NYPD.' A man who set himself on fire in protest over long wait times at a Melbourne bank has pleaded guilty to 11 charges. Nur Islam, 22, originally faced 108 charges for his arson attack at the Commonwealth Bank in Springvale, but successful negotiation by his lawyer saw 97 of these dropped. Islam injured 26 people in his stunt in November 2016, and appeared in Victoria County Court via video-link today because of his long-term injuries from his burns. Scroll down for video A man who set himself on fire in protest over long wait times at Springvale Commonwealth Bank in Melbourne has pleaded guilty to 11 charges He has now pleaded guilty to 11 charges which include four counts of arson with the intent to endanger life, the Herald Sun reports. In November 2016, Islam, sick of waiting for service at a suburban Melbourne bank, started a fire which destroyed the branch and burned staff and customers. Islam poured petrol in the doorway of the Commonwealth Bank at Springvale before lighting it, causing a large fire and creating 'pandemonium' as customers and staff stampeded to escape, Melbourne Magistrates Court was told last month. Lawyer Barnaby Johnston said his client admitted setting fire to the bank but never intended to hurt anyone. Nur Islam,22, appeared in Victoria County Court (pictured) via video-link today as he suffered severe burns in the incident rendering him unable to travel Islam originally faced 108 charges but successful negotiation saw 97 of these dropped Subsequently Islam pleaded not guilty to 33 of the charges of intentionally causing injury and serious injury. Dozens of people were treated for burns after the blaze, police say. A DVD was played to the court made up of footage from five CCTV cameras inside the bank, where terrified patrons can be seen running away from fireballs. However, Mr Johnston said close examination of the footage showed Islam pouring petrol onto the floor, stepping in the centre of the puddle and appearing to have 'deliberately lit himself'. Islam poured petrol in the doorway of the Commonwealth Bank at Springvale before lighting it, causing a large fire and creating 'pandemonium' as customers and staff stampeded to escape Dozens of people were treated for burns and damage to the bank amounted to $2.5 million 'He suffered the most significant and catastrophic injuries as a result of this incident,' the lawyer said, adding that Islam then spent four months in hospital with burns to 60 per cent of his body. He said Islam thought: 'I don't want to hurt other people'. The court was told the bank was destroyed, causing $2.5 million worth of damage, rounded up to $3 million including GST. It is alleged the 'unlawful non-citizen' from Myanmar had intended to withdraw the balance of his account - $442 - but became angry at the length of time he had to wait. Police claim he walked to a nearby service station, buying 11.33 litres of fuel for $14.71. It is alleged he then returned to the bank, pouring the petrol in a trail from the ATMs into the bank's interior before retrieving a cigarette lighter from his pocket and igniting the fuel. A woman was bumped from the deadly Dreamworld ride over a decade before the deaths of four people on the same ride, a court has heard. The earlier incident was revealed at the Southport Coroner's Court as part of the inquest into the deaths of four people on the Thunder Rapids ride at Dreamworld, in 2016. On Thursday, former safety officer Rebecca Ramsey, who is a registered nurse, told the inquest she had not been made aware of previous incidents on the 30-year-old ride. The inquest into the deaths of four people at Dreamworld (pictured) in 2016 has revealed a safety incident occurred more than a decade earlier on the same ride Ms Ramsey, who undertook risk assessments at the park, agreed it would have been beneficial to have been provided with that information. Ms Ramsey was among several first aid officers to respond to the 2016 tragedy. She also told the inquest she felt budgetary concerns affected her plans to provide training to staff. Ms Ramsey said she'd repeatedly discussed the issue with management but never got a clear response. 'It was all a ''we'll wait and see'' conversation,' she said. When asked by barrister Matthew Hickey, representing the family of victim Cindy Low, if she felt she was being "fobbed off" she replied: 'Yes''. Ms Low, Kate Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett and his partner Roozi Araghi all died when the Thunder River Rapids ride malfunctioned on October 2016, flipping a raft they were in. Ms Ramsey was among several first aid officers to respond to the 2016 tragedy. When asked what she felt could have been done better on the day, Ms Ramsey said the activation of an alarm by a ride operator may have prompted a swifter response. 'If the alarm had have been sounded by the operator then we may have had a more wider response, then more people would have been there sooner,' she said. The earlier incident was revealed at the Southport Coroner's Court as part of the inquest into the deaths of four people on the Thunder Rapids ride at Dreamworld (pictured), in 2016 Earlier, the inquest heard lawyers for Dreamworld's parent company Ardent Leisure had produced more than 1,000 documents on Monday as the inquest reopened. The documents are still being examined by counsel assisting the coroner, and may force the postponement of evidence from Dreamworld staffer Andrew Fyfe, scheduled for Friday. Barrister Bruce Hodgkinson, for Ardent, apologised for the late production of the documents but said his team was constantly going through company records to locate evidence. 'We have had four people full-time going through materials. There are 600,000 emails,' Mr Hodgkinson said. Four people died when the Thunder River Rapids ride (pictured) malfunctioned on October 2016, flipping a raft they were in Ms Ramsey is one of four former park employees who have engaged Shine Lawyers to sue Dreamworld for psychological injuries suffered on the day of the tragedy. Before the inquest resumed, counsel assisting Ken Fleming QC apologised for accusing Shine Lawyers of compromising witness evidence by publicising the details of the lawsuits. Mr Fleming insists however it would have been better for the firm to wait until the inquest was over before making the announcement. A two-year-old boy is fighting for his life in a serious condition after being run over by a reversing car in a driveway. The toddler was airlifted to hospital following the accident at Rochester, 180km north of Melbourne, early on Thursday afternoon. The reversing accident on Hopetoun Street left the 'preschool-aged' boy with suspected leg and abdominal injuries, an Ambulance Victoria spokesman said. A two-year-old boy is fighting for his life in a serious condition after being run over by a reversing car in a driveway (stock image) 'He is in a serious condition,' he told Daily Mail Australia today. A Victoria Police spokeswoman said it appeared a reversing vehicle had struck him at 12.30pm. 'The circumstances surrounding the incident are yet to be established,' she said. The boy was initially taken to Rochester Hospital before he was airlifted to The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. President Donald Trump defended his decision on Wednesday to leave the White House and stage a campaign rally in Pennsylvania even as the Florida Panhandle was being decimated by Hurricane Michael. This was set up a long time ago, Trump said of the rally in Erie. We had thousands of people lined up from yesterday. They were lined up for 24 hours. If I didnt go, they would also criticize. If I didnt go that would have been the wrong thing, too, the president told Fox News late Wednesday. President Donald Trump defended his decision on Wednesday to leave the White House and stage a campaign rally in Pennsylvania even as the Florida Panhandle was being decimated by Hurricane Michael After the rally, the president phoned in to Fox News and was interviewed on the air by host Shannon Bream The decision to go to the rally stands in sharp contrast to Trumps criticism of then-President Barack Obama. In 2012, a week after Hurricane Sandy hit the New York area, Obama appeared at a campaign rally alongside Jay-Z and Bruce Springsteen in Ohio on the eve of the presidential election. Trump said that he he had everything set up on Air Force One so that he was in contact with the governors of Florida, Alabama, and Georgia. Hurricane Michael, the fiercest storm to hit Florida in a quarter century, was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Wednesday, adding it is expected to weaken further to a tropical storm by Thursday morning as it crosses the southeastern United States. Michael is moving across southwestern Georgia with damaging winds across the central and eastern Panhandle of Florida as well as southwestern and south-central Georgia, with storm flooding still occurring along the Gulf Coast, the NHC said. Michael, located about 20 miles southwest of Albany, Georgia and packing maximum sustained winds of 90 miles per hour, is forecast to become post-tropical cyclone on Friday, the Miami-based weather forecaster said. At least one man has been killed after a tree crashed through the roof of his Greenboro home and trapped him. Emergency crews were heading to the home, but downed power lines and blocked roads were making the trip difficult. Hurricane Michael, the fiercest storm to hit Florida in a quarter century, was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Wednesday. The hurricane made landfall in Crawfordville, Florida (above) on Wednesday Officials hadn't immediately confirmed the man's name. As Hurricane Michael pounded Florida on Wednesday, Trump took shelter at the campaign event, where he sought to boost Republicans before the midterms. Trump acknowledged the hurricane at the top of his rally in Erie, offering his thoughts and prayers to those in the storm's path and promising to spare no effort in the response. He promised to travel to Florida very shortly. He added: We will always pull through. ... We will always be successful at what we do. Then Trump turned back to politics. His Pennsylvania rally was the latest stop on an all-out midterms blitz. With weeks to go before the November elections, Trump and his fellow Republicans have been invigorated by the successful nomination of Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court and are seeking to use the contentious moment to unify the GOP and stave off Democratic energy at the polls. That Trump kept his appointment in Erie underscored the importance of this effort to Republicans. Earlier in the day, Trump received a hurricane briefing at the White House on the Category 4 storm. He told reporters he faced a quagmire about whether to attend the Pennsylvania rally because thousands of people were already lined up for the event. The decision to go to the rally stands in sharp contrast to Trumps criticism of then-President Barack Obama (center). In 2012, a week after Hurricane Sandy hit the New York area, Obama appeared at a campaign rally alongside Jay-Z (left) and Bruce Springsteen (right) in Ohio Trump, who won Pennsylvania in 2016, touted Republican Reps Mike Kelly and Lou Barletta. Kelly is facing a challenge from Democrat Ron DiNicola, while Barletta is mounting an uphill campaign to unseat two-term Democratic Sen. Bob Casey. The president, who attended a fundraiser before the rally, also praised GOP gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner. After his comments about the hurricane, Trump pivoted to the midterms, celebrating Kavanaugh's appointment despite Democratic opposition and sexual misconduct allegations against him. Trump called it a historic week, saying, What the radical Democrats did to Brett Kavanaugh and his beautiful family is a national disgrace. For weeks Trump has been escalating his attacks on Democrats. He continued that effort Wednesday, claiming that Democrats want to impose socialism and take over and destroy American health care. He added: Democrats want to abolish America's borders and allow drugs and gangs to pour into our country. Trump also returned to one of his favorite themes - reliving his stunning 2016 victory. Was that the most exciting evening? he said to cheers. Trump also ticked through what he sees as his top achievements, including tax cuts and a new trade deal with Canada and Mexico. He talked about exiting the Iran nuclear deal and drew wild applause for mentioning his plans for a Space Force. Trump attacked Casey for opposing Kavanaugh's nomination, saying he had 'joined the left-wing mob.' He also accused Casey, named for his politician father, for banking on the name of his father. Trump's own father, Fred, was a successful real estate developer who set his son up in business. The New York Times recently reported that Donald Trump received at least $413 million from his father over the decades, much of that through dubious tax dodges, including outright fraud. What do you do when your beloved pet dog is stolen from you? In the case of Ashleigh Taylor, you travel 400km across Western Australia's Kimberley and spark an international social media campaign to get your pet back. The adorable red cattle dog named Flikr was curled up asleep in the back of Ms Taylor's Ute when the vehicle was stolen on Sunday night. The vehicle, taken from at Kimberleyland Caravan Park, about 20km north of Halls Creek, has since been recovered, but Flikr was nowhere to be seen. Scroll down for video Ms Taylor created a Facebook page to help spread the world of the missing dog, named 'Find Flikr' Ashleigh Taylor travelled 400km across Western Australia's Kimberley looking for Flikr (pictured are Ms Taylor and Flikr) The vehicle has since been recovered, however Flikr (pictured) was nowhere to be seen Ms Taylor and her friends drove 400km on Tuesday to look for the dog, but Ms Taylor came away with more heartbreak after only finding Flikr's bed. It is thought that the dog was let out of the car around 5km from Halls Creek in an area called Bonjor Bore. The Moola Bulla stationhand has since placed a trail of her clothes along the Great Northern Highway along with bowls of water in the hope that Flikr will recognise her scent and return home. The 22-year-old opened up to Daily Mail Australia about her heartbreak over Flikr's disappearance, saying that she viewed her dog as 'family'. Ms Taylor went on a two-year tour of Australia after finishing school, and her furry companion was with her every step of the way. 'Every night she's in my room, you know 7pm on the dot she jumps up on the bed and cuddles,' Ms Taylor said. Cattle dog Flikr was curled up asleep in the back of Ms Taylor's Ute when the vehicle was stolen about 20km north of Halls Creek on Sunday night Moola Bulla Station hand Ms Taylor and her friends drove 400km on Tuesday to look for the dog. However Ms Taylor came away with more heartbreak after only finding Flikr's bed 'She means everything to me. 'I can't even explain it, I'm utterly heartbroken over her being missing.' Ms Taylor created a Facebook page to help spread the world of the missing dog, named 'Find Flikr' which has attracted thousands of likes and follows and brought international attention to Ms Taylor's search. People from all over the world have used the power of social media to continue the campaign to locate the dog, with many using the hashtag 'FindFlikr'. One Facebook user from the United States commented on the Facebook page: 'Thinking of you...' and posts were shared from as far away as Africa. Social media users have shared photos of Flikr and offered messages of support and encouragement, and Ms Taylor is offering a $1,000 reward for the person who finds her dog. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush wasn't invited to his niece Barbara's surprise wedding at the weekend because the nuptials 'were kept secret', it has been reported. Former first lady Laura Bush said her brother-in-law Jeb didnt make the cut for the small-scale October 7 wedding in which her eldest daughter with former President George W. Bush married actor Craig Coyne. Well, I think Barbara just kept it a secret, plus so few people were invited, the former First Lady said at an event in Washington DC, according to the New York Post. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush (left) wasn't invited to his niece Laura's wedding, her mother Laura (right revealed) Proud father: A beaming George Bush walked Barbara down the aisle during the intimate ceremony that took place at the family's compound in Maine One brother who did make the cut was Marvin, seen with his wife Margaret. Their children, son Charles and daughter Marshall, were just behind their father. Dorothy's husband Bobby just behind Laura It was just our family and Craigs family. And we didnt invite Jeb, or Neil, or any of those Bushes. However Jeb and George's sister, Dorothy Bush Koch, was in attendance at the wedding as she served as the couples officiant. The 36-year-old bride chose the family home so her grandfather, former President George H.W. Bush, 94, could be there. Laura added: And so we had a wedding outside, looking at the ocean. And then we went in and had dinner at the dining room table, there were 20 of us at the dining room table. 'So it was just perfect. It was Barbara and Craig, her new husband who we like a lot. And his family and our family.' Twin sister Jenna Bush Hagers older daughter Mila was a flower girl, as was Coynes niece Emma. 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 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 Laura Bush also revealed that Poppy, Jenna Bush Hagers three-year-old daughter, played the part of ring bearer. She 'was very proud of being a ring bearer. Of course, the box was empty because they knew that she couldnt have the ring so Craig had it in his pocket,' Laura Bush described. 'So during the entire ceremony she walked around with the ring box,' Laura Bush said. 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 Bush family, including brother Jeb, pictured at George W. Bush's inauguration in 2001 The Bush family are seen in jovial spirits as President George W Bush was inaugurated in 2001 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'. Both of Barbara's nieces, five-year-old Mila and three-year-old Poppy, the daughters of Barbara's twin sister Jenna, participated in the ceremony as flower girls, with Poppy also acting as the ring bearer - and stealing the show in the process. 'Poppy realized that the box was empty so she ran to the front and she kept holding it open, like 'This is fake, this is fake,'' Jenna told her Today colleagues on Monday morning over the phone. 'And at one point we were all praying and Poppy ran and almost tackled Barbara and gave her a huge hug.' A family portrait of the entire Bush clan pictured at the White House in January 1989 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.' 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. Jeb Bush (pictured) was undoubtedly dismayed at being left out of the wedding guest party '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 George W. previously opened up about his daughter's discreet personality in a segment for Today that aired again on Monday to mark Barbara's nuptials. He recounted how Barbara and Jenna once joined their grandfather for a political rally in Texas around the age of three, and how the sisters' respective personalities were clearly showing even at such a young age. 'Barbara was an observer, Jenna was a participant. Barbara is more reserved and Jenna is pretty outgoing. It was a reflection of their little personalities,' he said. A bar is under fire for portraying a popular children's television character as an alcoholic. Takapuna Bar in Auckland, New Zealand, was slammed by locals for posting a sign out the front depicting Barney the Dinosaur as an 'alcoholic'. Parents have hit out at the bar, calling it 'disgusting' to market alcohol using a children's cartoon character. A New Zealand bar is under fire for advertising Barney the Dinosaur as an alcoholic (pictured) The chalk-painted sign shows a picture of the TV dinosaur, along with a parody version of the popular children's cartoon's jingle. 'I love booze. Booze loves me. Holy sh**t (sic) I have to pee. I'm so drunk I'm falling on the floor. Alcoholic dinosaur,' the sign reads. 'It's disgusting. A bar shouldn't be using a TV character children all identify with to encourage binge drinking and general alcoholism,' one parent told the New Zealand Herald. Another slammed the sign as 'inappropriate', questioning whether advertising alcoholism is moral at all. 'Not a good look or idea,' one punter commented on an Instagram photo of the sign. But others say the sign is just a bit of fun and people are taking it too seriously. The bar is notorious for similar advertisements, using Dory from Finding Nemo (left) and characters from popular cartoon Futurama (right) 'It's just funny, that's all. People need to lighten up a little. Your kid isn't going to end up an alcoholic because of a chalk drawing of a drunk Barney outside a pub,' one parent said. Another said it would encourage them to actually visit the bar, due to its comparable sense of humour. But the bar could be under legal scrutiny for the sign, as it toes the line for responsible alcohol advertising legislation. The Code for Advertising and Promotion of Alcohol states: 'alcohol advertising and promotions shall not be directed at minors nor have strong or evident appeal to minors in particular.' A bizarre cellphone clip that appeared to show an Indiana Little Caesars stocking up on frozen DiGiorno pizza was nothing but a misunderstanding, representatives for the chain have said. A viral video shared Saturday by a customer showed a woman as she stood behind the counter with a shopping cart filled with frozen pizza from the popular brand. The woman - who spoke with another employee - had the cart positioned in a way that suggested she would unload the frozen pizza. The customer said in the clip: 'This can't be happening right in front of me.' Little Caesars later confirmed that the chain was inside a Kmart - which would have explained why the woman had the cart of frozen pizza. The viral video was posted Saturday. It showed a woman behind the counter of an Indiana Little Caesars with a shopping cart filled with pizza from DiGiorno A representative from Little Caesars said this woman was a Kmart employee and that no Digornio pizza was made Upon further investigation, the representative explained to People that the woman next to the cart was an employee of Kmart. 'No DiGiorno pizzas were baked or served at this Little Caesars location,' the statement read. 'On that day, K-Mart received a few complaints from customers about having purchased expired DiGiorno pizzas from that location. 'Because it was so close to closing time, the K-Mart manager directed his employee to temporarily store them in a cooler adjacent to the Little Caesars location for disposal in the morning.' The video was even shared by model and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen, who advocated that that Little Caesars was the only one that she wanted to go to A spokesperson for the chain also said in a public statement: 'Of course, Little Caesars only serves freshly baked pizzas made from fresh dough. 'After some investigating, it turns out that what appeared in this video was a funny coincidence.' The video grew popular enough that model and cookbook author, Chrissy Teigen, remarked on the matter. Teigen advocated that that the Indiana Little Caesars was the only one she wanted to go to. DiGiorno enjoyed the free press, and engaged with Twitter users in the video's comment section. The brand also said on Twitter Sunday: 'We have no idea whats going on. All we know is that weve watched this no less than 128 times.' Fears are growing an Islamic State stronghold is emerging in Indonesia after 63 terror groups in the region pledged allegiance to the ISIS leader. Indonesian Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has warned lives could be lost unless action is not taken.. Mr Ryacudu is calling for the sharing of intelligence to be improved in order to protect the lives of civilians, The Australian reported. Countries in Southeast Asia responded last year after ISIS inspired terror groups attacked the Philippines city of Marawai (pictured, after the attacks), leaving more than 1000 innocent people dead Mr Ryamizard said 63 groups in Southeast Asia pledged allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (pictured) Mr Ryamizard scheduled a meeting with Australian Defence minister Christopher Pyne in Jakarta on Thursday. He urged Australia to support Asia's Five Eyes counter-intelligence initiative, called Our Eyes. Mr Ryamizard spoke to the public in Singapore last week, and states Our Eyes has the potential to 'grow and surpass' the Five Eyes intelligence initiative. He claimed the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Japan had agreed to join as regional partners, although it is unconfirmed whether there is a formal agreement. Mr Pyne said he hoped his visit to Indonesia would expand counter-terrorism co-operation between Jakarta and Canberra. 'The strategic environment also presents new opportunities for both countries to co-operate more,' he said. 'Militaries cannot defeat terrorism, but they can defeat terrorists. Australian and Indonesian military forces have provided support to law enforcement agencies domestically, and both have contributed to counter-terrorism efforts beyond their borders.' In his speech, Mr Ryamizard said that intelligence sharing between the United States and Southeast Asia lead to the halt of terror plots. Indonesian Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu has warned that an ISIS stronghold is emerging and fears lives could be lost US counter-terror operations foiled plots to fly drones filled with explosives into police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, carry out suicide attacks in the State Palace in Jakarta and fire a rocket at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Mr Ryamizard also said 63 groups in Southeast Asia pledged allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Countries in Southeast Asia responded last year after ISIS inspired terror groups attacked the Philippines city of Marawai, leaving more than 1,000 innocent people dead. When he spoke at the Southeast Asia Counter-Terrorism Symposium last week, Mr Ryamizard said Sulawesi in Indonesia was the original target. A high-risk sex offender is on the run after giving police the wrong address over a month ago. Victorian sex offender John Huggins was supposed to tell officers where he lives but gave them the wrong address and hasn't been seen since August. Huggins was put on the sex offender register in 2006 for an indecent act with a child under the age of 16 and has a history of not meeting his reporting requirements. Victorian sex offender John Huggins (pictured) has been on the run after giving police the wrong address over a month ago The 42-year-old homeless man previously spent two years in jail and was on the sex registry for eight years, according to News.com.au. Superintendent Lauren Callaway said Huggins has also been charged with offences related to weapons, violence, drugs and dishonesty. He is known to visit Melbourne's eastern and southeastern suburbs. Anyone who sees Huggins is urged to contact authorities immediately. President Donald Trump defended continuing huge sales of U.S. weapons to Saudi Arabia on Thursday despite rising pressure from lawmakers to punish the kingdom over the disappearance of a Saudi journalist who lived in the United States and is now feared dead. As senators pushed for sanctions under a human rights law and also questioned American support for the Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen, Trump appeared reluctant to rock the boat in a relationship that has been key to his strategy in the Middle East. He said withholding sales would hurt the U.S. economy. 'I don't like stopping massive amounts of money that's been pouring into our country. They are spending 110 billion on military equipment,' Trump said, referring to proposed sales announced in May 2017 when he went to Saudi Arabia in the first overseas trip of his presidency. He warned that the Saudis could instead buy from Russia or China. Trump maintained that the U.S. is being 'very tough' as it looks into the case of Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi leadership and a contributor to The Washington Post who has been missing since Oct. 2. He had entered a Saudi consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul to get marriage paperwork as his fiancee waited outside and hasn't been seen since. No go: 'I don't like stopping massive amounts of money that's been pouring into our country. They are spending 110 billion on military equipment,' Trump said as he rejected sanctions over the suspected state-ordered murder of Jamal Khashoggi at Saudi's Istanbul consulate Deal maker: Trump's son in law Jared Kushner struck up a close relationship with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Trump welcomed him to the Oval Office in March to discuss arms sales Turkish officials say they fear Saudi Arabia killed and dismembered Khashoggi but have offered no evidence beyond video footage of the journalist entering the consulate and the arrival in the country of what they describe as a 15-member Saudi team that allegedly targeted him. Saudi Arabia has denied the allegation as 'baseless.' In Istanbul, Turkish media said that Saudi royal guards, intelligence officers, soldiers and an autopsy expert had been part of the team flown in and targeting Khashoggi. Those reported details, along with comments from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, appeared aimed at gradually pressuring Saudi Arabia to reveal what happened while also balancing a need to maintain Saudi investments in Turkey and relations on other issues. Trump, questioned by reporters at the White House, said, 'If it turns out to be as bad as it might be, there are certainly other ways of handling this situation' besides canceling arms sales. He did not elaborate. He said earlier on 'Fox & Friends' that 'we have investigators over there and we're working with Turkey' and with Saudi Arabia on the case, but he provided no evidence or elaboration. Meanwhile, there was a clear and growing disconnect between many in Congress, who want tougher action, and the president. Even before Khashoggi's disappearance, lawmakers had soured on a Saudi government they view as having a high-handed attitude. Some have been incredulous at its denials of wrongdoing and contention it has no recorded video footage from the consulate showing Khashoggi, who had been living in self-exile in Virginia for the past year. 'There's a sense of entitlement, I hate to use the word, arrogance, that comes with dealing with them,' said Sen. Bob Corker, Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. 'Part of that may be that they have an incredibly close relationship with the administration.' Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy voiced doubt there would be support in Congress to approve another arms sale to Saudi Arabia - although lawmakers haven't blocked sales before. He also called for at least a temporary halt in U.S. military support for the Saudi bombing campaign against Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen. If Saudi Arabia is not telling the truth about Khashoggi, he told reporters, 'why would we believe them that they are not intentionally hitting civilians inside Yemen?' Murphy was among seven senators who wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday raising concerns over last month's certification that a Saudi-led coalition was taking actions to protect civilians despite what the lawmakers described as a dramatic increase in deaths. The Trump administration, however, is heavily invested in the long-standing, U.S. relationship with Riyadh. Secrets inside: A security guard checks on the entrance of Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul. Saudi royal guards, intelligence officers, soldiers and an autopsy expert were part of a 15-member team from the kingdom that targeted missing writer Jamal Khashoggi Eye of the storm: Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who posed inside his plane with journalists traveling with him from a state visit to Hungary, has stepped up pressure on Saudi Arabia for answers to what happened to Jamal Khashoggi It relies on Saudi support for its Middle East effort to counter Iranian influence and fight extremism. Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has cultivated close ties with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and was instrumental in last year's $110 billion arms package. Those associations could become a political liability if Prince Mohammed is implicated in Khashoggi's disappearance. The Washington Post, citing anonymous American officials it said were familiar with U.S. intelligence, said the crown prince had previously ordered an operation to lure Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia and detain him. The Associated Press could not confirm that report, but a U.S.-based friend of Khashoggi said the journalist had told him he had received a call from an adviser to the Saudi royal court in late May or early June urging him to return to his homeland. Khaled Saffuri said the adviser, Saud al-Qahtani, told Khashoggi 'that the crown prince wants him back and said you are our son, you are loyal, the crown prince would like you to come and be his adviser, stuff like that.' Saffuri said he asked Khashoggi if he would return. 'He said: 'Are you crazy? I don't trust him for a minute.'' In Turkey on Thursday, a spokesman for President Erdogan told the state-run Anadolu Agency that Turkey and Saudi Arabia would form a 'joint working group' to look into the journalist's disappearance. In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said that the Saudi ambassador to the U.S. was traveling to Saudi Arabia, and that the U.S. expects him to provide information about the Khashoggi case when he returns. She added that the U.S. had not requested the ambassador, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, to leave. A woman whose tied-up body was found dumped in a park three days after she was last seen had joined several fetish websites prior to her death. The body of Nicole Cartwright, 32, was discovered near a playground at Hunter's Hill, a suburb on Sydney's lower north shore, about 7.30am on Wednesday, October 3. A close friend of Ms Cartwright told Daily Mail Australia how the dead woman's social media posts had become 'increasingly dark' as she explored the sexual sites in the months leading up to her death. Scroll down for video Nicole Cartwright (pictured), whose tied-up body was found dumped in a Sydney park last week, had joined several fetish websites in the motnhs prior to her death 'She was posting a lot of pictures of herself in corsets and skimpy dresses,' the friend said. 'Her makeup got darker, her statuses got darker... we were talking and I think she was going through a really tough time. The friend said she reached out to check she was 'OK' when Ms Cartwright suddenly deleted all her social media and online accounts. 'We used to chat on Snapchat or Skype and all of a sudden everything was gone,' the friend said. 'She did begin to reach out sexually, as a lot of people do when they are struggling. 'We fear she's got involved with the wrong person.' It is understood the websites used by Ms Cartwright included Fetlife - a network for 'BDSM, fetish and kinky' - and Vanilla Umbrella - a dating app for 'open minded singles'. Ms Cartwright (pictured with a friend) had signed up to Fetlife - a network for 'BDSM, fetish and kinky' - and Vanilla Umbrella - a dating app for 'open minded singles' - in recent months Ms Cartwright was last seen at a Sydney CBD train station on September 30 (pictured). Three days later on October 3 her body was found near the Buffalo Creek Reserve kids playground Police sources confirmed to Daily Mail Australia they are probing Ms Cartwright's use of such websites in their hunt for her killer. It comes after homicide detectives released the last known footage of Ms Cartwright alive, walking through barriers at a CBD train station about 9.15pm on September 30. In the days prior to her body being discovered she had visited Maroubra beach in the eastern suburbs and sent selfies from the seaside to her family. She caught trains and buses across the city in the following days, appearing to be in good spirits in footage captured on CCTV. A council worker made the grim discovery of Ms Cartwright's body last Wednesday. The Hunter's Hill park is popular with local families in the area and contains a newly renovated playground NSW Police have released this still from CCTV footage of Ms Cartwright at a train station on September 30 Her hands were bound together, she was suffering severe head injuries and was wrapped in an orange blanket, while nearby there were drag marks 30 metres long. But despite having not returned to her parents' Lansvale home where she lived for a number of days, Ms Cartwright's father Terry told The Australian he and his wife did not think anything was 'off' until they saw a news report. 'She wasn't really missing she lived here but it wasn't unusual for her to leave for a week or so,' Mr Cartwright said. 'We heard the description report (on the news) and thought something was off.' Ms Cartwright's parents reported her missing after seeing news reports and just 24 hours later were told the devastating news by police. Ms Cartwright did not have a car and caught public transport regularly in the days leading up to her body being discovered CCTV footage shows Ms Cartwright using public transport just days before she disappeared NSW Homicide squad commander Scott Cook made a public plea for information on Wednesday. He also revealed that police were yet to locate Ms Cartwright's mobile phone, adding many aspects of her murder 'were unusual' 'Investigators have been able to place Nicole on buses and at various railway stations between 27 and 30 September, but we are seeking information from then until she was found,' Commander Cook said. 'We know that Nicole travelled by train from Bondi Junction to St Marys early on 29 September, and the following afternoon/evening, we have her at Strathfield, Central, Ashfield and then Museum Railway Stations. 'The last image we have located so far was captured as Nicole exited Museum Railway Station just before 9.15pm on the Sunday. 'We've been liaising with her family, who last had contact with Nicole on 28 September, when she sent a photo taken at Maroubra. He said police did not yet know the exact cause of her death, but confirmed her injuries were consistent with assault, stating 'she was bound with her hands tied in front of her body.' 'Of particular interest to us is any sightings or contact with Nicole after that time, and we are appealing for those people to contact us as soon as possible.' Ms Cartwright's body was found at a playground (pictured) on September 30. Her hands were tied together, her body had been wrapped in a blanket and she had severe injuries to her head She lived with her parents in Lansvale, in the city's south-west and had a wide circle of friends, according to police Ms Cartwright's devastated brother Ben shared an emotional message after Ms Cartwright's death was confirmed. 'Rest in peace my little sister. I love you with my all,' he said. 'It is with very sad and heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved daughter, sister and friend Nicole Cartwright has sadly passed away,' he posted to Facebook. 'Thank you for all the love and support we have received from family and friends over the last few days.' His wife Jackie also made an emotional post vowing her sister-in-law would not be forgotten. 'RIP to my beautiful sister in law. We miss you so much and you'll never be forgotten,' she wrote alongside a series of photos on Instagram. Ms Cartwright's sister-in-law Jackie made an emotional post (pictured) vowing her sister-in-law would not be forgotten Her devastated brother Ben shared an emotional message after his sister's death was confirmed The body had been partially concealed under a dark-coloured cloth, but beneath the covering Ms Cartwright (pictured) was suffering severe injuries to her head Police confirmed Ms Cartwright did not own a car leading her to rely on public transport around Sydney. Detective Superintendent Cook said police were unsure when her body was dumped at the park. 'At the time she was located she was wearing a dark jacket with a hood and a black and white dress with long black pants underneath. She also had a pair of black boots on and a purple collar,' he said. They are also hoping to speak to anyone who drove past Buffalo Creek Reserve with a dashcam in order to find out when Ms Cartwright's body was dumped at the park. 'We've been liaising with her family, who last had contact with Nicole on 28 September, when she sent a photo taken at Maroubra,' Det Supt Cook said. 'The last image we have located so far was captured as Nicole exited Museum Railway Station just before 9.15pm on the Sunday. 'She wasn't really missing she lived here but it wasn't unusual for her to leave for a week or so,' Ms Cartwright's father Terry told The Australian Investigators believe Nicole's body was dumped either late on the Tuesday night or very early hours of Wednesday morning 'Of particular interest to us is any sightings or contact with Nicole after that time, and we are appealing for those people to contact us as soon as possible.' Investigators believe Nicole's body was dumped at Buffalo Creek Reserve either late on the Tuesday night or very early hours of Wednesday morning. 'While it is most likely her body was brought to the area under darkness, we are still urging motorists with dashcam and travelling in that area at that time to provide us copies of their footage,' Det Supt Cook said. The body had been partially concealed under a dark-coloured cloth, but beneath the covering Ms Cartwright was semi-naked. She also had massive injuries to her head, and her body was hidden with leaves. Shocked neighbours told Daily Mail Australia the incident was out of character for the quiet area, in the exclusive Sydney suburb. Detectives from the homicide squad are investigating Ms Cartwright's death 'It's devastating because it's such a quiet little area,' the local said. 'Every weekend that park is packed full of kids playing and families having barbecues, it's a lovely spot normally. 'A council worker comes and opens the gates at sunrise and closes them at sunset, and I believe he found the body.' The park is popular with local families in the area and it features a newly-renovated playground. Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Esther McVey today admitted that some people will be worse off when the government's under-fire Universal Credit welfare reforms are rolled out next year. The Work and Pensions Secretary said some households would find themselves poorer because ministers had to make 'tough' spending decisions. But she tried to defend the hugely controversial welfare shake-up - insisting the most vulnerable will be protected. She reportedly told the Cabinet last week that millions of families, including half of all lone parents and two-thirds of working-age couples with children, will lose around 2,400 per year under the change. Her admission comes as Theresa May faces a mounting Tory backlash over her controversial welfare reforms. Esther McVey (pictured in Downing Street on her way to Cabinet on Tuesday) admitted that some people will be worse off when the government's under-fire Universal Credit welfare reforms are rolled out next year Sir John Major said Universal Credit could prove as unpopular as the poll tax which sparked riots, while Johnny Mercer - tipped as a possible future Tory leader - said he cannot support it. And Tory MP Iain Duncan Smith - the architect of Universal Credit who quit the Cabinet over welfare cuts - said 2billion extra must be ploughed into the scheme for it to work well. Speaking to the BBC today, Ms McVey said: 'People could be worse off, thats right, on this benefit. Sir John Major has said the Government should rethink its national roll-out of Universal Credit warning it could be the new poll tax 'But what we also know that we have done, a thousand people each and every day, since 2010 have gone into work, and that is what this benefit is about. She refused to confirm that she had issued the dire warning about the possible impact of the reform to Cabinet last week. But she said she had a 'very open conversation with my colleagues about how we support people'. Asked if analysis showing that up to three million claimants could be worse off under the shake-up, the minister replied: I have said we made tough decisions. Some people will be worse off. Under the old system 700,000 people didnt get 285 a month so they didnt get the money they were owed. Under the old system the most vulnerable in society werent getting as much money as we are now going to give them.' Her words come as the PM is facing growing pressure to abandon her under-fire welfare reforms. Mr Mercer wrote on Twitter: Esthers in a tough spot here. Its not her fault; Universal Credit was designed so that no-one would be worse off. Stop the tax-free allowance rise and re-invest into UC, or I cant support it. John Majors says Universal Credit could be as unpopular as the poll tax Sir John Major has said the Government should rethink its national roll-out of Universal Credit warning it could be as unpopular as the poll tax which sparked riots. The former prime minister said last night that most Britons will think current plans are unfair because some families could end up hundreds of pounds worse off each month. The Tory grandee said that failing to protect people who could lose out as a result of the welfare reforms would trigger 'the sort of problems that the Conservative Party ran into with the poll tax'. Sir John told the BBC that Universal Credit was 'impeccable' and 'entirely logical' in theory, but called for its implementation to be reconsidered. 'I don't oppose the principle of Universal Credit, I think there is a real danger it will be introduced too soon and in the wrong circumstances,' he said. 'So I do think we need to look very carefully at how it is introduced.' The poll tax riots in March 1990 erupted after a peaceful march by 70,000 protesters in London broke down into violent disorder. There were 400 arrests and 113 people, including 45 police, were injured. The march was in opposition to the Community Charge, dubbed the poll tax, which later became council tax. The riots contributed to the downfall of Margaret Thatcher, who resigned as prime minister in November 1990. Advertisement 'Not politically deliverable in Plymouth Im afraid.' Sir John Major has said the Government should rethink its national roll-out of Universal Credit warning it could be as unpopular as the poll tax which sparked riots. The former prime minister said last night that most Britons will think current plans are unfair because some families could end up hundreds of pounds worse off each month. The Tory grandee said that failing to protect people who could lose out as a result of the welfare reforms would trigger 'the sort of problems that the Conservative Party ran into with the poll tax'. Sir John told the BBC that Universal Credit was 'impeccable' and 'entirely logical' in theory, but called for its implementation to be reconsidered. 'I don't oppose the principle of Universal Credit, I think there is a real danger it will be introduced too soon and in the wrong circumstances,' he said. 'So I do think we need to look very carefully at how it is introduced.' The poll tax riots in March 1990 erupted after a peaceful march by 70,000 protesters in London broke down into violent disorder. There were 400 arrests and 113 people, including 45 police, were injured. The march was in opposition to the Community Charge, dubbed the poll tax, which later became council tax. The riots contributed to the downfall of Margaret Thatcher, who resigned as prime minister in November 1990. Mr Duncan Smith, the architect of the Universal Credit system, said 2 billion extra must be put into the system. The former work and pensions secretary told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Universal Credit and rolling out is functioning very well and there are tens of thousands of people out there who find this a better benefit.' Mr Duncan Smith said he had resigned because there was a decision to take money out of the new welfare system. He said: 'We should direct the money back into Universal Credit exactly as it was originally planned to be rolled out.' Theresa May (pictured today at the Southbank centre in London) is facing mounting pressure to scrap the roll-out of her controversial Universal Credit scheme Asked how much more needed to go into the system, he replied: 'The reality is the 2 billion that was taken out.' The PMs official spokesman said the Government is listening to concerns expressed the roll-out. Asked if some people would lose out on the new system, she said: UC is replacing a complex benefits system which disincentivised work, it is being rolled out successfully with over a million people already claiming through the new system. In terms of people moving across, the PM made it really clear yesterday in the House [of Commons] that when people moved across onto UC as part of managed migration there is not going to be a reduction in their benefits. That is because they have put 3bn worth of transitional protection in. There are people who will be moving on to UC who are making a new claim or who have had a change in their circumstances and so their payment will reflect the new circumstances. WHAT IS UNIVERSAL CREDIT? What is Universal Credit? A radical change to the benefits system which combines six payments including tax credits, housing benefit and income support into a single, means-tested payment. How does it work? A claimant's benefits should be adjusted automatically if their wages change. Benefits will gradually 'taper' off if a claimant finds work or earns more. What is the timetable? After teething troubles with the computer systems implementation has been hit by delays. There are currently around 610,000 on UC and this will go up by anther 12 million over the next five years. Why a six-week delay on payments? Controversially the benefit is paid six weeks in arrears - this is because it is based on your previous month's earnings. Critics say this delay pushed people into debt. Advertisement Sir John's intervention comes after fellow former prime minister Gordon Brown warned the scheduled roll-out would lead to 'chaos' akin to that seen in 1990. Poll tax riots-style 'chaos' will result if ministers push forward with the national Universal Credit roll out, Gordon Brown warned yesterday. The former prime minister and chancellor branded the flagship welfare reforms a 'harmful and hated' experiment that will risk public disorder. Universal Credit combines six benefits (jobseeker's allowance, tax credits, housing benefit, income support, child tax credits and employment and support allowance) into one monthly payment. It is designed to make the welfare system less complicated and ensure no-one faces a situation where they would be better off claiming benefits than working. But according to reports, millions of families could be left up to 200-a-month worse off when the new system is introduced in July. In a speech at the University of Edinburgh, in memory of the late Motor Neurone Disease campaigner Gordon Aikman, Mr Brown said Universal Credit would remove 3billion from the social security budget on top of cuts to child tax credits and benefit, which he helped introduce. He said: 'For the first time that any of us can remember, the safety net is not now the welfare state but charity and the lifeline for families in need is not social security but food banks. 'In my own home town food bank demand has doubled in just a year because of Universal Credit and the benefit changes around it as family after family is pushed into poverty.' The poll tox spaarked violent riots in 1990 and would also end Margaret Thatcher's tenure as PM He warned that child poverty is rising 'inexorably' and is expected to hit five million in 2022. 'A return to poll tax-style chaos in a summer of discontent lies ahead,' he added. 'So I am calling today for the Government to abandon the 2019 national roll out of Universal Credit and end this harsh, harmful and hated experiment.' Downing Street has dismissed Mr Brown's criticism. A source said: 'I'm not sure that the Prime Minister is going to take any lessons from Gordon Brown on this particular issue. 'Under his system of tax credits, not only... did some people have unclaimed benefits because the system was too complicated, you also had a situation where MPs were recipients of benefits. 'It was clearly a system that doesn't work and we think Universal Credit is better.' A Government spokesperson said: 'Universal Credit is based on the sound principles that work should always pay and those who need support receive it. 'We are listening to concerns about achieving these principles, improving the benefit, and targeting support to the most vulnerable - including for around 1 one million disabled people who will receive a higher award under Universal Credit. 'This is a far cry from the confusing, unreliable legacy system that failed to pay claimants their full entitlements and consigned people to a lifetime on benefits.' Judge Robert Altham jailed the trio after they spent days illegally sitting on top of lorry cabs The judge who jailed three anti-fracking campaigners for climbing on lorries at a drilling site has family links to the oil and gas industry, it was claimed today. Judge Robert Altham jailed the trio on September 26 after they spent days illegally sitting on top of lorry cabs to try to disrupt controversial shale gas drilling at a Cuadrilla site in Lancashire. But the married father-of-three's family's business JC Altham and Sons is said to supply offshore gas and oil platforms. And his sister Jane Watson, has backed an open letter promoting fracking, which said 'it's time to give shale a chance' - claiming that it would create jobs. Ms Watson, 54, is listed on Companies House as managing director of the firm - based in the Lancashire ferry port of Heysham while the judge's parents John, 86, and Linda, 84, are directors. The company, which supplies food, tools, rigging equipment and clothes to ships' stores, says online that it is a 'specialist supplier to offshore gas and oil platforms'. However, it is not known which companies it supplies. The judge's sister Jane Watson (left) is the managing director of the family business JC Altham and Sons (right), which is based in the Lancashire ferry port of Heysham Three East Irish Sea oil rigs - near Heysham - belong to British Gas owner Centrica, which has put 60million into fracking firm Cuadrilla, reported the Daily Mirror. And in 2015 Ms Watson's name and that of her company appeared on an open letter backed by 119 businesses urging Lancashire County Council to allow fracking. The letter was co-ordinated by the North West Energy Task Force, a group of local businesses which has been supported by both Centrica and Cuadrilla. A judge's impartiality may be questioned if relatives are 'politically active' or have 'financial interest' in a case's outcome, according to the judicial code of conduct. Simon Blevins (left), 26, Richard Loizou (centre), 31, and Richard Roberts (right), 36, were jailed The protesters stand outside Preston Crown Court ahead of their sentencing on September 25 Scientist Simon Blevins, 26, teacher Richard Loizou, 31, and piano restorer Richard Roberts, 36, were jailed for the sit-in at the Preston New Road site in June 2017. Roberts and Blevins were jailed for 16 months each and Loizou for 15 months. Their lawyer claimed it was the first time environmental protesters have been sent to prison in Britain since the famous Kinder Scout mass trespass in 1932. Judge Altham jailed the trio for a total of almost four years, despite the pleas from a human rights lawyer that they had acted in defence of 'the future of the planet'. The judge said during their sentencing that he expressed no opinion about fracking but there was a 'significant' risk they would carry out similar acts in future. Loizou, a teacher who has been jailed over the protest, is pictured sitting on top of a lorry cab Roberts was jailed for 16 months at Preston Crown Court for causing a public nuisance He added: 'They are motivated by a serious and genuine concern for the environment - but they see the public as necessary and justified collateral damage.' Judge Altham criticised them for 'revelling' in the disruption they were causing while treating 'the public as necessary and justified collateral damage'. He highlighted how resulting delays to bus services meant an elderly woman living in a nearby village ended up having to walk an hour-and-a-half to get home. The trio spent up to four days on a convoy of lorries delivering drilling equipment and were seen revelling in the disruption - with one even blowing kisses at police. During the protest officers had to be taken off front line duties at a cost of 12,000 and were forced to temporarily close off the busy A583 while they dealt with it. Protesters standing on top of lorries outside the fracking site in Lancashire in July 2017 Supporters march through Preston to protest the imprisonment of the 'Fracking Three' The lorry drivers could not return home due to their trucks being stranded, causing upset to their families - with Roberts spending the longest on the cabs at 84 hours. Loizou, from Torquay, Devon, Blevins, from Sheffield, and Roberts, from London, were convicted of causing a public nuisance by a jury at Preston Crown Court. A fourth man, Julian Brock, 47, from Sheffield, who pleaded guilty to causing a nuisance at an earlier hearing was given 12 months jail suspended for 18 months. Supporters in the public gallery wept, sang what they called a 'native tribal song of power' and waved and blew kisses to the three men as they were led from the dock. But the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce described it as a 'public order offence' and Lancashire Police said the sentences would 'send a message'. An engineer opens a valve next to the coil tubing tower at the Preston New Road site last week The Cuadrilla fracking site at Preston New Road, which has been the subject of demonstrations A spokesman for the Judiciary told MailOnline: 'Judges are required to base their sentencing decisions on the facts of each case and within the relevant sentencing guidelines and carefully explain their reasoning in court. 'There are longstanding principles, set out in case law, which guide how judges approach possible conflicts of interest. 'These principles are explained in the publicly available Guide to Judicial Conduct. 'They ensure that when hearing a case, a judge will be mindful of possible conflicts of interest, and can draw relevant matters to the attention of the parties in the case.' A spokesman for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office added: 'The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office have not received any complaints regarding this matter.' Ms Watson and JC Altham & Sons declined to comment to MailOnline when contacted this morning. The trio's lawyer has also been asked for comment. A holidaymaker has slammed Ryanair after she was delayed for over 14 hours and claims the airline only offered her 3.50 for food. Sheridan Bywater, 53, from Jarrow, Tyne and Wear, had enjoyed a week-long Tenerife trip with family when strike action left her stranded. She claims she only received three hours notice that her 7am flight to Newcastle Airport flight was scrapped - causing 'carnage' at the airport. Sheridan Bywater, 53, pictured left, from Jarrow, Tyne and Wear, had enjoyed a week-long Tenerife trip with family when strike action left her stranded. Right: Her sister Tracy Hall But a Ryanair spokesman said the firm told Ms Bywater via text message three days before her flight that there would be potential disruption. Now Ms Bywater has said she 'wouldn't fly with Ryanair again in a million years' - and claims the food voucher the budget airline gave stranded passengers was so meagre, she didn't even bother spending it. The budget airline grounded 80 flights on September 28 - including Ms Bywater's. 'The queues were just horrendous and almost at the other end of the airport,' she said. 'We were hearing rumours there were no flights until the following Thursday and panicking about how we would get home. Pictured: Two of the vouchers issued to the travellers, which they did not even spend 'We got a message at 1am saying the flight was cancelled, three hours notice, so what are you supposed to do? 'We had no option other than to go there and see what happened but when we were there, people were so squashed in you could see them breathing on each other's neck. 'And all they offered us was two bottles of water and a voucher for 3.50 - you can't by anything to eat in an airport for that. Even a McDonald's milkshake was about five Euros!' Eventually they flew back to Britain on Jet2 - but landed hundreds of miles away in Birmingham. The bill for three last-minute flights for Ms Bywater, her sister and brother-in-law cost 550. Now Ms Bywater has said she 'wouldn't fly with Ryanair again in a million years' - and claims the food voucher the budget airline gave stranded passengers was so meagre, she didn't even bother spending it 'My nephew had to pick us up, but we had to pay 70 petrol,' added Ms Bywater. In total she fears the saga cost her over 600 - cash she's now waiting to see if she will get back. 'The insurers have told us it has to come through Ryanair,' she claimed. A Ryanair spokesperson said the firm told Sheridan via text message three days before her flight that there would be 'potential disruption' and that she had been offered a free move to another date. 'The flight was regrettably cancelled due to an unnecessary strike by a tiny minority of cabin crew and affected customers were informed by email and SMS text message and advised of their options of a refund, free move to the next available flight or free transfer to an alternative flight,' they added. 'Refreshment vouchers and overnight accommodation were provided and this customer chose a refund of her air fare, which was processed. 'Ryanair sincerely apologised to those customers affected by these unnecessary strikes, which we did our utmost to avoid.' That industrial action centred around the firm's policy of putting all staff on Irish contracts rather than follow local legislation. But Ms Bywater claims the warning was vague. 'We got a confusing email saying the flight may or may not go,' she said. A Weather Channel meteorologist was nearly impaled by a plank of wood while recording a live report during Hurricane Michael. Jim Cantore was reporting from Panama City Beach, Florida, during 155mph winds when he had to jump out of the way of an airborne 2x4. The meteorologist also attracted attention for rescuing NBC's Kerry Sanders who was nearly blown off his feet before Cantore ran over and held him upright. Jim Cantore was reporting from Panama City Beach, Florida, (left) when a plank of wood came flying at him (right) He then ran behind a pillar to stay protected from anymore debris blown by the storm Sanders thanked the meteorologist in two tweets after his live report, praising Cantore and stating that he avoided a concussion after being blown into a concrete pillar. In the footage, Cantore is seen delivering a piece-to-camera when suddenly the piece of wood comes flying at him. Thinking he's about to be hit, the meteorologist breaks off mid-sentence and jumps out of the way while clutching his head. In a separate clip, Kerry Sanders is seen swaying back and forth as the ferocious winds nearly blow him over. The meteorologist also attracted attention for rescuing NBC's Kerry Sanders who was nearly blown off his feet Cantore pushed Sanders to safety. The NBC reporter tanked the meteorologist on Twitter He crouches down on the ground to keep his balance before Cantore walks through the storm and walks Sanders behind a pillar where he was somewhat protected from the winds. Hurricane Michael hit the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday afternoon as a catastrophic Category 4 hurricane, pushing a deadly storm surge and whipping the coast with 155 mph winds. The eye of the monstrous hurricane made landfall near Mexico Beach just before 2pm and the eyewall came ashore minutes earlier between Panama City and St. Vincent Island. Hurricane-force winds were tearing buildings apart in Panama City Beach after the hurricane made landfall on Wednesday afternoon Hotel employees look at a canopy that had just collapsed as Hurricane Michael tore through Panama City Beach on Wednesday afternoon Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 45 miles from the center and were tearing buildings apart in Panama City Beach. Beachfront structures could be seen collapsing and metal roofing materials were blown away amid the heavy rain. Forecasters said rainfall could reach up to a foot and the life-threatening storm surge could swell to 14 feet. By 3pm, Michael still had top sustained winds of 150 mph as its core moved over Florida's Panhandle. The National Weather Service says tornadoes are possible across the Florida Panhandle, southeast Georgia and southern South Carolina through Thursday morning as the hurricane now moves inland. Michael, which was supercharged by abnormally warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico, is one of the most powerful storms to hit the U.S. mainland in nearly 50 years. Authorities told residents along the affected areas of Florida's Gulf of Mexico coast on Wednesday morning that they had run out of time to evacuate and should hunker down. More than 375,000 people had been urged or ordered to evacuate, but emergency authorities lamented that many people ignored the warnings and seemed to think they could ride it out. Two people, including a child, have been killed by falling trees, officials say. The storm has left nearly 500,000 people without electricity in Florida, Alabama and Georgia. The DUP last night called for a new Tory leader to replace Theresa May and threatened to bring down the Government if she does not abandon her Brexit proposals. It came after four senior ministers confronted the PM over her plans to keep Britain in the customs union indefinitely. The DUP, whose 10 MPs are propping up Mrs May's Government, fear the PM's proposals to keep Northern Ireland in the single market while mainland Britain leaves it would split the UK. The party's Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson said a new Conservative leader could 'heal the wounds' between the two parties. A new leader taking a 'different direction' on Brexit would 'ensure that the agreement could stay in place', Mr Wilson said. The DUP faced an immediate backlash from Tory MP and former minister Nick Boles, who said: 'Conservative leaders are chosen by Conservative MPs and Conservative Party members. 'Not by MPs of any other party. And we respond no better to threats than proud Ulster men or women do.' Four Tory ministers had confronted the PM over her plan to keep Britain in the customs union indefinitely at a War Cabinet meeting last night. Theresa May (pictured at an event to mark the anniversary of the government's race audit) is facing probably the biggest test of her premiership, with just six days to go until a crucial EU summit Conservative MP Nick Boles (pictured) hit out at the DUP after the Northern Irish party's Brexit spokesman called for the Tories to elect a new leader to replace Theresa May Michael Gove, Dominic Raab, Liam Fox and Jeremy Hunt all voiced fears during 'robust exchanges' over the PM's plans for a backstop deal which would see the UK remain in the customs union until a permanent trade deal is agreed. None of the ministers who spoke out in last night's meeting are planning to resign but there are fears over possibly rebellious Tories who were not invited. Ministers were reportedly told the EU was in 'no mood to budge' and wanted to leave the UK's membership of the customs union 'open-ended'. Mrs May's position is hanging by a thread after the DUP threatened to tear up the 1billion deal which sees its 10 MPs prop her up in power. In another escalation of the rhetoric yesterday, DUP leader Arlene Foster warned Mrs May will have betrayed 'unionism' if she caves into Brussels demands. One of the party's MPs, Jim Shannon, said that he was 'not afraid of elections', suggesting the DUP would be prepared to bring the Government down. They are livid that the so-called 'backstop' proposal for the Irish border could see Northern Ireland staying in the single market while mainland Britain leaves - something they say would split the UK. Meanwhile, Brexiteers have accused the PM of being 'stitched up' by the EU as the plan would effectively keep the whole UK in the customs union until a future trade deal is agreed. They demanded Mrs May tear up the backstop and seek a looser Canada-style free trade arrangement, encouraged by EU negotiator Michel Barnier again bluntly dismissing her Chequers blueprint. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt tried to cool tempers yesterday afternoon by insisting that the 'DUP's red lines are Theresa May's red lines'. But the wave of outrage has left Mrs May facing probably the biggest test of her premiership, with just six days to go until a crucial EU summit. She gathered her most senior ministers in Downing Street last night in a bid to shore up her support - with Mr Hunt among the first to arrive. The DUP faced an immediate backlash from Tory MP and former minister Nick Boles, who said 'Conservative leaders are chosen by Conservative MPs and Conservative Party members' Jeremy Hunt (pictured left arriving at Downing Street for the meeting last night) and Michael Gove (right) were among the ministers to speak out in the War Cabinet meeting Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab (left) and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox (right) also raised concerns during 'robust exchanges' at last night's War Cabinet meeting Chief whip Julian Smith arrived for the meeting to consider the state of play in Brexit talks Senior ministers Jeremy Hunt (left), Gavin Williamson (centre) and Philip Hammond (right) will be at the 'war cabinet' meeting where Mrs May is expected to outline her backstop proposals In another escalation of the rhetoric, DUP MP Jim Shannon (pictured) jibed that his party was 'not afraid of elections' She was expected to ask the 'war Cabinet' - whose other key members include Chancellor Philip Hammond, Home Secretary Sajid Javid, Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab, and Environment Secretary Michael Gove - to get behind her fledgling divorce deal with the EU. But ministers stayed tight-lipped about the discussions as they left the meeting shortly after 6.30pm last night. No formal decision was set to be made, with the discussion intended to pave the way for the issue to be put to full Cabinet next Tuesday. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson declined to comment as he walked out - telling waiting journalists simply that 'it is a lovely evening'. What would Theresa May's backstop deal mean? The PM's backstop proposal is designed to ensure there is no hard Irish border. It would see the whole of the UK stay in the customs union 'temporarily' until a wider trade deal is struck. Northern Ireland would effectively remain in the single market to avoid regulatory checks on the border with the Republic. The government's previous plan said that it wanted the UK to stay in the customs union until 2021 'at the latest'. But it is not clear whether the UK would be subject to rules that stop countries striking their own trade deals outside the bloc. It also remains to be seen whether free movement rules would still apply in Northern Ireland. The Common Travel Area already protects movement between Northern Ireland and the Republic. The blueprint would reduce friction on the Irish border but lead to greater checks across the Irish Sea. These would include health and sanitary inspections for animals and animal products. The backstop is designed to fall away when a wider trade pact is agreed - which Mrs May says should be based on her Chequers plan for a 'combined customs territory' with the EU. Advertisement Some ministers were angry at being left out of the key meeting last night. One source told MailOnline they had been publicly supportive of Mrs May in spite of the PM's woes and were asking themselves: 'What's the point?'. Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey - who did not attend the meeting and has been the subject of persistent resignation rumours - repeatedly refused to endorse Mrs May's Chequers plan. 'I am completely supportive of the PM,' she told the BBC. 'I am fully 100 per cent behind the PM and we will get the best deal for this country.' The PM's spokesman said: 'There have been a series of meetings in recent weeks where ministers have just received updates on the state of the negotiations. 'They are a relatively regular thing.' He said there were 'big issues still to resolve' in the exit talks. 'That was the case on Monday and that remains the case today,' he added. British and EU negotiators are thought to have agreed in principle to an all-UK backstop plan to avoid a hard border in Northern Ireland, removing the last major obstacle to agreeing a text. It would involve the UK remaining in a customs union with the EU while negotiations take place over a free trade deal, which could take years. Mainland Britain would leave the single market, regaining the ability to set its own regulations. But Northern Ireland would stay in the single market for goods, according to the Daily Telegraph, meaning there would be increased regulatory checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea. In a show of strength on Wednesday night, the DUP's MPs abstained on a Commons vote on the Agriculture Bill a key piece of Brexit legislation they are committed to support. The vote was won comfortably by the Government, but a wider strike by the DUP would put Mrs May's legislative programme in peril. DUP leader Arlene Foster, pictured on a visit to Brussels on Tuesday, has warned that her line against anything that would risk splitting the UK is 'blood red' Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab (left in the Commons this week) and Trade Secretary Liam Fox (right in Downing Street) are also attending the meeting to discuss Brexit later Mrs May (pictured at an event marking the anniversary of the government's race audit) is struggling to thrash out a Brexit deal acceptable on both sides of the Channel Sources said they were ready to torpedo the Budget and even back a no confidence vote if the PM does not respect their red lines. DUP leader Arlene Foster said: 'Brussels wants Northern Ireland to have access to the EU single market and trade within the rules set by the EU under the European Courts of Justice. 'However, Brussels also wants to place an effective one-way turnstile from Northern Ireland into the rest of the United Kingdom. 'Trade from Great Britain into Northern Ireland would be in danger of restriction. Indeed, Northern Irelands access to any new United Kingdom trade deals would also be regulated by Brussels. The 1billion deal with the DUP keeping Theresa May in power The DUP's MPs are keeping the Conservatives in power thanks to a deal last year to spend an extra 1billion on Northern Ireland. Theresa May's failed election gamble left the Conservatives without a majority in the House of Commons. But with the DUP and its 10 MPs agreeing to support the Tories Mrs May can command a narrow majority. The deal announced last June was immediately branded a 'bung'. It also included new flexibility over 500million of previously allocated cash. Labour said the deal could eventually be worth as much as 2billion, which would normally imply 59billion of extra spending in England, 6billion in Scotland and 3billion in Wales. The agreement guaranteed the DUP would vote with the Tories on the Queen's Speech, the Budget, and legislation relating to Brexit and national security. Advertisement 'That is not the best of both worlds. That is the worst of one world. 'The Prime Minister is a unionist. Many of her cabinet colleagues have assured me of their unionism. 'Therefore, they could not in good conscience recommend a deal which places a trade barrier on United Kingdom businesses moving goods from one part of the Kingdom to another.' DUP MP Mr Shannon said: 'Everything is on the table, and the implications of that are clear. 'We're not afraid of elections, we never have been in the DUP. 'We're happy on this principle that we want to be treated the same as rest of the United Kingdom, to fight any election on that should that happen. 'I hope it won't happen, we don't want to embarrass the government, but we want the government to take a long hard look at our position.' Former Cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith has warned Mrs May to 'listen very carefully' to the DUP's warnings. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'They are a separate party, they must make their own decisions. But, I do think the Government does need to listen very carefully.' The Brexiteer added: 'A lot of us are concerned that in the hunt, in the chase for some kind of settlement what we'll end up doing is accommodating this ludicrous Irish backstop, which doesn't and shouldn't exist.' Mr Duncan Smith said it was 'wholly feasible to have non-hard borders' in Northern Ireland. Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also slammed the backstop, reigniting his row with Mrs May by saying the deal would make Britain a 'permanent EU colony'. Mr Johnson, who supports a 'Canada plus' or 'SuperCanada' deal, said: 'In the referendum both sides said Leave meant leaving the customs union and single market. 'Yet this backstop inevitably means Chequers, staying in both, no say in either, and no right to escape.' The DUP's MPs prop up the Government through a formal 'confidence and supply' deal that obliges them to vote for the Budget, the Queen's Speech and Brexit legislation. But the senior party source said: 'They are playing with fire on this regulatory stuff. It is unacceptable that we would be treated differently to the rest of the UK. If Theresa May doesn't take our concerns on board, she may not be the leader to take us through Brexit. 'Say they somehow squeak this (Chequers) vote with the help of 40 Labour MPs, but have 30 Tories and us voting against it? What then? How do they expect to govern? 'And before that they've got a Budget to get through we won't be voting for that if they try to bounce us.' Downing Street brushed aside the threat, suggesting Mrs May would fight on even if parts of the Budget were voted down later this month. One source suggested the DUP could even lose the 1billion in extra funding secured for Northern Ireland if they abandoned its pact with the Tories. Even if Mrs May can secure an agreement with the EU and win over the DUP, it is far from certain that she will be able to get it past Parliament. Jeremy Corbyn says he would oppose arrangements that do not keep the UK more closely tied to Brussels - although there are claims that dozens of Labour MPs could defy him. At a Q&A in London yesterday, Tony Blair insisted politicians should 'hold firm' and not be afraid of putting the country on course for a chaotic no-deal Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey (pictured) - who did not attend the meeting and has been the subject of persistent resignation rumours - avoided saying she backed Mrs May's Chequers plan yesterday A band of more than 30 Remain-supporting Tory MPs are forming a movement to bring about a second referendum. Organisers say the group will vote down whatever Brexit deal Mrs May secures from the European Union. But the ultimate goal will be to hold another referendum on Brexit. John Major says PM's backbench 'b***ards' are worse than his Sir John Major has said Theresa May is receiving worse treatment from her backbenchers than he did. The former PM famously branded some in his party 'b***ards' for rebelling over the Maastricht Treaty. He told the BBC's Political Thinking podcast: 'I have great sympathy for her plight and I think the way she is being treated by some of her colleagues is absolutely outrageous.' Sir John said he supported Mrs May as Prime Minister but disagreed with her approach to Europe. He said: 'People in Parliament who are undermining the Prime Minister by wandering round saying we are going to have 40-odd signatures for a leadership election tomorrow, saying unless the Prime Minister does this thing or that thing we are going to vote against it, that's an intolerable way to treat a Prime Minister who is in the middle of negotiations.' He attacked the 'bullying' of the PM by some in the party. Asked about the 'b***ards' from his era, he replied: 'Their behaviour was pretty intolerable, but not nearly as intolerable as the way the present Prime Minister is being treated.' Advertisement The group is a rival for the Brexit-backing European Research Group led by Jacob Rees-Mogg. Those involved have not yet agreed a name, but one joked it could be the 'Patriots' to rile members of the Eurosceptic group. Meanwhile, former PM Sir John Major said the treatment Mrs May was receiving at the hands of some in her party was worse than he had suffered when he called some in his party 'b***ards'. He told the BBC's Political Thinking podcast: 'I have great sympathy for her plight and I think the way she is being treated by some of her colleagues is absolutely outrageous.' Sir John said he supported Mrs May as Prime Minister but disagreed with some of her approach to Europe. He said: 'People in Parliament who are undermining the Prime Minister by wandering round saying we are going to have 40-odd signatures for a leadership election tomorrow, saying unless the Prime Minister does this thing or that thing we are going to vote against it, that's an intolerable way to treat a Prime Minister who is in the middle of negotiations.' He attacked the 'bullying' of the PM by some in the party. Asked about the 'b***ards' from his era, he replied: 'Their behaviour was pretty intolerable, but not nearly as intolerable as the way the present Prime Minister is being treated.' Tony Blair underlined the growing Remainer campaign to stop Brexit altogether yesterday as he urged MPs to vote down any deal Mrs May secures. The former PM insisted politicians should 'hold firm' and not be afraid of putting the country on course for a chaotic no-deal. A 'blockage' in Parliament was the best chance of getting a referendum that could keep the UK in the EU, he said. He claimed the bloc would at that point make a 'much more attractive offer' to keep Britain in. The Labour leadership has said it will oppose any deal that does not keep the UK tied closely to the EU. There are also claims that around 30 Tory MPs are ready to rebel in an effort to force another national vote on the issue. How could the DUP force an election? The dates of elections used to be decided by the Prime Minister - with the proviso that there had to be one every five years. But the Coalition introduced the Fixed Term Parliaments Act, which sets out a more formal arrangement. Elections are now held on the first Thursday in May every five years - with the next one due in 2022. Under the law, early elections can only triggered in two ways. The first is at least two-thirds of the 650 MPs passing a motion in the Commons. The other way is for a motion of no confidence to be passed by a simple majority. That fires the starting gun on a two-week period in which the existing parties can try to form another government. Only if the 14 days pass with no replacement administration in place is a national vote called. The arrangements effectively mean that the DUP could vote no confidence once without risking an election that would let Jeremy Corbyn into power. Advertisement But the government intends to leave MPs with a stark choice between any agreement Mrs May reaches and crashing out. There has been speculation that dozens of moderate MPs could end up backing the government to avoid carnage. Speaking at a Reuters Q&A this morning, the former Labour leader was asked how he thought the MPs should handle a vote. He said: 'I would advise them to hold firm against Brexit. Either of these choices are unpalatable.' Mr Blair repeated his call for a referendum that would include a choice to drop Brexit altogether. 'If we do get a blockage in Parliament that is when you get the opportunity to go back to the people,' he said. Mr Blair said if there was a second referendum he believed the EU would 'make a much more attractive offer'. Speaking during a visit to Bristol yesterday, Mr Corbyn sought to capitalise on Mrs May's woes. 'I think it's a very real threat and the DUP are obviously speaking up for their own constituency on this,' said Mr Corbyn. 'Indeed there is a great deal of unity across all political parties in Northern Ireland, across all political divides, on having an open border with the Republic, obviously open trade and therefore a customs union within the European Union that reflects that. 'I think the position is very real. We will judge this Government against the six tests that Keir Starmer has laid out for us and we will vote accordingly in Parliament but we cannot support Chequers.' Mr Corbyn added: 'The Government has had more than two years to negotiate this and still hasn't made any progress on it. Quite simply, there has to be open trade between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and that has to be the basis of any agreement.' Killer: Edmund Zagorski, 63, was convicted of a double-murder in 1984 A federal appeals court has called a halt to the execution of a death row inmate to hear last-minute arguments that he had poor legal representation during his trial and sentencing. In a split decision, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay of 63-year-old Edmund Zagorski's execution, which had been scheduled for Thursday. It sent the case back to a lower court to sort through questions of whether Zagorski had adequate counsel. 'If we do not grant a stay, we will necessarily be deciding or rendering moot his appeal, without affording Zagorski the opportunity to present his appeal to us in the first instance,' the prevailing judges wrote. They added that the briefing on the appeal was incomplete and not all issues had yet been decided. The state attorney general's office said through a spokeswoman that it was weighing the decision but had no immediate comment. Earlier this week, the State of Tennessee denied Zagorski's request to be executed by electrocution rather than a lethal injection. Zagorski had asked to die in the electric chair, believing it to be the 'lesser of two evils'. His request was denied yesterday, and the State of Tennessee had planned to proceed with plans to execute him Thursday by lethal injection. Kelley Henry, Zagorski's attorney, said she was considering legal options on Zagorski's behalf. State officials could not be reached for comment late Tuesday. Henry asked the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay earlier in the day after announcing Monday that he had chosen to die by electrocution rather than lethal injection, stating he believed that to be quicker and less painful. Zagorski, 63, appealed earlier this week to be killed by electric chair as it is the 'lesser of two evils' 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. The last time Tennessee put someone to death by electric chair was 2007. Henry said Zagorski's decision to ask for electrocution was based on evidence that Tennessee's lethal injection method would cause him 10 to 18 minutes of mental and physical anguish. He believed the electric chair would be quicker. 'It was certainly a difficult decision,' Henry said. 'It's impossible to know which is better of the two unconstitutional choices.' Henry said Zagorski's choice of death by electrocution over lethal injection was not a ploy to buy time. Zagorski is one of 32 death row inmates in Tennessee suing over the state's three-drug method of lethal injection. They claim the first drug, midazolam leaves prisoners unable to cry out as their lungs fill with fluid and they experience drowning, suffocation and chemical burning. The Tennessee Supreme Court, in a split decision, ruled against the inmates on Monday. Late Tuesday, Henry asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the merits of the lethal injection case and sought a stay of Zagorski's execution. In Tennessee, death row inmates whose offenses came before January 1999 can choose either lethal injection or the electric chair. The last time Tennessee put someone to death by electrocution was in 2007. An Associated Press reporter who witnessed the execution of Daryl Holton wrote that a black shroud was placed over his head before a 20-second shock was administered. The shock caused Holton to straighten his back and move his hips up out of the chair before he slumped back. There was a 15-second pause before he was given a second shock that lasted 15 seconds. A report from the state medical examiner later found that Holton had suffered minor burns to his head and legs but there were no signs of the severe burning and other major injuries that had been seen in some past electrocutions. A spokeswoman for the Tennessee Department of Correction did not immediately respond to messages asking whether the state will be ready to use the electric chair Thursday, but she did send out an email stating Zagorski has been moved to death watch, a normal procedure during the three-day period before an execution in Tennessee. Gov. Bill Haslam already has said he won't intervene in Zagorski's case. A Lloyds customer has slammed the banking giant after he claims he was offered 'hush money' after a staff member branded him 'a gay fairy'. Paul Whitbread was offered 50 after lodging a complaint after a female member of staff allegedly hurled the insult and then refused to serve him. The airport worker, who describes himself as 'camp', says he is furious that the bank offered him the money without first launching an investigation. He claims that the same member of staff had 'made faces' at him when he visited a different branch months earlier and was being 'quite camp and cuddly with a guy'. Lloyds said it took the complaint 'extremely seriously' and have now undertaken a full investigation into the allegations made. Paul Whitbread was offered 50 (shown) after lodging a complaint after a female member of staff allegedly hurled the insult and then refused to serve him The airport worker (left), who describes himself as 'camp', says he is furious that the bank offered him the money without first launching an investigation (shown right) Mr Whitbread, from Romford in Essex, said: 'I felt insulted that I was offered hush money without an investigation. 'I felt as if I was cheap and that I was nothing, because that's how much they value their customers. 'Do they think that a few notes will make someone feel better? I couldn't believe it, I found the whole complaints procedure shocking.' The 37-year-old visited the Romford branch of Lloyds on September 10 to make a deposit of 150 on behalf of his mother, 67. He says a female staff member refused to help due to company policy surrounding third-party deposits and the pair began to argue. Mr Whitbread was then made to wait for 10 minutes by the woman, before allegedly calling him over and telling him: 'You better get my ass over there.' He said: 'I couldn't believe her tone, so I sarcastically told her that even if it was closing up soon I would just sit on the floor and wait for the automatic machine to work. 'That's my fault - I've got Irish blood in me so I've got a bit of banter. Then out of nowhere she called me a gay fairy.' Mr Whitbread, who works as an airport worker (left), is pictured with his best friend Mason Simpson (right) Paul believes the feud was sparked six months earlier with the same member of staff in a different branch. Paul said: 'She just came out with it, and I think it stems back from a time I had an encounter with her in another branch of the bank about six months ago. 'I went into the branch with a guy, and I can be quite camp and cuddly, and she pulled an ugly face. 'On this visit when I went to find out her name to file a complaint she looked at me and said "you know exactly who I am". 'She refused to give me her name and said to me "bring it on, people like you do this all the time", and that's where I just lost my mind and argued back.' Mr Whitbread said he didn't report the previous incident but felt compelled to following the altercation on September 10. Paul says he then received a call three days later from the customer relations team originally offering him 30 before upping it to 50. Paul, who now lives with his mother in Romford, said: 'What shocked me the most and what hurt the most is that when I'd spoken to customer services on the phone, I didn't get any apology. The 37-year-old visited the Romford branch of Lloyds on September 10 to make a deposit of 150 on behalf of his mother Mary Sullivan (left) 'When she said she'd offer me the "benefit of the doubt" and give me 30 I couldn't believe it. 'They probably thought the 30 would shut down the case, it was insulting. 'I'd rather they send her on a training course so she can learn how to behave, than sending me the money. 'Then she said that with the information she had 50 would be more appropriate, just like that. I hit the roof. 'I asked her whether she should have done an investigation before speaking to me instead she offered compensation without having spoken to anyone in the branch. 'For her to speak to me with that tone, that she was giving me the 'benefit of the doubt', just angered me even more.' A Lloyds spokesman said: ''We have taken Mr Whitbreads claims extremely seriously and have undertaken a full investigation into the allegations that have been made. 'While we recognise some of the service we provided Mr Whitbread did not meet the high standards we aim for when he visited our branch, we have not been able to find evidence to support all aspects of his complaint. 'In respect of the nature of the language Mr Whitbread claims was used, this is something we would always treat with the utmost importance. As an organisation we are extremely proud of our position as a leader for LGBT+ equality. 'We continually review our policies and procedures in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity to ensure we are meeting the needs of our LGBT+ customers and colleagues. 'We have been consistently recognised as a Top 5 employer in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index over the past four years and we would always take steps to provide additional training to colleagues where we identify a need for it.' A woman who caught her partner with his mistress admitted to mowing down her younger love rival with her car. Elisha Browne, a Melbourne mother-of-one, ran down 34-year-old Maria Tiglar in a fit of rage and jealousy after a three-day methamphetamine binge, a court heard. She reached speeds of 130km/h chasing the lovers down, slamming her Volvo into the back of their car before continuing to chase Ms Tiglar when she escaped the vehicle. A court heard Elisha Browne (pictured), a Melbourne mother-of-one, ran down 34-year-old Maria Tiglar in a fit of rage and jealousy Ross Perrys, the man at the centre of the love triangle, said his decision to sneak around with both women was ultimately to blame for Browne's actions. 'It wasn't her fault, it was all my fault, so I deserved what I got,' he told 9 News. Browne pleaded guilty to recklessly causing serious injury to Ms Tigler. She told police she 'saw red' and was 'angry and jealous'. 'She had her suspicions they were seeing each other and they were confirmed,' prosecutor Megan Casey said. Judge Frank Gucciardo accepted the crime was driven by jealousy, stemming from Mr Perrys's 'betrayal'. Browne told police she felt 'played' by Mr Perrys. 'I wasn't necessarily going for any particular one. I wanted to scare the buggery out of both of them,' she said. Mr Perrys also attended the Melbourne court in support of Browne, who he said was a good woman. Ross Perrys (pictured), the man at the centre of the love triangle, says his decision to sneak around with both women is ultimately to blame for Browne's actions She reached speeds of 130km/h chasing the lovers down, slamming her Volvo into the back of their car before continuing to chase Ms Tiglar when she escaped the vehicle Judge Frank Gucciardo accepted the crime was driven by jealousy, stemming from Mr Perrys's 'betrayal'. But it was no excuse for Browne's actions, which put the community in danger as well as Ms Tigler's life. 'Jealousy is a beast,' he told Browne's plea hearing. 'She's lucky not to have killed (Ms Tigler). That's the bottom line.' Browne is the full time carer of her 21-year-old son, who has autism. But he went on to say she has turned to drugs after a recent bout of violent relationships. Ms Tigler suffered a fractured femur and needed a titanium rod inserted in her thigh. She also needed treatment for a broken ankle, and suffers flashbacks and nightmares. 'She is still limping and probably will be forever,' Judge Gucciardo said. Browne, who has already served nearly 200 days in custody, will be sentenced on October 26. Defence lawyer Matthew Page urged the judge to consider Browne's tough life, including bringing up her autistic son mostly alone. 'She's done a pretty good job because her son is now 21 and studying accounting,' he said. A school strapped a five-year-old autistic boy to a wheelchair then sent the distressing photos to his parents. The boy's mother explained how her son's behaviour 'suddenly' changed over the course of a year and he had panic attacks when she tried to sit him in a chair, but she and his father 'didn't realise what had been going on'. She later discovered photos of him in a scrapbook sent home by the school which showed her son, who has no physical disability, tethered to the chair with straps around his waist, legs and ankles. She claims her 'placid' son was 'tortured and tethered like an animal' at the special school in Northern Ireland. A horrified mother received pictures of her son, who has no physical disability, tethered to the chair with straps around his waist, legs and ankles The youngster's behaviour deteriorated over the course of a year, according to his mother, and she only learnt why when she found these pictures of him The mother told Jilly Beattie of Belfast Live: 'He was so distressed and agitated, having panic attacks, suffering night terrors and he was tearful and acting very strangely, a totally different little boy to the one we knew and he couldn't tell us why.' Then in January, the five-year-old had his scrapbooks out, which are sent home to parents to show them what their children have been doing at school. She added: 'We had of course looked through them before but we hadn't noticed that our child had actually been restrained in a chair by his ankles. 'I was talking away to him and asking him what he wanted to show me, and he just kept touching the book. I started looking very closely at the photos and my heart just started racing. It was there in plain sight, my wee man strapped into a chair by his ankles. 'I felt sick, it was like the fog lifted. Now we knew, now we had an explanation.' According to Belfast Live, his parents have made an official complaint citing negligence and breach of duty by the school, the Education Authority and the Department of Education but claim they have been 'left in limbo.' The mother added: 'Those chairs are made for children who need to be elevated and angled to the right position, not our son.' The pictures were included in a school scrapbook sent home to parents to show what their children had been doing at school Human rights lawyer Kevin Winters, who is acting on behalf of the family, told MailOnline they are early stages of litigation. He said: 'The key point is the main allegation made by the parents of the little boy, on the restraint issue. 'There was insufficient communication from the school and authorities on how they were going to handle his needs, with particular reference to restraint. '[His mother] did not consent to this process and despite raising the issue over a significant period of time, it has still not been satisfactorily resolved.' Mr Winters said the parents were taking action against the school, board of education and social services and formal letters of claim will be issued shortly. The mother claims her 'placid' son was 'tortured and tethered like an animal' at the special school in Northern Ireland A spokesman for the Police Service of Northern Ireland told MailOnline: 'The matter has been reported to police and is being investigated,' but refused to comment further. A spokesperson for the Education Authority (EA) said: 'In order to protect the confidentiality of the child, EA cannot comment on circumstances relating to specific children.' A National Association of Head Teachers spokesperson, representing the school's principal, said: 'There is an ongoing investigation into these allegations. Our member is complying fully with the investigation.' ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi addressing Muslim worshippers in Mosul, Iraq, in 2014 Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has reportedly ordered that hundreds of his followers be killed for disloyalty to ISIS. The Islamic State chief demanded that even some leading figures in Iraq and Syria be murdered, Iraqi intelligence reports are said to claim. The extremist group has lost about 90 per cent of the territory it controlled in 2014 when al-Baghdadi declared himself head of its Caliphate. He has now 'issued an order to kill 320 of his followers' for their 'betrayal' of ISIS and their 'recklessness' which 'inflicted heavy losses on the group in both Iraq and Syria', Iraqi News report intelligence sources as saying. High-profile commanders said to be on the hit list include Abu al-Baraa al-Ansari, Sief al-Din al-Iraqi, Abu Otham al-Tal Afari, Abu Iman al-Mowahed and Marawan Hadid al-Suri. Some ISIS militants fled to unknown locations in fear of their lives after learning of al-Baghdadi's plans, Iraqi News report. In September last year he released an audio message urging his followers to burn their enemies everywhere and target 'media centres of the infidels'. Baghdadi became leader of al-Qaeda in 2010. The US are offering a reward of $25million for information that would help locate, arrest or convict him. Tony Blair pictured at the Reuters event in London today Tony Blair urged MPs to vote down any Brexit deal Theresa May secures as he spearheaded a fresh Remainer assault today. The former PM insisted politicians should 'hold firm' and not be afraid of putting the country on course for a chaotic no-deal. A 'blockage' in Parliament was the best chance of getting a referendum that could keep the UK in the EU, he said. He claimed the bloc would at that point make a 'much more attractive offer' to keep Britain in. The comment came as Mr Blair's think-tank published analysis claiming that Mrs May's Chequers plan for Brexit would cost the country billions of pounds. The Labour leadership has said it will oppose any deal that does not keep the UK tied closely to the EU. There are also claims that around 30 Tory MPs are ready to rebel in an effort to force another national vote on the issue. But the government intends to leave MPs with a stark choice between any agreement Mrs May reaches and crashing out. There has been speculation that dozens of moderate MPs could end up backing the government to avoid carnage. Speaking at a Reuters Q&A this morning, the former Labour leader was asked how he thought the MPs should handle a vote. He said: 'I would advise them to hold firm against Brexit. Either of these choices are unpalatable.' Mr Blair repeated his call for a referendum that would include a choice to drop Brexit altogether. 'If we do get a blockage in Parliament that is when you get the opportunity to go back to the people,' he said. Mr Blair said if there was a second referendum he believed the EU would 'make a much more attractive offer'. 'I think if she did that, in my view Europe would step forward and would be prepared to negotiate a much more attractive offer for Britain staying,' he said. Mr Blair insisted politicians should 'hold firm' and not be afraid of putting the country on course for a chaotic no-deal Mr Blair took questions on Brexit and other subjects at a Reuters event in London today The former Labour leader hammered home his determination to force a Brexit rethink today The research published by Mr Blair's Institute for Global Change said crashing out and trading on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms would see GDP 4.91 per cent lower in 12 years' time than if Britain stayed in the customs union and single market. Even Mrs May's blueprint would see GDP take a 4.13 per cent hit, the study carried out by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) suggests. The service sector of the economy, rather than goods, will bear the main brunt of Brexit, it suggests. Britain is a 'hugely successful exporter of services', it says, and while exports to the EU fell after the Eurozone crisis, they rose in value from 70 billion to 110 billion between 2008 and 2017, an increase of 57 per cent. The report warns: 'Much of the overall rise in British exports over the last 20 years has been in services - the performance of manufactured exports has been easily the worst in the G7. 'On current trends, services exports are likely to exceed goods exports within five years. Mr Blair said MPs should vote down any deal that Theresa May (pictured at an event to mark the anniversary of the government's race audit today) secures with the EU 'The EU is by far the biggest market for these services, something that cannot be explained solely by geographic proximity and the EU's market size. 'And leaving the EU's single market will hit the UK's services exports harder than its goods exports.' The impact on services from the WTO scenario would be 2.1 per cent, double that of goods exports. The Chequers plan, which would keep Britain closer to the EU for goods but allow it more freedom over services, would leave it only marginally better with a 1.9 per cent fall in GDP, it claims. Mr Blair told the Financial Times that services were 'the forgotten part of the Brexit landscape', saying: 'Many people may think that though the short-term impact of Brexit will be severe, we will swiftly recover. This analysis demonstrates that this is not the case. 'The pain will go on for a long time and will only be reduced by radical measures of deregulation and cost saving to improve Britain's competitive advantage with Europe, which run in precisely the opposite direction of the policies now advocated by both main political parties.' A band of more than 30 Remain-supporting Tory MPs are said to be forming a movement to bring about a second referendum. Organisers say the group will vote down whatever Brexit deal Theresa May secures from the European Union. But the ultimate goal will be to hold another referendum on Brexit. The group is a rival for the Brexit-backing European Research Group led by Jacob Rees-Mogg. Those involved have not yet agreed a name, but one joked it could be the 'Patriots' to rile members of the Eurosceptic group. The search for those killed in last month's tsunami-quake disaster in Indonesia was called off today, despite there being around 5,000 people unaccounted for. The magnitude 7.5-quake and a subsequent tsunami razed whole swathes of the coastal city of Palu on Sulawesi Island to the ground on September 28. More than 2,000 bodies have been recovered since the twin disaster, which also flattened the fishing city of Donggala. Firemen dig through the rubble in search for tsunami victims in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Indonesian authorities ended the rescue effort on Thursday October 11 A resident searches for useable clothes in Balaroa village at Palu, which was one of the worst hit areas But authorities fear at least twice that number could be buried beneath the ruble of the ruined cities, where entire villages were swallowed. Rescuers had struggled to find remains in the twisted wreckage, a job made worse as mud hardened and bodies decomposed in the tropical heat. 'The search and rescue (SAR) operation for the victims will end this Thursday afternoon,' said SAR field director in Palu, Bambang Suryo. The government earlier indicated these hard-hit areas would be left untouched as mass graves. Children use a water pipe to bath at a camp for people displaced by an earthquake and tsunami A resident searches for useful belongings among the ruins of a collapsed house at Balaroa village Parks and monuments are planned at three of these worst-hit areas - Balaroa, Petobo and Jono Oge - to commemorate the possibly thousands of dead who will never found. Those zones were all but destroyed by liquefaction, a phenomenon where the brute force of a quake turns soil to quicksand. Humanitarian assistance has poured into the disaster-ravaged city but the recovery effort has been criticised for moving too slowly. Rescuers remove the body of an earthquake victim from the devastated village of Balaroa on Monday, October 8 - ten days after the disaster Indonesia's disaster agency said Wednesday that it only needs tents, water treatment units, generators and transport from other countries as it responds to the Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 2,000 people Some foreign rescue teams were prevented from deploying quickly to the ground to assist in the search for the dead and missing. The UN says 200,000 people are in dire need of humanitarian assistance in Palu, with clean drinking water and medical supplies still in short supply. An estimated 80,000 people were displaced by the disaster, many squatting in tents outside their destroyed homes. A progressive organisation that is calling for Australians to be more inclusive by adopting non-gender specific terms has been slammed on social media. The Equality Institute, a Melbourne-based 'feminist' organisation, is renowned for improving gender equality but their tweet about pregnancy on Tuesday caused a huge backlash. In the tweet, the global research and creative agency suggested people should use the term pregnant 'pregnant people' instead of 'pregnant women'. 'People of all genders can fall pregnant, because people of all genders can have the reproductive organs to do so,' the tweet stated. Scroll down for video A progressive organisation that is calling for Australians to be more inclusive by adopting non-gender specific terms has been slammed on social media (stock image) The Equality Institute is renowned for inciting social change and improving gender equality but their tweet (pictured) about pregnancy terms on Tuesday caused a social backlash 'Consider all people - including trans & non-binary folk - & ensure that your language is inclusive of everyone.' The Equality Institute has previously been commissioned by the Victorian Government to do research and analysis on domestic violence, and has partnered up with various government agencies and non-profit companies. Despite their attempts to be more inclusive, the tweet garnered plenty of negativity on social media with many people sharing their comments online. 'Wrong. Only women, one of only two genders, can become pregnant. My reference is science. Science doesnt care about your feelings,' one person wrote. 'That's not how it works. It sounds like it may be time your mom & dad had the "Talk" with you,' another person said. A third person added: 'After being a labor and delivery nurse for 25 years.....Im pretty sure my wife would disagree with your opinion.' The Equality Institute's tweet garnered plenty of negativity on social media (pictured) with many people sharing their comments online Another organisation seeking to incite social change that has ruffled a few feathers with one of its tweets is the Wellcome Collection, a British museum and library. The museum recently sent out a tweet promoting an event on October 6 using the word 'womxn' which led to a Twitter backlash from hundreds of women. In the tweet, the organisation promoted a series of activities, discussions and workshops for 'womxn' to challenge existing archives of women in history. The museum recently sent out a tweet (pictured) promoting an event on October 6 using the word 'womxn' which led to a Twitter backlash from hundreds of women After some women responded to the post with negativity, the museum issued a statement explaining why they chose to use the variation of the word. 'Weve had some questions about why were using the word womxn for this event,' the statement read. 'Were using it because we feel that it is important to create a space/venue that includes diverse perspectives. After the museum posted the explanatory message on Twitter, some women took to social media to share their comments too (pictured) 'It was agreed during our conversations with collaborators as the programme developed.' After the museum posted the explanatory message on Twitter, some women took to social media to share their comments too. 'It's rather frustrating for us women. Just when we thought we might start to be seen as part of history, we get erased from it again,' one woman wrote. After receiving the negativity on Twitter, the museum issued a follow-up statement (pictured) 'Its not a word. I am a woman and my friends are women and even other genders. But I am still woman.,' another person said. A third person added: 'Very disappointed in the Wellcome for choosing to erase women.' The museum says on its website that it aims to challenge how people think and feel about health through exhibitions, collections, live programming and publishing. After receiving the negativity on Twitter, the museum issued a follow-up statement. 'We welcome challenges to our thinking from our collaborators and visitors as this will enable us to think critically about our approach. 'We're not advocating a specific point of view,' the statement read. Prime Minister Scott Morrison commented on the two proposed changes, when he spoke to 3AW's Neil Mitchell. When the radio host asked the PM how he felt about political correctness in relation the term 'pregnant women' and 'womxn', he replied by saying: 'Well that's ridiculous'. 'I mean honestly, seriously... people should just honestly get over themselves. 'I mean we want gender equality, we don't want people discriminated on the basis of their sexuality. And we want all of that, but we don't have to carry on,' the PM said. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to The Equality Institute for comment. A young model is fighting for her life after being mysteriously shot in the neck while driving in Georgia. Kelsey Quayle, 28, was placed on life support after being targeted Monday morning in Clayton County. She drove into oncoming traffic and caused a three-car pile up after being shot at the wheel of her Mazda 626, police said. Kelsey Quayle, 28, was shot in the neck while driving in Clayton County, Georgia, on Monday She drove into oncoming traffic and caused a three-car pile up after losing consciousness Ms Quayle had moved to Georgia a few months ago with her boyfriend to pursue a modeling career in Atlanta. She took a job at a dentist's office in Riverdale and was driving to work at 7am when she was shot. Her sister Kayleigh told Fox 5 Atlanta, 'I just want to know who did this. It's ridiculous. She didn't deserve this. 'She was beautiful, she was the sweetest person she was humble she was a model but she never let that get to her head. She loved everybody, everybody loved her. Her family have no idea why she would've been targeted - and think she may have been caught in crossfire 'Right now a theory would be road rage, or maybe just a crossfire maybe but we just have so many unanswered questions.' Ms Quayle's devastated family have gathered at Grady Hospital where they are preparing to switch off her life support. Officers responded to what they initially believed was a multi-car wreck after Quayle lost control of her vehicle. Ms Quayle had moved to Georgia a few months ago with her boyfriend to pursue a modeling career in Atlanta But doctors discovered Quayle had been shot. Police believe the shooting caused the crash. Captain Scott Stubbs, Clayton County PD said: 'Which we believe was the primary cause of her not being conscious, leaving the roadway into the length of traffic.' Family members tell FOX 5 News the bullet entered Quayle's neck, severing her spinal cord at the base of her brain, causing catastrophic brain damage. Visitors filmed posing for photographs with a rare tiger cub at a zoo in north China have sparked controversy. Footage filmed at the Siberia Tiger Park in Harbin, Heilongjiang province shows smiling tourists taking turns holding up a two-month-old Siberian tiger cub for the photos. They were charged 50 yuan (5) each. A witness told MailOnline that the cub was roaring incessantly and 'clearly didn't want to be touched'. Visitors filmed posing for photographs with a rare tiger cub at the Siberia Tiger Park in Harbin, Heilongjiang province have sparked controversy. They were charged 5 each for the photos Also known as the Manchurian tiger, the Siberian tiger is one of the world's most endangered species, with around 500 of them in the wild. A zoo manager was seen giving instructions and passing the cub to the hands of the eager tourists, who were sitting on a bench and wearing gloves. '50 yuan (5) each!' another staff member shouted through a microphone. The cub was filmed struggling desperately while roaring loudly. The witness, Ms Liu, filmed the incident on October 4 and uploaded to Chinese micro-blogging platform Weibo. Witness told MailOnline that the cub was roaring loudly and clearly didn't want to be touched. A zoo manager was seen giving instructions and passing the cub to the hands of the tourists 'I was just outraged by the actions of the tourists and felt really bad for the poor baby tiger,' Liu told MailOnline. 'It was crying and roaring loudly while struggling in the hands of the tourists,' she said. 'It clearly didn't want to be touched and photographed.' 'It's a shame that the zoo is using the tiger cub to make money. It should be left with its mother, not with tourists,' she added. Net users in China were shocked by the incident, with many accusing the park of animal abuse. 'It sounded like a child crying!' one user said on Weibo. 'These people are too cruel.' 'Isn't the zoo supposed to protect these animals? It seems they can do anything just for the sake of money,' another said. The Siberian tiger cub was filmed struggling desperately while roaring incessantly A zoo manager was seen putting gloves onto the tourists at the photoshoot Siberian tigers have been facing unrelenting pressures from poaching, retaliatory killings and habitat loss, driving them to the brink of extinction A staff member confirmed the incident, according to The Paper. The park has now suspended the activity due to the colder weather. They insisted that taking photos with the tiger would not harm the animal. The zoo is under investigation by the provincial forestry bureau following the incident, according to the report. The big rare cats have been facing unrelenting pressures from poaching, retaliatory killings and habitat loss, driving them to the brink of extinction, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). They are known to reach up to 20 years of age in the wild and range across Siberia in Russia and in China's north-east region. Two men have been accused of raping a 9-month-old girl and filming the attack. Isiah Dequan Hayes, 19, and Daireus Jumare Ice, 22, were indicted by a grand jury in Memphis, Tennessee on Tuesday on charges including especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor. In October 2016, the victim's mother reported the men to authorities when she found sickening cell phone video of the attack, according to the Shelby County District Attorney General's office. In one of those videos the suspect could allegedly be seen exposing and touching himself with the young child, who was nude from the waist down. Isiah Dequan Hayes, 19, (left) and Daireus Jumare Ice, 22, (right) were indicted by a grand jury in Memphis, Tennessee for especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor Investigators identified Hayes, who was 17 at the time, in the video and said Ice was the person taking the video. Hayes also was indicted on a charge of aggravated rape of a child. Ice also was indicted of being criminally responsible for the conduct of another person in the aggravated rape of a child. Both men were arrested in February, when the mother was able to identify them via social media and brought the information to police. The case is being handled by Assistant District Attorney Lessie Rainey of the Shelby County DAs Special Victims Unit, which prosecutes cases of child sexual abuse. At the time he was arrested, Hayes' family reacted with horror at the allegations. 'To hear this is heartbreaking and scary,' the suspect's older brother, who asked not the be named, told WREG. He said that the video resurfaced two years after the alleged rape due to a family feud. The brother said: 'Us as a family, we apologize. I know that the child may not remember, but it's something a mother is going to have to hold on to forever. Like, knowing that your child was exposed to something like that. You trusted your child with someone, and you have to deal with seeing this on your own.' Ice and Hayes are being held in the Shelby County Jail, with bail for Hayes set at $10,000 and bail for Ice set at $1.75 million. Ice is next due in court on November 7 and Hayes does not have a pending court date listed. Information on attorneys for the two men was not immediately available. Chinese have no objection to Saudis investing in CPEC Clearing the air on recent news about Saudi Arabias entry into the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing on Wednesday said his country had no objection to Saudis investing in the project. We welcome investment in CPEC, the ambassador told journalists at the Quetta Press Club. The federal government had recently announced that the kingdom has signed grant agreements with Pakistan to finance three road infrastructure and energy projects under CPEC, following Prime Minister Imran Khans visit to Saudia Arabia last month. Later, however, the government clarified that Saudi Arabia would not be made part of the $50 billion CPEC framework and the kingdoms proposed investments would fall under a separate bilateral arrangement. The framework between China and Pakistan is bilateral and Saudi Arabia is not entering that framework as a third-party investor, rather the base of CPEC will be broadened and its pace will be expedited, Minister for Planning and Development Khusro Bakhtiar said in a press conference. Speaking further at the press briefing on Wednesday, the Chinese ambassador said that CPEC projects had been reviewed and consensus developed over the inclusion of new projects after the formation of the new government in Pakistan. Both sides will keep working on the ongoing projects under CPEC and have them finished as scheduled, Jing said, adding, For the next stage of the project, we will focus on joint ventures in the social sector. It has also been decided to give more resources to western provinces. The ambassador expressed his desire to link the million dollar undertaking to Central Asian states via Afghanistan. He said CPEC would open new vistas of development and prosperity in the region. Further, he assured the gathering that CPEC had entered a new era and that jobs would soon be created for the people of Pakistan. He noted that Balochistan offers numerous opportunities to investors in terms of agriculture, livestock, mines and minerals. French businesses have warned Emmanuel Macron that a no deal Brexit would harm the country amid reports the French President is holding up an agreement. Leading figures in Normandy said that if the UK is allowed to crash out without a deal then it would pose a 'major threat' to the economy across the Channel. It comes as Theresa May is facing a crunch point on Brexit today amid warnings her DUP allies could pull their support and topple her government over the negotiations. Herve Morin, the chairman of the regional council, and ten leading business figures penned the public letter. They warned the French President not to become obsessed in trying to use a no deal Brexit to lure financial trade away from London, and be more concerned with the harm it could cause other areas of the economy. French businesses have warned Emmanuel Macron (pictured giving a speech in Armenia today) that a no deal Brexit would harm the country amid reports the French President is holding up an agreement The letter, which has the backing of port and ferry operators, states: 'Financiers tend to see it as an opportunity for economic expansion, a view shared by much of Mr Macron's administration, while a range of other sectors, from wine exporters to ferry lines, see it as a danger. 'France has started to dream,' the letter says. 'It is dreaming of Brexit as though it were an opportunity, notably for the financial sector in Paris. 'But for the regions next to the channel, and notably here in Normandy, the diagnosis is very different. 'A Brexit without an agreement ... represents for our economy, and especially for the economy of our ports, a major threat.' Mr Morin warned that if Britain crashes out without a deal then France will need millions of euros poured into it to weather the economic shock. Their intervention comes as the PM is under massive pressure as she scrambles to thrash out a package that can be accepted on both sides of the Channel. Theresa May (pictured today at the Southbank centre in London) is facing probably the biggest test of her premiership, with just six days to go until a crucial EU summit But Mrs May's position is hanging by a thread after the DUP threatened to tear up the deal which sees its 10 MPs prop her up in power. They are livid that a so-called 'backstop' proposal for the Irish border could see single market checks imposed between Northern Ireland and mainland Britain - something they say would split the UK. Meanwhile, Brexiteers have accused the PM of being 'stiched up' by the EU as the plan would effectively keep the whole UK in the customs union until a future trade deal is agreed. They demanded Mrs May tear up the backstop and seek a looser Canada-style free trade arrangement, encouraged by EU negotiator Michel Barnier again bluntly dismissing her Chequers blueprint. The wave of outrage has left Mrs May facing probably the biggest test of her premiership, with just six days to go until a crucial EU summit. A grandmother who was allegedly kidnapped along with her daughter and two teenage boys has declared 'God and the angels' helped them survive the ordeal. Jason Scott McKay, 44, was accused of leading the kidnapping of a woman, 41, two teenagers, 13 and 14, and their grandmother, 71, from Ootha, near Condobolin, on Tuesday. He has been ordered to appear before a NSW court alongside his own son Adam Thomas McKay and another co-accused Samuel Towney. Scroll down for video A NSW grandmother (pictured) who was allegedly kidnapped along with her daughter and two boys has declared 'God and the angels' helped them survive the ordeal Jason Scott McKay (pictured), 44, was accused of leading the kidnapping of a woman, 41, two teenagers, 13 and 14, and their grandmother, 71, from Ootha, near Condobolin, on Tuesday The grandmother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, praised 'god and the angels' for helping her and her family escape the 13-hour-long ordeal, and hailed her daughter a hero for requesting a toilet break, Nine News reported. 'Her actions obviously helped to save us and to help the boys and I escape. She deserves a medal for that. She was absolutely incredible,' she said on Thursday. The 71-year-old added: 'We've got a lot of recovering to do.' 'I thank everyone who assisted in us being able to get away and for my daughter to be safely returned to us. God and the angels were there.' The alleged kidnapping began when police were called to a house at Ootha (pictured), almost 400km away in NSW's central west, which was allegedly set alight after the violent break-in The elder McKay was not brought up from the holding cells at Parramatta Local Court when his matter was heard on Thursday, with his lawyer, Angelo Billias, not applying for bail and it being formally refused. McKay was ordered to appear before Parkes Local Court on December 17 along with his two co-accused aged 23 and 29. The three have been charged with a string of offences including destroying a building by fire with intent to murder. Detectives allege the armed trio went to a home in Ootha, near Condobolin, early on Tuesday morning and assaulted a 68-year-old grandfather and knocked him unconscious. Adam Thomas McKay, 23, (left) was ordered to front court alongside his dad and friend Samuel Towney, 29 (right) McKay was arrested by police officers on Tuesday night The grandmother and the two boys were able to escape after being held captive for almost 400 kilometres It's alleged the victim - the grandmother's partner - was struck on the head with a shotgun and left with a serious injury. He was then allegedly bound and left in a back room of the house while two of the attackers poured about 20 litres of petrol throughout the house before setting it alight. The elderly man was falling in and out of consciousness before he broke free and raised the alarm with a neighbour after being unable to find his 71-year-old partner, her 41-year-old daughter and two boys aged 13 and 14. The grandmother said her partner 'must have one of the thickest heads', while police said it was 'extraordinary' the elderly man did not die in the house fire. McKay was ordered to appear before Parkes Local Court on December 17 along with his two co-accused aged 23 and 29 (Samuel Towney pictured) The the three men allegedly broke through the front door and attacked a man, 68, who is the grandmother's partner, knocking him unconscious The ordeal began at Ootha, in western NSW, and ended 400 kilometres away at Windsor, west of Sydney 'I think it is extraordinary, considering his age,' Acting Asst Commissioner Smith said. 'He had to break free from his bindings, he fell in and out of consciousness a number of times throughout the ordeal. He received head injuries throughout assault, so I think hats off to his bravery as to what he did next which is to alert neighbours.' Following a huge manhunt, the older woman and the teenage boys managed to escape on Tuesday evening, when the 23 and 29-year-old men were arrested near Sackville. Some four hours later the 44-year-old man was arrested north of Windsor with the remaining woman, 41, who was then reunited with her family, detectives said. Anthony Wells avoided jail for an 18-month harassment campaign against a colleague at Manchester Royal infirmary A hospital porter who became obsessed with a nursing assistant phoned her 68 in one day during a stalking campaign that left her living in fear. Anthony Wells hounded Kerrie Clark-Bear for 18 months at Manchester Royal Infirmary, telling her: 'If I can't have you then nobody can.' Wells - who has since lost his job at the hospital - admitted harassment this week but avoided jail on a suspended sentence. Manchester Magistrates Court heard he used fake Facebook profiles - even using her surname - to message her after believing they could start a relationship. He tracked down her son on Snapchat and messaging him and got his own seven year old daughter to call Miss Clark-Bear to ask: 'Why won't you speak to my dad.' Miss Clark-Bear became so scared of Wells she once dodged into a cubicle and climbed onto a bed with a patient in it to avoid him. She wrote in a victim statement: 'I am constantly on edge as a result of his behaviour, I am always worried that something will happen. 'My family and friends are always contacting me to see if I am OK. He just constantly messages me and makes phone calls.' Wells terrified Kerrie Clark-Bear by repeatedly calling and contacting her online Prosecutor Laura Keegan said: 'This has been going on for over 18 months. In June 2017, there was 68 phone calls received in one day.' Wells' lawyer, Andrew Gilmore, said there was an 'underlying mental health issue' behind his actions. Wells was given a 16 week prison sentence, suspended for two years and will have to complete a community order to include 20 days of rehabilitation work. He was banned from contacting Miss Clark-Bear for two years and will have to pay 200 costs. District Judge Khalid Qureshi told him: 'An aggravating feature to this is the nature of your behaviour, which the complainant felt to be perturbing and disturbing. 'But it was out of character for you. This crosses the custody threshold but I am prepared to suspend the sentence.' A Disney World fanatic claims she was shamed for breastfeeding in public by one of the park's photographers who refused to take her picture while she nursed her daughter. Business owner and blogger Natalee Jorge-Martin, 28, from Miami, was at the Orlando resort with her one-year-old Delilah and husband Rogelio in 2017. The family asked to have their picture taken by a professional photographer but were told they weren't allowed to breastfeed on camera. Natalee Jorge-Martin, 28, from Miami, was told she couldn't get a photograph until she stopped breastfeeding her one-year-old daughter Delilah Mrs Jorge-Martin (pictured with Delilah) is a massive Disney World fan and felt let down by the park Both Mrs Jorge-Martin and her husband have always loved Disney and had been regular visitors to the theme park. But they both now feel let down and targeted. Mrs Jorge-Martin said: 'The photographer plainly said, "you have to cover up or take the baby off for the picture" and refused to take the picture. 'I was so confused, I honestly couldn't believe what was happening and I was completely frozen. I couldn't even react. She said she felt 'confused' and was left 'completely frozen' with the photographer's response She said: 'If you're offended by breastfeeding, you're probably staring too hard. It's literally just a mother feeding a child, there's nothing to be up in arms about' 'Most of Disney World is completely breastfeeding friendly. You can nurse anywhere in the park and not be asked to cover up or leave - not by cast members at least. 'If you're offended by breastfeeding, you're probably staring too hard. It's literally just a mother feeding a child, there's nothing to be up in arms about.' The mother-of-one wants to get rid of the stigma of breastfeeding in public and de-sexualise women's breasts. She added: 'I've always seen women who breastfed in public as strong, powerful and wonderful mothers. It's perfectly normal to be nervous to nurse in public because I was at first too. 'The problem is that women have been sexualised for years and our society oppresses us and wants our breasts on display only to fulfil sexual fantasies, not the way that they were intended, which is to feed babies. 'Because of this, you might feel like you're doing something wrong when really all you're doing is what your body is meant to do. Feeding your child is a basic human need that is essential to their survival. The mother-of-one wants to normalise breastfeeding in public and desexualise women's breasts She believes 'the more people see a woman proudly nursing in public, the quicker it will be normalised' 'Although you may feel nervous, you should do it anyway, even if you're covered up. The more people see a woman proudly nursing in public, the quicker it will be normalised.' Through sharing her own experiences and thoughts on her blog, Nat The Natural Mom, Mrs Jorge-Martin is trying to create a community for mothers to embrace nursing and share their personal experiences with one another. 'Women are strong, and we are powerful. We bring life into this world and many of us sustain that life for months after birth just our breasts,' said Natalee. 'We need to start reclaiming our power and our bodies because we are made of magic.' You can see more of Natalee's mothering style by visiting her Instagram, @natthenaturalmom or visit her blog, natthenaturalmom.com where she shares her personal stories and pictures. MailOnline has approached Disney World for comment. Benedict Cumberbatch has put his 1million Victorian townhouse in one of London's most exclusive areas up for rent, MailOnline can reveal. The three-floor, three bedroom home in leafy Hampstead is being let for a hefty 3,358 per calendar month - 775 a week. The property, which features a roof terrace offering views over the city, was originally divided into two flats before the actor converted them two years ago. Sherlock and War Horse star Cumberbatch, 42, recently moved into a sprawling 2.7million five-bedroom Victorian villa in nearby Camden, north London, so has put his previous Hampstead home out to let via Amberden Estates. It will available from November 1. Benedict Cumberbatch has put his 1million Victorian townhouse in one of London's most exclusive areas up for rent, MailOnline can reveal Cumberbatch's three-floor, three bedroom home in leafy Hampstead is being let for a hefty 3,358 per calendar month - 775 a week The property, which features a roof terrace offering views over the city, was originally divided into two flats before the actor converted them two years ago The listing details on Prime Location.com describe the property as: 'A stunning 3 double bedroom triplex, with wood floors throughout and a fabulous South facing roof terrace. 'Set over the first, second and third floors of a Victorian house the flat has been refurbished to a very high standard, with beautiful features including original fireplaces, cast iron radiators, custom joinery, roll-top bath and bespoke kitchen. 'The property is situated in a popular family neighbourhood with a great mix of cafes, gastro-pubs, neighbourhood restaurants, independent shops and Marks & Spencer.' Cumberbatch bought the top-floor flat in Hampstead for 475,000 in 2008 before parting with another 300,000 for the one-bedroom flat below two years later. He then converted both properties and extended into the loft space, costing another 70,000, with the work being completed in 2016. Cumberbatch and his wife Sophie Hunter (pictured), whom he married in 2015, have two children together The Sherlock star recently moved into a sprawling 2.7million five-bedroom Victorian villa in nearby Camden, north London, so has put his previous Hampstead home out to let Prime Location describes the property as: 'A stunning 3 double bedroom triplex, with wood floors throughout and a fabulous South facing roof terrace' Cumberbatch bought the top-floor flat with a roof terrace in Hampstead for 475,000 in 2008 before parting with another 300,000 for the one-bedroom flat below two years later However some local residents felt the property, due to its size following the loft extension, was not in keeping with neighbouring homes and lodged objections with Camden council. Steve Adams of the local conservation area committee said at the time: 'The overall effect of the double-dormer totally overpowers the rear-roof pitch in this location...The billy railings add to the excessive disturbance of the terrace within the conservation area.' Cumberbatch has caused similar planning rows with his new neighbours in Camden, where he now lives with his wife, opera director Sophie Hunter, and their son Christopher. When he first bought that property in April 2016 he decided again to carry out widespread renovations before moving in. He then converted both properties and extended into the loft space, costing another 70,000, with the work being completed in 2016 When he converted his flat, some residents felt the property, due to its size following the loft extension, was not in keeping with neighbouring homes and objected to Camden council Part of his plans included converting the attic into another bedroom, to build a rear extension and a new balcony and to install a 'plant room' complete with a new boiler. Neighbours complained that the noise coming from the new boiler would shatter their peace and quiet and feared his balcony on the upper ground floor would 'overlook' other properties. Despite the objections, council chiefs gave the plans the go ahead, prompting neighbour to comment: 'The council seem to think it will all be fine and nobody will be affected, so let's hope when Mr Cumberbatch eventually moves in all will be well.' Renting his Hampstead home makes financial sense because selling it would only make him a 'very small profit margin' after the cost of the conversion, according to property expert David Jaffe. This is the chilling moment an alleged paedophile cannibal demonstrates to detectives how he stabbed his victim. Arkady Zverev, 22, has been charged with murdering his landlord before cooking body parts cut from his victim Alexander Popovich, 21. Zverev was with a 12 year old schoolgirl during the alleged killing and confessed to police that he had sex with her, law enforcement officials have said. Zverev leads detectives into the house belonging to Alexander Popovich, 21, 60 miles outside St Petersburg Zverev was brought to the murder scene by law enforcement officers and used a mannequin to show them he stabbed the victim Earlier he had taken her by car some 1,500 miles from the Black Sea resort of Sochi to St Petersburg without her parents' permission, it was reported. Zverev was brought to the murder scene by law enforcement officers and used a mannequin to show them he stabbed the victim. A video of the demonstration was released by the Investigative Committee, in charge of probing serious crime in Russia. Gruesome reports have emerged citing law enforcement officials of how Zverev confessed that an axe was used to dismember the corpse. Popovich's heart, brain and one eye were cooked and eaten, it is alleged. He confessed to putting the severed head of Popovich, in a microwave and turning it on the highest setting for three minutes. Zverez and his 12-year-old 'girlfriend' moved to the village after Popovich - who they met in a KFC restaurant - offered them a cheap rent Groomer paedophile: Arkady Zverev, 22, has admitted to killing Popovich, and confessed to having a sexual relationship with the underage girl Officials report that the 22-year-old and the 12-year-old were living with the victim in his flat as lodgers He was 'curious about the taste' of brains after a previous girlfriend died falling out of a window and cracking her head open, he told a judge in a closed session hearing, according to Russian media reports. The IC said that Zvarev has been charged with murder, and remanded in custody for two months. Investigations are underway based on his alleged confessions and more charges are expected relating to abusing the dead body and sex with a minor. Russia does not have a specific crime of cannibalism. The girl has been detained for one month and is undergoing psychiatric assessment ordered by a court. Zverev, pictured arriving in court, said he microwaved the severed head of their victim Alexander Popovich, 21, for three minutes, before eating his brains She is under the age of criminal responsibility and cannot face any charges. She is described as a 'witness' in the case. Investigators are 'establishing all the circumstances of the murder committed'. They are also probing leaks from the investigation, which could lead to action against those responsible. Zverev earlier pleaded with the judge from a metal cage at a custody hearing at Kirovsky District Court near St Petersburg to banish journalists from the hearing, declaring: 'I do not want fame.' The court went into closed session due to the young age of the girl. A pale and disheveled Zverev was detained in custody for two months to allow further investigations of the macabre case, while the girl was remanded in a hospital for one month for psychiatric tests. Zverev faces charges of murder, abusing a dead body and sex with a minor, say law enforcement officials. Revelations: Zverev is pictured during his court appearance in St. Petersburg Murdered: The dismembered remains of Alexander Popovich was found in his home in a village 60 miles from St. Petersburg Evil: Zverev told police he had been the first to stab Popovich, after the two men started a row over the rent for the flat in Novinka village near St Petersburg They then moved to a village after Popovich - who they met in a KFC restaurant - offered them a cheap rent. He claimed there was a dispute over money after which they killed, dismembered and ate some body parts. The girl's mother has refused to travel to St Petersburg to see her in the wake of the murder and cannibalism reports, say the media. Last week, it was revealed that the girl had told police officers she had taken part in the killing and cannibalism. She told detectives how she used a frying pan to cook and eat Mr Popovich's heart but that she had found the taste 'too sweet', and that his brains 'turned out to be much more tasty'. The 12-year-old child told officers she had stabbed the man - in whose flat they were lodging - after he went to bed. Then she opened his abdomen with a knife because she 'always wanted to see what was inside there', according to 47news.ru. Next she says she cut meat out of his chest which she fried, and Zvarev used an axe to behead their victim, and chop off his arms. Mystery death: Zverev's ex girlfriend Olga Semibokova, whom he started dating when she was a young teen, died two months ago after 'falling out of a window' Death: Olga's family are demanding that the investigation into her death at age 18 be re-opened as they do not believe it was an accident Zverev, from the Altai mountains in Siberia, previously had a relationship with another underage girl called Olga Semibokova who died after falling from a window, it was alleged today. This girl was 15 when they began having sex and died two months ago when she was 18. Her family today claimed her death had not been properly investigated - and asked for the case to be reopened in the light of the cannibal killing. Tatiana Semibokova, aunt of the dead girl, said Zverev 'took her away from her family. 'He seduced a small girl, she thought it was her first love and was devoted to him.' She absconded with him and lived in Novosibirsk, a city hundreds of miles from her home, she said. 'How such a monster could attract our girl, we do not know,' said the aunt. 'Olga understood that he was a cruel person, but she always justified his behaviour. 'She said: 'He lacked parental warmth, I can warm his heart'.' Mileigh Loftus, 22, of Swindon (pictured in hospital) was on the train home from a night out in Bath last Saturday when she fell gravely ill after her drink was spiked A mother has shared harrowing pictures of her daughter after her drink was spiked on a night out in a heartfelt plea to stop it happening to others. Mileigh Loftus, 22, of Swindon, was on the train home from a night out in Bath last Saturday when she fell gravely ill. The hairdresser lost control of her body and speech and could not stop vomiting. She was rushed to hospital where her mother Kelly was convinced she was having a stroke - but now believes her drink was spiked with a form of liquid Ecstasy. Miss Loftus had to undergo brain scans, blood tests, and was put on a heart monitor and an IV drip for 13 hours to clear the toxin from her body. Her mother described the incident as 'the worst moment of my life' and posted distressing pictures from her daughter's hospital bed online. Ms Loftus wants to use the horrific incident to prevent other parents and their children going through the same thing. She said: 'It looked as if she was having a stroke.. She was enjoying her night like everyone else until someone targeted her. 'They have done more than just ruin her night. It could have ended so much worse. To know that someone has done this to my child is terrifying. 'To watch their victim suffer and become immobile so they can have control is absolutely spineless.' She was rushed to hospital where her mother Kelly (pictured left with her right) was convinced she was having a stroke - but now believes her drink was spiked with a form of liquid Ecstasy Her daughter said: 'I knew straight away I wasn't right and just kept saying to myself 'why can't I control my body?'. 'I couldn't stop crying because I had no control. It was the worst moment of my life. 'Why would someone want to see me in this state, whether it was for fun or to even harm me?' She added: 'If something was to have happened I would have had no control and that's the upsetting part of it all.' In a furious Facebook post she continued: 'It's 2018 and you would think none would ever want to harm another human being! ... well that's a lie a big lie in fact! 'Last night something beyond terrifying happened to me that I will never wish upon anyone! Pictured: Mileigh Loftus and her mother were left devastated by the shocking incident 'Last night a Saturday night I went to bath to enjoy a few cocktails with friends and family.. the first half of the night I remember and then I went to revolution I remember drinking 2 cocktails and then I remember ordering another drink but that's when it happened I don't remember paying for that drink I don't remember anyone behind the bar giving it to me. 'And then at that point I had no control over my body! I was SPIKED! 'And I do not remember a single thing part from coming home and police surrounding me on the train helping me while I was non stop throwing up, I was then put into an ambulance to which I got worse and they said they have never seen a drug react this way to anybody! 'My speech my hands mouth and legs were no longer doing what I wanted them to do and that broke me to show people that I was embarrassed for people to think I did this to myself when some low life got the joy of it! 'Never in my life did I think this would happen to me. My trust in people will never be the same the person that's done this will not get away with it. 'I cannot thank the hospital enough and the police for everything but most importantly everyone that was with me last night.' British Transport Police helped her and made sure an ambulance was in Swindon when the train arrived. She is still recovering from the effects of the ordeal, but her mother Kelly said: 'Mileigh has been extremely lucky. I pray this hasn't caused any ongoing problems for her. 'You hear about people's drinks being spiked and the terrible outcome that follows but you never think it will happen to you or a loved one.' Her mother also thanked their friends and the emergency services, as well as the woman who helped keep her daughter calm and safe. She added: 'What she did will always be remembered and I can't thank her enough.' The incident is being dealt with by Avon & Somerset Police, but Wiltshire Police assisted and visited Mileigh in hospital. A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: 'We were contacted by BTP reporting that a 22-year-old woman had been taken to hospital due to suspicion that her drink had been spiked.' A Virginia school district superintendent has been forced to apologize to a transgender middle-schooler who was barred from using the boys' and girls' locker rooms during an active shooter drill. Stafford Schools Superintendent Scott Kizner said at a board meeting Tuesday that the school will now review its procedures and make unspecified policy changes to make sure no student is stranded in a hallway during a safety drill ever again. 'If there was someone armed in my school, I would have been the first one gone,' the unnamed transgender student wrote in a letter read aloud by a family friend at the Stafford School Board meeting. The incident sparked a national outcry as a large group of supporters of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community attended the meeting with concerns about the school system's policies on transgender students. LGBTQ supporters attended the meeting Tuesday to voice concerns about the county's policies regarding transgender students Stafford School District Superintendent apologized to a transgender student at a school board meeting Tuesday (pictured) after being denied access to boys' and girls' locker rooms during a safety drill September 28 and stranded in the hallway Instead of seeking shelter, she was forced to sit alone during the drill while other students in her physical education class took shelter in locker rooms. Superintendent Scott Kizner said he will review policies and procedures to make sure this does not happen again The teachers were stumped and followed procedures, which had no specific plan for a transgender student. 'I felt like an afterthought. If the whole thing wasn't bad enough, the embarrassment caused me to have a panic attack in front of everyone,' the student wrote. 'I want you to stop treating me like I am a predator. It's time for you to fix this,' she added. Kizner said in the meeting: 'We did not live up to my unwavering expectation that every child and adult -regardless of race, religion, color, disability, gender and sexual orientation - is treated with respect and dignity and for that I apologize to the student, the family and the Stafford community.' 'I'm not opposed to good policies that make the schools more inclusive and transgender accepting and provide protections,' Kizner wrote in an email to The Free Lance Star. Carol Medawar hands out Equality for Stafford stickers before a school board meeting on Tuesday 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 September 28 incident happened due to confusion over bathroom and locker room policies at an unnamed middle school, 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 News that the district has a history of inconsistent handling of transgender students' bathroom and facility use. Now, Kizner says in case of an emergency, students should go to the nearest secure room regardless of their gender/ He said: 'With drills, we learn to do things better. And this is a good example of a drill [where] we learned we need to do it better, and that's my commitment.' Duncan Ferguson, one of the directors of a company that managed the Royal Family of Abu Dhabi's 5.5bn Berkeley Square estate in London, claims he was sacked after he went part time to nurse his terminally ill wife The director of a company that managed the Royal Family of Abu Dhabi's 5.5bn Berkeley Square estate in London claims he was sacked after he went part time to nurse his terminally ill wife, a tribunal heard. Three other directors of the company that had looked after the Estate for 16 years were also fired, with one of them telling the tribunal they were treated like 'dog excrement'. The four all owned Lancer Asset Management who managed over 100 properties comprising the prime portfolio in Mayfair, Knightsbridge, Oxford Street and Kensington Palace Mansions, dubbed Britain's most expensive street. The Abu Dhabi royals bought the estate in 2001 for 325 million. Under Lancer's management it is now valued at 5.5 billion. Properties include the iconic Annabel's nightclub and the Clermont club and casino founded in 1962 by John Aspinall with original members including five dukes, five marquesses, almost twenty earls and two cabinet ministers. Over the years it became a haunt for the rich and famous including the likes of Peter Sellers, Lord Lucan, the Duke of Devonshire, James Goldsmith and Kerry Packer. The lucrative contract was transferred from Lancer's to Astrea Asset Management last year and the founders and directors were due to be transferred as well. John Kevill, Andrew Lax and Byron Pull are claiming unfair dismissal from Astrea when they were fired on the transfer day. A fourth man, Duncan Ferguson went just days later. Three other directors, John Kevill, Andrew Lax and Byron Pull (pictured) are also claiming unfair dismissal from Astrea when they were fired on the transfer day He lost his 140,000-a-year post as asset management director at Lancer after Astrea took over the contract with jobs being transferred under a TUPE arrangement in September 2017. Under TUPE rules, the new company have to honour previous contracts. The four claim they were sacked on trumped up charges to be got rid of without Astrea having to pay them what their contracts said. Astrea allege the four were fired because of gross misconduct by changing their contracts to give them 'golden parachutes' and 50 percent bonuses, the tribunal heard. The directors, who owned Lancer between them, deny they obstructed the handover process and claim their employment rights were breached by Astrea. Mr Ferguson said in a statement that he met with Astrea's CEO, Giles Easter, and Abu Dhabi Financial Group's operating officer Mustafa Kheriba, on the transfer date on September 29 last year. He said: 'During this meeting, Mr Ferguson, Mr Easter and Mr Kheriba discussed the handover of the services and the future management of the Bekerley Square Estate. 'Mr Kheriba also queried the claimant's part-time working hours, in response to which the claimant disclosed that these working arrangement were due to his wife suffering from a terminal illness. 'On October 2 2017 the claimant attended work for Astrea at its new office premises, arranging meetings and speaking with lawyers regarding the Berkeley Square Estate. 'At approximately 11.40am the claimant was called into a meeting with Mr Easter, at which Mr Easter confirmed that the claimant was to be summarily dismissed. 'The claimant left the Astrea offices at approximately midday to attend a medical appointment with his wife.' The Royal Family of Abu Dhabi's 5.5bn Berkeley Square estate in London comprises properties including the Kensington Palace Mansions, Annabel's Nightclub and the iconic Clermont club and casino Properties in the Royal Family of Abu Dhabi's 5.5bn Berkeley Square estate include the iconic Clermont club and casino founded in 1962 by John Aspinall. Over the years it became a haunt for the rich and famous including the likes of Peter Sellers (right), Lord Lucan (left), the Duke of Devonshire, James Goldsmith and Kerry Packer The tribunal heard former Lancer CEO and co-founder Mr Kevill, said the directors were treated like 'dog excrement' by the Abu Dhabi Royal Family's 'operatives' who fired them. He said: 'We were treated like dog excrement on a foot being scraped off a pavement, so you can see there's an element of frustration.' Mr Ferguson said he was not given any written reasons for his dismissal, with Mr Easter telling him it was on the instruction of Mr Kheriba. His document added: 'It is denied that there has been any breach by the claimant of fiduciary duties and implied contractual duties to Lancer, as alleged or at all. 'Astrea did not conduct any investigation into the alleged gross misconduct committed by the claimant prior to make the decision to dismiss. 'The Claimant's position is that the allegations against him in the dismissal letter are untrue, patently absurd, and that the real reason of the termination of his employment is that Astrea is seeking to avoid the liability it inherited under TUPE for the substantial payments which the claimant is contractually entitled to receive on termination of his employment. 'And/or the claimant was dismissed because of the wife's terminal illness and/or the impact this would have on the claimant and his ability to perform his role. 'And/or the claimant was dismissed on the grounds he was a part-time worker and/or the impact this would have on the claimant's ability to perform his role.' Privately-educated director Mr Kevill was also covertly recorded talking to Mr Easter in a Mayfair pub saying: 'Remember just 55 years ago they were sitting on a rock pointing at goats and picking their noses. Property is what Arabs call their first love.' Mr Kevill described the recording as 'police state style surveillance' and added: 'We had done what nobody else had done in London. 'It was a fantastic unparalleled success and the way we had been treated comes out in some way in my expletives and I apologise for my language but I was being forceful and was not aware that he had the advantage of a device.' He denied using the term Arab in texts to colleagues was derogatory to his clients saying: 'My respect for the ruling family is immense, some of the operatives are the people who have caused us much hurt.' Simon Devonshire QC, for Astrea, asked: 'One of the criticisms made of you by Astrea is that you put in place what are described as golden parachute terms. 'Effectively what you have done by a stroke of a pen is entitled yourself to hundreds of thousands of pounds. Alternatively it's a method of sticking it in the transfer.' Mr Kevill said: 'We were looking to address old contracts to get them up to date. 'We were looking to extend the comfort blanket through and if that's as a result of the ignominy that we had to face so be it. 'When we did pay our bonuses they were at 50 per cent. 'Going into the new world the security we are looking for to keep people clean and focussed on the job of supplying the service to the end and the termination payment agreement would only have been payable should we be sacked or made redundant post TUPE. 'The concern was in the future, in the uncertain world with people we did not know, we wanted them to have the focus of the services, for the provision of the services.' Mr Devonshire asked why Mr Lax had taken months off work to go sailing and suggested the directors had up to nine private property portfolios being worked on by their company staff when they were sacked. Mr Kevill said of Mr Lax: 'This is approximately the time when Mr Lax had a heart attack and he took some time off to recover. 'So yes he did take a good period of time and we had a mantra in the business that family comes first so any health issues these colleagues had we were supportive of their recovery.' All four claim unfair dismissal and unlawful deduction of wages from Astrea. Mr Ferguson also claims disability discrimination against Astrea and Mr Easter and breaches of TUPE regulations against Lancer as a result of regulatory failures by Astrea. Mr Pull and Mr Lax make similar TUPE claims against Intensive Management Support Ltd and Abbostone Property Services Ltd respectively. These were companies subcontracted to Lancer as part of the service contract. The tribunal continues. Every bottle of alcohol sold in Australia will soon have to carry a pregnancy warning label after food ministers called to make the labels mandatory. Australian and New Zealand Food Ministers decided to make it mandatory for all alcohol products to carry a pregnancy warning label when they met on Thursday. The government had been advocating for alcohol companies to voluntarily add the warning labels within seven years, but only 75 per cent of bottles have labels. Every bottle of alcohol sold in Australia will soon have to carry a pregnancy warning label after food ministers called to make the labels mandatory (stock image) Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education chief executive Michael Thorn told The Daily Telegraph the decision is welcomed, despite taking seven years. 'This is a win for consumers and a critically important decision that will save lives and the pain that is caused as a result of what is a preventable, but lifelong disability,' Mr Thorn said. The CEO said too many women are unaware of the 'life-threatening risks' of drinking while pregnant but the introduction of a mandatory label will keep them up to date. According to the not-for-profit website FARE, alcohol harm in Australia is significant. 'More than 5,500 lives are lost every year and more than 157,000 people are hospitalised making alcohol one of our nation's greatest preventative health challenges, the website states. While there is no safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy to reduce the risk of neurology disability, it's estimated almost half of women drink while pregnant. Australian and New Zealand Food Ministers moved to make it mandatory for all alcohol products to carry a pregnancy warning label when they met on Thursday (stock image) While there is no safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy to reduce the risk of neurology disability, it's estimated almost half of women drink while pregnant (stock image) A study published in the British Medical Journal found the number of women who drink significantly drops in the second and third trimester, suggesting they didn't know they were pregnant. Brewers Association of Australia CEO Brett Heffernan told the publication the new legislation is welcomed by the industry. 'While it is disappointing that mandating pregnancy labelling for all packaged alcohol products is necessary, today's decision by Ministers is a no-brainer. We fully expected this outcome,' Mr Heffernan said. No date has been set for the mandatory change, but the food ministers have called for the change to come into effect as soon as possible. Consumers can expect to see an image alongside a warning statement, which will be developed by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). Fawad Hussain proposed constitution of a parliamentary panel ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Wednesday proposed constitution of a parliamentary panel to investigate causes of present economic crisis and fix responsibility. Talking to media persons here outside the Parliament House, the minister said a committee like the parliamentary panel on alleged rigging in the general election should be formed with the mandate to investigate the past 10 years period and trace the reasons behind the present economic crisis and name the persons responsible for it. He said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had never remained in power in the past and those who ruled the country during the last 10 years were responsible for the rot. Why the opposition did not demand constitution of a parliamentary committee on the economic crisis, he asked. Fawad said the PTI enjoyed the peoples mandate for implementation of its policies. The minister said there was parliamentary system in the country and the bureaucracy was bound to respect the public representatives. All the legislators, including those from the opposition, must be respected, he added. He said some bureaucrats had personal affiliation with former rulers and were trying to create hurdles, but there was no need to worry as the government had the right to remove such people from key posts to ensure smooth running of its affairs. The Inspector General of Police Punjab, he said, was transferred due to policy matters and his failure to take any action on the prime ministers directive regarding investigation into the Model Town killing incident. The previous investigations into the incident were carried out during the tenure of Shehbaz Sharif, which were not acceptable, he said. Prime Minister Imran Khan, he added, had assured Dr Tahirul Qadri that independent investigations would be held into the Model Town incident but the IGP did not take any concrete step in that regard. The IGP was a junior officer and he was appointed against the rules. He was of the view that the decision of Election Commission of Pakistan to stay his transfer was illegal and the government had written a letter to the ECP in that regard. The minister said corruption cases against Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif were neither registered during the PTI government nor was it using the same as a political tool. There was frustration among the masses over NABs failure in recovering stolen billions of dollars stashed in western banks. He said Pakistans example was like a family whose house had been burgled and the thieves had escaped. The nation would have to catch the thieves to recover the stolen money and at the same time it had to get loans for running government affairs. Some $ 8 billion was needed for payment of loans and $ 28 billion for running the state affairs, he added. Asian families have been urged not to keep their gold at home during the festivals of Navratri and Diwali following a spate of terrifying burglaries. Scotland Yard says gangs are targeting Asian, Jewish and Maltese families for gold and jewellery passed down through generations, which is often brought out ahead of religious festivals. Stats show there were 1,891 burglaries involving Asian victims last year, with 6,369 items of jewellery, worth around 9million, stolen. With the Hindu festival of Navaratri underway and Diwali approaching next month, police have released a video of an elderly Asian couple who were targeted by robbers telling of their ordeal. An elderly couple, who asked not to be identified, were robbed by a gang who held a chisel to the woman's throat and demanded their 'Asian gold' The couple were both watching television in Hampton Hill, Middlesex, earlier this year when they heard some banging coming from the hallway. The 77-year-old woman went to investigate and found four male suspects in the hallway. One of the gang pushed her back into the lounge and made her sit down. Another held a chisel to her neck and demanded to be shown to their 'Asian gold'. Other gang members the 82-year-old man upstairs whilst they searched the house for jewellery The 77-year-old woman, who was a victim of the burglary, said: 'These men came in through our open kitchen window and threatened my husband and I. 'They turned our house upside down and stole our jewellery, including my much loved wedding ring. I would urge everyone to store their jewellery away from their home and properly secure their doors and windows.' Families are being warned to take precautions with the gold around the time of Hindu festivals Navratri and Diwali, when police say family gold is often taken out. File photo Detective Constable Lisa Keely said the raids have a lasting impact on their victims The gang, who have not been tracked down, stole jewellery and cash worth 1,260 in the February 24 raid. In August, a married Asian couple in their fifties lost cash and jewellery in the raid in a raid on their home in Bexley. CCTV captured footage of the gang piling into their house. They were out at the time but watched helpless through a mobile phone app. The victims are a married Asian couple in their fifties who lost cash and jewellery in the raid. In August, an Asian couple lost money and jewellery in an attack on their home in Bexley Detective Constable Lisa Keely said: 'Gold will continue to be highly desired by criminals due to the speed and anonymity with which it can be exchanged for large sums of cash. 'These pieces of gold and jewellery are not just valuable possessions, they are also of great sentimental value, and if stolen, would have a huge impact on owners. 'Our proactive measures to tackle these crimes has seen reductions in offences, however there is more to be done. 'As part of this work, we urge Londoners to take action to safeguard their gold and jewellery by following our simple crime prevention advice.' Body language experts have revealed the tell-tale signs that prove Levi Bellfield was lying about attacking and murdering women during police interviews. Psychologists and linguists have analysed footage from four police interrogations with serial killer Bellfield, the infamous murderer of 13-year-old Milly Dowler. They claim to have exposed 'tells' that gave away Bellfield's guilt in several cases, including an 'affirmative nod' when asked if he killed student Amelie Delagrange. Footage also reveals numerous signs of deception in just seven seconds of one interview in which he was questioned about a bus stop attack in 2003. Scroll down for more video Experts also analysed tapes into the Milly Dowler murder, during which he tries to stop his body leaking information by crossing his legs and clamping hold of his knee (pictured) Experts claim to have exposed 'tells' that gave away Bellfield's guilt in several cases, including an 'affirmative nod' (shown) when asked if he killed student Amelie Delagrange In the video, he drops his shoulder, exaggerates with his hands and then shakes his head during an affirmative answer, all of which are indications of deception. Experts also analysed tapes from the Milly Dowler investigation, during which he tries to stop his body from giving away information by crossing his legs and holding his knee. The tell-tale signs have been analysed for the first time as part of an episode of Faking It: Tears of a Crime, which will air on Friday night on Discovery. Bellfield is currently serving a whole life sentence for Milly's abduction, rape and murder in 2002. Milly was snatched from the street while on her way from school to her home in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. Her body was found in a wood in Yateley Heath, Hampshire - 25 miles from Walton-on-Thames, and he was not caught and jailed for the crime until 2011. Psychologists and linguists have analysed footage from four police interrogations with serial killer Bellfield (left), the infamous murderer of 13-year-old Milly Dowler (right) In one video, he drops his shoulder, exaggerates with his hands (pictured) and then shakes his head during an affirmative answer, all of which are indications of deception He was already serving a jail term for the murders of Amelie Delagrange in 2004 and Marsha McDonnell in 2003, as well as the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy in 2004. He lived 50 yards from where Milly vanished but, as a result of the blunders by police, did not become a suspect until arrested in 2004 for other attacks. Police are now looking into a number of other crimes in the wake of his shock confession. Bellfield, who married four times and had 11 children by five different mothers before he was jailed, is already suspected of several other attacks. At the time of his conviction in June 2011, detectives said they believed Bellfield may have been responsible for around 20 attacks on women which were never solved. These included the killing of Judith Gold, who was hit over the head in Hampstead, north London, in 1990, and Bellfield's schoolfriend Patsy Morris, 14, who was strangled on Hounslow Heath, west London, in 1980. CCTV footage showing a Daewoo Nexia identical to the car owned by the girlfriend of Levi Bellfield in Walton-on-Thames, half an hour after Milly Dowler was last seen Murder victim Amelie Delagrange is shown as she boarded a bus shortly before she was found suffering from fatal head wounds in Twickenham Anna Maria Rennie identified Bellfield as the man who tried to force her in to a car in Whitton, west of London, when she was just 17 in October 2001. Attempts for a retrial for attempted kidnap failed when Miss Rennie refused to attend court. A jury at Bellfield's 2008 trial for the murders of two other women could not agree and the charge was left on file. It has been reported that Bellfield will be questioned in prison over the murders of a mother and daughter Lin and Megan Russell, who were tied up and beaten with a hammer while walking down a country lane near Canterbury, Kent. Michael Stone, 55, was found guilty of the murders in 1996 but has continued to protest his innocence. An off-duty officer stabbed as he fought off terrorists was among the heroes of the London Bridge attack who received honours from the Queen today. PC Wayne Marques, who was stabbed repeatedly during the atrocity, was awarded the George Medal for his extraordinary bravery on the night in June 2017. He has been hailed for running towards the attack - and, facing the men head on, charging with his baton before swinging at one to get him away from other victims. It presents a stark contrast to police chief 'Commissioner Coward' who has been mocked for failing to help an officer murdered in the Westminster terror attack. Internet users shared a doctored image of 270,000-a-year Sir Craig Mackey holding his knighthood yesterday in which a white feather had replaced the gong. PC Wayne Marques, who was stabbed repeatedly as he fought off terrorists at London Bridge on June 3 last year, was awarded the George Medal by the Queen at Buckingham Palace today (From left) Constable Leon McLeod after receiving the Queen's Gallantry Medal and Constables Charles Guenigault and Wayne Marques after receiving the George Medal today Also honoured for their role in protecting the public today were Metropolitan Police officer Charles Guenigault and Constable Leon McLeod from British Transport Police. PC Guenigault received the George Medal, while PC Leon McLeod received the Queen's Gallantry Medal at the Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace today. Speaking last October, Sir Craig praised the heroics of PC Guenigault - who was unarmed and without a radio - and said he was 'proud' to call him a colleague. But he faced criticism over his actions in the Westminster attack from ex-Scotland Yard detective Peter Bleksley and was also widely criticised on internet forums. Metropolitan Police officer Charles Guenigault was also awarded The George Medal today Constable Leon McLeod of the British Transport Police received the Queen's Gallantry Medal The brave trio of Constables McLeod, Guenigault and Marques with their honours today (From left) PC McLeod, PC Guenigault and PC Marques pose with their honours at the Palace Following the news of PC Marques's award, one Twitter user wrote: 'What gong is the acting chief gonna get for locking himself in a car?' A further user said: 'Well done, sir! A lot braver than the police officer locked in his car whilst a brave policeman was killed at the HOC.' And another said of Sir Craig: 'Coward. Total respect to Wayne Marques who upholds the values of the rank and file police that the law-abiding public respect and love.' The much-criticised Sir Craig is set to retire from the force in December after 34 years of service and will be taking his full pension. PC Marques was about to start his night shift on a Saturday when he heard a van had mounted the pavement in the capital, before striking pedestrians. Police chief Sir Craig Mackey nicknamed 'Commissioner Coward' for failing to help an officer murdered in the Westminster terror attack has been mocked with an image of a white feather Following the news of PC Marques's award, Twitter users compared his actions to Sir Craig's After the vehicle crashed, Khuram Shazad Butt, Rachid Redouane and Youssef Zaghba began stabbing people in and around Borough Market. PC Marques ran towards the incident - and, facing the attackers head on, he charged at one of them with his baton, swinging at him to get him away from other victims. The attackers seriously injured PC Marques, who lost his sight in one eye and had stab wounds to his head and legs. The attackers then ran off into Borough Market. Since the incident - which saw eight victims killed - PC Marques has undergone a series of operations on his head, leg and hand, and can see out of both eyes again. Joaquin Echeverria Alonso and Maria Miralles De Imperial Hornedo receive the George Medal awarded to their late son, Ignacio Echeverria, from Queen Elizabeth II this afternoon Queen Elizabeth II gave them the medal during an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace He has attended multiple rehabilitation programmes, and is still recovering from his injuries and returning to full strength. Eight people were killed and nearly 50 injured as terrorists mowed people down with a car and went on a stabbing rampage before being shot dead by police last year. Today, PC Marques said the award was 'an amazing honour', adding: 'It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing to make my friends, family and colleagues proud.' He said: 'You can do nothing but appreciate the acknowledgement that the Queen, the royal family and the British public have given us. PC Marques, from the British Transport Police, continued: 'For me nothing was done for a medal, we did what we needed to do at the time.' Mr Alonso and Ms Hornedo spoke to the Queen today as she gave them the George Medal It was awarded for 'confronting armed terrorists in order to protect others at London Bridge' Mr Alonso (left) and Ms Hornedo (centre), after receiving the George Medal awarded to their late son Ignacio Echeverria, and PC Wayne Marques (right) with his George Medal today Speaking about his recovery a year on from the attack this June, PC Marques said he had made significant progress and was able to walk by himself again. Ignacio Echeverria was posthumously awarded The George Medal this afternoon The officer, was stabbed in the leg and hand and left temporarily blinded in one eye, but said at the time: 'It's a job that I enjoy. It's who I am, to be honest.' Today, also awarded The George Medal was PC Charlie Guenigault, who was off duty at the time of the attack. He said: '[The Queen] was saying about me being off duty and asked why I made the decision, and I said 'I'm not really sure, it just came to me at the time'. 'You don't do what we did intending to end up in Buckingham Palace, for all of us we did it pretty instinctively.' Speaking about their nerves ahead of the day, PC Guenigault said: 'What's the worst that can go wrong that hasn't already happened? My parents and grandparents are here and for them it's nice.' PC Guenigault, who was enjoying a night with friends following a shift on June 3, ran towards attackers and received serious injuries to his head, back and stomach. Eight people were killed and nearly 50 injured as terrorists mowed people down with a car People leave the area with their hands on their heads after the attack in London in June 2017 Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick previously praised PC Guenigault saying his 'bravery undoubtedly helped others' after he 'ran towards danger'. Mr Guenigault, now a police training officer, ran this year's London Marathon to raise thousands for King's College Hospital after crediting its staff with saving his life. He also completed the event last year, and told the London Evening Standard today: 'If I had not run the marathon in 2017, I would probably not be alive today. 'I lost 3st to do it, and I was fitter than ever which I think probably helped. My body could cope with the stress it was under, unlike it would have if I was unfit and bigger. 'And running it in 2018 gave me something to focus on in my recovery. People had sponsored me and believed I could do it.' Speaking today, PC McLeod said: 'It means the world to me to stand in front of Her Majesty the Queen today to receive this unbelievable honour. Armed police raid The Blue Eyed Maid pub on Borough High Street during last year's attack Police lay flowers at the scene next to London Bridge four days after the attack in June last year London Marathon helped save hero officer's life Officer Charlie Guenigault taking part in the iconic marathon race Hero officer Charlie Guenigault was enjoying a night with friends following a shift on June 3, when he ran towards attackers and received serious injuries to his head, back and stomach. He took part in this year's London Marathon to raise thousands for King's College Hospital after crediting its staff with saving his life. And he said the tough race helped save his life. He told the Evening Standard: 'If I had not run the marathon in 2017, I would probably not be alive today. I lost three stone to do it, and I was fitter than ever which I think probably helped. 'My body could cope with the stress it was under, unlike it would have if I was unfit and bigger. And running it in 2018 gave me something to focus on in my recovery. People had sponsored me and believed I could do it.' Advertisement 'I never thought I was being courageous, I was only trying my hardest to help those who were so critically injured. 'I'll never forget what I saw that night, but I will also not forget the bravery of every emergency responder. Today is a poignant moment in the shadow of brutal and shocking attack, where innocent people lost their lives.' After the attack, PC McLeod said: 'We thought we were going to a fight' - but added that 'the naughty guys came back' and the officers fought the terrorists. Ignacio Echeverria, 39, was posthumously given The George Medal for 'confronting armed terrorists in order to protect others at London Bridge' in the ceremony today. Mr Echeverria was killed as he tried to help a woman being attacked. He became known as a 'skateboard hero' as he tried to fight off terrorists using his skateboard. The banker's father Joaquin Echeverria Alonso and mother Maria Miralles De Imperial Hornedo collected the award on his behalf following the atrocity on June 3, 2017. Mr Alonso said the Queen asked him about his bravery on the night of the attack - particularly that he had tried to use his skateboard to fight off the men. Through a translator, Mr Alonso said the day was a 'special moment but very emotional' for him and his wife. The father, who had flown to London from Madrid, said: 'To recognise the courage of my son, he will be remembered. Journalist Kate Adie, 73, is today awarded a CBE for her services to media by the Queen University Challenge presenter Bamber Gascoigne received a CBE for his services to the arts William Deans, of Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire, the lifeboat operations manager at Aberdeen Lifeboat Station, is made an MBE by the Queen for services to maritime safety Aberdeen lifeboat veteran Mr Deans (left) and journalist Ms Adie (right) with their honours He was a generous man and he helped when it was necessary Joaquin Echeverria Alonso, father of Ignacio Echeverria He was a generous man and he helped when it was necessary.' The officers were joined by a number of public figures also receiving honours. Journalist Kate Adie, 73, was awarded a CBE for her services to media. University Challenge presenter Bamber Gascoigne, 83, received a CBE for services to the arts. TV presenter Stacey Dooley, 31, was made MBE for her services to broadcasting. Dozens of Britons who lost loved ones or were injured in the Tunisian terror attacks are suing package holiday giant TUI blaming them for poor hotel security. 38 people were murdered including 30 from the UK and dozens more suffered life changing injuries following the violent attack by Seifeddine Rezgui at a hotel in Sousse on June 26 2015. Irwin Mitchell represents the families of 22 people who died in the attack as well as more than 50 people who suffered injuries including gunshot wounds and people hit by shrapnel from explosions at the Imperial Marhaba Hotel. Others sustained injuries such as torn tendons and leg and feet injuries while fleeing the attacker. Most are still suffering from psychological injuries after witnessing the horrific attack with some having comforted family members fatally wounded. Tunisia ISIS gunman Seifeddine Rezgui seen calmly walking on Sousse beach carrying his weapon as he killed and maimed victims in 2015 Mat James, 33, from Wales, was shot protecting his girlfriend from the gunfire, and is among the group now suing TUI People died, others suffered physical injuries in the chaos while more also have PTSD and mental scars Mat James, 33, from Pontypridd, Wales, was shot multiple times while protecting his girlfriend during the attack. He has needed multiple operations on his leg since the attack but is still suffering from problems related to the injury'. He said: 'The horrible attack was obviously life-changing for so many people. Even now, a few years on my injuries are still affecting me. 'We can never forget what happened and I'm lucky to be alive, but hopefully by taking legal action everyone involved can get the help and support we need to aid our recoveries as much as possible.' The legal case centres on security at the hotel, what was known about previous attacks in Tunisia and the lack of information presented to customers both at the time of booking and when the situation may have changed regarding travel advice. Many of the families affected were unaware of the Foreign and Commonwealth (FCO) travel advice that there was a 'high threat from terrorism' in Tunisia. Neither TUI's 2015 written brochure or their 2015 website informed them of the content of the FCO travel advice before they booked their holidays. These are the 30 Britons murdered by an ISIS gunman while on holiday in Sousse, Tunisia on June 26 2015 Rezgui opened fire on the tourists at the hotel in Tunisia and was able to do so for 47 minutes A seven-week inquest last year into the deaths of 30 Britons who died in the attack heard how security guards employed at the hotel were poorly trained, ineffective and unable to communicate with each other. There was limited CCTV coverage, much less than at other nearby hotels and a number of other security measures were inadequate - including gates and perimeter fences; and no protocol in place to be followed in the event of a terrorist attack. Kylie Hutchison, a specialist international personal injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the families affected, said: 'On behalf of our clients who lost members of their families and those who suffered injuries in this terrible incident, we have now served formal civil proceedings on TUI claiming damages. The damages claimed will help compensate them for their suffering, their financial losses and help survivors meet the costs of specialist treatments and therapies to aid their recoveries. 'The level of terrorist threat in Tunisia had been escalating for some time prior to June 2015. This included a failed suicide bomb attempt outside a beach Hotel in Sousse in October 2013 and an attack at the Bardo museum in Tunis in March 2015 in which 22 people were killed. 'Despite this TUI, the Tour Operator who organised the holidays and was responsible for our clients' safety, did not audit the adequacy of security at the hotel or take appropriate precautions to keep our clients safe from an attack. Nor did they inform our clients of the level of threat of terrorism which many of the holidaymakers say would have changed their mind about holidaying in Tunisia at the time.' A male teacher has been arrested for allegedly having sex with a male student in his classroom. Justin Adrian connected with the 18-year-old student on Grindr last month then chatted to him over the dating app and on Snapchat. They had conversations that were 'sexual in nature' and the next day they met in Adrian's classroom at Olathe East High School in Kansas. Justin Adrian (pictured) connected with the 18-year-old student on Grindr last month then chatted to him over the dating app and on Snapchat Even though it was the middle of the day, Adrian locked the door and the pair allegedly engaged in a sexual act. When they were finished, Adrian let the boy out through the back door of his classroom and gave him a 'pass' so he would not be marked as late for his next lesson, Queerty.com reported. The boy told his parents about the encounter and they complained to the school authorities who fired Adrian. Adrian is on $50,000 bail facing one felony charge of unlawful sexual relations. He has resigned from his post on the Shawnee City Council. Although the pupil was of consenting age, it is illegal for a teacher to have sex with a student on school property. A list of Jews, journalists and anti-racism campaigners has been banned from an event starring Labour's shadow chancellor John McDonnell, MailOnline can reveal. More than 10 people received an email this morning notifying them that they had been barred from the event, which is due to take place tonight in Barnet, the heart of the Jewish community in north London. Names included Euan Phillips from Labour Against Anti-Semitism, and Richard Millett, the British Jewish blogger whom Jeremy Corbyn accused of not understanding 'English irony'. A list of Jews, journalists and anti-racism campaigners has been banned from an event starring Labour's shadow chancellor John McDonnell (pictured), MailOnline can reveal The move has been described as 'brazen racist discrimination and victimisation' and 'redolent of apartheid' by Jewish groups, who have called for an investigation. Mr McDonnell is appearing 'in conversation' with Jenny Manson, the co-chair of Jewish Voice for Labour (JVL), a pro-Corbyn organisation that opposes the internationally recognised definition of anti-Semitism. Earlier this month, footage emerged of Ms Manson admitting: 'I began to identify as a Jew in order to argue against the state of Israel and its behaviour and its conduct.' In July, she sparked fury at a meeting of Finchley and Golders Green Labour Party when she compared the internationally recognised definition of anti-Semitism to 1980s legislation that banned promoting homosexuality in schools. Labour issued her a written warning over the comments. She later apologised, calling her words 'clumsy' and claiming that she had been 'misunderstood'. The advertisement for tonight's event described Ms Manson as 'champion and defender of the oppressed and opponent of all injustices,' adding that she was 'determined and unapologetic'. Mr McDonnell who is backing Ms Manson as a future MP was dubbed an 'unrepentant socialist and champion and defender of Barnet services.' The main event, scheduled to take place in Cricklewood at 7:30pm this evening, is due to be followed by a show by Ian Saville, billed as 'the socialist magician'. Mr McDonnell is appearing with Jenny Manson, of Jewish Voice for Labour, a pro-Corbyn organisation that opposes the internationally recognised definition of anti-Semitism Gideon Falter, chairman of the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism, said: 'This is brazen racist discrimination and victimisation which we will ask the Equality and Human Rights Commission to include in their investigation into the Labour Party's institutional anti-Semitism. 'John McDonnell is sending a crystal clear, personal message to the Jewish community.' Euan Phillips, spokesman for Labour Against Anti-Semitism, added: 'The banning of Jewish Labour members from a John McDonnell event tonight is an act of racial segregation that underlines the institutional antisemitism now endemic within the Labour Party. 'We can now see the conciliatory approaches that Mr McDonnell made towards the Jewish community over the summer for what they were: a total sham.' A Labour spokesman declined to comment. Oxford University's official Tory group last night banned its officers from joining the infamous Bullingdon Club. David Cameron, Boris Johnson and George Osborne were all members of the 200 year-old group - whose raucous antics have become the stuff of legend. The Bullingdon is a secretive dining club which only lets the sons of well connected aristocrats or the super rich join its ranks. Its members are well known for having all-day riotous drinking session and wreaking havoc across Oxford. But last night the Oxford University Conservative Association (OUCA) announced that it has added the organisation - founded in 1780 - to its list of proscribed groups. It means any members who want to hold a position in the group - seen as a launchpad for Tories eyeing a career as an MP - cannot join the Bullingdon Club. Scroll down for video Oxford University's official Tory group last night banned its members from joining the infamous Bullingdon Club (pictured, a photograph of the film When Boris Met Dave, which satirised the time the Tories spent in the Bullingdon Club) OUCA's President, Ben Etty, told the Cherwell student newspaper: 'The banning of members of the Bullingdon club from holding office in the association a club banned by the university and who's values and activities have no place in the modern Conservative Party will I hope show that we are moving towards a more open, welcoming, and tolerant environment for all.' The move comes a year after members of the Bullingdon Club were banned from taking their photograph at Christ Church College. Its members were embarrassingly escorted from the college last October after attempting to recreate a modern-day version of the famous 1987 picture that featured Mr Cameron and Mr Johnson. Their humiliating ejection, which happened in June, was because the group had not obtained permission to take the photograph. In 2016 it emerged the Bullingdon Club, who expect their members to wear a specially made tailcoat that costs 3,500, was on the verge of folding and had only two members left. David Cameron, Boris Johnson (pictured together in 2014) and George Osborne were all members of the 200 year-old group - whose raucous antics have become the stuff of legend Bad publicity, including reports they had burned 50 notes in front of homeless people, was said to have deterred potential members. In May last year, Mr Johnson, was heckled by students when he visited Balliol, his former college. One student shouted at him: 'Do you want to smash a restaurant? Do you want to burn 50 in front of a homeless person?' Discussing his time in the Bullingdon club, Mr Johnson previously said: 'This is a truly shameful vignette of almost superhuman undergraduate arrogance, toffishness and twittishness'. Mr Cameron said: 'We do things when we're young that we desperately regret.' Ex-Chancellor George Osborne also said he regretted his membership. A social media post which appeared to show an extravagant 5,700-per-head dinner enjoyed by Chinese diners has caused controversy. The banquet in Shanghai last month featured dishes such as premium caviar (4,375), abalone in sake wine jelly (11,201) and crocodile tail soup (1,837) and cost 45,745, according to Chinese media. The post was allegedly uploaded by the supercar-loving son of a Chinese entrepreneur. Pictures of the lavish dinner have been circulating on WeChat, a Chinese messaging app. The 5,700-per-head dinner in Shanghai last month allegedly included crocodile tail soup One of the most expensive dishes that day was reported to be abalone in sake wine jelly News of the extravagant banquet has sparked discussion in China. The restaurant initially denied the existence of the meal, but later claimed it was paid by a foreign royal member Shanghai authority has investigated the restaurant, called Maggie's, after a photo believed to show the bill of the meal became widely shared online. The bill, amounting to 418,245 yuan (45,745), appeared to show 20 cold and hot dishes, beverages, cigarettes as well as a 550 yuan (60) meal for the chauffeur. It included a 37,944 yuan (4,152) service charge. According to the bill, the guests also ate river crabs, a wild yellow croaker and giant wild conches. Pictures of the dishes were uploaded onto China's Twitter-like Weibo on September 18 by a user known as 'Snake_Kane'. A Weibo user, called 'Snake_Kane', was the first to upload pictures of the controversial dinner Chinese news site BJNews revealed that Jiang Xin (left), the son of a Chinese entrepreneur Jiang Quanlong, was one of the diners. It is said that he shared a picture of the bill (right) The post, which came with six pictures of different dishes, read: 'Averagely 50,000 yuan (5,469) per head dinner.' The web user claimed that he or she was 'not showing off wealth', but added 'anyway, this is the first time I have had (such an expensive dinner)'. The bill was posted by Jiang Xin, the son of a Chinese entrepreneur Jiang Quanlong, revealed BJNews quoting an insider. The report was later re-posted by China's state-run Xinhua News Agency. Jiang Quanlong is the boss of China Rare Earth Holdings and his son Jiang Xin is known for his love for supercars. The post has since been removed by the uploader. The restaurant's chef and partner Sun Zhaoguo claimed that a prince of Dubai bought the meal for his Chinese friends. A renowned Chinese food critic Dong Keping shared a picture on his Weibo, claiming it showed chef Sun (left) with the royal member in the Shanghai restaurant The social media post of the expensive meal has sparked an outcry among Chinese web users Videos circulating on WeChat, a popular Chinese messaging app, apparently shows the restaurant's chef and partner, Sun Zhaoguo, presenting each dish to the guests. It remains unclear who took those pictures and videos. The restaurant initially denied the existence of the meal to the press, saying the restaurant didn't offer such dishes. But the restaurant later claimed that the meal was paid for by a prince from Dubai to treat his Chinese friends. Chef Sun told BJNews that the meal was a private, custom-made meal prepared by himself and that the ingredients had been shipped to Shanghai 'from all over'. He said that there were no celebrities or political leaders among the guests, and the restaurant didn't use protected animals as ingredients. Commenting on the price of the dishes, chef Sun told the reporter that 'it was nothing in Dubai'. A renowned Chinese food critic Dong Keping called chef Sun 'patriotic' for impressing the alleged prince with his delicious dishes and dedication. Mr Dong wrote on his Weibo account: 'Sun Zhaoguo used his understanding towards food ingredients, supreme cooking skills and earnest attitude to pass a critical juncture of his culinary career, earning money and reputation. 'This is to use one's trade to achieve patriotism, and is worth being praised and studied.' Mr Dong then shared a picture of chef Sun with another man, whom Mr Dong said was the prince. Guests also enjoyed the wild yellow croaker (16,920 yuan or 1,858), according to the bill Pictures and footage of chef Sun preparing and presenting dishes at the meal have gone viral However, the chef's claims were soon called out by Chinese internet users after they spotted a dish featuring pork and alcohol in the meal - which was unlikely to be ordered by the Muslim prince. One user queried on China's Twitter-like Weibo: 'Will people from Dubai eat pork braised in alcohol?' Chef Sun explained that the pork was consumed by non-Muslim guests, reported BJNews. Others are simply stunned by how luxurious the meal was. One such person wrote on Weibo: 'The cost of one meal equals to all the tax money paid by a working family in their entire life?' Another user commented: 'My poverty has limited my imagination.' A third user said: 'Was the fish (they ate) encrusted with gold and diamonds?' The net users have demanded the restaurant reveal the truth. The authority of Shanghai's Changning District, where the restaurant is located, has launched an investigation into the restaurant regarding its pricing. It confirmed the authenticity of the bill, reported Xinmin Evening News Maggie's restaurant has declined to comment on the matter to MailOnline. MailOnline has also contacted 'Snake_Kane' and Sun Zhaoguo for comments and is awaiting a reply. The news broke just as China's richest actress Fan Bingbing had mysteriously disappeared after being accused of tax evasion. Fan has been ordered to pay a 883 million yuan penalty The news came as the Chinese public were discussing about the country's huge wealth gap following the disappearance of a renowned actress. Fan Bingbing, China's richest actress who earned a whopping 300 million yuan (33 million) in 2017, was accused of tax evasion before going off the radar mysteriously for more than three months. The celebrity was ordered to pay a total of 883 million yuan (98 million) in owed taxes, fines and penalties last week. A pensioner who suffers with epilepsy and high blood pressure was forced to spend a 'freezing cold' night in police cells after a series of incredible police blunders. Beryl Harvey's beloved Labrador-Collie cross Marley bit fellow dog walker Fiona O'Brien-Smith on a playing field near her home. The incident left her with a light scratch and bruising and police went on to interview Mrs Harvey, 78, after the incident, which occurred almost seven months ago. Despite hearing nothing after her interview, the grandmother-of-five was stunned last week when she received a letter telling her she had missed a court hearing. Beryl Harvey's beloved Labrador-Collie cross Marley (pictured left and right) bit fellow dog walker Fiona O'Brien-Smith on a playing field near her home The first letter warning the pensioner of her court case had been sent to the same street name in the wrong town, making her unaware she had been charged. By the time it finally arrived at her home in Wivenhoe, Essex, the original court date had passed. Mrs Harvey was then told to hand herself in at Colchester police station, but due to more blunders officers were still sent to arrest her at her home on Monday night. The pensioner, who has no previous convictions, was then forced to spend a terrifying night in police cells ahead of her hearing before magistrates in Colchester. She was taken from the police station to the court and when she finally appeared before magistrates 21 hours after her arrest she admitted a charge of being in charge of a dog which was dangerously out of control. Now back home, she has spoken publicly for the first time about her ordeal, saying she's lived in 'fear' since the incident in March. Mrs Harvey was sent this letter from police informing her that she would be arrested by officers if she did not attend a police station, following a missed court appearance 'I've never had anything like this in my life, it was really pretty frightening. I was really worried about the outcome. It was just unbelievable. 'Two policemen arrived at my door and said "we are arresting you and taking you to the police station". 'They took me into custody and took everything from me, my bracelet, jewellery, watch, and all of my medication.' The retired office administrator said the ordeal had been tough for both her and her family. 'The cells were bleak, I don't recommend it. I should think it was the worst night's sleep of my life. The park (pictured) where Beryl Harvey walks her dog Marley near her home in Wivenhoe, Essex 'I was allowed to make a phone call and I rang my partner and he told my daughter - they were running around like scolded cats trying to find solicitors to help us. 'They were very concerned I was going to have a seizure with all the stress.' Church volunteer Mrs Harvey did not hit out at the police for their actions, kindly saying she had just been very unfortunate. 'The police will just say they are doing their job. It was just error after error with ghastly jail cell food in-between.' Magistrates handed her a 12-month conditional discharge, meaning there will be no further punishment against her if she does not re-offend. Mrs Harvey was ordered to pay 50 compensation to the victim. She was also ordered to keep Marley muzzled following the incident on March 14. Essex Police have been approached for comment. The pensioner, who has no previous convictions, was forced to spend a terrifying night in police cells ahead of her hearing before magistrates in Colchester (pictured) An Essex Police spokeswoman said: 'Mrs Harvey was interviewed in April and attended the police station in July in connection with the investigation. 'A postal requisition was sent in August informing Miss Harvey she had been charged with being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury and to attend Colchester Magistrates Court on October 2. 'When she failed to attend the hearing, the court issued a warrant for her arrest and a letter was sent to Miss Harvey informing her of this. 'She was arrested according to the terms of the warrant and placed before the next available court. When the courts issue a warrant, these cannot be revoked without their authority. 'The letters were sent to the address we had on our records. If Miss Harvey is unhappy with how the matter has been dealt with, she can contact us and we will look into her concerns.' Hundreds more children have been sent home as a false widow spider infestation closed two more London schools. Scores of webs and bulbous-bodied spiders were seen crawling over the gates of Godwin Junior School, east London this morning - as the school announced it would be closed 'due to circumstances beyond [its] control'. It also emerged today that Highfield Primary School in north London has also closed as a result of a spider infestation. The closures bring the total number of schools affected to nine - and have led to thousands of pupils working from home. Godwin Junior School in Forest Gate, east London closed its doors today amid reports of false widow spiders on the premises. It marks the eighth London school to close as a result of the spider - a relative of the deadly Black Widow The schools gates have been shut and the school issued a statement yesterday saying: 'Godwin Junior School will be closed on Thursday and Friday due to circumstances beyond our control' Spiders and cobwebs can be seen on the gates of Godwin Junior School this morning as it announced it would be closed until at least October 15 Highfield Primary School (pictured) in Enfield, north London has also announced it is closed. The school closed yesterday and will not reopen until Monday, October 15 A total of nine schools have closed in the past few weeks as a result of the false widow spider infestations. All have different re-opening dates. But one, Earlham Primary School, has already allowed pupils back onto the premises declaring itself spider free Last week, four primary schools and two secondary schools closed after Newham's Environmental Team launched an investigation into the infestations. While just yesterday another secondary, Eastlea Community School, closed its doors. Only one, Earlham Primary School, has been given the all clear to re-open. The latest school to close, Godwin Junior School in Forest Gate, east London, has fumigators on site today who are due to attempt rid the site of the invasive species - a relative of the deadly Black Widow. The school's site manager said: 'The first one didn't work. I want them to do every classroom. 'We will do an inspection tomorrow morning just checking if anything's there.' A notice has been put outside Godwin Junior School urging parents to read the school closure information. It is not expected to re-open until October 15 while the premises is fumigated Spiders and cobwebs have been photographed on the gates of Godwin Junior School. There are three types of false widow spider in Great Britain - Steatoda nobilis, Steatoda bipunctata and Steatoda grossa Spiders seen on Godwin Junior School - believed to be a false widow. Adult male false widow spiders are usually found between July and November. Adult females can be found throughout the year but numbers generally peak at the same time as the males Godwin Junior School issued a statement on Twitter yesterday saying the school would be closed until at least October 15 Cobwebs can be seen on the gates of Godwin Junior School this morning as fumigators arrive to rid the school of a spider infestation This morning a 39-year-old mum whose son goes to the school slammed the local authority's response to the spiders. Walking past the school with her young son, she said: 'I think it's a bit over the top. 'I don't want my son to be scared of spiders. 'Spiders are in the world - we are humans, we live in a world with animals and insects. 'We need to learn to live alongside each other.' She was told that the school was due to reopen next Monday. 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 but has now been declared spider free. October 10 Eastlea Community School closes. It will remain closed until October 29. Highfield Primary School closes. It will reopen on October 15. October 11 Godwin Junior School closes. Will reopen on October 15 Advertisement The school is next to a railway line and lines of terraced housing in the suburban area in the east end. A spokesman for Newham Council has said schools could be closed for up to a month because of False Widows. Enfield Council released a statement today on the closure of Highfield Primary School - which actually took place yesterday. A spokeswoman said: 'The decision to close Highfield School has been made at the head teachers discretion. The site is being treated by an external company. 'We share the view of Public Health England and pest control advisers, who do not see school closures as necessary and the spiders do not pose a significant health risk. 'However, we will endeavour to support the school and its staff as much as possible by remaining in close contact. Children will be given the resources to continue their learning at home, and we expect the school to reopen as soon as possible. 'For any further information on this closure, parents will be recommended to contact the school directly. Eastlea Community School in Newham was the third secondary school to close after Rokeby School and Lister Community School, also both in east London, closed their doors upon discovering populations of the arachnids last week. Four primary schools in the area have also closed after false widow spiders were found on premises. Lengthy closures of between 10 days and a month in some cases mean thousands of pupils are being turned away. Eastlea Community School bosses sent a letter home to parents on Monday warning of the spider threat - before making students go in to class on Tuesday to pick up homework. 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 Lister Community School, pictured, will remain closed until October 29 while pest control experts try to eliminate False Widow Spiders from the building Star Lane Primary School, pictured, is also expected to reopen on October 15 Ellen Wilkinson Primary School, pictured, is scheduled to reopen on October 16 Headteacher Stephen Gillatt said: 'After careful deliberation, we have decided to close the school due to a spider infestation discovered on the perimeter of our building. What are false widow spiders? False widows were first recorded in the UK in the 1870s after it is believed they stowed away on cargo ships from their native Madeira and Canary Islands Since the 1980s the false widow species has established populations in the majority of the southern counties False widows do have a venomous bite but the venom is not particularly potent for humans Symptoms of a bite is pain which may radiate away from it There are over 650 species of the spider in the UK Advertisement 'We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause our families, but assure them this action was taken in best interests of the safety of students. 'We kept the school open yesterday to give our staff time to set students work for the period they will not attend school, and for our families to make childcare arrangements. 'The school is closed from today, Wednesday October 10, and is likely to reopen after the half term break on Monday October 29. 'We have taken steps to ensure the disruption to student learning will be minimal. Year 7 - 10 students will be set work through our online portal, the Dynamic Progress Report. 'We are currently in the process of finallising space for our Year 11 students to be taught in other local schools and institutions. Further information will be made available shortly. 'Families and students will be able to contact teachers via email throughout the time school is closed.' Lt Gen Asim Munir named new ISI DG ISLAMABAD: Lt Gen Asim Munir was on Wednesday named as the new director general of premier spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence. He will assume office on the retirement of incumbent ISI chief Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar on Oct 25. The appointment of the new ISI director general was announced by Inter-Services Public Relations, the armys public affairs wing. The ISI chiefs appointment is a prerogative of the prime minister and as such it is the first significant military-related posting made by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government. The spymasters choice is, however, made by the prime minister in consultation with the army chief. Gen Munir, who had been promoted as a three-star general on Sept 28, was previously heading the Military Intelligence as its director general. He was always believed to be a strong contender for the ISI appointment because of his intelligence background. There are very few examples of a Military Intelligence chief being posted as head of the ISI. There are three such instances in the past nearly three decades Lt Gen Nadeem Taj (2007-08), Gen Ehsanul Haq (2001-04), Lt Gen Asad Durrani (1990-91) and Lt Gen Hamid Gul (1987-89). Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Bajwa had picked Gen Munir as the Military Intelligence chief months after assuming command in November 2016. Before his MI assignment, he was Force Commander Northern Areas, where he had for sometime also worked under Gen Bajwa, who was then heading Corps X that is responsible for Northern Areas. He is, therefore, believed to be Gen Bajwas most trusted person. A former defence secretary, while appreciating the appointment, said: It is always better to appoint someone well versed with intelligence to head ISI. Another retired general said it was important that Gen Munir was coming to the ISI with complete insight of the developments that have been taking place. His immediate priority in office will be to fine-tune the strategy for countering the hybrid war that the country is encountering. Another major challenge for him will be evolving regional and international environment. Gen Munir was conferred Hilal-i-Imtiaz in March this year. The ISPR also announced the appointments of six other recently promoted three-star generals. Lt Gen Muhammad Adnan was appointed as Vice Chief of General Staff (B), Lt Gen Nadeem Zaki Manj as Corps Commander Mangla, Lt Gen Shaheen Mazhar as Commander Peshawar Corps, Lt Gen Abdul Aziz as Military Secretary at GHQ, Lt Gen Azhar Saleh Abbasi as Chief of Logistic Staff and Lt Gen Wasim Ashraf as Inspector General Arms. George Crawford, 20, was struck by a car and rushed to intensive care after a night out in Newport, Shropshire in the early hours of Sunday. Doctors were unable to save him A mother and father missed their son's final moments after he was hit by a car and identified incorrectly by police. George Crawford, 20, was struck by a car and rushed to intensive care after a night out in Newport, Shropshire in the early hours of Sunday. But after police officers at the scene found his friend Olly Smith's ID card in his pocket, they called his parents instead of George's, reports The Sun. Cameron and Mary Crawford, who live in Melrose, Scotland, were less than a two-hour drive away visiting George's sister Lucinda, 17, and could have made it to the hospital in time. But the devastated couple were unable to share their son's dying moments and have been left 'completely heartbroken'. Mr Crawford told the newspaper: 'That's the whole tragedy of this situation. We were less than two hours away. 'If we had been contacted earlier we would have made it there to hold his hand for the last while. 'That's our biggest regret we brought George into this world but we weren't there to see him out.' But after police officers at the scene found his friend Olly Smith's ID card in George's pocket, they called his parents - not Cameron and Mary Crawford (pictured together). They were only two hours away and could've made it in time but missed their son's dying moments George died just 10 days after starting an agricultural course at Harper Adams University. He was a horse racing champion who rode for the Scottish eventing team. His friends believe he and Olly put their similar-looking black wallets down on the counter at a takeaway shop in Newport after a night of partying and picked the wrong ones up afterwards. When officers arrived at the scene where he was injured later on that night, they told Olly's parents he was the one in the crash. They made a desperate dash to Royal Stoke University Hospital where they found a youngster on life support who wasn't their son. George (pictured) was a horse racing champion who rode for the Scottish eventing team Inspector Nigel Webster of West Mercia Police told MailOnline: 'Difficulties were experienced in the early stage of this investigation which tragically led to the misidentification of George. 'Our enquiries are ongoing at this time and our sympathies remain with the family.' The force has appealed for witnesses, saying: 'A serious collision happened on Forton Road in Newport at 4.10am in the early hours of Sunday 7 October. A 20 year old male pedestrian suffered fatal injuries after being struck by a car. 'Officers are carrying out enquiries and are appealing for any witnesses to get in contact. 'Anyone with information should contact West Mercia Police on 101 quoting reference 106s 071018 for the collision in Newport and 29s 081018 for the collision on the A49.' George, who had just started a degree at Harper Adams University, is pictured with his mother Mary and sister Lucinda, 17 A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service added: 'Our staff found a man who had suffered very serious injuries. 'He was taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital but sadly passed away there. The driver of the car at the scene was unhurt.' George's father, 51, paid an emotional tribute to him, telling the Sun: 'George lived 20 full years. Most people wouldn't achieve half of what he got through. He was a credit to his family, his school, former college and new college.' He added that the family are desperate for answers, saying: 'No one is coming forward. Please help us to understand his last few hours. 'We are completely heartbroken that no one wants to talk to us. To know how your son led his last hours is all we want to know.' Mourning residents gathered at the family-friendly park where a murdered woman was dumped for a moving community vigil on Thursday night. Dozens gathered at Buffalo Creek park in Hunters Hill, on Sydney's lower north shore, on Thursday to celebrate the life of Nicole Cartwright. Her remains were found in the same reserve more than a week ago by a council worker who was mowing the lawn and followed a long trail of drag marks in the dirt. Police don't know how the 32-year-old died but say she suffered injuries "consistent with assault" and was bound. Inspector Tony Boyd of Ryde Police was one of many who offered some words at the sombre event, saying the local community had been left scarred by the tragedy. 'Unfortunately this will always be a scar that will probably never go away from Buffalo Creek and the local community,' he said, according to the Daily Telegraph. Mourning residents gathered at the family-friendly park where a murdered woman was dumped for a moving community vigil Nicole Cartwright's half-naked and beaten body was discovered at a playground next to a long trail of drag marks in the dirt Inspector Tony Boyd of Ryde Police was one of many who offered some words at the sombre event Inspector Boyd told the crowd he was unable to provide any information about the murder case, but said the investigation was progressing quickly. 'Our inquiries are improving rapidly and our investigation is progressing very quickly at this stage,' he said. A mourner at the vigil told Daily Mail Australia 'no one was really talking there, it was sombre.' Mourning locals crowded around a white table lit with tea light candles and with plants in vases. Two women were seen bending over, one reading a note and the other writing one Others were seen clutching lit candles, holding onto their loved ones. A little boy appeared despondent as he rested his head on his mother's shoulder. An Aboriginal elder wearing a wide brim hat conducted a smoking ceremony, while local church leaders shared some words for the crowd of roughly 30 people. Mourning locals crowded around a white table lit with candles and with plants in vases An Aboriginal elder wearing a wide brim hat conducted a smoking ceremony A woman crouched down to light her tea light candle, which she slipped into a glass case Another could be seen with her eyes closed, arms wrapped around herself and clutching her open flamed candle North Ryde resident Jo Taranto said she wasn't shocked it happened in her neighbourhood but was instead angry at the number of women affected by violence. "The act of doing something so atrocious here makes me very angry," she told AAP at the vigil. "It's such a visible act of violence. "Women need to speak up and shouldn't be scared of this." All of the guests rugged up in jumpers and jackets as they braced the freezing weather, rain and wind. A woman crouched down to light her tea light candle, which she slipped into a glass case. Another could be seen with her eyes closed, arms wrapped around herself and clutching her open flamed candle. The gathering of mourners listened as a woman played music on an acoustic guitar. All of the guests rugged up in jumpers and jackets as they braced the freezing weather, rain and wind The gathering of mourners listened as a woman played music on an acoustic guitar The turnout came together to mourn Ms Cartwright, who is believed to have met her attacker online. It is understood the websites used by Ms Cartwright included Fetlife - a network for 'BDSM, fetish and kinky' - and Vanilla Umbrella - a dating app for 'open minded singles'. Police sources confirmed to Daily Mail Australia they are probing Ms Cartwright's use of such websites in their hunt for her killer. It comes after homicide detectives released the last known footage of Ms Cartwright alive, walking through barriers at a CBD train station about 9.15pm on September 30. The turnout came together to mourn Ms Cartwright, who is believed to have met her attacker online Those who attended wiped away tears and leaned on one another throughout the ceremony She caught trains and buses across the city in the following days, appearing to be in good spirits in footage captured on CCTV. A council worker made the grim discovery of Ms Cartwright's body last Wednesday. Her hands were bound together, she was suffering severe head injuries and was wrapped in an orange blanket, while nearby there were drag marks 30 metres long. Investigators believe Nicole's body was dumped at Buffalo Creek Reserve either late on the Tuesday night or very early hours of Wednesday morning. 'While it is most likely her body was brought to the area under darkness, we are still urging motorists with dashcam and travelling in that area at that time to provide us copies of their footage,' Det Supt Cook said. The body had been partially concealed under a dark-coloured cloth, but beneath the covering Ms Cartwright was semi-naked. She also had massive injuries to her head, and her body was hidden with leaves. Investigators believe Nicole's body was dumped at Buffalo Creek Reserve either late on the Tuesday night or very early hours of Wednesday morning Police were among those who attended the vigil, with an officer pictured stepping up to the microphone to say a few words. Those who attended wiped away tears and leaned on one another throughout the ceremony. Police are still searching for any information associated with the circumstances of her death. Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A 14-year-old boy has been stabbed to death in Iraq, after being targeted by youths suspecting he was gay - who then filmed his dying breaths while shouting homophobic slurs at him. The shocking homophobic attack on Hamoudi al-Mutairi, 14, took place near the teenager's home in Yarmouk, Baghdad. Hamoudi was set upon by an unknown number of assailants, who stabbed him repeatedly in the stomach. Murdered: Hamoudi al-Mutairi, 14, was stabbed multiple times by an unknown number of assailants near his home in Baghdad, Iraq, after which his attacker filmed his final moments The video footage, which has been shared on social media, shows Hamoudi lying on the ground and bleeding profusely. A voice off camera asks him a series of questions, including 'who is your boyfriend?', Kurdistan24 reports. In obvious pain, the dying teenager asks where the blood is coming from and what is coming out of his stomach. The person behind the camera reportedly replies: 'It's your guts'. In the footage he can be seen wearing the same yellow t-shirt he had donned in a photo where he posed next to a woman believed to be his mother. Evil: The video, left, in which he wears the same t-shirt as in a photo posed up with a women believed to be his mother, right, sees him bleed out on the street while the killers reportedly shout homophobic slurs at him Homophobic: All evidence points to the boy being attacked because the killer or killers thought he was gay Before the camera cuts out, he can be heard begging to be taken to hospital, adding 'I want my mum'. Horrific: In the footage, the teen can be heard begging for his mother The government has yet to comment on the brutal murder and vile video being shared online. Several exile Iraqis have taken to Twitter to express their outrage over what the perceive as an attack on a young boy because he defied the conservative gender norms of the country. The murder of Hamoudi al-Mutairi, also named by some news outlets as Mohammed al-Motteri, follows the deaths of four high-profile progressive Iraqis working in social media and the beauty industry in less than a month. At the start of August, the managers of Baghdad's two most high profile aesthetic and plastic surgery centres died in mysterious circumstances. The first was Rafif al-Yasiri, a plastic surgeon who had become known as the Barbie of Iraq'. 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. The deaths of Instagram model Tara Fares, pictured, and three other successful women have sparked fear among those who dare to break the mould in the conservative country First death: TV doctor and plastic surgeon Dr Rafif Al-Yasiri died in August under mysterious circumstances Second death: Beauty expert Rasha al-Hassan was also found dead in her home A week later, Rasha al-Hassan, founder of the Viola Beauty Centre, was also found dead. Both were found at their homes, and despite ongoing investigations, the causes of their deaths remain undetermined. The following week, activist and businesswoman Soad al-Ali was shot several times while travelling in a car in the southern city of Basra. Two days later, 22-year-old Instagram model Tara Fares, who had 2.7million followers, was shot dead in her car in Baghdad. Progressive Iraqis say they fear for their safety following the deaths of the four women, saying progressive Iraqis are being 'targeted'. British former newspaper editor Francis Matthew bludgeoned his wife with a hammer after she called him a 'loser' and told him 'you should provide financially' in July 2017. His sentence was upgraded on Sunday from manslaughter to murder after an unsuccessful appeal A British former newspaper editor who murdered his wife with a hammer at their Dubai home last summer has seen his sentence increased from ten to 15 years. Francis Matthew was convicted in March of manslaughter in the killing of his wife, Jane, 62, after pleading not guilty. Both sides appealed against the decision and the updated verdict was announced Sunday at the Dubai Court of Appeal, which included the upgrading of Matthew's conviction from manslaughter to premeditated murder. The former editor of the leading English-language Gulf News newspaper had faced the possibility of the death penalty in Dubai, where the sole method of execution is by firing squad. The Matthews were well-known and popular in British expat circles in Dubai, but Jane's brother told MailOnline the couple were secretly more than 200,000 in debt Matthew and his wife had been married for 30 years and were well-known in British expat circles in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Peter Manning, Jane's brother, welcomed the ruling, saying the lesser sentence would have been a 'terrible injustice.' 'Jane is very much missed by her family and all her many friends and the previous low sentence was very upsetting for all of us,' Manning said. The family of Jane Matthew said 'justice has not yet been done' after the original sentence, which brother Peter called a 'terrible injustice' Jane Matthew was killed in July last year by her husband of more than 30 years, Francis 'During the prosecution's investigation, the defendant admitted to assaulting his wife, and throwing a hammer at her, saying he never meant to kill her,' Dubai Police said in a statement, according to The National. Matthew edited the Gulf News between 1995 and 2005, but continued to write a weekly column and regularly appeared on Gulf TV news channels. 'They were an extremely devoted couple ... I have no idea what happened. Everybody is speculating,' Nirmala Janssen, who helped launch a newspaper called Xpress with Matthew, told The Daily Mail. Matthew had initially claimed he had returned home in July 2017 to find his wife dead after being killed by robbers, but he changed his story during questioning by police and admitted he had hit her twice with a hammer after they argued over their mounting debts. Jane Matthews as a young girl. She was attacked with a hammer by her husband of 33 years, former newspaper editor Francis Matthew, at their home in Dubai on July 3 last year Francis Matthew, the former editor of the English-language Gulf News for the country, had faced the possibility of the death penalty by firing squad for the killing of Jane Matthew (left) Matthew claimed he had suffered a 'moment of insanity' and struck his wife as she lay in bed after she had called him a 'loser' over their financial problems. Her brother told MailOnline the couple were more than 200,000 in debt. At the time of the original sentence of 10 years, which would likely have been reduced to much less, Manning said that the case would set a dangerous precedent for other women in Dubai. A teacher accused of forcing a teenage girl to having sex with him inside a Sydney classroom has been granted bail but banned from entering any schools. Stuart Robert Van Dyken, 50, was charged with having sexual intercourse with a person under his care while a teacher at Sydney's Strathfield South High School. The young girl reported the accused predator's alleged sick act on Monday afternoon and they immediately called police, according to the Daily Telegraph. Despite the pending investigation, Mr Van Dyken will continue to be paid his taxpayer-funded teacher's salary while waiting for his next court appearance. Stuart Robert Van Dyken, 50, (pictured) was charged with sexual intercourse with a person under his care in Sydney's Strathfield South High School Van Dyken, 50, spent one night in custody but was granted bail by the Campbelltown Local Court on Thursday. During his bail application, Magistrate Roger Clisdell told Mr Van Dyken he was banned from entering any school in New South Wales. He will also have to report to the Narellan Police Station three times a week as part of his bail conditions. Mr Van Dyken is set to appear in Burwood Local Court on the 5th of December. In the meantime, he will be 'removed from school duties...pending the court process and any investigation,' according to a New South Wales Department of Education spokesman. 'When employees are charged with serious criminal offences, the NSW Department of Education takes appropriate risk management action and awaits any court outcome before making any permanent employment decision,' the spokesman said. Mr Van Dyken has been working an an environment teacher in Strathfield South High School for a decade. Melania Trump opens up about the frequent attacks and criticism she has endured since her husband took office in her interview with ABC News. I could say that I'm the most bullied person in the world, says the First Lady in her sit down with Chief National Affairs Correspondent Tom Llamas. When Llamas then presses her on this notion, the First Lady reaffirms her statement, saying: One of them - if you really see what people are saying about me. This is the same woman who last year responded to a writer receiving death threats in response to a profile she wrote about the First Lady by stating: ' She provoked them.' Being Melania The First Lady will air this Friday at 10pm on ABC, and the network claims that no question was off the table. Scroll down for video The long and winding road: Melania Trump discusses her Be Best initiative in her interview with ABC News on Friday, revealing why she decided to make that her cause as first lady (First Lady and Tom Llamas above) Be Best: I could say that I'm the most bullied person in the world, she says, and reaffirms this by saying: 'One of them - if you really see what people are saying about me' (the First Lady in her interview above) The First Lady explains that the bullying she endures on a daily basis led in part to her creation of the Be Best initiative. Her announcement of the anti-bullying initiative and these most recent remarks made no mention however of her husband, who in just the past week very publicly declared that an alleged victim of sexual misconduct was a liar. The First Lady does talk about her husbands administration in the interview, noting that it is hard to govern and saying that she does not trust all those around him inside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Llamas asks her if she believes there are people her husband cant trust, prompting her to reply: You always need to watch your back. When asked if she has 100 percent control over her husband, Melania laughs and says: 'I wish.' She then adds: 'I give him my honest advice and honest opinions. And then he does what he wants to do.' In a preview of her special that was released on Wednesday, the First Lady is asked if she supports the #MeToo movement, which was revived on the hells of over a dozen women accusing her own husband of sexual assault or harassment. 'I support the women and they need to be heard. We need to support them, and also men, not just women,' explains Melania. 'We need to have hard evidence that, you know, that if you are accused of something, show the evidence.' Llamas points out that her answer to the #MeToo question might be seen as not supporting victims, a concern that the First Lady brushes aside. 'I do stand with women but we need to show the evidence. You cannot just say to somebody, I was, you know, sexually assaulted and or you did that to me,' she says. 'Because sometimes the media goes too far and the way they portray some stories, it's not correct. It's not right.' Prior to that, The First Lady was seen discussing how hard her job has been in the White House when it comes to finding partners with for her Be Best initiative. 'It's sad to see that organizations and foundations that I want to partner with chose not to because of the administration,' says the First Lady. 'I feel they are choosing the politics over helping others.' Foreign types with the hookah pipes say: 'I do stand with women but we need to show the evidence. You cannot just say to somebody, I was, you know, sexually assaulted and or you did that,' she adds (First Lady in Egypt on Saturday above) Pressing questions: The First Lady is asked about the state of her marriage and her husband's infidelity (pair on left in September) in the interview and that jacket (right in June) When asked to name a charity or initiative that turned her down, the First Lady declines. 'I'm not going to talk about it, they know who they are,' she tells Llamas. 'I'm not going to put them out in front of the world.' A preview aired on Tuesday also showed that the First Lady is asked about the state of her marriage and her husband's infidelity. 'You're not the first first lady to have to deal with your husband's infidelities, has this put a strain on your marriage,' he later asks the First Lady. The preview ends with him asking about 'the jacket,' which the First Lady wore soon after her husband's justice department enacted an order which allowed parents and their children to be separated at the border. On a visit to one of the facilities housing those children, The First Lady wore a Zara jackets which read: 'I Really Don't Care Do You?' People, it turned out, did in fact care. And lastly, Llamas asks the third Mrs. Trump what the biggest misconception is about her. President Donald Trump spoke personally with Jeff Sessions' chief of staff about replacing the attorney general in late September, according to a West Wing aide. The source confirmed that the conversation happened, after The Washington Post reported that the president had teed up the conversation with Matthew Whitaker. Senior Republicans told DailyMail.com on Monday that Whitaker is in a 'grooming exercise' to become attorney general, and was expected to become acting deputy attorney general until Rod Rosenstein's planned resignation evaporated two weeks ago. That would have been a dry-run for the top job. President Trump neither confirmed nor denied the Whitaker talks on Thursday during an interview on 'Fox & Friends.' 'I never talk about that but I can tell you Matt Whitaker's a great guy,' he said. Justice Department chief of staff Matthew Whitaker is emerging as a serious contender for the agency's top job if AG Jeff Sessions decides to leave; President Donald Trump spoke with him personally about making the switch Trump said Thursday morning that he won't talk about individual conversations, but didn't deny having the chat with Whitaker Whitaker (left) is a former federal prosecutor from Iowa who was expected to be named acting deputy attorney general two weeks ago upon the departure of Rod Rosenstein until Rosenstein unexpectedly stayed in his job 'I never talk about conversations that I had,' Trump added. But, you know, The Washington Post gets it wrong a lot. That's the only thing.' 'I'm not doing anything,' he said, while not denying that he had discussed it. 'I want to get the elections over with. We'll see what happens.' Sessions' unsteady future has been the subject of news stories and cocktail party chatter for months. Unfounded rumors two weeks ago about Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein's departure fed discussions of a wholesale shakeup at the top of the DOJ. Rosenstein, however, appears to be staying. He rode on Air Force One to Orlanda, Florida and back on Monday, accompanying the president for a speech to police chiefs. A farewell message to Rosenstein, drafted for Sessions, revealed that Whitaker would have taken his place. South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham says he has 'zero interest' in becoming the next U.S. attorney general A Republican Party official told DailyMail.com on Tuesday that Whitaker expected to be formally nominated to take the number-two job 'as an audition for the top slot when Sessions decides it's time for him to go.' Whitaker, a former Iowa federal prosecutor, was also on a short list to replace White House Counsel Don McGahn last month, according to the Axios news website. A senior Republican congressional aide added Tuesday that Whitaker was put in place to run Sessions' DOJ office 'as a grooming exercise.' 'The feeling there is that he's the heir apparent, that he'll be the next attorney general, unless someone who's bulletproof and has a big name wants the job,' the aide said. A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment on Tuesday afternoon. The question of who might be lined up to run the Department of Justice has joined the regular rotation of Washington guessing games, even though administration officials have sent signals that Sessions will stay at least until Election Day. Senator Lindsey Graham said Monday night that he has 'zero interest' in accepting a presidential cabinet nomination, putting to rest rumors that he might be on a DOJ short-list. 'I think I can do more good for the country and help President Trump more effectively by being in the Senate,' he said. 'I will help him when I can, say no when I have to, and I'm going to continue to be South Carolina's voice the best I know how to be.' Jessica Nordquist, 25, has been convicted of stalking A jilted woman who falsely claimed her ex-boyfriend raped her and bought a baby bump to dupe him into thinking she was pregnant is facing years behind bars. Jessica Nordquist, 25, subjected her ex-boyfriend Mark Weeks to a chilling and 'relentless' campaign of harassment during which she faked her own kidnapping and emailed his clients and colleagues claiming he had sexually abused her. The pair began a relationship while working for the video advertising company Unruly after Nordquist, a solutions engineer, moved from New York to the London office in June last year. But their romance soured and the pair separated in November. Mr Weeks soon received a barrage of abuse from Nordquist, who had also created around 20 Instagram accounts for the sole purpose of harassing him. Described as 'a deeply manipulative and compulsive liar', Nordquist fabricated a story leading her loved ones to believe she had been kidnapped and raped, sparking a massive police hunt. Mr Weeks received photos of Nordquist naked, bound and gagged attached to an email that read: 'Jessica Nordquist is the one who has been protecting your children from us. We raped and stole her tonight.' When police later searched to her home they found a number of sim cards for various networks. Jessica Nordquist, 25, subjected her ex-boyfriend Mark Weeks to a chilling campaign of harassment Making light of her trial, Nordquist captioned this picture: 'When youre in Crown Court on Friday, and in Greenwich Court on Saturday' Posting this picture in March, she joked: 'In between building my super duper defence case with my lawyers, I find time to roam in the daffodils' TIMELINE: How jilted lover subjected her ex to chilling campaign of harassment July 2017: Nordquist and Mark Weeks begin a relationship November 2017: Their romance sours and the pair split December 13, 2017: She claimed she was pregnant with his baby and went to hospital so she could have an abortion. But she lied to Mr Weeks about having a termination and claimed she then miscarried. January 26, 2018: Nordquist was arrested, interviewed and released under investigation. When officers went to her home they found a number of sim cards for various networks, in her handbag and her kitchen bin. She had also created around 20 Instagram accounts for the sole purpose of harassing her victim. February 23: She was charged with one count of stalking and two counts of malicious communications and bailed to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on May 4. April 19: Her family, friends, colleagues and the victim received an email purporting to be from an alleged crime group, claiming they had raped and kidnapped Nordquist. Attached were photographs of her naked, bound and gagged. Further emails were sent claiming the group had broken Nordquist's fingers. The matter was reported to police, and officers established a crime scene at Nordquist's flat in Whitechapel, where they discovered a disturbed scene, along with a kidnap note pinned to the front door. Officers launched an urgent investigation in an attempt to locate Nordquist. April 21: On April 21 Nordquist was found alone, safe and well by Police Scotland in a B+B in Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands. She gave them a false name and discarded two mobile phones in a toilet bin when officers took her to see a doctor to ensure she was fit to be detained. She also had disguise kits and camping equipment in a rucksack and booking confirmation print outs of accommodation she had booked in places further north of Aviemore. It transpired she had been responsible for fabricating the story of her own kidnap. April 23: She appeared at Thames Magistrates' Court where she pleaded not guilty to all offences. October 11: Nordquist is found guilty of two counts stalking, two counts of sending malicious communications and one count of perverting course of justice. Advertisement Giving evidence, Mr Weeks said he feared his career was over after Nordquist sent his colleagues emails claiming he had raped her. One message said: 'You should know Mark and Unruly have covered up the most atrocious crime ever.' Mr Weeks told the court: 'These allegations were damaging to my personal welfare I am highly anxious, feeling depressed. 'I didn't really know what was coming next. It felt my whole life was on hold.' Mr Weeks said he also received messages about a burglary at his home but he never replied and while he was working from home a reindeer, bought for him by workmates as a Christmas gift, went missing from his desk. It was later found at Nordquist's home He said Nordquist alluded to chess in her emails and in one said: 'If you can, protect the queen, she is the most valuable piece on the board she protects your king.' Another read: 'The queen will have some words tomorrow. Did you not know she is worth 26 million dollars.' Mr Weeks' brother was also sent a message which read: 'Your brother is in trouble. You should be more careful.' His boss urged him to take two weeks off work on compassionate leave during the stalking campaign. He decided to remove himself from social media and deleted his Instagram account after forwarding the messages to the police. Prosecutor Claire Robinson said Nordquist was desperate to get Mr Weeks' attention after they broke up, and left handwritten notes on his bike and desk. Nordquist asked to meet for coffee but when Mr Weeks said no he was 'met with some angry text messages.' She then claimed she was eight weeks pregnant with his baby and went to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel on 13 December so she could have an abortion. The court heard she lied to Mr Weeks about having a termination and claimed she then miscarried. The court heard how Nordquist, who is originally from Eagle River in Alaska, said had ordered a fake baby bump. But she claimed she 'ordered it for a pregnancy party', adding: 'I wanted the guys to wear it.' When they returned to Unruly after the Christmas break, Nordquist asked if they could rekindle their romance. But when he rejected her, she sent him a message on Instagram saying: 'I'm telling people at work I had an abortion and if they ask with who, I'll say you.' Nordquist posted a message, purporting to be from her friend, claiming she had taken an overdose on 5 January, the court heard. Mr Weeks became 'upset and concerned' and rang the police. Mr Weeks said he feared his career was over after Nordquist sent his colleagues emails claiming he had raped her Nordquist posted a lengthy email on Instagram telling her followers she had a 'failed medical abortion' and subsequent miscarriage Nordquist began sending threatening messages to herself and Mr Weeks made to look as though they were from a third party Six says later Nordquist began sending messages to herself and Mr Weeks made to look as though they were from a third party. Nordquist repeatedly told Mr Weeks they were 'being watched,' the court heard. Nordquist faked her own kidnapping One email on 13 January read: 'You are going to meet at 3pm at Shoreditch Grind (cafe). If neither of you show, we're going to release your past secrets around the office. We will come for you.' When Mr Weeks didn't show he recieved a message saying: 'I gave you both a chance to show up. Tick tock, the rabbit's got f***ed.' Most messages were signed off with 'tick-tock Mark Weeks,' jurors were told. Nordquist also sent tagged posts to Mr Weeks' Unruly clients accusing him of rape. One read: '[Mark Weeks] raped her. Unruler raped and assaulted an employee. Still went to work with him and trying to cover it up.' Ms Robinson told jurors Nordquist harassed 'not only Mark Weeks but employees of Unruly too.' When Nordquist attended Bethnal Green police station on 26 January her phone and iPad were seized and officers found searches about sending fake emails and stalking on her devices. Ms Robinson said: 'She told police she and Mark Weeks were being stalked. She claimed her searches were all related to trying to find out about stalking.' When she was arrested again four days later, police found searches for 'fake babies' and a silicon baby bump had been ordered on Amazon. She had also researched whether police can track where emails are sent from. Nordquist, who lives in Tower Hamlets, east London, was found guilty of two counts stalking, two counts of sending malicious communications and one count of perverting course of justice Nordquist ran a bizarre defence case in which she said she was kidnapped by a real-life 'James Bond' who she met at a Soho bar. She claimed the MI5 agent, Max Brown, later handed her a manila envelope containing photos of her having sex with Mr Weeks. She told the court that the photos were taken via a secret camera installed in her lightbulb. She said she was raped on April 19 after three men, including Brown came to her apartment. Nordquist claimed she was then kidnapped and taken to Scotland on a train. Nordquist ran a bizarre defence case in which she said she was kidnapped by a real-life 'James Bond' She was caught on CCTV alone at Euston Station that same night wearing a wig. She said: 'They told me to put this really long wig on.' Scottish police located her at the hostel in Aviemore on April 20 and she was taken into police custody, the court heard. Nordquist, who lives in Tower Hamlets, east London, denied two counts stalking, two counts of sending malicious communications and one count of perverting course of justice. She was found guilty on all counts by the jury. Judge Paul Southern adjourned sentencing to a date to be fixed and remanded Nordquist in custody. He said: 'I can not see how an immediate custodial sentence can be avoided. The question is the length of it. I am concerned about having the information I need about Jessica Nordquist. 'During the period these offences were committed Ms Nordquist was admitted to a psychiatric facility. We know that the police were concerned enough when they found her at Aviemore to take her to have a mental heath assessment.' DC Joanne Farrell, formerly of the Community Safety Unit at Tower Hamlets, said after the hearing: 'Infatuation or revenge, Nordquist's motivation remains unknown. She pursued a relentless campaign of stalking - culminating in faking her own kidnap and assault - that caused immense distress and embarrassment to the victim, his colleagues and loved ones; and even her own family. 'Throughout the investigation and trial, Nordquist has shown she is a compulsive liar and deeply manipulative. She was offered numerous opportunities to admit her offending and receive help, but she repeatedly refused to do so; forcing the need for a trial. 'Her actions diverted police resources from real victims of crime. Her lack of technical expertise and clumsy attempts to cover her tracks by 'hiding in plain sight' ultimately led to her conviction, which would not have been possible without the cooperation of UK mobile phone networks and other businesses - for which the Metropolitan police are grateful.' Benjamin Overall, 37, allegedly attacked a female barista and was taken down by a concealed carrier customer at the Starbucks A man with a concealed carry permit took down a suspect who allegedly attacked a female barista at a Starbucks in Salt Lake City. Benjamin Scott Overall, 37, first set off a panic alarm by an employee at 7-Eleven near the Starbucks in Millcreek on October 4 at around 6am. When police arrived at the convenience store, Overall jetted to a nearby Starbucks. That's where he came behind the counter and allegedly assaulted the female barista, punching her in the face, hitting her in the head with a metal basket, and then kicking her,' according to the Salt Lake City Tribune. That barista, 24-year-old Shelby Hamilton, 24, said she thought Overall was going to kill her. '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. The concealed carrier, who is in his late 60's and has not been identified, told police Overall first attacked the barista before he started 'aggressively charging' at him. 'He witnessed the assault against the clerk,' UPD Detective Ken Hansen said. 'And his response, because apparently after the assault the guy came after him, and so he shot the man in the chest.' Overall entered the Starbucks (pictured) after setting off a panic alarm at a nearby 7-Eleven. When police arrived at the convenience store he ran to this Starbucks and attacked the barista Police interviewed the concealed carrier permit holder after the shooting. They said he was cooperative. Hansen says they don't know yet if he will face charges for shooting the suspect, but said its unlikely as the shooting will probably be determined to be in self defense. Hamilton says she is grateful to the man, who is a regular customer at her Starbucks. 'I never would have expected that from him,' Hamilton said. 'He just seemed like a very meek guy. So I was surprised, but also very grateful. I was very grateful that he was there. And I was glad it was somebody we see regularly so that hopefully, in the future, I can thank him.' Overall was charged Tuesday with aggravated assault and criminal trespass and remains hospitalized, and is expected to survive his gunshot wounds. A Texas inmate who died from head injuries after he was allegedly assaulted by a prison guard was handcuffed at the time attack, state records have revealed. Gary Lesley Ryan, 58, died on September 12, two weeks after he was supposedly tackled to the ground in the shower and hit his head while restrained by 22-year-old corrections officer D'Andre Glasper. 'People in handcuffs can be dangerous, dont get me wrong,' Lance Lowry, a Huntsville corrections officer who runs a criminal justice-focused nonprofit, told the Houston Chronicle, 'but while theyre in handcuffs the level of force escalation is limited.' Glasper, who avoided disciplinary action by resigning from the job on September 7, has been charged with aggravated assault by a public servant. The former corrections officer is accused of disobeying direct orders to stay away from inmate Ryan, then injuring him during an August 30 confrontation in the showers of the WJ Estelle Unit in Huntsville, which ultimately led to Ryan's death. Ryan had served at least four years of a five-year sentence for harassment of a public servant at the time of his death, and was scheduled to be released on November 23. Guard charged: Texas prison guard D'Andre Glasper, 22 (left), has been charged with aggravated assault by a public servant related to events leading to the death of inmate Gary Ryan, 58 (right), who was handcuffed at time The department's Office of the Inspector General said Ryan had spit on Glasper on the morning of August 30 and that the guard was told by his superior to stay away from the prisoner. But Glasper did not obey the order and returned to Ryan's cellblock later that day to escort the inmate to the showers, alone. On the way there, the guard said Ryan became aggressive and was making derogatory remarks. Glasper is accused of assaulting Ryan once they reached the showers, causing him to fall to the floor and hit his head. Records don't make clear what, if anything, Ryan did that 'posed a threat sufficient to justify use of force,' the Chronicle reported. Glasper allegedly assaulted Ryan in the showers at the Estelle Unit in Huntsville on August 30, after the inmate had spit on him; Records don't make clear what, if anything, Ryan did that 'posed a threat sufficient to justify use of force' According to officials, Glasper was trying to put Ryan 'prone on the floor' when the inmate sustained a head injury. Ryan was found bleeding and unconscious, and was airlifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital in critical condition. He underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, but died on the morning of September 12. Ryan's criminal record included a 12-year sentence for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, followed by a two-year sentence for the same charge. Glasper, who had been a prison guard for two years, resigned his position on September 7 and was arrested three days later. He is currently free on a $50,000 bond. If convicted of the felony charges against him, he could face up to life in prison. Pak-US agreed to engage Saudi Arabia in Afghanistan political peace ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and United States have agreed to engage Saudi Arabia in pushing forward Afghanistans political peace and reconciliation process. Credible diplomatic sources told reporters that Saudi Arabias inclusion was discussed during US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzads day long talks with Pakistani authorities on Tuesday at the Foreign Ministry. Saudi Arabia enjoys significant influence over Afghan Taliban and remained active in the process in the past. Zalmay Khalilzads appointment as Special Representative by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is seen as a major shift in the US policy to focus on political efforts after the failure of President Donald Trumps strategy announced last year in August to defeat the Taliban militarily. Sources maintained that Pakistani officials made it clear that they had no objection to Saudi Arabias inclusion in Afghan peace process as it played a positive role in the past in bringing Taliban to the negotiation table. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, after completing his talks with Pakistani authorities left Islamabad for Saudi capital Riyadh on Wednesday. In Riyadh, Ambassador Khalilzad is expected to meet top Saudi security and intelligence officials, besides meeting the political leadership of the Kingdom. During talks in Islamabad, both sides identified hurdles in the Afghan peace and reconciliation process and agreed to remain engaged in dialogue to bring Taliban on negotiations table with Kabul government on board as well. A US embassy spokesman in Islamabad said during his stay in Pakistan, Special Representative Khalilzad met with key Pakistani officials. The spokesman said Ambassador Khalilzad consulted with Pakistani leaders on how best to achieve a durable political settlement in Afghanistan. Peace in Afghanistan is vital to the long-term stability of Pakistan and the wider region, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad was quoted as saying by US embassy spokesman in Islamabad. Countries currently engaged in the Afghan peace process are Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China. Russian has also initiated a process for Afghanistan and 11 countries have joined it already, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, China, Russia itself and five central Asian states. First meeting to be hosted by Russia on Afghan peace process would be held by the end of this month or in the first week of November, finalisation of dates is linked with availability of all participants, Pakistans Ambassador to Moscow Qazi Khalil told Daily Times on phone from Moscow He said this meeting was earlier planned for September 4th but was postponed on the request of Kabul government, which wanted some time for consultations. Khalilzad had earlier accompanied the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to his September 5 visit to Islamabad. In Kabul, the US envoy urged Afghan government and the Taliban to form teams for peace negotiations, according to reports. A Texas judge has declined to extend a restraining order that would keep a brain-dead nine-year-old girl on life suppport. Payton Summons' parents have been fighting the courts in a bid to keep their daughter on a ventilator at Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth, even though doctors have told them she no longer has brain function. She was taken to the hospital and put on life support after suffering cardiac arrest on September 25, but her mother and father still believe she can recover. But Judge Melody Wilkinson of the 17th District Court of Texas ruled that the parents did not meet the burden of proof for injunctive relief, according to family lawyer Justin Moore. It means Payton will be taken off will be taken off life support on Monday, if her family cannot find another hospital to treat her, Moore explained to CNN. They have so far struggled to find another facility to take in their daughter, and are now trying to decide how to move forward. Nine-year-old Payton Summons - who is brain dead - will be taken off life support on Monday at the Cook Children's Medical Center 'There are no winners today obviously,' Moore added, after the ruling. Cameras were not allowed in the court room. parents were found to have not met the burden of proof for injunctive relief by Judge Melody Wilkinson of the 17th District Court of Texas He further stated: 'This presents a great issue for parents in the state of Texas. 'They don't know how to proceed when they have a child put in this condition as Payton Summons has been put in. 'So I believe our fight is going to continue on in order to carve out some real narrow language in the law to provide courts, lawyers and parents guidance because that's what they need in times like this.' 'This is probably one of the most trying days in my career as a young lawyer.' Summons went into cardiac arrest while at her grandmother's house on September 25. The youngster has already survived cancer once. The girl had been sleeping when she woke up, 'screamed for her grandmother to help her and said that she couldn't breathe ... then she collapsed,' her mother, Tiffany Hofstetter, explained to KTVT. Summons was taken to the hospital, and doctors were able to detect a heartbeat, but the girl was placed on a ventilator because she stopped breathing. The girl had been sleeping when she woke up, 'screamed for her grandmother to help her and said that she couldn't breathe ... then she collapsed,' her mother, Tiffany Hofstetter, explained Summons was taken to the hospital, and doctors were able to detect a heartbeat, but the girl was placed on a ventilator because she stopped breathing. Doctors were able to revive her heartbeat, but found that Payton couldn't breathe on her own. She was without oxygen to the brain for almost an hour. They then discovered she had a tumor twice the size of her heart, which is currently crushing Payton's heart and lungs and cutting off her circulation. Twenty-four hours after Payton was admitted to the hospital, doctors conducted a brain death exam and found it conclusively confirmed she was brain dead. The girl's family filed a temporary restraining order against the hospital to keep the girl on life support in the days after Summons suffered cardiac arrest Payton (pictured getting treatment in a past photo) had a tumor that aided in the cardiac arrest Doctors also ran an electroencephalogram (EEG) test, which they said showed 'no electrical activity in her brain'. In September, the hospital released a statement that said: 'Per our protocol and national pediatric medical standards, a second brain death exam was scheduled to take place by a different physician within 12 hours of the first to complete the legal process of declaring Payton deceased.' 'In addition to dealing with the sudden blow of her cardiac arrest and devastating brain injury, Payton's family is also coping with the news that the arrest was caused by the growth of a very large tumor in her chest that is shutting off her circulatory system.' The girl's family has not decided how they will move forward after the decision from the judge The girl's family filed a temporary restraining order against the hospital to keep the girl on life support in the days after Summons suffered cardiac arrest. They contacted 25 hospitals in hopes that they could transfer Summons but none would take her, according to co-counsel Paul Stafford. He added: 'Unfortunately after 25 out of 28 facilities that were contacted, we had no takers, we have two maybes and those were preconditioned on certain things which may be life threatening to Payton if performed.' Her family contacted 25 hospitals in hopes that they could transfer Summons but none would take the girl, according to co-counsel Paul Stafford Kim Brown, a spokeswoman with the hospital, said in a statement: 'Cook Children's has been informed that we no longer have the ability to speak to media about Payton Summons. Although the family previously signed a consent form authorizing the release of information protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), we have been notified by the family's lawyer that the family has revoked their consent for us to speak about Payton's condition. 'Unfortunately, this means that we are no longer able to provide detailed, factual information regarding this case. We're disappointed that the family has revoked their authorization because we believe that accurate information facilitates fair, balanced and informed reporting.' A pensioner has been crushed by a hoarding outside an H&M store today. The woman, believed to be in her 70s, had been walking down King Street in Hammersmith when she was injured at around 10.30am. The large hoarding fell from the west London store which is currently under refurbishment. A pensioner has been crushed by a hoarding outside an H&M store today. The woman, believed to be in her 70s, had been walking down King Street in Hammersmith when she was injured at around 10.30am. A store worker was pictured tending to the injured woman The large hoarding fell from the west London store which is currently under refurbishment She is in 'a major trauma centre' for treatment, suggesting she is badly injured. Bypassers and construction workers rushed to the elderly woman's aid before she was taken to hospital The pensioner was walking past this H&M in Hammersmith when she was crushed by a hoarding today She is in 'a major trauma centre' for treatment, suggesting she is badly injured. Bypassers and construction workers rushed to the elderly woman's aid before she was taken to hospital. An witness said: 'All of a sudden we just heard this loud bang. Everyone was desperately trying to get the hoarding off her.She was just laying on the pavement and looked unconscious.' A spokesman for London Ambulance Service said: 'We were called at 10:38am today to King Street, Hammersmith to reports of an incident. 'We sent an ambulance crew to the scene. We treated a woman at the scene and took her as a priority to a major trauma centre.' Police have released images of a man who they want to speak to after a woman was followed off a train and filmed from below A manhunt is underway for a predator who followed a woman in a Sydney train station and allegedly filmed up her skirt as she stood on an escalator. The man, travelling from Woolooware, got off a train at Redfern station in Sydney's inner-city on September 7. Police allege he followed the woman off the train and walked onto the escalators directly behind her while filming up her skirt. Officers from the Redfern Police Area Command were notified and have launched an investigation. Police are searching for a man they believe may be able to assist with their investigation. He is described as being of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern appearance, about 183cm tall, aged in his 30s or 40s and with short facial hair. Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000. After finding his daughter dead in her crib, Seth Welch called his lawyer and waited another 90 minutes before he finally rang 911. When the emergency dispatcher asked if 10-month-old Mary was beyond help, Welch simply replied: 'Oh yeah, she was dead as a doornail'. 'Just another day,' he continued. 'It is what it is.' Welch sobbed in court on Wednesday as prosecutors played the disturbing phone call during a preliminary hearing for him and his wife Tatiana Fusari, who allegedly refused to seek medical help for Mary due to their Christian beliefs. Scroll down for video After finding his daughter dead in her crib, Seth Welch (pictured crying in court on Wednesday) called his lawyer and waited another 90 minutes before he finally rang 911 Mary, was found dead with sunken eyes and cheeks in her cot at the family home in Solomon Township, Michigan in August. She is pictured here in an undated Facebook photo Both parents have been ordered to stand trial for murder in the death of Mary, who weighed only 8 pounds when she was found dead in the family's Grand Rapids, Michigan home in August. A forensic pathologist ruled that she died of 'malnutrition associated with dehydration due to neglect of adult caregivers'. Investigators said Welch was responsible for Mary's care on August 1, the day before she died, while Fusari was at work. He told the emergency dispatcher that he put Mary to bed at 3pm that day. When he checked on her at 10am on August 2, she was dead. After calling both his lawyer and his parents, Welch finally called 911. 'I guess I don't know if this is the right place to report this to. One of my children is dead,' the father-of-three told the dispatcher. The disturbing and chilling phone call was played on Wednesday during a preliminary hearing for Welch and his wife Tatiana Fusari (pictured), who are facing murder charges When the emergency dispatcher asked if 10-month-old Mary was beyond help, Welch simply replied: 'Oh yeah, she was dead as a doornail'. Both Fusari (pictured) and Welch cried throughout the preliminary hearing on Wednesday When the dispatcher asked why he thought that, Welch said he had 'no idea'. 'We just woke up and she's dead,' he simply replied. Welch then told the dispatcher that Mary wasn't breathing and didn't have a heartbeat. Fusari said she was cold and not breathing. The father then revealed to the dispatcher that he found Mary more than an hour ago. 'I called my lawyer...to ask what's the best thing I can do, and they said wait until they're here to call police. I was waiting on legal counsel,' he said. 'I had no idea what to do.' Fusari told police she had breastfed Mary before going to work at McDonald's on August 1, but that neither parent fed her after that. Neither she or Welch went back into Mary's room until the next day. Child Protective Services said they didn't give her any food, water, or even change her diaper. The parents, who were also charged with first-degree child abuse, told police that Mary had been sick and low in weight for at least a month before she died. But Welch later told WOOD-TV in August that he fed Mary well and did not know she was ill. Welch and Fusari,both 27, were charged with felony murder and first-degree child abuse of their baby after an autopsy found she died from malnutrition and dehydration The couple reportedly admitted to police that they noticed Mary (pictured in older Facebook photos) was underweight as early as a month before her death 'In the Bible, it says that good food is our medicine. We fed her. We were feeding her chicken, potatoes, apples, cheese. We were giving her the good stuff,' Welch told the station. 'She died. It's a tragedy...the Lord giveth, the Lord taketh.' Welch, who has previously dismissed medics as 'priests of the medical cult', said he cared for his children without the aid of professionals because 'going to the doctor nowadays is as dangerous as not going'. In a bizarre rant posted onto Facebook two weeks before Mary died, Welch branded medics 'skilful magicians and experts in charm'. 'The righteous shall live by faith,' he continued. 'It's God who is sovereign over disease and those sorts of things and, of course, ultimately deaths.' Welch has since claimed he is being 'made an example of' because of his 'very strong faith' and said Mary's autopsy was conducted 'lazily'. His defense argued on Wednesday that the infant may have suffered from a metabolic disorder that kept her from absorbing nutrients. But Dr David Start, the forensic pathologist that performed Mary's autopsy, said he found no metabolic diseases or parasites, according to MLive.com. Welch (pictured during a cell visitation interview in August) has since claimed that his daughter's autopsy was conducted 'lazily' and that 'something else' killed her Welch has since claimed he is being 'made an example of' because of his 'very strong faith' and said Mary's autopsy was conducted 'lazily' And Judge Sara Smolenski disagreed with the defense's argument that the parents had unknowingly harmed Mary. 'It is as horrific as it gets,' she told the courtroom. 'The skeletal-like posture of the child, in my opinion, speaks volumes for how long the baby was not cared for properly.' Smolenski said she was also struck by Welch's callousness in the 911 call after discovering his daughter was dead. One investigator revealed that there was limited baby food in the house, which was covered with mice feces and flies. Mary's bed was also filthy and even appeared to have mold growing on it, they added. The family farm where the couple lived was littered with signs condemning evil and ordering nonbelievers to 'repent and obey'. One message painted across a wooden fence reads 'My kingdom is not of this world', while others say 'Blessed are the peacemakers', 'Every knee shall bow and every throne will confess to God' and 'God knows what you need before you ask'. The couple, who consider themselves to be devout Christians, have previously said they do not trust doctors 'Repent believe obey' and 'My kingdom is not of this world' are some of the religious messages painted on the property of Welch and Fusari Welch made the hand-painted signs more than a year ago, posting on Facebook ideas for bible verses to include Welch's last post was a message about his daughter dying and his other children being taken away from him Photos from inside the couple's home show handmade wooden desks and chairs, bare walls and images of their young children working on crafts. Welch often posted videos criticizing worldly things and encouraging believers to 'live off the grid'. In another Facebook video, Welch explained why he refused to vaccinate any of his offspring. 'It doesn't seem smart that you would be saving people who weren't the fittest,' he said. 'If evolution believes in survival of the fittest, why are we vaccinating everybody? Shouldn't we just let the weak die off and let the strong survive?' Welch and Fusari are currently being held without bond. They could face life in prison without parole if convicted of felony murder. Keane Webre-Hayes, 13, was attacked by a great white shark witnesses say was about 11 feet long while lobster fishing off the coast of Encinitas, San Diego in late September A 13-year-old California boy bitten by a shark while lobster diving was attacked by a great white shark, DNA testing has revealed. Keane Webre-Hayes was about 200m from the shore at Beacon's Beach in Encinitas at 7am on September 29 when he was attacked. He had been diving in water about nine feet deep when he was bitten by the predator, which witnesses say was about 11 feet long, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Researchers at the California State Long Beach Shark Lab used a DNA sample from the teenager's wetsuit to determine what kind of shark was responsible. The lab's director, Chris Lowe, said incidents of a shark bite are 'exceedingly rare, considering the number of people that use Southern California waters'. But though bites were not common, the risk will be increased over the next few months. 'People do need to be aware that the fall season is a time when more large juvenile and adult sharks may be moving along the coast,' he said. The attack occurred about 7am local time on September 29 at Beacon's Beach in Encinitas, north of San Diego (scene pictured). Webre-Hayes suffered damage to his upper back, shoulder, torso, face and ear Researchers used a DNA sample taken from the teenager's wetsuit to determine conclusively it was a great white that attacked him (stock image of great white shark) Webre-Hayes was saved by an off-duty state lifeguard and an off-duty Oceanside police officer. The shark tore his left upper back, shoulder, torso, face and ear, leaving him with a horrific wound. The Good Samaritans pulled him into a kayak and put pressure on the bite until he could be airlifted to hospital. Dr. Tim Fairbanks, chief of pediatric surgery at Rady Children's Hospital, said Webre-Hayes had suffered a very large and very deep bite that reached the chest wall, and was lucky it had not damaged his vascular system. The bold teenager has since been released from hospital and is on the mend. He is keen to get back in the water, telling his mother: 'the chances are so much more slim on the second bite' 'Keane wants you to know he has all his limbs, and he's going to be going home fully intact,' he told reporters at the time. Webre-Hayes has since been discharged from hospital and is recovering at home. Speaking to reporters just days after the attack, his mother, Ellie Hayes, said her son was already talking about getting back into the ocean. 'He said, "Mom, the chances are so much more slim on the second bite,'" she told reporters. A GoFundMe has been set up for the family to help them stay afloat as they work to help the plucky teenager with his recovery. Suspect: Paul Rosenfeld, 56, was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly building a 200-pound bomb with the intent to blow himself up FBI agents and local police have arrested a New York man for allegedly trying to build a 200-pound bomb they say he planned to use to blow himself up on the National Mall in Washington DC on Election Day next month. Paul Rosenfeld, 56, of Tappan, was charged on Wednesday with unlawfully manufacturing a destructive device and interstate transportation and receipt of an explosive. Prosecutors said Rosenfeld's aim was to kill himself with the bomb and draw attention to a political system known from ancient Greece called sortition, in which public officials are chosen by a lottery rather than elected. He also said he was angry at the direction the country was going. The FBI raided Rosenfeld's home Tuesday and found a functional bomb in his basement that consisted of black powder inside a plywood box, according to a criminal complaint. Agents also found empty canisters of black powder often used in firearms and artillery, the complaint said. Scroll down for video Rosenfeld's home in Tappan, New York, is pictured on Wednesday, a day after his arrest FBI agents raided Rosenfeld's home (pictured) and found a functional bomb in his basement An agent is seen removing evidence in a box from the crime scene in Tappan, New York The FBI said in court filings that Rosenfeld, after being pulled over on Tuesday, confessed to ordering large quantities of black powder over the internet and having the substance delivered to 'a location in New Jersey.' Rosenfeld then took the black powder to his home New York, constructed smaller explosive devices and conducted test detonations, according to the criminal complaint. William Sweeney Jr, the assistant director of the FBI's New York field office, said in a statement that Rosenfeld intended to 'detonate a large explosive to kill himself and draw attention to his radical beliefs.' 'Had he been successful, Rosenfeld's alleged plot could have claimed the lives of innocent bystanders and caused untold destruction,' Sweeney said in the statement. 'Fortunately, his plans were thwarted by the quick action of a concerned citizen and the diligent work of a host of our law enforcement partners and the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force.' Police and FBI descended on Rosenfeld's home after he was pulled over by cops acting on a tip from a reporter in Pennsylvania Rosenfeld reportedly said he did not want to hurt anyone but himself Rosenfled's alleged plan was to blow himself up on the National Mall in DC on Election Day Rosenfeld was said to have sent letters and text messages to a Pennsylvania reporter in August and September detailing his deadly plot, which was thwarted when the reported alerted the authorities. The 56-year-old had an initial court appearance before a magistrate at a federal courthouse in White Plains on Wednesday afternoon. If convicted of the charges against him, he could be looking at up to 20 years in prison. Rosenfeld has no past criminal history and is not believed to have ties to any extremist or terrorist organizations. 'There is no danger to the public,' the Rockland County town supervisor said in a statement. Former First Lady Michelle Obama has insisted that she will never run for President as she opened up politics, her daughter Sasha's senior year and how her and Barack have separate bathrooms. Mrs Obama spoke about her life outside the White House during a lengthy appearance on NBC's Today show on Thursday where she launched an initiative aimed at boosting educational opportunities for girls around the world. When asked if she would ever run for President in the future, Mrs Obama said: 'Absolutely not.' 'I have never wanted to be a politician. I want to serve, I want to be out there. There's so many ways to make an impact. Politics just isn't my thing,' she said. 'As a woman you understand where your voice works best... Find your passion. I want to work on positive issues with girls around the world.' Scroll down for video Mrs Obama spoke about her life outside the White House during an appearance on NBC's Today show on Thursday where she launched an initiative aimed at boosting education for girls Mrs Obama also spoke about her daughters - Malia, 20, and Sasha, 17 - and how they are getting on with life since moving on from the White House. She said their family was currently riding the intense wave that is Sasha's senior year of high school. 'They're doing well. I'm so proud of them,' she said of her two girls. 'I think about what it means for them to have their voice and to have come out of those eight years (in the White House) confident and poised. 'It's tough growing up in the public eye. With all the criticisms and judgement... we're in the era of social media where everything gets thrown out of proportion.' Speaking about the coolest thing about being a 'former' First Lady, Mrs Obama said it was the 'small things'. 'It's opening my door and walking out and enjoying the weather and sitting on my patio,' she said. 'Going to my girls' games and really being a mom. There's nothing new going on, it's just where out in the real world.' Mrs Obama went on to joke about whether her husband helps out around the house, saying: 'One of the keys to a successful marriage is separate bathrooms.' The former First Lady received a rock star welcome from the young girls gathered in the crowd when she arrived on Thursday to speak about her new education imitative When asked if she would ever run for President in the future, Mrs Obama said: 'Absolutely not', adding that politics just weren't her thing Mrs Obama spoke to NBC's Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie on Thursday on International Day of the Girl about her new education initiative Michelle posed for selfies with other high-profile guests, including supermodel Karlie Kloss, Zendaya and Frieda Pinto The former First Lady also explained the moment during Senator John McCain's funeral where former President George W. Bush was caught on camera discreetly handing her a cough drop. 'I didn't realize at the time that anybody noticed what we were doing He is my partner in crime at every major thing where all the formers gather I love him to death,' she said of the Republican president. 'It was a simple gesture. He was getting a cough drop from Laura - they were old cough drops, they were in a White House box,' she joked. She said the now-viral moment showed that people were 'hungry' for unity. The world is a sadly dangerous place for women and girls. I think young women are tired of it. They're tired of being undervalued. They're tired of being disregarded Mrs Obama on the #MeToo movement 'That's why is matters so much. Party, color, gender don't separate us. It's the messages that we send. If we're the adults in the room and not showing that level of decency, we can't expect our children to do that same,' she said. Mrs Obama said she still stands by her famous phrase - 'when they go low, we go high' - which she used at the 2016 Democratic National Convention about the pettiness that often occurs between Republicans and Democrats. 'I have to think about that as a mother, as someone who is a role model to young girls. We want them to grow up with promise and hope, and we can't model something different if we want them to be something better than that,' she said. Her famous phrase was used by fellow Democrat, former Attorney General Eric Holder, at a recent campaign rally. He said 'when they go low, we kick them' in reference to standing up to Republicans. Mrs Obama said it was important not to be motivated by anger and fear - even in the current political climate. 'Fear is not a proper motivator. Hope wins out,' she said. 'If you think about how you want your kids to be raised... do you want them afraid of their neighbors? Do you want them angry, do you want them vengeful? 'We think of values we want to promote to your children. Which motto do you want them to live by?' Mrs Obama said she still stands by her famous phrase - 'when they go low, we go high' - regarding the pettiness that often occurs between Republicans and Democrats Michelle appeared on stage with singers Jennifer Hudson and Meghan Trainor as they all participated in NBC's International Day of the Girl coverage Kelly Clarkson, Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie, Jennifer Hudson, Michelle Obama and Meghan Trainor all appeared on stage during the Today show concert series on Thursday Huge crowds turned up in New York's Rockefeller Center to catch a glimpse of Mrs Obama The former First Lady also touched on the #MeToo movement, saying it had highlighted what a 'dangerous place' the world was for women and girls. 'I'm surprised at how much has changed, but how much has not changed,' she said of the sexual harassment movement. 'The world is a sadly dangerous place for women and girls. I think young women are tired of it. They're tired of being undervalued. They're tired of being disregarded. 'Enough is enough.' She said recent backlash against the movement, especially in the wake of Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation, was not actually all that surprising. 'That's what happens with change. Change is not a direct, smooth path. There's going to be bumps and resistance,' she said. 'There's been a status quo in terms of the way women have been treated, what their expectations have been in this society, and that is changing.' 'There's going to be a little upheaval, a little discomfort, but I think it's up to the women out there to say, 'Sorry that you feel uncomfortable, but I'm now paving the way for the next generation'.' The former First Lady also explained the moment during Senator John McCain's funeral where former President George W. Bush was caught on camera discreetly handing her a cough drop Mrs Obama also spoke about her daughters - Malia, 20, and Sasha, 17 - and how they are getting on with life since moving on from the White House. They are pictured in 2016 Her comments tied in with her announcement regarding the launch of the Global Girls Alliance, which will work with organizations worldwide to increase public awareness and action. The announcement was made on International Day of the Girl. She said the alliance aims to lifting up grassroots leaders all over the world who want to clear away the hurdles that many girls face when trying to get an education. The Chicago-based foundation says more than 98 million adolescent girls worldwide don't go to school. The alliance's website highlights programs around the world and offers ways for the public to support those programs. The Obama Foundation was started in 2014 with the aim of continuing 'the great, unfinished project of renewal and global progress.' Malcolm Turnbull's son Alex Turnbull has urged voters in his father's former electorate not to support the Liberals in the upcoming by-election. Mr Turnbull's seat of Wentworth will be contested in a by-election on Saturday after he lost the top job to colleague Scott Morrison during a leadership coup, leading to his decision to retire from politics all together. In a video shared to his Facebook, the former prime minister's son said the Liberal party had been 'taken over by extremists' and was in no state to lead the nation. Mr Turnbull's seat of Wentworth will be contested in a by-election on Saturday after he lost the top job 'We've had yet another leadership coup and we've lost another prime minister. The Liberal party has been taken over by extremists on the hard right... who aren't particularly motivated to serve the general public,' Alex Turnbull said. 'Don't vote for the Liberal party in the Wentworth by-election... this time, don't give the Liberals your vote.' The Liberal party will lose their majority in federal parliament if the seat of Wentworth swings against them, which they are fearful will happen after multiple leadership spills and rumours of instability within the party. His son Alex told his fans and friends in a video shared to his Facebook page that the Liberal party was in no state to lead the nation The younger Turnbull went on to say the party needed to be taught a lesson, The Australian reported. Prime Minister Morrison said he was not worried about Alex Turnbull's political affiliations, and said there is no correlation between his views and his father's. He said he could separate the views of family members, and that all individuals are entitled to their own opinions, political beliefs and ideals. Hes an independent person in his own right. Hes entitled to his own views, hes entitled to be wrong too, which I believe he is,' he said. President Donald Trump is so impressed by the performance of House Intelligence chair Devin Nunes in plumbing the FBI for misconduct and countering the Russia probe that he said he should get the nation's highest military honor. Trump hailed Nunes, a California Republican lawmaker, in an extended Fox News call-in interview, where the president called former FBI Director James Comey a 'bad guy,' blasted former deputy FBI director Andrew McCabe as 'very bad' and once again went after FBI lovers Peter Strzok and Lisa Page. All have been targets of House Intelligence Committee investigators over the past two years. The panel issued a report that concluded there was 'no evidence' of Trump campaign collusion with Russia a conclusion Trump repeatedly cites in his defense. INCOMING! President Donald Trump cited the 'bravery' of House Intelligence Committee chair Rep. Devin Nunes, and said he should get the medal of honor for uncovering 'tremendous corruption' in the FBI 'There was tremendous corruption, and I'll tell you what, these people want to get to the bottom of it,' Trump told his interviewers on 'Fox and Friends.' 'And I don't think people like Devin Nunez, he should get, if this all turns out like everyone thinks it will, Devin Nunez should get the medal of honor,' Trump said. Then Trump brought up another medal one reserved for civilians that presidents have bestowed since the Kennedy administration. 'He is really, what he has gone through and his bravery. He should get a very important medal. Maybe we'll call it medal of freedom because we actually give them, they're high awards for civilians,' Trump said. Trump later said Nunes should get the medal of freedom, and hammered a slew of targets, including former FBI Director James Comey, whom he labeled a 'bad guy' Fox News host Sean Hannity told Nunes in August he deserved the medal of freedom President Trump presents the Medal of Honor to former Army Senior Medical Specialist Staff Sgt. Ronald Shurer for conspicuous gallantry during Operation Enduring Freedom, at the White House in Washington, DC, October 1, 2018. He provided care to wounded comrades under fire from the Taliban 'He has done an amazing guys like [Rep. Mark] Meadows and [Rep.}Jim Jordan all of these people, what they, what they go through and they're right,' Trump said, mentioning two conservative House Freedom Caucus members. 'And they can't understand why they're being stymied at so many different levels,' he said. Democrats on the committee have fumed that under Nunes it has become a vehicle for discrediting the Russia probe to protect Trump, whereas its Senate counterpart undertakes a mostly bipartisan investigation of Russian election interference. Trump last bestowed the medal of honor on Ronald Shurer II, an Army combat medic who braved gunfire while serving in Afghanistan to save his comrades who were being fired on by the Taliban. Fox News host Sean Hannity, a Trump favorite who advises the president, previously floated the idea of giving Nunes a medal when Nunes appeared on his show in August. He called Nunes someone 'who frankly deserves the medal of freedom for really showing, sadly, the biggest abuse of power corruption scandal.' Trump brought up Nunes after going after many of his favorite FBI targets, including Comey, whom he said was 'leaking all over the place,' labeled a 'bad guy,' and McCabe, who was fired by Attorney General Jeff Sessions after an inspector general determined he made unauthorized leaks and lacked 'candor' in describing his conduct. The former parent company of Newsweek has been charged in a complex scheme to defraud lenders using phony loan applications to borrow some $10 million to fund operating costs and pay back older loans. International Business Times publisher IBT Media and its co-founder, Etienne Uzac, were charged in a 10-count criminal indictment unsealed on Wednesday in Manhattan Supreme Court. IBT Media acquired Newsweek in 2013, and said on Wednesday it had completed a spin-off of the once-mighty newsmagazine. Prosecutors are also reportedly probing whether IBT Media used fake web traffic to scam advertisers into paying for phony clicks. The indictment also charges Christian Media Corp and its former chief executive and publisher, William Anderson, and a computer company called Oikos Networks Inc. All three companies have close but informal ties to a fringe Christian sect based in South Korea. IBT Media co-founder Etienne Uzac (center) is led into court in handcuffs on Thursday. He is charged with money laundering, scheme to defraud, conspiracy and falsifying records William Anderson (center), former CEO of Christian Media Corp, is seen in Manhattan court on Thursday. He is charged with money laundering, scheme to defraud, conspiracy, falsifying records and criminal contempt IBT Media bought Newsweek in a firesale in 2013 and brought back a print version Prosecutors allege that Uzac and Anderson created bogus loan applications to borrow about $10 million, claiming it was using the money to buy high-end computer servers. The two publishers even created a website for a fake auditor named 'Karen Smith', purportedly based in Staten Island, to sign off on the loan applications, according to the indictment. Rather than buying the high-capacity $180,000 servers, however, prosecutors say that Oikos purchased cheap $10,000 servers, generated fake invoices, and funneled the rest of the cash back to the two publications. Prosecutors allege that Oikos was little more than a front company for the loan scheme. Corporate filings reviewed by DailyMail.com show that Oikos shares an address with with a company that lists Uzac's wife as a director. The loans were ultimately repaid, which means that none of the defendants face grand larceny charges. IBT Media and its co-founder, Etienne Uzac (left) and Christian Media Corp's former chief executive and publisher William Anderson (right) appeared in court on Thursday Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr is seen above. Uzac claims Vance is seeking vengeance for an IBT report about his campaign contributions from Weinstein's lawyer Uzac strongly denied the charges in a statement, claiming that Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance Jr was pursuing a vendetta against his news organization for reporting that Harvey Weinstein's attorney had made a campaign contribution to the DA. 'The firestorm that ensued badly bruised the DA's office, led to his office being investigated by the New York Attorney General and almost cost him his reelection,' Uzac claims. The other defendants also denied the charges through their attorneys, and vowed to vigorously fight the charges in court. They say that since the loans were repaid, there are no victims in the case. The investigation into IBT Media, then known as Newsweek Media Group, began in early 2016 after a small Minnesota bank noticed red flags in a loan application, according to the Wall Street Journal. Uzac (second from left in court Thursday) denies the charges and claims they are revenge for reporting on the DA's campaign contribution from Harvey Weinstein's lawyer Anderson (second from right on Thursday) also denied the charges through an attorney A New York Police Department car stands parked outside of a building containing IBT Media during a raid on the company's offices in January Loan officers at the bank contacted prosecutors in Manhattan, where IBT Media is based, after they found irregularities in the audited financial statements and could not verify that the auditor existed. The investigation led to a raid on Newsweek's offices in January of this year, in which agents inspected the news outlet's servers. In the weeks that followed, dozens of reporters and editors quit or were fired, including some who said they were fired for trying to write about the investigation. IBT Media and Christian Media Corp both have close ties to controversial Korean pastor David Jang, as well as Jang's Olivet University. Jang, who is not named in the indictment and appears to have no formal ownership stake in the companies, is considered a fringe figure by mainstream Christian organizations. Uzac, 35, is charged with five counts of first-degree falsifying business records, two counts of second-degree money laundering, and one count each of first-degree scheme to defraud and fourth-degree conspiracy. Anderson, 33, faces the same charges plus one count of second-degree criminal contempt. Both men appeared in Manhattan court on Thursday for arraignment. Iran 'has received new trade proposals from Europe': FM Spokesman 09/17/18 Source: Press TV Iran has received new proposals from Europe that would potentially meet its demand for practical guarantees for continued trade and keep Iran in a nuclear deal with five world powers, says the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, amid attempts by the United States to derail that agreement. The move, by France, Germany and Britain, and supported by the EU, is likely to enrage Trump https://t.co/ZbHqNMSNCl POLITICO Europe (@POLITICOEurope) September 14, 2018 Speaking at a regular press briefing at the Iranian Foreign Ministry in Tehran on Monday, Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said previous proposals by Europe had failed to guarantee that Iran would continue to be able to sell its oil at desired levels and have access to the international financial market. "The past proposals were partially unworkable, or lacked the necessary guarantees; we put them aside," Qassemi said. "Alternative proposals were made; and we're looking for mechanisms that would enable [continued] economic cooperation between Iran and Europe [in the face of US restrictions]." He hoped that the new proposals would go far enough in satisfying Iranian demands. Iran reached a deal with originally six world powers in 2015, agreeing to curb its nuclear program in return for mainly the lifting of restrictions on its oil sales. While the former US administration - with which Iran negotiated - largely adhered to its commitments under the deal, the current administration of President Donald Trump chose to unilaterally stop implementing American obligations and ultimately withdrew from it on May 8. The Trump administration also reintroduced the previous sanctions and imposed new ones on the Islamic Republic. It also introduced punitive measures - known as secondary sanctions - against third countries doing business with Iran. Despite the American withdrawal, Iran stayed in the deal but stressed that the other parties to the agreement now had to work to offset the negative impacts of the US pullout for Iran if they wanted Tehran to continue to remain in it. A first round of American sanctions - targeting Iranian access to the US dollar, metals trading, coal, industrial software, and auto sector - took effect in August. A second round, forthcoming on November 4, will be targeting Iran's oil sales and its Central Bank. Europe has been taking a range of measures to meet the Iranian demand for practical guarantees. But Iran has said Europe must act more swiftly. Qassemi said technical contacts between the two sides were underway and were happening at a faster pace. He hoped that a ministerial meeting would be held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly this year between Iran and the five other remaining parties to the deal - known as the 4+1 - "so that we can move on to newer stages." "But of course, one has to be patient," he said. The EU has activated a "blocking statute" to protect European businesses from the secondary US sanctions. Nevertheless, a number of European companies have been leaving the Iranian market for fear of US punishment. On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told the German news magazine Der Spiegel that it was time for the Europeans and the other parties to the deal to act. The agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA, was originally struck between Iran on the one side and the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia, and China on the other. President Rouhani will be attending UNGA Qassemi also ended days of speculation by the media about whether or not President Hassan Rouhani would participate in the upcoming meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). "The President will head to the United Nations, and it will be an opportune time to hold meetings with other officials on the sidelines of the Assembly at the presidential and foreign ministerial levels," he said. The US has assumed the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of September, and the media have been speculating as to whether Iran would nix the General Assembly meeting this year in supposed objection, especially since President Trump seeks to convene a meeting at the Security Council to discuss Iran. Qassemi compartmentalized the issue of the two meetings. While President Rouhani would as usual take part in the General Assembly meeting and use that opportunity, he said, the manner of Iran's participation in the Security Council meeting will be announced once in-depth, thorough reviews of the situation have been made. Zarif's Twitter diplomacy Qassemi was asked about a recent tweet by Zarif that was addressed to Jack Patrick Dorsey, the co-founder and CEO of Twitter, in which the Iranian foreign minister said the tech company had blocked the accounts of Iranians over the accusation that they were involved in an "influence operation" but was allowing the anti-Iran advocates of "regime change" to continue to operate on the platform. "How about looking at actual bots in Tirana used to prop up 'regime change' propaganda spewed out of DC?" Zarif wrote, alluding to the anti-Iran terrorist Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO), whose members are currently based in Albanian capital city. Hello @Jack. Twitter has shuttered accounts of real Iranians, incl TV presenters & students, for supposedly being part of an 'influence op'. How about looking at actual bots in Tirana used to prop up 'regime change' propaganda spewed out of DC? #YouAreBots https://t.co/dTs0diYrM4 Javad Zarif (@JZarif) September 16, 2018 Qassemi said Zarif's tweet would certainly be of impact, helping Twitter realize that it was "knowingly or unknowingly at the service of terrorists." 'Iranian diplomatic perimeters safe' The spokesman also said that Tehran had no concerns regarding the security of its diplomatic perimeters abroad, in the wake of abortive attacks on Iran's Consulate in the Iraqi city of Basra and its Embassy in the the French capital of Paris. "Governments should be bound to provide security for [foreign] diplomatic centers and diplomats, and the one or two recent incidents that occurred under special circumstances cannot lead to a conclusion that Iranian missions do not have adequate security," Qassemi said. "We have no particular concern [in that regard]," he said. On Monday, Greek media reported an attack on the Iranian Embassy in Greece's capital of Athens by an anarchist group. Two students younger than 10 have threatened to behead teaches in two frightening instances believed to be inspired by Islamist militant movements. The two incidents were reported earlier this year and were believed to involve non-Muslim students attending public schools in New South Wales. They follow reports 10 boys at an inner west Sydney primary school had been deemed 'at risk' of becoming radicalised, according to Daily Telegraph. Two students younger than 10 have threatened to behead teaches in two frightening instances believed to be inspired by Islamist militant movements (stock photo) Students as young as nine had reportedly started to show signs of extreme radicalisation, and some as young as five were also being monitored. Up to 19 schools in Sydney's western and southwestern suburbs have reportedly been identified as potential targets for radical recruiters seeking vulnerable victims. Sources inside the education field revealed the behaviour of children who had visited war zones in the Middle East were among those being closely watched. Last year a female teacher claimed she was tormented by students aged between 10 and 13 who wore ISIS shirts to class and circled around her while reciting the Koran. 'I had students coming into class flying flags from overseas, be it the Syrian flag and possibly the ISIS flag. It looked to me like the ISIS flag,' she told the Mark Latham Outsiders program. Up to 19 schools in Sydney's western and southwestern suburbs have reportedly been identified as potential targets for radical recruiters seeking vulnerable victims (Members of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service pictured) A former teacher said she chose to leave her job at a public school after primary school students said they would kill her family. 'Some students would act out beheadings with their fingers across their necks,' she told the Daily Telegraph. Earlier this year a jury was told a 12-year-old boy attended a Sydney protest holding a sign saying 'Behead all those who insult the prophet'. He was one of two boys who pleaded not guilty to doing an act or acts between October 6 and October 12 in 2016 in Sydney in preparation for a terrorist act. The newly appointed president of the San Francisco School Board broke with tradition on Tuesday by skipping over the Pledge of Allegiance. In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Stevon Cook said that it was a decision he made prior to the meeting, and discussed with a few members of the board. Cook noted that he removed this ceremonial exercise at a time when the Trump administration 'has been attacking our liberties,' opting instead to recite a quote from famed poet Maya Angelou. Free bird: Stevon Cook skipped the Pledge of Allegiance on Tuesday before a school board meeting and instead read a quote from poet Maya Angelou (above in 1992) Famous faces: Harvey Milk (left), Toni Morrison (right) and James Baldwin among the great Americans who will have their remarks recited by Cook at the next meeting After roll call was taken, Cook did not ask those in attendance to stand for the pledge and instead read: 'When you learn, teach. When you get, give.' Cook explained his decision by saying: 'If you ask 10 Americans who wrote it, or when it was implemented, or why it is how we start our meetings, a lot of us would be hard pressed (to answer).' And for some he explained, himself included, the words of the Pledge right hollow these days. 'We should stand for because those ideals are important to me,' said Cook. 'To speak them is another thing.' Now, there is a new tradition' 'There are a lot of ways to express gratitude and appreciation for the country and its citizens,' said Cook. 'This is how I plan to do that.' Response: Cook noted that he removed this ceremonial exercise at a time when the Trump (above) administration 'has been attacking our liberties' Belief: 'We should stand for because those ideals are important to me. To speak them is another thing,' said Cook (above) Angelou, who herself attended high school in the Bay area, is one of the most respected and revered poets in American history. She rose to fame after the publication of her 1969 autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, in which she detailed her life through the age of 17. This included the five years she went mute from the ages of 8 to 13, shortly after she was raped by her mother's boyfriend. Her rapist was jailed for just one day, but was then murdered less then a week after his release, a crime that it has been rumored was carried out by a family member. Angelou wrote: 'I thought, my voice killed him; I killed that man, because I told his name. And then I thought I would never speak again, because my voice would kill anyone.' She went on to receive a number of accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, National Medal of Arts, three Grammys and was nominated for the Pulitzer and a Tony. Angelou, who also delivered an inaugural recitation at the first swearing-in of Bill Clinton, passed away in 2014. It will be a new quote at the next meeting, with Harvey Milk, Toni Morrison and James Baldwin among the great Americans who will have their remarks recited by Cook. And when asked if he was like another Bay area figure who stood up for what he thought was right, Cook responded: 'Im no Colin Kaepernick.' A builder has died at a construction site after being found with head injuries at his desk. The man in his 60s was found at his desk just after 2pm on Thursday in Mount Lawley, inner north of Perth, Western Australia. The tradesman had been involved in an argument on the work site earlier in the day, according to 9 News. Police are still investigating the circumstances that led to his death. A builder has died at a construction site after being found with head injuries at his desk after an argument The construction worker was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital as patient with the highest priority where he later died Paramedics and more than a dozen police rushed on the site near the intersection of Learoyd and Walcott streets. The construction worker was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital as patient with the highest priority where he later died. Police have also said the man have suffered from a heart attack. Police are in the process of interviewing the construction worker's colleagues to help determine the circumstances that led to the man's death. WorkSafe, an agency responsible for occupational health and safety, has not been notified of the incident. Parliament's Serjeant at Arms, Kamal El-Hajji, dropped a real clanger when his sword hit the floor in the Houses of Commons. The Commons security chief saw the funny side, however, as he picked it up and continued as normal with a grin. Mr El-Hajji was attempting to signify the end of the day and that the House was no longer sitting when the sword hit the deck. He quickly strapped it back on, smiled and hoisted the huge ceremonial mace on to his shoulder before continuing with his duties. Parliament's Serjeant at Arms, Kamal El-Hajji had to awkwardly pick up his ceremonial sword Serjeant at Arms, Kamal El-Hajji, led MPs to the House of Lords today in his first State Opening procession In his role, Kamal El-Hajji is responsible for the order and security of the House of Commons. This includes maintaining order in the chamber, galleries and committee rooms of the House and controlling access to the parliamentary estate. He also performs ceremonial duties including carrying the mace in the Speaker's Procession each day, thankfully this wasn't dropped. The Serjeant at Arms is the only person in the House of Commons allowed to carry a sword. In the 2015 New Year Honours, El-Hajji was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) 'for services to the Ministry of Justice'. He strapped it back on, smiled and hoisted the huge ceremonial mace on to his shoulder House of Commons Serjeant at Arms Kamal El-Hajji tries a new 360 degree headset which allows people to have a virtual reality tour of the Houses of Parliament in London El-Hajji, a British Moroccan, was most recently in the news when Tory MPs wrote to him in September to ask him to investigate an issue with Jeremy Corbyn's private secretary. It emerged Corbyn's secretary, Iram Awan, had not passed security checks needed to work in his Parliamentary office. In what appeared to be a clear breach of Commons rules, Ms Awan had worked for the Labour leader for nine months despite not being granted a full pass. Instead, the pro-Palestinian activist had been apparently going into Parliament every day as a visitor before being escorted to Mr Corbyns office by Labour staffers. Days later, Ms Awan was given official clearing to enter Parliament and the issue was resolved. The Serjeant at Arms is the only person in the House of Commons allowed to carry a sword and mace (shown) Hurricane Michael could push red tide past Florida's beaches into neighbourhoods exposing millions of people to the toxic algae, scientists warn. The 145-mile-long toxic algae bloom has been wreaking havoc on Florida's Gulf Coast for months and has now spread to the state's Atlantic beaches. Experts warn the dangerous red tide - which kills fish and releases toxins that cause breathing problems in humans - could be blown inland as 155 mph winds batter the Florida Panhandle. A beach is closed off in Lake Worth Florida due to red tide. The sign warns it may cause 'eye, throat or skin irritation' and 'coughing or sneezing' A dead fish is washed up on the shores of Southwest Florida due to the toxic algae bloom The Florida Panhandle has seen some of the worst concentrations this year of red tide. 'A storm surge or king tide could bring red tide up onto land,' Larry Brand, a professor in the Department of Marine Biology and Ecology at the University of Miami, told Bloomberg. 'The toxin would get into the air and people would be breathing it.' Scientists believe the breaking waves could turn algae into an airborne toxin. Waters at Bunche Beach, Fort Myers, look brown and murky due to the algae outbreak A Lake Worth lifeguard wearing a protective mask walks along a deserted beach last week after closed all county beaches due to red tide Red tide is made up of Karenia brevis, an organism that can trigger severe asthma attacks. Even people who don't have breathing conditions can suffer from choking, coughing and stinging eyes - while others experience headaches and flu symptoms. This is the first time the state has had severe red tide and a hurricane of this magnitude at the same time. Hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 45 miles from the center and were tearing buildings apart in Panama City Beach after the hurricane made landfall on Wednesday afternoon Hotel employees look at a canopy that had just collapsed as Hurricane Michael tore through Panama City Beach on Wednesday afternoon Karl Havens, director of the Florida Sea Grant College Program and a professor of fishers and aquatic sciences at the University of Florida, told Bloomberg said the harm of the red tide will depend on whether the storm pushes the algae deep into the water or leaves it near the surface of the ocean. He said the quicker fresh water from rainfall flows back toward the coast, the quicker the algae would be killed. On the other hand, the hurricane could actually mitigate the red tide problem by disrupting rhe bloom along the Gluf 'It depends on many attributes of the particular storm,' Havens said by email. Thousands of Australian tradesmen and labourers may have contracted a deadly lung disease that is being dubbed the new asbestos. Silicosis is contracted by breathing in silica dust, and a crisis is currently unfolding in the stone-cutting industry, which uses cheap manufactured stone for household kitchens and bathrooms. The product most commonly used in the industry can be upwards of 90 per cent silica, and up until recently, most companies have used dry-cutting techniques, which produce large quantities of silica dust. Health officials fear tradesmen could be living with the often silent disease without even knowing it, and could be slowly dying. Stonemason Anthony White was diagnosed with silicosis in 2017 after working for a Gold Coast company - his condition has become terminal What is silicosis? Silicosis is the scarring of the lung tissue which leads to a shortness of breath due to a buildup of silica dust in the air sacs. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain, loss of appetite, fatigue It is commonly caused from exposure to respirable crystalline silica over many years, but extremely high short-term exposures can cause it to develop rapidly Exposure to respirable crystalline silica can lead to a range of respiratory diseases, including silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer Source: Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Advertisement Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has indicated he will address the crisis at a meeting with state and federal health ministers in Adelaide. '(The meeting will) examine whether there is potential benefit in exploring the development of a national dust diseases register,' a spokesperson for Mr Hunt said. Safe Work Australia is understood to also be looking into the issue. Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten backed calls for a national response to the issue on Thursday, after saying he had seen firsthand the effect of exposure to industrial diseases. Senior occupational physician Dr Graeme Edwards, who is assisting with the screening process, expects an additional 300 people to be diagnosed in Queensland alone. Mr Edwards claimed one in three Queensland workers showed symptoms of silicosis, but only a portion knew they could be suffering from the potentially deadly disease. Tahir Ozkul, 46, who was left looking like a 'snowman' every day for years while working at a small Melbourne factory, has advanced silicosis and has to carry oxygen everywhere. 'I can't do normal activity like walk, I can't go somewhere easily, I have to carry all the time my oxygen. The pain, the short breath is very bad, I feel very uncomfortable,' he told ABC's 7.30. Mr White (pictured), 36, said he was grateful he didn't have children because he would hate to put them through the stress of watching his condition decline Thousands of Australian tradesmen and labourers may have contracted a deadly lung disease that is being dubbed the new asbestos He's one of many across the country suffering from the silent killer, with the government issuing an urgent warning insisting workers be tested. Leah O'Keefe from Maurice Blackburn Lawyers said the issue was finally getting the attention it needs. 'That must be matched by action starting with an immediate ban on dry cutting of engineered stone in all states as well as proper measures to ensure employers know the risks and take steps to protect their workers,' she said. Queensland has already cracked down on the practice of dry cutting, with Workcover Queensland currently managing 35 cases of the disease, 11 of which are in the most serious category, following an audit of only 10 workplaces. But some say New South Wales is lagging behind. Stonemason Anthony White was diagnosed with silicosis in 2017 after working for a Gold Coast company, and his condition is now terminal. Silicosis is contracted by breathing in silica dust, and a crisis is currently unfolding in the stone-cutting industry, which uses cheap manufactured stone for household kitchens and bathrooms Tahir Ozkul (pictured), 46, who was left looking like a 'snowman' every day for years while working at a small Melbourne factory, has silicosis and has to carry oxygen everywhere Engineered stone is becoming more common as a substitute for marble benchtops, but is made of around 90 per cent crystalline silica - a major cause of silicosis 'We need all stonemasons informed of the grave risk of inhaling this dust, and we need more than just the Queensland government committing to these important legal changes,' Mr White said. 'I'm lucky I don't have kids who won't have to see me suffer but my mates do and I really worry for them.' There are at least 160 companies that work with manufactured stone in Queensland alone, leading to fears the full extent of the problem could involve thousands of workers across the country. Dr Edwards said 50 per cent of sufferers were going to have progressive massive fibrosis (severe lung scarring). THE HARMS OF SILICA INHALATION Cong Le, a Sydney-sider who has worked as a stonemason for 16 years is awaiting a lung transplant at only 45-years-old. His lung capacity works at only 30 per cent due to the severity of his silicosis. He told the ABC he struggles to walk 50 metres unassisted since contracting the deadly disease. On average, Australia's public system can only handle 200 lung transplants a year, meaning Mr Le could be waiting a long time. He claims he was never made aware of the risks of his line of work. He is one of many stonemasons already diagnosed with the disease, with fears the number of sufferers could be in the thousands. Advertisement 'It's horrendous, it's alarming,' he said. He said the situation was a public emergency because Australia's system could only accommodate about 200 lung transplants a year. Dr Edwards said a continuing rise of silicosis would add an extra 130 patients lining up for lung transplants in the next three to five years. Queensland Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace says they are working to audit the remaining workplaces, but admitted the problem needs a national response. 'We're very concerned about the number of claims we could have, not only in Queensland but from what we're hearing Australia-wide,' Ms Grace said. Gold Coast Stonemason Mick White, 52, was diagnosed with silicosis in 2017, and urges a national response to the issue. 'It got to be across the board, otherwise you'll never fix the problem,' he told AAP. 'If you can't do it in Queensland, you can just go to New South Wales and start dry-cutting down there. And then there's more bloke's getting killed.' Roger Singh from Shine Lawyers, who represents some of the affected workers, says workers as young as 28 have been affected. 'If there was asbestos in these work environments, you can bet these workshops would be shut down immediately,' Mr Singh said. This is the emotional support squirrel that got a Florida woman kicked off a plane earlier this week. Cindy Torok, of Lakeland, tried to board a Frontier Airlines flight from Orlando to Cleveland with her support animal Daisy in tow on Tuesday night. When Frontier told her the squirrel wasn't allowed on the plane, Torok refused to leave - telling flight attendants 'You will not take my baby from me!' Orlando Police eventually had to be called in to remove her from the aircraft and the entire flight was forced to deplane. Now Torok's family is speaking out, claiming they had notified Frontier twice that she planned to come on board with a squirrel. Cindy Torok, of Lakeland, tried to board a Frontier Airlines flight from Orlando to Cleveland with her support animal Daisy (pictured) in tow when she got kicked off When Frontier told her the squirrel wasn't allowed on the plane, Torok (pictured) refused to leave and Orlando Police had to be called in to remove her from the aircraft Frontier said that Torok did not indicate in her reservation that her emotional support animal was a squirrel. 'Rodents, including squirrels, are not allowed on Frontier flights. The passenger was advised of the policy and asked to deplane,' a Frontier spokesman told WKMG. But Torok's daughter Monica said she personally called Frontier Airlines twice to confirm that the squirrel could come on board. She said she was told that Daisy would be allowed on the flight as she long as she stayed in her pet carrier and Torok had the appropriate note from her doctor . Torok had a signed note from Alicia Purdy, a psychiatric advance nurse practitioner who has been treating her since January 2015, as well as a letter from the Americans with Disabilities Act. Frontier said that Torok did not indicate in her reservation that her emotional support animal was a squirrel, a claim her family disputes Torok's daughter Monica (pictured with Daisy) said she personally called Frontier Airlines twice to confirm that the squirrel could come on board When Torok refused to leave the aircraft, Orlando police asked Frontier to deplane the entire flight so that they could 'deal with the passenger' 'I am familiar with her health history and with the functional limitations imposed by her anxiety disorder,' Purdy's letter reads. 'In order to help alleviate those difficulties, and to enhance her ability to function independently while flying, I have prescribed Cindy to obtain a pet or emotional support animal.' 'The presence of this animal is necessary for the emotional health of Cindy because its presence will mitigate the symptoms she experiences when flying.' Torok got Daisy three weeks ago to help alleviate her anxiety in crowds. 'She relieves a lot of stress and anxiety and depression,' Monica said. 'They were wrong for the way they treated my mom. Frontier allows rabbits and guinea pigs, why can't they make an exception for a squirrel?' When Torok refused to leave the aircraft, Orlando police asked Frontier to deplane the entire flight so that they could 'deal with the passenger'. 'They said, "Either you walk off the plane or I'm going to arrest you for trespassing and we will take that squirrel,'" Torok told Fox 8. 'I said, "You're not taking my squirrel. Sorry, you're not. I refuse. You will not take my baby from me"'. 'I was treated very poorly,' she added. 'I was called a liar by one of the stewardesses.' Monica said she was told that Daisy would be allowed on the flight as she long as she stayed in her pet carrier (pictured) and Torok had the appropriate note from her doctor Torok had a signed note (pictured) from Alicia Purdy, a psychiatric advance nurse practitioner who has been treating her since January 2015 Torok said five police officers escorted her off the plane and took her to the main terminal. She cooperated and was not arrested. Passengers complained they had to wait two hours during the incident, even filming Torok while she was escorted off the plane by police. 'I just want everyone to know that all passengers had to deplane my flight to Cleveland because a woman brought a SQUIRREL ON THE PLANE,' tweeted Julia Papesch. 'They made us deplane because a woman brought on a f****** squirrel. Now the police just went on to remove her,' she added in a Snapchat clip. Monica said Daisy is essential to keeping her mother calm during flying and 'relieves a lot of stress and anxiety and depression' Authorities eventually escorted Torok off the plane and took her to the main terminal. She cooperated with police and was not arrested But Monica said she is 'proud' of her mother for sticking up for her rights. 'It was just heartbreaking to me,' she added. 'I'm upset and angry the way it had to happen.' Daisy is currently staying with Monica and Torok's husband Michael at their home. Torok, who said she received a voucher from Frontier for a free flight, flew to Cleveland the next morning without her emotional support animal. Monica said the family plans to call the American with Disabilities Act organization and 'see what they have to say about it'. 'We got to fight for your rights,' she added. 'You can't let people take your rights away.' Passengers complained they had to wait two hours during the incident, even filming Torok while she was escorted off the plane by police Furious passengers complained they were forced to leave the plane so police could escort the woman and her squirrel off the flight Frontier said that it will now only allow emotional support cats and dogs on flights starting next month. Other airlines have cracked down on what animals qualify as emotional support pets this year. In January Delta Airlines announced it would thoroughly vet passengers' trying to fly with various exotic animals. A spokesman for Delta said some passengers in the past had tried to get 'comfort turkeys, gliding possums known as sugar gliders, snakes, spiders and more' on to flights. A Colombian married couple has spent all their savings restoring a 1979 Fiat 600 so they could take it on a 4,500-mile journey across South America. William Leon, 39, and Yamile Cortez, 32, prepared the tiny two-door city car for its epic, two-month adventure from the Colombian capital city of Bogota to Vina del Mar in Chile. They a drove over a multitude of terrains including snow and dirt roads, and had their share of problems with the classic car. Their plan was to cross the Andes and meet up with other Fiat 600 enthusiasts along the way. This 1979 Fiat has traveled over 4,500 miles since departing Bogota, Colombia, as its owners were on their way to meet other Fiat owners in Chile and then Argentina William Leon (right) and Yamile Cortez (left) are a Colombian married couple who splurged some of their life saving into patching up a 1979 Fiat (pictured behind them) Leon, a dentist, and Cortez, a psychologist, hit a few bumps in their road trip almost straight away after setting off. When they crossed the border into Ecuador on days nine and 10 of their trip, they encountered some problems with the axle on the front right side, which caused problems with the tire. So, the couple was forced to board a bus because they had forgotten to bring along a jack stand. A Colombian couple had owned two Fiats or topolinos as they're called in their homeland before they tried their luck on this 1979 model William Leon and Yamile Cortez are second in line during a parade of Fiat 600 cars traveling to an exhibition that was recently celebrated in Chile This 1979 Fiat owned by a married couple from Bogota, Colombia, still has its original steering wheel The following day, August 31, Leon and his wife decided to visit a local car shop when the mechanic noticed a problem with the 1979 Fiat's wheel bearing. Since one of its pieces had fractured, it created friction with the axle, especially on the right side wheel. 'I got a bearing from another car and since it was bigger on the inside and the wheel was still moving, the mechanic thought of cutting a can of tuna and made a wedge inside to adjust it,' according to Leon in an interview with Chilean news outlet, Las Ultimas Noticias. The mechanic pretty much saved the married couple's bucket list trip with his ingenious move. A Colombian couple's rundown 1979 Fiat has met a few challenges during its two-month journey across South America A mechanic in Ecuador applied a can of tuna to keep steady the barring connected to the axle to reduce the friction between both pieces crucial to the Colombian couple's 1979 Fiat After finally meeting a group of Fiat 600 in the resort town of Vina del Mar in Chile, this lovely Colombian couple headed to Buenos Aires, Argentina to meet other fans of the small city car Leon, who was able to hire a temporary dentist for his practice to set out on this voyage, and Cortez, who took a three-month unpaid vacation, had previously owned two Fiats which didn't quite work out well. But there was something special about this one, as many fellow Fiat owners fell in love with it as well as the determination posed by the Colombian couple. The had to change the motor and purchase a new gearbox and new shock absorbers, too. Yamile Cortez crossed out another experience from her bucket list, swimming with turtles at a local beach in Peru while giving her 1979 Fiat a well needed rest off the road The Fiat has been around longer than either of them, so the couple had no choice but to do repairs to the car's floor. Aside from finally getting to meet the their Fiat extended family members in Chile last week and expecting to do so this weekend in Buenos Aires, Argentina in another mini convention, the classic automobile lovers set some time apart to enjoy the wonders of like. Like jumping into a local Peruvian beach with some turtles. A carefree Harvey Weinstein was pictured waving to the crowd as he strolled into court on Thursday in Manhattan. Weinstein had reason to smile as soon after he was seated his lawyers managed to score a major win for the case when a judge agreed to dismiss a charge of criminal sex act against the disgraced mogul that was related to a 2004 allegation. Lucia Evans claimed she had been forced to perform oral sex on Weinstein while attending a meeting at his office in New York. That claim fell apart however after a friend of Evans who was with her night that she met Weinstein told a detective that her friend had willingly performed a sex act on Weinstein in exchange for a film role. That detective then encouraged the witness to keep quiet and, in the presence of her lawyer, informed her that 'less is more.' He also did not report the information, and is now being investigated for these actions. Scroll down for video Day in court: Harvey Weinstein is now facing just five charges in his criminal case Conflicting stories: One of the six charges against him was dismissed on Thursday after a witness revealed that she was told the encounter with Lucia Evans was consensual Last chance Harvey: The Manhattan District Attorney agreed to dismiss the charge after new information came to light, but can represent the charge to a grand jury No worries: The dismissal of Count Six does not affect the remaining counts of the indictment,' said a spokesperson for the Manhattan DA Evans, who was a college student at the time, claims that she never described the assault to the witness. Weinstein had been facing up to 25 years in prison for that charge of criminal sex act, and this could have far greater repercussions at trial, as the defense could use the dismissal of this charge to cast doubt on the district attorney's case. There was not however any conflicting information about a log maintained by Evans as had been reported by multiple outlets prior to the proceedings on Thursday. The witness also revealed that on the night she and Evans met Weinstein the mogul offered them money to expose their breasts. They did not do this at the time, but she said that Evans later told her she exposed her breasts to Weinstein in a hallway. Evans later disputed this claim. Weinstein's attorney moved to have the charge thrown out almost as soon as the judge was seated on Thursday. Assistant District Attorney Joan Illuzzi told the court that the prosecution would not object to the dismissal, noting that the defendant is still facing five additional charges. 'Upon defendants request, Judge Burke today lifted a protective order which previously covered the attached letter sent from ADA Joan Illuzzi to Benjamin Brafman on September 12, 2018, regarding mandatory disclosures under Criminal Procedure Law 240.20 and Brady v. Maryland,' as spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorney said on Thursday. 'Additionally, in light of the newly-discovered and mandatorily-disclosed information contained within the letter, the Court today upon defendants motion dismissed Count Six of the indictment, concerning a forcible sexual act against a woman in 2004, while granting leave for the People to re-present Count Six to a Grand Jury. It was then noted: 'The dismissal of Count Six does not affect the remaining counts of the indictment.' 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. HARVEY'S DEFENSE IT WAS CONSENSUAL: The strategy used most often by Weinstein, whose team would release emails of him with his smiling accusers soon after any allegations were made about sexual misconduct. He managed to get one charge dismissed this way and is cellenging three additional charges by showing emails he believes establish a relationship and show that any sexual conduct was engaged in willingly by both people. WITHHELD EVIDENCE: Attorney Ben Brafman is trying to get three charges dismissed because the grand jury did not see emails between Weinstein and his accuser in which she acknowledges the sexual nature of their relationship while complaining that she feels like a 'booty call.' One of these emails also reveals that the victim asked is she could introduce her mother to Weinstein in the wake of an alleged sexual assault. STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS: The defense will argue that there is a lack of DNA evidence in the cases because of the dates during which they occured, while also arguing one of the rape charges should be dismisses because it occurred over five years ago. Advertisement 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.' 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. Peep show: That witness also revealed that she and Evans met Weinstein at a bar in 2004 where he offered them money to expose their breasts Version of events: They did not do this at the time, but she said that Evans later told her she exposed her breasts to Weinstein in a hallway. Defiant: 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 Legal eagle: Ben Brafman (above) is expected to ask for a case dismissal and use this latest development to challenge the DA's entire case 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 in the complaint are: '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.' HARVEY WEINSTEIN CHARGES Predatory Sexual Assault (Class A-II Felony) - 10 years to life in prison A person is guilty of predatory sexual assault when: 1. In the course of the commission of the crime or the immediate flight therefrom, he or she: (a) Causes serious physical injury to the victim of such crime; or (b) Uses or threatens the immediate use of a dangerous instrument; or 2. He or she has engaged in conduct constituting the crime of rape in the first degree, criminal sexual act in the first degree, or aggravated sexual abuse in the first degree. Rape In the First Degree (Class B Felony) - Five to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 A person is guilty of rape in the first degree when he or she engages in sexual intercourse with another person: 1. By forcible compulsion; or 2. Who is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless; or 3. Who is less than eleven years old; or 4. Who is less than thirteen years old and the actor is eighteen years old or more. Rape In the Third Degree (Class E Felony) - Up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine A person is guilty of rape in the third degree when: 1. He or she engages in sexual intercourse with another person who is incapable of consent by reason of some factor other than being less than seventeen years old; 2. Being twenty-one years old or more, he or she engages in sexual intercourse with another person less than seventeen years old; or 3. He or she engages in sexual intercourse with another person without such person`s consent where such lack of consent is by reason of some factor other than incapacity to consent. *****DROPPED CHARGE***** Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree (Class B Felony) - Up to 25 years in prison A person is guilty of criminal sexual act in the first degree when he or she engages in oral sexual conduct or anal sexual conduct with another person: 1. By forcible compulsion; or 2. Who is incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless;or 3. Who is less than eleven years old; or 4. Who is less than thirteen years old and the actor is eighteen years old or more. Advertisement '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.' 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. 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. 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. Ryan Dean Langdale, 19, alerted the Colleton County Sheriff's Office to an accidental shooting at his home in Ruffin, South Carolina, on September 29. He claimed that his cousin shot himself while cleaning a gun A South Carolina man allegedly shot his cousin after warning him not to eat his salt and vinegar potato chips. Ryan Dean Langdale, 19, alerted the Colleton County Sheriff's Office to an accidental shooting at his home in Ruffin, South Carolina, on September 29. The suspect told authorities that his 17-year-old cousin accidentally shot himself when he dropped his hunting rifle while cleaning it. The cousin initially corroborated the details before he was rushed to a local hospital for a life-saving surgery. But the two accounts didn't match up with the evidence, Major J.W. Chapman said. 'We knew from the beginning that something wasn't right,' he said to the Post and Courier. 'The more we looked into it, the more it seemed odd.' Chapman said the route the bullet traveled would have made it 'impossible' for the victim to shoot himself in the chest. And a week later, when Langdale's cousin woke up at the Trident Medical Center, he informed authorities that his cousin shot him during a dispute over salt and vinegar chips. 'Do not touch my chips, or I'll shoot you,' Langdale said, according to the police report. The man allegedly went into a back room and grabbed a rifle, pointing it at his cousin. A week after the shooting, when Langdale's cousin woke up at the Trident Medical Center, he informed authorities that his cousin shot him during a dispute over salt and vinegar chips (stock) 'The next thing he knew, the rifle went off,' the report stated. Langdale is said to have pressured his cousin into lying about what actually happened. He is also accused of having switched out the rifle, with another, so that he could cover up what happened. Detectives found the gun at Langdale's home when they went to search on Monday. His bail was set at $55,000 after he surrendered on Wednesday. Langdale has been charged with attempted murder, using a firearm in a violent crime and obstructing justice for shooting his 17-year-old cousin. According to Chapman, salt and vinegar chips are a hot commodity in the area. The victim said that he never ate the chips. Many of you will remember the British Librarys blockbuster exhibition, Harry Potter: A History of Magic, which explored the history, mythology and folklore behind the Harry Potter stories. Our North American readers may be excited to know that, like the self-renewing phoenix on the poster, the exhibition has been born again in New York. The new exhibition is now open at the New-York Historical Society, featuring rare books and manuscripts on loan from the British Library. Heres a selection of magical manuscripts that you can see in the show. All of these should be on the reading list of any aspiring student of witchcraft and wizardry. An alchemist: Harley MS 3469, f. 4r Harry Potter fans will know that the plot of the first book in the series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, centres on the use of alchemy. This beautifully illustrated manuscript, known as Splendor Solis (Splendour of the Sun), was made in Germany in 1582. This image shows an alchemist holding a flask filled with a golden liquid. A scroll fluttering from the flask bears the mystical inscription, Eamus quesitum quatuor elementorum naturas (Let us ask the four elements of nature), which reflects the Classical idea that all earthly substances are made up of four elements: earth, air, fire and water. Alchemists attempted to imitate the creative processes of nature to transform matter and even to restore life. A centaur with the plant centaury: Harley MS 5294, f. 22r Students at Hogwarts School take classes in Herbology to learn about which plants are most useful for potions and medicine. The manuscript shown above is a 12th-century herbal, describing different kinds of plants and their medicinal properties. This page describes the plant centauria minor, the lesser centaury, named after the wise centaur Chiron from Greek mythology. In the picture, Chiron hands some centaury plants to his pupil and foster son Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine. The inscription below the snake explains that, ground to a powder or mixed in wine, centaury is a potent remedy against snake bites. Harvesting a mandrake: Harley MS 3736, f. 59r One of the most notorious plants listed in medieval herbals was the mandrake. The plants roots often resemble miniature humans, which were said to shriek when they were pulled out of the ground. According to ancient and medieval folklore, mandrakes could cure headaches, earaches, gout and insanity, but anyone who heard the mandrakes scream would die. To harvest the mandrake without succumbing to its fatal shrieking, some herbals recommended a handy trick, as illustrated in this herbal made in the late 15th or early 16th century. You can read more about this process in our blogpost How to harvest a mandrake. A phoenix rising from the ashes: Harley MS 4751, f. 45r In the Harry Potter universe, witches and wizards learn about magical creatures by consulting the book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander. Medieval people learned about marvellous creatures by reading a bestiary, or book of beasts. This page in a 13th-century English bestiary describes and illustrates the phoenix. The text explains that this remarkable bird has the ability to resurrect itself in old age. It creates its own funeral pyre from branches and plants, then fans the flames with its own wings until it is consumed by the fire. After the ninth day, the phoenix rises again from the ashes. The constellation Canis Major: Cotton MS Tiberius C I, f. 28r The names of many characters in the Harry Potter books, such as Sirius Black and Draco Malfoy, were inspired by stars in the night sky. Medieval people also placed great importance on the stars, which they used for navigation, calculating dates and predicting the future. This 12th-century English manuscript contains a copy of Ciceros Aratea, a Roman book about the stars. The page above shows the constellation Canis Major (the Greater Dog), in which is found Sirius, the 'dog star', the brightest star in the night sky. The writing inside the dogs body gives further information about the constellation, including its origin story from ancient Greek mythology. According to the tale, there was once a hound so swift that no prey could escape it, and also a fox so swift that it could never be caught. When the huntsman Cephalus sent the hound to catch the fox, it created such a paradox that the god Zeus had to turn them both to stone. Zeus then placed the hound in the sky where it became Canis Major. To learn more about these manuscripts, please visit the Harry Potter exhibition at the New-York Historical Society, from 5 October 2018 until 27 January 2019. All the manuscripts described above are also featured on the British Library's Digitised Manuscripts site. There are lots of other ways to learn more about Harry Potter: A History of Magic, including the exhibition book, television documentary and our own pages hosted by Google Arts and Culture. Eleanor Jackson Follow us on Twitter @BLMedieval There have been some concerns raised about the alleged 21 member delegation of the Vice President to the 2017 UNCTAD in Geneva. However, government sources indicate that in line with protocol arrangements for the office of the Vice President the actual 16 member delegation was not out of place. The number rather falls in line with the conventional arrangements and even less than previous regimes. A statement released and intercepted by PEACEFMONLINE.COM indicated that the attention of government has been drawn to a list of participants for the 2017 UNCTAD conference held in Geneva. The government appreciates the concerns raised over the size of Ghanas entourage. However, the following is the background and the facts: The Vice-President, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, attended the meeting as the only one in his capacity invited by UNCTAD as the guest of honour. The other countries did not have their Vice Presidents or heads of states invited as the special guest of hounour and therefore did not attend. The delegation from Ghana thus could be higher than all other countries because of the special security details and other members who are mandated by standard protocol to travel with the Vice President. He was accompanied by an entourage of 16 comprising official delegates/participants and, as is standard protocol practice for any Vice-President, by ancillary or support staff. These include security detail, media, administrative and a protocol officer. The ancillary members of the entourage were not delegates or participants at the meeting and, admittedly, ought not have been listed as such. Three of the listed participants did not travel with Dr. Bawumia because they are officers of the Ghana Embassy in Switzerland and resident in Geneva who joined the meeting. Additionally, two others, Dr. Gideon Boako (Economic Advisor/Spokesperson) and Prof. Joe Amoako-Tuffour (Secretary to the Economic Management Team), who were in Switzerland on a separate two-week assignment at the Quantum Global Research Lab in Zurich, joined the team for the UNCTAD meeting. Other countries did not participate at the Vice Presidential level because they were not invited to do so and therefore had smaller delegations. In addition, they did not include their support or ancillary staff where they had any. Government is fully conscious of and alert to the justified demands of citizens to maintain reasonable administrative costs. Source: 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 Jonathan Chang (pictured) told the NLRB he was asked to make a new confidentiality agreement and have employees 'renew their vows' to the company after a series of leaks in 2016 Tesla asked their legal vice president to draw up a new confidentially agreement for its employees 'to remind our employees what their obligations are, and have them renew their vows'. The document, which is now the center of a legal challenge being heard by the National Labor Relations Board, was created in 2016 in response to multiple leaks, Bloomberg reported. Jonathan Chang, Tesla's legal vice president, told the NLRB on Wednesday multiple leaks to the media could impact the way consumers interact with the company, by delaying purchases because a new feature or model had been leaked, and could spoil the surprise and hype of an announcement. Articles published in Bloomberg and CNN in September 2016 based off emails sent from company CEO Elon Musk to all Tesla staff were a big influence on the way the new agreement was set up. Chang said constant leaks can also cause 'significant SEC concerns', and told the board in the rare event they had been able to catch a leaker, they had sought to file criminal charges. The company used metadata in most cases to try and track down leakers, but were not often successful. The complaint against the electric car company, filed in April 2017 and seen by DailyMail.com, says the new agreement, which came into effect in November 2016, 'coerces and intimidates employees from freely exercising their rights to engage in concerted and union activity'. The leaks saw emails from company CEO Elon Musk published in news articles by Bloomberg and CNN From February 10, 2017, the complainants allege Tesla intimidated a group of employees and conducted both real and simulated surveillance on them. The complaint alleges the response stemmed from the 'union activities and/or union sentiments' of these employees, which included 'passing out literature regarding union organizing efforts, working conditions, the confidentiality agreement and rights under the National Labor Relations Act'. It goes on to claim employees that received this material were also surveilled. On March 23, employees were allegedly told they could not pass out literature without the prior approval of the company, Politico reported shortly after the complaint was first filed. Michael Sanchez, an employee of the company named in the complaint against Tesla, told the website the new agreement was overreaching. 'You can't fix problems if you're not allowed to talk about them,' he said. 'The confidentiality agreement we were required to sign went too far. We should have the right to distribute information to our co-workers without intimidation.' Tesla has denied the allegations, and said in a statement issued over the summer the complaint was a union tactic to smear the company's standing in the community. 'One of the main tactics of a UAW corporate campaign is to overwhelm the NLRB with unfair labor practice charges (ULPs) against the companies it targets,' the statement read. 'Each year, about 20,000 ULPs are filed with the NLRB by unions like the United Automobile Workers. In our case, many of the charges made by the UAW against Tesla were previously dismissed or otherwise not pursued by the NLRB.' Pictured: The legal complaint that alleges Chang's new confidentiality agreement stopped workers from unionizing Tesla strongly denies the accusations and says the 2016 agreement has not impacted on union organizing Tesla says the company is not interfering with the right of its employees to unionize, and says 'the only reason theres not a union at Tesla is because our employees havent wanted one'. 'The UAWs argument revolves around the idea that our actions have created a chilling effect on their ability to organize. However, its clear from the employees own admissions that this is not true. 'Their unionization effort, including talking to media, leafletting, and picketing outside the factory, has continued without interference.' Tesla claims the new confidentiality agreement 'has nothing at all to do with stopping unionization'. 'It has to do with stopping proprietary information from being improperly used outside the company something that was unfortunately happening with regularity,' the statement read. Chang told the NLRB employees are given access to confidential information about products and the company's financial standing because: 'the culture of Tesla is one of family, and trust of employees'. Marks & Spencer customers are threatening to boycott the store for stocking hijabs in its school uniform section. The company's social media pages have been flooded with angry messages regarding the hijabs, which are on sale for 6 in their 'School Essentials' section. Dozens of disgruntled customers say they will not use the store until the black headscarf is removed from stock. Lorraine Smith wrote: 'Disgusting. How could you profit from something that promotes degradation to woman and children? It's obscene! 'For a company struggling with profits, bad move. 'I and many others will boycott until it is removed. Unbelievable.' Melissa Turnbull, from Renfrewshire in Scotland, posted on the store's Facebook page: 'Why are you selling burkas for primary aged girls? Have you lost the plot? 'Covering four-year-old is part of a disgusting sexualisation of children perpetrated by the cult of Islam and has no place in the UK. 'I won't be shopping in your stores until you stop this.' Marks and Spencer included the hijab in the school uniform section of its website in response to requests from the schools it supplies The hijab (pictured) is a type of head covering worn by some Muslim women that does not cover the face, only the hair Cassy Simmons-Thornton, from London, added: 'Can you please explain why you are selling a hijab for young children and helping the oppression of women from a young age? 'A lot of people will now boycott your stores.' Julie Raven, from Brighton, commented: 'Why are you selling hijabs for infant-school-aged girls? 'Are you implying that their bodies are immodest and may inflame men? You need to take a good look at yourselves.' Addressing the complaints on their Twitter page on Thursday, Marks & Spencer wrote: 'We provide bespoke uniforms for 250 schools across the country. 'They tell us which items they need as part of their school uniform list, and for a number of schools this year, they requested the option of the hijab.' The LBC Radio presenter and founder of the Quilliam Foundation Maajid Nawaz said that M&S has reverted to 'medievalism' by including a child-size hijab in the school-wear category. Nawaz wrote: 'It's their right to choose profit over values. But it's our right to shame them for doing so. 'Little girls are told it is "immodest" to show their hair. And blessed be the fruit. 'To be clear, these are stocked for little girls as young as 3 years old. 'Hijab is still imposed (only on women) by law in Iran and Saudi Arabia, and many other countries. This is gender apartheid. Marks and Spencer are free to sell confederate flag tee-shirts too, but I bet they never will.' 'Blessed be the fruit' is a reference to the greeting used by the female characters in Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel The Handmaid's Tale, in which women are kept as slaves useful only for bearing children and forbidden to use their own names. LBC presenter Maajid Nawaz who strongly opposes women obliged to wear a hijab and called the garment 'gender apartheid' Nawaz, who is Muslim, has previously called the hijab a 'monstrosity' and the 'uniform of medieval patriarchal tyranny' Nawaz, who is himself Muslim, continued: 'Hijab is still imposed (only on women) by law in Iran and Saudi Arabia, and many other countries. This is gender apartheid' He has previously called the hijab a 'monstrosity' and the 'uniform of medieval patriarchal tyranny'. The practice of veiling some part of the head or face has a history in European, Asian, and African societies and appears in varied forms in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The hijab is a garment worn by Muslim women when they not in the company of their immediate family and usually covers the hair, neck and the top part of the chest. It is seen as a symbol of modesty by people who wear them. Most Islamic scholars agree that the hijab is only obligatory for females once they reach puberty. Hijabs are different from other Islamic veils like the burka and niqab, which both cover the face. The niqab covers the whole face leaving a gap for the eyes, while the burka leaves only a mesh screen to see through. Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson caused a separate online debate in August when, in an article defending Muslim women's right to wear the burka, he said that they resemble 'letter boxes' and 'bank robbers'. The Soyuz programme is an ongoing human spaceflight programme which was initiated by the Soviet Union in the early 1960s, originally part of a Moon landing project. There have been 138 manned missions, of which 11 have failed and one astronaut has died. Here are some of the notable failures, including one in 1967 when an astronaut was killed, one in 1975 when two astronauts hurtle to Earth. 1967: Soviet astronaut Vladimir Komarov was killed during landing due to a parachute failure 1975: Two Russian astronauts had to abort a mission to a Russian space station at an altitude of 90miles due to a rocket failure. They hurtled towards Earth and safely landed in the Altai Mountains on the Russia-China border. One of the astronauts never flew to space again, never fully recovered from the accident and died aged 62 in 1990. The other made two more flights. 1983: A rocket malfunctioned during the countdown to take off in southern Kazakhstan. Automatic systems ejected the two Russian crew-members just seconds before the rocket exploded. The fire burned on the launch pad for 20 hours. 2002: A Soyuz ship carrying a satellite crashed during launch in Russia when a booster suffered an engine malfunction. The ship landed near the launch pad, killing one engineer on the ground. 2011: A Soyuz-U mission carrying cargo failed to launch to the International Space Station when the upper stage experienced a problem and broke up over Siberia. 2016: Another cargo ship was lost shortly after launch, likely due to a problem with the third stage of the Soyuz-U. August 2018: A hole in a Soyuz capsule docked to the International Space Station caused a brief loss of air pressure and had to be patched. The Russians claimed the hole was drilled deliberately in an act of sabotage either on Earth or in orbit. Another theory is that the hole was a production defect. Christina Diaz, 19, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, DUI with injury, hit and run and vehicular manslaughter on Wednesday A California woman has been arrested and charged after allegedly driving while high on cannabis and causing a hit-and-run crash that killed a man on Tuesday. Christina Diaz, 19, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, DUI with injury, hit and run and vehicular manslaughter on Wednesday. Diaz was allegedly driving a 2004 Toyota Camry in Citrus Heights on Tuesday around 6.30pm when she intentionally collided with a Dodge van, according to local police. Police say the woman lost control of her vehicle. She then crossed into the center median and into the eastbound lanes on Greenback Lane, striking a Mercedez-Benz sedan. Andrey Tagintsez, the 45-year-old owner of the Mercedes, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said that the people riding in the Dodge van suffered minor injuries, The Sacromento Bee reports. Diaz was allegedly driving a 2004 Toyota Camry in Citrus Heights on Tuesday around 6.30pm when she intentionally collided with a Dodge van Police arrived at the scene and were notified that Diaz was one of the drivers in the crash. But the woman allegedly tried to flee the scene before she was arrested, according to CBS 13. 'Driving under the influence of marijuana is still illegal in California,' Citrus Heights Police Chief Ronald Lawrence stated in the release. 'This tragedy is an unfortunate reminder of the dangers of drugged driving.' Police are still investigating the crash and ask for any photos or videos pertaining to the crash. Diaz is currently being held on a $395,000 bail in the Sacramento County Main jail. President Donald Trump said Thursday that while he believes Sen. Elizabeth Warren 'faked' her claim of American Indian heritage, he hopes she and other likely Democratic presidential candidates 'stay healthy' and continue their march to 2020. That way, he said, the party's stalwart retreads might crowd out its younger, newer blood. 'So far I like every one of them. I just hope they stay healthy and I hope they fight it out,' the president said during an extended-play interview on 'Fox & Friends.' The Fox hosts gave him a list to consider former Vice President Joe Biden, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, California Sen. Kamala Harris, former Secretary of State John Kerry, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Warren, a Massachusetts senator. 'Any one of them I'd like,' Trump replied. 'I just hope that we don't get any star or good thinker coming out of nowhere.' President Donald Trump said Thursday that he's comfortable running for re-election against any of the Democratic Party's current stable of likely candidates, preferring that to 'smart' people who might emerge Trupm has taken unusual pleasure in mocking Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who has claimed for decades that she's part American Indian based partly on her mother's observation of her 'high cheekbones' 'Fox & Friends' asked Trump on Thursday about the stable of Democrats who are presumed to be in the White House hunt. 'I don't see a name that I don't like,' he replied. As Warren raises her national profile, Trump has returned more often to criticizing her long-claimed but unproven Cherokee lineage and ridiculing her as 'Pocahontas' in public speeches. 'She faked her heritage for years and used that. She can't prove anything,' he said Thursday. 'She said her mother told her she had high cheekbones, therefore she's got Indian blood. You know what? I have more Indian blood in me than she does, and I have none, unfortunately. But I have none.' Warren has disputed claims from Republicans that she obtained preferential hiring treatment at Harvard University and elsewhere by leveraging her claim about an American Indian ancestry to trigger affirmative action rules intended to help minorities. Warren, an avowed far-left progressive, was among Trump's antagonists during the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation fight In July Trump said he would bring a tiny DNA testing kit with him if he ever squared off with Sen. Warren in a presidential debate, offering $1 to her favorite charity if it established that she was actually part American Indian The president mocked Warren at the time, saying he would have to toss her the DNA kit 'very gently' because America is now 'in the MeToo generation' She continues to maintain that Cherokee lore was part of her family tradition growing up, but she has de-emphasized it since winning her Senate seat in 2012. At the same time, Warren has resisted calls to take a DNA test that could prove she's part Native American. During a July rally in Montana, Trump said that if Warren were to be the Democratic presidential nominee, he would bring a DNA test kit with him to a head-to-head debate. 'You know those little kits they sell on television for two dollars? Learn your heritage!' he mocked. 'We will take that little kit and say, but we have to do it gently, because we're in the MeToo generation, so we have to be very gentle,' Trump said to laughter as he pantomimed an underhand throw. Trump has also taken pot-shots at New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, who he has said 'drove Newark into the ground' as mayor 'And we will very gently take that kit, and we will slowly toss it hoping it doesn't hit her and injure her arm, even though it only weighs probably two ounces.' 'We will say, "I will give you a million dollars to your favorite charity, paid for by Trump, if you take the test and it shows you're an Indian".' Trump repeated later in Thursday's interview that he's comfortable with the idea of running against any of the Democrats' current field of likely 2020 primary contenders. 'I don't see a name that I don't like,' he said. He rattled off a list of economic victories including low unemployment and job creation numbers, concluding that his chances are good. 'With everything we're doing I don't know you know, why wouldn't I do well in the election?' Trump asked. Kenneth Cyrek, 38, was drunk and high when he crashed his car with his wife Kayla in the front seat, killing her, police say A 38-year-old Ohio man has been charged with homicide after allegedly driving drunk, high on Fentanyl, and on a suspended licence when he crashed into a utility pole, killing his wife. Kenneth Cyrek had only been married to Kayla, 26, for four months when the pair got into the car together for a journey that would ultimately end her life. Cyrek's Honda Del Sol veered off Canal Road in Fairfield Township and careered into a utility pole about 8.45pm on August 4. He tested as over the limit when a breath test was administered, and Fentanyl was also found in his system, police say. On Wednesday, he was indited on two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and one count of vehicular manslaughter. The severity of the charges were increased by the fact Cyrek had several open driving suspensions. Cyrek has been charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide and one count of vehicular manslaughter For Kayla's family, the pain of her loss has been overwhelming. Relatives and friends on social media remember her infectious personality, her warm and booming laugh, and lament the fact she died because of someone else's poor choices. Her father, Teddy DeMoss, told the Cincinnati Enquirer he would never forgive Cyrek for taking his daughter away. 'I opened my heart and my home to him,' he said. Kayla was remembered as a happy woman with an infectious personality. Family and friends have expressed regret she died because of her husband's choices 'He hurt my daughter in more ways than just her death, and that's the thing I'll never forgive.' The thought is especially painful for him, as Kayla's mother Denisa also died in a car wreck aged 26. DeMoss goes to see Kayla every day, usually bringing her a cup of coffee - something he knows she would have appreciated, even if she's no longer around to drink it. There, he shares the usual sentiments of love and loss, and tells her: 'I would do anything to change it'. Cyrek is being held on no bond, and is also in custody for violating a child support agreement. No court appearance has been scheduled. Washington's Supreme Court unanimously struck down the state's death penalty on Thursday, ruling that it had been handed down as a sentence in an arbitrary and racially discriminatory manner. Washington has had a moratorium on executions since 2014, but the ruling makes it the 20th state to do away with capital punishment by either court decree or legislative act. 'The death penalty is unequally applied - sometimes by where the crime took place, or the county of residence, or the available budgetary resources at any given point in time, or the race of the defendant,' Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst wrote in the lead opinion. 'Our capital punishment law lacks '"fundamental fairness."' The court also converted the sentences of the eight people on Washington's death row to life in prison. Washington's Supreme Court unanimously struck down the state's death penalty on Thursday, ruling that it had been handed down as a sentence in an arbitrary and racially discriminatory manner; This photo from November 20, 2008 shows the execution chamber at the Washington State Penitentiary with the witness gallery behind glass at right, in Walla Walla, Washington 'Now the information is plainly before us,' Fairhurst wrote. 'To the extent that race distinguishes the cases, it is clearly impermissible and unconstitutional.' Defense lawyers had long challenged the death penalty on those grounds, noting the state's worst mass murderers and serial killers, Green River killer Gary Ridgway among them, had received life terms, not death. In a 5-4 ruling in 2006, the justices rejected an argument from a death row inmate that he shouldn't be executed because Ridgway hadn't been executed. But this time, death penalty critics were armed with more data about how capital punishment works, including a statistical analysis by University of Washington sociologists. Their report showed that although prosecutors were not more likely to seek the execution of black defendants, juries were about four times more likely to sentence black defendants to death. Governor Jay Inslee (left) imposed a moratorium on the death penalty in 2014, and Attorney General Bob Ferguson (right) said he would press the Legislature to make the sole punishment for aggravated murder life in prison without release; The two are shown here at a news conference announcing the court's ruling on Thursday in Olympia, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, a one-time supporter of capital punishment, imposed the 2014 moratorium. The Democrat called the ruling on Thursday 'a hugely important moment in our pursuit for equal and fair application of justice,' in a written statement. 'The court makes it perfectly clear that capital punishment in our state has been imposed in an "arbitrary and racially biased manner," is "unequally applied" and serves no criminal justice goal,' Inslee wrote. The ruling came in the case of Allen Eugene Gregory, a black man who was convicted of raping, robbing and killing Geneine Harshfield, a 43-year-old woman, in 1996. His lawyers, Neil Fox and Lila Silverstein, said the death penalty is arbitrarily applied and that it is not applied proportionally, as the state Constitution requires. 'However one feels about the propriety of capital punishment in theory, in practice the death penalty is imposed in an unfair, arbitrary, and racially biased manner,' Silverstein said in a written statement. 'The Supreme Court properly ruled the Washington Constitution does not tolerate such an unfair system.' Dozens of former state judges took the unusual step of urging the court to use Gregory's case to strike down capital punishment. Among them was former Justice Faith Ireland, who sided with the narrow majority in upholding capital punishment in 2006. In Thursday's decision, the court did not rule out the possibility that the legislature could come up with another manner of imposing death sentences. 'We leave open the possibility that the legislature may enact a "carefully drafted statute" to impose capital punishment in this state, but it cannot create a system that offends constitutional rights,' the opinion said. Attorney General Bob Ferguson said he would press the Legislature to make the sole punishment for aggravated murder life in prison without release. The court did not reconsider any of Gregory's arguments pertaining to guilt, noting that his conviction for aggravated first-degree murder 'has already been appealed and affirmed by this court.' Earlier this year, the state Senate passed a measure abolishing the death penalty, but it failed to pass in the House. 'There is a profound shift in our state and country that the death penalty is below us as a civil, just and moral society,' Democratic Senator Reuven Carlyle, who had been a sponsor of those previous attempts, said in a text message. The most powerful judge in the United States is wading into the controversy surrounding Brett Kavanaugh, the newest U.S. Supreme Court Justice. John Roberts, the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, has just ordered Federal judges to look into the complaints made against Kavanaugh before and during his contentious confirmation hearings, including allegations that he lied to cover up sexual assaults. But just who is John Roberts? Heres a look at the highest-ranking judge in the entire United States. Chief Justice John Roberts has served on the United States Supreme Court since back in 2005 Who is John Roberts? John Roberts is a lawyer whos served as the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court since 2005. He was born in Buffalo, New York on January 27, 1955. Roberts grew up in Long Beach, Indiana and attended Harvard College and later Harvard Law School, where he worked as managing editor of the Harvard Law Review while studying at the prestigious institution. After graduating in 1979, he was admitted to the U.S. bar and served as a law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from 1979 to 1980 and later for the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist from 1980 to 1981. Roberts later served as an assistant to former Attorney General William French Smith in the Reagan Administration from 1981 to 1982 and later as an associate counsel to President Ronald Reagan from 1982 to 1986. He later entered private practice for the law firm Hogan & Hartson before being named as the Principal Deputy Solicitor General of the United States in 1989 by former President George H. W. Bush. After former President Bill Clinton took office in 1993, Roberts returned to private practice at Hogan & Hartson but was eventually appointed as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit by former President George W. Bush in 2003. In 2005, Bush again nominated him to be an associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court to succeed the retiring Sandra Day OConnor, the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court. However, after Chief Justice William Rehnquist passed away before his confirmation hearings could begin, Bush nominated Roberts to be the next chief justice of the highest court in the United States. Ultimately, he was confirmed and assumed the position on September 29, 2005. In his role as Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, Roberts authored the majority opinion on a number of landmark cases, include the 2012 National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius case, which upheld the individual mandate to buy health insurance enacted by the Affordable Care Act in 2010. Notably, Roberts dissented in the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges case which legalized gay marriage in the United States. During his tenure as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Roberts has been described as generally having a conservative judicial philosophy but has nonetheless worked with the courts more progressive-minded justices on a number of key cases, making him a critical swing vote on the court. How old is John Roberts? John Roberts is 63 years old. He was born on January 27, 1955. John Roberts was nominated by former President George W. Bush to the U.S. Supreme Court Who is John Robertss wife? John Robertss wife is Jane Sullivan. The couple has been married since 1996 and has two adopted children, John and Josephine. What is John Robertss net worth? According to an NBC News report, John Robertss net worth as of June 2016 was believed to be $4.2 million (3.1m), per a report from the nonpartisan Center for Public Integrity. His net worth makes him the second-wealthiest Supreme Court Justice at the time, surpassed only by Stephen Breyer, who is believed to have a net worth of about $6.1 million (4.6m). Notably, Roberts wealth has decreased since taking up his current role as the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. According to documents he handed to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee prior to his confirmation hearing in 2005, his net worth at the time was believed to be more than $6 million (4.5m), including about $1.6 million (1.2m) in stock holdings. How does John Roberts make his money? Roberts draws his wealth from a mix of his salary as both a government judge and in private practice, stock holdings and real estate investments. His salary as U.S. Supreme Court Justice as of 2014 was $255,500 (193,264). Notably, he took a large pay cut after leaving private practice in 2003 to join the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, with his earnings decreasing from about $1 million (756,450) annually to $171,800 (129,958). Roberts also has extensive stock holdings and also holds interest in a cottage in Knocklong, Ireland. Robert, front row and center, has authored many important U.S. Supreme Court decisions John Robertss investigation on Brett Kavanaugh Recently, Roberts ordered Federal judges to probe the ethics complaints made against new U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, including charges that he lied to cover up alleged sexual assaults. Reportedly, a total of 15 complaints were made against Kavanaugh during his recent U.S. Supreme Court confirmation hearings, all of which were filed in Robertss own former court, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The complaints were subsequently referred to the Tenth U.S. Court of Appeals based in Denver, Colorado. At least two of the complaints were reportedly filed by the Democratic Coalition, a political advocacy group aligned with the Democratic Party. Kavanaugh has repeatedly denied the numerous sexual assault allegations made against him One of the complaints filed against Kavanaugh claimed that he intentionally misled the American people in order to cover up alleged sex crimes, specifically related to his repeated denial of the allegations made by Christine Blasey Ford that he tried to sexually assault her. The ethic complaints filed against Kavanaugh while he was a sitting Federal judge would have made him subject to the personal conduct rules overseen by Roberts himself. In an ironic twist, the complaints made against him came when he was under the supervision of Merrick Garland, the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit who was nominated to the Supreme Court before Kavanaugh by former President Barack Obama, but ultimately never received a confirmation hearing. Garland has recently recused himself from the ethic investigation on the claims made against Kavanaugh. Should there be any unfavorable findings against Kavanaugh by the judges now looking into the complaints against him, its unclear what sort of action Roberts can take, as Supreme Court Justices answer only to the United States Congress. President Donald Trump talked up his relations with deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, and indicated the Justice Department official had given reassurances following reports he had offered to wear a wire to secretly record Trump. Trump discussed his ride aboard Air Force One with Rosenstein, where the two men spoke following a delayed meeting where there had been rumors the president would fire the number two DOJ official who is overseeing the Russia probe. 'Well I actually get along well with Rod,' Trump told 'Fox and Friends' during an extended call-in interview Thursday. 'We have a witch-hunt going on which is disgraceful,' Trump said, before running through FBI officials he considers 'very bad' or outright 'horrible' including former FBI Director James Comey. President Donald Trump said he was 'surprised' deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein wasn't testifying in Congress, having said 'positive' things about an event early in his tenure when he reportedly offered to wear a wire to record Trump Trump then got asked about the news that Rosenstein would not go to Capitol Hill to address lawmakers on the Judiciary and Government Oversight Committee, who are demanding answers following a New York Times report that Rosenstein offered to wear a wire and talked about invoking the 25th Amendment to try to remove Trump. One Republican, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, even flew to D.C. with the hurricane approaching his state, saying he needed to attend the planned appearance. 'Actually I was surprised at that I would think he would [appear],' Trump said. 'He mentioned certain things to me that, you know, are very positive about that event. I would imagine you would want to put that down. Frankly whether you were under oath or not shouldn't matter. But he mentioned things to me I would think would be fine for him to testify,' Trump said. 'So you know when Congress calls. So I would I'm a little surprised Rod wouldn't do it. We have a good relationship with Rod because we ... work on other things,' Trump said. Trump and Rosenstein met aboard Air Force One, following reports Trump would fire the Number Two Justice Department official overseeing the Russia probe The meeting got postponed, and may not happen until after the November elections. Cohost Brian Kilmeade then told Trump he heard the two were bonded by 'distrust' of former deputy director of the FBI Andrew McCabe. 'And McCabe is a bad guy. Comey is a very bad guy. This country got lucky when I fired him,' Trump said. Rod wrote a memo, you read that memo how horrible Comey is. He is horrible guy and he lied and he leaked. He lied before Congress.' Rosenstein wrote a memo outlining Comey's conduct during the Hillary Clinton email probe that Trump used to justify Comey's firing, though Rosenstein reportedly felt blindsided at how Trump used the information. Kanye West is meeting with Donald Trump and Jared Kushner at the White House on Thursday, October 11. The 41-year-old rapper intends to speak with the President about access to job opportunities for former convicts, a source briefed on the meeting told the New York Times. Kanye also hopes to talk with them about creating manufacturing jobs in Chicago, Illinois, where he grew up. After their meeting, Kanye, the president and his son-in-law will have lunch together. Kanye West will meet with Donald Trump and Jared Kushner on Thursday at the White House to discuss prison reform Donald Trump and Kanye West previously met in New York City at Trump Tower in 2016 after the election This wont be the first time Kanye has met with the president, though it will be his first visit to the White House during Trumps tenure in office. The pair first came together at Trump Tower in New York City in 2016. Since then, Kanye has been vocal in his support of the president. Hes been repeatedly criticized for championing the Trump administration and its policies, but has refused to back down. His wife Kim Kardashian, while not a vocal supporter of Trump, has also had meetings with the President. In fact, not long ago she visited the White House to discuss overhauling Alice Johnsons life sentence, which she was serving for a drug-related crime. Kim, 37, was ultimately able to convince Trump to have her released. Kanye West meets with Trump Kanye West will meet with Donald Trump and Jared Kushner at the White House on Thursday to discuss access to opportunities for former convicts and creating manufacturing jobs in Chicago, Illinois. Hes not the only one with an agenda, however. The President called in to Fox & Friends on Thursday morning to discuss the meeting, stating his belief that it had given him a boost in the polls with black men. I have a lot of African American support and a lot has developed over the last little while with Kanye coming out, he said. First of all, I like him a lot. Hes been a friend of mine. Ive known for a long time. Hes a very different kind of a guy. I say that in a positive way but he is a different kind of a guy. Those that are in the music business say hes a genius and thats ok with me because as far as Im concerned he is. I will say this: When Kanye came out very strongly a number of months ago. Something happened. My polls went up like, 25 per cent. Nobodys ever seen it. 'Hes got a big following in the African American community. A big, big following and I think he has in a lot of communities, but the polls went through the roof. He continued: I have not seen that. I think I can honestly say Ive never seen that before to that extent. He is respected and hes really a great guy. 'You know what he wants? Hes not asking for anything for himself. Hes not saying hey, gee I want to do this or that. Hes a private guy and he wants to help people. 'And I think maybe more than anything is prison reform because his wife, who is terrific, Kim [Kardashian] she is the one that brought the attention to Mrs. Johnson where I could look and you have many people like Mrs. Johnson that are in jail for another 35 years on a charge that frankly everything is serious but you dont get life imprisonment because youre talking over the telephone about something, OK? Trumps most recent approval rating among black voters was 36 per cent, according to Rasmussen Polls. FiveThirtyEight gave the poll a C+ for accuracy, however. An NAACP poll released in August showed that only about 21 per cent of black Americans supported Trump. A mere eight per cent of black voters cast their ballots for Trump in the 2016 election. Kanye West running for president Kanye West has said on more than one occasion that he intends to run for President of the United States. While he previously said he was planning to debut his campaign in the 2020 election, hes since bumped it back to 2024. Speaking with DJ Pharris on Chicagos Power 92 in September, Kanye said: If I decide to do it, it will be done, Im not going to try. Yes, 100 per cent it could happen2024. He first started talking about running in 2015, before Donald Trump was elected. Its unclear if his recent political involvement is an attempt to dip his toes in the water before diving head-first into the presidency. Kanye West politics Kanye West has spoken out in support of Donald Trump and his policies on several occasions since the 2016 election. Most recently, he delivered a highly criticized speech in which he said he didnt care that the president had been touted as a racist and said he inspires him. Its so many times that I talk to a white person about this, and they say, How could you support Trump? Hes racist", he said. Well, if I was concerned about racism, I would have moved out of America a long time ago. KANYE SNL TALK THAT GOT CUT OFF FREEDOM OF SPEECH SHOULD HAVE EXTENDED pic.twitter.com/IpULoEJxsN MIKE DEAN! #MWA (@therealmikedean) September 30, 2018 He continued: We dont just make our decisions off of racism. Imma [sic] break it down to you right nowIf someone inspires me and I connect with them, I dont have to believe in all their policies. During the speech, Kanye called out audience members who laughed at and heckled him as he spoke. You see they laughing at me. You heard em. They scream at me. They bully me. They bullied me backstage. They said, Dont go out there with that hat on. Thank yall for giving me this platform. I know some of yall dont agree. But yall be going to a man neck a lot, and I dont think its actually that helpful [sic], he added. Pete Davidson on Kanye West After Kanye Wests post-show rant on Saturday Night Live, Pete Davidson popped up on Weekend Update to deliver his opinion. He called the speech one of the worst, most awkward things Ive seen here. What Kanye said after we went off the air last week was one of the worst, most awkward things Ive seen here, and Ive seen Chevy Chase speak to an intern, he joked. Pete said that he and Michael Che discussed which of them should speak on Kanyes behavior and decided that it should be the Staten Island, New York native as hes crazy and we know which side of Kanye is at the wheel right now. Then Kanye said that Democrats broke up black families with welfare and that slaverys not real, Pete said. You know how wrong about politics you need to be for like, me to notice? Do you know how annoying that is? Like Kanye is a genius, but a musical genius. Like Joey Chestnut is a hot dog-eating genius, but I dont want to hear Joey Chestnuts opinions about things that arent hot dog-related. Pete then paraphrased Kanye as saying, this is the real me. Im off the meds. Take em! Theres no shame in the medicine game. Im on them, theyre great, the comedian said. Being mentally ill is not an excuse to act like a jacka**. Leonard Cohen on Kanye West A posthumous collection of Leonard Cohens poetry called The Flame was recently released. The collection included a poem called Kanye West Is Not Picasso. The poem was written in 2015. It reads: I am the Kanye West of Kanye West/The Kanye West of the great bogus shift of bulls*** culture. The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources is hopeful that Presidents Akufo Addos dream of making the national capital, Accra, the cleanest city in Africa by 2020 will be achieved. President Akufo-Addo in April 2017 promised to make Accra the cleanest city in Africa by the end of his first term. The ambitious plan comes in the face of worsening sanitation problems in the capital, with city authorities struggling to deal with the situation. More than a year after the announcement, many have doubted the Presidents vision since nothing significant has been undertaken to rid the city of its heavy filth, except the launch of a national sanitation campaign which is yielding no result. Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday however, sector minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, insisted that despite the current challenges, work is ongoing. Madam Dapaah affirmed that the presidents dream of transforming the city will be realized by the year 2020. It can, why not? The president is determined, and I am sure we are all determined. For instance, the Ministry would have to provide leadership, monitoring, evaluation and assessment in ensuring that everything is provided for the assembly and the contractors to work effectively. Cecelia Daapah further mentioned that it will be imperative for the media to assist in the fight against the unsanitary conditions in the Capital. She indicated her willingness to collaborate with the media to ensure that the vision materializes. The media is our partner to propagate the campaign and even offer proper solutions and suggestions. I will be meeting the press and we will think through the measures that we havevery soon I will roll out a programme for the media. A Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), Kwesi Jonah, has suggested a reassessment of President Nana Akufo-Addos ambitious plan to make Accra the cleanest city in Africa. He is of the view that this declaration was more of an aspiration than a promise that was deliverable within four years. When you say that you want Accra to be the cleanest, it is a standard; it is an aspiration That is not to say you will be able to get to where Rwanda is [regarding sanitation]. On the political platform, politicians say all kinds of things that they do not mean literally. Agenda to make Accra Africas cleanest city on course AMA boss The Metropolitan Chief Executive of Accra, Mohammed Adjei Sowah, has said that the vision is on track. He said the achievement of it would require the collective effort of citizens and all stakeholders. It is a vision which is achievable and doable when collectively we commit to it. It is the responsibility of all of us. Once we have bought into the vision of the president and all of us are working towards it, we could possibly achieve it probably even before the end of the first term of the president, and I believe that we are doing so well. Source: citinewsroom.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 Thomas Ellison (pictured) sparked a major bomb scare with a transparent lunch box filled with wires A 32-year-old student sparked a major bomb scare by installing a bizarre piece of art on a busy bridge just two months after the London Bridge terror attack. Thomas Ellison, 32, caused havoc in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne when he left a bizarre package behind a pillar on the High Level Bridge in August last year. He pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance after the bridge was shut to cars, trains and pedestrians for two hours after the suspected bomb was found on the walkway. A bomb disposal unit extracted the item - a transparent lunch box fitted with wires, a circuit board and a doll - which they established was not an explosive. Ellison called 999 the following day but only asked a call handler if he could 'have a package back'. He told them he had erected some 'art' and wanted it back but the handler said he should call 101 believing it to be a non-emergency query about seized property. Detectives were able to trace the phone box he was calling from and Ellison was then identified after his fingerprints were found on the phone. Ellison was later arrested and questioned about the hoax but he denied any wrongdoing. The student left this on a bridge in Newcastle, sparking a major bomb scare in the city just months after the London Bridge terror attack A bomb disposal unit (pictured at the scene) was deployed after the package was left on the Newcastle bridge The student, from Newcastle, told detectives he had seen a similar exhibit in Prague and wanted to do the same in the UK. He pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday. Following his conviction, Detective Constable Kim Day said it was 'incomprehensible' that the student wouldnt have known the consequences of his actions. 'Ellison placed what looked like a very realistic device on a major bridge just two months after the London Bridge terror attacks,' she said. The transparent lunchbox stuffed with wires was left in plain view on the bridge, sparking terror concerns Pictured: The High Level Bridge in Newcastle, where Ellison left what was feared to be a bomb last year but turned out to be a lunchbox stuffed with wires 'It is incomprehensible that he would not have understood the impact his actions would have had on the immediate area. 'If people have a burning desire to become the next Michelangelo then we would encourage them to use a bit of common sense.' Ellison is set to be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on October 29. The Pentagon has grounded the F-35 fighter jet in order to inspect the fleet in the wake of a crash last month in South Carolina. A $100million fighter jet was completely destroyed when it crashed during a training exercise in South Carolina on September 28. The Pentagon's decision temporarily halts combat operations by Marines, who began conducting airstrikes against Taliban targets in Afghanistan the day before the crash. The Pentagon has grounded the F-35 fighter jet in order to inspect the fleet in the wake of a crash last month A $100million fighter jet was completely destroyed when it crashed during a training exercise in South Carolina on September 28 (pictured) The Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps all have different versions of the stealthy fighter. And all three services have stopped flying their F-35 jets while fuel tubes in the aircraft are inspected and, if necessary, replaced. The F-35 program office said the inspections should be completed in one or two days. Certain fuel tubes were identified as a potential problem. The aircraft was completely destroyed in the crash during a training exercise. Now the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps will all stop flying their F-35 jets while they're inspected If the aircraft has good fuel tubes, it will be allowed to begin flying again. The UK is also carrying out inspections of its stealth fighter fleet and has paused some from flying following the crash. Aircraft are being examined to see whether they have a faulty fuel tube after the crash of the US Marine Corps F-35B in September. 'Safety is our paramount concern, therefore the UK has decided to pause some F-35 flying as a precautionary measure while we consider the findings of an ongoing inquiry,' a Ministry of Defense spokesman said. 'F-35 flight trials from the aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, are continuing and the program remains on schedule to provide our armed forces with a game-changing capability.' Some aircraft have already been inspected and have been cleared to return to flight. Israel has also followed suit, grounding its fleet of F-35 warplanes this week. The UK is also carrying out inspections of its stealth fighter fleet and has paused some from flying following the crash. Pictured is an F-35B Lightning II launching from an amphibious assault ship in September The Israeli military said the US shared the findings of its investigation into the F-35 crash two weeks ago. But Israel's air force chief, Maj Gen Amikam Norkin, wants to conduct additional tests on Israel's F-35s. The Israeli warplanes, purchased from the US, are a different model than the American one that crashed. F-35 FACT SHEET Role: Stealth multirole fighter First flight: December 15, 2006 Unit cost (not including engine): F-35A - $98million F-35B - $104million F-35C - $116million Number built: 115 (as of November 2014) Length: 15.67m Wingspan: 10.7m Height: 4.33m Max speed (F-35A): 1,930kph Advertisement Israel said Thursday the testing will take several days, but the planes remain ready for operational action if needed. Israel is among a small number of countries using or developing the next-generation September's crash appears to be the first of its kind for the troubled F-35 program, marking an unfortunate moment for the most expensive plane in history. A defense official told AFP that the Marine Corps F-35 had crashed outside Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina. The crash came just one day after the US military first used the F-35, which has been beset with delays and cost overruns, in combat. Launched in the early 1990s, the F-35 program is considered the most expensive weapons system in US history, with an estimated cost of some $400billion and a goal to produce 2,500 aircraft in the coming years. The F-35 was billed as a fighter jet that could do almost everything the US military desired, serving the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy and even Britain's Royal Air Force and Royal Navy all in one aircraft design. It was supposed to replace and improve upon and aging aircraft types with widely different missions, and marketed as a cost-effective, powerful multi-role fighter airplane significantly better than anything potential adversaries could build in the next two decades. But it turned out to be none of those things. The program fell nearly a decade behind schedule, and failed to meet many of its original design requirements. The unit cost per airplane, above $100 million, is roughly twice what was promised early on. Even after President Trump lambasted the cost of the program in February 2017, the price per plane dropped just $7million less than 7 percent. An F-16 fighter jet has exploded during maintenance at a Belgian military base, injuring two engineers. The military plane caught fire and 'burned out' during maintenance work at the airbase in Florennes in southern Belgium, officials said. A second plane also suffered 'collateral damage' in the fire which broke out shortly after 2pm this afternoon. The military plane caught fire and 'burned out' during maintenance work at the airbase in Florennes (file photo) in southern Belgium, officials said The two technicians suffered hearing damage and were treated on the spot, the statement said. Thirty firefighters including civilian officers reportedly raced to the scene along with ambulances and other emergency workers. The country's Aviation Safety Directorate has opened in investigation into the fighter jet's explosion. Officials will hold a press conference at 5.30pm local time (6.30pm BST) at the Florennes base. The cause of the explosion is not yet known but there did not seem to be any malicious intent, a military spokesman told Flemish newspaper De Morgen. The army will investigate what exactly went wrong in the coming hours and days, the spokesman said. The air base at Florennes, in the French-speaking southern half of the country, is home to the Belgian air force's 2nd Tactical Wing. The F-16 Fighting Falcon (file photo), first developed for the U.S. Air Force, has been sold to 28 military forces around the world, according to manufacturer Lockheed Martin It houses two squadrons and 20 of the F-16 fighter jets, according to the Belgian website sudinfo.be. The base was previously home to NATO's Tactical Leadership Programme but it moved to Albacete in Spain in 2009. The F-16 Fighting Falcon, first developed for the U.S. Air Force, has been sold to 28 military forces around the world. The 49-foot long warplane, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, can travel at 1,500mph - faster than Mach 2. Belgium has 60 of the aircraft, of which 48 are assigned to NATO, according to the country's defence ministry. A 25-year-old man has been charged with sexually abusing a teenager after DNA tests showed that he is likely the father of her child. Oscar Alvarez-Flores, of Des Moines, Iowa, has been charged with third-degree sexual abuse. The girl was 14 years old when she gave birth to the child in January 2017. It is believed the child was conceived between March and May 2016 at Alvarez-Flores' home. He was 22 at the time. Oscar Alvarez-Flores, of Des Moines, Iowa, has been charged with third-degree sexual abuse after DNA tests proved he is likely the father of a 14-year-old girl's child Alvarez-Flores told investigators that he knew he was the child's father, according to the Des Moines Register. He said he had sex with the teenage girl once. Investigators then collected DNA via cheek swabs from Alvarez-Flores, the teenage girl, and the child. The swabs were sent to the state's crime lab and tests were conducted by the Iowa Department of Human Services. Results showed there was a 99.9999 percent probability that Alvarez-Flores was the child's father, the criminal complaint states. Alvarez-Flores was arrested and booked in Polk County Jail. He has since been released, but must stay away from minors and locations where they are commonly found - including schools and playgrounds. Alvarez-Flores' preliminary hearing is set for October 19. A San Francisco judge is considering tossing most of a $289 million judgement against the makers of RoundUp weed-killer that a groundskeeper says caused his cancer. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Suzanne Bolanos didn't formally rule on any issues after a two-hour hearing to consider the parent company of RoundUp, Monsanto's demand to toss out the entire jury verdict in the first of thousands of similar cases across the country to go to trial. The San Francisco jury in August said Monsanto knew - or should have known - its best-selling Roundup weed-killer causes cancer and hit the company with $250 million in punitive damages, which are designed to punish companies who act recklessly. The jury also awarded DeWayne Johnson $33 million in so-called 'pain-and-suffering' damages and $6million in actual damages. But Bolanos issued a written tentative ruling ahead of the hearing saying she intended to strike down the punitive damages and schedule a new trial on that issue. Plaintiff DeWayne Johnson, a school groundskeeper (pictured) says Roundup weed-killer caused his cancer. He is seen leaving a courtroom in San Francisco, Wednesday, after a judge said she is re-considering the massive $289million judgment against agribusiness giant Monsanto Johnson, who is a father to two boys and a husband, has terminal cancer. The jury says the makers of RoundUp should have known their product causes cancer and therefore awarded the $250million in punitive damages During the hearing, Bolanos also said she was troubled by the $33 million in 'non-economic' pain-and-suffering damages the jury awarded. Johnson's lawyer argued for $1 million a year for the next 33 years. But Monsanto's lawyers argued that Johnson is expected to live for two more years - an argument that appeared to resonate with Bolanos who mulled out loud about fashioning an order reducing the entire verdict to under $9 million. Ultimately, Bolanos ordered lawyers to submit written argument by Friday and said she would rule after that. Johnson and his lawyers left court without comment. So did Monsanto's legal team. 'Tentative rulings are common in California and it's rare for judges to reverse themselves,' said David Levine, a professor at the University of California's Hastings Law School in San Francisco. During the hearing, the judge said she was concerned with improper statements Johnson's lawyer Brent Wisner made during his closing arguments. Despite the judge's order not to, Wisner compared Monsanto to tobacco companies and said company executives would be drinking champagne in their boardroom if the jury sided with the St. Louis-based company. The judge admonished the jury to disregard those comments at the time, but wondered Wednesday if they entitled Monsanto to a new trial. 'It was intentional and purposeful,' Monsanto attorney George Lombardi argued. Johnson's lawyer Michael Miller said the judge's admonition during the closing arguments was sufficient. 'The jury did not miscarry justice,' Miller said. 'Its decision was unanimous it should be respected.' Judge Suzanne Bolanos is reconsidering the $289million settlement against the makers of the weed-killer Round-Up- specifically she says the $250million in punitive damages is being reconsidered Neither Johnson or attorneys for Monsanto had any comment as they left the courtroom In her tentative ruling, Bolanos wrote that plaintiff Johnson failed to produce 'clear and convincing evidence of malice or oppression' by Monsanto. She wrote that he did not provide any evidence that Monsanto employees believed that exposure to the product caused his lymphoma. Monsanto had argued ahead of the hearing that Johnson failed to prove that Roundup or similar herbicides caused his lymphoma and presented no evidence that Monsanto executives were malicious in marketing it. Regulators around the world have concluded on 'multiple occasions' that the active ingredient in Roundup - glyphosate - is not a human carcinogen, the attorneys said in court documents. They called the jury verdict extraordinary and said it requires 'exceptional scrutiny.' Johnson's attorneys responded in court documents that the jury was well-educated and attentive. The evidence at trial was 'more than sufficient to support an inference' that Johnson's cancer was caused by his exposure to Monsanto's herbicides, the attorneys said. 'Mr. Johnson's story is tragic and could have been prevented if Monsanto actually showed a modicum of care about human safety,' they said. Johnson's lawsuit is among hundreds alleging Roundup caused cancer, but it was the first one to go to trial. The jury in August determined that Roundup contributed to Johnson's cancer and Monsanto should have provided a label warning of a potential health hazard. Johnson sprayed Roundup and a similar product, Ranger Pro, at his job as a pest control manager at a San Francisco Bay Area school district, according to his attorneys. He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2014 at age 42. Many government regulators have rejected a link between glyphosate and cancer. Monsanto has vehemently denied such a connection, saying hundreds of studies have established that glyphosate is safe. Prosecutors say a Missouri woman persuaded her terminally ill father to kill her estranged husband to resolve a custody dispute, then shoot himself so it appeared to be a murder-suicide. Elizabeth Kilgore, 35, pleaded not guilty last week to first-degree murder in the death of 35-year-old Lance Kilgore. Charles Sander, 77, killed his son-in-law and himself in September during what was supposed to be a custody exchange at a convenience store in Osceola. Lance believed he was meeting with Kilgore to pick up his son, KOLR10 News reported. Elizabeth Kilgore (right) has been charged with first degree murder after allegedly masterminding her ex-husband Lance Kilgore's (left) death through a murder-suicide carried out by her terminally ill father A raging custody battle over the two-year-old boy is believed to be what motivated the cold blooded killing. Court documents say Elizabeth Kilgore, a former jailer, had asked two inmates to kill her husband months before he was shot. But in a recorded phone call, she later told one inmate her father had unexpectedly offered to 'handle my problem for me'. 'I'll let him, but I don't really want to see one of my parents go to jail,' she allegedly told the inmate. The former couple had come to blows many times during the custody battle, with a probable cause statement alleging Kilgore told Lance if he tried to get custody she would 'kill him'. Lance, 35, believed he was picking up the two-year-old son he shared with Kilgore, but found his former father-in-law instead Prosecutors also allege Kilgore told an unnamed witness she enjoyed hanging a picture of Lance on a tree and it made her 'feel really good when I shoot it in the face'. When Lance Kilgore arrived at the Port convenience store, prosecutors say Charles Sander shot him with a .9mm gun belonging to his daughter. The incident was initially described as a murder suicide, but further investigation revealed a more sinister plot. Court documents allege in the weeks leading up to his death, Lance Kilgore told family and friends he felt he was in danger. Scientists are expanding the methods by which law enforcement can use DNA information gathered through sites like Ancestry.com and 23andMe to solve crimes and they're raising ethical questions along the way. California detectives have already used DNA obtained through public databases to track down and arrest Joseph James DeAngelo, suspected of being the Golden State Killer, who police say committed at least 13 murders, more than 50 rapes, and more than 100 burglaries in California from 1974 to 1986. But now, according to a study published Thursday in the scientific journal Cell, researchers say they have developed a new computational method that expands the way commercial and public gene databases can be cross-referenced with those used by law enforcement. The result: More crimes solved and countless ethical concerns raised, as many people could be linked to crimes simply because a relative submitted DNA to find out more about their family's ancestry. Warrants are required to obtain such information from private companies like Ancestry.com and 23andMe. 'We think when we upload DNA that it's our information, but it's not. It's the information of everyone who is biologically related to us,' said Julia Creet, a Toronto-based researcher focused on the family history industry, in an interview with DailyMail.com. Researchers at Stanford University have found a new computational method that expands teh way commercial and public gene databases can be cross-referenced with those used by law enforcement to solve crimes (file photo) The goal of using public and commercial databases to solve crimes is more technically challenging than it may seem, as they tend to rely on completely different genetic markers than those used by law enforcement to identify potential criminals. 'There's a legacy problem in that so many DNA profiles have been collected with this older genetic marker system that's been used by law enforcement since the 1990s,' said senior author Noah Rosenberg, of Stanford University. 'The system is not designed for the more challenging queries that are currently of interest, such as identifying people represented in a DNA mixture or identifying relatives of the contributor of a DNA sample.' This is a kind of Wild West of privacy protection and we're dealing with the most personal type of information. - Julia Creet, director of Data Mining the Deceased Researchers set out to see if they could use the newer, more modern system of genetic markers used in commercial methods and test those against the older law enforcement system to obtain matches and find relatives. The FBI and police departments across the U.S. use a DNA database known as the Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS. It relies on 20 DNA markers, which are different from those used in common ancestry databases which scan across hundreds of thousands of sites in the genome. Rosenberg and his team previously found that software could match people found in both databases even when there were no overlapping, or shared, markers between the two sets of data. In their new research, the team found that the same approach could be applied to track down close family members roughly 31 percent of the time in cases of parent-offspring pairs and 36 percent were linked among sibling pairs. 'We wanted to examine to what extent these different types of databases can communicate with each other,' Rosenberg said. 'It's important for the public to be aware that information between these two types of genetic data can be connected, often in unexpected ways.' This means that law enforcement can more easily track down criminals even when the actual perpetrator has not submitted any DNA, as was the case in the Golden State Killer investigation. In that instance, detectives submitted DNA collected from a crime scene for the traditional law enforcement genotyping, then used an open-source ancestry database called GEDmatch to link that profile to people who had voluntarily submitted their information into the database. Many people who obtain their genetic data through commercial sites like Ancestry.com and 23andMe later upload that information into GEDmatch in an effort to connect with other family members around the globe. Police found relatives who had overlapping DNA markers and through a process of elimination tracked down DeAngelo. These are decisions that society can make. We need to have a robust conversation. - Dr. Ellen Clayton, Vanderbilt University Police were able to access the information on GEDmatch because it was a public database, but law enforcement has successfully used warrants to obtain similar data directly from sites like Ancestry.com. Ancestry.com has 10 million customers, while 23andMe has more than 5 million. A spokesman for 23andMe said the company uses strong security and privacy protocols to protect customer data - and that it warns customers that those guarantees don't extend to any third-party sites where they choose to share their personal information. A spokesman for Ancestry.com said the company prioritizes customer privacy and gives people a chance to opt out of sharing their information with other users. He added that the company will fight any efforts by law enforcement to obtain its data. For those who have sought to learn more about their own background, the news could raise serious privacy concerns, said Creet, who directed and produced Data Mining the Deceased, a documentary about the industry of DNA and geneology. 'Once your results have been uploaded into a collective database there is no way to extract them because other people have picked up on them,' she said. Joseph James DeAngelo. Police say DeAngelo is a suspected California serial killer known as the Golden State Killer who committed at least 13 homicides and 45 rapes throughout the state in the 1970s and '80s. Creet said anytime a person submits their DNA to a company to learn more about their heritage, it's worth considering that they are also submitting 50 percent of their parents' and children's DNA, and 25 percent of their grandparents' or grandchildren's DNA. 'Your results aren't just about you,' Creet added. 'They're about everyone you're related to, which is how the police can use your results to track down a criminal who is distantly related to you. We're not just talking about personal privacy; we're talking about relational privacy.' Experts are also concerned about how private companies are using genetic information they obtain. Ancestry.com is partnered with Calico, which is a Google spinoff, in an effort to analyze anonymized data from more than 1 million genetic samples. Creet said that given data breaches at other types of tech companies there is significant cause for concern that even anonymized data could fall into the wrong hands and be re-identified. Other issues could arise if health insurance companies were ever able to obtain genetic data on their customers and use that to discriminate against those with predispositions for certain diseases, she added. 'This is a kind of Wild West of privacy protection and we're dealing with the most personal type of information,' Creet said. Key Ethical Questions When Using DNA in Law Enforcement DNA isn't just personal: Do I want to share my sister's DNA? Anyone who submits their own DNA for testing is also providing genetic info about any of their family members, which could later be accessed by law enforcement or for other unforeseen purposes. Who owns the data: Who will get access to my DNA? A Google-spinoff company is partnering with Ancestry.com to analyze anonymized genetic data, which many users did not know at the time they submitted their DNA samples. Hacking is also a concern. Regulation: How should lawmakers limit the usage of genetic data in solving crimes? Should health insurers have access to the information and be allowed to use it to charge more for people with predispositions to expensive health problems? Very little regulation currently exists defining how this data can be used. Advertisement Ultimately, society will have to decide if it's worth losing a great deal of genetic privacy to solve violent crimes, said Dr. Ellen Clayton, a professor at Vanderbilt University's Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society. 'The question is: How do you control the downstream users?' Clayton told DailyMail.com. 'Do you want to say that law enforcement should only use these kinds of data to find people who you suspect are perpetrators of very heinous violent crimes: rape, murder, etc.?' Society can reach an answer to that question through legislation that prohibits the use of genetic data for other purposes, such as immigration enforcement, employment discrimination, or to solve minor, nonviolent crimes, she said. 'These are decisions that society can make. We need to have a robust conversation about that,' she said. Clayton also noted that the vast majority of DNA data in law enforcement's CODIS is disproportionately representative of racial and ethnic minorities. At the same time, the people using private companies to find out their genetic identities tend to be white and of Northern European descent. 'One reason that really matters is that they couldn't find the Golden State Killer in CODIS because he was a police man. He was a white police man,' Clayton said. Damian Hinds today said he backs headteachers who decide to ban mobile phones from their classrooms. The new Education Secretary said that he wanted to leave the education sector in no doubt that he opposes pupils taking the gadgets into the lessons. But he said he will not follow in the footsteps of France and impose a law banning mobiles from classrooms as heads 'know best how to run their schools'. He made the comments at the launch of the Confederation of School Trusts at the British Library in London today. Some headteachers have slapped bans on children taking their phones into lessons as they warn it is distracting them from their studies. But some parents have hit out at the measure and say they want their children to have the devices with them as it means they can contact their offspring and know they are safe. Damian Hinds (pictured in Downing Street in September) today said he backs headteachers who decide to ban mobile phones from their classrooms Addressing headteachers in the room, Mr Hinds said that it is his 'strategy is to trust you to get on with the job'. He said: 'Let me give you an example. Take mobile phone. We heard a couple of months ago how France would be banning mobile phones in schools. 'Please be in no doubt what I think about mobile phones. 'I firmly believe that kids in schools should not be on their phones. I strongly support schools that ban phones.' But he added: 'But when people asked me if I was going to follow the example of France and impose a national ban - I said no. 'Because that's autonomy in practice. Heads know best how to run their schools and achieve the objectives they want without any unintended consequences. 'And meanwhile we have given teachers the powers to confiscate phones if necessary, and also to investigate cyber bullying that goes on beyond the school gates.' His comments come amid continued concern that pupils get distracted by playing with their phones while they should be concentrating on studying. While others have warned that pupils can be bullied online at their desks if they are allowed to take their phones into lessons. Mr Hinds also used his speech to accuse Labour of 'dangerous control freakery' when it comes to their schools policy. Labour announced at their party conference in Liverpool last month that they would abolish free schools and academies if they get into power. Ofsted 'to stop focusing on exams' School inspections are to focus less on exam results and more on 'how children learn', according to proposals from Ofsted. Amanda Spielman, chief inspector of schools, said there was too much pressure on schools to produce top grades at the expense of everything else. Mrs Spielman said it had led to some schools simply 'teaching to the test' rather than offering a 'broad, rich and deep' curriculum. She said there would be a shift in focus towards how good the teaching is at schools, adding: 'We know that focusing too narrowly on test and exam results can often leave little time or energy for hard thinking about the curriculum, and in fact can sometimes end up making a casualty of it. 'Our new focus will change that, bringing the inspection conversation back to the substance of young people's learning and treating teachers as experts in their field, not just data managers.' A consultation on the proposals will be launched in January. Advertisement Damian Hinds said he will not follow in the footsteps of France and impose a law banning mobiles from classrooms as heads 'know best how to run their schools' (pictured, French President Emmanuel Macron today in Armenia) Instead shadow education secretary Angela Rayner said she would bring schools back under council control and establish what she dubbed a 'common rulebook' to ensure schools stuck to more of the same teaching and rules. But the Education Secretary lashed the policy in his speech and said that headteachers must be trusted to know what is right for their schools and students. He said: 'Labour saw the evidence. They had a choice between what is working for children and what left wing dogma says. 'They have made their choice. For them, ideology comes before children's education.' He added, saying: 'Angela Rayner may call it local democratic control. 'I call it not trusting schools. Why do Labour want to put politicians in charge of schools? 'It's because they don't trust headteachers.' Kanye West keeps it simple when it comes to his password. The rapper joined President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Thursday, and in front of the press pool launched into a nearly 30-minute diatribe about racism, employment and the benefits of mediation. He also revealed his iPhone password when he went to show President Trump a photo of the hydrogen-powered plane his is working on with Apple on his device, quickly typing in '00000).' Keeping it 0: Kanye West revealed his iPhone password on Thursday in the Oval Office It was just one of the many jaw-dropping moments to take place on Thursday, with West also surprising those in attendance when he dropped the words 'bulls***' and 'motherf***er' during the meeting, which was being broadcast live on a number of networks. West spoke about American industry and the need to bring back jobs at one point, while wearing a pair of $295 boots from his Yeezy line that are made in China and Italy. He also wore his red 'Make America Great Again' cap. 'They tried to scare me to not wear this hat, my own friends, but this hat it gives me, it gives me power,' explained West. 'You know, my dad and my mom separated, so I didn't have a lot of male energy in my home. And also, I'm married to a family that, you know not a lot of male energy going on. It's beautiful though.' He gave the President a hug at the end of the photocall West even fielded a few questions, and spoke about his unorthodox approach to interviews. 'I don't answer questions in simple sound bites. You are tasting a fine wine. It has multiple notes to it,' explained West to the crowd of reporters and videographers. Also on hand for the meeting was a mostly quiet Jim Brown and Jared Kushner, who sat while his wife Ivanka stood behind him amidst the reporters. It was unclear if Kushner had not offered his seat of Ivanka prefered to stand in her outfit. On the topic of women, West also spoke about how Hillary Clinton's campaign slogan did not empower him during the meeting. 'I love Hillary. I love everyone, right? But the campaign "I'm with her" just didn't make me feel, as a guy that didn't get to see my dad all the time, like a guy that could play catch with his son,' said West. 'It was something about, when I put this hat on, it made me feel like Superman. That's my favorite super hero.' Advertisement Born into a wealthy white family at a time when 'separate but equal' was the rule of thumb in Jim-Crow era Southern states, Mississippi Delta native Doy Gorton describes himself as having been born very privileged. The son of a well-to-do father who owned a wholesale company that took care of plantations, he grew up living an elite lifestyle in Greenville, where his family followed the old south order and attended high-society events and balls. Men on both sides of his family had fought for the South during the Civil War. He attended an all-white school and later pledged to a fraternity founded by Confederate army commander Robert E. Lee. Mississippi was a tinderbox. In 1955, the emerging Civil Rights movement was galvanized by the abduction, mutilation and murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till, a black teenager from Chicago who was visiting relatives in Money, Mississippi was accused of whistling at a white woman. Gorton did not agree with how black Americans were being treated in the 1950s and 60s when the color of a person's skin decided so many crucial aspects of life. As he grew up, Gorton went against the old South order and joined the Civil Rights fight, which saw him lose friendships and relationships with family members and get kicked out of his university, Ole Miss for planning protests.He joined the Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, organizing rallies in 1962 and was beaten by the Ku Klux Klan. He also rallied against the Vietnam War, which went on for 20 years from 1955, and also protested for equality for women and people who identified as LGBTQ. It was during this time that Gorton was introduced to photography marking another turning point in his life. Scroll down for video Mississippi Delta native Doy Gorton traveled extensively throughout the Deep South during the Civil Rights movement and after capturing images of how white Southerners lived. Gorton grew up in an elite white family which allowed him access to a range of society events and people. He embarked on a project photographing white Southerners in the 1960s and 70s. Now, Gorton has re-discovered the collection of images he captured. Gorton captured the photo above showing a white Pentecostal minister from Tennessee washing the feet of a black man at a revival in his hometown of Greenville, Mississippi in 1969 inside of a revival tent that was built on the historically black Nelson Street Gorton also captured the image above showing a white man holding a small black boy during the revival in 1969. He said: 'I have never seen anything like it before. It was incredible. The room was full of white working class Pentecostals and blacks, primarily black women and children. They were doing something that had not been done before and that anybody knew about they were worshiping together in this room. It was just crackling with energy and electricity. I mean a year or two or earlier, they would have been thrown in jail, much less left alone. And they were all left alone. The police didn't come around or anything and they kept going. It was really one of the most remarkable events I've ever seen. I've never seen a duplicate.' The photographer snapped the photo above showing a Vietnam War widow standing on the porch of her home with her three young children near Chatham, Mississippi in 1970. It's been estimated that nearly two million people died on both sides as a result of this war Returning to Mississippi in 1968 after four years away, Gorton, then 27, wanted to document life in the Deep South. He said: 'I wanted to go look at all the things I knew in the white South'. His photographs captured protests, religious tent revivals, society balls, drag car races, struggling Vietnam War widows and barbershops. Now, five decades later Gorton re-discovered the captivating collection of images he took and speaking to DailyMail.com, the 76-year-old explained how he 'could not deal' with segregation which he called 'legalized white supremacy.' 'I was born and raised in the Mississippi Delta, which is a huge alluvial flood plain where the cotton is grown. I lived there for my entire youth. But I grew up, I looked around me and I did not like what I saw,' he said. 'I was unhappy with those relationships in segregation. It's kind of hard to explain to anybody today what segregation looked like, but it meant we went to all white schools, or we didn't use the same drinking fountain and you lived in different parts of town. 'It was a complete system of what you call legalized white supremacy, which I simply objected to. I just could not deal with it.' Gorton, who was then-aged 28 years old, snapped the image above showing a group of men relaxing while attending a farm auction in the small, unincorporated town of Starkville, Mississippi in 1970 The men on both sides of Gorton's family fought for the South during the Civil War and as a result, his family followed the old South order. But Gorton went against that while attending Ole Miss and organized protests and events during the Civil Rights movement in opposition of segregation. He explained to DailyMail.com that he faced off several times against members of the Ku Klux Klan. Years later while photographing white Southerners, Gorton came across the two men pictured above in Edwards, Mississippi in 1969 each sporting different KKK insignia patches on their denim jackets As a result of his privileged family background, Gorton also had access to high-society events that he often attended while growing up in Greenville. The photographer captured the image above during the Delta Debutante Cotillion at the Downtown Motor Lodge in Greenville, Mississippi in 1969 Gorton traveled extensively throughout the South while completing his photo project. The photographer took the photo above showing black men gazing at a car during a drag race when he visited the small town of Indianola, Mississippi in 1969 Born in 1942 in a well-to-do family in Greenville, Mississippi, as a youth Gorton attended all-white schools and admits he lived a privileged life. He escorted debutantes to the Old South ball sporting a Confederate uniform and carrying a sword, and while he attended the University of Mississippi in 1961, he joined, Kappa Alpha, the fraternity founded by Robert E. Lee. But the next year, Gorton's life changed completely. The University of Mississippi allowed James Meredith to register for classes, becoming the first African-American student to attend the university in 1962. Gorton disagreed with the treatment that Meredith faced and began organizing protests against segregation at the university. 'We got beat up and we used to have fights, you know, literally almost every day,' Gorton said in reference to being attacked by members of the KKK. 'They would come and it'd be a war. I mean, truly a battle, and the police wouldn't come.' Gorton was also on hand for a fall fashion show at the now-defunct department store titled Tenenbaum's, which was located on Washington Avenue in the photographer's hometown of Greenville, Mississippi in 1969. Gorton captured the image above showing a waiter smiling and serving glasses of champagne to two men attending the event Gorton also traveled to nearby Memphis, Tennessee where he captured the striking image above showing police officers preparing for a riot in 1970 by placing protective masks and helmets on. Memphis was a segregated city in the deep South that saw several turbulent and violent protests during the Civil Rights movement Gorton captured the image above showing a group of white Memphis residents standing in front of a storefront while watching a Civil Rights march through the city in 1970 Gorton also had the chance to photograph a group of white prisoners from Parchman Farm Prison in Mississippi in 1969 (pictured). The men were tasked with digging a ditch. Gorton explained that he was one of few people allowed to photograph the men and credits his privileged background and family connections which helped him gain access Gorton also visited a small town in North Georgia where captured the image above inside of a general store showing a woman reading a newspaper as two young girls eat snacks and a third women holds two sodas while starring at the camera in 1970 Gorton was also on hand for a rally in support of George Wallace who was running for governor of Alabama and he took the photo above showing Wallace shaking hands with supporters in Albertville, Alabama in 1970. Wallace, who did serve as governor for four terms, supported segregation during the Civil Rights Movement and famously said in his 1963 Inaugural Address that he stood for 'segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever' Gorton captured the photo above during a rally in support of George Wallace for Alabama governor in the small town of Arab in 1970. The two women in front are holding signs saying Arab, their town, supports Wallace's candidacy Gorton also attended several Freedom of Choice Anti-Integration march where he captured the image of in Greenwood, Mississippi. The man on the right can be seen carrying a Confederate flag as others hold signs explaining their views of why they support segregation and that it should be their choice As a result of his Civil Rights activity, Gorton was kicked out of school while some of his family members and friends stopped speaking to him. But that didn't stop him from fighting for equal rights. He continued to participate in several major Civil Rights events, including the March on Washington, and he joined the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (S.N.C.C.) as a field worker and organizer. Gorton is pictured above in a photo from 1970 While he was in Alabama during the Selma marches as an S.N.C.C member, he began documenting police brutality as a photographer after he was given his first camera. 'I got a camera while on a visit to New York and I was just mesmerized. I had never considered photography ever. I was so taken by the whole process of photography,' he recalled. 'I learned how to take pictures, I learned how to develop film, I learned all kinds of things that I used for the rest of my life during that crucial period.' Because of his background being from what he calls 'the most Southern place on Earth', Gorton decided to take his 'knowledge of the south' and his 'knowledge of etiquette' to 'photograph the white south' in 1968. 'I wanted to go look at all the things I knew in the white South and take photos because they weren't being looked at in a way that made sense to me,' Gorton said. As a result of his background and family connections, Gorton was able to gain access to a variety of events and situations that he thinks would have been difficult for someone to do who wasn't from the Deep South. Several images that he captured include attending a tent revival in his local community in 1969. One striking photo in particular shows a white Pentecostal minister washing the feet of a black man while others show blacks and whites worshipping together a scene that was rare for the turbulent time period. Gorton snapped the image above showing two women while at work during the Alabama State Fair in Birmingham in 1970 Gorton captured the above image showing two young women chatting while inside a bedroom in a Greenville, Mississippi home in 1969 Though laws had been passed to end segregation nationwide during the 1960s, the barbershop scene pictured above that Gorton captured was for whites only to be serviced in 1970 in Atlanta, Georgia Gorton also captured the photo above showing high school students seemingly happy while enjoying an afternoon at Strazi's Drive Inn in Greenville, Mississippi in 1969 'I have never seen anything like it before,' Gorton said of that specific tent revival. 'It was incredible. The room was full of white working class Pentecostals and blacks, primarily black women and children. 'They were doing something that had not been done before and that anybody knew about they were worshiping together in this room. It was just crackling with energy and electricity. 'I mean a year or two or earlier, they would have been thrown in jail, much less left alone. And they were all left alone. The police didn't come around or anything and they kept going. It was really one of the most remarkable events I've ever seen. I've never seen a duplicate.' Another captivating image Gorton captured shows two white males sporting denim jackets that have KKK symbols and patches on them. He also had access to take photos of prisoners doing hard labor in Mississippi and Louisiana. Of society today, Gorton, who went on to work as a staff photographer for the New York Times, believes that his images resonate today, as racism is not just an issue in the Deep South, but a 'national disgrace.' Gorton took the photo above showing two young women in 1970 as they walk in an Atlanta, Georgia commune Former Deputy Minister of Energy and Petroleum, John Abdulai Jinapor is accusing President Akufo-Addo of appropriating projects of the erstwhile NDC administration and presenting them as his achievements. According to Abu Jinapor, the president has resorted to this strategy especially in the energy sector because his administration has failed to achieve anything substantial in the almost two years in office. In a statement he issued Tuesday, the Yapei/Kusawgu constituency Member of Parliament consequently vowed not to allow the president to perpetuate the strategy. Among examples he cites to buttress his accusation, John Jinapor says the president only about three weeks ago re-commissioned a 20-megawatt solar plant in the Gomoa West Area of the Central Region, which was completed and commissioned more than two years ago under the Mahama administration. Again, he says the president only last week at a ceremony to inaugurate a 225KV transmission line which was started d under President John Mahama, claimed that it is his government that has stabilised power supply in the country and started exporting power, when the fact is that Ghana has been exporting electricity to its neighbours including Cote DIvoire, Burkina Faso and Togo for decades. Below is John Jinapors statement in full BLATANT FALSEHOODS BY PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO ON THE ENERGY SECTOR I have noted with concern the deliberate and orchestrated attempt by President Akufo-Addo to continue to appropriate projects and achievements of the erstwhile NDC administration especially in the energy sector and present them as his achievements. It is obvious the Nana Akufo-Addo administration, after failing to achieve anything substantial in the almost two years of the administration, has resorted to this strategy, which will surely not be allowed to continue. About three weeks ago, the President re-commissioned a 20-megawatt solar plant in the Gomoa West Area of the Central Region, which was completed and commissioned more than two years ago under the Mahama administration. Only last week, before he flew out again on another non-beneficial trip to London, Nana Addo at a ceremony to inaugurate a 225KV transmission line, started during the tenure of President John Dramani Mahama, chose to make very unfortunate and unfounded statements specifically on the export of energy from Ghana. He actually claimed that it is his Government that has stabilised power supply in the country and started exporting power. Facts First, it is important to point that Ghana has been exporting electricity to its neighbours including Cote DIvoire, Burkina Faso and Togo for decades. Upon assumption of office in 2009, the NDC Administration commissioned the development of a long-term energy policy to position Ghana as a self-sufficient nation in power production and to ensure that the nation developed its export potentials as follows: Burkina Faso 150MW by 2019; Mali 150MW by 2021; Togo and Benin 200MW by 2020. To achieve this target, the NDC Government embarked on an aggressive programme to boost the power generation capacity, improve the transmission network, enhance the supply situation and resolve fuel supply challenges with the overall objective of ensuring that Ghana enjoyed reliable, adequate and sustainable supply of power for domestic consumption and to export the excess capacity generated. Consequently, a robust programme of increasing thermal power generation was implemented by the NDC. This resulted in the doubling of the installed capacity of 1,935.00MW, inherited in 2008, to 4,132.60MW by end of 2016. The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum undertook key projects such as the 450MW Karpowership, 200MW Kpone Thermal Power Project (KTPP), 360MW Asogli Project; 20 MW BXC Solar Project; 250MW Ameri Project, 250MW AKSA 250, 50MW Trojan Project amongst others. The evidence points to the fact that load shedding (DUMSOR) was officially ended by the end of December 2015, further to this, load shedding was never declared in the whole of year 2016 having achieved adequate thermal generation. The claim by President Akufo-Addo that he inherited an erratic power supply is therefore false and a blatant lie. On the specific issue of exporting power to Burkina Faso, to ensure that we develop a resilient and efficient transmission system with the potential of exporting additional power to neighbouring countries, the Mills/ Mahama Administration signed an agreement (known as the Inter-Zonal Transmission Hub Project) with the World Bank and other partners, which became effective on 14th December, 2012. The development objective of the project was to reduce the cost of electricity and improve security of electricity supply to Burkina Faso, while increasing Ghanas electricity export capacity generally. The project involved the construction of approximately 200-kilometre-long power evacuation infrastructure comprising steel lattice towers, insulators and conductors to transmit up to 225 kilo volts of electric power. Primarily, the line was expected to evacuate electrical energy supply generated in Ghana directly to Burkina Faso. The Ghana section of the project covers the construction of approximately 39.3 kilometres of the 225kV transmission line and the extension of the existing 161 kV sub-station in Bolgatanga to accommodate the line. The Project also included the construction of a 330KV (kilovolt) sub-station at the Aboadze Thermal Plant in the Western Region to help carry bulk electricity power at a much higher voltage from the enclave in Takoradi through Cape Coast, Winneba and then to Accra. The project, which was funded by the World Bank, French Development Agency, European Investment Bank, Burkina Fasos National Electricity Company (SONABEL) and GRIDCo, with an amount of 81.1million, was expected to be completed by end of September 2017. It, therefore, comes as a surprise that instead of President Akufo-Addo acknowledging and commending his predecessor for implementing this noble project, the President rather used the occasion to cast aspersions and make false claims about the energy sector. It is, in fact, on record that in June 2016, six months after the official end of the load shedding programme, President Mahama speaking at the maiden congregation of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) announced that with the energy crisis over, the country will be made a major power exporter. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to cut sod for the commencement of an onshore receiving facility for Sankofa gas. It is estimated at 1.5 trillion cubic feet. It is capable of supplying Ghana with 1000 megawatts of power for the next 20 years. Indeed, my vision is to make Ghana a net exporter of Power when the West Africa Regional electricity market becomes operational sometime next year he stated. It is important to place on record that the NDC-led administration handed over a robust, resilient and sustainable energy supply system to the NPP administration. The attempt by the President and his Government to twist the facts on the energy sector will surely fail, as the facts do not support their narrative. It is also instructive to note that through interventions by the NDC Government, access to electricity was increased from 54% in 2008 to about 82% by the end of 2016. This has culminated in Ghana being celebrated as the country with one of the highest rates of access to electricity in Sub Saharan Africa, second only to South Africa. The Mahama administration did not only fix the power generation challenge as promised by then President Mahama, it also took comprehensive steps to deal with erratic fuel supply by constructing the Atuabo Gas processing plant as well as instituting the Energy Sector Levies Act (ESLA) to address the legacy debt, which was choking the energy sector SOEs. The Atuabo Gas processing plant currently supplies more that 75% of the total gas requirement of the thermal plants in Ghana thereby contributing significantly to reducing the cost of fuel and also improving power supply generally. Having failed to abolish the Energy Sector Levies, after describing the levies as obnoxious and promising to abolish same whilst in opposition, the least President Akufo-Addo can do is to remain silent and not resort to blatant falsehoods to cover up the embarrassing non-performance of his clueless and visionless Government. John Abdulai Jinapor Former Deputy Minister of Energy and Petroleum [09\10\2018] Source: Daily Graphic Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A federal judge has sentenced the creator of the highly publicized, failed Fyre Festival in the Bahamas to a six-year prison term. Billy McFarland was sentenced by Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald on Thursday in Manhattan federal court, where Buchwald called him a 'serial fraudster.' McFarland, 27, pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges related to swindling investors in the 2017 Fyre Festival in the Bahamas out of $26 million, in addition to cheating customers out of over $100,000 in a ticket scam. McFarland pleaded guilty to the charges for which he was sentenced in hearings on March 6 and July 26, before Judge Buchwald. Billy McFarland, 27, has been sentenced to six years in prison for defrauding Fyre Festival investors out of $26 million and cheating its customers out of more than $100,000; McFarland is shown leaving New York federal court after pleading guilty to wire fraud charges on March 6 McFarland's sentence on Thursday was imposed collectively for all of the following, according to a statement released by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York: One count of wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud investors in Fyre Festival; one count of wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud a ticket vendor for the Fyre Festival; one count of wire fraud, in connection with his operation of a separate sham ticket scheme in which he purported to sell tickets to exclusive events; one count of bank fraud for writing a check with the name and account number of one of his employees without authorization; and one count of making false statements to a federal law enforcement agent in which McFarland, among other things, falsely denied the wire fraud and bank fraud conduct to which he pled guilty. The Fyre Festival was a concert that was heavily promoted by McFarland as scheduled to take place over two weekends in April and May of 2017, but hopeful concert-goers arrived to no such event. Following his guilty plea for the Fyre fraud scheme in March, McFarland pleaded guilty to additional fraud crimes in July, including a $100,000 scheme where he sold fake tickets to the Met Gala, Emmy Awards and a Cleveland Cavaliers game that included a lunch with Lebron James. Those that made their way to the advertised venue for the Fyre Festival event that was to take palce on the island of Great Exuma were greeted instead with inadequate shelter and food. Attendees were promised luxury but instead were met with cheese and bread in Styrofoam containers. In arguing for a lighter sentence, McFarland's attorney cited a psychological report saying McFarland has Bipolar Related Disorder and may sometimes have 'delusional beliefs of having special and unique talents that will lead to fame and fortune;' Garbage is shown at the site where the 2017 Fyre Festival was supposed to take place Attendees were promised luxury but instead were met with cheese and bread in Styrofoam The Fyre Festival was a concert that was heavily promoted by McFarland as scheduled to take place over two weekends in April and May of 2017, but hopeful concert-goers arrived to no such event; McFarland is seen here leaving federal court in Manhattan on July 1, 2017 McFarland even went as far as paying celebrities to promote the festival, while allegedly warning them not to attend themselves. The elaborate scam resulted in high-profile personalities, like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid, publishing social media posts encouraging people to attend. Judge Buchwald said McFarland deserved a long prison term because he disrespected the criminal justice system by lying to law enforcement agents when they learned about the ticket-selling business. The elaborate scam resulted in high-profile personalities, like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid, publishing social media posts encouraging people to attend The elaborate scam resulted in high-profile personalities, like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid, publishing social media posts encouraging people to attend The judge ignored a letter sent to her earlier by McFarland's attorney, Randall Jackson, which asked for leniency. Speaking in a courtroom packed with friends and family and at least one victim, McFarland apologized as family members cried behind him. He hit rock bottom, he said, and plans to become a better person. Speaking in a courtroom packed with friends and family and at least one victim, McFarland apologized as family members cried behind him; A scene from the fake festival is shown Jackson asserted that his client was 'overwhelmed' with having to pay back the $26 million he scammed out of investors, including rapper Ja Rule; (Left to right) ) Matthew Assante, Waka Flocka, McFarland and Ja Rule are shown at PHD Terrace Dream Midtown in New York CIty on December 14, 2016 His defense team had tried to argue for a lighter sentence, claiming it was an 'unspecified bipolar related disorder,' according to the New York Daily News, that caused McFarland to rip off investors and commit other crimes. 'He was experiencing symptoms of mania or hypomania... He was not sleeping and felt exhausted and overwhelmed. He had a diminished capacity to foresee the consequences of his actions,' Randall wrote in the letter sent to Judge Buchwald prior to Thursday's sentencing. Jackson cited a psychological report saying McFarland has Bipolar Related Disorder and may sometimes have 'delusional beliefs of having special and unique talents that will lead to fame and fortune.' The festival was canceled and party-goers found that they had inadequate housing and food, all the while stranded on the island of Great Exuma McFarland made headlines after fraudulently enlisting 80 investors to pour more than a quarter of a billion dollars into the fake festival, which he promoted as 'the cultural experience of the decade' Jackson also asserted that his client was 'overwhelmed' with having to pay back the $26 million he scammed out of investors, including rapper Ja Rule. McFarland made headlines after fraudulently enlisting 80 investors to pour more than a quarter of a billion dollars into the fake festival, which he promoted as 'the cultural experience of the decade.' 'His misrepresentation of his assets was analogous to his tendency to lie as a child to cover up his disorganization and activities,' Jackson stated, citing another shrink. Curtis W. Abbott, 47, is accused of illegally circumcising teenagers in the Ozarks A self-styled minister and failed polygamist living in the Ozarks has been accused of illegally circumcising two teenagers. Curtis W. Abbott, 47, was indicted by a grand jury in Ozark, Missouri on two counts of child endangerment and one count of unauthorized practice of medicine or surgery, all felonies. The alleged unlicensed circumcisions are said to have taken place in May, according to court documents from the August indictment, which were first reported by the Springfield News-Leader on Wednesday. Abbott denies the allegations, the details of which are unclear due to the sealed grand jury material. He is not a doctor. What is known is that Abbott is the leader of a religious group called Restoring Bible Culture. The local paper also reviewed court documents from Abbott's 2017 divorce, which shed light on his unconventional beliefs. Abbott sought to bring a 'sister wife' into their marriage after having 'multiple prophetic communications', according to the court filings. The court documents say that Abbott traveled to the Philippines, Thailand and several places across the United States to 'interview' prospective sister wives but that 'he found them all lacking in some aspect or another.' Abbott, who represented himself in the divorce, responded in a filing, writing that he believed 'polygamy is not in anyway (sic) condemned or looked down upon in the Bible and that many social ills pertaining to the stability of family would be balanced out if it were still in favor today'. The court documents also reveal that Abbott built fencing around his home and began raising 'exotic livestock' to 'feed his family'. Abbott refused to comment on what kind of animals the exotic livestock were. Abott is seen left recently and right in 2016. The self-styled minister denies the charges against him and says he is the victim of 'misrepresentation' Abbott is seen with his ex-wife on a 2010 trip to Hawaii. Their marriage cracked up when he sought to bring a 'sister wife' into their marriage after having 'prophetic communications' In a text message to a News-Leader reporter, Abbott insisted that the following statement be printed in full: 'Until legal counsel is officially obtained, I have been advised not to discuss the false allegations that have been brought against me and my family. 'Court documents concerning this case and the undesired recent divorce contain glaring errors and uncanny misrepresentations. 'I look forward to our name being cleared on all counts and would request you refrain from printing stories/articles that will inevitably bring needless pain and embarrassment to innocent children.' Ukraine secured approval on Thursday to establish an independent church in what Kiev says is a vital step against Russian meddling in its affairs, but the Russian clergy fiercely opposes the biggest split in Christianity for a thousand years. At a three-day synod presided over by the Ecumenical Patriarch in Istanbul, seat of the global spiritual leader of roughly 300 million Orthodox Christians, endorsed Ukraine's request for an 'autocephalous' (independent) church. The synod will 'proceed to the granting of Autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine,' a statement said. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, under its Patriarch Filaret, pictured, has been granted its independence by Patriarch Bartholomew, leader of all Orthodox Church leaders Patriarch Bartholomew, left, announced the decision in a move which will anger Patriarch Kirill, right, of the Russian Orthodox Church The synod took several decisions to pave the way for Ukraine to set up its church, including rehabilitating a Ukrainian patriarch excommunicated by the Russian Orthodox Church for leading a breakaway church in the early 1990s. In retaliation, the Russian Orthodox Church said it would break eucharistical relations with the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Interfax news agency quoted a spokesman as saying. The tussle over Ukraine's spiritual future flows from the poisoning of relations between Kiev and Moscow after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the outbreak of separatist fighting in Ukraine's east that has killed over 10,000 people. Ukraine accuses the Russian Orthodox Church of wielding a pernicious influence on its soil, allowing itself to be used as a tool of the Kremlin to justify Russian expansionism and support of separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine's victory on the church issue could bolster pro-Western President Petro Poroshenko's campaign in what is expected to be a tight election race next year. 'The decisions of the Ecumenical Patriarch and Synod finally dispelled the imperial illusions and chauvinistic fantasies of Moscow,' Poroshenko said. 'It is a question of our independence, national security, statehood, a question of world geopolitics.' Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko, right, pictured with the Patriarch Filaret of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, left, has backed the decision for independence in an effort to reduce the control Moscow has on his country The Russian Orthodox Church has compared Ukraine's moves for independence to the Great Schism of 1054 that split western and eastern Christianity, and warned they could lead to an irreversible rupture in the global Orthodox community. On Thursday, its spokesman said Istanbul had 'crossed a red line' by reversing the excommunication of Patriarch Filaret. Filaret hopes to lead the independent church. The Kremlin also voiced its displeasure, saying it opposed anything leading to a split in the Orthodox faith. Filaret told reporters that Thursday's decision paved the way for Ukraine to merge its three main Orthodox church branches into the new independent entity. Ukraine and Russia trace their Orthodox Christian roots to Volodymyr the Great, the prince whose baptism in 988 in Kiev led to the christianisation of the region known as the 'Kievan Rus'. The church known as the Moscow Patriarchate, which is aligned with the Russian Orthodox Church, earlier dominated in Ukraine but has been challenged by a rival known as the Kiev Patriarchate formed after the 1991 break-up of the Russian-dominated Soviet Union. Led by Filaret, the Kiev Patriarchate has championed an independent Ukrainian church and Ukraine's closer integration with the West. He is an outspoken critic of Russia's political leadership, charging that Vladimir Putin is possessed by Satan. The Moscow Patriarchate denies its church is a security threat to Ukraine and, far from being a Kremlin stooge, says it has done much to promote peace in the country's east. The Russian Orthodox Church has attacked Ukraine's bid for independence as a gambit by Poroshenko to shore up his flagging popularity. It calls the Kiev Patriarchate illegitimate and its spokesman warned that the split would lead to a 'tragic and possibly irretrievable schism of the whole Orthodoxy'. In retaliation for the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's support for Ukraine, the Russian Orthodox Church decided last month to stop participating in structures chaired by the patriarch and would no longer commemorate him in his services. It has threatened to go one step further by no longer recognizing him as the first among equals in the Orthodox world. Asked about Russian warnings that the church split could lead to violence in Ukraine, Kurt Volker, Washington's ambassador to the Ukraine conflict, said on Thursday: 'I hope there are not protests and violence orchestrated as a result of this decision. I think it would be tragic to see that.' Advertisement Horrific before and after photos have captured the utter devastation inflicted by Hurricane Michael after it crashed into several small towns on the Florida Panhandle with near-record force. The deadly hurricane's assault left nothing more than empty foundations and heaps of rubble when it smashed into Florida's northwest coast near the small town of Mexico Beach on Wednesday with screeching 155 mile per hour winds and 14-foot storm surges. While search-and-rescue teams were having difficulty reaching some areas on Thursday, the extent of the damage is slowly becoming clear with the before and after images showing the severe destruction. One of the hardest-hit spots was Mexico Beach where entire blocks of homes near the beach were washed away, leaving nothing but concrete slabs in the sand. Scroll down for video Slide me Hurricane Michael left nothing more than empty foundations and heaps of rubble when it smashed into Florida's northwest coast near the small town of Mexico Beach on Wednesday Slide me One of the hardest-hit spots was Mexico Beach where entire blocks of homes near the beach were washed away, leaving nothing but concrete slabs in the sand Slide me Trees were stripped to stalks, roofs were shredded, trucks toppled and boats pushed into buildings. Downed power lines lay nearly everywhere, while pine trees were stripped and snapped off about 20 feet high Slide me Rows and rows of other homes were reduced to piles of debris or crumpled and slumped at odd angles Rows and rows of other homes were reduced to piles of debris or crumpled and slumped at odd angles. Trees were stripped to stalks, roofs were shredded, trucks toppled and boats pushed into buildings. Downed power lines lay nearly everywhere, while pine trees were stripped and snapped off about 20 feet high. Hundreds of cars had broken windows and twisted street signs lay on the ground. In Panama City, 20 miles northwest of Mexico Beach, buildings were crushed and boats were scattered around. Michael left a trail of utility wires on roads, flattened tall pine trees and knocked a steeple from a church. At Jinks Middle School in Panama City, the storm peeled back part of the gym roof and tore off one wall, leaving the wooden floor covered in water. A year ago the school welcomed students and families displaced by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Nearly 850,000 homes and businesses were without power in Florida, Alabama, the Carolinas and Georgia on Thursday. Search-and-rescue teams fanned out across the Florida Panhandle to reach trapped people in Michael's wake on Thursday as daylight yielded the devastating scenes. The hurricane, one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to strike the U.S. mainland, left at least seven people dead in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. Sarah Radney, an 11-year-old girl, was killed in Seminole County, Georgia, when a tree fell on her home. Another man was killed by a falling tree in Gadsden County, Florida. Three others were also found dead in Gadsden County and another man was killed when a tree landed on his car in Statesville, North Carolina. Some homes in Mexico Beach were completely carried away by towering storm surges caused by the hurricane Concrete slabs were all that was left in some parts of Mexico Beach after the hurricane brought strong winds and storm surge Search-and-rescue teams fanned out on Thursday across Mexico Beach to reach trapped people by Michael Debris from homes destroyed by Hurricane Michael litters the ground in Mexico Beach Aerial photos taken in Mexico Beach show the utter devastation caused by Hurricane Michael on Wednesday 'This morning, Florida's Gulf Coast and Panhandle and the Big Bend are waking up to unimaginable destruction,' Florida Governor Rick Scott said. 'So many lives have been changed forever. So many families have lost everything. This hurricane was an absolute monster.' Michael was a Category 4 storm, just shy of a rare Category 5, when it came ashore. It was downgraded to a Tropical Storm on Thursday as it took its drenching rains to Georgia and the Carolinas. Though weakened into a tropical storm, it continued to bring heavy rain and blustery winds to the Southeast as it pushed inland, soaking areas still recovering from last month's Hurricane Florence. Parts of North Carolina and Virginia could get as much as 9 inches of rain and flash floods. Under a perfectly clear blue sky, Florida families emerged tentatively from darkened shelters and hotels to an unfamiliar and perilous landscape of shattered homes and shopping centers, beeping security alarms, wailing sirens and hovering helicopters. The full extent of the damage was only slowly becoming clear, with some of the worst areas difficult to reach. An 80-mile stretch of Interstate 10, the main east-west route along the Panhandle, was closed because of debris. Scott said the National Guard got into Mexico Beach and rescued 20 people who survived the direct hit. It was not yet known what had happened to about 280 residents of Mexico Beach who authorities said had ignored evacuation orders as the storm approached the state's northwest. The town was under a mandatory evacuation order as the rapidly developing storm closed in, but some people were determined to ride it out. Rescuers searched the Mexico Beach area on Thursday morning after the hurricane made a direct hit on the small town Lee Cathey, 37, Al Cathey, 71, and Charles Smith, 56, survey damage in the coastal township of Mexico Beach Boats washed up among the debris of houses in Mexico Beach on Thursday following the devastating hurricane Firefighter Austin Schlarb performs a door to door search in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach Thursday Jim Bob looks out on the destruction caused as Hurricane Michael passed through the area in Mexico Beach Bianna Kelsay was rescued from her home in Mexico Beach on Thursday as crews went door to door looking for people People hold hands as they walk amidst destruction in Mexico Beach in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael The governor pleaded with people in Florida not to go home yet. 'I know you just want to go home. You want to check on things, and begin the recovery process (but) we have to make sure things are safe.' Meanwhile, the Coast Guard said it rescued at least 27 people, mostly from homes damaged along the Florida coastline, and searched for more victims. Among those brought to safety were nine people rescued by helicopter from a bathroom of their Panama City home after their roof collapsed. Thousands of National Guard troops, law enforcement officers and medical teams are working their way into damaged communities to search for survivors. Florida officials also said they were moving patients from damaged health care facilities. The largest hospitals in Panama City shut down and evacuated hundreds of patients due to heavy hurricane damage. Bay Medical Sacred Heart was moving about 200 patients from buildings with blown-out windows, a cracked exterior wall and a collapsed roof. More than 375,000 people up and down the Gulf Coast were ordered or urged to evacuate as Michael closed in. But it moved so fast and intensified so quickly that people didn't have much time to prepare, and emergency authorities lamented that many ignored the warnings. A Red Cross official said it's possible that as many as 320,000 people on Florida's Gulf Coast did not evacuate and likely rode out the storm. President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency for all of Florida, freeing federal assistance to supplement state and local disaster responses. About 3,500 Florida National Guard troops were deployed, along with more than 1,000 search-and-rescue personnel to the area immediately after the hurricane hit. The coastal township of Mexico Beach lays devastated after the eye of the storm made landfall there on Wednesday afternoon Emergency workers Dr. Patricia Cantrell, left, and Ana Kaufmann survey damage at the western edge of town in Mexico Beach A woman walks through a destroyed store in Springfield, Florida on Thursday Storm damaged boats are seen crowded together in Panama City on Thursday as residents of the Florida Panhandle woke to scenes of devasation The UK has ground its fleet of 120 million F-35 stealth fighters following the crash of a US jet. The aircraft, which landed in the UK in June, are being examined to see whether they have a faulty fuel tube after the crash of a US Marine Corps F-35B in September. The jet went down near a military base in South Carolina on the same day the first F-35B jets landed on the HMS Queen Elizabeth- the pilot managed to eject to safety. The Ministry of Defence said that trials of the F-35 on the Royal Navy's aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth were continuing. A MoD spokesman said: 'Safety is our paramount concern, therefore the UK has decided to pause some F-35 flying as a precautionary measure while we consider the findings of an ongoing inquiry. 'F-35 flight trials from the aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, are continuing and the programme remains on schedule to provide our armed forces with a game-changing capability. 'We will continue to review the situation as further information becomes available.' Britain has already committed to buying 138 of the planes and the Royal Air Force currently has a stock of 15. It is understood that some aircraft have already been inspected and have been cleared to return to flight. A US F-35 pilot was forced to eject midair after the $100million fighter jet crashed in South Carolina (pictured; the smoking aftermath of the crash) Britain has committed to a 9.1 billion programme to buy 48 of the jets by 2025, with a pledge to purchase 138, they will be jointly operated by Royal Air Force and Royal Navy pilots. The lead manufacturer is US firm Lockheed Martin but across the 3,000 jets being built, 15% of each one is comprised of parts from British companies. In a statement, the F-35 Joint Programme Office said the US and its international partners had suspended flight operations while a fleet-wide inspection of fuel tubes was conducted. 'If suspect fuel tubes are installed, the part will be removed and replaced. If known good fuel tubes are already installed, then those aircraft will be returned to flight status,' the statement said. 'Inspections are expected to be completed within the next 24 to 48 hours. 'The action to perform the inspection is driven from initial data from the ongoing investigation of the F-35B that crashed in the vicinity of Beaufort, South Carolina on September 28.' A Lockheed Martin spokesman said: 'We are actively partnering with the Pentagon's F-35 Joint Programme Office, our global customers and (engine manufacturer) Pratt & Whitney to support the resolution of this issue and limit disruption to the fleet.' A thick cloud of smoke enveloped the area around the crash site close to a military base in South Carolina The F-35B jet went down near a military base in September in South Carolina with photographs showing a thick cloud of smoke enveloping the area. Britain has already committed to buying 138 of the planes and now investigations will be carried out to see if the crash was caused by human error or mechanical failure. The Ministry of Defence has said it will not be grounding any planes for the time being - but that could change following the investigation. The planes have been brought over to the UK from the US over the last few months and the Royal Air Force now has a stock of 15. The first four, which cost 120million each, landed in United Kingdom in June and are now based at RAF Marham in Norfolk. Even more are set to arrive over the coming months, with the majority of the planes being manufactured in the US by aviation giant Lockheed Martin. Key facts about the F-35B jet Powerplant: one Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofan rated at 40,000lb st with afterburning and 40,500lb st for vertical take-off Length: 51ft 2.5in Height: 14ft 3.5in Wingspan: 35ft Wing area: 460sqft Maximum take-off weight: around 60,000lb Maximum speed: Mach 1.6 Combat radius: on internal fuel more than 450nm Maximum altitude: 50,000ft Armament: typically two AAMs and two bombs carried internally, with optional 25mm gun pod and underwing pylons enabling stores carriage up to 15,000lb Advertisement The planes had made the 3,000-mile journey across the Atlantic from a US Marine Corps base in South Carolina - close to where the crash took place. Today the Marine Corps are busy investigating what caused one of the planes to go down during a training exercise at 11.45am local time today. A spokesman said: 'Marines from MCAS Beaufort are working with local authorities currently conducting standard mishap operations to secure the crash site and ensure the safety of all personnel in the surrounding area.' The pilot was able to safely eject before impact and no civilians were hurt. Speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of an official announcement, a defense official told AFP that the Marine Corps F-35B had crashed outside Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina. 'It's a total loss,' the official said. There were no civilian injuries in the crash. The crash comes just one day after the US military first used the F-35B, which has been beset with delays and cost overruns, in combat. Multiple Marine Corps F-35Bs struck Taliban targets in Afghanistan. It also comes on the same day one of the jets landed on the HMS Queen Elizabeth for the very first time. The jets will be jointly operated by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy and will operate from land and sea, including off the decks of the new 3.1 billion Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers. The UK has committed to buying 138 of the US planes - which will be flown by both RAF and Royal Navy pilots. They are capable of a short take-off and landing and this will allow it to operate from the new 'Queen Elizabeth' class aircraft carriers and the vessels of allied nations. On top of this the jet is able to find and hit targets all by itself. Sensors of the jets are also able to take down information and pass it onto other aircraft or combat systems. The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office said the crash was reported about 11:45 a.m. Friday near the Grays Hill community, outside Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina (pictured) The multimillion-pound supersonic aircraft will make up the recently reformed historic 617 'Dambusters' squadron which is set to declare initial operational capability from land by the end of the year. They are named 'jump jets', aptly named due to their vertical landing mechanism, but when they first arrived in the UK they did not use the high-tech landing feature. Britain currently has 15 F-35Bs - the short take-off and vertical landing variant of the jets - and has pledged to purchase 138 in total from American Aviation giant Lockheed Martin. Initial estimates put the cost of the planes between 77million to 100million, although The Times claims they are expected to cost a staggering 150million each. It is believed the true cost of the plane has been bumped up to cover 'extra' costs such as software upgrades and spare parts. There are also concerns the 'stealth' F-35B are unable to transmit data to British ships and older jet without revealing its position. The plane's software system is vulnerable to cyber attack and cannot be tested independently by the UK. Mel B has lost her final court appeal in the defamation case brought by Lorraine Gilles - meaning the former nanny can now reveal all about their intimate love affair in front of a jury, DailyMail.com can disclose. The former Spice Girl will go to trial over claims she called Gilles, 27, a 'homewrecker' and a 'prostitute' in legal papers - a battle which if she loses could cost her a whopping $2 million. Los Angeles judge Dalila Lyons has already encouraged the duo to settle out of court. The decision means yet more revelations surrounding Mel's private life will almost certainly be aired in public. Mel B has lost her final court appeal in the defamation case brought by Lorraine Gilles - meaning the ex nanny can reveal all about their intimate affair in front of a jury, DailyMail.com can reveal. Pictured: Mel on Wednesday arriving for a taping of America's Got Talent Bad blood: German-born Gilles, worked as Mel and Belafonte's nanny for seven years and even engaged in an intimate relationship with her boss and enjoyed threesome sex with the couple - before being dragged through the mud in their divorce Free to speak: Gilles is now free to take the stand and talk openly about Mel's private life Despite the pair signing an NDA, Gilles is now free to take the stand and talk openly about Mel. Videos allegedly showing threesome sex and drug use submitted into court as evidence in Mel's divorce battle will also be available to Gilles' legal team to present at court. The trial will likely include details of Mel and her ex husband Stephen Belafonte's sex life including how they enjoyed threesome sex with German-born Gilles. The former nanny is suing Mel, 43, after the star claimed she had an affair with Belafonte, also 43. Mel's legal rep had tried to stop Gille's defamation action at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles, arguing Mel had no choice in naming the former nanny to get a restraining order against Belafonte. But Judge Lyons disagreed and the case was sent to trial. According to the court docket Mel then filed an anti-SLAPP motion which was denied. Mel then lodged an appeal with the Court of Appeal but again she was knocked back. The trial will likely include details of Mel and her ex husband Stephen Belafonte's sex life including how they enjoyed threesome sex with German-born Gilles (pictured together in 2015) Videos allegedly showing threesome sex and drug use submitted into court as evidence in Mel's divorce battle will also be available to Gilles' legal team to present at court. Pictured: The former lovers partying on a yacht in Ibiza in 2016 And on Wednesday a final appeal lodged with the Supreme Court was outright rejected. It's unclear when the expected seven-day trial will take place, although it is likely to happen early next year. A status conference has been set in the case for February 4 next year. Mel made several allegations in declarations in support of restraining orders against Gilles and former husband Belafonte - orders that have since been dropped. She claimed that Gilles was having an affair with Belafonte and he paid her 'in excess' of $300,000 over three years for her work as a nanny - an allegation which has since been disproven by forensic accountants. She says Gilles became pregnant by Belafonte in 2014 and that he used her money to pay for Gilles to have an abortion. Gilles said she did become pregnant but as a result of a one-night stand with another man, not from having sex with Belafonte, and she did have an abortion. She also admitted to having sex with Belafonte but only when Mel was present. Gilles claims in legal docs that Mel seduced her when she was aged just 18 and they had a seven-year sexual relationship - a fact Mel later admitted was true despite saying the opposite when she first filed court docs. Splitsville: The salacious accusations made in court even took a toll on Gilles' own marriage to tech entrepreneur Michael Bleau (pictured in March). The couple filed for divorce in March after 17 months Gilles, who was snapped enjoying a day out in Long Beach with her dog and a friend, is working as a waitress in Hollywood while studying She is seen wearing a yellow bikini in our exclusive photos, while sun bathing and swimming in the ocean In the legal paperwork Gilles said that Mel 'seduced a naive and a curious 18-year-old foreign exchange student with alcohol, fame, and casual sex.' The blonde, who now works as a waitress in Hollywood, is seeking unspecified damages and is suing for libel, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. A source close to the case said: 'Mel has been trying to keep Lorraine silent the longest, she knows more than anyone what happened Mel's marriage to Stephen. 'But now at a jury trial she can reveal everything, there's no holding back. 'Lorraine had no choice but to settle her restraining order because the legal bills were getting so high. 'But the judge said she did have the right to sue for defamation which she decided to do. 'All of Mel's appeals have now been rejected so the trial is on. 'Lorraine has a mountain of evidence to present including all the sex tapes and videos of (alleged) drug use submitted as part of Mel and Stephen's divorce battle. 'Because Lorraine was involved in that, all parties had to share all of their evidence with one another's lawyers, so she has absolutely everything.' A pair of Houston bar owners are expanding their selection of beers to include special options for man's best friend. Megan and Steve Long are launching Good Boy Dog Beer are looking to take advantage of a more dog-friendly market in the city by selling their beverages for pooches. The couple, who own the Henderson Heights bar and Reserve 101, plan to offer their doggy beer at 15 local bars for $5 a can. While folks are enjoying their own alcoholic beverages, their loyal four-legged friends can have one of three non-alcoholic flavors: IPA Lot in the Yard, Mailman Malt Licker and Session.squirrel! Houston bar owners Megan and Steve Long are launching Good Boy Dog Beer for pooches to enjoy while their human owners are sipping on alcoholic beverages Their drinks have no sodium, but are filled with meat, vegetables and herbs. The couple shared that while they are only starting with 15 bars across the city, they've already been approached by other locations across the country. 'Everyone likes the idea of having a beer with their dog, you know?' Steve, 41, said to the Houston Chronicle. And the bar owners feel the sentiment personally as the idea for the brew came from their own home. 'It all started with our oldest dog, our Rottweiler, Rocky,' explained Megan. The couple - who own Henderson Heights bar and Reserve 101 - plan to offer their doggy beer at 15 local bars for $5 a can There are three non-alcoholic flavors: IPA Lot in the Yard, Mailman Malt Licker and Session.squirrel! The 30-year-old explained that their nine-year-old dog developed digestive issues as he grew into a senior dog. 'We had to change up his food. He was having allergic reactions, and his body was just kind of changing into an old man's, so we had to adjust to it,' she added. 'We talked to our vet, and our vet said the best, easiest thing to do was to just start making his own food and treats.' Pets in the U.S. made up a $72billion business in 2018 The couple began cooking for the pooch and their five-year-old German Sherpherd mix, Chloe. They were shocked by the different things they were able to feed the dogs. Megan explained: 'We were just shocked at how many things dogs can eat, and the good side effects of it, like what enhances their metabolism or their fur. 'So for the last few years, while we've been making this for him, filled notebooks with good and bad things for dogs, and the purposes. Like, turmeric helps their digestion. Ginger is good for their fur, and coat shininess.' The couple paused their initial plans for the beer, just for a few years, before setting up a brewery at a friend's warehouse in January. After coming up with recipes, Megan and Steve found a canning company in Austin. They would have the three recipes ready to go by August. The Mailman Malt Licker - made especially for Rocky - consists of chicken, turmeric, ginger, oranges, carrots, basil, cilantro and fennel. The Mailman Malt Licker - made especially for Rocky (center right) - consists of chicken, turmeric, ginger, oranges, carrots, basil, cilantro and fennel 'We brewed one night, and we brewed, I don't know, 500 cans or so. And we went out to sell it, and we were like 'Let's see if bars like it!' And we sold to like five bars, in the next day. So we were like, 'Let's not sell any more. Let's go home and brew,' Megan said. 'We thought people were going to be like "Yeah, sure, maybe. Let me think about it." Because when reps come and talk to us, sometimes we don't always have a space.' But as made evident by the American Pet Products Association, pets in the U.S. made up a $72billion business in 2018. The 29 per cent increase (from five years ago) is a good sign for the launch of the couple's business. Pawsible Marketing founder, Leslie May, added that the pet product business is heavily geared by Millennials. 'Millennials dont really know of pets any different than as part of their family. They grew up that way, and thats the way the pet industry is going to go, May stated. A Los Angeles television morning show host has come under fire after she was shocked that a Canadian K-pop star could speak English. Araksya Karapetyan of Fox's Good Day LA was interviewing the K-pop group NCT 127 on Tuesday when she asked if band member Mark Lee was from Canada. 'Vancouver, yeah,' he replied. 'Very cool!' she responded. 'Well your English is awesome, I love it!' Fox's Good Day LA host Araksya Karapetyan (right) has come under fire after she was shocked that Canadian K-pop star Mark Lee (left) of NCT 127 could speak English Karapetyan was interviewing NCT 127 on Tuesday when she asked if Mark was from Canada. 'Vancouver, yeah,' he replied. 'Very cool!' she responded. 'Well your English is awesome' The exchange quickly got the attention of Twitter user @haspuwu, who posted the clip online - where it has since been watched more than 173,000 times. 'I mean he's from Canada, what is he supposed to speak, moose?' @haspuwu wrote in the caption alongside the clip. Many Canadians were quick to join the joke, with one tweeting: 'I communicate with moose every day. I can curse people out in moose.' 'Maple Syrup on the Queen on a Moose meeting the Prime Minister and Drinking Tim Hortons Eh' roughly translates to: 'Can I borrow your shovel' in Canadian,' another user joked. Karapetyan later asked the group what was the 'craziest' thing a fan has done to 'see you guys and touch you guys'. The exchange quickly got the attention of Twitter user @haspuwu, who posted the clip online - where it has since been watched more than 173,000 times Many Canadians were quick to join the joke, with one tweeting: 'I communicate with moose every day. I can curse people out in moose' But the group decided to turn the question around so it would honor their devoted following instead. 'There are many things our fans have done for us, like for Mark's birthday,' one member told her. Mark stepped up to speak yet again, revealing how his own city paid him a sweet tribute. 'I had a line in one of my raps about a bus I had to take in Vancouver as a kid,' he explained. 'And they took that same line and they actually posted it on the same bus that I mentioned in the song.' NCT 127 (pictured with Karapetyan on Tuesday) has an international focus, including members from all over the world and releasing songs in Korean, English, and Japanese Although the majority of the band's 10 members were born in South Korea, it also has members from the US, Canada, Japan, and China 'So you had a Vancouver bus with your line on it? That's pretty amazing!' Karapetyan replied. Although the majority of the band's 10 members were born in South Korea, it also has members from the US, Canada, Japan, and China The 'NCT' in the group's name stands for Neo Culture Technology. It is one of three bands in the same 'unit', which also includes NCT U and NCT Dream. NCT 127 has an international focus, including members from all over the world and releasing songs in Korean, English, and Japanese. Although the majority of the band's 10 members were born in South Korea, it also has members from the US, Canada, Japan, and China. In a recent interview Mark said that the group decided to release their latest single Regular in both Korean and English to reach a bigger audience. 'We've realized that we wanted to focus on spreading our music to the world,' he told Apple Music. 'So we needed an English version of the song, and we wanted our international fans to listen to it as well.' And its clearly working for the group, which made their US television debut this week on Jimmy Kimmel Live! NCT 127 also made their US red carpet debut on Tuesday at the American Music Awards. A bus carrying more than 30 tourists from Australia and North America has crashed into a truck in Germany - leaving nine people fighting for their lives. The bus crashed into a truck filled with car tyres near Heidelberg, Germany at 4pm on Thursday local time, and nine people are seriously injured according to local police. Five rescue helicopters and seven ambulances raced to the scene in the small southwestern town of Hockenheim. Scroll down for video A bus carrying more than 30 tourists from Australia and North America has crashed into a truck in Germany - leaving nine people fighting for their lives The bus was reportedly carrying passengers aged in their 60s, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. The injured passengers were taken to hospital and the road was shut for several hours. Broadcaster SWR said a total of 35 people were injured in the accident, including the drivers of the bus and the lorry, and four people were in critical condition. The police spokesman could not immediately confirm those details. The bus crashed into a truck filled with car tyres near Heidelberg, Germany at 4pm on Thursday local time, leaving nine people seriously injured, local police said The bus is believed to have shifted into the opposing lane and collided with the truck while approaching an on-ramp to the A61 highway. A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said they were yet to confirm the identities of those involved in the crash. 'Australian officials in Germany are making urgent enquiries with local authorities to confirm the identity and condition of any Australians involved in the bus incident near Heidelberg,' the spokesperson said. Retired drama teacher David Bruce, 68, was found dead from an apparent suicide at his home in Anaheim, California, on the 11th day of his child molestation trial A retired Southern California drama teacher charged with molesting five male students died of an apparent suicide Wednesday before closing arguments in his trial. David Michael Bruce, 68, was found dead in his home in an unincorporated area of Anaheim south of Los Angeles. 'He was discovered by a friend or another individual, and they called law enforcement,' Orange County sheriffs spokeswoman Carrie Braun said. His death was being investigated as a suicide pending an autopsy, she said. Bruce, who was free on bond, failed to show up to court for closing arguments on the 11th day of his molestation trial. He had faced a possible life sentence if convicted, but the county district attorney's office dismissed the case because of his death. Bruce was the drama teacher at Sycamore Junior High School in Anaheim from 1981 until his retirement in 2010. He stayed on as a substitute teacher at the school until 2013. Bruce was accused of rubbing the buttocks and touching the genitals of five male students at Sycamore Junior High School (pictured) between 1996-2011 Prosecutors alleged that he committed lewd acts with five boys over 15 years beginning in 1996, including touching the victims' genitals and buttocks, and having oral sex with at least one minor. Bruce, who suffered from a facial disfigurement, claimed that he had Hollywood connections and could help the students get work in show business, prosecutors said. Bruce would take boys to his home and to tapings at Los Angeles studios. On the pretense of giving them massages, Bruce allegedly moved on to 'rubbing, touching and spanking the buttocks' of the victims, Deputy District Attorney Rick Zimmer said in opening statements. The teacher claimed that he had Hollywood connections and could help the students get show business gigs 'The defendant basically has an obsession with male buttocks,' Zimmer told jurors earlier in the trial. One of the victims was a special education student whom Bruce allegedly plied with gifts, including an iPod and a skateboard, according to reporting by City News Service via Orange County Register. After the sister of another alleged victim contacted the Anaheim police about the molestation allegations, Bruce was arrested on September 8, 2015, and charged with eight felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14 and two felony counts of lewd acts on a child age 14 or 15. He was quickly released on $100,000 bail. After more victims came forward, Bruce was re-arrested on September 30 and later released on $1million bond. Bruce's defense attorney, Sal Ciulla, had argued that the boys were either fantasizing or were lying and hoped to cash in on civil lawsuits. Three had sued Bruce and the Anaheim Union High School District. 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 Even by the opulent standards of Las Vegas, it was the most lavish party the city had seen for many years. Guests were ferried by limos to a vast marquee which had been specially built to house a Ferris wheel, carousel, circus performers and a nightclub. It was a glittering scene for an equally glittering guest list that included film and pop stars, models, Middle Eastern princes and Wall Street bankers. Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro led a Hollywood contingent that included the director Martin Scorsese and actors Bradley Cooper, Tobey Maguire and Jamie Foxx. Others included rapper Kanye West and girlfriend Kim Kardashian, socialite Paris Hilton and Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps. It was November 2012 and they had come to celebrate the 31st birthday of their generous host, a podgy, bespectacled Old Harrovian who calls himself Jho Low. Jho Low, a podgy, bespectacled Old Harrovian dubbed the 'Asian Great Gatsby', parties with Paris and Nicky Hilton in 2010 A string of rap stars like so many others, paid handsomely to attend performed on stage and a tipsy DiCaprio jumped up to join in. A giant faux wedding cake was wheeled in and Britney Spears popped out in a skimpy gold number to sing Happy Birthday. A nightclub company which long ago identified Low as a 'whale', the name casinos and clubs give to massive spenders gave him a red Lamborghini, while another guest presented three expensive Ducati motorbikes. Low's Cambridge-educated brother Sven, trumped them by giving him a ribbon-wrapped $2.5million Bugatti Veyron. Even by the end of the party which lasted until the following afternoon as Low gambled vast sums in his favourite casino many guests may still have known little about their mysterious host. What was plain was that he was mind-blowingly rich and ready to spend recklessly at a time when the rest of the world was tightening its belt after the financial crash. Dubbed the 'Asian Great Gatsby', Low had little to say for himself the beautiful women he surrounded himself with assumed he was just shy and often preferred merely to observe at the debauched parties he threw in New York, Vegas and St Tropez. Leonardo DiCaprio was a regular presence at Jho Low's bashes, along with Foxx and rapper Usher (above, with Low) Low's presents to his celeb friends have had to go back. Leonardo DiCaprio (pictured with Low) handed over multi-million-dollar paintings by Picasso and Jean-Michel Basquiat to U.S. officials last year He was happy to buy the company of some of his most famous friends with multi-million-dollar gifts of paintings and jewellery, or just straight cash payments. Now, however, the question of where Low got his money has become the subject of intensive investigations across the globe. According to the U.S. Justice Department, the playboy whose full name is Low Taek Jho, is involved in the stunning theft of at least $4.5 billion from a giant Malaysian government investment fund known formally as 1 Malaysia Development Berhad, or 1MDB. The sum involved would make it one of the biggest ever financial heists. In Singapore, he has been charged with money laundering and receiving stolen property. Malaysia has also brought criminal charges, accusing him of laundering $450 million in stolen funds through bank accounts in Singapore, the Cayman Islands, the U.S. and Switzerland. In America, where Low only faces a civil action, the Justice Department alleges he helped siphon off at least $4.5 billion from 1MDB between 2009 and 2015. It has been seeking to seize nearly $2 billion of assets allegedly bought with the stolen money. They include hundreds of millions of pounds worth of art, jewellery and property (including several mansions in London). Indonesia helped seize Low's $250 million, 300ft superyacht, while Singapore confiscated a $35 million private jet on which the playboy spent much of his time. In response to the seizure of his yacht, Mr Low's representative said it was 'disappointing that, rather than reflecting on the deeply flawed and politically motivated allegations, the DoJ is continuing with its pattern of global reach all based on unsupported claims of wrongdoing'. At 16, in 1998, Low (pictured at the school) was sent to Harrow sixth form by his father, a Chinese-Malaysian businessman At a 2010 nightclub jaunt in St Tropez with Paris Hilton (above, with Low), he paid 1.8million for a 'bottle parade' a stream of oversized bottles of champagne brought out by models In recent days, the former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak and his flamboyant wife Rosmah Mansor, nicknamed 'Malaysia's Imelda Marcos', have been charged with corruption offences relating to the 1MDB scandal. They insist they are innocent. Razak lost power in May in a tide of voter anger at corruption. Low, 38, claims he is innocent. He is now presumed to be in China, safe so far from Interpol's efforts to reach him. However, this hasn't stopped him vigorously defending himself against a new book out in America about his alleged role in the 1MDB heist. In Billion Dollar Whale: The Man Who Fooled Wall Street, Hollywood And The World, authors Tom Wright and Bradley Hope, who reported on 1MDB for the Wall Street Journal, claim Low was adept at persuading profit-hungry banks, auditors and lawyers to drop their guard and help him transfer billions across the globe. Prosecutors allege Low and his confederates including Razak and his wife were able to spend it not on developing Malaysia but on enriching themselves. Defending himself on his website, Low claims he 'will be vindicated once all the evidence has been presented in a fair and legitimate court'. He adds: 'With hindsight I may have done things differently, like any young person, but any mistakes I made do not amount to the sweepingly broad and destructive allegations made against me.' He condemns the new book as 'guilt-by-lifestyle, and trial-by-media at its worst'. Critics say he should come out of hiding and defend himself properly in court. A spokesman for Low, through his lawyers, said: 'Low will not submit to any jurisdiction where guilt has been pre-determined by politics, and self-interest overrules legal process.' Meanwhile, the party is over for his celebrity pals. While there's no suggestion of wrongdoing on their part, the inference their company can be bought is embarrassing. Low's presents have had to go back DiCaprio handed over multi-million-dollar paintings by Picasso and Jean-Michel Basquiat to U.S. officials last year, along with the Oscar statuette Marlon Brando won for On The Waterfront another gift from Low, who paid $600,000 for it. Australian model Miranda Kerr gave up diamond jewellery worth $8.1 million that Low lavished on her in the year 2014 in which they reportedly went out together and even got engaged. There's nothing, however, officials can do about the 23 bottles of Cristal champagne Low had sent to Lindsay Lohan's table at a smart Manhattan nightclub for her belated 23rd birthday. Low says he first made the connections that launched his business career at the North-West London public school which produced a string of luminaries from Sir Winston Churchill to Benedict Cumberbatch. At 16, in 1998, he was sent to Harrow sixth form by his father, a Chinese-Malaysian businessman. There, Low was introduced to members of some of the world's richest families, including scions of the royal families of Brunei and Kuwait. 'That time was very important for me,' Low reflected in 2010. 'That's when I built the core foundation of contacts for the future.' His father, Low Hock Peng, a clothing factory owner in Penang, Malaysia, was hardly poor but he was only a millionaire, and at Harrow Low was trying to keep up with the sons of billionaires. When he invited some of them to spend a summer in Malaysia, he borrowed a 160ft yacht and imposing house from a rich family friend, swapping the owners' family photos with those of his own to ensure they believed his family was super-rich, the book claims. The boys had secret roulette gambling sessions in the school library, and Low once procured the letterhead of the Brunei Embassy and forged a letter to the trendy Chinawhite nightclub in the West End, reserving tables for members of the Brunei royal family. The ruse worked and his rich friends were hugely impressed, say the authors. Low spent school holidays at the family's flat in South Kensington where he befriended Riza Aziz, the young stepson of a Malaysian politician Najib Razak. It was to prove a crucial contact. Low threw a high-stakes gambling party in Las Vegas (above, file photo) where guests included DiCaprio and a 20-strong group of Playboy Playmates, who scrambled around on all fours to collect $5,000 chips the male guests threw casually around the room Low went to university at the Wharton business school in Philadelphia, alma mater of Donald Trump. Bankrolled by his father, Low celebrated his 20th birthday by throwing his first lavish party at a nightclub, where a model wearing a bikini made of lettuce leaves lay across the bar while guests were invited to eat sushi off her. Despite still being a student, he won and lost huge sums once $200,000 in a night in the casinos of Atlantic City. According to Billion Dollar Whale, Low's greatest coup was in persuading Razak to let him run 1MDB. The Malaysian PM inherited oversight of the so-called sovereign wealth fund when he became PM in 2009. It was supposed to encourage foreign investment in Malaysia, but prosecutors say it was used to steal state funds which were transferred into the accounts of Razak and associates including Low. Low never had an official position with 1MDB and says he was only an informal adviser. Explaining his wealth, he has previously claimed he comes from a rich family. In 2009 the year Razak became PM Low threw a high-stakes gambling party in Las Vegas where guests included DiCaprio and a 20-strong group of Playboy Playmates. The latter scrambled around on all fours to collect the $5,000 chips the male guests threw casually around the room. Model Gigi Hadid and Jho Low at the attend Angel Ball 2014 in New York City And that was just the start. According to the authors, in the eight months between October 2009 and June 2010, Low and his entourage spent $85million on alcohol, gambling, private jets, renting superyachts and paying Playboy glamour models and Hollywood celebs to spend time with them. He set himself up in a $100,000-a-month flat in New York and hired a squad of bodyguards. On a single session during New York Fashion Week, he and his pals ran up a $160,000 bar bill at a nightclub, it was reported at the time. On another occasion, he once gambled away $2 million in ten minutes, says the book. It also says Low a mild-mannered and courteous man who close friends nicknamed Panda because of his cuddliness primarily saw money as a way of getting close to the rich and famous, and becoming famous himself. He also realised that the presence of celebrities and models impressed potential investors and bankers. He put the word out in showbusiness circles that he was happy to pay celebs and models handsomely to attend his parties. Paris Hilton has denied reports Low paid her as much as $1 million to attend events with him, but the new book says celebrities claimed to receive around $100,000 per event. Many didn't need to be paid, lured simply by the promise of an unforgettable party. When he threw a New York reception for the Malaysian PM's wife, Low was able to boast De Niro and Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron on the guest list, the pair later joining others on stage to sing We Are The World Low's favourite song. His parties escalated in indulgence his 28th birthday at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas lasted several days and featured lions and tigers. Without revealing Low's identity, Jamie Foxx (pictured) once told Jonathan Ross how he celebrated New Year 2013 by renting a Boeing 747 and flying 40 friends and models to Australia for several days of wild partying and gambling DiCaprio was a regular presence at Low bashes, along with Foxx and rapper Usher. Even the stars were awed by a host who thought nothing of buying champagne at $50,000 a bottle. At a 2010 nightclub jaunt in St Tropez with Paris, he paid 1.8million for a 'bottle parade' a stream of oversized bottles of champagne brought out by models. 'He was the biggest spender I've ever met in my life,' one of his jet-setting pals told the authors. 'You could be having lunch in a restaurant in London and he'll say: "Who wants to have dinner in New York?" Then he'd charter a jet and before you know it, you're having dinner with the best wine of your life in Manhattan. Nothing was out of reach.' Without revealing Low's identity, Foxx once told chatshow host Jonathan Ross how the Malaysian celebrated New Year 2013 by renting a Boeing 747 and flying 40 friends and models to Australia for several days of wild partying and gambling. On the stroke of midnight, they got back in the plane and flew 15 hours to Las Vegas in time to see in the New Year a second time. Billion Dollar Whale says Low provided lavish financing for a new film production company Red Granite Pictures that made the $100 million Wolf Of Wall Street (starring DiCaprio and featuring financial excesses dwarfed by Low's real-life antics), and the comedies Dumb And Dumber To, and Daddy's Home. No other producer would have allowed Wolf Of Wall Street director Martin Scorsese to crash a real Lamborghini in the opening scene, the authors note. In March, the film company agreed without admitting wrongdoing to pay $60 million to the U.S. Justice Department to settle claims it financed the three films in part with funds coming from 1MDB. Low's huge investment in art, including works by Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso and Andy Warhol is detailed in the book. When he turned his voracious spending habits to jewellery, a principal beneficiary was supermodel Kerr. They met in January 2014 shortly after she split from actor Orlando Bloom, and struck up a discreet romance. Among the gifts Kerr handed over to U.S. officials were his Valentine's present a $1.3 million necklace with a heart-shaped diamond and other seven-figure baubles. The full scale of the 1MDB scandal started to emerge in 2015, thanks to a whistleblower. The following year, the U.S. Justice Department unveiled its biggest corruption case on record against Low. As he pays lawyers across the globe to fight the tide of allegations in his absence, opponents wonder just when the once ubiquitous Low will reappear to face the music in person. Sarah Palin is being slammed for being 'demeaning' to people with Down syndrome after sharing shots of her own son Trig hysterically crying in a store, in a meme meant to attack protesters. Palin posted the meme Tuesday to her Instagram account contrasting how she says protesters think they appear versus how she believes they really come off. The top half of the meme features female women warriors with the caption 'What protestors [sic] think we see.' The bottom half of the meme features her son Trig, who has Down syndrome, sporting his sweatshirt 'Homie with an extra chromie,' crying hysterically at Walmart. Palin captions the three-shot of her son: 'What we really see.' In the caption next to her meme, Palin writes: 'What protestors [sic] (who can't explain what they're protesting) think we see -vs- what we really see,' followed by a laughing emoji. She also issues a brief apology to her son writing 'sorry Trig!' Sarah Palin posted this meme to Instagram, in the caption she writes: 'What protestors (who cant explain what theyre protesting) think we see -vs- what we really see (sorry Trig!)' Palin was slammed for her post featuring her son crying hysterically. People said she was being demeaning to people with disabilities Palin attempted to share the aforementioned meme to Twitter, however it appears that she left off the actual image of the warriors and her son on the 50/50 split. Only her writing in the sidebar appeared to copy over, so the Twitterverse did not get the 'full picture.' In her tweet, she further implored people 'Have YOU your own comparison?!' Protesters is spelled wrong in both the meme's caption and the writing next to her Instagram post. Trig has been pictured in the sweatshirt before. Palin's post came under intense criticism by almost everyone who decided to leave a comment. Halfevild took a jab at Palin's intellect, writing 'Thank you, Bore of Babble-On, for once again reminding people why you're accurately referred to as a World Class Idiot and America's Resident Dunce.' Petparker76 was kind enough to bleep out their own curse word writing in a lengthy comment onto Palin's post: 'What kind of piece of s*** uses her son to try to insult people. Especially when you guys were holier-than-thou when a cartoon used his image. And by the way it's not an insult to all of us who actually know why people were protesting.' 'You don't because you don't know anything and you've proved that to the world. And to be compared to someone with Down Syndrome is a compliment. They are beings that shine brightly, and love fiercely and the ones that I know that have the syndrome are some of the most intelligent people that I know. The fact that you don't know that and you have a son with Down Syndrome shows you do not deserve him. You should be ashamed of yourself.' lovehealnourish wrote 'Wait are you saying protestors look just like your beautiful son?? I couldn't imagine how you and the Right would act if a Democrat posted this.' Another commented, 'This is a disgrace and demeans all developmentally disabled.' Palin gave birth to Trig in August of 2008 and has previously defended against attacks on her son's disability Palin has, to her credit, fought against attacks on people with Down syndrome in the past. Palin criticized a 2010 episode of the Family Guy that showed a character with Down syndrome whose line was: 'My dad's an accountant, and my mom is the former governor of Alaska.' Palin called the cartoon a 'kick in the gut.' She has also voted in support of banning abortions for women pregnant with Down babies. However in a 20/20 interview she admitted when she found out Trig would be born with the genetic disorder, she understood why other women may choose abortion. 'I knew that the option was there. ... I thought again, for that split second, ''OK, now I know, too, why, when that fear strikes you, because of the unknown,'' she said. 'I understood then, too, why a woman would consider [abortion] an easier path to perhaps, if you will, do away with the problem, instead of understanding that every child has purpose. There is destiny for every child. And it can be good, in our world. And that's what I held onto.' Republican President Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen has returned to the Democratic Party. Cohen attorney Lanny Davis said Thursday on Twitter that his client has changed his registration from Republican to Democrat. He says Cohen made the change to distance 'himself from the values of the current' administration. Michael Cohen (pictured in August) has changed his registration from Republican to Democrat The switch came on the eve of Friday's deadline for New Yorkers to register to vote in the November election. Cohen pleaded guilty in August to eight federal charges. Cohen says Trump directed him to arrange payments before the 2016 election to buy the silence of porn actress Stormy Daniels and a former Playboy model who alleged they had affairs with Trump. He since has cooperated with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Former WeWork executive Ruby Anaya, 33, is suing the company after she claims she was fired for reporting sexual assaults by two male colleagues at work events A former WeWork employee alleges she was fired because she reported that two colleagues sexually assaulted her during company-wide events, a new lawsuit states. Ruby Anaya, 33, has accused the company of enabling the misconduct by fostering a 'frat house' work environment in the suit filed against WeWork and its co-founder Miguel McKelvey in Manhattan Supreme Court Thursday. The suit details sexual assaults by two different male coworkers, one incident in August 2017 and another in January 2018. Anaya reported both alleged incidents to human resources, but both men are still working for the company. Meanwhile, Anaya was fired from the company on August 3 after she says she voiced 'disagreement and distress' over WeWork's decision not to fire the second alleged perpetrator, and because she had brought up concerns about women at WeWork not receiving the same pay as men. Anaya's suit accuses WeWork of fostering a 'frat house' work environment through alcohol-heavy events and mandated weekly happy hours. A company event in June is shown above Anaya joined the office rental company's technology department as a director of product management in 2014 and became WeWork's director of culture in 2017. The suit claims she had just finished presenting an award at a company-wide 'Summit' event in January of this year when she tripped over one of her heels as she tried to 'navigate the large and alcohol-infused crowd'. Anaya put her hand on a man's shoulder to regain her balance, and as she apologized and explained that she'd stumbled, the man grabbed her waist and 'forcibly kissed her', the suit says. She promptly shoved the man away and slapped him, but he 'just smiled at her'. Anaya says she told coworkers about the incident immediately after it happened and reported it to WeWork's human resources department, but didn't hear anything back. After a month of no response, Anaya reached out to an HR employee about the investigation and was told the alleged perpetrator had been interviewed by the company and said he 'had "no recollection" of the incident and "would have remembered if he had been slapped"', the suit claims. The HR employee allegedly told Anaya the man was a 'high performer,' and that the investigation had been 'closed out'. Anaya responded to the distressing news by sending a text message to McKelvey and to WeWork's Chief People Officer about the incident, but McKelvey never responded, the suit says. WeWork co-founder Miguel McKelvey is named as a defendant in the suit. Anaya claims she reported the alleged sexual assault incident from January to him but was ignored The lawsuit also details another incident wherein a male employee allegedly grabbed Anaya from behind 'in a sexual manner' when she was in a large crowd at a WeWork 'Summer Camp' event in August 2017. Anaya removed his hands and told him not to touch her, but the employee 'just smiled and walked away', according to the suit. She reported the incident to HR the next day, but when interviewed the male employee allegedly said he 'was black-out drunk and had no recollection of the incident'. HR officials later told Anaya the man would be ordered to take a sexual harassment prevention course. Both of the alleged sexual assaulters currently work at the company, according to the suit. 'The sexual harassment and assaults of [Anaya] did not happen in a vacuum,' the suit states. 'They are product in part of the entitled, frat-boy culture that permeates WeWork from the top down.' WeWork responded to the lawsuit Thursday, calling Anaya's allegations 'meritless' The suit alleges that during Anaya's interview, WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann asked whether she drank tequila, and then poured her shots after she said yes. The company also stocks free beer at its locations and pressures employees to attend a 'mandated happy hour every Friday', according to the suit. WeWork 'Summits', such as the one where Anaya was allegedly assaulted in January, are described by the suit as 'a huge, three-day, alcohol- and drug-laden party for all employees at the company'. Anaya claims that more than one employee in WeWork's New York office 'has commented to her that "it's only a matter of time until someone gets raped" at a company event,' the suit says. When Anaya was fired in August, McKelvey allegedly told her she had 'not been showing up for her team', the suit says, but she claims that the 'timing of [her] termination was no accident'. 'Aug. 3 was just before the company's 2018 Summer Camp event, and just before [Anaya] was to vest in another tranche of her stock options options that have increased tremendously in value since she began working,' the suit states. Anaya is seeking unspecified damages including lost wages and benefits, as well as attorneys' fees and lawsuit costs. Anaya joined the office rental company's technology department as a director of product management in 2014 and became director of culture in 2017. She was fired in August WeWork responded to the suit Thursday, calling Anaya's allegations 'meritless'. 'WeWork has always been committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive and safe workplace,' a spokesperson said in a statement. 'WeWork investigated this employee's complaints, took appropriate action, and this employee was terminated solely because of her poor performance.' The spokesperson said Anaya had 'received negative performance reviews, including one more than a year before she was terminated,' and that she was 'rated as one of the lowest performers on her team, based on feedback from her peers and managers'. 'Upon being terminated, she acknowledged her poor performance and that she hadn't been showing up to work regularly,' the statement said. 'She even expressed concerns about her performance to a colleague shortly before her termination.' The lawsuit, however, says Anaya 'received almost exclusively positive feedback on her work efforts and performance' and 'only positive performance reviews' up until her firing. The plaintiffs will now have 20 days to respond to the suit. A report commissioned by ministers has recommended a 32 per cent pay rise for High Court judges. Of the 1,840 judges in England and Wales, 97 are High Court judges Theresa May faces uproar over plans to give judges pay rises of nearly 60,000 a year an increase of more than 1,100 a week. A report commissioned by ministers has recommended a breathtaking 32 per cent pay rise for High Court judges. That would see their salaries go from 181,500 to 240,000. The increases have been justified by claims of low morale within the judiciary because of long and stressful hours, and a need to compensate high earners for a series of tax changes to their pension schemes. The combination has led to a recruitment crisis and a dramatic fall in the number of people applying to be High Court judges. But a pay hike of nearly a third for judges who already earn 30,000 more than the Prime Minister would spark fury among millions of public sector workers including nurses, soldiers, teachers, doctors and prison officers who were all forced to make do with rises of about 3 per cent in recent months. The recommendation from the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) comes at a critical time for Mrs May, just over two weeks ahead of a Budget that could raise taxes paid by millions of ordinary workers. The review bodys conclusions were contained in a letter from the Ministry of Justice to Downing Street and members of the Cabinet earlier this week. The letter, leaked to the Daily Mail, says the SSRB has recommended the gross pay of a High Court judge should rise to 240,000, backdated to April 2018 an increase of 32 per cent; that of a circuit judge to 165,000 a 22 per cent increase; and that of a district judge to 117,000, an 8 per cent increase. Gold-plated pensions ... and butlers Successful lawyers who leave their lucrative private practices to join the judges bench sacrifice both the prospect of sky-high earnings and the regular companionship of their fellows. In return, they are provided with perks to ease the comparative isolation of judicial office. A comfortable and certain salary is just the first of these. On top of the pay is an extremely generous pension scheme. Unlike the great majority of employees in the private sector, judges enjoy the gold-plated defined benefit system now largely confined to public employees. The judicial pension scheme now runs with an employer contribution of 38.2 per cent of their salary added to their pension pots. This is more than three times the employer contribution typical in the private sector. It means a lawyer who achieves a judicial post at the age of 40 can expect to collect a pension worth three-quarters of their average salary while on the bench if they retire at the regulation age of 70. Judges have also resisted efforts to close down the comfortable accommodation provided for High Court and circuit judges in provincial towns. There are 32 sets of judges lodgings, variously set in mansions, historic houses or penthouse flats. Half of the lodgings cost more than 100,000 a year, and there are about 60 staff, including house managers or butlers, chefs, housekeepers and cleaners. One perk of the lodgings disappeared in 2013, when Sky TV subscriptions were cancelled. Advertisement It says the aim is to boost recruitment and retention of judges and make up for pension cuts. Of the 1,840 judges in England and Wales, 97 are High Court judges. The SSRB recommendation will delight judges, who claim they are overworked, disenchanted and demoralised mainly because of their low pay. If they get the recommended 240,000, High Court judges will receive 4,615 a week. The Ministry of Justice run by Justice Secretary David Gauke made its official submission to the SSRB in March. In it, the department made a strong case for giving wealthy judges a big rise. It said they deserved an attractive pay deal as compensation for cuts to their public sector pensions and a tax raid on pension contributions of high earners and to boost recruitment. The MoJ report to the SSRB said judicial morale is low one in three judges are considering resigning. Pay and pensions are key factors as well as increased workloads, stressful working conditions and demands for out of hours work. We need an attractive pay structure focused on senior levels in the judiciary. It said High Court judges had been among those worst hit by Tory cuts to the tax breaks on pensions of high earners in recent years. They had lost out from the reduction in the tax-free annual pension allowance to 40,000 and the cut in the tax-free pension lifetime allowance (LTA) from 1.5 million to 1 million both introduced by Mr Gaukes Conservative Government. The MoJ said judges believed their pay was inadequate, had led to a deterioration of morale and disenchantment and their workload was too high, adding: The Government recognises remuneration is a key factor in choosing a career as judge. The number of people applying to become a High Court judge had halved in ten years, it added. The SSRB review of judges pay was launched by former justice secretary Liz Truss in 2016, and last night there were conflicting reports over Mr Gaukes stance. According to some sources, Mr Gauke has indicated in recent weeks that he backs the rises. But when asked by the Mail last night, sources close to the minister denied this. Last year, Appeal Court judge Lord Justice Gross, who is paid 200,000 a year, said ministers did not value the judiciary. He warned: There comes a point when pay is so far out of line with the private sector market that it endangers recruitment of the best. The department said Justice Secretary Mr David Gauke (pictured) was considering its recommendations and hoped to confirm the judicial pay award as a matter of priority Britains top judge Lord Chief Justice the head of the judiciary in England and Wales, is paid 252,000. He will also get a rise. The MoJ last night confirmed the SSRB had formally told Mrs May that judges should get pay rises of up to 32 per cent. The department said Mr Gauke was considering its recommendations and hoped to confirm the judicial pay award as a matter of priority. Asked if Mr Gauke backed the 32 per cent rise, a spokesman said: We commissioned this review and will respond in due course. The spokesman stressed that Mr Gauke values the work of our world-renowned judiciary. A source close to Mr Gauke added: We are sympathetic to judges and are not saying we will not support a pay rise for them. But it is likely to be closer to 2 per cent than 32 per cent. Special counsel Robert Mueller's team has delivered a series of written questions to President Donald Trump's lawyers about potential collusion with Russians an indicating that the investigation may be reaching approaching its concluding phase. Mueller's team and Trump's lawyers have been negotiating for months over whether Trump would agree to submit to questions from investigators something Trump at times has said he was eager to do. But they ultimately agreed Trump would be permitted to provide responses in writing on the subject of whether there was collusion between Trump associates and Russians during the campaign. CNN reported that Trump's lawyers had received the questions and begun preparing answers to them. President Donald Trump's lawyers have received the questions from special counsel Robert Mueller's team and have begun preparing answers to them Still to be determined is whether Trump is willing to submit to questions about potential obstruction of justice issues. Mueller's team is reportedly interested in a string of events, including Trump's firing of FBI director James Comey, questions about fired national security advisor Mike Flynn, Comey's claim that Trump sought 'loyalty,' and his tormenting of Attorney Gen. Jeff Sessions and deputy attorney gen. Rod Rosenstein, who oversees the Russia probe. 'It seems ridiculous that I'd have to do it when everybody says there's no collusion, but I'll do what is necessary to get it over with,' Trump told Fox News in an extended call-in interview Thursday. Allowing Trump and his team to develop written responses give the president the chance to give responses that are unlikely to expose him to further trouble, in a probe that has led multiple individuals to be charged with lying to the FBI. Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow declined to comment to the report. Special counsel Robert Mueller's team agreed following negotiations to allow Trump's lawyers to answer questions about any collusion with Russsians Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow declined to comment to the report Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani has argued a live interview might be a 'perjury trap' for the president Trump has been caught telling multiple falsehoods in a previous court deposition, and his lawyer Rudy Giuliani has repeatedly called an interview a potential 'perjury trap' meant to trip up Trump if he provides false testimony. The special counsel's office insisted it get the chance to ask written follow-up questions, the network reported. In March, Mueller at one point threatened Trump's lawyers he may issue a subpoena to force Trump to appear before a grand jury, the Washington Post reported. Such a move would likely have provoked a court fight on constitutional grounds. The U.S. Navy does not have enough ships to provide armed escorts for the massive sealift that any future large-scale conflict with a major power like Russia or China would require, a retired officer has warned. Mark Buzby, a retired rear admiral who was appointed to head the Department of Transportations Maritime Administration, said that civilian ships that would be needed to transport military personnel and equipment in a future war would most likely be 'on their own.' The Navy has been candid enough with Military Sealift Command and me that they will probably not have enough ships to escort us, Buzby told Defense News. Its: Youre on your own; go fast, stay quiet. Military Sealift Command, which operates under the auspices of the Navy, deploys both military and civilian ships as part of the sealift effort needed to supply troops and sustain the war effort over time. The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Cole is towed away from the port city of Aden, Yemen, into open sea by the Military Sealift Command ocean-going tug USNS Catawba in this file picture taken October 29, 2000 Buzby said that the Navy has undergone a massive reduction in size since the Cold War, when it was almost twice as large as it is today. During the Second World War, the civilian and military maritime forces that helped America fight massive conflicts in multiple theaters were far bigger than they are today. Unlike in decades past, the United States commercial shipbuilding sector is virtually nonexistent. The country is also severely lacking in the necessary number of qualified mariners needed to sustain an intercontinental assault. In the years leading up to World War Two, the U.S. had 55,000 active mariners. At the height of the war, the number surged to 200,000. Today, the number of available mariners is 11,768 - just barely above the minimum number needed to man surge sealift ships as well as commercial ships available to the military in a crisis. That means there is very little margin for error in the event that the U.S. would incur a significant loss of force among its pool of mariners. If the U.S. were to theoretically enter into conflict with either Russia or China, both of those powers would be capable of sinking American ships carrying vital supplies across oceans. In order to try and make up for the lack of available personnel, civilian mariners working for MSC have been schooled in electronic warfare, particularly when it comes to ships covering their tracks and not emitting signals so the enemy thinks the vessels are not military. Mark Buzby, a retired rear admiral, said that civilian ships that would be needed to transport military personnel and equipment in a future war would most likely be 'on their own' Buzby said that mariners will have to turn off cell phones and other communications. Otherwise, they will fall victim to Chinese or Russian submarines. Turn your navigation lights off, turn your [Automatic Identification System] off, turn your radars off, tell your crews not to use their cell phones - all those [Emissions Condition] things that we in the Navy are familiar with that are completely foreign to a merchant mariner and are seen as an imposition, Buzby said. But it harkens back to some of the hard lessons we learned in World War II where in 1942 the Germans were sinking us left and right, he noted. Commercial ships that will be deployed in the next conflict have been operationalized - meaning that they have been stripped of signal-emitting equipment that could tip off the enemy. If that fails, the only option left is simple. The last bullet point on one of the slides is Learn how to swim, Buzby said. Its to that point. Theres not going to be a bunch of destroyers around us as we take those ships over there. Were going to be hitting the sea buoy, cranking it up and going hell-bent for leather, hoping to stay undetected. Richard Gale Pierce was arrested Thursday in Cheboygan, Michigan and he faces up to life in prison for the first-degree murder of Carol Jean Pierce A Michigan man has been charged with killing his wife for benefits including a better pension deal, important belongings, and land, but the charges come more than four decades after her disappearance in Wisconsin. Even though Carol Jean Pierce's body has never been found, law enforcement agents from Wisconsin and Michigan arrested 82-year-old Richard Gale Pierce Thursday in Cheboygan, Michigan and he faces up to life in prison for first-degree murder. A 20-page criminal complaint from the Wisconsin Association of Homicide Investigators charges Pierce with killing his 35-year-old spouse in Sturgeon Bay in September 1975. He is also charged with disinterment of the dead and could be punished with one-to-three years behind bars for that count if found guilty. When asked if police think the body is on the property of the accused, Captain Dan Brinkman said: 'The information I have at this time, yes, that's probably a true statement. Accurate.' His information relates to a search conducted in 2008, reports wbay.com. While he told work colleagues that it looked like his wife had left him, he only reported her missing 82 days later. According to the criminal complaint he told officers Carol Jean had left him before but returned. The couple had been married nine years at the time of Carol Jean's disappearance and Pierce reported she had gone after he got home from work to find she wasn't in the trailer. Scroll down for video Carol Jean's disappearance was only reported after 82 days according to a document In 1982 he told Michael Nordin, who was the Sturgeon Bay Police Chief, that Carol Jean had taken $1,000 in cash that was in a standard-sized envelope but law enforcement didn't believe the funds would fit inside. He had also claimed $20,000 worth of savings were gone. Other parts of the story did not add up. Pierce noted his wife did not want to move from their home to Cheboygan however in letters to her mother she had expressed excitement about the move. Captain Dan Brinkman said they believe the body is on the property of the accused Arrest in 1975 murder Sturgeon Bay Police discuss the arrest of a man in a 1975 murder. Posted by WBAY TV-2 on Thursday, October 11, 2018 Her mother Pauline Fillion also denied she had been admitted to a facility to take care of her mental health. Pierce had claimed she had spent time at one and her mental health issues may have played a part in her disappearance. To add to the suspicion, the couple had taken out a $25,000 life insurance policy before she went missing and the agreement included the transfer of her rights to assets to Pierce. According to the document, payments were not paid or collected on the policy however. They owned land in Michigan and although law enforcement had always had him down as a suspect, it was only until fresh eyes looked over the evidence recently that they were able to charge him. Carol Jean had also written in a letter to her mother that a ring worth $1,200 was secured in a safety deposit box located 300 miles away. Inside was also documents that Carol Jean had signed over their pickup truck and mobile home to her husband before her death. She also sold her car to give them more money as they prepared to move home. Pierce was 39 at the time and finalized his divorce from her two years after her disappearance. He was awarded their Michigan home in the settlement. The accused was said to have visited the safe numerous times in the lead-up and period after her disappearance. Using accounts from various people who knew the couple, Pierce was labeled 'the suspicious type'. In a picture taken two weeks after his wife's disappearance, Pierce celebrated his retirement from the US Coast Guard alongside his mother and his mother-in-law. To add to the suspicion, the couple had taken out a $25,000 life insurance policy before she went missing and the agreement included the transfer of her rights to assets to Pierce Using accounts from various people who knew the couple Pierce was labeled 'the suspicious type' by colleagues and neighbors Stories claimed Carol Jean was a victim of domestic abuse and Pierce's colleagues even insinuated he was capable of harming his spouse He worked on the Mesquite ship in Sturgeon Bay and interviewees who worked there say he didn't seem upset after she had gone. It was his second marriage and Carol Jean's third. Pierce found a new girlfriend when he went out to a bar two weeks after he stopped working. In 2005, Pierce allegedly hinted he had been involved in Carol Jean's disappearance to his new wife's grandson Stories claimed Carol Jean was a victim of domestic abuse and Pierce's colleagues even insinuated he was capable of harming his spouse. A New Jersey neighbor told law enforcement that she saw Carol with a badly bruised face and that she had told her she'd been beaten the night before. The woman who lived next door also said they regularly had altercations. Another neighbor remembers Carol Jean telling her she believed Pierce would kill her one day. Even one of Pierce's Coast Guard shipmates seemed to think he could have been planning his wife's death. Star Tribune reports the co-worker said Carol Jean had a personality that would 'drive a guy like Pierce nuts,' adding that on one occasion Pierce allegedly said the death of the ship captain's wife 'was a pretty good deal' because he 'got rid of his wife'. On another occasion, Pierce allegedly hinted he had been involved in Carol Jean's disappearance. According to a statement from 2005, when he and his new wife disagreed on the placement on furniture, he allegedly told the woman's grandson: 'That's why I got rid of my wife.' His third wife is now dead. A neighbor also reports seeing the missing woman's bag on the counter of their trailer home, as well as her valued record collection, make-up and cat, when she stopped by to visit Pierce at a later date. Pierce's account that he had called around hospitals in the Green Bay area to search for his spouse also didn't corroborate as he claimed he used the phone book to get their numbers, however detectives state the contact details for them were not listed there. He is being held at Cheboygan County Jail, pending his return to Wisconsin. It's unclear if Pierce has an attorney to speak on his behalf. Media companies are pulling out of a Saudi investment conference as outrage grows over the journalist who went missing inside a Saudi consulate in Turkey earlier this month. Economist Editor-In-Chief Zanny Minton Beddoes will not participate in the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh, spokeswoman Lauren Hackett said in an email. Andrew Ross Sorkin, a CNBC anchor and New York Times business journalist who co-created hit show Billions, tweeted that he was also not attending the conference, saying he was 'terribly distressed by the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and reports of his murder.' Different approaches: CNBC anchor Andrew Ross Sorkin said he was 'terribly distressed' by the suspected murder of Jamal Khashoggi, and would not go to the Saudi Investment Conference. Fox Business Network anchor Maria Bartiromo remains listed as a speaker Listed speaker: LionTree banking CEO Aryeh Burkoff - who was exclusively photographed by DailyMail.com lunching with Hope Hicks in Manhattan this summer - is scheduled to attend Banking big: Jamie Dimon, JP Morgan Chase CEO, is still due to attend despite the suspected brutal murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi The New York Times Co has also decided to pull out of the event as a media sponsor, spokeswoman Eileen Murphy said. The Financial Times said in a statement that it was reviewing its involvement as a media partner. The new owner of the Los Angeles Times, Patrick Soon-Shiong, is also out, CNBC reported. Viacom Inc, whose Chief Executive Officer Bob Bakish is slated to speak at the conference, said it was closely monitoring the situation in Saudi Arabia. Other media companies slated to appear at the conference include CNN and Bloomberg according to the event's website. Fox Business Network anchor Maria Bartiromo remains listed as a speaker. However a spokesman for Fox Business told DailyMail.com Fox Business and Bartiromo are 'evaluating the Saudi conference'. The disappearance of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Oct. 2 has cast a shadow over the three-day conference known as 'Davos in the desert,' which is scheduled to begin on October 23. The Post is owned by Amazon.com Inc founder and Chief Executive Jeff Bezos. The event, in its second year, attracts some of the world's business elite including Wall Street's top bosses and executives from multinational media, tech and financial services companies. SOME OF THE OTHER PARTICIPANTS Also on the list of speakers at 'Davos in the Desert' are: Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin Jared Kushner's friend Aryeh Burkoff, the LionTree CEO, who lunched with Hope Hicks this summer CNN International anchor Becky Anderson Trump inaugural committee chair Thomas Barrack, head of Colony Capital BlackRock chairman & CEO Larry Fink Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman UK Trade Secretary Liam Fox Manchester United chairman Avram Glazer Bloomberg TV anchor Francine Lacqua IMF director Christine Lagarde Advertisement Turkish officials have alleged that Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul where he went to get documents for his planned marriage. Riyadh has said the claims are baseless. JPMorgan Chase & Co CEO Jamie Dimon is scheduled to speak, as is Mastercard Inc CEO Ajay Banga. Representatives for both companies did not respond to requests for comment. Khashoggi's disappearance has led officials and business leaders to drop out of another one of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's large projects. On Wednesday, former U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said that he had suspended his role on the board of Saudi Arabia's planned mega business zone NEOM until more is known about what happened. Moniz was named on Tuesday as one of 18 people advising the $500 billion NEOM project. The Crown Prince said last week that the NEOM business zone would build two to three towns each year starting in 2020 and be completed by 2025. Australian women will be able to have babies without males within two decades, a fertility expert says. Dr David Molloy said pregnancies will no longer need the input of males in the future thanks to the advancements in fertility technology. Baby mice were recently born to two mothers in China, and Dr Molloy noted he does not see why the same feat cannot be achieved in human reproduction. At present in Australia, ethics committees and legal prohibitions would put a stop to the process in humans but Dr Molloy said attitudes will change over time. Women will be able to have babies without men within two decades, an Australian fertility expert says (stock image) Dr David Molloy said pregnancies will no longer need the input of males in the future thanks to the advancements in fertility technology (stock image) Dr Molloy said 'scientific successes will continue to happen, and they cannot be stopped', The Courier-Mail reported. 'It would mean that heterosexual couples where the man has low-quality sperm, and women couples, can have their own genetic child,' Dr Molloy told the publication. 'I think it will be possible to fertilise an egg with a set of half chromosomes and targeted gene editing.' Dr Molloy said the advancement in fertility technology would be 'a tremendous breakthrough' but noted it was 'important to rigorously investigate the safety and assess the ethics'. His comments come after baby mice were born to two mothers in a breakthrough study that could spell hope for gay couples who want their own biological children. Twenty-nine healthy mice were created by scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences using DNA taken from two mouse eggs - without sperm from a father. Baby mice have been born to two mothers in a breakthrough study that could spell hope for gay couples who want their own children. Pictured is a mouse born from two mothers (left), who grew into a healthy adult and had pups of her own (right) The young pups grew into healthy adults and even had healthy children of their own. Scientists said the technique could one day create humans whose biological parents are two women, or two men. Mice from two fathers were also born but survived just 48 hours, with some sporting gruesome genetic mutations such as long tongues and oversized bodies. Scientists created the same-sex-parent mice using 'haploid' embryonic stem cells, a type of cell with half the normal number of chromosomes. Dr Teresa Holm of the University of Auckland, who was not involved in the study, called the research 'an important advance' and said it boosted our understanding of genetic imprinting. She added that the technique could one day lead to technology that allows gay couples to have children who share both partners' DNA. Robert Norman, a reproductive expert at the University of Adelaide, said: 'The concept is intriguing for human reproduction, particularly for same-sex couples. 'But there are far too many uncertainties at present to attempt such an approach for many years to come.' A jealous baker allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend to death after she rejected his advances and told him she'd found a new man. Erana Nahu, 43, was found with serious stab wounds to her arms and back in her southwest Sydney rental home at Glenfield at about 2am on Thursday. Her partner and father of her children Jaime Fredes, 58, was charged with murder. He did not apply for bail when his case was briefly brought before Campbelltown Local Court on Thursday. Mr Fredes will face court again in December. Scroll down for video Erana Nahu, 43, (pictured) was found with serious stab wounds to her arms and back in her southwest Sydney rental home at Glenfield at about 2am on Thursday Jaime Fredes, 58, (pictured) was charged with murder and did not apply for bail when his case was briefly brought before Campbelltown Local Court on Thursday The pair had ended their relationship a year-and-a-half ago, on the back of an affair that Ms Nahu began with a work colleague. Despite the break-up, Ms Nahu and Mr Fredes were living in the same house with their two children, aged seven and eight. Police allege that Ms Nahu was in bed around 1am on Thursday, when Mr Fredes entered her room. After he climbed into her bed looking for 'intimacy' and to rekindle the relationship, Ms Nahu rebuffed his advancements and elbowed him in the ribs. Police alleged in court documents that a rejected Mr Fredes walked to the kitchen where he armed himself with a 30cm knife. The 'enraged' Mr Fredes then allegedly stabbed Ms Nahu in the back. It is alleged that her cousin was sleeping in a nearby bedroom when she ran to the screams and saw the knife planted in Nahu's back. Emergency services found Ms Nahu semi-conscious and blood on the floor. Police will allege that the wounds on her arms and hands appeared to be 'defensive'. Despite the paramedics best efforts to save the victim, Ms Nahu died at 2.30am. Mr Fredes was arrested at the same house soon after her death and taken to Campbelltown Police Station, and later charged with murder. 'My aunty didn't deserve what [was done] to her, she was a loving caring woman with a big heart and will be sadly missed,' Ms Nahu's nephew told Daily Mail Australia The children were not home at the time of the stabbing. They were staying at their aunt's house after their mother took them there earlier for a birthday party. 'My aunty didn't deserve what [was done] to her, she was a loving caring woman with a big heart and will be sadly missed,' Ms Nahu's nephew told Daily Mail Australia. Ms Nahu's cousin said she was 'the most loving an caring person you could ever meet, she welcomed everyone with open arms into her home'. 'She was always smiling an that is what i will miss the most about my cousin. She did not deserve this at all. We will forever love her and she will forever have a place in our hearts,' she said. Police allege that Ms Nahu was in bed around 1am on Thursday, when Jaime Fredes entered her room: after he climbed into her bed looking for 'intimacy' and to rekindle the relationship, Ms Nahu rebuffed his advancements and elbowed him in the ribs Her neighbour Mattie said Mr Fredes, the father of the two primary school-aged children, only recently moved back into the family home. 'She was a friend of mine, she was beautiful, she was the first person who we knew when we moved into the area,' she told reporters. '[She had] beautiful kids... everyone knew her. She's just a beautiful person. It's left two kids motherless. 'It's not fair. There's two babies who are not going to grow up without their mum.' Ms Nahu was the seventh woman to be brutally murdered around Australia in just the past eight days A crime scene was established at the home and detectives were investigating. Ms Nahu was the seventh woman to be brutally murdered around Australia in just the past eight days. On average, a woman is murdered every week in Australia by their current or former partner, and one in three women have experienced physical violence carried out by a man. The wife of a British student arrested for espionage in Dubai yesterday begged Arab authorities to admit making a mistake and allow him home. Matthew Hedges has been held for five months without trial in solitary confinement in a secret prison after being arrested at the airport on his way back to the UK. His wife Daniela Tejada, who fears for her husbands failing health, said he is absolutely not a spy. Matthew Hedges, pictured with his wife Daniela Tejada, left, has spent the past five months in solitary confinement after being arrested in Dubai Airport Her husband, 31, was seized at Dubai Airport on May 5 on his way home from a two-week research trip for his PhD at Durham University. He was studying the impact of the Arab Spring on security policies in the United Arab Emirates for his thesis. Mr Hedges mother was with him when he was arrested but police would not tell her anything. Sources in the UAE said he would be charged with espionage. One claimed investigators had accused Mr Hedges of trying to procure confidential information for a foreign agency, believed to be neighbouring Gulf state Qatar. But Mrs Tejada, 27, insisted: He most certainly wasnt. Not just because he knows the region very well, and he knows that its not a safe thing to do, but because hes a man of integrity. He would never do anything to compromise that. The only reason he went to the UAE was for his academic research. Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt has raised Mr Hedges' case with Emirati authorities but his wife has decided to go public She told the Mail: Its not just that I know him well. Of course, if he was really a spy, he wouldnt be able to tell me, but he wouldnt make a good spy at all. He would be too conspicuous. The fair and just thing for the UAE to do would be to admit theyve made a mistake and release him. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has raised the matter with his Emirati counterpart, and British officials have visited Mr Hedges twice, although they were prevented from discussing his case with the authorities. British diplomats have been urging the family to be patient while they try to resolve the matter behind the scenes. But after Mr Hedges appeared in the secretive State Security Court on Wednesday accused of spying, without a lawyer, his frustrated wife decided to go public. She said: I have been very trusting and patient. But we can no longer go on like this. Matt needs our help. Miss Tejada has only been allowed to see her husband once in five months, in a heart-breaking 45-minute police station visit in Abu Dhabi in July. She said: He was visibly shaking when he saw me. For the first part of the visit he didnt look me in the eye and spoke in low voice and was very fidgety. This is not typical of him. He is a self-confident, bubbly person. Colombian-born Miss Tejada, who met Mr Hedges at Exeter University in 2010, believes he is suffering depression and anxiety attacks and was heavily medicated when she saw him. He has been vomiting every day for the past three months, she added. The couple have been allowed weekly five-minute phone calls but are forbidden from discussing the case. Miss Tejada said: Matt is a British citizen. More must be done to ensure he is safely brought home. The UAE is a tourism and trade hub for the Middle East, but its authoritarian regime tolerates little public criticism. Last year Mr Hedges, who spent his teenage years in Dubai and worked there before his research, co-wrote an article in an academic journal on the Muslim Brotherhood political movement, which the UAE regards as an enemy. Radha Stirling, of Detained In Dubai and a legal expert on the UAE, said: It is possible the authorities disliked what he has written, and suspect him on political and ideological grounds. She added it was almost certain charges would relate to espionage or defaming the government, which can carry prison sentences of around 10 years. Intelligence sources said yesterday that Mr Hedges was not a British spy. And the Foreign Secretary said: We are very worried about Mr Hedges. Ive spoken to the Emirati foreign minister twice now on this matter face to face so they are aware of our concerns. Mr Hedges case was adjourned to October 24. Princess Eugenie will marry Jack Brooksbank in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in the second royal wedding of 2018, on Friday. The Streets of Windsor are once again being decorated with bunting and scoured by security services, just months after Prince Harry wed Meghan Markle, now the Duchess of Sussex, there in May. The order of service includes full details about the music, hymns, blessings, readings, the address, prayers and the procession. The Service is from the 1928 Prayer Book Service. The full order of service has been announced ahead of the nuptials, which will begin at 11am: The Order of Service: Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank will have a number of prayers, hymns and the national anthem during the ceremony St George's Chapel Set in the lower ward of Windsor Castle, St George's Chapel is a building of rare beauty, begun in 1475 by King Edward IV. The chapel, built in the striking English Perpendicular Gothic style of the period, was intended both to be a new and fitting home for the College of St George and the Order of the Garter (founded over a century previously in 1348), and to be a royal chapel in which the sovereign and the royal family might worship God and to which they might come on various occasions, some solemn, and many, like today's wedding or the Garter Service in June, celebratory, to receive God's blessing and to hear prayer offered in God's presence. The opus dei, or daily round of prayer, is offered by the members of the College who live in the precincts of the chapel and whose duty it is to pray morning and evening for the sovereign and the companions of the Order of the Garter. There are 23 services each week, all of which are open to members of the public. Perhaps the Chapel's most striking feature is the vaulted stone roof of very wide span, held up only by the light and graceful walls and the external flying buttresses. Most of the coloured bosses on the roof of the Chapel bear the badges and arms of King Henry VII and those of his court who helped to build part of the chapel, finished in 1528. The boss in the roof over the organ screen bears the arms of King Henry VIII, who is buried in a vault beneath the quire of the chapel. The great coloured glass West Window is one of the finest in England. In seventy-five lights, the vast majority of which date from between 1503 and 1509, it depicts a host of warrior saints, archbishops and kings and, in the bottom right hand corner, with hammer in hand the likeness of William Vertue the mason and architect responsible for the building of the nave and quire vault. Those seated in the quire of the chapel are able to see one of the chapel's greatest treasures, the carved oak stalls dating from between 1478 and 1485. Each stall is a work of art and a triumph of craftsmanship, each unique in its detail. Princess Eugenie and Mr Brooksbank will marry in St George's Chapel which is detailed in the order of Service Above each of the companions' stalls hangs his or her banner and on the canopy of a knight's stall is his helmet and crest and sword of knighthood, symbolically half-drawn from its scabbard to show his readiness to take up arms in defence of the sovereign and the realm. The lady companions do not bear arms. On the back of the stalls are nearly 800 plates which commemorate knights of the Garter past and present. On the High Altar is a jewelled cross, given by Queen Victoria, and two silvergilt candlesticks dating from the reign of King Charles II. Also displayed are three gilt dishes of very great size, elaborately embossed; one was intended to have been the gift of Mary of Orange, sister of King Charles II, while the other two smaller dishes are the gift of Anne Hyde, Duchess of York, wife of the future King James II. Looking down on the Quire from above is the wooden oriel window installed in the Chantry Chapel of King Edward IV by King Henry VIII so that his Queen, Katherine of Aragon, might watch the ceremonies of the Installation of Knights of the Garter in the quire below. The window bears the arms of Henry and Katherine and the intertwined Tudor Rose of England and the Pomegranate of Aragon. It has frequently been used as a royal pew or watching chamber and it was from this vantage point that Queen Victoria watched the wedding in the chapel below of her son, the Prince of Wales, to Princess Alexandra of Denmark on 10 March 1863. It was at this same wedding that the fine East Window, created by Messrs Clayton and Bell in commemoration of the late Prince Albert, was first seen. The service is led by the Right Reverend David Conner KCVO, Dean of Windsor. The prayers are led by the Most Reverend and Right Honourable John Sentamu, Archbishop of York. The service is sung by the choir of St George's Chapel, conducted by Mr James Vivian, director of music, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. The organ is played by Mr Luke Bond, Assistant Director of Music, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Miss Lucy Morrell, organ scholar, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and Mr Peter Roper-Curzon, a member of the bride's family. Mr Andrea Bocelli, tenor. Mr Carlo Bernini, conductor. Mr Barry Wordsworth, conductor. Musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The state trumpeters of the Household Cavalry. Music before the service: Miss Lucy Morrell, organ scholar, will play: Organ Sonata No. 3 in A Major; Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) Con moto maestoso, Andante tranquillo Prelude and Fugue in G Major, BWV 541 Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Chanson de Matin Edward Elgar (1857-1934) 9.40 am Mr Luke Bond, assistant director of music, will play: Mohrentanz Tylman Sustao (1510-1570) Sinfonia from Cantata BWV 29 Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Presto comodo (from Op. 28) Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934) Intrada Grayston Ives (b. 1948) Allegro (from Trio Sonata No. 5), BWV 529 Johann Sebastian Bach 10.15 am The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Mr Barry Wordsworth, will play: March from A Moorside Suite, H. 173 Gustav Holst (1874-1934) Suite for Strings: John Rutter (b. 1945) 1. A-roving 3. O Waly Waly 4. Dashing away with the smoothing iron Minuet from A Downland Suite John Ireland (1879-1962) An English Suite: Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (1848-1918) Prelude Frolic Allegretto from Serenade for Strings, op. 20 Sir Edward Elgar The Order of Service: The Royals announced hours ahead of the wedding exactly how the service will proceed 10.25 am Members of the Royal Family arrive at the Galilee Porch and are received by the Dean of Windsor All in the quire stand as they are escorted to their places in the quire. 10.30 am All remain seated Mr and Mrs George Brooksbank, the parents of the bridegroom, arrive at the West Door and, having been greeted by the Dean of Windsor, are escorted to their places in the quire. 10.32 am All remain seated Sarah, Duchess of York, mother of the bride, and Princess Beatrice of York arrive by car at the West Door and, having been greeted by the Dean of Windsor, are escorted to their places in the quire. 10.35 am All remain seated The bridegroom and his best man, Mr Thomas Brooksbank, arrive at the West Door and are received by the Dean of Windsor. 10.50 am The Prince of Wales arrives at the Galilee Porch and is received by the Dean of Windsor All in the quire stand as His Royal Highness is escorted to his place in the quire. 10.52 am Her Majesty The Queen, arrives at the Galilee Porch and is received by the Dean of Windsor All in the quire stand as Her Majesty enters the quire. A fanfare is sounded. All stand as the choir and clergy move in procession to the quire. Sacristan, The choir of St George's Chapel, director of music Mr James Vivian, Minor canon, Reverend Franklin Lee, Succentor, Reverend Bruce Russell, The Archbishop of York, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable John Sentamu, Canon steward, The Reverend Canon Dr Mark Powell, Canon precentor, The Reverend Canon Martin Poll, Canon treasurer, The Reverend Canon Dr Hueston Finlay, Mr Peter Roper-Curzon will play: Allegro from Organ Sonata No.1 BWV 525 Johann Sebastian Bach Rhosymedre Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) At the arrival of the Bride the Fanfare, Adventus, composed by Lieutenant Colonel Darren Wolfendale, shall be sounded. All stand as the bride and her father, having been greeted by the Dean of Windsor, are led in procession through the nave to the organ screen where they are joined by the Bridegroom and the Best Man. At the entrance of the Bride, Mr Peter Roper-Curzon will play: Piece d'Orgue, BWV 572 Johann Sebastian Bach All remain standing. At the organ screen, the man standing on the right hand and the woman on the left, the Dean of Windsor shall say How will it happen? Princess Eugenie's wedding exactly as it will happen on Friday from the carriage tour to the music The introduction Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God himself, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee, and is commended in Holy Writ to be honourable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly; but reverently, discreetly, soberly, and in the fear of God, duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained. First; it was ordained for the increase of mankind according to the will of God, and that children might be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name. Secondly; it was ordained in order that the natural instincts and affections, implanted by God, should be hallowed and directed aright; that those who are called of God to this holy estate, should continue therein in pureness of living. Thirdly; it was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace. During the Hymn which follows, the Bridegroom and his Best Man, and the Bride and her Father, are led through the Quire Gates and into the Quire of the Chapel. The hymn Glorious things of thee are spoken, Sion, city of our God; He whose word cannot be broken Formed thee for his own abode: On the Rock of Ages founded, What can shake thy sure repose? With salvation's walls surrounded, Thou may'st smile at all thy foes. See, the streams of living waters, Springing from eternal love, Well supply thy sons and daughters, And all fear of want remove: Who can faint, while such a river Ever flows their thirst to assuage? Grace, which like the Lord the giver, Never fails from age to age. Saviour, if of Sion's city I through grace a member am, Let the world deride or pity, I will glory in thy name: Fading is the worldling's pleasure, All his boasted pomp and show; Solid joys and lasting treasure None but Sion's children know. John Newton (1725-1807) 'Abbot's Leigh', Cyril Taylor (1907-91) Last verse arranged by James Vivian (b. 1974) Advertisement The dean, speaking to the persons that shall be married, says: I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be ye well assured that so many as are coupled together otherwise than God's word doth allow are not joined together by God; neither is their Matrimony lawful. The marriage If no impediment be alleged, then shall the dean say unto the man: Jack, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health? and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live? The man shall answer, I will. Then shall the dean say unto the woman: Eugenie wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health? and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live? The woman shall answer, I will. Then shall the dean say, Who giveth this woman to be married to this man? The dean, receiving the woman at her father's hands, shall cause the man with his right hand to take the woman by her right hand, and to say after him: I Jack Christopher Stamp take thee Eugenie Victoria Helena to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse: for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law; and thereto I give thee my troth. Then shall they loose their hands; and the woman, with her right hand taking the man by his right hand, shall likewise say after the dean: I Eugenie Victoria Helena take thee Jack Christopher Stamp to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse: for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law; and thereto I give thee my troth. Then they shall again loose their hands and the dean shall say a prayer of blessing for the ring: Bless, O Lord, this ring, which we hallow in thy Name, that he who gives it and she who wears may abide in thy peace, continue in thy favour, go on and grow in thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then shall the man put the ring upon the fourth finger of the woman's left hand, and holding the ring there shall say: With this ring I thee wed; with my body I thee honour; and all my worldly goods with thee I share: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. They shall both kneel down; but the congregation shall remain standing. Then shall the dean say: O eternal God, creator and preserver of all mankind, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life: Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that, living faithfully together, they may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge; and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then shall the dean join their right hands together, and say: Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder. Then shall the dean speak unto the people. Forasmuch as Jack and Eugenie have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be man and wife together, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. And the dean shall add this Blessing. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you, and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen. Mr Andrea Bocelli and the Orchestra, conducted by Mr Carlo Bernini, perform Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, Et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora pro nobis peccatoribus, Nunc et in hora mortis nostrae, Amen. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and in the hour of our death. Amen. Catholic Prayer Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Arranged Charles Gounod (1818-1893) Advertisement All remain seated The first reading Taken from St Paul's Letter to the Colossians Chapter 3 verses 12-16 Read by Mr Charles Brooksbank As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. The second reading, taken from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Read by HRH Princess Beatrice of York He smiled understandingly-much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced-or seemed to face-the whole eternal world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favour. It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey. Precisely at that point it vanished - and I was looking at an elegant young rough-neck, a year or two over thirty, whose elaborate formality of speech just missed being absurd. Some time before he introduced himself I'd got a strong impression that he was picking his words with care. All remain seated Mr Andrea Bocelli and the Orchestra, conducted by Mr Carlo Bernini, perform Panis angelicus Fit panis hominum; Dat panis coelicus Figuris terminum; O res mirabilis! Manducat dominum Pauper, servus et humilis. Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-74) Bread of the Angels is made bread for man; bread of Heaven given the end of all figures; Oh, miraculous thing! the body of God will be eaten by the poor, the servile and the humble Cesar Franck (1822-90) Advertisement All remain seated The address The Right Reverend David Conner, KCVO, Dean of Windsor All stand to sing The second hymn Immortal, invisible, God only wise, In light inaccessible hid from our eyes, Most blessed, most glorious, the ancient of days, Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, Nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might; Thy justice like mountains high soaring above Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love. To all life thou givest, to both great and small; In all life thou livest, the true life of all; We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, And wither and perish, but naught changeth thee. Great Father of glory, pure Father of light, Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight; All laud we would render: O help us to see 'Tis only the splendour of light hideth thee. W. Chalmers Smith (1824-1908) St Denio John Robert's Caniadau y Cyssegre (1839) Advertisement Cordons around the gothic surrounds of St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle have been put in place The congregation shall kneel or sit and the Man and the Woman shall kneel before the High Altar. The Archbishop of York standing before them shall say: Let us pray. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen. V. O Lord, save thy servant, and thy handmaid; R. Who put their trust in thee. V. O Lord, send them help from thy holy place; R. And evermore defend them. V. Be unto them a tower of strength; R. From the face of their enemy. V. O Lord, hear our prayer; R. And let our cry come unto thee. O God of our fathers, bless these thy servants, and sow the seed of eternal life in their hearts; that whatsoever in thy holy Word they shall profitably learn, they may in deed fulfil the same; that so, obeying thy will, and alway being in safety under thy protection, they may abide in thy love unto their lives' end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O merciful Lord and heavenly Father, by whose gracious gift mankind is increased; bestow, we beseech thee, upon these two persons the heritage and gift of children; and grant that they may see their children christianly and virtuously brought up to thy praise and honour, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, who hast taught us that it should never be lawful to put asunder those whom thou by Matrimony hadst made one, and hast consecrated the state of Matrimony to such an excellent mystery, that in it is signified and represented the spiritual marriage and unity betwixt Christ and his Church: Look mercifully upon these thy servants, that both this man may love his wife, according to thy Word, (as Christ did love his spouse the Church, who gave himself for it, loving and cherishing it even as his own flesh,) and also that this woman may be loving and amiable, and faithful to her husband, and in all quietness, sobriety, and peace, be a follower of holy and godly matrons. O Lord, bless them both, and grant them to inherit thy everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then shall the Archbishop of York say this Blessing over the couple. Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Pour upon you the riches of his grace, sanctify and bless you, that ye may please him both in body and soul, and live together in holy love unto your lives' end. Amen. All shall remain kneeling in prayer as the choir sings: The Anthem: A Gaelic Blessing Deep peace of the running wave to you, Deep peace of the flowing air to you, Deep peace of the quiet earth to you, Deep peace of the shining stars to you, Deep peace of the gentle night to you, Moon and stars pour their healing light on you, Deep peace of Christ, of Christ the light of the world to you, Deep peace of Christ to you. William Sharp (1855-1905) John Rutter (b. 1945) Advertisement The Archbishop of York standing before the couple will say this prayer written by him especially for this occasion: God of our Pilgrimage, thank you for your faithfulness and friendliness. May your steadfast and unfailing love: Be the Fire leading Eugenie and Jack in their love for each other; Be the Star guiding them in all that lies ahead; Be the Good Shepherd calling them again and again to walk into Your promises of love that have no expiry date. May the Holy Spirit, make them loyal, kind and generous, Ready to help and quick to forgive. May your angels surround them, Watch, defend and protect them against all evil. Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Please keep them in the Joy, Simplicity and Compassion of Your Holy Gospel. Amen. The Dean of Windsor shall pronounce: The blessing God the Holy Trinity make you strong in faith and love, defend you on every side, and guide you in truth and peace; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen. All stand to sing The third hymn Love Divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heaven, to earth come down, Fix in us thy humble dwelling, All thy faithful mercies crown. Jesus, thou art all compassion, Pure unbounded love thou art; Visit us with thy salvation, Enter every trembling heart. Come, almighty to deliver, Let us all thy life receive; Suddenly return, and never, Never more thy temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, Serve thee as thy hosts above, Pray, and praise thee, without ceasing, Glory in thy perfect love. Finish then thy new creation, Pure and spotless let us be; Let us see thy great salvation, Perfectly restored in thee, Changed from glory into glory, Till in heaven we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise! Advertisement The signing of the registers All remain standing as the dean leads the bride and bridegroom, followed by all those who will sign the registers, to the North Quire Aisle. All sit. During the signing of the registers the choir sings: Ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor. Exsultemus, et in ipso jucundemur. Timeamus, et amemus Deum vivum, et ex corde diligamus nos sincero. Amen Where charity and love are, God is there. The love of Christ has united us. Let us rejoice and be glad in him. Let us fear and love the living God and adore him from a sincere heart. Amen Maurice Durufle (1902-1986) My spirit sang all day O my joy. Nothing my tongue could say, Only My joy! My heart an echo caught O my joy And spake, Tell me thy thought, Hide not thy joy. My eyes gan peer around, O my joy What beauty hast thou found? Shew us thy joy. My jealous ears grew whist; O my joy Music from heaven is't, Sent for our joy? She also came and heard; O my joy, What, said she, is this word? What is thy joy? And I replied, O see, O my joy, 'Tis thee, I cried, 'tis thee: Thou art my joy. Gerald Finzi (1901 - 56) Followed by the Orchestra, conducted by Mr Barry Wordsworth playing Pieds-en-l'air (from Capriol Suite) Peter Warlock (1894 - 1930) All remain seated as the Dean escorts those who have signed the Registers, back to their seats in the Quire. When a fanfare is sounded all stand and sing: National Anthem God save our gracious Queen, Long live our noble Queen, God save The Queen! Send her victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us, God save The Queen! Thesaurus Musicus (c. 1743) Arranged Gordon Jacob (1895-1984) Advertisement All remain standing as the Bride and the Bridegroom leave the Chapel by way of the Quire, the Nave Aisle and the West Door. The procession of the bride and bridegroom During the procession Mr Luke Bond plays: Final from 1ere Symphonic, Op. 14 Louis Vierne (1870 - 1937) All remain standing until the procession of the bride and bridegroom, and then members of the immediate families have left the Chapel by way of the West Door and Galilee Porch. All remain standing as the ecclesiastical procession leaves by way of the organ screen and the North Quire Aisle. Thereafter please leave the chapel as directed by the lay stewards. Those in the Quire should leave by way of the South Door from where they may view the carriage procession. A small group of royal super-fans has descended on Windsor, sleeping rough outside the castle to bag the best patch of pavement for the wedding Police with sniffer dogs have been seen carrying out regular patrols through the town centre Federal investigators have confirmed that overpressurized natural gas lines were the source of the deadly explosions and fires in communities north of Boston last month. Thursday's preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board says Columbia Gas workers failed to account for the location of critical gas pressure sensors in Lawrence on September 13. It caused high-pressure gas to flood a low-pressure distribution system at excessive levels. Scroll down for video Federal investigators have confirmed that overpressurized natural gas lines were the source of the deadly explosions and fires (pictured) in communities north of Boston last month Thursday's preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board says Columbia Gas workers (file image) failed to account for the location of critical gas pressure sensors in Lawrence on September 13 The excessive pressurization led to more than 80 explosions and fires across Lawrence, North Andover and Andover that killed one person and injured 25 others. The gas explosions also damaged or destroyed dozens of homes, and left thousands of homes and businesses without natural gas service. Joe Hamrock, president of NiSource, Columbia Gas' parent company, said the company can't comment on the incident's cause until the investigation is complete. But last month, Columbia Gas released a statement calling the explosions a 'tragic incident'. The excessive pressurization led to more than 80 explosions and fires across Lawrence, North Andover and Andover that killed one person and injured 25 others. People are seen covering their faces following the explosions last month 'We are saddened to learn of the death of a young man as a result of these events. Our thoughts and continued support are with those who have been injured and affected.' It said its focus was on 'providing as much support as possible' but it offered no apology nor did it take any responsibility for the explosions. Dozens of homes and businesses were destroyed, 25 people were injured and 18-year-old Leonel Rondon was killed. For the people driven out of their homes by the fires, it will be a long time before they can return to normal life, let alone their properties. During the aftermath of the explosions, schools were closed after 18,000 people across the city lost power. Rondon was killed by flying debris which hit the car he was traveling in with two friends. Joe Hamrock, president of NiSource, Columbia Gas' (file image of workers) parent company, said the company can't comment on the incident's cause until the investigation is complete For the people driven out of their homes by the fires, it will be a long time before they can return to normal life, let alone their properties He was out celebrating getting his driver's license at the time. Before the explosions, Columbia Gas had announced in a news release that it was upgrading natural gas lines in neighborhoods across the state. The company said the improvements would lead to long-term benefits including enhanced safety features and reliable service. Work on the upgraded gas lines was expected to begin on September 17 and continue until September 21, with gas service shut off during the installation. It's unclear as of yet whether the over-pressurized gas main, which has been blamed for the explosions, was one of the sets of pipes it needed to replace. A small-town mayor who drives a taxpayer-funded $72,000 luxury sedan has defended the purchase, saying it 'best suits his needs'. Tim Shadbolt, mayor of Invercargill at the bottom of New Zealand's South Island, drives a Chrysler 300C which was bought for $72,323 in November 2015. The purchase was more than the council's mayor vehicle budget of $55,000 - but Mr Shadbolt has defended the overspend. Scroll down for video Tim Shadbolt, mayor of Invercargill at the bottom of New Zealand's South Island, drives a Chrysler 300C which was bought for $72,323 in November 2015 The purchase was more than the council's mayor vehicle budget of $55,000 - but Mr Shadbolt has defended the overspend, saying the car 'best suited his needs' In a response to a Taxpayers Union information request, the Invercargill City Council said the Chrysler was an appropriate purchase as it has 'better road handling', is suitable for the considerable mileage driven in the Southland region and will be used until late 2019. Of the councils which responded to the information request, Mr Shadbolt's vehicle topped the list of the most expensive mayoral cars used in New Zealand. Mr Shadbolt has previously been seen getting around the city's footpaths on a push scooter. The mayor is described as a 'local hero and New Zealand icon' who is 'known for his wide-mouthed smile, wicked sense of humour, standing up for a wide range of causes and for supporting the average Kiwi' on the Invercargill City Council's website. He has been mayor of Invercargill since 1998, having also served in the role from 1993 until 1995. Mr Shadbolt appeared in the movie The World's Fastest Indian alongside Sir Anthony Hopkins, which was set in Invercargill. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Invercargill City Council for comment. Mr Shadbolt has previously been seen getting around the city's footpaths on a push scooter An Australian grandmother could escape the hangman's noose in Malaysia after plans were announced to abolish the death penalty. Sydney grandmother Maria Elvira Pinto Exposto, 54, was sentenced to death by hanging earlier this year for trafficking 1.5kilograms of crystal methamphetamine. The 54-year-old mother-of-four claims she was duped into the crime by an online boyfriend. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad announced plans to abolish the death penalty on Wednesday - World Day Against the Death Penalty. Sydney grandmother Maria Elvira Pinto Exposto (pictured) was sentenced to death by hanging earlier this year for trafficking 1.5 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine The 54-year-old mother of four claims she was duped into the crime by an online boyfriend. The legislation is expected to go through parliament next week, and could save Exposto's life. 'That will have a very very positive effect on Maria's case, it means she won't face the death penalty,' Exposto's lawyer, Farhan Shafee, told AAP. 'We are still waiting for it to be tabled,' he said. 'Of course we are very, very happy to read the news and we welcome this decision by the cabinet. This means Malaysia will conform with international standards, which we have always been advocating.' The mother-of-four claims she was set-up after drugs were found stitched into the lining of her bag when she arrived in Kuala Lumpur in 2014. The court previously heard Exposto was caught up in an internet romance scam by a US serviceman who went by the name 'Captain Daniel Smith'. She claims she was in Shanghai to lodge documents for her online boyfriend's retirement from service in the US army. 'Smith' allegedly told her that he was a Special Forces soldier based in Afghanistan. Exposto said 'Smith' told her he was leaving the military and needed her to pick up his discharge papers and take them to the US embassy in Australia. The mother of four (pictured, middle) claims she was set-up after drugs were found stitched into the lining of her bag when she arrived in Kuala Lumpur in 2014 Ms Exposto voluntarily offered her bags for customs inspection and the drugs were discovered (pictured) She then flew to Shanghai and received a bag from his 'friends' she thought contained the papers and clothes, but had the drugs hidden in the lining. Australians who faced the death penalty in Malaysia 1986 - Kevin Barlow and Brian Chambers from Perth hanged for heroin trafficking 1993 - Sydney barman Michael McAuliffe hanged after serving eight years in jail for heroin trafficking 2013 - Dominic Bird, 34, acquitted after being charged with allegedly selling drugs to undercover officer Advertisement 'He made me feel loved, he made me feel wanted,' Ms Exposto told the previous court hearing, saying the alleged US serviceman would send her photos of himself. 'Smith would sing to me a few times a day and send love poems as well,' she added. Ms Exposto said 'Smith' had also asked to marry her in September 2013 at a time when her relationship with her husband was getting 'a bit sour'. The 54-year-old was initially found cleared of any wrongdoing but an appeals court overturned the verdict and sentenced her to death. Mr Shafee said a date had not yet been set for Expostos's final appeal to be heard in the Federal Court, although he expected this to be made known shortly. Australian Maria Elvira Pinto Exposto arrives at the magistrates court in Sepang, near Kuala Lumpur on January 23, 2015 Australia's relationship with Malaysia has been strained in the past over the use of the death penalty and soured in 1986 amid the hanging of Australian drug runners Kevin Barlow and Brian Chambers. The decision to abandon the death penalty was also welcomed by Amnesty International. 'Today's announcement is a major step forward for all those who have campaigned for an end to the death penalty in Malaysia,' Kumi Naidoo, Amnesty International's Secretary General, said. 'Malaysia must now join the 106 countries who have turned their backs for good on the ultimate cruel, inhumane, degrading punishment - the world is watching.' Rapper Kanye West made a bee-line to the Apple store shortly after revealing his iPhone password on national television during an extended Oval Office rant along with President Trump. West was spotted at the store not long after he delivered an epic rant at the White House, where he called himself a 'crazy motherf*****' hugged a nearly speechless President Trump, said his MAGA hat was his 'superman cape,' and said in an 'alternate universe' he was a convicted murderer he wants freed from prison. It was during his more than 10-minute speech in the Oval Office that west typed in his password revealed to be 000000 in order to show the president images of a hydrogen-powered plane. MORE TO SAY: Kanye West headed to the Apple store after delivering his Oval Office rant The two men then met for lunch at the White House. Not long afterward, West was spotted at the Apple store in Georgetown the same store where special counsel Robert Mueller was spotted getting some tech support recently. At one point, the rapper stood on top of one of the store's signature wood tables and asked to give a 'keynote,' according to a Religion News Service reporter who happened to be there. West brought up a topic he had mentioned earlier at the White House, saying he had designed an 'updated hat that says "make America great" but with out the 'again' and Trump wore it.' It was his take on Trump's 'Make America Great Again' slogan. He said the president wore it. He then showed pictures on his iPhone of what he said was Trump wearing the hat. West was spotted at the Apple store in Georgetown Thursday During remarks he once again referenced his take on designing a 'Make America Great' hat STABLE GENIUS BAR: It was not known whether West received any tech support after cameras captured his password at the White House I COULD USE SOME COLLUSION ON THIS ONE? Special Counsel Robert Mueller was spotted at the same store last month It was not immediately known whether West went to the store's 'Genius Bar' to get tech support or otherwise change his password. The rapper joined President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Thursday, and in front of the press pool launched into a nearly 30-minute diatribe about racism, employment and the benefits of mediation. He also revealed his iPhone password when he went to show President Trump a photo of the hydrogen-powered plane his is working on with Apple on his device, quickly typing in '00000).' Keeping it 0: Kanye West revealed his iPhone password on Thursday in the Oval Office It was just one of the many jaw-dropping moments to take place on Thursday, with West also surprising those in attendance when he dropped the words 'bulls***' and 'motherf***er' during the meeting, which was being broadcast live on a number of networks. West spoke about American industry and the need to bring back jobs at one point, while wearing a pair of $295 boots from his Yeezy line that are made in China and Italy. He also wore his red 'Make America Great Again' cap. 'They tried to scare me to not wear this hat, my own friends, but this hat it gives me, it gives me power,' explained West. 'You know, my dad and my mom separated, so I didn't have a lot of male energy in my home. And also, I'm married to a family that, you know not a lot of male energy going on. It's beautiful though.' He gave the President a hug at the end of the photocall West even fielded a few questions, and spoke about his unorthodox approach to interviews. 'I don't answer questions in simple sound bites. You are tasting a fine wine. It has multiple notes to it,' explained West to the crowd of reporters and videographers. Also on hand for the meeting was a mostly quiet Jim Brown and Jared Kushner, who sat while his wife Ivanka stood behind him amidst the reporters. It was unclear if Kushner had not offered his seat of Ivanka prefered to stand in her outfit. On the topic of women, West also spoke about how Hillary Clinton's campaign slogan did not empower him during the meeting. 'I love Hillary. I love everyone, right? But the campaign "I'm with her" just didn't make me feel, as a guy that didn't get to see my dad all the time, like a guy that could play catch with his son,' said West. 'It was something about, when I put this hat on, it made me feel like Superman. That's my favorite super hero.' Four people have been arrested for their involvement in a child trafficking ring, which sold infants via Instagram for as little as $1,375AUD. Indonesian babies had been advertised for sale on the social media platform for the past year, which operated under an official-sounding pseudonym roughly translating to 'Family Welfare Institution'. The biography of the page, which is still currently active, reads: 'Helping to cover someone's disgrace.' A quartet of suspects were arrested in the Indonesian city of Surabaya this week, including the alleged operator of the page, a mother, a midwife and a suspected buyer. Four people have been arrested for their involvement in a child trafficking ring, which sold infants via Instagram (pictured) for as little as $1,375AUD The page advertised itself as connecting unwanted children with new parents (pictured) The page has posted more than 100 times, featuring distorted pictures of young women and their babies that the operators were allegedly attempting to connect with potential buyers. One post, published on September 15, shows a pregnant woman from the Indonesian city of Banjarmasin advertising her child in advance of its birth. 'If you want to leave your child for adoption or want to adopt a child, contact us for the process,' the accompanying text reads in Indonesian. The more recent images of the babies and some of the women have been darkened to obscure their identities, while the earliest posts, dating to September 2017, had women wearing masks. The biography of the Indonesian-based page reads: 'Helping to cover someone's disgrace' Under each of the posts is a contact number, with the page's owners imploring women who also wish to sell their children to reach out to them. Some posts are of WhatsApp conversations between the operators and those allegedly attempting to sell their children. The children for sale aren't given names, but rather letter and number codes. According to a local publication, of the four people arrested by Indonesian police, one was 29-year-old Alton Phinandita Prianto, alleged to operate the Instagram page. Another was a 22-year-old mother who allegedly worked with Prianto to sell her 11-month-old child. Police were alerted to the page last week after an advertisement went up for an 11-month-old Police were alerted to the Instagram page when it published an advertisement for the child. They also arrested the 36-year-old who attempted to buy the child, as well as a 66-year-old midwife in Bali who they believe acted as a mediator. Police say the mother tried to rationalise her decision to sell the baby, which was her third child, telling them she desperately needed money for her first child's school fees. She also said all three of her children were born out of 'nikah siri', a type of unregistered marriage that isn't legally recognised in Indonesia. The four suspects have been charged under Indonesia's child protection laws, which could see each face a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment. In the meantime, the mother's three children will be placed in the care of their great-grandmother. 'The safety of our community on Instagram is our absolute priority. Our policies clearly prohibit people from engaging in criminal activity and coordinating harm on our platform, which includes the sale of humans,' an Instagram spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. 'We take this very seriously and remove this content as soon as we become aware of it.' The profile in question has since been deleted from Instagram. A millionaire polo player allegedly threatened to cut off his wealthy neighbour's nipple in an intense feud described by a magistrate as 'the stuff of legend'. Mortgage Choice co-founder Peter Higgins was later headbutted by wealthy investor John Marshall after they traded insults at a polo tournament in Sydney's north-west. Mr Marshall told a court on Thursday he was acting in self-defence when he launched at Mr Higgins at the latter's Sydney Polo Club in Richmond on March 29. The 68-year-old was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, with Mr Higgins suffering a nose bleed following the attack, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. An intense feud between wealthy investor John Marshall (pictured left) and his neighbour Peter Higgins (not pictured) has been described by a Sydney magistrate as the 'stuff of legend' Mortgage Choice co-founder Peter Higgins (pictured right with his daughter Belle) told a court Mr Marshall had turned up to his property in Sydney's north-west uninvited on March 29 Mr Marshall had driven onto Mr Higgins' property so he could watch his son-in-law take part in the Australian Open tournament when the incident unfolded. The court was told Mr Higgins had verbally and physically attacked Mr Marshall. 'He yelled at me I'm going to have your ear cut off or your nipple. Which one would you prefer?,' Mr Marshall said in evidence to Parramatta Local Court on Thursday. Mr Marshall told the court he replied by saying 'oh no, please not my nipple'. Mr Higgins had told the court a day earlier how Mr Marshall had turned up to his property uninvited. Mr Higgins' expansive Richmond estate, which was featured in the 2013 blockbuster The Great Gatsby, neighbours Mr Marshall's Kurri Burri Polo Club. Mr Higgins (pictured here with wife Rebecca) said he was acting in self-defence when he headbutted Mr Marshall at a polo tournament Mr Marshall (pictured here in a polo event competing with polo player Alec White) suffered a nose bleed after he was headbutted by Mr Higgins The country road that borders the rolling fields of their properties has been referred to by onlookers as 'the Gaza Strip'. The court heard Mr Marshall had believed he was able to be at the property as it was being used for an open tournament. Mr Higgins had then tried to take Mr Marshall's car keys after reaching into the driver's side window, the court heard. The Mortgage Choice co-founder said Mr Marshall had 'lunged aggressively at me and he headbutted me in the nose'. Witness Noel Vincent told the court via audiovisual link how the pair 'were swinging punches and carrying on just like a pair of school kids'. Prosecutor Sergeant Mathew Forth told the court Mr Marshall had turned up to Mr Higgins' property to tout a New South Wales Land and Environment Court victory over his neighbour. Mr Marshall was also charged with refusing to the leave Mr Higgins' property but that charge was struck out on a technicality. Both millionaires own polo clubs near Sydney which flank each other closely (pictured), with the road that borders the properties dubbed by onlookers as 'The Gaza Strip' The Sydney Polo Club grounds appear here in the blockbuster film The Great Gatsby - the mansion was added in digitally In the Parramatta Local Court on Thursday, magistrate Jennifer Giles found Mr Marshall innocent of assault. She said she was 'not satisfied the prosecution has negatived self-defence'. In her sentencing remarks, Ms Giles described the case before her as 'disintegrating neighbourly relations between these two neighbours'. 'This hearing is merely an examination of a tiny five-minute moment in an epic and chronic feud for which the taxpayers of NSW seems to provide an ongoing forum,' she said. The Democrat contender for Iowa governor has revealed the terror of being held hostage with his wife on a hijacked plane for 13 days in 1981. As the race for the state's highest political office heats up, Fred Hubbell took a moment to share a personal story with voters during his first debate with his opponent, Gov Kim Reynolds. Hubbell said his life was changed after the hijacking and it's because of that experience that he decided to run for office. Fred Hubbell (pictured Wednesday night), the Democrat contender for Iowa governor, has revealed the terror of being held hostage with his wife, Charlotte, on a hijacked plane for 13 days in 1981 As the race for the state's highest political office heats up, Hubbell took a moment to share a personal story with voters during his first debate with his opponent, Gov Kim Reynolds (left), Wednesday night 'I'm here because 30 years ago my wife and I had a life-changing experience. We were on an airplane. It got hijacked,' Hubbell recalled. 'We had guns pointed at us every day and our lives were threatened every day. I sat on that plane for 13 days, my wife was on there for six days. 'Those last seven days all I did was sit there and think about what could I do differently if I got a second chance. I prayed about it. I thought about it. ... Every morning I wake up with that memory,' he added. Hubbell and his wife, Charlotte, were among the more than 100 hostages onboard a Pakistani jetliner that was hijacked in March 1981. The plane had been held at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, for six days by three armed men. Hubbell and his wife, Charlotte, were among the more than 100 hostages onboard a Pakistani jetliner (pictured) that was hijacked in March 1981 The plan had been held at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, for six days by three armed men. The plane later departed from Kabul and flew to the Damascus airport. Hubbell's wife, Charlotte (left), was freed after six days, but Hubbell (right) remained for seven more days At the time, Hubbell and his wife were in their early 30s, and were on an around-the-wold vacation after leaving their jobs as attorneys in Manhattan Syrian and Pakistani officials negotiated with the hijackers by radio from the control tower at the airport. The hijackers were demanding that the Pakistani Government free dozens of inmates who they say are political prisoners in Pakistan. The plane later departed from Kabul and flew to the Damascus airport. The sudden departure followed the Pakistani Government's refusal to meet the hijackers' demand for release of all the prisoners. All three hijackers, armed with hand grenades, pistols and at least one automatic weapon, killed one of their hostages, Tariq Rahim, a Pakistani diplomat. Hubbell's wife was among the hostages released after six days, but Hubbell was forced to stay onboard seven more days. Reynolds is being challenged by Hubbell, who hails from one of the state's best-known families. The retired businessman wants to end the privatization of Medicaid in the state; Reynolds says she would keep the system. He's seen with his wife and their grandchildren Hubbell is hoping to unseat Reynolds, who is seeking a four-year term after succeeding former Gov Terry Branstad when he became ambassador to China under President Donald Trump At the time, Hubbell and his wife were in their early 30s, and were on an around-the-wold vacation after leaving their jobs as attorneys in Manhattan. They had just purchased a home in Des Moines, Iowa, when the incident occurred. 'When you're given a second chance in life, it's not just about having fun,' Hubbell recently told the Des Moines Register. 'It's also about helping people.' Reynolds is being challenged by Hubbell, who hails from one of the state's best-known families. The retired businessman wants to end the privatization of Medicaid in the state but Reynolds says she would keep the system. He is hoping to unseat Reynolds, who is seeking a four-year term after succeeding former Gov Terry Branstad when he became ambassador to China under President Donald Trump. French student Amelie Delagrange March 21 2002: Milly, 13, is walking home from school in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, when she disappears. Her remains are found six months later 25 miles away. February 2003: Marsha McDonnell, 19, gets off a bus near her home in Hampton after a night out with friends, and is struck three times on the back of the head with a blunt object by Bellfield. May 2004: Kate Sheedy, 18, is left for dead after Bellfield runs her down in his car after she gets off a bus in Isleworth after spending the evening with friends. August 2004: Amelie Delagrange, 22, is battered to death by Bellfield after she gets off at the wrong bus stop and is attacked walking across Twickenham Green. She dies of head injuries. Marsha McDonnell was attacked after getting off the bus February 2008: Bellfield is convicted of the murders of Marsha and Amelie, and the attempted murder of Kate. March 2010: Bellfield is charged with killing Milly. May 2011: Bellfield goes on trial at the Old Bailey after he denies abducting and murdering Milly. June 2011: Bellfield yawns as he is found guilty of Milly's murder. The following day he refuses to attend court where he is jailed for life. Bellfield becomes the first person to receive two whole-life terms. February 2012: Bellfield loses a Court of Appeal bid to challenge his conviction for Milly's kidnap and murder. January 2016: Bellfield admits abducting, raping and killing schoolgirl Milly Dowler for the first time, Surrey Police say. A police chief nicknamed 'Commissioner Coward' for failing to help an officer murdered in the Westminster terror attack was mocked yesterday with an image of a white feather. Internet users shared a doctored image of Sir Craig Mackey holding his knighthood in which a white feather had replaced the gong. A white feather was used in Victorian times and during the First World War as a symbol of cowardice. Mocked: Sir Craig Mackey in the doctored image, left, and with his knighthood The image of the Scotland Yard Deputy Commissioner, knighted in the New Year's honours list, went viral online. Sir Craig, 56, who was Scotland Yard's acting commissioner at the time of the attack, was widely criticised on internet forums, with some nicknaming him 'Commissioner Coward', and he was also facing mounting pressure to quit. On Monday he told the Old Bailey inquest that he locked himself in his car after seeing PC Keith Palmer being stabbed outside Parliament by Khalid Masood. Sir Craig, who had been visiting a minister at Parliament, described the terrorist as a 'clear threat' but chose not to get out of his car and get involved in helping the injured officer. Instead, he decided to lock the doors of his vehicle and then took orders from a police constable, who told him to 'make safe' and 'go'. He said no-one in his car had any protective gear or a radio. Sir Craig described the terrorist as a 'clear threat' but chose not to get out of his car and get involved in helping the injured officer Yesterday Sir Craig came under fire from former Metropolitan Police detective Peter Bleksley, who was stabbed when raiding a drug dealer's flat. Mr Bleksley, who now fronts the Channel 4 show Hunted, told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'His actions that day were utterly unforgivable. 'A police officer's natural instinct when you see a colleague being stabbed is to get out and help him first and foremost. Always... unmistakeably. Policing is a family, it's a collective it's that thin blue line.' Mr Bleksley contrasted Sir Craig's actions with those of off-duty PC Charlie Guenigault, who was stabbed five times after tackling jihadis during the London Bridge attacks in June last year. Sir Craig, who earned more than 270,000 a year as acting commissioner, is expected to retire in December. Rapper Kanye West is asking President Trump to pardon Gangster Disciples kingpin Larry Hoover. West brought up Hoover during an appearance in the Oval Office with Trump while surrounded by reporters. As West put it: There's theories that there's infinite amounts of universe, and there's alternate universe, so it's very important for me to get Hoover out because in an alternate universe I am him, and I have to go and get him free. The critically acclaimed rapper continued: Because he was doing positive inside of Chicago just like I'm moving back to Chicago and it's not just about, you know, getting on stage and being an entertainer and having a monolithic voice that's forced to be a specific party.' Hoover is facing six consecutive life sentences, and is incarcerated at a Supermax facility in Colorado. He was charged with murdering a drug dealer in 1973 and later convicted, serving time in an Illinois prison. West, who great up in Chicago, surprised audiences when he wore a Free Hoover sweatshirt during a recent appearance on Saturday Night Live, where he delivered an extended rant to the audience following the show. The Gangster Disciples seized control of the drug trade on Chicagos South Side. Inside the prison system, Hoover continued to recruit members, but also became known for discouraging violence and urging members to gain education and seek jobs. Through wiretaps, prison officials were able to learn he continued to run the gang from inside the system, according to the Biography.com website. He was convicted on drug conspiracy charges in 1997 and given the six life sentences. Advertisement This scientist might have bitten off more than he could chew after these incredible images document his meal time struggles. Cyprien Verseux, a glaciologist and astrobiologist, has been stationed out at the Concordia Station in Antarctica, renowned as one of the most remote scientific bases in the world. Temperatures on the isolated continent can drop to well below -70C (-94F), making it impossible to access or use vehicles. It also makes cooking in the open air a difficulty, as the cold temperature cause dishes to freeze almost instantaneously. This 'flash freezing' effect is used in the food industry to preserve items - ranging from berries and mushrooms to chunks of chicken - by rapidly chilling them to extremely cold temperatures. It causes water to evaporate extremely rapidly and stops the formation of ice crystals, which can damage food and cause it to degrade over time in regular freezers. This scientist might have bitten off more than he could chew after these incredible images document his meal time struggles. Dr Verseux (pictured) tried his hand at cooking some noodles whilst in Antarctica At one point, Dr Verseux decided to go outside and have a go at 'cooking,' taking photos of different kinds of foods in the deep freeze. The gravity-defying pictures vividly illustrate the absolute intensity of the cold in Antarctica, and it's clear this is no picnic for the team. 'We run out of fresh food early in the winter (as we have no resupply from early February to early November), so we eat mostly frozen food: given that the temperatures are never in the positive, we just store it in containers outside,' he said. Making a meal of it: the amusing pictures document Dr Verseux's attempts at cooking. The gravity-defying pictures vividly illustrate the absolute intensity of the cold in Antarctica, and it's clear this is no picnic for the team Dinner time: Dr Verseux tries to cook up a storm with the food supplies the team has available. Temperatures on the isolated continent can drop to well below -70C (-94F), making it impossible to access or use vehicles To help keep himself busy in between collecting samples about climate in previous eras, Dr Verseux has been keeping a blog and sharing his everyday experiences from the extreme environment. As temperatures plummet he demonstrates how fast water can turn to ice WHAT IS FLASH FREEZING? Flash freezing refers to objects frozen almost instantaneously when exposed to extremely low temperatures. In the food industry, this is most commonly achieved by direct contact with liquid nitrogen which has a temperature of at least -160C (-320.8F), but can be colder. This 'effect is used in the food industry to preserve items - ranging from berries and mushrooms to chunks of chicken - as it causes water to evaporate extremely rapidly. This stops the formation of ice crystals, which can damage food and cause it to degrade over time in regular freezers. Flash freezing techniques are also used to freeze biological samples fast enough that large ice crystals cannot form and damage the sample, using liquid nitrogen or a mixture of dry ice and ethanol. Advertisement Even the International Space Station, which is 250 miles (400km) above the Earth, is closer to civilisation than this place, which is located deep inside the inhospitable continent. To help keep himself busy in between collecting samples about climate in previous eras, Dr Verseux has been keeping a blog and sharing his everyday experiences from the extreme environment. The difficulties of embarking on these expeditions make for a fascinating read as Dr Verseux and a small group of scientists are alone at the base in the depths of an Antarctic winter, where even bacteria cannot survive. 'Nine months a year, during the winter, it cannot be left or reached. 'It is so cold that vehicles can't come and go. We are currently 13 people: technicians, scientists, a cook and a medical doctor,' Dr Verseux told Bored Panda. How do you like your eggs in the morning? Dr Verseux seems to have a hard time cooking his breakfast, the temperatures make cooking in the open air a difficulty, as the cold temperature cause dishes to freeze almost instantaneously The below freezing conditions make it near impossible for the team to get a decent meal. Dr Verseux said the team runs out of fresh food early in the winter as they have no resupply from early February to early November The team said they mostly eat frozen food: given that the temperatures are never in the positive, and that in order to keep the food from going off they just store it in containers outside The lack of oxygen and barren desert landscape make the scientists feel like they are living on another planet and Dr Verseux said that it is the coldest area on earth, with temperatures plummeting to below -70C in winter. 'We saw the Sun again in August after 3 months without it ever passing the horizon. The air is extremely dry and poor in oxygen,' he said. 'In spite of being in an inhospitable desert, Concordia is highly attractive to researchers from different fields such as astronomy, human physiology, glaciology, atmospheric sciences, and geophysics. 'The European Space Agency is also using it to study human adaptation to what is very similar to future conditions of a Moon or Mars base.' Dr Verseux and his fellow scientists work is vitally important, as it aims to shed light on how the climate has changed in the past, and gives an insight into possible changes in the future. 'Research done here yields invaluable information on climate change,' he added. 'It is thanks to the EPICA project conducted here that we know that greenhouse gas levels, specifically carbon dioxide and methane, have never been so high in at least the past 800 000 years.' Cyprien has been stationed out at the Concordia Station in Antarctica where the lack of oxygen and barren desert landscape make the scientists feel like they are living on another planet To help keep himself busy in between collecting samples about climate in previous eras, Cyprien has been keeping a blog. He is working to shed light on how the climate has changed in the past, and gives an insight into possible changes in the future Advertisement NASA's Juno probe has revealed a stunning 'rear view mirror' view of Jupiter. The image, captured in the final minutes of a recent close flyby of Jupiter, gives a view of the planet's swirling southern hemisphere. It shows the giant storms and vast vortices that engulf the planet from a new perspective. Scroll down for video The image, captured in the final minutes of a recent close flyby of Jupiter, NASA's Juno spacecraft captured a departing view of the planet's swirling southern hemisphere. At the time, Juno was about 55,600 miles (89,500 kilometers) from the planet's cloud tops, above a southern latitude of approximately 75 degrees. 'The color-enhanced image was taken at 7:13 p.m. PDT on Sept. 6, 2018 (10:13 p.m. EDT) as the spacecraft performed its 15th close flyby of Jupiter,' NASA said. At the time, Juno was about 55,600 miles (89,500 kilometers) from the planet's cloud tops, above a southern latitude of approximately 75 degrees. Citizen scientist Gerald Eichstadt created this image using data from the spacecraft's JunoCam imager. Previous images have largely concentrated on storms within Jupiters northern hemisphere. Earlier this year NASA approved an update to Junos science operations, keeping them running until July 2021. NASAs Juno spacecraft took this color-enhanced image at 10:23 p.m. PDT on May 23, 2018 (1:23 a.m. EDT on May 24), as the spacecraft performed its 13th close flyby of Jupiter. At the time, Juno was about 9,600 miles (15,500 kilometers) from the planet's cloud tops, above a northern latitude of 56 degrees. The region seen here is somewhat chaotic and turbulent, given the various swirling cloud formations, NASA said. 'This provides for an additional 41 months in orbit around Jupiter and will enable Juno to achieve its primary science objectives,' NASA says. Juno is in 53-day orbits rather than 14-day orbits as initially planned because of a concern about valves on the spacecrafts fuel system. This longer orbit means that it will take more time to collect the needed science data. An independent panel of experts confirmed in April that Juno is on track to achieve its science objectives and is already returning spectacular results. The Juno spacecraft and all instruments are healthy and operating nominally. NASA has now funded Juno through FY 2022. The end of prime operations is now expected in July 2021, with data analysis and mission close-out activities continuing into 2022. The color-enhanced image was taken at 11:31 p.m. PDT on May 23, 2018 (2:31 a.m. EDT on May 24), as the spacecraft performed its 13th close flyby of Jupiter. At the time, Juno was about 44,300 miles (71,400 kilometers) from the planet's cloud tops, above a southern latitude of 71 degrees NASA has released another stunning images of swirling storms on Jupiter. The latest image from the Juno probe shows gigantic storms raging across the southern hemisphere of the planet. It reveals the vast storms and swirling vortices cover the entire planet. 'The latest image of Jupiter's southern hemisphere was captured by NASA's Juno spacecraft on the outbound leg of a close flyby of the gas-giant planet,' NASA said. Citizen scientist Kevin M. Gill created this image using data from the spacecraft's JunoCam imager. The color-enhanced image was taken at 11:31 p.m. PDT on May 23, 2018 (2:31 a.m. EDT on May 24), as the spacecraft performed its 13th close flyby of Jupiter. At the time, Juno was about 44,300 miles (71,400 kilometers) from the planet's cloud tops, above a southern latitude of 71 degrees. 'This image captures swirling cloud belts and tumultuous vortices within Jupiters northern hemisphere,' NASA said. At the time, Juno was about 9,600 miles (15,500 kilometers) from the planet's cloud tops, above a northern latitude of 56 degrees. The region seen here is somewhat chaotic and turbulent, given the various swirling cloud formations, NASA explained. 'In general, the darker cloud material is deeper in Jupiters atmosphere, while bright cloud material is high. 'The bright clouds are most likely ammonia or ammonia and water, mixed with a sprinkling of unknown chemical ingredients.' How NASA's Juno probe to Jupiter will reveal the secrets of the solar system's biggest planet The Juno probe reached Jupiter in 2016 after a five-year, 1.8 billion-mile journey from Earth The Juno probe reached Jupiter on July 4, 2016, after a five-year, 1.8 billion-mile (2.8bn km) journey from Earth. Following a successful braking manoeuvre, it entered into a long polar orbit flying to within 3,100 miles (5,000 km) of the planet's swirling cloud tops. The probe skimmed to within just 2,600 miles (4,200 km) of the planet's clouds once a fortnight - too close to provide global coverage in a single image. No previous spacecraft has orbited so close to Jupiter, although two others have been sent plunging to their destruction through its atmosphere. To complete its risky mission Juno survived a circuit-frying radiation storm generated by Jupiter's powerful magnetic field. The maelstrom of high energy particles travelling at nearly the speed of light is the harshest radiation environment in the Solar System. To cope with the conditions, the spacecraft was protected with special radiation-hardened wiring and sensor shielding. Its all-important 'brain' - the spacecraft's flight computer - was housed in an armoured vault made of titanium and weighing almost 400 pounds (172kg). The craft is expected to study the composition of the planet's atmosphere until 2025. Advertisement A bright oval at bottom center stands out in the scene. This feature appears uniformly white in ground-based telescope observations, astronomers said. 'However, with JunoCam we can observe the fine-scale structure within this weather system, including additional structures within it. 'There is not significant motion apparent in the interior of this feature; like the Great Red Spot, its winds probably slows down greatly toward the center.' Citizen scientists Gerald Eichstadt and Sean Doran created this image using data from the spacecrafts JunoCam imager. Jupiter's storms up close: The view is oriented with south on Jupiter toward upper left and north toward lower right. The North North Temperate Belt is the prominent reddish-orange band left of center. At the time, the Juno spacecraft was about 4,900 miles (7,900 kilometers) from the tops of the clouds of the gas giant planet at a northern latitude of about 41 degrees. Jupiter is renowned for being a stormy planet, but the latest images reveal it's not just the famous Great Red spot that has horrific weather. This incredible new image image captures the intensity of the jets and vortices in Jupiters North North Temperate Belt. It reveals massive clouds made of ammonia-ice crystals, and mysterious dark patches where scientists think the clouds are deeper. The image was taken when the spacecraft was about 4,900 miles (7,900 kilometers) from the tops of the clouds of the gas giant. NASAs Juno spacecraft took this color-enhanced image at 10:31 p.m. PDT on May 23, 2018 (1:31 a.m. EDT on May 24), as Juno performed its 13th close flyby of Jupiter. The view is oriented with south on Jupiter toward upper left and north toward lower right. The North North Temperate Belt is the prominent reddish-orange band left of center. It rotates in the same direction as the planet and is predominantly cyclonic, which in the northern hemisphere means its features spin in a counter-clockwise direction. Within the belt are two gray-colored anticyclones. To the left of the belt is a brighter band (the North North Temperate Zone) with high clouds whose vertical relief is accentuated by the low angle of sunlight near the terminator. These clouds are likely made of ammonia-ice crystals, or possibly a combination of ammonia ice and water. Although the region as a whole appears chaotic, there is an alternating pattern of rotating, lighter-colored features on the zone's north and south sides. Scientists think the large-scale dark regions are places where the clouds are deeper, based on infrared observations made at the same time by Junos JIRAM experiment and Earth-based supporting observations. Those observations show warmer, and thus deeper, thermal emission from these regions. To the right of the bright zone, and farther north on the planet, Jupiters striking banded structure becomes less evident and a region of individual cyclones can be seen, interspersed with smaller, darker anticyclones. Citizen scientist Kevin M. Gill created this image using data from the spacecrafts JunoCam imager. Most images tend to focus on Jupiter's Great Red Spot. Once big enough to swallow three Earths, Jupiter's 'Great Red Spot' is shrivelling at a rate of 140 miles (230km) per year, driving its cloud tops upwards, according to a recent NASA study. This image of Jupiters iconic Great Red Spot and surrounding turbulent zones was captured by NASAs Juno spacecraft on April 1st. It was created as part of a 'citizen scientist' scheme which allows ayone to access the raw data from NASA's Juno craft to create their own images. Citizen scientists Gerald Eichstadt and Sean Doran processed this image using data from the JunoCam imager. The color-enhanced image is a combination of three separate images taken on April 1 between 3:09 a.m. PDT (6:09 a.m. EDT) and 3:24 a.m. PDT (6:24 a.m. EDT), as Juno performed its 12th close flyby of Jupiter. At the time the images were taken, the spacecraft was 15,379 miles (24,749 kilometers) to 30,633 miles (49,299 kilometers) from the tops of the clouds of the planet at a southern latitude spanning 43.2 to 62.1 degrees. Jupiter's 'Great Red Spot' has is shrivelling at a rate of 140 miles (230km) per year, driving its cloud tops upwards. Chemicals that give the storm its reddish hue are being lifted to higher altitudes, which could be turning the spot orange. Researchers suggest the spot has gradually deepened in colour since 2014 The giant red spot has fascinated astronomers, who also believed to be changing shape. Chemicals that give the oval-shaped storm its reddish hue are being lifted to higher altitudes, which may explain why the spot is gradually a more intense orange, researchers said. Scientists believe the storm is likely to disappear altogether within 20 years. Scientists suggest the changes are the result of the storm's shifting winds, which reach speeds of 425 miles per hour (680kph) as they push Jupiter's crimson clouds counterclockwise around the planet's southern hemisphere. 'Storms are dynamic, and that's what we see with the Great Red Spot. It's constantly changing in size and shape, and its winds shift, as well,' said Dr Amy Simon, an expert in planetary atmospheres at Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and lead author of the new paper. Observations of Jupiter date back centuries, but the first confirmed sighting of the Great Red Spot was in 1831. Keen observers have long been able to measure the size and drift of the Great Red Spot by fitting their telescopes with an eyepiece scored with crosshairs. A continuous record of at least one observation of this kind per year dates back to 1878. The Nasa team combined these observations with data from Nasa spacecraft that have visited Jupiter, from Voyager in 1979, to Galileo in 1995, up to the ongoing Juno mission, which reached the planet's orbit in July 2016. Scientists suggest the changes are the result of the storm's shifting winds, which reach speeds of 425 miles per hour (680kph) as they push Jupiter's crimson clouds counterclockwise around the planet's southern hemisphere They analysed the spot's size, shape, colour and drift rate alongside the storm's internal wind speeds, when that information was available from spacecraft. The study shows the storm has been shrinking since 1878 and is now big enough to accommodate just over one Earth. In the 1800's it was wide enough for four Earths to fit side by side. But what the huge spot is losing in girth, it is gaining in height. By measuring how the storm reflected ultraviolet light over several decades, the team concluded that its cloud tops are getting higher. Because the storm has been contracting, the researchers expected to find the already-powerful internal winds becoming even stronger, like an ice skater who spins faster as she pulls in her arms. But instead of accelerating, the storm appears to be forced to stretch up. 'It's almost like clay being shaped on a potter's wheel,' Nasa said in a statement. 'As the wheel spins, an artist can transform a short, round lump into a tall, thin vase by pushing inward with his hands. The smaller he makes the base, the taller the vessel will grow.' The Great Red Spot's colour has been deepening, too, becoming intensely orange since 2014. Researchers aren't sure why this is happening, but it's possible the chemicals that give the storm its reddish hue are being carried higher into the atmosphere as the spot stretches up. At higher altitudes, the chemicals are subjected to more UV radiation and would take on a deeper colour. Researchers said they don't know whether the spot will shrink a bit more and then stabilise, or break apart completely. Trapped between two jet streams, the Great Red Spot is an anticyclone swirling around a centre of high atmospheric pressure that makes it rotate in the opposite sense of hurricanes on Earth. Nasa's Juno spacecraft passed about 5,600 miles (9,000 kilometers) above the Giant Red Spot clouds in July of 2017 'If the trends we see in the Great Red Spot continue, the next five to 10 years could be very interesting from a dynamical point of view,' said Nasa Goddard centre scientist and study co-author Dr Rick Cosentino. 'We could see rapid changes in the storm's physical appearance and behaviour, and maybe the red spot will end up being not so great after all.' Jupiter's Great Red Spot is a giant oval of crimson-colored clouds in Jupiter's southern hemisphere that race counterclockwise around the oval's perimeter with wind speeds greater than any storm on Earth. Dr Glenn Orton, a Juno mission team member and a planetary scientist at NASA JPL, told Business Insider last month that the Great Red Spot is like a 'spinning wheel that keeps on spinning because it's caught between two conveyor belts that are moving in opposite directions. 'The GRS is stable and long-lived, because it's 'wedged' between two jet streams that are moving in opposite directions.' But Dr Orton warned its days are numbered. 'In truth, the GRS has been shrinking for a long time,' he said. 'The GRS will in a decade or two become the GRC (Great Red Circle),' Orton said. 'Maybe sometime after that the GRM' - the Great Red Memory. Advertisement The ebb and flow of our ancient ancestors' relationship with the Continent will be revealed in a new exhibition at Stonehenge, experts have said. Objects in the display, which include prized items from the British Museum's collection of ancient Britain and Europe, range from a 6,500-year-old polished jade axe to an elaborate gold neck piece made around 4,000 years ago. Through the artefacts, English Heritage's Making Connections exhibition at Stonehenge a centre of ancient Britain highlights how there were different periods of connection with and relative isolation from Europe. These late Neolithic carved chalk cylinders, known as the Folkton Drums, originate from Folkton, North Yorkshire, In the early Neolithic period before Stonehenge was built, mass migrations of people who were the first farmers and the earliest metal workers took place. In the late Neolithic when Stonehenge was being constructed, communities were travelling and exchanging ideas from Orkney to southern England but there was little or no communication with continental Europe, the experts say. Later came another period of connection with Europe, and the Beaker culture that brought Bronze Age technology to these shores 4,500 years ago was part of a migration that almost completely replaced the communities of Britain in just a few centuries. The exhibition opens with a jade axe made of stone from the Italian Alps, brought from continental Europe 1,500 years before Stonehenge was built, which would have been highly prized and connected people to their homelands. The following period of separation is represented by the 'Folkton drums', three chalk cylinders decorated with spirals and stylised faces dating from the late Neolithic around 3,000 BC and found in a child's burial site in North Yorkshire. Experts said the style of decoration on the drums is known from megalithic monuments, pottery and other items across Britain and Ireland but not further afield. The Blessington lunula from County Wicklow, Ireland, shows people were exchanging precious metals over long distances This Bronze Age copper alloy `sun disc, from Ireland is of a type which has only otherwise been seen in continental Europe A flesh-hook decorated with birds that was found in County Antrim is going on display. In the late Neolithic when Stonehenge was being constructed, communities were travelling and exchanging ideas from Orkney to southern England This jade axe shows links to its owners continental homeland. The axe was brought from continental Europe 1,500 years before Stonehenge was built, which would have been highly prized and connected people to their homelands A copper alloy 'sun disc' dating from 1500 to 1300 BC and found in Ireland, which is thought to be part of a model chariot pulled by a divine horse, is going on display for the first time in living memory. Recently rediscovered in the British Museum store, it is of a type otherwise only known from continental Europe and shows that Bronze Age beliefs about how the sun and moon travelled across the sky were shared by people living across the region. The 4,000-year-old Blessington gold lunula, a beaten-gold crescent neck piece, also found in Ireland, shows that by 2,000 BC people were regularly exchanging metals over long distances. Though these kind of ornaments are almost exclusively found in Ireland and Britain, the motifs used to decorate them were drawn from European Beaker pottery and textiles, the experts said. A Bronze Age cup made of a single sheet of gold which shows close connections between southern England and northern France and flesh-hooks for lifting meat out of cauldrons and decorated with birds are also on display. Susan Greaney, English Heritage historian, said: 'From insular communities with what appears to be little outside communication, to mass migrations and the sharing of raw materials and finished artefacts, our ancestors have been making and breaking relationships with Continental Europe for thousands of years. 'Throughout the Neolithic and Bronze Age, Stonehenge stood at the centre of this constantly changing ebb and flow of objects, styles, people and ideas.' Neil Wilkin, British Museum curator, said: 'To be able to bring all these objects together for the first time at Stonehenge, one of the most important symbols of ancient Britain, is an exciting prospect.' Neolithic and Bronze Age objects from the British Museum collections are displayed alongside artefacts borrowed from other lenders, including a Langdale axe from Wiltshire Museum, two carved chalk plaques from Salisbury Museum, and a Grooved Ware pot from Down Farm Museum in Dorset. The exhibition launched on Friday October 12 2018 and runs until Sunday 21 April 2019 and tickets can be purchased here. The US Air Force has awarded $2.3 billion in contracts for the development of rocket launch systems which will be used in national security missions. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and CEO of space exploration firm Blue Origin, has received a sizeable chunk of this funding. United Launch Services, part of the joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin Corp and Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems received similar contracts. Bezos saw his own personal wealth take a huge hit of around $9.1 billion as Amazon was affected by a widespread drop in US tech firm stocks earlier this week. Scroll down for video The US Air Force has given Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin (pictured) part of a $2.3 billion fund to develop rocket launch systems for use in national defence missions The three contracts are part of a Department of Defense initiative to assure constant military access to space and curb reliance on foreign-made rocket engines. For example, the flagship Atlas V rocket that uses Russian-made RD-180 boosters. The new contracts are to develop rockets and carry defense payloads into space. Centennial, Colorado-based United Launch Services received $967 million (731 million) to develop its Vulcan rocket Kent. Washington-based Blue Origin was awarded $500 million (378 million) to build its New Glenn booster and Northrop Grumman of Arizona received $791.6 million (598 million) for its OmegA rocket. Blue Origin's and Northrop's prototype vehicles for military launches are expected to be ready to fly by late 2024 and ULA's Vulcan rocket development should be completed by March 2025. New Glenn is a heavy-launch vehicle, which Bezos promises will be able to haul satellites and, eventually, people into orbit, is central to the company's hopes of winning lucrative military and commercial contracts. New Glenn's first-stage booster will be reusable a key piece of Bezos' strategy to lower costs and increase the frequency of launches. Blue Origin executives have stated publicly that test flights will begin within two years. Blue Origin said in a statement following the announcement that it will build a launch site at the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, although it did not say what rockets would launch from the site. The Launch Service Agreements will work towards the the development of three domestic launch system prototypes At 313 ft (95 m) tall, New Glenn is second only in stature to the Apollo Saturn V rocket. The huge rocket is being built by Blue Origin, owned by Jeff Bezos This schematic diagram shows how Blue Origin believes the Glenn rocket will operate once it is built. A series of separations will see most of the rocket recovered via a controlled landing to allow it to be reused (pictured) ULA announced in September that its Vulcan rocket will be powered by Blue's BE-4 liquid rocket engines. The announcement comes just hours after it was revealed Bezos, the richest man in the world, had seen $9.1 billion (6.9 billion) wiped from his personal fortune. A widespread drop in the value of tech stocks saw Amazon, and subsequently Bezos who owns a 16 per cent stake in the online retailer, take a huge hit as brokers sold stock in the online behemoth. Amazon's stock tumbled 6.15 percent yesterday, closing at $1,755.25 a share. The move was a continuation of an ongoing trend which has seen Amazon's stock lose 13.2 per cent of its value since the beginning of October. Bezos announced last month that his Blue Origin space-tourism venture will launch a crewed mission sometime in 2019. Bezos refused to say whether the first suborbital trip on Blue Origin's New Shepard capsule would exclusively host crew members, rather than paying customers. His comments reinforce a timeline the space tourism firm has been publicly teasing for some time. Blue Origin's CEO, Bob Smith, said last year the company was hoping to launch paying passengers in 2018. However, this ambitious goal has been revised to 2020 following a number of test flights. The first tickets are expected to go on sale at some point next year. WHY DID JEFF BEZOS LOSE $9.1 BILLION IN A DAY? Jeff Bezos has become the richest person on the planet thanks to a range of business ventures. However, it began with the creation and huge success of Amazon.com - the online retailer. Bezos is still a majority stakeholder in the online behemoth with a 16 per cent piece of the company. Amazon's stock tumbled 6.15 percent yesterday, closing at $1,755.25 a share. The move was a continuation of an ongoing trend which has seen Amazon's stock lose 13.2 per cent of its value since the beginning of October. Six other tech billionaires who rank in the top 20 richest people in the world were also hit by falling stock prices; combined, their fortunes fell $11.9 billion. This includes Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, and Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page. The NASDEQ index is heavily weighted with technology stocks and had its worst days in two years. The index closed over four per cent lower than when it opened for trading. Advertisement Blue Origin's prototype vehicle for military launches are expected to be ready to fly by late 2024. Northrop Grumman has earmarked a similar time-frame while ULA's Vulcan rocket development should be completed by March 2025 Blue Origin will receive $500 million to build its New Glenn booster (artist's impression pictured). Blue Origin said that it will build a launch site at the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, although it did not say what rockets would launch from the site Blue Origin say New Glenn (pictured) is 'a major step toward achieving our vision of millions of people living and working in space' The space tourism company, headquartered in Kent, Washington, is looking to sell tickets aboard its rocket for around 150,000 to 230,000 ($200,000 to $300,000), according to sources with knowledge of the plans. By comparison, Virgin Galactic started selling tickets more than a decade ago, even while SpaceShipTwo was still in the early stages of development. The company has approximately 700 customers who have paid at least a deposit. Blue Origin is looking to double its current workforce to around 3,000 employees over the next two to three years, according to sources speaking to Reuters. This renewed sense of urgency from the firm is believed to focus around the development of the New Glenn rocket. Having secured government funding the company may now be on track to achieve its goal of a manned mission by the end of next year. Blue Origin has been a quieter party in the space race, with Bezos often outshone by billionaire rivals Elon Musk and Richard Branson who head up SpaceX and Virgin Galactic, respectively. The battle of the billionaires between Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Richard Branson continues to rage on, with all three firms achieving milestones in recent months. Blue Origin completed its ninth successful test flight in July, SpaceX built on the success of the Falcon 9 launch by declaring the first passenger to go around the moon. Virgin Galactic sent the Unity spacecraft to an altitude of 46,500ft before it went supersonic - the first successful test flight since a catastrophic test in 2014 killed one pilot and seriously injured another. Blue Origin's test site in West Texas saw the most recent launch in July, when 'Version 2.0' of its crew capsule, outfitted with the large windows that are a distinctive feature of the spacecraft, took off. The capsule carried 12 experiments as well as a test dummy, dubbed 'Mannequin Skywalker,' to measure the environment a human would experience on those flights. The test flight was the first performed under a launch license awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration in August 2017. ULA announced in September that its Vulcan rocket will be powered by Blue's BE-4 liquid rocket engines. The Glenn rocket (pictured) will feature a fully reusable first stage and will carry people and payloads routinely to Earth orbit Apple is buying the power-management technology at the heart of its iPhones in a $600 million deal with Dialog Semiconductor. As part of the deal, Apple will license some of Dialog's technology, bring over 300 engineers from the firm and take control of some assets. The agreement is not only unusual, but also the largest acquisition in terms of headcount by Apple. Scroll down for video Apple is buying the power-management tech at the heart of its iPhones. As part of the deal, it will license some of Dialog's tech, bring over 300 engineers and take control of some assets DIALOG'S STORY At times, Dialog Semiconductors has had a rocky past with Apple. Dialog's shares had tumbled earlier this year when it said Apple planned to use chips from another supplier. The company has also suffered at times as more evidence supported that Apple would build its own in-house chips, instead of relying on suppliers. A report last year indicated that Apple would move away from using Dialog's power management chips. But with this deal, Dialog has secured that Apple will continue to use its chips. Dialog CEO Jalal Bagherli said he could now lead a 'managed, smooth' transformation of the business as Dialog seeks new opportunities in areas such as the Internet of Things that includes connected devices like home speakers, fitness trackers or smart watches. Advertisement Apple has had a long-standing relationship with the European firm. Since the first iPhones a decade ago, Apple has used Dialog power-management chips to extend their battery life. Under the deal, Apple is buying patents, a 300-strong engineering team, most of whom already worked on chips for Apple devices, and Dialog offices in Britain, Italy and Germany. Dialog said its 2018 revenue would not be affected and it would continue shipments of existing main power management integrated circuits (PMICs) to Apple. It expects to sell current and future generations of so-called sub-PMICs to Apple. Dialog CEO Jalal Bagherli said that Apple increasingly viewed main PMICs, which are central to the operation of its devices, as a strategic element that it wanted to control directly. This was not the case for sub-PMICs that manage features such as on-board cameras, he told Reuters. Other chip designers in Europe have struggled to manage their relationship with Apple due to its sheer scale. Britain's Imagination Technologies ended up being sold to a Chinese-backed fund last year after losing Apple as a client. 'Dialog has bought itself much more than just time,' said Karsten Iltgen, an analyst at Bankhaus Lampe, which rates the stock 'buy'. 'Its Apple business has been clearly defined and put on a sound long-term footing.' Half of the deal's value, or about $300 million, is cash for the Dialog engineers and offices and the other $300 million is pre-payment to Dialog for supplying chips over the next three years, the companies said. Dialog said it would continue to deliver chips to other customers, focusing on the automotive and internet-of-things markets, among others. The deal represents an expansion of Apple's chip design operations, which kicked into high gear in 2010 when the company released its first custom processor for the iPad and iPhone. The firm has made its own processors for several years now, but has recently stepped up its efforts to produce other components, such as graphics processing units (GPUs) and Bluetooth chips, among other things. Apple started using its own GPUs in the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, as well as the iPhone XS and the Apple Watch Series 4, according to Bloomberg. Apple has made its own processors for a few years, but has recently stepped up its efforts to produce other components, such as graphics processing units and Bluetooth chips Some experts say that the deal could be used to bolster Apple's ambitions in the virtual reality space, particularly as it relates to a VR headset. Apple is buying about 16 percent of Dialog's workforce. Apple said these employees would stay in Europe and would report to Johny Srouji, the company's senior vice president of hardware technologies who oversees Apple's chip design efforts. 'Our relationship with Dialog goes all the way back to the early iPhones, and we look forward to continuing this long-standing relationship with them,' Srouji said. Apple has added around 20,000 employees in Europe since 2000. It already has a chip design centres in Munich, Germany, where it employs 1,000 staff, and St Albans, Britain. The deal will give Apple four more from Dialog, in Livorno in Italy, Swindon in Britain, and Nabern and Neuaubing in Germany. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2019, subject to customary closings and regulator approvals, Dialog said. Stephen Hawking's final scientific paper on what happens to information when objects fall into black holes has now been released. The work was completed days before Hawking died in March and his colleagues said he gave an 'enormous smile' when he was told the project had been a success. The study tackles 'the information paradox' which had been central to Hawking's research for more than 40 years. While Hawking's last paper does not solve the mystery of the information paradox, his co-authors say they 'hope we have paved the way, and we are continuing our intensive work in this area.' Stephen Hawking's final scientific paper on what happens to information when objects fall into black holes has now been released WHAT IS THE INFORMATION PARADOX? The information paradox, which can be traced back to Albert Einstein, has fascinated Stephen Hawking and other physicists for decades. In 1915, Einstein published the theory of general relativity which predicted that black holes could be defined by three key features - their mass, charge and spin. In the 1970s, Hawking built on Einstein's work. He said that black holes have a temperature and because hot objects lose heat they would eventually evaporate and disappear. The laws of quantum mechanics say that information is never lost, but that presents a paradox for our current understanding of black holes. Hawking wanted to find out what happened to the objects that had previously fallen into the black hole. He said the idea of an event horizon, from which light can't escape is flawed. Physicists believe that while the particles falling into the black hole may be gone, their information continues to linger at the edge of oblivion in the 'soft hair' of quantum particles. In a new paper, Black Hole Entropy and Soft Hair, Hawking and his colleagues found that if an object is tossed into a black hole its entropy will change. 'Any object that has a temperature also has an entropy', Professor Perry wrote in an article in the Guardian. 'The entropy is a measure of how many different ways an object could be made from its microscopic ingredients and still look the same.' A black hole's entropy - or internal disorder - can be recorded by these photons around the edge. This information will be released by a black hole when it evaporates. However, this does not resolve the paradox. Scientists still want to find out how information is actually stored in a soft hair. They also still do not know how that information leaves the black hole when it evaporates. Advertisement Theoretical physicists from the universities of Cambridge and Harvard wrote up the final paper. 'It was very difficult for Stephen to communicate and I was put on a loudspeaker to explain where we had got to', co-author Professor Malcolm Perry from the University of Cambridge told the Guardian. 'When I explained it, he simply produced an enormous smile. 'I told him we'd got somewhere. He knew the final result' The information paradox, which can be traced back to Albert Einstein, has fascinated Hawking and other physicists for decades. In 1915, Einstein published the theory of general relativity which predicted that black holes could be defined by three key features - their mass, charge and spin. In the 1970s, Hawking built on Einstein's work. He said that black holes have a temperature and because hot objects lose heat they would eventually evaporate and disappear. The laws of quantum mechanics say that information is never lost but that presents a paradox for our current understanding of black holes. Hawking wanted to find out what happened to the objects that had previously fallen into the black hole. In 2015 he declared that black holes were in fact 'grey'. The grey hole theory allows matter and energy to be held for a period of time before being released back into space. He said the idea of an event horizon, from which light can't escape, is flawed. Instead he suggested that light rays attempting to rush away from the black hole's core are held as though stuck on a treadmill. 'I propose that the information is stored not in the interior of the black hole as one might expect, but on its boundary - the event horizon', Professor Hawking said in 2016 when he published his first paper on 'the information paradox'. Physicists believe that while the particles falling into the black hole may be gone, their information continues to linger at the edge of oblivion in the 'soft hair' of quantum particles. This has been likened to the way nose hairs catch dust, for example. 'We show that when a particle goes in, it adds a soft photon to the black hole. So it adds hair to the black hole', Professor Andrew Strominger a theoretical physicist at Harvard University and author of the new study said in 2016. 'And more generally if particle goes in - because all particles carry mass and are coupled to gravity- they always add a soft graviton. So there's a kind of recording device. 'These soft photons and gravitons record information about what went into the black hole- infinitely more information than we previously believed is recorded by this mechanism.' In the new paper, Black Hole Entropy and Soft Hair, Hawking and his colleagues found that if an object is swallowed by a black hole its entropy will change. 'Any object that has a temperature also has an entropy', Professor Perry wrote in an article in the Guardian. The work tackles 'the information paradox' which had been central to Hawking's research for more than 40 years. Hawking said that black holes have a temperature and because hot objects lose heat they would eventually evaporate and disappear (stock image) 'The entropy is a measure of how many different ways an object could be made from its microscopic ingredients and still look the same.' A black hole's entropy - or internal disorder - can be recorded by these photons around the edge, researchers found using theoretical models based on black holes. 'The entropy is basically a quantitative measure of what one knows about a black hole apart from its mass or spin', said Professor Perry. 'What this paper does is show that 'soft hair' can account for the entropy,' he said. This information will be released by a black hole when it evaporates, the paper found. However, this does not resolve the paradox and scientists still want to find out how information is actually stored in a soft hair. 'While we have not solved the information paradox, we hope that we have paved the way, and we are continuing our intensive work in this area', Professor Perry said. They also still do not know how information leaves the black hole when it evaporates. 'If I throw something in, is all of the information about what it is stored on the black hole's horizon?' said Professor Perry. 'If it's only half of it, or 99 per cent, that is not enough, you have not solved the information paradox problem.' A terrifying 80-million-year old relative of Tyrannosaurus rex has been discovered in New Mexico. Scientists say the new species, whose name means 'powerful terror ruler', was an apex predator during its ancient rule of terror. Dynamoterror dynastes has a slightly different bone structure to its successor the T rex and lived millions of years earlier. Scroll down for video Dynamoterror dynastes (artist's impression) has a slightly different bone structure to its successor the T rex and lived millions of years earlier 'The giant tyrannosaurids were the apex predators of western North America and Asia during the close of the Cretaceous Period', scientists led by Western Science Center paleontologist Andrew McDonald wrote in the paper published in the paper published in PeerJ. The name Dynamoterro is derived from the Greek word dynamis ('power') and the Latin word terror. The specific name, dynastes, is a Latin word meaning 'ruler.' The 30ft (9m) long specimen lived millions of years before other T rex fossils which generally date to between 66 million and 77 million years ago. Although it is not quite as big as T rex it would have been a top predator during its rule. The remains were found in the Menefee Formation of New Mexico which was part of an ancient continent called Laramidia. Palaeontologists immediately knew it was a large therapod from looking at the size of its limbs. Much of the skeleton was fragmented which meant it was hard to distinguish the specimen from all other tyrannosaurids. A terrifying 80-million-year old relative of Tyrannosaurus rex (stock image) has been discovered in New Mexico. Scientists say the new species, whose name means 'powerful terror ruler', was an apex predator during its ancient rule The remains were found in the Menefee Formation of New Mexico which was part of an ancient continent called Laramidia However, researchers said that the forehead of the skull and parts of the feet were preserved. Using 3D scanning and printing, paleontologists could reconstruct what it might have looked like. 'Laser-scanning the frontals and creation of a composite 3-D digital model allows the frontal region of the skull roof of Dynamoterror to be reconstructed', scientists wrote. This meant they were able to distinguish this specimen from all other tyrannosaurids. There were enough overlapping features for palaeontologists to recreate a digital composite of both bones. 'There are features on the right frontal that aren't preserved on the left, and vice versa', Professor McDonald told Gizmodo. 'Those overlapping features gave us landmarks to work with,' he said. Although the 3D modelling did not reveal features that scientists did not know about already, it made it easier to make comparisons. The offspring of some of the biggest dinosaurs to walk the planet ran feral in the woods while their parents grazed on grass plains, scientists now believe. They left their young to fend for themselves in 'age-segregated herds' because they had pointed heads that couldn't handle the same food as adults. It meant they feasted on forest plants instead of grasses - so they were allowed to run wild without any parental guidance. It may be the earliest example of 'feral young' in the animal kingdom. The discovery was made after scientists examined the smallest Diplodocus skull ever found, measuring just nine inches (23cm) long - and reconstructed the animal. Scroll down for video New details of the lives of some of the largest dinosaurs ever to walk the Earth have been uncovered thanks to a fresh examination of the smallest Diplodocus skull ever found (pictured) Nicknamed 'Andrew', the remarkably preserved head was dug up in Montana. It revealed previously unknown aspects of the young lives of long-necked sauropods, which grew more than 100 feet (30m) long and weighed 100 tons. The plant eaters included the Brontosaurus, Brachiosaurus and Apatosaurus and were once the largest animals to walk the Earth. And they had a hard upbringing - having to fend for themselves from an early age because of their different physical features. Palaeontologist Dr Cary Woodruff, of the University of Toronto, said it provides evidence for the 'lack of parental care in diplodocid dinosaurs.' He said: 'An immature Diplodocus may have fended for itself - or possibly as part of an age-segregated herd - and fed on differing foliage to gain more nutrients during critical development.' Diplodocuses left their young to fend for themselves in 'age-segregated herds', the study showed. It meant they ate forest food instead of grasses - so they were allowed to run wild without any parental guidance (artist's impression) As they got bigger their skulls changed dramatically - indicating did not feed in the same way or on the same food as mature diplodocids. Comparing the skull to other, larger specimens, the Canadian team showed the juveniles were not merely smaller versions of adults. Unusually, they exhibited features were more similar to those of their ancestors than their own parents a phenomenon known as recapitulation. The skulls of young diplodocuses (right) was a very different shape to those of adults (left) The unique skull and teeth described in Scientific Reports sheds fresh light on how diplodocid dinosaurs lived. The short, narrow snout suggests juveniles ate a wider variety of plants than their parents, who had developed wide and squared snouts as they got older. So they were likely to have fed in forests rather than in the more open habitats where adults browsed at ground level for their more specialist foods. Given the extreme size difference between hatchlings and adults, the separation of parents and offspring may also have protected infants from being trampled. The juveniles' forest habitat may also have shielded them from predators, added Dr Woodruff. He said: 'With their titanic bodies and long necks and tails, sauropods are perhaps the most recognisable dinosaurs.' But despite many fossils having been unearthed, very few skulls have survived. When a Sauropod died, as the carcass rotted, the proportionately tiny head often fell off the neck and was lost. SAUROPODS: LONG NECKED AND SMALL BRAINED DINOSAURS Sauropods were the first successful group of herbivorous dinosaurs, dominating most terrestrial ecosystems for more than 140 million years, from the Late Triassic to Late Cretaceous. They had long necks and tails and relatively small skulls and brains. They stretched to 130 feet (40 metres) and weighed up to 80 tonnes (80,000kg) - 14 times the weight of an African elephant. Sauropods were the first successful group of herbivorous dinosaurs, dominating most terrestrial ecosystems for more than 140 million years, from the Late Triassic to Late Cretaceous They were widespread - their remains have been found on all the continents except Antarctica. They had nostrils high up on their skulls - rather than being located at the end of the snout like those of so many other terrestrial vertebrates. Some fossils shows that these nostril openings were so far up the skull that there were very close to the eye openings. Sauropods such as the Diplodocus began to diversify in the Middle Jurassic about 180 million years ago. Source: University of California Museum of Paleontology Advertisement This was particularly where the carcass was transported any distance, by a flash flood or some other such natural occurrence. Consequently, fossils of baby and juvenile sauropods are exceptionally rare. Any such carcass, if not buried quickly would soon have been torn apart by many scavengers. Dr Woodruff said: 'An adult Diplodocus might attain a body length in excess of 30 metres, but its skull was well under one metre.' He said Andrew 'represents the smallest known example' and reveals hitherto unknown aspects of immature diplodocid anatomy. A person's idea of what an orgasm looks like may depend on where they live. Researchers have found Western and Eastern cultures generally agree on what our face looks like when we're in pain. But when it comes to what our faces look like during an orgasm, that's where the two cultures differ. Scroll down for video Researchers created a computer program that could mimic a variety of facial expressions, using a core set of 42 movements, like mouth stretching, eyelid raising and jaw dropping HOW DID THEY DO THE STUDY? University of Glasgow researchers created a computer program that could mimic a variety of facial expressions. For the simulated faces, the researchers used a core set of 42 movements. These movements included things like mouth stretching, eyelid raising and jaw dropping. They then asked 40 females and 40 males to judge whether the facial movements were expressions of pain, orgasm or something else. Participants also rated the facial expression based on intensity, using a five-point scale ranking from 'very weak' to 'very strong.' Advertisement For the study, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers modeled the facial expressions of pain and sexual pleasure in people from Western and Eastern cultures. University of Glasgow researchers created a computer program that could mimic a variety of facial expressions, using a core set of 42 movements. These movements included things like mouth stretching, eyelid raising and jaw dropping. They then asked 40 females and 40 males to judge whether the facial movements were expressions of pain, orgasm or something else. Observers viewed the animations and if the face movements matched their mental image of what pain or orgasm looked like, they categorized it accordingly, the study noted. They also rated the facial expression based on intensity, using a five-point scale ranking from 'very weak' to 'very strong.' Researchers found that the participants almost entirely agreed that facial expressions were different when the models were in pain or orgasm. Almost all of the participants agreed that the typical expression of pain involved pulling the face inward. Western and Eastern cultures generally agree on what our face looks like when we're in pain. When it comes to what our faces look like during an orgasm, that's where the two differ Expressions of pain also included lowering of the eyebrows and wrinkling the nose, the participants said. But the groups differed greatly in what they saw as the face of a person having an orgasm. Participants from Western cultures tended to choose wide-eyed facial expressions with gaping mouths. Researchers found that participants from Eastern and Western cultures almost entirely agreed that facial expressions were different when the models were in pain or orgasm Meanwhile, participants from Eastern cultures chose faces that were smiling, with raised eyebrows and closed eyes. 'Together, these data show that mental representations of the extreme positive and negative affective states of physical pain and orgasm are distinct in the two cultures,' according to the study. The researchers' findings also contradict with conclusions made in previous studies on a similar topic. Prior studies have reasoned that facial expressions of pain and orgasm look alike. However, the researchers believe the study shows that this isn't the case. The groups differed greatly in what they saw as the face of a person having an orgasm. Western cultures tended to choose wide-eyed facial expressions with gaping mouths, while Eastern cultures chose faces that were smiling, with raised eyebrows and closed eyes 'Our results from modeling the mental representations of facial expressions of pain and orgasm show that they are distinct,' the study notes. 'Specifically, we show in both cultures that mental representations of pain and orgasm comprise opposing face movementswhereas pain is characterized by those that contract the face inward (e.g., brow lowering, nose wrinkling, and cheek raising), orgasm is represented by face movements that expand the face outward (e.g., brow raising in both cultures; mouth opening and eyelid raising among Westerners).' They believe that the differences could be explained by what cultural expectations are around expressions of excitement and contentment. 'These cultural differences correspond to current theories of ideal affect that propose that Westerners value high arousal-positive states such as excitement and enthusiasm, which are often associated with wide-open eye and mouth movements, whereas East Asians tend to value low arousal-positive states, which are often associated with closed-mouth smiles,' the study explained. If you've ever wondered what's really inside your mobile phone, a new DIY kit could help you out. Called MakerPhone, the $89 kit gives you everything you need to make a mobile. While the resulting handset might not be as advanced as the latest from apple and Google, it is s fully functioning phone - complete with a Space Invaders game. Scroll down for video The Croatian firm behind the Kickstarter kit says its should take about seven hours to build from start to finish WHAT YOU GET The parts list includes: 1.8-inch, 128 x 160 resolution color LCD display Main circuit board sound module with dedicated 10-bit DAC and electronic volume controller, RGB LEDs laser-cut acrylic housing GSM module, microcomputer with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and 4 MB of built-in flash memory 128 MB SD card containing apps 600 mAh Li-Pol battery Advertisement Croatian tech startup CircuitMess using Kickstarter to fund the project, and says the phone is perfect for anyone over the age of 11. 'With MakerPhone were trying to show people that every machine you see was designed by a human being not different nor smarter than themselves,' the firm says. Although build time will vary according to skill levels, CircuitMess says that the phone should take about seven hours to build. 'MakerPhone will take you from learning how to wield a soldering iron through assembling your very own fully functional mobile phone all the way to coding your very own app or game for your very own DIY mobile phone.' Purchasers will get all the parts and tutorials they need. They will have to supply their own soldering iron, pliers and a screwdriver - although they will be taught how to solder. They will also learn how to code, using Scratch, MicroPython and Arduino IDE (which is based on C/C++). The kit also comes supplied with a 128 MB SD card containing apps, tools and games. However, the resulting phone doesn't have a touchscreen, instead using a physical numeric keypad, along with a 4-way mechanical joystick and multi-purpose addressable buttons. Although build time will vary according to skill levels, CircuitMess says that the phone should take about seven hours to build. The project's Kickstarter campaign has already met its funding goal of US$15,000, and the firm plans to start shipping in March next year. Despite the lack of a touchscreen, users will be able to make calls, send texts, play basic games like Snake or Pong and listen to music. The kit will also teach them how to write their own apps. The phone doesn't have a touchscreen, instead using a physical numeric keypad, along with a 4-way mechanical joystick and multi-purpose addressable buttons The project's Kickstarter campaign has already met its funding goal of US$15,000, and the firm plans to start shipping in March next year. Pledges start at $89, and for $119 CircuitMess includes the tools necessary to build the MakerPhone. Earth's moon may be orbited by a mysterious smaller moon that has alluded scientists for decades, according to a new study. This submoon, also known as a moonmoon, could be as large as a skyscraper but has yet to be spotted by astronomers. It is one of at least four moonmoons that may exist in our solar system, according to new calculations. Earth's moon, Jupiter's moon Callisto, and Saturn's moons Titan and Iapetus all have the perfect conditions to host one - if they exist in our star system at all. Earth's moon (file photo) may be orbited by a mysterious smaller moon that has alluded scientists for decades, according to a new study. This submoon, also known as a moonmoon, could be as large as a skyscraper but has yet to be spotted by astronomers Scientists at Observatories of the Carnegie Institution of Washington and the University of Bordeaux team up for the new study. Following decades of speculation, the team's calculations revealed for the first time the conditions required for a moonmoon to form. Computer models showed such an object could only exist around large moons that are relatively distant from their parent planets. A moonmoon would have to orbit within a very fine distance margin, researchers found. It would need to orbit close enough to remain within the gravitational pull of its moon rather than the larger planet - but far away enough to avoid being torn apart or pulled out of orbit by its moon. Meeting these stringent requirements would be difficult, but not impossible, according to the calculations. A moonmoon would have to orbit within a very fine distance margin to avoid being pulled away by the larger planet. Jupiter's moon Callisto (top left), and Saturn's moons (top right) Titan and Iapetus all have the perfect conditions to host one. Uranus and Neptune do not Four moons in the solar system could host a mini-satellite, including Earth's moon, Jupiter's moon Callisto, and Saturn's moons Titan and Iapetus. Even if these moons have the right conditions to host a moonmoon, it remains extremely unlikely that one has landed in the right spot. 'Something has to kick a rock into orbit at the right speed that it would go into orbit around a moon, and not the planet or the star,' study coauthor Dr Sean Raymond, of the University of Bordeaux, told New Scientist. If that moon shifted its position during the course of its evolution, as Earth's moon has, its unlikely that the moonmoon would have remained in its orbit, he said. This may explain why a moonmoon has yet to be spotted in our solar system, experts said. 'I think we can say for sure that there's not a moonmoon that's kilometres across around Jupiter or Saturn,' Queen's University Belfast astronomer Michele Bannister, who was not involved in the study, told New Scientist. 'A moonmoon down to the size of a skyscraper could exist out there, but I'd call it moonmoonlet.' NASA should expand its search for alien life into new areas and focus on astrobiology, a new congressionally mandated report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has concluded. 'To advance the search for life in the universe, NASA should support research on a broader range of biosignatures and environments, and incorporate the field of astrobiology into all stages of future exploratory missions,' it says. The report outlines a plethora of new initiatives NASA should undertake, from focusing on undersea oceans on other planets to studying life on Earth. Scroll down for video NASA should expand its search for alien life into new areas and focus on astrobiology, a new congressionally mandated report has concluded. WHAT IS ASTROBIOLOGY? Astrobiology, the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe, is a rapidly changing field, especially in the years since the publication of NASA's Astrobiology Strategy 2015. Recent scientific advances in the field now provide many opportunities to strengthen the role of astrobiology in NASA missions and to increase collaboration with other scientific fields and organizations. The report finds that these changes necessitate an updated science strategy for astrobiology. Advertisement The key to the research, the report says, is astrobiology, the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. The report says the fast changing area 'necessitates an updated science strategy for astrobiology'. The committee that authored the report also found that the lines of evidence we use to look for current and past life on Earth and beyond, known as biosignatures, needs expansion. 'An updated, more sophisticated catalog and framework will be important to enhance our ability to detect both life that might be similar to terrestrial life, and potential life that differs from life as we know it,' it said. It also called for the investigation of 'novel 'agnostic' biosignatures signs of life that are not tied to a particular metabolism or molecular 'blueprint,' or other characteristics of life as we currently know it. In particular, the report found that NASA should focus on research and exploration of possible life below the surface of a planet in light of recent advances that have demonstrated the breadth and diversity of life below Earth's surface, the nature of fluids beneath the surface of Mars, and the likelihood of life-sustaining geological processes in planets and moons with subsurface oceans. Collaboration with other space sgencies was also key, the report said. Pictured, Russia's Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft The report also emphasizes the need for NASA to ramp up efforts in developing mission-ready life detection technologies to advance the search for life. 'For studies of life on planets outside of this solar system, the agency should implement technologies in near-term ground- and space-based direct imaging missions that can suppress the light from stars,' it said. 'Collaboration with private, philanthropic, and international organizations, especially international space agencies, is also crucial to achieving the objectives of searching for life in the universe.' Your iPhone could soon warn you if you're about to receive a spam call. Apple has patented technology that would automatically recognize a 'spoofing caller' and serve up a warning on users' iPhone screens. It comes as Google this week launched a new Call Screen feature to arrive with its latest handset, the Pixel 3, which can answer and prevent spam calls for you. Scroll down for video Your iPhone could soon warn you if you're about to receive a spam call. Apple patented a system that recognizes a 'spoofing caller' and generates a warning on users' iPhone screens The patent, which is titled 'Detection of spoofed call information,' was filed in April 2015, but was made public on Thursday. Apple describes creating a system where the phone performs checks on a call to determine whether it is legitimate, or if it's from a spoofed number. 'An example of a spoofed message is one in which a person with bad intentions, a "spoofing caller," or a machine under control of the spoofing caller, pushes forward a financial scam by inserting a caller ID value in the message that the called party will trust,' the patent explains, citing how scammers use numbers associated with law enforcement, family members or electric companies as an example. 'In some embodiments, a mobile device is configured to detect that a message inviting a call initiation is a spoofed message.' The system would look for information like network equipment identifiers, server identifiers as well as routing data. It would then issue a warning or, perhaps, block the call entirely. '[If the] message is spoofed or the likelihood that the message is spoofed is substantial, then a warning is provided to the called party,' the patent states. The patent describes how the system also gives the user the option to take the call even if they've received a warning that it's from a spoofed number. The patent was filed in April 2015, but was made public on Thursday. It describes a system where the phone performs checks on a call to determine if it's legitimate, or from a spammer The system would look for information like network equipment identifiers, server identifiers as well as routing data. It would then issue a warning or, perhaps, block the call entirely Apple patents many ideas that never come to fruition, so it's unclear if this will ever see the light of day. However, Apple is behind Google when it comes to preventing spoof calls. Google on Tuesday debuted a new Call Screen feature that uses Google Assistant to block spam calls. Users activate a feature as the call comes in, and Google will transcribe it 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. This gives the device owner a chance to decide whether or not they want to take the call, avoiding scammers in the process. A new study has found that neural circuits in the brain may play a role in determining how a parent will take care of their children - at least, if you're a mouse. Researchers activated different portions of neurons in an area of the brain and found that different subsets caused the mice to groom, interact and engage in other behaviors with their pups. It's unclear whether the same circuit exists in other mammals, but the scientists say it still serves as an interesting case study for humans. Scroll down for video A new study has found that neural circuits in the brain may play a role in determining how a parent will take care of their children - at least, if you're a mouse The study was published Thursday in the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Researchers from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Harvard University specifically looked at a small cluster of neurons in the media preoptic area (MPOA) of the brain. These neurons, which control everything from hunger and thirst to sex drive, are organized in subpopulations that link out to different areas of the brain. From there, the scientists worked to determine which subpopulations were activated when a mouse was carrying out different parenting tasks, ranging from grooming to feeding. They found that all MPOA neurons lit up when mice were parenting, but by activating certain subpopulations, it would trigger specific behaviors. As a result, they reasoned that different subpopulations of neurons were responsible for different parenting tasks. Researchers looked at a small cluster of neurons in the media preoptic area (MPOA) of the brain. They found that certain subpopulations were responsible for different parenting tasks For example, they found that activating one portion of neurons caused both male and female mice to groom their pups. Another subset of neurons was found to 'influence the motivation to interact with infants,' the researchers said. Meanwhile, Johannes Kohl, lead of author of the study, stimulated a subpopulation of neurons and found that it could suppress social behaviors that aren't tied to parenting. 'Kohl unexpectedly observed that this manipulation suppressed interactions with adult mice in both males and females, therefore indicating that this pool might indirectly promote parenting by suppressing non-parental social behaviors,' the American Association for the Advancement of Science noted. Small circuits of a mouse's brain are found to control parenting behaviors like grooming and interacting with pups. It's unclear whether the same circuit exists in other mammals, but the scientists say it still serves as an interesting case study for humans The scientists say the study provides an in-depth look at what parts of the brain power many of the most important parenting skills. 'This research is significant because it sheds light on the brain circuits that shape such important traits like parenting behavior,' said Peter Stern, a senior editor at Science, who was not involved in the study. Kohl added that, while 'it is too early to know whether these findings are directly applicable to humans -where behavior is considerably more complex and subject to many additional social or cultural influences, for example,' the study uncovered a great deal about how social behaviors are wired into the brain. Following the study, Kohl said he hopes to examine how things like 'stress, sleep or hunger affect these circuits, and whether other social behaviors rely on neural circuits that are similar in form and function to the ones identified for parenting.' Dementia could be prevented by simply wearing a hearing aid or having surgery to improve eyesight, two major research studies have suggested. While no drug has yet been created to prevent the deterioration of mental faculties, undergoing cataract surgery was found to halve the rate of cognitive decline in a study of more than 5,000 people. Wearing a hearing aid had an even bigger effect, reducing the decline in memory and thinking skills by more than 75 per cent. Wearing a hearing aid has been found to reduce the risk of dementia by some 75 per cent Experts said that it could prevent many cases of dementia such as Alzheimers disease. Dr Asri Maharani, co-author of the studies by Manchester University, said: Age is one of the most important factors implicated in cognitive decline. We find that hearing and vision interventions may slow it down and perhaps prevent some cases of dementia, which is exciting though we cant say yet that this is a causal relationship. Retaining sight and hearing can keep people more physically active and socially engaged. The researchers compared the rates of decline before and after the patients had cataract surgery or started wearing a hearing aid. One study which is published in scientific journal PLOS ONE today looked at 2,068 individuals who had cataract surgery, compared with 3,636 who did not. The research on hearing aids, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society last month, was carried out using 2,040 participants in the American Health and Retirement survey from 1996 to 2014. Co-author Dr Piers Dawes said: These studies underline just how important it is to overcome the barriers which deny people from accessing hearing and visual aids. Its not really certain why hearing and visual problems have an impact on cognitive decline, but Id guess that isolation, stigma and the resultant lack of physical activity that are linked to hearing and vision problems might have something to do with it. 'I felt safer and so much more confidence' Linda Parton, 68, said her life was transformed by hearing aids. Mrs Parton, a former primary head teacher and now a charity worker, said: Not hearing right made me feel stupid. I would answer a question people posed only to find out Id misheard what they were asking. At family gatherings I would miss out on so much of what was going on. Linda Parton, pictured, said her life was transformed by hearing aids I was starting to struggle to hear what was going on at meetings at work. Mrs Parton, from Leek in North Staffordshire, had the devices fitted in 2014 after eight years of declining hearing. Since then she has continued to help children with cerebral palsy in Africa. She said: As I walked out of the hospital I could hear cars approaching I instantly felt safer. Having hearing aids gave me the confidence to say when I couldnt hear and when I needed people to communicate with me in a more thoughtful manner. Advertisement And there are barriers to overcome: people might not want to wear hearing aids because of stigma attached to wearing them, or they feel the amplification is not good enough or theyre not comfortable. Perhaps a way forward is adult screening to better identify hearing and vision problems and in the case of hearing loss, demedicalising the whole process so treatment is done outside the clinical setting. That could reduce stigma. But last night campaigners highlighted the long waiting lists for cataract surgery and rationing and delays in getting assessments and prescriptions for hearing aids. The Daily Mails Save Our Sight campaign has shown the scandal of thousands of vulnerable elderly people being denied life-transforming cataract operations. We have also revealed how hearing aids, which can cost as little as 90, are being rationed in parts of the country. NICE guidelines say devices should be offered at the first opportunity after hearing loss is detected. But some health boards have stopped giving hearing aids to patients with moderate hearing loss suggesting instead they lip-read. Hearing loss is most common in the elderly and is expected to affect 13million people a fifth of the population by 2035. Caroline Abrahams, of Age UK, said the research helps underline why it is so important for older people to have access to good quality hearing aids and eye care. She added: Correcting problems with vision and hearing can help open up a world that was previously closed off and reduce some of the isolation and loneliness that these problems can bring. Sir Doug Ellis, Aston Villa chairman for 31 years, has died aged 94. One of the pioneering chairman of the Premier League era - and later president emeritus at Villa - passed away on Thursday morning. Ellis was chairman of Villa for two spells, first from 1968 to 1975, before returning to the club after their European Cup success in 1982 until retirement in 2006. Sir Doug Ellis poses for a photoshoot with the Daily Mail shortly after his 2006 retirement Ellis sits alongside Graham Taylor at his appointment as Villa manager in February 2002 Former Villa striker Stan Collymore led the tributes, tweeting: 'Extremely sad to hear Doug Ellis has passed away today. 'Made it possible to fulfill my dream of playing for Villa, something I'll be eternally grateful to him for. 'Rest in peace, Chairman, sincere gratitude from me and mine.' Paul Merson, who was at Villa from 1998 to 2002, said: 'RIP Sir Doug Ellis. What an amazing man! He was like a father figure to me at Villa. I cannot speak highly enough of him!' Former Villa defender Paul McGrath said: 'Devastated, just heard the news about Sir Doug Ellis, absolute gentleman to me throughout my career my thoughts and prayers are with Heidi and his family.' Former Aston Villa defender Paul McGrath shared this image of himself with Ellis Aston Villa will hold a minute's silence for next Saturday's clash with Swansea at Villa Park, when the players will wear black armbands. Ellis had an infamously frosty relationship with Villa fans but their fortunes have taken a turn for the worse since his departure. His nickname 'Deadly Doug' was given to him by Jimmy Greaves. It became linked to his propensity to sack managers - with 15 coming and going during his 31 years at the club - but former Villa boss Ron Atkinson insists it came about via fishing. He said: 'It was a reputation forged by Jimmy Greaves when the two of them went salmon fishing and Doug became deadly for the way in which he slapped Jimmy over the head with his catch.' Ellis unveils Billy McNeill as manager in 1986 - he lasted just one year at Villa Park Ellis watches Man United v Aston Villa in 2016 with England manager Gareth Southgate (right) Villa won the League Cup three times during Ellis reign - in 1975, 1994 and 1996 - but he was not on the board for their European Cup win in 1982, returning as chairman shortly after following a seven-year absence. Ellis' lasting legacy at the club is the rebuilding work he did at Villa Park, with the Doug Ellis Stand on Witton Lane named in his honour. Ellis made his money through a variety of industries including travel, construction and even cider making. At his height he owned 19 companies - 12 in the UK. Ellis gave away fortunes to charity, earning him and OBE and later a knighthood. Ellis leaves behind second wife Heidi and three sons. Vladimir Putin told the father of UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov not to punish him 'too severely' when they met earlier this week. Khabib defeated Conor McGregor by submission at UFC 229, but the event was overshadowed by a brawl between the fighters and their support staff after the official fight was over. The Russian fighter climbed over the walls of the Octagon and attacked McGregor's trainer Dillon Danis, while the Irishman fought with three of Khabib's trainers in the arena. Vladimir Putin told the dad of UFC's Khabib Nurmagomedov not to punish him 'too severely' While UFC have condemned the fight and are considering what action to take - including if Khabib should be stripped of the title - his father, Abdulmanap, also promised to discipline his son. The 55-year-old said: 'You can do whatever you want in the Octagon; outside of it, there's children, women, random people. 'My team has always been known for its discipline, hence my sanctions to Khabib will be much stronger than the ones from UFC.' Khabib defeated Conor McGregor at UFC 229, but it was overshadowed by a post-match brawl However, in an unlikely turn of events, Putin proved a softer touch when he met with the father and son on Wednesday to offer his congratulations. The Russian president reportedly told Nurmagomedov senior 'not to punish him too severely' for his actions. Nurmagomedov junior said he had attacked McGregor's entourage in revenge for pre-fight insults about his religion, country and family. 'This is a respect sport, not a trash-talking sport,' he said. 'I don't want to talk s*** about opponents, my father, religion or country, this is very important. My father is going to smash me when I go home.' Chelsea want to send racist supporters on trips to Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz instead of imposing banning orders. The Blues' Jewish owner Roman Abramovich is at the forefront of the initiative, designed to combat anti-Semitism at the Stamford Bridge club. Chelsea want to offer supporters caught in racism storms the chance to attend education courses at the World War Two concentration camp in Poland instead of being banned from attending matches at the Premier League club. Chelsea want to offer supporters caught in racism storms the chance to attend education courses at Auschwitz in Poland instead of being banned from attending matches 'If you just ban people, you will never change their behaviour,' Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck told The Sun. 'This policy gives them the chance to realise what they have done, to make them want to behave better. 'In the past, we would take them from the crowd and ban them, for up to three years. 'Now we say 'You did something wrong. You have the option. We can ban you or you can spend some time with our diversity officers, understanding what you did wrong'.' Chelsea publicly criticised a number of their own fans for anti-Semitic chanting against rivals Tottenham in September 2017. The Blues' Jewish owner Roman Abramovich is at the forefront of the initiative AUSCHWITZ Auschwitz was a concentration and extermination camp used by the Nazis during World War Two. The camp, which is located in Poland, was made up of three main sites. Auschwitz I, the original concentration camp, Auschwitz II-Birkenau, a combined concentration/extermination camp and Auschwitz IIIMonowitz, a labour camp, with a further 45 satellite sites. Birkenau became a major part of the Nazis' 'Final Solution', whereby they sought to rid Europe of Jews. An estimated 1.3 million people were sent to the camp, of whom at least 1.1 million died around 90 percent of which were Jews. Since 1947, it has operated as Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, which in 1979 was named a World Heritage Site by Unesco. Advertisement A Chelsea delegation went to the annual March of the Living at Auschwitz in April and in June an official trip of 150 fans plus club employees went to Poland to visit the notorious Nazi death camp. Holocaust survivors have also given talks to west London club. Buck added: 'It is hard to act when a group of 50 or 100 people are chanting. That's virtually impossible to deal with or try to drag them out of the stadium. 'But if we have individuals that we can identify, we can act.' The initiative is backed by the World Jewish Congress, the Holocaust Education Trust and leading Jewish scholar Rabbi Barry Marcus, who insisted banning doesn't work. Buck responded: 'It took us five years to find that out. A year ago, Roman sat down with senior people at the club and had a conversation. 'He had noticed an increase in anti-Semitism around the world and directed us to see what we could do implement a long-term project to combat it.' Despite Hurricane Michael battering Florida, it appears to be business as usual for British travellers heading to and from tourist hot spots in the state. The category four storm - which was 350 miles across - barreled into the Florida Panhandle with winds of 155mph, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. It was the most powerful storm to ever hit the region. But in Orlando, almost 300 miles away, the international airport was operating as normal as were the city's famous theme parks such as Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. A house is reduced to rubble after being obliterated by Hurricane Michael in Panama City on the Florida Panhandle And it was the same picture in Miami, almost 500 miles from where the storm made landfall. There were only 10 flight cancellations at its international airport. Orlando International Airport tweeted and reassured passengers by saying: '#Michael is not expected to cause a major impact to MCO operations, but check with your airline for the latest flight status before heading to the airport.' And airlines British Airways, Delta and Thomas Cook confirmed to MailOnline Travel that flights and holidays to Florida from the UK had not been impacted by the weather so far. Only American Airlines has cancelled a flight from the UK as a result of the hurricane. It is their service from London Heathrow to Raleigh Durham Airport in North Carolina, which is mainly aimed at business travellers. However, for those heading to areas close to where the hurricane hit or where it could head next are being warned to take extra care and check their travel plans. Orlando International Airport tweeted to say that the storm was not expected to cause major disruption there The UK Foreign Office warned that life-threatening storm surges, flooding and very dangerous winds were expected in parts of Georgia and Alabama. It advised: 'A state of emergency has been declared in Florida, Alabama, southern and central Georgia, and across South Carolina. 'You should monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Center and follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation or "shelter in place" orders. A grocery store in Saint Marks, Florida, is left flooded in the wake of Hurricane Michael. The Foreign Office says Brits heading to affected areas of Florida should monitor local weather updates People survey the damage to a building in Panama City, Florida. There have been disruptions at airports closer to where the hurricane hit While an Abta spokesman added: 'Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida, on Wednesday afternoon in the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend regions and into portions of southeast Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina and southeast Virginia. 'Customers currently in this region are advised to follow the advice of the local authorities, their accommodation providers and travel providers. 'Michael has now been downgraded to a Tropical storm. According to forecasts, on its current track, Michael will travel in a north-easterly direction and the centre of Michael will move through eastern Georgia into central South Carolina, then move across portions of central and eastern North Carolina and south eastern Virginia into the Atlantic Ocean by late tonight or early Friday. 'Customers on package holidays due to travel imminently to the affected parts of Florida and other affected states should liaise with their tour operators. 'Customers travelling independently should read the Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice, check with their accommodation provider and follow guidance from local authorities to the letter.' The three major airlines flying inside the US have made preparations in case schedules have to be disrupted. As the storm moves north, it could hit Georgia, and Atlanta Airport says it will be monitoring the hurricane closely Yesterday, Delta cancelled all flights for Panama City, Tallahassee, Destin-Fort Walton Beach , Albany, Ga. , Valdosta, Ga. and Dothan, Ala. The airline expects to resume flights at these airports this morning, pending an assessment of facilities and infrastructure. Since Tuesday, Delta has cancelled nearly 80 scheduled flights as a result of Michael with additional disruptions possible. It is now advising passengers to check their flight status on their airline's website before setting off to the airport. United Airlines, meanwhile, has a travel waiver in place meaning passengers flying to several airports can opt to travel after the storm passes. These airports include: Atlanta, Charleston, Columbia, Ft. Walton Beach, FL, Greenville-Spartanburg, Mobile, Myrtle Beach, Panama City, Pensacola and Savannah. American Airlines also has a travel waiver in place for flights to and from Augusta, Destin / Fort Walton Beach, Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Hilton Head, Mobile, Myrtle Beach, Panama City, Florida, Pensacola, Savannah and Tallahassee. Meanwhile the advice from the world's busiest airport, HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport, is to check the flight status with airlines. He had accusations of groping several women leveled against him just days before he won the recall election to become the governor of California in 2003. Arnold Schwarzenegger would later apologize for 'misbehaving with women' and now, one year after the breakout of the #MeToo movement, he is apologizing again. 'Looking back, I stepped over the line several times, and I was the first one to say sorry. I feel bad about it, and I apologize,' the now 71-year old admitted in an interview published in Men's Health magazine. Admission: Arnold Schwarzenegger apologized again for his past behavior with women Regretful: 'Looking back, I stepped over the line several times, and I was the first one to say sorry. I feel bad about it, and I apologize,' the now 71-year old confessed in an interview with Men's Health, which is out October 16 When discussing his treatment of women before #MeToo, the Terminator star admitted he has regrets. 'When I became governor, I wanted to make sure that no one, including me, ever makes this mistake. That's why we took sexual harassment courses, to have a clear understanding, from a legal point of view and also from a regular-behavior point of view, of what is accepted and what is not.' Despite the fallout from the groping scandal, Schwarzenegger maintains that he has not wavered in his sense of who he is as a man and his relationships with women. 'I've not changed my view (on masculinity). I'm a guy. I would not change my view of who I am. The woman I was originally most in love with was my mother. I respected her, and she was a fantastic woman. I always had respect for women.' Initial allegations: Schwarzenegger apologized for 'misbehaving with women' after groping allegations were made public during the California gubernatorial recall election in 2003; the body building champion is pictured in 1966 Making amends: Arnold said he and his administration took sexual harassment course after he was voted in as California governor in 2003; the actor is pictured in the 1987 hit film Predator In the interview, Schwarzenegger also said he regretted calling his political opponents as 'girlie men' during a 2004 Republican National Convention. 'At the time it felt like the right thing to do... I called them girlie men because they weren't willing to take risks. They were afraid of everything,' he said. 'But it was shortsighted. In the long term, it's better to not say that, because you want to work with them.' In 2011, Schwarzenegger would find himself in the middle of another public scandal when it was revealed that he fathered a child with his family's housekeeper while married to Maria Shriver, with whom he shares four children. The boy was born in 1997. The actor claimed he didn't find out he had fathered the child until seven or eight years later. Shriver filed for divorce two months after his public admission. Keeping Up with the Kardashians matriarch Kris Jenner donned a garish pair of glossy green leather pants in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood on Wednesday. Unfortunately, the 62-year-old momager's unflattering slacks looked more like a garbage bag than high fashion. The Calabasas socialite paired her plastic-looking pleated pants with a sporty black turtleneck, a matching tuxedo blazer, and patent leather spike-heeled pumps. Fashion don't: Keeping Up with the Kardashians matriarch Kris Jenner donned a garish pair of glossy green leather pants in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood on Wednesday Make-up artist Ashley K. Holm made sure Kris - rocking dark shades and diamond stud earrings - was camera-ready as she emerged from her New York hotel. Not far behind was Jenner's (born Houghton) constant companion Corey Gamble, attempting to match her ensemble with olive-green pants and a black polo shirt. Next month marks the grandmother-of-nine's fourth anniversary of dating her 37-year-old toyboy Corey Gamble, but she has no plans on walking down the aisle a third time. Yikes! Unfortunately, the 62-year-old momager's unflattering slacks looked more like a garbage bag than high fashion Yeezy? The Calabasas socialite paired her plastic-looking pleated pants with a sporty black turtleneck, a matching tuxedo blazer, and patent leather spike-heeled pumps Big Apple: Make-up artist Ashley K. Holm made sure Kris - rocking dark shades and diamond stud earrings - was camera-ready as she emerged from her New York hotel Different coast: Kris smiled confidently as she hit the streets for a night out 'Never say never, but I often say it's just not what I think I need to do again based on my past,' the SoCal native admitted on Laura Wasser's Divorce Sucks! Podcast last month. 'I'm in a really great relationship right now and I'm happy and I don't want to mess that up.' Back in 2016, Page Six reported that Kris actually pays Corey a 'special stipend,' and his only known previous career was as Canadian crooner Justin Bieber's former tour manager. Gentleman caller: Not far behind was Jenner's (born Houghton) constant companion Corey Gamble, attempting to match her ensemble with olive-green pants and a black polo shirt 'I'm in a really great relationship': Next month marks the grandmother-of-nine's fourth anniversary of dating her 37-year-old toyboy Corey Gamble, but she has no plans on walking down the aisle a third time (pictured July 16) On the payroll? Back in 2016, Page Six reported that Kris actually pays Corey a 'special stipend,' and his only known previous career was as Canadian crooner Justin Bieber's former tour manager (pictured in 2016) On Wednesday, Jenner urged her 37.4M social media followers to vote for KUWTK for best reality show at the People's Choice Awards, which air November 11 on E! And the former American Airlines flight attendant's daughter Khloe Kardashian will compete against Antoni Porowski, Joanna Gaines, Nikki Bella, and Pauly D for the best reality star trophy. The In the Kitchen With Kris author - who's always longed for an Emmy Award - currently executive produces and stars in the 15th season of KUWTK, which airs Sundays on E! 'Last chance!' On Wednesday, Jenner urged her 37.4M social media followers to vote for KUWTK for best reality show at the People's Choice Awards, which air November 11 on E! Who will win? Her daughter Khloe Kardashian will compete against Antoni Porowski, Joanna Gaines, Nikki Bella, and Pauly D for the best reality star trophy It was announced on Wednesday that Karlie Kloss would be replacing Heidi Klum on Project Runway after 16 seasons. And the German-born supermodel appeared in great spirits as she arrived at the America's Got Talent set at the Pasadena Civic later in the day. The 45-year-old showcased her chic style as she strutted into the NBC studios wearing a combination of stripes and leopard print. No hard feelings: Heidi Klum was spotted rocking leopard and stripes in a chic display on Wednesday after it was announced that Karlie Kloss would be replacing her as Project Runway host Heidi opted for a button-up leopard shirt that she left untucked. She teamed the look with a pair of white and rust colored trousers that drew attention to her long lean legs. The mom-of-four added to her 5'9" statuesque height with a pair of matching leopard print platform heels. Always stylish: The 45-year-old showcased her chic style as she strutted into the NBC studios wearing a combination of stripes and leopard print Stunner: The mom-of-four added to her 5'9" statuesque height with a pair of matching leopard print platform heels Heidi accessorised her stylish get-up with a large white handbag and a pair of tinted sunglasses. Her blonde locks were left out and she appeared to be wearing a minimal amount of makeup. The lingerie entrepreneur has just been announced as one of the judges of America's Got Talent: The Champions, which will air on NBC in January 2019. Fasionista: Heidi accessorised her stylish get-up with a large white handbag and a pair of tinted sunglasses Heidi's appearance comes after it was announced that she had stepped down from Project Runway after 16 seasons due to salary negotiations And while she appeared in high spirits with her latest role, she recently let go of her longstanding Project Free TV hosting duties after 16 seasons. Heidi departed the Bravo show earlier this year after salary negotiations led her heading to Amazon to host a similar fashion show that combines content with commerce. Supermodel Karlie Kloss, 26, will be taking over Heidi's former role as host and will also executive produce. New face: Supermodel Karlie Kloss, 26, will be taking over Heidi's former role as host and will also executive produce 'As someone who grew up watching Project Runway, I could not be more excited to host and produce a series that provides a platform to aspiring American designers as they pursue their creative and entrepreneurial dreams,' said Karlie in a statement. 'I am equally as thrilled to work alongside an incredibly talented group of fashion innovators Brandon Maxwell, Elaine Welteroth, Nina Garcia and Christian Siriano to inspire, support and help guide these designers as they realize their visions and build everlasting brands and businesses.' Designer Bradon Maxwell and former Teen Vogue Editor In Chief Elaine Welteroth will replace designer Zac Posen as judge. Nina Garcia will return as a judge. The retooled Project Runway is currently in preproduction and will premiere in 2019. Ian 'Dicko' Dickson is best known as the hard-to-please judge on Australian Idol. But now, the 55-year-old has returned to a reality show of a different kind -Getaway. The former singing competition judge was invited to take part in a luxury Mekong and Temple Discovery Cruise and Tour earlier this month. He's back! Australian Idol judge Ian 'Dicko' Dickson is set to return to TV screens... but can YOU guess what show he'll star in? 'Welcome to one of the greatest sites on earth,' he said during the degment. 'It is my first appearance on Getaway and my first visit to Cambodia - and how is this for a welcome? Sunrise at Angkor Wat.' The former record label executive visited the largest religious monument on the planet and Ta Prohm, which is featured in the 2001 film Tomb Raider. Revival? The former Australian idol host is starring on a reality show of a different kind - Getaway. Pictured with Idol co-hosts Kyle Sandilands and Marcia Hines Film tourism! The English-born former record label executive visited the largest religious monument on the planet and Ta Prohm, which is featured in the 2001 Tomb Raider film. Pictured: With Scenic tour guide Mooni, who gave Ian the historical background of the sites he visited He spoke with Scenic tour guide, Mooni, who gave Dicko the historical background of the sites he visited. Ian showed a lighter side of himself as he entered Ta Prohm with Mooni, jokingly asking if the man had bought tickets as they scaled a rock face to enter. The segment was to promote Scenic's Mekong and Temple Discovery Cruise and Tour. Not so hard to please! Ian showed his softer side as he entered Ta Prohm with Mooni and jokingly asked if the man had bought tickets as they scaled a rock face to enter Ian's appearance on Getaway isn't his only recent TV appearance. Dicko also appeared on the second season of SBS's First Contact in 2016. The show sent six celebrities to spend 28 days in Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. No one likes a parking ticket. So star Jennifer Love Hewitt was not thrilled to see a citation on her car on Wednesday. The 9-1-1 actress, 39, made an upset expression as she returned to her vehicle after a workout in LA, only to see a parking ticket tucked under the windshield wiper. Bummer: Jennifer Love Hewitt was upset to see a parking ticket on her car after working out in LA on Wednesday Bright: Earlier in the day Jennifer was in much better spirits, seen on her way to her workout It was unclear what the ticket was for, but in Los Angeles the fees can be upwards of $60 depending on the infraction. Earlier in the day Jennifer was in much better spirits, seen on her way to her workout. The Party Of Five star wore colorful striped leggings with a navy blue tee shirt and gold sneakers. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail while keeping on a fresh, makeup-free face. What's that? The 9-1-1 actress, 39, returned to her vehicle after a workout in LA, only to see a parking ticket tucked under the windshield wiper of her vehicle Jennifer took a phone call before heading inside. The former teen star is back at work in Hollywood after taking a serious break from the industry. She joined the medical drama 9-1-1 this season as operator Maddie Kendall, following the departure of star Connie Britton after just one season. Before this her last project was an arc on Criminal Minds in 2015. Ready to roll: The former teen star is back at work in Hollywood after taking a serious break from the industry, joining the medical drama 9-1-1 (above) in its second season Talking about what it was like to step into Britton's spot, she told TVInsider.com: 'Im such a Connie Britton fan, and theres no replacing her. Maddie is a different person with a different story.' The actress also entertained the possibility of returning to other past roles, saying: 'When I heard about the [upcoming] Party of Five reboot, I was very excited I thought I was going to get a call! Then I found out it was a different thing [with new characters] and felt a little sad. 'Ive gotten a lot of questions about Ghost Whisperer, and Id totally be open to it. If you can make a reboot thats as special for the fans as it was the first time, do it and if there are any doubts about that, dont!' Jennifer Love Hewitt's 9-1-1 airs Mondays at 9pm on Fox. Priyanka Chopra says that fondness for family is at the heart of her altar-bound chemistry with fiance Nick Jonas. The Quantico actress, 36, spoke with E News! Tuesday while appearing at an event for the 2018 Tiffany Blue Book Collection in New York City. The Baywatch star was asked about remarks Nick made during an appearance on the Today show, in which he said that 'the thing that really connected both of us was our love for family and faith and the importance of being connected to those.' Grounded: Priyanka Chopra, 36, says that fondness for family is at the heart of her altar-bound chemistry with fiance Nick Jonas, 26. She attended the 2018 Tiffany Blue Book Collection Tuesday at Studio 525 Priyanka, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, confirmed that she and Dallas native, 26, 'have that in common very much' as she opened up about their common bonds. 'We've known each other for a couple of years but we dated for just a little while,' she said, 'but I think that's the one thing we really connect on is our love for family and knowing faith is so important to us.' Priyanka, who showed off her splendid engagement ring at the event, said she's 'excited' about her relationship, which has unfurled like a Hollywood love story over the past few months. 'It's a very different feeling I never realized that having a boyfriend and having a fiance are completely different,' she said. 'It just feels different. There's gravitas. You feel like family, which is just so different.' Bling: Priyanka showed off her splendid engagement ring at the event Stunning: The Quantico beauty posed with Kim Kardashian at the luxe event Lots of love: Chopra and Jonas have emerged as one of Hollywood's hottest couples this year. They were snapped last month in NYC Priyanka and Nick confirmed their engagement in August on Instagram following an engagement ceremony they took part in, in Mumbai. He shared a shot writing, 'Future Mrs. Jonas. My heart. My love.' Other notable names who attended the luxe gathering included Mary J. Blige, Kim Kardashian and Zoe Kravitz. A Current Affair's Reid Butler has revealed that things escalated quickly during his recent confrontation with The Bachelor's Nick Cummins in Papua New Guinea. The journalist hinted on Thursday's Kyle and Jackie O Show that he was 'probably one question away' from things becoming physical. In an exclusive report that aired on Wednesday night, Reid ambushed the 31-year-old former Wallaby at his luxury hotel to ask questions about The Bachelor finale. 'It was a lot of more fiery than we were expecting': A Current Affair journalist Reid Butler (left) has claimed he was 'probably one question away' from getting punched after ambushing The Bachelor's Nick Cummins (right) in Papua New Guinea recently Reid said that, following the encounter, he and the ACA team changed their flights to a day later to prevent an awkward reunion with Nick on the journey home. When asked by Kyle Sandilands why they decided to rearrange their flights, Reid replied: 'I thought it would have been a little awkward, Kyle!' Referring to his tense exchange with Nick in Papua New Guinea, he added with a laugh: 'I think I was one question away from getting a... things escalated.' Ambushed! In an exclusive report that aired on Wednesday night, Reid ambushed the 31-year-old former Wallaby at his luxury hotel to ask questions about The Bachelor finale Reid later said he was surprised by the awkwardness of his encounter with Nick because he assumed he was used to being in front of the cameras by now. 'It was a lot of more awkward and fiery than we were expecting. It was really, really full on,' he said. Nick was completely caught off guard after Reid and the ACA team ambushed him at his hotel and asked about his decision to dump both finalists in the Bachelor finale. Dramatic: Speaking on Thursday's Kyle and Jackie O show, Reid claimed that things escalated quickly during their encounter. 'I think I was one question away from getting a... things escalated,' he said. Nick is pictured during last Thursday's Bachelor finale Reid walked straight up to Nick and said: 'Can I ask you a few questions about the mess you left back home?' 'Sorry?!' Nick replied, with a stunned look on his face. Before his on-camera ambush, hidden camera footage showed the larrikin in relaxed spirits as he sipped cocktails and strolled around the resort in a white bathrobe. Reputation: Nick's public image as a likable Aussie bloke was shattered last week when he shocked the country by choosing no one in the Bachelor finale It's believed A Current Affair's exclusive report was filmed shortly after Nick completed the Kokoda Trail walk. Nick's public image as a likable Aussie bloke was shattered last week when he shocked the country by choosing no one in the Bachelor finale. The two finalists, Brittany Hockley and Sophie Tieman, later admitted they were both left heartbroken by the rugby star's inability to commit. The World's Hottest Grandma is refusing to back down after having one of her racy nude photos banned from Instagram. Gina Stewart, 48, claims that the photo was no raunchier than those posted by other models on social media, adding that Instagram 'made a mistake' by taking it down. 'Carmen Electra has far more revealing photos from her recent photo shoot as well as many other women,' the mother-of-four told the Gold Coast Bulletin on Tuesday. Fighting the good fight! The World's Hottest Grandma is refusing to back down after having one of her racy nude photos banned from Instagram Gina also told the publication the heartbreaking 'personal reason' behind her decision to bare all on Instagram. The blonde bombshell claimed her scantily-clad antics began when she entered the Miss Maxim modelling competition earlier this year to try and win $25,000 to help a friend who suffered a stroke. 'At the end of the day I seriously don't know what all the fuss is about, it's unwanted attention,' she said, brushing off her international fame. The controversial image that Instagram banned showed Gina reclining in an opulent chair, as she barely concealed her modestly with her long hair. Too rude? The controversial image that Instagram banned showed Gina reclining in an opulent chair, as she barely concealed her modestly with her long hair While Instagram was quick to delete it, the photo is still available to view on Gina's raunchy Twitter account. When contacted for comment by Daily Mail Australia, the grandmother said: 'Yes, Instagram removed it because it said it did not comply with their guidelines. 'But the guidelines say no nipple and nipples were not being shown in the picture, so I have asked Instagram to please re-post it. It's only a naked side shot and my hair is covering me.' Bouncing back! Despite the unfortunate setback, Gina was able to delight her fans the next day by sharing two busty photos of herself to Instagram. (These were not removed by the website's moderators) Gina also insisted that her photos are artistic and inoffensive, and should be allowed on Instagram as a legitimate form of self-expression. 'All my photos are tasteful and only implied nudity,' she explained. 'Instagram is a place for artistic self-expression and creativity. 'Like Dita Von Teese says, "Glamour isn't about age, shape, or size. You dont have to be pretty to have it. Anyone can create it."' Tasteful: 'All my photos are tasteful and only implied nudity,' the 48-year-old explained to Daily Mail Australia. 'Instagram is a place for artistic self expression and creativity. Despite the unfortunate setback, Gina was able to delight her fans the next day by sharing two busty photos of herself to Instagram. (These were not removed by the website's moderators). She also announced that she is advancing in the Maxim Cover Girl Competition, having already beaten thousands of younger models for a chance at posing for the magazine's cover. Gina is currently a single mother to children James, 27, Casey, 25, Cody, 22, and Summer, four. He recently announced plans to tie the knot with fiancee Snezana Markoski later this year. And on Wednesday, The Bachelor's Sam Wood took to Instagram to tell his legion of followers that 'he can't wait to marry' his wife-to-be in a loved-up birthday tribute. 'Happy Birthday to the strongest, most selfless person I know. Love you and cant wait to marry you,' the 37-year-old fitness fanatic gushed in the post. Scroll down for video 'I can't wait to marry you!' The Bachelor's Sam Wood (right) shared a loved-up birthday tribute to fiancee Snezana Markoski (left) on Instagram... as they prepare to tie to knot later this year Sam accompanied the sweet caption with two images of the stunning brunette, who marked her 38th birthday on October 10. In the first photograph, the mother-of-two stunned in a glamorous makeup palette consisting of voluminous lashes and a generous coat of bright red lipstick. In the second snap, the genetically-blessed reality star sported a fresh-faced visage as she playfully posed in a flesh-baring ensemble. Red hot! In the first photograph, the mother-of-two (pictured) stunned in a glamorous makeup palette consisting of voluminous lashes and a generous coat of bright red lipstick Bare-faced beauty! Whereas in the second snap, the genetically-blessed former reality TV star (pictured) sported a fresh-faced visage as she playfully posed in a flesh-baring ensemble Earlier this year, the engaged couple sparked speculation they may have secretly married during their trip to Snezana's home country of Macedonia in August. In July, Sam told Daily Mail Australia the couple planned to tie the knot 'late this year'. 'We will definitely get married late, late this year. Snez is in full wedding organisation mode and we're looking forward to it,' Sam said at the time. Sam - who shares one-year-old daughter Willow with Snezana, and who is stepfather to her 13-year-old daughter Eve - also spoke of their plans to grow their family. Proud: Sam welcomed his first child, Willow (pictured) with Bachelor winner Snezana in October 2017 'If this little cutie [referring to daughter Willow] is anything to go by, I think it wouldn't be a bad move to have one more,' he added. Sam and Snezana welcomed their darling daughter, Willow, in October 2017. Sam fell in love with Snezana Markoski on the 2015 season of The Bachelor and the pair became engaged at the end of that year. Rebecca Gibney has survived more that 30 years in the television industry. But it is now, at 53, that the Packed To The Rafters actress feels like she is finally hitting her stride. 'I love getting older,' Rebecca told Who magazine on Thursday. 'I love getting older': Packed To The Rafters star Rebecca Gibney embraced getting older as the 53-year-old said she is more confident than she has ever been 'I'm more confident in my 50s than I have ever been.' The television producer and creator said she was more likely to take risks now than ever before. 'I'm more inclined to not really care what other people think. I know I'm a good person.' Confidence: The 53-year-old said she is the most confident she has ever been and is willing to take risks. Pictured with Packed To The Rafters co-stars Rebecca threw all caution to the wind earlier this year when she appeared on the front cover of the magazine's Most Beautiful People edition in March. But the The Flying Doctors star took it an ounce further and wore no make-up for the shoot. The veteran actress revealed she didn't feel beautiful 'for so long' and appearing in the publication with her natural face was 'liberating'. Pretty lady! In March Rebecca appeared on the front cover of the magazine's Most Beautiful People edition wearing no make-up. Pictured: Poster for television show Wanted where Rebecca stars as Lola Buckley She shared that during her adult life she hasn't felt beautiful unless she was wearing some kind of make-up. The New Zealand-born beauty went on to explain how being '53 rocks' and how she ultimately embraced her physical appearance as she matured. Rebecca is currently starring in season three of Wanted as Lola Buckley. LeeAnne Locken threatened to go into a 'rage of fury' during a charity event argument with D'Andra Simmons on Wednesday's episode of RHOD. The 51-year-old socialite was told by D'Andra, 49, that everyone was concerned that she wasn't going to get married after a two-year engagement. 'In two weeks I'm going to look at dresses, I would hope that you would come with me,' LeeAnne said. Fundraiser fracas: LeeAnne Locken and D'Andra Simmons argued during a charity fundraiser on Wednesday's episode of The Real Housewives of Dallas 'I'm concerned for you,' D'Andra said. 'Don't be,' LeeAnne assured her. 'I am,' D'Andra told her. 'Don't be. Because I'm going to tell you something, if I hear one more time that we lead separate lives, I am going to go into a rage of fury that the f***ing meditation bowl cannot get me out of,' LeeAnne warned. Wedding questions: D'Andra confronted LeeAnne over her wedding plans after being engaged for two years Rage of fury: LeeAnne promised that she would erupt into a 'rage of fury' if D'Andra kept saying that she and her fiance Rich Emberlin were leading 'separate lives' 'Don't talk to me like that,' D'Andra protested. LeeAnne during a confessional said that she found the 'separate lives' charge offensive and it made it sound like her fiance Rich Emberlin had a 'secret family in Chile'. D'Andra during the argument protested that she only used the term because LeeAnne and Rich do things separately. 'And I was concerned, because you're not getting f***ing married,' D'Andra shouted at her. True concern: D'Andra said she's been concerned for LeeAnne since she's not getting married The episode titled 80s Ladies featured Kameron Westcott, 35, serving as honorary co-chair of a 1980s-themed No-Tie Fundraiser to benefit AIDS Services of Dallas. The owner of SparkleDog premium dog food said she had friends affected by the 'horrible disease' and vowed to be a force for change. Cary Deuber, 42, admitted during the fundraiser that she didn't love the 80s. Charity event: Kameron Westcott was honorary co-hair of the 1980s-themed fundraiser for AIDS Services of Dallas Top honor: The SparkleDog premium dog food owner said she was honored to be a co-hair of the No-Tie Fundraiser LeeAnne said she graduated in the 80s and Kameron teased that she was born in the 80s. Brandi Redmond, 40, dressed in drag for the party with Stephanie Hollman, 38, as her date in a prom dress. LeeAnne was less than impressed with D'Andra's effort. Prom queen: Stephanie Hollman wore a prom outfit to the 80s party 'D'Andra nailed 80s. She looks like she did yesterday,' LeeAnne quipped. Brandi also confronted LeeAnne during the fundraiser and accused her of not being 'open and honest'. LeeAnne assured her that she wasn't hiding anything and said her wedding plans were none of her business. Another confrontation: Brandi Redmond also confronted LeeAnne at the fundraiser She played devil's advocate and asked Brandi how she would feel about people questioning if she only adopted a baby to save her marriage to Bryan. 'LeeAnne!,' Brandi howled in protest at the hypothetical. Brandi then accused LeeAnne of being jealous of D'Andra and her successful marriage. Took offense: The former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader took offense when LeeAnne brought up a hypothetical about her marriage LeeAnne assured her that she wasn't jealous of D'Andra just as she walked up. Brandi also challenged Cary at the fundraiser for sharing private information. 'I f***ed up,' Cary admitted as she profusely apologized to Brandi. 'I'm a f***ing a**hole for repeating that conversation.' Sincere apology: Cary Deuber apologized to Brandi for sharing private information between them The episode opened with Brandi after employing a nanny enjoying a bottle of wine with D'Andra. LeeAnne, Stephanie and Kameron meanwhile were having their own lunch together. Stephanie told about her leakage issues and plans for vaginal rejuvenation. Wine time: The episode opened with Brandi after hiring a nanny enjoying a bottle of wine with D'Andra Doing lunch: Stephanie, Kameron and LeeAnne meanwhile got together for their own lunch Leakage issue: Cary stood by Stephanie as she underwent a vaginal rejuvenation procedure Procedure demonstration: The 42-year-old nurse showed the effects of undergoing vaginal rejuvenation LeeAnne got miffed later when D'Andra brought drunken Brandi to a charity event. Brandi despite swaying argued with LeeAnne and accused her of never admitting when she was wrong. Kameron during a SparkleDog conference call impressed her husband Court who had been skeptical about her pink dog food. Drunken argument: Brandi showed up drunk at a charity event with D'Andra and argued with LeeAnne A global brand developer said SparkleDog had a 'real clear story' and he could see the premium dog food being sold in Hong Kong, South Korea and 'around the world'. 'I'm shocked,' Court admitted after the conference call. RHOD will return next week on Bravo. Skeptical investor: Court was skeptical about his wife Kameron's business project SparkleDog She's been a recurring guest on Bravo's Real Housewives Of New Jersey since 2010. And on Wednesday, Kim DePaola slammed the show's star Teresa Giudice, claiming she 'doesn't care' that a judge ruled her husband Joe should be deported to his native Italy when he's completed his prison sentence for fraud. 'She's out every night partying, having a great time, and I think she doesn't really care and I heard she's getting her own 'Joe's getting deported' show so maybe she'll make some money off it,' she told TMZ. Slammed: On Wednesday, Kim DePaola slammed RHONJ co-star Teresa Giudice, claiming she 'doesn't care' that a judge ruled her husband Joe should be deported to his native Italy Outspoken: Kim claimed Teresa is 'out every night partying, having a great time... and I heard she's getting her own 'Joe's getting deported' show so maybe she'll make some money off it' Joe, who is serving out a three year prison sentence at FCI Allenwood in Pennsylvania, came to the US as a baby, but never became a citizen. The 46-year-old shares four daughters with Teresa, whom he wed in 1999 - Gia, 17, Gabriella, 14, Milania, 12, and Audriana, nine. 'I happen to like Joe,' Kim explained. 'Unfortunately he broke the law. It is unfortunate but that's the way it is.' 'Everyone feels bad for the children but we all sorta knew this was going to happen,' the boutique owner added. Not legal: Joe, who is serving out a three year prison sentence for fraud in Pennsylvania, came to the US as a baby, but never became a citizen. He's pictured in Superior Court in 2014 Staying stateside? TMZ claimed after news of the deportation ruling broke that Teresa won't move to Italy with their four daughters - Gia, 17, Gabriella, 14, Milania, 12, and Audriana, nine Soon after news broke of the judge's deportation ruling, TMZ reported that Teresa, 46, will not follow her husband to Italy because their daughters would face too much of a culture shock. Also challenging would be their lack of friends and family in the European country. 'Based upon the law, I find you deportable and ineligible for any kind of relief,' Judge John Ellington said during a hearing at Pennsylvania's York Immigration Court on Wednesday, the site added. 'Mr Giudice, no matter how this turns out, I wish you the best. I decided this case as a matter of law.' Joe, who was on teleconference, did not take the news well. 'I dont understand how I can be deported on this case. If you will, Ill tell you my side. I shouldnt even be here right now. I have to go back and tell my kids this, and theyve been waiting to hear from me.' Broke the law: Teresa and Joe, who wed in 1999, pleaded guilty in 2014 to 41 counts of fraud. Teresa has already served nearly a year in prison and was released in 2015 The couple pleaded guilty in 2014 to 41 counts of fraud. There were also unpaid taxes that totaled $200,000. Joe can appeal by November 9. Both of them have family and friends in New Jersey and have made their living their for decades. Teresa has already served nearly a year in prison; she was released in 2015. Since then she has published a book and resumed her work on RHONJ as she raised the kids alone. Joe's sentence began in March 2016. Strong lady: Since her release from prison, the reality star has published a book and resumed her work on RHONJ as she raised the kids alone In the past Teresa has made light of moving to Italy as it's a beautiful place: 'Whatever God has planned for me, thats whats going to happen. I will embrace it the best I can.' While there have been rumours that Teresa may divorce Joe, she has always denied it. If the claims are true that she will not move to Italy for Joe, it may be likely that they go their separate ways. Meanwhile a source told People on Wednesday afternoon that she is surprised. 'This is going to break her,' said a source. 'She always knew that this was a possibility, but she put it out of her head. Thats the only way she could go on living day to day.' The insider added she has a certain way of thinking and tries to always stay positive: 'Thats why she hates going to see him in prison, too. Its just like, "Keep busy and dont think about the bad stuff." [Its] a very Italian way to be.' The pal went on to say, 'Teresa is incredibly strong, and whether she admits it or not, I think she had secretly prepared for this. Since Joes been gone, Teresas grown into her independence. Shes taken control of her life, and shes raised those girls well.' Giudice has finished filming season nine of Bravo's RHONJ and will likely be a part of season 10. Within minutes of introducing himself to Ali Oetjen in The Bachelorette premiere, Nathan Favro announced to the world he 'loves to party'. And the 23-year-old carpenter certainly wasn't lying. Daily Mail Australia has discovered shocking photos of the Sydneysider nude in public, drinking a 'shoey' and even slumped on the ground during a party. Furthermore, it has been alleged that Nathan was once 'kicked out' of a Cure Cancer Fundraiser in June after 'passing out' inside the venue. Scroll down for video The Bachelorette's party boy Nathan Favro EXPOSED: The reality TV villain once 'passed out at a cancer fundraiser' and is 'more interested in fame than love'... as his nude photos resurface Earlier this year, images were circulated online of Nathan supposedly 'passed out' at a breast cancer fundraising event hosted by Bachelor In Paradise star Jake Ellis. Although his identity was unknown at the time, a source close to Nathan told Daily Mail Australia he is indeed the man asleep in the photos. Apparently, he was later 'kicked out for being a mess'. The event, which was held at Sydney's Flamingo Lounge on June 8 was in honour of Jake's mother Robyn, who had recently died of breast cancer. Nathan attended the event with Davey Lloyd, a former Bachelorette contestant who also starred on Bachelor In Paradise with Jake. It is unclear if the two men are still friends, as Davey is yet to publicly express support for Nathan on social media following his Bachelorette debut. Not very charitable! Earlier this year, images (above) were circulated on social media of Nathan supposedly 'passed out' at a breast cancer fundraising event hosted by Bachelor In Paradise star Jake Ellis. Pictured left, with Simone Ormesher Are they still mates? Nathan attended the event with Davey Lloyd (right) in June, but it is unclear if they are still friends as Davey is yet to publicly support Nathan on The Bachelorette Meanwhile, a source told Daily Mail Australia that Nathan was only interested in fame and wasn't looking for love on The Bachelorette. 'He has no interest in Ali or finding love and is 100 per cent only there to become famous,' they said. Following their first meeting on Wednesday's episode, Bachelorette Ali expressed doubts over Nathan's intentions. 'I'm not sure if he was overly interested [in me], to be honest. I think he just wants to get inside and kick on,' she said. 'On the weekends I like to party a little bit, I love it': Nathan wasn't lying when he said he liked to party. (Pictured left: Nathan standing naked in a public fountain in April, just months before filming the show) Too much to drink? This photograph from 2015 shows Nathan (centre, dressed in all black) slumped to the ground while surrounded by drinks and friends Shortly after his arrival on set, Nathan announced: 'On the weekends I like to party a little bit, I love it. I didn't come here to not party.' However, he added rather unconvincingly: 'I'm here to find love... I'm the real deal.' During his introductory video package, he was shown lifting weights in the gym while boasting about his good looks. 'I'm a good looking, funny, charismatic, muscly... everything a potential partner would look for,' he said without a hint of irony. 'I just can't wait to get in there and party and have Ali see exactly who I am.' Is he the real deal? Despite Nathan claiming he's on the show 'to find love', Ali (pictured) seemed rather doubtful on Wednesday, saying: 'I'm not sure if he was overly interested [in me]' What's going on here? Nathan was pictured holding his genitalia in an outdoor paddling pool in a social media photo from 2014 It's 'shoey' time! Nathan was also photographed drinking a 'shoey' with two friends in 2015 Photographs of Nathan partying with friends have been widely circulated on social media websites. In one group picture with friends from 2017, Nathan is seen with his trousers down while clutching a bottle of wine. Another image, taken in April just two months before filming began, features him standing completely naked in a public fountain in broad daylight. Other photos feature Nathan sitting naked in a small paddling pool while holding his genitalia in 2014, and also drink a 'shoey' with two mates in 2015. He also joined several male friends for a naked shower in 2015, with the image later being uploaded to Instagram. That's an interesting pose! Nathan proudly poses with a drink (far left) in this snap from 2016 Lena Dunham during a pre-recorded appearance on Watch What Happens Live on Wednesday blasted Daniel Tosh and Calvin Harris. The 32-year-old actress and writer took aim at both during a game of Plead The Fifth with host Andy Cohen, 50. The show was taped in New York City ahead of Dunham announcing on Wednesday that she wouldn't be able to fulfill promotional duties for her new HBO show Camping due to 'illness'. Pre-recorded appearance: Lena Dunham during a pre-recorded appearance on Watch What Happens Live on Wednesday blasted Daniel Tosh and Calvin Harris during Plead The Fifth Dunham made her debut in the Bravo clubhouse and participated in Plead The Fifth, in which guests are given three questions and can refuse to answer one of them. Cohen first asked the Girls creator and star who was the 'biggest misogynist in Hollywood'. 'This is such a roughie because there are so many,' Dunham said. She decided to 'hand this award' to someone who previously said something 'hideous' about her body. Bravo clubhouse: The 32-year-old actress and writer made her debut in the Bravo clubhouse Game time: Andy Cohen hosted the show in which Dunham played Plead The Fifth 'OK, this isn't a person who has like a ton of power, but the small amount he has I feel he has used for ill and that's Daniel Tosh,' Dunham said. 'He said a really unkind thing about my breasts, but he said it in a context in which I felt he was shutting down a lot of women for having bodies that he didn't consider to be normative,' she added of the 43-year-old Comedy Central star. The New York City native also was asked to explain her relationship with Girls actor Christopher Abbott who left the show and later returned. First question: Cohen asked Dunham to name the 'biggest misogynist in Hollywood' and she named Daniel Tosh, shown in May 2005 in Los Angeles New show: Dunham was promoting her new HBO show Camping 'We're friends again now,' she said before explaining their situation. Dunham then was asked via video by Girls star Andrew Rannells to name her least favorite boyfriend of her friend Taylor Swift. 'My least favorite was Calvin Harris because I felt that he was petty in public and who needs to do that,' Dunham said. Least favorite: The Girls creator also revealed that her least favorite of Taylor Swift's boyfriends is Calvin Harris, shown with the pop star in May 2015 in Las Vegas Dunham was joined on the chat show by Maggie Gyllenhaal who was promoting her new Netflix movie The Kindergarten Teacher. The New York City native also is a producer of the drama that comes out Friday on the streaming service. Gyllenhaal also stars and produces the HBO drama The Deuce. Busy star: Maggie Gyllenhaal also was promoting her new Netflix movie The Kindergarten Teacher English musician Olly Alexander, 28, of the synth-pop band Years & Years was behind the bar. Dunham on the show also praised Swift, 28, for publicly voicing her political views for the first time recently while announcing her support of Democratic candidates for Congress in Tennessee in the upcoming midterm elections on Instagram. 'She chose a powerful time to speak out,' Dunham said. Peace out: Dunham during her appearance on the show also praised Swift, 28, for recently publicly voicing her political views for the first time Dunham due to her illness missed the Camping premiere on Wednesday in Los Angeles. 'Im so sorry to be missing the Camping premiere and the chance to celebrate with brilliant people,' she lamented in an Instagram post that included a photo of her feet up on a hospital bed. In the lengthy social media message to her fans, she wrote: 'Ive spent a lot of time in the hospital the last few weeks, trying to handle my symptoms so I would be able to promote this show I love so much with these people I love so much.' Missing out: The HBO star took to Instagram on Wednesday to reveal she was too sick to participate in promotional duties for Camping 'But my illness- which has taken a lot of different forms over the years- has made working challenging at best and scary at worst.' 'Im not strong enough right now to explain whats going on, in part because my doctors are helping me figure that out.' 'Im so sorry to be missing the Camping premiere and the chance to celebrate with brilliant people.' 'If you want to see a kooky but achy portrait of what chronic illness does to a womans brain, Kathryn Mcsorley-Jodell in Camping is just that... I love you the cast and crew of Camping and I love all of you, making me feel less alone when my body really turns the static up.' Camping will premiere on Sunday on HBO. Ken Jeong opens up about how he saved the life of one of his comedy fans this past May. The 49-year-old actor, who is a physician, appears on Ellen Thursday, explaining his 'very scary' career transition from medicine to comedy before sharing the story. 'Over the course of eight months I just really grounded it out,' the Crazy Rich Asians star said. 'I did a lot of clubs, a lot of improv ... casinos, dinner theaters, backyards.' Scroll below for video To the rescue: Ken Jeong, 49, opens up about how he saved the life of one of his comedy fans this past May at a Phoenix, Arizona club The comedy star told Ellen about how his skills in medicine came in handy while he was performing in Arizona, as a spectator was suffering from a seizure. 'At the beginning of my set, I do some crowd work, like an Asian Don Rickles ... an then someone in the third row was like, "Mr. Chow, Mr. Chow." 'And I'm like, "Calm down, I'll insult you later, I'll get to you,"' he said. 'And she was like, "No someone passed out."' Jeong said he quickly sprang into action hoping to use his skills. Quick to act: Jeong said, 'I literally dropped the microphone, jumped off the stage and went to help the patient' Coming soon: Jeong talked about his upcoming Netflix special filmed at the The Ice House in Pasadena Scary: Ken said the woman had a petite mal seizure and was unconscious 'I literally dropped the microphone, jumped off the stage and went to help the patient,' he said, parroting Al Pacino's famed line from Godfather III, 'Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in.' Jeong called the situation 'so surreal,' as '550 people in Phoenix [were] being quiet and helping out this one lady who actually, turned out she had a petite mal seizure and she was passed out, she was unconscious.' A reason to smile: Jeong said that 'within minutes,' the lady had recovered and paramedics had arrived to provide her with additional care Shop talk: The comedians had an exchange about their craft in the appearance Jeong said that 'within minutes,' the lady had recovered and paramedics had arrived to provide her with additional care. He joked, 'If you don't like my show, you don't have to have a freakin' seizure - just walk out!' Jeong appeared to promote a number of big projects he has on the horizon, including a stand-up Netflix special due out next year, as well as the upcoming movie Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween, which hits theaters Friday. She found fame on Love Island Australia five months ago in June. And it looked like Cassidy McGill, 23, never left the luxury Spanish villa after stepping out in Sydney looking tanned to perfection on Thursday afternoon. The bronzed beauty was pictured at the Cosmopolitan Women of the Year awards, after revealing to Daily Mail Australia she is now a full time social media influencer. Scroll down for video It's her full time job to look this good! Love Island Australia's Cassidy McGill is tanned to perfection after QUITTING her job to become online influencer that shares selfies for a living Cassidy stepped out at the star-studded awards ceremony, which celebrates women that have achieved greatness, in a salmon pink two piece. While the event covered categories such as Entrepreneur, Humanitarian and Entrepreneur of the Year, it also had three separate awards for Beauty, Fashion and Lifestyle Influencer of the Year. Something Cassidy may soon be aiming to win, after telling Daily Mail Australia: 'I'd say my job is now social media, but I don't like to put a label on it.' Prior to finding fame, Cassidy worked as a bartender and aspiring actress, previously landing several small roles, but that's all in the past now. How life can change in just a few months! Cassidy stepped out at the star-studded awards ceremony, which celebrates women that have achieved greatness, in a salmon pink two piece 'I'd say my job is now social media, but I don't like to put a label on it': Cassidy, who naturally documented herself getting ready for the event online while tagging a salon that helped her get ready, told Daily Mail Australia When asked if she thinks a career as a social media influencer is commercially viable full time, she responded: 'Yes, I think it is.' A social media influencer is somebody who monetises their profiles on platforms such as Instagram by sharing branded content and sponsored posts to fans. Away from her 227,000 Instagram followers, Cassidy also boasts a YouTube channel with 40,000 subscribers and almost 1 million video views. 'YouTube is just a hobby to keep me busy day to day,' Cassidy said. However, it doesn't seem the star will simply be spending her whole life from this point sharing selfies full time. 'I don't want to be seen as an influencer forever and I have a few things I'm working towards,' she teased. From bartender and aspiring actress to full time Instagram star! Cassidy also has a popular YouTube channel but claims that's 'just a hobby to keep her busy day to day' Popular career? A social media influencer is somebody who monetises their profiles on platforms such as Instagram by sharing branded content and sponsored posts to fans, such as this image Cassidy shared in August in associated with a beauty company Following her rise to fame, Cassidy is often seen at glitzy events around Australia. But the beauty is often left frustrated at her friends' lack of commitment at attending functions with her, saying: 'It's such a common things these days and people are always cancelling plans! I'm definitely the instigator making plans with my friends.' While on the subject of 'Flakey Friends', she continued: 'I love a quiet night in but I would never let a friend down by ditching them just because I don't feel like going.' 'That's why I love discovering awesome things to see, eat and do with Groupon there's so much choice, you can book deals online so your mates are locked in to go. 'And with so many awesome bargains it's not going to cost an arm and a leg to have an amazing time.' Cassidy is currently working with Groupon on their Flakey Friends campaign, which offers Flake-Free fun for friends and family to enjoy. Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard are discussing some pretty kinky stuff on social media. But rather than a case of oversharing, the couple are putting a tabloid on blast for trying to pry details about their sex life with a 'bullsh*t' story. The pair both shared a screenshot of an email from a magazine seeking comment on a story it was threatening to run with behind bedroom door details. Calling them out: Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard slammed a tabloid on Wednesday for seeking comment on a 'bullsh*t' story on their sex life 'Star is working on a story in which a source says that Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard have discussed having a threesome and toyed with other kinky things, like S&M and role playing,' the email read. 'Sources say that Kristen believes this is insurance against marital meltdown. If you wish to comment on this story, please reply by 12:00pm EST Thursday, 10/11.' In his post, Dax responded: Dax wrote, 'The only offensive thing about this bullsh*t story is that @kristenanniebell isnt doing all this kinkiness out of horniness, but rather a desperate attempt to save her marriage. Comment or else: The pair both shared a screenshot of an email from Star seeking comment on a story it was threatening to run with behind bedroom door details. 'I think we all know Bell is a lot more gangster than that. Ill now give you until 4PM to comment, Star.' Kristen meanwhile responded: 'Id love to comment, but its hard to talk with this ball gag in! The couple have been married for five years, and together for 11. Wow: Kristen is no stranger to sexy scenes, seen here in an episode of House Of Lies They had been engaged since 2010, but decided to delay the wedding until the state of California passed legislation legalizing same-sex marriage. They have two daughters: five-year-old Lincoln and three-year-old Delta. Kristen previously revealed Dax got a vasectomy after they had a pregnancy scare when Delta was 11 weeks old. She played a woman out for justice for her murdered family on the big screen in last month's action movie Peppermint. And this month, Jennifer Garner is back on the small screen as a wife organizing a trip for her husband's birthday in the new HBO comedy Camping. The actress, 46, headlined a special premiere for the series in Los Angeles on Wednesday night. Star power: Jennifer Garner headlined a special premiere for her new HBO comedy Camping in Los Angeles on Wednesday night Garner looked lovely in a burgundy sleeveless top with one shoulder and flared black trousers with burgundy stripes down the side. The former wife of Ben Affleck left her long brown hair loose and styled in gentle curls at the ends. She was made up with black mascara, blusher and dark pink lip color. Garner looked lovely in a dark red sleeveless top with one shoulder and flared black trousers with dark stripes down the side. Oozing confidence: Jen looked sensational in burgundy as it complimented her olive skin when she posed for the series of snaps at the red carpet event Leading lady: The actress rested her hands in her pockets as she posed outside of the HBO Camping premiere Familiar face! Jennifer joined forces with Doctor Who star David Tennant at the star-studded red carpet event Natural beauty: The former wife of Ben Affleck left her long brown hair loose and styled in gentle curls at the ends. She was made up with black mascara, blusher and dark pink lip color Comedy: Garner stars as Kathryn who plans a birthday camping trip for husband Walt, played by David Tennant. She creates a strict agenda for the getaway but her plans fall apart In the comedy, based on a British show and adapted for HBO by Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner, Garner's character Kathryn takes husband Walt, played by David Tennant, on a camping trip. Since she suffers from myriad aches and pains, she leaves nothing to chance and creates a strict agenda for them and their friends. Naturally, the laughs come when her carefully laid plans start to fall apart. Looking good: Scottish actor and former Dr . Who Tennant, 47, looked dapper in a gray two-piece suit over a black turtleneck paired with black shoes Leading men: The series also stars Chris Sullivan, 38, left, famous for his role on NBC's This Is Us, and Arturo Del Puerto, right, from The Last Ship and Fear The Walking Dead Ione Skye stars as Garner's sister and Arturo Del Puerto plays a friend who embarks on a fling with a New Age hippie played by Juliette Lewis. The cast also includes Chris Sullivan, famous for his role on NBC's This Is Us, and Bridget Everett. Lewis hammed it up for the cameras as she posed for pics in a sleeveless dark blue dress with silver brocade detailing at the neckline. The 45-year-old added silver sandal heels and sported scarlet red lip color. Fun time: Juliette Lewis, 45, plays a new Age hippie in the show. Lewis posed for pics in a sleeveless dark blue dress with silver brocade detailing at the neckline and silver sandal heels Funky: Ione Skye, 48, stars as Garner's sister and she walked the grassy carpet in a bright red long-sleeved mini dress with wraparound leather skirt and red sandal heels Colorful: Bridget Everett, 46, opted for a strapless rainbow-colored tiered frock and shiny silver sandals and she carried a blue clutch Played for laughs: Garner happily posed for photos with Lewis, left, and Skye, right. Camping debuts on HBO on October 15 Joining in the fun at the screening was Nicole Richie, 37, who looked stylish as always in a sleeveless full-length green gown with gold hues. The former Simple Life star added an incredible statement necklace with pendant and gold sandals. Her hair was styled back from her face and she rocked dark dusky eye-shadow with plenty of black liner and mascara and dark rouge on her cheekbones. Fashionista: Joining in the fun at the screening was Nicole Richie, 37, who looked stylish as always in a sleeveless full-length green gown with gold hues and gold sandals Flawless: The former Simple Life star added an incredible statement necklace with pendant. Her hair was styled back from her face and she rocked dramatic eye makeup Supported the event: Another VIP guest was Jon Hamm who looked casual in a brown leather jacket with black trousers and white sneakers with black laces On trend: Freaks And Geeks alum Busy Philips, 39, is also in the camping cast and she wore a red and black patterned smock dress layered over a long-sleeved white top Another VIP guest was Jon Hamm who looked casual in a brown leather jacket with black trousers and white sneakers with black laces. Also supporting the event was Freaks And Geeks alum Busy Philipps, 39, who chose a red and black patterned smock dress layered over a long-sleeved white top. She stepped out in black slingbacks and her golden blonde hair tumbled around her shoulders in loose waves. Silly: The boys posed for some fun pics together Squeeze: Jen and Juliette hugged it out Camera loves her: Jen looked magnificent on the night Wow: Jennifer cuddled Bridget Everett when they rubbed shoulders inside the swanky venue How lovely: The actress threw her arms around Travon Free as they posed up a storm with Arturo Del Puerto (left) during the occasion Colleagues: Jenni Konner and Jon Hamm hung out at the after party Earlier on Wednesday, Dunham posted to Instagram that she wouldn't be able to attend the Los Angeles premiere due to illness. 'Im so sorry to be missing the Camping premiere and the chance to celebrate with brilliant people,' the 32-year-old said. 'Ive spent a lot of time in the hospital the last few weeks, trying to handle my symptoms so I would be able to promote this show I love so much with these people I love so much,' Dunham, who suffers from painful endometriosis, explained. 'But my illness - which has taken a lot of different forms over the years - has made working challenging at best and scary at worst.' Solo: It was a big night for Garner whose professional life has been somewhat overshadowed lately by her ex Ben Affleck's rehab stay Re-imagined: Camping is based on the British show created by actress and comedienne Julia Davis. It was adapted for HBO by Lena Dunham and Konner Called the shots: Konner, who worked with Dunham on HBO's Girls, also attended the premiere wearing a houndstooth dress and black heels As the face of E! Australia and one of the country's most high-profile red carpet reporters, Ksenija Lukich understands she needs to dress to impress. And on Thursday, Ksenija Lukich, 28, didn't disappoint as she walked the Cosmopolitan Women Of The Year Awards red carpet in Sydney wearing a stunning blue wrap dress. The bubbly brunette couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she paraded down the carpet stopping for photographers. Thigh's the limit! E! Australia host Ksenija Lukich stunned in a blue mini dress as she walked to Cosmo Women Of The Year Awards in Sydney on Thursday She showed off her trim pins in a Michael Lo Sordo designed mini dress which she paired with clear mules that accentuated her lithe frame. Ksenija kept her brunette tresses swept back off her face, leaving it in a low ponytail. Her makeup was natural and dewy, but she vamped up her look adding a statement bold orange lip. Leggy display: The bubbly brunette couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she paraded down the carpet, stopping for photographers The recent red carpet appearance comes after the television host revealed her most challenging celebrity interview. Last month, when asked about her 'hardest' and 'most awkward' experience interviewing a Hollywood A-lister, the 28-year-old offered a very telling response. 'Recently? Jane Fonda was incredibly difficult,' she wrote during an Instagram Q&A session. Difficult? The recent red carpet appearance comes after the television host revealed her most challenging celebrity interview However, Ksenija was quick to clarify that the two-time Academy Award winner, 80, was by no means a 'diva'. 'Jane Fonda was incredibly difficult [to interview],' she explained. 'Not because she was rude, [but because] she is such a force and I was quite intimidated by her.' Meanwhile, joining the reporter at the exclusive women's event were Bachelor star's Brittany Hockley, Sophie Tieman and Cassandra Wood. The reality TV stars opted for glamorous looks and embraced one another at the event promoting female empowerment. There was cause for celebration at London's Libertine club on Wednesday evening as Dani Dyer celebrated the launch of her new clothing collection for online retailer In The Style. And the Love Island star was given a congratulatory kiss by boyfriend Jack Fincham, 26, while attending the event, which marked her first foray into the world of fashion. In keeping with the special occasion Dani, 22, caught the eye in a thigh-skimming grey snakeskin print frill wrap dress, a prominent piece from her new collection, while posing for photos at the event. Centre of attention: There was cause for celebration on Wednesday evening as Dani Dyer celebrated the launch of her new clothing collection for online retailer In The Style with boyfriend Jack Fincham The TV personality added to her ensemble with a pair of nude gladiator heels, while an embellished pink handbag rounded things off. Dani enhanced her features with deft touches of make-up, while her brunette locks were styled with a simple centre parting. The TV personality appeared to be in the throes of love as she indulged in a romantic display with Jack, who looked smart in a black dress shirt and cream slacks. Special moment: The Love Island star was given a congratulatory kiss by Jack while attending the event, which marked her first foray into the world of fashion Looking good: In keeping with the special occasion, Georgia Steele caught the eye in a thigh-skimming grey snakeskin print frill wrap dress, a prominent piece from the new collection In good company: Dani also recieved support from her parents, EastEnders star Danny Dyer and Joanna Mas Dani had equally welcoming support on the night in the form of her proud parents, EastEnders star Danny Dyer and wife Joanna Mas. Danny, who is known for his hard-man persona, was close to tears as he praised Dani in a sweet speech, posted to the reality star's Instagram account. Joined by his stunning wife, he told the crowd: 'This is quite unbelievable, six months ago she would be queuing up to get in here! Close: The TV personality appeared to be in the throes of love as she indulged in a romantic display with Jack, who looked smart in a black dress shirt and cream slacks Well done babe: TOWIE lothario Pete Wicks was also on hand to congratulate Dani following the launch of her new collection Family time: Proud parents Danny and Joanna joined Dani and Jack for the big launch on Wednesday evening Let's dance: Dani and jack let their hair down as the party went on into the early hours Step by step: Guests looked on as models debuted the new collection at London's Libertine club 'She is an incredible human being... I'm very f*****g proud of her. I'm slightly choked up at this point, thank you all so much!' Dani has teamed up with the online clothing brand to create a range catering to a wide range of sizes, with the star recently explaining to MailOnline why the inclusive nature of the collaboration is so important to her. She said: 'I think that's what the real world should be now. I think it's so lovely how everyone is embracing everyone's different shapes and sizes and beauty. Familiar faces: Dani was joined by Love Island co-stars Samira Mighty and Hayley Hughes at the event Inseparable: Dani and jack couldn't keep their hands off each other as they exited the Libertine New venture: Dani has teamed up with the online clothing brand to create a range catering to a wide range of sizes 'You don't have to be one specific person, you can be anything you want to be, and that's how I wanted it to be with a clothing brand. 'I didn't want it to be exclusive, I wanted any sort of girl to be able to go and shop on it and feel confident in it, and feel good really. 'I love Ariana Grande. I love all of the oversized hoodies. When I bring out my next range with In The Style, I'm definitely going to do that. I like oversized stuff, I don't like things that are too tight.' Let's go: The couple greeted onlookers as they made their way home following the launch So happy: Jack wrapped an arm around Dani's waist as she rested her head on this shoulder during another smitten display It's a match: Fellow Love Island star Georgia Steel wore the snakeskin playsuit from Dani's latest collection as she joined her at the launch on Wednesday evening Strike a pose: Georgia showed off her latest look as she left the venue on Wednesday evening She's the former model-turned-media-personality who has become a fixture on the Sydney social circuit. And Nikki Phillips, 35, oozed elegance when she donned a floral pink power suit for the Cosmopolitan Women of the Year Awards on Wednesday. Women supporting women is obviously a cause close to Nikki's heart, with the stunner taking to Instagram to share posts of herself her presenting an award. Scroll down to video Pretty in pink! Model Nikki Phillips, 35, oozed elegance in a floral power suit at the Cosmopolitan Women of the Year Awards on Wednesday night The blonde beauty presented the Fashion Influencer of the Year Award, which went to up-and-comer Sammy Robinson. For the glamorous event, Nikki opted to accessorise the power suit with a textured burgundy clutch and a pair of matching strappy heels. The model wore her shoulder length blonde hair blunted, while she opted to enhance her flawless complexion with glossy foundation and rogue lipstick. Glam! The former model, who presented the Fashion Influencer of the Year Award, enhanced her flawless complexion with a glossy make-up palette and dark red lipstick The event was held in Sydney at Merivale's Ivy Pool and featured performances by the likes of former X Factor star Samantha Jade, 31. After giving birth to her first child Jett, Nikki has shown her fans she's been embracing motherhood and a slower pace of life. Nikki shares the cherubic tot with husband, Dane Rumble, who she married in Bali, Indonesia, in 2014. Matchy matchy! The blonde beauty complemented her outfit with a burgundy clutch and strappy heels, which offset the bright floral pattern on the suit In April, the blonde beauty shared an adorable video of her son playing with a Apple laptop as he sat on the floor of their home. In an interview with The Daily Telegraph in July last year, Nikki gushed over motherhood and finally revealed the baby's name. 'He just suited Jett, which was a name we both favoured from the beginning,' she said, before adding: 'motherhood is certainly the most incredible thing I have ever experienced.' Nikki and partner Dane Rumble confirmed their son's birth via Instagram, with the caption: 'Our handsome little man is here... born 17.07.17 at 8.47am weighing 3.5kg and height 53.5cm (yup has my legs).' The beauty added: 'We are so smitten and all doing well. Thank you to my amazing Insta fam for all your loving messages. We feel extremely blessed and our hearts are exploding.' Nikki and Dane, who are both from New Zealand, first met at a Jamiroquai concert where Dane was the opening act. They were out to celebrate their Love Island pal Dani Dyer's fashion collaboration with In The Style on Wednesday night. So it comes as no surprise that Zara McDermott, 21, and Hayley Hughes, also 21, appeared worse for wear when they were pictured leaving the event, held at Libertine nightclub. Zara flaunted her underboob as she made her way home, wearing a skimpy black dress and put on a giddy display as she sucked on a lollipop. Living it up: Love Island's Zara McDermott (pictured) and Hayley Hughes appeared worse for wear when they left pal Dani Dyer's fashion bash at Libertine nightclub in London on Wednesday Giddy: Meanwhile, Hayley, who failed to find love on the show but who is now happily dating DJ Tom Zanetti, threw out some serious shapes while in the car home She was with her boyfriend Adam Collard, who she met on the show, as things appear to be going from strength to strength. Meanwhile, Hayley, who failed to find love on the show but who is now happily dating DJ Tom Zanetti, threw out some serious shapes while in the car home. Zara looked incredible on the night, flashing some serious underboob as she struggled to contain her assets in a skimpy black bralet, tied in with a form-fitting midi skirt. So in love: Zara threw her arms around her boyfriend Adam Collard in a giddy and passionate display It doesn't take much: Maybe she was thrilled that her man treated her to a rose on the street following their night out together Together forever? Dani Dyer and her boyfriend Jack Fincham put on a very loved-up display as they left the venue Here come the girls: (L-R) Samira Mighty, Laura Anderson and Ellie Brown all made an appearance to support their pal Maintaining the black colour theme, the reality star boosted her height in a pair of strappy heels, which showcased her blue pedicure. Zara let her outfit do the talking as she kept accessories to a minimum, sporting a pair of gold hooped earrings. She swept her ombre locks into a curly half up half down look, and accentuated her stunning looks with neutral-toned make-up for a sun-kissed appearance. Wow-factor! Zara displayed her envy-inducing frame as she attended her co-star's party Star-studded: Love Island's Samira Mighty (L) and Georgia Steel (R) also stunned at the event as they supported their close pal Dani Working it: The former government advisor, 21, flashed some serious underboob as she struggled to contain her assets in a skimpy black bralet, tied in with a form-fitting midi skirt Show-stopper: Maintaining the black colour theme, the reality star boosted her height in a pair of strappy heels, which showcased her blue pedicure Striking: Zara let her outfit do the talking as she kept accessories to a minimum, sporting a pair of gold hooped earrings Meanwhile, Samira, 22, was a vision in red as she rocked an off-shoulder ruffle mini dress, embellished with white polka dots throughout. The former West End star enhanced her frame in a pair of black wrap-up heels and carried her possessions in a quilted chain-strap bag. Framing her striking visage with voluminous curls, Samira oozed Old Hollywood glamour as she wore bright red lipstick and lashings of mascara. Stunning: Meanwhile, Samira, 22, was a vision in red as she rocked an off-shoulder ruffle mini dress, embellished with white polka dots throughout Looking good: The former West End star, who was joined by Hayley Hughes, enhanced her frame in a pair of black wrap-up heels and carried her possessions in a quilted chain-strap bag Wow-factor! Also putting on a chic display was self-proclaimed 'loyal' star Georgia, 20, who took a walk on the wild side with a plunging animal print dress Radiant: Opting for a full face of glamorous make-up, Georgia tied her glossy tresses into a sleek bun, finished off with twin bangs Also putting on a chic display was self-proclaimed 'loyal' star Georgia, 20, who took a walk on the wild side with a plunging animal print dress. The former bar worker lived up to her stylish ways with a studded mini handbag and sophisticated heels. Opting for a full face of glamorous make-up, Georgia tied her glossy tresses into a sleek bun, finished off with twin bangs. Family first: Woman of the hour Dani, 22, beamed with delight as she was joined by her parents, Danny and Joanne, as well as her doting boyfriend and fellow Love Island winner Jack Fincham All about her: The former Survival Of The Fittest star proved she was the star of the event as she wowed in a snakeskin print playsuit from her brand new collection Style savvy: Living up to her chic fashion sense, Dani added to her petite frame in a pair of nude gladiator heels and accessorised with a pink handbag, embellished with a studded sheer overlay Kiss kiss: The TV personality looked in the throes of love as she indulged in a romantic PDA session with her beau Jack, 26 It must be love: The couple quickly embarked on a relationship in the latest series of Love Island, and were later crowned the winners of the show Woman of the hour Dani, 22, beamed with delight as she was joined by her parents, Danny and Joanne, as well as her doting boyfriend and fellow Love Island winner Jack Fincham. The former Survival Of The Fittest star proved she was the star of the event as she wowed in a snakeskin print playsuit from her brand new collection. Living up to her chic fashion sense, Dani added to her petite frame in a pair of nude gladiator heels and accessorised with a pink handbag, embellished with a studded sheer overlay. Dapper: The former stationary sales manager sported a satin black shirt and off-white skinny trousers High spirits: The actor looked delighted as he struck a series of poses during his time at the event Sharp: Danny cut a suave figure in a pair of dark wash jeans, teamed with a crisp pink shirt and brown Oxford shoes Doting father: The Straightheads star planted a kiss on his daughter's cheek as they stopped for snaps on the red carpet 'I'm so proud of her': EastEnders star Danny, who is known for his hardman persona, was close to tears as he praised Dani in a sweet speech, posted to the reality star's Instagram account The TV personality looked in the throes of love as she indulged in a romantic PDA session with her beau Jack, 26. Proving to be every inch the doting parents, Danny and Joanne, both 41, couldn't contain their pride as they supported their eldest daughter. EastEnders star Danny, who is known for his hardman persona, was close to tears as he praised Dani in a sweet speech, posted to the reality star's Instagram account. Proud pal: Dani's former Survival Of The Fittest co-star Georgie Clarke flashed her toned abs in a low-cut bralet and stylish cropped joggers Loved-up: The 25-year-old was joined by Ryan Cleary, who looked typically cool in a turtleneck jumper and checked ankle-grazing trousers Blissful: Newlywed Olivia Buckland, who recently tied the knot to husband Alex Bowen, went solo for the outing, sporting a silk blouse with a thigh-skimming denim skirt Beaming: Dr Alex George opted for a casual look in a denim jacket, skinny jeans and platform trainers by Nike Joined by his stunning wife, he told the crowd: 'This is quite unbelievable, six months ago she would be queuing up to get in here! She is an incredible human being... I'm very f*****g proud of her. I'm slightly choked up at this point, thank you all so much!' Dani has teamed up with the online clothing brand to create a range catering to a wide range of sizes, and the star recently explained to MailOnline why the inclusive nature of the collaboration is so important to her. She said: 'I think that's what the real world should be now. I think it's so lovely how everyone is embracing everyone's different shapes and sizes and beauty. Steamy: Dani and Jack couldn't contain their love for one another as they enjoyed more smooches on their PDA-filled outing Smitten: Joanne and Danny, who have been together for over 20 years, proved romance is certaintly not dead as they kissed outside the venue Looking good: The Essex beauty styled her tresses into classic waves, and opted for a silver eyeshadow look, which was complemented with heavy strokes of foundation and bronzer Hi, there: Dani beamed as she greeted TOWIE's Pete Wicks, who looked effortlessly dapper in a tweed blazer Puff puff: The Outlaw star enjoyed a cigarette break during his family night out 'You don't have to be one specific person, you can be anything you want to be, and that's how I wanted it to be with a clothing brand. 'I didn't want it to be exclusive, I wanted any sort of girl to be able to go and shop on it and feel confident in it, and feel good really. She said: 'I love Ariana Grande. I love all of the oversized hoodies. When I bring out my next range with In The Style, I'm definitely going to do that. I like oversized stuff, I don't like things that are too tight.' Seeing double? Jack looked the spitting image of his close pal and co-star Sam Bird as they donned similar outfits Lights, camera, action: Former bar worker Georgia lived up to her stylish ways with a studded mini handbag and sophisticated heels Hand-in-hand: Hayley, 21, and Samira were all smiles as they supported their friend Speaking on her go-to piece, she said: 'My favourite item, that I'll be wearing on my launch, is a snake print playsuit, because I love playsuits, I've always loved a playsuit. 'I find them really flattering, especially because I'm only small. And, snake print is very in at the minute and I love the material, so I'm definitely gonna go with that.' 'There are things in my range which are really dressy, like for my launch, I'll be really dressed up. But, I don't dress that pretty a lot. 'So I wanted things in the collection that you could dress up or dress down. Where could wear it with trainers or heels.' Chic: Georgie and Zara continued to pose up a storm as they left the venue Happy: Olivia, 24, couldn't shake off the newlywed glow as she grinned from ear-to-ear She recently revealed she want to join celebrity porn app, Only Fans, in a bid to raise more cash amid fresh financial woes. And Lauren Goodger gave her followers a tantalizing glimpse of what they can expect as she shared a sizzling lingerie selfie on Instagram on Wednesday. The 32-year-old TOWIE star flaunted her ample assets and flat stomach as she posed sultrily in a scarlet lace bra and matching knickers. Turning heads: Lauren Goodger flaunted her ample assets in sexy lingerie selfie... after admitting she's turning to 'PORN' app amid fresh financial woes The reality star styled her dark hair in tumbling waves and framed her features with heavily applied make-up. Lauren's racy post comes after she revealed she want to join celebrity porn app, Only Fans, in a bid to raise more cash. It comes as little surprise, as her company, LRG Marketing, has been struck off. Meanwhile, all her other companies have either been dissolved or are very close to being shut down and she is not making money from them. A waste: Taking to social media, Goodger claimed she wasted money while waiting for his release and branded him a 'control freak' Honest: Lauren recently admitted on Insta-Stories that she is turning to a celebrity porn app in order to restore her bank balance Lauren does earn an income from promotional work on her social media and she has affiliations with brands such as Pink Casino and So Monroe. She's also been picking her fans' brains on Instagram, using the 'Ask Me' feature, about what she should do as her next career move. One fan said 'Wish you had an OnlyFans account (or similar) to see you more.' She responded: 'I am doing that very soon.' CBB's Chloe Khan and Love Island's Katie Salmon are among those who appear on the app so far. Oh dear: It comes as little surprise, as her company, LRG Marketing, has been struck off while all her other companies have either been dissolved or are very close to being shut down and she is not making money from them Lauren has also been taking bookings as a make-up artist in a bid to earn more money. She has also said she would like to bring out her own lingerie line. It comes after the TV star 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. 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 Lauren, 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'. '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!"' Johnny Depp has confirmed that he will return for Fantastic Beasts 3, with production expected to commence in 'the middle of next year'. The actor, 55, explained he loved the role and playing him 'as a sensitive, concerned yet manipulative and powerful wizard', so much that he can't wait to work on the third film, of five, in the J.K. Rowling-penned franchise. In an interview with Collider on Tuesday, he explained: 'The possibilities in that world are wide open, so you can really try anything. So it was a gas and I look forward to the next installment.' Comeback: Johnny Depp has confirmed that he will return for Fantastic Beasts 3, with production expected to commence in 'the middle of next year' The casting of Depp in the role of Gellert Grindelwald was marred with controversy, as fans expressed their disappointment after he was accused of domestic violence by his ex-wife Amber Heard, 32, last year. In December 2017, Harry Potter writer J.K. Rowling said the claims 'deeply concerned' her, and that she and director David Yates did consider recasting the role for the second film in the franchise. However she added that, while she understands that not all fans will be satisfied, she is 'genuinely happy' to have Depp play a leading character. Rowling wrote in a statement: 'When Johnny Depp was cast as Grindelwald, I thought he'd be wonderful in the role. Controversial: Fans expressed their disappointment at his casting as Grindelwald after he was accused of domestic violence by his ex-wife Amber Heard, 32, last year Defending the choice: In December 2017 J.K. Rowling (pictured in April 2018) said while the claims 'deeply concerned' her at the time, she was 'genuinely happy' to have him in the role 'However, around the time of filming his cameo in the first movie, stories had appeared in the press that deeply concerned me and everyone most closely involved in the franchise. 'Harry Potter fans had legitimate questions and concerns about our choice to continue with Johnny Depp in the role. 'As David Yates, long-time Potter director, has already said, we naturally considered the possibility of recasting.' The author said she understood why 'some have been confused and angry' that Johnny was not recast, and that not being able to speak openly with fans about the issues 'has been difficult, frustrating and at times painful'. She added: 'However, the agreements that have been put in place to protect the privacy of two people, both of whom have expressed a desire to get on with their lives, must be respected. Keeping him in: Rowling revealed that she and director David Yates did consider recasting the role for the second film in the franchise but then decided against it 'Based on our understanding of the circumstances, the filmmakers and I are not only comfortable sticking with our original casting, but genuinely happy to have Johnny playing a major character in the movies.' She continued: 'I've loved writing the first two screenplays and I can't wait for fans to see The Crimes Of Grindelwald. 'I accept that there will be those who are not satisfied with our choice of actor in the title role. However, conscience isn't governable by committee.' Rowling concluded: 'Within the fictional world and outside it, we all have to do what we believe to be the right thing.' At the time, Warner Bros also issued a statement in support of the decision to keep him in the film. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is set to be released in UK cinemas on November 16. EastEnders' Louisa Lytton has admitted she was 'grateful' to be trusted with her hard-hitting storyline, which sees her character Ruby Allen deal with the aftermath of being raped. Speaking on Thursday's Lorraine, the 29-year-old soap star admitted it was the dark plot that pushed her to make a sensational return to the soap after a staggering 12 years away. This week viewers have seen Ruby struggle to come to terms with being raped after a night out, and the soap will deal with the topic of consent as she questions whether or not she is in the wrong. Shocking: EastEnders' Louisa Lytton has admitted she was 'grateful' to be trusted with a storyline, which sees her character Ruby Allen deal with the aftermath of being raped Louisa explained to Lorraine that she was offered the chance to take part in the storyline as part of an offer to return to the soap. She said: 'I got a phone-call from John Yorke [showrunner] and he said ''we'd love to bring your character back.'' Obviously as an actress I was grateful to be trusted with such a storyline.' None of the assault in question has been seen on-screen, and in recent days fans have only learned of Ruby's ordeal after Stacey caught her trying to purchase the morning after pill following a night out. Tough time: In recent days fans have seen her character Ruby Allen struggle to come to terms with being raped after a night out, as the soap deals with the topic of consent Emotional: While the assault was not shown on-screen, the plot will see Ruby deal with what she has been through, as she considers going to the police to report the crime As she recalled to Stacey that she woke to find newcomer Ross lying on top of her, Ruby finally realised that as she did not consent to what happened, and thus had been raped. Since the scenes aired, Louisa admitted she had received an overwhelmingly positive response to the storyline, saying: 'I was quite surprised I've have loads of people message me on social media saying this is the closure I've needed for so long, this incident happened to me 10 years ago. 'This episode has confirmed to me it was [worth doing the plot]. I was surprised myself just how quickly that reaction has happened, that's the point of this storyline is to open that conversation and hopefully educate. Well done: Since the storyline first began to play out, Louisa said she has received an overwhelmingly positive response Supportive: She was also joined on the show by Katie Russell, from Rape Crisis, who worked closely with the soap on the storyline Open: She explained: 'It'll be evident as the story unfolds that we still have a lot of public education and awareness raising to do when it comes to the issue of consent' 'We're only telling one story we're only telling Ruby's stories, but there are millions of viewers that can relate so it is important that we've done it right. 'I questioned it myself, people will be saying why don't you fight back, but that's one of your body's natural reactions is that you freeze.' She was also joined on the show by Katie Russell, from Rape Crisis, who worked closely with the soap on the storyline. Gorgeous: Louisa put on a stylish display in a pretty orange leopard print maxi dress with nude pointed-toe heels She explained: 'We really welcome drama, especially ones as popular as EastEnders, that reach so many people and such a diverse audience, tackling topics like this. 'It'll be evident as the story unfolds that we still have a lot of public education and awareness raising to do when it comes to the issue of consent.' In the coming days fans will also see a divide form, as Stacey supports Ruby in her decision to go to the police, while Martin Fowler takes the side of Ross who insists she consented. EastEnders continues on Thursday 11th October at 7:30pm on BBC One. She has been throwing herself into filming new Sky show Brassic. And it was work as usual for Michelle Keegan on Wednesday as she was spotted in Salford shooting scenes for the upcoming comedy while sporting a funky ensemble and holding hands with her character Erin's son Tyler. The 32-year-old former Coronation Street star showed off her lithe legs in a maroon cord mini skirt paired with low denier tights, while she added a striped polo and leather jacket as she had a giggle on set. Playful: Michelle was having a giggle on Tuesday as a local shop worker showed off his muscles on the set of new Sky show Brassic Cosying up to a fellow actor playing a shopkeeper, Michelle was left in hysterics as he flashed her his muscles and later pulled his top up. Brassic follows the story of Lancashire native Vinnie, played by Joe Gilgun, who suffers from bipolar disorder and his best pal Dylan, who he has been inseparable from since childhood. Yet, Michelle's character Erin, who is Dylans girlfriend, threatens the childhood comrades' friendship when she plans to leave town and start a new life for herself and her son, Tyler. The decision leaves Dylan choosing between his pals and love. The series is slated for a 2019 release, and will star also star This Is England actor Joe Gilgun, who co-created the series alongside writer Danny Brocklehurst. Stylish: The 32-year-old former Coronation Street star showed off her lithe legs in a maroon cord mini skirt paired with low denier tights, while she added a striped polo and leather jacket as she had a giggle on set Ahem: The series is slated for a 2019 release, and will star also star This Is England actor Joe Gilgun, who co-created the series alongside writer Danny Brocklehurst Doting mother: Michelle was clutching on to her co-star as she headed out In depth: Michelle had chats with various male co-stars on the set Michelle has been throwing herself into her career in the limelight as she pursues her latest acting project Brassic while her husband Mark Wright continues work in LA. Former TOWIE star Mark made the move to the states where he rubs shoulders with the stars of Hollywood for his hot shot job as an Extra presenter. At the time, his wife Michelle had been spending extended periods of time away from the UK working on the set of Our Girl half way across the world. Ever since the former Corrie star began working away from home for a long time, their marriage has been on everybody's lips. Happy days: Cosying up to a fellow actor playing a shopkeeper, Michelle was left in hysterics as he flashed her his muscles and later pulled his top up Flexing it on up! She looked overjoyed as she cosied up to the fellow actor Having a laugh: She cosied up to her co-star as they shot the scenes outside the local shop Shock: The brazen actor was showing off his tattooed chest to the shock and delight of Michelle Pumping iron: He was feeling playful while Michelle looked at him adoringly Lovebirds Michelle and Mark have been married for three years since they tied the knot in May 2015. However, Michelle defended her romance with Mark as she insisted the couple keep their love out of the spotlight. Despite appearances, the Brassic star claimed the couple see each other more than they let others know by not publishing their reunions on social media. She told FABULOUS magazine: 'No one knows how much we see each other because we dont publicise it. People say: "Ah, they havent seen each other for ages," but they dont know. 'Mark sometimes comes home for a weekend and no one knows hes even there. Over the years weve learned how to do that and Ive definitely become more private.' She's no stranger to turning heads on the red carpet at glamorous, star-studded events. And Myleene Klass proved she can do low-key work attire just as well as high-octane chic as she headed to the Global Radio Studios in central London on Thursday morning to host her Smooth FM show. The television and radio personality, 40, looked effortlessly chic in a layered look, keeping cosy in spite of the mild autumnal weather in a chunky grey knitted jumper, teamed with a flowing blush pink pleated skirt. Working mother: Myleene Klass looked effortlessly stylish as she headed to the Global Radio Studios in central London on Thursday morning to host her Smooth FM show The classically-trained musician draped a matching pale pink mac over her shoulders, while strutting her stuff in a pair of taupe-coloured suede slouchy boots. Appearing in good spirits for her day at work, the former pop star accessorised with an oversize black leather handbag by Chanel and mirroed blush shades. Myleene wore her caramel-coloured locks straight and accentuated her naturally striking features with low-key make-up. The mother-of-two displayed her red carpet style last week when she attended the RAF's Time Flies royal charity gala at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London's West End on Sunday night. Winter warmer: The television and radio personality, 40, kept cosy in spite of the mild autumnal weather in a chunky grey knitted jumper, teamed with a flowing blush pleated skirt Elegant: The classically-trained musician draped a matching pale pink mac over her shoulders, while strutting her stuff in a pair of taupe-coloured suede slouchy boots Myleene dazzled in an elegant strapless black gown with a stunning fishtail hemline as she worked her magic in front of the cameras. The ex- Hear'Say hitmaker has plenty to smile about after seeing both her work and personal life go from strength to strength over the past few years. The star recently paid tribute to her boyfriend of two years, fashion PR Simon Motson, on his birthday, calling him 'the love of my life'. 'Happy birthday to the love of my life,' she penned across the snaps shared on her Instagram stories. Hollywood glamour: The mother-of-two displayed her red carpet style when she attended the RAF's Time Flies charity gala at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London's West End on Sunday The couple went public with their relationship in May 2017, and the brunette previously raved of their romance: 'He is so hot. It's lovely. I'm enjoying myself.' The businesswoman is a devoted mother to daughters Ava, 10, and Hero, seven, whom she shares with her ex-husband Graham Quinn. Myleene's ex walked out on her 34th birthday in April 2012 putting an end to their decade-long relationship. The former couple finalised their divorce in 2013. Discussing her devastation, she admitted to Woman magazine: 'I thought I'd never smile or trust anyone ever again.' Simon has been married before, but is also divorced and is a father-of-two. The pair met in 2015 shortly after Simon had split from his wife, but kept a low profile until his divorce was finalised. Advertisement Joanna Krupa has offloaded the luxurious Miami-based penthouse she shared with her former husband Romain Zago for $1.55 million [1.17 million]. The condo - which has stunning views across the Miami skyline - has proven a tough sell for the reality star and model, having been listed for sale since February of this year, following her divorce in 2017. Joanna, 39, listed the property for $1.9 million [1.43 million] but after its lengthy-stint on the market accepted $400k [300,500] less than the asking price. Top of the world: Joanna Krupa has offloaded the luxurious Miami-based penthouse she shared with her former husband Romain Zago for $1.55 million [1.17 million] Going, going, gone! She looked content as she attended a dinner date with pals at Craig's, Los Angeles on Wednesday evening Situated in the city that made her famous, former-Real Housewives of Miami star Joanna's home is 2,140-square-foot in size, originally bought by her and her now-ex-husband in 2013, the year they were married They acquired it for $1.4 million [roughly 1 million] at the time, leaving Joanna with a profit of $100,500 [76k] on this month's sale - not quite what she was looking for. Her businessman ex Zago perviously told People magazine: 'Joanna and I both own it and we are selling it. We are good friends and still have businesses together.' The apartment is in the ultra-luxurious Four Seasons Residences building in the Brickell neighbourhood of downtown Miami. Lap of luxury: It's a two-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom property, with marble flooring throughout Home from home: Polish native Joanna's kitchen is European in style, featuring dark tiling and countertops Sold! The condo - which has stunning views across the Miami skyline - has proven a tough sell for the reality star and model, having been listed for sale since February of this year, following her divorce in 2017 Room with view: A small terrace balcony offers stunning views of the bay and Dodge Island The high-rise boasts 70-storeys and was Miamis tallest skyscraper for 14 years, until the 82-story Panama Tower was completed in 2017. It's a two-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom property, with marble flooring throughout. The open-plan living/dining area serves as the focal point of the complex and features a statement coffee table made from half a tree trunk. Polish native Joanna's kitchen is European in style, featuring dark tiling and countertops and a small terrace balcony offers stunning views of the bay and Dodge Island. The couple in fact tried to sell the property less than a year after they moved into it after their wedding, again listing it at $1.9 million. It didn't sell. They relisted it again in 2015 and massively upped the price to $2.5 million. Again - no sale. Finally able to now offload the condo, Joanna will surely be happy to move on with new husband Douglas, whom she married in Krakow in August - just five months after announcing their engagement. Money matters: Joanna, 39, listed the property for $1.9 million [1.43 million] but after its lengthy-stint on the market accepted $400k [300,500] less than the asking price High-rise: It boasts 70-storeys and was Miamis tallest skyscraper for 14 years, until the 82-story Panama Tower was completed in 2017 Sale or no sale? The couple in fact tried to sell the property less than a year after they moved into it after their wedding, again listing it at $1.9 million. It didn't sell Relief: Finally able to now offload the condo, Joanna will surely be happy to move on with new husband Douglas, whom she married in Krakow in August - just five months after announcing their engagement Disapponted? They acquired it for $1.4 million [roughly 1 million] at the time, leaving Joanna with a profit of $100,500 [76k] on this month's sale - not quite what she was looking for She looked content as she attended a dinner date with pals at Craig's, Los Angeles on Wednesday evening. Stepping out in a black and white dress, with puffed short sleeves and black ankle-boots as she strolled into the eatery, all-smiles. When she tied the knot this summer, it was not quite a year after finalising her divorce from Romain. Joanna herself took to social media following the occasion to share a post of her and Douglas inside the church, and wrote: 'We did it! It was a very private and small family gathering... wish I could have shared it with all the people that I love.' Second time lucky: Joanna herself took to social media following her August wedding to share a post of her and Douglas inside the church, and wrote, 'We did it! It was a very private and small family gathering... wish I could have shared it with all the people that I love' Bath and beyond: They relisted it again in 2015 and massively upped the price to $2.5 million. Again - no sale Cosy: Situated in the city that made her famous, former-Real Housewives of Miami star Joanna's home is 2,140-square-foot in size, originally bought by her and her now-ex-husband in 2013, the year they were married Open-plan: The living/dining area serves as the focal point of the complex and features a statement coffee table made from half a tree trunk Downtown: The apartment is in the ultra-luxurious Four Seasons Residences building in the Brickell neighbourhood Gals night: Polish model Joanna was seen leaving Craig's eatery after dining with her friends in West Hollywood Joanna announced her engagement to media mogul Douglas in March, taking to Instagram to share a snap of her sporting an enormous diamond ring. She starred in Seasons two-three of The Real Housewives Of Miami and appeared on Season nine of Dancing With The Stars, where she was the 12th dancer eliminated. Last year, Joanna settled her long-running lawsuit against fellow Housewives star Brandi Glanville, who accused her of sleeping with Mohamed Hadid while he was married to Yolanda Foster. Brandi - who appeared in Celebrity Big Brother UK's summer 2017 season - later apologised, stating that she never intended her accusation 'to be taken so seriously and out of proportion'. Hurricane Michael, the strongest storm to hit the Florida Panhandle in decades, slammed into the state on Wednesday afternoon and left a trail of destruction in its wake as it made its way to Georgia. Structures destroyed and streets turned into rivers in Mexico Beach, FL, where #HurricaneMichael made landfall as an extremely powerful Category 4 storm earlier Wednesday. https://t.co/uVVEkXmHid pic.twitter.com/NdrJ6MmFxw -- ABC News (@ABC) October 10, 2018 Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Hurricane Michael, which made landfall near Mexico Beach, Fla., as a Category 4 storm, was the worst to hit the state, according to the New York Times. Nearly 200,000 power outages, primarily in coastal areas, were reported, as a result of the storm, according to The Washington Post. Several Florida schools were being used as shelters on Wednesday. Superintendent Hanna has been out since early this morning visiting the shelters at our schools. Thank you to the principals and administrators that are away from their families taking care of those seeking shelter. We are in this together! #MichaelTLH pic.twitter.com/1wdwmiEaK5 -- Leon County Schools (@LeonSchools) October 10, 2018 Some schools appeared to have sustained serious damage. The Twitter account for Bay High School in the Bay County school district, which includes Panama City, posted photos to the schools Facebook page that showed hurricane damage to its feeder school, Jinks Middle School. Another school, Rutherford High School, had debris and water on the property, and A. Crawford Mosley High School appeared to have lost part of its roof. We are aware of some areas of serious devastation in our community and, as soon as it [is] safe, we will begin the process of assessing damage to our homes, like many of you, and our school facilities, the district wrote in a Facebook message. Our thoughts are with our families who have suffered losses as a result of this storm and with our first responders and emergency management experts as they guide us through the difficult days ahead. As we have more information to share we will post it here and through regular media outlets. By late Wednesday afternoon, Hurricane Michael, which had by then been downgraded to a Category 3 storm, had made its way into Georgia. The National Hurricane Center warned that the storm still had potential to cause significant damage, including life-threatening flash floods in the Florida Panhandle, Big Bend, and parts of Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas, and as far north as southeast Virginia. Parts of the Carolinas that were drenched with several inches of rain a few weeks ago and are still trying to recover from that storms devastation are in Hurricane Michaels path. North Carolinas New Hanover County School district, which was closed for nearly three weeks because of Hurricane Florence, announced Tuesday that it would close on Thursday out of an abundance of caution. Photo caption: Earnest Sweet rests against student lockers while his daughters Terri, 4, center, and Anna, 7, sleep at an evacuation shelter set up at Rutherford High School in Panama City, Fla., on Oct 10 in advance of Hurricane Michaels landfall. --Gerald Herbert/AP Why Purchase ? Great brand recognition and memorability from advertising, marketing, and your web site landing pages. This domain is likely to hold and increase its value over time. Poor domain names lose traffic and new customer conversions to better domain named companies, Microsoft Research calls this effect "domain bias in web search." is a category killer domain that may be commonly used around the world. Such a name offers your company a clear competitive advantage online and off. Bachelorette Ali Oetjen will finally break her silence on her alleged 'cheating' scandal with Bachelor In Paradise beau Grant Kemp. In a trailer for next week, the blonde bombshell dramatically confronts 'villain' Nathan about the rumours after he's accused of sensationalising her 'scandalous past' to his rivals. 'I heard you were saying really disgusting things about me!' she berates the 23-year-old carpenter. 'You have no idea what went on!' Bachelorette Ali Oetjen loses it at dramatic cocktail party as she confronts suitor 'spreading rumours of her cheating scandal'... after bombshell text messages surfaced In happier times: The couple fell in love on Bachelor in Paradise back in 2017 (pictured), before splitting in March amid sensational claims of infidelity Just hours before her debut as The Bachelorette on Wednesday, bombshell text messages surfaced which appeared to show Ali desperately apologising for 'cheating' on ex-boyfriend Grant in Los Angeles. The bombshell text, which were believed to be from March this year, appeared to confirm reports Ali cheated on him in Los Angeles. Nathan Favro is friends with former Bachelor franchise stars, including Michael Turnbull and Davey Lloyd, who both appeared alongside Ali on Bachelor In Paradise. In an upcoming Bachelorette episode, suitor Charlie Newling approached Ali to accuse rival Nathan of spreading the rumours among the cast. 'He made up stories that he knows people that are your friends that apparently emphasise the rumours were true,' he said in confidence to the blonde. 'Are you f***ing serious? Let me at him! He doesn't have any idea what went on!' an enraged Ali said as she began searching the mansion for Nathan to shut down the situation before it escalated. 'I heard you were saying really disgusting things about me!' The blonde confronts 'villain' Nathan (R) about the rumours after he's accused of sensationalising her past to his rivals 'He made up stories that he knows people that are your friends': Nathan (L) is friends with former Bachelor franchise stars, including Michael Turnbull and Davey Lloyd (R), who both appeared alongside Ali on Bachelor In Paradise 'I've been so hurt in the past, because I've had people delivering lines to me. I've had people say, "yeah, I want two kids" and then when I go visit them in LA they're a party animal,' Ali continued, seemingly alluding to Grant. The promotional clip promises the 'truth' and for Ali to 'set the record straight' as she tells producers: 'I'm very aware people want to know my side of the story.' Meanwhile, a fight breaks out between Nathan and Charlie, as other suited men at the cocktail party look on in shock. 'I go visit them in LA and they're a party animal': Ali appeared to make a subtle dig at ex Grant in her enraged rant on the show, claiming she'd been hurt and let down by men in the past Blame game! A fight breaks out between Nathan (R) and Charlie (L) after Charlie accuses the 23-year-old of spreading disrespectful rumours about Ali to the cast In a series of SMS conversations obtained by Daily Mail Australia, Ali appeared to beg for forgiveness and claimed there was 'no excuse' for her alleged infidelity. The couple fell in love on Bachelor in Paradise, which was filmed in 2017 and aired in early 2018. At the time of the 'cheating' scandal, they were in the middle of a long-distance relationship, with Ali living in Adelaide and Grant based in America. 'I wasn't even functioning babe!' Bombshell text messages surfaced hours before the Bachelorette premiere which appear to show Ali desperately apologising for 'cheating' on her ex-boyfriend Grant Kemp in Los Angeles. Pictured on Bachelor In Paradise in 2017 'I'm a good person and you want to ruin me': In another screenshot, Ali expresses concern that Grant had made an attempt to contact one of her friends 'There's no excuses': One of the texts supposedly shows Grant confronting Ali over her 'infidelity'. She does not deny anything and responds, 'I wasn't even functioning, babe' Speaking with The Kyle and Jackie O Show in May, Grant said of the alleged incident: 'I had left to go and find my friends. I came back inside [my house] and a man was going down on her on my stairs. So I kicked her out that night.' Ali has previously described Grant's accusations as 'horrible', but has not denied them. The Bachelorette returns on Wednesday from 7.30pm on Ten She made history last month, when she and Alex Bowen became the first ever Love Island couple to get married. And Olivia Buckland looked every inch the smitten newlywed as she proudly showed off her dazzling ring while stepping out in London on Thursday. The 24-year-old reality star was typically chic during the outing, flaunting her phenomenal curves in white knit co-ords as she arrived at the Batiste launch event. Chic: Olivia Buckland looked every inch the smitten newlywed as she proudly showed off her dazzling ring while stepping out in London on Thursday The blonde beauty added height to her already statuesque frame with a vertiginous pair of nude platform heels. Sticking to a nude understated palette, she carried her belongings in a dove-grey Mulberry tote. Olivia swept her golden tresses back into a simple chignon and framed her features with taupe lipstick and a sweep of bronzer. Looking good: The 24-year-old reality star was typically chic during the outing, flaunting her phenomenal curves in white knit co-ords as she arrived at the Batiste launch event Arm candy: Sticking to a nude understated palette, she carried her belongings in a dove-grey Mulberry tote 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. They held the ceremony 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 Magazine, Olivia revealed the boozy mishaps had resulted in an extremely sore head the next day. Killer footwear: The blonde beauty added height to her already statuesque frame with a vertiginous pair of nude platform heels Puppy love: Olivia and her new husband Alex Bowen recently got a French bulldog called Winnie 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 Loved-up: 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 Wild ceremony: 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. Under-fire Strictly Come Dancing stars Seann Walsh and Katya Jones have been slammed for their over the top public apology after being pictured kissing on a London street. The beleaguered pair addressed the incident for the first time during an uncomfortable interview with Zoe Ball on Wednesday evenings edition of Strictly sister show It Takes Two. But Seann, 32, and his 29-year old dance partner were savaged by unsympathetic Loose Women panellists Carol McGiffin, Nadia Sawalha, Jane Moore and Kaye Adams as the public fallout continued on Thursday afternoon. Criticism: Under-fire Strictly Come Dancing stars Seann Walsh and Katya Jones have been slammed by Loose Women star for their over the top public apology after being pictured kissing on a London street Criticising their stilted appearance, during which they both offered grovelling apologies for what they described as a one-off mistake, Jane, 56, fumed: It felt like they were reading off cue cards the whole tone was sorry we got caught. Disappointed with the need for a high-profile apology on national television, Carol, 58, added: 'Everyone now has to do a big public apology. I don't care! I couldn't care less - just show me how you do your Charleston! 'Why do people put out public statements about very private things? You know something like that makes the story carry on for another week.' We're sorry: The beleaguered pair addressed the incident for the first time during an uncomfortable interview with Zoe Ball on Wednesday evenings edition of Strictly sister show It Takes Two In agreement with her co-panellist, Kaye, 55, admitted the apology, which comes just three days before they return to the dance-floor, was misdirected. 'The only criteria is to dance,' she said. 'They didn't cheat on us. They should be saying sorry to their partners.' Seann was publicly dumped by actress girlfriend Rebecca Humphries, who shared a lengthy post on social media outlining her reasons for ending their five-year relationship on Monday. Merciless: Both were savaged by unsympathetic Loose Women panellists Carol McGiffin, Nadia Sawalha, Jane Moore and Kaye Adams as the public fallout continued on Thursday afternoon Hitting out: Disappointed with the need for a high-profile apology on national television, Carol, 58, raged, 'Everyone now has to do a big public apology. I don't care! I couldn't care less - just show me how you do your Charleston!' Humphies heaped further condemnation on the comedian by revealing his kiss with Jones took place on her birthday, while she sat alone in their London flat. Reflecting on the statement and its inevitable repercussions, Jane added: 'It's not rational behaviour. The thing about this couple they're talking about, if they'd kept it private the story would be dead in the water by now. 'It was his girlfriend putting out a very public statement that has given this story legs.' Rant: It felt like they were reading off cue cards the while tone was sorry we got caught,'" fumed Jane 'An apology can really make a difference in some people's lives,' interjected Kaye after Nadia, 53, admitted the public nature of the incident had blown the story out of all proportion. 'That's why you don't have to say it publicly,' Jane added. 'If you say it properly look her in the eye. I'm not apologising, I can tell you that.' The discussion came after Janet Street-Porter, 71, told Seann's heartbroken ex-girlfriend to 'get a grip' amid their ongoing cheating scandal. Not happy: The discussion came after Janet Street-Porter, 71, told Seann's heartbroken ex-girlfriend to 'get a grip' amid their ongoing cheating scandal All over: Seann was publicly dumped by actress girlfriend Rebecca Humphries, who shared a lengthy post on social media outlining her reasons for ending their five-year relationship on Monday Weighing in on the situation, Janet insisted she was not interested in the saga, telling Wednesday's edition of Loose Women: 'Her Twitter statement is too long... we don't know anything about the state of their relationship. She said things, he didn't say anything.' Plucking out her statement, journalist Janet said: 'As a former newspaper editor I thought, 'Get a grip, girl!' If she had brought this copy into my newspaper office, this is what I would do and this is what I did to her statement. 'I edited it savagely into something which would connect with other women.. "I am a not a victim, I am mad as hell. I am cross I was so stupid and naive. Why did I waste time on someone not worthy of me?" Rewrite: Plucking out her statement, journalist Janet said, 'As a former newspaper editor I thought, 'Get a grip, girl!' If she had brought this copy into my newspaper office, this is what I would do and this is what I did to her statement' 'Then the stuff about it being her birthday. I suspected he was up to something, I should have hung up there and then and gone out with my friends. My message to women everywhere: you are worth better." Gloria Hunniford meanwhile said: 'It's really sad. When he's cheated on her the whole country knows and it's just really embarrassing and humiliating... 'I feel really sorry for her, to do it to her on her birthday, we're three weeks into Strictly and we've already got a drama.' Former Miss Universe Australia Tegan Martin turns plenty of heads when she steps out on the arm of boyfriend Blake Worrall Thompson. And now, the blonde beauty, 26, is taking the next step with her personal trainer beau by relocating to Melbourne with him. On Friday, Tegan confirmed to the Herald Sun that she will be bidding farewell to the Sydney beach-side suburb of Coogee. Scroll down to video On the move! Former Miss Universe Australia Tegan Martin (above) has revealed she is relocating from Sydney to Melbourne with her boyfriend, Blake Worrall Thompson Tegan said while the couple had plenty of travel plan in mind, the interstate move was their priority at the moment. 'I think we have a few more travel plans first but he's definitely my one,' she told the publication. However, the blonde beauty was cryptic about whether this was leading to an engagement for the couple. 'You just know when you know,' she said. 'I think we have a few more travel plans first but he's definitely my one,' Tegan told The Daily Telegraph, but wouldn't confirm if the pair were planning an engagement Tegan has lived at Coogee for the past five years. She got together with Blake last year, after she finished filming the Network Ten reality show I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! New chapter! The couple have been living together in the Sydney suburb of Coogee for the past year Last month, the blonde beauty spoke candidly to Yahoo Be! about her years as a model living in Europe revealing she didn't have the healthiest drinking habits. 'My binge drinking phase was when I was living in Europe as a model,' Tegan told the website. She added: 'I was living in Paris and I was nightclubbing every single night from Thursday night to Sunday night.' Looking good! Tegan and hunky Blake, who is a celebrity personal trainer, have been together for a year, starting out their relationship as flatmates Tegan confessed the 'anxiety' she experienced during her teenage years accelerated her unhealthy relationship with alcohol. 'I remember being so anxious in my teens and always on edge and feeling like I didn't know why things wouldn't go right for me,' she said. The Ocsober ambassador - who will abstain from alcohol throughout this month - added that binge drinking in her youth 'negatively impacted her long-term health'. She's been busy playing the sexy blonde WAG named Kath in Network Ten's new series Playing For Keeps. And on Thursday, Madeleine West, 38, hinted to fans she may be making a return to where her acting career all began, on Australian soap Neighbours. Taking to Instagram, the blonde bombshell shared a photo which showed a slew of fresh Neighbours scripts placed on a table, teasing followers she could be making a comeback. 'The next flight of scripts has landed': Actress Madeleine West hinted she may be returning to Australian soap drama Neighbours...after reuniting with Shannon Bennett in Byron Bay 'And the next flight of scripts has landed,' she wrote alongside the snap, tagging Australian actor and director of the soap series Scott Major. Fans were quick to comment on the post, with some excited her character Dee will be making a return. 'Yes I can't wait for your return,' and another penned, 'I'm so excited Dee is coming back, I might start watching it again!' Is it true? 'And the next flight of scripts has landed,' she wrote alongside the snap, tagging Australian actor and director of the soap series Scott Major Back to Ramsay Street? Madeleine West pictured on set of soap Neighbours The intriguing post comes after Madeleine confirmed her split from celebrity chef Shannon Bennett last month, after 13 years together. However, 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 on? The intriguing post comes after Madeleine confirmed her split from celebrity chef Shannon Bennett last month, after 13 years together (pictured: Shannon Bennett and Madeleine West) Wearing a khaki blouse, skinny jeans and black boots, the 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. After saying goodbye, Shannon cut a solitary figure as he strolled back towards the gates of the family property. She recently announced with a 'heavy heart' she had split from Josh 'JP' Patterson. But Binky Felstead took her mind off the devastating break-up as she headed to the gym with their adorable one-year-old daughter India in London on Thursday. The Made In Chelsea star, 28, looked every inch the yummy mummy as she showcased her enviably lithe figure in a tiny white crop top. Keeping busy: Binky Felstead took her mind off her devastating break-up from Josh Patterson as she headed to the gym with their adorable one-year-old daughter India in London Drawing attention to her abs, the brunette beauty added a pair of skintight black leggings and grey Nike trainers. She warded off the October chill with a cosy knitted long-line cardigan and shielded her eyes behind oversized square-frame sunglasses. The mother-of-one swept her dark tresses back into a tousled ponytail and appeared to go make-up free. She looked every inch the doting mother as she carried India, who was kitted out in sweet bunny-print trousers, on her hip. Looking good: The Made In Chelsea star, 28, looked every inch the yummy mummy as she showcased her enviably lithe figure in a tiny white crop top Hot: Drawing attention to her abs, the brunette beauty added a pair of skintight black leggings and grey Nike trainers Chic: She warded off the October chill with a cosy knitted long-line cardigan and shielded her eyes behind oversized square-frame sunglasses Binky's outing comes after she announced her split from boyfriend Josh Patterson. She confirmed that it was with a 'heavy heart' that they've called time on their relationship, a year and a half after welcoming India last summer. She wrote on Instagram: 'Hi guys, we have some news to share with you and we wanted you to hear it from us, so that things don't get twisted by hear say or speculation. 'So with that in mind, it is with a heavy heart we have to tell you that we have decided to separate as a couple. We are still a family and India is, and will always be the absolute light of our lives.' Adorable: She looked every inch the doting mother as she carried India, who was kitted out in sweet bunny-print trousers, on her hip Natural beauty: The mother-of-one swept her dark tresses back into a tousled ponytail and appeared to go make-up free That gym time is paying off: Binky shared a sizzling selfie of her rock hard abs earlier this week Adding: 'However we have realised we are on very different paths at the moment, although we still adore each other, we need to give each other the space to grow. 'There are no secrets and no one has been hurt in any way, we now more forward with love, friendship and a deep respect for one another and the family we are 110% committed too. 'We have been going through this privately for a while and we are now in a good place. We won't be commenting on this further. Lots of love, Josh & Binky xxx'. It's over: Binky's outing comes after she announced her split from boyfriend Josh Patterson. She confirmed that it was with a 'heavy heart' that they've called time on their relationship, a year and a half after welcoming India last summer No more: The pair, whose romance blossomed on the E4 structured reality series Made In Chelsea, had a rocky start to their relationship, with it taking a while to get off the ground after meeting in 2015 Sources close to the pair had said they 'tried for months' to make it work, but had called time on their relationship. The pair, whose romance blossomed on the E4 structured reality series Made In Chelsea, had a rocky start to their relationship, with it taking a while to get off the ground after meeting in 2015. But at the beginning of 2017 they announced they had reconciled, during a break, and conceived daughter India in the interim. The couple welcomed the baby in June 2017, and moved in together, with their first steps as new parents documented on spin off series Born In Chelsea. She is in the best shape of her life - thanks to daily gym sessions - and she's not afraid to show it off. On Wednesday evening Justin Bieber's ex Chantel Jeffries flashed her tummy in a white crop top as she hit a party at Delilah in West Hollywood. The DJ added skintight black leather slacks to highlight her long, toned legs. Looking fine: Chantel Jeffries looked fashion savvy as she hit a party at Delilah in West Hollywood on Wednesday evening Glam slam: Justin Bieber's ex flashed her tummy in a white crop top The slacks were different than the norm as they had a lace-up front and double zipper pockets. The siren added chunky black boots and a smart fake fur bolero jacket. Jeffries wore her hair down in a stick straight style and had on flattering makeup. The Wait star - who used to live in Miami - was with a female friend. Urban cool: The slacks were different than the norm as they had a lace-up front and double zipper pockets. The siren added chunky black boots and a smart fake fur bolero jacket This comes just two days after she stole the carpet at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles. The 26-year-old put on a leggy display and insured all eyes were on her cleavage. Her dress was different looking as it had zippers up the sides. Showstopper: Jeffries commanded all attention on Tuesday's American Music Awards red carpet when she stepped out in a risque mini dress that showcased her ample cleavage and trim legs Chantel's tiny mini dress was held together with two zips on either side. She opted to keep the bottom of the dress unzipped up to her upper thigh. The beauty also had her long lean legs out on show and completed the look with thin strappy heels. Keeping it together: Chantel's tiny mini dress was held together with two zips on either side She accessorised her daring look with a silver metallic rectangular shaped clutch. Chantel's dark locks were styled out straight and sleek with a blunt cut. Her makeup was kept bronzed and luminous with contoured cheekbones and a dark eye. Along with bold brows, her look was completed with a pinky nude matte lip on her plump pout. Chantel became a household name after dating Justin Bieber in 2014. The brunette beauty was with the pop icon when he was arrested for drunken drag-racing in Miami. Legs eleven: The beauty also had her long lean legs out on show and completed the look with thin strappy heels Nowadays Chantel is DJ and is signed with Universal Music Group label 10:22 pm helmed by Celine Joshua. She released three singles this year - she serves as the producer for the tracks. Her first single Wait, features guest vocals from Migos' Offset and Vory; her other two songs are Both Sides and Better. Earlier this year Celine said of the star: 'I'm thrilled that Chantel has chosen 10:22 pm as her home where we will work to develop new commercial and creative opportunities for our artists and content creators to advance their careers and reach new fans around the world. 'From the moment I met Chantel, I knew she was a creative force with a unique ear for music, and I'm honored that she's the first artist to sign to my new label.' She hinted that love was already on the horizon, days before jetting to the idyllic Greek islands for the forthcoming series of Celebs Go Dating. But there wasnt a man in sight as Olivia Attwood prepared to shoot scenes for the E4 show with co-star Chloe Sims. The former Love Islander, 27, caught the eye in a thigh-skimming aqua-marine mini-dress while making her way to a local restaurant on Wednesday evening. In good company: Olivia Attwood (L) was joined by Chloe Sims (R) as they prepared to shoot a restaurant scene for the new series of Celebs Go Dating in Greece on Wednesday evening Olivia added to her look with a pair of matching Christian Louboutin heels, while a glittering watch served as her only notable accessory. Tying her hair in to a simple ponytail, the TV personality drew further attention to her delicately proportioned features. Evidently in high spirits, Olivia beamed as she greeted onlookers ahead of her latest commitment on behalf of the dating show aimed at unlucky in love celebrity singletons. Looking good: The former Love Islander, 27, caught the eye in a thigh-skimming aqua-marine mini-dress while making her way to a local restaurant on Wednesday evening Joining her co-star, Chloe looked equally stylish in a ruffled green evening dress with a plunging front that fully exposed her cleavage. The Only Way Is Essex star, 35, added to her look with a pair of strappy silver heels, while a notable lack of accessories ensured her ensemble was not overshadowed. Accentuating her features with deft touches of make-up, Chloe looked ready for another date night in her latest quest for love. Striking: Joining her co-star, Chloe looked equally stylish in a ruffled green evening dress with a plunging front that fully exposed her cleavage Their appearance comes after Olivia revealed to MailOnline that she wasn't going to be jetting off alone - having met someone on the show and inviting them with her for the sun-drenched final. 'Doing the show has been really good its been a lot of fun. But its been a mixed bag too,' she said. 'Theres hope though. Im taking someone to film the finale, so thats a good sign isnt it?' He boldly claimed he dumped ex Laura Anderson as she 'would never be his wife'. Yet Love Island star's Paul Knops appeared to have recovered from his break-up as he was spotted out in London on Thursday while getting touchy-feely with the brunette beauty, who has been revealed as high-flying lawyer Kate Rhodes. The couple shocked the reality world when they were the second Love Island couple to split, yet the handsome star, who previously starred in a Britney Spears video, made it clear that the romance is over as he enjoyed his lunch date. Too close? Love Island star and model Paul Knops appeared to have recovered from his break-up as he was spotted out in London on Thursday while getting touchy-feely with high-flying lawyer Kate Rhodes in Notting Hill Paul looked low-key as he enjoyed the lunch date during which his companion appeared to check something on his hands and neck. Despite being recently single, he had little regard for who spotted him by the window in the cafe during the day out with his pal. Pretty Kate was looking stylish in her ensemble as she wore a simple ensemble for lunch with her friend, who she frequently joins at Barry's Boot Camp. MailOnline has approached representatives for Paul for comment. Enamoured: He boldly claimed he dumped ex Laura Anderson as she 'would never be his wife' Hold me close: The couple shocked the reality world when they were the second Love Island couple to split, yet the handsome star, who previously starred in a Britney Spears video, made it clear that the romance is over as he enjoyed his lunch date After his shock break-up, Paul explained the shocking reasons behind his decision as he told The Sun he was looking for 'a wife' - yet insisted Laura did not fit the mould for him, leading to the 'sore' split which left her 'very upset'. His words may come as a shock to fans, with the hunky star alleging he did not use the former air hostess as they were both in the same competition, while he said: 'Laura wouldnt have come second without me and vice versa.' Last month, Laura and Paul parted ways the second couple to dramatically break-up following Samira Mighty and Frankie Foster's break-up. Their split came shortly after the couple were forced to fend off break-up rumours when they were spotted having a furious argument during a date night at The Cuckoo Club in Mayfair recently - before finally admitting they were done. Now, giving further insight into their romantic woes, Paul gave a callous version of events in which he revealed it was he who had split from Laura as he admitted she was left tearful and upset - before firmly stating: 'We are not friends'. Glam: Pretty Kate was looking stylish in her ensemble as she wore a simple ensemble for lunch with her friend, who she frequently joins at Barry's Boot Camp What!? She said: 'Obviously it isnt nice when someone says they dont want to be with you. We arent friends now we havent spoken, it is a sore subject. But I told her I would be there for her if she needed me' She said: 'Obviously it isnt nice when someone says they dont want to be with you. We arent friends now we havent spoken, it is a sore subject. But I told her I would be there for her if she needed me... 'We werent right for each other and thats why we never made things official. Of course she was upset; there were tears.' He then made the bold profession that he thinks he would not have got to the final - nor would Laura - if they had not had each other. He said: 'I suffered a backlash because of it. I took it because she was very much liked but it was unfair. People blamed me of using her. How did I use her? We went on the same show. Laura wouldnt have come second without me and vice versa.' Her estranged husband Ant McPartlin has found love with his former PA, Anne-Marie Corbett. But Lisa Armstrong proved she wasn't letting the heartache get her down, as she enjoyed a playful exchange with Strictly Come Dancing professional Aljaz Skorjanec. The make-up artist, who works with the cast of the show, shared a selfie with the Slovenian pro, 28, and Italian dancer Giovanni Pernice, which she captioned: 'My gorgeous boys!! #lovemyjob xx' Cheeky: Lisa Armstrong proved she wasn't letting her heartache get her down, as she enjoyed a playful exchange with Strictly Come Dancing professional Aljaz Skorjanec (L) And Lisa was clearly feeling flirty as she then liked a tweet under the photo that read: 'Aljaz makes me feel all unnecessary! I think it's my age.' Lisa proved she and Aljaz, who is happily married to fellow professional Janette Manrara, have a close friendship as she shared another shot of him last month. Aljaz grinned with a red lipstick mark on his neck in the snap, which Lisa captioned: 'It's a hard job sometimes!! #aljaz #redlips #mykiss @JManrara #itwasntme x' It comes after Lisa made her feelings clear on Ant's romance with Anne Marie as she liked a tweet on Sunday which referenced her former friend and employee. Sweet: The make-up artist, who works with the cast of the show, shared a selfie with the Slovenian pro, 28, and Italian dancer Giovanni Pernice, which she captioned: 'My gorgeous boys!! #lovemyjob xx' Playful: And Lisa was clearly feeling flirty as she then liked a tweet under the photo that read: 'Aljaz makes me feel all unnecessary! I think it's my age' Good pals: Lisa proved she and Aljaz, who is happily married to fellow professional Janette Manrara, have a close friendship as she shared another shot of him last month The post read: 'Me and hub are so supportive of you. Giving yr trust to a PA who has ripped your life apart: karma sweetie XX.' Ant and Anne-Marie have gone public with their romance but Lisa did not know they were together until she saw pictures of them in a newspaper. Lisa and Ant have been married for 12 years but Ant announced their separation in a statement in January, although Lisa refused to sign it. In June, Lisa took to Twitter to criticise her ex-husband's new girlfriend of 'breaking girl code' by dating the troubled star. Cute couple: Aljaz tied the knot with stunning fellow professional dancer Janette Manrara Something to say: It comes after she liked tweet about 'giving trust to a PA who has ripped your life apart' as ex Ant McPartlin moved on with his PA Anne-Marie Corbett (pictured) Lisa revealed to her 122,000 followers that she invited Anne-Marie into their marital home and the woman had been both hers and Ant's personal assistant. Lisa and Ant were together for 18 years and she posted a broken heart emoji upon hearing the news. Embattled TV star Ant is currently taking a year off from his TV commitments as he works on his health following a three-car collision in Richmond earlier this year. Ant said in a statement to MailOnline at the time: 'My recovery is going very well and for that to continue having spoken to Dec and ITV, I have made the decision to take the rest of the year off.' Sad: The make-up artist has previously expressed her heartache over her husband's decision to be in a relationship with the couple's former PA and friend Hurt: Lisa 'liked' this tweet from a fan who spoke about 'karma' and 'giving trust to a PA who has ripped your life apart' He continued: 'Id like to thank both Dec and ITV for their continued support and I look forward to getting back to work in the new year.' Troubled presenter Ant first sought rehab treatment in June 2017 after becoming addicted to prescription drugs and alcohol following a botched knee surgery in 2015. He entered rehab for a second time in March after he was involved in a three-car collision in Richmond and was discovered to be over the limit behind the wheel. Ant pleaded guilty to drink-driving in April and he received a record-breaking 86,000 fine, as well as a 20-month ban from driving. Russian court gives two Kyrgyz men 7 years for attempt to join terrorist group Fotolia/ Africa Studio 16:49 11/10/2018 ST. PETERSBURG, October 11 (RAPSI) Two natives of the Kyrgyz Republic Kamoliddin Azimzhanov and Marufzhon Isakov on Thursday were sentenced to 7 years in high security prison each for attempting to join Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization banned in Russia, RAPSI learnt in the Moscow District Military Court. The offsite sentencing hearing was held by a judicial bench in the Leningrad District Military Court in St. Petersburg. The defendants were found guilty of involvement in international terrorist activities. According to case papers, in the beginning of 2018, Azimzhanov and Isakov willing to join Jabhat al-Nusra sent the copies of their passports to an unidentified accomplice in Syria via the Internet. The communication agent explained the defendants a safe cross-Turkey route to Syria, promised to transport them to a transfer point and to assign them to a training camp of terrorists, the documents read. However, the men were arrested while planning their departure from St. Petersburg. The defendants pleaded not guilty, but the court found their involvement in the crime proven. She raised eyebrows earlier this year when she revealed she had stopped sharing a bed with her boyfriend Paul Knightley since welcoming their second child. And Sam Faiers took to Instagram on Thursday to reveal she 'isn't ashamed' to still be co-sleeping with her 11-month-old daughter. The Mummy Diaries star, 27, confidently shared her nursing habits in a tender breastfeeding snap with Rosie. Proud mum: Sam Faiers took to Instagram on Thursday to reveal she 'isn't ashamed' to still be co-sleeping with her 11-month-old daughter Rosie The reality star appeared to be in her happy place as she cradled her daughter on the sofa. She captioned the snap: '11 months young today. My little Rosie still going strong on the boobie and not ashamed to say still co-sleeping. Mummy cant believe your going to be one next month.' Sam gave birth to her second child in early November and her first child Paul, two in January last year. Sleeping apart: The Mummy Diaries star raised eyebrows earlier this year when she revealed she had stopped sharing a bed with her boyfriend Paul Knightley since welcoming Rosie Happy family: Sam gave birth to her second child in early November and her first child Paul in January last year Earlier this year, the former TOWIE star discussed why herself and boyfriend Paul, 30, were still in separate bedrooms after their daughter's birth. Paul said: 'It's just sleep' while Sam added the couple do still get to spend quality time together. She, who has been in a relationship with Paul since 2014, said: Everyone gets to sleep in our house. We're alright we still have our moments. Meanwhile, Sam has always been proud to support breastfeeding in public with her first child, when she appeared on This Morning last October, on ITV. At the time, the reality star revealed she didn't have time to do it on her way to feed her child on the way to ITV studios, and was forced to feed while she was interviewed by Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby. Covering her modesty with a tea towel as she fed her 10-month-old baby, Phillip made clear that it was Sam's choice to do so and not a requirement of the show. Sam moved on from TOWIE by starring in Mummy Diaries with her sister Billie and their broods; Paul, Sam, baby Paul and Rosie were the original features of the show. Meanwhile, sister Billie raises her daughter Nelly, aged four, and Arthur, 16 months old, with her fiance Greg Shepherd. The Faiers and Shepherd clan are currently filming season four of The Mummy Diaries, which is set to include Billie and Greg's upcoming wedding in The Maldives. Her daughter was recently announced as the face of Marc Jacobs Beauty line's limited edition Leopard Frost Collection. And Kate Moss looked every inch the doting mother as she planted a kiss on her daughter Lila's cheek before heading off the the hairdressers in London on Thursday afternoon. The supermodel, 44, lived up to her stylish ways as she sported a black flowy maxi dress, tied in with a chic cropped jacket with sequined cuffs. Sweet: Kate Moss looked every inch the doting mother as she planted a kiss on her daughter Lila's cheek before heading off the the hairdressers in London on Thursday Maintaining her all-black appearance, the catwalk queen completed her look with a pair of heeled leather boots and toted a chain-strap handbag. Kate upped the fashion ante with her accessories as she tipped a pair of square-framed Michael sunglasses on her nose, and donned a silver bangle for her choice of jewellery. Despite heading to the hairdressers for a new look, the legendary star proved her locks are always in slick shape as she wore her tresses in a straight style, and opted for minimal make-up. Effortlessly chic: The supermodel, 44, lived up to her stylish ways as she sported a black flowy maxi dress, tied in with a chic cropped jacket with sequined cuffs Show-stopper: Maintaining her all-black appearance, the catwalk queen completed her look with a pair of heeled leather boots and toted a chain-strap handbag All in the details: Kate upped the fashion ante with her accessories as she tipped a pair of square-framed Michael sunglasses on her nose, and donned a silver bangle for her choice of jewellery Bye, bye: The star and the 16-year-old headed off to their destinations as they parted ways Achievement: Her daughter was recently announced as the face of Marc Jacobs Beauty line's limited edition Leopard Frost Collection Sleek: Despite heading to the hairdressers for a new look, the legendary star proved her locks are always in slick shape as she wore her tresses in a straight style, and opted for minimal make-up Earlier that day, Lila, 16, proved she certainly has the model look nailed as she attended the launch of Marc Jacobs Beauty line's limited edition Leopard Frost Collection, after it was announced she was the face of the brand. Showing her flair for fashion, she sported a stunning black mini as she launched the range just days after it was predicted she will be a millionaire by the time she's 18. Lila looked stylish as she wore her sleek blonde locks in dead straight lengths while her make-up was naturally flawlessly applied. Chic: Earlier that day, Lila, 16, proved she certainly has the model look nailed as she attended the launch of Marc Jacobs Beauty line's limited edition Leopard Frost Collection The daughter of Kate 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. Mischa Joslin, Managing Director of PR, branding and influencer marketing agency, edencancan.com now predicts that Lila could easily earned her first million by 18. Moreover, her burgeoning career as a model provides her mother Kate, 44, with the chance to become relevant to a new generation of fans who are too young to remember her own modelling heyday. Out and a pout: Showing her flair for fashion, she sported a stunning black mini as she launched the range just days after it was predicted she will be a millionaire by the time she's 18 Launching it: 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 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. 'Lila can tap into Kates amazing network and prestige to create a halo effect across her own career, but Kate can tap into Lilas youth and relevance to give her own career a new surge for a new generation,' Mischa explained. 'The power of them as a duo together is also incredibly appealing to brands. I can see designers wanting to book them together to create campaigns that will appeal to a wider audience.' Radiant: Lila looked stylish as she wore her sleek blonde locks in dead straight lengths while her make-up was naturally flawlessly applied Posing up a storm: With or without her mother, Lila's future certainly looks bright if the example of someone like Cindy Crawford's daughter Kaia Gerber is anything to go by (pictured with her mum and Stella Jones in September 2017) With or without her mother, Lila's future certainly looks bright if the example of someone like Cindy Crawford's daughter Kaia Gerber is anything to go by. 'I can see Lillas career having the same upward trajectory,' Mischa said. 'Kaia is rumoured to earn around 360k a year, but this Marc Jacobs campaign kick-off will have Lila working her way to that figure quickly. 'The sky is the limit, and I can see her earning around 500k in her first year as a model, with that number jumping as her profile grows further. Not bad for a 16-year-old.' She was recently announced as the host of the Project Runway reboot. So Karlie Kloss was an ideal guest when the Today show threw a star-studded International Day Of The Girl bash in Times Square this Thursday. The 26-year-old rocked a hot pink cocktail dress to the event, where she posed for a selfie with Zendaya, Freida Pinto, Kelly Clarkson and Michelle Obama. Smile and wave: Karlie Kloss was an ideal guest when the Today show threw a star-studded International Day Of The Girl bash in Times Square this Thursday Karlie wore her wavy platinum blonde hair down, accentuating her features with makeup and accessorizing with hoop earrings. Her dress tightened around her enviably chiseled frame, and its hem was cut off right at the knee, allowing her to show off her legs. The Chicago-born entrepreneur's outfit featured frilled short sleeves, and she gave herself some extra height with a pair of nude stilettos. Group shot: The 26-year-old rocked a hot pink cocktail dress to the event, where she posed for a selfie with Zendaya, Freida Pinto, Kelly Clarkson and Michelle Obama Fabulous: Karlie wore her wavy platinum blonde hair down, accentuating her features with makeup and accessorizing with hoop earrings Smashing: Karlie's dress tightened around her enviably chiseled frame, and its hem was cut off right at the knee, allowing her to show off her legs Model on the move: The Chicago-born entrepreneur's outfit featured frilled short sleeves, and she gave herself some extra height with a pair of nude stilettos Zendaya, whose stardom hit new heights with her turn in last year's Spider-Man: Homecoming, slipped into a stylish red top and shorts. Meanwhile, Freida, who shot to fame in the 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire, buttoned herself into a turtleneck green top with a matching pleated skirt. Kelly, the onetime American Idol winner who was in fact singing on Thursday's Today show, stuck to a simple white ensemble, as did the former First Lady. The group were joined by someone from Girl Up Initiative Uganda. Side by side: Zendaya (left), whose stardom hit new heights with her turn in last year's Spider-Man: Homecoming, slipped into a stylish red top and shorts Meanwhile: Freida, who shot to fame in the 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire, buttoned herself into a turtleneck green top with a matching pleated skirt Good company: Kelly, the onetime American Idol winner who was in fact singing on Thursday's Today show, stuck to a simple white ensemble, as did the former First Lady Karlie will not only be hosting, but also executive producing the reboot of Project Runway, which will have Christian Siriano as the mentor, Deadline reported Wednesday. The show will debut in 2019 with two new judges - Elaine Welteroth, former editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, and fashion designer Brandon Maxwell. Longtime judge Nina Garcia, the reigning editor in chief of Elle magazine, will be resuming her position on the panel. She became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2011 and gave up her title in 2015 so that she could go to college at New York University. Six smiles: The group were joined by someone from Girl Up Initiative Uganda Karlie is currently engaged to Joshua Kushner, whose brother Jared Kushner is married to Ivanka Trump and is a senior adviser to her father President Donald Trump. Some have theorized that Michelle might run against the incumbent president in 2020, or at some other date - a line of thinking Michelle repudiated on Today. She would 'Absolutely not' pursue an elected post, she said, explaining: 'You know, this is the one thing you learn - you underst - as a woman, you understand where your voice works best, where you want to operate, what space you want to be in.' History: Karlie became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2011 and gave up her title in 2015 so that she could go to college at New York University Michelle insisted: 'I have never wanted to be a politician, you know, and it's one of those things that - nothing has changed in me to make me want to run for elected office.' The orator added: 'I want to serve. I want to do work. I want to be out there, but there's so many ways to make an impact. Politics is just not my thing.' As Thursday wore on, Karlie was seen pounding the pavement in the city that never sleeps while wearing her Today show dress. Marriage material: She is currently engaged to Joshua Kushner, whose brother Jared Kushner is married to Ivanka Trump and is a senior adviser to her father President Donald Trump Clearing the air: Some have theorized that Michelle might run against the incumbent president in 2020, or at some other date - a line of thinking Michelle repudiated on Today Neil Patrick Harris certainly knows how to put another celebrity on the spot. When appearing on talk show The View the former How I Met Your Mother star, 45, dropped a bombshell piece of information from decades ago that took a while to process. After Whoopi Goldberg, 62, told him he was cute when he was a kid, he announced to the audience that she told him when he was only 15-years-old that she wanted to have sex with him when he was 10 years older. Rude or funny? Neil Patrick Harris certainly knows how to put another celebrity on the spot. When appearing on talk show The View the former How I Met Your Mother star, 45, dropped a bombshell piece of information Stunned: After Whoopi Goldberg told him he was cute when he was a kid, he announced to the audience that she told him when he was only 15-years-old that she wanted to have sex with him when he was 10 years older The audience was so stunned that they became quiet. It all began when was talking about the twin kids - Harper Grace and Gideon Scott, both seven - he has with 43-year-old semi-retired husband David Burtka. Goldberg then out of nowhere started to giggle. She was seated at the end of the table and the move was awkward. Shocking talk: They had worked together on the 1988 film Clara's Heart Big age difference: At the time Goldberg was 33-years-old and he was only 15 Snyposis of the film: After her baby daughter dies, Leona Hart (Kathleen Quinlan) goes to Jamaica to mourn. She meets no-nonsense housekeeper Clara (Goldberg) and brings her back to Baltimore to look after her son, David (Harris) 'I'm laughing because I remember you at that age,' said the actress turned host. They had worked together on the 1988 film Clara's Heart. In the movie, she plays the housekeeper who takes care of Harris. That is when Harris went for the low blow to embarrass Whoopi. 'You know, I did my first movie ever with Whoopi Goldberg - a movie called Clara's Heart - and we worked together on that,' said the star, who is still recovering from his failed Oscar hosting job in 2015. He sure looked different then: The star had a fuller face and wore glasses 'And she told me - I was 15, 16 years old - she told me on my last day of shooting that in 10 years time she was going to have sex with me.' First there was laughter then expressions of shock then quiet. Goldberg handled the jab like a pro. 'I might've!' said the Ghost star. His exact words: 'You know, I did my first movie ever with Whoopi Goldberg - a movie called Clara's Heart - and we worked together on that,' said the star, who is still recovering from his failed Oscar hosting job in 2015 'He had many questions as a kid, so I said, "Listen, wait 10 years, and I'll take you through it." 'In those days, you could actually have some fun like that. You can't do that now. People get very upset now.' 'Hey, I was not offended,' Harris piped up, perhaps realizing that his comment put Whoopi in a negative light. 'I'm looking forward to it.' 'Well, if I can find it, you can have it!' Whoopi shot back. She's playing the main character of her new movie, starring the likes of Dominic West and Eleanor Tomlinson. And Keira Knightley made sure she led the glamour at the star-studded premiere of Colette in Leicester Square, London, on Thursday. The Pirates of the Caribbean actress, 33, looked ethereal in a silver sequinned high-neck dress with a white floor-length skirt to it. Leading lady: Keira Knightley made sure she led the glamour at the star-studded premiere of Colette in Leicester Square, London, on Thursday Keira styled her brunette locks into a detailed plaited swept back hairdo, which showed off her model-like facial features. The mother-of-one added a slick of glamorous slick of make-up, which included a dark smokey eyeshadow and nude lipstick. Keira knew how to work her best angles as she posed up a storm on the star-studded red carpet Stunning: The Pirates of the Caribbean actress, 33, looked ethereal in a silver sequinned high-neck dress with a white floor-length skirt to it Ethereal: Keira styled her brunette locks into a detailed plaited swept back hairdo, which showed off her model-like facial features Camera-ready: The mother-of-one added a slick of glamorous slick of make-up, which included a dark smokey eyeshadow and nude lipstick Talented stars: The Colette cast pose for a picture together at the London premiere Colette is based on the life of the author of the same name who lived from 1875 to 1954, dying at age 81. Set in the early 20th century, author Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette is pushed by her overbearing husband, Henry Gauthier-Villars, to write novels under his name in the biopic. When they become bestsellers, she fights to make her talents known, challenging gender norms of the time - Dominic West plays her husband. Work it: Keira knew how to work her best angles as she posed up a storm on the star-studded red carpe Star-studded cast: The actress is playing the main character of her new movie, starring the likes of Dominic West and Eleanor Tomlinson Plot: Colette is based on the life of the author of the same name who lived from 1875 to 1954, dying at age 81 Talented actress: Set in the early 20th century, author Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette is pushed by her overbearing husband, Henry Gauthier-Villars, to write novels under his name in the biopic Speaking on Good Morning America, Keira touched on the importance of the movie: 'The film focuses on the early years of her life, when she was married to first husband, who took credit for her first four novels. It's about the fight for her own voice, feminism and gender politics.' Colette also sees the actress share a steamy kiss with co-star Eleanor Tomlinson, as the character explores her sexuality. Keira elaborated: 'They were a celebrity couple, and her husband was brilliant at marketing. He marketed her and didn't give her voice, but she took her voice back.' On-screen husband: When they become bestsellers, she fights to make her talents known, challenging gender norms of the time - Dominic West plays her husband Outfit change: Later on in the evening, Keira changed her outfit to an elegant black ruffle dress with a Chanel belt Film: Colette also sees the actress share a steamy kiss with co-star Eleanor Tomlinson, as the character explores her sexuality Unpredictable weather: Keira didn't let the English weather stop her glamorous arrival Dream team: The Love Actually star pictured with her on-screen husband, actor Dominic West New look: As well as changing her outfit, Keira also opted for some new earrings as she wore a pair of oversized diamond earrings Details: As well as a new ensemble, the actress also wore a pair of silver heeled sandals Also making a debut on the red carpet, were Keira's co-stars Eleanor Tomlinson and Dominic West. The Poldark actress, 26, plays Georgie RaoulDuval in the film, while the The Affair actor, 48, stars as Willy. Eleanor looked sensational in a plunging black floor-length gown with a mesh neckline and daring slit at the back. She accessorised the item of clothing with matching coloured accessories, which included barely-there heeled sandals and a delicate clutch bag. Co-stars: Also making a debut on the red carpet were Keira's co-stars Eleanor Tomlinson (left) and Dominic West (right) Bombshell: Eleanor looked sensational in a plunging black floor-length gown with a mesh neckline and daring slit at the back Details: She accessorised the item of clothing with matching coloured accessories, which included barely-there heeled sandals and a delicate clutch bag Gorgeous: Eleanor styled her fiery red locks into a glamorous and sleek wavy hairdo, which was swept to one side Eleanor styled her fiery red locks into a glamorous and sleek wavy hairdo, which was swept to one side. The beauty added a slick of red carpet ready make-up, which included a rusty coloured eye shadow and nude lipstick. Meanwhile, Dominic looked dapper in a midnight blue velvet blazer, with a matching coloured shirt and trousers. The Wire star appeared in good spirits as he smiled and greeted fans on the star-studded red carpet. Work it: The beauty added a slick of red carpet ready make-up, which included a rusty coloured eye shadow and nude lipstick Bling: Eleanor made a statement with oversized gold earrings, which cuffed her ear Don't Rain on My Parade!: The actress was given a clear umbrella as she walked the red carpet in the unpredictable Autumn weather TV stardom: Eleanor rose to fame as Demelza in BBC's Poldark Talking to MailOnline about playing such a menacing character, he added: 'Well Im not really attracted to these roles, I just get offered those roles and I dont know why. 'I dont think Im particularly cruel in my life, though my children might disagree with me. I dont know, in a way its interesting to play a villain and find whats interesting about them. 'Evil people arent interesting, but this guy is interesting. Theres something exciting about him, he had this incredible appetite for life, for food and for sex, for everything.' Dapper: Meanwhile, Dominic looked dapper in a midnight blue velvet blazer, with a matching coloured shirt and trousers Handsome: The Wire star appeared in good spirits as he attended the red carpet Sweet: Dominic made sure he stopped and greeted his fans at the star-studded film event Leading man: Talking to MailOnline and other publications about acting with such a strong cast of women, he said: 'Well obviously I loved it, thats why I did it!' He added: 'Theres something very Orson Wellian about this character, so thats what I was attracted to and also that he was an immensely famous person who realised late in his life that he has no talent and that hes eclipsed by his protege. 'Thats an interesting story, and thats what really drew me to Willy. And working with Keira was heaven, it was great!' As well as Eleanor and Dominic, the film's other cast members also attended the premiere. Denise Gough, who plays Missy, looked effortlessly chic in a pair of black and metallic studded trousers. The Irish actress, 38, teamed the item of clothing with a black sheer high-neck top and black-and-white detailed jacket, accessorising with Alinka jewellery. Adding a touch of glamour, the Robin Hood star wore a slick of bold red lipstick and a pair of matching coloured heels. Lady in red: Denise Gough, who plays Missy, looked effortlessly chic in a pair of black and metallic studded trousers Chic: The Irish actress, 38, teamed the item of clothing with a black sheer high-neck top and black-and-white detailed jacket Standout: Aiysha Hart, who stars as Polaire in the movie, went for a daring ensemble as she wore a red and black patterned sheer chiffon dress, with black underwear underneath Marcella star Ray Panthaki, who plays Veber in the film, looked handsome in an all-black tuxedo with a matching coloured t-shirt underneath. Aiysha Hart, who stars as Polaire in the movie, went for a daring ensemble as she wore a red and black patterned sheer chiffon dress, with black underwear underneath. The Atlantis star, 28, styled her brunette locks into a swept back hairdo as she added a slick of pink lipstick. Work it: The Atlantis star, 28, styled her brunette locks into a swept back hairdo as she added a slick of pink lipstick Stylish: Marcella star Ray Panthaki, who plays Veber in the film, looked handsome in an all-black tuxedo with a matching coloured t-shirt underneath Talking about Colette, director Wash Westmoreland exclusively told MailOnline: 'Well it was really her personality that jumped out from the biographies, the history books, and her own writing, and just stood up as a completely contemporary person who was relevant to now. 'She was so ahead of her time back then, and as a gay man I really connected to her as someone who broke barriers and challenged social norms to find her authentic voice.' Talking about the LGBTQ themes in the film and why it was important to the film, he added: 'For me and my co-director and late husband, Richard Glatzer, the thing that appealed to us about the film was that it was a heterosexual marriage with a giant queer explosion in it. 'It has L G B T and Q, it gets all the initials because again Colette was so ahead of her time even though those words didnt exist then, she was very much a pioneer of what felt natural rather than what society told her so we see in her explorations of sexuality and the way she wrote about it, and the way she publicly performed it, she was just this extraordinary figure who inspired many people to wake up.' Colette will have a nationwide cinema release date of January 25 2019. America's National Coming Out Day was this Thursday. And Ellen DeGeneres, 60, marked the occasion with a sweet photo of herself kissing her wife Portia de Rossi on the set of her daytime talk show. The photo went up on the show's official Instagram account with the caption: 'Its the greatest gift you could give yourself. #NationalComingOutDay.' 'Greatest gift': Ellen DeGeneres, 60, marked National Coming Out Day with a sweet photo of herself kissing her wife Portia de Rossi on the set of her daytime talk show This photo was from an episode earlier this year, when Portia surprised her wife by swinging by the show to celebrate Ellen's 60th birthday. Ellen had always admired the iconic wildlife writer and gorilla conservationist Dian Fossey, who was murdered in 1985 in Rwanda, where she had started the Digit Fund. 'So, for your birthday, Ellen, I am bringing you and your hero Dian together by building the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund,' said Portia in the voice-over of an explanatory slideshow she played on the air. Ellen was moved to tears by Portia's birthday gift, and while they were sitting opposite each other on the set, they held hands and kissed. At the table: It has been 21 years since Ellen herself came out of the closet, breaking the news on the air while being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey It has been 21 years since Ellen herself came out of the closet, breaking the news on the air while being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey. She was at that time starring on the sitcom Ellen, and her coming out made her the first open lesbian to play an open lesbian on TV. After relationships with Anne Heche and Alexandra Hedison, Ellen took up with Portia in 2004, and they tied the knot in 2008 when California briefly legalized same-sex marriage before banning it again and then eventually re-legalizing it. Wedding photo: After relationships with Anne Heche and Alexandra Hedison, Ellen took up with Portia in 2004, and they tied the knot in 2008 Portia, who hails from Australia, was once married to documentary maker Mel Metcalfe, initially as a gambit to get herself a green card in the US. 'But I didnt get my green card through him - I couldnt do it at the end,' she told The Advocate years later. 'We had a really great, caring relationship; it just obviously wasnt right for me.' They were divorced by 1999, three years after they got married, and Portia's sexuality went public when the tabloids began reporting on her relationship with Bond girl Barbara Bach's daughter Francesca Gregorini in the early 2000s. Ben Affleck was spotted heading to a rehab meeting in Los Angeles on Thursday. The 46-year-old actor donned a light blue suit jacket as he made his way to the outpatient care consultation after completing a 40-day stint in rehab. The outing comes as reports claim the Justice League actor has called it quits with his 22-year-old girlfriend Shauna Sexton. Keeping accountable: Ben Affleck, 46, was spotted heading to another rehab meeting in Los Angeles on Thursday Cutting a professional figure in the jacket, light oxford, and dark pants, Ben was followed by a companion during the afternoon outing. He maintained a full grown beard and his frame was noticeably more muscular as he has been focusing on his health and fitness during his recovery. Meanwhile, the Playboy model exclusively revealed she had not split from Ben in her first ever public comment on their relationship - telling DailyMailTV: 'Don't believe everything you read on the internet'. Shauna spent the weekend enjoying a romantic break with the 46-year-old actor fishing and wildlife watching in Big Sky, Montana. Professional: The actor donned a light blue suit jacket as he made his way to the outpatient care consultation after completing a 40-day stint in rehab Full grown: He maintained a full grown beard and his frame was noticeably more muscular as he has been focusing on his health and fitness during his recovery Supportive ex: Ben's ex Jennifer Garner took him to rehab in August But recently, reports surfaced quoting an anonymous source who claimed the pair's six-week 'casual' relationship was over. Now Sexton, who lives in Woodland Hills, California, has hit back, angrily telling DailyMailTV: 'I know [there are lots of unnamed insiders] - and they just make s*** up, just like this.' The relationship between the Gone Girl actor and the Playboy model came into question following a People report published on Tuesday claiming that the actor and model are no longer seeing one another following a trip to Montana over the weekend. Smart look: Cutting a professional figure in the jacket, light oxford, and dark pants, Ben was followed by a companion during the afternoon outing Break up? The outing comes as reports claim the Justice League actor has called it quits with his 22-year-old girlfriend Shauna Sexton; (pictured September 2018) An insider close to the actor, who was treated for addiction alcohol this year (on the heels of prior stints in 2017 and 2001), downplayed the idea that he and Sexton were in a serious relationship in the first place. 'There was nothing to split from as it has been casual,' the insider said. 'He enjoyed being with her but is working on himself, and being together with her at this time is not something that works.' The father-of-three - to daughters Violet, 12, and Seraphina, nine, and son Samuel, six, with ex Jennifer Garner, 46 - 'will date in the future, but for now his focus is on his sobriety, family and his next project,' the insider told People. Emmerdale star Mark Jordon is reportedly remaining on the ITV soap after he was charged with GBH and assault after allegedly biting a pensioner in the face in a pub row, it has been claimed. The actor, 53, is reportedly accused of attacking 67-year-old Andy Potts at the Farrars Arms pub in Oldham, Greater Manchester. Mr Potts needed hospital treatment after he allegedly suffered injuries to his face in the row with the TV star in July. Staying put?: Emmerdale star Mark Jordon is reportedly remaining on the ITV soap after he was 'charged with GBH and assault after allegedly biting a pensioner in the face' Mark plays Daz Spencer in the ITV soap and earlier starred as PC Phil Bellamy in Heartbeat. He is reportedly set to appear at Tameside Magistrates' Court in Ashton-under-Lyne on Thursday, November 8. Yet it has now been claimed that Mark will remain on Emmerdale while his 'legal issues are being resolved'. Fight: The actor, 53, is reportedly accused of attacking 67-year-old Andy Potts at the Farrars Arms pub in Oldham, Greater Manchester (pictured in character) A source told The Sun: 'Producers have spent a lot of time weighing up what to do about the situation. 'He has been waiting a while for them to make a decision, but they finally told him this week he can continue to appear on screen. 'They understand its a very serious situation but they dont think suspending him will help anything especially while legal matters are still ongoing.' ITV declined to comment when approached by MailOnline. It comes after a ITV source told the newspaper: 'It's very serious. Producers are concerned and weighing up what to do. Venue: Mr Potts needed hospital treatment after he allegedly suffered injuries to his face in the row with the TV star in July at Farrars Arms pub (pictured) in Oldham, Greater Manchester Leading role: Mark plays Daz Spencer (pictured in character) in the ITV soap and earlier starred as PC Phil Bellamy in Heartbeat 'It's possible Mark will be suspended and if found guilty his days would be numbered.' Greater Manchester Police reportedly confirmed that Mark had been charged with GBH and common assault after Mrs Potts claimed he had been bitten in the face and hands. The actor, who is in a relationship with his co-star Laura Norton, previously starred as a police officer in Heartbeat. An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline at the time of the alleged incident: 'This is a personal matter.' She's known for her glamorous sense of style. And Vicki Michelle stayed true to form as she attended The Haven House Children's Hospice Big Birthday Ball in London on Wednesday. Looking far younger than her 67 years, the former 'Allo 'Allo! actress was a vision of beauty as she walked the red carpet. Blue-tiful! Vicki Michelle stayed true to form as she attended The Haven House Children's Hospice Big Birthday Ball in London on Wednesday Ensuring all eyes would be on her, Vicki donned a cobalt floor length gown with a low-cut neckline that teased at her cleavage. The Emmerdale star's gown also featured trailing sleeves that grazed the red carpet and trailed behind her as she headed into the party. Vicki finished off the look with a longline black beaded necklace and a myriad of chunky blue bangles. Youthful: Looking far younger than her 67 years, the former 'Allo 'Allo! actress was a vision of beauty as she walked the red carpet Vicki's most famous role in 'Allo 'Allo! came to an end 26 years ago, when the BBC war comedy left screens for good. Yet earlier this year, the cast of the celebrated television programme reunited - and got straight back into character - for Gloucester Goes Retro Festival. Vicki, who played Yvette Carte-Blanche on the long-running World War Two comedy, joined Richard Gibson, 64, as his character Gestapo Officer Herr Flick, along with Kim Hartman, 66, as Private Helga Geerhart and Guy Siner, 70, as Lieutenant Gruber. Good memories: 'Allo 'Allo cast reunite in their signature costumes for retro festival...26 years after the celebrated sitcom ended The cast looked right at home as they posed in their signature costumes, with Vicki dressed in her classic white waitress shirt and apron. Richard - clad in his statement leather jacket and trilby - flashed a huge smile while in his smartly tailored suit. Kim styled her blonde tresses in the exact braided style as her military character, while Guy rocked his black marching boots and uniform hat. 'Ooooooh, Rene': One fan favourite missing was Gorden Kaye - the once womanizing cafe owner Rene Artois - who passed away aged 75 in January 2017 (pictured 1989) The stars looked as if no time had passed as they posed next to a vintage war tank, with Vicki and Kim kicking up their heels in the style of former 'Allo! 'Allo! photos. One fan favourite missing was Gorden Kaye - the once womanizing cafe owner Rene Artois - who sadly passed away aged 75 in January 2017. The popular show, created by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft, was shown on BBC One for nine series and 85 episodes. 'I remembered all ze 'appy times' The cast looked right at home as they posed in their signature costumes, with Vicki dressed in her classic white waitress shirt and apron Smiles: The stars looked as if no time had passed as they posed next to a vintage war tank 'GO A-VAY!' Kim styled her blonde tresses in the exact braided style as her military character It was set in German-occupied France, in the northern town of Nouvion, and focused on cafe owner Rene who risked his neck to aid the resistance and stay out of trouble with the Nazis. In 2016, The BBC ruled out remaking the famous sitcom because bosses were nervous the Nazis in the show would offend viewers. The broadcaster gave the green light for other classic programmes to be remade, including comedy series Are You Being Served? and prison sitcom Porridge. Back again: Guy rocked his black marching boots and uniform hat But the BBC were worried that some of the characters, such as Herr Flick, would cause animosity, according to The Sun. This is despite the Beeb regularly showing repeats of the series - which lasted 10 years from 1982 to 1992. A source told the newspaper that they blamed political correctness and said that it was 'so sad' because the show was 'really funny'. But a BBC source rubbished these claims and added: ' If we were 'too pc' we wouldn't have brought back Till Death Us Do Part.' They also pointed out that repeats of the series are currently shown on the BBC 'without any fuss'. 'Flick, the Gestapo': Richard - clad in his statement leather jacket and trilby - flashed a huge smile while in his smartly tailored suit, the same as his character Gestapo Officer Herr Flick The Vampire Diaries star Claire Holt has announced she is expecting her first child with husband Andrew Joblon. The Australian actress took to Instagram on Thursday to share the happy news, posting a photo of the couple alongside their dog Teddy. The 30-year-old, who proudly cradled her baby bump in the picture, told her social media followers that her 'heart is bursting' with happiness. 'My heart is bursting': The Vampire Diaries star Claire Holt has announced she is expecting her first child with husband Andrew Joblon 'I'm so happy to share with you that we are having a baby! It still doesn't feel real. These past few months have been filled with excitement, anxiety, tears, joy, uncertainty but most of all gratitude,' Claire wrote in the caption. Referencing her previous heartbreaking miscarriage, she added: 'You never forget the deep pain of loss. It dims with time but it informs many of your experiences. 'Our loss earlier this year was the darkest moment of my life. Yet, it made me infinitely more thankful for the precious baby growing inside me today. I want to take a moment to acknowledge all those struggling with miscarriage, infertility or any of the difficulties that come with bringing new life into the world.' Baby jot! Claire told her Instagram followers on Thursday: 'I'm so happy to share with you that we are having a baby! It still doesn't feel real. These past few months have been filled with excitement, anxiety, tears, joy, uncertainty but most of all gratitude'. Pictured: Claire, Andrew She concluded: 'I know that these announcements can hurt. I've felt it all. My heart is with you and I pray that our story gives you hope. Thank you all so much for your love and support - I cant wait to share this journey with you.' In the picture, a glowing Claire shows off her baby bump in a skintight blue frock and stands alongside husband Andrew and their dog Teddy. The happy news comes several months after Claire suffered a devastating miscarriage. Tragedy: The happy news comes months after Claire suffered a devastating miscarriage. Pictured in her hospital bed after her miscarriage, in a photo shared to Instagram in March Claire took to Instagram in March, telling her followers she tragically lost her baby. She captioned a pictured of herself in hospital: 'I took this photo 10 days ago, as I waited for surgery after my sweet little baby lost its heartbeat. I sent it to my fiance in the waiting room to show him that I was OK. I wasn't. I've never felt more broken in my life. 'I debated sharing this so soon and I'm still frightened about making such a private struggle public, but I'm doing it anyway because it's important.' Claire married Andrew on August 18, eight months after their engagement. She was previously married to Matthew Kaplan, who filed for divorce in April 2017, a day before to their one-year anniversary. Guwahati: The troops of Assam Rifles had recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition in Manipurs Thoubal district on Tuesday. Based on intelligence input, Thoubal battalion of 9 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) launched a joint operation with Thoubal Commandos in general area of Thoubal and recovered a huge cache of foreign weapons, ammunition and other war like stores. Security forces had recovered one M-16 Assault Rifle, one HK-33 Assault Rifle, over 1200 rounds of ammunition of 5.56mm, 2000 Burmese currency (Kyat) and combat dress with one ammunition pouch from the jungle area and suspected that, the weapons belonging to banned outfit group. The recovery is a major success on part of Assam Rifles and Manipur Police to thwart the nefarious designs of the underground groups. The successful operation is a result of continued hard work and determined efforts made by the Assam Rifles to curb the insurgent activities in Manipur with the aim to bring peace to the north eastern Indian state. On the other hand, Assam Rifles troops had apprehended a militant of Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP). Tulihal battalion of 9 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) had launched a joint operation with Bishnupur commandos at Nambol Bazar area and apprehended the KCP militant, identified as Irengbam Geetachandra Singh. The militant was involved in carrying out extortion activities for KCP. The apprehended militant was handed over to Nambol police station for further legal actions. Karl Stefanovic's future on the Today show is believed to be hanging in the balance as ratings continue to plummet. And on Friday, Georgie Gardner couldn't resist poking fun at her embattled co-host amid reports of his imminent sacking. The 48-year-old, who reportedly has a strained off-camera relationship with Karl, giggled as she told him: 'Apparently you've already been axed!' 'Apparently you've been axed!' Georgie Gardner couldn't hide her delight as she mocked Karl Stefanovic's career woes on Friday amid rumours he is getting sacked from the Today show Georgie made the eyebrow-raising comment as the pair discussed whether or not Karl should wax his eyebrows. 'If you want to see Georgie wax Karl on Monday morning, send us an e-mail!' Karl said jovially. Noticing the play on words, Georgie pretended to hit Karl across the chest and replied: 'Oh, wax! As in "whacks"!' 'Not axe!' Karl laughed in response. Strained relationship? A devilish smile flashed across Georgie's face as she said on Friday's episode: 'Apparently you've already been axed!' A devilish smile flashed across Georgie's face as she replied: 'Apparently you've already been axed!' Stunned laughter could be heard across the studio floor, before Karl quickly tried to make light of the situation. 'Gone! A couple of weeks ago! Don't mention the war!' he nervously joked, pretending to cry. Too close to home? Stunned laughter could be heard across the studio floor, before Karl quickly tried to make light of the situation The awkward segment comes after Woman's Day editor-in-chief Fiona Connolly claimed that Georgie was told by Nine executives that she only has to 'wait it out until the end of the year' before Karl is given the boot. Speaking on the Woman's Day Uncensored podcast last week, Fiona stated: 'We're talking seven weeks left of Karl'. Media experts have traced Karl's downfall back to the moment his relationship with fiancee Jasmine Yarbrough was made public in February 2017. Bombshell claims: According to the Woman's Day Uncensored podcast, Karl will reportedly 'leave the Today show within weeks' That month, The Sunday Telegraph splashed photos of the pair getting intimate and sipping champagne aboard a multi-million dollar yacht in Sydney Harbour. Woman's Day editor-at-large Phillip Koch claimed on the podcast that it was Channel Nine staff members who tipped off the media about the couple's romance - setting off a chain reaction of negative publicity. Phillip said: 'I understood that Channel Nine tipped News Limited off about Karl being on the boat with Jasmine, which was the first pictures we ever saw of them together. 'They must have thought this was a great opportunity to put his marriage split [with ex-wife Cassandra Thorburn] behind him. They probably thought, "This is a fresh start, we can make him over in this mold of the 'in love' guy". And of course it's backfired spectacularly.' Whoops! Woman's Day editor-at-large Phillip Koch also claimed on the podcast that it was Channel Nine staff members who tipped off the media about Karl's romance with Jasmine Yarbrough (left), setting off a chain reaction of negative publicity. Pictured in November 2017 The latest claims by media insiders come after the Today show suffered some of its worst ratings ever in recent weeks. Last month, it was even reported that Karl could soon be losing his job as a result of the plummeting figures. Despite Karl having a contract with Nine believed to be worth almost $3million and not set to expire until the end of 2020, he is 'likely to be replaced in the New Year'. 'Top-level sources at Channel Nine's Willoughby studios say the embattled Today host is officially "gone",' The Sunday Telegraph claimed. Vocal powerhouse Christina Aguilera is taking some time off tour after losing her voice. The What A Girl Wants songstress, 37, took to Twitter to announce she was postponing the Thursday night performance of her Liberation Tour in Orillia, Ontario, 'MY FIGHTERS, MY FRIENDS,' the crooner's message began, before explaining: 'Per doctor's order, I need to rest tonight in order to get well asap and will be unable to sing my heart out and perform for you at tonight's show in Orillia, Ontario.' Recovering: Christina Aguilera (above October 3) was forced to postpone a show in Canada after losing her voice 'It aches me to share that I am under the weather and have lost my voice today,' her message explained. 'Per doctor's order, I need to rest tonight in order to get well asap and will be unable to sing my heart out and perform for you at tonight's show in Orillia, Ontario.' She promised a rescheduled show as soon as possible though. All quiet: 'Per doctor's order, I need to rest tonight in order to get well asap and will be unable to sing my heart out and perform for you at tonight's show in Orillia, Ontario' 'I have kept you waiting so long and I look forward to each night on this tour,' Chrsitina told her Canadian fans. 'I promise to make tonight up to you with a new date very soon until then I am sending love and gratitude for your support and I CANNOT WAIT to get back on the stage after this short rest,' she added. 'All my love, Xtina.' It is unclear if X-Tina will be well-enough to play her next scheduled date, Saturday in Detroit. Get well soon! It is unclear if X-Tina (above at her NYC show in October) will be well-enough to play her next scheduled date, Saturday in Detroit Christina kicked off her Liberation Tour on September 25 in Hollywood, Florida. She has 16 more shows scheduled ahead of the tour's end. The final show is scheduled for Tuesday November 13 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Australia's relationship with China needs careful management, admitting the two nations are split on some values and beliefs. China's regime has been in the spotlight after Interpol chief Meng Hongwei quit while being detained over a bribery investigation. Trade tensions with the United States are also reaching boiling point, with relations between the two global powers worsening. Mr Morrison said it was important to deal with China in a measured and constructive way. "I wouldn't describe them as difficult, I would describe them as an important relationship which we just manage carefully," he told 3AW on Thursday. "I'm not one for going around poking people in the eye." The prime minister said Australia shared deep values with the US, while there was a constructive strategic partnership with China. "We've got our differences," Mr Morrison said. "The reality is we have a very constructive commercial relationship with China. We don't share all the same values and beliefs." Australia can play a positive role in soothing US-China relations, Mr Morrison said. Sri Lanka last year granted Beijing a 99-year lease on the Hambantota deep-sea port, situated along key shipping routes Sri Lanka rejected on Wednesday US claims that China might establish a "forward military base" at a strategic port leased to Beijing by the indebted Indian Ocean island nation. Sri Lanka last year granted a 99-year lease on the Hambantota deep-sea port to Beijing, after it was unable to repay Chinese loans for the $1.4-billion project. The port, situated along key shipping routes, is one of a string of infrastructure projects in Asia, Africa and Europe being funded under China's Belt and Road Initiative that has rattled the US and its allies, including neighbouring India. Last week US Vice-President Mike Pence said Hambantota "may soon become a forward military base for China's growing blue-water navy," according to US media. But Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's office said that there would be no foreign military presence at Hambantota, and that the US State Department had been briefed. "Our navy's Southern Command is being relocated in Hambantota to control port security," Wickremesinghe's office quoted him as saying in Britain on Monday. Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka was also concluding a commercial agreement that would see India take over the management of Hambantota airport -- another white-elephant project built with Chinese loans under former president Mahinda Rajapakse. Regional superpower India has been concerned about growing Chinese interest in Sri Lanka, which has traditionally fallen within New Delhi's sphere of influence. In August, the US announced it would grant Sri Lanka $39 million to boost maritime security. At the same time, China has pledged to increase its funding of Sri Lanka's economy, including through loans, despite the country's major debt pile. The International Monetary Fund, which bailed out Sri Lanka in June 2016 with a $1.5 billion staggered loan, has warned Colombo over its heavy liabilities. The electric chair -- like one shown here at an Ohio prison in 2001 -- has only been used in the United States for 14 executions out of nearly 900 since 2000, and has not been used at all since 2013. A US inmate Wednesday won an appeal to stop his execution by injection A Tennessee man sentenced to death for a double murder won a last-minute appeal Wednesday to stop his execution by lethal injection, after insisting the state should use the electric chair. Edmund Zagorski, 63, was sentenced to death in 1984 after slitting the throats of two men who had reneged on a promise to sell him drugs. He asked to be put to death via the electric chair, but Tennessee's prison authorities rejected the request. Zagorski's lawyers then launched an emergency appeal in federal court to demand the chair be used for the execution, which was scheduled for Thursday in Nashville. But the appeals court on Wednesday said the execution must be stayed while his appeal is considered. In Tennessee, people condemned to death before 1999 have the right to choose between the two methods of capital punishment. But they must do so at least two months before the execution, according to the state department of corrections. According to one of his lawyers, Kelley Henry, Zagorski was late in making his choice known because he was awaiting the results of a motion to bar the use of a three-drug cocktail, including the powerful but controversial sedative midazolam, in Tennessee executions. The state supreme court only rejected that suit on Monday, forcing Zagorski to "choose between two absolutely barbaric methods of death," Henry said. "The state's three-drug protocol is certain torture," she charged. "Mr Zagorski's lungs would fill with fluid as the lining is burned away by acid. He would be paralyzed, then burned alive chemically from within," she added, noting the procedure would cause pain for 10-18 minutes. Tennessee is one of nine US states that still uses the electric chair for executions. It has only been used nationwide for 14 executions out of nearly 900 since 2000, and has not been used at all since 2013. The southeastern state had not carried out an execution since 2009 until this past August, when it used the three-drug combination to put to death a man convicted of raping and murdering a child in 1986. Cameroon election officials collect ballots at the close of voting in the country's presidential election A Cameroonian opposition candidate, who stirred controversy with an unsubstantiated claim he won Sunday's presidential poll, on Wednesday cried foul over a group of "false" election observers. On Monday evening, the state-run CRTV television station showed footage from a press conference with six international election observers whom it identified as belonging to Transparency International (TI). But the NGO denied any affiliation with the people seen in the footage, describing the television report as "false and untrue". The main spokeswoman at the press conference, identified as Nurit Greenger, spoke positively about the smooth running of the election, describing it as "extremely good". "I think everybody did their job in a clear and satisfactory manner," she said, wearing an identity tag listing her as an "independent". But TI said it had not sent an international observer mission to Cameroon for the vote. "The individuals shown in the report have no affiliation with Transparency International," said Patricia Moreira, TI's managing director, in a statement posted on the organisation's website. "We have not sent an international election observation mission to Cameroon." She said TI's local chapter in Cameroon had set up a "reporting mechanism" for use by the general public and was working with a citizens' network to report on possible irregularities. "However, none of these activities are part of an official election observation mission." - A public inquiry - Cameroon opposition candidate Maurice Kamto declared himself the victor in Sunday's election but offered no proof for his claim, which came as the official results were still being compiled In a blog-style article posted online under Greenger's byline, she said was invited to Cameroon by Agence Cameroun Presse (ACP) and Transparency International "to be an observer and capture election irregularities". Contacted by AFP, the ACP was not immediately available for comment. The ACP Twitter feed was set up in July 2018 at the same time as its website. Many social media accounts were set up by different political actors ahead of the presidential election. Opposition candidate Maurice Kamto on Wednesday pointed the finger at CRTV, saying such "false" observers had been seeking to "condone fraud". He demanded a public inquiry and pledged to file a complaint against the TV channel. "A public inquiry must be opened as quickly as possible to find out who these people who falsely posed as representatives of Transparency International and who brought them in," his spokesman Olivier Bibou Nissack said. On Monday, Kamto declared himself the victor in Sunday's election but offered no proof for his claim, which came as the official results were still being compiled. By law, each polling station must submit its results for verification to the Elecam electoral commission and then to the Constitutional Court which is responsible for announcing the final tally within 15 days of the vote. Kamto was one of seven candidates seeking to unseat President Paul Biya, 85, who has ruled Cameroon for 36 years and is seeking a seventh consecutive term. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vowed to press forward with President Donald Trump's push to isolate Iran, boasting of imposing "some of the harshest sanctions in history" The United States said Wednesday it will refuse any post-war reconstruction assistance to Syria if Iran is present, expanding the rationale for US involvement in the conflict. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, speaking to a pro-Israel group, vowed an aggressive push to counter Iran across the Middle East and said that Syria was a decisive battleground. "The onus for expelling Iran from the country falls on the Syrian government, which bears responsibility for its presence there," Pompeo told the Jewish Institute for National Security of America. "If Syria doesn't ensure the total withdrawal of Iranian-backed troops, it will not receive one single dollar from the United States for reconstruction," Pompeo said. Pompeo's speech effectively broadens the official explanation for why the United States is involved in Syria's civil war, which a monitoring group says has killed close to 365,000 people since 2011. Former president Barack Obama authorized military action with the goal of rooting out the Islamic State group, or ISIS, the extremist force that has boasted of a slew of grisly attacks both in Syria and the West. The United States has about 2,000 troops in Syria, primarily to train and advise forces other than ISIS that are waging an increasingly precarious fight to topple President Bashar al-Assad. Pompeo acknowledged that Assad was stronger thanks to Iranian and Russian help and said that, with ISIS "beaten into a shadow of its former self," new priorities had emerged. "Defeating ISIS, which was once our primary focus, continues to be a priority. But it will now be joined by two other mutually reinforcing objectives," Pompeo said. "These include a peaceful political resolution to the Syrian conflict and the removal of all Iranian and Iranian-backed forces from Syria." - Trump hesitant on Syria - The US funding threats are unlikely to make an immediate impact in Syria. Trump, a vocal critic of foreign aid as he promotes an "America First" policy, in August pulled the United States out of Syria's near-term reconstruction, suspending $230 million after Gulf Arab allies made their own pledges. But Pompeo's speech marks a new sign that the United States is not leaving Syria anytime soon after Trump, a onetime critic of foreign interventions, earlier this year mused aloud about withdrawing troops. Trump's national security adviser John Bolton, a longtime hawk on Iran, told reporters last month that US troops would stay "as long as Iranian troops are outside Iranian borders." Iran, ruled by Shiite Muslim clerics, has deployed both troops and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah to prop up Assad, a secular leader who belongs to the Alawite sect and is facing down hardline Sunni Muslim forces. "Iran has seen instability in Syria as a golden opportunity to tip the regional balance of power in its favor," Pompeo said. He warned that Iran, a sworn foe of Israel, would open a new front against the Jewish state if it remained in Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has similarly warned that he will never accept an Iranian presence in Syria. Trump has withdrawn from an international agreement negotiated under Obama through which Iran slashed its sensitive nuclear work in exchange for sanctions relief. Pompeo boasted that Trump has imposed on Iran "some of the harshest sanctions in history." The Trump administration has closely allied itself with both Israel and Saudi Arabia, the Sunni kingdom which sees Iran as its chief rival in the region. Pompeo in his speech did not air any criticism of Saudi Arabia, which has been accused by Turkish government sources of killing a prominent Saudi journalist last week inside its Istanbul consulate. Pompeo also did not demand a withdrawal by Russia, which maintains its only permanent military base outside the former Soviet Union in Syria, a Cold War ally. The Nabu Museum is a new private museum in northern Lebanon showcasing contemporary art alongside antiquities At a new private museum in Lebanon, a contemporary sculpture of a mortar missile is displayed alongside millenia-old statues retrieved from the bottom of the sea. Named after the Mesopotamian god of wisdom, the Nabu Museum opened in late September to showcase the cultural wealth of an ancient region devastated by conflict. Its inaugural exhibition includes 60 contemporary works, as well as around 400 antiquities from Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Egypt and Yemen. "We have a more or less complete picture of what was once the cradle of civilisation," says French curator Pascal Odille. Next to a private beach in the village of El-Heri in Lebanon's north, the museum's collection sits in an impressive futuristic cube of steel, coated with a rusty orange patina. A tall glass opening in the metal and concrete structure provides a view straight through the museum's interior and out to the sea. Designed by Iraqi artists, the museum for the first time opens up the private art and antiquities collections of wealthy businessmen to the public for free. Drawn from the homes and warehouses of its patrons, the exhibits are displayed on two floors, floodlit by the sunlight streaming through the tall windows. There are "ushabti" from Ancient Egypt, finely carved turquoise figurines traditionally placed in coffins to ensure passage to the afterlife. French curator Pascal Odille says the Nabu Museum has "a more or less complete picture of what was once the cradle of civilisation" Nearby, a contemporary sculpture of a mortar missile by Lebanese artist Katya Traboulsi is adorned with hieroglyphs. The artwork is topped by a sculpted bust of the Ancient Egyptian god of the sky, Horus, instead of a warhead. - 'Ray of optimism' - Visitors can see Lebanese artist Saliba Douaihy's abstract landscape paintings, one largely red, the other bright blue. But they can also admire terracotta statues harking back to the Phoenician period found during marine excavations off the southern coast of Lebanon. "You can see the seashell and limescale deposits on them," says Odille, of the figures from the sixth or seventh century BC. Lebanese co-founder Jawad Adra(L), pictured with curator Pascal Odille, says the museum is "a ray of optimism" in a region devastated by conflict The museum's founders -- two Lebanese and a Syrian -- want it to be a beacon of hope in a region scarred by conflict and the brutality of jihadists. "Nabu is the god of writing and wisdom. Not the god of war," says Lebanese co-founder Jawad Adra. "We're a ray of optimism in this region, amid all this obscurity," says the 64-year-old, whose colourful, modern-art inspired tie contrasts with his grey suit. The project cost $7 million, the organisers say. But the works on show only represent a fraction of its founders' private collections, and there are plans to switch the exhibits every few months. Adra's personal collection includes 2,000 items from the Levant and Mesopotamia regions, according to the exhibition's catalogue. The businessman says his hobby dates back to his childhood. "I've been collecting stamps and coins since I was 10," says Adra, who now heads a Beirut-based polling company and owns quality control labs in the Gulf. The Nabu Museum's inaugural exhibition has around 400 antiquities from Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Egypt and Yemen, as well as contemporary art He says it is time to give back. To set up the museum, he banded together with Syrian business partner Fida Jdeed, and fellow Lebanese entrepreneur Badr El-Hage, who runs a rare book firm in London. - 'Payback' - "We've all reached an age where we're starting to ask ourselves, 'What have you done? What have you given your country?'," he says. Lebanon's interior minister recently attended an evening inauguration ceremony at the Nabu Museum. In Lebanon, a 2016 law demands all private owners of antiquities register their items with the ministry as part of its efforts to combat illegal trafficking. The museum was designed by Iraqi artists and, for the first time, opens up the private art and antiquities collections of wealthy businessmen to the public for free Adra says that "a large part" of his collection has been declared to the authorities, and he is registering the rest. In recent years, part of the region's cultural heritage has been damaged, destroyed or looted by armed groups including jihadists. The Islamic State group in particular swept across large parts of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014, wrecking countless historical sites in territory it controlled. Mahmud Al-Obaidi, who designed the museum building with fellow Iraqi artist Dia Azzawi, sees the project as compensation for years of loss. "I feel this place is payback for everything that has been destroyed," says the 53-year-old, who left Iraq in 1991 for Canada. With governments in the region busy battling troubled economies and poverty, personal initiatives are key to preserving culture, he says. "Our states don't take culture seriously," says the artist, dressed in a light blue linen shirt and dark blue jacket, whose work is on show inside the museum. Yet, passing civilisations live on in their art, Obaidi says. "They don't realise that everything fades away, but it's the books, paintings and antiquities that remain," he adds. Rwandan Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo is expected to be appointed head of the world's group of French-speaking nations at a summit in Armenia In normal times, African countries would have loudly saluted the choice of Rwanda's Louise Mushikiwabo as head of the world community of French-speaking countries. Instead, her nomination -- set to be enshrined at a summit of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) in Armenia on Thursday and Friday -- has met with tight lips or muttered criticism. For some African commentators, the decision is a stitchup between French President Emmanuel Macron and Rwandan President Paul Kagame that does little for France's reputation or the OIF's mission. "The silence is deafening," said Mathias Hounkpe of OSIWA, the West African branch of the Open Society network of thinktanks, describing how African countries have responded. In 2003 Rwanda made English an official language alongside the country's first language, Kinyarwanda, and French Other voices harshly recall France's history of back-door dealings in former sub-Saharan colonies, often at the expense of human rights and democracy. "It's like Francafrique," said Ivory Coast commentator and author Alex Kipre, referring to a notorious policy of interference that Paris insists was ditched years ago. Macron "has used La Francophonie as a French toy," said Paul Berenger, head of the opposition Mauritian Militant Movement on the French-speaking Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. "This is bad news for La Francophonie. It is supposed to promote the values of the French language and human rights." - Joint pitch - Created in 1970 along lines blazed by the Commonwealth, the OIF brings together 58 countries and regional governments, representing 274 million speakers of French around the world. Just months ago, the big name expected to be adopted in Erevan was the current OIF secretary general, Michaelle Jean -- a Canadian of Haitian descent who in 2014 became the first woman and non-African to helm the organisation. But her fortunes changed in May when Kagame visited Paris. After talks with Macron, he announced -- in English -- that his foreign minister would be seeking the leadership of the world's francophone community. Macron declared his support, saying Mushikiwabo had "every quality for the job". The Macron-Kagame pitch, say analysts, is part of an effort to turn the page of nearly a quarter-century of acrimony, rooted in accusations by Rwanda -- rejected by France -- of French involvement in the 1994 genocide. After talks with Macron, Kagame announced -- in English -- that his foreign minister would be seeking the leadership of the world's francophone community Rwanda's fury at France was such that in 2003 it made English an official language alongside the country's first language, Kinyarwanda, and French. Five years later English replaced French as the language of education, and in 2009 Rwanda joined the Commonwealth, even though as a former Belgian territory its historic ties to Britain were negligible. In July, African francophone countries officially rallied behind Mushikiwabo. This was in line with their policy of backing an African candidate sensitive to the needs of states that comprise more than half of the OIF membership. - 'Problem' Rwanda - But their support was lip service, said Senegalese political analyst Babacar Justin Ndiaye. Rwanda "is a problem," he said, saying the country had "turned its back" on La Francophonie in the past, and its record on human rights was at odds with the organisation's commitment to democracy. "France has been manoeuvering to satisfy Rwanda, to win it over," he told AFP. Mushikiwabo's level of French was "rough," he said, quipping that the Academie Francaise -- the porticoed Paris institution that is the official guardian of the French language -- would be "dumbstruck". The choice of Mushikiwabo "has been rushed through -- politics have taken precedence over language, democracy, demography," he said. "Many factors have been sacrificed on the altar of diplomacy." Photos circulating on social media showed Abiy doing pushups with the smiling troops Dozens of Ethiopian soldiers marched on the prime minister's office to demand better pay, triggering an internet blackout in Addis Ababa that was lifted Thursday. In an unusual break with discipline, a group of "disgruntled" elite soldiers, who had been sent to quell bloody ethnic clashes on the capital's outskirts, marched on Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office Wednesday to protest low salaries, state-run Ethiopia News Agency (ENA) reported. "Members of the army claimed that officers at various levels could not address their grievances about the low allowances and benefits they receive," ENA said, adding they had gone "to appeal to Abiy Ahmed" directly. The internet was shut down across Addis Ababa for hours after the troops, who appeared unarmed, arrived at Abiy's compound close to parliament in the city centre. Abiy's chief of staff Fitsum Arega said the prime minister "listened to the grievances carefully, reprimanded them for the wrong procedure they followed to express those grievances, but concluded the meeting with a promise to meet properly in the near future." Photos circulating on social media showed Abiy doing pushups with the smiling troops. Picked as prime minister by the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), Abiy has pursued aggressive reforms since taking office. The promised changes have been broadly welcomed in the authoritarian state but have failed to defuse escalating ethnic violence in different parts of the country. Abiy has replaced the heads of the military and intelligence service, and begun a rapprochement with foe Eritrea that has ended decades of conflict between the neighbours. However, he has also repeatedly deployed the military to stop ethnic clashes. The elite, red beret-wearing troops were deployed in southern Ethiopia in August following clashes between the largest ethnicity, the Oromos, and the Gedeo ethnic minority, which have displaced nearly one million people. ENA says the soldiers involved in Wednesday's incident had been deployed to Burayu, a suburb of Addis Ababa where at least 58 people were killed last month in fighting between the Oromo and other ethnic groups. Guwahati : The Border Security Force (BSF) had organised a civic action programme in Meghalayas South West Garo Hills district on Tuesday, officials said on Wednesday. The 26th battalion of BSF had organised the programme at Balughat border out post along Indo-Bangladesh boder and distributed computer sets, laptops, sewing machine among the people residing in bordering areas. Vijay Kumar Tapirayal, DIG SHQ Tura attended as a chief guest in the programme. The youth of bordering village were imparted two month computer tailoring training under this programme. After training computer, sewing machines were distributed by the chief guest. Vishal Rane, Commandant of 26 Bn, Sujeet Paul Assistant Commandant, Vijay Pandey, Inspector ( G) villages Nokma, Principal of Balughat government school and students of the school, 80 villagers, media persons also present in the civic action programme. Top separatist leaders opposed to India's rule in Kashmir called for a general strike in the heavily-militarised zone on Friday over the killing Indian forces on Thursday killed a Kashmir militant leader who became a folk hero in the troubled territory after giving up geology research at an Indian university to become a militant, officials said. Manan Wani, 26, and an associate were killed in a fierce gunfight that lasted more than 10 hours after security forces were tipped off that he was hiding in a residential area, officials told AFP on condition of anonymity. "Wani's family have identified the body and now legal formalities are underway," one police officer said. Another police officer said Wani and his associate escaped a first siege but became trapped in a village in the northern area of Handwara, where they were killed. Wani quit a PhD programme at Aligarh University in January to join Hizbul Mujahideen, the biggest group fighting for Kashmir's merger with Pakistan. He rose to prominence after circulating two open letters in the Indian media explaining why he took up arms. "We are soldiers we dont fight to die, but to win, we dont feel dignity in death but we do feel dignity in fighting (Indian)- occupation, its military might, its oppression, its tyranny, its collaborators and most of all its ego," Manan Wani wrote in his first letter in July. The scholar-turned-rebel died not far from his home in the densely militarised frontier area of Kupwara. The killing of another popular rebel leader Burhan Wani -- no relation -- by security forces in July 2016 sparked fierce protests in Indian Kashmir that left more than 100 dead. Top separatist leaders opposed to India's rule in Kashmir called for a general strike on Friday over Wani's killing. "Deeply pained that we lost a budding intellectual and writer like him, fighting for the of cause of self-determination," Mirwaiz Umar Farooq one of the three top separatist leaders of the Joint Resistance Leadership said in a tweet The JRL called for a complete shutdown "to pay homage" to Wani, he added. Since 1989, Hizbul Mujahideen and other groups have been fighting hundreds of thousands of Indian soldiers deployed in the territory that is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed in full by the arch rivals. Tens of thousands, mostly civilians, have died in the fighting between separatist rebels and government forces. This year at least 180 militants, 60 civilians and 74 security forces have been killed in dozens of clashes. New Delhi regularly accuses Pakistan of supporting attacks on its forces in the region divided by a heavily militarized zone. Islamabad says it only provides diplomatic support to the Kashmiri struggle for self-determination. The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces are fighting in the eastern Syrian province of Deir Ezzor to oust Islamic State jihadists from the town of Hajin Syrian Kurdish forces battling the Islamic State group hold around 900 of the organisation's foreign jihadists, a spokesman said on Thursday, a sharp increase from a previous figure. In lengthy battles against IS in the war-torn country, the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) have rounded up thousands of alleged IS members, Syrian and otherwise. "Around 900 IS terrorists are in our jails... from 44 countries," YPG spokesman Nuri Mahmud said. That is a sharp rise from the figure of 520, given by another Kurdish official last month. "The war is ongoing and until now we are arresting terrorists," Mahmud explained, referring to ongoing battles against IS in eastern Syria. "The numbers have increased over the past months from the battles between our forces and IS," he said. Kurdish authorities have said they will not put any foreign jihadists on trial, and repeatedly called on their home countries to take them back. But Western countries, reeling from IS-claimed attacks on their own soil, have been reluctant. "Most countries have been flouting their responsibility," Nuri said. According to Kurdish foreign affairs official Abdel Karim Omar, Syrian Kurds also hold 550 women and around 1,200 children from the families of IS members. Alleged fighters are usually detained in jail, while women and children are held separately in camps. IS seized large swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq in 2014, declaring a so-called "caliphate" in areas they controlled. But multiple offensives in both countries have since decimated that proto-state. In Syria, the YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces last month launched a battle to expel the jihadists from their last eastern redoubt of Hajin near the Iraqi border. Nickolay Mladenov, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process The Palestinian leadership will no longer work with the UN peace envoy, a senior official said Thursday, accusing him of overstepping his role by seeking a deal between Israel and the Islamist movement Hamas. Ahmed Majdalani, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organisations (PLO) executive committee, said it had informed the UN secretary general that envoy Nickolay Mladenov was "no longer acceptable" to the Palestinian government. Mladenov had "gone beyond his role" in seeking agreements between Israel and rival Palestinian faction Hamas, which controls Gaza, he said, adding that his actions impacted "Palestinian national security and the unity of our people." There was no immediate comment from Mladenov or confirmation from the United Nations. Mladenov, alongside Egypt, has been seeking a long-term truce agreement between Hamas and the Jewish state, without including Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's internationally recognised government in the indirect negotiations. The talks have stalled, partly due to pressure form Abbas, but on Tuesday a smaller UN-brokered agreement was reached for Qatar to finance much-needed fuel deliveries to Gaza for six months. Abbass government was not involved in that deal and Mladenovs strategy has angered Palestinian politicians. The Palestinian Authority headed by Abbas has semi autonomy in parts of the occupied West Bank but lost control of Gaza to Hamas in a near-civil war in 2007. The international community has since worked with the PA. The PLO has recognised Israel and signed a series of peace treaties with it, while Hamas has fought three wars with the Jewish state since 2008. Iraqi commandos and Kurdish counter-terrorism forces have arrested members of the al-Rawi network, the key financial network for the Islamic State Ten members of a key financial network for the Islamic State network have been arrested in Iraq, the US-led coalition fighting the jihadists announced Thursday. Iraqi commandos and Kurdish counter-terrorism forces arrested the members of the al-Rawi network in operations October 7-9 in Baghdad and Erbil in northern Iraq, the coalition said in a statement. According to the coalition commander, US Army Lieutenant General Paul LaCamera, the arrests "deal a major blow to the desperate attempts by ISIS to re-emerge in Iraq." "Those who provide support to ISIS, in any way, will face the consequences," he said. Fawaz Muhammad Jubayr al-Rawi, who headed the network, was killed in June 2017 during a strike in Albu Kamal in eastern Syria. The US Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on al-Rawi and his company in 2016. CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuela's chief prosecutor doubled down Wednesday on claims that a jailed opposition activist killed himself while the Trump administration condemned the government of President Nicolas Maduro for its alleged involvement in the suspicious death. Attorney General Tarek William Saab appeared on state TV and said preliminary findings rule out foul play in the death of the Fernando Alban. He held up a photo of an open window at the police headquarters where Alban had been held and cited autopsy results finding no injuries prior to those from the fatal impact of his fall from the 10th story of the building. "All the evidence so far collected reveals the unfortunate circumstance that Alban committed suicide," said Saab. "Be assured that we will get to the bottom of the investigation and find the truth." In Washington, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a statement condemning "the Maduro regime's involvement" in Alban's death. She said the Trump administration would "continue to increase pressure on the Maduro regime and its insiders until democracy is restored in Venezuela." Opposition supporters, meanwhile, poured onto the streets of the capital sobbing and waving Venezuelan flags to join the funeral procession of the Caracas-area city councilman. Opposition leaders and friends holds a giant Venezuela flag as they walk behind the hearse containing the remains of opposition activist Fernando Alban, during his funeral in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Hundreds gathered to pay their respects to Alban. International condemnation of Venezuela's leadership poured in Tuesday following the suspicious death of the opposition activist authorities say evaded justice by throwing himself from the 10th floor of a police building. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) "We want justice!" mourners chanted, many directing their anger at the socialist president: "Maduro is a killer!" Alban, 56, was arrested Friday at the capital's international airport upon arrival from a trip to New York to galvanize world opinion against Maduro's socialist government. Officials say Alban was under investigation for a suspected role in an assassination attempt against Maduro, and abruptly ran to an open window on the 10th story of a police building and threw himself to his death on Monday. Opposition leaders, backed by several foreign governments, have accused Maduro's government of torture and killing Alban. The United Nations has urged officials in Caracas to launch an impartial investigation to resolve the conflicting versions of how Alban died. The U.S. also has called for the immediate release of all Venezuelan political prisoners. The opposition claims that more than 100 Venezuelans opposed to Maduro are being held as political prisoners - some for more than four years. The government denies they are political prisoners. Vice President Mike Pence tweeted his own condemnation, placing blame for Alban's death on Maduro's government. "The regime continues to kill innocents & those standing up for democracy," Pence said. "We stand w/ the Venezuelan people & demand the release of political prisoners." In Caracas, hundreds of mourners on foot trailed the hearse holding Alban's casket the cemetery. They included Alban's parents and prominent allies from Venezuela's opposition movement. Residents along the way - many elderly women - came from their homes as the procession passed. Among them was Maria Betancourt, who never met Alban, but felt the need to show support for the late political leader. "He represented in his fight what we all want - liberty in Venezuela, a democratic Venezuela," she said. "We want what everybody in the world wants - opportunity. Not this disaster we're living." Friends, relatives and oppositions leaders carry the flag-draped casket containing the remains of opposition activist Fernando Alban, during his funeral at a church in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Hundreds gathered to pay their respects to Alban. International condemnation of Venezuela's leadership poured in Tuesday following the suspicious death of the opposition activist authorities say evaded justice by throwing himself from the 10th floor of a police building. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) People holds up a sign that in Spanish reads "Maduro Assassin" as they walk next the hearse holding the remains of opposition activist Fernando Alban, during his funeral in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Hundreds gathered to pay their respects to Alban. International condemnation of Venezuela's leadership poured in Tuesday following the suspicious death of the opposition activist authorities say evaded justice by throwing himself from the 10th floor of a police building. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) A man mourns over the flag-draped casket containing the remains of opposition activist Fernando Alban, during his funeral at a church in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects to Alban. International condemnation of Venezuela's leadership poured in Tuesday following the suspicious death of the opposition activist authorities say evaded justice by throwing himself from the 10th floor of a police building. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) A woman holding flowers walks behind the hearse holding the remains of opposition activist Fernando Alban, during his funeral in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Hundreds gathered to pay their respects to Alban. International condemnation of Venezuela's leadership poured in Tuesday following the suspicious death of the opposition activist authorities say evaded justice by throwing himself from the 10th floor of a police building. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) A handwritten message that reads in Spanish "They can silence one man, but his fight screams for liberty" is placed over the flag-draped casket containing the remains of opposition activist Fernando Alban, during his funeral at a church in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018. Hundreds gathered to pay their respects to Alban. International condemnation of Venezuela's leadership poured in Tuesday following the suspicious death of the opposition activist authorities say evaded justice by throwing himself from the 10th floor of a police building. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) - Ethiopian soldiers protesting over pay have met with the prime minister after their appearance in the capital caused security concerns, with internet services cut off for hours. "They raised issues related to their living conditions, low pay and a dismal benefits package and demanded to meet the prime minister," commissioner of the Federal Police Commission, Zeynu Jemal, told The Associated Press. "(Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed) told them the way they presented their grievances was not correct but anyway heard their issues. At last, he ordered all of them to do 10 push-ups and then invited them dinner." Some of the dozens of soldiers around Abiy's office refused to comment. Others, heavily armed, were seen elsewhere in Addis Ababa. Abiy announced sweeping political and economic reforms after taking office in April. HAVANA (AP) - In a country with no opinion polls, campaigns or independent mass media, a series of meetings on reforming Cuba's constitution has spawned a highly unusual debate on the island's political system and values. At a half-dozen public forums attended by Associated Press journalists this month, Cubans repeatedly called for direct election of the president and other officials. And many objected to a constitutional amendment that would allow gays and lesbians to marry. The government convened thousands of block-level meetings over a nearly two-month period of "popular consultation" on a draft of the new constitution already approved by the Communist Party and National Assembly. The single-party government is now supposed to review public comments and incorporate suggestions into a final version before putting it to a popular referendum on Feb. 24. In this Sept. 30, 2018 photo, residents gather for a public forum on constitutional reform in Havana, Cuba. At a half-dozen public forums attended by Associated Press journalists this month, Cubans repeatedly called for direct election of the president and other officials, while many objected to allowing gays and lesbians to marry. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan) In this Oct. 7, 2018 photo, a poster showing pairs of men and women hangs at the Evangelist League Church, with the Spanish message: "I'm in favor of the original design," a reference against legalizing same sex marriage, ahead of a constitutional reform in Havana, Cuba. The most controversial amendment is one allowing gay and lesbian marriage. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan) In this Sept. 30, 2018 photo, residents gather for a public forum on constitutional reform in Havana, Cuba. After standing for the national anthem, speakers share their opinions while a secretary takes notes to be sent in some form to the constitutional reform commission headed by Raul Castro. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan) In this Sept. 30, 2018 photo, a woman gives her opinion during a public forum on constitutional reform in Havana, Cuba. The single-party government is supposed to review public comments and incorporate suggestions into a final version that before putting it to a popular referendum on Feb. 24. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan) BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan (AP) - The Latest on the failed space launch carrying two astronauts (all times local): 11:00 p.m. NASA says it's dusting off its plans for flying the International Space Station without a crew after the aborted launch of a Russian rocket taking two astronauts toward the station. Kenny Todd, a space station manager, said from Houston several hours after Thursday's aborted launch that the station's three current residents can remain on board until January. That's just a month beyond their expected mid-December return. Their Soyuz capsule is good for about 200 days in orbit, period. If the rocket that failed remains grounded until it's time for the astronauts to come home, Todd says flight controllers could operate the orbiting lab without anyone on board. In this photo provided by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, the rescue team gather next to the Soyuz MS-10 space capsule after it made an emergency landing in a field about 20 km (12,43 miles) Dzhezkazgan, about 450 kilometers (280 miles) northeast of Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos' Alexei Ovchinin lifted off as scheduled at 2:40 p.m. (0840 GMT; 4:40 a.m. EDT) Thursday from the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, but their Soyuz booster rocket failed about two minutes after the launch. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP) But he says the $100 billion asset would need to be staffed before SpaceX or Boeing launches new crew capsules next year. Todd says someone has to be on board for the arrival of the commercial demo missions, for safety reasons. ___ 8:35 p.m. International Space Station commander Alexander Gerst says he is grateful two astronauts are doing well after an exceedingly rare and harrowing launch abort ended their journey toward the orbiting laboratory. Gerst, a European Space Agency astronaut from Germany, tweeted from orbit after the failed launch: "Spaceflight is hard. And we must keep trying for the benefit of humankind." He thanked the rescue force that arrived quickly to retrieve American Nick Hague and Russian Alexei Ovchinin from their capsule after an emergency landing. The capsule was jettisoned from a three-stage booster rocket that failed two minutes after liftoff. Hague and Ovchinin were supposed to spend the next half year aboard the International Space Station. Gerst wrote that the mishap shows "what an amazing vehicle the Soyuz is, to be able to save the crew from such a failure." ___ 7:45 p.m. Flight controllers kept the three space station residents abreast of the situation after Thursday's aborted launch. "The boys have landed," Mission Control assured the crew consisting of one American, one German and one Russian. Two astronauts from the U.S. and Russia landed safely in the steppes of Kazakhstan after their Soyuz rocket failed two minutes after launch. Russian controllers told the space station astronauts that NASA's Nick Hague and Roscosmos' Alexei Ovchinin endured 6.7 times the force of gravity during their steeper than usual entry. It was Hague's first rocket launch. There was no immediate word on whether the space station crew might need to extend its own six-month mission. Two spacewalks planned for later this month were off indefinitely. Hague was supposed to be one of the spacewalkers. ___ 6:30 p.m. NASA says two astronauts from the U.S. and Russia have been flown to the city of Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan en route to Moscow after an emergency landing following the failure of a booster rocket carrying them to the International Space Station. NASA posted pictures of NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos' Alexei Ovchinin undergoing a medical check-up at Dzhezkazgan's airport. They are to be flown to the Baikonur cosmodrome and then on to Star City space training center outside Moscow. One of the pictures showed Hague smiling and another had him sitting next to Russia's space agency chief Dmitry Rogozin. U.S. and Russian space officials said the astronauts are in good condition after Thursday's aborted launch. They endured higher than usual G-force during the emergency landing. ___ 6:15 p.m. The head of Russia's top space medicine center says that two astronauts from the U.S. and Russia are feeling good after an emergency landing. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos' Alexei Ovchinin blasted off as scheduled to the International Space Station Thursday, but their Soyuz booster failed two minutes after the launch and the rescue capsule landed safely in the steppes of Kazakhstan. The crew endured higher than normal G-force, but Russian and U.S. space officials said they were in good condition. Oleg Orlov, the head of the Institute for Medical and Biological Problems, Russia's top space medicine research center, said in televised remarks that the astronauts endured six Gs during the sharp ballistic descent. He added that space crew is trained to endure such loads. ___ 5:20 p.m. NASA says two astronauts from the U.S. and Russia will be flown to Moscow after they made an emergency landing. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos' Alexei Ovchinin landed in the steppes of Kazakhstan Thursday following the failure of a Russian booster rocket carrying them to the International Space Station. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a statement that Hague and Ovchinin are in good condition and will be transported to the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City outside Moscow. He added that a "thorough investigation into the cause of the incident will be conducted." ___ 5 p.m. A senior Cabinet official says that Russia is suspending manned space launches pending a probe into a Russian booster rocket failure minutes after the launch. U.S. and Russian space officials said NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos' Alexei Ovchinin are safe after an emergency landing in the steppes of Kazakhstan following the failure of a Russian booster rocket carrying them to the International Space Station. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov told reporters that the Soyuz capsule automatically jettisoned from the booster when it failed 123 seconds after the launch from the Russia-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. He said all manned launches will be suspended pending an investigation into the cause of the failure. Borisov added that Russia will fully share all relevant information with the U.S. ___ 3:30 p.m. NASA says two astronauts from the U.S. and Russia are in good condition after a booster rocket failure minutes forced an emergency landing minutes after the launch. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos' Alexei Ovchinin lifted off as scheduled at 2:40 p.m. (0840 GMT; 4:40 a.m. EDT) Thursday from the Russia-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan atop a Soyuz booster rocket. They were to dock at the International Space Station six hours later, but the booster suffered engine failure minutes after the launch. NASA said it has been informed by Russian space officials that the crew has made an emergency landing at an unspecified location in Kazakhstan and is in good condition. Search and rescue crews are heading to the landing site. ___ 3 p.m. Two astronauts from the U.S. and Russia are making an emergency landing after a Russian booster rocket carrying them into orbit to the International Space Station has failed after launch. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos' Alexei Ovchinin lifted off as scheduled at 2:40 p.m. (0840 GMT; 4:40 a.m. EDT) Thursday from the Russia-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan atop a Soyuz booster rocket. They were to dock at the orbiting outpost six hours later, but the booster suffered a failure minutes after the launch. Russian and U.S. space officials said that the crew is heading for an emergency landing in Kazakhstan at an unspecified time. Search and rescue crews are getting ready to reach the expected landing site. ___ 2:50 p.m. A duo of astronauts from the U.S. and Russia has blasted off for a mission on the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos' Alexei Ovchinin lifted off as scheduled at 2:40 p.m. (0840 GMT; 4:40 a.m. EDT) Thursday from the Russia-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan atop a Soyuz booster rocket. Their Soyuz spacecraft will dock at the orbiting outpost six hours later. It's the first space mission for Hague, who joined NASA's astronaut corps in 2013. Ovchinin spent six months on the station in 2016. Relations between Moscow and Washington have sunk to post-Cold War lows over the crisis in Ukraine, the war in Syria and allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential vote, but Russia and the U.S. have maintained cooperation in space. In this photo provided by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, the Soyuz MS-10 space capsule lays in a field after an emergency landing near Dzhezkazgan, about 450 kilometers (280 miles) northeast of Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos' Alexei Ovchinin lifted off as scheduled at 2:40 p.m. (0840 GMT; 4:40 a.m. EDT) Thursday from the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, but their Soyuz booster rocket failed about two minutes after the launch. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP) The Soyuz-FG rocket booster with Soyuz MS-10 space ship carrying a new crew to the International Space Station, ISS, blasts off at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. Two astronauts from the U.S. and Russia were safe Thursday after an emergency landing in the steppes of Kazakhstan following the failure of a Russian booster rocket carrying them to the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos' Alexei Ovchinin lifted off as scheduled at 2:40 p.m. (0840 GMT; 4:40 a.m. EDT) Thursday from the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, but their Soyuz booster rocket failed about two minutes after the launch. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky) U.S. astronaut Nick Hague, member of the main crew to the International Space Station (ISS), waves to his relatives from a bus prior to the launch of Soyuz-FG rocket at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, Pool) A gerbil comes out of a hole a few hours prior to the launch of the Soyuz MS-10 space ship carrying a new crew to the International Space Station, ISS, at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. Two astronauts from the U.S. and Russia were safe Thursday after an emergency landing in the steppes of Kazakhstan following the failure of a Russian booster rocket carrying them to the International Space Station. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky) Emergency services wait as U.S. astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin arrive at Baikonur airport, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. Two astronauts from the U.S. and Russia were safe Thursday after an emergency landing in the steppes of Kazakhstan following the failure of a Russian booster rocket carrying them to the International Space Station. (Yuri Kochetkov/Pool Photo via AP) Smoke rise as the boosters of first stage of the Soyuz-FG rocket with Soyuz MS-10 space ship carrying a new crew to the International Space Station, ISS, separate after the launch at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. The Russian rocket carries U.S. astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin. The two astronauts are making an emergency landing after a Russian booster rocket carrying them into orbit to the International Space Station has failed after launch. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky) Expedition 57 Flight Engineer Alexey Ovchinin of Roscosmos, left, and Flight Engineer Nick Hague of NASA, right, embrace their families after landing at the Krayniy Airport, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, after an emergency landing following the failure of a Russian booster rocket carrying them to the International Space Station. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP) Expedition 57 Flight Engineer Nick Hague of NASA embraces his wife Catie after landing at the Krayniy Airport with Expedition 57 Flight Engineer Alexey Ovchinin of Roscosmos, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, after an emergency landing following the failure of a Russian booster rocket carrying them to the International Space Station. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP) In this photo provided by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, the Soyuz MS-10 space capsule lays in a field after an emergency landing near Dzhezkazgan, about 450 kilometers (280 miles) northeast of Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos' Alexei Ovchinin lifted off as scheduled at 2:40 p.m. (0840 GMT; 4:40 a.m. EDT) Thursday from the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, but their Soyuz booster rocket failed about two minutes after the launch. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP) An aircraft carrying U.S. astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin on board arrives at Baikonur airport, in Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. Two astronauts from the U.S. and Russia were safe Thursday after an emergency landing in the steppes of Kazakhstan following the failure of a Russian booster rocket carrying them to the International Space Station. (Yuri Kochetkov/Pool Photo via AP U.S. astronaut Nick Hague, right and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, member of the main crew of the expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), speak prior to the launch of Soyuz MS-10 space ship at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky) U.S. astronaut Nick Hague, right and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, member of the main crew of the expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), walk prior the launch of Soyuz MS-10 space ship at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, Pool) U.S. astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, right, members of the main crew of the expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), speak with their relatives through a safety glass prior to the launch of Soyuz MS-10 space ship at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky) Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, a member of the main crew of the expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), speaks with his relatives through a safety glass prior to the launch of Soyuz MS-10 space ship at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky) U.S. astronaut Nick Hague, member of the main crew to the International Space Station (ISS), waves to his son from a bus prior to the launch of Soyuz-FG rocket at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky, Pool) Director General of the Russia state corporation Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin, right, accompanies Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, crew members of the mission to the International Space Station, ISS, to the rocket prior the launch of Soyuz-FG rocket at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. (Yuri Kochetkov, Pool Photo via AP) U.S. astronaut Nick Hague, right and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, member of the main crew of the expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), speak prior to the launch of Soyuz MS-10 space ship at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky) U.S. astronaut Nick Hague, left, and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, right, arrive in Baikonur airport, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, after an emergency landing following the failure of a Russian booster rocket carrying them to the International Space Station. (Yuri Kochetkov/Pool Photo via AP) In this photo provided by Roscosmos, NASA astronaut Nick Hague sits in a hall after being transported by the rescue team, in Dzhezkazgan, about 450 kilometers (280 miles) northeast of Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. Two astronauts from the U.S. and Russia were safe Thursday after an emergency landing in the steppes of Kazakhstan following the failure of a Russian booster rocket carrying them to the International Space Station. (Roscosmos via AP) Director General of the Russia state corporation Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin walks in Baikonur airport after a rescue operation for NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin after an emergency landing, in Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. Two astronauts from the U.S. and Russia were safe Thursday after an emergency landing in the steppes of Kazakhstan following the failure of a Russian booster rocket carrying them to the International Space Station. (Yuri Kochetkov/Pool Photo via AP) In this photo provided by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, the Soyuz MS-10 space capsule lays in a field after an emergency landing near Dzhezkazgan, about 450 kilometers (280 miles) northeast of Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos' Alexei Ovchinin lifted off as scheduled at 2:40 p.m. (0840 GMT; 4:40 a.m. EDT) Thursday from the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, but their Soyuz booster rocket failed about two minutes after the launch. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP) In this photo provided by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, the Soyuz MS-10 space capsule lays in a field after an emergency landing near Dzhezkazgan, about 450 kilometers (280 miles) northeast of Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos' Alexei Ovchinin lifted off as scheduled at 2:40 p.m. (0840 GMT; 4:40 a.m. EDT) Thursday from the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, but their Soyuz booster rocket failed about two minutes after the launch. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP) Malaysias new government has announced it will abolish the death penalty for all crimes and halt pending executions. More than 1,200 people are on death row in Malaysia, which mandates hanging as punishment for a wide range of crimes including murder, drug trafficking, treason, kidnapping and acts of terror. Law minister Liew Vui Keong announced that the Cabinet had agreed to abolish the death penalty and amendments to laws with capital punishment were expected to be presented when Parliament resumes on Monday. Communications Minister Gobind Singh Deo said: This is part of our election pledge and also in line with the move away from capital punishment in the rest of the world. Amnesty International said the move would be a major advance but urged the government to completely abolish the death penalty for all crimes, with no exceptions. It said the death penalty has been a terrible stain on Malaysias human rights record, and death row prisoners often have to wait years for their appeals to be processed. In this Oct. 8, 2018, photo, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad delivers his speech during a rally for Anwar Ibrahim in Port Dickson. Prime Minister Mahathir told an economic forum that the fiscal problems had turned Malaysia from an Asian tiger into a "small kitten." (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) There is no time to waste, the death penalty should have been consigned to the history books long ago, the human rights groups secretary-general, Kumi Naidoo, said, adding that 142 countries worldwide have rejected capital punishment. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamads alliance won a stunning election upset on May 9, ousting a scandal-tainted coalition in the first change of government since independence from Britain in 1957. Its promises included eradicating corruption and bolstering human rights. The Malaysian human rights group, Lawyers for Liberty, praised the governments decision, saying the death penalty is barbarous and pointless as it has never been proven to deter serious crimes. Its adviser, N Surendran, said the new government has shown that it is a force for moral good, and an example for the region and the world. Many Asian countries such as China and neighbouring Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam still impose capital punishment. Mr Surendran urged the government to not forget the hundreds of Malaysians who are languishing on death row in Singapore and other countries, particularly for being drug mules. We call upon the government to vigorously speak up for our citizens facing death in distant shores. Having rejected the death penalty in this country, we now have the moral authority to fight for the lives of our citizens abroad, he said. Bahujan Samaj Party founder Kanshi Rams favourite expression was he wanted a majboor, or a weak, government and not a mazboot, or a strong one; till Dalits reached the Centre. That was in the early '80s and among the thousands upon thousands of Dalit masses who used to traverse several miles on foot and rickety bicycles to listen to him was Mayawati. Kanshi Ram wanted a weak government. His disciple wants a weak Congress. (Photo: India Today) Decades later, Mayawati, now the BSP supremo, continues to give weightage to these words of her mentor. In her scheme of things, a weak Congress is ideal for her bid for prime ministership in 2019. This explains her rather abrupt way to call off any seat adjustment in the poll-bound states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. A victorious Congress, standing on its own, would be bad news for Mayawati who is determined to make a serious bid for prime ministership in May 2019. Notwithstanding a desire of many overzealous political pundits, the idea of a mahagathbandan or coming together of the non-NDA parties is a mirage at this stage. Mayawati was witness to Kanshi Ram stitching an alliance with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, 1996. The timing of the alliance was close to the 1996 general elections, where the Congress was fighting a grim battle against a resurgent BJP and the aggressive regional parties. When the BSP-Congress alliance was announced in New Delhi, the-then prime minister and Congress president PV Narasimha Rao sounded a bit cagey when asked about the seat-share. It was Kanshi Ram, sitting next to Rao and UPCC chief Jitendra Prasada, who spelt out the terms of the accord. He said that the BSP would contest 300 seats, while the Congress will have 125 seats in the-then 425-member UP Assembly. While Rao maintained stoic silence, Prasada, a key architect of the alliance, tried to look the other way. After the 1996 Lok Sabha defeat, an AICC panel headed by veteran K Karunakaran went on a fact-finding mission to Uttar Pradesh and observed, rather dryly, that district-level offices in Gorakhpur, Basti, Bahraich and dozens of other places remained intact, but the boards/signposts outside had changed from the Congress to the BJP. Mayawati, having served four times as Uttar Pradesh chief minister, is credited with Dalit assertiveness and empowerment. The most significant and visible factor is the way Uttar Pradeshs feudal social structure has got neutralised, ending decades of the Congress rule, which treated Dalits as a benign patriarch. The 21 per cent voters became important for the socialist and backward class leaders, who had a history of subjugating the Dalits. From the later part of the 1980s, Dalit voters started coming out in large numbers to cast their vote in the Jat belts of western Uttar Pradesh where they once wouldnt be allowed to. Dalit women identify with Mayawati. (Photo: Reuters) In her brief tenures as CM in 1995 and 1997, Mayawati had rounded up 1,45,000 rowdies, criminal and goondas who were known to intimidate Dalits. In their studies, Vivek Kumar and Uday Sinha (Dalit assertion and BSP, Bahujan Sahitya Sansthan 2001) have observed that in Mayawatis public meetings and rallies, Dalit women outnumbered men because they were freer than upper caste women and closely identified with Mayawati. Paradoxically, the Mayawati rule saw atrocities against Dalits going up, which activists explained as a sign of Dalit assertion. Earlier, Dalits could not muster the courage to approach the police or file complaints, they said. On the flip side, Dalit writers such as Chandra Bhan, Badri Narayan, D R Darapuri and others felt that in her bid to court savarna (upper castes), Mayawati neglected her Dalit cause which, in turn, weakened her political stature from 2012 onwards. After Mayawatis defeat in 2012 UP polls, Darapuri wrote, The main factors responsible for decline in Mayawatis Dalit vote bank are her corruption, misgovernance, lack of development, neglect of Dalit atrocities and her autocratic stance. Most of the Dalits have also not relished Mayawatis excessive idolisation by ignoring Dalit issues. In an attempt to keep her savarna voters in good humour by neglecting dalit atrocities, Mayawati made the Dalits suffer doubly. In order to keep Dalit atrocity crime figures low, under the pretext of misuse of this Act (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act 1989), she diluted it in writing in 2001 and, later on, through oral hints. This took a heavy toll on Dalits. The result was that neither the culprits were punished due to non-registration of cases, nor Dalits could get monetary compensation admissible under the rules of this Act. PV Narasimha Rao described Mayawati as a miracle of democracy when she became UP CM for the first time in 1995. (Photo: File/Agencies) In June 1995, when Mayawati had become the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for the first time, at the head of a coalition government, Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao was away in France. Addressing the captains of trade and industry in Paris, Rao described Mayawati as a miracle of democracy and marvelled in jest at how a woman hailing from the most neglected section of the society had assumed the powerful office of the chief minister. On 11 May 2007, the miracle of democracy was seen paying respects to herself. Her childhood ambition was to become a DM. She became the CM. (Photo: Reuters) At the Prerna Sthal temple inside the BSP headquarters at Lucknow, Mayavati stood in silence for a minute before three tall deities BR Ambedkar, Kanshi Ram and herself. As she stepped out of the temple, it began to rain. Some Lucknowites, who were sweating in the 40C heat that day, took it as divine approval for the change of guard in Uttar Pradesh. Inside the temple, a flash of memories must have come to Mayawatis mind: Years ago, sometime around 1977, she was just out of college and busy preparing for the civil services when she met Kanshi Ram for the first time. He told her matter-of-factly that while she wished to become a DM (district magistrate), she should follow his path and she would become the CM one day. Kanshi Ram could see the mass leader in Mayawati. (Photo: Reuters) Kanshi Ram could see her controlling the masses and bringing about a better life for the oppressed Dalits all over the country. She could have immense control over hundreds of IAS officers, Kanshi Ram had reassured her, seeking her commitment with single-minded devotion. Born as Mayawati Prabhu Das on January 15, 1956, Mayawatis life has been extraordinary and inspirational. She spent her early life near Delhi at Badalpur, Noida where her father was a lowly postal department employee, who often struggled to pay the Rs 15 tuition fee for his children who studied at a local government school. Her life remained mundane and tough till she graduated from Delhis Kalindi College, did her law degree and B.Ed and settled for a school teachers job at Ghaziabad. But Mayawati would go on to become an icon, becoming Uttar Pradeshs chief minister on four occasions, and the highest tax-payer in the country and a curious package of contradictions. Mayawati will be a tough bargainer ahead of 2019. Gandhis need to learn to manage her. (Photo: Agencies) The Congress under Rahul Gandhi needs to master the art of managing contradictions and dealing with a tough bargainer like Mayawati who wants to have another run as a miracle of democracy from zero Lok Sabha seat in 2014 to prime minister's chair in 2019. Also Read: Lok Sabha elections 2019: How Mayawati and Rahul are playing political poker Guwahati: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday had registered a case and started investigation into the case of arresting Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists from Assam. A top official of NIA said that, the premier investigating agency has already registered a case taken over the investigation into the matter after arresting Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists from Assam. It is to be mentioned that, Qamar-uz-Zaman, a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist arrested by the Lucknow Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) from Kanpur on September 12. Qamar-uz-Zaman, who failed in his BA third year examination, went missing in 2017 until April 2018, but he had undergone training in Pakistan in 2017 and he had taken arms training under ISIS and joined Hizbul Mujahideen. After arrest of Qamar-uz-Zaman, Assam police had arrested eight Hizbul operatives from several areas of the state. Assam police have already arrested eight suspected Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists including Qamar-uz-Zamans childhood friend 39-year-old Shahnawaz Alam, his elder brother Saiful Islam. The top NIA official said that, the investigating agency will investigate all round of corners of the terrorist group and their activities. Earlier, Assam police had taken Qamar-uz-Zaman into their custody and NIA would likely to take him into their custody tomorrow. Assam police Special DG (Special Branch) Pallav Bhattacharya said that, Assam police brought him from Uttar Pradesh police on a transit remand and have to take him back to Uttar Pradesh for production in court on October 11. NIA will take over the investigation from October 11, the top Assam cop said. During the police interrogation, Qamar-uz-Zaman revealed that, he had visited Assam in August this year and met several people in Assams Hojai, Nagaon, Karbi Anglong and Barpeta districts. Qamar-uz-Zaman also met some leaders of two Assam based organisations and contacted some other people of Meghalaya, Nagaland during his last visit to Assam, a top Assam police official said. The world is full of questions to which no one seems to have answers. It defies all logic as to why Pakistan, a declared Islamic nation, is not only silent about the atrocities committed by the Chinese regime against its own Muslim citizens, but is happily playing second fiddle to China. Maoist menace There are still more questions which beg for answers. The Indian communists actively worked for the creation of a theocratic Pakistan. They supplied Muhammad Ali Jinnah with all the intellectual arguments he needed to justify his demand for an Islamic nation. With such a divisive record on their report card, the Left has the gumption to define itself as touchstone of Indian secularism! After Independence, the communists refused to accept India as a free country. They also rejected the Constitution and waged an armed war against the state of India. It was the indomitable Sardar Patel who put paid to the dream of Indian Left to turn democratic India into a communist dictatorship a la Red China and Soviet Union, identified with concentration camps, where millions of dissidents were left to rot and die. In spite of such a sordid past, the two terms, left and liberal, an oxymoron in reality, are hyphenated in public discourse in India! Why? Pakistani businessman Mirza Imran Baig and his compatriot sit outside the Pakistani embassy waiting for assistance in the cases of their wifes in Beijing, China. (Photo: Reuters) Maoists (an important component of the Left parivar) preach and practise violence. They are not only fighting an armed war against the state of India, but are also busy killing and maiming (in the most brutal manner) all those whom they chose to term as class enemies. In most cases, their victims are poor tribals or low-paid government servants. They do not allow any development activities (building of roads, bridges, schools or hospital buildings) in their area of influence. And those who extend overt and covert help to such diabolical characters in their evil deeds are termed as human rights activists by the media! Cut back to China. In this Communist country, out of the 141-crore population, Muslims account for 23 million about two per cent. They are mostly concentrated in two provinces, namely Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) and in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NHAR). Pakistan keeps its eyes shut over what is happening to fellow Muslims in China. (Photo: Reuters) Why is Pak silent? Media is full of reports of atrocities by the Chinese regime on the hapless Muslims with a view to obliterate their Islamic identity. Over one million Uygur Muslims are locked in horrificre-education camps, also known as transformation through education centres. Thousands of children who are locked up in these camps with their parents are now sent to orphanages. One can understand Chinese regimes crackdown on its citizens. It is in line with the communist ideology which has zero respect for human rights and dignity. But why is Pakistan silent on the issue? Pakistan claims to be a champion of all Islamic causes and justifies its proxy war against India as a part of its divine duty to destroy its kafir neighbour. But not only does Pakistan keep its eyes shut over what is happening to fellow Muslims in China, but has also ended up as its vassal state. Reports say Chinese authorities are also escalating a crackdown on Christians. They burn Bibles, shut down churches, and force believers to sign papers denouncing their faith. The authorities have confiscated illegal promotional materials, amid a deepening crackdown on Chinas underground churches. During the last few decades of Chinese occupation, Tibet has nearly lost its identity. The proud independent nation, known for its unique brand of Buddhism, is now a Chinese colony. (Courtesy of Mail Today) Also Read: Why China could lose its 'all-weather friend' Pakistan This Account has been suspended. Email me any time: farrorita@gmail.com Sewing + Thrift store shopping = Frankensewing. I love vintage linens, hanging my sheets out on the line to dry...and creating adventures for my two Grandchildren. Doing those very ordinary things -- and then BLOGGING about it -- is how I work things out. King Arthur Popover Recipe Preheat oven to 425 degrees... then preheat the Popover Pan...it needs to be screaming hot. 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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. There is not enough analysis data for Bonavista Energy Co. (BNP.TO). 3.6 Community Rank Outperform Votes Bonavista Energy Co. (BNP.TO) has received 352 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Bonavista Energy Co. (BNP.TO) has received 298 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Bonavista Energy Co. (BNP.TO) has received 54.15% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Bonavista Energy Co. (BNP.TO) and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe BNP will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe BNP will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next 8 hours ago Stocks wobble on Wall Street ahead of retailer earnings Stocks wobbled in afternoon trading on Wall Street Monday as the market comes off its first weekly loss in six weeks and investors move past the recent round of mostly solid corporate earnings. The S&P 500 was mostly unchanged as of 3:04 p.m. Read Article Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. is an international offshore energy company. It focuses on subsea construction, maintenance and salvage services to the offshore natural gas and oil industry. The firm also provides specialty services to the offshore energy industry, with a focus on well intervention and robotics operations. The company operates through three segments: Well Intervention, Robotics and Production Facilities. The Well Intervention segment offers vessels and related equipment that are used to perform well intervention services primarily in the Gulf of Mexico and North Sea regions. The Robotics segment involves four chartered vessels and also includes ROVs, trenchers and ROVDrills designed to complement offshore construction and well intervention services. The Production Facilities segment includes its investment in the Helix Producer I and Kommandor LLC. Helix Energy Solutions Group was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in Houston, TX. Read More Peopleas Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) 11 October 2018 Public Statement Punjab assembly recently passed a bill for an addition to IPC clause 295 to give life imprisonment for any ainjury, damage or sacrilegea of four religious books, (Guru Granth Sahib, Koran, Bible and Geeta) awith the intention to hurt the religious feelings of the peoplea. This is the first time in independent India that a punishment usually given for willfully murdering another human being has been recommended for defilement of religious books. In an article in Times of India (6/9/2018), Punjab chief minister Capt Amrinder Singh of Congress has justified the bill and tried to explain its context. From 2015 to 2017 before the last assembly elections, the state had witnessed more than one hundred cases of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs who form the majority in the state, and its torn pages were found at many places. Two people were killed in police firing on people protesting against this sacrilege. According to him, these acts of sacrilege were a conspiracy to spread communal unrest and amounted to anational security threat that needs to be dealt with an iron handa. A similar bill was passed by the earlier Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) government, asking for life imprisonment only for the defilement of Guru Granth Sahib. The bill was returned by the NDA central government with the argument that in singling out the holy book of Sikhs it went against the principle of secularism enshrined in the Indian constitution. Amrinder Singh government has now added the other three religious books, to make the bill aseculara. Many commentators, civil rights organisations and a group of retired bureaucrats have decried the bill. They have highlighted its anti-secular character, threat to freedom of expression, and potential for gross misuse by state authorities and fundamentalist forces. It needs to be noted that no major political party or organization of the state has come out against the bill. Only Dr Dharamveer Gandhi, the MP from Patiala, and non-parliamentary left groups in the state have given public statements against the bill. Some sections within Congress like Mr Chidambram have expressed their disagreement with the bill, but they are a small minority. The bill and the political support it has received are a sign of longstanding misunderstandings of secularism and political and administrative malpractices in India. Given the scale and number of incidents of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib in 2015-16, it is reasonable to assume that these were result of a conspiracy to agitate Sikhs for definite political ends. Further, it is also likely that this conspiracy enjoyed political patronage from certain sections of the political class of Punjab. The chief minister uses the image of airon handa a number of times in his article to emphasise the necessity of a tough response. Yet the fact remains that for nearly three years Punjab police and the two successive governments have completely failed to bring perpetrators of this communal conspiracy to book. This is not an uncommon occurrence. The most abominable communal conspiracy of the post independent India was for the destruction of Babri mosque in 1991. However, no one has been punished for that heinous crime till date. Needless to say, failures of state authority to apprehend and punish perpetrators of communal conspiracies have only emboldened communal forces. No atougha law can cover up this dereliction of a primary duty by Indian state. Punjab government believe that their law is secular since it prescribes equal punishment for sacrilege of books of all major religions. It is further argued that the motivation for the bill is not to protect any religious sentiment, which would be the case with religion based laws like Sharia laws in Pakistan, but to defeat plans of spreading communal strife. The latter it is claimed is a purely secular motivation without any sectarian interests. Both arguments are based upon a gross misunderstanding of secularism. Democratic states are expected to be secular so that every citizen enjoys equal right of religious freedom without any hindrance from the state or other citizens. Hence, by definition a secular state cannot encourage deliberate and mischievous sacrilege against any religion. However, it does not mean that it has to show aequal respecta to all religious practices. If any religious practice is found to violate requirements of democracy, then a secular state can declare it illegal. This is what the Constitution of India did with untouchability. This means that religious sentiments do not a priori enjoy greater privilege or value than other public sentiments. There is no reason why the hurt to religious feelings should attract greater punishment than the hurt caused by misogynist or casteist abuses. In fact since the latter are invariably meant to humiliate and assert power over women and Dalits, these should attract greater punishment. Any just legal system determines the severity of the crime on the basis of its fundamental values, and gives punishment in accordance with the degree of crime. By declaring sacrilege to be in the class of most serious crimes, the bill demands that religious sentiments enjoy greater importance than constitutional values like freedom from oppression, and fundamental rights. The second argument in favour of the bill confuses ahurt to religious feelingsa with communal strife. Believers of a religion can claim to be hurt by any number of statements or actions by others. In India the most commonly claimed causes of hurt to religious sentiments have been books, films, and scholarly research. The bill further adds to the quiver of hurt to religious sentiments by very mischievously adding asacrilegea to the list. The latter is a theological concept. Its practical implications are determined by religious doctrines, whose interpretations are the privilege of a religious establishment. Hence, the bill pushes Indian legal system very dangerously towards theocracy. All of the above do not have any connection with communal strife. The latter occurs when public peace is affected due to a clash, physical attack on citizens, or destruction of property. If a group of believers claiming to be hurt by a statement or action by someone else go on a rampage, then they are responsible for communal strife, and need to be punished. Passing on the guilt of communal strife to the supposed cause of the hurt cannot be sustained legally. The bill shifts the constitutional balance between fundamental rights of freedom of expression and religion on the one side and the powers of the sate machinery and organized social bodies to restrain these rights on the other. In the current social context when rationalists like Dr Dabholkar, Dr Panasare, Prof Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh have been murdered for hurting Hindutva religious sentiments, M Farook of Coimbtore was hacked to death by Islamic fundamentalists for declaring himself to be an atheist, and lynch mobs are targeting minority citizens in the name of cow protection, it is necessary to reaffirm the primacy of rights to life, freedom of expression, and conscience. The bill goes in the opposite direction and willy nilly strengthens the hand of fundamentalists. It needs to be noted that article 19(1) of the constitution does not permit any restraint on the freedom of speech on the basis of sacrilege. The right to freedom of religion includes the right to critically assess existing religious beliefs to fashion different beliefs. That is how any religious reform takes place. Many Sikhs in Punjab keep Guru Granth Sahib at home and pray to it. Anyone seeking personal vendetta may claim ainjury (or) damagea to the book kept at someoneas home. The bill appears to be designed for misuse. Internal reform, rationalist critique, scholarly investigations, and everyday religious practices, any of these can be declared crimes under the bill. While the two successive governments of Punjab failed to nab conspirators of the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib in 2015-16, the people of Punjab gave a fitting reply to the conspiracy by not falling for it. Public peace was largely maintained and the state had a peaceful transition of government in subsequent elections. Instead of learning from the people, both the Congress and the SAD are taking Punjab along a dangerous path that will gladden only communal fundamentalists. Both parties are kowtowing to communal fundamentalist demands that are against constitutional secularism and freedoms of expression and religion. Peopleas Alliance for Secularism and Democracy demands that the bill passed by the Punjab assembly be scrapped. If the Amrinder Singh Government persists with it, then the central government should prevent it from becoming the law of the land. Released by Peopleas Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS) Battini Rao, Convenor PADS (95339 75195, battini.rao[at]gmail.com) iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF's stock was trading at $123.88 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, LQD stock has increased by 6.5% and is now trading at $131.97. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Weatherford International plc, an oilfield service company, provides equipment and services for the drilling, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention of oil and natural gas wells worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Western Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere. It offers artificial lift systems, including reciprocating rod, progressing cavity pumping, gas, hydraulic, plunger, and hybrid lift systems, as well as related automation and control systems; pressure pumping and reservoir stimulation services, such as acidizing, fracturing and fluid systems, cementing, and coiled-tubing intervention; and drill stem test tools, and surface well testing and multiphase flow measurement services. The company also provides safety, downhole reservoir monitoring, flow control, and multistage fracturing systems, as well as sand-control technologies, and production and isolation packers; liner hangers to suspend a casing string in high-temperature and high-pressure wells; cementing products, including plugs, float and stage equipment, and torque-and-drag reduction technology for zonal isolation; and pre-job planning and installation services. In addition, it offers directional drilling services, and logging and measurement services while drilling; services related to rotary-steerable systems, high-temperature and high-pressure sensors, drilling reamers, and circulation subs; managed pressure drilling, conventional mud-logging, drilling instrumentation, gas analysis, wellsite consultancy, and open hole and cased-hole logging services; reservoir solutions and software products; and intervention and remediation services. Further, the company provides equipment and drilling tools; tubular handling, management, and connection services; equipment rental services; and onshore contract drilling and related services through a fleet of land drilling and workover rigs. Weatherford International plc was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in Baar, Switzerland. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.: 2235158 Alberta Limited, A.J. 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Insurance, Meyers-Reynolds & Associates, Mid America Group, Midwest Surety Services, Mike Henry Insurance Brokers, Mike Henry Insurance Brokers Limited, Mike Henry Insurance Funding Limited, Miller Buettner & Parrott, Miller-Harrison Insurance Services, Milne Alexander Pty Ltd, Minvielle & Chastanet Insurance Brokers, Monument Insurance (NZ) Limited, Monument Llc, Monument Premium Funding Limited, Mortgage Insurance Agency, Murphy Consultants, Mutual Insurance Services, NationAir Aviation Insurance, National Administration Co., National Ethics Association, National Transportation Adjusters, Nelson/Monarch Insurance Services, Nicoud Insurance Services, NiiS/Apex Group Holdings, Nonprofit Insurance Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Noraxis Capital Corp, Nordic Forsakring & Riskhantering AB, North Alabama Insurance, Nourse Insurance Brokers, O'Gorman & Young, OAMPS (UK) Limited, OAMPS Gault Armstrong Pty Ltd, OAMPS Limited, OAMPS Special Risks Ltd, Offshore Market Placements Limited, Optimum Talent, Orb Financial Services, Orb Financial Services Limited, Osprey Insurance Brokers Limited, Oval Group, Oval Healthcare Limited, Oval Insurance Broking Limited, Oval Limited, Oval Management Services Limited, Oxygen Insurance Managers, P2 Group, PEN Insurance Management Advisors Ltd, PT IBS Insurance Broking Service, Pacific Insurance Agency, Palmer Atlantic Insurance, Palmer Atlantic Insurance Ltd, Palmer Atlantic Risk Services Ltd., Park Row Associates, Parkstar Enterprises Pty Ltd, Parmia Pty Ltd, PartnerSource, Pastel Holding (NZ) Company, Pastel Holdings Pty Limited, Pastel Purchaser (NZ) Limited, Pastel Purchaser Pty Limited, Pavey Group Holdings (UK) Limited, Pavey Group Holdings Limited, Pavey Group Limited, Pearson Dunn Insurance Inc., Pen Underwriting Canada Limited, Pen Underwriting Group Pty. Ltd., Pen Underwriting Limited, Pen Underwriting Pty Ltd, Persing Dyckman & Toynbee Inc., Personal Advice Services Pty Ltd, Petty Burton Associates, Pointer Insurance Agency, Portmore Insurance Brokers (Wilshire) Limited, Portmore Insurance Brokers Limited, Potter-Holden & Co., Powell Insurance Agency, Premier Insurance Services Inc., Premier Risk Services, Premium Finance Corporation, Preston-Patterson, ProSource Financial, Professional Agents Risk Purchasing Group LLC, Professional Claims Managers, Proinova AB, Proinova Agency AB, Pronto California Agency LLC, Pronto California General Agency LLC, Pronto Florida Claims LLC, Pronto Florida General Agency LLC, Pronto Franchise LLC, Pronto General Agency Ltd, Pronto General Agency Management LLC, Pronto Holdco Inc., Pronto Holding California LLC, Pronto Holding Florida LLC, Pronto Insurance Agency of Laredo Inc., Pronto Premium Finance LLC, Property & Commercial Ltd., Property Insurance Initatives Limited, Property and Commercial Limited, Protected Insurance Company, Protection Plan Association Inc., Protek Group Limited, Providium Consulting Group, Ptarmigan Underwriting Agency Limited, Ptarmigan Underwriting UK Limited, Purple Bridge Claims Management Limited, Purple Bridge Finance Limited, Purple Bridge Group Limited, Purple Bridge Investments Limited, Purple Bridge Online Services Limited, Purple Bridge Publishing Limited, Quantum Underwriting Solutions Limited, Quillco 226 Limited, Quillco 227 Limited, R. L. Youngdahl & Associates, R.G. Speno Inc., R.W. Scobie, RA Rossborough (Guernsey) Ltd., RA Rossborough (Insurance Brokers) Ltd, REGENCY Group inc., RGA Referencing Limited, RGA Underwriting Limited, RIL Administrators (Guernsey) Ltd., RJ Dutton Inc., RSM Insurance Services Limited, Reassurance Holdings Inc., Rebholz Insurance Agency, Reid Manson Ltd., Reimbursement Services, Rentguard Limited, Reward Management Limited, Reynolds & Rodar Insurance Group, Riley & Associates, Rio 587 Limited, Rio 588 Limited, Risk & Reward Group, Risk Management Partners Limited, Risk Placement Services Inc., Risk Planners, Risk Services (NW) Limited, Risk Services (NW) Ltd., Risk Solutions Group Limited, Robert A. Schneider Agency, Robert Keith & Associates, Roberts & Roberts Insurance Service, Robinson-Adams Insurance, Rossborough Healthcare International Ltd, Rossborough Insurance (IOM) Ltd., Rossborough Insurance Services Ltd. (Jersey), S. A. Freerks & Associates, SEG Insurance Ltd, SGB-NIA Insurance Brokers, SHILLING Ltd, SKANCO International, SMERI AB, SRS Underwriting Pty Ltd, Secure Enterprises Pty Ltd, Securitas Re, Sellers Group, Sentinel Indemnity LLC, Septagon Insurance PCC Limited, Shuford Insurance Agency, Sigma II Insurance Agency, Sinclair Billard and Weld Limited, Sobieski & Bradley, Solid Benefit Guidance, Spanjers Insurance Agency, Spataro Insurance Agency, Specialised Broking Associates, Specialty Risk, Stackhouse Poland, Stackhouse Poland Bidco Limited, Stackhouse Poland Group Limited, Stackhouse Poland Holdings Limited, Stackhouse Poland Midco Limited, Stackouse Poland Limited, Stanton Group, Stark Johnson & Stinson Inc., Steel Agency, Strata Solicitors Ltd, Strategic Health Plans Corp., Strathearn Insurance Brokers, Strathearn Insurance Brokers (Qld) Trading Trust, Strathern Insurance Group Pty Ltd, Strathern Integration Holdco Pty Ltd, Strathern Unit Trust, Strong Financial Resources, Summit Insurance Group, Sunday and Associates, Sunderland Insurance Services, Super Advice Corporate Services Pty Ltd, Taylor Benefits, Texas Insurance Agency, Texas Insurance Managers, The BeneTex Group, The Buchholz Planning, The Chapman Group, The Commonwealth Consulting Group, The Daniels Group Inc., The EHE Group LLC, The EHE Insurance Agency LLC, The Eagle Insurance Agency LLC, The Eriksen Group, The Forker Company, The Gleason Agency, The Great Lakes Agency, The HR Group, The Hawk Agency, The Human Capital Group, The Lance Group, The Levitt/Kristan Co., The MW Bagnall Company, The Old Greenwich Consulting Group, The Parks Johnson Agency, The Plus Companies Inc., The Presidio Group, The Producers Choice, The Rains Group, The Splinter Group, The Titan Group, The Treiber Group, The Woodsmall Companies Inc., Title & Covenant Brokers Ltd., Title Investments Limited, Tom Sherwin Insurance Agency, Total Reward Group, Total Rewards Group (Holdings) Limited, Towle Agency, Transwestern, Tri-State General Insurance Agency, Triad Insurance Agency, Triad USA, Tribeca Strategic Advisors, Trinder & Norwood, Trip Mate, Trissel Graham & Toole, Tropp & Co., Tudor Risk Services, Tyloma Holdings Limited, Uni-Care Inc., Unison Inc., Universico Group, Unoccupied Direct Limited, V2V Holdings LLC, VEBA Service Group, Vasek Insurance Services Limited, Velo ACU LLC, Velo Holdings Inc., Verbag AG., Vertrue LLC, Victory Insurance Agency, Vincent L. Braband Insurance, Vital Benefits, Voluntary Benefits Solutions, W. E. Kingsley Co. Inc., WM. W. George & Associates, Walker Taylor Agency, Welling Associates, Wesfarmers Insurance - Insurance Brokerage Operations, Western Benefit Solutions, White & Company Insurance, Whitehaven Insurance Group, William Gallagher Associates Insurance Brokers, William H. Connolly & Co., Williams Insurance Agency Inc., Williams-Manny Insurance Group, Winn & Company Insurance Brokers, Wischmeyer Benefit Partners, Woodbrook Underwriting Agencies, Woods & Grooms, WorkCare Northwest, Worksite Communications, Y. S. Liedman & Associates, YOA Capsicum Reinsurance Broker Limited, Zenor Limited, Zuber Insurance Agency, and e3 Financial. William Lyon Homes (NYSE:WLH) issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November, 6th. The construction company reported $0.37 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the Thomson Reuters' consensus estimate of $0.30 by $0.07. The construction company earned $466.90 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $487.15 million. William Lyon Homes had a trailing twelve-month return on equity of 6.98% and a net margin of 3.04%. The company's revenue for the quarter was down 12.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.68 earnings per share. View William Lyon Homes' earnings history. The following companies are subsidiares of Crown: Adularia Inversiones 2010 S.L., Angleboard Sweden AB, Bates Cargo-Pak ApS, Butimove, CMB Machinery and Technology (Shanghai) Co Ltd, CROWN AP (Thailand) Company Limited, CROWN Aerosols & Promotional Nederland, CROWN Aerosols Italia Srl, CROWN Aerosols Nederland BV, CROWN Aerosols UK Limited, CROWN Americas LLC, CROWN Arabia Can Company Ltd, CROWN Asia Pacific Holdings Pte. Ltd., CROWN Asia Pacific Investments (T) Limited, CROWN Bevcan Espana S.L., CROWN Bevcan France SAS, CROWN Bevcan Slovakia s.r.o., CROWN Bevcan Turkiye Ambalaj Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, CROWN Bevcan and Closures (Thailand) Company Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans (Cambodia) Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans (Dong Nai) Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Beijing Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Changchun Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Danang Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Hangzhou Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Hanoi Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Heshan Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Hong Kong Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Huizhou Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Malaysia Sdn Bhd, CROWN Beverage Cans Nanning Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Putian Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Saigon Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Shanghai Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Sihanoukville Limited, CROWN Beverage Cans Singapore Pte. Ltd., CROWN Beverage Cans Ziyang Limited, CROWN Beverage Packaging LLC, CROWN Beverage Packaging Puerto Rico Inc., CROWN Cans Ghana Limited, CROWN China Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited, CROWN Commercial Belgium BVBA, CROWN Commercial France SAS, CROWN Commercial Germany GmbH & Co. KG, CROWN Commercial Hungary Kft, CROWN Commercial Netherlands B.V., CROWN Commercial Vermogensverwaltung GmbH, CROWN Cork & Seal USA Inc., CROWN Embalagens Metalicas da Amazonia S.A., CROWN Emballage France SAS, CROWN Emirates Company Limited, CROWN Envases Mexico S.A. de C.V., CROWN Famosa S.A. de C.V., CROWN Food Packaging (Thailand) Public Company Limited, CROWN Foodcan (Hat Yai) Company Limited, CROWN Foodcan (Nakhon Pathom) Company Limited, CROWN Foodcan Germany GmbH, CROWN Foodcan GmbH, CROWN Imballaggi Italia Srl, CROWN Imgallaggi Italia Srl, CROWN Italy Finance srl, CROWN Khmer Beverage Cans Limited, CROWN Maghreb Can, CROWN Magyarorszag Csomagoloipari KFT, CROWN Metal Packaging Canada Inc., CROWN Metal Packaging Canada LP, CROWN Middle East Can Co. Ltd., CROWN Packaging (Barbados) Limited, CROWN Packaging Holdings LLC, CROWN Packaging Investment (H.K.) Limited, CROWN Packaging Ireland Ltd, CROWN Packaging Jamaica Limited, CROWN Packaging Polska Sp.z.o.o., CROWN Packaging Technology Inc., CROWN Packaging Trinidad Limited, CROWN Packaging UK Limited, CROWN Promotional Packaging UK Ltd, CROWN SIEM, CROWN Senegal, CROWN Societe Malgache d'Emballages Metalliques, CROWN Speciality Packaging BV, CROWN Speciality Packaging Investment Pte. Ltd., CROWN Specialty Packaging UK Ltd, CROWN TCP Beverage Cans Company Limited, CROWN Verpakking Belgie NV, CROWN Verpakking Nederland B.V., Caretex Asia Ltd., CarnaudMetalbox Engineering Ltd, CarnaudMetalbox Food South Africa (Pty) Limited, CarnaudMetalbox Group UK Limited, CarnaudMetalbox Overeseas Limited, CarnaudMetalbox Overseas Limited, Cierres Hermeticos S.A. DE C.V., Constar International, Crown Americas Capital Corp., Crown Americas Capital Corp. II, Crown Americas Capital Corp. III, Crown Americas Capital Corp. IV, Crown Americas Capital Corp. V, Crown Americas Capital Corp. VI, Crown Brasil Holdings Ltda., Crown Canadian Holdings ULC, Crown Closures Spain S.L., Crown Colombiana S.A., Crown Comercial de Envases S.L., Crown Commercial Italy Srl, Crown Commercial Polska Sp. z.o.o., Crown Consultants Inc., Crown Cork & Seal Company (DE) LLC, Crown Cork & Seal Company Inc., Crown Cork & Seal Deutschland Holdings GmbH, Crown Cork & Seal Receivables (DE) Corporation, Crown Cork & Seal de Portugal Embalagens S.A., Crown Cork Kuban, Crown Cork and Seal Receivables II LLC, Crown Developpement SAS, Crown European Holdings, Crown Food Espana S.A.U., Crown Foodcan Turkey Ambalaj Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Crown Hellas Can Packaging SA, Crown Heshan Trading Company Limited, Crown Holdings Italia Srl, Crown Holdings Spain S.L., Crown International Holdings B.V., Crown International Holdings Inc., Crown Luxembourg Holdings, Crown Mexican Holdings S. de R.L. de C.V., Crown Overseas Investments B.V., Crown Packaging Commercial UK Limited, Crown Packaging Distribution UK Limited, Crown Packaging European Division GmbH, Crown Packaging European Division Services SAS, Crown Packaging European Holdings GmbH, Crown Packaging Lux I S.a.r.l., Crown Packaging Lux II S.a.r.l., Crown Packaging Lux III S.a.r.l., Crown Packaging Manufacturing UK Limited, Crown Packaging Maroc, Crown Receivables III, Crown Services Iberia, Crown UK Holdings Limited, Crownway Insurance Company, Dacro B.V., EMPAQUE, Fabricas Monterrey S.A. de C.V., Form Koruyucu Ambalaj Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Foshan Continental Can Co. Limited, Foshan Crown Easy-Opening End Co. Limited, Glass & Silice S.A. DE C.V., Globoplastt s.r.o., Gunther S.A.S., Haloila Bulgaria EOOD, Interstrap B.V., Josef Kihlberg AB, Kiwiplan GmbH, Kiwiplan Inc, Lachenmeier ApS, Liljendals Bruk AB, Litec France S.A.S., Mezger Heftsysteme GmbH, Mima Films S.a.r.l., Mima Films Sprl, Mima Packaging Systems S.A.S., Mivisa, Nordic S.A.S., Norsk Signode AS, Oy M. Haloila AB, PT CROWN Beverage Cans Indonesia, Package Design and Manufacturing, Prolatamex S.A. DE C.V., Quandel Verpackungs- und Foerdertechnik GmbH, SMB Schwede Maschinenbau GmbH, SMP Schwede Maschinenbau Weischlitz GmbH, SPG Denmark, SPG France Holdings SAS, SPG Germany Service Management GmbH, SPG Industrial Packaging S.a.r.l, SPG Netherlands B.V., SPG Packaging Ireland Limited, SPG Packaging Systems GmbH, SPG Packaging UK Ltd, Scybele S.A.S., Shippers Europe S.p.r.l., Signode BVBA, Signode Brasileira Ltda, Signode Hong Kong Limited, Signode Industrial Group, Signode Industrial Group AB, Signode Industrial Group Colombia S.A.S., Signode Industrial Group GmbH, Signode Industrial Group Holdings Lux S.a.r.l., Signode Industrial Group Holdings US Inc, Signode Industrial Group Lux S.A., Signode Industrial Group Mexico, Signode Industrial Group Sweden AB, Signode International Holdings LLC, Signode International IP Holdings LLC, Signode International Investment LLC, Signode Kabushiki Kaisha, Signode Korea Inc, Signode NZ Limited, Signode Netherlands B.V., Signode Packaging (Qingdao) Co., Signode Packaging (Shanghai) Co., Signode Packaging Espana S.L., Signode Packaging Group (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Signode Packaging Group Australia Pty Ltd, Signode Packaging Group Canada ULC, Signode Packaging Group NZ, Signode Packaging Systems Limited, Signode Pickling Holding LLC, Signode Polska sp. Z.o.o., Signode Singapore Pte. Ltd., Signode Sweden Holdings AB, Signode System GmbH, Signode System Packaging GmbH & Co. KG, Signode Systems (Thailand) Ltd., Signode US IP Holdings LLC, Silice De Veracruz S.A. DE C. V., Silice Del Istmo S.A. DE C.V., Silices De Veracruz, Societe Civile Immobiliere Rousseau-Ivry, Societe Civile Immobiliere des Baquets, Societe de Participations CarnaudMetalbox, Stopak India Pvt. Ltd, Strapex Austria GmbH, Strapex Embalagem L.d.a., Strapex Holdings Limited, Strapex S.A.S., Strapex Srl, Superior Investments Holdings Pte. Ltd., Superior Multi-Packaging Limited, TopFrame LLC, V.A.C. B.V., Vichisa S.A. de C.V., and Warehouse Automation Iberia S.L.. Ascential plc provides business-to-business information services in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the United States, Canada, the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. The company operates through four segments: Product Design, Marketing, Sales, and Built Environment and Policy. It offers industry-specific business intelligence, insights, and forecasting through data and digital subscription tools. The company was formerly known as Trident Floatco PLC and changed its name to Ascential plc in January 2016. Ascential plc was incorporated in 2016 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Read More Bacanora Minerals Ltd. is a developer and explorer of industrial minerals. The Company is engaged in exploration and development of mineral properties in Mexico. It is focused on its Sonora Lithium Project, and has a borates project located near the town of Magdalena de Kino, north of Hermosillo, Mexico. The Sonora Lithium Project consists of approximately 10 contiguous concessions covering over 94,186 hectares. The concessions include La Ventana, La Ventana 1, El Sauz, El Sauz 1, El Sauz 2, Fleur, Fleur 2, San Gabriel and Buenavista. These concessions are located approximately 190 kilometers northeast of the city of Hermosillo, in Sonora State, Mexico. The Magdalena Borate Project consists of approximately seven concessions, with a total area of approximately 16,503 hectares. The borate zones located on the Magdalena Borates Project are the Cajon Borate Deposit (Cajon); Bellota, and Pozo Nuevo. The Company's other target in Magdalena Borates Project includes the Represo prospect. 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 Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates through Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Global Wealth Management segments. The company offers financial advice and solutions, and day-to-day banking products, including debit and credit cards, chequing and saving accounts, investments, mortgages, loans, and insurance to individuals; and business banking solutions comprising lending, deposit, cash management, and trade finance solutions to small businesses and commercial customers, including automotive financing solutions to dealers and their customers. It also provides wealth management advice and solutions, including online brokerage, mobile investment, full-service brokerage, trust, private banking, and private investment counsel services; and retail mutual funds, exchange traded funds, liquid alternative funds, and institutional funds. In addition, the company offers international banking services for retail, corporate, and commercial customers; and lending and transaction, investment banking advisory, and capital markets access services to corporate customers. Further, it provides Internet, mobile, and telephone banking services. The company operates a network of 952 branches and approximately 3,540 automated banking machines in Canada; and approximately 1,400 branches, 5,200 ATMs, and 22 contact centers internationally. The Bank of Nova Scotia was founded in 1832 and is headquartered in Halifax, Canada. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Barclays: Adler Toy Holding Sarl, Aequor Investments Limited, Alymere Investments Limited, Alynore Investments Limited Partnership, Analog Analytics, Analog Analytics Inc, Analytical Trade Holdings LLC, Analytical Trade Investments LLC, Analytical Trade UK Limited, Archstone Equity Holdings Inc, Ardencroft Investments Limited, B D & B Investments Limited, B.P.B. (Holdings) Limited, BB Client Nominees Limited, BBAIL SAS, BCAP LLC, BIFML PTC Limited, BMBF (No.24) Limited, BMI (No.9) Limited, BNC Brazil Consultoria Empresarial Ltda, BNRI ENG 2013 Limited Partnership, BNRI ENG 2014 Limited Partnership, BNRI ENG GP LLP, BNRI England 2010 Limited Partnership, BNRI England 2011 Limited Partnership, BNRI England 2012 Limited Partnership, BNRI Limehouse No.1 Sarl, BNRI PIA Scot GP Limited, BNRI Scots GP LLP, BPB Holdings SA, BVP Galvani Global S.A.U., Barafor Limited, Barclay Leasing Limited, Barclaycard Funding PLC, Barclaycard International Payments Limited, Barclays (Barley) Limited, Barclays Aldersgate Investments Limited, Barclays Alzin Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Asia Limited, Barclays Asset Management Limited, Barclays BR Investments S.a r.l., Barclays BWA Inc., Barclays Bank (Suisse) S.A., Barclays Bank Delaware, Barclays Bank Ireland PLC, Barclays Bank Ireland Public Limited Company, Barclays Bank Mexico S.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Barclays Bank UK PLC, Barclays Bayard Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Bedivere Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Bordang Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Brasil Assessoria Financeira Ltda., Barclays CCP Funding LLC, Barclays Cantal Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Capital (Cayman) Limited, Barclays Capital Asia Holdings Limited, Barclays Capital Asia Limited, Barclays Capital Canada Inc., Barclays Capital Casa de Bolsa S.A. de C.V., Barclays Capital Derivatives Funding LLC, Barclays Capital Effekten GmbH, Barclays Capital Energy Inc., Barclays Capital Equities Trading GP, Barclays Capital Finance Limited, Barclays Capital Futures (Singapore) Private Limited, Barclays Capital Holdings (Singapore) Private Limited, Barclays Capital Holdings Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Barclays Capital Japan Securities Holdings Limited, Barclays Capital Luxembourg S.a r.l., Barclays Capital Mauritius Limited, Barclays Capital Nominees (No.2) Limited, Barclays Capital Nominees (No.3) Limited, Barclays Capital Nominees Limited, Barclays Capital Principal Investments Limited, Barclays Capital Real Estate Finance Inc., Barclays Capital Real Estate Holdings Inc., Barclays Capital Real Estate Inc., Barclays Capital Securities Client Nominee Limited, Barclays Capital Securities Limited, Barclays Capital Securities Mauritius Limited, Barclays Capital Trading Luxembourg S.a r.l., Barclays Claudas Investments Partnership, Barclays Claudas Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Commercial Mortgage Securities LLC, Barclays Converted Investments (No.2) Limited, Barclays Corporation Limited, Barclays Direct Investing Nominees Limited, Barclays Directors Limited, Barclays Dryrock Funding LLC, Barclays Electronic Commerce Holdings Inc., Barclays Equity Holdings Limited, Barclays Equity Index Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Europe Client Nominees Designated Activity Company, Barclays Europe Firm Nominees Designated Activity Company, Barclays Europe Nominees Designated Activity Company, Barclays Executive Schemes Trustees Limited, Barclays Financial LLC, Barclays Financial Planning Nominee Company Limited, Barclays Funds Investments Limited, Barclays Funds and Advisory Japan Limited, Barclays Global Service Centre Private Limited, Barclays Global Shareplans Nominee Limited, Barclays Group Holdings Limited, Barclays Group Operations Limited, Barclays Group US Inc., Barclays Index Finance Trust, Barclays Industrial Development Limited, Barclays Industrial Investments Limited, Barclays Insurance Guernsey PCC Limited, Barclays Insurance Services Company Limited, Barclays Insurance U.S. Inc., Barclays International Luxembourg Dollar Holdings S.a r.l., Barclays Investment Management Limited, Barclays Investment Solutions Limited, Barclays Investments & Loans (India) Limited, Barclays Korea GP Limited, Barclays Lamorak Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Leasing (No.9) Limited, Barclays Leto Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Long Island Limited, Barclays Luxembourg EUR Holdings S.a r.l, Barclays Luxembourg Finance S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg GBP Holdings S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg Global Funding S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Barclays Luxembourg Holdings SSC B, Barclays Marlist Limited, Barclays Mauritius Overseas Holdings Limited, Barclays Mercantile Business Finance Limited, Barclays Merchant Bank (Singapore) Ltd., Barclays Nominees (George Yard) Limited, Barclays Nominees (Guernsey) Limited, Barclays Nominees (Jersey) Limited, Barclays Nominees (Manx) Limited, Barclays Oversight Management Inc., Barclays Payment Solutions Inc., Barclays Pelleas Investments Limited Partnership, Barclays Pelleas Investments S.a r.l., Barclays Pension Funds Trustees Limited, Barclays Principal Investments Limited, Barclays Private Asset Management (Monaco) S.A.M, Barclays Private Bank, Barclays Private Clients International Limited, Barclays Receivables LLC, Barclays SAMS Limited, Barclays Securities (India) Private Limited, Barclays Securities Japan Limited, Barclays Security Trustee Limited, Barclays Services (Japan) Limited, Barclays Services Corporation, Barclays Services Jersey Limited, Barclays Services LLC, Barclays Services Limited, Barclays Shea Limited, Barclays Singapore Global Shareplans Nominee Limited, Barclays Switzerland Services SA, Barclays Tenedora De Immuebles SL., Barclays Term Funding Limited Liability Partnership, Barclays UK Investments Limited, Barclays US CCP Funding LLC, Barclays US Funding LLC, Barclays US GPF Inc., Barclays US Investments Inc., Barclays US LLC, Barclays Unquoted Investments Limited, Barclays Unquoted Property Investments Limited, Barclays Wealth Management Jersey Limited, Barclays Wealth Nominees Limited, Barclays Wealth Services Limited, Barclays Wealth Trustees (India) Private Limited, Barclayshare Nominees Limited, Barclaytrust Channel Islands Limited, Barcosec Limited, Barsec Nominees Limited, Blossom Finance General Partnership, Branchcall Computers (Pvt) Limited, Braven Investments No.1 Limited, CP Flower Guaranteeco (UK) Limited, CP Newco 1 Limited, CP Newco2 Limited, CP Newco3 Limited, CP Propco 1 Limited, CP Propco 2 Limited, CP Topco Limited, CPIA Canada Holdings, CPIA England 2008 Limited Partnership, CPIA England 2009 Limited Partnership, CPIA England No.2 Limited Partnership, CPIA Investments No.1 Limited, CPIA Investments No.2 Limited, CRE Diversified Holdings LLC, CREW Tahoe Holdings LLC, CREW Tahoe LLC, Calthorpe Investments Limited, Capton Investments Limited, Carnegie Holdings Limited, Central Platte Valley Management LLC, Chapelcrest Investments Limited, Charles Schwab Europe, Claudas Investments Limited, Claudas Investments Two Limited, Clydesdale Financial Services Limited, Cobalt Investments Limited, Compania Regional del Sur S.A., Compania Sudamerica S.A., Condor No.1 Limited Partnership, Cornwall Homes Loans Limited, Crescent Crown Land Holding SPV LLC, Crescent Legacy LLC, Crescent Plaza Residential L.P., Crescent Plaza Residential LLC, Crescent Plaza Residential LP LLC, Crescent Real Estate Member LLC, Crescent Resort Development LLC, Crescent TRS Holdings LLC, Crescent Tower Residences GP LLC, Crescent Tower Residences L.P., Curve Investments GP, DBL Texas Holdings LLC, DMW Realty Limited, Desert Mountain Development LLC, Desert Mountain Properties Limited Partnership, Develop Training Group Limited, Dorset Home Loans Limited, Durlacher Nominees Limited, EWRD Summit LLC, Eagle Financial and Leasing Services (UK) Limited, East West Resort Development V L.P. L.L.L.P., East West Resort Development VII LLC, Equity Limited Partnership, Equity Value Investments No.1 Limited, Equity Value Investments No.2 Limited, Erimon Home Loans Ireland Limited, Expobank, FIRSTPLUS Financial Group Limited, Finpart Nominees Limited, First Assurance, Foltus Investments Limited, Full House Holdings Limited, Gallen Investments Limited, Global Dynasty Natural Resource Private, Globe Nominees Limited, Gracechurch Services Corporation, Grays Station LLC, Grupo Financiero Barclays Mexico S.A. de C.V., Hawkins Funding Limited, Heraldglen Limited, Holding Stuttgarter Strae GmbH, Hurley Investments No.1 Limited, Imalivest Mineral Resources LP, Investors In Infrastructure Limited, J.V. Estates Limited, JV Assets Limited, Kirsche Investments Limited, LTDL Holdings LLC, La Torretta Beverages LLC, La Torretta Hospitality LLC, La Torretta Operations LLC, Lagalla Investments LLC, Leonis Investments LLP, Liability Partnership, Long Island Assets Limited, Long Island Holding A LLC, Long Island Holding B Limited, MK Opportunities GP Ltd, MK Opportunities LP, MVWP Investors LLC, Maloney Investments Limited, Marbury Holdings LLC, Menlo Investments Limited, Mercantile Credit Company Limited, Mercantile Leasing Company (No.132) Limited, Meridian (SPV-AMC) Corporation, Mintaka Investments No. 4 Limited, Mira Vista Development LLC, Mira Vista Golf Club L.C., Mountainside Partners LLC, Murray House Investment Management Limited, Naxos Investments Limited, Nile Bank, North Colonnade Investments Limited, Northstar Mountain Properties LLC, Northstar Trailside Townhomes LLC, Northstar Village Townhomes LLC, Northwharf Investments Limited, Northwharf Nominees Limited, OGP Leasing Limited, Oakes Millers Ltd, Ownership Trustee Limited, PIA England No.2 Limited Partnership, Palomino Limited, Pecan Aggregator LP, Pelleas Investments Limited, Pelleas Investments Two Limited, Pippin Island Investments Limited, Preferred Liquidity LLC, Preferred Liquidity Limited Partnership, Procella Investments LLC, Procella Investments No.1 LLC, Procella Investments No.2 LLC, Procella Investments No.3 LLC, Protium Finance I LLC, Protium Master Grantor Trust, Protium Master Mortgage LP, Protium REO I LP, R.C. Grieg Nominees Limited, RVH Limited, RVT CLO Investments LLP, Razzoli Investments Limited, Real Estate Participation Management Limited, Real Estate Participation Services Limited, Relative Value Holdings LLC, Relative Value Investments UK Limited, Relative Value Trading Limited, Roder Investments No. 1 Limited, Roder Investments No. 2 Limited, Ruthenium Investments Limited, SPM GP Limited, Securitized Asset Backed Receivables LLC, Servicios Barclays S.A. de C.V., Societe Civile Immobiliere 31 Avenue de la Costa, Solution Personal Finance Limited, Southern Peaks Mining LP, Standard Life Aberdeen, Surety Trust Limited, Surrey Funding Corporation, Sussex Purchasing Corporation, Sutton Funding LLC, Swan Lane Investments Limited, TPLL LLC, TPProperty LLC, Tahoe Club Company LLC, Tahoe Club Employee Company, The Logic Group Enterprises Limited, The Logic Group Holdings Limited, Third Energy Holdings Limited, US Real Estate Holdings No. 2 Limited, US Real Estate Holdings No.1 Limited, US Real Estate Holdings No.3 Limited, US Secured Investments LLC, Union Center LLC, United Counties Bank, Verain Investments LLC, Walbrook Group Ltd, Wedd Jefferson (Nominees) Limited, Wessex Investments Limited, Westferry Investments Limited, Wilmington Riverfront Receivables LLC, Woolwich Homes Limited, Woolwich Plan Managers Limited, Woolwich Qualifying Employee Share, Woolwich Surveying Services Limited, Woori BC Pegasus Securitization Specialty Co. Limited, and Zeban Nominees Limited. 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 Everest Re Group Ltd. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of reinsurance and insurance services. It operates through the following segments: U.S. Reinsurance, International, Bermuda, and Insurance. The U.S. Reinsurance segment writes property and casualty reinsurance and specialty lines of business, including marine, aviation, surety, and accident and health business, on both a treaty and facultative basis, through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies primarily within the U.S. The International segment offers foreign property and casualty reinsurance through Everest Re's branches in Canada and Singapore and through offices in Brazil, Miami, and New Jersey. The Bermuda segment comprises reinsurance and insurance to worldwide property and casualty markets through brokers and directly with ceding companies from its Bermuda office and reinsurance to the United Kingdom and European markets through its UK branch and Ireland Re. The Insurance segment writes property and casualty insurance directly and through brokers, surplus lines brokers, and general agents within the U.S., Canada, and Europe. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartere Read More Two former educators in the Atlanta Public Schools, convicted in the districts test cheating scandal in 2015, are now beginning their prison sentences, after exhausting all their appeals. They are the first to go to prison out of 11 teachers and administrators found guilty of a conspiracy to boost student scores on standardized tests. The two women, Tamara Cotman and Angela Williamson, turned themselves in at the Fulton County Jail on Tuesday. Williamsons attorney told Education Week that his client is in good spirts and resolved to maintain her innocence. Cotman, in a news conference Tuesday said, I was wrongly convicted, and today I will be sent to prison wrongly, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Cotman was a regional administrator for the district and Williamson taught 4th grade at Dobbs Elementary School. State investigators said that Cotman threatened educators with their jobs if they didnt boost scores by any means possible. As for Williamson, she reportedly prompted students to change incorrect answers during the test, and threatened students by telling them they would have to repeat the 4th grade if they ever told of the cheating. Both had appealed to the Georgia Court of Appeals, which upheld their convictions. The Georgia Supreme Court declined to review the case, and in early October the U.S. Supreme Court did the same . The educators had been free on bond pending their appeals. Cotman was sentenced to three years in prision, Williamson faces up to two years. Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard, whose office prosecuted the case, said he expects both women will ultimately serve less than a year. He pointed out that they turned down plea bargains that would have kept them out of prison. Theres no doubt that all of this could have been avoided, he said, adding that his office wanted the defendants to accept some responsiblity and are not happy or elated that the women are behind bars.. Nearly 200 Atlanta educators were initially linked to systematic cheating, either by guiding students to correct answers or erasing and changing answers after students turned in their tests. Prosecutors said that the educators were under enormous pressure from then-Superintendent Beverly Hall to boost test scores in the high-poverty district. Hall was also charged in the case but died from cancer before going to trial. The cheating came to light after the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on the suspicious test scores. Of the 11 educators who were ultimately convicted, Cotman and Williamson were the only ones who appealed directly to the higher courts. Two others accepted plea bargains, and the remaining 7 defendants are planning on asking for a new trial. As of now, that trial date has not been set. Photo credit: Dobbs Elementary School in Atlanta was the epicenter of a 2007-08 cheating scandal that sunk the careers of dozens of educators and altered the education of tens of thousands of students. Swikar Patel/Education Week See Education Weeks coverage of the Atlanta test-cheating scandal A Cheating Scandal Rocked Atlantas Public Schools. Ten Years Later, Efforts to Help Affected Students Fall Short Atlanta Educators Convicted in Test-Cheating Trial Atlanta Cheating Scandal Reverberates China Mobile Limited provides mobile telecommunications and related services in Mainland China and Hong Kong. The company offers local calls; domestic and international long distance calls and roaming services; and value-added services, such as caller identity display, call waiting, conference calls, and others. It also provides wireless Internet service, as well as digital applications comprising music, video, reading, gaming, and animation; wireline broadband services; and wireline voice services. In addition, it offers dedicated line and IDC services to corporate customers in a range of industry sectors; and basic corporate communication products comprising corporate VPMN and SMS, and tailor made solutions. Further, the company provides international telecommunications services, which includes IDD, roaming, Internet, MNC, and value added business services. Additionally, it offers telecommunications network planning, design, and consulting services; roaming clearance, IT system operation, and technology support services; value-added platform development and maintenance services; mobile data, and system integration and development services; network construction and maintenance, network planning and optimizing, and training services; electronic communication products design and sale of related products; and non-banking financial services. It also provides mobile cloud research and development services; call center services; e-payment, e-commerce, and Internet finance services; and mobile Internet digital content services, as well as operates a network and business coordination center. The company serves 950 million mobile customers and 187 million wireline broadband customers. The company was formerly known as China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited and changed its name to China Mobile Limited in May 2006. The company was incorporated in 1997 and is based in Central, Hong Kong. China Mobile Limited is a subsidiary of China Mobile Hong Kong (BVI) Limited. Read More Clearway Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NYLD) announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November, 2nd. The utilities provider reported $0.27 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.58 by $0.31. The utilities provider had revenue of $265 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $311.81 million. The company's revenue was down 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.30 earnings per share. View Clearway Energy's earnings history. Bridgepoint Education, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides postsecondary education services in the United States. Its academic institutions, Ashford University and University of the Rockies, offer associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in the disciplines of business, education, psychology, social sciences, and health sciences. The company offers its programs primarily through online; and at its campuses. As of December 31, 2017, its institutions offered approximately 1,200 courses and 80 degree programs; and had 45,730 students enrolled. The company was formerly known as TeleUniversity, Inc. and changed its name to Bridgepoint Education, Inc. in February 2004. Bridgepoint Education, Inc. was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in San Diego, California. Read More Speaking at an international conference attended by experts and rice import firms from 30 countries, Mr. Hai said that the worlds situation has posted some challenges to rice industry. Many countries are in the tendency of self-supply of rice and limit import. Some have applied science and technology in production to improve productivity. Hence rice export has faced severe competition. Representatives of An Giang province Department of Industry and Trade said that China, the largest import market of Vietnam, has announced strict conditions on rice grain size. Lot of consignments have been returned after being exported to China for failing to meet standards. Some Middle East nations like long grain rice while Vietnam does not have that variety. The Government has issued Decree 107 to replace Decree 109 on rice export and trading. The new decree taking effect from October 1 creates more transparent environment to boost investment in rice production and trading, abolishes many critical regulations on rice export and gives small firms chances to export rice if they are able to find partners and meet standards of import countries. Rice industry restructuring project, rice brand name development scheme and rice export market strategy are expected to boost connectivity between production and market in value chains. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will boost trade promotion, develop brand names and advertise Vietnamese rice images in traditional and potential markets. According to the ministry's reports, since 2016 Vietnam has kept increasing in both rice export output and value, ranked third in the world after Thailand and India. Deputy head of Export Import Department under the ministry Tran Thanh Hai said that Vietnam accounts for 15 percent of the worlds rice export volume. Main export markets have been China, Singapore, Malaysia and some African nations. Last year, export volume reached 5.4 million tons with the average value of over US$439 a ton. In the first nine months this year, it touched 4.9 million tons, up 6.7 percent compared to the same period last year. By VAN PHUC Translated by Hai Mien iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF's stock was trading at $37.46 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, EEM stock has increased by 38.4% and is now trading at $51.83. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. MasTec, Inc. engages in the provision of infrastructure construction services. It operates through the following segments: Communications; Oil and Gas; Electrical Transmissions; Clean Energy and Infrastructure; and Other. The Communications segment performs engineering, construction, maintenance and customer fulfillment activities related to communications infrastructure, primarily for wireless and wireline/fiber communications, and install-to-the-home customers. The Oil and Gas segment offers services on oil and natural gas pipelines and processing facilities for the energy, and utilities industries. The Electrical Transmission segment deals with the energy and utility industries. The Clean Energy and Infrastructure segment serves energy, utility and other end-markets through the installation and construction of power generation facilities, including from clean energy and renewable sources such as wind, solar and biomass, as well as various types of heavy civil and industrial infrastructure. The Other segment comprises of equity investees, other small business units that perform construction, and other services for a variety of international end-markets. The company was founded by Read More Dragon fruit area in China's Hainan and Guangxi provinces has reached 20,000 hectares so far and China plans to expand it to 30,000 hectares by 2020, he added. According to Mr. Cuong, Vietnam has grown dragon fruits according to advantages in natural conditions. Sunshine and sand in Binh Thuan province make dragon fruits sweeter than in other places. However he still asked farmers and businesses to change their production, management methods and increase processing. Binh Thuan province has 27,000 hectares of dragon fruits without any processing plant. Mr. Cuong emphasized the need of building a processing plant in the province to increase added value for the fruit. In addition, he urged trade promotion to expand market, promote official exports, gradually limit and abolish cross-border export. Yesterday, Mr. Cuong rejected press information that dragon fruit price has drastically dropped in the southern and central regions of Vietnam because China has stopped buying. Mr. Cuong affirmed that the ministry had required Plant Protection Department to verify the information at northern border gates. The departments delegation arrived at the border gates and found trading and export activities progress normally. The minister said that dragon fruit is a high value fruit. Vietnam now has 52,000 hectares and exports VND1.5 million tons a year to yield US$1 billion. China is still the main market accounting for 80 percent of Vietnams export output. There are two harvest seasons of the fruit, one from April to September when the plants bear fruits naturally with high yield. Another unseasonable crop is from October to March when growers must switch on the light for the plants to flower. The economic efficiency of the later is very high. Farmers traditionally cut crop-end flowers and let the plants rest for a month before lighting up in November for the unseasonable crop. This year, it was much rainy in July and August causing the number of flowers highly increase. The flower increase in combination with high dragon fruit price for the last two years sent farmers not to cut flowers as usual, so output quickly increased. Still fruits quality is not good and they are not eye catching because of crop-end flowers so consumption has reduced. Annually, China enters its big holiday in October when all trading activities slow down so import volume reduces. After the week long holiday this year, trading and import activities have been back to normal. By PHUC HAU Translated by Hai Mien The following companies are subsidiares of Molina Healthcare: Aetna & Humana - Medicare Advantage, Affinity Health Plan, AmericanWork Inc., Better Health Network, Camelot Care Centers Inc, Children's Behavioral Health Inc., Choices Group Inc., College Community Services, Dockside Services Inc, Family Preservation Services Inc., Family Preservation Services of Florida Inc., Family Preservation Services of North Carolina Inc., Family Preservation Services of Washington D.C. Inc., Family Preservation Services of West Virginia Inc., Florida NetPASS LLC, Hclb Inc., Magellan Complete Care, Maple Star Nevada Inc., Maple Star Oregon Inc., Mercy CarePlus, Molina Clinical Services LLC, Molina Healthcare Data Center Inc., Molina Healthcare of Arizona Inc., Molina Healthcare of California, Molina Healthcare of Florida Inc., Molina Healthcare of Georgia Inc., Molina Healthcare of Illinois Inc., Molina Healthcare of Iowa Inc., Molina Healthcare of Louisiana Inc., Molina Healthcare of Maryland Inc., Molina Healthcare of Michigan Inc., Molina Healthcare of Mississippi Inc., Molina Healthcare of Nevada Inc., Molina Healthcare of New Mexico Inc., Molina Healthcare of New York Inc., Molina Healthcare of North Carolina Inc., Molina Healthcare of Ohio Inc., Molina Healthcare of Oklahoma Inc., Molina Healthcare of Pennsylvania Inc., Molina Healthcare of Puerto Rico Inc., Molina Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, Molina Healthcare of Texas Inc., Molina Healthcare of Texas Insurance Company, Molina Healthcare of Utah Inc., Molina Healthcare of Virginia Inc., Molina Healthcare of Washington Inc., Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin Inc., Molina Holdings Corporation, Molina Hospital Management LLC, Molina Information Systems LLC dba Molina Medicaid Solutions, Molina Medical Management Inc., Molina Pathways LLC, Molina Pathways of Texas Inc., Molina Youth Academy, NextLevel Health Illinois, Pathways Community Corrections Inc., Pathways Community Services LLC, Pathways Community Support of Texas Inc., Pathways Health and Community Support LLC, Pathways Human Services LLC., Pathways of Arizona Inc., Pathways of Delaware Inc., Pathways of Idaho LLC, Pathways of Maine Inc., Pathways of Massachusetts LLC, Pathways of Oklahoma Inc., Pathways of Washington Inc., Providence Community Services, Providence Human Services, Raystown Developmental Services Inc., The Game of Work LLC, The RedCo Group Inc., Total Care Medicaid plan, Transitional Family Services Inc., Unisys -Health Information Management, and YourCare Health Plan. Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc. The fund is managed by Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of Arizona. The fund invests in municipal securities and other related investments the income, exempt from regular federal and Arizona income taxes that are rated Baa or BBB or better and having an average maturity of 18.66 years. It employs fundamental analysis with bottom-up stock picking approach to create its portfolio. The fund benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the Standard & Poor's (S&P) Arizona Municipal Bond Index and Standard & Poor's (S&P) National Municipal Bond Index. The fund was formerly known as Nuveen Arizona Premium Income Municipal Fund. Nuveen Arizona Quality Municipal Income Fund was formed on November 19, 1992 and is domiciled in the United States. Read More Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund 2 is a close-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments Inc. The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in fixed income markets of New York. The fund primarily invests its assets in a portfolio of municipal securities with an objective to provide current income exempt from regular federal and New York income taxes. It uses value-oriented strategy to make its investments. The fund employs a fundamental analysis with a combination of top-down and bottom-up stock picking approach to create its portfolio. It conducts in-house research to make its investments. Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund 2 was formed on January 26, 2009 and is domiciled in the United States. Read More Addressing the Vietnam-Japan investment promotion conference in Tokyo yesterday, the leader explained that Vietnam was stepping up its equitisation of SOEs in the fields of transportation, aviation, food and foodstuff, agriculture, telecommunications, trade, tourism services and construction. Japanese firms with financial strength, good business administration and extensive international markets would be welcomed as strategic partners, he said Vietnam was also encouraging foreign investment in startups as the country was focusing on developing startups and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), he noted. Amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Vietnam was shifting its growth drivers towards sectors with high-added value and using state-of-the-art technologies and highly skilled workers, the PM said. The country was hoping for Japanese investment in infrastructure development, clean energy, processing, electronics, manufacturing, support industries, high-tech agriculture, logistics, aviation and high-end hotels, the leader noted. Affirming that Vietnams investment environment would continue to improve, PM Phuc said Japanese investors were welcome to the country for mutual long-term and sustainable development. He said in the face of global uncertainties, Vietnam had maintained political and social stability, and consolidated the macroeconomy, with a growth rate of nearly 7 percent in the first nine months of this year. Vietnam had also joined a total of 16 new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs), the PM said, highlighting the countrys advantages in geopolitics, geoeconomics and population, as well as internet and smartphone users. The Vietnamese Government is always looking at how we can improve the business environment, he said, pointing to positive assessments of Vietnams investment environment by international organisations such as the World Bank, the World Economic Forum and the Nikkei, as demonstrated by the country moving up their investment environment indexes. Phuc also noted that up to 70 percent of Japanese enterprises had plans to expand their operations in Vietnam based on factors such as rising revenues, expanding markets and competitive labour costs. The PM said that Japan was the second biggest foreign investor in Vietnam with over US$52 billion, and the fourth biggest trade partner with two-way trade exceeding $33 billion. In the first eight months of this year, Japan took the lead with investment of $7 billion, making up 28.8 percent of the total FDI capital poured into the country. Japanese investments had helped lure FDI from other countries and increase competition between FDI inflows in Vietnam, he said. The PM expressed his hope that there more initiatives and proposals would be made at the conference, thus contributing to promoting economic and trade ties between the two countries. At the conference, PM Phuc and officials from Vietnam and Japan witnessed the exchange of co-operation documents between the two countries ministries, agencies and businesses with total value of nearly $10 billion. VNS Oshkosh Corp. engages in the design, manufacture, and market of specialty vehicles and vehicle bodies. It operates through the following segments: Access Equipment, Defense, Fire & Emergency, and Commercial. The Access Equipment segment consists of JerrDan and JLG, which manufactures aerial work platforms; and telehandlers that are used in construction, industrial, institutional, and general maintenance applications to position workers and materials at elevated heights. The Defense segment produces tactical wheeled vehicles; and supply parts and services for the United States military and other militaries around the world. The Fire and Emergency segment sells commercial and custom fire vehicles; simulators and emergency vehicles primarily for fire departments, airports and other governmental units; and broadcast vehicles for broadcasters and television stations. The Commercial segment includes McNeilus, CON-E-CO, London, Iowa Mold Tooling Co., Inc (IMT), and Oshkosh Commercial. The company was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Oshkosh, WI. Read More PetroChina Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in a range of petroleum related products, services, and activities in Mainland China and internationally. It operates through Exploration and Production, Refining and Chemicals, Marketing, and Natural Gas and Pipeline segments. The Exploration and Production segment engages in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of crude oil and natural gas. The Refining and Chemicals segment refines crude oil and petroleum products; and produces and markets primary petrochemical products, derivative petrochemical products, and other chemical products. The Marketing segment is involved in marketing of refined products and trading business. The Natural Gas and Pipeline segment engages in the transmission of natural gas, crude oil, and refined products; and sale of natural gas. As of December 31, 2020, the company had a total length of 31,151 km, including 22,555 km of natural gas pipelines, 7,190 km of crude oil pipelines, and 1,406 km of refined product pipelines. The company is also involved in the exploration, development, and production of oil sands and coalbed methane; trading of crude oil and petrochemical products; storage, chemical engineering, storage facilities, service station, and transportation facilities and related businesses; and production and sales of basic and derivative chemical, and other chemical products. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China. PetroChina Company Limited is a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation. Read More Royal Dutch Shell plc operates as an energy and petrochemical company worldwide. The company operates through Integrated Gas, Upstream, Oil Products, Chemicals segments. It explores for and extracts crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids; markets and transports oil and gas; produces gas-to-liquids fuels and other products; and operates upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver gas to market. The company also markets and trades natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil, electricity, carbon-emission rights; and markets and sells LNG as a fuel for heavy-duty vehicles and marine vessels. In addition, it trades in and refines crude oil and other feed stocks, such as gasoline, diesel, heating oil, aviation fuel, marine fuel, biofuel, lubricants, bitumen, and sulphur; produces and sells petrochemicals for industrial use; and manages oil sands activities. Further, the company produces base chemicals comprising ethylene, propylene, and aromatics, as well as intermediate chemicals, such as styrene monomer, propylene oxide, solvents, detergent alcohols, ethylene oxide, and ethylene glycol. Royal Dutch Shell plc was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Anthem: 1-800 Contacts, AIM Specialty Health, AMERIGROUP Community Care of New Mexico Inc., AMERIGROUP Corporation, AMERIGROUP Maryland Inc., AMERIGROUP New Jersey Inc., AMERIGROUP Ohio Inc., AMERIGROUP Tennessee Inc., AMERIGROUP Texas Inc., AMERIGROUP Washington Inc., AMGP Georgia Managed Care Company Inc., ATH Holding Company LLC, America's 1st Choice of South Carolina Inc., America's Health Management Services Inc., American Imaging Management Inc., Americas 1st Choice, Amerigroup, Amerigroup Delaware Inc., Amerigroup District of Columbia Inc., Amerigroup Health Plan of Louisiana Inc., Amerigroup IPA of New York LLC, Amerigroup Insurance Company, Amerigroup Iowa Inc., Amerigroup Kansas Inc., Amerigroup Mississippi Inc., Amerigroup Oklahoma Inc., Amerigroup Partnership Plan LLC, Amerigroup Pennsylvania Inc., Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company, Anthem Financial Inc., Anthem Health Plans Inc., Anthem Health Plans of Kentucky Inc., Anthem Health Plans of Maine Inc., Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire Inc., Anthem Health Plans of Virginia Inc., Anthem Holding Corp., Anthem Innovation Israel Ltd., Anthem Insurance Companies Inc., Anthem Kentucky Managed Care Plan Inc., Anthem Life & Disability Insurance Company, Anthem Life Insurance Company, Anthem Partnership Holding Company LLC, Anthem Services Company LLC, Anthem Southeast Inc., Anthem UM Services Inc., Anthem Workers' Compensation LLC, Applied Pathways LLC, Arcus Enterprises Inc., Aspire Health Inc., Aspire Healthcare Corp, Associated Group Inc., Beacon Health Options, Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia Inc., Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin, Blue Cross of California, Blue Cross of California Partnership Plan Inc., CareMarket Inc., CareMore Health Plan, CareMore Health Plan of Arizona Inc., CareMore Health Plan of Nevada, CareMore Health Plan of Texas Inc., CareMore Health System, CareMore LLC, Cerulean Companies Inc., Claim Management Services Inc., Community Care Health Plan of Louisiana Inc., Community Care Health Plan of Nevada Inc., Community Insurance Company, Compcare Health Services Insurance Corporation, Crossroads Acquisition Corp., DBG Holdings Inc., DeCare Analytics LLC, DeCare Dental Health International LLC, DeCare Dental Insurance Ireland Ltd., DeCare Dental LLC, DeCare Dental Networks LLC, DeCare Operations Ireland Limited, Delivery Network LLC, Designated Agent Company Inc., EHC Benefits Agency Inc., EasyScripts Cutler Bay LLC, EasyScripts Hialeah LLC, EasyScripts LLC, EasyScripts Westchester LLC, Empire HealthChoice Assurance Inc., Empire HealthChoice HMO Inc., Federal Government Solutions LLC, Freedom Health Inc., Global TPA LLC, Golden West Health Plan Inc., Greater Georgia Life Insurance Company, HEP AP Holdings Inc., HMO Colorado Inc., HMO Missouri Inc., Health Core Inc., Health Management Corporation, Health Ventures Partner L.L.C., HealthKeepers Inc., HealthLink HMO Inc., HealthLink Inc., HealthLink Insurance Company, HealthPlus HP LLC, HealthSun Health Plans, HealthSun Health Plans Inc., HealthSun Holdings LLC, HealthSun Management LLC, HealthSun Physicians Network I LLC, HealthSun Physicians Network LLC, Healthy Alliance Life Insurance Company, Highland Acquisition Holdings LLC, Highland Holdco Inc., Highland Intermediate Holdings LLC, Highland Investor Holdings LLC, Imaging Management Holdings LLC, IngenioRx Inc., Legato Health Technologies LLP, Legato Health Technologies Philippines Inc., Legato Holdings I Inc., Legato Holdings II LLC, Living Complete Technologies Inc., Matthew Thornton Health Plan Inc., Memphis Supportive Care Partnership LLC, Meridian Resource Company LLC, Missouri Care Incorporated, NGS Federal LLC, Nash Holding Company LLC, National Government Services Inc., New England Research Institutes Inc., Optimum Healthcare Inc., Park Square Holdings Inc., Park Square I Inc., Park Square II Inc., Pasteur Medical Bird Road LLC, Pasteur Medical Center LLC, Pasteur Medical Cutler Bay LLC, Pasteur Medical Group LLC, Pasteur Medical Hialeah Gardens LLC, Pasteur Medical Holdings LLC, Pasteur Medical Kendall LLC, Pasteur Medical Management LLC, Pasteur Medical Miami Gardens LLC, Pasteur Medical North Miami Beach LLC, Pasteur Medical Partners LLC, Resolution Health Inc, Resolution Health Inc., RightCHOICE Managed Care Inc., Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service Inc., SellCore Inc., Simply Healthcare Holdings, Simply Healthcare Plans Inc., Southeast Services Inc., State Sponsored DM Services Inc., The Anthem Companies Inc., The Anthem Companies of California Inc., TrustSolutions LLC, UNICARE Health Plan of West Virginia Inc., UNICARE Illinois Services Inc., UNICARE National Services Inc., UniCare Life & Health Insurance Company, UniCare Specialty Services Inc., Valus Inc., WPMI LLC, WellCare of Nebraska Inc., WellPoint Acquisition LLC, WellPoint California Services Inc., WellPoint Dental Services Inc., WellPoint Health Solutions Inc., WellPoint Holding Corp., WellPoint Information Technology Services Inc., WellPoint Insurance Services Inc., WellPoint Military Care Corporation, Wellmax Health Medical Centers LLC, Wellmax Health Physicians Network LLC, and Wisconsin Collaborative Insurance Company. Suncor Energy Inc. operates as an integrated energy company. The company primarily focuses on developing petroleum resource basins in Canada's Athabasca oil sands; explores, acquires, develops, produces, transports, refines, and markets crude oil in Canada and internationally; markets petroleum and petrochemical products under the Petro-Canada name primarily in Canada. It operates in Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; Refining and Marketing; and Corporate and Eliminations segments. The Oil Sands segment recovers bitumen from mining and in situ operations, and upgrades it into refinery feedstock and diesel fuel, or blends the bitumen with diluent for direct sale to market. The Exploration and Production segment is involved in offshore operations off the east coast of Canada and in the North Sea; and operating onshore assets in Libya and Syria. The Refining and Marketing segment refines crude oil and intermediate feedstock into various petroleum and petrochemical products; and markets refined petroleum products to retail, commercial, and industrial customers through its other retail sellers. The Corporate and Eliminations segment operates four wind farm operations in Ontario and Western Canada. The company also markets and trades in crude oil, natural gas, byproducts, refined products, and power. The company was formerly known as Suncor Inc. and changed its name to Suncor Energy Inc. in April 1997. Suncor Energy Inc. was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More Chinese Ambassador WU Peng Conducted Site Survey on Sierra Leone National Stadium Reinforcement Project 2018/10/12 On October 9, 2018, Chinese Ambassador Wu Peng, together with the Economic and Commercial Counsellor Zhang Xueqian, paid a visit to Sierra Leone National Stadium to inspect the National Stadium Reinforcement Project. The project was funded from the Chinese government grant. During the visit, Ambassador Wu Peng noted that the National Stadium is a landmark project aided by the Chinese government in the 1970s and acts as a symbol of China-Sierra Leone friendship. The rehabilitation of the stadium will greatly improve the conditions of public activities in Sierra Leone and suffice the exercise needs of the locals. Ambassador Wu Peng emphasized that the construction company should not only pay close attention to the quality of the project and safety in construction, but should also take care of legitimate rights and interests of the local employees while striving to complete the project on time. According to the project manager, the project is progressing smoothly and the overall progress is in line with expectations. Ambassador Wu Peng made a detailed research on the construction procedures and related technical issues. Musa, the manager of the National Stadium, welcomed Ambassador Wu Peng to visit the project. He expressed sincere gratitude to China for its long-term efforts in building and rehabilitating the National Stadium and said he stands ready to strengthen cooperation with the Chinese side on maintenance of the stadium. The following companies are subsidiares of Tesco: Adminstore Limited, Adsega Limited, Alfred Preedy & Sons (Trustees) Limited, Alfred Preedy & Sons Limited, Anthony Heagney Limited, Arena (Jersey) Management Limited, Armitage Finance Unlimited, Armitage Luxembourg s.? r.l., BLT Holdings 2010 Limited, Bath Upper Bristol Road Management, Bedminster Estates Limited, Beehythe Estates limited, Berry Lane Management Company Limited, Blinkbox Books Limited, BlinxBox, Booker Group, Brian Fords Discount Store Limited, Broadfields Management Limited, Brookmaker (GP) Limited, Broughton Retail Park Nominee 1 Limited, Broughton Retail Park Nominee 2 Limited, Broughton Retail Park Nominee 3 Limited, Broughton Retail Park Nominee 4 Limited, Buckingham Road (Bletchley) Management Company Limited, Bugden Ltd, Buttoncable Limited, Buttoncase Limited, Canterbury Road Management Limited, Cardiff Cathays Terrace Management Company Limited, Careneed News Limited, Cheshunt Finance Unlimited, Cheshunt Holdings Guernsey Limited, Cheshunt Hungary Servicing Limited Liability Company, Cheshunt Luxembourg S.? r.l., Cheshunt Overseas LLP, China Property Holdings (HK) Limited, Chirac Limited, Cirrus Finance (2009) Limited, Cirrus Finance Limited, Cirrus Luxembourg s.? r.l., Clarepharm Limited, Clondalkin Properties Limited, Comar Limited, Commercial Investments Limited, Crazy Prices, Crest Ostrava a.s, Cullens Holdings Limited, Cullens Stores Limited, Daily Wrap Produce Limited, Day And Nite Stores Limited, Delamare Cards Holdco Limited, Delamare Cards MTN Issuer plc, Delamare Finance PLC, Delamare Group Holdings Limited, Delamare Holdings BV Netherlands, Delamare Luxembourg s.? r.l. Luxembourg, Delamare One Limited, Dunnhumby Ventures LLC, ELH Insurance Limited, Edinburgh Butterfly Farm Limited, Edson Investments Limited, Edson Properties Limited, Ek-Chai Distribution System Co. Ltd., Euphorium (London) Limited, Euphorium (North London) Limited, Euphorium Group Limited, Euphorium IP Limited, Europa Foods Limited, Faraday Properties Limited, Flitwick Pharmacies Limited, Food & Wine Lovers Limited, Forum Liberec s.r.o, Freds Food Construction Limited, Freehold and Leasehold Property Fund, Gain Land Limited, Genesis sp. z o.o., Gibbs News Limited, Gibbs Newsagents Limited, Gida Sanayi A.S., Giraffe, Giraffe Cafe Limited, Giraffe Concepts Limited, Golden Island Management Services Limited, HIT hypermarket Sp. z o. o., Halesworth SPV Limited, Harris and Hoole Holdings Limited, Harris and Hoole Limited, Harris and Hoole Nominees Limited, Homeplus, Hymall Co. Ltd., J E Properties Holdings Limited, Jasper Sp. z o. o. Poland, KSS Retail Limited, Kabaty Investments Tesco (Polska) Sp. z o. o. Sp.k, Kingsway Fresh Foods Ltd, Koxka Hungary Refrigeration LLC, Launchgrain Limited, Launchtable Limited, Laws Stores Limited, Lazada Group S.A., Lee (Southern) Limited, Lek?ren? Tesco Bansk? Bystrica k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Dunajsk? Streda k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Ko?ice k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Lama k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Nitra k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Petr?alka k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Pie?tany k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Pre?ov Vukov k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Senec k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Spi?sk? Nov? Ves k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Trenc??n s.r.o. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Zlat? Piesky k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Lek?ren? Tesco Zvolen k.s. Slovakia Limited Partnership, Linebush III Holdings Limited, Linebush III Limited, Linebush IV Limited, Linebush Limited, Linebush V Limited, London and Home Counties Superstores Limited, Lowfoods Limited, M & W Limited, Merrion Shopping Centre Ltd, Mills (East Midlands) Limited, Mills (West Midlands) Limited, Mills Group Holdings Limited, Mills Group Limited, Mobcast Services, Monread Developments Limited, Morgam Holdings Limited, Morgam News Limited, Motorcause Limited, NPL (Hardgate) Limited, Nabola Development Limited, NutriCentre Limited, OC FORUM Liberec Ltd., Oakwood Distribution Limited, Obchodn? dom Bratislava s.ro, Obchodn? dom Ko?ice s.ro., Obchodn? dom Nitra s.ro., Obchodn? dom Pre?ov s.ro., Old FEHC Inc., Old FEPC LLC, One Stop Community Stores Ltd, One Stop Convenience Stores Limited, One Stop Stores Limited, One Stop Stores Trustee Services Limited, Orpingford, Orpington (Station Road) Limited, Oxford Fox and Hounds Management Company Limited, PEJ Property Developments Limited, Paper Chain (East Anglia) Limited, Pharaway Properties Limited, Power Supermarkets Limited, Premier Garage (Worthing) Limited, Pulford Foods Limited, R.J.D. Holdings, Retail Property Co. Ltd, S Bottomley & Bros Limited, Sanders Supermarkets Limited, Sandtable Limited, Sarcon (No. 239) Limited, Seacroft Green Nominee 1 Limited, Seacroft Green Nominee 2 Limited, Shire Park Limited, Shuke Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Snowman Retail 1 Limited, Snowman Retail 2 Limited, Sociomantic AB, Sociomantic Labs B.V, Sociomantic Labs Inc, Sociomantic Labs Internet Hizmetleri Limited ?ireketi, Sociomantic Labs LLC, Sociomantic Labs Limited, Sociomantic Labs Private Limited, Sociomantic Labs Pte Ltd, Sociomantic Labs S.r.l, Sociomantic Labs SARL, Sociomantic Labs Servicos Web Ltda, Sociomantic Labs Sp.z.o.o., Sociomantic Labs s.r.o., Sociomantic S.L.U., Sociomantic labs GmbH, Spen Hill Developments (Holdings) Ltd, Spen Hill Developments (Portishead) Ltd, Spen Hill Developments (Tonbridge) Limited, Spen Hill Developments Limited, Spen Hill Management Limited, Spen Hill Properties (Holdings) plc, Spen Hill Properties (Southend) Limited, Spen Hill Regeneration Limited, Spen Hill Residential No 1 Limited, Spen Hill Residential No 2 Limited, Station House Welling Management Limited, Statusfloat Limited, Stewarts Supermarkets Limited, Streatham Management Company Limited, T & S Management Services Limited, T & S Properties Limited, T & S Stores Limited, TESCO (POLSKA) sp. z o.o., TESCO Akad?mia K?pz?si ?s Fejleszt?si Kor?tolt Felelss?g T?rsas?g, TESCO MOBILE POLSKA SP. Z O.O., TESCO STORES SR a.s., Tapesilver Limited, Teesport (GP) Limited, Teesport (Nominee) Limited, Telegraph Properties (Kirkby) Limited, Tesco (Foxtrot 1) Limited, Tesco (Foxtrot 2) Limited, Tesco (Fujian) Industry Limited, Tesco (Jersey) Limited, Tesco (Overseas) Ltd, Tesco (Yorkshire) Limited, Tesco Aqua (1LP) Limited, Tesco Aqua (3LP) Limited, Tesco Aqua (FinCo1) Limited, Tesco Aqua (FinCo2) Limited, Tesco Aqua (GP) Limited, Tesco Aqua (Nominee 1) Limited, Tesco Aqua (Nominee 2) Limited, Tesco Aqua (Nominee Holdco) Limited, Tesco Atrato (1LP) Limited, Tesco Atrato (GP) Limited, Tesco Barbers Wood Limited, Tesco Bengaluru Private Limited, Tesco Blue (1LP) Limited, Tesco Blue (FinCo2) Limited, Tesco Blue (GP) Limited, Tesco Blue (Nominee 1) Limited, Tesco Blue (Nominee 2) Limited, Tesco Blue (Nominee Holdco) Limited, Tesco Capital No. 1 Limited, Tesco Capital No. 2 Limited, Tesco Card Services Limited, Tesco Card Services Limited, Tesco Card Services Ltd., Tesco Chile Sourcing Limitada, Tesco Coral (GP) Limited, Tesco Corporate Treasury Services PLC, Tesco Depot Propco Limited, Tesco Distribution Holdings Limited, Tesco Distribution Limited, Tesco Dorney (1LP) Limited, Tesco Dorney (GP) Limited, Tesco Dystrybucja Sp. z.o.o., Tesco EU IT Services s.r.o., Tesco Employees Share Scheme Trustees Limited, Tesco Estates Limited, Tesco Europe B.V. Netherlands, Tesco Family Dining Limited, Tesco Food Sourcing Brazil Representa??o De Servi?os Ltda., Tesco Food Sourcing Limited, Tesco Foundation (Nadacia Tesco), Tesco Freetime Limited, Tesco Fuchsia (1LP) Limited, Tesco Fuel Limited, Tesco Global Employment Company Limited, Tesco Guangdong (HK) Co. Limited, Tesco High Beech Limited, Tesco Holdings BV, Tesco Holdings Limited, Tesco Home Shopping Limited, Tesco Hungary (Holdings) Limited, Tesco International Franchising s.r.o., Tesco International Internet Retailing Limited, Tesco International Services Limited, Tesco International Sourcing Limited, Tesco Ireland Holdings Limited, Tesco Ireland Limited, Tesco Ireland Pension Trustees Limited, Tesco Jade (GP) Limited, Tesco Joint Buying Service (Shanghai) Co Limited, Tesco Kipa Kitle Pazarlama Ticaret Lojistik ve, Tesco Kirkby (General Partner) Limited, Tesco Kirkby (LP) Limited, Tesco Kirkby (Nominee 1) Limited, Tesco Kirkby (Nominee 2) Limited, Tesco Kirkby (Nominee Holdco) Limited, Tesco Kirkby (Unitholder 1) Limited, Tesco Kirkby (Unitholder2) Limited, Tesco Lagoon GP Limited, Tesco Licences Limited, Tesco Lotus Retail Growth, Tesco Lotus Retail Growth Freehold and Leasehold Property Fund, Tesco Maintenance Limited, Tesco Mauritius Holdings Limited, Tesco Mobile (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Tesco Mobile CR s.r.o., Tesco Mobile Communications Limited, Tesco Mobile Ireland Limited, Tesco Mobile Ireland Limited, Tesco Mobile Limited, Tesco Mobile Services Limited, Tesco Mobile Slovakia s.r.o, Tesco Mobile Slovakia s.r.o., Tesco Mobile CR, Tesco Nanjing Zhongshan, Tesco Nanjing Zhongshan (HK) Co. Limited, Tesco Navona (1LP) Limited, Tesco Navona (GP) Limited, Tesco Navona (Nominee 1) Limited, Tesco Navona (Nominee 2) Limited, Tesco Navona (Nominee Holdco) Limited, Tesco Navona PL Propco Limited, Tesco Opticians Limited, Tesco Overseas (Holdings) Limited, Tesco Overseas Investments Limited, Tesco Overseas ULC, Tesco Passaic (1LP) Limited, Tesco Passaic (GP) Limited, Tesco Passaic (Nominee 1) Limited, Tesco Passaic (Nominee 2) Limited, Tesco Passaic (Nominee Holdco) Limited, Tesco Passaic PL Propco Limited, Tesco Pension (Jade) Limited, Tesco Pension Investment Limited, Tesco Pension Trustees Limited, Tesco Personal Finance, Tesco Personal Finance Compare Limited, Tesco Personal Finance Group Limited, Tesco Property (No.1) Limited, Tesco Property (Nominees) (No.1) Limited, Tesco Property (Nominees) (No.2) Limited, Tesco Property (Nominees) Limited, Tesco Property A.S., Tesco Property Finance 1 Holdco Limited, Tesco Property Finance 1 PLC, Tesco Property Holdings (No. 2) Limited, Tesco Property Holdings Limited, Tesco Property Limited, Tesco Property Nominees (No.5) Limited, Tesco Property Nominees (No.6) Limited, Tesco Property Partner (GP No.2) Limited, Tesco Property Partner (GP) Limited, Tesco Property Partner (No.1) Limited, Tesco Property Partner (No.2) Limited, Tesco Red (1LP) Limited, Tesco Red (GP) Limited, Tesco Red (Nominee 2) Limited, Tesco Red (Nominee Holdco) Limited, Tesco Sarum (1LP) Limited, Tesco Sarum (GP) Limited, Tesco Seacroft Limited, Tesco Secretaries Limited, Tesco Services Limited, Tesco Sourcing India Private Limited, Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Tesco Stores (Thailand) Ltd, Tesco Stores CR a.s., Tesco Stores Limited, Tesco Technology Services HK Limited, Tesco Treasury Services PLC, Tesco Trustee Company of Ireland Limited, Tesco Underwriting Limited, Tesco Vin Plus SA, Tesco Worldwide Limited, Tesco for Thais Foundation, Tesco-Global Stores Privately Held Co. Ltd, Tesco.Com Limited, The Brookmaker Limited Partnership, The Teesport Limited Partnership Limited Partnership, The Tesco Aqua Limited Partnership Limited Partnership, The Tesco Atrato Limited Partnership, The Tesco Blue Limited Partnership Limited Partnership, The Tesco Coral Limited Partnership, The Tesco Dorney Limited Partnership, The Tesco Kirkby Limited Partnership Limited Partnership, The Tesco Navona Limited Partnership Limited Partnership, The Tesco Passaic Limited Partnership Limited Partnership, The Tesco Property (No.2) Limited Partnership, The Tesco Red Limited Partnership, The Tesco Sarum Limited Partnership, Trent Hypermarket Private Limited, Trigger Retail Ltd, Valiant Insurance Company DAC, Value House Properties Limited, Variable Preference, Ventnor High Street Management Company Limited, Verulam Properties (2001) Limited, Verulam Properties Limited, Victoria BB Sp z.o.o., WE7, WSC Properties Limited, Wanze Properties (Dundalk) Limited, Weymouth Avenue (Dorchester) Limited, Whitecastle Properties Limited, Wm. Low Supermarkets Limited, Woolwich Central Residents Management Company Limited, Worple Road Plc, Xiamen Firste Property Limited, Xiamen Firste Property Limited, aAcklam Management Company Limited, dunnhumby (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, dunnhumby (Thailand) Limited, dunnhumby Canada Limited, dunnhumby Consulting Services India Private Limited, dunnhumby Czech s.r.o., dunnhumby Employment Company Limited, dunnhumby Holding Limited, dunnhumby Hungary Kft, dunnhumby IT Services India Private Limited, dunnhumby Inc, dunnhumby International Limited, dunnhumby Ireland Limited, dunnhumby Italia Srl., dunnhumby Limited, dunnhumby Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., dunnhumby Netherlands B.V., dunnhumby Norge A.S., dunnhumby Overseas Limited, dunnhumby Poland Sp z.o.o, dunnhumby Slovakia s.r.o., dunnhumby South Africa (Pty) Ltd, dunnhumby Trustees Limited, and dunnuhumby. Thomson Reuters Corporation provides business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments. The Corporates segment provides a suite of content-enabled technology solutions for legal, tax, regulatory, compliance, and IT professionals. The Tax & Accounting Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on tax offerings and automating tax workflows to tax, accounting, and audit professionals in accounting firms. The Reuters News segment provides business, financial, national, and international news to professionals through desktop terminals, media organizations, and industry events, as well as directly to consumers. 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Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Dominion Energy: 96WI 8me LLC, Alamo Solar LLC, Align RNG Arizona LLC, Align RNG Arizona-Snowflake LLC, Align RNG California LLC, Align RNG California-Corcoran LLC, Align RNG Grady Road LLC, Align RNG LLC, Align RNG Magnolia LLC, Align RNG North Carolina LLC, Align RNG North Carolina-Bowdens LLC, Align RNG Utah LLC, Align RNG Utah-Milford LLC, Align RNG Virginia LLC, Align RNG Virginia-Waverly LLC, Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC, Azalea Solar LLC, BOE Holdings Inc., Blackville Solar Farm LLC, Blue Ocean Energy Marine LLC, BrightSuite Home LLC, BrightSuite Inc., BrightSuite Solar CT Inc., BrightSuite Solar SC Inc., BrightSuite Solar VA Inc., Buckingham Solar I LLC, CEA Americus LLC, CEA CO-Fort Morgan LLC, CEA Clovis LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Colorado LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Georgia LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Idaho LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Nevada LLC, CEA Dairy RNG New Mexico LLC, CEA Dairy RNG Texas LLC, CEA Greely LLC, CEA Mason LLC, CEA TX-Dimmitt LLC, CID Solar LLC, CNG Coal Company, CNG Power Services Corporation, Carolina Gas Transmission Corporation, Catalina Solar 2 LLC, Clean Energy Asset USA LLC, Clean Energy Enterprises Inc., Clipperton Holdings LLC, Consolidated Natural Gas Company, Correctional Solar LLC, Cottonwood Solar LLC, Cove Point LNG LP, Cove Point LNG Limited, DE Arlington Solar LLC, DE Fluvanna Solar LLC, DE Hanover Solar LLC, DE Henrico Solar LLC, DE King William Solar LLC, DE Louisa Solar LLC, DE Newport News Solar LLC, DE Powhatan Solar LLC, DE Virginia Beach Solar LLC, DECP Holdings Inc., Dairy RNG Holdings LLC, Dairy RNG NY LLC, Dairy RNG NY-Curtin LLC, Dairy RNG OH LLC, Denmark Solar LLC, Dominion ACP Holding Inc., Dominion Alternative Energy Holdings Inc., Dominion Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC, Dominion Capital Inc., Dominion Cogen WV Inc., Dominion Energy Fuel Services Inc., Dominion Energy Gas Distribution LLC, Dominion Energy Generation Marketing Inc., Dominion Energy Inc., Dominion Energy Kewaunee Inc., Dominion Energy Marketplace LLC, Dominion Energy Nuclear Connecticut Inc., Dominion Energy Overthrust Pipeline LLC, Dominion Energy Payroll Company Inc., Dominion Energy Questar Corporation, Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline LLC, Dominion Energy Questar Pipeline Services Inc., Dominion Energy RNG Holdings II Inc., Dominion Energy RNG Holdings Inc., Dominion Energy Services Inc., Dominion Energy Solar CA LLC, Dominion Energy Solutions Inc., Dominion Energy South Carolina Inc., Dominion Energy Southeast Services Inc., Dominion Energy Technical Solutions Inc., Dominion Energy Technologies II Inc., Dominion Energy Technologies Inc., Dominion Energy Terminal Company Inc., Dominion Energy Wexpro Services Company, Dominion Equipment III Inc., Dominion Equipment Inc., Dominion Fairless Hills Inc., Dominion Fowler Ridge Wind LLC, Dominion Gas Projects Company LLC, Dominion Generation Inc., Dominion Greenbrier Inc., Dominion High Voltage Holdings Inc., Dominion High Voltage MidAtlantic Inc., Dominion Investments Inc., Dominion Keystone Pipeline Holdings Inc., Dominion Keystone Pipeline LLC, Dominion MLP Holding Company III Inc., Dominion Mt. Storm Wind LLC, Dominion Nuclear Projects Inc., Dominion Oklahoma Texas Exploration & Production Inc., Dominion Person Inc., Dominion Privatization Florida LLC, Dominion Privatization Georgia LLC, Dominion Privatization Holdings Inc., Dominion Privatization Kentucky LLC, Dominion Privatization Maryland LLC, Dominion Privatization Pennsylvania LLC, Dominion Privatization South Carolina LLC, Dominion Privatization Texas LLC, Dominion Privatization Virginia LLC, Dominion Products and Services Inc., Dominion Projects Services Inc., Dominion Resources Capital Trust III, Dominion Retail Gas Holdings Inc., Dominion Solar Construction and Maintenance LLC, Dominion Solar Gen-Tie LLC, Dominion Solar Holdings I LLC, Dominion Solar Holdings II LLC, Dominion Solar Holdings III LLC, Dominion Solar Holdings IV LLC, Dominion Solar Projects A Inc., Dominion Solar Projects B Inc., Dominion Solar Projects C Inc., Dominion Solar Projects D Inc., Dominion Solar Projects I Inc., Dominion Solar Projects II Inc., Dominion Solar Projects III Inc., Dominion Solar Projects IV Inc., Dominion Solar Projects V Inc., Dominion Solar Projects VI Inc., Dominion Solar Projects VII Inc., Dominion Solar Services Inc., Dominion State Line LLC, Dominion Voltage Inc., Dominion Wholesale Inc., Dominion Wind Development LLC, Dominion Wind Projects Inc., ESCT-SA-Suffield LLC, Eagle Holdco Solar LLC, Eagle Solar LLC, Eastern Shore Solar LLC, Enterprise Solar LLC, Escalante Solar I LLC, Escalante Solar II LLC, Escalante Solar III LLC, Four Brothers Solar LLC, Fremont Farm LLC, Granite Mountain Holdings LLC, Granite Mountain Solar East LLC, Granite Mountain Solar West LLC, Greenbrier Marketing Company LLC, Greenbrier Pipeline Company LLC, Greensville County Solar Project LLC, Hardin Solar Energy LLC, Hecate Energy Cherrydale LLC, Hecate Energy Clarke County LLC, Hope Gas Inc., Imperial Valley Solar Company (IVSC) 2 LLC, Indy Solar Development LLC, Indy Solar I LLC, Indy Solar II LLC, Indy Solar III LLC, Innovative Solar 37 LLC, Iron Springs Holdings LLC, Iron Springs Solar LLC, Louis Dreyfus Natural Gas, Maricopa West Solar PV LLC, Moffett Solar 1 LLC, Moorings Farm 2 LLC, Mulberry Farm LLC, Mustang Solar LLC, PSNC Blue Ridge Corporation, PSNC Cardinal Pipeline Company, Pavant Solar LLC, Phone House, Pikeville Farm LLC, Prairie Fork Wind Farm LLC, Public Service Company of North Carolina Incorporated, QPC Holding Company LLC, Questar Corporation, Questar Energy Services Inc., Questar Field Services LLC, Questar Gas Company, Questar InfoComm Inc., Questar Southern Trails Pipeline Company, Questar White River Hub LLC, RE Adams East LLC, RE Camelot LLC, RE Columbia Two LLC, RE Kansas LLC, RE Kent South LLC, RE Old River One LLC, Richland Solar Center LLC, Ridgeland Solar Farm I LLC, SBL Holdco LLC, SCANA, SCANA Communications Holdings Inc., SCANA Corporate Security Services Inc., SCANA Energy Marketing LLC, SCANA Pharmacy LLC, SRFI LLC, Scana Corporation, Scott-II Solar LLC, Seabrook Solar LLC, Selmer Farm LLC, Siler Solar LLC, Sol Madison Solar LLC, Somers Solar Center LLC, South Carolina Fuel Company Inc., South Carolina Generating Company Inc., Southampton Solar LLC, Summit Farms Solar LLC, Sussex Drive Solar Project LLC, TA - Acacia LLC, TWE Myrtle Solar Project LLC, The East Ohio Gas Company, Trask East Solar LLC, Tredegar Solar Fund I LLC, VP Property Inc., Virginia Electric And Power Company, Virginia Power Fuel Corporation, Virginia Power Nuclear Services Company, Virginia Power Services Energy Corp. Inc., Virginia Power Services LLC, Virginia Solar 201 Projects LLC, Wakefield Solar LLC, Wexpro Company, Wexpro Development Company, Wexpro II Company, Wilkinson Solar LLC, Wrangler Retail Gas Holdings LLC, and Yemassee Solar LLC. The following companies are subsidiares of Valero Energy: AIR BP-PBF DEL PERU SAC, BELFAST STORAGE LTD, CANADIAN ULTRAMAR COMPANY, COLONNADE TEXAS INSURANCE COMPANY LLC, COLONNADE VERMONT INSURANCE COMPANY, DIAMOND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY LLC, DIAMOND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY OF CANADA INC., DIAMOND GREEN DIESEL HOLDINGS LLC, DIAMOND GREEN DIESEL LLC, DIAMOND K RANCH LLC, DIAMOND OMEGA COMPANY L.L.C., DIAMOND SHAMROCK REFINING COMPANY L.P., DIAMOND UNIT INVESTMENTS L.L.C., DSRM NATIONAL BANK, ENTERPRISE CLAIMS MANAGEMENT INC., GCP LOGISTICS COMPANY LLC, GOLDEN EAGLE ASSURANCE LIMITED, HAMMOND MAINLINE PIPELINE LLC, HUNTWAY REFINING COMPANY, MAINLINE PIPELINES LIMITED, MAPLE ETHANOL LTD., MICHIGAN REDEVELOPMENT GP LLC, MICHIGAN REDEVELOPMENT L.P., MRP PROPERTIES COMPANY LLC, NECHES RIVER HOLDING CORP., NORCO METHANOL LLC, OCEANIC TANKERS AGENCY LIMITED, PARKWAY PIPELINE LLC, PENTA TANKS TERMINALS S.A., PI DOCK FACILITIES LLC, PICKARD PLACE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, PORT ARTHUR COKER COMPANY L.P., PREMCOR USA INC., PROPERTY RESTORATION L.P., PURE BIOFUELS DEL PERU S.A.C., PURE BIOFUELS HOLDINGS L.P., Parkway Pipeline, Premcor, Pure Biofuels Del Peru, SABINE RIVER HOLDING CORP., SABINE RIVER LLC, SAINT BERNARD PROPERTIES COMPANY LLC, SUNBELT REFINING COMPANY L.P., THE PREMCOR PIPELINE CO., THE PREMCOR REFINING GROUP INC., THE SHAMROCK PIPE LINE CORPORATION, TRANSPORT MARITIME ST. LAURENT INC., ULTRAMAR ACCEPTANCE INC., ULTRAMAR ENERGY INC., ULTRAMAR INC., Ultramar Diamond Shamrock, V-TEX LOGISTICS LLC, VALERO (BARBADOS) SRL, VALERO (PERU) HOLDINGS GP LLC, VALERO (PERU) HOLDINGS LIMITED, VALERO ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO ARUBA ACQUISITION COMPANY I LTD., VALERO ARUBA FINANCE INTERNATIONAL LTD., VALERO ARUBA HOLDING COMPANY N.V., VALERO ARUBA HOLDINGS INTERNATIONAL LTD., VALERO ARUBA MAINTENANCE/OPERATIONS COMPANY N.V., VALERO BROWNSVILLE TERMINAL LLC, VALERO CANADA FINANCE INC., VALERO CANADA L.P., VALERO CAPITAL CORPORATION, VALERO CARIBBEAN SERVICES COMPANY, VALERO COKER CORPORATION ARUBA N.V., VALERO CUSTOMS & TRADE SERVICES INC., VALERO EAST BAY LLC, VALERO ENERGY (IRELAND) LIMITED, VALERO ENERGY ARUBA II COMPANY, VALERO ENERGY INC., VALERO ENERGY LTD, VALERO ENERGY PARTNERS GP LLC, VALERO ENERGY PARTNERS LP, VALERO ENERGY UK LTD, VALERO ENTERPRISES INC., VALERO EQUITY SERVICES LTD, VALERO FINANCE L.P. I, VALERO FINANCE L.P. II, VALERO FINANCE L.P. III, VALERO FOREST CONTRIBUTION LLC, VALERO GRAIN MARKETING LLC, VALERO H2 PIPELINE COMPANY LLC, VALERO HOLDCO UK LTD, VALERO HOLDINGS INC., VALERO INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS INC., VALERO LIVE OAK LLC, VALERO LOGISTICS UK LTD, VALERO MARKETING AND SUPPLY (PANAMA) LLC, VALERO MARKETING AND SUPPLY COMPANY, VALERO MARKETING AND SUPPLY DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO MARKETING AND SUPPLY DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO MARKETING AND SUPPY INTERNATIONAL LTD., VALERO MARKETING IRELAND LIMITED, VALERO MKS LOGISTICS L.L.C., VALERO NEDERLAND COOPERATIEF U.A., VALERO NEDERLAND COOPERATIEF U.A., VALERO NEW AMSTERDAM B.V., VALERO OMEGA COMPANY L.L.C., VALERO OPERATIONAL SERVICES DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO OPERATIONAL SERVICES DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO OPERATIONS SUPPORT LTD, VALERO PARTNERS CCTS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS CORPUS EAST LLC, VALERO PARTNERS CORPUS WEST LLC, VALERO PARTNERS EP LLC, VALERO PARTNERS HOUSTON LLC, VALERO PARTNERS LOUISIANA LLC, VALERO PARTNERS LUCAS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS MCKEE LLC, VALERO PARTNERS MEMPHIS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS MERAUX LLC, VALERO PARTNERS NORTH TEXAS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS OPERATING CO. LLC, VALERO PARTNERS PAPS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS PORT ARTHUR LLC, VALERO PARTNERS SOUTH TEXAS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS TEXAS CITY LLC, VALERO PARTNERS THREE RIVERS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS WEST MEMPHIS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS WEST TEXAS LLC, VALERO PARTNERS WYNNEWOOD LLC, VALERO PAYMENT SERVICES COMPANY, VALERO PEMBROKESHIRE LLC, VALERO PEMBROKESHIRE OIL TERMINAL LTD, VALERO PLAINS COMPANY LLC, VALERO POWER MARKETING LLC, VALERO RAIL OPERATIONS DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO RAIL OPERATIONS DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO RAIL PARTNERS LLC, VALERO REFINING AND MARKETING COMPANY, VALERO REFINING COMPANY-ARUBA N.V., VALERO REFINING COMPANY-CALIFORNIA, VALERO REFINING COMPANY-OKLAHOMA, VALERO REFINING COMPANY-TENNESSEE L.L.C., VALERO REFINING-MERAUX LLC, VALERO REFINING-NEW ORLEANS L.L.C., VALERO REFINING-TEXAS L.P., VALERO RENEWABLE FUELS COMPANY LLC, VALERO SECURITY SYSTEMS INC., VALERO SERVICES INC., VALERO SKELLYTOWN PIPELINE LLC, VALERO TEJAS COMPANY LLC, VALERO TERMINAL HOLDCO LTD, VALERO TERMINALING AND DISTRIBUTION COMPANY, VALERO TERMINALING AND DISTRIBUTION DE MEXICO S.A. DE C.V., VALERO TEXAS POWER MARKETING INC., VALERO ULTRAMAR HOLDINGS INC., VALERO UNIT INVESTMENTS L.L.C., VALERO WEST WALES LLC, VRG PROPERTIES COMPANY, VTD PROPERTIES COMPANY, WARSHALL COMPANY LLC, and ZELIG COMMERCIAL INC.. Vedanta Ltd. is a natural resource company, which engages in the exploration, extraction, and processing of minerals, oil, and gas properties. It operates through the following segments: Copper, Aluminum, Iron Ore, Power, and Oil & Gas. The Copper segment focuses in custom smelting and also include a copper smelter, a refinery, a phosphoric acid plant, a sulphuric acid plant, a copper rod plant, and three captive power plants. The Aluminum segment comprises refinery and a captive power plant at Lanjigarh and a smelter, a thermal coal based captive power facility at Jharsuguda both situated in the State of Odisha in India. The Iron Ore segment explores, mines, and processes iron ore, pig iron, and metallurgical coke. The Power segment consists 600 MW thermal coal-based commercial power facility at Jharsuguda in the State of Odisha in Eastern India. The Oil and Gas segment involves in the exploration and development and production of oil and gas. The company was founded by Dwarka Prasad Agarwal on June 25, 1965 and is headquartered in Mumbai, India. Read More 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. This years annual meeting for the Society for Social Studies of Science (4S) had an intriguing new component: an exhibition on the histories of STS in flux internationally, befitting the theme of transnational STS around which the conference was developed. The exhibition represents the various turns and epistemological orientations towards the critical studies of science and technology in locations decidedly outside of the Euro-American sphere where much of STS has publicly emerged, although Euro-American institutions are also represented within the exhibition. The exhibition intends to show a clear progression of STS as a field coming of age independently across nations. Aptly titled STS Across Borders, the initiative behind the exhibition aims to make legible the traditions of critical social, cultural and political studies of science and technology including those that have at times evaded the label of STS. Several different regional formations of STS across the world, including ones centered in India, Japan, Chile, Australia, the US, and Africa were explored through a variety of key questions guiding the exhibition. As a co-curator of the STS in Africa in Formation portion of the exhibition, I am familiar with the challenges surrounding definitions of STS, science, knowledge production and regionalisms that confounded my fellow curators. We hoped to create a dynamic platform through which semiotic concerns are explored in a more flexible way while also aiming to create a robust archive of STS-related work. The works of medical anthropologists feature prominently in STS Across Borders, since forms of knowledge about health and healing have traveled across the world and have been interpreted divergently. Medical knowledge exchange between nations have long been explored by medical anthropologists, so it is no surprise that questions of healing, medicine, knowledge production and the creation of expertise around such concepts are well represented within the exhibition. Closely related to questions of medicine were reflections on disasters, both natural and anthropogenic or a combination thereof, that have had significant impacts on human health. Lets explore some of the posters from the exhibition which relate to themes of health. A significant aspect of the STS in Africa in Formation exhibit were scholars who are working on issues of medical knowledge production and application within the African context. This has included MITs Clapperton Mavhunga, who is writing a monograph on African modalities of chemistry, for use in medicine and in applications of poisons. Noemi Tousignant is a historian of medicine working in the context of colonial and postcolonial Senegal. Finally, Iruka Okeke, a microbiologist working on pathogenesis and microbial resistance, whose work is integral to vaccine development was showcased as part of the exhibit. This particular set of scholars show both the diversity of STS genealogies in development in the African continent, as well as socially oriented scientific research that may at other times not be categorized as STS. The practices of STS and medical anthropology have always included work dedicated to public outreach and pedagogy. Initiatives such as courses, conferences, workshops and other events are vital to the creation of networks of interlocutors within the field and audiences across other fields. Artifacts such as Deakin Universitys Medicine in Society study guides, the set of monographs published on various aspects of health, medicine and the pharmaceutical industry from regional medical anthropology hubs of Keio and Osaka Universities in Japan, and the various events with synthetic biology institutions undertaken by the Institute for Science and Society Engagement at the University of Nottingham are testaments to the diverse developments in STS and medical anthropology infrastructures to support scholarly communities around the world. STS Across Borders also sought to situate the distinct traditions of STS and medical anthropology that have emerged in specific locations in the globe to their historical, socio-political and cultural context. To this effect, specific analytic questions were created to guide the curators of the exhibits: What external conditions have influenced this STS formation? and How has the work of this STS formation engaged audiences beyond the university? Among various other considerations, the curators of STS Across Borders reflected on Indias Bhopal gas tragedy, and the more recent public hearings on Bt-brinjal and the combined legacies of Minamata disease, earthquakes and the large elderly demographic on Japanese society as key contributors to the characteristic STS traditions of the respective nations. The STS Across Borders exhibit is held online here. As my co-curator of the STS in Africa in Formation, Angela Okune said: This exhibit is a starting point for what we hope will be a living work-in-progress that will keep growing and changing. If the exhibit can spur discussions on some of the issues we have mentioned and also highlight work that has been done, that would be a fruitful start. In addition to problematizing scale, one other intent of the initiative is also to build community. By bringing together a diverse group of works into one frame, the intent is not to say that this is the canon or that these are the only people that are doing the work. Definitely not. But rather to say check out all of this interesting work going on in these different disciplines, part of the world, etc. etc. Again, this is just a start. What is exciting about using the PECE platform for this initiative is that it is not a written annual review type of genre that is inherently quite static in form; the online platform is something that people can and should keep contributing to. So for 4S 2019, we hope that the STS in Africa exhibit will be taken up by others and added to and published again! You can think of it like a second volume of a book that keeps growing (with different authors). So we hope this first attempt will be well-received and critiqued and continue to live, grow and be a facilitating space for discourse and debate. More than anything, the STS Across Borders exhibition is meant as a provocation that will unravel and develop further in the coming years as more content gets added to the unique PECE (Platform for Experimental Collaborative Ethnography: an open-source digital format developed by UC Irvine to support collaborative ethnographic research) platform. As an experimental living archive, the hope of the curators is that it develops alongside contemporary advances in STS infrastructure and scholarship so that curators can update and annotate the exhibits and their component artifacts accordingly. This is the first effort of its kind within the global STS community, and we hope that it serves allied disciplines such as medical anthropology well in the coming years. Aadita Chaudhury is a PhD Candidate in the Graduate Program in Science & Technology Studies at York University, in Toronto, Canada. For her dissertation, she plans to conduct a multi-sited ethnography examining the praxis and materialities of fire ecology, with particular consideration to the more-than-human relationalities and material-semiotic assemblages that are implicated in the study of wildfires. She is a Student Representative of the Council of the Society for Social Studies of Science (4S). She was one of the founding co-curators of the STS Across Borders exhibit, where with Angela Okune, she developed the STS in Africa in formation exhibit. You can find her on Twitter at @ThylacineReport. Share this: Share Email Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr LinkedIn [view academic citations] [hide academic citations] Editors Note: Charle LaMonica, Director, World View , a public service program at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, equips K-12 and community college educators with global knowledge, best practices, and resources to engage students in our interconnected and diverse world. Here, she examines how global skills prepare students to be global citizens ready to study and work in our interconnected world. My students need to understand the connection between what they are learning in the classroom and reality. I have seen that students are able to gain a better understanding of anything when they can understand WHY they are learning it. Once students understand why they are learning material they have an appreciation for the knowledge you are passing on to them. -Evonne Royston, Warren County Public Schools, North Carolina. Recently I had an opportunity to follow up with Evonne, 8th grade science teacher from Warren County Public Schools in North Carolina. An engaging teacher with a sharp intellect and infectious curiosity, Evonne inspires a love of learning in her students. Recently Evonne was one of several educators selected to participate in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) World Views Global Study Visit to the Dominican Republic in partnership with the Global Youth Leadership Institute . This experience was a deep dive into the legacy of the past in todays Dominican Republic and Evonne was ready to record her experiences. School visits in urban and rural settings were accompanied by a tour of historic plantations and the Jarabacoa Womens Cooperative: Sonido del Yaque, located in the small mountainous town of Jarabacoa. Evonne, like the other participants, was focused on how this experience would translate to her students in the classroom. How could this global experience impact her teaching and learning to prepare her students for their role as global citizens? How could this experience translate into teaching the relevance of a global education to prepare her students for the future of work? As the cohort traveled, Asia Societys global competence framework was kept front and center. As educators know, competencies are valued in schools and in the marketplace as future employers seek a diverse and well-prepared workforce. Global competencies are essential for students to be prepared as global citizens for the work place. Here is how Evonne, looking at these competencies through her science teacher lens from rural North Carolina, made connections for her students after her trip to the Dominican Republic. Investigate the World When Evonne traveled on this study visit, she identified experiences that were similar or shared by educators in both Warren County, North Carolina, and the Dominican Republic. She recognized that perseverance was a key factor to success in both locations. She stated, In the Dominican Republic and Warren County, I made the connection that both have dedicated teachers who are doing the best they can with what they have in their schools: overpopulated classrooms, students who have personal and family issues, etc. The Dominican Republic and Warren County both deal with some of the same issues, but regardless of those stumbling blocks, perseverance is non-negotiable. Recognize Perspectives Educators have a unique perspective on problems and solutions. This is what employers need in todays marketplace and what societies need in global citizenry. Many educators today teach in diverse classrooms and design classroom projects that instill the value of group work. Understanding diverse perspectives is essential as students develop as global citizens. Tim Humphrey, Vice President and Chief Data Officer, IBM RTP in North Carolina, has stated, The personal responsibility educators hold in relationships with students shapes our society. Businesses value a diverse workforce as they meet the rapid rate of change in our global society and our students must be prepared to work with people from different backgrounds. Evonne noted from her global experience in the Dominican Republic that teachers can look at many of the same issues they are challenged with every single day but from a different angle, and thus build a more flexible, creative student body. Communicate Ideas Evonne was especially impressed by the visit to the Jarabacoa Womens Cooperative witnessing the creative way the Cooperative collaborates with partners around the world. The Cooperative was created by Dona Esperanza, a woman who dared to seek a better life for her community. In the early 2000s watching tourist groups visit her area, Esperanza had a natural understanding for business and created the Sonido del Yaque project which now has cabins for tourists, a hydroelectric facility, biodigestors and a small farm that cultivates their own agricultural goods. With support from USAID and international investors, the Sonido del Yaque has dramatically changed lives in the community. As the UNC World View study visit group learned about Esperanzas story of the Cooperative, the value of global teaching and learning about the world was made real. Evonne carried her experiences of visiting the Jarabacoa Womens Cooperative back to her students, sharing details that allowed her to illustrate how people can communicate their wants and needs in a way that leads to gaining resourcesand using them creatively. While in the Dominican Republic, I was able to understand and witness the appreciation of gaining knowledge (from other partners) when the director of the Jarabacoa Womens Cooperative informed us that colleges and corporations have helped them put together efficient energy systems; the community understood why they needed to learn how to monitor, troubleshoot, and repair the system; and they appreciated gaining that knowledge and passing it on. Take Action Evonne took action when she returned to her science classroom and shared her experiences with her students. She shared what she learned and showed examples of ways students in the Dominican Republic were taking action while learning about science. Being able to show my students the work that has been done by Dominican Republic students who are so young (irrigation of the strawberries, engineering projects, farming) is proof that there is more my students can use the field of science to make a difference. What can we as educators do for our students as we prepare them for their future? As Evonne didmodel for students the Global Competence Framework. Show students how important it is not only for students but also for teachers to investigate the world, recognize perspectives of others, communicate ideas effectively and take action to make the world a better place in the classroom, home or world community! So what now? Attend an online seminar, apply for a U.S. Department of State Fulbright , read a book about a different part of the world, or visit a local international communityjust to name a few. Young students are like bloodhounds when it comes to sniffing out what is real and what is not, said Evonne. Teachers making connections between countries and cultures makes it REAL for students. I believe students respond better when they know I am coming from a genuine place. The future of work is filled with global connections. Global educators make global connections real for students. And global lessons, learned by teachers, will multiply in the students they serve! Connect with World View and the Center for Global Education on Twitter. Image created on Pablo . There was nothing path-breaking or particularly original when I wrote the following a couple of days ago in the context of Pakistan reaching out to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout. Going to the IMF is always a difficult choice for countries because the institution is known to set tough reform conditions before releasing any money. We do not know yet what conditions the IMF might insist on to lend Pakistan $8 billion but one can say reasonably that they would be quite tough and not politically palatable for the nascent Khan government. Imposing tough reform and austerity conditions is part of the IMFs standard operating procedure.I describe it as those who lend you, bend you. This is as true for countries as it is for individuals. I know because I have been in it for a long time. I say this not as a complaint but just as a matter of fact. No money has ever come to anyoneindividuals or countrieswithout strings attached to it. This is my version of the string theory. (Nerd humor). Now that Islamabad has formally begun negotiating a $12 billion bailout, as opposed to the initially believed $8 billion, the demands of IMF lending and pressures of political expediencies will head for a head-on collision. As Maria Abi-Habib reports in The New York Times today, Pakistan actually needs $20 billion. It is baffling why it is not asking for that amount unless it plans to meet the shortfall from friendly countries. Like I said, money means strings even with friends. The problem with the IMF bailout, which is the only reasonable option for Khan at this point, is that he cannot accept it and keep his election promises too over a long-term. The IMF would insist on seeing Pakistans books. IMF managing director Christine Lagarde has already called for absolute transparency over its debts before she opens her purse strings. For a government like Pakistans absolute transparency could be tricky because there is so much juggling that must happen behind-the-scenes. However, the more formidable problem in opening up the books is that China, a top benefactor of Pakistan, will not like that because Beijing too has its own complex juggling as it goes about hooking up nation-states on debt addiction to advance its long-term strategic goals. Khan ought to be acutely conscious that barely two months into his government and he is already feeling the severe economic squeeze from the IMF that would necessarily push him off his lofty but unrealistic objectives. One cant be in debt and still dream. Ask me. I know. I mean one can dream but that would be ludicrous. Debt devours nobility. Dreams die at debts doorstep. The Pakistan-IMF story has just begun to unfold. I will be watching. Seniors and early bird dining specials have become a punchline. Joke all you want, the folks taking advantage of these deals, many of whom are not seniors, are laughing all the way to the bank. Restaurants offers special deals during slow periods to lure diners. Often those deals are for off-season specials or for dining on traditionally slow nights and/or times. If taking advantage of an early bird special makes you feel uncomfortable, consider that many of these specials also double as Happy Hour deals. Taking advantage of the early bird dining specials also allows you plenty of time to make it to the theater or concert venue for that 8 p.m. show. At Zuckarellos, the popular Italian spot at 3017 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Sunset Dinners are available from 4-6 p.m. seven days a week. The dinners, priced between $17.95 and $22.95 offer a starter of soup or salad, entrees such as pasta dishes, lamb shank, chicken Marsala, shrimp scampi or snapper, served with coffee or tea and dessert. Happy hour features drink specials and light bites at the bar, such as fried calamari, eggplant rollatini, Caprese salad, sausage and peppers or meatballs with ricotta cream and pomodoro sauce. Wilton Manors The Grille on the Drive, 2000 N. Wilton Dr., has quickly developed a devoted crowd for its Sunset Specials, served Monday through Thursday from 4-6 p.m. The draw is as much for the ample portions as it is for the reasonable price, $9.95 (with an additional $3.95 for the soup and salad bar). Stand out options include the meat loaf and lasagna. Happy hour prices are also in effect, with $3 well drinks and half-off call and premium liquors! Sea Watch on the Ocean, 6002 N. Ocean Blvd., in Fort Lauderdale offers a Dinner at Dusk special from 5-6 p.m., but only through Dec. 24. The $21.95 meal includes a choice of clam or conch chowder or salad and one of the following entrees; crab tostada, filet mignon, blackened mahi, a 1 lb. whole lobster (broiled or steamed), the broiled combination plate (shrimp, scallops and mahi) or the daily catch, as well as a choice of ice cream or Key lime pie for dessert. Catfish Deweys, 4003 N. Andrews Ave., Oakland Park, is known for its all-you-can-eat specials, but the early bird special is also a terrific deal. Served from 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, the deal includes a choice of potato, choice of hushpuppies or bread, coleslaw, soft drink and dessert (a half slice key lime pie or chocolate brownie). All entrees are priced between $12 and $15 and include such favorites as; shrimp or catfish (a half-pound serving, your choice of fried, broiled, grilled or blackened), Maryland crab cakes, baby back ribs, fried oysters, chicken or clam strips. At the popular German-American Ambry, 3016 E Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, early bird specials include soup and salad bar, choice of potato, dessert and coffee or tea as well as specialties such as; sauerbraten, bratwurst, knockwurst, beef rouladen, wiener schnitzel and zuricher geschnetzeltes as well as standards such as prime rib roast pork, trout, steak, shrimp lamb chops, all priced less than $25. Community favorite Peter Pan, 1216 E Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, is open late and offers late night specials in addition to its early bird options, served from 3-6 p.m. The meals, priced from $10-$12 includes a cup of soup or tossed salad, coffee or tea, and a selection from the dessert tray. Entree selections include; liver and onions, broiled chicken, spaghetti with meatballs, meatloaf, eggplant Parmigiana, lasagna, Greek combination platter, pork kabob, and broiled flounder, rainbow trout or cod, among others. At Kabibi, 3828 N. University Dr., in Sunrise you can enjoy a 15 percent discount on its Persian cuisine Monday through Friday from 4-7 p.m. I will repeat the notice on its web site, Please not to combine with other offers. Christina Wans, 664 N. Federal, Fort Lauderdale offers a Sunset Special from 3-6:30 p.m. which includes a choice of soup (egg drop, hot and sour or won ton) brown, white or fried rice, and a spring roll or egg roll. The entrees include your choice of chicken, beef, shrimp, pork or tofu (depending upon entree selection) in a variety of sauces and preparations and are priced between $13-$16. Louie Bossis, 1032 E Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale, doesnt offer an early bird special, but it does have a Happy Hour special. From 4-7 p.m. pizzas served in the bar are half-priced and its $2 off all drink prices every day and on Monday, martinis are also half-priced and there are meatball sliders for $2 each! Alibi/Monkey Bar, 2266 Wilton Dr., doesnt offer an early bird menu either, but its Taco and Wings Happy Hour more than makes up for it. In addition to the titular treats, there are beef sliders, onion rings, edamame, chicken tenders and southwestern egg rolls on the menu. Combine that with two-for-one drinks, and a good time is guaranteed. At El Vez, 401 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, the happy hour specials, served from 4-7 p.m., include half-off all frozen blood orange and classic margaritas, draft beer and house wines by the glass. Dining specials include two carnitas or chicken tacos for $6 or chicken quesadillas, burgers, nachos or smoked red snapper tostadas, all priced at less than $10 (some snacks are as low as $4). Oh, did we mention, every seat overlooks the beach and, its in the W Hotel? Given the prime location, those prices are crazy! Palm Beach Dramaworks opens its 2018-19 season with Indecent, Paula Vogels critically-acclaimed play about a forgotten chapter in LGBT history that literally played out on the stage a century ago. The drama with music created by Vogel and longtime collaborator Rebecca Taichman, resurrects playwright Sholem Asch and the shocking journey of his groundbreaking 1907 work, God of Vengeance. Even though his play had been performed around the world in both Yiddish and English, Vogels work focuses on the firestorm that erupted two weeks after God of Vengeance opened on Broadway 17 years later. On March 6, 1923, the cast and producer were indicted for unlawfully advertising, giving, presenting, and participating in an obscene, indecent, immoral, and impure drama or play. While the indictment was the result of numerous complaints alleging that the play was anti-Semitic, it became clear in the subsequent trial that the prosecutor was most outraged by the depiction of a heartfelt lesbian relationship that led to the first kiss between two women on a Broadway stage. I actually first read the play when I was 22 years old, recalled Vogel in a phone interview. It was my first year in grad school and one of my professors suggested I read this play and I thought hes giving me a hint. I found a yellowed, out-of-print copy and I didnt even leave the library. I read it right there in the stacks. God of Vengeance is about an Orthodox Jew named Yekel who runs a brothel in the basement of his home. Yekel believes that if he can find a righteous husband for his innocent daughter Rifkele, and has a Torah scroll created as a gift to the couple, he can earn respect and make amends with God. But, he is unaware that Rifkele has fallen in love with Manke, one of his prostitutes. Aschs compassionate, understanding approach to same-sex love particularly inspired Vogel. Indecent incorporates some of Aschs dialogue from God of Vengeance, including its most memorable section, a love scene between Rifkele and Manke I know [Asch] was heterosexual, but it remains, to this day, the most beautiful love scene Ive ever encountered. That stayed with me for a long time, Vogel said. Although Indecent ends in the middle of the twentieth century with Aschs departure from his adopted homeland, the issues raised in the play reverberate resoundingly in 2018, including the subjugation of women, anti-Semitism, antipathy toward immigrants, assimilation, antagonism toward gays, religious hypocrisy, and the role of art and artists in troubled times. The play couldnt be more timelythe way America is turning its back on immigration and treating immigrants as not being human is happening in the background of this playI could see us drifting into a divided country and the hate speech today, but this was all happening in the 1920s, she pointed out. Vogel paused a moment before adding, Immigration is an LGBT issue. Censorship is an LGBT issue. We are one step away from seeing all the advances weve made eradicated. She noted that Jews were not the only population who were persecuted by the fascists almost a century ago in Europe and this country could easily ignore history and head down the same path. I always think about a younger audience when I write because Ive been a teacher. We didnt invent gayness and lesbianism, this has been a part of the human condition for a long, long time. I was born in 1951, the holocaust was in my bones and now were seeing it denied. Its a historical fact, Vogel argued. I want this play to have an impact so that it will be in their bodies, their bones, and they will see a need for participation as citizens, making alliances inside our communities. Palm Beach Dramaworks opens its 2018-19 season with Paula Vogels Indecent, Oct. 19 Nov. 11, at the Don and Ann Brown Theater, 201 Clematis St. in West Palm Beach. Tickets are $75 at PalmBeachDramaworks.org. The firm said it will invest USD 15 million over the next one year to scale up its wealth management business. Mumbai: Fintech platform MobiKwik on Thursday announced its entry into the wealth management business with the acquisition of Clearfunds, an online wealth management platform, for an undisclosed amount. The firm said it will invest USD 15 million over the next one year to scale up its wealth management business. This is the first acquisition by MobiKwik and will help the brand to further strengthen its foothold in the digital financial services industry, a release said. Post the acquisition, the founder and chief executive officer of Clearfunds, Kunal Bajaj, will lead MobiKwik's wealth management business, it added. Upasana Taku, co-founder and director, MobiKwik, said, "This acquisition will help us get a head start in the wealth management domain. MobiKwik users will now be able to start their investing journey with as little as Rs 100." "We will continue to look at strategic investments or acquisitions that can add value to our business," she added. MobiKwik said its over 107 million customers will soon be able to start using the facility through its app. Clearfunds already has USD 45 million worth of assets under advisory and its platform allows clients to access over 3,000 direct mutual fund schemes across all 36 mutual fund companies and four registrar and transfer agents, according to the release. The IT Ministry has received more than 400 responses from companies, industry bodies and government departments on the draft personal data protection bill, and will take stock of suggestions before its proposed introduction in Parliament, according to a senior official. New Delhi: The IT Ministry has received more than 400 responses from companies, industry bodies and government departments on the draft personal data protection bill, and will take stock of suggestions before its proposed introduction in Parliament, according to a senior official. The deadline to submit suggestions on the government's draft personal data protection bill closed on Wednesday. An official, who did not wish to be named, said the IT Ministry will start systematically analysing and crystallising the responses now, following which, it will further consult related stakeholders and certain ministries like Law and Justice. The official said some of the responses talk of how the language of the draft bill can be tightened to avoid its multiple interpretation in the future, and added that some suggestions were around the costs surrounding mandatory localisation or storage of data, that the bill proposes. Many global industry bodies have contended that data localisation proposed in the draft bill could have "significant negative effects" on the ability of companies to do business in India. The ministry hopes to take stock of all the feedback over the next 1.5 months and give final touches to the draft by November-end, for its subsequent introduction in Parliament. Parliament is expected to convene for the winter session in November-December. The official said that a number of ministries and departments, including Corporate Affairs, Social Justice and Women and Child Development, and Youth Affairs have also sent in their feedback. The draft personal data protection bill was crafted by a high-level panel headed by Justice B N Srikrishna, and was submitted to IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in July-end. The draft bill moots "explicit consent" for processing 'sensitive personal information' like religious or political beliefs, sexual orientation and biometric details. It suggests steps for safeguarding personal information, defining obligations of data processors as also rights of individuals, while proposing penalties for violation. The areas covered by the recommendations include consent, what comprises personal data including sensitive personal data, exemptions which can be granted, grounds for processing data, storage restrictions for personal data, individual rights and right to be forgotten. The draft of Personal Data Protection Bill, 2018 also restricts and imposes conditions on the cross-border transfer of personal data, and suggests setting up of Data Protection Authority of India to prevent any misuse of personal information. It provides for a penalty of Rs 15 crore or 4 per cent of the total worldwide turnover of any data collection entity, including the state, on violation of personal data processing provisions. Failure to take prompt action on a data security breach can lead to a penalty of up to Rs 5 crore or 2 per cent of turnover, whichever is higher. Mumbai: Bollywood actor Prateik Babbar has refused to give his blood sample for analysis after he was booked by the Goa Police for rash driving, a police official said Thursday. The police wanted his blood sample to check whether the actor, who is in his early 30s, was driving under the influence of alcohol, the official said. Babbar's car allegedly dashed a scooter on the Panaji- Mapusa highway Wednesday evening following which a case of rash driving was registered against him. "When Babbar was taken for medical examination at the state-run Asilo Hospital in Mapusa town, he refused to give his blood sample," Porvorim police station inspector Paresh Naik told PTI. A case under the Motor Vehicles Act was registered, while a probe was on to check whether Babbar could also be booked under IPC sections as the scooter rider alleged that the actor threatened him after the mishap, he said. Babbar has been called Thursday at the Porvorim police station for questioning, Naik added. The complainant, Paulo Correa, 21, had Wednesday alleged that a car driven by Babbar dashed against his scooter when he was riding with his sister. After the mishap there was an altercation and Babbar used filthy language against them, he alleged. Babbar, on his part, filed a complaint against Correa, alleging that Correa smashed his car's window-shield, the police official said, adding that they have seized the car. Prateik Babbar, the son of actors Raj Babbar and late Smita Patil, has worked in films like "Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na", "Dhobi Ghat", "Dum Maro Dum" and more recently "Mulk". Mumbai: Tumbbad starring Sohum Shah is all set to release in a day. The actor-producer has earlier invested in projects like Ship Of Theseus and Talvar. Coming to Tumbbad, he took 6 long years for the film, yes even more than Baahubali! In a candid conversation with Deccan Chronicle, he spoke about the whole journey and how it has been a fulfilling one for him. Here are some excerpts from the interview: Winning National Award with Ship Of Theseus, bagging film with Kangana, and now Tumbbad being in so much buzz, what have you got to say about all this? I have a lot of expectations too. I took 6 years in making this film, giving it my everything! So I feel that this film should reach maximum audiences, who could experience it. It is such a unique film, which you wouldnt have seen in Indian cinema including the visuals and bedtime tales. When this story came to me, I started wondering why nobody touched such a subject! It was tough to make a film like this because we had to create monsters. We first used prosthetics then settled for VFX and did a lot of research on production design. We got a bus from 1930s in the film. The trailer has every element horror, thriller, drama, unconventional romance and unintentional comedy. So will it be right to put the film in a box genre-wise? What can the audiences expect when they go to watch the film? Surprise. Thats the only word. The film changes colour with each second. It has so many elements like you rightly said, so you cant put it in a box. Did you expect that the film will take 6 years? Deciding to do a film before Baahubali also came in, do you feel that Tumbbad is at the level of the epic? Not exactly Baahubali, but its different and grand. I began the film in 2012 and am really happy that were getting everything right. Its a very Indian film. Baahubali is on a grand scale so theres no comparison, but this film is emotional and colourful. It is unique and familiar all at the same time. Can it be a franchise as well? Definitely! If it gets peoples love, it can definitely happen! If asked to invest these many years, can you do it again? I would love to do that! I learnt so much, and then you feel like patting yourself for making the right kind of film. As an actor, Ive been through many challenges. For me the challenging part here was to understand his psychology. As an actor, its easy to get out of the zone after 2 months. Here I had to be in the flow for 6 years! Physical memory like driving a car isnt forgotten, its the emotional memory which you tend to forget. Apart from that, I did rope climbing and used lenses. Im not a gym fan but I went ahead and worked on my body. For me, Tumbbad itself is one-time opportunity. You are from a Rajasthani village yourself. So is there any special preparation that you had to do? All that I mentioned before, and learning Marathi accent. I feel the character is Salim-Javeds Amitabh Bachchan. He is very isolated. I am totally opposite of Vinayak. He also has a dark sense of humour. In all preparations, getting into the characters costume really helps, since you get in the flow. But investing in the character would be interesting, no? I wont be able to forget this character for life! Its really special. Hes larger-than-life. Did you take anything back from Vinayak? I dont want to take anything from him, but he has mind-blowing courage, which is more inspiring. Along with Aanand L Rai, even Rajkumar Hirani praised the movie. So does he have any contribution? No, were just lucky he even came, since he was busy with Sanju then. He loved the film so much that he spoke for an hour. Aanand sir was also on board so my mind wasnt able to process that the dream was coming true, but I felt that I was on the right path for sure. Would you like to invest in anything apart from movies? Im more an actor than producer. I dont want to invest more in production. Mumbai: Fairness creams that contain the drug, Hydroquinone, will soon be included in the list of schedule H drugs, the Union health department has said. With this, over-the-counter (OTC) sale of creams containing Hydroquinone will not be allowed without the doctors prescription. According to the health ministry and dermatologists, overuse or prolonged use of creams containing this drug causes cancer. Taking the possible side effects into consideration, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had written to the Union health ministry regarding the excessive use of this unauthorised medication across the state. With consultation of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, the Central government has categorised 14 steroids used in fairness creams as schedule H under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. Schedule H prohibits OTC sale of drugs sans proper prescription. So far, there are over 500 drugs and now, steroids found in fairness creams have been included as well. Dr Ratnakar Kamath from the skin department of state-run J.J. Hospital said, The overuse of these creams always causes side effects, and prolonged usage is dangerous. Its nothing like the way these advertisements say like you will be fair after using so and so cream. Most of these creams contain some amount of steroids as many people are unaware about it. Prolonged usage of these creams causes atrocious thinning of the skin, making it more sensitive to sunlight and increases hair growth on the face along with troublesome acne, he said. FDA commissioner Pallavi Darade, said, The Drug Consultative Committee of the Central government has come up with this as it has ill-effects. Once these drugs get included in schedule H of the Act, they cannot be sold without a doctors prescription and there can be no advertisements of the creams in any media. Donkeys have been the traditional means of transport on the Island of Santorini known for a hilly terrain (Photo: Pixabay) While use of animals for certain purposes has been going on for ages, animal rights activists are now calling for an end to abuse. Donkeys are still used as a way to transport goods or carry people in some parts of the world. But authorities in Greece have now banned overweight tourists from travelling on donkeys after it left the animals with spinal injuries. The step followed images of obese tourists being carried up the narrow steps of Santorini. The regulations state that donkeys giving rides to tourists should not be made to carry load weighing more than 100 kg. Campaigners alleged that the animals were being made to carry heavy loads while working long hours seven days a week without shelter and rest. The regulations also made it clear that animals not fit for work should not be used and they should get adequate food and fresh water every day. Donkeys have been the traditional means of transport on the Island of Santorini known for a hilly terrain. The security officials termed Wanis killing as a major success against militants and militancy in the State. (Representational Image | AP) Srinagar: A PhD scholar turned militant Manan Bashir Wani was among two gunmen killed by security forces in a gun battle in Jammu and Kashmirs frontier district of Kupwara on Thursday. The officials said that the gun fight broke out after the Armys 30 Rashtriya Rifles, J&K polices counterinsurgency Special Operations Group (SOG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) laid siege to Shartgund Qalamabad village of the district where the duo was hiding in a private house. They added that the security forces learnt about the presence of Wani and another militant in the village through intelligence inputs. A cordon-and-search operation was launched in Shartgund Qalamabad late Wednesday night after learning about the presence of militants through intelligence inputs. The militants opened fire at the search party and the intermittent firing between the two sides continued through Thursday, a police official said. He added that Wani and his accomplice Tariq Gujjar were killed in the final assault by the security forces shortly before Noon on Thursday. Wani was pursuing higher studies at Aligarh Muslim University but in January this year he returned to his home state only to pick up the gun and join Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, the frontline indigenous militant outfit. The security officials termed Wanis killing as a major success against militants and militancy in the State. The killing of militants sparked off protests in several areas of Kupwara. Reports said that police and Central armed forces used force to quell stone-pelting mobs at places in the district. The clashes were underway as reports last came in. A witness said that clashes broke out also during the encounter and the security forces used live ammunition to broke up the violent protests, leaving several people injured. Earlier, the authorities closed all the educational institutions in Kupwara and also in southern district of Pulwama and snapped internet services in parts of Kupwara and Pulwama as a precautionary measure to avoid law and order situation. Reacting to the killing of Wani and the use of force against protests around the encounter site, independent lawmaker and leader of Awami Itehad Party (AIP) Engineer Rashid said, The killing of Manan Wani negates Governor Satya Pal Maliks claim that we should focus on eliminating militancy rather killing militants. He in a signed statement issued in Srinagar added, Rather celebrating the killing and using bullets and pallets to disperse thousands of protesters at the encounter site, government should introspect what forces masses to play with their lives. Meanwhile, an activist of pro-Pakistan Muslim League Tariq Ahmed Ganai was shot dead from point blank range by unidentified gunmen inside his home in southern Shopian district on Thursday. A former militant, Ganai was a founding member of Tehrik-e-Hurriyat, a pro-freedom organisation led by separatist patriarch Syed Ali Shah Geelani. But some time ago he quit the party and joined the Muslim League headed by incarcerated separatist leader Massarat Aalam. A report from Shopian said that while the family and neighbours were preparing for Ganais funeral, a group of masked militants appeared at the scene and offered him gun salute. New Delhi: Firing a fresh salvo at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi alleged on Thursday that he was a "corrupt man" who helped Anil Ambani pocket Rs 30,000 crore in the purchase of the fighter aircraft. Gandhi demanded an investigation against the Prime Minister. The Congress president also described Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's trip to France as part of a "huge cover-up" by the government. His attack at the government came at a press conference following a report in the French media that Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of Rafale, had to choose Ambani's firm Reliance Defence as its offsets partner in India as a trade-off for getting the deal. The government has been insisting that it had no role in the Dassault's choice of Reliance Defence. Dassault Aviation said in a statement that it has "freely chosen to make a partnership with India's Reliance Group". Over $190,000 in stakes purses were on the line as three-year-old fillies of both gaits each contested three divisions of John Simpson Sr. Memorial stakes action on Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 10) at Harrahs Philadelphia. Trotters were first to the track on the Wednesday card, and the Lucky Chucky filly Lucky Ava was first to the finish line, posting splits of :27.3, :56.4 and 1:26.2 en route to a 1-3/4 length, wire-to-wire victory in a lifetime best of 1:55.1. Trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt, straight off a monumental Sunday at Lexington which may be part of a Trainer of the Year title possibility, was in the sulky for Ake Svanstedt Inc., Little E LLC and the Van Camp Trotting Corporation, whose trotter has now won $382,264. Driver Scott Zeron tucked the Chapter Seven filly Lima Novelty fourth early, then saw that become a three-tuck as a rival broke, and was content to chase long shot Winbak Noelle, who set good fractions of :27.1 and :55.4. Lima Novelty moved up the backstretch, got to the lead by the 1:24.4 three-quarters, then went on strongly through the stretch to have a 2-1/2 length advantage at the end of a 1:54.1 mile. Linda Toscano trains the winner of $278,964 for owner Ken Jacobs. Zeron and Toscano came right back to take the final trot division with another daughter of Chapter Seven, Repentance, who crossed the wire 2-1/4 lengths to the good in 1:54.4. Once again, first-over proved the winning route, as second choice Hey Judy Judy set fractions of :28.1, :57.2 and 1:26.1, but could not hold on against the winner the last eighth and faded. The winner, who lost a three-race win streak with an untimely break in her New York Sire Stakes final, started a new winning streak while raising her bankroll to $247,327 for Diamond Creek Racing. On the side-wheeling side, Scuola Hanover looked the part of a 1-5 favourite, moving to command after a :26.2 opener, putting up middle numbers of :55.1 and 1:22.4, and then staying clear by 2-1/4 lengths at the end of a lifetime-best 1:50.4 mile, which was only three-fifths of a second off Put On A Shows 2010 divisional standard for Philly. David Miller drove the daughter of A Rocknroll Dance, who now has a bankroll of $207,298 for trainer Andrew Stafford, who co-owns with Arthur Stafford and Thomas Ireland. The American Ideal filly Solitary, right back on the track after winning at Freehold on Saturday, was out most of a :25.4 quarter for driver Brett Miller before getting the lead in her section. Aldine Hanover, who forced that rough quarter, came back to take command and went middle splits of :54.4 and 1:22.4, with Solitary waiting in the two-hole and favourite E Dees Well Said swinging wide into the lane. After a stretch duel, Solitary took a neck decision while reducing her mark to 1:51.2. The winner went 17 starts in 2018 before getting to the winner's circle, but now has won three of her last four for trainer Nick Surick and the partnership of William Daggett Jr., Lawrence Vukovic and the J L Benson Stables Inc. while raising her bank account to $199,097. In the final pacing cut, Alexis Faith got a tick closer to the local track record than did Scuola Hanover, as she lowered her mark to 1:50.3 while looking like a 1-20 shot should. Driver David Miller, taking two of the three pacing stakes divisions on the afternoon, kept her fourth in a five-horse field until the five-eighths, then charged up and came a :54.2 back half with the filly to be 3-1/4 lengths clear on the money. Alexis Faith, a daughter of American Ideal and Cannae Cammie, pushed her lifetime earnings to $502,001 for trainer Casie Coleman and the ownership quartet of West Wins Stable, Jim Fielding, J. Robert Darrow and Kevin McKinlay. (PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia) Hyderabad: In the name of Value Added Services (VAS) like ringtones, messages and chatting, several offers are getting activated for customers of Airtel, BSNL, Vodafone and other telecom services without the consent of the user. Even stopping such services is difficult. The user receives a message saying that a particular service has been activated and that Rs 10 a day, Rs 25 or Rs 3 was charged to phone balance. It also says to stop the service dial 155223. But when a user does that, he/she is bombarded with several other options making it even more difficult to stop a simple service. You then get a message saying VAS service is not activated, or get another option to press a number (like 1 or 2) and that too fails to stop the service. Nearly all telecom operators resort to unscrupulous ways of activating VAS and making subscribers pay extra. They often try to flash VAS offers because of which many customers without noticing are giving explicit consent. G Naresh, a techie, says, My father told me that his prepaid mobile balance keeps diminishing even though he did not use SMS or call frequently on his BSNL phone. We realised that he had subscribed to some odd friendship message service that was eating up all his balance. He wasn't aware of it and unsubscribing from it took a long time and there was hardly any refund. Airtel subscriber K. Vara Lakshmi had a similar experience: I dont know how a caller tune was activated and only after balance was cut did I realise that it was activated. I never got any refund for the ringtone which I did not activate. Telecom operators cannot add these VAS services without the customer's knowledge, and consent is imperative. They have found a way around the consent requirement by getting subscribers to agree to the VAS service without them knowing they are doing so. According to a BSNL customer service centre, Customers, often senior citizens, visit the centre every day asking to deactivate VAS services. This is because the services come as a flash text, and unknowingly most of them accept it without paying keen attention. Telecom regulator is reportedly working on an app which will address complaints about VAS. According to a report, officials said there were reports of trees, electric poles getting uprooted and damages to kuchha houses. (Photo: ANI | Twitter) New Delhi: Cyclone Titli uprooted trees and electric poles and damaged hutments in Odisha's Ganjam and Gajapati districts after making landfall early Thursday morning, but no loss of life was reported from any part of the state, officials said. The cyclone also triggered heavy rainfall in at least three districts and caused minor damage to power and communication. "There has been no major damage or report of casualty received from any part of the state so far. Some destruction was reported from Ganjam and Gajapati districts," Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi said. Power supply and telephone links got disrupted and road communication snapped due to uprooted trees at many places of Gajapati district, the SRC said. Efforts are on to clear roads blocked by uprooted trees and restore power supply in affected areas at the earliest, he said. In all, eight districts - Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore - have been affected by "very severe cyclone Titli", he said. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the very severe cyclone landfall process started on Thursday morning with surface winds reaching speeds of 126 km/hr at Gopalpur in Odishas Ganjam district. While Gopalpur in Odisha reported surface winds at 126 km/hour, Kalingapatanam in Andhra Pradesh recorded wind speed of 56 km/hour. According to IMD, Cyclone Titli is the strongest cyclone to have formed over the Bay of Bengal this year, is expected to cross the Odisha coast over the next two hours. Titli, in Hindi means butterfly and has been categorised as a very severe cyclonic storm. All schools, colleges and anganwadi centres in various districts of Odisha are closed today. Read: Cyclone Titli to hit Odisha-Andhra border early Thursday, schools shut Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who took stock of the situation, asked the collectors of Ganjam, Puri, Khurda, Jagtsinghpur and Kendrapara districts to start the evacuation process of the people in low-lying areas immediately in the coastal belt. The Odisha government said that it is prepared to face the possible floods due to heavy rain. Director of Meteorological (MeT) Centre Bhubaneswar H R Biswas said the "very severe cyclonic storm" (VSCS) is being monitored by the coastal Doppler Weather Radars at Visakhapatnam, Gopalpur and Paradip. As part of its pre-cyclone preparedness, the Odisha government has evacuated over 3 lakh people living in low-lying areas of the five coastal districts ahead of the landfall. They were accommodated in 1,112 cyclone shelters. Altogether, 105 pregnant women in Ganjam district and 18 in Jagatsinghpur have been shifted to hospitals, the SRC said. He said 13 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have been deployed at several places along with fire brigade. (With PTI inputs) N Mahesh, who was holding the post of Primary and Secondary Education Minister in HD Kumaraswamy's government said he would however continue to support the ruling coalition. (Photo: Facebook | @NMaheshAnna) Bengaluru: The lone Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Minister N Mahesh in the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in Karnataka resigned on Thursday citing personal reasons. Mahesh, who was holding the post of Primary and Secondary Education Minister in HD Kumaraswamy's government said he would however continue to support the ruling coalition. His resignation comes in the wake of BSP Supremo Mayawati boycotting the Congress ahead of the Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan Assembly elections and this has created ripples in Karnataka. Speaking to media after submitting his resignation to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Mahesh said he quit to focus more on his assembly constituency Kollegal and to strengthen his party ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Mahesh vowed to continue his support to the JD(S)-Congress coalition and said he would campaign for the JD(S) during the bypolls for three Lok Sabha and two assembly seats on November 3. "I do not have any grouse against anybody in the government. As a minister I did my best and toured across the state. This resignation is purely due to personal reasons," Mahesh said. Mahesh had earlier said that he would walk out of the Congress-JD(S) alliance if Mayawati asks him to. He had also accused the Congress, JD(S) and the BJP of being casteist parties. N Mahesh was the first MLA to become a minister outside Uttar Pradesh. (With inputs from PTI) NISA president V P Zuhra said that there were no records stating that the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad had opposed women entering mosques and offering prayers. (Representational Image) Thiruvananthapuram: Drawing inspiration from the Supreme Court verdict permitting women of all age groups into the Sabarimala temple, a Kerala-based Muslim women's right group is gearing up to approach the apex court, demanding the entry of women in all mosques across the country. NISA, a progressive women's forum, will soon move the top court. The group will not just seek permission for women to offer prayers in the mosques, but also fight for appointing them as 'imams' (clerics). The outfit, which has been campaigning for gender equality within Islam, also wants to curb the practices of polygamy and 'nikah-halala', a community law that allows a Muslim woman to remarry her former husband only after marrying another person and consummating the wedding with him. NISA president V P Zuhra told news agency PTI that there were no records stating that the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad had opposed women entering mosques and offering prayers. She also hailed the top court verdict lifting the ban on the menstruating women from offering worship at the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple as "historic". "Like men, women also have the constitutional rights to offer worship according to their belief. So, like in Sabarimala, we want the entry of women in all mosques, cutting across denominations and establish their right to worship," the activist said. Zuhra said discussions were on with the lawyer and a petition in this regard would be filed at the Supreme Court soon. She said at present, women are allowed to offer prayers at mosques under Jamaat-e-Islami and Mujahid denominations, while they are barred from mosques under the predominant Sunni faction. Even in the mosques where women are allowed, there are separate entrances and enclosures for worship for men and women, the NISA chief said. "Our demand is to end this gender discrimination and allow Muslim women to pray in all mosques, cutting across denominations," said Zuhra, one of the earliest petitioners against triple talaq in the apex court. She urged the orthodox section in the community to explain who had asked them to impose such restrictions on women which amount to violation of constitutional rights. "There is no such gender discrimination to offer worship in Mecca, the holy city. The faithful, both men and women, together circle the Kaaba. Then why are the restrictions imposed on us in our mosques?" she said. The rights campaigner said there were records showing that Prophet Muhammad himself had allowed his wife in the mosque. "There are several women scholars in the Muslim community. But they are not allowed to be Imams and lead prayers in mosques. This practice also should be changed," she said. NISA had approached the apex court recently, demanding equal property rights for Muslim women. On September 28, a five-judge Constitution bench, headed by then chief justice Dipak Misra, lifted the ban on the entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine. Addressing BJP rally at Karimnagar, on Wednesday, Amit Shah had hit out at caretaker CM K Chandrashekhar Rao, saying it has thrust additional election expenditure of hundreds of crores of rupees on people of the state, which in the normal course should have gone to the polls, along with that of Lok Sabha during April-May next year. (Photo: File) Hyderabad: The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) Thursday hit back at BJP president Amit Shah for questioning its chief K Chandrasekhar Rao's move to go in for early elections in the state, saying he has done exactly what the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi chose to do in 2002. Addressing a BJP rally at Karimnagar, 160 km from Hyderabad on Wednesday, Amit Shah had hit out at caretaker chief minister Rao, saying it has thrust additional election expenditure of hundreds of crores of rupees on people of the state, which in the normal course should have gone to the polls, along with that of Lok Sabha during April-May next year. Amit Shah also claimed KCR's move stemmed from the fact that he is "scared" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting that the Modi factor would have influenced the state polls, had it been held simultaneously with Lok Sabha. The Telangana Assembly elections will be held on December 7. The assembly was dissolved on September 6 on the recommendation of Rao, cutting short the term of the House by nearly nine months. Speaking to PTI, Karimnagar Lok Sabha member B Vinod Kumar sought to counter Amit Shah. B Vinod Kumar, also deputy floor leader of the TRS in the Lok Sabha, said at some point or the other, leaders, including Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, NT Rama Rao and N Chandrababu Naidu, have opted for early elections. "All political parties have gone in for early elections some time or other. Even Modi also. Why did Modi go for early elections in 2002? Modi should answer first. Just like KCR did, he also went for elections in 2002 eight months before the schedule. Why Modi went (for early elections)? That's the reply for KCR also," he said. Kumar also responded to Shah's charge that KCR promised to make a Dalit the chief minister before the 2014 elections but did not honour it; and also that his agenda now is to make his son (KT Rama Rao) or daughter (K Kavitha) chief minister. Rama Rao was a Cabinet minister in the dissolved assembly, while Kavitha is Lok Sabha member from Nizamabad. "Amit Shah should know that KCR did not make such a statement in the 2014 elections. He made such a statement during the course of our (Telangana statehood) agitation. At the time of the 2014 elections, we were very clear that KCR would be our chief minister. In 2014, we never said (that a Dalit would be made CM)," Vinod Kumar said. "Neither a Dalit, nor KTR (as Rama Rao is popularly known) nor Kavitha will be on the agenda because KCR will be elected chief minister once again," he claimed. Kumar described as "very unfortunate" Shah's charge that KCR and Congress president Rahul Gandhi are engaged in 'break-in-India', while PM Modi is in 'make-in-India' mode. "Supporting minorities and speaking for reservations for minorities... does it mean break in India?" he asked. On Shah's charge that the KCR government had failed to fulfill its election promises, Kumar said, "Not at all. We have fulfilled all our election promises made in 2014. We have done much more. We have also implemented what we have not promised in 2014. We have done more than what we have promised." Asked about the perception in some political circles that TRS and BJP have a tacit understanding, Kumar was emphatic in denying it. "Not at all. We are not going to have any political alliance, either with the BJP or Congress in future also," he asserted. The trouble started when the activists tried to break barricades put up by police a few meters away from the minister's house. (Photo: ANI/Twitter) Thiruvananthapuram: As the Sabarimala issue hots up, a march by 'Yuvamorcha' activists on Thursday to the house of Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran here turned violent, leading to police using water cannons and tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. The trouble started when the activists tried to break barricades put up by police a few meters away from the minister's house. Reacting to the incident, the ruling CPI(M) alleged that the ongoing stir over the Sabarimala issue by the opposition BJP and Congress along with other outfits was to destabilise the LDF-led state government. #WATCH: Police use water cannon on Bharatiya Janata Party Yuva Morcha workers who were protesting outside Devaswom minister Kadakampalli Surendran's residence in Thiruvananthapuram against Kerala govt's stand on Supreme Court's decision on Sabarimala Temple. pic.twitter.com/op0BUkfQai ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2018 Addressing a press conference here after an LDF meeting, Front Convener A Vijayaraghavan said the nature of the stir, which included blocking the minister's convoy, "insulting" the chief minister and attacking Travancore Devaswom Board offices, indicated that the effort was to dislodge the LDF government. Alleging that the stir was to create trouble at a time when the LDF government was being praised for its relief work after the massive floods in the state last month, Vijayaraghavan said the opposition parties were using the Supreme Court verdict (on Sabarimala) as a tool to attack the government. With a view to counter the "false propaganda" unleashed by the Opposition over the issue, LDF would convene public meetings in all 14 districts this month to explain the stand of the government and the LDF, he said. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will address meetings here on October 16, at Pathanmthitta on October 23 and at Kollam on October 24, the LDF convenor said. The government cannot reject the apex court order and it is bound to implement the same, Vijayaraghavan asserted. Meanwhile, BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai, who addressed the 'long-march' launched by NDA with the slogan of 'Save Sabarimala' at Noornad in Allpuzha district, claimed that the march was getting massive support from the general public. A sit-in by some Hindu outfits, demanding that the government go in for a review petition against the apex court order permitting entry of women of all ages into the Lord Ayappa temple at the hill shrine, continued. The Congress, BJP and various Hindu organisations have launched protests, demanding that the state government file a review petition against the Supreme court verdict. But the Left government has maintained that it will not go in for a review of the ruling. The apex court in its September 28 verdict had allowed entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala shrine. Bengaluru: Congress president Rahul Gandhi's plan to embarrass the Modi government on the Rafale fighter jet deal by taking the battle to aeronautics major HAL, came a cropper on Thursday when the public sector undertaking declined to 'host' the Congress leader's meeting with its employees. The Congress party has been targeting the BJP led NDA government for treating HAL shabbily by making a company owned by business tycoon Anil Ambani which reportedly has no experience in the aviation sector, the offset partner for the multi-billion Rafale deal sidelining the Bengaluru based company. Mr Gandhi's interaction with HAL employees, scheduled for Saturday was intended to be a launchpad for a fresh attack on the Modi government on how it was ignoring the PSU to benefit 'crony capitalists.' But with HAL coming up with a firm no, the Congress was left with no option but to move Rahul's interactive meet to Minsk Square near Cubbon Park instead of convention centre at HAL headquarters on Cubbon Road. KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao said Mr Gandhi will interact with HAL employees about the contribution of HAL. "Since the HAL Employees Association is controlled by a Left leaning trade union, employees associated with them have all the more reason to welcome Mr Gandhi for the interaction," he said. "During the interaction, Mr Gandhi is likely to elicit the opinion of employees about the Navaratna company getting a raw deal from the Modi government on the Rafale deal depriving them of jobs and high end technical work which could have come through if the previous UPA government's deal on Rafale was implemented," Congress officials said. Meanwhile, reliable sources in HAL told Deccan Chronicle that the PSU had also asked its employees not to attend Mr Gandhi's interactive meeting. If the employees heed the management's request, the Congress party will have to settle for an interaction with retired HAL employees only, sources added. Mr Gandhi who will land in the city Saturday afternoon, is likely to spend an hour and a half at Minsk Square before returning to Delhi the same evening. The Congress party has cancelled the rally it had planned in the outskirts of the city. Bone of contention: Rahul Gandhi's interactive meeting with HAL employees is said to have become a bone of contention between the Special Protection Group (SPG) handling VIP security, and the KPCC. The SPG reportedly expressed its reservation over the venue asserting that a meeting at Minsk Square would throw traffic out of gear for more than two hours in this nerve centre of the city. Besides, Cubbon Park would be littered if Congress workers came in large numbers to hear Rahul, SPG officials contended. B01 Heavy rain and gusty winds kill many pelicans at the Telineelapuram bird sanctuary of Srikakulam district. (Photo: DC) Visakhapatnam: Hundreds of migratory birds died at the Telineelapuram bird sanctuary of Srikakulam district due to the heavy rain and gusty winds that Cyclone Titli brought with it on Thursday. Telineelapuram, situated 65 km from Srikakulam town, was declared a bird sanctuary long ago. The village comprises several creeks covered by different types of trees. Forest officials said that the migratory birds such as painted storks, adjutant storks and spot-billed pelicans travel more than 6,000 km to this sanctuary from Siberia in Russia, Germany, Australia and Hungary The migration happens mostly in October. The birds stay in the sanctuary for seven months during which they lay eggs and hatch them. They leave the sanctuary between March and May along with their new-born babies. Sources said that over 200 migratory birds were killed and over 1,000 birds lost their nests as some trees fell under the impact of the storm. In 2013, over 1,000 birds were killed after cyclone Phailin hit Srikakulam district. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan comes out of his house to receive Fujitsu Consulting India chief executive officer Shrikant Vaze, senior director Manoj Nair and Nissan chief information officer Tony Thomas at the Cliff House on Thursday. (Photo:PRD) THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Top officials of the leading Japanese IT firm Fujitsu on Thursday held discussions with the state government exploring the possibilities of setting up a software development centre at the Technopark here. According to an official statement, the Fujitsu team evaluated the existing eco-system in the state and zeroed in on Thiruvananthapuram as a possible location for the proposed project. Fujitsu Consulting India chief executive officer Shrikant Vaze and senior director Manoj Nair held talks with the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The Chief Minister assured the delegation all support to set up a centre in the state. The Fujitsu team was also accompanied by Nissan chief information officer Tony Thomas. The Fujitsu team also held discussion with chief secretary Tom Jose, IT secretary M. Sivasankar and IT parks chief executive officer Hrishikesh Nair. The Fujitsu team would be giving final shape to their plans after further discussions and evaluations in the coming months, said the statement. The arrival of Fujitsu is seen as the outcome of a recent decision of Japanese automobile major Nissan to set up their global digital hub at Technocity here focusing on electric car technology. Apart from Fujitsu, many other leading firms working with Nissan are also likely to explore options of opening centres here, industry sources said. New Delhi: Amid growing pressure on the Modi Government to act against Union minister of state for External Affairs M.J. Akbar over allegations of sexual misconduct, no clarity came either from the government or the ruling BJP on the issue. Though both the ruling BJP and the government have yet to react on allegations levelled against Mr Akbar, speculation is rife that the BJP top brass would seek an explanation from Mr Akbar before taking a call on his fate when he returns to India from an official visit on Sunday. For the BJP, the issue could create troubles in poll bound Madhya Pradesh, which is represented by Mr Akbar in Parliament's Rajya Sabha. The saffron party's poll managers fear that it could dent the party's image as well as its poll prospects, if the opposition Congress decides to highlight it at a time when the ruling BJP is facing one of the toughest electoral battles in the state. Meanwhile, Mr Akbar is now expected to return to the country only on Sunday after his official visit to Equatorial Guinea. In an indication that Mr Akbars fate seemed to have been sealed, the RSS threw its weight behind the victims as senior RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale shared a post by a woman on twitter, seeking support for victims. Also, Union textiles minister Smriti Irani said, The gentlemen concerned would be better positioned to speak on this issue. I appreciate that the media is accosting his female colleagues but I think it is for the gentleman concerned to issue a statement because I was personally not present there. Stronach Group founder and current honourary chairman Frank Stronach has filed a massive lawsuit against his daughter, Belinda Stronach, who is the companys chairman and president. The suit calls for hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation and for Belinda to be removed from the company as both a corporate officer and trustee. The lawsuit, which was filed on October 1 with Torontos Ontario Superior Court of Justice, alleges that Belinda and the companys chief executive, Alon Ossip, withheld important information from Frank, executed covert and unlawful actions that went against the companys best interests, and ignored Franks wishes. The Stronach Group is one of the world's leading racetrack operators, and its assets include Santa Anita Park, Pimlico Race Course and Gulfstream Park. An item by the Los Angeles Times highlights some of the 39 demands for relief that the suit is calling for. Some of the key demands include $250 million (Canadian) in compensation due to the result of unlawful or oppressive conduct; $250 million in damages relating to breach of fiduciary duty and unlawful conspiracy; $20 million in punitive action; and that Belinda and Ossip be stripped of their corporate officer and trustee positions. The the Los Angeles Times piece also explains that Franks wife, Elfriede, is a co-plaintiff. Belindas children, Nicole and Frank Walker, are also co-defendants along with Belinda and Ossip. Yesterday evening (Wednesday, Oct. 10), Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP and Lenczner Slaght Royce Smith Griffin LLP, on behalf of Frank and Elfriede Stronach, sent out a statement on the matter. Frank and Elfriede Stronach regret having to commence proceedings in the Ontario Superior Court against their daughter Belinda, Alon Ossip and others, the statement reads. They only did so as a last resort, after having made considerable efforts over a period of almost two years to resolve the matters at issue on a consensual basis. Belinda and a spokesman for Ossip have each issued statements in regard to the lawsuit. Family relationships within a business can be challenging, Belinda's statement says. My children and I love my father. However, his allegations are untrue and we will be responding formally to the statement of claim in the normal course of the court process." Alon has always honoured his obligations and acted in good faith to preserve and grow the Stronach familys assets and to protect the interests of all members of the family, the statement from Ossip's spokesman said. The statement went on to say that, Alon created huge wealth for the family, and he has always operated in a prudent and commercially-sensible manner." The statement goes on to say that the situation "is a dispute between Stronach family members that should be resolved between family members. (With files from the Los Angeles Times and CTV News) Bengaluru: The fractious Congress-Janata Dal (S) coalition government in the state,faced its first major setback, one which could well wreck JD (S) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda's plans to knit a grand alliance of Opposition parties ahead of next year's Lok Sabha polls, with the lone BSP face, primary and secondary education minister N Mahesh, quitting the coalition ministry on Thursday. Mr Mahesh's resignation letter to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy which he reiterated to the media said he was stepping down of his own volition and for personal reasons although senior ministers were certain that his move was at the behest of BSP president Mayawati. Why will anyone give up a minister's post for personal reasons when so many aspirants are waiting to join the cabinet, queried one of them. Clarifying that he would continue to support the coalition government, Mr Mahesh told the media: "I do not have any grouse against anybody in the government. As a minister I did my best and toured the state. I have come to the media (to announce his resignation). Now I will tell Behenji (Mayawati). However, the first hint that his party could sever ties with JD (S) and Congress came when he spoke of the need to focus on his constituency, Kollegal, and strengthen the support base of BSP ahead of Lok Sabha elections in 2019. His decision to quit the ministry coming days after Ms Mayawati ruled out an alliance with Congress in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan was also significant. Mr Mahesh was the sole BSP candidate to be elected to the Assembly after his party leader forged a pre-poll seat-sharing agreement with JD (S) for Assembly elections in May 2018. He, however, was in the eye of a controversy for sparring with Chamarajanagar district in charge minister, Puttaranga Shetty, of Congress party. Mr Mahesh even attacked the Congress and compared the party to a weed and held the party and BJP responsible for the economic and social inequality in the country. Mr Puttaranga Shetty had retorted wondering Who is he to root out Congress? He has just entered public life. Let him work and complete five years. Then we can talk. If at all he made a statement about Congress, then I have to say, he will soon be dethroned. Mr. Mahesh's resignation comes at a time when the coalition partners were scouting for candidates to contest bypolls to three Lok Sabha and two Assembly constituencies. B01 Hyderabad: All India Congress Committee president Rahul Gandhi will be touring Telangana on October 20 to campaign for the forthcoming Assembly elections. According to Congress party leaders, Mr Rahul Gandhi will be addressing a public meeting at Kamareddy and also in Bodh of Adilabad district on October 20 and on his next visit on October 27, Mr Rahul will address public meetings at Karimnagar and Warangal districts. A senior Congress leader said that the party is planning to organise about five to ten public meetings of Rahul Gandhi and two public meetings of Sonia Gandhi. The remaining schedules are yet to be decided. Rahul and Sonia Gandhi will definitely pull the crowd. We are sure that their tour will boost the confidence of the party cadre. Earlier the party had a discussion whether to arrange the public meeting soon after the festival is over. But, later decided to organise it, he said. Statements issued by Turkish officials during the past week point to a breathtakingly audacious crime. Sadly, there is every reason to suspect that the allegations are not unfounded, notwithstanding Saudi Arabias vociferous denials. Eight days ago, self-exiled Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi walked into his nations consulate in Istanbul, in order to complete some paperwork finalising his divorce. He hasnt been seen since. An investigation is ongoing, but Turkish sources have indicated he was first tortured and then butchered by a 15-man hit squad that had flown in from Saudi Arabia on private flights that very day. The Turkish authorities are focusing on a black van that left the premises as part of a convoy about two hours after Khashoggi entered the consulate. There are indications that boxes were loaded on to the van. Yes, boxes, not a coffin. On details apparently conveyed by informants within the consulate, seemingly authoritative Turkish officials believe that after the journalist was murdered his body was sliced up and transported out of Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has built up a reputation for being ruthless with Turkish dissidents, has demanded proof from the Saudis of their claim that Khashoggi left the consulate not long after he entered it. After all, theres no dearth of security cameras both inside and outside the consulate. The Saudis have offered the lame claim that on October 2 the cameras were not recording what they observed. Coincidence? The bigger question is why the Saudi regime would wish to eliminate Khashoggi? He was a consistent critic, sure, but he was hardly preaching revolution. For much of his career, Khashoggi had in fact been fairly close to his nations ruling family. He served as an adviser to former head of Saudi intelligence Prince Turki bin Faisal during the latters stints as ambassador to London and Washington. Foreign journalists visiting Riyadh relied on him as a source of insights on what the al-Saud clan was thinking. As a young reporter, Khashoggi was embedded for a while with Osama bin Laden during the latters initial foray into Afghanistan. He subsequently objected to Saudi intransigence over the Muslim Brotherhood, not least in the context of Egypt, where Riyadh eagerly contributed to the coup against Mohamed Morsi. More broadly, he also pushed back against the conservative clergy within Saudi Arabia. Khashoggi paid a price for his mild dissidence. The penalty invariably involved losing his job as editor of Al Watan newspaper, for instance, or as head of a Bahrain-based, Saudi-owned television channel, that went off the air as soon as it aired an interview with a Bahraini dissident. No risk emerged, though, to his life or liberty. Read: This has not been business as usual in my country: excerpts from Khashoggis writings. Things changed, though, with the ascendancy of Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), first as deputy crown prince and defence minister, and subsequently as a crown prince who effectively rules the roost, and thrives on a direct line to both the White House and the Likud hierarchy in Israel. Khashoggi was not by any means averse to MBS reformist Vision 2030, or even the war in Yemen to start with. He appears to have cottoned on early, though, to the fact that there was an absolutist mindset behind the ostensibly progressive agenda. Once his friends, among them many reformists, began ending up in prison, Khashoggi decided it would be safer for him to live abroad for a while even at the cost of divorce from his wife and estrangement from his children (some of whom have lately been persuaded to parrot the official Saudi line on their fathers disappearance). It was a wise move, but evidently not good enough. Khashoggi, over the years, inclined more and more towards secularism and democratisation, albeit without advocating the overthrow of the monarchy. In his regular columns for the Washington Post, he was frequently scathing about MBS repressive tendencies, as well as the war in Yemen and growing Saudi/ UAE affinity towards Benjamin Netanyahus Israel and Donald Trumps US. He confided to friends that he was worried about his safety, but there were mixed signals, including, apparently, an invitation from MBS to return to Riyadh as an adviser. Khashoggi turned it down. When he visited the consulate in Istanbul the week before his disappearance, the staff were very exceptionally courteous and friendly. Thats what he told concerned friends in London while attending a conference on the Middle East in the interim. But he seemed less certain about his prospects when he headed into the consulate a second time. His Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, who was left to wait outside the facility, was given a number to call if he didnt re-emerge. Four hours later, after giving up hope, she did. By then it was far too late. What is the likelihood that MBS Western friends will now recognise the true essence of his regime? Not much higher, one would reckon, than Jamal Khashoggi turning up unscathed. By arrangement with Dawn B08 Tamil Nadus move to arrest a Tamil magazine editor using an antediluvian law on assaulting constitutional functionaries like the President and governors was extremely ill-advised. The fact the police complaint came from Raj Bhavan is a clear pointer to the abuse of power by the governor. Arresting someone for publishing even a scurrilous article is unacceptable. There are criminal defamation laws that can be used to pinpoint innuendo or publishing of fake news. The magazine may have got a reputation for challenging authority and powerful people based on information that may have been less than solid, but the right to question people in high offices cant be abridged by the threat to jail editors and publishers. Theres no reason to believe he has anything to do with the curious case of a jailed assistant professor misleading students into a sex-for-comforts scandal. He is, however, not doing his own reputation any good by acting like a medieval ruler. Its as well that a magistrates court refused to see this as fit case to jail an editor or his staff. It was unusual for Beijing to issue an anti-American statement through its New Delhi embassy on Wednesday. If it was meant to enlist Indias cooperation in expanding trade and other areas of interest to the two nations as China and the United States are locked in a trade war, there were other, simpler ways to do so. For over a quarter century India has sought better trade ties with China provided no artificial barriers are placed before Indian goods and services entering Chinas market. Alas, this hasnt been the experience for some time, and Indias trade deficit has ballooned. This led of late to some wariness in India on Chinese trade interest in areas that have security implications. These issues can, however, be discussed and negotiated between the two and forward movement made, regardless of the state of China-America trade or political relations. Now that Chinas trade with the US is set to shrink in the near future, there are good arguments for India and China to enhance trade ties. China could have a larger share of the Indian market than earlier, provided it plays fair. Its noteworthy that not just the US but also Western Europe, that has its own serious complaining to do about the US administrations trade postures, seems not persuaded that China plays fair on trade. This needs correcting. Besides the trade issue, the Chinese embassy statement and the observations of one of its senior diplomats appeared to give the impression that Beijing wants New Delhi to move into its corner to confront Washington on a broad range of issues, including security and politics. For one, India has no record of ganging up with others against any country, and isnt about to start now. In a multi-polar world, India should aim to optimise options favourable to it by dealing with leading players strictly on merit without getting into teams. Unfortunately, the Chinese statement is also open to the inference that Beijing is warning New Delhi not to side with Washington if the US and China rub up against each other in the South China Sea. Only recently, their battleships found themselves just 45 metres apart, and the US is engaged in freedom of navigation operations in those waters. India is unlikely to be a part of any war manoeuvres, but it has long been forthright on the principle that international waterways must be open to free navigation by all. The difficulty is that Beijing appears to advance fictitious facts to propose that practically 90 per cent of the SCS belongs to it. Its claim in the Wednesday statement that the so-called militarisation of the South China Sea by China is distortion of facts too is divorced from reality. Some five years ago, Union minister M.J. Akbar dodged a bullet. The Delhi police headquarters had received a complaint from a woman claiming to be his personal assistant and alleging multiple instances of sexual assault. The special police commissioner directed that the womans statement be recorded before a magistrate, but the very next morning, the woman withdrew her complaint. That was the end of the matter. The current barrage of allegations against the former editor, author and politician are another story altogether. The complainants are women of substance and their credibility cannot be impugned, more so because they have nothing to gain from outing him. By all accounts, Mr Akbar has quite a history sheet and promises to become the Harvey Weinstein of #MeToo in India a gifted, successful and influential man, with little empathy or regard for social conventions. At the time Mr Akbar was appointed to the Union council of ministers, the senior BJP and RSS leadership knew of his reputation vis-a-vis women. The Intelligence Bureau must have filled them in, but even if it hadnt, they had certainly been informed through other sources. Ironically, the Congress, which is now demanding his resignation, was equally aware of his reputation when it made him party spokesman! Both parties chose to ignore his foibles, without so much as an investigation. And there you have it the patriarchys magnificent disregard for women. Behind the series of #MeToo takedowns is the ugly truth that men in positions of power tend to abuse it, buoyed by a sense of entitlement and a feeling of invulnerability. They imagine that their attentions are welcome to women and that no actually means yes. The she was asking for it narrative is used to justify their aggression, while simultaneously shaming the victim. Male colleagues can be equally unwelcoming, if they feel their turf is being threatened. This is particularly true of professions that have traditionally been dominated by men which is virtually all of them. Sexual harassment becomes a tool to intimidate women and make them feel helpless and out of place in the workspace. The harassment can be physical or verbal, and sometimes arises from sheer insensitivity. A sexually explicit conversation within the hearing of a woman colleague, for example, argues a lack of empathy and respect. The Bollywood culture can be particularly toxic, because it involves professions in which looks are important and a degree of sexual objectification is inevitable. Men see this as an invitation to regard these women as available. It is dehumanising, in that the woman becomes an object rather than a person. Like all predators, men tend to sense vulnerability and pick their targets accordingly. Self-assured, confident women from wealthy backgrounds and influential families are less likely to suffer harassment. When a woman desperately needs to hang on to her job and income, she is naturally far more vulnerable to aggression from a male boss. Whats stunning is just how common these instances are. The toxic culture of sexual harassment appears to be ubiquitous, protected by a sort of boys club. Yet, women rarely tend to speak up, until the level of harassment becomes unsupportable. They become tense, anxious and depressed but prefer to look for alternative employment rather than complain about their boss or colleagues. The victims wind up making adjustments to their lifestyles in order to deal with unwelcome attention, from quitting jobs to changing the way they dress to the manner in which they interact with colleagues. Some even transpose the guilt on themselves, by questioning whether they are somehow attracting aggressive overtures. It is this silence which encourages and enables predators. The #MeToo movement is a game-changer, because it aggregates victims, thereby offering safety in numbers. The cyber-sisterhood gives them a voice and listens without judging. For those who have bottled up years of festering resentment, being able to speak is cathartic. What women need to realise is that keeping quiet, from fear or guilt or helplessness, empowers the perpetrators. Some may simply be afraid of reliving the trauma by recounting it. But it is hard to move on until you do. The bitterness and sense of outrage that the perpetrator got away with it is toxic. Otherwise, why have so many women spoken up years after the fact? Yes, the system is imperfect and the Vishakha guidelines are sloppily implemented. Aggressors typically bring influence, intimidation and money to bear in order to get off the hook. But some notable wickets have fallen. Former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal is facing trial, because a gutsy young reporter refused to back down in the face of overwhelming odds. So is former Teri director-general R.K. Pachauri, charged with stalking and harassing a junior colleague. What men need to understand is that no woman wants to be sexually harassed. Even if she is on friendly terms with you, her physical space must be respected. In the workspace, theres no such thing as come hither signals. That said, women need to respect the power of #MeToo and handle it responsibly. As long as stories are not exaggerated and baseless allegations and publicity-seeking behaviour is avoided, the movement will keep predators on the run. B09 That great Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof, set in the village of Antevaka in imperial Russia (in todays Ukraine), starts with the song Tradition, which begins with the monologue: How do we keep our balance? Ill tell you in one word. Tradition. We have traditions for everything. How to sleep. How to eat. How to work. How to wear clothes. For instance, we always keep our heads covered, and always wear a little prayer shawl. This shows our constant devotion to God. The verse goes on quite significantly to remind us: And because of our traditions, every one of us knows who he is and what God expects him to do. Its true that our many societies and groups devise our identity with rules of conformity and tradition enshrines practices and them. Ask why is Sunday a day of rest and contemplation? Tradition. Why do we offer prayers on Friday? Tradition. Why dont many eat meat on Tuesday? Tradition. And so the list goes on. But often these traditions are practised quite unthinkingly, and more important, without any relevance to the times we live in and how they impact on our lives. Truly, as in the words of Jaroslav Pelikan, Professor of Religion at Yale: Tradition is the living faith of the dead, traditionalism is the dead faith of the living. Some traditions are old, but many more are relatively new. The Ganesh statues in public spaces and the long winding processions to a water body for immersion is a relatively new one. Though Ganesh has been worshipped from times immemorial, the public celebrations of a festival began around 1893, during the nascent stages of Indian nationalism, that Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak began to organise the Ganesh Utsav as a social and religious function for Hindus to publicly celebrate. He was the first to put in large public images of Ganesha in pavilions and establish the tradition of their immersion on the tenth day. This recent tradition has become an environmental nightmare, with the indiscriminate use of plaster of paris and chemical paints poisoning our waters. The cost and efforts of clearing the organic and other debris is now monumental. The injunction against adult women entering the Ayyappan Temple at Sabarimalai is an even more recent one. Now we are soon going to observe other traditions. On Dussehra and Diwali. Dussehra in particular will be celebrated by Hindus with orgiastic frenzy, slaughtering hapless animals to propitiate the gods, as Muslims did on Bakr-Id on August 21. Even Indian Army units observe this with the ritual slaughter of buffaloes. In Nepal, its a literal bloodbath with thousands of buffaloes butchered in public as a display of faith and piety. When I commented on this elsewhere, I got many messages to suggest that my comment about banning animal sacrifices to observe rituals did not go down well with some people. Some said it amounted to interference with religion and tradition. Others said it was as much a cultural practice as it was a sacred ritual. Now we are getting the same comments over the Supreme Courts ruling opening up the Ayyappan temple at Sabarimalai to women, or on outlawing triple talaq. This reverence for the traditional practice argument reminds me of what Lord William Bentinck, then Viceroy of India, said in 1826 about sati. When some Hindu bhadralok protested to him that it was a traditional practice, he just said: In my country we have a tradition too. When a person kills or forces someone to die, we just say hang the blighter! My custom is better than yours. According to an 1829 report, statistics for the period 1815-1824 yields a total of 5,997 instances of sati for the Bengal presidency alone an average of 600 per year. When British rule extended to virtually all parts of the country by 1842, Sir Charles Napier, commander-in-chief, replied to protests saying: Be it so. This burning of widows is your custom; prepare the funeral pile. But my nation has also a custom. When men burn women alive, we hang them, and confiscate all their property. My carpenters shall therefore erect gibbets on which to hang all concerned when the widow is consumed. Let us all act according to national customs. This is despite it being endorsed by a sacred text. In the Rig Veda it is written: Rise, come unto the world of life, O woman come, he is lifeless by whose side thou liest. Wifehood with this thy husband was thy portion, who took thy hand and wooed thee as a lover. (RV 10.18.8) The tradition of sacrifice for the Muslim festival, quite ironical now given the palpable animosity between the Muslim and Jewish communities, has a Jewish origin. According to the fable, God tells Abraham: Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about. Abraham took Isaac, two servants and a donkey and set off on the 50-mile journey. When they arrived, Abraham ordered the servants to wait with the donkey while he and Isaac went up the mountain. He told the men: We will worship, and then we will come back to you. (Genesis 22:5b, NIV) Isaac asked his father where the lamb was for the sacrifice, and Abraham answered that the Lord would provide the lamb. Saddened and confused, Abraham bound Isaac with ropes and placed him on the stone altar. Just as Abraham raised the knife to slay his son, the angel of the Lord called out to Abraham to stop and not harm the boy. The angel said he knew that Abraham feared the Lord because he had not withheld his only son. When Abraham looked up, he saw a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. In the derivative Islamic tradition, one of the main trials of Abrahams life was to face the command of God to sacrifice his dearest possession, his only son. Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to Gods will. During this preparation, Satan (Shaitan) tempted Abraham and his family by trying to dissuade them from carrying out Gods commandment, and Ibrahim drove Satan away by throwing pebbles at him. In commemoration of their rejection of Satan, stones are thrown at symbolic pillars signifying Satan during the Haj rites. Abraham presented the matter to his son and asked for his opinion about the dreams of slaughtering him. Ishmael did not show any hesitation or reservation even for a moment. He said: Father, do what you have been commanded. You will find me, InshaAllah (God willing), to be very patient. When Abraham attempted to cut Ishmaels throat, he was astonished to see that Ishmael was unharmed and instead, he found a dead ram that was slaughtered. Abraham had passed the test by his willingness to carry out Gods command. Poor rams are still slaughtered in tens of thousands never knowing the reason why? This has been going on for many thousand years now. One would think that by now God would be quite convinced of the faithfuls faith in him by their willingness to sacrifice animals. The gods of Hindus and Muslims have been propitiated enough now with blood offerings of animals who are slaughtered in vast numbers never knowing the reason why. Its time now that we gave religion back its humanity by stopping animal sacrifice as a religious ritual. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown that he can appropriate other personas, as he has done with Mahatma Gandhi now. That is good. Now is the time for him to become the Raja Rammohun Roy of our times, by beginning the full reform of the Hindu samaj, its laws and practices. But as Mark Twain wrote: The less there is to justify a traditional custom, the harder it is to get rid of it. B09 Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist in self-exile in Washington D.C. since June last year, entered his countrys consulate in Istanbul on October 2 and has since disappeared. The media in the United States and West Asia are awash with speculation about his fate, with strong suggestions that he was murdered by a 15-person team from the Saudi security services that was sent to Istanbul in two special aircraft for just this operation. Khashoggi is a fascinating personality of Turkish origin and a nephew of Saudi billionaire Adnan Khashoggi, he was tall, well-built, fair and soft-spoken, with bright, twinkling eyes and a quiet smile. Early in his early career he was a journalist in Afghanistan during the global jihad in the 1980s. He was a close friend of then Saudi intelligence chief Prince Turki Al Faisal, and the head of logistics in Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden, whom he interviewed in 1987 and last met in Sudan in 1995. He became editor of Al Watan in 2003, a liberal paper founded in 2000 by the Al Faisal family. He lasted in this position for 52 days, when he was removed for publishing an article criticising the 14th century cleric, Ibn Taymiyya, for inspiring violence and extremism in the kingdom. He again became editor of Al Watan in 2007 and resigned under official pressure three years later for publishing an article criticising Salafism, the foundational doctrine of the Saudi kingdom. Khashoggi welcomed the Arab Spring in 2011 as a renaissance in the Arab political order. He was doomed to disappointment and later fiercely criticised the coup detat that overthrew the Mohammed Morsi government and re-established authoritarian rule in Egypt in 2013. As Prince Mohammed bin Salman became Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, after ousting two senior royals, Khashoggi went into self-exile to the US in June 2017 where, from the columns of the Washington Post, he criticised the rising tide of repression in his home country. Most commentators see Khashoggis disappearance and possible murder as resulting from his prominence in American media circles and as affirming the Crown Princes intolerance of all criticism, which has now reached a new level of brazenness in asserting that no dissident is beyond the reach of the Saudi prince. Khashoggis editor in the Post has described his disappearance as a monstrous and unfathomable act. US President Donald Trump has expressed concern, while awaiting more information. American security analyst Bruce Riedel sees the attack on Khashoggi as part of a pattern of crude intimidation and the silencing of criticism and dissent in Saudi Arabia. A Qatari paper has described Saudi Arabia as the kingdom of fear. Khashoggis disappearance has come after several harsh crackdowns by the Crown Prince over the past year. These started with the arrests of about 70 intellectuals, clerics and writers in September last year, followed by the public incarceration of about 300 royal family members and business people in November on grounds of corruption. Since then, there have been regular reports of the kidnapping, detention and even killing of royal family members and arrests of activists, even those associated with projects backed by the Crown Prince, such as allowing women to drive. The Crown Prince has made it clear that he is the sole harbinger of change in his country. Khashoggi has been an anguished observer of these developments. In September last year, he spoke of the climate of fear and intimidation sweeping his country. As the Crown Prince cracked down on clerics, Khashoggi reminded him that some of the worst extremists were within the Saudi establishment, including those who declared that Shias were not Muslims and opposed political reform. Later, as the arrests of women activists took place in May this year, Khashoggi wrote: We are being asked to abandon any hope of political freedom. Deeply troubled by the war in Yemen, he advised the Crown Prince to restore Saudi dignity by initiating a ceasefire and engaging with the Houthis. He rejected the demonisation of the Muslim Brotherhood: he saw the Brotherhood as an integral part of democracy in the Arab world. He was convinced that the Arab rulers opposition to this movement was founded on their rejection of active and popular politics and intolerance of those who demand freedom and accountability. Since Khashoggis fate is still uncertain, it is not clear what impact his murder, if it is proved, will have on Saudi ties with Turkey and the United States. Turkey and Saudi Arabia have differences on important issues Turkey is affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood and is backing Qatar politically, militarily and economically against the siege initiated by its GCC partners. Again, though uneasy about Bashar Assads continuance in power in Damascus, Turkey is part of the Astana peace process with Russia and Iran, and, with these partners, is also opposed to the continued US military presence in Syria, which Saudi Arabia supports. In his public remarks so far, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed personal anguish about Khashoggis fate. However, being under economic and political pressure from the US, Turkey is not likely to cut ties with Saudi Arabia even if it comes to light that a murder had taken place. Turkish commentators have frequently referred to Khashoggi as a Saudi citizen. Similarly, the Trump administration, hardly a torchbearer for media freedom and human rights, will continue to prioritise its political ties with the kingdom, particularly its defence contracts. The heaviest price for this indifference will be paid by the Saudi people, who will be intimidated into silence by the length their prince is willing to go to silence dissent or even mild, well-informed and well-meant criticism of his policies and conduct. In November 2014, Khashoggi had written: Democracy, popular participation or shura will inevitably be realised. Its a natural and inevitable development of history. Later, seeing the repression in his country, this anguished writer had said: We Saudis deserve better. Sadly, little change is likely for the foreseeable future. The writer is a retired diplomat who has served as Indias ambassador in several West Asian capitals There have been times in history when dissenting verdicts have not only pointed to the failure of a majority ruling to protect the fundamental rights of citizens but over time, the principles upheld by minority rulings have moved on to become the law of the land. The much-acclaimed minority view upholding the citizens right to life and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution even in an Emergency in the ADM Jabalpur case by Justice H.R. Khanna immediately comes to mind. The dissenting verdict of Justice D.Y. Chandrachud in the PIL by Romila Thapar and four other eminent citizens against the arbitrary arrest of five left-leaning activists Varavara Rao, the 77-year-old poet from Hyderabad, advocate Sudha Bharadwaj, who works for the rights of adivasis, advocate Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves, activists from Mumbai and Thane, and journalist and former member of the editorial team of acclaimed journal Economic and Political Weekly Gautam Navlakha in the Bhima-Koregaon incident does precisely this. It outweighs the majority judgment in legal and factual reasoning. Eminent jurist and constitutional law expert Soli J. Sorabjee, in a recent article, expressed the hope that this brilliantly-articulated dissenting verdict may, at some future date, become the majority view of the Supreme Court. He explains that a judge on a bench does not usually dissent from the views of his/her companion judges. However, when a judge believes that the courts judgment would not be in the public interest or results in subverting the Constitution or results in gross violation of the fundamental rights of a group of people, he or she is constrained to write a dissenting judgment. When the issue concerning the personal liberty of the arrested persons came up before the Supreme Court, the majority did not accept the plea that the arrest of the five activists was unjustified and directed them to approach the subordinate courts for appropriate relief, and ordered the continuation of their house arrest for a further period of four weeks. The PIL was not seeking to establish the innocence of the arrested activists. It was merely seeking an independent inquiry by a court-appointed special investigation team. Therefore, the issue before the court was whether the investigation carried out by the Maharashtra police was fair, unbiased and unmotivated. In this context, the majority verdict overlooked the lapses which were sufficient to indicate that the investigations were not being carried out in an impartial manner. In his dissenting verdict, Justice Chandrachud disagreed with the views of then Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice A.M. Khanwilkar. The dissent endorses judicial interference on the core issue of liberty as the constitutional duty of the court to ensure justice is not compromised. Dissent is a symbol of a vibrant democracy (where) voices in opposition cannot be muzzled by persecuting those who take up unpopular causes, Justice Chandrachud held, and listed several circumstances which cast a cloud on the ability of the Maharashtra police to carry out a fair and impartial investigation. Of particular relevance is the press conference held by Punes joint commissioner of police hours after the Supreme Court admitted the PIL on August 29 and stayed the transit of arrested activists from their homes to Pune, saying the police had sufficient evidence. On August 31, the additional director-general of the Maharashtra police held a press briefing, where several letters were selectively flashed to the media to suggest that the arrested activists were involved in a plot to assassinate the Prime Minister. A few months before her arrest, a letter attributed to advocate Sudha Bharadwaj was flashed on a television channel on July 4 to create the impression that she had links with Maoist organisations. These letters were not produced before any court of law and were not mentioned in the remand applications filed before the magistrates. These incriminating letters did not form part of the case diary in the investigation against the activists. Additional solicitor-general Tushar Mehta had himself submitted before the Supreme Court that there was no basis to link the five arrested activists to the alleged plot to assassinate the Prime Minister. But though there was no allegation on record that the activists were involved in a plot to assassinate the Prime Minister, the police made an attempt to create a public impression to that effect through its media briefings. Based on these circumstances, Justice Chandrachud held that there was an attempt by the police to tarnish the reputation of the arrested activists by selectively leaking information to the media. The police revelations fuelled the narrative that the arrested activists were urban Naxals. Justice Chandrachud also noted that the investigation, which started as an inquiry into the Bhima-Koregaon violence on January 1, 2018, got deflected with allegations of a plot to assassinate the Prime Minister. He also dealt with procedural lapses over the arrests and glaring discrepancies in the investigation. It was undisputed that none of the five were present at the Elgaar Parishad in Pune on December 30, 2017 which the police claimed had incited the violence on January 1, 2018. A cumulative effect of these circumstances, especially the selective media revelations by the police to besmirch the reputation of arrested activists by linking them to an assassination plot that had no mention in the case diary, led Justice Chandrachud to hold that this is a proper case for the appointment of a special investigation team. What is surprising is that the majority opinion written by Justice Khanwilkar makes no reference to the circumstances listed by Justice Chandrachud. It makes a curt statement that no specific material facts and particulars are found in the petition about mala fide exercise of power by the investigating officer. There is no reference to the press conferences held by the Maharashtra police to create the impression that the activists were urban Naxals. However, the activists hailed the verdict as it opened up the avenue to approach the high courts for bail. Justice S. Muralidhar of the Delhi high court, based on the shoddy arrest procedure adopted, has already granted bail to Gautam Navlakha, one of the activists placed under house arrest in New Delhi. It is here that the minority verdict which discussed the issue threadbare will come to the aid of the arrested activists. The day after the Supreme Court verdict, addressing a press conference, eminent historian Romila Thapar asked the government to define the phrase urban Naxal, saying either the government does not understand the meaning of the term or activists like her do not. We were all born Indians, lived as Indians all our lives. These activists are fighting against social injustice. Terming them urban Naxal is a political move, she said. The writer is a feminist legal scholar and a womens rights lawyer based in Mumbai Theft of cryptocurrencies through hacking of exchanges and trading platforms soared to $927 million in the first nine months of the year, up nearly 250 per cent from the level seen in 2017, according to a report from US-based cybersecurity firm CipherTrace released on October 10. The report, which looks at criminal activity and money laundering in the digital currency market, also showed a steadily growing number of smaller thefts in the $20-60 million range, totalling $173 million in the third quarter. Digital currencies stolen from exchanges in 2017 totalled just $266 million, according to a previous report from CipherTrace. Bitcoins popularity and the emergence of more than 1,600 other digital coins or tokens have drawn more hackers into the cryptocurrency space, expanding opportunities for crime and fraud. The regulators are still a couple of years behind because there are only a few countries that have really applied strong anti-money laundering laws, Dave Jevans, a chief executive officer of CipherTrace, told Reuters in an interview. Jevans is also the chairman of the Anti-Phishing Working Group, a global organization that aims to help solve cybercrime. He said there are likely 50 per cent more criminal transactions than those that were traced for this report. For instance, CipherTrace is aware of more than $60 million in cryptocurrency that was stolen but not reported. The data also showed that the worlds top cryptocurrency exchanges from countries with weak anti-money laundering regulations (AML) have been used to launder $2.5 billion worth of bitcoins since 2009. The top 20 virtual currency exchanges in terms of volume were analyzed for the report. The CipherTrace report declined to name those exchanges. These money-laundered funds represent transactions that CipherTrace was able to directly monitor and designate as criminal or highly suspect. In estimating the $2.5 billion, CipherTrace looked at about 350 million transactions from the 20 exchanges and found 100 million of those with counterparties. From there, the firm was able to cross-check the 100 million transactions with its own data on criminal activity. At the same time, these exchanges have also been used to purchase 236,979 bitcoins worth of criminal services, equivalent to approximately $1.5 billion at current prices, the report showed. All exchanges get these money-laundered funds. You really cant stop them, said Jevans. And heres the reason why. We learn about the criminal stuff often times after it actually happened. So theres no way to know in real time. You can know 80-90 per cent of the time, but its impossible to know 100 per cent, he added. 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. Post Time with Mike and Mike, presented by BetAmerica, is excited to announce its line-up for Thursday morning (Oct. 11) at 10:30 a.m. The duo will be joined by Jerry Riordan, the trainer of Ringostarr Treb; Alex Dadoyan, executive director of the SOA of New York; and Gabe Prewitt, the announcer at the Red Mile. Riordan will join the show to discuss his star trotters chances in Yonkers Raceways $1 million International Trot. Ringstarr Treb is having a big year, including a victory in the 2018 Elitlopp that is held annually in Sweden. He was cleared to race in the United States following a qualifying win on October 3 where he was timed in 2:00.1 in a 2,200-metre (one and three-sixteenths-miles) test. Dadoyan will discuss the International Trot and what fans can look forward to while they are on track Saturday. He will also discuss the two invitational races that Yonkers has added to the illustrious program. Prewitt will discuss the end of the Grand Circuit meet that was highlighted by Homicide Hunters 1:48.4 mile. Prewitt will discuss the meet and his thoughts on all the happenings from the historic track and also talk about the upcoming meet at Pompano Park. Post Time can be heard live every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. via posttimewithmikeandmike.com or on the archive at betamerica.com/BARN. (With files from Post Time) Chinas Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, the worlds largest telecom-equipment maker, unveiled an AI chip on October 10 that will power its servers, in a push to boost its nascent cloud-computing business. The move, which will see Huawei use its own chips in its servers for the first time, comes as China is looking to speed up the development of its semiconductor market here amid a fierce trade stand-off with the United States that has underscored the country's reliance on imported technology. China wants locally made chips inside 40 per cent of all smartphones in the domestic market by 2025 and is betting billions of dollars on homegrown champions to get there. Huawei set up its cloud business unit last year and is now trying to gain a firmer foothold in the domestic public cloud market, currently dominated by Alibaba. While the unit accounts for a small part of Huaweis overall sales, it has flagged the business as a potential growth driver. The new 7 nanometers Ascend 910 chipset that Huawei unveiled at its annual global partners conference will service this unit and is meant for data centres that crunch mountains of data. The chip will process data much faster than rival products, Huaweis rotating chairman, Eric Xu, said, adding it was twice as powerful as its nearest competitor Nvidias v100. Huawei also unveiled another chip that can be used to power surveillance cameras. It expects the Ascend 310 to help make AI cheaper for hardware firms by allowing them to buy readymade modules to fit their own products. The Ascend 910 will be available from the second quarter of 2019 and the 310 is already on shelves. US COMPETITION Huawei said it will not sell these chipsets separately to customers, but its efforts would still pit it against big US vendors such as Qualcomm, AMD and Nvidia. Huawei, however, does not expect any direct competition with other vendors as it will not sell to third parties, Xu said at the Huawei Connect conference. Huawei already makes its own processor for its high-end phones but has so far mainly used Intel and Nvidia chips in its servers. The company is the worlds second-largest smartphone maker by volume. The company will use a mix of its chips and those from other vendors in its servers to cater to various price points, said Qiu Heng, marketing president for Huaweis enterprise business. It was not clear how much of Intel or Nvidia components would be replaced. Huaweis push to grow its domestic business comes in the backdrop of growing fears that Western consumers could become reluctant to buy Chinese tech goods due to concerns about security risks and allegations of spying by Beijing. Bloomberg reported last week that some 30 US companies systems had been infiltrated by malicious chips inserted by Chinese intelligence agents. Huawei has long been barred from selling telecom gear in the United States. In August, it was also banned by Australia from supplying equipment for the countrys planned 5G mobile network. The company has repeatedly denied spying allegations. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. US has demanded answers from Saudi Arabia over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. (Photo: File/AP) Washington: Saudi Arabias crown prince and de facto ruler ordered an operation targeting journalist and US resident Jamal Khashoggi, who has been missing for more than a week, The Washington Post reported Wednesday citing US intelligence intercepts. Khashoggi -- a US resident and one of the more outspoken critics of the regime of King Salman and his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman -- disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, and Turkish officials suspect he was murdered. The Post, a newspaper to which Khashoggi contributed, cited unnamed US officials as saying that Saudi officials had been heard discussing a plan to lure Khashoggi from the US state of Virginia, where he resided, and detain him. Also Read: Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi killed inside consulate in Istanbul: sources The paper quoted several of Khashoggis friends as saying that senior Saudi officials had approached him offering protection, or even a high-level government job, if he returned home -- but that Khashoggi was sceptical of the offers. State Department deputy spokesman Robert Palladino earlier insisted that the United States had no forewarning of any concrete threat to Khashoggi. Although I cant go into intelligence matters, I can definitively say that we had no knowledge in advance of Khashoggis disappearance, Palladino told reporters. The case has sparked outrage from human rights and journalism groups and threatens to harm ties between Saudi Arabia and the United States, which has demanded answers from the kingdom over the disappearance of Khashoggi. Xu Yanjun, an official of the Ministry of State Security, had plotted since 2013 to obtain trade secrets from GE Aviation and other companies, said the US Justice Department. (Photo: File) Beijing: Beijing on Thursday dismissed US espionage accusations against an alleged Chinese intelligence agent who was extradited from Belgium as made "out of thin air" -- upping the ante in a case likely to exacerbate tensions between the global powers. The Justice Department said Xu Yanjun, an official of the Ministry of State Security, had plotted since 2013 to obtain trade secrets from GE Aviation and other companies. An indictment suggested he was lured to Belgium in a counterintelligence operation where he was arrested under a US warrant on April 1. The announcement came as tensions escalate between Washington and Beijing over geopolitics, trade, hacking and corporate espionage. Xu was handed over by Belgium to the United States on Tuesday, the first time a Chinese intelligence officer has been extradited from another country. "This unprecedented extradition of a Chinese intelligence officer exposes the Chinese government's direct oversight of economic espionage against the United States," said FBI assistant director Bill Priestap. But Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the United States was "making something out of thin air", adding: "We hope the US side can deal with this in accordance with law." Last week Vice President Mike Pence painted China as a virtual enemy of the United States on all fronts and said it was trying to undermine President Donald Trump. "What the Russians are doing pales in comparison to what China is doing across this country," Pence said in a speech. Brainpower 'stolen' Justice officials cast the arrest of Xu as part of the global fight against China's alleged campaign to steal US economic secrets. "This case is not an isolated incident. It is part of an overall economic policy of developing China at American expense," said Assistant Attorney General John Demers. "We cannot tolerate a nation's stealing our firepower and the fruits of our brainpower. We will not tolerate a nation that reaps what it does not sow." The indictment said Xu was the deputy division director with the Ministry of State Security's Jiangsu State Security Department. The MSS is the Chinese state's main foreign intelligence and counter-intelligence bureau. Xu allegedly ran a five-year operation trying to steal trade secrets from Ohio-based GE Aviation -- one of the world's leading aircraft engine manufacturers -- and other aviation companies, including US military suppliers. He sought to recruit sources in and around the company and bring them to China, to woo their support and gain inside information on GE's technology. In one instance, Xu targeted data on the design and composite materials of GE engine rotor blades, sending an informant specific questions he wanted to be answered, according to intercepted communications cited in the indictment. He was the second Chinese national in two weeks charged by the Justice Department with attempting to steal aviation industry secrets. The cases appear closely linked. On September 26 the US charged electrical engineer Ji Chaoqun with knowingly acting as an agent of China, due to his contacts with an unnamed "high-level intelligence officer" from the Jiangsu State Security Department. Ji's indictment said he had been recruited to help identify potential recruitment targets for the MSS official. Both indictments suggested US counterintelligence officials had recruited informants in the scheme to help accumulate evidence against the two Chinese. The flood waters have receded long ago but the images of the largescale devastation in the flood ravaged areas in Kodagu and Kerala, attributed to deforestation, had stayed in the minds of three bikers. Shanu Kallangadi, Saheer Kumble and Sudheer Kudlu, members of Mangalore Bulls Motorcycle Club (MBMC), not keen on being just spectators have embarked on a grueling journey to create awareness on how the massive floods in the two regions could be prevented by planting more trees, on Thursday. The 12,000 km and plus ride through 15 states and two countries (Nepal and Bhutan), lasting for 30 days, is the first long distance ride for these three motorcycle enthusiasts from neighbouring Kasargod district in Kerala. This ride breaks all previous records in long distance rides created by members of the MBMC, said Ashwith, a member of the MBMC. Despite awareness about deforestation and its negative impact on environment, trees continued to be felled indiscriminately, lamented Shanu who is an entrepreneur. Besides delivering talks at programmes organised by JCI (youth are also members of JCI), they will distribute 2,000 wrist-bands with a message, Plant Trees, Prevent Floods. The men had begun preparations for the trip two months ago. Their Royal Enfield bikes were retrofitted with two additional five-litre tanks. Intercom are fitted to the cellphones to ensure that we all stay together, said Saheer Kumble, a techie. The entire journey is expected to cost each rider about Rs two lakh, he added. Sudheer Kudlu, an electrical contractor, says in order to minimise expenditure they would set up tents wherever possible. This is a journey to deliver a message, so comfort, luxury takes a backseat, he added with a smile. Mangaluru Commissioner of Police T R Suresh flagged of the unique bike tour on the premises of commissioners office. The bikers from Mangaluru will travel to Goa, Mumbai, Gujarat, New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Kolkata, Chennai, flood-ravaged areas in Thrissur and Waynad (Kerala), Kodagu and back to Mangaluru. Ashwith says such long distance rides are part of the clubs outreach programme. Indias technology hub, Bengaluru, which is home to a large number of multinational research and development centres and startup hubs, will soon be home to yet another mega innovation facility from Israel. Israel will set up an India-Israeli Innovation Centre (IIIC), the first startup incubation facility in India. This facility by Israel will be only its fourth in the world after the US, the UK and China. The facility, spread across 10,000 square feet, will be set up in the central business district and will be operated by startup hub MESH (Modiin Entrepreneurs Startup Hub). Interacting with DH, MESH founder and CEO Moshe Porat said the startup incubator in Benglauru is a step towards achieving greater synergy between Indian and Israeli startup companies. We have many startup companies in India, especially in Bengaluru, involved in deep technology and they are looking at leveraging by aligning with global startups and incubation centres. We expect by starting MESH in Bengaluru, we can bring synergy in this endeavour, he said. Porat added that the India-Israeli Innovation Centre will give access to Israeli investors and frontier tech talent. He said the incubation centre will be ready by mid-December and two more will be opened soon. We are aligning our gameplan around government initiatives like Startup India and Digital India. Israel has also identified six cities for starting these kind of incubation centres, he said. Each incubation centre will have around Rs 2 crore investment. MESH is a startup hub started in 2014 and is located in Israeli municipality of Modiin. Varadarajan Krish, who will head the incubation centres in India, said it will bring on board both Israeli and Indian educational institutions for collaboration and co-research. Israels Technion, Ben-Gurian and Tel Aviv Universities will join hands with IITs and IIIT in India. Also, it will team up with NITI Aayog and Atal Innovation Mission. Federation of Indo-Israeli Chambers of Commerce vice chairman David Keynan said the innovation centre is one more move to connect the tech industry in both countries. Porat is a long-time industry veteran in Israel, and his abilities will contribute to the centres success, said Keynan. Even as thousands of Biharis continue to leave Gujarat lock, stock and 'apparel', Patidar leader Hardik Patel has asked his men to put up posters and hoardings in Patna promising protection to those fleeing the western state. The hoardings put up on the main thoroughfares of the state capital here says: "Anyone who feels terrorised in Gujarat, or if anyone is asked to leave Gujarat, may contact Hardik Patel on his helpline number 9978520793." The tag line, on the top, is all the more impressive: "Biharion pe atyachar bardaasht nahin (Will not tolerate any excesses on Biharis)". The hoarding is aimed to catch the attention of those who left Gujarat out of fear and returned to their home state (Bihar) vowing never to return to the western state, where they faced backlash owing to a rape incident in which the accused was from Bihar. The ruling parties, the JD (U) and the BJP, have taken a jibe at Patels hoardings. "While it's common knowledge that the troika of Alpesh Thakore, Hardik Patel and Jignesh Mevani have been supporting those who drove out Biharis from Gujarat, it's a laughing matter that one of the 'perpetrators' is trying to become a 'protector'. Let Hardik come to Patna. We will welcome him with roses," said JD (U) spokesperson Ajay Alok. The BJP was equally critical. "Why has the Congress not taken action against the main suspect Alpesh Thakore, who threw Biharis out of Gujarat. Ironically, Thakore is AICC secretary, in-charge of Bihar affairs," said senior BJP leader and Nitish's Cabinet colleague Nand Kishore Yadav here on Wednesday. The fate of #MeToo-stung Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar is likely to be decided after he returns to New Delhi after completing his tour to Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. The Minister of State for External Affairs was in the capital of Nigeria to attend a conclave on New Delhis relations with West Africa when the #MeToo campaign stung him back in India. Several women journalists posted on Twitter since Monday, alleging that Akbar, who had a long career in media before he started dabbling in politics, had inappropriately behaved with them or sexually harassed them when he was the editor of a newspaper they had either wanted to work for or worked for. Akbar was in Abuja since early this week to attend the two-day conference on New Delhis relations with West Africa, which was held by Confederation of Indian Industry and the Export Bank of India on Monday and Tuesday. He called on Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and had a meeting with the countrys Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama on Tuesday. He also delivered a lecture on Wednesday on Geo-Strategic Relations between India and Nigeria with Defence Cooperation as a Key Pillar at Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja. He is scheduled to fly from Abuja to Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, on Thursday. He is likely to return to New Delhi late on Saturday or early on Sunday. Sources said that he had not yet received any communication from New Delhi to cut short his visit and had not yet made any change in his travel plans. The allegations by women journalists against the Minister of State for External Affairs prompted many in social media to seek his resignation from the Council of Ministers headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The opposition parties like the Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) also stepped up pressure on the BJP-led Government at the Centre seeking his removal from the office. The BJP, however, maintained silence on the allegation against Akbar, who is also a member of the Rajya Sabha from Jharkhand. The spokespersons of the ruling party refrained from defending him too. Prime Minister, BJP president Amit Shah and other senior leaders of the ruling party had a discussion on the allegations against Akbar. It was also discussed informally on the sideline of a meeting of the Union Cabinet on Wednesday. Prime Minister too had a discussion with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on the issue; sources in New Delhi told the DH. Swaraj on Tuesday chose to maintain silence when journalists asked her for her comment on the allegation against her junior colleague. A section of the BJP top brass is concerned over the adverse impact its inaction on the issue could have on its image, with assembly polls in five states scheduled to take place in November and December and the parliamentary elections less than a year away. Some of the party leaders and the senior members of the Union Cabinet are understood to have argued that if Akbar was allowed to continue as Minister of State for External Affairs even after such serious allegations came up against him, it might send out a wrong message about the BJPs stand on the issues involving rights and dignity of women. The BJP, however, is also keen to make it sure that if Akbar is indeed relieved of his responsibility as Minister of State for External Affairs, it is rather projected as an example of its zero-tolerance policy on allegations of sexual harassment and assault within its rank and file and not as an instance of the ruling party succumbing to pressure from the opposition. Sources said that Modi might give Akbar a chance to defend himself before deciding on his fate. The Minister of State for External Affairs might be summoned to the Prime Ministers residence at Lok Kalyan Marg after his return to New Delhi. Universities and colleges will have to face strict punitive action if they do not return original documents and refund fees collected from the students who opt out from a programme after taking admission within a stipulated time-frame. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has framed rules to penalise such higher education institutions in view of a large number of complaints from the students and parents every year, Human Resource Development (HRD) minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters on Wednesday. The UGC rules are applicable to all universities and colleges including technical institutions, be it private or government. The rules will be notified today (Wednesday). The All India Council for Technical Education will also notify the UGC rules for technical institutions, he added. As per the UGC rules, it will now be mandatory for the higher education institutions to return the original documents of the students when they move out from their programme to take admission in some other institution of their choice. The institutions will have to refund entire tuition fee collected from a student if he or she applies for moving out of the institution to take admission somewhere else sixteen days before the closing date of admission announced. However, the institution, while refunding the fees, will charge 5% of the total fees from such students or a maximum Rs 5000 as processing fee. Students will be entitled to refund of 90% of the total fee if they apply for withdrawing their admission fifteen days before the closing date of admission. Students will get 80% of the deposited fee refunded if they apply to withdraw their admission within 15 days after the closing date of admission, 50% between 15-30 days after the closing of admission. Fees collected will not be refunded in case a student decides to withdraw after 30 days of the formally notified last date of admission, Javadekar said. Institutions failing to abide by the UGC rules will attract imposition of the fine by the higher education regulator. The UGC may also consider stopping grants to such institutions or withdraw affiliation in worst cases, Javadekar said. Faced with a shortage of capital and a compelling need to boost economic growth, successive governments have taken steps to attract foreign investment. But when the inflow happens to be of Indian money that left our shores in a clandestine manner and is coming back in the garb of foreign capital rounding tripping in common parlance it raises many eyebrows. Until a few years ago, the extant policy and regulatory environment hugely facilitated rounding tripping. There was little regulatory oversight on money leaving and there were tax havens ever ready to attract it. The shell companies, set up in those havens by the people to whom the money belonged, would then invest in India, fully leveraging benevolent tax treaties between India and those countries. For instance, under the erstwhile India-Mauritius double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA), India granted tax exemption on capital gains made by investors resident in Mauritius (the definition of resident was so generous that even post-box/shell companies were eligible) from sale of shares of Indian companies. Since no capital gains tax was levied in Mauritius either, the income accruing from such gains escaped tax in both countries. The same dispensation applied to investors from Singapore. In the first decade of the 2000s, investment from these countries was made mostly in offshore derivative instruments (ODIs) or Participatory notes (P-notes). ODIs are instruments issued by foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) against Indian stocks to overseas subscribers who themselves do not wish to get registered. Though the stated rationale for allowing investment through this route was to avoid hassles of extensive documentation/compliance that go with registration, its real intent was to offer a veil of secrecy to those (round trippers) who were making such investments. No wonder, investments via P-notes reached a crescendo in 2007, when these were 56% of total portfolio inflows. In 2011, SEBI initiated a series of steps which, on the one hand, simplified and rationalised the process of direct registration and, on the other, tightened norms for investment via P-notes. It started exercising greater regulatory oversight over the FPIs issuing such instruments. That did not help much as the root cause the veil of secrecy surrounding these instruments remained unaddressed. Unlike domestic investors who are subject to onerous Indian KYC (know your customer) norms, FPIs and subscribers of P-notes had only to comply with KYC norms of the jurisdiction where these entities were located. Indeed, the latter were very liberal. The government has sought to stop round tripping by (i) enactment of a law on black money (2015); (ii) revision in tax treaties with safe haven jurisdictions to bring the tax treatment for investors from there at par with that for domestic investors and (iii) tightening the norms for foreign investment. The SEBI now subjects foreign investors to the same KYC norms as applicable to domestic investors. Their KYC status has to be reviewed annually. The FPIs are required to report information regarding their investment on monthly basis. The P-notes status has to be updated every six months. The issuer should immediately inform the financial intelligence unit (FIU) in the finance ministry when unusually high volumes of P-notes change hands. These instruments are not allowed to be issued to resident Indians, non-resident Indians (NRIs) or persons of Indian origin (PIOs). The above requirements have sought to lift the veil of secrecy surrounding foreign investment coming via FPI and bring clarity about the beneficial owners. New conditions Meanwhile, in April 2018, SEBI issued a circular proposing a new set of conditions to be complied with by September 30. The deadline has since been extended to December 31. This time, the focus of the regulator is on determination of the beneficial ownership (BO) of the FPIs which manage foreign investment. In addition to the economic criteria (it goes solely by majority shareholding of an entity), the criteria include control as well. Thus, a person may not hold any shares yet, but may be having full authority to run the show. If, in this sweeping sense, an NRI or PIO happens to be the BO of the FPI, then the entity wont be in compliance with the KYC norm and hence becomes ineligible. Apart from India-dedicated funds set up by NRIs, there are global FPIs who have appointed NRIs and PIOs as their fund managers. Under the norms now proposed by SEBI (April 2018 circular), all of them will stand disqualified from investing in India. No wonder, a lobby group named AMRI (Asset Management Roundtable of India) has gone so far as to say that this would lead to withdrawal of $75 billion in investments, causing mayhem in the stock market and building more pressure on the rupee. There is an inherent flaw in SEBIs approach. It is mixing up the beneficiaries of foreign investment (the sole concern due to round tripping is centred around them) with the ownership and control of FPIs whose job is merely to manage the funds. The regulator should prevail upon the latter to keep tab on the former in preventing any wrongdoing. While SEBI has every right to disqualify an FPI for abetting wrongdoing by its subscribers, but to do so merely because it is owned and/or controlled by NRI/PIO is bad. The bottom-line should be due diligence of the beneficiary/investor irrespective of who manages the fund an Indian resident or a foreigner. The powers-that-be should stop juggling around the ownership and control of FPIs (a committee under ex-deputy governor of RBI, HR Khan, has recommended 25%/50% shareholding of NRIs/OCIs (overseas citizens of India), exemptions for PIOs, etc., to get over the rigours of the SEBI circular) as this is not relevant to the main issue. Instead, the focus should be entirely on ensuring full compliance with KYC norms for the investors. This will address the concerns due to round tripping without diluting the interest of foreign investors in India. (The writer is a New-Delhi based policy analyst) Assuring the agrarian community of protecting their interests, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Wednesday appealed to the farmers not to take the drastic step. Addressing the gathering, during the inaugural ceremony of Dasara-2018, he said, The coalition government in the state is committed to protect the welfare of the farming community and the poor as well. The government is yours. We are making prompt efforts for the welfare of farmers and the poor. Have faith in in the government Kumaraswamy said. Kumaraswamy added, he is not handling the chief ministers position with joy as the farmers and the poor in distress. I am not a politician basically. I never thought of entering politics. But, I entered politics and became chief minister twice, accidentally. I have prayed the goddess to give me strength to serve the people, he said. District in-charge Minister G T Devegowda said, the coalition government has introduced several pro-people programmes. The chief minister has announced a budgetary allocation of Rs 545 crore to provide drinking water in the region. Similarly, Rs 500 crore is earmarked for the development of Mysuru and Rs 6.85 crore to provide drinking water to the villages under Chamundi Hill Gram Panchayat, he said. Stop Mahisha Dasara: MP MP Pratap Simha said, a few organisations have been celebrating Mahisha Dasara since a few years atop the Chamundi Hill. Mahisha is a demon and the government should not allow them to celebrate Mahisha Dasara. Without taking the name of Tipu Sultan, the MP said, the Mysuru state suffered between 1761 and 1799, so the government should stop celebrating tyrants. Religious Freedom and Human Rights Advocates to Hold Facebook Live Prayer Vigil for Pastor Andrew Brunson in Front of The Embassy of Turkey in Washington, D.C. Contact: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741 WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2018 / Standard Newswire / -- The prayer vigil will be on Thursday, October 11, at 7:30 p.m. EST in front of the Embassy of Turkey which is located at 2525 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC. Here is a link to the Facebook Event page: www.facebook.com/events/576140449473261/ Pastor Brunson, who has been imprisoned for over two years in Turkey for his Christian faith, faces up to 30 years in prison if he is convicted of false and unjust charges of terrorism by the Turkish government. Pastor Brunson and his family have lovingly and peacefully served the people of Turkey for 23 years by sharing the heart of Christ with this wonderful nation. Rev. Patrick Mahoney, organizer of the vigil and Director of the Christian Defense Coalition states: "Hebrews 13:3 says; 'Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.' "We are gathering at the Embassy of Turkey to pray for the immediate release of Pastor Andrew Brunson who has been unjustly imprisoned in Turkey for his Christian faith. We will also be calling for Turkey to ensure religious freedom and human rights for all and end the persecution and intimidation of Christians and other religious minorities. "It is important for the faith community to stand in solidarity with all those who are being persecuted and attacked for their Christian beliefs and continue to be a loud and prophetic public voice for justice and religious freedom. We cannot rest or be silent until Pastor Brunson is released and able to freely worship God according the dictates of his conscience." For more information or interviews call: Rev. Patrick Mahoney at 540.538.4741 The lone BSP minister in the H D Kumaraswamy Cabinet Primary and Secondary Education Minister N Mahesh resigned on Thursday indicating that his party does not want to be associated with the Congress in the ruling coalition. Mahesh, who despatched his resignation letter to Chief Minister Kumaraswamy, said he will continue his support to the coalition government. Mahesh represents the Kollegal Assembly constituency in Chamarajnagar district. Mahesh said he will continue to support Kumaraswamy and his party will back the JD(S) in forthcoming bypolls to three Lok Sabha and two Assembly seats. Speaking at a BSP event in Chamarajnagar last week, Mahesh had created political ripples when he held the Congress, BJP and the JD(S) responsible for the socio-economic inequality in the country. Mahesh later clarified that he has no problems with the JD(S). Sources said Mahesh quit following directions from BSP chief Mayawati. The BSP recently had decided against having any alliance with the Congress in the Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh Assembly elections. The JD(S) and the BSP had entered into a pre-poll alliance for the Karnataka Assembly elections held in May this year and as part of this arrangement, BSP contested in 20 seats. In his resignation letter, a copy of which has been marked to Governor Vajubhai Vala, Mahesh thanked Kumaraswamy for rendering support and cooperation to him to discharge his duties as primary and secondary education minister. Mahesh stated that he was resigning for personal reasons. Later, Mahesh told reporters that the BSP will support JD(S) candidates in the byelections. He said he will now focus his energies on strengthening the party ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Attending to party work and also discharging the responsibilities as a minister, that too a prime portfolio like primary and secondary education, is a difficult task. For me, the party is more important than power, he said. On whether the BSP will have a tie-up with the JD(S) for the Lok Sabha elections, he said it was for Mayawati to take a final call. Mahesh said he will also work towards developing and nurturing his constituency. Mahesh had been made incharge of Gadag district. Soon after Maheshs resignation, there was speculation that he may support the BJP if the safforn party stakes claim to form the government. Earlier in the day, BJP leader and former deputy chief minister R Ashoka had said that his partys central leadership had given the go-ahead to the state unit to make efforts to form the government in Karnataka. With Maheshs resignation there are now seven vacancies in the Kumaraswamy Cabinet. With Pennsylvania ranking second in the nation for senior citizens by population, many counties have instituted special investigative and prosecutorial divisions to handle cases involving older residents. Montgomery County has established an Elder Abuse Unit to investigate and prosecute crimes against seniors, with assistant district attorneys providing training to police and prosecutors, and performing educational outreach efforts. Chester County has likewise put in place the Elder Abuse Task Force, made up of the Chester County Department of Aging, the District Attorneys Office, private attorneys and members of the banking industry. In Delaware County, District Attorney Katayoun Copeland said the Senior Exploitation Unit has investigated more than 7,000 cases including thefts of more than $3 million since it was established in 2003. A lot of what they do is investigate theft fiduciary theft, credit card thefts, physical abuse financial thefts, that sort of thing, said Copeland, who was appointed in January to serve out the remainder of former District Attorney Jack Whelans term when he took a post on the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas last year. Copeland noted Whelan was instrumental before he left in expanding the unit to include Senior Victims Services, a former non-profit organization that had existed for at least a quarter of a century with the aim of helping elderly victims get their lives back on track following a crime. Senior Victim Services is now under the purview of the District Attorneys Office and is funded by an ongoing grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The office has helped more than 400 seniors with more than 1,200 services in the last fiscal year, according to Director Chelsey Price. About 200 or 300 more had at least some contact with her office, she said. Though the DAs office and Senior Victim Services historically worked hand-in-hand, Copeland said that bringing them into the fold of the Senior Exploitation Unit has improved the ease of communication and cooperation tremendously. Price said that her office chiefly provides much needed advocacy for seniors going through a traumatic experience. Advocates are available by phone, through appointment or simply by walking in to the Media office. Often times, she said, the office serves as the first point of contact for a senior who might be wary of reporting a crime or is even unsure if they have been victimized until they discuss their experience with an advocate. Many seniors throughout the county dont report that theyre victims of crime, unfortunately, and they dont do it because theyre afraid that they could be targeted again, said Copeland. Theyre also afraid that a family member might find out and might believe that theyre not able to handle their own affairs, so theyre cautious and sometimes reluctant to disclose that theyve become a victim of a crime. Sometimes, we are the only individuals in their lives that know whats going on, because they have that fear, embarrassment and shame, said Price. Perpetrators often exploit the victims loneliness, said Price. Many clients relate that the person scamming them on the phone might have been the first person who listened to them for more than 10 minutes, or played on their desire to help a family member in dire need. Some play a longer game, said Price, slowly building confidence over a period of months before getting to the ask, and many are now even using dating applications to target their victims. Copeland pointed to one case in which the alleged perpetrator helped an elderly woman up after she fell, then befriended her and moved in with her. Within a period of a few months, he had bled her savings of more than $180,000, leaving her nearly penniless, said Copeland. Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division Chief Joseph Ryan said that the highest dollar amounts involved in senior exploitation crimes typically come from those who gain control over the victims bank accounts, such as power-of-attorney situations involving family members. Price said that for many victims, the impact does not end with the commission or resolution of the crime, but can have lasting effects on mental well-being, finances and other areas. Her office is able to walk victims through things like obtaining a new identification card, filing paperwork, making phone calls and filling out Victims Compensation Assistance Program claims, which offer up to $35,000 in financial aid to cover expenses large and small everything from medical bills to replacement eye glasses. Both the Senior Victim Services and Senior Exploitation Unit also work with other local agencies, including the County Office of Services for the Aging and Women Against Rape, depending on the needs of the victim. In addition to investigations, Copeland said her office and Senior Victim Services provide numerous presentations at community centers, group homes and other settings in an effort to educate seniors and care givers about current and recurring scams. She said presenters will urge the audience to take the information with them and spread it to friends and family to make sure it reaches the widest possible audience. Ryan estimated the office puts on one or two such presentations a week and Copeland said there are often people in attendance nodding their heads as they recognize they have seen the types of crimes being discussed in their own lives. Copeland said a relatively new component of this educational arm has been safety planning, or educating seniors about ways they can protect themselves before a crime occurs. This includes urging seniors with security cameras to participate in a new DA DelCAM initiative that will allow quick access to recorded footage in the event of a crime or missing person. When people are aware of the fact that youve got a camera in your home and law enforcement is aware of the fact that youve got a camera in your home, I think people tend to stay away from a residence like that, said Copeland. Ryan added that the senior population is ever growing, especially with Baby Boomers now moving into that group. As you have this population getting older, (you will see) more issues with Alzheimers, dementia, walking away, said Ryan. The DelCAM program were promoting is a way to help that. Its not just about crime prevention, its also that were going to start seeing more and more seniors with these issues get lost. Those with any concerns for friends or family, or who feel they might be the victim of a crime themselves, are urged to contact the Delaware County Senior Exploitation Unit at 610-891-5249 or email seniorcrimes@co.delaware.pa.us. Senior Victim Services maintains an office eon the third floor of 20 S. Olive Street in Media and can be reached by phone at 610-627-2292. The Chester County District Attorneys Office can be reached at 610-344-6801 and the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office can be reached at 610-278-3090. Former Darby Borough Mayor Paula Brown has been barred from the Delaware County Democratic Committee and the Darby Democratic Committee for two years under an order from the partys arbitration board. The Aug. 20 order stems from a complaint filed with the Democrats in May by Darby Borough Democratic Committee Chairman Darren Burrell, in which he accused Brown and former Darby Councilwoman Edna Stockley of violating party bylaws in last years mayoral election. The bylaws provide that no person shall be eligible to serve on the committee who has supported a candidate opposed to the Democratic Party (except for candidates who cross-file for an office in which cross-filing is permitted by law) by voice, public support, financial support or otherwise, within the prior two years, according to the order. Brown, a second-ward, first-precinct committeewoman, served as the boroughs mayor between 1998 and 2006, when former Councilwoman Helen Thomas took the throne in a contentious race. Thomas has been the mayor ever since, beating back two challenges from Brown in 2009 and again last year, as well as one from Stockley in 2013. Brown, a self-described lifelong Democrat, ran as a Republican on the General Election ballot in both of her attempts. Thomas edged Brown out of the Democratic nomination in the 2009 Primary Election, but Brown had secured enough write-ins as a Republican to run on that ticket in the fall. History repeated itself in 2017, as Thomas again defeated Brown in May and Brown again secured enough write-in votes to run as a Republican in November. This time, however, Burrell took exception. She ran as a Republican candidate, he said. She does that all the time. She tries to manipulate the people of Darby, she tries to do that and say, Im a Republican, Im a Democrat, and that confuses people. Youre either one or the other. Is it my fault that 33 or 31 Republicans in Darby didnt have a candidate and said, You know what? Were going to write you in as a candidate?' Brown asked. That doesnt mean Im a Republican and it doesnt mean I supported Republicans. Burrell submitted screenshots of Browns Facebook page to the arbitration board in which the former mayor urged voters not to vote straight Democrat and displayed her ballot position as B24, directly opposite Thomas at A24. Burrell also provided a screenshot of a Facebook post Brown made on Oct. 12, 2017, in which she thanked the (at the time) all-Republican Delaware County Council for keeping taxes flat and urged municipalities to follow suit. Brown testified at an Aug. 6 arbitration hearing that she had never changed her party registration and was running as an Independent Democrat, according to the order. She also contended that she worked for county council and wanted to express thanks for its work. I always post stuff about county council, said Brown Thursday. Im about to post something when I go home tonight about the free flu clinic. Thats my employer, Im allowed to say, Hey, good job. I can see if I was out there actively campaigning, like, Vote for Dave White and whoever else, then yeah, OK, I can buy that. But I wasnt. I just wasnt. The board was not persuaded on either point, however. The order notes two Republican county council candidates were on the ballot last year against two Democratic challengers, who ultimately won. Browns public support of the incumbents when Democratic candidates were running for election constituted a violation of the bylaws, according to the order. The board also rejected Browns arguments that she was not opposing the Democratic Party by running as a Republican against the Democratic nominee. We conclude she was, the order states. The fact that she remained a registered Democrat and characterized herself as an Independent Democrat during the campaign does not change this fundamental reality. Stockley, a council member from 2007-2011 and second-ward, second-precinct committeewoman, was likewise given a two-year bar from the county and borough parties for publically supporting Brown throughout the period leading to the General Election. Stockley could not be reached for comment Thursday, but did not dispute that she posted on Facebook in support of Brown and had a Brown sign in her yard, according to the order. The arbitration board also heard a complaint in July against second-ward, second-precinct committeeman Jesse Lites and issued a similar two-year bar. That dont bother me, what they done, said Lites when reached for comment. Im not even worried about it. I got the same thing because I had a sign on my property. Thats all. Thats it. I had (Brown) and my wife (Esther) on there too, because my wife was running. They said I violated the law. Thats their law, it aint my law. Brown said Thursday that she was supposed to have received a copy of the order within 30 days of the decision so she could appeal, but never did. She contended that she and other Darby Borough committee members, including Stockley, sent their own unanswered complaint to the party in August asking that Burrell be removed as chairman for allegedly holding a secret reorganization meeting in June and displaying irrational, altered mood swings, aggressive and hostile behavior. Burrell denied those allegations, indicating he is as stable as they come and said held a second reorganization meeting only after too many committee members were unable to attend the first one. Everyone was emailed and I actually physically called everyone and emailed everyone, he said. I like to call to make sure they got the email. Brown said she intends to appeal the order. In my opinion, I didnt violate the bylaws and neither did anyone else, and Im going to appeal that position, she said. Im not going to take it lying down. UPPER CHICHESTER A 24-year-old township man who was shot by police after allegedly advancing on them with a knife has been charged with the attempted murder of another civilian and aggravated assault against three police officers in two incidents that took place early Monday morning. James Michael Toy is a dangerous, violent individual who choked and stabbed the victim in the middle of the night in the sanctity of his own home, said Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland in a release. The defendant then advanced on officers, armed with a knife, and failed to follow police orders. The release states that three Upper Chichester police officers were dispatched to a residence on the 900 block of Thornton Road at about 3:24 a.m. Monday for a report of a stabbing. They encountered Toy brandishing a knife and ordered him to drop the weapon, according to the release. Toy disregarded their commands and continued to advance towards the officers, the release says. Police officers discharged their weapons, striking Toy in the hand. County detectives Robert Lythgoe, Edmond J. Pisani, Vincent Ficchi, and Thomas Scarpato were later called in to investigate and spoke with the stabbing victim. The victim told detectives he was asleep on his couch and woke up to find Toy on top of him, according to the release. Toy allegedly began to choke the victim, who called out for help as they started to wrestle. Toy stabbed the victim in the left side of his face and left hand, according to the release, then put his hand in the victims mouth and said, Shut up, Im going to kill you. The victim was able to throw Toy off and escape through the front door, according to the release. The victim told detectives that he then saw Toy moving toward the Upper Chichester officers outside with the knife still in his hand. The victim said he heard officers telling Toy to freeze and repeatedly told him to drop the weapon before they fired, according to the release. Copeland spokeswoman Emily Harris said none of the officers were injured and the victim did not sustain life-threatening injuries. Toy, also of the 900 block of Thornton Road, is additionally charged with possessing an instrument of crime and terrorist threats, according to the release. He was preliminarily arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Deborah A. Krull and remanded to the county prison after failing to post $1 million cash bail, according to online court records. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 23 before Magisterial District Judge David R. Griffin. UPPER DARBY The Upper Darby School Board is holding off on a policy to allow armed security officers in its schools pending further revisions. Adoption of a proposed revision to Policy 316.1 was expected at the boards Oct. 9 meeting to allow the districtwide, 40-member school security personnel to carry a loaded firearm as part of their uniforms, but the policy was pulled from the agenda and put back into committee. Administrators have suggested putting one armed officer in each of its 14 school buildings under the policy. School board President Rachel Mitchell said the policy was going under substantial changes by the four-person policy review committee led by board member Lee Jordan with help by fellow board and committee members Ed Brown, Gina Curry and Don Fields. Jordan said after the meeting that they were cleaning up some of the policy language. This is the first school safety initiative being entertained by the board since lengthy discussions on the topic started in February after the shooting at a Parkland, Fla., high school that killed or injured 34 people. The anticipated vote on Tuesday night came after discussion by the board and the public at a Sept. 25 committee meeting. When the board was trying to form a consensus to move it out of committee, board members Jordan, Neil Desnoyers and Ed Brown wanted to table the policy for further review. Such a delay was not advocated by Director of Public Safety Lou Gentile and acting Superintendent Dan McGarry, the latter overheard saying thats a shame when he heard that board members wanted to table it. Consensus was eventually made by the five other board members to put it to a final vote at the boards Oct. 9 meeting. At the committee meeting two residents inquired about the data and research that supports arming school security officers. This was brought up again by another resident at Tuesdays meeting. When it comes to armed guards in our childrens schools, I dont want a decision thats based on intuition and common sense and anecdotes, said Kyra Raphaelidis. I want a decision thats based on research and on facts. Raphaelidis added that she could not find research on armed personnel in a school making a building any safer. I want this decision to be made on evidence, she said. If you have the evidence I would like to know what it is and I think as a parent all of the parents and teachers have the right to know on what evidence this was proposed. Residents Arnold Jones and Rich Bly commented on the cultural disconnect between the black-majority student body and the presence of armed security. I would not like a phone call (that) my son was shot dead, said Jones, calling the policy ridiculous. Bly, who said he escaped the violence of Philadelphia to raise his family in Upper Darby, said the district is promoting fear about a perceived threat that might happen, rather than educating our kids and teaching them how to live in peace. We need to change our thought processes here folks, said Bly. Were going in the wrong direction. You keep taking us down the road of violence, violence, violence, and theres no peace. We need to get it together. District resident and high school employee Amy Sandman continued to rally some support in favor of the policy by carrying over comments she made at the Sept. 25 committee meeting. The threat is not if, its when, said Sandman. Im not trying to cancel anyone out, Im trying to be sensitive to other peoples needs as well, but please understand that its not if, its when. Please do your best to make the right decisions for everyone. To the Times: In a letter published in the Daily Times on Sept. 25, Delco GOP Chair Andrew Reilly continued his public scaremongering around state House candidate Kristin Seale. Despite the fact that Mr. Reilly is berating a candidate for state office about federal policies that she would not be voting on, he seems insistent that someone meet his cynical, bad-faith arguments with an earnest reply. Im certain that no response on Earth would meet his satisfaction, so I will not spend my time writing one. Instead, I will set the record straight about what the Democratic candidates are actually offering Delaware County. The Democrats are fighting for a county, state, and country that works for everyone, not just a handful of people at the very top. The Democrats are fighting for fair, consistent school funding from Harrisburg, not just one-time grants, so our property tax burden doesnt keep getting heavier. The Democrats are fighting for workers, protecting our right to unionize and making sure were paid a fair, living wage for our hard work. The Democrats are fighting for women, ensuring that they have access to the entire spectrum of health care, that theyre paid the same amount for doing the same job, and that no woman is ever forced to leave a career in order to start a family. The Democrats are fighting for a justice system that doesnt criminalize being poor or black, and that uses every tool, not just law enforcement, to fight the opioid crisis from all sides. The Democrats are fighting to make sure our roads and bridges are strong, our water and air are clean, our communities are safe, and our businesses are booming. The Democrats are fighting, and will continue to fight, until our elections and districts are fair, and those in government remember that they work for the people, not the other way around. Mr. Reilly spends the vast majority of his letter repeating, without context or reliable sources, a willful misinterpretation of what the Democrats are for, and as an afterthought, spares a handful of words for what his Republican candidates are against. He spends exactly zero words discussing what his Republican Partys candidates stand for. Is he embarrassed to tell the voters of Delaware County that they stand for tax cuts for millionaires, paid for by taking away your health care and Social Security? Is he embarrassed to tell the voters of Delaware County that continued Republican dominance in Media, Harrisburg and Washington means refusing to consistently fund our schools, dismantling womens rights, letting Sunoco bury a bomb of a pipeline steps from an elementary school, and making Mr. Reillys brother even wealthier running the states only private prison? Is he embarrassed to tell the voters of Delaware County that this is 2018, and desperate red-baiting straight out of the 1980s is the only idea the Delco GOP has right now? He certainly doesnt seem to realize the year; as one of Pennsylvanias electoral voters, Mr. Reilly was one of the 20 people in the Commonwealth to proudly cast his electoral college vote for Donald Trump, and Andy Reilly, President Trump, and the Republican Party seem eager to drag Delaware County and the United States far, far into the past. For my part, Im not embarrassed at all. Im proud to support strong, progressive women like Kristin Seale and Colleen Guiney, and all of the forward-thinking Democrats running to finally push Delaware County into the future. Last weeks Labor Department report was unquestionably good news. The American economy is soaring. Unemployment is at 3.7 percent, the lowest since 1969. Employers added 134,000 new jobs in September, marking the 96th straight month of growth, which is a record. An observer might think the economic law of gravity finally had been solved. That isnt the case, of course. What goes up must eventually come down, at least a little way, if not more. History shows economic expansion is not a perpetual motion machine. And yet what is happening right now is impressive in many ways. Back in 1969, for instance, a large share of potential young voters was in Vietnam. Had this group been home looking for work, unemployment likely would have been higher. The same could be said for the early 50s, when unemployment also fell to below 4 percent. The Korean War took a lot of potential young workers off the rolls back then. Todays economy is not buttressed by a large war fought by a non-volunteer military. Significantly, it also includes a large share of women a segment of the population that was missing during those earlier periods. This sustained growth surely puts to rest the gloomy forecasts of 50 years ago, when experts predicted a changing economy, and specifically automation, would lead to legions of unemployed workers. Today, as Carl Tannenbaum, chief economist at Northern Trust, told the Wall Street Journal, the low unemployment rate shows how resilient and adaptable the American economy is. Despite massive changes in technology since 1969, the workforce has been able to adapt, re-configure and reorient itself. Certainly, the tax cuts President Trump championed and Congress passed have fed this surge, putting much more discretionary money into the economy. Some experts now predict continued growth through 2021. Except, of course, that no one can accurately predict that. And, even if true, one hates to contemplate what happens after 2021. Good times dont continue forever. As weve said before, now would be a perfect time for Americans to lay up in store for a future downturn. That means getting out of debt, paying off student loans and mortgages and accumulating real wealth. Good times dont continue forever. As weve said before, now would be a perfect time for Americans to lay up in store for a future downturn. Unfortunately, the evidence shows this isnt what people are doing. Figures from the Federal Reserve show consumer debt rose more in August than experts had predicted, according to Bloomberg. Total credit was up $20.1 billion for the month. It now totals more than $1 trillion, including both revolving credit card balances and loans for things such as schooling and cars. That figure does not include real estate loans or home equity loans, which could put homeowners at risk during a severe downturn. Add all of that in and personal debt, including mortgages, student loans and credit cards, equals $58,51 per citizen. Nationally, things arent any better. The national debt now totals $21.6 trillion. The website usdebtclock.org reports that this equals $117,283 per taxpayer. Thats a lot of spending based on the hope of having the ability to repay tomorrow. Its not a good starting point for the holiday season. None of this should detract from the good times now underway. Todays economy shines particularly bright in comparison to exactly 10 years ago. But prosperity doesnt mean much if it isnt handled wisely. A nation full of fools and their money eventually translates into great misery when the days of plenty end. SALT LAKE CITY Utahns may not get to vote both early and often, the way Chicago's election hucksters once urged, but beginning with next year's municipal elections they could get to vote early and for more than one candidate. No kidding. Ranked-choice voting could be coming to a race near you. This would be an attempt to answer the age-old question of American democracy: How few votes can a winner receive and still be considered the voters' choice? That became relevant in Utah last year when John Curtis won a three-way Republican primary for the state's 3rd Congressional District by getting only 43.28 percent of the votes. It's been relevant more than once in the state's history. But a new (to Utah, anyway) twist on democracy would make the answer the same in every election you need 50 percent plus 1, even if not all your votes represent a first choice. In March, Utah lawmakers passed a bill setting up an eight-year pilot project for ranked-choice voting in races featuring more than two candidates. If, for example, four names are on the ballot, you could note your first, second, third and fourth preferences. If none of the candidates receives more than 50 percent of the first-choice votes, the last-place finisher would be eliminated and all his or her second-through-fourth votes bumped up to first-through-third and distributed among the other three. The process would continue until someone has more than 50 percent. It isn't rocket science. It also isn't a particularly new idea. Several cities in the U.S. already do this, as do voters in Ireland and Australia. But it would be revolutionary in Utah. Officials with a group called Utah Ranked Choice Voting has been making the rounds of city council meetings, presenting the idea and urging them to sign up. According to the new law, cities have until Jan. 1 to let the lieutenant governor's office know they want to do this. So far, supporters tell me, a few cities in Utah and Salt Lake counties have shown interest. However, no one has yet sent a letter to Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox. Average Americans, who likely don't think much about politics until they get ready to vote, may not have considered this, but democracy can be frustratingly imperfect when it comes to choosing leaders. The Electoral College tends to tie us into intellectual knots, especially when, as in 2016, a person is declared the winner despite finishing second in the overall vote. But it forces candidates to consider issues important to individual states, or at least individual states considered to be up for grabs. Without it, candidates would find other strategies for accumulating votes, most likely focusing on urban and rural differences instead of regional needs. A lot of people would prefer a simple, direct election, but that has its weaknesses, too. If multiple candidates run and no one gets 50 percent, you could follow up with a runoff election among top vote-getters, which puts power in the hands of losers. They will negotiate with remaining candidates to adopt certain positions in exchange for support. A lot of people would prefer a simple, direct election, but that has its weaknesses, too. Or you could just declare the highest vote-getter the winner. If so, you might end up with something like what happened this year in a congressional district in Massachusetts. Ten Democrats ran in the primary. The winner emerged with less than 21 percent of the vote. Can she really say she represents all Democrats in that district when 79 percent chose someone else? Ranked-choice voting isn't a perfect solution. Someone could garner enough second-place votes to overwhelm everyone else as candidates drop out, even though he or she didn't get the most first-place votes. The idea is intriguing, however, for two other reasons. The first has to do with civility. In theory, at least, candidates won't run negative ads against their opponents because they would want to stay in contention for second-place votes. The other is that it would keep like-minded candidates from splitting the vote. Supporters point to the '16 presidential election in Utah, where some people felt a vote for third-party candidate Evan McMullin might split the Republican vote and favor Democrat Hillary Clinton. With ranked-choice voting, a person could have put McMullin and Donald Trump as the first two choices, eliminating that worry. To be clear, Utah's pilot program applies only to municipal elections in willing cities, for now. If the pilot succeeds, lawmakers might extend it to other races. At the least, the next few years could provide some interesting experiments in the strange and imperfect institution of democracy, which, as Winston Churchill once famously said, is the worst form of government except for all the others. SALT LAKE CITY Robert Redford said on Monday he feels out of place. The legendary actor published a statement called A Brief Statement About Big Things to the Sundance Institutes website on Monday in which he explained how he feels out of place in the country I was born into. He wrote that for the first time in his life he has watched with sadness as our civil servants have failed us. Redford said he understands why young people accuse older generations of being so partisan and not working together. Its hard to blame young people for calling us out, and pointing to our conflicts between the values we declare, and those we stand behind only when its convenient to partisanship. Many people are rightly calling it a mess, he wrote. But I want to encourage you to dig deep for hope and civility right now to try to make connections with people you disagree with, to be better than our politicians. Redford called for all sides to come together to help build better communities. We dont have to share the same motivations to want the same outcomes. Lets focus on each other, and strengthening our communities, and reflecting on whats happening. Lets live in justice and respect and let others fight it out now to the bitter ends, he wrote. This is our country too. Every woman, man and child in it, our American future. Weve got work to do. Read the entire statement at the Sundance Institute. Back in August, Redford announced he would retire from acting following his most recent film The Old Man & The Gun, which opens in Utah Oct. 12. Redford hinted at retirement back in 2016 when he voiced his love for art. The Deseret News recently looked back at Redfords five career-defining movies, which include Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and Jeremiah Johnson (1972). SALT LAKE CITY Jane and Emma is set to premiere in theaters this weekend and as a final publicity push, the marketing team had intended to rely heavily on social media to spread the word. That is, of course, until last Saturday when President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invited all women in the church to participate in a 10-day social media fast. As a result, the marketing team decided to shift focus and regroup. "I won't lie initially, we were thrown for a loop by the announcement, but in the end we fell in love with the new plan, said Chantelle Squires, director of "Jane and Emma," in a press release. The new plan was to quickly organize a phone bank of women for this Thursday in the Canyons conference room of the Hilton Hotel in Salt Lake City. Call bank participants will have the opportunity to make personal phone calls to get the word out about the movie. At the core of President Nelson's announcement was a recognition that we should build stronger relationships with each other offline, Squires said. By personally connecting with members of our community, we can adhere to the church's request and get the word out about our movie at the same time. "Jane and Emma" is a true story based on the life of Jane Manning James, one of the first black members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The movie explores Mannings friendship with Emma Smith, wife of church leader Joseph Smith, and how the two comforted each other on the night of Josephs death. The film addresses issues of racism and polygamy in context of the movies 19th century setting. Thursday's event is open to the public and media. If you go What: "Jane and Emma" Volunteer Phone Bank When: Thursday, Oct. 11, 8 a.m.-noon Where: Canyons conference room at the Hilton Hotel Salt Lake City, 255 S. West Temple Phone: 801-637-4207 Alleviating suffering while creating conditions for the people of the world to flourish along with preserving the planet are tall orders. We are routinely reminded by politicians and pundits that the solutions to such issues are only to be found in big government and big international institutions. While governments and institutions play important roles, we may have missed the message from Confucius given more than 2,000 years ago: The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home. I have often wondered why Confucius chose integrity of the home for his description. Saving the people of the world and the planet is actually a cottage industry. It starts in homes and families and communities, not in large bureaucratic buildings. Not all homes are the same. The people who occupy any particular home vary widely. The structural integrity of the home, however, is made up of core principles, values and personal responsibility. If such morals are not taught and learned in the home, it matters little what government laws or regulations require the structural integrity of the home will, under pressure, be compromised and the strength of the nation will be diminished and eventually destroyed. Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, recently admonished members around the world to live Christ-centered lives in a home-centered, church-supported approach to worship and devotion. He recognizes the need to fortify the moral structural integrity within homes. Sheri Dew, executive vice president of Deseret Management Corporation, once described the need for such structural integrity by describing the fatal flaws of the worlds first jet airliner, the British-made de Havilland Comet. When the Comet was introduced in 1949, the future seemed bright for jet travel and the Comet was the undisputed, front-and-center leader until three Comets unexpectedly disintegrated in flight, killing all aboard. The planes were grounded as puzzled engineers worked feverishly to understand why they had operated flawlessly at first, only to break apart later in midair. The engineers set up a fuselage in a large pool and pumped water in and out, simulating the effects of repeated cabin pressurization. At first, the experiment revealed nothing, nothing at all. But over time the pressurized circumstances yielded a startling discovery. The repeated stress caused small, microscopic cracks to form around the rectangular windows, cracks that would eventually widened into gaping holes. The planes could not withstand repeated pressure. They lacked structural integrity, and the pressurized circumstances revealed what the Comet was at its core a bright shiny pretender that was not secure or safe. Creating a safe and secure world will require significant repair to the structural integrity of homes across the country and around the world. Creating a safe and secure world will require significant repair to the structural integrity of homes across the country and around the world. Such repairs cannot be outsourced to government agencies, signed into existence by the executive branch or voted into being by Congress. Recent events in Washington show how destructive politicians can be to the nation while ignoring the power of the immense strength of structural integrity in the homes of the American people. While the intense and ugly battle to confirm Justice Brett Kavanaugh raged on, political parties raised money, ranted for hours and railed against the opposition. Absolutely absent from the conversation were any mention of the principles, values and personal responsibilities central to the cause of the calamity. Far from the lights and cameras and removed from the divisive rhetoric, however, families sat around kitchen tables and in living rooms to talk about issues that would not only preserve the structural integrity of their lives and homes, but of the nation. At home, underage and binge drinking were actually discussed. At home, conversations were happening about premarital sex, unsupervised parties, consent and respect for women and men. From these pages, Christian Sagers raised a critical question for every home to consider about what he termed as the real con job of the Kavanaugh hearings the notion the nation has embraced that sex has become a commodity rather than a sacrament. More homes having these simple conversations could be transformational for individual lives and for the country. The Supreme Court nomination process could have been an entirely different discussion. Governments have limits. Homes with this type of integrity have immense power to influence neighborhoods and communities. Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelves Apostles of the church recently spoke to the G20 Interfaith Forum on how the individuals in strong homes and communities do far more to impact real lives than government ever could. In describing the churchs self reliance program, he said, In just three-and-a-half years, over 700,000 participants have taken a course, including thousands from other faiths. In Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay alone, almost 7,000 business have been started or improved, over 4,200 individuals have found a new or better job, about 1,500 participants completed a personal financial course, and approximately 7,000 others started an education with a career goal. From data we collected from participants in just these four South American countries, 40 percent reported increasing their income after attending a self-reliance group, 37 percent increased their savings, and 54 percent decreased their consumer debt. Countless other examples show that home truly is where principles and values are taught, where character is forged and where personal responsibility is practiced. Confucius, from his 2,000-year-old perch, was right: The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home. Save the world? Start at home. SALT LAKE CITY When shes at work, Verona Green sits just feet away from a walk-in closet straight out of a dream. It's got just about everything a person could want or need: vests, tuxedos, military uniforms, ball gowns, kimonos even a special section called pleasant peasants. Green, the costume director for Utah Opera who has been with the company for more than 30 years, oversees the huge warehouse located near West High School. As she thinks back to the evolution of costumes over the companys 40-plus years, its stunning for her to think of how it all began. In some ways, she finds it laughable. Initially, Utah Opera housed its costumes in Daynes Music, then located in downtown Salt Lake City, and Green recalls hearing live piano music floating up from the other side of the wall as she sat in a tight space crammed with sewing machines, working intently on costumes. As a pianist, Green welcomed the musical accompaniment. But those grand pianos provided another service to Utah Opera: makeshift wardrobes. We used old boxes that (the) pianos came in and put rods in them to hang clothes up, Green recalled. It was hilarious. Utah Opera purchased its current production facility, including the warehouse, in 1995. A recent visit found Green walking row after row of that impressive costume closet, concluding at a much marked up whiteboard on the far wall. A glance at it shows that Green and her costume team's handiwork doesn't simply collect dust on the racks it revealed that in September alone, Utah Opera costumes went to both Opera Colorado and to Canada for Vancouver Operas production of The Merry Widow. The board also shows that early next year, costumes will make the journey to Louisville, Kentucky, for Kentucky Operas production of Rigoletto. Renting out costumes is a fluctuating business and the whiteboard doesnt keep track of it all, but it does illustrate one thing: Utah Operas costumes are in high demand. Well have a bunch of companies that will contact us starting in November for their spring (productions), Green said. Weve got a group of at least 25 companies that weve rented to (over the years) that will call us. Costumes aren't the company's only commodity Utah Opera also rents out many of its sets. The company's costumes and set for Charles Gounods Romeo et Juliette" which has been rented out to other opera companies throughout the United States will be on display when "Romeo et Juliette" takes the Capitol Theatre stage Oct. 13-21, complete with the iconic balcony. A one-truck show The companys in-house built set for "Romeo et Juliette" is just one of two sets for the show that opera companies have available for rent, according to Jared Porter, Utah Operas technical director for the past 17 years. Since it was built for Utah Opera's original production in 1998, the "Romeo et Juliette" set has been rented by half a dozen regional opera companies over the years: Cleveland Opera in 1999, Indianapolis Opera and Fort Worth Opera in 2003, Hawaii Opera in 2008, San Diego Opera in 2010 and, most recently, Vancouver Opera in 2011. But "Romeo et Juliette" is just one of about 20 sets Utah Opera rents out to other opera companies. Considering it takes anywhere from three to nine months to build a set, and the cheapest set Porter and his team of carpenters, steel workers and welders have worked on took $90,000 to build (more expensive sets have gone as high as $350,000), its rewarding and cost effective to see the sets travel the country to other opera companies. This season alone, seven opera companies are renting Utah Operas sets. Compared to the bigger opera companies in cities like San Diego, Seattle and Houston that typically charge around $80,000 for set rentals, Porter said Utah Opera is significantly more affordable. It doesnt make me any money sitting here in the warehouse, he said. So well be flexible and well work with companies. Although the rental prices vary, what Porter calls one-truck shows productions with a set that can be loaded into one truck go for $10,000-$12,000, while the more expensive sets cost $30,000-$35,000 to rent. Porter estimates that Utah Operas Moby-Dick set, the companys big project last year, will become the most expensive rental, totaling around $40,000-$45,000. Although Dayton Opera and Austin Opera have already expressed interest in renting the elaborate set, the technical director said it wont be available until 2020, after the set has its run with a co-producing opera company in Barcelona. A 10-box show In addition to the 20 sets available for rent, the costumes Utah Opera creates also provide an important source of revenue Green said purchasing a productions full costume package can average $14,000-$18,000 but the rental program originally began more than 30 years ago as a service to employees. It was to get our costumes known and it was also to make sure the people that were working in the costume department had more employment, Green said. At that point, we were only working full-time three or four weeks before a show, and then we would work bits and pieces in-between. (We wanted) to keep people that were really good at what they did working for the company because people who go place to place to place are not invested in the company. Word of mouth and a website have gone a long way for Utah Opera. While the company used to rent out just a handful of costumes during its early days partly due to limited space shipping costumes to other opera companies today now requires multiple large boxes and a detailed packaging and loading system. Green has it down to a science. When we package (costumes) up, we do them in sets, she said. Everything is written up, and where the choristers name (is listed), if its for La boheme, in that bag it would have a bodice, a skirt, a petticoat, gloves, a muffler, a scarf and then the hat would be packaged separately so it doesn't get destroyed. It would have a piece of plastic over the whole thing so when they open the box they just pick up (the entire outfit) and hang it up. One of the trickier operas to package is the The Merry Widow, a production Green calls a 10-box show. With 13 leads and all the women wearing gigantic hats that could rival Audrey Hepburns in My Fair Lady, hats fill up two of the 10 boxes the full costume set costs a staggering $26,000 to rent. That doesnt include the shipping cost, which Green estimated could be around $900 each way if it was being shipped more than 1,500 miles. Sending those intricately designed costumes across the country is just one risk Utah Opera faces with this service Green recalled an incident years ago when costumes developed a layer of mildew after sitting in a leaky truck. Fortunately, the company always requires a damage deposit for when such mishaps arise. Preserving costumes especially when theyre out of Utah Operas hands traveling the country can be a feat more challenging than packaging up costumes for Merry Widow. Many of the Romeo et Juliette costumes in Utah Operas upcoming run are from the original 1998 production, but Green did have to create a few new items and adapt existing ones. But something else beyond the companys control also contributes to the remarkable preservation: location, location location. Were in a dry environment which makes it a lot better because the companies on the East Coast have to (work) to take the humidity out," Green said. "So its the luck of the draw. If we were paying for the massive systems to suck the air out, we couldn't afford to do that. A 40-year journey As Green wanders among the costumes, she runs her fingers over the seams. This is where much of the magic happens. The costumes are designed to have the right look, but we build them in a way that we can alter them, she said. You cant make a dress go from a size two to a size 26, but you can alter it so you can go from a 2 to a 12. You cant make it go from somebody thats 5 foot 2 inches to somebody thats 6 foot 2 inches, but you can put seams in in a way to make it go from 5 foot 2 inches to 5 foot 8 inches. This combination of high quality and flexibility not to mention the fact that Utah Opera takes care of the alterations is why many opera companies throughout the world have their eyes on Utah Opera. Theres nothing that weve built thats stayed on the racks. Not one thing, Green said. Theres (some) opera companies weve dealt with that said, Were not going to rent from you again because were going to start our own costumes. They had this idea that it would be cheap to start, but to start something now, its too expensive. If you had to start now, to build up (to what we have), it would be almost impossible. This is 40 years in the making. If you go What: Utah Opera's Romeo et Juliette When: Oct. 13 and 19, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 15 and 17, 7 p.m.; Oct. 21, 2 p.m. Where: Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South How much: $15-$108 Web:my.usuo.org SALT LAKE CITY Nine-year-old Chase Hansen has always had a perceptive eye for those who are suffering, his dad says. Years ago, as a small child, Chase was walking with his family downtown and asked "what was going on with some of these people who looked sad," John Hansen said of his son. The boy's concern for the well-being of those who are less fortunate has only grown, and since 2016, Chase has been spearheading something he and his dad call Project Empathy, an undertaking in which they and other volunteers invite a homeless person to a conversation over lunch. On Wednesday, direct-to-consumer mattress maker Leesa Sleep teamed up with the Hansens to distribute 150 mattresses to the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake, which runs an emergency shelter downtown. Leesa Sleep made donations Wednesday in Salt Lake City, four other U.S. cities and two cities in the United Kingdom in honor of World Homeless Day, selecting a local "social changemaker" in each location to coordinate the effort; in Salt Lake City, their choice was 9-year-old Chase. "A homeless person that receives that mattress really needs it, and deserves it," Chase told a rapt audience of adults, "and gets to accomplish things the next day." Justin Ward, Project Empathy's first beneficiary who had previously received a Leesa mattress with the help of the Hansens, agreed that a good night's sleep can help a destitute person better face steep challenges without adding fatigue to their list of setbacks. "I tell you, that makes a world of difference from where I was, where I am now in having the mattress, to be able to sleep comfortably, and not wake up in so much pain as I used to," said Ward. The Rescue Mission, which also offers meals each day and provides programs helping the homeless overcome drug and alcohol addiction and mental illness, will benefit significantly from the mattresses, mission director Chris Croswhite said. "A great night's sleep is a critical part of (our work) because as people sleep well, they can wake up the next day to face the challenges of their lives," Croswhite said. UTA police also donated pillows to go with the new mattresses. "We want everyone we interact with to keep their dignity intact regardless of what their situation is, and by us being here today, being able to give back, we feel like we're doing that," said UTA Police Chief Fred Ross. Corrine Allen, a sales associate with Leesa Sleep, told those gathered at the Rescue Mission that the company has been "using our platform to bring awareness to the state of homelessness" since it was founded in 2015, donating one mattress for every 10 sold. "At Leesa, we believe a bed is more than just a place to sleep. It is a place where the day ends and the next begins, and where the rest that happens in between can make all the difference when you wake up," Allen said. She said Leesa Sleep was drawn to partnering with 9-year-old Chase because of the Hansens' similar focus on serving the homeless by striving to "reignite their sense of self-worth." John Hansen said that "if a doctor were to prescribe a pathway forward for someone" who is homeless, "it would be to feel like they belong and to feel heard and to also sleep well." Ernie Luna, a former alcoholic and recent graduate of the Rescue Mission's New Life program who credited the Hansens for getting him in touch with the mission's services, urged those getting help at the mission to see the donated mattresses as evidence that others care about them and that their life is of worth. "For people out there who think that there's no more hope, who think that nobody cares, there's people out there like John and Chase, there's hope, there's people that want to help you, there's the mission," said Luna, who also described his recovery from alcoholism and securing a stable job. "All you have to do is look for it. Just ask, and just the same way as I can change, anybody can change." PLEASANT VIEW, Weber County A Pleasant View charter school was placed on lockdown Wednesday because of a school shooting threat. But police say the report was a hoax, and may have even been a case of swatting. Wednesday afternoon, Weber County emergency dispatchers received a text on their 911 system from someone claiming there was an active shooter at Capstone Classical Academy, 3885 N. U.S. 89. Because of the threatening text, officers from several surrounding agencies responded to the school, said Pleasant View Police Sgt. Corey Clark. When they arrived, the school was in lockdown mode with all students hiding in their locked classrooms and the lights off. But as officers began clearing the building, they found no evidence of an active shooter or that there was ever a gunman in the building, Clark said. The lockdown was lifted about 30 minutes later. Now, police are trying to figure out who made the false text. Detectives believe the text was made by someone who was not on school property at the time but was in Utah, Clark said. It was not immediately known if the text was intended to be a prank or a swatting call. "Swatting" is when a person makes a 911 call to report a false crime, usually of an extremely violent nature, with the intent of getting a SWAT team to respond. The caller is able to manipulate computers and other technology to make it appear that the call is coming from a certain address, even though the caller may actually be in another state or even another country. A swatting call is dangerous, according to police, because many law enforcers are responding to a scene, typically with guns drawn, expecting to find someone who has committed a violent crime. It was also not immediately known if Capstone was targeted at random or specifically picked. Clark said investigators do have some leads they were following. SALT LAKE CITY Criminal charges were filed Wednesday against a man accused of fatally shooting another man, and against his father for allegedly trying to help his son get away. Robert Anthony DeHerrera, 24, of Kearns, whose nickname is "Reckless," according to court documents, is charged with murder, a first-degree felony; obstructing justice and possession of a weapon by a restricted person, second-degree felonies; and drug possession, a third-degree felony. Bail was set at $1 million. Robert Landen DeHerrera, 66, who is listed in court records as homeless, was charged with obstructing justice, a second-degree felony. On Sept. 26, the younger DeHerrera was in a car with two other people. One of them, the driver, was his ex-girlfriend, according to police. The girlfriend told police that DeHerrera had contacted her earlier in the evening and wanted to meet, but she "did not feel safe alone" with him so she asked her friend, Manuel Garcia Jr., 26, to join them in the car, according to charging documents. While driving, both DeHerrera and Garcia used methamphetamine and DeHerrera also smoked heroin, the charges state. The two men then got into an argument that turned into a physical fight. That's when DeHerrera "racked a gun" and threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend over the breakup, according to the charges. The woman pulled over near 3030 W. 3500 South "hoping to get help," got out of the car "and tried to stop the fight," the charging documents state. But while she was out of the car, she heard a shot go off from inside. DeHerrera ran off before officers arrived. Police issued a bulletin to locate DeHerrera, who has the word "Hustle" tattooed on his forehead and "SL" under his eye, according to court records. The next day, officers staking out a home in Kearns spotted DeHerrera and his father run from a house and get into a car, the charges state. Officers stopped the car and arrested the father and son. The elder DeHerrera knew his son was wanted in connection with the shooting death and made comments "about discussing the option of getting his son out of Utah and into California," according to charging documents. Court records show the younger DeHerrera was charged with two counts of misdemeanor theft on Sept. 5 and pleaded guilty in April to felony drug and weapons charges. He was also convicted of drug distribution in 2017. SALT LAKE CITY The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded the Utah State Board of Education a five-year, $8.4 million grant to target mental health issues of school-age children. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant will be used to provide Project AWARE, short for Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education, to the Alpine, Cache and Jordan school districts. Combined, the three school districts serve about one-fourth of the state's public school students. Project AWARE works to increase awareness of mental health issues among school-age youth, provide training for school personnel, families and community members and connect youth and families with behavioral health services. While the grant supports students as a whole, the grant includes a cultural competency component to support American Indian students. SALT LAKE CITY FanX is seeking an emergency intervention from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals saying a California judge's order that the company pay its opponents' nearly $4 million legal bill would "destroy" the business and hurt Utah's economy. In a motion filed Wednesday, Salt Lake City's comic and popular arts convention called on the appeals court to step in before it is required to pay the judgment later this month that would cover much of the cost San Diego Comic-Con International incurred in a trademark lawsuit over FanX's original name, Salt Lake Comic Con. Though jurors found the Salt Lake convention had not willfully violated San Diego's "comic con" trademark and awarded just $20,000 of the $12 million San Diego sought at trial, U.S. District Judge Anthony Battaglia ruled in August that the case was "exceptional" because of Salt Lake's "unreasonable" legal strategy and public comments made by organizers. The motion argues that while the company behind the Utah convention, Dan Farr Productions, "could have survived" the jury's verdict, "the district court transformed the judgment into a death sentence by declaring the case 'exceptional'" and handing down the $4 million award. It's not possible to get a bond for the nearly $4 million in fees, the motion continues, and "immediate enforcement would destroy (Dan Farr Productions)." The demise of FanX would ripple out to cost Utah's economy "millions of dollars," according to the motion. The situation is "so dire," the motion states, that a declaration from Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes is included in the filing, saying the events "continue to be an important part of the cultural and economic fabric of Utah and ending them would have a negative impact on the public of the state." The motion also refers to a statement filed by Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams on Sept. 18 as FanX unsuccessfully sought a stay in U.S. District Court in San Diego. "It has been estimated that the most recent convention had attendance of approximately 110,000, with nearly 25 percent of attendees coming from out of state. This activity and the influx of visitors benefits our economy and raises tax revenue, including through the purchase of hotel rooms, restaurant meals, alcohol, gasoline, taxis and other types of transportation, and goods purchased from vendors at the convention," McAdams wrote. The motion argues that San Diego Comic-Con, a longstanding and successful nonprofit organization with millions of dollars in the bank, is not dependant on the payout and could wait to receive the money until organizers have time to sell the company or sock away the $4 million in escrow. The motion estimates that, if sold, FanX could be valued at between $5 million and $12 million. Because FanX's business relies on "human capital" as it woos celebrity guests and uses revenues from one convention to seed the next, if it is forced to pay now, according to the motion, it will be forced to fold, will be unable to pay the full $4 million and couldn't proceed with appealing the verdict. "Thus, (San Diego Comic-Con's) ongoing, aggressive efforts to enforce the judgment reveal its true intentions eliminating a competitor and impeding appellate review," the motion states. The motion also claims San Diego has sought to register the judgment in Utah "so it can seize (Dan Farr Production's) operating capital and the homes and assets of its principals." Peter Hahn, an attorney representing San Diego Comic-Con, declined to comment Wednesday while a response to the motion is prepared. The motion from FanX also raises arguments against the verdict that brought about the costly judgment, including claiming attorneys representing the Utah company were wrongly barred from arguing at trial that the term "comic con" was being used generically long before San Diego secured rights to the phrase. The motion additionally claims Battaglia's scathing order penalized FanX "for the type of advocacy attorneys typically employ, and should employ, in high-stakes litigation," and for public statements that the 9th Circuit Court confirmed were protected under the First Amendment when it struck down a gag order Battaglia had imposed barring the convention's organizers from talking publicly about the case. With pop culture conventions in every state that call themselves comic cons, the case has a potentially far-reaching impact, the motion states. "Producers of other cons want this appeal resolved on the merits, to reduce uncertainty about whether they too will face expensive litigation. Patrons of other cons don't want confusing name changes for their favorite events. None of these interests is served if (San Diego Comic-Con) destroys defendants via enforcement before this court can resolve the appeal," the motion states. FanX co-founder Bryan Brandenburg released a statement Wednesday saying the organization is seeking an injunction from the 9th Circuit Court before "irreparable harm" is done and as it continues its appeal of the verdict. "I look forward to sharing additional news on these developments soon," Brandenburg concluded. Without an emergency stay from the circuit court, FanX would be required to pay the judgment by Oct. 22, and abandon potentially irretrievable web addresses beginning Oct. 17, according to the motion. OGDEN He planned to join the U.S. Marine Corps, but two months after his 18th birthday, Thomas Lovato "made an awful mistake" that took another man's life and changed the course of his own, according to his sister. Second District Judge Noel Hyde on Tuesday ordered Lovato to serve up to life in prison for the January 2017 shooting death of 32-year-old Ernesto Pepe Martinez, of Ogden. In a letter to the court, Hailee Lovato said her brother was a dedicated student who liked to go camping and volunteer at animal shelters. She and more than a dozen others wrote to the judge to urge leniency for Lovato, who goes by "TJ," ahead of the hearing. But Martinez's mother disagreed. "It is so wrong," Josie Martinez wrote in a letter to the judge, that Lovato was permitted to plead to a lesser crime over the summer. "Thomas deserves murder," she wrote, "not manslaughter." The mother said she sometimes cries on and off for an entire day because she misses her son so much. She hadn't understood that her family could have voiced their opposition to the plea deal he received in August, she wrote. Lovato shot and killed Martinez on a Sunday in the parking lot of SNS Quick Stop, 110 Patterson St. in January 2017. He fired several rounds into Martinez's car, striking Martinez and narrowly missing two others in the car, investigators said at the time. As part of the bargain with prosecutors, Lovato pleaded guilty to a reduced count of manslaughter, a second-degree felony, and attempted murder, a first-degree felony. Weber County prosecutor Dee Smith said prosecutors negotiated the deal with Lovato's attorneys after coming to believe a jury may find he shot Martinez in self-defense, as Lovato originally told investigators. Some witnesses didn't cooperate, Smith said, and other details came to light that could have hurt the case. "We felt like it served the interest of justice," Smith said of the plea agreement. Lovato was originally charged with murder and two counts of attempted murder, first-degree felonies; obstructing justice, a second-degree felony; and reckless endangerment, a class A misdemeanor. On Tuesday, Hyde sentenced him to at least three years and up to life for the attempted murder conviction, and one year and up to 15 years for manslaughter. Hyde allowed the sentences to run side-by-side and ordered Lovato to pay restitution for the damage to the car and for Martinez's funeral expenses. More than a dozen letters submitted to the court by his friends and family members say Lovato is a talented boxer who fell in with the wrong crowd, but they said he maintains their support. The outspoken president of the Delaware State Education Association, Mike Matthews, resigned last night after coming under fire for racist and sexist comments posted on his blog over a decade ago. The posts, which were first reported by the television station WHYY Delaware , included sexual remarks about female state politicians and derogatory comments against Muslims and Asians. Many were published in 2005 and 2006 on Matthews former blog, Down with Absolutes. Matthews took down the blog in 2009. Regardless of the fact that these posts were created prior to Mr. Matthews becoming an educator and member of DSEA, they were completely inappropriate and contrary to the views or values of the educators who make up the DSEA, said a statement issued by the teachers union, according to Delaware Online . Matthews, whose three-year term as president was set to expire in 2020, offered his resignation to the unions executive board at a meeting intended to discuss the blog posts. Board members, who had the power to remove Matthews from office, accepted it. Matthews wrote in a October 2005 post that blowing all the Muslims up might not be such a bad idea. In February 2006, he called then-Gov. Ruth Ann Minner a Butch Bitch, and asked whether a video of chocolate, caramel and vanilla brothas gang-raping Minner would boost her showing in the polls. WHYY reported that Matthews wrote extensively about state Rep. Helene Keeley, who was the House Minority Whip at the time. He mentioned her hot feminist booty and said she is ready to serve her constituents and the citizens of Delaware in many salacious ways. He wrote many other sexual posts about notable women, and once wrote that U.S. Senate contender Jan Ting, who is the son of Chinese immigrants, would fry your wonton. When contacted by WHYY, Matthews apologized for the posts, citing his young age at the time of writing them. I would apologize to anyone not just for being offended, but for the words I said, Matthews said. Looking back in hindsight they were the words of a 22-year-old man finding his way in the world, looking for an audience. Age is not an excuse and I take full ownership for that ... I like to think that Ive evolved over the years in the way that Ive developed as a professional. He hasnt commented publicly since his resignation. Matthews is well-known in the state for his outspoken advocacy. He was a vocal critic of then-Gov. Jack Markells education reform plan, and frequently weighs in on local and national politics on his Twitter feed . Keely, who was the subject of many sexual remarks made by Matthews, told WHYY she didnt take those comments too seriously at the time, because she knew Matthews is gay. Matthews is married to a man. Still, many advocates in the state told WHYY that Matthews shouldnt get a pass, especially as hes leading a union that represents a predominately female profession. This type of language treats women as if all that matters is their looks and body, said Atnreakn Alleyne, who runs an educational nonprofit in the state. To be leading the teachers union in Delaware where the overwhelming majority of teachers are women, I just think thats hypocrisy at the highest level. Stephanie Ingram, the DSEA vice president, will take charge of the teachers union until the presidential term expires July 2020. Image of Matthews via DSEA.org PROVO Relatives of Zilpha Bay Conger often wondered about how and where she ended up. "She's been a mystery to us for a very long time," Denise Hupfen said of her great-grandmother, who died at the Utah State Hospital in 1922. Conger is among 485 former patients of the then-Utah Territorial Insane Asylum who were buried without markers at the Provo City Cemetery. And, until recently, few people knew they were there. "It took three years, but we were able to find all 485 people who are buried here each with their own sad and brave story," said hospital historian, Janina Chilton, who, after finding no on-site cemetery at the hospital, delved into state historical records to discover what happened to patients so long ago. "It has been more than my privilege to get to know them," she said. On Wednesday, the Utah State Hospital memorialized the 485 patients with an official grave marker bearing all their names, honoring them "for the courageous and lonely battle with mental illness that was never recognized in life," Utah State Hospital Superintendent Dallas Earnshaw said. It is a portion of a statement he wrote that is inscribed on the monument. From 1886 to 1960, Chilton said, families and friends were not only more difficult to track down, but were discouraged from visiting the hospital, believing patients would never recover from their conditions. At the time, it was also hard to move patients after they had died. Therefore, they became the responsibility of the hospital, which didn't have the resources to conduct a proper burial. "It's sad to know that so many patients died without friends and family and are buried without markers, losing their identities both in life and in death," Chilton said. The three cemetery blocks owned by the Utah State Hospital are full, but few gravesites bear markers. Families are encouraged to add them when they can. Conger's marker was placed by family earlier this year. They knew little about her, but that she was committed to the hospital and abandoned there at a relatively young age. It is also unknown if Conger's own children knew of her condition. "For that we feel sad," said Hupfen, who happened to be in town to attend the ceremony on Wednesday. "It is very meaningful to be here today." She said her grandmother was "phenomenally strong and hard-working" characteristics that must have been passed down. "We become better human beings when we acknowledge the dead," Hupfen said, adding that the family is better equipped to treat its members dealing with mental illnesses. "This is far-reaching," she said. Records indicate that the patients buried at the cemetery came from all walks of life, from inside and outside of Utah and from many nations, and ranged from 20 months old to age 93. Chilton said 147 patients stayed at the asylum for less than a year; 219 for more than five years and less than 10; 115 from 10 to 45 years; and four patients remained there for more than 50 years. At least 27 of them had been institutionalized with epilepsy, some struggled with substance abuse, and 20 were deemed "feeble-minded." Many, Chilton said, were admitted for causes that would not be reason to remove a person from their homes for treatment today. Utah Rep. Edward Redd, R-Logan, carried a successful proposition in the form of House Concurrent Resolution 3, aiming in 2017 to drum up support for the then-proposed monument. As a mental health care provider, Redd said these patient predecessors helped to pave the way for people who continue to battle various mental illnesses. "Everybody tries to do the best they can with what they've got," he said, pointing to numerous pharmaceutical interventions that have come to light in recent decades and are commonly and successfully used now to treat mental illness. It has been 10 years and five months since Ginger Phillips spent a year as a patient at the Utah State Hospital. That was her second year-long stint there for treatment for schizophrenia. She has recovered and advocates for other patients at the state legislature every year. Phillips said giving the forgotten patients a name helps to provide current patients with hope, showing that people care for them and want to help. "It took me a long time to get here, but recovery is possible and I will never say that someone won't recover or that they'll spend their life in a treatment center, sedated on medications I've seen the difference. I am the difference," she said. Kim Gardner, of the Utah chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, said "strides" have been made in the care and treatment of those who live with mental illness, but more needs to be done. "We at NAMI know that treatment works, that there is hope for recovery and that individuals and their families who are touched by mental illness should never be alone," he said. "Those individuals and their families must never be alone or ever forgotten again." Chilton will continue to sort through old photographs that will be hung at the hospital's renovated museum sometime next year. Because of the forgotten patients project and all the information she has gathered throughout its duration, she can inform families of those 485 patients how and where they were treated and connect them to a past they haven't known. More information about the project can be found online at ush.utah.gov. "You can tell this has been a labor of love for many of us," said Doug Thomas, director of the state's Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, which operates the hospital. He said having a name is important, as it "represents our identity, our culture." "It denotes identity and purpose," Thomas added, encouraging everyone to "show dignity to each person we meet, regardless of their circumstances." "Go out and live a little better and treat the person who maybe gets marginalized by our society a little different," he said. "Show compassion. Honor those who lived valiant lives." SALT LAKE CITY Utah's residential housing market is among the hottest in the nation, but for some, particularly renters, the increasing cost of apartment living is weighing heavily on their household bottom lines. Wasatch Front resident Garrett Cooper, 34, is among the growing number of Utahns coping with the economic realities of paying rising rental rates while trying to balance other personal financial obligations. Following a divorce, he now shares custody of his son while renting an apartment in Millcreek. "It's very tough," Cooper said. "It's difficult. I find every year that I have to make cuts and sacrifices on different things as the rent goes up year to year." He pays approximately 35 percent of his gross monthly income for rent, but more than 50 percent of his net monthly household income, he noted. Dedicating such a large portion of his wages to rent has been challenging, he said, and the cost has gone up significantly over the past several years. Sometimes his household budget cuts involve discontinuing a movie streaming service, while other "belt-tightening" choices force him to look for the "best bargain" when shopping for necessities, he said. "It can be a real struggle," he said. "I get paid biweekly, so there are times when I'll get paid almost a full two weeks before the rent is due and won't get paid again until after the rent is due." He said those times are particularly tough. "(I'll be) at the point where I have to decide which bills to skip or which groceries to skip," Cooper explained. A number of his friends and family members have found themselves in similar circumstances, he said, due in large part to rising rental rates. According to the 2018 Cost Burden Report, nearly half 49.5 percent of all renter households nationwide are "cost-burdened." The report stated that moderately burdened households spend 30 percent to 50 percent of household income on rent, while severely burdened households spend more than half their income on rent. In the U.S., the number of rent-burdened households in 2017 was 3.1 million greater than in 2007, the report stated, with Florida registering the highest cost-burden rate at 56.4 percent. A household earning the median renter income would be burdened by the median rent in 20 of the nations 25 largest metro areas, explained report author Chris Salviati, senior economist for Apartment List. "Half (of all renters) are cost-burdened, and 1 in 4 are severely cost-burdened spending more than half their income on rent," he said. "When you're spending that much of your gross income on rent, it really doesn't leave much for even covering basic necessities, let alone planning for the future." A major factor in the rising rents has been the increase in the number of renter households while homebuying households have declined, Salviati noted. Additionally, the number of high-income renter households has grown as well. "Keeping the higher income households in the rental market are driving rents up, and making it even tougher for people that are at the lower end of the (overall) income distribution," he said. That dynamic is occurring in Utah as well, he noted. Last year, the overall rate of cost-burdened renters in the Beehive State was 44.3 percent 5.2 percentage points below the national average. The percent of moderately cost-burdened renters was 25.3 percent, virtually even with the national average, with the rate of severely cost-burdened Utah renters at 19 percent 4.9 points below the U.S. rate. Despite the state's below-average rent-burden rates, the data still points to a larger challenge confronting renters. "You could be doing much better than the national average, but still be facing a severe and overwhelming issue," Salviati said. Housing affordability is a growing concern in Utah, said Mary Jane Fine, chief operating and financial officer with Utah Nonprofit Housing Corp. a Salt Lake City-based organization that helps low- and very-low income individuals and families find decent, affordable housing. "Because of the shortage of rentals, people are really, really increasing the rents," she said. Noting the average one bedroom apartment rental rate in Utah is just over $1,000, she said people making minimum wage are hard-pressed to afford such accommodations. "This is what the populations that we deal with are facing every day," she said. "Sometimes you find yourself, in order to afford housing, working two and three minimum wage jobs just to survive." The 2018 Salt Lake City Multi-Family Report by commercial real estate firm CBRE showed the average Wasatch Front rental rate was $1,101, up from $1,059 last year and $994 in 2016. The rising rental rates can be attributed to increasing construction costs and the state growing population, said Eli Mills, CBRE senior vice president of Capital Markets. He noted that 46 percent of Utahs population increase is due to in-migration people moving into the state. Much of that growth is from new employment opportunities, he said. Meanwhile, local families continue to grapple with the expensive realities of trying to afford a decent place to live. Utah County newlywed Hanna Miller, 21, lives in an apartment with her husband, who attends Utah Valley University and also works part time. While Miller has a full-time job, the couple spends nearly half of their income on rent for a one-bedroom unit. "Honestly, it's something we kind of accepted because we wanted something that wasn't broken," she said with a laugh. "An apartment that was actually decent to live in and didn't have any problems." She said their first rental was an old unit that was drafty and had mold, so they vowed to avoid a similar circumstance in their next place. Keeping that promise to themselves has come at a cost, she added. "We found a place that had a pretty good base rent and then the fees started adding to the cost," she said. The base rent was $1,029, but the monthly cost also included fees for parking, an electronic security system and other expenses, she said. "All of those fees added up to another $300 or $400 more," Miller said. "And it was mandatory!" Utilities also add to the monthly cost, she noted. One thing she would like to see is cities encourage developers to build more affordable units so that families like hers don't have to pay half their monthly income just to keep a roof over their heads. "People are being forced into paying more than 30 percent of their income, which is not allowing them to save (anything)," Miller said. "I honestly think there is a lack of affordable housing and nobody is doing anything about it." LOGAN A Logan man is facing criminal charges after allegedly raping and threatening to tie down a woman he matched with on the dating app Tinder. Wyatt Dean Martin, 21, was charged Tuesday in 1st District Court with aggravated kidnapping and rape, both first-degree felonies, and forcible sexual abuse and obstructing justice, both second-degree felonies. Logan Police Capt. Tyson Budge confirmed Tuesday evening that police have been contacted by other possible victims and believe more assaults may have occurred. Anyone with information is asked to call 435-753-7555. On Sept. 22, according to police, Martin invited the woman to a party at his home, where the woman said she was pressured into drinking a shot of whiskey. She was also given a drink she believed was sweet tea, but Martin later said it contained alcohol, according to a probable cause statement. "The victim said that she began to feel abnormal and felt far more intoxicated than the shot of whiskey and a small drink of the sweet tea would cause," police said. According to the statement, the woman said Martin then took her on a tour of the home, later bringing her to his bedroom, where they began kissing and Martin removed her shirt. When Martin tried to pick the woman up, she says she told him "no," according to police. "She said that he then aggressively pushed her backwards onto the bed knocking oxygen out of her lungs so she couldn't breathe," police said. Martin removed the rest of the woman's clothes and proceeded to assault her while she told him to stop and fought back, according to the statement. "Wyatt got off of her and went to the closet and grabbed what she believed to be a strap and told her that if she didn't quit moving he was going to tie her down. The victim said that she was so scared she froze and ceased fighting," the statement says. Though the room was dark, the woman described seeing "1-2 inch strapping with what appeared to be loops on the end," police stated. After the assault, Martin allegedly threw a towel at the woman and told her to clean up, police said. When she was in the bathroom, "the victim said that she received a call from a friend. During that phone call Wyatt took the phone from the victim and after talking to her friend Wyatt hung up on her," police said. When they later searched his residence, officers found towels that matched the woman's description, as well as a belt with loops at the end like the one described by the woman, police said. They also found marijuana, a shotgun and a high-powered rifle in his room, according to the statement. Martin was also charged with purchase, transfer, possession or use of a firearm by a restricted person, a third-degree felony, and possession or use of a controlled substance and use or possession of drug paraphernalia, both class B misdemeanors. His initial appearance in 1st District Court is scheduled for Oct. 15. Those who have experienced sexual abuse or assault can get assistance from Utah's statewide 24-hour Rape and Sexual Assault Crisis Line at 888-421-1100. SALT LAKE CITY Heres a look at the news for Oct. 11. What to know this morning: FanX says a $4 million judgment would destroy the company and hurt Utahs economy. Read more. Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has been mentioned as a possible replacement for U.S. ambassador Nikki Haley at the UN. Read more. In our opinion, voting no on Prop. 2 and seeking a compromise on legislation shows the nation the Utah way. Read more. A missing hikers body has been recovered in Provo Canyon, according to the family. Read more. The Utah Jazz exercised team options for Donovan Mitchell and Tony Bradley for the 2019-2020 season. Read more. Utahs emergency shelter just got 150 new mattresses. Heres why. Our most popular: Featured voices: National headlines: WEST VALLEY CITY West Valley officials say a feral dog that has been killing livestock for "fun" and successfully avoided capture for a year was located Thursday morning and immediately euthanized. The German shepherd mix was spotted Thursday morning by an animal control officer in an open field. West Valley Community Preservation Department Director Layne Morris said the officer attempted to trap the dog, but it once again got away. The officer was about to leave the area when he spotted the dog again, this time "tracking livestock in a sheep pasture." The officer, a retired police officer with 20 years of service who worked with SWAT and was a K-9 handler, was given authorization to kill the animal, Morris said. A shotgun was used and the dog was killed quickly. "The employee determined that this agricultural area was a safe place to engage the dog and took action, shooting the dog. This was carried out safely and humanely," the city said in a prepared statement. Morris said the city "would have preferred to capture the dog alive and euthanize it in a very controlled situation." But either way, he said, the dog would have been put down. "The dog has developed a love of blood. So its actively killing livestock in the area. So thats made the dog simply incompatible to be successful in our society anymore," Morris said, noting he felt sorry for the animal. "Its not the dogs fault it's been abandoned by somebody and is left to fend for itself," he said. Morris reminded the public that West Valley City established one of the first "no-kill shelters" in Utah. "Were animal services. What we do is save animals. Were a no-kill shelter. We take no joy in having to euthanize a dog," he said. "Its not a crime and punishment thing. The dog didnt deserve to be killed. Its simply a matter of that dog cannot exist in society. It needed to be done for public safety and for the safety of property preservation." West Valley City added in a prepared statement that "initial efforts to avoid lethal measures and capture the dog were unsuccessful and the dog became increasingly aggressive. As this situation escalated over the past few weeks, it became clear that this threat needed to be neutralized as quickly as possible." Recently, West Valley officials had received a confirmed report that the dog had attempted to attack a child, who was able to avoid injury by using his bike as protection. The dog is also suspected of "killing over 40 various livestock animals, which include chickens, sheep, goats and a large full-grown alpaca that stood about 6 feet in height and weighed over 100 lbs.," according to a search warrant filed in 3rd District Court. Some of the livestock killed were from the Roots Charter High School. The school says that since June, two alpacas, two goats, two sheep and a pig have been killed. The livestock attacks "appear to be unprovoked and the male dog appears to be killing for fun, and is not killing for food and is not eating the animals it kills," investigators wrote in the warrant. The warrant further states that "it is just a matter of time until this feral male dog gets tired of killing livestock and turns on human beings or other dogs." The dog was mainly roaming in the Chesterfield area, from about 2100 South to 3100 South, and from the Jordan River to Redwood Road (1700 West). The dog had become so good at avoiding capture that it recognized the trucks and uniforms of animal services officers, and had "gotten smarter and smarter the more we chase it," Morris said. Once it was killed, the dog was determined to be about 4 or 5 years old, a husky-shepherd mix, and about 70 pounds. "The dog was not starving in any way, Morris said The dog was now killing livestock for fun even as "some misguided people" in the area were regularly feeding it, he said. Other residents, primarily livestock owners, were fed up with the animal, prompting untrained people with guns to go looking for it. "There had been several Saturday hunts amongst the residents to try and find this dog and kill it. That was a huge concern for us. That was a huge concern for our police department. So all these things when you add it up, we needed to get that dog put down as quickly as we could, as humanely as we could, Morris said. MTNs woes in Nigeria could get even worse after the countrys Central Bank indicated that the operator would owe interest on the $8.1 billion that it is accused of illegally repatriating. Court documents seen by Bloomberg indicate that the bank would charge interest on the sum at a rate of 15% annually until MTN has relinquished the entire $8.1 billion. The claims, which MTN strongly refuted, are currently under review by Nigerian courts. In August this year, the Central Bank demanded the repayment of the full amount on the grounds that MTN had not received the requisite approvals for the repatriation of its dividends between 2007 and 2015. MTN has applied for an injunction in an attempt to stall the timeline for repayment so it can fight back against the charges a move which the Central Bank objects to. Towards the end of September, Central Bank of Nigeria representative Isaac Okorafor indicated that new information related to the allegations had come to light, making an equitable resolution more likely. However, this latest pronouncement suggests that the Central Bank is taking a more hard-line approach to MTNs alleged infraction, with Bloomberg noting that it considers the repatriation of funds to be contrived as a scam to make and maximise profits and enjoy unlimited foreign-exchange income perpetually from a single investment without complying with the foreign exchange laws and regulations of Nigeria. The alleged illegal repatriation is just one issue faced by MTN in Nigeria, with the operator also disputing a $2 billion tax bill. The groups stock price in South Africa has fallen significantly as a result of these cases, and has forced the operator to rethink its plans for an IPO in Nigeria. While people keenly await Samsung's foldable smartphone launch, the South Korean giant seems to have quitely obtained an approval for the next S-series flagship smartphone in China. According to a Dutch tech news platform, the smartphone has been inspected at the China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (CMIIT), reportedly where the electronics devices are tested in the Asian country. Mobielkopen reports that the certified Galaxy S10 mobile phones carry SM-G9700, SM-G9730 and SM-G9750 model numbers which follow this years S-Series flagship, the Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S9+ smartphones, that were reportedly released with SM-G9600 and SM-G9650 model numbers, respectively. The listing shared with the report also shows that the smartphones in question were inspected at the Chinese agency on September 25, hinting that the company is at an advanced stage when it comes to manufacturing the smartphone. Meanwhile, another set of images making rounds on the internet claim that the smartphone has also been listed on TENAA as well. The images show the same model number of the smartphones that have been listed in the CMIIT document. Reports have also claimed that Samsung may launch the top-most model of the three variants with a total of five cameras. This ultra premium model of the smartphone is expected to feature a triple camera setup at the back, while at the front, it may feature a dual-camera setup. The standard model is tipped to offer a dual-rear/single-front setup, while the mid-range model may offer a triple-rear/single-front setup. Last month, XDA-Developers claimed that Samsung could launch four models of the Galaxy S10 including a 5G-enabled one. The folks said that they had found evidence in the early firmware files. There are four devices codenamed beyond 0, beyond 1, beyond 2, and beyond 2 5G. Each model is referred to as beyond, which is the main codename for the Galaxy S10. Then, theres a number where 0 is the smallest sized device, 1 is a mid-sized device, and 2 is the largest variant, the news platform claimed. There is a fourth smartphone with a 5G added at the end of the beyond 2.' It took HMD Global just around 20 months to re-establish the iconic Nokia brand back in the smartphone industry. Its not quite there at the top yet, but according to a report by Counterpoint Research, Nokia is now one of the top 10 most popular smartphone brands globally. When you look back at those 20 months and try to assess what HMD Global has done right, the picture becomes quite clear. Right from the moment Nokia was re-introduced back to the masses, HMD Global committed to offering a reliable experience with designs that stand out, and has since stuck to it. Its success in the India market, even more than the above mentioned reasons, can be attributed to selling affordable phones accessible to the general masses. Its something other Chinese manufacturers have also dabbled in Xiaomi, Honor, and even Samsung have inundated the Indian smartphone market with affordable budget smartphones. But there is a fundamental difference in how Nokia chose to operate, as compared to others. While Honor, Xiaomi and others focused on offering more powerful hardware, Nokia settled for keeping the software and UI clean and pushing out regular updates. The commitment to put all Nokia phones under the Android One programme ensures that further and builds on the trust people have on the brand. With the new Nokia 3.1 Plus, the same commitment is upheld, but at the same time, it lags behind the competition in terms of the hardware it offers. The Nokia 3.1 Plus competes with the Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro and the Realme 2 in terms of its pricing, but in terms of the hardware under the hood, its similar to the more affordable Xiaomi Redmi 6. HMDs budget offering is powered by a MediaTek Helio P22 chipset. Its an octa-core chipset with a peak clock speed of 2.0GHz. The maximum frequency is clearly higher than the competing Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 that is in the Redmi 6 Pro, but MediaTek chipsets are known to have thermal bottlenecks that slow down the phone. Were currently testing the smartphone for its performance for an in-depth review. The chipset is paired with either 2GB or 3GB of RAM and the phone is offered in either 16GB or 32GB storage. If at all youre planning to buy the phone, our recommendation would be to skip the 2GB/16GB variant as that is now considered too low to handle day to day tasks. 16GB of memory means you can only have so many apps before getting the storage full warning. However, there is support to expand the storage though with a hybrid microSD slot up to 400GB. The 3/32GB is a good option to go for. Its neither too less nor the overkill that is the Realme 2 Pro. Nokia considers the hardware setup is more than enough to run the lightweight pure, stock Android 8.1 Oreo that the Nokia 3.1 Plus ships with out of the box. Like all Nokia phones launched this year, this one too is under the Android One certification. Nokia has worked with Google to push out regular security updates and the phone will also receive version updates for the next two years including Android 9 Pie. For the limited time I had my hands on the phone, it felt smooth and slick. There are a handful of essential apps installed and no bloatware. It remains to be seen how the phone holds up in the long run though. The Nokia 3.1 Plus also chose functionality and practicality over sheer good looks. The phone is housed in a polycarbonate shell polished to give a rubberised texture that adds to the grip. It isnt quite prone to smudges. The fingerprint sensor is present at the back as well. Up front, the display takes up most of the real-estate. Nokia has used a 6-inch IPS LCD HD+ panel that looks quite good. The panel has the Pure Black technology Nokia has pioneered that puts a polarising layer on top of the panel to create deeper blacks. However, theres no oleophobic coating on the panel and as a result, even a few minutes of usage had my fingerprints all over the panel. There is a 3,500mAh battery powering the device and there's also an FM Radio onboard, which is a nice little touch. On the back is a dual camera setup. The Nokia 3.1 Plus touts 13MP+5MP sensors aligned vertically in the centre. The primary sensor has an aperture of f/2.0 with relatively smaller pixels of 1.12um. Up front is an 8MP sensor with f/2.2 aperture. The camera setup is at par with the competition but missing here is the Zeiss branding that Nokia phones come with. That indicates the lenses on the Nokia 3.1 Plus arent as good as say, the Nokia 6(2018) or the Nokia 7.1 Plus. That also means the Nokia Pro Camera app is missing. Its a handy app for those who tend to shoot in manual mode a lot. Instead, you get a custom-designed camera app that isnt quite unusable but not as handy as the Pro Camera app either. The few images we took in the day were good enough for the price. The shutter also works fast to click and its quick to focus. The Nokia 3.1 Plus will be available from October 19 through offline stores and Nokia.com/phones online. The Nokia 3.1 Plus is priced at Rs 11,499 in India. HMD Global has launched the Nokia 8110 4G in India to bring back a sense of nostalgia. Although the 4G feature phone was first introduced at MWC this year, the device has only made it to India just now. The Nokia 8110 4G was launched alongside the Nokia 3.1 Plus budget smartphone at an event in New Delhi today. The Nokia 8110 4G is the HMD Globals modern take on the banana phone that was used in the first Matrix movie. As the name would suggest, the phone comes with 4G support and users will be able to use it as a Wi-Fi hotspot. The devices also comes with Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Search. It also comes with Facebook, Twitter and more apps which can be downloaded from its app store, which is powered by KaiOS. In India, the only other phones that run Kai OS are the JioPhone and JioPhone 2. The new Nokia feature phone is powered by a 1.1Ghz dual-core Qualcomm 205 mobile processor along with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage. There is also a microSD slot to expand the memory along with a 2-megapixel camera at the back and a 1,500mAh battery. HMD Global claims the Banana phone can last up to 25 hours on standby and deliver a talk time of 9.32 hours on a 4G VoLTE connection. In comparison, the JioPhone is also powered by the Qualcomm 205 mobile processor coupled with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage, which is expandable via a microSD card, same as the Nokia 8110 4G. On the back is a 2-megapixel camera and it also has a 0.3-megapixel front camera, which is not present on the Nokia 8110 4G. The JioPhone also has a larger battery of 2,000mAh capacity that delivers upto 48 hours of battery life. Neither of the two phones can deliver a week-long battery life like other feature phones simply because theres no so much happening inside. The Nokia 8110 4G will be available in Black and Banana Yellow colour variants starting October 24, through offline retail stores in India. It is priced at Rs 5,999, which, to be honest, is pretty pricey for a 4G feature phone. In comparison, the Xiaomi Redmi 6A is also available starting at Rs 5,999 and it is a full-fledged smartphone with complete Google Play support. Reliance Jio Subscribers in India will get free 544GB 4G data with the purchase of the Nokia Banana Phone. Trump threatens India with CAATSA over S-400 deal with Russia Days after India signed a $5 billion deal to acquire S-400 air defence system from Russia, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said India "will soon find out" about his decision on the punitive CAATSA sanctions. The US law, Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which was amended early this year, empowers the President to act against any country that he considers inimical to US interests. The US embassy spokesperson in New Delhi had last week clarified that the CAATSA was aimed only at Moscow and not intended to damage the military capabilities of its "allies and partners." However, when asked about the agreement between India and Russia during an interaction with reporters in the Oval Office of the White House, Trump said, "India will find out. Aren't they?" "India is going to find out," he reiterated in response to India specific question. Asked when, he said, "You will see. Sooner than you think." secretary of state Mike Pompeo was also in the room when Trump answered the question on CAATSA sanctions. The mega deal was sealed in New Delhi during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Pompeo and Defence Secretary James Mattis had earlier argued the case for a waiver to India. Last week, the White House had said that the US presidential waiver on weapons deal with sanctions-hit Russia is intended to "wean" countries like India off the Russian equipment. "The (CAATSA presidential) waiver is narrow, intended to wean countries off Russian equipment and allow for things such as spare parts for previously-purchased equipment," a White House National Security Council Spokesperson had said after the conclusion of the S-400 contract. The US embassy spokesperson in New Delhi had said that the CAATSA was aimed at Moscow and not intended to damage the military capabilities of its "allies and partners." Meanwhile, the first delivery of the S-400 air defence systems is expected by 2020. And regardless of US sanctions heat, India and Russia will announce new sizeable defence deals by the start of next year, reports quoting Russian envoy Nikolay Kudashev as saying in an interview. But, he said, President Putins visit was not confined to the S-400 deal; there were other important agreements on strategically important areas like space, nuclear energy, transportation etc. At least 8 dead as cyclone Titli lashes Andhra, Odisha coasts Cyclonic storm `Titli that hit the Andhra and Odisha coasts left at least eight people dead, and caused widespread damage in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh. The "very severe" cyclonic storm has caused widespread damage in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) said. The cyclone threw normal life out of gear as heavy to very heavy rains started lashing the two districts since late Wednesday night. Eight people were killed in different storm-related incidents. Cyclone Titli hit coastal Odisha bringing with it strong winds and heavy rain in the region. 'Titli' made a landfall in the beach town of Gopalpur. Trees and electric poles were uprooted in several parts of the district. Power supply and telephone links got disrupted and road communication snapped due to uprooted trees and electric poles after the cyclone. Over three lakh people in Odisha's five coastal districts have been moved to safety. Eight districts of Odisha - Ganjam, Khurdha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Gajapati Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore have been hit by the very severe cyclonic storm that caused heavy to very heavy rainfall in large parts of the state, damaging thatched and asbestos houses and street lights. The cyclone crossed the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast near Palasa in Srikakulam district to the southwest of Gopalpur with estimated maximum sustained surface wind speed of 140-150 kmph gusting to 165 kmph between 0430 hours and 0530 hours, according to a statement issued by the home ministry. In Andhra Pradesh, the chief minister's office (CMO) informed that six fishermen, who had put out to sea, were killed. Of the 67 fishing boats that had ventured into the sea over the last few days from Kakinada in East Godavari district, 65 had returned to the shore safely, the CMO said. Efforts were on to bring back the remaining two boats safely, SDMA added in a release. The storm is likely to move northwestwards by the evening and then recurve northeastwards towards Gangetic West Bengal, weakening gradually into a deep depression by Friday morning, the weatherman said. The Railways has suspended the following trains due to the cyclone Titli in Odisha: - 22819/22820 Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam-Bhubaneswar Inter City Express from both the directions (on 11 September 2018); - 22874 Visakhapatnam-Digha Express from Visakhapatnam (11 September 2018); - 12864 Yesvantpur-Howrah Express from Yesvantpur (10 September 2018); - 12509 Bangalore Cant-Guwahati Express from Bangalore Cant (10 September 2018); - 15227 Yesvantpur-Muzafarpur Express from Yesvantpur (10 September 2018); and - 18645 Howrah-Hyderabad East Coast Express from Howrah (11 September 2018). Russian, US astronauts back safely after aborted flight to space station US Astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin are safely back after the spacecraft carrying them on a mission to International Space Station (ISS) landed in Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, after a Soyuz booster failure forced an emergency landing, NASA said. They are in good condition following their safe landing, NASA stated. Booster rockets carrying a Soyuz spacecraft with a Russian and a US astronaut on board headed for the International Space Station failed mid-air, forcing the crew to make an emergency landing. An earlier NASA release said the crew was safe and was making an emergency landing in Kazakhstan where the unsuccessful launch took place. "The crew is returning to Earth in a ballistic descent mode," wrote NASA, noting that the descent would take place at a steeper angle than usual, but that rescue crews were en route to the expected scene of the landing. The crew remains in good condition and in touch with ground rescue teams, according to NASA. International groups of astronauts often accompany each other to the International Space Station in joint launches. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has shared the following statement on Twitter @JimBridenstine. Im grateful that everyone is safe. A thorough investigation into the cause of the incident will be conducted, he said. The Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft, carrying American astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to the International Space Station at 4:40 am EDT (2:40 pm in Baikonur). Shortly after launch, there was an anomaly with the booster and the launch ascent was aborted, resulting in a ballistic landing of the spacecraft, NASA stated in its release. Search and rescue teams were deployed to the landing site. Hague and Ovchinin are out of the capsule and are reported to be in good condition. They will be transported to the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia outside of Moscow. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and the NASA team are monitoring the situation carefully. NASA is working closely with Roscosmos to ensure the safe return of the crew. Safety of the crew is the utmost priority for NASA. A thorough investigation into the cause of the incident will be conducted, it stated. Donegal County Councils Crisis Management Team is meeting this morning to finalise necessary arrangements and will continue to monitor the situation. The council will provide further updates on Facebook and on Twitter @DonegalCouncil #StormCallum. Met Eireann has issued a status orange wind warning for Donegal as well as the counties of Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Clare and Kerry. Met Eireann is warning that strong southeast, veering southwest, winds associated with Storm Callum, coinciding with high spring tides will affect Ireland tonight and on Friday morning. Winds will be strongest overnight and early on Friday, gusting between 110 and 130 km/h at coasts. With very high astronomical Spring Tides forecasted for this period and with surge levels in coastal areas predicted to increase in the coming days, Donegal County Council is urging the public to take extra care when outdoors during this weather event. Extreme care should be taken overnight on Thursday and during the morning work and school commute on Friday particularly in coastal areas and on higher ground owing to high winds. All motorists should drive with extreme care, allow extra time for journeys and watch out for fallen branches and debris on roads. There is also a risk of fallen trees. Homeowners, property owners and businesses should take precautions to secure any loose items of furniture, hoardings, scaffolding, signage and items such as trampolines and bins, which would be vulnerable to strong winds. The Council is also asking property owners and occupiers of properties in areas susceptible to coastal flooding to be prepared and to take the necessary precautions. The Council can be contacted during normal business hours on 074 91 53900 and in the event of an out of hours emergency the Councils Road Service can be contacted on 074 91 72288. Irish Water can be contacted on 1850 278 278. For emergencies requiring the assistance of the Fire Service call 999. Fresh from a brace of cracking, stuffed shows at Electric Picnic, Dublin quartet Deloretntos, are now knuckling down to prepare for their full album tour of Ireland in October and November, including an appearance at the Spirit Store in Dundalk on Friday November 9, 2018. SOS is the latest single to be taken from Delorentos fifth Top 10 studio album True Surrender, (following on from In Darkness We Feel Our Way, In The Moment and Islands). This is what they have to say themselves about their most recent release: "We are in the midst of turbulent times, politically and socially. The pressure is mounting, as citizens of western democracies become increasingly frustrated, that the prosperity enjoyed and promised by the ruling classes, continues to allude them. "The gulf between rich and poor is ever widening. Rather than working to bridge this gap, many of those in positions of power attempt to distract the people from their negligence, by demonising some of the most vulnerable in society, such as minority groups and those seeking asylum. "We are being conditioned to see these people as other, in order to divide and distract us from challenging the systemic inequalities in our societies. "SOS, as the title suggests, is a cry for help. It is an attempt to see things from the position of the most vulnerable, those who have "no choice", to empathise and direct our compassion where it is most needed." Delorentos take to the stage at the Spirit Store at 8 pm on Friday 9 November. Tickets are 18 each and can be bought here 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 student from O Fiaich college in Dundalk has emerged victorious at the inaugural ESB Networks National Safety Challenge. In the Construction category, Joshua Vallely of O Fiaich College Dundalk was awarded National Winner at second level for his innovation, Safety Information Management. His project, an app for Safety Information Management, would provide construction workers with the safety information specific to the devise that they would use. Joshua was presented with prizes to the value of 1,000. The National Safety Challenge is open to all students at second level, but is being targeted at students in the following categories: Construction students at second level Agriculture students at second level ESB Networks has announced the launch of the second year of the National Safety Challenge. They are again encouraging second students studying agriculture and construction/engineering to develop their own innovative safety idea for farming or construction activity and to demonstrate how they would implement this. The closing date for the next challenge is Friday, November 16, 2018. Prizes: 2 National Finalists in two categories will receive a 200 in voucher each 1 overall National Winner in each category will receive a 1,000 in vouchers (an additional 800 in vouchers plus the 200 voucher, bringing the total prize fund to a total of 1,000 in vouchers) The teacher of the National Winner in both 2nd level categories will receive a prize of a 200 voucher. Winners will be featured in Irish Building Magazine and the Irish Famers Journal, subject to editorial limitations Entries can be sent by post or email to: Postal Address: ESB Networks Safety, C/O Real Nation, 24-25 Arran Quay, Dublin 7, D07 W620 Email: ESBNetworksSafety@realnation.ie 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. Defending against foreign interference in American elections is one of the priorities Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been focusing on this year, he said in a post Wednesday. The issue is highly sensitive, and it is one that has garnered a great deal of discussion in media reports and on the Web. Special counsel Robert Mueller warned in a court filing this spring that foreign interference efforts were still going on, and President Trump earlier this week signed an executive order that would punish such interference with sanctions. To date, Facebook has taken the following steps: Identified and removed fake accounts ahead of elections in various countries; Taken down foreign influence campaigns from Russia, Iran, Mexico and Brazil trying to influence elections abroad; Attacked economic incentives to spread misinformation; Worked more closely with governments -- including in Germany, the United States and Mexico -- to improve security during elections; and Set a new standard for transparency in the advertising industry that makes advertisers more accountable for the ads they run. Using machine learning, Facebook identified and removed more than 1 billion fake accounts between October and March. It has doubled its safety and security workforce over the past year, from 10,000 to more than 20,000. It has been identifying and removing accounts associated with networks of people launching coordinated campaigns to distribute fake information. Multiplying Moles Facebook also has been taking down viral misinformation that might contribute to violence. It has been reducing the distribution of viral misinformation in general. It has been using the International Fact-Checking Network to review posts going viral or flagged as potentially false, and demoting those rated as false. Advertisers running political and issue ads on Facebook now must disclose their identities. Ads are put into a searchable public archive. Also, businesses whose ads touch various issues now must get verified. Facebook this spring set up an independent election research commission to independently study its role in elections, including its effectiveness in preventing abuse. Facebook needs "to constantly improve and stay one step ahead," Zuckerberg said, an effort that will "take continued, heavy investment in security on our part as well as close cooperation with governments, the tech industry, and security experts, since no one institution can solve this on their own." The situation "is basically an arms race, and Facebook is massively overmatched," said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. "When you're rolling against the governments, the efforts of any company are likely inadequate," he told the E-Commerce Times. "Governments can continue to swap out bad actors and even place them in country or in the company, making identification and elimination nearly impossible." Also, posting on Facebook is free, so rogue nations "can also use deep learning and machine learning to massively increase the frequency of posts and the variety of posters," Enderle said. "It's like Whack-a-Mole but with a million moles that are feverishly reproducing." Further, rogue countries can use other forms of communication and social media sites to engage and trick real people into posting fake information and political messages on their own Facebook accounts, he noted. Partnering With Others "We have longstanding relationships with other technology companies to combat security threats, and we have increased our collaboration over time," said Facebook spokesperson Jay Nancarrow. "In just the last months, Facebook has helped convene meetings with other technology companies to discuss election protection efforts and combating cybersecurity threats," he told the E-Commerce Times. The company has signed the Cybersecurity Tech Accord, and has been "working with the FBI, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and others on election protection efforts," Nancarrow said. "There's more to do, but we are encouraged by actions like the creation of the FBI foreign influence task force," he added. However, fake accounts continue to slip through without detection, and Facebook has taken down legitimate users mistakenly, Zuckerberg admitted. "These systems will never be perfect," he acknowledged, "but by investing in artificial intelligence and more people, we will continue to improve." Facebook's coordination with governments and industry has improved, according to Zuckerberg, but he called for better coordination among governments, tech companies and independent experts such as the Atlantic Council. Facebook this spring signed an agreement with the council to prevent election interference. "Governments' objectives are towards more control, while social media is about personal interaction," observed Michael Jude, program manager at Stratecast/Frost & Sullivan. "Governments have no business involving themselves in such interactions," he told the E-Commerce Times. A No-Win Situation "Facebook's in a no-win situation," said Ray Wang, principal Analyst at Constellation Research. "What's inflammatory to someone in California may not seem so to someone in Texas. They're getting flak for shutting down people's voices and, on the other hand, they're getting flak for not doing enough," he told the E-Commerce Times. However, Facebook has shut down several conservative commentators, "and that's not right and shouldn't be," Wang said. "Good luck in determining what's hate speech and what isn't." American conservatives who believe that Facebook and other tech companies have censored their posts without good cause have filed a US$1 billion lawsuit against them. Meanwhile, the United Nations has found that Facebook's definition of "terrorism" mutes dissent. "These are legitimate concerns, but nobody's forced to use Facebook," noted Frost's Jude. Whistling in the Wind "If Facebook's attempting to protect elections, it has to be very clear about how that impacts its users," Jude said. "If Facebook's a free speech zone, it shouldn't police anything. That should be up to ... well ... police." Social media sites "say they are open forums, but they're really advertising companies with a vested interest in consumer perceptions," he pointed out. "They should completely open their forum to everything, then tell the government if it wants to police discourse, to get a warrant and go for it." Facebook's attempts to combat fake news are ineffective, according to Jude, because "there are too many ways around anything they might build." Richard Adhikari has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2008. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, mobile technologies, CRM, databases, software development, mainframe and mid-range computing, and application development. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including Information Week and Computerworld. He is the author of two books on client/server technology. Email Richard. 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. It should be pretty clear by now that the level of effort devoted to manipulating our opinions is unprecedented at the moment. Granted, a lot of this has to do with the fact that most of the "free" online services we use aren't free at all. They are trading our ability to make measured opinions for advertisers' money, and some of these "advertisers" are foreign governments. With all of these attempts to manipulate us into doing things we otherwise don't want to do -- many of which are surprisingly successful -- there is one question we should be asking of any inflammatory story: Why? We focus on the what, where, and when almost exclusively, but it's become increasingly important for us to know the motive behind the news. Last week's op-ed in The New York Times is a good example, because the "why" is likely far more interesting than what is said in the piece. I'll close with my product of the week: Cinego, an impressive head-mounted streaming video system. Understanding Manipulation Sales, marketing and politics -- in governments, companies and a lot of family dynamics -- are all about manipulation. Understanding the need to manipulate and being able to identify it are critical skills to becoming successful in most any field. Both confirmation bias and argumentative theory have at their cores an inbred programmed foundation of needing to manipulate others, which often overcomes good sense and even self-preservation. The ability to manipulate is a form of power and status, and it currently revolves around an ever-changing but still growing group of people we call "influencers," which is just a nice way to say "manipulators at scale." You can profit handsomely from this, particularly if you are good at it, but if you allow yourself to be manipulated by someone who doesn't have your best interests at heart, the results can be personally damaging. One of the painful trends now is the ramped-up activity of folks who attempt to manipulate you -- a less kind term is defraud you -- into sending them money. Facebook seems to be up to its armpits in folks like this at the moment. It has a reporting structure in place. Email and, particularly, the age-old scam phone calls are variants of this game. The defense is to simply ask "why" they are calling you. In most cases, they want your money or your information. For instance, you get a note on Facebook from someone you've never met who wants a relationship. The person doesn't know you, probably hasn't even read your profile, and really doesn't care what you look like. Chances are the "why" is they want you to send them money. Knowing this you don't engage. The Trump Resistance Op-Ed The op-ed The New York Times published last week spotlights a presidency in crisis -- so much so that apparently there is an internal "resistance" trying to make sure the president doesn't screw up. I've worked in a lot of companies and the idea of having a group of executives and assistants working to keep the CEO from doing something stupid isn't as unusual as you might think. This is likely something Elon Musk should have in place before he gets himself fired. The new Bob Woodward book does suggest the White House is a bit of a mess. That shouldn't be a huge surprise, even if you only look at the unprecedented turnover rate of cabinet members. The book is pretty damning, and it appears to be well written and well researched -- but it doesn't really cover that much new ground. The New York Times op-ed doesn't really add much to the book, or to other recent books, except for the idea of an organized "resistance." The result of an op-ed like this typically would not be a change in behavior. Rather, it would trigger an all-out effort to find and fire the writer, not to mention pretty much render the "resistance" moot. Can you imagine an op-ed in a French newspaper during the Second World War talking about how the French Resistance was secretly blocking German efforts to govern France? The person who wrote it likely would be shot by the French Resistance. If your effectiveness as a group is predicated on your secrecy, why would you break secrecy, unless you wanted to torpedo the group or someone in it? We are a few months from a critical election. If you could get one party to go on a witch hunt inside itself, you likely could distract it enough so that it would be far more likely to lose. This would be an important question for The New York Times, because these things tend to come out, and the Times trying to manipulate an election would be problematic for that publication, regardless of whether it knew this or not. Another answer to the "why" question might involve a disgruntled employee who was passed over for a promised raise. (Money is a lousy motivator when you add it, according to Maslow, but if you take it away it works incredibly well at motivating employees against you.) The president effectively just took raises off the table for all federal workers (which should result in a huge number of them wanting him gone). The op-ed could be a play to tarnish someone else with Mike Pence the seemingly obvious target, given some unusual wording. (But why target Pence?) A scarier thought is that the Times op-ed was designed specifically to do what it is doing. However, instead of influencing the upcoming mid-term elections, its purpose might be to eliminate the effort to keep the president from doing something massively stupid. In other words, the op-ed's goal might be to render ineffective any effort to prevent a catastrophic presidential decision. Now whether that is the intention or not, that is the likely outcome. That doesn't bode well for the United States, if the president's judgment is massively compromised, as Woodward's book and the op-ed suggest. The actual "why" behind this op-ed may be far more important than what it says. Wrapping Up We are under an almost constant barrage of companies and people who are trying to get us to do things we otherwise wouldn't do. From scamming us for money or information to scamming us to vote against our own best interests, the level of effort going into manipulating us is unprecedented. What concerns me about The New York Times op-ed is that, regardless of whether it is true or not, it will disable efforts to prevent a presidential mistake. In the future, anyone who should attempt to play that role likely would be fired. The "why" is always important. In this case, the answer to "why" may be that someone wants to do the country harm. I doubt this will end well at all. In any case, to protect ourselves from the increasing waves of manipulation, we need to channel our inner 3-year-olds and ask "why" far more often. I get really bored when I have my teeth cleaned. I have to sit in the chair for up to an hour (my tartar likely could be used in building construction, it is so hard), and I get really bored watching the ceiling fan and waiting for surprise pains. My last appointment wasn't so bad, however, as I brought my Goovis G2 Cinego headset with me. Rather than watch the fan, I watched the sci-fi movie Serenity, and I was disappointed the appointment didn't last longer. Goovis Cinego VR Headset What makes the difference with Cinego is the combination of high resolution displays for each eye. You can adjust for the distance between your pupils and for focus individually. This result is a crystal-clear high-resolution image that is impressive in use. I ordered my Goovis G2 Cinego through Indiegogo when the product was first launched and got a decent deal -- under US$500. Currently they are on Amazon for close to $800, but for those of us who like to enjoy high-quality personal video in tight places, this is still a decent product for the money. Cinego isn't without issues. For instance, I can't seem to raise support to save my life. The software update function currently is not working, and I can't log into Google or Amazon from the device at the moment. (Issues such as these often arise with the initial run of a product.) When Cinego does work, mostly with Netflix, it is brilliant. Navigation is pretty easy, as is streaming content. Viewing downloaded content is a bit more difficult. Both the picture and sound are wonderful. Battery life is about two movies, suggesting that you'll want a charging cable (micros USB) or a portable battery backup product for long trips. Except for poor support and the inability to use Amazon or sign into Google, I really am impressed with the performance of this product. As a result, the Goovis G2 Cinego headset is my product of the week. I'll add this cautionary advice, though: Before you buy one, I suggest you send a note to Goovis to see if you get a response. The lack of support is troubling. 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. By Anna Wagner One of Greenpeace's foundational principles is bearing witness. We use our bodies and our voices to shine a spotlight on injustice and to tell the story of what we see in a powerful way that makes inaction no longer possible. That's why right now, Greenpeace and the Arctic Sunrise is visiting the Great Pacific Garbage Patch to investigate the impacts of plastic pollution on our ocean and coastal communities. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a soupy mix of plastics and microplastics, now twice the size of Texas, in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean. Every minute of every day, the equivalent of a truckload of plastic enters our oceans, finding its way to the middle of the garbage patch. That's about seven truckloads of plastic in the time it takes you to read this article. Put another way, there are as many as 51 trillion microplastic particles in the sea, 500 times more than the number of stars in our galaxy. It's difficult for the mind to comprehend that magnitude of plastic, so how do we deal with this problem? While cleanup efforts are commendable, in order to truly tackle this crisis, corporations have to stop producing so much plastic and pushing an unsustainable throwaway culture. Think of it this way: if your bathtub was overflowing, you wouldn't immediately reach for a mop. You'd first cut off the water at the tapthe sourcewhich is what we have to do with plastic production. Communities worldwide are already fighting back against the single-use plastics that are forced upon us by corporations like PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Nestle, Procter & Gamble and Unilever. Folks are auditing their communities and naming the corporations who are most responsible for the plastic pollution they find. Cities and states are passing laws to transition away from single-use plastic and some companies are already taking steps to reduce their plastic footprint. Our work in the Great Pacific Garbage patch is to shine a light on the nature of the problem, and the true culprits. We're collaborating with scientists from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the University of Hawai'i to further our understanding of the devastating consequences of the spread of single-use plastics. As ocean conditions permit, the crew are doing comprehensive investigations of what they find in the Garbage Patch. Here's a bit more on what they're up to: Microplastic research: Once they enter our oceans, plastics never go away. They fragment into smaller and smaller pieces called microplastics, which are smaller than 5mm. Once a day in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the crew is using a special net on loan from 5 Gyres Institute to collect microplastic pollution. We're recording what we find with scientists to analyze the types of microplastics that we find. Microfiber sampling: Multiple times a day, we are collecting and filtering samples of water that Scripps Institution of Oceanography will analyze for microfibers. Plastic microfibers are tiny particles (smaller than a human cell) that shed from our clothing. Debris Patrols: During daylight hours, we are on the lookout for floating mats of trash to document and record location information using RHIBs (rigid hull inflatable boats), drones and by sight. Our dive team documents the marine life traveling with these mats to help scientists study how plastic has become a vector for invasive species. Identifying branded trash: The crew is on the lookout for branded trash so that we can continue our work to challenge corporations to do their part in tackling the crisis they helped create by reducing their plastic footprints. Most trash that makes it to the Garbage Patch has been in the ocean for a very long time and is degraded beyond recognition. So far, though, we've found more than 10 branded pieces of trash (single-use plastics to bigger items like trash cans) from well-known brands like Coca-Cola, Unilever, Schick and Rubbermaid1000 miles from California. Satellite tracking: Deploying and recovering satellite trackers on large mats of floating debris in collaboration with Ocean Voyages Institute and the University of Hawai'i. Fishing nets: When we encounter large floating nets, we will investigate whether there is anything alive that can be freed and assess whether the debris can be safely brought on board. How do we protect our oceans and tackle the plastic pollution crisis? At its root cause is the excessive production and marketing of single-use plastic. Otherwise, we're just mopping up the floor, as the tap continues to run. But it doesn't have to be this way: Greenpeace has a long track record of challenging corporations to take responsibility for their actions and winning. With enough people power, we can turn the tide on plastic pollution. We hope you'll join us because to break free from plastic, it will take all of us doing everything we can. Now, while the spotlight is on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, is a crucial moment to challenge those most responsible for creating this problem. I invite you to be part of the solution by taking a moment now to sign our petition to top U.S. corporate polluters, challenging them to immediately phase out single-use plastic. To continue following the ship's journey, head here. Anna Wagner is a senior national organizer with Greenpeace USA. Hurricane Michael made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in the Florida Panhandle Wednesday afternoon, leaving two dead and nearly 500,000 without power as it rammed through Florida, Georgia and Alabama, BBC News reported. With winds of 155 miles per hour, it was the third strongest storm in recorded history to hit the U.S. and the strongest ever to hit the affected area, The Washington Post reported. "We are catching some hell," Timothy Thomas, who stayed with his wife in his home in Panama City, Florida to ride out the storm, told the Associated Press, as BBC News reported. The storm rapidly intensified from a tropical depression Sunday because of warmer than average waters in the Gulf of Mexico, an effect consistent with predictions about the impact of climate change on hurricanes. A 2013 study found that waters in the eastern Gulf of Mexico had gotten warmer in the past century than would be expected given natural variability, The New York Times pointed out. "There is a pretty strong consensus [among scientists] that the frequency of the high category events like Michael, in most parts of the world, should go up as a result of climate warming," Massachusetts Institute of Technology atmospheric science professor Kerry A. Emanuel told CNN. Michael first made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida at 2 p.m. local time and brought a storm surge of up to eight feet to the coastal city of Apalachicola, BBC News reported. Winds blew the roofs off of houses in Mexico Beach and further devastated Panama City, where the eye moved next. Windows were blown out of buildings and others were destroyed entirely by wind or downed power lines and trees, CNN reported. Most building codes aren't designed to withstand 155 mile-per-hour winds, Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Brock Long told CNN. "Unfortunately, this is a hurricane of the worst kind," Long said. Both of the reported deaths were caused by falling trees. One man was killed by a tree in Gadsden County, Florida, and a child was killed in Seminole County, Georgia when a tree fell on a home, BBC News reported. The storm weakened as it headed inland and was downgraded to a tropical storm Thursday. As of Thursday morning it was over eastern Georgia and expected to move into central South Carolina, The Associated Press reported. While the wind speed has been reduced to 50 miles per hour, winds, potential tornadoes and heavy rain still posed a threat, especially to parts of the Carolinas still recovering from the flooding of Hurricane Florence. A California judge opened the door Wednesday to a do-over of the landmark trial that awarded California groundskeeper DeWayne Johnson $289 million in damages from agri-chemical giant Monsanto after he claimed constant use of the company's Roundup weed-killer caused his cancer. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Suzanne Bolanos issued a tentative ruling ordering a new trial, arguing that Johnson did not present "clear and convincing evidence of malice or oppression" on the part of Monsanto, The Associated Press reported. The jury had awarded Johnson $39 million in compensatory damages and $250 million in punitive damages. It is the second award, based on the assumption that Monsanto deliberately withheld information about the safety of Roundup, that might be subject to a new trial. Bolanos said Johnson had not produced evidence that Monsanto employees believed the Roundup he was using would cause cancer. Bolanos further said she may also reduce the $39 million to $31 million if she upholds the ruling that exposure to Roundup did indeed cause Johnson's non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Bolanos asked for written arguments from the lawyers for both sides by Friday and will issue her final ruling once she has reviewed them. "There's nothing that I heard that suggested the judge was persuaded otherwise on the question of punitive damages, so that tentative ruling is likely going to stand," said University of California Hastings Prof. David Levine told ABC 7. Johnson said nothing during the two-hour hearing Wednesday. Monsanto, now owned by Bayer, immediately appealed the August verdict as it pushes back against growing concern that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, causes cancer in humans. "The Company continues to believe that the evidence at trial does not support the verdict and the damage awards," a Bayer spokesperson told The Guardian following the tentative ruling. The International Agency for Research on Cancer listed glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen in 2015, and Johnson's attorneys had presented Monsanto emails that they said showed the company had worked to suppress negative findings about glyphosate and encourage positive ones. The journal Critical Reviews in Toxicology issued an "Expression of Concern" last month over published articles finding glyphosate safe whose authors had failed to acknowledge their ties to Monsanto. Whatever Bolanos ultimately decides, there are 8,000 plaintiffs bringing similar complaints against Monsanto, and some trials will start as soon as next year. "I think we are going to win a lot more than we lose. There will always be appeals until Bayer is ready to settle the whole liability," one of Johnson's attorney's Timothy Litzenburg told The Guardian. "There are a lot of people out there suffering from this horrible disease that might've been avoided with a tiny label." Should religion be taught in public schools? Yes, but not in the ways you might think. There has been much publicity in recent years highlighting how ignorant U.S. citizens are about religion. The 2010 U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey conducted by the Pew Research Center (the most recent available of its type), for example, revealed that only 66 percent of Christians surveyed knew that Genesis is the first book of the Bible, fewer than half of Americans knew that the Dalai Lama is Buddhist, and even fewer knew that Shiva and Vishnu were associated with Hinduism. The Pew survey reflects the same kinds of knowledge about religion that students might learn in U.S. public schools. For example, in nearly all world history or world culture textbooks, students will find a religion unit with the primary content represented through three to five pages of multicolored charts representing the major world religions and highlighting their facts such as number of adherents, geographical location, founder or major figures, scripture, ritual practices, and beliefs. Here students learn about the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, the Five Pillars of Islam, and the 10 Commandments of Judaism and Christianity. Teaching about religion through the isolated lens of rituals, beliefs, and practices is problematic." At first glance, this may sound like a good vehicle to strengthen knowledge about religion, but the limitation of this approach is quickly revealed when reading the morning news. How will knowing the Four Noble Truths help students understand how some Buddhists in Myanmar are actively engaged in the persecution of minority Rohingya Muslims? Or how does knowing the 10 Commandments help explain why 80 percent of white Evangelical Christians voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election? Or how will knowing the Five Pillars of Islam help explain the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan? The limitations are even more apparent when considering history. How can knowing the Christian Beatitudes explain the Crusades or the Inquisition or Christian support for chattel slavery? It is important to note, of course, that there are counter-examples for each of the illustrations I cite. Though some Buddhists in Myanmar are promoting the persecution of Muslims, many others are opposing these actions. And while it is true that a majority of Evangelical Christians voted for Donald Trump, many others did not, and understanding the diverse reasons for each of these actions is important. Similarly, many Muslims in Afghanistan and throughout the world oppose the Taliban. These facts help to highlight why teaching about religion through the isolated lens of rituals, beliefs, and practices is problematic. As an alternative, the American Academy of Religion and the National Council for the Social Studies promote a different way to teach about religion that focuses on giving students the tools to understand the complex roles that religions play in human experience. (I collaborated with both organizations to produce and utilize these guidelines.) In this approach, students learn the following four fundamental tenets of the academic study of religion. These tenets challenge many of the commonly held assumptions about religion that teaching about rituals, beliefs, and practices reproduce. 1. There is a distinction between personal or communal religious convictions and the study of diverse assertions that constitutes the academic study of religion. This distinction honors individual faith stances but doesnt presume that any one stance represents the whole of the tradition itself. The academic study of religion is the appropriate and constitutionally sound way to teach about religion in public schools. 2. Religions are internally diverse as opposed to uniform. Their internal diversity extends beyond differing sects of a tradition (e.g., Mormons, Quakers, and Roman Catholics for Christianity; Mahayana and Theravada for Buddhism; Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, and Reconstructionist for Judaism). There is diversity even within a particular religious community because religions are living traditions interpreted and practiced through the lens of adherents. In this way, it is always problematic to assert that Buddhists are nonviolent or Christians oppose same-sex marriage. Such declarations are always too simplistic to capture the rich and dynamic diversity of religious expression and belief. 3. Human interpretation and experience of religion evolves and changes in response to differing social and historical contexts. For example, in the 1970s, the Southern Baptist Convention passed a series of resolutions affirming the moral legitimacy of abortion and supporting Roe v. Wade. In 2003, however, the SBC officially retracted all past resolutions that gave moral sanction to abortion. Southern Baptists themselves can (and do) debate which of these stances is the correct one, but the question for students of religion is different. Our question is: What were the social and historical conditions that gave rise to the first resolution, and what shifts led to the 2003 reversal? 4. Religions are embedded in all dimensions of human experience and cant be isolated in a so-called private sphere of faith. The belief that religion is a private matter and separable from the public realm of political and economic activity is a persistent one and it had a profound influence on the discipline of international relations. For decades, foreign service officers and diplomats considered religion the third rail, with which they shouldnt engage. It wasnt until the rise of liberation theology in Latin America, the Islamic Revolution in Iran, and the Polish Solidarity movement in the second half of the 20th century that international relations theorists began to rethink this tenet of strict separation. Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry famously commented that he wished he had majored in comparative religions to learn the tools needed to address the complex roles that religions play in contemporary global affairs. We at the Religious Literacy Projectwhich seeks to advance the public understanding of religion with special attention to power, peace, and conflictat Harvard Divinity School support and extend this approach by partnering with teachers to create new resources for classroom use and by offering a weeklong summer training institute. Giving students the tools to better understand the complex and powerful roles that religions play in human experience has the potential to help mitigate bigotry based on misrepresentation, while simultaneously enhancing empathy and understanding across differences of all kinds. In our current climate of extreme partisanship (a climate that todays students experience as normal), we need all the empathy and understanding we can muster. Council Says UK Visits Are 'Waste Of Time' The Leader of Douglas Council says sending councillors to learn about local government in the UK is a waste of time. The authoritys Standards Committee, chaired by Councillor Malarkey, has discussed signing the Council up to the National Association of Councillors (NASC). The organisation represents a range of local authorities in the UK, and offers study trips, education and training. The issue was discussed at a council meeting yesterday, Councillor Malarkey said the cost was minimal and that learning from other authorities was often a valuable experience. The Council has previously sent members on NASC courses, with subscription costing 16 per year per member. Councillor Malarkey cited the success of the twinning relationship with Douglas and Ballymoney in Northern Ireland, which was agreed in 2006. But David Christian dismissed the trips as irrelevant to the Isle of Man and said in the past the visits had proved pointless. There was no resolution made on the issue, and the minutes of the meeting were approved. Local Democracy Reporter - Ewan Gawne. Yellow Weather Warning & Travel Disruption Tonight and Tomorrow The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for heavy rain and strong winds. Up to 45-50mm of rain could fall over the next few days. The yellow warning is in for now until 6am on Sunday. Severe gale force winds are expected tomorrow, with gusts reaching up to 60mph. This evenings (Thursday) Steam Packet Sailing to Heysham has been cancelled along with the 02:15am return overnight. Meanwhile, weather conditions have resulted in a number of delays and cancellation at the Isle of Man Airport tomorrow. Ronaldsway says the following flights have already been cancelled tomorrow due to strong winds. BE810 and BE813 to Manchester BE601 and BE603 to Liverpool EI3213 to Dublin Easyjet are offering passengers the opportunity to move from tomorrows flights to tonight but passengers must contact Easyjet direct. A spokesman for Isle of Man Airport said: "We understand that flights should get back to normal in time for the 12.50 Manchester and the 1pm Birmingham and then onwards, but as always this is subject to change." The airport is advising anyone travelling tomorrow to check the airport's website and contact the airline they're travelling with to see what the flight status is. SonicWalls and Fortinets next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) both appear on eSecurity Planets list of 10 top NGFW vendors, and both are highly rated by users and analysts, particularly for cost-conscious purchasers. While they share similar strengths, the biggest difference between the two is in support for cloud and virtualization technologies, where Fortinet holds a clear edge. SonicWall Product Highlights Overview: The SonicWall Network Security Appliance (NSA) next-generation firewalls leverage the companys patented single-pass Reassembly-Free Deep Packet Inspection (RFDPI) engine, which examines every byte of every packet, checking both inbound and outbound traffic simultaneously. The firewalls also perform full decryption and inspection of TLS/SSL and SSH encrypted connections. Recent Developments: SonicWall recently added more than 50 new features to its SonicOS, and updated its Capture Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) service, a cloud-based multi-engine firewall sandbox, to include a new Real-Time Deep Memory Inspection engine. Analysts Take: Gartner says SonicWall is a good fit for value-conscious enterprises looking for more throughput at a reasonable price and a solid appliance thats easy to manage. Still, the research firm says the company has been slow in providing differentiating new features and in enhancing existing capabilities, and its cloud security is less mature than that of its leading competitors. Read our in-depth look at SonicWall next-generation firewalls Fortinet Product Highlights Overview: Fortinets FortiGate NGFWs are designed to reduce complexity and improve overall security posture by providing full visibility into users, devices, applications and threats on the network. FortiGate appliances are built using custom-designed security processors (SPUs), and provide a fully redundant architecture to eliminate any single point of failure. Recent Developments: Fortinet recently released version 6.0 of the FortiOS network security operating system with over 200 added features, including enhanced management and analytics as well as extended multi-cloud support. Analysts Take: Gartner says Fortinet is a good shortlist candidate for all enterprise firewall appliance use cases, particularly those for whom price/performance is a key factor. Still, the research firm notes that Fortinet doesnt offer direct vendor support, meaning that the support experience is directly impacted by the quality of the channel partner. Read our in-depth look at Fortinet Fortigate NGFW Product Ratings Here is eSecurity Planets take on each products key features. Security performance: Both products rock. SonicWalls NSA 2650 received a 98.8% security effectiveness rating from NSS Labs in recent test results, while Fortinets FortiGate 500E got a 99.3% rating. Performance: For lower-cost solutions, both perform well. SonicWalls NGFW was rated by NSS Labs at 1,028 Mbps, while the higher-priced Fortinet appliance was rated at 6,753 Mbps. Value: Both offerings provide very good value. Fortinets $2 total cost of ownership per protected Mbps led NSS Labs rankings, and SonicWall came in second at $4 per protected Mbps. Implementation and management: Ease of use and implementation is a strong point for both solutions, with an edge to SonicWall. Users of both products have asked for more sophisticated reporting. Support: SonicWall customers generally report positive experiences with support, which has improved over the past few years. Some Fortinet users say the lack of direct vendor support can be an issue, forcing issues to be escalated before they can be resolved. Cloud features: Fortinet has a significant edge over SonicWall, with support for multiple virtualization and cloud environments. User Reviews IT Central Station users give FortiGate an average rating of 8.3 out of 10 and SonicWall NSA a 7.0 out of 10. Gartner Peer Insights users give Fortinet an average rating of 4.5 out of 5, and SonicWall an average of 4.2 out of 5. SonicWall NSA reviewers said that after an initial learning curve, the UI is efficient and easy to use. One reviewer called the solution easy to manage and work with, and another noted, Once network and firewall rules (80 percent of the complexity) were configured, content filtering, IDS/IPS and other security services were enabled with check boxes. FortiGate reviewers described the solution as very stable, easy to troubleshoot and configure, giving you a seamless, simple integration into a large network with a UI thats complete and easy to use. Another reviewer noted that they chose Fortinet FortiGate because its easy to manage and uses a single OS for the entire product. Read more reviews written by users of SonicWall NSA and Fortinet FortiGate. Deployment SonicWalls NGFWs are sold as either a hardware or virtual appliance, and security services are delivered automatically from the SonicWall Capture Cloud Platform. Fortinets NGFWs are available as an appliance, virtual machine, and in the cloud, with the same solution available across all leading public cloud platforms. Pricing SonicWalls NGFWs are sold with one-, two- or three-year Advanced Gateway Security Suite subscriptions (after a 30-day free trial) that provide a continuously updated sandbox, gateway anti-virus, intrusion prevention, content filtering, application control and technical support. Pricing for firewalls largely depends on the size of network, number of security subscription services purchased, etc. It ranges from around $500 for a small business or branch office up to around $80,000 for a large organization central office for hardware and a single year of security subscription services. The NSA 2650 tested by NSS Labs has a base list price of $2,495, though its widely available for under $2,000. Each Fortinet model has a base price with service and support options available. The companys entry-level NGFW appliances range from $430-$1,400, while mid-range enterprise NGFWs range from $2,000 to $14,000. The FortiGate 500E tested by NSS is available online starting at just over $5,400. Other NGFW product comparisons WASHINGTON, D.C., October 11, 2018 - Recent evidence of above-average levels of education among genocide perpetrators and terrorists, such as those who carried out the 9/11 attacks, has challenged the consensus among scholars that education has a general pacifying effect. Is it true that more schooling can promote peaceful behavior and reduce civil conflict and other forms of politically-motivated group violence? In a study released online today in Review of Educational Research, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Educational Research Association, three Norwegian researchers attempt to bring clarity to this question by undertaking the first systematic examination of quantitative research on this topic. For their analysis, Gudrun stby, Henrik Urdal, and Kendra Dupuy of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) reviewed the last 20 years' worth of statistical studies-42 published between 1996 and 2016-on the relationship between education and political violence. "Based on our analysis, the evidence very strongly suggests that increasing education levels in the population at all levels of the education system-primary, secondary, and postsecondary-reduces most forms of armed conflict and fosters peace," said stby, a senior researcher at PRIO. "This has important policy implications since, compared to other factors that affect political violence, education is something that almost all governments can do something about through national policy," stby said. The researchers note that while the expansion of postsecondary education has been voiced as a concern-particularly as it relates to recruiting terrorists and promoting low-level protests-the evidence suggests there is little reason that governments should be cautious about rapidly expanding access to education. "Although some evidence suggests that terrorists are often well educated and rarely marginalized, this does not imply that providing education in areas prone to terror will lead to more terrorist violence," said Urdal, director of PRIO. "The higher-than-average education levels among recruits to terrorist organizations are likely to be a selection effect, whereby more educated and thus qualified recruits are chosen over those who are less qualified." "Restricting educational opportunities for young people is not likely to be a productive strategy for governments seeking to curb terrorism," Urdal said. Overall, the researchers found that lack of male education appears to be the strongest predictor of conflict. Systematic inequalities in access to education between religious and ethnic groups also appear to fuel conflict, whether this is caused by grievances among or simply by too few opportunities for young people in the disadvantaged group. Higher levels of gender parity in educational outcomes are also associated with less violence. "While the policy implication of our findings-invest in education-is already pursued as a broader economic development agenda, security arguments may be helpful for generating domestic and international support for education programs," said Dupuy, a senior researcher at PRIO. "There is every reason to keep up the pressure for education expansion, especially at the postsecondary level, and for policymakers to be particularly committed to reducing educational inequalities related to gender, ethnicity, and religion." The researchers note that there is very limited research available on the effects of religious versus secular education, including research on the possible links between curricula and violence. "We were surprised that there was no evidence on the effect of education content or quality on the risk of political violence," said stby. "The lack of such data warrants more attention from future research." ### The full article can be viewed online here. About AERA The American Educational Research Association (AERA) is the largest national interdisciplinary research association devoted to the scientific study of education and learning. Founded in 1916, AERA advances knowledge about education, encourages scholarly inquiry related to education, and promotes the use of research to improve education and serve the public good. Find AERA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Contacts: Tony Pals tpals@aera.net 202-238-3235, 202-288-9333 (cell) Collin Boylin cboylin@aera.net 202-238-3233, 860-490-8326 (cell) The risk of contracting renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV), popularly known as Alabama Rot, may be higher in certain types of dog breed and land habitat, indicate two linked studies published in this week's Vet Record. The clinical signs of Alabama Rot typically include skin ulcers and anaemia, progressing to kidney damage and renal failure. As yet, the cause is unknown. The first known cases in the UK were reported in 2012 in the New Forest in southern England, and cases have tended to occur more frequently at certain times of the year, and in certain geographical areas. But it's not clear what other potential risk factors there might be. In the first study, the researchers assessed whether certain types of breed might be more at risk. They looked at 101 reported cases (out of 103) diagnosed between November 2012 and May 2017, comparing them with more than 446,000 dogs in receipt of veterinary care at practices submitting data on health issues to the VetCompass programme during 2013. On average, the vet practice dogs were nearly 4.5 years old, and just over half were male. The most common Kennel Club breeds were gun dogs (spaniels and retrievers), terriers, and toy dogs; working dogs and hounds (salukis, whippets, and Hungarian vizslas) were the least common. Crossbreds made up over a third (just under 38%) of all the dogs, with labrador retrievers, Staffordshire bull terriers, and Jack Russells, the most common specified breeds. Compared with the vet practice dogs, those diagnosed with Alabama Rot were more likely to be female (58% vs 48%) and neutered (69% vs 45.5%). Among the Kennel Club breeds, gun dogs and hounds made up nearly two thirds (60%) of the Alabama Rot cases. They were between 9 and 11 times as likely to have been diagnosed as terriers. Among the specified breeds, Staffordshire bull terriers, Jack Russells and German shepherds were the least likely to have been diagnosed, while English springer spaniels, whippets, and flat-coated retrievers and Hungarian vizlas were the most likely. "It is possible that these breed associations result from an inherent susceptibility among these breeds as a result of genetic or behavioural patterns, but it is also possible that the predisposition results from geographical confounding whereby these breeds may occur more commonly in areas with a high risk of CRGV occurrence," explain the researchers. In the second study, the researchers looked only at the 101 dogs that had been diagnosed with Alabama Rot to see if there were any patterns in timing, geography, and terrain. Most cases (90%) were reported between December and May, with a third diagnosed between January and March. Fewer than one in 10 cases were diagnosed between June and August. Cases were reported from most of the western and southern regions of England, over the five years, with the lowest risk seemingly in eastern England, in particular, East Anglia. Habitat emerged as an influential factor, accounting for more than 20 per cent of the difference in the geographical distribution of cases. Dry lowland heathland and woodland areas were the most likely to be associated with a diagnosis, while pasture was the least likely. Areas with higher maximum temperatures in winter, and higher average rainfall in winter and spring (such as the West and South of England), were also associated with a heightened risk of a diagnosis. Both these studies are observational, and as such, no definitive conclusions can be reached about causality. But the researchers say their findings may help raise the index of suspicion among vets, as it is particularly important to treat Alabama Rot promptly, as well as giving dog owners an indication of when to be extra vigilant. But further research is warranted to find out if the breeds seemingly at higher risk are inherently more vulnerable or whether there are higher proportions of these breeds in areas of greater risk, they conclude. In a linked editorial, managing editor, Suzanne Jarvis, reiterates this uncertainty, emphasising the need for caution until further research can shed more light on the matter. "The next step is to see if this suspected geographical connection holds true; what it is not, is to scare owners of these identified breeds," she insists. ### People who often use several different media devices, such as tablet, smartphone, or TV, at the same time (media multitasking) are more likely to use irrelevant information from their environment when forming impressions of people they don't know, according to a study published in the open access journal BMC Psychology. Researchers from Rice University, University of Colorado Boulder, Dartmouth College, and the Ohio State University, USA found that participants who reported frequently using multiple devices at the same time were more likely to attribute low conscientiousness to an unknown person in a video, if the participants were in a messy room while watching the video. This was irrespective of whether the room the person in the video was in was messy or tidy. Students who did not report high levels of media multitasking did not show this behaviour. Dr. Richard Lopez, the corresponding author said: "The results suggest that high media multitaskers may, unknowingly, include irrelevant information from their environment - in this case the room they were in while watching the video - when they form impressions of others, rather than potentially more relevant information provided by the other person's environment." Media multitasking may thus characterize individuals who are more likely to be influenced by incidental environmental cues, which may impact subsequent perception and judgements of core personality traits, such as conscientiousness, in others. The authors randomly assigned 96 undergraduate students to watch a video clip showing an individual being interviewed in their dorm room. The set-up was based on previous research which showed that environmental cues in a living space provide information (relevant cues) by which the person who lives there is evaluated by others. The students who participated in the test were directed to either a neat or messy room to watch the video (irrelevant cues). The students were then asked to rate the conscientiousness of the interviewee. Regular media multitasking was assessed via a questionnaire provided after the test. Lopez also said: "This study represents an important first step in finding links between media multitasking and how people form impressions of others. While we found that media multitasking is associated with a different way of perceiving the surrounding environment and that this may impact person perception, Further research is needed to determine whether high media multitaskers incorporate environmental cues differently in other areas than person perception." The authors caution that since they did not manipulate participants' media multitasking, a causal link between frequent media multitasking and person perception thus cannot be established. Also, because the authors did not track the participants' attention while they were watching the video, it is not possible to make strong claims about how much attention the participant gave to the video (relevant cue) and the room around them (irrelevant cue). ### Attempting to make dopamine-producing neurons out of glial cells in mouse brains, a group of researchers instead converted mature inhibitory neurons into dopaminergic cells. Their findings, appearing October 11 in the journal Stem Cell Reports, reveal that--contrary to previous belief--it is possible to reprogram one mature neuron type into another without first reverting it to a stem-cell-like state. "Initially, I was a little disappointed that we converted medium spiny neurons instead of glia," says first author Chun-Li Zhang, a professor of molecular biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center (@UTSWNews). "But when we realized the novelty of our results, we were kind of amazed. To our knowledge, changing the phenotype of resident, already-mature neurons has never been accomplished before." Dopaminergic cells are important for controlling voluntary movement and emotions such as motivation and reward that drive behavior. They are often lost in movement disorders like Parkinson's disease. Many neuroscientists are interested in the therapeutic potential of creating new dopaminergic cells. Zhang and his team attempted to induce the glia--cells surrounding neurons with protective and other functions--to morph inside live mouse brains. They injected a viral vector to express a cocktail of proteins into the striatum, a region of the brain rich in GABAergic neurons that help control muscle movement. The cocktail consisted of three transcription factors, NURR1, FOXA2, and LMX1A, which help decode genetic instructions for building dopaminergic neurons. The mice were also treated with valproic acid, which was previously shown to play a role in cell reprogramming. The team targeted glial cells due to their ability to regenerate and multiply more readily than neurons, theoretically making them better therapeutic candidates. But when they looked at the brain slices of the injected mice, they found the glia unchanged. Instead, some GABAergic medium spiny neurons--cells that are directly controlled by dopaminergic neurons--had transformed. The new cells appeared to behave more like native dopaminergic neurons, although they also retained residual features of the medium spiny neurons. They showed rhythmic activity and formed network connections similarly to dopaminergic cells, as the researchers discovered through electrode recordings and reporter assays. Subsequent immunohistochemistry and reporter assays revealed that the new cells sprung from mature medium spiny neurons without passing through a proliferative progenitor stage. "Our results offer a new perspective on neuronal plasticity," says Zhang. "We traditionally think of mature cell identity and function as fixed, but our findings suggest that they are more dependent on biochemical factors in their environment than we thought. This could mean that no cell type is fixed even for a functional, mature neuron." Zhang and his team next seek to address some of the limitations of their findings by clarifying the exact reprogramming mechanism and, of course, identifying the conditions that can reprogram glia into dopaminergic neurons, as they originally sought. "We hope that the ability to change neuron identity will someday be directed to treat neurological diseases, including Parkinson's disease," says Zhang. ### This research was funded by the Welch Foundation, the Mobility Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the Decherd Foundation, the Pape Adams Foundation, Texas Institute for Brain Injury and Repair, Kent Waldrep Foundation Center for Basic Research on Nerve Growth and Regeneration and the National Institutes of Health. Stem Cell Reports, Zhang et al.: "Phenotypic reprogramming of striatal neurons into dopaminergic neuron-like cells in the adult mouse brain" https://www.cell.com/stem-cell-reports/fulltext/S2213-6711(18)30389-8 Stem Cell Reports, published by Cell Press for the International Society for Stem Cell Research (@ISSCR), is a monthly open-access forum communicating basic discoveries in stem cell research, in addition to translational and clinical studies. The journal focuses on shorter, single-point manuscripts that report original research with conceptual or practical advances that are of broad interest to stem cell biologists and clinicians. Visit http://www.cell.com/stem-cell-reports. To receive Cell Press media alerts, please contact press@cell.com. Chicago, October 11, 2018 -- Despite a common belief that weekend and holiday discharge after major heart surgery may impact hospital readmissions, research published online today in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery showed that day of discharge does not affect readmissions. Hospital discharge is an intricate and dynamic process requiring choreography of patients, physicians, ancillary staff, and outpatient caregivers, said Peyman Benharash, MD, from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). As the rate of rehospitalization after cardiac surgery has been reported at up to 22 percent, we wanted to investigate the potentially modifiable elements in the discharge process. For their study, Dr. Benharash and colleagues reviewed data from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database for all patients who underwent non-emergency heart operations between 2008 and 2016 at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. The researchers identified 4,877 patients, of whom nearly 20 percent were discharged on a weekend or holiday. This subset was particularly important because of the so-called weekend effect, which has been described as worse outcomes attributed to decreased staffing and increased transitions of care. The researchers found that the use of preoperative beta blockers, tobacco use, and surgical site infections were independent predictors of rehospitalization within 30 days, but day of discharge was not. The study showed comparable readmission rates for weekday and weekend/holiday discharges (11.4 percent versus 10.9 percent). We were surprised to find that patients discharged on weekends and holidays had similar readmission rates and outcomes as patients who were cleared on weekdays, said Dr. Benharash. Prior planning was likely a critical aspect of successful weekend and holiday discharges at our institution. In 2010, UCLA launched a Readmission Reduction Program. The program includes discharge education, detailed medication instructions, postoperative care coordination, and routine phone calls for 4 weeks after discharge. Most recently, cardiac surgery patients who have been discharged home received discharge kits equipped with wireless enabled blood pressure monitors, oximeters, weight scales, and miniaturized electrocardiogram sensors synced to a mobile tablet device. The mobile application prompts patients to perform daily measurements and answer questions regarding pain, physical activity, and surgical wound appearance. Patients responses are initially screened by the telemonitoring companies who generate summary reports. The UCLA cardiac surgery discharge staff reviews any information that falls outside of the normal range and triages the details to the appropriate provider for swift, real-time interventions. Resources such as these, in addition to improved access to expert advice following hospitalization, have significant potential to impact a patients outpatient trajectory, explained Dr. Benharash. No individual component will significantly alter patient outcomes, he said. Rather a synergy of patient empowerment and access to outpatient counseling and care will allow for alleviation of patient anxiety and early recognition of complications should they arise. We encourage patients to be engaged in the discharge process early on and to understand that returning home on a weekend does not mean you will have a higher chance of rehospitalization. ### Notes for editors The article is "Day of Discharge Does Not Impact Hospital Readmission After Major Cardiac Surgery," by Y. Sanaiha, R. Ou, G. Ramos, Y. Juo, R.J. Shemin and P. Benharash. (http://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2018.07.031). It appears in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, volume 106, issue 4 (November 2018), published by Elsevier. Find comprehensive medical information presented for patients by leading experts in cardiothoracic surgery on the STS Patient Website (ctsurgerypatients.org). For a copy of The Annals article, contact Jennifer Bagley at jbagley@sts.org or +1 312 202 5865. About The Annals of Thoracic Surgery Founded in 1964, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is a not-for-profit organization representing more than 7,500 cardiothoracic surgeons, researchers, and allied health care professionals worldwide who are dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for surgeries of the heart, lung, and esophagus, as well as other surgical procedures within the chest. The Societys mission is to enhance the ability of cardiothoracic surgeons to provide the highest quality patient care through education, research, and advocacy. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery is the official journal of STS and the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association. It has an impact factor of 3.779. http://www.annalsthoracicsurgery.org 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, more than 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 Jennifer Bagley The Society of Thoracic Surgeons +1 312 202 5865 jbagley@sts.org Scientists from Tartu have discovered a simple way how to improve infertility treatment in the future. The results of the study, published in Human Reproduction, a top journal in the field, can be used in precision medicine to account for the variability in each female patient's menstrual cycle. This personalised approach will first and foremost benefit those couples, who have experienced repeated IVF failure. In 2017, more than 2800 in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures were carried out in Estonia, resulting in the birth of 430 babies, which accounts for 3% of all births. The low 15% success rate of IVF can be caused by problems in several stages of the treatment. One of such stages is embryo implantation, which marks the beginning of the pregnancy. However, if the embryo is transferred into the uterus on the wrong day, even the best embryos cannot overcome this, resulting in a negative pregnancy test. The task of the infertility treatment specialist is to recommend the best treatment for each patient. Female infertility can be caused by problems with endometrial (the inner uterine lining) receptivity. While in natural conception the developing embryo can "sit and wait" until the endometrium matures to peak receptivity, in IVF treatment it is of utmost importance to transfer the embryo on the correct day to increase the chances of pregnancy. Different methods are used to assess endometrial receptivity, the most accurate of which is a test measuring the expression patterns of different genes in an endometrial biopsy. For this, a minimally invasive endometrial biopsy is taken in the cycle preceding the IVF cycle on the day the endometrium is supposedly the most receptive. Analysis of the expression patterns of specific marker genes provides vital information to decide whether the "right genes are expressed at the right time". If needed, the time of the embryo transfer is adjusted, providing an example of precision medicine in infertility treatment. The study, published in Human Reproduction, a leading journal in the field of reproductive medicine, is based on the well-known fact that the inner uterine lining consists of several different cell types. The novelty of the study lies in the fact that previous studies have not considered the effect of cell type proportions on endometrial gene expression profiles. This novel approach makes gene expression profile analysis more specific, thus also improving the performance of tests based on gene expression patterns. The paper has also been highlighted by the editor-in-chief of Human Reproduction, meaning that it is considered to be a remarkable improvement in this field. The study was a collaboration between scientists from Estonia and Spain, and a natural progression to the earlier work of the research group in Tartu, which allows to improve IVF efficiency. Marina Suhorutsenko, the first author of the paper and a PhD student at the Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, explains: "It is common knowledge that the inner uterine lining includes different cell types; however, all the previous studies have consistently ignored this fact. Our work shows how to account for this variability in cellular composition, and thus considerably improve the accuracy of biomarker discovery". In the clinical setting, only the whole tissue gene expression profile is usually analysed, as analysing cellular fractions separately is labour-intensive and expensive. "We have developed a pipeline that allows to skip this step, and instead uses a different data analysis approach to improve the accuracy without extra costs," added Suhorutsenko. Dr. Triin Laisk, a Research Fellow at the Estonian Genome Center, who coordinated the data analysis of the study adds that the confounding effect of biopsy cellular composition has been largely ignored in the past, and not only in the field of reproductive medicine. "By taking it into account we can decrease the amount of random and false positive findings, and eventually improve our knowledge on the biology behind different conditions, as well as facilitate the discovery of novel biomarkers," said Dr. Laisk. The results of the study have immediate practical value, and the research team is currently working on how to integrate these findings into a genetic test that is used in infertility treatment clinics to select the best day for embryo transfer. The Competence Centre on Health Technologies (CCHT), where the study in question was carried out, has developed an endometrial receptivity test called beREADY. "We have done some important basic science, such as this study, that eventually will improve the efficiency of IVF treatment," explains Professor Andres Salumets, the coordinator of the study. "Tests and methods applied in the clinical setting are never the result of only one discovery. There are smaller and greater breakthroughs, but the elegant data analysis solution applied in this study is a good addition to the beREADY personalised treatment tool currently being tested by several clinics. From a technological point of view, we can use patented solutions in the beREADY test, but we also need to use smarter data analysis approaches to stand out among the competitors," said Prof. Salumets. ### Lugano-Munich, 12 October 2018 - Twitter is a place where many cancer patients go to share and discuss their experiences of the disease. This is the main finding of a recent exploratory study (1), to be presented at the ESMO 2018 Congress in Munich, which analysed the contents of over 6,000 tweets and retweets about breast cancer. Social media today have become an echo chamber in which every societal issue is reverberated many times over - including cancer. Study author Dr. Rodrigo Sanchez-Bayona of Clinica Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, said: "Many of the patients we see in daily practice use social media to search for information about their disease, so, as care providers, we wanted to know what kind of content they find there. At the same time, the sheer volume of posts on Twitter represents a rich pool of data we can use to assess attitudes and discourses surrounding cancer." For this analysis, all tweets posted with the hashtag #BreastCancer over a seven-day period were collected and categorised according to their content, aim, user information and whether they displayed a stigmatising attitude towards breast cancer. The tweets were also grouped into four subthemes: diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention. "This study was part of a larger, multidisciplinary project to observe the presence of different diseases on social media. In 2014, we found that cancer was the most mentioned pathology on Twitter globally. We decided to look more closely at breast cancer first, because it is one of the three most common tumours worldwide and the primary cause of cancer deaths in women." The data collected included 3,703 original tweets and 2,638 retweets. "When examining the original tweets, we found that only one in three had medical content," said Sanchez-Bayona. "However, 90% of this medical information was appropriate, which is likely owed to the fact that 40% of tweets came from institutions and public accounts." The categorisation of tweets by aim showed that the most frequent motive was patients sharing their experiences, followed closely by patient advocacy. The most common subtheme by far was prevention (44.5% of tweets). Out of the 2,559 non-medical tweets analysed, less than 15% contained stigmatising statements about the disease. "The numerous breast cancer awareness campaigns over the years have certainly contributed to reducing the stigma associated with this illness," said Sanchez-Bayona. "For many other tumours, there is still an unmet need. Going forward we would also like to explore and compare the social media presence of different tumours types." "Although it would be interesting to do further research into the profiles of social media users who are the most active in the discussion about cancer, these initial findings may prove useful in themselves," he continued. "In particular, advocacy organisations can draw on them to create relevant medical content and counselling about cancer that will be more accessible to users. Social media can be used as a new way of providing information on cancer prevention and health education - not just to patients, but to a much broader audience." Dr. Marina Garassino of Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan, Italy, commented for ESMO: "Twitter is a high-level platform that is much more credible than other social networks like Facebook, so I was not surprised to see that the majority of the news published there are accurate," she said. "This analysis also illustrates the presence of patients in large numbers on Twitter. We should take that as corroboration of a new reality: patients now use the web to find information, and social media must be an integral part of our communication with them. Academic institutions and key opinion leaders need to be even more active in spreading their findings through these channels to counteract the many 'fake news' circulating online." Dr. Evandro de Azambuja, ESMO Executive Board member, further commented: "I agree that the volume of reliable medical content published on Twitter should increase. Healthcare professionals and organisations really need to use appropriate social media as a way of sharing relevant information - both between them and with patients - because that is where it has the potential to be picked up fastest and most broadly." "Personally, I check Twitter daily for announcements of the latest publications of leading academic journals and fellow oncologists. I can then go and read the articles I'm interested in, knowing exactly where to find them. It's an efficient way of obtaining medical information as it is published," de Azambuja added. "When it comes to bringing the best evidence available in cancer research to the attention of as many people as possible, this platform is as powerful a tool as it gets." ### 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 360P_PR 'Breast cancer in Twitter: A real-world data exploratory study' will be presented by Rodrigo Sanchez-Bayona during Poster Display Session on Monday, 22 October 2018, 12:45-13:45 (CEST) in the Poster Area Networking Hub - Hall A3. Annals of Oncology, Volume 29 Supplement 8 October 2018 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 360P_PR - Breast cancer in Twitter: A real-world data exploratory study R. Sanchez Bayona1, L. Chang-Azancot2, M.A. Alvarez de Mon3, M. Llavero4, M. Vallejo3, I. Gardeazabal1, D. Salas1, P. Sala Elarre1, I. Baraibar Argota1, I. Eguren1, M. Santisteban Eslava1, L. Ceniceros1, E. Castanon Alvarez1 1Department of Oncology, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain, 2Cirugia Plastica, C. H. Albacete, Albacete, Spain, 3Psychiatry, Clinica Universitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain, 4Endocrinology and Nutrition, Clinica Universitaria de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain Background: In the era of big data, the presence of cancer in social media is undeniable. Twitter is one of the biggest networks worldwide, therefore, it establishes an enormous real-world data field of interest when studying health issues. As far as we know, there are no exploratory studies about the content or the authorship of tweets related to breast cancer. Methods: Tweets (original and re-tweets) with the hashtag #BreastCancer posted on Twitter during a 7-day period were collected. For the analysis, tweets were categorised based on their content (medical vs non medical and if medical, appropriate vs inappropriate), user information (private account vs institution or public account), the aim of the tweet (patients' experience, relatives' experience, advertising, scientific content, fund-raising and patient advocacy) and also on the extent to which they indicated a stigmatising attitude towards cancer. Tweets were further grouped into subthemes: diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention (life-style and other risk factors). Results: A total of 6341 tweets were collected (3703 original and 2638 re-tweets). When analysing original tweets, only 31% had medical content and in these, 90% were considered to have appropriate content. A stigmatising attitude towards cancer was identified in 14.8% of the tweets classified as non-medical content. 60% of the tweets came from private accounts and 40% from institutions or public accounts. Most of the tweets came from patients' experiences (30.7%), followed by patient advocacy (25.3%). When considering subthemes, the most common topic was cancer prevention (44.5%). Conclusions: This is the first study to explore the authorship and content of tweets about breast cancer. Twitter users mostly tweet about life-styles and breast cancer awareness. The results of the study may be useful in assisting advocacy organisations to provide information about resources, support and raise awareness. Legal entity responsible for the study: Rodrigo Sanchez-Bayona, MD Funding: Has not received any funding Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest. Research from the George Washington University has found the thalamus, long considered a simple relay, is a primary controller in the development of normal sleep and waking states WASHINGTON (Oct. 11, 2018) -- Consciousness requires continuous, internally generated activity in the brain. The modulation of this activity is the basis of the electroencephalogram (EEG) and of generation of sleep, dreams, and perception. Achieving such activity is thus an important milestone in normal brain maturation, which occurs around birth. Successful transition to this activity indicates a good prognosis for babies born prematurely and/or suffering from damage to the brain. To be functional as a dreaming, seeing, and thinking entity the brain need to achieve two milestones: continuity, which means that the brain is always active and state dependence, meaning brain activity is modulated by sleep, waking, and attention. The circuit mechanisms behind the development of continuity and state dependence in the brain have remained unknown, but have been widely assumed to be located in the cerebral cortex, the convoluted brain structure responsible for thought and perception. A team from the George Washington University (GW) has published a study in the Journal of Neuroscience suggesting instead that the thalamus, a tiny nucleus deep in the brain, actually controls the development of state dependence and continuity. "Our results indicate that cellular changes in the thalamus relay function may be critical drivers for the maturation of background activity," Matthew Colonnese, PhD, associate professor of pharmacology and physiology at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, said. "Humans undergo developmental transitions in brain activity before and near birth." Drawing on previous work by Colonnese, his team used advanced techniques to record simultaneously from multiple brain regions to pinpoint the circuit change responsible for the acquisition of continuity and state dependence measured in the sensory cortex. They were surprised to learn that activity changes in the thalamus, rather than the local cortical circuitry or the interconnectivity of two structures, can explain most of these critical developmental milestones. "From a clinical perspective, certain things can go wrong in birth, like hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, brain injury caused by lack of oxygen to the brain, and the brain can revert to a state of discontinuity or never develop continuity," said Colonnese. "These findings could help us understand the circuit basis of human EEG development to improve diagnosis and treatment of infants in vulnerable situations. By putting the development of the EEG on a mechanistic basis we hope to increase its utility in the clinic." Colonnese and his team, which includes Yasunobu Murata, PhD, a research scientist in Colonnese's lab at GW and co-author of the study, are working to develop a comprehensive atlas of EEG patterns and brain lesions that cause them to aid in this process. Now that they have established the thalamus is in control, he said, the next step is to further define what circuit changes occur in brain development so clinicians can pinpoint from an EEG what's gone wrong in cases like hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. ### The study, titled "Thalamus Controls Development and Expression of Arousal States in Visual Cortex" is published in the Journal of Neuroscience at http://www.jneurosci.org/content/38/41/8772. Media: To interview Dr. Colonnese, please contact Ashley Rizzardo at 202-994-8679 or amrizz713@gwu.edu. About the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences Founded in 1824, the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) was the first medical school in the nation's capital and is the 11th oldest in the country. Working together in our nation's capital, with integrity and resolve, the GW SMHS is committed to improving the health and well-being of our local, national and global communities. smhs.gwu.edu WASHINGTON, DC (Oct. 11, 2018) - A paper published today by researchers at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health (GW Milken Institute SPH) provides the data and methodology underlying an independent report that estimated there were 2,975 excess deaths in Puerto Rico during the six-month period after Hurricane Maria. The new study, which appears in The Lancet Planetary Health, also tracks the trends for mortality during that period. The study found that people living in all areas of Puerto Rico faced an elevated risk of mortality during the first two months after the storm, but this risk elevation was most prominent, and prolonged, for people living in the poorest parts of the island. "This study offers public health officials a method to accurately size up the excess mortality due to natural disasters - not just in Puerto Rico but all over the world," said Carlos Santos-Burgoa, MD, MPH, PhD, a professor of global health at GW Milken Institute SPH and lead author of the study. "All jurisdictions should use total excess mortality as a practical, timely and sensitive way to monitor deaths after natural disasters. Public health officials can then step in with rapid interventions and influence the actions of other sectors in order to protect the most vulnerable populations." The research was commissioned in February 2018 by the Government of Puerto Rico to provide an independent and accurate estimate of the number of people who had died after the category 4 hurricane. Unlike many post-disaster mortality studies, the researchers focused on all excess mortality related to the storm, not just deaths that were recorded as storm related on death certificates and in other official records. In addition to estimating the number of excess deaths after the hurricane, the investigation also evaluated the process of certifying deaths on the island and the Puerto Rican government's communication to the public before, during and after the storm. A collaboration between researchers at GW Milken Institute SPH and the University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, the study was based on official death certificates and other mortality data recorded from Sept. 1, 2017, through the end of February 2018. Using a state-of-the-art mathematical model that accounted for annual and seasonal variability, migration, sex, age and socioeconomic status of municipalities, the team compared the total number of deaths that were observed to occur during that time to the number that would have been expected to occur in a "normal" year. This study is the only one of recent peer reviewed reports to factor in the island's population in estimating the number of excess deaths in Puerto Rico after the hurricane. This is important because a total of 241,251 people left the island from right before the storm hit on Sept. 20, 2017, through the end of February, about eight percent of the island's population. Such a large displacement in population must be considered in order to get an accurate mortality count, the authors say. The paper describes the mathematical modeling and the rationale for selecting the most appropriate one. Using this model, the team estimated there were a total of 2,975 excess deaths (deaths above and beyond what could be expected in a normal year without a hurricane) from September 2017 through the end of February 2018. That number is still an estimate based on multiple factors but researchers say it is highly accurate, with a 95 percent confidence interval that ranges from a high of 3,290 to a low of 2,658. The researchers found that 43 percent (1,271) of the total number of excess deaths were estimated to have occurred during the first two months (September and October) after the hurricane made landfall in the seaside municipality of Yabucoa, Puerto Rico. However, the excess deaths continued to be observed throughout the study period, with 347 excess deaths in November, 479 in December, 558 in January and 320 in February. All areas of the island had elevated death rates in the first two months after the storm. However, for high and middle-income municipalities, the death rates fell back to the expected levels by November and December 2017 respectively. In contrast, areas of the island with the lowest levels of socioeconomic development saw a continued excess rate of mortality through the end of the study's observation period. Over the entire period, the risk of dying was 22 percent higher than expected but was up to 60 percent for people living in the poorest municipalities of Puerto Rico. Other higher risk groups that were identified by the study include the elderly and especially older male Puerto Ricans. They had a risk of death that was up to 35 percent higher than expected and their risk had not fallen back to baseline by the end of February 2018. "These excess deaths are likely related to specific health consequences, such as injuries, worsening of chronic illnesses, or acute illnesses associated with the conditions in Puerto Rico during and after the storm," said Lynn R. Goldman, MD, MPH, Michael and Lori Milken Dean of the GW Milken Institute SPH and co-author of the paper. "Additional research must be done to find out how the hurricane was involved in the 2,975 excess deaths identified in this study." Goldman went on to say that the GW Milken Institute SPH team hopes to conduct such a study, one that would interview family members to find out the circumstances leading up to each death. "This study's results suggest that public health officials have underestimated mortality counts from past disasters in the United States and globally," added Santos-Burgoa. "At a time when hurricanes and other types of extreme weather are increasing in intensity, it is critical that all jurisdictions adopt total excess mortality as a practical, timely and sensitive indicator for impact assessment and monitoring." ### "Assessment of the differential and persistent risk of excess mortality from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico," was published online October 11 in The Lancet Planetary Health. To read more about the excess mortality project, the August report or to read the recommendations that will help Puerto Rico and other jurisdictions around the world prepare for future natural disasters, click here. A new easy-to-use legal tool that enables open exchange of biological materials is launched today. The OpenMTA is a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) designed to support openness, sharing and innovation in global biotechnology. Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) provide the legal frameworks within which research organisations define terms and conditions for sharing their materials - everything from DNA molecules to plant seeds to patient samples. Use of the OpenMTA allows redistribution and commercial use of materials, while respecting the rights of creators and promoting safe practices. The new standardised framework also eases the administrative burden for technology transfer offices, negating the need to negotiate unique terms for individual transfers of widely-used materials. The OpenMTA launches today with a commentary published in the journal Nature Biotechnology. It provides a new way to exchange materials commonly used in biological research and engineering, complementing existing, more restrictive arrangements. The OpenMTA also promotes access for researchers and individuals working in less privileged institutions and world regions. The agreement was developed through a collaboration, led by the San Francisco-based BioBricks Foundation and the UK-based OpenPlant Synthetic Biology Research Centre, a joint initiative between the University of Cambridge, John Innes Centre and Earlham Institute. The collaboration brought together an international working group of researchers, technology transfer professionals, social scientists, and legal experts to inform the creation of a framework that could improve sharing of biomaterials. The team identified five design goals on which to base the OpenMTA: (i) access, (ii) attribution, (iii) reuse, (iv) redistribution, and (v) non-discrimination. Additional design goals include safety and sharing in an international context. Dr Linda Kahl, Senior Counsel of Biobricks Foundation, said: "We encourage organisations worldwide to sign the OpenMTA Master Agreement and start using it. In five years' time my ideal is for the OpenMTA to be the default option for the transfer of research materials". "Instead of automatically placing restrictions on materials, people will ask whether restrictions on use and redistribution are appropriate and instead use the OpenMTA to promote sharing and innovation." Professor Jim Haseloff, University of Cambridge, UK, said: "The OpenMTA provides a new pathway for open exchange of DNA components - the basic building blocks for new engineering approaches in biology. It is a necessary step towards building a commons, a resource accessible to all, that will underpin and democratise access to future biotechnological advances and sustainable industries." Dr Nicola Patron, Synthetic Biology Group Leader at the Earlham Institute, said: "We have used the OpenMTA to provide so-called 'DNA parts' developed for our own research to scientists at several international research organisations. We hope that use of the OpenMTA will enable these materials to be shared and reused by plant scientists and biotechnologists everywhere. We believe that easy access to research materials accelerates both fundamental research and the application of scientific research to agriculture, industry and medicine." Dr Colette Matthewman, Programme Manager for the OpenPlant Synthetic Biology Research Centre, John Innes Centre, Norwich, said: "We hope to see the OpenMTA enable an international flow of non-proprietary tools between academic, government, NGO and industry researchers, to be used, reused and expanded upon to develop new tools and innovations." Drew Endy President of the BioBricks Foundation, and Professor at Stanford University said: "The OpenMTA provides a permissive foundation supporting many communities and interests. It is a critical step forward in enabling all people to benefit from next generation biotechnologies. "To accelerate widespread adoption we encourage universities, corporations, funders, and charities to consider making the OpenMTA their default MTA (http://www.openmta.org)." The new agreement was also welcomed by Dr Joanne Kamens, Executive Director at Addgene, a leading global charity that helps scientists share plasmids. "Addgene is excited to see this new option becoming available to increase reagent sharing and scientific collaboration. This kind of open exchange drives innovation and accelerates research," she said. Dr Fernan Federici, an early adopter of the OpenMTA, from the Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago, Chile, said: "The OpenMTA will be particularly useful in Latin America, allowing researchers to redistribute materials imported from overseas sources, reducing shipping costs and waiting times for future local users. We are implementing it in an international project that requires sharing genetic tools among labs in four different continents. We believe, the OpenMTA will support projects based on community-sourced resources and distributed repositories that lead to more fluid collaborations." See full paper in Nature Biotechnology and visit OpenMTA.org to become a signatory. Background information Open MTA - your questions answered What is the OpenMTA? An easy- to-use legal tool that promotes exchange of biological materials. By removing blanket restrictions, the Open MTA aims to inspire innovation so that all people benefit from advances in biotechnology. Who can sign up? Universities, research institutes, companies, community labs, funders and charities are all encouraged to sign the OpenMTA Master Agreement. Can you give us some examples of the biological materials and exchanges that are covered? Research materials such as DNA, plasmids, microorganisms, proteins, seeds, and tissue samples are covered. The exchanges can take place between individual researchers or different organisations, including transfers of research materials between non-profit and for-profit sectors. How does it work? Visit https://biobricks.org/openmta/ to become a signatory to the OpenMTA Master Agreement. Then all that is needed to complete a transfer is an Implementing Letter, which specifies the materials to be transferred. The full text of the OpenMTA can be found at: https://biobricks.org/open-material-transfer-agreement/. Can it work alongside other specific MTAs we have with collaborators? Signatories are not obligated to use the OpenMTA for all transfers. Instead, individuals and organisations retain discretion in deciding which materials to transfer under OpenMTA terms so they may honour existing agreements that are already in place. ### Notes to Editors The full report: https://www.nature.com/articles/nbt.4263 About the BioBricks Foundation The BioBricks Foundation is a US-based public-benefit organization dedicated to building with biology in an open and ethical manner to benefit all people and the planet. For more information, please visit https://biobricks.org/ About OpenPlant The OpenPlant Synthetic Biology Research Centre is funded by the UK Biotechnology and biological Sciences Research Council and the Engineering and Physics Council as part of the UK Synthetic Biology for Growth programme. It is a joint initiative between the University of Cambridge, John Innes Centre and the Earlham Institute. For more information, please visit https://www.openplant.org About the John Innes Centre Our mission is to generate knowledge of plants and microbes through innovative research, to train scientists for the future, to apply our knowledge of nature's diversity to benefit agriculture, the environment, human health and wellbeing, and engage with policy makers and the public. To achieve these goals we establish pioneering long-term research objectives in plant and microbial science, with a focus on genetics. These objectives include promoting the translation of research through partnerships to develop improved crops and to make new products from microbes and plants for human health and other applications. We also create new approaches, technologies and resources that enable research advances and help industry to make new products. The knowledge, resources and trained researchers we generate help global societies address important challenges including providing sufficient and affordable food, making new products for human health and industrial applications, and developing sustainable bio-based manufacturing. This provides a fertile environment for training the next generation of plant and microbial scientists, many of whom go on to careers in industry and academia, around the world. The John Innes Centre is strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). About Earlham Institute The Earlham Institute (EI) is a world-leading research Institute focusing on the development of genomics and computational biology. EI is based within the Norwich Research Park and is one of eight institutes that receive strategic funding from Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) - 5.43m in 2017/18 - as well as support from other research funders. - as well as support from other research funders. EI operates a National Capability to promote the application of genomics and bioinformatics to advance bioscience research and innovation. EI offers a state of the art DNA sequencing facility, unique by its operation of multiple complementary technologies for data generation. The Institute is a UK hub for innovative bioinformatics through research, analysis and interpretation of multiple, complex data sets. It hosts one of the largest computing hardware facilities dedicated to life science research in Europe. It is also actively involved in developing novel platforms to provide access to computational tools and processing capacity for multiple academic and industrial users and promoting applications of computational Bioscience. Additionally, the Institute offers a training programme through courses and workshops, and an outreach programme targeting key stakeholders, and wider public audiences through dialogue and science communication activities. http://www.earlham.ac.uk Bottom Line: Obesity was associated with an increased risk of early onset colorectal cancer (CRC) among women younger than 50. Why The Research Is Interesting: New cases of CRC and death are increasing among people younger than 50 and the reasons for this are largely unknown. This study used data from a large group of women in the Nurses' Health Study II to examine the association of obesity with CRC diagnosed before age 50. Who and When: 85,256 women ages 25 to 42 who were free of cancer and inflammatory bowel disease when they enrolled in the study and followed up from 1989 through 2011. What (Study Measures and Outcomes): Current body mass index (BMI), BMI at age 18 and weight gain since age 18 (exposures); relative risk, which is a statistical measure of probability, for new early onset CRC (outcome) Study Design: This was an observational study. Researchers were not intervening for purposes of the study and cannot totally control for all the natural differences that could explain the study results. Authors: Yin Cao, M.P.H., Sc.D., of the Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, and coauthors Results: There were 114 cases of early onset CRC among the 85,256 women studied. Higher current BMI, BMI at age 18 and weight gain since early adulthood were associated with increased risk of early onset CRC. Obesity, which is a BMI of 30 or above, was associated with highest risk. Limitations: The study included mainly white women so the findings need to be validated among other races/ethnicities and among men. Study Conclusions: Obesity and weight gain since early adulthood were associated with increased risk of early onset CRC. This study highlights the importance of weight control throughout life and the potential role of body weight in complementing CRC screening for the early detection of early onset CRC. ### To Learn More: The full study is available on the For The Media website. (doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2018.4280) Editor's Note: The article contains conflict of interest and funding/support disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc. Want to embed a link to this study in your story?: Links will be live at the embargo time http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/fullarticle/10.1001/jamaoncol.2018.4280 The aging of males and females is influenced by how they choose to invest their available energy, according to a study of fruit flies carried out at Linkoping University, Sweden. The results, published in The American Naturalist, support the idea that differences in strategy between the sexes to maximise the number of offspring contribute to differences in aging between males and females. Differences in aging and the length of life between males and females are common in the animal realm. Males often have shorter lifespans than females. A research group at Linkoping University is trying to find out why this is the case. One possibility is that sex differences in aging lead to maximum numbers of offspring that animals produce during life. "The idea is that each individual has a certain amount of resources that can be used for different activities. The individual can either invest more energy into increasing the probability of having as many offspring as possible, here and now, or invest more energy into maintaining the body in good shape, to live longer and continue to have offspring. We wanted to test the theory that the sexes give different priorities to the way they use their resources, and that this contributes to sex differences in aging", says Martin Brengdahl, doctoral student at the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology and principal author of the article describing the study. The strategies used by the sexes for successful reproduction differ. In many species, the possibility for males to father many offspring depends on how well they compete with other males for the available females. It may be a case of winning physical battles, or attracting females in various ways using bright colours or attractive sounds. This evolutionary mechanism that determines the access of a male to females, and in this way his possibility to pass on his genes to the next generation, is known as "sexual selection". The researchers used fruit flies, Drosophila melanogaster, to investigate whether sexual selection lies behind sex differences in aging. They wanted to determine whether the two sexes are affected differently when they are in poorer physical condition, in other words, when they have poorer access to nutrients and energy. In particular, they were interested in the ability of the flies to reproduce, and how this ability changes when the flies age, in a process known as "reproductive aging". The flies were allowed to do what they are experts at: eating and mating. However, the researchers had manipulated the genetic material of some of the flies, such that they had many small harmful mutations in their genes. These mutations had a negative influence throughout life, meaning that an individual with such mutations converted food to useful energy slightly less efficiently. Thus, even though all of the flies had access to the same food and could eat equal amounts, the manipulated flies were in poorer physical condition. In order to mate with available females, the aging males were compelled to compete with young males. It turned out, as expected, that males in good physical condition were better at this than those who were in poorer condition, independently of how old they were. The reproductive aging of males, however, decreased at the same rate, independently of whether they were in good or poor physical form. Things were different for females. Early in life, there was no difference between the number of offspring produced by females in good condition, who could use the available resources better, and the number produced by mutated females, who were in poorer condition. The two groups, however, aged at different rates. As the females became older, those who were in good physical form had more offspring than their less fortunate sisters. The results are compatible with the idea that it is access to resources, such as the energy from food, that limits the number of offspring a female can have. "The results show that sexual selection contributes to the differences between the sexes in reproductive aging. This is probably because females in good condition, with good access to nutrients, invest the extra resources into maintaining their bodies, such that they can continue to reproduce to a more advanced age. Males, in contrast, seem to invest a great deal of their resources, independent of their condition, into trying to ensure that they achieve successful mating here and now", says Martin Brengdahl. The researchers believe that the result is valid for species other than fruit flies, while there may be differences between species in the way in which aging is influenced when resources are limited. ### The research has received financial support from the Swedish Research Council, the Royal Physiographic Society of Lund, and the Helge Ax:son Johnson Foundation. For more information, contact: Martin Brengdahl, PhD student, martin.brengdahl@liu.se Urban Friberg, senior lecturer, urban.friberg@liu.se, +46 13 286636 The article: "Genetic quality affects the rate of male and female reproductive ageing differently in Drosophila melanogaster", Martin Brengdahl, Christopher M. Kimber, Jack Maguire-Baxter, Antonino Malacrino and Urban Friberg, (2018), The American Naturalist, published online, October 4 2018, doi: 10.1086/700117 A study led by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators identifies two subanesthetic dosage levels of the anesthetic drug ketamine that appear to provide significant symptom relief to patients with treatment-resistant depression. In the October 2018 issue of Molecular Psychiatry they describe finding that single intravenous doses of 0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg were more effective than an active placebo in reducing depression symptoms over a three-day period. Two lower dosage levels that were tested did not provide significant symptom relief, although some improvement was noted with the lowest 0.1 mg/kg dose. "Treatment resistance in depression is a major issue, with more than half of patients not responding adequately to standard, appropriate antidepressant treatment," says Maurizio Fava, MD, executive director of the Clinical Trials Network & Institute in the MGH Department of Psychiatry and senior author of the Molecular Psychiatry paper. "There are only a few approved therapies that can help some patients with treatment-resistant depression, so we critically need more options to choose from." Long used as a general anesthetic drug, ketamine has been found in several studies to rapidly relieve depression symptoms when given at low, subanesthetic doses. Most of those studies used a standard 0.5 mg/kg intravenous dose, leaving determination of the optimal dosage unclear. To investigate that question, the study tested four different ketamine dosages - 0.1 mg/kg, 0.2 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg - compared with an "active" placebo, a drug that induces side effects, the lack of which could lead participants to realize they are not receiving the medication being tested, potentially biasing their perception of symptom improvement. The study enrolled 99 adults with treatment-resistant depression at six research centers - MGH, Baylor College of Medicine/Debakey VA Medical Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, Stanford University School of Medicine, University of Texas/Southwestern Medical Center, and Yale University. Participants were randomized into five groups - the four dosage levels and the active control group, with neither they nor the research staff aware of group assignments - and continued taking their previously prescribed antidepressants during the study period. Participants were assessed with a standard depression rating scale the day they received the infusion and 2, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 30 days later. Additional instruments measured aspects of mood and suicidal thought. Dissociative symptoms such as memory loss and feelings of detachment from reality were assessed during and after ketamine infusion, and vital signs were measured after treatment and at all follow-up visits. On the standard depression scale, participants receiving ketamine had significantly greater symptom improvement during the three days after infusion than did those in the active control group. Comparison of dosage levels, after adjusting for multiple comparisons, found statistically significant improvement compared to the control group only for participants receiving 0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg doses. The low 0.1 mg/kg dose produced significant relief only prior to adjustment, and the 0.2 mg/kg dose did not show any significant benefits. It is possible that the lack of efficacy at the 0.2 mg/kg level could reflect the small size of treatment groups and the fact that participants in that group tended to be more treatment resistant to begin with, the authors note. For most participants in the higher-dose groups, the benefits of ketamine treatment began to decrease on the third day after treatment and were no longer detectable after five days. There were no significant differences in the occurrence of adverse events among all study participants. Co-author Cristina Cusin, MD, who directs the MGH Psychiatry ketamine clinic, says "These results support the clinical observation that one size - in this case the most studied dose of 0.5 mg/kg - does not fit all, as some patients may require a lower-than-average dose; and each patient needs a tailored treatment plan that may include ketamine, together with other medications and talk therapy. We still do not understand which factors play a role in determining lack of response to treatments or which is the best possible strategy for patients suffering from severe depression." Fava, the Slater Family Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, adds, "Along with supporting the efficacy of intravenous ketamine for patients with treatment-resistant depression, our study also suggests that even lower doses may be effective in some patients. Further investigation should examine the efficacy of repeat doses of ketamine, as well as whether higher doses may require less frequent administration." ### Additional co-authors of the Molecular Psychiatry paper are Marlene Freeman, MD, Martina Flynn, Bettina Hoeppner, PhD, Dawn Ionescu, MD, and George Papakostas, MD, MGH Psychiatry; Lee Chang, MD, and Sanjay Matthew, MD, Baylor/Debakey VA Medical Center; Dan Iosifescu, MD, MSc, and James Murrough, MD, Icahn/Mt. Sinai; Charles Debattista, MD, DMH, and Alan Schatzberg, MD, Stanford; Madhukar Trivedi, MD, and Manish Jha, MD, UTexas/Southwestern; and Gerard Sanacora, MD, PhD, and Samuel Wilkinson, MD, Yale. The study was supported by National Institute for Mental Health contract HHSN271201100006I. Massachusetts General Hospital, founded in 1811, is the original and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. The MGH Research Institute conducts the largest hospital-based research program in the nation, with an annual research budget of more than $900 million and major research centers in HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular research, cancer, computational and integrative biology, cutaneous biology, genomic medicine, medical imaging, neurodegenerative disorders, regenerative medicine, reproductive biology, systems biology, photomedicine and transplantation biology. The MGH topped the 2015 Nature Index list of health care organizations publishing in leading scientific journals and earned the prestigious 2015 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service. In August 2018 the MGH was once again named to the Honor Roll in the U.S. News & World Report list of "America's Best Hospitals." BOZEMAN-- The American Chemical Society has selected Montana State University professor Joan Broderick for the 2019 Alfred Bader Award in Bioinorganic or Bioorganic Chemistry. Established in 1986, the prestigious annual award honors a scientist for outstanding research accomplishments at the interface of biology and organic or inorganic chemistry. "What an incredible surprise to find out I would be receiving this award; it is truly an honor," said Broderick who heads the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in MSU's College of Letters and Science. "The award is a testament to the outstanding scientific team I've had the privilege to work with over the years: Will Broderick - my partner in science and life, as well as the collaborators, students and postdocs who have shared my enthusiasm for understanding the chemical details of these fascinating enzymes." "I am so delighted and proud that Dr. Broderick's outstanding research record and impact on her field has been recognized with such a prestigious award from chemistry's major national professional organization," said Nicol Rae, dean of MSU's College of Letters and Science. "Dr. Broderick's research has both advanced the field of bioinorganic chemistry and contributed to the success of the many undergraduate and graduate students she has mentored in her lab." Broderick will receive the award in April 2019, at the American Chemical Society's National Meeting in Orlando, Florida. Broderick is an internationally recognized scientist whose research focuses on radical SAM enzymes and biological metal cluster assembly in hydrogenases. Radical SAM enzymes are one of the largest enzyme superfamilies in nature, with more than 100,000 proteins found in bacteria, plants, and animals. They are responsible for key biological functions, including human immune defense, synthesis of components of DNA, and synthesis and assembly of organic and inorganic cofactors in biology. This last function includes synthesis of the metal clusters in hydrogenases, enzymes that catalyze the reversible production of hydrogen gas. Her contributions to science include the publication of nearly 100 scholarly papers and a sustained record of funding from the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Energy. Along with her research, Broderick is known for her excellence in teaching. At MSU, she teaches advanced undergraduate and graduate-level chemistry, as well as Honors Chemistry I, the first science course taken by many Honors College students at MSU and a pivotal course from which many students establish a strong grasp of fundamentals in science. In 2017, she was awarded the James and Mary Ross Provost's Award for Excellence in recognition of her success in teaching and scholarship. Over the course of her career, Broderick has mentored next-generation scientists in the Broderick Research Lab, a bioinorganic chemistry research group focused on understanding the chemistry of iron-sulfur clusters, biological radical reactions, and biological metal cluster assembly. Her students have gone on to win fellowships and other competitive grants and awards, including Goldwater Scholarships, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, Kopriva Graduate Student Fellowships, and National Institutes of Health Postdoctoral Fellowships. Broderick was also recognized with MSU's first-ever Women in Science Distinguished Professor Award, which was established by Nancy Seleski, an MSU alumna who is the director of supply chain and quality for 3M's Industrial Business. The award honors outstanding faculty women in the sciences who champion equity and diversity and have excelled in research accomplishments, teaching and mentorship, as well as made contributions to Montana and/or MSU. Before joining the faculty at MSU in 2005, Broderick held faculty positions at Amherst College and Michigan State University. Prior to that, she earned her bachelor's degree in chemistry from Washington State University in 1987 and her doctorate in chemistry from Northwestern University in 1992, followed by postdoctoral research at MIT, where she worked in the lab of renowned chemist JoAnne Stubbe, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a recipient of the National Medal of Science. Stubbe said she is proud and thrilled that Broderick has been recognized for her "seminal contributions to our understanding of the founder of the radical SAM (S-adenosylmethionine) superfamily of enzymes, pyruvate formate lyase." "Joan's prowess in enzyme purification and the regeneration of the essential, oxygen labile 4Fe4S cluster is an accomplishment that took great resilience and was key to the ultimate success of the beautiful experiments for which she is receiving this award," Stubbe said. "Joan has outstanding intuition about problem choice. She has exhibited the persistence and passion to stick with difficult problems resulting in the discovery of new reactions and novel chemistry." Currently, Broderick serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of the Journal of Biological Chemistry and is a member of the International Organizing Committee for the International Conference on Bioinorganic Chemistry. ### There is a giant crack growing in Diamante in Entre Rios, Argentina, which may finally swallow the entire town. Many have already evacuated their homes fearing a total collapse. Here some pretty impressive images of the dramatic situation experienced by the inhabitants of this small town. Have a prayer for them. The earth crack is 130 meters long and between 30 and 40 deep. The crack extends along the ravine of the Parana River, so it could lead to a collapse that destroys everything with it, including houses. Officials say the crack is getting bigger everyday. The mayor Lenico Aranda advised the population to evacuate the area because some are at risk of losing their life, as the large crack could destroy a few houses in the next hours or days About 40 houses have already been evacuated, allthough people do not want to leave. About 22,000 people live in Diamante and the affected neighborhood is known as Cristo Pescador. Apparently, the catastrophic phenomenon is due to erosion of the Parana River and has already happened in the 70s, when the coastal area of Diamante and its emblematic buildings completely disappeared. Here some shocking aerial videos of the extreme geological event: Some witnesses say, they hear water running below the ground. They also say that a huge 30-meter-wide sinkhole formed separating the upper part and the lower part of the ravine. I would really get away from there! By the way, you can support your Strange Sounds by becoming a Patron on Patreon or donating through Paypal. Please and thank you. Infobae Se abrio una grieta gigante y un pueblo de Entre Rios esta a punto de desaparecer Entre Rios Ahora La falla en las barrancas de Diamante tiene una extension de 150 metros Becoming overweight at a young age can trigger a molecular chain reaction that leads some girls to experience puberty early, according to new research published in Nature Communications. Scientists have discovered a molecular mechanism that leads overweight female rats to have early-onset puberty. "Knowing how nutrition and specific molecules play a role in starting puberty early could one day help physicians prevent the condition in humans," said one of the study's corresponding authors, Alejandro Lomniczi, Ph.D., a research assistant professor at OHSU's Oregon National Primate Research Center. Girls have been experiencing puberty earlier in life for the last 150 years or so, with 12.5 years being the average age girls start puberty today. Early-onset puberty can lead girls to experience health problems later, including increased incidence of ovarian, uterine and breast cancers, as well as being at a higher risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. But the human genome - the complete set of nucleic acid sequences in human DNA - hasn't changed substantially in the past 150 years. So Lomniczi and colleagues are now exploring if the difference might be due to epigenetics, or changes caused by gene expression rather than changes in the genetic code itself. Gene expression is when genes make functional products such as proteins. Lomniczi's previous research identified two gene families that keep puberty in check when rodents and nonhuman primates are young. This new study builds on that earlier work by specifically examining how gene expression and body weight are involved in puberty in rats. For this study, the team raised three kinds of female rats: overweight, lean and average-sized. While focusing on the hypothalamus, the bottom part of the brain that controls reproductive development, they found that a puberty-activating gene called Kiss1 was expressed differently in each rat type. Lomniczi and colleagues identified the enzyme SIRT1 in the hypothalamus as being a key player in transmitting body weight information to the brain. In overweight rats, there is less SIRT1 in the hypothalamus, allowing the Kiss1 gene to be expressed earlier, leading the rats to undergo puberty early. In lean rats, SIRT1 is higher for a prolonged period of time, taking longer for Kiss1 gene activation, which delayed puberty in those rats. Lomniczi continues to explore the causes of early-onset puberty through animal model studies. He's also examining how the circadian clock and endocrine disruptors might play a role. ### An international team - including scientists at the University of Cordoba, University of Santiago de Compostela, Instituto Maimonides de Investigacion Biomedica de Cordoba, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia and Instituto de Salud Carlos III, all in Spain - conducted this research. This research was supported by the National Institute of Health (1R01HD084542, RO1DK068098, 8P51OD011092, T32-HD007133, F32-HD-86904), the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitvidad (grants BFU2011-025021, BFU2014-57581-P, BFU2017-83934-P), the Spanish Ministerio de Sanidad (PIE-0005), EU Horizon 2020 Program (grant GAP-2014-655232), and the Spanish Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Links: Alejandro Lomniczi, Ph.D.: https://www.ohsu.edu/people/alejandrolomniczi/afe033159ec55dbe4a797a0c51c3444a Paper: "SIRT1 mediates obesity- and nutrient-dependent perturbation of pubertal timing by epigenetically controlling Kiss1expression," https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-06459-9 Related: 12/15/15 OHSU news announcement, "Researchers elucidate network of genes that control when puberty begins," https://news.ohsu.edu/2015/12/16/researchers-elucidate-network-of-genes-that-control-when-puberty-begins 1/29/13 OHSU news announcement, "New OHSU research helps explain early-onset puberty in females," https://news.ohsu.edu/2013/01/29/new-ohsu-research-helps-explain-early-onset-puberty-in-females Cracow, 11 October 2018 With the aid of simple theoretical models it is possible to build systems operating strictly according to the rules of classical physics, yet faithfully reproducing the predictions of quantum mechanics for single particles - even those that are the most paradoxical! So what is the real hallmark of quantum behaviour? The world of quantum phenomena is full of paradoxes incomprehensible to human intuition and inexplicable to classical physics. This is the thesis we almost always hear when it comes to quantum mechanics. Here are some examples of phenomena that are commonly considered to be typically quantum: a single electron generating interference fringes behind two slits, as if it were passing through both at the same time; particles that are in different states at the same time, only to appear "magically" in one selected state at the moment of observation; measurements without interactions; erasing the past by means of a quantum eraser; or finally, nonlocality, which gives the impression that entangled particles are immediately interacting over any long distance. But do all these phenomena necessarily have to be purely quantum? In an article that has just been published, Dr. Pawel Blasiak from the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IFJ PAN) in Cracow showed how to construct, from the building blocks of classical physics, broadly understood optical interferometric systems, faithfully reproducing the strangest predictions of quantum for single particles. The presented model helps us to understand better why quantum mechanics is needed and what it really tells us about our surrounding reality that is new. If a quantum effect has a simple classical explanation, one should not go looking for any particular secret in it. The publication clearly indicates the boundary beyond which quantum theory becomes essential: true quantum "magic" only starts with multiple particles. "There's a lot of controversy around quantum mechanics. It's so strong that even today, when this theory is almost a hundred years old, most physicists prefer just to use it, avoiding uncomfortable questions about interpretation," says Dr. Blasiak, and adds: "Our problems here result from the fact that.... we have been too determined. Earlier on, first of all we would observe certain phenomena and, in order to explain them, construct a mathematical apparatus on the basis of well-established physical intuition. In the case of quantum mechanics, the opposite has happened: from only a few experimental clues we have guessed a highly abstract, mathematical formalism that describes the results of laboratory measurements very well, but we haven't a clue about what the physical reality lying behind it is." Richard Feynman, the outstanding American physicist, was deeply convinced that one phenomenon absolutely impossible to explain by classical physics is quantum interference, responsible, among other things, for the fringes visible behind two slits through which a single quantum object passes. Erwin Schrodinger, one of the fathers of quantum mechanics, had a different favourite: quantum entanglement, which can at a distance bind the characteristics of two or more quantum particles. A large group of physicists is still wondering to what extent these non-intuitive phenomena of quantum mechanics are just the result of our cognitive limitations, i.e. the ways in which we study the world. Not nature, but our lack of full knowledge about the system would cause the phenomena observed in it to acquire the features of unexplainable exoticism. This type of approach is an attempt to look at quantum mechanics as a theory with a well-defined ontology, leading to the question of what really distinguishes quantum theory from classical theories. The article in Physical Review A demonstrated the principles of constructing models of any complex optical systems built of elements functioning according to the principles of classical physics with the addition of certain local hidden variables, to which we have only indirect access. Dr. Blasiak showed that for single particles, the presented model faithfully reproduces all the phenomena commonly regarded as an obvious sign of quantum behaviour, including collapse of the wave function, quantum interference and contextuality. Moreover, the classical analogies of these phenomena turn out to be quite simple. However, this model cannot reproduce the characteristic features of quantum entanglement, the occurrence of which requires at least two quantum particles. This seems to indicate that entanglement and the associated nonlocality may be a more fundamental property of the quantum world than quantum interference. "This type of approach allows us to avoid the terrible practice of evasive answers and waving our hands around in discussions about the fundamentals and interpretation of quantum mechanics. We have the tools to formulate such questions and solve them precisely. The constructed model aims to show that ontological models with limited access to information have at least the potential possibility of explaining most of the exotic quantum phenomena within broadly understood classical physics. The only real quantum mystery to remain would be quantum entanglement," explains Dr. Blasiak. Quantum entanglement thus gets to the core of quantum mechanics, indicating the "something" that forces a departure from classically understood reality and shifts the border of mystery towards multi-particle phenomena. It turns out that quantum effects for single particles can be successfully reproduced within classical (i.e. local) ontological models with limited access to information. So if we leave out multi-particle phenomena, we could basically do without quantum mechanics and its "spooky" nonlocality. The described local model, reproducing quantum phenomena for a single particle, very clearly defines the limit beyond which statements concerning nonlocality lose their legitimacy. So, Feynman or Schrodinger? Schrodinger seems to have got to the very heart of quantum mechanics. But the silent winner could be... Albert Einstein, who was never satisfied with the commonly accepted interpretation of quantum mechanics. Without his stubborn questions we would have neither Bell's theorem nor the field of quantum information today. "That's why research into the fundations of quantum mechanics is so fascinating. It ranges from recurring questions about the nature of our reality to the essence of real quantum behaviour, to which we owe the advantage quantum technologies have over their classical equivalents," concludes Dr. Blasiak with a smile. ### The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics (IFJ PAN) is currently the largest research institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The broad range of studies and activities of IFJ PAN includes basic and applied research, ranging from particle physics and astrophysics, through hadron physics, high-, medium-, and low-energy nuclear physics, condensed matter physics (including materials engineering), to various applications of methods of nuclear physics in interdisciplinary research, covering medical physics, dosimetry, radiation and environmental biology, environmental protection, and other related disciplines. The average yearly yield of the IFJ PAN encompasses more than 600 scientific papers in the Journal Citation Reports published by the Thomson Reuters. The part of the Institute is the Cyclotron Centre Bronowice (CCB) which is an infrastructure, unique in Central Europe, to serve as a clinical and research centre in the area of medical and nuclear physics. IFJ PAN is a member of the Marian Smoluchowski Krakow Research Consortium: "Matter-Energy-Future" which possesses the status of a Leading National Research Centre (KNOW) in physics for the years 2012-2017. The Institute is of A+ Category (leading level in Poland) in the field of sciences and engineering. CONTACTS: Dr. Pawel Blasiak The Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences email: pawel.blasiak@ifj.edu.pl tel.: +48 12 6628270 SCIENTIFIC PAPERS: "Local model of a qudit: Single particle in optical circuits" P. Blasiak Physical Review A 98, 012118 (2018) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.98.012118 LINKS: http://www.ifj.edu.pl/ The website of the Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences. http://press.ifj.edu.pl/ Press releases of the Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences. IMAGES: IFJ181011b_fot01s.jpg HR: http://press.ifj.edu.pl/news/2018/10/11/IFJ181011b_fot01.jpg Entanglement or quantum interference? - that is the question about the foundation of quantum reality! (Source: IFJ PAN) (PHILADELPHIA) - Lassa fever belongs to the same class of hemorrhagic fevers as Ebola. Like Ebola, it has been a major health threat in Western Africa, infecting 100,000-300,000 people and killing 5,000 per year. A new vaccine against both rabies and Lassa has demonstrated effective protection in animal models of disease, according to research publishing in the journal Nature Communications, on October 11th. The research also points to a new way to test for protection against the virus, a finding that could significantly speed vaccine development in humans. "This two-component vaccine showed good protection from exposure to both virus types in preliminary animal studies," said senior author Matthias Schnell, Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) and Director of the Jefferson Vaccine Center. Because the vaccine is inactivated and based on a rabies vaccine that has been used for decades, the safety profile of the combination vaccine is excellent and likely safe enough to administer to pregnant women, who have a high risk of miscarriage when infected with Lassa virus. In addition, it can be likely produced in a stable lyophilized format that is easy to use in clinics that lack refrigeration. "Perhaps more importantly, however, we've discovered how to test for protection, which could vastly improve our ability to translate these findings into a human-ready vaccine," said Dr. Schnell. The results suggest a change in how researchers will analyze for potency in Lassa virus vaccine development, and could have implications for other hemorrhagic fever viruses as well. Because it would be unethical to test vaccine efficacy by intentionally exposing people to a pathogen, vaccine researchers instead test for so-called surrogates of immunity, a proxy for immune protection, based on results from animal studies. One of the most common surrogates for vaccines against viral pathogens is the neutralizing antibody - one of the antibodies made during an immune reaction that binds and blocks the part of the virus that helps it enter and infect cells. "The neutralizing antibody works like putting glue on a key," says first author Tiago Abreu-Mota, MD/PhD student in Dr. Schnell's lab visiting from University of Minho, Portugal. "By junking-up the key, or entry molecule, the virus can no longer open the door to the cell." Although the immune response generates antibodies that fight infection in other ways, the neutralizing antibody has been something of a gold standard in vaccine development. High levels are usually a good indication that the immune reaction is strong enough to deflect viral disease. In the case of Lassa virus, however, neutralizing antibodies have not been very good surrogates, since they are produced in much lower quantities. Dr. Schnell, together with colleagues from the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) and University of California, San Diego (UCSD), looked at antibodies against other parts of the Lassa virus glycoprotein. Although these antibodies can't block the infection, the researchers showed that in the case of Lassa, they can be quite effective at tagging the virus or virus-infected cell with a beacon for quicker identification by other immune defense cells, such as the natural killer immune cell. The researchers used this concept to develop a new test to quantify the number of cells killed by antibody tagging/NK cell attack, creating a new surrogate of protection against Lassa virus hemorrhagic disease, based on flow cytometry. They also showed that a certain class of IgG against Lassa virus is beneficial. The new surrogate of protection will aid in the development of a more potent vaccine against Lassa virus. The researchers are also exploring other approaches to help determine vaccine protection in the field. ### This work was supported in part by NIH grants R01 AI105204, by the Jefferson Vaccine Center and by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology fellowship PD/BD/105847/2014. This work was also funded in part through the NIAID Division of Intramural Research and the NIAID Division of Clinical Research, Battelle Memorial Institute's prime contract with the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under Contract No. HHSN272200700016I and an NIH grant in aid (AI110700). Tiago Abreu-Mota, Peter B. Jahrling, and Matthias J. Schnell are inventors on the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/691,413. All other authors declare no competing interests. Article Reference: Tiago Abreu-Mota Katie R. Hagen, Kurt Cooper, Peter B. Jahrling, Gene Tan, Christoph Wirblich, Reed F. Johnson, and Matthias J. Schnell, "Non-neutralizing antibodies elicited by recombinant Lassa-Rabies vaccine are critical for protection against Lassa Fever," Nat Comms, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06741-w, 2018. Media Contact: Edyta Zielinska, edyta.zielinska@jefferson.edu, 215-955-7359. **Country-level data and spokespeople available** Globally, 21% births are delivered via C-section, higher than the level thought required for medical purposes (10-15%). 60% of countries overuse C-sections, and 25% underuse the procedure, suggesting wide disparities in adherence to clinical recommendations. Within countries large differences in use of C-sections exist between the rich and the poor, between public and private sectors, and between regions. Authors call on healthcare professionals, hospitals, funders, women and families to only intervene with a C-section when it is medically required, while also highlighting the need for quality childbirth care globally. Globally, the number of babies born through caesarean section (C-section) almost doubled between 2000 and 2015 - from 12% to 21% of all births - according to a Series of three papers published in The Lancet and launched at the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) World Congress in Brazil. While the life-saving surgery is still unavailable for many women and children in low-income countries and regions, the procedure is overused in many middle- and high-income settings. C-section is a life-saving intervention for women and newborns when complications occur, such as bleeding, foetal distress, hypertensive disease, and babies in abnormal position. But, the surgery is not without risk for mother and child, and is associated with complications in future births. It is estimated that 10-15% of births medically require a C-section due to complications, suggesting that average C-section use should lie between these levels. However, the Series authors estimate that more than one in four countries in 2015 had lower levels (28%, 47/169 countries), while most countries used C-section above the recommended level (63%, 106/169 countries). In at least 15 countries C-section use exceeds 40% [1]. "Pregnancy and labour are normal processes, which occur safely in most cases. The large increases in C-section use - mostly in richer settings for non-medical purposes - are concerning because of the associated risks for women and children. C-sections can create complications and side effects for mothers and babies, and we call on healthcare professionals, hospitals, funders, women and families to only intervene in this way when it is medically required," says Series lead Dr Marleen Temmerman, Aga Khan University, Kenya and Ghent University, Belgium. "In cases where complications do occur, C-sections save lives, and we must increase accessibility in poorer regions, making C-sections universally available, but we should not overuse them." [2] Disparities in global C-section use The Series tracks trends in C-section use globally and in nine regions based on data from 169 countries from WHO and UNICEF databases. Globally, C-section use has increased by 3.7% each year between 2000-2015 - rising from 12% of live births (16 million of 131.9 million) in 2000, to 21% of live births (29.7 million of 140.6 million) in 2015. However, the pace of change varied substantially between regions. The South Asia region has seen the most rapid increase in use (6.1% per year), with C-section being underused in 2000 but being overused by 2015 (increasing from 7.2% of births via C-section to 18.1%). However, improvements have been slow across sub-Saharan Africa (around 2% per year), where C-section use has remained low (increasing from 3% to 4.1% of births in West and Central Africa, and from 4.6% to 6.2% in Eastern and Southern Africa). C-section continues to be overused in North America, Western Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean, where rates increased by around 2% per year between 2000-2015. C-section use increased from 24.3% to 32% between 2000-2015 in North America, from 19.6% to 26.9% in Western Europe, and from 32.3% to 44.3% in Latin America and the Caribbean. The authors found that the global increases in C-section use are attributed both to more births taking place in health institutions (about two-thirds of the increase) and to greater frequency of intervention through C-section in health facilities (one-third of the increase). Looking at trends in Brazil and China where there is high use of C-section, the authors found that most C-sections were in low-risk pregnancies and in women who had previously had a C-section. In Brazil, particularly high levels of C-section use were seen in women who were highly educated, compared with less educated women (54.4% of births vs 19.4%). The Series is accompanied by a linked Comment from Gilberto Magalhaes Occhi, the Minister of Health of Brazil which sets out the country's strategies to optimise C-section use (see link at end of press release). In the 10 countries with the highest number of births in 2010-2015, there were large differences in C-section use between regions - for example, differences between provinces in China ranged from 4% to 62%, and inter-state differences in India ranged from 7% to 49%. The USA, Bangladesh, and Brazil reported C-section use in more than 25% of births nationally, but some regions within these countries used C-section around twice as much as others [3]. There were also significant disparities within low- and middle-income countries, where the wealthiest women were six times more likely to have a C-section compared with the poorest women, and where C-section was 1.6 times more common in private facilities than public facilities. The authors suggest that this could be explained by persistent issues with shortages in health facilities and staff in vulnerable and rural populations. In addition, in the UK C-section use has increased from 19.7% of births in 2000 to 26.2% in 2015 (country-level data is available in links at the end of the press release). Harms associated with C-section overuse and underuse C-section improves maternal, newborn and child survival when complications arise, and can also lower the risk of incontinence and prolapse. However, there are short and long-term risks associated with C-sections for mothers and children, and there are no benefits of C-section in cases without a medical indication. In these instances, women and children can be harmed or die from the procedure, especially when there are not sufficient facilities, skills, and health care available. Maternal death and disability is higher after C-section than vaginal birth. In particular, C-sections have a more complicated recovery for the mother, and lead to scarring of the womb, which is associated with bleeding, abnormal development of the placenta, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth and preterm birth in subsequent pregnancies. The authors say that it is important to note that these are small but serious risks, but each of these risks increases as a woman has more C-sections. There is emerging evidence that babies born via C-section have different hormonal, physical, bacterial and medical exposures during birth, which can subtly alter their health. While the long-term risks of this are not well-researched, the short-term effects include changes in immune development which can increase the risk of allergies and asthma and alter the bacteria in the gut. "Given the increasing use of C-section, particularly cases that are not medically required, there is a crucial need to understand the health effects on women and children. Greater understanding of this is important to help inform decision making by families, physicians, and policy makers. C-section is a type of major surgery, which carries risks that require careful consideration. The growing use of C-sections for non-medical purposes could be introducing avoidable complications, and we advocate that C-section should only be used when it is medically required." says Professor Jane Sandall, King's College London, UK. [2] Tackling overuse of C-section Common reasons why women request C-sections include past negative experiences of vaginal birth, or fear of labour pain or of the effects of labour such as pelvic floor damage, urinary incontinence, reduced quality of sexual functioning. To address this, the authors recommend further research to study relaxation training, childbirth training workshops, educational lectures and brochures, and meeting with health professionals to promote supportive relationships, collaboration and respect. For healthcare professionals, improved education, guidelines and communication, and second-opinion policies may also be helpful to address influences such as women's requests, convenience, financial incentives, and fear of litigation. In particular, in some regions C-sections are seen as protective, and physicians are less likely to be sued if complications occur, than during vaginal delivery. The authors warn that in many settings young physicians are becoming experts in C-section, while losing confidence in their abilities to assist in vaginal birth. Clinical interventions are needed to reduce unnecessary C-sections, but there is a lack of research and investment in this area. Early evidence suggests that offering vaginal breech delivery to carefully selected women, and attempting vaginal birth for women who have previously had C-sections may be helpful in reducing C-section use. In addition, some evidence suggests that reducing the number of interventions involved in pregnancy may help reduce C-section use, and this could be achieved by midwifery-led care, planning labour in birth centres, or offering continuous labour support. "Although there is almost universal consensus that C-section use has increased beyond the reasonable level of need in many countries, effective interventions to optimise use have proven elusive. Interventions should recognise previous birth experiences, consider the health effects of C-section, and provide emotional support. Interventions should provide a sense of empowerment for women, and will require meaningful conversations with health professionals, policymakers and advocacy groups to influence the discussion around maternity care." says Dr Ana Pilar Betran, World Health Organization, Switzerland. [2] Also published in The Lancet, a new position paper of FIGO: How to stop the Caesarean section epidemic. This linked Comment proposes six recommendations to reduce unnecessary C-sections, including informing women of the benefits and risks of C-sections, matching costs for C-section and vaginal birth in private and public hospitals, and ensuring hospitals publish their annual C-section rates. Emeritus Professor Gerard Visser, University Medical Centre, the Netherlands, and Chair of FIGO's Committee Safe Motherhood and Newborn Health at FIGO writes: "Worldwide there is an alarming increase in caesarean section (CS) rates. The medical profession on its own cannot reverse this trend. Joint actions with governmental bodies, the health care insurance industry, and women's groups are urgently needed to stop unnecessary CSs and enable women and families to be confident of receiving the most appropriate obstetric care for their individual circumstances." A Lancet editorial published alongside the Series says: "What is left unresolved are the tensions generated when women's agency in choosing a caesarean section go against medical directives to intervene against them. Although the Lancet Series says that women's demand is not a substantial driver of the current problem of overuse, efforts to reduce caesareans must, nevertheless, strongly respect women's rights to choose the circumstances of birth. NICE guidance in the UK, for example, states that a woman should be offered a planned caesarean section if she so wishes. But it also says that practitioners can decline to provide one, and the new WHO guidance urges avoidance when caesarean is not indicated. What then? With this new Series we hope to spark more debate and research about implementing recommendations to reduce caesarean section use." ### NOTES TO EDITORS The Series received no funding. It was conducted by researchers from University of Manitoba, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pelotas, Catholic University of Pelotas, World Health Organization, Sichuan University, Ministry of Health, Brasilia, Aga Khan University, Ghent University, University of Central Lancashire, Cochrane, Sao Paulo Federal University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Uganda Martyrs University, St Francis Hospital Nsambya, King's College London, University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby General Hospital, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), Burnet Institute, Yale University. The labels have been added to this press release as part of a project run by the Academy of Medical Sciences seeking to improve the communication of evidence. For more information, please see: http://www.sciencemediacentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/AMS-press-release-labelling-system-GUIDANCE.pdf if you have any questions or feedback, please contact The Lancet press office pressoffice@lancet.com [1] The countries where C-section use exceeds 40% are: Country C-section use (%) Year data point Dominican Republic 58.1 2014 Brazil 55.5 2015 Egypt 55.5 2014 Turkey 53.1 2015 Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) 52.4 2013 Chile 46 2014 Colombia 45.9 2016 Paraguay 45.9 2016 Iran (Islamic Republic of) 45.6 2010 Ecuador 45.5 2013-2014 Mauritius 44.7 2013 Georgia 41.4 2015 Maldives 41.1 2011 Mexico 40.7 2015 Cuba 40.4 2014 [2] Quote direct from author and cannot be found in the text of the Article. [3] In the USA, the lowest use was 17.9% (New Mexico) and highest use was 33.1% (New Jersey). In Bangladesh, the lowest use was 18.9% (Sylhet) and highest use was 42.7% (Khulna). In Brazil, the lowest use was 33.9% (Amapa) and highest use was 70.2% (Goias). IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE A LINK FOR YOUR READERS, PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING, WHICH WILL GO LIVE AT THE TIME THE EMBARGO LIFTS: http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)31928-7/fulltext ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (Oct. 11, 2018) -- An affordable children's educational kit is the latest commercial spinoff of research pursued by the U.S. Army to create advanced materials for Soldier systems. A team of researchers funded by the Army created and designed a new resource for science teachers. BioBitTM is an educational platform for teaching synthetic biology to kindergartners through high school. The team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University and Northwestern University recently tested the platform in the Chicago Public Schools where students and teachers helped. The test findings showed that students and teachers performed experiments successfully. The program fills a gap in current science, technology, math and engineering education, said Dr. Dawanne Poree, the Army's lead program manager on this project. "The BioBitTM Explorer kit enables hands-on demonstrations of cutting-edge science that is inexpensive and easy to use, circumventing many current barriers for implementing exploratory biology experiments in classrooms," Poree said. Chicago-area teachers partnered to develop curricula for high school math and middle school science classes, emphasizing the cross-cutting nature and the value of this activity at various educational levels, officials said. The high cost and specialized equipment required for even the simplest demonstration of synthetic biology tools prevent many K-12 and some undergraduate schools from effectively teaching these methods, Poree said. "If the United States is to continue leading research in synthetic biology in the coming decades, then current students must be encouraged to pursue long term study in this field," Poree said. The kits are commercially available for an $100 to $200 for materials for a classroom of about 30 students. BioBits is based on the latest methods in synthetic biology. They incorporates methods for freeze-drying harmless cellular extracts into pellets that can be packaged and distributed to classrooms. These pellets provide individual experiments that can be activated in the classroom to reveal the power of synthetic biology through pre-designed reactions, said Dr. Michael Jewett, of Northwestern University. These pellets provide individual experiments that can be activated in the classroom to reveal the power of synthetic biology through pre-designed reactions. This platform grew out of prior and ongoing research funded by the Army Research Laboratory's Army Research Office to develop new tools in synthetic biology with the goal of adapting cellular machinery to produce non-biological materials. Specifically, researchers were initially exploring the mechanisms of protein synthesis inside cells with the long term goal of harnessing and adapting cellular machinery to produce non-biological materials. This research involves the development of new methods in synthetic biology that will be required to utilize powerful biological enzymes to create polymers of interest for the Army. Research in synthetic biology will be essential for realizing scientific discoveries in the 21st century such as responsive materials, game-changing chemical, material, and drug manufacturing methods, the detection and elimination of toxic chemicals, and medical applications ranging from the detection and treatment of traumatic brain injury to the development of integrated prosthetics. ### This research was published in the August 2018 edition of Science Advances. The U.S. Army Research Laboratory is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to ensure decisive overmatch for unified land operations to empower the Army, the joint warfighter and our nation. RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. A team of researchers, including UBC's Soheil Mahmoud, have recently sequenced the genome of lavender. Mahmoud, an associate professor of biology at UBC Okanagan, says lavender has many uses, from essential oils, to fragrances, personal hygiene and pharmaceutical industries. "We have studied lavender for a long time," says Mahmoud. "We have always been curious about this plant. Why is it drought tolerant? Why is it pest tolerant? What makes it smell so sweet?" The reason why scientists want to get to the root of lavender's secrets is because it's an important crop that significantly contributes to the multi-billion dollar, and continually growing, essential oil industry. Thanks to the work of fellow researches, Professor Ping Liang from Brock University and doctoral student Radesh N Malli, the team has sequenced the lavender genome. Basically, creating new pathways to further development and research. "The best way to describe our findings is that we have built the roadmap for the discovery of the genetic elements that define lavender. Now researchers can follow our map and go into the wilderness and explore even further," says Mahmoud. "It's opening the door for more analysis of the plant for its future potential." For example, the draft genome helps scientists quickly discover genes that direct essential oil production, to understand regulatory elements that control the expression of these genes, and to learn how the genome works as a whole. Additionally, the genome sequence can help researchers develop genetic markers for 'fingerprinting' and identification of various lavender species and varieties. Mahmoud also explains that the genome sequence can help researchers improve the plant. For example, many high-yield lavender species actually produce some undesired elements such as camphor. Researchers want to learn how to produce the desired oils without increasing the amounts of undesired ingredients. They can do that through targeted breeding and plant biotechnology, but the first step is to have a complete understanding of the molecular elements that control production of the lavender's essential oil components. "The quality of lavender's essential oils greatly depends on the characteristic scent of the oil, which is determined by certain phytochemicals called monoterpenes," explains Mahmoud. "Camphor contributes an off-odour, and its presence in the oil lowers quality and market value. On the other hand, high levels of linalool and linalyl acetate are desired in lavender oils." Liang, who is a Canada Research Chair in Genomics and Bioinformatics, works out of Brock University's bioinformatics and comparative genomics lab. He says the newly-published research provides specific markers other that researchers can follow. "They now have access to the lavender genome sequence and from here, they can discover more about the plant," he says. "Given the economic status of lavender and its applications of essential oils in many industries, the lavender draft genome sequence serves as a significant genetic resource for continued lavender research." ### The research, supported by grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Canada Research Chair Program and the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C., was published this week in Planta, an international journal of plant biology. (DOI: 10.1007/s00425-018-3012-9). Topological insulators (TIs) host exotic physics that could shed new light on the fundamental laws of nature. What's more, the unusual properties of TIs hold tremendous promise for technological applications, including in quantum computing, next-generation miniaturized data storage, and spintronics. Scientists around the globe are working to understand the microscopic properties of these materials that freely conduct electricity along their edges even though their bulk is an insulator. Now a team of experimental physicists at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have made the first observation of a specific type of TI that's induced by disorder. Professor Bryce Gadway and his graduate students Eric Meier and Alex An used atomic quantum simulation, an experimental technique employing finely tuned lasers and ultracold atoms about a billion times colder than room temperature, to mimic the physical properties of one-dimensional electronic wires with precisely tunable disorder. The system starts with trivial topology just outside the regime of a topological insulator; adding disorder nudges the system into the nontrivial topological phase. This type of topological insulator induced by disorder is called the topological Anderson insulator, named after the noted theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate Philip Anderson, an alumnus of University Laboratory High School on the U of I campus. Surprisingly, while disorder typically inhibits transport and destroys nontrivial topology, in this system it helps to stabilize a topological phase. The observation was made possible through close collaboration with an international team of theoretical physicists at the U of I, at the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), and at the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC) in Spain, who elucidated the quantum physics at work and identified the key signature the experimentalists should look for in the system. Theoretical physicist Pietro Massignan of UPC and ICFO comments, "Intuitively, one would think that disorder should play against conductance. For example, running is easy in an open field, but gets harder and harder as one moves through an increasingly denser forest. But here we show that suitably tailored disorder can actually trigger some peculiar conducting excitations, called topologically protected edge modes." Meier is lead author on the paper. "Interestingly," he adds, "in a 3D or 2D topological system, those edge states would be characterized by freely flowing electrons. But in a 1D system like ours, the edge states simply sit there, at either end of the wire. In any TI, the boundary states have the dimensionality of your system minus one. In our 1D topological Anderson insulator, the boundary states are basically just points. While the boundary physics is actually a bit boring in this system, there is rich dynamics going on in the bulk of the system that is directly related to the same topology-this is what we studied." The group's experimental observation validates the concept of topological Anderson insulators that was worked out roughly a decade ago. The topological Anderson insulator phase was first discovered theoretically by J. Li et al. in 2009, and its origin was further explained by C. W. Groth, et al. that same year. Five years later, a pair of works, one by A. Altland et al. and one by the group of Taylor Hughes at the U of I working with the group of Emil Prodan at Yeshiva University, predicted the occurrence of the topological Anderson insulator in one-dimensional wires, as realized in the new experiments from the Gadway group. Gadway emphasizes, "Our taking on this research was really inspired by the 2014 prediction of Taylor Hughes and his graduate student Ian Mondragon-Shem at the U. of I. Taylor was a key collaborator. Likewise, our colleagues in Spain made a tremendous contribution in introducing the concept of mean chiral displacement, which allows to measure the topology directly in the bulk of the material." "Working with Taylor," Gadway adds, "our Spanish colleagues found that the mean chiral displacement is essentially equivalent to the topological invariant of such a one-dimensional system, something called the winding number. This was critical to our being able to take the data on the system and relate what we saw in experiment to the system's topology. This was one project where having a bevy of theorists around was a big help, both for performing the right measurements and for understanding what it all meant." "This is an exciting result in terms of potential applications," Gadway affirms. "This suggests we may be able to find real materials that are almost topological that we could manipulate through doping to imbue them with these topological properties. This is where quantum simulation offers a tremendous advantage over real materials--it's good for seeing physical effects that are very subtle. Our 'designer disorder' is precisely controllable, where in real materials, disorder is as messy as it sounds--it's uncontrollable." "Gadway's experimental setup is a theorist's dream," Massignan adds. "It was like playing with LEGO: the model we envisaged could be built step-by-step, in a real laboratory. Every single element of the Hamiltonian we had in mind could be implemented in a very careful way, and changed in real time." ICFO postdoctoral researcher Alexandre Dauphin adds, "This platform is also very promising for studying the effects of both interaction and disorder in topological systems, which could lead to exciting new physics." NSF Program Director Alex Cronin oversees the funding program that supported this experimental effort. He points out the importance of this fundamental research that successfully employs engineered quantum systems to uncover new physics: "Before we get full-scale quantum computers to study a broad range of exotic systems, we already have quantum simulators like this one that are producing results right now. It is exciting to see new discoveries made with quantum simulators like this." These results were published online by the journal Science on Thursday, 11 October, 2018. After submitting their work to the journal, the researchers of this study learned of the parallel observation of this same phenomenon by another research team at the University of Rostock, Germany. "Their team used photonic waveguides to mimic the physical properties of this same kind of system, and they studied properties at the boundary of the system. We used cold atoms and observed bulk properties to get at a really clear visualization of the topology," Gadway states. "These two works were complementary and together they illustrate how diverse physical systems can be controlled and made to exhibit the same kind of interesting phenomena." ### A new study published in Public Health Nutrition examines the potential effects of Brexit on the 'Sugar Tax' and coronary heart disease (CHD) in England. The 'Sugar Tax', an industry levy on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), was implemented in the UK in April 2018 as part of the UK Government's Childhood Obesity Plan. However, the effect of the SSB levy might be affected by the impending exit of the UK from the European Union (EU) in March 2019, known as Brexit. Brexit is likely to result in a new trade regime, which could range from a free trade regime that eliminates all trade barriers to a default World Trade Organisation (WTO) membership that enforces tariffs to all trade relationships. The trade arrangements that the UK will adopt after Brexit are likely to influence the price of food and food ingredients including sugar, which currently follows European regulations under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). This could potentially interfere with the effectiveness of the SSB levy in the UK. Implications Public Health researchers from the University of Liverpool and Imperial College London conducted a study to estimate the implications of Brexit on the price of sugar and the impact of the implemented SSB levy on coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality and inequalities in England. The researchers modelled the potential effects of the SSB industry levy on SSB price and consumption and compared it with its effect under a "soft" and a "hard" Brexit scenario in which World Trade Organization tariffs are applied. They then estimated the effect of each scenario on CHD deaths prevented or postponed and life-years gained, stratified by age, sex, and socioeconomic circumstance in 2021. Results This study suggested that the SSB levy could increase SSB prices by approximately 38% leading to an estimated 26% decrease in SSB intake in England. This would prevent approximately 370 CHD deaths and generate approximately 4,490 life years in 2021. The SSB levy was also estimated to improve health inequalities, with 100 CHD deaths averted in the most deprived quintile compared to 50 in the most affluent. The results suggested that the SSB levy would be resilient to both "soft" and "hard" Brexit scenarios, finding that reductions in CHD mortality were 4% and 8% greater under "soft" and "hard" Brexit scenarios respectively. Even under both modelled Brexit scenarios, this study suggested that the SSB levy would still benefit people of higher deprivation the most. Crucial opportunity Seferidi Paraskevi, said: "This is the first study to quantify the potential impacts of Brexit on the SSB levy effectiveness through changes in the UK trade policy. "Our study suggests that the UK SSB industry levy is likely to be resilient to potential Brexit effects on sugar price due to changes in the UK trade regime, even if trade occurs under WTO regulations. It also suggests that even under alternate Brexit scenarios the SSB levy is likely to remain progressive in terms of CHD inequalities. Prof Martin O'Flaherty, said: "Brexit presents a crucial opportunity to achieve a healthier food system in the UK if negotiations deliver a fiscal and regulatory environment which promotes population health." ### The full study, entitled 'Implications of Brexit on the effectiveness of the UK soft drinks industry levy upon coronary heart disease in England: a modelling study', can be found here A team of University of Pittsburgh and UPMC researchers was recently awarded two grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) totaling over $8 million to expand their groundbreaking brain computer interface (BCI) research in collaboration with researchers at the University of Chicago and Carnegie Mellon University. The BCI team at Pitt and UPMC, composed of Jennifer Collinger, Ph.D., Michael Boninger, M.D., Robert Gaunt, Ph.D., and Elizabeth Tyler-Kabara, M.D., Ph.D., has worked with two Pittsburgh-area clinical trial participants since 2012, both of whom had paralysis of their arms and hands, to allow them to control a robotic arm with their minds. One of them even regained his sense of touch through the robotic arm. The new funding will support critical next steps in their research. The first grant, led by Boninger, provides $7 million in NIH funding to expand Pitt and UPMC's BCI trial to a second site at the University of Chicago, where the researchers will collaborate with a team led by Sliman Bensmaia, Ph.D., and Nicholas Hatsopoulos, Ph.D., with the goal of restoring hand function via a robotic arm. The Pittsburgh and Chicago teams will each enroll two additional research participants over the next five years, allowing them to replicate the promising work done already in Pittsburgh and increasing their research capacity with the goal of uniting the sensory and motor systems so they can work together for improved and more functional control of the robotic arm. "Expanding our BCI research is a critical part in the translational process of bringing research to the people who need it most," said Boninger, the UPMC Endowed Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Pitt. "Together with our collaborators at the University of Chicago, we hope to reach our eventual goal of making this technology functional for everyday use." The second grant, led by Collinger, provides $1.2 million in NIH funding for the research team over the next two years to study how the environment and the context of a task impacts motor plans and sensory perception. The grant is part of the federal BRAIN Initiative, a large-scale effort announced in 2013 aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of the brain and applying the knowledge to prevent and treat brain disorders. Additional collaborators on the grant include Steven Chase, Ph.D., and Byron Yu, Ph.D., of Carnegie Mellon University's College of Engineering; and Aaron Batista, Ph.D., and Patrick Loughlin, Ph.D., of Pitt's Swanson School of Engineering. "When someone is controlling a robotic arm using a BCI, we get a very strong signal that tells us how they are planning to move that arm, but that signal is drastically impacted by changes in the environment around them," said Collinger, assistant professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Pitt. "For example, the way we move our arm to grasp is likely very different if we are reaching for a full glass of water, an empty glass, a hot cup of coffee or a plastic water bottle. Uniting our expertise with new collaborators at Pitt and CMU will allow us to gain a better understanding of how and why the brain functions in this way when generating motor plans or perceiving sensory information." ### This research will be funded by NIH grants U01NS108922 and UH3NS107714. About the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences The University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences include the schools of Medicine, Nursing, Dental Medicine, Pharmacy, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and the Graduate School of Public Health. The schools serve as the academic partner to the UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center). Together, their combined mission is to train tomorrow's health care specialists and biomedical scientists, engage in groundbreaking research that will advance understanding of the causes and treatments of disease and participate in the delivery of outstanding patient care. Since 1998, Pitt and its affiliated university faculty have ranked among the top 10 educational institutions in grant support from the National Institutes of Health. For additional information about the Schools of the Health Sciences, please visit http://www.health.pitt.edu. About UPMC A $19 billion world-renowned health care provider and insurer, Pittsburgh-based UPMC is inventing new models of patient-centered, cost-effective, accountable care. UPMC provides more than $900 million a year in benefits to its communities, including more care to the region's most vulnerable citizens than any other health care institution. The largest nongovernmental employer in Pennsylvania, UPMC integrates 85,000 employees, 40 hospitals, 600 doctors' offices and outpatient sites, and a 3.4 million-member Insurance Services Division, the largest medical insurer in western Pennsylvania. As UPMC works in close collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside on its annual Honor Roll of America's Best Hospitals. UPMC Enterprises functions as the innovation and commercialization arm of UPMC, and UPMC International provides hands-on health care and management services with partners around the world. For more information, go to UPMC.com. http://www.upmc.com/media The University of Texas at Arlington and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division signed a formal Education Partnership Agreement recently that will enhance research and education at UTA through interactions with NSWCPD personnel and sharing scientific, engineering and technological assets. In addition to the sharing of assets, NSWCPD researchers can involve UTA faculty and students in U.S. Navy research projects, loan equipment to the University for educational purposes, and potentially develop and teach science and engineering courses at UTA. The agreement, which is NSWCPD's first with a university outside the greater Philadelphia area, came about in part because of collaborative research projects, ongoing since 2011, with David Wetz, a professor in UTA's Department of Electrical Engineering who specializes in energy storage and pulsed power system design and has been involved in extensive research involving battery power and other shipboard energy needs. Wetz and NSWCPD engineer John Heinzel already have begun expanding power and energy research at UTA by creating a multi-disciplinary team to address the technical challenges in this area. The agreement will allow the institutions to develop more collaborations across the full spectrum of naval machinery technology. "This agreement opens the door for Navy researchers to use the UTA facilities that they are investing so heavily in, contributing to research and education while allowing our students to gain advanced training in this area before joining Navy labs themselves," Wetz said. "Because we are able to work so quickly in installing, testing and training on equipment, we can help the Navy learn about new technologies that they themselves are considering long before they can procure and evaluate them within their own laboratories. Once in place, their personnel and our students are trained on the same type of equipment, preparing them to use it immediately." Wetz received an Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Award and was an ONR Summer Faculty Fellow at the Philadelphia Division. Several of his students also have worked at the NWSCPD through the Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program. "I am very pleased with the opportunity afforded us through this agreement. Our relationship with the Navy will be strengthened, and our students will benefit because of our ability to expose them to advanced technologies before they enter the workforce," said Peter Crouch, dean of the College of Engineering. NSWCPD provides the Navy's primary technical expertise for naval machinery research and development, in-service engineering and machinery cybersecurity. It also has Education Partnership Agreements with Villanova University, Drexel University and Morgan State University. "I'm pleased to be signing another important Education Partnership Agreement," said Capt. Francis Spencer, NSWCPD commanding officer. "This is the first partnership outside our area, which is a testament to the value UTA brings to the table." The Educational Partnership Agreement is an example of UTA's commitment to transforming the student experience by enhancing access and ensuring success, engaging in high-impact research and scholarship, and strengthening collaboration with corporate and nonprofit sectors, as outlined in UTA's Strategic Plan 2020: Bold Solutions | Global Impact, said Duane Dimos, the University's vice president for research. "We are thrilled to be involved with NSWCPD. Our partnership is continually evolving, and this agreement underscores the desire of both parties to provide pathways to more research collaboration and greater educational opportunities for our faculty and students. We look forward to seeing where it leads," Dimos said. ### Not sure how this image could get any more epic! Just for those who want to know: Theyre members of the Second Japanese Embassy to Europe who in 1863 were sent to France to secure an agreement to close a port to foreign trade. They stopped off in Egypt en-route and took a few photos at the same time. By the way, you can support your Strange Sounds by becoming a Patron on Patreon or donating through Paypal. Please and thank you. From Twitter to daily interactions on the street, the constant impoliteness in today's politics is under examination in UTSA Department of Political Science and Geography. In his recent article, "Rousing the Partisan Combatant: Elite Incivility, Anger, and Anti-Deliberative Attitudes" published in Political Psychology, Bryan Gervais explores the connection between the lack of civility among political leaders and partisanship. In the study, Gervais, looks at whether incivility provokes anger, rather than enthusiasm and anxiety, and whether the reactions induced by incivility yields changes in attitudes. "Individuals who feel anger towards the "other side" are likely to quarrel with and attack members of the out-group," said Gervais. "Anger can decrease open-mindedness and increase a heavy reliance on partisan cues and biased information processing in support of your pre-existing views." Gervais conducted two online experiments that involve the manipulation of incivility in messages of political and media professionals from press releases and tweets. "There is good reason to expect individuals to feel anger rather than anxiety or enthusiasm when their partisan in-group is the target of incivility," said Gervais. The results provide insight into the dynamics of discourse in the digital age, when polarization is the norm and professionals commonly use uncivil rhetoric. In the first experiment--which was embedded in the 2012 Cooperative Congressional Election Study (CCES)--subjects were randomly assigned to read one of four short, fake paragraphs that were said to be actual statements made by party leaders. The paragraphs addressed the national debt and what the "other side" needs to do to help debt reduction negotiations move forward. Out of the four paragraphs, two were negative but civil (one by a Republican leader and one by a Democratic leader) and two were uncivil, negative statements (again, one by a Republican and one by a Democrat). Based on their partisanship and the paragraph they were assigned to read, subjects fell into one of four conditions: pro-attitudinal (P-A) civility, counter-attitudinal (C-A) civility, pro-attitudinal (P-A) incivility, and counter-attitudinal (C-A) incivility. After reading the paragraph, respondents were asked how angry the debate over the national debt made them feel. The second experiment drew from a national sample of more than 800 people fielded by a professional survey firm in March 2015. Subjects were presented with a "trending tweet they may have missed" that appeared to be issued by the Twitter account of a well-known media source. Participants were randomly assigned to one of five groups: a control group, a conservative slant group, a liberal slant group, an uncivil conservative group, and an uncivil liberal group. In each group, subjects viewed a tweet describing a transportation plan under consideration. Those in the control group saw a tweet from the "CNN Breaking News" handle, intended to be neutral in terms of the source and the content and not tied to a specific party or ideology. Meanwhile, participants in the conservative slant and liberal slant groups saw similar messages, but with the addition of partisan bias and questions raised about the policy's effectiveness. The conservative slant message appears to come from the official Twitter handle of Bill O'Reilly, who, at the time of the experiment, hosted a show on Fox News, and the liberal slant message appears to come from the official Twitter handle of Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews. The only difference between the conservative and liberal versions is the party referenced in the tweet, with O'Reilly focusing on the Democratic plan and Matthews on the Republican plan. Those in the conservative and liberal uncivil groups were also exposed to partisan messages from the Twitter handles of O'Reilly and Matthews, but with the inclusion of uncivil elements. For example, to make slanted tweets uncivil, negative adjectives ("dangerous" and "radical"), and hyperbole ("imposed" and "even the experts are scared") were included. The word "alert" was placed in the message with multiple exclamation points, and words strategically presented in all caps were included in the tweets. Gervais said both studies provide evidence that counter-attitudinal incivility (publicly communicating a belief which runs counter to a belief that the individual holds) induces anger and the second experiment makes it clear that counter-attitudinal incivility does not increase feelings of anxiety or enthusiasm. These feelings of anger, in turn, led subjects to express more partisan attitudes in responses to open-ended questions. That is, we are more combative and tribalistic when our partisan in-group is targeted by incivility. In addition to this research, Gervais has been working with Walter Wilson, associate professor of political science at UTSA, to examine the representation of Latinos in congressional Twitter feeds. Wilson and Gervais found that Latino representatives were far more likely than their colleagues to reach out to Latinos in Spanish or by referencing Latino-oriented hashtags. As the coordinator of the UTSA Digital Politics Studio, Gervais works with undergraduate and graduate students using machine-learning programs to code large data sets they collect while conducting research about social media and digital communications. Gervais has published articles about political communication and political psychology in top journals such as Political Communication, PS: Political Science & Politics, Politics, Groups, and Identities, Social Science Quarterly, and more. He has taught in the UTSA Department of Political Science and Geography since 2013. ### UTSA is ranked among the nation's top five young universities, according to Times Higher Education. Read the stidy. Learn more about Bryan Gervais. Learn more about the UTSA Digital Politics Studio. Learn more about UTSA Department of Political Science and Geography. Learn more about UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts. Most Canadian smokers are in favour of novel policies to reduce tobacco use, according to a national survey by the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (ITC) at the University of Waterloo. Responding to the Canadian government's commitment to reduce tobacco use to less than five per cent of the population by 2035, the ITC study assessed baseline levels of support among Canadian smokers for potential endgame policies. The researchers found that most smokers in Canada support new and radical tobacco endgame strategies. "Canada has taken strong actions to reduce tobacco use over the last several decades. Anti-smoking policies such as graphic warning labels on cigarette packs, smoking bans, tobacco taxes, and bans on the display of tobacco products have driven smoking rates down to an all-time low," said Geoffrey Fong, Principal Investigator of the ITC Project and a professor of psychology and public health and health systems at Waterloo. "However, the decrease has levelled off in recent years, and 16 per cent of Canada's population (roughly five million people) continue to smoke -- killing 45,000 smokers each year." The survey of 3,215 smokers, conducted in 2016, found that 70 per cent support lowering nicotine levels in cigarettes to make them less addictive and raising the legal age for buying cigarettes to 21+ years. More than half (59%) of smokers support a ban on all marketing of tobacco products. Even the most radical policy proposed in the survey -- a complete ban on the sale of cigarettes within 10 years, with smoking cessation support -- is favoured by 44 per cent of smokers. On May 31, 2018, the Canadian government released a new federal tobacco control strategy to achieve a tobacco endgame target of less than five per cent tobacco use by 2035 - or less than 1.8 million tobacco users. The study findings support the kind of new leading-edge policies needed to curb tobacco use in Canada and refutes typical tobacco industry claims that endgame policies will result in public backlash because they interfere with smokers' rights. "This study provides evidence that Canadian smokers -- those who would be most affected by any policy changes -- would support further government action to reduce smoking rates," said Janet Chung-Hall of the ITC Project and lead author of the study. "The federal government's commitment to an endgame goal is an important step forward for public health. What we need now is to focus on innovative policies to make it easier for smokers in Canada to quit and to prevent youth from starting to smoke." ### The study, Smokers' support for tobacco endgame measures in Canada: findings from the 2016 International Tobacco Control Smoking and Vaping Survey, by Chung-Hall, Fong, Pete Driezen, and Lorraine Craig appears in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) Open. Topological insulators are materials with very special properties. They conduct electricity or light particles on their surface or edges only but not on the inside. This unusual behaviour could eventually lead to technical innovations which is why topological insulators have been the subject of intense global research for several years. Physicists of Julius-Maximilians-Universitat Wurzburg (JMU) in Bavaria, Germany, with colleagues from the Technion in Haifa, Israel, and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore now report their discovery in the journal Nature. For the first time, the team has successfully built a topological insulator operating with both light and electronic excitations simultaneously, called an "exciton-polariton topological insulator". Novelty with dual benefit According to Professor Sven Hofling, who heads the JMU Chair for Applied Physics, such topological insulators have a dual benefit: "They could be used for both switched electronic systems and laser applications." The topological insulators developed previously are based on either electrons or photons, allowing only one of these applications to be implemented. Dr. Sebastian Klembt, group leader at Hofling's chair, played a lead role in the project. He gives more details: The novel topological insulator was built on a microchip and basically consists of the gallium arsenide semiconductor compound. It has a honeycomb structure and is made up of many small pillars, each two micrometres (two millionths of a metre) in diameter. Propagation direction can be controlled When exciting this microstructure with laser light, light-matter particles form inside it, exclusively at the edges. The particles then travel along the edges and around the corners with relatively low loss. "A magnetic field enables us to control and reverse the propagation direction of the particles," Klembt says. It is a sophisticated systems which works in application-oriented dimensions - on a microchip - and in which light can be controlled. Usually, this is not so easy to accomplish: Pure light particles have no electric charge and therefore cannot be readily controlled with electric or magnetic fields. The new topological insulator in contrast is capable of doing this by "sending light around the corner" in a manner of speaking. JMU and Technion: expertise in topological insulators This research success of Hofling's team shows once more that the University of Wurzburg's Institute of Physics is a leading center of topological insulator research. In 2007, JMU Professor of Physics, Laurens Molenkamp, pioneered the field by experimentally building the world's first topologically insulator. The Wurzburg physicists' excellence in this field was again recognized recently in September 2018 with the awarding of a grant for the Excellence Cluster "Complexity and Topology in Quantum Materials" within the scope of the German "Excellence Strategy" competition. The Technion scientists have complementary expertise: it is the group of Mordechai (Moti) Segev which has demonstrated the first photonic topological insulator, back in 2013, and launched the field of "Topological Photonics". The groups have now joined forces to demonstrate this first symbiotic light-matter topological insulator, which holds great promise both as a fundamental discovery and by opening the door for exiting applications in optoelectronics. ### DALLAS - Oct. 11, 2018 - UT Southwestern researchers attempting to transform supporting brain cells into neurons instead reprogrammed mature inhibitory neurons into a different type of neuron that creates the neurotransmitter lost in Parkinson's disease. The study, published today in Stem Cell Reports, reveals the possibility of changing mature neurons from one kind to another without relying on stem cells, contrary to the prevailing view. The mouse study indicates that the brain's neurons are more changeable in adulthood than previously thought, said corresponding author Dr. Chun-Li Zhang, Professor of Molecular Biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. The long-held belief was that a neuron's identity was sealed well before adulthood and that one kind of neuron could not morph into another variety, he added. "To find that we could manipulate neurons to change their identity in adulthood was truly unexpected," said Dr. Zhang, a W.W. Caruth, Jr. Scholar in Biomedical Research, adding that insights into neuronal plasticity and cell identity maintenance may someday lead to therapeutic strategies for treating neurological diseases through reprogramming of local neurons. "Initially, I was a little disappointed that we altered the properties of medium spiny neurons and not the supporting glial cells we were targeting," he said. "But when we realized the novelty of our results, we were amazed. To our knowledge, changing the identity of resident and mature neurons had never been accomplished." Because the neurotransmitter dopamine is lost in movement disorders like Parkinson's disease, many neuroscientists are interested in the possibility of someday creating new dopamine-producing neurons. Dopaminergic cells are important for controlling voluntary movement and emotions such as motivation and reward that drive behavior, he explained. For proper function, levels of the neurotransmitters GABA, dopamine, and others need to exist in a delicate balance in the brain, he said. Because dopamine is involved in reward behavior, including addictive behaviors, any potential treatment to increase dopamine levels would also need a way to keep the levels of other neurotransmitters in balance, he added. The mature medium spiny neurons that changed their identities in this study usually produce GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter that targets other neurons throughout the adult brain, Dr. Zhang explained. Dr. Zhang and his team used a viral vector - a tool commonly used by molecular biologists to deliver genetic material into cells - to administer a cocktail of genes expected to encourage reprogramming to live mouse brains in an attempt to induce the glia to change into dopamine-producing neurons. Glia - from the Greek word for "glue" - are cells that encircle neurons to provide support, insulation, and protection. The cocktail was injected into the striatum, a region of the brain rich in GABA-producing medium spiny neurons known to help control motor skills. Dopamine-producing neurons are normally located elsewhere in the brain but send long connections to control the medium spiny neurons in the striatum, Dr. Zhang said. The researchers initially saw new dopamine neurons and thought the glia had converted. However, many rounds of cell lineage testing revealed that the glia remained unchanged. "We got the new cells we wanted," Dr. Zhang said. "But, they did not originate from glial cells." The unexpected results led to intense follow-up experiments that confirmed the team's suspicion that the new cells were directly transformed from mature GABA neurons. The new cells were more like dopamine-containing neurons, despite retaining some traits of the original cells, he said, adding that characterizing the cells and their genetics in more detail is the laboratory's current goal. "Rather than originating from glia, the new dopamine cells came from local, existing mature neurons without passing through a stem cell state," Dr. Zhang said. "This is a mature cell-to-mature cell transformation." ### The three lead authors include postdoctoral researcher Dr. Lei-Lei Wang and two former UTSW instructors, Dr. Wenze Niu and Dr. Tong Zang. Yuhua Zou, a research scientist in Molecular Biology, also participated in the study. The study received support from The Welch Foundation, UTSW's Mobility Foundation Center for Rehabilitation Research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation, the Decherd Foundation, the Judith and Jean Pape Adams Foundation, the Texas Institute for Brain Injury and Repair, the Kent Waldrep Foundation Center for Basic Research on Nerve Growth and Regeneration, and the National Institutes of Health. About UT Southwestern Medical Center UT Southwestern, one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation, integrates pioneering biomedical research with exceptional clinical care and education. The institution's faculty has received six Nobel Prizes, and includes 22 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 16 members of the National Academy of Medicine, and 15 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators. The faculty of more than 2,700 is responsible for groundbreaking medical advances and is committed to translating science-driven research quickly to new clinical treatments. UT Southwestern physicians provide care in about 80 specialties to more than 105,000 hospitalized patients, nearly 370,000 emergency room cases, and oversee approximately 2.4 million outpatient visits a year. Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers have genetically engineered a new laboratory model that enables accurate testing of anti-cancer drugs by mimicking the complexity of human cancers Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers have genetically engineered a new laboratory model that enables accurate testing of anti-cancer drugs by mimicking the complexity of human cancers. Using this advanced model, researchers will be able to discover the safest and most effective ways to use promising drugs called MCL-1 inhibitors in the clinic. The work was led by PhD student Ms Margs Brennan, Dr Gemma Kelly and Associate Professor Marco Herold, and has been published in the journal Blood. At a glance Researchers have genetically engineered a laboratory model for testing the effectiveness of new anti-cancer drugs called MCL-1 inhibitors. The model is the best available for preclinical testing of MCL-1 inhibitors and will help to identify the right patients for these drugs. MCL-1 inhibitors work by targeting a protein essential for the sustained growth of many blood cancers, as well as solid tumours including breast cancers and melanoma. Attacking cancer's Achilles' heel MCL-1 is a protein essential for the sustained growth of many blood cancers, as well as some solid tumours including breast cancer and melanoma. Dr Kelly said this role in promoting cancer cell survival makes MCL-1 an attractive therapeutic target. "MCL-1 allows cancer cells to evade the process of programmed cell death, or apoptosis, that normally removes damaged or unwanted cells from the body. "Because so many cancer cells depend on MCL-1 for survival, it is like cancer's Achilles' heel - if we can attack this weak point with a drug, we may be able to successfully trigger apoptosis and destroy cancer cells for good," Dr Kelly said. A highly potent inhibitor of MCL-1, called S63845, has been developed by pharmaceutical company Servier. While the drug is known to trigger cancer cell death in the laboratory, until now there was no accurate tool to predict how the drug would work in patients. Rigorous testing for targeted clinical use In this new study, researchers genetically engineered a model to accurately evaluate MCL-1 inhibitors. The model is the best available for laboratory-based studies evaluating S63845, closely predicting how cancer patients will respond to the drug in the clinic. Ms Brennan said the laboratory model will allow researchers to find the best ways to match MCL-1 inhibitors with the right cancer patients. "Using this model, we can get a handle on key questions such as which types of cancers are sensitive to MCL-1 inhibitors, which patients will benefit, which combination treatments will be most effective and the best dosing regimens to use. "Working with laboratory models that closely mimic human cancer allows us to gain as much knowledge about MCL-1 inhibitors as we can before the drugs even reach the clinic. This lays the groundwork for future clinical trials, hopefully improving treatment options for patients," she said. Powerful potential for treatments To demonstrate the potential of this new research tool, the researchers used it to test whether MCL-1 inhibitors could effectively treat a preclinical model of lymphoma. "We found that treatment with the MCL-1 inhibitor S63845 led to remission in six out of 10 cases of lymphoma," Associate Professor Herold said. "This was achieved without significant side effects, suggesting that S63845 will be safe and effective in the clinic." Associate Professor Herold said MCL-1 inhibitors could be particularly powerful when combined with standard treatments like chemotherapy. "MCL-1 allows cancer cells to resist treatments like chemotherapy that would otherwise trigger cell death. In our preclinical model, we found that combining an MCL-1 inhibitor with chemotherapy led to remission in almost all cases of lymphoma," he said. The team is now using their laboratory model to test whether MCL-1 inhibitors are effective for other types of blood cancers. They will also share the model with other members of the scientific community studying MCL-1 inhibitors in different disease contexts. "Our laboratory model will be invaluable for future preclinical work determining the best uses of MCL-1 inhibitors for treating human disease," Associate Professor Herold said. ### This work was supported by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, Servier Laboratories, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America, the Cancer Council of Victoria, the Victorian Cancer Agency, the Leukaemia Foundation, the Estate of Anthony (Toni) William Redstone OAM, the Craig Perkins Cancer Research Foundation, Mr Malcolm Broomhead, the Australian Government and the Victorian State Government. VANCOUVER, Wash. - A Washington State University researcher has completed the most thorough analysis yet of The Great Drought -- the most devastating known drought of the past 800 years -- and how it led to the Global Famine, an unprecedented disaster that took 50 million lives. She warns that the Earth's current warming climate could make a similar drought even worse. Deepti Singh, an assistant professor in WSU's School of the Environment, used tree-ring data, rainfall records and climate reconstructions to characterize the conditions leading up to the Great Drought, a period of widespread crop failures in Asia, Brazil and Africa from 1875 to 1878. "Climate conditions that caused the Great Drought and Global Famine arose from natural variability. And their recurrence -- with hydrological impacts intensified by global warming -- could again potentially undermine global food security," she and her colleagues write in the Journal of Climate. The paper comes as a United Nations report this week predicts that rising worldwide temperatures will bring about more frequent food shortages and wildfires as soon as 2040. The Global Famine is among the worst humanitarian disasters in history, comparable to the influenza epidemic of 1918-1919, World War I or World War II. As an environmental disaster, it has few rivals. Making matters worse were social conditions, like British colonialists hoarding and exporting grain from India. Some populations were particularly vulnerable to disease and colonial expansion afterwards. "In a very real sense, the El Nino and climate events of 1876-78 helped create the global inequalities that would later be characterized as 'first' and 'third worlds'," writes Singh, who was inspired by "Late Victorian Holocausts: El Nino Famines and the Making of the Third World." The book details the social impact of the Great Drought and subsequent droughts in 1896-1897 and 1899-1902. Its author, Mike Davis, is a distinguished professor at the University of California, Riverside, and a co-author on Singh's paper. Despite its impact, few studies have characterized the dynamics of the drought, and Singh's analysis is the first global-scale analysis of climatic conditions at the time. "This is the first time that somebody is taking multiple sources of data -- like rain gauges and tree-ring drought atlases that let us go back 500 and 800 years (respectively) -- as well as multiple datasets of past climatic conditions, to quantify the severity of this event and the severity of the conditions that led to it," Singh said. The Great Drought actually was several droughts, Singh found, beginning with a failure of India's 1875 monsoon season. East Asia's drought started in the spring of 1876, followed by droughts in parts of South Africa, northern Africa and northeastern Brazil. There were also droughts in western Africa, Southeast Asia and Australia. The length and severity of the droughts prompted the Global Famine, aided in no small part by one of the strongest known El Ninos, the irregular but recurring periods of warm water in the tropical Pacific Ocean. That triggered the warmest known temperatures in the North Atlantic Ocean and the strongest known Indian Ocean dipole -- an extreme temperature difference between warm waters in the west and cool waters in the east. These in turn triggered one of the worst droughts across Brazil and Australia. Because the drought was induced by natural variations in sea-surface temperatures, says Singh, a similar global-scale event could happen again. Moreover, rising greenhouse gas concentrations and global warming are projected to intensify El Nino events, in which case "such widespread droughts could become even more severe." The socio-political factors that led to the famine no long exist, she notes. Still, she writes, "such extreme events would still lead to severe shocks to the global food system with local food insecurity in vulnerable countries potentially amplified by today's highly connected global food network." ### Singh's work was supported by a fellowship from Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, where she collaborated with several of the paper's co-authors. She continued working on the paper after arriving at WSU Vancouver this June. Fueled by political rhetoric evoking dangerous criminal immigrants, many white Americans assume low-status immigrants from Mexico, El Salvador, Syria, Somalia and other countries President Donald Trump labeled "shithole" nations have no legal right to be in the United States, new research in the journal American Sociological Review suggests. In the eyes of many white Americans, just knowing an immigrant's national origin is enough to believe they are probably undocumented, said Ariela Schachter, study co-author and assistant professor of sociology in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. "Our study demonstrates that the white American public has these shared, often factually incorrect, stereotypes about who undocumented immigrants are," Schachter said. "And this is dangerous because individuals who fit this 'profile' likely face additional poor treatment and discrimination because of suspicions of their illegality, regardless of their actual documentation." Findings suggest that the mere perception of illegal status may be enough to place legal immigrants, and even U.S. citizens, at greater risk for discrimination in housing and hiring, for criminal profiling and arrest by law enforcement, and for public harassment and hate crimes in the communities they now call home. "When people form impressions about who they think is 'illegal,' they often do not have access to individuals' actual documents. There have actually been a number of recent incidents in which legal immigrants and even U.S. born Americans are confronted by immigration authorities about their status. So these judgments seem to be based on social stereotypes. Our goal was to systematically uncover them," said study co-author Rene D. Flores, the Neubauer Family Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Chicago. From a broader sociological perspective, Schachter and Flores argue that an immigrant's real standing in American society is shaped not just by legal documentation, but also by social perceptions. "These findings reveal a new source of ethnic-based inequalities -- 'social illegality' -- that may potentially increase law enforcement scrutiny and influence the decisions of hiring managers, landlords, teachers and other members of the public," they conclude in the research. Conducted in November 2017, the experimental survey asked a representative sample of 1,500 non-Hispanic white Americans to guess whether a hypothetical immigrant was in the country illegally -- and perhaps a threat worth reporting to authorities -- based on the reading of a brief biographical sketch. By systematically varying the immigrant's nation of origin, education level, language skills, police record, gender, age, race and other variables, researchers created a pool of nearly 7 million unique immigrant sketches that touched on a range of stereotypes. Each respondent was randomly assigned to view 10 of these unique sketches during the survey. Using complex statistical analysis, researchers estimated how much each of these individual immigrant traits and stereotypes influenced the assumptions of white Americans from various demographic backgrounds, geographic regions and self-identified political affiliations. Surprisingly, the study found that white Republicans and white Democrats jump to many of the same conclusions about the legal status of hypothetical immigrants -- except when it comes to the receipt of government benefits. Democrats rightfully recognize that in order to receive government benefits, immigrants must have legal documentation, whereas Republicans are more likely to suspect that receiving benefits marks an immigrant as illegal, even though by law undocumented immigrants are blocked from receiving federal benefits such as welfare. Most tellingly, even the slightest hint of an immigrant with a criminal background has a huge effect on whether a white American suspects that the immigrant is in the country illegally. "Saying an immigrant committed a crime had a larger impact on suspicions of illegality than saying they were, say, Mexican," Schachter said. "This is true for both white Democrats and white Republicans. There's a clear implication that the Trump administration's rhetoric on immigrant criminality is driving these beliefs, which, again, are not based in reality. In fact, other research finds that undocumented immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans." The study also demonstrates significant differences in how immigrants from various countries and differing social statuses are likely to be treated in the United States. ### Researchers from Japan have taken a step toward faster and more advanced electronics by developing a way to better measure and manipulate conductive materials through scanning tunneling microscopy. The team published their results in July in Nano Letters, an American Chemical Society journal. Scientists from the University of Tokyo, Yokohama National University, and the Central Research Laboratory of Hamamatsu Photonics contributed to this paper. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) involves placing a conducting tip close to the surface of the conductive material to be imaged. A voltage is applied through the tip to the surface, creating a "tunnel junction" between the two through which electrons travel. The shape and position of the tip, the voltage strength, and the conductivity and density of the material's surface all come together to provide the scientist with a better understanding of the atomic structure of the material being imaged. With that information, the scientist should be able to change the variables to manipulate the material itself. Precise manipulation, however, has been a problem - until now. The researchers designed a custom terahertz pulse cycle that quickly oscillates between near and far fields within the desired electrical current. "The characterization and active control of near fields in a tunnel junction are essential for advancing elaborate manipulation of light-field-driven processes at the nanoscale," said Jun Takeda, a professor in the department of physics in the Graduate School of Engineering at Yokohama National University. "We demonstrated that desirable phase-controlled near fields can be produced in a tunnel junction via terahertz scanning tunneling microscopy with a phase shifter." According to Takeda, previous studies in this area assumed that the near and far fields were the same - spatially and temporally. His team examined the fields closely and not only identified that there was a difference between the two, but realized that the pulse of fast laser could prompt the needed phase shift of the terahertz pulse to switch the current to the near field. "Our work holds enormous promise for advancing strong-field physics in nano-scale solid state systems, such as the phase change materials used for optical storage media in DVDs and Blu-ray, as well as next-generation ultrafast electronics and microscopies," Takeda said. ### Yokohama National University (YNU or Yokokoku) is a Japanese national university founded in 1949. YNU provides students with a practical education utilizing the wide expertise of its faculty and facilitates engagement with the global community. YNU's strength in the academic research of practical application sciences leads to high-impact publications and contributes to international scientific research and the global society. For more information, please see: http://www.ynu.ac.jp/english/ this news is not available Pound Sterling to SA Rand (GBP/ZAR) Exchange Rate Tumbles UPDATE: Widespread sterling losses have seen the Pound to South African Rand (GBP/ZAR) exchange rate tumble -1% lower on Thursday afternoon, with 1 now quoted at just 19.30654 SA Rand. The South African currency has also gained against the US dollar after the US CPI inflation numbers missed economist estimates to print at 0.1%. Wednesday opened with the British Pound trading at a level of ZAR19.1694; the pairing later closed slight higher at a level of ZAR19.5085. The main UK data concerned GBP growth in August a flat monthly printing of 0% was seen, but in the three months to the end of August GDP growth increased by 0.7%. Despite warnings about a future GDP slowdown, this latter data proved to have a positive impact on GBP demand and enabled the above-mentioned daily GBP/ZAR exchange rate rise. South African data proved to be better-than-expected, with Septembers SACCI Business Confidence reading showing a larger than forecast increase for the monthly figure. Pound Sterling to Rand (GBP/ZAR) Exchange Rate Declines on DUPs Brexit Objections The Pound (GBP) has fallen by -0.7% against the South African Rand (ZAR) today, following the news that the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) could throw a spanner in the works for Brexit talks. DUP leader Arlene Foster has recently voiced strong opposition to a post-Brexit trade deal that separates Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK. Following Ms Fosters remarks, DUP MP Sammy Wilson has stepped up the pressure to avoid any kind of border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, saying: To everyones amazement the [UK] government bought this con [of the EUs border plans] even though the current trading arrangements across the Irish border showed that it was nonsense, and it took decisive action by Arlene Foster last December to get the agreement amended to put in safeguards to protect Northern Irelands position in the UK. It is unclear what kind of deal will be needed to calm DUP objectors, but for the time being the Pound has fallen because of recurring Brexit-based uncertainty. South African Rand to Pound (ZAR/GBP) Exchange Rate Rises as New Finance Minister Appointed The South African Rand (ZAR) has traded higher against the Pound (GBP) today, but remains near its lowest level since late September despite this appreciation. The latest news out of South Africa is that former Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene has been replaced by Tito Mboweni. Mr Nene was originally finance minister between 2014-2015, but returned to the office from February to October this year. The change of leadership was brought about because of Mr Nenes previous association with the Gupta family, who are thought to have unduly influenced South African politics over past decades. Mr Mboweni is former head of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), a position he held for over a decade; the Rands rise today suggests that ZAR traders are optimistic about the new leadership. South Africas government is still struggling to get the economy back into gear after years of apparent mismanagement under former President Jacob Zuma, but Mr Mbowenis appointment is seen as a step in the right direction. Pound Sterling to South African Rand Exchange Rate Forecast: Will GBP/ZAR Rate Rise on Falling ZA Confidence? The Pound (GBP) might be on track to rise against the South African Rand (ZAR) on Friday, provided that the mornings South African confidence data disappoints Rand traders. Current expectations are for the Q3 consumer confidence reading to show a moderate slowdown with a shift from 22 points to 17. Such a result could drain ZAR trader confidence and cause late-week ZAR/GBP exchange rate losses, which will have a converse benefit for Pound traders. The next UK economic data to be aware of will be next Tuesdays jobless claims, unemployment rate and wage growth stats. Pound Sterling could make losses against the South African Rand if this data prints as forecast, as slower wage growth is expected alongside growth in the number of jobless benefit claimants. The unemployment rate reading is predicted to remain static at 4%, but worsening conditions elsewhere could still reduce GBP trader confidence. Among other issues caused by slower wage growth is a reduction of real incomes, which can lead to UK households spending less and reducing retail sector activity. 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. Credit: Jimmy FontaineGrandson will celebrate Halloween by signing people up to vote. The "Blood//Water" artist is headlining a special concert titled Midterm Massacre: Fright for Your Right on October 30 in Los Angeles. Attendees at the event, which will also feature a performance from Yungblud, will have the opportunity to register to vote on site. The concert will also mark the launch of a new movement called XX Resistance, which aims to "empower youth and connect passionate people with ways to get involved in the progressive causes they care about." Visit XXResistance.org for ticket info. Grandson is currently on tour with Nothing But Thieves. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Thursday, October 11, 2018 Parent-teacher conferences make many parents nervous ll f thir child has behavioral problems or underperforming. Upon accepting the invitation, as a parent, it may feel as if youve received a summons t account fr ur childs behavior nd academic results. But keep n mind tht th meeting nl fr th betterment f ur childs future. Parent-teacher conferences are not to be taken lightly as they are an assessment of your childs development in school. Fr successful nd smooth flowing meeting, th key lies n being calm nd composed. Parents are typically called to attend a meeting b th school professionals. Hwvr, if u feel your childs performance deteriorating, u n arrange fr meeting wth the teacher(s) long before the parent-teacher conference. Make an appointment for when your schedule allows nd b n time fr th meeting. The following tips will help u to prepare for a parent-teacher meeting at your childs school: Assess Your Childs Performance nd Behavior Have you paid attention to the papers your child has been bringing home from school? Theyre easy to overlook, especially if theyre scrunched up into little balls and stowed away in the pockets of jeans and coats. Keep track f ur childs academic nd extracurricular performance n school. Review h grades, nd find th subjects n whh h achievement weak r blw mark. You dont want to feel caught by surprise if the teacher says, Im sure youve noticed that Johnny never finishes an assignment.." It will add to the teachers perspective of your child if you describe some of the behaviors you are noting at home. For example, if your child is particularly neat (or messy) about taking care of their room, let the teacher know. It may fit into what he or she is witnessing in the classroom. Talk t Your Child A childs experiences n school has n impact n h r hr academic performance. A first step is to talk t ur child about how sh is getting along wth her friends nd teachers at school. Ask her f sh facing n kind f problems. If she is, learn whether that is about her grades, extracurricular activities, teacher(s), or friends. Th wll help u to plan any concerns you would like to discuss during th parent-teacher conference, as well as ask for help with solutions. Have a Positive Mindset Your attitude toward your childs teacher is likely to be based in part on things your child has told you about him or her. Its wise to bear in mind the familiar quote from the teacher who said, If you promise not to believe any of Johnnys wild stories about what I do at school, Ill promise not to believe any of his wild stories about what you do at home.." Make up your own mind about this person from what you see and hear. How you feel about your childs teacher is going to spill over into the conference. If you still dont have the warm fuzzies towards him/her, its best to get your thinking straight before the meeting. Your childs teacher is a professional, one who is trained to teach children. As such, he/she deserves your respect. That said, teachers are also human and therefore susceptible to the same human errors and frailties as you. Although you may feel convinced and rightly so that no one knows your child as well as you do, remember that the teacher spends 6-7 hours daily, week in and week out, with your child and knows him pretty well better than you suspect he/she does. Teachers would much rather give a positive than a negative report on a student they really would! The reason for this is obvious it reflects on their teaching abilities and reinforces feelings of worth and competence. Accept th drawbacks f ur child wth positive frame f mind, nd f u have n negative feedback, convey t politely nd diplomatically. Your childs teacher is also sacrificing some of his/her free time to meet with you. (Rare is the conference that takes place during school hours.) Home and family and all that they involve will probably be awaiting his/her attention after the meeting. Therefore, its vital that the conference not be unduly prolonged with non-essentials such as descriptions of your other children, your job, etc. Your childs teacher will genuinely appreciate your honest attempt to respect his/her time and stay on target. Be Open and Honest in Your Communication Encourage open dialogue with your childs teacher by expressing any concerns you may have. Th n b how ur child spends h time t home r wht subjects h finding difficult t grasp. If its one-on-one meeting, u n l express concern but m poor habits your child has and seek assistance at this time. Its critical that you understand the message your childs teacher is trying to convey. Some teachers, through kindness, try to blur negative news. Others may resort to educational jargon which is difficult for the layperson to comprehend. This is when you need to muster the courage to say, I dont understand that word or that phrase. And its important that I do understand. Could you please use simpler language?." Because many parents hate to admit they dont understand in this situation, they may sit and nod patiently as their eyes begin to glaze over. It may be helpful and necessary to ask for documentation. For example, if the teacher says, Your child has perceptual problems,." ask for a work sample that illustrates this. Then learn the ramifications of the problem and ask how the teacher is addressing the issue. Prepare Set f Questions The conference includes (at least) two people, both of whom are interested in the wellbeing of the child. Therefore, there should be a feeling of give and take, questions and answers, as well as opinions from all participants. Often n our nervousness nd th urge t wind u mthng quickly, w tend t miss ut n critical questions. Using a notepad, make list f ll th questions u would like t ask your childs teacher and bring it with you to the conference. Th wll make th task easier nd help u to cover ll of th issues effectively. A conference is not a power struggle, not a case of one persons dominance over the other, but a meeting of the minds to consider all points of view. The teachers opinions are significant, but your perspective is essential, too. If your method of communication is respectful and its content relevant, your chances of being heard." are greatly enhanced. Be mindful of your body language during the meeting. A parent who leans slightly forward in the chair and maintains eye contact with the teacher is demonstrating full attention and active participation. Try not to grow tense if your childs teacher asks questions that, to you, seem unrelated to academic problems. He/she may inquire about sleep habits, preferred foods, or the amount of screen time your child has. These questions are not meant to pry but will tell the teacher how your child is responding to a variety of situations and, when necessary, he/she can suggest alternatives. Dont forget your sense of humor will lighten many a situation and ease the tension for all. If Your Child Attends the Parent-Teacher Conference Should your child attend a parent-teacher conference? Quite often, its helpful for a child to be present, although he should never feel that a team of adults are ganging up." on him. Be mindful of your words, as you dont want to hamper the self-confidence of your child. During the meeting, he should be encouraged to share his feelings about his progress or lack thereof. If the adults are prepared to listen attentively, your child may provide some valuable clues to his needs and attitudes. Do not be alarmed if the teacher asks another member of the school staff to attend the conference for example, the principal, the school nurse, the school psychologist, or a speech/language teacher. These specialists are there because they have something to share perhaps a significant observation that will help develop better learning patterns and styles for your child. A Final Note During your childs academic career, parent-teacher conferences are a way of life just as are PTA meetings, open houses, special programs in which your child performs, etc. Like all other events that are significant in your childs life, approach them with optimism and a firm conviction that if a spirit of good will and optimism prevails, your child will, indeed, prosper. In conclusion, b n time fr th meeting, make list f wht u want t discuss nd talk wth ur child nd th teachers. After th meeting vr, th next obvious step to find solution to any problems. Always b confident n ur childs abilities nd support hm/her t better hmlf/herself. Hell hath no fury like an attorney who believes her advertising slogan has been swiped. A Florida attorney is suing San Antonio lawyer Heather Clement Tessmer for using Ever Argue With A Woman? on billboards, the internet and business cards to pitch her legal services Divorce lawyer Melissa Wilson of Bartow, Fla., claims in her lawsuit that the slogan is confusingly similar to Ever Argued With A Woman? which she uses to market her law firm. Wilson even uses the internet domain name everarguedwithawoman .com. The tense of the word argue is the only difference between the two phrases. Wilson, though, says in her lawsuit that she obtained a trademark registration for her slogan in July 2014, more than 21/2 years after filing an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. READ ALSO: Fallout continues over San Antonio lawyer's crimes Wilson now is moving to enforce the trademark by seeking a court order that permanently enjoins Tessmer and her law firm from using the Ever Argue With A Woman? slogan or anything similar. Neither Wilson nor Tessmer responded to a request for comment Wednesday. Wilsons lawsuit was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in San Antonio. Mark Kammer, a San Antonio patent and trademark lawyer not involved in the dispute, said its difficult to say whether Wilson has a strong case. There are so many factors that come into play with that likelihood of confusion, Kammer said. It would be nice if there were some bright lines in trademark law, but getting a registration does not create a bright line for infringement. I hate to be gray and vague about it, but thats the nature of trademark law. It could go either way. Wilson seeks unspecified financial damages and all profits Tessmer has generated from allegedly infringing on the trademark. Wilson also wants the court to find her case exceptional and award enhanced damages. READ ALSO: Workforce Solutions Alamo settles lawsuit by ex-CEO Records on the Texas secretary of states website show the agency in May issued a registration certificate to the Tessmer Law Firm for the trademark Ever Argue With A Woman? Tessmer signed a declaration of ownership with her application despite knowing about Wilsons ownership of the trademark, Wilsons lawsuit alleges. Wilson says Tessmers registration should be canceled. Tessmer says in the application she has been using the slogan since 2012. The lawsuit further says Wilson has licensed her trademark in New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. She has plans to license it with an attorney in Texas drawing a third attorney into the dispute. Tessmer contacted Wilsons potential licensee, San Angelo lawyer Stephanie May, who was using Ever Argue With a Woman? on a billboard. Tessmer threatened to sue May for trademark infringement, the lawsuit says. Daniel Mehler, Mays Dallas attorney, said the billboard went viral picked up by social media site Reddit and elsewhere. Literally, the next day Ms. Wilson called us and said she had a federal trademark, and then six hours later we got a cease-and-desist from Tessmer saying she had a state trademark, he said. We were already negotiating a resolution with Ms. Wilson after we verified her federal trademark. Mehler said they alerted Wilson to Tessmer. I guess thats where this lawsuit is coming from, he said. May still has the billboard but shes no longer using the Ever Argue With A Woman? slogan, Mehler said. She was like, I dont want any part of litigation, so she changed her billboard. Broadway Bank CEO and President David Bohne attributes the 77-year-old San Antonio institutions success to its employees. Where were really focusing today is, yes, we want to honor that 77 years of legacy, but what are the things we need to do to continue that legacy and position us for the next 75 years? he said. While many companies devote attention to improving the customer experience, Bohne said, its important to figure out the employee experience as well. In that regard, Broadway Bank redid its employee-benefits program last year moving away from traditional benefits to more flexible benefits, he said. Broadway Bank officials credit the new benefit and pay programs and other changes for helping it earn the Top Workplaces honor for large employers with at least 500 workers. It beat out 13 other companies. Its the second straight year it has made the list. Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union placed second for the second straight year. It was followed by Red McCombs Automotive, appearing on the top workplaces list for the ninth consecutive year more than any other large employer. Broadway Bank is the 28th largest bank in Texas and second largest commercial bank based in San Antonio, with about $3.6 billion in assets as of June 30. It has 635 employees and 39 locations. Among the benefits the bank has added is 100 percent company paid short-term disability and a parental leave program that offers up to eight weeks of paid time off for employees who have a new addition to the family whether by childbirth or adoption, said Rhonda McGown, chief strategy officer who oversees human resources. It has moved away from a traditional way of doing profit-sharing to a more market competitive bonus program, McGown said. The first payout will be in the first quarter of next year. Theres just a lot of general excitement around the flexibility that was given to (employees) in terms of how and where they put their money they earn through high performance, McGown said. The new bonus program allows employees to choose either to contribute to their 401(k) and receive a company match (up to IRS and plan limits), or be paid in cash. Employees can also choose a combination of the two. McGown said the bank also invests in its employees by offering mentoring and leadership programs. The mentoring program is an opportunity for anyone in the company to be able to raise their hand and say, Im looking to be mentored, she said. Candidates can even suggest who they want to be their mentor. Bohne, who has been CEO and president for almost 2 years, said a lot of change has been introduced at the bank. That includes making an investment in a local financial technology company. Employees praised Bohne for his leadership, with one crediting him with bringing on good change and another citing his constant thinking forward and willingness to change things for the better to meet the needs of the future. The bank holds quarterly surveys with employees so that it can get constant feedback about how its doing. We want them to be part of the solution, Bohne said. 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 Steven Shuel, founder of this years Top Workplaces small-business category winner Oak Haven Massage, likes to joke that he failed at retirement. It lasted all of five days before he decided to use his chiropractic know-how to launch a healing-focused massage therapy practice. It was 2005. Back in Santa Paula, Calif., he had been one of the first chiropractors to bring on massage therapists, something thats now fairly common. As he and his wife, Kathleen, started to settle into their new life as retirees in Texas, he stumbled into a massage center and thought that the business was a great idea, especially if we did something more therapeutic. Oak Havens North Side location quickly took off, expanding over the years into multiple storefronts for a total of 8,000 square feet of space housing 35 treatment rooms and employing 85 massage therapists and 20 front-office staff. In 2011, Oak Haven opened a second location in north Austin, for a total of 140 therapists doing some 500 massages a day. Surprisingly to Shuel, business growth continued at a strong 15 to 20 percent a year even during the dark recession years of 2007 and 2008. I think its the fact that were more therapeutic, its like more of a health care item and less of a luxury, Shuel said. A lot of our customers are coming in because they actually feel they benefit from it and it helps them. They see it as an item to help with their issues, problems and health, versus Im just going to go and get pampered. Because its the therapists and office staff interacting daily with the customers, Shuel knew hiring the right people and fostering a workplace where people felt pride in what they did would be key to Oak Havens success. Those efforts including 300 hours a year of on-site continuing education, frequent feedback, generous pay and benefits as well as team-building outings such as a cruise for advanced therapists have paid off. Super positive, friendly, happy environment, said one survey respondent. Pay is great, flexible hours, great management and overall great, hard-working team, said another. People. Will do anything to help one another, said a third. No drama. Even on a recent Wednesday afternoon, Oak Haven massage therapists were kept busy with a steady stream of clients. On weekdays, the rooms along the aromatherapy-scented halls are usually at 85 percent capacity. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, that capacity reaches100 percent. Shuel said hes content with the size of the business as he backs away to travel more and his daughter, Allison Moreno, runs the company. Massage therapy is a booming business these days, and finding therapists can be a challenge. Oak Haven recruits statewide for candidates with the right mix of technique, physical strength and core values. They are trained to do therapeutic-level massages that can help alleviate pain from specific injuries. Customer appreciation comes in the form of requests for favorite therapists and the 100 or so positive comments emailed from customers each day and displayed on a digital screen in the break room. Shuel is most proud of the training facility, which offers classes three to four times a week and may be the only such on-site classroom in the nation. While every therapist is different, Shuel aims for a consistent style. He describes it as a deep Swedish massage that is very strong and flowing. We cater to people who really know their massage, he said. So if you get a massage every five years and you just want a massage you wont necessarily think that our therapists are special. But if you get sessions every week and then you come in, youll know the difference. lbrezosky@express-news.net Hate your job? Yearning for greener pastures? Then you might keep an eye out for an opening at one of these four employers in San Antonio. HealthTexas Medical Group, Ben E. Keith Foods, Keystone School and Providence Risk & Administrative Services are the only workplaces in the San Antonio area that have been named to the San Antonio Express-News Top Workplaces list for 10 consecutive years. And their employees had things like this to say: I feel valued. I get to help people and make a difference in their lives. I love my job because they help me grow and teach me the areas I have yet to learn. RELATED: About the Express-News Top Workplaces survey To determine the Top Workplaces this year, Philadelphia-based Energage, which has partnered with the Express-News for a decade, conducted employee surveys of 123 organizations that employ more than 27,000 workers in the San Antonio area. Energage was formerly known as Workplace Dynamics. This year, 95 San Antonio-area employers scored high enough to earn Top Workplaces honors. Broadway Bank with a combined 541 employees took the top spot among large employers in the San Antonio area this year, beating 13 other workplaces with 500 or more workers. Jon Wayne Service Co. with 170 employees ranked No. 1 among mid-sized companies, while Oak Haven Massage with 95 employees topped the list of small businesses with fewer than 150 workers. Energage determines top employers by weighing factors that include the companys values; effectiveness and performance; fair pay; managers relationships with employees; whether employees feel appreciated, well-informed about important company decisions and encouraged to pursue new ideas; and whether theres good cooperation between departments. Workers also are allowed to submit anonymous comments. Employees at some repeat Top Workplace winners also get some sweet benefits. Providences 100 workers receive monthly chair massages, a honey-baked ham at Thanksgiving and school supplies for their children attending a K-12 school. At the five-year mark, workers can choose between a watch, gold medallion or $500 as an anniversary gift. At 10 years, the company gives employees a certificate for a cruise or trip. RELATED: Is your workplace culture where it needs to be? In addition to these benefits, Providence a third-party administrator for employers that self-fund their group health benefit program that also deals with work-related injury risk provides an environment where employees can learn, grow, promote and establish a rewarding career, Providence human resources manager Sonia Cortez said. We are not about dinging employees for mistakes but helping them figure out how to move forward in a positive direction, improving work performance, Cortez said in an email. We are a company that truly cares about the success of our employees professionally and personally. Others try to enact workplace cultures that make employees feel empowered. At HealthTexas, which employs about 340 workers at 17 locations in the San Antonio area, employees are encouraged to pitch new ideas to their supervisors to improve processes or patients experience, company spokeswoman Tricia Lopez said. Any idea should always be discussed and evaluated, and our employees feel like they can do that, Lopez said. They feel like they can talk to their supervisor, their supervisors can talk to their leaders, we can take things up to the C-suite, and theyre open to hearing suggestions that we might have for process improvement or patient experience. Keystone Schools 81 teachers and staff members are backed by a community of parents and about 500 K-12 students focused on achieving advanced educational outcomes, said Billy Handmaker, Keystones head of school. That allows us to have a very purpose-driven program and a very purpose-driven community here, Handmaker said. It makes it feel like were in alignment. 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 Note: This is a full Taste Test review, with a star rating based on multiple visits. Bless the keepers of The Esquire Tavern flame. From the opportunists who opened it the day after Prohibition ended in 1933 to the people who kept it weird and wild through the decades. Bless them all, and bless owner Chris Hill for bringing it back from the brink in 2011. Hill had the foresight to resurrect the place, right down to the old-gold wallpaper. He added a kitchen, too. But more importantly, he put chef Brooke Smith in that kitchen. The San Antonio native has turned The Esquire into a symbiotic experience: inventive bar food in the saloon upstairs, charcuterie plates and oysters in the elegant speakeasy downstairs called, appropriately, Downstairs. Each component is good at what it does. But add one to the other and their powers multiply like Voltron. Upstairs, the menus a rolling collection of fried things, burgers and heavy plates. But thats just on the surface. The Esquire Tavern and Downstairs ** 155 E Commerce St., 210- 222-2521, esquiretavern-sa.com Quick bite: Historical River Walk saloon with good cocktails, quality bar food and an intimate speakeasy below. Hit: Big Red empanada, charcuterie, cocktails Miss: Tortilla soup, turkey sandwich, cauliflower salad Hours: Tavern: 11:30 a.m.-midnight Sunday-Wednesday; 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Thursday-Saturday. Downstairs: 5 p.m.-midnight Tuesday-Wednesday; 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursday-Saturday. Price range: Tavern: appetizers, $6-$12; soups and salads, $9-$19; burgers and sandwiches, $11-$18; entrees, $14-$32; sides, $4; desserts, $6-$9. Downstairs: charcuterie and cheese boards, $18-$36; snacks, $6-$14; oysters, $18 a half-dozen; weekly features, $8-$16. Alcohol: Beer, wine and cocktails **** Superior. Can compete nationally. *** Excellent. One of the best restaurants in the city. ** Very good. A standout restaurant of its kind. * Good. A restaurant that we recommend. (no stars) We cannot recommend this restaurant at this time. Express-News dining critics pay for all meals. See More Collapse Look closer and youll see fat shrimp crusted with saltines for a burly sandwich on Texas toast. Youll discover shrimp toast with a high-gloss batter, shrimp mousse and sweet-hot jalapeno jelly. Fish and chips took the same disciplined stance, with beer batter like spun glass over clean, juicy cod. And best of all, youll find its better to eat Big Red than drink it, because it made an energizing braise for beef short rib crimped into the pastry shell of an empanada. Finished with chimichurri and salsa verde, its bar food bravado meets chef-coat sophistication. The Wildcat Burger went all out with grilled pineapple, pepper jelly, habanero aioli and proper American cheese over Niman Ranch beef that supported a righteous medium-rare sear. A bison burger played it cooler, letting pickled red onions and a mild remoulade showcase the lean meat rather than smother it. The best thing between bread was bologna. Yep, that maligned mystery meat of our brown-bag youth. Smith makes her own. Its as spicy and rich as tubular pate, smoked and grilled and draped with American cheese for a bologna melt that ranks among the citys best sandwiches. The Esquires good sandwiches deserve good sides, and the best of them glowed with chile salt. For an extra $4, add handcut fries with an armored crunch, cool and crunchy cabbage slaw and sweet Mexican street corn perfumed with Cotija cheese and tangy mayo. If The Esquires new to you, Id recommend going for the weekday happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. and ordering all five of the $3 snacks for a buffet of deviled eggs, shrimp toast, nachos, tacos con papas and fried jalapenos rellenos. The Esquire speaks more than bar food. The rich, tawny mole sauce over perfectly roasted chicken would work in any respectable Mexican kitchen, and a 12-ounce Texas Wagyu rib-eye with herbed butter showed real steakhouse style. Before we get too carried away, lets talk about salad. Namely: What kind of knob orders a salad at a bar? No offense if thats you, but both the hard-bitten curry cauliflower salad and the plop-and-drop of an indifferent corn salad constituted two of The Esquires intermittent weak links. They shared that dubious distinction with a tortilla soup that showed up dishwater warm and a hard, dry melted-cheese amalgam of a turkey sandwich that cost $16 with no sides. Add a gloppy pile of white bean salad for $4 more, and thats $20 worth of bad choices in a gallery full of better things. The better things were made even better by a bar with cocktails that suit both serious and celebratory tastes. Whiskey got some respect both in a smart old fashioned and a more elaborate but balanced Wonderlust King with amaro, vermouth and bitters. The Esquire dealt a a few winning wildcards with a gin twist on an old fashioned called En Pointe, a punchy mezcal and grapefruit tonic called the Texecutioner and a cold pineapple julep just for fun, with a brace of cherry and sparkling wine. So far, so good. The Esquire Tavern could stand on its own just as it is. But two years ago, Hill and Smith took a disused storage space under The Esquire to create a cross between a fishing lodge, a drawing room and a Berlin speakeasy. They built a room for curing meat, and Smith took a crash course in charcuterie with some of the countrys best practitioners. That space became Downstairs, where sharp-dressed bartenders render classics like a Vieux Carre, a Jack Rose and an ice-cold gin martini in nice crystal; where they shuck fresh Gulf and East Coast oysters; and where Smith creates works of art on wooden boards. Ill let the assembly of the Chefs Choice board speak for itself. It took the server 90 seconds just to name the players: house-cured smoked pork belly, head cheese, peach compote, whole grain mustard, fiocco ham, coppa, bread and butter pickles, pickled okra, peppers stuffed with goat cheese, mimolette firm cheese, delice de Bourgogne soft cheese, foie gras torchon, pickled egg, marinated olives, country pate with pork and chicken liver. My advice? Start the night at The Esquire, finish the night Downstairs. Together, the two experiences define the high-low aesthetic that keeps San Antonios creative fires burning. msutter@express-news.net | Twitter: @fedmanwalking China, Russia push to ease N Korea sanctions as Seoul mulls options China, Russia and North Korea believe it is necessary to consider adjusting U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang at an appropriate time, China\'s foreign ministry said on Wednesday. AFP, Seoul : China and Russia have backed easing sanctions on Pyongyang "at an appropriate time", as South Korea's foreign minister said Seoul was mulling lifting its own measures, threatening cracks in global restrictions on the nuclear-armed North. Pyongyang is sanctioned under multiple UN Security Council resolutions over its weapons programmes and has repeatedly called for the measures to be loosened, citing a freeze in its nuclear and missile tests. At three-way talks in Moscow, vice foreign ministers from North Korea, China and Russia agreed "it is necessary to consider adjusting sanctions on the DPRK by the UN Security Council at an appropriate time", Beijing's foreign ministry said in a statement late Wednesday, using the North's official name. China is the North's main diplomatic backer and Pyongyang also has friendly relations with Russia. In contrast the United States, which spearheaded global efforts to squeeze the North Korean economy last year, has been adamant that the sanctions remain in place until Pyongyang's "final, fully verified denuclearization". US ally Seoul has also mooted relaxing its own unilateral measures against Pyongyang. The South's dovish President Moon Jae-in favours engagement with the North and has dangled large investment and joint cross-border projects as incentives for steps towards denuclearisation. South Korea suspended most trade with the North in 2010 following a North Korean torpedo attack on a South Korean warship that killed 46 sailors on board. Pyongyang has denied involvement. "We are reviewing it with related government agencies," South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha told parliament on Wednesday. Kang later backtracked, saying she had misspoken, and her ministry said no active review was in place. South Korea's unification minister Cho Myoung-gyon added Thursday that there has been "no detailed review" on lifting sanctions but said Seoul has taken measures for cross-border cooperation "in a flexible manner". In response to Kang's remarks, Trump said: "They won't do it without our approval. They do nothing without our approval." President Moon has vowed to honour the UN sanctions, but Seoul opened a joint liaison office in the North Korean border city of Kaesong last month and has promised to pursue roads and rail projects between the two countries. South Korean media urged caution Thursday, saying relaxing sanctions now could jeopardise any chances for the North's denuclearisation. The Korea JoongAng Daily said in an editorial it was "dumbfounded" by Kang's comments. The conservative Chosun Ilbo newspaper added: "What brought the North to the negotiating table for denuclearisation was the unprecedented tough sanctions. "By lifting sanctions now, is the South Korean government saying it will dismantle North Korea's nuclear weapons or help it keep them?" it said. Last month, the North's foreign minister told the United Nations there was "no way" his country would disarm first as long as sanctions remain in place. The third high school in the Center for Applied Science and Technology, or CAST, network will have a medical focus, opening in August with partners that include the San Antonio Independent School District, San Antonio College, UT Health San Antonio and two local hospitals. The new schools principal will be Eddie Rodriguez, founding principal of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Early College High School in Harlandale ISD, which he led until July. This has been a long time in coming for our city and especially for the South Side of the city of San Antonio, Rodriguez said at a Wednesday news conference. Our community is longing for medical professionals doctors, pharmacists, nurses and dentists that come from the minority populations that represent so much of our citys residents. RELATED: SAISD to launch areas first all-girls public elementary school H-E-B two years ago launched the career-focused network and in 2017 opened its first school, CAST Tech, on the Fox Tech campus downtown, also in SAISD. The second school, CAST STEM, opened two months ago in Southwest ISD. The supermarket chain donated $1 million Wednesday to help transform a classroom building in the Brooks development on the Southeast Side once used by Texas A&M University San Antonio into CAST Med. H-E-B Chairman and CEO Charles Butt personally donated another $1 million to the schools capital campaign. SAISD has also contributed $2 million to the campaign, leaving $8 million to go. The schools partners plan to add an auditorium, lab spaces and computer stations to the building. As with other CAST schools, the goal is to recruit half the students from outside the partner school district, said Kate Rogers, a network founder and president of The Holdsworth Center, an education leadership program that Butt is funding. The school will accept 150 freshmen into its inaugural class, then will grow over the years to an eventual capacity of about 600 students. Its partners hope the school will help close a gaping workforce shortage in a critical sector. Fewer than 1 percent of Bexar County high school graduates end up with a degree in a medical field, but in the next six years, the growing metropolitan area will need at least 25 percent more medical professionals, said Dr. Ronald Rodriguez, chairman of the UT Health San Antonio Department of Urology and a 1980 graduate of Jefferson High School in SAISD. We have no ready pipeline for this, said Rodriguez, who is not related to CAST Meds new principal. We need to develop it. This is our problem and we need to solve it and we can. We have the technical expertise. We have the will to do it and now we have the opportunity to. RELATED: Northside, North East ISD leaders say city can slow charter schools CAST Med will not have admission requirements beyond a stated interest in medical careers. The application period will begin next month and end in February. If more than 150 students apply, there will be a lottery. The schools partners said another predominant goal is increasing access to medical education for low-income students who would be the first in their families to attend college. SAISD Superintendent Pedro Martinez contrasted CAST Med with Health Careers High School in Northside ISD, consistently ranked among the citys best, where only 20 percent of students qualify for income-based meal subsidies, compared to a statewide average of 59 percent and an SAISD average of 91 percent. In SAISD, students live near modern hospitals but dont see them as potential workplaces, Martinez said. For them, its a distant world, Martinez said. These are children right now that cant even fathom themselves in this area. Thats what were building. CAST Med will begin with three pathways: medical, research and public health. The schools partners, which include Childrens Hospital of San Antonio and Mission Trail Baptist Hospital, will help design the pathways and develop the curriculum. Upperclassmen will take dual-credit classes through the schools higher education partners with a minimum goal of 30 credit hours, or roughly one year of college, Rogers said. Students will get job shadowing opportunities, internships and a guaranteed job interview upon graduation. SAISD has health profession magnet programs at Fox Tech and Edison high schools, but those steer students into more traditional medical careers such as nursing, Rogers said. CAST Meds partnership with UT Health will allow students to explore additional career facets, such as dentistry and occupational health, Rogers said. Theyll be exposed to the range of opportunities available in the medical field over those first two years, Rogers said. The industry partners will revise CAST Meds curriculum as needed based on new trends and technology, as they are doing at CAST Tech, which now is adding a user interface pathway for app design based on industry feedback. The partners want CAST Med to become a laboratory for strategies that could be replicated elsewhere. The goal over the long term is for the network to not just serve the students who are part of these campuses, but also more students attending other high schools across the community, Rogers said. Alia Malik covers several school districts and the Alamo Colleges District in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | amalik@express-news.net | Twitter: @AliaAtSAEN Two San Antonio commissions voted Wednesday night in favor of a plan that will bring extensive changes to Alamo Plaza, the first in decades for the public space in the heart of the city. After a joint meeting that included comments from the public, the Planning Commission and the Historic and Design Review Commission each voted on aspects of the plan. The planning commission, by a vote of 5-1 with one member abstaining, approved closure of the streets in the plaza and an agreement to lease the plaza to the state. The HDRC, by a vote of 8-1, gave conceptual approval to the plan and final approval to moving the Cenotaph, one of the most controversial parts of the plan. Hours earlier, the City Council, after getting its first briefing about the plan, was divided in its reactions to some of the changes. Several members raised questions or objections to the street closures, relocation of the Cenotaph, controlled access for the public and the lease with the Texas General Land Office, which would largely control what is now a city-owned plaza. We dont have to sign this lease to the state, said Councilman Clayton Perry, who was dead-set against some of the major elements of the plan, including lowering the elevation of the plaza by more than a foot to differentiate the historic mission-fort footprint. Perry, referencing my line in the sand, said the addition of fences and barriers to enclose the plaza, with as little as one entry point during daytime hours, would be devastating for visitors. Theyll turn around and go home, Perry said. That is not what we should be doing. His comments drew applause from some of the 150 people in the audience. The council could vote on the plan as soon as Oct. 18. The key components would alter the look of the plaza and how it has been used for generations. The plaza would triple in size with the closure of Alamo Street and parts of Crockett and Houston to traffic. Proponents of the plan say the plaza, with a quieter and more reverent atmosphere, would become an outdoor museum that could tell the sites 300-year history through interpretive exhibits, re-enactments and archaeological digs. Commercial buildings on the west side either would be torn down or repurposed for a new visitors center and museum, whose holdings would include musician Phil Collins collection of artifacts. The historic buildings fate remains uncertain until an architectural study is done. The plaza no longer would be wide open but rather enclosed by fences and other barriers, with access allowed only through gates. Control of the plaza would shift from the city to the state General Land Office, which would lease the space for a minimum of 50 years, with the option of two 25-year extensions. The Land Office could buy the city-owned plaza right-of-way at fair market value, pending approval by the city. The Cenotaph, added to the plaza in the 1930s, would be repaired and relocated 500 feet south, putting it near the Menger Hotel but outside of the historic footprint of the battlefield. That likely would happen in 2020, once a repair plan is reviewed and approved by the citys Office of Historic Preservation. Last week, Mayor Ron Nirenberg joined Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, who oversees the state-owned Alamo, in endorsing the plan in general. This is the beginning of the project. Theres much more to do, said Councilman Roberto Trevino, who has championed the plan and serves on two committees guiding the project. The entire plan could cost up to $450 million, with much of it funded by state and local taxpayers. Business leaders have pledged to lead a fund-raising campaign to build the new museum and visitors center. The timeline for completion of the plaza makeover is January 2024. Nirenberg said the plan, after several revisions, has morphed into a more eloquent project. He said one of his main concerns was ensuring that the plaza will continue the tradition of 300 years of active civic life. When people visit the site in six years, We will be very proud of what we accomplished this year, he said. We must have 24/7 unhindered access to the plaza. That is true with this plan, Nirenberg added. Council members John Courage, Shirley Gonzales and Ana Sandoval were not as convinced. I dont appreciate limiting our citizens access to it. And I think thats a big problem, Courage said. Gonzales described the renderings of the plan as lovely but often opaque in illustrating how access to the plaza would be controlled a facet of the plan that she said was just not necessary to present the story of the mission, the renowned battlefield and its gradual evolution into an urban square and tourist attraction. I feel very conflicted with how that looks, Gonzales said. On the issue of lowering the elevation of the plaza, Perry said he supports doing that immediately around the Alamo church and Long Barrack to prevent rising damp moisture that penetrates and weakens the delicate mission-era limestone walls. But he said lowering the enlarged plaza is unnecessary and could threaten trees there. Councilman Greg Brockhouse said he generally supports the plan. He joined Perry and Courage in having reservations about moving the Cenotaph, but said he supports a lease with the Land Office and does not want the city to miss out on an opportunity to see some $400 million invested in the Alamo and plaza. Its good to partner and work with them and trust that they have the same goals that we do, Brockhouse said, concerning the plaza lease. Councilman Manny Pelaez was neutral in his comments, noting that any changes to the Alamo, long viewed as a hallowed place and a part of the cultural identity of San Antonio and Texas, is certain to draw controversy. When it comes to sacred icons and shrines, everybodys an expert, Pelaez said. During a hearing after the council meeting, the two commissions heard from nearly two dozen people, most of whom disliked the changes, primarily moving the Cenotaph. Some were concerned about the controlled access to the plaza. If you close the streets, youre not only closing off mobility in the city of San Antonio, but youre closing off visibility and access for Texas great tourist attraction, San Antonio businessman Don Dixon said. Keep (the plaza) open. Keep the streets open. Do not move the Cenotaph. Leave it where it is, never designed to be moved. This committee has a chance to protect one of our greatest assets in Texas. Vote down this plan. Dixons comments drew enthusiastic applause from the audience. Patti Zaiontz, first vice president of the San Antonio Conservation Society, said the organization collected about 7,500 signatures from people who want to preserve the plaza as a public place and retain its historic structures. The area will cease to function as a plaza and become a themed cul-de-sac, she said. Raylon Schlueder of Bulverde, a seventh-generation Texan, said politicians have created another battle with the proposal to move the Cenotaph. How would you like me to go to your family cemetery and dig up the headstones of your loved ones and move them? he asked the commissioners. Why should we spend millions of dollars? Theres no reason to spend millions of dollars. Susan Green, a downtown resident who lives four blocks from Alamo Plaza, implored commissioners to do the right thing and stop the proposed plan. Dont be a rubber stamp for revisionist history, she said. 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 A San Antonio teen accused of killing a Universal City man during a home invasion took the stand Wednesday in his own defense, saying he never meant to kill anyone and that all he wanted was money. Jonathan Andrew Perales, 19, has been on trial since Tuesday. He was 18 when Universal City police arrested him on a charge of capital murder in the death of Michael Clayton Robinson, 51, a homeowner who was killed in an exchange of gunfire with Perales in October 2017. The state rested its case Wednesday, and the defense put on two witnesses, the last the defendant, before it, too, rested. RELATED: Family considers lawsuit after nursing-home photo goes viral Now Playing: Body cam footage from a Universal City police officer shows an alleged intruder begging police for help after fatal gunfight with San Antonio area homeowner. The footage obtained by the San Antonio Express-News is evidence in the capital murder trial of Jonathan Perales. Video: San Antonio Express-News Under direct questioning from defense attorney Jeff Mulliner, Perales told the jury how he drove around that night looking for a place to break into when he found an unlocked back gate at the Robinson home. He said he backed his car into the driveway and went into the home to burglarize it. I just wanted money, the defendant told the jury. He couldnt say what state of mind he was in that night because, he said, he had taken four bars of Xanax and was under the influence of the drug. Once inside, Perales said he used a flashlight as he went room to room. He grabbed a purse, a backpack and keys to all of the vehicles parked at the home and made at least two trips to his car to place them in the trunk, he testified. On the third time, as he made his way through the kitchen, he told the jury, he heard a mans voice yell, Get out of my house. I said, Im going, and I tried to find the front door, he said, recounting how he went through the dark house, trying to find his way out. RELATED: San Antonio archbishop vows to name 'credibly accused' priests As the next door opened, Perales said, he was met with two gunshots and returned fire, in what seemed like less than a second. Instinctively, I fired two shots back, he told the court. And then I stumbled my way out of the house. Perales told the jury he realized he had been shot, tried to drive away, but didnt get very far because he could not move with a bullet wound in his arm and another in the chest. He ended up on the lawn of the house next door, where the neighbor took him inside, not knowing what had happened. Police body camera video showed the defendant on the floor of the neighbors house, surrounded by police who tried to calm him as he begged for them to call an ambulance. ON EXPRESS-NEWS.COM: Body cam shows injured teen writhing on floor, admitting shooting Perales said it wasnt until he woke up in the hospital that he was told he had killed the homeowner. I know I did wrong, being in the house, and it was his right to shoot me, he told the jury. At the time, I just wanted to get out of the house. It was a split-second reaction. Prosecutors introduced into evidence photographs from Perales Facebook page that showed the defendant posing with a Xanax bar on his tongue, and a revolver similar to the one used in the shooting, over part of his face. Jurors also saw a photograph of a tattoo Perales received since the shooting that depicts a revolver, three Xanax bars, and RIP 10-10-17, the date of the shooting. Closing arguments are expected to begin Thursday morning in the 290th state District Court, presided by Judge Melisa Skinner. The Bexar County District Attorneys Office is not seeking the death penalty in this case. If convicted, Perales would automatically be sent to prison for life without the possibility of parole. 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 Promising its fullest disclosure ever of accusations of sexual abuse of children by priests, the Archdiocese of San Antonio has formed an independent commission to review church files going back 75 years and make public its findings, including names of offenders. A five-member panel headed by Catherine M. Stone, retired chief justice of the Texas Fourth Court of Appeals, also will review and recommend improvements to the archdioceses procedures for responding to allegations of sexual abuse by clergy. The archdioceses announcement Wednesday came hours after a statement from all the states dioceses, which agreed to release the names of every member of the Catholic clergy credibly accused of sexually abusing a minor, going back at least to 1950. The reports will be released Jan. 31, the statement said. No decision has been made yet about how or where the names of accused clergy will be published, archdiocese spokesman Jordan McMorrough said. Visibly distressed, his voice cracking at times, Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller began a news conference Wednesday by acknowledging he is embarrassed and angry by the scandal that in recent weeks has shaken up the churchs top U.S. leadership. I am committed to increase accountability and transparency in how our church here addresses the scourge of sexual abuse of minors, Garcia-Siller said, underlining the mandate to share the allegations with the public. Honesty and transparency will be painful and at times deeply troubling, he said. But I believe that it is the best path to healing for survivors and the only path to transformation for our church. Wednesdays dual announcements stemmed from decisions made Sept. 30 at a meeting of Texas bishops in Austin chaired by Garcia-Siller. Catholic leaders across the country have been scrambling to respond as well, jolted into action by an exhaustive report in August by a Pennsylvania grand jury that found more than 300 priests had sexually abused more than 1,000 children over seven decades in that state. It named several priests who ended up in San Antonio after their crimes were known to church leaders in Pennsylvania. Since 2002, the Archdiocese has named about a dozen priests accused of sexual misconduct, some of them with adults rather than minors. It detailed the allegations against eight priests that year, but refused to identify others who were retired or dead. In subsequent years the archdiocese has acknowledged learning of new allegations, either directly or from lawsuits, about priests who have worked in its parishes, and named them. A 2004 study by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice that documented 10,667 claims of abuse between 1950 and 2002 involving 4,392 accused priests nationwide put the numbers in San Antonio at 58 victims, 20 priests, but didnt name them. It was commissioned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' National Review Board. Since the Pennsylvania grand jury report was issued, several other states have pledged to conduct similar investigations. Garcia-Siller credited Tom Mengler, president of St. Marys University, with suggesting the Texas bishops initiative. Mengler will be a member of the new lay commission, he said, and Judge Stone recruited others and will announce the panels makeup at a later date. In a statement issued Wednesday, Mengler said his peers in the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, whose board he chairs, have discussed their role and responsibility to urge their bishops to undertake bold, public action to restore the trust of faithful men and women in their dioceses. Mengler credited the archbishop for moving quickly to establish the lay commission to review the policies and the practices of the archdiocese and report its findings to the archbishop and the public. A biography of Stone online shows she was the 2014 recipient of the Catholic Charities of San Antonios Lifetime of Faith and Service Award in 2014. In 2004, she received the Archdioceses Leadership Service Award. The archbishop said the commissions review will dovetail with the ongoing work of the Archdiocesan Review Board, which has been charged with implementing the procedures for handling sex abuse allegations outlined in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops 2002 Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The commission will examine the archdioceses procedures and offer recommendations on improving them. Several observers hailed Wednesdays announcements, with some reservations. Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org, which documents abuses by priests, called them positive but long overdue. The bishops of Texas have been among the least transparent in the U.S. Catholic Church, she said in an email. We estimate that they are concealing hundreds of names of accused clergy. The bishops' extreme secrecy has been enabled by the state's civil statutes of limitation, one of the most victim-hostile such statutes in the country. Doyle said more than 50 U.S. bishops outside of Texas have released lists of accused priests. Garcia-Siller, she said, should publish a comprehensive list. He should include all clergy, including religious order clerics. He should include full assignment histories, photos and information about the alleged crimes. The bishops of Texas have been secretive about child sex crimes for too long. So, their announcement today is welcome. SNAP, a network of survivors of clergy sex abuse and their supporters, also released a response to the Texas bishops, calling their plan a good first step. Their immediate second step should be to reach out to local prosecuting attorneys and Attorney General Ken Paxton and actively invite an independent investigation, one that comes with subpoena power and the ability to compel testimony under oath, the response said. SNAP questioned the bishops timing and accused them of attempting to stave off inquiries from Texas law enforcement authorities. The group also said that such investigations are better left in the hands of truly independent authorities. Another critical element to this announcement is that it refers only to credible accusations. SNAP said. Church officials are not the arbiters of what is credible and what is not, especially since there have been many cases where accusations deemed not credible actually turned out to be very real. SNAP called on Texas bishops to release priests names along with information about when archdiocesan officials first learned of allegations against them. We strongly suspect most bishops have hidden these names for years. We also believe that these lists should be permanently and prominently posted on diocesan and parish websites and should include the current or last known address of each accused person whether living or dead, religious order or diocesan, along with accused seminarians, bishops, nuns, brothers and lay employees, the SNAP statement said. Garcia-Siller referred to abuses as both sins and crimes. I cannot adequately express my sorrow to these survivors of clergy sexual abuse, he said. There are no words that can undo the wrong that was perpetrated upon them. But I believe that by releasing these names that it will contribute to healing. If these actions prevent even a single occurrence of sexual abuse, it is all worth it. Elaine Ayala covers religion and minority affairs in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | eayala@express-news.net | Twitter: @ElaineAyala A former high-ranking member of the Bandidos who was the first to publicly testify about the inner workings and criminal dealings of the outlaw motorcycle club was sentenced Wednesday to a reduced sentence of five years in prison without parole. I want to apologize to my family for everything I put them through, Justin Cole Forster, 34, told Senior U.S. District Judge David Ezra. I take responsibility for my actions. I am truly sorry for my actions. Im ready to put this behind me and move on with my life and be a contributing member of society. The judge noted that Forster was no meek and mild participant in the Bandidos. This was no Don Knotts so to speak. He engaged in some criminal activity and he readily acknowledged his role, Ezra said. Fortunately for him, he never engagedin any direct activities resulting in the loss of life, like so many of the other Bandidos did. That is a major factor that sways this court to some degree. Forster, of San Antonio, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and three related crimes in October 2016 and then turned states evidence, eight months after he was arrested along with the clubs two top bosses, then-national president Jeffrey Fay Pike, 63, of Conroe and his vice president John Xavier Portillo, 59, of San Antonio. Forster could have been sentenced to life in prison, but federal prosecutors asked Ezra to significantly reduce his sentence because of his cooperation. To our knowledge, that was the first time anybody had testified about the Bandidos organization, Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Fuchs said, of Forsters taking the stand. When he testified, there were a number of Bandidos in the courtroom that in our eyes were there to intimidate any witnesses. Forster was a member of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club for 10 years, from 2006 until he was arrested in January 2016. At the time of his arrest, he was a sergeant-at-arms in the national chapter, carrying out orders from Portillo and Pike, according to testimony. Forster was one of the governments star witness in this springs three-month federal trial of Pike and Portillo, giving a first-hand account of many of the orders handed down for racketeering crimes that included extortion, intimidation, beatings and murder. While Forster was not involved in any of the three murders blamed on the Bandidos organization in the racketeering indictment, he did testify that he carried out orders for discipline such as revoking motorcycle vests and patches from rivals or wayward Bandidos through intimidation, or with beatings. Fuchs told Ezra that Forster was the first to confirm the governments allegations that the Bandidos were at war with a smaller biker club, the Cossacks, during the more recent years covered in the indictment. The indictment alleged racketeering crimes over 16 years, from 2000 through the arrests of Pike, Portillo and Forster. On ExpressNews.com: Jury hears Bandidos leader declare war on Cossacks The two clubs were involved in the May 2015 shootout at a Twin Peaks restaurant in Waco that left nine bikers dead, 20 injured and dozens under arrest on state charges. The Waco incident, the deadliest biker shootout in the country, was not charged in the federal indictment. Fuchs said Forster testified while facing pressure in court that included some of the most extensive questioning of a government witness by defense attorneys and stare-downs from members of his former club. Forsters lawyer, Anthony Cantrell, agreed, saying, there was a lot of intimidation going on in this case including an incident he witnessed himself. I was driving in my truck on (U.S.) Highway 281 and all of a sudden I hear loud motorcycle rev up, and two Bandidos got in front of my truck for a moment, and then took off, Cantrell said. Those kinds of things happen. My client did not take those lightly. He made the choice to testify because it was the right thing to do. The judge granted the governments motion for downward departure and sentenced Forster to 60 months for each count of racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to use a deadly weapon in racketeering and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamines. Ezra also imposed 36 months for a charge of extortion conspiracy, then ran all the terms concurrently. When Mr. Forster took the stand, I saw Bandidos in the back glaring at him, Ezra said. There was no question that they were not happy with Mr. Forster, and they were trying to intimidate him to alter or curtail his testimony. But he did not do that. He testified, in my view, truthfully and completely, in a manner that he was able to let government follow up with additional witnesses and put the cement between the bricksresulting in the conviction of the two principals of Mr. Portillo and Mr. Pike. On ExpressNews.com: Bandidos top leaders convicted on all charges Two weeks ago, Ezra sentenced Pike and Portillo to life sentences. There is no parole in the federal system. Because Forster has served nearly three years already, he will be out in two. Ezra ordered him to then serve five years of federal supervision. 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 A Mexican national was sentenced Wednesday to nine years in federal prison, the maximum he could get for his role in an immigrant smuggling venture that ended with the deaths of 10 people in 2017. Senior U.S. District Judge David Ezra said he would have given Pedro Silva Segura 47, a sentence of 30 to 40 years in prison if he had been found guilty at trial. But since he entered a plea bargain, the judges hands were tied. Basically, what this defendant did is he traded in the lives of these individuals for cash, the judge said at the sentencing. Silva, who operated a stash house in Laredo, dropped off five immigrants in Laredo who were later loaded into a tractor-trailer containing dozens of other people who were transported north by trucker James Matthew Bradley Jr, 62. In late July 2017, Bradley pulled the tractor-trailer over at a South Side Walmart, where San Antonio police found 39 immigrants inside or near the unairconditioned trailer suffering from dehydration or worse. Of the 39, eight were dead on scene, and two more were pronounced dead at area hospitals. The remaining 19 remained hospitalized for several days, including two that Silva had dropped off to be loaded into the trailer. They helped Homeland Security Investigations agents identify Silva, according to Silvas lawyer, Adriana Arce-Flores. At Wednesdays sentencing, Ezra said the victims were locked in the sweltering trailer without water to the point where they literally cooked alive. Ezra said he believed the feds could have charged Silva with something else that could have brought a higher sentence, but Assisant U.S. Attorney Christina Playton said Silva pleaded guilty to the highest count in his indictment. Well, it isnt high enough, Ezra said. People died a horrible death. Arce-Flores said her client did not know the cooling unit on the trailer was not working because he dropped off his five immigrants where someone else picked them up and delivered them to the trailer. Im very regretful for what happened, Silva told Ezra. If it had been within my (control), I would not have let those people suffer like they did. Silva pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to transport undocumented immigrants resulting in death, the same charge as Bradley. But unlike Bradley, Silvas recommended sentencing guideline range was far lower because of legalities in federal law and Silvas role was different from Bradleys. Bradley scored a recommended sentence of life in prison, and Ezra sentenced him to that in April. Silvas guideline range was seven years, three months to nine years in prison. Silva will serve his sentence and then be deported. Silva also forfeited $2,000 that investigators seized from him. 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 WASHINGTON President Donald Trump, speaking at political rally in Iowa, said he had instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to begin allowing year-round sales of E-15, a form of gasoline with a higher concentration of ethanol, a move long opposed by the refiners The announcement Tuesday came with midterm elections just a month away and Midwestern farmers dealing with Chinas retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural products. Trump had hinted for months that hed move to amend federal regulations to help the corn farmers who supply ethanol production in this country. I shouldn't say it now, but we're going with E-15 year-round," Trump told the crowd of supporters, many of whom were wearing Make Farmers Great Again caps. I made that promise to you during the campaign. I made that promise to you during the primaries, remember. Promises made. Promises kept. E-15 fuel is 85 percent gasoline and 15 percent ethanol, compared to the most common gasoline blends that contain no more than 10 percent ethanol. More Information This is the right signal to the marketplace at just the right time, as both farmers and renewable fuel producers desperately need new market opportunities and sources of demand," said Geoff Cooper, president of the Renewable Fuels Association, a trade group representing ethanol producers. See More Collapse Under environmental regulations, E-15 sales are banned in the summertime to limit air pollution when potential health risks are the highest. Increased E-15 sales pose a threat for Gulf Coast oil refineries, which already have watched U.S. gasoline demand plateau with the roll out of more efficient cars and trucks under tougher standards set by the Obama administration. The oil industry, meanwhile, is preparing for a legal battle. Both the American Petroleum Institute and the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, well-funded industry lobbying groups, said Tuesday they plan to challenge any rule change by EPA in court. Theres an agreement within the industry that we have no choice but to challenge it, said Chet Thompson, president of American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers. Clearly, theres a desire to get something to the Midwest before midterms, legality be damned. More gas station chains are offering E-15, which sells at a discount to standard gasoline. That has added to the pressure on the federal government to lift the ban on summertime sales. But when fuels with higher concentration of ethanol are burned, particularly in the summer, they produce more ozone, which is linked to respiratory problems including asthma and emphysema. Such a scenario could pose a particular problem in Houston. With its heavy traffic and large petrochemical complex, Houston is routinely ranked as having some of the highest ozone levels of any city in the country. Air pollution is on the decline from a decade ago, but ozone levels in the Houston metropolitan area still fall below the minimum standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Its not clear, however, that the EPA has the authority to change the regulations restricting the sale of E-15. In 2010, when an ethanol trade group requested a waiver from air pollution laws for E-15, the EPA ruled that under the law passed by Congress, such waivers were limited to fuels with an ethanol concentration of 10 percent or less. What seems to be contemplated here is a waiver across the board for blends up to 15 percent, said Scott Segal, an energy attorney with the Bracewell law firm. It is far from clear that the (Clean Air Act) permits this sort of action without direction from Congress, So far, Congress has been unable to come to a consensus on E-15. Last year, Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and other Midwestern senators introduced legislation allowing year-round sales of E-15, but it never made it to the Senate floor for a vote. A group of 20 Republican and Democratic 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 said. Oil-state and corn-state politicians long have bickered over the ethanol mandate, which was created in the 2000s long before the shale drilling boom to reduce U.S. dependence on Middle Eastern oil. Upon coming into office, Trump vowed to find a compromise between the two sides, but discussions were thrown for a loop earlier this year when the EPA began allowing large numbers of refineries waivers from the ethanol requirement on the grounds it presented economic hardship. That drew outrage from ethanol interests, which y praised Trumps E-15 announcement. This is the right signal to the marketplace at just the right time, as both farmers and renewable fuel producers desperately need new market opportunities and sources of demand, said Geoff Cooper, president of the Renewable Fuels Association, a trade group representing ethanol producers But now refiners are aggrieved. The people working at those refineries helped get this president elected just as much as the corn farmers, so its disappointing he decied to side with the ethanol guys, Thompson said. james.osborne@chron.com After school, 10-year-old Miriam Ortiz boards a bus to a place where young girls band together and learn to become leaders. Once inside of the West Side Girl Scout Leadership Center, she weaves through clusters of backpack-wearing girls to meet up with her friend, Amanda Mendoza. They huddle together, finish homework and line up for a meal in the cafeteria that doubles as a movie theater for families Friday nights. The pair love the San Antonio Spurs and math. Like their teachers, they tutor younger girls with their studies. And theyve passed on lessons about courage, confidence and character that theyve learned from Girl Scout leaders of Troop 9999. It feels like we have a home with sisters, Miriam said. Amanda, 8, agreed. READ ALSO: Girl Scouts transform view in hospital's pediatric rooms Theyre all friends, she said, like my family. Miriam and Amanda are two of more than 80 girls, from kindergarten to fifth grade, enrolled in the free after-school program at the center that offers holistic services to the girls and adult development opportunities to their families. The centers mission aligns with the United Nations goal when it designated Oct. 11 as International Day of the Girl. The U.N. set the date in 2011 as an opportunity for girls to show leadership and reach their full potential. The council is observing the day by raising awareness of the need for a skilled female workforce and seeking financial donations to sponsor girls who may not be able to afford the annual $25 membership dues and additional costs. The reality is half of the girls are served through nontraditional methods and come from underserved areas, said Stephanie Finleon Cortez, chief development and communications officer for Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas. They are the faces of troubling statistics. According to a 2017 State of Girls study, Texas was ranked 42nd in the nation when it came to conditions that affect the well-being of girls: The number of girls ages 5 to 17 living in poverty in Texas was 5 percent higher than the national average. READ ALSO: From Girl Scout to woman leader The number of the states fourth-grade girls who do not take part in organized activities was 6 percent higher the national average. There were more girls in Texas with behavioral, emotional and development issues than there were 10 years ago. The Girl Scout council has developed programs to help more than 15,000 scouts in 21 counties to develop leadership skills. Finleon Cortez said 25 percent of girls they serve in San Antonio come from households of $35,000 or less. To support the girls family structure, the center offers adult learning courses that include positive parenting, financial literacy and conflict resolution. The center got its start in October 2012, when the Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas partnered with Edgewood Independent School District to use the first floor of the former Coronado-Escobar Elementary School as a hub for leadership development. Located at 5622 Cesar Chavez, the 39,000-square-foot center includes a library, a Girl Genius tutoring lab and a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and robotics lab. The center also offers the Gamma Sigma Girls and Gamma Sigma Pearls program, with a focus on college and advocacy for middle- and high-school girls. Its monthly events help raise awareness about the Girl Scouts and build trust within the community, according to Becky Jennings, the director of girl experience. She said the most important thing is getting girls the help they need. Building trust, she said, thats the key. Veronique Moreno, the director of community partners, said the center revolves around the girls and the volunteers who give back. She said theyve had 40,000 visitors since they opened. Miriam and Amanda dream of teaching and raising the self-esteem of girls, something theyre doing at the center. Some of the girls have been bullied, Miriam said. We help them to be courageous. Some of San Antonios biggest businesses, including USAA and Valero, and local celebrities such as chef Johnny Hernandez are opening their checkbooks for the bipartisan campaign against three controversial charter amendments supported by the firefighters union, helping to bring in more than $1.3 million for the fight. In contrast, the firefighters union is self-funding its campaign to get voters to approve the amendments in the Nov. 6 election, raising less than $300,000 as of Sept. 27, the last day of the most recent financial reporting period. Democratic political consultant Christian Archer, who is running the Go Vote No campaign with Republican consultant Kelton Morgan, said theyre taking a multifaceted approach to reach Democrats, Republicans and independent voters. Weve got to make sure our message is carried across all mediums, he said. While union representatives didnt return calls about the financial reports, Councilman Greg Brockhouse who favors the amendments said the final decision on the amendments is up to the voters. The Go Vote No campaign was always going to have double the money and double the resources, Brockhouse said. But at the end of all this, on Election Day, the citizens get the vote and I will be good with their choice. Related: Three San Antonio City Council members named in secret Steele recording say he doesn't control them The three amendments would make it easier to use referendums to challenge council decisions, including on tax and utility rates; cap the salary of future city managers and impose a term limit; and give the fire union unilateral power to decide when contract negotiations would be taken to binding arbitration. The campaign finance reports released this week point out the two sides stark differences. Between July and September, the Go Vote No campaign collected numerous contributions ranging from $50 to $300,000. Valero Services Inc., USAA and Graham Weston all cut six-figure checks. Hernandez donated $10,000. Tucker Gibson, a textbook author, was among those who donated smaller amounts, giving $250 to the campaign. The San Antonio First political action committee, which is funding the ABC pro-amendments campaign, listed little more than $250,000 in three itemized contributions between July 6 and Sept. 27: $150,000 from the San Antonio Professional Fire Fighters Association, led by President Chris Steele; $100,000 from the fire unions general-purpose PAC; and $95.80 from Bob Martin, head of the Homeowner Taxpayer Association of Bexar County. San Antonio First also collected about $350 in small donations that arent required to be itemized. It listed about $15,000 left on-hand at the end of September. As might be expected with its considerable warchest, the Go Vote No campaign has spent big $758,338 between July 1 and Sept. 27. Expenses include $34,000 for polling, $500,000 on television ads and more than $38,000 on signs. Related: San Antonio Democrat groups gather to support Go Vote No campaign Go Vote No, backed by the Secure San Antonios Future political action committee, also reported more than $800,000 left in its treasury. Archer said that cash on hand has grown since the reporting period closed. Meanwhile, the San Antonio First campaign, which didnt have nearly as much to spend, appears to be making a grassroots outreach with consultants from both San Antonio and Austin. The PAC has spent about $8,000 on ad space in some community publications, including the San Antonio Observer an East Side tabloid and the Westside Sol. Editorial content in both of those publications offer strong endorsements of the fire unions campaign. San Antonio First also has cut checks for $3,000 for advertising with TAAN-TV, $50,000 for cable-TV ads and $6,400 for radio advertising on Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calverts KROV radio station. The San Antonio First report also shows small consulting expenditures made for campaign services and political event expenses with funds going to people and organizations that have endorsed the campaign, including the Ignite the Vote Project, which works on voter registration efforts. Linda Curtis, a Bastrop activist who has publicly supported the amendments, was paid $270, according to the report. Previously, the union spent more than a half-million dollars collecting signatures on petitions in its successful efforts to get the amendments on the Nov. 6 ballot. Both campaigns have spent funds on direct-mail pieces that have landed in mailboxes around the city, one of which put San Antonio First in hot water. The City Attorneys Office recently sent a cease-and-desist letter to the campaign for its use of Fire Department apparel in one political mailer. It features two people in their kitchen standing behind a framed photo of their child, an active-duty firefighter in uniform. The letter directed the campaign to discontinue use of the image, saying that it violates state law. Related: Union campaign a 'proxy' for mayor's race Earlier in the day, Brockhouse officially announced his support for all three amendments during a news conference in the fire unions banquet hall. He called them imperfect but necessary and suggested that the City Council could ask voters to tweak them after seeing them in action for two years. Brockhouse also questioned the position of Secure San Antonios Future. I do find it ironic that the Go Vote No team is relying on the voters to bail them out and vote against the propositions, but dont trust them to make the right choices with a lower referendum requirement, he said. Gibson, the textbook author, said he contributed to the Go Vote No campaign because of the sheer hypocrisy he sees in union president Steele. I see this as a ruse a man who basically has an axe to grind with the city manager, said Gibson, who plans to contribute more to the campaign. I dont always agree with the city manager on the positions she takes, but I think this is a well-run city. Having written nearly three dozen books on government, Gibson said he is deeply bothered by Steeles attack on Sculley and her salary. Shes earning a base of $475,000 this year and could receive as much as $100,000 in a performance bonus. But, Gibson noted, she manages 12,000 employees and an annual budget approaching $3 billion. Steele, he said, leads 1,700 firefighters and earns $184,000 annually. Based on Gibsons comparison, thats less than $40 per employee for Sculley and nearly $110 per employee for Steele. Im so incensed by this that I was going to buy a billboard, Gibson said. Early voting for the November election begins Oct. 22 and ends Nov. 2. Josh Baugh 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. | jbaugh@express-news.net | Twitter: @jbaugh The Alamo Citys Wild West of electric scooters has become civilized at least on the books. The City Council unanimously adopted a six-month pilot program Thursday regulating the companies that own the dockless vehicles and the people who use them. How quickly riders adapt to the rules, which take effect next Friday, remains to be seen. Theres always going to be that knucklehead out there who drives like a jerk and puts himself or others at risk, Councilman Manny Pelaez said. But most riders likely will find the rules simple to follow: Always yield to pedestrians. Stay out of parks and plazas. Stay off the River Walk. Use bike lanes when theyre available. Riding on a sidewalk is OK if theres no bike lane, but stay 2 feet away from any pedestrian. Riders must be at least 16 years old, and the use of helmets is encouraged but not required. City staff and elected leaders purposely used a soft touch in writing the ordinance, looking to keep riders and pedestrians safe while giving the new type of business an opportunity to flourish. New scooter rules Minimum riding age: 16 Helmets encouraged, not required Always yield to pedestrians Use bike lanes when available May use sidewalk if no bike lane Stay out of parks, off trails Source: City of San Antonio See More Collapse This is kind of a big deal, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said. Im excited about the fact that we demonstrated here in San Antonio that we can accommodate a brand-new technology for which theres really no regulatory scheme. Several years ago, a different council took a very different tack in dealing with the first wave of transportation-network companies, such as Uber and Lyft. In that instance, officials crafted a strict set of regulations driven primarily by the taxi industry, which feared losing market share that ended with the companies leaving town. They returned only after Councilman Roberto Trevino negotiated a new set of rules that made business sense to the ride-hailing firms and appeased concerns about public safety. Rather than trying to fit a round peg into a square hole, Nirenberg said of the motorized scooters, we sort of watched this develop, (saw) where the pressure points are and responded accordingly. On the business side, the ordinance requires that dockless-vehicle companies have insurance, employ a local fleet manager, work quickly to correct any violations such as illegally parked scooters and pay a $500 vendor fee, in addition to $10 per vehicle in operation. When theyre parked, scooters cant block sidewalks, bus stops or disabled parking zones, impede reasonable pedestrian access to a sidewalk or be too close to building entrances. If a scooter is parked illegally and the company doesnt respond within one to two hours, the scooter can be impounded by the city and the owner must pay $50 to get it back. The scooters, which generally are unlocked for $1 with a smart-phone app and cost 15 cents a minute to ride, cant be operated on streets where the speed limit exceeds 35 mph. Riders who violate the ordinance could be charged with a Class C misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $500. There currently are about 3,000 scooters on San Antonios streets from three companies: Bird, Lime and Blue Duck, a local start-up. John Jacks, director of San Antonios Center City Development & Operations Department, said several other companies have expressed interest in operating here. Additionally, he and others expect more innovative transportation solutions are coming to San Antonio, including dockless bicycles. Pelaez said the electric scooters can help solve the first mile, last mile problem, where commuters have to walk a considerable distance to and from the closest mass transit stations. Dockless scooters can make getting to a bus stop, for example, much faster and easier in both directions. On the other hand, opponents have complained the devices are disruptive, ugly and unsafe. Thats the nature of disruptive technology it disrupts, Pelaez said. I have a feeling that future City Councils will be dealing with the scourge of hover shoes, or whatever, right? Nirenberg said he, too, had received complaints about scooters. The city has been asking the companies to take care of the gripes. But with the new ordinance, San Antonio now will have a bit more bite. This does allow us to have a safety mechanism for the public that demands it from us, he said. Next Friday, we stop asking nicely. Josh Baugh 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. | jbaugh@express-news.net | Twitter: @jbaugh Shoe thrown at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, one arrested NDTV, Patna : One person was arrested by the police in Patna for throwing a slipper at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday. Mr Kumar was speaking at a conference of the youth wing of Janata Dal United in the state capital. Poll strategist-turned-politician, Prashant Ask Brandon Burkhart whether his intense opposition to transforming the Alamo site is rooted in white supremacy, and he will strongly deny it. Race has nothing to do with what we do, said Burkhart, president of This is Texas Freedom Force. We are here for the preservation of Texas history and the preservation of Texas rights. There are signs that suggest otherwise, some more explicit than others. In August, for instance, a member of TITFF spoke to City Council about the groups main point of contention: moving the concrete and marble Cenotaph outside of the Alamo footprint. The real point of moving the monument honoring those who died in the 1836 battle, Krystal Ross told council, is to water down Anglo-Saxon history, according to minutes of the meeting. Other signs are just that: hand signs, albeit obscure ones. Last year, Burkhart and two other members of TITFF were photographed making the OK hand signal: three splayed fingers with the thumb and index finger touching to form a circle. The symbol is sometimes displayed by white nationalists, other times by right-wing trolls trying to trigger liberals into overreacting. On Wednesday, Burkhart told me that neither was the case in the photograph. Three percenter, he said. Thats what those signs mean. I had tracked Burkhart down to Plaza de Armas, where members of councils Intergovernmental Relations Committee were discussing how to enhance firearm safety. He had come to argue on behalf of the Second Amendment: against gun storage laws, for arming school teachers. After that, he was off to protest a council briefing on a plan to transform Alamo Plaza, then another meeting to consider an agreement for the Texas General Land Office to lease and manage a portion of the plaza that once was within the Alamos outer walls. At 6-foot-4, in a black cowboy hat and with a black Lab-Rottweiler mix named Kong in tow, Burkhart cut an imposing figure, but he was polite in addressing the committee. (That hasnt always been the case; last month, he was escorted out of council chambers by police after an outburst.) After the meeting, Burkhart explained to me the origin of the hand symbol: Only 3 percent of American colonists, he claimed, fought against the British in the American Revolution, hence the three extended fingers. (Rather than the racist alt-right, this places Burkhart more in the antigovernment militia movement.) If a battle was to break out now against liberty, it would only be 3 percent of Texans who would fight against them, he added. We could be invaded from outside or we could be invaded from inside. Racial tensions were very high when Obama was in office. It wasnt the only time Burkhart undercut his own claim that race wasnt motivating his efforts to keep the Alamo focused on the familiar mythology of the 1836 battle. At one point, he compared the plan to move the Cenotaph to the citys removal last year of a Confederate monument in Travis Park. They want to whitewash history and take away anything that any white person did that was good, Burkhart said. With him was Keri Hillyer, the groups director of research. When I brought up Ross complaint that the city wanted to water down Anglo-Saxon history, Hillyer responded, Thats probably true. That has to do with history. History, however, is multifarious: exactly why a reimagining of the Alamo ought to expand its focus beyond the 1836 battle, to include, for instance, markers listing the names of indigenous people buried in the 1700s, as the plan has proposed. The addition of such narratives to the Alamo is essential, said University of Texas at San Antonio scholar John Phillip Santos. Can we tell the story that really faces fully the complex relationships of people here in San Antonio without favorites? Santos asked. You pull one thread out of the carpet, what does it amount to? Its a ridiculous idea that it should be commemorated as a battlefield. It was a battlefield for a couple of days. He added that the Cenotaph actually features supremacist images, such as a flaming angel. In symbolic terms, what could be more indicative of this bias than a white marble monolith? Santos said. On Wednesday night at the Buena Vista Theater on UTSAs downtown campus, Santos is screening Remember the Alamo, a documentary by Joseph Tovares that dispels the notion of the Alamo as a kind of monument to Anglo victory, he said. Char Miller, a former Trinity University historian with a forthcoming book titled San Antonio: A Tricentennial History, applauded that approach. It is a remarkably complicated story, Miller said. And Im in favor of the story actually being emblematic of the diversity of folks inside the Alamo and the complications that led Santa Anna to battle them, and in that way tell a fuller, richer and more accurate history. To argue that its Anglo-Saxon is such a funny term, he added, because the people who were inside the Alamo were probably some of the most diverse community of people in San Antonios history. It was chockablock with people who would never recognize the term Anglo-Saxon because they were neither Anglo nor Saxon. bchasnoff@express-news.net WASHINGTON The Trump administration said Thursday it will waive more than two dozen environmental and land use laws to speed construction of new border barriers in parts of the Rio Grande Valley, a move that has angered local property owners and environmentalists who say it will lead to protected wildlife corridors being walled off along the river. The announcement comes as House Republicans plan to introduce a bill providing nearly all of the $25 billion President Donald Trump wants for a border wall, setting up a December funding showdown that could threaten some government agencies that have yet to receive their 2019 allocations. The new waivers by the Department of Homeland Security cover a highly-trafficked 14- to 18-mile stretch in Hidalgo County, near McAllen, Texas. Homeland Security officials said in a statement that it is part of a Rio Grande Valley Border Control sector that "remains an area of high illegal alien activity and marijuana seizures." RELATED: Aerial photos show what the U.S.-Mexico border really looks like The Border Patrol reported 137,000 immigration arrests in the Rio Grande sector last year, along with the seizure of 260,000 pounds of marijuana and 1,192 pounds of cocaine. The Homeland Security Department said that despite the waivers from certain natural resource and historic preservation laws, they remain committed to environmental stewardship "to the extent possible." Environmentalists warned that the waiver area includes an eight-mile section where a wall would effectively sever parcels of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, as well as the Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park, the National Butterfly Center and the La Lomita chapel in Mission, Texas. "This waiver is the latest attempt by this administration to ram through construction of an unnecessary, expensive and damaging border wall," said Jamie Rappaport Clark, president and CEO of the environmental group Defenders of Wildlife. "Waiving environmental, health and safety laws and purposely excluding the public from providing input on wall construction threatens wildlife, local communities and regional economies in the Southwest." Texas U.S. Sen. John Cornyn expressed support for the Homeland Security waivers in the Rio Grande Valley. "As part of this, there are a lot of local and state rules and regulations, and federal regulations, that, if they stayed in effect, would delay indefinitely construction of this physical infrastructure fence or wall, whatever you want to call it," he said. "It's a fairly standard item that these provisions would be waived as a means of accomplishing this on a more timely basis." Known as the "wildlife corridor," the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge is comprised of more than 100 parcels of habitat assembled over the past 40 years to connect separate state, private and federal lands. Environmentalists say the $75 million project benefits rare migratory birds and imperiled wildcat species including the ocelot and jaguarundi. The administration has issued similar waivers in California and New Mexico to speed construction of border barriers. Federal officials said the new segments of wall construction will augment the existing wall infrastructure by closing gaps along the border that were not completed during 2008 wall construction. The push to shore up the border in Hidalgo Country comes amid an intensifying battle over Trump's long-promised border wall, which so far has received very limited funding from Congress. For subscribers: Trump's border wall boast runs into budget maw As the midterm elections approach, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California said this week he plans to introduce a bill that would provide $23.4 billion for the wall. Counting the $1.6 billion Congress appropriated for fiscal 2018, that would make good on Trump's latest appeal for $25 billion. U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, a Democrat who represents the area around McAllen, slammed McCarthy's plan, calling it a "Lincoln Logs" approach to border security that will put Republicans "on the wrong side of history." While Republicans control both the House and Senate, Democrats have enough votes in the upper chamber to block McCarthy's plan, which would require 60-vote Senate majority. With the issue coming to a head, Republican leaders in the Senate have downplayed talk of a funding impasse resulting in a government shutdown. But Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters Wednesday that he could not rule out a partial government shutdown affecting agencies that were not funded in a 2019 spending measure approved last month. That deal left out several critical government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, whose budget would include wall funding. A current Senate proposal calls for $1.6 billion in wall funding for 2019, Trump's original wall request. A House bill provides $5 billion. House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican who is retiring at the end of the year, said earlier this week that he expects a "big fight" over wall funding leading up to Congress' next negotiating deadline on December 7. Cornyn, McConnell's top lieutenant in the Senate, called McCarthy's bill "the opening salvo" in the looming wall battle. But he suggested some compromise might be in store. "I've always believed that physical infrastructure like a wall or a fence is a piece of the border security puzzle, but it's not exclusively a solution," Cornyn said Thursday. "That's why I've supported a complementary system of border infrastructure as well as technology and boots on the ground. I think we need all three." Despite Democrats' opposition to a wall, Cornyn called for Congress to find common ground on border security, which would likely have to include some kind of a deal on immigration. "I don't consider this to be optional," Cornyn said. "We're going to have to try to figure out how to build some sort of bipartisan consensus to do what we need to do in order to deal with our broken border." Harris County added more than 11,000 voters to its rolls in the final week before the registration deadline, the last wave in a surge of half a million new Texas voters since the March primaries. Democrats are most likely to benefit from the increase because new voters, many of whom are young and/or nonwhite, are more likely to support their party, University of Houston political science Professor Brandon Rottinghaus said. There is a long legacy of Democrats seeking to get more people registered, and the investment is likely to pay off, Rottinghaus said. This is a moment where theres going to be a lot of nail biting from Republicans on election night. More than 66,000 residents registered to vote in Harris County since the spring, more than any other Texas county, according to the Texas Secretary of State. Since the 2014 midterms, Harris County has added 280,000 voters. Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Ann Harris Bennett, who also serves as the county voter registrar, did not respond to a request for comment. Her office said Tuesday it had yet to calculate how many new voters had registered since September. More Information Ten Counties with the biggest percentage increase in voter registration since the Texas Primary elections 1. HAYS - 8 percent 2. BRAZOS 5 percent 3. COMAL - 5 percent 4. TRAVIS -5 percent 5. RAINS - 5 percent 6. GUADALUPE - 5 percent 7. NACOGDOCHES - 5 percent 8. WILLIAMSON - 5 percent 9. KING - 5 percent 10. COLLIN - 5 percent See More Collapse Rottinghaus cautioned that there is a poor correlation between voter registration and turnout. Even as more eligible Harris County voters have registered since the 1990s, turnout has declined. Republicans, he said, are hampered by their past success since they already have registered most of their potential voters. Democrats have more room to grow, he said, especially with Latinos, African Americans, new citizens and young people. Harris Countys largest political parties had different takeaways from the voter registration surge. Democratic Party spokesman Odus Evbagharu said the jump in new voters will help the party dominate Harris County elections as it did in 2016, even as he acknowledged the challenge now lies with convincing those voters to actually show up at the polls. Whether by phone, text or social media, we are contacting them constantly to remind them there is an election, he said. SECURITY: Stanart announces campaign to assure voters elections are secure Vlad Davidiuk, communications director for the Harris County Republicans, attributed the surge to registration drives by both parties. Since both parties have been working overtime to get their voters registered, and their registrations updated it does not indicate a surge of Democratic voters, he said. New numbers from the Texas Secretary of State show a record 15.7 million voters will be eligible to vote in the Nov. 6 midterm elections, which feature one of the hottest U.S. Senate races in the country between incumbent Republican Ted Cruz and Democratic Congressman Beto ORourke, the governor's race, and more than a half dozen highly competitive congressional races. SWIFT RESPONSE: Taylor Swift's endorsement of Democrats causes spike in voter registrations The two-week statewide surge is more in line with the number of voters Texas typically adds in an entire year. From 2002 to 2014, Texas added 116,000 voters a year. And the total is likely to rise as last-minute voter registrations are reported to the Texas Secretary of States office. The last day to register to vote in time for the midterm elections was Tuesday. The numbers come even as more than 2,000 voters had their registrations deemed incomplete because they registered online via the national Vote.org. Those voters have 10 days to resubmit their registrations. For subscribers: Houston Chronicles Voter Guide For subscribers: San Antonio Express-News Voter Guide Across Texas, voter registration increased 2 percent since March primary elections. In that time frame, no county has seen a jump in voter registrations larger than Hays County, just south of Austin and home to San Marcos, one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the United States. Hays has reported an 8 percent increase in voter registration since the March primary elections. Major metro counties, like Dallas, Bexar, and Harris counties have seen their voter registrations increase 3 percent since March. Suburban counties have seen a bigger jump. In Fort Bend and Montgomery counties near Houston, voter registrations grew 4 percent since March. In Collin County near Dallas, voter registrations climbed 5 percent. In Guadalupe and Comal counties north of San Antonio, voter registrations jumped 5 percent. Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos has said the surge of voter registrations and enthusiasm in this midterm election cycle is akin to what election officials often see in presidential election cycles. Early voting starts on Oct. 22, and Election Day is Nov. 6. zach.despart@chron.com jeremy.wallace@chron.com To city leaders: If you think allowing this scooter blight on our beautiful city is the right thing to do, then I encourage you to visit First Friday in Southtown, as we did recently, or any other event downtown that is attended by thousands of people. It was a nightmare and a tragedy waiting to happen. People on scooters were weaving in and out of traffic, moving from the sidewalk to the street and back again on a random basis. Many of the scooter riders were moving at top speed, and on more than one occasion, I observed an adult driving the scooter with a small child in front, hanging on to the handlebars with neither of them wearing helmets. Upon completion of their ride, people left the scooters on the street, in the middle of the sidewalks or wherever they decided was OK. At some point, people will be injured or killed. I can only imagine what Fiesta 2019 will look like. Today, the City Council will meet to decide the fate of the scooter business in San Antonio. I encourage you to end this scourge on our beautiful city and politely ask them to take their scooter business elsewhere. If that is not possible, then I implore you to heavily regulate and tax these companies that seemed to have come out of nowhere and without, it seems, invitation. Limit their numbers. Limit them to daylight hours. Require helmets, user age of at least 16 and one rider per vehicle. Keep them off the sidewalks and off streets that have speed limits greater than 35 mph. Fine them heavily when they dont follow the rules. I, for one, dont see where we have the surplus tax dollars to monitor these scooters. The city police, as well as the park police, have enough to do without having to monitor scooters. Please dont add this to their plate. Gretchen Mayes Same reason It seems that all of a sudden President Donald Trump is concerned about young men being falsely accused of crimes. Isnt that the same thing that Colin Kaepernick takes a knee for? Richard Harris One is for life Re: Beto vs. Brett, Your Turn, Sunday: This letter comparing Beto ORourke and Brett Kavanaugh misses the most important point: If Beto wins his election he must run again to retain his seat. Judge Brett has a lifetime appointment. John H. Lindquist 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. Serbia and Kazakhstan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services which should facilitate the establishment of flights between the two countries. The Serbian Minister for Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Zorana Mihajlovic, said, "The memorandum will result in better connectivity between our two nations and will assist carriers in improving commercial cooperation and expanding their networks through codeshare arrangements. It also serves as a precondition for the launch of nonstop flights for which interest has been expressed by carriers". In 2016, the former Chairman of the Air Serbia Supervisory Board and today's Serbian Finance Minister, Sinisa Mali, said the airline was considering launching flights to Kazakhstan. According to Mr Mali, the service would strengthen relations between the two countries and improve business links. STAMFORD In the midst of a budget crunch that killed Fourth of July fireworks and threatened fall loose leaf pickup, city officials took the unusual step Thursday of announcing spending with fanfare. Youre a fool if you believe you can cut your way to prosperity, said Mayor David Martin, before handing out $100,000 in checks to city arts organizations. The grants, which provide scholarships for low-income students in arts programs and bring free concerts to churches and parks around the city, for example, are small amounts of money that the nonprofits leverage with great success, he said. Its not all about cut budgets and raising taxes, he said to a gathering of organizations celebrated in the lobby of City Hall. You are what makes life enjoyable, you are what makes Stamford a great place to live. The grants are furnished by city coffers, but administered by the Stamford Community Arts Partnership Program and the city Arts and Culture Commission. The city received 14 applications for $142,000. in aid this year, said John Varamo, who manages arts for the Economic Development department. Many of the grants make arts programs accessible for lower-income residents, he said. Art projects receive city funding Awardee Project Project Description Ballet School of Stamford Dance for All Provides free dance classes for local children who cannot afford them. Connecticut Ballet, Inc. 2018-2019 Stamford season Nutcracker at Palace and Ballet Under The Stars at Mill River Franklin Street Gallery, Inc. Educational Programming for Two Exhibitions Various free educational workshops, talks, and hands-on art classes Haitian American Professionals Assn of CT,Inc 19th annual Haitian Book & Arts Festival 2018 Free family festival that celebrates Haitian literature, music and culture in South End Highland Green Foundation Community Concerts at First Presbyterian Church Free public holiday concert and Drozdoff Society performances Loft Artists Association Art Workshops & Open Studios Free art workshops for underprivileged youth and free Open Studios events Lumina String Quartet Young Persons String Quartet Festival, Lumina String Quartet Concerts Music education classes for underprivileged youth and general performances Shippan Point Association Music in the Park at Czescik Marina Free community performances at the Czescik Marina gazebo Stamford Art Association 46th High School Student Art Exhibit & Outdoor Art Space Creative placemaking art space at SAA gallery and annual high school student art exhibit The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County "Family Store: Downtown Stamford 1940-1965" Projection art installation of historic family owned businesses in downtown Stamford The Stamford Chorale, Inc. Winter and Spring Concerts Helps fund season Treetops Chamber Music Society Artists Mentor Youth, a musical outreach program of the Treetops Chamber Music Society Present family concerts as part of the Artists Mentor Youth program Source: City of Stamford See More Collapse Marti Etter, executive director of the Ballet School of Stamford, was among the grant recipients. The school, entering its 20th year, hands out some $80,000 worth of scholarships to students and puts on a free performance for school children at the Palace Theatre each year. The $14,000 grant from the city is a big help, Etter said. Its really a seal of approval, she said. When the city and state support you. Other recipients include the Shippan Point Association, which recently hosted its third free music in the park program where a piano is played in Czescik Marina, and the Connecticut Ballet, which will put on a ballet performance under the stars in Mill River Park. The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County will use the grant to pursue an ambitious project seeking to bring downtowns pre-Urban Renewal storefronts back to life. And thanks to the grant, the Highland Green Foundation will again slate free holiday musical performances at the First Presbyterian Church. barry.lytton@stamfordadvocate.com; 203-964-2263; @bglytton FAIRFIELD Deputy Police Chief Chris Lyddy will take on the job of acting chief effective Oct. 27. The Police Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to appoint Lyddy as acting chief, although the panel has yet to hold a public discussion on the process that will be used to name a permanent replacement for Chief Gary MacNamara. MacNamaras last day, after a little more than 30 years on the job, will be Oct. 26. He is taking a job at Sacred Heart University as executive director of public safety and governmental affairs. At Wednesdays meeting, a motion was made to go into private session to discuss promotions. When informed that the general process could not be discussed in closed session, Chairman Susan Barrett suggested they table the subject to a date certain. But MacNamara pointed out that he would be leaving soon Effective Oct. 27 there has to be a plan in place, the chief said. The commission has the authority to appoint an acting chief. We would have to do that today, Commissioner James Millington said, Its not like youre. on vacation. Barrett suggested the commission hold a special meeting on Oct. 24. My only concern is whoever is coming in as acting chief probably needs to be brought up to speed, Millington said. I think there needs to be a little more time, Millington added that he felt it was a pretty easy decision as to who to appoint as the acting chief, seeing as how Lyddy was already in place as deputy chief. He said Lyddy has filled in as acting chief before. Commissioner Norma Peterson made the motion to name Lyddy the acting chief. Millington said once Lyddy takes over as acting chief, Capt. Don Smith would be the second in command, but that there is no need to name an acting deputy chief. The towns charter states that a police chief is appointed by the commission, with the approval of the first selectman, from the three highest scoring candidates who have passed a competitive exam for police chief. At this point, no exam has been scheduled. The commission could choose to keep its search in-house or make a nationwide search for a chief. There is a promotional exam for captain slated for Oct. 30, according to Lyddy. greilly@ctpost.com; 203-842-2585 In the race for attorney general, Republican and political newcomer Sue Hatfield dramatically outspent her Democratic opponent in September, dumping over half a million dollars into advertising. Hatfield, a state prosecutor from Pomfret, spent $580,110 in September, campaign finance reports filed Wednesday show, and has another $7,500 in unpaid expenses. She cut a $305,000 check for broadcast and cable airtime for her commercials and spent $175,000 on digital marketing for advertising that will continue into October. Sue is going up against a career politician, said Spencer Rubin, Hatfields spokesman. She has a great campaign message and we are trying to get it out there. In contrast, Democrat William Tong, a Stamford state representative, spent only $73,040 from Sept. 10-30, with nearly $20,000 in unpaid expenses, filings show. His biggest check in that time was $37,000 for polling, but he has previously paid for TV commercials. Tong has more than $750,000 left for the last four weeks before election day. Both Tong and Hatfield are using $812,550 in public grants to fund their campaigns. Miller waits for money In the state comptrollers race, Republican Kurt Miller is still waiting to be awarded a public financing grant. As of Monday, his campaign had less than $6,000 left, filings show. Miller, first selectman of Seymour, did not raise the $76,600 needed to qualify for a public grant until Sept. 10. Millers late application for the grant meant that he is only eligible for $609,412.50 in public aid. Democratic incumbent Kevin Lembo who qualified in June received more than $800,000 in August. We are confident of being approved for the Citizens Elections Program at the commissions next regularly scheduled meeting, Miller said. Lembo spent nearly $50,000 on polls in September, as well as thousands on consulting, according to finance reports. Miller could only spend a few thousand on wages and palm cards in that time. emunson@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson iShares Latin America 40 ETF's stock was trading at $22.49 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, ILF stock has increased by 13.7% and is now trading at $25.57. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Reinsurance Group of America, Inc. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of traditional and non-traditional life and health reinsurance products. It operates through the following segments: U.S. and Latin America; Canada; Europe, Middle East, and Africa; Asia Pacific; and Corporate and Other. The U.S. and Latin America segment markets individual and group life and health reinsurance to domestic clients for a variety of products through yearly renewable term agreements, coinsurance, and modified coinsurance. The Canada segment offers individual life reinsurance, and to a lesser extent creditor, group life and health, critical illness and disability reinsurance, through yearly renewable term and coinsurance agreements. The Europe, Middle East, and Africa segment serves individual and group life and health products through yearly renewable term and coinsurance agreements, reinsurance of critical illness coverage that provides a benefit in the event of the diagnosis of a pre-defined critical illness and underwritten annuities. The Asia Pacific segment comprises individual and group life and health reinsurance, critical illness coverage, disability, and superannuation thr Read More There is not enough analysis data for Botswana Diamonds. 4.1 Community Rank Outperform Votes Botswana Diamonds has received 231 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Botswana Diamonds has received 140 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Botswana Diamonds has received 62.26% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Botswana Diamonds and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe BOD will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe BOD 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 COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, ECH shares have increased by 6.8% and is now trading at $26.75. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF's stock was trading at $25.60 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, EWU stock has increased by 30.8% and is now trading at $33.48. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Smart & Final Stores, Inc. operates as a food retailer in the United States. It operates in two segments, Smart & Final and Smart Foodservice. The company's stores offer fresh perishables and everyday grocery items, such as produce, meat and deli, dairy and cheese, grocery, and beverage products, as well as paper and packaging, and restaurant equipment and janitorial supplies. It also provides various private label products under the First Street, Sun Harvest, Simply Value, La Romanella, Montecito, Iris, and Ambiance brands. The company sells its products to household and business customers; restaurants; caterers; and various other foodservice businesses, such as food trucks and coffee houses through vendors and suppliers. As of December 30, 2018, it operated 326 grocery and foodservice stores, including 59 Smart & Final stores, 201 Smart & Final Extra! stores, and 66 Smart Foodservice Warehouse stores located in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, and Utah, as well as 15 stores in Northwestern Mexico operated through a joint venture. Smart & Final Stores, Inc. was founded in 1871 and is headquartered in Commerce, California. Read More Hello, northeast Ohio. As a son of a dairy farmer, it pained me to read last weeks (Oct. 4 Farm and Dairy, page A1) Dairy Excel column written by Dianne Shoemaker about Ohio losing more than 7 percent of its dairy herds over the past year. My heart aches for the 172 farms which have made the tough decision to exit the dairy industry and for others who are contemplating the same action. I remember what it feels like to sell cows at the bottom of the market, which our family did when my dad passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2010. Helping my mom sell our cows at 50 percent of their value was one of the hardest things I ever had to do on the farm. Watching the cows leave was like watching a family member leave home, never to return. Dianne made a great point in her article about the need for farm families to take a hard look at the whole picture and make decisions while they still have choices. Not just dairy This advice is not only for dairy farm operations. This advice goes for other farmers, and I would contend that crop farmers need to be on high alert. Bin-busting yields, large carry-over grain stocks, low margins, and the trade war with China may keep commodity prices depressed for longer than we desire. In my September Dairy Excel column, I shared how important it is to face challenges head-on. Dont disappear into harvest and tune out the world. It is especially important not to ignore the financial books. Keep one eye on the trade war and farm bill discussions, but more importantly, keep one eye squarely on where you are financially. Farm Science Review One place to get a good pulse on the bigger picture of what is happening in agriculture was at Ohio States Farm Science Review held at the end of September in London, Ohio. The review was full of machinery demonstrations, research sharing, and Extension personnel providing management strategies. Today, I would like to share some of the management tips which were shared at the review: 2019 budgets: Barry Ward, assistant professor in OSU Extensions Extension Department of Agricultural and Natural Resources, shared his crop budget forecasts for 2019. Sadly, these numbers do not look too much different from the past two years. Barry reports that on average, after paying all the variable and fixed costs per acre, there will be only $47.19 per acre for corn; $100.08 per acre for soybeans, and $88.34 per acre for wheat to cover land rent/expense. This means 2019 will be another tight year. So it is imperative that producers examine their budgets closely. Any producer who would like the 2018 budget estimates for corn, soybeans, and wheat can access them at OSU Extensions farm office website at https://farmoffice.osu.edu/farm-management-tools/farm-budgets 2019. Rental rates: Given our low margins both Barry Ward and Michael Langenmeier from Purdue University shared that rental rates should drop in 2019. But will they? Lowering rental rates once they have increased is often a tough pill to swallow for most landowners. I would contend it becomes an even more difficult discussion if you rarely talk to them during the year. Now is the time to have more communication with the landowners you are renting from, not less. Have you shared your crop budgets with your landowners? Are you checking in with landowners during the course of the year or are you lucky to have a conversation once a year with them? One bright spot is that CAUV taxes have come back down a bit for the counties which have be re-evaluated. Farm stress: Kathy Goins presented each day at the review on the increased stress levels in the farm community. Kathy provided a lot of great tips for recognizing stress in ourselves and others. She also provided tips for managing our stress. One point which she shared was the importance of connecting with the people around you. Stress can lead to individuals becoming more isolated. This isolation can increase depression. Dont stop attending community events. Stay connected by giving back to those around you. One thing I have learned in life is that we are all battling lifes ups and downs. Your kindness may mean more than you can ever imagine. Approach each conversation with others as your chance to lift them up. In turn, you may find your spirits rising. What do I do?: A lot of advice was provided on how we can weather the storm. Bottom line, the key to surviving in this new normal is to distance ourselves from the bushels per acre or pounds of milk per cow mentality. Instead, we need talk about the cost of production and the net rate of return per bushel, gallon or hundredweight. Be a price enhancer, not a price settler. Push the pencil. OSU Extension has financial professionals who can help you crunch the numbers and develop a game plan. Check out: https://farmprofitability.osu.edu/ for more information. Final thoughts: There was not a lot of good news from the experts with regards to profitability for the short run. I cannot stress the need for producers to develop sound budgets for next year and to improve their record management systems. A dollar an acre saved here and a dollar saved there will make a huge difference. I challenge you to follow Denis Waitleys advice of: Change the changeable, accept the unchangeable, and remove yourself from the unacceptable. Have a good and safe day. Related content (This article was updated Oct. 12 to clarify a quote from OEPA Director Craig Butler regarding the nutrient reduction target.) REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio Which comes first? The science or the action? Thats the conundrum an Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission task force faces in crafting its recommendation as to whether or not the commission should concur with Ohio Gov. John Kasichs executive order to declare watersheds in the Maumee River Basin as distressed. The task force met Oct. 4 to review existing research and hear from stakeholder groups. The designation would force farmers in those watersheds to follow specific nutrient management rules. The goal is improving water quality in Lake Erie and its tributaries and reducing potential for harmful algal bloom. The full commission is expected to vote on the matter at its Nov. 1 meeting. The task force is meeting Oct. 25, ostensibly to finalize its recommendation. The issue isnt whether or not theres a problem task force members and advisers agree there is but whether or not the science is clear on a plan of action, if doing XYZ will improve Lake Erie water quality by X percent. One camp believes its time to force Ohio landowners and operators to take action, even if the outcome is unknown. The other camp believes the state hasnt given farmers voluntary practices enough time to work, that there are not enough resources to meet the requirements, and that no matter what practices are implemented, Mother Nature is still a wild card. This is an adaptive process, said Craig Butler, director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. You make your best judgments based on the science you have, you put it in place, you measure it and see if you get the desired result. If you do, you stop; if you dont, you keep forwarding, to continue to identify what your next steps are until you hit the goal. Butler said the designation is not an indictment against farmers nor ignores the work theyve done to date, but focuses money, resources and policy where its needed most. We dont have time, nor do we have the ability to answer all of those questions before we move to the next step. When pressed, however, by Ohio Cattlemans Association Executive Director Elizabeth Harsh, Butler said if only livestock farmers implement all the measures prescribed under the distressed watershed designation, its unlikely that the state would hit the 40 percent nutrient reduction target identified in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 2012. In a subsequent email to Farm and Dairy, sent by his deputy director of communication, Butler emphasized if all farmers that are in a distressed watershed comply with the proposed rules, we do have a chance to meet the 40 percent reduction target. At the start of the Oct. 4 meeting, Dr. Cathann Kress, dean of Ohio State Universitys College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, presented a review of the water quality research to date. But, she added, the review raised more questions from the universitys scientists than it answered. Were limited by data we dont have on variables we dont have, Kress said. 590 standard Under the distressed designation, farmers or applicators in the affected watersheds would be required to create and attest that they are following a nutrient management plan and that could include separate plans for individual fields. The designation would require compliance with conservation practices in the USDAs Natural Resources Conservation Services Field Office Technical Guide, also known as the 590 standards, and those standards are currently under review. Rules in the works If the commission supports the designations, regulations crafted by the Ohio departments of agriculture, natural resources and environmental protection will kick in (link opens .pdf of document submitted to CSI). The rules are already in the works and are being analyzed for the cost of compliance by the Common Sense Initiative. The rules would then be reviewed by the Ohio General Assemblys Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, or JCARR. Related coverage: HARRISBURG, Pa. Dairy producers are encouraged to attend one of the Dairy Industry Producer Roundtable Meetings this October in Myerstown, Carlisle, State College, Mansfield, Martinsburg and Grove City. The roundtable meetings will include a discussion on current market dynamics and controlling the controllable through the right resources, as well as a look at dairy programs recently made available, both at the federal level and within the state. The roundtables are intended to provide a forum for dairy producers to ask questions and gain insight on the factors currently affecting the marketplace and how they can best prepare for the next twelve months, said Jayne Sebright, executive director with the Center for Dairy Excellence. To register, email Heidi Zimmerman at hzimmerman1@centerfordairyexcellence.org, or call the Center for Dairy Excellence at 717-346-0849. For complete details, register online at www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/dairy-producer-roundtable-meetings/. All meetings are free to attend; however, registration is required. (This story was originally published by ProPublica.) By Ken Ward Jr. / ProPublica/The Charleston Gazette-Mail Three years ago, a group of residents in West Virginias northern panhandle formed a new group, the Ohio Valley Jobs Alliance, and declared themselves a voice for local jobs. A few months later, however, the groups first major action was aimed not at creating jobs, but at blocking them. In November 2015, the alliance, known as the OVJA, filed a legal appeal to challenge a key permit for construction of the Moundsville Power project, a natural gas-fired plant in Marshall County. The move was puzzling. Backers of Moundsville Power said the project would be a significant boost for the area, providing 500 jobs annually during a three-year construction period and 30 permanent jobs once it was operational. Supporters said the project was a way for residents to capture more economic gains from West Virginias booming natural gas industry. The legal action, it turns out, was funded by Murray Energy Corp., one of the nations largest coal producers, one of the groups leaders testified in a deposition in the case. Murray Energys founder and CEO is Robert E. Murray, who is among the nations best-known advocates for reviving the coal industry and cutting regulations related to it. The OVJA also is seeking to stop two other natural gas power plants proposed for West Virginia, and Murray Energy has acknowledged paying certain legal fees for the group. Like the Moundsville plant, the facilities proposed for Harrison and Brooke counties would provide hundreds of construction jobs for several years and then about 30 permanent positions. All told, the three plants would cost more than $2 billion to build. Power plants need several kinds of government permits, and the jobs alliance has focused its legal attacks on air-pollution permits issued by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and utility certificates of need permits handled by the state Public Service Commission. Testimony in the power plant cases before both agencies doesnt reveal details about Murray Energys funding for the OVJA lawyers, and current financial records for the alliance arent publicly available. In pursuing their cases, the lawyers paid, at least in part, by Murray Energy have relied on the same kinds of government regulations that Robert Murray has railed against. In the Moundsville plant case, those lawyers challenged a permit partly because it allowed an increase in carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming. Murray has said global warming is a hoax. Construction has not begun on any of the three projects, at least partly, because of litigation-related delays, developers say. Its been very frustrating, said Drew Dorn, president of Energy Solutions Consortium, the company that was originally behind the Moundsville plant and continues to promote the Harrison and Brooke projects. OVJA officials and lawyers did not return calls and emails seeking comment. Robert Murray, through a spokesman, declined a request for an interview. The spokesman would not answer questions, pointing to a prepared statement: The Ohio Valley Jobs Alliance is a grassroots organization that seeks to preserve coal jobs in the Ohio Valley, the statement said. While we certainly support their mission, we have not provided financial support to the organization, other than assisting them with certain legal fees. OVJA members have the welfare of the people in the Ohio Valley as their first priority, as they work to preserve these jobs and family livelihoods. We are pleased to support their efforts. The influence of Murray and his company on the coal industrys future is far-reaching. He is a funder and confidant of President Donald Trump. Trump has pledged to revive the coal industry, and Murray has praised the administrations efforts. During an August rally in Charleston, the president typically a supporter of large energy projects touted coal as superior to natural gas. He played up the risk of terrorist attacks on gas pipelines and extolled the virtues of coal. We love clean, beautiful West Virginia coal, the president told a crowd sprinkled with miners holding Trump digs coal signs. And you know that its indestructible stuff in times of war. You can blow up those pipelines. But the OVJAs approach fighting against an industry competitor of coal risks stopping developments that could diversify West Virginias economy. The gas plants the OVJA has been fighting would make up for the closure of numerous coal plants across the region that were old, inefficient and unable to comply with modern air pollution limits. The OVJA is certainly right about one significant point: The gas-fired power plants would employ far fewer workers than a large coal-fired power plant. Appalachian Powers Mitchell Plant, a coal-fired facility south of Moundsville, has about 270 full-time employees, according to a company spokeswoman, compared to about 30 when the Moundsville plant is operational. But Anne Blankenship, executive director of the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association, argued in a recent newspaper commentary that comparisons with coal ignore the broader economic benefits of the gas industry. It was an unusually direct response from one local fossil fuel industry to another. This argument fails to consider the hundreds of jobs required once that well is drilled, including: Well servicers, compressor station operators, pipeline inspectors, air permit compliance field specialists, environmental compliance inspectors, maintenance personnel, production technicians, division order analysts, accounting staff, reserve engineers and the list goes on and on, wrote Blankenship, who is not related to former Massey Energy Co. CEO Don Blankenship. James Van Nostrand, a West Virginia University law professor who has followed the cases, said Murray Energys financial support of the jobs alliances legal fight is very unusual but is unlikely to save coal from gas in the long run and will just cost the state major gas investments. Its very unfortunate, Van Nostrand said. Were losing all these economic benefits and being able to diversify our fuel supply. Blocking the gas plants might delay the closure of some existing coal plants that are on the margins of profitability in the very short term, Van Nostrand said. But its only a matter of time before efficient new gas plants finish off more aging and inefficient coal plants, he said. To be sure, state environmental groups have a variety of concerns about the growth of the states natural gas industry, and a Sierra Club leader spoke against the Harrison County plant at a public hearing, citing growing worry about the release of the powerful greenhouse gas methane all along the gas-production process. But they have not filed formal appeals of the gas plant permits. They have focused their efforts on stopping two new gas transmission pipelines in the state. Jim Kotcon, a longtime state Sierra Club leader, said there is more significant public opposition to the pipelines, largely because those projects are using eminent domain to take private property, an issue that resonates even with many conservatives in the state. As you may suspect, to have a meaningful chance of opposing fossil fuel plants in West Virginia requires a fairly significant public involvement campaign, and unfortunately, we have a few too many of these projects to take on all of them, Kotcon said. Committed to Coal Robert Murray went to work in the mines when he was 16, to help support his family after a mining accident left his father paralyzed. Later, he studied mining engineering at Ohio State University, then spent many years at North American Coal Corp. In 1988, he and the company parted ways and he mortgaged everything he owned to buy his first coal mine, according to Murray Energys website. Since then, Murray Energy has grown to become the largest producer of underground mined coal in the United States. Along the way, Murray has clashed with regulators, labor unions, environmentalists and journalists. In 2007, Murray went on national television to blame the deaths of six miners and three would-be rescuers at his companys Crandall Canyon Mine in Utah on an earthquake, a conclusion investigators had disputed. Hes also sued journalists and media personalities whose coverage or commentary he hasnt liked, including HBO host John Oliver, The New York Times, and The Charleston Gazette, which later became part of the Gazette-Mail. (That lawsuit was settled when the newspaper agreed to run a commentary written by Murray.) A Bloomberg News profile of Murray summed up his position as being that of Americas pro-coal provocateur-in-chief. Over the past five years, as coals fortunes declined, Murray doubled down on the industry. In 2013, Murray Energy purchased the major coal holdings of Consol Energy Inc., which was largely exiting the coal business in favor of natural gas. Then, in 2015, Murray Energy bought a controlling interest in Foresight Energy, which has major holdings in the coalfields of Southern Illinois. An early fundraiser for Sen. Ted Cruzs presidential campaign during the 2016 Republican primary, Murray backed Trump when it became clear he was going to be the GOP nominee, and Murray Energy contributed $1 million to a Trump super PAC and donated $300,000 to the inauguration. I have personally spent time with Mr. Trump, and I know he will surround himself with the very best people to fix the many problems facing our country, Murray said the day after the 2016 presidential election. Indeed, Mr. Trump will finally implement a National Energy Policy whereby all energy sources will compete on a level playing field. When the OVJA filed its application for nonprofit status with the Internal Revenue Service, it said the alliance is a grassroots organization and movement whose mission is to promote and protect the good-paying jobs in the Ohio Valley region. It estimated that the groups budget would be $10,000 a year in both 2016 and 2017. The IRS applications didnt require the source of the money to be disclosed, and the OVJA didnt do so. The application did not mention coal, or Murray Energy. But on May 22, 2015, the same day IRS records show that the OVJA officially formed, Murray Energy did what a lot of coal companies were doing at the time. The company announced plans for anticipated layoffs of hundreds of miners. Along with excessive taxes and the ongoing destruction of the coal industry by then-President Barack Obama, a Murray Energy news release blamed the vastly increased use of natural gas in the Ohio Valley to generate electricity. In a news release four days later, announcing the alliances formation, Bruce Whipkey, listed as president of the group, cited Murray Energys layoff announcement as a reason local residents needed to focus on protecting jobs. Whipkey said the alliance wasnt against the gas industry, but that it simply opposed tax breaks that local governments were offering to the Moundsville power plant project. The Ohio Valley is blessed to have both coal and natural gas reserves, Whipkey said in the news release. These two industries can and should work together for the good of everyone in the Ohio Valley. Jim Thomas, a retired Wheeling area coal miner and leader of OVJA, has testified that the organization was probably formed before May 2015, but that it wasnt made legal until then. According to Thomas testimony at a 2016 Air Quality Board hearing about the Moundsville plant, Murray Energys involvement started sometime after Thomas visited one of the companys mine offices to arrange for the company to fix a problem with his homes water supply. Murray Energy had taken over providing Thomas water when it purchased Consols mines, which had damaged the original supply, Thomas testified. I had a busted water line where they were shipping water up to my house, he said. So I went out to talk to [a company official]. At the time, Thomas was involved in a group called Marshall County Citizens for Better Government, which he and a few of his friends, along with some retired coal miners, started. Its members met at a local diner to talk politics and local affairs, and they made it a habit of attending school board, city council and other government meetings. There was probably 10 or 12 of us [who] would go up there and meet and eat breakfast and talk about stuff going on, Thomas said. The group discussed different political stuff or whats wrong with Marshall County, what can we do to make Marshall County better, how can we get people involved in whats going on? Then, Thomas said, he and his friends heard about the proposal for a gas-fired power plant to be built in Moundsville. They had watched one local coal-fired plant close and were concerned that more gas plants would cost the area more high-paying coal jobs, while not providing as many gas industry positions. This coal is important to Marshall County, Thomas said in his testimony. Weve got to have it. So when Thomas was at the Murray Energy mine office, he met with a company foreman. I went in and talked to him and told him what we were trying to do, Thomas recalled. I said weve got to try to save these jobs. And I gave him my name and phone number. Shortly after that, someone from Murray Energy Thomas doesnt remember exactly who it was called him and asked how the company could help the group. Thomas said that Robert Murray played no role in forming the organization and never attended any of the groups meetings. Thomas said he asked his son, Greg, for help with paperwork for the group and with social media. Greg Thomas is a longtime Republican operative in West Virginia who has been running the U.S. Senate campaign of Don Blankenship. (The state Supreme Court recently ruled that Blankenship could not appear on the ballot as a third-party candidate after he lost in the Republican primary.) Jim Thomas did not respond to requests for comment for this report. Greg Thomas said in an email that he has never had an official role with the OVJA and has never been paid by the alliance or by Murray Energy. My dad taught me to always stand up for what I believe in, and I am proud of him for being so successful with their efforts, he said. Personally, I support any and all West Virginia energy production. Lawyers for the OVJA did not respond to requests for comment. The two law firms that represent OVJA also have done work on behalf of Murray Energy in unrelated cases. Five months after the OVJA was formed, Murray gave a speech in which he encouraged Northern West Virginia business leaders to get involved in the group. At an economic conference in Wheeling in October 2015, Murray repeated his frequent refrain against the Obama administration, blasting a regulatory rampage that he warned was destroying the regions mining industry. Murray also targeted the natural gas industry and noted that, just a few months earlier, natural gas had for the first time surpassed coal in the amount of electricity generated in the United States. Murray directed his criticism at the gas plant proposed for Moundsville, and he noted that it was only one of several such facilities in the works. If this concerns you, or you have a business here, we suggest that you become active in the Ohio Valley Jobs Alliance, Murray told the crowd of business leaders, according to a copy of his prepared remarks. We can provide information on it. About six weeks later, the OVJA filed its first legal action, an appeal of a state-approved air-pollution permit for the Moundsville gas plant. OVJA later said it had 400 members. However, the West Virginia Public Service Commission said evidence from a similar case before the Ohio Power Siting Board showed that it had 242 members and that 76 of those were West Virginia residents. This year, the IRS automatically revoked the the OVJAs tax-exempt status after the group did not file nonprofit financial forms for three years in a row, according to the IRS website and GuideStar, an organization that monitors nonprofit groups. It leaves the IRS and the general public without any basic information about the organization, said Holly Ivel, GuideStars director of data services. Funding Revealed In the power plant cases, it hasnt always been easy to confirm that Murray Energy was funding at least some of the alliances legal challenges. During the Brooke case, a construction union coalition, whose members stand to gain work, wanted records on the challenge filed by the jobs alliance. The Public Service Commission initially refused to force the group to turn over records, saying they werent relevant. But when that case came up for a hearing in October 2017, PSC Chairman Michael Albert asked Jim Thomas where the groups money came from. Initially, Thomas responded: We dont use much money. I had a couple donations and that was it. After another back and forth, Thomas responded: Murray Energys paying for the legal work. But Murray Energy does not give me any money. In the utility commission cases, Thomas and his group focused largely on questioning tax breaks being awarded to the developers by local governments. The PSC generally rejected those concerns, saying that the deals still called for the plants to pay more money in the form of leases for public property and payments in lieu of taxes than if the plants werent built at all. Thomas and his group also questioned whether the Department of Environmental Protection properly limited air pollution, including, in at least one case, greenhouse emissions despite Murray having said publicly that the global warming scare is purely political and not based on any science. Despite his stated concerns for the environment, Thomas offered confusing answers when asked about his specific objections to the Moundsville plants DEP permit during a deposition taken before the 2016 Air Quality Board appeal hearing. One of the issues thats been raised is concern about greenhouse gases that would come out of the stack of the Moundsville Power project. Do you have a concern about greenhouse gases? power plant lawyer Dave Yaussy asked. Thomas responded, Yes. Yaussy followed up, Are you concerned about global warming? Thomas responded, No. Air Quality Board members later wrote in an order that they were somewhat concerned by the OVJAs apparent lack of knowledge about the contents of its appeal, lack of cognizable purpose related to the environment, and overall express intent to stop the construction of the plant solely to benefit another industry. For the most part, Thomas did not focus on the environmental issues, instead saying his main concern was that natural gas was eating into coals market share and that coal provided more jobs and better-paying jobs than natural gas ever would. West Virginia is coal, Thomas testified. The Murray Energy-funded challenges are having some impact on the gas plant proposals. Supporters of the Moundsville plant, for example, say the project is on life support because of litigation-related delays. Lawyers for the OVJA appealed its air-pollution permit to a state circuit court, where the case was pending for 15 months. Kanawha Circuit Judge Joanna Tabit ruled in November 2017, only after then-state commerce secretary Woody Thrasher whose agency was not a party wrote an unusual letter warning that investors were increasingly nervous about delays and asking the judge for an urgent review of the case. Tabit, who is now seeking a seat on the state Supreme Court, said she ruled quickly on the case after she was told it was a pressing matter. Later, legislators passed a bill so that any future cases would bypass county courts and go directly to the West Virginia Supreme Court. The OVJAs action also prompted legislation to require anyone who appeals such a permit to disclose who is paying their lawyers, but that bill did not pass. In the most recent case, the jobs alliances challenge of the air-pollution permit for the Harrison plant, the state board ruled on Aug. 24 that the group failed to offer sufficient threshold evidence to support its objections to emissions limits and air-quality modeling for the project. The Air Quality Board also ruled, contrary to its findings in the Moundsville plant case, that the OVJA did not have legal standing to bring the appeal. In its decision, the board noted that Jim Thomas testified that he believed four OVJA members live in Harrison County, but that he could only identify the first name Steven of one such member, and that this member had not complained to him about any potential health effects of the plant and was not involved in the appeal. The OVJA, as an organization, has no demonstrated interest in protecting the health of the citizenry or the environment of Harrison County, the board ruled. And the case about the Brooke County plant is headed for the state Supreme Court, where an oral argument over the alliances challenge of the PSC approval is scheduled for early October. Despite West Virginias dramatic growth in natural gas production, the state has only three gas-fired power plants, and they are built to run only when there is high demand. Brooke, Harrison and Moundsville would be larger facilities, meant to run during times of normal electricity demand the first of their kind for West Virginia. Just before a hearing in late July on his companys Harrison plant, Dorn issued a blistering news release characterizing the OVJA cases as frivolous lawsuits and alleging that Murray Energy is trying to kill thousands of jobs on these projects. Then, in late August, the Affiliated Construction Trades Foundation, a coalition of construction unions that support the gas plants and whose members would build them, purchased half-page newspaper ads across the state to complain that Murray Energy was supporting a shadowy front group that is holding West Virginia jobs hostage! Steve White, director of the ACT Foundation, said his group supports the coal industry but believes that, if the gas plants arent built in West Virginia, they likely will go to Ohio or Pennsylvania, instead. For White, the issue comes down to this: Many coal jobs have disappeared, and they seem unlikely to return. So why should West Virginia pass up more jobs related to the gas boom? Were terribly frustrated with the delays on these projects and extremely concerned that we may miss out entirely on these opportunities, White said. Its just a lose-lose situation. (This article was produced by ProPublica, an independent, nonprofit, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom, in partnership with the Charleston Gazette-Mail, which is a member of the ProPublica Local Reporting Network. Ken Ward Jr. covers the environment, workplace safety and energy, with a focus on coal and natural gas, for the Charleston Gazette-Mail. Email him at kward@wvgazettemail.com. Sign up for the ProPublica newsletter.) HARRISBURG, Pa. Layne Lassnick, of Painesville, Ohio, showed her 1,340-pound steer claimed top honors in the market steer show at the 2018 Keystone International Livestock Exposition Oct. 6 in Harrisburg. This is the second year in a row that Lassnick has claimed the grand champion junior market steer title. Lassnick first rose above a class of five steers in her heavyweight class before winning heavyweight champion and the overall title. Claiming reserve grand champion steer honors was Kendra Padilla of Friedens, Somerset County. Her steer, weighing 1,320 pounds, was also the champion middleweight. Preview show The Champion Farm Show Preview Steer was awarded to Rylee Stockdale of Dayton, Armstrong County. Alexis Meily of Huntingdon County, showed the reserve grand champion Farm Show Preview steer. The owners plan to exhibit those animals in three months at the 2019 Pennsylvania Farm Show in January. Class winners Other champions in the junior market steer show included: Champion lightweight: Chase Hanson of Lewisburg, W.Va.; reserve champion lightweight: Alexis Minch of Avella, Washington County; Champion middleweight: Kendra Padilla of Friedens, Somerset County; reserve champion middleweight, Alli Jobe of Greensburg, Westmoreland County; Reserve champion heavyweight: Kansas Ealy of West Alexander, Washington County. By Other News SYRACUSE, N.Y. Teachers can bring the farm to the classroom with American Dairy Association North Easts two new virtual farm tours this fall. The 45-minute real-time video chats show firsthand how farmers care for the cows and their land and produce high-quality milk for consumers. Students will have the opportunity to send questions to the farmers, who will answer live. Two dairy farms are featured. On Oct. 26 at 9:15 a.m., George Andrew of EL-VI Farms, LLC, in Newark, New York, will guide a tour for elementary students. On Nov. 14 at 1 p.m., Katie Dotterer-Pyle of Cow Comfort Inn in Union Bridge, Maryland, will host a tour geared toward high school students. Each tour will be recorded and made available for later viewing. Teachers can visit www.americandairy.com/dairy-in-schools/virtual-farm-trip.stml to select a date and register for a tour. For more information, contact Emma Andrew-Swarthout at eandrew@milk4u.org. Sheep travelling to the continent could be killed en masse if the UK leaves the EU in the event of a 'no deal' Brexit scenario, it has been reported. Livestock travelling to the continent mid-transit could be killed if queues at the ports are too severe in the event of leaving the EU with no deal. In an article written on Wednesday (10 October) for The Times, "sensitive discussions" by some worried Whitehall officials about what to do with livestock if there are days of delays or closures at ports are reportedly under way. 2016 figures show that more than 4,000 sheep are transported to Europe every year for slaughter. European supply chains are a key part of delivering the goods that UK and EU consumers buy every day. The majority of those goods are ones that need to be transported quickly, particularly fresh fruit and vegetables, and livestock. One Whitehall source reportedly told The Times: The thing worrying some in No 10 is the discussion prompted by Clare Moriarty [permanent secretary of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs] about what to do, and whether we would need to have mass slaughter of such animals en route to slaughterhouses in the EU. Its the kind of thing they think unlikely but they also know the consequence for failing to plan would be terrible. Although this outcome is thought to be unlikely, the Defra Secretary, Michael Gove, is not believed to have seen or endorsed the proposals, though his office is aware of the issue. The news follows the British Retail Consortium highlighting how a lack of Brexit border controls risks disruption for UK supply chains. The group said there needs to be wider recognition of the "complexity and scale" of the challenge pertaining to future customs controls. It said there needs to be significant investment required in the UKs ports, roads and infrastructure to get "systems ready" for Brexit, and a suite of new agreements supplementing customs necessary to side-step additional red tape at ports and docks and prevent delays to goods. A farmer hopes to take the world by storm with the "cutest sheep ever" after successfully breeding them in New Zealand. Sally Strathdee and husband Lindsay, who farm in the countryside near Motueka, South Island, came across a Facebook photo of Valais Blacknose sheep five years ago. Since then, they became hooked on the breed, and the couple have tried to find a way of breeding the sheep in New Zealand. Initially trying New Zealand, Australia and the United States, but to no prevail, the couple identified British breeders who had gained top placings in the Carlisle show. Breeders in Scotland agreed to help the couple, but New Zealand's strict import laws around livestock prevented live animals being brought from the UK to their home country. Sally and Lindsay worked closely with the breeders to give them the confidence they could gain entry to NZ at a time when the entry conditions were still being updated. A small gleam at the end of the tunnel occurred, and a change in the NZ biosecurity laws finally meant the import of embryos was going to be a possibility. In May 2017, after wading through an enormous amount of red tape, numerous visits to breeders to select foundation stock, and finding a couple of breeders willing to undergo stringent requirements, the couple finally had embryos frozen and put on a plane to travel 11,000km. Embryos arrived began to arrive, and 16 Valais Blacknose sheep were born shortly after. The couple, who run the 12,000 follower strong Valais Blacknose New Zealand Facebook page, are now waiting for the green light to begin exports to North America. Global agri-tech companies met with the Government to drive further investment into the British farming industry. The companies, which included the likes of BASF, Bayer Crop Science, Syngenta and Zoetis, discussed opportunities for investment in the industry at a roundtable hosted by International Trade Secretary, Dr Liam Fox. Agri-tech businesses are already revolutionising farming around the world, from hands-free harvesting to driverless vehicles, and drones to plant and tend to crops. Hosted at 10 Downing Street, the event is the fourth in a series of Government investment roundtables which aims to promote UK industry sector opportunities to a global audience. The meetings hope to drive foreign direct-investment into the UK as it nears Brexit day. Ministers discussed the Governments strategic vision for the UK agri-tech sector with senior executives from across the industry, whose companies in total employ 10,000 people across the UK. The meeting follows the recently-published Agriculture Bill which provides an opportunity for agri-tech investors, aiming to help farmers deliver a cleaner and healthier environment through increased productivity and investment in the latest technology. A new start-up visa, launching in Spring 2019, will also make the visa process faster for entrepreneurs to enter the UK. Dr Fox said: Todays Agri-Tech roundtable is an excellent opportunity for the UK to further build on already strong relationships with investors, and for them to strengthen their ties with the UK science base and farming industry. As an international economic department, we want to work with investors across the world to embrace technology and make the UK a global leader in agricultural productivity, improve competitiveness and sustainability. In doing so, these investments will create jobs and prosperity for rural communities across the country. The roundtable follows news of the Government committing 30m for further rounds of the Countryside Productivity Small Grants scheme (CPSGS), which helps farmers buy new equipment to boost productivity. Producer organisations will continue to be funded until the end of the current parliament, regardless of the outcome of negotiations with the EU. Defra has announced that producer organisations, made up of growers who want to improve their position in the marketplace, will continue to receive funding. The confirmation will provide much needed clarity and certainty for growers who are members of such organisations, which sell 50% of all British fruit and veg. While the government committed to retaining the same cash total in funds for farm support, producer organisations has not received the same confirmation. The NFU, alongside the British Growers Association, have repeatedly raised the issue with ministers to ensure these schemes were treated equally alongside other funding. NFU horticulture and potatoes board chairman Ali Capper said: I am delighted that Defra have confirmed that producer organisations will continue to be funded until the end of the current parliament. I raised the issue personally with Defra Secretary of State Michael Gove at the NFUs fringe event at the Conservative Party Conference where he promised to make this a priority. She added: Along with the other growers in these groups, I am extremely relieved that he fulfilled his promise by providing a much-needed answer. Co-operation and productivity Producer organisations provide significant value to the horticulture sector by encouraging co-operation between growers, increasing productivity and channeling investment in the latest technology. The NFU said it is keen to continue working with Defra to shape the future of producer organisations and deliver the benefits more widely across the horticulture and potatoes sector. Defras statement on the issue said: We can today confirm that funding for operational programmes which are approved before we leave the EU is guaranteed until the end of this Parliament. This is in line with the Governments Manifesto Commitment to commit the same cash total in funds for farm support to the end of this Parliament, expected in 2022. This guarantee remains in place, even in the event of a No Deal with the European Union. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. Page Industries - Jockey India Page industries ltd, formerly known as page apparel manufacturing pvt.ltd, was set up in the year 1995 with the key objective of bringing the inner wear brand "jockey" to India. we are the sole licensed manufacturers of the jockey brand in india. for the past 11 years we have grown from 3 factories to 8 factories and 249 employees to over 5000 employees and have achieved immense recognition amongst inner wear brands in India. we also have the distinction of being the only inner wear brand in the country which has been awarded the"super brand" status. Page industries ltd, formerly known as page apparel manufacturing pvt.ltd, was set up in the year 1995 with the key objective of bringing the inner wear brand "jockey" to India. we are the sole licensed manufacturers of the jockey brand in india. for the past 11 years we have grown from 3 factories to 8 factories and 249 employees to over 5000 employees and have achieved immense recognition amongst inner wear brands in India. we also have the distinction of being the only inner wear brand in the country which has been awarded the"super brand" status. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Preity Zinta had filed a complaint against her then boyfriend and co-owner of Kings XI Punjab, Ness Wadia, in 2014 citing that he molested, abused and threatened her during an IPL match and the case has been going on for 4 years now. He was charged under section 354 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), section 506 (criminal intimidation) and section 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). It is now reported that Preity Zinta has withdrawn her molestation case against Ness Wadia after he apologised for his deeds and also submitted an affidavit of his apology with the same effect. Just yesterday, the Bombay High Court quashed the case and Preity Zinta was asked to close the matter, but her advocate informed the court that she would like to bury the hatchet if Ness Wadia apologised to her, for which he did and now she has withdrawn the case. Both Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia had appeared in Bombay High Court, where Justice Ranjit More held the session and the case has now been withdrawn. Preity Zinta currently lives in the United States with her husband Gene Goodenough and it looks like she'll settle there permanently and visit India only for family and work. On the work front, the actress is gearing up for the release of her upcoming movie Bhaiaji Superhit, which also stars Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel, Evelyn Sharma, Arshad Warsi and Shreyas Talpade in the lead roles. Bhaiaji Superhit is all set to hit the theatres on October 26, 2018. Abhijeet Bhattacharya Accused Of Sexual Harassment; Says 'Only Fat & Ugly Girls Do It For Attention' Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 10, 2018) - Marifil Mines Limited (TSXV: MFM) (OTCQB: MFMLF) ("Marifil" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news releases of September 11, 2018 and September 27, 2018, it has closed a non-brokered private placement financing (the "Financing") of 5,650,000 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.10 per Unit for gross proceeds of $565,000. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). One Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional Share of the Company at a price of $0.15 per Share for a period of two (2) years from closing. The proceeds of the Financing will be used for repayment of existing liabilities, exploration and development activities and general working capital. The Company issued 80,000 common shares and 80,000 share purchase warrants (the "Finder's Warrants") as a finder's fee in connection with certain subscriptions in the Financing. The Finder's Warrants have the same terms as the Warrants. All of the securities issued in connection with the Financing are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day. None of the securities to be issued in connection with the Financing will be or have been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and none may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. This press release is being issued pursuant to Rule 135c of the 1933 Act and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities, in any state where such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Marifil also announces its engagement of Canada One Communications Inc. ("Canada One") to manage the Company's investor relations activities. Canada One is a leading investor relations and communications provider, which services public companies across all industries. Pursuant to its engagement, Canada One will receive a fee of $7,500 per month. "The Company is always striving to improve its communications with shareholders and stakeholders," commented Rob Abenante, President and CEO of Marifil. "Canada One gives us access to a top tier team of communications experts to manage communications with our growing shareholder base. Communication with our shareholders is a top priority at Marifil," added Mr. Abenante. ON BEHALF OF MARIFIL MINES LIMITED "Rob Abenante" Robert Abenante, President & CEO Contact Information: Phone: 1-833-669- 6463 1-833-669- MINE Email:info@marifilmines.com For further information regarding Marifil Mines Limited, please refer to the Company's filings available on SEDAR (http://www.sedar.com) or at Marifil's Website (http://www.marifilmines.com). Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange), nor the OTCQB Venture Market accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To meet growing demand, IBM advances on-prem private cloud with new Watson AI capabilities ARMONK, New York, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) has announced that in less than 12 months since the release of IBM Cloud Private - an open source technology that brings cloud capabilities to organizations running on-premises IT systems - hundreds of leading enterprises worldwide have turned to the platform to help modernize their operations. They include New Zealand Police, China's Fuyao Group, Japan's Aflac Insurance, Turkey's credit bureau Kredi Kayit Burosu and Brazil's Fidelity National Information Services. Building on this momentum, IBM is announcing a slate of new advanced features for the on-premises private cloud platform, including the integration of powerful AI capabilities such as IBM Watson Assistant and IBM Watson Speech-to-Text, as well as support for additional public clouds, including the IBM Cloud. The updates provide clients with even more choice and flexibility for their IT journeys, and, for the first time, bring the power of IBM's Watson AI behind the company firewall. IBM is releasing details of over a dozen organizations which are driving transformation with IBM Cloud Private, including: New Zealand Police (NZP) is using the latest technologies to transform its operations and increase its ability to address crime and keep the community safe. NZP is exploring how IBM Cloud Private and Kubernetes containers can help to modernize its existing systems as well as quickly launch new services such as a mobile based communications system for its officers. is using the latest technologies to transform its operations and increase its ability to address crime and keep the community safe. NZP is exploring how IBM Cloud Private and Kubernetes containers can help to modernize its existing systems as well as quickly launch new services such as a mobile based communications system for its officers. Fuyao Group is China's largest and most advanced manufacturer of automotive glass supplying Audi, Bentley, General Motors, Toyota and other top car makers. To meet growing demand, Fuyao has embarked on a Smart Manufacturing initiative and is using IBM Cloud Private to help integrate the management of enterprise applications across its global manufacturing and business operations, ensuring the free flow of information across the organization. is largest and most advanced manufacturer of automotive glass supplying Audi, Bentley, General Motors, Toyota and other top car makers. To meet growing demand, Fuyao has embarked on a Smart Manufacturing initiative and is using IBM Cloud Private to help integrate the management of enterprise applications across its global manufacturing and business operations, ensuring the free flow of information across the organization. Aflac Insurance, Aflac Insurance, a leading provider of medical and cancer insurance providing protection to 1 in 4 households in Japan , has signed an agreement with IBM to help simplify and automate its IT infrastructure. With IBM Cloud Private, Aflac plans to enhance the efficiency of its operations and speed up the development of new products and services. Aflac Insurance, a leading provider of medical and cancer insurance providing protection to 1 in 4 households in , has signed an agreement with IBM to help simplify and automate its IT infrastructure. With IBM Cloud Private, Aflac plans to enhance the efficiency of its operations and speed up the development of new products and services. Kredi Kayit Burosu (KKB) provides the national cloud infrastructure for Turkey's finance industry. Last year KKB established a new data center in Ankara and is now using IBM cloud Private to help consolidate and localize the banking systems of over 150 members including banks and other financial services companies. With IBM Cloud Private, KKB is able to drive innovation across its financial services ecosystem while meeting the high standards for data security and privacy. provides the national cloud infrastructure for finance industry. Last year KKB established a new data center in and is now using IBM cloud Private to help consolidate and localize the banking systems of over 150 members including banks and other financial services companies. With IBM Cloud Private, KKB is able to drive innovation across its financial services ecosystem while meeting the high standards for data security and privacy. Brazil's Fidelity National Information Services (FIS), a global leader in payment processing solutions for the financial industry, has adopted IBM Cloud Private to help streamline credit card chargebacks for its Brazilian operations. IBM Cloud Private is helping FIS to orchestrate the various IT systems involved in reconciling and checking of transaction chargebacks while meeting the stringent regulatory requirements of the industry and helping to prevent fraud. "The cloud has evolved in a very short time from being a way to cut costs to a platform for business transformation and innovation," said Robin Hernandez, Director, IBM Private Cloud Offering Management. "Our IBM Cloud Private affords clients a transition to cloud that's designed to enable them to maintain their on-premises systems on which they still depend for many mission-critical applications and sensitive data sets." Putting AI Inside the Enterprise Today IBM is advancing IBM Cloud Private even further, announcing major enhancements to the platform, ranging from AI capabilities to additional public cloud support. Starting today, IBM Watson Speech-to-Text is now available with the new IBM Cloud Private version 3.1, making it the first time the tool is available in an on-premises environment. With Watson Speech-to-Text, users can automatically transcribe and analyze audio from seven different languages. In addition, IBM Watson Assistant is now available on IBM Cloud Private. The Watson Assistant platform helps developers and non-technical users to create conversational AI solutions, from simple chatbots to complex enterprise grade solutions for customer service and more. IBM also announced today that IBM Cloud Private is now available on the IBM Public Cloud, to help clients to easily move their enterprise workloads from on-premises systems to the public cloud in order to create hybrid cloud environments. Client quote "IBM Cloud Private is helping us to establish an end-to-end digital platform that will underpin a smarter, more agile, and more flexible corporate operating structure," said Mr. Lebing Xia, Vice President and CIO of the Fuyao Group. "And by enabling us to connect to other cloud-based services like AI, Blockchain and IoT, we will be able to get even more business value from the cloud." Analyst quote According to IDC's Worldwide Quarterly 2Q18 Cloud IT Infrastructure Tracker, September 2018, total worldwide spending on cloud IT infrastructure is expected to total $62.2 billion in 2018 with year-over-year growth of 31.1%. While public cloud datacenters will account for the majority of this spending, on-premises private clouds will account for nearly 20% of the total cloud IT infrastructure market, growing at 19.3% year over year in 2018. "Enterprises have a range of business and IT needs some of which are well served by public cloud offerings and some which are not," said Natalya Yezhkova, Research Director, IDC. "On-premises private cloud is a powerful option for established companies that are looking for a gradual approach for transforming their organization while keeping control of their IT infrastructure." About IBM Cloud With $18.5B in annual cloud revenue, IBM is the global leader in enterprise cloud with a platform designed to meet the evolving needs of business and society. Moving past productivity and cost improvements, the IBM Cloud is tuned for the AI and data demands that are driving true differentiation in today's enterprise. IBM's private, public and hybrid offerings provide the global scale businesses need to support innovation across industries. Built on open source frameworks Docker containers and Cloud Foundry, and managed with the Kubernetes container architecture, IBM Cloud Private enables organizations to develop cloud-native applications and also modernize on-premises applications in order to deploy them in either private cloud settings or the public cloud of their choice. Media contacts: Jonathan Batty IBM Media Relations (Europe) jjbatty@ibm.com Michael Zimmerman IBM Media Relations (US) mrzimmerman@us.ibm.com Notes for journalists and editors Examples of other leading Global Enterprises transforming with IBM Cloud Private: CNH Industrial, Italy CNH Industrial, a leader in the capital goods sector operating in the agricultural and construction equipment, commercial vehicles, specialty vehicles and powertrain segments, has signed a multi-year cloud agreement with IBM. Through the deal it will use IBM Cloud Private and Watson Artificial Intelligence to transform its business processes - from manufacturing to supply chain, sales & marketing and financial services. IBM Cloud Private will help CNH Industrial to optimize its management of enterprise applications while still benefitting from the security of control of its own on-premises infrastructure. The agility and flexibility of ICP has the long-term potential of generating greater efficiencies in application development and could enable faster time to market for new innovative customer services. Klirinski Interbankarski Sistemi AD Skopje (KIBS), Macedonia Klirinski Interbankarski Sistemi AD Skopje (KIBS), a Macedonia-based payment system operator owned by 12 banks is working with IBM to transform payment clearing processes and support faster the integration of Macedonia's banking system with the EU. With IBM Cloud Private KIBS will be able to consolidate and transform their existing resources into a "digital factory" capable of creating and running modern cloud-native applications on the fly. It is hoped that this transformation will reduce time to market for new digital products from one-and-a-half years to just a few months, while optimising operating costs and supporting KIBS' compliance activities related to stringent banking regulations. Sentient.io, Singapore Sentient.io, one of Singapore's leading Artificial Intelligence companies, is working with IBM to deliver on its mission to improve everyday life by making human and machine interactions more natural and pervasive.Sentient.io has chosen the IBM Cloud Private as a platform to host Singapore's first AI-as-a-Service (AaaS) platform to enable its customers to transform and automate their organizations with AI capabilities such as perception, understanding, self-learning and problem-solving. Using IBM Cloud Private, Sentient.io will help government and enterprise clients to meet strict data security and privacy requirements, modernize existing applications by moving them to the cloud, and effectively manage the lifecycle of their digital assets. Ilmarinen, Finland Ilmarinen, the largest private insurer in Finland responsible for the pensions of over 1.1 million Finish citizens and more than EUR 45 billion in investment assets, has shifted applications to IBM Cloud Private to enable it to develop new digital services while maximizing its existing IT infrastructure. By putting its application development pipeline onto IBM Cloud Private, Ilmarinen is able to significantly speed up development cycles and reduce infrastructure costs, cutting the total application release time from days to minutes. This is especially important with increased pressure on the world's pension systems due to an aging population. Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), Germany Germany's largest statutory health insurance fund Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) is using IBM Cloud Private for a new service called TK-Safe which provides customers with their health insurance data via their smartphone - regardless of time and location. IBM is already providing information as-a-service to TK-Safe's secure data vault which contains the encrypted health data of TK's insurance customers across Germany. Via an open service platform, TK- Safe is able to quickly and easily develop and launch new value-added services for insured persons, insurance companies, service providers and hospitals. Mangalore University, India Mangalore University, one of India's top public education institutions, will provide new-age courses in emerging technologies through its affiliated colleges and is leveraging the power of IBM Cloud Private to provide a common platform that can be accessed remotely by any student. IBM Cloud Private will run on the university's IBM Power servers as part of a comprehensive solution which also includes QRadar, MaaS360 and Cognos software. The solution will be integrated by Nihon Communication Solutions, an education delivery partner of IBM, which is responsible for the delivery of advanced courses on cybersecurity and Big Data Analytics and provides high-performance platforms for network and security applications. SK Holdings C&C, Ltd., South Korea SK Holdings C&C, a leading IT services firm and IBM business partner in South Korea turned to IBM Cloud Private to quickly and easily package applications as containers and re-factor them with IBM microservices. In addition, the company is leveraging the software to help clients modernize their legacy applications and provide a secure platform from which to run business critical software across both public and private clouds, in a true multi-cloud architecture. Five9 Vietnam Corp., Vietnam Five9 Vietnam is a fast-growing IT and cloud service provider that provides its clients with everything from mobile and analytics application development, to private and public cloud services. The company has been using IBM Cloud Private since April to design, develop, and package applications as containers for easy deployment on the public cloud. From there, their clients can tap into IBM microservices, such as analytics, AI and blockchain, to extend their functionality even further. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/95470/ibm_logo.jpg Media release Zurich, 11 October 2018; 6:45 a.m. CET Joachim Preisig will step down from the Sunrise Board of Directors as of 31.12.2018. His successor will be elected at the Annual General Meeting in 2019. Joachim Preisig has decided to resign from his function as CFO of freenet AG as of 31 December 2018. As a result, he will step down as a member of the Board of Directors of Sunrise Communications Group AG on the same date. The position will remain vacant until a successor is proposed at the Annual General Meeting in 2019. At the Annual General Meeting on 15 April 2016, Joachim Preisig, CFO of freenet AG, was elected as a non-executive Member of the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee of Sunrise Communications Group AG. Following his resignation as CFO of freenet AG, Joachim Preisig informed the Board of Directors that he will also step down as member of the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee as of 31 December 2018. "We would like to thank Joachim Preisig for his valuable commitment and support to the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee. With his expertise in financial matters, he was an active and competent contributor to the Sunrise strategy and its outstanding corporate governance," says Peter Kurer, Chairman of the Board of Directors. The vacancy created by Joachim Preisig's resignation will remain open until the Annual General Meeting in 2019, when the Board of Directors will propose a successor. Sunrise Communications AG Corporate Communications media@sunrise.net Phone: +41 800 333 000 Outside Switzerland: +41 58 777 76 66 Disclaimer The information contained in this media release has not been independently verified and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to, and no reliance should be placed on, the fairness, accuracy, completeness, reasonableness or correctness of the information or opinions contained herein. None of Sunrise Communications Group AG, its subsidiaries or any of their respective employees, advisers, representatives or affiliates shall have any liability whatsoever (in negligence or otherwise) for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this document or its contents or otherwise arising in connection with this media release. The information contained in this media release is provided as at the date of this media release and is subject to change without notice. Statements made in this media release may include forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the fact that they use words such as "anticipate", "estimate", "should", "expect", "guidance", "project", "intend", "plan", "believe", and/or other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with, among other things, any discussion of results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies or developments in the industry in which we operate. Such statements are based on management's current intentions, expectations or beliefs and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them. Forward-looking statements contained in this media release regarding trends or current activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. Actual outcomes, results and other future events may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements contained herein. Such differences may adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein and may result from, among other things, changes in economic, business, competitive, technological, strategic or regulatory factors and other factors affecting the business and operations of the company. Neither Sunrise Communications Group AG nor any of its affiliates is under any obligation, and each such entity expressly disclaims any such obligation, to update, revise or amend any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this media release. It should be noted that past performance is not a guide to future performance. Please also note that interim results are not necessarily indicative of full-year results. Focus on clinical development and to prepare commercialization of CyclASol and NOV03 and NOV03 Both late stage drugs for dry eye have best-in-class potential with estimated global peak sales of well above $2bn Novaliq, a specialty pharmaceutical company for the development and commercialization of first- and best-in-class ocular therapeutics based on EyeSol, the worldwide first water-free technology for ophthalmology, today announces it has raised USD 53 million to further support its late-stage products and earlier pipeline programs. Since inception, Novaliq has raised USD 115 million. The new investment is done by its lead investor dievini Hopp BioTech Holding, an active investor in Life and Health Sciences companies; it reflects the strong commitment of Novaliq's lead investor to the company. Novaliq has a portfolio of best- and first-in-class products for ophthalmology. Novaliq's lead assets, CyclASol and NOV03, both provide novelties in the therapy of dry eye disease (DED) and have the potential to redefine the treatment of patients with DED: CyclASol , an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating drug for the treatment of dry eye disease (DED) with a demonstrated early onset of action and excellent tolerability, is being evaluated in the pivotal phase 2b/3 ESSENCE trial. , an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating drug for the treatment of dry eye disease (DED) with a demonstrated early onset of action and excellent tolerability, is being evaluated in the pivotal phase 2b/3 ESSENCE trial. NOV03, the first drug addressing evaporative DED associated with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), is being evaluated in the phase 2 SEECASE trial with more than 300 patients. Evaporative DED accounts for 61-90% of all DED patients1) Both products enable a selected treatment option for different patient groups for better treatment outcomes: CyclASol is intended for treating DED associated with signs and symptoms predominantly in aqueous deficient DED patients and NOV03 is a first in class treatment in evaporative DED associated with MGD. Both late stage drugs have best-in-class potential with estimated global peak sales of well above USD 2bn. Proceeds from the financing round will be used on clinical development, to prepare for the commercialization of CyclASol and NOV03, as well as to continue the development of Novaliq's earlier pipeline programs for glaucoma and retinal diseases. "We are excited with the continued support by our lead investor," said Oliver Schluter, CFO of Novaliq. "The proceeds from this financing round provide us with the resources to further accelerate our development and commercialization efforts for our two late-stage DED products and to strengthen our earlier pipeline." Novaliq's CEO, Christian Roesky, will present topline results of two recently completed clinical trials for CyclASol and NOV03, for the first time during the Ophthalmology Innovation Summit (OIS@AAO) on October 25th, 2018 in Chicago, USA. About Novaliq Novaliq is a pharmaceutical company for the development and commercialization of first- and best-in-class ocular therapeutics based on EyeSol, the worldwide first water-free technology for ophthalmology. With an initial focus on dry eye disease (DED), Novaliq offers an industry-leading portfolio addressing today's unmet medical needs of millions of patients with eye diseases: NovaTears improves the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) and is marketed under CE approval in Australia/New Zealand by AFT Pharmaceuticals and in Europe as EvoTears by Ursapharm. Two drugs are in the late stage of clinical development with results expected in Q4 2018: CyclASol , an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating drug for the treatment of DED with a demonstrated early onset of action and excellent tolerability, is being evaluated in the pivotal phase 2b/3 ESSENCE trial. , an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating drug for the treatment of DED with a demonstrated early onset of action and excellent tolerability, is being evaluated in the pivotal phase 2b/3 ESSENCE trial. NOV03, the first drug addressing evaporative DED associated with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), is being evaluated in the phase 2 SEECASE trial. Novaliq is headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany and has also an office in Cambridge, MA, USA. The long-term shareholder is dievini Hopp BioTech Holding, an active investor in Life and Health Sciences companies. More on www.novaliq.com Source: 1) Lemp et al.; Cornea 2012, 31: 472-8 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181010005615/en/ Contacts: Novaliq GmbH Heidrun Kirsch VP Marketing media@novaliq.com AMSTERDAM, October 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Fast charging company starts issue of bonds to drive further growth Fastned continued its strong growth path during Q3 2018. Revenue tripled compared to the same quarter last year. In September, the network as a whole surpassed break even on an operational level. All operational costs associated with its stations were covered by revenues. To finance further growth Fastned started the issue of a new bonds series today. As in previous rounds the bonds have a maturity of 5 years and pay out 6% interest per annum. Fastned plans to use the proceeds to drive its revenue growth and expand our network of fast charging stations, contributing to its profitability. Revenue: 352,609 (+199% vs. Q3 2017) Volume: 703,491 (kWh) (+187% vs. Q3 2017) Active customers: 12,677 (+165% vs. Q3 2017) Q3 highlights: Monthly charge sessions surpassed 21,000 in September. Fastned opened three new stations (Wellerzand, Lemsterhop, Paderborn-Monkeloh), bringing the total number of operational stations to 77. Construction of 15 stations in Germany is in full swing. is in full swing. Fastned continued the installation of next generation fast chargers, allowing electric vehicles to charge up to 175 kW and even 350 kW; up to 100 times faster than at home. On October 8th , Fastned signed an agreement with REWE Region Mitte to build fast charging stations at their supermarkets. A start will be made in 2019 with a pilot at four of their top supermarket locations. , Fastned signed an agreement with REWE Region Mitte to build fast charging stations at their supermarkets. A start will be made in 2019 with a pilot at four of their top supermarket locations. As of today ( October 11th ) Fastned is issuing a new round of retail bonds. The bonds have a maturity of 5 years and pay out 6% interest per annum. The bonds offer everyone an opportunity to participate and invest in the energy transition. Participation is possible from 1,000. Investors can read the prospectus and subscribe via the Fastned website: fastnedcharging.com/bonds Download the Fastned Q3 results here. Please note that the numbers above are unaudited. Audited annual figures will be published in March 2019. Notes for editors (not for publication): Background information about Fastned: Fastned is building a European network of fast-charging stations where all electric cars can charge as fast as possible. The stations are located at high traffic locations along the highways and in cities. This will give electric cars the freedom to drive across Europe. As of today, Fastned has more than 75 stations operational in The Netherlands and Germany and is working on expanding its fast charging network to the rest of Europe. Fastned is preparing the construction of fast charging stations in Germany, The United Kingdom and Belgium. Fastned is listed on the Nxchange stock exchange. Fastned is rolling out its network of fast charging stations in response to the rapidly increasing numbers of EVs in Europe. Car manufacturers are investing billions of Euros in the development of, and production capacity for, EVs. More and more EVs are hitting the roads, which drives the need for charging infrastructure. Fastned is responding to this development by building the service stations of the future. For more information go to http://www.fastned.nl/en PRN NLD New Office Expansion Enables the Lessor to Support Its Rapid Growth and Tap Into the Area's Diverse Aircraft Leasing Talent This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005056/en/ CDB Aviation's new Dublin headquarters located at 1GQ on George's Quay is designed to build the right atmosphere for employees to collaborate and create the perfect workplace to attract the area's diverse talent. (Photo: Business Wire) Who: CDB Aviation, a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Limited, a 34-year-old Chinese leasing company backed by China Development Bank What: Company to host airline customers, industry partners, and employees on the evening of 11 October to celebrate the grand opening of its new Dublin headquarters in 1GQ Where: 1GQ, 1 George's Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland When: 11 October 2018 (by invitation only; not open to the public) Why: To further support expansion of the company's global operations, CDB Aviation has relocated its Dublin headquarters to the new workspace in 1GQ on George's Quay. The new location puts the lessor at the heart of the area's rapidly growing aircraft leasing center, and enables the company to build the right atmosphere for employees to collaborate and create the perfect workplace to attract the area's diverse talent. Peter Chang, CDB Aviation President CEO, notes, "We are very excited about our new workspace at one of Dublin's newly modernized landmarks. Our company's success depends on the effectiveness of our team, and this new office space is designed to provide an engaging work environment for our team members, while inspiring their collaboration, attracting new talent, and supporting our plans for future growth." About CDB Aviation CDB Aviation is a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Limited ("CDB Leasing") a 34-year-old Chinese leasing company that is backed mainly by the China Development Bank. China Development Bank is under the direct jurisdiction of the State Council of China and is the world's largest development finance institution. It is also the largest Chinese bank for foreign investment and financing cooperation, long-term lending and bond issuance, enjoying Chinese sovereign credit rating. CDB Leasing is the only leasing arm of the China Development Bank and a leading company in China's leasing industry that has been engaged in aircraft, infrastructure, ship, commercial vehicle and construction machinery leasing and enjoys a Chinese sovereign credit rating. It took an important step in July 2016 to globalize and marketize its business listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX STOCK CODE: 1606). www.CDBAviation.aero View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005056/en/ Contacts: CDB Aviation Paul Thibeau, +1-612-594-9844 Paul.THIBEAU@CDBAviation.aero ATHENS, Greece, October 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Consolidated Contractors Company is training thousands of its global employees in identifying bribery and unethical behaviours, as part of enforcing its zero-tolerance policy to corruption in international business. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/713482/Consolidated_Contractors_Company_Logo.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/767031/Samer_Khoury.jpg ) The global construction giant, member of the World Economic Forum's PACI (Partnering Against Corruption Initiative), said addressing corruption was the responsibility of international businesses and the entire workforce - a founding principle of the PACI. CCC's President of Engineering & Construction, Mr Samer Khoury, said training their employees, particularly in high-risk countries, to identify corruption was a critical investment for the industry. "CCC is such a large company - we have more than 182,000 employees currently engaged in 56 ongoing projects globally," Mr Khoury said. "It is our core responsibility to ensure all of our employees are trained in honesty, transparency and loyalty - we count on all of our employees to help us identify and address any unethical behaviours in the workplace. "There are significant corruption risks in the construction industry, and in the countries we operate - we have adopted zero-tolerance to any conspiracy, bribery, conflict of interest, fraud or abuse of authority in our workplace. "Our e-learning program, proudly launched with Idox Compliance, has an impressive completion rate of 90 per cent among targeted employees globally - they are proud to be learning about our anti-bribery and anti-corruption policies, and implementing them with enthusiasm. "Fighting corruption, bribery and unethical behaviour in business has to extend to training relevant employees - staff on the ground can identify and help eliminate potential risks for companies." The Commitment Towards Anti-Corruption is one of CCC's 17 Core Values and Guiding Principles. In the Code of Practice, CCC includes its anti-corruption declaration, demonstrating its commitment to eliminate corruption from global business. More information about Consolidated Contractors Company is available at http://www.ccc.net About Consolidated Contractors Company: Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) is a global leader in the engineering and construction industry. Established in 1952 and operating worldwide, CCC has provided more than 65 years of project management, engineering, procurement and construction services to the industry, is currently engaged in 56 ongoing projects globally, and employs around 182,000 people internationally. Consolidated Contractors Company contributes to the Partnering Against Corruption Initiative of the World Economic Forum, along with the UN Global Compact, to ensure business ethics, anti-bribery policies and sustainable growth in all forms of its operations. LONDON, October 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- XE, part of Euronet Worldwide, Inc., the world's most trusted currency authority has joined Expatland's Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland E-Teams to provide foreign exchange services. The Expatland Global Network is assembling 'E-Teams' in major expat destinations, bringing together vetted professionals who offer essential services to expats. Through one point of contact, would-be expats can access expert advice and local insight on all aspects of moving to, and setting up life in, that specific location. John Marcarian, founder of the Expatland Global Network, says, "XE is one of the most recognised currency brands in the world and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our E-Teams. We're delighted that Expatland can offer such a prestigious foreign exchange partner for expats heading to Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland." Stuart Talman, Director of Sales Australia, XE, comments: "XE is the go-to authority for all Foreign Exchange related enquires. By working with Expatland we can open another point of contact to the expat market, which is an important sector for us. We look forward to working with our fellow E-Team members and directly with expats coming to Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland." 'Expatland' origins Expatland began as a best-selling book by John Marcarian, written in 2015. Advice within the book is based of John's experience of travelling extensively between international offices of his business CST Tax Advisors, enjoying multiple expat experiences, and working with vast numbers of expat clients. With a deep understanding of both the challenges and rewards of expat life, John wrote the book as an 'expat survival guide', packed with advice, statistics and a step-by-step plan for smooth expat integration. E-Teams around the globe Expanding on ideas in his book, John launched the Expatland Global Network in 2018, with the aim of supporting people all over the world who are embarking on an expat journey, joining a vast, dynamic community. In addition to offering one-to-one advice, members of each E-Team also lend their specialist knowledge to writing chapters of a city-specific editions of the Expatland book, which are free-to-download and packed with locally-focused advice, tips and case studies. Expatland is quickly spreading across the world with E-Teams in Sydney, Melbourne, LA, London, Singapore and Auckland, with more cities to follow. Businesses interested in joining an E-Team in a city near them should get in touch with Expatland: http://www.expatland.com/contact/ Contact: Lloyd Gofton, lloyd@liberatemedia.com, +44(0)7919-353-484 Philip Morris International supports public call for better alternatives to cigarettes-in sharp contrast to the WHO A new global survey commissioned by Philip Morris International and conducted by Ipsos reveals that 77 percent of adults agree that governments should do all they can to encourage men and women who would otherwise keep smoking cigarettes to completely switch to better alternatives. Smoking is still ranked as an important public health issue alongside obesity, alcoholism and opioid use in terms of importance. Importantly, the multinational survey shows strong support for the role that innovation and technology should play in resolving these global health problems. Dr. Moira Gilchrist, Vice President of Scientific and Public Communications at Philip Morris International, said: "This survey shows that most people around the world agree that smoking is still a serious public health problem. They want to see action to tap into the opportunity provided by alternatives to cigarettes that are scientifically substantiated. We are in complete agreement with that view. Public opinion aligns with common sense, and the survey confirms what we have heard for more than a decade." The results also showed that 86 percent of respondents believe consumer goods companies have an obligation to continually research and innovate their products in the interest of public health. However, only 35 percent thought that governments have done a good job to ensure everyone has access to the latest innovations and advancements. Clearly, society does not want governments to block promising solutions to public health problems. Publication of the study results follows a meeting of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Conference of Parties (COP) in Geneva last week, where the 181 member countries and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) met to decide on global tobacco control policy recommendations. None of their discussions were open to the public or media. Although many individual states took progressive positions, the disappointing and unfortunate outcome of the COP will mean that millions of smokers will not know about better alternatives to cigarettes. This approach is in sharp contrast with public opinion: 92 percent of those surveyed agreed that smokers should have access to accurate information to guide their choices. "The science is clear. The evidence shows that switching to a smoke-free product is a better choice than continuing to smoke. We simply cannot keep smokers in the dark about this information. The COP missed an opportunity to put people and science at the heart of its policymaking," added Dr. Gilchrist. Contrary to common sense, the tobacco industry has been discouraged from innovating and inadvertently encouraged to keep cigarettes at the core of their business models. Despite this, at PMI we will not waiver from our commitment to provide the world's 1.1 billion smokers with better alternatives to cigarettes, as well as information about these options. Countries now have the opportunity to implement local regulations that embrace science and technology. Progressive polices can effectively protect overall population health, while still working in the best interests of men and women who smoke. "With any other global problem, from the environment to obesity, everyone works together to deliver better alternatives, inform people about them and incentivize them to change behavior. Why should this common sense approach not apply to tobacco?" concluded Dr. Gilchrist. The clear call from society for more information about, and access to, better alternatives to cigarettes did not come without important caveats that we support. Of those surveyed, 92 percent agreed that these new products must have robust scientific testing prior to being introduced into the market, and 91 percent agreed that once these products have been introduced their impact needs to be monitored to ensure they are reducing the harm caused by cigarettes. Conducted by Ipsos Hong Kong Limited (September 2018); margin of error 0.6% at the 95 percent confidence interval. All data can be viewed at www.pmi.com/media-center/news/public-supports-alternatives-to-cigarettes Philip Morris International: Who We Are We are a leading international tobacco company engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and other nicotine-containing products in markets outside the United States of America. We're building our future on smoke-free products that are a much better consumer choice than continuing to smoke cigarettes. Through multidisciplinary capabilities in product development, state-of-the-art facilities and scientific substantiation, we aim to ensure that our smoke-free products meet adult consumer preferences and rigorous regulatory requirements. Our vision is that these products ultimately replace cigarettes to the benefit of adult smokers, society, our company and our shareholders. For more information, see our PMI and PMIScience websites. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005306/en/ Contacts: Philip Morris International Ryan Sparrow +41 (0) 79 549 1968 ryan.sparrow@pmi.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. LONDON, October 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Exclusive commercial access to the Deep-Marine Architecture Knowledge Store (DMAKS), developed by researchers at the University of Leeds, is now available to Ava Clastics subscribers Petrotechnical Data Systems (PDS) announced today their 2018.10 release of Ava Clastics sedimentology and analogue database software, which now includes access to the Deep-Marine Architecture Knowledge Store (DMAKS). (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/766393/PDS_Group_Logo.jpg ) Deep-water clastic reservoirs represent a large proportion of the hydrocarbon reservoirs around the world, "But they are difficult systems to understand. This means oil and gas companies have to make important and expensive investment decisions without quite enough data," says Prof. Bill McCaffrey (Research Director of the Petroleum Leeds research centre at the University of Leeds). This sophisticated new sedimentary analogue database, created by world-leading researchers at the University of Leeds, incorporates carefully validated quantitative and descriptive data from a diverse range of modern and ancient deep-water clastic depositional systems. DMAKS characterises the type, geometry, spatial and hierarchical relationships of deep-water reservoir elements over a range of scales, from small-scale facies to the architecture of large-scale sequences. DMAKS complements the popular Fluvial Architecture Knowledge Transfer System (FAKTS) and Shallow-Marine Architecture Knowledge Store (SMAKS) databases to give Ava Clastics comprehensive coverage across a wide variety of siliciclastic systems. Ava Clastics helps asset teams reduce field development uncertainty through innovative delivery of analogue-informed, geologically realistic, facies models directly into mainstream reservoir modelling platforms. Geoscientists can combine relevant analogue data together with specific knowledge of their reservoirs, including hard data from wells or seismic, to define their uncertainty space more effectively. Regardless of workflow and target application, Ava Clastics provides a full audit trail, from analogue selection to modelling parameter. "The addition of DMAKS completes the initial 'source-to-sink' product vision for Ava Clastics. Our next step is to ensure that our clients can utilise these data alongside their own, in conjunction with more sophisticated facies algorithms and uncertainty workflows," explains Viki O'Connor, Director - Geoscience International, PDS Group. Begin an online trial of Ava Clastics today or arrange to speak to a representative by visiting our website: http://www.pds.group/ava-clastics. Alternatively, learn more about Ava Clastics, the databases within it, and the full suite of Ava Products (including Ava Saturation and Ava Structure) at PETEX 2018 in London, November 27-28. Visit our booth H2. University of Leeds Media Relations Contact : Anna Harrison, Media Relations Officer +44(0)113-343-4196 A.Harrison@leeds.ac.uk PDS Media Relations Contact: Laura Roberts, Ava Marketing Manager Petrotechnical Data Systems, London avamarketing@pds.group 11 October 2018 Acacia Mining plc LSE:ACA ("Acacia" or the "Company") Update on North Mara The Company advises that one of its Group's employees in Tanzania, a South African national, has been charged by the Tanzanian Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) with an offence under the Tanzanian Prevention and Combating of Corruption Act. The employee has pleaded not guilty, and been granted bail. The charges relate to the historical activities of a Land Task Force (LTF) conceived and agreed between the Government of Tanzania (GoT) and North Mara Gold Mine Limited (NMGML) in 2012 to create a transparent, safe, fair and inclusive process for valuing land that might be purchased by agreement around the North Mara mine, and which operated between 2013 and 2015. The Company notes that the employee who has been charged was not involved in the LTF process, and appears to have been charged due to his being responsible for signing cheques for approved payments made by NMGML at the time, including a cheque regarding the agreed LTF process. Two former government officials were charged in connection with receiving funds paid by NMGML through the same transaction, while a former employee of NMGML, who left the Group in 2014, was named in connection with the transaction but the Company does not believe he has yet been charged. The Company further notes that the PCCB has laid additional charges against a number of government officials in connection with their relationships with NMGML and North Mara, one of which also relates to the LTF exercise, but no further charges have been laid against NMGML or any of the Group's employees. The Company is committed to running its business to the highest ethical standards and is taking this matter extremely seriously. The Company notes that historical allegations and issues around the creation and implementation of the LTF at North Mara from 2013 to 2015 have been subsequently investigated over the past four years, including by the PCCB itself since early 2017, and NMGML and the Company have been working with and assisting the responsible authorities throughout. In the meantime, the Company notes that its 19 month dispute with the GoT remains unresolved, and that we continue to engage with Barrick Gold Corporation ("Barrick") to seek to understand Barrick's expectations for the future conduct and a timetable for the completion of its discussions with the GoT. The Company remains of the view that a sustainable negotiated resolution of its disputes with the GoT is the preferred outcome, but the interests of all stakeholders are being protected through the international arbitrations commenced in respect of its Bulyanhulu and Buzwagi businesses, with a number of procedural steps completed and in which the GoT has been fully participating. The Company's operations at North Mara, Bulyanhulu and Buzwagi remain unaffected. The Company will provide an update in due course. ENQUIRIES For further information, please visit our website: www.acaciamining.com or contact: Acacia Mining plc +44 (0) 20 7129 7150 Sally Marshak, Head of Investor Relations and Communications Camarco +44 (0) 20 3757 4980 Gordon Poole / Nick Hennis Disclaimer and forward-looking statements This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of Acacia in any jurisdiction. This announcement includes "forward-looking statements" that express or imply expectations of future events or results as opposed to historical facts. These statements include, financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future production, operations, costs, projects, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates" and other similar expressions. All forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Acacia, which could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements contained herein. Factors that could cause or contribute to differences between the actual results, performance and achievements of Acacia include, but are not limited to, changes or developments in political, economic or business conditions or national or local legislation or regulation in countries in which Acacia conducts - or may in the future conduct - business, industry trends, competition, fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold or certain other commodity prices (such as copper and diesel), currency fluctuations (including the US dollar, South African rand, Kenyan shilling and Tanzanian shilling exchange rates), Acacia's ability to successfully integrate acquisitions, Acacia's ability to recover its reserves or develop new reserves, including its ability to convert its resources into reserves and its mineral potential into resources or reserves, and to process its mineral reserves successfully and in a timely manner, Acacia's ability to complete land acquisitions required to support its mining activities, operational or technical difficulties which may occur in the context of mining activities, delays and technical challenges associated with the completion of projects, risk of trespass, theft and vandalism, changes in Acacia's business strategy and ongoing implementation of operational reviews, as well as risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development, mining and production and risks and factors affecting the gold mining industry in general. Although Acacia's management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, Acacia cannot give assurances that such statements will prove to be correct. Accordingly, investors should not place reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this announcement. Any forward-looking statements in this announcement only reflect information available at the time of preparation. Save as required under the Market Abuse Regulation or otherwise as may be required under applicable law, Acacia explicitly disclaims any obligation or undertaking publicly to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this announcement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Nothing in this announcement should be construed as a profit forecast or estimate and no statement made should be interpreted to mean that Acacia's profits or earnings per share for any future period will necessarily match or exceed its historical published profits or earnings per share. Individuals in Argentina, Spain, and the U.K. will have first access to the app, marketplace and Wibson token GIBRALTAR, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Wibson, the decentralized marketplace that enables consumers to profit from their personal data, today announced the launch of its mobile app, Wibson token (symbol WIB), and data platform in Argentina, Spain, and the U.K. Wibson supports consumers' ability to sell their personal data directly to data buyers, such as technology platforms, advertisers, marketers, academics and data-for-social-good researchers. In the Wibson marketplace, consumers decide when and to whom they sell their data based on transparent, market-driven offers that clearly outline the data requested, price, intended use, and data buyer. "Consumer data is now the world's most valuable asset," said Mat Travizano, Wibson's co-founder and CEO. "The Wibson platform and token provide consumers an easy way to profit from the personal data they create everyday, while asserting full rights of ownership over their personal information." The company has previously received funding from DGG Capital, Kenetic Capital, and Telefonica's investment arm, Wayra, among others. "Data is fueling growth for the biggest companies in the world, but new models like Wibson's are emerging to reshape the space," said Chema Alonso, Chief Data Officer of Telefonica. "With all the developments around personal data, Wibson is building an impressive team that's focused on a future when consumers demand control of their data." Wibson provides data buyers direct access to consumers' validated authentic data and clear consent for its use in fully transparent, market-based transactions. There are three types of participants in the Wibson data marketplace: Data sellers: Individuals who are looking to profit from their personal data in a trusted and transparent, market-driven environment. Data buyers: Businesses and other entities, such as academic and social-good researchers, who want to purchase authentic and validated data directly from consumers. Notaries: Organizations that can verify and validate personal data authenticity and accuracy and arbitrate disputes in a fair and consistent manner. The interaction of these three roles is governed by smart contracts within the Wibson network that is deployed on the Ethereum blockchain. With Wibson, data sellers' data remains on their own devices until they decide to sell, and only then is their encrypted data directly transferred to the buyer. Wibson never receives consumers' data or stores it on its servers. The Wibson marketplace orchestrates transactions based on well-defined, transparent offers that outline the terms of how the data will be used. Once a transaction is confirmed through a blockchain-managed, smart contract, individuals receive direct, secure payment in their mobile app Wibson token wallet. For more information or to download the app visit www.wibson.org About Wibson Established in October of 2017, Wibson has created a decentralized, blockchain-based personal-data marketplace that provides infrastructure and financial incentives for individuals to securely sell private information that is validated for accuracy, all without sacrificing personal privacy. Wibson is a project from the team behind Grandata whose mission is to create a trusted data ecosystem that maximizes value for both individuals and companies. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2018) - Pancontinental Resources Corporation (TSXV: PUC) ("Pancon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), effective October 1, 2018, with the Flying Post First Nation (FPFN) in northern Ontario. The FPFN-Pancon MOU provides a mutually beneficial framework for cooperation on the Company's three battery metals exploration projects, located 65 kilometres northwest of Timmins: the Montcalm Project, the Gambler Project, and the Nova Project. Murray Ray, Chief of Flying Post First Nation stated: "Flying Post is pleased with the signing of the MOU. The agreement outlines a process for mutual engagement throughout the exploration phase. Flying Post believes that exploration activities should be done in a manner that is respectful of traditional and treaty rights and the environment, and provide employment and business opportunities. The signing of this MOU is a promising first step in establishing a meaningful relationship with Pancon." Layton Croft, Pancon President and CEO, stated: "We look forward to a productive, long-term relationship with the Flying Post First Nation as we advance our Montcalm, Gambler and Nova projects near Timmins. This MOU is a tangible example of Pancon's Community Relations Policy, which affirms our Company's belief that minerals exploration and mining - in addition to creating value for shareholders - can and should be a positive catalyst for environmental stewardship, economic development, and social responsibility. We conduct our business activities in pursuit of these outcomes, and to create shared value with First Nations, host communities and other stakeholder groups." The objectives of the FPFN-Pancon MOU are: to establish a mutually beneficial, cooperative and productive relationship through which Pancon recognizes and agrees to respect the aboriginal rights and treaty rights of FPFN while engaged in the exploration activities and operation of the Project; to provide a process through which Pancon can consult with and accommodate the interests of the FPFN as outlined herein with a view to reconciling any competing interests at stake; to establish a relationship through which the FPFN can identify opportunities for its businesses and citizens to participate in Pancon's exploration activities and operations; to provide Pancon with evidence for its stakeholders and the Ontario Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines that FPFN and Pancon intend to work together in a spirit of cooperation for mutual benefit as well as social, ecological, cultural and economic well-being; to set out the objectives, process and topics for negotiations of an Impact Benefit Agreement between FPFN and Pancon; and to come to a negotiated settlement of financial compensation for exploration activities. The MOU emphasizes the prioritization of business opportunities, employment and training opportunities for FPFN businesses and individuals. Pancon will provide capacity funding to compensate for impacts caused by on-the-ground exploration activities. Pancon will grant 50,000 option to FPFN at an exercise price of $0.06, subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, with all of the options to vest on the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Pancon will also grant 50,000 shares to FPFN, subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The MOU also describes the process of negotiating and implementing a subsequent Impact Benefits Agreement (IBA), which would take effect once any of the three Projects has completed a Feasibility Study. Figure 1: Left to Right: Pancon's President &CEO Layton Croft, Chief Murray Ray from Flying Post First Nation; Kevin Filo, Project Manager for Montcalm, Gambler & Nova Projects & Stephanie LaBelle, Mineral Development Advisor for Wabun Tribal Council To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5156/40278_figure1.jpg About Flying Post First Nation Flying Post First Nation is signatory to Treaty 9. Flying Post's reserve lands are located northwest of Timmins, along the Ground Hog River, about an hour north of Malette Road just outside the city. Flying Post was formerly an independent First Nation in the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN) and joined the Wabun Tribal Council in 2007. Flying Post is an Ojibwe community whose priorities include encouraging its members to pursue educational and professional ambitions and to create a sustainable economy that will create prosperity for future generations About Pancontinental Resources Corporation Pancontinental Resources Corporation (TSXV: PUC) is a Canadian-based mining company focused on four nickel-cobalt-copper projects in Ontario - three early stage projects near Timmins: Montcalm Project, Gambler Project, and Nova Project; and the advanced stage McBride Project near Bancroft. Pancon's mission is to generate value through responsible exploration, focusing on prospective assets in proximity to producing or former mines areas and/or with existing resources. The Company also holds a 100% interest in the Jefferson Gold Project in South Carolina, USA. In 2015, Pancon sold its interest in its Australian rare earth element (REE) and uranium properties, formerly held through a joint venture, and retains a 1% gross overriding royalty on 100% of future REE production. For further information, please contact: Layton Croft, President & CEO or Jeanny So, Manager, External Relations E: info@panconresources.com T: +1.416.293.8437 For additional information please visit our new website at www.panconresources.com and our Twitter feed: @PanconResources. 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. Cautionary Language and Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, including those risks set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis as filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including that all necessary governmental and regulatory approvals will be received as and when expected. 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. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable securities laws. LONDON, October 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Senior Corporate Events Executive becomes Regional General Manager, Europe, Bringing Unique Experiential and Digital Expertise to SupportStrongBusiness Growth FIRST, a leading global events agency operating out of New York, Los Angeles, London, Dublin, Singapore and Hong Kong, announced today that Jon Reid has been named Regional General Manager, Europe. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/767588/First_Global_Events_Agency_Logo.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/767589/Jon_Reid.jpg ) In his new role, Mr. Reid will have overall accountability for both FIRST and Clive brands in Europe, and he will report to Maureen Ryan Fable, CEO-Group and CEO-Americas of FIRST. Barry Richards, who had been overseeing the transition of the European business in the temporary role of CEO-Europe, will now return to his position of Chief Client Officer based in the FIRST offices in New York City. "This role is pivotal not only in continuing to build our European capabilities and client portfolio but also in driving the growth of our global business," said Richards. "Jon will bring energy, passion, a sharp commercial mind-set and creative flair to our business and we're thrilled about him joining the team." FIRST has experienced significant global expansion in recent years supported by the 2018 acquisition of U.K. and Ireland based experiential and creative agency Clive, as well as the 2016 acquisition of creative agency Barkley Kalpak Agency (BKA) in the U.S. FIRST is continually enhancing its core capabilities and leadership bench to meet the demands and complexities of its clients. FIRST's total workforce is now approximately 330 employees worldwide, of which approximately 130 are based in EMEA. Mr. Reid added, "I've been in both the trenches and in senior leadership positions for over 20 years, and I've never felt more optimistic about the road ahead. We stand at a historic juncture in this industry, an era where brands will live or die based on their ability to engage consumers with dynamic experiences - and FIRST is helping to lead the industry into a very exciting future. I look forward to helping take this business to the next level." Over the course of his career, Mr. Reid has built and transformed major brands across numerous sectors. In addition to serving as the Managing Director of Evoke, an award-winning brand experiences agency with a unique heritage in targeting millennials and growing Gen X/Y engagement, Mr. Reid has served as Managing Partner of Wolf Brand Experience and Global Business Director of SET Creative & SET Live (WPP). About FIRST FIRST provides world-class Strategy, Creative and Design, Venue Sourcing, Event Technology, Planning, Production, and Data and Analytics solutions to a wide range of global brands, through FIRST Events, FIRST Experiential and FIRST Solutions. The company has 330 employees based out of New York, Los Angeles, London, Dublin, Singapore and Hong Kong. FIRST clients span many industries including financial services, aerospace, consumer electronics, technology, medical and healthcare, automotive, media and the non-profit sector. Event Marketer Magazine listed FIRST among their "Top 100 Event Agencies" for 2018, as well as one of 2017's "Best Places to Work in Events." Crain's New York Business also recognized FIRST as one of the Top 100 "Best Places to Work in NYC" for 2018, while FIRST came in 14th place in the top 100 Best Workplaces by Great Place to Work in the UK. For more information, please visit: www.firstagency.com. Media Contacts: FIRST Jeremy Woolf T: +1-917-338-8786 E: jeremy.woolf@firstagency.com Allison+Partners Kate Lynch T: +353-87-695-2179 E: kate@allisonpr.com TORONTO, October 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CELLCUBE ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS INC. (the "Company" or "CellCube") (CSE: CUBE) (OTCQB: CECBF) (Frankfurt 01X) is pleased to announce the establishment of the record date of November 30, 2018 for the spin out of its 100% owned Bisoni Mackay and Bisoni Rio vanadium assets in Nevada, into a newly formed company called V23 Resource Corp. ("V23") (see news release dated June 28, 2018). CellCube shareholders of record owning common shares of the Company on November 30, 2018 will be eligible to receive the distribution of one (1) common share of V23 for every two (2) common shares of CellCube upon completion of the spin out arrangement. CellCube intends to retain a 19.9% interest in V23, in addition to certain off-take rights and a net smelter royalty. "Vanadium has become the new battery metal story and is highly valued for energy storage," says Mike Neylan, CEO of CellCube. "The price of vanadium has increased by 500% since 2016, outperforming any other battery metal. It is the intention of V23 to seek a public listing in the immediate future." The vanadium belt of central Nevada is host to a significant concentration of single-product vanadium deposits in North America such as the Bisoni McKay and Bisoni Rio properties, and Prophecy's Gibellini property. CellCube's Bisoni McKay property is a high-grade, pure play vanadium project. Previous drilling has revealed the occurrence of high-grade V2O5 (vanadium pentoxide) in the primary (carbonaceous shale) mineralized material which contains the largest vanadium resource on the property. Several drill holes completed in primary mineralization suggest the deposit is open at depth in some areas. A supergene enrichment zone of up to 35 feet in width has been identified immediately below the redox zone CellCube's Bisoni McKay and Bisoni-Rio project is one of the largest pure play vanadium projects in North America totalling 4,115 acres contiguous to the Gibellini deposit held by Prophecy Development Corp. Vanadium is most often found in association with other metals such as iron, lead or uranium that must first be removed before vanadium recovery. Drilling and Exploration and to date have indicated that Bisoni McKay's pure play vanadium resource does not possess any significant concentrations of any of these metals. Of greater importance, only 12 per cent of the Bisoni McKay area has been drilled, (none of the Bisoni-Rio yet), which has already resulted in the estimation of a National Instrument 43-101 indicated resource of 11.9 million tons at an average grade of 0.39 per cent vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), and an inferred resource of 7.0 million tons at an average grade of 0.42 per cent V2O5 (see Company news release dated September 13, 2016). The indicated resource is contained in a zone approximately 300 metres in strike length, while the inferred resource covers approximately an additional 200 m of strike length extending to the south. The mineralized zone appears to be open at depth and extends to the north into the Bisoni-Rio property. In 2017, Cellcube staked 162 claims on the Bisoni-Rio property from the Bisoni McKay right up to and abutting the Gibellini vanadium property. (see Company news release dated June 28, 2018) Chris M. Healey, P. Geo, geological consultant to CellCube, is the independent Qualified Person who has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical contents of this press release. 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 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 feature 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. For further information, please contact: Glenda Kelly, Investor Communications Telephone: +1-(800)-882-3213 Email: info@cellcubeenergystorage.com CellCube Energy Storage Systems Inc. Ste 10 - 8331 River Road Richmond, BC V6X 1Y1 65 Queen St West, Suite 520 Toronto, Ontario M5H2M5 CSE CUBE 12g3-2(b): 82-2062 OTCQB CECBF Frankfurt 01X http://www.cellcubeenergystorage.com SHANGHAI, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- At HUAWEI CONNECT 2018, today Huawei and Audi show their future plans of a cooperation in the field of intelligent connected vehicles (ICV), featuring the new Audi Q7 as a demonstration of this state-of-the-art technology. Executive Vice President of Audi China R&D Saad Metz commented on the German automobile manufacturer's plans that "we evaluate a joint development of highly automated driving functions and future oriented vehicle-2-infrastructure communications. Audi proved in many events over the world to be one of the technology leaders in the area of highly automated drive. We are looking forward to intensify the partnership with Huawei in the future, because we are convinced that a closer cooperation between our two companies will bring substantial benefits for both sides." William Xu, Director of the Board and Chief Strategy Marketing Officer of Huawei, agreed: "As cars get smarter, we take advantage of our leading ICT technologies with Audi - one of the world's most successful premium car brands - to lead automatic driving into the fast lane. Very soon, consumers will enjoy more secure, comfortable, convenient, and intelligent self-driving services." Huawei's Mobile Data Center (MDC) is integrated into the Audi Q7 for urban automatic driving environments. The prototype was showcased to the public during HUAWEI CONNECT 2018. Earlier, on July 10th, 2018, Huawei and Audi signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation in Berlin to jointly develop intelligent connected vehicles. This time, their collaboration is further progress in overall strategy between the two parties. HUAWEI CONNECT 2018 - "Activate Intelligence" - is held at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center and Expo Center from October 10th to 12th. This year's HUAWEI CONNECT conference is designed to help all businesses and organizations step over the threshold and stake their claim in the intelligent world. You will be joined by the best minds in the industry - including global ICT leaders, industry experts, and ecosystem partners - to chart the way forward and explore new opportunities. LONDON, October 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Walpole, the sector body for the British luxury industry which counts 250 of the UK's finest luxury brands amongst its members, has launched its second annual trade mission to New York with a reception hosted by Robert Wood Johnson, the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom, at Winfield House in London to celebrate British-American luxury trade. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/767622/Walpole_Trade_Mission_Launch.jpg ) The transatlantic trading relationship for the British luxury sector, whether driven by luxury goods on sale in the United States or American tourists visiting the UK, has never been more valuable. Almost 80% of what the British luxury sector produces is destined to export and as the UK navigates its departure from the European Union the luxury sector is forging ahead with strengthening its trade and investment ties with its key export markets through its trade delegation to New York. America is the largest and most important luxury market in the world valued at $85 billion, forecast to reach $103.5 billion by 2021 (Source: Euromonitor, 2016). New York alone accounts for $25.5 billion or almost one third of the total US luxury market size (Bain 2014) and 75% of British luxury brands have identified the US as a priority growth market 2021 (Source: Walpole and McKinsey & Co: Key Growth Drivers of British Luxury, 2016). The USA is also the UK's most valuable source market for visitor spending in Britain. According to Visit Britain, 3.91 million Americans visited the UK in 2017, an annual increase of 13.16% on the previous year, and spent a total 3.64 billion with an average single transaction spend of 813 (Source: Global Blue). New YorkTrade Delegation On Tuesday 23rd October, a delegation of 17 British luxury brands led by Michael Ward, Chairman of Walpole and MD Harrods and Walpole's CEO, Helen Brocklebank travel to New York for a programme of events to build long-term relationships that drive export opportunities by engaging with top business leaders, buyers and media. The trade delegation is taking place in partnership with the GREAT Britain campaign and the UK's Department for International Trade, that promotes UK trade and investment to a global marketplace and supported by New West End Company which represents over 600 business in London's West End and Mayfair. Contact: Joanna Good / Emma Chitty, tel +44-020-7940-2900 CHICAGO, October 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Pedicle Screw System Market by Product Type (Monoaxial & Polyaxial Pedicle Screw), Surgery (Open Surgery, Minimal Invasive Surgery), Indication (Spinal Deformities, Spinal Trauma), Application (Thoracolumbar, Cervical Fusion) - Global Forecast to 2023", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Pedicle Screw Systems Market is expected to reach USD 724.23 million by 2023 from USD 538.64 million in 2018, at a CAGR of 6.1%. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg ) Don't miss out on business opportunities in Pedicle Screw Systems Market. Speak to Our Analyst and gain crucial industry insights that will help your business grow: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=98811670 The increasing incidence of spinal cord injuries, increasing aging population, and technological advancements are major factors driving the growth of the Pedicle Screw Systems Market. Polyaxial pedicle screw systems are expected to account for the largest market share in 2018 On the basis of product type, the Pedicle Screw Systems Market is segmented into monoaxial, polyaxial, and other pedicle screw systems. In 2018, the polyaxial pedicle screw systems segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global Pedicle Screw Systems Market. The large share of this market segment can be attributed to the increasing prevalence of spinal cord disorders and product launches. Browse in-depth TOC on"Pedicle Screw Systems Market" 66- Tables 36- Figures 110- Pages View more detailed TOC @https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/pedicle-screw-system-market-98811670.html Open surgery is estimated to account for the largest share of the Pedicle Screw Systems Market in 2018 By surgery type, the Pedicle Screw Systems Market has been segmented into open surgery and minimally invasive surgery. In 2018, the open surgery segment is expected to account for the largest share of the Pedicle Screw Systems Market due to the rising geriatric population, increasing incidence of spinal deformities, and technological advancements in spinal fusion surgeries. The spinal degeneration segment is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period By indication, the market includes spinal degeneration, spinal trauma, spinal deformities, and other indications. The spinal degeneration segment is estimated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The high prevalence of degenerative spine disorders is expected to result in a growing volume of surgical procedures performed. This will result in the increased adoption of pedicle screws, thereby driving market growth. Request for Free Sample Report @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsample.asp?id=98811670 North America is estimated to command the largest share of the market in 2018 Based on region, the Pedicle Screw Systems Market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World (RoW). In 2018, North America is expected to account for the largest share of the global Pedicle Screw Systems Market. The increasing incidence of spinal cord injuries, along with rising geriatric population in this region, are supporting the growth of the Pedicle Screw Systems Market in North America. Key players in the Pedicle Screw Systems Market include DePuy Synthesis (US), Globus Medical (US), Zimmer Biomet (US), B. Braun (US), Medtronic (Ireland), and Stryker (US). Browse Adjacent Markets @Medical Devices 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/pedicle-screw-system-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com Halifax, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2018) - Ucore Rare Metals Inc. ("Ucore" or the "Company) is pleased to announce that it has accepted an invitation to join the Critical Materials Institute (CMI). Established in 2013, CMI is an operating unit of Ames Laboratory, a US Department of Energy national laboratory located in Ames, Iowa. The mission of CMI is to develop solutions to domestic shortages of Rare Earth Elements (REE) and other materials critical for U.S. energy security. Recognizing the increasing importance of the security of strategic metals to the US, CMI operates under a five-year mandate, with funding of USD $120 million, and with numerous projects underway. The initiatives comprise four national laboratories, seven university partners, 11 industrial partners and approximately 350 researchers. For more information, see: https://cmi.ameslab.gov/. "The Critical Metals Institute is actively working to ensure a secure Rare Earth supply to the United States," said Jim McKenzie, President and CEO of Ucore. "The CMI team includes access to some of the brightest minds and the highest-ranking metallurgical research facilities now operating in America. We're excited to avail ourselves of these resources and to contribute to this important and highly time sensitive issue." CMI is working to address the issue of criticality with certain REE and other elements that it believes might hinder the development and commercialization of clean energy technologies within the United States. Long-term goals include the elimination of supply chain fragilities of select REE and diversifying the sources of critical materials. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources recently held a hearing on improved critical minerals production, at which Ucore's REE separation platform was hailed as "potentially very revolutionary" by Dr. Roderick Eggert, the Deputy Director of the Critical Minerals Institute. The acknowledgment of molecular recognition technology (MRT) as an important tool in the development of supply chain resiliency for critical elements in the US has provided a catalyst for the collaboration with CMI. See Critical Minerals Hearing: https://youtu.be/ucrME90y3m4?t=5m40s, White House Defense Industrial Base Report On Friday October 5, 2018, the White House released the Defense Industrial Base Report (the "Report"), which provides an in-depth look at the REE supply chain to identify single points of failure and actionable ways to mitigate risk, a significant step towards the reestablishment of domestic REE production as part of a reenergized U.S. defense industrial base. The Report analyzes seven layers of the REE supply chain and found over 280 vulnerabilities. One of the key findings in the document is a growing overreliance of the US military upon China for strategic and critical materials. Ucore has announced multiple initiatives this year to create rare earth production capabilities in the U.S., including plans for the Alaska Strategic Metals Complex, as well as processing facilities in the Central Appalachians, one of the largest untapped REE development zones in America. For more information, see https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-taking-important-measures-strengthen-defense-industrial-base/. About Ucore Ucore Rare Metals is a development-phase company focused on rare metals resources, extraction and beneficiation technologies. The Company has a 100% ownership stake in the Bokan project in South East Alaska. On March 31, 2014, Ucore announced the unanimous support of the Alaska State Legislature for the investment of up to USD $145 Million in the Bokan project at the discretion of the Alaska Import Development and Export Agency ("AIDEA"). On January 30, 2018, the Company announced the selection of a location for a Strategic Metals Complex in Ketchikan, AK, a site which features an industrial base, deep water port, and proximity to the Bokan HREE project. The Alaska based SMC will be utilized for the processing of REE feedstock originating from domestic and non-Chinese international locations. For further information, please contact Mr. Randy MacGillivray, V.P. Project Development of Ucore Rare Metals Inc. at: (604) 842-9802 or visit www.ucore.com. Cautionary Notes This press release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future exploration drilling, exploration activities, research and development timelines, and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward looking statements. 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 or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include exploitation and exploration successes or setbacks, research and develop successes or setbacks, continued availability of financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined by the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORT WORTH, Texas, October 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Oracle Oil and Gas LLC (Oracle Oil and Gas) a wholly owned subsidiary of Oracle Energy Corp. ("Oracle" or the "Company") (TSX.V: OEC) (Frankfurt: O2E) is pleased to provide an update on the acquisition of Texas Eagle Ford assets described in the June 19, 2018 news release. In the June 19 news release Oracle advised it had entered into an Agreement to acquire certain assets ("the HBP Assets") in the Texas Eagle Ford, including acquiring 2490 acres of oil and gas leases located in South Texas. The HBP Assets include: the acreage, 6 producing wells, 7 shut in wells and the production infrastructure situated on the properties. The HBP Assets are currently producing approximately 70 boepd and have the opportunity for well workovers to significantly increase production. Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Company will acquire a 100% working interest and a 74% net revenue interest. On Oct 1, 2018, Oracle advised that it was in active negotiation with the private entity owner of the HBP Assets to amend the closing date for the completion of the purchase. Oracle is pleased to advise that the parties have signed an amendment to the Purchase and Sale Agreement (the "Amendment"). This Amendment changes the closing date from Sept 28, 2018 to Mar 29, 2019 and changes the effective date from July 1, 2018 to Jan 1, 2019. The Amendment requires Oracle to make an additional cash deposit, before Oct 31, 2018 of USD $250,000 which will be applied against the purchase price. The June 19, 2018 news release also announced that Oracle has signed an "Option Agreement", dated May 19, 2018, with the mineral rights owners of an additional 5000 net acres adjoining the HBP Assets (the "Adjoining Lands"). This will result in a total (including the HBP acreage) of 6310 net acres of which 4923 acres are for all depths, 613 acres are to the base of the Buda, 640 acres are to the base of the Eagle Ford and 134 acres are to the base of the Austin Chalk. On October 1, 2018 Oracle advised of an option amendment agreement (the "Option Amendment"). Pursuant to the Option Amendment the exercise period for the Option has been extended to January 15, 2019 subject to Oracle making a US$250,000 non-refundable extension payment on or before October 1, 2018 and October 31, 2018 and by agreeing to an increase in the lease payments per acre upon Oracle exercising the Option. Oracle advises that the required October 1, 2018 payment has been completed and Oracle intends on making the second required payment before October 31, 2018. Oracle also advises that a Corporate Presentation has been posted on the company website; http://www.oracleenergy.com . ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Darrell McKenna; Chairman and CEO About Oracle Energy Corp. Oracle Energy Corp. (TSX.V: OEC) (Frankfurt: O2E) is a junior oil and gas development company focused on acquiring development assets in North America and with current focus on the Texas Eagle Ford. 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. Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the 'safe harbour' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. For further information, please contact: Darrell L McKenna Chairman & CEO Mobile: 1-832-212-1930 Email:dmckenna@oracleenergy.com Not for distribution in the U.S. or to U.S. Newswires VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2018(CSE: BLIS) (OTCQB: HSTRF) (FRA: GQ4B), ("BlissCo") or the ("Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a letter of intent (LOI) to purchase CannaTel Cannabis Corporation ("CannaTel"), which has secured pre-approval for a medical cannabis cultivation license in Israel in partnership with local farmer Mr. Yoel Dub. BlissCo will pay $3,000,000 CAN in BlissCo shares to CannaTel paid in installments tied to specific milestones being met. BlissCo will work in partnership with local farmer Mr. Yoel Dub, who has earned a pre-approval for a medical cannabis production license from Israel's Ministry of Health. CannaTel's principals have a sublease agreement with local farmer Mr. Yoel Dub to grow medical cannabis until December 13, 2041 or for 23 years. BlissCo Cannabis Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiary BlissCo Israel R&D Corp. ("BlissCo Israel"), will own the pre-approval license that Mr. Yoel Dub has secured from Israel's Ministry of Health, Medical Cannabis Unit. BlissCo Israel plans to fund and build a 100,000 sq. ft. GMP compliant medical cannabis production and R&D facility to service the rapidly growing medical cannabis patient base in Israel. BlissCo Israel R&D Corp. will develop innovative wellness products for domestic use as well as products for international distribution when the Israeli government allows exports. "Israel is where modern medical cannabis research was born in the late '60s. Israel has the world's largest medical cannabis patient trials and continues to drive innovation in the medical cannabis sector. With the regulator guidance of Israel's Ministry of Health, Medical Cannabis Unit, BlissCo Israel R&D Corp. will position BlissCo as a leader in the medical cannabis industry on a global level while also opening the door to international distribution in Europe pending appropriate legislation," said Damian Kettlewell, CEO of BlissCo Cannabis Corp. Israel is a world leader of medical cannabis R&D and innovator of patient focused applications. "It has been a pleasure to engage with BlissCo CEO and Founder Damian Kettlewell, the BlissCo team and their capital market partners. BlissCo is a respected Health Canada ACMPR Licensed Producer licensed to cultivate medical cannabis and produce medical cannabis oil from their facility in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. We are optimistic that BlissCo will be able to use their successful licensing experience with Health Canada to oversee the construction of a production facility in Israel and earn a medical cannabis production license from Israel's Ministry of Health. We will produce 6,500 kilos of medical cannabis annually at BlissCo Israel's facility," said CannaTel Director Israel Moreson. About CannaTel Cannabis Corporation CannaTel Cannabis Corporation is a Canadian company founded in 2018. In December 2017 one of CannaTel's principals, Israel Moreson, signed a 24 year sublease agreement on a 150,000 sq. ft. farm outside of Jerusalem where Israel's Ministry of Health has provided preliminary approval for medical cannabis production for Mr. Yoel Dub. CannaTel Cannabis Corporation was set up in Canada to seek a ACMPR licensed partner who would provide licensing, finance and commercialization experience. About BlissCo Cannabis Corp. BlissCo Cannabis Corp. (CSE: BLIS) (OTCQB: HSTRF) (FRA: GQ4B) is a wellness-focused, ACMPR licensed producer and future distributor of ultra-premium cannabis. The company sits at the heart of an international ecosystem and is focused on the success of its domestic and global partnerships. BlissCo leverages the latest technology and is continuously developing its network of top-tier industry experts to drive the success of its brand and channels, moving premium Canadian cannabis to local and international markets. BlissCo is backed by an experienced team that is deeply in tune and integrated with industry partners and BlissCo's future patients and customers. Learn more: BlissCo.com On Behalf of the Board of Directors BLISSCO CANNABIS CORP. Damian Kettlewell, CEO, Founder & Chair For further information please contact: Ariel Jack Lewinski, Business Development & Investor Relations # 1-604-377-7533 ariel.lewinski@blissco.com Cautionary Statement This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). The use of any of the word "will" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. This news release contains forward-looking statements and assumptions pertaining to the following: the ability to execute on our strategic plans and the impact on our future operations, capital expenditures, receipt of a cannabis oil license and a license to sell dried cannabis and other objectives. Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. The Company believes the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. The CSE has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. "NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES" VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 11, 2018))) ("Cypress" or the "Company") announces a non-brokered private placement of up to 5,000,000 Units at a price of $0.22 per Unit to raise gross proceeds of up to $1,100,000. Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company and one share purchase Warrant entitling the holder to purchase an additional common share at a price of $0.33 for a period of three years. Proceeds of the offering will finance the completion of a prefeasibility study (PFS) for Cypress' Clayton Valley Lithium Project in Nevada, including further metallurgical studies, related infill drilling, and for general working capital purposes. Dr. Bill Willoughby, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Cypress is pleased to be able to fund the Clayton Valley Project's next steps with a modest capital outlay. The undertaking of infill drilling, further metallurgical studies and a prefeasibility study to provide more detailed information related to the project's economic assumptions hold the potential to unlock significant shareholder value." Finder's fees may be paid in connection with part of this private placement offering. The private placement is subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance. About Cypress Development Corp.: Cypress Development Corp. is a publicly traded exploration company focused on developing the Company's 100%-owned Clayton Valley Lithium Project in Nevada. Exploration and development by Cypress has discovered a world-class resource of lithium-bearing claystone adjacent to Albemarle's Silver Peak mine, North America's only lithium brine operation. Cypress Development Corp. has approx. 62.7 million shares issued and outstanding. To find out more about Cypress Development Corp.), visit our website at www.cypressdevelopmentcorp.com . CYPRESS DEVELOPMENT CORP. "Dr. Bill Willoughby" ______________________________ WILLIAM WILLOUGHBY, PhD., PE Chief Executive Officer For further information contact myself or: Don Myers Cypress Development Corp. Director, Corporate Communications Telephone: 604-639-3851 Toll Free: 800-567-8181 Facsimile: 604-687-3119 Email: info@cypressdevelopmentcorp.com NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2018 / Findit, Inc. (OTC PINK: FDIT) a Nevada Corporation has been engaged by Select Floors and Cabinets of Marietta to assist in their online marketing campaign. The overall objective of the campaign is to help Select Floors and Cabinets capture more business online through a strategic online marketing strategy that will increase and improve Select Floors and Cabinets overall online presence in social networking sites and organic indexing in search engines. Select Floors and Cabinets offers professional flooring installation services throughout the Greater Metro Atlanta area and is utilizing Findit to increase organic search results in Google (GOOG), Yahoo and Bing (MSFT) and have the content Findit creates for them be seen and shared throughout social networking sites in addition to Findit that include but are not limited to Facebook (FB), Pinterest, Twitter (TWTR), LinkedIn, Google + and Google My Business. George Nasr of Select Floors and Cabinets stated "We decided to engage Findit after running radio ads and other online marketing campaigns that include PPC. We selected Findit based on tangible search results they were able to show us in Google that their other clients have received. With Findit the content they create remains on the web and we don't need to pay every time we get a click or a lead." What Findit Does For Select Floors: Findit was hired to help improve the online presence and exposure for Select Floors and Cabinets. This started with the creation of 39 Findit sites, which each have their own unique Findit URL. Findit URLs are priced at $79.00 annually and each URL only exists once on Findit. Select Floors and Cabinets provided Findit's marketing team with the towns they wanted to gain additional exposure in along with the flooring services they provide. Based on these two targets, the location and the services, Findit came up with the appropriate URLs to create Findit sites for Select Floors and Cabinets to capture improved indexing in search results. For example, Select Floors offers carpet, hardwood, tile, and luxury vinyl flooring aka LVT installation services in and across Atlanta. The 39 URLs that Select Floors have are geared towards all of the towns Select Floors and Cabinets are seeking to index for organically in Google. These towns are Kennesaw, Milton, Mableton, Acworth, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Marietta, Cumming, Woodstock and other surrounding towns. We couple the towns with the type of service they offer. These services include carpet installation, hardwood installation, luxury vinyl flooring, tile flooring and refacing cabinets. Each Findit URL that Select Floors and Cabinets has is its own site on Findit.com. As part of their campaign, Findit sets up a photo gallery for each site for Select Floors that includes photos titled and captioned around the services that they offer, which index in Findit and are crawled by Google, Yahoo, and Bing. Having pictures properly title increases the likelihood of indexing those images on the first page of Google search results when the title of the picture matches to what the person is searching, all of which leads to more conversions. Once the Findit site is set up within each URL, content is created in the Right Now Feed. The Right Now Feed allows members to post updates that can include unlimited text in the text field, unlimited photos in the photo section, a link to a video, a press release, and an audio file. As part of Select Floors and Cabinets marketing campaign, Right Now Posts were created in each of the URLs, targeting a specific location and service to help increase organic search results when the same location and service was searched for in Google. Example: One of Select Floors Findit Sites is www.findit.com/cumming-luxury-vinyl-flooring. Within this site, all the photos are tagged and labeled regarding luxury vinyl flooring in Cumming and the Right Now posts created are about Cumming luxury vinyl floors. A quick search in Google reveals all 5 photos indexing on the first page are from Findit and 2 links on the home page also lead back to Select Floors and Cabinets: 1 to their website, www.selectfloorsandcabinets.com, and 1 to their page on Findit. Each URL that Select Floors and Cabinets has is set up to create the same results: as more content in each URL is created geared towards those search terms, Select Floors and Cabinets begins to show up organically in Google, Yahoo, and Bing search results under these search phrases. In addition to marketing content created on Findit, these status updates and photos are shared to their Facebook Page, which we manage, as well as their Google + account and Google My Business Account. These efforts help increase overall indexing online in search and create more visibility in more places for people who have not yet heard of Select Floors to find them. As part of their marketing campaign, our focus has been to create a website for Select Floors, www.selectfloorsandcabinets.com that is SEO friendly so that it indexes well in the towns that Select Floors and Cabinets services and converts the visitors to the site into scheduled in-home appointments for free estimates on flooring installation services. Since the launch of the new site, Select Floor and Cabinets has an Alexa Ranking in the United States of 69,914 as of October 8th, 2018. When compared to other flooring websites in the same area, Select Floors and Cabinets outranks the majority of their competitors. Findit also created 13 location pages on their website that correspond to the 13 areas Select Floors provides services in. Each location page features a slide out menu that displays individual pages for the various services they offer (carpet installation, tile installation, hardwood installation, and luxury vinyl flooring installation). These pages were created for three reasons: it gives Findit a place to send people to from marketing content done on Findit, it gives Google, Yahoo, and Bing more pages to crawl and index in search engines, and it gives people more content and information to read to learn more about specific services and places Select Floors offers business in. Other Companies Can Hire Findit, Too: Findit is not just for flooring companies. Any person, individual, artist, corporation, school, church, or other entity that simply wants to gain more exposure on the web for the goods or services they provide, can hire Findit to help them accomplish that goal. Similarly to Select Floors, corporations or individuals that offer specific services in specific locations will tend to see a great improvement in organic indexing in search engines. Findit is an open social network, anyone visiting the site can share the content created to their social networks and search engines can crawl the content. Therefore, targeting a specific service, like flooring installation, in a specific area, such as Acworth, for the goods or services that you provide in your area, you can help increase your overall presence online. The focus of each campaign is to provide relevant content to each client that increases the likelihood of the client seeing an improvement in their overall indexing in search engines and an increase in their social media presence. With the wide range of content Findit creates, Select Floors and Cabinets is benefiting from an increase in pictures being indexed under Google Image search results, Video and web results from press releases, blogs, and social posts done on Findit from the Right Now section and shared to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and other social networking sites. In addition to this content created, Select Floors and Cabinets has created a Google My Business account that receives a steady flow of new posts along with new pictures and videos added weekly. When you combine all of these attributes to a campaign, the amount of content that can be indexed organically increases which means the number of results Google can crawl continues to grow so more and more content can be found in search results under those search terms. Because of this, Select Floors and Cabinets sees an improvement of where they are placed in a search result. Ray Firth of Findit stated, "Our focus is to continue to provide Findit members with the best technology for them to post content through their Findit sites so the content can be seen by anyone, can be shared to other social networking sites and indexed in search engines. We believe that most people and businesses on that are posting content want people to see it and they want Google to index it. Our focus is to give Findit members more of what they want. By adding more clients like Select Floors and Cabinet coupled with our fixed costs per campaign we could begin to experience growth." Starting Your Very Own Marketing Campaign with Findit: Findit is free to join, and members can run their own online marketing campaigns using the Findit social networking content management platform. Outside online marketing firms can also run campaigns for their clients using all of the tools Findit offers. Clients that want to engage Findit can do so. Findit campaigns start at $1,000 per month, on a month to month basis. The minimum campaign includes a minimum of 84 pieces of content that the Findit marketing team creates. Clark St. Amant of Findit stated "When we take on a new client at this price point, we will not take on another client in the same area as you that provides the same service. Because Select Floors has an ongoing marketing campaign with us in the Greater Atlanta Area, Findit will not take on another flooring company to do their marketing on their behalf." To set up your very own marketing campaign with Findit, please call 404-443-3224. About Findit, Inc. Findit, Inc., owns Findit.com which is a Social Media Content Management Platform that provides an interactive search engine for all content posted in Findit to appear in Findit search. The site is an open platform that provides access to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other search engines access to its content posted to Findit so it can be indexed in these search engines as well. Findit provides Members the ability to post, share and manage their content. Once they have posted in Findit, we ensure the content gets indexed in Findit Search results. Findit provides an option for anyone to submit URLs that they want indexed in Findit search result, along with posting status updates through Findit Right Now. Status Updates posted in Findit can be crawled by outside search engines which can result in additional organic indexing. All posts on Findit can be shared to other social and bookmarking sites by members and non-members. Findit provides Real Estate Agents the ability to create their own Findit Site where they can pull in their listing and others through their IDX account. Findit offers News and Press Release Distribution. Findit, Inc., is focused on the development of monetized Internet-based web products that can provide an increased brand awareness of our members. Findit, Inc., trades under the stock symbol FDIT on the OTC Pinksheets. Safe Harbor: This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including statements regarding potential sales, the success of the company's business, as well as statements that include the word believe or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Findit, Inc. to differ materially from those implied or expressed by such forward-looking statements. This press release speaks as of the date first set forth above, and Findit, Inc. assumes no responsibility to update the information included herein for events occurring after the date hereof. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to factors such as the lack of capital, timely development of products, inability to deliver products when ordered, inability of potential customers to pay for ordered products, and political and economic risks inherent in international trade. Contact: Peter Tosto Phone 404 443 3224 SOURCE: Findit, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/513851/Findit-Takes-on-New-Client-Select-Floors-and-Cabinets-to-Run-Their-Online-Marketing-Campaign Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2018) - Fremont Gold Ltd. (TSXV: FRE) (FSE: FR2) (OTC Pink: USTDF) ("Fremont" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has identified a highly-prospective drill target at the Alkali claim block, located on the northern extension of the Carlin Trend, Nevada. A recently completed soil sampling program has identified coincident gold and mercury geochemical anomalies associated with a conspicuous magnetic anomaly (see Figures 1 to 3). Together, the data suggests the presence of gold mineralization beneath alluvial cover and represents an exciting drill target within Nevada's most prolific gold belt. Alkali exploration highlights: Geochemical sampling has defined coincident gold and mercury soil anomalies, approximately 2 x 1 km in size, in the northeastern portion of Alkali (see Figures 2 and 3). Mercury is one of the important pathfinders for gold in both Carlin-type and low sulfidation epithermal-style deposits; The gold and mercury anomalies occur on the northeastern boundary of a 1.5 x 2 km magnetic high located in the centre of the claim area (see Figure 1), which indicates a possible intrusive body at depth. Magnetic highs representing intrusive bodies contemporaneous with Carlin-type deposits are recognized at the Railroad-Pinion district in the Carlin Trend, and are also known to be associated with epithermal vein deposits at the Tuscarora deposit, 27 km to the northeast, and at the nearby Hollister deposit; Alkali is located at the intersection of the northern extension of the Carlin Trend and on a northeast-trending lineament which hosts the nearby Hollister and Tuscarora mines, and farther along strike, the Jarbidge and Goldbanks mines. These current and historic epithermal deposits occur in a permissive structural corridor, which includes the Alkali NE fault (Figures 1-4) that cuts directly through the magnetic high and soil geochemical anomaly at Alkali. The soil geochemistry, magnetic data and geological structures transecting Alkali suggest the presence of gold mineralization beneath alluvial cover. Clay Newton, Vice President Exploration of Fremont stated, "We are excited by the recent exploration results from Alkali. Soil geochemical anomalies located at the intersection of the NE fault zone with two other fault trends suggest the presence of gold mineralization concealed beneath shallow alluvial cover. As mentioned, Alkali is located on a NE-trending fault zone that projects through the nearby Hollister and Tuscarora mine areas and more distant deposits such as Jarbidge, Marigold and Goldbank, all of which are low-sulfidation epithermal deposits. However, Alkali also lies on the northern extension of the Carlin Trend and is, therefore, prospective for various types of gold deposits, not just low sulfidation epithermal gold deposits such as the nearby Hollister mine, but also Carlin-type sediment-hosted deposits like the neighbouring Rossi and Goldstrike mines, or even copper-gold skarn deposits such as Newmont's Phoenix mine. The combination of mutually supportive structural, geochemical and geophysical lines of evidence comprise a compelling story for follow-up exploration and drilling." Blaine Monaghan, Fremont's CEO, added, "Like Clay, I am very excited by these exploration results. Freemont has identified an excellent, untested drill target in one of the world's most prolific gold districts. I look forward to advancing Alkali to the drilling stage." Explanation of attached figures Figure 1 shows the ground magnetic high, possibly representing a shallow intrusive body. Figures 2 and 3 show the gold and mercury plots, respectively, of the ionic leach soil survey data over the central portion of Alkali. Mercury and gold are two of the most important pathfinder elements for gold in either Carlin-type or low sulfidation epithermal deposits. Figure 4 displays the Coyote and Alkali claim blocks with respect to the northern part of the Carlin Trend with the locations of major Carlin-type deposits and nearby epithermal vein deposits along the Alkali NE fault. Figure 1: Magnetic anomaly To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3169/40299_a1539219148431_60.jpg Figure 2: Gold in soils anomaly To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3169/40299_a1539219148525_94.jpg Figure 3: Mercury in soils anomaly To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3169/40299_a1539219148634_92.jpg Figure 4: Northern Carlin Trend To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit: http://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3169/40299_a1539219148728_86.jpg North Carlin overview Alkali makes up the northern portion of a 3-block claim package located on the northern end of Nevada's most famous mineral belt. The two larger claim blocks, Alkali and Coyote, along with the smaller 100 ha Rossi North claim block, are collectively called the North Carlin Project, which comprises over 42.5 km2 and 509 claims. Geochemical and ground magnetometer results for Coyote were announced in a press release dated July 19, 2018. As shown in Figure 4, the locations of the Carlin deposits south of Coyote display a regular spacing of approximately three kilometres apart along a north-south trend, which would make Coyote the next "bead on the string" in terms of periodicity and alignment. This observed periodicity along with gold and pathfinder element soil anomalies, associated with subtle magnetic lows at Coyote, indicates possible gold mineralization at depth. Mapping at Coyote has found broad areas of chalcedonic breccias and siliceous alteration in a northeast trending zone parallel to the nearby Rossi deposit. This type of alteration is frequently associated with concealed gold mineralization in the Carlin Trend. Description of methodology Ground magnetic surveys were conducted in-house with a Geometrics G-857 proton precession magnetometer with readings at 35-metre intervals along E-W lines 300 metres apart and several N-S tie lines. Total magnetic intensity data were gridded by a minimum curvature method and reduced to pole. Soil samples were taken at 120-metre intervals along N-S lines 300 metres apart. The samples were analyzed by the ionic leach method of ALS Global analytical laboratory in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The data presented in this news release were smoothed by using a 3-point moving average along the soil lines and gridded by a kriging method. Dig Media Inc. The Company has retained Dig Media Inc. (doing business as Investing News Network, "INN") to provide an advertising and investor awareness campaign to the Company. INN is a private company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, dedicated to providing independent news and education to investors since 2007. The agreement will run through April 30, 2019, at a monthly cost of $4,167; the contract was prepaid in full by the Company. Fremont and INN act at arm's length. INN currently holds 312,500 common shares of the Company. Qualified Person Clay Newton is currently employed as Vice President of Exploration of Fremont Gold Ltd. and is not independent of Fremont. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Geology (1977), received a Master of Science degree in Geological Sciences (1983) from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Geosciences (1990) from the University of Arizona. He has practiced the profession of geology continuously since 1977. He is a Registered Member in good standing of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME, #4145342RM) and certifies that by reason of his education, affiliation with a professional association (as defined in NI 43-101) and past relevant work experience, he fulfills the requirements to be a "qualified person" for the purposes of NI 43-101. Dr. Newton has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release. About Fremont Gold Fremont's mine-finding management team has assembled a portfolio of high-quality gold projects in Nevada with the goal of making a new discovery. Fremont's Gold Bar and Gold Canyon properties are both past producing gold mines adjacent to McEwen Mining's Gold Bar project, where mine construction is underway. Other projects include Goldrun, Hurricane, North Carlin, and Roberts Creek. We are aligned with our shareholders: management and directors own 26% of Fremont. On behalf of the Board of Directors, "Blaine Monaghan" CEO Telephone: +1 604-676-5664 Email: blaine@fremontgold.net www.fremontgold.net 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. Forward looking statements Certain statements and information contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, which are referred to collectively as "forward-looking statements". The United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements and information regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations that are based upon assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action. All statements and information other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "seek", "expect", "anticipate", "budget", "plan", "estimate", "continue", "forecast", "intend", "believe", "predict", "potential", "target", "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" and similar words or phrases (including negative variations) suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking statements in this and other press releases include but are not limited to statements and information regarding: advancing Alkali to the drilling stage. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Fremont undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this press release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law. Halifax, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2018) - Sona Nanotech Inc. (CSE: SONA) today announced the signing of an agreement with global biotech company Expedeon Ltd. (FSE: EXN) for the supply of Sona's unique gold nanorods for integration into Expedeon's product range. Expedeon is a global provider of innovative technologies and services for the life sciences and diagnostics industries. Following evaluation of the quality and sensitivity of Sona's gold nanorods, Expedeon decided to include their Gemini and Omni products within their complete range of gold nanoparticles and conjugation technologies. Under the terms of the agreement, signed Oct 3rd 2018, Expedeon has exclusive rights to promote and market the nanorods to life science researchers and diagnostic companies around the world via its extensive distribution network and strong direct sales channels. The company will invest in R&D to incorporate Sona's technology into its comprehensive product range coupled with its own proprietary technologies. Both companies are exploring how they can develop the partnership even further to increase the offerings to their customers. Sona Nanotech CEO Darren Rowles said: "Expedeon has a built a reputation as a world-leading business in the life sciences and diagnostics industries and is considered the go-to company for innovative reagents. We are delighted to have signed this agreement with Expedeon, which will open access to new markets, new technologies and new lateral flow test developers for Sona to collaborate with and develop next generation lateral flow assays. To have our products integrated into the Expedeon product line is a huge milestone for Sona as we continue to work towards our goal of becoming a global life sciences brand." Expedeon CEO Heikki Lanckriet said: "We are excited to be incorporating Sona's technologies into our range of gold nanoparticle technologies. We were really impressed by the quality and sensitivity of their gold nanorods. We believe many of our customers are going to be interested in this innovative technology and the multiplex capabilities, and we are eager to be expanding our offering to new markets." About Sona Nanotech Inc. Sona Nanotech Inc. is a nanotechnology life sciences firm that has developed two proprietary methods for the manufacture of rod-shaped gold nanoparticles. The principal business carried out and intended to be continued by Sona is the research and development of its proprietary technology for use in multiplex diagnostic testing platforms that will improve performance over existing tests in the market. Sona's gold nanorod particles are CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium) free, eliminating the toxicity risks associated with the use of other gold nanorod technologies in medical applications. It is expected that Sona's gold nanotechnologies may be adapted for use in applications, as a safe and effective delivery system for multiple medical treatments, pending the approval of various regulatory boards including Health Canada and the FDA. Sona is a publicly listed company on the Canadian Securities Exchange existing under the laws of Nova Scotia, with its operations in Nova Scotia. About Expedeon Expedeon is an enabler of exciting advances in medical science and patient care. The Company's core technologies, innovative products and services are used in research laboratories around the world, enabling scientists to push the boundaries of research and product development, and play an integral part in new diagnostic tools being brought to market. With applications spanning the entire workflows in genomics, proteomics and immunology, Expedeon's technologies both accelerate and simplify research and make new and cost-effective processes available to biopharmaceutical and diagnostic organisations alike, thereby underpinning its customers' development and commercialisation objectives. Expedeon's products are sold through a direct sales force and several distribution partners in Europe, the USA and Asia. Expedeon AG has offices in Germany, Australia Spain, UK, USA and Singapore. The Company is listed on the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: EXN) (ISIN: DE000A1RFM03) Revenues have grown from 1.8m in 2016 to expected revenues of 13-14m in 2018. For More Information For more information about Stockport, please contact: Darren Rowles President and Chief Executive Officer Telephone: (902) 442-7192 Email: Darren Rowles darren@sonanano.com Neither Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION This press release contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect the Company's current expectations. When used in this press release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements and information in this press release includes information relating to the Amalgamation (including the structure of the Amalgamation), the Amalgamation (including shareholder approval, shareholder support, and other terms), the Private Placement (including its completion and the use of proceeds from the Private Placement), the directors and management of the resulting issuer upon completion of the Amalgamation, and the implementation of Sona's business plan. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company with respect to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: risks associated with the completion of the Amalgamation and matters relating thereto; and risks associated with the marketing and sale of securities, the need for additional financing, reliance on key personnel, the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers or directors, and the volatility of the Company's common share price and volume. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others, risks related to Sona's proposed business, such as failure of the business strategy and government regulation; risks related to Sona's operations, such as additional financing requirements and access to capital, reliance on key and qualified personnel, insurance, competition, intellectual property and reliable supply chains; risks related to Sona and its business generally, such as infringement of intellectual property rights and conflicts of interest. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company has assumed a certain progression, which may not be realized. It has also assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time. THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES - Poster presentation showing retention of structural integrity and good immunogenicity of spray dried virosome-based vaccine stored at different temperatures and administered as a nasal powder - Poster presentation at AAPS - Washington, D.C., USA, Tuesday November 6th, 2018 EPALINGES, Switzerland, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Mymetics Corporation (OTCQB: MYMX), a pioneer and leader in the research and development of virosome-based vaccines against life threatening and life disabling diseases, announces that new data will be presented by Mymetics' partner, Upperton Ltd., at the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., on November 5th-7th, 2018. Since 2015, Mymetics has been leading a consortium to develop thermostable and cold-chain independent virosome-based vaccines. The project, named MACIVIVA, is funded as part of Horizon 2020, the European Union research and innovation framework program and by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), and has a total grant value of 8.4 million. With the MACIVIVA project, Mymetics has brought together the leading contract manufacturers and the relevant expertise for spray drying, freeze drying and analytical techniques from the pharmaceutical industry. The poster with the title "Developing Cold Chain Independent Vaccines - Spray-drying of Virosomes to Produce Dry Powder Formulations" will be presented by Dr. Richard Johnson, the CEO of Upperton Ltd, on Tuesday the 6th of November. Dr. Johnson will discuss that the successful spray drying of the Mymetics' HIV virosome-based candidate vaccine. The spray dried powder formulation stored at 4C (40F) or 40C (104F) maintained its structural integrity, while the liquid formulation showed strong structural degradation at 40C (104F). Further, a pre-clinical in vivo study confirmed that the nasal delivery of spray dried virosomes was an effective, needle-free route for immunization, with levels of immune response comparative to that obtained by subcutaneous injection. Upperton Pharma Solutions Ltd., based in Nottingham, the United Kingdom, has a long track record in overcoming complex spray drying formulation challenges in the pharmaceutical industry and has an R&D and pilot plant facility for the manufacturing from small scale to clinical batches of spray dried drug substances and products. The MACIVIVA project will end early November 2018 and may receive up to 5.3 million funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No 646122. About Mymetics Mymetics Corporation (OTCQB:MYMX) is a Swiss based biotechnology company, with a research lab in the Netherlands, focused on the development of next-generation preventative vaccines for infectious and life disabling diseases. It currently has several vaccines in its pipeline: HIV-1/AIDS, intra-nasal Influenza, malaria, Chikungunya and the RSV vaccine and a collaborative project in the field of allergy Immunotherapy with Anergis SA. Mymetics' core technology and expertise are in the use of virosomes, lipid-based carriers containing functional fusion viral proteins and natural membrane proteins, in combination with rationally designed antigens. For further information, please visit www.mymetics.com. Forward looking statements The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements, which are identified by the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan" and similar expressions. The statements contained herein which are not based on historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect our actual results, performance or achievements in the future and, accordingly, such actual results, performance or achievements may materially differ from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by or on our behalf. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks associated with our ability to successfully develop and protect our intellectual property, our ability to raise additional capital to fund future operations and compliance with applicable laws and changes in such laws and the administration of such laws. See Mymetics' most recent Form 10-K for a discussion of such risks, uncertainties and other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward- looking statements which speak only as of the date the statements were made. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2018 / MGX Minerals Inc. ('MGX' or the 'Company') (CSE: XMG / FKT: 1MG / OTCQB: MGXMF) announces it has received an independent evaluation and report regarding potential applications of quartzite material originating from its Gibraltar Silica Property ('Gibraltar' or the 'Property'). A one-ton sample of quartzite was shipped to an independent lab Dorfner Anzaplan, in Germany, for mineralogical analyses through X-ray diffraction analysis, chemical analyses through X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, grain size distribution, mineral processing analysis, automated optical sorting, and thermal stability testing. The sample was crushed and screened into fractions between 20 - 120 mm for evaluation of applicability of these fractions as feedstock for metallurgical-grade silicon production. Results indicate that the material, after comminution and classification fraction, is of high initial purity (99.5 wt.-%), making the fraction chemically suitable as medium quality feedstock material for metallurgical-grade silicon production. MGX operates three silicon projects in southeastern British Columbia- Koot, Wonah, and Gibraltar. About Gibraltar Silica Property Gibraltar is located approximately 95 kilometers northeast of Cranbrook, BC (B.C. MINFILE 082JSW001). The Property features high purity quartzite that has potential for technological applications, consisting of snow white coloured, high purity silica that contains >98.8% SiO2 and < 1.2% impurities such as Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, Na2O, K2O. The Gibraltar quartzite unit is located in the foreland thrust zone of the Hughes Range of the Rocky Mountains. It covers a sedimentary clastic-carbonate rock package located near the confluence of Kootenay and White River. Sedimentary rocks generally have a north-northwest strike, but locally a north-northeast strike is prominent. Minor folding was noted in the carbonate sequence immediately adjacent to quartzite unit. Two westerly dipping thrust faults (Hay, Carter, 1988) are believed to run north-south close to the eastern edge of the Gibraltar property. Energy Applications To further the Company's expansion into low cost energy mass storage systems, following the acquisition of ZincNyx Energy Solutions (see press release December. 13, 2017), MGX has prioritized evaluation and development of its silicon projects for silicon metal potential. One of the primary uses of silicon metal is in solar panels. Solar panels are a cornerstone to remote and distributed energy solutions. Solar, combined with a mass storage system such as that currently under development by ZincNyx, serves to replace or augment diesel generators, as well as having broad applications in energy storage for residential and commercial grid load balancing and backup, and in providing primary and backup power for industrial sites, telecommunications, large scale computer server arrays and military bases. Additional information on the integration of solar with ZincNyx energy storage systems is available at www.zincnyx.com. 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/513874/MGX-Minerals-Reports-Gibraltar-Silicon-Project-Metallurgy-Suitability-for-Metallurgical-Grade-Silicon-Confirmed Stewart, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2018) - Decade Resources Ltd (TSXV: DEC) ("Decade" or the Company) is pleased to report on assay results from the ongoing 2018 drilling on the Red Cliff property. The Company has completed 32 drill holes (the "drill holes") to date during its 2018 drilling campaign. Decade has received assays of 10 of the completed drill holes and expects to report on the remaining 22 assays in the coming weeks. 2018 drill results and activity are highlighted below: Waterpump Zone Drill intersections in the 2018 drilling include the following: Present drilling on the Montrose zone is close spaced along the down-dip expression of the stockwork to trace the gold mineralization to depth. The goal at present is to block out the recently indicated high grade zone that is a minimum +100m long and approximately 400 m down-dip within the 400m of structure length drill tested to date. Width of the Montrose zone in this area appears to be from 8 to 22 m based on the modelling to date. Mineralization is also open to depth and along strike. *Hole above was not previously reported. ** True width is believed to be 70 % of intersection length. *Holes above have previously been reported. ** True width is believed to be 70 % of intersection length. Red Cliff Past metallurgical studies indicate gold recoveries of 94.8% and 97.6%, respectively for 2 separate composites of core samples within drill hole Red Cliff DDH-12-MON-61. Visual expressions of the drill assay results on drilling to date can be viewed on the 43-101 report and video shown under the Red Cliff project on the Company website at www.decaderesources.ca. There also appears to be a plunge to the high grade zone towards the SW which drilling will define. Ed Kruchkowski, P. Geo and President of Decade Resources stated: "Decade is very encouraged with these initial assay results, as well as the expanded mineralization at depth. We look forward to receiving the final 22 assays from the 2018 drill program." The Company is undertaking a non-brokered private placement of flow-through units to raise aggregate gross proceeds of up to $650,000 for expenditure on the Red Cliff project. Ed Kruchkowski, P. Geo., a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, is in charge of the exploration programs on behalf of the Company and is responsible for the contents of this release. E. Kruchkowski is not independent of Decade as he is the president of the Company. Decade Resources Ltd. is a Canadian based mineral exploration company actively seeking opportunities in the resource sector. Decade holds numerous properties at various stages of development and exploration from basic grass roots to advanced ones. Its properties and projects are all located in the "Golden Triangle" area of northern British Columbia. For a complete listing of the Company assets and developments, visit the Company website at www.decaderesources.ca which is presently being updated. For investor information please call 250-636-2264 or Gary Assaly at 604-377-7969. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DECADE RESOURCES LTD. "Ed Kruchkowski" Ed Kruchkowski, President "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 may contain forward-looking statements. 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." SANTA CLARA, California, October 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Trianz, a global digital transformation consulting and technology services firm, today announced winning the 2018 MSP 501 Digital Innovator of the Year Award. Hosted by Channel Futures, the award was conferred on the firm in recognition of the innovation and forward-thinking development projects it provides clients with. Ira Horowitz, Vice President - Client Relationships at Trianz, received the award on Oct. 10 (Wednesday) at the Channel Partners Evolution Conference & Expo that was held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia (US). (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/626944/Trianz_Logo.jpg ) Channel Futures is part of Informa, the London-headquartered leading business intelligence, academic publishing, knowledge and events business operating in the knowledge and information economy. Expressing his delight, Horowitz said, "Winning the coveted 2018 MSP 501 Digital Innovator of the Year Award is a matter of great pride for us. It is a robust validation of the efficacy of our approach towards simplifying digital transformation for our clients. It is also a big motivator for the team to remain focused on delivering insight- and action-oriented offerings." "The 'Digital Transformation' concept is increasingly becoming an all-encompassing one. At Trianz, we are determined to simplify this phenomenon through our specialized IP development and process innovation. Being honored with this year's MSP 501 Digital Innovator of the Year Award encourages us to continuously bring every bit of expertise and innovative IP we have to bear for our clients," Prashant Bhavaraju, Vice President - Marketing at Trianz, said in a statement. Trianz helps organizations across industries overcome dynamic digital age challenges to move towards more effective, game-changing technologies. The firm's delivery model provides superior value to clients, and has been acknowledged for several consecutive years for the same based on positive feedback garnered through client surveys. Earlier this year, Trianz secured a spot in the world's 501 most strategic and innovative managed service providers (MSPs) list published by Channel Futures in its 11th annual MSP 501 company rankings. Click here for details. About Trianz Trianz simplifies digital evolutions through effective strategies and excellence in execution. Collaborating with business and technology leaders, we help formulate and execute operational strategies to achieve intended business outcomes by bringing the best of consulting, technology experiences and execution models. Powered by knowledge, research, and perspectives, we enable clients to transition to a digital enterprise by leveraging Cloud, Analytics, Digital, Infrastructure and Security paradigms. With offices in Silicon Valley, Washington DC Metro, Rosemont, Chicago, Austin, Boston, Denver, Irvine, Raleigh, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Dubai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai, we serve Fortune 1000 and emerging organizations across industries globally. For more information, visit http://www.trianz.com. Trianz Media Team Media.Contact@trianz.com +1-408-387-5800 B.Yond today announced the appointment of Rui Frazao as the company's Executive Vice President European Operations, effective immediately. Frazao will focus on business development, customer engagement and expansion of the company's presence in Europe. Frazao has a track record of technology transformation in strategic leadership roles. He joins B.Yond from Vasona Networks, a leader in network performance and edge computing software for mobile operators (recently acquired by ZephyrTel). He most recently served as CTO, leading the company's technical innovation in mobile broadband optimization. Frazao worked with customers worldwide on advancing mobile-edge software solutions and solidifying Vasona's position as a market leader. "We're witnessing the 5G revolution, which requires operators to transform from networks to cloud platforms to succeed. Rui brings a unique perspective, having worked in the customer capacity at Vodafone, as well as a technology supplier to operators. His executive experience includes working with the world's largest telecom operators, witnessing firsthand how the cloud can open up opportunities to compete on innovation, just like web scale companies do," said Ned Taleb, CEO of B.Yond. "He brings a worldwide market perspective and will be an outstanding addition to our leadership team. Rui will help us disrupt the traditional telco-vendor relationship with a new model based on partnering for the journey to enable innovation via a cloud-native platform and applied AI." Prior to Vasona, Frazao spent 15 years with Vodafone in various technology positions, including serving as the director of network engineering for efforts across Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary and the Czech Republic. His work with Vodafone included implementing the industry's earliest VoLTE deployments and launching the first virtualized network core platforms in Europe. Before that, he held roles with Cisco Systems, Portuguese financial payment network SIBS and the Lisbon Stock Exchange. "I am thrilled to be joining B.Yond at this exciting time where the company is addressing the needs of telecom operators on their cloudification journey," said Frazao. "The company's technology, strong management team and the market's potential to leverage machine learning and automation for network and cloud present exciting opportunities." About B.Yond B.Yond is an artificial intelligence (AI) company that develops automation software for network Operators, bringing modern web scale operational models to telcos seeking to move to 5G and Edge. Operators are at an inflection point, needing to transform from a network provider to a cloud platform. To capitalize and generate new revenue streams, they need their networks to operate autonomously; predict intelligently; and launch on-demand services cost effectively. B.Yond delivers this via AI-based automation software. B.Yond is a founding member of the Linux Foundation Deep Learning Foundation, the Acumos foundation, and other technical and open source groups to promote innovation in AI and machine learning. For more information, please visit http://www.b-yond.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005094/en/ Contacts: PAN Communications for B.Yond Caitlin Noll byond@pancommunications.com C-level executive and heavy-hitting marketer Shallu Behar-Sheehan to lead StarLeaf's global marketing strategy as company continues to build momentum in the market. StarLeaf, a leading provider of premium meeting room solutions and video conferencing services, has appointed leading technology marketer Shallu Behar-Sheehan, to serve as its chief marketing officer. Shallu will lead the global marketing organization to further accelerate customer adoption and elevate brand awareness. She joins StarLeaf as the company continues to experience strong revenue growth and increased demand for its solutions globally. This appointment is illustrative of StarLeaf's continuing success. It follows recent industry recognition, including being named in the Gartner 2018 Magic Quadrant for Meeting Solutions and its acknowledgement as one of the fastest growing tech companies in the UK by Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100. With many accolades to her name, Behar-Sheehan is acknowledged as one of the Top 100 Most Influential B2B Technology Marketers in Europe. For StarLeaf, Behar-Sheehan brings international marketing leadership and expertise from previous executive roles with major brands, including Cisco and F5 Networks. She is also known for significantly raising the brand profile of technology organizations in highly competitive environments and delivering significant marketing influenced revenue growth on a global basis. Behar-Sheehan brings invaluable experience to the StarLeaf leadership team as the company goes head-to-head with some of the biggest brands in the meeting solutions and video conferencing space. "This is a strategic appointment for StarLeaf and signals the next phase in our evolution as a global business communications provider," said Mark Loney, CEO of StarLeaf. "Shallu will be instrumental in leading the charge as we continue to disrupt the industry and build StarLeaf into a globally recognized brand." "I'm excited to join StarLeaf at this pivotal point in the company's growth and to have the opportunity to work with some of the industry's best engineering minds," said Shallu Behar-Sheehan, CMO at StarLeaf. "StarLeaf's communications solutions are relied upon by businesses every day. I'm looking forward to amplifying our story, driving new business and supporting our customers and partners on their journey to provide and enjoy seamless collaboration." About StarLeaf StarLeaf offers intuitive collaboration tools to help businesses increase productivity, accelerate decision-making and achieve better results, so that teams spend less time in meetings and more time focused on the business. StarLeaf's Cloud provides an ultra-secure messaging, meeting and calling solution through a user-friendly app and premium meeting room systems. Teamline by StarLeaf offers Skype for Business/Microsoft Teams users a reliable and easy to manage collaboration environment, with a familiar interface and dedicated Teamline management platform Maestro. Whether organizations are looking for an end-to-end business communications platform, or to augment their Microsoft ecosystem, StarLeaf helps enterprises around the world to improve team collaboration. For more information, please visit www.starleaf.com or follow us: @StarLeafCo View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005243/en/ Contacts: EMEA Spreckley Nick Bird Fergus Lynch, 0044 (0)207 388 9988 starleaf@spreckley.co.uk or North America Smart Connections PR Joanne Hogue, +1 410-658-8246 joanne@smartconnectionspr.com Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2018) - Maple Gold Mines Ltd. (TSXV: MGM) (OTCQB: MGMLF) (FSE: M3G)("Maple Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a general corporate update as the Company enters the final quarter of 2018. Maple Gold is currently completing a first pass regional mapping and sampling program in the outcrop-rich central third of the property to generate additional greenfield targets, while also working to integrate all of the new drill data from the 2018 campaign into updated sections, plans and 3D models. The Company completed 22,593 total metres of drilling during the 2018 campaign (see program summary press release dated September 4, 2018), with approximately 16,300 metres focused within the resource area. This is the first drill campaign completed since assembling the new technical committee and exploration team approximately one year ago. One focus for Maple Gold's technical team has been establishing cohesive 3D geological and structural models that together will form the foundation for subsequent resource estimations and future drill targeting within the 6km by ~2km known resource area. The new modeling work is underway at site after a year of pouring through project data and logging select historical core and all of the new drill holes from the 2018 campaign. Maple Gold has created and is refining a new set of interpreted geological/analytical cross sections, and possibly for the first time, also the corresponding long sections, level plans and a digital 3D model for the Douay deposit. An updated resource estimate integrating the new models and drill data from 2018 is expected to be initiated in the coming months (Q4). Maple Gold's VP, Exploration, Fred Speidel, commented: "We believe that our detailed and methodical approach to modeling the geology, structure and mineralization at Douay is a critical step and one that will help pave the way for future exploration, resource optimization and development." Maple Gold's President and CEO, Matthew Hornor, stated: "At the corporate level we have been strategically allocating our spending to focus resources on key milestones, while also reducing overheads by approximately 50% as of July 1. We felt it was prudent to conserve capital to ensure the Company maintains a comfortable financial position should weaker market conditions persist well into 2019. We are working towards an updated resource estimate and exploring potential partnerships with major gold miners as the industry enters another M&A cycle." The Company's approach at the project level has included bringing the majority of exploration functions in-house to ensure continuity in the Company's knowledge base, with the aim to fully apply best practice geoscience in all of the Company's exploration activities. The Company is committed to following the discovery model, with 20-30% of exploration and drilling budgets allocated toward new regional greenfield target areas. The current mapping and sampling program and planned induced polarization (IP) lines over greenfield target areas during the upcoming winter season are examples of the Company's property-wide exploration approach. About Maple Gold Maple Gold is an advanced gold exploration and development company focused on defining a district-scale gold project in one of the world's premier mining jurisdictions. The Company's 377 km Douay Gold Project is located along the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone (55 km of strike) within the prolific Abitibi Greenstone Belt in northern Quebec, Canada. The Project benefits from excellent infrastructure and has an established gold resource1 that remains open in multiple directions. For more information please visit www.maplegoldmines.com. ON BEHALF OF MAPLE GOLD MINES LTD. "Matthew Hornor" B. Matthew Hornor, President & CEO For Further Information Please Contact: Mr. Joness Lang VP, Corporate Development Email: jlang@maplegoldmines.com NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PRESS RELEASE. Forward Looking Statements: This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively referred to as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation in Canada, including statements about the prospective mineral potential of the Porphyry Zone, the potential for significant mineralization from other drilling in the referenced drill program and the completion of the drill program. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, uncertainties and management's best estimate of future events. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations and projections. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding timing and completion of the private placement. When used herein, words such as "anticipate", "will", "intend" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain estimates, expectations, analysis and opinions that management believed reasonable at the time they were made or in certain cases, on third party expert opinions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, and uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual events, results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future events, results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to Maple Gold Mines Ltd.'s filings with Canadian securities regulators available on www.sedar.com or the Company's website at www.maplegoldmines.com. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. 1 (Micon 2018) 479,000 ounces at 1.59 g/t Au (Indicated category) and 2,759,000 ounces at 1.02 g/t Au (Inferred category), using a 0.45 g/t Au cut-off grade. Please visit www.maplegoldmines.com or the Company's SEDAR filings for a copy of the Micon 2018 report. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2018) - Therma Bright Inc. (TSXV: THRM), ("Therma Bright" or the "Company"), a progressive medical device technology company announces, further to its press release on January 8, 2018 outlining results indicating effectiveness of its TherOZap technology at inhibiting the Zika virus, that the Company has engaged a top research laboratory made up of virology experts to further test the TherOZap technology against the Zika virus. The research group collaborates with and has access to other virology research experts around the world. Further to the Company's press release on October 1st, 2018, the Company has completed several improvements to the TherOZap technology prototype including certain advancements to the technology and features that make the prototype easier to use and test by researchers compared to the previous version. The Company expects the receipt of final prototypes over the next 10 days at which time the prototypes will be sent to the researchers to initiate the next round of testing. Testing is expected to last several months. The Company will follow up with additional testing, providing efficacy of the TherOZap technology during the initial tests against the Zika virus, with further in-vitro testing of the Zika virus or other mosquito borne diseases to be followed up by in-vivo testing if warranted. The Dengue, Zika and West Nile viruses are spread by the same mosquito which is known as the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. The Aedes Aegypti mosquito is known as a prolific daytime biter which often makes it harder for people to protect themselves after an infectious bite. Therma Bright hopes to prove that the TherOZap technology will be effective as a second line of defense, after being bitten by a mosquito, against the Zika virus. Once the TherOZap technology proves effective, the Company expects to extend the prototype improvements to Therma Bright's final commercial device with an aim to market any claims as a result of successful testing on packaging and marketing material with appropriate regulatory approval. Mr. Rob Fia, CEO, commented: "Therma Bright searched diligently and is pleased to have selected this collection of top virology researchers to continue testing our patent pending TherOZap technology against the Zika virus. We are excited to report back to our shareholders as testing results are received and we hope to prove the Zika virus is susceptible to die-off with the use of our TherOZap technology." About Therma Bright Inc.: Therma Bright is a progressive medical device technology company focused on providing consumers with quality medical devices that address their dermatological needs. Clear and healthy skin for all is at the core of the Company's philosophy as is the belief that such outcomes should not be a privilege for only those who can afford costly procedures and treatments. The Company's breakthrough proprietary technology delivers effective, non-invasive and pain free skin care. Therma Bright received a Class II medical device status from the FDA for its platform technology that is indicated for the relief of the pain, itch, and inflammation from over 20,000 different insect stings and bites (including bees, wasps, hornets, mosquitoes, black flies and jellyfish). The Company received approval for the above claims from FDA (United States) in 1997. Therma Bright Inc. trades on the TSXV (TSXV: THRM). For more information visit: www.thermabright.com and www.interceptcoldsores.com Coming soon:www.coldsores.com For further information please contact: Therma Bright Inc. Rob Fia CEO rfia@thermabright.com FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking" statements. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance and include further testing of the TherOZap technology against the Zika virus, product improvements to the TherOZap technology and timelines for the receipt of the TherOZap technology prototype, all as described in the news release. All such statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to vary from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to other risks, the Company may not complete all or any of the transactions as described in this news on the timelines described. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, they should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES Bermuda October 11, 2018 Recently, the tanker industry has suffered from deteriorating earnings, lower dividends and stock prices. We are happy to inform our friends that the spot market for our ships now has tripled from just a few months back, and doubled just from 10 days ago. That's good for all of us. Just to illustrate, here is a snapshot at months beginning, of reported TCE earnings from West Africa (one of our main routes) during 2018: 1st January 2018 TCE rates ~$6000/day 4th April 2018 TCE rates ~$4000/day 2nd July 2018 TCE rates ~$6000/day 1st October 2018 TCE rates ~$9600/day Yesterday 10th October TCE ~$20600/day This means a world of difference. If spot markets increase another 25% and stays there for 12 months, we could earn 25% of our market cap in a year. Spot market earnings are volatile, but volatility is usually a sign of an improved underlying market balance and we have been firm believers in a market turnaround this year. Best regards! Herbjorn Hansson Chairman & CEO Nordic American Tankers Ltd CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The Company desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," "potential," "will," "may," "should," "expect," "pending" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, our management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the tanker market, as a result of changes in OPEC's petroleum production levels and world wide oil consumption and storage, changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for our vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessels breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the prospectus and related prospectus supplement, our Annual Report on Form 20-F, and our reports on Form 6-K. Contacts: Herbjrn Hansson, Chairman & CEO Nordic American Tankers Limited Tel: +1 866 805 9504 or +47 90 14 62 91 Bjrn Giver, CFO Nordic American Tankers Limited Tel: +1 888 755 8391 or +47 91 35 00 91 Gary J. Wolfe Seward & Kissel LLP New York, USA Tel: +1 212 574 1223 Web-site: www.nat.bm (http://www.nat.bm) Press release (PDF) (http://hugin.info/201/R/2220239/868667.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: Nordic American Tankers Limited via Globenewswire SHANGHAI, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- At HUAWEI CONNECT 2018, Huawei released the Huawei Cloud EI Intelligent Twins solution for cities. Jia Yongli, General Manager of EI Product Department of Huawei Cloud BU, announced the capability upgrade of Huawei Cloud Enterprise Intelligence (EI) services, noting that services would henceforth be powered on the latest Huawei AI chips. In his speech, Jia Yongli said, "Since the launch of Huawei Cloud EI at HUAWEI CONNECT 2017, Huawei Cloud has explored over 200 projects across eight industries, covering cities, manufacturing, logistics, and the Internet. We have three important findings: AI helps IT evolve from support systems to production systems; combining AI with industry insight is difficult; and computing power is a major barrier to AI application." Huawei Cloud EI Drives Industry Modernization When talking about how to combine industry insight with AI, Jia Yongli said, "Huawei Cloud EI drives industry modernization in three scenarios, including repetitive and high-volume work, tasks that require expert experience, and work that needs multi-domain collaboration. These will help improve efficiency, pass on expertise, and break the limits of human intelligence." For repetitive or high-volume work, Huawei Cloud EI services help identify massive sets of frequently-used data in enterprise practices. For tasks that require expert experience, AI can act as assistants to experts after being integrated with expert experience or industry insight. For example, the Huawei Cloud EI visual team has been working closely with KingMed Diagnostics, a company that provides medical diagnostic testing. By leveraging AI technologies, the partner has made breakthroughs in the pathological examination of cervical cancer, with a sensitivity (true positive rate) of over 99% and a specificity (true negative rate) of over 80%. For tasks that require multi-domain collaboration and involve many parameters, complex dependencies, and high dimensions, such as industrial production and urban governance, AI brings with it new ideas and methods. Huawei Releases EI Intelligent Twins for Cities Today, Huawei Cloud released EI Intelligent Twins for cities and complex urban scenarios. Based on the digital twin, the EI Intelligent Twins solution for cities released today utilizes AI to achieve synergies between clouds, big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), edge computing, and other technologies and to build a complete system from data generation and analysis to closed-loop management. Strong computing power enables us to explore more efficient resource scheduling and configurations in a number of fields, such as traffic, environmental protection, emergency response, and public water systems, building a scenario-specific AI service platform that offers public services. This solution makes it possible to improve efficiency while reducing energy consumption and protecting the environment. In June 2018, Huawei Cloud released EI Traffic Intelligent Twins and Industrial Intelligent Twins. Fast Upgrade of Huawei Cloud EI Capabilities Huawei released the Ascend 310 and 910 AI chips, empower Huawei Cloud's full-stack capabilities in all scenarios. In addition, Huawei Cloud EI provides 45 services and 142 functions, covering essential platform services, general APIs, advanced APIs, and pre-integration solutions. These services and functions make inclusive AI possible, satisfying the needs of different groups including AI senior data scientists, data engineers, common IT engineers, and business personnel. At the end of his speech, Jia Yongli said, "By improving the computing power offered by Huawei AI chips, Huawei Cloud is geared up for the AI era. We expect the Huawei Cloud EI Intelligent Twins solution to be used by our partners and create better cities around the world. Huawei's EI Intelligent Twins solution will be well integrated with industry expertise to offer inclusive AI, providing enterprises with affordable, effective, and reliable AI services." Due to a higher probability of success in current clinical trials (results due in mid-2019), target price increased to NIS 1.12 Equity Research is published in the framework of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) Analysis Program TEL AVIV, Israel, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The TASE analysis project was launched in 2016 in order to raise the investors' level of knowledge of TASE listed technology and life-science companies and the markets in which the companies operate, thus creating appropriate pricing and increasing the exposure of investors from Israel and abroad. Its goal is to encourage investments in these companies by removing the barrier of lacking understanding in the market. In order to maintain professional, independent and unbiased analysis, the companies signed an agreement with the TASE to receive the analysis services for an obligatory period of two years. The companies cannot withdraw from the project during this period. The analysis is funded by the companies surveyed with funding from the Chief Scientist and the TASE. Summary of Highlights Kadimastem published an immediate report on October 9, 2018. The company reported on the world's first transplantation of embryonic stem cells and the completion of 5 patients' enrollment for Cohort A. The very success of the implantation is an initial confirmation of the safety of cellular therapy: The company performed the world's first astrocytes cell transplantation in the first ALS patient. Final results will be published in mid-2019 for the first group Cell transplantation is a scientific breakthrough in that it is first performed in humans as part of a clinical trial. The innovative technology developed in KadimaStam by Prof. Michel Revel , Chief Scientist of the company, and Dr. Michal Yizrael, Deputy Director General of R & D of Neurodegenerative Diseases, is a unique approach to cell transplantation that produces healthy cells that function instead of cells that have been infected with the disease, ALS, thus forming a kind of spare part in the nervous system. , Chief Scientist of the company, and Dr. Michal Yizrael, Deputy Director General of R & D of Neurodegenerative Diseases, is a unique approach to cell transplantation that produces healthy cells that function instead of cells that have been infected with the disease, ALS, thus forming a kind of spare part in the nervous system. The clinical trial examines the safety and efficacy of cellular therapy after cell transplantation. The company has invested more than $ 40 million to develop the company's technology. to develop the company's technology. In the first analysis report we published on June 12, 2018 , we reviewed all activities of Kadimastem with details regarding the trial and its significance. In our view, this means confirming our assessment of the progress of the clinical trial. The expected results of the experiment in mid-2019 are known and included in our economic model. However, the recruitment of 5 patients and successful transplantation increases the probability of success of the entire clinical trial. We will examine the continued recruitment of patients and analyze it in our upcoming quarterly report. Thus, we raise our valuation for the company to NIS 69 million (our previous estimate was NIS 52 million), at a target price of NIS 1.03 to NIS 1.21; Average of NIS 1.12. See more for details in our Initiation of Coverage report dated June 12, 2018 for details on our valuation methodology. About the company - Kadimastem Ltd. (hereinafter "Kadimastem" or "the company") is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that specializes in developing different types of human body cells (known as differentiated cells) - such as neural cells (e.g. oligodendrocytes and astrocytes) and insulin secreting beta cells, derived from human embryonic stem cells. The company has its technological platform and two current stem cell based therapies in research phase - AstroRx (consists of astrocytes, a type of brain cell) and Encapsulin (insulin secreting beta cells) for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and diabetes respectively. About Frost & Sullivan Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion Contact: Kristi Cekani Corporate Communications - Frost & Sullivan, Europe P: +39.02.4851.6133 E: kristi.cekani@frost.com http://www.frost.com CHESTER, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 16, 2018 / Repro Med Systems, Inc. dba RMS Medical Products (OTCQX: REPR) today announced that it will release its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018, after the close of the financial markets on Tuesday, October 23, 2018. An accompanying conference call will be hosted by Dan Goldberger, Chairman and interim Chief Executive Officer, Karen Fisher, Chief Financial Officer and Don Pettigrew, President and Chief Commercial Officer. The call will be held at 9:00AM ET, on Wednesday, October 24 2018. Please refer to the information below for conference call dial-in information and webcast registration. Conference Details Conference Date: Wednesday, October 24, 2018 9:00 AM ET Conference Dial-In: 877.269.7756 International Dial-In: 201.689.7817 Conference Call Name: RMS Medical Products (OTCQX: REPR) Third Quarter 2018 Results Call Webcast Registration: Click Here Following the live call, a replay will be available for six months on the Company's website, www.rmsmedpro.com, under "Investor Relations." About RMS Medical Products The Company develops, manufactures and commercializes medical products used for home infusions and suctioning. The FREEDOM Syringe Infusion System currently includes the FREEDOM60 and FreedomEdge Syringe Infusion Drivers, RMS Precision Flow Rate Tubing and RMS HIgHFlo Subcutaneous Safety Needle Sets. These devices are used for infusions administered in professional healthcare settings as well as at home. The Company's RESQVAC line of medical suctioning products is used by emergency medical service providers in addition to a variety of other healthcare providers. For more information about RMS Medical Products, please visit www.rmsmedicalproducts.com. Contact CG Capital 877.889.1972 investorrelations@cg.capital www.cg.capital SOURCE: Repro Med Systems, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/525473/RMS-Medical-Products-to-Report-Third-Quarter-2018-Results-October-23-2018 The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Health and Prevention wins the Outstanding ICT Achievement Awards, as well as the second finalist place for two exceptional projects RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Elsevier, the information analytics business specializing in science and health, and HIMSS Middle East have announced the winner of the fourth Middle East HIMSS-Elsevier Digital Healthcare Award 2018. The award recognizes outstanding achievements and innovations globally in the usage of health information technology. This year saw an increase in submissions from last year's edition, which was held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In total, 18 submissions from across Bahrain, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). All project submitters demonstrated how their digital solutions has contributed to enhancements that have helped better the quality of patient care. The winner, finalists and their projects are: Winner: "Universal Newborn Critical Congenital Heart Disorders (CCHD) Screening in MOHAP Maternity Hospitals" project, from the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, standardized the CCHD screening ideals to ensure all babies are tested positive after screening, and to receive critical interventions in a timely and safe manner. "Universal Newborn Critical Congenital Heart Disorders (CCHD) Screening in MOHAP Maternity Hospitals" project, from the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, standardized the CCHD screening ideals to ensure all babies are tested positive after screening, and to receive critical interventions in a timely and safe manner. First Finalist: "Tele ICU & Command and Control Center" project, from Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group in Saudi Arabia allowed off-site intensivists and/or critical care nurses to assist in the treatment of critically ill patients "Tele ICU & Command and Control Center" project, from Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group in allowed off-site intensivists and/or critical care nurses to assist in the treatment of critically ill patients Second Finalist: "Thalassemia Electronic Integrated Clinical Pathway (TEICP)" project, also from the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention was developed for the care of patients with Thalassemia disease. The TEICP module helped to decrease patient waiting time, decrease physician and nurse assessment time, and ensure quality patient monitoring. "Healthcare in the Middle East is constantly changing. Providers are continually re-invigorating the sector with innovations, helping to achieve better outcomes for patients. Elsevier, with its focus on delivering evidence-based information through technology, is proud to partner with HIMSS to recognize and support these key initiatives," said Tim Hawkins, Managing Director, Clinical Solutions in EMEALA and APAC for Elsevier. "We would like to thank all award nominees for their hugely impressive submissions and congratulate the winner and finalists of 2018's HIMSS-Elsevier Middle East Digital Healthcare Awards." Director of Hospitals Department at the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, Dr.Kalthoom Al Blooshi, submitted two projects which made it to the final. The "Universal Newborn Critical Congenital Heart Disorders (CCHD) Screening in MOHAP Maternity Hospitals" project, ensuring all babies born at MOHAP hospitals receive CCHD screening & critical interventions are received in a timely and safe manner, was the winning project. The "Thalassemia Electronic Integrated Clinical Pathway (TEICP)" project, which was the second finalist, was developed for the care of patients with Thalassemia disease. Al Blooshi said: "It is an absolute privilege to receive the winning and second finalist HIMSS-Elsevier Awards. The CCHD screening ensures all babies who tested positive get proper intervention in a timely manner and the TEICP module helps decrease patient waiting time, improve patient care through an evidence based thalassemia care plan, and reduce cost. Both solutions projects are aligned with UAE vision to become world class health care system by 2021 & have proven to be effective in improving patient care, and, on behalf of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, we are honored to be recognized for these efforts." The "Tele ICU & Command and Control Center" project achieved the first finalist award and was submitted by the Head of Application Development at the Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Abdulelah Almayman CIO. Dr. Sulaiman al habib. Mr. Abdulelah Almayman CIO. Dr. Sulaiman al habib said: "Enabling nurses and other healthcare professionals to assist in the treatment of critically ill patients outside hospital walls is essential and will be an important part of our digital health systems in the future. This is the essence of our Tele ICU & Command and Control Center. We are grateful to HIMSS and Elsevier for providing us with the opportunity to share our success story across the globe." The judges for this year's award consisted of a distinguished panel of leading healthcare professionals: Mariam Almutairi , Takween Tech, KSA , Takween Tech, KSA Dr. Osama ElHassan , Head of eHealth, Dubai Health Authority, UAE , Head of eHealth, Dubai Health Authority, UAE John Daniels , Global Vice President, HIMSS Analytics, USA , Global Vice President, HIMSS Analytics, Tim Morris , Product & Partnership Director, Elsevier EMEALA/APAC John Daniels, Global Vice President for HIMSS Analytics, said: "We are proud to recognize and support the many projects and submissions we received from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Region, which have proven to genuinely drive benefits for clinicians and patients alike. On behalf of HIMSS, I'd like to congratulation the winner, finalists and everyone participating in 2018. We look forward to growing the initiative in the years to come." The winner and finalists were revealed during the ceremony at the HIMSS Saudi Arabia Conference and Exhibition 2018. The first day of the conference was followed by a HIMSS-Elsevier gala dinner to celebrate this year's success. About HIMSS HIMSS is a global advisor and thought leader supporting the transformation of health through information and technology. As a mission driven non-profit, HIMSS offers a unique depth and breadth of expertise in health innovation, public policy, workforce development, research and analytics to advise global leaders, stakeholders and influencers on best practices in health information and technology. Through our innovation companies, HIMSS delivers key insights, education and engaging events to healthcare providers, governments and market suppliers, ensuring they have the right information at the point of decision. As an association, HIMSS encompasses more than 72,000 individual members and 630 corporate members. We partner with hundreds of providers, academic institutions and health services organizations on strategic initiatives that leverage innovative information and technology. Together, we work to improve health, access and the quality and cost-effectiveness of healthcare. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, HIMSS serves the global health information and technology communities with focused operations across North America, Europe, United Kingdom, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. www.himssme.org 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. www.elsevier.com Technavio analysts forecast the global non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) Therapeutics market to grow at a CAGR of over 16% 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/20181011005336/en/ Technavio analysts forecast the global NAFLD Therapeutics market to grow at a CAGR of over 16% by 2022. (Photo: Business Wire) The strategic alliances are one of the major trends being witnessed in the global non-alcoholic fatty liver disease therapeutics market 2018-2022. Vendors in the global NAFLD therapeutics market are regularly engaging in strategic alliances to strengthen their market position. Key vendors are strategically acquiring businesses to gain a competitive advantage in the market. This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing According to Technavio analysts, one of the key factors contributing to the growth of the global non-alcoholic fatty liver disease therapeutics market is the increasing prevalence of NAFLD: Global non-alcoholic fatty liver disease therapeutics market: Increasing prevalence of NAFLD NAFLD is the most common cause of liver dysfunction and a global health problem. The prevalence of NAFLD is increasing with the rise in the prevalence of obesity in industrialized societies, and it is the most common chronic liver disorder in Western countries. According to a senior analyst at Technavio for research on infectious and rare diseases, "In some individuals, NAFLD progresses to end-stage liver disease, leading to liver-related morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of NAFLD in Hispanics is more compared with the prevalence of the disease in Caucasians. The major risk factors associated with NAFLD are obesity, gastric bypass surgery, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes." Global non-alcoholic fatty liver disease therapeutics market: Segmentation analysis The global non-alcoholic fatty liver disease therapeutics market research report provides market segmentation by route of administration (oral ROA and parenteral ROA) and by region (the Americas, EMEA, and APAC). It provides an in-depth analysis of the prominent factors influencing the market, including drivers, opportunities, trends, and industry-specific challenges. Among the route of administrations, the oral ROA segment held the largest market share in 2017, contributing to around 92% of the market. This ROA segment will dominate the global market throughout the forecast period. The Americas held the largest share of the market in 2017, accounting for close to 44% share, followed by EMEA and APAC respectively. The Americas is expected to retain its dominant position during the forecast period due to the launch of new product offerings and the existence of a strong pipeline for NAFLD. Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Some of the key topics covered in the report include: Market Landscape Market ecosystem Market characteristics Market segmentation analysis Market Sizing Market definition Market size and forecast Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation Geographical Segmentation Regional comparison Key leading countries Market Drivers Market Challenges Market Trends Vendor Landscape Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Competitive scenario About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005336/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 www.technavio.com Las Vegas, Nevada--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2018) - International Spirits and Beverage Group Inc. (OTCQB: ISBG) ("ISBG" or the "Company"), a top-tier brand incubator in the Global Wine & Spirits market, is excited to announce that it has signed a Production and Distribution (the "Agreement") with Canbiola, Inc. ("Canbiola"), a U.S. Company specializing in the sale of premium CBD-based products. The Agreement provides for CANB to produce, package and distribute the Company's new line of CBD infused fruit chews and non-alcoholic beverages (the "Products"). "Analysts and experts are anticipating truly eye-popping growth in the CBD products space over coming years," commented ISBG CEO, Terry Williams."With our existing infrastructure and downstream branding and marketing experience, we will be positioned to quickly battle for significant market share in that boom." According to the terms of the Agreement, CANB will manufacture the Products on the Company's behalf according to the Company's specifications. CANB may also distribute the Products on the Company's behalf. Marco Alfonsi, CEO of Canbiola, stated: "I am excited to cultivate this new relationship. I believe ISGB's CBD chews and infused beverages would do well in the current market environment and I am excited to see what ISBG develops." About Canbiola: Canbiola, Inc. is a public company trading under symbol CANB. Canbiola, Inc. is a US Company embarking in the sale of a variety of Cannabidiol (CBD) based products. Canbiola is in the process of developing its own line of proprietary products as well as seeking synergistic value through acquisitions in the CBD and the medical cannabis industry. CANB has already launched several products found at www.canbiola.com. Cannabis (and its derivatives) is currently federally illegal and has legalized for medical or recreational purposes in some form in a limited number of states. CANB also owns two technological solutions, WRAPmail (US Patent 8,572,275), which turns traditional email into a powerful marketing and branding tool, as well Prosperity Systems and the Bullseye platform of document management and compliance targeted at broker-dealers, public companies, and governmental agencies providing a flawless all-in-one solution for document management, retention and compliance. About ISBG: ISBG is a Nevada-based alcoholic beverage company specializing in the development, marketing and global sales of innovative wine and spirits brands. The Company's expertise lies in the strategic development and aggressive early growth of its brands and establishing these brands as viable and profitable. ISBG intends to build its own brands while seeking out individual acquisition candidates to continue to develop its pipeline of new brands into the ISBG portfolio. For more information visit: www.isbg.global. Forward Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology including "could", "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential" and the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested in this report. Except as required by applicable law, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements so as to conform these statements to actual results. Investors should refer to the risks disclosed in the Company's reports filed from time to time with OTC Markets (www.otcmarkets.com). Contact: For Additional Investor Information: International Spirit & Beverage Group, Inc. info@isbg.global CHICAGO, October 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report "Cloud Workflow Market by Type (Platform and Services), Business Workflow (HR, Accounting & Finance, Sales & Marketing, Customer Service & Support, Operations), Organization Size, Vertical, and Region -Global Forecast to 2023", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Cloud Workflow Market size is estimated to be USD 1.75 billion in 2018 and expected to reach USD 3.85 billion by 2023, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.1% during the forecast period. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg ) Don't miss out on business opportunities in Cloud Workflow Market. Speak to Our Analyst and gain crucial industry insights that will help your business grow https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=207093879 The major factors expected to drive the growth of the Cloud Workflow Market include the increasing adoption of cloud, rising adoption of cloud-based workflows among SMEs, and growing focus on streamlining workflows and business processes. Browse in-depth TOC on"Cloud Workflow Market" 65 - Tables 38 - Figures 127 -Pages View detailed TOC@ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/cloud-workflow-market-207093879.html Among types, the cloud workflow platform segment is estimated to account for the largest market sharein 2018 The cloud workflow platform segment is estimated to account for the largest market share in 2018. Cloud workflow platform is a no-code (with pre-built templates) or low-code based software that can be deployed on cloud. This platform manages the series of workflows, such as set-up, performance monitoring of defined sequence of tasks, integrating content, and automating whole or parts of business processes, depending on the needs of the organization. It helps organizations efficiently track, manage, and automate critical business processes as well as operational workflows by enhancing the way information flows between data and systems. The Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) segment is expected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period SMEs are rapidly moving their traditional on-premises solutions to cloud. With the option of deploying workflow solutions on cloud, the Cloud Workflow Market has witnessed an increase in the deployment of cloud-based workflow solutions by SMEs and large enterprises. The SMEs segment is expected to have the larger market size and grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period, as the increasing number of SMEs are deploying cloud workflow solutions. SMEs deployed cloud workflow solutions as they save the initial investment that is required to deploy workflow solutions at their own premises and to enhance their business processes. The operations segment is estimated to account for the largest market sharein 2018 The operations segment is estimated to account for the largest market share in 2018. The operations business process utilizes a cloud computing model to assist companies in outsourcing their operational activities. It helps enterprises enhance their operational excellence and combine the right operational model, right business strategies, right technologies, and right execution paths. The features involved in the operations process include operational efficiency and the ability to modify business solutions with custom-designed data collection, analysis, reporting, data management, and quality assurance. Among verticals, the government vertical is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period The government vertical uses cloud workflow solutions to automate its workflow activities, analyze data, improve record keeping, boost productivity, and improve efficiency. The cloud workflow platform enables government agencies to accelerate government workflows, boost productivity, and automate compliance with process-driven applications, forms, and workflows. It can also enhance the ability to provide staff with real-time monitoring and resource efficiency features. By region, North America is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period North America accounts for the major chunk of the Cloud Workflow Market. It is one of the most advanced regions in terms of cloud adoption. It constitutes developed economies such as the US and Canada. It is expected to hold the largest market size, due to the early adoption of workflow management technology, the presence of top players, and globalization of cloud services in the region. Moreover, this region is significantly advanced in terms of technologies and their application deployments. Request for Free Sample Report @https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsample.asp?id=207093879 The major vendors covered in the Cloud Workflow Market include SAP (Germany), IBM (US), Appian (US), Pegasystems (US), Micro Focus (UK), Microsoft (US), Ricoh (US), Nintex (US), PNMsoft (England), TrackVia (US), Flokzu (Uruguay), Bitrix (US), Zoho (US), Decisions (US), K2 (US), BP Logix (US), KISSFLOW (India), VIAVI Solutions (US), Cflow (India), Integrify (US), ProcessMaker (US), Process Street (US), Zapier (US), Accelo (US), and bpm'online (US). Browse Adjacent Markets @ Cloud Computing MarketResearch 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/cloud-workflow-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2018) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that it has obtained an emergency court order halting a planned initial coin offering (ICO), which backers falsely claimed was approved by the SEC. The order also halts ongoing pre-ICO sales by the company, Blockvest LLC and its founder, Reginald Buddy Ringgold, III. An SEC complaint unsealed yesterday alleges that Blockvest falsely claimed its ICO and its affiliates received regulatory approval from various agencies, including the SEC. According to the SEC's complaint, Blockvest and Ringgold, who also goes by the name Rasool Abdul Rahim El, were using the SEC seal without permission, a violation of federal law, and falsely claiming their crypto fund was "licensed and regulated." The complaint also alleges Ringgold promoted the ICO with a fake agency he created called the "Blockchain Exchange Commission," using a graphic similar to the SEC's seal and the same address as SEC headquarters. Blockvest and Ringgold also allegedly misrepresented Blockvest's connections to a well-known accounting firm, and continued their fraudulent conduct even after the National Futures Association (NFA) sent them a cease-and-desist letter to stop them from using the NFA's seal and from making false claims about their status with that organization. The Honorable Gonzalo P. Curiel, Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, issued an order freezing defendants' assets and other emergency relief. The order also temporarily prohibits Blockvest and Ringgold from violating the antifraud provisions and securities registration provisions. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 18, 2018, to consider continuing the asset freeze and issuance of a preliminary injunction. "We allege that this ICO is using both the SEC seal and a made-up crypto regulatory authority to trick investors into believing the ICO was approved by regulators," said Robert A. Cohen, Chief of the SEC Enforcement Division's Cyber Unit. "The SEC does not endorse investment products and investors should be highly skeptical of any claims suggesting otherwise." The SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission's (CFTC) Office of Customer Education and Outreach have jointly issued an investor alert on the use of false claims regarding SEC and CFTC endorsements. Additional information about ICOs is available on Investor.gov and SEC.gov/ICO. The SEC's complaint charges Blockvest and Ringgold with violating the antifraud and securities registration provisions of the federal securities laws. The complaint seeks injunctions, return of ill-gotten gains plus interest and penalties, and a bar against Ringgold to prohibit him from participating in offering any securities, including digital securities, in the future or making misrepresentations about regulatory approval. The SEC's investigation, which is continuing, is being conducted by David S. Brown and Brent W. Wilner and is being supervised by Diana K. Tani and Joseph G. Sansone of the Market Abuse Unit, John W. Berry of the Los Angeles Regional Office, and Mr. Cohen. Assisting the investigation is Robert Grasso of the Los Angeles Regional Office. The litigation is being conducted by Amy J. Longo of the Los Angeles Regional Office. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the CFTC and the NFA. BP Exploration Operating Company Limited ('BP') has chartered the Safe Zephyrus to provide gangway connected operations supporting the completion of some post first oil scopes in summer months when the weather is favourable at the Clair Ridge platform West of Shetland in the UK sector of the North Sea. The firm duration of the contract commencing mid-May 2019 is five months with a one-month option and directly follows the completion of the Johan Sverdrup contract. The Safe Zephyrus is one of the world's most advanced and versatile accommodation vessels, complying with stringent rules in both UK and Norway. The contract will be performed using dynamic positioning, affording BP flexibility and high bed capacity throughout operations. Total value of the contract excluding the option periods is approximately USD 19 million. Jesper Kragh Andresen, CEO of Prosafe says: "For the second year in a row Prosafe will be providing BP with a high quality vessel at Clair Ridge. The Safe Zephyrus' track record of gangway connected operations is second to none since her delivery in 2016, and together with the Prosafe team represents the best the industry can offer." Prosafe is a leading owner and operator of semi-submersible accommodation vessels. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange with ticker code PRS. For more information, please refer to www.prosafe.com (http://www.prosafe.com) Stavanger, 11 October 2018 Prosafe SE For further information, please contact: Jesper K. Andresen, CEO Phone: +47 907 65 155 Stig Harry Christiansen, Deputy CEO and CFO Phone: +47 478 07 813 This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. 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: Prosafe SE via Globenewswire CARLSBAD, CA and COPENHAGEN, DENMARK / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2018 / How does big pharma expand pipeline opportunities? What are the latest developments in partnering trends with Chinese investors? What innovations are most promising in rare disease and orphan drug development? These and many more industry-relevant questions will be addressed at the 24th annual BIO-Europe(R), a global life science partnering event starting on November 5. This year's conference takes place in Copenhagen for the first time, in the heart of the Medicon Valley Nordic life science cluster in Copenhagen and southern Sweden, one of the top biopharma hubs in Europe. Registration and event information are available online. Leaders in the life sciences will meet at BIO-Europe to develop partnerships that propel global drug development. High-level executives from pharma, biotech, the investment sector and patient groups are confirmed to attend, and will lead program panels and discussions relevant to the industry. Featured speakers: Mette Kirstine Agger - Managing Partner, Lundbeckfonden Ventures - Managing Partner, Lundbeckfonden Ventures Khatereh Ahmadi - Executive Director, Business Development and Licensing, MSD Executive Director, Business Development and Licensing, MSD Deborah Dunsire - President and CEO, Lundbeck - President and CEO, Lundbeck Reza Halse - President, MRL Venture Fund, MSD - President, MRL Venture Fund, MSD Jutta Heix - International Advisor, Oslo Cancer Cluster - International Advisor, Oslo Cancer Cluster Sir Harpal Kumar - Head, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, EMEA - Head, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, EMEA Werner Lanthaler - CEO, Evotec AG - CEO, Evotec AG Matt Roden - Head, Strategic Corporate Development and Global BD Assessment, Bristol-Myers Squibb - Head, Strategic Corporate Development and Global BD Assessment, Bristol-Myers Squibb Marcus Schindler - Senior VP, Global Drug Discovery, Novo Nordisk R&D - Senior VP, Global Drug Discovery, Novo Nordisk R&D Onno van de Stolpe - CEO, Galapagos - CEO, Galapagos Guillaume Vignon - Senior VP Business Development, BeiGene Switzerland GmbH Hot topics How pharma and VC collaborations are changing the industry Business development strategies in I-O: Compete - Combine - Collaborate Microbiome and the implication on other therapeutic areas Europe: The global innovation trailblazer Pediatrics: Searching new drug solutions for the people we love most Partnering opportunities with Chinese investors The current climate of CNS R&D: Lessons learned and new research Commercialization of cell and gene therapies Partnering landscape in advanced therapies Biotech company creation in the EU: The role of EU-based VCs Program Highlights Startup Slam Copenhagen Startup Slam is a pitching competition sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Innovation, in partnership with Labiotech, offering emerging entrepreneurs a chance to pitch their innovative technologies to a panel of leading investors, pharma dealmakers, and biotech key opinion leaders. Digital Medicine Track Sessions in this emerging field include new "smart" treatments which have the potential to alter the digital medicine landscape, and AI's implications for the future of drug discovery. Watch video coverage from previous events, interviews with executives and thought leaders in the life science industry and premier content related to the biopharma industry on EBD Group's Partnering Insight. Additional links and information: Follow BIO-Europe on Twitter: @EBDGroup (hashtag: BIOEurope). About EBD Group EBD Group's overriding mission is to help collaborations get started across the life science value chain. Our range of partnering conferences has grown to become the largest and most productive conference platform in the industry. Each one of our landmark events held in key life science markets around the world is powered by our state-of-the-art partnering software, partneringONE(R), that enables delegates to efficiently identify and engage with new opportunities via one-to-one meetings. Today our events (BIO-Europe(R), BIO-Europe Spring(R), BioPharm America, Biotech Showcase, BioEquity Europe, ChinaBio(R) Partnering Forum, Cell & Gene Connect, China Showcase, and Digital Medicine & Medtech Showcase) annually attract more than 15,000 senior life science executives who engage in over 50,000 one-to-one partnering meetings. These vital one-to-one engagements are the wellspring of deals that drive innovation in our industry. Tune into EBD Group's Partnering Insight for timely coverage of news that influences the business strategies of the life science industry. EBD Group is an Informa company. For more information please visit www.ebdgroup.com. Media contact: Kari Bennett, EBD Group: +1 760 930 0500; kbennett@ebdgroup.com European media support Anne Hennecke, MC Services AG: +49 211 529 252 22; anne.hennecke@mc-services.eu SOURCE: EBD Group View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/513935/EBD-Group-BIO-EuropeR-2018-to-Bring-4000-Life-Science-Leaders-to-Copenhagen-November-5-7 Regulatory News: Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE: PM) will host a live audio webcast at www.pmi.com/2018Q3earnings on Thursday, October 18, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss its 2018 Third-Quarter results, which will be issued at approximately 7:00 a.m. ET the same day. During the webcast, Martin King, Chief Financial Officer, will discuss PMI's results and answer questions from the investment community and news media. The webcast will be in a listen-only mode. The audio webcast may also be accessed on iOS or Android devices by downloading PMI's free Investor Relations Mobile Application at www.pmi.com/irapp. An archived copy of the webcast will be available until 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, November 16, 2018, at www.pmi.com/2018Q3earnings. Slides and script will also be available at www.pmi.com/2018Q3earnings. Philip Morris International: Who We Are We are a leading international tobacco company engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and other nicotine-containing products in markets outside the United States of America. We're building our future on smoke-free products that are a much better consumer choice than continuing to smoke cigarettes. Through multidisciplinary capabilities in product development, state-of-the-art facilities and scientific substantiation, we aim to ensure that our smoke-free products meet adult consumer preferences and rigorous regulatory requirements. Our vision is that these products ultimately replace cigarettes to the benefit of adult smokers, society, our company and our shareholders. For more information, see www.pmi.com and www.pmiscience.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005593/en/ Contacts: Investor Relations: New York: +1 (917) 663 2233 Lausanne: +41 (0)58 242 4666 or Media: Lausanne: +41 (0)58 242 4500 H1 2018 revenue: 3.4 million Order backlog as of June 30, 2018: 21.4 million Refocusing research and development activities on iBiopsy Regulatory News: Median Technologies (Paris:ALMDT), the industry-leading Imaging Phenomics Company, today reported its 2018 half-yearly results. Median Technologies' Board of Directors approved the consolidated financial statements for the first half of 2018 on October 9, 2018. For the 2018 first half period, Median Technologies' revenue came to 3.4 million, a decrease of 15% compared to the first half of 2017. This evolution is primarily related to protracted times for setting up new clinical trials for some of the company's clients. The order backlog came to 21.4 million as of June 30, 2018, a slight decrease compared to the 22.5 million as of December 31, 2017. In the first half of 2018, Median pursued its R&D investments for iBiopsy, its imaging platform based on Artificial Intelligence and cloud computing. The initial iBiopsy related collaboration agreements signed in 2017 and at the beginning of 2018 in the therapeutic fields of lung cancer, prostate cancer, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) generated investments in R&D over the period. The company also mobilized a portion of its R&D for the development of new functionalities for its clinical trials imaging platform iSee. At the same time, in line with the previously announced strategy, Median consolidated its deployment in Asia with the creation of a subsidiary in Shanghai for its iCRO activity. Median's development strategy in Asia is motivated by the growing number of clinical trials performed in this part of the globe. Asia is the region with the highest potential for clinical trial development. Selected financial information (IFRS consolidated financial statements) In thousands of euros (audited figures) H1 2018 H1 2017 Revenue from ordinary activities 3,358 3,958 Staff costs (6,492) (7,717) External costs (5,551) (4,190) Operating result (9,087) (8,702) Net financial result 127 (168) Net result (8,955) (8,884) The company's staff costs slightly decreased over the semester. The increase in external costs comes firstly from the implementation of tools intended to improve clinical project management and to optimize the company's overall productivity, and also from R&D costs primarily related to the two company's proprietary imaging platforms evolution. In view of all these elements, operating result shows a loss of 9.08 million, and a net loss of 8.95 million. As of June 30, 2018, Median posted a cash position of greater than 18.4 million, shareholder's equity of 16 million, and no financial debt. Outlooks: The Group shifts its focus to iBiopsy Median is going to shift its focus to iBiopsy, its imaging phenomics platform offering solutions based on Artificial Intelligence and cloud technologies. This strategic refocusing implies a reallocation of all of the Group's teams and R&D efforts. "Median Technologies has reached a turning point in its history with a strategic shift in focus triggered around its imaging phenomics platform iBiopsy, the very core of our competitive advantage ", says Fredrik Brag, Median Technologies' CEO. "AI applied to image processing and combined with cloud computing and Big Data will heavily drive treatment decisions and support the emergence of predictive and personalized medicine. Using our iBiopsy technology, scientists, biopharmaceutical companies, and physicians will benefit from the power of imaging phenomics to better understand diseases and diagnose them, as well as to develop new targeted treatments. In the end, our platform will enable an optimal adaption of treatments based on patients and their diseases," adds Brag. The Group also intends to maintain its efforts in the imaging market for clinical trials with a short-term goal of reaching breakeven in the iCRO business unit. More broadly, the Company will pursue its strategy privileging medical, technological, and industrial partnerships. Median informs its shareholders and the financial community that its 2018 half-year financial report was made public and filed with the AMF. The half-year financial report is available on the company website: www.mediantechnologies.com/investors/ Our next update will be the publication of the Full Year 2018 financial results: April 15, 2019, after market close. About Median Technologies: Median Technologies provides innovative imaging solutions and services to advance healthcare for everyone. We leverage the power of Imaging Phenomics to provide insights into novel therapies and treatment strategies. Our unique solutions for medical image analysis and management and iBiopsy for imaging phenotyping, together with our global team of experts, are advancing the development of new drugs and diagnostic tools to monitor disease and assess response to therapy. Median Technologies supports biopharmaceutical sponsors and healthcare professionals around the world to quickly and precisely bring new treatments to patients in need. This is how we are helping to create a healthier world. Founded in 2002, based in Sophia-Antipolis, France, with a US subsidiary in Boston and another one in Shanghai, Median has received the label "Innovative company" by the BPI and is listed on Euronext Growth market (ISIN: FR0011049824, ticker: ALMDT). The company has received the label Pass French Tech Promotion 2017-2018. Median Technologies is a winner of the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 2017 EMEA program and a member of the Bpifrance Excellence Network. For more information: www.mediantechnologies.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005506/en/ Contacts: Median Technologies Emmanuelle Leygues Senior Director, Corporate Communications +33 6 10 93 58 88 emmanuelle.leygues@mediantechnologies.com or Press - ALIZE RP Caroline Carmagnol/ Wendy Rigal + 33 1 44 54 36 66 median@alizerp.com or Investors - ACTIFIN Ghislaine Gasparetto +33 1 56 88 11 11 ggasparetto@actifin.fr Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2018) - Spearmint Resources Inc. (CSE: SPMT) (OTC Pink: SPMTF) (FSE: A2AHL5) ("SPMT" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has retained Jack Stadnyk to provide investor relations services to the Company. Additionally, Seth Kay has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer to the Company. Mr. Stadnyk will aid Spearmint in increasing public awareness by assisting with the Company's corporate communications, marketing endeavors, and ongoing engagement with shareholders, finance professionals, and media contacts. Mr. Stadnyk will be paid $3,000 including GST per month for an initial term of 12 months. The Company has been advised that Mr. Stadnyk currently has no common shares or share purchase warrants of the Company. James Nelson, President of Spearmint stated, "We are pleased to welcome Mr. Stadnyk and Mr. Kay to the team. Yesterday's close of a district sized claims package in BC significantly expanded our footprint in the Golden Triangle making us one of the largest landholders in the region. With operations ongoing in BC and work programs about to begin on our Quebec Vanadium prospect, we are excited to enter into a period of significant news flow and company activity." About Spearmint Resources Spearmint's current projects include a portfolio of gold prospects in British Columbia; the 'Golden Triangle Gold Prospects' comprising of six separate claims blocks totalling 9,157 acres bordering GT Gold Corp, the 'Gold Mountain Prospects' comprising of three separate claim blocks totalling 1,245 acres bordering Barkerville Gold Mines, and the 920 acre 'NEBA West' & 6,803 acre 'NEBA' Copper-Gold Prospects bordering Aben Resources Ltd. Spearmint's 21,587 acre 'EL North' Nickel-Copper Prospect is a contiguous land package of six claims in the Eskay Creek Camp bordering Garibaldi Resources Corp. Spearmint's 16,662 acre 'WHY WEST' Magnesium project consists of six claims near Rossland, BC. Spearmint's other projects include the 'Clayton Valley Lithium Prospects' in Nevada comprising of two claim blocks totalling 800 acres bordering Pure Energy Minerals and Cypress Development Corp. and Spearmint's 'Chibougamau Vanadium Prospects' comprising of four separate claim blocks totalling 9,735-acres bordering, or in the direct vicinity of, the vanadium deposit of BlackRock Metal's (private) Ilmenite vanadium project and Vanadium One Energy Corp. If you would like to be added to Spearmint's news distribution list, please send your email address to info@spearmintresources.ca. Contact Information Tel: 1604646-6903 www.spearmintresources.ca "James Nelson" President Spearmint Resources Inc. The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this release. TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Canadian scientist Dr. Andras Nagy, Senior Investigator at Mount Sinai's Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, is announced today as the inaugural recipient of the Cedric Ritchie Fund to Cure Blindness, a new $1.5 million initiative made possible by the Foundation Fighting Blindness, Canada's largest charitable funder of vision research. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/767801/Foundation_Fighting_Blindness.jpg The Foundation Fighting Blindness - Canada is proud to launch the Cedric Ritchie Fund to Cure Blindness on World Sight Day, a day that raises awareness about the 253 million people around the world who are living with a severe vision impairment or blindness. A pioneer in the field of stem cell research, Dr. Nagy has been studying the intricacies of stem cells for thirty years and is world-renowned for discovering a method to create stem cells from other cells in the body, a breakthrough in regenerative medicine. "In many ways this is the culmination of decades of work," said Sharon Colle, President and CEO of the organization awarding the grant, the Foundation Fighting Blindness - Canada. "Dr. Nagy is leveraging years of experience and research to develop a revolutionary approach to treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss in people over the age of 50. Dr. Nagy aims to cure AMD by combining approaches in stem cell and gene therapy, two of the most promising therapeutic strategies in vision science." "Our hope," continued Colle, "is that this grant will enable him to transition his approach out of the lab and into clinical trials, where it can be tested as an experimental treatment for people living with AMD. It's a journey that will take five years, a very short period within the often-plodding timeframes of scientific discovery." Clinical trials are an essential step in the development of potential treatments, and many scientists struggle to get that far. "Some refer to the gap between the lab and clinical trials as 'the valley of death,'" said Colle. "It's where excellent but poorly funded science goes to die. Considering what's at stake in Dr. Nagy's work, we couldn't let that happen." Approximately 1.4 million Canadians are affected by AMD, and though treatment options exist for those with its most severe form, "wet-AMD," these involve frequent ocular injections of "anti-VEGF" drugs. "VEGF" refers to "vascular endothelial growth factor," an essential protein responsible for stimulating the growth of new blood vessels. In AMD, VEGF is overexpressed, leading to irregular blood vessel growth and, when left untreated, the leakage of blood into the eye-the "wet" in "wet-AMD." "We're now able to genetically program stem cells to deliver anti-VEGF proteins on their own," explained Dr. Nagy. "It's a cutting-edge realization of the dream of regenerative medicine: rather than inject the protein into the patient's eye, we program stem cells to do the work for us. An added benefit, and one with enormous potential, is that these stem cells could also replace the retinal cells that are damaged in advanced AMD, restoring vision for patients who have lost it." "This is an important stage," continued Dr. Nagy, "in the decades-long quest to treat a disease that robs far too many of their sight. Laser surgery was the only option decades ago, then photodynamic therapy emerged as a viable means for removing abnormal blood vessels, and more recently anti-VEGF injections became the standard of care. But I really think that combining stem cells with gene therapy is the next step: it's a new paradigm, a 'one-shot' therapy or cure that treats the condition while reversing vision loss, all without subjecting patients to regular discomfort and the barriers associating with repeated injections." "The advancement of this work would have been impossible without support from the Foundation Fighting Blindness," said Dr. Nagy. "In Canada, funds earmarked for science are dwindling rapidly, so connecting individual donors to the best science possible has never been more essential." The $1.5 million initiative is the result of an individual commitment from Barbara Ritchie, whose late husband, Cedric Ritchie, lived his final years without sight due to complications from AMD and glaucoma. Mr. Ritchie was a renowned entrepreneur and Canadian banker who rose from teller, then president and CEO, and finally to chairman of the Bank of Nova Scotia. "Cedric never let vision loss get in his way," said Mrs. Ritchie, "and insisted on getting work done, regardless of the difficulty. I know that if he were here today, he'd want a similar principle applied to Canada's vision science. He'd want the best science to be supported, and he'd want it maximized to impact as many people as possible." Contact Information: April Watts, Communications Manager, The Foundation Fighting Blindness - Canada, 1.800.461.3331 ext. 231, awatts@ffb.ca Paragon ID (Euronext Paris - FR0011980077 - PID), the leading provider of identification solutions for Transport, e-ID, Traceability and Brand Protection is pleased to announce the extension of its collaboration with Biolog-id, the world leader in connected health solutions. Paragon ID and Biolog-id have decided to extend their cooperation in order to consolidate their respective commercial strategies in the connected health market. This sector, in full expansion, will allow the two companies to establish their respective positions as leaders, internationally and in the long term. Two major technological players in their sector Biolog-id offers an innovative solution for the management and traceability of sensitive therapeutic products (red blood cell concentrates, platelets, plasma, chemotherapy preparations) based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. This solution strengthens patient safety by guaranteeing that the right product is administered to the right patient. It also brings significant costs savings through the reduction of product losses and the optimisation of the supply chain (reduction of stock levels, remote management without manual intervention, etc.). In addition, it contributes to improving the working conditions of health personnel by relieving them of extremely time consuming administrative and logistical tasks. Paragon ID is a leader in access control and traceability solutions and the leading manufacturer of RFID identification components in Europe. Relying on smart technologies such as RFID and NFC, Paragon ID has developed a comprehensive offering of solutions for the pharma and healthcare sector. The partnership with Biolog-id gives Paragon ID the opportunity to strengthen its position in the e-health market. Pierre Parent, President, Biolog-id, says: Biolog-id needed a strong partner like Paragon ID to support its international development. It is the ideal partner to produce our RFID tags with a very high level of performance: the quality of the products is exceptional, the punctuality is optimal and Paragon ID, because of its international locations, can accompany us in all the countries where we are present. Paragon ID is also a technology partner that is directly associated with our R & D efforts. Clem Garvey, Paragon ID's Chief Operating Officer adds: Biolog-id's growth ambitions are extremely important, like those of Paragon ID. The industrial strength of Paragon ID will help support Biolog-id in strategic geographical areas, particularly in North America, the world's leading health market, which represents for both our companies a target market filled with opportunities. This technological collaboration between the two companies is now supporting the development of Biolog-id in Europe, North America, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. About Biolog-id Founded in 2005, Biolog-id has developed a unique expertise in connected health solutions. Biolog-id has entered a phase of international expansion. In 2017, the company opened 2 sales subsidiaries (Spain, Italy) and, at the beginning of this year, created 3 other subsidiaries (India, Australia and the United States) which will become operational centers. The strength of its solution and a portfolio of more than 100 patents filed in France and internationally make Biolog-id the number one player in the management and traceability of sensitive health products using RFID. The company is headquartered in Paris and its industrial facility is based in Bernay (Eure). It has nearly 80 employees and continues its recruitment plan in France and abroad to support its growth. For more information about Biolog-id: www.biolog-id.fr. About Paragon ID Paragon ID is a leader in identification solutions, in particular in the e-ID, Transport & Smart Cities and Traceability & Brand Protection sectors. Using the latest technologies such as RFID and NFC, Paragon ID provides smart cards, tickets, labels and tags to worldwide clients in diverse markets including public transport, manufacturing, logistics, gaming and retail. Paragon ID employs more than 600 staff, with manufacturing sites in three continents (US, Europe and Asia), close to its customers. Paragon ID is a part of Paragon Group, which is a leading provider of Identification and Customer Communications services, and has a total of more than 750 million turnover and more to 5,000 employees. Paragon Group combines generations of experience with the latest innovations in technology and smart data to enable responsive and meaningful interactions between organisations and their customers. For further information about Paragon Group, visit www.paragon-europe.com Paragon ID is listed on Euronext Paris. Share identification: Paragon ID - ISIN Code: FR0011980077 - Mnemonic code: PID. More information at Paragon-id.com Contacts Paragon ID COO John Rogers Tel.: +33 (0)2 48 81 61 00 ACTUS finance & communication Investor relations Mathieu Omnes Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 92 momnes@actus.fr ACTUS finance & communication Press relations Jean-Michel Marmillon Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 73 jmmarmillon@actus.fr ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-55494-paragon-id_pr_biolog-id_20181011_en.pdf The SWAN North American Alliance webinar hosted by Frost & Sullivan will highlight how progressive utilities are leveraging multiple systems and data points to optimize service delivery SANTA CLARA, California, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Join the Energy & Environment team at Frost & Sullivan as it hosts the SWAN North American Alliance for a live, complimentary briefing, Uncovering Canada's Smart Water Solutions, on Monday, October 22, at 2:00 PM CT. Seth Cutler, Principal Consultant at Frost & Sullivan, will moderate the interactive briefing and will be joined by utility experts John Presta, Director of Environmental Services for the Regional Municipality of Durham, Gary Thompson, Water Supply Unit Area Supervisor for Process Operations & Maintenance for the City of Toronto, and Darrol Weiss, Control Systems Services Leader for the City of Calgary. To register for the complimentary webcast, please visit: http://frost.ly/2u2 Canadian utilities struggle with fiscal constraints, high customer service expectations, and disparate and aging networks, just like many other utilities globally. However, they have built a reputation for the progressive adoption of advanced technologies and solutions, including data-based smart water solutions. This puts Canadian water and wastewater utilities in a pivotal position to share knowledge and best practices for tackling local problems that deliver global lessons. Join this webinar to hear SWAN North American Alliance experts share essential tips to incorporate in Canada and how these ideas can be utilized globally. "The Canadian water and wastewater industries represent billions of dollars in spending capital and operational technologies and services," said Cutler. "Like other advanced utility industries, Canada has made the investment in smart water solutions a key current and future investment to deliver an improved financial, operational, and service outlook. This webinar will uncover key successes to better understand approaches in Canada and how these ideas can be exported around the world." Key takeaways of the webcast include: Understand how asset management information and internal and external data points are leveraged to deliver millions of dollars in savings annually Learn how utility companies transformed fiscal and operational challenges into strengths Improve the operating conditions and financial health of your service About Frost & Sullivan Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion For more information, visit ww2.frost.com or call +1 (877) 463-7678 Press Contact: Jaylon Brinkley Frost & Sullivan +1 (210) 247 2481 jaylon.brinkley@frost.com PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Richardson, a leading global sales training and performance improvement company, partnered with Training Industry to examine what sales professionals value in a sales academy. They conducted a nationwide survey and received responses from more than 360 sales professionals. The findings include responses across 17 different data points to build a complete picture of what capabilities and tools selling organizations need to succeed today. Participants responded to a range of questions, including the effectiveness of their sales training, how that training was delivered, and the relevance of those skills. The results are critical for any selling organization seeking to build a sales academy, which is a structured system for training and developing a sales team. A strong sales academy is critical in today's environment because sales professionals increasingly work in teams and need to be a cohesive group. With a sales academy in place, leaders know that each team member is working from the same group of core skills. Training like this boosts engagement, which is a key driver of business outcomes. The findings in the report come directly from those in the field selling every day. Some of the research reveals that: Effective sales training balances instructor-led training with digital learning Strong Sales Academies address different sales roles within a complex selling organization Understanding the market and growing existing customer relationships is critical today Outcome-oriented sales training follows a structured learning path that focuses on the long term The research offers leaders a blueprint for building a sales academy. With insights from in-the-market sales professionals, they can structure training that fosters skills that are relevant. Learn more about the research by downloading the report here. To learn more about Richardson, please contact Ben Taylor at Ben.Taylor@richardson.com, or visit richardson.com. About Richardson Richardson is a global sales training and performance improvement company focused on helping you drive revenue and grow long-term customer relationships. Our market proven sales and coaching methodology combined with our active learning approach ensures your sales teams learn, master, and apply new behaviors when and where they matter most - in front of the buyer. Get to know us and learn about how we help drive the world's most inspiring sales organizations to their next level of excellence. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/95500/richardson_logo.jpg PENNSAUKEN, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / October 11, 2018 / October is Medicare enrollment time and this year will see some changes for seniors and others eligible for medicare as new plans are being offered from Humana and Aetna in New Jersey. Now enrollees in Southern New Jersey have more choices than ever before. To help those eligible for enrollment, BGA Insurance Group is offering free consultations on these new plans and this has been announced on YouTube. Coverage for Medicare-eligible individuals in New Jersey has changed from what they have come to expect within the last few years. Aetna was then the only option with a choice of either a PPO or a Prime PPO. Beginning with this enrollment period, Aetna is offering more plans this year. In addition, individuals can choose to change carriers to Humana, which until now did not provide a Medicare Advantage plan. BGA Insurance Group founder Greg Gudis had announced, "The Medicare enrollment is about to start and there are some huge changes going on in Southern New Jersey. Humana has a new plan, never offered before, with some great options." The benefit of these new plans is that consumers have more choices than ever, with some plans as low as $0 per month and going up from there. Some of the plans even give money back to offset the premium on Medicare Part B. With all these plans now available in New Jersey, choosing which one is the right one will be a challenging task. The Medicare Annual Election Period begins on October 1st and insurance carriers can begin showing seniors and others eligible for Medicare the plans they can enroll in for coverage in the new year. October 15th marks the first day of the enrollment period, when individuals can begin the process of enrolling for the plan they choose. They have seven weeks to decide which plan they will go with in 2019. Enrollment stops at 11:59 p.m. on the night of December 7th. After that, no changes will be allowed. Gudis recommends that Medicare participants should not wait to choose a plan and not to try to make this important choice alone. "Contact an agent today and have them walk you through the different plans available in your area," he says. "At BGA we can help you compare all these plans to make sure you make the right choice. And since the insurance companies encourage individuals to do this, they pay us so we don't charge a fee for this." Many individuals who like what their plan offered in 2018 may be hesitant or adamant about the new plans in 2019. In that case, Gudis advises his clients who want to keep their existing plans to at least compare what that plan offered this year to what it will offer in 2019. "If you think your plan is fine in 2018 and want to stick with it in 2019, that's okay. But, you still want to make sure it fits you. The benefits could have changed, your doctor may not be in the network anymore, your prescriptions may no longer be covered." According to Gudis, "Every year networks change, formularies change, plans change." Joanne, a BGA client, says, "Deciding on a supplemental program for Medicare sent us to a number of possible sources. We wanted good coverage which would not break the bank as it were. Happily, a co-worker gave me BGA Insurance Group's number and we were good to go from that point on. Now, I am happy to pass along BGA's number to my friends as they hit Medicare age because I know they are in great hands." Since its inception in May 2008, BGA Insurance Group has grown from founding members Joseph Bachmeier and Gregory Gudis, to over 40 agents spread across three offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, while also servicing Delaware and Florida. Every BGA Agent is extensively trained to assist individuals in their journey into and through retirement by utilizing top-rated insurance carriers and delivering old-fashioned personalized service. In this fast-paced computer age, BGA agents still make house calls to ensure that their clients fully understand their rights and entitlements. BGA Insurance Group is a fully-licensed insurance agency that can assist seniors in the following states: Delaware, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, and South Carolina. They offer healthcare- and retirement-related insurance services including Medicare, healthcare, long-term care, life insurance, and retirement planning, all of which are free. They take the time to build relationships with their clients so that they can fully understand their current life situation. Contact BGA Insurance Group: Greg Gudis (855) 494-0097 info@bgainsurance.net 4350 Haddonfield Road, Suite 105 Pennsauken, NJ 08109 SOURCE: BGA Insurance Group View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/513947/BGA-Insurance-Offers-Free-Help-With-New-2019-Medicare-Plans-From-Humana-Aetna-in-NJ Press release Inside and regulated information 11 October 2018, 19:30 (CEST) Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG SA and Eckert & Ziegler Strahlen- und Medizintechnik AG will propose to their shareholders the merger of the two companies Seneffe, Belgium / Berlin, Germany, October 11, 2018. The board of directors of Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG SA (BEBIG) and the management board of Eckert & Ziegler Strahlen- und Medizintechnik AG (EZAG) decided today on the exchange ratio for purposes of the proposed merger of the two companies. Based on the valuation of the two companies as verified by independent experts, the board of directors of BEBIG and the management board of EZAG each have decided to propose to the shareholders of BEBIG and EZAG to approve an exchange ratio of 1:5.3 for the merger, so that the holder of 5.30 shares in BEBIG would be entitled to receive one share in EZAG. Additional information such as the technical details of the process relating to the allocation of EZAG shares to BEBIG shareholders as well as the relevant documents, in particular the joint terms of merger and special reports, will be disclosed and made available to the shareholders of the merging companies in connection with the invitation to the respective general meetings of EZAG and BEBIG. The invitations of the respective shareholders' meeting are expected to be published within the next weeks. The proposed merger will be subject to the approval of the general meetings of shareholders of BEBIG and EZAG (with specific conditions in respect of attendance and majority votes). Contact: Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG SA Investor Relations Tel. +32 64 520 808 E-Mail: ir@bebig.com (mailto:ir@bebig.com) 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: Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG via Globenewswire Farfetch Limited (NYSE: FTCH), the leading global technology platform for the luxury fashion industry, announced that the company's third quarter 2018 financial results will be released after the U.S. market close on Thursday, November 8, 2018. Farfetch will host a conference call to discuss its results at 5:15 p.m. ET the same day. The live webcast of the call, along with the company's earnings press release, can be accessed at the Farfetch Investor Relations website at farfetchinvestors.com. Following the call, a replay will be available at the same website. About Farfetch Farfetch Limited is a global omnichannel platform for the luxury fashion industry. Its business units include Farfetch.com, Farfetch Black White, Store of The Future, and Browns (including Brownsfashion.com). Founded in 2007 by Jose Neves for the love of fashion, and launched in 2008, Farfetch began as an e-commerce marketplace for luxury boutiques around the world. Today the marketplace connects customers in 190 countries with items from more than 45 countries and over 980 of the world's best boutiques and brands, delivering a truly unique shopping experience and access to the most extensive selection of luxury on a single platform. Farfetch is the leading global technology platform for the luxury fashion industry with a proprietary end-to-end API at the core of an unrivalled technology and logistics network. Through its business units - Store of The Future, Farfetch Black White and Browns Farfetch continues to invest in innovation and develop key technologies, business solutions, and services for the luxury fashion industry, connecting online and offline retail. www.farfetch.com @Farfetch View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005809/en/ Contacts: Investor Relations Contact: Alice Ryder VP Investor Relations IR@farfetch.com or Media Contacts: Susannah Clark VP Communications, Global susannah.clark@farfetch.com +44 7788 405224 or Brunswick Group farfetch@brunswickgroup.com US: +1 (212) 333 3810 UK: +44 (0) 207 404 5959 JUPITER, Florida, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- With the EB-5 program extended through December 7, 2018, U.S. Immigration Fund (USIF) and industry experts are offering free consultations in various cities across the globe to assist interested individuals through the EB-5 program prior to the implementation of potential program changes. A free consultation includes meeting with EB-5 executives from USIF, experienced EB-5 consultants and immigration attorneys. Interested investors can schedule a free consultation in Dubai at the JW Marriott Marquis from October 11th to the 17th. Schedule a consultation on the USIF website by clicking here. During the consultation, investors will have an opportunity to learn about USIF's EB-5 projects in the United States. Experts will share advice on how to increase EB-5 approval success and investment security. The goal is to provide interested investors from Dubai with guidance around preparing investment applications for EB-5 under favorable investment amounts - before the program could undergo drastic changes on December 7th, 2018. Based on the latest proposed EB-5 legislation, expected changes include an increased investment amount upwards of $1,350,000, among other challenging requirements for foreign investors. FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY FOR AN EB-5 VISA NOW According to the Department of Homeland Security's proposed regulations concerning EB-5, the most significant change is the suggested "increase in the minimum investment amount from $500,000 to possibly $1,350,000 for investments in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs), and from $1,000,000 to $1,800,000 for investments in areas of high employment". This expert road tour is continuing consultations in Hong Kong at the Conrad Hotel from October 18th to 20th; and in Singapore from October 21st to 23rd, at the Pan Pacific Hotel. ABOUT U.S. Immigration Fund USIF is America's leading EB-5 Regional Center operator with world-renowned investment opportunities from New York City to California and 6,000 clients from across the globe. With approved Regional Centers located in the world's most thriving cities, USIF provides worthwhile opportunities for foreign investors and their families to obtain permanent U.S. residency through the EB-5 Program. These initiatives enjoy full government support as they stimulate the economy, generate at least ten jobs per investment, and promote community development while providing access to green cards for foreign investors and their families. Contact: U.S. Immigration Fund 115 Front Street, Jupiter, FL 33477 (561) 799-1883 publicrelations@usifund.com Novartis International AG / Sandoz announces global resolution of biosimilar adalimumab patent disputes, securing patient access . Processed and transmitted by West Corporation. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Global resolution secures patient access to Sandoz biosimilar Hyrimoz (adalimumab)[1] for the reference medicine Humira ** Resolution paves way for 2018 launch in key European markets and secures US market entry planned in 2023 Holzkirchen, October 11, 2018 - Sandoz, a Novartis division and the global leader in biosimilars, today announced a global resolution of all intellectual property (IP) related litigation with AbbVie concerning the proposed Sandoz biosimilar Hyrimoz (adalimumab)[1] for reference medicine Humira** (adalimumab). "In order to realize the promise of early and expanded access and healthcare savings, biosimilars must be available as soon as possible to the patients and physicians who need them. This settlement helps remove uncertainty regarding when our biosimilar adalimumab will be available and allows us to focus on expanding access for patients to the medicine they need to manage their chronic disease," said Stefan Hendriks, Global Head of Biopharmaceuticals, Sandoz. Under the terms of the agreement, AbbVie grants Sandoz a non-exclusive license to AbbVie's intellectual property relating to Humira, beginning on certain dates in certain countries in which AbbVie has intellectual property. The license period will begin on October 16, 2018 in most countries in the European Union, and on other dates in various other countries outside the US where AbbVie has IP. In the US, the license period will begin on September 30, 2023. Sandoz will pay royalties to AbbVie for licensing its Humira patents. All litigation pending between the parties will be dismissed. AbbVie will make no payments to Sandoz. The precise terms are confidential between the parties. Sandoz biosimilar adalimumab was recently approved by the European Commission (EC) for the 31 countries of the European Economic area, which comprises the 28 member countries of the European Union plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It is the seventh approved Sandoz biosimilar medicine. Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "secures," "paves way," "potentially," "plan," "expected," "proposed," "potential," "can," "will," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "portfolio," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential launches, marketing approvals, new indications or labelling for Hyrimoz and the other investigational or approved biosimilar products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from Hyrimoz and such other biosimilar products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that Hyrimoz or the other investigational or approved biosimilar products described in this press release will be launched in any market, or at any particular time. Neither can there be any guarantee that Hyrimoz or such other products will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that, if approved, such products will be approved for all indications included in the reference product's label. Neither can there be any guarantee that Hyrimoz or such other products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding Hyrimoz and such other products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; competition in general, including potential approval of additional biosimilar versions of such products; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures; litigation outcomes, including intellectual property disputes or other legal efforts to prevent or limit Sandoz from selling its products; general political and economic conditions; safety, quality or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Sandoz Sandoz is a global leader in generic pharmaceuticals and biosimilars. As a division of the Novartis Group, our purpose is to discover new ways to improve and extend people's lives. We contribute to society's ability to support growing healthcare needs by pioneering novel approaches to help people around the world access high-quality medicine. Our portfolio of approximately 1000 molecules, covering all major therapeutic areas, accounted for 2017 sales of USD 10.1 billion. In 2017, our products reached well over 500 million patients and we aspire to reach one billion. Sandoz is headquartered in Holzkirchen, in Germany's Greater Munich area. Sandoz is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Sandoz_global at http://twitter.com/Sandoz_Global (http://twitter.com/Sandoz_Global). Follow our blog at www.sandoz.com/makingaccesshappen (http://www.sandoz.com/makingaccesshappen). References: [1] European Medicines Agency. Hyrimoz. Key Facts. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/medicines/human/EPAR/hyrimoz (https://www.ema.europa.eu/medicines/human/EPAR/hyrimoz) . Accessed October 2, 2018. **Humira (adalimumab) is marketed by AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG in Europe and Humira is a registered trademark of AbbVie Biotechnology, Inc. # # # Novartis Media Relations Central media line: +41 61 324 2200 E-mail: media.relations@novartis.com (mailto:media.relations@novartis.com) Eric Althoff Novartis Global Media Relations +41 61 324 7999 (direct) +41 79 593 4202 (mobile) eric.althoff@novartis.com (mailto:eric.althoff@novartis.com) Chris Lewis Sandoz Global Communications +49 8924 476 1906 (direct) +49 174 244 9501 (mobile) chris.lewis@sandoz.com (mailto:chris.lewis@sandoz.com) Michelle Bauman Sandoz Global Communications ++1 609 720 6699 (direct) ++1 973 714 8043 (mobile) michelle.bauman@sandoz.com (mailto:leslie.pott@sandoz.com) Novartis Investor Relations Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944 E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com (mailto:investor.relations@novartis.com) Central North America Samir Shah +41 61 324 7944 Richard Pulik +1 212 830 2448 Pierre-Michel Bringer +41 61 324 1065 Cory Twining +1 212 830 2417 Thomas Hungerbuehler +41 61 324 8425 Isabella Zinck +41 61 324 7188 Media release (PDF) (http://hugin.info/134323/R/2220303/868720.pdf) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2018) - EMX Royalty Corporation (TSXV: EMX) (NYSE: EMX) (the "Company" or "EMX") is pleased to announce that IG Copper LLC ("IGC") has notified EMX that the sale of the Malmyzh copper-gold porphyry project ("Malmyzh" or the "Project") to Russian Copper Company ("RCC") for US $200 million has closed. Of this amount, US $190 million was released from escrow, with the remaining US $10 million to be held in escrow and released subject to certain conditions over the next 12 months. The initial cash distribution to EMX by IGC will be US $65 million, which is expected to be completed in the next few weeks. A second cash distribution to EMX (up to US $4 million) will be completed upon the remaining funds being released from escrow. EMX congratulates IGC on its outstanding accomplishments, including the early-stage exploration work leading to the Malmyzh district-scale discovery, the completion of demanding work programs that advanced the Project according to the requirements of the Russian Federation, and the execution of the process that culminated in the sale of Malmyzh to RCC. EMX also expresses genuine appreciation to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Rosnedra, Dalnedra, and the governments of Khabarovsk Krai and the Russian Federation for the strong support given to IGC over the past several years. In support of the sale of Malmyzh, EMX borrowed US $18.5 million from Sprott Private Resource Lending (Collector), LP ("Sprott Loan") and then loaned the US $18.5 million to IGC ("EMX Loan"). Both the Sprott Loan and the EMX Loan have been re-paid. In connection with the Sprott Loan, EMX issued 381,321 common shares and paid cash fees of US $550,000 and US $185,000 in interest to Sprott. In connection with the EMX Loan, IGC issued EMX 37,000 units in IGC, reimbursed EMX for fees, interest payments and costs incurred under the Sprott Loan, and paid EMX a fee of US $550,000 (this amount is included in the initial cash distribution noted above). Scotiabank Europe plc ("Scotiabank"), the U.K. subsidiary of The Bank of Nova Scotia, was the advisor to IGC regarding the transaction, and the London office of Norton Rose Fulbright LLP acted as legal advisers to IGC. About EMX. EMX leverages asset ownership and exploration insight into partnerships that advance our mineral properties, with EMX receiving pre-production payments and retaining royalty interests. EMX complements its royalty generation initiatives with royalty acquisitions and strategic investments. EMX's strategic investment in IGC resulted from the Company's recognition of Malmyzh as an early-stage opportunity with excellent discovery potential in 2011. The closing of the Malmyzh sale is a milestone event for EMX. Please see www.EMXroyalty.com for more information. About IGC. IGC, a privately held company, is led by President and CEO Thomas E. Bowens, and includes key personnel with a track record of exploration discovery and project development in the Russian Far East. For further information contact: David M. Cole President and Chief Executive Officer Phone: (303) 979-6666 Email: Dave@EMXroyalty.com Scott Close Director of Investor Relations Phone: (303) 973-8585 Email: SClose@EMXroyalty.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain "forward looking statements" that reflect the Company's current expectations and projections about its future results. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties, exploration results and budgets, mineral reserves and resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, timelines, strategic plans, market prices for precious and base metal, or other statements that are not statements of fact. When used in this news release, words such as "estimate," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "will", "believe", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which, by their very nature, are not guarantees of the Company's future operational or financial performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors may include, but are not limited to: unavailability of financing, failure to identify commercially viable mineral reserves, fluctuations in the market valuation for commodities, difficulties in obtaining required approvals for the development of a mineral project, increased regulatory compliance costs, expectations of project funding by joint venture partners and other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date otherwise specifically indicated herein. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified in this news release, and other risk factors and forward-looking statements listed in the Company's MD&A for the six month period that ended on June 30, 2018 (the "MD&A"), and the most recently filed Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. More information about the Company, including the MD&A, the 20-F and financial statements of the Company, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the SEC's EDGAR website at www.sec.gov. -30- Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 11, 2018) - Sweet Natural Trading Co. Limited (TSXV: NTRL) (formerly, Xylitol Canada Inc. (TSXV: XYL)) ("Sweet Natural", or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed the first tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement of up to 32,000,000 units (the "Units") of the Company (the "Offering") resulting in the issuance by the Company of 12,140,000 Units for gross proceeds of $607,000. Each Unit consists of one common share (a "Common Share") of the Company and one Common Share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will 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 also 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. Certain insiders of the Corporation subscribed for $100,000 worth of Units in the Offering. Participation by such insiders in the Offering is considered to be a "related party transaction" as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Offering is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI61-101, as neither the fair market value of the securities being issued to insiders, nor the consideration being paid by such insiders, exceeds 25% of the Corporation's market capitalization. Early Warning Pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 Prior to closing of the first tranche, Sunir Chandaria ("Mr. Chandaria") of 182 St. Leonards Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4N 1K7, held 4,491,666 Common Shares of the Company indirectly through Chandaria Family Holdings Inc. resulting in holdings equal to approximately 7.20% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares. On closing of the first tranche, Mr. Chandaria will hold 6,491,666 Common Shares and 2,000,000 Warrants to purchase up to 2,000,000 additional Common Shares. On a fully diluted basis, following closing of this tranche, Mr. Chandaria holds 8,491,666 Common Shares of the Company, or approximately 11.10% of the issued and outstanding shares. Mr. Chandaria has a long-term view of their investments and may acquire further common shares of the Company either on the open market or through private acquisitions or sell the Common Shares on the open market or through private dispositions in the future depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans and/or other relevant factors. About Sweet Natural Trading Co. Limited Sweet Natural Trading Co. Limited 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. Sweet Natural Trading Co. 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 Sweet Natural Trading Co. Limited 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. By Rodrigo Viga Gaier RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - The far-right front-runner in Brazil's presidential election, Jair Bolsonaro, has no plans to privatise state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA in the short-term if elected, the president of his Social Liberal Party told Reuters on Wednesday. By Rodrigo Viga Gaier RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - The far-right front-runner in Brazil's presidential election, Jair Bolsonaro, has no plans to privatise state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA in the short-term if elected, the president of his Social Liberal Party told Reuters on Wednesday. Party President Gustavo Bebianno said the sale of Petrobras could be considered in the medium term, but only after the company had been cleaned up and revitalised. (Reporting by Rodrigo Viga Gaier; Writing by Anthony Boadle) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Narendra Modi also addressed concerns about technological innovations adversely affecting jobs and said the Centre is undertaking programmes such as Skill India Mission keeping this in mind. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India's contribution towards the fourth industrial revolution will be one that will leave the world stunned. He made the statement at the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in New Delhi. Modi expressed confidence that India will bring about an "irreversible" and "positive" change in the world in the years to come. The prime minister also said that artificial intelligence, machine learning, internet of things, blockchain and big data hold the potential to take India to new heights. "When the first and second industrial revolutions took place, India was under colonial rule. When the third industrial revolution took place, India was struggling to deal with the challenges present after Independence. But India will not remain untouched by the fourth industrial revolution," Modi said. Listing out the achievements of the NDA government since it came to power in 2014, Modi said that tele-density had increased to 93 percent and nearly 50 crore Indians now have mobile phones. "India is the country that has the most data usage and is also the country with the cheapest data," he said. The prime minister also addressed concerns about technological innovations adversely affecting employment. "The truth is that 'Industry 4.0' will open up opportunities that remained untouched till now. This will change the nature of jobs to a fair extent. Taking into account this reality, the government of India is undertaking programmes such as Skill India Mission, Start Up India, Stand Up India and the Atal Innovation Mission," he said. By Aditya Kalra and Aditi Shah NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will implement in full its directive that forces global payment companies to store data locally from this month, four sources told Reuters, a blow to the firms who had lobbied to dilute the measure. The RBI in April said all payments data should within six months be stored only in the country for 'unfettered supervisory access'. By Aditya Kalra and Aditi Shah NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will implement in full its directive that forces global payment companies to store data locally from this month, four sources told Reuters, a blow to the firms who had lobbied to dilute the measure. The RBI in April said all payments data should within six months be stored only in the country for "unfettered supervisory access". The deadline for the companies to adhere is Oct. 15. The directive is part of a wider push by India to ask companies to store more of their data locally at a time when governments globally are enforcing more stringent rules to protect user data. However, the global payments companies fear the new rules would increase their infrastructure costs, hit their global fraud detection analytic platforms and affect planned investments in the country at a time when more and more Indians are using digital modes of payments. Firms such as Mastercard, Visa and American Express have in recent months met with Indian policymakers, including Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, to push for an extension of the RBI's deadline. They also repeatedly sought dilution of the RBI directive, requesting that they be allowed to store data both locally and at their offshore offices, a practice widely known as 'data mirroring'. But in a meeting between RBI officials and U.S. payment companies in Mumbai on Wednesday, central bank officials said the industry will need to store all their data only within the country, as per its April directive, and said data mirroring will not be allowed, four sources aware of the discussions said. "They specifically said no mirroring, the meeting was bad (for the industry), it's pretty clear," said one of the industry sources. The RBI also conveyed in the meeting it was not willing to extend the deadline for compliance to the directive, the sources said. The RBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mastercard, Visa and American Express also did not respond. Government sources have previously told Reuters that stringent data localisation measures were essential for gaining easier access to data during investigations. Whatsapp has built a system to store its payment data locally, the company said on Tuesday. The Facebook-owned messenger had begun testing its payments service in India and is keen to deepen its reach. It was easier for companies such as Whatsapp, which have a relatively smaller-scale payments platform in India, to comply with the central bank directive, but the bigger payment firms will need more time, one of the sources said. "The bigger companies will have to change a lot of things such as setting up servers and replicating payment processing tools," the source said. Another source, who works at a multinational payment company, said moving and storing its data only in India would take at least 12-18 months. (Additional reporting by Suvashree Choudhury; Editing by Toby Chopra) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The aviation industry has been seeking lower taxes to help offset the impact of high oil prices. New Delhi: After petrol and diesel, the government on Wednesday cut excise duty on jet fuel to 11 percent to give relief to the aviation industry that has been in recent weeks hit hard by rising fuel prices and plummeting rupee. Excise duty on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) has been reduced to 11 percent from 14 percent with effect from 11 October, a notification issued by the revenue department in the finance ministry said. Jet fuel prices this month hit their highest level since January 2014 as rising international oil prices and plummeting rupee value pushed rates. The fuel in Delhi currently costs Rs 74,567 per kilolitre (Rs 74.56 per litre) and in Mumbai, it is priced at Rs 74,177 per kl. ATF prices, which currently are cheaper than petrol and diesel in Delhi, have since July spiked up by 9.5 percent. They have been on upswing since July last year, rising every month except in July 2018. Jet fuel was priced at Rs 47,013 per kl in July last year and has risen by 58.6 percent since then. Just last week, the government had cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 1.50 per litre and asked state-owned oil firms to subsidise the fuel by another Re 1 a litre. That step was matched by BJP-ruled states cutting local sales tax or VAT by an equal proportion to give customers hit by high auto fuel prices a relief of about Rs 5 per litre. The aviation industry has been seeking lower taxes to help offset the impact of high oil prices. Among others, Ajay Singh of Spicejet had voiced concerns over rising international oil prices and asked the government to take up some policy measures to help the industry. Unconfirmed reports that the government announced the excise duty cut after seeking approval of the Election Commission as the model code of conduct came into force on Saturday after the announcement of elections in states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Just last month the government had raise customs duty on ATF and 18 other non-essential import items in a bid rein in current account deficit and shore up the rupee. Basic customs duty of 5 percent was imposed on ATF. It previously attracted nil duty. This led to an increase of Rs 2,000 per kl in prices. While the twin moves on auto fuels had led to price of petrol drop from a record high of Rs 84 per litre to Rs 81.50 in Delhi and that of diesel to an all-time high of Rs 75.45 to Rs 72.95 a litre on 5 October, rate hikes on subsequent days have pushed prices upwards. Petrol now costs Rs 82.26 per litre and diesel to Rs 74.35. The government had in 2016 hiked excise duty on ATF to 14 percent from 8 percent. ATF, like petrol and diesel, is not covered by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime that on 1 July last year amalgamated 17 different central and state taxes. The central government currently charges 14 percent excise duty on ATF. On top of this, states charge up to 30 percent sales tax or VATOdisha and Chhattisgarh have 5 percent VAT while Tamil Nadu taxes ATF at 29 percent, Maharashtra and Delhi at 25 percent and Karnataka at 28 percent. When the GST was introduced on 1 July last year, five commoditiescrude oil, natural gas, petrol, diesel, and aviation turbine fuel (ATF)were kept out of its purview for the time being. TheReserve Bank of India in April said all payments data should within six months be stored only in the country for unfettered supervisory access. New Delhi: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will implement in full its directive that forces global payment companies to store data locally from this month, four sources told Reuters, a blow to the firms who had lobbied to dilute the measure. The RBI in April said all payments data should within six months be stored only in the country for unfettered supervisory access. The deadline for the companies to adhere is 15 October. The directive is part of a wider push by India to ask companies to store more of their data locally at a time when governments globally are enforcing more stringent rules to protect user data. However, the global payments companies fear the new rules would increase their infrastructure costs, hit their global fraud detection analytic platforms and affect planned investments in the country at a time when more and more Indians are using digital modes of payments. Firms such as Mastercard, Visa and American Express have in recent months met with Indian policymakers, including Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, to push for an extension of the RBIs deadline. They also repeatedly sought dilution of the RBI directive, requesting that they be allowed to store data both locally and at their offshore offices, a practice widely known as data mirroring. But in a meeting between RBI officials and US payment companies in Mumbai on Wednesday, central bank officials said the industry will need to store all their data only within the country, as per its April directive, and said data mirroring will not be allowed, four sources aware of the discussions said. They specifically said no mirroring, the meeting was bad (for the industry), its pretty clear, said one of the industry sources. The RBI also conveyed in the meeting it was not willing to extend the deadline for compliance to the directive, the sources said. The RBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mastercard, Visa and American Express also did not respond. Government sources have previously told Reuters that stringent data localisation measures were essential for gaining easier access to data during investigations. USAID is an independent agency of the US federal government that is primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance. New Delhi: The USAID on Wednesday announced a new partnership designed to support enterprises and projects engaged in the sustainable landscapes sector in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from land use. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) is an independent agency of the US federal government that is primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance. "This ten-year partnership with the Rabobank Foundation, the Ananya Finance for Inclusive Growth, and the Samunnati Financial Intermediation and Private Services will make available up to $15.3 million in local financing to small and medium private enterprises, cooperatives, producer companies and microfinance institutions, directly or indirectly engaged in the sustainable landscapes (agriculture, forestry, and other land uses) sector," said a USAID release shared by the US Embassy here. This partnership supports the government's priorities of improving the livelihoods of forest-dependent people, and small and medium farmers, it said. "This will be done by supporting small and medium forest-based conservation enterprises, and by promoting agroforestry and agroforestry-based enterprises. Agroforestry has the potential to increase the income of farmers, and at the same time divert pressure on the forests for timber, fuelwood and fodder," the statement said. In addition to facilitating the much-needed flow of institutional credit, this partnership will help in demonstrating the long-term commercial viability of lending to the sustainable landscapes sector, the USAID said. The loan portfolio guarantee will encourage projects that practice low-emission land use and land management by preserving or restoring forests, and encouraging agricultural practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or increase carbon sequestration, it added. Affirming the USAID's commitment to advancing natural resources security, and improving economic opportunities, USAID/India's Acting Deputy Mission Director Xerses Sidhwa said, "We at USAID are proud to encourage private sector lending in key sectors that are vital to economic development and natural resources security." "Increasing access to credit to groups engaged with the sustainable landscapes sector will help them improve their own lives and improve their surrounding natural environment," Sidhwa was quoted as saying in the statement. If farmers are exposed to cutting-edge technology, there is a lot that can be achieved for the sector The annual United Nations Young Changemakers Conclave (UNYCC) will be held in Mumbai on 27 October. This will be the ninth edition of the event. Started in 2011, the conclave has had speakers as diverse as Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada to Raghuram Rajan, former governor, Reserve Bank of India to Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union minister. UNYCC is an initiative by X Billion Action Lab and UNIC for India and Bhutan to enable a dialogue about creating systemic change and reimagining impact in the digital age. The theme of this years conclave is 'Re-imagining Impact' in the digital age and will explore topics such as 'Re-imagining Content', 'Re-imagining Society', 'Re-imagining God', 'Re-imagining Money' and 'Re-imagining Conflict'. This year's speakers include Smriti Irani, Union Minister of Textiles, Omar Abdullah, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Radhanath Swami of ISKCON, Junaid Ahmad, India country head of World Bank and Umang Bedi, President of Dailyhunt. To attend the ninth edition of the UNYCC, you can register here. Firstpost spoke with Athang Jain, an entrepreneur in the agriculture sector. His venture Jain FarmFresh is a Rs 1,600 crore company. His family owns Jain Irrigation Systems (JISL), among the worlds largest micro-irrigation firms. Excerpts from the conversation: How has your journey been in the agro-industry so far? How much has your family background influenced your choice of becoming an entrepreneur? I went to Rishi Valley School, then to St Xavier's College and did my masters in Management and Strategy from LSE. But I always knew that my heart was in joining the family business after studies. Since childhood, I had always been interested in the workings of the company and spent quite a bit of time learning and observing. Once I formally joined the company, I underwent a two-year training program. I visited the company factories, met the distributors, dealers and farmers to understand the set-up. Two years later, I joined Jain FarmFresh, the food-processing subsidiary. My family has been a major factor in driving me towards this sector. My grandfather came from a very humble agricultural background in Jalgaon. Ours is a family business and three generations of our family have been exposed to the ins and outs of the agriculture sector. This has had a major impact on my life. Your company has had many international linkages, especially in the European Union. We began as dealers of agricultural products before eventually manufacturing and exporting these products to other countries. As we grew further, we decided to have a foothold in the international market. So, we acquired some companies outside India, especially in the United Kingdom, Israel and the US. In the UK we acquired a company which supplies ingredients to restaurants and food service sector. In Israel, we acquired Naan-Dan, a pioneer in drip and sprinkler irrigation technologies. This particular company helped us in becoming a world leader in agro-tech. We were able to bring this technology to India and adapt it for our farmers here. So it was not just a new market that we got, but also world-class technology due to our foray into the overseas market. Right now, our products are sold in more than 120 countries. From where are you sourcing your products? Is there any synergy between your company and Jain Irrigation Systems? There is a lot of synergy between Jain Farm Fresh and Jain Irrigation. The idea of Jain FarmFresh came after we realised that a lot of farmers are benefiting from Jain Irrigations technological innovations but are unable to find the right price and market for their produce. We then decided that we can also buy their produce, add value and export them. This way the farmers will also get a better price. Jain Farm Fresh has thus helped strengthen relationship with our farmers. As far as our farms are concerned, we have a state-of-the-art 2000-acre farm in Jalgaon but it is mainly used for Research & Demonstration purposes. We use our farm to teach farmers about new and upcoming technologies in agriculture. We dont want to compete with our farmers. We directly procure from farmers (contract farming) or through government mandis. For example, we are supplying tissue culture technology to banana farmers and then procure the fruit from them and processs and make pulp from it. So this way we also complete the agri-value chain. What are the challenges that you face while procuring your product? The average land-owning for farmers in India is small. For the amount of onions we process in a year, we work with around 5,000 contract farmers. In our United States factory, we require just two farmers for the same amount of onions. This is the stark difference between farming in the US and India. The farmer in India has to take several risks from crop failure due to erratic weather conditions to difficulties in getting the right market prices. There are many problems but we are trying to work on them to develop a robust supply chain. What are the top developments in agro-tech that is exciting for you? Research and development is a major focus for us. Our farm in Jalgaon is a major Research and Demonstration hub for farmers. We are constantly focusing on improving the planting material like tissue culture techniques for banana farmers, providing hybrid onion seeds for farmers, researching on developing a better quality of mangoes for the market. We are also focusing on an Indian variety of sustainable oranges. Orange juice concentrate is being imported from Brazil in India. Over the last eight years, we have done a lot of development to help bring an Indian variety which will be good for processing and empower Indian farmers. We are also working on an Internet of Things model where sensors on a field will give real-time information on the nutrients that plants need and the pH and moisture levels of the soil. This is called precision farming. We are also promoting fertigation - adding fertilizers through the irrigation system using micro-irrigation tubes. These technologies are big in the West but we hope will become a game changer in India too. What are the product categories and how much it has expanded now? We have a varied and large category from fruit processing mango, banana, guava, papaya, strawberry and other tropical fruits; dehydration of vegetables - Onion, where we rank third largest in the world, garlic. We have expanded our product categoy to include spices for which we have set up a spice factory in Jalgaon. Incidentally, this is one of the largest in India. Jain Farm Fresh is a world leader in dehydrated vegetables and fruit processing. Our business is based on supplying ingredients to other large FMCG companies. But now we have also launched our own consumer brands. This is something I am working on right now. We have retail products made with the raw materials we process. We currently have a frozen pulp range comprising of aamrus, frozen jamun and strawberry. We are adding chickoo and sitaphal in this range. We also added another product called Fru2Go, a healthy on-the-go fruit snack. Soon, we will bring retail spices for Indian consumers. When are you planning to go public? While Jain Irrigation is already a public company, Jain FarmFresh is planning to public in a few years, probably in the next two years. We have no specific timeline as such right now. How do you think agriculture can become a viable and interesting career option for people who may or may not have an agriculture background? Agriculture can be a very good career option. Today, farmers dont want their sons to be farmers and youth dont want to be farmers. We, as Indians, are not giving enough respect and dignity to agriculture and to the farmer. With the technology that is now available, farmers can definitely do well. We have seen this through countless case studies of our own farmers. My message to future farmers is that the youth can change the face of agriculture through the use of technology. It is a viable business opportunity for the youth. I would like to add that we are also running a programme called FALI Future Agriculture Leaders of India - where we train rural youth on best agricultural practices. I believe we can bring in a positive change in agriculture sector when we train the students on this subject from the school days itself. Journalist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra was arrested by Odisha Police on 20 September from Delhi with the assistance of Delhi Police on charges of hurting religious sentiments of the people. Bhubaneshwar: Journalist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra has written an apology letter to the House Committee and the Speaker of the Odisha Assembly over his derogatory remarks on Konark's Sun Temple and other offences he is accused of. Mitra was summoned before the House Committee on Thursday. He, however, did not appear. The House Committee issued another summon to the scribe to appear on 23 October while directing the Director General of Police to issue the notice. The leader of Opposition and chairman of the House Committee, Narasingha Mishra informed, "Abhijit Mitra has sent an Email in which he mentioned that he has committed an unpardonable mistake and he accepted his fault." He said, "As the House Committee issued a notice to Abhijit Iyer-Mitra to appear on 11 October he is bound to respect the decision of Committee. Considering the cyclone and cancellation of flights, the House Committee is giving him a chance to appear on 23 October." The committee will also probe a breach of Privilege Motion moved against him. Mitra was arrested by Odisha Police on 20 September from Delhi with the assistance of Delhi Police on charges of hurting religious sentiments of the people. He was later granted bail by a local court. The matter later escalated to the Supreme Court where his bail plea was quashed. The three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi, said: "We have seen your remarks on Sun Temple. You are inciting religious feelings of people of this country. How are you entitled to bail?" During a visit to the Konark Sun Temple on 16 September Mitra had posted a satirical video on Twitter, wherein he made certain comments. 'Our demand is to end this gender discrimination and allow Muslim women to pray in all mosques, cutting across denominations,' said NISA president VP Zuhra. Thiruvananthapuram: Drawing inspiration from the Supreme Court verdict permitting women of all age groups into the Sabarimala temple, a Kerala-based Muslim women's right group is gearing up to approach the apex court, demanding the entry of women in all mosques across the country. NISA, a progressive women's forum, will soon move the top court. The group will not just seek permission for women to offer prayers in the mosques, but also fight for appointing them as imams (clerics) The outfit, which has been campaigning for gender equality within Islam, also wants to curb the practices of polygamy and nikah-halala, a community law that allows a Muslim woman to remarry her former husband only after marrying another person and consummating the wedding with him. NISA president VP Zuhra told PTI that there were no records stating that the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad had opposed women entering mosques and offering prayers. She also hailed the top court verdict lifting the ban on the menstruating women from offering worship at the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple as "historic". "Like men, women also have the constitutional rights to offer worship according to their belief. So, like in Sabarimala, we want the entry of women in all mosques, cutting across denominations and establish their right to worship," the activist said. Zuhra said discussions were on with the lawyer and a petition in this regard would be filed at the Supreme Court soon. She said at present, women are allowed to offer prayers at mosques under Jamaat-e-Islami and Mujahid denominations, while they are barred from mosques under the predominant Sunni faction. "Even in the mosques where women are allowed, there are separate entrances and enclosures for worship for men and women," the NISA chief said. "Our demand is to end this gender discrimination and allow Muslim women to pray in all mosques, cutting across denominations," said Zuhra, one of the earliest petitioners against triple talaq in the apex court. She urged the orthodox section in the community to explain who had asked them to impose such restrictions on women which amount to violation of constitutional rights. "There is no such gender discrimination to offer worship in Mecca, the holy city. The faithful, both men and women, together circle the Kaaba. Then why are the restrictions imposed on us in our mosques?" she said. The rights campaigner said there were records showing that Prophet Muhammad himself had allowed his wife in the mosque. "There are several women scholars in the Muslim community. But they are not allowed to be Imams and lead prayers in mosques. This practice also should be changed," she said. NISA had approached the apex court recently, demanding equal property rights for Muslim women. On 28 September, a five-judge Constitution bench, headed by then chief justice Dipak Misra, lifted the ban on the entry of women of menstrual age into the holy shrine of Lord Ayyappa. The Supreme Court verdict lifting a ban on the entry of women in the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple rekindled the hopes of Muslim women in securing their right. A fatwa issued by PKK Ahmed Kutty Moulavi, the head Imam of Palayam Jumma Masjid in Thiruvananthapuram, in 1998 permitting women to enter the mosque and offer prayers during the month of Ramzan spurred a strong demand from progressive sections in the Muslim community for ending gender discrimination in places of worship. The activists who spearheaded the campaign beat a retreat after the Imams Council issued a counter fatwa denying women entry in the mosque and pressed a squad of Kazis to conduct a door-to-door campaign against the plea. The demand re-erupted several times from various parts of the state since then but the conservative sections suppressed it. However, the last months Supreme Court verdict lifting a centuries-old ban on the entry of menstruating women in the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple has rekindled the hopes of Muslim women in securing their constitutional right. While a few organisations are planning to launch a campaign in the light of the apex court judgment, a Kozhikode-based progressive Muslim womens forum is all set to approach the Supreme Court not only for womens entry to the mosque but also for priesthood. VP Zuhra, who heads the forum called Nisa (which means women in Arabic), said they were planning to file the petition early next week. She told Firstpost that the petition to be filed by leading advocate Venikta Subramaniam will pray for freedom for women to pray in all mosques in the country and also to be appointed as Imams of mosques. Women are not allowed to enter and offer prayers only in the mosques run by a few Sunni organisations in the state. The others allow the women to perform namaz in a special space separated from men. This shows that the restrictions imposed on women in Sunni mosques have no religious basis, said Zuhra. I have gone to Mecca where men and women worship Allah together. I have read in texts of Islamic history that Prophet Mohammed allowed his wives to be present in mosques even when they were menstruating. So, when Allah and his Prophet have no problem with women worshipping in mosques, why are women being denied their right? She said the people who have barred the women from mosques are male chauvinists who want Muslim women to stay inside their homes looking after their husbands and children. The present-day women are educated and vying for equal roles in all spheres of life. When they are allowed to participate in all activities and even contest elections, how can they be barred from offering prayers in a mosque? The religious leaders are not ready to grant as they fear threat to their hegemony, says Zuhra. The conservative sections in the community have been opposing the womens plea, saying that women's entry to mosques is 'un-Islamic'. They cite texts in Quran that say that the best place of worship for women is their homes to justify the ban. This is applicable only when they offer prayer five times a day. This cannot be applied to common religious gatherings like a Friday sermon or Eid prayers where they get to listen to sermons and religious discourses, which are a major source of knowledge. The conservative sections do not want women to be empowered with knowledge, says Zuhra. She said that a large number of women have been studying theology and many of them were qualified to become Imams. They have all the rights to work as priests and lead prayers in mosques. Zuhra said she was hopeful that the Supreme Court will uphold the right of the women in the light of the recent series of gender equality verdicts, including the Sabarimala judgment. However, senior advocate C Shukoor, is doubtful about the maintainability of the Nisa petition in the apex court since there is no rule or court ruling against womens entry in mosques as in the case of Sabarimala. There is no universal ban on entry of women in mosques, he added. Moreover, there is no need for Muslims to go to mosques for prayers as there are no deities in mosques as in temples and saints in churches. The concept of God in Islam is different. It is omnipresent. Hence, the Muslims can pray anywhere on the earth, the lawyer told Firstpost. However, he said that there may be a case for gender equality in the petition. This is a complex issue in the community since the Muslim women are discriminated against in all spheres of life, including the right to property. Zuhra said she had discussed the legal point regarding the maintainability of the petition with her advocate and he had assured her that she had a strong case against denial of entry to women in mosques since it was against Article 15 of the Constitution that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. The Nisa chief, who rattled the conservatives by waging a relentless battle for equal rights for women ever since she was pushed to the streets along with two children through a triple talaq, is prepared for a long battle. She had joined the legal battle against instant triple talaq, which was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court last year. Zuhra said a number of organisations had extended support to her in the fight for womens right to worship in the mosque. Some of them will be joining the legal battle. She is also expecting support from the Left parties which supported the apex court's verdict on Sabarimala. In fact, CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had raised the question of womens entry in mosques after the apex court permitted women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple. He said that his party was against all types of discrimination against women and its stance will be same in the mosques case too. Aboobacker Musaliar, who heads the Kanthapuram faction of the Sunnis, was not available for comment. However, a leader of the faction, who did not want to be identified, said that the move to file a case for womens entry in mosque was misguided and added that they will fight it in the court. The sexual harassment case against Professor Bidyut Chakraborty is believed to have affected his prospects of being considered for the DU vice-chancellor's post. President of India Ram Nath Kovind on Monday approved the appointment of Delhi University (DU) Professor Bidyut Chakrabarty as Vice-Chancellor of the Visva Bharati University. Chakrabarty was among the names recommended by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) for the post. The appointment comes as a surprise amid the ongoing #MeToo movement in India, as Chakrabarty was embroiled in a sexual harassment case in 2007. The case is believed to have affected his prospects of being considered for the top post at DU. According to reports, he was exonerated of the charges, but Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav alleged that Chakrabarty was "guilty and punished" for sexual harassment by DU. Govt of India's tribute to #MeToo The President of India appoints Prof Bidyut Chakraborty as the VC of Visva Bharati University. He was held guilty and punished (not exonerated, as reported in the media) for sexual harassment by Delhi University! Thanks you @rashtrapatibhvn Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) October 10, 2018 Chakrabarty was the Head of the Political Science Department at DU and the director of the Gandhi Bhawan at the university. He was accused of sexual harassment by a colleague at Gandhi Bhawan, who claimed he had made "bad-intentioned" gestures towards her since his tenure at the the Bhawan began. After the DU's committee on sexual harassment filed its report, it led to his removal from the post of the Gandhi Bhawan's director, as the head of the political science department and dean of the faculty of social sciences. Chakrabarty's appointment to the Executive Council of the Jawaharlal Nehru University was also opposed because of the sexual harassment charges. Activists and women's groups had written to the President of India in protest against his appointment at JNU. Visva Bharati University, founded by Rabindranath Tagore, has been functioning without a permanent head since 2016, when former HRD minister Smriti Irani fired the then vice-chancellor Sushanta Duttagupta on the grounds of irregularities. Among the others shortlisted for vice-chancellor's post at Visva Bharati University were Jadavpur University V-C Abhijit Chakrabarty, Asha Mukherjee, professor of philosophy at Visva Bharati and the university's acting V-C Sabuj Koli Sen. With inputs from PTI Network 18, of which Firstpost is a part, has received complaints of sexual harassment as well. The complaints which are within the purview of the workplace have been forwarded to our PoSH committee for appropriate action. Amidst the Rafale fighter jet deal controversy in India, Dassault Aviation, the company manufacturing the aircraft has come out with an official statement clarifying on the pact with the Indian government. Amidst the Rafale fighter jet deal controversy in India, Dassault Aviation, the company manufacturing the aircraft has issued a statement clarifying on the pact with the Indian government, reiterating that it "freely chosen to make partnership with India's Reliance Group". In the statement released on the company's official website, titled 'Rafale contract for India: clarifications by Dassault Aviation', the company also said that, it has committed to offsets in India worth 50 percent of the value of the purchase of 36 Rafale jets "within the framework of the September 2016 Inter-Government Agreement between France and India" and in "compliance with the Indian regulations". In the statement, Dassault Aviation says: Within the framework of the September 2016 Inter-Government Agreement between France and India, Dassault Aviation has sold 36 Rafale aircraft to India. In compliance with the Indian regulations (Defence Procurement Procedure) and as frequent with such a contract, Dassault Aviation has committed to offsets in India worth 50 percent of the value of the purchase. In order to deliver some of these offsets, Dassault Aviation has decided to create a joint venture. Dassault Aviation has freely chosen to make a partnership with Indias Reliance Group. This joint-venture, Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL), was created 10 February 2017. Other partnerships have been signed with other companies such as BTSL, DEFSYS, Kinetic, Mahindra, Maini, SAMTEL, Other negotiations are ongoing with a hundred-odd other potential partners. In compliance with French regulations, Chief Operating Officer Loik Segalen informed on 11 May 2017, the Central Works Council of the creation of the DRAL joint-venture in order to fulfil some of the offsets commitment. The cornerstone for the DRAL plant in Nagpur (Maharashtra) was laid 27 October 2017. This plant will manufacture parts for Falcon 2000 business jets and, in a second step, parts for Rafale aircraft. An initial team of Indian managers have been trained for six months to our manufacturing processes in our plant in Biarritz (France). The first Indian skilled workers have also benefited from an intensive training in our manufacturing techniques in France. The first Falcon 2000 parts will be delivered by end 2018. The company's statement comes in the light of French investigative media portal Mediapart claiming to have obtained a Dassault company document in which a senior executive is quoted as saying that the group accepted to work with Reliance as imperative and obligatory condition for securing the fighter contract. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor had also cited the article on Wednesday in a tweet alleging that Dassault Aviation entered into an agreement with Reliance Defence as it was presented as a "trade-off" which was "imperative and obligatory" to "clinch the Rafale deal". Explosive revelation in French media: an internal Dassault document says the Reliance offset deal was a trade-off, imperative and obligatory to clinch the #Rafale deal. @INCIndia https://t.co/2xiMmgwL9K Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 10, 2018 Earlier, the Congress had accused the Centre of "manipulating" the process of Rafale fighter jet agreement by "punishing" bureaucrats who raised objections to the deal and rewarding "obliging officials" Meanwhile, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is on a visit to France where she will visit the Dassault factory that is manufacturing the 36 Rafale aircraft for India. According to an NDTV report, Dassault is likely to push for more Rafale jets to be bought by India during the defence minister's three-day visit. For a few days, people like me who have spent decades in Sangh Parivar organisations have read with disgust and rage, the revelations about MJ Akbar Editor's Note: This article has been republished in the light of junior foreign minister MJ Akbar's return to India. Akbar has been accused of sexual harassment by at least 14 women journalists and is expected respond to the allegations amid growing call for his resignation. For a few days now, people like me who have spent more than two decades in Sangh Parivar organisations have read with disgust and rage, the revelations about MJ Akbar. This man will be outed, we thought. This will not be tolerated, we were certain, nor swept under the carpet or be greeted with prove-it-in-the-court, kind of a response. After all, this was the BJP government, which drew its legacy from Doctorji (Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar) and Guruji (Shri. M.S. Golwalkar) -- who taught and lived the principle of "rashtraya swaha, idam na mama" (nothing is mine, everything is dedicated to the nation). Dignity of women was a paramount principle. And therefore, after seven reputed women named their harasser, detailed their trauma, that time would be up for Akbar was the logical expectation. But the government has embraced silence to defend a serial offender. The BJP now is sending lower-rung spokespersons who possibly do not have any inkling about Sangh Parivar traditions and they are trying to brazen it out. To them I say, you may win state after state but as Doctorji said mere geographical lumps do not make a nation". What is required are men of character. The Prime Minister would know this, for he is a former RSS pracharak. I do not know the seven woman journalists. But I do stand by each of them: Priya Ramani, Ghazala Wahab, Saba Naqvi, Shutapa Paul, Shuma Raha, Suparna Sharma, Prerna Singh Bindra. I have seen people including BJP men and women leerily ask "what took them so many years". Have they forgotten the world we live in? It is the harasser who is defended while the harassed are sent to the gallows. The woman is branded loose, the perpetrator is let off with the reprimand of it being an impulse failure. No woman who has been violated would like to detail which part of her female anatomy was transgressed upon. It is too much of a shame. It is this conditioning that helps the harasser. Not speaking up, saves the woman their honor, saves them from being ogled at, does not mark them out as perfect targets for lechery and other perverted acts, thats why they keep quiet. Most unfairly aspersions are cast about why the women continued working, as if jobs are something only men can aspire to. The man-boss offering drinks is not condemned but the woman who was offered a drink is condemned. The man who conducts interviews in hotel bedrooms is given the benefit of the doubt but the woman who escapes his clutches is branded a harlot. It was common knowledge that the Asian Age newsroom was described as "Akbars harem because of the disproportionality of young women in there and yet the Press Council of India or the Editors Guild did not think it worthy of attention. It was in this atmosphere that these ladies chose to keep quiet. Social media is being harvested because formal institutions failed them. So, all those naysayers making cheap comments need to stop at once. It is the social conditioning of this sort that creates exclusion of women from the workforce. Then why have the Beti Padhao campaign? Are women to educate themselves and burn their energies in the kitchen or are they to achieve excellence in their chosen spheres of work? Every woman journalist is today asked whether she had a #MeToo moment. It is so dishonorable. Dishonorable not only to the women but also to the honorable men in this industry. Before, I started my magazines, TelecomLive and InfraLive, I put in years in mainstream media, working with two fine gentlemen editors, Mr Balbir Punj and Dr Sanjaya Baru, and a bunch of decent male colleagues. I never knew then that Monster Akbar or men like them existed. When Akbar joined BJP, many thought he was a good acquisition, an intellectual asset. I can say with certitude on the basis of my discussions with top functionaries in the RSS and on the basis of my years of work in ABVP that the #MeToo revelations regarding Akbar will anger the RSS. For to them, dignity of women is Bharat Mata ki Jai. Akbars conduct is the conduct of a fallen man. He must be outed, investigated and punished for abuse. My association with ABVP is more than 25 years old. And I have held several top positions. In my student days, I led the ABVP unit in JNU and was the general secretary of JNUSU. Presently, I head the World Organization of Students and Youth (WOSY) as chairperson, have done so for the past ten years. WOSY is ABVPs massive network for international students on Indian university campuses. Thats why I find the utterances of BJP spokespersons as completely lacking in a moral compass. It seems that somehow, they have routinized like all other political parties, predatory conduct. You neednt have a #MeToo moment to support the woman journalists who have narrated their victimisation. You neednt even be a woman. You just need to have a sensibility of what is right and what is wrong. The author is the chairperson of the World Organisation of Students & Youth (WOSY) and an ABVP activist of more than 25 years Gehlot asked states to revisit their survey by using the wider definition of manual scavenging as given in the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, New Delhi: Union Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot on Thursday said the Centre was keen on eradicating manual scavenging in a time-bound manner, urging states to implement the relevant law in letter and spirit. "Gehlot also asked state governments to take steps for total mechanisation of septic tanks and sewers to prevent deaths during manual scavenging," according to an official statement. The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 aims to eliminate manual scavenging in all its manifestations and seeks rehabilitation of the identified manual scavengers. As many as 13,657 manual scavengers have been identified in 13 states, the minister said in Delhi at the sixth meeting of the Central Monitoring Committee that reviewed the implementation of the law. Gehlot asked states to revisit their survey by using the wider definition of manual scavenging as given in the Act to ensure that all the persons who are cleaning un-decomposed septage manually were identified and listed as manual scavengers. Although hazardous cleaning of septic tanks is prohibited under the Act, a number of deaths have been reported from time to time and such cases are taken up with the concerned state governments for payment of compensation of Rs 10 lakh as per a Supreme Court order. The 'very severe cyclonic storm' uprooted trees and electric poles and damaged hutments in Odisha's Ganjam and Gajapati districts, officials said. Cyclone Titli, which made landfall in Andhra Pradesh early Thursday morning, caused the death of eight people two in Srikakulam district and six fishermen, who had ventured into sea. An eight-year-old boy died after drowning in a canal in Odisha, where the storm made landfall at 5.30 am. The 'very severe cyclonic storm' uprooted trees and electric poles and damaged hutments in Odisha's Ganjam and Gajapati districts, officials said. The cyclone also triggered heavy rainfall in at least three districts and caused minor damage to power and communication. Odisha An boy drowned in a canal in the Hinjili area of Ganjam district, where five people were reported missing after being swept away in the flood waters. Ganjam collector Kulange Vijay Amruta said the five people, including two women and two children, were swept away by flood water while returning home from a cyclone shelter in Sorada. Prior to the incident, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) BP Sethi had said there were no major damage or report of casualty from any part of the state. Power supply and telephone links got disrupted and road communication snapped due to uporoted trees at many places of Gajapati district which was reportedly the worst-hit in the state. Efforts were on to clear roads blocked by uprooted trees and restore power supply in affected areas at the earliest, he said. In all, eight districts Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore have been affected by "very severe cyclone Titli", he said. Road communication between Paralakhemundi and Mohana and some other block headquarters in Gajapati were disrupted under the impact of the cyclone, he said. The Odisha government had made efforts to avoid human casualties by evacuating at least 3 lakh people from low-lying areas in the five coastal districts before the cyclone made a landfall. They were accommodated in 1,112 cyclone shelters. Altogether, 105 pregnant women in Ganjam district and 18 in Jagatsinghpur were shifted to hospitals, the SRC said. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the situation and instructed officials to expedite restoration efforts once the situation improves."The chief minister gave instruction to send two more teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to Gajapati where extensive damage has been caused to roads, hutments, electric and telephone poles," Chief Secretary AP Padhi said. Thirteen teams of the NDRF and Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force were deployed in affected areas along with fire brigade personnel. According to East Coast Railway spokesperson JP Mishra, some railway station buildings were damaged at a few places, including in Palasa. Signal poles and overhead electric masts were damaged at places between Palasa and Kottabomali stations. Andhra Pradesh In Andhra Pradesh, scores of trees and power poles were uprooted as heavy rains lashed Srikakulam district under the influence of the storm, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) said. Rainfall ranging from 2 cm to 26 cm was recorded in several mandals of the district even as road communication network was vastly affected. The State Road Transport Corporation suspended its bus services as uprooted trees caused roadblocks at several places. Transport Minister K Atchannaidu, who hails from Srikakulam, visited the affected mandals and is monitoring the situation. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu conducted a teleconference with district authorities and instructed them to remain on high alert. "Every hour from now on is very crucial. The focus should be on relief measures and restoration of the communication network. Care should be taken to prevent the spread of communicable diseases," Naidu said. NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed in Srikakulam and neighbouring Vizianagaram districts to take up rescue and relief operations. The SDMA has set up a toll-free telephone no. 18004250101 at its Emergency Operations Centre to assist people in distress while control rooms have been opened in the three north coastal districts. Cyclone Titli likely to weaken into a deep depression by Friday The latest India Meteorological Department (IMD) report said cyclone Titli made the landfall between 4.30 and 5.30 am in the southwest coast of Gopalpur near Palasa in Andhra Pradesh with an estimated maximum sustained surface wind speed of 140-150 kmph gusting to 165 kmph. The landfall process has been completed and "the centre of eye of cyclone Titli lies over the land", the IMD said. Director of Meteorological (MeT) Centre Bhubaneswar HR Biswas said the "very severe cyclonic storm" (VSCS) is being monitored by the coastal Doppler Weather Radars at Visakhapatnam, Gopalpur and Paradip. The system is now moving northeastwards towards Gangetic West Bengal across Odisha and it will weaken gradually, it said. It is likely to weaken gradually becoming severe cyclonic storm around noon, cyclonic storm around evening and a deep depression by the morning of 12 October, IMD has predicted. An East Coast Railway (ECoR) official said train services remained suspended between Khurda Road and Vizianagaram from both directions since 10 pm on Wednesday. He said the Palasa station in Andhra Pradesh was damaged and railway officials will reach there shortly. However, the train traffic is likely to resume regular operations after 6 pm on Thursday. With inputs from PTI The Eastern Power Distribution Company that caters to the electricity needs of Andhra Pradesh's north coastal districts reported that the power distribution system for 4,319 villages and six towns was affected in Srikakulam district. Amaravati: The "very severe" cyclonic storm, "Titli", left eight people dead, besides causing widespread damage in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh Thursday, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) said. The cyclone threw normal life out of gear as heavy to very heavy rains started lashing the two districts since late Wednesday night. Eight people were killed in different storm-related incidents. "While a 62-year-old woman died at Gudivada Agraharam village after an uprooted tree fell on her, a 55-year-old man died in a house collapse at Rotanasa village in Srikakulam district," the SDMA said. The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) informed that six fishermen, who had put out to sea, were killed. "Of the 67 fishing boats that had ventured into the sea over the last few days from Kakinada in East Godavari district, 65 had returned to the shore safely," the CMO said. Efforts were on to bring back the remaining two boats safely, it added in a release. The road network suffered extensive damage in Srikakulam district, while the power distribution network was also vastly affected. More than 2,000 electric poles were uprooted by strong winds. The Eastern Power Distribution Company that caters to the electricity needs of the north coastal districts reported that the power distribution system for 4,319 villages and six towns was affected in Srikakulam district. Traffic on the Chennai-Kolkata National Highway was also hit at places like Tekkali due to uprooted trees. The telecommunication network in the district has also been hit. The South Central Railway as well as the East Coast Railway cancelled several trains while some were terminated midway. A few express trains were diverted via other regions. Horticulture crops suffered extensive damage in Srikakulam district while paddy suffered damage in Vizianagaram. Coconut plantations, banana and mango trees were the worst hit in the "very severe" cyclonic storm, according to a preliminary report prepared by the SDMA. The Palasa, Vajrapukottur, Nandigam areas recorded 28.02 cm of rainfall followed by Kotabommali (24.82 cm), Santabommali (24.42 cm), Itchapuram (23.76 cm) and Tekkali (23.46 cm). "The other mandals in Srikakulam district recorded rainfall ranging from 2 cm to 13.26 cm," the CMO said. Severe cyclone Titli made its landfall in Odisha at 5.30 am with gusty winds lashing coastal districts of the state with wind speed reaching 126 kmph at Gopalpur in Ganjam district Severe cyclone Titli made its landfall in Odisha at 5.30 am with gusty winds lashing coastal districts of the state with wind speed reaching 126 kmph at Gopalpur in Ganjam district, the Indian Meteorological Department said. According to reports, as many as 3 lakh people have been evacuated in Odisha so far. #Visuals from Ganjam's Gopalpur after #TitliCyclone made landfall in the region at 5:30 am today. 10,000 people from low lying areas had been evacuated to govt shelters till last night. #Odisha pic.twitter.com/HEYog0DNe7 ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2018 A red alert has been issued for Odisha and coastal Andhra Pradesh as well with the IMD predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall till 8.30 am Friday at few places and extremely heavy falls at isolated places over coastal and interior Odisha and coastal Andhra Pradesh. The Odisha weather department in its early morning bulletin has said that strong surface wind is likely to bash 16 districts of Odisha from 4am to 8am today. The bulletin said, "The latest doppler weather radar and satellite images indicate that moderate to severe thunderstorm accompanied by lightning, intense rainfall and strong surface winds are very likely to occur at a few places over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Khurda, Puri, Gajapati, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, Anugul and Raygda districts of Odisha. The government has ordered closure of all schools, colleges and Anganwadi centres on Thursday and Friday, reports said. According to reports, people have been evacuated from vulnerable areas in Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara and Khordha districts. 13 NDRF and 9 ODRAF teams have been deployed in Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Kendrapada, Nayagarh, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Khordha, Cuttack, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Boudh and Sambalpur districts. Besides, fire service teams across Odisha have been asked to remain in the alert, said the SRC office. The NDMA has also issued a list of Do's and Don'ts, advising people to secure loose items including sharp objects inside their homes. While all district collectors have been asked to keep the administrative machinery in preparedness, District Emergency Operation Centres of all districts and control rooms of different departments have been activated round the clock. Earlier on Wednesday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, had reviewed the preparedness at Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) office. SRC Bishnupada Sethi has asked collectors of affected districts to ensure that 836 numbers of multi-purpose shelters are kept ready to accommodate maximum people. With inputs from agencies Govt in fix as sexual misconduct allegation against MJ Akbar mount, Cyclone Titli makes landfall in Odisha, Sabarimala protests continue and other top stories of the day Govt in 'unease' over sexual harassment allegations against Union Minister MJ Akbar; Congress asks him to step down: After nine women came out with stomach-churning accounts of sexual harassment at the hands of former journalist and presently junior minister in the ministry of external affairs MJ Akbar, the Centre is believed to be weighing its options on his continuance as a Union Minister. According to reports, a final call will be taken on his return from his overseas visit later this week. Meanwhile, Congress demanded the resignation of the junior minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs. What could add to the turmoil for the minister, Akbar faces accusations from more than one woman as his once illustrious career as a journalist now nearly stand on the verge of demolition. Congress leader and former Union minister Jaipal Reddy, at a press conference, said, "MJ Akbar has his own stature of being a veteran journalist in addition to being junior minister with the External Affairs Ministry. Sushma Swaraj could not comment on her own subordinate. Akbar should either come out with a satisfactory explanation or he must resign from his post in the government. We demand an enquiry into these allegations. If Justice Brett Kavanaugh can be asked for an explanation then why not MJ Akbar who allegedly did whatever he did much later in his life than Kavanaugh." Cyclone Titli makes landfall in Odisha; heavy rains expected in West Bengal: Cyclone Titli made a landfall on the Odisha coast between 6 am to 9 am on Thursday morning with heavy rains and strong winds lashing the area. Three lakh people were evacuated from the five coastal districts in the states. School, colleges and Anganwadi centres have been asked to close for two days and the storm is predicted to soon cross the coast between Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh. The Met department on Wednesday had warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the Gangetic West Bengal until Friday. Pappu Yadav to visit Gujarat today; Alpesh Thakor to hold harmony fast: Amid the reported mass exodus of north-Indian migrants in Gujarat due to violence post rape of an infant, Bihar minister Pappu Yadav will visit the state on Thursday. He will reach Ahmedabad at 3 pm and plans to do a march. Meanwhile, community leader Alpesh Thakor has decided to hold a harmony fast today. Sabarimala protests continue to intensify; Hindu organisations to flag-off long marches: Protests were staged across Kerala in 200 locations paralysed the state on Wednesday. The protests, organized by the Hindu Aikya Vedi in 200 strategic locations, blocked roads leading to traffic jams in all cities indicating that the outrage over the Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala may turn into a law and order issue. Meanwhile, the BJP sponsored Save Sabarimala Long March flagged off from Pandalam with thousands of devotees joining the campaign. The march will reach Thiruvananthapuram on 15 October. Other Hindu organizations are launching another march from Pandalam on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Travancore Devaswom Board has decided to not deploy women officials in Sabarimala when the temple opens on 17 October for the monthly pooja. The board has also directed the police to not deploy women police officials at Sannidhanam. US Senate forces a US investigation into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi: Twenty-two US senators on Wednesday forced a US investigation of whether human rights sanctions should be imposed over the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist last seen on 2 October, entering the Saudi consulate in Turkey. In a letter, the senators said they had triggered a provision of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act requiring the president to determine whether a foreign person is responsible for a gross human rights violation. Harassment of women not limited to cinema, says lyricist Gulzar: Veteran lyricist Gulzar has said harassment of women happens across the society and is not only limited to cinema. "Directors are coming out with much more bolder subjects which are touching the reality. Cinema is a reflection of your society, what is happening (around). If we say harassment of a woman or a girl is only in cinema (then I don't think so). It has spread all over the society," he said. Rupee recovers against USD: The battered rupee rose 23 paise to 74.16 against the US dollar on Wednesday after the American currency weakened overseas amid increased selling by exporters. Besides, RBI's decision to inject Rs 12,000 crore liquidity into the system through purchase of government bonds on 11 October to meet the festival season demand for funds also supported the recovery in rupee, dealers said. A higher opening of domestic equity markets too aided the recovery in the domestic unit. Nokia product mystery event: HMD Global, the makers of Nokia smartphones, has announced a mysterious product event for today. The only thing Nokia has revealed about the event is that well see a device with a Mega Display. At a guess, wed say that HMD is referring to the update to the gorgeous Nokia 7 Plus which was launched earlier this year. Rumour has it that the upcoming phone will have a 6.18-inch display and that it will be powered by Qualcomms relatively new Snapdragon 710 SoC. Storage options are expected to top out at 128 GB. Were also hoping to see updates to previous Nokia phones, including the Nokia 3. More information will be revealed later in the day. Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday levelled serious charges against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal that the BJP government and Congress-led Opposition have been sparring over for over a month. Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi "corrupt" over the Rafale deal. The Congress-led opposition and the BJP have been sparring over the issue for more than a month. While addressing a press conference, Rahul said that the "reality is that the Prime Minister of India is corrupt." Incidentally, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman is on a three-day visit to France amid controversy around the procurement of 36 Rafale jets from French aerospace major Dassault Aviation. Official sources said Sitharaman will hold wide-ranging talks with her French counterpart Florence Parly on ways to deepen strategic cooperation and also deliberate on major regional and global issues of mutual interests. Dassault Aviation, the company manufacturing the aircraft had issued a statement clarifying on the pact with the Indian government, reiterating that it "freely chosen to make partnership with India's Reliance Group". Rahul quoted the document citing a senior executive at Dassault, which was reported by French journal Mediapart. He further drew links between Anil Ambani, whose company is the Indian partner in the manufacturing of the Rafale aircraft, and Modi, saying that "the prime minister is not India's chowkidaar, he is Ambani's chowkidaar". He added, "What is Ambani being compensated for (by being given the deal)?" Dassault is sitting on a huge contract. Dassault will say what the Indian govt wants it to say. Their internal document clearly stated that PM has said without this compensation the deal will not be done: Congress President Rahul Gandhi #RafaleDeal pic.twitter.com/fTYq7bFZ7L ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2018 After the press conference, Rahul also tweeted about Sitharamans France trip and said, To try and show the deal is legit, Raksha Mantri will need to generate minutes of imaginary meetings held between the French & our MOD & both sides will need to agree on a common story to be spun to the media. The #GreatRafaleCoverUp has begun. To try and show the deal is legit, Raksha Mantri will need to generate minutes of imaginary meetings held between the French & our MOD & both sides will need to agree on a common story to be spun to the media. RM left for France last night. Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 11, 2018 Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also questioned the timing of Sitharamans visit. In a series of tweets he said: French Media Exposes the Sweetheart Deal as Defence Minister rushes to France! Why did RM (Rafale Mantri) rush to France? Was it to cover up and hide the tracks of Rafale Corruption? 1/2 #RafaleScamGrandExpose Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) October 11, 2018 Modi Govt says Dassault chose Reliance Defence as Offset partner. Did Dassault contradict their own document & statement of their Senior Executive? Will the Modi Govt come clean? #RafaleScamGrandExpose 2/2 Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) October 11, 2018 In the statement released on the company's official website, titled 'Rafale contract for India: clarifications by Dassault Aviation', the company also said that, it has committed to offsets in India worth 50 percent of the value of the purchase of 36 Rafale jets "within the framework of the September 2016 Inter-Government Agreement between France and India" and in "compliance with the Indian regulations". In conclusion, Rahul said that "Rafale is a clear-cut case of corruption." He said that "the country will realise that the prime minister is corrupt as truths come out one by one". Addressing the youth of the country, the Congress president said, "Modi came to power on the expressed purpose of fighting corruption, but I want to tell the young people that the prime minister is corrupt." Making further allegations, Rahul said that Rafale is "not the only contract" and added that soon there would be information on other such contracts. He also demanded a JPC probe into the controversy that has dominated national headlines for over a month. Rahul also questioned Sitharaman's visit to France. "What is the emergency for which the defence minister needed to go to France?" he said. With inputs from agencies After 111 days of fasting, activist Dr GD Agarwal passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh. After 111 days of fasting, activist Dr GD Agarwal passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh on Thursday afternoon at 1 pm. He had begun a fast unto death at the Matri Sadan in Haridwar to protest against the Government of Indias inaction over the highly degraded condition of the river Ganga and had demanded immediate action against the damming and mining along the river. Agarwal had taken to his fast until death after receiving no response to his letters addressed to the prime minister sent out in February this year, reminding him of his election promises to revive the Ganga. Dr Agarwal began his fast on 22 June. He was an eminent environmental scientist, former professor of IIT Kanpur and former member secretary, Central Pollution Control Board, who had been campaigning for over 45 years for effective steps to save the river. GDs action to go on a fast unto death also points towards the need for ordinary people to act by themselves to protect and even recover their environments, and not leave it to others, governments included, to perform this task. His action is a moral one and is non-violent. His actions point to the question of what our relationship to nature is. Are we a part of it or are we apart from it? And we wish to re-negotiate our relationship with nature. Can we do it in any other way except non-violently, after all the violent damage we have done to nature and to humans through all these centuries? says Sagar Dhara, a senior environmental scientist, based out of Hyderabad, who joined Agarwal during the initial phase of his fast. What is the status of Ganga? A study conducted at IIT Kanpur in 1974-75 which was aimed at understanding the special properties of the river Ganga showed that there was a 98 percent decline in the percentage of coliform (bacteria) added to the water. However, with the removal of suspended particles (sediments) from the river water, this decline reduced to 45 percent, which means that the free flow of water (aviral Dhara or environmental flow) is ensuring the removal of sediments along the basin. In another study, it was found that the oxygen content of the river was relatively high, and the BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) of the river was 8-17 percent higher than what is the norm in other water bodies. A NEERI report suggests the presence of bacteriophages in the sediments released by the melting of permafrost at the source of the river gives the water of Ganga its uniqueness. In fact, if harnessed suitably, these bacteriophages possess the potency to destroy 17 pathological bacteria and viruses (like cholera, typhoid, salmonella, etc). However, as damming along the Ganga became rampant, the quality of water began to degrade, given the obstruction in natural and sediment flow. Today, almost all the sediment from different sources is being obstructed. 99 percent of the rivers flows are diverted into Ganganagar canal (at Haridwar) which supplies water to Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. As a result, very little water remains in the river. Furthermore, sewage discharge increases significantly from Haridwar onwards, with large cities like Varanasi and Allahabad downstream contributing majorly to the sewage load entering the river. Rampant damming and mining along the river will only deteriorate the river flow and bring down the water quality of the river along with rendering the regions along the river waterless in the years to come. Between 2008 and 2012, Agarwal had organised three fasts which demanded the withdrawal of various hydropower projects that were harming the environmental flow of the river. While three hydropower projects on the river were repealed, these efforts also led to the creation of the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone, declaration of river Ganga as the national river of India and the setting up of the National Ganga River Basin Authority, of which he served as a board member. What were the demands of Dr Agarwal? In a letter, released on the day he began his fast, Agarwal had expressed his disappointment at not even receiving an acknowledgement of his earlier letters. The following were his four major demands: The 2012 draft National River Ganga (Conservation and Management) Bill must be introduced and passed in the Parliament. All proposed and under-construction hydropower projects on the Alaknanda, Dhauliganga, Mandakini, Nandakini and Pindar rivers must be scrapped. All river bed sand mining activities on the Ganga must be stopped, especially in the Haridwar Kumbh Mela area. Formation of an autonomous Ganga Devotees Council to manage and ensure the well-being of the river. The statements issued in response so far by Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Uma Bharti have been unsatisfactory and were rejected by Agrawal. He had been surviving on three glasses of water with a spoonful of honey and a few drops of lemon every day. On 9 September, Agarwal had announced that he would give up drinking water from 9 October, the first day of the auspicious nine-day Navratra festival. Current negotiations The government of India issued a notification on Wednesday, which says that a minimum environmental flow or aviral dhara (uninterrupted flow) will be 20-30 percent of the flow in various sections of the river Ganga and its tributaries. This uninterrupted flow will be applicable only for the head tributaries and Unnao and not for the entire stretch of the river . The notification, thereby, implies that the riverway project beyond Allahabad will continue with the construction. The discussions between Agarwal and Gadkari had been facilitated by the former chief minister of Uttarakhand, Ramesh Pokhriyal, but to no avail. Not satisfied with Centre's offer, Agarwal stopped drinking water on the evening of Tuesday. According to sources close to him, he was advised by Uma Bharti to end the fast at the Matrasadhan Ashram. But Agarwal insisted that he will continue to fast until the act was implemented. This was the fifth such fast protesting against development projects that are polluting the Ganga. In the face of his death, what remains to be seen is how the government and even the Opposition respond to this delicate situation. Will the prime ministers office take heed of Agarwals concerns, who put his life on stake to protect our natural resources? Chand Rathee, media in-charge of Rampal's Satlok Ashram, said that police had earlier lodged six FIRs against Rampal and his supporters. Sixty-seven-year-old Rampal, a self-styled godman, was convicted by a court in Haryana's Hisar in two cases of murder on Thursday. The quantum of punishment will be announced on 16-17 October. Rampal, who enjoys a huge fan following, is currently lodged at Hisar's Central Jail-2, reports have said. He was arrested in November 2015 after a two-week long stand-off between his followers and police which had left six dead and several others injured. Rampal's lawyer released a statement on the matter, saying that he was not allowed to go inside the special court where the hearing was being held, and the court's decision has come in his absence, CNN-News18 reported. A special court was set up inside the jail Hisars Central Jail-1 to pronounce the judgment via video conference, The Indian Express reported. In the wake of the verdict, nearly 1,800 policemen were deployed to maintain law and order. Chand Rathee, media in-charge of Rampal's Satlok Ashram, told The Indian Express earlier on Thursday that police had lodged six FIRs against Rampal and his supporters. The court has already acquited Sant Rampal in two cases which include charges of taking followers hostage. In another two cases registered in connection with the six deaths, the court would pronounce its verdict today. Two other cases, including one lodged under the charges of sedition, are still pending in the court, Rathee was quoted as saying. The court found 29 persons, including Rampal, guilty in the case. The accused were convicted under sections 302, 120(b) and 343 of the Indian Penal Code. Prior to the verdict, train operations from parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana to Hisar were stopped, ANI reported. The news agency also quoted Haryana district collector Ashok Kumar Meena as saying: "We have taken adequate measures to maintain law and order. Section 144 has been imposed across Hisar district. Around 2000 police personnel have been deployed." Two cases of murder were registered against 67-year-old Rampal, the head of Satlok Ashram in Barwala in Hisar, in November 2014. A tense ten-day standoff between some of his followers and security forces at his sprawling premises in November 2017 led to the death of five women and a one-year-old child. It was believed that they died because of suffocation inside the ashram. About 15,000 of Rampal's followers were evacuated from the godman's premises after the standoff. It has also been alleged that some of his followers had been held hostage in the ashram during the standoff. Rampal's followers, during the clash with security forces, had used stones, acid and petrol bombs in their attack against security personnel. The conflict began when the Punjab and Haryana High Courts told the government to produce Rampal in a contempt of court case. After that, Rampal's supporters surrounded the Satlok Ashram and prevented the police from entering its premises, spread over 12 acres of land. One was registered against him and some of his followers under IPC Sections 186 (Obstructing public servant in discharge of his public function), 332 (Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty) and 353 (Assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty). The other was registered against Rampal and his followers Purshotam Dass, Raj Kumar, Mohinder Singh, Rajender Singh, Rahul and 30-40 other persons on a complaint under IPC Sections 147 (Rioting), 149 (Unlawful assembly, every other member of such assembly shall be guilty of the offence), 188 (disobedient to an order lawfully promulgated by a public servant) and 342 (Wrongfully confining any person). A team of Income Tax department sleuths raided the residence of Raghav Bahl in Noida and are looking for documents and other evidence related to the case under probe. New Delhi: Rejecting allegations of claiming "bogus" tax benefits, media baron Raghav Bahl on Friday said all business gains and losses have been duly declared in his tax returns and the raids by the Income Tax Department against him and his companies were a "clear frame-up." The Income Tax Department on Thursday searched media baron Raghav Bahl's home and office in connection with a case of alleged tax evasion, officials said. A team of I-T sleuths raided Bahl's premises in Noida and are looking for documents and other evidence related to a case of "bogus long-term capital gains (LTCG) received by various beneficiaries", they said. Bahl, who was in Mumbai, had issued a statement on Thursday that he was on his way to Delhi and his wife and mother were confined to the residence and not allowed to speak to anybody. On Friday, Bahl claimed that "private contractors" were deployed by the tax sleuths to clone digital data during the searches as he raised questions about its privacy. Bahl, the founder of The Quint news portal, issued a nine-point clarification on what he called an "interrogation" by the tax sleuths on Thursday when they searched his office and residential premises in Noida for gathering evidences as part of their probe against him on tax evasion charges, primarily over claiming fake Long Term Capital Gains (LTCG). LTCG is broadly defined as the tax paid on profit generated by an asset such as real estate, shares or share-oriented products held for a particular time-frame. "All these and other gains/losses were fully detailed/declared in the appropriate year of tax filings and more importantly, were accepted and assessed to tax, under this very government," Bahl said. "So the attempt to 'colour' our tax returns, now, as 'bogus', is clearly a frame-up, and we shall take every legal recourse to protect our fair name and reputation in this case," Bahl said. The media entrepreneur said he was making public the "facts" on various personal and official transactions suo motu as he feared an "imminent possibility that more such frame-ups shall be attempted now". Bahl said Rs 3.56 lakh cash and "modern and ancestral jewellery" worth Rs 33 lakh were recovered by the taxmen during the searches and these were entirely from his 82-year-old mother's cupboard. "All of these assets are duly assessed and declared in past returns. Is it really that surprising that people of that age/generation feel more secure holding such a moderate amount within physical proximity?," he said. Bahl added his family purchased a flat in London from the "legally permitted LRS remittances" and all of this has been fully declared in their income tax filings. He claimed the raids went on for about "23 incessant hours" and nearly 500 journalists and other professionals of the Quintillion Media Group were "held to the most intrusive ransom by India's tax officers." In his statement, Bahl said questions were asked to them by the Income Tax Department team about their transactions with Reliance Industries Limited, a joint venture with Viacom18 group and about BloombergQuint and they "promptly" shared all documents and past emails. He added that simultaneous surveys were also carried out at their investee companies, which he claimed was nothing but a "fishing expedition." "We reiterate that we are absolutely in the clear, that we shall mount a robust legal defence against every trumped-up charge that is brought against us; that we are making these disclosures to pre-empt further character assassination against us, to thwart attempts through leaks, plants, and trolls," he said in the statement. Three 'beneficiaries' of LTCG gains arrested The income tax officials had said on Thursday that apart from Bahl, three other "beneficiaries" of the alleged bogus LTCG claims -- J Lalwani, Anoop Jain and Abhimanyu -- were searched as part of the same action. The LTCG broadly refers to the amount of profit generated by an asset such as real estate, shares or share-oriented products held beyond a particular time period. The tax officials had said the business links of these companies with offshore entities were also being investigated. After the raid on Bahl, he had also issued a statement to the Editor's Guild of India, saying: "I have a matter of great concern to share with the Guild. While I was in Mumbai this morning, dozens of IT officials descended on my residence and The Quints office for a survey. We are a fully tax compliant entity, and will provide all access to all appropriate financial documents. However, I have just spoken to the officer on my premises, one Mr Yadav, and requested him, strongly, to not try and pick up or see any other mail/document which is likely to contain very serious/sensitive journalistic material. If they do that, then we shall seek extremely strong recourse. I do hope the EG will back us on this, and thereby set a precedent for any such exercise that may happen on any other journalistic entity in the future. They should also not misuse their smartphones to take unauthorised copies of this material. I am now on my way back to Delhi." It is understood that the searches are being conducted at the premises of a few other people as part of the ITD action to probe tax evasion by a set of business professionals. --With PTI inputs The MI-17 chopper was forced to land in a village near Tuting in the Upper Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh. An MI-17 helicopter made an emergency landing at Tuting in Arunachal Pradesh due to bad weather, reports have said. All sixteen passengers on board are safe. The helicopter was on a routine mission from Tuting when it was forced to land on Thursday afternoon, PTI reported. According to CNN News18, the MI-17 chopper was forced to land in a village near Tuting in the Upper Siang district. Frequently changing weather conditions in Arunachal Pradesh make flying of choppers difficult in the area and there have been several incidents of crashes in the hill state in the past. In October 2017, seven defence personnel were killed after an MI-17 V5 helicopter of the Indian Air Force crashed in Arunachal Pradesh's Chuna area. In July the same year, an IAF chopper engaged in a flood rescue mission crashed near Papum Pare district in the hill state killing four persons including three IAF crew and one India Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel. In 2011, the then Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, and four others also died in a chopper crash in the hill state. On 3 October, the Kerala High Court had denied Franco Mulakkal's first bail plea as Justice V Raja Vijayaraghavan observed that there was evidence against him. Rape accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal applied for bail for the second time on Wednesday, reports said. Mulakkal, who was arrested for raping a nun multiple times between 2014 and 2016, had previously sought bail on 3 October, which was rejected by a magistrate court. According to India Today, Mulakkal's legal team has claimed that the reasons for him being denied bail the first time are no longer applicable. The former bishop's bail plea says that since he is not in a position of power any longer, he is not in a position to intimidate witnesses like the prosecution had claimed before. The plea also asked for bail on the grounds that the witnesses in the case have been given full police protection, and that his visit to a hospital following the arrest were signs of deteriorating health, The News Minute reported. On 3 October, the Kerala High Court had denied Mulakkal's bail plea as Justice V Raja Vijayaraghavan observed that there was evidence against him. According to reports, the Kerala Police had said that since more complaints were being submitted, giving bail to the accused would hamper the investigation. On 24 September, the Pala Judicial Magistrate Court in Kottayam had remanded Mulakkal to judicial custody till 6 October. He has been lodged in the Pala sub-jail. On 22 September, the police submitted a remand report to the court saying that Mulakkal had gone to the convent with the intention of sexually assaulting the nun and in May 2014. He illegally confined her in Room 20 of the guest house and "subjected her to unnatural sexual assault". The police also said that the accused threatened the nun with dire consequences if she ever revealed the incident. "Between 2014 and 2016, the victim was subjected to rape and unnatural sex 13 times in the same room," the remand report stated. Mulakkal, who headed the Roman Catholic Diocese in Jalandhar, Punjab, was arrested on 21 September in Tripunithura after three days of questioning in the case. The clashes on Wednesday came amid a mass casual leave by nearly all the professors in the varsity to protest against the delay in the unconditional release and withdrawal of FIR lodged against the professors, students and staff. Imphal: The Manipur High Court on Thursday suspended Manipur University pro-V-C K Yugindro Singh and registrar-in-charge M Shyamkesho. Former Manipur chief secretary Jarnail Singh has been appointed the interim V-C. The high court while hearing a PIL filed by one Chongtham Nimai had warned on 5 October that it will intervene if no amicable solution was reached to the Manipur University crisis by 11 October. Earlier on Wednesday, 17 student protesters in Manipur University were detained by police after clashes broke out in the campus during an agitation. The protesting students were demanding a withdrawal of the FIR lodged by the varsitys acting vice-chancellor K Yugindro Singh which led to the arrest of six professors and nine students on 21 September. A similar agitation was foiled by the police on Monday as well. The students detained on Wednesday are currently being held at the Singjamei police station. The detainees include four Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) activists, out of which two are female students of Manipur University of Culture. While parents of the students said the four might be sent to judicial custody, senior police officials said it is too early to talk about an unconditional release or further detention. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a post-doctoral fellow on the campus said a group of over 70 studentsenraged by the indifference of the university authoritieswas heading towards the administrative block to reiterate their demands of securing an immediate release of the arrested professors and students. There was some confrontation between the police and protesting students following which the police conducted a verification drive at the boys hostels with due permission from university authorities, Imphal West SP Jogeshchandra Haobijam told 101Reporters. After informing the V-C, registrar, and the warden, we verified each and every student in all the five boys hostels and managed to pick up 13 individuals who participated in the agitation. They have been detained at the Singjamei police station for further verification, he said adding that the detained students were rounded up when they were attempting to flee after clashes with police. Haobijam informed that Yugindro had asked for help from the police after a group of students caused extensive damages to the administrative block, where the office of the vice-chancellor is also located. According to the police, the students had also damaged some of their vehicles by pelting stones. However, security personnel posted for sentry duty nearby claimed that the protesting students clashed with the police when the cops tried to obstruct them from reaching the administrative block. According to eyewitnesses, the women detainees were picked up from inside the campus while running away from tear gas shelling and baton charge by the police. The incident comes despite Chief Minister N Biren Singhs previous instructions to do otherwise. On 1 October, the chief minister had directed the DGP of Manipur to stop the further arrest of students and professors along with the raids inside the Manipur University campus while assuring Manipur University Staff Association (MUSA) and Manipur University Teachers Association (MUTA) representatives that action would be taken against those who do so. The clashes on Wednesday came amid a mass casual leave by nearly all the professors in the varsity to protest against the delay in the unconditional release and withdrawal of FIR lodged against the professors, students and staff. On Tuesday, the MUTA condemned Yugindro and passed a resolution of non-cooperation against his administration for describing the university communities as terrorist-like agitators in his 3 October letter to the Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resources Development. In his letter, Yugindro also alleged that Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla had expressed her overt support for the agitators in the varsity while questioning his taking over as acting V-C. He later apologised saying his breach of protocol was due to mental stress. On Tuesday, human rights activist Babloo Loitongbam, the executive director of Human Rights Alert, wrote to the DGP of Manipur demanding an immediate release of the arrested professors and students. He claimed that an official letter from the Governors secretariat on 6 October pointed out that Yugindro had already confided to Governor Najma Heptulla that he filed a false FIR against the students as he was never manhandled. In the past few months, the university has witnessed intense protests over the removal of the Adya Prasad Pandey as vice-chancellor who had to step down on 19 September and submit himself to an inquiry into his alleged administrative lapses. The author is Imphal-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters. Having named their harassers, women must take #Metoo campaign in India to the next level and break the culture of inaction, so that #MeToo does not become as misbegotten as its perpetrators As the #MeToo movement gathers momentum in India, the big question is: what next? Women whove been sexually harassed are unable to move beyond social media testimonials because there are no systems in place to assist them. Perpetrators are relying on this lack of due process, along with paucity of evidence, short public memory, gaslighting and defamation cases to shirk responsibility and bide their time. Where theres no change or accountability, we know we are at a tipping point in the movement. Will we let #MeTooIndia become yesterdays news, or will we take affirmative action? Will we let the perpetrators walk free, or will they have to exact a price? Will we let the accused bide the time, or do the time? At this juncture, in the West, women had the fallback of law, institutions and procedures. But most women in India are afraid to take action beyond allegations because legal recourse appears intimidating, expensive and futile. But what if its not? In 2017, author Rashmi Bansal spoke out against unwarranted advances made by serial entrepreneur Mahesh Murthy. As he denied all allegations, of course, Bansal walked the talk and took the legal route against her harasser. Surprisingly, and unlike her expectations (or anyone elses), the due process from the cops to the lawyers to the courts was neither problematic nor time-consuming nor frightening nor demeaning. In fact, it was straightforward. Heres the step-by-step process that Bansal followed: I. Filed a written complaint against Murthy with NCW (National Commission for Women). II. NCW forwarded complaint to the local police station, which had jurisdiction over the case. III. Bansal then visited the police station to file a first information report (FIR). Of this Bansal says, The entire process of filing an FIR took about 1.5-2 hours. My experience was that the police were sensitive and helpful. A lady constable was also present. I did not feel awkward. They let me speak without interruption. They gave my complaint due respect and importance. My lawyer Vandana Shah was also present. IV. Bansal then visited the magistrates court in Dadar (Mumbai) on a day of her convenience. There was a waiting time of about 45 minutes. Then a lady magistrate recorded my statement (which was the same as what I narrated in the FIR). Everything was done fast and efficiently, she says. V. Mahesh Murthys lawyers tried to quash the FIR in the Bombay High Court but were not successful. VI. The charge sheet was then filed. Doesnt sound so scary now, does it? Bansal sums it up best when she says, The support of the NCW and my lawyer (Shah) gave me the confidence to take legal action. I advise all women whove faced any sexual harassment to file an FIR. I know family and friends advise you not to get into court kachahari ka chakkar. And they mean well. But I want to assure you that the system can be navigated. There are laws to protect women and we need to use those laws to get convictions and send out a strong message." The laws are in place. The only question that remains is that of implementing them. According to Shah, Bansal's lawyer, Women who are employed in an organisation, lets say the women journalists who have been harassed at the workplace, can seek legal recourse by the measures provided in the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act 2013, which basically recommends lodging a complaint with the Internal Complaints Committee, which must conduct an inquiry into the complaint. Based on the inquiry report, a course of action is then decided, be it determining the compensation to be paid to the aggrieved woman or terminating the employment of the male employee against whom the veracity of the complaint has been proven." Women can also choose to follow a path outside the realm of the workplace and file a criminal complaint against the sexual predator under various provisions of the IPC (Indian Penal Code), such as Section 354 and 509, she sadds. In case of a criminal complaint, you have to lodge an FIR at the police station. Usually, in such matters, the police are very cooperative and helpful, says Shah. They try and maintain the anonymity of the complainant. While filing the FIR, keeping in mind the sensitivity of the issue, usually there is a lady constable also present. Once an FIR has been lodged, the police prepare the charge sheet and the procedure in the court commences. "Throughout the process the police are usually helpful, Shah says. Womens organisations like the NCW also provide support. It is helpful to have a lawyer who can guide you through the legal process, she informs. Theres more heartening news. It doesnt matter if you speak up years later, like Vinta Nanda did about Alok Nath, or Tanushree Dutta did about Nana Patekar. No one, not even the law of the land, has the right to ask why a woman chose to remain silent for so long. Its irrelevant. Please note the fact that an incident happened many years ago does not make your complaint less valid, says Bansal. Do not feel hesitant or guilty about why you did not do it earlier. Rekha Sharma, Chairperson of NCW, which has assisted Bansal right from the beginning, adds, Women who come out and speak and complain, even if it is after many years, are courageous. They know this fight is going to be tough, but still they take the challenge. NCW is always with them if they want to take it forward with the police. Another concern women have is that of maintaining their anonymity. By law, if and when news of the FIR is published your name cannot be revealed. If you wish to remain anonymous it will be so, says Bansal. Shah sums it up aptly when she says, Sexual harassment does not mean the end of the world, but like I tell the women who I represent, if we dont take legal action against the perpetrators they will multiply like amoeba. After all, perpetrators are like amoeba gutless and a mass of squeamish jelly! Of course, legal recourse is not the only solution. It is part of a larger solution. It is important for survivors to avail therapy and counselling so they dont spend years internalising such incidents, alone, racked with feelings of shame or guilt. Systemic failures have to be rectified by educating men so that they also become aware of their actions and show empathy and respect while dealing with the women in their life. Companies have to create safe workspaces, gender sensitisation practices and grievance redressal systems. A corrective course for freelancers and the unorganised sector has to be established. We have come a long way forward in the last few weeks by breaking our culture of silence, by listening instead of judging, by shaming the perpetrator instead of the survivor. Now that we are here, we must take it to the next level and also break our culture of inaction, so that #MeToo does not become as misbegotten as its perpetrators and real change takes place. *** Network 18, of which Firstpost is a part, has received complaints of sexual harassment as well. The complaints which are within the purview of the workplace have been forwarded to our PoSH committee for appropriate action. About Ghazala Wahab's complaint against MJ Akbar, former Asian Age bureau chief Seema Mustafa said she does not recall anyone coming forth, but she believes that Wahab confided in her. India's #MeToo moment has reached Delhi's corridors of power, with the Congress party seeking an investigation against Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar over several allegations of sexual harassment levelled against the journalist-turned-MP by women he worked with in the past. At least nine women have spoken up against Akbar and in stomach-churning details have given exhaustive accounts of their ordeal while working for Akbar when he was a journalist. Journalist and author Ghazala Wahab's article in The Wire was the latest in the string of allegations against the junior minister in Sushma Swaraj's ministry. Recounting the horrors from 1994 when she joined The Asian Age (when Akbar was the editor), Wahab in her article said that she spoke to Seema Mustafa, the then bureau chief for the paper, who heard her, but was not surprised and told Wahab that the call was entirely hers about what she wanted to do. Mustafa on Wednesday evening released a statement backing Wahab's accounts on Facebook. "Anyone who knows me can vouch for the fact that I have, over the years, been consistent in my condemnation - both on and off the record - of the culture at Asian Age, created by MJ Akbar." Mustafa further added: "We were never silent, but our inability to be more vocal stemmed from the inability at the time 20 years ago of victims to publicly share the account of harassment." About Wahab's complaint, she said she does not recall anyone coming forth, but she believes that Wahab confided in her. She ended her statement expressing relief that women "finally have the space, security and support to call out perpetrators of sexual violence, and demand a necessary shift in newsrooms and media organisations." Read her full statement There is finally a fight for a decisive change in the culture of newsrooms and media organisations, that have thus far accorded impunity to powerful men. While I have reservations with the MeToo movement, I have repeatedly said that this particular change is to be celebrated. Anyone who knows me can vouch for the fact that I have, over the years, been consistent in my condemnation - both on and off the record - of the culture at Asian Age, created by MJ Akbar. We were never silent, but our inability to be more vocal stemmed from the inability at the time -- 20 years ago -- of victims to publicly share the account of harassment. I do not recall anyone coming forth while I was at the Asian Age, and yet, I believe Ghazala Wahab when she says that she confided in me. Although I had only recently been confirmed in the Asian Age, I hope that when I said she should take a call, it meant that the decision to report the harassment she faced was hers to make, but she had my support if she chose to report it. Unfortunately, at the time - victims did not have the safety or security to speak out, or perhaps the support to fight it out. We did not have sexual harassment committees or social media, and the only course of redressal was to file a complaint with the cops. This was perhaps the reason that journalists of my generation were forced to fight sexual harassment directly or remain silent. I am glad women finally have the space, security and support to call out perpetrators of sexual violence, and demand a necessary shift in newsrooms and media organisations. I stand by my article in TheCitizen.in that was written before Ghazala's story was published. In the article I have written on the culture at Asian Age in detail, and then later added that I support and stand by Ghazala and the others coming forward. My reservations with MeToo should not be misconstrued into a support or defence for MJ Akbar and other perpetrators of violence. Firstpost contacted Mustafa for comment. We will update the article when she responds. Other than Wahab, many women came out with assault allegations against Akbar, primarily 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. 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. 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. However, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has not commented on the allegations yet. Swaraj on Tuesday evaded questions whether the government will take any action against Akbar. 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. Speaking on the charges against Union Minister MJ Akbar made by women journalists, Swati Maliwal said: 'It is shameful that Akbar continues to be a minister.' New Delhi: Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal on Thursday called for Union Minister MJ Akbar's resignation in view of allegations of sexual misconduct and also urged women to speak the truth in the #MeToo campaign. Speaking on the charges against Union Minister MJ Akbar made by women journalists, she said: "It is shameful that Akbar continues to be a minister. Ten women have complained. Are all of them lying? The case should at least be investigated." She added: "A movement like #MeToo won't lose credibility any time in the future. Even if in the course of law, there is no evidence, the society will know that this kind of harassment is existing... is rampant." "At the same time, it is crucial for women to be true. I would really urge women to tell the truth and only the truth and speak out as much as they can. It is a responsibility on us," Maliwal said while answering a question raised by IANS during a press conference organised at Indian Women's Press Conference. "I salute the courage of all the #MeToo activists. It is not easy. It is a very difficult journey." She stressed on the need to monitor the functioning of Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) at workplaces. "The law was not being implemented properly. It took me six months to set up local committees. There is a need to have better monitoring. Many of the offices didn't even have ICCs earlier. They now need to be strengthened. "They should work with complete independence. There should be no pressure on them," she said. Maliwal said that in the past three years, 55,000 general complaints of all kinds of crimes against Women, from harassment to rape to domestic violence, had been made. Smriti Irani's non-reaction came after Nirmala Sitharaman and Sushma Swaraj refused to comment on the harassment charges MJ Akbar. Even as the pressure grows on the Narendra Modi government to address the sexual harassment charges against Union minister MJ Akbar, Textiles Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday ducked questions on the allegations, saying the former journalist should issue a statement on the matter. "The gentlemen concerned would be better positioned to speak on this issue. I appreciate that the media is accosting his female colleagues. But it is for the gentleman concerned to issue a statement, not me, because I was personally not present there," she told reporters, adding that "anybody who is speaking out should in no way be shamed, victimised or mocked". #WATCH: Union Minister Smriti Irani reacts on #MJAkbar, says 'The gentlemen concerned would be better positioned to speak on this issue. I appreciate that the media is accosting his female colleagues...Anybody who is speaking out should in no way be shamed, victimised or mocked.' pic.twitter.com/nFam61Cn20 ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2018 "Women dont go to work to be harassed. They go to work to live their dreams and earn a respectable living. I am hopeful that all these ladies who are speaking out get the justice that they deserve," Irani said. Akbar, the Minister of State for External Affairs, who is currently on a visit to Nigeria, has been accused of sexual misconduct by at least 10 women, so far, and has yet to respond to the allegations. Irani's reaction came a day after Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman refused to comment on the charges being levelled against Akbar. In another reaction from the Union Cabinet, Union minister Ramdas Athawale said that there was a need to hear Akbar's statement. "There should be an investigation, if he is found to be guilty then he should resign," he said. I think we need to hear his statement too. He is out of India. There should be an investigation, if he is found to be guilty then he should resign: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on #MJAkbar pic.twitter.com/7ZfcFsV5od ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2018 After the allegations had initially surfaced, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, too, had evaded questions by the media on what action she would take against her junior minister. Several parties, including the Congress, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, Samajwadi Party and Communist Party of India (Marxist), have demanded Akbar's resignation. The Congress on Wednesday had said he must either offer a satisfactory explanation for the allegations or resign immediately. Horrible this bloody perpetrator @mjakbar shame on you and you stood in parliament during T Talaaq Bill & spoke about Muslim women empowerment & to stop their exploitation, @PMOIndia sack this Minister of yours if you truly believe in Beti Bachao https://t.co/nTiRI7YIzk Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) October 10, 2018 On Wednesday, Congress spokesperson S Jaipal Reddy had said: "I think Mr MJ Akbar must either offer a satisfactory explanation or must resign forthwith. How can he be in the ministry with this serious allegation being levelled against him by a responsible journalist who worked with him? Let there be an inquiry into this. We demand an inquiry into Akbar's conduct." In a statement on Thursday, the CPM said, "Since these are serious charges, MJ Akbar's continuance as a minister of state in the central government is untenable. He should immediately resign from office." With inputs from agencies The source in BJP said that the party is expected to offer MJ Akbar an 'honourable exit'. 'He will be given a chance to explain himself but most probably he will be asked to resign immediately after his visit from Nigeria,' the source told Firstpost. Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar, presently on a visit to Nigeria, is expected to be 'asked to go' upon returning to India. He is scheduled to return on Friday. A reliable source in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) told Firstpost that the protocol with international visits is that one can't dump them midway and return. "He is expected tomorrow. Protocol is to finish the official work and only then return," the source told Firstpost. Coming on the heels of accusations of sexual harassment and impropriety levelled by at least nine women against the former editor of The Asian Age, a highly-placed source in the BJP government at the Centre told Firspost that he will be asked to go as soon as he returns from his visit to Nigeria. MoS for External Affairs MJ Akbar at week-long celebrations of Mahatma Gandhis 150 birth anniversary at Indian Language School (ILS), Nigeria's Lagos. pic.twitter.com/WUli1oKH5L ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2018 The source elaborated that the party is expected to offer Akbar an 'honourable exit'. "He will be given a chance to explain himself but most probably he will be asked to resign immediately after his visit from Nigeria," the source told Firstpost. It was a tweet by journalist Priya Ramani in which she replugged an earlier article calling Akbar a 'predator' that set the wheels in motion. A number of women subsequently 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". Apart from Ramani, Ghazala Wahab, Saba Naqvi, Shutapa Paul, Shuma Raha, Suparna Sharma and Prerna Singh Bindra accused the junior minister of sexual harassment over the course of his time as a journalist. This is a developing story and will be updated The Lashkar-e-Taiba has been purchasing land in dust-blown Samasatta, south-west of Bahawalpur in Pakistan's Punjab province, hoping it will flower into a campus housing medical, educational and ideological training facilities, Indian intelligence sources have told Firstpost. New Delhi: The Lashkar-e-Taiba has been purchasing land in dust-blown Samasatta, south-west of Bahawalpur in Pakistan's Punjab province, hoping it will flower into a campus housing medical, educational and ideological training facilities, Indian intelligence sources have told Firstpost. The camp, the sources said, is intended to replace Lashkar's existing headquarters at Muridke, near Lahore, was seized by the Punjab government. Financial crimes experts representing the multinational Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which has threatened to blacklist Pakistan unless it acts against terror financing, are currently in the country to assess its claims to be acting against jihadist groups. Even though Prime Minister Imran Khan's government, mired in a foreign debt crisis, hopes to ward off FATF action, it has a close association with the Lashkar and its jihadist allies. Last month, Religious Affairs Minister Noorul Haq Qadri shared a platform with jihad patriarch Sami-ul-Haq, as he delivered a speech asserting "the Kashmir issue cannot be resolved without jihad". Interestingly, staff from international NGOs have been pushed out from around Bahawalpur-an effort, Indian officials believe, to keep prying eyes off jihadist infrastructure coming up in the area. Funds for the benami purchases of land around Samasatta, the sources said, were likely routed in cash by contributions made to the Lashkar's charitable front-organisation, the Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF). The small town-best known for its colonial-era railway junction, capped by multiple domes-may have been picked because land prices are low compared to nearby Bahwalpur, where the Lashkar already has a building. Even though the FIF is listed as a front for the Lashkar by the United Nations Security Council obligating all member-states to freeze its assets the organisation continues to operate openly in Pakistan. Its Facebook page, bearing a Lahore phone number, solicits donations for a number of projects in Pakistan and abroad, ranging from medical care to drinking water. In its 2017 annual report, the FIF claimed to have provided free medical treatment to 1.6 million patients, and to have provided blood for 107,551 in need, through its medical services. Back in January, in an unsuccessful bid to avert grey-listing by the FATF, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government amended the country's Anti-Terrorism Act to mandate the proscription of all organisations banned by the United Nations. Following this, some 148 properties and assets belonging to the Jamaat-ud-Dawa, the parent organisation of both the FIF and the Lashkar-e-Taiba, were seized across the province of Punjab. For Khan's government, which has announced that it intends to seek a bail-out from the International Monetary Fund, being blacklisted by FATF could be painful. In addition to damaging Pakistan's reputation among potential investors, it would impose every international banking transaction involving the country to additional scrutiny by foreign banks. The country's bid to escape blacklisting is expected to be discussed at the FATF on 14 October, though a final decision is unlikely to be made then. Pakistan's grey-listing by the FATF, which came into force from June, was driven by worries that its lax financial system allowed terrorist groups to launder cash raised by activities ranging from narcotics trafficking to charitable operations. Experts from the United States, United Kingdom, Turkey, Maldives, Indonesia and China arrived in Pakistan this week to assess the effectiveness of its anti-money laundering and countering terror finance legal regime, and are expected to conclude their visit by 19 October. However, Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party is closely allied with the Difa-e-Pakistan Council, a coalition of hardline Islamist groups which includes the Lashkar-making it impossible for him to crack down their assets, as his predecessor sought to do. Leaders at last month's Difa-e-Pakistan Council rally, attended by Khan's Religious Affairs Minister, warned that "Pakistan has not made a nuclear bomb to keep as a decoration in an almirah [cupboard]". "The Pakistani nation is always ready alongside the Pakistani armed forces to deliver a mouth-breaking response to India's aggression", the rally's joint declaration read. Earlier this year, Pakistan's Defence Minister, Pervez Khattak-then Chief Minister of the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-had also attended a Difa-e-Pakistan meeting, were slogans were chanted calling for jihad against the United States and India. Pamphlets of Falah-i-Insaniat Fund The conference was addressed by Lashkar chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed-for whose arrest the United States has offered an $10 million reward-through a telephone link. Khattak shared the platform with Saeed's deputy, Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki, who is accused, along with his leader, of planning the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai. Southern Punjab-a region where industrial backwardness collides with agrarian distress and a large pool of landless peasants-has emerged as a hub for the expansion of jihadist groups in Pakistan. The town's main employer, the Peoples Textile Mill set up by President-then Prime Minister-Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in an effort to bring about state-led economic development, now lies abandoned. Little investment has trickled in to make up for the loss. Firstpost revealed, earlier this year, that the Jaish-e-Muhammad had purchased 15 acres of land outside the town to build a complex rivalling its existing Usman-o-Ali complex. Samasatta, local sources said, had witnessed steady efforts by both the Jaish and Lashkar to recruit young people. In a 2009 essay, the Pakistani scholar Ayesha Siddiqa wrote of the rural despair that underpinned jihadist recruitment. "A few years ago," Siddiqa wrote, "I met some young boys from my village near Bahawalpur who were preparing to go on jihad. They smirked politely when I asked them to close their eyes and imagine their future: 'we can tell you without closing our eyes that we don't see anything'." Jaish leader Muhammad Masood Azhar Alvi's disquisition on the Quran, notably, is designed for a peasant audience. "The light of the sun and water," Azhar writes, "are essential for crops; otherwise they go waste. In the same way, the life of nations depends on martyrs. The national fields can be irrigated only with the blood of the best hearts and minds." The jihadist movement promises something better than the earthly paradise Pakistan's corrupt elite deny the poor entry into: "as we fly in aeroplanes in this world, the souls of martyrs, entering into the bodies of green birds, fly in Paradise for recreation." "Having no alternative ideology like Marxism or Liberalism or even language symbols which may challenge the feudal stranglehold," social scientist Tahir Kamran has explained, "militancy remains one of the few ways to counter it." Thirty-two labourers from Jharkhand who were allegedly forced to work for a company in Riyadh since 2016 and held hostage there, have returned home. Ramgarh: Thirty-two labourers from Jharkhand who were allegedly forced to work for a company in Riyadh since 2016 and held hostage there, have returned home following the intervention of the External Affairs Ministry, the office of Union Minister Jayant Sinha said. The labourers hailed from Hazaribagh, Bokaro and Giridih districts of the state. Sinha, the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, had in July this year written to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj after his office received calls from the labourers, requesting his helping for returning home. In his letter to the External Affairs Minister, Sinha said the labourers were promised jobs in a reputed construction firm, but when they reached Riyadh in Saudi Arabia in July 2016, they were forced to work for another company. The labourers were held hostage and reportedly not paid wages since October 2017. Their passports were also seized, the letter stated. The labourers returned to their home late last week following the intervention of the External Affairs Ministry. "It is a very joyous moment for us as we have been able to bring our people back to India safely. Today, every Indian abroad lives with an assurance that their country stands with them," Sinha, an MP from Hazaribagh, said in a statement on Thursday. One of those labourers, Khirodhar Mahto (26) from Hazaribagh district, said, "We contacted Jayant Sinha's office and had sought his help." "We are very happy that we returned to our home after the Indian Embassy in Riyadh arranged for our return following a directive from the External Affairs Ministry," he said. Another labourer, Sikandar Ali from Giridih district, said nine workers are still in Riyadh and they are expected to return to India within a few days. Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday condoled the death of environmental activist GD Agarwal, saying he sacrificed his life for the Ganga river and vowing to take his fight forward. New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday condoled the death of environmental activist GD Agarwal, saying he sacrificed his life for the Ganga river and vowing to take his fight forward. "He sacrificed his life for saving the Ganga. Saving the river is equivalent to saving the nation. We will never forget him and we will take his fight forward," Gandhi said in Facebook post. The Indian Youth Congress said it had also organised a candlelight march over the death of Agarwal who died on Thursday at AIIMS-Rishikesh. Agarwal, also known as Swami Gyan Swaroop, was on a fast-unto-death for a clean Ganga. Sushma Swaraj arrived in Tajik capital Dushanbe on Thursday to attend a two-day conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Dushanbe: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived in Tajik capital Dushanbe on Thursday to attend a two-day conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, which is expected to focus on boosting cooperation in fighting terrorism, besides deliberating on pressing regional and global issues. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted: EAM @SushmaSwaraj arrives in Dushanbe, the beautiful capital of Tajikistan to attend the SCO Heads of Government Council Meeting. Over the next 2 days, EAM will participate in SCO-related meetings, hold bilateral meetings and interact with the Indian community. pic.twitter.com/L32feXhZrL Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) October 11, 2018 Kumar said that over the next two days, the minister will participate in SCO-related meetings, hold bilateral talks and interact with the Indian community in Tajikistan. The meeting of the SCO's Council of Heads of Government (CHG) is also likely to review situation in Syria, Afghanistan and the Korean peninsula. It will be the second CHG meeting since India became a full member of SCO in June 2017. India was an observer at the SCO since 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region. India became a full member of the China-dominated grouping last year and New Delhi's entry into it is expected to increase the bloc's heft in regional geo-politics and trade negotiations besides giving it a pan-Asian hue. Along with India, Pakistan was also granted membership of SCO last year. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became its members last year. The bloc currently has eight member countries which represents around 42 percent of the world's population and 20 percent of the global GDP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led an official delegation to the SCO Summit in Chinese city of Qingdao in June. An encounter is ongoing between terrorists and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district on Thursday morning. An encounter is ongoing between terrorists and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district. Three militants, including scholar-turned-terrorist Manan Wani, are believed to have been trapped in an encounter at Handwara in frontier district of north Kashmir, officials said on Thursday. Giving details emerging from the encounter site, which is taking place at Satgund in Handwara, police and other security forces cordoned off a village following intelligence inputs about the presence of Wani along with two others, they said. According to sources, internet services have been suspended in the area, and all educational institutions in Handwara have been instructed to be closed on Thursday following the cordon and search operation. Kupwara: Encounter underway between terrorists and security forces in Handwara's Shartgund Bala. Two to three terrorists believed to be trapped. Internet services suspended in the area. #JammuAndKashmir ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2018 Police were making repeated announcements on the public address system appealing to the militants to surrender, officials said. There was a lull in firing at around 9 am, prompting the police to initiate a search operation at the encounter site, but the same had to be suspended after firing resumed in 15 minutes. Sources also said that a top militant involved in the encounter has been either trapped or killed. Wani had gone missing in the first week of January, but had been spotted in a picture on social media later that month which indicated that he had joined the terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen. On 11 September, at least two terrorists were killed in an encounter with the security forces in Handwara. The terrorists were associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, according to reports. Some arms and ammunition were also recovered from the site. The militants were identified as Furqan Rashid Lone and Liyaqat Ahmad Lone. With inputs from agencies and 101 Reporters The Jammu and Kashmir Police said that it has recovered arms and ammunition from two militants killed during an encounter in Handwara town in Jammu and Kashmir, however, their identities have not been ascertained yet Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants, including PhD scholar-turned-terrorist Manan Bashir Wani, were killed on Thursday during an encounter with security forces at Handwara in frontier district of north Kashmir, officials said. #BREAKING -- Hizbul Mujahideen commander Manan Wani killed in encounter | @islahmufti with more details pic.twitter.com/S6HU3xHoIx News18 (@CNNnews18) October 11, 2018 The encounter broke out in the early hours at Satgund in Handwara following a specific intelligence about presence of Wani, along with two others, they said. The Jammu and Kashmir Police said that it has recovered arms and ammunition from the slain militants. Internet services in the area were also suspended and all educational institutions were instructed to be closed. Police and other security forces were fired upon by holed up militants resulting in exchange of fire which continued till 11 am. Police was making repeated announcements on public address system appealing to the militants to surrender, officials told PTI. There was a lull in firing at around 9 am, prompting the police to initiate a search operation at the encounter site, but the same had to be suspended when firing resumed after 15 minutes, the officials added. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti tweeted: Today a PhD scholar chose death over life & was killed in an encounter. His death is entirely our loss as we are losing young educated boys everyday. 1/2 Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 11, 2018 It is high time that all the political parties in the country realise the gravity of this situation and try to facilitate a solution through dialogue with all the stake holders including Pakistan to end this bloodshed. 2/2 Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 11, 2018 According to Deccan Herald, clashes erupted at the site of the encounter as well and several protesters were injured. With inputs from PTI If India and the US have sought to find common ground between themselves in engaging, cooperating, competing and it is largely owing to the nature of Chinas rise. It is interesting to see China trying to make common cause with India on multilateralism and global trade and attempting to sweet talk New Delhi into forming some sort of a coalition against the US. India should be wary of Beijings advances. It does not make strategic, economic or geopolitical sense for India to coalesce with an adversary who cannot be trusted and provoke a strategic partner with whom a relationship based on shared interests and values is slowly maturing. In fact, China is the driver of India-US strategic embrace. If Washington and New Delhi have sought to find common ground between themselves in engaging, cooperating, competing and even sparring with Beijing, it is largely owing to the nature of Chinas rise. Under the leadership of Xi Jinping, China has sought to remodel the power balance in Asia and appears to be in a hurry to assume the role of a countervailing force to the US. And unlike Russia which restricts itself to the role of a disruptor, China is playing the long game, investing its single-minded attention and resources in providing an alternative political and development model to substitute the liberal democratic order. In its attempts at doing so, the one condition that China needs is stability in global trading and financial system a condition that is at peril due to a maverick US president and his disruptive influence. In less than two years, Donald Trump has ripped apart the world economic order, raised walls around American border and economy, redrawn alliances and withdrawn from multilateralism and globalism. He has also gone after China, driven by a deep conviction that Beijing cheats in trade and its extraordinary growth has occurred at American expense. The Trump administration feels that Beijings prosperity and vaulting ambition arise from its ability to manipulate a system underwritten, maintained and bankrolled by the US, and it wants to put a stop to the free lunch. Not the least because Beijing has taken aim at American economic, military and even technological dominance. While answering questions from US senators on the Homeland Security Committee on Chinas attempts to influence American public opinion ahead of November mid-term elections, US security officials identified China as greatest long-term counterintelligence threat to the US. FBI director Christopher Wray was quoted, as saying by news agency Reuters: China in many ways represents the broadest, most complicated, most long-term counterintelligence threat we face Russia is in many ways fighting to stay relevant after the fall of the Soviet Union. Theyre fighting todays fight. Chinas is fighting tomorrows fight." To tackle what he considers as Beijings unfair trade practices and manipulative industrial policies and to ensure fair and reciprocal trade Trump has taken a slew of measures against China and has promised to escalate the battle if China retaliates or even if it stays oblivious. Last month, Trump slapped tariffs on nearly $200 billion worth of Chinese imports, bringing the total amount of goods under new taxes to $250 billion. The tariffs carry an initial rate of 10 percent and will be increased to 25 percent by 1 January, 2019 if Beijing refuses to offer trade concessions. China retaliated by levying taxes on $50 billion of US imports, following which Trump threatened to slap tariffs on Chinese goods worth $267 billion more. Simultaneously, Steven Mnuchin, the US treasury secretary, has warned China against manipulating its currency by letting it slide and told London-based Financial Times in an interview that as we look at trade issues there is no question that we want to make sure China is not doing competitive devaluations. Renminbi, the Chinese currency, has witnessed a 10.9 percent fall Rmb6.9213 per USD from its strongest point this year in late March. In addition, the US federal government has decided to tighten foreign investment rules to prevent Chinese investors from buying their way into 27 sensitive sectors including telecommunications and semiconductors as well as aircraft manufacturing, including engines and engine parts, aluminium production, computer storage devices, guided missiles and other military equipment. The US suspects that Chinese government-backed companies are trying to steal intellectual property, sensitive data and trade secrets by investing in critical technologies. In March last year, a white paper commissioned by the US Department of Defense found that Chinese companies, backed by the government, are strategically investing in American start-ups specializing in critical technologies like artificial intelligence and robots to advance Chinas military capacity as well as its economy. These are not unfounded worries. China plays dirty to win, and its quest for dominance in areas where the US enjoys traditional superiority has spurred it to take extraordinary actions, such as spying on around 30 major US companies including Amazon and Apple by hacking into servers and technology supply chain using sophisticated stealth hardware implants, as Bloomberg had recently reported. This tightening of rules, therefore, has China worried. Even as it has tried to match the US in retaliatory measures, the resultant trade war has weakened its economy and slowed its growth. Chinas one-party autocracy depends on economic growth for political legitimacy. When that slows, the Communist Party of Chinas grip on power may loosen. Its economy is showing signs of strain, raising doubts over the sustainability of its meteoric rise. Chinas stock market has taken a beating despite quantitative easing by its central bank, the renminbi is wobbling, and its foreign exchange reserves have dropped sharply in September, by $22.7bn to $3.1tn, more than the market had expected, according to a report in Financial Times. Recent indicators reflect a slowdown in key sectors such as retail, aviation, software, real estate and construction. Manufacturing index has slumped to its weakest since February. While some of the pain could be attributed to the flight of capital from emerging markets due to a booming US economy and a strong dollar, there is no doubt that the trade war has affected China more than the US. As a report in Forbes points out, Chinese GDP slowed to 6.7 percent in the second quarter compared with the first quarter and some economists believe it could go as low as 5 percent once the full effects kick in. Part of the reason why China is losing the trade war is obvious. As the trading partner that enjoys surplus with most nations including the US, a disruption of the global economic system and rise in protectionist measures will affect it more. This is also the chief reason why China is interested in maintaining the status quo. Chinas entry into the WTO-led world trading system was accompanied by an expectation that market forces will lead to an opening up of its market and society as the country becomes entrenched in the global financial system. China has not only belied that expectation, but it has also profited from the stability and manipulated the system to its advantage, using the strength and size of its domestic market as leverage to gain an unfair advantage over competitors. China has simultaneously exploited and underscored the vulnerability in the capitalist system where market forces can bend and distort the rules-based order. As Fareed Zakaria points out in Washington Post, China has managed to block or curb the worlds most advanced and successful technology companies, from Google to Facebook to Amazon. Foreign banks often have to operate with local partners who add zero value essentially a tax on foreign companies. Foreign manufacturers are forced to share their technology with local partners who then systematically reverse engineer some of the same products and compete against their partners. Now that Trump is upending the stability of this system, Chinas vulnerability is exposed. It has been hampered even more by the fact that its economy, powered chiefly by state-owned juggernauts, are nowhere as efficient as the US economy. As Minxin Pei writes in Project Syndicate, The main reason for this is the enduring clout of Chinas state-owned enterprises (SOEs), which consume half of the countrys total bank credit, but contribute only 20% of value-added and employment. According to Pei, the SOEs serve as conduits of power and play a vital role in sustaining CPCs hold over polity, therefore, dismantling these bloated and inefficient firms would thus amount to political suicide. It is evident that China is in a spot, and for all its economic progress and military power, it has no allies to turn to in times of need. It's wooing of India should be seen from this perspective, and New Delhi should be under no illusion that the Middle Kingdoms kinship is borne out of a genuine goodwill towards India. Counselor Ji Rong, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India, was correct in his assessment on Wednesday that as the two largest developing countries and major emerging markets, China and India are both in the vital stage of deepening reform and developing economy, and both need stable external environment. But it doesnt follow that India would benefit by heightening its trading activities with China, especially as the bilateral trade deficit shows no signs of abating. As an editorial in the Times of India points out, China has denied market access to India even as China gets disproportionate access to Indian markets. For example, even as India plays a major role in the global pharmaceutical market, only 1% of Indias exports go to China. At the WTO this year, India had warned China that its $63 billion trade deficit with the country was unsustainable and mere lip-service to bridge the gap was not enough. Indias farm exports continue to face Chinese regulatory hurdles and in the area of pharmaceuticals, Indian generic producers are unable to access the Chinese market due to complex and onerous regulatory requirements, according to a report in the Hindu Business Line. It is ironical to hear Chinese diplomat Ji say that facing unilateralism and bullying activities, China and India have more reasons to join efforts to build a more just and reasonable international order when one considers the way China has undermined the global trading system and now wants to lock down the anomaly. Finally, it makes little strategic sense for India to align with China when it carries out actions inimical to Indian interests from supporting Pakistans terror policy, undermining Indian sovereignty in Kashmir and putting a spanner in Indias efforts to gain membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group or listing of Masood Azhar in the UNSC 1267 Committee. It would make sense for India to respond cautiously to Chinas outreach. The Middle Kingdom can be nobodys friend or ally. A major problem is that with the rape of girls below 12 punishable by the death penalty under the ordinance, there are now high chances that the accused will murder the child after the rape. World Day Against the Death Penalty was observed across the globe on Wednesday, 10 October. Despite pressure from the international community, India still maintains its stand on handing out death sentences in certain cases. After the horrific Kathua rape case, to appease building pressure from all across the country, the Narendra Modi government passed an ordinance as per which anyone raping children under 12 years of age can be sentenced to death. However, the ordinance is just a populist order that seeks to trick people into thinking that the government is taking action, when in reality, the institutional framework that allows such crimes while preventing their reporting is left untouched. What is problematic at the outset is that minors have been categorised under two heads under 12 and over 12. This brings to the fore the bias that the police, judges and the media have against adolescent girls who they suspect file false cases. In fact, research shows that the conviction rate for rapists decreases as the age of the victim increases. Adolescent girls above the age of 12 are considered to be liars who engage in consensual sex and make false accusations. The physical violence, mental trauma and social stigma that such girls face is, therefore, vilified. Another fact that the ordinance has conveniently ignored is that research shows that in most rape cases (nearly 95 percent) filed under Section 375 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 4 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, the accused is known to the girl or woman. In these cases, the accused is the father, brother, grandfather, relative, or neighbour. Only in a few cases is the accused a stranger. In such a state of affairs, the victim or survivor already faces immense social pressure to not file cases. Even in cases that are filed and the girl has already gone on record to report the crime, social pressure forces them to withdraw the cases and save their extended family. Now, with the added pressure of death penalty looming over their heads, victims will be further deterred from reporting the offence. The Law Commission of India already opined in a 2015 report that death penalty is not a deterring factor to a crime, has failed to reach its objective and therefore, should be abolished. Moreover, research carried out by Amnesty International shows that nearly 88 percent of criminologists believe that capital punishment is not a deterrent to any crime. What the ordinance doesnt address is the horrendous ground-level state of affairs. Right from reporting the crime to intrusive and uncalled for questions at the trial and low conviction rates, women face one hurdle after another. The police is very hesitant to file FIRs where the accused is a family member. The woman is harassed further and asked to reconsider before filing an FIR because it will put her family member in jail. In cases where an FIR is registered, the stakeholders involved in further steps, be it the investigators or prosecutors, are inefficient, and their actions are patriarchal. Another practical problem is that with the rape of girls below 12 punishable by death under the ordinance, there are now high chances that the child will be murdered after being raped. The accused is likely to kill the victim to get rid of the only eyewitness to the horrendous crime. If the government still doesnt find it wise to do away with death penalty, then it should justify how, even after the ordinance was passed, a 7-year-old girl was raped by 21-year-old man in Delhis Shahdara, or how a 14-month-old toddler was raped in Gujarat. The way to change any society is not by thrusting such a punishment on them. Instead, reforms must be brought in. It must be remembered that the reforms should begin with sensitising the children, parents and the police, providing better legal aid and most importantly, creating awareness. The lack of faith in the judicial system, the insurmountable family and societal pressure and the inefficient investigation procedure are the areas that need to be tackled first before even thinking about increasing punishment. Generations produced by these protesting women would also imbibe these rigid values, says Thiruvananthapuram student Abhirami. Abhirami, a student in Thiruvananthapuram had participated in a television discussion on the subject Shabarimala Women Entry on 30 September. She openly said that she had entered temples during menstruation and that was in protest to the prohibition of women entering temples during menstruation. She said she is a believer too. This lead to public outrage, to threats, to call for attacks on this young woman. With hate videos, cyber lynching and body shaming Hindutva elements in Kerala lashed out violently at Abhirami. But she dealt with it calmly. Abhirami talks about the taboos that should be abolished and on men and women in recent protests against the Supreme Court judgment allowing women of all ages to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine. Edited excerpts: You faced cyber attacks and you were bullied online for openly saying that you had entered temples during menstruation. Can you tell more about the attacks? The attacks subsided. It has changed. The atmosphere in social media started changing. I think peoples attitude started changing. I didnt attend phone calls from unknown numbers. While I was travelling from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur a few people asked me offensive questions. But a lot of people supported me. I never thought such support would come to me. You stand firmly by your faith. Can you tell me what do you think on this verdict allowing young womens entry to Shabarimala important? There are a lot of government schemes and policies for the upliftment of women. Despite that women are treated as second-class citizens. A lot of our rights are denied. There is a conception that these laws and empowering schemes would uplift women. But we can see these laws and schemes are getting applied in society very slowly. The first thing to change is the centuries-old taboos which stay unchallenged. The way people think about women, the way people follow these taboos should change. While their attitudes are changed their behaviour too will get changed. Women have the power to develop themselves. The only thing that should be changed is our society. The government schemes and laws are useful but with an unchanging social psyche, they cant make great changes. There are a lot of misconceptions about the female body, female intellect etc. They think women cant do this, women cant do that. There are a lot of prejudices about women ingrained in their brains. These prejudices should end. These prejudices survive on religion and faith. We can't separate these two. They should understand menstruation is not something wrong. They should understand menstruation is not impure. They should understand there is nothing wrong in entering temples during menstruation. By continuously talking about this we can change the way men think. Women themselves should realise that we are mighty and we should be treated as equal. A lot of people are asking, is menstruation a big question? Women are facing much bigger threats than that. Women are getting raped every day. I think if the above-said prejudices change things will change. Women must be confident about themselves. And these ingrained prejudices in male brains should also end. During the flood, men bought and distributed sanitary napkins. There was an impression that this taboo about menstruation is getting challenged. But when it comes to faith, the same men turn hostile to women. What do you think about that? I think these two are different situations. During the flood, men had no option other than to talk about menstruation and sanitary napkins. It shows that even after the flood, their misconceptions about the female body and menstruation are unchanged. They could react on menstruation because they had no option other than collecting and distributing pads. I think here, in the context of Sabarimala their faith is prior. Happy to bleed campaign was harshly attacked here. They cant accept the campaign. When the verdict came the same hate campaign continued. The seclusion women faced within their families during menstruation are almost at the end. What are your thoughts about the petition on Sabarimala itself? Whoever filed the petition, whatsoever is their intention behind it, this verdict by its essence is highly positive. This judgment prioritise human rights and it reaffirms constitutional values. People should change. Politicians would always engage in games which benefit them. But people should start thinking rationally. So you are all ready to go to Sabarimala? I am interested to go. How do you foresee the situation there? There is a public outrage regarding the judgment. When young women go there to enter Sabarimala, the situation can get worse. There are chances that men can turn violent. But I am not scared about such situations. Our Constitution and the police should safeguard us. They are highly responsible. They must take care of young women who are planning to visit Sabarimala. It is a Supreme Court judgment. I think no other power can question the state mechanisms in this case. I think within a year things would change. These women who are protesting right now would go to Sabarimala with their children. I hope young women who want to enter Sabarimala would be able to return safely. What do you say about these women protesting out in the streets to Save Ayyappa from young women? Those women are living their lives in utter slavery. They cant even think of their rights. They are in a pathetic state. We say we are literate, we are enlightened, our history of renaissance is rich. I didnt expect these many women would come out in protest to the judgment. I feel bad about how deeply the patriarchal values are injected into women. We say a woman is made. Not grown. These protesting women are a perfect example for that. Women empowerment is something beyond economic independence and education. Women in Kollam, Pathanamthitta districts are much more educated and economically independent. I think women empowerment is beyond these standards. Generations produced by these women would also imbibe these rigid values. So if we didnt do anything to check this, things will be in danger. Otherwise, there is just a cycle of birth, in which women will repeat the lives of their mothers. We need different reading, debates, discussions to shape new thoughts in coming generations. They shouldnt be orthodox as their parents. Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor was caught in a controversy after a video went viral in which he was purportedly seen speaking against migrant workers. Ahmedabad: Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor, who is facing heat over the violence against hindi-speaking migrants in Gujarat, began his day-long fast on Thursday to promote "peace and harmony" among people. While admitting that "someone may have said something" against migrants, he claimed that the real culprits were those who politicised the entire issue. Since the rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on 28 September and the arrest of a labourer hailing from Bihar for the crime, six districts in Gujarat saw sporadic incidents of violence against hindi-speaking people. The attacks led to exodus of over 60,000 migrants, mostly from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. In his address at the 'Sadbhavna Upvas' (fast for goodwill) venue near his residence in Ranip area, Thakor asserted he never indulged in spreading hatred. "I am not at all into spreading hatred. I am not that kind of person. We (Thakor community) are pure at heart. It is possible that someone may have said something (against migrants), but we do not harbour any grudge against anyone. We never indulge in violence," the Congress MLA said. Thakor, who heads a community outfit named 'Gujarat Kshatriya Thakor Sena', said some people were indulging in politics over the issue. "We all need to make sure that Gujarat's image does not get tarnished. No one is migrant... the word itself is wrong. I think some people are politicising the issue. This is an attempt to break the country. Dividing people in the name of states is something I or my people will never do," he said. Earlier, following the rape of the 14-month-old girl, Thakor had publicly blamed a "non-Gujarati" for the crime. Referring to the incident, the MLA from Radhanpur constituency on Thursday claimed that he and his people were branded "anti-nationals" for demanding justice for the girl. "I will never allow this poison of division to spread among people in Gujarat... I think such incidents are part of a conspiracy to malign Gujarat's image. This is a conspiracy to create enmity among poor people," he said. "We only demanded justice for the 14-month old girl. But, we were labelled as anti-nationals. We are not like that. We may have committed some mistakes, but we are not those who harass poor people. Ultimately, we all are Indians. Stop maligning our image," Thokar said. Although police have arrested several members of the Thakor Sena in connection with the attacks on hindi-speaking people and also named the outfit in some of the FIRs, the Congress legislator claimed that police were harassing "innocent" youths from his community. "It is the state government's responsibility to arrest people if they are involved. But, at least do not politicise the issue. We are not culprits. Many innocent Thakor youths are wrongfully arrested," he alleged. Before starting his fast Thakor visited the Sabarmati Ashram and paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. Thakor told reporters that he will visit other states to spread the message of peace and harmony and urged the members of his community to invite migrants at their homes or visit them to build an atmosphere of trust. Congress MLA was caught in a controversy after a video went viral in which he was purportedly seen speaking against migrant workers. Authorities said on Wednesday that the number of hindi-speaking migrant workers leaving Gujarat has come down after they were reassured about their safety in the state. Police and district officials held meetings with migrant workers and factory owners at several places and told them that they need not worry about their safety. The NESO advisor warned that after the NRC updation process began in Assam, some illegal migrants shifted their base to other states of the North East. The North East Students Organisation (NESO), enthused by some Bharatiya Janata Party leaders' promises to update the National Register of Citizens across the country if the party is voted to power in 2019, has demanded that the exercise be extended to other states of the North East with immediate effect. A delegation of NESO, led by its advisor Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya, on Wednesday met Union home minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju to raise the demand. At a press conference on Thursday, Bhattacharya said, "Our demand is quite clear. The North East region should belong to Indians, and not illegal migrants from Bangladesh. In order to detect illegal migrants, delete their names from the voters' list and deport them from India to Bangladesh, the NRC is the first step. Bhattacharya warned that after the NRC updation process began in Assam, some illegal migrants shifted their base to other states of the North East. Though he did not share any data on the number of suspected illegal migrants who have entered other states of the region, he said that they pose a grave threat to the unique identity of the other states as well. In the meeting with the Union home minister, we have demanded a comprehensive policy to protect the identity of the indigenous tribes and ethnic groups of the region, he added. Although the demand to update the NRC in Assam is 40 years old, the issue of detection of illegal migrants hardly ever found space in national politics. In fact, from 1979 to 1985, 855 young agitators who demanded the detection of illegal immigrants were killed in Assam. Opposition parties, including the Congress, have vehemently opposed the NRC updation process in Assam, which began in 2015 after a Supreme Court order. In the exercise, 4 million people were left out of the final draft. The BJP, on its part, has contended that illegal immigrants are a threat to national security and some party leaders have said that the party would update the NRC across the nation if voted back to power in 2019. On Wednesday, BJP chief Amit Shah, addressing a convention of party workers in Rajasthan, said that BJP governments will "drive each and every infiltrator out of the country" after winning elections in 2018 and 2019. Although the demand for updating the NRC is gaining momentum in the region, there is a counter view which holds that the process will leave out many genuine citizens. Conducting this process in Meghalaya would be an exercise in futility, because many people would not have the requisite documents. Tribal communities are very bad at maintaining any records, said Patricia Mukhim in an interview with The Quint. Mukhim, however, said that if the NRC is to be updated, it should be done throughout the country. On the problem of tribal communities not having proper records, Sinam Prakash Singh, secretary general of the NESO, said, "This could be a problem. That is why we say that it is not necessary that other states should follow the same modalities as Assam. Bhattacharya said that there is no chance of members of local tribes being left out of the NRC. We all know the indigenous tribes and ethnic groups in the northeastern region, as well as their surnames. So, they can be directly identified and included in the NRC, he said. While the NESO agrees with the Centre on the issue of updating the NRC, it has vehemently opposed the Centres move to pass the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016. The Bill seeks to grant citizenship to illegal migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis or Christians. However, it doesnt have a provision for Muslim sects like Shias and Ahmediyas, who also face persecution in Pakistan. Bhattacharya said, "Religion cannot be the basis of citizenship in India, as per constitutional norms. There has been a long-standing demand to free the North East from illegal Bangladeshi migrants. But there has been an equally powerful conspiracy to favour the illegal migrants. We can see the same design in the Citizenship Amendment Bill. So, we apprised the home minister of the situation. The NESO advisor also demanded that the government of India should enter into a treaty with the Bangladesh government to deport illegal Bangladeshis from India. He also said that the government should provide indigenous people of the region exclusive rights over their land and natural resources. Speaking to reporters after submitting his resignation to Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, the N Mahesh said he quit to focus more on his assembly constituency Kollegal. Bengaluru: The lone Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Minister N Mahesh in the JD(S)-Congress government in Karnataka on Thursday quit his position citing personal reasons, but said he would continue to support the ruling coalition. Speaking to reporters after submitting his resignation to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, the minister for primary and secondary education said he quit to focus more on his assembly constituency Kollegal and to strengthen his party ahead of Lok Sabha elections. "There had been a campaign against me in my constituency that I have campaigned in Bengaluru and was not focusing on Kollegal. Also, there was a need to strengthen the party base ahead of the Lok Sabha elections," said Mahesh. Mahesh vowed to continue his support to the coalition government and said he would campaign for the Janata Dal (Secular) JD(S) during the by-polls for three Lok Sabha and two assembly seats on 3 November. "I do not have any grudge against anybody in the government. As a minister I did my best and toured across the state. This resignation is purely due to personal reasons," Mahesh said. Addressing the media after an LDF meeting, LDF convenor A Vijayaraghavan claimed that there was a secret pact between the Congress and the BJP-RSS. Thiruvananthapuram: The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) on Thursday accused the Congress, the BJP and the RSS of using the Supreme Court ruling allowing women in the 10-50 age group to enter the Sabarimala temple to try to topple the Kerala government. Addressing the media after a high-level LDF meeting, LDF convenor A Vijayaraghavan claimed that there was a secret pact between the Congress and the BJP/RSS. "The attempt to overthrow the Pinarayi Vijayan government by raising emotions over the Sabarimala verdict is meant to disturb peace in the state," said Vijayaraghavan. He added that the state government was duty bound to implement the apex court directive and it was doing just that. The LDF, led by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM), also decided to launch counter political rallies across the state. The first one would be held at Pathanamthitta, the district where the Sabarimala temple is located, on 16 October. It would be addressed by Vijayan. On 24 October, a rally would be held at Kollam. The LDF will soon decide the dates of rallies in other districts this month. Meanwhile, the BJP is leading a long march' to the state capital from Alappuzha which will reach Thiruvananthapuram on 15 October. "The state government, if it requests the Centre to bring an ordinance against the verdict, I am sure it will be done," state BJP President PS Sreedharan Pillai told the media. In the state capital, BJP youth wing members clashed with the police after they were prevented from entering the official residence of Devasom Minister K Surendran. Speaking to the media, Surendran said the BJP had hijacked the protests and was now giving political colour to the Sabarimala verdict. "The BJP is trying to recreate what they did during the controversial rath yatra'" of 1989, he said. Various Hindu organisations also launched a long march' to the state capital from Pandalam and will reach Thiruvananthapuram on 14 October to protest against the state government for not filing a review petition against the apex court verdict. On Monday, Vijayan declared that the Kerala government won't file a review petition against the Supreme Court ruling that women in the age group of 10-50 can also enter the hill top Sabarimala temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The Congress on Thursday accused the Centre and the erstwhile BJP-PDP government in Jammu and Kashmir of 'spoiling' the atmosphere in the state and held them responsible for the current situation there, where people are 'afraid' to cast their vote. New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday accused the Centre and the erstwhile BJP-PDP government in Jammu and Kashmir of "spoiling" the atmosphere in the state and held them responsible for the current situation there, where people are "afraid" to cast their vote. The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, who hails from the state, said this was not the first time that voter turnout in municipal polls in the Kashmir Valley has been low compared to that in the Jammu region. Senior party leader Ambika Soni alleged that the state and central governments are squarely responsible for the current situation and for bringing the state to a level where the "fear of bullet forced people not to cast their vote". The two leaders claimed the previous Congress-National Conference government in Jammu and Kashmir had helped normalise the situation and people had been coming out in large numbers to exercise their franchise. But the erstwhile BJP-PDP government and the Centre has brought the situation to that prevailing in the early 1990s, they alleged. "The Central government spoiled the entire atmosphere in the Kashmir Valley and took us back to the early nineties. "So I squarely hold the Centre responsible for this, for creating a situation where people are afraid to go to the polling stations," Azad told reporters after former PDP MLC Vikramaditya Singh, the son of ex-Union minister Karan Singh, joined the Congress. The second phase of the municipal polls in the state on Wednesday, saw 78.6 percent of over 1.28 lakh voters exercising their franchise in Jammu, while in Kashmir region 3.4 percent of 2.20 lakh electorate cast their votes. The low voter turnout in Kashmir was in line with a meagre 8.3 per cent turnout in the Valley during the first phase of the election. Azad said this was not the first time that there was a huge gap between Kashmir and Jammu regions in terms of voter turnout. "This is not first time since we had militancy, which has been for almost three decades. In between, of course, things had improved when we were in power. After the BJP and the PDP formed a coalition government, things went from bad to worse. "So, for this we shouldn't be held responsible, the Centre and the BJP should be held responsible for worsening the condition of Jammu and Kashmir," he said. On being asked about holding simultaneous polls for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and the Lok Sabha, Soni, who is AICC general secretary in-charge of party affairs in the state, said the Congress has fought elections despite tough situations. "We congratulate all the candidates, but that doesn't change the scenario there... With what face or how are they (BJP) going to convince the people that the law and order situation is in full control. We will assess it after this election," she said. After joining the party, Vikramaditya Singh said he was disillusioned with the PDP as it "failed" to fulfil its promises and "betrayed" the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Vikramaditya Singh had joined the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party (JKPDP) at the instance of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and was nominated as a member of the state Legislative Council in 2015. He resigned in October, 2017, both as an MLC and from the party, following differences with the coalition government headed by then chief minister Mehbooba Mufti. Azad said Karan Singh had joined Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinet heralding a young generation entering politics and now his son, Vikramaditya Singh, has joined the Congress heralding the entry of the new generation. "Vikramaditya Singh brings with him a rich political legacy and we hope that he will help weaken the BJP and strengthen the Congress in the Jammu region and in the state of Jammu and Kashmir," he said. The PDP-BJP combine had formed government in the state with promises of reducing distances between people of the Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir regions and ushering in development in the state, but just the opposite has happened, Azad alleged. "Distances between people of the three regions of the state have risen, unemployment and terrorism have also spiked, while development and tourism went down," the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said. Vikramaditya Singh said he quit the PDP as "it betrayed the people of Jammu and Kashmir by not fulfilling the promises made to the people, including safety and facilities like making bunkers for them and farmers living along the Indo-Pak border". Vikramaditya Singh said he was happy that he was in the Congress to which his father belonged and remained a member for over 50 years. Besides Soni and Azad, Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Ghulam Ahmed Mir was also present at the joining event of Singh. Earlier, Vikramaditya Singh met Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and formally joined the party his presence. A day after Congress party claimed that it's president Rahul Gandhi will meet the employees of Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL), which it claims was sidelined in the controversial Rafale deal, the state-run company has said it had no information about the plan. As the Congress sharpened its attack on the Narendra Modi government over the alleged Rafale deal "scam", one of its planned exercises to corner the Centre seems to have fizzled out. A day after the Congress claimed that party president Rahul Gandhi will meet employees of Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL), which it claims was sidelined in the controversial Rafale deal, the state-run company has said it had no information about the plan. "There is no communication on Rahul Gandhi's meeting with the HAL employees in Bengaluru," Gopal Sutar, chief of media communications at HAL, told reporters on Thursday. The party had claimed that Rahul was slated to meet HAL employees in Bengaluru on 13 October. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president Dinesh Gundu Rao had said Rahul will speak to employees of HAL about the controversial deal and also address a rally in Bengaluru. However, later on Thursday, Rao tried to clarify that Rahul will not be meeting HAL staff exclusively. Rao told ANI that the Congress chief will be attending an event in Bengaluru, which has been organised to discuss HAL's contribution to India. "It is not that Rahul Gandhi is coming to meet HAL employees. It is about HAL's contribution to India and on this topic there is going to be a discussion. In this program anyone can participate, ex-HAL employees, HAL employees, people interested in HAL developments or who have faith and pride in the company, can participate," he was quoted as saying by ANI. Rao's statement comes even as India Today reported that his meeting with HAL employees had been cancelled. The Congress, which has been accusing the government of "benefiting the Reliance Defence Ltd of Anil Ambani" from the deal, has also been demanding answers to why the state-run aerospace major was not involved in the deal as finalised during the UPA's tenure at the Centre. "HAL was given the Rafale contract to generate jobs. HAL had 70 years of experience, Anil Ambani had 10 days," Rahul had said. The party had been accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of snatching jobs of the people of Karnataka by taking away the contract from HAL. Rahul had been saying that had HAL been selected in place of Reliance Defence it could have generated employment to scores of unemployed youth in the state. The BJP has dismissed all allegations as false. Modi had announced the procurement of 36 Rafale fighters after holding talks with then French president Francois Hollande on 10 April, 2015, in Paris. With inputs from PTI Hours after the Income Tax department raided premises linked to his minister Kailash Gahlot, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday sought an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for 'constantly troubling' the AAP government. New Delhi: Hours after the Income Tax department raided premises linked to his minister Kailash Gahlot, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday sought an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "constantly troubling" the AAP government. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party accused the Modi government of trying to "intimidate" the AAP dispensation by getting its leaders and ministers raided by central agencies. The party also termed the raid as "political vendetta". The Income Tax department (ITD) on Wednesday conducted searches on multiple premises linked to Gahlot, the Delhi transport minister, in connection with an alleged tax evasion case, officials said. "Friendship with Nirav Modi and Mallya, and raids on us? Modiji you conducted raids on me, Satyendar and Manish what happened to those (raids). Nothing was found. "So before you go with another raid at least apologise to Delhi people for troubling their elected government," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi. The Najafgarh MLA holds charge of several departments in the Kejriwal government. They include Law and Administrative Reforms department that are handling the matter of disqualification of 20 AAP legislators for holding posts of parliamentary secretary, and the doorstep delivery of services scheme, respectively. "It's clear why Kailash Gahlot is facing Income Tax raids. Modi and (Amit) Shah want illegal and unconstitutional disqualification of 20 MLAs whose legal battle was being led by Gahlot. "He also oversaw the successful implementation of doorstep delivery scheme despite efforts to derail it by the BJP," said AAP leader Atishi. AAP supports investigation of allegations, but why single out only party's leaders and ministers, she questioned. "No matter which agency Modi and Shah send after us, we will not be intimidated and continue to serve people in Delhi," she said in a press briefing. Another AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj said the central agencies including the CBI, the ED and the ITD should disclose if it found anything related to "corruption" during their raids on AAP leaders and ministers. "Many such raids happened in the past but nothing substantial came out and nor any charge sheet was filed," he said. The searches were conducted as part of a tax evasion probe against two construction firms linked to the minister and others, the officials said. As per the poll alliance agreement, the BSP will contest 35 seats, while the Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) will fight 55 seats for the 90-member Assembly. Raipur: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) which has forged an alliance with the Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) for November's Chhattisgarh Assembly elections, will launch its election campaign on 13 October. BSP chief and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati will address a mega rally in Bilaspur town on Saturday, BSP's Chhattisgarh unit president OP Bajpayee said Thursday. JCCJ chief Ajit Jogi will also be present during the rally, he added. As per the poll alliance agreement, the BSP will contest 35 seats, while the JCCJ will fight 55 seats for the 90-member Assembly. Ajit Jogi has been made the chief ministerial candidate of the coalition. "After her (Mayawati's) visit, names of the candidates, who will contest the 35 seats as per the poll alliance with JCCJ, will be finalised," Bajpayee said. As per the poll schedule, 18 naxal-affected constituencies in the state will go to polls in the first phase on 12 November, while polling for the rest of the 72 constituencies will be held on 20 November. The counting of votes will be held on 11 December. Nirmala Sitharaman in an interview with CNN News18 spoke on the #MeToo movement saying that she 'supports the courage with which the women are speaking out'. Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman in an interview with CNN News18 on Wednesday spoke on the #MeToo movement, saying that she "supports the courage with which the women are speaking out". Sitharaman said When asked for her views on the allegations against Union minister of state MJ Akbar, Sitharaman declined to comment. However, she said, "I do support the courage with which many of these women are speaking out because......for women who have gone through this, it must have been a terrible lifetime hard memory (sic) and speaking out requires courage...I support them for it." Akbar, a former journalist and the MoS for external affairs, has been accused of sexual misconduct by at least ten women so far and is yet to respond to the allegations. He is presently on a visit to Nigeria. BJP minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi also commented on the issue and said that, "It is not easy for women to come out with their stories of sexual abuse....everybody knows how there has been a culture of harassment of women at workplaces. Cases should be heard and a proper investigation should be held in all such cases to bring out the truth." Meanwhile, the Congress on Wednesday demanded that Akbar should either come out with a satisfactory explanation or resign from his post in the government. Sambit Patra challenged Rahul Gandhi to produce a statement where Francois Hollande has claimed that the Prime Minister of India is corrupt. Soon after Rahul Gandhi demanded an investigation against Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding his role in the Rafale deal and called him a "corrupt man", the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Congress president of "lying" and said that the entire Gandhi family is "corrupt." Addressing a press conference, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra asked Rahul the reason for not approaching the Supreme Court if he claims to have all documents to prove corruption. Referring to Rahul's statement that even former French president has said that the Prime Minister of India is corrupt, Patra challenged the Congress chief to produce a statement where Francois Hollande has claimed thus. Patra accused the Congress leader of "lying through his teeth shamelessly" in wrongly quoting the former French president. #BREAKING | I challenge, @RahulGandhi to present a statement by the French President. Playing such mockery with National security is not acceptable: @sambitswaraj | #RafalePolitics pic.twitter.com/NTd4nGcxf7 News18 (@CNNnews18) October 11, 2018 Quoting Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa as saying that the Rafale deal would be a "game-changer", Patra said that Rahul is saying the exact opposite. He asked to country to decide if they want to believe in Rahul or Dhanoa, while accusing the Congress chief of playing with national security. #RafalePolitics | Is the Air Chief Marshall right or @RahulGandhi? Is the Supreme Court right or Rahul Gandhi? Today also he alleged that the former French president called Indias prime minister corrupt, says @sambitswaraj. pic.twitter.com/BNmpT17z3M News18 (@CNNnews18) October 11, 2018 He further said that Rahul stated in the Parliament that there is no secrecy clause between the countries however, the French government issued a statement moments later refuting his claims. During the debate on the no-confidence motion, Rahul had said that French president Emmanuel Macron had clearly conveyed to him that there was no problem in sharing details relating to the Rafale deal. However, in an official statement, France said, "France and India concluded in 2008 a security agreement, which legally binds the two States to protect the classified information provided by the partner, that could impact security and operational capabilities of the defence equipment of India or France." The BJP leader further said the Supreme Court has also dismissed a PIL (public interest litigation) that had questioned the aircraft's price and sought the deal cancelled. The Congress-led UPA government had jeopardised the country's defence as the squadron strength of the Air Force fell to 31 from 44, he alleged. Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law Robert Vadra did not get his share in the Rafale deal and therefore the UPA government cancelled it, he claimed. Rahul had on Thursday said Rafale deal is 'clear-cut' case of corruption while reiterating his earlier statement about Reliance Defence being deliberately chosen by the government as the Offset partner for the deal. Dassault Aviation, the company manufacturing the aircraft had issued a statement clarifying on the pact with the Indian government, reiterating that it "freely chose to partner with Reliance Group". Modi came to power on the promise of fighting corruption, the Congress leader said, adding that he wanted to tell the youth of the country that the prime minister was involved in corruption. With inputs from agencies Addressing a BJP rally at Karimnagar, Amit Shah had hit out at caretaker chief minister KCR, saying it has thrust additional election expenditure of hundreds of crores of rupees on people of the state, which in the normal course should have gone to the polls, along with that of Lok Sabha during April-May next year. Hyderabad: The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) on Thursday hit back at BJP president Amit Shah for questioning its supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao's move to go in for early elections in the state, saying he has done exactly what the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi chose to do in 2002. Addressing a BJP rally at Karimnagar, some 160 km from Hyderabad on Wednesday, Shah had hit out at caretaker chief minister Rao, saying it has thrust additional election expenditure of hundreds of crores of rupees on people of the state, which in the normal course should have gone to the polls, along with that of Lok Sabha during April-May next year. Shah also claimed KCR's move stemmed from the fact that he is "scared" of Modi, suggesting that the Modi factor would have influenced the state polls, had it been held simultaneously with Lok Sabha. The Telangana assembly elections will be held on 7 December. The assembly was dissolved on 6 September on the recommendation of Rao, cutting short the term of the House by nearly nine months. Speaking to PTI, Karimnagar Lok Sabha member B Vinod Kumar sought to counter Shah. Kumar, also deputy floor leader of the TRS in the Lok Sabha, said at some point or the other, leaders, including Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, NT Rama Rao and N Chandrababu Naidu, have opted for early elections. "All political parties have gone in for early elections some time or other. Even Modi also. Why did Modi go for early elections in 2002? Modi should answer first. Just like KCR did, he also went for elections in 2002 eight months before the schedule. Why Modi went (for early elections)? That's the reply for KCR also," he said. Kumar also responded to Shah's charge that KCR promised to make a Dalit the chief minister before the 2014 elections but did not honour it; and also that his agenda now is to make his son (KT Rama Rao) or daughter (K Kavitha) chief minister. Rama Rao was a Cabinet minister in the dissolved assembly, while Kavitha is Lok Sabha member from Nizamabad. "Amit Shah should know that KCR did not make such a statement in the 2014 elections. He made such a statement during the course of our (Telangana statehood) agitation. At the time of the 2014 elections, we were very clear that KCR would be our chief minister. In 2014, we never said (that a Dalit would be made CM)," Vinod Kumar said. "Neither a Dalit, nor KTR (as Rama Rao is popularly known) nor Kavitha will be on the agenda because KCR will be elected chief minister once again," he claimed. Kumar described as "very unfortunate" Shah's charge that KCR and Congress president Rahul Gandhi are engaged in 'break-in-India', while Modi is in 'make-in-India' mode. "Supporting minorities and speaking for reservations for minorities... does it mean break in India?" he asked. On Shah's charge that the KCR government had failed to fulfill its election promises, Kumar said, "Not at all. We have fulfilled all our election promises made in 2014. We have done much more. We have also implemented what we have not promised in 2014. We have done more than what we have promised." Asked about the perception in some political circles that TRS and BJP have a tacit understanding, Kumar was emphatic in denying it. "Not at all. We are not going to have any political alliance, either with the BJP or Congress in future also," he asserted. Reuters Amazon's machine-learning specialists uncovered a big problem: their new recruiting engine did not like women. The team had been building computer programs since 2014 to review job applicants resumes with the aim of mechanizing the search for top talent, five people familiar with the effort told Reuters. Automation has been key to Amazons dominance, be it inside warehouses or driving pricing decisions. The companys experimental hiring tool used artificial intelligence to give job candidates scores ranging from one to five stars much like shoppers rate products on Amazon, some of the people said. Everyone wanted this holy grail, one of the people said. They literally wanted it to be an engine where Im going to give you 100 resumes, it will spit out the top five, and well hire those. But by 2015, the company realized its new system was not rating candidates for software developer jobs and other technical posts in a gender-neutral way. That is because Amazon's computer models were trained to vet applicants by observing patterns in resumes submitted to the company over a 10-year period. Most came from men, a reflection of male dominance across the tech industry. In effect, Amazons system taught itself that male candidates were preferable. It penalized resumes that included the word womens, as in womens chess club captain. And it downgraded graduates of two all-womens colleges, according to people familiar with the matter. They did not specify the names of the schools. Amazon edited the programs to make them neutral to these particular terms. But that was no guarantee that the machines would not devise other ways of sorting candidates that could prove discriminatory, the people said. The Seattle company ultimately disbanded the team by the start of last year because executives lost hope for the project, according to the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Amazons recruiters looked at the recommendations generated by the tool when searching for new hires, but never relied solely on those rankings, they said. Amazon declined to comment on the technologys challenges, but said the tool was never used by Amazon recruiters to evaluate candidates. The company did not elaborate further. It did not dispute that recruiters looked at the recommendations generated by the recruiting engine. The companys experiment, which Reuters is first to report, offers a case study in the limitations of machine learning. It also serves as a lesson to the growing list of large companies including Hilton Worldwide Holdings and Goldman Sachs that are looking to automate portions of the hiring process. Some 55 percent of U.S. human resources managers said artificial intelligence, or AI, would be a regular part of their work within the next five years, according to a 2017 survey by talent software firm CareerBuilder. Employers have long dreamed of harnessing technology to widen the hiring net and reduce reliance on subjective opinions of human recruiters. But computer scientists such as Nihar Shah, who teaches machine learning at Carnegie Mellon University, say there is still much work to do. How to ensure that the algorithm is fair, how to make sure the algorithm is really interpretable and explainable - thats still quite far off, he said. Masculine Language Amazons experiment began at a pivotal moment for the worlds largest online retailer. Machine learning was gaining traction in the technology world, thanks to a surge in low-cost computing power. And Amazons Human Resources department was about to embark on a hiring spree: Since June 2015, the companys global headcount has more than tripled to 575,700 workers, regulatory filings show. So it set up a team in Amazons Edinburgh engineering hub that grew to around a dozen people. Their goal was to develop AI that could rapidly crawl the web and spot candidates worth recruiting, the people familiar with the matter said. The group created 500 computer models focused on specific job functions and locations. They taught each to recognise some 50,000 terms that showed up on past candidates resumes. The algorithms learned to assign little significance to skills that were common across IT applicants, such as the ability to write various computer codes, the people said. Instead, the technology favoured candidates who described themselves using verbs more commonly found on male engineers resumes, such as executed and captured, one person said. Gender bias was not the only issue. Problems with the data that underpinned the models judgments meant that unqualified candidates were often recommended for all manner of jobs, the people said. With the technology returning results almost at random, Amazon shut down the project, they said. The Problem, or the cure? Other companies are forging ahead, underscoring the eagerness of employers to harness AI for hiring. Kevin Parker, chief executive of HireVue, a startup near Salt Lake City, said automation is helping firms look beyond the same recruiting networks upon which they have long relied. His firm analyses candidates speech and facial expressions in video interviews to reduce reliance on resumes. You werent going back to the same old places; you werent going back to just Ivy League schools, Parker said. His companys customers include Unilever PLC (ULVR.L) and Hilton. Goldman Sachs has created its own resume analysis tool that tries to match candidates with the division where they would be the best fit, the company said. Microsoft's LinkedIn, the worlds largest professional network, has gone further. It offers employers algorithmic rankings of candidates based on their fit for job postings on its site. Still, John Jersin, vice president of LinkedIn Talent Solutions, said the service is not a replacement for traditional recruiters. I certainly would not trust any AI system today to make a hiring decision on its own, he said. The technology is just not ready yet. Some activists say they are concerned about transparency in AI. The American Civil Liberties Union is currently challenging a law that allows criminal prosecution of researchers and journalists who test hiring websites algorithms for discrimination. We are increasingly focusing on algorithmic fairness as an issue, said Rachel Goodman, a staff attorney with the Racial Justice Program at the ACLU. Still, Goodman and other critics of AI acknowledged it could be exceedingly difficult to sue an employer over automated hiring: Job candidates might never know it was being used. As for Amazon, the company managed to salvage some of what it learned from its failed AI experiment. It now uses a much-watered down version of the recruiting engine to help with some rudimentary chores, including culling duplicate candidate profiles from databases, one of the people familiar with the project said. Another said a new team in Edinburgh has been formed to give automated employment screening another try, this time with a focus on diversity. Reuters The top Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee has asked Apple Inc, Amazon.com and Super Micro Computer Inc for staff briefings about a Bloomberg report that the Chinese government implanted malicious hardware into server motherboards provided by Super Micro. Senator John Thune said in letters to the chief executives made public on 9 October that he had sought staff briefings by 12 October from the three companies. Allegations that the US hardware supply chain has been purposely tampered with by a foreign power must be taken seriously, Thune wrote. The companies did not immediately comment on Tuesday on Thunes letter. All have denied the report, published by Bloomberg Businessweek on 11 October. Separately, Republican Senator Marco Rubio and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal wrote to Super Micros chief executive, Charles Liang, and asked him to provide by 17 October information including when the company first became aware of the report and whether and how it investigated. If this news report is accurate, the potential infiltration of Chinese backdoors could provide a foothold for adversaries and competitors to engage in commercial espionage and launch destructive cyber attacks, the senators said in their letter, which was seen by Reuters. Apples top security officer, George Stathakopoulos, told Thune and other members of Congress in a letter on 7 October that the company had found no sign of suspicious transmissions or other evidence that it had been penetrated in a sophisticated attack on its supply chain. Stathakopoulos said he would be available for briefings this week. tech2 News Staff A new Nokia phone is set to enter the Indian market today. There has been no mention of which phone is going to come under the spotlight, but there have been speculations of the Nokia 3.1 Plus to be unveiled. The Nokia 3.1 set foot on Indian soil in July with Android Go and 5.2-inch display for the price of Rs 10,499. Nokia also launched the Nokia 7.1 smartphone at an event in London a few days ago also it is expected to release the Nokia 7.1 Plus known as Nokia X7 soon. This has raised questions on whether the company is set to launch the Nokia 7.1 Plus. Well, the name's still a mystery, but you can catch the live streaming of the event on Nokia's official Facebook page. Also, the event is held in New Delhi and is to start at 12 PM. According to the teaser video posted by MySmartPrice, a smartphone with a 'Mega Display' is to arrive in a few hours. The teasers by the company with the hashtag 'Mega Life' flaunts the phone's display size,battery and camera by stating to phone to have a 'Mega' display, to have the ability to "play more and pause no more", to come with the 'power to keep you (the device) charged from dusk to dawn and to 'focus on all moments- Big and small'. Revealing the full picture soon. Stay tuned for the #MegaLife #GoBigGetBetter pic.twitter.com/kcYR9uymxi Nokia Mobile India (@NokiamobileIN) October 9, 2018 We're all charged up for the #MegaLife, how about you? Stay tuned to #GoBigGetBetter pic.twitter.com/WLKlQVpQx0 Nokia Mobile India (@NokiamobileIN) October 9, 2018 Focus on what you love, and blur out everything else. Catch the #MegaLife going live at https://t.co/nTX1lTQS87 ! #GoBigGetBetter pic.twitter.com/DsfY83N5gY Nokia Mobile India (@NokiamobileIN) October 10, 2018 Also, Juho Sarvikas, Chief Product Officer, HMD Global shares a tweet about the upcoming launch event of the mysterious phone. Something BIG is coming your way! Tune in tomorrow as we unveil our next smartphone with our fans in New Delhi https://t.co/mu5mYGuXO7 #Nokiamobile pic.twitter.com/bBlk7WC8y8 Juho Sarvikas (@sarvikas) October 10, 2018 According to a report by PhoneArena, the Nokia 3.1 Plus is set to arrive which doesn't include a notch. The company is said to have opted for an 18:9 aspect ratio and a 6-inch display with thin bezels on the top and on the chin. The rear is said to come with a fingerprint scanner and a dual-camera setup with a 13 MP sensor as the main camera and a 5 MP sensor as the secondary camera. There is also a mention of the phone featuring an 8 MP selfie camera. The phone is said to be packed with a 3,500 mAh battery and is said to run on stock Android Oreo. A leaked image render of the device by Smartprix gives out these specifications. The report says that the Nokia 3.1 Plus was spotted on a Bluetooth certification website as well. There is no information on the price as yet. tech2 News Staff We all know that Samsung has previously mocked Apple. In the past, Samsung has made no secret of its disdain for Apple's design and components. However, this time the company wants to up its mocking business by taking a jab at Google's Pixel 3 and Pixel 3. The company particularly targeted the notch, in three separate instances. One, when a Twitter user responded to a @madebygoogle asking Samsung to "save us" from that notch. Samsung replied saying "Time to botch the notch." The second was when the company mocked the big notch saying that "You could land a plane on it." A Google fan, not too pleased with Samsung, said that the company just wanted to make fun of other smartphone makers and went on to call it "S**tsung." Samsung, trying to play it cool, said: "You can do better than that nickname." You could land a plane on it. Samsung Mobile US (@SamsungMobileUS) October 9, 2018 And no, it did not end there. A Twitter user, amused by the exchange, suggested that Samsung should give the person behind these tweets "a pay rise." The beautiful mind said that they would be looping their "boss into the conversation." While Samsung makes news through these comments, they also say how highly they think of themselves. When a yet another Twitter user praise the Korean giant, the company responded with their firm belief that: "Not everyone is born to lead." Check out the conversation here. Time to botch the notch. Samsung Mobile US (@SamsungMobileUS) October 10, 2018 Sneha Sharma Have you ever felt that there's some part of you that makes you feel that you're all alone even though you're surrounded by a group of friends or family? If you feel this then you definitely aren't the only one. As per the recent findings from the BBC Loneliness Experiment, about 40 percent of the people from the 16-24 year age group experienced loneliness more often and more intensely than any other age group included in the survey. Over 55,000 people aged 16 years and above took part in the survey. The survey explored attitudes and personal experiences of loneliness and is one of the biggest surveys of its kind. Of the findings, Claudia Hammond, presenter of Radio 4s All in the Mind says, "We were staggered by the huge numbers of people taking part in our survey. This research shows we need to take loneliness seriously in all age groups." Even though the emotion of loneliness is associated with the elder generation, the research shows how younger people with 40 percent felt lonely, in comparison to only 27 percent felt lonely over 75 years of age. The concept of loneliness can be seen to be subjective as well so it needs to be described and laid down. Loneliness, psychologically, is when an individual feels the loss of support, withdrawn from interrelationships and cut off. It is coupled with feelings of low mood, disinterestedness, sometimes fatigue and lack of willingness to socially engage, says Pragya Lodha an independent practising Clinical Psychologist. A similar trend of finding a high level of loneliness was also recorded by other national surveys by the Office for National Statistics in 2017 and Eden Project in 2015. In 2016, the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies in partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung had conducted a survey to understand the attitudes, anxieties and aspirations of Indias youth (aged 15-34 years). The findings, released in April 2017, revealed that 12 percent of the youth reported feeling depressed often, and 8 percent said they felt lonely quite frequently. It is the innate characteristic of a person to be lonely. It may also be the difficulty that the person may be experiencing in adapting to the situation because of which he or she might be feeling that he/she doesn't belong to their environment, says Juhi Kishor Saliya, a practising Clinical Psychologist and Asst. professor at Maniben Nanavati Womens College, Mumbai. But what can be the cause for the youth to feel lonely? The most common trigger for loneliness is usually when there's no one to talk to or to connect with, but in this time and age where social media is booming, why is the level of youth feeling lonely on a rise even though there is an availability of various platforms through which people can connect? The study showed that people who felt lonely had a larger number of 'online only' friends on social media platforms such as Facebook. Excessive social media usage does abstain one away from interacting face to face when the comfort and leisure of virtual communication becomes an option, says Lodha. There are a number of opportunities for the youth to connect through instant messaging, Skype, online gaming and create a whole new virtual world for themselves, research shows that excessive use of the internet can be linked to loneliness, social anxiety and depression. Humans crave for attachment and for that the virtual connect might not be enough. As mentioned in the article Why Humans Need Connection "Humans are wired for connection it's in our DNA, as strong a need as food, water and warmth." In the book, Alone Together by MIT psychologist Sherry Turkle also states that people may have begun to enjoy communicating more through new technologies, but online communication lacks intimacy. Think for yourself. Would you prefer yourself to have a long distance relationship with your loved ones and connect with them via platforms such as WhatsApp, Skype, FaceTime or would you prefer to have them close to you and not just send you emojis or virtual hugs? Some form of contact is better than no contact, but it's not a replacement for face-to-face interaction. Social media is also a sort of escapism from reality. It gives you the opportunity to communicate and be friends with whoever you want to, but when this doesn't happen in real life, the gap might trigger the individual to fall into the hole of loneliness. An excess of use of social media has, time and again, through research and data analysis, shown that it's not healthy for anyone. The need of the hour is to get back the element of traditional meetings and face-to-face catching up, says Lodha. But is feeling lonely only a negative experience? In the BBC Loneliness report, 41 percent of people think loneliness can sometimes be a positive experience. You get time for yourself. You can clear all the clutter in your head and do the things that you love. As Fergie says in her song Big Girls Dont Cry, "I need to be with myself and centre. Clarity. Peace. Serenity." But this action can also be seen as a voluntary withdrawal. Loneliness, on the other hand, is linked to poor mental and physical health, as mentioned by Livewire. There is a difference between withdrawal and loneliness. Loneliness is an extreme level of withdrawal where you do not have any interaction with anyone and do not allow people to be around you, says Juhi Kishor Saliya. Blaming social media for loneliness is almost the same as accusing a gun-maker of shooting people. So the decision to monitor your social media indulgence is in your own hands depending on how engaging with social media affects you. Now there are ways through which you can track your social media indulgence, such as with Apple's new iOS 12 update, which helps you to examine your screen time. Google's Android 9.0 Pie also incorporates several mindfulness features. tech2 News Staff A humble 38-kilogram spacecraft called 'Pioneer-I' was launched into space by NASA in a historic first on this day 60 years ago. Pioneer-I stands as the agency's first attempt to send a probe to the Moon the first in a long series of spacecraft in NASA's lunar space program aimed at learning more about the Earth's one and only natural satellite. The probe was designed with a few key sensors to measure cosmic radiation between the Earth and Moon. It was also equipped to read ionizing radiation, magnetic fields and observe for micrometeorites that are near-Earth or between the Earth and Moon. Pioneer-I was also the first spacecraft to use the 'L-band spectrum' of electromagnetic waves to communicate. This is a range of frequencies radiowaves widely used by radar, global positioning systems (GPS), radios, mobile telecommunication and for aircraft navigation systems today. The Pioneer-I probe was carried aboard a two-stage rocket the Thor-Able I an early predecessor of the modern 'Delta rockets'. The Delta rocket series has been a popular choice of launch vehicle for many modern missions, including the more recent ICESat-2 satellite and the Parker Solar Probe launches. Pioneer-I lifted off from the 11-day-old NASA's present-day launchpad at Kennedy Space Launch Centre in Florida. The spacecraft didn't make it to the moon as intended. In fact, it didn't even achieve the required escape velocity to leave Earth's gravity. Instead, the spacecraft reached an altitude of 115,400 kilometers before re-entering the atmosphere 43 hours after launch. Pioneer-I transmitted data from its nearly two-day journey through the atmosphere and near-Earth environment. In the process, it confirmed the existence of the then-elusive theory about radiation enveloping the Earth. This belt of radiation is called the 'Van Allen belt' a zone of charged particles, largely from solar wind, captured by and trapped around a planet by its magnetic field. While the mission wasn't a success, there were a few important takeaways from this first spacecraft launch of NASA's that paved the way for some of the agency's innumerable successes since. A replica of the Pioneer probe intended to orbit the moon now greets visitors of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Virginia, United States. Agence France-Presse Russian investigators said they had opened a criminal probe into a failed rocket launch that caused a two-man crew to make an emergency landing shortly after blast-off to the ISS on Thursday. "An investigative group has been formed and officials are currently examining the launch site, documents are being seized," the Investigative Committee said in a statement. The probe would seek to determine whether safety regulations had been violated during construction, leading to massive damage, the statement said. US astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksey Ovchinin were rescued without injuries in Kazakhstan following the emergency landing earlier Thursday, 11 October. An "anomaly" with the booster led to the voyage to the International Space Station being aborted two minutes in, NASA said. The Russian space industry has suffered a series of problems in recent years, including the loss of a number of satellites and cargo spacecraft. Dmitry Rogozin, a firebrand nationalist politician who this year was appointed by President Vladimir Putin to head Roscosmos, earlier said he had ordered a state commission to probe the accident. Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev also said that during Russian president Vladimir Putin's visit, India and Russia had discussed strategies to identify 'common priority areas and how to protect our trade relationship from unpredictable factors like Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev on Thursday said that CAATSA sanctions imposed by US will not be a pressure between India-Russia defence deals, reported ANI. The ambassador further added, "You will see deals on frigates and Kalashnikovs." Kudashev also said that during Russian president Vladimir Putin's visit to India, both sides had discussed strategies to identify "common priority areas and how to protect our trade relationship from unpredictable factors like Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). During President Putin's visit to India, the two sides discussed strategy to identify common priority areas and how to protect our trade relationship from unpredictable factors like CAATSA( US sanctions): Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev https://t.co/gWEheXwWGw ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2018 President Donald Trump on Wednesday had said that India would "find out soon" if the punitive CAATSA sanctions apply to it over its $5 billion deal with Russia to purchase S-400 Triumf air defence system. The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act or CAATSA is a US federal law that imposed sanctions on Iran, North Korea and Russia. India's deal with Russia for the S-400 missile system placed it in the bracket of a potential American sanction. On 6 October, the Donald Trump administration had said that the presidential waiver granted by the Congress in this regard is narrow and intended to wean countries off of Russian equipment. "The Administration has indicated that a focus area for the implementation of CAATSA Section 231 is new or qualitative upgrades in capability including the S-400 air and missile defence system," the White House NSC spokesperson said. In September, the US had imposed sanctions on China for the purchase of S-400 from Russia. On 5 October, Russian president Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met for the 19th India-Russia annual bilateral summit and the two sides signed eight pacts. In the presence of both leaders, India and Russia signed the deal for five S-400 missile system. The S-400 is known to be the worlds most effective long-range surface-to-air missile system. On the same day, responding to a query on impact of anti-Russia sanctions on India after the conclusion of the S-400 contract, the US embassy spokesperson had said, "waivers of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) Section 231 will be considered on a transaction-by-transaction basis. We cannot prejudge any sanctions decisions." "The intent of our implementation of CAATSA is to impose costs on Russia for its malign behavior, including by stopping the flow of money to Russia's defence sector. CAATSA is not intended to impose damage to the military capabilities of our allies or partners," the spokesperson had added. By Sarah N. Lynch and Jan Wolfe WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A California man accused by U.S By Sarah N. Lynch and Jan Wolfe WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A California man accused by U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office of operating an online auction service for stolen identities was sentenced to one year of incarceration on Wednesday in a federal district court. Richard Pinedo, who pleaded guilty to one count of identity fraud in February, could serve half the sentence at home, U.S. Judge Dabney Friedrich said. The criminal charge against Pinedo was announced in February by Mueller's office at the same time it announced an indictment against 13 Russians and three Russian companies on charges they adopted fake online personas to push divisive messages, travelled to the United States to collect intelligence and staged political rallies. The indictment against the Russians makes no mention of Pinedo by name. However, a source familiar with the case told Reuters he is referred to in the charging documents as the person who helped the Russian conspirators launder money, as well as purchase Facebook ads and pay for rally supplies, through PayPal Holdings Inc. Mueller's investigation has issued several indictments and accepted guilty pleas as it investigates Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Pinedo's attorney, Jeremy Lessem, has said his client had no knowledge of the identities or the motivations of those who purchased the information he sold. According to the indictment against the 13 Russians, the defendants in 2016 used Social Security numbers and birth dates of real U.S. people to open PayPal accounts and to create fake driver's licenses and open social media accounts. The United States does not have an extradition treaty with Russia. However, one of the Russian companies charged in the indictment - Concord Management and Consulting LLC - has hired American attorneys to fight the charges. Friedrich said at Wednesday's court hearing that Pinedo seemed "genuinely remorseful" and deserved credit for cooperating with prosecutors. But the judge said a prison sentence was appropriate because of the scale of the identity theft. Lessem said in a statement he was disappointed the prosecutors did not formally request a sentence below federal guidelines for Pinedo in light of his cooperation. "Such recognition would have more than likely resulted in a more lenient sentence for my client," Lessem said. "However, its clear that Judge Friedrich took Mr. Pinedos significant participation into consideration, even in the absence of the recommendation he deserved from the special counsels office." (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch and Jan Wolfe; Editing by Susan Thomas and James Dalgleish) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The disappearance of Khashoggi has become pivotal to diplomatic relations in the region, and could even affect the US' equation with Mohammed Bin Salman. The mystery of the disappearance of prominent Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi has gripped many parts of the world, revelation by contradictory revelation, and is expected to have a significant impact on the relations between two of the major players in the West Asian region Turkey and Saudi Arabia. On 2 October, Khashoggi (59) entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul with the purpose of collecting documents that would finalise his divorce from his wife in his home country. Neither of the governments has been able to provide satisfactory evidence about his whereabouts since. Khashoggi's Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, waited outside the consulate for almost 10 hours and returned the next day, but hasn't seen him since he entered. The case has become pivotal to diplomatic relations in the region, and could even affect the US' equation with a reportedly favourite ally Saudi Arabia's crown prince and de factor leader Mohammad bin Salman. Riyadh and Ankara have been trading blame and conspiracy theories about the disappearance of the journalist. Khashoggi, who became a US citizen after he went into 'self-imposed' exile in 2017, feared fatal consequences of his strong critique of the oppressive royal regime. A columnist with The Washington Post, Khashoggi expressed feeling compelled to "raise his voice" against the rule. In a column, he had said, "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. I worried about my family....I have made a different choice now. I have left my home, my family and my job, and I am raising my voice. To do otherwise would betray those who languish in prison. I can speak when so many cannot. I want you to know that Saudi Arabia has not always been as it is now. We Saudis deserve better," he wrote. Khashoggi has been a prominent figure in the Saudi Arabian media and also the adviser to its former head of intelligence. He left the country last year saying he feared retribution for his growing criticism of Saudi policy in the Yemen war and its crackdown on dissent. On Sunday, two Turkish sources told Reuters that Turkish authorities believe Khashoggi was deliberately killed inside the consulate, a view echoed by one of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan's advisers, Yasin Aktay, who is also a friend of the Saudi journalist. According to reports, Turkish sources said that a 15-man Saudi hit squad had carried out the premeditated assassination. Turk-Arab Media Association director Turan Kislakci, a friend and colleague of Khashoggis, said that authorities had told him the Saudis had brutally tortured Khashoggi before dismembering his body and removing it from the building in pieces. Turkish media reported that the 15 Saudi citizens were believed to have arrived in Istanbul on two separate planes on 2 October, and were present in the consulate at the same time that Khashoggi was. The 15 men, who were not identified officially, are believed to have left Turkey in a day or two. However, Saudi Arabia dismissed claims of an assassination calling them "baseless". As of Wednesday (one week since the disappearance), the Saudi government stuck to its stand that Khashoggi had left the consulate, although they provided no concrete timeline or videographic evidence showing that the journalist left the consulate on 2 October. The New York Times quoted an anonymous Saudi official as saying, "Khashoggi visited the consulate to request paperwork related to his marital status and exited shortly thereafter. Khashoggi is not in the consulate nor in Saudi custody." According to the report, he had told a friend on 1 October that he was worried that he could he could be abducted and returned to Saudi Arabia if he entered the consulate. Kislakci said that diplomatic cars had been moving in and out of the consulate since Tuesday even though there was no news or sign of Khashoggi himself. Amid reports that he has been murdered, Khashoggi's allies fear that he could have been abducted or "spirited away to Saudi Arabia". Some media reports have said that US intelligence agencies might have received information about a threat to Khashoggi's life, but it is unclear if the warning was communicated to him. Speaking to Reuters, Aktay said that according to Khashoggi, "Turkey was the safest country in the world for Saudi Arabians." Prince Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi ambassador to the United States said that "Jamal is a Saudi citizen who went missing after leaving the Consulate, in a statement. He further added, "Saudi Arabia has sent a team of investigators to work with Turkish authorities and chase every lead to uncover the truth behind his disappearance. Another twist in the mystery of Khashoggi's disappearance is an object that could provide important clues about his whereabouts, which is the black Apple watch he was wearing when he entered the consulate. The watch was connected to a mobile phone he left outside, Turkish officials said. The mystery threatens to undermine the crown prince's drive to attract foreign investors and new high-tech business to a country that is too dependent on oil revenues. Khashoggi had left Cengiz, his fiancee, with instructions to contact high officials in the Turkish government in case he didn't appear after entering the consulate. He left two phones with her, one of which, was connected to the Apple watch, Cengiz told Reuters. According to the Reuters report, "A senior Turkish government official and a senior security official said the two inter-connected devices are at the heart of the investigation into Khashoggis disappearance." We have determined that it was on him when he walked into the consulate, the security official said. Investigators are trying to determine what information the watch transmitted. Intelligence services, the prosecutors office and a technology team are working on this. Turkey does not have the watch so we are trying to do it through connected devices, he said, according to the report. With inputs from agencies When asked if US-Saudi relations would be jeopardized by the disappearance, Donald Trump said that he 'has to find out what happened.' Washington: President Donald Trump said on Thursday that US investigators were working with both Ankara and Riyadh to probe the suspicious disappearance in Turkey of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "We can't let it happen. And we're being very tough and we have investigators over there and we're working with Turkey and frankly we're working with Saudi Arabia," Trump said in an interview with "Fox and Friends." "I have to find out what happened," Trump said, when asked if US-Saudi relations would be jeopardized by the disappearance of Khashoggi, a US resident who Turkish officials suspect was murdered after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. "We're probably getting closer than you might think," he added. Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor who lived in the United States, vanished 2 October after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain a document needed to marry his Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, who waited for him outside. Turkish police say he was murdered inside the consulate by a 15-member Saudi team that flew into the country just ahead of Khashoggi's scheduled appointment, and left the same day, according to Turkish government sources. Saudi Arabia insists Khashoggi exited the consulate after a brief visit. "He went in and doesn't look like he came out. Certainly doesn't look like he is around," Trump told "Fox and Friends." The Washington Post, citing US intelligence intercepts, reported that Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered an operation to trap Khashoggi. The United States has called for a transparent investigation, amid warnings by US lawmakers of serious repercussions if suspicions of a murder were borne out. "That would be a very sad thing and we'll probably know in the very short future," Trump said. "We have incredible people and incredible talent working on it. We don't like it. I don't like it. No good." Khashoggi has been a critic of Saudi policy, especially its intervention in Yemen's brutal civil war, under the crown prince. Trump, and son-in-law Jared Kushner, have been personally close to Mohammed bin Salman, since turning to Saudi Arabia as a pivotal ally in the Middle East against Iran. Donald Trump had pulled the US out of the 2015 nuclear accord, saying it had 'failed to achieve the fundamental objective of blocking all paths to an Iranian nuclear bomb' Washington: The US "will take care" of countries which defy its directive to bring their oil imports from Iran to zero by 4 November, President Donald Trump has warned, days after India announced that two of its firms have placed orders to import crude from the Gulf nation. Trump in May pulled the US out of the 2015 nuclear accord, saying it had "failed to achieve the fundamental objective of blocking all paths to an Iranian nuclear bomb" and did not deal with Tehran's "malign activities, including its ballistic missile programme and its support for terrorism". In an attempt to compel Iran to agree to a new accord, Trump reinstated sanctions that targeted the Iranian government's purchase of US dollars, Iran's trade in gold and other precious metals, and its automotive sector. On 4 November, a second batch of potentially more damaging sanctions will be re-imposed on Iran's oil and shipping sectors as well as its central bank. The US has asked buyers of Iranian oil to cut imports to zero starting in November. "We will take care of them," Trump told reporters when asked about the decision of some countries like India and China to continue to purchase oil from Iran. Oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday said that two state refiners have placed orders for importing crude oil from Iran in November. He had said that India has its own energy requirements which it has to fulfill. Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) together have placed order for 1.25 million tonne (MT) of crude oil from Iran. Iran is India's third-largest oil supplier behind Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Of the 220.4 million metric tonnes (million MT) of crude oil imported by India in 2017-18, about 9.4 percent, was from Iran. China is Iran's biggest oil customer and is opposed to any unilateral sanctions on the country. By Brad Brooks and Ricardo Brito SAO PAULO/BRASILIA (Reuters) - The chief economic advisor to Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's far-right presidential front-runner, is being investigated over accusations of fraud tied to the pension funds of state-run companies, federal prosecutors told Reuters on Wednesday. The investigation of Paulo Guedes, a University of Chicago-trained economist credited with nudging Bolsonaro toward market-friendly policies and tapped as his future finance minister, is the first time that a member of Bolsonaro's inner circle has been the subject of a major corruption investigation. By Brad Brooks and Ricardo Brito SAO PAULO/BRASILIA (Reuters) - The chief economic advisor to Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's far-right presidential front-runner, is being investigated over accusations of fraud tied to the pension funds of state-run companies, federal prosecutors told Reuters on Wednesday. The investigation of Paulo Guedes, a University of Chicago-trained economist credited with nudging Bolsonaro toward market-friendly policies and tapped as his future finance minister, is the first time that a member of Bolsonaro's inner circle has been the subject of a major corruption investigation. The case has the potential to hurt support for Bolsonaro, who has campaigned on an anti-corruption and anti-crime platform to voters tired of waves of corruption allegations against business executives and politicians. But in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, the president of Bolsonaro's party, Gustavo Bebbiano, said Guedes continued firmly in position as the candidate's economic guru despite the probe. Lawyers for Guedes said the investigation was based on false allegations in the midst of the election "with the principal objective of confusing voters" in what they called "an affront to democracy." An investigator with direct knowledge of the case, who declined to be named, and the federal prosecutor's press office confirmed the probe to Reuters after it was reported by the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper. It alleges Guedes mismanaged 1 billion reais ($267 million) that public pension funds put in his investment vehicles starting in 2009. Through his attorney, Guedes denied any wrongdoing and said the investments in question had yielded returns above contractually established targets, offering to provide all documentation needed to clear up the matter. Previ, one of the public pension funds involved, said it had received above-target returns from its investment in a fund cited in the case, and a subsequent audit found nothing amiss. Bolsonaro, who met Guedes for the first time last year, is not accused of any wrongdoing. Bolsonaro almost won an outright majority in Sunday's presidential election and opinion polls indicate he is on track to beat leftist rival Fernando Haddad in the Oct. 28 run-off vote. Although Bolsonaro has praised Brazil's 1964-85 military dictatorship and consistently voted to give government more control over the economy during three decades in Congress, Guedes has convinced investors that the 63-year-old former army captain had reversed his thinking on economic policy. Brazil's benchmark Bovespa stock index and the country's currency, the real, have rallied as Bolsonaro's candidacy gained strength. The Bovespa closed 2.8 percent down and the real lost around 1 percent against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday, pressured by the Guedes probe as well as comments from Bolsonaro in an interview that dampened speculation about potential economic reforms. In the past four years, Brazilian investigators have discovered what some have called the world's largest political corruption schemes ever found, put in place under the Workers Party's governments from 2003 to 2016 and involving several mainstream political parties. The extent of the graft schemes has fuelled Brazilian voters' outrage at traditional parties, helping to propel the anti-establishment Bolsonaro to the top of the presidential field. INVESTIGATION Prosecutors are probing a decision by funds managed by Guedes to invest in a company in which he was the controlling shareholder, along with tens of millions of reais in payments made as speaking fees to unknown parties using some of this money, the investigator said, confirming the details of the Folha report. The newspaper, citing court documents, said Guedes allegedly worked with executives at the pension funds with strong ties to the Workers Party, whose candidate in the run-off is Haddad. The document seen by Folha said the alleged fraud took place at seven public pension funds, including those for employees from state-controlled oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Banco do Brasil, state bank Caixa Economica Federal and the postal service. The newspaper said the investigation was opened on Oct. 2, five days before Brazil's first-round presidential vote, in which Bolsonaro took 46 percent of the ballots to Haddad's 29 percent. According to the Folha report, investment firms controlled by Guedes launched two funds in 2009 that received 1 billion reais from the public entities over six years. That year, 62 million reais were injected into a company known as HSM Educacional, which Guedes allegedly controlled. The firm allegedly acquired 100 percent of a separate private company, HSM do Brasil, the paper said. In a statement to Reuters, press representatives for HSM said Guedes had never been a controlling partner at the company and he left its board in October 2014. Investigators are looking at millions of reais that HSM do Brasil paid out to speakers at various investment events in Brazil as well as millions spent on personnel, Folha reported, citing documents in the investigation. HSM has been producing corporate events for the past 30 years, with speakers including high-profile foreign CEOs and politicians, the company said in its statement. ($1 = 3.75 reais) (Reporting by Brad Brooks and Ricardo Brito; Additional reporting by Rodrigo Viga Gaier in Rio de Janeiro and Gram Slattery in Sao Paulo; Writing by Brad Brooks; Editing by Dan Flynn, Paul Simao and Rosalba O'Brien) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said on Wednesday he has suspended his role on the board of Saudi Arabia's planned mega city NEOM until more is known about the journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who disappeared on Oct. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said on Wednesday he has suspended his role on the board of Saudi Arabia's planned mega city NEOM until more is known about the journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who disappeared on Oct. 2 after visiting a Saudi consulate in Turkey. Moniz, who served under President Barack Obama, announced his decision in a statement. He was one of 18 people advising the $500 billion NEOM project. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman said last week the NEOM business zone will build two to three towns each year starting in 2020 and be fully complete by 2025. (Reporting by Timothy Gardner; editing by Grant McCool) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Living Gospel Equality Now: Loving in the Heart of God: Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests By Devika Krishna Kumar TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Reuters) - Extremely powerful Hurricane Michael crashed into Florida's northwestern Panhandle coast on Wednesday, flooding towns and ripping up trees with 155 mile per hour(249 kph) winds and the potential for a devastating storm surge. Michael, which had caught many by surprise with its rapid intensification as it churned north over the Gulf of Mexico, was the most powerful storm ever recorded to hit the Panhandle. By Devika Krishna Kumar TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Reuters) - Extremely powerful Hurricane Michael crashed into Florida's northwestern Panhandle coast on Wednesday, flooding towns and ripping up trees with 155 mile per hour(249 kph) winds and the potential for a devastating storm surge. Michael, which had caught many by surprise with its rapid intensification as it churned north over the Gulf of Mexico, was the most powerful storm ever recorded to hit the Panhandle. It gathered still more strength just before making landfall northwest of the town of Mexico Beach on Wednesday afternoon as a Category 4 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale. Its sustained winds were just 2 mph (3.2 kph) shy of being an extremely rare Category 5. The storm, which caused a major disruption for oil and gas production in the gulf, had the potential to drive sea water levels as high as 14 feet (4.3 meters) above normal in some areas, the National Hurricane Center said. My God, its scary. I didnt expect all this, said Bill Manning, 63, a grocery clerk who left his camper van in Panama City to move into a hotel where the power eventually went out. "Panama City, I dont know if there will be much left," he added. People in coastal parts of 20 Florida counties had been told to head to safer locations, but by Wednesday morning were told it was too late to flee. Much of the affected area is rural and known for small tourist cities, beaches and wildlife reserves, as well as the state capital, Tallahassee, home to about 190,000 people. Even before Michael made full landfall, it was whipping trees with its winds and had caused flooding in the town of Apalachicola, where more than 5 feet (1.5 meters) of water was reported, and about 20 miles away (32 km) in Port St. Joe. "It feels like you don't know when the next tree is going to fall on top of you because its blowing so ferociously," said Port St. Joe Mayor Bo Patterson. "You just don't know when the next one is going down. It's very, very scary. We have trees being uprooted, heavy, heavy rain." Patterson said about 2,500 of the town's 3,500 people were still there, including about 100 in a beachside area who ignored a mandatory evacuation order. "This happened so quickly, we weren't exactly prepared," he said. Brock Long, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said early evacuation efforts in the area were slow. Michael grew from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane in about 40 hours. "Satellite images of Michaels evolution on Tuesday night were, in a word, jaw-dropping," wrote Bob Henson, a meteorologist with weather site Weather Underground. Hurricane centre Director Ken Graham said on Facebook that Michael would be the worst storm in recorded history to hit the Panhandle. "Going back through records to 1851 we cant find another Cat 4 in this area, so this is unfortunately a historical and incredibly dangerous and life-threatening situation," he said. At 3 p.m. EDT (1900 GMT), the centre of the storm was a few miles northwest of Mexico Beach and about 20 miles (30 km) southeast of Panama City. It was heading north-northeast at 14 mph (22 kph) with maximum sustained winds down to 150 mph, the hurricane centre said. More than 40 percent of daily crude oil production and more than one-third of natural gas output was lost from offshore U.S. Gulf of Mexico wells on Wednesday because of platform evacuations and shut-ins caused by Michael. President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency for the entire state of Florida, freeing up federal assistance to supplement state and local disaster responses. He was briefed by FEMA's Long in the Oval Office on preparations. 'MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE' About 162,000 homes and business customers were already without power around mid-afternoon in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, utility companies said. Some 17,000 utility restoration workers were also on call. The region should brace for "major infrastructure damage," specifically to electricity distribution, wastewater treatment systems and transportation networks, Jeff Byard, associate administrator for FEMA, told reporters on a conference call. The hurricane was expected to gradually weaken as it passed over the southeastern United States, the hurricane centre said. Michael was forecast to move inland over the Panhandle on Wednesday afternoon, and across southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia on Wednesday night. Helen Neal, 88, and her husband, J.W. Neal, 87, preferred to take their chances in a hotel rather than in their two-story beachfront house about a mile away in Panama City. "We just finished renovating and updating," she said. "Were kind of nervous. God willing well still have some place." About 2,500 National Guard troops were deployed to assist with evacuations and storm preparations, and more than 4,000 others were on standby. The hurricane centre's Graham said Michael represented a "textbook case" of a hurricane system growing stronger as it drew near shore, in contrast to Hurricane Florence, which struck North Carolina last month after weakening in a slow, halting approach. He said the storm would still have hurricane-force winds as it pushed through Florida into Georgia, and tropical storm-force winds when it reaches the Carolinas, which are still reeling from post-Florence flooding. Up to a foot (30 cm) of rainfall was forecast for some areas. Florida Governor Rick Scott, a Republican running for the U.S. Senate in November's congressional elections, declared a state of emergency in 35 Florida counties. Georgia Governor Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency on Tuesday for 92 counties in his state, and a state of emergency also was announced in North Carolina. (Reporting by Devika Krishna Kumar in Tallahassee, Florida; Additional reporting by Rod Nickel in Panama City, Florida, Susan Heavey, Steve Holland and Roberta Rampton in Washington, Gina Cherelus and Barbara Goldberg in New York, Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee, Liz Hampton in Houston, Andrew Hay in New Mexico; Writing by Lisa Shumaker and Bill Trott; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Frances Kerry) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel launched a twitter account on Wednesday after saying that digitising one of the western hemisphere's least connected countries is a priority to boost the economy and defend the revolution. HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel launched a twitter account on Wednesday after saying that digitising one of the western hemisphere's least connected countries is a priority to boost the economy and defend the revolution. Diaz-Canel, who took office from Raul Castro on April 19, tweeted a photo of a ceremony celebrating the 150th anniversary of the first Cuban war of independence from former colonial power Spain from his account @DiazCanelB. It quickly got several hundred replies, some welcoming Diaz-Canel to the twittersphere, others attacking Cuba's leaders and its one-party system. Castro, 87, did not have an official twitter account. He and his late brother Fidel Castro had run the country for nearly 60 years. Cuba observers are on the lookout for signs of whether Diaz-Canel, the first non-Castro president in decades, will usher in economic and political reforms in the Communist-run country. In the first half year of his presidency, Diaz-Canel has demonstrated more a change in style of communication, showing himself to be more open and modern, than a shift in rhetoric or policies.. His first tweet included the hashtag #somoscontinuidad, "we are continuity". Whether because of a lack of cash, a long-running U.S. trade embargo or concerns about the flow of information, Cuba has lagged behind in web access. Until 2013, internet was largely only available to the public at tourist hotels in Cuba. Now Cubans mainly access the web at Wi-Fi hotspots in parks and plazas throughout the country although the country's telecoms monopoly ETECSA has said it is working on rolling out home access and mobile internet for all the population. In the first high-level U.S delegation to Cuba after he took office, Diaz-Canel met former Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt. He also met with executives of U.S. tech companies during his first trip to the United States in late September. (Reporting by Sarah Marsh; Editing by Susan Thomas) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Pakistan has received more than a dozen financial support packages from the IMF in the past. Islamabad: Pakistan is seeking its largest loan package of up to $8 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to bail itself out from a severe balance-of-payments crisis that threatens to cripple the country's economy, a media report said on Thursday. The IMF could place strict conditionalities, forcing Pakistan to seek additional loans for meeting those restrictions and this could expand the loan facility to $12 billion, said the report in the Dawn newspaper. Pakistan began exploring the possibility of yet another loan package with the IMF while the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) PML-N was still in power and the exploratory talks continued under the interim government as well, it said. The final decision, however, was announced on Monday night when Finance Minister Asad Umar confirmed that the government was going to the IMF to bail Pakistan out of its foreign currency crisis. The announcement followed the highest single-day loss in a decade in the stock market, which plunged by over 1,300 points, losing almost Rs 270 billion of its capitalisation. On Tuesday, the IMF said that it would listen to Pakistan's request for financial support "very, very attentively", as it did with any member with good standing. Pakistan has received more than a dozen financial support packages from the IMF in the past. It completed the last three-year package of $6.4 billion in August 2016, which was 216 percent of Pakistan's quota at the IMF. Meanwhile, the government came under heavy criticism after announcing that it would seek bailout assistance from the IMF, but Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday defended the decision. Khan said that the country was burdened due to debts incurred by the previous government and his government was constrained to borrow more money to pay back those debts. "There has been a lot of noise in the country (after decision to go to IMF) during the last 48 hours as if the heave is going to fall. But we need to do it (go to IMF) before our reforms start yielding results in about six months," he said. The government's decision will create hardships for Khan as the IMF's tough conditions will result in price hike. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that the release of American pastor Andrew Brunson by a Turkish court at his next hearing on Friday would be an important step and the right thing to do. "It is the right thing for them to do, it is the humanitarian thing for Turkey to do," Pompeo told the annual Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) dinner in Washington, D.C. "I am very hopeful that before too long he and his wife will be able to return to the United States." (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Toni Reinhold) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - A trip by Pope Francis to North Korea is 'a dream that can be realised' and would be a gigantic step towards peace on the Korean peninsula, a senior South Korean bishop said on Thursday. The bishop, Lazarus You Heung-sik of Daejeon, spoke ahead of a meeting next week in the Vatican between Francis and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who will be carrying an invitation from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to visit Pyongyang By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - A trip by Pope Francis to North Korea is "a dream that can be realised" and would be a gigantic step towards peace on the Korean peninsula, a senior South Korean bishop said on Thursday. The bishop, Lazarus You Heung-sik of Daejeon, spoke ahead of a meeting next week in the Vatican between Francis and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who will be carrying an invitation from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to visit Pyongyang. "If the pope goes there, it will be a gigantic step, a qualitative step for the Korean peninsula, for its pacification," said You, who was in Rome for a meeting of bishops from around the world known as a synod. "North Korea could enter the world community as a normal country. I know how much the pope, on various occasions, has called for pacification on the Korean peninsula," You told a news conference. Kim told Moon of his wish to meet the pope during a meeting last month, South Korea's presidential office said on Tuesday. The pope is expected to visit Japan next year. Moon, who will be on a tour of Europe, will meet the pope on Oct. 18. The day before, Moon will attend a special "Mass for Peace" on the Korean peninsula in St. Peter's Basilica. "I think the pope will now listen to my president about the situation," the bishop told reporters on the sidelines of the news conference. "NO PRIESTS" IN NORTH KOREA You, who said he has entered North Korea on humanitarian visits, said there were no priests there and the country needed religious freedom. "I am not talking about conditions (for the visit). But before you do something you have to do the groundwork. When the groundwork is done, the pope can go," he said. North Korea's 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. North Korea, which Church officials estimated had a Catholic community of about 55,000 just before the 1950-53 Korean War, does not allow priests to be permanently stationed in the country. Information about how many Catholics are still in North Korea is scarce. Religious agencies have said they number in the few hundreds to about 4,000. "A seed grows," the bishop said about a possible papal visit to the north. "We need to pray and we will see what God wants. I am convinced that when that day comes it will be a dream that can be realised." The two Koreas have held three summits this year. Kim held an unprecedented summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore in June, and pledged to work toward denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. "Last year, everybody was talking about war in the North. This year the situation has changed 180 degrees .. I think that North Korea is ready to open up, renounce nuclear weapons and build a new country," he said. (Reporting By Philip Pullella; Editing by Richard Balmforth) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Rod Nickel PANAMA CITY, Fla. (Reuters) - Extremely powerful Hurricane Michael crashed into Florida's northwestern Panhandle coast on Wednesday, flooding towns and ripping up trees with 155 mile per hour (249 kph) winds and the potential for a devastating storm surge. Michael, which had caught many by surprise with its rapid intensification as it churned north over the Gulf of Mexico, was the most powerful storm ever recorded to hit the Panhandle. By Rod Nickel PANAMA CITY, Fla. (Reuters) - Extremely powerful Hurricane Michael crashed into Florida's northwestern Panhandle coast on Wednesday, flooding towns and ripping up trees with 155 mile per hour (249 kph) winds and the potential for a devastating storm surge. Michael, which had caught many by surprise with its rapid intensification as it churned north over the Gulf of Mexico, was the most powerful storm ever recorded to hit the Panhandle. It gathered still more strength just before making landfall northwest of the town of Mexico Beach on Wednesday afternoon as a Category 4 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale. Its sustained winds were just 2 mph (3.2 kph) shy of being an extremely rare Category 5. The storm, which caused a major disruption for oil and gas production in the gulf, had the potential to drive sea water levels as high as 14 feet (4.3 meters) above normal in some areas, the National Hurricane Center said. My God, its scary. I didnt expect all this, said Bill Manning, 63, a grocery clerk who left his camper van in Panama City to move into a hotel where the power eventually went out. "Panama City, I dont know if there will be much left." Only a couple of hours after Michael came ashore, floodwaters already were more than 7-1/2 feet (2.3 meters) deep near Apalachicola, said Ken Graham, director of the National Hurricane Center. In a Facebook Live post, Graham said Michael would sustain hurricane-strength winds as it pushed inland to the Alabama-Georgia border. People in coastal parts of 20 Florida counties had been told to head to safer locations but by Wednesday morning were told it was too late to flee. Much of the affected area is rural and known for small tourist cities, beaches and wildlife reserves, as well as the state capital, Tallahassee, home to about 190,000 people. Even before Michael made full landfall, it was whipping trees with its winds and flooding the town of Port St. Joe. "It feels like you don't know when the next tree is going to fall on top of you because its blowing so ferociously," said Port St. Joe Mayor Bo Patterson. "You just don't know when the next one is going down. It's very, very scary. We have trees being uprooted, heavy, heavy rain." Patterson said about 2,500 of the town's 3,500 people were still there, including about 100 in a beachside area who ignored a mandatory evacuation order. "This happened so quickly, we weren't exactly prepared," he said. Brock Long, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said early evacuation efforts in the area were slow. Michael grew from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane in about 40 hours. "Satellite images of Michaels evolution on Tuesday night were, in a word, jaw-dropping," wrote Bob Henson, a meteorologist with weather site Weather Underground. Graham said on Facebook that Michael would be the worst storm in recorded history to hit the Panhandle. "Going back through records to 1851 we cant find another Cat 4 in this area, so this is unfortunately a historical and incredibly dangerous and life-threatening situation," he said. GULF OIL DISRUPTED At 3 p.m. EDT (1900 GMT), the centre of the storm was a few miles northwest of Mexico Beach and about 20 miles (30 km) southeast of Panama City. It was heading north-northeast at 14 mph (22 kph) with maximum sustained winds down to 150 mph, the hurricane centre said. More than 40 percent of daily crude oil production and nearly a third of natural gas output was lost from offshore U.S. Gulf of Mexico wells on Wednesday as platforms were evacuated ahead of Michael. President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency for the entire state of Florida, freeing up federal assistance to supplement state and local disaster responses. He was briefed by FEMA's Long in the Oval Office on preparations. About 162,000 homes and business customers were already without power around mid-afternoon in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, utility companies said. Some 17,000 utility restoration workers were also on call. The region should brace for "major infrastructure damage," specifically to electricity distribution, wastewater treatment systems and transportation networks, Jeff Byard, associate administrator for FEMA, told reporters on a conference call. The hurricane was expected to gradually weaken as it passed over the southeastern United States, the hurricane centre said. Michael was forecast to move inland over the Panhandle on Wednesday afternoon, and across southeastern Alabama and southwestern Georgia on Wednesday night. Helen Neal, 88, and her husband, J.W. Neal, 87, preferred to take their chances in a hotel rather than stay in their two-story Panama City Beach beachfront house about a mile away. "We just finished renovating and updating," she said. "Were kind of nervous. God willing well still have some place." About 2,500 National Guard troops were deployed to assist with evacuations and storm preparations, and more than 4,000 others were on standby. Graham said Michael represented a "textbook case" of a hurricane system growing stronger as it drew near shore, in contrast to Hurricane Florence, which struck North Carolina last month after weakening in a slow, halting approach. He said the storm would still have hurricane-force winds as it pushed through Florida into Georgia, and tropical storm-force winds when it reaches the Carolinas, which are still reeling from post-Florence flooding. Up to a foot (30 cm) of rainfall was forecast for some areas. Florida Governor Rick Scott, a Republican running for the U.S. Senate in November's congressional elections, declared a state of emergency in 35 Florida counties. Georgia Governor Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency on Tuesday for 92 counties in his state, and a state of emergency also was announced in North Carolina. (Reporting by Devika Krishna Kumar in Tallahassee, Florida; Additional reporting by Rod Nickel in Panama City, Florida, Susan Heavey, Steve Holland and Roberta Rampton in Washington, Gina Cherelus and Barbara Goldberg in New York, Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee, Liz Hampton in Houston, Andrew Hay in New Mexico; Writing by Lisa Shumaker and Bill Trott; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Frances Kerry) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Pervez Musharraf's lawyer then told the court that the former president left the country after permission from the Pakistan government. Islamabad: "There are good doctors in Pakistan", Supreme Court Chief Justice Saqib Nisar told Pervez Musharraf on Thursday as he directed the Dubai-based former dictator to appear before the apex court to record his statement in the treason case against him. General (retd) Musharraf, 75, who has been living in Dubai since 2016, is facing the treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007. The former army chief left for Dubai in March 2016 for medical treatment and has not returned since, citing security and health reasons. The chief justice's cryptic remarks came as he headed a bench hearing the case related to National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), passed by Musharraf in 2007. The NRO granted amnesty to politicians and other individuals by quashing various corruption and criminal cases against them so they could return to the country and engage in the democratic process. During the hearing, Musharraf's lawyer Akhtar Shah submitted a reply regarding the former president's return to the country and said, "I request the bench to keep my client's illness confidential." Justice Nisar, however, remarked, "There are people present in the country who are suffering with this disease." Musharraf's lawyer then urged, "If it is necessary for Musharraf to return then he should be allowed to visit a doctor and his name should not be placed on the Exit Control List (ECL)." To this, the chief justice assured, "Let Musharraf return to Pakistan, no one will arrest him but I cannot say anything regarding the removal of his name from ECL." A person placed in the ECL cannot leave the country. "He should record his statement under Section 342 of the criminal procedure code in the treason case," Justice Nisar said while adding that "Dubai is not the best place for treatment and there are good doctors in Pakistan". Musharraf's lawyer then told the court that the former president left the country after permission from the government. The chief justice, however, said, "We are saying it again, we did not grant permission to Musharraf." "We cannot put anyone's life at risk. Musharraf should come record his statement and whenever he wants to leave for treatment he can." Naming Musharraf, former president Asif Ali Zardari and former attorney general Justice (retd) Malik Qayyum as respondents, petitioner Feroz Shah Gilani had requested the court in April to order recovery of "huge amounts of public money" misappropriated and wasted by them through unlawful means. He contended that Musharraf subverted the Constitution by declaring emergency followed by the promulgation of the NRO, through which criminal and corruption cases against politicians, including Zardari, were "arbitrarily withdrawn". A conviction for high treason carries the death penalty or life imprisonment. Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, has been declared a fugitive in the Benazir Bhutto assassination case and the Red Mosque cleric killing case. By Jeff Mason and Stephen Kalin WASHINGTON/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he saw no reason to cut off arms sales to Saudi Arabia because of the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, possibly setting up a clash with the U.S. Congress By Jeff Mason and Stephen Kalin WASHINGTON/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he saw no reason to cut off arms sales to Saudi Arabia because of the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, possibly setting up a clash with the U.S. Congress. Trump also said the United States may be closer to finding out what happened to Khashoggi, a prominent critic of Saudi policies who was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. Turkish sources have said they believe Khashoggi was killed inside the building and his body removed, allegations that Riyadh dismisses as baseless. In a sign Turkey and Saudi Arabia might be looking for a way forward, Turkey accepted a Saudi proposal to form a joint working group to investigate the case, Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency quoted presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin as saying. Turkish investigators were prepared to enter the consulate, a Turkish security official told Reuters, but were awaiting final authorization from the Saudis. Speaking to reporters, Trump said he saw no reason to block Saudi purchases of U.S. arms or its investments in the United States despite the journalist's case, saying the Gulf nation would just move its money into Russia and China. "They're spending $110 billion on military equipment and on things that create jobs ... for this country. I don't like the concept of stopping an investment of $110 billion into the United States, because you know what they're going to do? They're going to take that money and spend it in Russia or China or someplace else," he said. "There are other things we can do," he added, without elaborating. His comments prompted pushback from members of the U.S. Senate, including from some of his fellow Republicans, many of whom signed a letter on Wednesday forcing his administration to investigate Khashoggi's disappearance and paving the way to possible sanctions on Saudi officials. "If it's found that they murdered a journalist, that will hugely change our relationship," Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told reporters. "There will have to be significant sanctions placed at the highest levels." The Khashoggi incident might make it very hard for the Trump administration to win congressional approval for arms sales to the Saudis. Many lawmakers, including some Republicans, have already questioned U.S. support for Saudi's involvement in Yemen's civil war, which has prompted a humanitarian crisis. Under U.S. law, major foreign sales of military equipment can be blocked by Congress. There is also an informal process in which key lawmakers can put "holds" on arm sales. Trump sealed a $110 billion deal for U.S. companies to sell arms to Saudi Arabia on his maiden foreign trip as president in May 2017. Trump said on Thursday that Washington was looking into the disappearance. "Yes, we're looking at it. We're looking at it very strongly. We'll be having a report out soon. We're working with Turkey, We're working with Saudi Arabia," he said. Separately, the U.S. State Department spokeswoman said the Saudi ambassador to Washington was on his way back to the kingdom and the United States had told him, "We expect information upon his return." U.S. INVESTIGATORS IN TURKEY? Global pressure has mounted on Saudi Arabia, a close U.S. ally and a leading oil exporter, about the disappearance of Khashoggi, who entered the consulate to get documents for his planned marriage. His Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, who was waiting outside, said he never re-appeared. In the interview, Trump said the United States was working with Turkey and Saudi Arabia, adding, "We have investigators over there." However, three U.S. law enforcement sources said that because Khashoggi is not an American citizen and disappeared outside the country, the FBI has no automatic jurisdiction to get involved in the case and could only become involved if requested by a foreign government such as Turkey. Senior U.S. officials, including Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, have spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the disappearance. Kushner and the crown prince have forged a close relationship. Trump made Saudi Arabia his first foreign stop as president but in recent weeks has appeared to sour a bit on Riyadh, complaining about the cost of American support for the Saudi military and about oil price increases. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said his country was worried about Khashoggi's disappearance. "We are investigating all aspects of the event. It is not possible for us to remain silent regarding such an occurrence, because it is not a common occurrence," he said in comments quoted by Hurriyet newspaper on Thursday. He also questioned assertions by Saudi authorities that the consulate does not have footage of Khashoggi leaving the building as the mission's security cameras only provide live footage and do not record images. "Is it possible for there to be no camera systems at the Saudi Arabia consulate, where the event took place?," Erdogan said. (Additional reporting by Sarah Dadouch, Ali Kucukgocmen, Orhan Coskun and Tuvan Gumrukcu in Istanbul and Susan Heavey, Doina Chiacu and Patricia Zengerle in Washington; Writing by Stephen Kalin, Yara Bayoumy and Arshad Mohammed; Editing by William Maclean and Alistair Bell) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Twenty-two U.S. senators on Wednesday forced a U.S. investigation of whether human rights sanctions should be imposed over the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist last seen as he entered the Saudi consulate in Turkey on Oct. By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Twenty-two U.S. senators on Wednesday forced a U.S. investigation of whether human rights sanctions should be imposed over the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist last seen as he entered the Saudi consulate in Turkey on Oct. 2. In a letter, the senators said they had triggered a provision of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act requiring the president to determine whether a foreign person is responsible for a gross human rights violation. "Our expectation is that in making your determination you will consider any relevant information, including with respect to the highest ranking officials in the Government of Saudi Arabia," they said. The Republican and Democratic leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senators Bob Corker and Bob Menendez, and their counterparts on the Appropriations subcommittee that funds the State Department, Lindsey Graham and Patrick Leahy, triggered the Magnitsky action. But the 18 others also signed the letter to send Trump a strong bipartisan message of support for a serious U.S. response to Khashoggi's disappearance, Senate aides said. The Global Magnitsky Act requires a report within 120 days of the letter with a decision on the imposition of sanctions on anyone deemed responsible for a serious rights violation such as torture, prolonged detention without trial or extrajudicial killing of someone exercising freedom of expression. "The recent disappearance of Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi suggests that he could be a victim of a gross violation of international recognised human rights," the letter said. The 2012 Magnitsky Act imposed visa bans and asset freezes on Russian officials linked to the 2009 death in prison of Sergei Magnitsky, a 37-year-old Russian whistleblower. It became the Global Magnitsky Act in 2016 when it was expanded to cover rights abusers in any country. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; editing by Grant McCool) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Donkeys at Greek holiday hotspot Santorini are now likely to face lesser work'load' issues, as the Greek government has banned overweight tourists from riding them. Donkeys at Greek holiday hotspot Santorini are now likely to face lesser work"load" issues, as the Greek government has banned overweight tourists from riding them. The development came after activists raised the issue of the animals being left with spinal injuries from carrying tourists who find it difficult to climb the steep slopes. According to CNN, with the move, tourists will now have to weigh 100 kilograms or less, or one-fifth of the donkey's body weight, if they wish to ride the animal. The Greek ministry of rural development and food has instructed the authorities that the animals "should not be loaded with a weight excessive in size, age or physical condition." Metro.co.uk reported that ministry's new set of regulations state that the owners will have to ensure the animals are healthy to work and are provided adequate food and water daily. "Under no circumstances should be used animals unfit for work (sic) i.e., ill animals, injured, animals in an advanced pregnancy as well as animals with poor maintenance of hooves," the report quoted the bulletin as saying. In July, four campaigning groups had held protests after a video of an owner beating a donkey surfaced on social networks. Following the demonstration, the Santorini town hall had issued a statement saying that the authorites had held a meeting with animal rights groups and animal owners to ensure "respect for the rights and well-being of donkeys". Santorini, perched hundreds of metres above a bay in a volcanic crater, has struggled to cope with a huge numbers of tourists who have flooded in over recent years. The town hall has already imposed limits on the numbers of cruise liners and people allowed onto the island. With inputs from AFP Razer just announced the Razer Phone 2, successor of last years Razer Phone, as it had promised. The phone packs a 5.72-inch Quad HD 120 Hz UltraMotion display delivering fastest refresh rates and smooth graphics suitable for gaming, same as the predecessor, but this has 645 nits, making it brighter than the predecessor. This is powered by the latest Snapdragon 845 with Vapor Chamber Cooling that allows heat to spread throughout the phone via a custom vapor chamber which vastly increases the surface area for heat to dissipate, resulting in fewer hot spots and up to 8GB of RAM. It has dual 12MP rear cameras, one with telephoto lens. It also has Razer Chroma RGB logo on the back that glows in different colors for notifications. It features a Glass Back and comes with IP67 ratings for Water Resistance up to 1 meter. It has stereo front-facing speakers and Dolby Atmos. Similar to the first phone, this doesnt have a 3.5mm audio jack, but comes with 24-bit DAC Audio Adapter. It has a 8.5mm slim body and packs a 4000mAh battery with support for Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+ as well as Wireless Charging. Razer Phone 2 specifications 5.72-inch (25601440 pixels) Quad HD IGZO LCD UltraMotion display with 645 nits brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection 2.8GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 845 64-bit 10nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 630 GPU, Vapor Chamber Cooling 8GB LPDDR4x RAM, 64GB (UFS) storage, expandable memory up to 2TB with microSD Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) 12MP camera with f/1.75 wide-angle lens, OIS, Dual PDAF and 12MP secondary camera with f/2.6 aperture telephoto lens, Sony IMX Sensors, dual-tone LED flash 8MP front-facing camera with f/2.0 aperture Side-mounted Fingerprint sensor Water-resistant (IP67) Stereo front-facing speakers with Dual amplifiers, Dolby Atmos, 24-bit DAC Audio Adapter Dimensions: 158.5 x 78.99 x 8.5 mm 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5, GPS/ GLONASS, USB Type-C, NFC 4000mAh battery with Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+, Wireless Charging The Razer Phone 2 comes in Mirror and Satin versions and is priced at $799 (Rs. 59,450 approx.), and will be available for order from today in the US, Canada, UK and Europe for the Mirror version and the Satin version will be available later. Update October 12, 2018: Images of the S5 Pro and the other smartphone has surfaced on TENAA. This confirms dual front cameras, metal back and rear-mounted fingerprint sensors for the phones. Earlier: After teasers Lenovo has finally announced that the S5 Pro, successor of the S5 will be introduced on October 18th. The invite reveals dual front cameras for the smartphone. Lenovo L58041 that has been certified by TENAA today has revealed more specifications including a 6.18-inch FHD+ display, 1.8GHz Octa-Core SoC with up to 6GB RAM, 20MP + 12MP dual rear cameras and 20MP + 8MP dual front cameras. Lenovo S5 Pro (L58041) rumored specifications 6.18-inch (2246 1080 pixels) Full HD+ display with 19:9 aspect ratio 1.8GHz Octa-Core Processor 3GB RAM with 32GB storage / 4GB with 64GB storage, 6GB RAM with 128GB storage, expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD Dual SIM Android 8.1 (Oreo) 20MP rear camera with LED flash, 12MP secondary rear camera 20MP front-facing camera, 8MP secondary camera Fingerprint sensor Dimensions: 154.575.457.7mm; Weight: 160g 4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11 ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5, GPS + GLONASS 3500mAh battery Another smartphone with L38041 model number and a similar display has been certified, but this has 16+5MP dual rear cameras, single 8MP front camera and a 3930mAh battery. Lenovo L38041 rumored specifications 6.18-inch (2246 1080 pixels) Full HD+ display with 19:9 aspect ratio 1.8GHz Octa-Core Processor 3GB RAM with 32GB storage / 4GB with 64GB storage, 6GB RAM with 128GB storage, expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD Dual SIM Android 8.1 (Oreo) 16MP rear camera with LED flash, 5MP secondary rear camera 8MP front-facing camera Fingerprint sensor Dimensions: 155.974.97.9mm; Weight: 165g 4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11 ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5, GPS + GLONASS 3930mAh battery The Lenovo S5 Pro is expected to come in Black, Red, Gold, Silver and White colors. We should know the price when it goes official next Thursday. Source 1, 2, 3 The development and rapid deployment of fracking technologies created the shale revolution -- and calling it a "revolution" isn't hyperbole. The United States has tapped into previously inaccessible reserves of crude oil and natural gas to become the world's top energy producer virtually overnight. It will continue to climb the global rankings of energy exporters, too. In fact, within a few short years, the U.S. is on pace to completely erase a trade deficit in energy products that peaked at $321 billion in 2011. The new normal in American energy creates significant long-term opportunities for investors. Cheniere Energy (NYSEMKT:LNG), the country's top exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE:EPD), a $64-billion oil and gas midstream giant, are two stocks you can buy and hold to cash in on the trend for the next decade or more. The king of LNG A few short years ago, Cheniere Energy became the first company to begin exporting bulk cargoes of LNG from American shores. The company's Sabine Pass export facility could be what is the largest LNG export terminal ever built in the United States. And thanks to long-term offtake agreements extending 20 years or longer, there's a predictable path ahead for the business and investors. In the first half of 2018, the business delivered $3.78 billion in revenue, $1.08 billion in operating income, and $982 million in operating cash flow. That steady flow of dollars will help Cheniere Energy clean up its balance sheet (LNG export facilities are incredibly expensive to build) and simplify its operating structure (there are numerous subsidiaries today), especially considering it's not close to operating at full tilt yet. The timing surrounding its newfound financial strength couldn't be better, as the LNG pioneer is preparing to bring its second export terminal on line in Corpus Christi, Texas. The first production units will start up in 2019, although bringing all approved production capacity into service will take several years. Eventually, Cheniere Energy will boast an export capacity of 4.2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) at Sabine Pass and another 2.14 Bcf/d at Corpus Christi. That will result in the company owning at least half the nation's total export capacity for most of the next decade or longer. Simply put, the importance of LNG exports to American energy dominance and global trade flows makes Cheniere Energy a top energy stock to buy for the long haul. The "other" opportunity in American energy Producers of crude oil and natural gas seem to get all the attention in discussions of the industry, but there are other lucrative opportunities to explore. For instance, there are absolutely massive markets for petroleum products known as natural gas liquids (NGLs), such as ethane and propane. Overlooking this area could prove regrettable for investors. Global petrochemical producers have committed over $200 billion in capital investments to build new, world-class chemical plants in the United States to gain access to one the world's cheapest sources of ethane and propane, both of which can serve as a low-cost feedstock for chemical production. Enterprise Products Partners is all over the opportunity. Already a leader in midstream infrastructure -- pipelines, storage facilities, and processing plants -- for moving products from field to refinery, the $64 billion company has invested heavily in the emerging opportunity in American chemical production. Enterprise Products Partners has recently allocated 53% of planned capital investments for NGL projects, including processing facilities, over 1 million barrels per day of dedicated pipelines, storage tanks, and even an export terminal. And the company plans to go a step further. In addition to delivering NGLs to chemical plants now being built, the business will take finished chemicals (namely ethylene) and transport them to its fledgling chemical logistics network. In the next few years, Enterprise Products Partners will be able to export 2.2 billion pounds of ethylene per year while monetizing most parts of the supply chain involved. Most important, the business is built on a solid foundation that leans on fixed-fee contracts for 80% of gross profit. That allows Enterprise Products Partners to make significant, forward-thinking investments all while paying a healthy 5.9% dividend yield. It's a solid, long-term energy stock to buy and hold for the next decade or longer. America's energy revolution runs through these two stocks Cheniere Energy and Enterprise Products Partners are well positioned to capitalize on the trends unfolding in American energy. While there will be more LNG export terminals approved and built in the next decade, the pioneering company should remain a leader in the industry for decades to come. Meanwhile, the midstream giant has eyed an under-the-radar opportunity in new chemical production and has invested accordingly. At the very least, both energy stocks should be on the radar of long-term investors. 4r100 Woes and advice I am posting this for my dad. We both have similar trucks and I am somewhat familiar with his. As I previously posted asking for towing ideas to get my dad's truck back home, my dad's f350 is having transmission issues. Today, I drove up to his camper and we decided to drive it back and I would follow behind him in my truck and if he could just get up over the hills I could tow strap it the retail of the way if needed. He got it home but it was shifting hard going into 2nd and 3rd he said. And the last few miles before his house, it wouldn't shift out of 2nd gear. I drove around town with him and it shifted pretty aggressively into 2nd and 3rd and but I didn't personally notice the 2nd gear not upshifting, but I believe him. His is a late 99 F350 CCLB 4X4 dually auto 7.3. he has 201K and original engine and transmission. 2 years ago we towed some pile of crap 5th wheel down from his campground by Roosevelt and when we left the house we dropped it at, it wouldn't shift out of 2nd gear then either. It went away the next time he drove it and he decided just to flush it and it hasn't happened again until yesterday. Now, it's basically not going away. I have an Aeroforce gauge for my truck I haven't hardwired yet so I plugged it into his truck and checked for codes. 3 come up, one is for the KAM, another is for the AIH (which we both are throwing since we have glowshift gauges and run the boost gauge through that port) but the third is a transmission code. P0732. When I looked it up, I have seen a lot of people mentioned that that code is for the 2nd gear and I have seen others say that it is most of the time associated with the mechanical dioide and that is bad news bears for the transmission. So, I am here seeking clarification on that transmission code, as well as where to go next for the transmission. My dad is not as open to buying stuff out of state and having somebody install it. He wants to take it somewhere local and have it rebuilt but upgraded. So first, P0732- is it for sure the mechanical dioide? Regardless he has a serious transmission issue as it isn't intermittent anymore. How much damage is he doing if he keeps driving on it for a month or 2 until he gets it into a shop? His drive to work is about 2 miles and he said he could take his bike if he really has to. His knees aren't very good, so I'm not sure how he will pull that off. Second, anybody know local shops in the greater Phoenix area that do solid work for rebuilding 4r100's? Is there anybody that build an aftermarket transmission that is compatible with the 7.3 and is a direct bolt in, and is a good upgrade? What are good choices for upgraded 4r100's? He currently has a 40' Open Range 5th Wheel that is just parked at their spot near the lake, but when he retires in the next decade or less, he and my mom plan to drive it wherever whenever they want. He literally just bought injectors from Rosewood and an F6 chip and 8 tunes from DP Tuner and I was going to help him change those out in 2 weeks. He is slowly preparing to get the truck ready to haul that big camper across the country and not have to worry about anything. Trailer weights I want to say between 10-12k. He is switching to single shot stage 1.5 or 2's can't remember which one, and has a few tow tunes and an AC tune for being stuck in traffic and a daily driver tune. I have no idea on his budget. I'm sure it's not ridiculously high seeing as he just dropped over 3 grand for the injectors and chip not even 2 weeks ago. But I'm sure if it's under 5k it's on the table. Any and all suggestions welcomed. Komatsu Forest announced their intention to acquire land in Klockarbacken, Umea, Swedenin order to build a new factory in the area. It is one of the biggest investments in the company's history. The ambition is to build a factory that is optimized with human possibilities in mind. The company already has high demands on work environment, safety and product quality, which is also something that characterizes the vision of a new factory. "We want a factory that is based on human capabilities, where technology, good ergonomics and safety are prioritized and help to enable good quality in our manufacturing. We want to build an attractive and efficient workplace where our employees thrive and grow and where we can deliver product quality at the forefront ", says Martin Arlestig, Factory Manager, Komatsu Forest For a decision to invest in a new plant to be realized, support is required to assist the company's venture; such as a sustainable infrastructure solution that meets the company's future transport needs on road and railroad and regional support is needed to complement the large investment made by the company. "This is one of the major investments in the company's history and as we understand it, one of the major industrial investments that is to be started in Sweden right now. We look forward to get all items settled so that we can carry out our plans and start the procurement process for the project, concludes Mitsuru Ueno, CEO Komatsu Forest. Theres been increasing confusing over the legality of delta-8, a cannabis derivative that can be found in vape cartridges, tinctures and candy at smoke shops and CBD stores in Texas. While the Texas health department maintains that delta-8 is a controlled substance and is on the states list of unlawful drugs, the 2018 federal Farm Bill legalized the production of hemp, which naturally contains delta-8 and has less than 0.3% THC. In 2019, Texas also legalized hemp growing. Delta-8 retailers believed the substance was as legal to sell as hemp. Delta-8 is legal in Texas for now after a Travis County judge blocked the state from criminalizing it. Should delta-8 continue to be legal in Texas? You voted: The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now. Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market. In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender. India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex. Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted. But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted? Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner. If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems. I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now. I want more variation in masturbation I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own. If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end. What is sex toys for Indian? Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation. It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms. They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable. Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner. The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner. It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past. In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping. Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order. In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing. Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome. Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own. But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance. More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around. Sextoy situation in India Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years. In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India. Mumbai Kolkata Bangalore Delhi Chennai Hyderabad These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India. In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well. If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too. If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it. What are Sextoys for beginner? Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms. Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy. I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion. I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy. If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma. Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it. Advantages of using sextoy for Indians There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways. Can have stimulating sex Can develop new sexual zones If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern. However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways. You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation. Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever. There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure. This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it. When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems. It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms). For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles [Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou... Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India. Sextoy for beginner men in India So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners. For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men! The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men Masturbator Cock rings Love Doll Sex Lubricants Toys for the prostate Lets check each one in detail. Masturbator The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products. It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands. Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands. They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.) Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much. Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! ! Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa SEXToys India PR (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018 Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood. If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here Really pleasant male masturbation and how to do it Are you in a rut with your daily masturbation routine? I'm going to show you five ways men masturbate that you might ... [For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien... Cock Ring A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis. It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow. It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber. In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection. Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction. It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it. Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time. Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function. Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy. You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect. [Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat... Love Doll Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex. There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women. Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price. The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true. You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste. There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice. You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls. If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to... Sex lubricants Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules. It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution. Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse. There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent. Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent. If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here. What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many... Toys for the Prostate Another sextoy for men is prostate toys. The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line. Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men. Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men. What is the prostate? The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm. You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus. By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms. Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.) The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation. Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure. sextoy for beinner women in India The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy. The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy. Vibrator. Dildo Electric Masserger Lets check out what each one is in detail. If you want to check out womens toys, click here. [BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm... Vibrators A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator. Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy. It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy. Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women. For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators. Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex. Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself. This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual. Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men. When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons. Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most... Dildo A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis. It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass. A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it. They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well. It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device. A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo. Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands. For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis. This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one. To learn more about dildo, please click here. What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th... Electric Masserger A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores. It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low. Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels. Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation. It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure. For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm. It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out. If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager? To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here. What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th... How to choose a sextoy for Indian Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one. Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points: Does the size fit you (the partner)? Does the size fit you (your partner)? Is the environment able to produce sound without problems? Price range First of all, the choice of size is quite important. Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women. For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage. Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems. Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise. If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level. Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it. Finally, there is the price range. The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest. Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy. Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy? I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance. For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics. If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out. How to buy sextoys in India The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping. For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below. Sextoy is one of them. Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping. SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India. They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry. Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card. To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy. ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal. Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on. Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture. Cautions for Indians using sextoy When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind Keep sex toys clean Watch out for electrical leakage Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone. Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there. It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case. In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness. Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful. If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it. You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly. Summary What did you think? In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India. The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future. As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values. However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health. If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try? Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women. I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it. By Trend The Southern Gas Corridor, which provides for the transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe, will ensure energy security by diversifying the sources of energy supply, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs George Kent said Oct. 10 at a press conference in Baku. However, he noted that some countries use the energy factor as a weapon. The Southern Gas Corridor is a very large-scale project. Many companies and countries have spent billions of dollars to implement this project. The projects like SGC are a prime example of cooperation between countries, Kent said. The Southern Gas Corridor is one of the priority projects for the EU and provides for the transportation of 10 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas from the Caspian region through Georgia and Turkey to Europe. On May 29, Baku hosted the launching ceremony of the first phase of the Southern Gas Corridor project, and on June 12, the opening ceremony of TANAP was held in Turkey's Eskisehir. The gas from the Azerbaijani Shah Deniz field has already gone through the first segment of the Southern Gas Corridor - from the Sangachal terminal to the expanded South Caucasus Pipeline. The commissioning of the TANAP gas pipeline, through which gas will flow into Turkey and further to Europe, has become the next stage of the SGC project. By Azernews By Sara Israfilbayova Azerbaijan plans to open its next trade and wine houses in Shanghai, China. Azerbaijani Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev made the remarks during the meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Azerbaijan Wei Jinghua, adding that Azerbaijan pays great attention to cooperation with China. It was stressed that the Trade House of Azerbaijan, opened in September 2018 in the Chinese city of Liuzhou, will contribute not only to the expansion of trade and economic relations between the two countries, but also to the recognition of Azerbaijani products in China and cooperation in the sphere of culture and tourism. The minister noted that Azerbaijans wine house has already been opened in the Chinese city of Urumqi and now, trade and wine houses are planned to be opened in Shanghai. During the meeting, the views on the first China International Import Expo, to be held on November 5-10 in the city of Shanghai, were exchanged. The Azerbaijani delegation will visit China to participate in the exhibition. The exhibition will feature products and services of more than 30 companies of Azerbaijan. During the visit, prospects for expanding economic cooperation with official representatives of China will also be discussed. The minister went on to say that Azerbaijans relations with China are developing in the areas of logistics, trade, investments, tourism and the humanitarian sphere. Jinghua, in turn, stressed that China is interested in the development of relations with Azerbaijan and shared his opinion on the prospects for the development of cooperation. Economic ties between Azerbaijan and China play a large role in the bilateral political relationships. The cooperation between China and Azerbaijan strongly contributes to the realization of the Great Silk road program. The Great Silk Road is a general name of a caravan road, which has been the main two-way trading bridge of East and West since the 3rd century BC up to now. The Great Silk Road starts in Japan and China stretches up to Europe cutting through India, Afghanistan, Iran, Central Asia, Caucasus, Asia Minor, Northern Africa including connecting the Indian Ocean, the Chinese Sea, the Japanese Sea, the Red Sea, the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Mediterranean Sea. China became Azerbaijans 4th largest trading partner in 2017. Customs data of Azerbaijan estimated bilateral trade at a record close to $1.3 billion in 2017, up 33 percent from the previous year. Exports of Azerbaijani goods amounted to $433.8 million (3.21 percent of total exports), while imports of Chinese products to Azerbaijan reached $854.5 million (9.73 percent of total imports). The main export products from Azerbaijan to China last year were chemical products, fuel, and plastics. From China to Azerbaijan over the past year were imported electric equipment, vehicles and spare parts, clothing, ceramic products, household items. How cooked is that?! Some states in Australia do allow schools outside of the government system to do this, but the recommendation in the report would make sure this was a rule across the board nationally. This was all put together by Liberal MP Phillip Ruddock during the marriage equality debate last year (legalising same-sex marriage in Aussie), as people became anxious of losing their religious freedoms. The whole thing has caused insane backlash and we really hope nothing comes of it. An education minister, Tanya Plibersek, said "as a human being and as a mother, the idea adults would be discriminating against or rejecting children seems to me pretty awful." Yeah, very awful. SMH. Info in this article was sourced from Pedestrian. Stephen King has just announced the new adaptation of his infamous Pet Sematary is coming to theatres and streaming services next March. The story follows Doctor Louis Creed after he moves his family to a secluded property in Maine, in amongst the woods. After the loss of the family cat, they then buried it in the nearby "Pet Sematary"... and let's just say shit gets pretty fucked up after that. Geez the unnerving trailer up top! Recommended by General Lee. Canton Cafe is located in the heart of Kingsland and is rated by Zomato one of best BYOs in Auckland. If you're a sucker for Chinese cuisine, this is definitely the place for you, and best for larger BYO groups because of the sheer portion size of most meals. The Black Pepper chicken apparently being a crowd favourite. Best part about it? Only a $2.50 corkage fee per person AND you can bring boxes of beers or RTDs. HOWZIT!!! See the full menu. Rowdy rating: Send it out of 10 By Trend U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs George Kent made an official visit to Baku on October 9 and 10. Deputy Assistant Secretary Kent met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbahzov, members of Azerbaijans business community, and representatives of political opposition and civil society. Deputy Assistant Secretary Kent addressed a number of important issues in his meetings, and reaffirmed the importance of the Southern Gas Corridor, an important element of ensuring energy security for Europe and economic independence for Azerbaijan. He discussed in his meetings Azerbaijans significant contributions in Afghanistan, our shared counterterrorism goals in the region, and international efforts to prevent Iran from pursuing its illegal nuclear weapons program. He also discussed the potential for more U.S. and Azerbaijani cooperation to support Azerbaijans economic diversification plans through increased investment in agriculture, tourism, transportation and logistics, and information technology, highlighting opportunities for U.S. companies to invest in those efforts. Deputy Assistant Secretary Kent reaffirmed the United States commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on the principles of the Helsinki Final Act, including the non-use or threat of force, territorial integrity, and the equal rights and self-determination of peoples. As a Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, the US welcomes all efforts by the sides to reduce tensions and move towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Mr. Kent raised the importance of respect for fundamental freedoms in his official meetings, including freedom of assembly, respect for the rule of law, and the fight against corruption, to ensure prosperity and security for all people of Azerbaijan and to further deepen our bilateral partnership. By Trend President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the inauguration of Guba central hospital. The president and his spouse cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the hospital. After viewing the conditions created at the hospital, President Aliyev met with the hospital staff and posed for photographs together with them. HMD Global to launch Nokia 3.1 Plus today in India: Watch the live stream here News oi-Karan Sharma HMD Global to launch Nokia 3.1 Plus today in India. Here is how you can watch the live stream. HMD Global the company behind the Nokia is holding an event in New Delhi India at 12 PM. It has been expected that the company will unveil a smartphone with a large battery and display. We are expecting that Nokia 3.1 Plus will be launch at the event. Let's see what we are going to get with this event. The company is going to live stream the entire event on its official page. You can also catch the event here below. Last week, NokiaPowerUser has reported that a new phone from Nokia has passed through the Bluetooth certification. The report also suggested that the name of the phone will be Nokia 3.1 Plus and it will be a budget segment smartphone. It has been expected that the phone will fall under Rs 10000 bracket. Nokia 3.1 Plus is expected to come with a polycarbonate back instead of a glass back which is already available on Nokia 5.1 Pus and 6.1 Plus. It has been reported that the new phone will sport a taller display and flaunts a dual-camera setup on the rear panel. A fingerprint scanner also expected to be placed on the rear back. The budget phone will come with stock Android Oreo as part of the Android One program. Let's not jump[ to the conclusion and wait for few more hours so that Nokia can pull the curtains down on the phone and put a rest to all the rumors and speculation. Best Mobiles in India Razer Phone 2 price and availability The Razer Phone 2 will be available for order in the US, Canada, and the UK from 11th of October. The smartphone will be available in Mirror and Satin versions for $799 (Rs 60,000). As of now, there is no information on the availability of the Razer Phone 2 in India. Razer Phone 2 unique features 5.72-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate IP67 water resistant 8 GB RAM Dual front stereo speaker setup 4000 mAh battery Razer Phone 2 features and specifications The Razer Phone 2 come with a 5.72-inch (25601440 pixels) Quad HD IGZO LCD UltraMotion display with 120Hz refresh rate, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 with a peak brightness of 645 nits. Like most of the flagship smartphones launched in 2018, the Razer Phone 2 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC with 8 GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 64 GB of internal storage with a micro SD card slot to expand storage up to 2TB. The phone comes with Vapor Chamber Cooling to reduce the heat. The smartphone has a dual camera set up at the back with a 12 MP primary sensor with an f/1.75 aperture (optically stabilised) and a 12 MP telephoto lens with an f/2.6 aperture to offer 2x optical zoom and bokeh effect. The device does have an 8 MP selfie camera on the front. The primary camera setup can record 4K videos, whereas the video recording capabilities of the selfie camera are limited to 1080p @ 60fps. The Razer Phone 2 does support 4G LTE and VoLTE with Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4 GHz + 5.0 GHz), NFC, Bluetooth 5.0. The smartphone does have a 4000 mAh battery with support for Qualcomm Quick Charge 4.0+ via USB type C port. In addition to fast charging, the device now supports wireless charging. Just like the original Razer Phone, the Razer Phone 2 lacks a dedicated headphone jack. The phone does support Dolby Atmos on front-facing stereo speakers with Dual amplifiers and also comes with a 24-bit DAC Audio Adapter. Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) announced: Price, specifications, features and more News oi-Abhinaya Prabhu Here are the details of the Galaxy A9 (2018). Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018), the latest mid-range smartphone is now official. As expected, this device has a quad-camera setup at its rear. And, it has been launched in Lemonade Blue, Caviar Black and Bubblegum Pink color variants. The smartphone runs Android Oreo 8.0 out-of-the-box and comes with a triple card slot. Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) price and availability This smartphone from Samsung is priced starting 599 euros (approx. Rs. 51,300) in Europe and 39990 rubles (approx. Rs. 44,400) in Russia. It will be made available in select markets in November 2018. As of now, there is no clue regarding when it will be launched in India and its pricing. Specifications and features On the specifications front, the Galaxy A9 (2018) bestows a FHD+ Super AMOLED Infinity Display with a resolution of 2220 x 1080 pixels. Under its hood, the smartphone makes use of an octa-core Snapdragon 710 SoC based on the 10nm processor. This processor uses dual 2.2GHz Kryo 360 CPUs and hexa 1.7GHz Kryo 360 CPUs. It is paired with Adreno 616 GPU, 6GB/8GB RAM and 128GB storage space. There is a dedicated microSD card supporting up to 512GB of additional storage space. Running Android 8.0 Oreo topped with Samsung Experience UI, this smartphone comes with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, dual SIM support, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5, GPS and NFC (optional). There is a 3800mAh battery powering the smartphone along with support for fast charging (there's a USB Type-C port). The Galaxy A9 also has a 3.5mm headphone jack. There is support for Samsung Pay as well on the latest mid-range offering. Quad-camera setup As mentioned above, the USP of the Galaxy A9 (2018) is the presence of four rear cameras. It has a 24MP primary sensor with f/1.7 aperture, a 10MP Telephoto lens with f/2.4 aperture and 2x optical zoom, an 8MP with a 120-degree ultra wide lens for wide-angle shots, and a 5MP sensor to capture the depth of field information for portrait shots. Up front, there is a 24MP selfie camera with f/2.0 aperture. The camera comes with a LED flash module positioned underneath it and live focus as well. Best Mobiles in India Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) launch today: Watch live stream, expected price, specs and more News oi-Abhinaya Prabhu Catch the action live at the launch event today. Samsung is geared up to launch a new smartphone called Galaxy A9 (2018) today. This device is said to mark a milestone in the camera department with a quad-camera module at its rear. The event called "4X fun" has been teased since last month. And, it comes in just a few weeks after the launch of the Galaxy A7 (2018) with three rear cameras. The "4X fun" Galaxy event will be hosted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The company will live stream the event for its fans across the world to watch it slated to start at 2:30 PM IST. If you are interested in catching the action live, you can head to the official Samsung Newsroom site. As of now, there is no YouTube link, but we will update the same as soon as the link is available. Samsung Galaxy A9 (2018) quad rear cameras As mentioned above, Samsung's upcoming smartphone is expected to feature a quad-camera at its rear. The four cameras at the rear will be vertically stacked. It is has appeared in numerous leaks in the past showing the camera module and the arrangement. A previous leak revealed that the primary camera will be a 24MP sensor with f/1.7 aperture. The other sensors will include a 10MP telephoto sensor with f/2.4 aperture and 2x optical zoom, 8MP ultra-wide angle sensor with 120-degree field of view and f/2.4 aperture and a 5MP depth sensor with f/2.2 aperture and live focus feature. The LED flash is positioned underneath the cameras. Other rumored specifications When it comes to the other specifications, this smartphone from Samsung is believed to make use of an octa-core Snapdragon 660 SoC paired with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage space with support for expandable storage up to 512GB. The device is likely to run Android 8.0.0 Oreo out of the box. The other aspects of the device include a 6.3-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display and a 3720mAh battery with support for Quick Charge 2.0. Expected price in India Like the other Galaxy A series smartphones, the Galaxy A9 (2018) is expected to be priced between Rs. 35,000 and Rs. 40,000 in the country. We are yet to get a confirmation regarding when this smartphone will be launched in the country. Best Mobiles in India Mehdi Karbasian, the chairman of the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO), resigned on Thursday, Fars news agency reported. According to the report, Karbasian quit his post as the head of IMIDRO after a new legislation on retired employees was ratified by the country. The important new retirement law, approved by the Guardian Council and enacted by the Iranian parliament, could effectively put an end to the decades-long practice of the re-employment of some government workers upon their retirement. Karbasian announced his resignation during a recent meeting in Tehran with IMIDROs senior officials. He added that Ardeshir Sa'ad Mohammadi, the deputy of IMIDRO Mines and Mining Industries Development, will replace him temporarily. IMIDRO is a major state-owned holding company active in the mining sector in Iran. IMIDRO has 8 major companies and 55 operational subsidiaries active in steel, aluminum, copper, cement and mineral exploitation fields. Chinese Intelligence Officer Charged with Economic Espionage Involving Theft of Trade Secrets from Leading U.S. Aviation Companies FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, October 10, 2018 A Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) operative, Yanjun Xu, aka Qu Hui, aka Zhang Hui, has been arrested and charged with conspiring and attempting to commit economic espionage and steal trade secrets from multiple U.S. aviation and aerospace companies. Xu was extradited to the United States yesterday. The charges were announced today by Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio Benjamin C. Glassman, Assistant Director Bill Priestap of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division, and Special Agent in Charge Angela L. Byers of the FBI's Cincinnati Division. "This indictment alleges that a Chinese intelligence officer sought to steal trade secrets and other sensitive information from an American company that leads the way in aerospace," said Assistant Attorney General Demers. "This case is not an isolated incident. It is part of an overall economic policy of developing China at American expense. We cannot tolerate a nation's stealing our firepower and the fruits of our brainpower. We will not tolerate a nation that reaps what it does not sow." "Innovation in aviation has been a hallmark of life and industry in the United States since the Wright brothers first designed gliders in Dayton more than a century ago," said U.S. Attorney Glassman. "U.S. aerospace companies invest decades of time and billions of dollars in research. This is the American way. In contrast, according to the indictment, a Chinese intelligence officer tried to acquire that same, hard-earned innovation through theft. This case shows that federal law enforcement authorities can not only detect and disrupt such espionage, but can also catch its perpetrators. The defendant will now face trial in federal court in Cincinnati." "This unprecedented extradition of a Chinese intelligence officer exposes the Chinese government's direct oversight of economic espionage against the United States," said Assistant Director Priestap. Yanjun Xu is a Deputy Division Director with the MSS's Jiangsu State Security Department, Sixth Bureau. The MSS is the intelligence and security agency for China and is responsible for counter-intelligence, foreign intelligence and political security. MSS has broad powers in China to conduct espionage both domestically and abroad. Xu was arrested in Belgium on April 1, pursuant to a federal complaint, and then indicted by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Ohio. The government unsealed the charges today, following his extradition to the United States. The four-count indictment charges Xu with conspiring and attempting to commit economic espionage and theft of trade secrets. *** According to the indictment: Beginning in at least December 2013 and continuing until his arrest, Xu targeted certain companies inside and outside the United States that are recognized as leaders in the aviation field. This included GE Aviation. He identified experts who worked for these companies and recruited them to travel to China, often initially under the guise of asking them to deliver a university presentation. Xu and others paid the experts' travel costs and provided stipends. *** An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty. The maximum statutory penalty for conspiracy and attempt to commit economic espionage is 15 years of incarceration. The maximum for conspiracy and attempt to commit theft of trade secrets is 10 years. The charges also carry potential financial penalties. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes. If convicted of any offense, a defendant's sentence will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. This investigation was conducted by the FBI's Cincinnati Division, and substantial support was provided by the FBI Legal Attache's Office in Brussels. The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in obtaining and coordinating the extradition of Xu, and Belgian authorities provided significant assistance in securing the arrest and facilitating the surrender of Xu from Belgium. Assistant Attorney General Demers and U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI and the assistance of the Belgian authorities in the arrest and extradition of Xu. Mr. Demers and Mr. Glassman also commended the cooperation of GE Aviation throughout this investigation. The cooperation and GE Aviation's internal controls protected GE Aviation's proprietary information. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy S. Mangan and Emily N. Glatfelter of the Southern District of Ohio, and Trial Attorneys Thea D. R. Kendler and Amy E. Larson of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. Attachment(s): Download xu_indictment.pdf Download xu_complaint.pdf Component(s): National Security Division (NSD) USAO - Ohio, Southern Press Release Number: 18 - 1318 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Novichok Suspects Shadowed Skripal In Prague, Report Says RFE/RL October 10, 2018 The two Russian men suspected by British intelligence of poisoning Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in England in March shadowed the former double agent in Prague in 2014, Czech Radio (CR) has cited sources as saying. In an October 10 report, CR cited unnamed Czech intelligence sources as saying that the Russians -- whom cybersleuthing group Bellingcat says it has unmasked as military intelligence officers Anatoly Chepiga and Aleksandr Mishkin -- visited Prague in 2014 and that Skripal was there at the same time. "It looks like the Russians had a group of people that followed Skripal long before the attempt to assassinate him," the publicly funded Czech radio station quoted one source as saying. According to the report, the two Russians used the same names as those on the passports British authorities said they used when they traveled to Britain shortly before Sergei and Yulia Skripal were poisoned: Ruslan Boshirov and Aleksandr Petrov. 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 Russian intelligence officer 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. Czech Foreign Minister Martin Stropnicky said before leaving his post in June that Skripal, who settled in Britain after he was released from Russian prison and sent West in a 2010 spy swap, has visited the Czech Republic and several other European Union countries to consult with their intelligence services. Media outlets have reported that Skripal was in the Czech Republic in 2012. The New York Times has reported that he "met with Czech intelligence officials on several occasions and visited Estonia in 2016 to meet with local spies." The Russian Embassy in Prague declined to comment on whether the two men had traveled to Prague, saying in an e-mail response that the "matter of border-crossing by foreign nationals is within the competence of the Czech Republic's corresponding state structures," CR reported. The poisoning has 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 diplomatic expulsions of Russian and Western officials. Russia denies involvement, but Bellingcat's findings have added to the evidence against Moscow. The British-based independent investigative group also says that Chepiga and Mishkin have made multiple trips to various parts of Europe and elsewhere in the past few years. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on September 12 that the two men accused by Britain were civilians. In comments on October 3 in which he called Skripal a traitor and a "scumbag," longtime Soviet-era KGB officer Putin said that the former Russian spy "continued cooperating with some secret services" after he went West in the swap. Skripal, a former colonel in the Russian military intelligence agency known as the GRU, was convicted of treason in 2006 by a Russian court and had been serving a 10-year prison sentence when the swap, in which 10 sleeper agents including Anna Chapman were sent home to Russia from the United States, took place. With reporting by Czech Radio and Current Time TV Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-novichok- suspects-shadowed-skripal-in-prague- report-says/29536293.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 Russian Website Names Third Person Allegedly Involved In Skripal Poisoning RFE/RL October 10, 2018 Russian website fontanka.ru says a GRU military intelligence operative whose name is Sergei Fedotov is allegedly the third Russian agent involved in trying to kill former spy Sergei Skripal in Britain earlier this year. Cybersleuthing group Bellingcat has named two men who Britain suspects poisoned Skripal and his daughter Yulia in March as being GRU officers Aleksandr Mishkin and Anatoly Chepiga, who were awarded Hero of the Russian Federation medals by President Vladimir Putin for actions in Ukraine. In a post on October 10, fontanka.ru said it has learned that Britain is ready to declare the 45-year-old Fedotov as an accomplice to Mishkin and Chepiga, who traveled to Britain under the names Aleksandr Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov. The website said records show Fedotov visited Britain in 2016, 2017, and 2018 and left the country on March 4 of this year, when Mishkin and Chepiga also flew out of Britain and the same day Skripal and his daughter were found slumped on a bench in the southern English city of Salisbury. Furthermore, fontanka.ru said, Fedotov in January and February 2014 traveled to the Czech Republic at the same time as Mishkin and Chepiga. The fontana.ru posting came the same day as a report by Czech Radio (CR), which said the two Russians shadowed Skripal in Prague in 2014 while he was in the Czech capital. Britain said the Skripals were poisoned with Novichok, a military-grade nerve agent developed by the Soviet Union, and mentioned the two men who traveled with passports under the names of Petrov and Boshirov as officers from the GRU who carried out the attack. Moscow has repeatedly denied any involvement in the poisoning, as have the two men identified by Britain. The Skripals 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. Last month, The Telegraph newspaper said British police had identified a third Russian intelligence officer they believe carried out a reconnaissance mission before the attempted murder of Skripal. The paper did not name him. With reporting by Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-website-names-third- person-allegedly-involved-in-skripal-poisoning/29536708.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 Pakistan Appoints New Head Of ISI Intelligence Agency October 10, 2018 Pakistan has appointed a new head for its main intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) service. The military said in a statement on October 10 that Asim Munir will replace Lieutenant General Naveed Mukhtar, who is retiring. Munir was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general in September and was awarded the Hilal-e Imtiaz, a top medal, in March. He has previously served as head of Military Intelligence and as commander of the forces deployed in northern Pakistan. The ISI plays a key role in coordinating Pakistan's foreign policy, including with regard to the war in neighboring Afghanistan, and is said to have kept close ties to the Afghan Taliban and other Islamic militant groups. Washington and Kabul have both repeatedly accused Pakistan of providing safe havens for Taliban militants, a claim Islamabad has denied. Based on reporting by AP, Dawn, and The Express Tribune Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-appoints-new- head-of-isi-intelligence-agency/29535829.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 'Unprecedented': Chinese Intel Officer Extradited to US Over Economic Espionage Sputnik News 22:48 10.10.2018 Chinese Ministry of State Security officer Yanjun Xu was extradited to the United States on Tuesday, where he was charged with attempting to steal trade secrets from US aerospace and aviation firms, the US Justice Department announced Wednesday. "This indictment alleges that a Chinese intelligence officer sought to steal trade secrets and other sensitive information from an American company that leads the way in aerospace," said John Demers in a news release. Demers is the assistant attorney general for national security at DoJ. The case is not an "isolated incident," Demers said, but rather, "it is part of an overall economic policy of developing China at American expense." Xu has been in police custody since April 1, when he was detained by law enforcement officials in Belgium, the department said. The charges were only unsealed October 9, however, after the Chinese intelligence operative was extradited to American soil. In total, Xu faces four counts of conspiring to commit economic espionage, attempting to commit such espionage and stealing trade secrets. He will face trial in Cincinnati, Ohio. "This unprecedented extradition of a Chinese intelligence officer exposes the Chinese government's direct oversight of economic espionage against the United States," said Bill Priestap of the FBI's counterintelligence desk. Priestap is assistant director of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division. Xu worked to identify and recruit talented individuals in the aviation industry, including experts at GE Aviation, "often initially under the guise of asking them to deliver a university presentation," according to the indictment. "Xu and others paid the experts' travel costs and provided stipends." The alleged intelligence operative's arrest comes at a point in time when Washington and Beijing have imposed costly import tariffs on one another's products and declined opportunities for military cooperation. Xu is the second alleged Chinese intelligence operative charged by federal US authorities since September 26, when Ji Chaoqun, 27, was taken into custody for allegedly working at the direction of a Ministry of State Security officer. Ji had been a student at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago and was serving as a reservist in the US Army at the time of his arrest. He allegedly was part of a Chinese plot to identify American engineers for potential recruitment. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address BrahMos Scientist Arrested for Spying, Was Honey-Trapped on Internet Police Sputnik News 20:46 10.10.2018 The arrested scientist, Nishant Agarwal, had been working at the production facility that makes propellants for the nuclear-capable BrahMos missiles and houses sensitive information on the program. The young BrahMos scientist arrested on charges of spying for the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI was leaking information to Pakistani agents while he thought he was Facebook chatting with females bearing the name of "Neha Sharma" and "Pooja Ranjan." The police revealed in court today that the fake social media profiles were established to be based out of Islamabad and are believed to be operated by Pakistan's intelligence operatives. Indian news agency PTI reports that the police revealed to the judicial authority that Nishant Agarwal was trapped by the ISI owing to his "casual" attitude on the Internet, despite being in a "highly sensitive work" which made him an "easy target" of the Pakistani spy agency. Agarwal was arrested by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of the Indian Police for violating the Official Secrets Act and espionage. Agarwal is currently in police custody for further questioning and gathering of proof. The ATS also informed the court that some classified files with red markings were also found in his personal laptop seized from the residence of Agarwal which could be a threat to Indian security. "We have found certain secret and ultra-sensitive information on his personal computer. It should not have been there on his personal laptop. It violates the provisions of the OSA, and hence he has been arrested," the police submitted before the Nagpur court. Agarwal's name surfaced during a probe by an anti-terrorist squad into the alleged links of an arrested soldier of the Border Security Force with Pakistan's ISI. Ironically, Agarwal had recently won the "Young Scientist Award" for the year 2017-18. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Czech Media Claim Salisbury Case Suspects Spied on Skripal in Country in 2014 Sputnik News 15:53 10.10.2018(updated 15:56 10.10.2018) PRAGUE (Sputnik) - Cesky Rozhlas media reported Wednesday, citing Czech intel sources, that Russian citizens Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov accused by London of poisoning ex-officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, visited the Czech Republic in October 2014, where Skripal himself was supposed to arrive at the same time. According to the broadcaster, it looks like "the Russians had a special group" and followed Skripal well before "attempting to kill him." The sources cited by the broadcaster said that Skripal visited the Czech Republic to assist local intelligence with the discovery of possible Russian spies in the country. The sources are convinced that Boshirov and Petrov already tracked Skripal at that time, the publication claimed. According to the publication, Petrov lived in a hotel in the city of Ostrava in the country's northeast from October 13 to October 16, 2014, and then moved to Prague, while Boshirov visited Prague on October 11, 2014. The broadcaster added that the presence of the two Russian citizens in the Czech Republic was probed both by the local intelligence and the National Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (NCOZ). However, due to the fact that the Skripal case is being under investigation throughout Europe, no one in the Czech Republic commented on this information, including the Czech Security Information Service (BIS) and the NCOZ, the media outlet said. Russian Embassy in Prague told the publication that the questions about crossing the border of the Czech Republic by citizens of other states are within the competence of the relevant Czech authorities. In early September, UK prosecutors charged Petrov and Boshirov with the attempted murder of the Skripals and UK police officer Nick Bailey in the UK city of Salisbury in March. UK Prime Minister Theresa May expressed a belief that the suspects worked for the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (formerly known as the GRU), albeit without providing any evidence. The same month, Bellingcat claimed that it could "definitely confirm" that Petrov and Boshirov are active GRU officers. Such an assumption was explained by the fact that their internal passports under these names were issued in 2009, while no records allegedly exist for these individuals prior to this year. Later that month, the group in cooperation with The Insider Russia media outlet claimed that they had identified Boshirov as Russian military intelligence colonel Anatoliy Chepiga. Russian Deputy Interior Minister Igor Zubov has said that "the Directorate of the Federal Migration Service has no departments that were subordinates of the GRU or someone else." He added that it was impossible to understand whether a person works in the GRU just by looking at the migration service's database. The Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, has also criticized the materials issued by Bellingcat. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Charges Chinese Spy Over Aviation Secrets By VOA News October 10, 2018 The United States has charged a Chinese spy with trying to steal trade secrets from some of the country's top aviation and aerospace companies. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Wednesday that Yanjun Xu had been arrested on April 1 in Belgium, which then extradited him to the U.S. on Tuesday. Xu, who appeared Wednesday in federal court in Cincinnati, was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of Ohio. Experts believe this is the first time a Chinese government spy has been brought to the United States to stand trial. "This unprecedented extradition of a Chinese intelligence officer exposes the Chinese government's direct oversight of economic espionage against the United States," Assistant Director Bill Priestap of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division said. The DOJ said Xu is a top member of the Ministry of State Security the Chinese intelligence agency whose members have permission to spy in China and around the world. U.S. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers said this case is not an isolated incident. "It is part of an overall economic policy of developing China at American expense," Demers said. "We cannot tolerate a nation's stealing our firepower and the fruits of our brainpower. We will not tolerate a nation that reaps what it does not sow." According to the charges, in 2017 Xu recruited experts who work for U.S. aerospace companies inside and outside the United States to travel to China under the pretense of lecturing at universities. China paid for the travel and also gave the experts a fee. According to The Washington Post, U.S. agents lured Xu to Belgium, where he was arrested. The newspaper, citing an FBI affidavit, said Xu tried to convince one of the experts to share corporate documents that he had brought with him as part of his planned university lecture. A spokesman for one of the targeted companies, General Electric Aviation, said "the impact to GE Aviation is minimal, thanks to early detection, our advanced digital systems and internal processes, and our partnership with the FBI." There has been no comment so far from China. If tried and convicted, Xu faces up to 25 years in prison and a fine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Farragut Arrives in Portsmouth Navy News Service Story Number: NNS181010-04 Release Date: 10/10/2018 1:11:00 PM By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cameron Stoner, Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs PORTSMOUTH, England (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) arrived in Her Majesty's Naval Base (HMNB) Portsmouth, Oct. 6, as part of a scheduled port visit. Farragut's presence is aimed towards enhancing U.S.-UK relations as the two nations work together for a stable, secure and prosperous Europe. The purpose of the ship's visit is to demonstrate the enduring partnership and mutual commitment to regional security and stability. "As Farragut moors in Her Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth, we not only have another opportunity to tour the beautiful country and immerse ourselves in the scenery, but we also have the chance to strengthen our partnership with a NATO ally," said Cmdr. Jason Lester, Farragut's executive officer. "Farragut continues to be extremely grateful and honored to be hosted by partner nations such as England as our ship continues to operate in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations." The port visit is Farragut's second time in HMNB Portsmouth since departing on a scheduled deployment from Naval Station Mayport, April 11. The arrival has many Farragut Sailors eager to once again be immersed in the rich culture and history that runs throughout the country. "When I joined the Navy, I never thought I would go to England, so having the opportunity to explore the country is wonderful," said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Evens Previle. "When I get home from deployment, I will be able to say I've been to all these beautiful countries and seen all these beautiful sights. I'm also looking forward to seeing the similarities and differences between our country and England." On the other hand, the port visit offers a unique opportunity for Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Julianna Stevenson who served and lived in England for three years. "My favorite memory in England would have to be marrying my husband, an Englishman, and then followed by visits to Tudor castles," said Stevenson. "This port visit has me looking forward to seeing my in-laws who I have not had the opportunity to see since getting married two years ago." During the visit, Farragut Sailors will conduct ship maintenance while also refueling and stores and supplies necessary for continuous operations at sea. Liberty is also a mission for Farragut Sailors as they work towards building a closer relationship with the citizens of England through touring the sights the country has to offer. Farragut is currently deployed as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group. With USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as the flagship, deployed strike group units include staffs, ships and aircraft of Carrier Strike Group Eight (CSG 8), Destroyer Squadron Two Eight (DESRON 28) and Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1). U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address By Trend The first Transparency Center of Kaspersky Lab will be opened in November in Zurich, Switzerland, the Vice-President of Public Affairs of Kaspersky Lab Anton Shingarev told Trend. Shingarev noted that the Center will be opened as part of the companys Global Transparency Initiative. Currently, Kaspersky Lab is being deliberately ousted from certain markets and one of the main reasons is the importance of antivirus software for protecting critical infrastructure. Our products and solutions are not prohibited by law in any country. Only in the United States, there is a ban on the purchase of products of the company by state agencies, and the UK and Hungary have issued prohibitive recommendations. In contrast to this, Kaspersky Lab, with its Global Transparency Initiative, intends to show and technically prove that all accusations against us are groundless," Shingarev said. In the Transparency Center, the trusted partners and government organizations will be able to check the source code of Kaspersky products, as well as the tools that the company uses. It will provide access to the secure software development documentation, the source code of any product released to the market (including its earlier versions), the databases of threat detection methods, the source code of cloud services responsible for processing and storing customer data in Europe currently, and in North America, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Singapore in the future, as well as the software tools used to create products, antivirus databases and cloud services. Boko Haram terrorists kill 8 Chadian soldiers Iran Press TV Wed Oct 10, 2018 04:54PM Boko Haram terrorists have claimed the lives of eight Chadian soldiers in the Lake Chad region in an attack that was repelled by the army troops who killed 48 militants. "Boko Haram terrorists attacked defense force positions in Kaiga Kindji early this morning," a military spokesman said Wednesday. He added that the attack also injured 11 other soldiers, but had been "vigorously" thwarted. Chad is a member of a multinational task force combating Boko Haram across its border with Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon. The force has been created with the aim of preventing a spillover of the militancy to those countries from Nigeria. Boko Haram has been largely pushed out of its main strongholds in northern Nigeria, according to the country's military and government. The group, however, is still active in its Sambisa Forest enclave in Borno and launches sporadic attacks on civilians and security forces from there. More than 20,000 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced in more than eight years of insurgency by Boko Haram in Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger. The group pledged allegiance to the Takfiri Daesh group in 2015. The United Nations has warned that areas affected by Boko Haram face a humanitarian crisis. Earlier this month, a Chadian soldier was killed in a mortar attack launched by Boko Haram on a military camp in Litri, near the border with Nigeria. In late September, six people, including two soldiers, were killed in another Boko Haram attack on the Chadian shores of Lake Chad, in which 17 of the assailants were shot dead by the army. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni combat drone targets Saudi mercenaries in Hudaydah: Report Iran Press TV Wed Oct 10, 2018 04:25PM Yemeni army soldiers, backed by allied fighters from Popular Committees, have reportedly launched an airstrike against a position of Saudi-sponsored militiamen loyal to Yemen's former president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, in the country's western coastal province of Hudaydah. A Yemeni military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Yemeni soldiers and their allies attacked Saudi mercenaries in the Anbarah military base on Wednesday, using a domestically-designed and manufactured Qasif-1 (Striker-1) combat drone. Later in the day, Yemeni troopers and Popular Committees fighters fired two home-grown Zelzal-1 (Earthquake-1) ballistic missiles at the gatherings of Saudi soldiers and their mercenaries south of the al-Khobe district in Saudi Arabia's southwestern border region of Jizan, located 966 kilometers (600 miles) south of the capital, Riyadh. There were no immediate reports about possible casualties or the extent of damage caused. Also on Wednesday, five civilians lost their lives when Saudi fighter jets struck al-Jaah area in Yemen's Hudaydah province. A civilian was also killed and another sustained injuries when Saudi warplanes bombarded Barkan area in the Razih district of Yemen's northwestern mountainous province of Sa'ada. Saudi Arabia and a number of its regional allies launched a devastating military campaign against Yemen in March 2015, with the aim of bringing the government of Hadi back to power and crushing the country's popular Houthi Ansarullah movement. The aggression has killed some 15,000 people and injured thousands more. More than 2,200 others have died of cholera, and the crisis has triggered what the United Nations has described as the world's worst humanitarian disaster. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Yemenis target Saudi military boat in counter-strike' Iran Press TV Wed Oct 10, 2018 08:44AM Yemeni naval forces have targeted and destroyed a Saudi military boat off the war-torn country's northwestern coast, killing all aboard the vessel. The al-Masirah television network reported that the retaliatory attack by Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement took place off the Midi coast on Wednesday. The Saudi-led coalition has not yet commented on the counter-attack, which came amid a rise in its airstrikes on the port city of Hudaydah, a lifeline for millions of people. Earlier reports suggested that 86 Yemenis had over the past two days fallen victim to Saudi-led air raids on the strategic Red Sea port city. AFP cited military and medical sources as saying on Tuesday that the Saudi aerial assaults had pounded an area close to the Hudaydah port, two farms and two training camps for the Houthi Ansarullah movement in the past 48 hours. Rescue personnel and medical sources said the airstrikes had killed 79 Houthi fighters and seven civilians. Saudi Arabia and its allies launched a brutal war against Yemen in March 2015 in an attempt to reinstall the former Riyadh-allied regime. The Houthi movement, backed by allied Yemeni armed forces, have been defending the country against the Saudi-led aggression. Back in June, the Saudi-led coalition launched the Hudaydah offensive despite international warnings that it would compound the war-torn nation's humanitarian crisis. It stepped up the Hudaydah campaign in September following the collapse of United Nations-backed talks between the warring sides. Hudaydah is the entry point for most of Yemen's imports and aid supplies. The Saudi-led coalition claims that the Houthis are using the port city for weapons delivery, an allegation rejected by the fighters. So far, the aggressors have been unable to penetrate the defenses of the Houthis in Hudaydah. Last week, the Saudi-led coalition announced that it had sent Sudanese reinforcements to the Hudaydah front. "The aim of the arrived Sudanese servicemen will be to reinforce troops already deployed there" in order to occupy the territories under the Houthis' control, the coalition said in a statement. The Western-backed war on Yemen, coupled with a naval blockade, has destroyed the country's infrastructure and led to famine as well as a cholera outbreak. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Envoy For Afghanistan Visits Pakistan In Bid To Further Peace Process RFE/RL October 10, 2018 Washington's new envoy tasked with pursuing a peaceful settlement of Afghanistan's 17-year war is visiting Pakistan to seek help from Islamabad's new government in bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table, the U.S. Embassy said. Zalmay Khalilzad, a former U.S. ambassador to Kabul, arrived in Pakistan on October 9 from neighboring Afghanistan. His tour of the region will also include stops in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Khalilzad was met by Pakistani Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, who led a delegation that included "security, defense, and diplomatic officials," according to a tweet from the foreign office spokesman. There were no further details. Pakistan's new Prime Minister Imran Khan promised after winning election in July that his government would be "partners in peace," and Pakistan has supported Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's peace overtures to the Taliban this year. Pakistan's cooperation in the peace process is believed to be key to its success. The country's powerful military is believed to have kept close ties to the Afghan Taliban since using it to blunt Indian influence in the region in the 1990s. In Afghanistan, Khalilzad met with Ghani, a longtime friend. Khalilzad, who was born in Afghanistan, first served in Kabul as a special envoy for President George W. Bush following the 2001 ouster of the Taliban, and then later as Washington's ambassador. But Khalilzad has had a prickly relationship with Pakistan, and has 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 Pakistani insurgents have found sanctuary in Afghanistan. Both South Asian countries have been the target of brutal militant attacks by both Taliban and Islamic State militants. Khalilzad's tour of the region has been shrouded in secrecy. One of his stops is Qatar, where the Taliban maintains a political office. In July, the Taliban said it 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 United States have been a persistent demand of the Taliban, which accuses Ghani and his government of being U.S. "puppets." The Afghan Taliban is currently waging a violent campaign against Afghanistan's parliamentary elections on October 20, which it has denounced as a U.S. ploy to further Washington's interests in Afghanistan. In a statement on October 8, the Taliban urged Afghan candidates to withdraw their names from the ballot lists. The Islamic State extremist group affiliate in Afghanistan has also been staging attacks on election campaigns. On October 9, a blast at a campaign rally in Helmand province killed eight people and injured 11 others, including the candidate holding the rally. No group immediately claimed responsibility. With reporting by AP and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-envoy-afghanistan-khalilzad-visits- pakistan-bid-further-peace-process/29535289.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 Military Close to Fielding Laser-Guided M3 Carl Gustaf Recoilless Rifle Sputnik News 23:02 10.10.2018 US Army and Marine Corps servicemembers may be getting their hands on a batch of new laser-guided munitions for the 84-millimeter, man-portable Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle in the near future. Raytheon announced last week that it would soon be demonstrating its new munitions for the Carl Gustaf system, which is produced by Saab Bofors Dynamics in Sweden. The companies have been working with one another since 2017 to develop new weapons for infantry forces, according to a Friday Raytheon release. The US defense contractor will conduct three live test firings of the guided munitions in Sweden in 2020 alongside Saab. Though no specific date was offered, Raytheon did indicate in its release that the firings would be conducted against "threat-representative targets." The demonstrations will include two stationary targets and one moving target. "The Carl-Gustaf system paired with this new guided munition gives US and coalition dismounted forces a tremendous advantage on the battlefield," Kim Ernzen, Raytheon Land Warfare Systems vice president, said in a statement. "The munition is intended to enable ground troops to engage multiple targets precisely at distances up to 2,000 meters, including moving targets." Townsend Blanchard, a senior manager with Raytheon's Land Warfare Systems, offered more insight into the new munitions' features, telling the Army Times in an article published Tuesday that the multi-target warheads would be able to defeat "bunkers, concrete, light skinned vehicles and armored personnel carriers." "It's a game-changer because it brings precision down to that platoon for the [US] Army and the squad for the Marine Corps," Blanchard said, before explaining how the laser designators would function. "Somebody will lase the target, the guy will pop up, fire and get back down." As an added bonus, the new gear will also allow soldiers to safely fire at targets from inside structures, suggesting that the new upgrades will allow the weapon to be deployed without causing harm to its users due to backblast. Both the US Army and Marine Corps have experienced various backblast issues regarding their current models of the weapon, the Army Times reported, noting that servicemembers have had to be cautious of their surroundings when firing the anti-tank system. "Collaborating with Raytheon, utilizing their technical and product excellence in combination with our innovative technology solutions, will enhance the already world-leading Carl-Gustaf and AT4 weapon systems with additional capabilities that will further increase the operational benefit for the end user," Gorgen Johansson, who leads Saab's Dynamics business, said in a statement. Once approved for service, the US Army will disperse the new munitions across the platoon level as the Marine Corps hands them out to "every rifle squad across the Corps," according to the Times. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Responds to China by Deploying B-2 Spirit Bombers at Pearl Harbor - Reports Sputnik News 22:37 10.10.2018(updated 23:11 10.10.2018) The US' military deployment came after China made its much-debated "Guam killer" operational earlier this year, having detailed its extraordinary technical characteristics. A video has emerged of the US Air Force conducting military drills involving B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, deployed recently to Hawaii, the US military base of Pearl Harbor, along with 200 airmen. "Although bombers regularly rotate throughout the Indo-Pacific, this marked the first deployment of B-2 Spirits to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam," the Air Force said during the deployment, which lasted from August 15 through September 27. Basing operations on Hawaii notably allows the B-2s to practice with F-22 Raptors assigned to the 199th Fighter Squadron, a unit of the Hawaii Air National Guard, the US magazine Popular Mechanics commented on the video. The drills apparently came just after the Chinese military declared the intermediate ballistic DF-26 missile, the so-called "Guam killer," operational earlier this year, and the Pentagon seems to be doing more than just taking notice, the edition noted. However, the Air Force never said directly that it is the "Guam killer" that prompted the moves. Staging operations from Hawaii is one of the obvious cues that the Pentagon is bracing for a war without Guam on the table, the magazine suggested, underpinning the statement with a quote from a commander's speech. "Our active-duty and guard members worked seamlessly together with their counterparts here in Hawaii to determine the best way for the B-2 to operate from this location in the future," Lt. Col. Nicholas Adcock, commander of the 393rd squadron, said in a statement. The DF-26 ballistic missiles, designed by China, are known to have a peculiar nickname, with Chinese engineers and military connoisseurs calling them "Guam killers" because they can carry conventional explosives and nuclear warheads to the US airbase on the small Pacific island, by launching from 4,000 kilometers away. The US' B-2 Spirit, the heavy penetration strategic bomber, is estimated to be the most expensive aircraft in history. The price tag for one bomber with no equipment stands at around one billion dollars, whereas when it is complete with most top-notch radar and other systems, it may be over twice as costly. The bomber is known to be able to deploy both conventional and thermonuclear weapons, such as eighty 500 lb (230 kg)-class (Mk 82) JDAM Global Positioning System-guided bombs, or sixteen 2,400 lb (1,100 kg) B83 nuclear ones. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Upgrading F-35s Amid S-300 Delivery to Syria Reports Sputnik News 12:09 10.10.2018 The deployment of advanced S-300 missiles to Syria has set off alarm bells in the US and Israel The Pentagon's decision to conduct addition tests for its F-35 stealth fighter means that it is not so sure about the plane's invisibility to Russia's S-300 missiles, the Indian newspaper EurAsian Times wrote. "The fact that the Americans tried to make the plane invisible does not mean that it really is. And it's not for nothing that the Pentagon suddenly announced the need for additional F-35 tests, recently. This is clear evidence that the US themselves do not believe in the competence of F-35 against the S-300 air defense systems," the news site added. According to EurAsian Times, the F-35 Lightning II was developed with an eye to defeating the S-300 system the US already had access to. As soon as Iran began to negotiate with Russia about buying the S-300, Israel reportedly paid Greece a lot of money to get access to these systems to study them. Besides, the Americans bought parts of the complex through Belarus. However, the S-300 system the Americans obtained "was put into service back in 1978 and the difference between modern technology and the one in 1978 is enormous," the website noted. Commenting on the S-300 deliveries to Syria, EurAsian Times concluded that they will "seriously increase the Syrian air defense, but only in one region, since it was announced that only four SAM systems were being delivered. The Israeli air force is large enough and well equipped to withstand such protection. But the risk of losses, in this case, will be much higher." Israel's Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi said earlier this month that the S-300's capabilities have long been factored in Israel's strategic planning. The former general director of the main design bureau of the Almaz-Antei concern, Igor Ashurbeili, said that part of the S-300 technology had been stolen by the United States. At the same time, the Pentagon announced that full-scale combat tests of fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters would begin in November, and not in September, as earlier planned due to Lockheed Martin's failure to upgrade the plane's computer software on time. In all, Israel is to receive 50 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets from the United States, which, after an upgrade, will be renamed F-35I Adir. Currently, Israel has eight such aircraft. The S-300PM system, supplied to Syria, is based on the S-300PS complex, which entered service in Russia in 1993. The upgraded system is capable of destroying aircraft and hypersonic cruise missiles at a distance of up to 200 kilometers (124 miles). Moscow has supplied batteries of advanced S-300 air defense missiles to Syria to protect Russian troops deployed in the war-torn Arab country in the wake of the recent downing of a Russian reconnaissance plane during an Israeli airstrike in Latakia. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Charges against Baha'i in Yemen must be dropped: UN experts urge release of detainees 10 October 2018 - A group of UN independent human rights experts have called for the immediate release of 24 people, mostly from Baha'i minority, who have been held by authorities in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, since the middle of last month. The detainees face charges of apostasy or abandoning the state-sanctioned religion - teaching the Baha'i faith and spying; the latter, is subject to the death penalty. The five UN experts said that charges "must be dropped and discriminatory practices based on religion, outlawed". At least 22 of those being held are Baha'is, including eight women and one minor. The individuals were prosecuted on 15 September without investigation or warning prior to the start of the trials. Baha'i is a faith that emphasizes the worth of all religions since its establishment in the 19th century, according to the international community's website. Around one per cent of Yemen's non-Muslim population are estimated to subscribe to the faith. Houthi rebels, who are Shia Muslims, have controlled Sana'a since 2014, as part of the long-running conflict with officially-recognized Government forces and their allies for full control of the country. According to news reports, the Houthis have been responsible for a wave of detentions targeting Bahai's. UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ahmed Shaheed said the recent wave of detentions in Yemen appears to be an intimidation tactic intended to pressure Baha'is into recanting their faith. In a statement last May, he stressed that "it is unacceptable for anyone, including persons belonging to religious minorities, to be targeted or discriminated based on religion or belief." The statement from the UN experts said: "We are very concerned at the criminal prosecution of these persons based on charges connected to their religion or belief." Referring to charges of espionage, they added, "we are particularly concerned that some of the convictions include crimes that carry the death penalty." Five of the indicted attended a court hearing on 29 September in Sana'a, where the judge ordered the names of the remaining 19 individuals to be published in a local newspaper. The next court appearance is scheduled for later this month. "We reiterate our call to the de facto authorities in Sana'a to put an immediate stop on the persecution of Baha'is in Yemen," the UN experts said, adding that international human rights obligations apply to de facto authorities, the same as any governing authority. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Afghanistan's Civilian Death Toll Rising By Ayesha Tanzeem October 10, 2018 Afghanistan's civilians continue to die in record numbers, according to a new report released Wednesday by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. From the start of the year to the end of September, the U.N. documented 8,050 civilian casualties, of which 2,798 died, and 5,252 were wounded. In the 17 years of conflict, the last five years seem to have been the deadliest for civilians, a chart in UNAMA's report indicates. Most of the casualties resulted from the actions by non-state actors, including the Taliban and Islamic State. The use of improvised explosive devices used in suicide attacks increased in their "frequency and lethality," according to the U.N.'s Quarterly Report on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict. "Of the 65 percent of civilian casualties attributed to anti-government elements, 35 percent were attributed to the Taliban; 25 percent to Daesh/ISKP; and 5 percent to unidentified anti-government elements (including less than 1 percent to self-proclaimed Daesh/ISKP)," the U.N. report specified. Ground engagements The second leading cause for civilian casualties, 29 percent, was ground engagements between warring factions. The report said casualties from ground engagements have declined, which may be due to efforts by various parties to protect civilians from harm, like advance warnings. The province with the most casualties was Nangarhar, where ISKP, Islamic State's Afghan branch, still has a stronghold. It was also the deadliest province for U.S. forces in 2017. The increase in NATO and U.S. airstrikes on Taliban and ISKP targets, particularly since President Donald Trump announced a new South Asia policy in August of last year, led to an increase in civilian casualties from air operations, the report said. The U.N. called the trend "worrying." More than 60 percent of the civilian victims of air attacks continued to be women and children, with the number of child victims increasing 53 percent over the same period last year, according to the report. Many attacks were on anti-government elements hiding among the civilian population, the report said. UNAMA has recommended to both Afghan and international forces that they review their targeting and battlefield criteria, including "considering all persons to be civilians unless determined otherwise." Reports of human rights abuses during government search operations is another concern of the U.N. mission. "The mission received consistent, credible accounts of intentional destruction of civilian property, illegal detention, and other abuses carried out by NDS Special Forces and pro-government armed groups, including the Khost Protection Force," the UNAMA report said. The report also documented the "killing, maiming, sexual abuse and recruitment and use of Afghan girls and boys." Election-related violence Meanwhile, 366 civilian casualties were a result of election-related violence. Afghanistan plans to hold its parliamentary election on Oct. 20. Calling the upcoming election "bogus," the Taliban announced this week that it would use all means to disrupt the elections, giving rise to fears that election-related violence will increase in the next two weeks. "The Islamic Emirate instructs all its Mujahideen to halt this American-led process throughout the country by creating severe obstacles for it, while taking extensive and intensive care of civilian Afghan lives and their properties," the Taliban statement said, asking fighters to attack anyone involved in helping hold the elections. The U.N. report also pointed out that civilians paid the heaviest toll during several days of fighting in Ghazni city when the Taliban launched a multipronged attack in August. "All parties can and should do their utmost to protect civilians from harm," said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the secretary-general's special representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Blackwater Founder Meets With Afghan Powerbrokers, Aims to Privatize War By Hasib Danish Alikozai October 10, 2018 The founder of the U.S.-based Blackwater security firm has been meeting with powerbrokers in Afghanistan to rally support for his plan to privatize the Afghan war. Erik Prince heads the private military company known as Academi, renamed in 2011. According to a report in The New York Times, Prince sent a letter to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in 2017 to secure a meeting, but Ghani refused to meet with him. Prince, based in United Arab Emirates, has reportedly been holding regular meetings with influential Afghans, including some who have an eye on Ghani's job as he faces reelection in less than a year. Prince told the Times he is not trying to interfere in Afghan politics. "The Afghan people will have an election, and they will make the choices that they are going to live with," Prince said. But I will talk to whichever party in Afghanistan that wants to think about a different way to this that actually stops the bleeding." Prince is the brother of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. In 2007, Blackwater was implicated in the killings of 17 Iraqi civilians by Blackwater guards. The first-degree murder conviction of one of the guards was overturned last year. The U.S. appeals court also ordered that three other defendants be re-sentenced. Ghani's positon Last week, Ghani rejected the effort to privatize the war. "Flawed and impractical proposals are being touted around, including privatizing the war and exploiting the Afghan natural resources. Afghans will not allow the exploitation of their natural resources by anyone," an angry Ghani told a gathering in northern Balkh province last week. Ghani's remarks were followed by an official statement by the Afghan National Security Council on Twitter. -Prince's plan Prince would replace thousands of U.S. troops with fewer private contractors, who would be backed by a 90-plane private air force. The war would then be coordinated by what Prince calls a "viceroy." In interviews with various news outlets, Prince used the example of the East India Company that ruled the Indian sub-continent in the 19th century. Matt Dearing, an assistant professor at the Washington, D.C.-based National Defense University, called the East India Company analogy a "misuse of history." "Prince frequently cites the British East India Company as a successful case study of privatization of state building, but it's a terrific misuse of history," Dearing said. "The East India Company had no intent on building a nation state. Instead, they pillaged the Mughal Empire and enriched their shareholders, only to be bailed out and nationalized after terrorizing the population." Talks with the Taliban Dearing said Prince's plan also fails to address "how mercenaries advance reconciliation efforts between the Afghan government and the Taliban." "U.S. and Afghan militaries can win battles, but the long-term solution is a political one. And privatizing the war takes us no closer to that end goal," he said. Tamim Asey, a former deputy minister of defense in Ghani's government, said Private Security Companies (PSCs) are "notorious" in Afghanistan and could face a national revolt if given a broader chance to operate there. "Mr. Prince's plan for privatizing the Afghan war is politically and militarily unfeasible and goes against the social and political fabric of the Afghan society," he said. "Private mercenaries have never won a war in this scale and complexity." Asey said the only way to fight terrorism in Afghanistan is through strengthening the Afghan security forces. Ahmad Shah Katawazai, a former Afghan diplomat in the U.S., echoes Asey's belief, and maintains that privatization of the war would also jeopardize the security agreements between the U.S. and Afghanistan. "Privatization will bring under question the BSA [Bilateral Security Agreement] and strategic partnership between the two countries political solution, more pressure on Pakistan and Taliban, equipping and strengthening ANDSF plus the air force, which will give leverage to the Afghan government, should be prioritized," Katawazai said. Corporate vs. national interest Rebecca Zimmerman of the Rand Corporation argues that contractors and the military operate very differently for different interests. "Contractors are actually working on the basis of specified tasks, and they judge success by completely those tasks, not by actually winning a war," she said. "It's hard to see how you'd be able to transfer the context of the contractors that he's talking about into anything that could viably pursue national interests, as opposed to corporate interests." William Gallo contributed to this story. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address By Trend A meeting with the General Manager and Executive Director of the Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd company Yangzhong Hu has been held in Tashkent, Podrobno.uz reported. During the meeting, the parties discussed possibility of the participation of the Chinese company in the project of creation of "Safe City". During the meeting, the parties agreed to jointly study the issues related to the project, which may be useful in determining the conceptual approaches to the implementation of the project on the development of the Safe City hardware-software complex. The Hikvision company has extensive experience in developing technologies in the field of video surveillance systems and in the implementation of Safe City projects. The products of Hikvision company are successfully used in more than 150 countries around the world. The company's headquarters is located in Hangzhou. Founded in 2001, the Hikvision company employs today more than 13,000 people, including the scientific and research staff consisting of 4,000 people. US Air Force Secretary: Chinese Military Threat Requires More Tanker Squadrons By Carla Babb October 10, 2018 The U.S. military needs more tanker aircraft squadrons to compete with a modernizing Chinese military, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said Wednesday. "The challenge in the Pacific is the tyranny of distance, and that means tanker squadrons are very important," Wilson told members of the Senate during a hearing Wednesday on Air Force readiness. The Air Force recently announced plans to increase the number of tanker squadrons needed to refuel military aircraft in flight from 40 to 54 by 2030. "When we project into the 2025, 2030 timeframe, our pacing threat, we believe, is China," Wilson said. The secretary's comments follow recent U.S. military "freedom of navigation" operations, which dispute Chinese claims in international waters and promote free passage in waters where half the world's merchant fleet tonnage transit. U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers conducted transit operations in international airspace over the South China Sea and East China Sea last month, which the Pentagon called part of its "continuous bomber presence" in the region, and China called "provocative." The new tanker plans are part of proposed squadron increases across the Air Force. Wilson said the increases support the Trump administration's new National Defense Strategy, which prioritizes great-power competition with China and Russia over counterterrorism efforts. When Defense Secretary Jim Mattis rolled out the strategy in January, he cautioned the U.S. military was losing its competitive advantage over near-peer competitors. "Our military is still strong, yet our competitive edge has eroded in every domain of warfare air, land, sea, space and cyberspace and is continuing to erode," Mattis said. Liberal and conservative critics have slammed recent increases in military spending for raising U.S. debt at a time when politicians should be cutting federal spending. Mattis cautioned that Americans have "no preordained right to victory on the battlefield" and must pay the costs to remain the world's strongest fighting force. "It's expensive. We recognize that. But it's less expensive than fighting a war with somebody who thought that we were weak enough that they could take advantage," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Al-Shabab Executes 5 Accused of Spying By Harun Maruf October 10, 2018 Somalia's al-Shabab militants have executed five men, including a British citizen, whom they accused of spying for U.S., British and Somali intelligence agencies. An al-Shabab court in the town of Jilib convicted the men Tuesday. The five were executed by firing squad in a square named after Aden Hashi Ayrow, a Shabab leader killed by a U.S. missile strike in May 2008. On Wednesday, al-Shabab identified one of the executed as 32-year-old Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed, a British citizen who left London to join the group. Al-Shabab arrested Mohamed in late 2015, accusing him of spying for British intelligence and of being a ringleader for pro-Islamic State fighters within the group. Two defectors who knew him told VOA Somali that he was tortured by al-Shabab while in their custody. "He was tortured to the extreme, he couldn't recognize his friends in the prison," said one defector. In November 2013, Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed fled Britain using a burqa as a disguise, though he was under surveillance for terrorism activities. At the time, British authorities were embarrassed by his escape because he was subject to so-called terrorism prevention and investigation measures (TPIM) which involve curfews and travel restrictions. Three of the other men executed Tuesday were accused of spying for U.S. intelligence. Al-Shabab identified them as Abdi Aziz Abdi Salam Sheikh Hassan, 22; Mohamed Abdullahi Awil, 35; and Jeylani Abdullahi Nur, 36. According to the Shabab court, Hassan admitted to planting a tracking device in the bag of a militant commander. Awil was accused of involvement in a U.S. airstrike that killed militants in the town of Saakow. According to the court, Nur said he planted tracking devices on two al-Shabab vehicles that were then targeted in U.S. airstrikes, and admitted to passing information about the homes of jihadists to Somali authorities. The fifth man executed was identified as Abdulkadir Isaq Amin, 23. Al-Shabab accused him of spying for Somali intelligence. He was collecting information about militant movements for the Somali authorities in Lower Jubba region, according to the judge. The United States has carried out 25 airstrikes in Somalia this year, all of them targeting Shabab militants. The latest strike took place on October 6 in the vicinity of Kunyo Barrow, in the Lower Shabelle region. The U.S. military says one militant was killed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Researchers Say Human Toll of South Sudan War 'as Bad as Iraq or Syria' By Henry Ridgwell October 10, 2018 The five-year war in South Sudan is among the deadliest the world has seen in recent years, according to a new analysis by researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The authors of the report, which was funded by the United States Institute of Peace, hope the new analysis will help to illustrate the true human cost of the war and give a renewed impetus to peace talks and humanitarian funding.The civil war in South Sudan erupted in December 2013 as rebels took up arms against the government. A peace agreement signed two years later broke down and the conflict spread. Fighting has continued, despite another ceasefire deal signed last month. The conflict has caused about 382,000 excess deaths, according to the report. -Most of those killed were adult males, though women and children also contributed to the figure, says lead author Professor Francesco Checci. "We were surprised at the extent of violence the proportion of deaths that were actually due to people getting killed. I think this places South Sudan more broadly on a par with the likes of Syria and Iraq as opposed to other sub-Saharan African conflicts that we have seen in the past," Checci told VOA. Researchers used census projections to estimate population figures alongside mortality data from household surveys. They also captured data on various predictors of mortality such as conflict intensity, displacement, and food security. A statistical model was then used to estimate the death toll attributable to the war, covering not only violent deaths, but also deaths caused by a lack of healthcare, food shortages or disease caused by the conflict. "They have actually been shown in many different armed conflicts to be sometimes the majority of deaths attributable to the crisis," notes Checci. The researchers say their findings show the urgency of a resolution to the conflict. They also hope the analysis can inform the humanitarian response in South Sudan, one of the largest such operations worldwide. Humanitarian agencies are seeking $1.7 billion to meet the country's needs this year, but that figure is only half funded, according to the United Nations. "I'm hoping that by putting fairly concrete, objective, hopefully scientifically credible numbers around some crude metric over the level of suffering and impact that these crises have on people, we're actually going to be able to influence that broad global commitment to humanitarian financing," says Checci. The researchers now hope to apply the statistical technique to other African conflicts, starting with the Nigerian government's war against Boko Haram Islamist militants. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Guard members mobilize as Hurricane Michael approaches Florida By Steve Marshall | National Guard Bureau October 10, 2018 ARLINGTON, Va. -- Governors in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina have declared states of emergency prior to the landfall of Hurricane Michael, which is expected to hit Florida's Panhandle on Wednesday as a dangerous Category 4 storm, packing fierce winds of approximately 140 mph and triggering massive storm surges. "The time for evacuating along the coast has come and gone. First responders will not be able to come out in the middle of the storm. If you chose to stay in an evacuation zone, you must SEEK REFUGE IMMEDIATELY," Florida Gov. Rick Scott tweeted early Wednesday morning. According to National Guard Bureau figures, Florida has about 1,150 Guard members on duty, with helicopters on standby. Florida's Army National Guard has about 670 high-water vehicles and 14 Zodiac rafts available, NGB tallies showed. Scott has pulled no punches in warning state residents in the storm's path: "I can not emphasize enough - Hurricane Michael is forecast to be the most destructive storm to hit the Florida panhandle in decades," he said Tuesday. "It will be life-threatening and extremely dangerous. You cannot hide from this storm. You can rebuild your home; you cannot rebuild your life." Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey urged residents to prepare. "Please stay weather-aware today and tomorrow for any forecast changes," she said. "Most importantly, heed all warnings and instructions from local authorities." "We have vehicles, equipment and manpower ready. If you need us, we are always there," the Alabama National Guard said on its Facebook page. Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency for 92 counties Tuesday morning and urged residents to pay attention to forecasts and to authorities. The Weather Channel noted that if the storm makes landfall as a Category 4 hurricane (winds from 130 to 156 mph), it will be the strongest hurricane to come ashore along the Florida Panhandle in records dating to 1851. The North Carolina governor's office announced that 150 state National Guard members will be on duty later Wednesday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address N. Y. Guard deploys Army, Air assets for Michael response By Eric Durr, New York National Guard October 10, 2018 GABRESKI AIR NATIONAL BASE, N.Y. -- The New York National Guard was preparing to deploy 75 Airmen and 11 Soldiers to Hurricane Michael response missions as the storm came ashore in the Florida panhandle on Wednesday. "New York is ready, willing and able to help states impacted by Hurricane Michael because as we all know too well, no one is immune to the new normal of extreme weather," New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said. "New York State is committed to providing personnel, equipment and teams to help our southern neighbors recover as quickly as possible." The New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing deployed one HC-130 search and rescue aircraft, one HH-60 Pave Hawk rescue helicopter and two Zodiac rescue boats along with 60 Airmen from Gabreski Air National Guard Base to Gulfport-Biloxi (Mississippi) International Airport on Wednesday. The wing was ready to send more support personnel -- for a total of 75 Airmen - from its Westhampton, New York, base if necessary. The team includes specially trained pararescue Airmen and Combat Rescue Officers who will crew the HH-60 and the two rescue boats, along with support personnel. The 106th Rescue Wing trains year around so that when the wing's Airmen need to deploy they do it quickly and efficiently, said Col. Michael Bank, the wing commander. "When the call comes we are ready to help out and make a difference,"Bank said. The New York Army National Guard's Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation also will deploy two CH-47s and 11 crewmembers to Tallahassee, Florida, on Thursday. The CH-47s are due to be on station on Friday, according to Maj. Eric Fritz, the office in charge of the deployment. The unit was authorized to send as many as 20 Soldiers if necessary. The Soldiers will be prepared to conduct evacuation missions as needed and to move high priority cargos, Fritz said. The CH-47 is a large double rotor helicopter that can carry up to 9.5 tons of cargo or up to 30 people. His Soldiers were eager to get down to Florida and start helping, Fritz said. This is the second time this year that the New York Army and Air National Guard have deployed forces to assist in Hurricane response. The New York Army and Air National Guard deployed 132 Soldiers and Airmen to North Carolina and South Carolina in September when Hurricane Florence struck that region. That deployment included two HC-130 search and rescue aircraft, four boats and crews and an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter from the New York Air National Guard and two CH-47s and two UH-60s with hoists from the New York Army National Guard. The Airmen from the 106th Rescue Wing conducted aerial search missions as part of a combined Air National Guard Search and Rescue element that included Airmen from Oregon, California and Alaska. The Army UH-60s--configured as medical evacuation helicopters--conducted patient transfer missions and a few rescues during the September deployment in response to Hurricane Florence. The New York Army National Guard CH-47s were used to transport critical supplies in South Carolina. The 106th Rescue Wing deployed from Gabreski Air National Guard Base on Sept. 13, while the New York Army National Guard UH-60s deployed on Sept. 16 and the CH-47s deployed on Sept. 17. The CH-47s were the last unit to return, arriving back in Rochester on Oct. 1. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address German ambassador summoned over extradition of Iranian diplomat to Belgium Iran Press TV Wed Oct 10, 2018 04:13PM Iran has summoned the German ambassador to protest Berlin's extradition of an Iranian diplomat to Brussels over his alleged link to a planned July attack against the terrorist Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) in France. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said Wednesday that the director general for Europe affairs at the ministry met Michael Klor-Berchtold to convey the Islamic Republic's strong opposition to the arrest, detention and extradition of the Iranian diplomat and said the move was part of a manufactured plot by those opposing Iran-Europe relations and was planned by the MKO itself. It was stressed during the meeting that "this ploy is in line [with efforts] to damage Iran-Europe ties," and was a show to compensate for the failures of the terrorist group as well as those of the Israeli regime, Qassemi said. He added that the treatment of the Iranian diplomat was in contravention of the accepted rules of diplomatic law, and said Tehran demanded the immediate repatriation of the diplomat. Qassemi said that to "help protect the basic fundamentals of international law and to fight various forms of terrorism, the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its right to follow up on the issue through legal and political channels and will implement a proper decision in due time." Germany extradited to Belgium an Iranian diplomat suspected of plotting a bomb attack in France, prosecutors said on Tuesday. Back in June, Belgian authorities said that the Iranian diplomat had been arrested along with a 38-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman, suspected of plotting a bomb attack on the MKO meeting in Paris attended by US President Donald Trump's lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and several former European and Arab ministers. They added that Belgian police intercepted the two suspects in Belgium with 500 grams of the homemade explosive TATP and a detonation device found in their car. The diplomat, 46-year-old Assadollah A, was arrested in Germany, suspected of having been in contact with the two arrested in Belgium. Three other people were also arrested in France in connection with the case, two of whom were released. Senior Iranian officials have dismissed the claims against the diplomat, saying they were part of a plot to harm Iran-Europe ties as the two sides seek to bolster cooperation. Qassemi once again on Wednesday voiced Iran's deep regret and dissatisfaction over the German government's extradition and pledged the Islamic Republic's determination to the plot behind the diplomat's arrest and extradition. Iran "will firmly and through diplomatic channels follow up on the case of this diplomat, who has fallen prey to a plot by those opposing further constructive ties between Iran and Germany and other European countries, until the truth will out and until the clarification of the terrorist groups' malicious move," he said. The anti-Iranian currents in the European countries have a long history of terrorist activities and it is not so difficult for them to design such scenarios, he added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian Diplomat Extradited To Belgium To Face Charges In Bomb-Plot Case RFE/RL October 10, 2018 An Iranian diplomat who is the suspected mastermind of an attack that allegedly was planned on Iranians living in exile in France has been extradited from Germany to Belgium, security officials said. Previously identified as Assadollah Assadi by AFP, the 46-year-old diplomat based in Austria was arrested in the southern German state of Bavaria on July 1. He was extradited to Belgium on October 9 after a court in Bamberg approved an extradition request last week, police and prosecutorial officials said. Assadi will appear before a Belgian judge in charge of the case on October 10, the Federal Prosecutor's Office in Brussels told AFP. France announced last week it had frozen Assadi's assets for six months. Assadi is suspected of passing a device containing 500 grams of explosives to a couple living in Belgium who allegedly planned to use the explosives to carry out the terrorist attack. The planned attack allegedly targeted a rally of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in the Paris suburb of Villepinte on June 30, which was attended by some 25,000 Iranians opposed to the government in Tehran. The rally was also attended by leading U.S. figures, including President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and other close allies of Trump. A Belgian special unit stopped the couple in their car in Brussels allegedly before they could carry out the attack. German police arrested the diplomat the next day at a highway service station near the town of Aschaffenburg. Iran last week strongly 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 Iranian President Hassan Rohani. Iran has accused one of the opposition groups participating in the rally, the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO or MEK), of being a "terrorist" group and orchestrating a plot to discredit Rohani. "We deny the accusations and forcefully condemn the Iranian diplomat's arrest and call for his immediate release," the Iranian Foreign Ministry said on October 2. European police say Assadi had been accredited since 2014 to the Iranian Embassy in Vienna, working for Iran's intelligence agency, which monitors opposition groups in the country and abroad. Since his diplomatic-immunity status applied only in Austria, he was arrested in Germany on a European arrest warrant issued by Belgium. Belgian authorities have also requested the extradition of a man identified as Merhad A., who was detained in Paris when the alleged plot was uncovered. Belgian police believe Merhad A. is an accomplice of the 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, police said. The U.S. State Department welcomed the extradition. "We support our European allies in exposing and countering the threat that Iranian-backed terrorism poses around the world," U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on October 10. "The United States will continue working with our partners and allies to confront the threat posed by the Iranian regime." With reporting by AFP and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iranian-diplomat-extradited-belgium -face-charges-paris-bomb-plot-case/29535227.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 Extradition of Iranian Official Asadollah Assadi for Role in Paris Terrorist Plot Press Statement Michael R. Pompeo Secretary of State Washington, DC October 10, 2018 Authorities in Germany announced yesterday the extradition of Asadollah Assadi, an Iranian official working under diplomatic cover, to Belgium for his role in the disrupted Iranian terrorist plot to bomb a political rally near Paris, France on June 30. The scale of this plot, which involved arrests of numerous suspects across Europe including in Belgium, France, and Germany reminds us that Iran remains the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. This plot also lays bare Iran's continued support of terrorism throughout Europe. We support our European allies in exposing and countering the threat that Iranian-backed terrorism poses around the world. The United States will continue working with our partners and allies to confront the threat posed by the Iranian regime. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Air Force awards three Launch Service Agreements Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs / Published October 10, 2018 WASHINGTON, D.C. (AFNS) -- The U.S. Air Force announced today the award of three Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Launch Service Agreements to (in alphabetical order) Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, and United Launch Alliance. The award to Blue Origin will be for development of the New Glenn Launch System. The award to Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems is for development of the OmegA Launch System. The award to United Launch Alliance will be for development of the Vulcan Centaur Launch System. The Launch Service Agreements will facilitate the development of three domestic launch system prototypes and enable the future competitive selection of two National Security Space launch service providers for future procurements, planned for no earlier than fiscal year 2020. Through public-private partnership agreements, the goal of the acquisition strategy is to satisfy federal law by ensuring that the U.S. maintains assured access to space, with at least two domestic launch service providers and without reliance on non-allied rocket propulsion systems. "Our launch program is a great example of how we are fielding tomorrow's Air Force faster and smarter," said Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson. "We're making the most of the authorities Congress gave us and we will no longer be reliant on the Russian-built RD-180 rocket engine." With the Congressional mandate to transition away from reliance on foreign rocket propulsion systems, and the planned Delta IV retirement, the Air Force developed an acquisition strategy to accelerate National Security Space launch requirements. "Leveraging domestic commercial space launch systems is good for the Air Force, and a revitalized commercial launch industry is good for the taxpayer," Wilson added. The EELV program has successfully launched 72 NSS missions, dating back to 2003, using the Atlas V and Delta IV launch vehicles. "Since the early days of the space program, the Air Force has been a world leader in space launch," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein. "As space becomes more contested and our adversaries develop new capabilities to thwart our advantage, we are fielding our space capabilities to ensure we remain the best in the business." While the prototypes are being developed, the Air Force will continue to competitively award commercial launch services contracts to providers who demonstrate the capability to design, produce, qualify and deliver launch systems and provide the mission assurance support required to deliver National Security Space satellites to orbit. "I'm excited to announce these creative partnerships that directly support the Air Force's strategy to drive innovation and leverage commercial industry. These awards are a leap forward in space launch capabilities, ensuring continued U.S. dominance in space," said Dr. William Roper, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. The Air Force competitively awarded the Launch Service Agreements as other transaction (OT) agreements in accordance with the Air Force's other transaction authority (OTA) for prototype projects. OT agreements are nontraditional acquisition arrangements that allow for shared investment to encourage innovation and promote the maturation of capabilities. The use of OTA is consistent with guidance in the National Space Transportation Policy to "cultivate increased technological innovation and entrepreneurship in the U.S. commercial space transportation sector through the use of incentives such as nontraditional acquisition arrangements, competition and prizes." The awards will be contracted through Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), located at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. SMC is the U.S. Air Force's center of acquisition excellence for acquiring and developing military space systems. Its portfolio includes the Global Positioning System, Military Satellite Communications, Defense Meteorological Satellites, Space Launch and Range Systems, Satellite Control Networks, Space Based Infrared Systems and Space Situational Awareness capabilities. "These awards are central to the Air Force goal of two domestic, commercially viable launch providers that meet National Security Space requirements," said Lt. Gen. John Thompson, the Air Force's Program Executive Officer for Space and SMC commander. "These innovative public-private partnerships with industry provide a path to develop launch vehicles to assure access to space, address the urgent need to transition away from strategic foreign reliance, and provide responsive launch capabilities to the warfighter." Media representatives can submit questions for response regarding this topic by sending an e-mail to smcpa.media@us.af.mil. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 418th FLTS completes 10-year support of NASA Orion parachute tests By Kenji Thuloweit, 412th Test Wing Public Affairs / Published October 10, 2018 EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) -- For a decade the 418th Flight Test Squadron has supported NASA by supplying C-17 Globemaster IIIs and personnel to assist with the testing and qualifying of the Orion spacecraft's parachute system. That support ended Sept. 12 with the success of the final parachute system test over the Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. The 34,000-pound Orion test article was pulled out from a C-17 cargo bay to test the spacecraft's Capsule Parachute Assembly System, or CPAS, which ultimately qualified the system for flights with astronauts. In the future, when the Orion spacecraft returns to Earth, the capsule's system of 11 parachutes will slow the manned spacecraft's descent for a splashdown in the ocean. The final test checks off an important milestone on the path to send humans on missions to the moon and beyond, according to NASA. For participants at the 418th FLTS, it was a bittersweet end to a unique test program. "The conclusion of the CPAS test program leaves me with a sense of accomplishment and a bit of sadness," said Nhan Doan, 418th FLTS lead airdrop engineer and NASA CPAS program engineer. "I feel accomplished knowing that one day the Orion space vehicle will use the same recovery parachutes that we tested. Those parachutes will deliver the astronauts safely back to Earth. Just knowing that gives me satisfaction in my work. I've worked on this awesome program for a long time so I am a bit sad because the test program is over." Doan added that Edwards AFB has participated in the CPAS testing since 2008 with the first airdrop test conducted in July 2008. However, planning and working with NASA began around 2006. The 418th FLTS has conducted more than 23 drops, he said. The airdrops mainly involved two 418th FLTS test pilots, two flight test engineers, two test-qualified loadmasters, two airdrop engineers, two physiological technicians, two aerial photography personnel, and two-three aircraft maintainers. "Nevertheless, there are many people who also work behind the scene and not directly on the flight," Doan said. "These people may not be part of the 418th, but without them the program would not have a successful completion. I owe thanks to many of them. We have test project managers, flight schedulers, technical experts, airdrop riggers, previous airdrop engineers and interns supporting data analysis, safety personnel ensuring the test is conducted in a safe and efficient manner, just to name a few." According to NASA, Orion's parachute system is complex. About 10 miles of Kevlar lines connect the spacecraft to 12,000 square feet of parachute canopy material. The lines must not get tangled during deployment. Cannon-like mortars fire to release several different parachutes. All of these elements must be developed to be reliable for the various angles, wind conditions and speeds in which Orion could land. These elements made conducting the airdrop tests also complex. "As a loadmaster we are responsible for being thoroughly familiar with the test plan, safety package, technical order waivers, airdrop malfunction procedures/deviations, and principles of test conduct," said Tech. Sgt. Shane Powell, 418th FLTS evaluator flight test loadmaster. "We are responsible for loading the article on the aircraft and ensuring that it is properly secured. Additionally, we are responsible for rigging the system for extraction, which involves setting up a drogue parachute, two extraction parachutes, and making nine ties using airdrop rigging materials. We then complete a thorough Joint Airdrop Inspection with an Army rigger. On the day of test, we are responsible for running the system in-flight that enables the airdrop to occur." Powell said the C-17 test aircraft then flies up to an altitude of 25,000 to 35,000 feet, depressurizes to open the cargo door and ramp, and then extracts the mock Orion spacecraft test article by using an extraction type airdrop. "The article greatly exceeds technical order limits leaving only nine inches of clearance on each side of the cargo compartment sidewalls. The test is a huge integration of NASA, Air Force, and Army assets," Powell said. According to the space agency, NASA's Orion spacecraft is built to take humans farther than they've ever gone. The craft will serve as an exploration vehicle that carries a crew to space and sustain them during their travel. When the astronauts inside descend toward the ocean after reentering the Earth's atmosphere on future missions, their lives will be hanging by a series of threads that have been thoroughly tested and validated to ensure the parachute-assisted end of Orion missions are a success. "It is always a sight of awe when I see the NASA test capsule on the K-loader about to be loaded onto the C-17 it just looks stellar," Doan said. "Definitely something you don't see every day. The most interesting thing about the CPAS test is going up to 35,000 feet unpressurized and getting ready to extract the capsule from the aircraft. There are not a lot of people that can say they have flown at 35,000 feet unpressurized. It is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience to airdrop the NASA capsule from the C-17 at 35,000 feet." The completion of CPAS testing brings NASA one step closer to resuming manned space exploration flights, which will be launched from NASA's new heavy-lift rocket. "We are very proud of this test team and all the test teams over that last decade that have masterfully executed these missions, they have made a very complex airdrop look easy," said Lt. Col. Maryann Karlen, 418th director of operations. "We enjoy working on many programs with NASA and congratulate them on this significant milestone." - NASA contributed to this article NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The U.S. wants a larger U.S. armed forces presence in Greece due to its geopolitical importance Greece and the United States are in deliberations over the establishment of a U.S. Army base on Karpathos island in the Dodecanese complex. According to an ANT1 television report, discussions are at an advanced stage. The U.S. discusses the use of the island for an air base for F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft, as well as a defensive Patriot missile system. The U.S. wants a larger U.S. armed forces presence in Greece due to its geopolitical importance. The issue of Karpathos is high on the agenda in the upcoming visit of Defense Minister Panos Kammenos to the U.S, and his meeting with his American counterpart, James Matisse, according to the same sources. So far the two sides have agreed for the placement of American Drones MQ-9 Reaper at the Larissa airport. Furthermore, U.S. F-35 fighter jets will be relocated in Volos. F-16s will be stationed in Andravida, while U.S. F-15s are at the Souda base in Crete, according to the same report. Read more at greekreporter.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: ufoncz License: CC-BY-SA Trump says to meet DPRK's Kim after U.S. mid-term elections People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 13:21, October 10, 2018 WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that his upcoming meeting with Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) , will be held after the mid-term Congressional elections in early November. Trump told reporters on a flight to the Midwestern state of Iowa that he is too busy campaigning to arrange the meeting. "I just can't leave now," he said. The mid-term elections will be held on Nov. 6. Earlier in the day, Trump told reporters that the venue of his second meeting with Kim has been narrowed down to "three or four" locations. "We are talking about three or four different locations, timing won't be too far away," said the U.S. president, adding that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had good talks with Kim during his Sunday trip to Pyongyang. In brief remarks to reporters at the White House on Tuesday afternoon, Pompeo reiterated that progress had been made on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. "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," the top U.S. diplomat said. The first-ever DPRK-U.S. summit was held in Singapore on June 12. According to 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNSC Should Begin Reconsidering Sanctions Against Pyongyang Joint Statement Sputnik News 10:10 10.10.2018(updated 10:38 10.10.2018) Russia's Foreign Ministry has reported that Moscow, Beijing and Pyongyang support the idea of holding talks between the US, China, North Korea and South Korea regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula. The Russian, Chinese and North Korean Deputy Foreign Ministers believe the UNSC should begin to reconsider sanctions against Pyongyang, they said in a joint statement. According to the statement, Russia's Igor Morgulov, China's Kong Xuanyou and North Korea's Choe Son Hui held trilateral consultations on the situation on the Korean Peninsula in Moscow on October 9. "Taking into account the important steps taken by North Korea toward denuclearization, the sides consider it necessary to start a timely revision of the sanctions against North Korea by the UN Security Council. The sides also reaffirmed their position against unilateral sanctions," the document read. The diplomats also expressed support for negotiations aimed at improving relations between the United States and North Korea, as well as between Pyongyang and Seoul. "The sides unanimously agreed that there was no alternative to a peaceful political and diplomatic settlement of the whole range of problems of the Korean Peninsula. They also commended the efforts taken by the countries involved in promoting dialogue in the interests of such a settlement. The sides expressed their support for negotiations between North Korea and the United States, North and South Korea in order to alleviate mutual concerns and improve relations," the document read. Earlier, the Russian and Chinese Foreign Ministers stated during UN Security Council meetings that sanctions on North Korea should be eased in order to encourage continued progress toward denuclearization. In September, Donald Trump stated that the United States would continue the sanctions regime against North Korea until the full denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. In June, Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong-un held a summit in Singapore during which North Korea's chairman expressed a commitment to abandon the country's nuclear weapons program, while the United States pledged to provide security guarantees and freeze joint military exercises with South Korea. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Japan's Navy Sets Sights on More Women in Service - But Not Because of Equality Sputnik News 03:44 10.10.2018 Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force wants more women in the service, but it has nothing to do with gender equality. Japan's Self-Defense Force has set a goal to increase the percentage of women in military service, driving it up to nine percent overall by 2030, from this year's six percent. However, the underlying cause has nothing to do with tolerance and gender equality. The Japanese military needs more women because it needs to plug staffing holes it cannot fill with men, due to falling birth rates, according to a Reuters report. Tokyo first let women to serve on warships in 1993, and its troubled demographics seem to be forcing it further down this path: the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) is about to remove the ban keeping women sailors from submarine duty, Reuters reports, citing sources in Japan's defense ministry. With some 100 vessels, 20 submarines, more than 40 destroyers and four helicopter carriers, Japan has one of the world's largest fleets, requiring approximately 50,000 personnel. However, administrative barriers are not the only thing keeping women away from military service. There is, of course, the mundane issue of sexual harassment. In July, the Japanese navy discharged a male petty officer for kissing and groping three female sailors over a period of several months, Reuters reports. In an effort to tackle the issue, the MSDF has introduced separate sleeping quarters for women on its ships, even reportedly hanging signs warning male personnel to keep out. Still, young Japanese teenagers of both sexes appear to be significantly more reluctant to join the MSDF when compared to other branches of the military, and reason behind that hesitance could be social networks. Japan's youth are loathe to be cut off the social media, as sailors are only allowed to send four text messages per day, Reuters reports. It is yet unknown whether the MSDF might change its policy and let crewmen finally access internet in full while on duty in an effort to boost recruitment. If Japan succeeds in its goal of raising the percentage of women in service to nine percent over all military branches combined, it would still fall short of the 15 percent and 10 percent marks of the US and UK militaries, respectively. In Russia, some 45,000 of 900,000 service members are women, making them five percent of overall staff. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Parliament's Defense Committee Denies Military Presence in Libya Sputnik News 05:08 10.10.2018 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia does not have any military presence in Libya, the deputy chair of the Russian upper house's defense committee, Alexei Kondratyev, told Sputnik on Tuesday following media reports claiming that Moscow was allegedly plotting to establish a stronghold against the West in Libya. On Monday, The Sun reported that the UK intelligence had warned UK Prime Minister Theresa May of Moscow's alleged plans to send weapons and troops to Libya to turn it into "new Syria" and take control of migration routes to Europe thus increasing Moscow's influence on the West. According to the newspaper, two Russian military bases were already operating in Libya's coastal towns of Tobruk and Benghazi and Russian special forces were allegedly training groups in Libya's eastern regions. "There are no our military servicemen [in Libya] and their presence is not planned. How could they be there without official request by the country's authorities," Kondratyev said. According to the lawmaker, the media report was nothing more than an attempt to "discredit Russia in its fight against terrorism." The Russian Embassy in London has said earlier in the day that the reports were an attempt to shift the responsibility for the crisis in Libya from NATO on Russia. Libya has been in turmoil since the NATO military intervention and overthrow of the country's long-time leader, Muammar Gaddafi, in 2011. The country is divided between two governments, with the eastern part controlled by the Libyan National Army and the western part governed by the UN-backed Government of National Accord of Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj. Libya is also the major gate for migrants from all of the North Africa attempting to cross the Mediterranean and settle in Europe. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China to sell unmanned, strike-capable drones to Pakistan Iran Press TV Wed Oct 10, 2018 08:04AM China has agreed to sell a batch of military-grade drones to Pakistan just days after India signed a multi-billion-dollar arms deal with Russia in defiance of US warnings against military transactions with Moscow. Pakistan's air force said Islamabad and Beijing will jointly produce 48 Wing Loong II UCAVs - unmanned combat aerial vehicles manufactured by China's Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group. Wing Loong-II is China's latest high-end strike-capable drone with a payload capacity of over 400 kilograms, according to the official Xinhua news agency. The medium-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle is reportedly capable of being fitted with air-to-surface missiles and TG-100 laser-guided bombs. China's English-language newspaper The Global Times confirmed the report, describing it as the largest arms deal of its kind China has ever signed. Chinese armed drones, which will enhance Pakistan's surveillance and strike capabilities, are much cheaper than those the United States provides to Islamabad, the report said. The purchase announcement, which did not clarify details of the cost, time of delivery or place and time of the agreement, made headlines in India with some military experts referring to them as "good targets for our air defense missile system." The news about the arms deal between Pakistan and China comes just after India signed a $5.4 billion deal to purchase five Russian-made S-400 air defense systems. The S-400 is capable of intercepting and destroying airborne targets at a distance of up to 400 kilometers and simultaneously engaging up to six targets. Russia will deliver the first battery by the end of 2020. India and Pakistan have fought at least three wars so far and continue to skirmish over Kashmir, a divided Muslim-majority region which both countries claim in entirety. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Seoul Can Lift Sanctions Imposed on North Korea After 2010 Warship Sinking Sputnik News 10:22 10.10.2018 TOKYO (Sputnik) - South Korea is considering the removal of sanctions that were imposed on North Korea after the March 2010 sinking of South Korean corvette Cheonan, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has stated. "We are currently considering [the matter] in consultation with a related [government] agency," Kang said, as quoted by the Kyodo news agency. The sanctions, also known as 5.24, were imposed by Seoul after a torpedo attack against the South Korean warship and banned economic transactions with North Korea. Pyongyang denies it was responsible for the attack. In September, the North and South Koreas reportedly discussed the idea of setting up a demilitarized zone along the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de facto maritime boundary between the two nations in the Yellow Sea. The situation on the Korean peninsula has significantly developed over the last few months, with North Korea's Kim promising to give up nuclear aspirations. Kim Jong-un has held three rounds of talks with his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in and a historic summit with US President Donald Trump in Singapore in June. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Flag Stirs South Korean Anger at Japan By Steve Miller, Lee Ju-hyun October 10, 2018 South Korea's Jeju Island welcomed nearly 20 fleets from more than ten countries as it kicked off a five-day international naval review. However, the ghost and painful memory of World War II atrocities appeared this week when Japan, a key U.S. ally in the region and less than 1,000 kilometers away, elected to skip this year's event after Seoul requested ships from the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force not to fly their naval ensign, the 16-ray rising sun flag. Despite Tokyo's absence from the event, the dispute over the flag is expected to continue between the two countries even after its conclusion. Two atrocities appeared this week when Japan, a key U.S. ally in the region and less than 1,000 kilometers away, elected to skip this year's event after Seoul requested ships from the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force not to fly their naval ensign, the 16-ray rising sun flag. Despite Tokyo's absence from the event, the dispute over the flag is expected to continue between the two countries even after its conclusion. South Korea and other Asian countries strongly associate the rising flag with Japan's aggression during the 20th Century. Some even go as far as to link the flag to various atrocities and consider it a lasting symbol of World War II. South Korea's navy had asked all nations participating to display their national flags and the South Korean flag on their vessels. Some viewed that request as a way to prevent Japanese vessels from flying the kyokujitsuki, or rising sun flag. Japanese officials told the Associated Press it is mandatory for Japan's naval ships to fly the ensign under domestic laws and only commercial ships fly the "hinomaru," or national flag, to differentiate them. Japanese Chief of Staff Katsutoshi Kawano said the flag was a matter of pride for the Maritime Self-Defense Force sailors and regretted the impasse with Seoul over its use. Japan also refutes the idea that the naval ensign is a symbol of war. Flag evokes deeply rooted resentment South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon highlighted the nation's antipathy toward the flag earlier this month. "Japan must carefully consider the effect that the Rising Sun Flag has on the Korean people, who remember the pain of colonial rule," he said in an October 1 cabinet meeting. Furthermore, the hostility toward the naval ensign is not limited to political issues, but manifests throughout South Korean pop culture. In 2016, K-pop singing idol Tiffany (from the group Girl's Generation) was removed from a television variety show because she used a rising sun flag emoji in an Instagram post celebrating Liberation Day, the August 15th holiday marking Japan's World War II surrender. The emoji's use immediately evoked public outrage and the network announced Tiffany's departure three days later. But it is not only the flag itself that elicits strong reactions. In some cases, just the radial pattern design of the flag is enough. Earlier this year, Nike canceled the release of a shoe adapting the pattern design and local brewery Hite discontinued a special edition beer label with it, even though the featured colors were purple and blue. Ewha Womans University industrial design professor Cho Young-sik explained why the pattern is so readily seen, even though it has long-drawn resentment. "Sunrise itself is generally considered positive. Although the intensity of image limits its direct utilization in fashion design or interface design, its concept [radial pattern] is commonly adopted in brand design as a motif," he said. Cho went on to say that that the design's perceived meaning also varies between cultures, noting the design concept delivers different feelings depending on the color combinations used. "Unlike the Japanese flag, yellow and orange are frequently used in this pattern in the Western culture," he added. From an aesthetic perspective, Cho said, "The image is effective in getting public attention, with an intense color contrast of red and white," saying it's more effective at transmitting Japan's national identity than its national flag. Renewed push for a legislative ban On October 1, South Korean legislator Shin Yong-hyeon proposed a bill in the National Assembly aiming to prohibit the rising sun design be used in South Korea. The "Rising Sun Flag is equivalent to the Hacken Kreitz (Nazi party flag used during World War II) in South Korea. It is a symbol of Japanese past military aggression," Shin's spokesperson told VOA. A similar bill was introduced in 2016, but never passed. The latest iteration is more comprehensive and includes adaptive designs. That piece of legislation has garnered increased support as diplomatic rows continue over longstanding issues such as the comfort women and Dokdo, a set of small islets also claimed by Japan and known as Takeshima or internationally as the Laincort Rocks). Tokyo defends its persistent use, saying the radial pattern of the rising sun has been used a long time, dating back to the Edo period (1603-1868). The kyokujitsuki appeared as the official naval ensign in 1889 and was registered with the International Maritime Organization in 1954, the same year the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force was established. Yang Gi-ho, a Japanese studies professor at Sungkonghoe University, says to the Japanese, the flag's design has an entirely different interpretation than it does in Korean society. "It traditionally symbolizes fertility and abundance in Japanese culture," Yang said, noting that some companies incorporate it into their branding. Among those is the Asahi Shinbum newspaper. He said that while it is his view that it is not appropriate to ban the flag in South Korea, Japanese officials should consider national sentiment in South Korea as both counties try to improve their relationship and move forward. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU postpones vote to reinstate Russian voting right on council Iran Press TV Wed Oct 10, 2018 10:13AM The Council of Europe has postponed a controversial decision on restoring Moscow's voting rights on the organization, stripped after Crimea's vote in 2014 to secede from Ukraine and join Russia. Delegates at a plenary session of the council's Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) decided by a vote of 99 to 79 and 16 abstentions to return the draft proposal for further review. "The debate is completely 'poisoned' by the Russia case, so putting off the problem is the right decision," German Delegate Frank Schwabe wrote in a Twitter message following the vote. The proposed amendment to the rules of the council would have made it more difficult to sanction delegates of a member state in case of "serious infringement of the Council of Europe's fundamental principles." The Council of Europe is an international organization whose stated aim is to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. Russia suspended part of its 33-million-euro annual contribution to the council last year after the institution took away Moscow's voting rights. The proposed measure was regarded as a way of appeasing Moscow by allowing it to present a new council delegation in January. Proponents of keeping Russia inside the rights institution argue that it will make Moscow think twice before legislating measures which undermine democracy or human rights as interpreted by the Council of Europe. Key proponent of Russia's readmission is the council's Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland. Other influential supporters of Moscow are important members such as Germany, France and Italy but Ukraine and Britain remain among firm opponents of the move. At least eight resolutions have been adopted by PACE against Russia since the Ukraine crisis began and Crimea voted in a referendum to join Russia. Moscow has demanded to be readmitted without conditions and given guarantees from PACE that it will no longer be subjected to any future sanctions. Reacting to the postponement, chairman of the international committee of Russia's lower parliament house, State Duma, Leonid Slutsky said the Russian delegation is unlikely to return to the PACE in 2019. PACE "once again did the bidding of the Russophobic minority," he said, adding the decision "demonstrated how strong destructive attitudes in Strasbourg are." "PACE once again demonstrated its weakness and ceded position in the face of the anti-Russian hysteria," Slutsky said. Russia has become a litmus test of how Europe is becoming increasingly divided, with each European country having its interests determined by its own geographical realities. There is no longer a European approach to Russia like there was during the Cold War when a weak Europe dependent on the US for its security acted as one to maintain the US containment line. Hungary and Bulgaria, as historical battle grounds between the West and the East, have criticized EU policy toward Russia for being too harsh. Also, key European countries such as Germany have critical economic concerns because they receive a significant amount of oil and natural gas from Russia. German, Austrian, and French energy companies are engaged in a number of joint venture projects with Russian energy companies. However, Poland and the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are inclined toward the US and stand firm in favor of extending sanctions against Russia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia To Start Importing Gas From Turkmenistan Again Next Year, Gazprom Says October 10, 2018 Russia's Gazprom next year will resume imports of natural gas from Turkmenistan that it stopped three years ago, the energy giant's chief executive has said. In an interview with Turkmenistan's state television channel during a visit to Ashgabat on October 9, Gazprom CEO Aleksei Miller said he expected purchases that had been suspended due to price disputes to resume at the beginning of next year. "We are talking about the resumption of purchases of Turkmen gas by Gazprom in the very near future -- from January 1, 2019," Miller said, adding that details of the new deal still must be finalized. Russia was once the leading importer of Turkmen gas until it was displaced by China around the beginning of the decade. Relatively cheap imports of gas from Turkmenistan and other Central Asian countries enabled Russia to boost its exports to Europe. In 2015, Gazprom announced its intention to cut imports of Turkmen gas to 4 billion cubic meters per year, down from the 10 billion level that it had been importing since 2010. The move was followed by a complete cessation of purchases announced at the beginning of 2016, putting significant pressure on Turkmenistan's economy, which is highly dependent on hydrocarbons as a source of hard currency. Gas deliveries to China from Turkmenistan along the Central Asia-China pipeline are currently between 30 billion and 40 billion cubic meters a year. A large part of the revenues from Turkmenistan's sales to China are believed to be used to pay off debt on the pipeline link, which also traverses neighbors Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and was financed by Beijing. Turkmenistan, which sits atop the world's fourth-largest reserves of gas, exported similar volumes of gas to Russia before exports dropped dramatically following a mysterious pipeline explosion that occurred amid a price dispute in 2009. Based on reporting by AP and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-to-start- importing-natural-gas-turkmenistan-again-next-year- gazprom-miller-says/29535231.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 Grab? Why The Ingush Are Furious With Chechnya Tony Wesolowsky, RFE/RL's North Caucasus Service October 10, 2018 Magas, the capital of the southern Russian region of Ingushetia, has been at the center of fresh controversy in the volatile North Caucasus region of late. For nearly a week, people have been gathering in the city center to voice their anger over a land-swap deal signed by Ingush leader Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and his Chechen counterpart Ramzan Kadyrov on September 26. Many Ingushetians object, considering it a bad idea to cede prime real estate for remote mountainous terrain. Protesters are demanding that Yevkurov step down, blaming him for inking the deal and failing to seek public input first. There is no sign of the protests abating. On October 10, crowds gathered for the seventh straight day, joining demonstrators who two days earlier had moved their tents and benches from the central square to a site in front of the state radio and television company. They have permission from the city authorities to continue their sit-in there until October 15. The protesters have organized hot food delivery at their camp and have been giving speeches nearby close to the central Idris Zyazikov Avenue. RFE/RL's North Caucasus Service reports that women, not always active in public life in the Muslim world, are turning out in large numbers as well. What's The Deal? The agreement aims to finally settle a border dispute that has been brewing since the two Muslim majority republics were carved out of the former joint Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in 1992, a year after the Soviet Union collapsed. The current territory-exchange agreement is part of a larger deal to demarcate the border between the two republics. There have been attempts in the past to clear up the border mess. In 1993, the then-leaders of the two republics, Ruslan Aushev (of Ingushetia) and Dzhokhar Dudaev (Chechnya) signed an accord to demarcate the border, but tensions persisted. Another deal was reached in the early 2000s but failed to hold. The latest deal was approved by the Ingush parliament on October 4, despite claims by several lawmakers that the vote was falsified. Besides the protesters, the region's Constitutional Court ruled that the land-swap agreement was unconstitutional. Why Is It Controversial? For the Ingush, any deal to cede lands is a "painful issue," explains Aleksandre Kvakhadze, an expert on the region at the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies. Ingushetia lost control of the disputed Prigorodny district to North Ossetia in 1992 following a conflict that left some 600 dead, predominantly Ingush. "Since this conflict, any suggestions of a change to the borders is a very sensitive and painful issue for the Ingush," says Kvakhadze. Kvakhadze says Chechnya appears to be getting more choice ground in the agreed deal, including a contested area of Ingushetia's Sunzhensky district. However, few if any firm details on what in fact is part of the swap have been publicized. The Caucasian Knot news website suggests that the land swap is more of a land grab by Chechnya. In an October 9 report, the website said Chechnya was getting more than 26 times more territory than Ingushetia. Citing an unnamed cartography expert, Caucasian Knot said Chechnya would acquire 26,800 hectares of Ingush territory -- all uninhabited -- while Ingushetia would get about 1,000 hectares of land. Why Did Ingush Leaders Agree? In August, construction workers guarded by Chechen security forces built a stretch of road in Ingushetia's Sunzhensky district, according to Support for Ingushetia, which was cited by Caucasian Knot on August 30. In the process, according to the NGO, a rare type of tree was cut down and valuable topsoil destroyed in a nature reserve. It also said there was an attempt to establish a Chechen border post in the settlement of Arshty, nearly two kilometers inside Ingushetia. Arshty has apparently been in Kadyrov's crosshairs for a while now. In 2013, some 300 Chechen Interior Ministry special forces informally known as Kadyrovtsy entered the Ingush village without permission from Ingush authorities, sparking clashes with police forces there. The latest Chechen actions may have stirred Ingush fears, suggests Kvakhadze, convincing leaders there to settle for the disadvantageous land deal, hoping it might be the best way to avoid a further escalation and even possible bloodshed. "The Ingush believed that Kadyrov would violently take over these territories because this agreement was preceded by incidents when Kadyrov's armed groups -- so-called Kadyrovtsy -- were entering Ingushetia, including Arshty," Kvakhadze told RFE/RL. Ingush officials appeared to take steps to avoid escalating the situation, and in mid-September Yevkurov said that the situation on the border was "under control." Will The Land Deal Sate Kadyrov? According to Kvakhadze, Kadyrov is eager to expand his influence and possibly Chechnya's territorial footprint in the region, with a sliver of land in neighboring Daghestan a possible future target. "Ramzan Kadyrov, if we read his old statements, he was always concerned about the destiny of the Novolaksky district, which used to be part of Chechnya before the deportation of Chechens [by Soviet leader Josef Stalin during World War II] but after that it was unified with Daghestan and now it's administered by Daghestan. Kadyrov and his officials many times have expressed claims to Daghestan over this district." Moscow's Response Ingush officials were eager to see Moscow mediate the dispute, with Kadyrov and Yevkurov agreeing in 2012 to negotiate their border issues at the federal level. The Kremlin, however, has been conspicuous in its absence from the dispute. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said recently that "the Kremlin is closely following the situation," but added that it's up to the two regions to reach an agreement on the issue. Kadyrov's stature in Russia as a whole may be influencing the Kremlin's calculus, according to Kvakhadze. "We know that Kadyrov is not only the leader of one North Caucasus republic. His influence goes beyond the borders of Chechnya. He has an impact in other regions of Russia, especially through Chechen organized crime groups, or ethnic Chechens who are serving in Russian law enforcement structures and his business interests can be seen in Moscow and other big cities of Russia," explains Kvakhadze. "So, Kadyrov became a leader at the federal level, not just the republic level. So, he has backing in the Kremlin, first of all." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/explainer-ingush -chechen-land-swap/29536507.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 Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) together with Aldar Properties rang the market opening bell to celebrate the listing of Aldar Investments new sukuk, marking the first corporate sukuk ever to be listed on the exchange. The sukuk, which was raised at a profit rate of 4.75 per cent with a seven year tenor, will start trading today under the code ALDARSUKUK2025, said a statement. There was strong investor demand for the issue, reflecting Aldar Investments status as the regions highest rated non-government related corporate. Aldar Investments is a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of Aldar, whose shares are also listed on ADX, it said. Rashid Al Blooshi, chief executive of ADX, and Talal Al Dhiyebi, chief executive of Aldar, were present at the bell ringing ceremony held to mark the dual listing of the sukuk, the first of its kind in the market. The sukuk was primarily listed on the Irish Stock Exchange and is now traded on Euronext Dublin, as well as Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, it added. Al Blooshi said: This dual listing is yet another testament to our leadership and excellence in the region's securities markets. ADX has established itself as a preferred destination for listing and trading in the region. We have world-class infrastructure for listing and trading of diversified stocks, and it provides investors with the opportunity to invest their savings in a legal, stable and regulatory environment that adopts the best international practices in disclosure and transparency, he added. Greg Fewer, chief financial officer of Aldar, said: We are pleased to celebrate the first day of trading for the new sukuk. Our goal is for Aldar Investments to be the most cost-efficient platform for real estate ownership in the region. The lower cost of capital resulting from the successful sukuk issue is a significant step towards that goal, he added. In May, The Exchange listed sovereign bonds worth $100 million, issued by the Ministry of Finance and the Maldivian Treasury on behalf of the Maldives Government, for the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. The listing was the first of its kind in the UAE and the region. ADX seeks to become the preferred listing and trading platform, and strives to consolidate its position as a leading market in the region by providing the most innovative products and services to ensure a fair and secure investment environment. It also aims to strengthen the local economy and its sustainable development, in line with the Abu Dhabi Plan by developing the financial services sector, creating an attractive business and investment environment in the emirate, it added. TradeArabia News Service Turkish daily reveals identities of Saudis suspected of killing Khashoggi Iran Press TV Wed Oct 10, 2018 07:43AM A Turkish newspaper has published the names and photos of 15 Saudis, including several officials, who are suspected of having assassinated Jamal Khashoggi, a dissident Saudi journalist, in Riyadh's consulate in Istanbul before leaving Turkish soil. Daily Sabah released on Tuesday the identities of the Saudi operatives, who had, according to the report, arrived from Riyadh to Istanbul on two private jets and entered the Saudi mission on October 2 as Khashoggi entered the building. The Saudis had checked in at two international hotels close to the consulate before driving to the consulate. They left Turkey that very same evening. The suspects are all wanted by Turkish authorities for questioning in connection with Khashoggi's disappearance. A source close to the investigation into the case told the Middle East Eye news portal that three of the suspects were members of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's elite close protection unit. One of the Saudis, he added, is the head of the forensic department at the Saudi General Security. Saudi squad 'awaiting Khashoggi' at consulate Meanwhile, The Washington Post reported that the 15-member Saudi team had lain in wait for Khashoggi the day he entered the consulate but never came out. The American daily obtained a photograph taken from a Turkish police closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera outside the residence of the Saudi consul general, Mohammed al-Otaibi, located less than 500 meters from the consulate. It shows a Mercedes Vito van with tinted windows, which is believed to have transported some of the Saudi suspects from the consulate to Otaibi's residence about two hours after Khashoggi had entered the diplomatic mission. According to flight tracking records and the people familiar with the investigation, the Saudi squad had departed from Istanbul on planes bound for Cairo and Dubai and later for Riyadh. Saudi Arabia claims that Khashoggi had left the consulate after completing paperwork for his wedding to his Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, but Ankara says Riyadh must prove the claim. A CCTV camera recorded the moment Khashoggi entered the consulate but not his exit. On Tuesday, a still image emerged of Khashoggi striding towards the mission. A black van that was allegedly used to smuggle him or his body away was also seen parked next to the consulate's front door. CCTV disappears from consulate Meanwhile, The Guardian reported that security camera footage had been removed from the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, and the Turkish staff had been abruptly told to take a holiday on the day Khashoggi vanished. Turkish investigators believe the CCTV footage from inside the consulate was onboard the two corporate jets that took the Saudi suspects back to Riyadh. A reporter with the Yeni Safak daily said on Wednesday that Turkey's National Security Service had footage showing Khashoggi's entrance into the Saudi consulate and his murder. These films , he added, would be released by the Anadolu news agency. Khashoggi's fiancee urges release of CCTV footage In an opinion piece published in The Washington Post, where Khashoggi was a contributing writer, Cengiz called on Saudi Arabia to release CCTV footage from the consulate. Khashoggi's fiancee also expressed confidence in "the abilities of Turkish government officials" and asked US President Donald Trump to help uncover what had happened to the Riyadh critic whom she said had "been fighting for his principles." "I also urge Saudi Arabia, especially King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to show the same level of sensitivity and release CCTV footage from the consulate," she wrote. Although Khashoggi knew that his opinions had angered certain people, he entered the consulate "without doubting he would be safe there," Cengiz added, noting that after three hours of waiting outside the mission, "fear and concern" overcame her. "He was, however, increasingly worried about an unprecedented wave of arrests in his country. Yet Jamal did not think the Saudis could force him to stay at the consulate in Turkey, even if they wanted to arrest him," she added. "Although my hope slowly fades away each passing day, I remain confident that Jamal is still alive." UK demands 'urgent answers' On Tuesday, British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt summoned the Saudi ambassador and demanded "urgent answers" about the disappearance of the journalist. Later, Hunt phoned Saudi Foreign Minister, Adel al-Jubeir, to warn the Riyadh regime over the disappearance. Khashoggi, a former Saudi government advisor, had fled Saudi Arabia last September and had been living in self-imposed exile in the United States, where he had applied for citizenship. He had been critical of bin Salman, accusing the heir to the Saudi throne of introducing a new era of "fear, intimidation, arrests and public shaming." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Missing Saudi journalist killed on order of Riyadh regime, Turkish officials say Iran Press TV Wed Oct 10, 2018 02:57AM High-profile Turkish security officials have concluded that prominent Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who went missing after visiting the kingdom's consulate in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul last week, was assassinated in the diplomatic mission on orders from the highest levels of the Riyadh regime. A Turkish official told the New York Times on the condition of anonymity that a team of Saudi agents killed the 59-year-old writer within two hours of his arrival at the consulate, and then dismembered his body with a bone saw they had brought for the purpose. "It is like 'Pulp Fiction,'" the official commented. On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said officials from the Saudi consulate in Istanbul must "prove" that Khashoggi made exit from the mission. "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. Major American daily newspaper the Washington Post printed a blank column in solidarity with the renowned journalist on Friday. The daily's editorial board also called on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to ensure the journalist "is free and able to continue his work." "His criticism, voiced over the past year, most surely rankles Mohammed bin Salman, who was elevated to crown prince last year and has carried out a wide-ranging campaign to silence dissent while trying to modernize the kingdom," the Post editorial read. It added, "Among those in his prisons for political speech are clerics, bloggers, journalists and activists. He imprisoned women who agitated for the right to drive, a right that was granted even as they were punished." Bin Salman said late on Friday that he was ready to allow Turkey to search the Saudi consulate in Istanbul for the missing journalist. "The premises are sovereign territory, but we will allow them to enter and search and do whatever they want to do. We have nothing to hide," he said in an interview with English-language Bloomberg news network. The Saudi crown prince added that Khashoggi had left the building not long after he entered. Asked if Khashoggi faces charges in Saudi Arabia, Bin Salman said it was first important to discover where he was. Khashoggi's fiancee Hatice Cengiz said he entered the consulate at around 1 p.m. local time (1000 GMT) on October 2, as she accompanied him but waited outside. The woman, who is a Turkish citizen, called police when Khashoggi did not emerge at 5 p.m., after the consulate had officially closed. The rights group Prisoners of Conscience, which is an independent non-governmental organization advocating human rights in Saudi Arabia, announced in a post on its official Twitter page that it did not dismiss the possibility that Khashoggi's sudden disappearance was an attempt to silence the writer. The Arab21 news website reported that the author paid a visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week, but was told by officials at the time to return at a later date to complete an application related to a family matter. Khashoggi, a prominent commentator on Saudi affairs who writes for The Washington Post's Global Opinions section, has lived in self-imposed exile in the US since September 2017, when he left Saudi Arabia over fears of the Riyadh regime's crackdown on critical voices. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Phones Senior Saudi Leaders Over Missing Journalist October 10, 2018 U.S. President Donald Trump said he spoke with a senior Saudi leader about Jamal Khashoggi, the dissident journalist and Washington Post contributor who disappeared from a Saudi consulate in Turkey last week. "It's a very sad situation. It's a very bad situation," Trump said, speaking in the Oval Office. "We cannot let this happen, to reporters, to anybody." "I think we'll get to the bottom of it," he added. Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi monarchy, went missing on October 2 after visiting the Istanbul Consulate to complete paperwork needed to marry his Turkish fiancee. Saudi Arabia said Khashoggi left the consulate shortly after going in and has denied an allegation by some Turkish authorities that the journalist was killed inside. Trump did not say whether he personally spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The White House later said that national security adviser John Bolton, senior adviser Jared Kushner, and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had spoken with the crown prince on October 9, seeking more information. "In both calls, they asked for more details and for the Saudi government to be transparent in the investigation process," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement. Earlier on October 10, Turkish state broadcaster TRT published video showing Khashoggi entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Other footage purportedly shows Saudi aircraft and agents arriving in Istanbul. Pro-government newspaper Sabah said the Saudi "assassination squad" arrived in the Turkish city on board two private jets the day Khashoggi went missing. Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders called for an independent international investigation into Khashoggi's disappearance. Based on reporting by AFP, AP, dpa, and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/turkish-newspaper- names-15-saudis-allegedly-involved-in-saudi-journalist -s-disappearance/29535859.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 Top Trump Officials Talk With Saudi Crown Prince About Missing Journalist By Ken Bredemeier October 10, 2018 The White House said Wednesday that top Trump administration officials have spoken to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the mysterious disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, whom Turkish officials say they believe was murdered last week inside Riyadh's consulate in Istanbul. National security adviser John Bolton and senior adviser Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, talked with Salman Tuesday, while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a follow-up call with the Saudi leader to reiterate the U.S. demand for information about the case, the White House said. "In both calls they asked for more details and for the Saudi government to be transparent in the investigation process," the White House said. Spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the U.S. is continuing to monitor the unfolding investigation in Istanbul, but offered no information what the crown prince told the U.S. officials about Khashoggi's disappearance. Trump told reporters he had talked with officials in Saudi Arabia "at the highest level" about Khashoggi's disappearance, but offered no indication on his whereabouts. "It's a very sad situation, this is a bad situation," Trump said. "It's a terrible thing." "Nobody knows what happened," Trump said, adding, "We want to get to the bottom of it. We cannot let this happen, to reporters, to anyone." Trump declined to say whom he talked with in the Saudi government. He said his aides have been in contact with Khashoggi's fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, and hope to set up a meeting with her at the White House. Turkish officials say they believe Khashoggi, a critic of Salman who has been living in self-imposed exile in the U.S., was murdered October 2 inside the consulate when he went there to pick up documents to allow him to marry Cengiz, a Turkish national, or perhaps spirited away to Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has called the allegation "baseless," but has offered no proof that Khashoggi left the consulate alive, nor has Turkey produced evidence that he was killed inside the diplomatic outpost. Asked whether Washington might dispatch FBI technicians if Saudi Arabia requested it, Vice President Mike Pence said, "I think the United States of America stands ready to assist in any way." Pence did not indicate that either Turkey, which has launched an intensive investigation into Khashoggi's disappearance, or Saudi Arabia has sought U.S. assistance. He told conservative talk show host Hugh Hewitt that Khashoggi's disappearance is "a great concern for the United States of America. The suggestion that this journalist, Mr. Khashoggi, was you know, was murdered should be deeply troubling to everyone that cares as a free and open press around the world.... The free world deserves answers. Violence against journalists should be condemned, but at this point, we don't know what happened." A key U.S. lawmaker, Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, told VOA the unfolding drama could significantly affect U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia, long an American ally in the Middle East. "If it turns out that suspicions of Saudi involvement in the murder of this journalist are true," Kaine said, "it could be a real sea-change in the relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia that could affect many things, including U.S. support for what Saudi Arabia is doing in Yemen. So I think we have to get to the bottom of it." Turkey has focused much of its investigation on 15 Saudi nationals who arrived in Istanbul on two flights the same day as Khashoggi was at the consulate. Khashoggi has written articles in The Washington Post that were critical of the Saudi regime and its intervention in the war in Yemen. Cengiz, his fiancee, wrote in the newspaper Tuesday that Khashoggi had been "somewhat concerned that he could be in danger" when he first visited the consulate September 28, but after that visit was uneventful, seemed unconcerned when he returned last week to pick up the documents they needed to get married. She called on Trump to "help shed light" on the journalist's disappearance. She also urged Saudi Arabia's leaders to release security camera video from the consulate area. Turkish media Wednesday showed what it said was a team of the 15 Saudis arriving at the Istanbul airport on the same day Khashoggi went missing. The Sabah newspaper, which is close to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, published names and pictures of the Saudi nationals, apparently taken at a passport control station. Later, eight of the men checked into the Movenpick hotel near the consulate, with seven others checking into a different nearby hotel, the Wyndham. Nearly two hours after Khashoggi entered the consulate, video shows two vehicles with diplomatic plates leaving the consulate through police barricades and headed to the Saudi consul general's residence. The 15 Saudis left Turkey at four different times, the Sabah report said. Washington Post publisher Fred Ryan issued the newspaper's latest plea for information Tuesday, saying neither Saudi Arabia nor Turkey has provided satisfactory answers. "Silence, denials and delays are not acceptable. We demand to know the truth," Ryan said in a statement. Turkey's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday authorities would search the Saudi consulate, but there have been no details about when such a search would take place. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saudi officials need to prove that Khashoggi left 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 earlier in the week. Crown Prince 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. Michael Bowman contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Tsai outlines strategies for Taiwan's sustainable survival ROC Central News Agency 2018/10/10 19:00:48 Taipei, Oct. 10 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen () said in her National Day address Wednesday that Taiwan must bolster its national strength in order to achieve sustainable survival amid a changing international landscape and challenges arising from China's coercion. In her speech titled "Democratic Taiwan Lights up the World," Tsai said Taiwan will not act rashly to escalate confrontation with China, nor will it give in to pressure, but rather will seek to attain stability, adaptability, and progress. "An effective response strategy must be rooted in national strength," Tsai said on the 107th anniversary of the Republic of China (Taiwan). "So right now, our most important task is to strengthen national security, economy, and the social safety net. We will continue to make Taiwan stronger, and irreplaceable in the global community. This is Taiwan's niche for sustainable survival." On the national security front, Tsai said her administration will continue to strengthen the country's value-based diplomatic links and seek to establish irreplaceable strategic importance, in recognition of Taiwan's geostrategic position. "In facing changing international circumstances, our strategic choice is clear, and that is to staunchly defend freedom, democracy, and the market economy," she said. "These fundamental values have been important foundations in helping Taiwan become a model of Asian democracy and develop a strong economy." In addition, she said, Taiwan must also upgrade its national defense capabilities, prevent foreign powers from infiltrating and subverting society, and realign and rearrange its global and economic and trade strategy, as part of its efforts to improve national security. On the goal of strengthening the economy, Tsai said the approach is to promote economic transformation, efficiently implement the government's infrastructure plan, ensure that the benefits of economic development extend to everyone, and resolve the shortages of land, water, electricity and labor that are of concern to the business sector. "With the economy's structural transformation and infrastructure construction both underway, and the investment environment showing improvement, we can see that Taiwan's economy is recovering and beginning to show steady growth," Tsai said. She also said Taiwan will work with its diplomatic allies to establish a foundation for sustainable economic development for all sides, including dealing with the challenges of climate change, opening new markets and new production bases. The third major aspect of bolstering national security is to create a sound social security net, the president indicated. "When I first took office in 2016, people's most pressing concerns were high housing costs, the lack of care services for senior citizens, the heavy burden of childcare, poor public security, and the influx of illegal drugs threatening the nation," Tsai said. In response, she said, her administration has launched a wide range of initiatives such as social housing projects, long-term care services, child care subsidies, a "quasi-public" daycare and preschool system, and crackdowns on fraud rings and crime organizations. "Over the next four years, NT$10 billion has been allocated to fund a New Era Anti-Drug Strategy to eradicate drug networks from our society," Tsai said. She said Taiwan will also continue on its path to reform in areas such as revising the national pension system, creating a nuclear-free homeland and achieving transitional justice. "We have always believed that our distinctive resilience allows Taiwanese to respond to never-ending internal and external challenges by coming together to make this country better," Tsai said. "This captures the true meaning of this year's National Day theme, 'Taiwan, Together.'" (By Shih Hsiu-chuan) Enditem/pc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President pledges stability, urges China to be responsible ROC Central News Agency 2018/10/10 16:17:48 Taipei, Oct. 10 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen () has reaffirmed her policy of maintaining stability across the Taiwan Strait and urged China to be a responsible stakeholder that plays a positive role in the world rather than a trigger for conflict. In a speech called "Democratic Taiwan Lights up the World" delivered at a ceremony celebrating the 107th birthday of the Republic of China (ROC), which is now Taiwan's official name, Tsai lauded Taiwan as a beacon of democracy. "Our democratic transition once illuminated our own path through the darkness, and remains a beacon in the night for those who long for democracy," Tsai said. Tsai said that people fighting for democracy "in Hong Kong, in mainland China, and around the world can always look to Taiwan, because Taiwan's democracy lights up the world." Further stressing the theme of Taiwan as a beacon, Tsai gave special thanks to the keepers of Taiwan's 36 lighthouses, including six who led the singing of the national anthem at the ceremony, saying they have braved solitude and hardship to light up the country's shorelines. In the speech, the president reiterated her administration's determination to protect the free and democratic way of life of the 23 million people in Taiwan, to defend the sustainable development of the ROC (Taiwan), and to maintain cross-strait peace and regional stability. For some time now, China's unilateral diplomatic offensive and military coercion have harmed cross-strait relations and seriously challenged the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, subjecting Taiwan to "tremendous pressure," Tsai said. In the face of China's suppression, there are people who have urged her to adopt a more confrontational stance towards China and others who want her to give in and compromise, Tsai said. But the more dramatically things change, the more Taiwan has to maintain stability, remain composed to reduce pressure, and calmly find its survival niche, she said. Tsai said her administration will show the world Taiwan's strength and resilience because the best way to defend Taiwan is to make it "indispensable and irreplaceable to the world." She again called on the authorities in Beijing to be a "responsible major power" and to play a positive role in the region and the world, "instead of being a source of conflict." Tsai's speech, which prominently highlighted China's intentions and actions to threaten the international order, was markedly different in tone from last year's message. In Tsai's National Day speech last year, she focused on 2017 being the 30th anniversary of cross-strait exchanges to strike a more conciliatory tone toward to China. She appealed to Beijing to cherish the results of past exchanges and her administration's goodwill to ensure cross-strait peace and stability and display political wisdom to help the two sides find breakthroughs in the relationship. But that open spirit had already started to give way to a more critical outlook against China in her year-end speech last year in which she said the increasing frequency of Chinese air and sea missions in the region added to regional complexities along with the situations in Korean Peninsula and South China Sea. On Wednesday, Tsai also expressed gratitude to Taiwan's diplomatic allies for their advocacy for Taiwan's participation in international cooperation, among them Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez, Saint Lucia Prime Minister Allen Chastanet, and Saint Kitts and Nevis Governor-General Sir Tapley Seaton, who all attended the ceremony. She also thanked like-minded countries including the United States and Japan and the European Union and its member states that have lent support to Taiwan against China's pressure in various forms. Tsai reassured Taiwan's international friends that "we have the courage to persevere on our path" and she believed that when the world sees the beauty of Taiwan, "Taiwan will never be alone." (By Shih Hsiu-chuan) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tsai: Taiwan to enhance 'national security' in face of China's pressure Iran Press TV Wed Oct 10, 2018 11:23AM A defiant Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has said she will boost "national security" in the face of what she described as Chinese pressure to assert sovereignty over the self-rule island. Tsai used a National Day speech on Wednesday to say that her government's "most important task is to strengthen national security, economy, and the social safety net." "We will continue to make Taiwan stronger, and irreplaceable in the global community. This is Taiwan's niche for sustainable survival," she said during a televised speech. She also accused China of "seriously challenging" peace and stability in the region through "intimidation and diplomatic pressure" which she claimed "not only hurts relations between both sides, but seriously challenges the peaceful stability in the Taiwan Strait." Tsai was apparently echoing remarks by US Vice President Mike Pence who on Thursday accused the Chinese government of being a negative influence on both the US and the rest of the world. Pence also condemned what he called Beijing's efforts to strip the island of its diplomatic allies around the world. This year Taiwan has lost three allies, who switched diplomatic allegiance to Beijing, leaving it now with just 17. 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 Taipei in favor of diplomatic relations with Beijing. While Washington formally recognizes only Beijing, it remains a close Taiwanese ally and maintains a de facto embassy on the island. The US in September approved a $330 million arms sale to the self-ruled island. China strongly objected to the United States for the deal and called for its cancellation. On Tuesday, Tsai and Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez watched as ground and air forces conducted a drill in a further provocation of China. Tsai paid a visit to Paraguay and Belize in August to boost ties with the only two Latin American nations that maintain ties with Taipei. Taiwan and the mainland separated amid civil war in 1949. Beijing has vowed to bring the island under its control by force if deemed necessary. Chinese President Xi Jinping has declared that the issue of bringing Taiwan under Beijing's control cannot be postponed indefinitely and some analysts believe he is determined to accomplish that feat during his time in office. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan President Vows to Maintain Island's Sovereignty and Security By VOA News October 10, 2018 Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen is vowing to defend the self-ruled island against China's growing assertiveness. During her annual National Day address Wednesday, President Tsai said Taiwan would increase its defense budget annually and further develop its domestic defense industries, especially towards the building of new submarines and advance training aircraft. China broke off relations with Taiwan after Tsai, the leader of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, took office in 2016 and refused to accept Beijing's long-standing "One China" principle, under which Taiwan is a part of the mainland. Tsai said Taiwan is not seeking confrontation, but will not willingly submit to Beijing's aggression. Beijing has ramped up pressure on the island in recent months, carrying out numerous military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, blocking Taipei's participation in international organizations, and persuading several nations to switch diplomatic relations from Taiwan to China. China and Taiwan split after the 1949 civil war when Chaing Kai-shek's Nationalist forces were driven off the mainland by Mao Zedong's Communists and sought refuge on Taiwan. Beijing is opposed to Taiwan ever declaring independence, and has threatened use force to reunify the island with the mainland. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Argentina Slams British Military Exercises, Missile Launches in Falklands Sputnik News 16:34 10.10.2018(updated 16:37 10.10.2018) The British embassy in Buenos Aires received a formal complaint by the Argentinian government on Tuesday. The protest comes as the South American nation rejected UK's military exercises in the Falkland Islands, scheduled for October 15-29. The exercises that include missile launches were rebuked by the Argentinian Foreign Ministry that said: "Argentina rejects the holding of these exercises in Argentine territory illegally occupied by the United Kingdom." A similar complaint was filed in 2016, when British military exercises included launch of Rapier Anti-Air missiles in the Falklands. In response, the UK government said the activity was a "routine operation" that takes place twice a year. Argentina staged its own military exercise in August at a training area near Buenos Aires, meant to represent parts of the Falkland Islands. Operation Maipu involved troops, helicopters, armored mortar carriers and self-propelled howitzers. The alleged purpose of the exercise was revealed by a Brazilian military attache to British intelligence. According to the attache, Argentina was supposedly planning to invade three outlying islands simultaneously with a view to divert UK defenses. A Whitehall source reportedly said that Britain does have a developed plan to address "unwanted Argentine attention" and "three islands makes things more complicated, but certainly not insurmountable." Argentina has claimed sovereignty over Falklands, located some 435 miles from country's mainland, for decades, following a conflict with Britain in 1982. Buenos Aires argues it inherited islands from Spain when it gained independence in the 19th century. A child plays at the Malvinas Falklands war Memorial in Ushuaia, Argentina, Sunday, April 1, 2012 The UK, however, rejects the claim, arguing the island resident predominantly voted to remain part of Britain in the 2013 referendum. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK troops deploy on largest NATO exercise in a decade NATO's flagship exercise in 2018, Exercise Trident Juncture, is underway 10 October 2018 Hundreds of UK troops have arrived in the Netherlands today as part of an epic 2,500km road move to Norway for Exercise Trident Juncture, NATO's flagship exercise in 2018. In Norway, 2,700 UK personnel will contribute to the large-scale and complex exercise which will test NATO's most important founding principle of collective defence in an article 5 scenario when an attack on one is an attack on all. With some 150 aircraft, 40,000 participants and 10,000 vehicles, this is the largest collective defence exercise NATO has conducted in over a decade. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: "NATO is the bedrock of our defence where Britain plays a leading role. Whenever the call comes, the UK is foremost in stepping up to support our friends and allies across the globe." "This exercise demonstrates the strength of our collective defence. Together we are ready to tackle any threat, from any direction." Earlier this week British Army vehicles and equipment were loaded onto Channel Tunnel trains before arriving in The Netherlands today as part of the complex logistical task of transporting a Battlegroup to Norway a journey that includes road, rail and ferry. Members of the Royal Logistics Corps are lending their expertise in support of the road move while in Norway soldiers from the Royal Irish Regiment, the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment and supporting units will train together with NATO allies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (beah), the sultanates solid waste management firm, has awarded Suez, a multinational corporation, a contract for the operation and maintenance of an industrial waste landfill at North Al Batinah Governorate, a report said. As part of the contract, Suez will oversee the reception, storage and landfilling of an estimated 42,000 tonnes of industrial hazardous waste annually, said the Oman Daily Observer report. This contract is part of an ambitious plan for the development of a National Integrated Waste Treatment Scheme in the sultanate, it said. North Al Batinah, which is home to Sohar Port and Freezone as well as the Sohar Industrial Estate, generates around 90 per cent of the sultanates total industrial hazardous waste. The facility is expected to offer a safe solution for the handling of industrial hazardous waste. A tender for the construction of the full-fledged facility will be floated in the near future, it said. Tanks, Aircraft Used To Battle Fire At Ukrainian Arms Depot RFE/RL October 10, 2018 Kyiv says it has sent in specialized tanks and aircraft to fight a massive fire as explosions continued at an arms depot in northern Ukraine on October 10. More than 12,000 people were evacuated after ammunition stored at the depot near the town of Ichnya began exploding early on October 9, sparking a huge blaze. Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) said earlier that it was looking into all possible leads, including sabotage, at the depot about 135 kilometers northeast of Kyiv. The Armed Forces General Staff announced on October 10 that the guarding of all military depots across the country had been beefed up. Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak said at a cabinet meeting on October 10 that he has "no doubt" that the explosions near Ichnya "were attacks on our depots." According to Poltorak, the depot contained about 70,000 tons of ammunition over 680 hectares, an estimated 43,000 tons of which were "ready to use." Ukraine's State Emergency Service said on October 10 that two engineering vehicles, four firefighting military tanks, and two planes are involved in extinguishing the fire. 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 in 2014 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 Belarus's capital, Minsk, in September 2014 and February 2015 have failed to end the conflict. In March 2017, a massive deflagration 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 the protection of the country's ammunition storage facilities. With reporting by UNIAN, obozrevatel.ua, and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/tanks-aircraft-used-to-extinguish- fire-at-ukrainian-arms-depot/29536373.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 Dubai-based global marine terminal operator DP World said construction work has started on the development of the multi-purpose Berbera port in Somaliland. The joint venture project, DP World Berbera, will also serve land locked countries in the Horn of Africa such as Ethiopia which has a 19 per cent stake in the project as a shareholder, said officials while speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony held in the presence of Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi and DP World Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. The first phase will consist of building a 400-m-long quay and 250,000-sq-m yard extension as well as the development of a free zone to create a new regional trading hub. Long-term DP World partner Shafa Al Nahda Contracting has been awarded the construction contract for the port expansion. It had been earlier involved in the Port of Dakar expansion in Senegal as well the Port of Maputo expansion project in Mozambique. Speaking at the launch, Bin Sulayem said: "This event is a landmark in the history of Somaliland and for DP World. We are delighted that construction work has begun and over the next few years we will see a transformation in the capacity of this major infrastructure asset that will benefit people both here and across the Horn of Africa, providing an alternative gateway to international markets and providing jobs to the people of Somaliland." "This is all part of our vision to act as an enabler of trade and to encourage growth by helping African countries develop their economies with access to global markets," he noted. "Investment in this natural deep-water port and free zone will act as a catalyst for the growth of the country and the regions economy and create jobs at many levels. Alongside physical assets we are investing in the development of the people who work here through training and skills development across our network," he added. Dubbing it as a historic day, Bihi Abdi said: "As we mark another major milestone in the development of our economy and by investing in our infrastructure, we will be able to grow for the benefit of our people, the region and beyond." "Connecting to landlocked countries such as Ethiopia and the rest of the region will reinforce the firm relationships that now exist and make Somaliland an important player in regional economic integration and growth," said the Somaliland President. "The importance of the Port of Berbera as a Red Sea gateway for the Middle East and Africa can now be realised, unlocking our potential as a trade hub and creating jobs across the country," he added.-TradeArabia News Service "Duck Dynasty" star Korie Robertson has opened up about how she and her husband, Willie, adopted their oldest daughter, Rebecca, after she came to the family as an exchange student from Taiwan. "Rebecca's our oldest and she's 28," Korie shared with Focus on the Family's Jim Daly in a recent interview. "Now she came to us when she was 16 as an exchange student from Taiwan, did not speak a word of English. I thought, 'Oh, no, I've got like four little kids, like 2 to 6 and now I've got a 16-year-old that doesn't speak English; what am I gonna do?'" "But we survived that first year and just fell in love with her and invited her back for her senior year," Korie continued. " She came her senior year and it was somewhere in there that we just realized, I remember telling' somebody that I had four kids and one of my little ones said, 'No, you don't; you have five.' And Rebecca just became one of ours." Rebecca still has a mother in Taiwan, who comes to see her on occasion, and her father passed away when she was just 11. Korie added that while she and Willie have not "officially adopted" Rebecca, they still view her as their daughter. "She just got married in December and Willie walked her down the aisle and was able to wear her dad's tie as he walked her down the aisle, so that was a really, really special moment," Korie said. Rebecca currently runs Duck and Dressing, a boutique that she and Korie opened together in Monroe, Louisiana, and also joined the cast of Duck Dynasty in season five. On Mother's Day, shared a photo of herself, her biological mother, and Korie at her wedding. "I am so blessed to have all these beautiful women in my life, and to call them mom," she captioned the Instagram photo. "Thank you all for shaping me to who I am today. Thank you for showing me love, strength & faithfulness. Love y'all so much. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there, y'all are my heroes." Willie and Korie Robertson have three biological kids: John Luke, Sadie and Bella. And they have adopted three children, Will, Rebecca, and most recently, Rowdy. Korie revealed that she knew she wanted to adopt from the time she was a young girl: "My Bible teacher adopted and just really, really talked about how important it was and how that what God calls 'true religion,' is taking care of widows and orphans and that imprinted on my heart then," she shared. "And Willie and I were dating' at the time and I told him I wanted to adopt and he was all in from the very beginning. There was no hesitation on his part either. So, it was just something' we felt called to do really early on." Korie added that her family was thrilled when they were able to use "Duck Dynasty" to encourage others to adopt. "Will is biracial, so he looks different than us, so everyone noticed and we're like great. You know, who's Will? Where'd he come from and all that," she said. "So we started talking' more about adoption. And the more I started talking' about it and the more I started learning about and learning about the kids, you know, in foster care and that sometimes age out of the system and don't have a parent to call their own." She added, "So, that's become more and more a passion of our heart and you know, something' that we feel like if we have this opportunity, God has given us this opportunity to speak and to talk and then let's use it to do some good in the world." In the past, the family has revealed that for them, adoption is a calling and a gift from God. "It's an expression of our faith," Willie told Dallas News earlier this year. "God's been so good to us." "Children are never easy," Korie added. "But they're always worth it." FIA Racing Director Charlie Whiting has opened up about a potential return to the sport for Dutch track Zandvoort. Zandvoort is one of the most historic tracks in F1, with 30 grands prix taking place there between 1958 and 1985. With the rise of Max Verstappen in recent years, the rise in popularity of F1 has grown rapidly in the Netherlands, and this looks like it will be a welcome return for the track. Formula 1's racing director Whiting has opened up on the potential of a return for the iconic circuit. "They came with some proposals and we will evaluate them exclusively from a safety point of view, without considering the commercial aspects," Whiting admitted. "But I think there would be the possibility to play a Grand Prix there. "There is a straight that would be long enough to create a DRS zone and at the same time, you could maintain some historical curves of the track. It would certainly be a nice track to run on." There would inevitably be some alterations to the circuit layout, though, if it did make a return. "Compared to the layout of the track the adjustments to be made minimum, then there are the issues of the size of the paddock, accesses and tribunes that I normally do not deal with." Dubai South will highlight its key advantages as an ideal location for business, including the smart facilities and services at Gitex Technology Week 2018. It has also partnered with Gitex Future Stars as this years Free Zone Partner. The biggest and boldest technology show in Mena and South Asia is running in Dubai from October 14 to 18. Themed Experience Future Urbanism this year, Gitex is the ideal platform for Dubai South to promote its range of smart solutions in line with its efforts to support Dubais leadership in global competitiveness and top ranking in the ease of doing business. Shoaib Al Rahimi, vice president of the Business Park at Dubai South, will hold an interactive mentor clinic session with the next generation of business leaders at Gitex Future Stars to discuss the gaps and solutions to their business needs, as well as showing them the various business solutions available at the Business Park Free Zone at Dubai South. Mohsen Ahmad, CEO of Logistics District, will be part of the panel for the 10x Talks: Getting Tomorrows Mega-Cities Working session, which is part of the Smart Cities Conference on October 14. The talk will explore how technologies, e-commerce and digitalization can help improve urban development and create sustainable cities that provides the right mix of jobs, opportunities and the entrepreneurial spirit of the people. Al Rahimi said: Dubai South has made huge strides towards enabling Dubai to become the worlds smartest and happiest city, integrating advanced technologies in infrastructure and services that bring added value and happiness to our customers. This years Gitex Technology Week and Gitex Future Stars provides us the ideal platform to advance new concepts of business development and urban lifestyle which Dubai South has fittingly made available for todays generation of business leaders and professionals. He added: As global borders continue to blur among business and social networks due to unprecedented development in technologies in recent years, Dubai South is confident that todays business players are looking for the ideal setup, which cater to their need for flexibility and an environment capable of supporting a healthy work-life balance. We look forward to meeting the most ambitious and driven entrepreneurs from around the world at Gitex Future Stars and discuss with them on the best ways to leverage on new opportunities. Dubai South will showcase the features of The Business Park and The Logistics District, which offer ease of doing business and customer satisfaction. The Business Park is located right at the entrance of Dubai South, offering world-class office buildings and facilities. Securing a business license comes in an easy simplified setup and 10 per cent foreign ownership. The Logistics District is a 21-sq-km development with seamless access to seaports, airports and major roads. It is designed to enable a smooth flow of goods and services for fast-cycle businesses from local, regional and international companies. These solutions provides minimum business processing time owing to onsite licensing and visa authority and an e-portal which facilitates all forms of online services. TradeArabia News Service Bosch, a leading global supplier of technology and services, and Huawei, a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices, announced a partnership to accelerate the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) in China. The collaborative agreement, signed at the Huawei Connect 2018, will see the two partners make Boschs IoT Suite software services available in China on Huawei Cloud. The demand for IoT solutions in China is rising. The partnership between Bosch and Huawei Cloud marks a decisive step for Bosch in one of the fastest growing IoT markets in Asia, said Dr Stefan Ferber, CEO of Bosch Software Innovations, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bosch. The company expects Chinas market for IoT platforms to grow by close to 70 percent over the coming years. We are pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate with Huawei Cloud to offer cloud-based IoT services providing various functions needed to connect devices, users, and businesses. I am confident that by joining forces our companies will advance the development of the Internet of Things in China, Ferber said. The software platform of Bosch connects web-enabled objects to facilitate data sharing across a multitude of digital services and business models. The first service made available to Chinese consumers via Huawei Cloud will be the Bosch IoT Remote Manager a service for managing and controlling gateways, sensors, and devices. Additional services of the Bosch IoT Suite will follow in 2019. With offices in Shanghai and Nanjing, Bosch Software Innovations has been active in China since 2012 and has successfully implemented IoT projects ranging from Industry 4.0 to connected transportation. A leading Chinese automotive manufacturer has chosen to deploy the Bosch IoT Suite on Huawei Cloud for updating its vehicles firmware over the air (FOTA). The solution is expected to be rolled out to millions of connected cars in China over the coming years. Bosch Software Innovations is one of the global leaders in IoT, providing cutting-edge IoT solutions and services, said Zheng Yelai, the vice president of Huawei and the president of Huawei Cloud BU. Huawei Cloud is a fast-growing cloud provider in the world, and has committed to cultivating the fertile environment for partners. With the technical excellence of Bosch IoT Suite, and the reliable infrastructure services by Huawei Cloud, we will provide more intelligent IoT solutions to smart cities, enterprises, families and individuals. Most significantly, for consumers in China, the worlds largest automotive market, the Bosch IoT Suite enables vital services such as the Vehicle Management Solution, which is available locally on Huawei Cloud. This solution connects vehicles throughout their service life, providing the technological foundation for such cloud-based services as predictive diagnostics and over-the-air software updates. The software is the secure communication interface between the vehicle, the cloud, and the services. Data management enables vehicle manufacturers or fleet managers to organise vehicle data, analyse it, and keep the vehicle software continuously updated. Following this announcement, Bosch and Huawei intend to develop an integrated end-to-end IoT offering. Huawei is developing IoT hardware gateways that will be pre-configured with Bosch IoT Gateway Software and managed through the Bosch IoT Remote Manager to run on Huawei Cloud. This close integration will provide customers with a more complete IoT solution that is easier to deploy and manage. Bosch and Huawei share a similar vision for the IoT based on open source and industry standards and a commitment to building strong ecosystems in the connected domains of automotive, manufacturing, home, city, and agriculture. Both companies are also members of the Eclipse Foundation and serve in leadership roles within the Industrial Internet Consortium and the OSGi Alliance. Huawei Connect 2018 "Activate Intelligence" is held at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center and Expo Center from October 10 to 12. - TradeArabia News Service By John Privette Wyoming Small Business Development Center Network International trade involves a lot of rules, regulations and terms that can be confusing to a small business owner, but that shouldnt stop you from expanding your market outside of the United States. Free on Board (FOB) is one of the oldest shipment-delivery terms in the books and sets the conditions for when the seller is free of all risks in regard to the exporting process. Heres what you need to know about FOB if your business is currently exporting outside of the U.S. or is looking to do so in the future. According to the Incoterms 2010 rules (the standards for trading terms and conditions), FOB means the Seller (exporter) fulfills delivery obligations and ends their risk when goods are loaded onboard the vessel appointed by the Buyer at a specified port or waterway on the sellers side. The FOB condition only applies under the following criteria: * Restricted to sea and inland waterway transport. * Buyer selects freight forwarder, contracts carriage, and pays for freight to destination. * Neither the Seller nor the Buyer have any obligation to each other to obtain a contract for insurance. * Applies to goods lifted across the ships rail (except containerized shipments), liquid cargo transferred to the ship in hoses and loose bulk cargo filled from silos. Having an understanding of these conditions beforehand allows you to evaluate the obligations and risks involved when exporting and preparing a sales contract. Exporting your product may seem like a daunting task, but there is plenty of help available in Wyoming. If you have more questions about FOB, Incoterms 2010 or anything else related to exporting, get in touch with me for no-cost confidential advising at jprivett@uwyo.edu. There is more on this topic right now on the blog section of our website at WyomingSBDC.org. Chinese group Wison Engineering Services Company said one of its subsidiaries has secured a $150-million engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract from Sabic for a utilities park and pilot plants project in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. The park and plants project is part of the ongoing Sabic Technology Centre expansion plan in the industrial city, marking Sabic's biggest investment in innovation, globally. As per the deal, Wison Engineering Services Company is set to start work on the project and once the expansion is completed, the fully-integrated complex will be the biggest of Sabic's 21 global technology and innovation centres spread across different regions. Earlier this year, Wison Engineering had set up the Middle East Operation Centre in Saudi Arabia, thus demonstrating the importance of the Middle East market in its global strategic development. The Chinese group has delivered seven EPC projects on schedule to Sabic since 2012, said Zou Yu, the president of Wison Engineering (Middle East), after signing the deal with Dr Fahad Al Sherehy, Sabic vice-president, Technology and Innovation, in the presence of senior company officials. "We are also glad to get the Sabic project again. Based on our rich successful experience of seven projects that Wison has delivered, we will continue working hard to achieve the successful delivery of the project with excellent management and project execution," stated Yu. Zheng Shifeng, the senior vice-president of Wison Engineering, said: "The signing of the contract demonstrates the recognition of international clients for our capability to implement EPC projects in the petrochemical sector and enhances Wison Engineering's reputation among the suppliers of project owners, laying a foundation for us to fight for larger scale projects in the future." "We will continue provide premier services to clients, strengthen the bond of trust with them and proactively respond to the Saudi Government's vision 2030 in order to create more values for local clients and drive social and economic development," he added.-TradeArabia News Service By Daisy Katta, TwoCircles.net In the run-up to the 2019 elections, Muslim youths across India have given a joint call of protest gathering, under the campaign #EqualCitizens, to bring attention to the growing cases of fake encounters, lynchings, killings of human rights activists, missing names from voters list, illegal arrests against Muslims. October 13 has been marked as the day of resistance. A joint call for protest has been issued across cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Varanasi, Lucknow, Pune, Kolkata and more are set to join. The theme of the campaign is #VoteHamaraBaatHamari, which is an appeal to the government to give space to the issues faced by Muslims. This idea came about after meeting held one month back with the growing unrest amongst students, activists, journalists, academicians and civil society groups. Speaking with TwoCircles.net, the organizers of #EqualCitizen and Founder of Association of Muslim Professionals Aamir Edresy, said, We dont want the right-wing forces to set our narrative, we want to set our own narrative and agenda, the people whom we vote should know that they have to talk about our issues. We are about 20% of the population and you cannot just isolate us. This is not only an appeal to the government it is also an appeal to the community members that they should come forward and speak out. We are not asking for anything that is not in the constitution, we are only asking for our constitutional rights. Support TwoCircles The #EqualCitizens campaign mentioned the family of Mustaqeem who was killed on camera by UP police stating that and there was absolutely no outrage, not even from the opposition parties. Was it because they were too poor, or is the killing of Muslims in India going to be accepted as a new normal? One of the main reasons to set of this campaign is also the rising sense of distrust rising with the way Naushad and Mustakeem case was handled, also how the Najeeb case was disposed by the Delhi High Court just a few days back. Since the BJP government under Chief minister Yogi Adityanath took office in UP in March 2017, there have been thousands of police encounters in the state, which has been continuing despite receiving criticisms from various opp, human rights organisation including the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). In a statement in February 2018, NHRC said, The Commission noted that it has already expressed concern while taking suo motu cognizance of media reports on the November 22, 2017, about the Government of Uttar Pradesh, allegedly, endorsing killings encounters by police seeking improvement in law and order situation. The Chief Minister was quoted, in a newspaper on November 19, 2017, saying, Criminals will be jailed or killed in encounters. A report on these encounter killings by the citizens group Citizens Against Hate alliance documented such incidents in UP and Haryana, said that in Haryana most of the victims were poor backward caste Muslims engaged in cattle trade and meat supply chain. The report also claimed that the Supreme Court and NHRC guidelines regarding encounter killing had been flouted frequently. Speaking about the campaign, activist and former student of Aligarh Muslim University Fahad Ahmad said, The main agenda of this protest is how should we assert the rights that have been granted to us by the constitution. This is not an anti-BJP campaign, this is a pro-constitution campaign, we are talking about the rights given to us by Dr Ambedkar which talks about the social, economic and political equalityconstitutional ethos cannot be denied whatever be the political situation in the country. Missing names in electoral rolls The case of missing names of Muslims in various state electoral rolls has been highlighted during the Gujarat and Karnataka assembly polls. This erasure of eligible citizens in the electoral rolls is in complete denial of Article 326 of the Indian constitution which grants all citizens of India right to exercise franchise in elections under the principles of adult franchise. Before the recent Karnataka state assembly elections, the report by the Centre for Research and Debates in Development Policy, New Delhi indicated that about 20% of eligible Muslim adults were missing from the State electoral list. Facebook Event https://www.facebook.com/ events/330275441113802/ Shoe warehouse retailer DSW and a New York City private equity investor are acquiring Camuto Group, with plans to maintain the footwear firms main office in Greenwich. DSW and Authentic Brands Group are paying $375 million for Camuto Group, created in 2001 by the late Vince Camuto and run today by CEO Alex Del Cielo. The deal represents the pairing of a discount retailer in DSW which has large selections of shoes priced under $50, sold in its own stores as well as discount chains Stein Mart and Frugal Fannies; with Camuto Group focused on a target audience of women willing to spend in excess of $100 at upscale department stores like Lord & Taylor, Macys and Nordstrom. Camuto Group sells footwear under the Vince Camuto brand as well as others, and under license with the Jessica Simpson brand and Lucky Brand. In addition to its Greenwich headquarters, Camuto Group has a distribution center in New Jersey and additional operations in China and Brazil. Vince Camuto died in January 2015 in Greenwich of complications from prostate cancer, after having created the company in 2001 on the heels of building Nine West into a global brand alongside co-founder Jerome Fisher. Authentic Brands Group acquired Nine West this past July in a bankruptcy auction, a $340 million transaction that also included the Bandolino Group footwear business. The companys expansion of its retail network and the opening of its New Jersey distribution center created significant liquidity and earnings pressure over the last two years, said Jared Poff, chief financial officer of DSW, in a Wednesday conference call to review details of the deal. Along with the unexpected passing of Vince Camuto himself, (this) led to the Camuto Groups family decision to put the business up for sale. DSW is based in Columbus, Ohio, with the company operating more than 500 stores in the United States and Canada, including in Danbury, Fairfield and Stamford among 11 locations in Connecticut. The company lost $38.4 million in its second fiscal quarter that concluded in early August, with revenue up 16 percent to $794 million. Camuto Group revenue totaled $435 million last year, with DSW also seeing the deal as diversifying its revenue channels. We have been looking at building out our infrastructure for quite a while, and weve done a lot of diligence through this transaction as well as through prior transactions, Poff said. Given some of the performance issues that Camuto has had over the last few years, as they opened up retail (stores) and then had to shutter that and as they tried to bring in new distribution in their online (sites) and really ran into some liquidity problems, it gave us a chance to opportunistically buy this for (an amount) that, I would say, is certainly an opportunistic price. Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman Kim Bova has been an entrepreneur as well as the leader of nonprofit organizations, giving her a unique perspective as she takes over as executive director of the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce. I was an entrepreneur for 10 years before moving to Ridgefield, so I know what its like to be a small-business owner and wear all those hats, said the nine-year Ridgefield resident. Im incredibly excited to work with members of the business community. Ive gotten to know a lot of people through my work with the nonprofits. Bova was formerly the marketing and communications manager at the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra and the director of the Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra. She took over at the chamber last week and said there are many initiatives she wants to implement as she settles into the role. There are so many (goals), she said. Im looking to revamp the chambers offerings for its members. We want businesses to say: This is something we need. There are some exciting things well roll out. Bova replaces Jennifer Zinzi, who stepped down as executive director this summer. The Bethel Chamber of Commerce also changed executive directors recently as Bradley Koltz replaced Heather Hansen-ONeill this summer. Ridgefield chamber board chair-elect, Theresa Santoro, led the search committee to find a replacement for Zinzi. We were very pleased at the response for this position as well as the quality of the candidates, she said. The search committee was looking for a results-oriented individual with a vision to move the chamber forward. The perfect candidate had to be familiar with Ridgefields business community as well as its residents. We are so pleased to have Kim joining us. Jill Maguire, the current chair of the chamber, added: Kim brings relevant experience, integrity and enthusiasm. Bova said she wants to tailor offerings to meet the needs of business-to-businesses, business-to-consumer and nonprofit organizations in greater Ridgefield. I look forward to working closely with chamber members and the Ridgefield community to support the towns retailers, service providers and nonprofit organizations in new ways that recognize and best address their different business needs, Bova said. Its an exciting time to be part of the chamber. The writer may be reached at cbosak@hearstmediact.com; 203-731-3338 GREENWICH As the nation awaits a vote on the confirmation of a U.S. Supreme Court nominee accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women, local candidates are pondering the impact of the case on their own races in the November election. The testimony from nominee Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford, the first woman to publicly accuse the federal judge of sexual assault, has spurred emotional reactions on all sides of the political spectrum. The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Education and Counseling in Stamford has seen a significant jump in the number of hotline calls from survivors of abuse in the past two weeks, officials say. Discussions around assault and consent have increased and intensified, YWCA Greenwich reports. Everyones on fire and people are really upset, said Joanna Swomley, a Representative Town Meeting member and founder of Indivisible Greenwich. I sure hope it makes more people go out and vote. The election of President Donald Trump followed by the sexual assault arrest of a longtime RTM member prompted a wave of women including Swomley to run for seats in the local body in 2017. The results reflected voters desire for change, with 73 new RTM members elected. Many of those new members were women affiliated with the progressive movements Indivisible Greenwich and March on Greenwich. Greenwich Democrats are now hoping a groundswell of women and progressive voters will turn out to support their candidates as a protest to what they are seeing in national politics. But Republican incumbents in Greenwich want voters to focus on their records in Hartford. They dont believe national politics is relevant to the states problems, and they say they are frustrated with Democrats for pivoting campaign discourse away from policy. Laura Kostin, a Democrat running for state representative in the 151st District, was one of the women elected to the RTM last year. The women she has spoken with the past two weeks are horrified with what they have seen and heard from Republicans in connection with the Kavanaugh hearings, Kostin said. It has been an emotional week for a lot of survivors, she said. No one should have to endure this. Calling this a uniting moment for women, Kostin said she hopes more women from both parties will become engaged in politics. We need to put party politics aside; womens issues dont belong to one or the other, she said. Women are women, and this is an issue that has galvanized all of us. Fred Camillo, the Republican running for re-election against Kostin, said what Kavanaugh is accused of doing is never OK at any age and that sexual assault is a significant problem, but he believes people are innocent until proven guilty. The lawmaker also accused Democrats of selective outrage, pointing to the reactions to accusations against former President Bill Clinton, the late U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy and U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison. Camillo said hes not worried about national politics hindering his campaign. I vowed I wont let distractions get in the way, he said. Alexandra Bergstein, Democratic candidate in the 36th State Senate District, said she was impressed by Fords courage in coming forward to testify in the Kavanaugh case about her claims that he sexually assaulted her when they were teens. I respect any person, man or woman, who uses their voice to speak their truth, Bergstein said. Speaking up is an act of courage. And its the only way we can begin to eradicate the shame and fear of reprisal that women have felt for decades ... forever, actually. The only way to eradicate abuse of power is for the privileged to face professional and personal consequences for their actions, she said. The results of the 2018 election will show that others agree, Bergstein said. Women, in numbers even higher than ever before, are going to vote because weve simply had enough, she said. The nomination and potential confirmation of Justice Kavanaugh is just another example of the blatant disregard (or at best indifference) to womens issues many of our elected officials regularly display. L. Scott Frantz, the Republican incumbent in Bergsteins race, said its difficult to determine what is on the minds of the electorate. Its paramount, he said, that voters pay attention to what is happening in Connecticut and to not be distracted by national issues. Connecticut faces severe fiscal challenges that must be addressed by the right people who know how to fix the problems, Frantz said. I think everyone in the state should be laser-focused on the economy and the fiscal problems were having and base their votes on that. Its that important. Frantz said he and other Connecticut Republicans have passed legislation to help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, including a bill that makes it easier for police to confiscate weapons from accused abusers and one that allows police to arrest only the dominant aggressor in domestic incidents. Anybody thats been a victim of a crime should have the ability to tell their story, but also to have a police investigation in a timely manner, he said. Steve Meskers, the Democratic candidate for state representative in the 150th District, said the accusations against Kavanaugh may not be disqualifying as allegations, but if proven true, would be. Kavanaughs partisan statements during the hearings and his involvement in writing the Starr Report that recommended Clintons impeachment, Meskers said, make Kavanaugh incapable of being an impartial Supreme Court justice. Meskers, who says he is running because of his outrage with national politics, hopes more voters are inspired to turn out. The electorate is electrified, he said. Im expecting it may work in my favor, but its hard to say. The issue is turnout. The problem is that our legislature wont approve early voting. Mike Bocchino, the Republican incumbent state representative in District 150, said he and the rest of the Greenwich delegation work closely with YWCA and law-enforcement officials on legislation to combat domestic violence. Weve done a lot of really good work pertaining to domestic violence, yet our opponents tell us all Republicans hate women, he said. How is that fair? Bocchino pointed to his support for legislation on a pay equity bill, an act requiring insurance companies to cover critical medical procedures for women and various bills that help police combat domestic violence. That demonstrates that he and other Republicans are working for their female constituents, he said. We dont have any say in whats taking place in D.C. But we do have a say in whats taking place in Connecticut, said Bocchino. And the house is on fire. Candidates in all three races will take part in debate at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Greenwich Town Hall. GREENWICH Classes will resume Monday for Cos Cob students after the school was closed all this week due to a broken faucet that caused extensive damage to the building. But Greenwich Public School administrators expect the full cleanup, remediation and restoration of the building to take until the end of December, officials announced Thursday evening at a meeting with parents of students at the elementary school. Interim Superintendent Ralph Mayo opened the meeting held in the Central Middle School auditorium by thanking the Greenwich fire and police departments and faculty who responded to the scene first. Police and fire officials saved the building from further trouble and damage, Mayo said. Specifically, they covered all electronics, salvaging all the technology. Director of Facilities Dan Watson drove down from his home in Danbury and stayed at Cos Cob School all night after the leak and flood were discovered late Sunday. But even as the students return to classes Monday, it wont be back to normal at Cos Cob School. Kindergartners will be relocated to Parkway School, and the first and second grades will be moving to Old Greenwich School. The third-, fourth- and fifth-graders will remain at Cos Cob, using the undamaged classrooms on the third floor. Cos Cob School Principal Gene Schmidt explained to the parents the reasons behind the relocation plan. We needed to keep the grades together, we needed to keep teachers with students, and we achieved that with this plan, Schmidt said. Cos Cobs before-school and after-school care will remain in place for parents who need to drop off their children early or pick them up late. The school building will function as the bus stop for kids going to other buildings, Schmidt said. Please get your kids there on time, he said. The buses will leave early to avoid school traffic, he said. Kindergarten students will board a bus for Parkway at 7:50 a.m., and first- and second-graders will board a bus for Old Greenwich at 8 a.m. At the end of the day, buses will depart the host schools at 2:50 p.m., and the Parkway bus will arrive around 3:15 p.m. and the Old Greenwich bus around 3:05 p.m. Parents will have to park off-site, he said. Steps have been taken to make the change in routine as easy as possible. The three buses will be color-coded and will have lists with first and family names and phone numbers so administrators can ensure every child gets on the right bus, Schmidt said. Teachers and paraprofessionals will ride with kids to their host schools, where either Schmidt or assistant principal Michael Reid will greet them. The host schools will host a coffee hour for parents of K-2 students this Saturday, Oct. 13, at 10:30 a.m. The leak did not impact the third floor of Cos Cob, which has classrooms for fourth grade and fifth grade as well as Spanish. Third-grade students will join fourth- and fifth-graders on the third floor. Teachers requested the move for third-graders be permanent to minimize disruption, Schmidt said. Mayo rallied the Cos Cob community at the meeting, telling the parents of his own connection to the neighborhood. My story about Cos Cob is very simple, Mayo said. He and his pregnant wife lived at 7 Bible St., and when she had to go on bedrest, women in the community brought trays of food to their door. Thats what Cos Cob is all about. If youre just arriving in Cos Cob, thats what this community is about: we take care of each other, we help each other out. He told the crowd that the district, parents and students would hit some bumps during this disruption. Call us, let us know, well fix the bumps, he said. Thank you for putting your children in our trust, we will take good care of them. Last weekend, a sink in the second floor art room broke, releasing a geyser of water that flowed for 20 hours, affecting a dozen rooms on the first and second floors. Officials shuttered the school Sunday night after assessing the leak. They announced Tuesday it would remain closed through at least Friday. In the meantime, many parents are relying on the both the Boys and Girls Club of Greenwich and YWCA Greenwich, both of which have offered free, full-day programs through Friday. The YWCA cared for about 40 kids on Thursday, up from 20 on Wednesday, Director of Communications Joan Mockler said. The Boys & Girls Club, with the help of additional staffing, Cos Cob teachers and school paraprofessionals, hosted 117 students Thursday, up from 102 on Wednesday, CEO Bobby Walker Jr. said. Parents have sent the club emails thanking staff for taking in their children, Walker said. It validated the work my staff is doing, he said. The club relieved the Cos Cob principals burden. We wouldnt have survived without without their assistance, Schmidt said. The YWCA can accommodate about 120 students, Mockler said. The Boys and Girls Club can serve up to 500 students in total, including its average daily after-school attendance of 330, Walker said. Both programs open at 8:30 a.m., and the YWCA ends at 6 p.m. while the Boys and Girls Club ends at 5 p.m. jo.kroeker@hearstmediact.com GREENWICH When Cos Cob School students can go back to school depends on how quickly teachers and staff can clean up the building and move classrooms over the next two days, officials say. Ideally, school would start Monday, but it is contingent on all these moving parts, Principal Gene Schmidt said. Thats a hope, not a guarantee. Schedules for moving will be finalized Thursday, and moving and transportation details will be presented at a parent meeting the same evening, Schmidt said. Once school resumes, Cos Cobs before-school and after-school care will remain in place for parents who need to drop their students off early, and all relocated students will be bused to and from the school building, he said. The Cos Cob School came together, as always, Schmidt said. Weve been through the fire, and now the flood. If in 25 years we have a locust plague, Ill start to worry. The school building was gutted by fire during the 1990s, after which students were temporarily relocated to Parkway School. A plumbing fixture broke in the second floor art room over the weekend, affecting a dozen rooms on the first and second floors. Officials shuttered the school Sunday night after assessing the leak and announced Tuesday it would remain closed through at least Friday. When school starts, the kindergartners will move to Parkway School, and Old Greenwich School will take in the first- and second-graders. Third-, fourth- and fifth-graders will have classes on the third floor and will have access to the buildings cafeteria and gym, which were not damaged by the leak. Teachers met Wednesday to determine what items can be moved to new classrooms, visit host schools Parkway and Old Greenwich, and check in with students at the Boys and Girls Club, which made itself available to children who needed care during the day, Schmidt said. Their goal is to move Thursday and Friday, he said. A lot of the details are being finalized, he said. Its a question of whether we can get everything moved in. Parent Whitney Chernoff said an email from the teacher of one of her two children at Cos Cob gave her the impression school would start Monday. She also said the overall communication from teachers, the school and the district impressed her as constant and consistent. Its the best response you could hope for, she said. For now, working parents, including Chernoff, are relying on the Boys and Girls Club and YWCA Greenwich, both of which have offered free, full-day programs through Friday. We hope these arrangements will allow children to maintain normal schedules, while supporting working parents and others who have commitments, Mary Lee Kiernan, president and CEO of YWCA Greenwich, said in a statement. We will continue to work with the school district to accommodate the situation as we go into next week. The YWCA cared for about 20 kids Wednesday, and anticipated about 40 on Thursday, Director of Communications Joan Mockler said. The Boys and Girls Club, with the help of additional staffing, Cos Cob teachers and six school paraprofessionals, hosted 102 students Wednesday, up from 27 Tuesday, CEO Bobby Walker Jr. said. Its a much better situation for them, even if theyre not learning, if theyre in an environment with other children, doing things that are still helpful for personal growth, said Chernoff, adding that both her children enjoyed their day and were excited to go back. The YWCA can accommodate about 120 students safely, Mockler said. The Boys and Girls Club can accommodate up to 500 students in total, including its average daily after-school attendance of 330, Walker said. Both programs open at 8:30 a.m., and the YWCA ends at 6 p.m. while the Boys and Girls Club ends at 5 p.m. It was very nice they were able to accommodate so quickly, said Chernoff, who dropped her kindergartner and third-grader off at the Boys and Girls Club Wednesday. A lot of people have been taking advantage of it. jo.kroeker@hearstmediact.com Uprooted Palestinians are at the heart of the conflict in the M.E Palestinians uprooted by force of arms. Yet faced immense difficulties have survived, kept alive their history and culture, passed keys of family homes in occupied Palestine from one generation to the next. STAMFORD It appeared Wednesday that a majority of city lawmakers will sign a letter Mayor David Martin wants to see before he restores loose-leaf pickup this fall. Martin wants members of the Board of Representatives to assure him that they will fairly and promptly consider fee increases he plans to propose before he agrees to rescind bagged-leaf pickup, set to begin Oct. 29. With trees starting to turn, the back-and-forth has created confusion for residents, who this week received postcards saying they must bag their leaves for the city to collect them. Martin said he wants representatives to say they will help him raise revenue to pay for the more costly loose-leaf pickup and other expenses. I am very optimistic that we will be able to return to the traditional leaf-pickup program, the mayor said Wednesday morning. I believe the majority of the board does want to help, and I am not asking for anything that isnt part of their responsibilities. Board President Matthew Quinones said Wednesday evening that 22 of the 40 representatives had signed the letter. From what I can tell, weve met the threshold set by the mayor, Quinones said. 5-month conflict The letter, written by Quinones, reflects the controversy behind this years pickup. Martin dropped the decades-long practice of collecting loose leaves at the curb and instituted the bag program after representatives made a last-minute, $1.4 million cut to his requested budget increase in May. To find savings, Martin cut the Fourth of July fireworks show, lifeguard hours and stopped lining some ballfields. But residents and representatives reacted strongly when he announced in late summer that leaves must be bagged because it would save at least $227,000. Martin said it also would help the city comply with state regulations requiring that leaves be kept out of storm drains to prevent nitrogen and phosphorous from harming Long Island Sound. More News Stamford moves forward with plastic bag ban, leaf pickup plan Quinones wrote in his letter to Martin that the 11th-hour switch left residents in a bind, transferring the pickup expense and effort from the city to them. His statement is consistent with an overwhelming board vote Monday that amended the leaf-collection ordinance to allow loose and bagged pickup. We do not believe that this is the appropriate year to discontinue the loose-leaf program. Nevertheless, we understand your environmental and operational concerns, and the need to manage the citys finances, Quinones wrote to Martin. Therefore, provided that the loose-leaf program is reinstated this year under its traditional terms, myself along with the below signatories agree to use good-faith efforts to, on a timely basis, review and enact reasonable proposals to raise revenue. Not binding Quinones attached another letter addressed to the board, saying he welcomes responses from members who disagree with the non-binding compromise with Martin. My efforts to garner a majority of the board to add their names to the letter are to ensure that we have loose-leaf pickup, if thats the vehicle representatives have to ensure that the program will continue this year, Quinones said Wednesday. I know my constituents want this program, and if it means I have to sign a letter to look at fees when they come down, well, I would have done that anyway. Rep. Mary Fedeli, R-17, the boards minority leader, took a similar view. I signed the letter because I have said I will review the fees in good faith. My word is my word, so I have no problem putting my name to it, Fedeli said. It doesnt mean I will vote for every fee the mayor sends us, but I will certainly review it. Martin said most of the fees he wants to increase have not changed in many years, and Stamford undercharges compared to other municipalities. The ones hes considering include health inspection fees, building fees, and parking charges and fines, he said. It can take two to three months to pass and enact fee increases, and he would like the board to do it soon because he needs revenue this fiscal year, Martin said. Fedeli said she understands. There have been some issues where fees took four to six months to pass, and I dont think we have that kind of time now, she said. We have to look at the fees carefully, and get our questions asked and answered, but we need to do it in an expedient manner. Roped in? Among those who refused to sign the letter is Rep. Rodney Pratt, D-9, the boards majority leader. Its too late to switch to bagging, and the city must try to improve loose-leaf pickup before eliminating it, Pratt said, but he has too many questions about the request for signatures to add his name to the letter. The people spoke they dont want bagged pickup. We passed an ordinance giving them the choice, Pratt said. How do we create an ordinance then turn around and say we will raise fees because of it? He wrote the board a letter explaining his view, Pratt said. We took an oath to serve our communities. Why would we sign a document to reinforce that, like our oath doesnt mean anything? he said. To me, signing a letter makes it seem like I am roped into doing something I might decide is not fair. I have to keep an open mind, that is my job. It feels like I would be signing away my right to choose, like Im working for the mayors office instead of the public. Martin said he wanted signatures because I want to know the count. I think the majority of the board recognizes whats necessary to move the city forward. If we all accept our roles, we can get things done. The ordinance passed Monday cannot be enforced this year because there is no money to pay for loose-leaf pickup unless the city raises more revenue, Martin said. The idea of using ordinances to force the mayor to do things that we cant afford to do wont work, he said. The city will mail new postcards explaining the dates and rules for loose-leaf pickup, Martin said. The second set of mailings to all 30,000 households will cost about $10,000, he said. acarella@stamfordadvocate.com; 203-964-2296. At the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Riyadh agents allegedly kidnapped, killed and dismembered a dissident journalist who was writing for The Washington Post in exile. In China, the head of Interpol was abducted and imprisoned by authorities in Beijing while his wife was reportedly threatened with death back home in France. And in the Netherlands, Dutch authorities last week expelled four Russians who were caught with espionage equipment as part of an alleged hacking operation at an Amsterdam hotel. These and other brazen operations in recent months illustrate hands-off posture taken by President Donald Trump toward many authoritarian leaders - particularly those he views as allies or potential allies who have treated him kindly. Even as the Trump administration itself issues harsh condemnations and vows of retaliation, the president himself has appeared hesitant - and at times even reluctant - to forcefully challenge the leaders of such countries accused of abuses. He has praised Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin as partners, dropped his previous criticism of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's human rights violations and has spoken approvingly of the harsh law enforcement tactics employed by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. In the disappearance of Post Opinons contributor Kamal Khashoggi, Trump pledged Wednesday to seek answers from Saudi Arabia, but stopped short of threatening any consequences if the prominent government critic has been harmed. The president's remarks were his strongest to date about the Khashoggi case, which has become a test of whether his approach has encouraged some dictators to commit audacious acts without fear of U.S. reprisals. "We want to see what's going on there," Trump said when asked about Khashoggi, who went missing in Turkey on Oct. 2. "That's a bad situation. Frankly, because it's a reporter, you could say in many respects, it brings it to a level. It's a very serious situation for us." The government of Turkey and members of the U.S. Congress from both parties are demanding a full accounting of whether Khashoggi, a U.S. resident, was lured to the Saudi consulate in Isanbul to be murdered. They are also calling on the Trump administration to impose consequences for Riyadh's actions. U.S. officials said Trump prefers quiet inquiries and pressure, when necessary, in dealing with partners and leaders he respects. He has said himself that he avoided public confrontation with Putin over the conclusions of U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia had interfered in the 2016 presidential election with the aim of helping Trump. The president resisted and delayed punitive sanctions against Russia in what his critics said was, at best, a naive attempt to forge better relations. After threatening to "totally destroy" North Korea last year, Trump now refrains from using even the mild diplomatic term for his sanctions campaign, "maximum pressure," in hopes of fostering talks with Kim. Past presidents have also accommodated dictators and adjusted their rhetoric to serve what they judge to be U.S. interests. In the case of Saudi Arabia both Republican and Democratic administrations have been accused of coddling the nation with the world's largest oil reserves. But Trump's apparent willingness to look the other way at recent Saudi overreach in its war in Yemen - while also siding with the kingdom in its dispute with fellow U.S. ally Qatar - may have emboldened the kingdom to think that Trump would ignore a move against Khashoggi, human rights advocates and others said. "President Trump's response that, 'I don't really know much about it,' is anemic," said Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va., who helped lead a bipartisan letter urging Trump to "demand immediate answers from both Saudi Arabia and Turkey." "You get a daily intelligence briefing and surely you have been briefed on the details," Connolly said in an interview. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said a state-sanctioned murder would "cross every line of normality in the international community" and "there would be hell to pay." The United States has limited authority to hold Saudi Arabia or other nations accountable for actions taken on foreign soil or against non-Americans. But Trump, like other U.S. presidents before him, holds great potential power over friendly nations by encouraging or discouraging certain behavior. Trump told reporters Wednesday that he has spoken with Saudi Arabia "at the highest level," although he did not give details. The White House and State Department later said that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, national security adviser John Bolton and Trump son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner have all addressed the case with senior Saudi leaders. "I'm not happy about it," Trump said, adding that "we are demanding everything." It matters whether Trump himself does the asking or the shaming, said Sarah Sewall, who served as a top State Department official for human rights issues in the Obama administration. "What's so dispiriting is to see the president throwing away 70 years of accrued commitment bipartisan commitment to America promoting human rights and freedom in the world," said Sewall, now a professor at Johns Hopkins University. "We've always done it imperfectly, but under this administration there is . . . a reductionist view of the world where they either like you or not as a government, and if they like you the administration ignores or even praises what you do in contravention of international human rights standards." Trump's approach does not treat all authoritarians the same. He is critical of the leaders of Iran, Venezuela and Cuba on human rights grounds, and has sought to impose sanctions and withdraw diplomatic engagement with each. His administration has been especially critical of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, an anti-American leftist. On Wednesday, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a harsh condemnation of the death of an opposition politician in that country. State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said Washington is seeking answers in both that case and Khashoggi's. "That alarming detention does call for a thoroughly independent investigation free of the regime's interference, and that tragedy highlights a continuing pattern of human rights abuses in that country, repression, and excessive use of force," Palladino said of the arrest and death of Fernando Alban in Venezuela. "In the case of what we're talking about in Turkey, we're calling for a full and transparent investigation to understand what's transpired. We are trying to get to the bottom of it and we're looking for answers." So far, the Trump administration seems to be asking Saudi Arabia to investigate itself, while not threatening consequences for the U.S. relationship, Connolly said. "Every day that goes by where we just 'tsk, tsk,' is another day we say to the crown prince, "Don't worry about us,' and that is exactly the wrong signal and the wrong response," Connolly said. This appeared in Thursday's Washington Post. - - - When Turkish authorities first told reporters last Saturday that journalist Jamal Khashoggi had been murdered inside Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, they offered few details and no evidence to back up the sensational claim. To the credit of the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that has now changed. The Post has obtained video recordings and other evidence showing how a group of 15 Saudi operatives entered the country on Oct. 2, the day Khashoggi visited the consulate. The private-plane flights the Saudis took from Riyadh have been documented, along with the Saudis' movements around Istanbul. Their names and photographs have been published in a Turkish newspaper. According to Reuters, which reviewed social and Saudi media, one is a forensic scientist, while others are military officers. Official Turkish sources said the men are believed to have killed Khashoggi and transported his body out of the consulate. The officials have described more evidence that has not yet been publicly released: One of our sources says the Turks possess an audio recording of the murder. U.S. officials have been briefed on the evidence, and The Post reports that U.S. intelligence intercepts revealed that Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, ordered an operation to lure Khashoggi back to the kingdom from Washington, where he has been living in self-imposed exile and contributing commentaries to The Post. The publicly available evidence is not entirely conclusive. But it clearly shows that Saudi officials, including the ambassador in Washington, were not telling the truth when they denied the existence of the Saudi team. The Saudis have been saying that Khashoggi left the consulate shortly after arriving, and that they have no knowledge of what happened to him; the ambassador to the United States, Khalid bin Salman, even professes to share the concerns about Khashoggi's welfare. That cynical stance has been shredded. As Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., told us on Wednesday, "The burden of proof is now on the Saudis" to show they were not responsible for Khashoggi's disappearance. In the absence of an adequate response, the regime must be held responsible. As Kaine rightly put it, "We will have to analyze everything about the U.S.-Saudi relationship," including military sales and cooperation. The crown prince is not the only one who needs a new response to the Khashoggi case. Until Wednesday, President Donald Trump, who has treated the Saudi ruler more favorably than the leaders of Canada and Germany, professed not to know what might have happened to the journalist. On Wednesday, he said, "It's a very serious situation for us and this White House. . . . I think we'll get to the bottom of it." That's better than claiming ignorance, but it is still a tepid reaction. Trump ought to consult his own intelligence officials and diplomats, who are well informed about the evidence. He should accept that a regime that is vicious and reckless enough to oversee the killing of a journalist in a diplomatic facility, then blatantly lie about it, cannot be a trustworthy partner of the United States. If the crown prince's government does not immediately explain what happened to Khashoggi, and punish those responsible, it must be punished with sanctions - by Congress, if Trump cannot bring himself to act. Here we go again with more heavy rain and the timing couldnt be worse. This time its caused by Tropical Storm Michael. Average rainfall amounts between one to 1.5 inches are expected, with locally higher amounts of 2 to 4 inches possible. Any heavy rainfall that occurs within a 1 to 3 hour time frame may result in flash flooding. The heaviest rainfall is expected in and around New York City, and also across portions of Long Island and ... southern Connecticut. The best chance of rain is between noon and 3 a.m., according to the National Weather Services hourly forecast. The highest probability of thunderstorms and heaviest rain is from 3 and 6 p.m. - bad timing for PM commute. In the last three weeks, there have been two times when heavy rain flooded local streets and major highways like the Merritt Parkway and I-95 during the afternoon drive home. On Sept. 26, up to 8 inches fell across southwest Connecticut. And on Oct. 3, nearly 4 inches of rain fell in a short period of time Because of this wet weather the NWS has posted a Flash Flood Watch for all of Connecticut and the New York City metro area. There is also a Coastal Flood Advisory for the Fairfield and New Haven counties shoreline. High tide is expected to be about a foot above normal. High tide is around 1:30 p.m. Thursday and 2 a.m. Friday. For specific times, click here. As tropical moisture surges northward from Virginia and North Carolina, showers and a few thunderstorms should develop by afternoon, it says. The rain may become heavy at times and could lead to some flooding concerns, and so a flash flood watch remains in effect. A few thunderstorms could also produce gusty winds late this afternoon, mainly in and around the greater New York City metropolitan area, where high temperatures will be closer to 80 and where more instability may develop than in areas farther north and east. The rain will continue into tonight, especially along coastal Connecticut, as a cold front moves into the area, and as additional tropical moisture interacts with the front. As the front moves out to sea and as a strong low pressure system,the remnant of Michael, passes southeast of Long Island on Friday, northwest winds will increase, especially along the coast, wherea few gusts of 35 to 40 mph are possible. Noticeably cooler and drier air will also move in, with high temperatures only in the 60s. Even cooler air will move in for the weekend as high pressure moves across. The forecast Today: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly before 3 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. High near 77. South wind 7 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms before 7 p.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 7 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 58. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Friday: Scattered showers before 8am. Cloudy through mid morning, then clearing, with a steady temperature around 62. Breezy, with a north wind 18 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 47. Northwest wind 8 to 11 mph. Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. West wind 6 to 10 mph. Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Yesterday a leak revealed that Huawei was getting ready to sell the already announced Honor 8X Max as the Enjoy Max in some markets, and today it's become clear that one of those is China. Over in the company's home country, the Enjoy Max will go up for pre-order alongside the Enjoy 9 Plus on October 15 through Suning, a local online retailer. The Enjoy 9 Plus is very similar to the smaller Honor 8X in specs and looks, but not identical. The Enjoy 9 Plus will also be known as the Huawei Y9 (2019) in other markets. It comes with a 6.5-inch 1080x2340 touchscreen with a notch, the Kirin 710 chipset at the helm, and two RAM/storage combos: 4/64GB and 6/128GB. Camera-wise you're looking at a 16 MP + 2 MP rear setup and a 13 MP + 2 MP selfie array. The phone has a 4,000 mAh battery and runs Android 8.1 Oreo with EMUI 8.2 on top. The Enjoy 9 Plus will be priced from CNY 1,599, which is equivalent to $232 or 200 at the moment. The Enjoy Max will start at CNY 1,799 ($261 or 225), but it may not just be a straight-up re-badge of the Honor 8X Max. Huawei Enjoy 9 Plus and Enjoy Max teasers The latest report on the matter claims it will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 SoC (an upgrade from the 636 in the Honor version of the phone), and a 4,900 mAh battery (100 mAh less than the 8X Max's). The rest of the specs are to remain the same, including the 7.12-inch 1080x2244 LCD touchscreen, 16 MP + 2 MP rear cameras, and 8 MP selfie shooter. The OS version here is still going to be Android 8.1 Oreo with EMUI 8.2. Via We are less than a week away from the announcement of the Huawei Mate 20 and 20 Pro on October 16 but rumors just don't seem to be slowing down. Today's one is all about prices and it comes from a Polish tech website that got a hold of the pricing for both handsets from a local carrier. According to Android.com.pl, the Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro will cost PLN 2,999 and PLN 4,299, respectively, which equates to around $800 and $1,149. Pretty steep pricing for the Pro version, isn't it? Well, we can't be absolutely sure of those prices, but the website claims they are on point and got them from Plus - a Polish carrier. The article also mentions that Polish taxes have played a role here so prices around Europe could differ just a little. And interestingly enough, the digits seem to be in line with the Swiss price leak earlier this month so we have another reason to believe that they are accurate. Source Lenovo is adding a new device to its smartphone portfolio, the company has just revealed on Weibo. The Chinese manufacturer will introduce the new Lenovo S5 Pro at a dedicated event in Beijing, China in exactly seven days. The new phone will come with dual selfie cameras, raising the number of total snappers up to four, an upgrade from the regular Lenovo S5 with one selfie shooter and a dual main setup. The image posted by Lenovo says the new phone will have a pair of eyes to find your inner beauty, clearly suggesting both cameras pictured will provide extra features for the beloved by many Portrait Mode. We are yet to learn more about the specs of the Lenovo S5 Pro, but we hope to see something better than the 5.7 18:9 LCD panel on the Lenovo S5, a mightier Snapdragon chipset and more RAM than the regular S5. The S5 Pro is not the only expected smartphone from Lenovo - we are also waiting for the slider Z5 Pro with four cameras on the back to be announced later this month. Source (in Chinese) | Via Xiaomi's first gaming smartphone, the Black Shark, was a success according to the tech media or at least by those who were able to get a hold of the handset for a full review. After all, the availability is pretty limited and the phone can only be found in China. But judging from the new landing page that Xiaomi has set up, things might change soon. Announced back in April, the phone will finally step outside of China, at least according to the global.blackshark.com website. Unfortunately, though, the latter doesn't reveal much - it only says "Unleashing soon." There's also a form in which you can fill your email address and receive notification when the handset becomes available worldwide. For now, we can only wait and ask ourselves, isn't it a bit too late? After all, it had a head start in its home country but with the Razer Phone 2 and the Asus ROG Phone on their way, the Black Shark has a tough competition to beat. Also, a recent TENAA listing suggests a second generation is tagging along as well. Source Haiti - News : Zapping... Earthquake : 79 schools damaged 79 public and non-public schools were damaged in the earthquake that hit the northwest of the country on Saturday, 6 October. According to the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training, the majority of schools damaged, 55 in total, are located in the North West (Port-de-Paix, St. Louis North and Jean-Rabel). The other schools affected are in Artibonite (Gros Morne in particular) and the North (Plaisance, Dondon, Pilate). Michaelle Jean loses Canada's support Michaelle Jean, the Secretary General of the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF) Candidate for a second term at the head of the OIF no longer has the support of the Government of Canada or of Quebec who rally according to the rule OIF, the consensus that is emerging behind rival Louise Mushikiwabo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda at the Summit of the Francophonie, which opens Thursday in Yerevan capital of Armenia. Weather : Heavy rain Significant rain has been recorded in the last 24 hours. In Haiti, it fell nearly 25 mm of rain. These rains result from a disruption in the Western Caribbean that could become stronger by this weekend or the beginning of next week (to watch). If this happens, this system takes shape, it will be called Oscar. It should be noted that in Haiti, the month of September 2018 was the sunniest month of the last 20 years. Rainfall was also in free fall compared to usual averages. This has had a negative impact on agricultural production. Chancellor Bocchit Edmond in Armenia Chancellor Bocchit Edmond arrived this week in Yerevan the capital of Armenia to participate in the XVII Summit of the Francophonie (11-12 October) around the theme "Living Together". The Chancellor was received Monday in Paris by the Ambassador of Haiti in France, Mrs. Vanessa Lamothe Matignon, Personal Representative of President Moise to the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF). 125-kilowatt generator for the Immaculate Conception Hospital "The Government will hand over a new 125-kilowatt generator to the managers of the Immaculate Conception Hospital in Port-de-Paix to allow staff to increase health assistance to the victims of the earthquake of October 6, 2018," confirmed Jovenel Moise Pierre Volamr Demesyeux at the head of the CSC/CA Last week Pierre Volamr Demesyeux took over the new Council of the Superior Court of Accounts and Administrative Disputes (CSC/CA) as President by opening on October 1st the judicial year 2018-2019 which concerns the administrative courts and financial. HL / HaitiLibre Published on 2018/10/10 | Source "The 12th Suspect" completed the script reading and opening ceremony. Advertisement "The 12th Suspect" starring Kim Sang-kyung, Heo Sung-tae, Park Sun-young, and Kim Dong-young, is a tense investigation about the ten suspects appearing in Oriental Coffee shop and in front of Kim Ki-chae, a Counter Intelligence Corps agent who is investigating the poet murder case in Seoul, Namsan in the midst of a struggle and the wake of the Korean War in 1953. The script reading was intense and the actors had already become one with their characters. Kim Sang-kyung is the Counter Intelligence Corps agent, Heo Sung-tae is the owner of the Oriental Coffee shop, Park Sun-young is the Madame and Kim Dong-young is Park In-sung, a regular coffee drinker and artist. The movie will be filmed Nonsan and Pocheon for about a month. "The 12th Suspect" released stills of the Seoul in 1953. The black and white picture is of Kim Gi-chae (Kim Sang-kyung) standing alone in a deserted street late at night in Seoul. His face is unreadable as he is gazes ahead. "The 12th Suspect" is going to be released in 2019. By Vasia Orion | Published on 2018/10/10 The spin-off film based on popular OCN drama "Bad Guys", "The Bad Guys: Reign of Chaos", is coming along nicely, and there have been some casting additions since the main new and old characters were announced. We have three supporting cast members, as well as the fine news that writer Han Jeong-hoon is on board. Advertisement Park Sang-wook's agency has confirmed his participation in the film, and the actor will be playing a character named Kim Chang-ik. We have even less information on Han Jung-hyun for now, but she's also part of the new cast of characters. It's a shame to see so few from the old gang back, but the new additions will hopefully be as fun. We do get a little bit more on fresh Dramaland favorite Kim Hyung-mook, however. His character is the deputy director of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Uhm Jeong-han. Jeong-han is the youngest person to have a 100% arrest rate, and he is one of the fastest in terms of earning promotions. The three actors are joining Kim Sang-joong, Ma Dong-seok, Kim Ye-won, Kim Ah-joong and Jang Ki-yong in this adventure, which follows the new activities of Oh Goo-tak (Kim Sang-joong). Han Jeong-hoon and director Son Yong-ho will reportedly be working on the synergy between the existing and new characters, so I hope that "The Bad Guys: Reign of Chaos" will be a worthy addition to the franchise. The film will be released next year. Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings' Sources (1) (2) (3) Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence makes his mark on Harper campus As a professor at the National University of Costa Rica and a tenured elementary and high school teacher for the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education, Professor Jairo Viales has gained a breadth of experience as an educator. In August, he began a new role as a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence at Harper College, sharing his singular perspective with the campus community through lectures, tutoring, curriculum design and more. Viales said Costa Rica and the United States have a lot to learn from one another, but it didnt take long for him to recognize that Harper already shares a guiding principle with his university back home both institutions work closely with students to ensure they overcome barriers to success. In Costa Rica, they call it the humanistic approach to education, he said. We try to help (students) in every aspect of their lives, he said, referring to everything from scholarships to housing to jobs. It is one of the vital aspects of Harpers approach to education as well, according to Viales. Its a community college, so it takes care of the community it takes care of people, he said. He is the sixth Fulbright scholar at Harper College since it began hosting students through the program in 1997. Professor Richard Johnson, Director of the Office of International Education at Harper, said Viales is providing a wide range of services and workshops in Harpers ESL Linguistics Department while at the same time achieving professional developmental goals of his own. Hes sharing his expertise, knowledge and experience and being exposed to and learning from his colleagues here at Harper College, Johnson said. Viales residency is part of a three-year interdisciplinary cycle of studies that runs through 2020. In the second and third years, Harper will send students to the region of focus, Johnson explained. Harper is working now to establish a partnership with Viales home institution, the National University of Costa Rica. The exchange program is important as the workforce becomes increasingly diverse, Johnson said. Were preparing them with global perspectives across curricula and exposing them to individuals from various cultures, he said, noting that the program reflects the Harpers commitment to graduating globally competent students. As the world gets smaller, we have to prepare them for dealing with people from around the world in a respectful way, he said. Viales said his experience at Harper, so far, has run the gamut of subjects sociology, geography, English and mathematics, to name just a few. Asked how hes dealing with homesickness, the visiting scholar said it has not been an issue: I feel like Im at home because of the wonderful, welcoming reception that every single professor and student has given me. A front-page story in Wednesdays edition of the Havre Daily News about Conor Burns campaign for the representative seat in House District 28, running against Rep. Jacob Bachmeier and independent candidate Bob Sivertsen, misreported some of Burns history. He was deployed to the Persian Gulf in January 2001, before the 9/11 attacks, and was stationed in San Diego, California, in 2003. When he moved to Havre, he transferred his VFW membership to VFW Post 497, but has not been active due to scheduling conflicts. Hill County Justice of the Peace candidates Bruce Grant and incumbent Judge Audrey Barger participate in a candidate forum Wednesday at Montana State University-Northern. Havre Daily News hosted a local candidate forum Wednesday night at Montana State University's Applied Sciences Center in Hensler Auditorium, with Hill County candidates in contested races introducing themselves and answering some questions from the moderator and the audience. Montana State University-Northern Chancellor Greg Kegel moderated the forum, asking each candidate questions about their respective positions. Republican Penny Hadford and incumbent Democrat Hill County Treasurer Sandy Brown were the first called up. Hadford did not attend the forum, however, so Brown was given a few minutes to speak about herself and answer questions from the moderator and from the audience. Brown said she is from Havre and has been in the treasurer's office for the past 20 years. She started off as a clerk before becoming treasurer, and she likes what she does. Brown added she assists the county offices with budgeting, although budgeting is primarily done through the clerk and recorder's office. "I learned how to apply a lot of the different laws they go through because we work with the motor vehicle system and taxes - those are our main ones," Brown said. Brown added there are two conferences each year which she attends along with treasurer's training that is held every other year. She said she has helped modernize the office since she took over, something that she would like to continue doing. "We can always keep improving on the efficiency," Brown said. One of the things that she has changed is the tax forms. Brown said people with few to no tax receipts won't notice a change on their tax forms, but people with a large number of tax receipts will notice a difference on their forms. Next up were candidates in the nonpartisan Hill County justice of the peace race, Bruce Grant and incumbent Judge Audrey Barger. Grant said he is a resident and homeowner from Havre. Barger said she was born in Malta, came to school in Havre, then got married and had four boys and has lived in Havre since 1979. The candidates were asked about their knowledge of laws and courtroom procedures. "I've been in court. I have been in the judicial system from being convicted as a child," Grant said. Grant added he studied law and the Constitution for the last 10 years while working to obtain his pardon - on a 1982 felony charge of burglary to which he pleaded guilty - which was granted by Gov. Steve Bullock. Barger said she spent time as a paralegal assistant, worked in the county attorney's office in 1996 and was deputy clerk of District Court for 11 years, where she took minutes of court hearings and trials along with other work. Over the past eight years as justice of the peace she has handled about 21,000 cases. She also participates in two annual training sessions and has either attended or taught 52 training classes also. The two were asked what they thought were the duties and responsibilities of the office. "To take care of the people. To be on the same level as the people. The ones that voted you in. And fair. And honest. And justice. And holding up the laws in which we stand for," Granted said. Barger said the job is tough because of all the different cases that come across her desk. "You have to run your courtroom. You have to run your docket," she said. "You do have to be responsible to the taxpayers, but fiscally you have to really look at what things are crossing at the same time you have to do your job without care of what the taxpayers or anyone else says because you have to follow the law." She added it is a balancing act between the ethical responsibility as a judge and being open with the public. A justice of the peace has to be knowledgeable, she said, especially in a court of record like Hill County. "There are no do-overs. Appeals go up on the record. You make a mistake, it just comes back to you," Barger said. "There's not a second full jury trial held in District court. Everything goes up on the record that you created," she added. An audience members asked how many different laws there are and the difference between the various levels of law and how each individual is processed according to those laws. Grant described a search on his house in the middle of the night he said was done without a warrant. He said there are laws for everything and all the other laws are common sense. "For the most part we don't have to worry too much about federal law unless it's been codified into Montana Law," Barger said. "... We pretty much follow Montana law." She said it also depends on the case in front of her and she sometimes has to switch her brain to adapt to the different laws that are applicable. Hill County Commission candidates Dale Hansonl, an independent, and incumbent Mark Peterson, a Democrat were next. Hansonl said he was born and raised in Hill County. He worked in agriculture for 20 years and then got into trucking for 15 years and has been back in agriculture for the last six years. Peterson said he has lived in Hill County all his life, as well. He has two boys who are active in the community and he enjoys his job. "I think our biggest problem is our finances," Hansonl said. "Better communication with all our departments." Hansonl said one of the biggest issues outside of finances is the condition of the roads, but the solution can only come once the financial situation is resolved. "It's really hard to know until I get in there," Hansonl said about how he would address the challenges. "Money is a real difficult situation," Peterson said. "The county has lost close to a million-and-a half dollars in gas and oil funding over the last 10 to 15 years, and it has put a tremendous impact on our budget." Peterson added, the money the county receives goes into a budget and from there the commission needs to decide how best to allocate those funds. Peterson said he is aware of the condition of the roads and is working toward a solution. "A grant that's out there is a $1.5 billion grant nationwide and that grant could provide somewhere between $5 and $25 million to the county to go to the roads. That's one of the things I'm looking at," Peterson added. Candidates were asked how they would increase services to Hill County with a limited budget. "It's kind of hard for us to bring in other businesses because we're in an area that people just don't want to come," Hansonl said. Hansonl added he doesn't see what else the commission could do, that hasn't already been done. "We just got to make do with what we got and do the best we can with what we got," he said. Peterson said he is working on bringing in businesses from Canada, and county departments are trying to operate more efficiently. He added the commission is working to improve the roads, specifically highway 232, but construction will not start until 2023. "Nothing happens within a year here," Peterson said. "It takes a long time." One audience member asked how the county could improve the infrastructure for transporting products in and out. Hansonl said it comes back to the financial situation, and the county has a lot of roads but not enough funds. He added because the population is centered in southern Montana, most of the funding goes there and counties like Hill County suffer because of their small population. Havre Daily News/Colin Thompson Independent Hill County Commission candidate Dale Hansonl speaks during a candidate forum in Havre Wednesday as his opponent, Hill County Commissioner Mark Peterson, a Democrat, listens. Peterson said infrastructure was important to people in the past because they needed a road to get to town. Now, people seem to have other priorities that are of greater importance to them, Peterson added, and the commission needs to make decisions on these issues. Another audience member asked why it takes so long for an item like upgrading roads to make it to the top of the priority list. Hansonl said it was because road 232 is a secondary state road and has lower priority and receives no federal funding. Peterson gave an example of Beaver Creek Highway being given priority over road 232 because the commissioners at the time felt that Beaver Creek Highway was of more importance to the county. "You don't always get your way," Peterson said. "You have to work with the other commissioners that are there and you have a lot of discussions. Then you have to determine what is the best for your people and county." Arraignment today in Great Falls federal court Rocky Boy resident Gavin Tyrone Sutherland is set to be arraigned this afternoon in Great Falls on a charge of second degree murder stemming from a death on Rocky Boys Indian Reservation in July. FBI spokesman Douglas Davis said Sutherland was charged Wednesday in the murder of Shannon Dora Cole Licht, who was found dead in her residence the morning of July 7. A charging document said that when Sutherland was interviewed Oct. 3, he waived his Miranda rights and told the investigator, I killed my sister I choked her after being told to do so by voices he heard. Two witnesses... A WATCH made by Henley manufacturer Bremont has a starring role in Tom Hardys latest film. The actor chose to wear the firms U2/51-JET model while filming Venom, an adaptation of the Marvel Comics series of the same name which was released in cinemas on Friday. He plays Eddie Brock, an investigative journalist who gains super-human abilities after being infected by an extra-terrestrial parasite but becomes more aggressive and unpredictable as a result. Hardy first purchased a Bremont watch about three years ago and now owns several. He has since met brothers Nick and Giles English, who founded the company in 2002. He bought the U2/51-JET shortly before shooting began in Atlanta and New York a year ago. He told the producers he wanted to wear it because it fitted his character, who dresses in black and later mutates into a black-skinned monster. The model, which went on general release in March, is based on a limited edition watch which Bremont produced for the Royal Air Forces 100 Squadron and is inspired by the units Hawk T1 stealth aircraft. It is finished in black metal with a black strap and has a black rear panel through which the mechanism can be seen. Nick English said he was unaware that the watch would feature in Venom until the actor told him after filming had ended. He said: Toms a great friend of the brand and had been wearing the watch anyway so it became a part of the film more or less by default. He has been a supporter and advocate for a number of years. About a quarter of our work is with the military around the world and I think he came to learn about us from that. We met through some friends a couple of years ago and he was already familiar with us. He also loves British motorbikes and is keen to support British brands, which is really wonderful. I think he told the wardrobe department that he wanted to wear the watch and they agreed as its dark and stealthy, which fits the role hes playing. Hed got it shortly beforehand so it was perfect timing and it was very kind and sweet of him to think of us. Product placement is all very nice but the best thing is that it happened completely naturally, not because we approached anybody. It takes years and years of work to reach the point where something like that happens but its lovely seeing a British watch on a great British actor. Were immensely proud and excited that a British brand is playing a nice, dominant role in a major Hollywood production. The English brothers will attend a screening of the film in London this week along with staff and supporters of the company, which is based at the award-winning Sawmills office and workshop building off Marlow Road. Mr English said: Were looking forward to it and I have no doubt the film will be a massive hit. Following the watchs appearance, the companys private aircraft has been repainted in the style of the Venom character by Adi Granov, an artist and aircraft enthusiast who draws for Marvel. The respray was organised by Sony Pictures, which produced the film, following a conversation with the brothers. The plane, a Fifties Max Holste Broussard, was flown from its usual base at White Waltham airfield to the Imperial War Museums aviation site at Duxford, where the nose cone was painted with the Venom characters teeth. This was inspired by the sharks teeth designs that were painted on American fighters and bombers during the Second World War. The plane, which is used to entertain clients and transport watches and components, will keep the new design for the foreseeable future. Mr English said: It all tied together brilliantly and we thought wed go for it as it was a great suggestion. Life is short and it was a chance to have a bit of fun. When we saw Adis work we were very keen for him to do the plane and the finished product looks amazing. The whole thing has been a real privilege to be a part of. Bremont last hit the silver screen in 2015, when the company created a custom piece for spy caper Kingsman: The Secret Service. Mr English had a cameo role as a Kingsman agent alongside stars Michael Caine, Colin Firth and Samuel L Jackson. Last year, the company was granted planning permission for a new 34,000 sq ft headquarters at Sheephouse Farm, off Reading Road, Henley. It hopes to relocate next year and eventually employ up to 250 people. THE director of the Henley Literary Festival says this years event was the strongest and most diverse yet. Sue Ryan praised the number of women and ethnic minority speakers at the extended nine-day festival, which finished on Sunday. Mrs Ryan, who founded the festival in 2007, said: It was probably the strongest we have ever had. Weve had good feedback and the artists all said they loved it and sold a lot of books. The extra weekend made a big difference. Fifty per cent of our speakers were women, which should be the case but isnt at most festivals. None of the speakers was token, they were all there in their own right. It was the same for black and ethnic minorities. We had big, strong audiences and the appetite is there. Mrs Ryan said businesses must have benefited from the thousands of visitors each day. She said: It was absolutely throbbing. We went to four restaurants on the first day and they were all full, which isnt like a normal Saturday. The restaurants, cafes and hotels do really well and having the festival hub in the town centre makes a big difference. The town council has been incredibly supportive over the past few years. It wants to support the festival and realises what it does for the town. The festival had an unwanted first this year as a speaker failed to turn up for one of the talks. Robin Renwick, the former British ambassador to South Africa, had been due to discuss his book How to Steal a Country at Phyllis Court Club on Friday. Instead, Daily Telegraph journalist Stephen Robinson spoke about the book and answered questions. Such was his popularity that the audience decided not to ask for a refund offered by the organisers. Mrs Ryan said: It was a lovely affirmation of support and shows what lovely audiences we have. More than 21,000 tickets were sold this year. Mrs Ryan said: Weve moved from being a very amateurish operation to being in the top five or six festivals in the country. We are very well regarded. Pint-sized former gang boss John Gilligan, who is accused of money laundering offences after being arrested at Belfast International Airport with a suitcase containing nearly 23,000, has failed in a new bid to be released from custody. Gilligan was refused bail again despite insisting the cash came from family and friends. Appearing via prison video link, the 66-year-old told a High Court judge in the North: "I just want to get on with my life." During the fresh hearing, prosecutors also disputed claims his life is under threat. Gilligan, with an address at Greenfort Crescent, Dublin, was detained at Belfast International Airport on August 23 as he was about to board a flight to Alicante. He faces a charge of attempting to remove criminal property. At previous hearings the prosecution alleged he had "sold up" and was leaving Ireland behind for a new life in Spain. The money in his suitcase was said to have come from donations and the sale of belongings. One man had allegedly purchased a watch from him for 5,000, the court was told. However, Gilligan's legal team insisted he only intended to rent a property in Spain for a limited period of time. With bail refused last month due to concerns the accused could abscond, he returned to the High Court in a bid to establish a change of circumstances. Defence barrister Plunkett Nugent had stressed the need to keep any subsequent living arrangements undisclosed. He contended that his client is facing a "real and immediate" threat to his life. Disputing that assertion yesterday, however, Crown counsel said: "The position the prosecution are now taking is they are not accepting there's a threat to the applicant's life." Portfolio His lawyers argued that he has no intention of fleeing while involved in ongoing legal proceedings over a "vast property portfolio" in Ireland. Mr Nugent also submitted that letters have been sent to the UK's National Crime Agency setting out accounts of money given to the accused. "That demolishes the case that is alleged against the defendant," he said. However, denying bail once more, Judge Patrick Kinney held that no change in circumstances had been established. Gavin Tidy, Youghal, Co. Cork pictured with his daughters, Isolde and Fearne, throwing a wreath, in memory of his Great Grandparents, into the sea at the spot where The RMS Leinster was torpedoed by a German Submarine in 1918. Pic: Colin O'Riordan The centenary of the sinking of RMS Leinster off the coast of Dublin has been marked by relatives in an emotional flower-laying ceremony at the site where more than 500 civilians, postal workers, soldiers and crew met their deaths. Scores of descendants of those that died were brought to the area around four nautical miles from Dun Laoghaire at dawn yesterday to remember the dead, 100 years after the Leinster was torpedoed by a German U-boat. The Leinster was one of four ships, each named after an Irish province, that provided a service between Dun Laoghaire and Holyhead in the years leading up to World War I. Its main role was in carrying mail, with post office workers sorting letters as it sailed. The military authorities ordered the company that owned the ships to keep space on each crossing for soldiers. TORPEDO On the morning of October 10, 1918, there were around 500 soldiers on board, as well as 180 civilians, 22 postal sorters and 77 crew. As with yesterday, the weather on that fateful day was quite good but rough seas were expected later, and the Leinster set sail just before 9am, passing the Kish light at around 9.40am. It was then that the German submarine UB123 spotted it. The captain managed to evade the first torpedo, but the second one hit at 9.50am. It smashed into the hull at the sorting room, killing all but one of the postal workers. As panic spread and people tried to get into life rafts and find lifebelts, a third torpedo hit, killing many more. In the end 564 people died out of the 803 on board. More Irish people were killed in the sinking of the Leinster than on the Titanic or the Lusitania. UB123 was lost in the North Sea a few days later. It is believed to have been stricken while travelling through an area protected with mines. Its entire crew was killed. The Evening Herald was the first paper to report the sinking of the Leinster, having an early account of the attack in its evening edition that day. The paper did not have the censor's official permission to print the story, and as a result its offices on Middle Abbey Street were raided and the printing press seized. Before morning had broken yesterday, the relatives of the Leinster victims boarded the St Bridget cruise boat from the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire, many clutching bouquets of flowers and photographs of family members whose lives were snuffed out. As a pink sun gradually edged up over the horizon, the LE Orla naval vessel and an RNLI lifeboat also arrived at the wreck site, sounding their horns as flowers were dropped into the rolling sea and the relatives shed tears and held each other. Frances Fletcher described the event as "emotional but brilliant". Her grandfather Henry Loughlin and his brothers Patrick and Michael survived the sinking, but their first cousin John Loughlin was killed. "He was 45 and an able seaman, a stoker on the boat," Frances said. "He left a widow and eight children behind." Frances's relatives Andy Mooney and Mary Castle travelled from the UK for the event. "It was stunning to be there at the site this morning, it was very emotional," Frances told the Herald. "My grandfather not only survived the sinking of the Leinster, but he was also on the Connaught when it was torpedoed in 1917. "Understandably, my grandmother never wanted any of her children to go to sea after that." Fourteen members of one family travelled from New Zealand to visit the wreck site yesterday. Pam O'Reilly and her brother Brendan Robinson are the grandchildren of Drumcondra postal worker Joseph Robinson, who was 43 when he was killed on the Leinster. BANSHEE Pam's son John and grandson Thomas helped make up the three generations that travelled to honour Joseph. "The event did prove to be an emotional one. I thought of my widowed grandmother and all of her children," said Pam. "Our family moved to New Zealand as a direct result. But we never stopped being Irish, and the memories and stories have been passed on through the family and that will continue. "My grandmother was a great storyteller, and she used to say how she heard the banshee that day but thought it was for her mother who was dying at the time. "Then the news came through about the Leinster." Philip Tivy and his sons Warren and Gavin came from Youghal in Cork to remember Philip's grandparents Charlotte and Tom Foley, who both died on the Leinster. "They were on their way to England to visit Charlotte's brother who was a soldier who had been injured in the war," said Philip. "I was imagining them going out from Dun Laoghaire today.My mother never talked much about it. It was kind of swept under the carpet. Trying to picture it was difficult. It must have been a terrible scene." The Royal Mail in the UK was also represented on board. As part of the remembrance events, the bells of Dun Laoghaire were sounded at 9.50am, and the schools in Dun Laoghaire and post offices nationwide observed a minute's silence at 9.51am. 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. Comedian Aditi Mittal has apologised to her colleague Kaneez Surka after the latter accused Aditi of kissing her without her consent at a stand-up event in 2016. Aditi shared a long note on Twitter, giving her version of events and how Kaneez has asked her for a public apology only now so she could find closure. Aditi clarified in her note that the kiss was part of the act and was meant as a joke. She also wrote that unlike what Kaneez had accused her of, she did not use her tongue to kiss her. Aditi also added that she apologised to Kaneez last year and that the latter had accepted her apology too. However, in the wake of the #MeToo movement, Kaneez had now asker her to apologize to her publicly. Here is her full note: In January 2016, I was a participant of an open mic at Andheri (West) in Mumbai. Kaneez Surkha was the host. While walking up on stage to take the mic from Kaneez I gave her a peck on the lips (there was no tongue) as a joke as a part of the act. The intentions were not sexual in nature. I realised that after talking to Kaneez that it was a violation of her space and to this day bothers her very much. For this I am unconditionally sorry. We spoke about this matter at length in 2017. I issued an unconditional apology for making her feel that way. She accepted my apology and said that she knew my intention was not to make her feel the way she did. We discussed the rampant sexism in AIB which she was just discovering and promised to have each others back in a boys club. As far as turning hostile was concerned- I began to consciously avoid any place that she or anyone from those social circles might be, out of respect for her space. It was done as a cautionary measure. In light of events that have been transpiring, she said that she would get closure if I apologised it publicly and gave me two days to speak up. Kaneez, I am sorry. Earlier, in the account shared on Twitter, Surka had said, Two years ago, at a comedy show, I was hosting at Andheri Base, in the presence of an audience of 100 and many comedians, Aditi Mittal walked up on the stage and forcibly kissed me on my mouth out of the blue and put her tongue in my mouth, while I was still on the stage and without my consent. It left me humiliated, shocked and completely stripped of choice. Every person is entitled to choice and boundaries and she violated mine. The comic, who recently appeared as one of the judges on Amazon Prime Videos Comicstaan, said when she mustered the courage to reach out to Mittal a year ago, who first apologised but soon turned hostile towards her, leaving her confused and hurt. Surka said seeing Mittals name all over social media as a champion of the cause had been troubling her for some time. Surka said she once again spoke to Mittal on Tuesday via a mutual friend to come out with a public apology and let her keep her identity secret. But this time Mittal denied kissing me on the mouth, gaslighted me and asked to cross check. I have proof but I thought we believe the victim. Her actions yesterday have hurt me further and burdened me with the task of having to do this but I dont want to be silent anymore, she added. In the #MeToo movement which is surging ahead, Mittal is the first woman to have been named for sexual harassment. The campaign first hit the comedy industry last week when Utsav Chakraborty was accused by multiple women for harassment while AIB co-founder Gursimran Khamba too has been accused of misconduct. AIBs Tanmay Bhat has stepped away from the comedy collective while Khamba has been sent on temporary leave of absence. Follow @htshowbiz for more Allegations against Alok Nath are piling up. After Vinta Nanda and Sandhya Mridul, actor Deepika Amin has come forward with her tale of harassment at the hands of the said actor. Taking to Twitter, Deepika wrote how during an outdoor shoot of a telefilm, early in her career, Alok tried to barge into her room. She wrote: Everyone in the industry knows that #AlokNath is an obnoxious drunkard who harasses women. Years ago on a telefilm outdoor shoot he tried to barge into my room. He slobbered over women, drunk and created a scene. The unit rallied around me and made sure I was safe. #metoo. Everyone in the industry knows that #AlokNath is an obnoxious drunkard who harasses women. Years ago on a telefilm outdoor shoot he tried to barge into my room. He slobbered over women, drunk and created a scene. The unit rallied around me and made sure I was safe. #metoo Deepika Amin (@amindeepika) October 10, 2018 She added that her unit then protected her from him and hence she felt safe. Deepika further wrote on Facebook that she was quite young at that time but remembers vividly how horrible he was. She goes on to elaborate how she again worked with him recently in the film Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety but he was sober on the sets. She wrote: Everyone in the industry knows that #AlokNath is an obnoxious drunkard who harasses women. Years ago on a telefilm outdoor shoot he tried to barge into my room. He slobbered over women, drunk and created a scene. The unit rallied around me and made sure I was safe. I was quite young but I still remember vividly how horrible he was. But recently on the shoot of Sonu Ke Titu ki Sweety he was quiet and subdued . Maybe he has changed? Maybe because the director Luv Ranjan made it clear he wouldnt tolerate bad behaviour. But after reading Vinta Nandas heartbreaking account I felt I had to support her. BELIEVE WOMEN . They have everything to lose by speaking out. #IbelieveyouVintaNanda #metoo #Timesup. Deepika wrote this as she shared Vintas Facebook post. On October 8, writer-director Vinta Nanda, known for her TV series Tara, wrote a long post detailing how she was raped 19 years ago by Alok while she was on her way back from a party. On Wednesday, actor Sandhya shared her story from her early days as an actor when she was attacked by a drunk Alok while on an outdoor shoot. Follow @htshowbiz for more When Amitabh Bachchan talks, you only listen! As the superstar turns a year older, here are 76 times his words made an impact and got us thinking.. 01) I am not in the least eloquent or fluent with languages. My writing on social media is quite pedestrian. But even if it was near any acceptability, I would not be in a position to pen a script or a book. 02) Im very fortunate to have spent so much time in the industry and to have lived through several generations of filmmakers, actors and technicians. Theres a huge volume of experience seeing people change and seeing content change. 03) I dont use any techniques; Im not trained to be an actor. I just enjoy working in films. 04) No one is perfect, and criticism is always welcome and expected. 05) I dont know how others think about me, but if I have to walk the streets, I will, and if I need to stand in a queue at the airport, thats ok. 06) Perfection needs effort to get it right. I need to rehearse for it. Many others who are greatly more efficient than me, do not. To each his craft! And I am no legend! 07) I like to feel the butterflies in the stomach, I like to go home and have a restless night and wonder how Im going to be able to accomplish this feat, get jittery. That hunger and those butterflies in the stomach are very essential for all creative people. 08) Its a huge change from when I started in the 1960s, but what is really impressive is that the number of ladies on set, the women working on set is a huge percentage. There used to be no women. It was just the leading ladys mother, perhaps the hairdresser and the makeup person. 09) Everybody wants to live. But sometimes the body just gives up. 10) I get up in the morning, have a job to do, go there, come home, be with the family, thats it. 12) The body is an amazing system. Its a war zone, my body, and one which has been through a great deal. 13) I sometimes feel that I have been born to attract controversy. Bachchan family members Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan pose for a photo during Shweta Bachchan's (L) store launch, in Mumbai on Saturday, Sept 1, 2018. (PTI) 14) Basically I am just another actor who loves his work and this thing about age only exists in the media. 15) I have never been a superstar and never believed in it. 16) Everyone must accept that we will age and age is not always flattering. 17) We must have song and dance in our lives; weve had it ever since the inception of cinema in India. 18) The film industry is large enough and has many successful icons that have taken Indian cinema to shores beyond India. I think that Indian cinema itself needs to be applauded beyond one individual. 19) I would like to believe that I still am a shy person; I am very introverted. I have a problem communicating. 20) I had two surgeries during the early part of 2012, and I was advised to restrict my work load. 21) If you represent a fantasy for the people who actually go to the cinema, they grab that and go with it; therefore, for the rest of their lives, they actually identify you with a certain thinking - a certain philosophy. Amitabh Bachchan (C) at the prayer meet for the late Krishna Raj Kapoor, wife of late actor Raj Kapoor in Mumbai on October 04, 2018. (AFP) 22) I ended up in parliament and soon discovered that emotion really doesnt have any place in politics. Its a much more intricate and complicated game, and I just didnt know how to play it. 23) If the modes are changing, one goes along with it, I guess. 24) I feel that particularly because of language we are handicapped in getting a large world audience. But Hindi cinema has the same ingredients that appeal to the whole world. 25) You dont get time to meet your peers such as Dharmendra and Hema Malini very often. Award functions or other events are the only places you meet them, unless there is an emergency. Then we all come together. 26) I really felt good after working in a film like Piku, as many people could relate to my character. I got letters from my fans telling me how my character resembles their grandparents. 27) I was born in fame. I was always recognised and known. Personally, I feel normal about it. 28) Indian films are like our food or our sense of dress or our languages: theres a great variety, and it changes every 100 miles, but there is something in common, a national Indian essence that binds them all together. 29) I think no actor should be ever satisfied because there is always something new to do, something fresh to get challenged by. 30) India as a filmmaking nation has gained recognition, at last, at most important Western and Far Eastern forums. 31) I ask you, as a citizen, is it a crime to go to the temple? And if I am propagating superstition by going to the temple, then the whole country is propagating superstition. 32) I felt that for 20 years, I was wooing the people of my country and asking them to like me as an actor, and when they liked me as an actor, I told them, Now, you like my politics. 33) People ask me why it is that when I portray the angry young man on screen, I really look angry. They reason that it is due to some suppression in my childhood. But, its just that I cant help it; its in my genes. 34) I dont agree that I have a lot of confidence. 35) I feel a burden if I dont write. 36) Personally, when a controversy erupts, we decide first whether it requires clarification and, secondly, if it receives notice from authorities and the establishment, we submit responses to their queries. 37) These are rare moments in an actors life, where youre put in an environment which is so natural, and you get natural performances. 38) What will people say? is a feeling every Indian girl grows up with. 39) My mother came from a very affluent background, very Westernised, while my father was more Eastern. So Ive had a very good blend of the East and the West. I guess this has been extremely helpful in making my career and the way I function. 40) I think that its important that actors keep getting challenged every day. For every creative person, its a terrible moment when they say they have done all they want to do. 41) Acting is a profession connected to physicality. Like sports. Athletes cant perform beyond a certain age. Look at Usain Bolt, at 30 he knows he cant compete in the next Olympic Games, if he does - he wont win. 42) I dont think that either Jaya or me have gone out of our way to recommend him (Abhishek Bachchan; son) or canvas for him. whatever he has got and whatever he has done, has been on his own merit. 43) I would rather be an aware citizen, and if an opportunity were to arise where I would have to make a statement, I would happily do that. 44) As a professional, I cannot afford to be complacent. 45) Frankly Ive never really subscribed to these adjectives tagging me as an icon, superstar, etc. ive always thought of myself as an actor doing his job to the best of his ability. 46) We play many emotions in our careers, emotions that in real life we would perform just once. For example, my character has died in about 10 films, so you have to keep searching for different ways to do it! 47) There are many things that I feel I have missed out on. 48) I dont have anything in particular to achieve; I dont want to go any particular direction. I just want to take up the challenges of life as we go along. 49) Back in time, there was no celluloid, no film, which was the most expensive commodity of that time. We could not afford retakes. But now, with everything digital, you can shoot for hours and keep correcting yourself. 50) Yes, every venture is always filled with apprehensions. But if we were to conduct ourselves continuously on that aspect, then we would lose the most important reason to be in this profession: to challenge the art of and be part of what is commonly known as our creative instincts. 51) There are large numbers of people in India below the poverty line; there are large numbers of people who lead a meager existence. They want to find a little escape from the hardships of life and come and watch something colorful and exciting and musical. Indian cinema provides that. 52) I think in the world of creativity there will always be risk. Whatever you do. Because creativity is something that is very personal, very individual. I may think that I am doing something great, you may not think that or the public outside may not think that, and you have an opinion. 53) I find that todays generation relies a lot more on English. even the Hindi dialogues are given to me in Roman English. I cant read that, I dont like that. 54) I dont spend much time looking back at what happened. I do remember it, but I dont see any purpose of wanting to look back. 55) Life is a blur when one is essaying different roles; it is so fulfilling. 56) Id like to believe that tomorrow is another challenge for me. Im sure there is lots more for me to do, because there is lots and lots of stuff still to be explored. 57) I am insecure about tomorrow. Will I get another job? Will it be appreciated? I will pursue acting for as long as I have a face and body that is acceptable to the people, but I still worry that if I dont do better tomorrow, it will all go away. 58) Dancing is not something I look forward to. Its a pain for a 66-year-old man to shake his waist and dance. 59) Having no work would be terrible. 60) I want the vibrant energy of the younger generation of directors and actors to rub off on me. 61) I did not resign from politics because of Bofors. I resigned because I do not know how to play petty politics. I did not know back then and I dont know now either. 62) Creativity is not a 9 to 5 job, it comes from enthusiasm. I enjoy being alive, I look for a new struggle, a new experience every day. An artist has no right to say hes satisfied. 63) I still cannot believe that people all over the world love me and Bollywood so much. 64) Ive accepted that I was a failure in politics. I was not qualified for the job. 65) I sometimes lament the fact that I do not have the benefit of a complete and ailment free body structure. 66) I have the utmost admiration, respect and praise for the younger generation. They are all truly magnificent. I have been fortunate to have worked with them and find their association, invigorating and a learning for me. 67) The select group of people who do make realistic cinema, who do make cinema perhaps a little more acceptable to the Western audience, is a very small percentage. 68) I like to rate myself as a performer upfront, both in films as well as in television. 69) Im very thankful to directors and filmmakers who consider me in their films, and I hope Im able to do justice to their films. 70) Whether the work that I do shall succeed or achieve critical acclaim is for the audience to decide. 71) Very rarely have I had the opportunity to say lines which I would have said even if I wasnt working in a film. 72) My opening words to anybody I hire are, Im an extremely vulnerable person. 73) Please explain to me what being an icon is. How do you define it? I havent been given a script. I dont know what the dialogues of an icon are. 74) Obviously, you look for something that is commensurate with your age. You know that you cant be playing the young hero anymore, and you have to be relegated to something smaller and something elderly, and you just try and do your best. 75) I think, in any profession, what you fear most is not being able to perform, about not being able to meet new challenges. The fear of non acceptance, particularly if in creative art. What happens if the audiences do not like you anymore! 76) ... because you are women people will force their thinking, their boundaries on you. They will tell you how to dress, how to behave, who you can meet and where you can go. Dont live in the shadows of peoples judgment. Make your own choices in the light of your own wisdom. (In a letter addressed to his two granddaughters, Navya Naveli Nanda and Aaradhya Bachchan) Follow @htshowbiz for more Actor Kangana Ranaut has launched a fresh attack on Hrithik Roshan, saying that no one should work with him in the industry. In an interview to Zee News, Kangana said Hrithik deserves to be punished in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Reacting to disgraced director Vikas Bahls Phantom Films being dissolved, Kangana said, Whatever is happening with Vikas Bahl is absolutely correct. Our industry still has a lot of people who dont behave well with women. They assault them, they harass them, they should also be punished. She then made a reference to Hrithik. People who keep their wives as trophies and keep young girls as their mistresses should also be punished... I am referring to Hrithik Roshan people should not work with him as well. Kangana has said that Hrithik was dating her behind his wife Sussanne Khans back, an allegation that Hrithik has always denied. The two have been at loggerheads for almost two years with their separate versions of the story and have even taken each other to court over it. Kangana had also recently given her own account of being harassed by Vikas Bahl while they were shooting for his film, Queen. In an interview to India Today, the actor, who won a National Award for her performance in Queen, said, Every time we met, socially greeted and hugged each other, he (Bahl) would bury his face in my neck, hold me really tight and breathe in the smell of my hair. It took me great amount of strength and effort to pull myself out of his embrace. Hed say I love how you smell K. Kangana added in the interview, Even though Vikas was married back in 2014 when we were filming Queen, he bragged about having casual sex with a new partner every other day. I dont judge people and their marriages but you can tell when addiction becomes sickness. He partied every night and shamed me for sleeping early and not being cool enough. Hrithik Roshan said it was impossible to work with Vikas Bahl after he was accused of sexually harassing a woman. (IANS) Vikas has been accused of molesting an ex-employee of Phantom Films in 2015 in Goa. The woman came forward and narrated her experience with Bahl in a series of interviews with a publication. The woman also tried reaching out to Phantom co-founder Anurag Kashyap to speak about the incident. However, she said nothing came out of it and the issue wasnt taken seriously till two years later. Earlier this week, Kashyap shared the news that they are shutting down Phantom Films, the reason for which is now appears to be the accusation of sexual harassment against co-founder, Vikas. After the accusations came to fore, Hrithik, who has worked with Vikas in his next film, Super 30, said it is impossible for him to work with any person guilty of such grave misconduct. Hrithik wrote on Twitter, It is impossible for me to work with any person if he/she is guilty of such grave misconduct. I am away and have access to only sporadic information. I have requested the producers of Super 30 to take stock of the apparent facts and take a harsh stand if need be. This is not to be hushed or brushed under the carpet. All proven offenders must be punished and all exploited people must be empowered and given strength to speak up. Follow @htshowbiz for more Actor Sunny Leone is spending time in Mexico with husband Daniel Weber and their close friends for what seems like no specific reason theyre just there to have a good time. The new mom, who announced the birth of her twin sons Noah and Asher in March, is showing her abs off in Cancun, one of Mexicos most famous vacation destinations. Sunny, 37, flaunted her svelte figure in a white bikini, while relaxing at the beach with a shirtless Daniel and their pals. Daniel and Sunnys sons and daughter Nisha were missing from the group photos the actor posted on Instagram on Thursday. In the new photos, Sunny looks incredible while rocking baby pink lips and beachy waves loose around her face, accessorised with a white wide-brimmed straw hat. Sunny appears to be living it up on her relaxing Mexican getaway. Check out a couple more pictures she shared with her 15.3 million followers on Wednesday: Sunny Leones Mexico trip comes less than a month after her wax statue unveiled at Delhis Madame Tussauds. She joined a host of other Indian superstars, including Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, who have been honoured with their own wax statues at the museum. Days later, Sunny admitted she was approached for hit HBO fantasy TV series, Game of Thrones, but she had to turn down the offer. Speaking about what precluded her from landing a part in Game of Thrones, Sunny told Free Press Journal in an interview, I got this message one day. This guys like, I know its really last minute, but we want to cast you for a role in Game Of Thrones and I was like Oh my God! No Way! And then they sent the IMDB link to see who it was and then... It was fake! Sunny said. Follow @htshowbiz for more A 24-year-old engineer has been arrested for allegedly stealing Rs 10,000 from a participants handbag during a conference held at a five star hotel in Delhi a month ago, the police said on Wednesday. Madhur Verma, deputy commissioner of police (New Delhi), identified the man as Garvit Sahni, a resident of Ambala in Haryana. The police initially said the man worked with Google. However, the company denied that he was an employee of Google. Sahni holds a BTech degree in electronics and communication, said the officer. Sahni has admitted to stealing the money. He said he was facing financial problems and wanted the money to spend on his girlfriend, said the DCP. The conference where the alleged theft took place was held on September 11 and was organized by an IT firm and a media house. Sahni and the woman were invited as participants to the conference, the DCP said. When the woman reported the theft, we questioned the hotel staff before turning our focus on the invitees. CCTV footage helped zero in on a suspect. Once we confirmed that the suspect had arrived by a cab, we contacted the cab firm to seek their help in getting his mobile phone number, said the DCP. The suspect was arrested from his home on Tuesday and Rs 3,000 of the stolen money was recovered from him, the DCP said. The police are checking if Sahni was involved in any other theft. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Angered by the constant badgering by his family over his wayward lifestyle, a 19-year-old engineering student who hated studies stabbed his parents and teenaged sister to death at their apartment in south Delhis Kishangarh in the early hours of Wednesday, the police said. After buying a knife and a pair of scissors on Tuesday, Sarnam Verma, alias Suraj, stabbed his parents and sister multiple times while they were asleep n their two-bedroom apartment at around 3 am on Wednesday, said Devender Arya, deputy commissioner of police (south-west). Suraj, who suffered minor injuries while stabbing the three, later tried to pass off the killings as the handiwork of unidentified robbers, police said. However, the evidence at the crime spot and the inconsistent version of events narrated by Suraj gave him away, said the DCP. Suraj is a first-year civil engineering student at a college in Gurugram. He lived with his parents, Mithilesh and Siya, a couple in their 40s, and 16-year-old sister. Mithilesh was an interior designer contractor who owned a four-storey building in Kishangarh village near Vasant Kunj. Having rented out other flats in the building, the Verma family lived in a two-bedroom apartment on the first floor. Surajs teenager sister was a class 11 student at a private school. The murders came to light around 5 am on Wednesday when a couple in the neighbourhood was returning home from a hospital. We were entering our apartment when we heard Suraj calling out for help. He was leaning against his flats balcony and told us robbers had attacked him and his family, said neighbour Renu Verma. Because the main gate on the ground floor was locked from inside, Renus husband Yogendra jumped from his own balcony into Surajs home. I found Mithilesh lying dead in one bedroom and his wife and daughter with stab wounds in another room. Suraj had relatively minor injuries on his finger, back and head, said Yogendra. The couple said the Vermas flat had been locked from inside. It was Suraj who gave us the keys to the main gate, said Renu. The police were informed and they rushed the four members of the family to a hospital where three of them were declared brought dead. Suraj told us that two men had entered the flat and attacked his family for resisting a robbery. He claimed that his mother was killed while trying to save him, said Renu. Investigators said Surajs version was riddled with loopholes from the start. The only entrance to the house for an outsider was possible through the balcony. Our investigations revealed no one had entered through the balcony, said the DCP. Though Suraj had tried to pass off the murders as a robbery bid-gone-wrong, the cash, jewellery and other valuables at the house had been untouched. Suraj broke down and confessed. Initially, he claimed that his father had killed his wife and sister first. Suraj claimed he killed his father after watching the man kill his wife and daughter. Later, he confessed that he had killed all of them in their sleep, said the DCP. The officer said Suraj had a reckless lifestyle that irked his parents and sister. Suraj told us that academics did not interest him. He had failed once in class 12 and would choose to watch films with friends instead of attending college, said the DCP, quoting Suraj. To stay away from his parents, Suraj and eight friends had together rented a small flat in nearby Mehrauli, said the officer. His father would beat him for not studying. The last time he was beaten by his father was on August 15 when he chose to go kite flying instead of attending tuitions. He also hated his mother for objecting to home visits by his friends and frequently checking on him, said the officer. Police said Suraj did not spare his sister either as he grudged her for secretly checking his mobile phone and then reporting his activities to his parents. Suraj said he hated his father the most. He also said he was sad after killing his sister and had cried over her body before the murders came to light, said an investigator. Police investigations have revealed that Suraj had also faked his own kidnapping in 2013. He has now confessed that he was never kidnapped and that he had gone with his friends. No police case was filed then. He had returned a day after, the investigator added. A 15-year-old girl from Haryanas Gurgaon district has accused her uncle and a minor cousin of sexually molesting her in an answer sheet during an examination in her school, police said. Police arrested the 23-year-old uncle and cousin of the Class 10 student, from a village near Badshahpur, on Wednesday after the girl wrote about the harassment during the unit test on October 1. A case was registered on Tuesday against the accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act at Badshahpur police station. The uncle was sent to jail and 16-year-old cousin to a correctional home in Faridabad, police said. The police were alerted by the authorities at the girls school, who were asked to inform the child welfare committee (CWC) of the district. The girl said in her complaint she was allegedly assaulted by her cousin, who is a student of Class 11 and lives in the same house as hers in their village. Assistant commissioner of police, crime against women and children (south), Shakuntala Yadav said the girl also alleged that her uncle (the son of her grandfathers sister) had groped and touched her inappropriately. The uncle is their next door neighbour and often visits her house. We informed child welfare committee officials on October 1 to counsel the victim. The victims mother and cousins mother are sisters and are married in the same family, Yadav said. CWC chairperson Shakuntala Dhull said the girls statement could not be recorded last week as she was not in a position to talk to the authorities. Ahmedabad Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor, who is facing the heat over the violence against Hindi-speaking migrants in Gujarat, observed a day-long fast here Thursday for peace and harmony and asserted that no one is a migrant. He said someone may have said something against the migrants and that the real culprits were those who politicised the issue. He ended the fast in the evening by drinking a glass of juice offered by a girl from a migrant family. After the rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha district on September 28 and arrest of a labourer hailing from Bihar for the crime, six districts in Gujarat have seen incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking migrant workers. The attacks led to exodus of an estimated over 60,000 migrants, mostly from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. In his address at the venue of his Sadbhavna Upvas (goodwill fast) near his residence in the Ranip area here, Thakor said he never spread hatred. I am not at all into spreading hatred... We (his Thakor community) are pure at heart. It is possible that someone may have said something (against migrants), but we do not harbour grudge against anyone. We never indulge in violence, the Congress MLA said. Thakor, who heads the Gujarat Kshatriya Thakor Sena, also said that some people were doing politics over the issue. We all need to make sure that Gujarats image does not get tarnished. No one is a migrant... The word itself is wrong. I think some people are politicising the issue. This is an attempt at breaking the country. Dividing people in the name of states is something I or my people will never do, he said. Thakor also said that Congress president Rahul Gandhi has advised him to practise the politics that unites the country. At this point, I remember Rahul Gandhis words. He told me, Alpesh, we should do the politics which unites the country, Thakor said. Alpesh, we have to make people understand the language of love, he further quoted the Congress president as saying. The ruling BJP has been blaming Thakor and his Kshatriya Thakor Sena for the outbreak of violence. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Tuesday asked Rahul Gandhi to take action against Thakor. Earlier, following the rape of the 14-month-old girl, Thakor, the MLA from Radhanpur, had blamed a non-Gujarati for the crime. On Thursday, however, he said he was merely demanding justice for the girl. I will never allow this poison of division to spread among the people in Gujarat... I think such incidents are part of a conspiracy to malign Gujarats image, he said. We only demanded justice for the 14-month-old girl. But we were labelled as anti-nationals. We are not like that. We may have committed some mistakes, but we are not those who harass poor people. Ultimately, we all are Indians. Stop maligning our image, Thakor said. While police have arrested several members of the Thakor Sena in connection with the attacks on Hindi-speaking people, the Congress MLA claimed that police were harassing innocent youths from his community. Before starting his fast, Thakor visited the Sabarmati Ashram and paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi in the morning. Thakor told reporters that he will visit other states to spread the message of peace and harmony, and urged the members of his community to invite migrants to their homes or visit them to build an atmosphere of trust. Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda and Leader of opposition Paresh Dhanani visited the fast venue. Earlier, Thakor had been caught up in a controversy when a video purportedly showing him berating migrant workers went viral after the rape incident. The BJP termed his fast drama. As the Congress is caught in its own trap, their MLA was forced do such political drama....What is the use of such drama after spreading poison of casteism and regionalism? The Congress should answer why their MLAs are issuing inflammatory statements which are responsible for the spread of violence, BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said. State authorities had said on Wednesday that the number of migrant workers leaving Gujarat has come down after they were reassured about their safety. PTI PJT PD KRK GVS As Adam Ereli, former U.S. ambassador to Bahrain and State Department spokesman, wrote in an article "Anarchy in Armenia", published by the Washington Times, Armenia is in a state of anarchy, commonly understood to be an environment of lawlessness or political disorder due to the absence of governmental authority. The implications of Armenias institutional disintegration are dire for Europe and the Caucasus. Having witnessed both Ukraines Orange Revolution and the rise and fall of Georgias former President Mikheil Saakashvili as a senior U.S. government official over a decade ago, I am sobered by the events currently unfolding in Armenia. Armenias current president, Nikol Pashinyan, came to power on May 8, 2018, when he mobilized 250,000 supporters in Yerevans central square and threatened a nationwide strike to protest Parliaments rejection of his bid to become prime minister. Relenting to the power of the mob, Parliament voted Mr. Pashinyan into office that very day, despite the fact that his party held only 9 of the legislatures 105 seats. Since taking office, the self-described peoples candidate has moved systematically to disrupt and dismantle Armenias governing institutions. In his first public address marking 100 days in power, Mr. Pashinyan made this ominous declaration to hundreds of thousands supporters gathered in Republic Square: In Armenia, there is no coalition government. In Armenia, there is no parliamentary majority. In Armenia, the ultimate power directly belongs to the people and the people carry out direct rule. This means that from now on this government will be accountable to this square, will obey this square, and all key decisions must be made here at this square. Addressing his critics, Mr. Pashniyan warned: Come to your senses and dont mess with the people. The Armenian street has now become Mr. Pashniyans preferred tool for accountability and the rule of law. Organs of the state, the judiciary and Parliament have become his target. He has declared past parliamentary elections illegal due to vote buying and has vowed to hold a new poll within a year, once the electoral law is reformed. He dissolved the Yerevan Municipal Council and held snap elections, over the objections of the opposition. Parliament, on October 2, resisted his efforts to dissolve it and schedule new elections, Mr. Pashniyan called tens of thousands of his supporters into the streets. Mr. Pashniyan has also zeroed in on Armenias judiciary, which he described as a class of privileged people that has served at the whim of those in power sponsoring their effort to act outside of the law. Unfortunately for Armenia, Mr. Pashniyan is resorting to the thuggish tactics that he so piously decries. He has corrupted the security services and the courts to execute mafia-like political vendettas. On July 27, an Armenian court announced the arrest of former president Robert Kocharyan, less than a day after Armenian investigators filed a motion to have him arrested. A warrant was also issued for the detention of Mikael Harutyunyan, Kocharyans former Minister of Defense. Mr. Kocharyan and Mr. Harutyunyan were charged with attempting to overthrow the constitutional order when they were in power during post-election protests in March 2008 that resulted in the deaths of ten demonstrators. Coincidentally, Mr. Pashniyan was one of the protestors at the time and was subsequently sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of fomenting the unrest. Noting that Mr. Pashniyan moved against his former adversaries less than three months after taking office, critics have condemned these latest arrests as an abuse of power by the erstwhile revolutionary now serving as prime minister. Mr. Pashniyan has responded that he is simply waging an all-out war against corruption. Unfortunately for the prime minister and his defenders, a recorded telephone conversation between Mr. Pashniyans National Security Service and Special Investigative Service chiefs surfaced on the Internet. In the recording, the director of the National Security Service is heard saying that the prime minister had told him to cage a former deputy defense minister. At another point, the security chief suggests that he pressured a judge to arrest Mr. Kocharyan, saying: The judge called me. He is a little scared. I told him to have courage whether you want it or not, you will arrest him. Although Mr. Pashniyan has defiantly declared, I will not give instructions to the courts, the evidence caught on tape indicates the contrary. And while Mr. Kocharyan has vowed to fight the charges, the forces of law and order would appear to be arrayed against him. According to Laurence Broers, an associate fellow at Chatham House, it is questionable whether Armenias judiciary will be able to offer Mr. Kocharyan a credible legal process: The problem is that Armenias justice system has hardly had time to reform, and the danger is that any failure to uphold the highest standards could make the process look more like victors justice than a society coming to terms with its past. Transparency, accountability and the rule of law are under assault in almost every state of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Nikol Pashniyan can now proudly take his place alongside President Viktor Orban (Hungary), Prime Minister Andrej Babis (Czech Republic), Prime Minister Edi Rama (Albania), and President Alexander Lukashenko (Belarus) as a leader who is bending the institutions of the state to his will. The danger for Europe and the Caucasus, however, is that the populist Potemkin village that Mr. Pashniyan has built could soon come crashing down on his and his supporters heads. Putting power in the hands of the street while simultaneously weakening state institutions is a recipe for anarchy. As Gevorg Harutunyan, a prominent Armenian political observer noted: The main question is whether Nikol Pashinyan the revolutionary can become Nikol Pashinyan the prime minister. So far, the indicators are not positive. The lone Bahujan Samaj Party legislator N Mahesh who is also the primary and secondary education minister in the nearly four-month-old coalition government in Karnataka has resigned due to personal reasons. The BSP and the Janata Dal (Secular) had formed a pre-poll alliance before the assembly elections in May. Subsequently, when the JD(S) decided to ally with the Congress after the polls threw up a hung verdict, Mahesh was inducted into the state cabinet, making him the first BSP minister in any state outside Uttar Pradesh. Addressing a press conference after submitting his resignation to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Governor Vajubhai Vala, Mahesh said: I have resigned from my post and will work hard in my constituency and to build the party in the state. I have only resigned as a minister but will continue to support chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, he said. Mahesh said the decision was taken in light of the approaching Lok Sabha elections next year and he would support JD (S) candidates in the by-elections set to be held for two assembly and three Lok Sabha seats next month. I will campaign everywhere for the JD(S) candidate, he said. Mahesh claimed he had not even informed BSP chief Mayawati of the decision and that he would not reconsider his decision even if she asked him to. The party and the movement are more important to me than any position. I was not aware that being a minister would take up so much of my time and my constituents have expressed displeasure that I have not been able to devote more time to them, Mahesh said. He insisted that there were no differences within the government. Even as Mahesh claimed he had not informed the party, Rajya Sabha MP and Karnataka in-charge of the BSP Ashok Siddharth was present with the Karnataka leader. Speaking to HT, Siddharth said it was a coincidence that the minister chose this moment to resign. I am visiting the state because I am in-charge of overseeing the party here. Besides, I will not be able to visit in the next few months because of elections in other states, Siddharth said. Mahesh had not informed me before as well, he added. Mayawati had only last week dented chances of a pre-poll alliance with the Congress when she announced that the party would go it alone in the Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh elections. Siddhrath, though, denied that there was any relation between these developments. We had an alliance in Karnataka with the JD (S) and not the Congress, so there is no question of a connection between the two decisions, Siddharth said. He added that Mayawati had also twice resigned her post as chief minister in 1997 and 2003 to help build the party. The Karnataka Congress said there was no question of the resignation coming as a big blow to the party as it was never in an alliance with the BSP in the state. Mahesh was made a minister as part of the JD(S)s quota while forming the government. So, there is no question of this affecting our party. We will see in the coming days if it was a decision taken by the BSP chief or if, like Mahesh said, he wants to concentrate on strengthening the party, Karnataka Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao said. The Congress-JD(S) alliance government enjoys the support of 118 of the 222 current members at present, including Mahesh. Repeated attempts to reach out to the Chief Ministers office for comment went unanswered. Environmental activist and rationalist GD Agarwal, a former Indian Institute of Technoloy (IIT) professor popularly known as Swami Gyanswarup Sanand, died in a Rishikesh hospital on Thursday, the 112th day of a hunger strike demanding a law to save the Ganga, scrapping of hydropower projects on the river, and free flow of its waters. Agarwal, who was 86, was taken to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh, by the administration of neighbouring Haridwar in Uttarakhand on Wednesday, a day after he stopped drinking even water. He had been accepting water with honey during the duration of his hunger strike, which he started on June 22. The seer is dead. On October 9 he declared (his intention) to quit water, following which the next day we admitted him at AIIMS on Wednesday afternoon, said Deepak Rawat, district magistrate (DM) of Haridwar. Dr Ravi Kant, the director of AIIMS, Rishikesh, said Agarwal died of cardiac arrest coupled with arrhythmia at around 2pm. His potassium levels were low and his blood pressure was high, he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief at the demise of the activist. Saddened by the demise of Shri GD Agarwal Ji. His passion towards learning, education, saving the environment, particularly Ganga cleaning will always be remembered. My condolences, he tweeted. The Centre, in a reaction to his death, said that almost all the demands made by Agarwal had been accepted. Water Resources and Ganga River Rejuvenation Minister Nitin Gadkari had said, We have accepted almost all his demands (on cleaning of the Ganga). One demand was to ensure environmental flow and we have come out with a notification. Agarwal was a professor at the IIT-Kanpur, and also served as a member-secretary of the anti-pollution watchdog the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Since renouncing the materialistic world seven years ago, he was staying at Matri Sadan, the epicentre of an agitation for cleansing the Ganga of pollution. Matri Sadan founder Swami Sivananda has himself been on fast several times. It was not the first time that Agarwal had gone on hunger strike. His fast in 2009 led to the scrapping of two dams - Bhairon Ghati (380 Mw) and Pala Maneri (480 Mw) - on the Bhagirathi river, a tributary of the Ganga in higher reaches of Uttarakhand. His fast in 2016 forced the Haridwar administration to crack down on illegal mining in the area. Following the flash floods in Kedarnath in June 2013, Agarwal staged a 105-day fast, citing inactivity by National Ganga River Basin Authority, which is meant to protect the Ganga from pollution and overuse. I had resigned from authority in support of Swami Sanand (Agarwal) over the then governments apathy. Swami Sanand was quite concerned about the Ganga and was first to present himself for agitation, said Rajendra Singh,a Magsaysay awardee and close associate of Agarwal. Nobody wants to help the Ganga, be it the Congress or BJP, Agarwal told HT last year. Whenever I sit on fast, they come and make promises so that I end my fast. But nothing happens. Everything is very bureaucratic. His latest hunger strike started after he failed to receive any response from the central government to a letter seeking enactment of the Ganga Protection Act as drafted by retired judge Giridhar Malaviya, which sought a total ban on quarrying and stone crushing on the Ganga river bed and scrapping of all hydel projects on the river in Uttarakhand. His died a day after the environment ministry issued a notification for the free flow of 20-30% of water in river Ganga in the next three years. Agarwal is the second activist to have died while on hunger strike for efforts to save the Ganga. In 2011, Swami Nigmananda Saraswati died after a fast of 115 days in Haridwar protesting against illegal mining in the Gangas environs. For hundred days at 86 years of age, being on agitation without food intake is nothing but a miracle, said Swami Harichetnanand, who was with Agarwal at Matri Sadan. He was an IIT professor, it is hard to believe in less than a decade of taking up sainthood, he assumed such power and will. Former environment minister Jairam Ramesh expressed his condolences. I am deeply anguished by the martyrdom of Prof GD Agarwal. I had known him for a long time. I used to meet him very frequently when I was environment minister 2009-2011 and kept in touch with him. He treated me very kindly always as he and my father had been contemporaries in the IIT system. He was an indefatigable crusader not only for Nirmal (pure) Ganga but also for Aviral (continuously flowing) Ganga... I salute his commitment and dedication, his scholarship and learning, his faith and passion, Ramesh wrote in a statement. In a fresh attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called the Rs 59,000 crore deal for 36 fighter jets a clear-cut case of corruption and accused the government of a cover up. Gandhi also questioned the timing of defence minister Nirmala Sitharamans three-day visit to France. I dont know what the emergency is... It is pretty clear that there is a huge cover-up... Indias Defence Minister going to France... What can be a clearer, he said at Gandhi said at a hurriedly-convened press conference. Gandhis criticism comes a day after a French media report suggested that the French aviation firm had been told to partner with Anil Ambanis Reliance Group, based on a 2017 Dassault document. The company has denied this interpretation, underlining that it had freely chosen Anil Ambanis Reliance Group as an offset partner for the Rafale deal. The Congress president was dismissive of Dassault Aviations denials. Remember one thing. Dassault is sitting on a huge contract. It will say what Indian govt wants them to say, said Gandhi who is spearheading the opposition campaign against Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the centre ahead of key state elections and Lok Sabha elections next year. The reality is the prime minister is corrupt. The prime minister of India is a corrupt man, he said. The Congress chief said the prime minister had come to power on the promise of working as the countrys watchman. It turns out, Gandhi said, that PM Modi was Anil Ambanis prime minister and has played the role of a watchman for him. Hitting back, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused Rahul Gandhi of jeopardising the countrys security. Rahul Gandhi is repeatedly lying. He is making a mockery of the national security. The entire Gandhi family is corrupt and they are pointing fingers at others? Patra said, wondering why the Congress president hadnt approached the courts since he claimed to know things about the deal. The deal has also become controversial on account of the fact that one of the offset deals signed by Dassault is with the Reliance Group of Anil Ambani. The Congress claims the earlier deal was scrapped and a new one signed just to provide Ambani this opportunity for an offset deal. Former French President Francois Hollande has said that Reliance was made Dassaults offset partner at Indias insistence. The row intensified last month after former President Francois Hollande was quoted as saying that India did not give France a choice on selection of the Indian partner for Dassault, the manufacturer of Rafale jets. The Indian and the French government have denied the charge. The Supreme Court had yesterday directed the National Democratic Alliance government to provide details of the decision-making process that led to the purchase of the Rafale fighter jets from France. The top court said it did not want to examine the issue of pricing and suitability of the Rafale jets but only the decision-making process to satisfy ourselves. Champion sailor Commander Abhilash Tomy underwent a surgery at an army hospital here on Thursday for a back injury he suffered while negotiating a deadly storm in the southern Indian Ocean that left his yacht crippled three weeks ago. Air Commodore MS Sridhar, the militarys senior-most neurosurgeon, fixed Tomys back in a two-hour procedure, the navy said in a tweet. The 39-year-old is recovering well from the surgery, with his sense of humour intact. This naval legend @abhilashtomy now has a back of steel. The Docs r totally floored by the resolve and determination of Abhilash. Also compliment his sense of humour. Wish you a super speedy recovery sailor boy, navy spokesperson Captain DK Sharma tweeted. Sharma met him at the hospital. Platinum sir. My value has just gone up, Tomy responded on Twitter. Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba met Tomy after the surgery and wished him speedy recovery. Indian warship INS Satpura reached Vizag with Tomy onboard on October 5. It picked him up from from Ile Amsterdam, a remote island in the southern Indian Ocean where he was undergoing treatment. Before being moved to Delhi for the surgery, Tomy was being treated at naval hospital INHS Kalyani. He was participating in this years Golden Globe Race (GGR), a circumnavigation challenge involving solo participants, and which bars the use of modern technology. He suffered a debilitating back injury on September 21 after the rough seas and powerful winds pummeled his yacht Thuriya, sending it into a 360-degree spin. He was rescued three days later by French patrol vessel Osiris in a dramatic mission. In his first and only interview after being rescued from the remotest place on Earth, carried in HT on September 28, Tomy reconstructed some of the most terrifying moments of his 70-hour ordeal. The deep sea was scary as hell. It was so, so bad. That sight, it was something I had never seen before in my life, Tomy said in that interview over satellite phone from Ile Amsterdam. He became the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe onboard his boat Mhadei - solo, non-stop and unassisted in 2013. He was awarded Indias second-highest peace-time gallantry award, Kirti Chakra, for the feat. Before the accident, Tomy was in the third position among 11 international participants and had sailed over 10,500 nautical miles since the race began on July 1. Tomy has sailed more than 52,000 miles in his naval career spanning 18 years. And he hopes to sail again soon. Congress president Rahul Gandhis proposed meeting with retired and current employees of the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), on Saturday, has created a flutter as it is not clear as to who is organising the event. The Congress says it was retired HAL employees who approached the party. State Congress president Dinesh Gundu Rao said Gandhi will hold a meeting with some retired HAL employees, who were allegedly pained by some Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders claiming that the state-owned aerospace and defence company was incapable to delivering on the Rafale deal. There is a meeting with HAL employees on the contribution of HAL to the country. This is because our own defence minister and BJP leaders have said HAL lacks the capability to come through on the Rafale deal. We want to do this because HAL is an asset of the country and has contributed massively to the countrys defence sector, he said. Rao also clarified that the state Congress was not organising the event and that some former employees had decided to conduct the event and had invited Gandhi. We are not organising this event and so we dont have to take permission for it...Some former employees and other people have decided to discuss the companys contribution in light of the allegations. And they have invited Gandhi... he said. However, Suryadev Chandrashekhar, general secretary of the All India HAL Trade Union Coordination Committee, said it was the Congress that had approached the union requesting a meeting. He added that no decision has been taken yet. Some leaders contacted us asking us to participate in a small meeting outside the HAL office here. However, we are undecided on the issue. Generally, we do not entertain requests from political parties. We will take a call on whether to participate in the proposed event on Friday, he said. Gopal Sutar, spokesperson for HAL said the Congress had not approached the company for permission to enter its premises. Criticising the proposal state Bharatiya Janata Party general secratary N Ravikumar said, ..It is not correct to drag a public sector undertaking into politics in this manner. Rahul ends press conference As questions on #MeToo campaign are raised, Rahul Gandhi says this is a press conference on Rafale deal; he will give his opinions on the sexual harassments complaints surfacing later. Ends press conference. Rafale deal given to Anil Ambani to save his business Prime Minister gave the Rafale deal to Anil Ambani to save his business. This isnt just about Rafale Reality is that this isnt just about Rafale deal. Details will slowly emerge about other deals. This is about defence ministry deals, says Congress president Dassault has a deal with India, will say what govt wants it to Dassault is going to say what the Indian government wants it to, says Rahul Gandhi. Why is Nirmala Sitharaman going to France Defence minister Nirmala Sitharamans trip to France is part of a huge government cover-up on Rafale, Rahul Gandhi alleges. Clear cut case of corruption against PM: Rahul Gandhi Earlier former French President revealed that Indian PM had told them that Reliance should get a deal. Now a senior official of #Rafale has said the same. It is a clear cut case of corruption PM still silent on Rafale deal At the press conference, Rahul Gandhi said PM Modi still silent on Rafale deal. Dharmendra Pradhan thanks Rajnath Singh for support Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan met Home minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi today and thanked him for the role played by NDRF during operations in Odisha for Cyclone Titli. Singh has assured continued support from the Centre in disaster management, rehabilitation and reconstruction needs of Odisha, reports ANI. Delhi: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met Home Minister Rajnath Singh today & thanked him for the role played by NDRF during operations in Odisha for #CycloneTitli. HM has assured continued support from Centre in disaster mgmt, rehabilitation & reconstruction needs of Odisha. pic.twitter.com/cTTSoEoC9m ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2018 Patnaik reviews situation Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the situation after landfall of Cyclone Titli and directed officials to rush adequate relief materials and restore essential services. As Cyclone Titli is expected to move to West Bengal through Odisha, he has ordered to remain watchful and prepared, tweets CMO Odisha. CM @Naveen_Odisha reviewed the situation after landfall of #CycloneTitli and directed officials to rush adequate relief materials & restore essential services. As #CycloneTitli is expected to move to West Bengal through #Odisha, he has ordered to remain watchful and prepared(1/2) pic.twitter.com/OSsEYkZmN3 CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) October 11, 2018 Two more NDRF teams for worst-affected Gajapati As Gajapati is the worst hit among the districts, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik has directed to deploy two more NDRF teams. District magistrates have been asked to prepare reports on house and crop damage immediately and hailed for achieving zero casualty target, tweets CMO Odisha. As Gajapati is the worst hit among the districts, CM @Naveen_Odisha has directed to deploy two more NDRF teams. DMs have been asked to prepare reports on house and crop damage immediately and hailed achieving #zerocasualty target (2/2) pic.twitter.com/q1kI6c7pZ6 CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) October 11, 2018 Trees uprooted, properties damaged in Srikakulam #WATCH:Trees uprooted, property damaged in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam due to #TitliCyclone.The cyclone made landfall early morning today. pic.twitter.com/09Fjx8QwGI ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2018 Visuals from Srikakulam in AP #WATCH: Latest visuals from Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam. #TitliCyclone made a landfall in the region early morning today. pic.twitter.com/ckoGJblyti ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2018 Visuals from Palasa in AP Andhra Pradesh: Visuals from Palasa railway station in Srikakulam district as #CycloneTitli hits the region. pic.twitter.com/yLPLvY57O3 ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2018 Odisha was prepared, says official Since there was a warning about Titli, we identified vulnerable areas and shifted people to our shelters.We have a number of multi-purpose cyclone shelters across the state and we shifted people in over 1,100 shelters. It was an elaborate operation: B Sethi,special relief commissioner, Odisha, reports ANI. Jharkhand affected North-east districts of Jharkhand have been affected due to Cyclone Titli. Rain will continue in places around Ranchi till tomorrow: BK Mandal, director, IMD, Ranchi, reports ANI. Wind speed weakening: Official Immediately after landfall, it was 140-150 kmph. Gradually, it was weakening. Now it will come down to 50-60 kmph. Itll prevail till evening today and may be for sometime after night: Srinivas, duty officer, Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre, reports ANI. Rough to high conditions still prevail: Official Up to evening of today, north Andhra Pradesh may experience wind speed from 50-60 kmph. Very rough to high conditions still prevailing over west central Bay of Bengal. Fishermen advised not to venture into sea: Srinivas, duty officer, Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre, reports ANI. Odisha stares at possible flood situation India Meteorological Department says that heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places, and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places, is very likely in Odisha in the next 24 hours. We believe that the entire state, except some western parts, is likely to receive rain throughout the day. Depending upon the rainfall, we may see some flood in coastal Odisha, says chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi. 8 dead in Andhra Pradesh 8 people have died in Srikakulam and Vijayanagaram districts, reports ANI. 2 dead in Andhra Pradesh The very severe cyclonic storm Titli left two persons dead besides causing widespread damage in Srikakulam district, says State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). Hundreds of thousands without power in AP We fear 6,000-7,000 electricity poles may have been uprooted, says K Dhananjaya Reddy, district administrative chief of Srikakulam. Around 400,000 to 500,000 people are now without electricity. Govt and authorities on alert: Dharmendra Pradhan Government and authorities are on alert. It is the need of the hour for everyone to come forward. I am confident that this crisis will be handled in a proper way with everyones support: Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan Cyclone Titli to weaken gradually: IMD Titli will weaken gradually and is expected to turn into a deep depression by Friday morning: IMD It (cyclone Titli) is very likely to move northwestwards for next 12 hours and then re-curve northeastwards towards Gangetic West Bengal across Odisha. It is very likely to weaken gradually becoming severe cyclonic storm around noon, cyclonic storm around evening of today and a deep depression by morning of tomorrow, October 12, 2018, states IMD. Titli to weaken but maintain its cyclone status: Skymet forecast Very severe #TitliCyclone will weaken but maintain its #Cyclone strength as it has been getting enough moisture feed due to the system skirting along the coast. #TitliLive #CycloneTitliAlert #CycloneTitli #CyclonicStormTitli SkymetWeather (@SkymetWeather) October 11, 2018 No major damage or loss of life reported in Odisha There has been no major damage or report of casualty received from any part of the state so far. Some destruction was reported from Ganjam and Gajapati districts, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi said. Landfall process complete: IMD The latest India Meteorological Department (IMD) report said cyclone Titli made the landfall between 4.30 and 5.30 am in south-west coast of Gopalpur near Palasa in Andhra Pradesh with an estimated maximum sustained surface wind speed of 140-150 kmph gusting to 165 kmph. The landfall process has been completed and the centre of eye of cyclone Titli lies over the land, the IMD said. Titli made landfall in APs Palasa not Odishas Gopalpur: IMD The landfall was in Andhra Pradeshs Palasa not at Odishas Gopalpur as predicted earlier, confirms IMD. Gajapati district worst affected by cyclone Titli in Odisha Gajapati district most affected with road communication cut off from district headquarter town of Paralakhemundi. Other affected districts are Ganjam, Balasore, Kendrapara and Khurda. No casualty reported so far: Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha. No casualties reported in Andhra: CM Naidu There were no casualties reported so for anywhere in the cyclone-hit areas because of preparedness by official machinery, says Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu at a teleconference with the district collectors of Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram. Titli affects normal life in northern coast of AP Heavy rain and high-speed gales in three north coastal districts of Srikakulam, Viziangaram and Visakhapatnam. Traffic movement has been paralysed as electric poles fell and trees were uprooted . Seawaters entered houses at Uppada in East Godavari district as the maximum of height of tides was of 10ft along the coast close to the point of landfall. Trains suspended, buses services halted in AP Trains bound for Srikakulam have been suspended and the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) also withdrew its bus services covering the cyclone-affected areas. Power supply was shut down in the wake of warnings sounded by the IMD. Indian Coast Guard rescues 8 fishermen off Odisha coast #CycloneTitli. While the Severe Cyclone #Titli was making landfall early this morning @IndiaCoastGuard Rescue Teams of #Paradip #Gopalpur assisted a fishing boat amidst strong winds and heavy rains to safety and rescued 08 distressed fishermen onboard @DefenceMinIndia pic.twitter.com/tETyD2Cch4 Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) October 11, 2018 3 lakh evacuated, 1112 relief camps opened in Odisha Around 3 lakh people have been evacuated. 1112 relief camps have been opened across Odisha for the evacuees in the shelters. 105 pregnant women in Ganjam and 18 in Jgatsinghpur have been shifted to hospitals, says Special Relief Commissioner, Biahnupada Sethi. Heavy rain in several districts of Odisha As cyclone Titli makes landfall, heavy rain in Ganjam, Khurdha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Gajapati, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore districts of Odisha. Damage to thatched and asbestos house, street lights. Roads are reportedly blocked in Ganjam district due to falling of trees. Power and communication disruptions have also been reported in Ganjam. Titli moving at speed of 140-150 kmph Cyclone Titli is moving at a speed of 140-150 kmph, reports ANI. Visuals of Titli making landfall at Srikakulam in AP Danger is not over yet: Skymet #Danger is not over yet. #CycloneTitli will continue its movement along the coast toward north east direction. It will continue to get moisture feed. #Odisha coast will get very heavy #Rain. @SkymetWeather pic.twitter.com/GZaJQ0a0gf Mahesh Palawat (@Mpalawat) October 11, 2018 NDMA lists out dos and donts National Disaster Management Authority puts out a list of dos and donts. Impact of Titli in Gopalpur Several trees and electric poles have been uprooted in Gopalpur. #Visuals from Ganjam's Gopalpur after #TitliCyclone made landfall in the region at 5:30 am today. 10,000 people from low lying areas had been evacuated to govt shelters till last night. #Odisha pic.twitter.com/HEYog0DNe7 ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2018 Diameter of the cyclones eye is 21 kms: IMD The eye of cyclone Titli has crossed the coast. The diameter of the eye of the cyclone is 21 kms, says IMD. Landfall process to take 1-2 more hours The process of landfall has started and it will completely cross the Odisha coast in one or two hours. The system will pass close to Gopalpur, says H R Biswas, Director of Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar. Heavy rains continuing in Gopalpur and several parts of Ganjam district. Wind speed of 126 kmph at Gopalpur in Odisha The process of landfall of the very severe cyclone Titli started early Thursday with surface wind reaching speeds of 126 kmph at Gopalpur in Odishas Ganjam district, says the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Titli made landfall between 4.30 and 5.30 am near Palasa of Srikakulam district with sustained wind speed of 140-150 kmph and gusts of 165 kmph. IMD image shows cyclone hitting coast Impact of cyclone Titli as it hits coast Titli makes landfall near Gopalpur in Odisha: IMD Very severe cyclonic storm Titli makes landfall near Gopalpur in Odisha: IMD Landfall process continues At 5 am, the landfall process continued with the forward sector of the cyclones eye entering into the land, says Director of Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, HR Biswas. 17 districts of Odisha on red alert Collectors of 17 of the states 30 districts have been put on red alert. said Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi. These districts are Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Kandhamal, Boudh, Cuttack, Jajpur, Khurda, Nayagarh, Kalahandi, Koraput and Rayagada. Titli likely to make landfall near Gopalpur coast in an hour At Gopalpur where the landfall is likely, the surface wind speed at 4.30 am was measured at 126 km per hour at while at Kalingapatnam of North Andhra Pradesh coast, wind blew at 56 km per hour. It would however gradually weaken and re-curve northeastwards and move towards Gangetic West Bengal across Odisha by Thursday afternoon, says Director of Meterological Centre in Bhubaneswar, HR Biswas. Cyclone Titli to reach Gopalpur between 5:30-11:30 am today #TitliCyclone is 120 km away from Gopalpur. It is moving at a speed of 11 km/hour & will reach Gopalpur b/w 5:30-11:30 am today.Heavy rainfall is expected. Our port warning is highest at 10. Maximum speed will be 150 km/hour: Umashankar Das,India Meteorological Department.#Odisha pic.twitter.com/yO8jGs0Kqy ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2018 After a French media report cited a Dassault executive as saying that the joint venture with Reliance Defence was imperative and mandatory, Dassault Aviation clarified that his reference was to the offset part of the deal. Explaining the logic of the joint venture to worker representatives in 2017, a Dassault executive said this was done to ensure the French company got the Rafale India export business. Hindustan Times pointed out in a report that it wasnt clear whether his reference was to the offsets - the only way Dassault could benefit from these was if it partnered with a local company to make parts it could then source or the original deal regarding the sale of 36 Rafale aircraft. The clarification confirms that his reference was to the offsets. In a statement issued in France late Wednesday, Dassault Aviation reiterated that it had freely chosen Anil Ambanis Reliance Group as an offset partner for the Rafale deal and sold 36 fighters to India within the framework an inter-governmental agreement between the two countries. Dassault is investing 50 per cent of the value of the Rs 59,000-crore purchase in India under the offsets contract. The French company said it had forged a joint venture, Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL) on February 10, 2017 to execute its offset commitments. DRAL will also be making Rafale parts. The clarification comes even as Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is travelling to France to hold the first defence minister-level dialogue with her French counterpart Florence Parly. She is also expected to visit Dassaults Rafale fighter jet manufacturing facility outside Paris on Friday during her three-day visit to France. The French plane maker said the company had also signed partnerships with companies such as BTSL, DEFSYS, Kinetic, Mahindra, Maini, SAMTEL. Other negotiations are ongoing with a hundred-odd other potential partners, the firm said elaborating on its offset commitments. The DRAL plant will manufacture parts for Falcon 2000 business jets and, in a second step, parts for Rafale aircraft, it added. In compliance with French regulations, Chief Operating Officer Loik Segalen informed, May 11, 2017, the Central Works Council of the creation of the DRAL joint-venture in order to fulfil some of the offsets commitment, the release added. It said a team of Indian managers has been trained for six months at Biarritz in France and the first Falcon 2000 parts would be delivered by 2018-end. The statement, seen as a response to a French media report, was issued on a day the Supreme Court directed the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government to provide details of the decision-making process that led to the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France. The top court said it did not want to examine the issue of pricing and suitability of the Rafale jets but only the decision-making process to satisfy ourselves. The top court asked the government to file the details by October 29 with the courts registrar general in a sealed envelope. The deal has become controversial with the opposition, led by the Congress, claiming that the fighter jets were overpriced. Elections are due to take place in five states in November and December leading up to the 2019 general election. Also, the Congress claims the earlier deal to sign up the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd was scrapped and a new one signed to provide Reliance Defence this opportunity for an offset deal. Former French President Francois Hollande had earlier said that Reliance was made Dassaults offset partner at Indias insistence. The French and the Indian governments, and Dassault and Reliance have repeatedly denied this. French plane-maker Dassault Aviation clarified on Thursday that an executives reported comment about an imperative and mandatory joint venture with Reliance Defence was in reference to the offset part of the government-to-government deal between France and India for 36 Rafale aircraft even as Congress president Rahul Gandhi reiterated his demand for a probe into the deal. Explaining the logic of the joint venture to workers representatives in 2017, Dassault deputy chief executive officer Loik Segalen said this was done to ensure the French company got the Rafale India export business. Hindustan Times pointed out in a report on Thursday it wasnt clear if Segalens reference was to the offsets the only way Dassault could benefit from these was if it partnered with a local company to make parts it could then source or the original deal. Dassault clarified that his reference was to the offsets, or components it would have to buy from an Indian manufacturer. Separately, Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier told AFP the joint venture with Reliance Group will meet about 10% of the firms offset obligations required by the contract for 36 Rafale jets. Gandhi sharpened his attack on the government, calling the Prime Minister a corrupt person who came to power on the promise of fighting corruption. At a press conference at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, Gandhi, who has been unsparing in his criticism of the government over the deal, also termed defence minister Nirmala Sitharamans ongoing three-day visit to France as part of a great cover-up. The minister is expected to visit Dassaults Rafale fighter jet manufacturing facility outside Paris on Friday. One thing is very clear... Indias Prime Minister got the Rafale contract for Anil Ambanis company (Reliance Defence), and this is not the only contract, some more defence contracts will come. Questions will be raised on the entire defence contracts, Gandhi said, calling for a probe. Both the government and Reliance have repeatedly denied such allegations. At its press meet, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) once again rejected Gandhis charges of corruption against PM Narendra Modi , accusing the Opposition leader of lying through his teeth shamelessly and indulging in politics of misinformation to build his political career. His press conference was full of lies and deception which he is using to build his political career, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, according to news agency Press Trust of India. In its statement, seen as a response to the report by French news website Mediapart that cited Segalens remarks, Dassault Aviation reiterated that it had freely chosen Anil Ambanis Reliance Group as an offset partner for the Rafale deal and sold 36 fighters to India within the framework of an intergovernmental agreement between the two countries. Dassault is sourcing 50% of the value of the ~59,000-crore purchase in India under the offsets contract. The French company said it had forged a joint venture, Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL), on February 10, 2017 to execute part of its offset commitments. The French plane-maker said the company also signed partnerships with companies such as BTSL, DEFSYS, Kinetic, Mahindra, Maini and SAMTEL as part of its offset commitments. Other negotiations are ongoing with a hundred-odd other potential partners, the firm added. In compliance with French regulations, Chief Operating Officer Loik Segalen informed, May 11, 2017, the Central Works Council of the creation of the DRAL joint-venture in order to fulfil some of the offsets commitment, the statement issued in France added. It said a team of Indian managers was trained for six months in Biarritz, France, and the first Falcon 2000 parts would be delivered by 2018-end. While Dassault Aviations clarification has to be taken into account, it is for the French authorities to investigate the deal, said former Western Air Command chief Air Marshal PS Ahluwalia. Signing an offset contract is a requirement of Indian law under the defence procurement procedure, CEO Trappier said in the interview with AFP. The implementation of offsets is an obligation and, under the Indian regulation, the choice of the partners belongs to us, Trappier was quoted as saying. In full compliance with this regulation, Dassault Aviation therefore decided to set up the DRAL joint venture with Reliance and build a plant in Nagpur, which should enable us to meet about 10% of these offset obligations, he added. The NDAs decision to enter an $8.7 billion deal with France to buy 36 Rafale warplanes made by Dassault was announced in April 2015, with an agreement signed a little over a year later. This replaced the previous UPA regimes decision to buy 126 Rafale aircraft. The deal has become controversial with the Opposition claiming that the price at which India is buying Rafale aircraft now is Rs 1,670 crore for each, three times the Rs 526 crore, the initial bid by the company when the UPA was trying to buy the aircraft. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will hold the first defence minister level dialogue with her French counterpart Florence Parly today and is expected to visit Dassaults Rafale fighter jet manufacturing facility outside Paris on Friday during her three-day visit to France. She may also meet President Emmanuel Macron, although there is no confirmation on this. Government officials familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity that Sitharamans visit to the Rafale facility comes from her desire to have a firsthand experience of its flying capabilities and to discuss with the planes maker Dassault Aviation, the delivery status of the 36 fighters ordered in fly away condition by India from France in a government to government deal. The first fighter is expected to land in India in September 2019. According to the officials, the decision to hold an annual dialogue between the two countries at the defence minister level was decided during pMacrons visit to India last March with an aim to deepen military cooperation between two strategic partners and expand it from air to space. While defence cooperation between India and France has touched new heights, New Delhi wants to strengthen the on-going defence manufacturing partnership with more role for the Indian industry in cases involving the transfer of technology such as the Scorpene submarines. Indias Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited has a partnership with French Naval Group for manufacturing of the Scorpene submarine through the transfer of technology route. The two Defence Ministers will also talking about expanding the scope of joint exercises with advanced military training in Persian Gulf and near Reunion Islands in the far Pacific. Sitharaman and Parly will also discuss the supply of French Safran M88 military jet engine for Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. Sitharaman travels to Singapore next week for the ASEAN Defence Minister Meeting plus and is expected to travel to the newly named Indo-Pacific Command in Hawai during her December visit to United States at the invitation of Secretary of Defence James Mattis. The Trump administration has received thousands of requests from small manufacturers and other employers for certain goods to be excluded from tariffs that went into effect on July 6 on about $34 billion worth of Chinese imports. As Politico writes in an article "U.S. companies file thousands of China tariff exclusion requests", many of the companies' requests warn of job cuts or other harm if they are not granted relief from the 25 percent import tax imposed by President Donald Trump. For instance, Manncorp, an electronics manufacturer supplier, said its business margins could disappear entirely if it has to absorb those costs. "We are an requesting an exemption from the tariffs on this device as we cannot pass the cost of the tariffs onto our customers and remain competitive in the marketplace," Henry Mann, president of the company, wrote in a filing. Exemption from the burden these tariffs would impose would allow us to avoid a payroll decrease and possible slide into insolvency as our associated costs increase." "Any exclusion will be effective starting from the July 6, 2018 effective date of the additional duties, and extend for one year after the publication of the exclusion determination in the Federal Register," USTR said in a notice laying out the process. "USTR periodically will announce decisions on pending requests." Some companies have enlisted members of Congress to help make their case. Sens. Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran and Rep. Roger Marshall, all Republicans who represent Kansas, asked for an exclusion for Benchmark Plastics, a small business in McPherson, Kan., with four current employees. It plans to hire 16 more over the next three years. Earlier this year, Benchmark Plastics ordered an expensive piece of equipment from a "reputable Chinese manufacturer" in the hopes of expanding their business, the Kansas lawmakers said. However, the price went up drastically after Trump imposed an additional 25 percent tariff. "We believe the added costs brought on by tariffs from a one-time purchase is an unfortunate side effect that will cause lasting damage to this business' future," Roberts, Moran and Marshall wrote. Three House members Reps. David Price (D-N.C.), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) and Scott Perry (R-Pa.) made a similar appeal on behalf of Apex Tool Group, which is based in Maryland and employs more than 1,800 people nationwide. Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) urged an exclusion for First Light Technologies, an ultraviolet light manufacturer that employs 70 people in Poultney, Vt., a town of 3,600 people. Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) made the same for pitch for Electrolux Home Products, which has manufactured refrigerators in Anderson, S.C., since 1988 and is in the middle of $250 million expansion. "Electrolux is actively taking steps to transition away from Chinese suppliers of compressors. However, they need time to complete this transition," Duncan wrote. A precise tally of the number of exclusion requests USTR has received so far was not immediately available. The public comment site on Regulations.gov indicated they had received at least 2,695 and possibly as many as 6,102. So far, Trump has imposed duties on about $250 billion worth of Chinese goods. USTR has also established an exclusion process for a second set of $16 billion worth of Chinese goods that Trump also hit with a 25 percent tariff. Those requests are due to USTR by Dec. 18. A search of the Federal Register site did not find a notice outlining exclusion request procedures for the third set of $200 billion worth of goods, and USTR's press office did not immediately respond to questions on the issue. Union Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday lent her support to the women who have come out to speak of harassment as part of the #MeToo movement in India. She declined to speak on charges against junior foreign minister MJ Akbar and stressed that it was for him to issue a statement on the allegations. At least six women have accused Akbar of harassment when he was a journalist. The gentlemen concerned would be better positioned to speak on this issue. I appreciate that the media is accosting his female colleagues but I think it is for the gentleman concerned to issue a statement because I was personally not present there, Smriti Irani, the first union minister to speak on sexual harassment allegations against MJ Akbar, said. Akbar, who is travelling outside India, so far has not commented on the allegations. MJ Akbars boss, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had earlier declined to comment on the allegations. So far, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi was the only prominent minister to have spoken on the #Metoo groundswell. Men who are in positions of power often do this. And it applies to the media as well as to politics or senior personnel in companies, Gandhi told TV news channel here on Tuesday, according to news agency PTI. The Congress has already demanded that Akbar either come up with a satisfactory counter to the charges or resign. There have been demands from other opposition parties that he resign as well and through the day, there has been speculation that the party would need some answers too. But there have been many voices that have questioned the women who spoke out. One of them was the BJP law maker Udit Raj. Smriti Irani disapproved attempts to mock women who had come forward. I have said again and again on this particular issue, particularly on women speaking out, that anybody who is speaking out should in no way be shamed, anybody speaking out should in no way be victimised or mocked. That is my only appeal to everybody who is witnessing this surge of outpouring, of emotions, of anger, on the Internet and offline also, she told reporters. The #MeToo movement, which started from the United States where Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein was accused of sexual misconduct last year, has snowballed in India too after actor Tanushree Dutta accused Nana Patekar of sexual harassment on the sets of a film in 2008. The Kerala High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition by a right-wing Hindu organisation seeking entry of Muslim women in mosques even as a Muslim reformist outfit announced its plan to move the apex court on the issue. A division bench of Chief Justice Rishikesh Roy and Justice AK Jayakrishnan Nambiar rejected the plea by Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha state president Swamy Sai Swaroopnath, saying he has failed to produce enough evidence to show Muslim women were being denied entry in mosques. Swaroopnath contended that in the context of the recent Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all ages into the hilltop Sabarimala temple, where women aged between 10 to 50 were earlier not allowed entry, Muslim women should also be allowed to pray in all mosques. Contending Muslim women were forced to be veiled from head to foot so as to prevent others from seeing them, which was a move to segregate and degrade them, he said they were thus discriminated against, in violation of Articles 21 and 14 of the constitution. However, the court dismissed the plea saying the petitioner failed to produce enough evidence to show women were being denied entry in mosques. It also observed that the verdict on Sabarimala will not be applicable in the present petition, noting that if Muslim women feel they were discriminated against, they are free to move the court. Meanwhile, Nisa, a north Kerala-based Muslim reformist forum, said it will move the Supreme Court next week, demanding women be allowed to offer prayers in all mosques and they be allowed to become imams also. Nisa president VP Zuhra, who was one of the petitioners in the triple talaq judgment, said her organization was in touch with like-minded people and move the Supreme Court next week. I have been to Mecca where men and women worship together. In Islamic texts women were given equal rights and positions. When the Prophet had no problem with women worshipping at mosques, why are women being denied this right, she asked. Zuhra also said women were not allowed to become imams in any denominations even if they were religious scholars. I hope the landmark verdict on Sabarimala will help end discrimination in other religions also, she said. Her two other petitions are in the Supreme Court, one seeking equal property rights for women and the other demanding a revision of Muslim marriage laws. Meanwhile, as the protests over the Sabarimala verdict are getting louder by the day in Kerala, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) has decided to intensify the counter campaign emphasizing the need to implement the Supreme Court verdict. It has decided to organise meetings in all districts to explain the verdict and chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inagurate the first such meeting in the state capital on October 16. In the wake of verdict, the Congress and Sangh Parivar have been unleashing a virulent campaign aimed at toppling an elected government. The CM is getting targeted personally for the court verdict. We will tell people the fact and make them aware of the need to implement the verdict, said LDF convener A Vijayaraghavan. Senior Congress leader and chairman of the Parliaments Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday asked the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to hold accountable the government on decisions that cause severe economic distress such as demonetisation or goods and services tax (GST) or defence purchases. Kharge said outcome-based audit of government schemes is required since governments shift goalposts when failures are apparent. In his address to the 29th conference of accountant generals (AGs) at the CAG headquarters here, Kharge said: There are few in the government who look upon the CAG as someone who does post mortem analysis and acts as hindrance to decision-making. The public should not wonder why constitutional authorities are failing to hold the government accountable on decisions that cause severe distress such as demonetisation or GST or decisions that involve huge amounts of public money like defence purchases. Kharges Congress party has repeatedly targeted the NDA over its November 2016 decision to scrap currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000, implementation of GST and the Rafale fighter aircraft deal with France. The CAG is currently looking into the Rafale deal and is expected to submit its report to the Parliament within two months. While lauding the CAG for initiating outcome-based audit, Kharge cautioned that unless the government was forced to spell out the outcomes when it launched schemes, it would be difficult to hold it accountable. Weve seen how governments shift goalposts once the failures become apparent. During demonetization, the government kept changing what the objective of the scheme was, said Kharge. With former CAG Vinod Rai in the audience, Kharge said the CAGs reports should not be based on presumptions or assumptions. Under Rai, the CAG brought out reports on the 2G scam and the coal block allocation scams. In the 2G scam report, the CAG pegged the figure of presumptive loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore to the national exchequer in allocation of 2G licences. Similarly, the CAG, again under Rai, arrived at a figure of Rs 1.86 crore while pegging the presumptive loss to the exchequer in the allocation of coal blocks. Kharge made the conference a virtual public arena and said: As a constitutional body, the CAGs report should not be based on presumptions or assumptions that cast aspersions on other public servants. A populist report that seeks to build the reputation of one institution by undermining the publics faith in another would serve neither. When contacted, Rai declined to comment on it. But a senior CAG official said Kharge should have refrained from making politically loaded statements from the platform. Kharge also made the case for the CAG audit of public-private partnerships where what he termed as public money is being used to privatize profits but socialize losses. Reacting to Kharges speech, Anil Baluni, Rajya Sabha MP and head of BJPs media cell, said: Today, Kharge has become a specialist on economy like Manmohan Singh. These specialists ruined the Indian economy to the extent that India was being considered among the fragile five till a few years back. It was called a black spot. Today the entire world...is praising the financial management of the Modi government. All promises are being fulfilled. Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants, including a PhD scholar, were killed on Thursday during an encounter with security forces in north Kashmirs Handwara district, officials said. Manan Bashir Wani and his associate Ashiq Hussain Zarger, a resident of Langate, were killed in the encounter at Shatgund Bala village early morning. The Army and J&K polices Special Operation Group launched a joint operation in the early hours of the day after receiving inputs about militants hiding there. As the searches were on, militants opened fire on the forces triggering retaliation from the troops. The firing stopped for some time, and resumed again when the forces tried to get inside the house the militants were hiding in, resulting in a fresh encounter. Police made repeated announcements appealing the militants to surrender, officials said. By afternoon, the operation ended and police recovered both the bodies. Wani (27), who was enrolled as a PhD scholar with the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), joined militant ranks in January this year and was spotted with militants in south Kashmir carrying AK 47 rifle. He joined the Hizbul Mujahideen and was assigned to revive militancy in frontier district of Kupwara and officials said used to lure young educated men towards militancy. Wanis body was handed over to his family at Sogam where hundreds of villagers from adjacent areas had assembled to participate in his funeral. Later, clashes broke out at village where the encounter took place and police used tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters. Earlier in the morning administration had snapped internet connectivity in Kupwara district and closed schools and colleges in Baramulla and Pulwama district. Additional troop were deployed in Sogam area where Wani lived. Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq called for a shutdown on Friday over the killing of Wani. Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said Wanis death was our loss and asked political parties to try to facilitate a solution through dialogue with all the stakeholders. V K Sasikala, a close aide of late Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa, has demanded the repeal of the AIADMK bylaw that scrapped the partys all-powerful general secretary post done in August 2017 by the current leadership duo of E Palanisamy and O Panneerselvam. In an application filed before the Delhi high court and the election commission, she sought quashing of the bylaws changed by the EPS-OPS duo that rendered the top post obsolete. Her counsel, advocate Raja Sendoor Pandian said Sasikala is the general secretary of AIADMK. EPS and OPS are not the authorised persons to change the bylaws of AIADMK. So, we filed petitions before Delhi high court and election commission. However, Panneerselvam, who is now the joint coordinator of the party and deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu, dismissed the demand, saying Sasikala and her family members were no longer members of the party and should not interfere in its internal matters. A few people are saying that Sasikala and her family are members of AIADMK. Sasikala, (her nephew) TTV Dhinakaran and their family members are not members of AIADMK. They are not supposed to talk about intra-party affairs of AIADMK, he said. The plea in Delhi HC came in response to a petition filed by rebel AIADMK leader K C Palanisamy last year, seeking election for the post of general secretary. The partys current leadership (EPS-OPS) had filed a petition on Wednesday for quashing K C Palanisamys plea, citing that he was not a member of AIADMK now. Soon after Jayalalithaas death in December 2016, Sasikala had taken over as the ruling AIADMKs general secretary and staked claim to become the chief minister of the state. However, Panneerselvam, who was holding the chief ministers post then, rebelled and split the party. In the meantime, a court ruling in a disproportionate assets case forced Sasikala behind the bars. She installed E Palanisamy as the CM, but the latter, faced with low numbers in a floor test, did a volte-face and got Panneerselvam and his faction to back him, while ousting Sasikala and her kin. Subsequently, E Palanisamy made O Panneerselvam the deputy CM of the state. The two then conducted a general council meeting of the AIADMK in August 2017 and scrapped the general secretarys post. OPS was elected the coordinator and EPS became the joint-coordinator. While the duo has maintained their hold over the party for some time, Sasikalas nephew Dhinakaran launched his own party called Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK). Counsel Pandian argued that AMMK is not a party and not registered with the EC. AMMK is just a splinter group of AIADMK. Dhinakaran and Sasikala have not registered that with the EC. However, they will take future decisions based on the outcome of the judgment, he noted, and demanded that election be held for the post of general secretary. Following the re-designation of RN Ravi as the deputy national security advisor, the government is planning to fill the post of military advisor in the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) as well, said officials familiar with the development. Former director general of Defence Intelligence Agency, Lt. General VG Khandare, is the front runner for the job of military advisor, said an official on the condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media. Lt. General Prakash Menon was the last military advisor in the NSCS between 2011 and 2014. After his stint as military advisor, he remained an officer on special duty in the NSCS for two years between 2015 and 2017. Ravi, the Centres interlocutor for talks with Naga groups, was chief of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), a subsidiary body of the NSCS, and tasked with assessment of intelligence gathered by intelligence agencies. He was re-designated as deputy NSA (internal affairs) last week by the government. Besides, Ravi, who is a former Intelligence Bureau special director, the two other deputy NSAs are Rajinder Khanna, a former external intelligence agency chief, and diplomat Pankaj Saran. There is clear work division among the three deputy NSAs while Ravi deals with internal affairs, Khanna is looking after intelligence and technical issues with a strategic point of view while Saran is handling diplomatic strategy, said the official. National Cyber Security Coordinator Gulshan Rai too is part of the NSCS. As part of streamlining the strategic-security architecture of the country, the government amended its 1999 notification and made the NSA chairman of the Strategic Policy Group (SPG) instead of the cabinet secretary. The job of the SPG is to assist the NSCS and to undertake a long-term strategic defence review. It is also designated as the principal mechanism for inter-ministerial coordination and integration of relevant inputs in the formulation of national security policies. All the changes in the nomenclature and streamlining is fine as it will help the NSCS to work in a cohesive and coordinated manner. Since NSA Ajit Doval has the full confidence of the Prime Minister, he is also in a unique position to build the capacity of the institutions that already exist in the strategic and security architecture of the county, says Arun Chaudhary, who had a long stint in the Intelligence Bureau before retiring as chief of Sashastra Seema Bal. The NSCS is headed by the NSA and he is also secretary to the apex National Security Council which is headed by the Prime Minister. A suspect in the 2008 Bengaluru serial blasts, who has been evading arrest all these years, has been arrested from a forest in Kannur district of Kerala, police said on Thursday. He has been identified as Salim (42), a suspected Indian Mujahideen operative, they said. Only thing we can say right now is that we have kept (detained) one person from Kerala and he has been produced before the court. Thereafter, we are requesting police custody to question him, additional commissioner of police (crime) Alok Kumar told PTI. The trial in the case, said Kumar, has reached its final stage when police got inputs about Salim, he added. There are 32 accused in the case. The trial is already in the final stage. We got some inputs of late with regard to his movement. So we arrested him from Kannur district, Kumar said. Sources in the Central Crime Branch of police, which is probing the case, said he was evading arrest all these years and was nabbed from a forest in Kannur district Wednesday. The blasts took place on July 25, 2008 at nine places in the city killing two people and injuring 20 others. The stage is set for the Ramlila the dramatic re-enactment of the life of Hindu god Lord Ram performed in the run-up to Dussehra in this small Bihar village, with Muslims plentiful among the performers, organisers and the audience. Sheikh Mumtaz Ali, the director, has taken his routine place on stage with a mike in hand, chanting chaupais (verses) of Hindu epic, the Ram Charit Manas, to prompt the characters for their next dialogues. His son, Akleem (19) is playing the role of Sita. On Wednesday, the second day of holy Navaratri the nine nights leading up to Dussehra -- the artistes are enacting the birth of Lord Ram and his three brothers. Chants like Siyavar Ram Chandra Ki Jai (Victory to Lord Ram, the husband of Sita) rent the air as spectators cheered the characters on stage, leaving any outsider oblivious to the fact that the crowd contains were many Muslims, from Sato Awanti village and around, who have been devotedly traveling miles since years to participate and watch the Ramlila. The Ramlila at Sato Awanti village, situated 190 km from Patna in Kaimur district, is a long-standing exemplification of the regions composite culture. Villager elders said that Ramlila was started in the village in 1982 with efforts of the then sarpanch, Jamaluddin Ansari and Master Nurul Ansari. Though being devout Muslims, they revered Ram Charit Manas and its teachings, and listening to the epic poem, they believed, brought a positive change in a person, his family and eventually, the society. They called a meeting of villagers and expressed their desire to start a Ramlila. The idea was welcomed by people of both the communities who agreed to provide all help, Ramlila sanrakshak (patron) Suresh Singh recalled. It was not easy to arrange the resources, stage, costumes, decoration and other necessary things in a remote village having no irrigation and electricity facilities those days. Still, the Ansaris and others struggled hard and did the shopping for all essential things from Varanasi and adjoining places before they kicked off the annual festival. In the first show in 1982, Khursheed Alam played Ram and Jamaluddin Ansari played Kumbhakaran, while martial arts experts Khalifa Sadruddin Ansari and Shahabuddin Ansari directed and supervised the war scenes, a responsibility they are still fulfilling 36 years later. The Ramlila is organized from 5 pm to 7.30 pm for a fortnight in the Hindu month of Ashwin and ends on Dussehra with the coronation ceremony of Lord Ram. People of both communities contribute every year and always try to give their best show, Singh said. Of the crowd at the Ramlila, at least 35 percent are Muslims and their participation is increasing every year. This year, apart from director Mumtaz Ali and his son Akleem Sheikh playing Sita, Taukeer Ansari is acting as Kumbhakaran, Azad Ansari is enacting the character of Sumitra, Imran Ansari is playing Kaikeyee while Afzal Ansari is playing Lord Shiva. Nurul Hoda Ansari forces the audience to break into laughter in his role of Uttanpaada (comedian). Just not elders, Muslim children too are actively involved and play role of soldiers of Lord Ram and Ravanas armies. Meanwhile, Guddu Tiwary plays Lord Ram, Yashwant Singh his younger brother Lakshman while Amit Singh is set well in the role of Hanuman. With his gruff and roaring voice, Ishwar Chandra Singh epitomizes the role of Ravana. Hindus of the village provide all help in organizing Muharram and Yome Paidayeesh. We celebrate Eid and all festivals together. I become surprised to read news about communal hatred in other parts of the country. How can a man hate another when we are creatures of one almighty father, says Akleem. Mutual sharing, understanding and respect for each others religion are the unique selling point of our village with a population of around 7,000 people. Here we live like one family and do not allow anyone to spread hatred, said the Ramlila manager, Jhabloo Upadhyay, a teacher by profession. Ramgarh MLA Ashok Singh, who is a regular visitor at the festival, said that people of Sato Awanti have set an exemplary example of peaceful coexistence thats worth emulating for everyone. The Indian Air Force brass will hold talks with top Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) officials on issues of production and upgradation of aircraft at the IAF commanders conference, amid questions being raised about the state-run plane makers capabilities against the backdrop of the Rafale jet deal. Indigenisation and design and development of aircraft and other equipment will also be discussed at the two-day biannual conference that began on Thursday, an IAF spokesperson said. Last week, IAF chief BS Dhanoa questioned the ability of HAL to deliver fighter jets on schedule, detailing the time overrun in several crucial programmes including the Sukhoi-30s, Jaguars, Mirage-2000s and the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). Dhanoa was responding to questions on a September 20 report in Hindustan Times in which former HAL chairman T Suvarna Raju had said that HAL could have built Rafale jets in India had the government managed to close the original negotiations with Dassault Aviation for 126 fighters. The NDA governments decision to enter into a government-to-government deal with France to buy 36 Rafale warplanes was announced in April 2015 with the deal signed a little over a year later. This replaced the UPA regimes decision to buy 126 Rafale aircraft, 108 of which were to be made in India by HAL using parts imported from France. The IAFs resolve to wholeheartedly support the indigenous LCA programme by committing to procure 18 squadrons of LCA and its variants endorsing its capability is notable and praiseworthy, said the minister of state for defence Subhash Bhamre inaugurated the conference. The LCA (initial operational clearance configuration) programme is running five years behind schedule. Bhamre said the IAF has the most technologically intensive and quickest military response available to the government for furthering Indias leverage. Dhanoa highlighted the need to hold an operational edge over Indias adversaries through focused operational training. Cyclone Titli, the strongest cyclone to have formed over the Bay of Bengal this year, hit the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coast early on Thursday bringing heavy rains and uprooting trees and electric poles in several districts of the two states, officials said. The centre of the eye of the cyclone that lies over land moved toward Gopalpur in Odisha after hitting the coast in Andhra Pradesh, P Mahapatra, Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) of India Meteorology Department (IMD), said while speaking to the Hindustan Times. However, the landfall process will continue for next two to three hours as wall cloud in the rear sector of the cyclone is yet to enter completely into the land, Mahapatra added. Gopalpur in Odisha reported surface winds at 126 kmph and Kalingapatanam in Andhra Pradesh recorded wind speed of 56 kmph. (Follow live updates here) As the landfall process started, the three north coastal districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam experienced heavy rains and high-speed gales. And at least five districts Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Khurda and Jagatsinghpur in Odisha also received rainfall coupled with high-speed winds under the impact of Cyclone Titli. The process of landfall has started and it will completely cross the Odisha coast in one or two hours. The system will pass close to Gopalpur, HR Biswas, director of Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, said according to news agency PTI. The storm is expected to gradually weaken and re-curve northeastwards and move towards Gangetic West Bengal across Odisha by Thursday afternoon, Biswas said. He added that Cyclone Titli is being monitored by the coastal Doppler Weather Radars at Visakhapatnam, Gopalpur and Paradip. There were no casualties reported so for anywhere in the cyclone-hit areas because of preparedness by official machinery, Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu said at a teleconference with the district collectors of Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram. Trail of destruction Officials said trees and electric poles were uprooted and kuchha houses were damaged in several areas in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Seawater entered houses in Uppada in Andhra Pradeshs East Godavari district as the maximum of the height of the tides was of 10ft along the coast close to the point of landfall. The highway in the Uppada-Kakinada stretch was closed for traffic as a precautionary measure. Cyclone Titli battered Palasa municipality badly, bringing life to a standstill and several mandals in Srikakulam district continued to reel under pitched darkness. Road communication in some places, including Odishas Gopalpur and Berhampur, was snapped, according to PTI. Uddanam region with seven mandals in Srikakulam district bore the brunt of Cyclone Titli with heavy damages of coconut and cashew plantations. Standing crops in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts also reported damages on a massive scale. Trains, flights cancelled The East Coast Railway zone of the Indian Railways stopped the movement of all trains on the Chennai-Howrah section from Wednesday afternoon till further orders. Some trains were cancelled too. The railways also suspended trains bound for Srikakulam and the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) also withdrew its bus services covering the cyclone-affected areas and power supply was shut down in the wake of warnings sounded by IMD. The Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar closed its night parking from Wednesday night. Indigo airlines cancelled five of its flights originating from Bhubaneswar. The cancelled flights include two for Delhi, one each for Kolkata, Bengaluru and Mumbai. The incoming flights from these destinations have also been cancelled, said airport director Suresh Hota. People walk against the wind in Odishas Gopalpur in Ganjam district after Cyclone Titli made landfall, on Thursday. (Arabinda Mahapatra/HT Photo) The Odisha government evacuated over three lakh people from five coastal districts were evacuated as a precautionary step before Cyclone Titli made a landfall. Odisha chief secretary AP Padhi said on Wednesday all schools and colleges in the state will be shut for the next two days, and students union elections in colleges scheduled for Thursday have been cancelled. Odishas special relief commissioner Bishnupada Sethi said on Wednesday that collectors of 17 of the states 30 districts have been put on red alert, the highest state of emergency preparedness, over the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall. These districts are Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Kandhamal, Boudh, Cuttack, Jajpur, Khurda, Nayagarh, Kalahandi, Koraput and Rayagada. The Centre also rushed nearly 1,000 National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) personnel to Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal on Wednesday besides issuing directions for storage of food, fuel and maintaining power supply and telecommunication line. Azerbaijan's Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov has met with the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk, according to the website of the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan. During the meeting, an exchange of views was held on the current situation at the contact line of the troops, the results of the monitoring and the settlement of the conflict. Madhya Pradesh Congress media coordinator Narendra Saluja doesnt let visitors shift his focus from the live inputs videos shots and text messages he is receiving from Kamal Naths rally in Vidisha . In the next room, media department in-charge Shobha Oza, former President, All India Mahila Congress, is briefing a group of journalists about the partys programme. A set of spokesmen occupy other rooms to give sound bites to local TV journalists. A separate war room has come up on the premises, and it keeps a watch on the minutest of details of the campaign. Suddenly, a Congress worker barges into Salujas room screaming, The BJP is accusing us of attacking Shivraj Singh Chouhans convoy. In the next few minutes, Congress counter attack is all over social media. Welcome to Congress 2018. The party is in sharp contrast to what it used to be in 2008 and even 2013. Those, too, were election years, but the party had its office in a dilapidated building that wore a deserted look. There is a whiff of change this time. WILL THE GRAND OLD PARTY MAKE A COMEBACK AFTER 15 YEARS? STRENGTHS Congress feels it has a real chance because the BJP is facing 15 years of anti-incumbency. Organisational network has expanded. More than 100,000 workers have been accommodated in new units. With Kamal Nath and Jyotirdatiya Scindia taking centrestage, the Congress presents a more united front this time. Congress has a well planned social media campaign. It has already hit the ground with rallies of senior leaders. The Congress hopes to gain from the unrest within the upper castes. Congress feels it has a real chance because the BJP is facing 15 years of anti-incumbency.Organisational network has expanded. More than 100,000 workers have been accommodated in new units.With Kamal Nath and Jyotirdatiya Scindia taking centrestage, the Congress presents a more united front this time.Congress has a well planned social media campaign. It has already hit the ground with rallies of senior leaders.The Congress hopes to gain from the unrest within the upper castes. WEAKNESSES Candidate selection is going to be a difficult task. Congress has been out of power for 15 years. Energising the party cadre will be a real challenge. Managing potential rebels after ticket distribution. Mobilisation of resources. Preventing division of anti-BJP votes in areas bordering UP, where Bahujan Samaj Party has a base. Candidate selection is going to be a difficult task.Congress has been out of power for 15 years. Energising the party cadre will be a real challenge.Managing potential rebels after ticket distribution.Mobilisation of resources.Preventing division of anti-BJP votes in areas bordering UP, where Bahujan Samaj Party has a base. The change Former union minister Kamal Nath was appointed Madhya Pradesh Congress chief on May 1, replacing Arun Yadav. The decision was not easy, particularly because the Madhya Pradesh unit was faction-ridden. But several factors worked in favour of Kamal Nath. He is a nine-term Lok Sabha MP from Chhindwara and is one of the senior-most politicians of the Congress known for his managerial skills. Almost half the district units of Congress in the poll-bound state got a new chief in the next few weeks. Nath borrowed a leaf out of BJP chief Amit Shahs book, and created new units within the party. Booth units, each having 11 office bearers, were created under sectors. Each sector constituted about 10-11 booths. The concept of booth committees and Shakti Kendras (clusters of 2-3 booths) had so far been followed only by the BJP. The Congress organisation had been rusting after having been out of power for 15 years. Just bringing life back into the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) was a big challenge. Congress in-charge for Madhya Pradesh, Dipak Babaria, a leader from Gujarat, brought the concept of booths and sectors to Madhya Pradesh, a party leader said. The new structure helped us make space for more than 1 lakh new office bearers. They are now working with renewed vigour, Saluja said. Nearly three months went into creating the new organisational structure, Oza said. The focus then shifted to the campaign. The message Protests by farmers, jobs, rapes, malnutrition and poor roads are major issues for us, Congress spokesman Pankaj Chaturvedi said. In July, Congress president Rahul Gandhi visited Mandsaur, where six farmers were killed in police firing the previous year, and announced that if the Congress won, the new government would waive farm loans. Shivraj Singh Chouhan faces a strong anti-incumbency. The states finances are in poor shape, but a desperate chief minister is announcing poll sops, former union minister Suresh Pachauri said. Congress broad campaign message remains focused on governance issues, but there is a fine imprint of soft Hindutva too. A day after taking over as Madhya Pradesh Congress chief, Kamal Nath visited Ujjains Mahakaleshwar temple and the Pitambara Peeth in Datia. Its campaign committee chairman, Jyotiraditya Scindia, too, visited the temples between May and June. We are conscious of BJPs effort to communalise the election. There are about half a dozen districts where a communal polarisation can help the BJP, a senior Congress functionary said, requesting that he not be identified. Kamal Nath has promised a gaushala (cow shelter) in every panchayat if Congress is voted to power. The chief minister is personally countering the Congress. They are doing things as they come. Whatever anyone demands, they say we will do it. The question is that when they were in power for the last 50 years why didnt they do it, what use is it to claim that they will do something now? People cannot be fooled so easily. Just because you go to a temple or speak about gaushalas, people are not going to forget what they did in the past, said Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The unity A tug of war between Congress heavyweights had been troubling the party in the last three elections. The Congress appears conscious of this fact now. As state president, Kamal Nath plays a supervisory role in Madhya Pradesh. Scindia, the promising young politician from Gwalior, is touring the entire state and drawing crowds. At his rally in Mandsaur in July, Rahul Gandhi left no one in doubt that Kamal Nath and Scindia would be central to all poll-related decision. Rahul has done a balancing act, a Congress leader said. Former chief minister Digvijaya Singh, who was removed as general secretary and dropped from the Congress working committee, has been appointed the chairman of the coordination committee and given the job of coordinating with Congress workers and dealing with potential disgruntled candidates who might be denied tickets. On the face of it, they look united. But, each one of them nurses chief ministerial ambition. They are divided from within, BJPs Rajya Sabha MP Prabhat Jha said. Congress is a united front. Every leader has an area of influence. BJP has only Shivraj, Oza says. The challenge The Congress had its best chance of winning Madhya Pradesh in 2008, but lost it because of faulty ticket distribution and the factional feud, a leader said on the condition of anonymity. It was an election in which the Congress came closest to the BJP (winning 71 seats) after the 2003 rout. Pachauri was the Congress chief then. Candidate selection is going to be crucial in this election. We will give tickets to those who can win the seat. There is no confusion amongst us, Pachauri said. The proposed alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Samajwadi Party and the Gondwana Gantantra Party is yet to be sealed. Together, these three parties polled about 2.9 million votes almost equal to the vote difference between the BJP and the Congress in 2013. We hope it will be sealed soon, a Congress leader said. Of the total 1,355 villages in Marathwadas Aurangabad district , 1,335 villages have been affected by water scarcity owing to deficit rainfall. It is one of the worst-hit districts in the state and this has also affected the crop productivity in the region. The water supply for eight months will have to be planned, said officials. On Wednesday, chief minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday held a review meeting in the district and directed officials to work on mission mode to tackle the situation. Fadnavis is likely to visit drought-affected districts soon. He has already directed his council of ministers to visit the 201 affected tehsils and submit an assessment report. The district has received only 56% of the average rainfall. Almost half of villages in the district have received less than 50% rainfall. Considering this, we need to do planning for water supply. If dry spell continues in the district, then many of the villages will start facing shortage of drinking water, Fadnavis said after the review meeting. The chief minister also informed that the water scarcity has hit 85% crop productivity in the district. Of the 7.74 lakh hectares of land used for sowing during kharif season, 6.60 lakh hectares are affected by far. Survey in the affected areas is going on and drought will be declared in the worst-hit areas by October 31, he said. Currently, 153 villages in the region are getting water supply from 160 tankers. Officials said this number will go up in the coming days. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON India is home to one-fourth of the worlds blind population with 8 million blind people in the country. Over 6 million of them should not have been blind, as 75% of blindness is easily preventable. On World Sight Day today, lets see how we can prevent most of blindness in the country. Anshu, 14, Muskan, 12, and Shrasti, 6, attend school in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh. The children, instead of playing with their classmates, sit idly not engaging with kids their age. It is the mandate of the playgroup coterie for they believe they, too, will go blind if they talk to blind children. The three sisters have cataract, the largest cause of preventable blindness in India. Vision loss from avoidable causes like cataract (63%), refractive errors (10%) and glaucoma (5%) can be treated or prevented with cost effective means. The first task is awareness. The next is to have a robust system to provide accessible quality eye care facilities across the country, so that no one is blind due to avoidable causes. The National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB), a centrally sponsored scheme, was launched in 1976 to bring down the prevalence of preventable blindness to 0.3% by 2020. Surveys over the years have shown considerable reduction in the rate of preventable blindness, yet there is a lot that needs to be done. The current survey 2015-18 is in progress with results awaited any time. The backlog for cataract surgeries continues to remain a big challenge and is primarily because of the non-availability of human resources. Our country has an acute shortage of doctors for correcting eye ailments. As per Vision 2020 of The Right to Sight initiative, there are about 12,000 ophthalmologists in India for its 1.3 billion population, resulting in a ratio of one ophthalmologist for every one lakh people. In rural India, this ratio is even worse: one ophthalmologist for every 250,000. There ratio of availability of qualified optometrists, approximately one for every 25,000 people, is also skewed. The scaling up of a comprehensive cost-effective eye care model that provides quality screening, diagnosis and treatment detection, especially through a health system strengthening approach is required. A humongous advocacy effort to educate the ageing population, which is most affected by cataract, and a workforce of mid level health workers to provide basic eye care services can enable us to take eye care everywhere. Those who are blind should certainly have adequate means to realise their full potential and lead a life of dignity. The loss of sight owing to avoidable reasons affects people in more ways than one. First, blindness has an important cause and effect relationship with poverty. Educational, social, and economic deprivation becomes an integral part of their lives, especially those living in marginalised urban and rural pockets of our country. Their burden grows multifold when gripped with visual impairment. The NPCB envisions eye health for all, which is the mainstay of this years World Sight Day theme: eye care everywhere. The national body seeks to enhance community awareness on eye care, strengthen infrastructure facilities, and lay an emphasis on preventive measures for eye care. In doing so, it is not alone. Several non-government organisations are key in combating avoidable blindness. The three Vidisha girls were screened for cataract in their school under Sightsavers Indias School Eye Health Programme. What followed was a visit by a community health worker to meet their parents who are illiterate and have no clue that their childrens blindness is irreversible. It is through counselling and assurance that they send their children for sight saving surgery 60 km away to Bhopal. The children are able to see the world clearly, not being a part of the 8 million or more blind population of India. The hope of a bright future awaits them. SY Quraishi is former Chief Election Commissioner of India is the Honorary Chairman, Sightsavers (India) The views expressed are personal Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi has come out with a nearly 200-page book titled Lalu Leela, documenting benami land deals allegedly involving the RJD national president and his family members. The book was released at a programme in Patna on Thursday. It is a compilation of documents distributed to mediapersons by Modi in the past one year on acquisitions of properties made allegedly by Lalu and his family. Lalu Leela carries blurbs by Union ministers Arun Jaitley and Nitin Gadkari, who have praised Modis courage to bring before the public the tales of corruption. The preface has been penned by another Union minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad. He praises Modi for his over 40 press conferences since April 2017 to expose the wrongdoings of the Lalu family. He says, the change of regime in Bihar on July 27, 2017 was a result of the tireless efforts of Sushil Modi. Modis allegations against Lalu Prasads family had triggered a political uproar last year in Bihar, then ruled by the Grand Alliance comprising the RJD, Chief Minister Nitish Kumars JD(U) and the Congress. Rattled by demands of resignation of Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Prasads younger son who was the deputy chief minister, Kumar resigned from his post in July and walked out of the Grand Alliance. A day after, he formed a new government with the BJP and Modi became the deputy chief minister of Bihar. Several Union ministers and state leaders, including Ravi Shankar Prasad and Shahnawaz Hussai, attended the book launch. The RJD and its ally Hindustani Awam Morcha have alleged that Modi depends on Lalu for his own political survival. RJD national spokesman Manoj Jha said, Even if Sushil Modi were to get reborn seven times, he would never be able to match the stature of Lalu Prasad. For him, Lalu is like a fuel which he keeps using whenever he realizes that his own political future is imperiled. In a statement, HAM chief and former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said sarcastically, Sushil Modi is performing aarti of Lalu ji. He has to do so. After all he depends so heavily on Lalu for his own political survival. A youth, unhappy over the non-extension of reservation to poor upper castes, hurled a slipper at Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar at a function in Patna on Thursday. The slipper fell short of the dignitaries seated on the dais as part of the JD(U) Chatra Samagam (youth convention). The youth, identified as Chandan Tiwari from Aurangabad district, was immediately whisked away by security personnel, as enraged JD(U) workers started thrashing him, causing commotion in the hall. Tiwari was protesting against the reservation policy and demanded extension of the quota for poor upper caste youths. He was heard blaming the leaders for the issue. However, the programme at Bapu Sabhagar, which was attended by state JD(U) president Bashistha Narain Singh, ministers and poll strategist Prashant Kishor, who has joined the party, went on smoothly after the brief commotion. A series of protests against the re-instatement of SC/ST (Prevention) of Atrocities Act by members of Swarna Sena has been taking place in the state during which NDA leaders are being shown black flags. Incidentally, this is not the first instance when a footwear was hurled at the chief minister. In May 2016, a similar attempt was made during the weekly janata ke durbar mein mukyamantri (public interaction) programme where an angry youth, also sharing CMs name, had hurled a slipper at him. The youth was peeved at a government advisory, asking people to desist from performing havans during yajnas between 9 am and 6 pm to prevent outbreak of fire in the sweltering heat wave-like conditions as mercury had soared beyond the 44-degree-centigrade mark. Todays programme, a part of pre-poll exercise for women, SC/ST and youths, was organised by the youth wing of the ruling JD(U). Join politics, strengthen principles: Nitish While listing out government initiatives for women, weaker sections and youths, chief minister Nitish Kumar exhorted youths to join active politics. Your participation in politics is important for infusing fresh blood. Join politics to strengthen the principles you cherish. Your presence will help turning around the unprincipled politics of the day, he said. Kumar also took a dig at leaders who used politics as a vehicle for amassing wealth for their families, instead of serving the people. I entered politics with a view to serve the people. Despite initial electoral hiccup, it was recognised by the people. Since then, they have never hesitated in backing me. Look where their unstinted support has brought me, he said. Advocate Surendra Gadling, arrested for alleged Maoist links, on Wednesday told the Pune court that police are taking revenge against him as he fought cases where the prosecution had invoked fake terror related charges in the past. Gadling was arguing on his bail application before the additional sessions judge KD Vadane, who adjourned the hearing till October 12 when the prosecution will state its case. Gadling, along with Shoma Sen, Sudhir Dhawale, Rona Wilson and Mahesh Raut, was arrested by the Pune police on June 6 for their alleged links with CPI (Maoist) which the investigation agency believe contributed to the January 1 violence at Koregaon Bhima. Seeking bail, Gadling told the court that the prosecution wants to muzzle the voice of lawyers, who represent Indian association of peoples lawyers, which in the past have taken up cases of those accused of Maoist links. I am the chairman of Indian association of peoples lawyers. I have fought cases of people charged under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, and Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act. They (police) are taking revenge by slapping similar cases against me, Gadling told the court. All the five suspects were produced before the court. The Nagpur-based advocate said while the speakers at December 31 Elgar Parishad did not ask anyone to pick up arms to wage a war against country, yet the police have charged five persons under UAPA. The UAPA in this case cannot be applicable. Yet the police have invoked that, Gadling told the judge. The Elgar Parishad (cry of assertion) was held at historic Shaniwar wada where members of various Dalit outfits, including Kabir Kala Manch delivered provocative speeches, according to FIR filed at Vishrambaug police station. During the hearing, Gadling also argued that letters produced before the court by prosecution alleging role of arrested activists in unlawful activities were fabricated. This was done by the prosecution to implicate us, Gadling said alleged that the Pune police carried out media trial by selectively leaking the letters to journalists. If there was serious material indicating a plot to assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi, then police should have filed an FIR in that matter. However, the investigating agency is misusing their powers by leaking the letters to media to malign innocent babies. I am one such innocent baby, Gadling told court. Bharadwajs bail plea The prosecution on Wednesday submitted its say on the bail application filed by activist Sudha Bharadwaj, who along with poet P Varavara Rao, activist Gautam Navlakha, and lawyers Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves, was arrested on August 28 for alleged Maoist links. The prosecution has opposed the bail of Bharadwaj saying she is an active member of the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit. The judge had adjourned the matter till October 16. The much-awaited Khushwant Singh literary festival is back with its seventh edition. The three-day festival will begin at the Kasauli Club in Kasauli on Friday. First held in 2012, the literary festival was the only to be named after a living author. Since Khushwant Singh did most of his writing in Kasauli, it was only fitting that the festival be organised at the hill station. It was the first litfest to be organised in Himachal Pradesh. Though many festivals were subsequently held, ours is the only one that has continuously been organised, says Khushwant Singhs son Rahul Singh. The festival prides itself to be with a cause and is dedicated to the education of the girl child, ecology of Kasauli and to the Indian soldier. This years theme is a topical one Strength of the naari: The rise of women in the age of #MeToo. Speaking on the subject, Niloufer Bilimoria, who is credited with coming up with the idea of holding a litfest in honour of Khushwant Singh in Kasauli, said, Though most people believe Khushwant Singh was a womaniser, people close to him knew him to be quite the opposite. He was a supporter of womens rights and his name would never have featured in the #MeToo expose. Maja Daruwala, daughter of Sam Manekshaw, the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the rank of a field marshal, will talk about how womens rights are essentially human rights. Jairam Ramesh will be speaking on The man behind the woman with Mark Tully. Hot topics such as triple talaq, Section 377, adultery, and opening the male-only Sabarimala temple to women will also be discussed. The festival will also laud women achievers from the past and the present. The legacy of Amrita Pritam will be invoked by Nirupama Dutt and Divya Dutta in a session called Hamari Amrita. A new addition to this years festival is a session on foods and drinks with Tara Deshpande and Desmond Nazareth, who will be enlightening the audience about the forgotten native brews of India. Khushwant Singh literary festival has never shied away from discussing the contentious relations between India and Pakistan. One of the highlights of the festival this year will be a discussion on the controversial book, The Spy Chronicles, by former RAW head AS Dulat and his Pakistani counterpart Lt Gen (retd) Asad Durani, who was banned from leaving the country, following the books publication. Saeeda Hameed and Seema Mustafa will discuss the life of former Pakistan prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, as a man born to be hanged. Rahul Singh says, Though every year, the festival invites writers from Pakistan, this year we were unable to invite anybody, because of the current state of relations between the two countries. The question, Is Imran Khan good for India?, will also be taken up. This years speakers, include Shashi Tharoor, Karan Thapar, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Gurucharan Das, Prem Shankar Jha, Mani Shankar Aiyar, Jai Ram Ramesh, Nirupama Dutt, Kishwar Desai, Desmond Nazareth, Divya Dutta, Saeed Mirza, Wendell Rodricks. Minutes before they were choked to death in a hosiery factory fire at Kalyan Nagar in Ludhiana in the wee hours of Wednesday, two of the victims, Dhananjay Pandey and Satya Parkash, had managed to talk to their relatives for a few seconds. At that time, both of them uttered the same words, Humko bacha lo. Factory mein aag lag gayi hai aur malik ne darwaza bahar se band kiya hai, (Please save us. Our factory has caught fire and the owner has locked the door from outside). Dhananjay Pandey, 40, had at 4.21 am made a distress call to his brother-in-law Diwakar, telling him about the fire. Diwakar immediately rushed to the factory, but it was too late. The blaze had engulfed the entire premises till he reached. Following the suit, 37-year-old Satya Parkash had called up his cousin Manjeet at 4:25am and pleaded him to save his life. Parkash said he would die and I must do something to save his life. He could not tell me about the fire incident as the connection was lost by then. I tried calling him, but to no avail, Manjeet said. Diwakar said Dhananjay was survived by his wife and four children, including three minor daughters and a nine-year-old son. My brother-in-laws family was fully dependent on him. My sister is in a state of shock and cannot come here for her husbands funeral. I will perform Dhananjays last rites in Ludhiana and take his ashes to his native place in Bihar, he added. A Pilgrimage left unfulfilled Deceased Satya Parkashs friends recalled how he had booked the train tickets for Jammu where he was going to pay obeisance at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine along with his mother, wife and the 6-year-old son, who are presently in Uttar Pradesh. Those tickets are still intact in one of his trousers hanging from a hook at his one-room quarter in Sardar Nagar. Parkash used to tease us by showing those tickets. It is hard to believe that our friend is no more, said one of his close friend, Ram Kumar. A Wedding on the cards Mohammed Azad was very excited as the family was planning to get him married soon, said Mohammed Kalim, husband of the 18-year-old victims sister. Wiping his tears, Kalim said, All our dreams have been shattered. Azad had come to Ludhiana three years ago and was working as a labourer with Kalra Knitwears. His parents were dependent on him as he was their only son. When I informed his 65-year-old father MD Halim, who lives at Madhepur in Bihar, about the incident, he broke into tears and the only words that came out of his mouth were, Please bring my son back, Kalim added. Azad was quite close to his father and had last week returned after meeting him. That was his last goodbye to his family. I dont know what to do and how to handle the situation, he said. Laughter turns into mourning On Monday night, we were laughing together while watching a comedy show on television. It is hard to believe that our beloved brother is no more, said fourth victim Mohammed Rabbans brother Mohammed Guddu. 19-year-old Rabban had joined the factory four months ago. He used to live with his two elder brothers in Pritampura area of Ludhiana. Guddu, 26, said, We are seven siblings and Rabban was the youngest. He was not only my brother, but a best friend too. He was the only one with whom I used to share all my secrets. Guddu said as he came to know about the Rabbans death, without uttering a word, he immediately rushed to the spot along with his elder brother Momammed Aarun. The same hands which held Rabbans while playing will now have to bear the burden of his lifeless body, an inconsolable Guddu said. No lessons learnt from previous fires The incident has once again put a question mark on the attitude of the Ludhiana municipal corporation (MC) towards fire safety. Learning no lessons from the past incidents, the district administration and MC have been putting human lives at stakes by not ensuring and enforcing fire safety norms. Even the fire safety audit is going on at a snails pace. Only 35 hospitals and seven buildings in the Feroze Gandhi market have been inspected by the fire safety department so far. The state government too has failed to set up a separate fire directorate (a department independent of MC), which was last year announced by the local bodies minister, Navjot Singh Sidhu. Ludhiana, known as the industrial hub, is sitting on a powder keg with thousands of industrial units operating without ensuring proper fire safety norms. While many owners have not obtained NOCs from the fire safety department, the authorities have also failed to enforce the law. Old city area, including Sunder Nagar, Kalyan Nagar, Chaura Bazar and Hazuri Road, is most vulnerable as a large number of hosiery units are situated in its congested and narrow lanes. Even the fire brigade finds it difficult to enter these streets. At many areas such as Guru Nanak Nagar and Shiv Puri (Part 2), industrial units have cropped up near residential areas. MC joint commissioner Kulpreet Singh said the fire safety audit was facing hurdles due to the staff crunch. There are very few fire safety officials available with the department. The state government is working to set up a separate fire directorate, he said. Punjab farmers resorting to burning of paddy stubble this year will get a red mark in their land record the Khasra girdwari of the property, available with the state revenue department. The action has been taken as the government has no record of farmers who have been burning farm waste over the past years. We are motivating farmers, giving machines on subsidy and giving all kinds of help to avoid burning of farm waste. But if a farmer is a persistent offender, we have to act. We will decide later on what form the penal action (on habitual offenders) will assume. For now, we have started taking on record the details of farmers who resort to burning farm waste, additional chief secretary (development) Vishavjeet Khanna told HT. State government employees who own agriculture land would also get a red mark in their Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs), in case stubble is burnt in the land that they own. Top officials said initially, the move was meant to pressure farmers, but later, this would be a hurdle for them in getting a loan, its extension and availing of other government benefits. Though a policy for such a penal action has not been put in place yet, the government has this in mind, said a state agriculture department officer. 336 cases so far In this harvest season, 336 cases of farm waste burning have been reported. Amritsar tops the list with 122 cases, followed by Gurdaspur at 22 and the rest are scattered across the state. A top functionary in the state agriculture department said all these cases had been sent to the revenue department for taking on record. Data that Punjab has provided to the Centre shows stubble burning cases, post-harvest, had fallen to 43,817 in 2017 from 80,879 in 2016. There would a drastic fall in the number of cases this year. The government will soon get the complete database of employees, who own agriculture land, with the help of the ongoing debt-waiver scheme. Eventually, it would impact the career graph of a government employee, if waste burning is repeated in the land that he/she owns. The decision would also be applicable in case of a farmer who leases his land, Khanna added. This year, with the intervention of the Supreme Court, the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) had sanctioned 665 crore for Punjab, to give machinery to farmers on subsidy for stubble management. In the first year, the sanctioned funds are intended to cover machinery requirement of 40% of the area (74 lakh hectare) under paddy cultivation. The rest of the area is to be covered next year. Harmeet Singh, a member of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Qadian), was critical of the government. A farmer does not want to create health or climatic hazard, but he has no option, he said. Three more branches of Russian universities will be opened in Azerbaijan in the near future, Russian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mikhail Bocharnikov said. "These will be branches of MGIMO University Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) and Moscow State University of Humanities and Economics (MGGEU)," the ambassador said, noting that opening of the branches is planned under the road map, which was agreed by the presidents of the countries, Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev, Report.az reported. The leading expert of the North-South Political Science Center, Alexander Karavaev, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza, the increase in the number of branches of leading Russian universities in Azerbaijan indicates a continuing trend, the foundation of which was laid a long time ago. "Azerbaijan has never severed educational and humanitarian ties with Russia, maintaining relations at the level of ministries of education, having quotas for its students in Russian universities. These quotas allow the Russian educational space to be constantly present in Azerbaijan. In addition, a sufficient number of Azerbaijanis entered Russian universities on a fee basis - that is, the Russian education system remains in demand in the republic," he explained. "The plans to open branches, voiced by Bocharnikov, are not new - for example, the negotiations on the HSE branch have been going on for several years. The branch of Sechenov Moscow State Medical University was opened at the initiative of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva. The cooperation on MGIMO is a special issue, since Ilham Aliyev is a graduate of MGIMO, as well as many representatives of the Azerbaijani elite. It will become an additional element of integration between our countries, which will provide Azerbaijan with an increase in human resources and stimulate the overall process of socio-economic modernization of the country," Alexander Karavayev stressed. Political scientist Rovshan Ibrahimov also noted the success of Russia-Azerbaijan cooperation in the field of education. "First of all, this cooperation is a tribute to the deepening of global relations between Azerbaijan and Russia. I believe that other joint universities will open in Baku as well. I think that Russian universities, when opening branches in Azerbaijan, first of all, expect that there are young people living in the republic who are fluent in Russian," he said. "The branches of MGIMO, HSE and MGGEU will additionally satisfy citizens' need for higher education. At the moment, Azerbaijan lags behind other countries in the number of specialists with higher education. It's not just about the shortage of universities, but expanding their number and diversity will increase the quality of education. Also do not forget that the population of Azerbaijan is increasing, which means that in the coming years we will need additional university places. In addition, graduates of branches will become a bridge for a further positive cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan," Rovshan Ibrahimov concluded. The branches of Sechenov Moscow State Medical University and Lomonosov Moscow State University operate in Baku for today. US President Donald Trump has mocked the #MeToo movement, saying that the campaign made it improper to use the phrase the person who got away. Trumps claim that #MeToo prevents him for using the phrase is his latest volley against the movement, which became a force after sexual assault allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein surfaced last year. Theres an expression, but under the rules of #MeToo, I am not allowed to use that expression anymore. I cant do it, Trump said at a mid-term election rally in Pennsylvania, and then he pointed at the phrase the girl that got away. Its the person that got away. The old days, it was a little different than Pennsylvania to it, he said as he spoke about winning the state in the 2016 presidential election Pointing to the media, Trump said he would use the original phrase, except for the media. I would do it except for these people up there. They would say, did you hear what President Trump said? Did you hear what he said? he said imitating reporters. So, there is an expression, but well change the expression. Pennsylvania was always the person that got away. Thats pretty good, he said amid applause from the audience. The revelation of the allegations against Weinstein inspired many women to reveal their own stories of sexual assault, but Trump has recently taken shots at the #MeToo movement by expressing concern for men who are accused of sexual assault or harassment. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaughs recent confirmation hearings renewed attention to the topic as the Senate considered Christine Blasey Fords accusation that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her. The president told reporters the notion that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted someone and that the allegations from Ford and other women could be taken as fact made this a very scary time for young men in America. Trump had earlier mocked the #MeToo movement at a rally in July. He did so while simultaneously mocking Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and saying that should she win the Democratic nomination in 2020 and they were to debate, he would toss an ancestry test to her and dare her to take it. China on Wednesday sought to co-opt India in its trade war against the US, saying the two Asian nations need to deepen cooperation to fight trade protectionism and defend the multilateral trading system as they face unilateralism and bullying. Beijings position was outlined by the spokesperson for the Chinese embassy, counsellor Ji Rong, in a statement on China-US relations. A third of the statement was devoted to a call for greater cooperation between the two largest developing countries and major emerging markets. Practising unilateral trade protectionism in the name of national security and fair trade will not only affect Chinas economic development, but also undermine the external environment of India and hinder Indias booming economy, Ji said. China and India, Ji said, need a stable external environment as they are in a vital stage of deepening reform and developing their economies. Under the current circumstances, China and India need to deepen their cooperation to fight trade protectionism, she added. There was no reaction to the statement from the external affairs ministry. Following the tense military standoff at Doklam last year, India and China have worked to improve their relations. Modi travelled to Wuhan in April for an informal summit with Xi to give impetus to these efforts. The statement also accused the US of interfering in the internal affairs of the two countries and targeted Washingtons Indo-Pacific policy. It said the US should reflect on its own practice of interfering in the internal affairs of developing countries such as China and India under the pretext of human rights and religious matters. Beijing, the statement added, was firmly againstattempts to use the so-called Indo-Pacific strategy as a tool to counter China. Noting that President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken with one voice to safeguard the multilateral trading system and free trade at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the statement said: China and India share common interests in defending the multilateral trading system and free trade. It added, Facing unilateralism and bullying activities, China and India have more reasons to join efforts to build a more just and reasonable international order. Constantino Xavier, a fellow at Brooking India, said the statement appeared to reflect an attempt by China to put a wedge between India and the US and to benefit from some of the uncertainty in trade relations between New Delhi and Washington. China is trying to assume a leadership position on economic governance. It is also trying to rally support from countries that are concerned, if not upset, by the pressure from the US on trade issues, he said. Though US President Donald Trump has been dismantling or questioning institutions and regimes that have managed world trade for decades, it was questionable whether the Chinese move would be sustainable, he said. Some of the world bodies currently lack leadership and China is trying to use that to develop an alternative order. This is a tactical move but whether they can create a strategic framework remains to be seen, Xavier said. The Chinese embassys statement referred to US secretary of state Mike Pompeos meetings with top Chinese leaders, including foreign minister Wang Yi, during a visit to Beijing on October 8, and said that China will continue to take necessary measures to resolutely defend its sovereignty and firmly safeguard its security and development interests. The Chinese side stressed that China-US relations stand now at a critical juncture. For China and the US as two major countries, only cooperation leads to win-win outcome, it added. Referring to vice president Mike Pences groundless accusations against Chinas policies, the statement said: The US has provoked trade disputes, and China has to make the necessary response, which is legitimate self-defence. In his first reaction to India signing a multi-billion dollar deal with Russia for the S-400 missile defence system despite the threat of US sanctions, President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that New Delhi would soon find out about Washingtons response. Trump said he would announce soon if he will, or will not, exempt Indias purchase from secondary sanctions under a law that seeks primarily to penalize Moscow for annexing Crimea and allegedly interfering in American elections in 2016. India is going to find out, arent they? Trump said ominously at a news conference in response to a question from reporters about India signing a $ 4.5 billion deal with Russia last week during President Vladimir Putins visit to New Delhi. Youll see, the president said in response to another question about the timing of his decision. Sooner than you think. The US president did not, as noted by observers and experts, say he will waive sanctions as has been requested by India. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary James Mattis had earlier argued the case for a waiver to India. Last week, the White House had said that the US presidential waiver on weapons deal with sanctions-hit Russia is intended to wean countries like India off the Russian equipment. The president has never spoken publicly before of his thinking on this 2017 law Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) -- and S-400s, but a leading expert on US-India relations has said in a recent article that Tump is personally opposed to the proliferation of S-400s and the recent sanctioning of the Chinese military for purchasing these equipment has been pointed out as a proof. The United States had issued a thinly-veiled warning just the day before Putins arrival in New Delhi that S-400s were a focus area of secondary US sanctions against countries such as India and other buyers of Russian military hardware that made significant purchases from designated entities in Russias defense and intelligence sectors. Both the White House and the state department had underlined it pointing to the recent sanctioning of Chinese military department for buying S-400s. Our recent action to sanction a Chinese government entity for an S-400 delivery underscores the seriousness of our resolve on this issue a spokesperson for the US presidents national security council had told Hindustan Times in response to a query sent before India signed the S-400 deal. Equipment Development Department of the Chinese military was the first entity sanctioned. It is a part of Chinas Central Military Commission and is charged with R&D, developing, procuring defense equipment for the military. New Delhi went into the Russia deal hoping, and expecting, to get a waiver based on Mattiss testimony before a congressional committee in which he had appealed for wider powers for the president to exempt countries like India and Indonesia to draw them away from Russia. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that India will soon find out about his decision on the punitive CAATSA sanctions after India signed a $5 billion deal to purchase the much-vaunted S-400 air defence system from Russia. Under the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act or CAATSA sanctions, which was amended early this year, only Trump has the authority for the presidential waiver to India on weapons deal with sanctions-hit Russia. India last week inked a $5 billion deal to purchase S-400 Triumf air defence system from Moscow. The mega deal was sealed in New Delhi during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Asked about the agreement between India and Russia, Trump while interacting with reporters in the Oval Office of the White House, said, India will find out. Arent they? India is going to find out, he reiterated in response to India specific question. Asked when, he said, You will see. Sooner than you think. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was also in the room when Trump answered the question on CAATSA sanctions. Pompeo was scheduled to meet the president later. Pompeo and Defence Secretary James Mattis had earlier argued the case for a waiver to India. Last week, the White House had said that the US presidential waiver on weapons deal with sanctions-hit Russia is intended to wean countries like India off the Russian equipment. The (CAATSA presidential) waiver is narrow, intended to wean countries off Russian equipment and allow for things such as spare parts for previously-purchased equipment, a White House National Security Council Spokesperson had said after the conclusion of the S-400 contract. The US embassy spokesperson in New Delhi had said that the CAATSA was aimed at Moscow and not intended to damage the military capabilities of its allies and partners. Russia wont be pressured by the threat of US sanctions while finalising big-ticket military hardware deals with India, including contracts for four frigates and production of Kalashnikov assault rifles, said Russian ambassador Nikolay Kudashev on Thursday. A day after President Donald Trump remarked New Delhi will find out sooner than you think about Washingtons response to the $5.4 billion deal for Russian S-400 air defence systems that comes under the purview of Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), Kudashev said India is too big and too large to depend on or be afraid of somebody. Kudashev described the S-400 deal as the largest contract in the history of military-technical cooperation with India, and also one of the speediest contracts. Implementation of the deal, signed during President Vladimir Putins annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 5, will start in 2020 and be completed in five years, he said. In the coming months, you could expect more deals, talks are on, this is a normal process and I hope that within two to three monthswe could soon have a deal on frigates andon the Kalashnikov assault rifles. There could be other deals also, Kudashev told a group of journalists. Asked whether it would be right to state that India and Russia wouldnt be deterred by the threat of sanctions under CAATSA, Kudashev replied: Yes. It was specifically mentioned by defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and foreign minister Sushma Swaraj that India will not acknowledge sanctions other than those adopted by the UN Security Council. He added, CAATSA is bad, it is not the way to do thingsIt is an instrument of political pressure, an instrument of unfair competition. India plans to acquire four more Krivak/Talwar-class frigates from Russia and begin licenced production of Kalashnikov assault rifles to fully utilise the capacity of ordinance factories and boost its Make in India programme. Kudashev said Russia is expecting India to decide as soon as possible on the site for a new nuclear power project with six reactors, even as work continues on the Koodankulam nuclear project. The construction of the third and fourth reactors at Koodankulam has started and both sides are ready to start work on the fifth and sixth reactors, he said. Referring to the new nuclear power project, he said, the Indian government feels it needs to have some more consultations with local communities (for selecting a site) and there is no clarity as yet. The two sides are also making progress on the Rooppur nuclear power project in Bangladesh and looking at the possibility of taking up similar joint projects in other countries, he said. Kudashev also said Russia could consider signing pacts similar to the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) and Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) inked by New Delhi and Washington to give legal basis to ongoing military-technical cooperation. The Russian envoy was critical of the US strategy in Afghanistan, saying it had failed as there had been a deterioration of the security situation and a spike in violence. India and Russia, he said, could take up joint projects for capacity building and training in Afghanistan. Saudi Arabias crown prince and de facto ruler ordered an operation targeting journalist and US resident Jamal Khashoggi, who has been missing for more than a week, The Washington Post reported Wednesday citing US intelligence intercepts. Khashoggi -- a US resident and one of the more outspoken critics of the regime of King Salman and his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman -- disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, and Turkish officials suspect he was murdered. The Post, a newspaper to which Khashoggi contributed, cited unnamed US officials as saying that Saudi officials had been heard discussing a plan to lure Khashoggi from the US state of Virginia, where he resided, and detain him. The paper quoted several of Khashoggis friends as saying that senior Saudi officials had approached him offering protection, or even a high-level government job, if he returned home -- but that Khashoggi was skeptical of the offers. State Department deputy spokesman Robert Palladino earlier insisted that the United States had no forewarning of any concrete threat to Khashoggi. Although I cant go into intelligence matters, I can definitively say that we had no knowledge in advance of Mr Khashoggis disappearance, Palladino told reporters. The case has sparked outrage from human rights and journalism groups and threatens to harm ties between Saudi Arabia and the United States, which has demanded answers from the kingdom over the disappearance. The US has offered the newly elected government of the Maldives deeper engagement to help it along the path of democracy, security and prosperity in the context of its evolving Indo-Pacific strategy and rebalance. The United States and our partners view with great concern any attempts to undermine the democratic process, a US state department spokesperson said on Wednesday after two days of meetings Alice Wells, the top diplomat for South and Central Asia, had with President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. It is critical that the will of the Maldivian people be respected and upheld, the spokesperson added, noting the threat of appropriate measures the US had held out ahead of the September elections. In a direct message to the outgoing President Abdulla Yameen that the US planned to stay engaged, Wells told local network Raajje TV, This was a decisive victory and President Yameen did the right thing when he acknowledged his loss and he said he would be a responsible opposition candidate. There is no doubt who won the election, the diplomat added, and the US expects President Yameen will accept the voice of his citizens. President Solihs Maldivian Democratic Party won the elections, held amid widespread fears Yameen would rig it to remain in power. Solih is set to take oath in November. But Yameens party filed a police complaint on Wednesday challenging the election result that they had initially accepted. Wells, who holds the rank of deputy principal assistant secretary of state, became this week the first senior member of the Trump administration to visit Maldives, showing growing US interest in a country with which it has had friendly relations for decades but truncated diplomatic ties. The US doesnt have an embassy or consulate in Maldives, which does not have one in the US as well. The US embassy in Sri Lanka does double duty covering Maldives. And the Maldivian permanent mission to the UN in New York has double accreditation to act as embassy to the US. Eleven people were killed when a minibus and a truck collided in Chuvashia, central European Russia, regions medical services and road police said, TASS reported. The regions administration said eight people had been injured. "The truck drifted into oncoming traffic, colliding with a Fiat minibus," said a source from the press service of the Russian Interior Ministrys regional department. He said all casualties were occupants of the minibus that was heading from Kanash, a town in Chuvashia, to Moscow. L ord Norman Fosters architectural practice has won Britains most prestigious architecture prize for the third time after its once-in-a-generation building for Bloombergs European HQ was named the best new building in the UK for 2018. Bloomberg, London, the European HQ for the finance and media agency, was awarded the RIBA Stirling prize at an award ceremony in London tonight. Touted as the worlds most sustainable office, the Foster + Partners building is also believed to be the biggest stone structure in the City of London, after St Pauls Cathedral. Spread over an entire city block, the office was commissioned to house all Bloombergs London employees under the same roof for the first time. Given its size, the client, Michael Bloomberg, the founder of Bloomberg, former mayor of New York City and the eleventh richest person in the world, wanted the building to be a good neighbour, with the inclusion of public space and the sensitively designed sandstone and bronze exterior. The building incorporates both public and private space, with two buildings connected by a bridge sitting on either side of a new public arcade, which re-establishes an ancient Roman road. SEE INSIDE BLOOMBERG, LONDON TODO: define component type brightcove The scheme houses a museum displaying the Roman Temple of Mithras, which was discovered on the site 60 years ago. The public aspect of the building also includes new access to Bank Underground station as well as cafes and restaurants. Visitors enter the building through the Vortex, a double-height artwork formed from three timber shells, before proceeding via high-speed lift to the sixth-floor Pantry concourse and cafe space with views across the City. Offices below are linked by a 210 metre high bronze ramp with workspaces clustered on the wide open-plan floors. Pioneering new technologies include multi-function ceilings fitted with 2.5 million polished aluminium petals to regulate acoustics, temperature and light and magnetic floorboards. Impressively, at 1.1 million square feet the building has similar floor space to Canary Wharfs central tower yet it is only 10 storeys high. By building at a lower height than approved at planning, reserving parts of the site for public space, and using highly-detailed, handcrafted materials, Bloomberg shows a high level of generosity towards the City, said Sir David Adjaye OBE, chair of the 2018 judging panel. The real success though is in the experience for staff, visitors or passers-by how Bloomberg has opened up new spaces to sit and breathe in the City; the visceral impact of the roof-top view across to St Pauls from the concourse space, the energy of descending the helix ramp or settling into a desk in one of the dynamic new workspaces. Bloomberg was chosen as the 2018 RIBA Stirling Prize winner from the following shortlisted entries: Bushey Cemetery , Hertfordshire by Waugh Thistleton Architects , Hertfordshire by Waugh Thistleton Architects Chadwick Hall , University of Roehampton, London by Henley Halebrown , University of Roehampton, London by Henley Halebrown New Tate St Ives , Cornwall by Jamie Fobert Architects with Evans & Shalev , Cornwall by Jamie Fobert Architects with Evans & Shalev Storey's Field Centre and Eddington Nursery , Cambridge by MUMA , Cambridge by MUMA The Sultan Nazrin Shah Centre, Worcester College, Oxford by Niall McLaughlin Architects Last year's winner was Hastings Pier by dRMM architects, a community-led restoration of the historic pier, described by Derbyshire as a masterpiece of regeneration and inspiration". Russias State Space Corporation Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin held a meeting with NASA head Jim Bridenstine, during which they discussed issues of planetary defense and sustainable presence on the Moon, Bridenstine wrote on Twitter. "I just had my first meeting with Roscosmos General Director Dmitry Rogozin. We reaffirmed our commitment to cooperation on the International Space Station and discussed the search for life, planetary defense, and a sustainable presence at the Moon. Poyekhali! [Let's go! in Russian]" Brindenstine wrote. Heads of Roscosmos and NASA were due to meet for the first time at the Baikonur Cosmodrome before the launch of the Soyuz M-10 manned spacecraft, which would transport Roscosmos astronaut Alexei Ovchinin and NASA astronaut Nick Hague to the International Space Station. The launch is set for 11:40 am Moscow time on October 11, TASS reported. Director of the Decorative Arts Museum in Prague, chairwoman of the International Committee of Decorative Arts and Design (ICDAD), Czech art historian, Helena Koenigsmarkova, shared her impressions of historical center of Baku, where she attended the ICDAD conference, in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza. "I'm in Baku for the first time, and my first impressions of the city and Azerbaijan in general are very good. From the very beginning, I saw an excellent airport. This city is incredibly clean, and if we talk about Icheriseher (Old City), it simply amazed me. We also have historical center of the city in Prague, it's also very ancient, but its condition can't be compared to Icheriseher, she said. "I hope we will be able to learn more about history of Azerbaijani capital in the coming days. I read in my guidebook about places you can see in Baku, and I was surprised that there are so many historical buildings, memorials and museums here," she noted. "I think we can strengthen relations between Europe and developing countries that care so much about their traditions, find a new approach to them and intensify our contacts. I think it's very important to meet people, communicate, learn how they live, learn about arts in different countries. That's why we really look forward to this conference in Baku," the ICDAD chairwoman said. Baku hosts conferences of two committees of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) - the International Committee of Decorative Art and Design (ICDAD) and the International Committee for Historic House Museums (DEMHIST). Pipeline 10 October 2018 AccorHotels, the world's leading travel & lifestyle group is set to make its debut in Mozambique in a strategic move that expands its presence in Southeastern Africa. The Group has signed an agreement with developer Matreal Property Services to operate Movenpick Hotel Maputo, a 150-room modern upscale property conveniently located next to Maputo International Airport and just 5km from the centre of the capital city. Set to open in 2021, the upcoming property will capitalise on Mozambique's ongoing growth and development, with projects under way that could see the country emerge as one of the world's top natural gas exporters in the near future. The 150-room property will cater to the growing number of corporate and government-related travellers visiting the Mozambique capital to conduct business, as well as local companies looking to stage meetings and events with a number of meeting and conference facilities in addition to attractive dining options. Pipeline 11 October 2018 One Transworks Square (Pty) Ltd. has announced a plan to bring two luxury brands - The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott - to Colombo, set within a prestigious, new mixed-use complex that will offer occupants panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. Poised to cater to both luxury travellers and residents, The Ritz-Carlton, Colombo and JW Marriott Colombo are expected to set a new standard for luxury in Sri Lanka's bustling commercial capital city. "The One" luxury project will be composed of three gleaming glass towers set on four million square feet (approx. 371,612 metres) of prime property at Transworks Square, Colombo 1. In addition to The Ritz-Carlton, Colombo and JW Marriott Colombo, the complex will include a combination of offices and residences, high-end retail, a banquet hall, collective fine dining experiences and a helipad. Set to soar 300 metres high, The Ritz-Carlton, Colombo and JW Marriott Colombo will be built in adjacent towers, with the third tower slated to be South Asia's tallest building at 376 metres high and 92 floors. A beautifully restored heritage structure is also a part of this project, connecting visitors to "The One" to Sri Lanka's history. The Ritz-Carlton, Colombo will feature 200 luxuriously appointed guestrooms and 187 residences that feature the brand's legendary service, exemplary amenities and elegant design with a local touch. It will offer guests and residents four dining options, including a specialty restaurant, as well as two lounges, a pool bar and a signature Ritz-Carlton Spa. JW Marriott Colombo will boast 250 contemporary hotel rooms and 218 residences on high floors that will offer stunning views of the destination. Dining options will include three, best-in-class culinary outlets and a lobby lounge, with an additional 1,870 square metres of banquet space for intimate ceremonies, social gatherings and business meetings. Appointment 11 October 2018 Houston-based Pearl Hospitality today announced Josh Mouzakes as the new Executive Chef at the historic JW Marriott Houston Downtown, located at 806 Main. In this role, he will oversee all aspects of the luxury hotel's food and beverage offerings, including Main Kitchen Restaurant, 806 Lounge and catering. Chef Mouzakes began his culinary journey at 13 years old on Long Island, and five years later at the age of 18, he officially began his career at The French Laundry, the three-Michelin-starred restaurant which continues to be touted as one of the finest restaurants in the world. He continued to train under some of the leading French-trained chefs in the world including Guy Reuge at New York's Mirabelle Restaurant in The Three Village Inn as well as Joel Robuchon at his restaurant in the MGM Grand Las Vegas. He most recently served for three years as Chef de Cuisine for Fine Dining and Executive Banquet Chef at San Diego's historic Hotel del Coronado, where he successfully helped manage the hotel's entire culinary team. Mouzakes plans include reinventing Texas favorite recipes, incorporating modern cooking techniques and creating new seasonal and off-menu dinners. The Main Kitchen at the JW Marriott Houston Downtown continues to be a go-to spot for downtown culinary experiences, including interactive cooking and cocktail demonstrations, meet and greets with Houston farmers and tastings with renowned winemakers. Along with making his mark, Chef Josh continue to drive the restaurant's success into its next culinary phase. Mouzakes is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University, one of the nation's top culinary programs. Appointment 11 October 2018 BENCHMARK, a global hospitality company, has named Jason W. Jonilonis executive chef for the Doug Pitcock '49 Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in College Station, Texas. Greg Stafford, general manager, made the announcement. Jason Jonilonis comes to the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center with over three decades of distinguished culinary and leadership experience. He was previously director of food and beverage for Benchmark's Stonewall Resort of Roanoke, West Virginia. Mr. Jonilonis has exercised his entrepreneurial gifts by owning and operating a successful food and beverage consulting business, specializing in enhancing culinary quality. He has also served as special task force food and beverage director for Benchmark's Topnotch Resort in Stowe, Vermont. Earlier in his career he was director of food and beverage for Dollywood's DreamMore Resort & Spa, a Benchmark property located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Jonilonis has served as executive chef for Casino Del Sol of Tucson, Arizona. Jason Jonilonis has been a featured chef multiple times at the prestigious James Beard House in New York City. Many of the restaurants under his direction have received numerous awards of excellence, including Forbes Four Star and AAA Four Diamond ratings. He is relocating to the College Station area. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and first vice president Mehriban Aliyeva have viewed today the construction progress at Baku-Guba-Russia state border paid highway as part of their visit to Guba district. The 92-km highway starts from H .Z. Taghiyev settlement. Supplier News 11 October 2018 Our.Guide SaaS solution is a revolutionary software that is dedicated to every hotel owner. It is easy to use and has numerous advantages for the hotel guests as well as the hotel employees. We believe that this solution will help you to put your hotel in front. How? The hotel guests simply look for tourist attractions before they arrive at the hotel. When your hotel has the Our.guide widget, they can browse all available tourist attractions and then select the ones which are most suitable for them! They will get all the necessary information from the widget, such as opening hours, ticket prices and the address. Moreover, there is provided a distance to the particular attraction or event from the hotel what improves planning the day of the hotel guest. Nowadays, this type of solution is available in a few hundred of hotels and it is expanding very fast. The Our.Guide software provides numerous benefits for every type of accommodation providers: Boost the organic search engine - the software is based on SEO long tail - it means that your website will be noticed as first results in the Google search engine which can bring you more customers when the hotel guest type long tail, such as hotel+ near (tourist attraction or event). In this way, you receive additional hotel SEO services that may improve the results in search engines. - the software is based on SEO long tail - it means that your website will be noticed as first results in the Google search engine which can bring you more customers when the hotel guest type long tail, such as hotel+ near (tourist attraction or event). In this way, you receive additional hotel SEO services that may improve the results in search engines. Professional software for concierge - the Our.guide is a huge guidebook with numerous local tourist attractions within 50 kilometers from the hotel. As an outcome, the concierge tasks can be reduced because the guests may learn about many interesting spots on their own and the hotel concierge may only have to book their tickets, plan their day and answer all necessary questions. - the Our.guide is a huge guidebook with numerous local tourist attractions within 50 kilometers from the hotel. As an outcome, the concierge tasks can be reduced because the guests may learn about many interesting spots on their own and the hotel concierge may only have to book their tickets, plan their day and answer all necessary questions. Encourage potential guests to book the room - the professional Our.guide widget may be a reason to book the room. The hotel guests are sure that the hotel is close enough to the given tourist attractions. - the professional Our.guide widget may be a reason to book the room. The hotel guests are sure that the hotel is close enough to the given tourist attractions. More direct bookings - the widget may encourage the hotel guests to place the room order on your website, instead of the hundreds of other ones. - the widget may encourage the hotel guests to place the room order on your website, instead of the hundreds of other ones. SaaS software - it means that it works independently and the hotel employees do not have to edit any information on the widget. It always provides updated data. - it means that it works independently and the hotel employees do not have to edit any information on the widget. It always provides updated data. Works in 21 languages - the software is available in popular languages so it can be used by tourists from different countries. - the software is available in popular languages so it can be used by tourists from different countries. 14-day free trial - you will get professional SaaS solution to test for 14 days without any charges. Learn about our customers' opinion: "We appreciate the very professional and supportive service. Our hotel guests are using the smart and informative tool every day. It is a real additional benefit. We are very satisfied. It is a fantastic travel guide, which brings a lot of fun too." If you are interested in this solution, feel free and see more at https://our.guide. Find out more about the possibilities that are dedicated to your hotel. Supplier News 11 October 2018 StayNTouch, an innovator in mobile technology and Property Management Systems (PMS) for hotels, is pleased to announce it has partnered with Event Temple and has successfully integrated its Rover Mobile Property Management System (PMS )with Event Temple's hotel sales and catering CRM. Event Temple is a modern hotel sales and catering CRM software platform based in Vancouver, BC, Canada that specializes in CRM, sales, catering and event management software for both select and full-service hotels and conference centers. "Performance levels for hotel group and meeting revenue within the industry will often come down to how efficient your sales team can be," said Bob Graham, Co-founder of Event Temple, "You are always competing against time. We built Event Temple software to create time for hotel sales professionals by making each step of the sales process easier, from pipeline trace management, through added group blocks, to group resumes, banquet event orders, contracts, and digital signatures. Our difference is an advanced task automation system and a user interface design that a hotel's staff can learn to use in hours, not weeks." "Integration with the StayNTouch PMS adds another layer of sales efficiency to our efforts," Graham continued, "Sales professionals can now check room availability without having to open the PMS and can likewise automatically push room blocks and meeting space reservations into the PMS seamlessly. This integration translates into more time to prospect and a hotel's staff can learn to use in hours, not weeks." StayNTouch offers hotels the opportunity to integrate multiple cloud-solutions on one platform: Rover PMS: Next generation Hotel PMS, fully cloud, fits on every device, optimizes hotel operations from front desk, to groups, to housekeeping to revenue management. Simple monthly pricing that includes training, integrations, and configuration. Zest: Enables guest pre-engagement and guest services via the mobile web. Guest-enabled mobile check-in & out via smartphone or desktop. Private labeled, PMS-integrated mobile check-in &/or checkout. Bill review, preference collection, upsell opportunities, and remote key fulfillment. Promote and monetize late checkouts. "The team at Event Temple has been great to work with," said Jos Schaap, CEO-Founder of StayNTouch, "We share the same belief that consumer-grade interface design for business applications will make a happier and more efficient staff. The pairing of these two systems will be very popular in the marketplace." About StayNTouch, A Shiji Group Brand StayNTouch is a "Software as a Service" mobile hotel property management system (PMS) company focused on developing solutions that help hotels raise service levels, drive revenues, reduce costs, and ultimately change the way hotels can captivate their guests. Developed with mobility in mind, the pioneering platform enables hotels to create long-lasting relationships with their guests by delivering personalized service levels that today's guests require. StayNTouch operates on tablets and smartphones, empowering hotel employees to go above and beyond in exceeding guest expectations at every touch point. Powering over 90,000 rooms globally, our game-changing solution frees hotels from the constraints of legacy or premise systems, dramatically streamlines operations, increases margins, and revolutionizes how front-line staff connects with guests. StayNTouch is a trusted partner to many of the most forward-thinking hotels, resorts, casinos and chains in the industry, including Yotel, Zoku Amsterdam, Conscious Hotels, Valencia Hotels, The Freehand Hotels, First Hotels, Modus Hotels, and the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. StayNTouch was founded in 2013 by Jos Schaap. After their initial investment in the company's 2016 Series A fundraise, Shiji Group acquired StayNTouch in September of 2018. To learn more watch our video "THE NEW WAY... TO HOTEL!" Twitter: @StayNTouchInc Facebook: facebook.com/stayntouch LinkedIn: LinkedIn/stayntouch About Event Temple Event Temple is a modern, cloud-based hotel CRM for sales and catering teams designed for both select and full-service hotels. The software helps hotel sales teams prospect for new accounts, manage traces, build room blocks, generate sales agreements, create banquet event orders, manage meeting space, generate reports on key performance metrics and more. Event Temple's solution helps sales teams save time and increase revenue by enabling groups to sign and pay for room blocks, meeting space and events online. The platform was also designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind and is a platform that hotels can implement and learn to use in hours, not weeks. Additionally, Event Temple has worked hard to keep implementation fees reasonable and offers value-based pricing that charges by hotel, not by user. Event Temple is trusted by hundreds of customers worldwide in North America, Europe and Asia including brands like Hilton, Holiday Inn, Element, DoubleTree, Even Hotels, Hyatt and more. To learn more visit www.eventtemple.com/hotel-crm Twitter: @eventtemple Facebook: facebook.com/eventtemple LinkedIn: LinkedIn/eventtemple Press Release 11 October 2018 Five candidates of diverse backgrounds out of a record number 13 were elected to represent the allied membership on the Caribbean Tourism Organization's (CTO) board of directors for the 2018-2020 term. The elections were held on 5 Oct. 2018 during the CTO's State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) held in the Bahamas. Advertisements The five representatives elected to CTO's Board of Directors for the two-year term are Barry Brown of AFAR Media, Jule Guaglardi of Zelman Style, Jacqueline Johnson of Global Bridal Group, Barbara Magro of Questex Travel Group and John Lawrence Spears of The Concept Farm. "This is the first time we have had more than eight people interested in holding an allied representative position on the CTO Board of Directors. This reflects an overwhelming interest in the industry and contributing to the development of our region," said Sylma Brown, director of CTO USA. "Over the years, the allied members have used their talent and resources to demonstrate their commitment to supporting the growth of the Caribbean tourism industry. We look forward to the impact they will have over the next two years. "Notable this year, is that without exception all 13 candidates vying for the five seats pledged their support to the work of the organisation. In the coming weeks, I will contact each person to determine how we can utilise their considerable talents on projects for the region," added Brown. Barry Brown, an allied member for 17 years, is an advertising and publishing professional who has been connected to the region for over 25 years. He also served and continues to serve on the board of the CTO Foundation and was on the Audrey Palmer Hawks Scholarship Foundation Board for many years. Brown has prioritized the education of the next generation of tourism leaders and worked with the CTO to develop the Caribbean Youth Congress. To inspire and reverse declining allied membership, promote advocacy and drive Caribbean tourism are Brown's goals as part of the board of directors. Having spent much of the past 25 years writing and photographing features for 12 different publications to showcase the Caribbean, Jule Guaglardi demonstrates her extensive knowledge of the Caribbean market by promoting the region through her editorial outlets. Currently, she operates a high-end design firm in Florida which employs a talented Caribbean design team, which makes up more than 50 percent of the staff. Guaglardi started to expand her work into the Caribbean by re-designing prestigious buildings as well as helping to facilitate Florida building codes in the Caribbean to hurricane standards in an effort to help ensure a more economically stable and sustainable tourism product across the region. Guaglardi plans to open a Caribbean office in order to work alongside local contractors and new rising Caribbean design students eager to learn necessary building standards along with the fundamentals of fine design. Jacqueline Johnson is a pioneer in the publishing industry as the only minority to head up her own media company. As an expatriate, Johnson believes she owes it to the region to put her extensive networking resources to work to improve the quality of life for people in the Caribbean through tourism. During her more than 20 years as an allied member, Johnson served on the CTO Board and on the executive committee and has been Chairman of the CTO Foundation which provides scholarships to Caribbean students, and donates a substantial amount of her time to Caribbean Week and other CTO events. For her contributions and involvement in the Caribbean, CTO awarded Johnson the Outstanding Service Award. Johnson plans to create programmes and provide market research to contribute to the development of Caribbean tourism. Barbara Magro has worked in advertising sales for premier food and travel magazines in the United States and Australia and is currently the Florida & Caribbean Director of Business Development with Questex Media Group for Luxury Travel Advisor, Travel Agent print and digital products, Travel Agent University e-learning and loyalty platform along with Travel Industry Exchange and Ultra Summit leisure events. During the last two years on the CTO Board of Directors she has given a generous amount of money to promote CTO's travel agent trade shows, worked with Tourism Cares and ran free banners ads on how to donate to hurricane relief funds during the hurricanes of 2017 along with other forward-thinking actions. Magro plans to continuously give the Caribbean the exposure it needs to the travel trade through the various opportunities that occur within her organisation. With 17 years of tourism experience, John Lawrence Speers has developed strategic marketing plans, communication strategies and digital innovations across many creative platforms for tourism boards in the Caribbean and other destinations. Having a particular passion for sustainable tourism, Speers recently worked in the hinterlands of Guyana with the indigenous people, creating deeper connections to ensure local cultural traditions prevail and flourish. Speers plans on using his international marketing expertise to connect Caribbean communities both digitally and physically with travellers from North America and beyond. Revenue per available room up 3.7 Percent to CAD123.17 The Canadian hotel industry recorded mostly positive year-over-year results in the three key performance metrics during the week of 30 September through 6 October 2018, according to data from STR. In comparison with the week of 1-7 October 2017, the industry reported the following: Occupancy: flat at 74.6% Average daily rate (ADR): +3.8% to CAD165.15 Revenue per available room (RevPAR): +3.7% to CAD123.17 Among the provinces and territories, Saskatchewan reported the largest increase in RevPAR (+13.7% to CAD73.45), due primarily to the only double-digit rise in occupancy (+11.3% to 61.2%). British Columbia posted the only double-digit lift in ADR (+12.6% to CAD186.41), resulting in the second-largest jump in RevPAR (+13.6% to CAD148.15). The Northwest Territories saw the only other double-digit increase in RevPAR (+10.2% to CAD158.79). Overall, eight of the 11 reporting provinces and territories reported an increase in RevPAR. Newfoundland and Labrador registered the only double-digit decreases in occupancy (-11.9% to 57.7%) and RevPAR (-18.8% to CAD79.21), and the steepest drop in ADR (-7.8% to CAD137.31). Alberta posted the only other decline in ADR (-3.8% to CAD145.36), resulting in the second-largest decrease in RevPAR (-4.3% to CAD85.88). STR provides clients from multiple market sectors with premium, global data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights. Founded in 1985, STR maintains a presence in 10 countries around the world with a corporate North American headquarters in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and an international headquarters in London, England. For more information, please visit str.com. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource Radisson Hospitality AB announced the signing of two hotels in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: the Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Al Qurtuba and the Radisson Hotel, Qurayat. Radisson Hospitality AB announced the signing of two hotels in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: the Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Al Qurtuba and the Radisson Hotel, Qurayat. The signings take the group's portfolio in Saudi Arabia to 41 hotels and more than 10,000 rooms in operation and under development. Both hotels are scheduled to open in 2020. Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group, said: "We're delighted to continue to grow our presence in Saudi Arabia and demonstrate our commitment towards the tourism sector in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia remains a key market for the Group and we continue to execute our strategy, developing quality hotels not only in the commercial hubs of Riyadh and Jeddah and the Holy City of Makkah, but also in second-tier cities where we're supporting the needs of business and leisure travelers. Our upper upscale Radisson Blu brand is well established across the Kingdom, with 25 Radisson Blu hotels and more than 5,300 rooms in operation and under development. We're also pleased to introduce our new upscale Radisson brand to the Kingdom, underpinning our continued support for 'Vision 2030'." Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Al Qurtuba The Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Al Qurtuba will be part of the new upscale Al Jadah mixed-use development. The hotel will be conveniently located close to Riyadh city center with direct accessibility to the road that links the city center and the international airport, which is just 12 km away. The hotel will feature 103 rooms and suites,and 16 villas. Dining options will include an international restaurant and a business lounge for corporate travelers. The flexible meeting room space will cover 600sqm, and the hotel will also feature a gym. Radisson Hotel, Qurayat The Radisson Hotel, Qurayat will have 137 rooms and suites. The hotel's dining options will include an international restaurant and a lobby lounge. For leisure and recreation, the hotel will feature a spa and a gym, while the meeting facilities will include four meeting rooms and a conference room. Qurayat is a city located in Al Jawf Province in northern Saudi Arabia and close to the border with Jordan. The hotel will be located 10km from the domestic airport and just 8km from the land port. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource Starting in January 2020, California hotels and motels must provide human trafficking awareness training to their employees, to ensure that those most likely to come into contact with victims of trafficking are able to help in a way that is effective and safe for both guests and employees. Starting in January 2020, California hotels and motels must provide human trafficking awareness training to their employees, to ensure that those most likely to come into contact with victims of trafficking are able to help in a way that is effective and safe for both guests and employees. Marta Fernandez, a partner in JMBMs Labor & Employment department, outlines the new law below and discusses what hotels should do to prepare for compliance. Legislative Update: California hotels soon will be required to provide human trafficking awareness training to employees by Marta Fernandez On September 27, 2018, California Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 970 requiring California hotel and motel employers to provide human trafficking awareness training and education to employees. Effective January 1, 2020, hotel and motel employers must provide at least 20 minutes of training to certain employees every 2 years; newly hired employees must receive training within 6 months of their hire dates. Employees required to receive the training are those who are likely to interact or come into contact with victims of human trafficking including, but not limited to: employees who work in the reception area, perform housekeeping duties, help customers in moving their possessions, or drive customers. Why the hospitality industry is singled out While we might read reports of sex trafficking at hotels during events like the Super Bowl, the sad reality is that human trafficking takes place at hotels and motels year round. It takes place in all segments of hotels economy to luxury and in all geographic areas. Yet, hospitality employees often miss the signs of human trafficking. Sexual exploitation is the most common form of human trafficking; forced labor is the second most common and exists within the industrys workforce. While the primary victims of human trafficking are women and girls, the number of trafficked men and boys is increasing and the share of children among the detected victims ranges around 20% in North America. What hotels are doing now Certain hotel brands already have policies and guidelines dealing with human trafficking, and provide regular education to employees so that they can recognize the tell-tale signs and are trained in protocols for effective and safe reporting. These employers recognize that their businesses are at risk for this kind of criminal activity. They are concerned for the safety of their guests and employees. They understand that hotel employees who suspect human trafficking activity in their hotels but have no training as to how to respond could inadvertently endanger victims, alarm legitimate guests, or trigger liability for the hotel. The hospitality industry in California is committed to preventing any kind of human trafficking in their establishments. In fact, the California Hotel & Lodging Association worked closely with the author of AB-970 to ensure the final outcome benefits the hotel industry while helping to reduce human trafficking. Compliance and liability Among other items, the new regulations state: The lack of reporting of a human trafficking case that occurs in a hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast inn by an employee of that establishment, shall not, by itself, result in the liability of any employer or employee of that establishment to the human trafficking victim or victims in the case in question or to any other legal party. It also states, however, that If an employer violates this section, the department may seek an order requiring the employer to comply with these requirement. How and if the state will monitor compliance is unknown. Training and education The new regulations are set forth in Section 12950.3 to the Government Code, an amendment to the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), and provide specific requirements that must be covered in the human trafficking awareness training. The required training 20 minutes every other year is a minimum threshold, and many hotels provide education beyond the minimum requirements, including written materials and policies. JMBMs Labor & Employment lawyers have represented the hotel industry for decades and are familiar with its norms and practices. We can provide effective training for your employees, as well as develop policies that protect employers who are implementing programs addressing human trafficking issues. California hotel employers are in alignment with the state legislatures intent to prevent human trafficking from taking place in hotels and motels. If mandatory human trafficking awareness training also facilitates the rescue of victims by giving employees the training necessary to identify and safely report incidents of human trafficking, everyone wins. Marta Fernandez is a partner in JMBMs Employment and Labor Department and a senior member of JMBMs Global Hospitality Group. As a management labor lawyer with more than 20 years of experience, Marta specializes in representing hospitality industry clients in all aspects of labor and employment including labor-management relations such as union prevention, collective bargaining for single as well as multi-employer bargaining units, neutrality agreements and defense of unfair labor practice charges before the NLRB. She defends employers in administrative and litigation claims, such as employee claims of sexual harassment and discrimination and counsels clients in preventative strategies such as executive training, arbitration enforcement, and policies and procedures. For more information, please contact Marta Fernandez at 310.201.3534 or at mfernandez@jmbm.com. This is Jim Butler, author of www.HotelLawBlog.com and hotel lawyer, signing off. Please contact us if you would like to discuss any issues or development that affect your hotel interests. We would like to see if our experience might help you create value or avoid unnecessary pitfalls. Whos your hotel lawyer? Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource A new report by The Guardian states that Mohammed Dewji, a man popularly referred to as Africa's youngest billionaire, has been kidnapped. The businessman and former politician was reportedly pursued by numerous armed individuals as he made his way into a Dar Es Salaam hotel. CNN reports that the incident took place at approximately 6:30 a.m as Dewji was positioned outside the luxury accommodation's gym facilities. Officials believe that Dewji was accosted by young, white males. The regional governor Paul Makonda said, Initial information indicates he was kidnapped by whites traveling in two vehicles. This kind of incident is new here. During a recent press conference, the city's police chief Lazaro Mambosasa went on to reveal that the kidnappers shot into the air before forcing Dewji into a car. It is believed that the abductors had access to guarded hotel grounds because its gates were "believed to have been left open deliberately," suggesting that they may have had help from hotel staff. Mambosasa also revealed that several suspects, including hotel staff, were interviewed and multiple arrests have already been made. A motive for the crime has yet to be formally determined, however, initial police investigations have deemed the unfortunate incident to be ransom-related abduction given Dewji's immense wealth and status. Earlier reports claiming that Dewji has been rescued have been denounced by local authorities for being fabrications. Azealia Banks profile has lost any semblance of order. When you enter the premises you are met with a disclaimer alerting you to disturbing content. Azealia's last Tweet was essentially a video of her showing off her bare chest, in addition to a written explanation for her many disappearances vis-a-vis social media: "I got nervous and deleted this from my profile but I think it deserves to stay up." Aside from the unsolicited adult content showing up on her page, Azealia took the occasion to add fuel to her war of words with Lana Del Ray. If you recall, the feud started when Lana called into question Kanye West's antics on SNL. Her comments were then met with rancor from Ms. Banks who took offense to "white women in Hollywood" and their alleged "fake ass innocent agendas," represented by Lana Del Ray's scornful opposition towards Kanye West. From there, a war of words ensued with both sides trading canon-fodder at several kilobytes per second. Azealia's Twitter deposition also involved her issuing a series of subtweets that were glossed over in the balance of time. The last message to invoke Lana Del Ray directly, stoked the flames of Azealia's witchcraft apprenticeship, the Harlem rapper threatening to burn her residence, "while she is asleep inside." A mirror image of the Tweet has been saved right here. Today, Donald Trump and Kanye West will be breaking bread and allegedly discussing all manner of political and social issues. Though the union has been dubbed as a bromance two horsemen short of the apocalypse, others have approached the discourse with a cautious optimism. Rightly so, as many have accused Trump of using Kanye West to secure votes from the black community. In a recent conversation with Fox and Friends, Trump didn't exactly skirt the topic, embracing Yeezy's co-sign and all the accompanying side-effects. "When Kanye came out very strongly a number of months ago, something happened," marvels Trump. "My polls went up twenty-five percent! Nobody's ever seen it. He's got a big following in the African American community, in a lot of communities. The polls went through the roof. I can honestly say I've never seen that before. The strange thing is, Trump sounds bizarrely genuine, even excited, in the midst of his gushing. Though cynics may accuse the controversial president of using Kanye West to secure votes from a specific demographic, perhaps there is genuine affection there. "He's really a great guy," says Trump. "He's not asking for anything for himself. He's not saying 'hey G I want to do this or that.' He's a private guy and he wants to help people." For the record, it's unclear if Trump is using street vernacular or the more wholesome variant of "Oh gee!" We've already seen mass backlash to their bromance, from celebrities to the average Joe slash Jane. Yet one has to wonder, if Kanye West really does have Donald Trump's ear, what manner of change may ensure? Trump seems to heavily suggest that prison reform will be re-evaluated in the wake of their discourse. When asked whether Attorney General Jeff Sessions is standing in the way of potential reform changes, Trump proceeds plays the boss card. "If he doesn't [want change], he gets overruled by me. I make the decision, he doesn't." The Fox Pundits seem to admire Kanye's anti-Hollywood stance, and ask whether they pair will ever take to the campaign trail together. "I could see it," says Trump. "I went to Indiana, we took Bobby Knight, and that was a big deal." A buddy comedy for the ages. [via TMZ] Early this year, Drake was spotted in the studio with Bad Bunny. Until now, nothing came of the session. We were all excited to hear what they had come up with and finally, their collaboration has arrived. The other day, Drake posed for a photo from what looked like a new video and we now have answers. It was all for his guest feature on Bad Bunny's "MIA," which just released a few minutes ago. Bad Bunny has been rising in the global hip-hop ranks. While he once was only recognized in Spanish-speaking countries, the name is becoming bigger by the day. He's even got Drake singing an entire guest spot in Spanish. Of course, Drake is fully aware of what's popping off around the world. He's collaborated with South African musician Black Coffee in the past and we all know his allegiance to the dancehall genre. Whether or not you view Drake as a trend-hopper, he consistently stays connected to what's hot in the music world. Right now, that's Latin trap. Alongside a brand new music video, Drizzy Drake puts on a new hat here to explore a subgenre he hasn't previously worked much in. What do you think of this new track? Quotable Lyrics: Dile que tu eres mia, mia Tu sabes que eres mia, mia Tu a mi me lo decias Eso yo te lo hacia Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and first vice president Mehriban Aliyeva have viewed the sapling enterprise of Guba Scientific-Research Institute of Fruit and Tea of the Ministry of Agriculture in Guba. The head of state and his wife viewed the conditions created at the newly-renovated building of the institute. Then, Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva have laid flowers at the monument of national leader Heydar Aliyev in the center of Guba. Head of Guba District Executive Authority Ziyaddin Aliyev informed them of the landscaping work carried out around the monument, as well as the projects implemented in the district. Later, Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the inauguration of Guba district central hospital. They cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the hospital. After viewing the conditions created at the hospital, President Aliyev met with the hospital staff and posed for photographs with them. After that, the president and the first lady have attended the inauguration of a 100-seat Gunash orphanage-kindergarten in the city of Guba. They cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the orphanage-kindergarten. Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva have also attended the opening of ABAD Factory Production Complex in Guba, cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the complex and viewed conditions created there. Another object visited by the president and the first vice president was the agricultural plant of Gubaekoagrar LLC. Ilham Aliyev launched the plant. In addition, the president and the first lady have viewed conditions created at the newly-built Youth Park in Guba. The production of the "Joker" movie starring Joaquin Pheonix took a strange turn last weekend. Many people were working on-set in an unnamed subway station. For some reason, extras were made to enter a train and were subsequently stuck in the immobile vehicle. The events that followed are putting the production company in hot water. The extras were locked in the Brooklyn subway car for more than three hours during the filming underground. The actors are said to have been denied a break and locked in the train. Since they did not get the break they were entitled to after two hours of work, some of them had to relieve their bladders on the tracks. They opened the doors that connect the cars and pissed in between them. Sources say that the situation became dire to the point of actors banging on the subway doors in lamentation. They were begging to be freed from the vehicle, but their efforts were in vain. According to reports, a complaint was filed with the Screen Actors Guild, which will monitor the situation. Warner Bros. is also said to be investigating the incident. The Joker is set to hit US theaters on October 4, 2019. Kanye West's meeting with President Trump might be mocked by some, but the pairs relationship may have a positive impact on the music industry. Reports state that their meeting is scheduled on the same day as of the signing of new legislation that has the potential to benefit Yeezy and his artistic colleagues financially. The president is set to sign the Music Modernization Act during West's White House visit. The bill, which was previously passed by the House and Senate, concerns the licensing and royalties given to artist, producers, and songwriters from the work that is played on streaming services. Artists are said to have been receiving the short end when it comes to streaming profits, having only "retained 12% of the income produced by the music industry, a rather small slice of $43 billion US Market." Kanye West and Neil Portnow, the president of the Recording Academy, will both be present during the ceremonial signing of the Music Modernization Act. The meeting that will take place at the White House this week between Trump and Ye is said to concern topics of social issues like prison reform, employment in the manufacturing industry and gang violence. The meeting is being criticized by folks like those who appeared on Don Lemon's show last night. Others are fond of the meetup, including Fox News. We've all been looking forward to (and have been a little confused by) Kanye West's meeting with Donald Trump today. There's been a lot written about their bond over the years but it has all come full circle now as Kanye goes on one of his classic rants inside of the White House. Could this be foreshadowing his rumored run for office in 2024? Donald Trump signed the new Music Modernization Act today as he was surrounded by Kid Rock and a few of music's greats. Yeezy was expected to be present but he may have arrived a little late as TMZ reports that he was not in the room when the new law was signed. He got in plenty of action though, going on an over 20-minute rant as he sat face-to-face with the President and dozens of photographers. There's a lot to unpack from his ramblings as he speaks about his diagnosis with bipolar disorder and how a doctor actually told him he simply has sleep deprivation, which could materialize as dementia in a decade's time. He also presented a sketch for an airplane that he wants Trump to fly in because, in Kanye's words, "If he don't look good, we don't look good. This is our President. He has to be the freshest, the flyest, the flyest planes, the best factories." He plans on working with Apple to build the plane. Just when Trump says they're going to have lunch, Kanye goes off on another tangent. The President is patient throughout it all, nodding his head and taking in all of the absurdity. This is 2018, everyone. Where Donald Trump is (still) the President and Kanye West is taking his rants to the White House. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Michael K. Williams has been added to the cast Lovecraft Country alongside Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Jonathan Majors, Wunmi Mosaku, Courtney B. Vance, Aunjanue Ellis, Jamie Harris, and Elizabeth Debicki. The HBO-produced drama is nearing the production phase under the direction of Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams. The show will portray a dystopian view of 1950s America as depicted in a 2016 novel written by Matt Ruff, in the tradition of an old H. P. Lovecraft paperback. Michael K. Williams will play the father of a character named Atticus Freeman, whose friend and uncle embark on a search and rescue mission across America, spanning a period in which the Jim Crow laws were still in effect. Michael K. Williams's fatherly character will be more conservative than many of the roles he's willingly accepted in the past. The character will be hard-headed, strict and completely unyielding to the fantasy World constructed by his child. Williams is often celebrated as one of the greatest actors plying his trade today. Many of his iconic roles were cast for HBO television projects, the likes of which include Omar on The Wire, Freddy Knight on The Night Of, and Chalky White on Boardwalk Empire, and now Atticus' father on Lovecraft Country. Pusha T has been to war this year, pulling out all the stops against his arch nemesis Drake. Both released albums in 2018 with Pusha dropping the stellar Daytona and Drizzy coming through with his Scorpion double album. Before Kanye West decided to switch the narrative (as he regularly does) and make shorter musical projects, artists were cheating the streaming system with excessively long albums. Chris Brown's Heartbreak on a Full Moon is probably the best example, featuring over 40 songs on the tracklist. King Push was the first to release as part of G.O.O.D. Music's takeover and he clearly feels some type of way about artists dropping lengthy tracklists. During his interview for the Red Bull Music Academy, Push spoke about all things Clipse, Daytona, and more, possibly throwing some subs at Drake in the process. The concept of stream trolling was brought up and while Culture II, Tha Carter V and others are all applicable, it's most likely that the Virginia artist had a specific man in mind when he made the following comment. He told the host, "The idea of everybody putting like 25 tracks on an album to get the streams up, its such a poverty way of like cheating to me." He's previously spoken about album length, preaching for more concise bodies of work. He reiterated that here, saying, "I was like, you know what, we need to be totally against everything, and we need to have a whole other mantra in regard to what were doing." Take his comments as you will. Considering the back-and-forth episodes we experienced earlier in the year, this has to be a subtle jab at his rival. Also, Scorpion has exactly 25 songs on it, so there's that. [via] Scarlett Johansson inadvertently flexed her bankroll when she was placed atop Forbes' highest paid actress list this year. The only female founding member of the Avengers in the MCU took home $40 million in the last year, and it looks like she'll keep piling on the big bucks. As detailed by The Hollywood Reporter, Johansson is set to receive $15 million for a standalone Black Widow movie. Black Widow has been an important part of Avenger history for decades. Although The Wasp was the first female Avenger in the comics (she also helped name the team), Black Widow has been around since the 60's. She was first a villain of Iron-Man, and worked for the Russians before defecting to the US and joining the Avengers. While Black Widow does retain some of her Russian backstory in the MCU, much of her origin has either been brushed aside or altered. The $15 million paycheck is a hefty one. Both Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth were paid the same amount for their roles in Avengers: Infinity War. Marvel rarely pays this well for a hero's first solo movie. Robert Downey Jr. was paid $500,000 for the first Iron-Man, but his pay was boosted to $50 million by the time the first Avengers rolled around. Chadwick Boseman was reportedly paid $2 million for his role in the first Black Panther, although he will get a significant pay increase from here on out. Brie Larson was offered $5 million for Captain Marvel, but her high price tag came along with a seven-picture deal that proves she'll be the new star of the MCU. Insgroup, a Houston-based insurance and employee benefits broker, has acquired Fred Brown Insurance Brokerage and Fred Brown Property Casualty, the company announced. The acquisition expands Insgroup's employee benefits consulting and brokerage services for large employer groups, and bolsters its property and casualty brokerage business. Both companies have been operating 40 years. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Fred Brown employees will join Insgroup, including company founder Fred Brown. The Fred Brown companies will operate under the Insgroup name. RELATED: Wortham Insurance completes merger with Marsh "We are now uniquely positioned to serve the insurance, risk management and employee benefits needs of the most successful privately owned businesses, but with the personal touch only an independent firm can provide," Insgroup president and CEO Brian Kapiloff said in an announcement. Founded in 1978, Insgroup is one of the largest privately held insurance and employee benefits firms in Texas. Before paying an official visit to Baku, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs George Kent made a statement, suggesting that Washington intends to move from a passive presence in the OSCE Minsk Group to active mediation in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement. Kent stressed that the United States does not accept Armenia's aggressive occupation policy and all propaganda steps taken by Yerevan against the restoration of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. "The U.S. does not recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh and will never use a different name for the Azerbaijani region," he said. The Deputy Assistant Secretary of State reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the OSCE Minsk Group format and its formulas for settling the conflict. "The Karabakh conflict should be resolved on the basis of four UN Security Council resolutions and the Madrid principles. Everyone in Azerbaijan wants to resolve this conflict. As a Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, the United States is aware of the gravity of the responsibilities in this matter," George Kent said. Yesterday, the government of the Federal Republic of Germany has expressed the same position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement. "We consider the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven adjacent districts controlled by the Armenian armed forces to be part of Azerbaijan and do not recognize the illegal 'Nagorno-Karabakh Republic,' the German government stressed. Head of the expert council of Baku Network, Elkhan Alasgarov, speaking with Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that these statements made by American and German officials point to the West's intention to seriously intensify efforts to involve the South Caucasus in its orbit. After Donald Trump was elected President of the United States, there was a very long process of internal contradictions in Washington, due to which the American foreign policy was very uncertain, but according to the State Department representative's statement, we see that this period is over. Kent clearly said that the United States is in favor of a settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on four UN resolutions, which imply the withdrawal of the occupying Armenian army from the territories of Azerbaijan, and the Madrid principles, which testifies to the U.S. desire to intensify its foreign policy associated with the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," he said. "Germany's statement in response to a request for the status of Nagorno-Karabakh is also important. Berlin confirmed that it recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh as an integral part of Azerbaijan, and that the resolution of the conflict should be within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. I think these are two interrelated statements, that is, Western countries intend to intensify their policies in the South Caucasus," Elkhan Aleskerov stressed. Director of the Institute of Political Studies Sergei Markov, in turn, noted that the West still limits itself to statements and does not take practical steps towards a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. "It is worth noting that Washington and Moscow have no serious contradiction in the OSCE Minsk Group, which is very good for Baku, since both the U.S. and Russia support the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. The difference between the positions of the United States and Russia lies in the fact that Moscow is more or less active in this matter and tries to help Azerbaijan and Armenia to reach a decision, in particular through the development of the Kazan formula - while the United States takes a passive position. As they say, thank you for not interfering," he said. "The absence of differences between Russia and the United States in the OSCE Minsk Group is important, because Washington actively opposes us in other areas - Syria, Ukraine. I think, ideally, the United States will retain the position when they verbally support a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, but do not oppose Russian efforts. By the way, we should not forget that there is a large Armenian diaspora in the United States and France, and therefore, to some extent, there is a pro-Armenians position there. So I would consider Kents statement as part of a regular visit to the region by an official specializing on it," Sergey Markov concluded, adding that if Washington wants to make a practical contribution to the settlement, it could reduce its economic aid to Armenia and ban their officials from visiting Karabakh not through Azerbaijan - but this is not happening yet. Hundreds upon hundreds of hours go into preparing for the Master Sommelier exam. Its the toughest test of wine knowledge a person can be put through and to pass it, which, for most, requires multiple attempts, leaves one equal parts exhilarated and exhausted. Master Sommelier, or MS, status, achieved by only 274 applicants worldwide since the first exam was given in 1969, comes with a small oval, non-ostentatious lapel pin rimmed in red with the head of Bacchus in the center. No more prized a possession exists for those who have earned the right to wear it. Even when youve passed, said David Keck, one of Houstons four resident Master Sommeliers, a nightmare all of us have is waking up in a cold sweat that someone has taken our pin away. But, thats exactly whats happened for Pappas Bros. Steakhouse wine director Steven McDonald, who had seemingly become Houstons fifth MS last month in St. Louis. Hed been told he had aced the most challenging portion of the three-part exam, blind tasting. That means McDonald had correctly identified six wines as to their grapes, region of origin and the year they were picked, and he did so inside of the 25-minute time limit. This week, however, McDonald received a letter from Court of Master Sommeliers board chairman Devon Broglie as did 22 of the 23 other presumptive new Masters from around the country, constituting the largest class ever informing him that the results would be invalidated. Someone, assumed to be among the exam proctors and, therefore, an MS, had shared information about the wines being tasted to assist one or more of the applicants, said Broglie, who is also the Austin-based global wine buyer for Whole Foods Market. I cant imagine what Steve is going through, said Guy Stout of Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits, who endured multiple stumbles of his own before becoming an MS 13 years ago. Man, I keep thinking back to how we all hugged out after the announcement. McDonald, 38, has sat six times in all for the various parts of the grueling test, which also requires applicants to show their wine-service skills and expound upon wine theory in an oral exam. He needed only to get through the tasting in St. Louis to be done. When contacted after hed been told hed made it, he said, I feel like Im floating. Now, hes facing a seventh go-round. Its shocking and devastating, McDonald said. Theres nothing else for me to say. Its hard to accept, but Ill be OK. (Pappas Bros.) is 100 percent behind me. The Court of Master Sommeliers (CMS) Americas board had stated that it had unanimously voted to invalidate the results of the tasting portion of the 2018 Master Sommelier Diploma Examination for all candidates, because of clear evidence that a Master had breached the confidentiality of the wines presented for tasting. Although CMS has not yet officially expelled any Master for their role in the scandal, Regino Reggie Narito Jr. has been removed from the list of Masters on the administering bodys website. Narito told wine-searcher.com via email, I have no comment at this time. He had previously said on his blog: Of the 24 passing candidates, four were students of mine. CMS, for its part, said through an official, The board has not officially named anyone at this stage. Narito received his MS pin in the same year as Stout, 2005. He is a former board member and has also appeared in the film Somm and the Esquire Networks TV series Uncorked. Stout called Narito a dear friend and said he was really saddened it was someone from my class. I was hoping it was somebodys whose legs I could go break. Ive always thought Reggie was a great guy. McDonald has been trying to become the third MS with the Pappas restaurant group, joining his Houston colleague Jack Mason and Barbara Werley, wine director at the Pappas Steakhouse in Dallas. The other Master is Keith Goldston, who moved here a little over a year ago to assist in the opening of Mastros Steakhouse and the rest of the restaurants that are part of the new Post Oak Hotel complex near the Galleria. According to a 2017 GuildSomm survey, a Master Sommelier earns an average salary of $164,000 per year, while an Advanced Sommelier (the level below) earns an average of $87,000. Keck, currently in the process of opening three new spots in Montrose under the Goodnight Hospitality banner, achieved his MS status in 2016. Like Stout, he said he couldnt offer information on what happened to create such a huge mess. But what I can say is that this examination is the most sacred part of our organization, Keck said. Its the No. 1 thing that we hang our honor and our integrity on. If youre sitting for the exams, youre putting your faith in the organization to do the right thing. Youre subscribing to the system, so compromising the outcome in any way is a huge betrayal to all of our colleagues. The darkest part of hell is reserved for betrayers. Stout suggested he has enough faith in the guys Ive helped, including Steven, that if I asked them, Were you aware of anything? and if they said no, then Id say, Heres your pin. But Keck said its not that simple, and believes doing the test over from scratch is the only option that will ensure a fully valid result. Hed been up until about 3 a.m. (Wednesday) night talking to Steven, trying to help him get his arms around the distressing development. Theres some good news, though. The CMS intends to stage the re-tasting as soon as possible, waive the $995 fee and offer assistance with travel expenses. McDonald called that only fair. Just one of the 24 presumptive new somms announced in St. Louis, Morgan Harris from San Francisco, will be keeping his pin. He had passed tasting at a previous sitting and was there only to be put through the service paces. I have full faith in Devon and full faith in our board, Keck said. I dont envy him right now in his first year as chairman, but hes a man of extreme moral rectitude. Were going to do the best possible thing for the most possible people. dale.robertson@chron.com twitter.com/sportywineguy In her annual Fall Address, University of Houston President Renu Khator lauded growing enrollments and graduation rates at the institution and provided an update on the school's efforts to establish a college of medicine. Khator said Texas' Higher Education Coordinating Board is scheduled to take action on UH's application for its medical school later this month, and that about 35 officials are working to finish an application for national accreditation by December. If all goes according to plan, Khator said the medical school could be fully accredited by 2019 and could welcome its first class of students in the fall of 2020. "It's possible for us to introduce a program for medicine and help do what this university has always done: Serving the people and the community," Kahtor said Wednesday. KHATOR'S CLIMB: The 10 years that elevated UH and Renu Khator While an anonymous donor has provided $3 million to pay the inaugural class's tuition, gaining full accreditation for the school will be no easy feat. Texas Higher Education Commissioner Raymund Paredes has bemoaned the growth of academic programs at colleges statewide, instead pleading that schools focus on improving the programs they already operate. "We are expanding academic programs faster than the Legislature is even willing or able to support appropriately," he told higher education leaders in 2017, according to the Austin Statesman. "Unless we put a brake on expansion of programs, we are going to dilute the limited resources we have still more, and that's a certain recipe for statewide mediocrity. Frankly, we have an awful lot of mediocre academic programs in Texas." Still, the Coordinating Board approved a doctorate program in osteopathic medicine at Sam Houston State University in August. Khator also touted growing enrollments, rising graduation rates and some narrowing achievement gaps at the school. PRESIDENT'S PET: Renu Khator adopts stray dog that roamed campus for a week She said about 46,300 students are now enrolled at the flagship campus and, for the first time, more freshmen are enrolled than transfer students. Achievement gaps evidenced by graduation rates have also improved, the president said. The four-year graduation rates for African-American students is now two percentage points shy of the graduation rates for white students, shrinking from a 10 percent gap found in the class of 2017. There now is zero difference in the six-year graduation rate from Pell Grant recipients, who come from lower income households, to students who do not receive the federal assistance. Financial aide disbursements also have increased from $314 million in 2013-2014 to $364 million in 2013-2014. Still, tuition overall has risen by more than 50 percent at the school since Khator came to the college in 2008. This story will be updated. Check chron.com for updates. Dr. William Shearer, a renowned immunologist who gained worldwide attention for his care of Houston's famed Bubble Boy and also conducted important research to prevent and treat pediatric HIV/AIDS, died Tuesday. He was 81. Shearer became one of the nation's leading experts on immune system deficiencies in pediatric patients during a 40-year career at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital. During that time, he made landmark discoveries about immune deficiencies and established Houston's first pediatric AIDS clinical trials network. "He was an iconic figure and one of the cornerstones of Texas Children's evolution into one of the best pediatric hospitals in the nation," said Dr. Mark Kline, the hospital's physician-in-chief. "He was one of the hospital's most accomplished clinicians and scientists, blazing trails in pediatric immunology and training the next generation of immunologists to advance the field." Shearer founded the allergy and immunology section at Baylor and Texas Children's and served as chief for 34 years. He authored more than 500 journal articles and edited the premier textbook of clinical immunology. But Shearer was best known as the face of the latter years of Texas Children's care of David Vetter, the boy, born without an immune system, who spent his life isolated from all germs and human touch in a series of sterile plastic bubbles. Before his 1984 death at age 12, David's story captivated people around the world. From 1978 to 1984, Shearer was David's lead doctor as well as the Texas Children's spokesman who appeared at news conferences to provide updates about his progress with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and life inside the bubble. Carol Ann Demaret, David's mother, said Wednesday the immune deficiency community "has lost a champion." "We, David Vetter's family, are saddened to know of the passing of Dr. William T. Shearer," Demaret said in a statement. "When we met Dr. Shearer in 1978, we felt from the beginning, he would meet all the challenges that David's unique life would bring and he did. Our David had love and respect for "his" Dr. Shearer as did David's family." She added that "Dr. Shearer was quiet and dignified, unassuming and humble to a fault and an amazing humanitarian." RELATED: The boy in the bubble who captivated the world In 1971, the year David was born, the only hope for SCID an inherited condition marked by a lack of white blood cells that fight infection was a bone marrow transplant from a donor whose blood matched perfectly. The Vetters hoped their daughter would provide the match, but it did not and the subsequent wait for a match, or any kind of cure, dragged on and on. In late 1983, as David began losing hope he would ever leave the bubble, the Vetters opted to try a promising new bone marrow transplant technique using less than perfect matches. It appeared to work well initially, but he died not long after of a form of lymph cancer caused by an undetected Epstein Barr virus in the transplant. Shearer performed the ill-fated transplant procedure and later announced the boy's death in front of television and newspaper cameras, whose images led the news around the nation and world that day. He called it one of the most difficult moments of his life. Shearer did not let go of the case. He took David's blood samples back to the lab for study, eventually identifying the Epstein Barr virus, one of the first proofs that such infections can cause cancer. He published his findings in the New England Journal of Medicine. Shearer and Baylor geneticists, working with David's DNA, also identified a gene that causes immune deficiencies, leading to a test for his condition in newborns. "What we learned from David is a textbook," Shearer said in a 2017 Chronicle story. "A textbook that he wrote with his life, and that we are still learning from." Demaret's statement noted such work was "instrumental in bringing SCID Newborn Screening to Texas in 2012 and now all children born in Texas and 47 other states will be tested at birth for SCID or Primary Immune disorder." In the years after David's death, Shearer also focused on HIV/AIDS, then a new epidemic. He led the establishment of pediatric AIDS clinical trials that showed anti-viral medication could prevent the transmission of the virus from HIV-positive pregnant women to their babies. Throughout most of the 1990s, said Kline, Shearer worked around the clock searching for better ways to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. He published dozens of scientific papers on the subject. "No one worked harder or was more dedicated to his patients and trainees than Bill," Dr. Mark Kline, physician-in-chief of Texas Children's, wrote in an email to hospital employees Tuesday announcing Shearer's death. "I learned an enormous amount from him during the formative stages of my career development ... and I will miss him tremendously." Shearer was born in Detroit on Aug. 23, 1937. He graduated from Washington University School of Medicine and trained at St. Louis Children's Hospital and Barnes Hospital, the medical school's affiliated hospitals, before joining Washington University's faculty. He moved to Baylor and Texas Children's in 1978. During his 40 years here, he also held leadership positions in most every immunology society at some point, including the the American Board of Allergy and Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. In 1984, Shearer co-founded the David Center at Texas Children's in tribute to the late SCID patient. The center researches and treats all forms of immune deficiencies in children. Shearer, who continued to work until recently despite polymyositis, an inflammatory disease that causes muscle weakness, will be buried in the family cemetery in Ontario, Canada. He is survived by his wife Lynn Des Prez, a sister and six children. todd.ackerman@chron.com twitter.com/chronmed DNA testing and analysis will likely occur on human remains dating back more than a century that were found at a Fort Bend ISD construction site earlier this year, but questions linger as to who will pay the cost. Community activists urged the Fort Bend Independent School District this summer to test the 95 human remains as construction continued on the future James Reese Career and Technical Center. The remains are believed to be those of African-American prisoners who were part of Texas notorious convict-leasing system, through which people were contracted out to perform cheap labor in the decades after slavery ended. Experts and community members said DNA testing and analysis could provide a better understanding of the experience of those buried at the site in Sugar Land. 'A HARD LIFE': New details emerge about remains found at Fort Bend ISD construction site DNA analysis will tie us to a living record, said Reign Clark, cultural resources director for Goshawk Environmental Consulting, the firm hired to exhume the remains after their discovery. There may actually be family stories where we can tell the story of what these people went through and what their families went through. Thats the truly rewarding part of this. Theres a benefit to science, a benefit to history, but there can also be a benefit to living people today. DNA and isotope analysis could provide information about eating habits, genetic heritage and even lineal descent, among other aspects. It also could potentially lead to the identification and notification of descendants. The estimated cost is around $170,000. The Fort Bend ISDs recent announcement that DNA analysis would be conducted follows a vote endorsing such a move by a local task force created to make decisions about the remains during a meeting last month. The Texas Historical Commission this week wrote the school districts lawyer to say it was pleased a task force had been created to make decisions about the reinterment and memorialization of the remains. HEATED MEETING: Tense second meeting for cemetery task force in Sugar Land The THC has no authority over the ultimate decision as to whether or not destructive analysis is performed and takes no position on destructive testing of these remains, the letter stated. We had recommended that you gather as much input as possible from stakeholders and use the information to help inform your decision. It appears that the decision to conduct DNA analysis was unanimous among the stakeholders. Veronica Sopher, a spokeswoman for Fort Bend ISD, acknowledged there was some confusion because district officials at first believed the commission had legal authority to decide whether the DNA analysis would occur. Sopher said the school district was still looking to the commission for guidance on the testing and other issues. The Texas Historical Commission has the expertise and the documented protocols of whats appropriate when youre dealing with a historical matter like this, Sopher said. In a statement Thursday, the school district said it appreciates the commissions guidance and noted that it has been our commitment from the beginning to ensure compliance with all legal and permitting requirements pertaining to the exhumation of remains. Doug Brinkley, an assistant city manager for Sugar Land who has been overseeing the cemetery task force meetings, said discussions were ongoing to have a private party pay for the testing. Were still working. Its not an easy thing because were asking someone to donate their own private dollars, Brinkley said Monday. Were actually on their timeline. We made a request and someone showed interest. We followed up with them and we havent had a response back yet. During the second meeting of the cemetery task force last month, members of National Black United Front held a rally outside to voice their frustrations and push for DNA testing. They marched and chanted with signs reading Justice 4 Sugarland 95 and DNA Testing 4 Sugar Land 95. Clark, the consultant, has described the remains as unique to the country and said that not proceeding with DNA analysis would be a travesty. Catrina Whitley, bioarcheologist for Goshawk Environmental Consulting, said experts would need two molars and one incisor to complete both DNA and isotope analysis. Five of those buried at the site have a rare genetic trait, causing two of their wrist bones to be fused together something found in just one in every 16,000 individuals, according to Whitley. Whitley said the genetic trait could mean that families were possibly incarcerated together, but theres no way for experts to tell if the individuals are related without DNA analysis. Its an opportunity for us to really delve into the past and really make connections to the present, said Sopher. It not only will give us historical context of where they came from, where they were raised..... but it also is a unique snapshot in time with a very unique group of people. Reginald Moore, a community activist who has long advocated for a nearby cemetery of graves tied to the former state prison at Sugar Land, said he is encouraged by recent developments. He had warned district officials that human remains would likely be found at the construction site. Of the planned DNA testing, he said, That means a lot to me, to know the ancestral individuals may also get some recognition. brooke.lewis@chron.com A former Texas teacher has pleaded guilty to having an improper relationship with a 17-year-old student. Sarah Madden Fowlkes, 28, submitted a plea agreement to a Caldwell County judge on Thursday, Fox 29 reported. In 2017, Fowlkes was arrested and suspended from her teaching position at Lockhart High School, some 30 miles south of Austin. Before her arrest, police interviewed the 17-year-old who Fowlkes had an improper relationship with and concluded Fowlkes had engaged in "sexual contact with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of the student." LATEST: Waco man sentenced to 244 years in prison for raping baby The plea deal sought by Fowlkes would give her 4 years probation, suspend her teaching license and require a fine. The request has yet to be answered by a judge. Fowlkes taught anatomy and physiology and environmental systems at Lockhart High School prior to her suspension. Fernando Ramirez covers Texas news and politics. Read him on our breaking news site and on our subscriber site. | Fernando.ramirez@chron.com | @fernramirez93 HEART FAILURE: How did a renowned heart transplant program fall to near the bottom of national patient-survival statistics? An anonymous letter led to a search for answers. Read our full investigation into Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center at HoustonChronicle.com/HeartFailure. *** Dr. Tomas Rios was upset. He believed that some of his patients at Baylor St. Lukes Medical Center had received unnecessary medical treatments in intensive care units at the Houston hospital, and one day in September 2015, he fired off three emails to colleagues expressing his frustration. A month later, Rios was summoned to a meeting with his boss, but the purpose was not to discuss his concerns about patient care. Instead, he got a warning. Dr. Victor Narcisse, a private-practice physician and member of the hospitals medical executive committee, said that senior hospital officials had been in touch with him about Rios conduct, and they had made clear that they intended to develop the evidence to take punitive action against him. Narcisse compared the hospitals plans for him to an assassination, according to a recording of the conversation. A transcript of the discussion was filed with Harris County District Court this week as part of a lawsuit by Rios against St. Lukes. Its like, forgive me, forgive the analogy, but when you have a conspiracy for an assassination, the No. 1 rule is youve got to get the guy that you were going after. And then none of the people who were involved get implicated, Narcisse said. They've got to execute you, he said a moment later. Because if you stick around, they know that you're going to, all these concerns that you have, you're going to bring them to some regulatory person. Narcisse, the leader of Rios physician group at the time, suggested in the recording that Rios could avoid potentially career-ending discipline from St. Lukes by resigning from the hospital staff. But Rios did not resign, and within weeks, just as Narcisse said, Rios was told that a hospital committee had found him in serious violation of patient care standards, the first step toward disciplinary action. Two months later, Rios sued St. Lukes for retaliation. In an amended complaint filed this week, Rios alleged that hospital personnel made false allegations about the way he practices medicine and sought to punish him after he expressed legitimate concerns. St. Lukes has denied in court filings that it retaliated against Rios, noting in one that he has never been suspended or had his privileges revoked in any fashion. Now Playing: Dr. Victor Narcisse, Dr. Tomas Rios' boss, compares the hospital's plans for him to an "assassination." Video: Houston Chronicle In a statement to reporters, Dr. David Berger, the hospitals senior vice president and chief operating officer, said that the intensive care policies Rios began complaining about in 2015 have led to better outcomes across the hospital since their implementation four years ago. Dr. Tomas Rios is not a board-certified intensivist and not an expert in critical care medicine, and has actively opposed the intensivist process, Berger said in the statement. Regardless of whether Rios complaints about patient care were valid, the recording of a doctor describing the hospitals plans to punish him raises new questions about the way St. Lukes responds when its physicians and staff members voice concerns. The Houston Chronicle and ProPublica reported in May that some St. Lukes doctors complained internally in 2015 and 2016 about problems that led to poor outcomes in the hospitals heart transplant program. Hospital leaders said they took steps to improve the program, but some physicians felt that their concerns were ignored. And in a separate lawsuit filed in Harris County in July, the former administrative director of cardiovascular services at St. Lukes said he was fired in 2017 in retaliation for reporting violations of health and safety laws. St. Lukes, which has denied wrongdoing in court filings, declined to comment on the case. A hospital spokeswoman said by email, We value the contributions that each staff member brings to improve patient care. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer Rios case also opens a window into St. Lukes use of peer review, a confidential process intended to assess and discipline doctors accused of negligence or wrongdoing, but one that legal and health care experts say is sometimes manipulated by hospitals in order to punish outspoken physicians. In a statement this week, a St. Lukes spokeswoman said the hospital stands by the integrity of its peer-review process. Hospital officials said they couldnt address the recorded conversation between Rios and Narcisse because they were not a party to it. Narcisse and Rios are not St. Lukes employees, but rather independent physicians with privileges to practice at the hospital. Narcisse, however, remains a member of the St. Lukes medical executive committee, the primary body governing the hospitals independent medical staff, and has performed other administrative duties. A hospital spokeswoman said Narcisse does not speak on behalf of the executive committee, and Narcisse did not respond to requests for comment. Katharine Van Tassel, dean of San Francisco Law School and a co-author of law review articles on the subject of physician peer review and due process, said hospitals have broad discretion to discipline doctors for lapses in care. But in some circumstances, Van Tassel said, peer review has become a tool to silence individuals from speaking out. There appear to be little to no safeguards in place to avoid the improper use of hospital peer review to retaliate against physicians who are bringing up quality-of-care concerns, she said. In one such case in 2017, a Houston heart surgeon was awarded $6.4 million in damages after a Harris County jury found that Memorial Hermann Health System abused the peer review process in an effort to defame the surgeon and protect its business interests. The hospital is appealing the verdict. Believe it or not, hospital administrators do not always like to hear about problems with poor care, said Dr. Lawrence Huntoon, the president of the American Health Legal Foundation. And so, through the process of a sham peer review, they sometimes seek to kill the messenger rather than address the underlying problem. There is no doubt that Rios, 37, has been an outspoken physician, and his willingness to lodge complaints has earned him a reputation as a troublemaker in the Texas Medical Center. In 2014, a year before Rios started at St. Lukes, UTHealth McGovern School of Medicine terminated his fellowship, saying he lacked the clinical competencies necessary to function in the program. Rios filed suit in that case as well, alleging that UT doctors acted based on false accusations after he filed a complaint about unsafe physician staffing levels on the night shift at Memorial Hermann hospital. UTHealth denied his retaliation allegation, and the case was dismissed in 2017 on procedural grounds after going all the way to the Texas Supreme Court. As a result of the canceled fellowship, Rios had to complete a remedial plan with the Texas Medical Board in order to receive his permanent medical license in December 2014. A month later, he started practicing full time at St. Lukes, and he soon grew troubled by his experiences there. His concerns centered on a hospital program that deployed a rapid response team of critical care nurses to the bedsides of patients whose conditions appeared to be deteriorating. Similar programs have been implemented at hospitals around the country, with the goal of quickly assessing and treating patients before life-threatening events occur. Rios, whose primary job is serving as the attending physician for hospitalized patients, started voicing concerns about the rapid response nursing team at St. Lukes, which he said was routinely calling for intensive care doctors rather than consulting him first. As a result, Rios said he believes several of his patients were unnecessarily sent to the ICU, where some received what he considered needlessly aggressive medical treatment. In his statement to reporters, Berger said the rapid response system has led to improved patient outcomes: Baylor St. Lukes experienced a 24 percent hospital-wide reduction in cardiac arrests since the Mobile ICU team was introduced in 2014, as well as a 10 percent improvement in ICU patient survival. Rios said in an interview that he doesnt have a problem with the rapid response concept, but he believes a patients primary physician should be involved in the process, since they know the patient best. In one email to colleagues in September 2015, Rios questioned whether there was a financial motive behind the hospitals policies, which he said made it easier to transfer patients to more expensive hospital beds and led to more costly treatments. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer A month after sending that message, Rios was called to the meeting with Narcisse. Richard Law, an attorney for their physician group, Inpatient Consultants of Texas, also attended and said he was there to give Rios legal advice, according to an audio recording made by Rios without the knowledge of Law or Narcisse. Rios provided the Chronicle and ProPublica with a copy of the the recording. In it, Narcisse is heard telling Rios that hed had a series of phone calls with a whole bunch of people who are going to deny that they ever had them with me, including Dr. Mike Wilson, St. Lukes chief of staff at the time, and Berger, then the hospitals chief clinical officer. Narcisse told Rios that hospital leaders had started compiling records of patient complaints that had been leveled against him mostly related to his refusal to prescribe intravenous painkillers or other potentially addictive drugs and that they planned to refer them to what was supposed to be an impartial panel of physicians, the process known as peer review. Narcisse suggested that it instead would be a kangaroo court with a predetermined outcome and that hospital leaders were working to develop the evidence to prove up the point. He said the peer review committee would give Rios a level-four adjudication, the most severe finding the committee can bring against a doctor. Both Narcisse and Law advised Rios to consider quitting to avoid punishment, and by the end of the conversation, Rios had agreed to do so. But he changed his mind the next day, he said, after learning that hospitals must report to the National Practitioner Data Bank a repository of disciplinary actions against physicians anytime a doctor resigns under the threat of investigation. Now Playing: Dr. Narcisse warns that St. Luke's officials could impair Dr. Tomas Rios' future as a physician. Video: Houston Chronicle Law did not respond to a message seeking comment. A few weeks later, Rios said he received a call from Wilson, who notified him that a peer review committee had met and reached the very conclusion Narcisse had warned about. The level-four finding indicated that the committee believed that Rios had provided seriously substandard care, putting patients in danger. Rios did not record the conversation with Wilson, but a lawyer representing Rios at the time, Jim Edwards, confirmed his recollection of the call. Edwards said it was clear to him, since the peer review committee had reached its conclusion without giving Rios an opportunity to respond, that the hospital was not playing by the rules. Wilson is no longer the chief of staff at St. Lukes. Attempts to reach him by phone for comment were unsuccessful. Rios filed his lawsuit two months after the call from Wilson. To date, the hospital has not taken formal disciplinary action against him, such as terminating his privileges, despite having found him in serious violation of patient care standards. He says he has been retaliated against in other ways. In March, the physician group that employed Rios, Inpatient Consultants of Texas, also known as TeamHealth, suspended him and took him off the schedule at St. Lukes after saying it had received complaints about him from hospital staff members. Rios sued the group in April in Harris County District Court, alleging a breach of contract. The group has denied Rios allegations and is now countersuing, alleging it was Rios who violated the contract when he started his own practice in order to keep working at St. Lukes following the suspension. Meanwhile, Rios says he has continued to face disciplinary threats after expressing concerns about ICU care. In one recent incident, a St. Lukes peer review committee delivered another level-four finding against Rios, a significant deviation from the standard of care, because he interfered with a patients transfer to the ICU in May, according to a letter notifying Rios of the citation. Rios said he opposed the rapid response teams decision in that instance because the patient and her family had said they did not want her to be reconnected to a ventilator, and because Rios did not believe her condition warranted it. Rios did not share the patients name, but her relatives reached out to a reporter on his behalf. They confirmed that they opposed the decision to move her to ICU and felt their wishes were ignored by other physicians at the hospital. A St. Lukes spokeswoman said federal patient privacy rules prevent the hospital from commenting on the case. About a month after that incident, Rios was called into a meeting with Berger, St. Lukes chief operating officer, and Gay Nord, the hospitals president since October 2016, as well as Dr. William Granberry, now the chief of staff. According to a recording of the meeting provided by Rios, Berger told Rios that the peer review committee was extremely concerned about (his) interference with the process of the rapid response team. Both Berger and Nord said they were unaware of Rios pending lawsuit related to the matter. Granberry told Rios that the rapid response program had led to improved outcomes for patients since 2014, and Berger warned that if Rios continued to get in the way of their work, he would be summarily suspended from the hospital. Rios pushed back, according to the audio recording, saying that his primary focus has been the best interest of his patients. He cited two additional cases from that month in which the rapid response team called in intensivists, who then moved his patients to critical care units without consulting him. Those patients, Rios told the executives, suffered untoward events. What I can tell is that I will continue to advocate for my patients, Rios said, according to the recording. I don't play politics. My No. 1 priority has always been my patients and will continue to always be my patients, above politics, above money, above anything else. If I feel that rapid response or critical care or whomever is jeopardizing my patient care, then I will act accordingly. Berger responded: And the hospital will act accordingly. Rios lawsuit is scheduled for trial in December. *** This story is the result of a collaboration between the Chronicle and ProPublica, an independent nonprofit newsroom based in New York. Mike Hixenbaugh is an investigative reporter at the Houston Chronicle. Charles Ornstein is a senior editor at ProPublica. Tell us your story Are you an employee, patient or a family member of a patient at the Texas Medical Center? We'd like to hear from you about your experience. Please fill out this confidential questionnaire. *** Four militants and two members of the White Helmets organization were killed near the Syrian village of al-Lataminah as a result of the attack, the chief of the Russian center for reconciliation of conflicting sides in Syria, Lieutenant General Vladimir Savchenko said. "In the evening of October 9, a gang of one of the pro-ISIS groups attacked the headquarters of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham terrorist organization located near the village of al-Lataminah," he said. "In the fight, four militants and two members of the White Helmets organization were killed. Two cylinders containing chlorine were taken out of the headquarters. The seized cylinders were transported to the south of Aleppo province and handed over to terrorists of the Hurras al-Din terrorist group associated with the ISIS," TASS cited the reconciliation centers head as saying. He stressed that the Western countries, while planning provocations against Syrian government forces and employing their controlled bandit groups, do not take into account the complicated situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone. As a result of those irresponsible steps, poisonous chemicals ended up in the hands of Islamic State terrorists whose actions are hard to predict," Savchenko added. Yet another Texas Democrat in Houston running for Congress has surpassed $1 million in fundraising. Houston Democrat Todd Litton will report to the Federal Election Commission that he pulled in $466,000 over the last three months and now has raised a total of $1.3 million in his race in Houstons 2nd Congressional District. Litton, a lawyer who works with education nonprofits, is battling Republican Dan Crenshaw in a district that includes parts of West Houston, reaches north to the Montgomery County line and wraps over to the east to include Humble and Atascocita. Litton and Crenshaw are vying to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ted Poe, R-Atascocita. Crenshaw, a retired Navy SEAL, has raised just over $500,000 over the past three months and has collected about $1.5 million overall in his bid for the seat. Seven Texas Democrats seeking congressional seats have now topped $1 million, a milestone that is significant because the average amount of money spent by winning candidates for the U.S. House is just over $1.4 million over the past four years. There are now three Congressional races in Houston that have contests in which both the Democrat and the Republican have topped $1 million. In the 7th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston, and Democrat Lizzie Fletcher have each raised more than $2 million. More Information Democratic challengers for Congress in Texas who have raised at least $1 million for 2018: Todd Litton - 2nd Congressional District (Houston) Lizzie Fletcher - 7th Congressional District (Houston) Joseph Kopser - 21st Congressional District (San Antonio) Sri Preston Kulkarni - 22nd Congressional District (Houston) Gina Ortiz Jones - 23rd Congressional District (San Antonio) MJ Hegar - 31st Congressional District (Williamson County) Colin Allred - 32nd Congressional District (Dallas) See More Collapse For subscribers: Houston Chronicles Voter Guide For subscribers: San Antonio Express-News Voter Guide Further south, U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, and Democrat Sri Preston Kulkarni have also both topped $1 million in the 22nd Congressional District, which includes parts of Harris, Fort Bend and Brazoria counties. What is happening in Houston is abnormal compared to other races around the nation. Democratic challengers for Congress nationwide on average have raised just about $300,000 according the Center for Responsive Politics in the general election. Democrats have put a big emphasis on winning seats in the Houston area during the midterm elections, partly due to how well Democrat Hillary Clinton did in Harris County in 2016 in her race against President Donald Trump. Despite losing Texas overall, Clinton won Harris County, 54 to 42 percent, and Fort Bend County, 51 percent to 45 percent. Those numbers have made the 7th Congressional District one of the most competitive battles in the nation. And the races for Congressional Districts 22 and 2 are considered among the 100 or so most competitive races for Congress by many experts. jeremy.wallace@chron.com Evangelical Christians who oppose abortion rights have been played by the Republican Party for more than 30 years. The snow job was detailed last week by Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine in her speech announcing she would vote for Judge Brett Kavanaughs appointment to the Supreme Court. Collins may not have intended to show how disingenuous her party has been about overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized most abortions in America, but thats what she did in arguing there was no need to fear that Kavanaughs appointment would bring to fruition the sanctity of life movements signature goal. Opponents frequently cite then-candidate Donald Trumps campaign pledge to nominate only judges who would overturn Roe, Collins said in her speech. 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 justices Republican president-appointed justices who authored the (Planned Parenthood v.) Casey decision, which reaffirmed Roe. Abortion rights groups vigorously opposed the nominations of Sandra Day OConnor, David Souter and Anthony Kennedy, even circulating buttons with the slogan Stop Souter or Women Will Die! Collins said, but just two years later Souter co-authored the Casey opinion reaffirming a womans right to choose. Suffice it to say, prominent advocacy organizations have been wrong, said Collins. But following her line of reasoning means evangelical Christians have been wrong too. The Roe decision has withstood every attack and remains their chief political target. No Christian especially no one who claims to belong to a Bible-believing evangelical denomination should support the grave injustice of allowing babies to be killed in the womb, says Joe Carter, an editor for The Gospel Coalition website. Vice President Mike Pence told Christians this administration, this president are pro-life, but thrice-married Trump, who has had multiple women accuse him of unwanted sexual advances, said he never discussed abortion with Kavanaugh before nominating him. That doesnt mean the new justice wont have any impact on abortion rights. Without touching Roe, a more conservative Supreme Court could allow more states to impose abortion restrictions that make it difficult for women to find a safe facility near where they live. Only by a narrow 5-4 majority did the court in 2016 overturn Texas law that required physicians performing abortions to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles. Similar laws have survived in eight other states, however, by requiring admission privileges in case complications arise. Meanwhile, nine states specify the size of procedure rooms and seven specify the width of abortion clinic corridors. Those restrictions fall short of the total ban of abortion that many evangelical Christian churches have made their mission. Pence calls Trump the most pro-life president in American history, but thats a low bar. No president has pushed hard for Congress to pass a law that would invalidate Roe. Its unlikely that the legislation would pass if any president did. Given the reality that Collins noted, its unlikely that Kavanaughs ascension to the Supreme Court spells doom for Roe. That shouldnt upset the evangelicals. It should set its eyes on other sanctity of life issues that deserve to be addressed spiritually and politically, including giving greater priority to those children born into this world whose needs are great and whose resources are too small. Many Christians have changed their perspective on voting Republican. Tess Clark, a Dallas woman, told The New York Times she realized that, I care as much about babies at the border as I do about babies in the womb. Clark didnt say she no longer cares about the unborn; she said she understands that babies here also need support, too. The truth is as simple as that. Regarding Diplomacy, not flattery, gets results with N. Korea (Outlook, Friday): I disagree with the author who said flattery should not be a part of negotiations with North Koreas Kim Jung Un. In fact, a program on negotiations at Harvard Law School recommends asking questions because when we ask for advice, we flatter the other party and boost his or her self-confidence. The thought is, trust goes both ways, and enemies very seldom have the same degree of trust as friends. As the past three administrations prove, bribery isnt a very good way to negotiate. Past presidents have tried to bribe North Korea to be good friends and neighbors with South Korea and havent achieved better relations between the two nations. The Trump administration has tried an entirely different approach to getting a mutual agreement of working together for all the countries in the area, including Japan and South Korea. Trump has made far greater headway than has ever been made since the end of the Korean War. Chris Fiedler, Houston Helping hands Regarding Stage set for repeal of anti-food sharing law (Outlook, Friday): The op-ed offends me. The last half of it goes way beyond food sharing and implies that mainstream Houstonians and their leaders are not empathetic to the plight of the down and out. My policy is not to give money to panhandlers. Since many people do, we have lots of panhandling. If no one rewarded panhandling, there would be none. But friends and I do give generously to several organizations that help the down and out in the Houston area in many different ways. Food, shelter, clothing, health (physical, dental and mental), vocational training and even haircuts. As for encampments, those quickly become a health problem and a neighborhood nuisance. The author goes on the rant about anti-charity laws and discouraging good Samaritans. Does he not see how much good the many organizations in our area do and all supported by charitable Houstonians? Gene McFaddin, Houston Remembering Truxillo Regarding King of the Heights turns attention to larger stage (Business, Tuesday): While I certainly appreciate the work Bill Baldwin has done to promote the Houston Heights, any article about the Heights should recognize the huge contributions made by Bart Truxillo, who worked tirelessly to promote the most important improvement of all for the Heights: historic districts that allow the neighborhood to keep its essential character. This was just one of his contributions. Bart was a huge force of nature, and I only wish he was still here to work with us to continue improving our neighborhood. (Truxillo died last year at age 74). Katherine Butler, Houston Lean forward During the confirmation process of Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court, I felt he was innocent of the charges made and his reputation tarnished for political purposes. There were two articles in the Monday editions that made references to Kavanaughs Supreme Court nomination hearing. One story, (The night everything changed, Star section) involved a man who was hazed during college and another (Kavanaugh controversy triggers painful memories in armed forces, City/State) was about a woman who was sexually assaulted while she was in the military. Kavanaugh has not been charged with, much less convicted of, either hazing or assault. Its time for the media to stop the negative stories about the new justice and just move on. Enough is enough. Larry Tidwell, Baytown Corn voters, uh, farmers Regarding Trumps ethanol move has oil fuming (Front page, Wednesday): Much of the objections To E-15 fuel center around the effect of this fuel on ozone formation, but theres another factor that was not mentioned. Recently I had to pull apart the entire fuel system in my vehicle to clean up the frass from deteriorating hoses and internal pump bushings, both inside the tank and in the fuel rail, at a cost of several hundred dollars and at least six hours of my time. This was with E-10 fuel, and I expect to repeat this burdensome task when E-15 is the only fuel available. I understand the motives of the administration to mandate E-15 as an economic rent available to mid-America corn voters uh,..farmers, but you may appreciate the irony we found in purchasing fuel this summer at several Iowa Casey mini-marts, where the choices are diesel, E-10 gasohol or straight gasoline. Christopher E. Elhardt, Houston Over the last decade, cities across the country have adopted laws requiring employers to provide paid sick leave to employees. This trend had eluded most red-leaning states until this year when two major cities in Texas Austin and San Antonio passed sick leave ordinances. Austins ordinance was scheduled to go into effect on Oct. 1, with San Antonios ordinance to follow next year, but a court-ordered temporary block and looming threats of state legislative action have interrupted that timeline. The uncertainty began on June 22, when the Texas Association of Business, joined by businesses, business advocacy groups and the state of Texas, asked the Travis County district court to temporarily enjoin the ordinance from taking effect. The challengers argued, among other things, that state law, including the Texas Minimum Wage Act, preempted the paid sick leave ordinance. The temporary injunction would have blocked the ordinance from taking effect until the states lawsuit was resolved, but the presiding judge, Tim Sulak, denied the challengers request, permitting the Austin ordinance to proceed as scheduled. The state of Texas and the business groups appealed this denial to a higher court, which issued a temporary order to prevent the Austin ordinance from taking effect, at least until the appeal is resolved. In the meantime, the appellate court will address whether Judge Sulak and the Travis County district court should have granted a temporary injunction. It will not consider the lawsuits merits or the validity of the city ordinance. Adding further complexity, on Sept. 6 it was reported that the city intends to appeal the appellate courts temporary block to the Supreme Court of Texas. As of now, nothing has been filed. If, however, the city decides to appeal the temporary block and the Supreme Court of Texas rules in the citys favor, the temporary block would be overturned and the Austin ordinance could go into effect, but not indefinitely. Regardless of any appeal of the temporary block, the Austin ordinance will still be subject to the appellate courts ruling on whether the lower court should have granted a temporary injunction in the first instance. Oral argument before the appellate court is scheduled for Oct. 17. And even if the city prevails at that stage, the challengers the state of Texas and aforementioned business groups could still appeal the appellate courts decision to the Supreme Court of Texas. To some extent, timing will determine who wins this legal tug-of-war between the city and the state. If the appeals are not resolved before the next legislative session, the state could act before the courts do, passing a law that expressly prohibits local governments from enacting ordinances that mandate employers to provide employee benefits. Legislators have already announced their intent to do just that. Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, and the Texas Conservative Coalition, a group of 29 Republican state lawmakers, endorsed the states lawsuit with an amicus filing on Aug. 10, writing Austins Paid Sick Leave Ordinance is... bad public policy, and contrary to the Legislatures economic growth policies that encourage so many people to move to Texas. This will not be the first time the Texas Legislature puts forth legislation to overturn local ordinances: During the 2017 session, the Texas Legislature passed a bill, which was signed into law, overruling an Austin ordinance requiring ride-hailing companies to use fingerprinting background checks to screen their drivers. And during the same session, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill restricting a municipalitys ability to penalize homeowners for tree ordinance violations. With these uncertainties in mind, and with the Oct. 1 effective date having passed, employees should not count on this new paid leave benefit. Employers must vigilantly monitor the ongoing litigation and anticipated legislative action and prepare for quick roll-outs should the ordinances go into effect. Ackie is a labor and employment attorney at Littler Mendelson, PC. This op-ed originally appeared at TribTalk.org. Seated next to President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Nikki Haley did not look like a woman who had tortured herself over whether to resign as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. On television at least, she looked like someone who has a much better deal coming her way early next year. She looked like someone who has enjoyed 14 solid years of successful public life, first as South Carolina state legislator, then as governor and, currently, as a national representative on the international stage. She looked like a woman who, at just 46, sees rainbows and jackpots in her future. As Haley and Trump announced, shell leave the U.N. at the end of this year, but shes not going anywhere for long. Haley has long been considered a likely presidential candidate. But not before 2024. In her resignation letter, Haley explicitly said she surely will not be a candidate for any office in 2020. Too bad. It would be such a nice round number for the nations first female president. Most likely, Haley is pausing to make some money. In her statement, she suggested an imminent return to the private sector. She and her husband have accrued considerable debt, according to the Charleston Post & Courier. Also, her parents home reportedly is in foreclosure. With her intimate knowledge of international trade, politics and relationships, Haley could pick her job and name her salary at any of several top-notch consulting firms. She might even make an excellent get for the Trump Organization, which would make some sense of her effusive praise for Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner and Melania Trump during her Tuesday remarks. Ive been watching my fellow South Carolinian closely since our first meeting nearly a decade ago. Haley had called me for coffee to discuss her run for governor. A state legislator at the time, she shrewdly reached out to the only nationally syndicated columnist in town. We met at Columbias Gourmet Shop, a popular bistro, wine and kitchen boutique. When I walked into the empty restaurant section, I spotted a pretty, petite woman dressed in a royal blue suit. (We women take note of such details.) She nearly knocked me off balance with her brilliant smile and piercing brown eyes. Disarming is the word and its a good one if youre a politician. Greeting me warmly, she quickly set the tone for our meeting: Before we get started, I just want you to know that I agree with everything you said about Sarah Palin. Well, then, I said, were off to a good start. Haley was referring to a column I had written the previous fall saying that Palin, recently selected as John McCains running mate, wasnt quite ready for prime time. Several months after our meeting, I spotted a photo of Haley and Palin holding hands, standing on the statehouse steps. When I emailed Haley to express my surprise, she responded: Ill never forget that youre the one who put me on the map. Yes. Shes a politician. Through the years, Ive continued to drop her a line now and then, usually without response. Weve had a couple of disagreements over columns Ive written about her, but I remain both intrigued and impressed by her personal power and epic story. Born to Sikh Indian parents and raised in tiny Bamberg, S.C., she has built a resume that speaks to ambition but also to tenacity and courage. Forty years ago, it wasnt easy to be a brown-skinned child whose father wore a turban in a place like Bamberg. As U.N. ambassador, she has performed with excellence, sometimes speaking independently rather than parroting Trumps positions. In so doing, she has earned the respect of men and women across the spectrum, regardless of whether they agree with her often-hawkish positions. In decades of writing about politics, Ive run across few with Haleys innate talents. Shes a natural with people, whether crouching with children on the ground in Africa reminiscent of Princess Diana on similar travels or speaking to leaders in the tense theater of the United Nations. As governor, she led the Legislature to remove the Confederate battle flag from the statehouse grounds, while also guiding South Carolina through the shock and grief of the 2015 church massacre in Charleston. It wont serve her presidential aspirations well to stay out of politics for long, as Haley surely knows. Thus, the burning question whats next? has only one certain answer: Whatever she wants. Parkers email address is kathleenparker@washpost.com. However, despite their concerns, only a third had put initiatives in place to address it. The initiatives reported include better pay, flexible hours, remote working situations and increased sick leave, with one company extending that leave entitlement to include looking after sick pets (paw-turnity) and elderly parents. Other initiatives include school concert leave, You Days, and leave trading (buying and selling leave). Frog CEO Jane Kennelly said the face of New Zealand business has changed and the lines are blurred more than ever between personal and work lives. The loud message is that it is no longer ok for an employer to pay lip service to work life balance it must be a reality, said Kennelly. Head of the Chechen republic Ramzan Kadyrov visited Ingushetia, where he met with head of Ingushetia Yunus-Bek Yevkurov. "I visited populated areas in the Achkhoi-Martan district of Chechnya today. I met with residents of Bamut," Kadyrov said on his Telegram channel. "The main and a very pleasant outcome of the conversation is that the Chechen and Ingush people are brothers, and there are no issues that could divide them," he noted. The head of the Chechen republic said everyone with whom he talked spoke very warmly about the people living in Ingushetia. "I learned there that head of Ingushetia Yunus-Bek Yevkurov was in the nearby communities at the moment. I called him. We agreed to meet, and I traveled to Ingushetia. We spoke very warmly and shared news of our republics," Interfax cited Kadyrov as saying. "We once again shared the opinion that nothing should ever trouble relations between the Chechen and Ingush people. We are brothers, and we are united! I asked [Yevkurov] to pass my very good wishes to the Ingush people," the Chechen leader stressed. Scientists and leaders gather in Finnish north to talk Arctic biodiversity October 10,2018 | Source: YLE News Finland is hosting the Arctic Biodiversity Congress this week, where 450 scientists, government officials, indigenous peoples and experts from 26 countries are discussing safeguarding the Arctic environment. Finland is chair of the Arctic Council from 2017-2019, and hosting two high-level environmental meetings this month. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto was also in attendance at this weeks congress, which began, well, above the Arctic Circle, in Laplands city of Rovaniemi on Tuesday. Niinisto opened the four-day congress by pointing out what was likely already on many attendees minds, a report issued Monday by the IPCC the UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which said that avoiding global climate chaos will require an unprecedented transformation of society and the world economy, and that time is running out to avoid disaster. The report called for radical cuts in energy consumption and a rapid shift away from fossil fuels. As we all know, the IPCC just yesterday published its latest special report on global warming. It had a very clear message to policymakers. We urgently need to enhance and speed up our efforts to achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, Niinisto said. This is particularly relevant for the Arctic. As the IPCC report points out, the Arctic region is one of the most vulnerable systems on our planet, if and when global warming continues. And on the other hand, the melting of sea ice and other changes in the Arctic region accelerate climate change on a global scale. I have said this before: if we lose the Arctic, we lose the globe, Niinisto continued. The Independent Barents Observer AS Theme(s): Others. Disasters: UN report shows climate change causing dramatic rise in economic losses October 10,2018 | Source: UN Climate-related and geophysical disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis have killed 1.3 million people over the last 20 years and left a further 4.4 billion injured, homeless or in need of emergency assistance, UN experts said on Wednesday. The findings, published by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), also show that people in low- and middle-income countries are seven times more likely to die from natural disasters than those in developed nations. This puts a big emphasis on the need tomake sure that we curb greenhouse gas emissions, said Ricardo Mena, UNISDR chief, in charge of implementing the Sendai Framework. Failing to do this, risks letting climate-related hazards get out of control, he told journalists in Geneva, before calling for greater investment in disaster risk-reduction measures, so that we do not allow for countries to create new risk. In terms of the impact of disasters on the global economy between 1998 and 2017, affected countries reported direct losses of $2.908 trillion. Thats more than twice what was lost in the previous two decades. Illustrating the growing threat from climate change, extreme weather events now account for 77 per cent of total economic losses, $2.245 trillion, the report notes. This represents a dramatic rise of 151 per cent compared with losses reported between 1978 and 1997, which amounted to $895 billion. The increased vulnerability of poorer countries to disasters is illustrated by the fact that, in the last 20 years, only one officially high-income territory the island of Puerto Rico has featured in a league table of the top 10 economic losses as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP). Last September, devastation in the US-dependency caused by Hurricane Maria contributed to overall losses since 1998, of more than $71 billion; the equivalent of 12.2 per cent of Puerto Ricos GDP. United Nations 2018 Theme(s): Others. Armenia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan top the list of smaller emerging economies most vulnerable to refinancing risks, because they face a combination of large upcoming repayments and low foreign currency reserves, ratings agency Moodys said. "As international sovereign bonds mature in 2019 and 2020, governments in Sri Lanka, Armenia and Pakistan, and to a lesser extent Honduras and Kenya will be most exposed to more costly debt financing," Moodys analyst Matthew Circosta wrote in a note. "This can reduce the availability of debt and increase their debt burden, especially if local currencies depreciate," he said, Reuters reported. Although the sovereign credit ratings of Sri Lanka, Armenia and Pakistan reflect how vulnerable they are, a further blow to their foreign exchange reserves may increase the risk of lower capital inflows and higher refinancing costs. This, in turn, may cast a shadow over credit ratings, Moody's believes. Armenia has $500 million coming up for repayment in 2020, which translates to 3.9% of GDP, Moodys calculated. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting with Greek and Cypriot foreign ministers, Nikos Kotzias and Nikos Christodoulides last month to discuss a wide array of issues, including a joint East-Med gas pipeline, deepening of cooperation and other regional issues. According to a report by Hebrew-language Channel 10, citing Israeli officials with knowledge of the situation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the foreign ministers of Greece and Cyprus last month that he was pessimistic about Turkeys future under reckless President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Sputnik reports. While discussing the laying of a joint Israel-Cyprus-Greece East-Med gas pipeline, Netanyahu allegedly warned the diplomats that the Turkish president might disrupt their natural gas drilling operations in the Mediterranean. Erdogan is unpredictable and reckless. Were worried and watching to see if he does something in the region [about the gas] Im pessimistic, Netanyahu purportedly said. The report claimed that Netanyahu raised the issue of an economic crisis in Turkey, alleging that the situation would deteriorate due to decisions made by Erdogan. He purportedly proceeded to tell the Cypriot and Greek colleagues that he didnt believe that relations between Ankara and Washington, marred by the continuing detention of US pastor Andrew Brunson accused of terrorism in Turkey, would improve after the midterm elections in the United States. Erdogan is making economic decisions that make no sense. The situation there is getting worse. [] Trump wont ease up pressure, he reportedly told the foreign ministers, adding that he had agreed to help the two countries put their relations back on track. Imperial Valley News Center Presidential Proclamation on General Pulaski Memorial Day Washington, DC - Today, we pay tribute to the Polish immigrant and renowned military commander, General Casimir Pulaski, who gave his life for the cause of freedom during the American Revolutionary War. In the Continental Army, General Pulaski volunteered to serve alongside our Nations forefathers in their cause for independence. His expertise on the battlefield, tactical insights, and creation of a highly effective corps of mounted infantry earned him the title of Father of the American Cavalry. On General Pulaski Memorial Day, we commemorate his legacy and draw inspiration from his stalwart commitment to liberty, the rule of law, and the sovereignty of the people. As a younger man, Count Casimir Pulaski developed a reputation for tremendous bravery while fighting with his father to free his native Poland from Russian control. When Russia nevertheless prevailed, Pulaski faced exile and crossed Europe into France. There, in a fortuitous turn of events for America, Pulaski crossed paths with Benjamin Franklin, who urged him to join the cause of American independence. Rising rapidly through the ranks of the Continental Army to the position of Brigadier General, Pulaski demonstrated uncommon and contagious courage on the battlefield, saving the life of General George Washington at the Battle of Brandywine and transforming a cavalry legion of Americans, Germans, Frenchman, Irishmen, and Poles into a lethal fighting force. On October 9, 1779, General Pulaski was severely wounded during the Battle of Savannah. Two days later, he died. In his memory, General Washington wrote that the Counts valor and active zeal on all occasions have done him great honor. Although General Pulaski did not live to see the Star-Spangled Banner fly victoriously over the field at Yorktown, his legacy of heroism and sacrifice is etched into our history, alongside that of heroes like Marquis de Lafayette and Bernardo de Galvez, and has inspired Americans for generations. By giving his last full measure of devotion for our freedom and independence, General Pulaski embodied the special bond that the American and Polish people cherish to this day. Indeed, more than two centuries after the Generals heroic death, and 100 years since Poland gained its own independence, the United States of America and Poland continue to share a kindred devotion to the cause of freedom and to strengthening the bilateral relationship between our two countries. NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 11, 2018, as General Pulaski Memorial Day. I encourage all Americans to commemorate on this occasion those who have contributed to the furthering of our Nation. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third. DONALD J. TRUMP Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan intends to resign before October 16. "The snap elections will most likely be held on December 9-10. For this, I must resign before October 16," the Armenian PM said in an interview with France24. According to the scenario voiced earlier by Pashinyan, after his resignation, the parliament should not elect the prime minister twice, after which the parliament will be dissolved and early elections will be announced, News.am recalls. Imperial Valley News Center President Donald J. Trump Announces Eighteenth Wave of Judicial Nominees, Eighteenth Wave of United States Attorney Nominees, and Thirteenth Wave of United States Marshal Nominees Washington, DC - Today President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate an eighteenth wave of judicial nominees, an eighteenth wave of United States Attorney nominees, and a thirteenth wave of United States Marshal nominees as follows: Joseph F. Bianco of New York, to serve as a Circuit Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Joseph Bianco serves as a U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of New York, where he has served since 2006. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the St. Johns University School of Law. Prior to his confirmation and appointment by President George W. Bush, Judge Bianco served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Senior Counsel in the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, where he oversaw the Divisions counterterrorism efforts. He also served for nine years as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, including for two years as Chief of the Organized Crime and Terrorism Unit. After graduation from law school, Judge Bianco clerked for Judge Peter K. Leisure of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Judge Bianco received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Georgetown University, and his J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he served on the Columbia Law Review. Michael H. Park of New York, to serve as a Circuit Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Michael Park is a partner in the New York City office of Consovoy McCarthy Park PLLC, where his practice focuses on a broad range of litigation and securities enforcement matters. He represents clients in litigation in a wide array of subject areas, including securities, criminal, commercial, administrative, and constitutional law. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the Antonin Scalia Law School of George Mason University, where he teaches the Supreme Court Clinic. Prior to joining Consovoy McCarthy Park, Mr. Park was a partner at an international law firm and an Attorney Advisor in the Office of Legal Counsel. Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Park clerked for then-Judge Samuel A. Alito of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and he later clerked for Justice Alito on the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Park received his A.B. from Princeton University, magna cum laude, and his J.D. from Yale Law School, where he served as Managing Editor of the Yale Law Journal. Patrick J. Bumatay of California, to serve as a Circuit Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Patrick Bumatay is an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of California, where he is a member of the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces Section. He is currently detailed to the Office of the Attorney General, where he serves as Counselor to the Attorney General on various criminal issues, including the national opioid strategy and transnational organized crime. Mr. Bumatay has also served in other positions in the Department of Justice, including the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, the Office of the Associate Attorney General, where he was responsible for overseeing various aspects of the Departments civil enforcement programs, and the Office of Legal Policy. Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Bumatay served as a law clerk for Judge Timothy M. Tymkovich of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit Court. He also clerked for Judge Sandra L. Townes of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Mr. Bumatay received his B.A., cum laude, from Yale University and his J.D. from Harvard Law School. He is a member of the National Filipino American Lawyers Association (NFALA), the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, the Tom Homann LGBT Law Association, and the Federal Bar Association. Daniel P. Collins of California, to serve as a Circuit Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Daniel Collins is a partner in the Los Angeles, California, office of Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, where his practice focuses on appellate litigation in the Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit, and the California Supreme Court. Mr. Collins has argued 36 cases in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, including two before the en banc court, and four cases in the California Supreme Court. Prior to joining Munger Tolles, Mr. Collins served as an Associate Deputy Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he worked extensively on the Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to End the Exploitation of Children Today (PROTECT) Act of 2003, which included provisions to combat child pornography and child abuse and to reform federal sentencing laws. Mr. Collins has also served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Central District of California and as an Attorney Advisor in the Office of Legal Counsel. Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Collins clerked for Judge Dorothy W. Nelson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and he later clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Collins received his A.B. from Harvard College, summa cum laude, and his J.D., with distinction, from Stanford University, where he served on the Stanford Law Review. Kenneth Kiyul Lee of California, to serve as a Circuit Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Kenneth Lee is a partner in the Los Angeles, California, office of Jenner & Block LLP, where his practice focuses on appellate litigation and internal investigations, and where he serves on the firms Diversity & Inclusion Committee. He has briefed and argued appeals in multiple federal courts of appeals, including the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Second, Fifth, and Ninth Circuits. He also maintains an active pro bono practice, providing free legal representation to indigent and incarcerated clients. Prior to joining Jenner & Block, Mr. Lee served as Associate Counsel to President George W. Bush and as an associate with Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Lee clerked for Judge Emilio M. Garza of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Mr. Lee received his A.B. from Cornell University, summa cum laude, and his J.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School. Stanley Blumenfeld of California, to serve as District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Stan Blumenfeld is a judge on the Los Angeles Superior Court, currently assigned to the Felony Trial Court and serving as the Assistant Supervising Judge for the Northeast and Central Districts. He also teaches as an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California School of Law and teaches a course in Constitutional Criminal Procedure and Remedies. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Blumenfeld was a partner at OMelveny & Myers LLP, where he served as Co-Chair of the Healthcare and Environmental Law practice groups, and was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California. Upon graduation from law school, he served as a law clerk to Judge Cynthia Holcomb Hall of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Judge Blumenfeld received his B.A. from SUNY Binghamton, an M.A. in Spanish from New York University, and his J.D., Order of the Coif, from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the UCLA Law Review. Brian C. Buescher of Nebraska, to serve as District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska. Brian Buescher is a partner in the Omaha, Nebraska, office of Kutak Rock LLP. At Kutak Rock, he leads the firms agribusiness litigation practice, with extensive experience in agribusiness, environmental, food law, real estate, product liability, class action, banking, and insurance litigation matters. Mr. Buescher has served as the Chair of both the Nebraska Bar Associations Agricultural and Environmental Law Sections, and is an active member of the Omaha community, serving on the Board of Directors of the Downtown Omaha YMCA. He received his B.A. from the University of Nebraska, with honors and high distinction, and his J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center. Clifton L. Corker of Tennessee, to serve as District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Clifton Corker serves as a United States Magistrate Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Prior to his appointment to the bench in 2015, Judge Corker had his own law firm, the Law Office of Clifton Corker in Johnson City, Tennessee. There, he maintained a diverse practice, handling matters as varied as complex civil litigation and capital murder cases. Upon graduation from law school, Judge Corker clerked for then-Magistrate Judge Cynthia Kinser of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia. Judge Corker received his B.B.A. from James Madison University and his J.D. from William & Mary Law School. Philip M. Halpern of New York, to serve as District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Philip Halpern is managing partner of Collier, Halpern, Newberg & Nolletti LLP, where his practice focuses on commercial, employment, real estate, and securities litigation. He is also an adjunct professor at the Elizabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, teaching The Anatomy of a Trial: The Burden of Proof. Upon graduation from law school, he clerked for Judge Irving Ben Cooper of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Mr. Halpern received his B.S., magna cum laude, from Fordham University, and his J.D. at Elizabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. Thomas Marcelle of New York, to serve as a District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. Thomas Marcelle is a judge on the Cohoes City Court. Prior to joining the court, he served as Chief Counsel to the Albany County Sherriffs Office and Albany County Attorney, where he oversaw the litigation of civil matters and prosecution of criminal matters. Mr. Marcelle also enjoyed a long, prestigious career in private practice; his practice focused on constitutional litigation, with a focus on election and constitutional issues. He also served as a Trial Attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, responsible for enforcing the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act. Mr. Marcelle received his B.A. from Bowdoin College and his J.D., magna cum laude, from Cornell Law School, where he served on the Cornell Law Review. Matthew W. McFarland of Ohio, to serve as District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Matthew McFarland is a judge on the Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals. He also is an adjunct professor for Shawnee State University and formerly taught constitutional law at Capital University. Judge McFarland previously served as the Magistrate in Scioto County Common Pleas Court Probate/Juvenile Division and as Chairman of the Ohio Association of Magistrates, Juvenile Section. Prior to serving on the bench, Judge McFarland was a Scioto County Assistant Prosecutor and acted as Special Counsel for the Ohio Attorney General. He was also a Licking County Assistant County Prosecutor. Judge McFarland received his B.A., cum laude, from Capital University, and his J.D. from Capital University Law School. Jeremy B. Rosen of California, to serve as District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Jeremy Rosen is a partner in the Los Angeles, California, office of Horvitz & Levy LLP. His practice focuses on appellate litigation, primarily in the Ninth Circuit, California Supreme Court, and California Courts of Appeals. He specializes in First Amendment cases, with expertise in both the Speech and Religion Clauses, and is a California Bar Certified Appellate Specialist. Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Rosen clerked for Judge William Matthew Byrne, Jr., of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, and he later clerked for Judge Ferdinand F. Fernandez of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Mr. Rosen received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Cornell University and a J.D. and L.L.M., magna cum laude, from Duke University School of Law, where he served on the Duke Law Journal. Mark C. Scarsi of California, to serve as District Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Mark Scarsi is a partner in the Los Angeles, California, office of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCoy LLP. There he serves as the Chair of the firms Global Intellectual Property Practice and the Los Angeles offices Managing Partner. Prior to entering the legal profession, Mr. Scarsi worked for seven years as a software engineer, designing and developing detection and signal processing computer systems for U.S. defense applications. Mr. Scarsi received his B.S. and M.S. from Syracuse University, and his J.D., magna cum laude, from the Georgetown University Law Center. Aaron L. Weisman of Rhode Island, to serve as the United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island. Mr. Weisman is currently an Assistant Attorney General and the Chief of the Rhode Island Attorney Generals criminal appeals unit. Mr. Weisman has held that position since January 1993 and under four attorneys general. He previously served as a special assistant attorney general in the criminal appeals unit. During Mr. Weismans tenure at the Rhode Island Attorney Generals Office, he has represented Rhode Islands criminal justice interests before the Supreme Court of Rhode Island in hundreds of felony cases, including the appellate litigation of many of Rhode Islands most consequential criminal justice matters. Mr. Weisman also oversees the Rhode Island Attorney Generals post-conviction relief unit, responsible for ensuring the just and orderly processing of collateral attacks on felony judgments of conviction, and has appeared in federal court, including an appearance before the Supreme Court of the United States, to defend Rhode Islands interest in the finality of its criminal convictions. Prior to Mr. Weismans employment with the Rhode Island Attorney General, he worked for Jones Associates, a Providence law firm specializing in appellate practice. Mr. Weisman received his B.A. from Brandeis University and his J.D. from Cardozo School of Law. Gary B. Burman of Kentucky, to serve as the United States Marshal for the Western District of Kentucky. Mr. Burman is a Lieutenant with the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) where he has served for 37 years. Mr. Burman began his law enforcement career as a Patrol Officer in 1980. In 1989, he accepted a position as a Special Agent with the FBI for one year. He returned to LMVP in 1990 and rose through the ranks to hold positons as Third Platoon Commander, Criminal Intelligence Unit Commander, Special Response Team Commander, and currently, as Commander of the Dignitary Protection and Threat Assessment Units. Mr. Burman holds a B.S. in Commerce for the University of Louisville. Douglas J. Strike of Iowa, to serve as the United States Marshal for the Northern District of Iowa. Mr. Strike served as Chief of Police for the City of Iowa Falls Police Department from 2001 to 2006. He served with the Chickasaw County Sheriffs Office from 1977 to 2001, first as a Deputy Sheriff, and in 1981 as Chief Deputy for a period of 20 years. Additionally, Mr. Strike served with the City of Nashua Police Department as Chief of Police from 1974 to 1977. He is a past President of the Iowa Sheriffs and Deputies Association, as well as a former board member of the Iowa Chiefs of Police and Peace Officers Association. Mr. Strike is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and holds an Associates Degree in Police Science from Hawkeye Institute of Technology. Imperial Valley News Center President Donald J. Trump Is Taking Action to End Human Trafficking Washington, DC - "My Administration will focus on ending the absolutely horrific practice of human trafficking." ~ President Donald J. Trump ENDING HUMAN TRAFFICKING: President Donald J. Trump and his Administration are working to end the scourge of human trafficking, also known as modern slavery. Today, the Presidents Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (PITF) met to discuss the Administrations efforts to tackle human trafficking. The Task Force is a Cabinet-level entity, consisting of 15 departments and agencies, which work tirelessly to prosecute traffickers, protect survivors, and combat human trafficking. Members of the Advisory Council on Human Trafficking, comprised of survivor leaders appointed by the President, attended. The recipients of the 2018 Presidential Award for Extraordinary Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons were honored at the meeting. TAKING ACTION AT HOME AND ABROAD: The Trump Administration is taking the fight to human trafficking on all fronts, carrying out robust domestic and international efforts. In April 2018, President Trump signed historic legislation into law to combat online sex trafficking, holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring justice for survivors. Last year, President Trump issued an Executive Order which directed his Administration to crack down on transnational criminal organizations that use human trafficking. Domestically, Federal agencies are ensuring full enforcement of our laws so that those who seek to exploit our people and break our laws face justice. Last year: The Department of Justice secured convictions against nearly 500 defendants in human trafficking and the Federal Bureau of Investigation dismantled 42 criminal enterprises engaged in child sex trafficking. The Department of Homeland Security initiated over 800 human trafficking cases, resulting in 1,500 arrests, 530 convictions, and over 500 victims identified. The Department of Justice anti-trafficking grantees reported assisting more than 8,000 survivors between July 2016 and June 2017, greatly exceeding the past record. The Department of Health and Human Services modernized the National Human Trafficking Hotline. The United States is also taking the lead to end this crime internationally, as the largest donor of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery. The Trump Administration is pushing back against authoritarian regimes to eliminate forced labor, sex trafficking, and the exploitation of children. Human trafficking is very common under regimes lacking basic civil protections. The Administration is limiting the number of Tier 3 countries in the TIP Report that will receive national security waivers under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. A THREAT TO OUR COUNTRY: Human trafficking is a threat to homeland security, public health, and the rule of law. Imperial Valley News Center Extradition of Iranian Official Asadollah Assadi for Role in Paris Terrorist Plot Washington, DC - Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo: "Authorities in Germany announced yesterday the extradition of Asadollah Assadi, an Iranian official working under diplomatic cover, to Belgium for his role in the disrupted Iranian terrorist plot to bomb a political rally near Paris, France on June 30. "The scale of this plot, which involved arrests of numerous suspects across Europe including in Belgium, France, and Germany - reminds us that Iran remains the worlds leading state sponsor of terrorism. This plot also lays bare Irans continued support of terrorism throughout Europe. We support our European allies in exposing and countering the threat that Iranian-backed terrorism poses around the world. The United States will continue working with our partners and allies to confront the threat posed by the Iranian regime." Team Trump is Protecting Americas Vital Manufacturing, Defense Industrial Base from Big Risks Washington, DC - Americas manufacturing and defense industrial base vital to ensuring our national security is under significant threat at a time when the military capabilities of China, Russia, and our other strategic competitors are growing. This is an enormously important issue that has received far less attention in the news media than it deserves. Fortunately, President Trump has long recognized that to be strong and secure our nation must be able to rely on U.S. companies to manufacture products needed for our national defense. He understands that we must never become dependent on foreign nations to design, produce and maintain the aircraft, ground combat vehicles, ships, munitions, components of our nuclear arsenal, and space capabilities that are critically important to our nations defense. Additionally, manufacturing remains a key source of jobs and our economic strength. While President Obama was content to see manufacturing jobs exit the U.S. for other nations, President Trumps wise America First policies are strengthening American manufacturing and creating well-paid jobs for hardworking Americans. President Trump signed an executive order in July 2017 directing the secretary of defense to assess what must be done to strengthen our manufacturing and defense industrial base. The report giving this assessment was recently released and reveals hundreds of gaps and vulnerabilities that demand immediate attention. Under this administration, they will get that attention. This landmark report outlines ways to harness the capabilities of industry and government to work together to defend our country effectively and efficiently, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent frugally and wisely. President Trump understands that that best way to deter our enemies and prevent war is for America to have the strongest military in the world a goal he has achieved with increased investment in our nations defense. And he knows that if we are forced into a conflict, we must give the brave men and women in our armed forces what they need to prevail overwhelmingly. Read the full op-ed here. Peter Navarro is Assistant to the President for trade and manufacturing policy. This op-ed appeared in Fox News on October 10, 2018. Vice President Pence At Conference On Prosperity And Security In Central America Washington, DC - Remarks by Vice President Pence At Conference On Prosperity And Security In Central America: THE VICE PRESIDENT: Secretary, thank you for your hospitality this morning and for the outstanding leadership that you have brought to your role as Secretary of State for the United States of America. To President Hernandez, to President Morales, Vice President Ortiz, Mr. Secretary, to Secretary Nielsen, and to our co-hosts from Mexico, Foreign Secretary Videgaray and Interior Secretary Navarrete: It is an honor. It is an honor for me to join you for the second year in a row at this annual Conference on Security and Prosperity in Central America. Welcome back to Washington, D.C. We are grateful for your participation and your partnership in this effort over the past year. Let me bring greetings this morning from a great champion of this hemisphere of freedom, and a great champion of the partnerships that are so well represented here. I bring greetings this morning from President Donald Trump. And I also bring his appreciation for your engagement and your participation in this effort. Before I begin, let me also say that while we are here and our minds are focused on issues of great importance to your nations and ours, here in America our hearts and our minds and our efforts are focused on the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. Hurricane Michael made landfall yesterday in the Panhandle of Florida, continues to have impacts in Georgia and Alabama and the Carolinas. The President and I have been focused on our response efforts. Weve taken decisive action in this country in coordination with state, local, and federal officials to prepare for this storm. And as speak, we are focused on the life-saving mission search and rescue and beginning to assess the catastrophic impacts of this hurricane. Let me also say that we also express our deepest condolences to the nations represented here and across Central America for the loss of life from the torrential rains that occurred over the past week. More than a dozen lives were lost and we hope that you will carry back the condolences and the prayers to our neighbors and friends in the wake of those storms. And I want to thank you for the sentiment and concern for our country that each of you has expressed today. We will continue to work through this. We come together as Americans always do, in these moments. And as the President often says in challenging times, We are one American family. And to all of those affected by Hurricane Michael, I say to you, we are with you. We will continue to work with you until we rebuild and recover bigger and better than ever before. So thank you again. It is an honor to be with you today. Last month, in an address before the United Nations, President Trump reaffirmed our commitment to build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Western Hemisphere, and to helping our neighbors, in his words, build more hopeful futures in their home countries. That is the cause that brings us here today. It brought us together a year ago in Florida. The United States of America has never been more committed to strengthening our partnership with the nations in the Northern Triangle to help you tackle the problems facing our shared neighborhood. Your countries have faced the scourge of drug trafficking, gang violence and corruption for decades. Their effects have radiated outward, not just affecting your people but affecting your neighbors and affecting our nation, literally touching every nation in our hemisphere. Here in the United States, the American people see the terrible cost of drugs, of gang violence, of illegal immigration every day. Over the last year alone, more than 225,000 Guatemalans, Hondurans, and Salvadorans have left their homes and made the often-dangerous journey to attempt to illegally enter the southern border of the United States. They accounted for more than half of all illegal immigrants apprehended at our southern border last year. And these numbers are growing. The number of people from El Salvador who tried to enter the United States illegally has declined, but the number from Honduras is up 61 percent. The number from Guatemala has increased by 75 percent. Our administration, through our Department of Homeland Security, has taken and will continue to take decisive action to confront this crisis. Weve been making historic investments in border security and internal enforcement. Were enforcing our immigration laws with renewed vigor and resources. And were working with the United States Congress to close the loopholes that human traffickers often use to entice vulnerable families to make the dangerous journey, at risk to themselves and their children, to come north. But to stem the flow of illegal immigration and drugs as I said a year ago on behalf of the President and our administration, and as weve discussed when I gathered with many of you in the region last year that we must confront these problems together. And we must confront them at their source within the Northern Triangle. Since this congress first convened a year ago, Im pleased to report that we have made measurable progress thanks to your leadership and your actions in strengthening security, promoting prosperity, and stemming the flow of illegal immigration across the region. But the challenges remain. Our security our nations have conducted joint law-enforcement actions across the region. We lowered homicide rates in the Northern Triangle. We brought thousands of charges against gang members and money launderers. When it comes to economic prosperity, the nations of the Northern Triangle have formed a new customs union, which is supporting jobs and increasing trade in the region. USAID, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, all continue to help encourage investments in your region, and we will continue to do so. As a part of our America Crece initiative, our Treasury Department is now working with Mexicos Finance Ministry and institutions like the World Bank to support economic reforms in the Northern Triangle, and we encourage energy development and infrastructure projects throughout the region. And last year, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador helped ensure the safe return the safe return of nearly 75,000 of your citizens who had tried to enter the United States illegally. Last June, when I traveled to Guatemala with Secretary Nielsen, we called on countries in the Northern Triangle to take several concrete steps to help stem the migration crisis thats affecting our country and yours. And while some good progress is made, as I mentioned, we gather today because much work remains. But let me acknowledge the progress. President Hernandez, thank you for reappointing Attorney General Oscar Chinchilla, a strong defender of the rule of law. This is an important step to root out corruption and defeat the criminal networks within your borders. Honduras also has committed to double the number of your frontier police by 2020, from 400 to 800. And we are grateful for these actions and grateful for your leadership. President Morales, the United States is grateful that your First Lady will launch a public-messaging campaign warning people not to enter the United States illegally. And, Vice President Ortiz, we want to thank you for partnering with U.S. law enforcement to identify more than 700 gang members since May of 2017. Thanks to our combined efforts, Im pleased to report weve made 60 arrests of criminal ring leaders just in the past year. Finally, all three countries have agreed to deploy more law enforcement officials to the Joint Border Intelligence Group, which will allow us to share law enforcement information stop criminals from crossing our borders to escape justice. We need each of you to follow through on that commitment but we are grateful for the efforts that you have taken thus far. I can assure you that President Trump and I will continue to work with our Congress to address this crisis from our side of the border. The President will use his executive authority to help where he can and to take such actions as we deem necessary to see to the best interest and the security of the United States of America. Were going to continue to enforce our border, strengthen public safety, promote economic growth across the region, all of which is designed to stem the flow of illegal migration. But as I said, for all weve done before, we gather here today because there is more work to be done. President Hernandez, we encourage you, with great respect, to continue to redouble your efforts to increase the number of border police combatting human trafficking. And we encourage you we encourage you, with great respect, to make investments in border security as well. President Morales, with equal respect, we encourage you to devote even more resources to securing your border. Take full advantage of the border-security task forces the United States has already established. We are anxious to work with you to ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of your country and ours. And, Vice President Ortiz, we encourage you to expand the Salvador Seguro program to keep reducing crime in your country, strengthen your anti-extortion task forces and your vetted law-enforcement units so they can work with us to defeat the gangs the gangs that are preying on your people and, when they make their way north of the border, preying on ours. And I say to each of those nations represented here, on behalf of our administration, as you build commercial partnerships with other countries, including China, we urge you to focus on, and demand, transparency and look after your and our long-term interests. We also need all the nations in the region to reinforce a very simple message to your people, and its a message from the heart. And that is, the leaders in this room and the governments that you represent should tell your people: Dont put your families at risk by taking the dangerous journey north to attempt to enter the United States illegally. The truth is, your message can probably be summed up by telling them that if they cant come to the United States legally, they should not come at all. And say it with strength and say it with compassion as neighbors and as friends because its the truth. We are commitment to border security and integrity. Were committed to the rule of law and your nations and your prosperity, but we all need to speak with one voice so that those who would exploit vulnerable families will do so no more. Ultimately, we do recognize though that prosperity in your nations will contribute greatly to allaying the migration crisis that we face. Your people will stay home if they believe theres a brighter future for them there. As the old saying goes, Theres no place like home. And so well continue to stand with you to fight against corruption in your nations, to strengthen the rule of law, but also to spur job creation and economic growth in your nations. Today, even as countries like China tries to expand their influence in the region, the best way to solve these problems, we believe, is to strengthen the bonds between the United States and the Northern Triangle and all the nations of our hemisphere, to strengthen the economic ties between our nations. If you do more, Im here to say on behalf of the President of the United States and the American people, well do more. We stand ready to help you unleash your energy resources, to create more business development in your countries, to increase collaboration between our universities and cultural exchanges, and more. Thats why Im pleased to announce that, at the Presidents directon, I will lead the U.S. delegation to Mexico on December the 1st to attend the inauguration of Mexicos new president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. And it will be my great honor to represent the United States, along with the Secretary of State at that momentous occasion. President Trump has had good discussions already with President-elect Obrador, and we are confident that under this leadership, and under the leadership of President Donald Trump, that the United States and Mexico will continue to work closely to advance our shared security and prosperity in the interests of our hemisphere. So I close by simply saying, thank you for joining us again for the second annual conference. Thank you for the efforts you have taken to date. They have impacted greatly the quality of life, the security, and the prosperity of your nations and ours. But lets resolve today to do more. Lets resolve in this discussion to find new ways to work together. Because in this hemisphere of freedom, as our nation prospers, as your nations prosper, we will stem the tide of this migration crisis. We will confront those who would do us harm through drug trafficking and gang violence. We will create greater opportunity and prosperity across this hemisphere of freedom, so help us God. Thank you all very much. Federal Trade Commission Chairman Joe Simons on the Death of Robert Pitofsky Washington, DC - We are deeply saddened by the death of former FTC Chairman Robert Pitofsky. Bob was a towering figure in the modern history of the Commission, whose leadership and commitment helped transform the agency. On behalf of the entire FTC community, I want to express our condolences and convey our gratitude for his many contributions. Bob first served the Commission as Director of the FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection from 1970 to 1973. He then served as an FTC Commissioner from 1978 until 1981. He was appointed Chairman of the FTC by President Clinton on April 11, 1995 and served in that role until May 31, 2001. During his tenure as FTC Chairman, Bob moved the Commission toward an aggressive enforcement-based approach. On the competition side, he was a proponent of a consumer welfare standard grounded in sound economic principles. On the consumer protection side, under his leadership, the agency first began applying traditional principles to the emerging problems of fraud and deception on the Internet, and also positioned the Commission to take on growing concerns about privacy. Among his many notable accomplishments as Chairman, Bob convened a broad-ranging set of public hearings to address rapid changes in the economy driven by digital technology and globalization. These hearings brought together leaders in business, economics, law, and other disciplines to discuss tough, emerging problems related to the changing economy. The hearings produced two groundbreaking reports that helped shape the future of FTC competition and consumer protection enforcement and policy. As I have mentioned many times in recent months, the Pitofsky hearings inspired me to launch a new set of hearings as my first major policy initiative; in shaping the current project, we have repeatedly drawn on examples from Bobs highly regarded hearings. Bobs legacy thus continues to inspire us. We will continue to look to Bobs example of brilliance, leadership, integrity and devotion to the American consumer as we move forward. White House Press Secretary on the Death of Venezuelan Opposition Councilman Washington, DC - The United States condemns the Maduro regimes involvement in the death of Venezuelan opposition councilman Fernando Alban. Venezuelan authorities took Alban into custody on October 5, upon his return from the United Nations General Assembly, where he spoke to the world about the importance of returning democracy to the people of Venezuela. He died three days later while in the custody of Venezuelas intelligence service. The Trump Administration will continue to increase pressure on the Maduro regime and its insiders until democracy is restored in Venezuela. The United States calls for the immediate release of all Venezuelan political prisoners, and for the Maduro regime to take direct, credible steps to reestablish democracy in Venezuela and to prevent further suffering and bloodshed. But then some people began to read the fine print. They noticed that even while Amazon was making headlines for increasing hourly wages, it was also phasing out some other compensation programs, like some restricted stock options and bonuses. That meant some employees might actually take home less under the new, much-lauded salary scale than they would have if Amazon had just left everything alone. "It's not a pay raise," said one employee quoted in The Seattle Times, which reported on all of this. "It's a slap in the face." It had the makings of a nightmare, and it threatened to undermine all the goodwill that Amazon had generated with its announcement. So, on Wednesday, Amazon said it's facing the issue head-on, by revising the amounts of its raises and promising that no employee will see less compensation as a result of the changes. Here's an example of how the pay raises actually threatened to backfire. When Amazon announced the $15 minimum, it also announced that employees who were already making $15 an hour would now be paid $16 an hour. But at the same time, it was reportedly going to do away with a $2,000 annual bonus program that rewarded employees with great attendance and productivity. So, that meant employees were getting a $2,000 raise on the one hand (assuming they worked 40 hours a week, 50 weeks per year), but losing a $2,000 bonus on the other hand. Worse still, this washout only affected the best employees--meaning if you were a marginal performer who just skated by, you got the raise, but truly excellent workers wound up getting nothing. It's a fairly easy fix--all Amazon had to do was announce that under its revised scheme, employees who previously got $15 an hour will now make $16.25. That works out to a $500 a year raise over the old system. Separately, Amazon also said workers who have good attendance during the crucial month of December will get a $100 bonus. And Amazon is also establishing cash bonuses for tenure, from $1,500 to $3,000 for five-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year milestones. "All hourly Operations and Customer Service employees will see an increase in their total compensation as a result of this announcement. The significant increase in hourly cash wages effective Nov. 1 more than compensates for the phaseout of incentive pay and future (stock) grants," Amazon said, according to Bloomberg. Amazon will also roll out a direct stock purchase plan for employees in 2019, according to Bloomberg. Without any direct evidence, my sense here is that the problem Amazon had to deal with was more likely the result of bureaucratic nearsightedness, as opposed to a sneaky plan to publicly raise wages while privately sucking out part of the value on the back end. I could be wrong, but I've never found it profitable to bet against incompetence in big bureaucratic organizations. But the whole situation also points out how seemingly simple points in any compensation package can wind up being a little sticky. As I calculated earlier, this pay bump is going to cost Amazon at least $1 billion over the next year--probably a lot more. (Math at the end of this column.) And the potential cost of playing around on the edges here is probably much higher than that. So it's smart for Amazon to recognize the issue and correct it properly as quickly as possible. By the way, here's my math on the total Amazon pay raise: Shopify built a $673 million-revenue business by helping entrepreneurs set up shop online, then expand offline into brick-and-mortar locations with the necessary back-end tools. Now Shopify is making its own offline move. On Oct. 11 in Los Angeles the Canada-based commerce platform opens its first permanent physical shop, which COO Harley Finkelstein describes as a sort of "Genius Bar" for entrepreneurs. Part workspace and part demo center, Shopify's eponymous space is designed to offer a support and community hub for entrepreneurs who want advice on how to get a company off the ground--and presumably convert them into Shopify customers in the process. "We want to remove the perceived barrier to entry for entrepreneurs," says Shopify vice president of product Satish Kanwar. "Some things are just easier said and done face-to-face. So you can sit down here with your laptop and also see how our hardware products work in person." Shopify will staff the space with "gurus" who will teach daily classes on subjects like setting up an online shop or integrating a point-of-sale software system into operations. The location also will feature free workshops taught by partner companies. Google, for instance, will lead a session on integrating with its Nest line of products. Another forthcoming workshop taught by packaging company Arka will focus on Black Friday/Cyber Monday package design. Kanwar says in this crowded retail environment--and particularly this holiday season--Shopify will be focused on educating entrepreneurs who come into the space on two big tasks: creating engaging in-person experiences for customers, and using social platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to build a brand and eventually drive sales. "These days it's about being more agnostic as to when [a sale] happens and focusing first on educating customers and building a community," he says. Shopify appears to be following its own advice in its brick-and-mortar space. Although it's a place where entrepreneurs can of course pay for Shopify software and hardware like credit card readers, the light-filled shop is designed to look and feel more like a co-working space. In one corner, wooden benches stacked amphitheater-style face a large screen--that's where the workshops will happen. Rows of tables offer workstations with large-screen Mac desktops (and Android tablets stuffed in the drawers). A lounge area is furnished with a plush velvet couch and leafy plants spilling out of large ceramics, all made by Shopify merchants. Each item is discreetly tagged with QR codes--scan it with your phone and you can immediately buy the item online. Kanwar says the storefront is an investment and not intended to be a revenue-generator but adds, "when merchants experience growth, we do too." Shopify chose Los Angeles because it's home to 10,000 merchants already using its software, 400 of whom each pull in more than $1 million a year in sales. The shop occupies a central storefront in ROW DTLA, an historic warehouse and market district featuring trendy retail brands, pop-up shops, restaurants, food trucks, and creative office space. More than half of the ROW's merchants also use Shopify for their point-of-sale software. Kanwar says there are no confirmed plans to open additional Shopify spaces elsewhere. Grants for new hybrid and electric cars will be slashed in a move which has angered motoring groups. Fewer models will be eligible for the scheme and the money available to motorists will be reduced from 12 November, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced. Cash incentives have been offered since 2011 to encourage more people to buy electric and plug-in hybrid cars. Vehicles currently included in the scheme are divided into three categories based on their CO2 emissions and their zero-emission range. People who buy Category 1 cars - those meeting the toughest CO2 restrictions - can claim up to 4,500 towards the cost of purchase. Grants for Category 2 and 3 models reach 2,500. The changes announced by the DfT mean the maximum grant for Category 1 cars will be cut by 1,000 to 3,500 and Category 2 and 3 models have been removed from the scheme. The new rates come into effect on 12 November, although this may be brought forward if sales are higher than expected following the announcement, the DfT warned. Motoring groups claimed the decision will leave the Government struggling to meet targets to reduce vehicle emissions. Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: "The Government wants to end the sale of petrol and diesel cars, but scrapping grants for low emission cars may well stall their progress. Seven out of 10 drivers say grants are necessary to buy an ultra-low emission vehicle until such time that the price compared to a conventional petrol or diesel car is the same. 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 "This announcement will simply put more drivers off from buying greener cars." RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: "The reduction of the plug-in car grant is a major blow to anyone hoping to go green with their next vehicle choice and makes little sense when we need to focus our efforts on lowering emissions from vehicles. Of particular concern, some popular zero emission capable plug-in hybrid models will lose their plug-in car grant altogether. "With up-front costs still a huge barrier for those hoping to switch to an electric vehicle, this move from the Government is a big step backwards and is in stark contrast to countries like Norway, where generous tax incentives have meant that it has one of the highest ownership levels of ultra-low emission vehicles of anywhere in the world." Press Association Russia has no plans to return to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) next year, Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland said. Questioned about the chances of a Russian delegation returning to PACE next January, Jagland said it was unlikely, which would mean no Russian PACE participation for the whole of 2019. This in turn would mean no Russian budget payments, and the Secretary General said it was his responsibility to take this into account in formulating the next budget. Earlier, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe said that the organization's Committee of Ministers will have to expel Russia from the Council of Europe if the country does not make monetary contributions before June 2019. Chairman of the Russian State Duma's International Affairs Committee Leonid Slutsky, in turn, said that Russia should think about freezing its membership in the Council of Europe, without waiting for expulsion. The PACE budget deficit widened to $18 million euro. The senior research fellow at the European Research Centre of the International Relations Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladimir Olenchenko, speaking with a correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that if Jagland is raising the issue of excluding Russia from the Council of Europe, then Moscow could take the first step on this path. "But it does not mean that Russia is withdrawing from all contacts with Europe - the CE in its current form does not suit us, because it does not give us full membership. The movement should be in the direction of normal practice in the CE and, accordingly, the countries that are its members did not want to quit or exclude others. Our withdrawal would be a reproach to this organization that its practice does not lead to consolidation, causing a fragmentation of countries," he explained. "If this does not change, the Council of Europe will lose the meaning, because of which we joined it. Russia wanted to fully participate in the consideration of European affairs. If the organization does not create such conditions, then it's not for us to question, but the current leadership. Therefore, I think that the leadership of the Council of Europe and its members should be encouraged to return to normal functioning. If this does not happen, then we can temporarily refrain from participating in its activities," Vladimir Olenchenko said. Director of the Institute of Strategic Planning and Forecasting, Professor Alexander Gusev, in turn, said that Russia should not leave the Council of Europe in any way. "It is clear that we were deprived of votes in PACE, after which we suspended our membership in the Parliamentary Assembly, but that was a big mistake. Withdrawing from PACE would be equal to leaving the Council of Europe as a whole, and then we would lose a lot. We shouldnt leave, we should interact with partners, prove our case," he stressed. "Our voice, in fact, was never heard in the Council of Europe. A refuse from the membership will only continue the path of least resistance," Alexander Gusev concluded. Four years ago, a viral campaign wooed the world with a promise of fighting climate change and jumpstarting the economy by replacing tarmac on the worlds roads with solar panels. The bold idea has undergone some road testing since. The first results from preliminary studies recently came out, and theyre a bit underwhelming. A solar panel lying under a road is at a number of disadvantages. As its not at the optimum tilt angle, its going to produce less power and its going to be more prone to shading, which is a problem as shade over just 5 per cent of the surface of a panel can reduce power generation by 50 per cent. The panels are also likely to be covered by dirt and dust and would need far thicker glass than conventional panels to withstand the weight of traffic, which will further limit the light they absorb. Recommended California to make most new homes have solar panels by law Unable to benefit from air circulation, its inevitable these panels will heat up more than a rooftop solar panel too. For every 1 degree Celsius over optimum temperature you lose 0.5 per cent of energy efficiency. As a result, a significant drop in performance for a solar road, compared with rooftop solar panels, has to be expected. The question is by how much and what is the economic cost? The road test results are in One of the first solar roads to be installed is in Tourouvre-au-Perche in France. This has a maximum power output of 420 kW, covers 2,800m and cost 5m (4.5m) to install. This implies a cost of 11,905 per installed kW. While the road is supposed to generate 800 kilowatt hours per day (kWh/day), some recently released data indicates a yield closer to 409 kWh/day, or 150,000 kWh/yr. For an idea of how much this is, the average UK home uses about 10 kWh/day. The roads capacity factor which measures the efficiency of the technology by dividing its average power output by its potential maximum power output is just 4 per cent. 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 In contrast, the Cestas solar plant near Bordeaux, which features rows of solar panels carefully angled towards the sun, has a maximum power output of 300,000 kW and a capacity factor of 14 per cent. And at a cost of 360m, or 1,200 per installed kW, one tenth the cost of our solar roadway, it generates three times more power. In the US, a company called Solar Roadways has developed a smart highway with solar panels, including sensors and LED lights to display traffic warnings about any upcoming hazards, such as a deer. It also has heating pads to melt snow in winter. Several of its SR3 panels have been installed in a small section of pavement in Sandpoint in Idaho. This is 13.9 m in area, with an installed capacity of 1.529 KW. The installation cost is given as $48,734 (about 37,482), which implies a cost per installed kW of 27,500, more than 20 times higher than the Cestas power plant. The solar road in Tourouvre-au-Perche cost 5m to install (EPA) (EPA/Christophe Petit Tesson) Solar Roadways own estimates are that the LED lights would consume 106 MWh per lane mile, with the panels generating 415 MWh so more than 25 per cent of the useful power is consumed by the LEDs. This would reduce performance even further. The heating plates are also quoted as drawing 2.28 MW per lane mile, so running them for just six days would cancel out any net gain from the solar panels. And this is before we look at the data from the Sandpoint installation, which generated 52.397 kWh in six months, or 104.8 kWh over a year. From this we can estimate a capacity factor of just 0.782 per cent, which is 20 times less efficient than the Cestas power plant. That said, it should be pointed out that this panel is in a town square. If there is one thing we can conclude, its that a section of pavement surrounded by buildings in a snowy northern town is not the best place to locate a solar installation. However, perhaps theres a bigger point solar roads on city streets are just not a great idea. Running out of road Roads dont represent as large an area as we assume. The Department for Transport gives a breakdown of the length of the UKs different road types. Assuming we can clad these in solar panels, four lanes of every motorway, two lanes on the A and B roads and half a lane for C and U roads (a lot are single track roads and just wont be suitable) we come up with a surface area of two billion m. Which sounds like a lot, until you realise that buildings in urban areas occupy an area of 17.6 billion m. So just covering a fraction of the UKs rooftops with solar panels would immediately yield more power than putting them on roads. Thats quite apart from the benefits that a more elevated position would yield for greater power generation. All of this suggests that only a small fraction of the road network would be suitable. And, given the relatively small size of the road network, solar roads could only ever become a niche source of power and never the shortcut to our future energy supply. Dylan Ryan is a lecturer in mechanical and energy engineering at Edinburgh Napier University. This article first appeared on The Conversation (theconversation.com) The UK government has said it is planning to financially support the multi-million-pound expansion of an oil refinery in Bahrain, just days after scientists warned a global effort to move away from fuel fossils was vital to prevent climate catastrophe. The state-run Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) has sought international backing for upgrades to increase the output capacity of its processing plant in Sitra by more than a third to 360,000 barrels a day. The project is expected to cost well in excess of 3.8bn. UK Export Finance (UKEF) the government credit agency which underwrites loans and insurance for risky export deals as part of efforts to boost international trade said it was considering financing the refinery expansion. Agency advisers who conduct due diligence on deals have said the project could have significant adverse environmental or social impacts. Climate campaigners said the UKs proposed backing for the refinery suggested the latest alert about global warming have fallen on deaf ears. It comes in the wake of a landmark report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which warned humanity needed to make unprecedented changes to the way it eats, travels, and produces energy to avert environmental disaster. Scientists said greenhouse gas emissions must be almost halved by 2030 to keep the increase in the Earths temperature below 1.5C and prevent the worst effects of global warming. Ministers are expected to instruct the UKs climate watchdog to investigative how to accelerate Britains progress towards a zero-carbon economy. But environmental activists said it was hypocrisy for the government to announce action on emissions while helping to finance the fossil fuel industry. The UNs warnings of the unfolding climate change disaster have fallen on deaf ears if, just 24 hours later, the UK government considers backing a huge oil project in Bahrain, Oliver Hayes, climate change campaign officer at Friends of the Earth, told The Independent. Ministers must urgently switch gears and work towards a future fuelled by renewables rather than fossil fuels, both domestically and internationally. Adam McGibbon, a climate change activist at Global Witness, added: As the world reels from the news that we have twelve years to prevent catastrophic climate breakdown, this announcement by the government is staggering. The UK claims to be a climate leader, but it continues to spend billions pumping fossil fuels out of the ground. Until the government commits to phase out its fossil fuel lending, its claims of climate leadership are laughable. The only way forward is to start winding down the financing for fossil fuel projects, immediately. UKEF said it did not comment on transactions still under consideration for commercial confidentiality reasons. A government spokeswoman added: The UKs priority, at home and abroad, is to encourage international opportunities for UK businesses ensuring they can build fruitful relationships with overseas partners. UK Export Finance is committed to high standards of environmental, social and human rights risk management, and rigorously follow the requirements of the OECD Common Approaches and Equator Principles, which set the framework for export credit agencies and international financial institutions in managing such risks. 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 In April, Bahrain announced it had found an oil field containing up to 80 billion barrels of tight oil in the offshore Khaleej Al Bahrain basin. The discovery was the largest in its history, dwarfing the kingdoms current reserves. More than than 2.2bn of Bapcos expansion costs are expected to be backed by export credit agencies. According to Reuters, the company has also been in advanced talks with Italy, Spain and South Korea. The UK government has provided fossil fuel companies with 6.9bn in financial support through export credit since 2000, a joint investigation by Unearthed and Private Eye revealed last year. The vast majority 4.8bn was pledged after 2010 despite a government commitment to favour clean technologies. Almost half of the money Britain spent on energy overseas between 2010 and 2014 went on fossil fuels, according to research published by the Overseas Development Institute in August 2017. Little more than a fifth was spent on renewable energy sources in the same period. Fashion designer Alexander Wang has revealed that hes going to be partnering with high street retailer Uniqlo on a new collection of underwear. The launch of the underwear line will mark 10 years since the last collaboration between Wang and the Japanese brand. The range will include a variety of items, including bras, briefs, leggings and bodysuits in an array of neutral colours. Speaking to Vogue, Wang explains how they used Heattech, a material developed by Uniqlo and textile maker Toray, to create underwear that would provide warmth and comfort. We thought this could be a great concept where we think about how to marry the two ideas: Heattech and underwear, he says. Heattech is a programme created out of innovation, function, and utility. Its something that Ive always been very inspired by, by the advancement and innovation in fabrication. On Wednesday, Wang shared the news of the collaboration with his 4.5 million followers on Instagram, with many of them expressing their excitement over the partnership. My Wang addiction is about to go next level, one person wrote. Such a huge fan of both! I cannot wait! another person commented. The clothes in the collection, which is going to launched later this autumn, will be priced between $15 and $40 (11 and 30). Earlier this year, it was announced that Roger Federer had signed a deal with Uniqlo for the brand to become his new official sponsor. The news caused quite a stir considering the 10-year partnership that the 20-time Grand Slam winner had previously had with Nike. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events In September, Wang revealed that he'd struck up an usual alliance with Pepsi Black to create a limited-edition can of the fizzy drink. The can was made available exclusively for consumers in China. A winding country road in Somerset has been named the best to drive on in the UK. The B3135 from Cheddar to Ashwick, which cuts through the Mendip Hills, was identified by researchers as the most pleasant road to "cruise along". A 70-mile road from Forres to Alford through the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland was named the second-best road to drive on, with the A701 from Moffat towards Edinburgh coming in third place. The research was created by Volkswagen in collaboration with traffic and navigation app Waze. Best roads to drive on in the UK Show all 4 1 /4 Best roads to drive on in the UK Best roads to drive on in the UK One of the best roads in the UK, according to research by Volkswagen in collaboration with traffic and navigation app Waze SWNS Best roads to drive on in the UK One of the best roads in the UK, according to research by Volkswagen in collaboration with traffic and navigation app Waze SWNS Best roads to drive on in the UK One of the best roads in the UK, according to research by Volkswagen in collaboration with traffic and navigation app Waze SWNS Best roads to drive on in the UK One of the best roads in the UK, according to research by Volkswagen in collaboration with traffic and navigation app Waze SWNS Experts used key criteria to judge roads including scenery, how close they are to points of interest, and which ones offer optimal driving conditions, before announcing their top 75. They also looked at how many "engaging" corners would be encountered, levels of traffic and sites with low incident reports to compile the list. Taking fourth spot on the list is the A4069, also known as the Black Mountain Road, which passes through the Brecon Beacons in Wales. The A82 near Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands was identified as the fifth best road to drive on in the UK. The Hardknott Pass, a winding single track road in the Lake District which is thought to be the steepest road in England, is number nine on the list. The top 10 roads to drive along: 1. B3135 - Cheddar to Ashwick, Somerset 2. A940-A939-A944-A97 - Forres to Alford, Scotland 3. A701 - Moffat towards Edinburgh in Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders, Scotland 4. A4069 - Black Mountain Road, Brecon Beacons, Powys, Wales 5. A82 Glencoe, Scottish Highlands 6. A308, B3021, B3026 - Old Windsor Dorney, Buckinghamshire 7. B4089-Pelham Lane- Wood Lane - Alcester to Wilmcote, Warwickshire 8. A426-A423-A425-B445-A4225 - Draycote Water to Warwick, Warwickshire 9. Hardknott Pass - Lake District, Cumbria 10. A675 - Bolton to Blackburn, Lancashire SWNS Today marks International Day of the Girl Child: an annual initiative launched by the United Nations to support and empower young women across the globe with the theme this year focused on helping girls overcome adversity. According to UNICEF, 600 million adolescent girls will start work in the next decade and 90 per cent of those living in developing countries will go into informal roles where abuse and exploitation are rife. Each year the initiative has a different theme designed to champion the human rights of young girls. For 2019, the theme is "My voice, our equal future", which is about reimagining a better world inspired by adolescent girls and encouraging them to assert their power as change-makers. International Day of the Girl 2020 focuses on helping adolescent girls live free from gender-based violence, harmful practices, and HIV and AIDS. Read on to find out more about International Day of the Girl Child and this year's theme. What is International Day of the Girl? Launched in 2012, International Day of the Girl was launched need to address issues affecting young women across the globe such as child marriage, inequality and gender-based violence. 14 women using social media to change the world Show all 14 1 /14 14 women using social media to change the world 14 women using social media to change the world Marley Dias @iammarleydias At just 11 years old, Marley Dias gained international attention in 2016 after becoming frustrated with the lack of diversity in her school curriculum. What followed was a viral social media campaign, #1000blackgirlbooks, calling for titles featuring black girls as protagonists to be donated. Nearly 4,000 books were donated, and Dias now tackles prejudice and advocates for diversity in literature. Getty 14 women using social media to change the world Rina Sawayama @rinasonline Rina Sawayama came in a blaze of neon and sci-fi coolness in early 2016 when she released the single 'Where U Are', which explored how humans interact with digital media. Since then, the singer and model from north London has been a trailblazer for intersectional feminism. Whether its singing about her experiences as a pansexual woman or starting Twitter conversations about cultural appropriation in the media, Sawayama has taken both the music world and social media by storm with her politically vibrant work. A quick look at her Instagram account (@rinasonline) will reveal a confident woman who is not afraid to voice her opinions to her 141,000 followers. Getty 14 women using social media to change the world Chidera Eggerue @theslumflower At only 24 years old, Eggerue came to prominence with her viral 2017 social media campaign #SaggyBoobsMatter. 'It was only small-boobed women who were allowed to not wear a bra,' the author said in an interview with The Guardian. I couldnt understand why I had to challenge it. Her decision to not wear a bra shouldnt be deemed radical, yet here she is in 2019 challenging the ideas that women are pressured to confirming too. Women of all ages and shapes use the hashtag to show pride in themselves, as a result of the body positivity Eggerue championed. Her blog, The Slumflower, also discusses sexism, feminism and racism. Getty Images 14 women using social media to change the world Scarlett Curtis @scarcurtis You may know her as the writer who exposed Philip Greens willingness to profit off feminism but reject the idea of having a pink pop-up stall in Topshop back in October 2018. However, Scarlett Curtis is a trail-blazing feminist in other ways too. The author of Feminists Dont Wear Pink & Other Lies co-founded The Pink Protest a collective helping young feminist activist to take action online in 2017, all while using her social media to challenge misogyny whenever she encounters it. Getty 14 women using social media to change the world Tarana Burke @TaranaBurke Also known as the mother of the #MeToo movement, Tarana Burke is an American social activist who is largely responsible for the international movement against sexual harassment that went viral in October 2017. The phrase was first used in 2006 on Burkes Myspace account after she responded to a 13-year-old girl who had been sexually assaulted. The hashtag gained traction after actress Alyssa Milano encouraged victims of harassment to tweet the phrase. The call-out followed sexual abuse allegations against disgraced film producter Harvey Weinstein and has been used at least 19 million times on social media. Burke is a life-long activist for victims of sexual assault and harassment and continues to campaign such issues on social media. She has single-handedly changed the conversation on sexual violence. Getty 14 women using social media to change the world Sophie Sandberg @catcallsofnyc Tired of being unable to walk down the street without being constantly catcalled by men, activist Sophie Sandberg took to Instagram to expose an epidemic rife in society. Armed with multi-coloured chalk, she began documenting the horrific words that had been said to her all over New York in late 2016. Talking to the BBC about the project she stated: 'By writing [catcalls] in the same place that it happened, I hope the words may remember and think "Oh those were my words".' Women around the globe have been inspired by Sandbergs work and Instagram accounts of women chalking messages have since sprung up from Columbia to Bangladesh. Sophie Sandberg 14 women using social media to change the world Hannah Witton @hannahwitton Hannah Witton is a sex-positive YouTuber and author who has vlogged candidly about sexual health, relationships and womens issues since 2011. Over the years, the Mancunian has amassed over 500,000 subscribers. Witton is inspirationally confident and isnt afraid of talking about her sex life to her thousands of subscribers in videos such as 'How Many People Have I Slept With?' and 'The Benefits of Porn'. The vlogger is also a champion for body positivity (her most viewed video with over 8 million views is about the struggles of large boobs) and invisible illnesses as she herself suffers from ulcerative colitis and proudly wears a stoma. Getty 14 women using social media to change the world Adwoa Aboah @adwoaaboah British model Adwoa Aboah is no stranger to the crippling effect of depression having suffered from it herself. This is why the star established the mental health community Gurls Talk. It began in 2015 with an Instagram account and now serves as a place to discuss topics affecting women without any fear of judgement. It has since grown into a weekly podcast and a series of organised events that have brought women together from across the globe. Talking to the BBC about the project, Aboah noted: 'At school there still isnt a place for girls and boys to realise theyre not alone There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I promise that.' Getty 14 women using social media to change the world Laci Green @gogreen18 YouTuber Laci Green has been educating her subscribers on the nuances of sex education for over 10 years and has amassed over 1.4 million subscribers. The vlogger's videos, which are prominent in the sex-positive movement due to their candour, cover topics such as birth control, hormones and abortion in an attempt to remove the stigma surrounding them. Green is also very outspoken against slut-shaming and sexual harassment, being one of the first YouTubers to address the sexual harassment claims levied against vlogger Sam Pepper in 2014. Getty 14 women using social media to change the world Ash Sarkar @AyoCaesar From describing broadcaster Piers Morgan an 'idiot' to declaring herself a communist on Good Morning Britain, Ash Sarkar is a dynamic journalist making waves on the internet and TV. The north London native champions the rights of women and immigrants on social media, with a Twitter account that is rife with political commentary with a humorous edge. Meanwhile, her Instagram showcases all her campaigning work including protests on climate change and Brexit. Sarkar is also a senior editor at Novara Media an independent, radical left-wing news organisation. Ash Sarkar 14 women using social media to change the world Gina Martin @ginamartin Writer and activist Gina Martin hit national headlines when she began a viral campaign to make 'upskirting' illegal. Taking to Facebook, Martin explained how a man took photos of her crotch without her permission and got away with it in a post that subsequently went viral in 2017. She then launched a petition for her case to be reopened and for the action to be made part of the 2003 Sexual Offences Act. Using the hashtag, #StopSkirtingTheIssue, the petition managed to get over 100,000 signatures. As of 2019, 'upskirting' is now illegal and this is largely down to the efforts of Martin. The activist continues to promote feminist causes to her 40,000 Instagram followers. AFP 14 women using social media to change the world Rowan Blanchard @rowanblanchard When Rowan Blanchard isnt taking over the world of acting, shes taking to Twitter and Instagram to talk to her 5.1 million followers about various activist pursuits. The 17-year-old uses her platform to discuss social and economic issues, with topics as diverse as human rights and gun control, and isnt afraid to give a voice to those who havent been heard. Blanchard was very vocal in the aftermath of the Stoneman Douglas shootings earlier this year, talking with activists and highlighting their plight on social media. Getty 14 women using social media to change the world Liv Little @livlittle As the founder of Gal-dem, a magazine produced by women of colour, Liv Little has gained international recognition for her work in diversifying print media. After becoming frustrated with the lack of representation at Bristol University where Little attended, the 25-year-old created the publication in an attempt to give women of colour a voice in the media. Her business is growing rapidly, alongside Gal-dems social media following which stands at more than 111,000. Little can be found on Twitter talking about everything from activism to literature. Getty 14 women using social media to change the world Kat Blaque @kat_blaque Blaque is a transgender activist who forged her career calling out racism, transphobia and white privilege on her successful YouTube channel of the same name. In an interview with The Huffington Post she said: 'Im a woman. Im black. Im curvy and Im trans when I talk about those things, I am literally talking about my embodiment of those intersections.' Her series, 'True Tea', is where she candidly embraces controversial topics in an attempt to change the narrative around them. Videos include 'Why is "LeftTube" So White' and 'Cultures Are Not Costumes'. Getty The initiative began as a project by the global childrens charity Plan International, growing out of the companys "Because I Am A Girl" campaign which highlighted the need for greater education, medical care and legal rights for young women in developing countries. Recommended Meghan Markle outlines fight for feminism on royal website After gaining traction, the campaign was adopted by the UN and turned into the global initiative it is now. Each year has a different theme. The first was ending child marriage and the second, in 2013, was innovating girls education. How does it acheive change? The fundamental aim of The International Day of the Girl is to raise awareness of the challenges that girls in developing countries face via social media. Each year achieves different things depending on the theme. For example, the aim of the inaugural International Day of the Girl was to combat the fact that 12 million girls under the age of 18 would be married that year while 21 million girls in developing countries aged 15 to 19 would become pregnant. While child marriage remains a concern, projects such as the International Day of the Girl help to highlight the prevalence of these issues, provoke important conversations at a governmental level and inspire others to act. Whats the aim this year? This years theme is My Voice, Our Equal Future and calls on people to seize the opportunity to be inspired by what adolescent girls see as the change they want, the solutions- big and small. It also derives from the World Conference of Women that took place 25 years ago in Beijing, bringing more than 30,000 women from 200 countries together with the aim of recognising the rights of women and girls as human rights. By the end of the conference, a new policy agenda was born: the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, prompting a wave of movements tackling issues such as reproductive rights to equal pay. "Today, these movements have expanded," the UN states on its website. "They are being organised by and for adolescent girls, and tackling issues like child marriage, education inequality, gender-based violence, climate change, self-esteem, and girls rights to enter places of worship or public spaces during menstruation. Girls are proving they are unscripted and unstoppable." Can I help? At an individual level, getting involved largely centres around spreading awareness, something the UN encourages people to do via social media under the hashtag #DayOfTheGirl. There are also a number of small organisations taking on the challenges outlined by the UN which you can get involved with, including the Malala Fund, Girls Not Brides, She's The First and Camfed. You can read more about International Day of the Girl Child here. Well if that doesnt take the biscuit. Not only have we been forced to watch Cadbury a venerable British institution founded by Quakers get swallowed by a maker of American plastic cheese but now it turns out that that new owner isnt even paying any corporation tax here in the UK. According to its accounts, Mondelez UK which owns everything from Cadbury Fingers to Dairy Milk chocolate bars, as the UK subsidiary of Mondelez International had a decent year in 2017. Turnover crept up to 1.66bn in 2017. But profits soared to 185m, from 22m in 2016, thanks to a dividend from some other downstream companies in the group. Common e-cigarette flavourings have the potential to cause harm, according to a new study that calls for much more stringent safety testing as smoking alternatives popularity booms. Greek researchers looking at common ingredients in e-cigarette liquids found that mice exposed to tobacco flavouring in the vapour produced higher levels of potentially harmful molecules and inflammation than in mice exposed to traditional cigarettes. Long-term inflammation of the lungs is linked to the development of respiratory conditions including COPD, emphysema and certain cancers. The study, published in the American Journal of Physiology, compared various e-cigarette additives with conventional tobacco cigarette smoke. Its findings appear to support that e-cigarettes are safer than conventional tobacco products, as only mice exposed to tobacco smoke showed measurable declines in respiratory function in the longer-term tests. However the authors, from the University of Athens, suggest their findings mean that vaping is not entirely harmless and that lax regulations and testing on ingredients in vaping liquids should be toughened up. Recommended Vaping in Asia Could Save Big Tobacco The authors write: The observed detrimental effects in the lung upon [e-cigarette] vapour exposure in animal models highlight the need for further investigation of safety and toxicity of these rapidly expanding devices worldwide. For the tests, they exposed groups of mice to either cigarette smoke or vapours containing propylene glycol a common base ingredient in e-liquids with added vegetable glycerol, nicotine, or nicotine and tobacco flavouring. All the vapour-exposed mice showed increases in inflammation, mucus production and changes to their lung function though these were short-lived in the mice just receiving propylene glycol and vegetable glycerol. It also notes that levels of oxidative stress, where free radical molecules are overproduced, and can build up and damage the function of healthy cells and DNA, were higher in the vapour groups than the cigarette group. 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 However, the mice exposed to the tobacco flavouring also showed increased levels of two inflammation-causing protein molecules, suggesting this component may pose an additional health risk. Virtually all health experts agree that vaping is significantly safer than smoking conventional cigarettes. While small studies have suggested an inflammation increase, the long-term health risks of this are less clear, particularly in humans, while the effects of cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco are now well established. Russia has launched a criminal investigation into a major space emergency that forced astronauts to crash land. The incident saw the crew of two abort their journey to the International Space Station and instead take an emergency landing soon after they had set off from Russia's Cosmodrome. Now Russia's Investigative Committee has said it has launched a criminal investigation to find out the cause of the problem, suggesting that it might have been a problem with safety procedures not being followed. The most incredible space images of Earth Show all 30 1 /30 The most incredible space images of Earth The most incredible space images of Earth Striking Africa Explore ESA astronaut Tim Peake's stunning photos of Earth, taken from the International Space Station during his six month mission (captions by Tom Peake) "The striking colour and texture of Africa Illizi, Algeria" The most incredible space images of Earth Favourite Reef "Every day spent living in space is a great day, but today was particularly special. I got to speak with one of my inspirational heroes Prof Stephen Hawking and his amazing daughter Lucy, who developed the Principia Space Diary to engage children with STEM subjects. As well as talking about dark matter, quantum entanglement, alien life and light beam powered nanocraft we also got to see an amazing pass over the Bahamas and this - my favourite reef smile emoticon" The most incredible space images of Earth Russia's north-east coast "Sunrise approaching Russia's frozen north-east coast" The most incredible space images of Earth Hello London "Hello London! Fancy a run? :) #LondonMarathon" The most incredible space images of Earth Bahamas "50 shades of blue: Bahamas" The most incredible space images of Earth Yinchuan "Snow on the mountains next to Yinchuan in China" The most incredible space images of Earth Rocket flames in Africa "Is it just me or do I see some rocket flames down there? These strange land features are in the Erg Iguidi desert, with its yellow stripes of sand stretching from Algeria to northern Mauritania in the Sahara" The most incredible space images of Earth Stunning colours "Sunlight reflecting the stunning colours of this Himalayan lake" The most incredible space images of Earth The real Everest "The real thing: found Everest! Last picture turned out to be third-tallest mountain Kanchengjunga" The most incredible space images of Earth Go Exomars "Go #Exomars have a great mission. Earth has more in common with Mars than you might think #AfricaArt" The most incredible space images of Earth Tenerife "Amazingly clear view of Tenerife" The most incredible space images of Earth Midday winter sun "Some midday winter sun glinting off Greenlands snow-capped peaks" The most incredible space images of Earth Sand dunes "Great texture in these huge sand dunes, Saudi Arabia" The most incredible space images of Earth Dragon Dam "The dam makes this river look like a dragons tail. Oahe Dam north of Pierre, South Dakota in the United States. (North is to the right)" The most incredible space images of Earth Smoking volcano "Spotted volcano smoking away on Russias far east coast this morning heat has melted snow around top" The most incredible space images of Earth New Zealand "New Zealand looking stunning in the sunshine. Mt Cook centre left with the Grand Plateau to the front and Mt Tasman (3,497m) to the right of the Grand Plateau. Fox Glacier in the middle then Franz Josef curving right. Tasman Lake (largest at front) is at the foot of the Tasman glacier which runs along the front of them. The Hooker Glacier flows out behind Mt Cook coming down to meet the Mueller Glacier on the left of the photo. The Murchison Glacier is at the front of the photo running parallel with the Tasman Glacier" The most incredible space images of Earth Plankton bloom "Another great pass over Patagonia and a swirling plankton bloom off the coast" The most incredible space images of Earth Alaska "We dont often get such clear views of Alaska" The most incredible space images of Earth Lights along the Nile "Lights along the Nile stretching into the distance from Cairo" The most incredible space images of Earth Kamchatka "The Pacific Ring of Fire clear to see amongst the volcanoes of Kamchatka, Russia" The most incredible space images of Earth Cumulonimbus "Im guessing there was an impressive storm going on under that cumulonimbus cloud" The most incredible space images of Earth Night Sahara "Night-time Sahara you can really see how thin the Earths atmosphere is in this picture" The most incredible space images of Earth Japan "Tokyo and Japanese coast. This image shows most of Japan with the largest mass of light corresponding to Tokyo. The white lights on the left are fishing boats" The most incredible space images of Earth Morning sun volcanoes "Morning sun striking active volcanoes in Guatemala" The most incredible space images of Earth Tapajos River "The vast waters of the Tapajos river, Amazonia" The most incredible space images of Earth Patagonia "Beautiful glacial river water flowing from this Patagonian ice field Lake Viedma, West is up" The most incredible space images of Earth Dubai Palms "Minus the #Dragon photobomb this time..." The most incredible space images of Earth Sediment in Ethiopia "Sediment spilling into this mountain lake, Ethiopia" The most incredible space images of Earth Italy "We have phases of short nights on the International Space Station sunlight is nearly always visible right now. No prizes for guessing where this is" The most incredible space images of Earth Panama Canal "From one mighty ocean to another ships passing through the Panama canal" Investigators would look into whether a crime had been committed under a law that prohibits "violation of safety regulations for construction work, causing major damage", the Investigative Committee said in a statement. Recommended Russia suspends crewed space launches after major rocket malfunction The investigation will attempt to find the "causes of the incident" as well as the people who were responsible for it happening, it said. An investigative team has already been set up and is inspecting the launch complex, as well as looking through documentation around the crash. Nasa administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a tweet after the accident that there will be "thorough investigation into the cause of the incident", which is presumably separate. Russian space agency boss Dmitry Rogozin also said that an investigation was being launched. It comes shortly after the crew on board the International Space Station found a mysterious hole drilled into the side of another Soyuz capsule, which had carried them to the floating laboratory. An investigation into that separate incident is ongoing. Russia has suspended crewed rocket launches as it investigates the cause of a major malfunction that led to astronauts undergoing a crash landing. The decision to stop sending people into space for now could have major ramifications for the space industry both in Russia and across the world. The Baikonur Cosmodrome and the Soyuz rocket both used for the aborted launch are the only equipment available to put people in space, since the US has no capability of its own and must pay the Russian space agency for its services. And it comes at a time when questions surround Roscosmos, which continues to have a strained relationship with Nasa, its US counterpart. It puts the immediate future of the International Space Station and other work under question, since astronauts sent on those missions go from the Russian cosmodrome and use its rockets to head into space. The International Space Station had already been the centre of a fracture in the relationship between the Russian and US space agencies after a mysterious hole was found in another Soyuz capsule, while it was waiting and docked on the station. Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Show all 30 1 /30 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An image from Nasa's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) shows a 200,000 mile long solar filament ripping through the Sun's corona in September 2013 Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa Celebrates 50 Years of Spacewalking For 50 years, NASA has been "suiting up" for spacewalking. In this 1984 photograph of the first untethered spacewalk, NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless is in the midst of the first "field" tryout of a nitrogen-propelled backpack device called the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Hubble Cosmic Couple The spectacular cosmic pairing of the star Hen 2-427 more commonly known as WR 124 and the nebula M1-67 which surrounds it ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Veil Nebula Supernova Remnant Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled in stunning detail a small section of the Veil Nebula - expanding remains of a massive star that exploded about 8,000 years ago Nasa's most stunning pictures of space The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launch The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, carrying three new astronauts to the International Space Station. It also took caviar, ready for the satellite's inhabitants to celebrate the holidays Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth from the ISS From the International Space Station, Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Terry W. Virts took this photograph of the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Gulf Coast at sunset Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Black Hole Friday Nasa celebrated Black Friday by looking into space instead sharing pictures of black holes Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space NuSTAR X-rays stream off the sun in this image showing observations from by NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, overlaid on a picture taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Cassiopeia A c A false colour image of Cassiopeia A comprised with data from the Spitzer and Hubble Space Telescopes and the Chandra X-Ray observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Orion Capsule splashes down The Orion capsule jetted off into space before heading back a few hours later having proved that it can be used, one day, to carry humans to Mars Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth Observations From Gemini IV in 1965 This photograph of the Florida Straits and Grand Bahama Bank was taken during the Gemini IV mission during orbit no. 19 in 1965. The Gemini IV crew conducted scientific experiments, including photography of Earth's weather and terrain, for the remainder of their four-day mission following Ed White's historic spacewalk on June 3 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Frosty slopes of Mars This image of an area on the surface of Mars, approximately 1.5 by 3 kilometers in size, shows frosted gullies on a south-facing slope within a crater. The image was taken by Nasa's HiRISE camera, which is mounted on its Mars Reconaissance Orbiter Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Yellowstone from space NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman shared this image of Yellowstone via his twitter account Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Saturn This near-infrared color image shows a specular reflection, or sunglint, off of a hydrocarbon lake named Kivu Lacus on Saturn's moon Titan Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Worlds Apart Although Mimas and Pandora, shown here, both orbit Saturn, they are very different moons. Pandora, "small" by moon standards (50 miles or 81 kilometers across) is elongated and irregular in shape. Mimas (246 miles or 396 kilometers across), a "medium-sized" moon, formed into a sphere due to self-gravity imposed by its higher mass Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An X1.6 class solar flare flashes in the middle of the sun in this image taken 10 September, captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy An image of the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy seen in infrared light by the Herschel Space Observatory. Regions of space such as this are where new stars are born from a mixture of elements and cosmic dust Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Mars Rover Spirit Nasa's Mars Rover Spirit took the first picture from Spirit since problems with communications began a week earlier. The image shows the robotic arm extended to the rock called Adirondack Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Morning Aurora From the Space Station Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly captured this photograph of the green lights of the aurora from the International Space Station Nasa/Scott Kelly Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Launch of History - Making STS-41G Mission in 1984 The Space Shuttle Challenger launches from Florida at dawn. On this mission, Kathryn Sullivan became the first U.S. woman to perform a spacewalk and Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in space. The crew of seven was the largest to fly on a spacecraft at that time, and STS-41G was the first flight to include two female astronauts Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Fresh Perspective on an Extraordinary Cluster of Galaxies Galaxy clusters are often described by superlatives. After all, they are huge conglomerations of galaxies, hot gas, and dark matter and represent the largest structures in the Universe held together by gravity Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Sees a Galactic Sunflower The arrangement of the spiral arms in the galaxy Messier 63, seen here in an image from the Nasa Hubble Space Telescope, recall the pattern at the center of a sunflower ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Pluto image Four images from New Horizons Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) were combined with colour data from the Ralph instrument to create this enhanced colour global view of Pluto Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Fresh Crater Near Sirenum Fossae Region of Mars The HiRISE camera aboard Nasa's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter acquired this closeup image of a "fresh" (on a geological scale, though quite old on a human scale) impact crater in the Sirenum Fossae region of Mars. This impact crater appears relatively recent as it has a sharp rim and well-preserved ejecta Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Peers into the Most Crowded Place in the Milky Way This Nasa Hubble Space Telescope image presents the Arches Cluster, the densest known star cluster in the Milky Way NASA & ESA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space An Astronaut's View from Space Nasa astronaut Reid Wiseman tweeted this photo from the International Space Station on 2 September 2014 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Giant Landform on Mars On Mars, we can observe four classes of sandy landforms formed by the wind, or aeolian bedforms: ripples, transverse aeolian ridges, dunes, and what are called draa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Expedition 39 Landing A sokol suit helmet can be seen against the window of the Soyuz TMA-11M capsule shortly after the spacecraft landed with Expedition 39 Commander Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin of Roscosmos, and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan (NASA/Bill Ingalls) Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Jupiter's Great Red Spot Viewed by Voyager I Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and perhaps the most majestic. Vibrant bands of clouds carried by winds that can exceed 400 mph continuously circle the planet's atmosphere Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Chandra Observatory Sees a Heart in the Darkness This Chandra X-Ray Observatory image of the young star cluster NGC 346 highlights a heart-shaped cloud of 8 million-degree Celsius gas in the central region Without the Soyuz programme, the crew on board will probably be able to make their way safely down on the capsules that are docked at the space station. But the astronauts who were heading up on the failed mission were an important addition to the crew, which is currently only made up of three people. It is not clear how they will be replaced, since the repercussions of the failed launch will continue for months. It is likely that Russia will have to delay many future launches as it demonstrates to the world that its rockets and facilities are safe enough to carry more astronauts. That means there might simply be no new space launches for months. Without the Russian space programme, astronauts and cosmonauts will be left hoping for a quick resolution to the problems in Baikonur, or for the alternatives the US has been developing to finally come into use. After the US Space Shuttle programme was shut down in the wake of its own emergencies, it left Russias Soyuz rockets as the only vehicle that can carry crews into space. Russia stands to lose that monopoly in the coming years with the arrival of SpaceXs Dragon v2 and Boeings Starliner crew capsules. Recommended Astronauts crash land on ground after major rocket malfunction Thursdays failure was the first manned launch failure for the Russian space programme since September 1983 when a Soyuz exploded on the launch pad. Soviet cosmonauts Vladimir Titov and Gennady Strekalov jettisoned and landed safely near the launch pad. Russia has continued to rely on Soviet-designed booster rockets to launch commercial satellites, as well as crews and cargo to the International Space Station. While Russian rockets had earned a stellar reputation for their reliability in the past, a string of failed launches in recent years has called into doubt Russias ability to maintain the same high standards of manufacturing. Additional reporting by agencies A woman faked her own rape and kidnap as part of an elaborate cyber-stalking campaign has been told she will likely be imprisoned. Jessica Nordquist's campaign when she began sending a torrent of text messages and emails to one of her male colleagues at the London advertising firm where they worked, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard. The 26-year-old American also spread untrue rumours about the man, who has not been named, using more than 20 fake Instagram accounts she had created, targetting bosses at the company and several of their clients in a bid to ruin his reputation. As her campaign continued, police arrested and interviewed her in January, before issuing her with a warning, the court heard. During a visit to her home they discovered several SIM cards from multiple phone networks and a toy deer she had stolen from the mans desk. Rather than heed their warning, Nordquist escalated her campaign. In April, her family, friends, colleagues and the victim all received an email claiming to be from a criminal gang which had kidnapped and raped Nordquist. Attached were photos of the 26-year-old, naked, bound and gagged. More emails followed, claiming the gang had now broken her fingers. Officers from London's Metropolitan Police sealed off Nordquists flat a crime scene and launched an investigation with specialist kidnap and modern slavery officers. Two days later, thanks to co-operation from mobile phone companies, Scottish police pinned down her location to a B&B in Aviemore, in the Scottish Highlands. Century old mugshots from the West Midlands Police archives Show all 10 1 /10 Century old mugshots from the West Midlands Police archives Century old mugshots from the West Midlands Police archives Edwardian mugshots from the West Midlands Police archives. Taken between 1903 and 1909, these photos serve as an insight into the criminal class of Edwardian Birmingham. Century old mugshots from the West Midlands Police archives Henry Mercer Fraud SWNS.com Century old mugshots from the West Midlands Police archives Elie Newman, 41 Forgery 3 months SWNS.com Century old mugshots from the West Midlands Police archives Thomas O'Neil Fraud SWNS.com Century old mugshots from the West Midlands Police archives Leah Low, 23 Shoplifting 21 days SWNS.com Century old mugshots from the West Midlands Police archives Ada Launders, 44 Forgery 3 years SWNS.com Century old mugshots from the West Midlands Police archives Emma Brown, 51 Stealing a pair of boots Small fine SWNS.com Century old mugshots from the West Midlands Police archives Chester Laughton Forgery 4 years SWNS.com Century old mugshots from the West Midlands Police archives Emma Griffiths, 64 Theft 1 day SWNS.com Century old mugshots from the West Midlands Police archives Elie Cole, 72 Stealing a pair of boots Small fine SWNS.com But when officers found her, it quickly became clear that the entire rape and kidnap tale had been invented by Nordquist herself. She was found she had disguise kits, camping equipment and booking confirmations from a string of accommodation sites further north in the Highlands where she had planned to hide out. In a futile effort to cover her tracks, Nordquist gave the police a false name and then tried to hide two mobile phones in a bin in the toilet at a doctor's surgery, where officers had taken her to check she was fit to be detained. Scott McPherson, director fo the Crime Policing and Fire Group said it put "police under significant strain with resources they have". Nordquist appeared at Thames Magistrates Court on 23 April where she pleaded not guilty to all offences. CPFG Director Scott McPherson: 'police under significant strain with resources they have' But she was found guilty of talking, sending malicious communications, and perverting the course of justice at Snaresbrook Crown Court. Judge Paul Southern adjourned sentencing to a date to be fixed and remanded Nordquist in custody. He said: "I can not see how an immediate custodial sentence can be avoided. The question is the length of it." He added: "During the period these offences were committed Ms Nordquist was admitted to a psychiatric facility. We know that the police were concerned enough when they found her at Aviemore to take her to have a mental heath assessment." DC Joanne Farrell, part of the local Tower Hamlets police unit which had first responded to the supposed kidnapping, said it was still unclear why Nordquist had gone to such lengths. Support free-thinking journalism and subscribe to Independent Minds Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Infatuation or revenge, Nordquists motivation remains unknown, she said. Nordquist had pursued a relentless campaign of stalking which had caused immense distress and embarrassment to the victim and his family, friends and colleagues, she added. Throughout the investigation and trial, Nordquist has shown she is a compulsive liar and deeply manipulative," she said. "She was offered numerous opportunities to admit her offending and receive help but she repeatedly refused to do so, forcing the need for a trial. Her actions diverted police resources from real victims of crime. Her lack of technical expertise and clumsy attempts to cover her tracks by 'hiding in plain sight' ultimately led to her conviction, which would not have been possible without the cooperation of UK mobile phone networks and other businesses for which the Metropolitan police are grateful. UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has threatened to quit the promotion UFC should a fight involving fellow a Russian fighter is canceled over the latter's part in the Nurmagomedov v McGregor UFC 229 post-fight brawl, RT reported. Zuybara Tukhugov was slated to fight McGregor stablemate Artem Lobov October 27, but that match has been scrapped after the Russian entered the octagon after Khabib's 4th round submission of McGregor and traded punches with the Irishman. Speaking in a statement posted to Instagram, Khabib wrote: "I would like to address the UFC. Why didn't you fire anyone when their team attacked the bus and injured a couple of people?" Khabib made constant reference in the post to McGregor's scathing jibes in the pre-fight buildup, which touched on the Dagestan-native's family, culture, and fight team and went unpunished by the UFC. "They could have killed someone there, why no one says anything about insulting my homeland, religion, nation, family? Why do you have to punish my team, when both teams fought. If you say that I started it, then I do not agree, I finished what he had started. "In any case, punish me, Zuybara Tukhugov has nothing to do with that. If you think that Ill keep silent then you are mistaken. You canceled Zubairas fight and you want to dismiss him just because he hit Conor. But dont forget that it was Conor who had hit my another Brother FIRST, just check the video. "If you decide to fire him, you should know that youll lose me too. We never give up on our brothers in Russia and I will go to the end for my Brother. If you still decide to fire him, dont forget to send me my broken contract, otherwise I'll break it myself. "And one more thing, you can keep my money that you are withholding. You are pretty busy with that, I hope it wont get stuck in your throat. We have defended our honor and this is the most important thing. We intend to go to the end," Khabib concluded his post with the hashtag "brothers". Earls Court station has been evacuated due to a reported emergency. Transport for London said the Tube station had been closed due to a customer incident. Pictures on social media showed an air ambulance landing nearby. Commuters described chaos as the gates to the station were closed and it took around 10 minutes to get out. People were pouring out of trains onto the platforms but it was so crowded no one could move, Harriet Hall, a journalist at The Independent, said. We all moved slowly out of the station. It took about 10 minutes to actually get out, partly because there were so many of us, but also the gates remained closed which slowed things down significantly. Then firemen ran past shouting for people to let them through. She added: It was mayhem. If it was a terror incident nobody would have been able to get out. The London Fire Brigade confirmed they had sent two fire engines and a fire rescue unit to the scene. A spokeswoman said: We were called at 8.51am to reports of a person on the track. Weve got two fire engines and a fire rescue unit in attendance. No action by firefighters was required, she added, and the brigade stood down at 9.15am. The British Transport Police said the station had been closed after concerns for the welfare of a person on the tracks. A spokesperson said: Officers attended alongside the colleagues from the London Ambulance Service, and a person was taken to a place of safety. The London Ambulance Service said: We sent an ambulance crew to the scene. We treated a man and took him to hospital. The station reopened around 9.25am. Close 200 days until Brexit: The key dates Theresa May has gathered her senior ministers for briefings on the Brexit negotiations as the fierce battle to agree the shape of a deal with Brussels reaches its final weeks. Ahead of next week's key EU Council summit, Downing Street admitted there were still "big issues to resolve" while officials in Brussels said there was "no breakthrough yet" in the talks. Meanwhile, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which props up Ms May's government, dramatically flexed its muscles by insisting its 10 MPs would block the Budget - and potentially topple the government - if the prime minister breaches its Brexit red lines. In a warning shot to Ms May, DUP MPs failed to back the government in voting against an amendment to an Agriculture Bill on Wednesday. EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier also warned that checks on goods over the Irish border could increase tenfold after Britain leaves bloc - an ultimatum likely to infuriate the Northern Irish politicians. Elsewhere, cabinet minister Esther McVey, who was not invited to attend the meeting, became the second member of Ms May's top team to repeatedly refuse to endorse the Chequers plan, although she insisted the prime minister had her full support. If you want to follow the day's events, see our live coverage below: Schools should teach children about colonialism, slavery and the legacy of the British empire, and give greater weight to the immense contribution black Britons have made, Jeremy Corbyn will say. The Labour leader will use a visit to Bristol, a city whose wealth was built on the slave trade, to unveil plans for an Emancipation Educational Trust, which would educate future generations about the impact of slavery. Under Labours plans, the new trust would tell the story of how slavery interrupted a rich African and black history through visits to historic sites and study of pre-colonial periods. Recommended Slavery interrupted a rich and powerful black history On a visit to mark Black History Month, Mr Corbyn will say: Black history is British history, and it should not be confined to a single month each year. It is vital that future generations understand the role that Black Britons have played in our countrys history and the struggle for racial equality. In the light of the Windrush scandal, Black History Month has taken on a renewed significance and it is more important now than ever that we learn and understand as a society the role and legacy of the British Empire, colonisation and slavery. Black History Month is a crucial chance to celebrate the immense contribution of black Britons to this country, to reflect on our common history and ensure that such grave injustices can never happen again. He will also meet civil rights activist Paul Stephenson, who played a central role in the Bristol bus boycott in 1963, aimed at overturning a ban on ethnic minorities working on the citys buses. Mr Corbyn will say British campaigners like Mr Stephenson should be as famous Rosa Parks the US civil rights activist who refused to give up her seat to a white man on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. He will say: Thats why the story of Paul Stephenson and the Bristol Bus Boycott is such an inspirational reminder that our rights are hard-won, not given and of the fantastic example set by so many black Britons. Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Show all 15 1 /15 Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK The ex-troopship 'Empire Windrush' arriving at Tilbury Docks from Jamaica, with 482 Jamaicans on board, emigrating to Britain. Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Jamaican immigrants being welcomed by RAF officials from the Colonial Office after the ex-troopship 'Empire Windrush' landed them at Tilbury. PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Alford Gardner who arrived in Britain in 1948 on the first Windrush ship to dock in Tilbury, Essex, speaking at his home in Leeds PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Alford Gardner in Leeds shortly after he arrived in Britain in 1948 on the first Windrush ship to dock in Tilbury, Essex PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Gardner was 22 years old when he boarded the ship in Kingston, Jamaica, with his brother Gladstone before they and hundreds of Caribbean migrants called on to rebuild post-war Britain disembarked the ship in Tilbury Docks PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Alford Gardner (right), during his RAF service in 1947 PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK The son of Ruth Williams, a Windrush-generation immigrant, wants to the leave the country after threats of deportation. According to his mother, Mr Haynes applied for British citizenship in 2016 but was rejected, despite Ms Williams having lived in the UK almost permanently since arriving from St Vincent and the Grenadines in 1959. Ruth Williams, 75, said she felt "betrayed" by Britain after the Home Office twice turned down applications for her 35-year-old son, Mozi Haynes, to remain in the country. Ms Williams is understood to have cancer and said she relies heavily on her son for support. PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK The British liner 'Empire Windrush' at port in 1954. Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Ruth Williams, 75, with her British passport. "I feel betrayed and a second class citizen in my own country," she said. "This makes me so sad and the Home Office must show some compassion. "I am unwell and almost 75, I live on my own and I need my son to stay here. I need my family around me and I cant face being alone. He has applied to the Home Office and been refused twice." PA Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK From the top, hopeful Jamaican boxers Charles Smith, Ten Ansel, Essi Reid, John Hazel, Boy Solas and manager Mortimer Martin arrive at Tilbury on the Empire Windrush in the hope of finding work in Britain. Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Jamaicans reading a newspaper whilst on board the ex-troopship 'Empire Windrush' bound for Tilbury docks in Essex. Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK After half a century in Britain, Anthony Bryan decided it was time to go abroad. But the decision set off a nightmare that saw him lose his job, detained twice and almost deported to Jamaica. AFP/Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Jamaica-born Anthony Bryan poses outside his home in Edmonton, north London. Now 60 and a grandfather, Bryan thought the issue could be resolved swiftly, as he legally moved to Britain with his family as part of the Windrush generation of Caribbean migrants after World War II. In 1948, the ship Windrush brought the first group of migrants from the West Indies to help rebuild post-war Britain, and many others followed from around the Commonwealth. A 1971 law gave them indefinite leave to remain, but many never formalised their status, often because they were children who came over on their parents' passports and then never applied for their own. AFP/Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Three Jamaican immigrants (left to right) John Hazel, a 21-year-old boxer, Harold Wilmot, 32, and John Richards, a 22-year-old carpenter, arriving at Tilbury on board the ex-troopship 'Empire Windrush', smartly dressed in zoot suits and trilby hats. Getty Windrush generation: threat of deportation from UK Newly arrived Jamaican immigrants on board the 'Empire Windrush' at Tilbury in 1948. Getty Paul is a true British hero and his story should be as widely known as Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. It was the bravery and determination of people like Paul, standing up against injustice, that paved the way for the first Race Relations Act and the outlawing of such discrimination in our country. It comes in the wake of the Windrush scandal, where people from mostly Caribbean countries were threatened with deportation and wrongly denied rights to housing and healthcare, despite living in the UK for decades. Another cabinet minister refused to back Theresa Mays Brexit plan, ahead of her crunch talks with senior colleagues to rally support for a deal. Esther McVey, the work and pensions secretary, repeatedly declined to say she supported the Chequers plan for a softer withdrawal, as the negotiations continued in Brussels. Instead, she said she was completely supportive of the prime minister without mentioning Chequers adding: I am fully 100 per cent behind the prime minister and we will get the best deal for this country. Ms McVeys dodging of the question echoed the stance taken by Penny Mordaunt, the international development secretary, who has also refused to support the plan, already rejected by the EU. And it came as the prime minister opened discussions with senior cabinet members, revealing some of the detail of her new proposals to break the deadlock over the Irish border. They have not been published, but are known to involve extra checks on animal products crossing from Britain to Northern Ireland provoking fury in the Democratic Unionist Party. The DUP has threatened to vote down the Budget potentially toppling Ms May, by ending the agreement that props her up if she refuses to back down. The government is also seeking for the backstop to keep the entire UK in the EUs customs territory, until technology provides a solution to avoid a hard Irish border. The EU will insist the customs plan is not time-limited which would anger Brexiteer ministers who fear it will become permanent, and could trigger further resignations. When first floated in June, the issue was fudged. A paper said it should be time-limited, but that the UK only expects an alternative solution to be ready by the end of 2021. Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Show all 14 1 /14 Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Internal divisions in the Conservative Party have exploded into a bitter public row over Boris Johnsons disgusting criticism of Theresa May. Some senior Tories furiously denounced the former foreign secretary after he accused the prime minister of having wrapped a suicide vest around Britain Reuters Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Sajid Javid, Home secretary Sajid Javid, the home secretary, rebuked his former cabinet colleague and said: I think there are much better ways to articulate your differences. He told the BBCs Andrew Marr Show that the public wanted politicians to use measured language BBC/PA Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide But other MPs leapt to Mr Johnsons defence, as dividing lines ahead of a possible leadership contest begin to take shape. The Uxbridge MP has repeatedly criticised Ms Mays Chequers plan and used a newspaper article on Sunday to suggest it amounted to wrapping a suicide vest around the British constitution. His latest salvo at the prime minister prompted immediate condemnation, with one minister publicly vowing to end Mr Johnsons career over the matter PA Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Alan Duncan, Foreign minister Alan Duncan, a foreign minister who worked in Mr Johnsons team for two years, wrote on Twitter: For Boris to say the PMs view is like that of a suicide bomber is too much. This marks one of the most disgusting moments in modern British politics. Im sorry, but this is the political end of Boris Johnson. If it isnt now, I will make sure it is later. Getty Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide James Brokenshire, Housing secretary Housing secretary James Brokenshire added his voice to the criticism, calling Mr Johnsons comments wrong He said: I think he is wrong on this...I think the tone that he has used isnt right and I think that we just need to be very focused on actually moving forward with the Chequers plan. AFP/Getty Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Zac Goldsmith But as Tory hostilities spilled over into open public warfare, Richmond Park MP Zac Goldsmith, an ally of Mr Johnson, hit back at Mr Duncan. He wrote: There are a number of possible motives behind this tweet, but given its author, we can be certain principles arent one of them. Getty Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Jacob Rees-Mogg Senior Tory Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg told The Independent he thought Mr Johnsons suicide belt accusation was little more than a characteristically colourful catchphrase. He added: I agree with the sentiment. The criticism of Boriss wording merely serves to highlight his point. It means more people hear of Boriss criticism of Chequers and many will agree with him. Reuters Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Nadine Dorries Nadine Dorries, another Brexit supporter, said Mr Johnsons opponents were terrified of his popular appeal, adding: Dont underestimate the vitriol thatll be directed towards Boris today. He delivered the Leave vote, Remainers and wannabe future PMs hate him. If Mr Johnson became leader and prime minister he would deliver a clean and prosperous Brexit, she said Rex Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Andrew Bridgen Andrew Bridgen said Ms May was to blame for her leadership problems. Asked if Mr Johnson had put a bomb under her leadership, Mr Bridgen said: I think that Theresa May did that herself when she put forward the Chequers proposals without consulting widely prior to that. Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Steve Baker, former Brexit minister Steve Baker, the former Brexit minister, warned Ms May the Conservatives faced a "catastrophic split" if she did not jettison her Chequers plan. Mr Baker, who quit the government in July over the scheme, said: When negotiating, the prime minister needs to demonstrate her intent and also her power to deliver. "If we come out of conference with her hoping to get Chequers through on the back of Labour votes, I think the EU negotiators would probably understand that if that were done, the Tory party would suffer the catastrophic split which thus far we have managed to avoid. But he insisted he did not want a change in the Conservative leadership, saying Brexiteers did not want to be in a position of conflict with our own prime minister Reuters Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Tom Tugendhat The deep divisions on the Tory benches were laid bare as Tom Tugendhat, who chairs the Commons foreign affairs committee and is a possible leadership rival to Mr Johnson, also hit out at the former foreign secretary. Recalling how he encountered a suicide bomber in Afghanistan during his time in the army, Mr Tugendhat told Mr Johnson to grow up. He said: A suicide bomber murdered many in the courtyard of my office in Helmand. The carnage was disgusting, limbs and flesh hanging from trees and bushes. Brave men who stopped him killing me and others died in horrific pain. Some need to grow up. Comparing the PM to that isnt happy. PA Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Alistair Burt Alistair Burt, another Foreign Office minister who worked in Mr Johnsons team, said: Im stunned at the nature of this attack. There is no justification for such an outrageous, inappropriate and hurtful analogy. If we dont stop his extraordinary use of language over Brexit, our country might never heal. Again, I say, enough. AFP/Getty Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide It comes amid that Ms Mays former aides drew up a dossier on Mr Johnsons sexual encounters with the aim of undermining his leadership prospects. The document was compiled in 2016, when the Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP was seen as the main rival to Ms May in her bid to enter No 10. Downing Street and Conservative Campaign Headquaters (CCHQ) both denied having leaked the 4,000 word memo after it was circulated around Westminster AFP/Getty Boris Johnson 'suicide vest' Brexit jibe causes Tory divide Mr Johnson confirmed that his 25-year marriage to wife Marina had ended AP It appeared that the mini-cabinet was not being asked to approve detailed proposals because UK officials had failed to make as much progress as hoped with their counterparts in Brussels. Ms McVey was not one of the cabinet ministers invited to the meeting with the prime minister, prompting suggestions that potential troublemakers had been asked to stay away. It was held as Ivan Rogers, the UKs former ambassador to the EU, dismissed the chances of either the Chequers plan, or a looser Canada-style deal advocated by Brexiteers winning favour in Brussels. Sir Ivan put the chances at precisely zero, adding: The Johnsonian Canada-plus-plus is as big a pipe dream as Chequers. In some respects, rather bigger Meanwhile, Sir John Major criticised Tory MPs threatening the prime minister, arguing they were worse than the Eurosceptics that dogged his premiership. I have great sympathy for her plight and I think the way she is being treated by some of her colleagues is absolutely outrageous, he told the BBCs Political Thinking podcast. Asked about the bastards from his era, he replied: Their behaviour was pretty intolerable, but not nearly as intolerable as the way the present prime minister is being treated. One Conservative MP, Helen Grant, a party vice chairwoman, dismissed the DUP threat, insisting: I think theyre bluffing. Labour is facing a fresh antisemitism row after Jewish activists were banned from attending an event with John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, as organisers accused them of having "previously misrepresented events". Multiple Jewish people who had tickets to the event on Thursday evening, but who had previously spoken out about the antisemitism row that engulfed Labour over the summer, were told at the last minute that their tickets had been cancelled. Organisers told The Independent that people had been banned because they had "previously misrepresented events, people or facts". The event will see Mr McDonnell join Jenny Manson, chair of the controversial Jewish Voice for Labour (JVL) group, who is seeking to become a Labour MP in north London. It has been organised by her campaign team, which is closely linked to the Barnet branch of the influential Momentum organisation. JVL has been strongly condemned by mainstream Jewish groups because of its dismissal of concerns about antisemitism in Labour. Ms Manson has frequently spoken in defence of people accused of antisemitism, including former London mayor Ken Livingstone, who was suspended by Labour after claiming Adolf Hitler had supported Zionism. She has previously said she "began to identify as a Jew in order to argue against the state of Israel and its behaviour". JVL also organised a counter-demonstration in Parliament Square during the "Enough is Enough" protest in March. It claims Labour does not have a problem with antisemitism and that the row has been concocted by right-wing Jews. Mr McDonnells endorsement of Ms Manson's bid to become an MP has furthered anger Jewish groups that have accused Mr Corbyn and his top team of failing to tackle antisemitism. The row deepened on Wednesday night - less than 24 hours before the meeting - when dozens of people planning to attend were told they would not be allowed entry. They were not given a reason for their tickets being cancelled. Protests against Labour antisemitism Show all 14 1 /14 Protests against Labour antisemitism Protests against Labour antisemitism Protesters clashed during the demonstration Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Members of the Jewish community hold a protest against Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn and antisemitism in the Labour Party AFP/Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism Protesters hold placards and flags during a demonstration, organised by the British Board of Jewish Deputies for those who oppose antisemitism, in Parliament Square Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Hundreds of people gathered in Parliament Square to protest against antisemitism in the Labour Party EPA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour MP Luciana Berger speaks during the protest PA Protests against Labour antisemitism A protester blows through a shofar during the demonstration Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism Members of London's Jewish community protest in support of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn outside parliament EPA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour MP John Mann speaks during a protest against antisemitism PA Protests against Labour antisemitism People protest against antisemitism in the Labour Party as Jewish community leaders have launched a scathing attack on Jeremy Corbyn, claiming he has sided with antisemites again and again PA Protests against Labour antisemitism Labour politicians Stella Creasy and Chuka Umunna leave after attending the demonstration Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism A pro-Jeremy Corbyn protester holds a placard during a counter-protest Getty Protests against Labour antisemitism A support of the Labour Party hold up a placard during the demonstration Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism Jeremy Corbyn supporters during the demo Reuters Protests against Labour antisemitism A protester holds up a sign reading For the many, not the Jew AFP Those barred include campaigners from the Labour Against Antisemitism group and others who have criticised Mr Corbyns party over its handling of anti-Jewish abuse. It is understood that journalists from papers including the Jewish Chronicle and Jewish News were also initially banned, although they have now been told they can attend. Members of the media were told they must donate at least 8 to Ms Manson's campaign in order to attend. Antisemitism campaigners demanded Mr McDonnell withdraw from the event, saying it was "a betrayal of every Labour value he claims to hold dear". A spokesman for Ms Manson's campaign confirmed organisers had cancelled the tickets of "tens" of people who had applied to attend. Ms Manson is part of the Barnet Momentum group, which has previously been criticised over alleged antisemitism. In August, the The Independent published leaked emails in which activists claimed security guards were stationed outside synagogues to "generate an atmosphere of insecurity" because "Zionists" wanted to "exploit and generate the fear of antisemitism". Ms Manson was included in the email discussion, along with other organisers of the meeting with Mr McDonnell. The event on Thursday is billed as a head to head between Mr McDonnell and Ms Manson. The shadow chancellor has already endorsed the JVL chair, saying she "will make an excellent candidate". He said: Jenny is a fine socialist and a splendid advocate on behalf of our movement. Ms Manson is understood to be considering standing in either Hendon or neighbouring Chipping Barnet - areas with among the highest proportion of Jewish voters in the country. Jeremy Corbyn releases video apologising for antisemitism in the Labour party One of the organisers of the event, who acts as a spokesman for Barnet Momentum and for Ms Manson, told The Independent: "We have a duty of care to the attendees at the meeting. That means that some people who have a track record of disrupting events in the past had their tickets returned. "We did not look at people's political tendencies or ideology. There are people who are not Labour members or who are supportive of other parties who are coming to the event. "We did, however, consider whether some people might have reported from the meeting in a way that was a misrepresentation of what was taking place in the meeting, if they had a previous record of misrepresenting events, facts or people. We used our discretion. That is what we said we would do from the beginning." Organisers sought "security advice and legal advice" when deciding who would be allowed to attend, he said, adding: "There were a variety of administrative, technical, professional and security reasons why some people had their tickets returned." A spokesperson for Labour Against Antisemitism said: The banning of Jewish Labour members from a John McDonnell event tonight is an act of racial segregation that underlines the institutional antisemitism now endemic within the Labour Party. Of Ms Manson, he said: "Her campaign to be selected as a Labour parliamentary candidate in an area of London with a significant Jewish population, is surely now impossible if this is her attitude towards her would-be Jewish constituents. "We demand that Mr McDonnell withdraw from this event and show that he is able to understand why this situation is a betrayal of every Labour value he claims to hold dear. Mr McDonnell said: "Jenny is a good friend and I am fulfilling a longstanding commitment I gave her to offer her my support in seeking selection as a candidate." The surcharge that migrants must pay to use the NHS will be doubled to 400, the government has announced. Immigration minister Caroline Nokes said the charge, which applies to migrants from outside the the EU, represented a good deal for those seeking to live in the UK temporarily. The higher fee, which will be subject to parliamentary approval, will ensure migrants make a fair contribution, she said. The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) was introduced in 2015. It applies to migrants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to stay in Britain for at least six months. Students and 18- to 30-year olds on international schemes will have to pay a discounted rate of 300 up from 150. In a written statement to MPs, Ms Nokes said: Our NHS is always there when you need it, paid for by British taxpayers. We welcome long-term migrants using the NHS, but believe it is right that they make a fair contribution to its long-term sustainability. That is why we introduced the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) in April 2015. Those who pay the charge may access the NHS on the same basis as UK residents for the duration of their lawful stay, i.e. they receive NHS care generally free of charge but may be charged for services a permanent resident would also pay for, such as prescription charges in England. Organisations representing NHS staff called the move punitive and short-sighted. NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday Show all 18 1 /18 NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday Nurses test the hearing of a newborn child Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday The waiting room is busy in Milton Keynes University Hospital Reuters NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday On Ward 24, two nurses work at the nurses station Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday In A&E, a porter rushes a patient through the corridor Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday A surgical team prepares a patient for their operation Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday In the physiotherapy department, patients are treated in the hydrotherapy pool Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday On Ward 8, an inpatient awaits visitors Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday In the physiotherapy department, amputees take a class Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday A junior doctor is at work in the staff room Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday A surgical team prepares a patient for their operation Reuters NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday An inpatient has her hair washed by the staff hairdressers Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday In the audiology department, a mother watches on as her son is given a hearing test Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday On Ward 8, staff serve lunch to the patients Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday On Ward 24, a patient waits on their bed Reuters NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday On Ward 8, a cleaner is at work Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday A nurse takes blood from a patient Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday On Ward 8, an inpatient receives a visitor Reuters/Hannah McKay NHS at 70: Pride and worry as free health service celebrates birthday Inpatient Donald Ritson lies in bed in Ward 24 in Milton Keynes University Hospital Reuters The IHS is levied when people apply for a visa to come to Britain and must be paid each year. Ms Nokes said that, since its introduction, it has raised over 600m for spending on the NHS. The level of the charge has not changed since 2015. The government announced plans to double the IHS in January. However, the rise does not fulfil the Conservatives manifesto pledge to increase the charge to 600. The increase follows a review by the Department of Health and Social Care, which found that the NHS spends an average of 470 a year on treating people who pay surcharge. Ms Nokes said: The proposed amount is still below full average cost recovery level and remains a good deal for those seeking to live in the UK temporarily. These changes do not affect permanent residents, who are not required to pay the IHS. Certain vulnerable groups such as asylum seekers and modern slavery victims are exempt from paying the IHS. Short-term migrants (including those on visitor visas) and those without permission to be in the UK are generally charged for secondary care treatment by the NHS at the point of access. However, the change is likely to prompt concerns that low-paid migrants may not be able to cover the costs of their health treatment. Some migrants living in the UK have previously had to return home or send their children home because they cannot afford to pay the surcharge. Evaline Omondi, a nurse from Kenya, has spoken of being forced to send her two young children back to her home country after she was asked to pay 3,600 in IHS fees for two adults and her four children. The Royal College of Nursing has called for NHS staff to be exempted from the IHS, saying the charge is tearing families apart. Responding to news that the fee will be doubled, Tom Sandford, RCNs director, said: The governments hostile environment appears to be alive and well, embodied by this punitive and short-sighted decision to double the overseas surcharge. These charges can tear families apart, in some cases forcing hardworking nurses to send their children back to their country of origin, while they remain to work in the service of our NHS. This is at a time when our healthcare system is facing almost unprecedented staff shortages, with 41,000 nurse vacancies in England alone. The UK depends on professionals from around the world, and we are proud to have the best and brightest from over 200 countries represented here. Yet the Government seems to have learnt nothing from the Windrush scandal and is still sending the message that they are no longer welcome. Make no mistake: overseas staff keep the NHS running; the government should be thanking them, not doubling the price of admission. We call on the Home Office to waive this policy for non-EEA nursing staff immediately. The British Medical Association (BMA) said the policy would also penalise migrant doctors working in the NHS. Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chair of the BMA council, said: This policy will do nothing but further penalise international doctors who are choosing to work in an understaffed, underfunded and under-resourced NHS. These doctors are delivering key health services and already paying tax and national insurance contributions. It is absurd that immigration policies continue to seek to penalise overseas medics in the middle of the worst recruitment crisis the NHS has seen. We would like to see doctors exempt from this charge. Groups representing business in Ireland and Northern Ireland have urged the British government to change its Brexit policy and keep the UK inside the EUs customs union. In a joint statement the Northern Ireland branch of the CBI and its Irish equivalent Ibec said a comprehensive customs union between the UK and the EU would help address some of the complex issues presented by Brexit. They argued that the policy, which Theresa May has previous ruled out, would also help to avoid any disruption to east-west trade between Ireland and Britain. Recommended EU warns border checks in Irish Sea will increase tenfold after Brexit The pair of organisations also called for the signing of a backstop to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland and said the policy, which is being resisted by some unionists, was important to avoid enormous economic damage that a no-deal could bring. EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Wednesday said he still open to allowing the UK to stay inside a customs union with the bloc. The policy is already backed by the Labour party, but Theresa May and other Brexiteers are against it because it would prevent the UK from signing its own trade deals with third countries. Crawford Falconer, the UKs chief trade negotiator, earlier this week told the Telegraph newspaper that he would be redundant is the UK decided to stay in a customs union with the EU. Without a customs union there would be customs checks on all trade between Britain and the EU. A customs union would not remove the need for other checks on goods, however, such as regulatory and safety checks which can only be removed by membership of the single market. The Prime Ministers plan for frictionless trade, nicknamed Chequers, was rejected by EU leaders at a summit in Salzburg last month. The PM has hoped the UK could have the benefits of no border checks without the responsibilities of customs union and single market membership. Angela McGowan, Director CBI Northern Ireland said: As a small peripheral economy Northern Ireland must absolutely make the most of all trade opportunities North-South and East-West. At this crucial time, the business community has a responsibility to stay focused on our long-term ambition to deliver greater economic prosperity for all. This evidence-based report demonstrates why we must stay fully committed to supporting all the necessary conditions to maintain peace, encourage investment and create jobs for future generations. 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 The Good Friday Agreement and frictionless trade across and between these great islands are the bedrock of future success. Ibec Director of Policy and Public Affairs Fergal OBrien said: Over the last two decades, Ireland and Northern Ireland have developed an all-island economy that has benefited business in terms of improved scale and greater efficiencies. Any new Brexit-related trade barriers would greatly undermine the benefits that have accrued from maintaining an invisible border. They would create major difficulties and disruptions for integrated just in time manufacturing and supply, with SMEs particularly exposed. The most urgent priority for business on the island of Ireland is to avoid a cliff edge hard Brexit. Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman Loera, better known as El Chapo (Shorty), has been sentenced to life plus 30 years in prison by a US federal judge. The Mexican drug baron founded the notorious Sinaloa cartel in 1989 and picked up where Colombias Pablo Escobar left off in dominating international narcotics trafficking, building up a vast fortune and leaving behind a bloody trail of vanquished enemies on both sides of the law. He was arrested on 8 January 2016 on the run following the second spectacular prison break of his career and extradited to the US before he had a chance to make fools of the Mexican authorities for a third time. What Al Capone was to beer and whiskey during Prohibition, Guzman is to narcotics, said Art Bilek, executive vice president of the Chicago Crime Commission. Of the two, Guzman is by far the greater threat And he has more power and financial capability than Capone ever dreamed of. El Chapo was born in La Tuna near Badiraguato, Sinaloa, in 1957, the son of a peasant cattle rancher and minor drug dealer growing poppies for opium to be sold in Culiacan and Guamuchil. Inside Mexicos top drug lord El Chapos hideout Show all 4 1 /4 Inside Mexicos top drug lord El Chapos hideout Inside Mexicos top drug lord El Chapos hideout Inside El Chapo's hideout Pictures reveal how the Mexican drug lord had been living since his escape Getty Inside Mexicos top drug lord El Chapos hideout Inside El Chapo's hideout The inside of a house searched by marine special forces where Guzman was hiding Getty Inside Mexicos top drug lord El Chapos hideout Inside El Chapo's hideout Inside a house searched by marine special forces during the military operation to recapture Guzman Getty Inside Mexicos top drug lord El Chapos hideout El Chapo's attempted escape A marine stands guard next to a manhole of the sewer system through which drug kingpin Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman tried to escape Getty Routinely beaten by his father, a violent alcoholic, the young Joaquin played with homemade peso bills he had drawn himself and took to growing and selling marijuana to support the family. By his late teens, he was working for local kingpin Hector Luis Palma Salazar, playing a logistics role in streamlining the movement of cocaine from his western home state northwards up the Pacific coast to the US. Moving on to work for the feared Guadalajara cartel under Felix Gallardo in the early 1980s, El Chapo (the nickname a reference to his 5' 6'' stature) was fiercely ambitious about expanding the business into something much larger than merely serving as a middleman for the Colombians. When Gallardo ordered the torture and murder of Enrique Kiki Camarena Salazar an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent who had infiltrated the syndicate and leaked information in February 1985, the authorities pursued the cartel aggressively, their operations enabling El Chapo to capitalise on the chaos. After Gallardo was arrested in 1989, the territories formerly dominated by Guadalajara were divided up among the remaining godfathers and the Tijuana, Juarez and Sinaloa cartels were formed, the latter under Guzman, Salazar and Ismael El Mayo Zambada Garcia, who would serve as El Chapos most trusted lieutenant. As the net finally closed on Escobar, by now rich enough to be running his own rogue state within Colombia, the Mexican cartels gradually moved in to fill the void left by the latter's Medellin cartel and its Cali rival. Recommended Drug kingpin El Chapo sentenced to life in prison El Chapo and his men assumed control of the South America-US cocaine trade, employing ruthless and feared gangs like Los Chachos, Los Texas, Los Lobos and Los Negros to enforce for them, carrying out acts of intimidation, bribery, torture or execution as a matter of course. The Sinaloa cartel met demand north of the Texas border by finding ever more innovative ways to move their product, from building air-conditioned tunnels burrowing under fences to concealing cocaine inside fire extinguishers or cans of chili peppers shipped overseas. Over time, the syndicate would grow ever more powerful, taking out rival gangs and law enforcement to spread their influence, eventually branching out over five continents and moving into heroin, marijuana and methamphetamines. Very little changed when El Chapo was arrested in Guatemala in 1993, extradited to Mexico and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He simply bribed his guards to ensure favourable conditions and was allowed to dispatch orders to his brother Arturo as usual. He even held lavish Christmas parties with his entire family in his cell and enjoyed conjugal visits with his mistress, Zulema Hernandez, a former cop serving time herself for armed robbery who would later be murdered by rival Los Zetas sicarios. Joaquin Guzman AKA El Chapo On 19 January 2001, El Chapo escaped from the maximum-security Puente Grande prison in Jalisco. According to myth, he did so hidden in a laundry basket. The truth, as Anabel Hernandez tells it in her book Narcoland (2010), is that he did so in a police uniform, with a police escort, after guard Francisco Camberos Rivera opened the door for him. Seventy-eight members of prison staff, including governor Valentin Cardenas, were subsequently arrested for their part in the escape following an investigation. El Chapo evaded capture for 13 years despite a manhunt instigated by US and Mexican authorities bringing together the FBI, CIA, DEA and the Mexican army. Their failure to find him - even with a $5m reward offered for information leading to his capture - spoke volumes about the endemic corruption taken root as a result of Guzman and his pernicious influence. Meanwhile, the drug war intensified, making cities like Tijuana and Juarez among the most violent places on Earth, where scenes of men hanged from freeway overpasses and horror stories about dead gangsters being dismembered in the desert became entirely commonplace. El Chapo's family including at least 13 children from three marriages - saw their American assets seized in 2012 but business again continued as usual and he even managed to cultivate a reputation in Sinaloa as a Robin Hood figure, paying for food and medical supplies for local people, who came to see him as a savour when the state was failing them. That same year, Forbes magazine valued his net worth at around $1bn. When he was finally arrested again, in the Pacific beach resort of Mazatlan in February 2014, President Enrique Pena Nieto refused to transfer him to US custody, saying: It would be unforgivable for the government not to take the precautions to ensure that what happened last time would not be repeated. And yet thats exactly what happened. Mexico's attorney general examines the opening of the tunnel through which Guzman escaped (AFP) (AFP PHOTO/Attorney General of Mexico/Ho) On 11 July 2015, El Chapo escaped again, this time through a tunnel running 30ft beneath the Toluca prison showers to a house under construction a mile away. In hiding again, it was at this juncture that one of the most surreal episodes in his story took place: an interview conducted in secret by Hollywood actor Sean Penn for Rolling Stone. Sean Penn and El Chapo (Rolling Stone) El Chapo Speaks was published on 10 January 2016 and sees Penn recount in detail his encounter with Guzman, organised on his behalf by Mexican TV actress Kate del Castillo, who had exchanged friendly letters with the master criminal after praising his peculiar brand of philanthropy on social media. While the interview was curtailed by a military raid on Guzmans jungle compound in which the latter suffered a leg injury, he did later send the actors a video message in which he answered their questions about his career. Its a reality that drugs destroy, he told Penn. Unfortunately, as I said, where I grew up there was no other way and there still isnt a way to survive, no way to work in our economy to be able to make a living. The gangster reportedly hoped to turn the meeting into an opportunity to discuss a potential biopic recounting his exploits: while that never came to pass, he is now the subject of a major Netflix series. Drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman arrives at Long Island MacArthur airport in New York Finally re-arrested on 8 January 2016 after a shoot-out in the city of Los Mochis, President Pena Nieto proclaimed: Mission Accomplished. We have him. After judge Vicente Antonio Bermudez Zacarias, set to preside over his case, was murdered while out jogging near his home on 17 October 2016, El Chapo was extradited to the US last January where he plead not guilty to a 17-count indictment. El Chapo's trial, guilty verdict and sentencing in New York this spring has made for a sensational event but, sadly, its outcome is unlikely to have much of an effect on the brutal drugs trade, even if it is disingenuously cheered as a step in the right direction by the Mexican government. In 2017, a year in which Guzman was for once safely behind bars, a record 29,168 murders took place, according to local estimates, the total surpassing the previous high of 27,213 in 2011. The brutal truth is that a successor will simply step in to take El Chapo's place at the head of the Sinaloa cartel and the killing will continue. The US military has grounded its entire fleet of F-35 fighter jets in the wake of a crash in South Carolina in September. The Pentagon has announced it is investigating a potential problem with the fuel tubes on aircraft across the fleet a move sparked by the probe into the first ever crash for the advanced fighter last month. The US Services and international partners have temporarily suspended F-35 flight operations while the enterprise conducts a fleet-wide inspection of a fuel tube within the engine on all F-35 aircraft, the Pentagon announced in a statement. If suspect fuel tubes are installed, the part will be removed and replaced. If known good fuel tubes are already installed, then those aircraft will be returned to flight status. Inspections are expected to be completed within the next 24 to 48 hours. The action to perform the inspection is driven from initial data from the ongoing investigation of the F-35B that crashed in the vicinity of Beaufort, South Carolina on 28 September, the statement added. The F-35 fighter is the largest weapons programme of its type in the world, and was first used by Israel earlier this year to carry out a number of air strikes. The US Marine Corps have also used the jet to launch strikes against targets in Afghanistan.from the amphibious warship Essex, The jet has been sold to countries around the world, including the UK and Japan. The primary goal following any mishap is the prevention of future incidents, the Pentagon said. We will take every measure to ensure safe operations while we deliver, sustain and modernize the F-35 for the warfighter and our defense partners. A New York judge on Thursday dismissed one of the six criminal charges against Harvey Weinstein after prosecutors said they could not oppose the dismissal in light of information they had learned while investigating the case. The dismissed charge concerned an alleged sexual assault of a woman by Mr Weinstein in 2004. Five other charges, involving alleged assaults of two other women, remain in the case in Manhattan's criminal court. Mr Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. The development was announced in court on Thursday morning with Mr Weinstein looking on. Judge James Burke agreed to dismiss allegations brought by one of three accusers in the case, Lucia Evans. Recommended Harvey Weinstein charged with more sexual assault crimes In a story The New Yorker published a year ago Wednesday, Ms Evans accused Mr Weinstein of a sexual assault that allegedly occurred in 2004. Remaining charges include allegations Mr Weinstein raped a woman in 2013 and forced a sex act on a different woman in 2006. Mr Weinstein says he is innocent. His lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, said in court that he believes Mr Evans lied to the grand jury about what happened. 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 Mr Weinsteins lawyers and prosecutors had been wrangling over the part of the indictment pertaining to Ms Evans in recent weeks in closed-door meetings and sealed court papers. After the decision was announced, Ms Evans attorney denounced the Manhattan District Attorney in a press conference, saying, Why is it so hard to hold rich, powerful predators responsible? Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events She added, Over 80 women have accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment, assault. In a statement sent to The Independent, Ms Evans attorney, Carrie Goldberg, said the prosecutors decision to abandon my client, Lucia Evans, does not invalidate the truth of her claims. It does speak to a system that needs to be reformed, she continued. Let me be clear the decision to throw away my clients sexual assault charges says nothing about Weinsteins guilt or innocence, nor does it reflect on Lucias consistent allegation that she was sexually assaulted with force by Harvey Weinstein. It only speaks volumes about the Manhattan DAs office and its mishandling of my clients case. Reporting agencies contributed to this story. A carrier failure has occurred today after the launch of the Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) with Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin and NASA astronaut Nick Hague onboard. A Soyuz-FG carrier rocket with a manned Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft has blasted off from the Baikonur spaceport in Kazakhstan to the ISS at 11:40 a.m. Moscow time. But 119 seconds into the flight, mission controllers on the Nasa broadcast began to speak of a failure. A Russian-American space crew have been forced to make an emergency landing in Kazakhstan after their Soyuz rocket suffered a failure shortly after launching from the cosmodrome. Crew members landed 25 km east of Kazakhstans Zhezkagan A commentator on Nasas live broadcast later said that rescue teams had reached the capsules landing site and the two-person crew were in "good condition". Ovchinin and Hague had already left the capsule when rescue teams arrived. Nasa described the emergency abort as a ballistic landing, meaning the crews spaceship did not achieve the speed necessary to achieve orbit around the Earth and instead fell back to the ground. Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said that Russia expects the U.S. to show understanding regarding the Soyuz carrier rocket failure. The Roscosmos State Space Corporation will not conceal any causes from its American counterparts and will provide them with all the necessary information, he said. "I think the Americans will show understanding regarding this situation. Naturally, we will not conceal the causes," he assured, stressing that to do anything on the contrary "is not the way things are done in such situations." "Of course, they should know. We will convey all the necessary information on this incident to them," Borisov promised. He recalled "today only Russia ensures the transportation of space crews to the International Space Station." Borisov did point out that there are quite a few emergencies and tragic incidents in the space industry, adding that such things "have happened in the history of US astronautics and in Russia." "This is a high-tech industry, which is associated with risks. It is not for nothing that our cosmonauts always receive prestigious awards for their space flights. People risk their lives," he emphasized. He noted that the analysis of the emergencies is going to be subject to special scrutiny. "As the one who is in charge with this industry, I will certainly brief the countrys leadership on all the details and the progress into the causes of the emergency landing by the commission," he pledged. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin will receive a full report on the aborted manned launch to the International Space Station from the Baikonur space center. Peskov did not specify when Chief of the Roscosmos State Space Corporation Dmitry Rogozin and Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov will represent their reports to the president. "Its clear that Rogozin is apparently busy now: he needs to get information and analyze it." The launch of the manned Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft was covered by Soglasie Insurance company for 4.6 bln rubles ($69.8 mln), according to the information provided by the public procurements website. The insurance premium totaled 143.3 mln rubles ($2.1 mln). The contract insured against risks to the launch of the carrier rocket, assembler protective block and manned spacecraft, as well as its docking to the International Space Station. The loss of insured property of Roscosmos and the enterprises that took part in gearing up for and conducting the launch is a covered loss, TASS reported. The crew of the International Space Station (ISS) has sufficient food and water supplies and the failed launch of a Soyuz FG booster with a manned Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft will have no impact on the stations work, a source at the Baikonur Cosmodrome said. Melania Trump has claimed she is the most bullied person in the world during a new interview in which the first lady discusses her anti-cyberbullying campaign, Be Best. I could say Im the most bullied person in the world, Ms Trump told ABC News during her recent trip to Africa. The first lady said her personal experiences with bullying was what ultimately led her to take on the issue as part of her platform in the East Wing. ABC News chief national affairs correspondent Tom Llamas seemed taken aback by the statement. Youre really the most bullied person in the world? He asked the first lady. One of them, she said, if you really see what people saying about me. The first lady added: Thats why I, you know, my Be Best initiative is focusing on social media and online behaviour. We need to educate the children of social emotional behaviour so when they grow up they know how to deal with those issues. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Ms Trump launched her Be Best initiative in May, which focuses on childrens social and emotional wellbeing while promoting awareness on the impact cyberbullying has on youth. We can and should teach social and self-awareness, positive relationship skills and responsible decision making, the first lady said at the time. Let us teach our children the difference between right and wrong, and encourage them to Be Best in their individual paths in life. Sevnica: Melania Trump's home town Show all 18 1 /18 Sevnica: Melania Trump's home town Sevnica: Melania Trump's home town The 12th-century castle dominates Sevnica old town Getty Images Sevnica: Melania Trump's home town The old town has a beautiful riverside setting Getty Images Sevnica: Melania Trump's home town 'White House' slippers in Sevnica castle Nick Redmayne Sevnica: Melania Trump's home town The annual salami festival, the Salamiada Nick Redmayne Sevnica: Melania Trump's home town Sevnica was a nondescript town before Melania hit the big time AFP/Getty Images Sevnica: Melania Trump's home town Sevnica butchers take their sausage-making skills seriously Nick Redmayne Sevnica: Melania Trump's home town Only men are allowed in the Salamiada Nick Redmayne Sevnica: Melania Trump's home town As American as.... a Sevnica apple pie Nick Redmayne Sevnica: Melania Trump's home town There are no plans to make a Donald pie Nick Redmayne Sevnica: Melania Trump's home town The slippers featured in a recent fashion show AFP/Getty Images Sevnica: Melania Trump's home town The castle is one of the top tourist sites in town Getty Images Sevnica: Melania Trump's home town Melanija cake has gone down a storm AFP/Getty Images Sevnica: Melania Trump's home town The smart house still owned by Melania's parents Nick Redmayne Sevnica: Melania Trump's home town They live in America but visit occasionally Nick Redmayne Sevnica: Melania Trump's home town The communist block of flats in which Melania grew up Nick Redmayne Sevnica: Melania Trump's home town Melania skin cream, for a presidential complexion Nick Redmayne Sevnica: Melania Trump's home town First lady chocolates, dusted with gold Nick Redmayne Sevnica: Melania Trump's home town Even locals can't get enough of the Melanija cake Nick Redmayne The campaign had a slow start but has since picked up as the first lady toured a childrens hospital in Nashville as her first US trip to highlight the initiative outside of Washington. Ms Trumps spokesperson Stephanie Grisham has said more events surrounding the Be Best campaign are scheduled for the fall, along with a major announcement. Luring dissidents to meetings to disappear them is a common ruse used by authorities in Saudi Arabia, a prince from the Middle Eastern kingdom said, before revealing that at least five royals have vanished in the last week alone for speaking out against the disappearance of journalist Jamal al-Khashoggi. The prominent regime critic went missing on 2 October after he went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to register divorce papers, so he could marry his fiancee Hatice Cengiz. Turkish authorities have said they believe the 59-year-old was either kidnapped or killed within the consulate building, a claim denied by Saudi officials who said he left of his own accord. Khaled bin Farhan al-Saud, a Saudi prince living in exile in Germany, told The Independent that Saudi authorities planned a similar kidnapping ploy against him just 10 days before Mr Khashoggi went missing. Recommended US intelligence implicates Saudi prince in Khashoggi disappearance He believes it is part of an escalating crackdown orchestrated by Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman, to silence his critics. The 41-year-old prince said the authorities had promised his family a large cheque and millions of dollars if he agreed to fly to Egypt to meet regime officials at the Saudi consulate in Cairo. He was told that the Saudi authorities had heard he was in financial trouble and wanted to help. They promised he would be safe. He said at least five royals grandsons of King Abdul-Aziz, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia had last week attempted to voice their dissatisfaction with Mr Khashoggis disappearance and the crackdown, in a meeting with the authorities in Saudi Arabia. Those royals were promptly detained and their exact whereabouts are unknown, he alleged. Over 30 times the Saudi authorities have told me to meet them in the Saudi embassy but I have refused every time, he said. I know what can happen if I go into the embassy. He added: Around 10 days before Jamal went missing they asked my family to bring me to Cairo to give me a cheque. I refused. He said there were many princes in jail right now in Saudi, adding: Just five days ago a group tried to visit King Salman saying they were afraid for the future of the al-Saud family, they mentioned Mr Khashoggis case. They were all put in jail. Everyone was scared, he said. The Independent reached out to the Saudi authorities and the Saudi embassy but received no response. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly denied accusations it has forcibly disappeared people. But Khaled bin Farhans story eerily echoes the alleged fate of another royal, Sultan bin Turki bin Abdulaziz, who vanished in 2016 after criticising the regime. Aides of Sultan bin Turki told The Independent the prince was lured to Cairo on a royal private jet to see his father but was drugged and flown to Saudi. He is believed to be alive but under house arrest. His friends no longer have contact with him. Both stories mirror the incident with Mr Khashoggi who, according to his friends and family, was promised protection and a high-level job if he returned to his home country, which he left for the US in 2017 fearing incarceration. US officials told The Washington Post that intelligence intercepts showed Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman himself ordered an operation to lure Mr Khashoggi back home and then detain him. Turkish authorities believe he may have been killed within the Saudi consulate building. Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (Getty) Turkish media outlets published CCTV footage earlier this week, which they claimed showed Saudi intelligence officers entering Turkey via Istanbul airport as part of a 15-man team sent to capture Mr Khashoggi. Turkish investigators are also looking into two Saudi private jets that landed on 2 October. The Saudi authorities maintain Mr Khashoggi left the consulate building safely and deny any involvement in his vanishing. But they are facing mounting pressure from Turkey and the United States to provide evidence, including CCTV footage, proving their claims. Many princes [are] in jail right now in Saudi. Everyone is scared Khaled bin Farhan, dissident Saudi prince Britains foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt has joined calls for more information, warning Saudi Arabia it faces serious consequences if Turkish suspicions that Mr Khashoggi was murdered turn out to be true. People who have long thought of themselves as Saudis friends are saying this is a very, very serious matter, Mr Hunt told the Agence France Presse news agency. If these allegations are true, there will be serious consequences because our friendships and our partnerships are based on shared values. We are extremely worried. Members of the Turkish-Arab Journalist Association hold a protest near the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul The disappearance of Mr Khashoggi has, meanwhile, sparked panic among critics of the regime who believe his possible murder is an escalation of a campaign of kidnapping. Ghanem al-Dosari, a London based Saudi satirist, told The Independent that since Mr Khashoggi went missing, critics in exile were terrified of travelling anywhere, fearing they could be intercepted. He said that some had become so paranoid they were not leaving their homes. Mr Dosari has not set foot in a Saudi embassy for nearly a decade, even though his passport expired in 2010. [The authorities] have a history of trying to lure people into embassies, they asked me to go inside the embassy in 2010 and I refused, he told The Independent. I havent travelled in years for fear of entering a country where I might be picked up. I know dissidents who are now scared to leave their apartments. Aside from the princes who were arrested earlier this week, there are at least five members of the royal family, who were once untouchable, that are apparently missing. [The authorities] have a history of trying to lure people into embassies, they asked me to go inside the embassy in 2010 and I refused Ghanem Dosari, Saudi satirist and regime critic Prince Abdul Aziz bin Fahd, 45 the son of the late King Fahd, allegedly disappeared last year amid rumours he had been put under house arrest when Crown Prince Mohammed detained dozens of people in the Ritz-Carlton hotel as part of a massive anti-corruption drive. Khaled bin Farhan said that Abdul-Aziz bin Fahds family have no idea where he is, but they know he is unwell. Also missing is Prince Khaled bin Talal, 56, the brother of Saudi billionaire Al-Waleed bin Talal, who was arrested in December last year. Again royal family members say they have no idea where he is. Around the same time Sultan bin Turki vanished in 2016, Saud bin Saif al-Nasr, a relatively minor royal who publicly backed calls for King Salmans removal, went missing as well. Khaled Bin Farhan thinks Saud was also tricked into getting on a regime-owned private jet which, instead of flying to Rome, landed in Riyadh. Prince Turki bin Bandar, once a major in the police who took to publishing videos criticising the regime, disappeared in 2015 and is still missing. Khaled Bin Farhan believes both Turki bin Bandar and Saud may be dead. Abdul-Rahman Ayyash had gone abroad to help Syrians escaping that countrys war, planning to return home soon to Egypt and his family. But then Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi tightened his hold on the country, killing hundreds of anti-government protesters on the streets, and jailing many of Mr Ayyashs friends. A two-week trip turned into five often painful years of exile. The 28-year-old missed out on his sisters marriage, his nieces birth, his fathers long illness, and days spent with his childhood friends in his home town, the Nile Delta city of Mansoura. He eked out a living as a journalist and researcher in Istanbul, gaining a name for himself as a thoughtful critic of Mr Sisis human rights violations and corruption. Now, following what is widely feared to be the brutal assassination in Istanbul of a leading Saudi exile journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, Mr Ayyash again fears for his safety. When I think about Jamal, he was doing exactly what Im doing travelling around to conferences, writing in Arabic and English, said Mr Ayyash. He met repeatedly with Mr Khashoggi, who is missing and feared dead following a 2 October visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. For everyone in my circle, Jamals case is the only thing we are talking about, he said. The worst thing we thought might happen is we would go into our embassy or consulate, and they would harass us somehow, maybe take our passports. Our imagination never reached the point that we could be abducted and killed in our own embassy. A graphic from the Turkish daily newspaper Sabah purports to identify the 15-member Saudi team allegedly involved in the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi Mr Khashoggis disappearance possibly at the hands of a 15-member team that arrived in Istanbul from Riyadh shortly before his disappearance and headed abroad quickly afterward has terrified and traumatised many other Middle East activists, journalists, dissidents, and scholars who were forced to flee their countries. Were all a target now, said Joseph Bahout, a French-Lebanese scholar who is often critical of Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad. He spoke from Beirut, where he frequently travels and which remains an area contested by allies of Saudi Arabia and its rival Iran. If this goes unpunished, it means that every tyrant in this bloody region has a licence to kill his opponents anywhere and everywhere. Anyone could do anything if this becomes the norm. Unnamed Turkish and US officials have described Mr Khashoggis disappearance as a probable assassination. It wouldnt be the first such incident in a region rife with armed conflict, bombings, and clandestine shadow wars. Libyas Muammar Gaddafi and Iraqs Saddam Hussein had few compunctions about gunning down outspoken critics abroad. Iran appears to have begun to ramp up a decades-old practice of assassinating dissidents in exile. An Iranian activist in the The Hague and an Iranian-British satellite television executive in Istanbul were among those shot dead under unexplained circumstances over the last couple of years. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with Donald Trump in Washington this year (Reuters) But those countries all acquired pariah status, while oil-rich Saudi Arabia remains a member of the international community in good standing. Next week, US treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin and the CEOs of JPMorgan Chase and Uber are scheduled to attend a forum in Saudi Arabia hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been accused by US intelligence officials of ordering Mr Khashoggis abduction. Saudi Arabia has also repeatedly snatched dissident members of the royal family abroad, dragging them back to the kingdom against their will. Saudi officials insist Mr Khashoggi left the embassy shortly after he arrived, a narrative contradicted by reams of security camera footage leaked by Turkish officials to local and international media. Gaddafi used to do such things and paid a high price, said Yahia Assiri, a Saudi dissident in London, and a good friend of Mr Khashoggi. If this thing goes and Saudi doesnt pay a price, so many countries around the world will copy this. It it will become a precedent. He added: The very important thing is that those dictators are copying each other. They learn from each other. Mr Khashoggi, at one point a Saudi insider, fled his country for the US last year. He began to carve out a career for himself as a writer and commentator, critical of the rise of Crown Prince Mohammed. Since coming to power and serving as the de factor ruler of the country under his father, King Salman, the Saudi crown prince has launched a series of economic and social reforms lauded by the West. But he has also jailed dissidents of all stripes, and occasionally targeted outspoken critics abroad. Mr Khashoggi went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain paperwork to settle personal matters, a run-of-the-mill procedure for many people living abroad including expatriates, refugees and migrant labourers who must seek consular assistance for renewing passports, registering births, certifying marriages, and completing university applications. Mr Ayyash said he had no fears when he last visited the Egyptian consulate in Istanbul four years ago, but will think twice if he must go again now. He noted that Mr Khashoggi maintained cordial ties with Prince Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi ambassador to Washington and brother of the Crown Prince, a relationship that apparently offered him no protection. Its a very grave situation, if it could happen in a consulate, said Yasin Aktay, an adviser to Turkeys ruling Justice and Development Party and a friend of Mr Khashoggi. There have to be consequences. Saudi activists say they have been transfixed by the news of what happened to Mr Khashoggi, frantically searching for updates and reactions from Saudi officials. It wasnt even just any target; this was Jamal, said one Saudi scholar based abroad. He held up the ceiling for the rest of us, [so] to speak. He had years of connections and a reputation behind him. Half of us were still careful around him in case he was a spy for the government. The scholar, who asked for her name to be withheld, said Mr Khashoggi's disappearance had profoundly affected her and others feelings about their homeland. Every job offer from back home, every invitation to a conference, or outreach from a government official has become fraught. We shift between feelings of never wanting to go back, to fearing we will never be able to go back, she said. There is a deep hurt or pain that occurs when your government rejects you, when all you wanted to do is make things better. The uproar over the incident, and the public relations damage it has inflicted on Saudi, could make leaders wary of any such violence in the future. The Saudi leadership is clearly rattled by the international reaction to the alleged abduction, which it strenuously denies. But as one of the worlds top oil exporters and arms importers, Saudi Arabia is also in a unique geopolitical position. It increases the incentives and desires for crazed, power-obsessed rules-free people like Sisi to think they can get away with it, said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director of Human Rights Watch. But nobody but Saudi has the carte blanche. Boracay, an island in the Philippines that was closed for rehabilitation in April 2018, is to reopen on 26 October. The popular tourist destination was shut to visitors after President Duterte visited the island and was reportedly outraged by environmental violations that had left the island a cesspool. After an initial six-month clean up, government officials have confirmed Boracay will have a soft opening, with only certain hotels allowed to operate, offering around 5,000 beds in total. Recommended Amsterdam has a new solution for overtourism However, it will be a different type of holiday experience after the relaunch. No more party island 24/7 and loud music, said secretary of the department of tourism, Berna Romulo-Puyat. No smoking and drinking by the beach and as a matter of policy, only environment friendly and safety compliant facilities will be allowed to operate on the island. She said the aim is to make the island, which previously attracted two million visitors a year more than 17,000 of them from the UK more appealing to families and couples, rather than hard partiers. Rebranding as a haven for health wellness, soft adventure and authentic Filipino cuisine, Boracay still has a way to go before its full rehab is complete. Six months is not enough to try to bring back the natural splendour of Boracay, regarded by many as one of the best beach destinations in the world, said Romulo-Puyat. There are three phases to the plan phase one ends on 26 October, phase two will follow on immediately, and phase three is due to be completed by the end of 2019. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Romulo-Puyat added: Its a long and arduous process, but if there is one thing we are going to guarantee our trade partners and our visitors, you will all surely experience a better Boracay. In the meantime the Department of Tourism has been promoting other Philippines destinations, including the islands of Palawan and Cebu. The tiny island of Boracay, just four miles long and less than a mile wide, is the latest in a string of high profile victims of over-tourism. The Independent reported in early October that Maya Bay, which shot to international fame when it featured in The Beach, is closed until further notice. It closed in June 2018 due to the damage excessive numbers of tourists were doing to the local ecosystem, including coral reefs. The plan was for the beach to reopen in October 2018, but experts say the bay has not recovered sufficiently yet. Four months closure was not enough, Songtham Sukswang, the director of the Office of National Parks, told Traveller. We need at least a year or even up to two years or maybe more for the environment to recover this includes the coral reefs, mangrove, and the beach. A no-deal Brexit would be a disaster for Spain, the countrys UK tourism chief has warned so began a news story from this weeks Abta Travel Convention in Seville. Javier Pinanes, director of the Spanish tourist office in London, may have been more candid than his advisers wished. Yet by naming the issues that desperately need to be resolved by 29 March 2019, he has done the travel industry and holidaymakers a favour. On an average day, more than 50,000 British visitors touch down in Spain, far more than any other nationality. Several million of us have already booked places on the playas for next summer. Yet while planes from the UK will be permitted to fly over European Union nations, thanks to the 1944 Chicago Convention, there is no legal mechanism for them to land in the EU. As Senor Pinanes also pointed out, no-one knows whether British visitors to Spain will need visas, nor whether they will continue to be covered by a reciprocal health agreement. So what exactly do we know about post-Brexit travel? I can tell you, but you might not like the answers. Starting in Spain: if you are tempted to visit the Royal Palace in Madrid, best go by 29 March 2019 and get in free with a wave of a European Union passport in the late afternoon from Monday to Thursday. After Brexit it will cost 10. In Paris, the chance for young Brits aged 18 to 25 to visit the Louvre free will also end; thats 15. At least a year from now, some of us will be able to wave a smart blue passport the same shade as used by EU member Croatia while queueing to pay. The government has promised passports will change colour. Still, at least Britains attractions, free or not, will be emptier. Another known known is that it will be more difficult for many Europeans to come to the UK on holiday. As stated in a leaked Home Office document: We intend to require all EU citizens to travel on a passport. Right now, EU citizens with national ID cards can visit more than 30 foreign nations: the other members of the union, geopolitical oddities such as Andorra, assorted Balkan states and the former Soviet Republic of Georgia. As a result, levels of passport ownership in countries with ID cards are lower than in Britain. After the UK leaves, the number of possible destinations for ID-card holders will drop by one. While some European citizens may go through the hassle of getting a passport just to visit the UK, many will not. Look on the bright side, though: the slump in inbound tourism will coincide with an exodus of the EU staff on whom the UKs hospitality industry depends. Demand and supply will dwindle in harmony. Thats about it in terms of certainties. But while Im here, you can have a couple of very likelies: duty-free allowances will return for travel between the UK and the European Union (but no more loading up the boot with burgundy at Calais); and the government says it wants to keep European air passengers rights rules in force, despite them being unfair and inconsistent. And the unknowns? Picking a letter not entirely at random, just those beginning with m are mind-boggling: no-one knows about motoring, mobile roaming and medical care for British visitors to Europe. As the government is fond of repeating, were taking back control. Yet whether you voted Leave, Remain or didnt, I imagine you were not expecting such uncertainty about what the travel effects would be to prevail almost 40 months on from the EU referendum. Before I left Seville, I called in on La Macarena, Our Lady of Hope, just inside the city walls. While the travel industry and I continue to hope for the best, they should be preparing for the worst. Senor Pinanes was right: Brexit and travel has the potential to turn into a disaster movie, and I cant for the life of me see who will come to the rescue. Survivors of the 26 June 2015 terror attack in Tunisia, as well as families whose relatives died in the massacre, are suing the holiday company. Thirty British customers of Tui, the UKs largest tour operator, were murdered at the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Sousse. The attack was the worst on British citizens since the bombings in London on 7 July 2005. It was carried out by a lone gunman named Seifeddine Rezgui, who was eventually shot by police. The law firm Irwin Mitchell has been instructed by the families of 22 people who died in the attack as well as more than 50 people who suffered injuries. Many are still suffering from psychological injuries after witnessing the horrific attack, with some having comforted family members fatally wounded," said the firm. The legal case centres on security at the hotel; what was known about previous attacks in Tunisia and the lack of information presented to customers both at the time of booking and when the situation may have changed regarding travel advice. Three months earlier, 20 tourists had died in a terror attack on the countrys leading cultural collection, the Bardo Museum in Tunis. At the time of the Sousse attack, the Foreign Office travel advice warned of a high threat from terrorism in Tunisia. Neither Tuis 2015 written brochure or their 2015 website informed them of the content of the FCO travel advice before they booked their holidays, said the law firm. The legal action follows a seven-week inquest in 2017, in which evidence emerged about a poor security regime at the hotel, as well as the slow response of the authorities. The victims families also heard how Tui had played down the Bardo Museum massacre, giving call-centre staff and travel agents a two-page document containing responses intended to calm customers concerns and avoid cancellations. Kylie Hutchison, senior associate solicitor for Irwin Mitchell, said Tui did not audit the adequacy of security at the hotel or take appropriate precautions to keep our clients safe from an attack. Nor did they inform our clients of the level of threat of terrorism which many of the holidaymakers say would have changed their mind about holidaying in Tunisia at the time. One of the victims is Mat James, 33, from Pontypridd, who was shot multiple times while protecting his girlfriend during the attack. He said: The horrible attack was obviously life-changing for so many people. Even now, a few years on my injuries are still affecting me. We can never forget what happened and Im lucky to be alive, but hopefully by taking legal action everyone involved can get the help and support we need to aid our recoveries as much as possible. A spokesperson for Tui UK told The Independent: We remain truly saddened by what happened on that fateful day in Sousse in June 2015 when 30 of our customers lost their lives in a terrorist attack which started on a public beach. Our thoughts remain with all of those who were affected by the horrific incident. As this is now subject to legal proceedings it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage except to say we will fully cooperate with the judicial process. The Foreign Office placed Tunisia on the no-go list shortly after the attack, meaning UK tour operators could not offer holidays there, but relaxed the travel ban in July 2017. The current FCO travel advice says: The Tunisian government has improved protective security in major cities and tourist resorts. But terrorists are still very likely to try to carry out attacks in Tunisia, including against UK and Western interests. Both Tui and its rival, Thomas Cook, now offer holidays in Tunisia once again. This year 105,000 British holidaymakers are expected to visit Tunisia. Before the attack in 2015, the annual number was expected to top half-a-million for the first time. The legal case will be held at the High Court in London. The illegal wildlife trade (IWT) has a negative impact on African economies and their development. It destroys ecosystems and biodiversity, undermines institutions, and channels scarce state resources away from critical social programmes. In Africa, Elephant poaching alone is estimated to cost between 3-5 billion per year in lost natural capital. But, the difficulty of quantifying the value of healthy ecosystems means that the full economic cost of IWT are often underrecognised. This week the UK government hosts the fourth international conference on combating the illicit wildlife trade. Past achievements have included closing once legal markets and recognising the trade as a serious organised crime. The inclusion in this years conference of linking IWT to broader conservation issues marks an important step in linking international enforcement efforts to local development. At this weeks IWT conference in London, Chatham House publishes its own research on the economic cost of the illegal wildlife trade and the incentives for Africa governments to pursue conservation driven development models. Our findings argue that by promoting wildlife economies and pursuing conservation-driven development models, southern African governments can protect their citizens, derive revenue from wildlife products, and establish world class tourism products. Giving local communities the right to sustainably exploit their wildlife resources incentivises stewardship and conservation. This mitigates the pressures for poaching for profit or subsistence. Over the past 20 years, 200 communal conservancy enterprises in Namibia have generated over $81 million in financial and economic benefits for their members.Wildlife numbers have increased significantly as a result. The tourism industry is worth over 40 billion to Southern Africa alone. This is forecast to rise to around 70bn by 2028. Wildlife viewing is a driver for 80 percent of this. Addressing IWT and promoting conservation is one aspect of protecting this industry and the vital direct and indirect jobs it provides. African tourism is an internationally attractive investment proposition. Developing these industries is vital for many African countries seeking to diversify beyond the extractive industries on which they have become dependent. Encouraging investment partnerships facilitates skills transfers and expands economic opportunities through local procurement. Organisations such as the Giants Club ensure that tourism investment also supports the conservation of the eco-systems upon which the industry depends. The economic benefits of conservation extend well beyond the potential of the tourism industry. In Zambia, COMACO (Community Markets for Conservation) is working with 179,000 farmers to incentivize conservation of wildlife and reduce poaching by helping develop wildlife products and facilitating a route to market for them. Protecting ecosystems through improved agricultural practices builds climate change resilience. Making communities decision makers also contributes to gender empowerment in societies where women have traditional responsibilities as food-growers. Tackling IWT and pursuing conservation is also key for post conflict stability, and regional security. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has pioneered transfrontierconservation areas (TFCAs) - collaboratively managed spaces across international boundaries to protect biodiversity and promote human socio-economic development. By cooperating on law enforcement and working with the people inside the protected areas, governments have provided safe spaces for animals and people. UK engagement with these African initiatives supports efforts that the crucial links between biodiversity, socio-economic development, and peace and security. Such an approach complements wider UK wider anti-poaching efforts including successful military training missions in Gabon and Malawi. Africa is the worlds youngest continent. It is vibrant and innovative, but governments are under pressure to generate jobs and opportunities. Tackling IWT creates an environment for economies to flourish, develop, and attract investment. The London Conference is an integral part of the UK taking a holistic approach to IWT in partnership with African stakeholders. Christopher Vandome is a Research Associate in the Chatham House Africa Programme. For more information click here Once written off as the grey man of politics, designer of the infamous cones hotline, John Majors legacy as a humanitarian is taking shape. It is furthered this week by his damning remarks over the Conservative governments core welfare policy, universal credit. Commenced under David Camerons leadership and pursued with dogged conviction by Theresa May despite growing evidence of not just its failure, but its capacity for harm its full effects are finally starting to be felt. Whispers of concern are now to be heard in the offices of Conservative MPs, particularly those in marginal constituencies, who are seeing the victims of this cruel benefits overhaul turn up in their weekly surgeries. They have no answers for them, as the poor and vulnerable list the ways the government is making their lives, day by day, harder and increasingly impoverished. Major has no seat to lose: he is free to speak truth to Conservative power, just as he already has over the risks of Brexit, and of the risks of buddying up with the DUP, in the recent past. Though he agrees in the principles behind universal credit putting individuals in charge of their income, attaching rights to responsibilities, and encouraging more people to return to the workforce he knows that removing hundreds of pounds from the wallets of poor families will have a devastating impact on family life, on communities and on local economies. In order to introduce something like universal credit, you need to look at those people who in the short term are going to lose, and protect them, or you will run into the sort of problems the Conservative Party ran into in the late 1980s, he said warning that the policy could become an albatross around the neck of the prime minister, the poll tax of the modern political era. Universal Credit leaves 'some people worse off', government minister Esther McVey admits And he acknowledged that evidence shows the policy is unlikely to achieve its aims: The argument that it is to encourage people to get into work isnt an argument that runs, to me, on something of that sort, he said. I do think we need to look very carefully at how it is introduced, and when it is introduced and what the circumstances are and the resources there are available to assist its introduction. His concerns are not solely motivated by the heart he knows, and openly speaks of, the reputational damage it is already doing to his party. By next summer, almost 4 million people will be claiming universal credit. Thats a lot of people to anger and thats before youve added the frustrations of all those the policy will touch from small business owners to social landlords, from charities to disability activists. If you have people who face that degree of loss, that is not something the majority of the British population would think of as fair, and if people think you have removed yourself from fairness then you are in deep political trouble, he remarked. But his comments reveal that it is not only political trouble the government is likely to find themselves in: it is economic, it is social and, indeed, it is moral. Major, by alerting us to his concerns about the lack of fairness and the logistical flaws built into the design of the universal credit system, also draws us to make another significant observation: look just how far the modern Tory party in particular its leadership, and those who would challenge the leadership from the right have moved from the ideals of compassionate Conservatism. Recommended The real reason for the rise of the German far right If the aim is to improve the general welfare of society to ease the unemployed into fruitful and rewarding employment, and create the conditions for a productive life for those who cannot work due to disability or other factors then universal credit is designed to fail. It removes choice from the individual by reducing their already limited spending power; it encourages the free market to act against the interests of poorer citizens, for example by pushing private landlords who fear losing their income stream out of the market; it pushes the very poorest to extremities of desperation, leaving new claimants with absolutely nothing but a foodbank for support for up to five weeks. The cumulative effect of this is to entrench, not ease, dependency on state agencies and welfare schemes. It is the antithesis of both compassion and traditional Conservatism. In 1992, John Major won an election he was expected to lose by showing that he understood the needs of ordinary people living through the effects of recession. He believed in a meritocratic society. Today, he sees that the policies of his party are acting to undermine those ideals. This is hardly the first time the prime minister or her cabinet have been warned about the damage that welfare reform will do to the country, or to her party. The sad thing is that, despite mounting evidence that the critics are right, the government does not seem to care. Iain Duncan Smith, the architect of universal credit, still claims it is functioning well. Its a collective moment of fingers-in-the-ears. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Universal credit is unlikely to survive in its current form. When every single benefits claimant is moved onto the new system, which the government intends to achieve by the middle of next year, emergency amends will be made to the policy to keep it afloat. Housing associations will, I predict, be able to claim their rent direct from the DWP rather than claimants managing their own payments. The expectation for some disabled or sick people to find work will be reduced when once critical mass is reached it becomes clear that employers will not make the adjustments needed to welcome them into work: a sobering but likely reality. Perhaps John Major is right, and the political fallout will be so severe that the policy is killed off altogether though the National Audit Office, itself critical of the scheme, warns that that may not be possible either. The question we are left with is whether the Conservatives will rediscover their own moral compass and kill it off first, or whether Theresa May or her successor (one Jacob Rees-Mogg?) will dig in their heels and allow Jeremy Corbyn to do the job for them. The communications minister has come under increased pressure from the opposition amid claims that the States broadband tendering process had become contaminated by his alleged inappropriate actions. Denis Naughten was criticised in the Dail on Thursday over his dealings with US businessman David McCourt, who is leading the sole remaining bid for a contract to roll-out high-speed broadband to more than 500,000 homes across the country. It emerged on Wednesday that the minister had paid for a lunch for the businessman in Leinster house in April and the pair also had a meeting in June. It follows revelations that Mr Naughten met Mr McCourt at a New York dinner in July. "Other highlights include 87m to support the National Broadband Plan, cyber security & promote digital skills among small businesses and citizens" @DenisNaughten #Budget19 @merrionstreet @SeanKyneTD pic.twitter.com/zY1sXv970O Dept. Environment, Climate and Communications (@Dept_ECC) October 10, 2018 Minutes of the New York meeting showed that a 10-minute discussion took place between officials from the Department of Communications and Mr McCourt. According to the minutes, Mr McCourt addressed his remarks to a department official and not to the minister. Labour leader Brendan Howlin said it was inappropriate for the minister to have any contact with a bidder during a procurement process. By meeting with the bidder the minister may well have contaminated the process, thats to put it in its mildest. He has certainly opened it to legal challenge, Mr Howlin said. Sinn Feins Pearse Doherty said there were serious questions to be answered about the pairs interaction. The Donegal TD told the Dail: [Mr Naughten] has said that he didnt discuss the process in the dinner in New York, that he was at the table and that his officials were engaged in the discussion, and that is just simple unbelievable. Nothing that Denis told me this morning undermines my confidence in himSimon Coveney Mr Doherty accused Mr Naughten of breaching his own protocols in respect to the tendering process. It is very clear that the minister breached his own rules. He says that he didnt, but it is in black and white for everybody to see that he did, the Donegal TD said. Mr Doherty added that the tendering process had gone from chaotic to quite frankly farcical and had raising significant doubts over whether the consortium could deliver. Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said he had a brief conversation with the minister on Thursday morning. Nothing that Denis told me this morning undermines my confidence in him, Mr Coveney said. Video: Earlier I told @OireachtasNews that today is a landmark date for the 540,000 families & businesses waiting for High Speed Broadband under the Govt's National Broadband Plan #NBP #NationalBroadbandPlan @Dept_CCAE @merrionstreet #GovPloughing18 pic.twitter.com/SYS4suh1Ee Denis Naughten (@DenisNaughten) September 18, 2018 He added that the minister should be given the time and space to explain himself and put the issue to bed. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said on Thursday morning that he had full confidence in the ministers position. But when pressed on Virgin Media Ones Ireland AM programme about whether he was satisfied with Mr Naughtens explanation, Mr Varadkar said: So far, yes. Mr Varadkar said he had a meeting the minister on Wednesday evening to discuss the matter. Mr Naughten was due to make a statement and take questions on the matter in the Oireachtas on Thursday afternoon. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe speaking at the INM Events Budget 2019 Breakfast briefing with KPMG at the Westbury Hotel. Pic:Mark Condren Competition from the private sector is making it more difficult for Revenue to hold on to staff, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has said. Mr Donohoe said he was aware of concerns from tax practitioners about the tax collector's resources. "All of you [the business community] are in a position where you're paying rates of pay that are very competitive in an economy that's doing very well," Mr Donohoe said. "We have key staff particularly in the Revenue Commissioners and elsewhere that we need to be retaining, and we're looking at how we can do it. The concerns come as Revenue is set to recruit hundreds of extra customs inspectors on foot of Budget 2019. That is designed to take account of changes in the trading relationship between Ireland and the UK on foot of Brexit. But in a domestic area known as the Employment and Investment Incentive Scheme (EIIS) - designed to provide tax relief to people who invest in businesses - practitioners have been complaining about delays in the system making it harder for clients to get tax clearance certificates. Expand Close Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe with from left, Reece Smyth, Charge d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Ireland, Conor OBrien, Head of Tax and Legal Services at KPMG, Robin Barnett, British Ambassador to Ireland, INM CEO Michael Doorly, Stephane Crouzat French Ambassador to Ireland, Michael D'Arcy Minister of State and INM Group Business Editor Dearbhail McDonald at the Independent News and Media (INM) Events Budget 2019 Breakfast briefing with KPMG at the Westbury Hotel. Pic:Mark Condren / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe with from left, Reece Smyth, Charge d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Ireland, Conor OBrien, Head of Tax and Legal Services at KPMG, Robin Barnett, British Ambassador to Ireland, INM CEO Michael Doorly, Stephane Crouzat French Ambassador to Ireland, Michael D'Arcy Minister of State and INM Group Business Editor Dearbhail McDonald at the Independent News and Media (INM) Events Budget 2019 Breakfast briefing with KPMG at the Westbury Hotel. Pic:Mark Condren Mr Donohoe was speaking at Independent News & Media's Budget 2019 breakfast event in Dublin today. He said his decision to hike the rate of VAT on the hospitality sector to 13.5pc in one go, rather than on a graduated basis, was on the basis that "if you make a change in one direction when you cut it, then you must be willing to make a change in the same way in the other direction." Expand Expand Previous Next Close Kevin Doyle INM Group political Editor, Laura Larkin Political Correspondent and Ed MCCann INM Group Managing Editor at the INM Events Budget 2019 Breakfast briefing with KPMG at the Westbury Hotel. Pic:Mark Condren Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe with INM CEO Michael Doorly (r) and INM Group Business Editor Dearbhail McDonald (l) at the INM Events Budget 2019 Breakfast briefing with KPMG at the Westbury Hotel. Pic:Mark Condren / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kevin Doyle INM Group political Editor, Laura Larkin Political Correspondent and Ed MCCann INM Group Managing Editor at the INM Events Budget 2019 Breakfast briefing with KPMG at the Westbury Hotel. Pic:Mark Condren "I said pretty clearly last year that I was going to review this rate...if I had done it on a graduated basis, that would have meant I had to raise taxes in other ways to offset the Revenue loss that I then would have faced". Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs minister Pham Binh Minh (right) had official talks with United Kingdoms Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on October 10 in London__Photo: VNA Vietnam and the United Kingdom issued a Joint Statement on the occasion of Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minhs official visit to the UK on October 9-10."As part of events to welcome the 45anniversary of diplomatic relations between the UK and Vietnam, His Excellency Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh paid an official visit to the UK from October 9-10, 2018. The Deputy Prime Minister had official talks with Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster David Lidington, Secretary of State for International Trade Dr Liam Fox, and paid courtesy calls on HRH the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, and Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord Fowler. During the visit, he also attended the Vietnam-UK Economic Forum and met some major UK companies.On the occasion of the Deputy Prime Ministers visit, the UK and Vietnam note the growing importance of collaboration in the UN, on peacekeeping, global security, international law and the illegal wildlife trade. They highly appreciate and welcome the transition of the provision of the UN Level 2 Hospital in South Sudan from UK to Vietnamese peacekeepers, and a commitment to exchanging expertise in peacekeeping-related military engineering.The UK and Vietnam are strong advocates of free trade in Europe and Asia and actively promote the early signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade agreement (EVFTA) in 2018. The UK and Vietnam look forward to maintaining smooth trade relations as the UK leaves the EU, including through ensuring continuity for business by transitioning the prospective EU Vietnam Free Trade agreement during the Brexit transition. Both sides also agree to consult further on the prospects of the UK joining the CPTPP.Both sides acknowledge the key role of education in the relationship including our strengthened science partnership on research, innovation and antimicrobial resistance. In pursuit of these goals, the Decision establishing the educational and cultural status of the British Council in Vietnam has been renewed. They also emphasize the importance of enhancing co-operation on bilateral cultural diplomacy so as to help strengthen the Strategic Partnership between the two countries.Both sides reiterate their commitment to the UN sanctions regime to encourage DPRK to take steps to denuclearize fully and verifiably. They reinforce the importance of maintaining the ban on the use of chemical weapons globally. They agree that adherence to international law is the foundation for peace and stability and renew their commitment to upholding existing Arbitrations and to freedom of navigation and overflight. They hold the view that countries should resolve all disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with international law and through existing legal mechanisms.Both sides express their support for the 2018 London Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) and agree on the importance of efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade.Both sides look forward to a deeper and closer relationship between the UK and ASEAN after the UK leaves the EU. They welcome further UK funding for expertise exchanges with Vietnam on anti-corruption, culture, health, civil service capacity building and reform, infrastructure, smart cities and low carbon, maritime security, peaceful settlement of international disputes.The UK and Vietnam have a mutual commitment to regular ministerial visits to both countries. They agree that the next round of the Strategic Dialogue between the two countries should take place in early 2019.- The Government is facing criticism for failing to do more to improve access to justice after the allocation for civil legal aid received only a minor increase in the Budget. Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan confirmed yesterday it would increase by 500,000 to 41m in 2019. In comparison, the criminal legal aid budget is set to increase by 12m to 61.3m. Prominent legal advice charity Flac said the civil aid increase left the Legal Aid Board with "no wriggle room" to improve or expand services. Civil legal aid involves the provision of advice and representation on civil matters to people who are unable to pay for it from their own resources. But the scheme is under severe strain, with long waiting times for consultations, narrow financial eligibility criteria excluding many from qualifying and limits on the type of litigation it can be used for. Chief Justice Frank Clarke recently told the Irish Independent some people were being caught in "a poverty trap" because they could not reasonably be expected to fund litigation but earned too much to qualify for civil legal aid. Mr Flanagan said yesterday he shared the Chief Justice's view. Announcing the 41m allocation, he said: "As Minister for Justice I am really keen to ensure that access to justice is for everybody." However, Flac chief executive Eilis Barry said the allocation left "no wriggle room for the Legal Aid Board". She said the minister had signalled late last year his officials were open to looking at reviewing the eligibility criteria. "But as far as we are concerned nothing has actually happened on that," she said. "It is very easy not to qualify under the current eligibility criteria. None of that has been looked at for years. It is very disappointing." Ms Barry said there was "huge unmet legal need". In particular, she said restrictions on litigation relating to property needed to be urgently examined. The full restoration of the mortgage interest relief has come as an enormous boost for landlords, but according to property owner Nigel Tuite the damage has already been done. During the recession, the tax burden on landlords rose significantly when mortgage interest relief was slashed from 100pc to 75pc in 2009. Mr Tuite, who owns numerous properties in Dublin, said the controversial move drove many landlords into insolvency or out of the country. "The landlords who were struggling with high loans or those in negative equity were the ones that suffered the most. They were literally paying income tax on money that didn't actually exist, which is why hundreds of landlords went broke or were driven out of the country. "Of course the 100pc restoration is a huge relief for landlords, but a lot of damage has been done and it's going to take years for the sector to recover." Mr Tuite, who also owns his own construction business, added that he's disappointed that the Local Property Tax (LPT) is still not a deductible expense for landlords. "At the moment if your LPT is 500, the landlord won't be allowed to account for it so they will have to pay an additional 250 as income tax. It's unfair and is another burden negatively affecting the market," he said. A series of ministers scrambled to defend the 50pc hike in VAT on the tourism sector amid outrage in the industry at the budget measure that will raise 466m. Representatives of hotels and restaurants have claimed rural businesses will be worst-hit and Tourism Minister Shane Ross has faced calls for his resignation. Mr Ross insisted he had fought against moves to return the VAT rate to 13.5pc and sought to placate critics pointing to extra funding he says he secured to help the tourism industry. Meanwhile Business Minister Heather Humphreys said the reduced 9pc VAT rate brought in to help the tourism industry during the economic crisis was always intended to be a temporary measure. She pointed to other supports in the budget for businesses in the regions. Junior minister John Halligan said the reduced rate had helped create 69,000 jobs in the hospitality sector and this was "way ahead of what was expected". Mr Ross has borne the brunt of the criticism of the budget move that freed up significant revenue for tax cuts and spending measures elsewhere. The Restaurant Association of Ireland accused him of failing to defend them and said he should resign, a call Mr Ross has rejected. Mr Ross insisted the Independent Alliance "fought a battle" against the budget VAT hike and that he had argued for a levy on "price-gouging hotels". He said he has sympathy for B&Bs and smaller businesses which will suffer in comparison to high-priced hotels. He said: "I would have loved to have seen them exempt, but taxes are unpleasant for everybody." He insisted he secured "a large amount of money, about 38.5m, for tourism development". Ms Humphreys said the reduced rate had created jobs in the tourism sector but that a Department of Finance review found it had "served its purpose". She said she was conscious of the challenges facing tourism and said the extra funds in the budget will be used on initiatives like the Wild Atlantic Way. She added: "There are many other supports out there for businesses." Earlier, she highlighted a 300m long-term loan scheme available to businesses and farmers as part of the Government's response to Brexit. There is also an extra 10m for the IDA's regional property programme aimed at attracting foreign direct investment. Climate Change Minister Denis Naughten did not seek a hike in the carbon tax in Budget 2019, he has confirmed. The minister said increasing the tax from 20 per tonne would not drive behavioural change and a shift away from fossil fuels, and that he favoured putting a long-term price on a barrel of oil. The lack of a price signal in Budget 2019 has been roundly criticised by the Opposition and environmentalists who said it showed the State was not willing to take efforts to tackle climate change. It comes as an ESRI report found that the introduction of a tax would only have a minor effect on prices, but would help reduce climate emissions. "There's been quite a bit of commentary on the carbon tax in the run into the Budget. The case I made to the Minister for Finance was we need to set a long-term goal. Short-term measures will not drive the type of change we need," the minister said. He added he had not sought a hike in the tax, but instead wanted to secure cross-party support to establish a "long-term floor price" in relation to a barrel of oil. By this, he said the price of a barrel of oil would be a minimum of 200 to the end user. "That is going to provide the motivation for people," he said. His views are in contrast to his Cabinet colleague Transport Minister Shane Ross, who said while carbon taxes did not form part of his brief, hikes were "inevitable". "It is our job not to tax people but to change behaviour," he said. "We are very constructively and aggressively trying to change behaviour and our policy is to move people onto public transport. We're spending a lot of money and time trying to move people into electric vehicles and we have a full commitment to changing behaviour in other ways. "On the tax itself, I prefer to leave that to the Minister for Finance. However, I feel it's inevitable and something we have to accept." The ESRI study was part of a joint programme with the Department of Finance and Revenue Commissioners to examine the impact of an increase in the carbon tax. It found that an increase of 5 per tonne would increase consumer prices by 0.13pc, and producer prices by 0.08pc. Doubling the tax to 40 per tonne would increase consumer prices by 0.53pc and producer prices by 0.37pc. If introduced at 5 per tonne, emissions would fall by 1.2pc and by 4.7pc if a 20 hike was imposed. The study also found that poorer households would see a higher proportion of their income affected. However, these households could be targeted and assistance provided. Meanwhile, Mr Naughten said a 1pc surcharge on purchases of new diesel cars was designed to change behaviour. Developer demand: The 6.8-acre site on the Greenhills Road in Walkinstown is zoned Regen which would facilitate enterprise and/or residential-led regeneration including offices and a hotel. Joint agents Savills and Agar Commercial are seeking offers in excess of 3m Residential and other developers look set to compete with their industrial counterparts for industrial properties coming to the Dublin market. As Cathal Daughton of Lisney points out "much of the Z6 (employment uses) zoned lands in Dublin City Council is under pressure to be redeveloped for residential purposes and we will see higher prices for this industrial land in western suburbs, such as the Naas Road and Longmile Road, and northern suburbs, like Baldoyle and Finglas/Glasnevin". Philip Harvey of William Harvey concurs saying that recently a UK-listed property development and investment company has written to owners within Dublin Industrial Estate in Glasnevin. "Its approach has been to express an interest in diversification into industrial property and cites the estate as an attractive location for investment. Owners would be well advised to take independent specialist industrial property advice, particularly bearing in mind deal structuring and their future business premises requirements," he says. A particular test of this developer demand will be a 6.8-acre site on the Greenhills Road in Walkinstown, for which joint agents Savills and Agar Commercial are seeking offers in excess of 3m. The site, which contains a number of old warehouse buildings, is surrounded by other old industrial estates and like the site, they too are zoned 'Regen' which would facilitate enterprise and/or residential-led regeneration including offices and a hotel. Stephen Mellon of Savills says it has already attracted interest from residential developers. Marie Hunt of CBRE points out that if the Government follows through on its suggestions that some other industrial estates may be rezoned for higher value uses such as residential, this will exacerbate supply pressures in the industrial and logistics sector. She says demand for logistics and industrial accommodation predominantly emanates from logistics providers and says there are several active requirements from parcel delivery companies. The strength of demand is reflected in take-up of accommodation, rising rents and hardening yields. Gavin Butler of Savills estimates take-up at just over 97,000 sq m (1 million sq ft) in Q3 2018, which was double that for the same period last year. This brings total lettings in the first nine months of the year to around 220,000 sq m (2.368 million sq ft). About one third of that was in sales with the remainder in lettings. Marie Hunt puts the nine month figures at 210,245 sq m (2.263 million sq ft ) which is 24pc higher than the corresponding period of 2017. "There were 39 individual industrial transactions signed in Dublin in Q3 2018 including some pre-lettings," she adds. Gavin Butler says the increase was "on the back of sustained improvements in the labour market and the strong consumer economy which continues to drive the circulation of goods throughout the country. As more goods are being transported throughout Ireland, we expect demand to remain strong for logistics space." Occupiers include food companies, logistics providers, couriers and parcel delivery companies. In August, Cushman & Wakefield forecast that prime Dublin industrial rents would increase by 10pc to around 100 per sq m in the second half of the year and that yields could drop a further 25 basis points to 5pc. A similar trend could be seen in Galway with rents rising by almost 7pc to 80 per sq m. Limerick rents are expected to hold steady at only 59 per sq m. Yields in the provincial cities are also forecast to tighten. However Marie Hunt says that prime Dublin rents are already achieving 106 per sq m and are tending stronger. The largest deal this year, as reported in the Irish Independent, saw BlackRock Real Assets and Irish developer Michael O'Flynn acquire the former Hewlett Packard 195-acre campus in Leixlip, Co Kildare for a figure understood to be in the region of 51m in a deal which was brokered by CBRE. The campus includes nine buildings with a total floor area of 1.47 million sq ft. Current occupiers include Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Celestica, MGS and Global Entserv Solutions. Some 600,000 sq ft of the built stock is vacant while 70 acres is primed for development. The new owners are planning to invest and rebrand it as Liffey Business Park. Another industrial sale saw Friends First buy 15 Magna Business Park, Citywest, a 3,118 sq m (33,562 sq ft) building on 2.25 acres, for in excess of 3.8m. In Dublin 15 a 26,361 sq ft property, 802 Northwest Business Park, Ballycoolin, was sold to private investors. William Harvey had been asking 1.95m. Nearby 40 Rosemount Business Park, a 18,331 sq ft property, was sold to a property investment company which had a tenant lined up. William Harvey had been asking 1.5m. A 17,050 sq ft building at 5/6 Jamestown Business Park, Finglas, was sold to an owner occupier for 960,000. Philip Harvey says that his firm is currently involved in a number of off-market investment sales with lot sizes in excess of 5m. The largest letting deal in Dublin this year saw the 12,494 sq m (134,484 sq ft), Unit 103 Northwest Business Park, Ballycoolin let to Sonas Bathrooms at an annual rent of 1.1m. Owners, Iput had undertaken a refurbishment programme and it is now generating an income yield on cost of 7.3pc. William Harvey and Savills were joint agents. Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Manufacturing took a lease on the 27,760 sq ft, 7 Swords Business Park on a 2.57 acre site at a headline annual rent of 220,000. Both Rohan Holdings and Green Reit are undertaking new developments. Rohan is due to complete construction of three large facilities. These include Units A7A and A7B in North City Business Park and Heron House in Dublin Airport Logistics Park. Savills are guiding annual rents of 199,700 and 200,100 respectively for the two semi-detached facilities of 1,850 sq m (19,913 sq ft). Green Reit completed three further units at Horizon Logistics Park, including an 80,000 sq ft unit for Kuehne + Nagel. Green also began constructing Units D6 and D7 at Horizon and it also received planning permission for Unit D9 extending to 110,000 sq ft, which has been pre-let to Bunzl Plc. The Reit also acquired a further 28 acres of land at Horizon bringing its total land holding to about 300 acres. A hive of bees should be viewed as a single livestock unit for the purposes of CAP, the INHFA has proposed. In a novel addition to its CAP position, the INHFA has argued that supporting the keeping of bees by designating each hive a livestock unit would help farmers by providing another income source, while also giving the environment a much-needed boost through increased numbers of pollinators. The fall-off in wild bee populations across Europe is a major cause of concern for both environmentalists and farmers. Around 50pc of all European bee species are threatened with extinction. The massive decline in numbers is blamed on loss of native forage, the use of chemical sprays and fertilisers by farmers, global warming, and pests such as the varroa mite. The keeping of bees in man-made hives - which is termed apiculture - is included in the new CAP legislation, Bridget Murphy of the INHFA pointed out. "Ireland has the smallest apiculture budget in the EU and no farm apiculture programme. "Exploring the economic and environmental potential of the honeybee and implementing an apiculture programme for farmers is long overdue," Ms Murphy maintained. "Each member state is obliged to choose certain types of interventions in the apiculture sector including technical assistance to beekeepers and applied research. The EU will fund 50pc of the expenditure of these interventions," Ms Murphy explained. "Pollination is crucial to plant reproduction, and most insect pollination is provided by wild bees. In Ireland we have one honeybee and 97 different wild bees - 20 bumble bees and 77 solitary bees. All are in decline," she said. Beekeepers commonly derive income in a variety of ways - honey, pollination services, honey-making equipment, selling nucleus colonies, rearing and selling queens, and beeswax. Managed honey bees also contribute to wild bee declines through competition for food sources and the spread of disease. "Unlike managed species, wild bees do not make honey. They need to find food every day or starve. Nectar is needed for energy, pollen for protein and nutrients for feeding brood. To ensure honeybees dont exacerbate the loss of wild pollinators, an Apiculture Programme needs to provide feed and healthy habitat space for both wild and managed pollinators together," Ms Murphy added. Machines work collecting cotton at the Guarani Farm of the Catelan family, in Roda Velha district near Luis Eduardo Magalhaes, Bahia state, Brazil September 11, 2018. Picture taken September 11,2018. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes The Bella Vita luxury condominium tower rises 20 stories over the boomtown of Luis Eduardo Magalhaes in northeastern Brazil. Its private movie theater and helipad are symbols of how far this dusty farming community has come since it was founded just 18 years ago. Local soybean producers shell out upwards of a half-million U.S. dollars to live in the complex. Nearby farm equipment sellers, car dealerships and construction supply stores are bustling too. Meanwhile, nearly 5,000 miles to the north in Boone, Iowa, farmers are hunkering down. At a recent agriculture trade show here, Iowa corn and soybean grower Steve Sheppard reflected the cautious mood. Expand Close An overview of an upscale neighborhood with many undergoing constructions, and a farm in the background, in Luis Eduardo Magalhaes, Bahia state, Brazil September 12, 2018. Picture taken September 12, 2018. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp An overview of an upscale neighborhood with many undergoing constructions, and a farm in the background, in Luis Eduardo Magalhaes, Bahia state, Brazil September 12, 2018. Picture taken September 12, 2018. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes "I'm not buying any machinery, I'm not spending any money," Sheppard said. Two countries. Same business. Two very different fates. The reason: China. A growing trade war between the United States and China is re-ordering the global grains business. In response to Trump administration tariffs on Chinese goods, Beijing this year imposed levies on U.S. agricultural products. Among them was a 25 percent tariff on soybeans, the single most valuable U.S. farm export. U.S. growers sold $12 billion worth to China last year alone. The fallout has been quick. China, the world's largest importer of soybeans, has scaled back purchases of U.S. grain to feed its massive hog herd. It is turning instead to Brazil, which has ridden the wave of Chinese demand for two decades to become a global agricultural powerhouse. Brazilian soybean exports to the Asian country jumped 22 percent by value between January and September, compared to the same period a year ago. Brazilian producers are not only selling more grain, their soy is fetching $2.83 more per bushel than beans from the United States, up from a premium of just $0.60 a year ago, thanks to stepped up Chinese purchases. Prices for U.S. soybeans, meanwhile, recently sunk to decade lows that farmers say are below the cost of production. The slump has made the agricultural sector a drag on an otherwise healthy U.S. economy. The Trump administration said in July it would spend up to $12 billion in taxpayer funds to help U.S. farmers offset trade-related losses, although the aid package could shrink. Many American farmers, overwhelmingly conservative voters who helped propel Donald Trump to the presidency, are standing by their man. They believe he will eventually negotiate a better trade deal with China, whose appetite for soybeans is so vast that it cannot completely wean itself off U.S. grain. Expand Close Machines work collecting cotton at the Guarani Farm of the Catelan family, in Roda Velha district near Luis Eduardo Magalhaes, Bahia state, Brazil September 11, 2018. Picture taken September 11,2018. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Machines work collecting cotton at the Guarani Farm of the Catelan family, in Roda Velha district near Luis Eduardo Magalhaes, Bahia state, Brazil September 11, 2018. Picture taken September 11,2018. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes But for the time being, Trump trade policies are handing precious market share, money and momentum to Brazil, the United States' most formidable agricultural competitor. Some fear the lost ground will be hard to reclaim. "Bad news on tariffs in the U.S. is good news for them," Robert Crain, general manager for the Americas for equipment dealer AGCO Corp, said about Brazilian farmers in an interview at the Iowa show. BOON TO BRAZIL Like their U.S. counterparts, Brazil's farmers produce much more grain than is needed at home. Foreign customers are responsible for the country's agricultural boom. Nearly 80 percent of Brazil's soy exports now head to China. The city of Luis Eduardo Magalhaes is a testament to the importance of this international trade. Located in the state of Bahia, with farms stretching in every direction, the formerly unincorporated rural area in less than two decades has swelled to 85,000 people. That is bigger than Sioux City, Iowa's fourth-largest city. Major employers in Luis Eduardo, as most locals call the city, include fertilizer factories, seed producers and processors of soy and cotton. The area "relies 100 percent on agriculture," said Carminha Maria Missio, a farmer and president of the local growers union. While Brazil's overall economy is stuck in a ditch, the nation's farm sector rolled to 13 percent growth last year. The John Deere dealership in Luis Eduardo saw its sales rise 15 percent in 2017 and is expecting double-digit growth again this year, managing partner Chico Flores Oliveira said. The local real estate market is surging too. Another new luxury condo tower is slated to open next year. Single-family homes are sprouting throughout the city. Prices for prime farmland are up 37 percent since 2012, according to consultancy Informa Economics IEG FNP. Brazil's total soy area is expected to expand to a record 36.28 million hectares this season due to robust Chinese demand, according to a Reuters poll of analysts. Farmers here also are bullish on this month's presidential election in Brazil. Far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro, who is leading in the polls, favors rolling back fines for farmers who deforest illegally or break other environmental laws. Like Trump, Bolsonaro, is wary of China. But producers here trust him not to blow it on trade. "Rural producers support Bolsonaro emphatically," said Congresswoman Tereza Cristina, head of the powerful agriculture voting bloc in Brazil's Congress. "We have access to him...and I am certain that he is smart and sensible." U.S. FARM BELT PINCHED The outlook is much gloomier in Iowa, the long-established heart of U.S. agriculture. Expand Close Dan Strieggl and his son Issac inspect new farm equipment at the 2018 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, U.S., August 28, 2018. Picture taken on August 28, 2018. REUTERS/Jordan Gale / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Dan Strieggl and his son Issac inspect new farm equipment at the 2018 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, U.S., August 28, 2018. Picture taken on August 28, 2018. REUTERS/Jordan Gale It is the nation's top corn-producing state and the No. 2 producer of soybeans. But its access to some global markets has suffered under Trump. The president walked away from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade agreement that would have opened valuable markets such as Japan to more American ag products. His renegotiation of the NAFTA accord had Mexico, the largest importer of U.S. corn, exploring other suppliers, including Brazil. Now the Chinese are pulling back. Boone lays smack in the state's center, surrounded by miles of row crops, hogs and poultry. Farmland values here fell 12 percent from 2012 to 2017, according to Iowa State University. Worries about the U.S.-China trade war loomed over the recent Farm Progress show, which comes to town every other year. Equipment dealer Lee Randall jotted down prices at an auction of used tractors and implements at the show. Prices have dropped on trade tensions and low crop prices, he said, shaking his head as a green and yellow Deere & Co combine sold for $118,000 and another fetched $82,000. "Five years ago you could have added 30 percent to every one of these pieces," said Randall, whose business, Randall Brothers, is based in Ohio. Nearby, Brett Begemann, chief operating officer for Bayer Crop Science said farmers were likewise scrutinizing purchases of seeds and chemicals. The trade dispute is making it difficult for Bayer to predict 2019 earnings for its agriculture unit. A two-hour drive north of Boone in Algona, Iowa, a town of about 5,500 people, farm doldrums are crimping business at the local Deere and Harley-Davidson Inc dealerships, the operators said. "Ultimately this area lives and dies by the farmer," said Jim Wilcox, an owner of the Harley store. Farmers' woes are showing up on bank balance sheets as well. The proportion of the region's agricultural loans reported as having repayment problems was up in the second quarter, reaching mid-year levels not seen since 2002, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Rodney Jensen, who farms near Algona, regrets not making deals to sell soybeans from his autumn harvest when prices were higher. Like many, he is storing his crop, waiting for better times. He worries China will not buy as much U.S. soy as it used to, even if the two nations patch things up. "It's been pretty pessimistic around here," Jensen said. Buffalo farmer, Liam Byrne will be taking over the FarmIreland Instagram account today and will be telling us and our followers why he made the move to become one of Irelands three buffalo farms. The story of the Macamore Buffalo Farm, in Gorey Co. Wexford, started in November 2016 when owners Liam and Sinead Byrne spoke about diversifying the farm, away from traditional beef farming. Sinead had left a note on the kitchen table for Liam one evening, telling him to watch a programme about a buffalo farm. It was here Liam had the lightbulb moment of running a buffalo suckler farm of his own. Click here to visit the FarmIreland Instagram page We always wanted to do something different, we wanted to diversify. I got out of suckler farming into just keeping a few dry stock, but I had no love for it, and wanted a change, explained Liam. From there, he rang Johnny Lynch, who farms a milking buffalo herd in West Cork, who sold him four calves to get the Gorey herd started. Since then, Liam has kept a great business relationship with the Macroom native who has supplied him with 30 or so calves each season, helping his herd grow 87 animals today. One farmer in Wales was getting out of buffalo and was selling his stock the following summer, and Liam took advantage of this, bringing 16 in-calf cows, a bull and a single bullock across the water to the sunny south east. Although the first calves were quiet, this batch needed a few days to settle in. Coming off the lorry, the buffalo went ballistic, running out into the back of the field, through wires, ditches and sorts. Clearly the journey over hadnt been as calm as roaming the open paddocks back in the UK was. When they first came, they went absolutely ballistic. I was thinking to myself, Ive made a few mistakes but this one was the winner. For a full week, I only saw them from the tractor, I didnt know what to make of them, he said. However, within a week the herd settled, and the brave move has proved successful, with Liam now supplying local restaurants, hotels and opening his farm shop to the public every Friday and Saturday. The Macamore Buffalo Farm is the first Bord Bia approved buffalo meat farm. On site theres a cold room for meat storage, shop and the buffalo themselves. A local butcher, Richard Doyle, takes care of meat preparation at his own abattoir. The buffalo are typically slaughtered between 28 and 30 months of age. Cows and calves are generally left alone, usually weaning themselves. Calves that are brought onto the farm are bucket reared until 12 to 14 weeks of age on lamb milk replacer, which Liam said is the closest thing to buffalo milk. Its much higher in fat than normal cows milk, costing me a fortune to feed them but it works. Winning the silver prize at the recent Blas na hEireann awards, the buffalo meat burgers, that Liam sells in the farm shop or on his website http://www.macamorebuffalo.ie/ , are made from the buffalo meat alone. One thing we wanted, was to sell to the end user, farm to fork sort of thing. Our customers know exactly what theyre getting and where its coming from. Touching on the plans in the next few years, Liam said weve enough space to keep 100 to 110 animals, but well see how it goes, something to look forward to in the future. The Irish-American businessman David McCourt will also invest money in the venture. Photo: Claire Wood. Warren Buffett's business partner, Walter Scott, is to help bankroll the consortium aiming to win the Government's National Broadband Plan tender. Members of the Nebraska-based billionaire's family were in Dublin this week for talks. It has also emerged that Oak Hill, the New York venture capital firm that sold its 47pc share in telecoms firm Enet last year, will also play a part in the consortium's financing. The Irish-American businessman David McCourt, CEO of the consortium bid leader Granahan McCourt, will also invest money in the venture. Mr McCourt recently agreed a deal to sell his company's remaining stake in Enet to the State-backed Irish Infrastructure Fund (IIF). Details on financing were a key demand from the Government according to recently released documents from the Department of Communications. The bidding consortium has recently courted controversy because of the withdrawal of the multibillion-pound UK energy giant, SSE, and the British specialist investment firm, John Laing. The consortium is now led by Granahan McCourt with around 40 sub-contractors, including the KN Group and Denis O'Brien's Actavo, formerly Siteserv. It will still base a large part of its infrastructure on Enet's metropolitan area network rings, which serve 94 regional towns. Gas guzzler: More radical solutions, like reducing the size of the national herd instead of planning to increase it, may be needed to fight climate change. Stock image Was it the prospect of a general election in the offing that prompted the Government to take a step back from a full suite of climate- change measures that might alter behaviour while also raising funds for the Exchequer? Perhaps it was the backlash from rural Ireland or the voices of the Independent Alliance TDs which convinced Paschal Donohoe that hiking carbon tax, diesel, and other measures might be election-day lunacy. Equally, it might have been Brexit. Increases in fuel, heating and transport costs hit businesses as much as they do consumers. As the business community faces Brexit, and the hospitality sector was taking a big hit on Vat, the Minister for Finance may have felt this was not the time to make businesses here less competitive. Either way the Government needed to raise more money to fund additional budget giveaways. And what better way to do it than under the guise of embracing the climate-change agenda. The Government even had perfect cover given the publication of a major climate change report earlier in the week highlighting the perils and future cost of inaction. Environmental groups will lament what they will see as a missed opportunity. Mr Donohoe and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar can say that now was not the time. Businesses and consumers will breathe a sigh of relief. But the climate-change-agenda rumbles on. It is an extremely difficult area in which to make policy. It is all based on paying now to future-proof something down the line. Irish governments are not traditionally run that way. As things stand however, some tough decisions will have to be made. Hiking up carbon taxes seems like a lazy way of combating climate change. Make people pay more, so they will use the fuel less. It is almost about punishing people for their behaviour while grabbing extra money for the Exchequer. But how will we feel when the EU hits Ireland with fines for failing to comply with the likes of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions? Ireland is the second-worst performing EU member state in tackling climate change, when it comes to national action and support for greater ambition, according to Climate Action Network Europe, an NGO supported by the European Commission. This report, called 'Off Target', found that all EU member states are falling short in adopting the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Yet, how they all tut-tutted when US President Donald Trump said he wouldn't abide by the Paris plan. He wasn't even going to try. Lots of EU countries are just not trying hard enough. And therein lies the real problem for any Irish government in making big steps in this area. It can argue that there are laggards everywhere, including the biggest economy in the world. It can also see that such measures require financial pain now for possible but not definite future gain. If Ireland busted a gut on climate change and bigger economies didn't, we could hardly save the planet alone. But Ireland has to live up to its obligations and it could weigh up the other shorter-term financial benefits of showing leadership on the issue. It is one thing to pursue economic growth targets for a particular sector, but entirely different to do that while also signing up to reductions in gases that affect climate change. Take agriculture, for example. Under the Food Harvest 2020 and now the Food Wise 2025 economic programmes for the sector, the cattle herd is set to increase considerably. The government and the industry have set targets to increase milk production dramatically with the ending of the EU milk quota system. This will create jobs, exchequer revenues and economic growth into the future for the sector. All good stuff. But belching and farting cattle are the main contributors to the sector's GHGs. The more cattle, the more GHGs. Together with transport, agriculture is the biggest contributor to GHG emissions. Industry assessments suggest that, based on a reasonable set of assumptions about how the industry will perform in the years ahead, the cattle population is set to keep growing. Yet Ireland has signed up to cutting GHGs to 20pc below 2005 levels. We can engage in some emissions trading but the non-trading requirements would see the figure cut to 10pc below 2005 levels under EU targets. Failure to comply will cost us money - possibly as much as 500m a year. Yet, the economic and environmental targets are not compatible. There are some solutions. In agriculture there are mitigating measures that could be taken around slurry management, nitrogen use efficiency, fertiliser formulation, etc, but they may not be enough. According to a paper published in June by Teagasc, called 'Future Scenarios For Irish Agriculture', "without considerable mitigation actions, Irish agricultural emissions of both GHGs and ammonia are set to increase relative to their respective levels of 2005". The paper went on to say that even when mitigation measures are applied "reaching emissions reduction targets below the 2005 level over the next decade is likely to be very challenging". It added that its analysis "highlights the continuing dilemma between policy-driven and industry-motivated ambitions to increase agricultural activity levels and commitments to reduce emissions". If the mitigation measures cannot do enough, more radical solutions might have to be found such as actually reducing the size of the national herd in the years ahead instead of the current plan of increasing it. That might prove very painful for farmers who have invested heavily in this new post-quotas "liquid Goldrush". Another way through this dilemma would be to take a more aggressive stance tackling emissions coming from the transport sector. Incentives to move to electric cars, greater investment in public transport, more efficient vehicles, make it more expensive for people to drive polluting vehicles. This is where the Budget comes in. The Government is running scared from some of the economic and election consequences of these moves. I am not saying they are wrong, but perhaps they are just postponing the inevitable. Surely the best way to get businesses and consumers to sign up to higher costs on traditional fuels, is to give them the money back in subsidies for more efficient and environmentally-friendly alternatives? People in rural Ireland would be rightly ticked off at paying more for their diesel, especially when they have to commute to jobs that are miles away from where they live. However, if the revenue raised from higher carbon taxes or higher diesel taxes was directly applied to more rural public transport infrastructure, greater home retrofit grants or solar power, it might be more palatable. But simply sticking it into the general mass of Exchequer funding, implies their money will get swallowed up on health sector waste, financing public sector cock-ups or subsidising people who don't need it. In the current fragility of Irish politics (and it looks like it will stay that way), surely the best way to take tough long-term decisions is to directly link the cost with the benefits for the future for those who are paying up now. We do not ring-fence enough public money for specific purposes. At least people can see where their money is going. In the meantime, the Government may feel that politically it isn't the best time to take tough decisions on these things. Safer to wait. With GDP growing at 9pc and an unexpected extra 1.1bn landing in Corporation Tax receipts, when will there be a better time? Tom Cronin of Rye River Brewing Company which was founded in 2013 and, having made its mark on the home market, is looking to European expansion. In an increasingly saturated craft beer market, Rye River Brewing Company has set itself apart by offering consumers something different. The proof is in the pudding - or in this case the beer - as the Celbridge-based company now finds itself growing year-on-year - this year at a rate of 45pc. Quite the change after some sobering early years. Founded in 2013 by Tom Cronin, Niall Phelan and Alan Wolfe, today Cronin heads up the company following the departures of Phelan and Wolfe in early 2017. In the early days, Rye River struggled with a number of problems including managing cash flow. In hindsight, Cronin says that the business "probably got a little distracted". "Like all startups, we found ourselves migrating in turbulent waters, and with that came challenges and opportunities. In hindsight we probably got a little distracted, we took in some agency brands." Two years ago the company underwent restructuring, part of which saw it part ways with third parties it was producing beer for, and it is now an exclusively craft-producing facility. "We had to make some very tough decisions. In 2017 we amicably ended all our contacts and contracts with third-party brands, and that was the right thing, we had to focus on ourselves. "We downsized in line, but we grew the production, and it worked. We had a profitable year in 2017 coming from a loss-making position in the previous two years." Cronin says that today they "only produce the highest quality award-winning beer". Coming from the relative comfort of a multinational brewing company, the biggest challenge for Cronin in going from being a big company to being out on your own is that there is very little room for mistakes. "You are reliant on managing cash on an extremely tight basis, yet trying to generate growth in a business, and then you have to determine at what point you make further investment and capitalise on that growth opportunity and then reinvest again," he says. "Craft beer is a capital-intensive sector. All our tanks and our brew house are 100pc Irish-manufactured and that is a nice thing to give back, but every tank has a huge capital outlay." Rye River, which to date has received investment of 10m - primarily from alternative lender Bluebay - currently has three new tanks on order to arrive in December. "As you grow, you need more capacity and as you grow into that capacity, you have to start thinking down the line about expansion again," Cronin adds. The demand and appeal for Rye River products is both domestic and in export markets, with about 50pc of the beer produced sold in Ireland and the other half exported. "The market in Ireland is small, at a point in time you tend to lose the headroom that is available because it becomes quite saturated, fortunately we have really good brands," Cronin says. "Our core brand is obviously McGargles and domestically that would be a consistent large volume player within the main retailers in Ireland. "We hold our own in Dublin city centre which we consider our back yard. In terms of retail in Ireland we have very good partners." While Cronin says that there is "huge room" for growth in the craft beer market in Ireland, he adds that there is "constant pressure" from the bigger players, "not just in Ireland, but internationally as well, so you just really fight for every percentage growth gain". The big opportunity for Rye River, he says, is in Europe, where craft beer accounts for only 1.4pc of all beers sold in the market. "The domestic market is extremely important and we have done very well in it, but now it is time to really start looking outwards. "We are in most countries in Europe with one or other brands - we do exceptionally well in Italy with the McGargles brand. "That consumer in Italy or France, or Belgium or Germany, he or she is looking for something that is more artisanal. They want to know the provenance of the product - be it a cheese, a beer, or wine - and they are savouring the experience more, so what we find is that we are able to charge that little bit more because we go to the efforts we do to give that consistently high-grade Irish craft beer." With international brewing giants such as Diageo and Heineken now producing their own range of craft beers, Cronin admits that Rye River "can never compete" with such players. "I come from big beer, and I have a real realisation as to how the market works, we have to focus on our offering, we can never compete that's a given. I produce in 2,500 litre batches and I produce 30 of those on any given week, it's a very different process, what we try and do, and I believe we are doing it very well." However he says that the business has received "great support" from pubs and bars in Ireland. "We are giving them a product that caters to the 3pc that want something different. The challenge for us against some of the bigger companies and some of our counterparts is to produce the best beer possible. "We are there because they want our products and their consumers want our products. We can't compete with the big guys, all we can do is be different." The craft brewing industry here is booming and, with more than 100 craft brewers in Ireland, it can feel like there are new breweries opening up each month. However the rapid explosion of competitors in the sector is not something that concerns Cronin. "If you focus on quality and consistency and garner to that space you have every chance of having a successful business," he says. "The challenge is cutting through what is a competitive market, in a market that in the context or Europe or the world is just a drop in the ocean. "Is it difficult to cut through? You have to be louder and better than your competitors and that's where we take confidence, we believe we are at the top end of the offering in terms of Irish craft beer." Cronin adds that making sure that the standards are high for every single brew takes real effort. "We are 47 people in Rye River Company ensuring that happens and we are very focused on that. When I see a new brewery opening does it really give me any concerns? No, because I believe that with what we are doing we will rise to the top and stay at the top." Earlier this month, the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland said that the impact of a hard Brexit on Ireland's drinks and hospitality sector could cost the Exchequer 135m a year. In addition, the lobby group warned that many Irish drinks products are heavily reliant on the British market. For Rye River, all the bottles that its beer is sold in are made in the UK, in addition it sources some its raw materials from Britain. "The bottle supplied to the majority of Irish craft brewers is coming from the UK and that is a concern," Cronin says. However, given the challenges that the business has already overcome, he is pragmatic about the possible challenges that Brexit will bring. "Coming from where have come from in the past five years in this company we take nothing to chance. If [a hard] Brexit comes through it will hurt us - it will hurt a lot of Irish SMEs, I think." Looking forwards, he says the company is focusing on continued growth. "We are growing year-on-year, this year at 45pc, which is phenomenal, and to complement that, we got a further 2m investment last year to help grow in scale. "We currently brew 22 different recipes here. There is always innovation required and we believe now there is a play for a more premium craft offering. We have had four releases this year within that range and we are putting our fifth into market in December." Fresh from winning 19 awards at the 2018 World Beer Awards, Cronin certainly has a lot to toast. STATE-owned Permanent TSB was accused of lacking care and respect for its customers when it appeared before the Oireachtas Finance Committee. Chief executive Jeremy Masding was asked why his bank was selling family homes to vulture funds when both AIB and Bank of Ireland were not selling residential properties. The bank was answering questions on the controversial sale of 10,000 mortgages, which has been labelled Project Glas by Permanent TSB. The loans are being sold to US fund Lone Star and its affiliate Start Mortgages, which is regulated here as a retail credit firm. Sinn Fein finance spokesman Pearse Doherty accused the bank of being uncaring and lacking respect for its mortgage holders who are in financial difficulties. He put a case to the bank of a customer who has cancer. She had gone without fuel to meet her repayments for 19 years, but was unable to keep making payments earlier this year. Her arrears hit 1,800, but days after being told she had cancer the bank wrote to her to tell her that her mortgage was being sold to a vulture fund. How can you sit there with a straight face and say the bank offers respect and care to customers when are clearly selling them off to the vultures? Mr Doherty added: What you are doing is wrong and no other bank is doing what you are doing. AIB is not selling family homes and Bank of Ireland is not selling family homes. The TD accused the bank of taking the easy way out, and said it should be working with customers in default to help them work through the arrears problem. Mr Masding responded that he had avoided repossessing properties which would be much worse than selling the loans. He said his brief was to do the right thing by the Irish taxpayer. The bank is 75pc owned by the State. Mr Masding defended the banks decision to sell off non-performing loans including 7,400 home mortgages to a so-called vulture fund. The sale is a critical part of the banks strategy to meet strict regulations about the number of non-performing loans (NPLs) on its books, noting that even without the strict rules it is the right avenue to pursue. Non-performing loans make the bank less secure; less able to compete; less able to grow or prosper; and, less able to lend to new customers the bank has reduced the number of NPLs by 40pc since 2013, Mr Masding told TDs and senators in the Oireachtas. X factor: Even Elon Musk finds it hard to work fully on more than one business idea at a time, so prioritise your project to give it the best chance of success Photo: Reuters Are we ready to finally put together our deck? The answer is still no, because there's never going to be one deck - each investor has different priorities and you need to adapt your presentation to address these. You do need to be very careful not to end up pitching multiple different companies if you do this. You can only work fully on one business idea at a time (unless you're Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and I hear it's a bit hard even for him sometimes). How do keep your business model clear in your own head? As it happens, there's another thing you need for potential investors that can help you do just that - the company one-pager. This is a one-page document that outlines the basic model of your business, and the investment proposition. This should and must be the same for all investors. It is a relatively dry statement of the bare facts, and because it is so short, investors can always find their own angles very quickly, so there's no need to rewrite it for each investor. Often you'll find that the one-pager is the material that gets shared initially between investors, and only if key requirements are met (such as being in the right industry for an investor), do you even get invited to send or present a pitch deck. At this point you'll have your business model spreadsheets (always a work in progress as you get new data in the door every day, week and month), you'll have some of the core slides, and some idea of the other slides, but it's still all Lego pieces on the floor and you haven't built your rocket ship just yet. I find that it's easier to solve problems by attacking them from multiple angles - digging a tunnel from both ends gets you there faster. So I recommend switching gears at this point and charging ahead on the one-pager. That will give you a really solid basis to build a smoking' pitch deck, and you won't even need one of Elon's flamethrowers. One question that you might have at this point is: how exactly should I modify my deck for different investors if the business plan is the same anyway? You have to start with the investment strategy of the investor. At seed stage, there's not much to go on, so investors use proxy data to make a decision. Some really care about the team, and have the belief that a great team will pull through and pivot into a successful model if necessary. For those investors, just move up an expanded team slide (slides) to an earlier position in your deck. Some investors have a thesis-some set of beliefs about the current way world is going. If your startup is focused on crypto-currencies, artificial intelligence or virtual reality, you're in luck. Many investors at the moment believe, as an investment thesis, that these technologies will be transformative. Some investors are more subtle, preferring to base their approach on more fundamental attributes, such as seeking out startups that make use of network effects (see nfx.com, for example). For these investors, go deep on your core technology. Others believe that the market is the most important thing. I love the way that the venture capitalist Andy Rachleff (formerly of Benchmark Capital) expresses this: "When a great team meets a lousy market, market wins. When a lousy team meets a great market, market wins. When a great team meets a great market, something special happens." For investors of this type, you'll want to focus on your route-to-market and your competitive differentiators, bringing those slides forward, and expanding them. Let's go back to the one-pager. How do you write one? This document is boring and meant to be so. It's best done as a list of key points about your business. Let's go through them one by one. Elevator pitch: you've done this part of your homework already if you've been a diligent reader of this diary. Here's voxgig's, as a reminder: We're a Software-as-a-Service event management platform that reduces the manual labour cost of running conferences by providing modern collaboration tools for organisers, speakers, sponsors and attendees. Background: when were you founded, what are the key results so far? Have you launched anything? For us: founded September 2017. Started newsletter as first activity, now at 4,000 subscribers and growing at 500 a month. Launched MVP March 2018. Running three private trials with targeted clients. Public launch in January 2019. Team: describe your founding team. You need to show how you complement each other. Hopefully at seed stage you have at least one technical founder, and a domain expert who understands your industry. It helps to have some previous business experience, especially in sales. That said, the true colours of a founder don't show until they are actually building and running a business, so if you don't have 'proper' experience, just think of it as yet another startup challenge to overcome. Product: describe the problem you are addressing and how your product solves this problem. Should be easy! Market: describe your target market, and make sure to communicate that it is big enough to be interesting - you can use all that market analysis work from the early articles in this pitch deck series here. The raise: how much money do you need, and how much have you already raised (or have commitments on)? When I started writing this column last year I promised to be as open as I could be, so that you could learn from my decisions, good and bad, and their outcomes. I would love to be as open and transparent as Buffer (a social media promotion tool) - they release everything, including salaries and sales numbers. It's really quite inspiring. As an Irish company director, I don't feel I can go this far. A director has to put the best interests of the company first, and we do have a different business culture here. But I think I can tell you what our fundraising looks like - this information will end up on crunchbase.com anyway. For this seed round, voxgig is raising 900,000, we have 600,000 committed, and we're closing the round towards the end of the first quarter of 2019. Financial information: remember that this is a one-pager, so you'll have to condense your financials to the core numbers. If you can, include a small table of projected cash flows just showing top-line revenue and expenditure for the next three years. Other numbers that you will need to include are your monthly burn (how much money you spend each month), and numbers of employees and contractors. Don't overshare - investors should have met you and heard your pitch and be engaging fully before you start telling them exactly how much money is in the bank and what you spend on pencils and staplers. Company details: These are the essential details about your startup. Start with your company's name and registered business address, website and social media links and your company registration number. You'll also need to include the details of a principal contact, most likely yourself. Include your own social media links so that potential investors can quickly check you out as a leader. You'll also need to include your professional legal and business advisors - your solicitor and accountant at a minimum, plus any formal advisors that have signed agreements with the company. If this is not the first round of funding, include the names of previous investors. One final point, you should absolutely know everything on your one-pager document off by heart - you need to be living and breathing the basic ideas and numbers of your company. (Newsletter update: 4,127 subscribers, and an open rate of 14pc. We're very pleased with this, as we are doing really well on the newsletter at the moment. It's funny how a delivery glitch - see the diary entry from a few weeks back - has turned into something very positive. This is a direct outcome of our culture of blame-free incident analysis. Whenever something goes wrong, we start with the assumption that the process failed in some way, not that our people messed up. There are very few people who choose to work for a startup just so that they can screw up. In the case of our newsletter glitch, we had not put in place a well-defined escalation path for issues. Frontline staff knew there was a problem, but did not have a mechanism for creating a red flag. I do feel an article about incident management coming on soon. Richard Rodger is the founder of Voxgig. He is a former co-founder of Nearform, a technology consultancy firm based in Waterford Many entrepreneurs looking to build a successful tech startup have thrown their hat in the ring but, in terms of deep tech innovation, Ireland is punching well above its weight. The quantity of ambitious firms has never been an issue for Connor Cantwell, European partner at Cosimo Ventures, who has had initial meetings with more than 1,000 new firms across Ireland and the UK in the last year. As for quality, however, not every company claiming to be a disruptor in their industry is worth their salt. "Last year, everyone was pitching themselves as AI (artificial intelligence). This year, everyone is fashioning themselves as blockchain, but it's the genuine article we're looking for," Cantwell told the Irish Independent. "The word disruptive is used - and abused - a lot. We invest in deep tech - so IoT (Internet of Things), AR (Augmented Reality), AI, cybersecurity and blockchain technology. "We want firms that have a little bit of depth about them; now they're startups, and we were all there, so they're going to have holes, but do they understand those holes? "Do they have a scalable business plan? Can their uniqueness been defended; has it the potential to be exponential?" With offices in Dublin, Boston and New York, Cosimo has always been focused on firms that they can make a real impact from - startups with global ambitions looking to get unto the US market. And Ireland, it seems, is very much holding its own. "There's an above-average quality here relative to what you would see in other markets, we compare exceptionally well. Entrepreneurs in Ireland tend to be more realistic, pragmatic, externally focused, there's not that Silicon Valley mindset where a $1m cheque is expected," he said. "I know there's room for improvement, but we do get a lot out of what we can. The average startup here is starved of capital, particularly at seed level, there's not enough money in the ecosystem. "Companies here are very scrappy, give them a euro and they'll get a euro plus value out of it every time. That mindset is very different to companies elsewhere." As former entrepreneurs and tech pioneers, the Cosimo team's passion for finding talent is evident in the hands-on approach they take in terms of sourcing, selecting and embedding their emerging stars in the US market. But neither have they rested on laurels in terms of their own industry's development. And the fact that they have been heavily involved with blockchain in the past few years led them to realise its potential application in the venture capital (VC) space. "This industry hasn't changed in years, it's never changed. There was a sort of dawning realisation that we could disrupt our own industry. With Cosimo X, we still continue doing what we've always done, selecting really disruptive deep tech companies, none of that changes," said Cantwell. According to Cantwell, the new tokenised VC fund will have a particular focus on blockchain technology in early-stage firms, but the added bonus for investors is that it is structured to allow enhanced liquidity, and increased access to the asset class. "Investors buy tokens and those funds are then invested into those deep tech companies that we've always been chasing. Traditionally anybody putting money into a venture fund essentially lock their money away for up for around 10 years. This liquidity is massively attractive. "And with a minimum investment of $10,000, the VC asset class is now open to the guy on the street. The fund is democratising access to venture capital." Cantwell joined Cosimo around three years ago after his own startup and exit adventure; departing from a high-level career at Nielsen, he founded software and analytics firm 20-20 Insights and later sold it to Swiss Post. Now, the Dublin-based partner is active in working with around 140 'deep flow' partners across Ireland and the UK that he sources companies from; accelerators, incubators, etc. And he has witnessed a change in the Irish landscape. "The infrastructure is less Dublin-centric now and, even in the last year, we've seen incubators from Waterford and Galway. The first cohort out of the Shannon programme [a new incubator for startups in the aviation and travel tech sectors] are really impressive, way above expectations." Cantwell's annual whittling down process generally results in five or deals annually and there are currently two UK companies and three Irish firms - involved in IoT, AI and blockchain respectively - under his umbrella that are being put through the six-stage process. "There are any amount of Irish firms out there who will tell you they spent a ton of money in the US market and went nowhere. "We're coming at it from a different perspective, we're opening the doors, getting them in and supporting that without blowing budgets." IN THE immediate aftermath of Denis Naughtens resignation as Communications Minister there are a few critical questions facing the National Broadband Plan. Heres a complete guide to what happened, whos involved and what might happen next. 1. Will the National Broadband Plan continue? It looks like it. The National Broadband Plan bidding process is at the very end of the 11th hour before being signed off. The consortium bidding for it submitted their final bid almost a month ago. The government has asked the consortium for a few minor clarifications, but otherwise nothing major has come up. In other words, up until today, it looked likely that wed have an actual deal possibly by the end of this month. That, though, has to be brought to the cabinet by the Communications Minister. How much will politics play in the new Ministers inclination to bring this process to fruition? Expand Close Denis Naughten was criticised in the Dail on Thursday over his dealings with US businessman David McCourt (PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Denis Naughten was criticised in the Dail on Thursday over his dealings with US businessman David McCourt (PA) Of course, that also depends on how much the process is excavated now, looking for possible transgressions in procurement protocol. Is there anything else that Denis Naughten isnt telling us, for example, about his interaction with companies or individuals in the bidding consortium? Undoubtedly, opposition politicians will press hard on this. But unless theres something stark, it doesnt look like the process would be abandoned. 2. Will it be delayed? This is arguably the more realistic question. This National Broadband Plan process is literally weeks away from being signed off, whereupon design and construction of the physical rural network can begin. Will a new Minister or the Taoiseach mandate a pause in that sign-off to let things cold down a little? If so, this probably wouldnt utterly derail the process would possibly risk it further or cause additional cost. The companies in the bidding consortium have invested millions in the bid so far, but probably wont stay in at any cost. And whatever city-based critics of the National Broadband Plan may argue, a delay of a year (or more) to this process would do critical damage to large tracts of rural Ireland at a time when virtually everything is moving to online services. 3. Who gains if its delayed or cancelled? There will be some big winners if the National Broadband Plan is delayed or cancelled. Eir is arguably the biggest beneficiary. It singularly controls weak, under-developed internet lines covering a third of the population. It has never had much of an incentive for the National Broadband Plan to be a success. Siro, too, wont shed any tears. It is currently building out its own fibre network around regional parts of the country. There is also the suspicion that city-based politicians and commentators are a lot less annoyed by the lack of rural broadband than their fellow 1m citizens who have to do without. When your have a choice of various high speed providers in a Dublin or Cork suburb, issues around who paid for a lunch in the Dail may seem a lot more exciting than whether half of Connacht and Munster get access to the same level of communications that you and your colleagues take for granted. This is not to say that rules shouldnt be parsed to the letter of the law. But its just worth bearing in mind the competition motivations of prominent commentators and players on all sides of this debate. 4. Who is in this bidding consortium and whos financing it? The Irish-American businessman David McCourt is chief executive of the consortium bid leader Granahan McCourt. The telecoms firm Enet is also a key component of it. The bidding consortium has drawn attention for the withdrawal of the multi-billion pound UK energy giant, SSE, and the British specialist investment firm, John Laing. The consortium is now led by Granahan McCourt with around 40 sub-contractors, including the KN Group and Denis OBriens Actavo, formerly Siteserv. Warren Buffett's business partner, Walter Scott, is helping to bankroll the consortium. Expand Close Enet boss David McCourt / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Enet boss David McCourt Members of the Nebraska-based billionaires family were in Dublin this week to discuss the matter. It also emerged that Oak Hill, the New York venture capital firm that sold its 47pc share in telecoms firm Enet last year, will also play a part in the consortiums financing, as well as Mr McCourt. Mr McCourt recently agreed a deal to sell his companys remaining stake in Enet to the state-backed Irish Infrastructure Fund, although no transaction value was disclosed. The telecoms company was recently valued at between 150m and 200m, suggesting a range of between 30m to 40m for the 22pc stake held between Granahan McCourt and Walter Scott. Details on financing were a key demand from the government according to recently released documents from the Department of Communications. 5. Remind me of what this whole National Broadband Plan is again? The National Broadband Plan is a government scheme to physically connect 540,000 rural homes and businesses to high-end fibre broadband. While the government has indicated that the first homes will be connected early next year, this now looks unlikely. If the Granahan McCourt led consortium achieves preferred bidder status in the coming weeks, it will then likely take a further number of weeks or months for the company and the government to sign a contract. At that point, while some of the networks design will have been prepared, much of the practical work associated with it will need to be undertaken. Industry and government estimates now put the likely date of the first passed homes at late 2019, possibly into 2020. The government says that the majority of the 540,000 premises to be connected will be hooked up within the first 18 months of the network build. However, the governments is starting to concede that it may be beyond 2021 - the current completion target -- for all rural premises to be connected. The vast majority of the NBP rural connections under the scheme will be physical fibre lines, capable of substantially faster speeds than city and urban homes at present. However, tens of thousands of the most far flung, rural premises will connect to the network using wireless technology. The National Broadband Plan has suffered a series of delays with government officials striving to ensure compliance with a variety of different procurement rules and industrial tensions. The process has also suffered some competitive setbacks, with both Eir and Siro (the joint venture between Vodafone and the ESB) withdrawing from the competition, citing unfavourable economic conditions. That has left the current consortium, comprising Granahan McCourt, Enet and others, as the sole remaining bidder for the 25-year tender contract. At the end of the 25 year contract, the winning bidder will own the rural network, although this will likely be subject to stringent regulatory oversight if it remains the only high speed telecoms infrastructure in those areas. Meeting row: Minister for Communications ons Minister Denis Naughten defended his New York meeting with businessman David McCourt and said it was covered by Mr McCourts existing investment Warren Buffett's business partner, Walter Scott, is to help bankroll the consortium aiming to win the Government's National Broadband Plan tender. Members of the Nebraska-based billionaire's family were in Dublin this week to discuss the matter. It has also emerged that Oak Hill, the New York venture capital firm that sold its 47pc share in telecoms firm Enet last year, will also play a part in the consortium's financing. The Irish-American businessman David McCourt, CEO of the consortium bid leader Granahan McCourt, will also invest money into the venture. Mr McCourt recently agreed a deal to sell his company's remaining stake in Enet to the State-backed Irish Infrastructure Fund (IIF), although no transaction value was disclosed. The telecoms company was recently valued at between 150m and 200m, suggesting a range of between 30m to 40m for the 22pc stake held between Granahan McCourt and Walter Scott. Details on financing were a key demand from the Government according to recently released documents from the Department of Communications. The bidding consortium has recently courted controversy because of the withdrawal of the multibillion-pound UK energy giant, SSE, and the British specialist investment firm, John Laing. The consortium is now led by Granahan McCourt with around 40 sub-contractors, including the KN Group and Denis O'Brien's Actavo, formerly Siteserv. It will still base a large part of its infrastructure on Enet's metropolitan area network rings, which serve 94 regional Irish towns. The National Broadband Plan is a government-subsidised initiative to physically connect 540,000 rural homes and businesses to high-end fibre broadband. While the Government has indicated that the first homes will be connected early next year, this now looks unlikely. If the Granahan McCourt-led consortium achieves preferred bidder status in the coming weeks, it will then likely take a further number of weeks or months for the company and the Government to sign a contract. At that point, while some of the network's design will have been prepared, much of the practical work associated with it will need to be undertaken. Industry and government estimates now put the likely date of the first 'passed' homes at late 2019, possibly into 2020. The Government says that the majority of the 540,000 premises to be connected will be hooked up within the first 18 months of the network build. However, the Government is starting to concede that it may be beyond 2021 - the current completion target - for all rural premises to be connected. The vast majority of the NBP rural connections under the scheme will be physical fibre lines, capable of substantially faster speeds than city and urban homes at present. However, tens of thousands of the most far-flung, rural premises will connect to the network using wireless technology. The National Broadband Plan has suffered a series of delays, with Government officials striving to ensure compliance with a variety of different procurement rules and industrial tensions. The process has also suffered some competitive setbacks, with both Eir and Siro (the joint venture between Vodafone and the ESB) withdrawing from the competition, citing unfavourable economic conditions. That has left the current consortium, comprising Granahan McCourt, Enet and others, as the sole remaining bidder for the tender contract. At the end of the 25-year contract, the winning bidder will own the rural network, although this will likely be subject to stringent regulatory oversight if it remains the only high-speed telecoms infrastructure in those areas. Mr McCourt recently became embroiled in controversy when Communications Minister Denis Naughten attended a dinner he hosted. Opposition politicians say that the meeting was inappropriate because of the ongoing tender consideration. However, both the businessman and Mr Naughten dismissed criticism of the meeting, claiming that Mr McCourt's 100m telecoms investment in Ireland to date qualified him to meet Mr Naughten, regardless of the National Broadband Plan tender. Mr McCourt said that the reason he invited 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 minister's department had brought up some issues and wanted them resolved, saying that if they weren't we were at risk. All I wanted to do was to make sure they knew that those issues were being resolved. If I couldn't have got hold of the minister I would have called the Taoiseach to say that I understand the seriousness. It was important." Mr McCourt said 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. According to minutes of the conversation between Mr Naughten's party and Mr McCourt released by the Government, department officials were pressing for "a permanent, Irish-based, leadership position" within the consortium, a need for "streamlined decision making processes" and the need for any changes within the consortium to be avoided "or, if necessary, to be kept to a minimum". The officials also pressed for "the need for the necessary financing to be in place" by August 15. All of these issues, Mr McCourt said, have been met. Mr McCourt has also denied that businessman Denis O'Brien is "part of the consortium", saying that Mr O'Brien's Actavo firm was "merely a sub-contractor" and that he had not spoken to Mr O'Brien. He also refuted the claim that selling his stake in Enet represented any detachment from the National Broadband Plan process on his part. "There is no change in the consortium's 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. "I have long believed that the provision of world-class connectivity needs to be viewed as a vital utility and Enet continues to play a significant role in solving this problem for many citizens across the country. I have been proud to have been part of the company's ownership structure and wish the team a successful future." The IIF 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 IIF's stake to 100pc," said AMP Capital's Philip Doyle, principal of the Irish Infrastructure Fund. "Since we acquired a majority stake in the business in August 2017, the company has demonstrated the high quality of its business and its potential for growth. Enet, via its operation of vital telecoms infrastructure, has developed a great business that is both commercially focused and policy supportive." Carlow is an unlikely staging post in the super-charged rise of a key player in China's push to dominate the global electric-vehicle revolution. Ganfeng Lithium sent a team to the town in 2013, shuttling between prospective lithium deposits dotted through the countryside. It was part of their company's first foray outside China amid a drive to boost production of key materials needed to make rechargeable batteries, With projects and partnerships now spanning South America to Australia, Ganfeng is aiming to use proceeds from a share sale in Hong Kong this week to continue a growth spree that's forecast to make it the industry's second-largest producer from this year. "They understood so many years back - in the early 2000s - that lithium would be driving all of the green energy revolution," said Kirill Klip, a former executive with Ganfeng's first overseas partner, International Lithium Corp, who joined the working party in Ireland. "It's a very hands-on approach, literally - they were working with our geologists turning over rocks, studying all the lithium boulders," said Mr Klip. Since that Irish expedition, Ganfeng's share of refined lithium output has jumped from about 6pc in 2013 to an estimated 11pc this year, according to Roskill Information Services. It accounts for about a quarter of battery-grade lithium hydroxide, the material that's now most sought after by carmakers, the researcher's data shows. Formed in 2000 in southeastern Jiangxi province and listed in Shenzhen a decade later, Ganfeng's expertise has been in processing lithium raw materials into the next stage chemical products that can be used in lithium-ion batteries. Its rapid growth and plans to use its share sale proceeds to lift output further have drawn blue-chip customers anxious to secure long-term supply. Since August, Ganfeng has struck new agreements with Tesla, BMW, and battery producer LG Chem. "They've reacted quickly in a changing market and that's enabled them to grow their output to market requirements," Robert Baylis, a London-based analyst with Roskill, said. "Other companies haven't been able to do that with the same speed." That swift growth has been well-timed. Fewer than one million EVs had been sold in total at the start of 2016, there are now about four million on the world's roads and it'll take only about another six months to add a further million, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. The jump in lithium output has swelled Ganfeng's earnings - forecast to rise about a third this year - and catapulted the company ahead of established industry leaders such as FMC Corp in terms of volumes. It's on course to surpass the second-largest, Chile's Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile, this year, according to consultant CRU Group, and is seen eventually challenging the top player, Albemarle Corp. "It's changed the face of the industry - you had the big three and now you've gone to the big five," said Mike Tamlin, chief operating officer of Neometals, a partner with Gangfeng and Mineral Resources, in the Mt Marion mine in Western Australia. "Arguably the pecking order in the big five has changed," with the expansion of Ganfeng and Tianqi Lithium, he said. Ganfeng added a stake in Mt Marion in 2015 and made its first overseas investment in 2011 with Canada's International Lithium, which remains a partner on prospective development projects. Still, the company remains disciplined on its growth plans, Vice Chairman Wang Xiaoshen said this week during an interview in Shanghai. "We lithium suppliers still have to be careful not to over-expand our business, said Mr Wang. "We want to do things step-by-step, every year see how the market grows." Bloomberg German government bond yields dropped sharply and Italian debt rose on Thursday as the effects of a brutal selloff on Wall Street spread across the world. US stocks tumbled on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 and the Dow marking their biggest daily declines since February 8, and technology stocks were at the centre of the carnage. Germany's 10-year government bond yield dropped six basis points to 0.49pc, a one-week low, while Italian 10-year yields shot up five bps to 3.55pc, pushing the spread between the two out to 306 bps. This after US Treasury yields dropped about eight basis points to 3.15pc, coming off a seven-year high on rate hike expectations. German bund futures opened 45 ticks higher at 158.33. The BBC is aiming to wake up audiences with a live follow-up to the influential Blue Planet documentaries. A new series will tackle what a BBC boss has termed one of the biggest environmental crises of our times, by visiting despoiled ocean locations across the globe. Liz Bonnin, Chris Packham and Steve Backshall will present the programmes as the BBC tackles ecological issues, with a leading executive at the broadcaster saying we hold the future in our hands. It is a follow-up to Blue Planet II, which showed the impact plastics were having on the oceans and marine life, and fuelled debate on government policy and the future of the planet. Expand Close BBC presenter Liz Bonnin arrives for the World Premiere screening of the BBCs Blue Planet II (Jonathan Brady/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp BBC presenter Liz Bonnin arrives for the World Premiere screening of the BBCs Blue Planet II (Jonathan Brady/PA) The BBC will air a series of four live, hour-long shows across the course of four evenings. Director of content at the BBC Charlotte Moore said: Blue Planet Live will thrill the millions of viewers who discovered so much from last years ground-breaking series that shocked the nation. BBC One continues to lead that conversation as we travel live around the globe to witness first-hand the magnificent marine life within our oceans and wake up to one of the biggest environmental crises of our times. Packham will be diving into the deep to assess the health of the oceans, and taking to the skies to chart the breeding of whales. Expand Close Springwatch star Chris Packham (Dominic Lipinski/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Springwatch star Chris Packham (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Video of the Day In the Bahamas, Backshall will attempt a series of five live missions with sharks to learn more about the oceans top predators. Bonnin will be reporting from the Great Barrier Reef, and exploring the impact plastics are having on the worlds oceans. Locations from Blue Planet II will be revisited in the series of live shows. Expand Close Shark Trust patron and wildlife TV presenter Steve Backshall will attempt live missions with sharks (Philip Toscano/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Shark Trust patron and wildlife TV presenter Steve Backshall will attempt live missions with sharks (Philip Toscano/PA) It is one of three environmentally-minded programmes announced by BBC boss Moore, as Hughs War With Waste returns. A brand new documentary film, Two Degrees, has also been confirmed. Moore said of the programme: We want it to be the definitive film on climate change. To cut through the confusion, tell audiences the facts without any other agenda, explore what a dangerous level of climate change could really mean. It will be unflinching about the potential catastrophe thats unfolding. And offer the facts about what can still be done. Because, for all the uncomfortable truth, the message of Blue Planet II, of all these shows, is ultimately a positive one: we have the power to do something. We hold the future in our hands. Blue Planet Live will air across a week in March 2019. Charlotte Moore has said the media world is redressing historical failures (Charlotte Steeples/BBC) A BBC executive claims the media world has finally woken up to redressing its failure of females in an impassioned pledge. Society is at the beginning of a process to amend huge historical failings, according to the BBC boss, and the broadcaster will work for a more equitable future for women. Charlotte Moore, head of content at the publicly-funded broadcaster, has said programming will inspire a generation to form a fairer, better society. The BBC director has promised to continue increasing diversity in the media, and include more female stories as part of the national narrative told on screen. Speaking at a memorial lecture for late journalist Steve Hewlett, she quoted the Killing Eve writer Phoebe Waller-Bridges explicit comment on the rise in female voices. She said: As a society, were just at the start of a very long journey to address a huge historical failing of female voices. But I do believe that were living through an incredibly exciting time. I cant put it any better than Phoebe Waller-Bridge: when it comes to the need for more female-centric stories, finally people have woken the f*** up. Theres a whole generation of female stories, perspectives and experiences thats coming to the surface. Its our responsibility to make that generation heard and help them inspire a new generation in turn. Video of the Day They bring with them a promise of a society that is fairer, better, and more equal than ever before. Moore made a series of promises in her lecture, including increasing diversity in the content produced by the BBC. She said: That British storytelling will represent the whole of modern Britain, in all its difference and diversity. That we will make sure everyones stories are told and everyones voices are heard. The BBC boss also promised to attain and retain talent, attract younger audiences, and to protect Britains creative strength and cultural influence. Moore complained that West Coast US giants Netflix and Amazon are eroding this part of the UKs soft power in the world, by reducing the number of British stories being told at home and abroad. She warned that defining decisions for modern media were being taken on the West Coast. She said: For all the great things on offer from the likes of Netflix and Amazon, we need to recognise that theyre not going to help. Less than 10% of their catalogues is made up of content produced in the UK. In this new, US-dominated media environment, we run the risk of seeing fewer and fewer distinctively British stories. She added that, despite more financial constraints, the BBC would enhance our global relevance and influence. Critical of financial constraints on the BBC, Moore said data-driven commissioning to ensure commercial success for programmes was serving the wrong master, and the BBC would continue to take risks on creative content. A dairy farmer "intentionally rammed" the car of a neighbouring farmer with the prongs of a teleporter, causing him "catastrophic injuries" resulting in death, a jury has heard. Michael Ferris (63), of Rattoo, Ballyduff, Co Kerry, has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court in Tralee to the murder of John Anthony OMahony aged 73, at Rattoo on April 4, 2017. Prosecution witness Mairead Walsh who lives on the lane to Rattoo Round Tower, and to whose home Michael Ferris went on the morning of April 4 saying Mahony was gone asking her to call the gardai, described Mr Ferris as lovely, a great neighbour. They would meet most days on the lane and stop and chat and he would always arrive with something, with eggs or vegetables and if she were baking shed drop scones and stuff up to the Ferris house, she told Patrick McGrath SC for the prosecution. She thought there was some dispute years before she came to Rattoo she said of the relationship between Mr Ferris and the deceased. Everyone got along, but around five years ago the deceased, Anthony OMahony got more peculiar, she said. When he brought the banger closer to their house, it was like a gun going off and her husband approached him about it. She warned her children not to allow their ball to go into Anthony Mahonys field. In the last few years, youd just be careful, she said of the dead man. The banger from early morning to late at night was like a gun going off, she said. Cross examined by Brendan Grehan SC for the defence, Rattoo was a scenic location and at the end of the country road was one of the best preserved round towers, Mairead Walsh agreed The banger had been placed against a wall, around 120 metres from their house . The dead man knew they had a problem with the noise and he could just as easily have moved it, but he was no way accommodating. Asked if she feared the dead man, she said yeah and breaking down in tears recalled an incident while on the lane when the late Anthony OMahony was standing at his gate. He shot right over my head and I got really scared," she said. She challenged him and he just shouted abuse at her. It was his way or no way, Ms Walsh also said of the deceased. The Michael Ferris she knew was gentle and soft, she answered Mr Grehan. Everyone had got on well on the lane including Swiss national Michael Schumacher who owns a holiday home at Rattoo. Patrick Walsh, husband of Mairead Walsh said the crow banger had been set up by Mr O'Mahony, on the Thursday, six days before April 4, It was going off every 4 minutes and 26 seconds, I had it timed, Mr Walsh told Mr McGrath. He phoned the council on Monday 3 fearing he would have to put up with this again to next October. He was told to keep a log. He also gave evidence of how in 2013 the deceased blew a gun over our heads, as he and his wife and daughter passed him on their walk. Of the banger Mr Walsh also said: Youd have to live alongside a banger to understand that. Its horrendous. It would follow you everywhere up to your room, out in your yard, its everywhere, he said referring to the echo since it had been placed against the wall of a building near their house, rather than in the corn field where it had been. Asked why it had been placed against the wall, by the deceased, Mr Walsh said this was to reflect the noise. He also said he was concerned about Mr Mahony the deceased and feared for his children. Trial Opens The trial of Michael Ferris, a north Kerry dairy farmer for murder will hear how he had intentionally rammed the car of a neighbouring landowner, a tillage farmer, with the large prongs of a teleporter on a country road at around 8am in the morning, causing severe damage to the car and catastrophic injuries resulting in death a short time after, a jury was told this morning. Michael Ferris, of Rattoo, Ballyduff, Co Kerry, aged 63, has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court in Tralee to the murder of John Anthony OMahony aged 73 at Rattoo on April 4 2017. The presumption of innocence was stressed at the opening of the trial and Mr Ferris was an innocent man until proven otherwise, the senior counsel for the DPP, Patrick McGrath said. Outlining the anticipated evidence to be put before the jury of five women and seven men over the next two weeks, Mr McGrath SC said the jury will hear how just before 8 oclock on the morning of April 4 2017, the accused man, Michael Ferris was driving a teleporter with large prongs facing out of its front on a country road. They would hear he intentionally rammed the blue Peugeot 508 car driven by the deceased on a number of occasions, Mr McGrath said. This caused severe damage to the car and catastrophic injuries which resulted in death a short time later. It occurred in the townland of Rattoo in the village of Ballyduff not far from Listowel, on a country road, off the main Tralee to Ballyduff road. The dead man John Anthony OMahony and his brother had bought 100 acres of land in Ratttoo, in the late 1980s, initially for vegetable growing but and in recent years were using it for tillage. A bachelor farmer, the deceased lived not in Rattoo but in a townland not far from Rattoo. John Anthony OMahony was a man who had a very regular routine , the jury were told and he had some health problems. Over the years there appeared to have been some falling out between the deceased and Michael Ferris and they avoided each other. Maps would show how close the land owned by the deceased and the home of the accused Michael Ferris were, the jury were also told. Mr Ferris was 62 at the time of the incident and he was a dairy farmer with about 90 acres, farming with his brother, and of good health and active. Mr Ferris would be described by neighbours as a quiet man, an obliging man and also a man of routine, Mr McGrath said. The two had not spoken for a period of time. A particular issue arose about the use of a crow banger, a large device used in tillage, which discharges bangs at regular intervals to keep crows away from crops at planting and other times and it seems difficulties arose between Mr Ferris and the deceased about the use of the bangers, counsel said. The deceased did not appear to be the easiest of men. He was an awkward man and could be a difficult man and a man who had fallen out with a number of neighbours, Mr McGrath said of the dead man John Anthony O'Mahony. The crow banger had annoyed not jiust Mr Ferris, "but had also annoyed a number of other neighbours over the years," counsel said. The jury would also hear, Mr Ferris went to neighbours on the morning in question and said Mahony is gone and when gardai from Listowel arrived on the scene they found the severely damaged car and the deceased was in the car with serious injuries to his head and body and it was obvious there had been a violent incident. The Listowel guards observed debris along the road of between 50 to 70 ft; the teleporter was parked alongside Mr Ferris milking parlour, there appeared to be blood on one of the prongs and blue paint. An outline of what the pathologist Dr Margot Bolster will present was also given to the jury by Mr McGrath: Poly trauma had been suffered by the deceased with at least five penetrating wounds. At least two through the body of the deceased and through his back, Mr McGrath said. There were multiple penetrating wounds of the heart and liver. The jury were told to put aside prejudice and put aside sympathy in this very serious case. Brendan Grehan, SC, for Mr Ferris said there would be no issue with the crime scene, the forensic analysis of the teleporter or the arrest of Mr Ferris. It is admitted the accused Michael Ferris was driving the teleporter on the day, Mr Grehan said. Effectively the issue to the forefront will be not what happened but why it happened, Mr Grehan said. The trial continues presided over by Ms Justice Carmel Stewart. The trial continues.The trial continues. Garda whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe has said the publication of the Disclosures Tribunal report means that he can finally move on with his life. The Disclosures Tribunal found former Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan and former Garda press officer Supt Dave Taylor had a plan to spread a historic sexual abuse allegation about whistleblower Sgt McCabe. Expand Close Some of the players in the controversy include, from left, former Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan, her predecessor Martin Callinan, Superintendent David Taylor, Sergeant Maurice McCabe, former Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald, former justice minister Alan Shatter, Children and Youth Affairs Minister Katherine Zappone / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Some of the players in the controversy include, from left, former Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan, her predecessor Martin Callinan, Superintendent David Taylor, Sergeant Maurice McCabe, former Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald, former justice minister Alan Shatter, Children and Youth Affairs Minister Katherine Zappone In its third interim report, tribunal chairman Mr Justice Peter Charleton said the scheme "somehow evolved out of his cheek-by-jowl working relationship" Supt Taylor enjoyed with Mr Callinan. The judge found there was "no credible evidence" then-deputy commissioner Noirin OSullivan played any hand, act or part in any campaign conducted by Mr Callinan and Supt Taylor. The judge found; "Sergeant Maurice McCabe, and who exemplified hard work in his own calling, was repulsively denigrated for being no more than a good citizen and police officer." Speaking on RTE's Prime Time tonight, Sgt McCabe said he accepts the findings in their entirety and said it is a relief for himself and his family. Expand Close Supt Dave Taylor, then Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan and then deputy commissioner Noirin OSullivan attend a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee in 2013. Photo: Damien Eagers / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Supt Dave Taylor, then Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan and then deputy commissioner Noirin OSullivan attend a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee in 2013. Photo: Damien Eagers It has been a very long day 12 years nearly and were delighted with the outcome. "I havent read it all yet, but myself, Lorraine and the kids are so thrilled it's out because it means it's finished for us now. All is over and I can get back to my normal job," he said. The Sgt added that he was not surprised that the tribunal found that Mr Callinan and Supt Taylor worked together to spread allegations about him. "Its an astonishing finding. From the very start of the enquiry I knew they were involved so it didnt come as a major surprise... Its hard to take." The judge also said Sgt McCabe was "a genuine person who at all times has had the interests of the people of Ireland uppermost in his mind". In findings in relation to Mr Callinan and Supt Taylor, the judge said: "Their plan was that there was to be much nodding and winking and references to a historic claim of sexual abuse while, at the same time, saying that the Director of Public Prosecutions had ruled that even if the central allegation did not have credibility issues, what was described did not amount to an offence of sexual assault or even an assault." Mr Justice Charleton also concluded that conversations between Mr Callinan and former Public Accounts Committee chairman John McGuinness took place as described by the Fianna Fail TD. Mr McGuinness testified that Mr Callinan told him following a meeting of the PAC in 2014 that Sgt McCabe "fiddles with kids". In a later conversation in a hotel car park, the TD said Mr Callinan told him Sgt McCabe had sexually abused his family and an individual and that he was not to be trusted. The judge also concluded that a conversation Mr Callinan had with the Comptroller & Auditor General Seamus McCarthy before a PAC meeting was as described by Mr McCarthy. Mr McCarthy said Mr Callinan told him Sgt McCabe was not to be trusted, that he had questions to answer and that there were sexual offence allegations against him. Mr Justice Charleton also found RTE journalist Philip Boucher-Hayes was telling the truth about an encounter in December 2013 he had with Mr Callinan and that the former commissioner and Supt Taylor were not telling the truth. During this encounter, the journalist alleged Mr Callinan told him Sgt McCabe had "psychiatric issues" and had been involved in "the worst possible kind of things". The judge found the evidence of Fine Gael TD John Deasy was also correct. Mr Deasy told the tribunal Mr Callinan told him Sgt McCabe was "not to be believed or trusted with anything". Mr Callinan had disputed the accounts given by the two TDs, Mr McCarthy and Mr Boucher-Hayes. A protected disclosure from Supt Taylor formed the basis of much of what the tribunal investigated over the past year. In it, Supt Taylor alleged he was instructed or directed by Mr Callinan and Ms OSullivan to negatively brief members of the media about Sgt McCabe. In particular, he claimed he was told to brief that Sgt McCabe was motivated by malice and revenge, driven by agendas, and that his complaints had been investigated and found to be without substance. The tribunal also investigated the allegation made by Supt Taylor that he was directed to draw journalists attention to an allegation of child sexual assault, made by a woman known as Ms D, against Sgt McCabe, a matter which was fully investigated with the DPP concluding in 2007 that no offence was described. It was alleged Supt Taylor told journalists this was the root cause of his agenda, namely revenge against the gardai. In his findings, Mr Justice Charleton said there was "no credible evidence" Ms OSullivan had any part in the campaign against Sgt McCabe. He also said the truth was that Supt Taylor "completely understated his own involvement in a campaign of calumny" against Sgt McCabe. The judge said Supt Taylor claimed, for the first time, while giving evidence to the tribunal that he was acting under orders. "That was not the case. The tribunal is convinced that he pursued a scheme that somehow evolved out of his cheek-by-jowl working relationship with commissioner Callinan," he said. "Supt David Taylor supplied a list of nine journalists to the tribunal whom he claimed were negatively briefed by him against Maurice McCabe. "The tribunal is not convinced that any of those journalists were ever egged on in publishing negative stories about Maurice McCabe or even in thinking less of him. "The two journalists not named among those nine, Debbie McCann and Eavan Murray, were, however, like Cathal McMahon, another journalist nominated by Supt David Taylor in the dying days of evidence before the tribunal, encouraged to seek out Ms D and to publish a negative story about Maurice McCabe in relation to her allegation." The tribunal also examined whether Ms OSullivan influenced or attempted to influence broadcasts on RTE in May 2016 of the leaked findings of the OHiggins Commission. This commission examined concerns raised by the Sgt McCabe about policing in the Cavan/Monaghan district. Mr Justice Charleton found that the reporter involved, RTE crime correspondent Paul Reynolds was not acting on the directions of anyone at Garda Headquarters. "What Paul Reynolds did was honest. "He was not under the directions of Garda Headquarters and he went about his job as an intelligent and independent reporter. In no sense was he a tool of the higher echelons of Garda Headquarters," the judge found. Mr Justice Charleton said there could be no criticism of a reference in Mr Reynolds report to an untruth told by Sgt McCabe to the OHiggins Commission. He also found that a reference in one of his terms of reference, to Sgt McCabe being branded irresponsible, was inaccurate. In the report, Mr Justice Charleton said Sgt McCabe was "a genuine person who at all times has had the interests of the people of Ireland uppermost in his mind". The judge said Sgt McCabe had "done the State considerable service" in bringing matters within the force to the attention of the wider public. "He has done so not out of a desire to inflate his public profile, but out of a legitimate drive to ensure that the national police force serves the people through hard work and diligence," the judge said. "He is an exemplar of that kind of attitude. Notwithstanding everything that happened to him, he remains an officer of exemplary character and has shown himself in giving evidence to the tribunal as being a person of admirable fortitude." Also probed by the tribunal was whether the false allegations of sexual abuse or any other unjustified grounds were inappropriately relied upon by the then-commissioner OSullivan to discredit Sgt McCabe at the OHiggins Commission, which examined concerns raised by the whistleblower about policing in the Cavan/Monaghan district. Mr Justice Charleton accepted the evidence of Ms O'Sullivan's legal team that she never suggested that Sgt McCabe's integrity be challenged. The judge found selected leaked transcripts from the commission "created a truly unfortunate impression and a rush to judgement in the public mind". He said the tribunal had not been asked to investigate their source and was passing no comment on this issue. The judge also accepted evidence of former Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald that she had not wished to interfere in the commission. The tribunal heard how correspondence was forwarded to Ms Fitzgerald informing her of the approach taken by the garda legal team. But Ms Fitzgerald said she would have "noted" the email, but felt it "would have been completely inappropriate" for her as a minister to interfere. "Was this wrong? The tribunal accepts this evidence is an honest appraisal of the situation. "It was not a lazy dodging of the issues but rather a considered response to the information," said Mr Justice Charleton. The tribunal also investigated the creation, distribution and use by Tusla of a file containing false allegations of sexual abuse against Sgt McCabe that was sent to gardai in 2013, and whether these false allegations were knowingly used by senior members of the force to discredit him. Mr Justice Charleton strongly criticised Tusla, the child and family agency, for its handling of the false rape claim. In the report, he said the tribunal received the Tusla file, but discovered it had been earlier filleted so that the full extent of the inefficiencies in Cavan/Monaghan Tusla would not be made known to the Sexual Abuse Regional Team based in Dublin who had been transferred the file in 2016. The judge said the false report had an afterlife within Tusla. This was not due to any action by gardai, but was because of the astounding inefficiency of that organisation and the inertia of its management in Cavan/Monaghan, the judge said. In due course, and very probably because of the media attention surrounding Maurice McCabe, in April 2014 the file was taken from the filing cabinet in which it was stored. The mistake was discovered almost immediately but that was because Ms D, when she came to know of the rape offence allegation against Maurice McCabe, protested that she had never claimed any such thing. That should have resulted in an immediate and definitive correction within Tusla, but it did not. Mr Justice Charleton said that while certain gardai knew of this mixing up of the Ms D allegation with that of another more serious one made by a woman known as Ms Y, there was nonetheless an expectation, on a legitimate basis, that Tusla ought to be competent enough not to follow through on an obvious error. An inaccurate report of a rape offence was sent to the assistant commissioner of the Northern Region. That report was later corrected, the judge said. Garda Headquarters was immediately informed of the false report as if it had been true. When the report to the Northern Region was explicitly corrected and the error explained, the incorrect report to Garda Headquarters was never uncorrected. While others were informed, and incorrectly informed, Maurice McCabe was never contacted and told that these mistakes had been made. Tusla has responded this afternoon to the publication of the report. "At the outset, we wish to reiterate our sincere apology to Sergeant McCabe and each member of his family for the impact Tuslas errors had on them," it said in a statement. "Tusla is sincerely sorry that its standards did not meet those which could be reasonably expected by Sergeant McCabe and his family. "Additionally, Tusla also wishes to apologise to others who were affected by the errors that were made. "Tusla will now study the findings in detail to enhance our current programme of reform and improvement, where possible." The new Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, has also released a statement on the findings by Mr Justice Charleton "An Garda Siochana fully accepts the findings of Mr Justice Charleton. "Mr Justice Charletons Report makes for difficult reading for the organisation, but it is vital that we take it as an opportunity to change how we operate so we provide a professional and ethical service to the public. "I fully agree with Mr Justice Charleton when he states that the obligation for members of An Garda Siochana is to the truth, society and the vulnerable, and not to the organisation. "Given the significance and scale of the Report, I will be establishing a group to examine Mr Justice Charletons findings from policy, process, discipline and cultural perspectives to identify the lessons to be learnt and changes to be made. "I welcome and support Mr Justice Charletons comments about Sergeant McCabe. I acknowledge the difficult time he and his family have endured and I hope this chapter is drawing to a close. I will ensure Sergeant McCabe and all Garda personnel referenced in the report receive appropriate supports. "I will ensure An Garda Siochana is a safe environment for people to raise issues or concerns. The organisation will improve by having an open and inclusive culture. "At this stage, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on individual Garda personnel in relation to specific concerns raised by Mr. Justice Charleton. Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan released a statement on Thursday afternoon which said that the tribunal's investigation "goes to the heart of how An Garda Siochana handle allegations of wrongdoing within the force". "It is imperative that the general public, whom the Gardai serve, have confidence in the Garda Siochana and that any suspicion of wrongdoing is properly and fully investigated. "I want to highlight one important point made by Mr Justice Charleton in relation to Sergeant Maurice McCabe where he states that, in bringing to attention the serious state of lack of application to duty and failure to follow basic and fundamental procedures, that Sgt McCabe has done the State considerable service. His actions arose out of a legitimate drive to ensure that An Garda Siochana serves the people through hard work and diligence. Not only do I accept that description of Sgt McCabe but I fully endorse it." "The expert Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland has just completed a root and branch analysis of policing in Ireland. The implementation of its report will be fundamental to the transformation of An Garda Siochana. I will bring an implementation plan to Cabinet this term, taking careful account of the conclusions of Mr Justice Charleton," he added. Former Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald welcomed the publication of the report, as she thanked Justice Charleton for his work, as well as Taoiseach Leo Varadakar for his support. "On a personal level I am pleased that I have been found to have acted appropriately, used my judgement well, and that my evidence has been accepted as truthful. Ms Fitzgerald said this afternoon. "I established the Tribunal to find the truth about very disturbing information given to me when I was Minister for Justice & Equality, and am pleased that it is proving effective in the quest for the truth in these complex matters. "There are many lessons to be drawn from the Report, which requires thorough and careful reading," she said. More to follow MURDER accused Paul Wells told gardai after he was arrested for killing Kenneth OBrien: he was my friend. Mr Wells (50) made the reply when he was cautioned as gardai raided his home following the discovery of Mr OBriens dismembered body in a suitcase and shopping bags in the Grand Canal. The jury in his trial also heard gardai retrieved a bullet from Mr OBriens severed head that was consistent with it having been fired from a semi-automatic pistol. The accused, of Barnamore Park, Finglas has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr OBrien (33) at that address between January 15 and 16, 2016. Mr Wells admitted to gardai that he shot him dead but said it happened when they struggled during a row after Mr OBrien turned up at his home with a gun. Mr OBrien had wanted to have his own partner Eimear Dunne murdered and Mr Wells refused to kill her, the accused maintained. He said he panicked and dismembered Mr OBriens remains, which were later found in a suitcase and shopping bags in the Grand Canal in Co Kildare. Gda Sgt Edward Moore told the Central Criminal Court he went to the accuseds home address at 8.30am on February 6. He entered the sitting room and met the accused. At 8.55am, he explained that Mr Wells was being arrested on suspicion of the murder of Mr OBrien and that other gardai who were there would search the property. Expand Close Garda underwater unit members search the canal near Sallins in 2016 for the body of Kenneth OBrien. Picture: Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Garda underwater unit members search the canal near Sallins in 2016 for the body of Kenneth OBrien. Picture: Collins He cautioned Mr Wells that he was not obliged to say anything, to which the accused replied: He was my friend. He was taken to Naas Garda Station. Expand Close Kenneth O'Brien / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kenneth O'Brien The court heard Mr Wells black Audi A3 was seized and brought to Santry Garda Station for examination. SD cards and a Meteor SIM card were also seized. Det Sgt David Conway said he was part of the Garda Technical Bureaus forensic team who inspected the block built shed in the accuseds back yard. Photographs of the shed, which contained equipment, tools, a ladder and rolled up carpet were shown to the jury. Sections of the carpet were treated to show the possible presence of blood. A photograph of an electric radiator showed a bloodstain. There were photographs of further staining in the boot of the car. Det Sgt Thomas Power of the ballistics section said the torso that was found in the suitcase had a red strap wrapped around the chest. The other body parts were in heavy cloth shopping bags. A bullet was recovered from the head. Damage to the bullet was consistent with it impacting a hard surface, which was consistent with it passing through the bone of a skull. The firearm had not been recovered but Det Sgt Power estimated that the type of firearm it came from was a semi-automatic pistol. Gda Padraig Reilly said on February 7, 2016, he recovered items from the accuseds home including a laptop from the front living room table, a black microsoft phone, a black Asus laptop from the box room and from the main bedroom a blue box from a Nokia phone. Earlier, the jury heard one of the last known people to see Mr OBrien alive said he was in good form the day before he went missing. A broadband installer who was carrying out routine work at Mr OBriens home on the day and chatted with the father-of-one noted that he didnt seem too happy about going back to work in Australia. The jury also saw CCTV footage showing Mr Wells driving west out of Dublin towards the area in Co Kildare where Mr OBriens remains were found. Det Gda Gerard Byrne said he was called to a location in Sallins, Co Kildare on January 24, 2016 following a call from members of the public who had retrieved a bag from the canal and had suspicions about what might be in the bag. There were six people there when he arrived and he saw a heavy duty black Dunnes Stores, torn at the bottom, on the bank. He put on gloves and saw there was a black plastic bag with a small hole in it, tied at the top with cable ties. He saw a flesh coloured object and felt around the bag. It was an L shape and he believed it was a foot. He spoke to people at the scene who said a foreign national had asked Irish people to call the gardai. Det Gda Byrne made enquiries at houses along the canal bank and some people said they had CCTV cameras. The following day, January 25, he was made aware that further remains had been fund in the wider search. He took further steps to canvas the area for CCTV in a number of commercial and private premises. Gda Eoin Ferriter of the Garda Water Unit said he was part of the search team in Sallins on January 25. He recovered a heavy duty shopping bag that was tied at the neck and weighed down with red bricks. Gda Sgt Eamon Bracken of the Water Unit said he retrieved a heavy enough bag from the canal bed. It was sealed tight. Patrick Holligan, a Virgin Media broadband installer said he went to Mr OBriens Lealand Road, Clondalkin home to carry out work on January 15, 2016. Mr OBrien, who was named on the account, was the sole occupant of the house. Mr Holligan told Mr OBrien about the work he was doing. Mr OBrien was dressed casually in tracksuit bottoms and a hoodie top. The work took roughly an hour at he left at 11am. Nobody else came to the house while he was there and he did not see Mr OBrien talk to anyone on the phone but there were maybe a couple of text messages coming through at the time. There was no car in the driveway. Mr Holligan later saw Mr OBrien in a newspaper report and realised he was the person in the house. In cross examination, Mr Holligan agreed with Michael OHiggins SC, defending, that it was a routine call and in his statement he told gardai he engaged in a bit of chit chat with Mr OBrien. Mr OBrien had said he wasnt overly looking for work for the next couple of months as he had made some money in Australia. He was in good form but you didnt think he was too happy about going back, Mr OHiggins said of Mr Holligans statement. He was definitely in good form, he replied. Mr OHiggins asked him about the second part of what he had told gardai, about Mr OBrien not being too happy about going back. Mr Holligan said he could not really recollect but he did say it in his statement. At the time you made your statement, that was your impression, Mr OHiggins said. Mr Holligan had said in his statement he noticed Mr OBrien charging his phone and picking it up a few times, but did not remember him speaking on it. Garda Shona Nolan then brought the jury through a series of CCTV clips taken from footage at the back and side of Mr OBriens home, Permanent TSB Bank in Finglas and locations around the north city. The footage showed Mr Wells using the ATM at the bank on dates in late December 2015. He was seen at Mr OBriens home on December 28, when the two went in and out of the shed and looked at construction equipment. He was seen at Mr OBriens home again on January 11, 2016, the two men seen chatting, looking at work Mr OBrien had carried out and shaking hands. The next day, Mr Obrien could be seen digging a hole in his back yard and placing wooden sheeting over it. On January 13, 2016, Mr Wells was seen getting a considerable number of 50 notes from a teller at the Finglas bank, before going out to the ATM and withdrawing more cash. He was seen making another withdrawal at the bank the next day. On January 15, Mr Wells was seen buying what was believed to be a SIM Card in the Meteor store on Henry Street. Mr Wells was then seen driving back to the bank in Finglas, where he used the ATM. On January 16, Mr Wells Audi was seen driving out towards Ardclough in Co Kildare. The accused was seen at Cleverbuys, Finglas Village, on the morning of January 16, buying items including what appeared to be a roll of black bags and bottles similar to bleach. The trial continues. A woman charged with the murder of her husband in Co Cork insisted she did not kill him but told gardai she had stabbed him twice. Rita O'Driscoll (46) appeared before Macroom District Court charged with the murder of Timothy 'Timmy' Foley (44). After being charged, she told gardai: "I did not kill my husband - I stabbed him twice, not 28 times." Mr Foley was pronounced dead at Dan Corkery Place in Macroom at 2am last Monday after he was discovered lying unresponsive in a pool of blood on a pavement outside a house. A post-mortem examination by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster revealed he had been stabbed multiple times. Ms O'Driscoll, of Bridge Street, Bandon, Co Cork, appeared before Judge Mary Dorgan at Macroom District Court, charged with murder. She indicated she will plead not guilty to the murder of Timmy Foley, at 12 Dan Corkery Place, Macroom, Co Cork, between October 7 and 8. Det Sgt Derek Mulcahy gave the court evidence of her arrest, caution and charge. He told the court that in response to the charge at Bandon garda station, Ms O'Driscoll said she had not killed her husband but indicated she had stabbed him twice. The judge noted that as the charge involved is murder, bail must be dealt with by the High Court and remanded Ms O'Driscoll in custody until October 17. Ms O'Driscoll, who appeared in court wearing blue denim trousers and a black top, remained silent throughout the brief hearing. However, her solicitor Pat Horan made a number of submissions to the court, including a request that she receive psychiatric and counselling support in Limerick Prison. He also informed the court that while Ms O'Driscoll was being questioned by gardai in custody earlier this week, her landlord had boarded up her rented property in Bandon, leaving her two adult children homeless. Mr Horan said Ms O'Driscoll had been subjected to significant physical and emotional abuse over the years, a fact he said State agencies were aware of. He added that, as a loving mother, her primary concern was now for her two adult children, aged 21 and 22. Mr Horan also asked that his client's security be provided for while in custody. Mr Horan indicated a not guilty plea to murder will be entered at the appropriate time. Judge Dorgan said the matters involved were "very serious". Inspector Brian Murphy urged people to assist the Garda investigation and he appealed for "calm and caution". Mr Foley was pronounced dead at the scene before he could be transferred to hospital. His brother Jason, who has an acquired brain injury, was found injured at the scene and taken to Cork University Hospital. Ms O'Driscoll was found with minor injuries and was taken to Mercy University Hospital. The deceased had been caring for his brother Jason since he, Timothy Foley, was released last year from a 12-month prison sentence for assault causing harm after a drunken incident on a bus. Damages: John Ansell won his case after he was hurt on a travelator at a shopping centre in Clonmel. Picture: Collins An 83-year-old man, who was injured in a fall when his shopping trolley jammed on a travelator, has been awarded 15,000 damages. Judge Sarah Berkeley heard in the Circuit Civil Court that John Ansell had fallen backwards, injuring his neck and shoulder and cutting his left hand when he was on the travelator or moving walkway in the Showgrounds Shopping Centre in Clonmel, Co Tipperary. Mr Ansell, of Listrolin, Mullinavat, Co Kilkenny, said he had taken a trolley from the Iceland Store in the centre and had gone shopping in several areas. After finishing and paying for his goods, he had taken the travelator to the second-level car park. Just as he was about to exit the top of the walkway, his trolley had jammed and he had been unable to free it although the walkway kept moving. When it released, with the help of other shoppers, it had skewed sideways knocking him backwards and injuring him. Mr Ansell sued two receivers over the assets of MK 1 Property Investments which included the Showgrounds Shopping Centre; the Showgrounds Management Company; Savills Commercial, which was the centre's management agent; Iceland Stores (Ireland) and Ennis Lifts, now owned by Kone, all with addresses in Dublin where the trial was heard. Judge Berkeley heard evidence from four experts whose evidence sought to cast blame both on the state of the travellator and the Iceland trolley used by Mr Ansell. The judge told barrister Robert Fitzpatrick, who appeared with Pearse Mehigan Solicitors for Mr Ansell, that his client had not had any difficulty with the trolley until leaving the travelator and was completely blameless for the accident. Accident She accepted the evidence of Mr Ansell's wife, Karen, that the shopping centre manager had told her about a similar accident involving an elderly lady on the travelator only a week previous to her husband's fall. Judge Berkeley criticised the shopping centre's failure to investigate the earlier accident and said the centre had a poor system of recording and investigating incidents. The judge said that Mr Ansell's accident had been foreseeable. Awarding Mr Ansell 15,000 damages jointly against the centre owners and Iceland, after accepting the pensioner had fairly disclosed a pre-existing condition with his neck and shoulder, the judge said Ennis Lifts did not have any liability. Noting that Ennis Lifts had fully complied with its obligations under a maintenance contract, the judge dismissed the claim against them. Paul O'Neill, who appeared with Shaffrey Solicitors for Ennis Lifts, successfully applied for the company's costs against the other defendants. A Dublin man jailed two years ago for sexually assaulting his stepdaughter as a child has been released from prison today. George Crombie (49), of Bloomfield Avenue, South Circular Road, Dublin 8, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison in November 2016. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to eight counts of sexually assaulting Laura Johnston in their Ringsend home between February 2004 and December 2006 when she was aged between 10 and 13 years old. During the case it was heard that Crombie had a knife stuck in the waistband of his pyjama bottoms during one assault and told Ms Johnston there would be "murder in this flat" if she told her mother about the abuse, which took place over a three-year period. He also tied up ms Johnston during an assault. After Crombie was convicted Ms Johnston waived her right to anonymity so that her abuser could be identified. She urged other victims not to be afraid to contact gardai. Schools must adhere to strict new guidelines for visiting speakers and external programmes for classes in sex education. The Department of Education has issued new directives to schools, strengthening its previous advice. The best practice guidance takes on board controversies that have arisen over the choice of some visiting speakers. In June, parents of some pupils at a multi-denominational primary school in Dublin kept children at home over the decision to bring in the Catholic marriage agency Accord to deliver sex education. In one change, schools are told that external facilitators should be qualified to work within the specific areas of content and with students for whom the programmes were designed. Previously, advice was that programmes were "best delivered by those specifically qualified to work with young people for whom the programmes are designed". Schools are also told that parents should be consulted in advance; previously this was "strongly recommended". Niamh OMeara, University of Limerick lecturer, with students Megan Hough, Adam Magill, Maria Horan and teacher Celine Finn at the launch of Career Mathways at St Brendans Community School, Birr. PHOTO: DAMIEN EAGERS What do RTE sports commentator Jacqui Hurley, meteorologist Joanna Donnelly and US lawyer Dean Strang, well-known for his role in the Netflix documentary series Making A Murderer, have in common? Maths plays and central role in their day-to-day work and they all feature in a new Transition Year programme called Career Mathways. Career Mathways was designed by a team of maths education researchers at Epi-Stem, the national centre for STEM education, based in the University of Limerick. Hurley, Donnelly and Strang, and 10 other professionals, recorded interviews with the Epi-Stem team in which they explore the different types of maths they use in their careers and highlight how important it is to be proficient in the subject. For instance, Strang speaks about the importance of statistics and probability in his role as a defence lawyer. The Epi-Stem team used the videos to develop a suite of resources, including innovative teaching and learning plans and student workbooks, featuring authentic, real-world problems. Over eight weeks, students in schools where the programme is being piloted will engage in a series of lessons that will look in detail at the maths used across the 13 different professions. The videos will help teachers answer the common question: "Where will I use this again?" In the current school year, Career Mathways is being trialled in Crescent College Comprehensive, Ardscoil Ris and Castletroy College (all in Limerick), St Leo's College, Co Carlow, St Brendan's Community School, Birr, Co Offaly and Colaiste Phadraig, Lucan, Co Dublin. The project is funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and is supported by the Irish Independent. SFI's Margie McCarthy said "creating a space where students can interact with STEM role models is crucial in encouraging them to pursue careers in maths and other science-related fields". At 2.33pm, the hearse carrying the remains of Emma Mhic Mhathuna reached the bottom of Kildare Street and slowed to a crawl as it passed Leinster House. Applause rang out sharply amid the silence of the crowd of politicians gathered there, many of the women dressed in red as a tribute to her courage. Even in death, the high- profile CervicalCheck campaigner had a power feared by the authorities, in the truth that she spoke - and she did not hesitate to exercise it. Even in death, she made them quake. There was no sign of the Taoiseach, nor any of the front bench ministers among the gathering at the Dail - though Leo Varadkar had sent his Aide-de-Camp to the funeral. There was no sign of Health Minister Simon Harris. Vocal vaccine sceptic Danny Healy-Rae stood alone as the hearse passed, while Micheal Martin, surrounded by Fianna Fail TDs, stood and applauded as Emma's remains passed by. It was, of course, the Fianna Fail, Progressive Democrats and Greens coalition that had presided over the introduction of the CervicalCheck programme that was subsequently found to have been 'doomed' from the start. Emma's remains also passed by the Department of Health. How many nameless officials within were also quaking at the brutal unvarnished truth of the coffin passing before them? Of a woman, dead at 37, her five motherless, grieving children following behind. Her family had explained the point of this drive-by as "a final and departing effort to encourage those within to hold a mirror up to the organisations and agencies that they preside over". It was "a request to those organisations and agencies to commit to ensure that Emma's tragic situation will never happen to another Irish mother or woman again". As a parting gesture, it was effective beyond all words - but it was also deeply emotional to see the stricken faces of her family as they passed by Leinster House. At the steps of the Pro-Cathedral on Marlborough Street, in mellow autumnal sunshine, her family and friends met again after the long journey up from the Dingle peninsula. Again, we saw Emma's five children, Natasha, Seamus, Mario, Oisin and Donnacha, standing strong together, with Emma's father Peter and her uncle, John Moran. President Michael D Higgins led the mourners with his wife Sabina, who enveloped Natasha (16) in a warm embrace. Vicky Phelan, whose High Court settlement broke open the CervicalCheck scandal, was present with her solicitor, Cian O'Carroll, who also represents victim Ruth Morrissey. There were over a thousand people at the church where Emma had come every morning to light a candle before attending the little gaelscoil across the road in the Department of Education, where her mother, Annette, had worked. Chief celebrant Fr Paddy Moran revealed that the brave victim of the CervicalCheck scandal had been writing a children's book and shared with them the opening two chapters of her unfinished story, which told of an idyllic summer in Kerry. Fr Moran said that Emma had spoken with no malice, anger or bitterness of the official apologies she had received. Instead, she had been just a mother thinking first and foremost of her children, he said. To Emma, he expressed thanks for being such a powerful force of nature and a wonderful force for good. "Thank you for the hope you expressed that people are good and have a capacity to learn from mistakes and that what happened to you should not happen to any other woman in our land," he said. After the Mass, daughter Natasha bravely and unwaveringly read aloud a message from broadcaster Ryan Tubridy, describing Emma as "a mother, a campaigner, a fighter and a woman in a ball-gown taking on the people who needed to be challenged". A garda rescued two homeless people from a disused historic building which was destroyed by fire. The blaze started at about 9.30am yesterday at Bridge House - known locally as Dr Mitchell's House - on John Street in Kilkenny. Gardai believe the fire was started maliciously and two people were arrested later in the morning for questioning. A passer-by noticed smoke coming from the building and immediately alerted the emergency services. A garda who went to the scene went into the building and found two people - a man and a woman - asleep and got them out to safety. Several units of the Kilkenny Fire Service attended the scene all morning and brought the fire under control, but the building itself was completely destroyed. John Street was closed to traffic and people were urged to stay away from the area because of the presence of large volumes of smoke, as well as the danger of falling debris. Emergency personnel satisfied themselves there was nobody else in the building. Two people were later arrested, not at the scene, and held for questioning at Kilkenny garda station. Chief Superintendent Dominic Hayes said: "It's fortunate there was no loss of life and we'd like to pay tribute to the good work of the garda." Bridge House dates from the 17th century and was one of the most architecturally important buildings in Kilkenny city. Around 57,000 are to lose their medical cards this year, in keeping with a trend which started in 2015. A new report from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to accompany the Budget shows medical card numbers have dropped by 11pc, covering 1.58m people in the last three years as the economy recovered and eligibility dropped. The fall has given the Government room to relax the eligibility criteria in the Budget for GP visit cards, which is less costly. The improvement in the income threshold announced by Health Minister Simon Harris on Budget day wil bring another 100,000 people in to the GP visit card net. While the number of medical cards fell in the last three years at the same time the number of GP cards have tripled. There are now just under 500,000 people with a GP visit card , driven by free cards for all under-sixes and over-70s. There has been a fall in spending on drugs for medical card holders but it has been offset by a rise in the bill for medicines in the high-tech scheme. The report said that children aged 5-15 years, the 65-69 year olds and those over 70 have a "disproportionately high" level of medical cards. Meanwhile a separate report shows that the private health insurance income to public hospitals has fallen. It linked this to the campaign by private health insurers telling their customers not to sign forms saying they are privately insured if they are placed in a public rather than private bed. They will continue to be treated but as a public patient. The insurers embarked on their campaign after public hospitals decided to charge over 800 if an insured patient is placed in a public bed. A public bed costs 80. The insurers blamed price hikes on higher costs which arose when full bed charges were introduced in 2014. The head of Northern Ireland's Equality Commission has defended spending more than 250,000 of taxpayers' money supporting a gay rights activist in his legal challenge against Ashers Bakery. Dr Michael Wardlow was speaking after the Christian owners of the Belfast bakery yesterday won an appeal at the UK's highest court over a finding that they discriminated against Gareth Lee by refusing to make a cake decorated with the words "Support Gay Marriage". The five judges on the Supreme Court in London were unanimous in their judgment in what has become widely known as the 'gay cake case'. The ruling follows the latest round of legal action brought against family-run Ashers Bakery by Mr Lee, who won his case initially in the county court and then at the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal. Around 500,000 has been spent to date on the landmark case - 250,000 by the Christian Institute to fund the McArthurs' appeal and a further 250,000 spent by the Equality Commission to advocate for Mr Lee. Dr Wardlow rejected calls from a number of politicians to quit. "People are genuinely entitled to make whatever calls they want but I am not considering resigning at the minute," he said. Defending the commission's role in spending considerable sums of public money pursuing the case, he said: "This was over four-and-a-half years and represents less than 20% of our overall budget. "In terms of how we spend public money, we are very prudent and in this case we believe that it was important to support Gareth." Dr Wardlow confirmed that Mr Lee is now weighing up his options regarding taking the case further with a possible appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. "At this stage Gareth hasn't made his mind up yet about what he is going to do next. "It is up to him to decide the next course of action and he has a number of options available to him which he will now consider with his barrister," he said. The controversy first flared when Mr Lee, a member of the LGBT advocacy group QueerSpace, walked into Ashers on Royal Avenue in May 2014. He ordered the 36.50 cake featuring Sesame Street puppets Bert and Ernie for a private function marking International Day Against Homophobia. His order was accepted and paid for in full, but two days later the company called to say it could not proceed due to the message requested. The DUP's Ian Paisley has written to Secretary of State Karen Bradley asking her to review how the publicly funded body spends its money after it confirmed the bill for pursuing the Ashers case over more than four years. The North Antrim MP said: "The Equality Commission have got to seriously examine why they allocated so much time and public resources to this case when it was so unceremoniously dumped by the Supreme Court." UUP MLA for South Antrim Steve Aiken also said "serious questions" needed to be asked about the use of public money by the commission. TUV leader Jim Allister and the DUP's Jim Wells have both called on Dr Wardlow to consider his position, accusing him of "wasting taxpayers' money pursuing Ashers". Announcing the Supreme Court's decision yesterday, its president Lady Hale said: "This conclusion is not in any way to diminish the need to protect gay people and people who support gay marriage from discrimination. "It is deeply humiliating, and an affront to human dignity, to deny someone a service because of that person's race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief. "But that is not what happened in this case." The court also said Mr Lee had no claim against Ashers on the grounds of religious belief or political opinion. Ashers Bakery owners Daniel and Amy McArthur said that they were "delighted and relieved" by the ruling, which they said "protects freedom of speech and freedom of conscience for everyone". They also said that Mr Lee would "always be welcome in any of our shops". However, Mr Lee expressed his concern at the decision, saying: "I'm concerned not just for the implications for myself and other gay people, but for every single one of us." The Rainbow Project gay advocacy group said the case had done damage to Northern Ireland's gay community. Read More Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] A PHOTOGRAPHIC agency hired to take pictures of the Christian owners of a bakery after their Supreme Court victory in the gay cake case has refused to hand over the images, saying the company was standing up against discrimination. On Wednesday, Ashers bakery in Belfast won an appeal over a claim that they had discriminated against a customer after they refused to make him a cake iced with the slogan Support Gay Marriage". A photographer was booked using the agency Perfocal for a business event which listed only a few details about the brief, with no mention of the specific court case or the individuals to be photographed. But the photographer later realised that the client was the lobby group Christian Institute, which has spent hundreds of thousands of pounds backing the bakery in their legal challenge. The images were then withheld and a refund issued. In a statement Tony Xu, the founder of the booking site, said: We appreciate that this looks like tit for tat, and it is. He said the firm had been booked for many religious ceremonies, as well as same-sex weddings. In short, we welcome customers from all backgrounds, he said. When our photographer on the ground learned what it was while doing the job, they felt immediately uncomfortable with the situation, as many members of the public are, but remained professional. As soon as I found out though, I realised this was an opportunity to highlight exactly why this kind of result is damaging. This isnt just about standing up against discrimination, I hope our stance serves as an example of exactly where this kind of judgement could lead us. Where does it end? Mr Xu told The Independent: "Division is being felt everywhere, and Id sooner we all appreciated each other regardless of our differences. Our knowingly tit-for-tat stance is purely intended to highlight what this kind of judgement opens the door to." More than a third of women in Ireland have been physically harassed in public, according to a staggering new survey. The stark figures, from a survey conducted by Plan International Ireland, also found 60pc of women don't feel safe taking a bus. And it also states some 93pc of women surveyed feel more vulnerable purely because of their gender. The survey was carried out after an international survey of 400 experts in children's and women's rights revealed that sexual harassment was the biggest fear for women living in cities. This survey included submissions by experts in Dublin. Of the Dublin-based experts, seven out of 10 said sexual harassment of young women in the city's public spaces is a regular occurrence. The experts said that a quarter said that sexual assault or rape is a safety concern for young women in the city's public spaces. Both surveys have been published today on International Day of the Girl. CEO of Plan International Ireland Paul O'Brien said women need to be more involved in the decision-making on policies for their safety in cities. "It's a stark reality for women in our country, especially young women, that harassment and fear are part of daily life," Mr O'Brien said. "It's clear that our young women are faced with significant barriers as they strive to achieve their full potential, barriers which men don't seem to have to factor into everyday life. "On International Day of the Girl, we are saying it's vital that young women are consulted by their local politicians and councils and are brought into the decision-making process around areas that will directly impact on their safety in public." Among the 22 countries in the international survey, Dublin ranked 14th on the risk of a women being murdered in its city. "Girls and young women have a basic human right to be safe in their home cities. Unfortunately, this is not the reality for many around the world, with common safety threats and challenges experienced on a wide scale," said Mr O'Brien. "While Dublin is one of the safest cities in the survey, we have nonetheless seen that there is a need for a culture change to ensure young women feel safe and are safe when in public spaces, and crucially are consulted on policy-making in the area," he added. One Dublin expert said girls should be more comfortable reporting incidents of violence and harassment. The survey was conducted between May and August 2018, with cities chosen based on their size and geographical location. It spread across six continents. Communications Minister Denis Naughten is under massive pressure over his contacts with the head of the bidding team for the National Broadband Plan (NBP) contract. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was forced to defend Mr Naughten's New York dinner with US businessman David McCourt in July amid claims that the tendering process is now "contaminated". It also emerged that Mr Naughten arranged for Mr McCourt and one of his family members to enjoy a birthday lunch in the members' restaurant in Leinster House in April. Mr McCourt's firm, Granahan McCourt, leads a consortium which is the sole remaining bidder for a State broadband contract valued at hundreds of millions of euro. A number of other bidders have pulled out. Fianna Fail TD Timmy Dooley said the tendering process is "mired in controversy" and Independent TD Thomas Pringle said it was "crazy" for Mr Naughten to meet Mr McCourt while it was ongoing. Mr Naughten said it's his department, not him, that's responsible for evaluating the broadband tender and insisted the process is "by no way compromised by my attendance at a dinner". Mr Dooley asked Mr Naughten if he had lunch with Mr McCourt in Leinster House on April 18. He pointed out that this was the same day Mr Naughten was facing Dail questions about claims he had an inappropriate role in the Independent News & Media bid to takeover Celtic Media Group - allegations the minister rejects. Mr Naughten said he didn't attend the lunch, that the booking was made under his name, but he didn't speak to Mr McCourt that day or in following days. The minister's spokesperson confirmed that the 37 bill for the lunch was settled from Mr Naughten's salary through the Oireachtas payments system. The broadband row also arose during leaders' questions, where Fianna Fail's Micheal Martin claimed that the New York dinner had effectively "contaminated" the broadband bidding process. Mr Martin said Mr Naughten should have been "insulated" from the tendering process as it appeared the bidder was trying to gain advantage. He asked Mr Varadkar if he accepted Mr Naughten should not have met Mr McCourt. Mr Varadkar insisted that Mr Naughten has no role in deciding the tender and said: "I think it's ok for Mr Naughten to have met Mr McCourt provided it conferred no advantage on him." He went on to argue the minister met the heads of many companies, including various semi-state firms, about whom he was later to make a decision on funding. Mr Naughten echoed this, saying he regularly meets communication firm bosses. Later, the senior official in the Department of Communications responsible for the tender process, Ciaran O hObain, insisted that the discussion at the New York dinner "had no bearing on the procurement process". Mr Naughten confirmed there was also a separate, formal meeting involving him, the bidders, and departmental officials in June. TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has revealed that Denis Naughten met with the head a of a company bidding for the National Broadband Plan on four more occasions, including a private dinner in the businessmans home. In the Dail Mr Varadkar outlined interactions between Mr Naughten and David McCourt, the US businessman involved in the tender for the broadband plan. Mr Naughtens shock resignation as Minister for Communications has left the Government reeling this evening and moved the country closer to a general election. Tonight, Mr Naughten said he would support the government on a case by case basis. When asked on 'Six One News' if he would continue to offer unwavering support for the government, Mr Naughten said: As and when issues come up I will deal with them on a case by case basis. The Taoiseach has made a brief statement to the Dail in which he explained that Mr Naughten had asked whether he could be reshuffled to a different Cabinet portfolio in order to protect the project. Expand Close David McCourt, chief executive, Granahan McCourt. Photo: Adrian Weckler / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp David McCourt, chief executive, Granahan McCourt. Photo: Adrian Weckler However, Mr Varadkar asked him to consider his position, leaving the Roscommon TD to resign. Education Minister Richard Bruton is to temporary take charge of the Department of Communication. It has now emerged that Mr Varadkar and Mr Naughten met yesterday to discuss a controversial meeting in New York and a lunch in Leinster House. Mr Naughten then phoned the Taoiseach shortly before midnight to reveal another meeting. However, it wasnt until today that Mr Varadkar learned of three further meetings which no officials were present at and no minutes were taken. He left himself open to a conflict of interest, Mr Varadkar said, adding that it could have brought the process into question. Ultimately as minister he had a decision-making role, Mr Varadkar said. I believe that in resigning Denis has acted in the public interest. The Taoiseach said he had nothing but respect for his former colleague but as leader of the country had to make difficult decisions. My job as Taoiseach must always be to put the public interest first, he said. Minister of State Pat Breen has tonight explained that he knows Mr McCourt in a personal capacity as they live 10 miles apart in Co Clare. Fending off criticism for organising a dinner involving the businessman and Denis Naughten, he said: I have no role in the National Broadband Plan, its rollout or its procurement. In his role as Minister with responsibility for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Mr Breen met the businessman in an official capacity on three occasions. However, the have gotten to know each on a personal basis also, he admitted. Mr Breen said he visited his home several times and met him on other occasions in a private capacity. Last year, on the request of Mr McCourt, I asked Denis Naughten, then Minister for Communications, if he would like to come to a dinner in Mr McCourts house. Mr McCourts wife also attended the dinner. To my knowledge, the National Broadband Plan was not discussed at the dinner, the minister said. Mr Naughten addressed the controversy over the National Broadband Plan earlier this afternoon, saying it's clear to me the Taoiseach does not have confidence in me. He had come under under massive pressure in recent days over his contacts with the head of the bidding team for the National Broadband Plan contract. Delivering a statement to the Dail Mr Naughten said his absolute priority has been to deliver broadband to 540,000 households "no more, no less. He insisted there was no interference in the procurement process by him. He told the Dail that he met Mr Varadkar and it was clear that the Taosieach did not have confidence in him. Mr Naughten said: I'm now left in the impossible, stark position that a politician never wants to find themselves in. Do I make the decision myself to resign or wait for that decision to me be made for me? And what do I do against the backdrop of the Opposition not having sought my resignation? If I was a cynic, which I'm not I believe the outcome is more about opinion polls than telecoms poles. It's more about optics than fibre optics. The fact is as minister I have to meet investors whether it's in the telecoms or energy or any other sector. These are the people who provide jobs in this country. That is the context in which I had meetings with Mr McCourt and that's how it should be seen. The reality is David McCourt has met with every single Communications minister, has met several members of this government and members of the opposition in recent years. For my family, for my constituents and more importantly for the 1.1m people who are waiting for this essential service, a vital service to ordinary people in rural Ireland I have given An Taoiseach my resignation. I wish my Cabinet colleagues well and I would ask most of all that the NBP process is allowed to reach its conclusion over the next few weeks for the 1.1m people in rural Ireland who need this infrastructure now more than ever. Can I finally assure the house that the decisions that I took as the former minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment were taken solely in the interests of bringing high-speed broadband, bringing communications services mobiles services to every single home, business and citizen in this country and for no other reason whatsoever. Mr Naughten left the chamber after his speech leaving opposition TDs shocked. Junior minister in the department, Fine Gael TD Sean Kyne said he was shocked by his Independent colleague's statement. He praised Mr Naughten's energy and commitment to rural Ireland and said he shared his frustration at the "long and difficult broadband roll-out process. Mr Kyne said: Its been a privilege to work with him and added that he knows the pressure he was under. He wished Mr Naughten well on behalf of the government and said: I certainly feel for him at this moment as a colleague and friend. Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail said it was a sad occasion" and that Mr Naughten is decent, committed and a man of integrity. Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin initially asked that the session be suspended as there was no longer a minister in situ. However, several statements were made in the aftermath of the shock resignation. Fianna Fails Timmy Dooley said nobody on this side of the house called for the resignation of Mr Naughten and he expressed sympathy for Mr Naughten. What we sought was to shine a light on a process that was... effectively fatally flawed and fatally wounded, he said. Mr Howlin, said the speech was one the likes of which I havent heard before, comparing it to the resignation speeches often heard in the House of Commons. He said the very telling phrase used by the minister when saying that while nobody in Opposition had called for him to step down, he believed the Taoiseach did not have confidence in him and his assessment that that was more to do with opinion polls than poles [that would bring broadband to rural areas] was a very telling phrases from a member of the Government up to that point in time said. In his speech Mr Naughten outline his achievements as minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment. These included the establishment of a Climate Action Fund with an allocation of 500m. He also said he introduced incentivised pricing for waste-disposal and a funding package for more than 400 anti-dumping initiatives around the country. He said he established the mobile phone and broadband taskforce, led the government response to online safety, and secured a rescue package for An Post. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said it's a difficult and sad day for Mr Naughten but said his party had raised legitimate issues about the roll-out of the broadband plan. He argued that very little progress has been made and tendering has been tortuously slow. He claimed Mr Naughten would have been the ultimate decision maker in the process as he would have been bringing the memo on recommendations on the preferred bidder to Cabinet. Mr Martin said office-holders have to be insulated from any perception of favouritism or being open to lobbying or canvassing. He said the Dail has now been made aware of a further series of meetings with Mr McCourt. Mr Martin said that when there was a briefing on the National Broadband Plan by Department officials after the 2016 election they were at pains to point out the sensitivity of the bid. He said: thats why many of us were flabbergasted that Mr Naughten had met the lead member of the consortium. Mr Martin said: Its a very difficult day personally for Denis Naughten but given what youve said I think he took the right decision. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald questioned the Governments ability to continue its work in the wake of the resignation. She said the Taoiseach had made the right decision in not standing by Mr Naughten. Ms McDonald told the Dail the very cosy nudge and wink politics is clearly alive and well. She also questioned whether Mr Varadkar was going to take action against junior business minister Pat Breen. The Clare TD was identified by the Taoiseach as the person who organised the dinner in Mr McCourts home. In a statement the Independent Alliance, including Transport Minister Shane Ross, said that in light of the evidence they support the decision of Mr Naughten to resign. We would like to express our appreciation for all the good work Deputy Naughten has done as Minister and we wish him well in the future, they said. Solidarity TD Paul Murphy raised questions about the government's ability to remain in office. He said the National Broadband Plan is a fiasco" that should be halted. He added: The other fiasco that now should be put out of its misery in my opinion is the government. The government now has no effective majority. Mr Murphy said: In my opinion this Dail should now pass, as quick as is possible, the abortion legislation and then it should be dissolved. "We should have an election and we should let the people decide. More to follow The Government has been urged to talk with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in efforts to have them lift a potential veto on any new Irish border compromise on Brexit. Fianna Fails Dara Calleary said reports from Brussels indicated progress on EU-UK talks seeking to broker a new compromise which would avoid a hard border after Brexit happens. The issue comes to a head at an EU leaders summit next week. But he pointed to threats from the DUP that they will stop propping up British Prime Minister Theresa Mays minority UK government. The DUP threats include a potential veto on the entire UK Budget due to their objections in principle to the North being treated differently to England, Scotland or Wales after Brexit happens and transition periods end. Are you meeting with the DUP to discuss their concerns? Is the DUP aware of the Irish Governments position on this? Mr Calleary asked Foreign Affairs Minister, Simon Coveney, in the Dail. The latest compromises aim to minimise checks on goods traded between the North and England, Scotland and Wales. These include keeping the same product standards for the UK and the rest of the EU, and a system of high-technology checks which minimise any disruption. Mr Coveney said that the Dublin Government had various methods of staying in contact with the DUP in a very regular way. But he added that the DUP were not the only party operating in the North, did not represent the majority of the population there, and contacts with Dublin also involved all parties in the North. The Foreign Affairs Minister said that up to 85pc of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement was now complete. The last phases including the Irish border were now at a very delicate stage but nearing completion. I think we need to give the negotiators the time and space to do that, Mr Coveney said. The Minister said that Ireland would get a full progress report at a meeting of EU ambassadors on Monday and he would meet EU chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, on Tuesday ahead of a crucial EU leaders summit, which starts next Wednesday evening. This years Great British Bake Off is set to feature a vegan-themed week for the first time, to the delight of those who both love cake and follow a plant-based diet. The new addition to the show, rumoured to have been suggested by presenter Noel Fielding, caters cannily to the demands of the increasing numbers of Brits to take up a vegan lifestyle. The latest research, conducted this year by comparethemarket.com, suggests that 7pc of the population (that's more than 3.5 million UK residents) now identifies as vegan compared with just 1pc identified by the The Vegan Society and Vegan Life magazine in 2016. Parallel to that, according to the Federation of Bakers, the UK bakery market as a whole is now worth 3.6 billion one of the largest markets in the food industry. Meanwhile, home baking is a more popular pastime than ever, in no small part thanks to the Great British Bake Off itself (The Grocer reported that the number of households buying home baking products during Mary Berrys final series in 2016 jumped by more than 1.1 million.) And so it comes as little surprise that we're now seeing a surge in vegan baking. Where once there was a lonesome, suspiciously oily, dense carrot cake in the corner, now a whole cornucopia of creative, colourful vegan bakes have arrived in the UK. Where once there were eggs, now there is aquafaba (never heard of it? Aquafaba is the viscous, protein-packed liquid in which chickpeas have been soaked, which mimics the binding function of egg whites in baking and foaming in meringues and royal icing), nut butters, seeds, plant-based milks and fruit and vegetable purees. Mellissa Morgan, author of Ms. Cupcake: The Naughtiest Vegan Cakes in Town and founder of the North American-style bakery Ms. Cupcake in Brixton, is delighted to hear about Bake Offs vegan week, having called out for it on Twitter for the past few years. I started my business in 2010 when there were very few vegan bakers and bakeries in the UK, and it was very much about education at that point, talking to people about what veganism was, and explaining that vegan baking wasnt odd or weird, just different. Its open to everyone, regardless of what they can and cant eat, she says. Now, craft vegan bakeries are proliferating fast (Vegan Antics, The Vegan Cakery and Naked Bakery, to name just three) although many are online-only, and larger chains are yet to be established. It will be interesting to see if this years bakers are open to trying new things, baking outside of their comfort zone and beyond their recipe books. My hope is that everyone will find it super simple and showcase how easy and accessible it is but some bakers might be really out of their depth," Morgan anticipates. "I hope they surprise me, and that we see some amazing vegan showstoppers. According to Morgan, its young people who are leading the charge. One of the biggest drivers is accessibility and the ability to share ideas and pictures on social media. People who are interested in veganism tend to be younger; recent generations really care about what theyre putting into their bodies, in cultivating a lifestyle that has less impact on the environment and that is cruelty-free. At a glance | Mellissa Morgan's advice for novice vegan bakers Its not always a case of simply substituting a dairy ingredient with a vegan alternative vegan ingredients can become a centrepiece in themselves. A lot of the time, you can simple remove an ingredient from a traditional cake recipe and adapt the technique. Never put a vegan cake batter in an electric mixer its the worst thing you can do. The flour needs to be treated in more of a gingerly way, or you end up with a very dense cake. Work quickly, and get it into the oven fast. Eggs are a forgiving ingredient, because they help with the lift so much. As a result, small changes can have a huge effect when it comes to vegan baking. It needs to be much more exact, and tiny things like changing the brand of baking powder you use can make a huge difference. Scales are important. You need to aim for consistent results. If youre using an alternative, dont expect to get the same results. If a recipe calls for 200g of butter, if you use 200g of margarine youll get a totally different result, because margarine has a lot of water in it and melts quicker. For our Victoria sponge, we use a veg-based fat, Trex, to give it more volume. Start simple and use ingredients youre comfortable with. Traybakes and even mug cakes are a great place to start. A lot of people are surprised to learn that vegan bakes have a shorter shelf life; bake fresh or freeze them. Ethical concerns and lifestyle choices aside, vegan baking also presents an opportunity to experiment and innovate. For example, Morgans indulgent red velvet cupcakes consist of soya and cider vinegar. The chocolate sponge is light with an added tang. Deep red, with piles of billowy creamy icing, if you were none the wiser, you probably wouldnt even realise they were vegan. Vegan baking gives you the opportunity to completely throw away the rule book. Theres no established way to make the perfect vegan Victoria sponge cake, she says. Vegans tend to have a more open eye for novel ingredients, like jack fruit: they love to learn about new foods. That said, Ive had a number of disasters along the way; I have a tendency to try flavours which are just too far out. Ill never live down the white pepper cupcake. Chilli and chocolate is great in cake; white pepper is not. That one has been filed to the back of the recipe box. Sometimes it's best to stick to simple ingredients, like strawberries. Cake specialist Marianne Stewart, tutor at Anna Cake Couture in Bristol and author of Nourish Cakes: Baking with a healthy twist (published by Quadrille, available to buy for 9.13 on Amazon), is another accomplished baker of cakes "for everyone" who is looking forward to the vegan week episode. Less "naughty" than the cakes from Ms. Cupcake, she aims to provide healthier options, whether vegan or non-vegan, wheat-free, gluten-free or dairy-free. I think it will really challenge the bakers in terms of recipe creation, and I hope they give themselves plenty of time for testing. Vegan baking can be a very different process from traditional methods, so I'm sure we'll also see a few entertaining mishaps, even from the most experienced of bakers. A few dustbin-bound results along the way are inevitable. Vegan baking often makes you feel like a mad scientist, as you end up using unexpected ingredients in crazy ways. You need to learn about new ingredients, trial unfamiliar ways of making things and develop a whole fresh skill set. It's definitely a cutting-edge area in the world of baking. Pureed fruit can help replace fat by boosting moisture in cakes; while grated vegetables can help to support structure as well as add texture. It would be great to see the contestants use ingredients creatively perhaps coming up with some unexpected flavour combinations. Ginger and swede loaf cakes; a lemon, lavender and parsnip layer cake; carrot and orange cookies - who knows what we'll see? In the meantime, if youre seeking inspiration for your very own vegan 'bake off' at home, here are three of Stewarts showstopping vegan cake recipes to get you started. Spicy vegan chocolate cake This chocolate cake is wheat-free, gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan. The ganache used to layer and mask it is almost like a chocolate truffle mix, says Stewart. The spices and the heat from the chilli give it an exotic South American twist; but you can easily adapt it to your own taste. One small slice is enough - this is pure indulgence. MAKES A 15cm or 6-inch cake, to serve 6-8 INGREDIENTS For the wet mix 4 tsp ground flaxseed 100g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), roughly chopped 105g coconut oil, melted, plus extra for greasing 40g cashew nuts Nut butter of choice 2 tsp chilli oil 420g dairy-free yoghurt 1 tsp cider vinegar 275g coconut sugar or dark muscovado (soft brown) sugar tsp sea salt For the dry mix 130g teff flour 50g brown rice flour 25g cornflour (cornstarch) or tapioca flour 70g ground almonds 45g cocoa powder 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) tsp xanthan gum (optional) 3 tsp chai spice mix (see below) For the chai spice mix To make the chai spice, place all the ground spices in a small jam jar, seal with a lid and shake to mix well. Use as needed. 1 tsp ground black pepper 1 tsp ground nutmeg 2 tsp ground cardamom 2 tsp ground cloves 4 tsp ground cinnamon 4 tsp ground ginger For the coconut chocolate ganache 500g dark chocolate (ideally 55% cocoa solids), finely chopped 275g coconut cream 65g brown rice syrup Large pinch of sea salt 35g coconut oil To decorate Chocolate shavings Edible gold dust 1 red chilli METHOD For the ganache (see overleaf), place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water and warm until melted. Set aside. Place all the remaining ganache ingredients in a pan and bring gradually to the boil, stirring occasionally. Once boiling, remove from the heat and scrape in the melted chocolate. Stir very gently once to make sure the chocolate is covered, then let melt for 1 minute. Stir with a spatula, then use a hand-held blender to blend until smooth. Transfer to a bowl, cover the top directly with clingfilm (plastic wrap) and leave at room temperature for several hours or overnight until a spreadable consistency. For the cake, grease 4 x 15-cm (6-in) round sandwich tins with coconut oil and line with baking parchment. Blend the ground flaxseed with 4 tablespoons of warm water and allow to thicken for 10 minutes. Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl, cover with ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of boiling water and the warm coconut oil and leave until melted. Stir the chocolate mixture together, then add the remaining wet mix ingredients, including the soaked flaxseed, and stir with a whisk to combine. Sift together all the dry ingredients into a large bowl, add the wet mix and blend together using a balloon whisk. Divide the mixture evenly between the tins and level the tops. Leave for 10 minutes. Preheat the oven to 180C/fan/160C/350F. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the tops spring back when gently pressed, but still feels soft. Cool the cakes still in the tins until just warm, then demould onto a wire rack to finish cooling completely. Chill before assembling. Trim the tops of the cakes so they are just level. Place the first sponge on a serving plate, spread a thin layer of ganache (45mm/68in) on top, letting it overlap the sides slightly, then place the next sponge on top and press down gently. Spread another thin layer of ganache, repeat with the thir sponge, then top with the final layer of sponge, placing with the bottom crust side up. Spread the top and sides with more ganache. Chill for at least 30 minutes, then spread the top and sides of the cake with the remaining ganache. Finish by removing any excess at the top with a palette knife, pulling the ganache towards the middle of the cake. Chill until the ganache has set, then decorate with chocolate shavings, edible gold dust and a chilli. Pumpkin, khorasan and chai bundt cakes "These are super little autumnal cakes - they taste just like pumpkin pie, but in cake form," says Stewart. "They're wholesome too, using an ancient form of wheat, as well as flaxseeds and pureed pumpkin, but still rich and satisfying." Chai bundt cakes Marianne Stewart's vegan chai bundt cakes CREDIT: CATHERINE FRAWLEY, QUADRILLE MAKES 12 mini bundt cakes INGREDIENTS About small pumpkin 1 tbsp ground flaxseed 185g coconut sugar or dark muscovado (soft brown) sugar 65g coconut oil, melted, plus extra for greasing 1 tsp cider vinegar 60g orange juice Pinch of sea salt 170g khorasan (Kamut) flour 40g ground hazelnuts, either ready-ground or toasted and ground in a blender tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) 1 tsp baking powder 2 tsp chai spice mix (see recipe for spicy vegan chocolate cake above) METHOD Preheat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/400F. Wrap the pumpkin in foil and roast for 4045 minutes until tender. Cool in the foil, then scrape the flesh from the skin and puree in a blender until smooth. Weigh out 180g (6oz) into a bowl. Reduce the oven temperature to 180C/fan 160C/350F. Grease 2 x 6-hole silicone bundt moulds with a little coconut oil and place on a baking sheet. Place the flaxseed in another bowl and add 3 tablespoons of warm water. Mix well and leave for 10 minutes to thicken. Add the flaxseed to the pumpkin puree along with the coconut sugar, coconut oil, vinegar, orange juice and salt and mix well with a balloon whisk. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, ground hazelnuts, raising agents and spice mix. Add this to the wet ingredients and fold through gently with the whisk until just blended. Pour or pipe the mixture into the moulds until it reaches just below the top and bake for 30 minutes, or until risen and golden in colour. Let the cakes rest in the moulds for 5 minutes, then turn upside down to demould. Cool on a wire rack until completely cold. These will keep well in an airtight container for 23 days. Lemon meringue pies "When my sister requested a gluten-free, dairy-free lemon meringue tart that tasted really good, I knew it wouldnt be the quickest recipe-testing task," laughs Stewart. "I managed to problem-solve a step further, and make it both wheat-free vegan-friendly too. They bake easiest in smaller tart tins, and although there are quite a few steps to this recipe, both the pastry making and baking can be done in advance." If you just want to make a lemon tart, omit the meringue stage and serve with a little creme fraiche instead. Vegan lemon meringue pie Marianne Stewart's lemon meringue pie CREDIT: CATHERINE FRAWLEY, QUADRILLE MAKES 5 small pies (5 x 10-cm/4-in individual tart tins) For the pastry Use to line 5 x 10-cm (4-in) individual tart tins. 2 tsp gram (chickpea) flour) 2 tsp ground flaxseed 70g coconut cream 45g coconut oil, melted 1 tsp cider vinegar 100g oats (gluten-free if needed) 40g rice flour 60g gorund almonds 60g rapadura or light, soft brown sugar Large pinch of salt 1.4 tsp xantham gum (optional) For the filling Finely grated zest and juice of 2 lemons 30g cornflour (cornstarch) Large pinch of sea salt 150g golden caster (granulated) sugar or demerara (raw brown) sugar 150g orange juice 2 tsp agar agar 15g coconut oil 180g firm silken tofu tsp ground turmeric (optional) For the vegan meringue 800g canned chickpeas in water, not brine tsp lemon juice 190g golden caster (granulated) sugar or demerara (raw brown) sugar, ground until fine tsp xanthan gum (optional) For the candied lemon strips For the candied lemon strips 2 unwaxed lemons 100 g golden caster (granulated sugar) Use a julienne peeler to peel of long thin strips from the zest of lemons. Place in a small pan, cover with cold water and bring to the boil. Drain and repeat this blanching process twice more, straining each time. Place the orange or lemon strips in the pan with the sugar and 100g water and bring gently to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Boil for 1 minute, then remove from the heat and let the strips steep in the warm syrup until cold. Chill the strips in the syrup in an airtight container for up to two weeks. METHOD For the pastry, mix together the gram flour, flaxseed, coconut cream, coconut oil and vinegar with a small whisk until well blended. Chill for 30 minutes, or until cool and firmed. Process the oats in a blender until fine. Add the rice flour, ground almonds, rapadura, salt and xanthan gum, if using, processing again to mix. Pour the dry ingredients into a bowl, add the chilled wet ingredients and blend together using a spatula or your fingertips. Knead gently to form a smooth, soft dough. Flatten, wrap in clingfilm and chill for at least 1 hour, or up to three sdays. For individual tarts and pies, divide the dough into equal pieces before rolling out between 2 sheets of baking parchment until 3mm thick. For one large tart or pie, roll all the dough out between 2 sheets of baking parchment to 4mm thick. Use to line the tart tins by lifting off the top piece of baking parchment, flipping the pastry over and gently resting on top of the tin. Gently knock off the excess pastry, then press the pastry into the bottom and sides. Chill for 30 minutes before baking. Preheat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/400F and put a baking sheet in the oven to heat. Line the base of the pastry cases with baking parchment, then fill with rice or lentils. Bake on the tray for 20 minutes, or until the edges of the pastry are just beginning to brown. Remove the parchment and rice and cook the pastry cases for a further 34 minutes, or until the bases look dry (this is blind baking). Cool in the tins on a wire rack. Reduce the oven to 170C/fan 150C/340F. For the filling, mix 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice with the cornflour (cornstarch) in a bowl to form a paste, and set aside. Add the remaining lemon juice and all the zest, along with the salt, sugar, orange juice and agar agar to a pan and bring gently to the boil, stirring. Once the mixture starts to boil, add the cornflour paste and stir thoroughly. Simmer, stirring for 5 minutes, or until thickened. Add the coconut oil and stir through. Pulse the tofu in a food processor until smooth. Add the cooked lemon mixture and turmeric, if using, and pulse again to mix well. Divide this mixture between the pastry cases, filling them as close to the top as possible. Bake the tarts for 15 minutes, or until just starting to puff up. They should still have a little wobble, but will firm up when cooled. Cool on a wire rack, then remove from the tins before completely cold. Chill for a few hours before topping with the baked meringues. For the meringue, strain the liquid from the chickpeas into a pan. Bring to a simmer over a medium-low heat, and cook until the liquid has reduced to 135g (4fl oz/ cup), roughly by half. Set aside to cool. Preheat the oven to 120C/fan 100C/250F. Using a marker pen, trace circles around a tart tin on a sheet of baking parchment, to make 5 guide shapes for your meringues. Flip the paper over and place on a baking sheet. Whisk the cooled chickpea liquid for 510 minutes until it becomes light and fluffy and looks like whisked egg whites.This will take much longer than with normal egg whites, so be patient. Once the chickpea liquid holds soft peaks, add the lemon juice and sprinkle over one-quarter of the sugar. Whisk until this dissolves into the mixture, about 1 minute, then add the next quarter. Whisk again and add the remaining sugar in the same way, whisking well in between. Whisk until the meringue feels smooth to the touch, with no grains of sugar. Add the xanthan gum, if using, whisking in well. Either pipe or spoon the meringue onto the circles on the baking parchment, keeping inside the circle; they should be slightly smaller so that they sit neatly on top of the tarts. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 100C/fan 80C/210F and cook for another hour, or until the outside is crisp and holds its shape well and the inside is still soft. Let the meringues cool, then lift them gently off the paper and place on top of the filled lemon tarts. This is best done no more than a few hours before serving, so the meringue does not become soggy. Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] Prawns from the tasting menu at the Park Kenmare. Photo: Pol O Conghaile He may take tour groups all over the world, but there's nowhere closer to Francis Brennan's heart than Kerry, the hotelier says. This November, a three-night 'Taste of Kerry Tour' aims to share that love, with guests staying at the Brennan brothers' five-star Park Hotel in Kenmare. Guests begin their tour (November 3-5) with a welcome reception and dinner, before settling down for a night in what Conde Nast Traveller has just called one of Ireland's Top 10 hotels. After breakfast the following day, Francis himself will be at your service on a day tour of his favourite spots in the Kingdom. Day three sees an historical walk, whiskey tasting and a quiz in the afternoon, before a farewell dinner and talk on the history of the hotel. Prices start from 595pp for the three-night package (with a 50pc deposit required at booking). Call (064) 664-1200 or contact parkkenmare.com for bookings. Read more: October is upon us! And with that, comes an exciting influx of products to drool over. ghd x Lulu Guinness straightener Spend with a clear conscience. ghd's new collaboration with iconic British designer Lulu Guinness has been given another chapter as they have launched a new product for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The limited edition pink ceramic straightener is on shelves now and 10 from every sale goes to the Irish Cancer Society. 169, available at Peter Mark salons CND's new Wild Earth collection Expand Close CND's Wild Earth collection / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp CND's Wild Earth collection When shellac isn't an option, Vinylux, the treatment's equally effective cousin, fits the bill. CND has launched six new shades for its Wild Earth range, incorporating earthy hues just in time for autumn. Our hero shade is Spear (third from the right). 11.95, see www.cnd.com for details The Curler mascara Video of the Day Expand Close YSL's The Curler mascara / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp YSL's The Curler mascara Hold onto your hats, because I have found the best mascara of 2018 and I want to scream it from the rooftops. Save yourself time and money using either an eyelash curler or curling treatments with this all-in-one wonder product. It also lifts and lengthens your lashes, not to mention its price tag is quite conservative for a luxury beauty brand. 32.50, by YSL, available at Brown Thomas, Arnotts and Debenhams Facial Starter Sets Expand Close Facial Starter Sets, VOYA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Facial Starter Sets, VOYA Get started on your skincare journey with a taster of some of VOYA, one of Ireland's worth-the-hype prestige skincare brands, new starter kits. Your new cosmetic case holds four different products: the Ritzy Spritzy - Facial Spritz, Cleanse and Mend - Facial Cleansing Milk, Me Time - Soothing Moisturiser and Palmarosa Balm - Facial Serum. 29.50, available at www.voya.ie Stay Satin Liquid Lip Colour Expand Close Stay Satin Liquid Lip Colour / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Stay Satin Liquid Lip Colour A new twist on Rimmel's cult Stay Matte range - this gloss packs the same punch as its sister product with a shine. 7.95, by Rimmel London, available at pharmacies nationwide Announcing Expand Close MAC's Shiny Pretty Things holiday collection / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp MAC's Shiny Pretty Things holiday collection MAC's 'Shiny Pretty Things' festive party collection has landed with a xx-product strong line of bauble-bright, hallucinatory hues for skin, eyes and lips. At MAC counters from October 18th. Address Book Yon-Ka Aroma Luxe Voyage Full Body Massage Skinfull Affairs in Dublin city centre is home to a ground floor nail and beauty salon, but its converted basement is the perfect backdrop to establish an oasis of calm with an exotic twist. The aroma-fusion massage treatments feature four aromatic options with targeted effects, I chose the Detoxifying and Purifying massage because there is probably always some form of red wine lingering in my system and one hour felt like an eternity. It was, unquestionably, one of the best and most relaxing massages I've ever had in my life. Go and allow yourself to be transported to another world (more specifically, its scent-inspired French territories) for 60 minutes and thank me later. Price: 100 for 60 minutes Skinfull Affairs 34 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2 www.skinfullaffairs.ie Embraced: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry with her mother, Doria Ragland, (left) at the launch of the cookbook. Photo: PA The Duchess of Sussex arrives at the University of Chichester, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, as part of her first joint official visit to Sussex Meghan Markle, accompanied by Prince Harry, and her mother, Doria Ragland , welcomes the women behind the cookbook she has championed to Kensington Palace in London Photo: Ben Stansall/PA Wire Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, attend the Coach Core Awards at Loughborough University in Loughborough, central England on September 24, 2018 Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrives at the University of Chichester's Engineering and Digital Technology Park during an official visit to West Sussex on October 3, 2018 in Chichester, United Kingdom It looks like Meghan Markle is creating one seriously enviable life since becoming a full-time royal. Months after marrying Britain's Prince Harry, the new Duchess of Sussex is marrying her old Hollywood life with a new role as a royal, and the newlyweds are "mapping out a remarkably glamorous life, even by royal standards", according to a source. The couple, who exchanged vows in May at Windsor Castle, have spent their first few months as a married couple finding their feet in public life and developing celebrity friendships with A-listers like George and Amal Clooney. And this thriving social life was a non-negotiable for Meghan, who is determined to maintain at least some semblance of her independence, at least in her off-duty life. She has even bought an apartment for her mother Doria Ragland near Kensington Palace with a discreet entrance to maintain privacy, according to Grazia. Expand Close Meghan, Duchess of Sussex opens 'Oceania' at Royal Academy of Arts on September 25, 2018 in London, England / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Meghan, Duchess of Sussex opens 'Oceania' at Royal Academy of Arts on September 25, 2018 in London, England "Meghan has made it clear she wants her mother to be kept close. It's a huge relief to Meghan to know that her mother can be so close," an insider told the magazine. Doria, a yoga teacher and social worker, is currently based in Los Angeles, but regularly flies to the UK to visit her daughter. Discretion is key for the royal power couple, who are committed to their royal roles but aren't subject to the same scrutiny and expectation as Kate Middleton and Prince William, who is second in line to the throne. Without the pressure of having to wear the crown, they can enjoy the perks of being a senior royal without the same fanfare, which includes VIP holidays with Hollywood types. Meghan and Harry were among the VIP guests at the opening of the new Soho House in Amsterdam last month and also enjoyed a low-key holiday to the Clooneys's Lake Como home, and afternoon tea at their sprawling Berkshire mansion. "This carefully blended mix of royal appointments and a glamorous off-duty life is exactly the balance Meghan has hoped to strike ever since quitting her job as an actor," the source added. Katie Nicholl, a royal expert and biographer, noted that she "really is having the best of both worlds". Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the opening of the V&A Photography Centre at Victoria & Albert Museum on October 10, 2018 in London Meghan Markle meets Hannah Belcher, senior exhibitions project co-ordinator at the Royal Collection, as she is reunited with her wedding dress for the first time since her wedding, in a scene from the ITV documentary Queen Of The World, which will be broadcast on Tuesday 25th September 2018 at 9.15pm on ITV. Photo: Oxford Films/PA Wire Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the opening of the V&A Photography Centre at Victoria & Albert Museum on October 10, 2018 in London Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge leaves after attending the opening of the V&A Photography Centre at Victoria & Albert Museum on October 10, 2018 in London Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge leaves after attending the opening of the V&A Photography Centre at Victoria & Albert Museum on October 10, 2018 in London Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge leaves after attending the opening of the V&A Photography Centre at Victoria & Albert Museum on October 10, 2018 in London Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (R), arrives to officially open the new photography centre at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum in west London on October 10, 2018 Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arrives to officially open the new photography centre at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum in west London on October 10, 2018 The Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to open the new photography centre at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London The Duchess of Cambridge leaving after opening the new photography centre at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London The Duchess of Cambridge leaving after opening the new photography centre at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London The Duchess of Cambridge arrives to open the new photography centre at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends the opening of the V&A Photography Centre at Victoria & Albert Museum on October 10, 2018 in London Kate Middleton made a surprise appearance - and debuted a new style - at a photography event in London as she throws herself back into her royal duties after maternity leave. Britain's Duchess of Cambridge returned to work earlier this month after six months off since welcoming her third child, Prince Louis, in April, and has put paid to any talk of her 'matronly' wardrobe. Her sister-in-law Meghan Markle's preference for a bateau neckline is well documented and it looks like Kate is taking tips from her preference of sleek tailoring and unfussy designs in a fitted tweed dress by Erdem, which she wore to open the new photography centre at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London last night. She finished off her look with a pair of velvet Jimmy Choo heels (another Meghan staple) and crystal embellished hoop earrings. The mother-of-three's appearance was a surprise to royal watchers as she already had joined husband Prince William for an appearance marking World Mental Health Day on Tuesday. Stylist Rochelle White told Femail that after some time away, Kate was injecting some new life into her wardrobe. "Kate's usual look is high or square necked items that are more classic in style and cut. Meghan has mixed up her style a little bit and I think Kate is taking some inspiration from that," she said. Expand Close The Duchess of Cambridge leaving after opening the new photography centre at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Duchess of Cambridge leaving after opening the new photography centre at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London The duchess was the guest of honour at the photography exhibition, which is showing 800,000 images across the new Photography Centre of the iconic British museum, of which she became a royal patron earlier this year. Chart showing the impact Storm Callum will have on all Irish coastal regions at 7am tomorrow. Areas of high wind speeds are coloured green and orange. The area in red, well off the west coast, will have the strongest winds. image: Met Eireann THE Department of Education has told schools, universities, institute of technology and all other education centres in areas affected by a status orange alert to remain vigilant and to err on the side of caution. A meeting of the National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) was held amid growing fears over the impact of Storm Callum. Decisions on whether or not to close a school because of severe weather is left to local school management. Following todays meeting of the NECG, the Department said schools should keep themselves appraised of any hourly and other updates from Met Eireann, and from their local authorities, local radio, and an Garda Siochana. In all events, and if in any doubt, schools should err on the side of caution the Department stated. The statement added: "Schools are empowered to make closure decisions if, in their judgment in the interests of child safety, it is prudent to do so. Any and all decisions about school closures will be informed by, as well as prevailing and predicted conditions, any damage that might have been caused to school buildings overnight or at any time during the storm, and whether such damage - where it exists - might present a risk to child safety. The Department said this afternoon it would continue to monitor the situation as it progresses and will follow any advice from the National Emergency Coordination Group. The Catholic Primary School Management Association (CPSMA), representing about 90pc of primary schools, sent the Departments advice to its members by email, as well as posting it on its app. Expand Close The National Emergency Coordination Group chairman Sean Hogan. Photo: PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The National Emergency Coordination Group chairman Sean Hogan. Photo: PA Wire CPSMA General Secretary Seamus Mulconry described the advice as solid and prudent. Winds of up to 130km will sweep across the country tonight. Key agencies who will be involved in responding to the storm are to meet in Dublin at 3pm. The NECG includes representatives from Met Eireann, local authorities, the ESB, OPW and government. Sources indicated they are preparing for the worst but hoping for the best. The full impact on day-to-day activities, including the transport system in parts of the country, will not become apparent until daylight tomorrow. Expand Close Chart showing the impact Storm Callum will have on all Irish coastal regions at 7am tomorrow. Areas of high wind speeds are coloured green and orange. The area in red, well off the west coast, will have the strongest winds. image: Met Eireann / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Chart showing the impact Storm Callum will have on all Irish coastal regions at 7am tomorrow. Areas of high wind speeds are coloured green and orange. The area in red, well off the west coast, will have the strongest winds. image: Met Eireann As a result schools and business owners will be urged to keep up-to-date on the latest weather forecasts. The public are being urged to stay away from exposed coastal areas for the duration of the status Orange weather warning. Speaking today, forecaster Deirdre Lowe said they are more than likely going to extend the weather warnings "as it will take a while for the winds to abate". Forecast Winds of up to 130kmh could pose a "risk to life and property", according to forecasters. Coastal counties are being advised to batten down the hatches with Met Eireann issuing a Status Orange warning for 13 counties ahead of its arrival tonight. The forecaster has advised people to stay away from exposed coastal areas for the duration of the warning, which will come into place from 10pm tonight in places. "An orange level warning is issued by Met Eireann for wind speeds with the capacity to produce dangerous, stormy conditions which may constitute a risk to life and property," the forecaster said. Head of Forecasting at Met Eireann Evelyn Cusack said a combination of storm-force winds and high tides means there is a possibility of flooding along the east, south and west coast as far north as Donegal. "It's not a major event in the east, we don't expect a major flooding event along the east coast," she told RTE Radio One's Today with Sean O'Rourke programme. "The south-east winds will be up to gale-force 8-9 and gusting to storm-force 10 overnight. "There is likely to be some over-topping but the Dublin City Council will have made precautions. "Certainly, we will have some localised flooding in the east, but the biggest problems will be in the south and west," Ms Cusack continued. "The first effects will be felt by Kerry and Cork and then will fan along the west coast. "Tomorrow, it will move away quickly but will be a very windy day all day." Ms Cusack said the emergency coordination group will meet today to "emphasis the safety measures for people". "The worst of the winds will be during the night," the forecaster said. "While it may be a pretty stormy day after dawn, there could be a lot of debris around, fallen trees, and with trees still in leaf there is more of a risk of trees being felled. "And the possibility of power lines," she added. ESB Networks has said that a full emergency response is in place for storm Callum as some damage may occur to the network. The public has been advised that if they come across fall or damaged electricity wires or fallen trees not to touch them as they may be in contact with live wires, instead please report them to the ESB by 1850 372. They said that if there is a power outage "crews from ESB Networks will be dispatched to the affected areas without electricity supply, making the electricity network safe and assessing the damage, so that they can restore power as quickly and effectively as possible." Real time information on power outages is also available at www.esbpowercheck.ie Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy has contacted local authorities to ensure provisions are in place for the safety of rough sleepers. Cold weather plans are also in place in main urban areas and extra beds have been made available, with outreach teams on the streets to engage with rough sleepers about the services available. Dublin Fire Brigade has also urged people to lock away or secure items like patio furniture, trampolines and wheelie bins as they may become a safety hazard during the storm. Secure your wheelie bins tonight, they get scared in the wind and wander off. If it is your bin day tomorrow please leave it until the morning before you let your bin out. They can cause mayhem on the streets and road. #StormCallum pic.twitter.com/5Bl7Z8qlv0 Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) October 11, 2018 The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has advised the public to stay away from all National Parks, National Monuments or Nature Reserves whilst the Status Orange weather warning is in place. They said in a statement: "Furthermore, while there is a Met Eireann Status Yellow (or above) wind weather warning in place, all woodland areas of Wicklow Mountains National Park and Woodland Nature Reserves in Wicklow, Wexford and Kilkenny that are managed/owned by NPWS will be closed to the public. "For clarity, this includes Knocksink NNR and Glen of the Downs NNR. "Visitors are also asked not to visit Killarney National Park, Cork and Kerry Nature Reserves - including Glengarriff Nature Reserve - for duration of the Status Orange warning in Cork and Kerry." The following National Parks and Nature Reserves will be closed tomorrow: Coole-Garryland Nature Reserve (Galway) Derryclare Nature Reserve (Galway) Diamond Hill (Galway) Dromore Nature Reserve (Clare) Ellis Wood Trail (Galway) Knockma Wood (Galway) Laughil Wood (Galway) Oldhead Wood (Mayo) Wild Nephin/Ballycroy National Park (Mayo) Speaking this morning, Met Eireann meteorologist Harm Luijkz said tonight is to become "very windy as Storm Callum arrives". "There will be storm force or gale force gusts, which can be severe or damaging. "We have issued orange warnings for the coastal counties, and yellow warnings for the inland counties. "There will be rain later tonight and, combined with winds and high tides, there is a risk of coastal flooding. "We are advising people to avoid coastal areas during this event." Cork and Kerry will be the first to be hit by the storm late tonight, with the other counties hit by the orange warning at risk from midnight. Among these are Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Dublin, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Meath and Waterford. The latter counties are not expected to feel the effects until 9am tomorrow. "With the advance notice from the OPW and Met Eireann, we've been tracking the storm and preparing." The Road Safety Authority has urged road users to exercise caution to expect the unexpected and watch out for debris. It has also advised pedestrians and cyclists to wear bright clothing and take care during the windy conditions. The individual weather warnings include: Cadburys owner Mondelez paid no tax from its UK subsidiary last year, despite profit increasing eightfold to 185 million (Matt Alexander/PA) Cadburys owner Mondelez paid no tax from its UK subsidiary last year, despite profit increasing eightfold to 185 million. Mondelez UK Limited, the British sales and distribution arm of the US confectionery giant, made 1.6 billion revenue in 2017 according to the latest accounts filed to Companies House. Profit before tax was up more than 700% to 185 million, compared with 22 million the previous year. But the accounts show a tax credit for 320,000 in 2017. In the prior year, Mondelez UK paid 122,000 in tax. The difference was partly due to almost 30 million of income being deemed non-taxable, as well as a decrease in the UK corporation tax rate from 20% to 19% in April 2017. Meanwhile the company paid out a dividend of almost 250 million to its immediate parent company Kraft Foods Schweiz Holdings, which is based in Switzerland. The UK division also gained 170,000 after the proceeds of the Vegemite brand sale in Australia were distributed among Mondelez subsidiaries. According to the Daily Mirror, a network of 48 British Mondelez subsidiary companies paid a total of 5.9 million combined in corporation tax last year on profits of 1.3 billion. Around 30 to 40 MPs from the Labour Party would be prepared to back a Brexit deal Mrs May is trying to strike with the EU. Photo credit: PA Wire British Prime Minister Theresa May has appealed to MPs in parliament to prioritise the national interest when they are asked to approve whatever Brexit deal she is able to agree with the European Union. "We're working for that deal - when we come back with a deal, I would hope that everybody across this whole house will put the national interest first," Mrs May said yesterday when asked about the prospects of getting a deal approved by parliament. Around 30 to 40 MPs from the Labour Party would be prepared to back a Brexit deal Mrs May is trying to strike with the EU, 'The Times' reported, citing unidentified politicians. Divorce The EU's Brexit negotiators believe a divorce deal is "very close", diplomatic sources said last week, though it is unclear if Mrs May could get the deal approved by parliament. Around 320 votes in the 650-seat parliament are needed to be certain of winning a vote. Mrs May has 315 MPs and governs with a working majority of 13 thanks to a deal with the 10 MPs of the DUP. Tory rebels say 40 MPs could vote against her agreement. 'The Times' said a group of between 30 to 40 Labour MPs could defy their leader Jeremy Corbyn and vote for a deal. In one scenario, Labour would initially vote down any deal to prove loyalty to the leadership, but if parliamentary deadlock remained the rebels would back any deal that prevented a chaotic departure, 'The Times' reported. EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier called for "decisive progress" in time for a summit of all 28 EU nation leaders next week. The 27 EU states will get an update tomorrow. Negotiations will continue through the weekend. Tribute: Flowers are placed in memory of TV journalist Viktoria Marinova in Ruse, Bulgaria. Photo: Reuters A man has been arrested in Germany in connection with the rape and murder of the Bulgarian journalist Viktoria Marinova, it was announced yesterday. The Bulgarian government said it believed the well-known television journalist was killed in a "spontaneous" sex attack, and that her death had nothing to do with her work. Severin Krasimirov, a 20-year-old Bulgarian national, was held by German police in Stade, near Hamburg, on Tuesday night at the request of Bulgarian authorities. He has a criminal record for theft and was already wanted by police over another rape and killing, Bulgarian prosecutors said. "We have enough evidence to link this person to the scene of the crime. There appears to be no connection to her work," said Mladen Marinov, the Bulgarian interior minister. The death of Ms Marinova, who recently launched a talk show with a focus on investigative journalism, raised concerns that she may have been targeted for her reporting. She was the third journalist to be killed in the European Union this year, and recently reported on alleged high-level corruption in Bulgaria. Boiko Borissov, the Bulgarian prime minister, summoned foreign ambassadors to a meeting in Sofia to complain at what he said were false allegations of press intimidation in the country. "I read monstrous things about Bulgaria in the past three days, none of which are true," he told a press conference before the meeting. Ivan Stefanov, the NTV channel producer who worked with Marinova on her on 'Detector' show, said he did not think the murder was linked to her work and that neither of them had received any threats. "We are full of grief, pain and anger, but also with a determination to continue her work," he said. Colleagues spoke of her charitable work and commitment to social causes such as support for disabled and disadvantaged children. ( Daily Telegraph, London) Lieutenant Kyriakos Papadopoulos, pictured beside Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Lesbos in 2015, died late on Tuesday of a heart attack, aged 44. Photo: Reuters Greeks yesterday mourned "the hero of the Aegean", who is credited with rescuing more than 5,000 refugees fleeing in small rubber boats at the height of Europe's migrant crisis in 2015. Coast Guard Lieutenant Kyriakos Papadopoulos died late on Tuesday of a heart attack, aged 44. Mr Papadopoulos steered his patrol vessel out to sea during the crisis, pulling to safety many refugees attempting the short but dangerous sea crossing from Turkey to Greece. Born and raised on the island of Lesbos, Mr Papadopoulos "showed Europe what the values of humanity, solidarity, equality and peace mean to Greece", maritime minister Fotis Kouvelis said. "He showed and highlighted the value of human life." Barely 6km from Turkey, Lesbos has a history of taking in Greek refugees who fled Turkey in the 1920s. Delia and Tony Green died in Majorca when the taxi they were travelling in got caught up in raging flash floods. Photo credit: Family Handout/PA Wire The family of a retired British couple who were killed in a flash flood on the tourist island of Majorca had been "looking forward to their latest adventure abroad", their family said. Tony and Delia Green, who were in their 70s and had been married for 55 years, died when their taxi was swept away by surging waters near the coastal resort of S'Illot on Tuesday night. Their relatives said in a statement released through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) that the couple, who retired 14 years ago, would be "missed by everyone who knew them". The couple, originally from Atherton, Greater Manchester, spent their final years living in Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, and regularly visited the fishing town of Cala Bona on the island, having developed "a taste for travel", the statement said. It continued: "They were looking forward to their latest adventure abroad. "The family take some solace from the knowledge that they died together." Authorities on the island said 12 people died after torrential rain deluged the region around the town of Sant Llorenc, about 40 miles east of the capital, Palma. The FCO statement, written by Delia and Tony's children, said: "We are deeply shocked by the sudden passing of our parents Delia and Tony Green in the tragic events in Majorca...Delia and Tony were a loving, kind and caring couple. They were at their happiest when they were with their family and friends." Mr Green was formerly a headteacher and spent some of his career in Germany, before moving to Moffat with his wife following retirement. The couple died along with taxi driver Juan Sillero. "Our thoughts also go out to their taxi driver and his family who are coming to terms with their loss as well," their children said. "They will all be missed by everyone who knew them. "We would like to thank everyone for the love and support shown to our family as we come to terms with losing our parents. " Friend Emilio Dicerbo said everyone in Moffat would be "devastated" by their deaths. The 84-year-old retired ice cream merchant said: "They were a very friendly, lovely couple. "Tony would always get out a bit to the shops most mornings and we would have a blether. "He liked to go have a game of pool, he loved his wee bit of potted plants outside his front door - he did tend his plants, very neat and tidy. "He was a (retired) publican and head teacher. "When Delia was out she would always have a blether, but she was very limited (due to bad health). "They were a very friendly couple, just normal. "Everyone will be devastated. Just the kind of characters they were - very friendly." Some parts of the island received up to 9in (23cm) of rainfall in a matter of hours on Tuesday evening. Witnesses described having minutes to find safety as the water levels rose, inundating houses and catching motorists off guard. The floodwaters tore down trees, swept numerous cars and trucks into piles of twisted metal and buried streets under mud. Mr Green, 77, and his wife, 75, were being driven to a hotel in Cala Bona when the taxi was caught in the floodwaters, Diario de Mallorca reported. Rescue workers reportedly found the car submerged and on its side at the mouth of the torrent in S'Illot at 2am (1am BST) on Wednesday. Military divers found the couple's bodies still inside, while Mr Sillero was later found lifeless nearby, the paper said. A Saudi intelligence officer who served at the kingdom's embassy in London was among an alleged "hit squad" of spies and soldiers who flew into Istanbul on the day of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance, according to dissidents. Pro-government Turkish media published the names and photographs of 15 Saudi men who allegedly made a mysterious one-day trip to Istanbul on private jets on the day that Mr Khashoggi vanished at the Saudi consulate. One member of the squad appears to be Maher Mutreb, a Saudi intelligence officer who was based in London in 2007. "I recognised his photograph immediately," said Ghanem al-Dosari, a Saudi satirist living in exile in London, who knew Mr Mutreb socially. "It is crazy if he was part of a murder team." Social media sleuths identified another man from the squad as a senior crimes scene investigator in Saudi Arabia. A third appeared to be a special forces soldier who worked as a bodyguard to Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. The apparent outing of members of the Saudi security services will add to growing international pressure on the kingdom, which faces accusations from Turkey of having murdered and dismembered Mr Khashoggi when he went to the consulate on October 2. Expand Close On camera: Video footage, shown by Turkeys TRT, shows the alleged hit squads arrival. AP Photo / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp On camera: Video footage, shown by Turkeys TRT, shows the alleged hit squads arrival. AP Photo Saudi Arabia has vehemently denied any involvement in his disappearance and insists that Mr Khashoggi left the consulate safely after filing paperwork ahead of his forthcoming marriage to his Turkish fiancee. The international implications of Mr Khashoggi's disappearance deepened after the 'Washington Post' reported that US intelligence was aware the Saudi government was planning to kidnap the journalist. The newspaper, where Mr Khashoggi wrote columns critical of the Saudi government, said US intelligence had intercepted communications showing Saudi officials were trying to lure the journalist back to his homeland so they could arrest him. If confirmed, it would offer proof that the Saudi government was attempting to silence Mr Khashoggi. It would also raise questions over whether the US gave the journalist any warning that he might be in danger from his own government. The pro-government newspaper - 'Sabah', owned by the Turkish finance minister - published the names of the 15 Saudis, accompanied by still images from CCTV. The detailed information appeared to have been leaked to the newspaper by Turkish intelligence. A UK list of foreign diplomats in London from 2007 lists a Maher Mutreb as first secretary at the embassy, a title often used by intelligence officials. Mr Dosari said he met Mr Mutreb several times for coffee and in restaurants and believed he was tasked with tracking Saudis living in the UK. Another man on the list, Salah Muhammed al-Tubaigy, is reported to be a lieutenant-colonel and head of the Saudi Scientific Council of Forensics. An expert on forensic evidence, he is known to have trained police officers in crime scene investigation. The list also includes the name Mohammad Saad al-Zahrani. A photograph published online shows a Saudi royal guard standing beside Crown Prince Mohammed. His name tag, clearly visible on his black uniform, reads Mohammad Saad al-Zahrani. None of the men could be reached for comment. Saudi Arabia gave no official response to the allegation that members of its security services were on the planes. Donald Trump, the US president, said he had raised Mr Khashoggi's case with Saudi Arabia "at the highest level" and more than once in recent days. "We're demanding everything," Mr Trump said when asked if he was demanding information from the Saudis. "We want to see what's going on. It's a very serious situation for us and for this White House. We want to get to the bottom of it." ( Daily Telegraph, London) Flash floods: Still from video by Controladores Aereos of abandoned damaged vehicles on the road in Majorca. Picture: PA At least nine people died in a devastating flood that hit the popular tourist island of Majorca overnight. Two British nationals are among the victims who died when torrential rainstorms deluged the town of Sant Llorenc, about 40 miles east of the capital, Palma, on Tuesday evening. The deputy mayor of the town, Antonia Bauza, confirmed to Cadena SER radio that two others killed in the area were locals. An elderly woman's body was found in the basement of her house. Two further victims died in the town of S'illot, authorities said. The Foreign Office said its staff "remain in contact" with their Spanish counterparts about the fate of any British people stranded in the area. The two British victims, believed to be a couple, were reportedly in a taxi when they were caught in a flash flood. A British Foreign Office spokesman said they were supporting the family of two British people following their deaths in Spain, and would do all possible to assist them. Witnesses said a dry creek overflowed, creating a strong current of water and mud that buried cars and tore down trees. "It all happened in less than 10 minutes," a witness told Spanish TV. "We had to swim to try to survive." Authorities said 80 soldiers and seven vehicles from the military's emergency unit joined more than 100 rescuers who had been working in the area overnight. At least three towns closed schools and hundreds of people were given shelter in sport facilities. The flooding also affected phone communications and forced the closure of at least seven major roads. Some parts of the island received up to 9in (23cm) of rainfall in around four hours on Tuesday evening. The Spanish weather agency said more heavy rainfall is expected on the Iberian peninsula. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called news of the flooding "devastating" as he visited the stricken area. He said: "My solidarity and support goes out to the families and friends of victims and all the affected by these tragic floods." Joyce Fox, centre, stands in front of her heavily damaged home in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael (Gerald Herbert/AP) Search and rescue teams are trying to help survivors after Hurricane Michael wreaked unimaginable destruction on parts of Florida. Thousands of houses were destroyed by the third-most powerful hurricane on record to hit the continental US. At least two deaths were blamed on Michael, and though weakened into a tropical storm, it continued to bring heavy rain and blustery winds to the south east as it pushed inland. Under a blue sky, Florida families emerged tentatively from darkened shelters and hotels to a landscape of shattered homes and shopping centres. Over 900,000 homes and businesses in Florida, Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas were without power. This morning, Floridas Gulf Coast and Panhandle and the Big Bend are waking up to unimaginable destruction, Governor Rick Scott said. So many lives have been changed forever. So many families have lost everything. This hurricane was an absolute monster. Im urging residents of impacted areas to continue to stay off the roads and listen to your local authorities so that our first responders and utility crews can do their jobs. Were working diligently to get to everyone as quickly as we can. Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) October 11, 2018 But the full extent of the damage was only slowly becoming clear, with some of the worst areas difficult to reach. An 80-mile stretch of Interstate 10, the main east-west route along the Panhandle, was closed because of debris. One of the hardest-hit spots was Mexico Beach, where Michael crashed ashore as a Category 4 monster with 155mph winds. Video from a CNN helicopter revealed widespread devastation across the town of about 1,000 people. Entire blocks of homes near the beach were washed away, leaving nothing but concrete slabs in the sand. Rows and rows of other homes were reduced to piles of debris or crumpled and slumped at odd angles. Mr Scott said the National Guard got into Mexico Beach and rescued 20 people who survived the direct hit. The town was under a mandatory evacuation order as the rapidly developing storm closed in but some people were determined to ride it out. Expand Close Haley Nelson inspects damage to her home in Panama City (Pedro Portal/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Haley Nelson inspects damage to her home in Panama City (Pedro Portal/AP) A day later, the beach town remained difficult to reach by land, with roads covered by fallen trees, power lines and other debris. The governor pleaded with people in Florida not to go home yet. I know you just want to go home. You want to check on things, and begin the recovery process, Mr Scott said, but we have to make sure things are safe. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard said it rescued at least 27 people, mostly from homes damaged along the Florida coastline, and searched for more victims. Among those brought to safety were nine people rescued by helicopter from a bathroom of their Panama City home after their roof collapsed. Expand Close Hurricane Michael slammed into the Florida Panhandle with winds of 155 mph (Douglas R Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Hurricane Michael slammed into the Florida Panhandle with winds of 155 mph (Douglas R Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP) Florida officials also said they were moving patients from damaged health care facilities. Along the 200-mile Panhandle, Michael washed away white-sand beaches, hammered military bases and destroyed coastal communities, stripping trees to stalks, shredding roofs, toppling trucks and pushing boats into buildings. Authorities said a falling tree killed a man outside Tallahassee, Florida, and an 11-year-old girl in Georgia was killed when the wind picked up a carport and dropped it on her home. One of the carports legs punctured the roof and hit her on the head. An Associated Press team drove for miles and encountered extensive destruction around Panama City. Though most homes were still standing, no property was left undamaged. Downed power lines lay nearly everywhere and roofs had been peeled away and sent airborne. Hundreds of cars had broken windows and twisted street signs lay on the ground. Pine trees were stripped and snapped off about 20ft high. Expand Close John Gouge walks through flood water after Hurricane Michael (Chris OMeara/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp John Gouge walks through flood water after Hurricane Michael (Chris OMeara/AP) More than 375,000 people up and down the Gulf Coast were ordered or urged to evacuate as Michael closed in. But it moved so fast and intensified so quickly that people did not have much time to prepare, and emergency authorities lamented that many ignored the warnings. Based on its internal barometric pressure, Michael was the third most powerful hurricane to hit the US mainland, behind the unnamed Labor Day storm of 1935 and Camille in 1969. Based on wind speed, it was the fourth-strongest, behind the Labor Day storm, Camille and Andrew in 1992. Expand Close Kaylee OBrian weeps inside her home after several trees fell on it during Hurricane Michael (Gerald Herbert/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kaylee OBrian weeps inside her home after several trees fell on it during Hurricane Michael (Gerald Herbert/AP) After Michael left the Panhandle late on Wednesday, Kaylee OBrien was crying as she sorted through the remains of the apartment she shared with three roommates at Whispering Pines apartments. Four pine trees had crashed through the roof of her apartment, nearly hitting two people, and her one-year-old Siamese cat, Molly, was missing. We havent seen her since the tree hit the den. Shes my baby, Ms OBrien said. US first lady Melania Trump was interviewed during a trip to Africa (Carolyn Kaster/AP) First lady Melania Trump said she thinks she is the most bullied person in the world based on what people are saying about her. Mrs Trump also said there are people in the White House that she and President Donald Trump cannot trust but added that some of them dont work there any more. The Trump administration has dealt with numerous staff departures and an anonymous senior officials newspaper op-ed critical of the president. Mrs Trump was interviewed during her recent Africa trip by TV network ABC, which aired portions on Good Morning America. She promoted her Be Best initiative, which tackles online bullying. The president frequently attacks people on Twitter. Mrs Trump said her campaign is focusing on social media and online behaviour in part because of what people are saying about me. We need to educate the children of social emotional behaviour so when they grow up they know how to deal with those issues, she said. Expand Close First lady Melania Trump recently returned from a trip to Africa (Carolyn Kaster/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp First lady Melania Trump recently returned from a trip to Africa (Carolyn Kaster/AP) The president, in an interview on Thursday with Fox & Friends, was asked about why people he and his wife do not trust are still in his administration. I didnt know people in Washington, and now I know everybody, he said. I know some that I wish I didnt know. He said he has great people right now working. Are there some that Im not in love with? Yes, he said. And well weed them out slowly but surely. Storm: Cameron Sadowski walks along Panama City beach as waves crash in. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images Extremely powerful Hurricane Michael crashed into Florida's north-west Panhandle coast yesterday, flooding towns and ripping up trees with 249kmh winds and the potential for a devastating storm surge. Michael, which had caught many by surprise with its rapid intensification as it churned north over the Gulf of Mexico, was the most powerful storm ever recorded to hit the Panhandle. It gathered still more strength just before making landfall north-west of the town of Mexico Beach yesterday afternoon as a category four hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale. Its sustained winds were just 3.2kmh shy of being an extremely rare category five. The storm, which caused a major disruption for oil and gas production in the gulf, had the potential to drive sea- water levels as high as 4.3m above normal in some areas, the National Hurricane Centre said. More than 311,000 homes and businesses in Florida, Georgia and Alabama were without power, utility companies said. Some 17,000 utility restoration workers were also on call. "My God, it's scary. I didn't expect all this," said Bill Manning (63), a grocery clerk who left his camper van in Panama City to move into a hotel, where the power eventually went out. "Panama City, I don't know if there will be much left," he added. People in coastal parts of 20 Florida counties had been told to head to safer locations, but by yesterday morning were told it was too late to flee. Much of the affected area is rural and known for small tourist cities, beaches and wildlife reserves, as well as the state capital, Tallahassee, home to about 190,000 people. Even before Michael made full landfall, it was whipping trees with its winds and had caused flooding in the town of Apalachicola, where more than 1.5m of water was reported, and about 32km away in Port St Joe. "It feels like you don't know when the next tree is going to fall on top of you because its blowing so ferociously," said Port St Joe mayor Bo Patterson. "You just don't know when the next one is going down. It's very, very scary. We have trees being uprooted, heavy, heavy rain." Mr Patterson said about 2,500 of the town's 3,500 people were still there, including about 100 in a beachside area who ignored a mandatory evacuation order. "This happened so quickly, we weren't exactly prepared," he said. Brock Long, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), said early evacuation efforts in the area were slow. Michael grew from a tropical storm to a category four hurricane in about 40 hours. "Satellite images of Michael's evolution on Tuesday night were, in a word, jaw-dropping," wrote Bob Henson, a meteorologist with weather site Weather Underground. Hurricane centre director Ken Graham said on Facebook that Michael would be the worst storm in recorded history to hit the Panhandle. "Going back through records to 1851 we can't find another 'Cat 4' in this area, so this is a historical and an incredibly dangerous and life-threatening situation," he said. Yesterday evening, the centre of the storm was a few miles north-west of Mexico Beach and about 30km south-east of Panama City. It was heading north-north-east at 22kmh with maximum sustained winds down to 240kmh, the hurricane centre said. President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency for the entire state of Florida, freeing up federal assistance to supplement state and local disaster responses. He was briefed by Mr Long of Fema in the Oval Office. The region should brace for "major infrastructure damage," specifically to electricity distribution, wastewater treatment systems and transportation networks, Jeff Byard, associate administrator for Fema, told reporters on a conference call. The hurricane was expected to gradually weaken as it passed over the south-eastern United States, the hurricane centre said. Tour: Melania Trump holds a baby as she visits the Nest Orphanage in Limuru, Kenya, during her first solo international trip as first lady. AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster America's first lady Melania Trump has thrown her support behind women who make accusations of sexual abuse against men. President Donald Trump's wife said these women "need to be heard" and supported, but so do men. The former model claimed that when there are accusations there needs to be "really hard evidence" and accusers should "show the evidence". Ms Trump was speaking during an interview on her Kenya trip with ABC, a portion of which aired yesterday on 'Good Morning America'. Asked whether she supports the MeToo movement, Ms Trump said: "I support the women, and they need to be heard. We need to support them. And, you know, also men, not just women." Her husband, has been accused of sexual assault by numerous women over the years. He has claimed recently that it's "a scary time" for men facing allegations from years ago, when commenting on the Brett Kavanaugh furore. "We need to have really hard evidence if you accuse [someone] of something, show the evidence," she said. "I do stand with women. But we need to show the evidence. You can not just say to somebody, 'I was sexually assaulted' or 'you did that to me' because sometimes the media goes too far in the way they portray some stories. It's not correct. It's not right." She has already addressed the issue of sexual assault allegations during her trip. In Egypt, she said Mr Kavanaugh was "highly qualified for the Supreme Court," but added she was pleased Dr Christine Blasey Ford "was heard". "We need to help all the victims, no matter what kind of abuse they had," she added. Mrs Trump also revealed how America's polarised political climate was affecting her efforts to promote good causes. She said several organisations had refused her invitations to work together, decisions she ascribed to attitudes towards her husband's administration. "I feel like they're choosing the politics over helping others," she said. "I don't want to put them out in front of the world, but they know who they are." Meanwhile, Mr Trump used a newspaper article to paint his Democratic opponents as extremists whose plans threaten the provision of healthcare to America's senior citizens. "The truth is the centrist Democratic Party is dead," he wrote. "The new Democrats are radical socialists who want to model America's economy after Venezuela." Mr Trump focused on plans to expand Medicare - the national health insurance programme for Americans aged over 65 - which he said would bring rationing and hospital closures. "The Democrats' plan means that after a life of hard work and sacrifice, seniors would no longer be able to depend on the benefits they were promised," he claimed. However, health policy analysts said the president's warning to senior citizens lacked evidence. Elsewhere, Dina Powell, the former US deputy national security adviser, has emerged as the front runner to replace Nikki Haley as America's ambassador to the UN. Ms Powell is seen as an influential voice on the Middle East and adept at forging powerful relationships. Mr Trump said he would consider selecting the Goldman Sachs executive as the next ambassador after announcing Ms Haley would step down at the end of the year. The US president said Ms Haley would help him make the final pick for her replacement before revealing later there were five people on his shortlist for the job. "Dina would love it," Mr Trump said. A friend of Ms Haley, Ms Powell served in the first year of the Trump administration as the deputy national security adviser for strategy, and was a key player in diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. Like Ms Haley, the 45-year-old left the White House on good terms, in contrast to some of the senior officials who have been fired or resigned amid controversy. After leaving the White House in January, Ms Powell joined Goldman Sachs's management committee, where she had worked as a partner and the firm's global head of impact investing. She was reported to have earned in the region of $2m (1.73m) a year. Whether she would want to leave the lucrative private sector again remains to be seen. Goldman would be reluctant to see her leave, with Lloyd Blankfein, the chief executive officer, reportedly valuing her talent at forging and maintaining important relationships. People hold signs during a protest at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Turkeys president has increased his pressure on Saudi Arabia over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Recep Tayyip Erdogans comments appear aimed at slowly intensifying the criticism while balancing the need to maintain the kingdoms investments in Turkey and relations on other issues. Meanwhile US President Donald Trump expressed reservations over withholding American arm sales to Saudi Arabia because of the issue. His comments coming as prominent American lawmakers increasingly criticised the Saudis, a longtime US security ally in the region. Turkish officials fear Mr Khashoggi was killed by the Saudis after walking into the kingdoms consulate in Istanbul on October 2, though they have not offered any evidence to support that. The kingdom calls the allegation baseless, but has not offered any evidence to explain why Mr Khashoggi simply walked out of the consulate and disappeared though his fiancee waited outside for him. Mr Erdogan was quoted by Turkish media on Thursday as telling journalists flying with him back home from a visit to Hungary that we cannot remain silent to such an incident. Expand Close Recep Tayyip Erdogans comments appear aimed at slowly intensifying the criticism (Presidential Press Service/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Recep Tayyip Erdogans comments appear aimed at slowly intensifying the criticism (Presidential Press Service/AP) Mr Erdogan asked: How is it possible for a consulate, an embassy not to have security camera systems? Is it possible for the Saudi Arabian consulate where the incident occurred not to have camera systems? If a bird flew, if a mosquito appeared, these systems would catch them and (I believe) they (the Saudis) would have the most advanced of systems. Meanwhile, Mr Trump told reporters in the Oval Office he has a call in to Khashoggis fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, who has appealed to the president and first lady Melania Trump for help. Mr Trump said he had spoken with the Saudis about what he called a bad situation, but he did not disclose details of his conversations. He also said the US was working very closely with Turkey, and I think well get to the bottom of it. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said national security adviser John Bolton and presidential senior adviser Jared Kushner spoke on Tuesday to Crown Prince Mohammed about Mr Khashoggi. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo then had a follow-up call with the crown prince to reiterate the US request for information and a thorough, transparent investigation. In an interview later on Wednesday with Fox News, Mr Trump said he wanted to find out what happened to Mr Khashoggi but appeared reluctant to consider blocking arms sales, citing economic reasons. I think that would be hurting us, he said. Expand Close Mr Trump said he wanted to find out what happened to Mr Khashoggi (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mr Trump said he wanted to find out what happened to Mr Khashoggi (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP) We have jobs, we have a lot of things happening in this country. We have a country thats doing probably better economically than its ever done before. Part of that is what were doing with our defence systems and everybodys wanting them. And frankly, I think that that would be a very, very tough pill to swallow for our country. I mean, youre affecting us and, you know, theyre always quick to jump that way. On his first international trip as president, Mr Trump visited Saudi Arabia and announced 110 billion dollars in proposed arms sales. The administration also relies on Saudi support for its Middle East agenda to counter Iranian influence, fight extremism and support an expected peace plan between Israel and the Palestinians. Mr Khashoggi had gone to the consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to get paperwork he needed for his upcoming marriage while his Turkish fiancee waited outside. The Washington Post reported Wednesday evening that US intelligence intercepts outlined a Saudi plan to detain Mr Khashoggi. The Post, citing anonymous US officials familiar with the intelligence, said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered an operation to lure Mr Khashoggi from his home in Virginia, where he lived most recently, to Saudi Arabia and then detain him. US astronaut Nick Hague is reunited with family members at Baikonur airport (Roscosmos/AP) Two astronauts from the US and Russia are safe after an emergency landing in Kazakhstan following the failure of a rocket taking them to the International Space Station. Nasa astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmoss Alexei Ovchinin lifted off as scheduled at 2.40pm local time from the Baikonur cosmodrome on a Soyuz booster rocket. But Roscosmos and Nasa said the three-stage booster suffered an emergency shutdown of its second stage. The capsule jettisoned from the booster and went into a ballistic descent, landing at a sharper than normal angle and subjecting the crew to heavy G-forces. Expand Close US astronaut Nick Hague, top, and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin were due to head to the International Space Station (Yuri Kochetkov/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp US astronaut Nick Hague, top, and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin were due to head to the International Space Station (Yuri Kochetkov/AP) Nasa said that rescue teams have reached Mr Hague and Mr Ovchinin and they have been taken out of the capsule and were in good condition. The capsule landed about 12 miles east of the city of Dzhezkazgan. The emergency is the latest mishap for the Russian space programme, which has been dogged by a string of launch failures and other incidents in recent years. Thank God, the crew is alive, Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters when it became clear that the crew had landed safely. Expand Close The Soyuz space capsule lies in a field after an emergency landing (Russian Defence Ministry/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Soyuz space capsule lies in a field after an emergency landing (Russian Defence Ministry/AP) Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said all manned launches will be suspended pending an investigation into the cause of the failure. Mr Borisov added that Russia will fully share all relevant information with the US. Russian controllers told the three astronauts on the space station that Mr Hague and Mr Ovchinin endured 6.7 times the force of gravity during their entry. Glad our friends are fine, space station commander Alexander Gerst, a European Space Agency astronaut from Germany, tweeted from orbit. Spaceflight is hard. And we must keep trying for the benefit of humankind. There was no immediate word on whether the space station crew might need to extend its own six-month mission. Two space walks planned for later this month were off indefinitely, Mr Hague was supposed to be one of the space walkers. It was to be the first space mission for Mr Hague, who joined Nasas astronaut corps in 2013. Mr Ovchinin spent six months on the orbiting outpost in 2016. Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin, who watched the launch together with Nasa Administrator Jim Bridenstine, tweeted that a panel has been set up to investigate the cause of the booster failure. Expand Close The Soyuz rocket booster suffered a problem minutes after launch (Dmitri Lovetsky/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Soyuz rocket booster suffered a problem minutes after launch (Dmitri Lovetsky/AP) Earlier this week, Mr Bridenstine emphasised that collaboration with Russias Roscosmos remains important. Relations between Moscow and Washington have sunk to post-Cold War lows over the crisis in Ukraine, the war in Syria and allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 US presidential vote, but they have maintained cooperation in space research. The Russian Soyuz spacecraft is currently the only vehicle for ferrying crews to the International Space Station following the retirement of the US space shuttle fleet. Expand Close Nick Hague embraces his wife Catie after landing at the Krayniy Airport (Bill Ingalls/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Nick Hague embraces his wife Catie after landing at the Krayniy Airport (Bill Ingalls/AP) Russia stands to lose that monopoly in the coming years with the arrival of the SpaceXs Dragon v2 and Boeings Starliner crew capsules. Thursdays failure was the first manned launch failure for the Russian space programme since September 1983 when a Soyuz exploded on the launch pad. Soviet cosmonauts Vladimir Titov and Gennady Strekalov jettisoned and landed safely near the launch pad. Russia has continued to rely on Soviet-designed booster rockets to launch commercial satellites, as well as crews and cargo to the International Space Station. While Russian rockets had earned a stellar reputation for their reliability in the past, a string of failed launches in recent years has called into doubt Russias ability to maintain the same high standards of manufacturing. Send to Email Address Your Name Your Email Address Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Email check failed, please try again Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, who enjoys huge popularity in China, has urged his "friends" in the country to watch his friend Rani Mukerji's "Hichki", which is releasing there on Friday. Aamir and Rani, who have starred together in "Ghulam" and "Talaash", have been friends for long. Now that her "Hichki" is set to release in China, Aamir has come forward to promote the film. "A very warm hello to all my friends in China. My friend Rani Mukerji an actress from India has done a film called 'Hichki', which I believe is releasing in China on October 12. Well, I want you to know that I have seen the film when it released here in India and it is a beautiful story and it's a great film, with wonderful performances by Rani and all the kids in it," Aamir said in a video uploaded on a Chinese social media platform. He added: "It's really heart-warming and uplifting film with a beautiful story... I hope that all of you will go and see the film and I hope that you enjoy it." Rani is currently in China to promote the movie, which has a progressive message of beating stereotypes. The promotions are happening across 5 cities in China -- Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Chengdu. In the movie, Rani essays Naina Mathur, a school teacher dealing with an involuntary nervous system disorder, Tourette Syndrome. View this post on Instagram On Set in Bollywood!! Shout out to the Cast & Crew of Student of the Year 2. Thanx for Letting Me Play. :-) : @westbrook @sadaoturner A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith) on Oct 7, 2018 at 8:37am PDT Tanushree Dutta's case is one of those that will definitely go down in the history of the film industry and India both. Yes, the former actress slapped charges on Nana Patekar for misbehaving with him during the shooting of Horn Ok Pleassss and since then all hell broke loose. Little did she know that she started a mega revolution. The #MeToo movement that we thought will only be limited to Hollywood, courtesy Harvey Weinstein seeped into Bollywood in no time. More and more women came out to share their stories of sexual harassment at their workplace. ANI In a new development, Tanushree who has been vocal about Nana's misconduct on that film's sets, has now finally filed FIR against him. Not only Nana, but the FIR has also been lodged against director Rakesh Sarang, choreographer Ganesh Acharya and producer Sami Siddiqui for being witnesses and not taking a stand. Twitter The actress was accompanied to the Oshiwara police station by her lawyer, Nitin Satpute. Speaking about the details of the FIR, Satpute said, "The statement of Tanushree Dutta has been recorded in English so that she can understand the language. They were writing the statement in Marathi. However, we requested them to write it in English so that what happened 10 years is not repeated again." Tanushree went through a traumatic day way back in 2008 when she was filming for the film and was attacked by a mob when she refused to shoot with Nana. Since then, the incident stayed with her. She did speak about it with media agencies but she was quietly ousted from the industry. Nambi Narayanan, the former top ISRO scientist, who fought a legal battle for 24 years, to restore his reputation after he was falsely accused of spying, has finally received the compensation awarded by the Supreme Court. Kerala chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, presented a cheque of Rs 50 lakh to the former head of ISRO's cryogenic division, at a special function in the state secretariat Tuesday. BCCL Thanking the government for standing with him, Narayanan said, Over the last 24 years, six Chief Ministers, K. Karunakaran, AK Antony, EK Nayanar, V. S. Achuthanandan and Oommen Chandy, have assumed office. But ever since Pinarayi Vijayan became the Chief Minister, his total understanding of the case was different. CM Vijayan said the government will explore legal options on whether the Rs 50 lakh can be made accountable from the three investigating officials. The world of Dr Narayanan, one of the top ISRO scientists at the time who worked with the like of APJ Abdul Kalam turned upside down in 1994, when he was arrested on charges of leaking sensitive information to Pakistan. BCCL The case was first investigated by the state police and later handed over to the CBI, which found the allegations to be false and cleared Narayana of all charges. Since then, he has been fighting a lengthy legal battle to restore his honour. Last month, the Supreme Court had ordered the state government of giving him a compensation of Rs 50 lakhs. Calling his arrest by Kerala Police in the case in 1994 needless and unnecessary, the SC on Thursday also constituted a committee headed by retired SC judge D K Jain to inquire into the role of investigating officials. Former IIT Kanpur Professor, GD Agrawal aka Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand passed away on Thursday, after 111 days of fast, unto death for the conservation of mother river Ganga. Read more Here's more top news of the day: 1) Cyclone Titli, Upgraded To 'Very Severe Cyclonic Storm' Hits Odisha Cost At A Speed Of 150 Kmph BCCL Cyclone Titli, which was upgraded to a 'very severe cyclonic storm' has made landfall in the beach town of Gopalpur in the Odisha cost between 4:30 and 5:30 Thursday morning. Read more 2) After Sabarimala Verdict, Forum Of Muslim Women Move Court To Gain Entry In Sunni Mosques Just days after Supreme Court allowed women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, a forum of Muslim women has decided to approach the SC to seek entry in Sunni mosques. Read more 3) Politicians Have To Advertise Their Criminal Records On TV And Newspaper During Poll Campaign The candidates will now have to fill up an amended form (26). They will have also have to inform their parties about the cases in which they have been convicted and also about the cases under trial. Read more 4) India Suffered A Loss Of $79.5 Billion Due To Climate-Related Disasters In Last 20 Years Photo: BCCL A drastic change in climatic conditions is leading to more than just loss of human lives. A UN report released on Wednesday has revealed that India has lost $79.5 billion to climate-related disasters in the last 20 years. Read more 5) PHD Scholar Who Became Hizbul Mujahideen Militant Gunned Down Along With His Aide In Kashmir Twitter Two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, including PhD scholar-turned-terrorist Manan Bashir Wani, were killed on Thursday during an encounter with security forces at Handwara in Kupwara district of north Kashmir, officials said. Read more Do men consider women wearing jeans as not decent? Apparently, yes! At least in Madhya Pradesh, where the Mali community in Alirajpur has asked girls above the age of 10 to not wear jeans and a top. According to ANI, the community has asked girls not to wear jeans and tops to Garba events. BCCL/ REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE "We are holding a Garba programme. We have decided that girls above the age of 10 will not wear jeans and a top. They will not wear it in houses too and not in any of other events," Manjula Mali, president, women committee of the Alirajpur community told ANI. "The reason is that men don't look at women in a decent way. So, we need to make our girls understand," she added. BCCL/ REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE And it is not just women, even the men of the community want their girls to stop wearing jeans. "We have taken this decision because boys don't see women properly. We want to run this event properly as per our religion and customs," said Himmat Mali, president of the community. A drastic change in climatic conditions is leading to more than just loss of human lives. A UN report released on Wednesday has revealed that India has lost $79.5 billion to climate-related disasters in the last 20 years. The decision comes after the United Nations Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on Monday raised an alarm to keep the carbon-dioxide emissions in check and limit global temperatures at 1.5 degree Celsius, reported Live Mint. Economic Losses, Poverty and Disasters 1998-2017 report released by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva discovered that at least 91 per cent of the disasters that occurred between 1998 and 2017 were climate-related. Out of the various type of natural disasters, the largest number of people were affected by floods that accounted for 43.4 per cent of the disasters. Around two billion people were left devastated in the last two decades due to floods. Photo: UN Report Droughts accounted for the second highest cause that affected around 1.5 billion people. However, an interesting point to note here is that storms were the most frequently occurring disasters along with floods. The US topped the list of suffering the highest amount of monetary losses ($944.8) followed by China and Japan. India stood at the fourth spot with an absolute loss of $79.5 billion followed by Puerto Rico. Other countries in this list included Germany, Italy, Mexico and Thailand which have experienced great economic losses due to climate change. These losses, however, have different patterns depending on the economic conditions of the countries. The report revealed that while the absolute economic losses might be concentrated in high-income countries, the human cost of disasters falls on low- and lower-middle income countries. Photo: BCCL The findings further disclosed that since 2000, 130 people per million died in disaster-stricken areas in low-income countries as compared to only 18 in high-income countries. That means people exposed to natural hazards in the poorest nations were more than seven times more likely to die than equivalent populations in the richest nations the report quoted according to live mint. The report also brought to the forefront the protection gap between the rich and the poor. People in low-income countries were six times more likely to lose all the materialistic possessions or suffer an injury in the disaster as compared to people from high-income countries, the analysis further showed. The UN body also discovered that global, direct economic losses had seen a surge of 251 per cent in the last two decades. Between 1998 and 2017, 77 per cent of direct economic losses of $2.9 trillion was due to climate-related disasters. Photo: BCCL/Rain havoc in Bengaluru UN Secretary Generals Special Representative for Disaster Reduction, Mami Mizutori, The reports analysis makes it clear that economic losses from extreme weather events are unsustainable and a major brake on eradicating poverty in hazard-exposed parts of the world,, the livemint reported. As the world became more ignorant towards environmental conditions, the average number of disasters per year has increased to 329 in the last two decades. "Disasters are a major contributor to entrenched poverty in low- and middle-income countries attempting to recover from extreme weather events amplified by the effects of climate change." the report further noted. Finally, the report concluded by highlighting that reducing disaster losses is the key to eradicating poverty. The U.N agency on climate change said that Earth had already warmed by 1 degree Celsius and the impact is already visible in terms of extreme weather events like melting of glaciers, droughts and rise in water levels. Tired of the constant pressure on getting married, 32-year-old Lulu Jemimah married herself. Lulu, an Oxford University student from Uganda tied the knot with herself at a bar in Uganda. The decision to marry herself came after constant cribbing by her parents regarding her marriage. The mock ceremony held on August 27, Lulu put on the white gown, walked down the aisle and she even gave a small speech at the end of the ceremony. The act of marrying oneself is called sologamy, and its getting popular. The ceremony took place in Quepasa Bar in the capital Kampala. According to a GofundMepage that Jemimah had previously created to fund her education, said that her father had written her marriage vows when she was 16-years-old and her mother also prayed that she would get the right match. @Gidi_Traffic 32-year old Lulu Jemimah got 'married' to herself in Uganda after she grew tired of being asked when she was going to find a husband and settle down. In spite of her success, all her parents could think about when she was going to get a boyfriend and tie the knot pic.twitter.com/Z4G5hZcoiP AustynZOGS (@Austynzogs) October 10, 2018 Now she is 32 and is pursuing a masters in creative writing, said the marriage was the last thing on her mind. Jemimahs parents didnt attend the ceremony, but she called her later and explained everything. Though her parents may not have liked her decision, the internet is praising her step. Just one cup of coffee has the potential to change your mood, strike up a conversation and just help you unwind from a long tiring day. People all over India love coffee and nothing can beat the flavour and aroma of a freshly brewed cup of coffee. More recently, an organic coffee, popularly known as Araku coffee, grown by the tribal people in Andhra won a gold medal at the Prix Epicures OR 2018 Award in Paris. I urge all of you to applaud the adivasi farmers in Araku region and the @arakucoffee team in Paris which won the prestigious Gold Medal for the best coffee pod in the Prix Epicures OR 2018 Award in Paris, France. @anandmahindra @kris_sg pic.twitter.com/4pjV6SBgUh Manoj Kumar (@manoj_naandi) 9 October 2018 This is probably the first time an Indian coffee blend has bagged a prestigious award. The Araku blend debuted in Paris only last year, and was placed beside popular coffee blend varieties from Sumatra, Colombo, etc. This achievement was put on Twitter by Naandi's CEO and co-founder Manoj Kumar. Anand Mahindra lauded the win saying, "In a land of gourmets, an Indian coffee, grown by Adivasis in an underdeveloped part of India, has been ranked as one of the best coffee brands." A more important milestone than might seem apparent at 1st glance. In a land of gourmets, an Indian coffee, grown by Adivasis in an underdeveloped part of India, has been ranked as one of the best coffee brands in the market. Its time Indian food brands crack the premium segment https://t.co/Uyk5YbdCeh anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) 10 October 2018 Araku Global Holdings was formed as a social enterprise by top businessmen including Anand Mahindra of Mahindra Group, Kris Gopalakrishnan of Infosys, Satish Reddy, Chairman of Dr Reddys Laboratories and Rajendra Prasad Maganti, chairman, Soma Enterprise. The initiative will help support marginalised farmers, the company said in a statement. "We are focused on making Araku a globally recognised luxury coffee brand from India, while helping improve the lives of tribals in the Araku Valley." With inputs from PTI Security personnel stand guard outside a polling booth during the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir municipal polls, in Srinagar Oct. 10. Voter turnout was feeble in seven districts of the Kashmir Valley following a protest shutdown called by separatists. (IANS photo) I would certainly recommend Serbia to visiting birders. My own trip was not an intensive birding experience, and August is clearly not the most productive month. I chalked up 132 species in a pretty relaxed eight days, during which birds shared the agenda with culture. Nonetheless, I visited some excellent habitats, especially the flooded wetlands, and saw some good birds, wrote the UK Birdwatch Magazine journalist Mike Unwin of his bird tour of northern Serbia 15 years ago. What has changed in the meantime? Thanks mostly to David Lindo, The Urban Birder, there are a few British bird groups touring the country every year now, even the BBC came to film the world famous Long-eared Owl gathering in the town of Kikinda with more than 700 birds in some winters. Another more noticeable novelty in recent years has been the spread of eBird, the best idea in birding after Peterson developed a modern field guide eight and a half decades ago. I often wrote of the best birding areas, usually recommending those that I particularly like, but last month, Serbia got its fifth eBird hotspot with more than 150 species (followed by 45 more 100+ hotspots), so, here is the choice of the top-5 hotspots all of them wetlands as chosen by local birders: #4 Paljuvi Reservoir With 154 eBirded species almost single-handedly spotted by the UK expat Geoff Laight, the Paljuvi is the latest addition to the top-5 list. It is a shallow, 150 ha large reservoir made by damming the stream of Kladnica in 1970s and lies 55 km southwest of Belgrade, halfway between the towns of Lazarevac and Ub. Laights choice of best birds of the Paljuvi includes Purple, Night and Squacco Herons; Little Bittern, Ferruginous Duck, Whiskered Tern, Pygmy Cormorant, Syrian and Black Woodpeckers; Eurasian Golden Oriole and the Red-backed Shrike, followed by local rarities such as Temmincks Stint, Spotted Redshank, Glossy Ibis, White-tailed Eagle and Black Stork (both more common in the lowlands further north), and, on migration, White-winged Black Tern, European Roller (cover photo) and the Red-footed Falcon. The reservoir is surrounded by traditional farming landscape, adding the European Turtle Dove and the Ortolan Bunting to the scene. eBird bar chart #4 Beljarica Foreland (Kovilovo floodplain), Belgrade With 154 eBirded species, the Beljarica shares the 4th place on the list. It was created by levee construction in 1920s, cutting off most of the previously spacious floodplain between the Danube and the Tamis rivers, immediately north of Belgrade. With over 2 km in width, Beljarica has the biggest belly in the 90 km long system of Pancevacki rit embankments. Black Stork and three pairs of White-tailed Eagles breed here. Ducks and herons include Garganey and Ferruginous Duck, Squacco and Purple Herons, as well as Eurasian Spoonbill. Waders appear in late summer, including Spotted Redshank and Common Greenshank, Dunlin, Little Stint, Common Snipe and, infrequently, Great Snipe as well. Common Kingfisher, Common Hoopoe and the European Bee-eater come from their nesting holes at the high loess-bluff of the opposite, right bank of the river. Finally, Common and Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcap should be mentioned, together with Wood and Willow Warblers and Common Chiffchaff (most obvious during the September-October migration). eBird bar chart #3 Rusanda Nature Park in Melenci Rusanda is a shallow natron lake by the village of Melenci, 80 km north of Belgrade. So far, 160 species were eBirded at the nearby Rusanda Spa park and the lake itself, a fossil bed of the Tisa River. This protected area is of special importance for migrating waders, of which some 27 species were reported here, including Pied Avocet, Temmincks Stint, Red-necked Phalarope, Sanderling and Dunlin. Other birds of the Rusanda are Great Bittern, Purple Heron, Eurasian Spoonbill, Meadow and rare Red-throated Pipit, Icterine Warbler, Eurasian Penduline Tit, Lesser Gray Shrike, breeding Red-footed Falcon, Little and Long-eared Owls, etc. During migration (mostly in March and November), flocks of several thousand Common Crane land here, while during autumn and winter there are several Long-eared Owl roosts. eBird bar chart #2 Baranda fish farm The fish farm complex that lies about 30 km north from Belgrade, stretching between the villages Baranda and Sakule, is known as the Baranda fish farm. The main lake, closer to the village of Baranda, attracted more attention from the local birders and its hotspot has so far reached 162 eBirded species, but it should be noted that there are three more 100+ hotspots in the vicinity. This area offers probably the best wetland birding near Belgrade. In some years, Spanish Sparrows were reported breeding inside White Storks nests in Sakule. Other birds of this wetland are Reed Bunting, Bluethroat, Savis and Common Grasshopper-Warbler, Eurasian Penduline Tit, Bearded Reedling, Red-backed and Lesser Gray Shrikes (in winter replaced by the Great Grey Shrike), Eurasian Hoopoe, European Bee-eater, Little Owl, breeding Whiskered Tern (plus Black and White-winged Terns on migration), 22 species of waders, Common Crane on migration, Squacco Heron, Glossy Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, wintering Greater Spotted Eagle and, in some years, irruptions of Rosy Starlings. eBird bar chart #1 Kompenzacioni bazen lake, Pirot Unlike the previous hotspots, which lie close to Belgrade, the Kompenzacioni bazen lake (literally compensation pool), is in the town of Pirot, close to the border with Bulgaria and about 300 km from Belgrade. With 222 species eBirded so far by a single observer, Ivan Medenica, it does not only occupy the first position among the top-5, but also is the only hotspot in Serbia with more than 200 eBirded species. The wider Pirot valley is a significant migration corridor and the bird fauna has a distinct Mediterranean flavour from there, the Aegean Sea is equally close as Belgrade. Locally common birds include Water Pipit, Crested Lark, Common Whitethroat and European Stonechat; followed by frequent Levant Sparrowhawk, Barred Warbler, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Eurasian Golden Oriole, European Turtle Dove, Corncrake, Eurasian Nightjar and the Jack Snipe. Local rarities include mouth-watering birds such as Dalmatian Pelican, Slavonian Grebe, Ruddy Turnstone, Asian Desert Warbler, Moustached Warbler and the Calandra Lark. eBird bar chart Mike Unwin further concludes: The birds are there, the infrastructure is perfectly functional if a little creaky and the people are charming. Serbia is a cheap and accessible destination, with some real surprises in store for the visiting birder and some excellent guides to show you around. Ecotourism will no doubt arrive soon, and with luck its revenue will prove that theres more to be gained from protecting wildlife than selling it to hunters. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, wildlife is still more commonly sold to foreign hunters. It may be just the time to change that. More: The top-5 hotspots of Belgrade A birding year in Serbia Topological insulators are materials with very special properties. They conduct electricity or light particles on their surface or edges only but not on the inside. This unusual behaviour could eventually lead to technical innovations which is why topological insulators have been the subject of intense global research for several years. Physicists of Julius-Maximilians-Universitat Wurzburg (JMU) in Bavaria, Germany, with colleagues from the Technion in Haifa, Israel, and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore now report their discovery in the journal Nature. For the first time, the team has successfully built a topological insulator operating with both light and electronic excitations simultaneously, called an exciton-polariton topological insulator. Novelty with dual benefit According to Professor Sven Hofling, who heads the JMU Chair for Applied Physics, such topological insulators have a dual benefit: They could be used for both switched electronic systems and laser applications. The topological insulators developed previously are based on either electrons or photons, allowing only one of these applications to be implemented. Dr. Sebastian Klembt, group leader at Hofling's chair, played a lead role in the project. He gives more details: The novel topological insulator was built on a microchip and basically consists of the gallium arsenide semiconductor compound. It has a honeycomb structure and is made up of many small pillars, each two micrometres (two millionths of a metre) in diameter. Propagation direction can be controlled When exciting this microstructure with laser light, light-matter particles form inside it, exclusively at the edges. The particles then travel along the edges and around the corners with relatively low loss. A magnetic field enables us to control and reverse the propagation direction of the particles, Klembt says. It is a sophisticated systems which works in application-oriented dimensions on a microchip and in which light can be controlled. Usually, this is not so easy to accomplish: Pure light particles have no electric charge and therefore cannot be readily controlled with electric or magnetic fields. The new topological insulator in contrast is capable of doing this by sending light around the corner in a manner of speaking. JMU and Technion: expertise in topological insulators This research success of Hofling's team shows once more that the University of Wurzburg's Institute of Physics is a leading center of topological insulator research. In 2007, JMU Professor of Physics, Laurens Molenkamp, pioneered the field by experimentally building the worlds first topologically insulator. The Wurzburg physicists' excellence in this field was again recognized recently in September 2018 with the awarding of a grant for the Excellence Cluster Complexity and Topology in Quantum Materials within the scope of the German Excellence Strategy competition. The Technion scientists have complementary expertise: it is the group of Mordechai (Moti) Segev which has demonstrated the first photonic topological insulator, back in 2013, and launched the field of Topological Photonics. The groups have now joined forces to demonstrate this first symbiotic light-matter topological insulator, which holds great promise both as a fundamental discovery and by opening the door for exiting applications in optoelectronics. Dr. Sebastian Klembt, Chair for Applied Physics, JMU, T +49 931 31-85980, sebastian.klembt@physik.uni-wuerzburg.de Prof. Dr. Sven Hofling, Chair for Applied Physics, JMU, T +49 931 31-83613, hoefling@physik.uni-wuerzburg.de Exciton-polariton topological insulator, S. Klembt, T. H. Harder, O. A. Egorov, K. Winkler, R. Ge, M. A. Bandres, M. Emmerling, L. Worschech, T. C. H. Liew, M. Segev, C. Schneider & S. Hofling, Nature, 8 October 2018, DOI 10.1038/s41586-018-0601-5 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. Shipton said the word dishonest is the diagnosis on our industry it is a blight, as he urged the industry to have a single aim and that is a fair, strong, and efficient financial-services sector for all Australians, Canberra Times reported. If we embrace the concept [that the industry manages] other peoples money, then hopefully we can get away from this horrible diagnosis of dishonesty to a diagnosis of professionalism, the ASIC boss said. Shipton did not comment on the criticisms made by Commissioner Kenneth Hayne in the interim report released last month, which largely blamed ASIC and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) for being too close to the banks and not taking them to court. The sentiment was shared by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who said even before the interim report was released that both regulators had a case to answer over scandals exposed by the inquiry. We have to reclaim that first line responsibility of ensuring that we have fair, efficient, and honest conduct in our industry that is an obligation on you [under the law], Shipton told the conference. Regulation cannot be the sole solution, it has to be coming from the industry itself. Shipton said it was the responsibility of all 450,000 people who worked in the financial-services industry to rebuild trust with the community because after all, as much we want to be everywhere, as much as we want to right every wrong, we cant be everywhere all the time, Canberra Times reported. In the last 12 months, the commission received 217 new motor-injury insurance claims in Pilbara and Kimberley, and it is expected that settlement negotiations will involve up to 60 claims, estimated at many million dollars. The initiative has been implemented for the last five years and has been met with positive feedback from previous claimants. Our staff hear first-hand how thankful people are of being able to meet in person to discuss and finalise their claim, Whithear said. We are proud of our innovative approach to meet the needs of customers. In 2018, the commission paid out $391m to people injured in crashes (mostly in prior years) and booked anticipated future claims expenses at $2.4bn. Madagascar marked the first time Liberty Specialty Markets has been involved in a major charitable infrastructure project like this, noted Mark Fidler (pictured), head of corporate social responsibility at LSM. Its been a uge undertaking and were proud to have made a tangible difference to the lives of thousands of people its one of our strategic goals to help communities prosper. Weve also been deeply impressed with the team at WaterAid and their determination to bring positive change to the countries in which they work. The projects run for three years, with LSM putting forward an annual corporate donation and staff also contributing by conducting fundraising events. Were very grateful to everyone at Liberty Specialty Markets for their tremendous support, said Marcus Missen, director of communications and fundraising at WaterAid. The funds they have raised are helping transform lives in Madagascar by making clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene a normal part of everyday life. We look forward to the next chapter of our partnership and working together to continue making a difference to some of the worlds poorest communities. In Rwanda, the collaboration aims to benefit 80,000 school children by 2021. AIG paid Kardashian Wests hefty claim but is now seeking $6.1 million back from Duvier and Protect Security, according to court documents filed last Wednesday in Delaware. This is a classic subrogation scenario. The issue here is that weve got a celebrity name attached to the case, which makes it bigger and more interesting to the public, said Mike Angelina, executive director of the Maguire Academy of Insurance and Risk Management and professor at Saint Josephs University. Kim Kardashian hired a security guard to protect her and, according to AIG, this security guard breached his duty in terms of protecting her. The argument is that had Duvier and Protect Security done their jobs properly, Kim Kardashian wouldnt have been robbed. According to a CNN report, AIG claims the defendants left Kardashian West alone in her room and failed to correct a number of security breaches in the Paris apartment. The alleged breaches include a missing or broken lock, a malfunctioning intercom and the lack of CCTV in the building. The insurer also says the private apartments concierge did not have any security training and/or background. AIG would not have filed this suit if they didnt think it was appropriate, commented Angelina. So, what happens next? Either the parties will fight this out in court - and potentially incur significant litigation costs - or they will reach a settlement before trial. They will typically carry out litigation risk analysis to see whether its worth going to trial, Angelina explained. According to Angelina, a key lesson brokers can take away from this case is the importance of understanding the clients end-customer. He told Insurance Business: The security firm will have purchased a liability insurance policy to protect against claims of negligence, but the question really revolves around what other risks might be out there. A security firm is not just guarding an apartment, a school or a library. What happens if they fail? What unintended or unforeseen exposures does the security firm have if they fail at their job? Providing security is a risky business. The difficulty in protecting a star like Kardashian West is that celebrities can often be unpredictable in their actions, and insuring such an unpredictable risk is a tough task. Losses would be manageable, said Jacob Kilstein, another analyst with Argus Research, who explained that damage from the storm could be anywhere between $9 billion and $15 billion. Greenspan explained that compared to major hurricane events, there is less insured value in Hurricane Michaels path. With Hurricane Irma in 2017, there was a worry about a Category 5 hurricane hitting Miami. If that happened, the industry would have been faced with $150 billion worth of losses, Greenspan remarked. According to Greenspan, Michael will barely hurt the stock prices of major insurers, since those big insurance brands have reduced their exposure to the Florida market over the past decade. This, she explained, allowed smaller insurance providers to step in. The market is dominated by smaller companies specific to Florida, Greenspan stated. Greenspan also noted that reinsurance rates are set to cool starting next year. Even moving away from Hurricane Michael, weve been the most cautious on the reinsurers just because of overcapacity in the market, she said. Reinsurance rates will start to decline again in early 2019 after seeing modest rate increases this year. Related stories: Hurricane Florence costs hit 11 figures Why Hurricane Lane was a drop in the bucket compared to Florence Five years later, were still seeing people who are filing for bankruptcy, losing homes or cant pass credit checks, Jennifer Lord, attorney for the plaintiffs, told The Detroit News. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency reversed more than 40,000 fraud determinations made by the faulty system and has acknowledged the error, but is fighting the lawsuit. Last year, a Michigan appeals court sided with the agency, ruling that the plaintiffs had failed to file their case within six months of the agencys wrongful determinations. However, the plaintiffs argue that the states six-month time limit should have started when the state seized their property Michigan garnished wages and withheld tax refunds of claimants it wrongly accused. Indeed, some victims didnt even realize theyd been accused of fraud until their tax refunds were seized years later. One victim, Rebecca Williams, was accused of fraud in 2014 and didnt know it until her federal tax refund was seized in 2017. Because of penalties and interest, she owed $100,000 and had to hire an attorney to fight related criminal charges. Those charges have since been dismissed, but Williams told The Detroit News that the record of the charges has made it difficult for her to find work. I put myself through college going to school day and night, raising three kids and working full time and for all of this to just be taken away from me because of some computer system is simply amazing, she said. Lord claimed that even if plaintiffs had known they had been accused of fraud and sued immediately, they probably would have had their cases thrown out as being premature. Lord called the seizures a form of state-approved and state-sponsored theft from tens of thousands of innocent victims, according to The Detroit News. The court should enforce an other insureds consent to assignment clause Distinct from the general assignment clause requiring the insurers consent to an assignment of the policy, a Florida insurers policy requires AOBs to have the consent of other insureds. It states: 18. Assignment of Claim Benefits. No assignment of claim benefits, regardless of whether made before loss or after loss, shall be valid without the written consent of all insureds, all additional insureds and all mortgagee(s) named in this policy. Three Florida district courts of appeal have addressed enforcement of this clause. In Biologic, Inc. a/a/0 Elizabeth Morgan v. ASI Preferred Ins. Corp., 238 So. 3d 769 (Fla. 2D DCA 2017), the 2d DCA enforced it without explanation. The 4th DCA reached the same result on September 5, 2018, in Restoration 1 of Port St. Lucie, a/a/o Liza Squitieri v. Ark Royal Ins. Co., (2018 WL 4211750) and then certified conflict with an earlier 5th DCA decision. In Security First Ins. Company v. Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, the 5th DCA concluded the OIR properly disapproved of Security Firsts request to amend its policy language to restrict the ability of policy holders to assign post-loss benefits. The Ark Royal decision articulates four ways the Security First decision erred. First, Security First fails to differentiate the provision requiring the consent of other insureds to an assignment of claim benefits from the general assignment clause requiring the insurers consent to assignments of the policy. Settled common law holds that the insurers consent to assignment provision will not be enforced against a post-loss AOB. As Ark Royal notes a significant difference exists between requiring the insurers consent and requiring the consent of the insureds and mortgagees. The most significant difference is that, unlike the insurer, other insureds have a vested interest in the claim benefit being assigned. Second, Security First misstates the common law rule as precluding any condition on assignment of post-loss claim benefits. Ark Royal correctly observes that the common law rule has only been applied to not enforce the general insurers consent to assignment clause to an assignment after loss. The rule of law has never been applied to a condition requiring the assignment have the consent of other insureds whose vested interest may be affected by the assignment. Third, had Security First considered the rationale for that rule, it would have recognized the rationale does not apply to an AOB provision requiring the consent of other insureds. Fourth, with no law precluding a condition on post-loss AOBs having the consent of other insureds, the judiciary must leave any public policy decision not to preclude such a provision to the Florida Legislature. In my opinion, the Florida Supreme Court should affirm the Ark Royal decision. The common law rule refusing to enforce the general insurers consent to assignment provision against a post-loss assignment of benefits does not apply to an other insureds consent provision like Paragraph 18. The public policy issue Floridas OIR has documented the rate increases due to restoration AOBs. The abuse of AOBs has also caused homeowners: (1) to be denied coverage based on serial claims by the contractor they were not aware of; (2) to suffer the expense of forced placed coverage; and, (3) to have mechanic liens placed on their homes. For example, homes in one subdivision were damaged by a hailstorm. The homeowners signed an AOB with a roofer who collected the insurance benefits but did not pay the roofer who did the actual work. The homeowners were surprised when the unpaid roofer filed mechanic liens and foreclosures to collect the money owed. These AOB problems seem unnecessary. Restoration contractors have relied on direct payment authorizations to obtain payment from the insurer and have lien rights with the guarantee of attorneys fee. Any hurdles they face without an AOB pales in comparison to the harm caused. In conclusion, the Florida Supreme Court should decide in 2019 not to extend the settled common law to the AOB context and, instead, leave to the Florida Legislature the task of addressing the complex public policy issues surrounding AOBs in the restoration context. Former Justice Ken Bell is a shareholder of Gunster whose practice is focused on civil appeals and trial support. Ken currently co-chairs Gunsters firmwide Appellate practice. Ken is a former Florida Supreme Court Justice, serving from 2002-2008. Prior to serving on Floridas highest court, Ken was as a circuit judge in Floridas First Judicial Circuit from 1991-2002, where he became the youngest Circuit Judge in the history of the First Circuit. The limousine service under scrutiny after a crash that killed 20 people fixed safety violations in its fleet before the tragedy, said a lawyer who suggested the driver was unfamiliar with the rural road. Prestige Limousine has been criticized for maintaining vehicles rife with violations and for employing a driver lacking a commercial license. The deadly crash Saturday west of Albany, N.Y., also has shined fresh light on the controversial history of the business owner, a former FBI informant. The limousine that ran a stop sign at a T-intersection was cited for code violations Sept. 4, including a problem with the antilock brake system malfunction indicator system. Four of the Gansevoort, New York-based companys limos were cited for 22 maintenance violations this year, though none were deemed critical. Those safety issues had been addressed and corrected, attorney Lee Kindlon, who represents Prestige, told CBS News in a segment Tuesday. Not all infractions are major. A lot of these things are minor and were fixed. Kindlon said he doesnt think those infractions contributed to the crash. He told the Times Union of Albany that the driver, identified as Scott Lisinicchia, might have misjudged his ability to stop at the bottom of the long winding hill. I think he came up over that hill unfamiliar with territory. You just cant the stop something like that, Kindlon said. I think the state has been warned about that intersection for years and the Department of Transportation is just looking to point a finger. The limousine, built from a 2001 Ford Excursion, ran the stop sign, crossed three lanes of traffic and hit a parked SUV before stopping in a wooded ditch. Two pedestrians and all 18 people in the limo celebrating a womans birthday died. Federal transportation records show Prestige is owned by Shahed Hussain, who worked as an informant for the FBI after the Sept. 11 attacks. He infiltrated Muslim groups by posing as a terrorist sympathizer in at least three investigations. State police say Shahed Hussain is in Pakistan. On Monday his son, Nauman Hussain, who has operated the limo company, met with state police investigators for several hours, according to the Albany newspaper. Kindlon declined to comment on the interview to the newspaper. He did not return calls seeking comment from The Associated Press. In 2014, Nauman Hussain and his brother were accused by police of insisting they were each other after a traffic stop. Nauman Hussain was the passenger, but had a valid license. His brother did not. Police later discovered Nauman had an extensive suspension and conviction list which had been cleared, according to the Times Union. Prestiges address is listed as a modest motel outside Saratoga Springs that is owned by Hussain, according to tax records. Nearby residents complained to town code enforcement officials several times in recent years about the condition of Hussains property. In spring 2017, the state health officials shut down the motel and its low-income residents were forced to temporarily move out after a sewer line failed. The owner claimed a disgruntled former tenant sabotaged the infrastructure, but a building inspector blamed the problem on improper fittings and lack of support for the waste lines. Associated Press writer Chris Carola in Albany contributed to this report. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics New York Brokerslink announced the expansion of its global broker network, which includes eight independent brokers from Africa, a brokerage in Indonesia, two specialist wholesale brokers and two companies that focus on risk and insurance services. Zug, Switzerland-based Brokerslink said its new affiliates in Africa, which extend its presence to 21 countries across the continent, are: CCAR in Mauritania Compendium in South Africa Consass in Burkina Faso Generalia Assurances in Cameroon Generale de Courtage in Guinea Conakry La Protectrice Assurance in Togo and Benin Hoggar Assurances in Niger WH Assureur-Conseil in Senegal. The expansion of our network in Africa is a significant indicator of our commitment to supporting independent brokers across the continent, said Ana Cristina Borges, Brokerslinks regional manager for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. Africa is an increasingly important insurance market. Thanks to its extensive natural resources, growing population, increasing levels of affluence and infrastructure investment opportunities, insurance penetration is set to expand, she continued. The Brokerslink global network will greatly benefit from our new network affiliates unique insights and understanding of these dynamic local markets. Likewise, we are able to support the growth of our brokers with access to new and dedicated products, risk management services, and insurance markets to maximize global program opportunities. In addition to the new African affiliates, Brokerslink announced MIR Insurance Brokers in Indonesia has joined the network. In addition, new specialist wholesale brokers have joined: Amsterdam-based Classicus, which specializes in high value classic car collections and high value households, and Integra Global, the Haywards Heath, England-based health insurance provider. And finally, Brokerslink is expanding the capabilities of its specialist risk and insurance services offering with the addition of global risk consultancy FocusPoint International and WEBCBG, a software service company specializing in risk management and CAT risk assessment tools, as affiliates. About Brokerslink Brokerslink AG combines a global broking company with a worldwide broking network. It provides its independent partners (shareholders in the company) and affiliates (businesses which have the option to become shareholders) in over 100 countries with risk management and insurance expertise, international market connections, and consulting services. Source: Brokerslink Topics Agencies Cardiac Catheterization Market The Cardiac Catheterization Market report titled Global Cardiac Catheterization Market Research Report Forecast to 2027 is an expert analysis report to analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global Cardiac Catheterization Market. Acknowledging the fiercely ascending market, Market Research Future (MRFR) in its recently published study report asserts that the global cardiac catheterization market will continue to grow by 2023, registering a CAGR of 9.2% during the forecast period (2017-2023). The Global Cardiac Catheterization Market is accruing pervasively mainly due to the growing rate of cardiovascular disorders, worldwide. Currently, the world is witnessing the increasing number of cardiac disorders cases and issues related to heart diseases. Sadly, the figure is expected to grow every year; despite the several innovative therapies and procedures. The rising prevalence of these diseases is becoming a major concern fueling the growth of the global cardiac catheterization market. Rising technological advancements transpired in the field of heart care, bringing a diversity of engineering and design backgrounds, privacy, liability, and financial perspectives necessary to succeed in a complex health care system. Global Cardiac Catheterization market is growing as continuously increasing the patients suffering from arterial diseases. Changing lifestyle, an increasing number of the patient suffering from obesity and diabetes has also helped to expand the market of the cardiac catheterization market. On the other hand, stringent regulations and reimbursement issues in many countries are some of the dominant factors obstructing market growth. Also, the lack of skilled healthcare professionals is expected to the hamper the market growth. Global Cardiac Catheterization Market Major Key Players The global market consist of players such as Boston Scientific Corporation (US), Coloplast (Denmark), Dispocard GmbH (Germany), Becton, Dickinson and Company (US), St. Jude Medical (US), Abbott (US), Johnson & Johnson Private Limited (US), Teleflex Incorporated (US)., Smiths Medical (US), Edwards Life Sciences Corporation (US), Medtronic Inc (US), Rochester Medical Corporation (U.S), Maquet Medical India Private Limited (India), Terumo Medical Corporation (Japan), and others. These are some of the prominent players at the forefront of competition in the global cardiac catheterization market. Global Cardiac Catheterization Market Competitive Analysis The market for cardiac catheterization is well established market with number of companies operating in this market. There are large number of companies involved in the development of the products, including the devices, and accessories for the various types of cardiac catheters. Abbott is one of the big companies that is involved in the development of the cardiac catheterization products. The company has had some great developments in the cardiac catheterization segment in 2017. News In November 2017, Abbott announced the approval of its MitraClip device for treatment of people with mitral regurgitation (MR) from Japans Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW). Get Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/972 In May 2017, Abbott announced the CE Mark of the TactiCath Contact Force Ablation Catheter, Sensor Enabled. The product is developed to make it easier for physicians to more effectively treat atrial fibrillation (AF). In March 2017, Abbott announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the FlexAbility Ablation Catheter, Sensor Enabled designed to improve the versatility and precision during cardiac ablation procedures to treat atrial flutter, a type of irregular heartbeat. In January 2017, Abbott announced the U.S. launch and the first commercial uses of the new EnSite Precision cardiac mapping system and Advisor FL Circular Mapping Catheter, Sensor Enabled to map cardiac arrhythmias during ablation treatments. Global Cardiac Catheterization Market Segments The market is segmented into five Key dynamics for an easy grasp. By Procedures: Balloon Septostomy, Coronary Angioplasty, Catheter Ablation, Bipolar Pacing, Left Heart Catheterization, and Right Heart Catheterization among others. By Types: Fractional Flow Reserve, Coronary Angiogram, Intravascular Ultrasound, and Optical Coherence Tomography among others. By Applications: Heart Attack, Abnormal Stress Test, Coronary Vasospasm, and Cardiac Arrhythmia, among others. By End-Users: Hospitals and Clinics among others. By Regions: Comprises Geographical regions North America, Europe, APAC and Rest of the World. Global Cardiac Catheterization Market Regional Analysis Owing to the presence of huge patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases, America dominates the global cardiac catheterization market. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28.4 million adults were suffering from heart diseases by January 2017. Increasing number of patients suffering from heart diseases and increasing healthcare expenditure have driven the growth of the market. Europe accounts for the second largest market due to continuously increasing patient population, well-developed healthcare sector, high healthcare expenditure, and government support for the research and development. To Know More Enquire @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/972 Asia Pacific is the fastest growing market; according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 60% of total world diabetic population lives in Asia Pacific region. Diabetes is one of the major risk factors for causing heart diseases. Increasing patients suffering from diabetes and heart diseases have stimulated the growth of the market. The Middle East & Africa has the lowest market for the cardiac catheterization; however, the Middle East is the major contributor in this region due to the presence of well-developed economies like Kuwait and Qatar. On the other hand, because of limited development in the field of medical science and existence of economically poor countries, the market is limited in Africa. 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. 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 Ant Financials Alipay and Tencent Holdings Ltd. warned that cyber attackers employed stolen Apple IDs to break into customers accounts and made off with an unknown amount of cash, in a rare security breach for Chinas top digital payments providers. Alipay, whose parent also operates the worlds largest money market fund, said on its Weibo blog that it contacted Apple and is working to get to the bottom of the breach. It warned users thatve linked their Apple identities to any payment services, including Tencents WePay, to lower transaction limits to prevent further losses. Tencent said in a separate statement it too had noticed the cyber-heist and reached out to the iPhone maker. Chinas two largest companies both recommended that users of their digital wallets take steps to safeguard their Apple accounts, including by changing passwords. Its unclear how the attackers may have gotten their hands on the Apple IDs, which are required for iPhone users that buy content such as music from iTunes or the app store. Apple representatives havent responded to requests and phone calls seeking comment. Since Apple hasnt resolved this issue, users whove linked their Apple ID to any payments method, including Alipay, WePay or credit cards, may be vulnerable to theft, Alipay said in its blogpost. Digital payments services have become a tempting target for cyber-thieves as their popularity surges around the world. Ant Financial, which is controlled by billionaire Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma, is estimated to handle more than half of Chinas $17 trillion in annual online payments. Formally known as Zhejiang Ant Small & Micro Financial Services Group, it leveraged Alipays popularity to expand into everything from asset management to insurance, credit scoring and lending. It serves more than 800 million customers. Tencents rival payments offering is a key component of the social media service WeChat, which has a billion-plus users. Many Alipay and WePay customers thatre also iPhone users link their digital wallets to their Apple IDs. Once theyve gained access, online thieves can transfer cash to external accounts. Tencent is actively communicating with Apple to better understand how its resolving the situation, the WeChat-operator said in its emailed statement. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Cyber Fraud China Brexit negotiators are edging toward a compromise on the thorniest issue in talks, even as officials on both sides warned that obstacles still stand in the way of a deal. EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said Wednesday that a deal is within reach, and officials in Brussels and London said some progress was being made in intense negotiations. While the Telegraph reported late Wednesday that an agreement had been clinched, EU and UK officials warned in public and in private against predictions that a deal is in the bag. Its too early to be putting champagne on ice, Prime Minister Theresa Mays defacto deputy, David Lidington, said Wednesday in an ITV interview. Weve got a fair way to go still. There are still differences between our position and that of the European Commission, but were working very hard to overcome them. The main sticking point is how to keep the Irish border open after Brexit. Its known as the backstop, because its meant to be a guarantee that whatever future trade deal the two sides eventually sign, the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic remains all but invisible. The trouble is that both sides suspect that whatever is agreed as a backstop will end up coming into effect potentially shaping future ties between the UK and the bloc indefinitely. The UK currency has gained almost 4 percent since mid-August as optimism over a Brexit divorce deal grows, paring its decline for the year to 2.3 percent. Yet its still well below pre-referendum levels, with one hedge fund manager predicting it could recover to $1.55 in the longer-term on a positive Brexit outcome. The Telegraph reported that UK and EU officials have agreed a backstop that would keep the whole UK in a customs union with the EU until a permanent trade deal is brokered, and that May will put it to her Brexit war cabinet on Thursday. One UK official pushed back against the report, saying nothing has been agreed yet. Another said there is movement in talks toward a temporary customs fix that would keep the UK aligned to EU customs rules as part of the so-called backstop. Thats in line with what the UK proposed back in June but the EU has reservations. May is demanding a guarantee that the arrangement will be temporary, the person said. The EU has been reluctant to do that saying that the backstop can only work as a guarantee if its open-ended. One option is to have a review of the backstop proposals before the end of a post-Brexit transition period is due to expire, according to the person familiar with the situation. Staying inside the EUs customs regime is controversial at home, as a large part of Mays Conservative Party reject it. The proposal also risks angering the Northern Irish party that keeps May in power as it could involve checks on goods between Northern Ireland and mainland Britain. In a possible signal to the government not to take them for granted, the Democratic Unionist Partys 10 lawmakers didnt vote with the Conservatives on an agriculture bill on Wednesday, instead abstaining on a Labour amendment. Now is not the time to try and sell even more compromise to satisfy the appetite of the EU to humiliate our country, the DUPs Brexit spokesman, Sammy Wilson, wrote in the Telegraph on Thursday. The road which the leaks and briefings is outlining is the road to parliamentary defeat for any deal which the prime minister brings forward. Brexiteer Push-Back Whatever deal she eventually brings home, May will face a battle to get it approved by Parliament. Brexiteers in her own partys European Research Group which numbers 60 or more have signaled theyd vote against a deal along the lines shes seeking. Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who quit Mays cabinet over her Brexit plans, railed against backstop proposals in a series of tweets, saying the strategy would make Britain a permanent colony of the EU. And former Brexit Secretary David Davis, who also quit in protest, said the deal is shaping up to be one that wont pass Parliament because of a lack of guarantees on the UKs future economic relationship with the bloc. EU and UK negotiators hope to make progress on the thorny issue of the Irish border in time for the October summit of EU leaders next week, and then seal the agreement a month later. The talks are intensively continuing day and night, Barnier said. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte urged greater speed so that leaders can see progress next week. Were going on the principle that the faster were done, the better, Merkel said. Its important that we can really log a result next week, the Dutch leader said, adding that a few big questions remain. But Merkel, a veteran of EU negotiations, warned that the devil is in the detail. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Europe Uk Brexit Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE (AGCS), Allianz Groups specialist carrier for corporate insurance business, announced the appointments of Lee Brewer as senior broker relationship manager and Harriet Tiplady as broker relationship manager. Based in London within the Market Management team, they will have responsibility for pipeline and relationship management with major global and mid-market brokers. The appointments are also designed to drive brokers understanding of AGCS risk appetite across all lines. With over 17 years of insurance industry experience, Lee Brewer previously served for four years as a broker relationship manager for AIG in London, having started with AIG as a London market development manager. Before this, Brewer spent 12 years in increasing senior positions at Aviva, ending his time there as a business development manager. Harriet Tiplady joined AGCS in 2017 as a senior sales analyst, having moved from Allianz UK where she was a key account developer who focused on personal lines brokers. Prior to this, she spent nearly four years at Zurich, starting on the graduate program before moving to the role of data analyst customer, distribution and market management. Source: Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) Topics Agencies London Allianz AIG Hurricane, flood, and earthquake damages made September the costliest month for natural catastrophes in 2018, according to a report from Aons Impact Forecasting team. September is typically the busiest month for tropical cyclone activity around the globe and 2018 proved to follow that norm with multiple landfalls in the Northern Hemisphere during the month, said the report, titled Global Catastrophe Recap September 2018. The United States saw two September landfalls: Tropical Storm Gordon and the costlier Hurricane Florence, which made landfall in North Carolina as a Category 1 hurricane. Florence will create more than US$10 billion in economic losses, although insured losses are expected to be in the low-digit billions due to low flood insurance penetration, added Impact Forecasting. In Japan, Typhoon Jebi caused widespread wind and flood damage, bringing total economic losses that are expected to reach well into the billions of dollars. The General Insurance Association of Japan (GIAJ) said nearly 486,000 insurance claims had been filed, with the expectation of a multi-billion-dollar payout, said the report. Super Typhoon Mangkhut caused widespread damage in the Philippines, Hong Kong and China as a Category 5 storm, which killed at least 102 people and damaged more than 210,000 homes in the Philippines alone. Total combined economic damage and net loss business interruption was expected to reach into the billions of dollars, while the local insurance industry in China and Hong Kong forecast payouts approaching or exceeding US$1 billion. Earthquakes A 7.5 magnitude earthquake and tsunami caused catastrophic damage across Indonesias Sulawesi Island on Sept. 28, killing more than 2,000, with many more missing. Total economic damage was expected to approach or exceed US$1 billion. Another strong earthquake struck the Japanese island of Hokkaido on Sept. 6, killing 41 people and injuring 680 others, said the report quoting the GIAJ, which said that 12,279 insurance claims had been filed. September will be recorded as the costliest month so far of 2018, as global economic losses from natural catastrophes are expected to reach into the tens of billions of dollars, said Steve Bowen, Impact Forecasting director and meteorologist. A series of significant catastrophes including Hurricane Florence, Typhoon Jebi, Typhoon Mangkhut, and the Indonesian earthquake were poised to cause tens of billions in economic damage. Each of these events were also noteworthy since the majority of losses are likely to be uninsured. He said this again highlights the fact that there continue to be gaps in insurance coverage on either a market-wide or individual peril basis in both emerging and developed nations. As natural peril risks increase, it becomes even more important to close those gaps to help people in the recovery process, Bowen added. Impact Forecastings report discussed additional global natural hazard events during the month, which included: Flooding. In Mexico, more than 300,000 homes were inundated by floodwaters in the hardest-hit state of Sinaloa. Other severe flooding events affected parts of the United States, West Africa, China, India, North Korea and Vietnam. Severe Weather. Outbreaks of severe weather led to bouts of tornado, straight-line wind, or hail damage in parts of the United States and Canada (including an EF3 tornado which touched down in Ontario province). Total combined economic losses were expected to reach into the hundreds of millions of US dollars. Windstorms. The European windstorm season had an early start with three storms, Ali, Bronagh, and Fabienne, brought heavy rain and hurricane-force winds to parts of Western, Northern, and Central Europe. A rare medicane, or Mediterranean cyclone, hit the Peloponnese Peninsula and Crete Island in southern Greece on Sept. 29. Source: Aon/Impact Forecasting Related: Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Trends USA Flood Hurricane Aon China Earthquake For the fifth consecutive year, many Kansas business owners will pay less for workers compensation insurance again in 2019, the Kansas Insurance Department reported. With another rate decrease, Kansas companies will potentially have more money to grow their businesses, Kansas Commissioner of Insurance Ken Selzer said in an announcement. This happens because they will pay less to cover medical claims costs and lost wages for job-related injuries and deaths. The decreases affect many of the approximately 70,000 Kansas businesses that pay workers compensation insurance. The 2019 rate filing for the workers compensation rate shows a decrease of 6.4 percent in the voluntary base rate and a decrease of 10.8 percent for assigned risk workers compensation rates. Adding together the rate decreases Kansas business owners saw from 2015 through 2018 and now for 2019, the cumulative rates will have dropped almost 45 percent in the voluntary base rate and nearly 50 percent in the assigned risk rate. Its important to remember that the decreases are only an average, Selzer said. That means that an individual employer may see a larger decrease, no change in their rates, or an increase, depending on the employers own industry, claims experience and payroll. Many of our states businesses will see a positive outcome because of the decrease. Its a win-win for both businesses and potential employees. In Kansas, 67 percent of workers compensation benefit distribution goes to pay medical claims, and 33 percent goes to indemnity claims, according to statistics from the National Council on Compensations Insurance Inc. (NCCI). The 2019 NCCI filing applies to all insurance carriers writing workers compensation policies for businesses in the state. The Kansas Insurance Department staff approved the new filings for a Jan. 1, 2019, effective date. NCCI prepares workers compensation rate recommendations and manages the nations largest database of workers comp information. Source: Kansas Insurance Department Topics Trends Workers' Compensation Pricing Trends Kansas Authorities say an arsonist caused an explosion and fire at a dry cleaning business in Omaha, Nebraska. The Nebraska State Fire Marshal Agency said in a news release Wednesday that investigators discovered evidence of tampering with the natural gas system in the Wardrobe Spa building. The blast and fire leveled the southwest Omaha building on Sunday afternoon. No arrest has been reported. The owner of the dry cleaning business was outside trimming some bushes when the explosion occurred, but he wasnt hurt. His truck was parked between him and the business. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Arson Nebraska American International Group Inc.s Brian Duperreault spent his first year as chief executive officer on a rebuilding effort, and his biggest acquisition is the one that can magnify the insurance giants exposure to losses from catastrophes like Hurricane Michael. AIG bought Bermuda-based Validus Holdings Ltd. in July for more than $5 billion to enter the business of writing reinsurance, which helps backstop primary insurers in areas such as property catastrophe risk. Meyer Shields, an analyst at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Inc., said that while Validus has been adept at managing risk long-term, it remains vulnerable to big storms. By its DNA, Validus was founded as a catastrophe reinsurer, Shields said in an interview. Any individual quarter, their results would depend on whether the wind blew or the Earth shook. But if you look over their entire tenure, their results were very strong. Michael, the strongest storm to hit the continental U.S. in 14 years, made landfall on the Florida Panhandle Wednesday with winds of 155 miles an hour. Disasters like big storms, tornadoes and floods can drive covered losses that ultimately hit reinsurers such as Validus. Duperreault, an industry veteran who has also led companies including Ace Ltd. and insurance brokerage Marsh & McLennan Cos., has said Validus knows the market. I like businesses that have some extreme to them provided you get paid for that, Duperreault told investors in September at a KBW conference. You guys dont like it because its volatile, but it builds book value over time. So if you have one bad year, 10 great years, life is good, right? For insurers, 2017 was one of those bad years as Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria pounded the U.S. and Caribbean. The storms helped drive $3 billion in pretax third-quarter catastrophe costs at AIG, one of the biggest U.S. property and casualty insurers. Validuss catastrophe losses in the period were $367 million. Reinsurance can attract money managers seeking another area to put capital to work. The problem is that its become almost too attractive. Investors keep piling in, lured by the potential for higher returns and risks that are less connected to financial markets. Even after last years string of storms, the rates on reinsurance policies didnt rise as much as some had expected or hoped, according to Wells Fargo & Co. analyst Elyse Greenspan. Michaels Costs Its a diversifying investment in the insurance industry and also youve seen lack of returns elsewhere, Greenspan said in an interview. The jurys still out on that. Can losses really bring pricing power to the reinsurance sector? Estimates of Validuss costs from Hurricane Michael will have to await an accounting of damage and insured losses. Many reinsurers protect themselves by spreading risk through other agreements, and AIG can probably absorb any loss tied to Hurricane Michael, Greenspan said. An AIG representative declined to comment on Wednesday. AIG has been working on a strategy to reduce loss volatility. Peter Zaffino, who leads the companys general insurance business, said in February that the firm expects maximum 2018 losses from catastrophes to decline even with the Validus acquisition. Wind-related risk could be a larger part of this weeks storm compared with the flooding that came with Hurricanes Harvey, which ravaged the Gulf Coast of Texas last year, and Florence, which pummeled North Carolina in September, according to insurance analyst Mark Dwelle at RBC Capital Markets. In Florida, the largest home insurers include Universal Insurance Holdings Inc., State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. and Towers Hill Insurance Group LLC, according to data compiled by A.M. Best. AIG could also be exposed through its commercial coverage, RBCs Dwelle said. Imperial Capital LLC credit analyst David Havens said he expects Michael to be manageable for insurers because the Panhandle is less populated than other areas of Florida. Its too early to tell whether Michael and Florence, as well as 2018s other catastrophes, will prompt reinsurers to raise rates. Those companies have some important market factors pushing against them with investors seeking to put loads of alternative capital to work. Its easily replenished from a really, really big pot, KBWs Shields said. Unless that mindset changes, which I think is very, very unlikely, then storms like Florence and Michael wont change that either. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters USA Florida Claims Reinsurance Hurricane AIG Foreigners seeking to invest in U.S aircraft and missile manufacturers, semiconductors or two dozen other industries would face heightened scrutiny by a government committee wielding stronger powers, under rules the Trump administration will issue Wednesday. Investors interested in American developers of semiconductors, telecommunications, missile technology, aircraft, and batteries and other products would see their bids undergo more intensive review, a senior administration official told reporters at a briefing. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. will begin subjecting any foreign investment, including non-controlling ones, in 27 industries to the stricter review process beginning Nov. 10. It will apply if the investment would result in a board seat, any decision-making power or the disclosure of non-public information about a company, according to the official, who was granted anonymity to discuss the policy. The Trump administration, with bipartisan support from lawmakers, is strengthening Cfiuss power to block or force changes in deals as it escalates a trade war with China that has rattled markets and raised political tensions between Beijing and Washington. Review of foreign acquisitions for national security risks by Cfius, as the panel is known, will no longer be voluntary, under a law Congress passed earlier this year. CFIUS Blocks While the official insisted the new rules arent directed at Chinese investors, Cfius under President Donald Trump last year blocked the sale of Lattice Semiconductor Corp. to a Chinese investor, and in March prevented Broadcom Ltd., then based in Singapore, from taking over Qualcomm Inc. after the administration said the acquisition might benefit Chinese technology companies. The review would involve looking into what kind of sensitive information would be obtained by a foreign entity and whether that information could compromise American interests, the official added. The Treasury Department will publish the full list of 27 industries in the Federal Register on Wednesday. The U.S. is imposing the new measures against the backdrop of reports that China is undertaking cyber attacks on the U.S. Bloomberg Businessweek reported last week that Chinese spies exploited vulnerabilities in the U.S. technology supply chain to infiltrate the computer networks of almost 30 U.S. companies, including Amazon.com Inc., Apple Inc., a major bank and government contractors. Among the targets was a contractor that made software to helped funnel drone footage to the Central Intelligence Agency and communicate with the International Space Station. Offensive Cyber The administration has said that economic espionage by China validate the Trump administrations emphasis on offensive cyber operations of its own. The relationship between the worlds two largest economies has deteriorated amid the confrontations over trade, with political disagreements intensifying. In a speech at the Hudson Institute in Washington last week, Vice President Mike Pence accused China of a whole-of-government approach to sway American public opinion, including spies, tariffs, coercive measures and a propaganda campaign. In August, Congress gave the Treasury Department the authority to strengthen Cfius. The legislation, which will take another 16 months of regulation-writing to be enacted, widens the scope of Cfius to review investments related to real estate, joint ventures and from state-owned enterprises. Treasurys announcement on Wednesday begins pilot a program through which the department said it can implement provisions of the legislation that did not become effective immediately upon enactment. Related: Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Legislation USA China A report out earlier this week from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change doesnt say a whole lot about insurance, but the implications for the industry are hard to ignore. Chief among those implications is the possibility that society will take the stark warnings in the report to heart and demand abrupt changes that may leave behind those that continue to invest in fossil fuels and fail to embrace the opportunities presented by clean energy. Institutional investors, such as insurers, could face transitional risks, where governments and citizens, fearing potential catastrophic impacts of climate change, respond aggressively to decarbonize the economy, and assets in fossil fuels become stranded investments as the sector plunges on the markets. Thats the warning from one high profile regulator. The report is further confirmation of the potential risks that insurers and investors face in regard to their investments in the carbon economy, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, who has been looking for ways to nudge insurers out of fossil fuel investments for years, told Insurance Journal. The risk to those investments is that markets and governments will move aggressively to decarbonize the economy, in which case the value of those assets could drop significantly. Reports from the IPCC, an international body that assesses climate change established by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organization, carry a lot of weight. The latest IPCC report examines the potential of limiting global warming to 1.5 Celsius, a half-degree less than the oft-cited 2 C target called for in the Paris Climate agreement. The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5C, which was approved by the IPCC on Saturday in Incheon, Republic of Korea, is expected to be a key part of the scientific input into the Katowice Climate Change Conference in Poland in December, when governments are expected to gather to review the Paris Agreement and tackle climate change. The report highlights climate change impacts that could be avoided by limiting global warming to 1.5C compared with 2C. By 2100, global sea level rise would be 3.9 in. lower with global warming of 1.5C compared with 2C, while the likelihood of an Arctic Ocean with no sea ice in summer would be once per century compared with at least once per decade, the report shows. For those who believed limiting warming to 2C was a bit ambitious, a 1.5C target seems to be a tremendous stretch considering were nearly there. According to the report, human-induced warming reached 1C above pre-industrial levels in 2017. The report, which defines global warming as an increase in combined surface air and sea surface temperatures averaged over the globe, expresses warming relative to the 1850-1900 timeframe. The report also lays out what must be done to get limit warming to only a half-degree more: If all anthropogenic emissions (including aerosol-related) were reduced to zero immediately, any further warming beyond the 1C already experienced would likely be less than 0.5C over the next two to three decades (high confidence), and likely less than 0.5C on a century timescale (medium confidence), due to the opposing effects of different climate processes and drivers. A warming greater than 1.5C is therefore not geophysically unavoidable: whether it will occur depends on future rates of emission reductions. Thats not lost on Jones. The recent IPCC report underscores the extraordinary changes that will have to occur in order to keep global temperature rise below 1.5C, Jones said. Jones last year established the Carbon Risk Initiative, a database that includes information on the amount of oil, gas, coal and utilities investments held by insurance companies, and whether the insurers have divested from thermal coal, the amount of thermal coal divested and any future commitments to divest. Hes also called on insurance companies to voluntarily divest from thermal coal investments and required insurers with more than $100 million in annual premium to disclose publicly their investments in fossil fuels. Jones has continued to harp that insurers must act soon, despite indications in past reports that the real effects of climate change are a ways off. The new IPCC report changes any perceptions that the impacts of climate change are not imminent. Not only does the report state the effects of climate change are already being felt around the world, in the form of more severe storms and drought, but that more consequential effects may start being felt as soon as 2030. The year 2030 is a short 11 years away. That was one takeaway for Alison Martin, group chief risk officer and a member of the executive committee at Zurich, which last month issued a report outlining how businesses should prepare for the physical consequences of a warming planet. Even if you dont believe in climate change, enough people, enough policymakers, enough companies are going to be reading this report and saying, We dont want to be in this world,' Martin said. For a good recent example of society reacting quickly to a perceived threat or wrong, just look at the prevailing attitude toward plastic straws. When the amount of plastic straw usage was highlighted over the past year, with figures like those indicating that more than 500 million plastic straws were being used daily in the U.S., and those straws were polluting the ocean, local government after local government quickly moved to ban plastic straws. Weve seen how quickly consumer opinion could shift, Martin said. As a responsible risk officer, board member, shareholder, you need to think about that. She said insurers should be thinking about not just their fossil fuel investments, but also be looking at where their liabilities are as well as the opportunities that the growing clean energy can provide. If an insurance company isnt thinking about its business model in five, 10, 20 years time, then I think its taking a significant risk, Martin said. Sue Reid, vice president of climate and energy for Ceres, a sustainability leadership advocate that has for years hounded the industry to do more to battle climate change, called the new IPCC report a striking wakeup call to action. 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, while global net human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) would need to fall by 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030, and reach net zero around 2050. We need to basically double our efforts and redouble our efforts, Reid said. Its about speed and scale now. She added: The insurance sector does have a keen interest in attaining 1.5C and limiting temperature rise to no more than that given everything that is at risk on both the product side and the investment side. The report also takes into account the possibility of removing CO2 with technologies. One of the reports authors noted that limiting warming to 1.5C is possible within the laws of chemistry and physics, but that doing so would require unprecedented changes. Jones believes it can it be done. And as an insurance regulator, thats what he says concerns him. I think theres no question that the breaks could be put on, and its the risk of that that has caused me to ask insurance companies to consider the potential impacts of that transition on thier investments, Jones said. Past columns: Topics Carriers Climate Change Energy Oil Gas North Carolinas public school officials expect damage from Hurricane Florence to well exceed school losses after Hurricane Matthew two years ago, a Department of Public Instruction official told the states board of education last week. After receiving a record number of claims, the states public school insurance fund has set aside $40 million for school districts and community colleges damaged by Florence, nearly three times more than the $14 million it paid out for Matthew. This hurricane has produced claims in excess of what the fund has ever seen before, the funds director, Eileen Townsend, told the N.C. Board of Education, explaining the fund had so far received 125 claims, some for millions of dollars. Claims after Matthew were mainly for flooding, but Florence caused more structural damage with winds and pounding rain, Townsend said. More cost figures are beginning to trickle in as public schools continue to assess losses from Septembers hurricane. School districts food service programs collectively lost $14 million in federal reimbursement and a minimum of $2 million in equipment and food loss, nutrition services chief Lynn Harvey told the board. This number is literally growing by the hour as our damage assessments are beginning to come into the agency, Harvey said. Damage estimates will become clearer as insurance adjusters reach schools that were still inaccessible last week because of flooding and road closures. State education officials estimate 1.5 million K-12 public school students missed some amount of school because of Florence, and it still affects thousands of students in the eastern part of the state. Students still havent returned to class in seven counties. Some wont be able to return to the same school they attended before the hurricane. In eastern North Carolina, rural Jones Countys public school district condemned two of its six schools because of mold damage. A middle and elementary school received at least 3 feet (0.9 meters) of water in some places, Jones county school Superintendent Michael Bracy said. Jones county faced heavy rainfall and severe flooding when Florence passed through the Carolinas last month. The countys school district plans to move the destroyed schools 400 students to the districts four remaining schools. When school started again in New Hanover County, where Florence made landfall last month, many returned to class in storm-damaged schools. Even if the buildings were safe to enter, it is tough to start teaching students again, said New Hanover County Association of Educators president Barbara Anderson. In one school whose cafeteria lost part of its roof, students have to eat in classrooms until it can be permanently repaired, Anderson said. In badly damaged schools, teachers have to completely redo and resupply their classrooms. Some schools have it worse than others; theyve actually had flooding, Anderson said. Those schools are the ones whose teachers have lost everything in their classroom. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Flood Profit Loss Hurricane Education North Carolina Training Development IndexBox, Inc. has just published a new report World Cherries (Sour) Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights. Here is a summary of the reports key findings. Sour cherry Imports In 2017, the amount of cherries (sour) imported worldwide amounted to 59K tonnes, lowering by -13.7% against the previous year figure. In general, sour cherry imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013, when import increased by 19% from the previous year level. Over the period under review, sour cherry imports attained its maximum volume of 69K tonnes in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2017, it failed to regain its strength. In value terms, sour cherry imports stood at $113M in 2017. Overall, sour cherry imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, sour cherry imports attained its maximum level of $119M in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2017, it failed to regain its strength. Sour cherry Imports By Country Germany (18K tonnes) represented the largest importing country with an import of around 18K tonnes, which reached 30% of total imports. Russia (7.6K tonnes) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Belarus (7.4K tonnes), and Austria (2.8K tonnes). All these countries together held near 30% share of total imports. Singapore (1.7K tonnes), Serbia (1.6K tonnes), Italy (1.5K tonnes), Hungary (1.5K tonnes), the U.S. (1.2K tonnes), Belgium (1.1K tonnes), Poland (1.1K tonnes), and Egypt (1K tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders. Imports into Germany decreased at an average annual rate of -1.3% from 2007 to 2017. At the same time, Hungary (+43.6%), Belarus (+42.3%), Serbia (+26.1%), Egypt (+21.8%), Italy (+18.0%), Austria (+11.5%), and Singapore (+5.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Hungary emerged as the fastest growing importer in the world, with a CAGR of +43.6% from 2007-2017. By contrast, Russia (-2.0%), Poland (-3.8%), the U.S. (-7.8%), and Belgium (-10.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Germany (4%), Belgium (4%), Russia (3%), and the U.S. (2%) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2007-2017, the share of Italy (-2.0%), Serbia (-2.4%), Hungary (-2.4%), Austria (-3.1%), and Belarus (-12.0%) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period. In value terms, the largest sour cherry markets worldwide were Germany ($20M), Singapore ($20M), and the U.S. ($10M), together accounting for 44% of global imports. Belarus, Russia, Belgium, Austria, Italy, Egypt, Hungary, Serbia and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 23%. Belarus (+43.3% per year) experienced the highest rates of growth with regard to the imports, among the main importing countries, over the last 10 years, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth. Sour cherry Import Prices By Country The average sour cherry import price stood at $1,901 per tonne in 2017, ascending by 29% against the previous year. In general, sour cherry import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017, when import increased by 29% year-to-year. Global import price peaked of $1,973 per tonne in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2017, it stood at a somewhat lower level. Import prices varied noticeably by country of destination; the country with the highest import price was Singapore ($11 per kg), while Serbia ($359 per tonne) was among the lowest. From 2007 to 2017, the most notable growth rate of import prices was attained by the U.S. (+20.4% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth. Description This report provides an in-depth analysis of the global sour cherry 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 Pears Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights World Plums And Sloes Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights Download a free sample of the report now! https://www.indexbox.io/store/world-cherries-sour-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020/?utm_source=abn1018 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 Hurricane Michael, the third most powerful storm ever to strike the U.S. mainland, headed northeast on Thursday, weakened but still set to soak Georgia and the Carolinas after devastating the Florida Panhandle. A man was killed when a tree toppled onto his house in Florida and a girl died when debris fell into a home in Georgia, officials said and local media reported. The Category 4 hurricane was the fiercest to hit Florida in 80 years when it came ashore on Wednesday, but its strength waned as it pushed into Georgia. Early on Thursday, it was downgraded to a tropical storm, with top sustained winds diminishing to 60 miles per hour. More than 700,000 homes and businesses were without power in Florida, Alabama and Georgia early Thursday. Thousands hunkered down in shelters overnight after fleeing their homes to escape the fast-approaching storm. The storm, packing sustained winds that reached 155 miles per hour, clobbered communities across the Panhandle, toppling buildings, downing trees and power lines and turning streets into roof-high waterways, television footage showed. The wind that came through here was surreal. It destroyed everything, Jason Gunderson, a member of the Cajun Navy, a group of rescue workers, told CNN early Thursday from Callaway, a suburb of Panama City in the Florida Panhandle. Its unlivable. Its heartbreaking. Michael rapidly intensified as it churned north over the Gulf of Mexico and caught many by surprise. The storm made landfall on Wednesday afternoon near Mexico Beach, about 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Panama City. The governors of North and South Carolina urged residents to brace for heavy rain and storm-force winds as Michael plowed northward up the Atlantic seaboard. The Carolinas are still recovering from Hurricane Florence less than a month ago. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Michael would dump as much as 8 inches of rain in some areas. Up to a foot (30 cm) of rain was forecast in Florida. Television news footage showed homes submerged in floodwaters up to their roofs in Mexico Beach. The fate of about 280 residents who authorities said ignored evacuation orders was unknown. Numerous buildings in Panama City were demolished or left without roofs amid deserted streets littered with debris, twisted, fallen tree trunks and dangling wires. Bill Manning, a 63-year-old grocery clerk, fled his camper van in Panama City for safer quarters in a hotel only to see the electricity there go out. My God, its scary. I didnt expect all this, he said. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE Twenty miles south of Mexico Beach, floodwaters were more than seven feet deep near Apalachicola, a town of about 2,300 residents, hurricane center chief Ken Graham said. Wind damage was also evident. There are so many downed power lines and trees that its almost impossible to get through the city, Apalachicola Mayor Van Johnson said. Some 500,000 Florida residents had been ordered or urged to seek higher ground before the storm in 20 counties spanning a 200-mile stretch of shoreline, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said. As many as 320,000 people on Floridas Gulf Coast had disregarded evacuation notices, according to Brad Kieserman of the American Red Cross. An estimated 6,000 people evacuated to emergency shelters, mostly in Florida, and that number was expected to swell to 20,000 across five states by weeks end, Kieserman said. Bo Patterson, the mayor of Port St. Joe, just south of Mexico Beach, rode out the storm in his house seven blocks from the beach, describing the scene outside as very, very scary. In all, about 2,500 of the towns 3,500 residents stayed put, with many caught off guard by the storms rapid escalation. This happened so quickly, he said. FEMA head Brock Long acknowledged that evacuation efforts in the area were slow compared with how fast the hurricane intensified. Michael grew from a tropical storm into a Category 4 hurricane in about 40 hours. With a low barometric pressure recorded at 919 millibars, the measure of a hurricanes force, Michael ranked as the third strongest storm on record to make landfall in the continental United States. Only Hurricane Camille on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1969 and the so-called Labor Day hurricane of 1935 in the Florida Keys were more intense. U.S. President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency for all of Florida, freeing federal assistance to supplement state and local disaster responses. About 3,500 Florida National Guard troops were deployed, along with more than 1,000 search-and-rescue personnel, Governor Rick Scott said. The Pentagon positioned more than 2,200 active-duty military personnel, along with helicopters, high-water vehicles and swift-water boats. Even before landfall, the hurricane disrupted energy operations in the Gulf, cutting crude oil production by more than 40 percent and natural gas output by nearly one-third as offshore platforms were evacuated before the storm hit. (Reporting by Devika Krishna Kumar in Tallahassee, Florida; Susan Heavey, Steve Holland and Roberta Rampton in Washington; Gina Cherelus and Barbara Goldberg in New York; Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles; Brendan OBrien in Milwaukee, Liz Hampton in Houston, Andrew Hay in New Mexico; Writing by Lisa Shumaker, Bill Trott and Steve Gorman; Editing by Larry King and Jeffrey Benkoe) Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters USA Florida Georgia Hurricane Mexico A Fred Meyer customer in Clackamas, Ore. who says she was caught on store video while half-naked in a dressing room has filed a $300,000 lawsuit. The Oregonian/OregonLive reported Carlee Gish filed the lawsuit against the shopping chain Monday in Clackamas County Circuit Court. Gish claims in the lawsuit that she entered a dressing room May 10 to try on clothes and was wearing only underpants when she noticed the reflection of a camera pointed at the mirror. The suit claims Gish then located the camera up in the rafters. She says she complained to customer service and was told the camera would be removed but the lawsuit says when she returned to the store in July she found the camera still pointed at the dressing room mirror. Fred Meyer spokesperson Jeffery Temple said Tuesday he couldnt comment on matters under investigation and/or litigation. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Oregon Taking a road trip across the United States offers an alternative to flying that can be more fun and, sometimes, less expensive. If your point of origin and destination are not located near major airports that offer an abundance of cheap flights, then the price of an airline ticket can be steep. Although oil prices affect both flying and driving costs, their correlation with the price of filling up your vehicle is much more pronounced. With the price of oil low, it might be a good time to get behind the wheel and explore the United States. The following analysis compares the cost of a road trip from New York City to Los Angeles five years ago, in 2015, to the cost of making the same trip in 2020. Expenses considered include gas, food, and lodging. Key Takeaways When gas prices are low, it's an especially good time to take a driving trip. The cost of a hypothetical road trip from New York to Los Angeles did not change materially from 2015 to 2020because the decrease in gas prices compensated for increases in food and lodging. Gas Prices New York to Los Angeles covers 2,800 miles. Even if you're driving a hybrid, the trip requires many stops at gas stations to fill up. To make things simple, assume that you are driving a Toyota Camry, which gets about 35 miles per gallon on the highway and 25 in the city. Since the trip is almost all on the highway, also assume that you'll get 35 miles per gallon. In this case, the trip requires 80 gallons of gas. The price of gas varies in different parts of the country, so national averages must suffice to estimate fuel costs for a cross-country trip. In March 2015, the average cost for a gallon of regular-grade gasoline was $2.79. As of March 2020, its average cost was $2.17. Therefore, the cost of gas to drive from New York to Los Angeles in a Camry had dropped from $223.20 to $173.60. Food Prices The cost of food can vary greatly on a cross-country trip. Stopping for meals at expensive steakhouses, for instance, imposes much steeper costs than packing coolers full of sandwiches and making an occasional splurge at McDonald's. Regardless of whether you are fine dining or filling your belly on a budget, food costs in the United States are 5.76% higher in 2020 versus 2015, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Assuming a seven-day driveeasily enough time to get from New York to Los Angeles and make some stops along the wayand three meals per day at a base price of $10 per meal, your food costs for the trip rose from $210 in 2015 to $222.09 in 2020. Lodging Prices The biggest determinant of lodging prices is how you pace the trip. Putting the pedal to the metal and rotating drivers so that you make progress around the clock and arrive in two days without stopping yields lower lodging costs than stopping at landmarks every day and turning in for a good night's sleep. For an apples-to-apples comparison from 2015 to 2020, again consider a seven-day trip in which you spend six nights at hotels. The average hotel room cost 120 per night in March 2015 and $126 per night in March 2020. Your lodging costs, then, increased from $720 to $756. Frugal cross-country road-trippers can mitigate lodging costs by staying at discount motel chains, such as Motel 6, or camping along the way. You can control what you pay for lodging to a large degree by choosing your accommodations carefully. Total Trip Costs Adding up the cost of gas, food, and lodging, a typical road trip from New York to Los Angeles actually has decreased slightly in price, from $1,159.20 to $1,151.69 between 2015 and 2020. A moderate decrease in gas prices more than canceled out slight increases in food and lodging costs. Again, dozens of variables exist that determine the cost of a road trip across the United States, and they change every year. The analysis above considers a hypothetical trip with a familiar starting and ending point and uses broad averages for common costs incurred along the way. The most important takeaway is that the cost of a road trip did not change materially from 2015 to 2020. When gas prices are low, it is a good time to drive or ride, around the United States. Investment Adviser vs. Broker: An Overview Although their jobs might seem similar to an outsider, investment advisers and brokers perform very different roles in financial services. Below, we highlight the similarities and differences between the investment adviser (also called the financial adviser) and the broker. Key Takeaways Investment advisers are paid a flat fee or percentage of AUM to advise clients on securities and/or manage portfolios. Brokers are paid commissions to execute trades or buy and sell assets for clients. Brokers and investment advisers are regulated by different bodies and require different qualifications for practice (e.g., FINRA regulates brokers and the SEC regulates investment advisers). Both professionals are legally prohibited from giving advice that conflicts with their clients needs. Brokers Before online trading, accessing a broker was traditionally a luxury reserved for the rich. Individual investors had very little or no direct access to the market and had to place their orders through a licensed broker (usually by phone). In return, brokers charged very high commissions. However, the advent of web-based discount brokerages has changed the job of the broker. Now, individuals who wish to trade on the stock market no longer require a broker on standby to execute their buy and sell orders and can have direct access online for zero commissions. Although brokers still execute orders, many have expanded their services to personalized investment management to justify charging higher commissions. These days, its not uncommon to see brokers dual-registered as investment advisers. Brokers may also be involved heavily as part of a sales team in private placements, initial public offerings (IPOs), or secondary issuances. Working alongside their firm's corporate finance departments, brokers may work to sell their clients on a hot new issuance or private deal to help a company raise capital. In return, the broker may receive a commission, shares, or warrants in the issuing company. Investment Advisers Investment advisers, on the other hand, work on a fee-based system of dispensing investment advice catered towards individual client needs and oftentimes, manage investment accounts. For example, an investment adviser may work with a client to create an entire wealth management framework, including assisting the clients through tax, estate, and mortgage planning. Not to be confused with a financial adviser, investment advisers are registered with and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and or a state regulatory body. Investment advisers are also known as asset managers, investment managers, and wealth managers. Key Differences in Regulations Investment advisers are also held to a higher legal standard than brokers. In the United States, investment advisers must adhere to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, which calls on advisers to perform fiduciary duties in regards to their clients accounts. Fiduciary duty, which is legally enforceable under the Advisers Act Sections 206 (1)/(2), prohibits advisers from employ[ing] any device, scheme or artifice to defraud any client or prospective client. The standard also imposes upon the adviser the affirmative duty of utmost good faith and full and fair disclosure of material facts as part of the advisers duty to exercise loyalty and care. This includes an obligation not to subordinate the clients interests to its own. Due to the importance of this fiduciary conduct, most investment advisers can make investment decisions for their clients without first getting the client's permission. Prior to 2011, all investment advisers with $30 million or more assets under management (AUM) had to register with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), while advisers with less than $25 million needed only to register with their state regulatory body. In 2011, the Dodd-Frank Act increased the minimum assets under management for SEC registration to $110 million. Brokers, as defined broadly by the SEC as any person engaged in the business of effecting transactions in securities for the account of others (which may also include investment advisers), must register with the SEC and a self-regulatory organization. The most well-known broker self-regulatory organization is the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Key Differences in Testing and Licensing Investment advisers and brokers also have different training and licensing requirements. Brokers have to pass the Series 7, otherwise known as the General Securities Representative Exam; the Series 7 also acts as a precursor to further exams in the securities industry. On the other hand, future investment advisers must pass the Series 65 exam, which is a requirement before they can dispense financial advice for a fee. An additional distinction between the Series 7 and the Series 65 is that only the Series 7 requires an individual to be sponsored by a firm prior to enrolling for the test. The Series 65 is also often used by certified public accountants (CPAs) to enter the investment advisory business. Unlike chartered financial analysts (CFAs) and certified financial planners (CFPs), the CPA designation does not meet the prerequisites to have the Series 65 exam waived. The Supreme Courts decision to legalize same-sex marriage in all 50 states in 2015 was undoubtedly a watershed moment in American society. It also had some major practical implications for same-sex couples, including the ability to file federal taxes using the married designation and filing status. Domestic partnerships and civil unionsalthough counted as legal relationships that are recognized on the state levelare not marriages and dont qualify you to file federal taxes as a married couple. This means you can only use the marriage designation for tax filing if you are legally married. The good news for most married same-sex couples is that they will see a lower tax bill as a result of the Supreme Courts decision. However, those on the extreme ends of the income spectrum should know that this may not be true for them. Their tax liability may actually go up once they tie the knot. Key Takeaways Married couples can file federal taxes in only one of two waysmarried filing jointly or married filing separately. Married couples with a disparity in their incomes will likely reduce the amount of taxes they pay by filing jointly due to the marriage bonus. Couples in which both partners are high-income earners may see their tax bill increase if they file jointly, in which case they should file separately. On the other hand, low-income earners may also see their tax bill increase if they file jointly, as a result of limited or reduced tax credits for married couples. The Basics People in a same-sex union had to file separate 1040 forms with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) prior to 2013, designating each as single. If they had a dependent, one partner could qualify for head of household status. But in 2013, the IRS ruled same-sex couples could submit a federal joint tax return instead. Since same-sex marriage became legal nationwide, the number of couples filing returns together has increased. According to the Tax Policy Center, more than 250,000 same-sex couples filed joint tax returns in 2015. Like other couples, if you're legally married by the end of the tax year, your days of filing as a single person are over. This means you must file a married tax return, either jointly or separately. The only way you can file as single is if you are in a domestic partnership or civil union, or if you're separated by decree of the courteven if you're still not legally divorced. The Marriage Bonus What effect does marriage have on a couple's taxes? For newlyweds who make roughly the same amount of money, the difference could be minimal. Consider a couple in which both spouses earn $45,000 a year in taxable income, or $90,000 total. If they were filing single tax returns for 2019, their tax bills together would total $11,528provided there are no additional deductions, taxes, or credits and factoring in standard deductions. The effective tax rate per spouse is 12.8% ($11,528 / $90,000) with a marginal tax rate of 22%. The couple would pay $11,523, effectively the same, if they had submitted a joint return after getting hitched. However, couples with a bigger disparity in wages often receive a marriage bonus because they can average out their earnings. With our progressive tax code, thats often enough to put the higher income-earner into a lower tax bracket. Lets say one spouse has $70,000 of taxable income and the other brings in $20,000. If they file as single taxpayers for 2019, theyd collectively owe $13,473 to Uncle Sam. But if they complete a joint return, theyd only have to pay $11,523. Thats a savings of $1,950, simply because they combine their returns. The Marriage Penalty Unfortunately, not everyone benefits at tax time by saying "I do." In some circumstances, married status can have the opposite effect. Two high-income earners who make similar salaries can sometimes get bumped into a higher tax bracket. This is because the 35% federal tax bracket for married couples filing jointly does not begin at twice the income as the same bracket for unmarried individuals. Although the 35% federal income tax rate for the 2020 tax year kicks in for income over $518,400 for singles, it kicks in for income over $622,050 for married couples filing jointly. If their total income is large enough, wealthier couples could trigger the Medicare surtax instituted in 2013. For married couples filing jointly, that amounts to 0.9% on earnings over $250,000. The marriage penalty doesnt only affect the affluent, however. Newlyweds on the opposite end of the income spectrum may also be penalized by the IRS. Thats because adding up both spouses incomes could disqualify them from the earned income credit (EIC)a tax benefit geared toward lower-income families. Here, too, the penalty tends to occur when couples make roughly the same amount of money. Married couples on the low end of the earning spectrum may lose out on qualifying for tax credits if they file jointly. Source: The Tax Foundation Figure 1. Most newlyweds, if anything, will experience a marriage bonus by filing as a married taxpayer. However, some low-income and high-income couples can actually incur a marriage penalty if their incomes are similar. Filing Jointly Same-sex couples, like other married taxpayers, can file in one of two ways. They can submit a return as married filing jointly or married filing separately. Most of the time, experts say, couples benefit by filling out a joint return. Theyre able to average out their incomes that way. So if one person makes substantially more than the other, theres the potential for a tax break. In addition, completing a joint 1040 is usually the best way for married people to lower their taxable income. Couples who plan on raising a child together have an extra incentive to file a joint return. For example, its the only way they can claim a credit or an exclusion on expenses incurred when adopting a child together. And its generally the approach that allows taxpayers to obtain the child and dependent care tax credit. (There are some exceptions for couples who are legally separated.) Depending on the couples income, they may be able to claim a credit up to 35% of their qualifying expenditures. Other credits available include the aforementioned EIC and the American opportunity and lifetime learning credits (LLCs), both of which help alleviate the cost of higher education. And don't forget the cost of filing itself. If you're using a tax preparer or tax software, you only have to pay for the preparation of one tax form instead of two. Filing Separately Thats not to say theres never a reason for same-sex spouses to file separately. For example, say one spouse wants to deduct some hefty out-of-pocket medical expenses. As the IRS only allows you to exclude healthcare costs that exceed 7.5% (formerly 10% in tax years 2013- 2016) of your adjusted gross income, qualifying for the deduction would obviously be easier with only one individuals income. Please note that the source of funds used to pay medical expenses can be highly important when calculating medical deductions. According to the IRS, "if you and your spouse live in a noncommunity property state and file separate returns, each of you can include only the medical expenses each actually paid. Any medical expenses paid out of a joint checking account in which you and your spouse have the same interest are considered to have been paid equally by each of you, unless you can show otherwise." Also, when you file a joint return youre responsible for your spouses tax liability. So you could be on the hook for any missed payments, under-reporting errors, or penaltieseven if the other person earned all or most of the money that year. The Bottom Line Married same-sex couples now face the dilemma other spouses face: Whether to file their 1040 forms jointly or separately. While a combined return offers a lower tax bill in most cases, it doesnt hurt to run the numbers both ways before submitting your form to the IRS. Its also useful to note that the IRS allows you to file amended returns for up to three years after the date you filed your original return or within two years after the date you paid the tax, whichever is later. So if you filed in a way that was not financially to your advantage, you might still be able to file an amended return and reap the financial rewards due you. Investopedia and our third-party partners use cookies and process personal data like unique identifiers based on your consent to store and/or access information on a device, display personalized ads and for content measurement, audience insight, and product development. To change or withdraw your consent choices for Investopedia.com, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, click below. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. List of Partners (vendors) Whether you just won the lottery, saved up, or are simply looking for a better way to fly, choosing a luxury airline can make every trip more comfortable. Commercial airlines can go beyond the standard travel experience and offer premium perks and upgrades for flyers who are willing to spend a bit more. While things like legroom and in-flight amenities are quantifiable, but many things like staff training and air quality are not so easily measured, but become immediately apparent on these five best luxury commercial airlines. Key Takeaways Travelers who are comfortable paying more for flights may choose to fly with commercial airlines that prioritize luxury. Luxury perks can include enhanced privacy, upscale food and beverage service, access to premium entertainment and private transportation to and from the airport. Earning travel miles or points with a travel rewards credit card can help to offset some of the cost of luxury fares, while also offering additional perks and benefits. When booking luxury travel, be sure to compare the amenities offered for First Class and Business Class fares to determine which one offers the best travel experience. Virgin Atlantic Perhaps the tightest luxury seats, Virgin Atlantics Upper Class offers a fold-out bed/seat combo and half-partition walls. In addition to the finest foods and beverages served at your seat, you also have access to bars and social areas that offer refreshments and relations. Upper Class passengers are among the first to disembark and pick up luggage, saving you time at the terminal. Guests can enjoy private chauffeured cars that drop them off at the airport and a private security area at London Heathrow. Richard Branson's airline company has a standing reputation for treating their employees well, and many flyersand workers alikereport excellent treatment from the British airline. Note Take time to compare fares for Business and First Class flights as you may pay more for one versus the other, depending on whether you're flying domestically or internationally. Qatar Airways When it comes to luxury travel, no detail is overlooked for Qatar Airways' first-class passengers. The signature caviar service is one of the airline's highlights along with Bric's amenity kits and designer loungewear by The White Company. Qatar Airways offers the standard seat that folds into a bed along with in-flight cell phone service, a bar, privacy wall and room for a friend to join you in your cabin. If you need a way to pass the time, you have more than 4,000 entertainment options to choose from through the airline's innovative entertainment system. Wooden trim and purple tones make first-class seem all the more luxurious. Flying with Qatar feels like having your own private booth. Emirates Emirates is the first on this list to offer first-class travelers a real private cabin on Boeing 777 and Emirates A380 flights. The airline was voted the World's Best First Class in 2020 in the TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice Awards. The private cabin has a mini-bar (in case you didnt want to get up to visit the common bar), a seat that turns into a bed and food presented on fine china. The first-class bathroom has a shower and, like Virgin Atlantic, travelers can arrive at the airport in style in a private chauffeur-driven car. Emirates is consistently one of the most expensive first-class options, but the details make the flight not only enjoyable but an absolute pleasure. Tip When booking luxury travel, take time to compare First Class and Business Class amenities to see which offers the most perks at the best price. Singapore Airlines Singapore Airline suites allow for complete privacy in an enclosed cabin. For traveling couples, the privacy wall can be retracted and the two seats folded out into a double bed. Travelers are treated to private check-in and luxury lounge services as well as on-demand meals and beverages. Want to enjoy breakfast in bed at 3 a.m.? No problem. Someone is always on-call to assist you at any time, with whatever you may need to enjoy your first-class flight in comfort. While the bathrooms leave much to be desired when compared to Emirates, a ticket is also significantly less. Etihad Airways A trip aboard Etihad Airways is sure to be one luxury travelers will remember. When you fly first class, an Etihad chauffeur will drive you to the airport. Following the Priority Check-in process you can relax in the First Lounge as you prepare to board. Once you're on board, you can enjoy a private suite that offers a la carte dining, boutique wines and seats that transform into a fully reclining bed. Each flight includes an Aqua Di Parma amenity kit and Etihad's team of Wellness Ambassadors are on-hand to ensure that you have a relaxing flight. Tip Looking for ways to save money on luxury flights? Consider applying for a travel rewards credit card that allows you to accumulate miles or points toward First Class and Business Class flights. The Bottom Line Todays airlines are hoping to bring the rich back to the glamorous days of air travel. And while not everyone needs to fly to and from the Gulf States or Singapore, the cost of flying in a private apartment or first-class suite is perhaps worth it in order to have an incredible experience. When booking luxury travel, consider which amenities or features are most important to have. This can help you choose the flights that offer what you need at a price that's reasonable for your travel budget. What to Do With an Old 401(k) Account When you leave a job, you often face a decision about what to do with your 401(k) or other workplace-based retirement accounts. You could leave it in place (assuming your old company or plan administrator allows ex-employees to do so) or cash it out. But unless you're retiring or you need the funds immediately, the smartest course is usually to roll over the account. A rollover is when you withdraw cash or other assets from one eligible retirement plan and contribute all or part of them, within 60 days, to another eligible retirement plangenerally, a rollover IRA that you set up. That way, you maintain the tax-deferred status of your retirement account, consolidate all retirement accounts for easier management, andbecause it's your own accountbenefit from increased investment flexibility. Under this option, you would ask your plan administrator to make a direct and tax-free transfer of funds from your former employers plan to an IRA at a financial institution of your choice. Key Takeaways When leaving your job, a rollover of 401(k) retirement plan funds into a rollover individual retirement account (IRA) is generally the most advantageous strategy. If you are interested in earning a cash bonus when you open a new account, you should research promotions offered periodically by financial firms and banks. If you cash out your old 401(k), you may be hit with a penalty, and your money will be taxed as income. At your direction, your employer can transfer your 401(k) directly to the IRA, avoiding tax payments and penalties. Many banks, brokerages, and investment firms offer cash bonuses and free trades if you establish a rollover IRA with them; the more you invest, the bigger the perks. The Big Choice Ah, but which financial institution should you choose? IRAs are a big business for banks and investment companies. Many firms offer incentives, in the form of matches and bonuses, to encourage you to sign up with them. Although the deals vary, certain conditions are standard. To qualify for the perks, most institutions require you to deposit the money within 60 days of opening the account (which you'd want to do anyway to avoid being taxed on the withdrawal from your old account). All you need is for the account to remain open and fully funded with the initial bonus amount for at least 12 months, or else the bonus will be reversed. You can often roll over assets "in kind," meaning the stocks, bonds, or mutual funds you own in your 401(k) are transferred directly to the new rollover IRA; however, some assets, such as proprietary funds or company stock options, might have to be liquidated. Below are four financial institutions offering particularly nice cash bonuses for rolling over your retirement account. This listing is current as of August 22, 2021, but terms and conditions change all the time. So think of this list as a general reference guide for incentives out there and how they work. Of course, when considering one of these placesor any specific institutionbe sure to read the fine print in the contract before you set up an account. Also, be sure to open the right type of IRA: If you have a traditional 401(k) plan, you'll want to open a traditional IRA; if any of your 401(k) is set up as a Roth, those funds should go to a Roth IRA. Some people will need to open both types of accounts. TD Ameritrade If you are interested in rolling assets into a self-managed trading financial institution, TD Ameritrade would be an excellent option. The company offers multiple different thresholds for its bonus program besides providing the most significant cash bonus out of all the IRA rollover incentive programs in the industry. At a minimum, if you roll at least $10,000 or more into an IRA, you qualify for 90 days of commission-free trades (up to a maximum of 300 trades). If you have a balance of $1 million or more from your 401(k) or retirement plan to transfer, TD Ameritrade will add a bonus of $1,500 into your new rollover IRA. Below are the threshold levels and corresponding cash bonus amounts. Each of these bonuses comes with commission-free trades. $2,500 cash bonus for a deposit of $2 million $1,500 cash bonus for a deposit of $1 million or more $700 cash bonus for a deposit of $500,000 or more $350 cash bonus for $250,000 or more Charles Schwab Refer a friend who wants to roll over their account, and they will earn some bonus cash thanks to your referral. Receive a referral code from a friend or family member. A few basic rules apply, you have to be a new customer, and the net deposit has to be made within 45 days of joining Schwab. If someone refers you to Charles Schwab, it will pay a cash bonus if you deposit a qualifying amount into either an IRA or a Schwab retail brokerage account, including enrolled in Schwab-sponsored investment advisory programs, such as Schwab Managed Portfolios, Intelligent Portfolios, Schwab Managed Account Select, and Connection, as well as Schwab Private Client programs. Below is the list of the qualifying asset deposit levels and cash bonus amounts. To receive a $100 bonus, deposit $25,000-$49,999 To receive a $300 bonus, deposit $50,000-$99,999 To receive a $500 bonus, deposit $100,000 or more Ally Bank Ally Bank is a popular choice for customers seeking higher-than-average yields on certificates of deposit (CD) and savings accounts, enhanced by the fact that the online bank charges no maintenance fees on most accounts either. Ally is offering cash bonuses for new self-directed trading accounts, including rollovers from a 401(k). The deadline for opening an account is Sept. 30, 2021. The minimum qualifying deposit is $10,000, which will earn you $100. For those with more to invest, Ally is offering as much as $3,000 if you deposit $2 million or more. Other offers on new deposits include: To receive the $100 bonus, deposit or transfer $10,000-$24,999. To receive the $250 bonus, deposit or transfer $25,000-$99,999. To receive the $300 bonus, deposit or transfer $100,000-$249.999. To receive the $600 bonus, deposit or transfer $250,000-$499,999. To receive the $1,200 bonus, deposit or transfer $500,000-$999,999. To receive the $2,000 bonus, deposit or transfer $1 million -$1,999,999. To receive the $3,000 bonus, deposit or transfer $2 million or more. E*TRADE E* TRADE is a long-standing online broker offering users easy-to-navigate platforms. Customers can use this broker using a computer or mobile device. Until August 31, 2021, E*TRADE is offering up to $3,000 to new customers who open and fund a new retirement or brokerage and fund it within 60 days of opening the account. The minimal deposit for a new account is $10,000, and to receive the bonus, customers must use its promo code "BONUS21" and fund the account by the end of August. The terms are: KELOWNA, BC - October 11, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) GTEC Holdings Ltd. (TSXV: GTEC) (OTCPK: GGTTF) ("GTEC" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the following updates on its retail operations. Alberta - Cannabis Cowboy 25 Locations at Full Deployment Cannabis Cowboy has currently received 10 development permits from their respective municipalities in Alberta, which include locations in Calgary, Red Deer, and Lethbridge. Permits are subject to final Provincial and Municipal licensing. Cannabis Cowboy expects to have 11 retail locations opened and operational in Q4 2018, with an additional 14 locations to be opened in Q1 2019. Over the coming weeks, GTEC will be working closely with Cannabis Cowboy and Invictus (TSXV: GENE) (OTC: IVITF) (FRA: 8IS1) on finalizing product supply, brand launches and retail grand openings. Saskatchewan - Retail & E-commerce GTEC has completed and submitted to the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) all the required documentation for a retail license. The Company is currently finalizing the following: construction of its retail storefront in Nipawin, construction of its e-commerce fulfillment warehouse in Saskatoon, and completion of its e-commerce platform. The Company anticipates both the warehouse and e-commerce platform to be operational in Q4 2018. Manitoba Retail - 7 Locations GTEC had submitted a proposal to a Request For Proposal (RFP) issued by the Province of Manitoba for 7 retail locations. On September 28, 2018, GTEC was notified by the Procurement Services Branch that it had passed the initial screening and has been included to the pre-qualified list for the opportunity to enter a lottery for a cannabis retail store licence. A lottery date has not yet been determined. British Columbia Retail GTEC is actively pursuing retail opportunities in the Greater Vancouver area and Thompson-Okanagan region. The company is seeking to establish a total of 8 retail locations in the province of British Columbia. Management Commentary "Canada has established itself as the world leader in Cannabis legislation, and with legalization less than a week away we are extremely pleased with the rapid execution of our retail teams," said Norton Singhavon, Chairman and CEO of GTEC. "Once the doors to our first retail locations open in the coming weeks and months, we will have successfully executed our vision of becoming one of the few companies that have achieved full vertical integration, controlling the entire value-chain from seed to shelf. This methodical approach will allow us to deliver a quality end product to consumers while eliminating significant inefficiencies that exist in traditional supply chains." About Cannabis Cowboy "Cannabis Cowboy" is a team of revolutionary pioneers blazing a trail for recreational cannabis retail in Canada. Legalization is fast approaching, and the team has been rapidly growing to meet the demand for recreational cannabis products and services. Cannabis Cowboy has developed an ambitious growth strategy to develop up to 30 turnkey retail locations in Alberta, with an aggressive real estate acquisition strategy for retail locations in the British Columbia and Ontario markets. www.cannabiscowboy.ca (please note, that there are no affiliations with Cannabis Cowboys, which is an illicit black market online dispensary) About GTEC GTEC was founded in 2017 to capitalize on opportunities in the nascent and rapidly growing legal cannabis industry. GTEC is a public corporation listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and based in Kelowna, British Columbia. GTEC is focused on growing premium quality craft cannabis in purpose-built indoor facilities. GTEC currently holds a 100% interest in GreenTec Bio-Pharmaceuticals., Alberta Craft Cannabis, Grey Bruce Farms, Tumbleweed Farms, Zenalytic Laboratories, and Spectre Labs. To view more about the company or to request our most recent corporate presentation, please visit our website at www.gtec.co. On behalf of the board, Norton Singhavon Founder, Chairman & CEO 778-760-8288 ns@gtec.co Michael Blady Co-Founder & Vice President 604-720-3474 mb@gtec.co 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. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals, where applicable and the state of the capital markets. 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. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE: GreenTec Holdings For further information: GTEC Holdings Ltd., 1-800-351-6358, contact@gtec.co 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 New Delhi, India - October 11, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) India has taken the next step in shaping the future of emerging technology policy with the new Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution India, opened today by the World Economic Forum, the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution India will work in collaboration with the government on a national level to co-design new policy frameworks and protocols for emerging technology alongside leaders from business, academia, start-ups and international organizations. The National Institute for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog will coordinate the partnership on behalf of the government and the work of the centre among multiple ministries. "The Fourth Industrial Revolution will change how we produce, how we consume, how we communicate and even how we live", said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum. "To make the technological progress human centred, we must pro-actively work together and create the necessary essential principles and policy standards to ensure that we use the full potential for better lives. India is becoming a big technological global force and that's why I am especially proud to announce the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution India." National projects Initial efforts at the national level are focused on two emerging technology areas: Artificial intelligence and machine learning, and blockchain and distributed ledger technology. The first project will focus on expanding access to data to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence to tackle some of the country's most pressing socio-economic needs, such as education, healthcare and agriculture. The second will focus on the application of smart contracts to boost productivity and transparency while reducing inefficiency. "India can be a global leader in Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies," said Amitabh Kant, Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog. "We need to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence and blockchain across the country. Democratizing innovation in the artificial intelligence value chain is critical to leverage its true potential and to build sustainable business models. Similarly, blockchain and smart contracts can transform the ease of doing business in India. Together with the Centre of Fourth Industrial Revolution India, NITI Aayog will conduct pilots to explore use cases that can exploit the advantages of these technologies." State projects The Government of Maharashtra in collaboration with the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution India is planning to undertake a drone mapping operation in the agriculture sector. A multistakeholder group of government departments, private sector and civil society groups, including farmer organizations, will co-design a data platform where the data can be used, combined with data from other sources, and analysed to increase efficiency and improve crop yields in a way that is responsible and equitable. "The Government of Maharashtra is partnering with the Centre of Fourth Industrial Revolution India to work on the Agriculture and Drones project," said Devendra Gangadharrao Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra. "For the first time, we will undertake a project on drones to collect the data that will enable us to improve crop productivity, crop disease surveillance, agriculture prediction and how to advise farmers on appropriate farming practices. Drones have the potential to revolutionize the agriculture sector. This project will coincide with India's new drones policy and will showcase how drones can help tackle some of society's toughest challenges. This model could be scaled across India and globally." Projects will be scaled across India and globally. As part of the World Economic Forum's global network, the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution India will work closely with project teams in San Francisco, Tokyo and Beijing to share findings and accelerate impact. The world's top businesses and most visionary governments are working together to build the policies and rules to make a brighter future. A full list of partners and members of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution can be viewed here. About the World Economic Forum Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network The global network of Centres for the Fourth Industrial Revolution brings together governments, leading companies, civil society and experts from around the world to co-design and pilot innovative approaches to the policy and governance of technology. Its vision is to shape the development and use of technology in ways that maximize the benefits and minimize the risks. The network will develop, implement and scale up agile and human-centred pilot projects that can be adopted by policy-makers, legislators and regulators worldwide. Notes to editors About the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network: http://wef.ch/sf View the best Forum Flickr photos at http://wef.ch/pix Watch live webcasts of sessions at http://wef.ch/live Become a fan of the Forum on Facebook at http://wef.ch/facebook Follow the Forum on Twitter at http://wef.ch/twitter and http://wef.ch/livetweet Follow the Forum on Instagram at http://wef.ch/instagram Read the Forum Agenda at http://wef.ch/agenda Subscribe to Forum news releases at http://wef.ch/news 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 Toronto, Ontario - October 11, 2018 (Newsfile Corp.) (Investorideas.com Newswire) Pancontinental Resources Corporation (TSXV: PUC) ("Pancon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), effective October 1, 2018, with the Flying Post First Nation (FPFN) in northern Ontario. The FPFN-Pancon MOU provides a mutually beneficial framework for cooperation on the Company's three battery metals exploration projects, located 65 kilometres northwest of Timmins: the Montcalm Project, the Gambler Project, and the Nova Project. Murray Ray, Chief of Flying Post First Nation stated: "Flying Post is pleased with the signing of the MOU. The agreement outlines a process for mutual engagement throughout the exploration phase. Flying Post believes that exploration activities should be done in a manner that is respectful of traditional and treaty rights and the environment, and provide employment and business opportunities. The signing of this MOU is a promising first step in establishing a meaningful relationship with Pancon." Layton Croft, Pancon President and CEO, stated: "We look forward to a productive, long-term relationship with the Flying Post First Nation as we advance our Montcalm, Gambler and Nova projects near Timmins. This MOU is a tangible example of Pancon's Community Relations Policy, which affirms our Company's belief that minerals exploration and mining - in addition to creating value for shareholders - can and should be a positive catalyst for environmental stewardship, economic development, and social responsibility. We conduct our business activities in pursuit of these outcomes, and to create shared value with First Nations, host communities and other stakeholder groups." The objectives of the FPFN-Pancon MOU are: to establish a mutually beneficial, cooperative and productive relationship through which Pancon recognizes and agrees to respect the aboriginal rights and treaty rights of FPFN while engaged in the exploration activities and operation of the Project; to provide a process through which Pancon can consult with and accommodate the interests of the FPFN as outlined herein with a view to reconciling any competing interests at stake; to establish a relationship through which the FPFN can identify opportunities for its businesses and citizens to participate in Pancon's exploration activities and operations; to provide Pancon with evidence for its stakeholders and the Ontario Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines that FPFN and Pancon intend to work together in a spirit of cooperation for mutual benefit as well as social, ecological, cultural and economic well-being; to set out the objectives, process and topics for negotiations of an Impact Benefit Agreement between FPFN and Pancon; and to come to a negotiated settlement of financial compensation for exploration activities. The MOU emphasizes the prioritization of business opportunities, employment and training opportunities for FPFN businesses and individuals. Pancon will provide capacity funding to compensate for impacts caused by on-the-ground exploration activities. Pancon will grant 50,000 option to FPFN at an exercise price of $0.06, subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, with all of the options to vest on the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Pancon will also grant 50,000 shares to FPFN, subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The MOU also describes the process of negotiating and implementing a subsequent Impact Benefits Agreement (IBA), which would take effect once any of the three Projects has completed a Feasibility Study. Figure 1: Left to Right: Pancon's President &CEO Layton Croft, Chief Murray Ray from Flying Post First Nation; Kevin Filo, Project Manager for Montcalm, Gambler & Nova Projects & Stephanie LaBelle, Mineral Development Advisor for Wabun Tribal Council About Flying Post First Nation Flying Post First Nation is signatory to Treaty 9. Flying Post's reserve lands are located northwest of Timmins, along the Ground Hog River, about an hour north of Malette Road just outside the city. Flying Post was formerly an independent First Nation in the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN) and joined the Wabun Tribal Council in 2007. Flying Post is an Ojibwe community whose priorities include encouraging its members to pursue educational and professional ambitions and to create a sustainable economy that will create prosperity for future generations About Pancontinental Resources Corporation Pancontinental Resources Corporation (TSXV: PUC) is a Canadian-based mining company focused on four nickel-cobalt-copper projects in Ontario - three early stage projects near Timmins: Montcalm Project, Gambler Project, and Nova Project; and the advanced stage McBride Project near Bancroft. Pancon's mission is to generate value through responsible exploration, focusing on prospective assets in proximity to producing or former mines areas and/or with existing resources. The Company also holds a 100% interest in the Jefferson Gold Project in South Carolina, USA. In 2015, Pancon sold its interest in its Australian rare earth element (REE) and uranium properties, formerly held through a joint venture, and retains a 1% gross overriding royalty on 100% of future REE production. For further information, please contact: Layton Croft, President & CEO or Jeanny So, Manager, External Relations E: info@panconresources.com T: +1.416.293.8437 For additional information please visit our new website at www.panconresources.com and our Twitter feed: @PanconResources. 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. Cautionary Language and Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, including those risks set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis as filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including that all necessary governmental and regulatory approvals will be received as and when expected. 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. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable securities laws. 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 Here's your morning bulletin. Get informed IRELAND: "Severe winds" and flooding is expected later today with Storm Callum set to hit Ireland. IRELAND: Emma Mhic Mhathuna's request that her funeral cortege pass by the Dail brought the Tricolour to half-mast, pulled politicians on to the street, and challenged consciences to keep asking questions. IRELAND: Higher income earners gained 10 times as much as low earners in Budget 2019, thats according to anti-poverty group Social Justice Ireland (SJI). WORLD: The second suspect in the Salisbury nerve agent attack is a celebrated local hero in his home village. BUSINESS: Owners of older cars are facing paying higher insurance, despite holding recent NCT certificates, the managing director of an online broker has said. ANALYSIS: Fine Gael and Fianna Fail TDs may have to put up with their loveless confidence and supply marriage for a while longer, writes Political Correspondent Fiachra O Cionnaith. SPORT: Declan Hannon had tears in his eyes when he was pictured immediately after Limericks defeat to Clare in the 2013 All-Ireland semi-final. SPORT: At school, there was nothing quite like fight day, writes Tommy Martin. Some distraction... SHOWBIZ: Kanye West to watch Donald Trump sign major bill reforming music royalties FEATURES: Getting the ball rolling in an impoverished village in Uganda CULTURE: After years of gestation, Cork composer John OBriens adaptation of Oscar Wildes story is ready for its world premiere, writes Cathy Desmond. By Liam Heylin A young Corkman, who said his problems stemmed from his wife being kidnapped in America, was jailed for four months for thefts and trespassing. Lee Cronin, aged 29, of Apartment 3, 36 Douglas West, Cork, also pleaded guilty to numerous counts of failing to turn up in court and what Judge Olann Kelleher described as a voluminous amount of charges. He confessed to all charges yesterday as his solicitor, Eddie Burke, described him as a vulnerable young man who had struggled to get independent accommodation through a housing agency and was in fear that his first jail sentence would cause him to lose his home. Mr Burke said to Judge Kelleher: You have heard his concerns about his wife. You heard about the struggle he has had to get help for anxiety. He has become a recluse in his home. He does apologise. He was never in prison before now. He has been in custody since October 3 when bail was refused. Judge Kelleher acknowledged this mitigation but said: Unfortunately, he has created havoc for the authorities. I have to take into consideration the dangers to the people of Cork from thefts. He has no regard for the courts. Bench warrant after bench warrant had to be issued. I sentence him to four months in prison backdated to October 3. Sergeant Gearoid Davis said the offences committed by Cronin included trespass at 10pm on August 7 at a boarded-up house at St Anthonys Villas, Douglas West. The sergeant said gardai arrived to find plywood boards had been pulled back to gain access and that the accused and another man were in the house with torches. On September 26 he stole property at Galways Lane, Douglas West. Cronin also admitted shoplifting at Tesco in Douglas on July 14 and July 19. Giving evidence of his arrest last week, Garda Elizabeth Bugler testified that Cronin put up a struggle, he barricaded the door, he did not come freely. Eddie Burke solicitor, said Cronin had worked as a chef in various locations around Europe and previously married an American woman. Cronin said: I found out my wife got kidnapped in America. I have become a complete recluse. A solicitor for campaigners behind the successful legal challenge of the first major flood defence scheme in Cork has accused City Hall of trying to distort the true position about why its planning was quashed. Save Cork Citys solicitor also accused the city council of adopting an aggressive approach and oppositional stance to the groups High Court challenge to the 6m Morrisons Island scheme which has now been delayed following a European Court of Justice ruling. Solicitor Fred Logue said it is simply not true for City Hall to suggest the judgment altered the legal obligation on the council in terms of conducting a specific type of environmental report on the schemes impact on protected habitats. He spoke out after council chief executive Ann Doherty briefed city councillors on the status of the project following the legal setback. The Morrisons Island scheme includes the first flood defences proposed under the Office of Public Works (OPWs) 140m Cork City flood defence project, the largest scheme of its kind in the history of the State. With flood defences integrated into a major public realm upgrade, the scheme was advanced as a standalone project under the Part 8 planning process. Following public consultation, city councillors voted in May to give it the go-ahead. Save Cork City, which is opposed to the reliance on raised quay walls and wants a tidal barrier built, brought judicial review proceedings against the Part 8 process. It emerged, as part of those proceedings last week, that planning is being quashed. The council blamed a declaratory judgment by the European Court of Justice on an unrelated wind farm case which, it said, means the council will have to conduct a Nature Impact Statement on the Morrisons Island scheme. The project will also have to be progressed through An Bord Pleanala under a Part 10 process which will include further public consultation. Delivery of the scheme could be delayed by at least six months. In a report to councillors, Ms Doherty insisted the Part 8 was in full compliance with all existing and established procedures at the time. She said the European courts decision came a month after the Part 8 environmental reports were completed, and the ruling could not have been foreseen. She said the court decision had overturned established practice both in Ireland and across Europe. Mr Logue said the suggestion the council is the victim of circumstance and its decision-making process overtaken by a wholly unexpected change in the law is just not accurate. He said the council had the benefit of considerable legal resources and of highly specialised environmental advice and should have been aware of European Commission guidelines from 2001 on the need for that specific type of environmental report. He said the council ignored authoritative guidance. He noted the council decision approving the Morrisons Island project was made on May 14, one month after the European court ruling. And, he said, in the teeth of that judgment, the council proceeded to adopt a decision that it should have known was directly in conflict with European law. Ms Doherty advised that the cost of the delay will be borne by City Hall and the OPW. Cormac OKeeffe, Security Correspondent Mr Justice Peter Charleton said he remains deeply concerned that the gradual erosion of Garda discipline, as identified by the Morris Tribunal more than 12 years ago, could lead to disaster. He warned that a country with an undisciplined police force is at risk from that police force. In his recommendations, he said that failure to restore accountability and the Garda command structure, including appropriate structures for discipline, would do Ireland no service. He said the organisation should be able to look at itself honestly and identify its own faults. The tribunal said while police have unconsciously stood up for each other, they had a greater duty to the public. That lesson badly needs to be learned by our police force. Referring to senior officers, it said: A cultural shift requiring respect for the truth is needed. The judge said the tribunal was much taken with sergeants and inspectors from the Donegal division who investigated allegations involving Garda Keith Harrison who showed intelligence, diligence, and serious-mindedness. He said findings in his report must be dispiriting for gardai like them and said they are crying out for leadership. He called for a proper promotion system but said it is up to others to implement concrete reforms. Mr Justice Charleton listed seven obligations on all gardai. The first obligation is to take pride in their work and in their uniform. He noted 88 members had lost their lives and said that many gardai who gave evidence showed a keen intelligence and application to duty. He said these individuals should be held up as exemplars. The second obligation is to always be honest, which would mean that those who rise through the ranks have the respect of those they command. He said the third obligation is to be visible, contrasting the situation to many European cities, where, he said, police are visible. The extraordinary aspect of our police force is that they keep themselves isolated in police stations and then transport themselves around in squad cars. It is extraordinarily rare that gardai are seen in uniform on the streets. This is not a small matter. If it is said that gardai are too busy to be out on foot or on bicycles, the tribunal begs to doubt that. Everyone serving in the police should give a portion of the day to foot and bicycle patrols. The fourth obligation of public servants, especially the gardai, is to be polite, saying the tribunal has read many files of complaints against gardai. The fifth obligation is to serve the people of Ireland. It states: Diligence and application to duty are expected of all: Not moaning. The sixth obligation is for the organisation to treat its obligation to the public as superior to sticking up for each other. An Garda Siochana must become a place where incompetence is not covered up, where laziness is called to account, and where people respect their senior officers, states the report. The seventh obligation is self-analysis. He said the organisation must be able to conduct a preliminary and thorough analysis of issues that arise. Mr Justice Charleton said senior officers ultimately have responsibility and added: What has been missing in the past is the command structure of An Garda Siochana calling itself to account. He said it followed from all of this that there was an obligation of gardai to be a disciplined force. He said that, as Justice Morris commented 12 or more years ago, it was far too difficult to dispense with gardai who are unsuited to police work or who are just not prepared to work. The judge said those subject to ill-discipline should be subject to correction by senior officers without the need to resort to elaborate structures akin to a murder trial. A template for Tusla that shows how not to act Noel Baker, Social Affairs Correspondent Few escape a tongue-lashing from Mr Justice Charleton, but Tusla is subject to some choice epithets and the ultimate putdown. Were it not for Tuslas inability to quickly own up to its errors and apologise, he writes, there might have been no need for a tribunal at all. It is a damning depiction of the manner in which Tusla operated, and one the Child and Family Agency has spent a lot of time apologising for and seeking to amend. Yesterday, Tusla reiterated its apology to Maurice McCabe and his family in light of a report that does not spare the rod. The mishandling began on the HSEs watch, before the hideous coincidence in 2013 that resulted in Laura Brophy of the Rian counselling service wrongly linking an entirely separate rape allegation with the utterly unfounded claims against Maurice McCabe made by Ms D. That genuine mistake was then compounded by other social workers, including the decision to open intake records on two of Maurice McCabes adult children. Charleton writes of this shocking administrative incompetence, of a cascade of error upon error that left the Tribunal utterly dispirited. By May 2014, Laura Brophy was entitled to believe that she had corrected the error. Efforts were made to retrieve from the gardai all incorrect copies of the referral and Tusla was to send back any erroneous documents. It did send back the incorrect Brophy report but the erroneous garda notification prepared by a social worker, Laura Connolly, remained on the Tusla file in a kind of nuclear half-life that had later damaging consequences. The disconnected nature of the service and the lack of communication is, at times, mind-boggling. At a different stage of the report, Charleton writes about gossip and how once it spreads, like feathers blown on the wind, they can never be recovered. The errors floated about in the same way. Laura Brophy did her very best to stop a chain of error cascading through the Tusla system, but through no fault of her own, she failed. Later, Charleton sums up: Within Tusla, speaking collectively, those responsible for the series of errors that led to a direct accusation against Maurice McCabe of a rape offence knew: firstly, that he had never been accused of a rape offence by anyone; secondly, that a word processing error had led to an erroneously attributed accusation being recorded in a written file; thirdly, that this error had been passed on to the gardai; fourthly, that when the error was identified, a correction and retraction were sent to the gardai; fifthly, that this mistaken attribution remained on the Tusla file as two mutually inconsistent reports to gardai; sixthly, that within Tusla there were senior personnel who knew or ought to have known of the origin and mistaken nature of these two inconsistent reports but did not share that information at an appropriate time; and, seventhly, that multiple failures to read the file fully resulted in the letter of December 29, 2015. The Tusla letter wrongly accusing Maurice McCabe was opened by his wife in January 2016. That this was ultimately an omnishambles rather than a conspiracy is readily apparent. To read the extraordinary jumble of errors from pages 96 to 101 of the report is sobering and Charleton attributes the wreckage to the chaotic nature of the systems involved. Even after all this, Tusla were slow to respond to the public request for co-operation by the tribunal. Statements made were laconic to the point of being mysterious. The report refers to Tuslas subsequent failure to face up to and admit its considerable failings and stupidities and argues that if the CFA had explained the initial template error and subsequent blunders, there would have been some kind of investigation but probably not a tribunal of inquiry. Yesterday, Minister for Children Katherine Zappone said she was extremely disappointed to note that the tribunal found Tusla slow to respond to the public request for co-operation, but stressed that things are changing for the better. In its early pages of the report, Charleton refers to the random allocation of child referral files and how this cannot be dignified by calling it a system. It is a withering critique and in some ways, a new template for Tusla one that shows exactly how not to do things. Journalists criticised for frustrating and delaying tribunal Caroline ODoherty Sgt Maurice McCabe The tribunal had the greatest difficulty getting information from journalists while investigating claims that attempts were made to use them to spread lies about Sergeant Maurice McCabe. Judge Charleton said many delayed in responding to the tribunals correspondence, some only co-operated at the last minute, and others refused to answer questions on the grounds of journalistic privilege and protection of sources. At the same time, Judge Charleton said he believed most of the journalists named by former Garda press officer David Taylor as conduits for his supposed media campaign against Sgt McCabe were never actually negatively briefed by Supt Taylor, and no negative reporting emerged. He said: It is important to immediately note that no newspaper or media outlet ever traduced the character of Maurice McCabe in consequence of any communication from Superintendent Taylor, or indeed at all. No-one in print or on radio, on television or on internet sites ever said either that Maurice McCabe had abused a child or that he was a bitter man with hidden agendas in consequence of being investigated by his colleagues due to an allegation made against him in December 2006 of what was then claimed to be historic abuse. Supt Taylor initially said he had negatively briefed nine journalists, but the list grew to 11 when the tribunals own inquiries found two others who had been in contact with him, and then to 12 when another journalist came forward. Eleven out of the 12 told the tribunal they had heard rumours about Sgt McCabe but none said Supt Taylor was the source. One, John Burke from RTEs This Week programme, said he had never heard the rumours at all. Three Irish Examiner journalists, crime correspondent Cormac OKeeffe, political editor Daniel McConnell, and political correspondent Juno McEnroe, refused to answer questions relating to Supt Taylor, citing journalistic privilege. Judge Charleton said: The tribunal, while grateful to those journalists who eventually co-operated with it, regards the delay in providing that co-operation as regrettable and as a frustration of the public will, as expressed by the terms of reference set by the Oireachtas, that a tribunal of enquiry should do its work quickly. Ultimately three journalists from the Irish Examiner, Cormac OKeeffe, Juno McEnroe, and Daniel McConnell, refused to give evidence to the tribunal about the content of their dealings with Superintendent Taylor. This, obviously, and without justification, frustrated the work of the tribunal. Judge Charleton said he did not agree that journalistic privilege was an issue, particularly as Supt Taylor had waived it. However, he added that he regarded it as unlikely that the journalists who claimed privilege were the source of any crucial evidence. He accepted the evidence of the other journalists John Mooney, Sunday Times; Conor Lally, Irish Times; Paul Reynolds and John Burke, RTE; Michael OToole, Irish Daily Star, and Cathal McMahon, Irish Daily Mirror that Supt Taylor did not brief them negatively. He did not accept similar evidence from Eavan Murray, Irish Sun, and Debbie McCann, Irish Mail On Sunday, as both had tried to interview the alleged abuse victim, although neither wrote anything about it. They were committed journalists who were looking for news [who] were very unfortunate to have come within the orbit of Superintendent David Taylor. The tribunal also examined a broadcast by RTE crime correspondent Paul Reynolds in which he reported on leaked findings of the OHiggins Commission. The broadcast emphasised that the commission took issue with some of Sgt McCabes assertions, although it found him overall to be credible. Judge Charleton said Mr Reynolds had reported this honestly. In no sense was he a tool of the higher echelons of Garda Headquarters. A series of articles written for the Irish Independent by Paul Williams was also examined as these were the only ones that mentioned the allegation of child abuse against a serving garda, although they did not name Sgt McCabe. Judge Charleton accepted that Mr Williams heard the allegations independently of Supt Taylor and only contacted Supt Taylor for an official response. The tribunal had the greatest difficulty getting information from journalists while investigating claims that attempts were made to use them to spread lies about Sergeant Maurice McCabe. Public service bosses must wake up and shape up, says judge Caroline ODoherty Judge Charleton pulls no punches on what he says needs to happen in the wake of the tribunal, particularly within Tusla and An Garda Siochana. He says both agencies must adopt a new attitude where they are willing to recognise their failings and weaknesses and do something about them. Regrettably, neither Tusla nor the Garda organisation currently displays that mentality, he says. On Tusla, he says: It is clear that management needs to wake up and actually do a day of work. On the Gardai, he says: They need a complete turn-around in their attitude. This has to be led from senior management. Judge Charleton refers repeatedly to the 2006 Morris Tribunal report into Garda corruption in Donegal and his frustration that the problems highlighted then have not been rectified. He calls for effective disciplinary and dismissal procedures, noting that Morris found it is far too difficult to dispense with the services of those who are unsuited to police work or who are just not prepared to work. That remains a concern of this tribunal, he says. He urges an overhaul of the promotions system within the force so that the people with the right abilities and attitude rise through the ranks. The tribunal does not have to spell it out beyond a requirement that the promotions system should be freed from whatever ties it to not always promoting excellence. Judge Charleton also calls for an examination of the way the Garda press office is staffed and run, saying that appointments must be properly made and press officers properly trained. Since the post [of office head] is key, it should no longer be seen as within the domain of choice of the head of our police force. At a minimum, the Garda press officer should be someone who undertakes relevant training. Experience of working in the press office should be regarded as useful for the job of directing it. Even more than that, an honest person is required. He also notes that the practice of the press office and Garda HQ of speaking off the record on matters of public importance instead of doing so openly obliges the media to assert privilege. Surely, the police force should be transparent, speaking accountably when necessary, acting transparently, save where there is a need for the proper completion of an investigation, and holding to silence where the overriding aim of duty to the victims of crime requires. He also urges dispensing with public relations speak as a substitute for plain speaking within the Gardai and the public service generally. It is frankly bizarre that when the Garda Commissioner is asked about her approach to a matter of serious public importance, she is not left alone to answer from her own mind but instead that comments and suggestions amounting to drafts of letters of several thousand words are whizzed over in her direction. Judge Charleton also suggests the Oireachtas revisit the 2014 Protected Disclosures Act to see if it requires further regulation to ensure that disclosures are not leaked to journalists and politicians as happened in matters before the tribunal. Update on PTL Disposal and Suspension Perth, Oct 11, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - As announced by MMJ PhytoTech Limited ( ASX:MMJ ) ( OTCMKTS:MMJJF ) (MMJ or the Company) on 5 October 2018, MMJ's shareholders have approved the resolutions necessary for the disposal of PhytoTech Therapeutics Ltd (PTL) to Harvest One Cannabis Inc ( CVE:HVT ) (HVT) (Disposal).As set out the prospectus dated 1 October 2018, the Company's securities will now remain suspended from official quotation pending the completion of the Company's re-compliance with ASX's requirements in Chapters 1 and 2 of the Listing Rules.The Company is pleased to confirm it is advancing with the next steps to achieve re-compliance which include:- working with HVT towards satisfying the remaining conditions to completion of the Disposal; and- demonstrating, to ASX's satisfaction, that upon completion of the Disposal MMJ will comply with the relevant ASX listing requirements and any additional conditions imposed by ASX.The Company advises that it has made the relevant re-quotation application to ASX, which ASX is now in the process of reviewing.MMJ acknowledges that ASX has an absolute discretion in deciding whether to re-admit the Company however it is committed to assisting ASX in a timely manner and is confident that it will be reinstated to quotation in the coming weeks.About MMJ Group Holdings Ltd MMJ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX:MMJ) is a global cannabis investment company. MMJ owns a portfolio of minority investments and aims to invest across the full range of emerging cannabis-related sectors including healthcare, technology, infrastructure, logistics, processing, cultivation, equipment and retail. For MMJ's latest investor presentation and news, please visit: http://www.mmjphytotech.com.au/investors/ A 15-storey office block inspired by the iconic Flatiron building on New Yorks Fifth Avenue has been granted planning in Cork city centre despite senior planners recommending it be refused due to its height. The conditional approval for the glass-fronted triangular-shaped Prism building, on a long-time vacant plot on Clontarf St next to the citys bus station, comes less than a week after Cork City Council granted planning for a 25-storey residential tower on Jacobs Island near Mahon. In its submission on the Prism, An Taisce argued the building height was too tall for the location and would have multiple adverse effects on several protected views, and on the skyline of the city generally. Senior planners had similar concerns about the height and recommended the project be refused. But documents seen by the Irish Examiner show the councils head of planning, Pat Ledwidge, disagreed. In a report from July requesting further information on the project, he said while the City Development Plan identified the South Docks and South Mahon as areas with the potential to accommodate high buildings, it did not mean they should be resisted in other areas. He set out exceptional circumstances in which tall buildings can be accommodated elsewhere and said, in this case, the reasons include the visual quality of the building, its proximity to public transport hubs, and the long-term under-utilisation of the proposed development site. In his report on Monday granting planning with 36 conditions, Mr Ledwidge said the assessment of the proposals impact on views does not demonstrate the impact will be negative, particularly when considered in the context of proposals already approved nearby. The proposed building itself demonstrates high-quality design and will be a positive addition to the city-scape, he said. Among the conditions he imposed is that the building be limited to the specific design and materials proposed given the visual quality of the proposal. The Prism developers, Kerrymen Kevin and Donal OSullivan, who are also advancing plans for the redevelopment of the nearby Port of Cork, Custom House site, welcomed the decision. However, a spokesman said they will be making no public comment until the 30-day window for a possible appeal closes. Pending completion of the planning process, it is hoped work could start on site before the end of the first quarter next year, with up to 300 construction jobs provided during the 16-month build period. The OSullivan brothers 250m redevelopment plans for the former Port of Cork, Custom House site nearby include proposals for an even taller structure. By Elaine Loughlin, Political Correspondent The Government has defended its funding of the Irish language amid criticism over the level of allocation in Budget 2019. Conradh na Gaeilge has strongly criticised the Budget 2019 claiming it "fails" Irish speaking communities and have called for a Senior Minister for the Irish Language and the Gaeltacht. The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has received an overall package of 339m for 2019. Funding for the arts and culture sector will receive a 22.6m increase, representing a 14% jump, while the amount allocated to the heritage sector will go up by 15%. However, funding for the Irish language and Gaeltacht areas will only receive an 8% funding increase which equates to 5m more money next year. Minister of State Joe McHugh has defended this level of funding. "The increased investment of over 67.5m in the Irish language, the Gaeltacht and the islands in 2019 will make a real difference to Gaeltacht communities, in particular, with the largest portion of this allocation being directed at Gaeltacht job creation, community development and language planning," said Mr McHugh. He added that there would be a focus on harbour development and transport services for Gaeltacht islands. By Michael Clifford Owner-occupiers in a Co Clare estate where some houses have major fire safety defects have been told by their management company to pay up for remedial work or face court action. A number of the owners in the Bru na Sionna estate in Shannon have received a solicitors letter in recent weeks from their own management company demanding up to 7,000 as a first instalment for the works that have been agreed with the county fire officer. The letters included a sheet outlining the legal costs involved in court actions. The sheet sets out various costs including cost of proceeding to judgement in the district court up to 15,000. The solicitors letter instructed owners to make the payment within 14 days or we anticipate instructions to issue district court proceedings for the debt. Any such proceedings will involve further costs and interest charges for which you will be reliable. Owners who have spoken to the Irish Examiner say they are outraged at the letters and regard the legal costs sheet as a threat. The defects were uncovered last year in preparation for a legal action between the estates management company and a receiver for the assets of the builder of the estate, Paddy Burke. A schedule of works was agreed with the county fire officer in order to stave off the threat of a fire safety order that might necessitate evacuation of the 240-unit estate. The cost of the remedial work is estimated at up to 2.25m. A number of the owners say they dont have the money and are worried that the full extent of the defects has not been uncovered. Last February, it was revealed that only around 10% of owners had paid for the works. It is unclear how many have since made payments. Lorraine Carew, who owns an apartment with her husband, described the approach of the management company as bullyboy tactics. They are making us pay for the mistakes we had nothing to do with. Were not investors, we dont have the funds to throw at the problem. Rastislav Ondik, who bought his apartment in 2014, says he is shocked at the lack of transparency. I was surprised that four years after we buy our home we are told there are problems with fire safety. I was paying the service charge as normal every year and now I get it with a bill for 7,500. I need to know what Im paying for and I need to know that the problem is going to get fixed. Last December at the AGM for the management company it was agreed that the cost of the remedial works would be added as a supplementary payment into the annual service charge. A series of questions submitted to Quinn management, which is employed by the management company for Bru Na Sionna, has not had a response. There was no response either from the solicitor employed by the management company. A new advocacy report from Epic (Empowering People In Care) shows that 12% of its clients, who have been or are in the care system, were homeless. The overall number of advocacy cases dealt with by Epic rose by 17% last year and has increased from 61 cases in 2009 to 589 in 2017. On average, the young people dealt with by the organisation last year were aged 19, with care placement the top presenting issue, ahead of accommodation, aftercare, and other issues. A fifth were in residential care and 19% were in general foster care, but while 13% were living independently, another 12% said they were homeless. Among that number, there were 27 advocacy cases involving a young person aged 18 to 20 who was homeless. Therefore, young people under the age of 21 accounted for one-half of all homeless advocacy cases, said the report. Epics CEO, Terry Dignan Epics CEO, Terry Dignan, said the figures illustrated how young people who have been in care need to be prioritised for housing. Homelessness is a key concern nationally and children in care are very much embroiled in this crisis, he said. Approximately 450 young people leave care each year. Without stable accommodation life can be very challenging. I am asking for more co-operation between Tusla, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, and the Department of Housing to deliver solutions to prevent care leavers from accessing homeless accommodation. They must be prioritised for housing. The report also showed that 16% of cases involved a child or young person with a diagnosed special need, and that of those who sought help, 41% were in care, 22% were in aftercare, and 19% were categorised as post-leaving care. Professor of Social Work at TCD, Robbie Gilligan, said extending care until people are 21 should be considered as the figures indicated many young people faced serious issues beyond the care leaving age of 18. Meanwhile, another report published yesterday by Cope Galway showed that last year its homeless services dealt with 1,588 people, including 576 children. It also showed 441 children could not be accommodated at its domestic abuse refuge last year due to lack of space. Cope Galway chairman Eamon Bradshaw wrote: We are particularly concerned about the impact of the housing crisis on children who have to live for long periods of time in hotels and B&Bs. Children are also affected by exposure to domestic abuse in their homes, and the lack of housing can often mean very limited choices in terms of options. *www.epic.ie and www.copegalway.ie A woman charged with the murder of Timothy Foley in Macroom, Co Cork, told the arresting Garda: I did not kill my husband. I stabbed him twice, not 28 times. Rita ODriscoll, aged 46, and with an address at 16 Bridge St, Bandon, appeared before Macroom District Court in relation to Mr Foleys death on October 8 at 12 Dan Corkery Place in Macroom. Detective Sergeant Derek Mulcahy of Bantry Garda Station had evidence before Judge Mary Dorgan that Ms ODriscoll was arrested on October 9 at 11.30pm at Weir St, Bandon, and that, on October 10, she was arrested for the offence of the murder of Timothy Foley between October 7 and 8. He said that, at 12.19am on October 10, on the direction of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms ODriscoll, who he referred to as Ms Foley, was charged. The court heard she said: I did not kill my husband. I stabbed him twice, not 28 times. Timmy Foley. Inspector Brian Murphy told the court that bail was a matter for the High Court and he was seeking to have the accused remanded in custody until a sitting of Macroom District Court on October 17. Ms ODriscoll, in black clothing, stood while the evidence was heard. Her solicitor, Pat Horan, then addressed the court. He said she had been subjected to extensive emotional, physical, and sexual abuse in the family home over the years, alleging that weapons had been used against her and that her children had witnessed some of these incidents. Mr Horan said his client was a loving mother and her children come first. He then said that, last Monday, when his client was in custody, her landlord had unilaterally turned up at the house where she lives and had boarded it up, effectively rendering her two children homeless. Mr Horan described the children a son aged 20 and a 21-year-old daughter as vulnerable and said his client was asking the housing section of Cork County Council to take steps to find emergency accommodation for them. It is her children her thoughts now turn to, Mr Horan said. He added that she understood she would be remanded in custody and asked that appropriate security measures be put in place for her at Limerick Prison. She was also asking that appropriate security arrangements be put in place for her children. Mr Horan also sought a certificate of legal aid and that this be extended to cover the cost of a psychiatric report. He added that she would be known to state agencies. Mr Horan said Ms ODriscoll was not making any application for bail, which is a matter for the High Court, but said she intended to enter a plea of not guilty at the appropriate time. Judge Dorgan remanded Ms ODriscoll in custody until October 17 and said clearly this is a very serious and difficult matter for all concerned. She directed that a psychiatric report be obtained and said she was familiar with Ms ODriscoll and her means and granted legal aid. The judge directed the accused get all the assistance that she needs. Mr Horan said he has written to the landlord already, claiming what had been done to the property was in breach of the law and that the PRTB was the appropriate body to deal with it. Insp Murphy asked that all parties affected continue to support gardai to help us bring this matter to a proper conclusion. Judge Dorgan urged for calm and caution. By Liam Heylin A man accused of driving a Skoda Octavia up on a footpath to swerve past a Garda checkpoint denied driving that day and said he was out drinking after robbing cash from a bookies. Garda Emma Henebery said she had a clear view of John Paul Thornton of 4 Blackwater Grove, Togher, Cork, as he drove dangerously past a Garda checkpoint on South Terrace, Cork, on June 17 last year. I was 100% satisfied it was John Paul Thornton, testified Garda Henebery. Thornton got into the witness box and told his barrister Nikki OSullivan: The date she was on about, I was after robbing money out of a bookies. And I never owned a Skoda car. I never drove a Skoda car. I wasnt driving a car that day. I went to a house in Pouladuff Road and I went drinking there. I got a taxi to the Grafton Bar. I was in the pub for the night. Judge Olann Kelleher said: There is very clear evidence from Garda Henebery. I convict him of dangerous driving at South Terrace. Sgt Gearoid Davis said Thornton, 38, had 140 previous convictions. Judge Kelleher said: This was a very dangerous manoeuvre in daylight at 8pm in June. He proceeded without any consideration for Garda Henebery and drove up on the footpath. The judge convicted him of dangerous driving and sentenced him to six months in jail. He was previously jailed for the robbery. In that case he filled out a betting slip in his local betting shop with the words: Give out the money or I will f**k petrol in on top of you. He pleaded guilty to a charge of robbing 878 in cash from Ladbrokes on Edwards Walsh Road on June 17 last year. He was jailed for eight months for that. Detective Sergeant Martin Canny said the accused threatened the man working behind the counter that he was going to rob the bookies or light the place up. He is known locally as Bubbles. The man working there would have known him by his nickname from coming into the shop, said the detective. The man working behind the counter first thought it was a joke when the accused handed him the docket with the threat about a robbery. Det Sgt Canny said the accused reached behind him as if he had something concealed, giving the impression he might have petrol. The detective agreed with the suggestion that the accused had no such thing with him at the time. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said Budget 2019 is a responsible budget for a modern and caring Ireland that aims to be at the centre of a changing world. He rounded on opposition parties for putting forward budget plans which would lead to significant tax hikes on hard-working families. During a debate on Budget 2019, Mr Varadkar said it was dispiriting that the lessons of the past have not been learned by the opposition. We recall the utter devastation that the crash and recession caused to people across our country, he said. It is deeply dispiriting that so many parties in this House have not learnt those lessons. The pre-budget submissions from Sinn Fein, the Greens, the Social Democrats, Labour, and People Before Profit all show that the competition on the left is to spend, spend, spend, and spend some more. And then borrow some more. A young man begging in Dublin city centre this week as Sinn Fein yesterday lashed landlords budget. Picture: RollingNews.ie Prudence is absent and profligacy is the order of the day, claimed Mr Varadkar, adding that it is populism rather than socialism. When it comes to framing a budget, the Taoiseach said he and his Government believe tax increases should be thought through and the implications understood. We must avoid a scattergun approach with a large number of tax increases that would undermine economic confidence, he said. Unfortunately, appreciation of that is limited among other parties. The Social Democrats alternative budget had over 1.5bn in tax hikes in one year alone from 14 separate tax increases, he said. Labours alternative budget had over 1.6bn in tax hikes from 11 separate proposals, while Sinn Feins proposed 2.9bn in tax hikes from over 20 plans. The Greens alternative budget had 3.5bn in tax hikes from 13 separate increases. Not to be outdone, People Before Profit goes even further, proposing 16bn in tax hikes, said Mr Varadkar. He hit out at Independent TD and former Labour member Tommy Broughan for his criticism of the budget. I think Deputy Broughan is a bit fuzzy in his recollection in talking about this being the 12th budget, said Mr Varadkar. It is the third of this Government involving Fine Gael and Independents under the confidence and supply agreement. The previous five budgets before that were Fine Gael and Labour. I think Deputy Broughan was in that coalition briefly, but I am not sure if he ever managed to vote for a budget. I certainly do not think that he ever will. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald criticised Mr Varadkar for standing over a landlords budget. In our alternative budget, Sinn Fein proposed that a three-year rent freeze for all existing and new tenancies be introduced with immediate effect and demonstrated how that could be achieved, she said. However, the Government and its partners in Fianna Fail chose to ignore that proposal. Mr Varadkar hit out at Sinn Feins plans at council level, saying its members opposed a social housing project for hundreds of homes. The Sinn Fein plan was to provide income tax relief for people who are renting and only people who are renting, he said. Sinn Fein likes to talk a lot about housing, but let us look at its record. Only this week, on South Dublin County Council, a vote was taken to build 1,100 new homes in Kilcarbery, comprising 400 social homes for people on the housing list in Tallaght, Clondalkin, and Lucan, and 700 homes for young people who want to buy and who are currently paying more in rent than they would pay on a mortgage. Sinn Fein voted against this. It required Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, and the Labour Party to vote it through. A man in his 40s has been arrested after herbal cannabis worth 70,000 was seized from a house in Bray, Co Wicklow. Revenue officers seized approximately 3.6kgs of the drug during a search under warrant of the residence. Members of the Scally Review team will return to the US shortly to try and establish how many smear samples were outsourced to laboratories with whom CervicalCheck had no contract. However, Dr Karin Denton, a cytologist, cautioned that they would not be able do a full review as some no longer exist. Dr Denton was addressing the Oireachtas Health Committee where concerns were raised around the behaviour of one of the laboratories contracted by the HSE to read the smears of women who take part in the national cervical cancer screening programme. It emerged previously that one lab, CPL, had sent slides for examination to other labs in Texas, Hawaii, and Florida. The HSE stopped using CPL in 2013. Dr Gabriel Scally arriving at Leinster House ahead of the Oireachtas Health Committee hearing. Dr Scally is tasked with reviewing the implementation plan recommended in his report. Picture: Leah Farrell Dr Scally informed the committee that as part of his continuing investigation into the laboratories, it had emerged the original tender documents were shredded in an unusual exhibition of efficiency by the HSE. HSE policy permits this shredding after 10 years have elapsed. Dr Scally said they were looking at all laboratory contracting issues. The laboratories are currently in negotiation with the HSE about renewing their contracts which are due to expire imminently. Dr Scally agreed with Labour TD Alan Kelly that CervicalChecks approach to quality assurance was more or less non-existent. Mr Kelly pointed out that when work is outsourced, quality assurance inspections should be par for the course, yet the last such inspection had taken place in 2014. Dr Denton outlined how HSE staff had travelled to a lab in Austin, Texas, in 2014 and had failed to notice that it was outsourcing smears to another lab which was not part of their contract. It wasnt picked up, she said. She travelled to the laboratory herself and got a partial answer that they may have sent some smears to Florida and Honolulu. It subsequently turned out they had the exact number. There is accurate data there, but sometimes its quite difficult to get, she said. Dr Scally said there had been a rumour that a laboratory in Mexico was used but it was more likely to be San Antonio which is close to the Mexican border. Mr Kelly asked why no-one had drilled down into the lab errors that led to 221 women being told earlier smears were misread, potentially affecting the timing and type of intervention that could have benefited them. He asked why no-one had gone into the laboratories to investigate the detail of individual cases. The laboratories appear to be statistically in line with international norms, but how do we know this is corroborated in each of the 221 cases? he asked. Sinn Fein health spokesperson Louise OReilly raised concerns in relation to the level of accreditation of the American laboratories which was not the level specified in contracts with the HSE. She asked if it was written down anywhere that anyone in the HSE thought the standards were equivalent. Dr Scally said: Ive seen no evidence anywhere that questions that should have been asked were asked. Mr Kelly questioned what the consequences were for stopping the audit process in CervicalCheck. How are we going to deal with the issue of slides now going out of date and the fact that women have to wait so long for smears? he asked. Dr Denton said at the moment the existing providers were unable to deal with the volume of smears which had resulted from additional uptake, that it was in excess of what they were contracted to do. This is resulting in backlogs... and those backlogs will continue to increase as long as the number of samples continues at the current levels. I think there is very little they can do to mitigate that because one thing they have learned is its not a good idea to send them off elsewhere. So I think this problem will continue, she said. Dr Denton said women due for routine smears were also getting stuck in the backlog so its disproportionately affecting people due for a test, the ones we really want to engage in screening, she said. The Scally Review was set up to examine, inter alia, how 221 women with cervical cancer were not told smears were misread or that they were part of a HSE audit. It published its report last month and made 50 recommendations. Dr Scally is tasked with independently reviewing the implementation plan recommended in his report. He met with Health Minister Simon Harris yesterday to discuss progress. By Joe Leogue A support group for victims of sexual abuse has warned that it cannot cater to the demand for its programme to rehabilitate offenders and that victims feel demeaned by the Irish criminal justice system. One in Four yesterday launched its 2017 annual report, and revealed that last year its Phoenix Programme worked with 54 sex offenders and 23 of their family members. Of the offenders engaging with the rehabilitation programme: 35% had abused a child in their own family. 35% had downloaded and shared images of child sexual abuse. 26% had abused a known child or children in their communities. 31% had abused more than one child. One in Four executive director Maeve Lewis said helping sex offenders understand what led them to harm a child is the key to prevention. We liaise very closely and effectively with Tusla child protection teams and the Gardai in this work. We are the only agency that works with both convicted and non-convicted sex offenders, she said. People are travelling from all over the country to attend the Phoenix Programme showing that this programme needs to be rolled out nationally. Unfortunately we now have a waiting list for the Phoenix Programme. Can it be right that men who wish to stop abusing children cannot get a place on an intervention programme due to lack of resources? she asked. Its annual report also details the support One in Four gave to survivors of child sexual abuse as their cases went to trial. Last year the organisation supported 38 clients whose cases went to trial with seven concerned mentions in the District Court and 31 went to trial in the Circuit or Central Criminal Courts. Of the 31, there were five guilty pleas, 11 guilty verdicts and eight not-guilty verdicts. Four cases are ongoing. Ms Lewis said they estimate that fewer than 5% of child sex offenders are ever prosecuted for their crimes, partly because victims are afraid to engage with the system. Those that do, she said, say they found the experience re-traumatising and degrading. They are afraid of not being believed, afraid of the fallout in their families and communities but most especially they are afraid of the criminal trial, she said. Regardless of the verdict, almost all our clients stated that if they had known the ordeal they were facing, they would never have made a complaint in the first place, she said. Communications Minister Denis Naughten has been accused of contaminating the tendering process for the States multimillion-euro national broadband contract. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar had to defend the minister in the Dail, claiming a meeting Mr Naughten had in July with David McCourt, head of the sole remaining consortium bidding for the Governments rural broadband scheme, was administrative. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said the Taoiseachs explanation of Mr Naughtens attendance at a lunch in New York hosted by Mr McCourt was not credible. People externally looking into this country, they might be tempted to say now that the key to getting a lucrative contract in Ireland is facetime with the minister. We have had tribunals about this type of thing in the past. It is extraordinary, Taoiseach, that this has occurred. In my view the minister has contaminated the process, he said. Mr Varadkar said Mr McCourt has been a significant investor in the country for 10 years, employing hundreds of people. He said: The procurement team has confirmed that in no way has the procurement process been compromised. Mr Martin said four key items raised by the Department of Communication for clarification had been discussed during the meal, including the need for changes in the makeup of the consortium to be avoided or kept to a minimum. Ministers should be insulated from such lobbying and such canvassing, and if you, as leader, dont understand that, as Taoiseach, then we have a problem, said Mr Martin. Mr Naughten released the minutes of the dinner meeting. They show a 10-minute discussion on the National Broadband Plan took place but that Mr McCourt did not address the plan with the minister but rather a department official. Mr Martin said this was not credible. Erecting Chinese walls saying I am at the lunch, there is an official at the lunch, around the same table, but the minister now becomes deaf and hears nothing. Thats not credible, Taoiseach. Mr Varadkar accused Mr Martin of having a history of making allegations against ministers and claiming that things are incredible. Earlier, Mr Naughten confirmed that he booked Mr McCourt and his family into the Dail members restaurant to have a birthday celebration in April, but did not attend the meal. Fianna Fail communications spokesman Timmy Dooley said there had been a dizzying number of revelations around the broadband plan in recent weeks, which he said could only be described as farcical. From the significant change in the character and make-up of the bidding consortium and the ministers knowledge and involvement in this to his general meetings in New York with Mr David McCourt, then the sale of Enet on Monday and legal action against the remaining bidder, Granahan McCourt, for alleged misuse of privileged information, we are yet again in a position where the national broadband plan is mired in controversy, he said. Traffic restrictions are being put in place in flood risk areas of Cork city from 5pm amid fears of tidal flooding tonight and tomorrow morning. The restrictions, which will remain in place until 10am tomorrow, will apply to Morrisons Island, Union Quay, Wandesford Quay, Frenches Quay and Crosses Green. Cork City Council made the announcement this morning after its Flood Assessment Team reviewed the weather forecast ahead of the expected landfall of Storm Callum at 10pm tonight. Status Orange weather warnings have been issued from Met Eireann. A Status Orange wind warning is in place for Cork and Kerry. Southeast winds veering southwest will gust generally between 100 and 130 km/h, higher in some coastal areas and on high ground. Orange Wind Warning for Cork Met Eireann has issued an Orange Wind Warning for Cork from 11/10/2018 22:00 to 12/10/2018 09:00. Winds will be strongest overnight and early on Friday, gusting between 110 & 130 km/h. https://t.co/Vp3ZAATKgJ for the latest info #StormCallum pic.twitter.com/nMTYOmCndb Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) October 11, 2018 Along with a spell of heavy rain and high tides there is a risk of coastal flooding and damage. The city council said a tidal surge is predicted across today and tomorrow. It said there is a possibility that roads and parking areas along low-lying quays may suffer from localised spot flooding at high tide this evening, which is expected at 7.56pm, and again at 8.15am. The councils Flood Assessment Team will continue to meet throughout the day and will keep matters under review. For many people experiencing mental health difficulties, fear of the stigma associated with conditions can affect how they relate to others. This fear is not just limited to social interactions, it can affect all aspects of life, including the workplace, writes James Wallace of Cardiff University At work, the potential reactions of both colleagues and employers may make those struggling with a mental health condition feel unable to be open about their experiences. This is not a small problem, it is claimed that 95% of employees calling in sick with stress give a different reason for needing time off. There have been some moves to tackle the problem in the UK, however. Mental health discrimination initiative Time to Change has formulated an employer pledge, through which companies can demonstrate their commitment to change how we think and act about mental health in the workplace, and make sure that employees who are facing these problems feel supported. At the time of writing, 865 organisations have made the pledge. Its encouraging to see so many companies taking the issue seriously but this pledge does not go far enough. In seeking to challenge the stigma in the workplace, it is easy to think that creating an atmosphere which encourages openly talking about mental health will help to address the issue. It means employees would be free to talk about their experiences without fear of being judged. For those who had felt that they had to keep their experiences secret this might seem like a new and valuable freedom. But things might not be so simple. Being yourself In the 1970s, the French philosopher Michel Foucault wrote, one has to have an inverted image of power to believe that all those voices repeating the formidable injunction to tell what one is and what one does are speaking to us of freedom. Foucault was writing about the Christian confessional rather than about chatting to office colleagues at the coffee machine, yet his point is still relevant. Foucault points out that we may often think that the ability to express who we are is a way of expressing our freedom from power. However, for him, it is important to recognise that describing yourself as a person who thinks or feels certain things means that you become identified as a certain kind of person. This actually means being subject to a certain kind of power. In other words, when a person talks about their mental health in the workplace there is a danger that they can become tied and possibly reduced to it. If an employee approaches a line manager or member of the HR team and explains that they have recently been experiencing low moods, there are two ways of seeing this. One is that the person is having a difficult time, but that this is understandable given recent events maybe theyve broken up with their partner or a loved one has died. Another way is to think that the person is naturally inclined to feel this way. This could involve beliefs about their genetic history, or the idea that they have a depressive personality. The difference between these two versions of events is between understanding the story as an experience the person has, and something the person is. You are not your mental health It may not be obvious why this distinction matters, or why it might be a problem. After all, in both cases the person is seeking help and can expect support from their organisation. The problem with understanding mental health as part of who we are is that it puts us in danger of ignoring the way in which our environment has a large effect on our mental health. Suppose that an employee tells their line manager they are feeling stressed in work and finding it difficult to cope. One way to respond is based upon the belief that this person is someone who naturally gets stressed. In this case we might offer them support, possibly access to an employee assistance programme. The other way would be to look at other factors, for example the persons workload. Maybe unreasonable demands are being made and they are being asked to do too much. Perhaps what they are expected to do would make anyone stressed. While the aim of destigmatising mental health in the workplace is admirable, we must consider what this entails. We need to understand the important role that our day-to-day experiences including experiences of work have in shaping our mental health. Unless we appreciate the effect of these experiences we will simply be finding ways for people to cope rather than helping them in a meaningful way. This article was written by James Wallace of Cardiff University and was originally published on The Conversation Read the original article here. Discussion about the diaspora is usually laced with regret, often heartbreak. Those conversations, less openly, recognise an opportunity to lure investment political or economic from the grandsons and granddaughters of Erin. Asia Naypyitaw Govt Resumes Stalled Probe of Land Allegedly Owned By U Thein Sein Farmers leave a mango plantation in Naypyitaw in August where former President U Thein Sein is accused of having acquired property without going through proper channels. / Htet Naing Zaw / The Irrawaddy NAYPYITAW The Naypyitaw Council has approved a request to resume an investigation into land purchases in Ottarathiri Township where former President U Thein Sein and members of his cabinet are accused of having acquired some 900 acres without going through proper channels. An investigation had begun with the councils approval in late August but was soon suspended for unexplained reasons. U Maung Maung Swe, a member of Mandalay Regions Upper House of Parliament who was leading the original task force, asked the council to once again approve the investigation. The council approved the request after consulting with and securing a positive recommendation from union Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Minister U Aung Thu, who also chairs the Central Committee for the Management of Vacant and Virgin Land. The team will include both lawmakers and government officials. The council approved my proposal because of the complaints from farmers. A team recently investigated the issue after the farmers complained to them. But there were some difficulties, so I sought the approval of the council, he said. The lawmaker denied widespread speculation that the investigation was deliberately targeting U Thein Sein and his former ministers. He insisted it was started without any consideration of who the owners were. Plans have been submitted to expropriate 12,000 acres of land. We are just focusing on whether they got the permits to use the land properly and whether they are really using it. It is just an easygoing case, U Maung Maung Swe said. The land acquired by the former president and 15 others was approved for growing three types of cash crops mangos, rubber and agarwood. A source close to the business community has told The Irrawaddy that the land was sold to anyone who could buy at least 50 acres at 50,000 kyats ($31) per acre. If you ask me whether we can investigate all the cases that involve the land, we have to say no. We have plans to go step by step and we will investigated the matter in accordance with the instructions, U Maung Maung Swe said. Translated from Burmese by Myint Win Thein. Burma Armed Groups Agree to Join Peace Summit Members of the Peace Process Steering Team meet in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on Thursday. / Nyein Nyein / The Irrawaddy CHIANG MAI, Thailand Ethnic armed groups meeting in Thailand this week have agreed to join a summit with Myanmars state counselor and military chief aimed at reviving the countrys stalled peace process after convincing them to change the venue. The government had proposed holding the summit on Monday in rural Mandalay, away from any urban distractions. But the armed groups proposed either Yangon or Naypyitaw and, after negotiating with government officials over the phone, settled on the latter, according to armed group leaders. As this high-level informal talk will not be a detailed discussion and will be more about the policies that will be helpful to the ongoing peace process, we decided to join, said Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win, vice chairman of the Karen National Union (KNU). On Saturday the KNU released a statement proposing the summit be delayed because the armed groups needed more time to prepare. Leaders from the 10 armed groups signed up to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement met in Chiang Mai on Wednesday and Thursday, as members of the Peace Process Steering Team, to decide whether to join. Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win said the KNU and Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) had both considered not attending the three-day summit but, after some headed discussion, decided they would go as a unified bloc. U Than Kha, chairman of the All Burma Students Democratic Front, said the Steering Team would sent some of its senior members, including General Saw Mutu Sae Poe of the KNU and General Yawd Serk of the RCSS. We hope the Tatmadaw [Myanmar military] will provide an environment where every stakeholder can cooperate, he said. The summit will be the first time the armed group leaders will have sat at a table with both State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. The peace process has recently stalled over the militarys demands that the armed groups promise not to secede from the union as a precondition to further negotiations and that they agree to a single national army. The summit was proposed to find a way through the impasse. Discussion is also expected to include the timeline for future peace talks, a review of the current framework for the peace process, making the process more inclusive, minority rights and how to establish a federal system of government. Burma Dishonoring Govt, Causing Public Distrust Motives for Eleven Media Group Lawsuit Phyo Wai and his accomplices leave Tamwe Township Court on Wednesday. / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy YANGONOne day after filing a lawsuit against three local journalists for their alleged offenses against the state, the Yangon regional government revealed their reasons behind the suing of two editors and one reporter from Eleven Media Group. Managing editors U Kyaw Zaw Lin and Nari Min and chief reporter U Phyo Wai Win were arrested on Wednesday and charged under Article 505 (b) of Myanmars Penal Code for publishing incorrect information about the government. The plaintiff is the director of Yangons government office, U Aung Kyaw Khaing. The story in question, written by U Phyo Wai Win under the pseudonym Phyo Wai, criticizes the Yangon government for wasting public money due to mismanagement, citing examples including a government loan for the purchasing of a fleet of school buses which was obtained from two private banks without Parliaments approval and irregularities in the governments Yangon Metropolitan Public Company, where more than 600,000 shares are under the regional planning and finance ministers name. The Yangon government owns 51 percent of shares in the company and the 64-billion-kyat ($41.6 million) investment was approved by Parliament. In the public announcement made on Thursday, the Yangon Regional Governments Office denied that the shares are under the ministers name, saying he is involved in the company as a member of the board of directors on behalf of the government. The statement also mentioned that 539,500 shares in the company are owned by the government while 486,000 are owned by Myanmar Construction and Development Co. Ltd., a private company mostly made up of developers. The incorrect information published in Weekly Eleven prompted shareholders and officials from Myanmar Construction and Development to worry about public distrust in the company, as well as dishonoring the regional government, said the announcement citing the governments reasons behind filing the lawsuit. Basically, the story in question was written based on lawmakers discussions in parliament about the auditor generals report on the governments budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year, according to Phyo Wai, the reporter-in-chief who wrote the analysis. As all of you see, I included [in the story] what lawmakers said. I didnt do anything wrong, he told the media gathered outside Tamwe Police Station on Wednesday. Despite the governments claim that the editors and reporter published incorrect information, lawmakersincluding some from the ruling National League for Democracy partysaid the story was correct. MP Daw Sandar Min and U Kyaw Zaya told the media that the story was not wrong as it was based on what they had discussed in parliament. The auditor generals report on the governments budget was discussed by more than two dozen lawmakers in the parliament in previous weeks. Despite those discussions being open to debate, none of the government nor cabinet members disputed them, so they were recorded as they were. Burma Myanmar Launches First Inquiry into Agricultural Chemicals and Their Effects A farmer working in a field in the Myanmars delta area. / The Irrawaddy YANGONThe Upper House of Parliaments agriculture committee has launched its very first parliamentary inquiry into chemicals used in agriculture and their effects on the health and quality of life of farmers, workers and consumers across the country, according to the committee chair. Myanmars Upper House of Parliament and chair of the Agriculture Committee, U Aung Kyi Nyunt, told The Irrawaddy, we will [make an] inquiry into agriculture chemical products used by farmers and how they have been using the chemical products which were imported legally or illegally. We will also [investigate] the chemical residues effects on agriculture. [The committee is] concerned about the impact of residues from herbicides and fertilizers in crops and produce. Chemicals affect farmers health, as well as the health of consumers and the environment. We will try to understand how to limit the harmful effects of agricultural chemical residues on produce and crops, said U Aung Kyi Nyunt. According to a 2016 report by the World Bank and the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT), Myanmar farmers widely use urea and compound fertilizers for paddy production in both monsoon and dry seasons, but often at inefficient application rates and in inappropriate nutrient compositions. Moreover, the report pointed out that the problem was caused by the lack of agricultural research and the governments public education. The inquiry process is supported by the United Nations Development Programme and is said to be the first time in the history of Myanmar that a parliamentary inquiry is to be conducted in agriculture. The committee has put out a public call for submissions from the government, civil society, the private sector and individuals. U Aung Kyi Nyunt said the committee has distributed questionnaires to lawmakers who can investigate the use of chemical products by people in their constituencies. The questionnaires roughly include questions on the name of the chemical products, the brand name, the expiry date, the country of origin and the reason for using the products. The committee will collect the data from related departments, lawmakers, experts and local people. It said the inquiry is open to all and they will accept information from any people, organization or local NGO interested in contributing their data, he said. We have a plan to hold hearings to further explore the information received. Afterwards, we will produce a final written report including key conclusions and recommendations for the government on addressing the problem through new policy solutions, he added. Burma Three Arakanese Youth Activists Held in Rakhine May Yu Tun (right) poses for a picture with Arakanese lawmaker Daw Khin Saw Wai and ANP members while on campaign in Rathedaung Township's Moe Sae village on September 28. / Khin Saw Wai / Facebook YANGON Three Arakanese, one from the Arakan National Party (ANP) and two township representatives of the Arakan Youth Conference (AYC), have been arrested by Sittwe police. The AYC announced on Wednesday that its representative Ko Khine Bo Bo, aka Khine Thaw, was captured by police in his hometown of Pauk Taw, Rakhine State, on Wednesday and transported by boat to Sittwe under police custody today. Also on Wednesday, ANP party member Ko May Yu Tun, aka Zaw Win, was arrested at the office of Sittwe Civil Society Organization Network. His arrest comes just days after Sittwe police detained Arakanese social activist Ko Aung Zaw Lin, a third-year university student from Sittwe, who is the AYCs representative for Buthidaung Township. Police officer U Aye Kyaw from Sittwe Police Station confirmed the detention of Zaw Win and Aung Zaw Lin, saying their arrests are related to the death of military intelligence Corporal Win Htike, aka Phoe Lone, on Sept. 25, without providing any further evidence. The army intelligence official was gunned down at close range while he, his wife and child were walking around a market festival in Sittwe on Sept. 25. The police officer said that a case of homicide has been opened against May Yu Tun under Article 302 of the Penal Code and the Sittwe court has allowed for him to be remanded until Oct. 22. Both Aung Zaw Lin and Khine Thaw had already been summoned by police for questioning the day following the shooting, and were released a few hours later. An AYC information committee member told The Irrawaddy under the condition of anonymity that authorities had opened murder cases against the three detainees under Article 302. He urged the authorities to have transparency and announce the reason for their arbitrary arrests. The Ministry of Home Affairs had not issued any statements regarding the detention of the three Arakanese as of Thursday. The AYC member said the arbitrary arrests Arakanese youth sparks fear and increases tensions between the government and the ethnic Arakanese community. Some AYC members are now overwhelmingly concerned by state surveillance as members of the police are going around the city in plain clothes, he said. Arakanese Lower House lawmaker Daw Khin Saw Wai said that the arrest of her party member May Yu Tun is totally unacceptable and irrelevant to the death of Cpl. Phoe Lone because her junior, May Yu Tun, had traveled alongside her and other Arakanese lawmakers during their by-election campaign trip to Ratheadaung Township between Sept. 23 and 28. They were canvassing in Kan Pyin Village of Rathaedaung Township on Sept. 25, the day of the murder and they even they took a group photo near the entrance of Moe Sae Village, also in Rathedaung, on Sept. 28. Daw Khin Saw Wai posted the group photo on her Facebook page on Wednesday, in which May Yu Tun is pictured alongside her and other ANP members. The entire Kan Pyin village knows that May Yu Tun was there on September 25. Police can ask every villager there. She urged the authorities to explain the arrest transparently. Despite The Irrawaddys multiple attempts to call police officers in Sittwe for comment on Thursday, all were rejected. News US Says China Spy Charged with Trying to Steal Aviation Secrets The US Justice Department arrested and indicted a spy for China's Ministry of State Security on charges of economic espionage and attempting to steal aviation trade secrets. / Reuters WASHINGTON The US Justice Department said on Wednesday it had arrested and indicted a spy for Chinas Ministry of State Security on charges of economic espionage and attempting to steal trade secrets from several US aviation and aerospace companies. Chinese operative Yanjun Xu was detained in Belgium in April after a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe and extradited to the United States on Tuesday. The Washington Post reported he was lured to Belgium by US agents. The FBI called it an unprecedented extradition and said the indictment showed the direct oversight of Chinas government in economic espionage against the United States. The charges come as Washington increases pressure on Beijing over its trade policies and alleged theft of US intellectual property. Cybersecurity experts said the arrest was another sign of the escalating trade tensions between the two countries, adding they had seen increasing espionage by Beijing for business advantage. China is actively engaging in targeted and persistent intrusion attempts against multiple sectors of the economy, including biotech, defense, mining, pharmaceutical, professional services, transportation and more, said CrowdStrike Chief Technology Officer Dmitri Alperovitch. A US Department of Justice statement said Xu, a deputy division director for the State Security Department of Chinas Jiangsu province, targeted several US aerospace companies, including GE Aviation, a subsidiary of General Electric Co. It described another unnamed firm as one of the worlds largest aerospace firms, and a leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems, and a third as a leader in unmanned aerial vehicle technology. GE Aviation has supplied engines for large Boeing Co and Airbus SE aircraft, and is working on a new generation of engines for commercial planes and heavy-lift military helicopters. The indictment against Xu said he targeted aviation firms since around December 2013. It also said he made contact with experts working for the firms and recruited them to travel to China, often for the initial purpose of delivering a university presentation and paying their costs and a stipend. This unprecedented extradition of a Chinese intelligence officer exposes the Chinese governments direct oversight of economic espionage against the United States, the statement quoted Bill Priestap, the FBIs assistant director for counterintelligence, as saying. John Demers, the assistant US attorney general for national security, said the case was not an isolated incident. It is part of an overall economic policy of developing China at American expense, he said. We cannot tolerate a nation stealing our firepower and the fruits of our brainpower. The Chinese Embassy and Xus lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The maximum penalty for conspiracy and attempt to commit economic espionage is 15 years, while that for conspiracy and attempt to steal trade secrets is 10 years. The Ministry of State Security is Chinas intelligence and security agency and is responsible for counterintelligence, foreign intelligence and political security. Cybersecurity experts said former US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping had reached an understanding in 2015 on cyber espionage, but the agreement appeared be withering away. Chris Painter, the former US State Department official who negotiated the agreement, said in a Twitter post it was not surprising that now the relationship has deteriorated, so has the agreement. Late last month, the Department of Justice reported the arrest of a Chinese citizen in Chicago on charges he covertly worked for a high-ranking Chinese intelligence official to help try to recruit engineers and scientists, including some who worked as US defense contractors. NBC News on Tuesday quoted US officials as saying a professor at a top cancer research center in Houston facing child pornography charges was also under scrutiny for alleged economic espionage for China. | BY Kim Shaw | Scott Zuliani, creative at The Monkeys ~ Campaign Brief 2018 Agency of the Year ~ is representing Australia at the 2018 LIA Creative LIAisons program in Las Vegas, featuring some of the worlds most respected creative directors as speakers. Zuliani reports exclusively for CB. When I was first told that Campaign Brief was sending me to Las Vegas I was a little confused. Then they told me it was for the London International Awards. I was even more confused the London International Awards is hosted in Nevada America? What? But, after a couple of days here it all makes sense. Actually, nothing here makes sense* but thats ok. LIA is a truly international award show and Vegas is a truly international city. Where else could you find the Coliseum, the Eiffel Tower, the Sphinx, the Venetian Canals and Korean Elvis, all in spewing distance of each other? And where else would you find a program like the LIA Creative LIAisons with over 100 creatives under 30 from around the world all in spewing distance of each other? What a segue (Actually saw Elvis on a segway the other day, but thats a segue for another day). The Creative LIAisons for those of you not aware of is a program you should be aware of. Its a Five-day one-of-a-kind advertising experience where young-ish creatives listen to incredibly inspiring lectures then get drunk-ish after (all in the name of networking). Day 1 was inspiring to say the least. To say a bit more Matt MacDonalds talk on presenting work was eye-opening and incredibly beneficial. He obviously nailed the presentation, after some ironic IT difficulties (no one is immune to the wheel of death). Malcolm Poynton followed the client is not your enemy theme using the Louvres Pyramid story as a kind of architectural analogy for client relationships (you had to be there). Matt Eastwood showed some incredible work and said some incredible stuff about cause-related advertising. Pum Lefebure seduced the audience about seduction in design (all the Art Directors in the room fell in love). Then Maddie Raedts made us all jealous of her young entrepreneurial success, and Riccardo Wolff showed us that we too, could be ECD of INNOCEAN in 7 years to the day. Not that specific role, but we can go on to do great thing tooin 7 years to the day. Shortly after our brains were buzzing with inspiration, we did the natural thing and killed some brain cells (all in the name of networking) at a cocktail party in a classy joint called The Beach Club. The classy part was sarcastic. It had poles. The kind of poles a much wilder crowd would dance on. At the party, we rubbed shoulders with the LIA Judges (not a euphemism) and mingled with like-minded peers from around the world. The classy joint closed around 12:30 (so much for escaping Sydney lockout laws) so people went to other clubs, some gambled, some cant remember what they did, I went back to Treasure Island (not a euphemism). Day 2 , like The Hangover sequel, involved a hangover and a similar plot as its precursor. But unlike Hangover 2, Day 2 didnt suck. This was mainly due to the amazing talk by Susan Credle. Susan explained the mindset shift between being a good creative and being a good creative director. Her talk not only inspired the Creative LIAisons but also some of the judges that snuck in at back (Barb Humphries). Susan was a hard talk to follow, but the challenge was met by Sompat Trisadikun who let his country of Thailands hilarious comedy spots do the talking. We did the laughing. We laughed all the way to lunch, had tacos, and come back for a masterclass in all things audio (hosted by radio legends Tom Eymundson, Jill Kershaw and Ralph van Dijk). Andrew Carlson spoke next about whats next in the future of marketing, which was both scary and exciting. Mostly scary for someone like me who loves making Film. 1 hour later we made a film, in an interactive workshop where the guys from Great Guns tasked us to make a 6-second video in the space of a couple of hours. Like The Hangover 2, our video kinda sucked. Earlier this week, Mark Blaxill and Jennifer Larson met President Donald Trump at a Minnesota event. They were able to get two books into his hands. Denial: How Refusing to Face the Facts about Our Autism Epidemic Hurts Children, Families, and Our Future by Mark and our own Dan Olmsted. And How to End the Autism Epidemic by JB Handley. I know that the President is a lightning rod. Loved by many. Hated by many. There's not a lot of middle ground. Presidents have done precious little for us. Republican or Democrat. We went 8 long years without any meaningful response from President Obama. In fact, he pushed the neurodiversity agenda further down the field than anyone expected. Katie Wright's Mom Suzanne tried in vain for years to get an audience with First Lady Obama to discuss the autism crisis to no avail. President Bush was no better for our community. Only Senator McCain (RIP) acknowledged our needs during his ill fated campaign. Clinton? Bush? Nope. With this in mind, I recall a line taught t0 me many years ago by a mentor. "Don't punish progress." Getting these books into POTUS' hands is progress. I don't think for one minute he will read them cover to cover. Maybe someone around him will take a look though. Open the pages. Learn. Think. And we certainly must applaud the effort - very real effort of Mark and Jen to make this photo happen. Speaking of progress, from NBC News: President Donald Trump signed two bills at the White House on Wednesday aimed at lowering pharmaceutical drug prices by promoting greater disclosure in drug pricing. The two bills the president signed the Know the Lowest Price Act and the Patients' Right to Know Drug Prices Act are meant to prevent "gag clauses" in agreements between pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers, the middlemen who administer prescription drug programs for insurance companies, which pharmacists say kept them from disclosing cheaper drug options to consumers. Read more here: Trump signs bills lifting pharmacist 'gag clauses' on drug prices NBC News reported last year on the agreements between pharmacies and insurance companies that had kept some pharmacists from disclosing cheaper drug options to consumers. The book covers on this version are blotted out for a reason. At Jen's request. We hope you will respect that. And comment as you see fit - keep it civil please. That's all I ask. Thanks. Kim Thursday, October 11th, 2018 (4:49 pm) - Score 6,884 Energy provider and UK ISP First Utility (Shell) will next week begin bundling a variety of different smart home devices alongside selected energy and home broadband products at no extra cost. The offer launches on 15th October running till 19th November for broadband and 22th November for energy tariffs. The operator will be supplying either the Nest Thermostat E, Nest Cam Indoor or the Google Home Mini, depending upon the service being taken. For example, superfast broadband (FTTC) and phone customers can expect to receive the Google Home Mini smart speaker, which normally sells for around 40 online. First Utilitys Chief Commercial Officer, Ed Kamm, said: Weve sought out the best smart-home technology to help customers enjoy more convenience, energy-efficiency and safety in the way they manage their home. Were also making it affordable and accessible so everyone can get the benefits. By bundling products with our good value energy and broadband tariffs there are no up-front costs and well cover installation where its needed. Product Smart home product Product features 2 yr fixed-price energy tariff 1,294 per year for a dual fuel household with typical usage Nest Thermostat E Control the temperature from anywhere, via an app on your device or via Google Home Easy to install yourself Saves energy by automatically lowering the temperature when no ones in 3 yr fixed-price energy tariff 1,304 per year for a dual fuel household with typical usage Nest Cam Indoor Helps you look after your home and family even when youre away. View whats going on at home, when youre away with 24/7 live streaming and 30 days of recording in the cloud Receive alerts when the camera detects loud noises or spots a person in your home SuperFirst Broadband (Avg download speed 35Mbps) 31.99 per month, 18 month contract with no out-of-contract price increase Google Home Mini A smart speaker with built in Google Assistant means youre one question away from all you need to know Personalised help with your schedule, reminders and more Use your voice to control compatible devices, play music, listen to audiobooks or watch TV with Chromecast UltraFirst Broadband (Avg download speed 63Mbps) 34.99 per month, 18 month contract with no out-of-contract price increase Google Home Mini See above Broadband customers will of course also receive unlimited usage, a free wireless router, phone line rental (standard call charges), free connection + delivery, an 18 month contract term and UK based support. First Utility also says, Unlike other providers, at the end of the minimum period well not increase your monthly charge. Apparently the new offer is available to new and existing customers, although we assume they mean upgrading / re-contracting customers for the latter. A day ahead of the closing of bids for a massive US Department of Defence cloud contract, WikiLeaks has published the locations of Amazon's data centres which, it claims, have been a closely held secret until now. Amazon is a frontrunner to win the US$10 billion contract. The whistleblower website said the information was contained in an internal document from the cloud provider dating back to late 2015. The DoD contract, known by its acronym JEDI Joint Enterprise Defence Infrastructure is meant to unite all Defence services under one cloud vendor as the CIA did in 2013 with Amazon at a cost of US$600 million In August, a report in the American magazine Vanity Fair said that the conditions laid down for the contract appeared to be sharply skewed to favour Amazon. WikiLeaks said that a few of the data centres were publicly associated with Amazon but this was the exception. In most cases, the company was said to operate out of data centres owned by other companies and with no indication that it had a presence in these centres. The data centres are located in Northern Virginia, Seattle, California Bay Area, Northeastern Oregon, Dublin, Luxembourg, Frankfurt, Beijing, Ningxia, Tokyo, Osaka, Singapore, Sydney, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Additionally, WikiLeaks said, Amazon sometimes ran its data centres under lesser known subsidiaries such as VaData. At its IAD77 data centre, the leaked document says that Amazon is known as Vandalay Industries on badges and all correspondence with building manager. The name Vandalay Industries was made famous by the Seinfeld character George Costanza who made it up when asked by an US dole official about the names of places where he had interviewed for a job. WikiLeaks pointed out that in 2017, Amazon had announced the AWS Secret Region, which was storing data classified up to the Secret level by a range of government agencies and companies. Amazon won a US$600 million contract with the CIA in 2013. The US Government has said it is looking for a single provider and other companies that are bidding, like Oracle and IBM, have made formal protests about this requirement. WikiLeaks cited recent research that showed Amazon had 34% of the cloud infrastructure services market. WikiLeaks has not published anything of note for some time, with its publisher Julian Assange being stuck in the Ecuadorian embassy in London and cut off from the Internet since March. Last month, Assange stepped down from the position of editor-in-chief, but retained the title of publisher. He was replaced by journalist, and former WikiLeaks spokesman, Kristinn Hrafnsson. German IT services provider Bosch is partnering with Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei in a deal desIgned to accelerate the development of the Internet of Things in China. Under the collaborative agreement, the two companies will make Boschs IoT Suite software services available in China on Huawei Cloud. The demand for IoT solutions in China is rising. The partnership between Bosch and Huawei Cloud marks a decisive step for Bosch in one of the fastest growing IoT markets in Asia, said Dr. Stefan Ferber, chief executive of Bosch Software Innovations, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bosch. The company expects Chinas market for IoT platforms to grow by close to 70% over the coming years. We are pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate with Huawei Cloud to offer cloud-based IoT services providing various functions needed to connect devices, users, and businesses. I am confident that by joining forces our companies will advance the development of the Internet of Things in China. The Bosch software platform connects Web-enabled objects to facilitate data sharing across a multitude of digital services and business models. Under the deal, the first service made available to Chinese consumers via Huawei Cloud will be the Bosch IoT Remote Manager a service for managing and controlling gateways, sensors, and devices and additional services of the Bosch IoT Suite will follow in 2019. Bosch Software innovations, with offices in Shanghai and Nanjing, has been active in China since 2012 and has successfully implemented IoT projects ranging from Industry 4.0 to connected transportation. Bosch says a leading Chinese automotive manufacturer has chosen to deploy the Bosch IoT Suite on Huawei Cloud for updating its vehicles firmware over the air, with the solution expected to be rolled out to millions of connected cars in China over the coming years. Bosch Software Innovations is one of the global leaders in IoT, providing cutting-edge IoT solutions and services said Zheng Yelai, vice-president of Huawei and president of Huawei Cloud. Huawei Cloud is a fast growing cloud provider in the world, and has committed to cultivating the fertile environment for partners. With the technical excellence of Bosch IoT Suite, and the reliable infrastructure services by Huawei Cloud, we will provide more intelligent IoT solutions to smart cities, enterprises, families and individuals," he said. Bosch and Huawe say they intend to develop an integrated end-to-end IoT offering. Under the deal, Huawei is developing IoT hardware gateways that will be pre-configured with Bosch IoT Gateway Software and managed through the Bosch IoT Remote Manager to run on Huawei Cloud providing customers with a more complete IoT solution that is easier to deploy and manage. Will the adoption of the Federal Government's encryption bill make life online safer for the average citizen and guard against the growth of child pornography and terrorism? No. On the contrary, passing this bill into law will only help those who are involved in these activities to thrive. The government appears to be talking about a 21st century situation and thinking of 1950s paradigms when it tries to rally support for this flawed piece of legislation. On Wednesday, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton was up on the podium at the National Press Club in Canberra, advancing the same tired arguments in support of the bill that he has put forward every time he has a chance to do so. It looks like no government minister or supporter is willing to accept one fundamental truth: there is one form of encryption that we all use. Businesses, banks, private citizens, crooks, criminals, terrorists this is basically a level playing field as far as encryption goes. Trying to spread the myth that cracks can be devised for some devices and then kept secret from others is a tough gig. Even the American NSA, the best-resourced spook agency in the world, which has tonnes of high-grade talent, could not guard its own secrets and found itself in glorious disarray when a group called the Shadow Brokers unleashed Windows exploits on the Web in 2017. And it's not as if the NSA had no prior warning that secrets could leak: in 2013, a young man by the name of Edward Snowden walked out of its portals anda horde of secret documents that have given the world its best insight into how this secretive agency operates. Those exploits, especially one that bears the endearing name EternalBlue, are being used by malicious attackers around the globe even today. We saw the biggest manifestations of EternalBlue use last year in the shape of ransomware known as WannaCry and NotPetya. And Dutton still wants people to believe that cracks created for Australian situations will remain private from the rest of the world! Minister, pull the other one. Australia has been pushed to advance this legislation because, let's face it, we are a vassal state. There are human rights charters in the US and UK, so this kind of nonsense would not wash there. New Zealand is a much smaller country than Australia, but like a small dog it tends to snap back much louder. And Canada is too big for the US to try and push it around. So Australia has to take out the trash. The other Five Eyes countries, especially the US and the UK, are watching this exercise with great interest. Doubtless, what happens in Australia will serve to guide the other four as they try to bring in their own versions of what is called the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Bill 2018. There was a noticeable drop in the ferocity of Dutton's utterances on Wednesday, compared to the threats he ladled out in February I listened to both speeches when talking about the same bill (though the draft had not been released in February). Using the argument that anyone who is against the bill is also supporting the likes of Amazon, Apple, Google and Facebook in their business tactics is silly. There are some things which are bad for all of us and this bill is firmly in that category. Ultimately, it will be down to the Labor Party to stand up and say that it will not back the bill. The Greens have led the way and indications are that several other Senators will also not back this crazy legislation. The time is fast approaching for Opposition Leader Bill Shorten to show that he has some steel in his spine and not get wedged into that old "either-back-the-bill-or-we-will-say-that-Labor-is-weak-on-national-security" corner. If he does not act, he would only be contributing to making life online less safe for everyone. Microsoft has announced it is joining the Open Invention Network, a group that aims to protect Linux and open source programs from patent risk. In 2016, the company said that it owned more than 59,000 US and international patents and had more than 36,000 patent applications pending. OIN was founded in 2005 by IBM, Novell, Philips, Red Hat, and Sony and has about 2650 companies as its members. The group acquires patents and then licenses them without any royalty to its members. The members, in turn, pledge not to use any patents they own against Linux and other open source programs. Microsoft's corporate vice-president and deputy general counsel Erich Andersen saidthat many people would view the company's decision as surprising. "It is no secret that there has been friction in the past between Microsoft and the open source community over the issue of patents," he said. "For others who have followed our evolution, we hope this announcement will be viewed as the next logical step for a company that is listening to customers and developers and is firmly committed to Linux and other open source programs." Andersen said the decision to join OIN was an indication of Microsofts patent practice going hand in hand with its companys views on Linux and open source. The company's former chief executive Steve Ballmer once described Linux as a cancer. Said Andersen: "We began this journey over two years ago through programs like Azure IP Advantage, which extended Microsofts indemnification pledge to open source software powering Azure services. "We doubled down on this new approach when we stood with Red Hat and others to apply GPLv3 'cure' principles to GPLv2 code, and when we recently joined the LOT Network, an organisation dedicated to addressing patent abuse by companies in the business of assertion." He said the company would now be be able to do much more to help protect Linux and other important open source projects from patent assertions. "We bring a valuable and deep portfolio of over 60,000 issued patents to OIN. We also hope that our decision to join will attract many other companies to OIN, making the licence network even stronger for the benefit of the open source community." British spyware company Gamma Group is facing legal action from four Bahrainis who claim the company knowingly sold its wares to the Bahraini Government knowing that it would be used to crack down on dissidents like them during the Arab spring of 2011. A letter of claim sent to Gamma accuses it of selling Bahrain its FinFisher software which can infect and spy from a target computer though there had been countless reports of human rights abuses in Bahrain, The Guardian reported. Gamma responded through a lawyer, saying there was no evidence it had taken part in rights abuses and that it would defend the charge. The defendants Hassan Mushaima, Ali Mushaima, Moosa Mohamed and Saeed Shehabi are suing Gamma and firms associated with it in the UK and Germany and owner Louthean Nelson for allegedly aiding the Bahrain Government in the misuse of private information. In 2011, WikiLeaks published material from Gamma that showed how FinFisher could evade common anti-virus systems, log keystrokes and spy on the user through a microphone or camera. The company is also accused of training Bahraini officials in using the software and providing updates and training. The four Bahrainis say they were targets of the government because of their campaigning for democracy. Bahrain witnessed a number of protests in 2011; these were violently put down by the government with the help of Saudi Arabia. Gamma claimed to Bloomberg in 2012 that it had never sold FinFisher to Bahrain leading to speculation that the government in Manama was using a stolen copy. But though Gamma says it has only sold its spyware to governments and law enforcement agencies, researchers at Canada's Citizen Lab say they have identified command-and-control servers for FinFisher in at least 35 countries. Telstra Internet subscribers, who are connected by the company's HFC cable network, suffered outages in western parts of Brisbane last month, and not NBN users, as claimed by a user in that area. Nathan Cochrane, a former technology journalist with The Age, who now lives in Brisbane, told iTWire on Wednesday that he was not connected to the NBN. "Telstra made the claim the cable internet HFC Im on is owned by NBN Co (a claim I dont believe btw). Im a Telstra Cable subscriber," he said. The NBN Co is using Telstra's HFC cable network to deliver its broadband service; some areas in Australia are getting their NBN access this way. For this, the NBN Co is paying Telstra about $11 billion. Cochrane, who suffered outages for weeks, often starting as early as 8.10am and going on for most of the day, said after some persuasion on his part, Telstra had agreed to waive a month's subscription as a goodwill gesture for the outages. "It doesnt make up for the thousands of dollars in lost productivity but its a bit better than the ~$25 they originally offered," he said. At the time of the original report, a Telstra spokesman from Queensland told iTWire that the fault would have to be fixed by NBN Co as it was that company's responsibility. Later, the spokesman said that since this was an NBN fault, it was likely that customers of other ISPs were affected as well. An NBN Co spokesman told iTWire on Wednesday: "NBN Co has not yet taken control of the assets in this area to allow us to undertake construction so it is not possible that we have caused the outages in question." Data breaches have become so common, and so frequent, that when companies like Facebook or Google admit to data leaks or outright hacks, users fret, the companies pledge to do better, and government regulators (sometimes) issue stern warnings. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. In recent weeks, Facebook acknowledged a breach affecting 50 million users and Google had to fess up to a breach affecting Google Plus users after initially deciding to keep quiet. Given that both companies are now in the business of "corporate surveillance," the potential for breaches ahead is unlikely to change anytime soon, according to CSO's J.M. Porup. Haven't heard that phrase before? Neither had Computerworld Executive Editor Ken Mingis, who sat down with Porup for more insights about what's going on. To be clear, said Porup, Facebook, Google and other social media firms have savvy, top-notch security teams doing their best to fend off bad guys. But the treasure trove of data the companies acquire that's where "corporate surveillance" comes in also attracts the best and most resourceful hackers. The result? An on-going war between the bad guys and companies that collect user data with those very users caught in the middle. The most likely solution will be government oversight, Porup said, pointing to efforts like the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) coming from the European Union. That kind of oversight, Porup and Mingis agreed, isnt likely at the federal level anytime soon in the U.S. But state action like that bubbling up in California could make a difference. For an audio-only version of this episode, click play (or catch up on all earlier episodes) below. Or you can find us on iTunes or Pocket Casts, where you can download each episode and listen at your leisure. Happy listening, and please, send feedback or suggestions for future topics to us. We'd love to hear from you. VANCOUVER, Oct. 11, 2018 /CNW/ - Pacton Gold Inc. (TSXV: PAC, OTC: PACXF, FSE: 2NKN) (the "Company" or "Pacton") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding letter of intent ("LOI") to acquire a 70% equity interest in the Hong Kong project (the "Hong Kong Project") from Clancy Exploration Ltd ("Clancy"), an Australian Securities Exchange Listed exploration company. Figure 1: Pacton Regional Project Location Plan The acquisition of this strategic exploration license adjoining Pacton's Friendly Creek and Golden Palms projects provides a considerable land holding in what is emerging to be the primary focus of conglomerate gold exploration in the region. Over 5 km of strike of the lower Fortescue Group lithologies have been mapped within the Hong Kong Project and notable historical alluvial gold mines are located within these formations. In addition, structurally controlled, greenstone hosted gold mineralisation has been historically mined across the Hong Kong Project. Highlights of the Transaction: The Hong Kong Project consists of a single granted exploration license covering 40.15 km 2 and directly adjoins the Friendly Creek and Golden Palms projects held by Pacton. and directly adjoins the Friendly Creek and projects held by Pacton. Over 5 km of strike of the contact between Hardey Formation and Mount Roe Basalt occurs within the Hong Kong Project. Notable alluvial gold workings occur along the base of the Mount Roe Basalt. Multiple structurally controlled, greenstone hosted gold workings occur throughout the Hong Kong Project . Consolidated ground holding within the Egina Area offers the capacity for Pacton to undertake an extensive systematic approach to determining the conglomerate and structurally controlled gold mineralisation potential of the region. Egina Area is emerging as the focal point of conglomerate gold exploration in the Pilbara and Pacton aims to capitalise on its substantial ground holding inclusive of granted mining leases to rapidly evaluate the development potential of its portfolio. "The acquisition of the Hong Kong Project provides a considerable holding of contiguous tenure within the emerging focal point of conglomerate exploration in the region. Through the process of evaluating the extensive portfolio held by Pacton in the Pilbara region, we are further appreciating the significance of the association between the primary shear hosted and conglomerate styles of gold mineralisation in the region," commented Alec Pismiris, Interim President and CEO of Pacton Gold. "We look forward to working closely with Clancy to explore the Hong Kong Project as part of our broader Egina Area development strategy." For location map of the Property, please see: Click Here. LOI Terms Under the terms of the LOI, which will be formalized by a definitive agreement among the parties, the Company can purchase a 70% equity interest in the Hong Kong Project by paying Clancy CDN$175,000 and issuing to Clancy 3,797,470 common shares of the Company. Upon completion of the acquisition, Pacton and Clancy will enter into a joint venture, with Pacton acting as operator of the Hong Kong Project. A minimum of CDN$500,000 must be spent by Pacton within two years of completion of the transaction. Clancy will be free carried with respect to expenditures until a decision to mine is made unanimously by both parties. A finder's fee will be payable to Geonomics Australia Pty Ltd. in respect of the transaction as permitted by the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. This transaction is subject to the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Pacton Gold Pacton Gold (PAC: TSXV; PACXF: US) is a well-financed Canadian junior with key strategic partners focused on the exploration and development of conglomerate-hosted gold properties located in the district-scale Pilbara gold rush in Western Australia. The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved Peter Caldbick, P.Geo., a director of the Company and a Qualified Person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101. The qualified person has not yet verified the data disclosed, including sampling, analytical, and test data underlying the information or opinions contained in the written disclosure. On Behalf of the Board of Pacton Gold Inc. Alec Pismiris Interim President & CEO This news release contains or refers to forward-looking information based on current expectations, including, but not limited to the Company acquiring an interest in the Hong Kong Project and completion of the proposed transaction described herein, the prospect of the Company achieving success in exploring the Hong Kong Project and the impact on the Company of these events, including the effect on its share price. Forward-looking information is subject to significant risks and uncertainties, as actual results may differ materially from forecasted results. Forward-looking information is provided as of the date hereof and we assume no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances. Neither TSX Venture Exchange, the Toronto Stock Exchange nor their Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. VANCOUVER, Oct. 11, 2018 /CNW/ - Rusoro Mining Ltd. (the "Company" or "Rusoro") announces that it has agreed on the terms of a settlement proposal ("Settlement Proposal") with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ("Venezuela") by which Venezuela agrees to pay Rusoro over US$1.28 billion to acquire the Company's mining data and for full release of the arbitral award (the "Award") issued in favor of the Company in August 2016 by a tribunal constituted pursuant to the Additional Facility of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. In addition, it is contemplated that the parties will constitute a Mixed Commission to assess the current status of Rusoro's Choco 10 and San Rafael - El Placer former projects and on the basis of such assessments may by the end of January 2019 partner to exploit those projects. Rusoro expects to sign the formal settlement agreement (the "Settlement Agreement") shortly after completion of the schedules to the Settlement Agreement. "We are very pleased that we have agreed on terms of a settlement with Venezuela," commented Vladimir Agapov, Chairman of Rusoro. "We look forward to the execution of the Settlement Agreement and towards our continued relationship with Venezuela in assessing two of Rusoro's former gold projects regarding a potential partnership to restart production of the Choco 10 and San Rafael El Placer mines." ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Gordon Keep" Gordon Keep, Director Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking statements: This document contains statements about expected or anticipated future events and financial results that are forward-looking in nature and as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as signing of the Settlement Agreement, timing of signing the Settlement Agreement, timing and amount of settlement payments, general economic, market and business conditions, the regulatory process and actions, technical issues, new legislation, competitive and general economic factors and conditions, the uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, the occurrence of unexpected events, and the Company's capability to execute and implement its future plans. Actual results may differ materially from those projected by management. For such statements, we claim the safe harbour for forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Legislation Reform Act of 1995. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 10, 2018) - AXMIN Inc. (TSXV: AXM) ("AXMIN" or the "Company") announces that it has entered into an agreement to settle a long standing accounts payable by the Company. As previously announced on November 15, 2013, the Company entered into a consultancy agreement (the "Consulting Agreement") to assist AXMIN with securing its ownership of licenses in the Central African Republic. Under this Consulting Agreement the consultant was entitled to remuneration upon the successful completion of its services. The total outstanding payments due under this Consulting Agreement amount to US$2 million and were duly recorded in the Company's accounts payable. The Company has benefited from the renewal of its respective licenses and permits and is in good standing with the Government of the Central African Republic. After extended negotiations as referenced in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company has agreed to a settlement of this accounts payable by making a payment of US$1.2 million and the issuance of 3.46 million shares at a price of C$0.30 per share (the "Settlement Agreement"). The transaction relating to the Settlement Agreement was unanimously approved by the Board of AXMIN, and has also received conditional approval from the TSX Venture Exchange; closing of the transaction will occur immediately following final approval from the TSX Venture Exchange. The shares issued pursuant to the above-referenced Settlement Agreement will be subject to transfer restrictions under a two (2) year lock-up agreement, during which time the shares may not be sold. The transfer restrictions under the lock-up agreement will expire two (2) years plus one day from the date of grant. AXMIN Chairman Lucy Yan said, "The Company appreciates the assistance and value provided during this difficult period of force majeure. AXMIN also appreciates the patience provided in settling this long outstanding invoice and the confidence expressed in our Company by the acceptance of shares in lieu of a cash payment. The resulting improvement of AXMIN's balance sheet is very good news for our Company and we look forward to getting back on site in the Central African Republic as soon as possible." About AXMIN AXMIN is a Canadian exploration and development company with a strong focus on the African continent. AXMIN continues to closely monitor the political situation at its Feasibility Stage Passendro Gold Project in the Central African Republic. For more information regarding AXMIN visit our website at www.axmininc.com. For additional information, please contact AXMIN Inc.: Lucy Yan Chairman and CEO This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. AXMIN Inc. General Enquiries Jin Kuang Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary j.kuang@axmininc.com 604-339-7688 Investor Relations This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.axmininc.com There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from AXMIN's expectations have been disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in AXMIN's documents filed from time-to-time with the TSX Venture Exchange and other regulatory authorities. AXMIN disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether resulting from new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. 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. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Foran Mining Corporation (TSX.V: FOM) (Foran or the Company) is pleased to announce a summary of results from three additional holes from the summer resource definition drill program at its 100% owned McIlvenna Bay copper-zinc deposit (McIlvenna Bay or the Deposit) in Saskatchewan. Highlights: Hole MB-18-216 intersected three contiguous zones of copper-rich sulphide mineralization with a combined core length of 29.45 metres (m) grading 2.76% copper equivalent. This intersection consists of both massive to semi-massive sulphides and stockwork styles of mineralization, including: 1.93% Cu, 0.12% Zn, 13.29 grams per tonne (g/t) Ag, 0.44 g/t Au or 2.19% copper equivalent (CuEq) over 7.52m from an upper stockwork zone, from an upper stockwork zone, 2.39% Cu, 1.10% Zn, 16.59 g/t Ag, 1.09 g/t Au or 3.24% CuEq over 8.57m from the UWZ, and from the UWZ, and 2.15% Cu, 0.50% Zn, 15.87 g/t Ag, 1.06 g/t Au or 2.77% CuEq over 13.36m from the CSZ. Table 1: Significant drill intercepts from the summer drill program1: Hole Zone From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Zn (%) CuEq2 ZnEq2 % % MB-18-216 Lens 3 835.12 836.87 1.75 0.20 20.57 0.78 6.72 842.23 849.75 7.52 0.44 13.29 1.93 0.12 2.19 UWZ 849.75 858.32 8.57 1.09 16.59 2.39 1.10 3.24 8.91 CSZ 858.32 871.68 13.36 1.06 15.87 2.15 0.50 2.77 877.82 882.00 4.18 0.13 8.96 1.21 0.71 1.29 MB-18-218 UWZ 643.21 648.82 5.61 0.48 21.16 1.66 5.79 4.00 10.98 CSZ 648.82 658.27 9.45 0.26 10.18 1.44 0.25 1.59 MB-18-218w1 UWZ 638.33 646.82 8.49 0.38 22.01 0.75 3.37 2.21 6.07 CSZ 646.82 656.00 9.18 0.50 7.91 1.53 0.26 1.81 1 True thickness is estimated to be approximately 80-85% of drill indicated. Hole MB-18-216 was drilled at an off-section azimuth for geotechnical purposes and report true thicknesses that are estimated at 60-70% of drilled length. 2 CuEq and zinc equivalent (ZnEq) calculated using the following metal prices: US$2.80/lb Cu; US$1.19/lb Zn; US$1,204/oz Au; US$14.83/oz Ag and includes provisions for metallurgical recoveries. Patrick Soares, President & CEO of Foran commented, The three holes included in this release all targeted the copper and zinc-rich Upper West Zone massive sulphide lens and underlying copper stockwork zone. Drilling continues to intersect significant grades and widths of mineralization as we infill drill the deposit. Of particular interest is the thick sequence of high-grade copper intersected in MB-18-216. This hole was drilled in the deeper part of the deposit in an area where a large, high conductance plate was modelled from a program of borehole EM surveying completed this spring. The thick interval of sulphide mineralization encountered speaks to the expansion potential that still exists as we continue to explore McIlvenna Bay. Technical Information This release provides the results of an additional three of the 36 drill holes completed during the 2018 summer drill program at McIlvenna Bay, which ran from July 1 to September 24, 2018. This phase of drilling continued the infill and expansion drilling on the Deposit that was initiated during the winter program, targeting areas of the Deposit where drill holes can be collared during summer conditions. See the drill plan map in Figure 1 and the long section in Figure 2. A total of 25,343m of drilling in 64 holes was completed on the Deposit during 2018, utilizing four drills for the bulk of the program, which focused on resource definition drilling, the collection of metallurgical samples and gathering further geotechnical and hydrogeological data. The Deposit consists of several distinct zones of VMS mineralization, including massive to semi-massive sulphide in Zone 2, the Upper West Zone (UWZ) and Lens 3, and stockwork-style sulphide mineralization in the underlying Copper Stockwork Zone (CSZ). These latest holes targeted the UWZ and underlying CSZ of the Deposit at depths of between approximately 550 and 800m below surface. Detailed results from these holes are provided in Table 1 above. Hole MB-18-216 was drilled at an off-section angle from high ground to intersect inferred resources in the sparsely drilled deeper part of the Deposit. The hole also targeted the center of a large highly conductive plate that was modelled following a program of borehole EM surveying completed after the winter program. The hole successfully intersected a thick sequence of both massive and stockwork style copper-rich sulphide mineralization at a vertical depth of approximately 800m below surface, which occurs over a contiguous 29.45m core interval grading a combined 2.16% Cu and 0.91 g/t Au or 2.75% CuEq. This result appears to indicate that the high conductance response generated from the borehole EM survey represents a zone of significant copper+/-zinc mineralization in the deeper part of the Deposit, which remains open for expansion. This area will be a priority target area for further exploration drilling as Foran continues to work on expanding the known resources. Hole MB-18-218 targeted the central part of the Deposit, in the area of the thickest dip extent of the UWZ zone (Figure 2), to convert the inferred resources in that area into indicated categories. This hole intersected a 5.61m thick portion of the copper and zinc-rich massive sulphide grading 5.79% Zn and 1.66% Cu which was directly underlain by a 9.45m interval of the CSZ grading 1.44% Cu. MB-18-218w1 was drilled as a wedge off the parent hole to provide additional sample material for metallurgical studies. This hole intersected a thicker but lower grade zone of massive sulphide grading 3.37% Zn and 0.75% Cu over 8.48m which was directly underlain by 9.18m of CSZ grading 1.53% Cu. These results should successfully expand the indicated resources in this sector of the Deposit. The summer drill program was completed on September 24, 2018, encompassing 12,100m of drilling in 36 holes, including 14 wedge cuts drilled to collect additional material for metallurgical samples (six of these were drilled from historic holes which were re-entered to allow special representation for metallurgical purposes). Three short holes were also drilled to collect geotechnical information in the area of the proposed portal site and three holes were drilled to allow the installation of piezometers elsewhere in the deposit area as part of a larger hydrogeological testing program to characterize local ground water flow. Hydrogeological studies during the summer program also included seepage testing in nearby Hanson Lake and profile tracer testing in a number of drill holes to better quantify natural groundwater flow rates in the area to be included in ongoing feasibility level studies. Figure 1. McIlvenna Bay Drill Plan Figure 2. McIlvenna Bay Long Section Quality Assurance and Quality Control Drilling was completed using NQ size diamond drill core and core was logged by employees of the Company. During the logging process, mineralized intersections were marked for sampling and given unique sample numbers. Sampled intervals were sawn in half using a diamond blade saw. One half of the sawn core was placed in a plastic bag with the sample tag and sealed, while the second half was returned to the core box for storage on site. Sample assays are being performed by TSL Laboratories Ltd. (TSL) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. TSL is a CAN-P-1579, CAN-P-4E (ISO/IEC 17025:2005) accredited laboratory and independent of Foran. Analysis for Ag, Cu, Pb and Zn is performed using atomic absorption spectrometry (AA) after multi-acid digestion. Au analysis is completed by fire assay with AA finish. Any samples which return results greater than 1.0 g/t Au are re-run using gravimetric finish. A complete suite of QA/QC reference materials (standards, blanks and pulp duplicates) are included in each batch of samples processed by the laboratory. The results of the assaying of the QA/QC material included in each batch are tracked to ensure the integrity of the assay data. About Foran Mining Foran is a copper-zinc exploration and development company with projects located along the Flin Flon Greenstone Belt. The McIlvenna Bay Project, Forans flagship asset located within the Hanson Lake District, sits just 65 kilometres from Flin Flon, Manitoba and is part of the world class Flin Flon Greenstone belt that extends from Snow Lake, Manitoba, through Flin Flon to Forans ground in eastern Saskatchewan, a distance of over 225 kilometres. McIlvenna Bay is the largest undeveloped Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) deposit in the region. This world class metallogenic belt is host to 29 past and present producing mines, including Hudbay Minerals Inc.s 777 and Lalor operations. The Company is currently conducting a resource definition and infill drilling program in preparation for producing a feasibility study on the McIlvenna Bay deposit. On December 4, 2017, Foran announced the execution of a Technical Services Agreement with Glencore Canada Corporation (Glencore). Glencore has agreed to provide technical expertise and advice in order to advance the McIlvenna Bay deposit to feasibility in exchange for an off-take agreement on the metals and minerals produced from the deposit. On November 12, 2014, Foran announced a positive preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for McIlvenna Bay, with an estimated pre-tax NPV7% of $382M ($263M after-tax) & 22% IRR (19% after-tax) at a Zinc price of US$1.06/lb. Spot Zinc price today is US$1.40/lb. See below and Forans news releases from November 12 and December 22, 2014 for important disclosures with respect to the McIlvenna Bay PEA. The PEA is considered preliminary in nature and includes mineral resources, including inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves have not yet demonstrated economic viability. Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to mineral resources, it cannot be assumed that all or any part of a mineral resource will be upgraded to mineral reserves. Therefore, there is no certainty that the results concluded in the PEA will be realized. Roger March, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration for Foran and a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this release. Foran trades on the TSX.V under the symbol FOM. For additional information, please contact Foran Mining Corporation: Patrick Soares President & CEO 904 409 Granville Street Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C 1T2 Phone: +1 604-488-0008 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Forward Looking Statements This news release contains 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 includes, but is not limited to, Forans objectives, goals or future plans, statements regarding the Technical Services Agreement and, if a feasibility study will suggest an economically viable project, estimation of mineral resources, exploration results, and potential mineralization. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, work performed under the Technical Services Agreement related to preparation of a feasibility study, the failure of such study to suggest an economically viable project, failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and those risks set out in Forans public documents filed on SEDAR. Although Foran 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. Foran 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. On September 15, 2016, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) published a policy paper in which she announced her intention to prosecute serious crimes of environmental destruction. This document says her office will focus particularly on crimes that are committed by means of, or that result in, inter alia, the destruction of the environment, the illegal exploitation of natural resources or the illegal dispossession of land. The same document says that the Office of the Prosecutor will also seek to cooperate and provide assistance to States, upon request, with respect to conduct which constitutes a serious crime under national law, such as the illegal exploitation of natural resources, arms trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism, financial crimes, land grabbing or the destruction of the environment. Two years have gone by since that declaration of intent. Issues linked to environmental destruction, global warming and their impact on the future of humanity have never been so much a focus of public concern. The effects of stressed ecosystems, ecological disasters caused by man and the profound, irreversible imbalances they cause can no longer be contested, and their likely causes can be identified with increasing precision. There are more and more constitutional, legislative and judicial initiatives and responses. New judicial horizons are opening, pointing to raised awareness. A historic decision Some of these initiatives put aside the human-focused vision to focus on protection of common wealth and the living planet, like States whose Constitutions or legislation now consider nature as a subject in law. In 2008, for example, Ecuador put Nature, or Pachamama, into its Constitution. In 2010 Bolivia introduced a law on Mother Earth. New Zealand has recognized as a legal entity the Whanganui river, now considered a living entity. Meanwhile in the United States, an association filed a complaint in September 2017 with the state of Colorado to have the river of the same name recognized as a judicial entity. Others use adversary law to solicit a modern interpretation of the rights and obligations of States, to force those in power to include climate considerations in their policies. The October 9 judgment by a Dutch court is part of this movement. In 2015, the organisation Urgenda, which fights for rapid energy transition, successfully reminded the judges that the Dutch States duty of care, combined with its international obligations, meant it must take the necessary measures to cut by 2020 CO2 emissions produced in The Netherlands by 25 % compared with the levels of 1990. The Dutch government appealed this historic decision handed down by the trial chamber judges. The appeals court decision was awaited with hope, anxiety and impatience by many activists throughout the world. The decision of the appeals court in The Hague is a historic turning point for at least two reasons. First, it deems that the States inaction harms the right to life and to private and family life of the countrys citizens, rights that are internationally protected. Second, it validates the action taken by an NGO and 886 citizens, thus opening the door for other initiatives from civil society, which is already preoccupied by these issues. Private interests and the future of humanity In Colombia, 25 children and adolescents, supported by the Dejusticia association, went to the Supreme Court in early 2018 to order the State to protect Colombias Amazonian forest from deforestation. The Supreme Court accepted their request and in April ordered the Colombian government to present an urgent plan of action ensuring the right to a healthy environment, which is enshrined by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in a November 15, 2017 consultative opinion. Unfortunately these national initiatives that aim to make States take their environmental responsibilities seriously do not always carry weight against the enormous power of multinational companies. Chevron, for example, recently won a case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague overturning a decision of Ecuadors judicial authorities which had ordered the American oil company to pay 9.5 billion dollars compensation for ecological damage in the Amazonian region. Ecuador is considering a possible appeal against this decision, made public on September 7, 2018. Whatever the final outcome, the message from that decision is clear: the interests of big private business are still considered more important than the general interest, the future of humanity and the planet. It is becoming obvious that any local environmental destruction has serious consequences for the whole planet. The massive deforestation of the Amazonian forest, the Congo basin or in Indonesia which according to some sources is responsible for 25% of annual greenhouse gas emissions, almost the same as the US is a sad illustration of this fact. In addition to its impact on global warming, the disappearance of forests destroys the life of indigenous people and the biodiversity it houses. Without the barrier of the forest, wind and water erosion have free reign, which most often leads to rapid desertification and soil degradation. At the same time greenhouse gases, which are responsible for the current global warming, are accelerating the melt of polar icecaps and glaciers throughout the world, including in the Himalayas, the Andes and the Alps. So it is vital that we concern ourselves with international protection of the environment as an issue for the whole of humanity, on which everyones peace and security depends. ICC: Hope against hope In this context, can international criminal law help save the environment? That is the idea that the ICC Prosecutor seems to have wanted to convey in her 2016 policy document, which raised a wave of hope in the environmental protection community. Among the existing international mechanisms the ICC is indeed one of the few international jurisdictions to which non-state actors can have recourse through the Office of the Prosecutor. Its mandate allows it to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression. However, its Statute does not contain any definition of environmental crimes in peace time. Its Article 8 indeed refers to environmental crimes, but only in the context of a conflict and with narrowly defined conditions. This absence of clear incrimination is no doubt one of the reasons why the Prosecutors declaration of intent has had no follow-up. In the last two years, there has been no public investigation, no indictment for crimes against the environment, and the wave of hope raised by the policy document has dissipated. The initial optimism was not, however, without reason. In July 2010, for example, Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir was indicted for poisoning wells and water pumps in towns and villages of Darfur. This attack on the environment, categorized by the Prosecutor as forcible submission to living conditions that would lead to physical destruction, was included in one of the genocide charges in the arrest warrant against the Sudanese president. At least one of the complaints (called communications) to the office of the ICC Prosecutor concerns destruction of the environment. In 2014, the Global Diligence consultancy asked the Prosecutor to investigate forced transfers of populations in Cambodia since July 2002. According to this communication, mass forced displacements of people are part of a widespread, systematic policy of land-grabbing by the ruling elite for purposes of industrial exploitation. This policy has resulted in many cases in destruction of the environment as well as land previously held and worked by civilian populations. Global Diligence says the perpetrators could be subject to prosecution for crimes against humanity, forced displacement, arbitrary imprisonment, persecution and other inhuman acts. Calling brave, creative lawyers Given the greed of some commercial companies for mining, oil and other exploitation, it would be surprising if the Cambodian case were unique. It is public knowledge that mining interests in the Democratic Republic of Congo have fueled conflicts in the region. Massive deforestation is one of the consequences of the violence there. This destruction of the tropical forest is also continuing relentlessly and without much resistance in Brazil, with the construction of the Belo Monte dam for example, or in Indonesia for purposes of intensive agriculture. The short, medium and long term consequences for people living there and for the whole of humanity can be dire, as we have said. However, it seems that the Cambodia communication filed four years ago is still under preliminary consideration, even though the classic crimes against humanity it speaks of clearly fall under the ICCs jurisdiction. What can the ICC do about environmental crimes that are not clearly defined as such in the Statute of Rome? What crimes defined in its Statute could be used to combat this scourge? Whilst the answers to these questions clearly depend on the individual situations, the groups targeted and the alleged acts, they also depend on the creativity of lawyers dealing with these issues and the will of the Prosecutor. At the moment, none of the acts contributing significantly to global warming are defined as crimes in the Statute of Rome. Now that their impact on the future of humanity can no longer be contested, some jurists are urging a modification of the Statute to include a crime of ecocide. Despite the complexity of the legal issues and political stakes, let us hope they manage to convince the ICC Assembly of States Parties. In the meantime, if it is not already too late, it is to national courts like in The Netherlands that we must turn for the law to come to the environments rescue. Police in Peru have arrested Keiko Fujimori, the opposition leader and daughter of disgraced ex-president Alberto Fujimori, for alleged money laundering involving Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht, her lawyer said Wednesday. The 43-year-old was arrested on the orders of prosecutors investigating suspect contributions to her election campaign, her lawyer Giuliana Loza said. The leader of Popular Force, the biggest party in Congress, Fujimori was arrested after giving evidence at the public prosecutors office to a judge investigating alleged party funding from Odebrecht. She was placed in preventive detention for 10 days, said Loza, who described the arrest as an outrage and an abuse. A further 19 people have been arrested in the case linked to contributions to Popular Force during Keiko Fujimoris 2011 presidential campaign. She has placed herself at the disposal of the prosecutors office, said Loza. Her arrest comes a week after her 80-year-old fathers presidential pardon for crimes against humanity was revoked by a top court. Prosecutors have since June been investigating allegations that three former presidents took bribes disguised as campaign funds from Odebrecht, which is at the center of political scandals across Latin America. Former presidents Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, Alan Garcia and Alejandro Toledo all took undeclared campaign contributions in exchange for pledges to have the Brazilian construction giant win local tenders, prosecutors said. Kuczynski narrowly beat Keiko Fujimori to the presidency in 2016. A Seoul court on Thursday posthumously exonerated a high-ranking North Korean defector executed nearly 50 years ago for spying, saying he had been convicted on trumped-up charges under the Souths then military regime. Lee Soo-keun a former vice head of the Norths state-run KCNA news agency made headlines in Seoul in 1967 when he made a dramatic escape through the heavily-fortified border. While covering an event at the border truce village of Panmunjom, Lee hopped onto a United Nations forces vehicle in the area to defect. Lee was hailed as a hero in the South where he soon married a South Korean woman and was hired by Seouls spy agency, which served then-dictator Park Chung-hee. But Lee was constantly bullied at work and accused of being a double agent, prompting the disillusioned defector to try to escape again just two years later, to Cambodia via South Vietnam. He was arrested at an airport in Saigon by Seouls spy agents and put on a trial in Seoul for spying under the guise of a defector. Lee was convicted in 1969 and executed months later, aged 45. For decades his case was widely used in anti-Communist propaganda in the South which technically remains at war with the North after the 1950-53 Korean War ended only with an armistice, rather than a peace treaty. The Seoul Central District Court reopened the case last year, a decade after the state Truth and Reconciliation Commission said that Lee had been forced to confess after being illegally detained and tortured. He was labelled by the government as a spy without being able to exercise his rights and rights to defend himself in court, and had his life taken away through execution, the court said. It added: Now is time for the nation to seek forgiveness from him and his family for the wrongdoings committed under the past authoritarian regime. Daniel SheaTonight, T.I. is celebrating the release of his new album, Dime Trap, by bringing ABC's Nightline to Atlanta. TIP will take ABC's Dan Harris through his hometown, riding BMX bikes as they visit places from his childhood. The rapper/actor will also give viewers a tour of his pop-up Trap Museum, which opened September 30 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of his second solo album, Trap Muzik. The museum includes artwork inspired by a variety of artists, including 21 Savage, Rick Ross, Future, Gucci Mane, and the late Shawty Lo. Nightline airs 12:35 a.m. EST/11:35 p.m. CST, on ABC. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Three high schools in Hamilton County Schools are in the top 30 best high schools in the state in the Niche ratings of 2019 Best Schools in America. The Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts is ranked in the top 20 public high schools in Tennessee coming in at 20 in the Niche review. Right behind CCA is the Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences at 21, and Signal Mountain Middle/High School at 27. The high school rankings were developed comparing the 347 public high schools in Tennessee. Niche is a website that ranks schools, companies, and neighborhoods across the United States. Search the Niche website for the top picks by state or county to get more specific results. Niche gives letter grades based on academics, food, administration, college prep offerings, health and safety, clubs and activities, and more. Niche calculates the grades by gathering data and reviews, analysis, and considering user insights. The three schools ranked in the top 30, CCA, CSAS, and Signal Mountain Middle/High School all received A grades. This score came from their outstanding teachers, college prep offerings, diversity, health and safety, and academics. Some of the other top public schools in Hamilton County received B+ grades included STEM School Chattanooga, the Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts, and Westview Elementary. Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts was also rated the #6 Magnet School in the state and the #18 Best College Prep High School in Tennessee. CSAS and Lookout Mountain Elementary School ranked as schools with some of the best teachers. STEM School Chattanooga also made the list of the top five high schools in the Chattanooga area. 130 Shares Share An excerpt from Prescription for Bankruptcy: A doctors perspective on Americas failing health care system and how we can fix it. Many years ago, while I was involved in developing the pre-hospital emergency medical care system in Massachusetts, I went with a group to meet with the then-president of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, John Larkin Thompson. We were ushered into a magnificent office, larger than any I had seen in the state offices or hospitals where I worked. I was taken aback to find that this was not Mr. Thompsons office, but that of his secretary! We were soon shown into the office of the Great Man himself, and one could barely see him at the far end of his office. Plush carpet made our approach to his desk soundless, and the furnishings would not have been out of place in the Presidential Suite at the Ritz. I realized, of course, that all of this was paid for by our health insurance premiums. I also realized that this magnificent suite of offices benefitted only its occupants. It certainly added no value for its subscribers. The idea behind insurance is in essence a simple one: share risk among many people so that an illness or accident does not ruin any one person or family. The original health insurance cooperatives functioned in this way and were quite affordable. Insurance per se shares the risk but adds no value and should not carry a large overhead of its own but in the United States it clearly does. Current American health insurance companies have dramatically changed from their original intent. Many are investor-owned and have profit rather than public service as their driving force. Until the passage of the Affordable Care Act, millions of Americans were denied health insurance coverage because of pre-existing conditions, which insurers applied very broadly at times. In some cases, insurers refused to insure very tall people, or people with a complicated family medical history or a hazardous occupation. Health insurers are notorious for trying to cherry pick healthier people to enroll. I have noticed, as Medicare Advantage plans send me fliers, that a commonly touted benefit is discounted gym memberships. This is not of great interest to frail elders with multiple diseases, but it is a draw for the healthy elders the plans want to enroll. Insurance representatives are known to recruit seniors at square dances and other spots where healthy, active potential enrollees gather. I heard of a plan that had its enrollment center on the third floor of a building with no elevator. Only those who can climb two flights of stairs need apply! The highest paid individuals in the current American health care system are the CEOs of our big health insurers. Six health insurance companies (Centene, Humana, Aetna, United Health, Anthem, and Cigna) paid their CEOs more than $15 million in 2016. Smaller insurers pay their CEOs less, but the average insurance company CEO last year earned $584,000, far outstripping the average income of any other group working in the health care field. While the direct cost attributed to health insurance companies is about 12 percent, the total costs attributed to our insurance system are more than double this figure. Administrative costs (i.e., billing and collection, claims review, prior authorization for tests and treatments, etc.) make up approximately 25 percent of the U.S. health care bill, vastly higher than in any other country. The US has legions of people employed in the health care sector who add nothing of value to patients: medical coders, billing clerks, claims adjustors, drug purchasing agents, medical device brokers, etc. Duke University Hospital, with 900 beds, employs 1,500 billing clerks. The Montreal General Hospital, a teaching hospital of comparable size, employs fewer than 10. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in February 2018 calculated that the cost to the doctor or hospital of billing and insurance-related activities ranged from $20.49 for a primary care visit (which is 15 percent of the total charge) to $215.10 for an inpatient surgical admission. While other industries typically employ 100 full-time-equivalents to collect $1 billion in goods or services, health care employs 770 full-time-equivalents to collect every $1 billion in physician services. The process of moving money from payers to hospitals and doctors consumes an estimated $50 billion annually. In addition to collecting premiums and paying for charges, much of what insurance companies do, beyond managing their investment portfolios, is make work that does not help patients. Every doctor gets reams of faxes and emails pointing out things they already know about their patients, and often must spend time responding to these communications, an activity that adds to physician burn-out and rarely if ever helps their patients. Insurance companies have different requirements for submitting and processing claims, making it impossible for individual practices or hospitals to submit their bills efficiently. Insurers have different formularies that list which medicines they will pay for with lower patient co-pays, or even pay for at all. The differing formularies mean that doctors must choose between spending time up front figuring out which of several equivalent drugs they can prescribe for a patient, or spending time later dealing with phone calls from the pharmacy. The typical pharmacy call tells you that the medicine you prescribed will cost your patient $50 per month, while a nearly identical one will cost $25 per month. (Not to mention that formularies often change with the calendar, so that a preferred drug in December becomes a high co-pay drug in January and the process starts all over!) Insurance companies are very skilled at erecting barriers to care, including pre-authorizations and denials of needed care, which require doctors and hospitals to spend time and money on paperwork that adds enormously to doctors stress, but does not improve anyones health. Very telling, and not a surprise to anyone on the front lines of care, was the recent news item about an Aetna medical director who admitted under oath that he rarely if ever reviewed patients medical records before denying coverage of care. I have sat in my office and listened while my secretary answered numerous, pointless questions asked by a clerk with no medical background who is simply going down a lengthy and largely irrelevant checklist. A study found that 12.6 percent of physicians charges are initially denied, but that 81 percent of these are later paid but at the cost of enormous amounts of time spent by doctors and practice staff. An AMA survey in 2018 of 1,000 physicians found that 92 percent felt that prior authorization programs delay access to care, with 78 percent saying that prior authorization causes some patients to abandon recommended tests or treatments. Maddeningly, 30 percent said they had waited three or more days to get a decision from the insurance company. If these programs truly focused only on preventing unneeded tests, one could argue their benefit; but my experience is that expensive testing, whether indicated or not, is routinely denied. In all my years in practice, I almost never had a test or procedure that I strongly felt the patient needed refused in the end, but I often came close to throwing the telephone at the wall as I navigated the insurance bureaucracy to get approval. The underlying theory seems to be that if the process is made onerous enough, some physicians will give up trying and the insurance company will save money. Boston psychiatrist Elissa Ely had an op-ed piece in the Boston Globe that touched a nerve for most practitioners. She wanted to prescribe a drug for one of her patients that was off-label, meaning it was not FDA-approved for the purpose she intended to use it for, but had ample data showing it worked. The out-of-pocket cost for this generic drug would have been $23 per month, too much for her indigent patient to afford. Dr. Ely spent many days and many phone calls navigating the insurance maze, and finally, miracle of miracles, was told the medical director (to whom she had not been allowed to speak) had approved its coverage. Since this was an over-ride, the patients co-pay for the medication would be $90 per month! Edward Hoffer is an internal medicine physician and author of Prescription for Bankruptcy: A doctors perspective on Americas failing health care system and how we can fix it. Image credit: Shutterstock.com Students from Presentation Secondary School, Loughboy and Castlecomer Community School, Castlecomer have taken part in the annual Bin It! campaign, which got under way this week. The campaign seeks to educate and raise awareness of issues surrounding litter and correct litter disposal amongst students. Bin It! features an actor-led workshop which visits secondary schools across participating local authority areas. The workshop, which is aimed at first and second year students, incorporates a theatre-in-education session which encourages students to dispose of gum litter, and litter more generally, in a responsible manner. Bin It! forms an integral part of the Gum Litter Taskforce (GLT) gum litter education campaign which seeks to encourage correct gum disposal. Established in 2006, the Gum Litter Taskforce includes members of the chewing gum industry, represented by Mars/Wrigley Ireland, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Food Drink Ireland, local authority representatives and civic society. This is the 12th year the Bin it! campaign has toured across the country, with 463 schools visited and a total of 51,101 students having taken part since the campaign first began in 2006. The workshop tour is supported by a website www.biniteducation.com which includes games and quizzes for students, lesson plans, teachers notes, posters and activity cards to help integrate the theme of responsible litter disposal into the curriculum. The 2019 Bin it! tour will visit 26 local authority areas over a six week period from 02nd October until 17th November 2018. The 26 participating authorities are: Dublin City Council, Limerick City and County Council, Cork City Council, Fingal County Council, South Dublin County Council, Galway County Council, Leitrim County Council, Donegal County Council, Roscommon County Council, Clare County Council, Westmeath County Council, Cork County Council, Kerry County Council, Wexford County Council, Cavan County Council, Wicklow County Council, Tipperary County Council, Louth County Council, Longford County Council, Kildare County Council, Sligo County Council, Dun LaoghaireRathdown County Council, Monaghan County Council, Galway City Council and Waterford County Council. The Herald reports: Sitting in a car in the dead of night, a woman had a gun put to her head. When she couldnt give David Aaron Stephenson the information he wanted, he fired the pistol at the windscreen. Then back at her head. Just five months out of jail after being sentenced to a near three-year jail term, 31-year-old Stephenson was after vengeance on those who testified against him and he wanted the victim to tell him where they lived. He has been offending for a long time. At age 18 he assaulted a taxi driver dropping off three children. Stephenson, a Filthy Few gang member who has HEIL tattooed across his face, was in the High Court at Hamilton today when he was sentenced to six years and five months prison on a raft of charges including kidnapping, indecent assault, assaulting a female, unlawful possession of a firearm and several methamphetamine charges. With HEIL tattooed on his face I am sure he will get a job once released! Justice Katz also issued a second strike warning for the kidnapping and indecent assault charges which are qualifying violence offences. That means no parole. It means he must serve all 77 months, not be eligible for parole after 26 months. And beyond doubt he will go on and get a third strike and then be locked away for a long time. If three strikes had been in place earlier this would be at least his third strike and instead of six years five months he would be serving 14 years without parole which would mean 14 years where the community is safe from him. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Tom Switzer at CIS wrote: One of the basic elements of a genuinely liberal society is free speech. That includes the right for people to advance views others disagree with even views that many might find unpalatable. Alas, many contemporary Western democracies are awash in movements mainly on the left spectrum of opinion that seek to shut down debate, suppress opposing views or insist that some groups are more deserving of a platform than others. This is especially evident across universities in the US and Britain, where invited scholars have been shouted down by angry mobs clearly unable to mount an intellectual challenge. According to CIS senior fellow Emeritus Professor Steven Schwartz, a Knight Foundation poll of 3,000 American students last year found 37% believed it was acceptable to shout down speakers and 10% thought using violence against speakers was sometimes acceptable. At this stage, and notwithstanding the recent attacks on Bettina Arndt, the attempt to stigmatise opponents into silence has failed to attract widespread support on Australian campuses. How long, though, will our universities remain immune to these illiberal trends? There are some disturbing signs, and in a series of articles in September we recommended how the governors of the universities could protect intellectual freedom with a Chicago University-style charter. See Prof Schwartzs piece for The Australian, Dr Jeremy Sammuts piece that ran across News Corp and my own piece in the Fairfax press. According to Prof Schwartz a former university vice chancellor and a recent recipient of the CIS McGregor fellowship Australian universities would avoid the erosion of their public standing and advance liberty by adopting five rules: Affirm the value of free speech. Forbid administrators from dis-inviting speakers. Discipline students or staff who try to silence speakers. Remain institutionally neutral on matters of public policy. Levy security charges on all speakers, not just those on one side of an issue. In an upcoming Policy Paper, Jeremy will have more to say about university freedom charters. Lets hope Canberra takes note. The Herald reports: Asia Bibi has spent almost a decade in prison. The Christian woman was sentenced to death in Pakistan for insulting the Prophet Muhammad during an argument with a group of field workers. Aasiya Noreen Asia Bibi is a mother-of-five from Ittan Wali, a small rural village in central Pakistan. In her biography, Blasphemy: A Memoir, Bibi describes the moment that would radically alter her life forever. On June 14, 2009, she set out to the fields near her house to take part in a berry-picking harvest, for which she would be paid 250 Pakistani rupees for a days work the equivalent of $3. She described a climate of open hostility towards her from the women she worked with, because she was part of the countrys Christian minority, which makes up less than 2 per cent of Pakistan. Around midday, dehydrated and sweltering in the sun, Bibi walked to the nearby well to have a drink of water. But after she refilled the bucket a second time, a woman screamed: Dont drink that water, its haram! According to Bibis account, the shouter then turned to the dozen other women working in the fields and said: Listen, all of you, this Christian has dirtied the water in the well by drinking from our cup and dipping it back several times. Now the water is unclean and we cant drink it! Because of her! The argument intensified, with the women calling on Bibi to convert and redeem herself. It was one sentence she fired back with that would seal her fate: What did your Prophet Mohammed ever do to save mankind? After this, Bibi said the women started screaming, spitting at her and physically assaulting her. She ran home in a fright. On Nov. 6, voters in Walker County, Ga. will vote on a referendum to determine if the county will move to a five person board of commissioners or stay with a sole commissioner form of government. The referendum is the result of several years of debate and discussion within the county. In 2012, Dr. Paul Shaw, in his attempt to unseat then-Sole Commissioner Bebe Heiskell, made establishing a board of commissioners a priority of candidacy. In that race, Dr. Shaw lost by a few hundred votes but this issue continued to percolate throughout Walker County for the next several years in the Republican Party and the Northwest Georgia Tea Party. In 2015, however, actions were taken to elevate this issue. In October of 2015, the County Committee of the Walker County Republican Party voted unanimously to put a straw question on the primary ballot a straw non-binding question to ask Walker County voters if the wanted a board of commissioner or stay with a sole commissioner form of government. In May 2016, over 75 percent of the people voting in the primary stated they wanted a board of commissioners for Walker County. From there, the Walker County Republican Party went to work. In October 2015, I was asked to chair a group to look at what type of board of commissioners would work best for Walker County. I selected party members from various communities in Walker County and we began work. Over the next two and a half months the group did research and conducted meetings including one with representatives of Dade County government because the group felt Dade County's form of commissioner with four part-time commissioners and a full time executive or chairman would work for Walker County. In late December 2016, our work culminated in a report that I composed with recommendations that was submitted to Walker County's legislative delegation. In January, 2017, Rep. Steve Tarvin and Senator Jeff Mullis began work on a Local Act for Walker County which would establish a referendum for November 2018, giving the citizens of Walker County the right to officially decide on a form of government for Walker County's future. After a great deal of work by our legislative delegation and the Office of Apportionment of the Georgia General Assembly, a Local Act was passed complete with maps for the proposed commission districts. In August 2018, the County Committee of the Walker County Republican Party unanimously passed a resolution backing the referendum. The question has been asked as to why the Walker County Republican Party would throw its weight behind this referendum. The reasons are several. First, in the United States, there are over 3,000 counties and parishes. Of those, only seven are sole commissioner forms of government and all reside in Georgia. When the United States was established, our founders wanted divided government so as to not give to much power to one person or group. We feel the sole commissioner form of government gives too much power to one person. And it's difficult for one person to know all the needs of county that covers 465 square miles. Second, a board of commissioners will have checks and balances not found in the sole commissioner form of government. For example, in the proposed form of government the chairman could only spend $25,000 without full commission approval. Third, having four district commissioners will allow communities in the county to have someone who can represent that community's interests with county government while also working for the entire county's good as well. District commissioners will come from different walks of life and offer varied perspectives when looking at issues as opposed to just one sole commissioner. At the end of the day, we feel the voters of Walker County will be better served by voting yes for a board of commissioners to move Walker County to a better future. Mike Cameron Workers plan strike over setup of R&D unit By Nam Hyun-woo GM Korea's bid to normalize operations is facing rough waters, with its union workers planning to go on strike against the management's decision to set up a new corporate body for research and development. According to GM Korea's labor union Wednesday, it will hold a two-day vote among its members on Oct. 15 and 16 over going on strike to protest the management's plan for the new body. Despite the management's explanation that the new entity aims to develop Korea as a regional R&D base, the union has been claiming the plan is "a preliminary attempt to sell off the Korean unit by splitting the firm into manufacturing and research divisions and withdraw from the country." The union said it has "no option but to launch a labor dispute" because it asked "five times" for the management to discuss the plan, but the management didn't reply. The union has been calling for the management to sign an agreement with the workers over the sustainable future of GM Korea. On Oct. 4, GM Korea held a board meeting and agreed to put the spinoff plan to a vote in an Oct. 19 shareholder meeting. However, GM Korea's second-largest shareholder, the state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB), has also applied an injunction to a local court prohibiting GM Korea's new body because the plan seemed to be containing risks. As players square off, voices are growing that the carmaker should address internal conflicts promptly to rule out suspicions it is planning to withdraw from the country after taking aid from KDB. According to Rep. Jung You-sub of the Liberty Korea Party (LKP), GM Korea did not comply with an MOU with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, stating it will consult with the ministry for setting up the new corporate body. According to the MOU, which GM Korea signed in May in return for receiving public aid from KDB, the carmaker is required to set up a consultation group with the ministry on "making efforts to improve its R&D capabilities." However, the group was not established at all and the company is unilaterally carrying out the plan without talking over it with the ministry, the lawmaker said. In a National Assembly audit on Wednesday, lawmakers requested GM Korea CEO Kaher Kazem appear for a hearing, but the CEO did not show up. GM Korea has proclaimed its normalization months after its February announcement on the closure of its plant in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, because of financial problem, asking for government aid to address that. As KDB, GM headquarters, GM Korea and its labor union agreed to a plan in May in which the headquarters offers $6.4 billion and KDB pours in $750 million, the carmaker seemed to be recovering from the feud, introducing new cars here. However, the plan over splitting the body is again dragging GM Korea down from putting its operation back on track. The Finance Ministry has levied 10% custom duty on smart watches, optical transport equipment, combination of one or more of Packet Optical Transport Product or Switch (POTP or POTS), Optical Transport Network (OTN)products, Soft switches and voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) equipment. 10% custom duty has also been levied on carrier ethernet switch, Packet Transport Node (PTN) products, Multiprotocol Label Switching Transport Profile (MPLS-TP) products and Multiple Input/Multiple Output (MIMO). The notification issued by shall be effective from the 12th October 2018. Reportedly the hike in Customs Duty on products falling under the 'non-essential' objects of import has been done in an attempt to stem the fall of rupee. In September, the government, for the second time, had extended the deadline for the imposition of higher customs duties on 29 products, including almond, walnut and pulses, imported from the US, till November 2. In June, India decided to impose retaliatory tariffs from August 4. But it was extended by another 45 days till September 18. In a notification last night, the department of revenue has said that now the duties would come effect from November 2. The duty hike move by India was in retaliation to US President Donald Trump's March 9 decision to impose heavy tariffs on imported steel and aluminium items, a move that has sparked fears of a global trade war. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 12, 2018 12:18 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). (NOTE: After this story was written, a federal appeals court in a very surprising move granted a request to delay Edmund Zagorskis execution late Wednesday night, which was scheduled for Thursday. While the result of the order remains uncertain, it is possible the Supreme Court could rule on the delay and the execution could move forward. Zagorskis attorneys had asked federal courts to reconsider unexamined claims of ineffective trial counsel. The federal district court in Nashville rejected that argument Tuesday but a panel of 6th Circuit judges said the argument was provocative enough to merit full consideration.To do that, they said, a stay was necessary.) In the 34 years that Edmund Zagorski has been on death row in Nashvilles Riverbend Maximum Security prison, two very distinct things have never happened. He has never been written up for any untoward behavior -- not once -- and, after murdering two men in a botched drug deal in 1984, he has never had one visitor. Not one. Tonight, barring an eleventh-hour stay, he is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection. For much of my adult life, I have been torn by mankinds greatest question should we have the death penalty? I thought Governor Bill Haslam may grant clemency earlier this week. That Zagorski has been a model prisoner, that hes endured a 34-year wait due to 22 separate appeals, and because life without parole wasnt an option when he was sentenced, I figured the 63-year-old finally might catch a break. For whatever reason, Tennessees governor decided against interfering with the sentence and I thank God that such a decision didnt fall on me for judgement. Lets not kid ourselves, Zagorski killed two men in cold blood, later slit their throats, and shot a lawman once he was cornered in Ohio. A judge and a jury in Robertson County sentenced him to death and I believe thats well within the law, in Tennessee as well as 32 other states. Then again, I totally disagree that justice was served by forcing him to sit in solitary confinement for over half of his life. I believe that is torture a horrid whipping of psychological proportion yet it is part of the progress to make sure the killer is treated fairly, and that we dont kill the innocent. I dont know how to get around such an abomination but to finally kill a man after keeping him in an 8 foot by 10 cell for three and a half decades isnt right in my eyes, nor in the sight of anyone I know. What is right? In June of this year a judge in California sentenced a man to die for brutally torturing an eight-year-old to death. In decency I will spare you the sadistic details but I really feel strongly that I could take my station in a firing squad to rid this world of such twisted vermin. I could pull my trigger with no qualms so help me I could -- yet try to champion as many second chances as I can find. Yes, the death penalty is one of my biggest inward struggles. Could I sentence death when there was no killing? I really wonder. How about a 9/11 terrorist? In a heartbeat. How about a college rapist? I would need to know more. What if the girl was 15? Hand me my rifle. Obviously my death vote would be case-by-case but we should be like other countries fulfill the sentence promptly. Graham Reside, an ethics and society professor at Vanderbilt Divinity School, told a reporter in Nashville, "It's a question of authority," Reside explained. "Where do you place your authority?" For instance, Evangelical Christians place theirs in the Bible instead of denominational leaders. Roman Catholics put theirs in scripture as well as church teachings. And what makes it even harder? The Bible is ambiguous on the death penalty," said Reside. That means believers can interpret scripture to be both in support of and against it, he said. The majority of Americans support the death penalty. Fifty-four percent said they favor it for those convicted of murder, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in April and May. Not so long ago a Pew Research Center report found 54 percent of Americans agreed the death penalty could be used in capital murder cases and, yes, religion plays a big role in the thought process: * -- 73 percent of white evangelical Protestants support the death penalty; 19 percent oppose it. * -- 61 percent of white mainline Protestants support it; 30 percent oppose it. * -- 53 percent of Catholics support it; 42 percent oppose it. * -- 45 percent of the religiously unaffiliated support it; 48 percent oppose it. * -- Less than half of black Protestants (37%) and Hispanic Catholics (43%) favor the death penalty. In the last few days Zagorski petitioned the court for death by the electric chair after there was some belief a recent execution by injection didnt work and the victim suffered before death. Some believe the request was a last-second ploy by Zagorskis attorney and the request was denied. As this is written, Zagorski has about 24 hours to live after sitting on death row for 34 years. He has turned down a final meal and has said he is glad it is almost over, a sentiment lost on no one. royexum@aol.com Gurugram, October 11: In a shocking incident, the uncle and minor cousin of a class 10 girl were arrested on October 10 for allegedly molesting her. The accused molested the class 10 girl in a village near Badshahpur in Haryana. According to a report published in Hindustan Times, the 23-year-old uncle was sent to jail while the 16-year-old cousin was sent to a correctional home in Faridabad. The police have registered a case on Tuesday at Badshahpur police station against the accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. According to the report, the school authorities alerted the police about the crime after the 15-year-old victim wrote her ordeal in an answer sheet during a unit test examination on October 1. The school also informed the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) officials. The girl in her complaint alleged that she was assaulted by her cousin. The victims cousin is a minor who studies in class 11 and stays in the same house. According to the report, the victims mother and cousins mother are sisters and are married in the same family. Model Sexually Assaulted While Riding Her Activa in Indore, It Happened As She Was Wearing a Skirt, Claims Onlooker! Shares Pic Assistant commissioner of police, a crime against women and children (south), Shakuntala Yadav told Hindustan Times that the girl had also alleged that her uncle had groped and touched her inappropriately. The 23-year-old accused is her grandfathers sisters son and lives next to her house. The girls statement is yet to be recorded as she is traumatised due to the incident. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 11, 2018 04:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Shopian, October 11: In another incident of a terror attack in the Kashmir Valley, terrorists killed a civilian in Shopian. Police have reached the spot and started an investigation into the case. Earlier in the day, two terrorists were killed in Handwara encounter. A large amount of arms and ammunition were also recovered from the terrorists. One of the terrorists were identified as Manan Wani, an Aligarh Muslim University scholar who joined Hizbul Mujaheedin in January. The operation is still underway. Due to the encounter, internet services have been suspended in the area, and educational institutes have also been closed. On October 5, terrorists opened fire on three political workers at Karfari Mohalla in Srinagar. Two National Conference (NC) workers were killed in the shooting, and one was injured in the firing. Meanwhile, the NC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had already announced to boycott the upcoming Panchayat elections in the state. Today, an Indian Army jawan was injured when Pakistani troops violated ceasefire and resorted to firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. The Pakistani troops violated ceasefire in Krishnagati sector at 9.30 pm Wednesday night. The injured soldier was evacuated to a military hospital and is out of danger. Till now 181 terrorists were killed in encounters in the valley, while 74 security personnel lost their lives. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 11, 2018 02:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Paris, October 11: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman embarked on a three-day visit to France on October 10. Today she will meet her French counterpart Florence Parly to strengthen defence ties between the two countries. Both the leaders will also discuss critical global issues of mutual interest. The defence minister will also take stock of the progress in the supply of 36 Rafale jets by Dassault Aviation. There are also reports that Sitharaman is likely to visit the facility where the jets are being manufactured. Rafale Deal: Rahul Gandhi Led Congress To Constitute Team To Hold Nationwide Press Conferences Over The Deal India also wants to strengthen the on-going defence manufacturing partnership with the aim of transfer of technology. Indias Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited has a partnership with French Naval Group for manufacturing of the Scorpene submarine through the transfer of technology model. The defence minister will also discuss the supply of French Safran M88 military jet engine for Tejas Light Combat Aircraft with Parly. As per media reports, Sitharaman is also expected to meet French President Emanuel Macron. France is also pitching India to purchase the second batch of 36 Rafale jets, but there is no official confirmation regarding this. The Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has raised questions on Sitharamans France visit. He alleged through his tweet that the work had begun to justify, Prime Minister Narendra Modis decision to buy Rafale fighter aircraft. Meanwhile, the Dassault Aviation clarified on Wednesday that it had freely chosen Anil Ambani-led Reliance Defence Limited for a partnership to set up a joint venture Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) to make parts for Rafale and Falcon 2020 business planes. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 11, 2018 10:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Have you ever wondered, if the moon had its own moon? Well, maybe not all of us, but stargazers sure have fascinated about the Earths natural satellite. And if at all there is, what would the other moon be called? Without fibbing around anymore, let us put it straight. According to two scientists, there is a possibility that moons could have their own moons and might eventually be called as moonmoon. Not to miss out, the report has interestingly inspired a whole wave of moonmoon memes on social media. Scientists Try Cooking in -80 Degrees in Antarctica And The Pictures Are Gravity-Defying. It all began when a curious four-year-old in 2014 asked his mother, Can moons have moons? Just like any other parent, she went on hunting for an answer. According to Gizmodo, astronomer, Juna Kollmeier who works with the Carnegie Observatories in Pasadena, California, decided to research this topic. She teamed up with Sean Raymond at the University of Bordeaux in France. Kollmeier and Raymond explained on their paper, that none of our solar systems planets has submoons, but is possible that our Earths moon may have had in the past. However, their study suggests that the small moon would have to be significantly small and the large moon to be enormous for the moonmoon to exist. Aliens Lived Underground on Mars Billions of Years Ago, Finds New Study. The paper has been published to ArXiv for feedback before final submission. Besides, scientists also pointed out that the two moons have to be sufficiently far away from the host plant. As they have explained about the presumed phenomena, netizens cannot control their creativity and soon moonmoon jokes surfaced on Twitter. Many soon pointed that it is not the first time, moonmoon memes have been a thing. It had been there in the past, although with a different meaning. Moon Moon memes originated last year, when a Tumbler user Kitchiki posted a name generator called Your Wolf Name? As Daily Dot explains, the chart states that if your initials are P.W., your wolf name would be Moon Moon. Original Moon Moon meme! LOL... The legend of Moon Moon for those who don't know. pic.twitter.com/MYW4bA92UZ Saynt (@saynt614) October 10, 2018 That same meme now got a new meaning. If you dont already know the saga of Moon Moon, its pretty funny given this new information... pic.twitter.com/KiuaxGHN3u I prob shouldnt say this... (@IntpWomen) October 10, 2018 PSA: If your day needs ridiculous brightness & cheer (& moonmoon isnt doing it alone), click through for the glory of Moon Moon memes of goofy pups in the replies. pic.twitter.com/AOh1FhaCz7 Mika McKinnon (@mikamckinnon) October 10, 2018 Both the researchers might be thinking why so many people are posting weird wolf memes on their discovery, but people are on fire with the moonmoon meme reinforcement. On the other hand, the pairs short analysis has only scratched the surface, and Kollmeier hopes that it gets both little and big kids alike psyched about submoons. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 11, 2018 05:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Cairo, October 11: An Egyptian military court on Thursday sentenced 17 Islamists to death over accusations of bombing three churches in the country which claimed 82 lives, state news agency MENA reported. Nineteen people received life sentences (25 years in Egypt) and 15 others were handed eight years in jail over the same charges. In April 2017, twin suicide bombings took place at St. George's Church in the city of Tanat and St. Mark's Coptic orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria, leaving 45 people dead. Indonesia Attack: Family Including Children Aged 9 And 12 Carried Out Suicide Bombing That Killed 13. Another attack took place in St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in the capital, killing 37, in 2016. At least 166 persons were wounded in the three attacks. The defendants were also convicted of attempted murder of 14 policemen in Cairo. Since the ouster of the Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in 2013 by the Army in response to mass protests against his rule, Egypt has been facing waves of terrorist attacks that killed hundreds of security men. Some of the attacks have also targeted civilians and churches in recent years. Most of the attacks were claimed by Islamic State branch in Egypt. 11 Dead, 41 Hurt as Suicide Bombers Hit Indonesian Churches. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 11, 2018 07:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Singapore, October 11: Singapore Airlines will be flying its newest plane, the Airbus A350-900 Ultra Long Range (ULR), non-stop from Singapore to New York in a record 19 hours, starting today. The airline will initially run flights three times a week from Singapore to New York's Newark Liberty International Airport until October 18, until another Airbus A350-900 expands the fleet. This remarkable feat has been achieved due to Airbus' latest wide-bodied aircraft, the Airbus A350-900 ULR, which was inducted into Singapore Airlines' fleet on September 22 while six more have been ordered, reports CNN. The aircraft has the capability to fly 11,160 miles which is 1,800 miles more than the standard A350. The interiors have been designed keeping the passenger's comfort in mind, with 67 business class seats and 94 premium economy seats which ensure that there is enough leg-room for all who take the 19-hour journey. Worlds Best Airlines Announced at Skytrax Airlines Awards 2018. The first Airbus 350-900 ULR test flight took off on April 23 from Airbus' assembly plant in Toulouse, France and lasted a 5-hour round trip. Prior to this, Qantas Airlines was hailed for plying their Boeing 787 on a "ground-breaking" 17-hour non-stop route from Perth to London earlier this year. San Diego, October 11: A solar-powered tunnel with rail system has been unearthed under the US-Mexico border in the frontier province of California. The tunnel, electrified using solar energy, had ventilation and railway system to facilitate the movement of drug peddlers. The tunnel was first found by the Mexican police on September 19, during a raid in Jamoe town, located as close as 227 feet away from the Californian border. Subsequently, the US Border Patrol was alerted, which found the same tunnel running 336 feet into California's Otay Mesa. However, the tunnel had no exit shaft, which made investigators conclude that it was still under construction. US Coast Guard Recovers 75 Pounds of Cocaine Floating in Gulf of Mexico Off Florida. The US Homeland Security has suspected the role of cross-border drug-peddling groups, who sell banned narcotic substances in California. Based on the inputs received from the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mexican police has launched a hunt to nab the unidentified group involved in digging of the tunnel. In the statement issued to the media, the US Border Patrol team said the tunnel unearthed measured approximately 31 feet deep, with a total length of 627 feet. Earlier in the year, the Border Patrol team had unearthed two unsophisticated tunnels in San Diego, whose other end was located across the Mexican border. The tunnels were intended to be used for drug export by the peddlers based on the other side of the border. The tunnel-route strategy was first used in 2015 by drug trade kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, who escaped from a highly guarded prison through a mile-long tunnel which he had dig over a period of six months. Guzman, however, was subsequently captured by the Mexican police who deported him to the US. He is currently awaiting trial in New York. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 11, 2018 07:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Oct 11, 2018, 10:55am ET BMW to buy controlling stake in its China joint venture for $4.2B The company is the first automaker to take advantage of China's loosening of foreign ownership rules. BMW has announced plans to purchase a controlling stake in its Chinese joint venture known as BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA). Like most automakers, BMW had complied with the country's protectionist laws that forced companies to enter a 50:50 joint venture with a Chinese firm to establish a local factory and avoid stiff tariffs on imported cars. Officials recently loosened the foreign ownership restrictions, opening the door for automakers to own their own factories in the country. BMW will spend $4.2 billion increasing its stake in BBA from 50 percent to 75 percent. The company has also confirmed plans to invest around $3.5 billion in the joint venture's new and existing factories in Shenyang, doubling output capacity at one factory and expanding a nearby plant. Total production of BMW vehicles at BBA plants will consequently increase to 650,000 units by the early 2020s. Oct 11, 2018, 12:15pm ET Next-gen Jaguar F-Type to get BMW engine? The redesigned model is expected to be a 2+2 targeted at the Porsche 911. Jaguar is reportedly considering a BMW-sourced engine for the next-generation F-Type. The German automaker will supply its 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 for the rival British marque, according to Car Magazine. The new engine could deliver 591 horsepower and 550 pound-feet of torque if it does not receive a unique tune. Transitioning to a BMW engine will allow Jaguar to move away from its aging 5.0-liter supercharged V8, which delivers up to 567 horsepower in the F-Type SVR variants. The new F-Type is rumored to be moving upmarket, moving its sights from the Porsche Cayman/Boxster to the 911. It is consequently expected to be slightly larger, adopting a 2+2 layout, yet lighter than the current model. The redesigned F-Type is expected to arrive in 2020. Oct 11, 2018, 2:19pm ET SEC keeps Tesla settlement despite Musk's trash talk Rumors suggested Musk's 'Shortseller Enrichment Commission' tweet might have threatened the tentative settlement. The Securities and Exchange Commission has asked a judge to approve its settlement offer to Elon Musk and Tesla despite Musk's Twitter rant accusing the agency of being a tool for shortsellers. The executive originally attracted the attention of the SEC on Twitter after claiming funding had been "secured" to take the company private at $420 per share. The deal fell through and the SEC filed a lawsuit alleging the announcement was effectively fraudulent. The SEC eventually agreed to settle for $40 million and a ban on Musk as chairman for three years -- double the fine and a year longer than the original offer that Musk defiantly rejected. After accepting the second offer, Musk took to Twitter to ridicule the agency he redubbed the "Shortseller Enrichment Commission." Rumors suggested the taunt could lead the SEC to take a tougher stance, as the settlement still needed to be approved by a judge. "The proposed settlements in this case are fair," attorneys representing the SEC, Tesla and Musk wrote in a filing to the judge, as reported by Bloomberg. "Mr Musk and Tesla have agreed to undertake a number of corporate governance measures specifically tailored to prevent future violations of the type alleged by the SEC here." Despite the devastating storm pounding Florida's panhandle, President Donald Trump presided over a rally Wednesday night in Pennsylvania -- well off the projected track of Hurricane Michael. The first-term Republican was in Erie to rally support for fourth-term U.S. Reps. Mike Kelly and Lou Barletta. Kelly is facing a challenge from Democrat Ron DiNicola, while Barletta -- an early and vocal Trump supporter -- is mounting an uphill campaign to unseat two-term Democratic Sen. Bob Casey. Pennsylvania Democrats used the visit to try and drum up donations, noting Wednesday marked the fifth visit by Trump or Vice President Mike Pence to Pennsylvania since June. Could the Lehigh Valley draw a visit before Election Day on Nov. 6, with a close race being run for an open seat in the U.S. House of Representatives? Not likely, pollsters told lehighvalleylive.com Wednesday. President Donald Trump walks Oct. 10, 2018, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., to Marine One for the short trip to Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, en route to speak at a rally in Erie. (AP Photo | For lehighvalleylive.com) "I think sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't, but just in our state, earlier in the year he went to Wilkes-Barre to help Lou Barletta. It didn't help a whit," said G. Terry Madonna, director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster. Redrawn earlier this year by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the new 7th Congressional District covering Lehigh, Northampton and southern Monroe counties appears to be one of the most competitive in the country, said Christopher Borick, professor of political science and director of the Institute of Public Opinion at Allentown's Muhlenberg College. "It's a district that Hillary Clinton won by a single point, and without an incumbent on the ballot the race is attainable for either party," Borick said in an email. "While a visit by the president might help rally the Republican base in the district, I believe it might very well do more harm than good for his campaign, as the president's standing in the area is not very solid among independents and moderate Democrats that will be crucial swing votes in a district where the Democratic registration advantage is large." Madonna said his suggestion to Trump this week, at least, would be to re-route his trip to be in the Florida panhandle first thing Thursday morning. Before Trump flew to Erie, he told reporters "thousands of people" were lined up for his rally and it wouldn't be fair to make them go home, calling it a "quagmire." During a hurricane briefing at the White House, Trump discussed the power of the storm. His Homeland Security secretary and the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency described it as a "Gulf Coast hurricane of the worst kind." To people in the path of the storm, Trump said: "God bless you all. That's my message. Because that's what it is. The storm is there." Last month, Trump cancelled rallies in Mississippi and Missouri due to Hurricane Florence. Trump stumped for Barletta on Aug. 2 in Wilkes-Barre, but polling since then shows Casey leading the Republican by 16 points, 52-36, according to a Real Clear Politics average of four polls between Aug. 12 and Sept. 23. "To be honest with you, it's hard for me to believe that he comes back to that region," Madonna said Wednesday, laughing a bit before adding: "You can make an argument that Wilkes-Barre is not in the Lehigh Valley." In the 7th District, polling released last month by the Monmouth University Poll put Democratic candidate Susan Wild ahead of Republican Marty Nothstein by 6 points -- or 46 percent for her to 40 percent for him, with another 3 percent for Libertarian candidate Tim Silfies and 11 percent undecided. All of Wild's leads were within the poll's margin of error. Two additional polling models narrowed the gap to leads of 2 points and 4 points for Wild. A 7th District poll by The New York Times gave Wild, an attorney, an 8-point lead over Nothstein, a 2000 Olympic gold medalist and Lehigh County commissioner. The Supreme Court's redrawing of Congressional districts appears to have made this fall's races more competitive across Pennsylvania. January's ruling by the court's Democratic majority threw out 6-year-old district maps drawn and approved by Pennsylvania's Republican-controlled Legislature and Republican governor, saying they were unconstitutionally gerrymandered. It tore up decades of precedent in how districts were drawn in a bid to elect as many Republicans as possible, and it succeeded. Republicans won 13 of 18 congressional seats on that map in three straight elections in a state where Democrats hold a registration advantage and won 18 of 24 statewide elections during that period. If Trump or Pence were to hold another pre-election rally in Pennsylvania, Madonna said it might be alongside Barletta in the 1st Congressional District where Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is running against Democrat Scott Wallace. But even that seems a long-shot, given the independent and Democratic votes that Fitzpatrick needs to win the suburban Philadelphia district, according to Madonna. "Some of this may be based on friendship and some of it may be based on the closeness of a given race, but nothing would surprise me," he said. "You can't be surprised anymore with President Trump." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. The Easton Public Market is saying goodbye to one of its vendors while adding two more to the Downtown smorgasbord this fall. The market, located at 325 Northampton St., announced Thursday that Taza Stop, the stall serving Egyptian fare, will shut down at the end of October. In its place, a new taqueria called Taylor Taco will open from the owner of More Than Q, the market's resident barbecue spot. The market said that Taza would be leaving the market to expand their business to a location in Philadelphia, as well as a new location at Gateway at Greenway Park in Bethlehem. Taylor Taco, run by Matt Martin, will offer a "contemporary take on street tacos." Also joining the market will be a New England-style clam shack from acclaimed chef Lee Chizmar, the James Beard Award semifinalist who with his wife Erin Shea also owns the market's ramen stop Mr. Lee's Noodles and the farm-to-table restaurant Bolete in Salisbury Township. The clam shack, opening later this year, will take over the space across from Mr. Lee's Noodles, which housed 3rd & Ferry Fresh Fish before it closed in February. The new vendor's name is yet to be announced, but it will offer both fresh seafood and ready-to-eat offerings like lobster rolls, oysters and fried clams. This year has seen a few changes for the market, which opened in 2016. Eight Oaks Distillery filled a small, previously unused space next to Mr. Lee's Noodles in March, offering bottles and sample tastings of its liquor. The quirky Easton home goods shop Mercantile Home also joined the market permanently earlier this year with an off-shot called Mercantile Outpost, following a trial-run over the holidays. It filled the space that previously hosted the Fruit & Nut Gallery, which closed in the fall of 2017. "We've known about some of these changes for awhile, and have been looking for the right concepts to fit into our mix of offerings," Market District Manager Megan McBride said in a statement. "We think we've found the perfect flavors and can't wait to see both of these new vendors in the market." Andrew Doerfler may be reached at adoerfler@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @adoerfler or on Facebook. The latest trailer for M. Night Shyamalan's "Glass" wastes no time in showing off its local connection. It opens on a dark, exterior shot of Allentown State Hospital, where the film spent weeks shooting in the fall of 2017. The movie is expected to be released on Jan. 18, 2019. Throughout the nearly three-minute preview, you'll see more glimpses of the out-of-use psychiatric's hospital's distinctive tree-lined campus and brick facade along Hanover Avenue -- although movie magic appears to have added a city skyline looming in the distance. James McAvoy's character bounds across the hospital's lawn, followed by shots of a SWAT team filling the location. Other stars including Samuel L. Jackson and Anya Taylor Joy also appear outside the hospital. The movie is a follow up to two of Shyamalan's earlier films, 2000's "Unbreakable" and 2016's "Split," which were revealed to be connected at the end of the latter. The trailer suggests that "Glass" will see Jackson's titular Mr. Glass teaming up with McAvoy's Beast against Bruce Willis' David Dunn. Sarah Paulson appears as a psychiatrist treating the three men. Allentown State Hospital has been shut down for eight years now. The state has since looked to sell the property. The "Glass" filming brought the cast including stars Jackson, Willis and McAvoy along with director Shyamalan to the Lehigh Valley, where they were spotted dining in Downtown Allentown. The movie also shot in Philadelphia. Shyamalan shared the trailer on Twitter with a story from his youth that suggested the movie's genesis. When I was a kid, I dreamed I was a real superhero. Then I twisted my ankle in a b-ball game and realized I wasnt. But I kept dreaming maybe someone else is... pic.twitter.com/q9TYE0BL4n M. Night Shyamalan (@MNightShyamalan) October 11, 2018 Andrew Doerfler may be reached at adoerfler@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @adoerfler or on Facebook. An upper Bucks County man charged with making and setting off explosives had something else to hide when authorities searched his belongings in late June, the county district attorney's office reports. As investigators combed through David W. Surman Jr.'s home in the 2400 block of Old Bethlehem Pike in Milford Township they found a hard drive in his bedroom containing "dozens of pornographic images and videos featuring children, including an image of a young girl engaged in a sexual act with an animal," the district attorney's office said. Surman, 30, was arraigned Wednesday before District Judge Regina Armitage on a single count of child pornography, court papers say. Bail was set at 10 percent of $500,000 and Surman posted it in cash, records show. His preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for 2 p.m. Oct. 23 in Armitage's court. Surman is also free after posting 10 percent of $750,000 bail in cash on June 29 on four charges of possession or manufacture of weapons of mass destruction and 11 related counts from April 2, records show. He was arraigned June 28 and awaits a formal arraignment Nov. 2 in Bucks County Court, records show. Surman was charged in an ongoing investigation into 30 explosions at seven sites that began in April. No one was reported injured. Surman owns the home on Old Bethlehem Pike and a business, Consolidated Chemical & Solvents LLC, in the 2200 block of Spinnerstown Road, both in Milford Township. Authorities executed search warrants at both properties based on probable cause in the bombings case resulting from "around-the-clock surveillance," District Attorney Weintraub said previously. That search yielded four bombs, suspected methamphetamine, chemicals to make bombs and 10 firearms, authorities said at the time. Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies took part in the effort. Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. The Lehigh County Humane Society was overwhelmed this week trying to feed and care for dozens of rescued beagles. Now the society has a new problem: what to do with all the donated food. The society has reached its capacity for donated food, according to its Facebook page. "We are in need of some muscle (and TRUCKS!) to help move the canned dog food to an off-site storage facility," the Facebook page says. There were so many beagles rescued on Saturday, Oct. 6, that the shelter miscounted them. After reporting earlier this week that 71 beagles were rescued, the shelter realized some were counted twice and the actual number rescued is 65. By Wednesday each beagle had received a health screening, according to the shelter Facebook page. "They have all gotten baths, de-wormed, inoculations and vaccinations," the post on Facebook says. "All 65 beagles now have medical charts!" The Associated Press reported the dogs were taken from a Lehigh County home. They range in age from weeks old to senior-aged and had varying health problems, according to the Associated Press report. A woman breeding them without a license died in September, and her male companion was left to care for them, according to the Associated Press. A criminal investigation is underway, according to the Associated Press. The Allentown shelter has received more than $13,000 in cash donations, according to its Facebook page. The shelter asks potential dog adoptees to keep checking the Facebook page for updates on when the canines will be available. The shelter still needs cash donations as well as volunteers to move the food. If you can help, the shelter asks you to email Kalyn Kratzer at kalynkratzer@remax.net The shelter is also looking for experienced large dog walkers. If you can help, email Stephanie at steph@lehighhumane.org Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. As the debate over school district property tax elimination rages on in Pennsylvania, a discussion with neighbors sheds light on a pragmatic way of looking at homeowner impact. Many people may not realize what they're paying in real estate taxes because they are escrowed as part of their mortgage payment. Most are shocked when they separate the tax bill from the mortgage payment. Neighbors of mine who recently added a deck to their house face a property tax increase of more than $400. In our municipality, school district taxes are roughly 82 percent of the total real estate tax bill. My wife quipped that they now get to rent their new decks for $400 annually from the school district. They are entitled to enjoy the new rented deck as part of their property, which they also rent from the school district for roughly $6,000 a year. This is the stark reality of our current school funding method. If you upgrade your home, you rent that upgrade from the school district at an annually increasing amount for as long as you live there. Many homeowners refuse to add upgrades because of the tax impact. This also has a detrimental impact on the livelihoods of contractors. Some will argue the property value was increased. Assuming a deck life of 25 years, the rental cost of the deck would be well north of $10,000 and then need replacement. Pennsylvania Senate Bill 76, the "Property Tax Elimination Act" will solve this and many more issues. Robert Kistler Palmerton The latest Storm Callum weather forecast from Met Eireann has warned of a severe impact. Meteorologist Michelle Dillon put the country on alert in the latest TV bulletin from the State forecaster after the RTE 1 9pm News. She said the Atlantic storm would begin to hit on Thursday night and its impact will be felt through Friday and well into the weekend in the shape of wind and heavy rain. "By midnight (Thursday) we are looking at some very strong winds, severe gusts, damaging gusts up to storm force in some western counties. Then those winds will pick up everywhere as the low pressure tracks north," said Ms Dillon. While the strongest winds will have passed by Friday noon, Ms Dillon said it would continue to be windy right through Friday and into Saturday and be accompanied by heavy rain. The heaviest of the rain is expected to fall in the south and east of Ireland. Before all that happens Thursday will be a day of heavy rain in many places. Met Eireann has issued Orange and Yellow warnings for Storm Callum. Storm Callum forced a meeting of the National Emergency Co-Ordination Group this afternoon and Met Eireann has issued its latest update on the expected storm impact. 'Severe' Status Orange and Yellow Wind Warnings apply for Thursday night and Friday across the country. The Severe Orange Warning has just recently been extended in time out to 18:00 on Friday for coastal areas of Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway and Clare. "Further warnings were being considered later Friday across parts of the south and east, with the risk for another swathe winds and rain," according to Met Eireann. Forecasters have said that the severity and likelihood of this secondary event appear to have 'diminished considerably'. "This event is predominantly expected to be a coastal one, though the severe winds will extend to inland parts, especially overnight and very early on Friday morning," Met Eireann has added. The national emergency group includes Met Eireann, local authorities, the ESB, OPW and government. The NECG is well underway here as Evelyn Cusack of @MetEireann briefs the group on what to expect from #StormCallum pic.twitter.com/lAOqNL0Fux Department of Housing (@HousingPress) October 11, 2018 A Status Yellow wind warning is in place for Laois from midnight tonight until 9:00am on Friday morning. A Monasterevin company has become one of the first businesses in the country to achieve a new quality mark for the highest standards of service and trust. Read also: John Spillane set to return to Kildare Angelinas ArtVentures has been awarded the coveted All-Ireland Business All-Star accreditation an independently verified standard mark for indigenous businesses, based on rigorous selection criteria. The accreditation is overseen by the All-Ireland Business Foundation, whose adjudication panel is chaired by Dr Briga Hynes of the Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick and Kieran Ring, CEO of the Global Institute of Logistics. Angelinas ArtVentures was founded in 2016 by Angelina Foster, to imprint her love of art and travel adventures on a range of coasters, bags, t-shirts and umbrellas. The Ballykelly, Monasterevin-based company impressed judges with its unique and memorable pieces of fun Irish heritage art, on affordable, luxury products, according to Kieran Ring. The companys commitment to design and its customer base were particularly evident in the judging process, he said. Visitor numbers to Ireland continue to rise, developing a strong market for arts and crafts products, our audit found Angelinas ArtVentures to be one of the most progressive in the space. Angelinas art work is inspired by the beauty of the peatlands, Ireland's rich equine culture, dance and the stories of Ireland's Ancient East. From her studio in Ballykelly, Angelina designs unique products which make the Irish heritage story interesting and fun. I believe that the Business All-Star accreditation is going to be a true quality mark for indigenous Irish businesses, said Angelina. As a business, I am very concerned with setting standards, but those standards need to be constantly measured. I have been looking for something like this an accreditation process which is tough, externally verified and allows me to constantly measure my performance. It is even more relevant when doing business with or through our native language, measuring its value and authenticity. Dr Hynes said the accreditation, which is now held by 170 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium firms out there who operate to their own standards, but have nothing to measure them by. It provides very important credible and transparent benchmarking that hasnt been available up to now, allowing companies to very clearly understand where they are versus their competitors, she said. In a minimum six-week process, we evaluate a companys background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors. Internally this process gives confidence to the organisation, allows them to leverage their advantages and identify areas that they need to improve in, particularly in innovation and product development. The All-Ireland Business Foundation will be responsible for identifying and accrediting best-in-class Irish businesses, overseeing both the awards and ongoing accreditation, promoting peer dialogue, in addition to hosting the All-Ireland Business Summit on May 1 and 2 next year. It will also create an active community of progressive businesses and ambitious business leaders who work together and openly share knowledge. Further details available at businessallstars.ie Students from the Patrician Secondary School in Newbridge recently attended the launch of a programme addressing Irelands teen suicide rate and mental health illness stigma. Four members of the Patrician Secondary senior student council, Kevin Forde, Sean Molloy, Adam Hurley and Griffin Ennis are among the first in Ireland to implement a new mental health programme - HEADSTRONG in association with Cycle Against Suicide - to address the stigma of Suicide amongst young people. Students attended the launch of the school programme in Dublin on October 4, joining other schools from across Ireland for the introduction of the pilot programme, which will be rolled out within the selected schools in the coming months. Caroline Lafferty, CEO of Cycle Against Suicide said: We have worked with the Mental Health Commission of Canada to introduce HEADSTRONG to our schools here in Ireland as we believe that this programme is invaluable in helping younger people to be brave and speak up about mental health. Its a powerful, evidence based programme that has already won international awards, and with the help of our selected schools were hoping that the pilot programme will be a huge success, with the aim of rolling out HEADSTRONG across all Irish secondary schools within the coming years. This is a core part of our mission in addressing mental health in younger people, which is currently at an alarming level in Ireland. Its introduction to Ireland comes through a partnership between Cycle Against Suicide and the Mental Health Commission of Canada. At its core, HEADSTRONG works to reduce the painful stigma experienced by children and young people living with mental health problems and illnesses. It will teach students how to reduce stigma, become mental health champions in their schools, and the programme challenges students to examine the dangers of stereotypes and the harm created by stigma. According to UNICEFs latest report card on child well-being Ireland has the fourth highest teen suicide rate in the EU/OECD region. The report card warns that one in 10,000 Irish youth aged 15-19 will die by suicide. The report further shows that in younger teens, aged 11-15, more than 22% report having experienced two or more psychological symptoms more than once a week. To learn more about HEADSTRONG and Cycle Against Suicides programmes visit cycleagainstsuicide.com. To find information about where you can get help for mental health issues, visit www.cycleagainstsuicide.com/ask-for-help-2/. The Irish Farmers Association will host an open farmer meeting on Monday, October 15, at 8pm in Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge. The meeting, which will be chaired by Brian Rushe, Kildare IFA Chairman, is part of a series being held across the Country over the next four weeks. In partnership with FBD and AIB, the meetings will have farm finance as a key theme, with a focus on managing finances, Budget 2019 and fodder. Speakers on Monday night will include Tom Doyle, IFA Farm Business Committee; Brian Scully of FBD; Pat Butterly of AIB and Billy Holland of IFAC. IFA President Joe Healy has encouraged all farmers to attend and hear advice on how to prepare for the winter ahead. He said that it has been a tough year for farmers and that it is critical that they plan for the coming cold season. These events will allow farmers on the ground to give their opinion on the current issues facing them and policies they want IFA to pursue. For more information on this series, visit www.ifa.ie or contact your local IFA office. A Dubliner, who shot a father-of-one dead and dismembered his body, described the deceased as his friend when arrested for his murder. The 50-year-olds trial heard that the deceased was in good form the day before his remains were found in a suitcase floating in the Grand Canal. The jury also saw footage of the accused driving towards that stretch of canal hours earlier. The evidence was heard by the Central Criminal Court today, Thursday, October 11, in the trial of Paul Wells Senior, of Barnamore Park, Finglas, who is charged with murdering Kenneth OBrien at the accused mans home. Mr Wells has admitted shooting him dead and dismembering his body. However, he has pleaded not guilty to murdering the 33-year-old on January 15 or 16, 2016. He told gardai that the deceased had wanted him to murder Mr OBriens partner. One of the last people to see Mr OBrien alive was a Virgin Media worker, who was installing services in the deceased mans Dublin home. Patrick Holligan testified that he arrived at Mr OBriens house in Clondalkin at 10am on Friday, January 15. He told Sean Gillane SC, prosecuting, that Mr OBrien was the sole occupant of the house and nobody else called to the house in the hour he was there. I recall maybe a couple of text messages at the time, but not speaking, he said, when asked if Mr OBrien had spoken to anyone on the phone. Under cross examination by Michael OHiggins SC, defending, he agreed that he had engaged in chit chat with Mr OBrien, whom he had never met before. He said hed been away in Australia, he recalled. He wasnt overly looking for work for the next few months as he had made some money in Australia. He said that Mr OBrien had been in good form. Mr OHiggins asked him about telling the gardai that he didnt think Mr OBrien was too happy about being back. If thats what I said, then yeah, he replied. I remember saying that, but I cant remember feeling that. The jury then spent much of the day watching Mr Wells movements on CCTV footage. Garda Shona Nolan talked the jury through the footage, which showed Mr Wells driving in the direction of Ardclough, Co Kildare around 6am the following day. The jury had already heard from a couple, who found Mr OBriens torso in the canal there that afternoon. Sergeant Gerard Moore testified that he secured a search warrant for Mr Wells home in early February of that year. He told Mr Gillane that he and a number of colleagues went to the house on the morning of February 6. He gave evidence of arresting Mr Wells on suspicion of murdering Mr OBrien. He was my friend, was the accused mans reply to caution. Detective Sergeant David Conway was part of the search team on that and subsequent days. He testified that he took photographs of the house, yard, shed and its contents. This included photographing carpet after it had been treated to reveal the possible presence of blood. He also photographed a mark of blood on a portable heater and staining on the carpet in the boot of Mr Wells car. The photographs were shown to the jury. Detective Sergeant Thomas Power of the Garda Ballistics Section testified that he attended the scene where three bags containing the head, leg and arms of a male had been found. The jury had heard that another bag had been found the previous day; it contained what was thought to be a leg. D Sgt Power told Mr Gillane that the three bags he observed were heavy, cloth shopping bags. The handles of the bags were tied, he recalled. Within each of the bags were red bricks. He said he also attended the post-mortem exam on Mr OBriens remains and was handed a discharged bullet taken from the head. On further examination, he found this to be a .38 /.357-inch calibre bullet It was consistent with impacting with a hard surface and was damaged in doing so, he said, adding that this would have been from penetrating the skull. To date the firearm has not been recovered, he explained. But I can estimate the type of firearm, a semi-automatic pistol. The trial continues on Friday morning before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of six women and six men. A call has been put out on the national airwaves to identify the family of a man who passed away in England last August. Joe Sheridan cannot be buried until the body is released to his next of kin. Fr Robert Murphy from Birmingham in the UK contacted Liveline on Wednesday, October 10 trying to trace the relatives of Joe 'Punch' Sheridan. It is believed that Mr Sheridan had hailed from Ballinagleragh, Co Leitrim or possibly around Kilnaleck or Kingscourt in Co Cavan. Mr Sheridan, a resident of Swindon, passed away in August 2018 aged around 85 years. Fr Murphy said the matter had been publicised locally, but they were looking to reach a wider audience. As yet no one has come forward with information on contacting Mr Sheridan's next of kin. A friend of the deceased man said he had relatives in Birmingham, but efforts to contact them have been unsuccessful. Mr Sheridan was described as a small stocky man and very gentle. Around 85 years of age he has lived in England for the last 60 during which time he worked in the building trade. Fr Murphy said that the authorities can only release the body to next of kin for burial. If you can assist in any please contact. (01) 961 0122 The PSNI are appealing for witnesses of a hit-and-run incident involving an 11 year old boy on the Forthill Road, Enniskillen around 3.45pm on Friday, October 5. The PSNI stated A lady driving a white car collided with an 11 year old boy who was crossing the road. The young lad sustained bruising to his right knee and left ankle after being knocked to the ground. She did stop and ask if he was OK, but then left and didn't contact Police or the child's parents. If you were the driver, please make contact with Constable Hoey at Enniskillen station. "The driver's obligations in these situations are clear, please come to us before we come to you. This could easily have been worse and the county has seen far too many tragedies on it's roads," The PSNI Spokesperson concluded. To contact PSNI Enniskillen from the Republic of Ireland dial: 0044 28 9065 0222. LifeStyle The best Lifestyle shows are right here, from Australia and around the world. Catch up with the experts on home design and interiors, food and cooking, the property market, and get fresh ideas with the savviest of renovators. Whether you need inspiration for cooking up a storm, to refresh a tired room, or tips to sell your property, Foxtel Lifestyle will always something new for you to watch. Enjoy your favourite experts like Andrew Winter and Neale Whitaker, or Shaynna Blaze and Jamie Oliver live or On Demand. LIMERICK City and County Council has convened its Severe Weather Assessment Team (SWAT) ahead of the arrival of Storm Callum. A status yellow wind warning for Limerick, which has been issued by Met Eireann, takes effect from midnight and will remain in place until 9am on Friday. Status Orange weather warnings have been issued for 13 counties which are expected to bear the brunt of the storm. Storm Callum is expected to bring south to southeast winds with gusts of between 90 and 110 km/h. A spell of heavy rain will accompany the winds. Limerick City and County Council is monitoring the situation very closely and liaising with Met Eireann and the National Emergency Co-ordination Group. As a precaution, flood defences are being installed at OCallaghan and Clancys Strands and along all quays in the city. The local authority is advising the owners of properties which are vulnerable to high tides to ensure precautionary measures are taken. We are monitoring #StormCallum closely & have convened our Severe Weather Assessment Team. A Status YELLOW Wind Warning from @MetEireann is in place for Limerick & is valid from midnight tonight until 9am tomorrow morning. Learn more: https://t.co/tQTXi7TsLj #LKWorkingTogether pic.twitter.com/zdMOTjtDHx Limerick Council (@LimerickCouncil) October 11, 2018 In a statement, issued this Thursday, Shannon Airport confirmed that all flights are operating on schedule. However, intending passengers are advised to check with their airlines before travelling to the airport over the next 48 hours. Airline schedules are currently operating as normal. We have not been advised of any alteration to tomorrows schedule. Passengers should check flight status with airlines before travelling to the airport. Updates later on our socialmediahttps://t.co/xlEdEeTrV5 #StormCallum pic.twitter.com/FtoA0YfKPX Shannon Airport (@ShannonAirport) October 11, 2018 In the county, areas that are prone to flooding such as Foynes and Askeaton are being protected. We would appeal to members of the public to exercise extreme caution while out during the storm, and stay away from exposed coastal and river areas. Spot flooding may occur due to intensive rain during the storm combined with autumnal leaf fall, making driving particularly hazardous, said a spokesperson. Limerick City and County Council has crews on standby to deal with any serious issues as a result from Storm Callum. There is no requirement for the wide scale deployment of sandbags at this stage. Limerick City and County Council has also been in contact with the HSE and Gardai, as part of the #LKWorkingTogether group. SHANNON Airport is on cloud nine after winning a top European award for the third time. Shannon was awarded Airport of the Year Award by the European Regions Airline Association its third win after taking the prestigious title in 2014 and 2015. The award was announced last night at a gala event at the ERAs annual General Assembly, held this year in Edinburgh. It is intended to recognise airports which have had a positive impact on intra-European air transport operations and which recognise the importance of airline-airport partnerships and previous winners include London City, Budapest and Munich airports. The Award is judged by a panel of leading experts drawn from the aviation industry, including past and present CEOs of European airlines and airport consultants. Shannon Airport is delighted to have received this prestigious European accolade from the European Regions Airline Association, said Andrew Murphy, managing director of Shannon Airport. The award comes as the Irish Aviation Authority announced strong figures for September this Thursday. Commercial terminal flights at Shannon were up by +16.2% with an average of 69 commercial daily movements at Shannon, it said. And Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) figures published for August reported that the 213,000 tourists that flew into Shannon amounted to a 9% increase on the same month last year. Adding his congratulations, Shannon Group plc CEO Matthew Thomas said getting this award from the aviation industry and our airline customers is a great complement for Shannon Airport and well-deserved recognition for our hard-working team. We have a clear vision to be the fastest, easiest and friendliest airport in Ireland. We will continue to strive to make air travel easy for our community and for visitors to our region. Our goal is for customers to come and see the transformation that is taking place at Shannon Airport and experience for themselves just how easy, enjoyable and time saving it is to use our airport. ERA Director General, Montserrat Barriga said Shannon has successfully managed an existential crisis of the airports runway requiring complete renewal. To do this, Shannon Airport achieved 15m of external investment and managed to keep the airport open throughout the project. Remarkably, the project was finished six weeks ahead of schedule and also under budget. Shannon Airport continues to maintain its role as a key part of the community, providing essential connectivity for the region, and I am delighted that it has won this prestigious award this year. Shannon Group chair Rose Hynes said: Securing this award for the third time is a remarkable achievement and deserved recognition of the strides made by the Shannon Airport team to make a visit to the airport easy, unique and memorable." ADARE Manor in Limerick has teamed up with one of Irelands top whiskey brands for an exclusive collaboration that will cost 2,000 a bottle. The plush five star resort announced this Thursday that it has collaborated with Midleton Very Rare to release an exclusive single pot still Irish whiskey, the latest addition to the Manors Rare Whiskey Collection. The Manor, which is owned by JP McManus, will host a special evening to launch the new whiskey in its Tack Room, with tickets limited to 22 people at 2,000 a head. Guests will receive their own personal bottle and a stay in a Deluxe Manor Room, with breakfast included. Hand-selected for Adare Manor by Brian Nation, Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery, the exclusive Adare Manor Midleton Very Rare Irish Whiskey will be unveiled at the event on November 4, it said. We are honoured and excited to host this premium whiskey evening at Adare Manor. It is very special to be able to welcome the craftsmen from the Midleton Distillery led by Brian Nation and Barry Crockett to Adare Manor for the first time following our special collaboration, where a meticulous tasting and selection process resulted in the wonderful discovery of a whiskey, which embodies the exceptional heritage and luxury of Adare Manor, said resident manager Brendan OConnor. We are privileged to have them with us. Over the past two years, we at Adare Manor have amassed one of the rarest whiskey collections in Ireland from around the world, which has received huge praise and admiration from guests to date. Guests joining us on the 4th of November can look forward to an evening to remember featuring the finest, rare whiskeys from Midleton Distillery within the luxury setting of The Tack Room bar in the Manor House, he added. Brian Nation said: We are delighted to be coming to Adare Manor in County Limerick, to mark the launch of Midleton Very Rare Adare Manor single cask Irish whiskey a first for the Midleton Distillery. As the ultimate expression of luxury Irish whiskey, it is an honour for us to partner with Adare Manor and inspire their guests with the history, taste and production method of Midleton Very Rare. We are looking forward to sharing this experience with guests on the 4th of November and unveiling the next chapter of Midleton Very Rare to world. The resort was recently declared as Hotel of the Year 2018 at the world-renowned global Virtuoso Best of the Best Awards in Las Vegas. FIGURES for spending on major capital projects in Limerick, which were expected to be available this Wednesday in the aftermath of Budget 2019, have yet to be announced. However, information made available to the Limerick Leader by Minister of State for Finance, Patrick ODonovan, revealed that progress is being made on projects included in the National Framework Plan. Consultants are to be assigned by the end of the year to develop plans for by-passes of Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale. And it is expected that these consultants will begin their work on the projects early next year. Meanwhile, according to documents seen this week by the Limerick Leader, the statutory documentation needed in the next step of the new, proposed Limerick to Foynes road, is also expected to be completed by the end of the year. However, discussions are still ongoing between the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Transport Infrastructure Ireland about the cross road from Rathkeale to Foynes. In a statement released by the Shannon Foynes Port Company this Wednesday, the company said it was reassured by Finance Minister Paschal ODonoghues comments in his Budget speech that this key infrastructure project will go ahead. The National Planning Framework has already this year identified the Limerick to Foynes road as a National Strategic Outcome and the Ministers Budget speech has also highlighted the planned investment, chief executive of the port company, Pat Keating said. The road is an absolutely critical piece of infrastructure if we are to be able to maximise the enormous opportunity that the natural deep waters of the Shannon Estuary provides. The very fact that the Minister referred to the investment in connectivity planned for here reaffirms that we are at a point of no return with regard to this project, he continued. We are hopeful that the project will move to planning over the coming months and that we will see work commence in 2020. This, together with our own record investment plans, make it a very exciting time for Shannon Foynes Port Company, Mr Keating said. The Limerick Leader has also learned that a shortlist of consultants has been drawn up for the proposed M20 motorway from Limerick to Cork. Tender documents are expected to go out shortly to the shortlisted candidates. TWO LIMERICK firemen and two HSE staff face extreme challenges every day but this week they are ready to take on the biggest undertaking of their lives. John Mulready, Scott Keenan, Niamh OLeary and Aine Fleming flew out to Nepal to climb Mount Everest this Wednesday. John is the fire station officer in Cappamore while Scott is senior assistant chief fire officer in Limerick city. Niamh works in UHL and Aine is a paramedic. Their public service continues as they are raising money for Autism Ireland. The four, who paid for their own trips in full, got a rousing send off in Cappamore fire station on Tuesday evening. What really gave me the bug for climbing was actually being in the fire service and being involved in rope rescues and line rescues. I havent played sport in years so this is my outlet I go mountain climbing and trekking, said John, who is 57. When he isnt on call you can find him in the Galtees or MacGillycuddy Reeks. Three years ago John decided he was going to go to Everest and a few friends decided to go with him. With the help of organisers, Earth Edge, John, Scott, Niamh, Aine and 12 more flew to Kathmandu. From there they fly to Lukla - the worlds most dangerous airport. We meet the team of sherpas and team travelling with us. The plan is to reach Everest base camp on October 20 , stay overnight and go up Kala Patthar, reaching 5,645 metres, said John. Due to all their training he said fitness wont be a problem. It is just whether we can overcome the altitude sickness it affects people in terrible ways. We plan to get to the top, hold up the flag of Limerick Fire Service and wear our Autism Ireland T-Shirts, said John, who heard a rumour that a Tipperary GAA flag is going to be smuggled up so he is planning to bring a Limerick one. We will have to outdo them by having the Limerick one higher! smiled John. The four want to raise money and awareness of autism. My granddaughter was tested for autism in the last two weeks. It kind of shocked me then when I started talking to people the amount of people I knew that are affected by autism. We want to raise awareness as well. The fire service really has no training in dealing with autistic people if we interact with them at a road accident or a fire. A person from Autism Ireland came down to me in the station. She is going to deliver a presentation to Limerick Fire Service with the hope that we can do training at station level to the lads in how to connect and interact with people with autism. If that is the one thing that comes out of this then it is worthwhile, said John. He says they have got a huge amount of support and messages from fellow fire officers, gardai and members of the public. To follow their progress and to donate log on to Climbing Mount Everest in aid of Autism Ireland Facebook page. A BAR in County Limerick, formerly co-owned by Munster, Ireland and Lions rugby legend Peter Clohessy, has closed with the loss of nine jobs. Built at an estimated cost of 1.5m during the Celtic Tiger, Crokers Bar in Murroe opened its doors in November 2007. No expense was spared as Crokers boasted open fires, wooden beams, beautiful stonework and a thatched roof. It closed on Sunday, September 23. Rumours in the parish were that it had gone in to Nama but a spokesperson said: Nama has no involvement with this property. AIB replied to a query by saying it cannot comment on individual cases. However, the Limerick Leader understands that AIB does have a charge over Crokers but currently doesnt have a receiver appointed. There is no for sale sign outside Crokers. When Peter Clohessys wife, Anna, was contacted regarding sadness in the village at the closure she said: Unfortunately we cannot comment as Peter left that business one and a half years ago. Mr Clohessy, who was capped 54 times for Ireland, was declared bankrupt last year. It is understood his 35% stake in Crokers Bar and Restaurant Ltd fell under the ownership and control of an official bankruptcy assignee. Clohessys Bar and adjoining nightclub the Sin Bin, which he also co-owned, closed in 2014. Crokers was noted for its warm and welcoming staff. One of them who spoke to the Leader said: It is a huge loss to the community. It was a very sad day. It opened at the wrong time - just when the recession hit. We made great friends up there. They wished to thank locals in Murroe for their kindness and support. Former councillor, John Egan said it was very sad to see Crokers and PJ Aherns shop closed in the village. Poor PJ passed away during the year. Both Crokers and PJ Aherns provided a great service to the village. Crokers enhanced Murroe a lot because people used to go there for food and bring people in to the village, said Mr Egan. The Valley Inn is the only pub left in Murroe and Mr Egan hopes to see Crokers open again in the near future. Murroe has a large population. With a lot of growth and jobs announcements in the Castletroy area, Murroe is going to be a big hub town for Limerick, said Mr Egan. Chairman of Murroe Community Council and headmaster of Glenstal Abbey School, Fr Simon Sleeman said Crokers is a big loss to the community. Together with PJ Aherns being closed, it makes a significant difference. We do hope someone will take it over and make a success of it, said Fr Simon. (ANSA) - Rome, October 11 - Tax police on Thursday seized assets worth a total of 19 million euros from leading members of the Ostia-based Spada crime family. Rome magistrates ordered the seizure. Earlier this month police cleared two homes in the crime-ridden Roman coastal resort occupied by the Spada clan. On October 4 they cleared a council flat that had been occupied for around 10 years by a member of the clan. Roads in the area were sealed off to traffic for an operation involving around 100 officers. The home was occupied by Vincenzo 'Gnocco' Spada, the son of clan boss 'Pele,' who died in prison in 2006. He is thought to be the ringleader of a racket involved in the illegal management of social housing in Ostia. The operation came after a homemade bomb exploded two day previously night at the Ostia home of the parents of a woman who aided investigators in a Spada case, which resulted in the arrest of 32 people. Then, on October 9, police cleared another council flat that had been occupied by a member of the Spada clan in Ostia. The operation was announced by Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi in a tweet, in which she declared, "we won't give respite to those who live in illegality". On her Facebook page, Raggi said the home was occupied by the partner and children of Silvano Spada, who is currently incarcerated. "After years of inaction, from the start of our mandate we are checking illegally occupied council flats, to free them up and give them to those who have a right to them and have been on waiting lists for years," Raggi said. The Spadas have been investigated on charges including drug trafficking, loan-sharking, gambling, social housing scams, and for clashing with a rival clan over control of the Ostia area on the Roman coast. One of their members, Roberto Spada, hit headlines last November by attacking a journalistic crew. In June he got a six-year jail term for the brutal attack on two members of a crew working for State broadcaster RAI in the aftermath of elections in Ostia. The court recognized that the use of mafia methods was an aggravating factor in the assault. (ANSA) - Rome, October 11 - The government's proposed overhaul of the pension system, which will effectively bring down the retirement age, risks adding around 100 billion euros to Italy's public debt, Tito Boeri, the head of social security and pensions agency INPS, said Thursday - prompting Deputy Premier Matteo salvini to say Boeri should quit and run for office. The pension reform proposed by the M5S-League government, which would allow workers to retire when the sum of their age and number of years of pension contributions reaches 100, the so-called '100 quota', would lead to an "increase of the pensions' debt destined to weigh on future generations totalling 100 billion" euros, Boeri told the Lower House's labour commission. This system would make possible for a person to retire as early as 62, if they have 38 years of contributions. "We cannot refrain from sounding the alarm", the INPS chief added. Boeri should quit and run for office, Salvini retorted. "As an Italian I urge Mr Boeri, who again today defends his beloved Fornero (pension) law, to resign from the presidency of INPS and run in the next elections asking for votes to send people into retirement at 80," said the interior minister and leader of the anti-migrant Euroskeptic League party. "The more some big professors ask me not to touch the Fornero law, the more convinced I am that the right to a pension for hundreds of thousands of Italians (which means the right to work for hundreds of thousands of young people) is one of the greatest merits of this government". The reform raising the retirement age to 67, which left countless Italians without a pension or job overnight, was passed by then Labour Minister Elsa Fornero to restore sustainability to the system at the height of the sovereign-debt crisis in 2011. Earth is being bombarded with invisible light that nobody understands. Known as fast radio bursts (or FRBs), these ultrashort, ultrapowerful pulses of ancient energy are the universe's brightest flashes you cannot see. They travel billions of light-years across time and space, shine with the intensity of nearly 100 suns and then blip out of existence mere milliseconds after reaching the range of Earthly telescopes. Because they are radio waves, they do all of this while remaining totally invisible to human eyes. Could these mystery pulses be the distant flashes of supermassive supernovas? The wild spin of the universe's speediest neutron stars? Perhaps the thrust of alien spacecraft sailing across the cosmos? Nobody knows for sure. But while only about 30 FRBs have been detected since their initial discovery in 2007, astronomers think they may be a near-constant phenomenon that modern technology isn't equipped to fully capture. [9 Strange Scientific Reasons for Why Humans Haven't Found Aliens Yet] Today (Oct. 10), a new study published in the journal Nature adds evidence to that assertion, thanks to a high-tech telescope in Australia. "Weve found 20 fast radio bursts in a year, almost doubling the number detected worldwide since they were discovered in 2007," lead study author Ryan Shannon, an astronomer at Swinburne University of Technology and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) in Australia, said in a statement. "Weve also proved that fast radio bursts are coming from the other side of the universe rather than from our own galactic neighborhood." An intergalactic catcher's mitt In their new study, Shannon and his colleagues used the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) a cluster of 36 identical antennas linked up to a single, powerful radio telescope to monitor a wider swath of sky for FRBs than has ever been observed before. Each ASKAP antenna watches the sky at a slightly different angle, leaning out of the remote, scrubby plains of western Australia to stare down 240 square degrees of space all at once. According to the researchers, the array monitors a slice of sky with "about a thousand times the area of the full Moon," providing one of the world's greatest catcher's mitts for intergalactic radio transmissions. So, what do you do after you catch an FRB by the toe? For starters, ask it where it came from. An artists impression of CSIROs ASKAP radio telescope detecting a fast radio burst (FRB). (Image credit: OzGrav, Swinburne University of Technology) Mapping missing matter After recording 20 new FRBs in the past year, ASKAP scientists have also been able to estimate how far each pulse of light has traveled across the cosmos. As FRBs surge through the universe, they pass through clouds of intergalactic dust and gas that slow and stretch the light's waveform. "The burst [then] reaches Earth with its spread of wavelengths arriving at the telescope at slightly different times, like swimmers at a finish line," study co-author Jean-Pierre Macquart, a senior lecturer at ICRAR, said in the statement. "Timing the arrival of the different wavelengths tells us how much material the burst has travelled through on its journey." The wider the spread of wavelengths in a given pulse, the more likely that pulse has traveled through an enormous stretch of the universe perhaps several billions of light-years before finally colliding with Earth. In fact, Macquart said, studying FRBs could even help astronomers figure out exactly what types of matter exist between galaxies. About one third of the universe's run-of-the-mill matter made of protons and neutrons (also called "baryonic matter") is thought to exist somewhere in clouds of gas between distant stars, according to a study published earlier this year. Studying how FRBs warp and slow in certain parts of the sky could help pinpoint where, exactly, those clouds of baryons really are. "[FRBs] can act as cosmic lighthouses,"Macquart said in a video accompanying the new study. "They can actually find that matter, find where its lurking in the universe and find out exactly how much is missing." Further study of these invisible blasts of space-light could go a long way toward completing our map of the known universe. So, let's hope that if FRBs are indeed caused by superintelligent alien spaceships, they're thrusting away from Earth. Originally published on Live Science. BRUSSELS - The number of asylum requests remained stable during the summer across the EU, according to the European Asylum Support Office (EASO). Overall in August this year 52,500 applications were filed, slightly down on July but in line with the previous months. The agency reported a slowdown in first-instance decisions by authorities in EU countries, with a significant inversion of the trend: the number of pending cases once again rose after a stable downturn since September 2016. Asylum authorities issued a total of 43,725 decisions in August, one of the lowest levels in the past three years. Since May, less than 50,000 measures were issued every month. There were 431,275 cases at the end of July awaiting a decision of first instance, some 10,000 more than the previous month. The main country of origin of asylum seekers were Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey and Iran. Except for Syrians, these nationalities presented more applications from July. NASA and Roscosmous attempted to send two new crew members to the ISS aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft early this morning (Oct. 11). The attempt went very wrong. But NASA TV reports that astronaut Nick Hague and Alexey Ovchinin are "in good condition" after a booster problem resulted in their Soyuz spacecraft making an unexpected, sharp return to Earth. As of 6:09 a.m. ET, NASA representative Brandi Dean reported on NASA TV that, according to Russian officials, search and rescue teams had reached the crew and that they had emerged from the unexpectedly downed capsule. Search and rescue teams were reportedly "working with them to get them ready to leave." Earlier, just minutes after the 4:40 a.m. ET launch, a problem occurred with one of the boosters carrying the Soyuz capsule to space from its launch site in Kazakhstan. See more That led to the Soyuz falling back to Earth in what NASA termed "ballistic descent mode" at "a sharper angle than we would try to land via." Nonetheless, by 5:20 a.m., Dean had reported over NASA TV that the crew had made contact with a search and rescue team and were, at least according to Russian sources, "in good condition." Dean has repeated that precise wording several times. Russia's Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft carrying Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin and NASA astronaut Nick Hague, blasts off from the launch pad at the Baikonur cosmodrome on Oct. 11, 2018. Minutes later, it had to make an emergency landing. (Image credit: Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty Images) According to Dean, this sort of landing would have subjected the crew to g-forces higher than what they would normally have to withstand, but was within the realm of "modes that we're familiar with" and that crews have dealt with before. On April 19, 2008, a Russian Soyuz returned from a successful trip to the ISS in much rougher fashion than usual. The crew of three went through a descent that NASA similarly described as a ballistic trajectory. In similar fashion to what NASA described today, the spacecraft entered the atmosphere at a steeper angle than typically intended, in what Live Science sister site Space.com reported was an "uncontrolled spin." That descent subjected NASA's Peggy Whitson, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, and South Korean astronaut So-yeon Yi to more intense g-forces than usual and deposited them safely but far afield of their intended landing site. Then as now, however, NASA emphasized that the landing itself wasn't out of control, but rather it was one of several backup modes that crews train for and for which the spacecraft is designed. In an interview later published on NASA's website, astronaut Alexander Kaleri, who was not part of the crew, said of that ballistic descent, "This was not a failure, as you understand; it was not a failure per se, it was one of the possible modes of descent." These sort of landings used to be the norm, and in fact expected, in the early days of spaceflight. As Florida Today reported in 2008, in the early 1960s, Mercury astronauts and Vostok cosmonauts used the atmospheric drag of ballistic trajectories to slow their spacecraft enough to safely deploy parachutes. Now, however, Soyuz enters such a trajectory only as a backup when other systems have failed. And the experience can be dramatic; Whitson reported reading 8.2 gs "on the meter" during her ballistic descent. That means she and her crew were subjected to forces 8.2 times the strength of Earth's gravity. In that environment, a 150-pound (68 kilograms) person would feel as though they weighed 1,230 pounds (558 kg). The last time a Soyuz mission was aborted was Sept. 26, 1983, when a rocket became engulfed in flames on the launchpad more than a minute before launch. Crew members fired emergency rockets close to the last possible moment, ejecting the crew vehicle to safety. Originally published on Live Science. Jon Wayne Service Co. has a wheel of success posted all over its offices to communicate the companys values to its employees. There are six messages in between the wheels spokes: Always over-deliver. Know your product. Take an interest in your customer. Always tell the truth. Do the right thing every time. Dont put off until tomorrow what can be done today. We try to keep it simple, said Jacob McBee, the companys vice president of operations. We always want to hear from employees if theres anything to improve on. The locally based company, which repairs heating and air-conditioning systems, won the Top Workplaces special award among midsize companies for leadership, with employees citing the knowledge and positive attitude of President Don Rackler. He is always smiling and happy when coming into the office, one employee wrote in the survey. He takes very good care of his customers and his employees and honestly cares for everyone. Other employees at the company, which was founded in 2001 and employs 170 workers in the San Antonio metro area, mentioned Racklers moral values and the fact that the companys leaders had worked their way up from the bottom. He makes us believe that we really can accomplish anything we set our minds to, another employee wrote. Top Workplaces Special Awards Leadership: David Bohne, Broadway Bank; Don Rackler, Jon Wayne Service Co.; Don Klein, Chesmar Homes Ltd. Direction: Gold Financial Services Managers: JBGoodwin, Realtors New ideas: Rheumatology Associates of South Texas Doers: Panda Restaurant Group Meaningfulness: Texas Organ Sharing Alliance Values: Oak Haven Massage Clued in senior managment: Red McCombs Automotive Communication: HomeTeam Pest Defense Appreciation: Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union Work/life flexibility: MassMutual South Texas Training: Bartlett Cocke General Contractors Benefits: Accenture See More Collapse Chesmar Homes Ltd., a Houston-based homebuilder with 64 employees, and its CEO, Don Klein, won in the leadership category among small companies. The company has a family atmosphere employees call themselves Chesmarians and its company values include do the right thing, have fun and respect everyone. Locally based Broadway Bank, which has 541 employees in the San Antonio area, was recognized for leadership among large companies. Has a vision for the future. Relates well to employees of all levels. Encourages different opinions, one Broadway Bank employee wrote about the companys CEO and president, David Bohne. He is highly ethical and committed to maintaining that key component of our culture. Other employees praised Bohne for updating the companys technology, for being a good public speaker and for his positive energy. Richard Webner is a San Antonio-based staff writer covering real estate and development. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | rwebner@express-news.net | Twitter: @RWebner A juvenile runaway who was reported missing in Cotulla during the Columbus Day weekend has been found safe, according to investigators at the La Salle County Sheriff's Office, who are crediting social media with helping alert the public and spread news of the search to thousands across South Texas in a matter of hours. A preliminary report was made Monday that the 14-year-old boy had gone missing from his residence on Second Street in Cotulla and that he had last been seen at 9 p.m. Sunday. The boy's family, sheriff's officers and other concerned citizens in La Salle County began posting pictures and descriptions of the child on social media outlets and reached thousands of viewers by Monday evening. All Catholic dioceses in Texas announced Wednesday that they will release the names of clergy who have been "credibly accused" of sexual abuse of a minor. The Diocese of Laredo said it is not aware of any credible allegations of sexual abuse of a minor by its clergy. "This action is taken in the context of our ongoing work to protect children from sexual abuse, and our efforts to promote healing and a restoration of trust in the Catholic Church," a statement from Diocese of Laredo Bishop James A. Tamayo states. " ... It brings me sorrow that we are having to face this challenging time in the Church. Faithful members of our church have suffered at the hands of clergy, and for this I am truly sorry. READ ALSO: Texas priest disappears amid molestation allegations "Since our inception in 2000, the Diocese of Laredo has worked vigilantly to provide a safe environment for children in our churches as well as all church facilities. We are not aware of any credible allegations of abuse to a minor by clergy in the Diocese of Laredo at this time. We are in an ongoing process of reviewing our files." The diocese said any victims of child sexual abuse by a member of its clergy should report it to local law enforcement and Romeo Rodriguez, victim assistance coordinator for the diocese. Laredo police can be reached at 956-795-2800 and Rodriguez can be reached at 956-764-7825. Promising its fullest disclosure ever of accusations of sexual abuse of children by priests, the Archdiocese of San Antonio said it has formed an independent commission to review church files going back 75 years and make public its findings, including names of offenders. READ ALSO: All 15 Texas Catholic dioceses to name accused priests A five-member panel headed by Catherine M. Stone, retired chief justice of the Texas Fourth Court of Appeals, also will review and recommend improvements to the archdiocese's procedures for responding to allegations of sexual abuse by clergy. The reports will be released Jan. 31. No decision has been made yet about how or where the names of accused clergy will be published, archdiocese spokesman Jordan McMorrough said. Visibly distressed, his voice cracking at times, Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller began a news conference by acknowledging he was "embarrassed and angry" at the scandal that in recent weeks has shaken up the church's top U.S. leadership. "I am committed to increase accountability and transparency in how our church here addresses the scourge of sexual abuse of minors," Garcia-Siller said, underlining the mandate to share the allegations with the public. READ ALSO: Top Twitter reactions to the latest Catholic priest abuse scandal "Honesty and transparency will be painful and at times deeply troubling," he said. "But I believe that it is the best path to healing for survivors and the only path to transformation for our church." Wednesday's dual announcements stemmed from decisions made Sept. 30 at a meeting of Texas bishops in Austin chaired by Garcia-Siller. Catholic leaders across the country have been scrambling to respond as well, jolted into action by an exhaustive report in August by a Pennsylvania grand jury that found more than 300 priests had sexually abused more than 1,000 children over seven decades in that state. It named several priests who ended up in San Antonio after their crimes were known to church leaders in Pennsylvania. Since 2002, the Archdiocese has named about a dozen priests accused of sexual misconduct, some of them with adults rather than minors. It detailed the allegations against eight priests that year, but refused to identify others who were retired or dead. In subsequent years the archdiocese has acknowledged learning of new allegations, either directly or from lawsuits, about priests who have worked in its parishes, and named them. A 2004 study by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice that documented 10,667 claims of abuse between 1950 and 2002 involving 4,392 accused priests nationwide put the numbers in San Antonio at 58 victims, 20 priests, but didn't name them. It was commissioned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' National Review Board. Since the Pennsylvania grand jury report was issued, several other states have pledged to conduct similar investigations. Garcia-Siller credited Tom Mengler, president of St. Mary's University, with suggesting the Texas bishops' initiative. Mengler will be a member of the new lay commission, he said, and Judge Stone recruited others and will announce the panel's makeup at a later date. In a statement issued Wednesday, Mengler said his peers in the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, whose board he chairs, have discussed their "role and responsibility" to urge their bishops to "undertake bold, public action to restore the trust of faithful men and women in their dioceses." Mengler credited the archbishop for moving quickly to establish the lay commission "to review the policies and the practices of the archdiocese and report its findings to the archbishop and the public." Several observers hailed Wednesday's announcements, with some reservations. Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.org, which documents abuses by priests, called them positive but "long overdue." "The bishops of Texas have been among the least transparent in the U.S. Catholic Church," she said in an email. "We estimate that they are concealing hundreds of names of accused clergy. The bishops' extreme secrecy has been enabled by the state's civil statutes of limitation, one of the most victim-hostile such statutes in the country." Doyle said more than 50 U.S. bishops outside of Texas have released lists of accused priests. Garcia-Siller, she said, should "publish a comprehensive list." "He should include all clergy, including religious order clerics. He should include full assignment histories, photos and information about the alleged crimes. The bishops of Texas have been secretive about child sex crimes for too long. ... So, their announcement today is welcome." SNAP, a network of survivors of clergy sex abuse and their supporters, also released a response to the Texas bishops, calling their plan "a good first step." "Their immediate second step should be to reach out to local prosecuting attorneys and Attorney General Ken Paxton and actively invite an independent investigation, one that comes with subpoena power and the ability to compel testimony under oath," the response said. SNAP questioned the bishops' timing and accused them of attempting "to stave off inquiries from Texas law enforcement authorities." The group also said that such investigations are better left in the hands of "truly independent authorities." "Another critical element to this announcement is that it refers only to 'credible accusations.'" SNAP said. "Church officials are not the arbiters of what is credible and what is not, especially since there have been many cases ... where accusations deemed 'not credible' actually turned out to be very real." The Associated Press and Laredo Morning Times contributed to this report. Laredo police said they need the community's assistance to track down a man linked to an assault investigation. The alleged assault unfolded at about 1:30 a.m. Oct. 6 at a convenience store in the 2500 block of Del Mar Boulevard. A San Antonio teen accused of killing a Universal City man during a home invasion took the stand Wednesday in his own defense, saying he never meant to kill anyone and that all he wanted was money. Jonathan Andrew Perales, 19, has been on trial since Tuesday. He was 18 when Universal City police arrested him on a charge of capital murder in the death of Michael Clayton Robinson, 51, a homeowner who was killed in an exchange of gunfire with Perales in October 2017. The state rested its case Wednesday, and the defense put on two witnesses, the last the defendant, before it, too, rested. RELATED: Family considers lawsuit after nursing-home photo goes viral Under direct questioning from defense attorney Jeff Mulliner, Perales told the jury how he drove around that night looking for a place to break into when he found an unlocked back gate at the Robinson home. He said he backed his car into the driveway and went into the home to burglarize it. I just wanted money, the defendant told the jury. He couldnt say what state of mind he was in that night because, he said, he had taken four bars of Xanax and was under the influence of the drug. Once inside, Perales said he used a flashlight as he went room to room. He grabbed a purse, a backpack and keys to all of the vehicles parked at the home and made at least two trips to his car to place them in the trunk, he testified. On the third time, as he made his way through the kitchen, he told the jury, he heard a mans voice yell, Get out of my house. I said, Im going, and I tried to find the front door, he said, recounting how he went through the dark house, trying to find his way out. RELATED: San Antonio archbishop vows to name 'credibly accused' priests As the next door opened, Perales said, he was met with two gunshots and returned fire, in what seemed like less than a second. Instinctively, I fired two shots back, he told the court. And then I stumbled my way out of the house. Perales told the jury he realized he had been shot, tried to drive away, but didnt get very far because he could not move with a bullet wound in his arm and another in the chest. He ended up on the lawn of the house next door, where the neighbor took him inside, not knowing what had happened. Police body camera video showed the defendant on the floor of the neighbors house, surrounded by police who tried to calm him as he begged for them to call an ambulance. ON EXPRESS-NEWS.COM: Body cam shows injured teen writhing on floor, admitting shooting Perales said it wasnt until he woke up in the hospital that he was told he had killed the homeowner. I know I did wrong, being in the house, and it was his right to shoot me, he told the jury. At the time, I just wanted to get out of the house. It was a split-second reaction. Prosecutors introduced into evidence photographs from Perales Facebook page that showed the defendant posing with a Xanax bar on his tongue, and a revolver similar to the one used in the shooting, over part of his face. Jurors also saw a photograph of a tattoo Perales received since the shooting that depicts a revolver, three Xanax bars, and RIP 10-10-17, the date of the shooting. Closing arguments are expected to begin Thursday morning in the 290th state District Court, presided by Judge Melisa Skinner. The Bexar County District Attorneys Office is not seeking the death penalty in this case. If convicted, Perales would automatically be sent to prison for life without the possibility of parole. 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 MOSCOW - A Russian Soyuz rocket malfunctioned two minutes after liftoff Thursday on a mission to the International Space Station, triggering an automatic abort command that forced the two-member crew - an American and a Russian - to make a harrowing parachute landing in their capsule, 200 miles from the launch site in the steppes of Kazakhstan. U.S. astronaut Tyler "Nick" Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin had made it halfway to space before suddenly going the other direction. They fell about 31 miles back to the ground, according to NASA. They were quickly located by rescue teams and flown back to the launch site for an emotional reunion with their families. The failure of the Soyuz MS-10 rocket effectively halts all American and Russian access to space pending an investigation into what went wrong. For seven years, since NASA retired the space shuttle, the United States has relied on Russian hardware to ferry Americans to and from the space station. Thursday's dramatic developments ratcheted up pressure on Boeing and SpaceX, the two companies that were supposed to have commercial spacecraft ready for launch this year but have experienced delays and are not expected to be ready until the middle of next year at the earliest. Three crew members currently on the space station are in no danger, NASA said. They have adequate supplies for an extended mission beyond their planned Dec. 13 return and can get home in a spare Soyuz spacecraft currently attached to the space station. But there are limits to how long the Soyuz module can remain in orbit before its fuel is no longer reliable. Another three-person crew is scheduled to launch in December for the station, but that mission is imperiled by Thursday's rocket failure. NASA officials said it's possible that at some point the astronauts in space will have to return to Earth with no crew to replace them. NASA is not eager to abandon, even temporarily, the $100 billion orbital laboratory, which requires constant maintenance and has never before been operated solely by ground commands. Big decisions lie ahead, but on Thursday, U.S. and Russian officials expressed relief after the close brush with disaster. This was a terrifying day - but not a tragic one because the escape system worked. "It wasn't quite the day that we planned, but it is great to have Nick and Alexey at least back on the ground," said Kenny Todd, who directs space station operations for NASA. "This is a very difficult business that we're in. And it can absolutely humble you." - - - The launch looked good until a red light illuminated inside the capsule. "Failure of the booster," a translator called out at mission control near Moscow, according to a transcript on Russian state television. The computers took over. The capsule automatically separated from the rocket. The crew felt a jolt and then quickly reported being weightless: They were in free fall back to Earth. The crew members then initiated a "ballistic" trajectory that put Hague and Ovchinin under more than six times the force of gravity and put the capsule into a spin. "We are getting ready for the G loads," Ovchinin reported to mission control. "G load is 6.7." They were briefly out of contact during the 34-minute descent. NASA's deputy chief astronaut, Reid Wiseman, said his heart was pounding as he wondered where the capsule would come down. At that point only gravity was in control, and rescue teams in helicopters raced to where they thought the capsule would land. Parachutes deployed automatically. The gray capsule tumbled onto its side on a grassy flatland. Hague and Ovchinin were examined by medical officials and deemed in good shape. "Glad our friends are fine," tweeted Alexander Gerst from the European Space Agency, the station commander. "Spaceflight is hard. And we keep trying for the benefit of humankind." Russian officials said crewed space launches have been suspended pending an investigation into the malfunction. Russia's Interfax news agency also said all uncrewed launches could be halted for the rest of the year, citing space program sources. Thursday's launch failure came at a dicey moment in the U.S.-Russia space partnership. The two nations have been congenial 250 miles above the Earth's surface even when events on the ground, such as the Russian annexation of Crimea or the interference of Russia in the 2016 election, have stoked tensions. But the United States and Russia have been at odds over the cause of a small hole discovered in August on the Soyuz module - Soyuz MS-09 - currently docked at the space station. Moscow says the hole, now repaired, was the result of deliberate drilling and has suggested sabotage, while the U.S. space agency said this week that investigators will determine the cause. Against that backdrop, NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine traveled to Kazakhstan to witness Thursday's launch and meet his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Rogozin of Roscosmos. The summit turned far more dramatic than either had imagined. Rogozin said he was forming a state commission to investigate what caused the failure. It was the first time the Soyuz had failed on a launch to the 20-year-old International Space Station. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov, who oversees space flight, promised to share all information from the investigation with the United States. - - - The failure puts tremendous pressure on NASA and the two companies - SpaceX and Boeing - it is counting on to fly its astronauts to the space station. Both companies have faced repeated delays. NASA recently announced that neither would fly even an uncrewed test flight this year and that the first flights with astronauts on board wouldn't happen until the middle of 2019. "We like having more than one operational system, and right now, by my count, we have zero," said Lori Garver, a former NASA deputy administrator who was a strong advocate for commercial crew during the Obama administration. "You can look back at the decisions that were made - like retiring the shuttle, like Congress not providing the funding in the first years of commercial crew, which has delayed the availability of SpaceX and Boeing. In retrospect those don't look like wise decisions," said space policy expert John Logsdon, a professor emeritus at George Washington University. In June, the spacecraft Boeing plans to use to fly NASA astronauts to the International Space Station suffered a significant setback when officials discovered a propellant leak during a test. SpaceX also has suffered setbacks but says it is ready to fly its first test mission to the station - without astronauts - in January. Still, Phil McAlister, who oversees the commercial crew program for NASA, recently warned that "launch dates will still have some uncertainty, and we anticipate they may change as we get closer to launch." The last time Moscow's space program had a crewed launch failure was during the Soviet era in 1983, when a Soyuz booster exploded. Cosmonauts Vladimir Titov and Gennady Strekalov jettisoned and landed safely near the launchpad. - - - Achenbach reported from Washington. The Washington Posts Christian Davenport in Los Angeles and Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report. --- NASA video link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUwnLFKfuBE&feature=youtu.be Efforts by leaders to heal the historic rift between China and Japan are working, although improvement in how the countries' citizens view each other is largely one-sided. An opinion poll of Asia's two largest economies published by Genron NPO on Thursday showed about 42 percent of Chinese respondents had a positive image of Japan, up from 5.2 percent in 2013. By contrast, 13 percent of Japanese said they had a positive view of China, compared with a low of 6.8 percent in 2014. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said that when he took office in 2012 - just months after Japan nationalized part of a chain of islets claimed by both countries - he inherited a relationship with China at its worst state since World War II. Since then, Abe has sought opportunities to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and appears set to be rewarded this month with his first one-on-one summit in Beijing. In the annual poll, the percentage of respondents saying ties between China and Japan were poor fell below 50 percent in both countries for the first time since 2010. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday told attendees at a bilateral gathering in Beijing that the countries should make efforts to improve ties, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. Even as Abe emphasizes the need for the countries to cooperate, Japan continues to show its concern about Chinese military expansion and activities in the South China Sea. Efforts at rapprochement have been overshadowed by growing tensions between China and Japan's only treaty ally, the United States. - - - Whereas Chinese respondents to the survey cited Japan's high standard of living, its well-mannered culture and its beautiful environment among reasons for their positive impression, they said Japan remains the most serious military threat to China - ahead of the U.S. Japanese respondents cited the dispute over the East China Sea islands (known as the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China) as the biggest reason for their negative impression of China, followed by Beijing's "actions against international rules." But when it comes to their nation's biggest military threat, they said it was North Korea, by far. Genron NPO surveyed 1,000 people in Japan and 1,548 people in China between Aug. 27 and Sept. 22. ISTANBUL - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday spoke about the case of Saudi journalist Jamal Kashoggi, who disappeared nine days ago after entering his country's consulate in Istanbul, saying Ankara is ''investigating the issue in all its aspects''. ''It is an incident that occurred in our country, we cannot remain silent because it is not an ordinary incident'', he added. ''Is it possible not to have a video surveillance system in a consulate or an embassy? They can even find a bird or a mosquito with the advanced systems they have'', said Erdogan. Nevertheless, the president remained cautious: ''It is not right to draw conclusions based on conjecture, but we are worried. And we see that the United States share the same concerns''. This week, a top scientific body studying climate change released a terrifying report. The world has just a decade to take "unprecedented" action to cut carbon emissions and hold global warming to a moderate - but still dangerous and disruptive - level. That would require a "rapid and far-reaching" transformation of the world's economy, one of such scale and magnitude that it has no historical equivalent. The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that nearly every country will need to significantly scale up the commitments made under the 2015 Paris climate accord if humans hope to avoid disaster. Under that agreement, 195 countries pledged to cut their greenhouse-gas emissions to try to keep global warming under two degrees Celsius. But it's hard to imagine that will happen, as almost no country is doing a good job meeting the relatively modest goals in place. (The United States was a signatory of the 2015 Paris agreement, but last year President Donald Trump announced that Washington was pulling out of the pact.) The Climate Action Tracker, a project run by a group of three climate-research organizations, has been monitoring the progress of 32 countries in meeting the Paris accord goals. Taken together, those 32 countries account for 80 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. The tracker's goal is to provide an "up-to-date assessment of countries' individual reduction targets and with an overview of their combined effects." It looks at how much greenhouse gas each country emits right now; what it has committed to change on paper; and how well it's following through on those promises. The group found that most major polluters are making few, if any, efforts to meet their goals. By Climate Action's calculations, "critically insufficient countries" failed to even commit to cutting emissions significantly on paper. Only seven countries have made commitments or efforts that would achieve the goal of the Paris accord. But there are some bright spots: Morocco The North African nation is one of only two countries with a plan to reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions far enough to keep warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, an important threshold for staving off some of the worst effects of climate change. Morocco has promised to halt its growth of greenhouse gas emissions by commissioning large-scale renewable energy projects. The country has commissioned the largest concentrated solar power plant in the world, scaled up its natural-gas imports and cut back fossil-fuel subsidies. Morocco is on track to get 42 percent of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2020. Gambia The West African nation is the only other country on track to cut its carbon output in line with a 1.5 degree Celsius rise. According to Climate Action Tracker, it's one of the only developing countries in the world to lay out a plan that would "bend its emissions in a downward trajectory." A major part of that plan is a massive reforestation project it's running to stop environmental erosion and degradation by planting trees. India One of the world's biggest economies, with one of the fastest-growing renewable energy programs, India could meet its goal of generating 40 percent of its energy from non-fossil-fuel sources as early as the end of this year. It has done that by declining to open new coal-fired plants and promoting electric vehicles. Britain Like most industrialized nations, the United Kingdom is struggling to cut its emissions. But the nation deserves special mention as the only developed economy in the world to create a body to track how well the country is meeting its Paris agreement commitments and how the country could do better. Britain is also working toward an ambitious plan to reduce its emissions to "net zero" by 2050. Washington The Supreme Court wrestled Wednesday with a case about the government's ability to detain certain immigrants after they've served sentences for committing crimes in the United States. Several justices expressed concerns with the government's reading of immigration law. While members of the court's conservative majority seemed more inclined than its liberal members to back the government, both of President Donald Trump's appointees asked questions that made it less clear how they might ultimately rule. The issue has to do with the detention of noncitizens who have committed a range of crimes that make them deportable. Immigration law tells the government to pick those people up when they are released from federal or state prisons and jails and hold them without bond hearings while an immigration court decides whether they should be deported. Those affected by the law aren't always picked up immediately and are sometimes not detained until years later. They argue that unless they're picked up essentially within a day of being released, they're entitled to a hearing where they can argue that they aren't a danger to the community and are not likely to flee. If a judge agrees, they can stay out of custody while their deportation case goes forward. That's the same hearing rule that applies to other noncitizens the government is trying to deport. The Trump administration argues, as the Obama administration did, against hearings for those convicted of crimes and affected by the law. The government reads immigration law to say that detention is mandatory for those people regardless of when they are picked up. The case before the justices involves a class-action lawsuit brought by noncitizens in California and a similar class-action lawsuit brought in the state of Washington. One of the lead plaintiffs, Mony Preap, has been a lawful permanent resident of the United States since 1981 and has two convictions for possession of marijuana. He was released from prison in 2006 but was not taken into immigration custody until 2013. Preap won in lower courts, and the government was ordered to provide him and other class members a bond hearing. Other appeals courts have sided with the government in similar cases. Preap has since won his deportation case. Cases disposed for the week of Oct. 2-10: Ronnie Lee Austin, 42, of Filion, expired operator's license, $315 in fines and costs. Jesus M. Banda, 25, of San Benito, Texas, operating while visibly impaired-first offense, one day in jail, $1,350 in fines and costs. Keith Eugene Bricker, 36, of Bay City, found not guilty of domestic violence by a jury. Kelly Lynn Fleming, 32, of Bad Axe, no operator's license, $235 in fines and costs; no proof of insurance, $150 in fines and costs. Tommy Wayne Stinson, 52, of Harbor Beach, no operator's license, $315 in fines and costs. Vernon Samuel Young, 43, of Kinde, allowing a suspended driver to operate a motor vehicle, $315 in fines and costs. BETSINGILO, Madagascar -- Nana thought for a second, and then shook her head. Donald Trump? No, never heard of him. Her humble, earthen home and field of cassava are about as far from Washington, D.C., as it gets. She lives in Madagascar, an impoverished island hundreds of miles off the coast of Africa - and tiny Betsingilo is a week-long trip by bus from the country's capital. The distance has not stopped Trump's foreign policy from affecting people's lives here. Madagascar is one of dozens of countries where health providers are facing cutbacks or other disruptions after a dramatic change to foreign aid by the Trump administration. Little noticed by many Americans, the shift could have profound consequences in rural communities like Nana's. The policy change was one of Trump's first acts as president. On Jan. 23, 2017, he signed an executive order that denied U.S. assistance to any foreign-based organization that performs, promotes or offers information on abortion. A similar plan, known as the Mexico City policy, was in effect under past Republican presidents. But Trump expanded it exponentially to apply not just to around $600 million in overseas family-planning funds, but to the entire $8.8 billion in annual U.S. global health aid. It will take years to gauge the full impact of the policy, which will affect aid groups as they renew grants or seek new U.S. funding. In many of the more than 60 countries that receive U.S. health assistance, the impact could be minimal. But the change has resulted in tens of millions of dollars in funding cuts to two of the developing world's biggest providers of women's health care, including Marie Stopes International - which runs a mobile family-planning clinic serving Nana's village. More broadly, the policy has created a wave of uncertainty in aid-dependent countries. For the first time, groups that treat HIV, malaria and other illnesses will also have to pledge to have no role in promoting abortion - or forgo American aid. Many organizations will face a dilemma, advocates say, since abortion-related services are often integrated into general health care in poor nations. Disentangling them can be difficult. "This is now a massive, potentially devastating experiment with people's lives," said Asia Russell, executive director of Health GAP, a global AIDS and human-rights advocacy group, who is based in Uganda. American officials say they don't believe the new policy will ultimately reduce the availability of health care. "We are not changing funding amounts by one dollar," said Alma Golden, a deputy assistant administrator for USAID, the government's foreign-aid agency. Funds denied to some organizations will be redirected to others that provide similar services and promise to follow the new policy, officials say. But it can take weeks or months for that to happen. In some remote areas, there are few, if any, other health groups that could readily step in. Madagascar is especially vulnerable because it has relatively few foreign donors. "There are still many women in Madagascar who want contraception but don't have it," said Marie Georgette Ravoniarisoa, director of the family health division of Madagascar's health ministry. "Marie Stopes was beginning to reach more of them, but it looks like the Trump administration will make things go backwards." In Betsingilo, Marie Stopes is the only provider of family-planning services - something Nana felt she desperately needed. Trump's aid policy reflects a larger administration push to defund groups that provide abortions, referrals or information on the procedure. Overseas, a key component of that is the Mexico City policy, named for the city in which it was drafted in 1984. President Ronald Reagan brought it into law, and each Democrat in the office after him rescinded it, while each Republican reinstated it. Congress has long prohibited the use of U.S. foreign aid for abortions. But under Democratic presidents, foreign groups could still qualify for family-planning funds as long as they used non-U.S. funds for abortions. Under the Mexico City policy, groups have to forswear not just performing abortions but promoting them in any way. Critics call it the "global gag rule." Antiabortion advocates say the policy will save the lives of the unborn. "This is a welcome step toward restoring and enforcing important federal policies that respect the most fundamental human right - the right to life," said Cardinal Timothy Dolan, head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, when Trump reinstated the policy. Academics have questioned whether the Mexico City policy effectively decreases abortions. A 2011 study by Stanford University researchers suggested the policy has actually been "associated with increases in abortion rates in sub-Saharan African countries." One possible reason for that: Some organizations that had provided contraceptives lost funding, which may have led to more unwanted pregnancies, the researchers wrote. Since Trump's expanded policy took effect in May 2017, most foreign health groups have committed to following the new rules. But a small group refused to sign, including the International Planned Parenthood Federation and Marie Stopes, a London-based aid group named for an early 20th-century family-planning pioneer. They, in turn, have hundreds of local partners. International Planned Parenthood says it has had to make reductions in clinics, staffing, services or health supplies in 29 countries. Marie Stopes, which works in 37 countries, says it lost around $30 million in U.S. aid in 2017. That was equivalent to 17 percent of its donor grants, and 7 percent of its total income. Although the group eventually got funding from other donors, it has still had to cut services in countries like Madagascar, Uganda and Zimbabwe to conserve its funds for leaner years ahead. "It was painful, but at the end of the day, it was a no-brainer not to sign," said Marjorie Newman-Williams, president of Marie Stopes's U.S. branch. "The right to safe abortion is core to our mission. To sign it would've been walking away from who we are." In addition to family-planning funds, the policy - as expanded under Trump - applies to programs that fight diseases like AIDS and malaria. In rural areas in the developing world, such programs might be run from the same clinic that provides family planning, with the aid intermingled. Asked why the administration chose to broaden the Mexico City policy, the White House said in a statement the move recognized that "when we design programs to end malaria or HIV/AIDS or maternal mortality, we don't intend to fund the abortion industry." Most groups are expected to sign the policy, officials said. Golden, of USAID, said the U.S. government remained committed to expanding family planning. "We recognize the timing and spacing of children is critical to women's health and the health of their children," she said. The roughly $3.5 million that USAID was giving annually to Marie Stopes in Madagascar was redistributed to organizations like Population Services International that agreed to comply with the new policy. USAID remains the biggest supplier of family-planning methods such as condoms in the country, but Madagascar's government had come to rely on Marie Stopes to provide services in certain areas. "The ministry can't cover everywhere on its own," said Ravoniarisoa, the health ministry official. Marie Stopes doesn't provide abortions in Madagascar, as they are illegal in most cases. But it does advocate for the legalization of abortion. The end of USAID funding for at least the next three years has hit the group hard. Its administrative staff in Madagascar is taking a mandatory five days unpaid leave per month. A voucher program that provided free contraception to 170,000 women and girls was eliminated. Marie Stopes is especially concerned it might have to suspend its 21 mobile clinics, which rove Madagascar by truck, boat and sometimes even hovercraft. They used to be fully funded by USAID and are now running on shoestring budgets. Where a team of four health professionals once went to a village, now it's often two, and the number of operations performed has declined by half, the group says. An additional mobile clinic has already been eliminated. The group estimates there are 350,000 women in Madagascar who can only get family-planning services like implants and tubal ligatures from its mobile clinics. Jean Rangomana, a surgeon for Marie Stopes whose clinic packs up neatly into a Toyota Land Cruiser, said some women had already received hormonal implants or IUDs, and "they have been promised checkups in case anything goes wrong." Organizations that advocate for access to abortion have always known that U.S. government funding is insecure. But under Trump's expanded policy, groups that were once far removed from America's abortion politics are facing that same uncertainty. Among them are recipients of funding from PEPFAR, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which was started under President George W. Bush and is considered a U.S. success story. Many health facilities in the developing world, particularly in rural areas, offer a broad range of services - everything from tuberculosis treatment to HIV testing to family planning - under one roof. In part, that's because of a lack of resources. But AIDS researchers have long argued that integrating health services is vital in stemming the spread of the virus. "The idea is, if pregnancy prevention gets them in, let's get all their needs there," said Chloe Cooney, director of global advocacy at Planned Parenthood Federation of America. "If you disqualify them in that space, there's a massive ripple effect." Some local organizations are already feeling the impact of the policy on HIV and AIDS treatment. In Mozambique, a southeast African country heavily dependent on aid for its health care, a Planned Parenthood affiliate called Amodefa lost 60 percent of its funding, though some of its work can be transferred to other groups, said Santos Simione, its executive director. The group has closed clinics across the country that were funded through PEPFAR, many in rural areas with a high prevalence of HIV where it was the primary provider of care, he said. It has laid off a third of its staff. "The U.S. government and Planned Parenthood helped us build capacity for almost a decade. We became the organization people in our communities could trust to get information and care," Simione said in an interview. He said that he has offered to help train new organizations that did sign on to the Mexico City policy, but they have declined for fear their funding could be jeopardized. "It will take years and years before some places in Mozambique get the same quality of care we gave," he said. Another illustration of the Trump policy's far-reaching impact is how it affected an international charity, WaterAid, focused on sanitation, hygiene and drinking water. In some countries where it operates, women face the risk of sexual assault as they walk to fetch drinking water. If its staff referred them to a clinic, "the chances of it being a Planned Parenthood or Marie Stopes clinic were really quite high," said Lisa Schechtman, director of policy and advocacy for the group. It didn't sign the policy and lost the opportunity to apply for USAID funds for health and nutrition programs in six countries, she said. The U.S. State Department has been studying the expanded policy's impact, but Deborah Birx, the U.S. global AIDS coordinator, said there is not yet sufficient data to say whether concerns raised by public health advocates were warranted. In the 21 months since Trump took office, private donors as well as governments in Europe and elsewhere have increased their assistance to family-planning groups that became ineligible for U.S. aid. Last year, four European nations - Sweden, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands - launched the SheDecides initiative to raise money for sexual and reproductive health programs, in reaction to Trump's policies. But some organizations have faced months of turbulence as they try to nail down new funding. In Madagascar, Rangomana and the other doctors have relied on stopgap aid to operate their mobile clinics. There is no guarantee, however, that Marie Stopes can support them beyond this fall. "Our staff are losing focus on their work because they are worried about their futures," Lalaina Razafinirinasoa, Marie Stopes' director in Madagascar, said in late August. She was cautiously optimistic that the group would find the needed money. But she has drawn up termination letters in case she's wrong. --- Video Embed Code Video: A policy decision by President Trump may make it difficult for some women in poor countries like Madagascar to access family-planning services.(Carolyn Van Houten,Max Bearak,Joyce Lee/The Washington Post) Embed code: Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen cautioned China against any efforts to interfere in local elections next month, in a toughly worded speech that mirrored U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's own rebuke to Beijing. Tsai made the remarks during a National Day address in Taipei, in which she described China as a threat to the international order. The Taiwanese president used the speech to issue a warning about election meddling after her administration accused China, along with Russia and North Korea, of testing cyber-hacking techniques on the democratically run island for use elsewhere. "We will relentlessly prosecute cases of creation and spread of untruthful information, technology leaks, sabotage of information-technology security systems, interference in elections and politics, if there is solid evidence," Tsai said Wednesday. "We will bolster cooperation with other countries to counter systematic disinformation campaign originating from certain countries." The speech comes as tensions between Beijing and both Taipei and its main security guarantors in Washington reach their highest in years. Tsai's comments bore a similarity to a speech by Pence last week, in which he laid out allegations of Chinese election interference in the U.S. and lauded Taiwan's democracy as a model for Chinese people. In his remarks, Pence specifically criticized China's efforts to isolate the island of 23 million people by luring away diplomatic partners and forcing U.S. companies to stop referring to it as a country. Beijing cut off formal communication with Taipei in 2016 after Taiwan elected Tsai, whose Democratic Progressive Party supports independence from China. "We will not escalate conflicts impulsively and we will not cave in and submit," Tsai said. "Our democratic transition lightens our dark past and provides a ray of light in the dark night for all those seeking democracy. Those in Hong Kong, China and elsewhere in the world seeking democracy can look in Taiwan's direction." Tsai will face her first election test Nov. 24, when the DPP will defend hundreds of seats in local elections. The vote gives the island's more China-friendly opposition, the Kuomintang, the first chance to claw back influence after being swept from power over the past few years. Taiwan is bracing for an onslaught of cyber attacks from mainland China ahead of the vote, Howard Jyan, director general of Taiwan's cybersecurity department, recently told Bloomberg News. The government endured 360 successful cyber attacks last year after tens of millions of attempts, Jyan said, possibly compromising sensitive and classified data. China has in turned lashed out at Taiwan's intelligence agencies. On Sept. 16, An Fengshan, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing, demanded that the island government "cease infiltration and sabotage activities against the mainland to avoid further harming increasingly complex and severe" relations. Taiwan has been a central point of tension between Washington and Beijing since the Republic of China government fled to Taipei and the Communists founded their People's Republic 69 years ago. China has tolerated Taiwan's autonomy -- and U.S. arms sales to the island -- so long as both sides respect there is only "one China." Tsai has refused to accept that framework. "Protecting the free, democratic lifestyle of the 23 million people, safeguarding the sustainable development of Republic of China, and maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait and regional stability is the common denominator shared by all Taiwanese people," Tsai said in her speech. --Bloomberg's Bill Faries contributed. "I know they're [Senators] talking about different kinds of sanctions, but they're [Saudi Arabia] spending $110 billion on military equipment and on things that create jobs, like jobs and others for this country. I don't like the concept of stopping an investment of $110 billion into the United States." --President Trump, in remarks to reporters, Oct. 11, 2018 --- President Donald Trump pushed back against sanctioning Saudi Arabia over the disappearance and likely killing of Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi, saying the Saudis have pledged to buy $110 billion of military equipment from the United States. But this number is fanciful and unlikely to come to fruition - and in any case many of the purported deals are long in the future, according to a detailed list obtained by The Washington Post. Indeed, in a March meeting with the country's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Trump noted that the current set of planned deliveries was "peanuts." Let's explore. --- When Trump completed his visit May trip to Saudi Arabia, claiming $270 billion in sales, we gave him a rating of Three Pinocchios after a review of the data. (The scale tops out at Four Pinocchios, or Whoopers.) The $110 billion in military sales aroused great skepticism among experts, with Bruce Riedel of the Brookings Institution calling the claim "fake news." Most of the publicly announced items had been previously announced by the Obama administration and there appeared to be few, if any, signed contracts. Rather, many of the announcements were MOIs - memorandums of intent. There six specific items that added up to $28 billion were all previously notified to Congress by the Obama administration. After Trump's remarks on Khashoggi, Reidel said the $110 billion figure was "still fake." He said the Saudis have not bought locked in the arms deals touted by Trump, even a $15 billion deal for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-ballistic missile system that has received preliminary approval from Congress. He noted that the Saudis let a September deadline for the deal lapse with Lockheed Martin, despite a 20 percent price cut. A review of the announcements on the Defense Security Cooperation Agency website since Trump's 2017 trip reveals that, besides THAAD, there have been six State Department announcements of approval of Saudi sales, totaling just $4 billion. According to the document of all of the military-sales agreements reviewed by The Post most of the items did not have delivery dates or were scheduled for 2022 or beyond. The THAAD, for instance, was scheduled for 2023-2026. An order for four ships would not be completed until 2028. Billions of dollars in bombs are scheduled for delivery in 2022. In essence, this is a wish list. It's worth recalling that Obama offered Saudi Arabia $115 billion in deals, about half of which resulted in actual sales. Trump raised the possibility that the Saudis might turn to Russia or China for its hardware. The Saudis are still considering purchasing a Russian S-400 air-defense system, but Reidel said the kingdom is too invested in U.S. equipment - which means the U.S. has significant leverage if it wanted to punish the Saudis over the Khashoggi matter. "It would take decades to transition from U.S. and U.K. aircraft, for example, to Russian or Chinese aircraft," Reidel said. "Same is true for tanks, communications equipment and other hi-tech equipment. And the Saudis don't have time given they are bogged down in Yemen." --- This is an example of a politician believing his own propaganda. The $110 billion-figure is not real and unlikely to come to fruition - and even if it did, it represents sales far in the future. The president should scale down the use of the number, especially when talking about a diplomatic crisis today. Given that little on the supposed deals has advanced since Trump's announcement 1 1/2 years ago, we are upping this to Four Pinocchios. --- Video Embed Code Video: President Trump on Oct. 11 would not commit to curbing arms sales to Saudi Arabia following the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. (The Washington Post) Embed: --- Video Embed Code Video: President Trump said Oct. 11 he opposes imposing sanctions on Saudi Arabia in relation to missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi.(The Washington Post) Embed code: The Trump administration is throwing down the gauntlet in front of China. It has already launched the first major salvos of a trade war. It approved a $330 million arms sale to Taiwan last month. And now its top officials are taking part in a rhetorical offensive against Beijing that shows few signs of abating. In a speech last week at a conservative think tank, Vice President Mike Pence called for a reset in U.S.-China ties. He attacked China for its alleged hacking and espionage attempts within the United States, its theft of U.S. technological secrets, its supposedly unfair trade practices, its bullying diplomacy abroad and its crackdown on the rights of ethnic and religious minorities at home. Pence argued that the White House now sees Beijing as a rival in an age of "great power competition" - a marked departure from previous administrations, which hoped to accommodate a rising China as a "responsible stakeholder" in the international system. "The speech's real significance was its promise that the United States will newly confront Beijing's worldwide economic and strategic aggression, oppose its internal repression and compel the Chinese government to change its behavior on both fronts," my Washington Post colleague Josh Rogin observed. This new China policy, which marries economic nationalism with brute hawkishness, "would have been unthinkable coming from the Obama administration," he wrote. Pence reiterated the message in a radio interview aired Wednesday. "China has largely abandoned the pathway of more freedom," the vice president told right-wing radio host Hugh Hewitt, cataloguing a list of complaints about Chinese behavior, including the central government's construction of "an unparalleled surveillance state." Elsewhere on Wednesday, a congressional commission that monitors human rights in China discussed Beijing's sweeping repression of Uighur Muslims in the far-western region of Xinjiang. Reports indicate that as many as 1 million Uighurs and other minorities have been interned in "political reeducation" camps. "The commission's co-chairmen, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Rep. Christopher Smith, R-N.J., unveiled a bill that seeks to condemn the Chinese crackdowns in Xinjiang and urged the U.S. government to consider sanctions on Chinese leaders," my Post colleagues reported. Analysts suggest that Chinese officials have been stung by the White House's overt hostility. "This will look like the declaration of a new Cold War, and what China may do is more important than what it will say about Pence's speech," Zhang Baohui, professor of international relations at Lingnan University in Hong Kong, told the New York Times. Indeed, Beijing has reacted frostily so far. After swinging through the Korean Peninsula over the weekend, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a brief, combative stay in the Chinese capital. "We demand the U.S. stop such misguided actions," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a news conference, referring to Washington's harsh words as well as to the trade tensions that have cast "a shadow" over relations. Wang added that those disagreements would impair cooperation between the two countries on other issues, including North Korea. "Two major powers and permanent members of the U.N. Security Council need to, and should, increase communication and cooperation, taking on responsibilities in international society," Wang said. The sparring between the two countries seems set to continue. "Trump vowed last month to impose levies on all Chinese imports if Beijing refuses to abandon trade practices he considers predatory, including a requirement that U.S. companies surrender trade secrets in return for access to the Chinese market, and the theft of intellectual property from American companies," noted my colleagues. "But Xi has dug in his heels, pledging to boost domestic industries, increase exports and pour billions of dollars into infrastructure projects." Prominent members of the American business community - including Apple CEO Tim Cook, who visited China this week - lament the tense climate. But they do not have many sympathizers in the administration, which seems enthused by the prospect of an epic clash with a geopolitical adversary. "To the mix of longtime China hawks and trade hawks now driving U.S. policy, national security matters more than economic friction, and many of the protestations from the U.S. business community may fall on deaf ears," Walter Russell Mead wrote in a column for the Wall Street Journal. "Both China and the U.S. are likely to move quickly, unpredictably and disruptively as they struggle for advantage; Wall Street should brace itself for further shocks." Critics of the administration's China policy warn that Trump is opting for confrontation over coherent strategy. Is he simply trying to hold the line in the Pacific? Or is he hoping to ultimately push for a radical shake-up in Beijing? "It surely feels good, for officials and policy wonks who have worried about China's rise for years, to talk frankly about Beijing's misdeeds and declare that competition is no longer a 'four-letter word,'" wrote Hal Brands of Bloomberg View. "Yet until the U.S. figures out what its long-term objectives are, until it assembles a comprehensive set of policies for obtaining those objectives, it is unlikely to win the struggle it now seems to be embracing." Robert Kaplan, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, argued that U.S. allies in Asia, particularly those enmeshed in dangerous maritime disputes with Beijing, need Washington to play its traditional role of "balancer" in the region - not that of "an outright enemy" of China. "President Trump has communicated more uncertainty in the minds of our Asian allies than any previous U.S. leader of modern times. This might force them to conclude separate understandings with China," Kaplan wrote in an op-ed for The Washington Post. "Such a process will be insidious, rarely admitted and almost never on the front pages. Yet, one day, we will wake up and realize that Asia has irrevocably changed." - - - Tharoor writes about foreign affairs for The Washington Post. He previously was a senior editor and correspondent at Time magazine, based first in Hong Kong and later in New York. Elliott Davis, a leading business solutions firm with nine offices across the Southeast, announced that Luanne Runge has been named chief operating officer. She is based in the Greenville, South Carolina headquarters, and will provide strategic guidance and oversight for the entire company. Luanne is a respected visionary who brings a wealth of experience in organizational leadership and operations management, said Rick Davis, CEO of Elliott Davis. Her knowledge, passion and drive will help to propel Elliott Davis to even greater heights as we fulfill our mission of making a positive impact on our clients, our people and our communities. As COO, Ms. Runge will serve on the firms executive leadership team and oversee all aspects of day-to-day operations. She will also work to ensure the company achieves objectives that align with the strategic business plan, budget and firm culture. In addition, Runge will serve as Elliott Davis human resources team leader and general counsel. She said, The chance to join an organization that combines nearly 100 years of service excellence with a forward-leaning, entrepreneurial mindset is an incredible opportunity. Elliott Davis has progressive plans for the future, and I look forward to helping the company achieve its goals while strengthening its position in the marketplace. Im equally excited to work with a group thats committed to making the communities in which it does business better places to live and work. Before joining Elliott Davis, Ms. Runge served as president and CEO of Liberty Fellowship, a statewide values-based leadership initiative affiliated with The Aspen Institute. For more than four years, she provided the leadership, management and operational oversight of all facets of the organization. Prior to Liberty Fellowship, Ms. Runge practiced law in Greenville with Gallivan, White & Boyd for 21 years, the last 11 of which as a shareholder. She served as lead counsel in trials, while also litigating and arbitrating civil disputes for businesses, professionals and governmental entities. A native of Virginia, Ms. Runge earned a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in Politics from Wake Forest University and a Juris Doctor degree from Wake Forest University School of Law. She has been recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in America, a South Carolina Super Lawyer and one of Greenvilles Legal Elite, as well as one of Greenvilles 50 Most Influential for 2016. Mogherini tells Salame EU ready to strengthen UN support Meeting with special envoy prior to Foreign Affairs Council (ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, OCTOBER 11 - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini said on Thursday that the EU is willing to strengthen its support to UN on Libya in all sectors, in a meeting with UN Special Envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame prior to the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on October 15. Mogherini and Salame exchanged "opinions on the next necessary steps to continue the political transition" and also spoke about "how to transform the recently negotiated UN-backed ceasefire in Tripoli into more stable security agreements, and how to help the Libyan government to pursue economic reforms to benefit its people", a statement said. Thursday's meeting follows Salame's update at the informal meeting of foreign ministers on September 24 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.(ANSAmed). A local family is considering a lawsuit against a San Antonio nursing home after a photo went viral on Facebook showing their grandmother sitting in her wheelchair covered in vomit, allegedly having been neglected for several hours by Legend Oaks Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center staff. The photo was posted Saturday by a visitor to the nursing home and it quickly gained attention, racking up more than 13,750 shares. The family eventually caught wind of it, and on Monday they retained a lawyer for a potential lawsuit. Glenn W. Cunningham said he is still investigating the case and will need to speak more with the man who posted the photo and the family before filing a lawsuit, but initial facts seem to suggest an "egregious situation." "This was the embodiment of abuse and neglect," Cunningham said. "When families entrust their loved one to a nursing home, they're trusting that nursing home to care for their loved one with dignity and respect. In this situation, as is apparent by the picture, it does not appear that (the woman) was treated with dignity and respect." The 126-bed nursing home, located at 2003 West Hutchins Place, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. RELATED: S.A. Persian group planning event to support Pasha after largest food poisoning outbreak in 20 years The picture was taken by Jacob Longoria, who was at the nursing home Thursday to visit his uncle. He arrived around 7:30 p.m. and noticed the woman in the picture sitting in her wheelchair asking for help. The staff nearby ignored her, he said. He spent about an hour with his uncle then left to get something to eat. When he came back around 9:30, the woman was still sitting in the hallway, this time covered in her own vomit, he said. The floor around her was covered as well, he added. Thinking maybe she had just become sick a moment ago, Longoria passed by her and returned to spend more time with his uncle. About 30 or 45 minutes later when he was leaving, the woman was still in the same spot. Towels had been tossed on the floor and on the woman, but the staff was still ignoring her, Longoria claimed. "They were just sitting there," Longoria told mySA.com. "I asked at the desk if somebody would assist her and they said when they had time." RELATED: FDA approves drug tested in San Antonio for aggressive skin cancer He snapped a photo for evidence and later mentioned it to a number of friends. They urged him to block out the face of the woman and share the photo on Facebook, and within days the photo had gone viral. A person who identified himself as an administrator at the facility reached out to Longoria on Facebook shortly after the picture was posted. He told Longoria he had spoken with the family and requested that the pictures be removed to respect the family's privacy of the family, according to Longoria. Later, the family reached out to Longoria and thanked him for sharing the photos, acknowledging they never would have known about the treatment had he not. They told him to leave the photos up, he said. Since his post, several others have reached out to share similar stories of instances at Legend Oaks, Longoria said. RELATED: San Antonio wins national 'culture of health' prize The family could not be reached for comment. It wasn't clear whether the woman was still at the nursing home. "Legend Oaks is a skilled nursing facility that provides custodial care to residents," Cunningham said. "And so they are obligated, by both law and contract, to meet the care of their residents. It's not like this woman required some sort of extra or out-of-the-ordinary care. This was basic custodial care. The provision of basic dignity. To clean her after she had vomited on herself and when she was unable, because of her condition, to clean herself." If the family does decide to pursue legal action, it will be at least 60 days before a lawsuit is filed due to Texas law, Cunningham said. In a private Facebook message sent to Longoria, the Legend Oaks administrator told him the facility was investigating the accusations. "The facility is unwaveringly committed to the health and well-being of each resident it has the privilege to serve, and it is our expectation that all residents receive quality care during the course of their admission here," he said. "If we learn that this did not occur, as you have suggested, appropriate action will be immediately taken to correct the situation." RELATED: Xenex CEO talks Rackspace, health care and San Antonio's growing tech scene The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is currently investigating the situation, a spokesperson confirmed. In a July 2018 inspection, the facility was cited for 13 violations (one more than the Texas average of 12), and over the past three years, the state has received five complaints about the facility, state records say. Inspection violations included failure to provide quality services, failure to provide "care and services to get or keep the highest quality of life possible" to residents, and failure to properly care for residents special needs, state records show. 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 Serbia: Lidl opens 16 stores in 12 cities, 5 in Belgrade Investment worth 205 mn euros, 1,500 jobs (ANSAmed) - BELGRADE, OCTOBER 11 - German low-cost supermarket chain Lidl opened on Thursday morning 16 stores in 12 cities in Serbia, including five in the capital Belgrade. Consumers will have 1,500 brands to choose from, including 350 from Serbia. By the end of the year, seven additional Lidl stores will open in Serbia, where there is a significant presence of companies and investors from Germany, the country that together with Italy is a leader in economic and commercial exchanges with Serbia. President Aleksandar Vucic, who intervened this morning in the inaugural opening of one of five stores in Belgrade, said Lidl has invested 205 million euros in Serbia, employing 1,500 people. Some 200 Serbian companies are working with the German chain, he added. Lidl, which is part of the Schwarz group, is present in 27 European countries and the United States with 10,500 stores and some 260,000 employees. (ANSAmed). After a month of polls indicating a close race, Sen. Ted Cruz may finally have some breathing room. A new Quinnipiac University poll shows Cruz leading Rep. Beto O'Rourke by a nine percentage points, representing a 54 - 45 split among Texas' likely voters. Of those surveyed, 96 percent said they had made up their mind about who they'll vote for on Nov. 6. The poll, which reached out to 730 voters last week, is a repeat of another Quinnipiac University survey taken in mid-September that also recorded a nine-point lead for Cruz. In a prepared statement discussing the findings, Quinnipiac University Poll assistant director Peter Brown said the two identical polls showed O'rourke had "hit a wall" in the senate race. "The election is far from over, but Sen. Cruz would have to suffer a major collapse for him to lose," Brown said. "That is even more unlikely since 97 percent of Cruz voters say they are sure they won't change their minds." LATEST: Beto pushes back on Linklater anti-Cruz ad, says 'I'm not down with super PACs' "O'Rourke may be attracting massive crowds, but Cruz has a better favorability rating," Brown said. Quinnipiac isn't the only poll taken this month showing Cruz ahead of O'Rourke. An Emerson College poll taken during the first week of October has Cruz leading by five points. A CBS News/YouGov poll taken around the same time gave Cruz a six-point advantage. "Even if O'Rourke manages to increase Democratic turnout beyond reasonable expectations," wrote two University of Texas pollsters in a recent Chronicle analysis, "it is very unlikely he can overcome the structural obstacles he faces in Cruz's existing advantages." Fernando Ramirez covers Texas news and politics. Read him on our breaking news site and on our subscriber site. | Fernando.ramirez@chron.com | @fernramirez93 Placing a parent or loved one in a nursing home is one of the most daunting and stressful tasks in life. Imagine trusting a facility with an elderly or disabled family member, who is injured or ill and in need of immediate care, only to discover that the home has abused or neglected them. Sadly, this is the horrible reality for many families around the country today. And in Texas, things are about as bad as they could be. Texas leads the nation in the number of nursing homes penalized with payment suspensions. Over the past three years, Texas nursing homes were hit 260 times with this extreme sanction. Thats 21 percent of all Texas facilities. And Texas ranked second for the number of serious deficiencies per home. More than a quarter of facilities in Texas had them. Yet the situation is likely even worse than those statistics suggest. According to the National Research Council, underreporting of nursing home violations is a persistent problem throughout the industry precisely because of who lives there: patients who are physically vulnerable and generally unable either to protect themselves or report mistreatment they experience. New reports regularly surface about how much long-term care is deteriorating around the nation and how badly government regulation is failing. U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, recently expressed alarm about this. Making matters even worse in Texas is the number of for-profit facilities, where greed and profit can have an outsized influence over patient care. According to Texas Watch, an astounding 86 percent of Texas nursing homes operate for-profit, again leading the nation. There are only two ways to advance patient care in facilities like this. The first is oversight and enforcement of patient protection laws. Thats the governments responsibility, and its clearly falling short. Second is access to the courts, where people can be compensated for their harm and negligent facilities can be held accountable. Lawsuits and jury trials are important because they allow groups of folks drawn from the community to decide compensation after hearing all the evidence in a case. But that process only works if theres a level legal playing field. Unfortunately in 2003, Texas politicians upended that process, making it extremely difficult for abused or neglected nursing patients to even bring a case against a facility that harmed them. The proof is in the statistics. Lawsuits have dropped because Texans have been stripped of their legal rights. Yet patient harm remains at epidemic levels. As a result, when residents are physically injured or abused, its the victims and their families who bear the costs. Taxpayers do, too, as the burden of covering costs shifts to Medicare and Medicaid. In other words, everyones paying but the responsible nursing home. It would be one thing if making Texas nursing homes legally unaccountable was somehow worth it to help facilities afford insurance coverage (which, by the way, is not even required in Texas). But it didnt. In 2003, when Texas politicians took away patients rights, the entire U.S. health care field was in the midst of a liability insurance crisis. This was happening everywhere in the country irrespective of a states liability laws. That crisis ended in 2006 as the insurance market stabilized nationally. Insurance rates in every state have continuously dropped ever since. But Texans lost significant legal rights in the process. Nursing home residents are some of the most fragile and precious individuals in our society. They depend on institutions for their literal survival. The very last thing politicians should do is remove the industrys financial incentive to protect these residents from harm. Yet that is exactly whats happened in Texas. Theres a rule most of us live by: If you break it, you need to make it right. Right now in Texas, the nursing home industry doesnt have to live by this rule. Its up to lawmakers to make it right. Joanne Doroshow heads the Center for Justice and Democracy at New York Law School. The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks! Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics. The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc. The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics. The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates. Access to college recruiters and advisors its harder to line up higher education. Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family. Vote View Results Migrants: Easo, asylum requests stable in EU during summer Less decisions, more pending cases after drop since 2016 (ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, OCTOBER 11 - The number of asylum requests remained stable during the summer across the EU, according to the European Asylum Support Office (EASO). Overall in August this year 52,500 applications were filed, slightly down on July but in line with the previous months. The agency reported a slowdown in first-instance decisions by authorities in EU countries, with a significant inversion of the trend: the number of pending cases once again rose after a stable downturn since September 2016. Asylum authorities issued a total of 43,725 decisions in August, one of the lowest levels in the past three years. Since May, less than 50,000 measures were issued every month. There were 431,275 cases at the end of July awaiting a decision of first instance, some 10,000 more than the previous month. The main country of origin of asylum seekers were Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey and Iran. Except for Syrians, these nationalities presented more applications from July. (ANSAmed). Storm Callum forced a meeting of the National Emergency Co-Ordination Group this afternoon and Met Eireann has issued its latest update on the expected storm impact. 'Severe' Status Orange and Yellow Wind Warnings apply for Thursday night and Friday across the country. The Severe Orange Warning has just recently been extended in time out to 18:00 on Friday for coastal areas of Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway and Clare. "Further warnings were being considered later Friday across parts of the south and east, with the risk for another swathe winds and rain," according to Met Eireann. Forecasters have said that the severity and likelihood of this secondary event appear to have 'diminished considerably'. "This event is predominantly expected to be a coastal one, though the severe winds will extend to inland parts, especially overnight and very early on Friday morning," Met Eireann has added. The national emergency group includes Met Eireann, local authorities, the ESB, OPW and government. The NECG is well underway here as Evelyn Cusack of @MetEireann briefs the group on what to expect from #StormCallum pic.twitter.com/lAOqNL0Fux Department of Housing (@HousingPress) October 11, 2018 A Status Yellow wind warning is in place for Longford from midnight tonight until 9:00am on Friday morning. Local News, Business & Finance, Health & Wellness, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: October 11 2018 A.G. Underwood Announces Settlement with Pfizer for Deceptive Advertising in Pay No More Than Drug Copayment Card Program. New York, NY - October 11, 2018 - Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood today announced a settlement with major biopharmaceutical company, Pfizer Inc. (Pfizer), following an investigation into the companys business and advertising practices for its copayment coupon program. As part of the program, consumers were told that they would pay no more than $15 or $20, for example, for certain drugs but ended up spending far more at the pharmacy cash register. The settlement resolves allegations that Pfizer deceptively marketed its copayment coupon program for its Estring, Quillivant XR and Quillichew ER (Quillivant), and Flector Patch products when it distributed these copayment coupons to consumers throughout the state without clearly and conspicuously disclosing the material terms and conditions. Pfizers copayment coupons stated in large, clear text that eligible consumers would PAY NO MORE THAN certain amounts out-of-pocket. For example, large, bold print on the Estring copayment coupon said that a consumer using the copayment coupon would PAY NO MORE THAN $15 for a prescription. In fact, consumers frequently paid significantly more than the PAY NO MORE THAN amount that appeared on the relevant Pfizer copayment coupons because of limits on total savings that were not prominently disclosed. Pfizer misled customers by promising a low copay for prescription drugs only to leave them with major bills at the cash register. Now, they must take responsibility and provide restitution to the New Yorkers they deceived, said Attorney General Underwood. My office will continue to investigate companies that mislead and deceive New Yorkers, including and especially those seeking medical treatment. The Attorney General opened an investigation into Pfizers marketing of its copayment coupons to New York consumers following the receipt of a complaint from a consumer who obtained a deceptive Estring copayment coupon. The coupon included the deceptive language PAY NO MORE THAN $15. Like many other unknowing consumers, when this consumer presented the coupon at the pharmacy register, she had to pay $144.62 far more than the promised $15. Following the Attorney Generals investigation, Pfizer agreed to change the text of the Estring, Quillivant, and Flector Patch copayment coupons to explain that patients could pay as little as a listed amount, a process Pfizer completed as of early 2018. The Attorney Generals settlement requires the company to pay $500,000 in penalties, fees, and costs to the State of New York, as well as over $200,000 in restitution to consumers. New York consumers are eligible to receive restitution under the Attorney Generals settlement for the amount of their copayment that exceeded the PAY NO MORE THAN amount listed on the relevant Estring, Quillivant, or Flector Patch copayment coupon for the first use of the card. Consumers who want to report a deceptive advertisement of prescription drugs, including a deceptive copayment coupon, or who have any other health care related complaints, can reach the Attorney Generals Health Care Bureau Helpline at 800-428-9071 or file a complaint online School & Education, Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: October 11 2018 At this event, each John S. Hobart Elementary School student had the opportunity to take home two free books. Shirley, NY - October 11, 2018 - John S. Hobart Elementary School recently received a special visit from The Book Fairies, a non-profit organization that donates books to children in less advantaged communities throughout the metropolitan New York area. At this event, each John S. Hobart Elementary School student had the opportunity to take home two free books. New books can cost an average of $11, which can be cost prohibitive, said Grace Ryan, second-grade teacher, John S. Hobart Elementary School, who has been instrumental in bringing the organization into the school. The Book Fairies provide a large selection of books to a lucky school for students to shop through, she said, adding that they are blessed to be just one five schools participating this year. All of The Book Fairies books are checked for condition and are age-appropriate. Its an event that is truly a gift of reading thanks to the generous donors that supply books, volunteers who sort them and the hard working staff of The Book Fairies. We are very appreciative, said Mrs. Ryan. Looking to stay up to date about all of the news stories and local headlines that are important to Long Islanders? We've rounded up the top coverage for all of the important topics from multiple sources around Long Island, so you can be sure you've got the most recent update on the top stories for Long Island. Have an idea for a news story? Email us at news@longisland.com Columnists Press Releases Music, Movies & Entertainment, Local News, Business & Finance, Arts & Culture, Press Releases By Chris Boyle Published: October 11 2018 Known as The Man Who Shot the Seventies, Rocks services have remained in great demand up to this very day. Plainview, NY - October 11, 2018 - For For Mick Rock , the world-renowned photography superstar responsible for capturing some of the most iconic images ever in the music world for decades on end, the key to success remains holding a healthy respect for the past while evolving with the times to make the best of the present as well. Carving out an amazing legacy for himself while working with some of the biggest names in music scene including David Bowie, The Who, Queen, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, The Ramones, and much more Mick Rock, British but currently calling New York home, will be a part of an exciting gallery show dedicated to his work right here on Long Island this month. On October 20 and 21, The Jewelry Studio of Plainview will be hosting The Mick Rock Iconic Gallery Show, an event featuring a retrospective of the artists revered work; in addition, Rock himself will be in attendance both days, holding exclusive lectures, selling reproductions of some of his most well-known photographs, and signing merchandise for fans and admirers. Mick Rock. Photo Credit: Mick Rock However comprehensive this event may seem at first glance, theres a great deal more to The Mick Rock Iconic Gallery Show than initially meets the eye. An aspect that makes the occasion especially unique is a collaboration between Rock and The Jewelry Studio owner Robert Pepkin, a talented designer who has actually incorporated Rocks work into a limited edition line of wearable artwork that will also be on sale during the October 20-21 event. I do exhibitions all the time all over the world, but this one is unusual because of the jewelry connection. I was recently introduced to a guy named Rob Pepkin, who does beautiful jewelry, and he had wanted to meet me because he wanted to use some of my images to make jewelry out of them, Rock said. So we had a meeting, and we decided the best way to go about this was to have a joint exhibition. And since our meeting he's already worked up quite a few pieces, between now and the 20th he'll be cooking up even more. Rock noted that Pepkins jewelry will feature images of world famous musicians captured by Rocks lens, including Freddie Mercury, Deborah Harry, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Joan Jett, and many more. Ive seen his work, and it's absolutely beautifulit just has the right flavor to it. It keeps the rock and roll flavor of the images that I took, he said. Rob is creating all kinds of different chains and leather pieces and all sorts of varieties of things that he's incorporating my imagery into. He's even laser-etched some of my work on to sterling silver, and they're really beautiful pieces. The Jewelry Studio owner Robert Pepkin. Photo Credit: The Jewelry Studio Known as The Man Who Shot the Seventies, Rocks services have remained in great demand up to this very day, photographing a diverse range of modern popular artists including Snoop Dogg, Lenny Kravitz, Daft Punk, The Flaming Lips, and more. This year alone I have a few events in China, Finland, and Australia, he said. And at the moment I'm also in discussions on three possible books as well, including a graphic novel about me and my rock and roll adventures. We're currently sorting out illustrators at the moment for that. In addition, a full-length feature documentary was released in 2017 on Rock and his work, entitled Shots. After a successful theatrical run, the film can now be viewed on home video streaming services such as Netflix and iTunes. Despite spending decades behind the lens and being responsible for some of the most well-known images and album covers in music history, Rock says that he's in love with the art of photography now more than ever, and relishes that use the fact that he's able to take his career into the new millennium and touch a whole new generation of fans. It's a different time as far as music goes, and I accept that it is different...but I love photography, I love the action, I love the immediacy of it, he said. I have no nostalgia for the past...I deal with it often in my exhibitions and my books, but at the same time I'm always looking forward to the new next new challenge and artistic endeavor. Mick Rock photo of rock star David Bowie. Photo Credit: Mick Rock Speaking of nostalgia, however, attendees of The Mick Rock Iconic Gallery Show on October 20-21 will be treated to an exclusive lecture each day conducted Rock himself, where he will spin tales about some of his most well-known photographs and backstage stories. I guess you could call it a lecture...I never know what to call these things. It's more of a chat, really. What I'll do is project a bunch of images and talk about them, and then I'll do a Q&A session. Well be doing this in a location right around the corner from the gallery, he said. During this chat, I'm sure I'll have to talk about people like Queen, David Bowie and Deborah Harry...I think people are going to want to see and hear about the more familiar images , and I'll probably be bringing a lot more than I'll have time to talk about. I'll have fun... I really enjoy these things. The Mick Rock Iconic Gallery Show will be held Saturday, October 20th (7 p.m. lecture, showing 8-10PM) through Sunday, October 21st (2 p.m. lecture, showing 3-5PM) at The Jewelry Studio , located at 1107 Old Country Road in Plainview, NY Austria extends border checks for another six months European Commission confirms it received notification (ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, OCTOBER 11 - The European Commission confirmed Thursday it received notification that Austria intends to continue temporary checks at its internal borders with Slovenia and Hungary until May 2019, based on Article 25 of the Schengen Borders Code, said Natasha Bertaud, EC spokesperson for migration. "Brussels will now evaluate the notification and will continue to monitor the implementation of the checks," she said. "Under Article 25 of the Code, it is possible for member states to notify of their intention to implement temporary checks at internal borders," Bertaud said. "As EC President Jean-Claude Juncker said, the Commission is not in favor of this situation continuing; he feels it is a step backwards for Europe. Brussels will continue to work with the member states involved, and in particular, to encourage substituting these checks at the borders with police patrols in the border areas. It's a recommendation that we made in October and we are continuing to work with the countries," she said. "The checks always have to be justified, and when we receive the notifications we don't automatically approve them," she said. "We evaluate the need and proportionality, and we don't do it only when we receive a notification, but continuously. Up until now we haven't published any negative opinions, but it is our prerogative to be able to do so," she said. Bertaud said that in order to return to a correct functioning of Schengen, there are many things that must be taken into consideration, including "the parallel work on strengthening external borders, which can permit free internal circulation" as well as the EC's proposal to reform the Schengen Code, "which is still on the table, which looks at the possibility of making continual checks and establishes a mechanism of European checks for terrorism, which is already established for migration," she said.(ANSAmed). In all the hoopla over Apples new phones and the recently alleged data breaches reported by Bloomberg and refuted by many, its nice to know that we can figure out who the real winners are. Let The Macalope just look at it here [puts on reading glasses, squints at paper] Says BlackBerry and Nokia. Huh. OK. Yes. That certainly makes sense. [takes off glasses, puts down piece of paper, lies down in a forest and lets the trees slowly subsume him] Yes, techs own perpetual wrongness machine, Rob Enderle, is here to explain BlackBerry And The China Military Supermicro Server Hack. Im at the BlackBerry Security Summit this week Held at the Subway sandwich shop in Asbestos, Quebec. Few other than Bloomberg seem to think their report of rogue chips in servers is true but rest assured that BlackBerry has the solution. Not only that, Rob suspects this could just be the tip of a giant, imaginary iceberg. BlackBerry has a technology called BSIMS which is specifically designed to prevent the kind of exploit Bloomberg is reporting. It is interesting to note that this is used on phones based on Qualcomm technology but not on devices made by Apple suggesting there may be more of these little chips floating around. THAT IS NOT WHAT THAT SUGGESTS. The logical leaps conducted here are enough to make Bela Karolyi carry you to the podium as flowers rain down around you. Rob thinks because there might have been malicious chips snuck into servers made by other companies and BlackBerry just happens to make a thing that could possibly prevent that kind of thing on a smartphone, not a server, then its likely these chips are in iPhones which are painstakingly designed by Apple which, sure, probably just happened to not notice a rogue chip in their tightly packed smartphones. Right. You iPhone users, you may want to make sure you are saying nice things about China just in case Okay, Rob. Thanks for that tip. You can go back to writing your BlackBerry fan fiction. Hes not the only one, however, who sees a big win for a smartphone vendor who hasnt had one since Lost was still on the air. Writing for the Forbes contributor network and unintentional dank meme foundry, Ewan Spence says Nokia Handsets Avoid Flagship Fight To Win The War. (Tip o the antlers to @JonyIveParody.) Now, normally the Macalope doesnt link to Spences work because of his serial jerkery, but he felt it best to this time lest he be charged with having made up such a ridiculous stand. So, you can see for yourself, he really wrote that. It defies all logic and possibly the Geneva Convention if you read it to a prisoner of war, but he wrote it. Since the launch of the Nokia 8 in August 2017, the Nokia name has been on the ascendancy in Android circles. Are they in Other name or Dont know yet on this chart of smartphone brand loyalty? While Apple may have cornered the high-price high-margin market nicely, the Nokia Mobile approach targets a different market and a different price point. Making em cheap and short on features and quality, thats what winning is all about. Well, allow The Macalope to be the first to say congratulations to our new smartphone winners, BlackBerry and Nokia. Sarcastically, of course, but still. Two of the biggest power couples in Hollywood are reportedly cutting ties as Beyonce and Jay-Z no longer want to associate with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. Newshub has this: And it appears to be all about rapper West's support for US President Donald Trump. RadarOnline.com reports that Jay-Z - real name Shawn Carter - and wife Beyonce Knowles-Carter are sick of West's political "bull***t". "They are outraged over Kanyes recent political rants," a source told RadarOnline. The two married couples had been close but after Kardashian's visit to the White House to discuss prison reform and her husband's Saturday Night Live performance last week, Beyonce and Jay-Z have reportedly severed all ties to the pair. West delivered a politically-themed pro-Trump speech to the SNL audience after the broadcast ended, wearing a Make America Great Again cap. Beyonce and Jay-Z are longtime Democrats and publicly supported former President Barack Obama and failed candidate Hillary Clinton. "Beyonce and Jay-Z know that Kanye is seeing a future in politics, but they feel that they cannot associate themselves with them from this point forward. They want nothing to do with either one of them," the source told RadarOnline. Credit to Newshub. AMMAN - Jordan's Prime minister Omar al Razaz on Thursday reshuffled his cabinet, leaving the major portfolios of foreign, interior and finance ministries unchanged, as he seeks to extend its duration, according to official sources. "This is a cosmetic change. The prime minister wants to buy time for his government, but in reality new faces replace old faces," said a senior former official. The premier will lead his team to the royal palace later on Thursday for a ceremonial oath before king Abdullah, who enjoys absolute powers of hiring and firing governments at his wish. The government change sees introduction of up to nine ministers including justice, water resources, education, public works, health, social development, agriculture and environment and culture ministries. The reshufle is seen by many observers routine to extend life of the government, as the premier continues to press for controversial financial policies guided by the IMF. Opposition activists have been calling for constitutional changes whereby the king has no say in the appointment of governments, leaving naming prime ministers and cabinet members to the parliament. Razaz was appointed by king Abdullah several months ago in order to absorb growing public anger over government fiscal policies and infested corruption. The premier said he was adamant on fighting corruption, but several observers have cast doubt on ability of any government to cut down on the deeply rooted irregularities. They say that the nature of the ruling system largely depends on providing perks and illegal assistance to allies from tribes and security forces including the intelligence department. Earlier this week, officials discovered that up to 300 people are on the payrole of ministry of health under al Basheer hospital staff but do not work, amid claims that major part of the group are close to security agencies. Western diplomats fear that several other major institutions have similar problems, citing that over 75 percent of the government annual budget are spent on salaries for the public sector. SPRINGFIELD - The watch repair shop was still called Kalman's when Ruth Kalman brought her beau, a man who worked shoeing horses and straightening truck frames, into the shop. The man, Sam Smith, saw Fed Kalman setting a new mainspring in a pocket watch. Intrigued, Smith started asking questions. Kalman let him try one. Smith later ended up marring Ruth, becoming Fred Kalman's son-in-law and business partner and the shop became, over time, Smith & Son Jewelers, said Karlene Smith, wife of a younger Fred Smith and the third of four generations of husbands and wives who have run the business. Smith & Son, now at 735 Sumner Ave. in Springfield, is celebrating its 100th anniversary from Thursday through Oct. 27. Fred Kalman immigrated to the United States from Latvia, first to Rhode Island and then Springfield, where he opened a shop on North Main Street in 1918. It was the Jewish neighborhood of Springfield, Karlene Smith said. Sam moved the business out to The X in 1959, according to the business website. There was a second location in Indian Orchard, but that shop closed about eight years ago, Andrew W. Smith said. He received a good offer on the building. Andrew W. Smith, the fourth generation, runs the store now with his wife, Michele. His parents, Fred and Karlene, work in the store full-time. The shop has eight employees, half of them family members. "There are not a lot of watchmakers around anymore. My dad is one of the last," Andrew W. Smith said. "He's the real watchmaker. I do some of it, but he's the real deal." Smith & Son takes in watch repair work from other shops, he said. Even though fewer people wear watches these days - cellphones and all that - repairing them is still a big part of the business. So is jewelry repairs like changing a ring size, soldering a chain, fixing prongs or gemstone settings and making custom engagement rings. "We have to fight against the big box stores," Andrew W. Smith said. "Customer service is probably the number one reason we are still around." Service brings repeat business. "Most of our customers are like family," he said. BRUSSELS - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini said on Thursday that the EU is willing to strengthen its support to UN on Libya in all sectors, in a meeting with UN Special Envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame prior to the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on October 15. Mogherini and Salame exchanged "opinions on the next necessary steps to continue the political transition" and also spoke about "how to transform the recently negotiated UN-backed ceasefire in Tripoli into more stable security agreements, and how to help the Libyan government to pursue economic reforms to benefit its people", a statement said. Thursday's meeting follows Salame's update at the informal meeting of foreign ministers on September 24 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. A 19-year-old man was shot and killed in Dorchester early Thursday, Boston police said. Police responded to 12 Vinson St. at 2:08 a.m., following a ShotSpotter notification, which allows police to detect gunfire from miles away. When police arrived they found the 19-year-old, who has not been identified, with a gunshot wound, Sgt. John Boyle said. The teenager was taken to Boston Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. "No arrests at this time," said Boyle. "We're looking for witnesses to come forward. This is the city's 45th homicide this year compared with 42 at this time last year. "There are too many guns on the street -- 48 hours, five gun arrests," Boston Police Commissioner William Gross told WCVB. "These senseless acts of violence won't be tolerated." Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia has been arrested and charged with defrauding investors and using the money to pay for a "lavish lifestyle and political campaign," the US Attorney's office announced. U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Andrew E. Lelling said he will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. detailing the charges. Correia, 26, was the youngest mayor in Fall River history when he was elected in 2015. A biography of Correia posted to the city's website says he was born and raised in Fall River. He has lived there his entire life, except for when he was a student at Providence College. He became active in politics at 13 when he joined the BOLD Coalition, a substance abuse prevention coalition, according to the biography. "While still in college, Correia created a successful software app development company and today owns a similar company, SnoOwl, headquartered in Fall River," according to the biography. In September 2017 Correia, a Democratic two-term mayor, told the Fall River Herald he was under FBI investigation. "I know that at the end of the day I'm not going to get into any trouble because I didn't do anything wrong. I have faith in our legal system," Correia said at the time. The Herald News began investigating SnoOwl and its financial workings in July 2016 and found Correia accepted money from investors, but none of them received any compensation, according to the newspaper. Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia pleaded not guilty to all charges of wire and tax fraud at his arraignment in federal court in Boston on Thursday. Correia, 26, was arrested at a home in Bridgewater and indicted on nine counts of wire fraud and four counts of filing false tax returns in connection with a multi-year investment fraud scheme, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. He was smiling as he entered the courtroom Thursday, wearing a black polo shirt and jeans. Andrew Lelling, the U.S. Attorney for the district of Massachusetts, said Correia also paid down student loans and credit card debt. Correia is alleged to have spent at least $231,447 of the $363,690 Massachusetts residents invested in his company on personal items. Lessing said Correia tried to conceal the theft of the funds by altering his tax returns in 2013 and 2014, when he was serving as mayor. He faces up to 20 years in prison for each of the nine wire fraud charges and up to three years each on the charges of filing false tax returns. AMHERST -- The American Civil Liberties Union said Wednesday it will represent a black University of Massachusetts Amherst employee who had the police called on him as he walked to work last month. Reginald "Reg" Andrade, who has worked as a case manager for the UMass disability services office for over a decade, was the subject of an anonymous call to UMass police on Sept. 14. A worried caller reported him as he walked from the school gymnasium to his office in the Whitmore Administration building. The caller, who has not been identified, told police that a man who "appeared agitated" had a large gym bag that "appeared to be dragging to the ground with something heavy." In representing Andrade, the ACLU says it has so far filed a public records request for the recording and transcript of the anonymous call made to campus police that landed the longtime staff member an interview with local police. As part of its records request, the activist organization wants information on "protocols for the University of Massachusetts Police Department response to 911 calls and anonymous tip line calls." The request is also asking for documents that reflect "present plans of University of Massachusetts Amherst to respond to this and other recent racial profiling incidents on the campus," the organization said. UMass spokesman Ed Blaguszewski in a statement said, "As the university noted shortly after the disturbing incident, we know that Mr. Andrade was greatly distressed to have been treated with such suspicion through a call made to an anonymous tip line, and we have provided him resources and support. He is a valued member of our community. We have received a related public records request from the ACLU, and we are in the process of responding." Andrade recently published a statement regarding the incident on the ACLU's website in which he said the discussion with police has made him feel "unsafe" and "paranoid." "The surveillance and policing of my behavior has taken a toll on my mental health," said Andrade. "I feel paranoid and unsafe on a campus that claims to be inclusive. It feels like any move I make, no matter how ordinary, can trigger a stressful encounter with the cops." Rahsaan Hall, an official with ACLU's Racial Justice Program, in a statement said that what happened to Andrade was an all too normal occurrence. "We have seen it again and again: Someone calls the police because a black or brown person looks 'out of place,'" said Hall. "Police departments have choices about how to react to biased calls. Too often, they act as instruments for the biased callers. "As a first step in helping colleges and universities adopt better policies and training to address these calls when they come in, we hope to learn more information about this particular anonymous call and the subsequent University of Massachusetts Police involvement," he said. The ACLU also is representing Oumou Kanoute, a Smith Colllege undergraduate who claims she suffered from a bias incident at her school. The ACLU recently launched a new program designed to catalyze student activism on college campuses centered on issues of race. The initiative, "Living While Black On Campus," frames itself as a "roadmap for student activism," according to the American Civil Liberties Union website. Carl Takei, at attorney who worked on the new program, said in an interview that it was the product of a division within the ACLU that focuses on making reforms to law enforcement and policing. "It's an initiative of the police practices team at the national organization," Takei said. "We're also working with our state affiliate offices to identify student leaders and invite them to participate." The program encourages college students to make "demands" of their universities and agitate through teach-ins and rallies and is oriented around creating policies that "help Black and brown students feel a greater sense of belonging in the campus community." Takei said he could not provide raw data substantiating that bias-based calls were a widespread problem at colleges in the U.S. "It's not as if there is a single reliable repository of information about police practices that the Justice Department or anybody else maintains nationwide," he said. "On college campuses, bias-based calls are a subset of the larger societal problem. This is a first step (toward addressing it)," Takei said of the new program. Speaking in a recent interview, Takei said the ACLU has not ruled out litigation against Smith College if actions are not taken to reform certain policies at the school. The lawyer said negotiations with the school were still ongoing. "The question for Smith is still what actions it will take to make its words about inclusion, diversity and equity a reality," Takei said. A crew working to replace a gas line in Lawrence neglected to remove the pressure sensors from the old line, a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board shows. That error would trigger a flood of high pressure through the system on Sept. 13 that resulted in fires, explosions and damage to more than 80 Merrimack Valley homes, several injuries and one death. The NTBS released the preliminary report Thursday. Crews were working to upgrade the gas line system the day of the massive damage that occurred in Lawrence, North Andover and Andover and resulted in thousands being evacuated from their homes. A month later many remain without gas service. Before the over-pressurization of the gas line, a Columbia Gas contracted crew, that included an inspector from the company, was performing an approved pipe-replacement project at South Union and Salem streets in South Lawrence. The crew was working on a tie-in project where a new plastic distribution main was being installed to replace the cast-iron distribution main, according to the report. The distribution main that was abandoned still had the regulator sensing lines used to detect pressure in the system. The sensing lines provide input to regulators in order to control the system pressure, according to the NTSB. Once the distribution main that was no longer going to be in service was abandoned, the section with the sensors began to lose pressure, the report said. The system regulators opened wider, increasing pressure in the system. "Since the regulators no longer sensed system pressure, they fully opened allowing the full flow of high-pressure gas to be released into the distribution system supplying the neighborhood, exceeding the maximum allowable pressure." The work package developed and approved by Columbia Gas did not "account for the location of sensing lines or require their relocation to ensure the regulators were sensing the actual system pressure," the NTSB report says. The system over-pressurization caused damage to 131 structures and at least five homes were destroyed in Lawrence, North Andover and Andover. Most of the damage was caused by fire ignited by gas-fueled applications. One person, 18-year-old Leonel Rondon, was killed and at least 21 people, including two firefighters, were taken to the hospital with injuries. Another seven other firefighters had minor injuries. People were evacuated from homes. Gas service is scheduled to be fully restored by Nov. 19. Joe Hamrock, president and CEP NiSource, parent company of Columbia Gas, released a statement after the preliminary report was issued. In it Hamorck said: "Today the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the independent Federal agency charged by Congress with investigating pipeline accidents, issued its preliminary report regarding the events of September 13th. The company is fully cooperating with the NTSB and provided information to assist in its ongoing investigation into relevant facts related to the event, the probable cause, and its development of safety recommendations. As a party to the NTSB investigation, we are prohibited from discussing or speculating on the cause of the incident or facts related to it until the NTSB has completed its work. However, we can say that, because safety is our top priority, in the hours immediately after the incident we suspended similar work and enhanced procedures related to our low pressure systems. We saw these as responsible steps to take in the aftermath of the incident and while the facts were being gathered." Minutes before the fires and explosions, the Columbia Gas monitoring center in Ohio received two-high pressure alarms for the South Lawrence system. One alarm came in at 4:04 p.m. and the second came in a minute later. "The monitoring center had no control capability to close or open valves; its only capability was to monitor pressures on the distribution system and advise field technicians accordingly," the NTBS report said. The Columbia Gas controller reported the high-pressure to the meters and regulations group in Lawrence. The first 911 call in Lawrence by a resident was made at 4:11 p.m. The company shut down the regulator around 4:30 p.m. The critical valves of the natural gas system were closed by 7:24 p.m. Around midnight, Columbia Gas technicians with emergency response officials began shutting off meters at each house. All meters were shut off by the following morning. Investigators interviewed several people including two Columbia Gas Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition controllers from Columbus, Ohio. The NTSB report says Columbia Gas is replacing all cast iron and bare steel piping in the neighborhoods affected by the Sept. 13 mayhem "The new system will consist of high-pressure plastic mains with regulators at each service meter to reduce the line pressure from the main to the required pressure," the report says. "The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities is providing oversight of the new system installation to ensure that all work complies with state and federal safety regulations." The NTSB continues the investigation. Part of the investigation includes, the coordination between the emergency responders and Columbia Gas; an analysis of the engineering work package preparation and execution, including the design documentation; and a review of construction packages for construct-ability and safety. Sen. Edward Markey, a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which has jurisdiction over the NTSB, said the preliminary report raises more questions. "The release of the preliminary report raises more questions than answers about how the Merrimack Valley disaster occurred, and I will not stop until we get each and every answer," Markey said in a statement. "We need to turn over every stone and shine a light on the workings of this company and the entire industry, so that people can both trust that their gas system is safe and verify that nothing like this will ever happen again. The fate of families and small businesses depends on it." WARE - Following a ruling by the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board, the town's board of assessors must abate 100 percent of the property taxes for an 88-year-old widow of a disabled war veteran after the town board denied her claim. At the assessors' monthly meeting Oct. 2, they announced their vote to abate the property tax bill of Ilse Gratton for this and the previous fiscal years, noting the state appellate tax board's unanimous decision of Sept. 5. The state ordered an abatement of $3,207.98, noting $400 the town previously abated. Gratton's daughter, Deb Gratton, had filed on her mother's behalf an appeal with the state last winter, saying that as the surviving spouse of a disabled war veteran, her mother was entitled to a full exemption. Ware's board of assessors had appealed the decision, but last week said that they would comply with the state's decision and that Gratton would be eligible for a full exemption in the future. Deb Gratton also asked the Ware assessors to reimburse her mother for the amounts she paid in property taxes since 2000, when Ilse Gratton became eligible for service-connected death benefits for her husband. The Grattons say the assessors for years had been checking off a box on the abatement form on Ilse Gratton's behalf that gave her a $400 abatement instead of a full exemption. The assessors said they would no longer check off any boxes for any applicant for an abatement, and that applicants would have to do that on their own. Ilse Gratton's husband, Roland "Sarge" Gratton, died 22 years ago. He retired in the 1970s from the military with an honorable discharge as a sergeant in the Army. He was first deployed in 1946 and subsequently deployed during the wars in Korea and Vietnam, from which he became disabled. He died March 21, 1996, at the age of 67 from a heart attack brought on by complications from liver cancer and Hepatitis C, and suffered from Type II diabetes. The board of assessors told Deb Gratton at last week's meeting they would research whether they can reimburse her mother's tax bill for the previous five years for a full abatement instead of the $400 amount that had been approved. "My father died from multiple Agent Orange illnesses as verified by the Veterans Administration," Deb Gratton said in a written statement following last week's assessors meeting. Referring to her mother, she said: "The town has failed her." "This town is wrong for their behavior, and handling of this. I'm sure there are other veteran widows out there (who may be eligible for the tax exemption)," Deb Gratton said. She said she plans to hire a lawyer and may take legal action if the town does not reimburse her mother for previous years. SPRINGFIELD -- A former maintenance supervisor for the U.S. Postal Service has been charged with bribery and witness tampering in U.S. District Court. Kenneth LaFlamme, 54, formerly of Springfield, now of Fort Myers, Florida, is scheduled to for arraignment on Oct. 29 in connection with shaking down two local tow company operators for bribes between 2015 and 17, according to court records. LaFlamme was once the supervisor of the vehicle maintenance facility in Springfield and had sole discretion over which private tow companies were paid to tow disabled postal trucks, the charges say. The companies were labeled only "Businessman 1" and "Businessman 2," but sources in the towing industry told The Republican that Bach Towing in East Longmeadow did much of the towing for the maintenance facility. Reached by phone, Bach Towing owner Leonard Eremento refused to talk about the case. "Unfortunately I cannot talk about that. I have no comment," he said before hanging up on a reporter. LaFlamme is set to plead guilty to one count each to bribery of a public official, witness tampering and making false statements to public officials, according to the case docket. His attorney, David Hoose, said that was not the case. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Postal Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Charging documents say "Business 1" made $1,366,688 from towing postal vehicles over three years and "Business 2" earned $650,215 over the same time period. The records also say soon after LaFlamme became the supervisor for the maintenance facility in 2015, he began demanding $5 per tow from Businessmen 1 and 2. "Approximately two months later, LaFlamme agreed to accept from Businessman 2 a set payment of $200 per week if Business 2 towed 30 or more vehicles in that week. However, Laflamme did not alter the bribe rates for Businessman 1 and his company," the charging document reads. This story will be updated after additional reporting. It also was updated to reflect that LaFLamme's defense attorney disputed that his client was scheduled to plead guilty to the charges, despite the language in the public docket. Gary Herman, a suspended Massachusetts State Police trooper, pleaded guilty to embezzlement in federal court Thursday. The 45-year-old Chester man was one of the 46 current and former troopers under investigation as state and federal prosecutors pursue charges over alleged overtime abuse. He pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement. In 2016, he received $12,468 for overtime hours, at a rate of $75 an hour, that he admitted he didn't actually spend working. Asked by the Judge Rya Zobel whether Herman knew what he did was against the law, Herman answered, "Yes." On Thursday, he appeared in federal court in a suit, alongside his attorney David Cortese. The plea deal includes a recommendation from prosecutors that Herman be incarcerated between six and 12 months, and that he pay back the $12,468 as well as an additional fine and fee. Two other troopers have pleaded guilty: Retired trooper Gregory Raftery, a 47-year-old Westwood man, and suspended Trooper Kevin Sweeney, a 40-year-old Braintree man. While dozens remain under investigation, a total of eight current and former troopers have faced state or federal charges. One trooper, former Lt. David Wilson, faces charges at both the federal and state level. The charge against Herman covers just 2016. Gov. Charlie Baker, who tapped Col. Kerry Gilpin to clean up the State Police after the scandal surfaced in 2017, has called the alleged overtime abuse a "conspiracy" and a "scam" that goes back years. Herman was a trooper from 2012 to 2017 at the State Police's Westfield barracks, patrolling the Massachusetts Turnpike. Herman's sentencing is set for January 17 at 2 p.m. in federal court. During the court hearing, Judge Zobel complained to one of the prosecutors, Mark Grady about plea agreements. Zobel said the plea agreements should be streamlined but also tailor-made to defendants. Zobel said plea agreements are "insurance contract-like" and should become more readable to "humans." Grady responded that federal prosecutors are working on the issue. GRANBY -- A complaint filed against the town administrator by the assistant fire chief has been investigated by selectmen, who are expected to publicly release their findings Monday. Selectmen met behind closed doors with Granby Town Administrator Christopher Martin last week to discuss the matter. Assistant Fire Chief George Randall filed the complaint against Martin on Sept. 12. He alleged that both Martin and Fire Chief John Mitchell sabotaged the roadmap spelling out conditions for the chief's return to work. Mitchell was on paid administrative leave from July through September while the town investigated multiple complaints against him. Selectmen allowed Mitchell's return to work on the condition that he be placed on probationary status for six months, and that a mentor would assist the chief during that time. An investigator hired by the town reviewed the complaints against Mitchell. The investigator, attorney Jack Collins, recommended against disciplining the chief, saying Mitchell and members of the Fire Department should work to improve communication and build trust. For reasons that are in dispute, the mentor originally tapped to assist Mitchell resigned not long after the chief returned to work. That mentor was retired Holyoke Fire Chief David LaFond, who was recommended by the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts. In an interview on Thursday, Martin said a new mentor has been named and has been meeting with Mitchell, though he did not disclose the mentor's name. He said the mentor would likely be introduced to the public at a selectmen's meeting in November. During the Oct. 1 meeting, two selectmen said they had not been informed who the new mentor is, and told Martin it was their expectation that the board would have interviewed the mentor prior to his beginning work with the chief. Selectman Jay Joyce said he wanted the opportunity "to see if he was qualified, or not." Martin responded by saying there was only one applicant, and that the action he took was an "executive decision" on his part. "Chastise me if you so desire," Martin told the board. Randall Complaint by The Republican/MassLive.com on Scribd PALMER - A motorcyclist who was fatally injured in a crash with a vehicle early Monday night has been identified as 63-year-old Monson resident Carol Hood. The Hampden district attorney's office released the name of the victim Thursday afternoon. The crash occurred in the area of Park and Pinney streets shortly after 5:10 p.m. Monday. It remains under investigation by the Palmer Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the Motor Vehicle Homicide Unit of DA's office. No arrests have been made. Saudi journalist: Erdogan, we cannot remain silent 'Concerned like the US but no conclusions without evidence' (ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, OCTOBER 11 - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday spoke about the case of Saudi journalist Jamal Kashoggi, who disappeared nine days ago after entering his country's consulate in Istanbul, saying Ankara is ''investigating the issue in all its aspects''. ''It is an incident that occurred in our country, we cannot remain silent because it is not an ordinary incident'', he added. ''Is it possible not to have a video surveillance system in a consulate or an embassy? They can even find a bird or a mosquito with the advanced systems they have'', said Erdogan. Nevertheless, the president remained cautious: ''It is not right to draw conclusions based on conjecture, but we are worried. And we see that the United States share the same concerns''. (ANSAmed). WARE -- The Board of Selectmen will consider proposals for two recreational marijuana dispensaries Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, 126 East Main St. Specifically, the board will discuss drafts of host community agreements between the town and the two companies, Town Manager Stuart Beckley said Wednesday. Herbal Pathways LLC wants to open a retail marijuana business at 2 Vernon St. and B'leaf Wellness Centre LLC wants to open a retail marijuana business at 62 Main St., he said. The local approvals that such dispensaries need to operate are a license and approval of the host community agreement from selectmen and a special permit from the Planning Board, he said. They also just obtain a license from the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission. Voters in this Hampshire County town sided with the majority in Massachusetts in approving a ballot question in 2012 to legalize marijuana for medicinal use and another in 2016 to legalize marijuana for recreational use. Under those laws, the state permits cities and towns to make "host community agreements" with companies applying to operate such businesses. The money comes into play via an "impact fee" cities and towns can impose on marijuana companies, with limits. Such fees "shall be reasonably related to the costs imposed upon the municipality by the operation of the establishment and shall, in no event, amount to more than 3 percent of the gross sales of the establishment or be effective for longer than 5 years," according to the law. The host community agreements call for each dispensary to pay the town of Ware quarterly over five years 3 percent of gross sales of marijuana and marijuana products. The agreements also stipulate that each dispensary will prevent sales of marijuana to people younger than 21, make "reasonable efforts" to hire Ware residents and vendors for jobs and pay the town $1,000 each to cover legal fees related to drafting the agreements. Herbal Pathways' principal office is at 10 West St. in Allenstown, New Hampshire, according to the proposed host community agreement. Ken Crowley of Lebanon, Maine is manager, according to the Massachusetts secretary of state corporate data base online. Crowley's name is on the proposed host community agreement. The principal office of B'leaf Wellness Centre is 60 Main St. here, according to the proposed host community agreement. Lori and Megan Sinclair of Ware are managers, according to the Massachusetts secretary of state corporate data base online. As news of Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia's arrest ricocheted around the state, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker's campaign removed the Democrat's endorsement from its website. Correia crossed party lines earlier this year to endorse Baker, a Swampscott Republican, and running mate Karyn Polito. Authorities say Correia was arrested Thursday and hit with federal charges of wire fraud and filing false tax returns. Prosecutors say he stole money from people who invested in his business app. "Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito believe these federal charges are very serious and will continue to work with other local officials and the people of Fall River to ensure the city has the representation and leadership it deserves as this legal process moves forward," campaign spokesman Terry MacCormack said in a statement. Before the arrest, the Baker campaign had touted support from Correia and other Democrats, as recently as the night of a debate between Baker and his Democratic opponent Jay Gonzalez. Correia has also donated money to Baker's campaign, including a $200 donation in July 2016, according to state campaign finance records. The Baker campaign said they're donating the money they've received from the Fall River mayor to the Essex County Community Foundation, which is handling disaster relief funding in the aftermath of the gas explosions in Lawrence, North Andover and Andover. Baker is donating $300 and Polito is providing $200 to the foundation. Essex County Community Foundation announced the application process for funding and services from the Greater Lawrence Disaster Relief Fund Correia's name was included in a Sept. 6 press release on 22 mayors - 10 of them Democrats - endorsing Baker's campaign for a second four-year term. "They have especially demonstrated their commitment to the South Coast, from improvements to our state pier, and taking a significant step towards rail to Boston, after years of promises," Correia said in the statement accompanying the release. "Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito have championed Fall River and deserve our support for four more years." Correia won the mayor's seat three years ago at the age of 23, making him the youngest in the city's history. Correia acknowledged to the Herald News in 2017 that he was under investigation by the FBI. "I know that at the end of the day I'm not going to get into any trouble because I didn't do anything wrong," he told the newspaper. "I have faith in our legal system." This post was updated with additional information. A prosecutor with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office has dropped part of the sexual assault case against film producer Harvey Weinstein. The Associated Press reported that Prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon dropped one charge against Weinstein, which involves actress Lucia Evans -- one of the first women to publicly accuse Weinstein of sexual assault. Evans said Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him when they met alone in his office in 2004 to discuss her acting career. Evans was 21 at the time. But prosecutors wrote in a sealed letter to the defense on Sept. 12 that they found a previous written account from Evans that said the encounter was consensual, ABC News reported. Weinstein's lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, told the judge he believes Evans lied to both the grand jury and The New Yorker, which ran an expose a year ago, about the encounter. Brafman said the integrity of the proceedings have been compromised, according to the AP, and suggested that Evans should be prosecuted for perjury. A lawyer for Evans said in a statement that she was disappointed by the District Attorney's decision to "abandon" her. "Let me be clear: the decision to throw away my client's sexual assault charges says nothing about Weinstein's guilt or innocence. Nor does it reflect on Lucia's consistent allegation that she was sexually assaulted with force by Harvey Weinstein," attorney Carrie Goldberg said, as reported by the AP. "It only speaks volumes about the Manhattan DA's office and its mishandling of my client's case." Illuzzi-Orbon, however, said the rest of the case is "full steam ahead." "Nothing in the disclosure relating to count six impacts the strength of the remaining case and the remaining counts in the indictment, all five of them, including Predatory Sexual Assault," she said, according to ABC News. Weinstein has been charged with rape in the first and third degrees, as well as criminal sexual act in the first degree, for forcible sexual acts against two women in 2013 and 2004, respectively. He was also charged with an addition count of criminal sexual act in the first degree for a forcible sexual act against a third woman in 2006, as well as two counts of predatory sexual assault, a Class A-II felony. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations of rape and sexual assault. NORTHAMPTON - Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan said Thursday that his office will continue to identify and dismiss cases tied to Sonja Farak, the former Amherst drug chemist who has admitted to years of misconduct at the state lab where she worked. Sullivan's comments came shortly after the Supreme Judicial Court declared that Farak's "widespread evidence tampering" had led to the compromise of "the integrity of thousands of drug convictions" in addition to ones already investigated and dismissed by state officials. The court subsequently ordered the dismissal of all convictions based on drugs tested at the Amherst lab between Jan. 1, 2009 and Jan. 18, 2013, the date the lab closed. Farak, who worked as an analyst at an Amherst drug lab for nearly nine years, has pleaded guilty to stealing drug samples to feed her own addiction. The state's prosecutors already agreed to dismiss 8,000 cases in which Farak signed the drug certificate. The public defenders' office and the ACLU worked together throughout the scandal to push for the dismissal of convictions of people who had drugs tested at the lab during Farak's tenure. Sullivan said Thursday that the court's opinion hopefully represents "the final chapter in a sad tale of a rogue chemist, a substandard Department of Public Health drug lab, and prosecutorial misconduct by two former Assistant Attorneys General." "It reflects a decades-long attitude that drug testing for criminal cases could be done on the cheap," he continued. Sullivan further stated that the scandal was largely preventable, and that if Farak herself had been regularly drug tested the whole debacle could have been avoided. You can read Sullivan's full statement below: Today's Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court opinion hopefully represents the final chapter in a sad tale of a rogue chemist, a substandard Department of Public Health drug lab, and prosecutorial misconduct by two former Assistant Attorneys General. It reflects a decades-long attitude that drug testing for criminal cases could be done on the cheap. In many ways, what is predictable is preventable. Regular drug testing of Sonja Farak would have detected her addiction and prevented the wholesale dismissal of thousands of drug cases. The fact that no drug lab employee had pre-employment or post-employment drug testing was inexcusable. The silver lining in this whole scandal is the SJC's recognition that the District Attorneys and their offices acted properly. The SJC opined: "We discern no fault, however, in any actions of the district attorneys and their offices. The district attorneys properly turned over the evidence they received to defendants whose convictions were called into question by Farak's misconduct, and engaged in time-consuming work promptly to identify and notify individuals whose cases were affected by Farak's misconduct." In accordance with the SJC's decision, we will continue to work on identifying the affected drug cases to ensure they are dismissed in the best interests of justice. SPRINGFIELD -- Since it opened its doors in 1993 in a small storefront on Belmont Avenue, Saigon Market has provided customers with all the grocery items a well-stocked Vietnamese kitchen needs, including such staples as fish sauce and rice. The market, founded by Vietnamese refugees Duc and Khan Tai, drew a loyal and growing clientele to its tucked-away location near the Family Dollar store and Belmont Laundry. After almost two decades of success, it became apparent that the 2,000-square-foot store was too small. "Our customers always complained that there was no place to park," said Tony Tai, who recently took over the business from his parents. After two years of looking for a place to move, the grocery store has tripled its size in a more prominent spot at 525 Belmont St. in the heart of The X commercial district. Inside, the 6,000-square-foot space -- once occupied by Pasquale's barbershop and several other small businesses -- is light and bright with high ceilings and shelves lined with colorful fruits, vegetables and packaged products imported from Vietnam. "We had to knock out some walls," Tai said. Tai came to the U.S. with his parents at the age of 10 and worked in the family store after school when he was a teenager. He said the family wanted to keep the market in the Forest Park neighborhood, noting that the Vietnamese population has boomed in the area over the last decade. Saigon Market has expanded its customer base over the years. It now counts Jamaicans, Latinos, African-Americans, Nepalese and other fans of Asian cuisine, Tai said. The business prides itself on adding new items to its shelves at the request of customers, he said. Three days a week, Tai travels to Boston and New York to buy fresh produce from wholesalers. Tai, who graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in economics, said taking over the family business was natural. "It's what first-born Vietnamese sons do," he said. The entrepreneurial culture is very strong in Vietnam, Tai said, noting that anyone can set up a stand with products and sell them -- no licenses, permits or other bureaucratic red tape. The journey of the Tai family from Vietnam to the United States took years, he said. Duc Tai, who was in the South Vietnamese Army, worked with the Americans during the war, he said. "The communists were always after him when the war ended," his son said. The Tai family escaped to Thailand and later the Phillipines, where they lived in refugee camps. In 1984, the family's application to immigrate to the U.S. was approved. They wound up in Springfield, where an uncle lived. Tai's father worked minimum-wage jobs and his mother landed a good job in the Springfield public schools working with immigrants. Until they opened Saigon Market, the family "worked and saved, worked and saved, and worked and saved," Tai said. The elder Tais still help out at the store. And Tony Tai's wife, Yen Tran, also works there. Tai is upbeat about the market's future at its new location. With its "Grand Opening" banner visible from Sumner Avenue, there is no missing Saigon Market. SHELBURNE FALLS - Shelburne Falls and Lowell's Canal District will be recognized next week as some of America's "Great Places" by the American Planning Association. The "Great Places in America" program gives recognition to neighborhoods and areas across the country that are of "exceptional character, quality, and planning," including those that are inspirational, that enrich communities or facilitate economic growth. This year the APA has selected two spots in Massachusetts out of a total of 15 places throughout the country, as additions to its annual Great Places list. Shelburne Falls The village of Shelburne Falls, which is located in the towns of Buckland and Shelburne, has been selected as one of five Great Neighborhoods designated by the APA this year. The honor was announced by the Shelburne Falls Business Association Wednesday. "We are thrilled to celebrate this special honor with the community," said Whit Sanford, of the Greater Shelburne Area Business Association, in a statement. According to the APA's website, the village is being recognized for a number of its features, including its rich history, its strong sense of community, and its support for artists and local art. The village is already a National Register Historic District. The Shelburne Falls Partnership will host an event to celebrate the designation on Oct. 18 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Shelburne-Buckland Community Center, 53 Main St., Shelburne Falls. Lowell's Canal District Lowell's Canal District has also been selected as one of the APA's Great Places. "Lowell's Canalway Cultural District is defined by a thriving arts community, daily cultural activities, and an array of dining and shopping destinations," the APA says on its website. "Historic character has been embraced and enhanced through resetting cobblestone streets, planting trees, hanging planters, installing Victorian-style streetlights, and landscaping around city hall." The city of Lowell has used a variety of grants to make improvements to its downtown area over the years, the APA states. Over the years, these state, local and federal funds have gone towards making the city's downtown "safer, more pedestrian friendly, and attractive," the organization said. Shelburne Falls will hold a ceremony for the award A ceremony will be held in the village to celebrate the recognition. According to the Area Business Association, representative Steve Kulik will moderate the ceremony. John Mullin, Professor Emeritus of Urban Planning at the Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning Department and Associate Director of the Center for Economic Development at the University of Massachusetts, is the keynote speaker for the event. Guests are invited to come early at 5:30 PM and stay after the ceremony to gather with their friends and neighbors and share their stories of the Village of Shelburne Falls. The event is expected to last until 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending should call 413-625-2526 or email info@shelburnefalls.com and leave their name and phone number, as well as list the number of individuals who will be attending. SPRINGFIELD -- Police arrested two city men and a woman from Northampton, seizing heroin and crack cocaine and an unlawful and loaded firearm, following a traffic stop on East Columbus Avenue early Thursday. Members of the department's new metro unit, shortly before midnight, saw a car idling for some time before pulling into a dark and closed gasoline station on East Columbus Avenue, said Ryan Walsh, spokesman for Springfield police. The officers conducted a traffic stop and discovered the driver of the car, later identified as 19-year-old Brayan Mejias, had approximately 4 grams of crack cocaine in his pocket and a digital scale in his shorts. Officers then found crack cocaine on a male passenger, later identified as 19-year-old Jiovanny Delrio, as well as more than $900 in cash in his fanny pack. Police found the firearm inside the car, along with 37 bags of heroin between Delrio and 18-year-old Belkis Santiago of Northampton. Delrio gave the officers a fake name during the incident, but his true identity was discovered during the booking process, police said. Delrio, of Leyfred Terrace, and Santiago were charged with possession of a firearm without an FID card, possession of firearm during commission of a felony and possession of heroin with intent to distribute Delrio was also charged with having an active warrant and carrying a dangerous weapon while having active warrant and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Mejias, of Wilcox Street, was charged with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of an open container of alcohol in the vehicle and number plate violation to conceal ID. When it comes to Massachusetts' economy, the University of Massachusetts is the state's most important institution, the system's president told a group of more than 100 at the College of the Holy Cross Wednesday night. Martin Meehan, president of the University of Massachusetts System, spoke about the need for a highly-educated workforce, affordable higher education and the issues facing the state's universities as he kicked off the Worcester Economic Club's 2018-2019 Speaker Series in the Hogan Campus Center. "In an innovation economy, you need a highly skilled workforce, and that's exactly what we do at the University of Massachusetts," he said. "So in order to have a strong economy, in order for Massachusetts with an innovation economy to continue to do well, we need a strong research university." Meehan is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and was elected to lead the University of Massachusetts System in 2015 after eight years as chancellor of his alma matter, UMass Lowell. The Worcester Economic Club holds dinners with a speaking program every other month from October through May at Holy Cross. MassLive is a media sponsor of the series. Over the next decade, Meehan said a top challenge will be changing demographics in the state, as fewer students graduate from high school. "It means for those non-elite colleges, there are going to be increasing amounts of pressure to recruit students and increase enrollment, it's one of the reasons Wheelock college was bought by Boston University," he said. "That's one of the reasons Mount Ida closed." Meehan said UMass will face enormous pressure, but keeping the quality of education high at an affordable price remains important. When he graduated from UMass Lowell in 1978, Meehan said he was able to pay for his college education by working weekends and summers. Today, he said that's impossible for students. Meehan explained the cost of public higher education in Massachusetts is due to a shift in who pays for it. When he graduated from college, the state contributed 88 percent of UMass Lowell's overall budget. Today, it only contributes about 20 percent. "It's shifted who pays for it," he said. "One of the things we need to work at, and we're working at at UMass, is finding ways to raise more money for scholarships," he said. And as the number of students enrolled at the state's top private colleges continues to fall - down 72 percent over the last 35 years - Meehan said UMass' role in the state's innovation economy is becoming increasingly crucial. "If you look at UMass, we've had enormous growth over the last decade because increasingly people are understanding it's a high-quality education at a reasonable price," he said. Meehan said the demand for biomedical engineers is expected to increase by 22 percent over the next six years, web developers by 22 percent and software developers by 14 percent. "That's exactly what the University of Massachusetts does, we produce a workforce that this economy needs," he said. "We literally drive the workforce of this state." He said as a system, UMass is always looking for ways to improve and to find new partnerships. "It's constantly a work in progress," he said. There are 13,000 drug samples involved in cases that will now be dismissed because of Massachusetts drug lab chemist Sonja Farak's misconduct -- but determining exactly how many new convictions will be overturned, and getting those convictions off the books, is expected to take some time. "There's a lot of work to be done, but we're incredibly pleased to have all this work to do to get people the justice they deserve and be able to move on from this disaster," said Rebecca Jacobstein, staff attorney for the Committee for Public Counsel Services. Farak, who worked at the drug lab for nearly nine years, pleaded guilty to stealing drug samples to feed her own addiction. Prosecutors already dismissed more than 8,000 cases for which Farak signed a drug certificate certifying that she had tested those drugs. The Supreme Judicial Court on Wednesday ordered the dismissal of thousands more drug convictions that were based on evidence tested in the Amherst drug lab while Farak was working there. These include all cases involving methamphetamine that were tested at the Amherst lab beginning in August 2004, and all convictions based on any drugs tested at the Amherst lab between Jan. 1, 2009, and Jan. 18, 2013, when the lab closed. The dismissals are based on Farak's misconduct and the misconduct of two former assistant attorneys general who withheld evidence related to the time frame in which Farak was addicted to drugs. "For years, civil rights lawyers and our clients have been saying that there was substantial wrongdoing in the Amherst lab scandal not just by Sonja Farak but by prosecutors," said Matt Segal, legal director for the ACLU of Massachusetts. "Today's decision confirms that we and our clients were right." The ACLU and CPCS had asked the court to dismiss all cases based on drug evidence sent to the Amherst lab. The individuals who have their charges dismissed will be notified. Emalie Gainey, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Maura Healey, said, "We are grateful to the court for its thoughtful opinion and its commitment to justice for the Farak defendants. We share that commitment and welcome the role the court has given our office to help facilitate notice to impacted defendants and secure comprehensive and speedy relief." The former assistant attorneys general, who are the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Board of Bar Oversees, worked for former attorney general Martha Coakley, who held the office before Healey. Since Healey took office, she has implemented new trainings and new policies relating to the disclosure of evidence. "AG Healey and her administration are fully committed to ensuring that the mistakes of the past never happen again," Gainey said. According to the attorneys involved in the case, the process of identifying the affected defendants will not be simple. "Whenever you dig into this scandal, the thing that always emerges is how rotten to the core the war on drugs has been in Massachusetts," Segal said. "We can't give you a clear, exact, immediate answer to how many cases it is because the commonwealth of Massachusetts wrongfully convicted thousands of people and really didn't keep track of them." Jacobstein said the district attorneys have lists of names and associated drug samples that were sent to the Amherst lab. But those samples are not tied to docket numbers, so prosecutors have to go case by case to determine which samples led to convictions. "That takes a while," Jacobstein said. Jacobstein said some defendants - she could not provide a number - are in jail and need to be released. Others lost their license due to a conviction and may need help getting their license back. Defense attorneys worry that some defendants are serving longer sentences because a federal judge saw they had a prior conviction, which will now be overturned. The state already dismissed approximately 45,000 charges in around 30,000 cases between the scandals involving Hinton drug lab chemist Annie Dookhan, who falsified drug test results, and Farak. The Farak convictions that were previously dismissed were officially dismissed in April, although dockets in some courts are still being updated today. The districts with the most Farak cases until now were Franklin and Hampshire counties, which are represented by Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan, and Hampden County. "In accordance with the SJC's decision, we will continue to work on identifying the affected drug cases to ensure they are dismissed in the best interests of justice," Sullivan said. Sullivan said the SJC decision "hopefully represents the final chapter in a sad tale of a rogue chemist, a substandard Department of Public Health drug lab, and prosecutorial misconduct by two former assistant attorneys general." Sullivan said the ruling "reflects a decades-long attitude that drug testing for criminal cases could be done on the cheap." He called it "inexcusable" that Farak and other drug lab employees were never drug tested. Jim Leydon, a spokesman for the Hampden County District Attorney's office, said since Farak's misconduct came to light, the DA "has acted swiftly to address how these issues impact the fairness of former and current prosecutions." With the latest decision to dismiss additional cases, Leydon said, "It is now more clear than ever, that Ms. Farak's malfeasance while working for the Department of Public Health resulted in huge expenses borne by the Commonwealth and continues to ripple with this decision." Separately, the SJC must still establish a process for reimbursing both Farak and Dookhan defendants for the court fines and fees that they paid on convictions that were overturned. This story was updated with a comment from the Hampden County District Attorney's office. From the move of the state Lottery headquarters to the role of social causes in pension investing, Massachusetts Treasurer Deb Goldberg, a Democrat, and her Republican challenger, state Rep. Keiko Orrall, disagreed on almost every topic in a Wednesday debate. The two sparred for around 15 minutes on the WGBH show "Greater Boston," hosted by Jim Braude. Orrall opened the debate by criticizing Goldberg's decision to move the Lottery headquarters out of Braintree. "We don't know where they're moving, what it's going to cost, why they're moving," Orrall said. Goldberg responded that the Lottery Commission in 2014 voted to extend the lease for five years, and the decision was made in 2016 to renegotiate the lease and break the space into three pieces. She said the Lottery has signed a lease to move its administrative offices to Dorchester. It has not yet been announced where a Lottery warehouse and regional office will be housed. Asked about efforts to divest the state's pension fund from gun sellers, Goldberg said she would like to see that happen. She said teachers, whose pensions are included in the fund, feel like they have been the victims of guns. "You absolutely have a fiduciary duty to take those actions," Goldberg said. "These social actions impact the bottom line of these companies, therefore profits." Orrall responded that the pension fund should not divest from gun sellers. "That's not the way we should be conducting the pension fund's investments," she said. Orrall said pension officials should look at the rate of return on investments and also consider the Springfield-based gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson. Orrall accused Goldberg of not making enough of an effort to return unclaimed property to taxpayers. "When you owe the government money, they certainly come after you," Orrall said. "I believe we're only returning 10 percent." Goldberg responded that Massachusetts is the top state in the country in returning unclaimed property. She acknowledged a backlog after a new software system attracted more people to claim property, but said after hiring more customer service people, "We're right on top of it." Goldberg reiterated her request to the Legislature for permission to sell Lottery tickets online. "Everyone's on mobile today," she said. Orrall declined to take a position on online Lottery sales. She said state officials "need to look carefully at the issue," taking into account the concerns of small businesses that sell Lottery tickets. Asked to grade President Donald Trump, a Republican, Goldberg gave him a "D." "He's impacted our democracy in the most negative ways and plays to people's worst instincts," Goldberg said. Orrall said she would give him a "much higher rating." She acknowledged Trump has an "unusual personality and way of communicating." But she said he has made changes that improved Massachusetts, although she did not offer specifics. "If he's up for re-election, I would support the president," Orrall said. With a new report suggesting that world leaders have just over a decade left to address climate change, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, pledged Thursday to make environmental policy a top issue for mid-term voters. Markey, a vocal critic of the Trump administration's decisions to exit the Paris Climate Agreement, roll back fuel economy emission standards and replace the 2015 Clean Power Plan, joined fellow lawmakers and environmental advocates in a conference call highlighting how they believe Washington should respond to the issue. Pointing to a new United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, which found that the Earth could reach a temperature of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by as early as 2030 -- warming which scientists said could trigger extreme droughts, wildfires, floods and food shortages -- the senator further stressed his commitment to raising the issue ahead of the Nov. 6 election. Markey, who called the findings "the most alarming report to date on how our planet is dangerously warming," said it should encourage everyone to act, including the White house -- particularly as Hurricane Michael ravages Florida and other southern states. Even if President Donald Trump and Republicans continue "turning a blind eye" to the issue of climate change, however, American voters are unlikely to do the same, the senator contended. "When you put this kind of information into the hands of the American voters, it will quickly turn into a super-charged, pro-climate political storm at the ballot box. And that is what we are about to see this November," he said during a conference call with reporters. "This report makes clear that we don't have anymore time for climate deniers to occupy positions of power in our government." Offering that most Americans support wind and solar energy, clean air and water, electric vehicles and science, Markey offered that the election results will reflect that. "This issue is on the ballot. People are going to vote on it -- young people especially. And so, we're ready for this election. We're ready for a referendum on whether or not we should take action to create millions of new jobs in an effort to save all of creation," he said. Markey stressed that if Democrats win back control of Congress, they could stand up to the Trump administration on climate change by passing legislation aimed at increasing renewable energy options and lowering emissions, among other things. The senator said he's "very confident" the party will be able to make a difference on the issue, pending the results of the November election. "Ultimately we can put a brake on all of the dangerous climate rollbacks that the president is engaged in and that would be a fundamental difference from today," he said. "That's why these elections are so important." U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, a Maryland Democrat who joined Markey for the call meanwhile, stressed that Trump "doesn't speak for what America needs to do in regards to its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to show our international leadership." "We do join our colleagues around the world to say that the United States will be there. We're committed in Congress to taking the necessary steps in order to meet our obligations," he said. Kate Maffa's children, now 20 and 14, have struggled with mental health problems for years, including anxiety, depression and rage. When her children were hospitalized at Franciscan Children's Hospital in Boston, Maffa said nurses were vital to her children's daily care. But Maffa does not think more nurses were necessary. "I felt that in that environment, the team approach, having more nurses wouldn't necessarily benefit the children because each member of the team had a separate purpose," Maffa said. Maffa, an advocate for mental health care for children, worries about the potential impact of a ballot question that would mandate nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in hospitals, including psychiatric units. "My suspicion is other things will have to be cut to pay for nursing staff," Maffa said. Voters will decide Nov. 6 whether to approve a ballot question mandating staffing ratios. Behavioral health providers worry that their already struggling field will be decimated by the added expense. They say this could also affect the epidemic of opioid addiction by limiting treatment options. "This would have a devastating effect on access," said David Matteodo, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems, which represents psychiatric facilities. "It's really very bad for behavioral health patients. It's far beyond what is needed for our system or what we could provide in a reasonable way." Proponents of the ballot question say staffing ratios are necessary for safe patient care, and will create more consistency of care between hospitals. They say hospitals have a choice where to put their profits and have no need to close beds. "This is not a question about money or affordability," said Donna Stern, a psychiatric nurse at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield who is on the board of directors of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, which spearheaded the ballot question. "The real issue is there is no limit to the number of patients who can be assigned to a nurse at one time. When there are no limits, it's extremely dangerous for patients." Stern said she usually has six or seven patients with serious conditions. Nurses watch patients around the clock and administer medication and treatment. "I cannot give them the time and attention they need," she said. "I'm afraid I'm going to miss something or make a medication error or something worse is going to happen." The ballot question would require one nurse for every five psychiatric patients. "Where I have five patients, it's like a breath of fresh air. I can take care of my patients the way I was trained to take care of my patients, and it's a joy," Stern said. By the numbers The Health Policy Commission last week released the first independent analysis of the ballot question. The analysis found that psychiatric units would need to increase the number of nurses on staff by 33 to 44 percent, the third highest increase among all types of units. Psychiatric units in acute care hospitals would have to hire an additional 327 full-time nurses. Freestanding psychiatric hospitals and substance abuse facilities would have to add 477 nurses. The total additional cost for freestanding treatment centers would be around $50 million. The analysis did not break out the cost for in-hospital units. Health Policy Commission Chairman Stuart Altman said when the study was released that he worried hospitals could close unprofitable units - such as behavioral health units, which he called "money losers." The Massachusetts Association of Behavioral Health Systems, which opposes the ballot question, commissioned its own study, which found that 1,000 behavioral health beds would close if the question passes, requiring patients to wait longer for care. That study found that it would cost psychiatric units in hospitals and freestanding facilities $226 million a year to bring their staffing up to the required ratio. The study concluded: "A mandated requirement to hire additional (registered nurses) simply to comply with arbitrary imposed staffing ratios that are not consistent with clinical standards of care would severely threaten the care model for the behavioral health system. This would have negative consequences for patients trying to access inpatient or outpatient behavioral health services." The unique nature of mental health care Already, the state's mental health care system is struggling. Mental health patients can be stuck in emergency rooms for days waiting for a bed to open up. Low insurance reimbursement rates make it hard for hospitals to maintain treatment beds, although state officials have been trying to address the problem. Mental health providers say the proposed ratios for psychiatric care do not consider how psychiatric patients are treated. "Nurses are a very important part of our treatment team, but we use multi-disciplinary teams such as social workers, mental health counselors and others, like psychologists and psychiatrists," Matteodo said. Matteodo said the mandate would require one-to-five staffing at all times, even at night when psychiatric patients are generally asleep. There are similar concerns related to addiction treatment. Dr. Robert Roose, chief of addiction medicine and recovery services for Trinity Health of New England, which includes Mercy Medical Center in Springfield and Providence Behavioral Health Hospital in Holyoke, said the state Department of Public Health today sets nurse staffing ratios at one to 16 for acute treatment services for substance abuse. Once a patient is medically stabilized, care is driven by social workers and psychologists, with other team members. A unit of 32 patients may get only four hours of nursing care a day. "Imposing a standard that is clearly a many hundred-fold percent increase really doesn't speak to the true nature of that treatment and would immediately pose a threat to the viability of services," Roose said. California, the only state to have a similar law, sets ratios of six to one for psychiatric patients. Kate Norton, a spokeswoman for the coalition supporting the Massachusetts ballot question, said the five-to-one ratio was based on interviews with psychiatric nurses and mental health experts. She said California's ratio, implemented 14 years ago, does not reflect the rising rate of admissions in recent years and the higher acuity of patients. Where to find the money The question is what will happen if hospitals must absorb additional costs for new nurses. Hospital executives say unit closures are likely; the nurse's union says there are other places to find money. Southbridge-based Harrington Healthcare opened a new inpatient behavioral health unit a year ago to treat people with both behavioral health and substance abuse problems. "Behavioral health is typically not a money maker, but in our communities it's a huge need," said CEO Ed Moore. "If I have to absorb $6 to $7 million of new costs, it could force us to look at what services we're offering and where are we going to scale back to save money." Moore said he has not determined what services would be cut, but his priority is keeping the hospital open. "We'd have to cut services to balance our financials to allow us to absorb that loss," he said. "Behavioral health is one of several programs we'd have to look at and say can we afford to keep it." Stern, of the MNA, said psychiatric units are generally part of larger health care systems, and hospitals can take money from elsewhere. According to the Center for Health Information and Analysis, 21 of 29 Massachusetts health systems and 49 of 62 acute care hospitals were profitable in 2017. The median margin for hospitals - their excess revenues over expenses - was 3.2 percent. "This is an industry that has annual revenues of $28 billion. It posts profits of $1 billion every year," Stern said. "If they're closing units ... it has nothing to do with staffing. It has everything to do with how hospital executives are deciding to spend the millions of dollars that they're making." Marcia Fowler, a former state mental health commissioner and current CEO of Bournewood Health Systems, called it a "mischaracterization" that hospitals can cover these costs. "There are some extremely large health care systems that are very profitable, but generally ... most hospitals are operating with a very thin margin," Fowler said. "You may have a 2 percent profit margin, but that goes toward (cost of living) increases for staff, it goes toward capital improvements, training." She said behavioral health is not doing well financially. "The behavioral health system is chronically underfunded and overburdened," Fowler said. Fowler worries that because psychiatric units are not as lucrative as medical-surgical units, acute care hospitals will close those units. She said more behavioral health providers may refuse to take Medicaid patients, since Medicaid reimbursements do not cover the cost of care. Staffing shortages Another open question is whether there will be enough psychiatric nurses to meet the added demand. Fowler said independent psychiatric hospitals are already struggling to recruit nurses. Community-based services will now have to compete with large hospitals for labor. Officials with the Massachusetts Nurses Association have said there are enough nurses, but hospitals are unwilling to hire and train recent graduates. Market Highlights: The global age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is projected to register a better than average CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period of 2018 to 2023. The AMD market valued 1.37 Bn at the end of 2017 and is expected to reach an approximate evaluation of 2.21 Bn by the end of 2023. The rising prevalence of age-related macular degeneration and the expiry of several drug patents are important contributors to growth for the global AMD market. As the name of the condition suggests, AMD is age-related and has a high rate of incidence in geriatric patients. According to the 2017 study published in the Clinical Interventions in Aging Journal, AMD is a prominent cause of central visual loss which affects nearly 10% of people over 65 years and over 25% of people over the age of 75 years. Additionally, it has been reported that in the U.S approximately 2 million individuals suffer from advanced AMD and over 8 million individuals suffer from an intermediate form of the disease. The ever-increasing geriatric population has further contributed to the growth of the market and is expected to be a key driver during the forecast period. Another significant driver for the AMD market, is the expiry of drug patents for several popular branded drugs such as Avastin, Macugen, Lucentis, Eylea, and others, thus allowing other manufacturers to improve the efficacy of existing formulas. Expired drug patents additionally allow for a reduction in price points which will make treatment of AMD more affordable. Currently, the preferred route of treatment for AMD is the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents (anti-VEGF) with demonstrated efficacy in improving visual acuity. Although various anti-VEGF drugs are available, only a few are used commonly; these include Lucentis (ranibizumab), Eylea (aflibercept). The price of these drug treatments poses a challenge to market growth as the price ranges roughly between USD 1800 to 2000. Moreover, insurance coverage for these drugs in complex and reimbursement policies are unfavorable. Despite these restraints, several clinical trials are underway to efficiently treat dry AMD which is the more common form of the disease. The development of new drugs and the increased efficacy of existing drug formulas by leading market players are expected to reveal opportunities for expansion of the market during the assessment period. Get an Exclusive Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5736 Key players of Global Age Related Macular Degeneration Market : Research into the subject has revealed several key players in the competitive landscape who have actively contributed to the growth of the global AMD market. Prominent market players included are Regeneron Pharmaceutical Inc. Novartis AG Hoffmann-La Roche AG Santen Pharmaceuticals Bayer AG Pfizer Inc Allergan Bausch & Lomb Incorporated Rxi Pharmaceuticals Alimera Sciences Research activities and the development of novel drug formulas are some of the market strategies used by the above mentioned players to facilitate market growth. Avail Amazing Discount on Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/5736 Global Age Related Macular Degeneration Market: Segmentation The global age-related macular degeneration is segmented based on type, stages, age group, diagnosis & treatment, route of administration, end-user and region. By type, the market is segmented into wet age-related macular degeneration (Wet AMD) and dry age-related macular degeneration (Dry AMD). Wet AMD accounts for more than 50% of the total market and is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 7.6% during the forecast period. Wet AMD owes its rapid growth and market leading position to the fact that it is a key cause of 90% acute blindness and the rapidly growing geriatric population. By stages, the market is segmented into early-stage age-related macular degeneration, intermediate age-related macular degeneration, late-stage age-related macular degeneration. The intermediate stage of AMD is one of the most common forms of AMD and as such holds the largest share of the market and is expected to grow with the fastest CAGR during the assessment period. By age group, the market is segmented into above 75 years, above 60 years, and above 40 years. Of these, the above 75 segment is poised to grow at the fastest CAGR of 7.5% and presently holds the most significant market share. This is primarily due to the highly common nature of this disease among this age group. By diagnosis & treatment, the market is segmented into treatment, and diagnosis, with the treatment segment accounting for the largest market share and highest CAGR. Novel treatment methods drive the growth for this segment due to the high demand for treatment of wet AMD. By route of administration, the market is segmented into intravitreal route of administration and intravenous route administration. The intravitreal route of administration is most popular and holds the largest share of the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.7% during the review period. By end-user, the market is segmented into hospital & clinics, diagnostic centers, and academic research institutes. Due to the increasing number of patients seeking treatment, hospitals and clinics hold just over half the market share. This segment is expected to proliferate as the geriatric population increases and is set to witness the fastest CAGR of 7.6%. Age Related Macular Degeneration Market: Regional Analysis The Americas, led by the U.S, account for the most significant region across the globe. According to the report published by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2015, it was estimated that about 1.8 million people are suffering from age-related macular degenerations in America. Similarly, according to the United States Census Bureau, around 49.2 million adults aged 65 and above were present in the U.S. as of 2016. Growing government initiatives and favorable policies regarding eye-care are expected to propel the region during the forecast period. Europe, which closely follows the Americas is the second largest market due to the presence of a large geriatric population and increasing incidences of the disease. Government initiatives and an ever-improving healthcare framework combined with the demand for advanced and effective treatment drives the growth of the AMD market in the region. For instance, the Eurostat estimated that over 19.2% of the population in Europe were aged 65 and above in 2016. The presence of prominent players and their research activities are expected to facilitate further growth during the assessment period. The emergence of many market players and the availability of abundant opportunities has made the Asia-Pacific the fastest growing region worldwide. The increasing prevalence of eye-disorders, increased healthcare spending and recognition of opportunities by international market players are driving robust growth for the region. According to the WHO, 90% of total visually impaired people live in developing countries in the Asia Pacific region. Countries such as India and China lead market growth and have a vast patient population which is creating a high demand for effective treatment options due to their rapidly growing economies. These economies are driving the demand for improved healthcare services and attracting international players for improvement of healthcare services. View Complete Report TOC Here https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/age-related-macular-degeneration-market-5736 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 Market Research Future Provide Premium Research Reports of every sector which is made by Professional Researcher with the fresh Content ever and this time Added Premium Research Reports on Global Clinical Perinatal Software Market 2023 Which is Belongs to the Healthcare IT Category so it helps to Organizations to take Major Decisions and it also Help to Analysis of Market Growth. The Global Clinical Perinatal Software Market is growing at a steady pace and is expected to grow at a CAGR of ~7.2 % during review period 2017-2023. Key Players in the Global Clinical Perinatal Software Market: General Electric, Edan Instruments, Inc., Huntleigh Healthcare Limited, KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V, K2 Medical Systems, PeriGen, Inc, Cerner Corporation, Trium Analysis Online, and others. Get Sample Copy @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4185 Market Scenario: The clinical perinatal software monitor health of fetus and pregnant women. It provides information about any complexity that may arise during the prenatal period, which helps to minimize the problems during the pregnancy. Increasing awareness and a rising birth rate & post-date pregnancy drive the growth of the market. Moreover, increasing healthcare expenditure, continuous development in technology, and increasing government support for research & development likely to boost the demand for the software. On the other hand, complex user interface and high cost of the software may slow the market growth over the assessment period. Key Findings: The Global Clinical Perinatal Software Market and is expected to reach USD 60 million by 2023. Integrated software segment on the basis of products holds the largest share of 75.8% of the market. Americas holds the largest market share of 39.2% of clinical perinatal software market and is anticipated to reach USD 93 million by the end of the forecast period. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region across the globe and expected to grow at a rate of CAGR 7.8% during the forecast period. The report gives a clear picture of the current market scenario which includes historical and projected market size in terms of value and volume, technological advancement, macro economical and governing factors in the market. The report provides details information and strategies of the top key players in the industry. The report also gives a broad study of the different market segments and regions Segments: Clinical Perinatal Software Market has been segmented on the basis of products, which comprises of integrated software and standalone software. On the basic of services, the market is segmented into implementation services, support & maintenance services, training service, customization services, and online resources. On the basic of deployed models, the market is segmented on-premises and cloud-based. On the basis of applications, the market is segmented into fetal monitor data services, workflow management, and patient documentation. On the basis of end users, it is segmented into hospital & clinics and maternity clinics. Get Premium Discount @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/4185 Regional Analysis of the Global Clinical Perinatal Software Market: The Americas region accounted for a lion share of USD 65.31 million in 2016, owing to the well-developed technology, high healthcare expenditure, and the presence of the leading players. Europe is the second largest market that holds a noticeable share of the global clinical perinatal software market. The European market is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period owing to well-developed healthcare infrastructure and increasing investment in healthcare. Germany, the UK, and France contribute significantly to the growth of the European market. In Asia Pacific, rising number of hospitals, increasing need for better diagnostic methods, and demand for cost-effective treatment & diagnostics services are the key factors for the market growth. The Middle East & Africa is expected to show steady growth in this market due to low technology penetration and less availability of innovative healthcare technologies. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Report Prologue 2 Introduction 2.1 Scope of Study 2.2 Research Objective 2.3 Assumptions & Limitations 2.3.1 Assumptions 2.3.2 Limitations 2.4 Market Structure 3 Research Methodology 3.1 Primary Research 3.2 Secondary Research 3.3 Market Size Estimation 3.3.1 Market Share Analysis 3.4 Market Pricing Approach 4 Market Dynamics 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Drivers 4.2.1 Technological Development in the Perinatal Software 4.2.2 Increasing Birth Rates and Postdate Pregnancy 4.2.3 Increasing Adoption of Healthcare It 4.3 Restraints 4.3.1 High Cost of the Software 4.3.2 Complexity in Operating the Software 4.4 Opportunities 4.4.1 Positive Approach of Government towards Healthcare Sector 4.5 Mega Trends 4.5.1 Increasing Popularity of Cloud-Based Deployment Model 4.6 Macroeconomic Indicators Continued! Enquiry about Reports @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/4185 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 Overview for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Market Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, specifically the communication between the brain and other parts of the body. The disease is characterised by damage to the insulating covers of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. There is no cure to multiple sclerosis. Get Sample Copy for Future Advancements @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/940 Major Key Players for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Market Teva Pharmaceuticals (Isreal) Bayer Healthcare (Germany) Biogen Idec (US) Pfizer Inc. (US) Sanofi Aventis (France) Merck (US) Novartis (Switzerland) AbbVie (US) Growth and Analysis for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Market Its treatment focusses on speeding recovery from damages slowing the progression of diseases and management of symptoms of the disease. The global multiple sclerosis treatment market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% during forecasted period 2017-2023. Global multiple sclerosis treatment market is expecting a steady growth in the near future. Increasing prevalence of muscle weakness related problems and increasing elderly population has driven the growth of the market. The most preferred drug classes used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis include Immunosuppressant (Zinbryta Lemtrada, Ocrelizumab, and Aubagio,) Immunomodulators (Ampyra, Avonex, Gilneya, Betaseron, Tysabri, Rebif, Tecifidera, and Copaxone) Competitive Analysis for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Market Teva pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Isreal), Bayer (Germany), Biogen Idec (U.S.), Pfizer Inc. (U.S.), Sanofi (France), Merck (US), Novartis (Switzerland), AbbVie (U.S.) are are some of the prominent players at the forefront of competition in the global multiple sclerosis treatment market and are profiled in MRFR Analysis. Industry Updates for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Market- August, 2016 Teva pharmaceutical Industries Ltd announced the completion of its acquisition of Allergans generics business Actavis Generics. Achieving synergies from the Actavis Generics acquisition and driving efficiency and effectiveness throughout our organization so as to extract the greatest benefit from the Actavis Generics acquisition is the key focus of the company. May, 2014 Bayer AG acquired Merck & Co., Inc.s non-prescription business to become the OTC leader in North America and Latin America & achieve top global positions in key OTC product categories. Regional Analysis for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Market- Geographically, the regional market is segmented into America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. The North America dominated the global multiple sclerosis treatment market with the U.S. holding the largest market share owing to numerous developments in the medical sector, and rising numbers of research institutes for better treatment of this diseases. Additionally, the increasing number of hospitalization procedures due to high penetration of healthcare in the U.S. and Canada drives the multiple sclerosis market. In Europe, the market for multiple sclerosis is expected to exhibit positive growth during the forecast period. For Specific Requirements, Ask Our Experts @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/940 Major Points form TOC for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Market Research Report Forecast to 2023 1 Introduction 1.1 Definition 1.2 Scope Of Study 1.2.1 Research Objective 1.2.2 Assumptions & Limitations 1.2.2.1 Assumptions 1.2.2.2 Limitations 1.3 Market Structure 2 Research Methodology 2.1 Research Process 2.2 Primary Research 2.3 Secondary Research 3 Market Dynamics 3.1 Drivers 3.2 Restraints 3.3 Opportunities 3.4 Macroeconomic Indicators ..TOC Continued 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 Market Highlights: Venous blood collection devices are vessels used for collection, sampling, and testing blood samples. These devices are easy to handle, provide mechanical protection as well as protection from contamination and radiation. Moreover, these blood collection devices offer the exact filling volume. The global venous blood collection devices market is driven by the increasing diagnostics and screening for numerous diseases, increasing health awareness leading to growing demand for blood collection devices for sampling, and with the growing preference for disposable products. Product development can be an attractive strategy for expanding the global venous blood collection devices market. However, restraints that are likely to hinder the growth of the venous blood collection devices market include risks associated with contamination, pressure on prices, and low-quality products from unknown manufacturers. The global market for venous blood collection devices is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 9.3% during 2017 to 2023. Get Sample Report Here https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5761 Key players of Global Venous Blood Collection Devices Market : Becton, Dickinson and Company (U.S) Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (U.S) NIPRO Medical Corporation (Japan) Qiagen NV (Netherlands) Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd (Switzerland) Greiner Bio One International GmbH (Greiner Group) (Austria) Terumo Medical Corporation (Japan) Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. (Japan) Sarstedt AG & Co (U.S.) L. Medical (Italy) Narang Medical (India) Soya Green Tec Co., Ltd. (South Korea) Biosigma (U.S.) Vital Diagnostice (ELITech Group) (U.S.) Improve Medical Technology Co. Ltd. (U.S.) Hongyu Medical (China) SanLI (Myanmar.) KHB (U.S.) Zhejiang Gongdong Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (China) CDRICH (China) Radiometer Medical ApS (Danaher Corporation/ Danrad ApS) (Denmark) Medtronic Plc (U.S.) Fisher Scientific (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.) (U.S.) Kabe Labortechnik GmbH (Germany) Allegro Medical Supplies Inc. (Scrip Products Corporation) (U.S.), and others. Avail Amazing Discount on Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/5761 Global Venous Blood Collection Devices Market: Segmentation The global venous blood collection devices market has been segmented on the basis of type, material, application, and end-user. On the basis of type, the market is segmented into blood collection tubes, needles, vacuum blood collection system, microfluidic system, micro-container tubes, micro-hematocrit tubes, warming devices, and others. Other devices include a venous cannula and blood bags. The blood collection tube is further sub-segmented into plasma separation tube, heparin tube, serum separating tube, EDTA tube, and others. On the basis of material, the global venous blood collection devices market is segmented into plastic, glass, stainless steel, ceramic, and others. On the basis of application, the venous blood collection market is segmented into vein blood gas sampling and intraoperative blood salvage. Vein blood gas sampling is further sub-segmented into the diagnosis of disease and acid-base status monitoring. On the basis of end-user, the global venous blood collection devices market is segmented into hospitals and clinics, the point of care, blood donation centers, diagnostic centers, and others. Venous Blood Collection Devices Market: Regional Analysis The global venous blood collection devices market consists of regions, namely, the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. The Americas dominates the global venous blood collection devices market owing to the rising importance on safe blood transfusion procedure, growing prevalence of chronic diseases, the presence of key manufacturers for blood collection devices in this region, and extensive demand for diagnostic services. All these factors are fueling the growth of the U.S. venous blood collection devices market. The European region is the second largest market for global venous blood collection devices due to the adoption of new therapies, skilled medical professionals, and the availability of advanced treatment facilities. As per the European parliament, numerous initiatives have been undertaken for the collection, storage, and processing of blood. The rise in government funding for R&D contributes to the growth of the market. The huge demand for diagnostic services is the key factor for the growth of the Asia Pacific venous blood collection devices market. Rising number of surgical procedures and growing awareness about the use of sterile blood collection devices drive the market in the Asia Pacific region. The Middle East and Africa is projected to show steady growth in this market due to the demand for medical devices for diagnostics and increasing prevalence of communicable infections due to blood transfusions. Brief TOC Of Venous Blood Collection Devices Market: Chapter 1. Report Prologue Chapter 2. Market Introduction 2.1 Definition 2.2 Scope Of The Study 2.2.1 Research Objective 2.2.2 Assumptions 2.2.3 Limitations Chapter 3. Research Methodology 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Primary Research 3.3 Secondary Research 3.4 Market Size Estimation Chapter 4. Market Dynamics 4.1 Drivers 4.2 Restraints 4.3 Opportunities 4.4 Challenges 4.5 Macroeconomic Indicators 4.6 Technology Trends & Assessment TOC CONTINUED Ask to Our Experts @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/5761 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 by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, October 9, 2018 Google has been hit with a lawsuit over revelations that it exposed private data of Google+ users to third-party developers. This case involves the absolute and intentional disregard with which defendants have chosen to treat the Personal Information of users who utilize the Google+ social media platform, California resident Matt Matic and Florida resident Zak Harris allege in a class-action complaint filed Monday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Both users say they use Gmail and Google+. While this information was supposed to be protected and shared only with expressed permissions, defendants, without authorization, exposed that information to third parties through lax and non-existent data safety and security policies and protocols," they allege. The lawsuit includes a claim that Google violated California's consumer protection law by failing to honor a promise that it wouldn't disclose personal information without people's consent. The complaint also includes claims of negligence and invasion of privacy. advertisement advertisement The case came the same day The Wall Street Journal reported that a glitch in Google's system allowed outside developers to access information about Google+ users' contacts. Google discovered the glitch and fixed it in March, but didn't publicly disclose it until this week. The Journal reported that Google delayed notifying people in hopes of avoiding bad publicity as well as scrutiny on Capitol Hill. On Monday, Google said it plans to shut down the consumer version of Google+. Matic and Harris allege that the type of data leaked by Google is highly valuable to identity thieves, because the information can be used to gain access to a variety of existing accounts and websites. The problems associated with identity theft are exacerbated by the fact that many identity thieves will wait years before attempting to use the personal information they have obtained, they argue. Indeed, in order to protect themselves, class members will need to remain vigilant against unauthorized data use for years and decades to come. by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, October 10, 2018 The Federal Bureau of Investigation has reached out to the ANA seeking its help and that of its membership with an investigation the Bureau and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York are conducting into potentially fraudulent media-buying practices. The FBI outreach to the ANA was made via contact with its outside counsel Reed Smith LLP. The ANA confirmed the FBI reach-out today in a letter to members from the organizations CEO Bob Liodice. The starting point of the investigation, per the ANA letter, is to identify advertisers they believe may have been defrauded. The Association is urging such advertisers to retain counsel, review their media-buying history and contracts, perform audits and then get advice on their options. Those options, wrote Liodice, include cooperating with the FBI or doing nothing. Each members decision to cooperate with the FBI and federal law enforcement, or take any other action or no action is entirely voluntary and up to the member company, Liodice wrote. advertisement advertisement On the advice of counsel, the ANA board of directors approved informing membership of the FBIs request for cooperation and sharing information about next steps. While we view the FBIs investigation as important, the ANA itself cannot provide help to the FBI other than to share communication and information with our members, Liodice said. The ANA will not play a coordinating role on decisions or information between or among member companies and will not be a conduit between the FBI and member companies regarding individual company information. The FBI is aware of our communication with members and has requested we do so in order to obtain assistance. Reed Smiths Douglas Wood, the ANAs General Counsel and his partner Steven Miller have had limited discussions with the FBI. Word of the FBI probe surfaced in previous reports. It follows the ANAs transparency report that was conducted two years ago by K2 Intelligence that found rebates paid to agencies by media companies and related practices, often not disclosed to clients, were widespread in the industry. Recent surveys have also found that trust between agencies and clients remains low. by Tanya Gazdik , October 10, 2018 TD Insurance is hosting its second annual competition where students and recent graduates are asked for their ideas on how the company can improve society and community life. The four categories for the challenge are ideal working environment, helping the most vulnerable, safer cars and homes, and reducing environmental footprint. Teams of two to five people can submit their project online by Oct 21, and there are also teams looking for more members. The winner of last years contest, aimed at "transforming the Insurance industry using IoT and big data," came up with the idea for "a smart home box that facilitates the lives of people suffering from Alzheimer's and their families." advertisement advertisement "We aim to make the world a better place and we believe the key to being successful is placing the human at the center of our design, says Francois Langevin, associate vice president, product innovation, general insurance at TD, in a release. Leveraging the power of crowd-sourcing enables the company to able to gain access to a massively diverse volume of human experience that not only changes the way our staff look at our products but significantly reaffirms our lofty and altruistic objective, Langevin adds. The company is partnering with Agorize, an open innovation challenge platform known for hosting student challenges, startup challenges, and hackathons across the globe, to conduct the contest. Agencies NWRK and The Confluence are handling details of the contest. Agorize created a 30-second teaser video to promote the contest. The three-stage process starts with each team presenting their idea in five slides using the presentation template. Submissions will be judged on their innovation, feasibility and relevance. Top three teams will be announced Jan. 18 and will travel to the company's Toronto headquarters Feb. 19 to pitch their solutions to a team of TD Insurance product management and innovation experts. Each member of the winning teams will receive $2,700 CAD for first place, $800 CAD for second, and $500 CAD for third. TD Insurance works in general insurance and life and health insurance and has offices in states across the United States including New York, California, Florida, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Washington DC, South Carolina, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont. Google showed off its new Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL phones and the new Pixel Slate, along with a passel of other Google and Pixel-branded products, earlier this week. A Few New Things Made By Google was big news for tech watchers as Google, and a reminder that Google -- once on the service end -- is a fully established hardware marketer too. Google also announced that the new stuff will be on display and for sale at seven b8ta stores that are separately owned by the startup retailer, which will serve as demo showcases for its connected-home type products. B8ta locations seem to be retailings latest flavor, located in all the places you would imagine -- New York, Chicago, Santa Monica, Seattle, San Francisco -- and a few other big cities. advertisement advertisement In addition, B8ta operates 70 stores-within-a-stores at Lowes locations. The places serve as a hub for smart products displayed the way consumers might use them in their homes. The hired help are called B8ta testers. Google is no stranger to retail, of course. The company will also open pop-up stores in Chicago and New York, as it did last year, essentially acting as showrooms for Pixel (and other brands, too). The Google pop-ups open on October 18, the same day the new products are available, and they are due to close New Years Eve. Consumers in some locales will be able to order remotely and have Pixel products delivered, within minutes, via the new Google Enjoy service. So even in that last mile of retailing, Amazon and Google seem to be going head to head. by Sara Guaglione , October 11, 2018 New York magazine merged its politics and business-focused Daily Intelligencer and its tech-focused Select All sections to launch a news and opinion standalone site, called Intelligencer, to cover politics, business, technology, media and innovation. The new vertical is built off of Daily Intelligencers site, with a new URL. Intelligencer brings together the smartest writers on everything from climate change to technologys impact on our lives, with a homepage we aim to make a destination, stated New York editor-in-chief Adam Moss. Readers can come to understand the narrative of the day, but also delve into big ideas. advertisement advertisement The sites homepage curates the best and most thoughtful commentary from around the web, stated parent company New York Media. A note from the Intelligencer's editors on the site explains the thinking behind the homepage: Inspired by the Slack channel where Intelligencer staff discuss the news all day long, and by the social-media feeds through which so many Americans now find information, its intended to be a constantly updated curation of not just the stories were writing, but also the most useful reporting, commentary, comments, tweets, photos, and other ephemera from around the internet." Intelligencer's homepage will also feature a "quick chat component," where its writers and editors converse about the days events. "Were going to lift the curtain on our edit meetings and publish a few staff chats every week. And well give our readers more exposure, too, by featuring your smartest comments," the note reads. Scott Rudin Productions is Intelligencers launch sponsor. New York Media says there are upcoming campaigns from premium TV and technology brands in the works, too. New York Media Chief Revenue Officer and publisher Avi Zimak touted the inventive new user experience, expanded subject areas and greater scale. Regular contributors to Intelligencer will include news and opinion writers Michelle Celarier, Adrian Chen, Noah Kulwin, Bethany McLean, Collier Meyerson, Corey Robin and Yves Smith. They will be joined by business columnist Josh Barro from Business Insider, race and identity reporter Zak Cheney-Rice from Mic and progressive politics and policy reporter Sarah Jones from The New Republic. Intelligencer is also launching a limited-run podcast called 2038, to explore what life will look like 20 years from now. Each episode will explore a different vision from flying driverless cars to a Chinese world order featuring experts across industries like business, technology and climate science discussing their theories with editors Max Read and David Wallace-Wells. New York Media also publishes New York Magazine, Vulture, the Cut, Grub Street and the Strategist. by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, October 11, 2018 United Airlines has awarded the bulk of its global media assignment to Dentsu Aegis Network following a review that began earlier this year, the company confirmed Thursday. Advertising expenses totaled nearly $220 million for the company in 2017, according to the companys annual report for that year. WPPs Wunderman was the primary incumbent and remains on the UA roster, albeit with a reduced role that was not precisely spelled out. Carat will now handle media planning and buying and Merkle will manage targeted marketing efforts, while 360i will oversee social media efforts. Uniteds lead creative agency is mcgarrybowen, also part of Dentsu Aegis. Creative duties were not part of the review process. Mark Krolick, Vice President, Marketing, United Airlines, issued a statement: Were excited to align our work with Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN), the parent network of Uniteds creative agency, mcgarrybowen, for many of our marketing functions, including global media and social media, alongside WPP through Wunderman in Chicago and Buenos Aires. advertisement advertisement With this new DAN partnership, we have the benefit of building on our already strong relationship with mcgarrybowen to collaborate with an integrated team of strategic, creative and data-driven minds to support the United brand and business in our goal of connecting people and uniting the world. WPP and the agencies within have been instrumental in their support of United and will continue in our restructured agency partnerships. For DAN, United is the third recent big win. Earlier this week, it won Intels global media assignment, and in August LVMHs. The United shift was another setback for WPP, which earlier this week lost the global creative Ford assignment to Omnicoms BBDO. WPPs Mindshare was the primary incumbent on the global American Express media business which shift to IPGs UM, also earlier this week. Commenting on the United win, Nick Brien, CEO, Americas, Dentsu Aegis Network stated: This global appointment expands on mcgarrybowens long-standing creative relationship with United Airlines across every marketing touchpoint from big creative ideas, to social media to targeted media. The multi-disciplinary Alliance@DAN is designed to deliver agile, personalized solutions necessary to help United Airlines win, keep and grow their best customers. by Melynda Fuller , October 11, 2018 Newsweek Media Group has officially divided into two separate companies Newsweek and IBT Media after announcing plans last month. Newsweek will be owned by Jonathan Davis and Dev Pragad. Pragad will also serve as the companys CEO. The company will consist of the U.S. print and digital versions of the magazine, the international editions in EMEA and Asia, and the publications website Newsweek.com. Johnathan Davis and Etienne Uzac will retain ownership of IBT Media and will not be connected to operations at Newsweek/ IBT Medias portfolio of publications includes International Business Times, Player.One, Latin Times, Fashion Times and Medical Daily. Pragad stated of the separation: "Our focus will be on strengthening the iconic magazine the centerpiece of the company. In addition, we plan to expand into new ventures focused on non-advertising revenue streams." advertisement advertisement This news comes as Manhattan prosecutors have formally charged IBT Media in a $10 million fraud scheme. The alleged fraud happened when IBT Media was the parent company of Newsweek. According to The Hill and originally reported by The Wall Street Journal, IBT Media and Christian Media Corporation were involved in a scheme to defraud lenders of millions of dollars, due to profitability issues at IBT. Prosecutors say the scheme lasted from March 2015 until October of 2016. The Manhattan district attorneys office has been involved in a probe that lasted over a year. The companies are alleged to have falsified financial statements to secure $10 million in loans, with which they bought high-end computer servers and laundered the money to finance daily operations at the company. Specific charges among the 10-count indictment include money laundering, scheming to defraud, falsifying business records and conspiracy. In January of this year, the then Newsweek Media Groups offices were raided by investigators who took servers and pictures of servers with them. Three months later, several veteran staffers were fired or quit after launching a journalistic investigation into Newsweeks parent companys ties to Olivet University, a Christian institution with ties to controversial pastor David Jang. Zuora, a cloud-based subscription management platform, has partnered with Amazon Pay to give customers the option to pay for subscriptions using their Amazon accounts. The Seattle Times and The Telegraph are the first Zuora clients to integrate Amazon Pay into their subscription checkout experience, a feature announced at Zuoras Subscribed New York event today. Subscriptions are The Telegraphs top strategic priority, stated Chris Taylor, Chief Information Officer, The Telegraph. The convenience and reach of Amazon Pay has significantly reduced friction and increased speed of sign up for our subscribers. When readers go to subscribe for the publications online, they can sign into their Amazon accounts and pay with their saved credit cards. They can also use Amazon Pay for recurring payment processes. advertisement advertisement To us, a subscriber-centric business model means building a technology stack that supports our customers with a seamless experience to consume our content on any device, stated Curtis Huber, senior director of circulation and audience revenue, The Seattle Times. Since signing on with Zuora, The Seattle Times has improved retention rate by 30%, according to Huber. With the ease of use of Amazon Pay, we expect to see retention rate increase even more, he added. The idea is the easier it is to subscribe, the more likely readers are to pay for a digital subscription. This integration means Zuora is now a Premier Partner in the Amazon Pay Global Partner Program. Amazon and Zuora had a previous relationship: its Twitch division, a live streaming video platform, is a Zuora customer. Zuora CEO Tien Tzuo described Amazon as a poster child for what he calls the subscription economy, a term Tzuo coined to describe a new era of business models that focus on relationships with customers rather than entirely on selling products. Amazon has a lot of credit cards, Tzuo told Publishers Daily, referring to the number of saved credit card data it has as users signing up for recurring Amazon Prime memberships. But now Amazon is taking on Apple Pay to let its customers use their accounts to pay for subscriptions beyond its own Prime offering. This move also accelerates the newspapers shift to a subscription business model, a growing trend among publishers at a time when a huge chunk of advertising revenue is being grabbed by Facebook and Google. As for Amazon, the partnerships give the tech company access to Zuoras customer base of tens of millions of subscribers. The integration with Amazon Pay is available in the EU, UK and US. Zuora, which completed its IPO in April, serves over 1,000 companies, includingand In some regions, mouth cancer incidence has risen. A recent study uncovers a new risk factor that might help explain these increases. Share on Pinterest A recent study investigates a new risk factor for mouth cancer. In certain parts of the world, over the past couple of decades, mouth cancer rates have soared. For instance, in the United Kingdom, rates of mouth cancer have increased by 68 percent . They rose from eight cases per 100,0000 in 19921995 to 13 cases per 100,000 in 20122014. In the United States, mouth cancer and mortality rates have declined overall. However, when examined at a state level, the data reveal a more complex picture. For instance, mouth cancer deaths have risen significantly in Nevada, North Carolina, Iowa, Ohio, Maine, Idaho, North Dakota, and Wyoming. Some known risk factors for mouth cancer include smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol, human papillomavirus (HPV), and chewing betel quid , which is a mix of natural ingredients wrapped in a betel leaf that is popular in some parts of Southeast Asia. In India, mouth cancers are the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in men aged 3069 years old. Scientists think that chewing betel quid could be responsible for many of these deaths. New risk factor for mouth cancer Although scientists have confirmed some risk factors, there is still much to learn about how and why mouth cancer affects certain individuals and not others. Recently, scientists set out to investigate another potential risk factor: air pollution. The researchers, funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology in Taiwan, published their findings this week in the Journal of Investigative Medicine. In particular, the team focused on the impact of fine particulate matter, also known as PM2.5. These are particles of liquid or solid matter that measure 2.5 micrometers in diameter or under. Scientists already knew that PM2.5 has a negative impact on cardiovascular and respiratory health, but they wanted to find out whether exposure to higher levels of PM2.5 might also increase mouth cancer risk. To investigate, they collated information from 482,659 men aged 40 years old or above. All participants had attended health services and given information about smoking and chewing betel quid. The scientists next gathered data from 66 air quality-monitoring stations across Taiwan. By referring to the participants health records, the scientists could estimate each persons exposure to PM2.5. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Kotzias, and the Minister of Digital Policy, Telecommunications and Media, Nikos Pappas, will sign tomorrow, Thursday 11 October 2018 at 11:00, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Memorandum of Cooperation on the modernisation and upgrading of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs telecommunications services. Implementation of the Memorandum of Cooperation is expected, inter alia, to bolster Greece's capabilities in the areas of commercial and economic diplomacy, to strengthen synergies with the aim of developing entrepreneurship through the enhanced and expanded presence of Greek businesses abroad, as well as to contribute to attracting new investment. UPPER THUMB Although a location is selected, blueprints are done, and the ground breaking is just days away for a new state hospital in Caro, the project isnt flowing smoothly. The state wants municipal water for the new center, but the City of Caro, Indianfields Township and Tuscola County officials have not been able to agree on who will be responsible for running a water line 1.9 miles to the center, which is estimated to cost of $2.4 million. That was discussed at length at the county commissioners committee of the whole meeting Monday morning and again Monday evening at the Indianfields Township Board meeting. To extend the water line, Indianfields Township has to agree to allow it. The board is amicable to do that, but officials are concerned about possible annexation of more land to the city if additional development happens along the water line, which would mean a loss of tax revenue. Because the township does not have the means to finance the project, it comes down to the City of Caro or the county doing it, and each has reservations about being able to recoup the cost from water sales. When the news broke about the state building a new psychiatric hospital to replace the existing Caro Center but not necessarily in Tuscola County local officials launched an intensive campaign to keep the hospital in the county. A study showed the loss of the center in Caro would have an economic impact to the county of about $54 million. Because of that, a campaign was done to encourage the state to keep the center in the county, and during that time, former Caro City manager Ryan Piche went on record saying the city would provide water to the Caro Center. He left the area shortly after that to take a position in New York. A report provided to Indianfields Township board by Mike Carpenter with Rowe Engineering also states the city of Caro is responsible for providing water to the new state facility, and the average daily water usage would be 26,000 gallons a day. Carpenter pointed out that Caros two largest wells are in an ideal location to provide water service to the hospital, and 26,000 gallons a day is a 2 percent usage, so there is plenty of water available if further development came about later. Rowes report noted the Caro Center has three wells and a water tower that could be rehabilitated if the city wanted to use them. Caro Mayor Joe Greene expressed reservations about the project, and was concerned possible future development along the water line could impact well capacity, which contradicted Carpenters information. Green also stated the city might impose restrictions on water usage if the county did the water project. Caro is not bucking (at) doing the project. It will be addressed, said Caro City Manager Mike Silverman. The center is the second largest employer in the county. We are all aware how important this is and (are) working to take care of it as soon as possible. State Rep. Edward Canfield, a Sebewaing Republican who supported keeping the Caro Center in the county, is confident things will be worked out to extend the water line. Im not surprised there are some issues to work out. I have had assurances that they are going to get it figured out, but it will take time, said Canfield. The city committed to the state they would provide water to the Caro Center. This is just too important of a project to not find a solution. Im confident it will be worked out. Everyone is committed to making it happen and to find a solution. Canfield stated the state will not pay for the water line. We are paying $115 million to build the hospital. The state should not be financing utilities that locals have promised they would provide, he said. We need to invest in our future and realize the significant value of this project. I am confident an appropriate solution will be reached. It might take some time. Even though that key piece of the project is not complete, a ground breaking ceremony is schedule for 9:30 a.m. Oct. 19. The project will begin with the demolition and site restoration of the seven former residential houses, an outside pavilion, and Murray Hall. It will also include abatement, removal and disposal of hazardous building materials of asbestos containing materials, assumed mercury containing materials, assumed PCB containing materials, assumed Freon containing devices, and lead and chromium containing materials, prior to the demolition work. The demolition will clear the way for a new 222,000-square foot hospital at Chambers and Wells roads, which is just south of the administration building. It will be a 200-bed facility with a total of 500 employees, of which about 150 will be new hires once the facility is completed in the spring of 2021. The center currently has 349 employees and there are 398 other jobs that indirectly benefit from the center. The center provides an economic impact of over $54 million in benefits from its operation. The new facility will help provide a safer and more modern setting for state psychiatric hospital patients and staff. Caro Centers history dates to May 1914, when it was originally founded as the Michigan Farm Colony for Epileptics at Wahjamega. SEBEWAING During a 7 p.m. Sebewaing Village Council meeting Monday, there will be a public hearing on the villages master plan and the recreation plan. Delta Institute, a Chicago based firm, has been helping draft both plans at the same time. Each plan covers from 2019 to 2023. It's about time to ring in the Halloween season, and what better way than by binging on some of your favorite horror moviesboth classic and recent. Click through to see some of the creepy movies available for your streaming pleasure. PORTLAND Superintendent of Schools Philip B. OReilly will propose adding a school resource officer in the upcoming budget. OReilly has presented the proposal to the Board of Education and has held preliminary discussion with First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield about the plan. School resource officers (or SROs) are full-time police officers assigned to a school or schools. In addition to offering protection for staff and students, SROs can serve as a means for students to better understand and appreciate the role of the police in society. In some cases, they also act as mentors to students and as resource for students, staff and teachers on a variety of topics. I came to this decision to bring to the board out of concern, because numerous people have asked me to consider this, and because many students expressed the desire to have an armed officer in the building, OReilly explained in an email. This is a Board of Education matter, both as (a matter of) policy and in a practical sense. Board members are the people who are ultimately charged with making this decision, he said. OReilly said he will explore the issue in detail with Bransfield and Capt. Ron Milardo, the police departments highest-ranking officer. Students at the high school reacted in a positive and non-political manner following the shooting at Marjorie Stillman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Feb. 14. With the backing of both OReilly and Principal Kathryn Lawson, Portland students held a vigil in support of the MSD community during which the names of each of the 17 victims of the shooting were read aloud. Portland was one of the first communities that endured a school shooting. In December 1985, a middle-school student armed with a handgun shot and killed a school employee and wounded the school principal and school secretary. The surge in school shootings over the past several years has affected OReilly, as it has most professional educators. In the wake of the Parkland shooting, he said he had become an educator to help mold young people and expand their horizons, but now increasingly has found himself focusing on steps to increase school security. Board of Education Chairwoman MaryAnne Rode said the proposal is a sad commentary on the times in which educators now must operate. At the same time, Rode praised the cooperation the school department has received from the police, and, in particular, from Officer Paul Liseo. She said police have made it a point to be visible before and after school and have readily agreed to any number of requests from the school administration. I cant say enough about the cooperation we receive from the police, she said. Bransfield said OReilly had mentioned his intention to include the officer in his budget, and she is looking forward to working with him to flesh out the proposal. An aide to Bransfield said Thursday the first selectwoman, Milardo and OReilly are working to coordinate their calendars so they can sit down together to discuss the issue in order to develop the proposal. Reporter Jeff Mill covers East Hampton, Cromwell and Portland for the Middletown Press. Contact him at jeff.mill@hearstmediact.com. 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. 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. It's a happy day for beasts of burden on the Greek island of Santorini: The government has banned "obese" tourists weighing over 220 pounds from riding the island's famous donkeys. Santorini, known for its picturesque white-washed buildings and blue roofs, is one of the Aegean Sea's most Instagrammable destinations and a popular cruise ship stop. But its steep hills often intimidate out-of-shape tourists, who'd rather ride than trudge up the narrow, stepped streets where cars cannot go. China's Sub Force Is Growing More Powerful. This Is What the US Navy Needs to Do to Stay Ahead Hedge fund billionaire Steven Cohen said Wednesday that his Cohen Veterans Network (CVN) plans to expand to 25 mental health clinics by 2020 for veterans and their family members in an effort to create the "mental and brain health care system of the future." "We've got a two-path approach -- take care of today's problems now and look for better answers in the future," he said in brief remarks at the opening of the 3rd annual Cohen Veterans Care Summit at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center near the White House. Cohen said CVN currently has 10 clinics nationwide and plans to have four more set up by the end of this year. In addition, he said, "we're on target" to have a total of 25 by 2020, operating on the theme "Back to Better." His clinics have treated 8,000 veterans and family members thus far, and "they tell us we're making their lives better," he said. "Sadly, we're now facing an epidemic of veterans suicides. We have to stop it in its tracks," he added. "I want to do something about this." That's the reason, Cohen said, that he created the Cohen Veterans Network and funded Cohen Veterans Bioscience to conduct research on biological signs and other diagnostics that could lead to innovative treatments for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. The Cohen network of clinics would have had 11 operating this year, but the one in Los Angeles at the University of California abruptly shut down last year. According to a lengthy article by ProPublica, the non-profit investigative journalism organization, in collaboration with Fortune magazine, there were allegations that the Los Angeles clinic was turning away homeless veterans. "We did have to move away from" the Los Angeles clinic, Anthony Guido, vice president for communications at CVN, told Military.com at the summit. "Both sides agreed it was not working the way it was intended." Cohen, who reportedly has an estimated net worth of $14 billion, founded CVN in 2015, two years after his firm, SAC Capital Advisors, agreed to pay $1.8 billion in fines and civil penalties to resolve a criminal indictment for insider trading. It was the largest fine in history for insider trading, according to Preet Bharara, who was then U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Cohen was also banned from running a hedge fund for two years. He now heads a new firm, Point72 Asset Management. However, Cohen, who pledged $275 million of his own funds to found CVN, has recruited an impressive board of directors, including retired Adm. Mike Mullen, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; former Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn.; Mary Winnefeld, co-founder of the S.A.F.E. Project aimed at curbing opioid addiction and wife of retired Adm. James "Sandy" Winnefeld, former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Linda Rosenberg, president and chief executive officer of the National Council for Behavioral Health. In the summit presentations Monday, Anthony Hassan, president and CEO of CVN, said about 22 percent of the veterans at Cohen clinics were referred by the Department of Veterans Affairs. "We're filling gaps" in the VA's mental health programs for veterans, he said. "It's not about competition" with the VA, he said, but rather about getting the best treatment available for the veteran. Last February, the VA announced it was going into partnership with CVN to work on curbing the suicide rate among veterans. "VA and CVN have a shared goal to improve veterans' health and access to mental health services to reduce veteran suicides," then-VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin said in a VA release. "With 14 out of the 20 veterans who take their own lives per day not engaging VA care, partnerships such as this help those veterans, as well as their families, receive care where they live," added Shulkin, who was fired by President Donald Trump in March. Hassan said at the time that the partnership was preventing suicides by getting veterans needed care faster. "We are excited about partnering with VA and advancing the field through innovative clinician training initiatives and public messaging," he said. -- Editor's Note: This story has been corrected to specify which organization refers veterans to Cohen clinics. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. The Marine Corps' aviation woes have posed the biggest challenge to the force's readiness, but the service's top general has a simple response to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' call to improve aircraft mission-capable rates. "Roger that," Commandant Gen. Robert Neller said during a Wednesday Defense Writers Group breakfast with reporters. "... I'm sure if we don't make it, we'll hear about it." There's no single answer to improving overall aviation readiness, he said. Marine aviation has been plagued for years by steep budget cuts, high operational demands, parts shortages and less flying time for air crews. That resulted in a "horrible year" for Marine aviation in 2017, Neller said, citing a July KC-130T crash that left 16 dead. Less than a month later, three Marines were killed when their MV-22B Osprey crashed near Australia, prompting a 24-hour operational pause in all flight operations. Related content: "We've got to do our part," the commandant said. "We've got to do a better job of managing our flight-hour program. We've got to reset certain airplanes, and we've got to get some new airplanes." Here's how the Marine Corps will meet Mattis' call to boost mission-capable rates of some of the service's most in-demand aircraft to more than 80 percent over the next year. Ditching old aircraft. The Corps is in the process of replacing several aging airframes and, when it does, it needs to get rid of the old models. Otherwise, they only put a strain on squadrons, Neller said. "At some point, when you're getting new, you have to get rid of the old ones," he said. "[Or] you have a squadron that's designed to maintain 12 airplanes and they've got to maintain 16." Harvesting old parts. Before those jets and helicopters fly off to the boneyard, Neller said they should be checked for parts. Older CH-53s and F/A-18 Hornets, for example, could have parts that the Marine Corps can use on some of its upgraded models. "We have to take advantage of the parts we can get off them," he said. Pressing industry to do better. Vendors also have a role to play. Their "quality has got to go up," Neller said. And if they're providing the services with new aircraft, they need to be prepared to stock the parts they'll need to maintain them. It's not acceptable to have just one or two companies capable of manufacturing parts for the entire Defense Department's aviation fleet. "We've got to have more depth," Neller said. Printing its own parts. One way the Marine Corps can work around parts shortages is by printing its own. The service is currently operating two metal printers, and it has plans to buy more, Neller said. That will improve maintainers' access to the parts they need, he added. In 2016, an MV-22 Osprey took flight using a 3-D printed part. The Army and Air Force have also used the technology to fix or even create a new aircraft. -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ginaaharkins. The Marine Corps shut down its unique battalion-sized combat-assault unit last week after decades of service, from supporting Pacific campaigns during World War II to exercises with allies to wartime deployments to Korea, Vietnam and the Middle East. Combat Assault Battalion, based in Okinawa, Japan, cased its colors Friday. It marks the end of a 76-year history during which engineers, amphibious assault vehicle crews and light-armored reconnaissance units worked side-by-side to support 3rd Marine Division. " 'Sui Generis' is the motto of the unit, which means unique or of its own kind," Lt. Col. Jacob Robinson, CAB's final commanding officer, told Military.com. "I think that really is the essence of the legacy. It's always been a fairly diverse unit and has had significant capabilities dating back to 1942." The decision to deactivate the unit is the result of Marine Corps Force 2025, a years-long review that determines where the service needs to boost or shrink capabilities in an effort to remain relevant in the future fight. Deactivating Combat Assault Battalion, Robinson said, helps the service save manpower, realign existing capabilities and open up the opportunity to add new ones. Almost all of the nearly 1,000 Marines who were assigned to the unit as of last summer have already been reassigned. It took about a year for the bulk of the personnel to transition out or be moved, as leaders tried not to disrupt the lives of Marines and their families who'd traveled all the way to Japan to serve with Combat Assault Battalion. The AAV and LAV personnel and equipment made for the cleanest transition, Robinson said, since they moved in whole to 4th Marine Regiment, also on Okinawa. Some of the combat engineers also stayed in Japan, while others moved to Hawaii or were absorbed by I or II Marine Expeditionary Force units on the East and West coasts. CAB's deactivation is a bittersweet one for Robinson, who said it was an honor to serve as battalion commander for Marines carrying out such diverse missions. The Marines had a chance to operate in a forward-deployed environment alongside allies all over the world, he said. And since the unit has long roots in armor -- first with tank crews and later amphibious assault vehicles and light-armored vehicles -- the battalion's combat engineers, LAV teams and AAV crews have gotten a rare chance to work closely together. "Nowhere else do you have all those same capabilities working in the same unit," Robinson said. "... It's been a real opportunity for those Marines to be able to experience the other [military occupational specialties] in a way they don't generally get the opportunity to do so." CAB's deactivation ceremony was held Friday afternoon at the Camp Courtney Theater. Brig. Gen. William Jurney, commanding general of 3rd Marine Division, was scheduled to preside over the deactivation. The Marines who've served in Combat Assault Battalion -- from World War II through the present -- will carry those experiences forward, Robinson added. "I think the legacy is, for a long time from now, I think you will be able to go to a unit and you'll be able to find Marines who served in Combat Assault Battalion," he said. "... That's the case dating all the way back to World War II, under whatever name this unit was called. The legacy is their contribution to the betterment of the Marine Corps -- not only while they were in this unit, but just as importantly as they served with other units." -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ginaaharkins. The Pentagon has grounded all service variants of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter weeks after an F-35B crashed outside Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The Defense Department will inspect potentially faulty fuel tubes within the engine before aircraft are allowed to take to the skies again, the Joint Program Office said Thursday. "The U.S. services and international partners have temporarily suspended F-35 flight operations while the enterprise conducts a fleet-wide inspection of a fuel tube within the engine on all F-35 aircraft," said Joe DellaVedova, spokesman for the F-35 Joint Program Office. "If suspect fuel tubes are installed, the part will be removed and replaced. If known good fuel tubes are already installed, then those aircraft will be returned to flight status. Inspections are expected to be completed within the next 24 to 48 hours," he said in a statement. F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp. also issued a statement in connection with the grounding. "We are actively partnering with the Pentagons F-35 Joint Program Office, our global customers and Pratt & Whitney to support the resolution of this issue and limit disruption to the fleet," company executives said in the statement. Maintainers will inspect the fuel tube for quality assurance, an official close to the F-35 program told Military.com. "This is engine-by-engine, aircraft-by-aircraft. [It is] not a grounding where all aircraft need to sit out to for a select period of time," the source, who declined to be publicly identified, said. The official said aircraft across all services could be back in the air very shortly upon inspection. This "is not expected to significantly impact production or delivery" to U.S. and international customers, the official said. Aviation Week first reported Thursday that operations for the Marine Corps' F-35B variant would be paused for inspection. JPO later said the inspections would also apply to A and C variants. The United Kingdom, which flies the B variant, had resumed flight operations on its aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth following inspections Thursday, sources told Breaking Defense. DellaVedova said the issue stems directly from the Sept. 28 crash. Related content: The aircraft, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, marked the first crash for the Marine Corps' variant, which is designed to operate from ships with short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities. The pilot ejected and was treated by local authorities. The cause of the crash is under investigation. DellaVedova said the goal of the ongoing inspection is to prevent future mishaps. "We will take every measure to ensure safe operations while we deliver, sustain and modernize the F-35 for the warfighter and our defense partners," he said. On Wednesday, about two weeks after the F-35B crash in South Carolina, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller told reporters the readiness rates on the service's variant of the Joint Strike Fighter jet were "surprisingly good." The service's F-35B has been operating in the Middle East during a deployment with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the amphibious assault ship Essex. In late September, the aircraft carried out its first combat mission when it dropped munitions on a Taliban target in Afghanistan. Neller said the readiness of the aircraft on that deployment gets "better every day To the point where I'm corresponding with the [commanding officer] out there, and I say, 'How are you doing it?' " The F-35Bs the squadron is flying are some of the newer versions, he added. "So we'll see as these airplanes continue to get fielded if they're able to maintain that level of readiness." The Navy and Air Force have also reported F-35 mishaps in recent weeks. Last month, a Navy F-35C assigned to the California-based Strike Fighter Squadron 125 made an unexpected landing at Fresno Yosemite International Airport after an indicator light lit up. No injuries were reported. In August, an F-35 with that same squadron was damaged during an aerial refueling exercise along with an F/A-18F Super Hornet. That same day, two Air Force F-35As experienced mishaps in Florida. One stealth fighter suffered a nose-gear malfunction and another struck a bird. Earlier this year, the Pentagon temporarily suspended acceptance of new Joint Strike Fighters over corrosion issues. Corrosion occurred in fastener "holes that were drilled and not corrected or properly treated found during an inspection at Hill Air Force Base, [Utah]," Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch, the Air Force's military deputy for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Acquisition at the Pentagon, said in March. Officials roughly two months later said the JPO had again begun accepting the stealth aircraft after suspending deliveries from Lockheed Martin over a disagreement over who would pay to correct corrosion issues due to the production error. In September 2016, the Air Force ordered a temporary stand-down of 13 out of 104 F-35s in the fleet, "due to the discovery of peeling and crumbling insulation in avionics cooling lines inside the fuel tanks," Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said at the time. That same month, pooled fuel in the tailpipe of an F-35 resulted in a fire at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Officials with the Air Force or Naval Air Forces did not immediately respond to questions about when the A and C variants would begin flying again. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ginaaharkins. The U.S. Army has begun field testing the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station-Javelin (CROWS-J) atop its Stryker vehicles in Europe, a top official involved with the program said Wednesday. The 2nd Dragoons, an active-duty Stryker infantry and cavalry regiment, conducted its first CROWS-J live-fire exercise last week, said Col. Thomas Hough, commander of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. Conducted during a gunnery training event, the CROWS-J tests "were three-for-three hitting their targets anywhere from 1,200 to 1,500 meters," he said at the annual Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition. Army officials said follow-on testing and fielding is expected to move fast. Lt. Gen. Christopher Cavoli, head of U.S. Army Europe, recently told Army Times the service plans to distribute more than 80 CROWS-J systems across the 2nd Cav, one of the Army's two maneuver brigades, before 2019 begins. Related content: The fast-paced testing also applies to the Dragoon version of the General Dynamics Land Systems-made Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle upgunned with a 30mm cannon. In August, soldiers assigned to the Bemowo Piskie Training Area outside Orzysz, Poland, conducted the first live-fire exercise using the 30mm cannon in a "supportive maneuver," Hough said. The 2nd Cav received its first upgunned Stryker last December. Months following the arrival, squads were working to smooth kinks to more effectively use the gun, officials said during last year's AUSA show. "We had them go and establish a support by fire in support of one of our infantry companies, maneuvering on a trench both day and night," Hough said. The exercises became three-day, three-night maneuvers to aim for targets at roughly 600 meters, he said, adding that testing the system lasted six days. Enlisted soldiers continue to be the "subject matter experts" in this process as they provide feedback after testing the system, added Command Sgt. Maj. Steven Brown of the 2nd Cav. Leaders found that the 30mm cannon "provides precision, lethal, anti-armor fires in direct support of a dismounted infantry force moving to seize an objective," Hough said. As Russia continues to test and advance its own equipment, using both the 30mm cannon and CROWS-J systems on Stryker vehicles will give the Army more clarity on how the service can best fight in future conflicts, he said. Hough said the upgrades could potentially model future formations. "Does it change how we fight the formation?" he said. "Does it change how a potential adversary would fight the formation?" -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. There might be a way to have one member of a small unit serve as a recharger for the rest of the squad or platoon to save on batteries and lighten loads, according to two co-founders of a tech firm. "It could be just one soldier, and a lot of people could recharge off him," Veronika Stelmakh, co-founder, along with Walker Chan, of Mesodyne Inc., said Tuesday in proposing their portable generator as a battery-load solution at the annual meeting and exposition of the Association of the U.S. Army. The "soldier-borne generator for reduced battery load" is about the size of a soda can, would run silently and has the potential to reduce battery loads by 75 percent, said Stelmakh and Chan, who both hold doctorates from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The device, developed by MIT's Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, would run off fuel, most likely propane or butane, to generate electricity through a conversion process using infrared radiation to drive specialized photovoltaic cells, according to Mesodyne promotional material. Although photovoltaic cells are part of the process, the device, which weighs about one pound, requires no sunlight, Stelmakh said. The mini-generator has the potential to allow troops to shed 15 to 20 pounds of load for the batteries they use to power GPS and other devices, she said. For years, the Army and the Marine Corps have sought ways to lighten the combat loads of dismounted troops, who may carry more than 100 pounds of body armor and helmets, weapons and ammunition, rations and water, communications equipment and other items. According to an Army release, its Research, Development and Engineering Command is experimenting with wearable solar panels that could recharge batteries and allow soldiers to carry fewer of them. The command is also looking at rigging a backpack frame with devices to generate electricity from the soldier's movements while marching. Military.com's Matthew Cox reported earlier this week that the Army has started fielding its new Modular Scalable Vest, which weighs approximately 25 pounds, about five pounds lighter than the outdated Improved Outer Tactical Vest. Battery weight was a particular concern of Gen. Martin Dempsey when he was Army chief of staff and later chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but he had little success in coming up with a solution before he retired in 2015. At one point, Dempsey suggested the possibility of having robots carry batteries into the field to lessen the load for troops. At a Senate hearing in 2011, when Dempsey was Army chief of staff, Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, commiserated with him on musculoskeletal injuries suffered by troops that forced them from the field in Iraq and Afghanistan. Dempsey said one of the problems was the overall fitness of the troops, "but it's exacerbated by the load we ask them to bear." Inouye, who lost an arm and earned the Medal of Honor while in combat with the legendary, all Japanese-American "Go For Broke" 442nd Regimental Combat Team in Italy in World War II, described his own lightweight gear. "I feel for them [the troops] because I believe my combat kit never exceeded 20 pounds, including my rifle, boots and helmet, grenades and all the ammo I carried," he said. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. VA Secretary Robert Wilkie has refused to provide Rep. Tim Walz (Minn.), ranking Democrat on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, with copies of emails and other internal communications between Department of Veterans Affairs officials and three members of President Trumps Mar-a-Lago country club who allegedly influenced VA policies and executive hiring and firing decisions for at least a year. Wilkie told Walz in a Sept. 14 letter that the documents the congressman seeks are the subject of ongoing litigation alleging violations of the Federal Advisory Committee Act and, therefore, not appropriate for release at this time. Its stonewalling, plain and simple, Walz said in an interview Wednesday, adding, This just reeks of corruption. Its cronyism. Hours later Walzs office sent a second letter to Wilkie. This one set a new deadline of Oct. 31 for VA to release all documents showing VA interactions with billionaire Ike Perlmutter, Palm Beach physician Bruce Moskowitz and lawyer Marc Sherman, all of them Mar-a-Lago members who teamed to influence personnel decisions and to shape policy at VA after Trump became president. Walz told Wilkie that his response was a transparent attempt to stonewall not only a member of Congress but also the American public on a matter of significant importance to our nations veterans. Be assured, this issue will remain a top concern of the Committee until all our questions have been answered. The lawsuit Wilkie cited was filed Aug. 18 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by VoteVets Action Fund, which has been the highest spending liberal nonprofit organization active in recent federal elections, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The fund is associated with VoteVets.org, a political action committee and non-profit social welfare organization founded in 2006 by Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans who hold progressive political views. VoteVets contends the Trump administration empowered Perlmutter, Moskowitz and Sherman to influence VA in violation of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, a Watergate-era law passed to ensure that advisors to federal departments are objective and their advice is accessible to the public. Alan Grogg, an attorney representing VoteVets, said its complaint relies on a lengthy ProPublica news article and VA documents that the online newsroom obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. It argues the Presidents friends constituted an advisory group and yet the advisors, all of them non-veterans, met none of the transparency requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The law requires, Grogg explained, that if an agency is going to use an outside group to provide advice and recommendations, it has to file a charter for the committee, disclose the minutes of its meetings and disclose materials provided to the committee. VA took no such steps to legitimize the Mar-a-Lago Crowd, he said. Documents ProPublica obtained show the way these three individuals were empowered to not only provide advice and recommendations but even to influence decision making, Grogg said. Its unfortunately part of a pattern with this administration, leaning on non-government individuals to exercise governmental authority, and its a jarring example of that trend. The lawsuit seeks a court order to stop the Mar-a-Lago trio from meeting with or advising Wilkie or other VA officials until VA complies with transparency obligations of the 1972 law. Walz said the mid-term elections next month are the reason Republican colleagues on the committee havent joined him yet in pressing VA for documents to reveal how the Mar-a-Lago trio influenced the department. I dont want to criticize them openly yet, Walz said, adding, I think its a fair hesitation on their part going into an election. Regardless of November election results, he added, this is not going away. This is veterans health care. These are unelected officials who I believe, just straight up, have financial interests in this with [computer applications] they are trying to promote, some of their companies that have been intersected. I think the potential for deep cronyism, getting an inside track, for corruption, is there. Walz said Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.), the House committee chairman, is a man of great integrity. Walz trusts him to be right with me, seeking answers about the Mar-a-Lago trio, after the election, assuming he too suspects undue influence. Republicans on the committee know, and they care, that this is wrong. Walz doesnt give the same benefit of the doubt to Wilkie, who served as acting VA secretary earlier this year and was introduced to the Mar-a-Lago trio before Trump later nominated him to be VA secretary. He took office in July. Wilkies refusal to release the documents made a bad situation significantly worse by sending a letter falsely claiming documents are being withheld because of a lawsuit filed [eight days] after I requested the information, Walz said. He knew what the situation was there. He made that choice. You lay with dogs, you get fleas, Walz said. Democrats on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee pressed Wilkie at hearing last month on his own interactions with the Mar-a-Lago trio. Wilkie told Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) he will reject improper outside influences on VA. A lot of those [interactions reported by ProPublica] took place before I became the secretary. And I am committed to making sure that I am the sole person responsible for VA policy, Wilkie said. Asked if any VA officials still consult with the Mar-a-Lago Crowd, Wilkie said, Not that I know of. I met with them once for an hour when I was in Palm Beach the first week I was acting. I have had no connection with them since then. Pressed by Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Wilkie said the topic discussed with the trio in Palm Beach was the Cerner Corp. contract to create a new electronic health record system for VA, the same system adopted by Department of Defense. And if Im going to believe the media stories, that the folks I talked to were against it, then I went against their wishes because I approved it two weeks later, Wilkie said. Wilkie also conceded to Hirono that his first contact with a member of the Mar-a-Lago group occurred the day he began his stint as acting VA Secretary days earlier, when Marc Sherman was waiting for him in his office at VA headquarters. "What was discussed that day," Hirono asked. Somebody I had never met beforewas standing there and told me for whom he worked. And I listened and I said thank you. Im always happy to listen to anyone who wants to talk about veterans. I was not familiar with what was going on. Again, that was my first day, Wilkie said. Wilkies decision to deny him the documents means he owns this now, Walz said. We need to find out what their influence has been. They are unelected officials who are interfering and have no authority whatsoeverother than they bought expensive memberships and theyve got an inside track to the president. To comment, write Military Update, P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA, 20120 or email milupdate@aol.com or twitter: @Military_Update. "Call of Duty: Black Ops 4" is officially released on October 12 and the Call of Duty Endowment is holding a fundraiser called CODNation Challenge live on Twitch from October 11-13. Hashtagged #TheRace, the CODNation Challenge is a multi-day, 24-hour race that will be streamed online from developer Treyarchs studio in Santa Monica. Top gamers lik GoldGloveTV, Jericho, Hutch and VernNotice will take on "Call of Duty: Black Ops 4." Watch #TheRace at Twitch.com/CallofDuty. The Call of Duty Endowment is a non-profit which identifies and funds best-in-class veteran organizations that get unemployed veterans back to work. Each year thins event reaches millions of viewers and raises hundreds of thousands in donations, with over $250,000 donated in 2017. Since Activision covers the organization's overhead, every cent raised goes to veterans job programs. RELATED: How the Call of Duty Endowment Wants to Help Veterans Find a Job Military.com spent some time with Dan last spring when we traveled to Germany and Kuwait on the Call of Duty USO Tour. He's a Navy veteran himself and he's committed to supporting organizations that get results for job-seeking veterans. He took some time this week to answer our questions abut the Endowment and the CODNation Challenge. Dan Goldenberg was game for some EOD training when we visited the team at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. How does the Call of Duty Endowment work? In partnership with Deloitte, we identify the highest performing veteran serving non-profits in the US and UK, fund them and help them expand their ability to serve more veterans in finding high quality employment by holding them accountable to results. Make no mistake, our grantees are the best non-profits out there for helping vets get great jobs. We also convey to employers the unique value that veterans bring to their organizations. Activision Blizzard funds all our operating costs, so every cent we raise goes directly to veteran employment grants. How will the #CODNATION Challenge support the Call of Duty Endowment? What do you hope to achieve from this event? This eventit's our six year running it, albeit by its new namewill expose more than a million Call of Duty gamers to our cause: helping veterans find high quality employment. At the same time, it gives them a chance to DO something about it by contributing to the effortall while having a blast with Black Ops 4 and our streamers! We hope to raise at least $100,000 in donations. Since every $505 funds the placement of a vet into a job, that's almost 200 vets who would be helped if we hit the goalit's like putting a company size unit back to work! Regardless, divide what we raise by $505, and that's how many vets will be helped by this effort. And how important is the Call of Duty community when it comes to supporting the cause? Pivotal. Through the years, the amazing support we've received from the Call of Duty community has enabled the placement of more than 47,000 veterans into good jobsthat's more than a quarter of the Marine Corps! For example, the Call of Duty community supports these efforts through the purchase of in-game digital items, buying special game packages from our partners like GameStop and Costco, and events like the #CODNATION Challenge. ANN ARBOR, MI - Ann Arbor Public Schools officials say they're approaching the issue of lead in school drinking water with a sense of urgency and taking additional steps to address it. "This critical issue of ensuring the health and safety of our students remains our top priority, and this is true with our work to enhance our program for testing for lead in drinking water," Superintendent Jeanice Swift said at a school board meeting Wednesday night, Oct. 10. "It is our desire to get to the lowest possible levels of lead, and we sure hope to see a day when that would be zero. That is our goal. That is what we're working toward." The superintendent and school board trustees spent more than an hour discussing next steps, including an upcoming round of lead testing and the purchase of more hydration stations with certified lead filters, which the district hopes to get into all schools soon. Swift said 19 schools, or nearly two-thirds of all Ann Arbor schools, are already equipped with one or more of the stations, which are drinking fountains with lead filters and a water bottle filling feature. Some schools have just one, some have more than one, and some still don't have one yet. Swift said the district recently ordered enough hydration stations to ensure every school will have one. Additional purchases may be coming to the board for approval in the near future. "So that process is already going and those installations are forthcoming," Swift said. She said she plans to bring a plan to the board on Oct. 24, including more detail on cost projections for more hydration stations -- "not just one or two or three in every building, but to a standard that we feel is appropriate within our limitation of our budget." According to the district, the cost per hydration station to purchase and install can range from $2,500 to $5,500, and the lead filters, which are to be changed twice a year, are about $65 apiece. Swift said the district is fortunate that voters last year approved a sinking fund tax, which was projected to provide about $20 million per year for building and facility construction and renovations. The district wasn't planning to use those funds for hydration stations at schools, but that's now under consideration. "I think our sinking fund millage is a little bit of a gift," said AAPS Board President Christine Stead. "So having that millage passed gives us some dollars to re-appropriate, and I think the board would be very happy to have a board action item on whatever it is to appropriate dollars in the immediate term to get the additional water stations and filters in play." Stead said she applauded the district's administration for approaching the matter with a sense of urgency. The school district is currently working with Arch Environmental Group to complete an inventory of all drinking water sources in all schools, with plans to do more testing this month and next month. It's unclear at this point when test results will be available. The district's last annual tests from July and August of 2017 showed several schools had lead in the water from various faucets and drinking fountains above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency action level of 15 parts per billion, and others at lower levels. Huron High School was the only one out of 33 buildings tested that didn't have any detectable levels of lead. In some cases, the levels were well above the EPA action level -- as high as 320 ppb from one faucet at Burns Park Elementary. "Our buildings average 65 years of age and we do not have a building that's less than a decade old, and so we are aware that there are risks associated with aging infrastructure," Swift said. Swift said the district has voluntarily tested the water annually since 2016 in all AAPS schools and has addressed issues in all cases where there were lead levels above the 15-ppb action level, and now the district is implementing its own voluntary 10-ppb action level. The superintendent's presentation Wednesday night included a nearly eight-minute video in which she outlined the new approach. "With the overall goal of the program to reduce exposure to lead, in this next round of testing we will lower the threshold for when we implement the AAPS protocol for addressing an issue," Swift said. "Remediation efforts will be implemented when lead levels are at greater than 10 ppb, and additional attention will be paid to any water fixtures that test between 5 and 10 ppb." Swift said the AAPS protocol when lead levels are above 10 ppb may include replacing water fixtures, and in some cases replacing water pipes behind the fixture. Brass fittings and galvanized steel pipes, as opposed to copper, can be a source of lead in water. Swift said the change from 15 ppb to 10 ppb will place the district ahead of a new 12-ppb action level taking effect in 2025. She said the "additional attention" that will be given when lead levels from certain fixtures test between 5-10 ppb may include flushing and retesting and other steps to be determined. Stead said she would be interested in entertaining a change in the district's standard for taking action from 10 ppb to 5 ppb and she's looking to the administration for cost estimates for that. "We're working on that," the superintendent responded. Some concerned parents have pointed out the 15-ppb action level the district has followed up until now is not a health standard and the EPA actually has set a maximum contaminant level goal for lead in drinking water at zero, because lead is a toxic metal that can be harmful even at low exposure levels. Children are particularly vulnerable, as a dose that may have little effect on an adult can have a significant effect on a child. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality recommends taking action if the lead concentration is above 5 ppb. In children, low levels of exposure have been linked to damage to the central and peripheral nervous system, learning disabilities, shorter stature, impaired hearing, and impaired formation and function of blood cells, according to the EPA. Ann Arbor school officials note the 2017 testing that showed lead levels some parents are now raising concerns about was done in the middle of the summer, so stagnant water supplies may have led to some higher initial readings. Nonetheless, they maintain their goal now is to get lead levels down to zero if possible. In the meantime, the district's strategy includes encouraging students, staff and school visitors to make sure they're getting their water from a trusted source such as the new hydration stations, and putting warning signs by fixtures where water is not intended for consumption. School officials had a discussion about that Wednesday night, acknowledging not all students may understand or obey those signs and may still try to drink water from a faucet or fountain where there's lead in the water, so they're taking that into consideration. It also was noted during Wednesday night's discussion that in some cases lines have been forming at the new hydration stations. AAPS parent Abby Dumes was among the concerned community members who addressed the school board Wednesday night. Dumes created a petition in collaboration with two pediatricians and the deputy director of the Ecology Center, urging the school district to test all water sources used for drinking and cooking. So far, more than 500 people have signed the petition, and Dumes said it's concerning the district hasn't yet committed to what they're asking. "In the meantime, with results possibly not being ready until January, no short-term drinking solution has been provided. Untested drinking water sources remain on, as well as sources that initially tested above 10 ppb," Dumes said in an email. "There's a lot of confusion on the ground. Some children have told parents that 'no one is drinking the water,' while I've watched first and second graders bypass the filtered pitcher water and bottled water provided by parents and take a first gulp at the classroom fountain." Swift explained the district's approach in deciding which fixtures to test for lead in the water. "Testing in AAPS schools is focused on high-priority locations, including drinking fountains, kitchen sinks and classroom water fixtures," she said. "We have increased the number of locations tested at each campus." As another precaution, Swift said, the district will continue flushing all water systems following school breaks, such as summer, Thanksgiving, winter break and spring break. Swift said the district is not aware of any cases of anyone being harmed by water from any of its schools. "Along with other communities with aged infrastructure around the country, we all face the possibility of consuming lead in our homes or anywhere we go," Swift said, noting the school district has provided parents with educational materials about best practices for minimizing lead exposure at a2schools.org/watertesting. It was noted during Wednesday night's discussion that lead paint in homes, including dust created during home renovations, also can be a harmful source of lead exposure for children. Emile Lauzzana, the school district's facilities director, said in a video shown Wednesday night that the inventory of water fixtures being put together right now will help the district distinguish where its oldest fixtures are located and which ones are most used. "We can also flag areas where we have our youngest children who we know are more susceptible to lead poisoning," he said. "With the inventory data, we can also track and manage our system much better, and identify areas that we want to designate as non-potable sources that we can clearly label not for drinking." Lauzzana said much of the district's plumbing is buried inside of masonry walls and floors, inaccessible parts of ceilings and under concrete slabs, so it's not possible to inspect all of the piping. "We don't know what the source is in all of our buildings because we can't get to it," he told the board. AAPS Trustee Susan Baskett raised the question of whether the district should start shutting down some faucets and drinking fountains, forcing everyone to use known safe sources, meeting the minimum requirement of one drinking fountain per 100 building occupants. "What if we turned them all off and then put in the minimum?" she said. "I'm being very serious, because it sounds like it's a problem we're not quite sure where it's going to be, we're not sure how to address it. "Even if we got to zero today, we could be at another number next year. And again, with some of our aging buildings especially, it's like we could possibly keep continuing down this rabbit hole." School board members were advised that just shutting off some faucets or fountains without eliminating dead ends in the plumbing could lead to stagnation and bacteria issues. There was some discussion about whether the district should supply schools with bottled water as an interim measure when lead levels are above 5 ppb and hydration stations haven't been installed yet. AAPS Trustee Simone Lightfoot said the district's lead response plan is an evolving plan that will be continuously informed by best practices locally and across the country. "We do better as we know better, learn better and hear from those in the know," she said, expressing appreciation for those who've shared concerns and information with the board. "As soon as we received concern about the lead, my first intention was that we embrace this and do what we do in Ann Arbor -- make it a case study, show best practices, and fix it, and go on to share with others how we made it happen, so I look forward to that." AAPS Trustee Patricia Manley thanked Swift for responding so swiftly to the community concerns about lead. "We never want to sit on anything when it relates to student safety," she said. "We want to jump on it right away, and I really appreciate that, understanding that it is going to take a minute to get everything in process, but at least there is a plan." ANN ARBOR, MI - Nurses represented by the University of Michigan Professional Nurses Council (UMPNC) will receive salary raises of 3 to 4 percent in a new three-year contract with Michigan Medicine. That's compared to the last four years when those increases were about 1 percent. The contract also addresses concerns over the Victors Care program - concierge medicine for those who can afford to pay $3,600 extra per year. The new agreement specifies that any revenues from Victors Care will be used to provide healthcare access for low-income. "I am glad that we were able to work together on Victors Care and come up with a solution that benefits the entire community," said Desiree Conyers, ambulatory care RN. It also includes a paid maternal/parental leave program that includes six weeks of paid leave for physiological recovery from birth of a child and six weeks of paid parental leave to employees after a birth, adoption or foster care and guardianship, which matches benefits recently granted to non-union university employees. Also included are changes to eliminate payroll system inaccuracies, reductions in mandatory overtime and "maintenance of current health insurance and retirement benefits," according to Michigan Medicine. The agreement comes after the UMPNC and Michigan Medicine reached a tentative agreement on Sept. 28 after the nurses' previous contract expired in July. Between Oct. 7 and 10, union members from the UMPNC, which represents 5,700 registered nurses, voted in favor of the agreement, which took effect immediately. "This ratification is good news for the entire Michigan Medicine community: our nurses, our patients and all of our staff. We are grateful to all who worked tirelessly to bargain a fair agreement," University of Michigan Health System President David Spahlinger said. The new contract also ensures nurses will be able to select their own representatives to workplace committees. For example, if there was a safety issue reported to one of the various workplace committees in the hospital, nurses would have direct union representation, instead of that representative being selected by management. "As the University of Michigan Health System continues to expand, nurses will continue to advocate for patients," said Deborah Totzkay, an operating room nurse educator. "Through committee members that nurses select, we will have a real voice to raise safety concerns and make sure they are addressed. Our union contract will help guarantee that patients always come before profits." The contract includes guidelines for staffing for nurses at Michigan Medicine. It also provides increased funding for tuition reimbursement and professional development that will ensure maintenance of BAY CITY, MI - Canadian energy company Enbridge Energy held an informational meeting on Wednesday in Bay County for residents and property owners with pipeline on their land. The Line 5 pipe that carries crude oil is the same one that runs beneath the Straits of Mackinac and has been a topic of controversy. The entire pipeline is 645 miles long and 30 inches in diameter, according to the company. It travels through Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, originating in Superior, Wisconsin, and ending in Sarnia, Ontario. It passes through Bay County, as well as Ogemaw, Arenac, Tuscola, Lapeer and St. Clair counties. Map of Enbridge's Line 5 oil pipeline. Enbridge says Line 5 transports up to 540,000 barrels per day of light crude oil, light synthetic crude, and natural gas liquids, which are refined into propane. "For a long time we have done events like this," said Ryan Duffy, communications strategist for the company. "Where we have pipelines, we talk to the community about what's in our pipelines, how we maintain them, how we prepare in the event there might ever be an emergency." The event was held at the Bay Valley Resort and Conference Center. He said this is the second session held in mid-Michigan after having events in the Upper Peninsula and lower Michigan as well. "This is Line 5, we have several pipelines in the state, but line five runs through this (Bay) county," he said. Enbridge spokesman Paul Menehini said the company "literally been guests on their land since 1953." He added that the goal is to eventually have one of these types of events in every county. Currently he said they do 15 events a year. Before the event opened up to the public a separate session was held with first responders to help educate them on what to do in the event of an emergency. Meneghini said first responders require specific information since they have to deal with a potential pipeline emergency first and having these kinds of seminars helps them get to know each other better which can help make communication easier in the field. During the event, Enbridge set up stations for people to learn more about different aspects of the company, such as how they go in to check for problems or potential failures with the pipeline. One of those inspections is called a maintenance dig which has seven steps to see if they need to repair a line of the pipe. LJ Stock, a project quality manager with Enbridge, said dents, cracks and corrosion is what usually affects the lifetime of a pipeline, giving examples of a farmer having equipment running over a pipeline on farmland, somebody drilling a hole for a fence post into the ground or a tugboat dropping an anchor on a pipeline. "We have an inline inspection tool, it's the diameter of the pipeline, 30 inches and 20 to 24 feet long," Stock said. The tool will flow along the pipeline sometimes as far as 150 feet down and they will pull it back up and take out the hard drive that uses technology to scan for cracks and fissures in the pipeline. "We can detect a crack when it's just half a millimeter thick," Stock said, adding that they are allowed cracks up to 20 percent because of how thick the walls are. "Our pipelines typically need an eighth of an inch wall thickness (but) they're build with three-eights of an inch so basically they are three times oversize actually." If the crack is not too big they will grind it down with a grinder tool but if it's larger than the 20 percent threshold, they will install a pressure vessel where they put two half shell pipes over the crack that is usually one inch thick so it's actually stronger than the pipe itself. After they are done they will clean up the site where they dug into the ground and replant grass seed over it restoring it to it's original state. In Bay County, Meneghini said one of the newest projects is the installation of a valve they are putting on so they can remotely control it in the event they have a problem with the pipeline so they can minimize the amount of oil that could potentially spill out. This is the second meeting Enbridge has held. They will hold a similar session in Lapeer at the Lapeer Center at 6 p.m. on Thursday. To learn more about the pipelines in Michigan or about Enbridge visit their website. BAY CITY, MI -- A 54-year-old Auburn man faces up to life imprisonment after being accused of sexually assaulting two girls. According to an affidavit authored by a Bay County Sheriff's detective and contained in court records, a girl told authorities David J. Szilagyi had repeatedly assaulted her between 2000 and 2004. Bay County Sheriff Troy R. Cunningham said his staff first took a report in 2015, but only received additional evidence in the last year. A second affidavit authored by a Michigan State Police detective stated a different girl was interviewed at the Nathan Weidner Children's Advocacy Center. That girl said Szilagyi had assaulted her on several occasions between 2010 and 2017. MSP Lt. Jim Lang said troopers initially took a sexual assault complaint in February 2017. Both girls have a connection to Szilagyi, Lang added. Authorities issued warrants for Szilagyi on Oct. 8. The next day, he appeared in Bay County District Court for arraignment on three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim younger than 13. The charge is punishable by up to life in prison, with the victims' ages mandating a minimum 25-year sentence. The arraigning judge set Szilagyi's bond at $250,000 cash-surety. Szilagyi is to appear for a preliminary examination on Oct. 23. Detroit plans to expand efforts to create street art in blighted areas of the city. The City Walls program began in 2017, hiring artists to paint murals in areas often targeted by vandals. It offers property owners who receive blight citations a chance to have a mural painted to "satisfy the remediation." "Murals are a powerful tool in the fight against blight," said program manager Zachary Meers in a news release. "These murals serve as a deterrent to vandalism and can be used not only as a tool to encourage economic growth and community development but also as way to empower emerging artists." So far, 19 murals have been painted, mainly in the Southwest, North End and West Village neighborhoods, with plans to a total of 60 murals painted with help from 25 artists. What to expect for 2019 The Detroit General Services Department, which runs City Walls, is partnering with Summer in the City to engage residents with seven artists painting seven murals near various parks. The city is also partnering with the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation to launch a #AlwaysHandPaint for artists who specialize in hand-painted signs. Businesses will be paired with artists to produce a new painted sign for their emerging business. This program will coordinate with Motor City Re-store, a grant program to upgrade and improve commercial corridors and storefronts. Building owners interested in requesting a mural can contact the city at citywalls@detroitmi.gov or 313-628-2363. DETROIT -- A 36-year-old man who spent the last 14 years in prison for a murder he's no longer accused of committing is suing a Detroit police detective and the department for $75 million. Then-Detroit Police Homicide Sgt. Donald Olsen -- now retired -- cut corners and used unconstitutional practices to arrest and convict Aaron Salter of Detroit, the lawsuit filed in Detroit federal court on Oct. 9 claims. Attorney Wolfgang Mueller of the Farmington Hills-based Mueller law firm writes in the court complaint that Olsen knew or had reason to know that Salter, who didn't fit the witness description, wasn't involved in the Aug. 6, 2003 shooting of 36-year-old Willie Thomas, who died, and two other victims who survived. But he pursued Salter for the purpose of expeditiously closing the homicide file, and not in the interest of justice, the lawsuit claims. The sister of the victim, JoAnnThomas repeatedly told police she believed she knew the identity of one of the shooters, but Detroit police never investigated, according to the lawsuit. "In my heart I don't feel Aaron Salter is the shooter," JoAnn Thomas said at Salter's sentencing. "I just don't feel that. They got the wrong guy ... I don't think he's the person that shot my brother. It wasn't Aaron Salter." A jury found Salter guilty based largely on a "mistaken" eyewitness ID provided by the 24-year-old victim, who said in post-conviction interviews he was "never certain Mr. Salter was the shooter," according to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. The lawsuit says Olsen, during his investigation, presented the victim a single picture of Salter, rather than a full photo lineup. There was no physical evidence tying Salter to the crime scene. Another Detroit police investigator -- whom the prosecutor didn't name -- remembers the case against Salter being "very weak," but never informed prosecutors of the opinion at the time of the trial, Worthy's office said when Salter was exonerated. The judge who ultimately exonerated Salter previously denied motions to have the conviction thrown out in 2011 and 2013. Detroit police said they plan to reopen the homicide investigation. FLINT, MI -- Mayor Karen Weaver declared Oct. 11 as Children's Environmental Health Day during a workshop on children's health. The announcement came ahead of a Healthy Children/Healthy Schools workshop to discuss solutions for reducing childhood exposure to health hazards found in schools. One of the solutions to providing a healthy environment is investing in the infrastructure and water systems of schools, Weaver said The Musk Foundation donated $480,000 to install carbon and ultra violet water filtration systems to replace water fountains at all 12 Flint Community Schools. The new water stations will be installed by the end of January 2019, Flint Community Schools Superintendent Derrick Lopez said. "We wouldn't have known that was needed to ask for without the technical advisory committee," Lopez said. "At least one of the issues that affect a child's health and well-being will be addressed daily in our buildings." Conversations with the Musk Foundation began years ago, but with help from the city's technical advisory board, Flint was able to focus on what was most needed to protect the health of children, Weaver explained. "We've made kids our priority," Weaver said. "Every child in Flint should have a healthy school. We have to have these kinds of partnerships and we're excited to have these kinds of partnerships with school officials." The Children's Environmental Health Day workshop hosted school officials as well as the Healthy Schools Network to discuss the importance of advocating for federal investments in school infrastructure. Healthy Schools Network is a not for profit organization started in New York that works nationally on the conditions of schools. "Your proclamation really says a lot, not everyone is in the position to do as much as Flint has for its children," Claire Barnett, executive director of Healthy School Network, said to Weaver. "You have a very different starting point with the water crisis that happened in Flint and because of that and your demonstrated leadershi,p people will continue to look at you for making schools a healthier place for children." Barnett said other environmental hazards schools face across the nation include asthma inducers, PCBs, old lead paint and outdated water infrastructure. These issues and possible solutions were discussed at the workshop. October is the U.S. EPA's Children's Health month. FERRYSBURG, MI -- The 353 acres of dunes, water and forest known as Ottawa Sands is set to open to the public Monday, Oct. 15. Visitors to the sprawling dune-land property bordering a section of the Grand River channel near Grand Haven known as "the Sag" will have access to four miles of marked trails and catch-and-release fishing. More features and amenities are to come later on, Ottawa County Parks and Recreation officials say. The inactive sand mine located along North Shore Drive includes 219 acres of state-designated critical dunes, 5,585 feet of Grand River frontage and an 80-acre man-made inland lake. "This is one of our more exciting land acquisitions," said Ottawa County Parks Director John Scholtz. "It's got a lot of elements that people look for in a property." Although future plans call for a beach area, swimming is not allowed until that happens. All watercraft, too, are forbidden until the park is developed. Catch-and-release fishing is permitted, if the angler uses artificial bait. The catch-and-release restriction could change after a study is completed of the lake's fishery. A trail map of the Ottawa Sands park. The land, valued at around $11 million, was purchased over the summer by Ottawa County and the Land Conservancy of West Michigan. The property's former owner, Ottawa Sand Company, contributed about $3 million for the purchase. Ottawa County bought half the property with the $4.2 million state grant. The Land Conservancy of West Michigan bought the remaining portion and then leased it to the county. They'll be paid back if Ottawa County receives a second $4.2 million state grant later on. The Land Conservancy is fundraising to help decrease the amount needed in grant funds from the state. The property is bordered by publicly owned land, with North Ottawa Dunes to its north and open-space dunes property owned by the City of Grand Haven to its south. If the purchase is completed, the property would be the final piece of a 2,400-acre coastal corridor of Lake Michigan dunes that also includes P.J. Hoffmaster State Park and the Kitchel-Lindquist-Hartger Dune Preserve. Altogether, that corridor spans about six miles. ADA, MI -- Direct sales giant Amway has tapped an executive from Pizza Hut to serve as its next CEO. Milind Pant, who lives in Dallas, Texas, and most recently served as president of Pizza Hut International, takes over the position on Jan. 2. In a news release, Amway said the position is a first for the company. Previously, Steve Van Andel and Doug DeVos served as co-CEOs. Both men will now serve as co-chairs of the company's board of directors. Pant will oversee "overall management and leadership" of the business, which was started in 1959 by Jay Van Andel and Rich DeVos. "Milind brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to help lead Amway to even greater heights," Amway Chairman Steve Van Andel said in a statement. "We're confident his leadership and strong track record of driving growth and transformational change will go far in advancing Amway's focus on empowering entrepreneurs and meeting customer needs with exclusive and innovative products." Amway, a privately-owned family business, employs 17,000 people throughout the world and 3,000 in Ada. The company sells Nutrilite health supplements, Artistry cosmetics, homecare products like soaps, durable products such as individual water and air treatment systems through more than 3 million distributors. At Pizza Hut International, a division of Yum! Brands, Pant led the company to "growth across Asia, India and Europe, while overseeing more than 9,000 Pizza Hut stores outside the U.S. and the advancement of e-commerce and digital strategies," Amway said in a news release. Pant spent 14 years with Unilever, a company whose products include Bryers, Dove, Axe, Hellmann's and Lipton. He served in a variety of roles there, according to the news release, including vice president for foods for Africa, the Middle East and Turkey. "The Van Andel and DeVos families remain committed to building on our fathers' legacy of bringing to all people an opportunity to have a business of their own," Amway President Doug DeVos said in a statement. "Given Amway's strong foundation and leadership in the industry, we've never been more confident in the business' future and we're excited to welcome Milind to the Amway family." OTTAWA COUNTY, MI - A burglary victim helped police crack several break-ins when he spotted his stolen property for sale on Craigslist, police said. Ottawa County sheriff's deputies arrested a 38-year-old Grand Rapids man on Wednesday, Oct. 10, after burglaries in Holland and Park townships over the weekend. Police recovered about $10,000 in stolen property. The suspect was tracked down by his craigslist advertisement, police said. Investigators tied the suspect to three burglaries and think he could be involved in others. Police stopped his car Wednesday night on U.S. 31 near East 24th and recovered stolen property in the vehicle. Police also determined stolen property was kept at a home in Allegan County, sheriff's Capt. Mark Bennett said. He said additional arrests are expected. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Before Mark Washington sat down to be interviewed as a finalist for Grand Rapids' city manager, the 45-year-old laced up his running shoes and set out on an early morning jog. For years, it's been his way of clearing his mind and preparing to start the day. As he made his way along the Grand River that Tuesday morning, July 31, he found himself flashing back to his countless runs along trails in Austin, Texas. Despite being 1,300 miles from home, he felt a comforting sense of similarity between the two cities. Washington went on to wow the city commission in his interview later that day -- so much so that they cut short the selection process and offered him the job. Nine weeks later, he sat in his new sixth-floor city hall office, overlooking a new downtown scene that already felt like home. The former Austin assistant city manager was sworn in as Grand Rapids' new city manager on Tuesday, Oct. 9. "Literally, it feels like I've walked one block from city hall Austin to city hall Grand Rapids," said Washington, who has nearly 23 years of government experience. "What I see and feel in terms of this atmosphere feels a lot alike. In my book, they're almost the tale of twin communities." At a glance, the two cities have plenty that separates them. Population estimates from 2017 rank Austin No. 11 nationally with more than 950,000 residents. That's more than four times the makeup of Grand Rapids, which ranked 119th in the United States with almost 200,000 residents. Austin's land area is seven times larger than Grand Rapids. Its cost of living is greater. Its average temperatures are definitely higher, year-round. However, Washington said the two cities have plenty in common. His examples include their appreciation for culture and the arts, their commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, their recent projects involving local waterways, and their expansion of trails and bike paths. "Austin thrives on local artists and is really proud of being the 'Live Music Capital of the World,'" Washington said. "We have a vibrant art fabric and we believe that as you have the vibrant artistic culture, it also feeds into other areas of the economy and that kind of creativity also sparks creativity in areas such as innovation of technology and medicine and other factors of the economy. "And I happen to start here in Grand Rapids when we're full throttle in ArtPrize." Both cities have experienced growth in recent years, though there's a clear separation in scope. Grand Rapids has seen an estimated 5.7 percent population increase since 2010, compared to about a 20.3 percent growth for Austin during that time. Austin was the nation's fastest-growing city five times in six years between 2011 and 2016. And the remaining year -- 2015 -- it ranked No. 2 behind Houston, Texas. Still, population also has created challenges for both communities when it comes to affordable housing, public safety, transit, parking and ensuring equitable opportunity for all. That's where Washington said his experience should be a benefit for Grand Rapids. "What we will want to do is make sure we're very deliberate and intentional to have smart growth," he said. "And by smart growth I mean anticipating the unanticipated kind of consequences that come with growth. "What we learned in Austin is we didn't plan for all of that. We reacted to it. And I think Grand Rapids is in a unique position to be more deliberate in planning for the growth that is about to occur." Deliberate development It wasn't long ago that Washington was a part of conversations in Austin regarding housing challenges and adjusting zoning codes that were seen as discouraging the development of affordable housing. During his first city commission meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 9, Washington listened as Grand Rapids city commissioners discussed the remaining four Housing NOW! recommendations meant to amend local zoning ordinances in order to incentivize affordable housing. "We just had the conversation about accessory dwelling units and we realized our zoning code was restrictive to the point where it wasn't encouraging some of our own residents to provide affordable housing on their own property," Washington said. "So we had the same conversation we're about to have here about Housing NOW!" An additional component in Austin, Washington said, has been making sure residents don't simply use ADUs for short-term rentals and Airbnb-type rentals that can be "disruptive to neighborhoods and the quality of neighborhoods." Grand Rapids is considering how to incorporate more ADUs as one of multiple ways to address its affordable housing challenges. "It just feels like I've come from the future to some degree," Washington said. "We've been where Grand Rapids is now. We haven't solved everything but we sure have experienced the challenges and have learned some lessons." Washington said developers came to Austin and built affordable housing units but didn't always consider locations with access to the city's public transit system. The lack of connection prevented residents from having easy access to their jobs. He said Austin also had instances of gentrification where development sprawled into neighborhoods and caused property values to increase, which forced out residents and local small businesses. To combat unintended consequences, Washington said city staff had to find better ways to engage the community. "What we found in Austin, we had to be deliberate," he said. "We had to set up an office for community engagement. We had to make sure there was an equity lens that was part of the budget process and ... seeing that people get to experience community services in equitable ways, not disproportionate ways." Using an equity lens, Washington said, sometimes means not investing where development is most attractive, but rather planning for mixed uses in a way where local and small businesses and members of the community can have an opportunity to be part of the fabric of the city's development. That notion echoes conversations had by the Grand Rapids City Commission about being intentional in the city's development to avoid leaving residents behind. Investing in public safety As communities grow, Washington said it's important that police departments are properly resourced. He said he and Grand Rapids Police Chief David Rahinsky are "anxiously awaiting" the results of a recently approved staffing study to evaluate what Rahinsky has repeatedly called an understaffed department. "We need to make sure we're resourcing our officers appropriately," Washington said. "That we have appropriate staffing levels, and we're compensating our officers appropriately and that they're trained appropriately." Back in Austin, the police department was dealing with similar challenges when Washington left. A consulting group hired by the city in 2016 recommended that the police department add 132 officers and eight corporals by 2020 -- an increase of about 7.3 percent from the department's 1,900 full-time sworn officers. The group's report, which included 79 recommendations, determined that the department was too understaffed to sufficiently engage in the ideal level of proactive policing and community engagement. As of last month, the city's proposed budget included funding for 33 additional officers, according to a KVUE report. Washington said part of the conversation around public safety in Austin involved finding common ground between all relevant parties, and incentivizing things like officers pursuing mental-health certification or bilingual training. "Those are the conversations we were deliberately having in Austin and some of the tools we found, if we want officers to value equity and inclusion and mental health, are we incentivizing those things and offering extra compensation?" Washington said. Meanwhile in Grand Rapids, improving community-police relations continues to be a priority for city leaders and the police department. The city's policy and procedures evaluation by 21st Century Policing and an equal parts resident-police task force will wrap up with a presentation of recommendations on Oct. 24. Washington acknowledged that he's had limited conversations with Rahinsky about policing in Grand Rapids, but said he believes the chief is committed to improving community-police relations. "Part of what we have to do is make sure we look at all of the factors that contribute to crime and criminal activity and policing and to make sure that if there are issues around mental health, are we properly resourced to help our community?" Washington said. "It can't just be up to the police department to address those mental-health issues." Washington's comments are in line with Grand Rapids officials' interest in adopting a violence-prevention model of policing and adding mental-health resources to assist local police. Despite all of the similarities Washington sees between his old home and his new one, he knows each city has unique challenges and solutions. "Having said all that, I know I am in Grand Rapids, Michigan and there are a lot of things that are unique to this community that will be different than Texas, and not just the weather," he said. "Some things that worked well there might work well here but there may be other things that we'll have to solve uniquely here in Grand Rapids that Austin may need to borrow and learn from how we do things." Washington is a married father of two daughters. He signed a three-year contract with the city and will make an annual salary of $250,000. BIG RAPIDS, MI - Ferris State University's faculty voted they had no confidence in President David Eisler, the Michigan Education Association (MEA) announced Thursday, Oct. 11. The Ferris Faculty Association, a MEA-affiliated union with 450 tenure-track members, has been working without a contract since June 30. The no confidence resolution was approved in balloting conducted on Sept. 25 and 26. Of the 270 ballots cast, 239 or 88.5 percent voted yes and 31 voted no. Eisler also received a no-confidence vote in 2007. According to the resolution, "Eisler has directed a 'bad faith' negotiating process that refused to discuss major contractual issues such as health care, adequate wage increases, increase in the number of promotions, summer pay, discipline, tenure issues and tenure review, workload, and continuing Salary Market Adjustment.'' "As we've said before, the action taken last month by the Ferris Faculty Association has no legal merit. The vote is a common tactic routinely used to pressure the University during negotiations,'' according to a statement from Ferris State. The faculty went on strike Aug. 27, but a Mecosta County judge ordered them to return to work. "We continue to hope David Eisler and the Board of Trustees will negotiate in good faith with us,'' said Ferris Faculty Association President Charles Bacon. "Our members are galvanized and resolute." Two negotiation sessions were held Oct. 2 and 5, and bargaining is scheduled to continue Friday, Oct. 12. "While some progress was made, an agreement could not be reached,'' according to the Ferris State statement. "The university is looking forward to resuming negotiations and remains hopeful that a tentative agreement can be reached soon.'' HOLLAND, MI - Police briefly shut down southbound U.S. 31 near East 16th Street on Thursday, Oct. 11, while conducting a high-risk traffic stop. Video posted to Facebook showed a line of police cars with lights on and an armored vehicle. A tactical team took cover behind the armored vehicle. Ottawa County sheriff's Capt. Mark Bennett said police were looking for a suspect in an ongoing investigation. Police stopped the vehicle around 7:45 a.m. in what he called a "high-risk felony stop." Whats going on ?!! Posted by Veronica Natalia Landin on Thursday, October 11, 2018 Bennett said that the suspect was arrested without incident. He would not disclose the nature of the charges because the investigation is ongoing but said it did not involve physical injuries to victims. Police also searched a home on Clover Street in Holland Township as part of the investigation. Bennett said police had been trying to track down the suspect. The arrest came during the busy morning commute but once he was identified, police decided to act. "Faced with that development, we shut it down." GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Drunk driving, domestic violence and driving with a suspended license arrests prompted more federal immigration detainments last year at the Kent County Jail than any other charges. In 2017 about 112 of 185 people with questionable immigration status jailed in Kent County at the request of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were first arrested on local charges, according to statistics obtained by MLive/The Grand Rapids Press under the Freedom of Information Act. The remaining 73 people were arrested and lodged with no criminal charges or warrant, only an ICE detainer. Detainers are requests for a jail to hold a person past their release date on local charges so that ICE can pick them up, or decide if they want to. In Kent County, a person can be held for up to three days on an ICE detainer. Detainment requests are issued by ICE after a person is booked in the jail and their information is transmitted to federal authorities. Kent County Sheriff's Office officials previously said they not conduct immigration arrests. The data reviewed by The Grand Rapids Press does not list the specific charges each individual was arrested on. Instead, it reports 212 arresting charges spread across 112 people. The arresting charges range from not having a driver's license to assault with a dangerous weapon. Those which prompted the most detainments are drunk driving, domestic violence and driving with a suspended license. The charges are not convictions. The data doesn't include whether any of the charges were dismissed, prosecuted or led to convictions. The ability to see that information, the court outcomes, is hampered by the county and ICE, because both refuse to release the names of those previously detained in the county-run facility. The county cited federal law in its denial of a FOIA request for the names of those kept jailed last year on an ICE detainer. ICE spokesperson Khaalid Walls said in an email that "ICE privacy policies prohibit the release of names of individuals facing immigration charges." He did not answer questions asking about the "privacy policies" nor how somebody can learn the names of those detained if neither party involved will provide them. The county's contract with ICE, which formalizes lodging reimbursement and length of detainment, was brought to the forefront in late June, when protesters blindsided county commissioners with their demand that the county withdraw the contract. Protesters have argued the county's contract and cooperation with ICE incentives racial profiling of Latinos and the number of immigrants arrested for minor infractions or nonviolent crimes, thereby exposing them to deportation. ICE argues its work focuses on those who "pose a threat to national security, public safety and border security," Walls said in an email. He added that other "classes or categories of removable aliens" aren't exempted. Most of the charges which prompted a detainer request last year in Kent County are not violent crimes. The top six arresting charges last year were: Driving with a suspended license: 37 Domestic violence: 31 Operating while intoxicated: 28 False information to a police officer: 7 Assault or attempt to assault a police officer: 5 No driver's license or never applied: 5 The remaining were: Four charges each of open alcohol container, carrying a concealed weapon, assault with a dangerous weapon, violation of the Controlled Substances Act and hit-and-run property damage accident. Three charges each of strangulation, second-degree retail fraud, malicious destruction of property over $1,000, improper plates, trespassing, probation violation, welfare fraud, disorderly conduct and assault. Two charges each of third-degree retail fraud, breaking and entering, hindering and opposing, identity theft, second-degree criminal sexual conduct, interfering with 911, second-offense operating while intoxicated, maintaining a drug house, delivering or manufacturing a controlled substance, third-degree criminal sexual conduct, second-offense domestic violence, malicious destruction of property more than $200 but less than $1,000. One charge each of assault with intent to commit a felony, unlawful use of a vehicle, false report of a misdemeanor, unlawful sale, use or possession of a financial transaction device, criminal enterprises, conspiracy, larceny more than $200 but less than $1,000, habitual offender second degree, third-offense operating while intoxicated, habitual offender third degree, unregistered motor vehicle, consuming alcohol in public, forgery, impaired driving, contempt of court, friend of the court violation, fourth-degree child abuse, personal protection order violation, possession of a short-barreled rifle or shotgun, failure to register as a sex offender, habitual offender fourth degree, aggravated assault, refusal to obey a traffic order, malicious destruction of property less than $200, felony firearm, conditional release violation, resisting and obstructing a police officer, larceny less than $200. In addition to the arresting charges, there were five outstanding warrants. One for fraud, two for false claim of U.S. citizen, one for unlawful use of a vehicle and one for driving with a suspended license. Kent County is among several in Michigan that have formal detainment contracts with ICE. The contract was implemented in 2012 and renewed in August 2017. Under the contract, the sheriff's office can bill ICE for $85 for each day of detainment, plus $30.47 an hour for regular time guard service and $45.66 for overtime service. It also allows the jail to hold detainees for three days, rather than the standard two. In 2017, the county held 185 ICE detainees, according to jail records. In 2016, there were 90, preceded by 107 in 2015, 182 in 2014, and 151 in 2013. Though some protesters say the county is profiting from detainments, the cost of housing exceeds the reimbursement. The county only requested reimbursement for guard services one time, for a sum of $549.40, according to jail records. Chuck Dewitt, chief deputy of corrections with the sheriff's office, said in 2016 the actual cost of housing an inmate each day was around $99. The numbers for 2017 haven't been crunched yet, but Dewitt said he anticipates it will be slightly higher, meaning the county is housing ICE detainees at a loss. OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- Two candidates -- Republican Luke Meerman and Democrat Heidi Zuniga -- will face off in the November election in a bid to represent Ottawa County's 88th District in the Michigan House of Representatives. The winning candidate will replace Rep. Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville, who cannot run again because of term limits and is seeking the 30th District state Senate seat. The Republican-leaning 88th District covers Allendale, Georgetown, Tallmadge, Wright, Chester, Coopersville and Polkton townships. This year, MLive Media Group partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund to provide candidate information for readers. Each candidate was asked to outline their stances on a variety of public policy issues. Information on all state and federal races and many of Michigan's county and local races will be available at Vote411.org, an online voter guide created by the League of Women Voters. Meerman, 43, is a Coopersville resident who works as a dairy farmer and owns A&L Machinery and Repair. He's a member of the Polkton Charter Township Board of Trustees, a graduate of Coopersville High School, and he completed Michigan State University's Great Lakes Leadership Academy. Zuniga, 44, lives in Allendale, and lists her occupation as a candidate for 88th House seat. She's a former teacher, who taught in grades K-8 for 11 years, and has also worked as a farmer, photographer, life guard and office manager. Here's a look at how the candidates responded to questions about their top priorities, how they would improve educational outcomes in schools, protect Michigan's natural resources and boost the state's economy. Responses, in some instances, have been edited for clarity and grammar. What are your top three state legislative priorities and how would you address them? Meerman "State infrastructure needs to be one of our top priorities. We need to find more to invest in our roads. Our children's education should also be a high priority. We must do all we can to ensure that future generations are given the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today's world. In too many ways we are failing the next generation. The protection of the vulnerable and exploited is on my heart. We need to protect the most vulnerable in our society. My wife and I did foster care for 6 years. We have many heart wrenching stories, but the children are the ones caught in the middle they are the most vulnerable." Zuniga Education: "Quality public education for all, beginning at the preschool level. Encourage trade schools in addition to 4 year colleges and universities. Support funding for public schools and restrict diverting funds away from K-12 education." Healthcare: "Access to quality and affordable healthcare for all income levels, including small businesses. Lower personal and family deductibles and eliminate any pre-existing condition exclusions." Roads and Infrastructure: "Money dedicated to roads should not be allocated for other projects or put in the general fund. Have a plan to fix roads properly instead of patching them." What measures do you support/propose to achieve improved educational outcomes and accessibility for Michigan students from early childhood through post-secondary education? Meerman "Local control is important. Teachers can best meet the needs of students if local school boards are able to make decisions without the often-excessive oversight of bureaucrats. Trade schools need to have more of our focus and dollars. Although four-year degrees are valuable, they are also not for everyone. To guarantee the next generation's success, we must ensure our children receive the best training in whichever career field best fits their personal skills and passion." Zuniga Money should never be taken from K-12 to be allocated elsewhere. This year 900 million will be transferred out. Money that has typically gone to post-secondary education would be better spent in preschool programming so students can be prepared for the future. Programs that would allow for students to work at their individual pace and move on when they are emotionally and academically ready should be explored, including K1\K2 or possibly 1st grade 1 / 2. Put a cap on charter schools and have one charter authority. Post-secondary education should include equal emphasis on trade schools as well as college and universities." What policies do you support to increase jobs and help Michigan residents improve their economic positions? Meerman "Small business are the heartbeat of our economy. Over-burdensome regulations and excessive taxes destroy small businesses and weaken the overall economy. By eliminating regulations and reducing taxes, we can allow both large and small businesses to thrive, which will create new jobs and improve the economic positions of all Michigan workers." Zuniga "Make Michigan a more desirable location for business by having well trained workers. We need affordable trade schools to prepare individuals for skilled labor positions in addition to having the option to attend a 4 year university. Increase jobs by offering incentives to businesses who increase their workforce and decrease their carbon footprint. A livable minimum wage that would allow a single person to work 40 hours a week and be able to pay for housing, transportation and food costs. We also need to fix and properly maintain our roads and bridges so people aren't financially burdened by costly vehicle repairs." 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. Meerman "Balancing land use for agriculture, wilderness, and business is a tough assignment. Water quality is the most important environmental issue faced by Michigan. However, I believe that local control is important when solving such problems. The vast size of this state means that some areas are plagued by environmental issues unique to their own individual area. Therefore, solutions based on area problems with local solutions needs to be pursued first rather than blanket state wide mandates. Enbridge Pipeline 5 needs to be checked periodically for its integrity." Zuniga "Eliminate coal burning plants and switch to natural gas which is cleaner and more efficient. Create incentives and opportunities for corporations that use cleaner and more sustainable forms of energy. We must make decisions that will protect our Great Lakes and inland lakes and rivers from pollution and overuse. This includes shutting down Line 5. It poses too great a risk to the health of the Great Lakes. Clean water should be a priority for everybody. Enforce laws regarding companies that pollute soil and water. All oversight committees should include unbiased individuals from various backgrounds and affiliations." What state policies do you support regarding campaign funding and voting rights? Meerman "Transparency in elections is paramount. Free and open campaigns where the people of the districts have an understanding of each candidate and the money that is driving that candidate is necessary to ensure the best leaders are elected by the people. Voter registration must remain simple and streamlined in order to ensure all citizens have the ability to vote. Voting is a wonderful right in the United States that far too many people either take for granted or simply do not use altogether." Zuniga "Corporations should be limited to donating the same amount of money as an individual ($2300 per cycle) or they should not be able to donate at all. Politicians should not be tied to corporate money. At the very least, it creates the illusion of impropriety and makes a candidate beholden to that corporation\PAC. Elections should be put back in the hands of individuals. The cost of running a campaign has gotten out of control. I support the policy of requiring identification to be able to vote. Photo ID's should be given to every person who registers to vote and should be free with zero or minimal replacement fee." What policies will you pursue to promote social justice and racial justice in our state? Meerman "I believe all people are created equal and should therefore be assured of fair and equal opportunity, free from fear of harassment and injustice." Zuniga "No person should be discriminated against based on gender, color, race, lifestyle, or beliefs. Judges who routinely rule in favor of discriminatory policy should be held accountable. People in positions of power including government, law enforcement, clergy, teachers...should be held accountable for their actions if they abuse their powers to pursue a personal agenda that is meant to harm, embarrass or otherwise humiliate an individual. We need stronger laws in relation to hate crimes. Implement programs to help reintegrate individuals back into society and creative methods to rehabilitate those in the prison system." 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. GOOD HART, MI - Details of the Robison family murders were so heinous and brutal, it's not surprising that whispers about the mass slaying continue to linger 50 years after their bodies were discovered in their lakeside summer home in Northern Michigan. A couple and their four children were systematically hunted down as they vacationed in their cottage near Good Hart in the summer of 1968. They were shot one by one. Some were also bludgeoned, possibly with a claw hammer. They youngest victim was the family's only girl, just 7 years old. There was a lengthy police investigation, stretching from the remote crime scene and across the state to Southeast Michigan, where the family lived for most of the year and Dick Robison ran his publishing company. There were autopsies, burials, then the bodies were exhumed for more autopsies. According to state police records, the list of witnesses interviewed was two pages long. A suspect was zeroed in on, but never arrested. And after five decades, the hefty case files remain stacked in a category that's typically considered a death knell for investigations: those marked "inactive" and "unsolved." But this year, something groundbreaking has been happening with the Robison case. To mark the 50th anniversary of the murders that left a violent stain on this summer resort mecca, retired investigators have joined forces with a local historian and author to hold community forums on the case. They've shared details of the investigation with standing-room-only crowds in Harbor Springs and Petoskey. A final presentation is planned for Oct. 30 at the Charlevoix Public Library. It's all being done with this rumor-squelching message in mind: There is no mystery behind the Robison family murders. They say the prime suspect identified by police was the only real suspect, a man who killed himself as police were preparing to arrest him on six counts of murder in 1973. To keep perpetuating other myths is wrong, they say. "I think it's unprecedented," author Mardi Link said of this year's traveling presentations. "I don't know of any other case where this has happened." Link - who penned "When Evil Came to Good Hart" in 2008 and recently refreshed it for republishing this year - said she's been struck by the size of the sold-out audiences. She thinks it's because of how this case has resonated with the Up North community as a whole. "People care," she said. "This was an entire family. It wasn't just a movie. It wasn't a novel. It was a real family who had people who loved and cared about them." The slayings rocked an area known for being Michigan's summer playground. The lurid details have stayed with people, whether you're talking about families whose names have been connected to a town for generations, or summer people who embrace it as their own for a few months each year. So when violence knocks on that door, "I think up here we kind of take that personally," she said. Link will be speaking at the Charlevoix event along with its primary organizer, Richard Wiles. Other forum participants this summer have included former Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor Ron Covault; Dick Smith, who was an Emmet County prosecutor at the time of the murders and later became a judge; and retired Michigan State Police Detective Lloyd Stearns, who worked on the case for years. Wiles, a historical researcher and a retired Petoskey High School history teacher, said getting the facts out is vital in an area where some people for years have been fanning the "murder mystery" myths. These presentations are designed to put to rest any longstanding gossip about locals who had contact with the Robisons before the murders, like the cottage caretaker's family, or men who were tree-trimming in that area that summer, he said. Or the rumors that shoddy police work led to an unsolveable case. That's not true, either, they say. "There are a lot of rural myths up there," Wiles said. "People's reputations have been besmirched. We're just trying to get the truth out." Police and investigators are pictured outside the cottage near Good Hart, Mich., near Lake Michigan, where Richard C. Robison and his wife and four children were found slain, July 22, 1968. (AP Photo) COMPLAINTS OF HORRIBLE SMELL LEAD TO GRUESOME DISCOVERY The first thing that tipped off neighbors that there might be something amiss at the Robison's cottage in the summer of 1968 was the stench permeating the woods in the Blisswood resort. Dick and Shirley Robison and their four children had spent most of that year in the Detroit area, where Dick Robison worked in advertising and was publisher of an art magazine. Their home there was on a quiet street in Lathrup Village. By early June, they'd arrived at "Summerset," their log-and-stone cottage that was a short trek north of Harbor Springs, down a twisting road a half mile west of Lakeshore Drive. Its front door sat about 100 feet away from Lake Michigan, according to a state police crime scene description. When a neighbor complained about a bad smell coming from the area of the Robisons' cottage, a caretaker stopped by to check on things on July 22, and found the doors locked. Concerned, he pried open the door's molding to gain entry. It was then he saw the first body. Police later determined it was Shirley Robison, 40, who lay on her stomach on the floor, with a plaid blanket covering her body from the knees up. The caretaker backed away and called police. Here's a description of where the bodies were found inside the cottage, according to a Michigan State Police summary, as well as the autopsy findings. The initial autopsies had to be done at the Emmet County Fairgrounds because the smell and the advanced state of decomposition made it impractical to bring the bodies into the morgue, police noted. This also spells out the findings during the second round of autopsies for some of the victims. Their bodies were exhumed from a Southfield cemetery in November, 1968, because investigators wanted to check for more evidence. A description of where the Robison family's bodies were found in the cottage on July 22, 1968. Image courtesy of the Michigan State Police Shirley, 40: "Was found lying on her stomach on the floor in the southeast section of the living room. A plaid blanket was covering her body, except for the area below her knees." She was shot once in the head. A .25-caliber slug was found in the first autopsy. Dick, 42: "Was found lying on the floor in the hallway, over the hot air register." He was shot once in the head. A .25-caliber slug was found in the first autopsy. He also had skull fractures and evidence of blunt-force trauma. During the second autopsy, a .22-caliber slug was found. Investigators believe he initially was shot in the chest with a .22-caliber rifle, then in the head with a pistol. Richard, 19: The student at Eastern Michigan University "was found in the northwest bedroom of the structure, partially in the hallway and partially in the bedroom. His legs were extended out into the hallway." The couple's oldest son had multiple gunshot wounds to the head, linked to .25-caliber slugs. Gary, 16: The student at Southfield-Lathrup High School "was found lying on his back along the east wall of the northwest bedroom." The teen had two gunshot wounds to the head, both linked to .25-caliber slugs. The second autopsy found a .22 caliber slug and evidence that he was also shot in the back. Randall, 12: "Was found lying on top of his father. A lavender colored rug from his shoulders down to his buttocks." The youngest son's cause of death is listed as a gunshot wound to the head. No bullet was recovered during the autopsy. Susan, 7: "Was found lying on her back in the hallway, at the south side of her father." The couple's youngest child was shot in the face. A .25-caliber slug was recovered from her clothing. She also had a skull fracture, possibly from a claw hammer found at the scene. Investigators later determined someone had shot through a cottage window with a rifle, killing Dick Robison and one of the boys. The others were chased down and shot one by one. The killer closed the curtains, locked the door, turned up the heat, then tried to cover the bullet holes in the window with a piece of cardboard. EARLY EVIDENCE Because nearly a month had passed between the murders and their July discovery, police started by talking to people about what they'd seen and heard near the family's cottage at the end of June. They interviewed a local man and teen who'd handled some tree-trimming for the Robisons on June 25, 1968, and likely were the last locals to see the family alive. Officers talked to other neighbors who remembered hearing raised voices and rapid gunshots coming from the property around that time, but assumed it was someone shooting seagulls on the beach. The investigation quickly centered on someone much closer to Dick Robison's inner circle. Joseph Scolaro III, of Birmingham, had worked for Robison's advertising and publishing companies since 1965. The U.S. Army veteran was listed as an assistant to the publisher. "As the investigation into the multiple homicides progressed and the laboratory analysis of the evidence seized at the scene of the murders became available, glaring discrepancies in the statements of Joseph Scolaro III, business associate of murder victim Richard C. Robison (father), were become obvious," police wrote in a case summary document. The more they dug, the more inconsistencies they found between the evidence and what Scolaro had told them. Investigators began to question Scolaro's alibi at the time of the slayings. "... Grave questions arose as to the whereabouts of Joseph Scolaro III on June 25, 1968 as well as to the location on that date of two weapons which were known to have been in his possession previously, one of which, as it turns out, appears to have fired some of the bullets found in the bodies of certain murder victims at the Robison cottage." Scolaro told police the last time he'd talked to his boss was a phone call on June 25, 1968, when Robison asked him whether some company checks had arrived at the Southfield office. "The guy was as smooth as glass," said Wiles, who listened to hours of taped police interviews as part of his research. "It was like trying to nail down Jell-O." Investigators later said they believed Scolaro had recently given himself a large raise and bump to his expense account - and given other employees raises - without Robison's knowledge. Writing on pre-signed checks showed Scolaro was filling out larger-than-normal amounts in the weeks before the slayings, evidence showed. But Emmet County's new and fiscally-conservative prosecutor made it clear in 1970 he was not going to bring charges and go through an expensive trial. Wiles said that prosecutor, Don Noggle, had the backing of a similarly penny-pinching county board. "Emmet County didn't want to pay for the case, it has to be that," said Wiles. "He was not about to get embroiled in a six-count murder case." The commissioners, he said, "would not spend a nickel." "They didn't want to pay for the autopsies. They didn't want to pay for the disinterment. We don't mind taking summer resorters' money, but we don't want to spend any money on them," he said of their attitude at the time. Meanwhile, state police created a synopsis of the findings, hoping to nudge charges along. But to no avail. "It was so big, it was so obvious who did it, it was like an elephant in the room," Wiles said. The Robison family, pictured in a story that ran in The Grand Rapids Press in July 1968 A PERFECT MATCH The really impressive detective and crime lab work surrounded the two guns police say were connected to the case: A .25-caliber Beretta automatic pistol and an uncommon .22-caliber Armalite AR-7 rifle. Records obtained by police show Scolaro had purchased two of each, though he later claimed he'd given one of the pistols to Robison and given both the rifles away. But witness statements led police in 1969 to a private shooting range owned by Scolaro's father-in-law. Detectives found AR-7 shell casings there that exactly matched those found at the crime scene, according to a state police lab report. This turned out to be the smoking gun for investigators, who had long been pushing for a break in the case. "The state police were under scrutiny, if you will, to come to a conclusion so they were meticulously careful about this investigation," said Ron Covault, a longtime former assistant prosecutor for Oakland County who reviewed all the evidence as authorities were preparing to bring charges in 1973. "I was totally impressed with their work. They chased down leads everywhere to be absolutely certain of where the focus should be." He also gave a hat-tip to the Michigan State Police Crime Lab and their work with the guns. Forensic evidence development then was in the early stages of growth, not coming close to today's "CSI" style of depth. "That was the turning point in the evidence. That was the key to this case," Covault said. A SHIFT TO THE EAST SIDE, THEN A SUICIDE As the years passed and Emmet County still declined to bring charges, the investigation shifted to Oakland County. This was where Robison's business was based, and the alleged embezzlement took place. In 1972, Covault's incoming boss was Oakland County Prosecutor L. Brooks Patterson, who'd told him to get the Robison murder reports from the state police and get their impressions of the case. "By the time he reached office, I'd reached my conclusion that Joseph was the killer. I took my opinion and file to Patterson. He said, 'We are going to charge that man with murder.'" Covault believes he would have seen six charges of first-degree murder aimed at Scolaro. "Clearly, this was an ambush that started outside the cabin and finished inside," he said. But no arrest warrant for Scolaro was ever issued. Covault said shortly before authorities planned to request the charges, Scolaro killed himself in March of 1973. There were rumors that Scolaro got wind of the charges, but Covault said he doesn't like to think anyone he worked with would have leaked that information. Scolaro continued to deny the allegations until his last moments, leaving a sentence on his suicide note stating he did not kill the Robisons. He scrawled at the bottom of the typewritten note: "P.S. I had nothing to do with the Robisons. I'm a cheat but not a murderer," according to a state police photo of the note, which is featured on author Mardi Link's website. 50 YEARS LATER For Covault, Wiles, Link and others involved in these traveling presentations, it's important to them to let the community know they believe this traumatic incident has been resolved. "I think that the community in Northern Michigan and Emmet County wants reassurance that the killer is not among them," Covault said. "I think that's a big part of it. "I think it was a shock, and this shockwave persisted for 50 years. Because there was no trial and no specific legal outcome, people are free to gossip and speculate." Wiles said getting the truth out has been a relief for the local communities surrounding Good Hart. "So many resorters up there were so young in 1968 and so scared. I think that has stuck in their mind," said Wiles, who used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain and review hundreds of pages of police documents on the case. He's used this information to help create the traveling presentations. "None of them really have ever heard the truth." After Scolaro's death, the investigation ended abruptly. "They didn't know what to do, so they put it in the inactive file," Wiles said of authorities. "It was never a mystery to police. They didn't care what the public wrote." In the ensuing decades, local theories and gossip about possible suspects filtered in to fill the vacuum of real information. By replacing this chatter with the case facts, the retired investigators and others hope they are finally putting the rumors to rest. "This has just intrigued people for 50 years," Wiles said. "It just won't go away." To read more about Mardi Link's research behind her book "When Evil Came to Good Hart," check out her Up North Cold Case website. To listen to MLive's discussion of this case, check out the Michigan Crime Stories podcast. Michigan actor Verne Troyer's death has been ruled a suicide, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner announced on Wednesday. Known for his role as Mini-Me in the "Austin Powers" franchise, Troyer, a Centreville native, died at a Los Angeles hospital in April. He was 49. According to the coroner's report, Troyer died from sequelae of alcohol intoxication, a manner of death that is certified as suicide. On April 3, Troyer was taken by paramedics from his home located in the 8000 block of Teesdale Avenue in North Hollywood to a hospital in Van Nuys for reported alcohol intoxication. Three weeks later, on April 21, Troyer was pronounced dead at the hospital at 11:27 a.m. An autopsy was performed on Troyer a day later. Troyer, who also made appearances in films such as "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," "Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas" and "Men In Black," had developed a significant following on social media in recent years. He had a public battle with alcohol and depression. He voluntarily checked himself into a treatment center in April 2017. He was notable for his height of 2 feet, 8 inches, the result of cartilage-hair hypoplasia dwarfism. He developed a cult following for his turn as Mini-Me, the miniature sidekick to Mike Myers' Dr. Evil in the popular "Austin Powers" films. MARQUETTE, MI - A Michigan drug dealer deemed a "career offender" by the state has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Derrick "Bam" Samuels was sentenced by Chief Judge Robert J. Jonker of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan on Thursday, Oct. 11. The prison time is the result of multiple federal drug convictions for his involvement in distributing heroin in the Upper Peninsula community of Gwinn from 2008 to 2017. According to a news release, an investigation by the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team revealed that Samuels obtained heroin in the Chicago area and distributed it from his residence in the Gwinn area using several associates. The UPSET investigation also showed that Samuels did not work outside his home, but, nevertheless, made enough money to take photographs of himself burning $100 bills. Samuels was indicted by a federal grand jury and denied the charges against him. He went to trial in federal court in February during which several of his drug trafficking associates testified against him. The jury eventually convicted him on all counts. "Their accounts painted a sad picture of a common pathway into heroin addiction," a news release notes of the trial. "Each of the witnesses suffered an injury that was treated, in part, with an opioid painkiller, which triggered an addiction to opioids and an eventual switch to heroin. And their addiction to heroin led each of the witnesses to Samuels. " LANSING, MI - Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Schuette sees Michigan as fighting against other states for jobs and businesses, a point he used to drive home his support for economic development incentives at a citizen roundtable convened by MLive in October. The MLive citizen roundtable was part of MLive's Michigan Beyond project, which has focused reporting on three issues key to Michigan's future: the economy, education and infrastructure. Five Michigan residents sat down with gubernatorial candidates recently, interviewing them about their ideas to drive Michigan forward. Watch the full video of his interview above. Nicole Chen, a certified public accountant and business owner, asked Schuette about the role of economic development incentives. "From my standpoint, there's an economic civil war going on in America, and where the jobs will be built and created," he said. He pointed to areas that were successful in attracting new talent and businesses, like Tennessee and Texas. "We need to make sure in terms of rules, regulations and taxation that we drive our costs down and so that we are competitive with those other states," Schuette said. One area in particular is what he calls the mobility sector, referring to transportation and autonomous vehicles. "We need to win this war about mobility. And what I mean by mobility is where the cars of the future will be researched, designed, built and manufactured. It has to happen in Michigan. And we can't lose that race to mobility," Schuette said. "There's a competition between California and Michigan, the tech sector and the transportation sector, and Michigan has to win," he said. He plans to encourage businesses to locate in Michigan. Panelists also asked Schuette about issues like fixing Michigan's roads, his handling of the Flint water crisis and the state's education system. The citizens on the panel were Chen; Amber Keathley, a second-grade teacher; John Wu, president and CEO of Global Strategic Connections, LLC, a global supply chain business; Susan Lynn, a paramedic re-tooling her career by pursuing a nursing degree at Lansing Community College; Ken Oscarson, a retired civil engineer; and Nicole Chen, a certified public accountant and business owner. MLive's Citizen Roundtable also sat down with Democrat Gretchen Whitmer, whose interview you can watch here, and Libertarian Bill Gelineau, whose interview will debut later this week. The election takes place Nov. 6. Michigan voters go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 6, to elect a new governor, choose state and federal lawmakers and decide on a range of state and local ballot initiatives. Candidates for governor, secretary of state, attorney general, Michigan Supreme Court, U.S. Senate, 14 congressional seats and the entire Michigan House and Senate make for a jam-packed ballot. Most counties, townships, school districts and other governmental units also have candidates and/or tax proposals on the November ballot. MLive Media Group has partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan to provide candidate information and other voting resources to our Michigan readers. Information on all state and federal races and many of Michigan's county and local races are now available on MLive via Vote411.org - the election-information website run by the League of Women Voters. To use Vote411.org: * Type in your address to see the candidates and ballot issues that will appear on your November ballot. - or - * Go to the website and click on "Search by state and topic" on the right side of the homepage. * Click on "Michigan" from the drop down menu. * Click on "Candidate and ballot information" to see a list of what is on the ballot. All responses in the voters 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 by the League of Women Voters. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties." A few additional points about the November election: 1. Straight-party ticket voting is not an option. For the first time, Michigan voters will not be able to choose the option of marking their ballot to automatically pick all the candidates running in one political party. 2. You can check michigan.gov/vote to see if you're registered to vote. The Michigan Voter Information Center, which is operated by the Michigan Secretary of State's office, also allows residents to see the location of your voting precinct. 3. Click here to see MLive stories on candidates and issues. Here's a link to MLive stories pertaining to the 2018 elections, or Google "MLive" and the name of a candidate, voting district or key words for a ballot issue. STURGIS, MI -- A 70-year-old man was robbed and assaulted inside of a Sturgis business and police are looking for two suspects. Sturgis police responded to a business in the 1200 block of East Chicago Road just after 6 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 11 on a report of a strong-armed robbery. They found the 70-year-old victim and he told them he was robbed inside of the business. He was taken to Sturgis Hospital for injuries to his face and head. Sturgis police Deputy Chief Ryan Banaszak described the incident as "particularly heinous" given the victim's age. "Officers are following up on several leads and are confident they will locate the individuals responsible," he said. Police released surveillance camera images of the two suspects. Anyone with information about them can call Sturgis Police at 269-659-7260 or St. Joseph County Central Dispatch at 269-467-4195 KALAMAZOO, MI -- A Catholic priest suspended after a "credible allegation" of sexual assault previously worked in Kalamazoo. The Rev. Robert Gerl, a senior priest in the Catholic Diocese of Lansing, was barred from public ministry due to the allegation which alleges the assault of a male several decades ago, the diocese announced Oct. 5. Gerl served in the Diocese of Kalamazoo at Nazareth College from 1986 to 1991, at St. Thomas More Parish in Kalamazoo from 1997 to 2000 and at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Portage from 2000 to 2009. Gerl regularly celebrated Masses at a number of other parishes on a temporary weekend basis. Michigan State Police have seized Gerl's file as part of Attorney General Bill Schuette's investigation into possible sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests in Michigan, the Associated Press reported. As part of the suspension, Gerl will not be allowed to preside over mass, hear confessions, witness marriages or baptisms or anoint the sick or dying. In a statement issued Thursday, Oct. 11, the Diocese of Kalamazoo asked anyone who has been harmed by Gerl or anyone representing the church to contact law enforcement. A Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator, Deacon Pat Hall, is also available at (877) 802-0115. KALAMAZOO, MI -- A book on police, violence and poverty in America is the next book for Kalamazoo Public Library's program Reading Together. "The Hate U Give," by Angie Thomas, follows the life of a girl, 16, who becomes the sole witness to the shooting of her best friend by a police officer. A New York Times Bestseller for 70 weeks, the book is the next in line to be read and discussed by the Kalamazoo community, according to a press release from the library. Reading Together was created to build stronger community and deeper connections through reading the same book, exploring its themes and discussing. Copies of "The Hate U Give" are available at all five Kalamazoo library locations, the release said. On Wednesday, April 17, readers are invited to Chenery Auditorium, 714 S Westnedge Ave., to hear Thomas speak on the heart of race, activism and social change in America. The 7 p.m. event is free and open to the public. Copies of the book will be available for sale, and the author's presentation will be followed by a book signing. KALAMAZOO, MI - Two burglars broke into a business and stole an automated-teller machine, police said. The incident was reported early Thursday, Oct. 11, in the 3600 block of Vanrick Drive, police said. The business is Continental Lanes, WWMT.com reported. Police responded to a 2:39 a.m. alarm, and discovered that burglars had forced their way into the business. Police then reviewed surveillance video that showed two people stealing an ATM inside the business and quickly leaving. Both were wearing masks. A police tracking dog could not find them. Police asked anyone with information to call Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8994 or Silent Observer at 343-2100. VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI -- A Republican incumbent and Democrat challenger will compete in November to represent the 66th District in the Michigan House of Representatives. Democrat Dan Seibert will face incumbent Republican state Rep. Beth Griffin in the Nov. 6 election. The 66th District encompasses all of Van Buren County and the city of Parchment, Alamo Township and Cooper Township in Kalamazoo County. The candidate elected to the seat will serve a two-year term. Seibert, a Paw Paw resident, entered the race in January of this year. Griffin was elected to her first term in 2016 by securing 54 percent of the vote. She announced her re-election bid in March. Seibert grew up in Midland before graduating from Western Michigan University with a degree in computer engineering. He stayed in Southwest Michigan, working as a system administrator for Cole Automotive Group and is now a systems engineer at Perrigo in Allegan. Griffin has served the 66th District since 2016. She served as a Van Buren County Commissioner prior to her election to the representative seat. Griffin worked as a teacher in Parchment Middle School and is an owner of Premco Finance. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Indiana-Purdue University at Fort Wayne, Ind., and a master's degree in education from Old Dominion University. 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. Griffin did not fill out the questionnaire. 1. PRIORITIES: What are your top three state legislative priorities and how would you address them? DAN SEIBERT Honest and accountable government - Expand FOIA, require financial disclosure for public officials, and a minimum 5 year cooling off period before a legislator can become a lobbyist. Reinvest in Michigan - Stop wasting taxpayer dollars on corporate welfare and invest in infrastructure and public education. Affordable access to broadband - Encourage public/private solutions to communities instead of tax breaks to large corporations which continue to ignore our communities. 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? DAN SEIBERT All children learn uniquely and we need to give our teachers the flexibility to adequately reflect that. By reducing class size and assessing progress in a way that reflects actual abilities instead of test preparation, we can focus on preparing students for the future. Furthermore, post-secondary education (college, vocational, etc.) needs to be available and affordable to students in every community. 3. ECONOMY: What policies do you support to increase jobs and help Michigan residents improve their economic positions? DAN SEIBERT I support a shift in our priorities away from providing corporate welfare and toward investment in public infrastructure and education. A skilled workforce and reliable infrastructure would make Michigan a place where people want to live and businesses want to invest. We need to raise the minimum wage and remove barriers to employment to help move low income families off of public assistance. 4. ELECTIONS: What state policies do you support regarding campaign funding and voting rights? DAN SEIBERT Protecting the right to vote is crucial. We must end gerrymandering to get fair representation; expand access to the ballot with no-reason absentee voting, online and same day voter registration; secure the integrity of our elections with voter-verified paper audit trail. 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. DAN SEIBERT Repairing environmental damage is expensive, if not impossible, so it is important to recognize that protecting the environment is a legacy for future generations as well as a smart investment. Instead of providing polluters departmental oversight, we need the DEQ to become a proactive partner with industry to mitigate environmental contamination while still performing meaningful oversight. To help facilitate the transition to clean and renewable energy, Michigan should restore a fair net-metering system. The risk posed by Line 5 is too great to ignore and plans need to be made for an orderly, but speedy, shut down. 6. JUSTICE: What policies will you pursue to promote social and racial justice in our state? DAN SEIBERT By providing equal access to opportunity through quality education for children of all communities, a raise in the minimum wage, and meaningful criminal justice reform we can began to address the inequalities that exist in our state. Michigan needs to focus on providing equal justice, regardless of income, with reforms in areas that disproportionately punish the poor, such as civil forfeiture and the cash bail system. By increasing utilization of problem-solving courts and enhancing reintegration programs we can reduce recidivism and strengthen our communities. FREMONT, MI - Gerber will lay off 50 workers in its hometown of Fremont this November as it shuts down a production line. The layoffs are a result of cutting the "3rd foods" production line, according to a company spokesperson. The "3rd foods" line consists of meals with small pieces of food in them to help babies' transition to table foods. "Unfortunately, this will impact approximately 50 production hourly employees at our factory in Fremont," the spokesperson said in statement on Wednesday, Oct. 10. The last day of work is expected to be Nov. 16, but timing could change, according to the statement. The employees at the Fremont factory are unionized and the company is working with the union through the layoff process, according to the statement. There were about 1,000 Gerber employees in Fremont as of summer 2017. "As we continue to navigate the challenges of an increasingly competitive market, Gerber is transforming our business to become more agile, efficient and innovative," the statement said. The elimination comes after a "thorough evaluation" of Gerber's product portfolio compared to consumer preferences, according to the statement. "We are working closely with the union that represents employees at the factory to ensure the process is managed according to our collective bargaining agreement," the spokesperson said. "As always, we will treat our people with fairness and respect and will ensure that each impacted employee is appropriately supported throughout the transition." In 2017, Gerber celebrated its 90th anniversary and proclaimed a renewed commitment to its birthplace, Fremont. "We see Fremont as our core, our heart," said Aileen Stocks, chief marketing officer for Gerber, during summer 2017. In 1927, Dorothy Gerber was inspired to use the family canning business to make baby food for her child. By 1928, Dan and Dorothy Gerber, of Fremont, introduced Gerber baby food. It was the first baby food sold in grocery stores and advertised nationally. The company is a sister company of Nestle and is headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey. However, Gerber headquarters will move to Arlington, Virginia, in 2019 to be closer to Nestle headquarters, according to an April news release from the company. NORTON SHORES, MI - A majority of Muskegon County-based Structural Concepts has been sold to a Wisconsin company. The company will remain in Norton Shores and will use the cash infusion from the new majority owner for future expansion, said Chris Latta, marketing manager for Structural Concepts. There are no immediate expansion plans. The majority of Structural Concepts, a manufacturer of high-tech, temperature-controlled food and beverage displays, was recently sold to Mason Wells, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, private equity company, according to a news release. All previous owners and investors also reinvested in the company. Structural Concepts employs 540 people at its 440,000-square-foot headquarters and manufacturing facilities, 888 E. Porter Road in Norton Shores, according to a news release. "This is an exciting time for Structural Concepts," said David Geerts, Structural Concepts president, in a statement. "Our employees have built a great business with an enviable track record of growth. Mason Wells will provide Structural Concepts with a seamless ownership transition and with resources to help the company to achieve great things." The company was founded in 1972 by James Doss with the objective of designing, engineering and manufacturing the highest-performing refrigerated merchandisers, according to a news release. Since 1998, Mason Wells has invested in numerous Midwest-based, privately-held companies in the engineered products and services industry supporting family ownership transitions, according to a news release. "Structural is an industry leader in supplying the nation's supermarket and food service markets with fresh prepared food and beverage refrigerated merchandisers," said Jay Radtke, senior managing director at Mason Wells in a statement. "We believe Structural is well positioned to grow, and it is a trusted 45-year-old brand, with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and a world class workforce and management team who we plan to back with additional resources for growth." MOUNT PLEASANT, MI -- Central Michigan University has permanently ended Phi Sigma Phi's status as a registered student organization following a student's death and accusations of sexual misconduct, hazing and other dangerous behaviors. CMU is now warning students to stay away from Phi Sigma Phi gatherings and events. The fraternity's national organization said the university's warning is "unjustified" and it plans to continue supporting the CMU chapter. A university official explained CMU's decision. "A trail of repeated, similar accusations against Phi Sigma Phi over the past several years shows a significant threat to the safety of our students," CMU Vice President Steven Johnson, who oversees Greek life, said in a statement. "Our concerns have been affirmed multiple times by the inability to find witnesses willing to discuss allegations." Johnson said the decision comes after CMU officials investigated accusations of "sexual misconduct, hazing, dangerous behaviors and this spring's student death in a house used by the fraternity during an evening of drinking and partying." "At this point, we say definitively: Phi Sigma Phi is officially removed from CMU forever," his statement continued. "We caution all students to avoid the group and events hosted by its now former members." In April, police responded to a house in the 500 block of South Main Street in Mount Pleasant for a report of an unresponsive person having difficulty breathing. Officers were met at the doorway by a woman who directed them to a basement stairwell, Jeff Browne, public information officer with the Mount Pleasant Police Department, told MLive/The Saginaw News at the time. Officers found 21-year-old Kevin K. Ajluni, a member of the Phi Sigma Phi Xi Chapter at CMU, at the foot of the stairs and administered medical treatment to him before he was transferred to an area hospital, Browne said. He had been drinking. Ajluni died May 3 in a hospital. At the time, the cause of Ajluni's death was unknown, pending autopsy results, but police did not suspect foul play. The chapter's official address is 3400 E. Deerfield Road in Mount Pleasant. An open letter to all of our friends and family regarding the passing of our beloved brother, Kevin Ajluni. On behalf... Posted by Phi Sigma Phi - Central Michigan University on Sunday, May 13, 2018 The Phi Sigma Phi National Fraternity was founded in 1988 in South Bend, Indiana. It also has chapters at University of Michigan, Dearborn and Eastern Michigan University, among others. Travis Steinke, national president of Phi Sigma Phi National Fraternity, issued a letter in response to the university's decision. The letter, dated Oct. 9, reads, in part: "For the first time today, Phi Sigma Phi learned from a news article that CMU had 'investigated accusations' of sexual misconduct and hazing. Again, without any specific allegations whatsoever. Phi Sigma Phi does not permit or condone sexual misconduct or hazing of any nature. And Phi Sigma Phi is unable to investigate or respond to secret, undisclosed allegations. Additionally, despite significant evidence to the contrary, CMU has wrongfully insinuated that the tragic accidental death of a member was somehow the fault of the local Chapter. "The fact that CMU has warned students to 'stay away from [Phi Sigma Phi's] gatherings and events' is unjustified, unproven, and potentially actionable. Phi Sigma Phi is committed to the safety and security of all its members and guests. We hope that the University will retract its reckless statements that are apparently based on secret and yet-to-be-proven 'allegations.'" The letter continues, "Phi Sigma Phi National Fraternity, Inc. has chosen to support its Xi Chapter unless and until evidence of specific allegations of misconduct are revealed. The Xi Chapter of Phi Sigma Phi is a non-profit corporation in the State of Michigan, and CMU cannot legally infringe on its ability to operate." Phi Sigma Phi is not the only Greek organization suspended or shuttered at CMU in recent months. Last fall, CMU officials suspended fraternities Phi Kappa Tau and Pi Kappa Phi. And, early this year, the sorority chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma was suspended by its national organization amid an investigation into claims of hazing. CMU officials said the following resources are available to anyone who is in need of support or who wants to discuss what they've seen or experienced with Phi Sigma Phi: Office of Civil Rights and Institutional Equity and Title IX Coordinator Office of Student Conduct SAPA -- Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates Sexual Aggression Services, which includes SAPA and provides confidential services including consultation to those who have been affected by sexual aggression. To contact the office or its director, Brooke Oliver-Hempenstall, for an appointment, call 989-774-6677 or email Counseling Center As the next crew prepares to head to the International Space Station for a lengthy stay, NASA will broadcast the early Thursday morning, Oct. 11 launch live on its website and YouTube channel. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin will launch aboard the Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft at 4:40 a.m. Thursday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The U.S. space agency will begin coverage of the launch at 3:30 a.m. as Hague and Ovchinin undergo final preparations. See below for a live stream of NASA TV: -- The two astronauts are expected meet the members of Expedition 57 already aboard the space station at 10:44 a.m. after a six-hour flight. Commander Alexander Gerst, and flight engineers Serena Aunon-Chancellor and Sergey Prokopev will greet the two new arrivals when the hatch opens at about 12:45 p.m. "The five-person crew will gather inside the Zvezda service module for a traditional crew greeting ceremony as family and mission officials on the ground offer their well-wishes," NASA says on its website. "Shortly afterward, the two new crewmates will participate in a safety briefing then begin several days of familiarization with station systems." The space agency's broadcast schedule will start at 3:30 a.m. as the crew prepares to launch, and then as the Soyuz spacecraft approaches the ISS at 10 a.m. Coverage of the hatch opening and the crew greeting each other will start at 12:15 p.m. Thursday's launch represents Hague's first spaceflight and Ovchinin second to the space station. The duo's launch comes on the heels of the return of three astronauts who safely returned to Earth last week after nearly 200 days of living on the space station. .@AstroHague is a colonel in the @USAirForce and the first member of the 2013 Class of @NASA_Astronauts to fly to space. He is getting set to launch to the station. Check out his favorite science fiction, his food craves, and the training that got him in shape. pic.twitter.com/JXcqkyb3Hd Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) October 10, 2018 Dassault had clarified that the decision to partner with Reliance Defence was its own. Sitharaman will also take stock of progress in the supply of 36 Rafale jets by Dassault to the Indian Air Force. New Delhi: Reports emerged late on Wednesday night that picking Reliance Defence was mandatory for Dassualt Avaition for the deal of 36 Rafale jets. Quoting French publication Mediapart, Indian media outlets reported that the Mediapart article said an internal document showed a top Dassault official explaining to its staff that the joint venture was a counterpart, imperative and mandatory to win the Rafale deal. Former French president Francois Hollande had claimed in an interview to Mediapart last month that the Indian government had proposed Reliance Defence as the partner in the multi-crore rupee Rafale deal and France did not have a choice. Dassault had then clarified that the decision to partner with Reliance Defence was its own. The opposition has accused the government of ignoring the state-run defence company Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) to benefit Anil Ambani. Both the government and the industrialist have rubbished the charge. Meanwhile, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman will begin a three-day visit to France on Thursday. Her visit comes in the backdrop of a huge controversy over the procurement of 36 Rafale jets from Dassault Aviation. Sitharaman will also take stock of progress in the supply of 36 Rafale jets by Dassault to the Indian Air Force. There was indication that she may even visit the facility where the jets are being manufactured. Jet fuel was priced at Rs 47,013 per kl in July last year and has risen by 58.6 per cent since then. New Delhi: After petrol and diesel, the government on Wednesday cut excise duty on jet fuel to 11 per cent to give relief to the aviation industry that has been in recent weeks hit hard by rising fuel prices and plummeting rupee. Excise duty on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) has been reduced to 11 per cent from 14 per cent with effect from October 11, a notification issued by the revenue department in the finance ministry said. Jet fuel prices this month hit their highest level since January 2014 as rising international oil prices and plummeting rupee value pushed rates. The fuel in Delhi currently costs Rs 74,567 per kilolitre (Rs 74.56 per litre) and in Mumbai, it is priced at Rs 74,177 per kilolitre. ATF prices, which currently are cheaper than petrol and diesel in Delhi, have since July spiked up by 9.5 per cent. They have been on upswing since July last year, rising every month except in July 2018. Jet fuel was priced at Rs 47,013 per kl in July last year and has risen by 58.6 per cent since then. Just last week, the government had cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 1.50 per litre and asked state-owned oil firms to subsidise the fuel by another Re 1 a litre. That step was matched by BJP-ruled states cutting local sales tax or VATS by an equal proportion to give customers hit by high auto fuel prices a relief of about Rs 5 per litre. The aviation industry has been seeking lower taxes to help offset the impact of high oil prices. Among others, Ajay Singh of Spicejet had voiced concerns over rising international oil prices and asked the government to take up some policy measures to help the industry. Unconfirmed reports that the government announced the excise duty cut after seeking approval of the Election Commission as the model code of conduct came into force on Saturday after announcement of polls in states like MP and Rajasthan. Just last month the government had raise customs duty on ATF and 18 other non-essential import items in a bid rein in currently account deficit and shore up the rupee. Basic customs duty of 5 per cent was imposed on ATF. It previously attracted nil duty. This led to an increase of Rs 2,000 per kl in prices. While the twin moves on auto fuels had led to price of petrol drop from a record high of Rs 84 per litre to Rs 81.50 in Delhi and that of diesel to all-time high of Rs 75.45 to Rs 72.95 a litre on October 5, rate hikes on subsequent days has pushed prices upwards. Petrol now costs Rs 82.26 per litre and diesel to Rs 74.35. The government had in 2016 hiked excise duty on ATF to 14 per cent from 8 per cent. ATF like petrol and diesel is not covered by the goods and services tax regime that on July 1 last year amalgamated 17 different central and state taxes. The central government currently charges 14 per cent excise duty on ATF. On top of this, states charge up to 30 per cent sales tax or VAT Odisha and Chhattisgarh have 5 per cent VAT while Tamil Nadu taxes ATF at 29 per cent, Maharashtra and Delhi at 25 per cent and Karnataka at 28 per cent. When the GST was introduced on July 1 last year, five commodities crude oil, natural gas, petrol, diesel, and ATF were kept out of its purview for the time being. During the day, aviation stocks were in high demand on Wednesday, surging up to 8 per cent amid reports of a likely cut in excise on ATF. Oshiwara cops also booked 3 others based on Duttas statement. Mumbai: The Oshiwara police on Thursday booked actor Nana Patekar, choreographer Ganesh Acharya, director Rakesh Sarang and producer Samee Siddiqui for sexually harassing and molesting Tanushree Dutta during a film shoot in 2008. While police action is still awaited in the case, Dutta is all set to file a litigation in the Bombay high court seeking action against those officers of Goregaon police station, who allegedly did not take write down her sexual harassment complaint in 2008. In her fresh statement to the Oshiwara police on Wednesday night, Dutta specifically mentioned that the police did not record her statement in 2008, as per her account. Only the FIR for rioting and causing damage to her car was registered keeping out the main grievance of sexual harassment from the FIR, she told the police. Duttas statement ran into four pages and it stated, Many parts of my complaint have not been mentioned in the statement and not recorded as per my say. I could not understand the Marathi version of the FIR and instead of myself, the police took the complaint of my father as FIR bearing the number 179/2008. She further stated that after this incident, she had been threatened, pressurised and subjected to undue influence with threat to boycott her from the film industry and implicate her in a false police case by Patekar, Siddiqui, Acharya and political outfit Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Dutta said in her police statement. Dutta and her legal team stated that they wanted accountability on the part of the laxity of the police. We will approach the Bombay high court asking for action against the Goregaon police for not taking everything on record, and CINTAA for not acting on Duttas complaint, said Nitin Satpute, Duttas lawyer. The controversy hovers around a song sequence that was to be featured solo on Dutta. Earlier, it was to feature Patekar for one line in the song that was to be shot separately. Shooting of the said song started at the Filmistan studio in Goregaon on March 23, 2008. The producer and director also committed to keep in my comfort level with the clothes and dance steps. Before the shoot I had told them that I will not enact or perform any lewd or vulgar steps in the particular song. But on the fourth day of the shoot, in between shots Patekar, against my will and consent, started grabbing me by the arms and pushing me around on the pretext of teaching me how to dance even though he is not the choreographer. Sources said that the former editor can be asked to quit the External Affairs ministry and work for the party instead. The revelation comes after at least seven women accused Akbar of sexually harassing them when he was a newspaper editor. (Photo: File) New Delhi: Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar's position in the government is untenable, sources on Thursday told ANI, after sexual harassment allegations against the former editor surfaced. Sources added that something big can be expected soon. The revelation comes after at least seven women accused Akbar of sexually harassing them when he was a newspaper editor. Akbar, who is travelling outside India, so far has not commented on the allegations. According to an NDTV report, sources stated that Akbar has not been asked to cut short his trip and resign. "These are speculative stories," the report quoted sources as saying. Officials said the junior foreign minister is travelling to Equitorial Guinea and is likely to return only on Sunday, the report added. It also mentioned that Akbar's version would be heard when he returns and no formal complaint has been lodged so far. The accusations by women journalists against their former boss have come amidst the raging #MeToo movement in India, which has rattled the country's media industry. Sources said that Akbar can be asked to quit the ministry and work for the party instead. Akbar, a senior journalist, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of 2014 general elections and was elected to the Rajya Sabha a year later. He was made the Minister of State for External Affairs in 2016. People familiar with the development also told ANI that government is serious about its pro-women image at international forums and thus, cannot afford to have someone with a tainted image representing the country abroad. Union ministers, including MJ Akbar's boss, Sushma Swaraj have refused to comment on allegations. Only Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has called for an inquiry. "There should be an investigation. Men in position of power often do this. This applies to media, politics and seniors working in companies. Now that women have started speaking out, we should take it seriously," Maneka Gandhi told a news channel. In October last year, when the #MeToo campaign reached its peak 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. Another journalist, Shutapa Paul, recalling a 2011 incident, tweeted on Wednesday, "As I tried to dash out the door, #MJAkbar gave me a hard hug, I ducked whatever else could have followed and fled. He seemed amused at my ducking." Paul added that later, when he went to Kolkata, he wanted to meet her late night at his hotel room but she excused out. "The next morning, I woke up to cryptic text messages from #MJAkbar. Paraphrasing them: 'You should know what's important to you. Your career or other things'," claimed Paul. (With inputs from ANI) No such document is required for children below 10, the communication added, citing provisions of India-Nepal Treaty signed in 1950. Guwahati: The Union home ministry clarified Wednesday that Gorkhas from Nepal with valid identity cards and those who are Indian citizens and living in Assam will not be sent to foreigners tribunals to decide their nationality. In a communication to the Assam government, the MHA said only those individuals who had come to Assam from specific areas, including Bangladesh, immediately before the commencement of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 1985 and are not Indian citizens, can be referred to the foreigners tribunals to identify whether they are illegal immigrants. This came after the All Assam Gorkha Students Union told Union home minister Rajnath Singh recently that some Gorkhas living in Assam had been referred to the foreigners tribunals. The MHA, in a September 24 communication to the Assam government, listed various provisions to obviate the difficulties faced by Gorkhas over Indian citizenship. The letter states Gorkhas who were Indian citizens at the time of the commencement of the Constitution, or those who are Indian citizens by birth, or those who have acquired Indian citizenship by registration or naturalisation are not foreigners in terms of Section 2(a) of the Foreigners Act 1946 as well as the Registration of Foreigners Act 1939, and thus such cases will not be referred to foreigners tribunals. It emphasised that any member of the Gorkha community holding Nepalese nationality and who arrived in India by land or air over the Nepal border even without a passport or visa and was staying in India for any length of time shall not be treated as an illegal migrant if he/she is in possession of any of the identity documents, namely Nepalese passport or citizenship certificate, voter identification card issued by the Election Commission of Nepal, limited validity photo-identity certificate issued by Nepalese mission in India when deemed necessary and for children in the 10-18 age group, a photo ID issued by a school principal, if accompanied by the parents having valid travel documents. No such document is required for children below 10, the communication added, citing provisions of India-Nepal Treaty signed in 1950. The communication clarified only those coming from specified territories, like Bangladesh, and are not Indian citizens, can be referred to the foreigners tribunals. The bench of justices asked the Amrapali group to file an undertaking with regard to sealing of its properties by 2 pm today. The bench also sought presence of two forensic auditors Ravi Bhatia and Pawan Kumar Aggarwal at 2 pm to ascertain their satisfaction with regard to the documents to be audited. The bench will hear the matter at 2 pm today. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The Amrapali group Thursday informed the Supreme Court that its nine properties in Noida, Greater Noida, Rajgir and Buxar in Bihar have been sealed in compliance with the court's order. A bench of Justices U U Lalit and D Y Chandrachud asked the Amrapali group to file an undertaking with regard to sealing of its properties by 2 pm today. The bench also sought presence of two forensic auditors Ravi Bhatia and Pawan Kumar Aggarwal at 2 pm to ascertain their satisfaction with regard to the documents to be audited. The bench will hear the matter at 2 pm today. Read: SC wants 9 properties of Amrapali group in Noida, Bihar sealed The apex court had on Wednesday ordered the sealing of nine properties of the embattled real estate company after its three directors, who are in police custody, said the documents related to the group's 46 firms were stored there. The three directors had moved an application before the court stating that they were willing to hand over all documents but the police was unaware about which one needed to be seized. The directors of the group -- Anil Kumar Sharma, Shiv Priya and Ajay Kumar -- were taken into police custody on October 9 and the firm was castigated for playing "hide and seek" with the court by not complying with its orders to hand over all documents to forensic auditors. These directors had told the bench that documents related to Amrapali's 46 group companies were kept in seven locations at Noida and Greater Noida and two premises -- Rajgir and Buxar districts in Bihar. The bench had then directed that after the sealing of these nine premises, the keys be handed over to the registrar of the apex court. The court is seized of a batch of petitions filed by home buyers who are seeking possession of around 42,000 flats booked in projects of the Amrapali group. All the drivers of oil tankers contracted with state-run oil refineries will need to submit their Aadhaar details to their employers following a direction issued by the oil ministry, The Times of India has reported. The ministry, in its recent order, has asked the refineries to provide all the personal details of the drivers, which includes their Aadhaar and linked bank account numbers. The move, taken under Recognition Prior Learning (RPL) initiative, aims to improve prospects of the drivers in the job market through certification. RPL is an initiative launched as a key element under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). The objective of the scheme is to develop skill by assessing and certifying individuals on their current competencies as per standardised National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) levels. In compliance with the ministrys order, the drivers need to furnish details including date of birth, place of birth, district, tehsil, block, police station, post office, PIN code, caste, religion and IFSC code of Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. The order will imply on all the drivers ferrying oil products to retail outlets and distribution centres in nearly 1.5 lakh tankers running on contract with state-run oil companies. The industry finds the move as an opportunity for the drivers to improve their job prospects. In talks with the publication, a senior executive of one state-run oil marketing company said that at present the drivers do not have anything to prove their skill or experience. Certification under RPL will serve them as an incentive and improve their employability, said the executive. The ministry, in its order, has ensured that no data is being sought that one doesn't give elsewhere. The need of Aadhaar linked bank accounts is to deposit the incentive provisioned to be given under the initiative, based on a certain grade of the certification. Mothers hold their newly-born babies as they rest inside a maternity hospital during "World Population Day" in Kolkata July 11, 2012. The world's population edged to 7 billion people in 2011, up from 2.5 billion since 1950. This year's World Population Day focuses on the theme of "Universal Access to Reproductive Health Services", according to the United Nations. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri (INDIA - Tags: HEALTH ANNIVERSARY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - GM1E87B1KMJ01 LifeCell International, Indias largest stem cell bank, is trying to diversify into diagnostics and tissue therapeutics after the government imposed certain restrictions on commercial banking of stem cells. "We have decided that we are not going to remain a cord blood bank alone. Through our cord blood banking business we have access to over 6,000-7,000 gynaecologists," said Ishaan Khanna, CEO of LifeCell, adding: "We decided to change our identity from being just a cord blood bank to a mother and child healthcare company." In the diagnostics segment, the company specialises in pre-natal and new born child screening using genetics. Khanna said diagnostics is the company's fastest growing segment. The Chennai-based LifeCell doesn't disclose its sales, but it generates most of its revenue from storing umbilical cord blood (UCB) derived stem cells of new born babies. It's not just LifeCell that is being forced to look into its business model. The government ban last year forced cord blood banks to rewire their business models. Based on the recommendations of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the government in October last year suspended commercial banking of stem cells derived from biological materials such as cord tissue, placenta, tooth extract and menstrual blood. However, it has exempted storage of UCB from the ban order. In addition to the government ban, there is growing evidence that storing one's own cord blood cells are futile since they cannot be used to cure genetic disorders as the cord blood cells would have the same mutation. According to the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, the chance of a baby benefitting from its own cord blood is 0.04 percent to 0.0005 percent. Rather private stem cell banks, paediatricians and haematologist are advocating that public stem cell banks, led by governments, help patients get a suitable stem cell from a pool of donors. To stay afloat, cord blood banks like LifeCell have begun tweaking their business models. LifeCell had moved from a private stem cell bank to a community bank, which works on the concept of pooling and sharing the preserved stem cells of community members, unlike a private bank that is exclusively meant for the use of the baby or its immediate family members. "Stem cells therapies are approved for 80 medical conditions. The number of conditions for which you can use your own stem cell are only 8-10. For all the others, you need a stem cell from a donor with a matching HLA (human leukocyte antigen). So all the people who enrol in our community bank will get access to all the samples in the community," Khanna said. LifeCell said it has a community stem cell bank of 25,000 customers and is ramping up with every passing day. The management said it is considering opening-up its existing private stem cell bank with three lakh customers to the public, but that wouldn't be easy as it needs the consent of parents and approvals from the government. To diversify, LifeCell acquired controlling stake in Fetomed Laboratories in 2016. Fetomed has developed genetic tests for expectant mothers to check for medical conditions and abnormalities like Down syndrome in a foetus or embryo in early stages of pregnancy. It has also developed gene tests to check for metabolic diseases in a new born. The company recently launched 'RightStart' - the worlds first integrated DNA testing for new-born screening - to detect over 50 medical conditions. Diagnostics is the fastest growing segment for LifeCell, with a compounded annual growth rate of 36 percent in the last three years. The umbilical cord connects a baby in the womb to its mother to carry oxygen and nutrients. After the child is born, the umbilical cord is clamped and the cord and cord blood are usually thrown in the waste. Both the cord blood and cord tissue specially are rich sources of stem cells or cells that can self-renew or divide itself into two cells and can adapt to different organs, i.e. a stem cell can function as a simple blood cell, a brain cell or lung cell. Stem cells have found therapeutic usage specially in bone marrow transplant, mostly given to patients with certain blood cancers, while its use for other therapies are still under investigation. More than a dozen private UCB stem cell banking firms including LifeCell, BabyCell, CordLife India, CryoSave, Cryoviva Biotech, MyCord, among others have made a business by preserving these stem cells. It is estimated that cord blood banking is a Rs 300 crore industry. Typically, they make an aggressive marketing pitch to expecting parents to store baby's stem cell-rich UCB, claiming that the baby gets protection for life from future diseases as diverse as multiple sclerosis to diabetes and even Alzheimer's disease, charging upwards of Rs 20,000, in addition to an annual maintenance fee of Rs 4,000-5,000. The world over, large sections of obstetricians and gynaecologists have been against private cord-blood banking for personal use because of limited indications and lack of scientific evidence. "A quick back of the envelope calculation means that there might at least be 100,000 stored cord blood samples in these private banks. But what I find very disquieting is there are no success stories about how paediatricians have used these cord stem cells to treat babies with a serious medical problem," said Dr Aniruddha Malpani, an angel investor and an IVF (in vitro fertilisation) specialist in his blog. Jaijit Bhattacharya On outcome-based planning for India, the previous article covered the concept of outcome-based planning and the concept of focusing on the child to track the outcome of various policies and implementations of government initiatives. The natural question that arises is how do we identify the various outcomes and convert them into actionable outputs, which when implemented, will provide the desired outcomes. To address our desired outcomes, be it social, security, jobs or any of the other dimension discussed in the previous article, each outcome needs to be benchmarked against those from an Upper Middle Income Country (UMIC), especially if we will like to have a society that enjoys the benefits of being an UMIC by 2030. For such an outcome to be achieved, we need to have a similar quality of education, similar healthcare, safety, security and dignity. To benchmark the outcomes against those of a UMIC, appropriate outcome metrics need to be identified. For example, if we are looking at health as an outcome, wed need to look at life expectancy, number of days lost to health issues, etc, as the outcome metrics and ensure that we reach the same levels as a UMIC. The outcome metrics will lead us to identify the output metrics. For example, to achieve the same level of life expectancy as in a UMIC, we need to build the same number of hospital beds per thousand that is there in a UMIC. Similarly, we need to have the same number of doctors per thousand that is there in a UMIC. Or, the same square feet of schools per child that is there in a UMIC so that we can generate that many doctors. If we can build the infrastructure for healthcare at the same levels as in a UMIC, we can have similar life expectancies as in a UMIC. Therefore, by comparing the metrics with those of a UMIC, one can find out the Gross Gap that exists in terms of the desired outputs. India had 0.7 beds per thousand in 2011, whereas the UMICs roughly had seven beds per thousand. So India had a Gross Gap of 6.3 beds per thousand in 2003, which translates to need for an additional 8.2 million hospital beds for a population of 1.3 billion. Based on this information, we need to find out how much of this gap can be addressed by business-as-usual implementations. The net of these figures will give us the Net Gap of hospital beds that need to be constructed to bring life expectancy to the levels in a UMIC. Of course, hospital beds is just one of the many outputs that we need to plan for, to improve the life expectancy and quality of life in the country. Bridging this net gap will give us how many more hospital beds, hospitals and doctors that are required and hence how many more medical colleges that need to be setup. Therefore, in 2011, India should have planned for setting up 8.2 million more hospital beds as a necessary condition for achieving the higher levels of life expectancy. Similarly, if food security is a desired outcome, the above process will show up how many more food silos are needed to be built to say support three years of expected rain deficit years. Of course with each such infrastructure, there needs to be the attendant institutional structures that also needs to be created. Once we have the targets based on benchmarking with UMICs, one needs to publish a year-wise roadmap of the infrastructure required to achieve the desired outcomes. Such a published roadmap will provide visibility to the larger industry of the amount of raw material and labour required to meet it and will provide the drum beat to the industry to focus their energies and resources on what is needed for the nation as per the desired outcomes of the nation. The roadmap will also signal the RFPs and procurement that will happen and hence will also indicate the jobs that will get created. Hence growth will come automatically if the outcome-driven plan is executed, with the resultant economy becoming far more robust and resilient as it will factor in the human aspirations, desires and demands. It will curtail irrelevant infrastructure creation, it will get the government machinery to focus on the outcomes and also get the private sector aligned to the governments over-arching plan, without the rigidity or strictures of a planned economy. For certain outcomes, such as female foeticide, child marriage, bonded labour, etc, there will be no global benchmark available. For such issues, the desired outcome is the eradication of such practices and it needs to be done on a war footing. Hence, we do not need global benchmarks for such issues. Thus, we as a nation will be able to move more surefootedly towards a future that has the desired outcomes and our national aspirations addressed in a holistic manner, with growth coming as a by-product. (This is the second in a multi-part series on Outcome-Based Planning) BJP leader Shatrughan SInha also said power should be a medium to serve the people 'not to reap dividends'. Lucknow: Dissident BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday said people want answers from the government on the Rafale deal and "ignoring" the questions being raised over the agreement would not do. His remarks come amid relentless opposition attack on the government over the deal. Addressing a gathering in Lucknow on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, who gave the clarion call of 'Sampoorna Kranti' (complete revolution), Sinha asked why PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited was "sidelined" in favour of a private firm as an offset Indian partner of Dassault Aviation for manufacturing the fighter aircraft. "The public want an answer on the Rafale deal. You have to speak up, and mere ignoring it will not do. Why was HAL which had the experience of manufacturing MiGs and Sukhoi sidelined and a 10-day-old company with (virtually) zero balance and zero experience was given the job," the BJP MP said, flanked by former party leader Yashwant Sinha and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav. He said power should be a medium to serve the people "not to reap dividends". Sinha has often spoken going against his party line and criticised the NDA government's policy. He defended his remarks attacking the government, saying, "If speaking the truth is considered as mutiny, then I am a mutineer." "Making hollow promises, giving speeches and indulging in rhetoric will not work any more. Party is always bigger than a person and the country is bigger than the party. If I am talking in the interest of the country, then what is wrong in it?" Sinha said Jayaprakash Narayan was his inspiration to join politics. On demonetisation, he said it was not a decision of the party. "Had it been the decision of the party, then friend, philosopher and guide LK Advani would have known about it. MM Joshi, Arun Shourie, Yashwant Sinha and a worker like me would have known about it," he said. After demonetisation, there was a "complicated" GST, he said. He also termed Yashwant Sinha, who quit the BJP and has been critical of the party for some time, a "source of strength" for him. "A few days ago, Yashwant Sinha was asked to draw comparison between the Atal Bihari government and the current one headed by Narendra Modi. He said that during Atal's regime, there was lokshaahi (democracy), today there is tanashaahi (dictatorship). I had said that there is one-man-show, two-man-army," Sinha said. The gathering burst into peals of laughter when a youth stood up and said to Shatrughan, "I love you (mujhe aapse pyaar ho gaya hai)." To which, the actor-turned-politician replied, saying, "Don't blush otherwise I will be accused of #MeToo." Government agencies are conducting raids on opposition leaders but their intensity has mellowed down (in view of elections), he said, adding he too was targeted. He also asked the audience to keep an eye on technical snags in EVMs during elections. "This is my dil ki baat". Bala Murali Krishna Global payments companies have played brinkmanship and now have less than a few days to go for a deadline set by Indias central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), six months ago to store all payments data locally. If the October 15 deadline passes without a deal, credit cards and debit cards powered by Visa and Mastercard could be taken offline in a way that might be reminiscent of demonetisation. It would affect nearly 900 million Indians a majority of them debit cards issued by banks to account holders but the volume of transactions is laughably small at Rs 4,000 per card per month, and can only cause minor inconvenience to urban Indians, notably the middle class. It could additionally disrupt digital services such as Google Pay and Amazons equivalent, among others. For nearly six months, firms such as Visa and Mastercard, and fintech players such as PayPal and Google, have dragged their feet on the RBI directive, and lobbied hard for concessions. In the early stages, many protested higher costs of storing data in India, compared to highly efficient server farms at other global locations. But in recent months, they have reconciled themselves to the potentially higher cost as a price for access to one of the hottest, and biggest, markets and focused on the core issues. So, what are these? RBIs primary demand is for unfettered access to all payment data for supervisory purposes, asserting the central banks primacy. India is not the first country to require payments companies to store data locally. Many others, including China and Russia, have introduced similar regulations for obvious reasons. With a growing number of digital channels for finance, countries are increasingly challenged to even detect money laundering and tax evasion, as the recent scandal at Denmarks Danske Bank shows nearly $230 billion flowed through the banks tiny branch in Estonia, leaving the regulator in the dark for the better part of a decade. Understandably, the least other countries, especially those with large amounts of black money, can do is to have unrestricted access to the local transactions. Local payments companies such as Paytm and PhonePe have given the dispute a foreign vs local twist, with talk of data manipulation and privacy abuses by payment giants, perhaps in the hope of extracting some competitive advantage. But these miss the point. Its true that the RBI order came weeks after the United Kingdom political consultancy Cambridge Analytica leaked the Facebook data of nearly 100 million users, shining a light on data privacy. However, it is hard to believe the RBI was acting on data privacy concerns when it mandated local storage of payments data, or indeed that the global payments firms would not still be able to slice and dice the data at hand. Mastercard, for example, has a secret partnership with Google to analyse its users transactions to study American consumer behaviour offline and online, and there is nothing in the RBI order that could conceivably stop the payments giant from doing the same with its data in India. The real dispute is about storing the payments data only in India a stipulation the RBI has made without advancing any reasons. All system providers shall ensure that the entire data relating to payment systems operated by them are stored in a system only in India, the RBI said in its note seeking local storage of data by all payments firms. In the circumstances, lobbying by many global payments companies and by the US-India Business Council has focused on two issues. One, a concession on data exclusivity, allowing the companies to mirror their servers and store the payments data in India as well as another global location. Many hold the view that the RBI could be offered unfettered access to Indian payments data, regardless of where that data is stored. During negotiations, the finance ministry is believed to have backed moves to let the global firms store some or all the data abroad, with a copy in India or vice versa. But the RBI officials have stood their ground for unknown reasons. Two, the companies seek more time to comply. Google, for example, is believed ready to comply with the rules by year-end. Six months might seem ample time in the fast-moving world of technology, but the large companies have squandered a lot of it in hope of a negotiated settlement. Recently, representatives of global companies reportedly met finance minister Arun Jaitley for last-minute parleys, even though it is not clear what the finance ministry can actually do. The ball clearly is in the RBIs court and the question is: will it hold firm and pull the plug on October 15 or offer concessions and avert a potential disruption to the financial system? live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The government's move to cut excise duty on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) from 14 to 11 percent effective October 11 is expected to provide some relief to airlines but fliers may continue to pay a high price as excise cut on ATF is unlikely to make airfares cheaper, Business Standard reported. The impact of cut is likely to be balanced out with the higher customs duty that was announced last month. On September 29, the government had hiked custom duties on 19 items in an attempt to reduce current account deficit. The rate on ATF was increased to 5 percent from zero. As a result, the airfares went up by about 7.5 to 8 percent. Read Jet fuel duty hike an additional burden, says IndiGo; airfares may go up 10% "The effective impact of the duty hike on fuel costs will be about 7.5 to 8 percent," said Mark Martin, founder and CEO of Martin Consulting, an aviation advisory and consulting firm. Fuel makes up to as much as 40 percent of an airline's costs. According to the report, an excise cut of 3 percentage points would result in a reduction of unit cost of flying a passenger per kilometres by only Rs 0.04. The unit cost for low-cost airlines ranges near Rs 1.5 as of now. Industry experts have voiced concerns over a cut in excise duty coming together with a hike in customs duty, the report said. "This excise duty rate cut on ATF comes as quite a sigh of relief for the aviation industry, especially in the backdrop of the recent levy of basic customs duty on import of ATF. The increased costs on account of basic customs duty should to an extent be offset by the excise duty rate cut," Abhishek Jain, Tax Partner at EY, told the paper. Read Flight tickets in and out of Delhi, Mumbai may get costlier here's why Apart from custom and excise duty, airlines pay each state value added tax (VAT) on ATF. These taxes range from 3 percent in some states to 30 percent in states such as Andhra Pradesh. Thus, unless the states reduce VAT, any reduction in ATF prices may have little impact, airline executives told the paper. "Thanks to a massive increase in jet fuel price, states have gained heavily from VAT, and now it is time for them to pass some benefits to the airlines which would also give a boost to air connectivity in their states," SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh told the paper. Audit 2 The crisis surrounding debt-laden Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) will be the first case for the newly constituted auditors watchdog, National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA). IL&FS will be a test case for NFRA, a top government official told Moneycontrol adding that the authority is in the process of beginning its assessment of the role of auditors of the business conglomerate. In March, the Cabinet approved the proposal of setting up of NFRA as an independent regulator for the chartered accountants, for enforcing their accounting and auditing standards, therefore, enhancing investor and public confidence in financial disclosures of companies. This was also one of the key recommendations that was brought about by the Companies Act, 2013. The decision to set up auditors watchdog came in with corporate scams coming out in the open, including the Nirav Modis bank fraud that came to light in February, 2018. The role of an auditor is crucial as it is supposed to provide a fair view of companies annual accounts and its financial position, according to Companies Act, 2013. It also has the right to access records of all the subsidiaries of a particular company, and whether the financial statements comply with the accounting standards. Last week, the government appointed former IAS officer R Sridharan as the first chief of NFRA. NFRA has the power to investigate, either suo motu or if there is a reference made to it by the government, according to the rules released by ministry of corporate affairs (MCA). In addition, the authority also has the power to penalise any chartered accountant or an audit firm. In case of individuals, fine up to Rs one lakh can be slapped, and it can be extended to five times of the fees received. For firms, the penalty amount will be Rs 10 lakhs, which can be extended to ten times of the fees received. According to the rules, the authority can also debar the firm engaging in practice as member of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of India (ICAI). The inherent regulatory role of ICAI will continue, especially with respect to audits pertaining to private and public unlisted companies rules. It will continue with its advisory role on accounting and auditing standards by making its recommendations to NFRA. Over the past two months, IL&FS has defaulted on payments and is sitting on total liabilities of Rs 91,000 crore. The crisis at IL&FS spilled over to bond and stock markets, with yields rising and stock prices tumbling. According to an official statement from the finance ministry, the government noted that the consolidated financial statement of the IL&FS holding company and its subsidiaries exaggerated the value of their non-current assets by showing intangible assets worth over Rs. 20,000 crore. On October 1, 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. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More State-owned Indian Oil Corp (IOC) Thursday said it will invest Rs 5,463 crore in setting up city gas distribution network for retailing CNG to automobiles and piped cooking gas to households in seven districts. IOC had in the recently concluded 9th bid round for city gas licences won permits for seven cities on its own and another nine in a joint venture with Adani Gas. The company, in a regulatory filing, said its board in a meeting Wednesday approved investments in seven cities it has won on its own. "IOC has won the Bidding for implementation of City Gas Distribution (CGD) for 7 Geographical Areas viz Coimbatore district, Salem district (in Tamil Nadu), Bokaro district (in Jharkhand), Rewa district (in Madhya Pradesh), Aurangabad district (in Maharashtra), Guna district (in Madhya Pradesh and Jagtial district (in Telangana). "The Board has approved the estimated total capital investment of Rs 5463 crore on the implementation of the CGD projects. The investment in CGD business will help IOC to expand and consolidate its gas business," it said. The company, however, did not specify the investments to be made in the nine cities it had won in the joint venture with Adani. IOC said its board also approved a Rs 520 crore investment for production of ethanol using LanzaTech gas fermentation technology at Panipat refinery in Haryana. The proposed ethanol plant is designed to produce 33.5-kilotonnes per annum of anhydrous ethanol for use in automotive fuel. "The project has the potential of greenhouse gas reduction required to limit global climate change," it said. The board approved "installation of facilities for production of ethanol from PSA Off Gas of Hydrogen Generation Unit (HGU) at Panipat refinery using gas fermentation technology of LanzaTech USA at an estimated cost of Rs 520 crore," it said. The board also approved a Rs 1,332 crore investment in laying a pipeline from Paradip in Odisha to Haldia in West Bengal. IRB Infrastructure Developers | In 2020 so far, the share price has moved up 76 percent to Rs 131.20. It's trailing twelve months (TTM) P/E was 6.40 multiple while 5-year average P/E was 8.30 multiple. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Shares of GMR Infrastructure shed 4 percent intraday Thursday. The company's subsidiary has signed MoU with APGDC for supply of piped natural gas. Kakinada SEZ, a subsidiary of GMR Infrastructure, signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Andhra Pradesh Gas Development Corporation (APGDC) to get access to piped domestic natural gas for its upcoming 10,500-acre zone. With this development, Kakinada SEZ would be the first zone on Eastern Coast of India that can provide piped Natural Gas supply to all its industrial units, company said in press release. The zone is located on the Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor offers 8521 acres of Industrial land with another 1879 acres earmarked for a Greenfield commercial port. Challa Prasanna, CEO, Kakinada SEZ said, This unique development will be a boon for gas dependent industries like ceramics, glass, fertilizers and chemicals in this region." At 14:34 hrs GMR Infrastructure was quoting at Rs 16.00, down Rs 0.40, or 2.44 percent on the BSE. The Nifty50 is likely to open with a big gap on the downside in opening trade on Thursday tracking sell-off in global markets. Trends on SGX Nifty indicate a negative opening for the broader index in India, a plunge of 240 points or 2.29 percent. Nifty futures were trading around 10,240-level on the Singaporean Exchange. US Stocks on major world markets slid to a three-month low on Wednesday, with the benchmark S&P500 stock index falling more than 3.0 percent, its biggest one-day fall since February, said a Reuters report. Asian share markets sank on Thursday after Wall Street suffered its worst drubbing in eight months, a conflagration of wealth that could threaten business confidence and investment across the globe, it said. Oil dropped on Thursday to extend big losses from the previous session as global stock markets suffered a rout, with crude prices also taking a hit from a weekly industry report showing US crude inventories had risen more than expected. Stocks in news: Results today: TCS, GM Breweries Adani Enterprises: Adani Agri Logistics, a wholly owned subsidiary of the company, has incorporated a WOS namely Adani Agri Logistics (Darbhanga) Limited. PTC India: Company signed fresh agreements for supplying 200 MW power to Bangladesh for 15 years. Bharat Gears: In order to meet out the capital expenditure of upto Rs 60 crore, the company has lined up the source of funds through Rights issue of equity shares upto Rs 15 crore, term loan of Rs 35 crore from KKR India Financial Services Private Limited for which sanction letter has been obtained and remaining Rs 10 crore from the internal accruals. ITI Limited: ITI received purchase order for executing the RajNet project from RajCOMP Info Services Ltd, a Government of Rajasthan Undertaking, for establishing approximately 40,000 outdoor Wi-Fi access points in Rajasthan with an order value of approximately Rs 334 crore on rate contract basis. Technical Recommendations: We spoke to ICICIdirect and heres what they have to recommend: State Bank of India: Buy| CMP: Rs 278| Target: Rs 310| Stop Loss: Rs 255| Return 12%| Time Frame 6 months ITC: Buy| CMP: Rs 270| Target: Rs 298| Stop Loss: Rs 247| Return 10%| Time Frame 6 months Aurobindo Pharma: Buy| CMP: Rs 780| Target: Rs 849| Stop Loss: Rs 740| Return 9%| Time Frame 1 months Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on Moneycontrol are his own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will implement in full its directive that forces global payment companies to store data locally from this month, four sources told Reuters, a blow to the firms who had lobbied to dilute the measure. The RBI in April said all payments data should within six months be stored only in the country for "unfettered supervisory access". The deadline for the companies to adhere is October 15. The directive is part of a wider push by India to ask companies to store more of their data locally at a time when governments globally are enforcing more stringent rules to protect user data. However, the global payments companies fear the new rules would increase their infrastructure costs, hit their global fraud detection analytic platforms and affect planned investments in the country at a time when more and more Indians are using digital modes of payments. Firms such as Mastercard, Visa and American Express have in recent months met with Indian policymakers, including Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, to push for an extension of the RBI's deadline. They also repeatedly sought dilution of the RBI directive, requesting that they be allowed to store data both locally and at their offshore offices, a practice widely known as 'data mirroring'. But in a meeting between RBI officials and U.S. payment companies in Mumbai on Wednesday, central bank officials said the industry will need to store all their data only within the country, as per its April directive, and said data mirroring will not be allowed, four sources aware of the discussions said. "They specifically said no mirroring, the meeting was bad (for the industry), it's pretty clear," said one of the industry sources. The RBI also conveyed in the meeting it was not willing to extend the deadline for compliance to the directive, the sources said. The RBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mastercard, Visa and American Express also did not respond. Government sources have previously told Reuters that stringent data localisation measures were essential for gaining easier access to data during investigations. Whatsapp has built a system to store its payment data locally, the company said on Tuesday. The Facebook-owned messenger had begun testing its payments service in India and is keen to deepen its reach. It was easier for companies such as Whatsapp, which have a relatively smaller-scale payments platform in India, to comply with the central bank directive, but the bigger payment firms will need more time, one of the sources said. "The bigger companies will have to change a lot of things such as setting up servers and replicating payment processing tools," the source said. Another source, who works at a multinational payment company, said moving and storing its data only in India would take at least 12-18 months. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More More public sector banks could take up assets in non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) as an "opportunistic" step in the sector, senior government officials said on October 11. "Many banks are looking at taking up assets of NBFCs," said a top government official. He said that banks have realised that there is "opportunity" in taking these "secured assets". Country's largest public sector bank, State Bank of India, said on October 10 that it would do additional portfolio purchases in the range of Rs 20,000 - Rs 30,000 crore. "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. Portfolio purchase from NBFCs is, generally, a route for banks to meet its regulatory requirement for priority sector lending. NBFCs, on the other hand, find easy buyers for such sell-offs when they are looking at selling their assets after holding them for a long time. Another official, however, told Moneycontrol that the decision to purchase such assets from NBFCs rests with the respective bank boards. "SBI was interested (in asset portfolio purchase)... Some of the other banks are also interested... Ultimately, it is up to them to take the decision," he said adding that banks are only "taking back" what was taken away from them by NBFCs. "Remember, until last year, credit books for NBFCs were rising and reversing for banks... So what they are doing now is only taking back that credit share," he said. In FY18, while loan books of NBFCs grew 21.2 percent, bank loans grew 10.3 percent. According to a Credit Suisse note, 41 percent of borrowings of NBFCs are maturing in the next six months and "any liquidity pressures will only add to the refinancing risk of these instruments". Government, however, considers that such steps from banks will help ward off fears of impending liquidity crunch in the sector. Alarm bells rang after one of the NBFCs, Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS), defaulted on multiple debt obligations. "Indian banks have starting taking over some of the assets of NBFCs... So, we are hoping there won't be any liquidity crunch now. NBFCs are better off now," the official said. "". According to government sources, Centre is optimistic about NBFCs after it took "timely action" by putting in place new board for IL&FS. "The government took the right step and has appointed the right board which has taken full charge," sources said. On October 1, government superseded the board of IL&FS and appointed a six-member board with Uday Kotak as the non-executive chairman. The other members on the IL&FS board are former Executive Vice Chairman of Tech Mahindra Vineet Nayyar, former Sebi Chairman G N Bajpai, ICICI Bank Non-Executive Chairperson GC Chaturvedi, and IAS officer Malini Shankar, and retired bureaucrat Nand Kishore. Electric vehicle manufacturer Olectra-BYD on Thursday said it has signed an agreement with Uttarakhand government to deploy 500 AC Electric Buses in the state with an investment of Rs 700 crore. As per the pact, Hyderabad based Olectra Greentech in a strategic tie-up with China's BYD Auto Industry will deploy the Made in India' eBuzz K7 (9 meter) and eBuzz K9 (12 meter) electric buses in the state. Olectra-BYD has started trial run for one month between Dehradun to Mussoorie and the charging infrastructure has been installed at Dehradun, the company said in a statement. The bus offers state-of-the-art technologies like CCTV camera, GPS navigation, panic button and many more to ensure the safety of passengers, it said. The impetus given to electric vehicles manufacturing and tax benefits to the manufacturers as well as buyers in the EV Policy, showcase the state government's vision and commitment to conserve the environment, Olectra Greentech Executive Director Naga Satyam N said. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery installed in the bus enables it to travel up to 250 km in a single charge. The MoU was signed between Uttarakhand Transport Corporation MD Brijesh Kumar Sant and Olectra Greentech Executive Director Naga Satyam N in the presence of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat. A view of a landslide that buried people, after super typhoon Mangkhut hit the country, at a mining camp in Itogon, Benguet, Philippines. (Reuters) The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has approved the land pooling policy that is expected to see 17 lakh dwelling units come up in the national capital, of which 15 percent units will be in the affordable category. I have signed the land pooling policy today, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri told Moneycontrol. The land pooling policy was cleared by Delhi Development Authority (DDA) at its board meeting in September after almost five years. It covers any urbanisable area of urban extensions in 95 villages. With a floor area ratio (FAR) of 200, Delhis 76 lakh people will be accommodated in these homes. To promote affordable and inclusive housing, 15 percent FAR, over and above the permissible FAR, has been allowed for economically weaker sections (EWS). The policy covers greenfield areas in five zones, including J, K-1, L, N and P-II, which come under the Master Plan of Delhi-2021 (MPD). It is the step in the right direction. It was long awaited but the real challenge lies ahead for Delhi Development Authority on how fast they operationalise the pooling mechanism and initiate measures to attract large investments from institutional capital, says Ramesh Menon of Certes Realty. The land pooling policy will now have to go through two more steps. The Ministry will have to issue a gazette notification, following which it goes back to DDA for operationalisation. As part of the land pooling policy, DDA will act as a facilitator and planner while the process of pooling and development will be undertaken by developer entities or the consortium. A single window mechanism has been created for implementation of the policy. Land owners having land of any size can participate in the policy, however, the minimum area to be taken up for development would be two hectares. A developer entity (DE) or an individual can participate in the scheme by pooling land parcels covered under a sector as per the Zonal Development Plan. For planning and development of infrastructure, integrated sector-based planning approach shall be followed. A sector will comprise 250-300 hectares of land. Once the minimum 70 percent contiguous land of developable area, free of encumbrances, within a sector is assembled, such sectors will be eligible for development under the policy, where any individual, DE or consortium with minimum two hectares of land can take up development. Menon said while land pooling will be a good opportunity for high networth individuals to invest in land, homebuyers are cautioned to stay away till licences are issued by DDA. Various notifications and judicial orders explicitly prohibit any marketing and sales of real estate projects without a valid licence to build and prior registration with Real Estate Regulatory Authority authorities. Many a projects advertised by quasi developers in Delhi have neither, and DDA has already cautioned prospective buyers. The resolution said we have consulted our colleagues conversant with the affairs of the Kerala High Court. New Delhi: The Supreme Court collegium headed by the Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has recommended three lawyers, V.G. Arun, N. Nagaresh, and P.V. Kunhikrishnan, to be appointed as judges of the Kerala high court. Their inter se seniority be fixed as per the existing practice. The Kerala HC collegium had on March 7 had recommended the names of seven lawyers V.G. Arun, N. Nagaresh, P. Gopal, P.V.Kunhikrishnan, S. Ramesh, Viju Abraham, and George Varghese for appointment as Judges and this has the concurrence of the State Government. As per the resolution, the apex court collegium which included Justices Madan B. Lokur and Kurian Joseph at its meeting on October 9, considered these names for elevation to the high court and decided to recommend three names for elevation, it deferred consideration of three others and dropped one lawyer observing that he is not suitable for elevation. The resolution said we have consulted our colleagues conversant with the affairs of the Kerala High Court. For purpose of assessing merit and suitability of the above-named recommendees for elevation to the High Court, we have carefully scrutinized the material placed in the file including the observations made by the Department of Justice. The collegium also interacted with these lawyers. On the basis of interaction and having regard to all relevant factors, the Collegium is of the considered view that V.G.Arun, N. Nagaresh, and P.V. Kunhikrishnan, are suitable for being appointed as Judges of the Kerala High Court. As regards S. Ramesh, Viju Abraham and George Varghese, having regard to the material on record and all relevant factors, the Collegium is of the considered view that their cases deserve to be deferred. As regards P. Gopal, Advocate, the Collegium deems it appropriate not to recommend his name for the present, as he does not qualify the existing norms, his average net professional annual income for the preceding five years being less than the prescribed income limit applicable in case of Bar members. We have also taken note of the certain complaints received in the office of Chief Justice of India making allegations against some of the above-named recommendees. On examination, we do not find any prima facie substance in these complaints, which deserve to be ignored, the resolution said. These recommendations will be processed by the Law Ministry and appointments will be made within a fortnight. The Supreme Court on October 11 ordered that the three directors of the embattled Amrapali Group be kept in custody for 15 days until all documents pertaining to the 46 firms are retrieved by forensic auditors. It also issued contempt notice against them for defying court orders. While the next date of hearing has been fixed for October 24, the three directors have to respond to the contempt notice by November 20. The directors will be confined to hotel Park Ascent in Noida 62 after 6 pm on October 12 for 15 days under police custody. They will also not have access to cell phones. The apex court said the three will remain under police surveillance from Friday after 8 am after which they will be taken by the police to the sealed premises one by one where documents of the 46 companies will be catalogued by the forensic experts. Forensic auditors on Thursday informed the court that it was physically impossible to sort out the documents to make a list and that only the promoters could help sort them. Also, once the list of documents has been prepared, they would require about 50 days to carry out the forensic audit. The Supreme Court had earlier ordered the superintendents of police to seal nine properties of Amrapali Group located in Noida, Greater Noida, Buxar and Rajgir. The company's nine properties in Noida, Greater Noida as also Rajgir and Buxar in Bihar were sealed also sealed in compliance with the court's order. The court had also noted earlier in the week that the company had not submitted its financial documents from 2008-2015 and 2015 to 2018. Cops took into custody all three Amrapali promoters within the court premises on October 9. Enough of your hide and seek. You will be in police custody until you comply with the orders, the court had said. 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 had said. The three directors had informed the court that the documents related to Amrapali's 46 group companies were kept in seven locations at Noida and Greater Noida and two premises -- Rajgir and Buxar districts in Bihar. The bench had then directed that after the sealing of these nine premises, the keys be handed over to the registrar of the apex court. 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 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. E-commerce portals could have sold over $1.5 billion worth of goods in just the first three days of the festive sale period, according to a research firm, Redseer. The firm expects sales to reach $3 billion by the end of the five-day sale period. Source: Redseer Consulting The report states that around $800 million worth of smartphones, $170 million worth of large appliances and $120 million worth of fashion have been sold so far during the festive days. Amazon India booked Rs 400 crores worth of OnePlus smartphones within 36 hours of the Amazon Great Indian festival 2018. For the first time, both Amazon and Flipkart started their sale on the same date. Flipkart is looking forward to selling twice the value of goods it sold last year during the festive season. Both the companies are offering Rs 60,000 credit to consumers under their cardless scheme, besides credit and debit card EMIs. Redseer has said about 20 million people are expected to shop on various e-commerce platforms during the five-day festive sale period. Donald Trump live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the US "will take care" of the countries which will continue to import oil from Iran after November 4 deadline when US sanctions on Iranian oil purchases take effect. "We will take care of them," Trump told reporters when asked about the decision of some countries like India and China to continue to purchase oil from Iran. Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday said that two state refiners have placed orders for importing crude oil from Iran in November. He had said that India has its own energy requirements which it has to fulfill. Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) together have placed order for 1.25 million tonne (MT) of crude oil from Iran. Trump in May withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, re-imposing economic sanctions against the Persian Gulf nation. Some sanctions took effect from August 6 while those affecting the oil and banking sectors will start from November 4. Iran is India's third-largest oil supplier behind Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Environmentalist G D Agarwal, who ha sbeen fasting for over 100 days for a clean Ganga, being forcibly taken to hospital after his health deteriorated in Haridwar on October. (PTI) Most Hindu men in India would want their ashes to be immersed in the Holy Ganga after they leave the planet for their heavenly abode. In Hindu tradition, they say a man needs to be one with the elements of nature after they die. GD Agarwal, however, was one who was with nature even during his life. Such was his dedication towards the cause of cleaning the holiest river of India, that he yielded his life to it. Agarwal died on October 11 at the AIIMS hospital in Rishikesh at the age of 87, reportedly of a cardiac arrest. I am shocked by his demise. I had feared that this would happen. I have informed Nitin Gadkari and others about his demise: Union Minister Uma Bharti on the death of GD Agarwal, who was on an indefinite fast in Haridwar since June 22 in a bid to urge the govt to clean river Ganga pic.twitter.com/JBYSqPFBtU ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2018 Modi ji said river Ganga is calling him but it is even more polluted than it was in '14. Rs 22000 Cr was allotted for cleaning it,not even 1/4th of it has been used. Is Namami Gange also a 'jumla'?Maybe GD Agarwal ji's sacrifice will provide vision to this blind govt: R Surjewala pic.twitter.com/H2tGPQb7eg ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2018 Extremely pained by the demise of Ganga crusader #GDAgarwal ji.. .. An environmental activist for decades, the true son of Ganga, Sh Agarwal devoted his life to the cause of saving holy river Ganga My heartfelt tributes to him. May his soul rest in peace.. pic.twitter.com/p7lIdKPXYi Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) October 11, 2018 Agarwal was on a fast-unto-death for the past 111 days, demanding that a law be formulated in order to protect river Ganga and maintain its uninterrupted flow between Gangotri and Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand. He was shifted by the police from Haridwar on October 10. Born in 1932 to a farmers family in Uttar Pradesh, Agarwal went on to obtain a degree in civil engineering from the University of Roorkee, now known as IIT Roorkee. Later, he earned a doctorate in environmental engineering from the University of California at Berkeley. Agarwal was the Head of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at IIT Kanpur. In 1979, he became the first member secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). He juggled this with being a visiting faculty member at his alma mater, IIT Roorkee. Being a consistent vocal critic of building hydro-electric projects, Agarwal first went on a fast in 2009, protesting against the Loharinag Pala Hydro Power Project being planned on river Bhagirathi. After over a month, Agarwal's health started to deteriorate rapidly, compelling the government to suspend the dam construction. In 2011, Agarwal renounced worldly pursuits and embraced the life of an ascetic. He took the name Swami Gyanswaroop Sanand. In 2013, Agarwal again went on an indefinite fast, discontent by the working of the National Ganges River Basin Authority (NGRBA) set up by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to clean the river. The Congress government bowed down to his demands after Agarwals two-and-a-half-month long fast. In February 2018, the octogenarian had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take steps to stop construction of hydroelectric projects along the rivers tributaries and enact the Ganga Protection Management Act. On June 22, he sat for another indefinite fast, one last time. For the 109 days, the activist only consumed water mixed with honey. However, on October 9, he gave up water too after talks on his demands failed. Agarwal had once told the British daily Guardian, "This water is not ordinary water to a Hindu. It is a matter of the life and death of the Hindu faith." Wonder if he knew that his passion to clean what he considered an epitome of the Hindu faith would take his own life. Chartered accountants' apex body ICAI said it has constituted a nine-member panel to study the systemic issues in the IL&FS crisis, amid the government intensifying efforts to address the problems at the diversified group. The setting up of the committee by the ICAI comes days after it sought an explanation from audit firms that carried out statutory audit works at the IL&FS Group in the past few years. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), which has more than 2.95 lakh members, has also written to the Reserve Bank of India and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office seeking details about IL&FS issue. In a release issued, ICAI said it has set up a high power group that "would study the systemic issues in the IL&FS matter and suggest remedial measures and improvement in the system and any other matter incidental thereto". The nine-member panel is headed by S B Zaware and has two past ICAI Presidents -- Ved Jain and Nilesh Shivji Vikamsey -- as members. According to an official at the institute, Jain was the President of the institute during the time of Satyam Computer Services crisis in 2008 and that he has experience of handling such situations. Like in the case of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS), the government had also superseded the board of erstwhile Satyam Computer, which was embroiled in one of the biggest accounting scams. On October 10, the ICAI said that based on the responses from the RBI and the SFIO, it would be fast-tracking its investigation on the role of member /firm of the institute allegedly involved in terms of the disciplinary mechanism. On October 1, the government superseded the board of IL&FS and appointed a six-member board with Uday Kotak as the non-executive chairman. In a significant development, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has allowed the new board of directors to "replace" directors at subsidiaries, joint ventures and associate companies of IL&FS. As per the Corporate Affairs Ministry, IL&FS Group has around 348 direct or indirect subsidiaries, associate companies and joint ventures. Further, the NCLT, in an order dated October 9, said that "actions of the newly-appointed directors done in the good faith, in the interest of the company, various stakeholders, including public at large, the same are protected". The tribunal also allowed the new board to elect among themselves anyone as whole-time director and/ or managing director. In this regard, "no further procedure prescribed in the Memorandum/ Articles of Association of R1 company (IL&FS) and the procedures prescribed under the Companies Act, 2013 or rules made thereunder are required to be followed in the instant case", the NCLT said. The crisis at Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) has rattled financial markets by sparking off concerns of liquidity crunch. Donald Trump President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that India "will soon find out" about his decision on the punitive CAATSA sanctions after India signed a USD 5 billion deal to purchase the much-vaunted S-400 air defence system from Russia. Under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act or CAATSA sanctions, which was amended early this year, only Trump has the authority for the presidential waiver to India on weapons deal with sanctions-hit Russia. India last week inked a USD 5 billion deal to purchase S-400 Triumf air defence system from Moscow. The mega deal was sealed in New Delhi during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Asked about the agreement between India and Russia, Trump while interacting with reporters in the Oval Office of the White House, said, "India will find out. Aren't they?" "India is going to find out, he reiterated in response to India specific question. Asked when, he said, "You will see. Sooner than you think." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was also in the room when Trump answered the question on CAATSA sanctions. Pompeo was scheduled to meet the president later. Pompeo and Defence Secretary James Mattis had earlier argued the case for a waiver to India. Last week, the White House had said that the US presidential waiver on weapons deal with sanctions-hit Russia is intended to "wean" countries like India off the Russian equipment. "The (CAATSA presidential) waiver is narrow, intended to wean countries off Russian equipment and allow for things such as spare parts for previously-purchased equipment," a White House National Security Council Spokesperson had said after the conclusion of the S-400 contract. The US embassy spokesperson in New Delhi had said that the CAATSA was aimed at Moscow and not intended to damage the military capabilities of its "allies and partners. Answer: Donald Trump. US President Donald Trump has said that India would "find out" soon if the punitive CAATSA sanctions apply to it over its USD 5 billion deal with Russia to purchase S-400 Triumf air defence system. The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act or CAATSA is a US federal law that imposed sanctions on Iran, North Korea and Russia. In Russia's case, 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. India last week inked a deal to purchase S-400 Triumf air defence system from Moscow. The mega deal was sealed in New Delhi during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Asked about the agreement between India and Russia, Trump while interacting with reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on Wednesday, said, "India will find out. Aren't they?" "India is going to find out, he said. Asked when, he said, "You will see. Sooner than you think." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was also in the room when Trump answered the question on CAATSA sanctions. Pompeo was scheduled to meet the president later. Pompeo and Defence Secretary James Mattis had earlier argued the case for a waiver to India. Under the CAATSA sanctions, which was amended early this year, only Trump has the authority for the presidential waiver to India on weapons deal with sanctions-hit Russia. Last week, the White House had said that the US presidential waiver on weapons deal with sanctions-hit Russia is intended to "wean" countries like India off the Russian equipment. "The (CAATSA presidential) waiver is narrow, intended to wean countries off Russian equipment and allow for things such as spare parts for previously-purchased equipment," a White House National Security Council Spokesperson had said after the conclusion of the S-400 contract. The US embassy spokesperson in New Delhi had said that the CAATSA was aimed at Russia and not intended to damage the military capabilities of its "allies and partners." A decade after the historic Indo-US nuclear deal, experts said the pact did not lead to India setting up foreign-built reactors, but it helped fuel domestic power plants and give India access to critical technologies in strategic areas. They also felt that it gave India the recognition of being a responsible nuclear weapon state with strong non-proliferation credentials. The Indo-US nuclear cooperation agreement was signed on October 10, 2008, that gave a fillip to the ties between the two nations, which since then have been on an upswing. India conducted a nuclear test in 1974, following which a torrent of sanctions hit the country's defence, nuclear and space programmes hard. "We knew that we had limitations on nuclear trade, so there was a need for progress within," said Anil Kakodkar, the former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and former secretary, Department of Atomic Energy when the deal was signed. India developed Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), which are currently the backbone of the Indian nuclear power generation. In 1998, after conducting nuclear tests, India declared itself a nuclear weapon state. "The feeling in the West was that the rationale behind sanctions did not hurt India's nuclear military programme," Kakodkar, who is also the member of the AEC, said. On the other hand, as the number of nuclear reactors rose, the need for uranium hit the domestic reactors, adversely affecting their performance, said R K Sinha, the former chairman of AEC and former secretary, DAE. "At that time, the concept of global warming was also gaining ground," Kakodkar said, noting India required energy for its growing economy. Sinha said by 2006-2007, the performance of Indian reactors had reduced 50-55 per cent due to shortage of nuclear fuel. He also pointed out an instance of Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant (RAPS) unit 5 whose operations had to be delayed due to shortage of uranium. The plant later went on to create a record of a continuous run of 765 days on Saturday at its full capacity of 220 MWe. A major aspect of the Indo-US nuclear deal was the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) gave a special waiver to India that enabled it to sign cooperation agreements with a dozen countries, said former diplomat Rakesh Sood and India's special envoy of the Prime Minister for Disarmament and Non-proliferation Issues from 2013 to 2014. The pact also enabled India to separate its civilian and military programmes. The country currently has 15 of its reactors under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Post waiver, India signed nuclear cooperation agreements for peaceful means with the US, France, Russia, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, Japan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan and Korea. Following the pacts, there have been specific agreements for import of uranium from France, Kazakhstan, Australia, Canada and Russia. Sood said the long-term uranium arrangements enabled India to run the existing plants at 80 per cent efficiency. According to the responses by the government on questions in Parliament, India imported over 7841.51 metric tonnes of nuclear fuel from 2008-2009 to 2017-18. Work is also on to create a uranium reserve by importing the element to ensure the power reactors under IAEA safeguards do not face fuel shortage. Building of foreign nuclear reactors was a major aspect of the Indo-US deal. For this, two sites were earmarked---Mithi Virdi for General Electric Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Kovadda in Andhra Pradesh---for building 12 reactors. M V Ramana, Professor and Simons Chair in Disarmament, Global and Human Security Liu Institute for Global Issues School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, University of British Columbia said in terms of building foreign reactors, despite the waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group, there was "absolutely no construction" at any sites identified for imported reactors. "Even the government doesn't have much hope that they would be importing large numbers of light water reactors anytime soon," Ramana said. Requesting anonymity, a former senior DAE scientist claimed the GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy is reluctant to take up the project citing the Civil Liability Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act, 2010. In case of Westinghouse, it is yet to submit a techno-commercial offer, including "reasonable" tariff and a working reference plant. "Unless these criteria are not fulfilled, we will not be going ahead with the deal," the scientist said. In terms of electricity generation, nuclear power's share of the total power production in the country in 2008 was 2.03 percent, which rose to 3.2 percent in 2017, Ramana said. Another aspect which Kakodkar pointed out that the deal helped "build confidence" of other countries in India and the cooperation has now been extended to other areas like defence technology. Ion Exchange (India) | Rakesh Jhunjhunwala holds a 5.29 percent stake in the company as on June 20. FIIs up their shareholding on June 20 to 1.79% from 1.63% on March 20. Water scarcity in Maharashtra has still not reached an alarming level to require the Centre to pitch in to announce a compensation for the state, officials said on Thursday. Though the state has received deficient rainfall this monsoon, water levels in various dams are not alarmingly low and crops have not been damaged on a large scale, they said. The central government will consider a farmer eligible for compensation if at least 33 per cent of his total sown crops have suffered damage, an official in the state agriculture department said. "The other factors that the Centre considers crucial are soil moisture and reduced sowing percentage. Maharashtra is not in the 'severe' category on any of these parameters," he said. Though there is just about 27 per cent water in dams in the Aurangabad division, where many areas received deficient rainfall, the other water bodies like farm ponds and small reservoirs have some stock, he said. "Also, till the groundwater department does not release its figures, we cannot say that rains earlier have not helped in increasing the groundwater level," an official in the state relief and rehabilitation department said. He said as of now, around 320 tankers have been deployed to supply drinking water to various villages facing water shortage. Last year, only 78 tankers were used as there were some good rain spells during the withdrawal of monsoon. "Crops are partially damaged but the figures are not very huge. Some sporadic good rain spells this year facilitated sowing and crops have grown. If Maharashtra does not get showers in the next 10 to 15 days, some crops will be damaged and rabi sowing will be affected," he added. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said Tuesday that around 200 talukas in Maharashtra are facing "scarcity-like" conditions and two senior ministers have been asked to submit a report on this. "A decision on declaring these talukas as scarcity-hit will be taken by October 31. Later, a central team will visit to review the situation and then a decision on declaring drought will be taken, since it (declaring drought) is in the Centre's domain," he had said. Inputs are being compiled about the prevailing situation for submission to the Centre, he said. Muslim women attend Eid al-Fitr prayers to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Colombo A Kerala-based progressive Muslim women's forum 'NISA' has decided to approach the Supreme Court to seek entry of women in Sunni mosques, as per a News18 report. NISA President VP Zuhra said, as per the report, that the move is against the "apparent gender discrimination" with women and aims to bring them "equality". A plea seeking womens entry in Sunni mosques will be filed in the apex court by Advocate Venkita Subramoniam this week or by next week, said Zuhra. She further claimed that women were allowed to enter mosques even during the time of the Prophet. When the Prophet himself advocated such things, why women in India are suffering? asked Zuhra. A Hindu group has also appealed in favour of Muslim womens entry in mosques, according to news agency PTI. It has filed a PIL in the Kerala High Court seeking a directive to the Centre for issuing an order enabling women from the Muslim community to enter mosques for offering prayers. The petition has been filed by Swamy Dethathreya Sai Swaroop Nath, state president of Akhila Bharatha Hindu Maha Sabha, Kerala unit. In the petition filed on October 10, Swaroop Nath said that women were discriminated against by not allowing them to enter and pray in the main prayer hall of the mosques. He further said that imposition of a dress code like purdah (veil) for Muslim women would enable anti-social elements to misuse it and commit crimes. This was an encroachment into the realm of personal liberty and social security, he said in the petition. The decisions to move court are likely to draw support legally after the Sabarimala verdict where the apex court granted women of all ages the right to enter the Kerala shrine, reversing its tradition of barring girls and women of menstruating age 10 to 50 years. 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 amounts to discrimination against women. In 2016, the Bombay High Court had lifted the ban imposed on women from entering the sanctum sanctorum of Haji Ali dargah in Mumbai, saying it contravenes the fundamental rights of a person. (With inputs from PTI) India picked the Rafale plane to replace its ageing fleet of Russian aircraft from a field that included Lockheed Martin F-16 and Saabs Gripen. New Delhi/Paris: Once again attempting to clear the air on the Rs 58,000 crore Rafale fighter jet deal, Dassault Aviation has said it picked Indias Reliance Defence as a partner on its own, countering a French online media report which said the Indian government insisted on the firm as a condition of the contract. Prime Minister Narendra Modis purchase of 36 Rafale has become a political controversy and on Thursday the Congress seized on the revelations by Mediapart, French investigative journal, as further evidence of wrongdoing. The statement issued by Dassault on Thursday is its second within weeks of a clarification on its decision to tie-up with Reliance. It coincides with defence minister Nirmala Sitharamans France visit to assess the progress on supply of 36 Rafale jets. Dassault Aviation has freely chosen to make a partnership with Indias Reliance Group, the company said, adding that it had committed to investing 50 per cent of the contract value to benefit the local economy and for that purpose had entered into a joint venture with the private Indian firm. The joint venture, Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL), was created in February last year and the foundation stone for the plant was laid in October 2017 in Maharashtra. In its report, Mediapart said that it had obtained a Dassault company document in which a senior executive is quoted as saying that the group agreed to work with Reliance as an imperative and obligatory condition for securing the fighter contract. Dassault Aviations deputy chief executive officer Loik Segalen said this clearly on May 11, 2017, during a presentation of the joint venture Dassault Reliance Aerospace to staff representatives, it said. The Rafale deal has faced scrutiny both on the price and the decision to choose billionaire Anil Ambanis Reliance as a local partner with no aeronautical expertise instead of the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics which has a long history of making planes. Under Indias defence procurement rules, any company selling equipment must invest at least 30 percent of the contract in India as part of an offset clause to help build a domestic manufacturing base and reduce the countrys dependence on imports. Mediaparts report appeared to corroborate former French President Francois Hollandes comments on September 21 that New Delhi had put pressure on Dassault to choose Reliance as the offset. The deal was sealed when Mr Hollande was in office. Soon after Mr Hollandes controversial remarks, the French government had clarified that they were not involved in the choice of Indian industrial partners. The French government said that their role was just to ensure the delivery and quality of the aircraft. The French government is in no manner involved in the choice of Indian industrial partners who have been, are being, or will be selected by French companies, a statement by the French government had said, echoing Dassaults stand on the issue. Dassaults latest clarification said that its plan is to produce parts for Dassaults Falcon 2000 business jets and, in a second step, components for the Rafale combat aircraft that the Indian military is buying to upgrade. The company said that it had trained an initial team of managers and workers and the first Falcon components will be delivered by the end of the year. India picked the Rafale plane to replace its ageing fleet of Russian aircraft from a field that included Lockheed Martin F-16 and Saabs Gripen. October 11, 2018 / 04:39 PM IST Malaysia to abolish colonial-era Sedition Act, death penalty Malaysias cabinet has ordered the suspension of the colonial-era Sedition Act, widely used to rein in dissent, and is working on doing the same for the death penalty as it prepares to repeal both laws possibly by the end of the year.Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamads coalition romped to a shock win in a May general election on the back of promises to clamp down on rampant corruption and repeal oppressive laws, some of which date back to British rule. 'Aadhaar' in Hindi literally means 'foundation' and your Aadhar card with its 12-digit unique identity number based on your biometric and demographic data, is meant to serve just that function. To work as your ultimate calling card. However, somewhere along the way, banks and mobile companies invited themselves to the party and to your data. Before we break down the various facets of the recent Supreme Court verdict about Aadhaar , let us revisit the news. In a report that was published by various news outlets on October 10, banks and mobile companies were deemed ineligible to continue to do Aadhaar e-KYC since the Supreme Court has clearly struck down parts of Section 57, and barred the use of Aadhaar biometrics data by private entities. This aspect of the laborous judgment is categorical in its firmness and states in no uncertain terms that private companies cannot under any circumstances demand Aadhaar card or number in lieu of their services. This however does not invalidate the constitutional validity of Aadhaar which the Supreme Court (SC) has upheld. The SC has however cut out the white noise that private entities created around the card by striking down many irrelevant things related to the Aadhar card linkage. This bit of news does not break any new ground since the SC last month, by a majority decision, struck down parts of Section 57 of the Aadhaar Act. But it does clarify something important that even if a customer is willing and gives his or her consent to a private entity to use Aadhaar, the card can only be used as an ID or address proof like other documents in the manner of a voter's card, drivers license or a ration card. The key point here is that biometric verification or e-KYC is out of the question as it would impinge upon the Right to Privacy of such individuals and hence, is unconstitutional. In the Aadhaar judgement, the apex court had specified as reported by many media agencies that Section 57 in its original form was susceptible to misuse and we quote news sources: a) It can be used for establishing the identity of an individual for any purpose. We read down this provision to mean that such a purpose has to be backed by law. Further, whenever any such law is made, it would be subject to judicial scrutiny. b) Such purpose is not limited pursuant to any law alone but can be done pursuant to any contract to this effect as well. This is clearly impermissible as a contractual provision is not backed by a law and, therefore, first requirement of proportionality test is not met. c) Apart from authorising the State, even any body, corporate or person is authorised to avail authentication services, which can be on the basis of purported agreement between an individual and such a body, corporate or person. Even if we presume that legislature did not intend so, the impact of the aforesaid features would be to enable commercial exploitation of any individual biometric and demographic information by the private entities. Thus, this part of the provision, which enables a body, corporate, and individuals also to seek authentication, that too on the basis of a contract between the individual and such body, corporate or person, would impinge upon the right to privacy of such individuals. This part of the section, thus, is declared unconstitutional. As the Financial Express reported, on the other end of the spectrum is the stipulation that Aadhaar can only be demanded by government agencies for subsidies granted by the government and for linking PAN Cards. The ramifications Meanwhile on October 1, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) directed telecom companies to submit a plan to stop using the 12-digit unique ID number for customer authentication in 15 days. As PTI stated, a circular in this regard was issued to the telecom service providers (TSPs), including Bharati Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea and others. As Kush Garg wrote in The Times of India on September 30, the SC verdict and the subsequent directive by UIDAI came after more than half a billion bank accounts were linked with Aadhar post a massive advertising campaign to make India digital. And pensioners, individuals, retired army officials rushed to link their accounts when they were threatened that their accounts would be closed. A deadline was set and many bank accounts were closed due to non-linkage of the Aadhaar card, recalls Kush. Not just Kush but many other observers have reported just how amid this flurry and in a panic mode, security breaches and irregularities became de rigueur and school admissions were denied. Starvation deaths were reported because unlettered consumers could not furnish an Aadhaar card. In August, according to the data released by the Right To Food (RTF) advocacy group, 14 people died of starvation in Jharkhand over a span of 10 months because in the absence of an Aadhar card, they could not benefit from Antodyay Anna Yojana (AAY), the food ration scheme meant for the poorest of the poor in India. This was refuted by the Jharkhand government. Before the SC verdict, a new SIM card could be purchased with the help of Aadhaar, and many consumers discarded old SIM cards because they were not linked to Aadhaar. Dire warnings from banking and telecom companies flooded inboxes . Kush also cites irregularities like how one date of birth was marked on all the residents Aadhaar in many villages in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Now, it remains to be seen post the directions of the Supreme Court, what will happen to the private data that telecom companies already have access to. And how the violations that have already impinged upon the right to privacy can be rendered null and void. And if this digital thumbprint can help those who really need tangible support. And we refer to the poorest of the poor. In a nutshell Just in case, memories need to be refreshed, here are some of the Aadhaar verdict's salient features which have pleased some consumers and also confounded many. For instance, if Aadhaar is not mandatory for opening a bank account and a PAN card is mandatory for opening a bank account, and Aadhar is mandatory for the issuance of a PAN card, than what exactly is being achieved in the process? Is this not an indirect way of forcing people to part with their sensitive private data? Adding to the confusion is also the directive that PAN and Aadhaar are mandatory for filing tax returns. There were also tongue in cheek tweets about how you no longer needed to link your Aadhaar to your memes but we are digressing because some twitter handles pointed out the irony of negating the need for Aadhaar for a SIM card or a new bank account but making it mandatory for those who need something as basic as rice from the government to subsist on a daily basis. Aadhaar will be required for availing government welfare services like Public Distribution System (PDS) but here goes a list of services where Aadhaar will be not required - Not compulsory for Central Board of Secondary Examination, National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for medical entrance and the University Grants Commission. - Not compulsory for school admissions - Not needed for opening a bank account, for mobile phone connections, for digital wallets, eKYC etc or obtaining a new SIM card. - Not required for financial services like Public Provident Fund and National Savings Certificate etc. Other pointers include the following Much to the annoyance of activists, as we have pointed before, Aadhaar is still mandatory for availing government benefits and welfare schemes even though it comes in the way of the fundamental right to food and basic necessities. A point all consumers would do well to remember is that according to the SC verdict, the retention of data beyond the period of 6 months is impermissible. Parents must consent to enrol children for Aadhaar and the children will have the choice to opt out of the scheme, once they turn 18. Thankfully, children cannot be denied any kind of benefit in the absence of Aadhar cards. Section 33(2) of the Act has been struck down, which allowed identity and authentication data to be disclosed in the interest of national security on direction of an officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government of India. The verdict has also directed the government to ensure that illegal immigrants are not able to benefit from Aadhaar. There was unmitigated approval of the fact that the verdict empowers people to seek removal of their personal information from the records of telecom, banking, mutual funds and insurance firms that had earlier demanded biometric authentication but nobody knows for sure just how to go about this. Heres how, opine sources, you can de-link your Aadhaar Multiple articles suggest that consumers should go to their banks netbanking website and in the profile/personal details section, find the option to de-link Aadhaar. They can select the option and will then receive an SMS confirming the same. In case a consumer does not have access to netbanking or if the netbanking site doesnt have the de-link Aadhaar option, then a request can be submitted to the bank so that the de-linking can happen. The same method can be used in the case of e-wallets. We also suggest that listeners, in case they are worried about their biometric information stored on UIDAIs servers, do some research and authenticate the articles that offer steps that can supposedly help in adding an additional sheath around their data. From spurious calls to information on the web, when it comes to Aadhaar, verify the source before you act on a tip. New law in sight? On October 7, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was quoted by multiple news sources as he hinted that a Parliament approved legislation could restore mandatory linking of biometric ID Aadhaar with mobile phones and bank accounts. Does that mean that the government will fashion a new law to achieve this end? We don't know yet and neither do we know that just what the government will gain by introducing such a law except for facilitating a porous environment prone to leaking citizen data. According to the minister and as reported by Business Today, the verdict was a "very sound judgment" as the court accepted that there is legitimate state aim in Aadhaar. At the HT Leadership Summit, he said that the Aadhaar is not a citizenship card but its chief aim is to disperse government money in form of various support and subsidies to all kinds of people. We quote him via Business Today, "What had not been upheld falls in two categories. One is the principle of proportionality that Aadhaar will help in these cases and then do it by an appropriate law. So the whole argument which was given that private companies can't use it, there is Section 57 which says you can authorise others either by law or contract. So what has been struck down is by contract." He added a legal provision through a legislation could restore linking of Aadhaar with mobile phones and bank accounts. He said, "By law it can still be done, provided you do it under the adequate provision of law and do it on the basis of that in this field it is necessary. If you are able to show the kind of data that in mobile telephony it (Aadhaar linkage) will help, it can happen. So mobile and bank accounts are two critical areas." Whether this adds up or is just equivocation is something for the fine print analysts to decide but the fact remains that the Supreme Court has on one hand declared a biometric ID constitutional and on the other hand curtailed its use by private entities who have used private data in the past for not very upright ends. Last month Huffpost's India edition had run an investigative piece outlining how the biometrics and personal information of over 1 billion Indians was compromised by a software patch that disables critical security features of the software used to enrol new Aadhaar users. We quote, "The patchfreely available for as little as Rs 2,500 (around $35) - allows unauthorised persons, based anywhere in the world, to generate Aadhaar numbers at will, and is still in widespread use." In this context, perhaps a little more scrutiny is required on the part of the citizens and more vigilance is required from UIDAI. A few questions remain As the doubters and naysayers have been asking for a while, we need to clearly figure whether a system like Aadhaar serves a citizen or the citizen ends up serving the system.This is a question that the Aadhar imbroglio has not yet answered. Another concern that has been expressed repeatedly is just why is this level of surveillance needed for ordinary citizens when the financial dealings of all political parties remain locked in secrecy. This question too continues to exist unattended like the proverbial elephant in the room. Finally, as a few articles have observed,is it healthy for any government to overturn a SC ruling and open the door to more such interventions by future governments? Were Justice DY Chandrachud's fear about a surveillance state unfounded or were they based on facts? Because the delivery of subsidies and other benefits cannot be in any way be improved by Aadhaar's linkage to phone numbers and bank accounts. So what is the real purpose of this need to overturn the SC ruling? Or are we jumping the gun because as of now, there is no concrete proof that just before the elections, the government will invest time and energy in battling the SC with a new law cooked up in parliament. But as a recent opinion piece in DNA, emphasised, there was no pressing need to pass the Aadhaar Bill as a money bill in a hurried manner in the first place. We quote from the piece, "The lone dissenting judgment of Justice Chandrachud expressed disapproval of this ruse and termed it as fraud on the Constitution. The article also expressed concern that as per media reports, as many as 49,000 Aadhaar enrolment agencies have been blacklisted due to fraud and malpractices which fly in the face of tall claims of UIDAI and the so-called robust Aadhaar architecture. We quote again, "The dissenting voice of Justice Chandrachud has raised concerns over the false fait accompli and has held the Aadhaar project to be unconstitutional. He strongly doubted the methodologies adopted by the UIDAI with respect to biometric data and its linkage to the distinct data base which has the potential to alter the power structure that upholds the relationship between citizens and the State. He has rightly cautioned against the risk of abuse of data and how it can be a blow to individual liberty and privacy. India has more than 1.22 billion people on Aadhaar rolls and many of them do not get to know about data breaches and do not realise the value of their personal data. There is no mention of the word privacy in the Indian Constitution but the seminal judgment of Justice Puttaswamy (2017) has held the Right to Privacy to be a Fundamental Right." The line between a welfare state and a surveillance state is not a fine one and one cannot pass for the other. As a punchline in a Hrishikesh Mukherjee film went, "the freedom of an individual is as important as that of a nation" but then let us walk back to the DNA piece that asks, just how much privacy can be given up? How transparent do we want to be? How much do we want our government to watch us? How much risk, in terms of internal and external security, are we willing to accept as the price for our privacy? How do we measure that risk, and how do we know that by giving up a certain level of privacy, we are safer? Regardless of the merits of any project, as the DNA piece conveys, coercion by the state in any form is unhealthy and the social, political and economic motivations behind the project, should have been subject to intense parliamentary scrutiny. The focus, says the piece, needs to shift from mere data gathering to data protection and usage. If that transition will be made successfully in the future for the benefit of all citizens, is something that will only unfurl with time. Representataive Image Telecom regulator Trai has invited public views on calculation of spectrum charges for satellite-based services using systems installed in India under a special licence category. This follows the Department of Telecom (DoT) seeking Trai's recommendation on BSNL's request to change the present method of levying spectrum charges on its satellite services as they are too expensive for subscribers. "BSNL has been requesting to change the present methodology of spectrum charging from formula based to Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) based for provision...this consultation paper has been prepared to discuss the issues involved," Trai said in a consultation paper floated Wednesday. The satellite phone service of BSNL caters to government departments. The company was given licence under 'sui generis' category to meet the requirement of security forces on urgent basis. BSNL established the satellite gateway (or hub) in Ghaziabad and launched the Global Satellite Phone (GSP) Service in May 2017. The licence permits BSNL to provide all types of mobile satellite services. According to the paper floated by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), BSNL had 3,448 satellite phone subscribers by the end of August 2018. As per the information provided by BSNL, average usage of a satellite phone user is about 15 minutes of voice calls and 7 SMSes in a month. The state-run firm is required to pay spectrum related charges as per the present norms that are linked to number of terminals and frequency of bandwidth used by them, at the rate of Rs 14,250 per annum per terminal. In addition, annual spectrum charges for the gateway are levied separately, which amounts to Rs 37.81 lakh per annum. BSNL has submitted that due to heavy spectrum charges, the service is not affordable. The company has also informed the DoT that the client departments do not immediately place the orders and there is a gap of 3-6 months between BSNL procuring the handsets and the client getting the satphones. "BSNL pays this fee on behalf of the users in advance at the time of issue of Letter of Intent. BSNL has already paid about Rs. 11.4 crores towards the terminal based spectrum charges," the paper said, citing BSNL communication to the DoT. Out of the 8,000 satphone terminals imported by BSNL as of August 31, 2018, only 1,973 terminals were actually being used by the subscribers. Trai has sought written comments on the consultation paper by October 31 and counter-comments by November 8 on the issues raised. My new book, THE PARADOXICAL PRIME MINISTER, is more than just a 400-page exercise in floccinaucinihilipilification. Pre-order it to find out why!https://t.co/yHuCh2GZDM Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 10, 2018 Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on October 10 again left Twitterati amused after coining a new and nearly unpronounceable word - floccinaucinihilipilification - while describing his book on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to the Oxford dictionary, the word is a noun and means 'the action or habit of estimating something as worthless'. This drew various reactions from Tharoor's followers on the social networking platform. Made a sincere attempt to google the meaning of floccinaucinihilipilification. It was worthless. Rafale Punster (@Pun_Starr) October 10, 2018 The meaning of the word 'floccinaucinihilipilification' is smaller than the actual word. Insha Siddique (@inshasiddique85) October 10, 2018 I get a feeling of floccinaucinihilipilification when I don't know the meaning of floccinaucinihilipilification Sanjana Paul (@sanjanapaul28) October 10, 2018 Nihit trying the new word... When I first showed him, he was like wwoow that's a lot of alphabets @Smohanjlr pic.twitter.com/r1nEg7ouVH Revathy (@RevathyNS) October 10, 2018 Tharoor responded to his followers on October 11, apologising for an outburst on Twitter over the new word. His response too, however, included his love for the language and propensity for little-heard and little-used words. He tweeted a new word, hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia, and asked Twitterati to not bother looking it up as 'it's just a word describing a fear of long words'. I'm sorry if one of my tweets y'day gave rise to an epidemic of hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia! [Don't bother looking it up: it's just a word describing a fear of long words]. But #TheParadoxicalPrimeMinister contains no words longer than Paradoxical! https://t.co/8h0zkcHnb2 Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 11, 2018 Apologies for doing this to the young! https://t.co/QIoZnY9CED Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 10, 2018 For Twitter users in India, politician Shashi Tharoor's Twitter handle is an exceptional space to learn lessons on English diction, comprehension, and lexicography. The Congress MP keeps making headlines for his mind-boggling linguistic skills and quick wit by introducing the Indian social media to words like 'webaqoof' and the rather popular one 'farrago'. Another such instance was when Tharoor made an indirect comment on a former ally and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's shift to the NDA. The MP and politician from Kerala tweeted: "Word of the day! Definition of *snollygoster* US dialect: a shrewd, unprincipled politician; First Known Use: 1845; Most recent use: 26/7/17." Word of the day! Definition of *snollygoster* US dialect: a shrewd, unprincipled politician First Known Use: 1845 Most recent use: 26/7/17 Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 27, 2017 In February this year, he introduced 'troglodytes' to the Twitter world in a response to Vinay Katiyar's comment on the Taj Mahal. "We can't let these troglodytes destroy our country & everything beautiful in it," he tweeted. Exasperating farrago of distortions, misrepresentations&outright lies being broadcast by an unprincipled showman masquerading as a journalst Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 8, 2017 The MP from Thiruvananthapuram had earlier described the coverage of the death of his wife Sunanda Pushkar by a news channel as an "Exasperating farrago of distortions, misrepresentations and outright lies being broadcast by an unprincipled showman masquerading as a journalist". In December last year, he used the word 'rodomontade', meaning boastful or inflated talk or behaviour. "I choose my words because they are the best ones for the idea I want to convey, not the most obscure or rodomontade ones!" he tweeted. According to the EOW, the accused colluded with the former promoters of Religare Enterprises, Malvinder Mohan Singh and Shivinder Mohan Singh. (Image: Reuters) live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The Delhi High Court directed former Ranbaxy Laboratories promoter Shivinder Singh to pay the money owed to Japanese pharma major Daiichi Sankyo under an arbitral award won by it in 2016. The court also asked Shivinder to come out by October 30 with a "viable" plan of payment of his share out of the arbitral award of Rs 3,500 crore. "You (Shivinder) are a man of honour, pay his (Daiichi) money and go," Justice Rajiv Shakdher told Singh, adding that "you cannot dissipate assets while trying to mediate". The court's observations came after Shivinder's lawyer urged that Daiichi be asked to sit with his client and mediate so that the pharma company gets a "substantially better amount". The judge declined to issue any such direction and said that "this kind of stance will not help your client" and directed Shivinder to "come with a viable plan" to pay Daiichi by October 30. "Bring something which is solid and substantial," the court said. In August, the court had restrained former Ranbaxy Laboratories promoters -- brothers Malvinder and Shivinder Singh -- from operating their bank accounts in India or abroad and selling any property. The court also ordered release of the Rs 3.5 million Singapore dollars, which Malvinder Singh had obtained by selling his 45 lakh equity shares in Religare Healthcare Trust in April and which he was ordered to deposit in court, to Daiichi towards part payment of the award. The judge said that the money would be released to Daiichi subject to it furnishing an undertaking that it would return the amount if the Singh brothers are successful in their challenge of the award in a Singapore court. The court also asked the brothers to file a report on the valuation of the assets disclosed by them in the matter. Malvinder had sold the shares in the Singapore-based company in violation of the high court's direction. The shares were sold and the amount was used by the brothers to pay EMIs for an apartment in Singapore to avoid any default of payment. The high court Thursday asked Malvinder to give an undertaking that he would abide by its orders and warned that failure to comply would invite contempt action. The court on September 5 had asked Malvinder to deposit with it the 3.5 million Singapore dollars he had obtained by selling his shares in a Singapore based company, saying there has been "disobedience" of the court's previous directions. The court was hearing a petition of Daiichi Sankyo, which had come to the high court seeking execution of the Rs 3,500 crore Singapore tribunal arbitral award won by it in April 2016. It had on February 19 restrained the brothers and 12 others from selling or transferring their shares or any movable or immovable property as disclosed by them before the high court earlier. The high court had on August 10 restrained the Singh brothers from operating their bank accounts in India or abroad and selling any property. It had directed the brothers and their firms RHC Holding Pvt Ltd and Oscar Investments to disclose the bank account details. A Singapore tribunal had in April 2016 passed the award in Daiichi's favour holding that the brothers had concealed information that their company was facing probe by the US Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Justice while selling its shares. The high court on January 31 had upheld the international arbitral award passed in the favour of Daiichi and paved the way for enforcement of the 2016 tribunal award against the brothers who had sold their shares in Ranbaxy to Daiichi in 2008 for Rs 9,576.1 crore. Sun Pharmaceuticals had later acquired the company from Daiichi. It had, however, said that the award was not enforceable against five minors, who were also shareholders in Ranbaxy, saying they cannot be held guilty of having perpetuated a fraud either themselves or through any agent. Daiichi had moved the high court here seeking direction to the brothers to take steps towards paying its Rs 3,500 crore arbitration award, including depositing the amount. It had also urged the court to attach their assets, which may be used to recover the award. On February 16, the Supreme Court had dismissed Singh brothers' appeal against the high court verdict upholding the international arbitral award. Singh brothers' counsel had argued that the award granted consequential damages which were beyond the jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal and the award cannot be enforced under the provision of the Arbitration Act. They had claimed that Daiichi was fully aware of all facts and still chose to retain the Ranbaxy shares, instead of terminating the agreement and returning them. BJP chief Amit Shah will be on a two-day visit to poll-bound Chhattisgarh from Friday, during which he will address the booth-level workers of the party at four places. This will be Shah's third visit to the state within a month. The Assembly polls in Chhattisgarh are scheduled to be held in two phases next month. "With an aim to re-energise the booth-level party workers, division-level conventions are being held on October 12 and 13, which will be addressed by Shah," BJP state general secretary Santosh Pandey told PTI Thursday. The ruling party had set a target of "Mission 65 plus" in the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly and therefore, it was focussing on strengthening its booth-level workers, he said. Shah will visit Ambikapur and Bilaspur towns on Friday to address the booth-level workers of Surguja and Bilaspur divisions respectively. "After the programme in Bilaspur, he is scheduled to interact with a group of lawyers," Pandey said. On October 13, the BJP chief will address party workers at Jagdalpur under Bastar division. Subsequently, he will also address the workers of Durg and Raipur divisions in state capital Raipur, he added. "During his whirlwind tour, Shah will directly interact with the party workers of 23,632 booths," Pandey said. According to BJP sources, after Shah's visit, the aspirants for the upcoming polls will be shortlisted and the party's Central Election Committee will later announce the names of the candidates. As per the Election Commission's (EC's) poll schedule, the 18 Naxalism-hit constituencies of the state will go to the polls in the first phase on November 12, while polling for the rest of the 72 constituencies will be held on November 20. The counting of votes will be taken up on December 11. you are here: Motoroyale, the premium bike division of the Pune-based Kinetic group, on October 11 launched seven bikes in the premium and luxury range with prices starting at Rs 3.37 lakh (ex-showroom) The company also announced tie-ups with three companies SWM, FB Mondial and Hyosung taking the total count to five. Motoroyale will now retail bikes from the Norton, SWM, MV Agusta, FB Mondial and Hyosung stables. Motoroyale in betting on Indian consumer's appetite with street nakeds, cruisers, hipsters, off-roaders, tourers and other bike categories. We want to offer all the exotic and aspirational two-wheeler brands under one roof where buyers can buy from a range starting at 250cc going up to 1000cc. We have seen tremendous demand for these premium bikes with MV Agusta brand of bikes alone clocking 237 in sales, Ajinkya Firodia, managing director, Motoroyale, told Moneycontrol. The bikes will have engines ranging from 250cc to 1000cc from and will be sold through a limited dealership network spread across Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Thane, Cochin and Chennai. While some of the MV Agusta bikes have been on sale since the past two years in India, a new addition was made today. The 800cc engine, 140hp Brutale 800RR was launched at Rs 18.99 lakh. Limited edition Commando and Dominator Two limited edition bikes from the 117-year old British brand Norton Commando and Dominator will also make way to the showrooms. Priced at Rs 20.99 lakh for the Commando and Rs 23.7 lakh for the Dominator only 37 units of these will be sold in India. In a first for India, these bikes, assembled locally after being imported from the UK, will have the names of their owners painted on them. Bikes from two other Italian brands SWM and FB Mondial were also launched. The SWM SuperDual, an off-road, on-road motorcycle will come at Rs 6.8 lakh. The FB Mondial HPS 300, part of a new category of Hipster (mix of modern and retro) will come at Rs 3.37 lakh. Hyosung Aquila 650 & GT 250R launch Two other bikes from Hyosung Aquila 650 and GT 250R will complete the range. The Aquila cruiser is priced at Rs 5.35 lakh while the GT 250 R is priced at Rs 3.38 lakh. A new budget cruiser under the brand Mirage powered by a 300cc engine will be added to the line up next year. Hyosung was first introduced in India in 2003 by the now defunct company Kinetic Motors through the launch of a cruiser and a roadster model. Later Hyosung tied-up with Garware Auto before Garware was bought by DSK Motowheels. Firodia also said that the company is setting up a new assembly factory in Supa in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra having an annual capacity of 70,000 units. The plant is in the process of being set up and will cost Rs 25 crore. Once operational by the end of the first quarter next year Kinetic will stop assembly operations at its current plant in Ahmednagar which is leased from Kinetic Engineering. The 51:49 joint venture company of Motoroyale and Norton will be a separate division within Motoroyale. Under this India will become the only country to manufacture Nortons bikes outside the UK. Some critical components such as brakes will be made in India and these will be rolled out next year. The super premium segment of bikes in India has a market of 10,000 bikes a year. These bikes typically have a 250cc-plus engine and cost Rs 3 lakh and above. After establishing our sales and service network in India we will want to be the handling export, sales, distribution and service of these bikes in other parts of Asia as well such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, added Firodia. TCS | The IT major will release its March quarter scorecard on April 16. Industry experts and brokerages expect the IT major to release a subdued set of numbers. The estimates of Kotak Institutional Equities show TCS' CC (constant currency) revenue growth of 0.6 percent QoQ and 4.9 percent YoY. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The country's largest software exporter Tata Consultancy Services on October 11 reported a double-digit annual rise in its revenue for the September quarter, which it expects to maintain for the rest of the year. TCS reported a rise of 11.5 percent in its revenue in constant currency terms for the September quarter. This was the first time in two years that the company reported double-digit annual growth in its quarterly revenue. "Two years ago we stepped down from double digit growth and we have returned to double digit growth (this quarter)...we have numbers on board and momentum to ensure double digit trajectory continues for the rest of the year," said Rajesh Gopinathan, Chief Executive Officer at TCS, in a post-earnings interaction with the press. Digital revenue accounted for 28 percent of the company's overall pie and rose 60 percent annually in constant currency terms. TCS on Thursday reported revenue above an average of analysts' estimates, helped by improved client spending in the banking, financial services and retail verticals, and continued momentum in the digital business. Revenue in the September quarter rose 7.6 percent on quarter to Rs 36,854 crore. Analysts polled by Reuters, on average, had expected the company to report revenue of Rs 36,484.2 crore. Profit in the second quarter rose to Rs 7,901 crore, from Rs 7,340 crore in the June quarter. Reuters analysts, on average has expected TCS to post a profit of Rs 7,959.9 crore for the September quarter. The Mumbai-headquartered company signed deals worth nearly $4.9 billion during the second quarter. Its operating margin for the quarter was 26.5 percent, within the 26-28 percent target range TCS had set for itself. BFSI and retail BFSI and retail, two large verticals at TCS that have been stressed over the past year, also showed higher growth this quarter, indicating better times ahead. While Gopinathan said BFSI customers were upping the spend, and "money is hitting the ground," retail was not "structurally out of the woods yet". While retail clients in North America, including large brick and mortar names, are putting in significant investment in retail, one-off issues cannot be ruled out. Revenue growth in BFSI rose 6.1 percent annually during the second quarter, compared to a rise of 4.1 percent in the first quarter. Retail & CPG growth was 15.6 percent in the September quarter, compared with 12.8 percent annual growth in the previous quarter. "TCS brand and existing client base has helped bring in success specifically in two industries which must embrace the digital way of life in whatever they do: BFSI including Fintechs and Insurtech and Retail," said Sanjoy Sen, doctoral research scholar, Aston Business School, UK. He added that share prices, which were bound to rise after TCS' Rs 16,000 crore buyback, would now likely be fuelled further by optimistic sentiment. Employee focus In the reported quarter, TCS introduced a "TCS National Qualifier Test" to 'democratize entry-level talent.' Gopinathan said the test saw participation from 2,00,000 candidates from 1,800 institutes. Ajoy Mukherjee, Executive Vice President and Global Head, Human Resources, said 28,000 offers will be made after the test, subject to people accepting the offers. TCS reported a net addition of 10,227 employees in the September quarter, which it claimed was the highest in 12 quarters. IT Services attrition remained unchanged at 10.9 percent, among the lowest in the industry. US_China_Trade_Trade war_Tariff The Bella Vita luxury condominium tower rises 20 stories over the boomtown of Luis Eduardo Magalhaes in northeastern Brazil. Its private movie theater and helipad are symbols of how far this dusty farming community has come since it was founded just 18 years ago. Local soybean producers shell out upwards of a half-million US dollars to live in the complex. Nearby farm equipment sellers, car dealerships and construction supply stores are bustling too. Meanwhile, nearly 5,000 miles to the north in Boone, Iowa, farmers are hunkering down. At a recent agriculture trade show, Iowa corn and soybean grower Steve Sheppard reflected the cautious mood. "I'm not buying any machinery, I'm not spending any money," Sheppard said. Two countries. Same business. Two very different fates. The reason: China. A growing trade war between the United States and China is re-ordering the global grains business. In response to Trump administration tariffs on Chinese goods, Beijing this year imposed levies on US agricultural products. Among them was a 25 percent tariff on soybeans, the single most valuable US farm export. US growers sold $12 billion worth to China last year alone. The fallout has been quick. China, the world's largest importer of soybeans, has scaled back purchases of US grain to feed its massive hog herd. It is turning instead to Brazil, which has ridden the wave of Chinese demand for two decades to become a global agricultural powerhouse. Brazilian soybean exports to the Asian country jumped 22 percent by value between January and September, compared to the same period a year ago. Brazilian producers are not only selling more grain, their soy is fetching $2.83 more per bushel than beans from the United States, up from a premium of just $0.60 a year ago, thanks to stepped up Chinese purchases. Prices for US soybeans, meanwhile, recently sunk to decade lows that farmers say are below the cost of production. The slump has made the agricultural sector a drag on an otherwise healthy US economy. The Trump administration said in July it would spend up to $12 billion in taxpayer funds to help US farmers offset trade-related losses, although the aid package could shrink. Many American farmers, overwhelmingly conservative voters who helped propel Donald Trump to the presidency, are standing by their man. They believe he will eventually negotiate a better trade deal with China, whose appetite for soybeans is so vast that it cannot completely wean itself off US grain. But for the time being, Trump trade policies are handing precious market share, money and momentum to Brazil, the United States' most formidable agricultural competitor. Some fear the lost ground will be hard to reclaim. "Bad news on tariffs in the US is good news for them," Robert Crain, general manager for the Americas for equipment dealer AGCO Corp, said about Brazilian farmers in an interview at the Iowa show. BOON TO BRAZIL Like their US counterparts, Brazil's farmers produce much more grain than is needed at home. Foreign customers are responsible for the country's agricultural boom. Nearly 80 percent of Brazil's soy exports now head to China. The city of Luis Eduardo Magalhaes is a testament to the importance of this international trade. Located in the state of Bahia, with farms stretching in every direction, the formerly unincorporated rural area in less than two decades has swelled to 85,000 people. That is bigger than Sioux City, Iowa's fourth-largest city. Major employers in Luis Eduardo, as most locals call the city, include fertilizer factories, seed producers and processors of soy and cotton. The area "relies 100 percent on agriculture," said Carminha Maria Missio, a farmer and president of the local growers union. While Brazil's overall economy is stuck in a ditch, the nation's farm sector rolled to 13 percent growth last year. The John Deere dealership in Luis Eduardo saw its sales rise 15 percent in 2017 and is expecting double-digit growth again this year, managing partner Chico Flores Oliveira said. The local real estate market is surging too. Another new luxury condo tower is slated to open next year. Single-family homes are sprouting throughout the city. Prices for prime farmland are up 37 percent since 2012, according to consultancy Informa Economics IEG FNP. Brazil's total soy area is expected to expand to a record 36.28 million hectares this season due to robust Chinese demand, according to a Reuters poll of analysts. Farmers also are bullish on this month's presidential election in Brazil. Far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro, who is leading in the polls, favours rolling back fines for farmers who deforest illegally or break other environmental laws. Like Trump, Bolsonaro, is wary of China. But producers trust him not to blow it on trade. "Rural producers support Bolsonaro emphatically," said Congresswoman Tereza Cristina, head of the powerful agriculture voting bloc in Brazil's Congress. "We have access to him...and I am certain that he is smart and sensible." US FARM BELT PINCHED The outlook is much gloomier in Iowa, the long-established heart of US agriculture. It is the nation's top corn-producing state and the No. 2 producer of soybeans. But its access to some global markets has suffered under Trump. The president walked away from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade agreement that would have opened valuable markets such as Japan to more American ag products. His renegotiation of the NAFTA accord had Mexico, the largest importer of US corn, exploring other suppliers, including Brazil. Now the Chinese are pulling back. Boone lays smack in the state's center, surrounded by miles of row crops, hogs and poultry. Farmland values fell 12 percent from 2012 to 2017, according to Iowa State University. Worries about the US-China trade war loomed over the recent Farm Progress show, which comes to town every other year. Equipment dealer Lee Randall jotted down prices at an auction of used tractors and implements at the show. Prices have dropped on trade tensions and low crop prices, he said, shaking his head as a green and yellow Deere & Co combine sold for $118,000 and another fetched $82,000. "Five years ago you could have added 30 percent to every one of these pieces," said Randall, whose business, Randall Brothers, is based in Ohio. Nearby, Brett Begemann, chief operating officer for Bayer Crop Science said farmers were likewise scrutinizing purchases of seeds and chemicals. The trade dispute is making it difficult for Bayer to predict 2019 earnings for its agriculture unit. A two-hour drive north of Boone in Algona, Iowa, a town of about 5,500 people, farm doldrums are crimping business at the local Deere and Harley-Davidson Inc dealerships, the operators said. "Ultimately this area lives and dies by the farmer," said Jim Wilcox, an owner of the Harley store. Farmers' woes are showing up on bank balance sheets as well. The proportion of the region's agricultural loans reported as having repayment problems was up in the second quarter, reaching mid-year levels not seen since 2002, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Rodney Jensen, who farms near Algona, regrets not making deals to sell soybeans from his autumn harvest when prices were higher. Like many, he is storing his crop, waiting for better times. He worries China will not buy as much US soy as it used to, even if the two nations patch things up. "It's been pretty pessimistic around here," Jensen said. Mr Gandhi said the PM helped a top industrialist pocket Rs 30,000 crores in the purchase of 36 aircraft. New Delhi: Accusing him of being a corrupt man, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday demanded a probe into Prime Minister Narendra Modis role in the Rafale deal. Mr Gandhi said the PM helped a top industrialist pocket Rs 30,000 crores in the purchase of 36 aircraft. The Congress presidents demand for an investigation against the PM comes a day after a French publication reported Dassault Aviation, the Rafales manufacturer, had to choose a particular firm as its offset partner in India as a tradeoff for getting the deal. The Bharatiya Janata Party on its part accused the Congress president of mocking national security and said the leader was trying to build his political career by spreading lies on the Rafale deal. Addressing a special press conference, Mr Gandhi said defence minister Nirmala Sitharamans three-day trip to France from Thursday was part of a coverup by the government on the Rafale deal. Why has the defence minister suddenly rushed to France? What is the emergency? The reality is the Prime Minister is corrupt. The Prime Minister of India is a corrupt man, he said. The Congress Party is running a campaign on what it calls the massive irregularities in the deal. It said the government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crores, against the Rs 526 crores finalised by the UPA government, when it negotiated the procurement of 126 Rafale jets. The party is also seeking answers from the government on why state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd was not involved in the deal as finalised under UPA rule. BJP spokesman Sambit Patra attacked the Congress chief on Thursday, saying that he comes from a family of middlemen. Mr Patra charged that his family had earned money from every defence deal before 2014, and added: Mr Gandhi is trying to build his political career by spreading lies about the Rafale deal. The BJP spokesman accused the Congress president of lying and mocking national security. He said while Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa had termed the Rafale deal a game-changer, Mr Gandhi was saying just the opposite. He then added: Now the people of the country will decide who to believe: the air chief marshal or Mr Gandhi? Arvind Kejriwal AAP Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party's national convener Arvind Kejriwal said his party will contest all the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab and not enter into alliance. "We will fight on all Lok Sabha seats from the state, we will not enter into any tie-up with anyone," Kejriwal, who was in Bathinda to attend a party legislator's wedding, told reporters. He lashed out at the ruling Congress in the state and accused it of failing on all fronts. "He (Amarinder) had promised to give a job in each family. He had said if anyone is unemployed then he will be given unemployment allowance, he had talked about raising social security pension, waiving debt of farmers, promised smartphones to youths. Only tall promises were made, but none have been fulfilled. He spoke lies and now people of Punjab are fed up with them," he alleged. Kejriwal said Singh had promised to wipe out drug problem from the state, but it was still there. He also charged the Congress government of failing to act on the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission's inquiry report on incidents of religious sacrilege in the state. "Justice Ranjit Singh Commission report puts the Badals in the dock. Despite this, Capt Sahab is not taking any action against them. No FIR has been registered against them, because they are hand-in-glove.. People are finding viable alternative in the shape of the AAP," he said. Earlier in the day, Kejriwal attended the wedding of party MLA from Bathinda (rural) Rupinder Kaur Ruby. On a personal visit, Kejriwal was accompanied by his deputy, Manish Sisodia. Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Harpal Singh Cheema, Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann and party MLA Aman Arora, were among other party leaders who attended the wedding. aadhaar L Badri Narayanan The Supreme Court delivered a landmark decision in the case where the constitutional validity surrounding the Aadhaar scheme was challenged (Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) and Anr. v. Union of India & Ors). The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, benefits and Services) Act, 2016 was challenged on various grounds and the Supreme Court upheld large parts of the scheme as being constitutional by means of a 4-1 majority. The main thrust of the attack on the Aadhaar scheme was on the ground of privacy and the risk of Aaadhar converting India into a surveillance state. The majority rejected the arguments relating to these aspects by applying a test of proportionality. SC on balancing legitimate state aims with right to privacy felt that Aadhar scheme was worthy of being implemented. However, SC realised that there were aspects to the Aadhaar scheme that could affect the individuals adversely if abused. The Court read down the provisions relating to the period during which the authentication data could be stored. Some provisions of the scheme were struck down which related to personal liberties and violations of natural justice. Crucially, SC struck down part of Section 57 of the Aadhaar Act, which allowed a private company to seek Aadhaar authentication. This part of the decision affects banks and telecommunication companies significantly as these companies were seeking to get citizens to link their Aadhaar card to their company in order to continue receiving their services. An important aspect that the Aadhaar judgment discusses is the consent of minors in the process. Children were being made to enroll in the scheme for availing services of various schemes such as mid-day meal. The judgement clarifies that consent of parents is required and that on attaining majority, the child will have the option to exit from the Aadhaar scheme. The judgement, however, does leave open the door to future litigation. The Aadhaar scheme itself was brought in for allowing the government to address targeted schemes at specific sections of the society. SC recognises this aspect and held that enrollment is voluntary. Further, it held that the Aadhaar scheme becomes compulsory for anyone seeking subsidy, benefit or service under welfare scheme of the government met from the Consolidated Fund of India. What would qualify for such schemes at present and in the future is likely to be a source for future litigation and challenges. Nevertheless, the decision is a landmark judgment that seeks to balance a multitude of considerations. The impact of the judgement is likely to be profound. It will impact various issues relating to privacy, data protection, personal liberties and legitimate state claim in the coming years as we move towards a more digital society. The author is Partner, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan Apple Inc has agreed to buy a portion of chip supplier Dialog Semiconductor Plc's business in a $600 million deal, the two companies said on Thursday, expanding the iPhone maker's chip operations in Europe. Since the first iPhones a decade ago, Apple has used Dialog power management chips to help its devices manage battery life. Under the deal, Apple is buying patents, a team of about 300 engineers, most of whom already worked on chips for Apple devices, and Dialog offices in Britain, Italy and Germany. Dialog said its 2018 revenue would not be affected and it would continue shipments of products in production to Apple. For now, the deal settles questions about future relations between Apple and Dialog, whose shares tumbled this year when it said Apple planned to use chips from another supplier, which was widely believed to be Apple itself. Half of the deal's value, or about $300 million, is cash for the Dialog engineers and offices and the other $300 million is pre-payment to Dialog for supplying chips over the next three years, the companies said. Dialog said in a statement it would continue to deliver chips to other customers, focusing on the automotive and internet-of-things markets, among others. "This transaction reaffirms our long-standing relationship with Apple, and demonstrates the value of the strong business and technologies we have built at Dialog," Dialog CEO Jalal Bagherli said in the statement. The deal represents an expansion of Apple's chip design operations, which kicked into high gear in 2010 when the company released its first custom processor for the iPad and iPhone. Apple is buying about 16 percent of Dialog's workforce. Apple said the acquired employees would stay in Europe and would report to Johny Srouji, the company's senior vice president of hardware technologies who oversees Apple's chip design efforts. Apple already has a chip design centres in Munich, Germany and St Albans, Britain. The deal will see Apple acquire four more from Dialog, in Livorno in Italy, Swindon in Britain, and Nabern and Neuaubing in Germany. Dialog said Qatalyst Partners was acting as inancial adviser and Linklaters was acting as its legal counsel. Source:PTI US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday South Korea will not lift sanctions on Pyongyang without US approval, after the South Korean foreign minister softened earlier comments that some of its unilateral sanctions were under review. Trump's rejection of South Korea easing sanctions alone outlines the official position of the United States and South Korea that the two countries remain in lockstep on North Korea. He has encouraged U.S. allies to maintain sanctions on North Korea until it denuclearises as part of his administration's "maximum pressure" campaign against Pyongyang. Asked about reports South Korea was considering lifting some sanctions against North Korea, Trump said: "They won't do it without our approval.A They do nothing without our approval." South Korean foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha suggested during a parliamentary audit on Wednesday that Seoul was considering easing its own sanctions against the North to encourage its denuclearisation. South Korea imposed unilateral sanctions on the North in 2010 following an attack on a warship that killed 46 South Korean sailors, banning most bilateral trade and exchanges. Kang later walked back her comments after they sparked criticism from some conservative lawmakers, claiming North Korea should first apologise for the attack. The South Korean foreign ministry also officially denied that the government was reviewing the matter. However, there are growing calls for easing sanctions. China, Russia and North Korea believe it is necessary to consider adjusting U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang at an appropriate time, China's foreign ministry said on Wednesday. In a rare confirmation of discord between Seoul and Washington, South Korea's Kang also said on Wednesday U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had expressed "discontent" with an inter-Korean military pact reached during a summit last month. She said there were views in the United States regarding "adjusting the pace" of inter-Korean moves. The drive for denuclearisation sprang from pledges made by Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at their historic summit in Singapore in June, although there has since been disagreement over how that would be achieved. Indonesia wants to export more coal in order to earn U.S. dollars to shore up its faltering currency, but the problem is buyers don't seem to be hearing the message. Indonesia's coal exports dropped to 24.8 million tonnes in September, down 12.4 percent from August's 28.3 million tonnes and 10 percent from 27.6 million tonnes in the same month last year, according to vessel-tracking and port data compiled by Refinitiv. If the drop isn't worrying enough, it comes even as the price of lower-grade Indonesian coal is at its widest discount to higher-quality Australian thermal coal. Indonesia is planning to increase its 2018 output of coal to around 507 million tonnes, up from a previous target of 485 million tonnes. The aim is to convert the additional U.S. dollars from sales of the polluting fuel into rupiah, which has dropped about 12 percent so far this year against the U.S. currency. In theory, importers should be keen to ramp up purchases of Indonesian coal, as the massive discount to Australian cargoes more than compensates for the lower energy value. The price of thermal coal at Australia's Newcastle port, as assessed by Argus Media, was $112.25 a tonne in the week ended Oct. 5. Low-rank Indonesian coal, with an energy content of 4,200 kilocalories per kilogram (kcal/kg), was at $38.88 a tonne at the end of the same week, according to Argus. This represents a discount of $73.37 a tonne - the widest on record, exceeding the $61.07 recorded in November 2016, according to the Argus data. Even Indonesian coal with a similar energy content to Newcastle is trading at a fairly wide discount, with the Indonesian government's reference price, known as the HBA, set at $100.89 a tonne for October. The HBA is a composite price made up equally of the Platts Kalimantan 5,900 kcal/kg assessments, the Argus-Indonesia Coal Index for 6,500 kcal/kg, Newcastle Export Index of 6,322 kcal/kg and the globalCOAL Newcastle grade of 6,000 kcal/kg. In effect, the HBA index sets the price for much of Indonesia's thermal coal exports, and its discount to Newcastle should provide support for exports from the Southeast Asian nation. Indonesia, the world's largest exporter of thermal coal used in power stations, has two major customers, China and India, the planet's two largest coal importers. Chinese buyers mainly use Indonesian coal as a blending feedstock with domestic supplies, trading off a loss in energy value for lower sulphur and ash. Indonesia's exports to China are up strongly in the first nine months of the year, reaching 89.7 million tonnes, 18.8 percent above the level for the same period last year, according to the ship-tracking data. However, much of this strength was in the first quarter of 2018, and September marked a third month of declining imports from Indonesia. China imported 7.5 million tonnes from Indonesia in September, down sharply from August's 9.7 million tonnes, making it the weakest month so far this year. INDIA STRUGGLES The news on India's imports isn't quite as bad for Indonesian exporters, with September's 7.1 million tonnes down slightly from August's 7.4 million tonnes. However, for the first nine months of the year, India's imports from Indonesia have been relatively flat, dropping fractionally to 57.8 million tonnes from 58.2 million in the same period in 2017. What may be worrying for Indonesian coal exporters is that their rivals seem to be gaining on them in India, while they stand still. India bought 12.5 million tonnes of coal from the United States in the January-September period, up 49 percent on the 8.4 million tonnes imported in the same period last year. From South Africa, India imported 25.9 million tonnes in the first nine months of 2018, up 16 percent from 22.4 million tonnes in the same period a year ago. Although the overwhelming majority of Australia's coal exports to India are coking coal used in steel-making, it's worth noting that these are also up in the first nine months of 2018, climbing to 34.7 million tonnes compared to 30.4 million tonnes in the same period last year. What the numbers are showing is that Indonesia is likely to struggle to ramp up exports of its mainly low-rank thermal coal, as there doesn't seem to be appetite among buyers, even though the discount to higher-grade fuel is as wide as it has ever been. OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo said on Thursday that oil producers are very concerned about spare output capacity amid a reduction in energy-industry investment. "We are very concerned," Barkindo said in response to a question about spare capacity, citing a continued decline in oil industry investment resulting from the market downturn. Barkindo, speaking at the Oil & Money conference in London, said earlier that he wanted to ensure there is no shortage of crude in the market. Britain's foreign secretary warned that Saudi Arabia faces "serious consequences" if the suspicions of Turkish officials that journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul turn out to be true. "People who have long thought of themselves as Saudi's friends are saying this is a very, very serious matter. "If these allegations are true, there will be serious consequences because our friendships and our partnerships are based on shared values," Jeremy Hunt told AFP. "We are extremely worried," he said. Hunt said he had spoken to Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir and had told him "how very, very concerned the United Kingdom is". Britain is a close ally and trade partner of Saudi Arabia. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Saudi Arabia to release footage of Khashoggi and President Donald Trump has demanded answers over his fate, as the kingdom faces growing pressure to provide a convincing explanation for his disappearance. The Washington Post, the daily to which Khashoggi was a contributor, added to the mystery by reporting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered an operation to "lure" the critical journalist back home. Khashoggi has not been seen since October 2 when he went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain official documents for his upcoming marriage. Turkish officials quoted in media have said he was killed but Riyadh denies that. The mystery has captivated the world but also threatens to harm brittle Turkish-Saudi relations and hurt efforts by the crown prince to improve the image of his country with a reform drive. US President Donald Trump increased pressure on Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to provide information on what happened to missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and said he wanted to get the bottom of what he called "a very serious situation." In a fresh clue, a pro-government Turkish daily on Wednesday published preliminary evidence from investigators it said identified a 15-member Saudi intelligence team involved in Khashoggi's unexplained disappearance on Oct. 2. Pressure appeared to be building worldwide on close U.S. ally Saudi Arabia on the whereabouts of Khashoggi, a prominent critic of Saudi policies, who was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to get documents for his planned marriage. Khashoggi's Turkish fiance, Hatice Cengiz, who was waiting outside, said he never re-appeared. Turkish sources said they believe Khashoggi was killed inside the building and removed, allegations that Riyadh dismisses as baseless. Asked in a telephone interview with Fox News Channel late on Wednesday whether Saudis were responsible for Khashoggi's disappearance or death, Trump said: "I guess you would have to say so far it's looking a little bit like that and we're going to have to see." Earlier in the Oval Office, Trump told reporters he had raised Khashoggi's case with Saudi Arabia "at the highest level" and more than once in recent days. "We're demanding everything," Trump said when asked if he was demanding information from the Saudis. "We want to see what's going on. Its a very serious situation for us and for this White House ... We want to get to the bottom of it." He said he and his wife, Melania, expect to invite Cengiz to the White House soon. "People saw him go in and didn't see him come out. We're going to take a very serious look at it. It's a terrible thing," Trump said. "This is a bad situation. We cannot let this happen, to reporters, to anybody. We can't let this happen." Increasing pressure on Trump to respond, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators on Wednesday triggered a U.S. investigation into Khashoggi's disappearance using a human rights law. They asked Trump to determine whether "a foreign person is responsible for an extrajudicial killing, torture, or other gross violation of internationally recognised human rights" and report back in 120 days with a decision on the imposition of sanctions on whoever was responsible. Asked about suggestions that Washington should consider blocking further arms sales to Saudi Arabia, Trump told Fox that would hurt U.S. jobs. "Frankly I think that would be a very very tough pill to swallow for our country. ... Before I discuss this I'd have to find out what happened," he said. Former U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said he has suspended his role on the board of Saudi Arabia's planned mega city NEOM until more is known about Khashoggi. After Trump spoke, the White House said national security adviser John Bolton and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, had spoken to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the matter on Tuesday. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo followed up with his own call to the crown prince, who had forged close ties to the administration, especially Kushner. "In both calls they asked for more details and for the Saudi government to be transparent in the investigation process. We will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as available," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement. Khashoggi's fiance Cengiz was surprised when an American friend told her of Trump's comment about inviting her to the White House, the friend told Reuters. "I think she's in shock, now even more," her friend said. In an essay in the Washington Post on Tuesday, Cengiz implored the president and Melania Trump to "help shed light on Jamal's disappearance." Trump made Saudi Arabia the first stop on his first foreign trip as president in May 2017, but in recent weeks has appeared to sour a bit on Riyadh, complaining directly to King Salman about the cost of American support for the Saudi military and for OPEC oil price increases. SAUDI VISITORS One of the 15 Saudis identified by name and photo in the report by Turkey's Sabah newspaper is a forensic expert who has worked at the Saudi Interior Ministry for 20 years, according to a LinkedIn profile and Saudi media, and serves on the board of the Saudi Society of Forensic Medicine. Other names and photos of the 15, who Sabah said travelled on diplomatic passports, match officers in the Saudi Army and Air Force, as identified by previous Saudi media reports and in one case a Facebook profile. The Saudi consulate referred Reuters to authorities in Riyadh who have not responded to questions about the 15 Saudis, who arrived in the city hours before Khashoggi disappeared on Oct. 2. A Turkish security source had previously told Reuters that the 15 Saudis, including some officials, left Turkey later the same day. The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that U.S. intelligence had intercepted the communications of Saudi officials discussing a plan to capture Khashoggi, citing an unidentified person familiar with the information. On Wednesday, State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said the United States "had no advance knowledge" of such a plan. The crown prince ordered an operation to lure Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia from the United States and then detain him, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing U.S. intelligence intercepts of Saudi officials discussing the plan. The Post said it was not clear to officials with knowledge of the intelligence whether the Saudis discussed harming Khashoggi as part of the plan to detain him in Saudi Arabia. Khashoggi left Saudi Arabia last year saying he feared retribution for his criticism of Riyadh over the Yemen war and its crackdown on dissent, and since then wrote columns for the Washington Post. Britain's foreign minister called for urgent answers and the chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Corker, who has seen classified intelligence on the case, said information pointed to Khashoggi being killed. "To me ... it feels very much some nefarious activity has occurred by them. But I don't want to rush to judgment," Corker said on Tuesday. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Wednesday the United States was ready to help in any way in the investigation. Wednesday's Turkish media reports were the most detailed accounts yet of what they say is the Turkish government's investigation into Khashoggi's disappearance. Sabah newspaper published the names and years of birth of the 15 Saudis it said arrived at Istanbul's Ataturk airport. Twelve of them arrived early on Tuesday, based on photos captured at passport control which it published. The 15 departed at four different times, Sabah reported. It did not say how it obtained the pictures and data. Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) said the Justice RM Lodha Committee appointed by the Supreme Court has paid up to Rs2,500 each to 1,13,352 investors of PACL Ltd (erstwhile Pearls), who had filed the claims in prescribed forms. In a release, SEBI said, "The Committee, in pursuance of its mandate started the process of receipt of claim applications, at the first instance, from investors having claims of not more than Rs2,500. The said process was open till 31 March 2018. "...the Committee has started remitting refunds to investors after verification of the claim applications as received. Till date refunds in respect of 1,13,352 claim applications have been credited to the bank accounts provided by the investors in the claim applications,' it added. Last month, the Australian Federal Court had accepted claim filed by SEBI on assets of PACL in that country. The Australian Federal Court also stated that as per three orders passed by Supreme Court of India, SEBI Act, SEBI Regulations, the Indian market regulator has full right, interest, power and authority to seek relief in Australia in the PACL case. After observing that the money mobilised by PACL from investors was utilised for acquiring certain assets in Australia, as directed by Justice RM Lodha Committee, SEBI had filed a claim petition in the Federal Court of Australia seeking repatriation of the assets or the proceeds thereof on behalf of all the investors in PACL. During September 2018, the Enforcement Directorate had filed a charge sheet against PACL (erstwhile Pearls) and its chief Nirmal Singh Bhangoo in connection with a Ponzi scam involving over Rs49,100 crore, which was collected allegedly by two companies from 5.5 crore investors. Apart from Bhangoo, who is in judicial custody, his three colleagues and other persons have also been named in the ED chargesheet filed in a special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). In 2016, a report from The Australian had exposed the Australian connection of PACL and Bhangoo. This was published by Moneylife ( Read: PACL Scam: The Australian connection ). The report said, in Australia, Bhangoo and several of his family members teamed up with Gold Coast property developers Paul Brinsmead and Peter Madrers. The two Australians had operated the company Resort Corp, which developed large tracts of coastal land in the Tweed Shire in northern NSW before its group of 14 companies collapsed in March 2009, owing about $300 million, it said. The ED, which started the probe after lodging an first information report (FIR) in 2015 based on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)'s case, had in January attached Australia-based assets of the Pearls Group and Bhangoo worth Rs472 crore. On the refund claims from PACL investors, in January this year, SEBI has clarified that the refund may not necessarily be Rs2,500 per claimant investor, and would be effected on a pro-rata basis after considering the number of claims received as well as the funds available with the Justice Lodha Committee. Earlier on 27 November 2016, the market regulator, while informing the process to claim refund (for investors of PACL) made it clear that the Committee would initiate refund process only upon realisation of a sizable amount . It had said, "In such case, investors would be required to file their claims only in the prescribed format upon specific notification by the Committee. Till such notification, investors are requested to retain their documents with themselves and not to part with them for any reason whatsoever." The Lodha Committee is supervising the Supreme Court ordered process of selling PACL's assets across the country and refunding Rs49,100 crore collected from over 56 crore investors. The money to be refunded to the investors was allegedly collected by PACL and Pearls Golden Forest Limited - two companies belonging to Nirmal Singh Bhangoo-managed group - in the name of sale and development of agricultural land. Lakhs of investors who put their hard earned money in PACL formerly Pearls Agrotech Corp Ltd, a collective investment scheme (CIS), have been in a panic about the fate of their investment after the company has been ordered to refund their money. It may be recalled that this company has raised a whopping Rs49,000 crore from people across the country, claiming to have bought them a stake in land, like a land mutual fund. PACL has also used Indias slow legal system very effectively to delay regulatory action for several years, while it continued to collect money from people. In fact, it has doubled the money raised, even after SEBI began action against it. You may also want to read: Using social media to maintain contact with family members and friends can help compensate for seniors who restrict their social activities. The current study wasnt designed to prove whether or how using social media might help stave off depression (Photo: Pixabay) Online socializing may weaken the tie between pain and depression for older people, a U.S. study suggests. People in chronic pain are at risk of depression to start with. When pain makes them stay home more, interacting with friends and family less, it only adds to this risk, the researchers write in the Journals of Gerontology, Series B. The 3,401 study participants were 67 or older, and all lived in the community rather than in a caregiving facility. About one-third lived alone, and 1,833, or 54 percent, said theyd been bothered by pain in the last month. Among people with pain, the rate of depression was lower with social media use. Six percent of those who used social media also reported symptoms of depression, compared with 15 percent of those who didnt use social media. The new analysis is one of the first to investigate whether social media can help alleviate the stresses of social isolation brought on by pain, said co-author Shannon Ang, a doctoral candidate in sociology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Using online social media to maintain contact with family members and friends is a good way to compensate for seniors who restrict their social activities due to pain. It is not going to replace seeing people in person, but it will help supplement their reduced activities, Ang said in a phone interview. For us, this study is about preserving mental health, he added. In the U.S., 57 percent of people born in 1945-1964 and 23 percent of those born before 1945 use social media, according to a 2018 survey by the Pew Research Center. For the new study, Ang and his coauthor looked at data for 2013 and 2014 from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, an annual survey that tracks Medicare beneficiaries physical and cognitive health over time. Every month, an average, the participants engaged in one formal social activity - such as attending religious services or a club meeting - and about two informal social activities - such as spending time with friends at their homes. Only 17 percent had used online social networks. Ang hopes to see more programs and services that teach older adults to use computers and navigate social media sites. He and his team also hope to look in more detail into how long, how often and which social media sites older people should use to help ward off the mental health effects of pain, social isolation and loneliness. The current study wasnt designed to prove whether or how using social media might help stave off depression, or whether people with depression or pain might use social media less than others. Another limitation is that the survey data didnt include details about types of social media sites used or how participants used them. Its very well known that social support is helpful for depression and physical symptoms. Its a growing area of interest in research and clinical care, said Dr. William Pirl of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, who wasnt involved in the study. Pirl would hesitate to recommend social media to all older adults with pain and loneliness, however. People respond differently to it. Some people can become more anxious hearing other peoples stories or about other treatments for what theyre experiencing. Theres a lot of variability of whether social media is right for you, he said. People can also feel supported with phone calls or video conferencing, mobile apps or other technology that may have similar effects, he noted. Survey finds most automated bots only smart enough for quick, simple queries. Seventy-two per cent of consumers generally find chatbots to be helpful to some degree, but the interaction quality can be quite mixed. Pegasystems Inc., the software company empowering customer engagement at the worlds leading enterprises, today announced survey results from 3,500 global consumers that find most chatbots still arent smart enough to meet their high expectations. While most agree chatbots can be fast and convenient in certain situations, consumers cite a lack of intelligence as their top complaint against automated bots, and 65 per cent still prefer a human agent on the other end of the chat. Seventy-two per cent of consumers generally find chatbots to be helpful to some degree, but the interaction quality can be quite mixed. The majority (58 per cent) rank their chatbot experiences as merely adequate doing some tasks well and others poorly. Another 18 per cent grumble how chatbots are ineffective or even annoying. Only 16 per cent gave their chatbot experience a high quality rating. Analysts expect chatbot usage to rise significantly in the next two years a shift that could prove costly for brands that dont evolve their bots. According to Gartner, 25 per cent of customer service and support operations will integrate virtual customer assistant (VCA) or chatbot technology across engagement channels by 2020, up from less than two per cent in 2017. Best bots keep it simple Consumers tend to favor chatbots for only the simplest queries that can be done quickly. The most popular chatbot use cases are: Tracking an order (60 per cent selected) Finding basic information (53 per cent) Asking basic questions (49 per cent) The respondents also noted that fast service (56 per cent), ability to engage on their own schedule (37 per cent), and convenience (36 per cent) are chatbots top benefits. When done well, 43 per cent say chatbots can be almost as good as interacting with a human, while 34 per cent disagree, and 23 per cent dont know. Artificial intelligence or artificial stupidity? However, speed and simplicity can only take todays digital consumers so far. While most brands claim artificial intelligence power their bots, consumers top chatbot complaints include: Not enough smarts to effectively answer questions (27 per cent) Lack of context in the conversation (24 per cent) Robot-like engagement with few human qualities (14 per cent) Similarly, the top reasons consumers would drop a chatbot session are when bots cant answer their questions (47 per cent selected), make them do more work than expected (47 per cent) or are too vague in how they can assist them (43 per cent). Separately, only 17 per cent said they would use a bot to purchase goods and services, further muddying the path from bots to direct revenue. In no mood for chit chat The survey found a separate group that have yet to try chatbots at all and have no plans to start anytime soon. These bot holdouts, which skew towards a slightly older demographic, say they havent used chatbots yet due to: Lack of any real exposure to chatbots (53 per cent) A personal preference to only engage with a human (30 per cent) Lack of knowledge on how to use chatbots (23 per cent) A full 45 per cent of these consumers without chatbot experience said they wont try one in the next year while another 30 per cent arent sure, which presents a roadblock to companies trying to expand reliance on digital service channels. Only 25 per cent of these non-users said they would be willing to experiment with a chatbot, albeit with some reluctance. Their biggest concerns stem from their lack of experience: they simply dont know how to use chatbots (top concern at 46 per cent), lack confidence in chatbot effectiveness (31 per cent), or worry about security and privacy (27 per cent). Pega surveyed 3,500 consumers across the US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, and Australia for this study. Download the eBook, The Chatbot Revolution, at www.pega.com/chatbot-revolution to find more survey results and to learn tips on improving customer service through better chatbots. Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday said that two state refiners have placed orders for importing crude oil from Iran in November. 'We will take care of them,' Trump told reporters when asked about the decision of some countries like India and China to continue to purchase oil from Iran. (Photo: AP) Washington: President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the US "will take care" of the countries which will continue to import oil from Iran after November 4 deadline when US sanctions on Iranian oil purchases take effect. "We will take care of them," Trump told reporters when asked about the decision of some countries like India and China to continue to purchase oil from Iran. Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday said that two state refiners have placed orders for importing crude oil from Iran in November. He had said that India has its own energy requirements which it has to fulfill. Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) together have placed order for 1.25 million tonne (MT) of crude oil from Iran. Trump in May withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran, re-imposing economic sanctions against the Persian Gulf nation. Some sanctions took effect from August 6 while those affecting the oil and banking sectors will start from November 4. Iran is India's third-largest oil supplier behind Iraq and Saudi Arabia. You have to speed up the approvals process, Hudak told MortgageBrokerNews.ca. It takes up to 10 years to get a new development done and every month of delay means increased costs to the consumer at the end of the day. Weve also suggested that the provincial government make more investment in railmore subways, more GOs, more LRTs. The Places to Grow Act of 2005 mandates intensification, and much of it is occurring with new buildings sprouting all over Toronto, but transit has not kept apace. A solution could be building residential high-rise towers above subway stations, says Hudak, and there would be no shortage of developers bidding on those projects. Whats not smart is allowing [transit infrastructure development] to go through areas that have one level or two levels of housing, he said. That means building more homes and building higher on top of subways and GO Stations. That will make a huge difference because millennials are interested in that kind of housing as well. We also believe you can lower the tax burden in Toronto, particularly when all you want is to get the keys to the house. There are tremendous public-private partnerships. Developers would have a bidding war if a new subway station was close to their properties, so why not use some of that money to expand our transit lines? Tax relief for first-time buyers is also paramount to helping them become homeowners. Hudak credits the Liberal government under Kathleen Wynne for giving first-time buyers some relief on the double land transfer tax, and for committing to a more rapid approvals process, but notes there is so much more to be done. Similar programs in other jurisdictions have been very popular and have assisted many families, and now we want to bring that success to PEI. DPAP is available on a first-come first-serve basis and will be administered by Finance PEI. Mortgage Professionals Canada (MPC) has praised the program for providing an easier path to homeownership and for bolstering the market. [The announcement] by the government of PEI to support first-time home buyers recognizes the new challenges which exist for those looking to buy their first home, said Paul Taylor, president and CEO of MPC. Home ownership remains a primary goal for Canadians from coast to coast; owning a home is a key part to building lifelong financial security. Khan said he will present a roadmap before the nation listing steps the government will take to stabilise the economy. Khan said Pakistan is burdened due to debts incurred by the previous government and his government is constrained to borrow more money to pay back those debts. (Photo: File) Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday assured the countrymen that his government would seek assistance from both friendly countries and the IMF to overcome the balance of payments crisis. "We have two options: first, we can go to friendly countries and ask them to bridge this gap; and second, that we go to the IMF," he said. "The government has decided to do both," he said while addressing a ceremony to launch Naya Pakistan Housing Programme, a flagship project of his government to build 5 million houses in five years for low income people. Khan said he will present a roadmap before the nation listing steps the government will take to stabilise the economy. He said Pakistan is burdened due to debts incurred by the previous government and his government is constrained to borrow more money to pay back those debts. "We will get out of this. I will take (the country) out of this," he added. Finance Minister Asad Umar on Monday said that Pakistan would approach the IMF for a bailout package of USD 6 to 7 billion to address the mounting balance of payments crisis. "There has been a lot of noise in the country (after decision to go to IMF) during the last 48 hours as if the sky is going to fall. But we need to do it (go to IMF) before our reforms start yielding results in about six months, Khan said. He clarified that the government is seeking funds from external sources only for the short term, as the economic reforms and austerity measures initiated by his government "will take six months to show results". His government has come under heavy criticism after the decision to seek a bailout package from the IMF as Khan in the past had vowed never to seek such assistance and also attacked previous government for going to IMF for loans. He said the previous governments had taken loans recklessly, which has resulted in the country's debt ballooning from Rs 6 trillion to Rs 30 trillion in the past 10 years alone. He said the previous PML-N government had started its term in 2013 with a USD 3 billion current account deficit, but his government inherited USD 18 billion current account deficit. Pakistan has availed 12 IMF bailouts since the late 1980s. The last one was in September, 2013 when the IMF approved a USD 6.6 billion loan support to the government's programme to stabilise its economy and boost growth while expanding its social safety net to protect the poor. by Dario Salvi In Pompeii for the Supplication, the cardinal renewed the call of prayer to "put an end" to conflicts. His thoughts go to children and young people among the most affected by the war. The countrys reconstruction must start with them. Three timid signs of hope come from Syria. Rome (AsiaNews) Card Mario Zenari, apostolic nuncio to Damascus, is presently in Italy where he led yesterdays Supplication to Our Lady of Pompeii (Naples) the for the end of all wars. "We must continue to pray for peace in Syria and throughout the Middle East, he said. Prayer is the most important weapon we have in order to try to put an end to" all the conflicts and divisions that affect the region. "I am in Pompeii to send this strong signal, he said. We pray for peace. We call on the Virgin Mary to grant us such a grace. Not just for peace, but also for all the victims of calamities," the latest being the quake in Indonesia. Children and young people are the most affected by war. War has destroyed hope and future. They are the first victims, he said speaking about young people, Christian and non-Christian, in the country where he serves, whilst the Synod of young people is underway in Rome as intended by Pope Francis. However, young people are "the element from which we must hope and start again to rebuild the country, to give a future of peace and hope, to ensure new perspectives" of development and coexistence. For this reason, young people "must be stimulated to contribute to the reconstruction process, which must start by ending the war and starting the peace process" across the land. In Syria hope, however timid, re-emerged as September came to an end. First, last month saw the lowest number of casualties since the war began in March 2011. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has a network of informants on the ground, the civilian death toll stood at 139, including 58 children. This is the lowest count since the war started seven years ago, far from the record set in May 2015 when 6,657 civilians were killed, both adults and children. The significant drop in civilian casualties is due to the progress of government forces who, with Russian support, have regained larger swathes of the countrys territory. This comes as Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that a major summit bringing together Turkey, Russia, Germany and France to discuss the future of Syria will take place in the coming weeks. For its part, Syria is struggling to get back to some semblance of a normal life. The war upended old habits and traditions, including the Damascus International Trade Fair, which resumed last year for the first time since 2012 but was, albeit, attacked. Following the liberation of Ghouta and Yarmouk from the Islamic State group, the event was held again this year without a hitch drawing large crowds. The opening day, 6 September, was a time of celebration in an atmosphere of greater tranquility and trust. Syrias reconstruction is more than an economic or social process, for it involves religion as well in a country where minorities, including Christians, enjoyed equal treatment as Muslims in the past few decades. One example is Maaloula, a village northeast of Damascus home to one of the oldest Christian communities in the country. In 2013 and 2014, the area and its residents were the victims of terrorist attacks, occupation, abuse and violence by Jihadi groups. The militiamen destroyed much of the villages historical and cultural heritage, including tombs and altars. This year, in mid-September, Christians were able to celebrate the Annual Holy Cross Festival again, adorning the tops of the surrounding mountains with the traditional brightly-lit crosses. "After years of Jihadi violence and house burning, we were able to return to illuminate our mountaintops. Now we can go back to celebrating life." As the November election looms, interest groups and newspaper endorsements are rolling in, but not all of them are pleased with the choices on the ballot. In the race for governor, there have been some surprise endorsement choices, including a business group deciding neither incumbent Republican Bruce Rauner nor Democrat J.B. Pritzker were worthy of endorsement. But just how much do these seals of approval affect a candidates fortunes at the ballot? Gov. Bruce Rauner has been saying that he has the endorsement of every business group in the state in his run for re-election. As of Friday, thats no longer the case. The Illinois Retail Merchants Association represents more than 20,000 stores across the state. Like in 2014, the association decided that neither Rauner nor his challenger, then Pat Quinn and now J.B. Pritzker, deserved the groups endorsement. Unfortunately, neither candidates approach struck the right balance in sustainably moving the state forward and supporting the states second largest GDP producer for the state of Illinois, said IRMA CEO Rob Karr. IRMA will, as it always has, work in a positive, consensus building manner with the next Administration and their team no matter who is elected. In the past, Illinois Retail Merchants Association has endorsed both Democrats and Republican gubernatorial candidates. It had also abstained from making endorsements. Illinois Retail Merchants Association noted Pritzkers stated desire to work with all parties but raised concerns about his advocacy for issues that would add significantly to the cost of doing business and the impact these issues, combined with increased taxes, would have on retailers and the consumers they serve. Illinois Retail Merchants Association questioned Rauners ability to get things done. Gov. Rauner was recognized for his heartfelt desire to reform Illinois government, revitalize the states economy and minimize the need for tax increases and excessive regulations, the group said in a statement. However, concerns exist over the ability to move the state forward in a bipartisan fashion and, given the fiscal condition of the State, the feasibility of any tax roll-back. Other endorsements have been more clear-cut. Terry Cosgrove is the CEO of Personal PAC, which backs candidates who support abortion rights. Personal PAC endorsed Pritzker over Rauner, even though the governor riled his anti-abortion base by signing a bill into law allowing public funds to be used for abortions. Cosgrove said that while Rauner signed the bill, he did so only after wavering, resulting in the groups endorsement of Pritzker, who has also signed a pledge promising not to repeal the legislation. Cosgrove said endorsements matter to voters. And IRMAs decision not to endorse Rauner will hurt the Republican on Nov. 6. It does a huge amount of damage, Cosgrove said, referring to the pro-business Republican not receiving the IRMA endorsement. When groups like Personal PAC endorse, [undecided voters] say We know that they pick the candidates that will protect choice and that would mean something. Labor endorsements can be critical for Democrats, especially in crowded primaries where getting the nod from a large union could sway the election. In addition to the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Manufacturers Association, the National Federation of Independent Business endorsed Rauner. Illinois director Mark Grant said the groups members voted to endorse and overwhelmingly in support of Rauner. He said the organization preferred Rauner because of the prospect of tax rate uncertainty under Pritzker. Pritzker has proposed changing the state constitution to allow for a progressive income tax that would have people who make more money pay higher rates. However, Pritzker hasnt said what the rates might be or what income levels might see higher tax rates. Theyre concerned, he said. The state still hasnt proven that the state can manage its money and affairs in an effective and efficient way. Both candidates have earned high-profile newspaper endorsements. The Chicago Tribune endorsed Rauner. The newspapers editorial board said that the Republican incumbent is the lone foil to Democrats in the General Assembly. He often stalemates them, the board wrote. Armed only with a veto pen and a bully pulpit, he blocks their exclusive dominion over lawmaking. Crains Chicago Business, a commerce-minded publication, reversed its 2014 endorsement and now endorses Pritzker, saying the states well-being became collateral damage in what increasingly looked like an ideological war of attrition, between Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigans two-year budget war. The Chicago Sun-Times, which is partly owned by labor organizations that have not seen eye-to-eye with Rauner, is expected to interview the candidates this week. Nathan Papes | Springfield News-Leader (AP) Vice President Mike Pence will be in Springfield on Friday to take part in a fundraiser for 13th District Congressman Rodney Davis. Pence will be a guest at Panther Creek Country Club, according to the State Journal-Register. Ticket prices range from $500 to $12,700. Greetings from the Ridge. You can talk about your adventures and thrills of a lifetime all you want, but until youve stood knee-deep in clover hay atop a barn hay mow at 110 degrees and you get blindsided by a 90-pound hay bale dropping 12 feet off the end of John Deere elevator, you just havent lived. Some things make a lasting impression, if not on your mind then at least on the back of your head. It was the first time Id been involved in a full-blown labor dispute. Summertime found the kids in our neighborhood supplied with all the work we wanted as the individual hay bales were still the rule and the gigantic machine-wrapped behemoths hadnt yet come to the farm. If you could buck a bale you were guaranteed work all the way through the last cutting of the summers hay. There were four of us on our little hay crew and wed farm ourselves out to whoever needed help on any particular afternoon, but the bulk of our employment came from a guy named Jack. Jack owned his own baler and he pretty much spent the entire season in one farmers hayfield or another. Jack could be a genuine grouch at times but he was usually so ridiculous in his complaining that we laughed instead of quit. It was all friendly and agreeable until the day of the big salary blowup. Jack paid us $1.25 an hour, pretty much the standard rate in those days, and he never cheated us in any way, but the came that day when we heard about the per bale boys in the next county. Wed heard rumors but I never knew for certain until I attended a family reunion where my cousin Mark said that the kids in his neighborhood were being 2 cents a bale. This may sound piddling, but even with my meager math skills I could quickly figure that his was more than we were getting while being paid by the hour. So one afternoon as we were tucking the last bales into a barn, our little quartet marched up to Jack sitting on his tractor and told him that wed like to be paid by the bale. Youd have thought wed just asked for his first-born child. Jack frowned, Jack spit, Jack spat out a few profanities and told us that was just too much. Thats when my brother hitched up his 14-year-old courage and told Jack that it was 2 cents a bale or nothing. Quick cut to the end of the story: Jack paid up. In fact, he not only paid the new wage but he found that when he wrote his bunch of rowdies a check for what theyd actually done instead of how many hours theyd spent on the job, that we worked harder. Wouldnt you? No more purposely slowing down on the last load of the day just to stretch out our hourly wage. Now wed holler, More hay! as the nickels and dimes would click up in our calculating brains. I thought about these hay-filled days last week as I watched a congressional committee in action and I use the term action as loosely as a load of poorly stacked alfalfa hay. A senate committee met for four days one week to investigate a matter on which every single senator had already decided how he or she should vote. The cost of running Congress for a single day varies widely but $33 million is a widely accepted figure. That means they spent $132 million on an issue for which the outcome was already decided. The cure? Just look to the hay field and start paying the members of Congress for what they actually accomplish instead of the time they spend. When the summer rains drowned out a day of bucking bales we didnt get paid, so why are we paying members of Congress for not lifting a bale? Sometimes the baler would snatch up a log or large rock instead of the intended hay so wed have to sit while Jack called the mechanic. Again, no work, no pay. Congress has been in a state of constant breakdown for the past two years but we continue to pay them as if they were working. Know any other occupation that gets a salary for accomplishing nothing? In fact, if we truly kept track of what our Senate and House of Representatives get done then Ive a notion that they would actually owe us money. Sounds like a good way to decrease the national debt: charge Congress for the harm theyve done. Jacks gone now, his baler sits rusting in the last field he baled, and the present generation of kids have no idea what its like to spend a hot after swathed in clover chaff, but I know four former bale buckers who realize that to get paid you have to earn it. None of us is in Congress at the moment. You ever in Coonridge, stop by. We may not answer the door but youll enjoy the trip. Freida Marie Crump chronicles the comings and goings in Coonridge for the Journal-Courier. To ease the international pressure on Riyadh, local newspapers and TV point to Doha as scapegoat. Qatar plotted to undermine relations between Riyadh and Ankara. Suspicions cast also on his partner, "totally unknown" to the journalist's family. Istanbul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The disappearance of Saudi journalist and intellectual Jamal Khashoggi, critical voice of the government of Riyadh and of the hereditary prince Mohammad bin Salman (MBS), is increasingly shrouded in mystery. Turkey accuses Riyadh of having wanted to annihilate a critical voice of the regime, with a targeted execution that took place inside the consulate in Istanbul; the body was reportedly dismembered at a later time, the remains hidden. The international community, led by the United States, are demanding clarification. Hence the choice of the Saudi press to counterattack, accusing Qatar of involvement. In the aftermath of the journalist's disappearance, the main newspapers of the kingdom have limited themselves to telling the story without giving particular information on (alleged) perpetrators. In the last two days there has been a clear reversal of trend, with the publication of a series of articles in the main newspapers in which Qatar, with whom a diplomatic, economic and commercial war has been underway for some time, is accused. Saudi Arabia is 169th out of 180 nations in the world for freedom of the press according to Reporters Without Borders. Its newspapers and televisions now point the finger at Doha, claiming it is behind the mysterious disappearance of the journalist and intellectual. Qatar thus becomes the ideal scapegoat to avoid confrontation with Turkey (ally and partner of Doha) and the international community, especially the United States, which insist on obtaining information from the Saudi ally. Khashoggi had gone to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to get the necessary documents to get married to his partner Hatice Cengiz, a woman of Turkish nationality who first reported his disappearance. The man had asked his partner to contact the Turkish authorities [in particular to contact a Recep Tayyip Erdogan adviser] in case he did not return. Colleagues and friends launched the #JamalKhashoggiDisappeared campaign, in Arabic and English, which has collected thousands of followers. The Saudi intellectual and journalist had gone into exile last year in the United States, fearing a possible arrest by the authorities of the kingdom for criticizing some decisions of the crown prince and strongman of the Mbs country. These include Riyadh's military intervention in Yemen and the campaign of internal repression targeteing Essam Al-Zamel among others. Yesterday, the al-Riyadh newspaper accused the satellite channel of Qatar al-Jazeera of spreading false information on the matter. Al-Arabya, interviewed a communications expert at the University of Saud of Riyadh who accuses Doha of wanting to undermine relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The Saudi satellite chain does not even spare the Turkish girlfriend of Khashoggi, stating that she is "totally unknown" to the journalist's family and would have "played a central role" in his disappearance. Cross and boundary wall of Lingkun church torn down. A cross demolished in Zhumadian in Henan. It was "too visible". Re-education of priests in Hubei to reaffirm the Church's "independence" from the Vatican and submission to the Party. Rome (AsiaNews) - The "provisional" agreement between China and the Holy See, signed on 22 September, does not seem to have stopped persecution and violence against Catholics. This morning in Lingkun, in the district of Yongqiang, the cross that stood on the bell tower of the Catholic church was torn down (photo 1); the perimeter wall in front of the sacred building was demolished (photo 2). The church is part of the parish of Yongqiang, in the diocese of Wenzhou (Zhejiang). The Catholic community of Wenzhou has about 130 thousand faithful and is led by Msgr. Peter Shao Zhumin, recognized by the Holy See, but not by the government. It is the first time that a Wenzhou church has been targeted in four years. The campaign or repression began right in Zhejiang, in 2014, before spreading to many other provinces of China. Lingkun's cross is not the first to be destroyed after the Sino-Vatican agreement. That primacy belongs to Zhumadian, in Henan. On 3 October, a team of from the United Front workers, le by the United Front provincial deputy chief tore down the church cross because "it was too visible" even from the high-speed train station (photo 3). He said: "It must be destroyed". The United Front is the body that oversees the religious activities. The diocese of Zhumadian has been suppressed by the provincial authorities. It gathers over 60 thousand faithful and is currently without a bishop. Instead its administrator is Fr. Cosmas Ji Chengyi. The violence against Henan is explained by the fact that the province has a high percentage of Christians. Catholics and Protestants total an estimated 10-15% of the population, one of the highest in China, together with Zhejiang. The increase in persecution in recent days is also evidenced by another fact: a meeting convoked by the United Front (and the Patriotic Association) in Hubei to "re-educate the priests". Hubei (precisely Hankow) is the place where in 1958 the first "independent" bishop was ordained, without a Holy See mandate. A photo of the rally shows (on Powerpoint, photo 4) the line the authorities want to follow, reaffirming the implementation of an "independent" Church, hindering the agreement and reaffirming the ideological submission to the Chinese Communist Party. The translation of the text says: "Hubei, first province with an independent Catholic Church. Hubei, first province with an independent Catholic Church. In the formation for the clergy the following was highlighted: First, even if China and the Vatican signed a provisional agreement, the Vatican's attempt to interfere with the internal affairs of the Chinese Catholic Church has not changed, calling into question the hierarchical system and spreading negative information. These systems will become even more sophisticated and diversified in the future! Secondly, some Catholics have lost their heads: they are confused about which flag to follow and which direction to take ... '[i], they do not have a clear understanding, the principle of independence and self-government seems to have been forgotten! Thirdly, after the division of the dioceses and the disputes over ecclesiastical property, in many dioceses, arguments and contradictions have arisen because of conflicted interests ". It is interesting to note the third point, in which "disputes over ecclesiastical property" are cited. As we know, one of the main reasons for the close control of the United Front and the bishops by the United Front is to prevent requests for the return of Church property seized in the past by the Party. According to Chinese law they should be returned to their legitimate owners (ie the diocese). But members of the United Front and the Patriotic Association have long since registered these properties in their own name, in contravention of the law. (BC). [i] According to the United Front, "confused" Catholics must obey the results of the 18th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, submitting "without hesitation" to socialism with Chinese characteristics. See http://theory.people.com.cn/n/2012/1109/c40531-19536049.html U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that his administration is contacting Dina Powell, his former senior advisor, on a possible replacement of outgoing Nikki Haley as new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, while not ruling out other people for the post. Dina Powell [File Photo: IC] Trump told reporters at the White House that Powell, his former deputy national security adviser, is "somebody we're talking to," when asked if she was the top candidate to succeed Haley, who announced her resignation on Tuesday. Trump added that the White House is "looking at many people," including some who are currently working in the administration. President Donald Trump meets with outgoing U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, Oc. 9, 2018, in Washington. [Photo: AP] On Tuesday, Trump revealed that he had already had a five-person short list for the post. He was expected to name the new UN envoy within two or three weeks' time. Trump accepted Haley's resignation on Tuesday, who will remain in the post until the end of the year Powell returned to work in Goldman Sachs as a senior executive after leaving her White House job earlier this year. She once served in the George W. Bush administration. by Shafique Khokhar Extremists are affiliated with the Taliban. There is still no news on the fate of the Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy. Pope Francis offers his prayers. For activist, Pakistans parliament must change the law. Islamabad (AsiaNews) If Asia Bibi is released, the justices will meet a "horrible end, according to Muslim radicals. Everyone is waiting for the Supreme Court of Pakistan to announce the fate of the Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy and held in solitary confinement in prison since 2009. On Wednesday Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP), a hardline religious political party, has announced protests across the country. On social media, extremists are calling for the Bibi to be hanged. Christians, for their part, are praying for her release with Pope Francis leading the way. During a brief conversation with Daniel Bashir, representative of young Pakistanis at the Synod underway in the Vatican, the pontiff told him that he was praying for her every day. God bless you". Michelle Chaudhry, president of the Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF), told AsiaNews that she was disappointed by the trials delays. "However, we wait with optimism for the decision of the Supreme Court and hope for a fair and impartial decision. Asia Bibi was wrongly convicted of blasphemy. She has spent nine years in prison, most of which on death row. The rule of law must prevail and justice has to be done." For Chaudhry, Asia Bibi is not the only victim of laws that punish insults against the Prophet Muhammad. Asia Bibi is certainly not the first to fall victim to Pakistans blasphemy laws; numerous people both Muslims and non-Muslims have been accused under this Law. Some accused persons have been killed even before the courts could hear the cases registered against them. Many have been killed in custody. Hundreds of blasphemy accused are languishing in prisons across Pakistan; it is imperative that this law be revisited. Dil Nawaz, a research officer at Interfaith Affairs Liverpool Hope University and Trustee of Hope Heritage UK, has confidence in the justices. I am hopeful that the current Supreme Court will hear Asia Bibi plea on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. According to Zafar Iqbal, another activist, Asia Bibis case "is the one of the false cases in the country targeting poor Christian women. There are many social and human rights activists who want justice for her, but there are numerous extremists [who are] against her without knowing the facts. Zafar believes that the Christian woman should be released from prison; nevertheless, there will be no peace for her and her family. She must be sent abroad if she wants a future". Attorney Bilal Warraich agrees. Asia Bibis trial shows how the justice system works in Pakistan. The real question is: Would Bibi be able to be safe in Pakistan. Until parliament deals with the laws brought in by Zia ul-Haq, innocent lives will continue to be threatened. Sonora Football Team in the Sonora High Homecoming Parade 2015 View Photos Sonora, CA Sonora High School will celebrate its homecoming by parading down the streets of downtown and that means motorists could face delays. The schools homecoming parade is Friday (Oct. 12th). It will run along Washington Street/Highway 49 forcing the closure of all traffic between Snell and Church streets from 2:15 p.m. to 3 pm. School Street will also be shut down around 1:30 p.m. to allow for staging of the parade. There will be no parking on Green Street from Yaney Street to Stockton Road during the parade with signs posted. The celebration ends with a performance by the Golden Regiment Band at Courthouse Park, which will last about 15 minutes. During that time, Green Street will be closed between Bradford and Yaney streets. These areas will be posted with No Parking signs. Sonora Police released this route for the parade: The parade will leave Sonora High School and enter Snell Street from School Street, then travel south on Snell Street and onto Washington Street. From Washington Street, it will then turn right onto Stockton Road, right again onto South Green Street, and end at Courthouse Park. Those not planning to take part in the festivities may want to use alternate routes as there will be slow and congested travel in the downtown area before, during, and after the parade. Construction of new water tunnel near Knights Ferry View Photos Knights Ferry, CA A major water project, which has been in development for over a decade, will be completed in the coming months. The Oakdale Irrigation District is replacing a problematic section of a 100-year-old canal with a new water tunnel. A one-mile stretch along a steep Stanislaus River canyon could be wiped out in the event of a rockslide. Another concern is that it has been creeping downhill over time toward the river. If damage occurred, it could choke off water supply, and impact 60-percent of the customers in the Oakdale community. In 2007 Condor Earth of Sonora began the initial tunnel design and collected geographical data. Environmental permits were secured in 2016 and the primary focus was on potential impacts to the California tiger salamander and the vernal pool crustacean habitat. Later in 2016, the construction contract for the 5,948 ft. tunnel was awarded to Drill Tech Drilling and Shoring of Antioch. The $15-million project is currently on pace to be completed by March. Oakdale Irrigation District General Manager Steve Knell reports that all of the funding for the project is coming from cash reserves built up over recent years thanks to the strategic sale of surplus water to other irrigation districts. All the infrastructure improvements at OID have been, and continue to be, paid for from the sale of surplus water, adds Knell. To date, 98-percent of all water sale revenues have been spent on projects to rebuild and modernize our irrigation district-at no cost to our ratepayers. Thats remarkable and a testament to the vision of the OID Board in the late 1990s to develop such a program. It has served the district well. More than 73,000 cubic yards of material, which the district says primarily consisted of volcanic rock over a million years old, was removed and hauled to a site a few miles to the west near Lovers Leap. San Andreas, CA With General Manager Dave Eggerton departing at the end of the month, a familiar face will lead the Calaveras County Water District over the short-term. The CCWD board has appointed Jeffery Meyer to serve as Interim GM until a permanent replacement is hired. Meyer has been serving as CCWDs Director of Administrative services over the past decade. CCWD Board President Scott Ratterman says, I dont expect CCWD will miss a beat under Jeffs leadership. Hes very familiar with the district and the board has full confidence in him. Meyer spent much of his youth in the Sacramento area and graduated from Stanford University in 1978. We reported earlier that Eggerton is departing for a position with the statewide Association of California Water Agencies. The board of directors has begun the recruitment process for a permanent GM and candidate interviews are anticipated to take place before the end of the year. CCWD, the countys largest water district, supplies water to over 13,000 customers. Pro-Chinese rebels forced those released to sign a document pledging to pray only at home and not in churches. More than a hundred places of worship have been shut down and at least three destroyed. Catholic mission run by Salesian missionary nuns has also be forced to close. Naypyidaw (AsiaNews/Agencies) The United Wa State Army (UWSA) last week freed 100 ethnic Wa Christians it had detained, but continues to hold about 130 ethnic Lahu Christians as part of their ongoing campaign of repression against Christianity. Considered Myanmars largest non-state army, the UWSA (pictured) controls two mountainous regions in the eastern state of Shan, on the border with China. Churches, priests and Christian missionaries who work in the Wa highlands have been the victims of a crackdown since the beginning of September by the pro-Beijing rebel group. According to the Lahu Baptist Convention (LBC), more than a hundred churches have been closed and at least three destroyed. In the Mong Pauk township alone, the ethnic army shut down 52 churches, including those operated by the Wa Baptist Convention and the Kachin Baptist Convention. In Mong Mau, rebels also ordered the closure of a Catholic mission run by Salesian missionary nuns and ordered the latters expulsion. LBC general secretary Rev Lazarus said that the UWSA detained 92 of its leaders and that none have been released to date. Those released on 5 October had to sign a document pledging to pray only at home and not in churches. The seven pastors who refused are still in custody. UWSA militants, most of whom follow tribal religions, also seized more than 40 ethnic Wa students who have been reportedly forcibly recruited. OPEC is under intense pressure right now from consumers to ease prices by pumping more crude, but for 2019 it sees a more doubtful picture. The cartel cut its estimate for global demand for its crude next year due to weakening economic growth and higher output from rivals, notably U.S. shale drillers. The world will need almost 900,000 fewer barrels from the group each day in 2019 -- equivalent to Libyas average output this year. The weaker outlook comes as pressure is increasing on the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies to pump more to offset the impact of looming U.S. sanctions on Iran and Venezuelas collapsing oil industry. In addition to tweets from President Donald Trump demanding action, OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo said on Thursday that India has written to the group expressing its discomfort with the current market. IN THE U.S.: Crude oil exports to double by 2020 "There is no cause for alarm," Barkindo said at the Oil and Money conference in London. OPEC and its allies "are ready and willing to continue to make sure that the market remains well supplied." The groups daily production rose by 132,000 barrels in September to 32.76 million. While Irans output fell by 150,000 barrels a day and Venezuela lost 42,000 barrels a day, Saudi Arabia and Libya more than offset the decline. Weaker Outlook Still, OPECs monthly oil market report provided some reasons to question the sustainability of the rally in crude futures to four-year highs last week. The group reduced its estimates for the expansion in global consumption in 2018 and 2019, citing slowing economic activity in emerging markets. Demand growth of 1.54 million barrels a day this year will slow to 1.36 million next year. At the same time, it added 200,000 barrels a day to its estimate for non-OPEC supply this year as the U.S., Canada, Kazakhstan and Brazil grow faster than expected. SUPPLY: IEA urges OPEC to open the taps as oil market enters 'red zone' Stockpiles of crude and refined products in industrialized countries rose by 14.2 million barrels in August, a second consecutive monthly increase. The outlook for supply and demand in 2019 indicates that inventories could continue to rise, Barkindo said. Oil prices could fall next year as the fear factor thats currently gripping the market subsides, Ian Taylor, chairman of the worlds largest independent oil trader Vitol Group, said in an interview with Bloomberg television on Wednesday. Crude could be $5 to $10 lower by January, he said. 2018 Bloomberg L.P. From banking and insurance to education and auto sales, companies named to the San Antonio Express-News' Top Workplaces for 2018 are as diverse as the city they serve. A total of 14 of San Antonio's largest employers, employing at least 500 workers, earned the honor of being named the annual Top Workplaces list. They joined the nearly 100 businesses nominated by employees for consideration as a top workplace. Note: This is an abbreviated version of the full Taste Test review, with a star rating based on multiple visits. See the complete version on our subscriber site ExpressNews.com. Bless the keepers of The Esquire Tavern flame, from the opportunists who opened it the day after Prohibition ended in 1933 to the people who kept it weird and wild through the decades. Bless them all, and bless owner Chris Hill for bringing it back from the brink in 2011. Kunio Kohori accused the sovereign of "trying to destroy Yasukuni shrine by staying away. The shrines Book of Souls holds the names of 2.5 million people, including war criminals. Since he ascended to the throne, Emperor Akihito has chosen to honour fallen soldiers and civilians in Pacific battlefields. Tokyo (AsiaNews/Agencies) The chief priest at Tokyos controversial Shinto Yasukuni shrine was forced to resign for using "highly inappropriate language" to criticise Emperor Akihito. His successor will be selected on 26 October in a general meeting. The resignation stems from the latest issue of the Shukan Post, a weekly magazine that quoted chief priest Kunio Kohori, 68, as saying at a closed-door meeting in June that the emperor is trying to destroy Yasukuni Shrine by avoiding it. Established in 1869 under Emperor Meiji, the site is dedicated to the souls of those who died fighting in the service of the Japanese Empire. The shrine, however, has been a source of considerable controversy, especially in relation to countries that experienced the atrocities committed by the Japanese military. The shrines Book of Souls contains the names of some 2.5 million people, including more than a thousand people convicted of war crimes. Important Japanese politicians, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, have visited the memorial, but Emperor Akihito has never done so since he came to the throne in 1989. The former chief priest questioned the sovereigns choice. The emperor has in fact chosen to honour civilians and military fallen in the battlefields of the Pacific rather than those remembered in Yasukuni. For Kohori, because of the emperor's behaviour, it is unlikely that Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife Masako will ever visit the shrine once Akihito abdicates. The priest also alleges that the Crown Princess "detests Shinto and Shinto shrines". Emperor Akihito has repeatedly expressed deep remorse over World War II, whilst the shrine and many of its supporters have claimed that Japan fought a war of self-defence. The Constitution bans the emperor from engaging in any political activity. A visit by Akihito to Yasukuni would likely cause major controversy. One of San Antonios downtown hotels has gained worldwide notoriety for things that go bump in the night. With its storied history of bloody battles and lore, the Alamo City lives with the dead. Many places around town have been the site of ghost investigations, including the Emily Morgan Hotel the third most-haunted in the world, according to USA Today. The list includes hotels as far as London and Ireland, but San Antonio's downtown jewel, only behind the Stanley and Bourbon Orleans, is one of the most frightening, USA Today reported. From USA Today: "(The hotel) at one time was a medical facility, so the property housed a morgue and a psychiatric ward. Reports of unexplained noises, apparitions, and the feeling of being touched are pretty frequent." Hotel management refused to comment on the classification or whether they experience an uptick in Halloween-night reservations on Wednesday. RELATED: 15 things to know about the Emily Morgan Hotel in San Antonio USA Today recommends reserving a room on the 7th floors if guests want to welcome a ghostly visitor to their sleepover. Debbie McNabb, a senior sales manager at the Emily Morgan, once spoke to San Antonio Magazine about hotel guests complaints of phones ringing in the middle of the night, televisions and lights mysteriously turning on and sightings of a woman dressed in white. The manager dished about her own spooky workplace experiences with the local publication. McNabb said she was sharing a room with a coworker one night and, upon returning from dinner, the two found the tub filled with water. My roommate asked Why did you run my bath water, she told San Antonio Magazine, explaining she had not. The water in the tub was ocean blue. USA Today may have recommended on booking a 12th room floor for reasons explained by McNabb. Before this was a hotel, this was the most advanced medical arts facility west of the Mississippi, she said in the interview. We tend to hear about ghosts on the 12th and 14th floors because those were the hospital and surgery floors. We also had a crematorium on the 14th floor for the patients who did not have families. Like management, the hotels website is mum on any word of haunts but does offer reservations, including ones for Oct. 31, for the opportunity to have a first-hand experience with what the world is talking about. mmendoza@mysa.com Twitter: @MaddySkye MILFORD - Students and staff at the Boys & Girls Village were evacuated because of a bomb threat Thursday morning. Steven Kant, the CEO, said Boys & Girls Village, said am employee received a text message warning that an explosive device had been placed at one of our facilities. He said upon receipt of the threat, BGV staff immediately notified law enforcement and carried out a safe and orderly evacuation of its facilities. The text was received around 9 a.m. The village on Wheelers Farm Road serves about 85 at-risk youth youth with behavioral, educational, vocational services. About two-thirds are day students and a third live on the campus. Students and staff were evacuated and moved to another building near the campus. Officer Michael DeVito said the Connecticut State Police Bomb Squad was called to the scene shortly after Milford police learned of the threat. After searching the campus, the bomb squad cleared the scene at 10:40 a.m. Students and staff were then allowed to return. Kant said, Boys & Girls Village has a full range of procedures in place to safely respond to any threat to the well-being or security of the organization, its clients, staff or other associates. Those procedures were followed this morning. We also have on staff a former senior law enforcement officer who is responsible for ensuring that all of our procedures and protocols are up-to-date and can be quickly and effectively employed if needed. We would like to thank state and local law enforcement officials for their prompt, thorough and professional response to this incident. This incident is now in their hands for further investigation. Boys & Girls Village will have no further comment on this matter in order to best protect the privacy and security of our clients, parents and staff. FAIRFIELD The gun that a delivery driver accidentally shot himself with Tuesday night was unregistered, police said Thursday. At this point, the gun was not registered and the victim is not permitted to carry, Lt. Robert Kalamaras said. But whether the delivery driver, a 24-year-old Trumbull man whos identity has not yet been released by police, will face any charges is not clear yet. As of Thursday, the man is still in the intensive care unit of St. Vincents Medical Center, Kalamaras said. He was rushed to the hospital shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday from his place of employment, Wings Over Fairfield. Kalamaras said the Trumbull man accidentally shot himself in the chest with a revolver. Another employee called 911 and said a delivery driver of the restaurant had been shot behind the building. When officers got there, they found the 24-year-old lying on his back in the rear hallway of the business. There are no charges that could be levied against the business owner at this time, Kalamaras said Thursday. He said the shooting was self-inflicted and accidental. A preliminary investigation and evidence recovered at the scene revealed that this is an isolated incident and that there is no public threat, Kalamaras said Wednesday. HAMDEN Parents and community members from the Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School lobbied the Board of Education Tuesday not to force students and the Area Cooperative Educational Services program out of the building, as would occur under recent redistricting proposals. Sada Marshall said the shift would harm her son, a special needs student who in the past has had to fight to adjust to change . Im asking you, from the bottom of my heart, to please come to some resolution where we can keep this building. Theres other things that can be done. Please. Im asking that God will touch each and every one of your hearts, so you can do the right thing, said Marshall. My son and these children, they mean the world to me, and I dont want to see them devastated because they have to go somewhere else. Would you tell your children, your grandchildren, that youre going to put a dollar amount in front of their well-being and their safety and their security and their love of education and the love of the building that theyre in? Darrylle Olsen, a second-grade teacher at Wintergreen, asked. At some point, dont the kids have to really come first? We dont want you telling us that we have to be redistricted and go to other schools, said Michael Garbatini. We saw the schools; we dont like the schools. Mary Kate Kelly said her son had thrived at ACES and become an avid reader. She said the board should seek to produce those sort of outcomes for town residents. Youre just going to be giving up a huge asset, said Kelly. The programs great. Board of Education Chairman Chris Daur responded to the concerns shared Tuesday, saying that the board understood and acknowledged them. Redistricting is a difficult decision, he said. We understand that you love the school. It is a beautiful school and it has some nice programs, said Daur. No matter how this goes, Hamden is still going to provide you the options to go forward with the ACES program, should you choose to. But I would hope and encourage you to take a look at the Hamden Public School programs, because we have excellent programs, as well. Superintendent of Schools Jody Goeler said doing right by the students ,should be the foundation of the redistricting effort. The three most recent ideas for redistricting would see the Board of Education retake control of the Wintergreen building before the next school year, as allowed under the terms of the lease with ACES. Projections shared with the board by Cheshire-based firm Milone & MacBroom suggest 70 percent of Wintergreen students would return to the Hamden Public Schools, which parents from the institution cast doubt on Tuesday. Wintergreen parents met to discuss the issue last Friday. At the time, ACES Executive Director Thomas Dannehy urged them to attend future board meetings and share their concerns. Daur said the board was waiting for Dannehy to present a proposal to the board, which would allow an informed discussion of long-term plans. The current financial outlay required from the board for the Wintergreen program is unsustainable and the percentage of students from other communities is dwindling, he said. Evelyn Rossetti-Ryan, chief of marketing and outreach at ACES, noted their commitment to the program in response and said Dannehy was open to discussing options for the future of the building. Appraisals for the property have just been completed, she noted. Dannehy said last week he planned to meet with Mayor Curt B. Leng to discuss buying the building, which is town-owned. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com The Center for Spirituality and Sustainability will be holding its Annual Celebration of World Faiths at the Fuller Dome on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. The program will be a presentation on Religious Freedom in America: Building Bridges of Trust. Dr. Jaymeson Stroud, MD, president of the OFallon, Ill. Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (LDS), will be the featured speaker. He will share stories of religious persecution that LDS members experienced in Illinois and Missouri in the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries to demonstrate the importance of religious freedom, as intended by the founders of our country. The average age of entrepreneurs seems to get more youthful every year. With tech savviness starting before potty training it's hard not to assume every child is one step away from becoming the next Jobs or Zuckerberg. However, a new study shows that middle-aged entrepreneurs tend to have more success than their younger peers. So, whats a fresh-faced founder to do? Procure a partner, of course. According to a Startup Genome report, the right co-founder can significantly increase your chances of entrepreneurial success. The researchers found teams that paired a founder with business prowess and another with technical know-how secured 30 percent more funding, had triple the user growth, and were nearly one-fifth less likely to scale the business too early than teams in which either business or technical expertise was overrepresented. As Marc Fischer, CEO of mobile technology studio Dogtown Media, argues, Without the right co-founder, there is no startup. Fischer, who co-founded his company with a more technically oriented counterpart, owes much of his success to such a partnership. But like most other successful team-ups, it took time for Fischer to find the right startup mate. Gaining the perfect co-founder for your startup will be just as essential to your success. Here are three tips to follow when looking for "the one": Related: 10 Steps to Finding the Right Co-Founder 1. Seek supplementary strengths. Finding a co-founder is a lot like dating, and that includes the impulse to slink toward similarities and common interests. For your startups sake, steer yourself away from that dangerous desire. The point of your partnership is to make sure that your co-founders strengths can fortify your weaknesses, and vice versa. For those with business prowess, this means finding a tech expert to shore up your interpersonal skills. For the tech-savvy, that could mean finding someone whos adept at marketing and building a business so you can focus on creating and innovating your products and services. To achieve the right balance, recognize and be honest about your own strengths and weaknesses while prodding potential partners for theirs. Related: The Critical Process of Identifying the Right Co-Founder 2. Contribute to the community. Youll have a better chance at finding someone who can match your big ideas if you interact with entrepreneurial communities. For example, Facebook offers a wealth of online groups for local entrepreneurs to interact with and learn from each other. I personally am a member of over a dozen where we regularly post questions and help each other as a community - the time investment is well worth the networking benefit. It isnt all just socializing and networking, though. You should offer your unique thoughts to these groups to see how they resonate. People who think alike and share your vision will engage with you, which may spark the startup romance that gets your business going. Or maybe you'll find a helpful critic who can balance your ideas and contribute to your business success in that way. Either way, these groups of fellow entrepreneurs are your friend. Related: 6 Ways to Build a Lasting 'Co-Founder Team' for Your Startup 3. Chase chemistry. Professional strengths and skills that complement each other are important, but theres also a significant personal aspect to startup partnerships. Entrpereneurial pursuits are a full time (and then some) gig. Youll be spending an insane amount of time with each other in the future, and personal problems are a commonly cited reason for the failure of startups with multiple founders. Just like in any relationship, opposites attract. Chemistry can draw together the most dissimilar of cohorts. No matter your differences, a certain camaraderie can make the bad days much better -- and youre sure to have some bad days as you fight the uphill battle of starting a new business. Qualifications are important, but be sure to spend time getting to know a potential partner personally before deciding to share your startup life with him or her. A difference of opinion is fine, the key is balance. If you don't get along with your partner, the business isn't going to go far. The difference between co-founder dating and actual dating is that you have predetermined metrics for the success of your partnership. That means you may be tempted to jump in once you find someone who checks all the boxes on your search list. However, checkboxes don't necessarily equal chemistry, so its important not to rush into anything. When youre searching for the right co-founder, the stakes are high. Youre looking for someone you can trust with your idea, your future, and its a hard choice to undo. By finding supplemental strengths, networking with your community of entrepreneurs, and chasing co-founder chemistry in the search for the ultimate unicorn, you'll be sure to find a partnership you can both swipe right on. Related: 3 Dating Tips to Find the Right Co-Founder Here's What Made Microsoft Invest In Ride-hailing Giant Grab How Franchises Can Find the Right Technology Partners and CRMs Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Brexit negotiators are edging toward a compromise on the thorniest issue in talks, even as officials on both sides warned that obstacles still stand in the way of a deal. EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said Wednesday that a deal is within reach, and officials in Brussels and London said some progress was being made in intense negotiations. While the Telegraph reported late Wednesday that an agreement had been clinched, EU and U.K. officials warned in public and in private against predictions that a deal is in the bag. "It's too early to be putting champagne on ice," Prime Minister Theresa May's de-facto deputy, David Lidington, said Wednesday in an ITV interview. "We've got a fair way to go still. There are still differences between our position and that of the European Commission, but we're working very hard to overcome them." The main sticking point is how to keep the Irish border open after Brexit. It's known as the backstop, because it's meant to be a guarantee that whatever future trade deal the two sides eventually sign, the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic remains all but invisible. The trouble is that both sides suspect that whatever is agreed as a backstop will end up coming into effect -- potentially shaping future ties between the U.K. and the bloc indefinitely. The U.K. currency has gained almost 4 percent since mid-August as optimism over a Brexit divorce deal grows, paring its decline for the year to 2.3 percent. Yet it's still well below pre-referendum levels, with one hedge fund manager predicting it could recover to $1.55 in the longer-term on a positive Brexit outcome. The Telegraph reported that U.K. and EU officials have agreed a backstop that would keep the whole U.K. in a customs union with the EU until a permanent trade deal is brokered, and that May will put it to her Brexit war Cabinet on Thursday. One U.K. official pushed back against the report, saying nothing has been agreed yet. Another said there is movement in talks toward a temporary customs fix that would keep the U.K. aligned to EU customs rules as part of the so-called backstop. That's in line with what the U.K. proposed back in June -- but the EU has reservations. May is demanding a guarantee that the arrangement will be temporary, the person said. The EU has been reluctant to do that -- saying that the backstop can only work as a guarantee if it's open-ended. One option is to have a review of the backstop proposals before the end of a post-Brexit transition period is due to expire, according to the person familiar with the situation. Staying inside the EU's customs regime is controversial at home, as a large part of May's Conservative Party reject it. The proposal also risks angering the Northern Irish party that keeps May in power -- as it could involve checks on goods between Northern Ireland and mainland Britain. In a possible signal to the government not to take them for granted, the Democratic Unionist Party's 10 lawmakers didn't vote with the Conservatives on an agriculture bill on Wednesday, instead abstaining on a Labour amendment. "Now is not the time to try and sell even more compromise to satisfy the appetite of the EU to humiliate our country," the DUP's Brexit spokesman, Sammy Wilson, wrote in the Telegraph on Thursday. "The road which the leaks and briefings is outlining is the road to parliamentary defeat for any deal which the prime minister brings forward." Whatever deal she eventually brings home, May will face a battle to get it approved by Parliament. Brexiteers in her own party's European Research Group -- which numbers 60 or more -- have signaled they'd vote against a deal along the lines she's seeking. Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who quit May's Cabinet over her Brexit plans, railed against backstop proposals in a series of tweets, saying the strategy would make Britain a "permanent colony" of the EU. And former Brexit Secretary David Davis, who also quit in protest, said the deal is shaping up to be one that won't pass Parliament because of a lack of guarantees on the U.K.'s future economic relationship with the bloc. EU and U.K. negotiators hope to make progress on the thorny issue of the Irish border in time for the October summit of EU leaders next week, and then seal the agreement a month later. The talks "are intensively continuing day and night," Barnier said. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte urged greater speed so that leaders can see progress next week. "We're going on the principle that the faster we're done, the better," Merkel said. "It's important that we can really log a result next week," the Dutch leader said, adding that "a few big questions remain." But Merkel, a veteran of EU negotiations, warned that the "devil is in the detail." - - - Bloomberg's Dara Doyle, Marine Strauss, John Hermse and Charlotte Ryan contributed. Washington FBI Director Chris Wray said Wednesday that the FBI's background investigation of new Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was limited in scope but that the "usual process" was followed. Wray's comments at a Senate committee hearing were his first public statements about the bureau's investigation into Kavanaugh's past and allegations of sexual misconduct. Democrats have complained that the White House constrained the FBI and worked with Senate Republicans to narrowly define the parameters of the investigation, which lasted a week and did not include interviews with people who said they had relevant information to share about Kavanaugh's past. The Senate confirmed Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court Saturday. Wray, responding to questions from Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., said unlike criminal investigations, the FBI's authority in background investigations is determined by the agency that requested it. He said at another point that there had been communication between the FBI's Security Division, which runs the background investigation process, and the White House Office of Security. Wray said he had spoken with "our background investigation specialists and they have assured me that this was handled in the way that is consistent with their experience and the standard process," he said. Wray declined to answer a question from Harris about whether the FBI had investigated whether Kavanaugh had lied to Congress under oath. Thousands of miles from home, 18 German students are spending much of October visiting Jacksonville, attending classes at Jacksonville High School and learning about American culture as a part of an exchange program between Uelzen, Germany, and JHS. The German American Partnership Program or GAPP between JHS and the town of Uelzen brought the students and two teachers on the 4,484-mile trip to Jacksonville for the three-week program. While here, the students will visit historical sites and museums and try different foods and customs. Each is staying with an American host family in town. Daniel Mettjes, the English teacher from Uelzen, said this trip provides wonderful opportunities for the students to learn about a new culture, as well as work on their English. They get to live the language, Mettjes said. When we return, speaking English will seem more natural. Arriving on Monday, the students are beginning to settle in and explore the community, with tours of the town, meetings with Jacksonville organizations, and trips planned throughout their stay. Max Schroder, 15, said he is looking forward to learning about American customs. The culture of Jacksonville is interesting, he said. I also want to learn more about the story of Abraham Lincoln. Schroder said he is excited for the trip and seeing the different types of communities in America. I think one of the best things will be Chicago and taking trips with my host family on the weekends, he said. Ella Holmes, 15, said she also is excited about the trips the group will take. Im excited to see Chicago and St. Louis and Springfield, Holmes said. For some, it is the food that they are most excited to experience. I want to try fast food, the typical American fast food, Schroder said. Holmes said Taco Bell is on the top of her list of places to try. Ive never tried a taco before, Holmes said. I love Pop-Tarts, too. It isnt just improved use of the English language that Mettjes hopes for the students. He hopes the students learn that each country, while different, has its own pros and cons, he said. I want them to realize that world is bigger than they know, Mettjes said. While here, the students said they hope to share some of their traditions, as well. Ive already played a German game with my (host) student and I hope they can learn some of the language as well, Holmes said. Jolie Ahrenstedt, 16, said she wants to share some German traditions and how they are different than the United States. I want them to learn some German traditions and the difference between food from here and (Germany), Ahrenstedt said. Mettjes said he also hopes the students build lifelong friends during their trip. I hope they find, in their host student, a good friend that they will stay in contact with, Mettjes said. We have students that continue to write to their host families. Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1233, or on Twitter @JCNews_samantha. Musician and fashion designer Kanye West had lunch with President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, where they talked in front of reporters about West's contract with Adidas, overhauling prison sentences, replacing Air Force One with a hydrogen-powered plane and other topics. Invited to speak by Trump, West launched into a long, winding discourse, occasionally slapping the Resolute Desk for emphasis. He told Trump he had stopped a potential war with North Korea. "Nice of you to say that because that's a big thing," Trump responded. West asked Trump to pardon Larry Hoover, the alleged founder of a notorious Chicago street gang who's serving six life sentences in a federal supermax prison in Colorado. He said his "Make America Great Again" hat gives him power. "When I put this hat on I felt like Superman," he told Trump. West said the president had inspired him to sign a shoe design contract with Adidas. "You gave me the heart to go to Adidas," he told Trump. "This Adidas thing made me a billionaire." Complaining about prison sentences, West said that people fall through a "trap door" and "end up next to the Unabomber." "We don't need sentences, we need pardons," he said. He told Trump that he tested in the 98th percentile for IQ and has been diagnosed bipolar, but then said he's sleep deprived. "We can empower the pharmaceuticals," he said. He showed the president a video on his phone of a hydrogen-powered plane and said Trump should travel in it. "We'll get rid of Air Force One," Trump responded. West stopped. "I'll tell you what, that was pretty impressive," Trump said. "It was from the soul, I just channeled it," West said. Then he resumed. Black people worry about racism over industry, he said. "We want a brand over our own land." Commenting on police brutality, he said that if someone disrespects him he would have to shoot them. Police officers are just like us, he said. "We have to release the love" in the country, he said. He repeatedly mentioned the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which outlawed slavery. Racism, he said, is an invisible wall in the country. The number one thing he wanted to discuss with Trump, he said, is "stop and frisk" law enforcement practices that allow police to stop and search people on the street. West said he doesn't think "stop and frisk" helps. Trump said last week Chicago should adopt the practice to combat high crime and murders in the city, but he told West "I'm open-minded, I'm here." West warned reporters that he doesn't answer questions in sound bites. "You are tasting a fine wine that has multiple notes in it," he said. It'd be cool to have "Trump factories," West added. Returning to law enforcement issues and prison sentences, he called Hoover "a living statue" for black people. "Illegal guns is the problem, not legal guns," he said. "We have the right to bear arms." Trump asked West what he thought of the Oval Office. "It's a good energy," West said. The two men hugged. "I love this guy," West said. NEW YORK CITY For over two decades, homegrown Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Lynsey Addario has documented life in conflict zones across the Middle East, South Asia and Africa. In a new book of photos, Of Love & War, Addario fans can buy, for the first time, a collection of her influential work from around the world. Addario, who lives in London with her husband and son, admits her globe-trotting career is a far cry from her childhood in Westport. When asked at a recent TimesTalks event whether she ever expected to report from war zones, Addario said, No, not at all. I was raised by hairdressers in the 70s in Connecticut in a sort of eccentric upbringing with a lot of pool parties. In her bestselling 2015 memoir, Its What I Do: A Photographers Life of Love and War, Addario detailed her time growing up in town and coming of age in the post 9/11 era. Curiosity got her started as an international photographer and continues to drive her work today, Addario, a MacArthur Foundation Genius Award winner, told the audience at the Oct. 5 TimesTalks event hosted by the New York Times, where Addario regularly works. Although Addario may be best known for her photographs documenting the U.S. conflict in Afghanistan, she visited the country first before Sept. 11. I was 27 years old, I couldnt get an assignment to save my life, I saved my money, and I decided to go photograph life under the Taliban and what life was like for women, because I felt that was a story that wasnt being told, Addario said. Following the U.S. invasion, Addario returned to Afghanistan and found her gender to be an advantage for her work in the country. I went and realized very quickly that my gender was an asset, that I could go into womens homes, and I could see the way women were living because I was female, Addario said. Her womanhood has at times presented challenges in the field, however, Addario said, noting that women often have to prove themselves longer than men. In 2007, Addario and New York Times correspondent Elizabeth Rubin asked to embed with the U.S. military in order to report on civilian casualties in Afghanistans Korengal Valley, where the U.S. was dropping bombs, but were told the valley wasnt a place fit for women. She and Rubin convinced the military they could keep up with the male fighters and spent two months embedded with the troops, Addario said. I think theres still a pretty big double standard with this group, Addario said, noting that she was heavily criticized for reporting in conflict zones while pregnant, when her male colleagues are not reprimanded for entering dangerous situations while they have young kids at home. Addario brushed away the notion she photographs in conflict zones for the adrenalin rush. Its not about the adrenaline. Its about telling the story. Its about being there. Its about documenting history. Its about bearing witness. Its about giving a voice to all these people that dont have a voice, Addario said. More Information Of Love & War: available Oct. 23 See More Collapse When asked whether shes optimistic about the state of the world, Addario answered, Most of the people I photograph, they havent lost hope, so how can we? Theyre the ones bearing the brunt of whats happening. Addario will speak at Christ and Holy Trinity Church, 75 Church Lane, on Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. svaughan@hearstmedia ct.com; 203-842-2638; @SophieCVaughan1 Stock photo New Haven resident Thomas Johnson was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Hartford to 13 years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for robbery and firearms offenses, according to a press release from John H. Durham, U.S. attorney for the District of Connecticut. Court documents, witnesses, DNA evidence, ballistics evidence and footage from a surveillance video revealed that Johnson and Shaquille Richardson had attacked and robbed two victims after they exited a convenience store June 30, 2016, on Ferry Street in New Haven. Johnson shot one of the victims in the elbow, and Richardson struck the other in the face with a gun, the release said. By Alice Gorman, Senior Lecturer in Archaeology and Space Studies, Flinders University Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures The Apollo 11 lunar landing was the first time humans stepped on another celestial body, and the events leading up to that historic moment which celebrates its 50th anniversary next year are depicted in the new movie First Man, out in cinemas today. Director Damien Chazelle has delivered an intense film about astronaut Neil Armstrong, who made those iconic first steps. But this is no triumphant paean to the Cold War Space Race, and youll find no trite comparisons of Apollo technology to the computing power of todays smart phones here. Drawn from the official biography by James R Hansen, Armstrong is portrayed with muscular introversion by Ryan Gosling, grappling with Armstrongs renowned discomfort with the public demands of the space program, his role of husband and father, the intellectual and physical challenges of the quest for the moon, and a series of deeply personal tragedies. Read more: Curious Kids: Why can I sometimes see the Moon in the daytime? In other words, the First Man on the Moon is shown to be a fallible and complex human being. The man and the Moon In a quiet opening scene, Armstrong sings a lullaby, I See the Moon, to his infant daughter, echoing the transcendental fascination with the Moon held by generations of sleepless parents and children over the course of our evolution. Daniel McFadden Armstrong is haunted by the Moon and death throughout the film. His lunar quest is tied indelibly to his relationship with his daughter. Shot often from Armstrongs perspective, this film is an exploration of apparent emptiness of space, the Moon, and a man in grief, accustomed to loss and most comfortable when cut off from those closest to him. The Moon landing is the backdrop, the ultimate distraction from his world of pain, and Gosling plays it beautifully. Weve been there before, in film For almost as long as there have been moving pictures, we have had movies imagining space flight. In 1902 Georges Melies directed and starred in what is considered the first science fiction film, the influential A Trip to the Moon (Le Voyage Dans La Lune). Space films developed a few recurring themes since then. Theres the heroic manly astronaut addicted to risking life and limb. With the notable exception of Hidden Figures, women tend to be shown marooned at home, anguished and accommodating of their physically and emotionally distant husbands. Then theres the passionate flight director, swearing to all who will listen that hell get the astronauts home safe. Its a real triumph that First Man (mostly) avoids these cliches and genuinely gives us something new, and somehow more real. Daniel McFadden There are a respectful number of references to other movies such as The Right Stuff, Apollo 13, and 2001 A Space Odyssey that embed First Man within the well-established tradition of cinematic space flight. These references highlight this films differences, drawn from the well-grounded depictions of Armstrong and his wife Janet, played by Claire Foy. The sequences between husband and wife are emotionally charged, rather than sentimentalised. The scenes where she listens to the radio feed from the landing are riveting. It is hard to imagine more Oscar-worthy contenders. Daniel McFadden Flagging outrage The film does not sanitise the space program. Embracing the politics of the day, Chazelle recreates the protests around the Apollo missions. Many people are shown questioning its value. Journalists demand to know how much it is worth, in lives lost and in dollars. But First Man refocuses the emphasis of the Apollo 11 mission from US nationalism to Armstrongs personal journey, and this doesnt sit well with the current far right in Trumps America. Republican Senator Marco Rubio is angry that the planting of the US flag an action symbolising the colonisation of territory is not shown (although the flag appears more than once). Some are calling for a boycott over the flag issue. Armstrongs colleague on the Apollo 11 mission, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, has also implied his dissatisfaction with the film in a tweet. Chazelle, the Oscar-winning director of La La Land, said the omission was not political; instead he chose to focus on the unfamous stuff as well as Armstrongs experience and character. The flag was controversial even at the peak of the Cold War. The United Nations Outer Space Treaty, ratified by the US just two years before, forbids territorial claims in space. How could an American mission claim to represent humanity if it included a symbolic act of American colonialism? Fortunately, the response of the international community was to celebrate the collective human achievement rather than the national one. Daniel McFadden There were numerous international contributions made to the Apollo missions. Australia provided tracking stations famously, Armstrongs first footfalls on the Moon were transmitted through the Honeysuckle Creek station, outside Canberra. Australian space scientist Professor Brian O'Brien, then at Rice University in Texas, designed a dust-detecting experiment that was left on the surface of the Moon. When the Moon is not enough There is an element of anti-climax about the films conclusion. As with Apollo 13, we know how its going to end. Read more: I've Always Wondered: could someone take ownership of a planet or a moon? But First Man does so on a carefully crafted note, a plausible hypothesis suggested by biographer Hansen that may have been designed to further humanise the inscrutable astronaut. The scene implies that the emotional distances he has to travel on Earth are greater than those which he crossed to the Moon. Where we go from here is the question. Do we show the moral courage to take on the difficult tasks and solve the earthbound crises facing us today, or do we channel our energies and enterprise into becoming a multi-planet species? Now that we have conquered the Moon, perhaps the only mission worthy of Armstrongs legacy is to be humble, thoughtful and inspired about our place in the universe, while we still have one. Alice Gorman is Co-Deputy Chair of the Space Industry Association of Australia. She was a guest presenter at First Man's Adelaide premiere. Heather L. Robinson is on the board of the Adelaide Festival of Ideas Inc. Originally published in The Conversation. A small but increasing number of children in the United States are not getting some or all of their recommended vaccinations. The percentage of children under 2 years old who haven't received any vaccinations has quadrupled in the last 17 years, according to federal health data released Thursday. Overall, immunization rates remain high and haven't changed much at the national level. But a pair of reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about immunizations for preschoolers and kindergartners highlights a growing concern among health officials and clinicians about children who aren't getting the necessary protection against vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, whooping cough and other pediatric infectious diseases. The vast majority of parents across the country vaccinate their children and follow recommended schedules for this basic preventive practice. But the recent upswing in vaccine skepticism and outright refusal to vaccinate has spawned communities of undervaccinated children who are more susceptible to disease and pose health risks to the broader public. Of children born in 2015, 1.3 percent had not received any of the recommended vaccinations, according to a CDC analysis of a national 2017 immunization survey. That compared with 0.9 percent in 2011 and with 0.3 percent of 19- to 35-month-olds who had not received any immunizations when surveyed in 2001. Assuming the same proportion of children born in 2016 didn't get any vaccinations, about 100,000 children who are now younger than 2 aren't vaccinated against 14 potentially serious illnesses, said Amanda Cohn, a pediatrician and CDC's senior adviser for vaccines. Even though that figure is a tiny fraction of the estimated 8 million children born in the last two years who are getting vaccinated, the trend has officials worried. "This is something we're definitely concerned about," Cohn said. "We know there are parents who choose not to vaccinate their kids . . . there may be parents who want to and aren't able to" get their children immunized. Some diseases, like measles, have made a return in the United States because parents in some areas have failed or chosen not to vaccinate their children. Last year, Minnesota suffered a measles outbreak, the state's worst in decades. It was sparked by anti-vaccine activists who targeted an immigrant community, spreading misinformation about the measles vaccine. Most of the 75 confirmed cases were young, unvaccinated Somali American children. The data underlying the latest reports do not explain the reason for the increase in unvaccinated children. In some cases, parents hesitate or refuse to immunize, officials and experts said. Insurance coverage and an urban-rural disparity are likely other reasons for the troubling rise. Among children aged 19 months to 35 months in rural areas, about 2 percent received no vaccinations in 2017. That is double the number of unvaccinated children living in urban areas. The new data shows health insurance plays a significant role, as well. About 7 percent of uninsured children in this age group were not vaccinated in 2017, compared with 0.8 percent of privately insured children and 1 percent of those covered by Medicaid. Those differences are concerning because uninsured and Medicaid-insured children are eligible for free immunizations under the federally funded Vaccines for Children program. "Parents may not be aware of this, so this may be an education issue," Cohn said. Other issues, such as child care, transportation and a shortage of pediatricians in rural areas, are also likely to affect vaccination coverage. A second report on vaccination coverage for children entering kindergarten in 2017 also showed a gradual increase in the percentage who were exempted from immunization requirements. (The exemptions do not distinguish between one vaccine versus all vaccines.) Eighteen states allow parents to opt their children out of school immunization requirements for nonmedical reasons, with exemptions for religious or philosophical beliefs. The overall percentage of children with an exemption was low, 2.2 percent. But the report noted "this was the third consecutive school year that a slight increase was observed." The report does not provide a breakdown, but the majority of exemptions are nonmedical, according to data reported by the states. Saad Omer, a professor of global health, epidemiology and pediatrics at Emory University, said that an analysis he and colleagues conducted a few years ago found the rate of increase in nonmedical exemptions had appeared to stabilize by the 2015-2016 school year after many years of increase. But the latest CDC data appears to reflect a change, he said. "It seems that in recent years, exemptions are going up, and the trend is likely due to parents refusing to vaccinate," he said. In the 2017-2018 school year, 2.2 percent of U.S. kindergartners were exempted from one or more vaccines, up from 2 percent in the 2016-2017 school year, and from 1.9 percent in the 2015-2016 school year, according to the CDC report. Reasons for the increase couldn't be determined from the data reported to CDC, the agency said. But researchers said factors could include the ease of obtaining exemptions or parents' hesitancy or refusal to vaccinate. States such as West Virginia and Mississippi, which do not allow nonmedical vaccine exemptions, have higher percentages of children getting vaccinated, said Mobeen Rathore, a pediatric infectious disease physician in Jacksonville, Florida. and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP. Earlier this year, researchers from several Texas academic centers identified "hotspots" where outbreak risk is rising in 12 of the 18 states that allow nonmedical exemptions because a growing number of kindergartners have not been vaccinated. APALACHICOLA, Fla. -- Late-blooming and suddenly historic Hurricane Michael smashed into the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday afternoon with roof-peeling winds of 155 miles per hour and a storm surge that scraped homes from their foundations. An October surprise that raced across the Gulf, Michael could go down in the record books as the third-strongest hurricane to hit the continental United States. "We're kind of getting crushed," Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith said as the storm came ashore west of Apalachicola. "It's horrific." The first confirmed report of a storm-related fatality came in Wednesday night, when officials in Gadsden County, near Tallahassee, said that a man was found dead in his home after a tree crashed through the roof during the storm. There appeared to be a swath of significant damage that stretched from the coast to areas well inland, with Michael's winds snapping trees, toppling power lines and in some cases obliterating homes. The powerful eastern side of the storm clobbered the modest coastal community of Mexico Beach, where some structures disintegrated into piles of wood amid massive waves and heavy flooding. In nearby Panama City, homes were shredded and boats tossed. In Marianna, Florida, about 18 miles south of the Alabama state line, Michael's eye tore through the community. "I had a yard full of 20-inch pine trees and there's not one left standing," said Chad Taylor, 66, a land manager in Marianna. "I can see for miles and miles," he added, quoting the rock band the Who. "Marianna's destroyed." Power outages soared through the day, reaching more than 300,000 by Wednesday evening, with nearly 90 percent of Bay County - home to Mexico Beach and Panama City - losing power. Nearby Liberty County had 81 percent of accounts without power, the state reported. Bay Medical Sacred Heart hospital in Panama City reported on Twitter that it suffered blown-out windows, a cracked wall and roof damage, and had shifted patients to safe areas while the hospital ran on generator power. The bayfront city of Apalachicola, Florida's oyster capital, suffered severe flooding and property damage along aptly named Water Street, home to several restaurants. The city was temporarily cut off from the rest of the state, with U.S. Highway 98 to the west blocked by pine trees and oak branches; going east was unthinkable because the causeway had vanished under the elevated water of Apalachicola Bay. Smith, the Franklin County sheriff, said the county-run hospital had closed, and ambulance staff had evacuated - to his dismay. "I don't get it," Smith said Wednesday morning. "Would I like to get out of here? Heck yeah. Am I leaving? No." Former Franklin County planner Alan Pierce said after the storm blew through that the area endured a storm surge as high as 10 feet. Officials were still trying to determine damage on barrier islands, including St. George Island, which has a state park, a small central business district and a gated community of luxury homes. "It's bad," Pierce said. He noted that the wind gauge at the county airport blew off after recording gusts of 90 mph. Other states felt the storm's impact as it moved deeper into the Southeast. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, R, closed state offices and buildings in more than a dozen counties. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, D, declared the second statewide state of emergency in as many months. He said the storm could do damage in areas still reeling from the flooding Hurricane Florence caused in September, with housing repairs there still in the early stages. "I've seen a lot blue tarps as I've traveled across the state," Cooper said. "These tropical storm force winds could cause a lot of problems." Cooper announced a plan for $1.5 billion in additional state funding to cover part of the estimated $13 billion cost of Hurricane Florence. He's requesting legislators approve a $750 million down payment for the recovery package when they return to Raleigh next week to resume a special session called after the disaster. He said the total cost of the storm is likely to surpass the costs of hurricanes Matthew (2016) and Floyd (1999) combined. Michael seemed to have caught everyone off guard, from meteorologists who study tropical cyclones to the longtime residents who chose to hunker down rather than evacuate. A mere tropical depression just three days earlier, Michael intensified explosively as it rolled north in the warm Gulf of Mexico and into the shallow waters of the continental shelf. It was ultimately a Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, just a couple of miles per hour shy of reaching Category 5. It was the most powerful tropical storm ever to hit the Florida Panhandle since record-keeping began in 1851. Just two hurricanes have ever hit the U.S. with barometric pressure readings in the eye - a key metric of a storm's effects - lower than the 919 millibars of Michael. They were the 1935 Labor Day storm (892mb) that struck the Florida Keys, and Hurricane Camille (900mb), which killed hundreds when it hit coastal Mississippi in 1969. "This storm went from a tropical storm to a projected Cat 3 at landfall in 6 hours yesterday," Brad Kieserman, vice president for disaster operations and logistics for American Red Cross, said in a teleconference Wednesday. "It's not behaving normally. It intensified extremely quickly. It didn't give anyone time to do much. And the one thing you can't get back in a disaster is time." President Donald Trump said of Michael: "It's like a big tornado, a massive tornado." He said the storm "grew into a monster." The National Weather Service's Tallahassee office thundered on Twitter early Wednesday morning that it was residents' "LAST CHANCE" to evacuate. "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." The storm's eye struck just east of Panama City and the high-rise tourist hotels parked along white-sand beaches. The storm rolled to the northeast, sideswiping the state capital, Tallahassee. The storm's path and the need for emergency management potentially carried political significance for Gov. Rick Scott, R, who is running for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Bill Nelson, D, and for Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, D, who is seeking to succeed Scott in a contest against Republican Ron DeSantis. "We're turning 100 percent of our focus on search-and-rescue and recovery," Scott said in a late-day news briefing. The governor said he's received reports of "significant" damage at Tyndall Air Force Base as well as in Panama City, Mexico Beach and throughout Bay County. Two "devastating tornadoes" touched down in Gaston County, he said. "We are deploying a massive wave of responses by land, air and sea," he said. Geography likely played a role in storm damage, for better or worse. This is Florida's poorest region, with a relatively high percentage of residents living in vulnerable housings, such as mobile homes. But it is not a heavily populated area. The more powerful eastern side of the storm struck a region known as Florida's "Forgotten Coast." More than 300,000 people live in evacuation zones along or near the coast, and as of Tuesday night 6,000 people were in 80 emergency shelters, the Red Cross' Kieserman said. He predicted that the number of people seeking shelter will rise to 20,000 or greater as people flee flooded and damaged coastal homes. He urged people who want to help those in need to donate money to disaster aid organizations rather than attempting to deliver food and supplies. "We will be in for a long-term sheltering mission," he said. Federal officials warned residents in the storm zone against venturing out after the worst of the storm passes, because hazards remain. The storm weakened when it hit land but retained hurricane-force winds. "Michael's still a strong, powerful hurricane, well inland. It's going to have hurricane impacts well into Georgia," said Jeff Byard, FEMA's associate administrator for response and recovery. He said FEMA is well-positioned to handle the back-to-back hurricanes - Florence and now Michael - in part because both are in the same region and emergency responders are well acquainted with each other. "We'll be able to handle another storm if it hits next week," Byard said, adding that he hopes he hasn't jinxed the region. --- Begos is a freelance journalist based in Apalachicola. Lazo reported from Panama City and Berman and Achenbach reported from Washington. Patricia Sullivan in Tallahassee; Kirk Ross in Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Carmen Sisson in Pensacola; and Jason Samenow and Eli Rosenberg in Washington contributed to this report. --- Video Embed Code: Video: Hurricane Michael hit Florida's Gulf Coast on Oct. 10, bringing high winds, storm surge and rain. (Joyce Koh , Mark Barcelo/The Washington Post Embed: FAIRFAX, Va. - A panel that reviewed philanthropic giving at George Mason University following the discovery of problematic financial pacts is recommending increased faculty involvement and transparency in a report released Wednesday. Although the committee did not find any "egregious practices" in its examination of more than 300 donor agreements, it highlighted language in 29 documents for further review, the report said. The review was focused on donor agreements that are still active and that underwrite faculty positions. The committee's investigation also sought to ensure there was no inappropriate influence on academic affairs. "The committee did identify some issues that require further action and policy improvements, including the need for further consideration of the implications of certain gift agreement provisions," it said. In an email sent to faculty and staff, GMU President Angel Cabrera pledged to "identify specific changes that will strengthen our gift acceptance policies and bolster transparency." "It bears repeating that transparency and trust are essential to our mission," he wrote. "I appreciate everyone's support in continuing to make that our standard." In a telephone interview, Cabrera said that if language was flagged in an agreement during the review process, it did not necessarily mean there was a problem, but rather that the document was considered more closely. "It didn't mean that those were bad agreements," he said. "It was 29 that needed to be discussed." GMU's ties with donors - especially its relationship with the controversial Charles Koch Foundation - were thrust into the spotlight in April, when Cabrera announced that some financial gift agreements accepted by the public institution in Northern Virginia did not meet his standards of academic independence. Those agreements did not give donors control over academic decisions, he said at the time, but still fell short of his expectations. Those pacts, accepted by GMU between 2003 and 2011, supported faculty positions in economics. All had expired except one, and the donor for the lone active agreement agreed to void the pact. Agreements obtained by The Washington Post showed that, in some cases, committees that helped select professors included members designated by a donor. Cabrera has been GMU's president since 2012, so the agreements initially called into question were reached before he arrived. He announced the review of agreements that support faculty positions this spring, saying the university would take "swift and transparent corrective action" if officials found issues with active agreements or policies. "I am fully committed to transparency and to the principle of academic independence," Cabrera said Wednesday. "And if there's any questions, we'll do whatever we need to do to clear those questions." The committee that reviewed the donor agreements met 11 times from June through September, GMU's provost, David Wu, said a letter to Cabrera. Its recommendations included creating a list of "conditions for gifts agreements that require additional reviews, based on specific flags and threshold levels." It also recommended that the university encourage transparency "at all levels and by all parties" during the gift acceptance process, and increase faculty representation on a gift acceptance committee. "Our clear and strong consensus is that, with regard to all gifts made in support of the university, we must pledge to assure transparency, academic independence, and public trust," the report states. Keith Renshaw, a GMU faculty member who sat on the committee, said it was reassuring the probe did not unearth serious violations of academic freedom. "I do think that we identified some language that's probably not at all uncommon in gift agreements, but that we, I think, as a university, would like to strengthen and set some policies forward so that it's a lot clearer what goes into these," said Renshaw, who is chair of the Faculty Senate at GMU. The process revealed the complexities of philanthropy in higher education, Renshaw said. It became clear that gift agreements can take considerable time to draft and involve multiple parties. "It's hard to know who said what and which part came from where," he said. "So what we want to try to do is offer a lot more straightforward guidance in terms of what's okay what's not OK to have in there." Cabrera's spring announcement about troubling agreements was related to funding from other donors in addition to the Charles Koch Foundation. Koch, a billionaire industrialist and backer of conservative political causes, is a major donor to universities. At GMU and on other college campuses, concerns have been raised about whether the foundation's generosity comes with constraints on academic freedom. The Koch Foundation's relationship with GMU has garnered attention before - perhaps most notably in 2016, when $10 million from the foundation was among the gifts that led the university to rename its law school for Antonin Scalia, the late Supreme Court justice. Concern about the Koch Foundation, private donors and institutional transparency were also at the center of a legal challenge that played out in Fairfax County Circuit Court earlier this year. A student group, Transparent GMU, sued the George Mason University Foundation as it pushed for access to private donor agreements. A judge in July ruled against Transparent GMU in the court case, ruling that the foundation is not a public body, and therefore not subject to public records laws. Even Utah is considering legalizing marijuana in the November 2018 election. Let that one sink in for a moment. Of course, the key is that Utah voters will consider legalizing medical marijuana, not recreational. Support is so high in the United States for medical marijuana that even the measure in Utah seems likely to pass. How high is that support? A Quinnipiac survey in April 2018 found that 93 percent support legalized medical marijuana, with only 5 percent saying they dont. Nothing in America gets 93 percent support. The irony is that the federal government continues to classify marijuana as a Schedule I illegal drug with no medical benefits. This November, voters in four states will take the issue into their own hands. Two will decide on legalizing recreational use. Two will decide on medical use. If passed in every state voting next month, the U.S. would have 32 states with legal medical marijuana and 11 states with legal adult-use marijuana. Here are the states where voters will decide on marijuana ballot initiatives. Related: Report: Sales of Cannabis Concentrates Expected to Triple to $8.5B by 2022 Michigan Michigan has had legal medical marijuana since 2008, making it among one of the first states to do so. Voters now will decide whether to approve adult-use cannabis. The state already is projecting it will rake in $100 million in marijuana taxes. The state would distribute some of that money to counties that allow marijuana sales, which in turn would go into education and improving roads. North Dakota Voters in North Dakota approved legal medical marijuana in November 2016, with 64 percent voting in favor. Just two years later, the state is considering legalizing recreational marijuana, even though the medical marijuana system is not yet in place. A survey conducted over the summer found that 46 percent of North Dakota voters favored legalized adult-use cannabis, with 39 percent against and 15 percent undecided. A win in North Dakota would be significant, as it is the most conservative state considering legalization of adult-use marijuana. Utah Voters in Utah will decide to allow medical marijuana sales at the ballot box. However, even if passed, the new law would have some severe restrictions not found in most other states. For example, it would remain illegal to smoke marijuana. Patients would have to use marijuana via edibles, vaping or tinctures. Also, you would only be allowed to grow marijuana if you live 100 miles or more from a dispensary. Related: The Venerable Joint Has a Long History and a Bright Pre-Rolled Future Missouri Voters in the Show Me State will decide whether to allow the sale of medical marijuana. There are three initiatives on the ballot. Two would require a constitutional amendment, one does not. The big difference is the proposed tax rate on marijuana sales, ranging from just 2 percent on one initiative to as high as 15 percent on another. Additionally, in Wisconsin, a slew of cities and counties have put advisory initiatives on the ballot to determine whether voters in their area support legalized medical or recreational marijuana. The non-binding vote is intended to give public officials a sense of where voters stand on the issue. Follow dispensaries.com on Instagram to stay up to date on the latest cannabis news. Related: These Are the States Voting on Legal Marijuana in November Cryptocurrencies Could Solve 2 Big Problems for the Cannabis Industry Coming Soon to a Dispensary Near You: Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved The Trump administration is cautiously optimistic that an American cleric who has been held in Turkey for the past two years on espionage and terrorism-related charges will be released soon after a court hearing Friday, according to U.S. officials and people close to the case. In a negotiated deal that includes the lifting of U.S. sanctions - both threatened and implemented - against Turkey, charges against the Rev. Andrew Brunson are to be reduced to allow him to be sentenced to time already served, or to be allowed to serve any remaining sentence in the United States. The agreement - part of which was negotiated at last month's U.N. General Assembly meeting, attended by President Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan - will either lead to Brunson's immediate release Friday, or his freeing within a few days, said officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the still-secret arrangement. In a speech Wednesday night, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the administration was "very hopeful that we'll see a good outcome before too long." A spokesman for the Turkish Embassy in Washington said they were "not in a position to comment on an ongoing judicial process." The return of Brunson, whose case has been an intense focus of Trump's evangelical political base, would be a major victory for the president. The administration would likely cast it as proof of the wisdom of his hardline stance against Turkey, a NATO ally, and his commitment to protecting besieged Christians around the world. Resolution could also mark a turning point in relations between the two governments. They have been especially fraught in recent years, marked by mutual mistrust and charges of bad faith despite a range of shared interests and extensive military and security ties. A European diplomat who closely follows the subject predicted that Brunson would be convicted of supporting a terrorist organization, sentenced to four or five years, then credited for time served and expelled from Turkey. "For Erdogan, it's important that he's not seen as giving in to U.S. pressure, that he lets the judicial process take its course and he shows that Brunson is guilty," said the diplomat, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity about the arrangement. U.S. officials remained cautious, however, in light of a deal that fell apart last summer, after which each side accused the other of bad faith. Brunson, who has lived in Turkey for more than two decades, was arrested in a sweep of thousands that took place after an unsuccessful coup attempt in 2016. Charges against him, which he and the Trump administration have said are bogus, include contacts with the so-called coup mastermind, Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, a permanent U.S. resident living in Pennsylvania and a longtime political foe of Erdogan. The indictment against Brunson also charges him with having contact with Kurdish separatists that Turkey and the United States have designated as terrorists. After repeated efforts to arrange his freedom were unsuccessful, Trump and Erdogan, with only interpreters present, discussed the issue at the NATO summit in July. Reports of what had transpired were vague, and the two sides later had differing versions of what the leaders agreed. Trump came away believing Erdogan was prepared to "help him out" in arranging Brunson's release, according to a White House official, in exchange for Trump's intervention with Israel to free a Turkish national being held there on charges of aiding Hamas. Turkish officials later said they had discussed a step-by-step process that would eventually lead to the pastor's release, but that no specific ask was made and the Israeli release had only been mentioned in passing. Erdogan has repeatedly demanded extradition of Gulen, which U.S. officials have said is unjustified based on evidence Turkey has so far presented of alleged coup plotting. Turkey also seeks the release of Mehmet Hakan Atilla, a Turkish banker convicted in May of taking part in a massive scheme to violate U.S. sanctions on the purchase of Iranian oil. The high-profile federal trial also involved Halkbank, a Turkish state bank, which is still awaiting court determination of what could be a multibillion dollar fine. U.S. officials charged that the Turks had brought up all these issues, raising the ante for Brunson's release, after Trump upheld his side of the bargain and obtained the release from Israel. Within hours after the Turkish court's ruling in the city of Izmir, on the Mediterranean coast, Trump publicly threatened sanctions. In short order, tit-for-tat sanctions were declared on senior officials on both sides, and Trump announced that he was doubling U.S. tariffs on Turkish steel to 50 percent, and on Turkish aluminum to 20 percent. "Our relations with Turkey are not good at this time!" he tweeted. Turkey's economy, already in difficulty, went into a tailspin. Congress, where anti-Turkey sentiment over the Brunson case has been high, passed legislation freezing the sale of 100 F-35 aircraft to Turkey and giving Defense Secretary Jim Mattis - who opposed the freeze - until November to prepare a report on how it would affect U.S. security and the defense industry. Turkey insisted it would move ahead with the purchase of a sophisticated Russian anti-missile defense system, despite threatened U.S. sanctions and expressions of concern from NATO. Another potential crisis looms when new U.S. sanctions against purchases of oil from Iran, Turkey's second largest supplier, go into effect Nov. 4. The administration has said it will make no exceptions. But tempers have cooled somewhat on other issues, as the United States and Turkey have addressed some of their differences over Syria, and have shared their disquiet over last week's disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, a dissident Saudi journalist, during a visit to the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul. Turkish officials have said they think Khashoggi was killed there, perhaps in a botched attempt by Saudi agents to kidnap and interrogate him. Trump has expressed "concern," but the administration has declined to accuse Riyadh directly, saying it is awaiting more information. Saudi Arabia has denied involvement in Khashoggi's disappearance and said he left the consulate soon after entering. --- The Washington Post's John Hudson contributed to this report. --- Video Embed Code Video: North Carolina pastor Andrew Brunson is on trial in Turkey after being accused of associating with plotters of a 2016 coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.(Allie Caren/The Washington Post) Embed code: The Washington state Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously struck down the death penalty there as unconstitutional and "racially biased," a ruling that makes it the latest in a string of states to abandon capital punishment in recent years. Washington state had already halted any executions under a moratorium put in place by Gov. Jay Inslee, D, in 2014, so the order issued Thursday will not stop already planned executions. But the court's order, which declares that death sentences in the state should be converted to life in prison, is a sweeping rejection of capital punishment at a time when it is being used less nationwide and as states are struggling to obtain the drugs needed for lethal injections. In their opinion, the justices focused on what they said was the unequal use of the death penalty, describing it as a punishment meted out haphazardly depending on little more than geography or timing. "The death penalty is invalid because it is imposed in an arbitrary and racially biased manner," the justices wrote. "While this particular case provides an opportunity to specifically address racial disproportionality, the underlying issues that underpin our holding are rooted in the arbitrary manner in which the death penalty is generally administered." Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst wrote the opinion and four justices concurred, one in the result only. Four other justices signed a concurrence saying they agreed with "the majority's conclusions and its holding invalidating the death penalty" but adding other state constitutional factors they said "compel this result." The arguments outlined in Washington have echoes of what Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer has said in questioning whether the death penalty itself is constitutional. In a 2015 dissent joined by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Breyer called the death penalty's use "capricious, random, indeed, arbitrary" and said for those sentenced to death, it was "the equivalent of being struck by lightning." Breyer echoed that point in 2016 when discussing California's use of the death penalty, saying it similarly was unreliable, arbitrary and plagued by delays. The opinion in Washington was issued in a case that has lingered in the criminal justice system for more than two decades, centering on a man convicted and sentenced to death for the rape and murder of Geneine Harshfield in July 1996. Allen Eugene Gregory, who was convicted and sentenced for Harshfield's death, is one of eight people on Washington's death row; five of those people are white and three, like Gregory, are black. Gregory, 46, was first convicted and sentenced in 2001 and then, when his case was overturned, convicted and sentenced again in 2012. Washington currently has two methods of execution, according to the corrections department: Lethal injection or hanging, if the inmate opts for the latter. The state last carried out an execution in 2010. Executions nationwide have declined steadily in recent years, with several states or courts doing away with the practice entirely. The Washington ruling makes the state the 20th without the death penalty, according to records kept by the Death Penalty Information Center. Some states have abolished the death penalty only to face uncertainty regarding what would happen to the inmates already on death row or people convicted of crimes before they abolished the punishment. Maryland repealed capital punishment in 2013, but it was not until the following year that the state's then-governor, Martin O'Malley, D, said he would commute the state's remaining death sentences. Connecticut abandoned the death penalty in 2012 but left it open as an option for crimes committed before that point; the state's high court said in 2016 that this option was unconstitutional. In one recent case, a state scrapped the death penalty only to reverse course. Nebraska lawmakers abolished it in 2015, but voters wound up restoring it through a ballot initiative the following year. The state carried out an execution earlier this year, the first in the United States using the powerful opioid fentanyl. Washington has already been among the states not moving forward with executions under the moratorium Inslee announced in 2014. Oregon also has a moratorium on the death penalty, which Gov. Kate Brown, D, decided to keep in place when she took office. "Today's decision by the state Supreme Court thankfully ends the death penalty in Washington," Inslee said in a statement after the order Thursday. "The court makes it perfectly clear that capital punishment in our state has been imposed in an 'arbitrary and racially biased manner,' is 'unequally applied' and serves no criminal justice goal. This is a hugely important moment in our pursuit for equal and fair application of justice." A spokesman for Bob Ferguson, Washington's Democratic attorney general, did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the decision. Ferguson has previously spoken out in favor of abolishing the death penalty, saying there was "no rule for capital punishment in a fair, equitable and humane justice system." What happens to the eight people on death row remains unclear, although corrections officials said they will consider whether they should be housed elsewhere. The Washington Department of Corrections "is reviewing the ruling to determine any operational changes that may be necessary within the agency," a spokeswoman wrote in an email after the ruling. WESTPORT On a Monday morning, 20 Westport women gathered in a downtown restaurant for a meeting of the Resisters political action group. One of the benefits of coming here is its a place to feel like we can breathe and speak our minds and get some of that frustration out, Westporter Melissa Shein told the group in opening the meeting. Schein founded the group as a subset of the Westport Democratic Town Committee, the local branch of the Democratic Party, in the wake of the 2016 election of President Donald J. Trump. I needed to learn. I cant make phone calls just because Im mad. I need to know why Im making the call, Schein said, adding she was not politically active before 2016 and following the election, sought a place to educate herself where she wouldnt feel ridiculed for questions. The group is not only a place to vent angst about the current state of politics. In the beginning, the group had a task of the day, such as calling local legislators. The members who knew how to complete the task taught those new to political activism, Schein said. Two years since it formed, the group has grown to become its own entity and its members are energized and mobilized to support local Democratic candidates in preparation of the Nov. 6 election. With her firm voice and focus on education, one could guess Schein is a teacher before knowing she previously taught elementary school in New York City. As meeting attendees spontaneously suggest plans for supporting Democratic candidates, Schein keeps the group focused on action-items, such as signing up for shifts to door-knock for local Democratic state representative candidates and encouraging friends who live in visible locations around town to put up political signs. Intermixed with logistical plans, meeting attendees stand up to give educational and motivational speeches. Why is it important Connecticut be blue? The reason its important Connecticut be blue is because our leaders in Connecticut are a firewall against whats happening nationally, Vicki Volper, a local lawyer, fellow Westporter, and one of the groups founders said. Like Schein and the majority of the Resisters leaders, Volper said she was not politically active until 2016. If the federal government doesnt fund planned parenthood, we can. If the federal government doesnt treat its immigrants well, Connecticut can treat our immigrants well. If the federal government doesnt protect the environment, we can protect our local environment, Volper said. Connecticut used to have a sizeable Democratic majority in the state legislature, the state senate is now tied along partisan lines, Volper added. Loud and raucous, the groups members, mostly middle-aged and older women, engage with each other in a call and response style that makes the meeting feel like a political revival. Nicole Klein, who ran for, and won, election to Westports Representative Town Meeting last year motivated by Trumps presidency, announced to the group she brought shirts that say Resisters and have election dates on the back. It has the date that you should vote every year because its not just about the presidential election. Its about every single election, Klein said of her t-shirts. And its not partisan, everyone should vote, Volper chimes in. Exactly, its a democracy, right? Klein responds reiterating the groups larger goal of improving local civil society. While the groups efforts are focused locally, the pall of national politics is palpable. If you think you cant make a difference when you talk to your friends, just think about what happened with Flake. Those two women had a conversation and I have to tell you, thats why we didnt get Kavanaugh yet, Sandy Lefkowitz, a Westporter and one of the groups leaders, said. The Oct. 1 meeting fell just a few days after Christine Blasey Ford testified she was sexually assaulted by Brett Kavanaugh, but before Kavanaughs official confirmation to the Supreme Court on Oct. 6. Especially this week, women are really feeling under attack and vulnerable, Fairfield resident Cynthia McDonald, also one of the groups four primary leaders, said after the meeting. McDonald, who cut her teeth marching against the Vietnam War, said it was painful for her and other women to watch Blasey Fords testimony. To connect with empowered women who are doing this work is really important, McDonald said, adding, I cant believe were still doing this. Its almost like its gone backward. svaughan@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2638; @SophieCVaughan1 After 20 Years The Remains Of Matthew Shepard Are To Be Put To Rest It was the hate crime that shocked not only the nation but the world. On the night of October 8th, 1998 Matthew Shepard was brutally attacked, pistol whipped, tied to a fence and left to die tied to a fence by Aaron McKinney and Russell Henderson in Laramie, Wyoming. It was reported that Shepard was beaten so brutally that his face was completely covered in blood, except where it had been partially washed clean by his tears. Shepard, who was still alive but in a coma, was discovered 18 hour later on the morning of October 7th. Matthew passed away a few days later on October 12, 1998 and the world mourned. Now, 20 years later Matthews remains will finally be put to rest. The New York Times reports: For 20 years, the ashes of Matthew Shepard have not been laid to rest. Mr. Shepards killing in 1998, when he was a 21-year-old college student, led to national outrage and, almost overnight, turned him into a symbol of deadly violence against gay people. Mourners flocked to his funeral that year in Casper, Wyo., but there were also some protesters, carrying derogatory signs. Mr. Shepards parents worried that if they chose a final resting place for their son, it would be at risk of desecration. Now they have found a safe place. On Oct. 26, Mr. Shepard will be interred at the Washington National Cathedral, the neo-Gothic, Episcopalian house of worship that is a fixture of American politics and religion. I think its the perfect, appropriate place, Dennis Shepard, Matthews father, said in an interview on Thursday. We are, as a family, happy and relieved that we now have a final home for Matthew, a place that he himself would love. Requiescat in pace, Matthew (1976-1998) Nearly 20 students from Bexar County schools graduated from some of the nation's top colleges between 2015 and 2017, a report says. PolarisList compiled a list of what it called the best public high schools in the country, based on where the 2015-2017 Harvard, Princeton and Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates went to high school. Twelve Bexar County schools made the list. Alamo Heights, which produced four graduates from the three schools over the time period, topped the list for the San Antonio area. All 12 schools in the county were public. RELATED: 2 San Antonio high schools among prettiest in Texas Rankings were strictly based on college matriculation rates from those three universities. Polaris opted not to base their scores on college acceptance rates, since some students could get into multiple top schools and skew the results. The report did not appear to account for students who were accepted into the schools but chose not to attend them. PolarisList chose Harvard, Princeton and MIT based on a combination of their selectivity and their accessibility to lower income students, according to the methodology report. All three schools are among the most difficult to get into, the report said, so "if a high school is able to send students to one of these three schools, it means that the school has created an environment to support high achieving students." Additionally, Harvard, Princeton and MIT are all among the colleges with the highest percentage of students receiving Pell Grants, the report said, proving their accessibility is not limited to middle- and upper-class students. RANKED: 30 best elementary schools in San Antonio-area "We believe a college is only as good as its student body, and a student body is at its strongest when it encompasses a diversity of experiences," the report said. Click through the slideshow to see which schools in Bexar County made the list. 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 jury has found a San Antonio teen guilty of capital murder in a home invasion case. Jonathan Perales, 19, automatically was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole in the death of homeowner Michael Clayton Robinson, 51. It took the jury just under three hours to find him guilty. Robinson was killed after he confronted Perales inside his home Oct. 10 in the 8400 block of Ulysses in Universal City. Both men were armed and exchanged two shots each. Perales testified on the stand Wednesday, admitting he shot Robinson but said Robinson shot first. He also said he didnt mean to hurt anyone; he was high on Xanax and was just looking for stuff to steal. On ExpressNews.com: Universal City homeowner dies after gunfight with intruder Perales testified he had already been into the house twice, loading items into his car outside when the family discovered there was an intruder. Robinsons wife told her husband someone had broken into their home, and he grabbed his Glock and yelled out for the intruder to leave. Perales testified that he yelled back that he was leaving and was trying to find his way out of the darkened house when he opened the Robinson couples bedroom door by mistake, heard gunfire and fired back before running away. Related: Accused intruder tells jury, I just wanted money. The case is being heard in the 290th state District Court, with Judge Melisa Skinner presiding. The Bexar County District Attorneys Office had chosen not to pursue the death penalty. 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 WASHINGTON The nations partisan food fight is coming to Houston next week when Democratic lawyer Michael Avenatti, best known for suing President Donald Trump on behalf of porn star Stormy Daniels, headlines a fundraiser for the Harris County Democratic Party. Avenatti, most recently in the news for representing Julie Swetnick, one of three women who accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault, is scheduled to speak to local Democrats next Tuesday at Poitin, a high-end Houston restaurant. Bexar County deputies arrested a man who allegedly caused severe head trauma and other injuries to a 7-week-old child. Zachary Richard Hale, 32, was taken into custody Tuesday on suspicion of injury to a child. The relationship between Hale and the child was not specific in an arrest affidavit, but Hale told deputies he lives with the baby and her family. The baby was rushed to the Children's Hospital of San Antonio on Oct. 3 because she was lethargic, not eating and constantly throwing up. RELATED: Records: 52 arrested on DWI charges in September in Bexar County Doctors discovered the child suffered from multiple skull fractures, a rib fracture and retinal hemorrhages, according to the arrest affidavit. The baby had emergency surgery and remains in critical condition. When detectives interviewed Hale, he detailed multiple incidents where the child was injured. When the child was 2-weeks-old, Hale told deputies that he left the baby on her back on the sofa while he went to the bathroom. When he returned, he said the baby was lying on the floor face down with bruising on her chin and knot on her head. Hale did not seek medical attention for her that time, according to the affidavit. The most recent injury occurred on Oct. 1, Hale told detective. He said he was showering with the baby and because they were both lathered up, the baby slipped out of his arms and hit the faucet before falling to the floor. Later that day he tossed the baby up in the air 7 to 10 times, according to the affidavit, which caused the baby to vomit. According to the affidavit, "The Child Victim experienced the onset of life-threatening symptoms on Monday 10/1/2018 while in the care of the suspect. The suspect has not given a consistent history that would explain these findings." "In Dr. James Lukefahr, MD professional opinion the above findings provide substantial evidence that the Child Victim has been the victim of life-threatening physical abuse," the affidavit says. "Although imaging studies are still being collected and reviewed, it appears likely that she has been the victim of physical abuse on more than one occasion." Hale was arrested on a $100,000 bond, according to jail records. A man was arrested Thursday after he stole a San Antonio Fire Department vehicle, ran over a rider on a Bird scooter and caused a wreck that shut down Interstate 35. According to San Antonio police, paramedics responding to call for a distressed person at a Starbucks on St. Mary's and Houston streets around 8 a.m. left their Ford F-150 truck running outside while they tended to the victim. Seizing on the opportunity, the suspect jumped inside and took off, said San Antonio Police Chief William McManus. He circled the block a few times and then returned to the Starbucks, where the paramedics confronted him. He ignored them and then took off through the southern part of downtown. McManus said the man hit several vehicles along the way and damaged a significant amount of property. "I'm told that downtown in the area where he first took the vehicle is a mess with other cars that were struck and property damaged. They're trying to sort through that right now," McManus said. At one point, he ran over 26-year-old Nathan Cortez, who was riding a scooter at the time. "I waved at him at first because I thought he was a first responder," Cortez said. "I was just trying to be nice." RELATED: 2 hospitalized after hit and run rollover on North Side With lights and sirens blazing, the suspect made a U-turn and drove straight at Cortez. Cortez moved off the street to make way, assuming the ambulance truck would just speed past. "He comes towards me, towards the pole, and he hits me and the scooter and the pole at the same time," he said. Shaking, Cortez mapped out the crime scene. Bits of Bird scooter debris were scattered around, as was the rear view mirror of the truck. Cortez was spared significant injuries, though he said his right arm was numb from pain. Meanwhile, the suspect drove onto Interstate 35 and headed northbound with police hot on his tail. At Loop 1604 North, he sideswiped an 18-wheeler and crashed. Police attempted to arrest him, but he resisted and was forced into handcuffs. McManus said it is unknown whether the suspect was intoxicated or suffered from mental health issues. He has an active arrest warrant for an alleged robbery, and he'll likely be booked into jail on several more charges stemming from the events of Thursday morning. Interstate 35 was shut down for about an hour as authorities photographed the crime scene and tended to the suspects wounds. It has since reopened. Caleb Downs is a crime reporter for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here.| cdowns@mysa.com | Twitter: @calebjdowns A Waco man will spend the rest of his life in jail for the rape of his 1-month-old daughter, jurors decided Thursday. Patricio Medina, 27, admitted to a fellow inmate that he sexually assaulted his daughter in 2014 while high on methamphetamines, according to the Waco Tribune-Herald. Here is how to interpret the alarming new United Nations-sponsored report on global warming: We are living in a horror movie. The world needs statesmen to lead the way to safety. Instead we have President Donald Trump, who essentially says, Hey, lets all head to the dark, creepy basement where the chain saws and razor-sharp axes are kept. What could go wrong? The answer is almost everything, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC. The impact of human-induced warming is worse than previously feared, the report released Monday says, and only drastic coordinated action will keep the damage short of catastrophe. To this point, climate change has been a slow-motion calamity whose impacts, month to month and year to year, have been hard to perceive. Unfortunately, according to the report, that is about to change. The burning of fossil fuels on an industrial scale has raised global temperatures by about 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit). That may not sound like much, but look at the consequences were already seeing: Stronger, slower, wetter tropical storms. Unprecedented heat waves. Devastating floods. Dying coral reefs. A never-before-seen summer shipping lane across the Arctic Ocean. Meanwhile, humankind continues to pump heat-trapping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere at a tragically self-destructive rate. The IPCC calculates that a further temperature rise of about 1 degree almost inevitable, given our dependence on coal, oil and gas would be challenging but manageable. A increase of about 2 degrees, however, would be disastrous. Whats the difference? With a 1-degree rise, about 14 percent of the worlds population would be vulnerable to severe and deadly heat waves every five years; with a 2-degree rise, that figure jumps to 37 percent. With a 1-degree rise, an additional 350 million city dwellers worldwide will face water shortages; with a 2-degree rise, 411 million people will suffer such drought. With a 1-degree rise, coral reefs will experience very frequent mass mortalities; with a 2-degree rise, coral reefs will mostly disappear. Small differences can have huge impacts. Under the 1-degree scenario, up to 69 million people will be newly exposed to flooding. Under the 2-degree scenario which the report estimates would boost sea-level rise by as much as 36 inches the number rises to 80 million. Please dont dismiss all of this as just another boring compendium of carefully hedged facts and figures. I have followed the IPCCs research since covering the first Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The new report strikes a different tone that combines weary fatalism with hair-on-fire alarm. In dry, just-the-facts language it predicts declining fisheries, failing crops, more widespread risk from tropical diseases such as malaria, economic dislocation in the most-affected countries and, by logical extension, greater political instability. All of these impacts are bad with one more degree of temperature rise. With 2 degrees they are much, much worse. The obvious solution is to dramatically reduce carbon emissions. The IPCC says that emissions need to decline by at least 40 percent by 2030, and to reach net zero by 2050, if we are to hold warming to 1 more degree. Yet last year, according to the International Energy Agency, global emissions hit an all-time high. Since 2016, representatives of 195 nations including all the big emitters signed on to the landmark Paris agreement calling for systematic emissions reductions beginning in 2020. But Trump, who has ignorantly called climate change a hoax, withdrew the United States from the pact. Even worse, Trump is aggressively trying to increase reliance on coal, which contributes a disproportionate amount of carbon dioxide emissions compared with other fossil fuels. When you read the IPCC report, you see that what the world really needs is visionary leadership. As the worlds greatest economic power and its second-largest carbon emitter, the United States is uniquely capable of shepherding a global transition to renewable energy. Instead, however, the Trump administration rejects the science of climate change and actively favors dirty energy sources over clean ones. Humanity has no time for such foolishness. Im the president of the United States. Im not the president of the globe, Trump thundered at a recent rally. On what planet does he think this nation resides? eugenerobinson@washpost.com State Rep. Ina Minjarez is an effective and dynamic lawmaker who deserves re-election. Theres a reason Texas Monthly named Minjarez as the Legislatures rookie of the year last session. The San Antonio Democrat gets things done. Her signature accomplishment was sponsoring Davids Law in the House. The law is named after David Molak, a teenager from Alamo Heights who committed suicide after prolonged cyberbullying. The law takes crucial steps to prevent such tragedies. She has sponsored or co-sponsored numerous laws to improve child welfare and better serve young, vulnerable Texans. These include making the Department of Family and Protective Services a stand-alone agency, a pilot program to link children in foster care to internships, and offering additional support to those providing kinship care. Other amendments include requiring the Texas Department of Transportation to notify communities about highways that might be closed, studying the best ways to provide services to foster children who are victims of sex trafficking, and another study about abuse in nursing homes. Minjarez faces Republican Johnny Arredondo, who unsuccessfully challenged San Antonio City Councilman Rey Saldana in 2017. There is no reason for voters to make a change. An attorney and former prosecutor who specialized in child abuse cases, Minjarez won a special election in 2015 to represent District 124, which covers much of San Antonios West Side. She replaced Jose Menendez, who moved up to state senator. Minjarez represents the values of her district. She was a strong no on the bathroom bill and is a critic of Department of Public Safety spending on the U.S.-Mexico border and the states sanctuary cities ban, which she said is an invitation for racial profiling. She has demonstrated understanding of the school finance and property tax issues facing this state, and she is in a position to be a leading voice on any effort to reform the criminal justice system. She has proven herself as a thoughtful lawmaker who works with Democrats and Republicans on substantive issues. She is a strong advocate for Bexar County and San Antonio, and most deserving of re-election. / State Rep. Phil Cortez has had a choppy run as an elected official, but we recommend him for another term representing District 117 in the Legislature. The district stretches west across San Antonio and Bexar County and then north to include Helotes and other parts of the Hill Country. Its very much a swing district, and this is reflected in Cortezs election history. He unseated Republican incumbent John Garza in 2012, lost his seat to Republican Rick Galindo in 2014, came back in 2016 to defeat Galindo and now is facing Michael Berlanga, an accountant and businessman. Well, now its official. America has become the largest banana republic in the world. The executive branch, Congress and the judiciary are all controlled by people who dont care about the planet and the pollution surrounding us; who have allowed two alleged sexual predators on the highest court; who show contempt for women, minorities, immigrants, the poor and foreign allies; who drive away sexually abused women from our borders; and who value, cherish and enable only the wealthy. Donald Trump and his supporters have finally succeeded. Like Greece, Rome and the other great empires before us, we are sinking into an abysmal and dark future. Michael Aratingi Dems hurt women It is unconscionable what the Democrats actions have done to women who actually are victims of sexual assault. With the Democrats callous disregard for human decency, women who now suffer such an unspeakable act will find themselves even more of a victim than before. Women in the future who are truly victims, not paid stooges of the Democratic Party, will be viewed with even more suspicion because the Democrats paraded women who had no sustainable proof of what happened, couldnt remember dates or places, and whose witnesses denied the event happened just so the Democrats could defeat a man they didnt want on the Supreme Court. This is a sad day, America, for women everywhere, thanks to California Sen. Diane Feinstein and the other irresponsible Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee and in the Senate. The womens #MeToo movement doesnt seem to realize what the Democrats have done to them. They are protesting the wrong political party. Eleanor Sprowl Stuttering resource Re: UTSA researchers study relationship between brain activity and stuttering, front page, Friday: This article was forwarded to me by a friend in the stuttering community. I think that the University of Texas at San Antonio is doing outstanding work in the field of stuttering. Of course, San Antonio and Texas have a large Hispanic population. I just wish to inform your readers that there is a valuable resource for Spanish-speakers who stutter. There is a Spanish-language version of the Stuttering Foundation website at www.tartamudez.org. Tartamudez.org and the regular English-language version of the site (www.stutteringhelp.org) offers many free resources, such as downloadable books, streaming videos, downloadable brochures and more. This non-organization has a toll-free helpline at 1-800-992-9392. Latinos stutter in the same percentages as any other group, 1 percent of adults and 5 percent of children. The Stuttering Foundation website has a groundbreaking brochure titled Stuttering and the Bilingual Child. With the number of Spanish-speakers in the U.S. at its highest level ever, there needs to be more attention to speech services for Spanish-speakers with speech problems, especially stuttering. Juan Gardea, South Bend, Ind. MDC leader Nelson Chamisa says he will not be tricked into a government of national unity (GNU) like what happened with the partys founding president, Morgan Tsvangirai, in 2008. Chamisa poured cold water on sentiments that he must smoke a peace pipe with President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stem an economic Armageddon which has condemned the majority of the populace into the darkest depths of poverty. I dont know what they will be inviting me to talk about, he said in reference to overtures from the ruling Zanu PF party in an interview with the Voice of America. One thing for certain, no to GNU: No to the issue of repeating what they did to president Tsvangirai. This is a new ball game, this is a new direction. If we are to have any kind of engagement, it has to be an engagement on issues to save Zimbabwe. Tsvangirai, who succumbed to colon cancer in February this year, was forced into an uneasy coalition government with former president Robert Mugabe between 2008 and 2013 following inconclusive polls held ten years ago. The GNU brought a modicum of stability to the countrys economy although it suffered endless ructions, with Mugabe pulling every trick in the book to undermine Tsvangirai as a junior partner. To avoid walking into the same trap as Tsvangirai, Chamisa said the MDC had a catalogue of conditions that must be met before they could sit down to negotiate with Zanu PF. We have to put on the table five critical issues that have to be discussed. First, one is the issue of legitimacy; the issue of the will of the people. It doesnt make sense for people to go for an election, vote for a candidate of their choice only for that vote to be disregarded, discarded and ignored. We want the vote to count; we want the voice of the people to be respected. For that to happen, we need to understand the contours of engagement, the terrain of engagement. Who does what, when and how? said the MDC leader, who still insists he won the July 30 presidential election. Chamisa, who lost his appeal in the Constitutional Court, denied reports there are on-going behind-the-scenes discussions between him and Mnangagwa. He said: Let me state categorically, definitively and authoritatively that I have not had any discussion or any talks with Mnangagwa or any of his representatives. Chamisa said he does not want to be a leader of opposition in Parliament as had been suggested by Mnangagwa and diplomats in the United Kingdom and the European Union. I have seen a lot of things that Chamisa want to do this, I am actually surprised. I do not want to be the Prime Minister; I never said that I want to be a Prime Minister. I do not want to be the leader of opposition in Parliament because I am not part of the opposition; we are the ruling and reigning party. Interestingly, a State newspaper floated the idea of Chamisa pushing to become the countrys prime minister at the weekend. In an interview with the Daily News yesterday, Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya-Moyo emphatically said there was no need for another GNU. The challenges we have are being addressed. So, what is the need for that? he said. Analysts believe, however, that another power-sharing government between the ruling Zanu PF and the MDC would be one of the steps critical to the restoration of economic stability in the country. DailyNews Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Former Defence minister Sydney Sekeramayi appears to have hit hard times as the senator for Marondera is battling to settle some of his obligations, the Daily News can report. According to the Progressive Agriculture and Allied Workers Union of Zimbabwe (Paawuz), the veteran politician aged 74 is struggling to pay his workers at his sprawling Ulva Farm in Mashonaland East. Raymond Sixpence, the secretary-general of Paawuz, said the union which represents farm workers was forced to approach the Labour Court where the matter is still pending. He (Sekeramayi) owes over $40 000 in unpaid wages and allowances for his over 60 employees and we have since approached the Labour Court, said Sixpence. The soft-spoken ex-Health minister who served in various capacities during former president Robert Mugabes 37-year-long reign was not responding to text messages sent to his mobile phone nor voice calls. The Daily News can also report that Sekeramayi, who did not attend deliberations in the Senate yesterday, is also heavily indebted to power utility Zesa Holdings(Zesa) which has lately been coming hard on all defaulting customers. Sources said the former Defence minister, who was tipped to succeed Mugabe before the despots cathartic fall last November, had since negotiated a payment plan with Zesa to avoid sequestration. This was confirmed by Energy and Power Development minister Joram Gumbo yesterday. All individuals, all senior politicians whether they are Zanu PF or MDC have to pay and I can tell you that Sekeramayi is one of those senior politicians in the country who came to me after his name had appeared in the media about his non-payment and said things are tough on me but I have got a payment plan and Zesa readily accepted and that is what I encourage, Gumbo said. The Energy minister told the Daily News that he had since instructed the permanent secretary in the ministry of Energy to compile a list of all influential people who are in arrears to enable him to put pressure on them to pay up their dues. Gumbo said under President Emmerson Mnangagwas administration, there wont be any sacred cows. So what I have already done is to ask the permanent secretary to give me a list of debtors and that includes government ministers, senior people in government, companies, farmers, schools, mines, etc. I want them listed, and we will write to them asking them to come up with payment plans and clear their debts. As far as I am concerned, there is no one I have been told by the president that they must not pay for the power they use at their institutions, be it at their private homes, farms, schools, even government hospitals. None is exempted from paying and that includes me, he said. In 2012, the Daily News uncovered what became known as the Zesagate. At a time the power utility was on a nationwide power disconnection campaign against defaulting consumers, it was revealed that Zesa was conveniently allowing bigwigs, who were stratified under the so-called sensitive customers, off the hook. The defaulters included legislators from across the political divide, judges, provincial governors, ministers and their deputies and permanent secretaries. Among the highest debtors was Mugabe and his wife Grace, who owed over $345 000 as at December 31, 2011. At the time, Mnangagwa, who was also listed under the so-called sensitive customers profile, owed Zesa $240 824,03. DailyNews Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News A HARARE magistrate yesterday jailed two Chinese nationals who shot and injured the son of former Zanu PF legislator for Hurungwe, Keith Guzah, Kevin and his friend Kudzai Nduku for 42 months each. Luo Tin Gpen and Li Yize were convicted together with their accomplice Gamuchirai Zuze, who was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment by Hosea Mujaya. Mujaya suspended nine months of the trios imprisonment terms, with Gpen and Yize set to serve 31 months, and Zuze 21 months in jail. The company which employed the three accused persons did not co-operate with the investigations officer, as they refused to give details on who was carrying which gun. I cannot say it was deliberate, but a company which operates with these dangerous weapons should obviously know who is carrying which gun and at what time, Mujaya said. The State, represented by chief law officer Michael Reza, said Gpen and Yize were ordered by authorities to leave Zimbabwe on November 14 last year and were in the country illegally when they committed the offence. In November last year, Gpen and Yize shot and injured gold panners in Mazowe and were ordered to leave the country. The magistrate said Zuze was only following orders of his superiors, hence the lighter sentence. The court heard that on February 19 this year, the complainant, Kevin was driving a Toyota Vitz vehicle along Lincoln Road, Belgravia, in the company of Nduku. When Guzah and Nduku approached number 17 Lincoln Road, they heard a gunshot and immediately made a U-turn and drove towards a nearby service station. The convicts got into their Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle and gave chase. Guzah lost control of his vehicle and rammed into a fuel pump before one of the convicts shot Nduku, who was on the passengers seat. The convicts also shot Guzah in the pelvis and right leg, before bundling him into the boot of their vehicle and taking him to the police station. NewsDay Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News An opposition MDC MP has called for the impeachment of President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the deteriorating economic situation in the country saying the environment has become untenable. Contributing to questions without notice session in the National Assembly yesterday MDCs Chitungwiza North MP Godfrey Sithole pleaded with Zanu PF legislators to join hands with his party to impeach Mnangagwa so that we can save the country from total collapse. I think this is a matter of national interest which has nothing to do with political affiliations so I call upon this house, all legislators from across the political divide to unite as we did in November 2017 when we marched for the abdication ofMugabe and consider impeaching the current president, Sithole said on a point of privilege. In making his ruling, National Assembly Speaker Jacob Mudenda, however, advised Sithole to move an impeachment motion. I advise the member that he should bring a motion to that effect in this house instead, Mudenda counselled. In November 2017, thousands of Zimbabweans from across the political and social divide joined hands in a march that culminated in the resignation of former president Robert Mugabe, albeit with the aid of the military. Sitholes calls come amid fears by Mnangagwa that there was an inside plot in his Zanu PF party to impeach him. Mnangagwa made the claim ahead of the July 30 elections during a healing and reconciliation workshop held in Harare in May saying he had been briefed by intelligence officials of a brewing plot to dislodge him from power. The plot, according to Mnangagwa, was being hatched by some of the candidates who won Zanu PFs disputed party primary polls and were allegedly angling to team up with the opposition to impeach him in the ninth Parliament. I gather from intelligence that some of those who have won these primary elections have two minds. They have joined the Zanu PF wagon using various means, money included, to be elected with a possible view that once in Parliament, they will work together and move a motion of impeachment, he said to odd applause from candidates who contested in the primary elections, as if to confirm the plot. Mnangagwa, however, warned his rivals that the impeachment route was no stroll in the park. There are two things I would want to let them know. First, you must realise that the Constitution provides the basis of impeachment and such basis must be fulfilled before impeachment proceedings begin, he said at the time. Secondly, our Constitution provides an instrument to chuck out from Parliament any member whom we think is not Zanu PF any more. So iwe nemoyo wako, nengirozi yako naMwari wako ziva paumire (deep inside you and with the help of your angels and your God, you know where you stand. Impeachment refers to a process used to charge, try, and remove public officials for misconduct while in office. The national charter provides for the removal of a sitting president or vice president through a resolution by half of the total membership of Parliament. A president can only be removed from office if found to have engaged in acts of serious misconduct; failure to obey, uphold or defend the Constitution; wilful violation of the Constitution or inability to perform the functions of the office because of physical or mental incapacity. DailyNews Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News A Woman's Story of Faith and the Ripple Effect of Giving Provides Clean Water Saving Lives in Uganda MISSION VIEJO, Calif., Oct. 11, 2018 / Christian Newswire / -- Patricia Doyle believes there were mothers in Uganda praying desperately for clean water for their children when God touched her heart over two years ago. Her participation in a 5K run in Southern California began a ripple effect that would ultimately fund seven water wells and save thousands of lives in Uganda, Africa. Photo: Patricia Doyle stands in the center of her RCIA team at the 2018 Run4Water. High-resolution version available. In April 2017, a friend from church invited Patricia to volunteer for the Run4Water fundraiser benefitting the nonprofit organization Wells of Life. It was a day that would prove to be life changing. Initially shocked by learning that a child dies every 21 seconds from a lack of clean water in Africa, Doyle became energized to take action at the passionate plea of Wells of Life founder Nick Jordan. Doyle knew in that moment that she'd personally donate and get involved, but she wondered how she could spread the word to others. Throw a stone in water and the ripple effect will begin. Doyle oversees the RCIA (The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) at her church, San Francisco Solano in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. The program consists of classes for adults who want to join the Catholic faith. The 2017 fall session was about to begin and she'd been searching for something tangible to increase the students' understanding of the word Catholic, meaning universal. Social justice is a big part of their teaching and she immediately thought of Wells of Life. She shared the Wells of Life story with the group and they gave unanimous approval to form a team in the 2018 Run4Water. Their team goal was to raise $6,000; the actual cost to fund one well that provides clean water to 1000 Ugandan villagers for about 25 years. Overhead costs are covered by the organization. Nick Jordan was the group's dynamic social justice guest speaker which resulted in a funded well by a couple in attendance. One week later, another couple decided to fund a well. Doyle told a close friend about the project. She and her husband had lost a son two years before and decided to fund a well in his memory. The couple reached out to relatives and another well was generously funded in their son's honor. The ripple effect has already resulted in four wells funded. One young couple in the RCIA class had limited means but was determined to fund a well in memory of their beloved grandmother who had just passed away. They passionately reached out to family members but only raised $2000. When the rest of the class heard of their goal and passion, they stepped in and the remaining $4000 was raised. With five wells now funded, the initial couple that donated a well connected Wells of Life with their company's matching donor program and another well was funded. That same man shared Wells of Life at a retreat and a gentleman in the group was inspired to fund yet another well. Seven wells will provide clean water to over 7000 villagers saving countless lives. Doyle is leading a new RCIA class this fall and the group has already committed to participate in the 2019 Run4Water. The busy real estate broker and 2016-2017 Catholic Woman of the Year for other philanthropic and volunteer efforts, Doyle sits on a panel for the Orange County Catholic Diocese and is an advisory board member for Wells of Life. In late September, she hosted an event for Wells of Life in her home to spread the word to others. Every attendee donated to the organization and many joined the Water Warrior monthly giving campaign pledging $30, $60 or $100 to sustain and fund water wells in Uganda. While Wells of Life is making a tremendous impact, an estimated 24 million Ugandans ( Water.org ) still lack clean water and 1 in 5 children under the age of five die from a waterborne illness. To learn more about Wells of Life, visit www.wellsoflife.org About Wells of Life Wells of Life is a Christian organization founded on the belief water is a basic human right and should be available to all people regardless of where they live. Founded in 2008, the provision of clean water is viewed as the catalyst to free communities from poverty and progress to sustainable and healthy living. Their mission is supported through a variety of partnerships with schools, churches and businesses. Unfair distribution of Presidential input scheme landed an Mvurwi village chairman in trouble after he allegedly stabbed a disgruntled member of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and was dragged to Guruve magistrates courts yesterday. The village chairman of Rongore farm, Mvurwi Kudakwashe Musona aka Macharonga pleaded not guilty to assault charge before Guruve resident magistrate Shingirai Mutiro who remanded the matter to 26 October. The state alleges on 21 September 2018 at Rumanje farm villagers were receiving the presidential inputs and the chairman Musona ordered people to pay 10 cents each so as to get the inputs which the whole village complied. A member of the (ZNA) who is also a villager at Rongore Milton Kachasu was ordered to pay $1.50 and refused to pay labelling the chairman corrupt. After the distribution of the inputs the two went for a beer drink where they had a misunderstanding over the unfair distribution of the inputs. Musona reportedly poured a bottle of Super Chibuku on the soldier who also bought his bottle and retaliated. The two pulled each other outside a bottle store for peaceful talks and talked before tearing each others clothes. They stayed in the bottle store drinking separately for a while and called each other to go home on their way home they Musona pressed a stub of lighted tobacco on Kachasus right eye before stabbing him three times on his right hand. Bulawayo24 Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Nigerians, especially on social media have reacted to the proposed N24,000 as the new minimum wage for civil servants by the the Nigerian federal government. The Nigerian federal government on Wednesday, October 10, faulted the media reports that a N30,000 minimum wage has been agreed upon as the countrys new minimum wage. In a previous report by Legit.ng, the minister of labour and employment, Chris Ngige, while speaking with State House correspondents said after consultations, N24,000 was proposed as the new minimum wage for civil servants. He said the state government, the private sector and the organised labour had proposed N20,000, N25,000 and N30,000 as national minimum wage respectively. READ ALSO: Osun PDP chieftain, Diekola, collapses in court The minister added that the federal government would continue to discuss with the organized labour and all other stakeholders informally to arrive at a figure. However, this new proposal did't sit well many Nigerians as they have taken to social media to express their disappointment with the new amount. Read their comments below: Some are asking if government officials can live on 24,000 as salary? If government can afford to pay politicians millions why can't they pay civil servants N30,000. What can anyone buy with 24,000? Some are wondering why the salaries of politicians can't be cut to pay civil servants. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Legit.ng previously reported that the federal government is set to announce the new minimum wage as the tripartite committee completes its assignment for onward submission to President Muhammadu Buhari. Ayuba Wabba, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) president, made this known while speaking with newsmen on Monday, October 8, in Abuja. 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. Lets Talk About Salaries of Nigerian Senators | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - The Labour union has called on the federal government to expedite the implementation of the new minimum wage - Ayuba Wabba said the tripartite committee had already finished its assignment - According to him, the process of the implementation of the minimum wage should also be transmitted to the National Assembly for other legislative actions The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the federal government to accelerate the implementation of the new minimum wage proposed by the tripartite committee on the issue. NLC national president, Ayuba Wabba, made the call at a news briefing on Wednesday, October 10, in Lafia. Wabba, who was in Lafia for the ground breaking of the affordable housing estate by the Federal Mortgage Bank, said the tripartite committee had already finished its assignment. READ ALSO: Breaking: President Buhari, Osinbajo hold crucial meeting with Ambode, 4 other governors The committee has already completed its assignment and had to submit the reports first to federal government onward action. So, we expect the FG to accelerate the process of implementation and transmit same to the National Assembly for other legislative actions," Wabba stated. The NLC boss, however, commended the contributions of the private sector throughout the duration of the committee work. Wabba said that the union would not make the agreed amount public until all the processes were completed. READ ALSO: I will defeat APC, PDP's governorship candidates in 2019 - Mama Taraba declares He assured Nigerian workers that the union would not relent until success was achieved. Meanwhile, the minister of labour, Chris Ngige, has said that no agreement has been reached on the exact amount that should be paid to workers as new minimum wage. Speaking after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, Ngige said this was because the proposals ranged from N30,000 by the organised labour to N20,000 by state governments and N25,000 by organised private sector. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Legit.ng previously reported that the federal government is set to announce the new minimum wage as the tripartite committee completes its assignment for onward submission to President Muhammadu Buhari. Wabba had said that the committee reconvened and deliberated on a new minimum wage figure that was acceptable to all employers of labour in the country. Lets Talk About Salaries of Nigerian Senators | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng News - Some APC governors are reportedly calling for the removal of Adams Oshiomhole - The governors reportedly complained about his leadership style - President Buhari has reportedly been informed of their grievances and complaints Some governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are reportedly calling for the removal of the chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole. The Cable reports that a minister who spoke on the condition of anonymity on Wednesday, October 9, said they were not comfortable with his style of leadership. READ ALSO: President Buhari signs new executive order against money laundering, tax evasion The minister reportedly claimed the governors did not financially contribute to the partys convention and were monitoring how money gotten from sale of nomination forms are being spent. He said: Some of the governors who are displeased with the leadership style of Oshiomhole have told President Muhammadu Buhari that Oshiomhole must give way if the APC is to record victory in the 2019 general election. They are insisting that Oshiomhole must go because they cant work with him for the election next year. They refused to contribute to the APC convention and asked the party chairman to use the N10 billion he collected from the sale of nomination forms. They are also monitoring how he is spending it." The minister hinted some of the governors met the president to strategise Oshiomholes removal. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara on Monday, October 8, claimed that all primary elections of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2019 general elections had been concluded in the state. Yaris declaration came at a time when representatives of the party from the APC national headquarters said no election was held at all. APC is the worst party in Nigeria, i regret being a member - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit - The Nigerian Senate has begun plans to amend the Electoral Act - The lawmakers on Wednesday, October 10, had a debate on a new bill on the amendment - The new bill was sponsored by Senator Suleiman Gamawa of the Bauchi PDP Members of the eighth Senate have begun fresh moves to amend the rejected Electoral Act. The senators move followed the rejection of two bills seeking the amendment of the Act by President Muhammadu Buhari. Daily Trust reports that a new bill on the amendment of the Electoral Act was presented on Wednesday, October 10, for first reading before the eighth Senate. The bill later passed second reading after about an hour of debate during plenary. Sponsoring the new bill, Senator Suleiman Gamawa of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bauchi state said, the amendments sought included that where a smart card reader fails to function and a fresh one is not deployed, the election in that unit shall be cancelled and rescheduled within 24 hours. READ ALSO: APC governors allegedly demand for Oshiomholes removal He said another aspect of the amendment is that where a primary election is held and duly certified by the electoral umpire, and the result is subsequently altered, INEC shall have power to overrule the alteration. Also, with the new bill, the maximum amount to be spent during campaigns by a presidential candidate was set at not more than N5 billion; governorship N1 billion; senatorial N100 million; House of Reps N70 million; state assembly N30 million; chairmanship N30 million and councilorship N500,000. Gamawa noted that if at the point of display or distribution of ballot papers by INEC, a candidate or his agent discovers that his name, the name or logo of his political party is omitted, such person shall notify the commission, as a result of which election in the area shall be postponed to a period not exceeding 90 days. While a good number of the lawmakers kicked against some of the proposed amendments, Senator Kabiru Marafa (APC, Zamfara) said there was no logic in putting the campaign expenses of a presidential candidate at N5 billion, considering the large number of polling units and other expenses. However, the deputy speaker of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu said he was worried about the omission of a candidate's name on the ballot paper. READ ALSO: Again, NLC issues strong warning to FG over minimum wage implementation Im very worried about item 7, which is on missing name of a candidate on the ballot paper. This is very dangerous because somebody who knows he cant win election will raise the alarm and make other candidates suffer for it," Ekweremadu said. In his reaction, James Manager said: Some of the amendments raised are very technical and dangerous. I advise that when this is referred to the committee, it should check all the views expressed here, including those not expressed, and come up with something thats acceptable. While Ali Ndume suggested that a sample of the ballot paper should be displayed two weeks to the election for all parties to see and agree to further printing. Following the deliberation, Senate President Bukola Saraki referred the bill to the committee on electoral matters to report back next Tuesday, October 16. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that President Buhari has signed a new executive order, Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularization Scheme (VOARS), meant to target money launderers and tax evaders. In a statement by Garba Shehu on Wednesday, October 10, the President said Nigerian taxpayers holding offshore assets and incomes are expected to pay taxes on them. A 12 month period has been given for voluntary compliance. Nigeria Latest News: Is the NASS Leadership Still Capable of Leading Nigeria? - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit The Nigerian Army in its continuous fight against terrorism infiltrated a Boko Haram camp in Kaltunbare in Borno state. According to the army, three terrorists were killed while others escaped with gun wounds. Two minors were reportedly rescued in the operation. The chief of army staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, commended the troops for their gallant operation and urged them to intensify in their efforts. READ ALSO: APC governors allegedly demand for Oshiomholes removal "Troops of 22 Brigade Garrison Infiltrate BHT Camp in kaltunbare Borno State. "Gallant troops of 22 Brigade Garrison Dikwa supported by vigilantes, on deliberate offensive patrol, infiltrated a BHT camp at Kaltunbare in Borno State on 10 October 2018. Minors rescued by Nigerian army. Credit: Facebook, Nigerian Amy Source: Facebook "During the encounter 3 BHTs were neutralized while others escaped with gunshot wounds. 2 minors were also rescued. The COAS Lt Gen TY Buratai has commended the gallant troops and urged them to continue carrying out raids, deliberate patrols and attacks to decimate the remnants of BHTs in the North East," the army said. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Senate has asked the federal government to investigate the disappearance of a retired army general who was recently declared missing. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app Major General Idris Alkali (retd) who was the immediate past chief of administration, Army headquarters, Abuja, was declared missing on September 3. He was said to have gone missing on his way to Bauchi after leaving Abuja. Consequently, following his disappearance, the senate on Wednesday, October 10, urge the federal government to "set up an investigate panel of enquiries to examine and determine the remote and immediate circumstances surrounding the dumping of cars in the ponds in DU District. Nigerian Air Force Day Celebration 2018 (54th Anniversary) - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit.ng Over the years people have always questioned the sudden source of wealth of some of their friends, colleagues or even family members. Some of them have so much money that people cant help but gossip behind their backs. A Nigerian lady identified as Aishat Alubankudi, has taken to her Facebook profile to share pictures of an extremely rich Sudanese man who is fond of flaunting his wealth. According to Alubankudi, she disclosed that even Bill Gates and Donald Trumps children would never be this vain. She added that those ones would not do that because they were obviously fed with a silver spoon. Sudanese man posing with foreign currencies kept in a box Photo: Aishat Alubankudi Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Man fulfills his mom's dream as he buys her about N4.5m Toyota Camry for birthday (photos) Her Facebook post reads: Bill Gates and Donald Trump's children would never misbehave like this guy because they were born with silver spoons not accidental wealth. See post below: Some people have taken to her page to hurl insults on the man. One of Alubankudis followers, Naija IRepresent, disclosed that: Dear All, there's possibility that his one of those selfish and greedy guys that ruined the peaceful existence of South- Sudan. Just for the love of money. If I may guess right. Immediately after the referendum that later leads to their independent as a new Country. Most of the Top Government officials were seems buying expensive cars living large at the expenses of the poor Southern Sudanese. Which later leads to factions again among them. Really am not surprised. Sudanese man in military uniform Photo: Aishat Alubankudi Source: Facebook Kola Al-Amin also disclosed that: How can you celebrate success with other people's money? This guy is an official from South Sudan, majority of South Sudanese live in abject poverty. It's not a celebration of wealth it's a celebration of corruption. PAY ATTENTION: Join Africa Love Aid today for your daily relationship tips and advice See reactions below: Sudanese man taking a picture if his bath robe Photo: Aishat Alubankudi Source: Facebook When it comes to one of the richest youths in Nigeria, Ray Hushpuppi, as fondly called will never be left unmentioned. The young man, who is Malaysian-based is well known for his endless love for popular international brand Gucci. Nigeria Celebrities: How Much Do They Spend On Luxury Life? | Legit.ng TV - on Legit.ng TV. Source: Legit.ng - The coordinator of the presidential amnesty programme, Charles Dokubo has said that he has no intention to squander the funds meant for ex-militants - Dokubo said that he will do his best to make sure the funds are disbursed only to beneficiaries of the programme - He urged urged youths in the Niger Delta region to fully support the programme so as to reap its dividends Professor Charles Dokubo, the special adviser to the President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta and the coordinator of the presidential amnesty programme, has said that he would not succumb to pressure to share funds meant for ex-militants. Speaking at a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, October 10, Dokubo urged Niger Deltans to dismiss false criticism and wholeheartedly lend their support to the programme, adding that he will do his utmost to ensure that the funds are shared with fairness despite pressures on him to do otherwise, The Nation reports. READ ALSO: 2019: APC presidential aspirants ask Oshiomhole to resign The aide remarked that he was unmoved by the desperation of some persons using the media to harass and blackmail him for his refusal to disburse the funds to those not enlisted as beneficiaries in the programme. He said: If you are not on this programme, forget about getting N65, 000.00 monthly. You must be captured by this programme to be entitled to payment of monthly stipend. Nobody from the Niger Delta has come to me that I didnt give a listening ear. "For me, right from the beginning, I have said Im not going to use Amnesty money for myself; Im in this Office to serve. I dont need to steal money. Amnesty money is for empowerment of Niger Delta people. "As long as Im in this office, Ill do the right thing. If you stand aside and watch, that is your business. Amnesty Programme is here for you. It is for all of you; to empower the Niger Delta people. Moreover, the president of the Niger Delta Amnesty vendors association, Tari Okosi, warned youths and elders of Niger Delta against frivolous and malicious petitions that could turn back to haunt the region if the Amnesty Programme failed. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Okosi commended Dokubo for his openness and honesty in the award of contracts and establishing a job placement unit which has created more jobs to people of the region. Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that ex-militants under the aegis of Justice Group, on Wednesday, July 18, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on Dokubo to integrate them into the programme. The 3,000 undocumented ex-agitators alleged that they were marginalised by past leadership of the amnesty office and the federal government. EXCLUSIVE: Be patient with President Buhari, Femi Adesina tells Nigerians - On Legit.ng TV Source: Legit A report by Vanguard indicates that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar will visit his former boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Thursday, October 11. Atiku was Obasanjo's vice president for 8 years while the latter presided over the country between 1999-2007. Both men fell out after Atiku tried to succeed Obasanjo in office, but the former president preferred the late Umaru Musa Yar'adua. READ ALSO: Kwankwaso reportedly threatens to leave PDP The visit to Obasanjo would be the first time the former president would meet with his former deputy since the latter emerged as presidential candidate of the PDP. Though Obasanjo had in the past vowed not to ever support Atikus long nurtured presidential aspiration, there is expectation that the former president may unbend upon his even more harsh assessment of the incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari. Todays meeting between the two men, was reportedly packaged by Afenifere leaders who had on Tuesday, October 9, visited Obasanjo. Meanwhile, the national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, recently met with Atiku alongside other party leaders to determine a running mate for the 2019 presidential candidate. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Atiku was mandated to submit to the party a list of his preferred candidates as running mates to enable the party to discuss it with him. The party let him know that he has to carry its leadership along and that he (Atiku) cannot unilaterally pick a running mate without the partys input, a source privy to the meeting said. Atiku's acceptance speech after being declared PDP presidential flag bearer | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit Newspaper - Three women abducted by a gang, posing as commercial bus driver and passengers in Benin City, Edo state, have shared their experience - The victims narrating their experience said their abductors demanded ransom, adding that they were tortured - The suspects were identified as Ikechukwu Emmanuel, Friday Ihaza, Godspower Ezemene and Okonofua Friday Three women who were abducted by four kidnappers, at different spots in Benin City, Edo state by a gang, posing as commercial bus driver and passengers, have narrated how they were tortured to pay ransom before they were released, The Nation reports. Legit.ng gathered that one of the victims, who gave her name as Faith, said she boarded a bus to Sapele road while going home, but she didnt know that the driver and passengers were kidnappers. Faith said she was blindfolded and taken to an unknown place where she was tortured and rap*d. She said her abductors demanded N5 million from her parents as ransom, adding that N300,000 was withdrawn from her account. READ ALSO: IGP Idris disagrees with police commission over planned demotion of 1,500 officers On how she recognised the suspects, she said they didnt wear masks on the day they dropped her after spending three nights with them. Princess Eweka, another victim said she was going home and was on Ekenwan road when a bus stopped and she was dragged inside. She said a male passenger was beaten up and thrown out of the bus. Eweka said she was tortured and beaten up, after which her parents paid N500,000 ransom. She also said she recognised the suspects because they did not wear masks. The third victim, identified as Blessing was abducted on Airport Road and taken to an unknown spot. The kidnappers snatched N400,000 from her. Blessing said she refused to eat while in the kidnappers den for four days. Babatunde Kokumo, the police commissioner, paraded the suspects, namely Ikechukwu Emmanuel, Friday Ihaza, Godspower Ezemene and Okonofua Friday. He said the command bust the gang following intelligence report, adding that they would soon be arraigned. The suspects said they resorted to kidnapping because of hunger. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app Legit.ng previously reported that five days after suspected kidnappers abducted a pregnant woman in Bitie community in Tai local government area of Rivers state, a medical doctor, Dr. Matthew Olubiyi, was on Wednesday, September 12, abducted in his consulting room in the hospital in the same community. Our regional reporter in Port Harcourt, Tony Ihunwo, reports that eyewitness said the doctor dragged the doctor out of his consulting room, ordered him into a waiting car and took him away. Legit.ng visits kidnappers' den discovered in Lagos on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng News - A welder has confessed to making N1.2 million by posing as a police inspector - Handcuffs, horsewhip, identity card, cash and four SIM cards were also recovered from the suspect - The suspect said he took the items from the car of a policeman friend and used them to defraud victims The Oyo state Police Command in Eleyele, Ibadan, has paraded a welder, Adebisi Kayode, who confessed to making N1.2 million from impersonating a police inspector. The suspect is said to have defrauded his victims by telling them that he would help them to purchase auctioned vehicles, Punch reports. READ ALSO: Collect your outstanding salaries from Fayemi - Fayose to Ekiti workers Legit.ng gathers that while parading Kayode among other suspects, the state commissioner of police, Abiodun Odude, stated: This impostor, who is a welder, unlawfully obtained money worth over N2m from unsuspecting victims under the pretext of helping them to buy auction vehicles and other property from the office of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. Items recovered from him are handcuffs, horsewhip, identity card, cash and four SIM cards. Kayode said he had obtained the items from a friend who was a policeman. He said: I was arrested two weeks ago. One of my friends, Corporal Sunday, became drunken one day and he could not drive home. I called his mechanic to drive him home. From his car, I took the handcuffs and the horsewhip. I told people that I was a police inspector in order to collect money from them. I have made more than N1.2m before I was arrested. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a 36-year-old former policeman, Charles Abam, was arrested for trying to defraud the children of President Muhammadu Buhari. The suspect, who was detained at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, impersonated Sen Daisy Danjuma, wife of Gen T.Y. Danjuma (rtd), in order to defraud the president's children. See the faces of newly arrested criminals in Lagos state - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit.ng News - Abike Dabiri-Erewa, aide to President Buhari on diaspora, says the continued closure of Nigerians shops in Ghana is worrisome - She expressed worry that the shops had remained closed in spite of President Koffi Nana-Akudos assurance to Nigeria, that they will be re-opened - Dabiri-Erewa, however, urged the traders to remain calm and not take matters into their hands, no matter how provocative the situation may be The continued closure of Nigerians shops in Ghana two weeks after President Koffi Nana-Akudo gave the order to reopen them, has elicited concern from the federal government. The sentiment was expressed by the assistant to the president on foreign affairs and diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, when the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) led by its president, Ken Ukuoha, paid her a visit in Abuja, Vanguard reports. Legit.ng gathers that Ukoha had led the association to present a petition to the president on the lingering situation, through Dabiri-Erewas office. In pursuance of the eviction order dated 27th July 2018, Nigerian traders in Ghana were shut-out of their business premises. READ ALSO: Plateau LG polls: My disability, no obstacle to electoral success - PDP candidate As stipulated by its Ministry of Trade and Industry (GIPC) Act, 2013, the Ghanaian authority was demanding that traders must have one million dollars as minimum foreign investment capital to do business in Ghana . Dabiri Erewa expressed worry that the shops had remained closed in spite of President Koffi Nana-Akudos assurance to Nigeria, that they will be re-opened. She told the group: I am just going to start by appealing to you. I know it is painful, it is emotional, it is deep; but I just urge you to remain calm. I am surprised that after the announcement of the president of Ghana on the reopening of the locked shops, they still remained under lock up till now. The president of Ghana paid a courtesy call on our president during the UN General Assembly in New York and he assured him that Nigerian traders were not being targeted. When they said foreigners, he assured that Nigerians were not the target; and since that time which was on September 27, I am very surprised that as at today over 400 shops were still under lock in Ghana." Dabiri-Erewa promised to convey the groups message to President Buhari; and assured them that the president would resolve the matter one and for all. She urged them to remain calm and not take matters into their hands, no matter how provocative the situation may be. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app She said: I am sure that the matter will be resolved between the two presidents and will be treated as an ECOWAS matter. I know it is not only Nigerians that are affected but other ECOWAS nationals as well; but I know that Nigerians are the largest. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the National Association of Nigerian Traders on Monday, September 24, stormed the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) secretariat in Abuja to protest the alleged closure of shops belonging to Nigerians resident in Ghana. The protest partly shut down activities at the secretariat; as the protesters marched through the streets of Yakubu Gowon way in Asokoro, causing gridlock along the Asokoro axis. Which country would you leave Nigeria for? - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit - A consultant psychiatric, Dr Abubakar Bagudu, says drug abuse among young people had left them with depression - The consultant in a lecture said eight out of every 10 psychiatric patients are youths who have abused drug - He said drug addicts should be re-integrates into society after treatment and not stigmatised Dr Abubakar Bagudu, a consultant psychiatric with the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital (ATBTH), Bauchi, says eight out of every 10 patients brought to the mental clinic of the hospital are youths who abused drug. Bagudu at a lecture to mark the 2018 World Mental Health day in Bauchi on Wednesday, October 10, said drug abuse among young people had left them with depression and high level of sui*ide. The consultant, who quoted the World Health Organisation (WHO) said half of all mental health cases started from ages 14, adding that most cases went undetected. READ ALSO: Kwankwaso reportedly threatens to leave PDP That is why the Psychiatric department decided to create awareness among post primary school students. Most youths, nowadays, spend hours on the internet, experiencing horror films and crimes, he said. Bagudu said adolescents and early adulthood were periods when many changes occurred, thus, making youths to experiment a lot of things, including drug abuse. However, he said prevention started from understanding early warning signs and symptoms of mental health problems. The consultant, who stressed the need for communities not to stigmatise said, drug addicts should be re-integrates into society after treatment. Dr Atebgese Simon in his remark, said youths took to drug due to the influence of peer group pressure to improve self esteem, drug availability, accessibility, wrongful prescription and lack of drug education. He added that drug affected the vital organs of the human body and had physical, social and mental effect on an individual. Bauchi as you know is among the states with a high rate of codeine abuse, translating into large turnout of patients with mental problems in the state, he said Simon called for the establishment of a drug rehabilitation centre in the state to cater for addicts after completing their treatment. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Legit.ng previously reported that the president of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), Dr Taiwo Sheikh, said a recent study indicated that 85% of mad people in Nigeria are youths within the age bracket of 18-38. According to Daily Independent, Sheikh made the disclosure in an interview in Abuja on Tuesday, May 8. The psychiatrist said the high figure poses a serious threat to the future of Nigeria. He added that from the associations investigation, causes of mental disorder among youths were beyond drug abuse as the youths now inhale lizard faeces. Suspected cannabis traffickers reject Police accusations | on Legit.ng TV. Source: Legit - Yakubu Dogara said federal lawmakers will resist any attempt to continue frustrating the enactment of the Electoral Act Amendment bill - Dogara said the amendment bill has provisions that are designed to guarantee free, fair and transparent elections in Nigeria - He said the passage of the bill will address any plan to manipulate the forthcoming elections by exploiting loopholes in the electoral act Yakubu Dogara, the speaker of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday, October 10, declared that the lower chamber would resist any further attempt to frustrate the enactment of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. According to him, failure to do so would be indicative of a desire not to improve on the successes recorded in the 2015 elections. ThisDay reports that Dogara who made this known in a speech to mark the resumption of the House from its annual recess, noted that the passage of the bill will address any plan to manipulate the forthcoming elections by exploiting loopholes in the Electoral Act as it is presently. READ ALSO: Kwankwaso reportedly threatens to leave PDP He said: The new Electoral Act amendment bill has provisions that are designed to guarantee free, fair and transparent elections in Nigeria, entrenches the smart card reader and electronic transmission of results, among others. the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) supplementary budget bill must also be accorded expeditious consideration. The pending issue of the Electoral Act amendment bill, which was unfortunately vetoed by the president, must also be expeditiously considered and passed. The new Electoral Act amendment bill has provisions that are designed to guarantee free, fair and transparent elections in Nigeria. The amendment bill entrenches the smart card reader and electronic transmission of results among others. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Any further attempt to frustrate the passing into law of the bill, will be indicative of our desire not to improve on the successes of the 2015 general election as well as further fueling the fears that some, including our international partners, have about some forces who intend to manipulate the forthcoming elections by exploiting identified loopholes in the Electoral Act currently in force. He assured the people that as soon as the assembly settles down to business, the INEC supplementary budget bill must be accorded expeditious consideration. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that the APC reacted to the alleged defection of Speaker Yakubu Dogara to the PDP, saying that the lawmaker has no political value to be considered a loss. The partys spokesperson, Yakubu Nabena, said: It is not a surprise to us, we already know that he has been working with the PDP. The publication had reported that the speaker had quietly purchased the forms to run on the platform of the major opposition party. Senators, lawmakers defect from APC - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit - Chief Bola Tinubu has responded to Yinka Odumakin's statement against him - Tinubu commenting on the herdsmen issue, had suggested that unoccupied lands be converted to grazing areas - In reaction, Odumakin said Tinubus proposal was unacceptable - Responding to Odumakin, the APC national leader said the Afenifere chieftain did not go through the whole statement before reacting A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has responded to Yinka Odumakins criticism of his suggestion on how to end herdsmen crises in the country. The Nation reports that at a national summit on conflict resolution in Abuja, Tinubu had 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. Unoccupied, isolated land can quickly be turned into grazing areas in the affected states. In the long run, this will enable herders to better maintain their livestock and thus their own livelihood. READ ALSO: APC governors allegedly demand for Oshiomholes removal In response, the Afenifere chieftain said Tinubus proposal was unacceptable. .He said: The attention of Afenifere has been drawn to the statement credited to former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that the herdsmen terror being witnessed across the country is a fallout of water scarcity and that the country should convert unused land to grazing reserves. Since most of the states in the country are being affected, it is sad that Tinubu is adumbrating the Miyetti Allah position to convert the entire country into one huge cattle colony. We totally reject this position as it is very backward in modern time and contrary to the consensus of all peace-loving Nigerians that what we need to solve the herdsmen siege on farmers is to have ranches. However, Sunday Dare who is the media aide of Tinubu in a statement said Odumakin did not go through the whole statement before reacting. He said government must maintain military presence in the affected areas to curb violence. He said: "The only deserving response to Yinka Odumakin is that he suffers from selective amnesia. The range of short and long-term options offered by Tinubu is in the suggestions for the consideration of the two-day summit. It did not mention Southwest in particular; what he said had a context. Unoccupied, isolated land can quickly be turned into grazing areas in the affected states. It is not only some Southwest states that are affected but several other states across the country. Why Odumakin suddenly gets hot under the collar may not be far-fetched. The usual frenzy and self-righteous mentality he portrays is on full display. Perhaps next time, he should read through the whole submission and caution himself from self-righteousness and displaying in full glare anarchical emotions." PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app He suggested that if Odumakin can still read, a read through a larger size of what was said by Tinubu will educate him better. Legit.ng had reported that A pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, criticised the national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for reportedly suggesting that unused lands be converted to grazing reserves in order to solve frequent clashes between farmers and herdsmen in some states of the federation. The Tribune reports that Afenifere in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Yinka Odumakin, described the suggestions credited to Bola Tinubu as very backward in modern time and contrary to solution of ranching which many Nigerians proffered to solve the herdsmen siege on farmers. Nigerian Herdsmen vs Nigerian Farmers | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng Five ministers appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari who tried their lucks at the recently concluded governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in their various states failed to secure tickets due to one reason or the other. Although, the five ministers got President Buhari's blessing to contest in their states, they weren't so much accepted by state leaderships of the party. Two out of the five ministers were screened out before the primaries while two lost their tickets to candidates supported by the incumbent governors of their states. Below are the names of the five ministers and how they lost the APC governorship tickets. 1. Adebayo Shittu Minister of communication, Adebayo Shittu, who was contesting for Oyo state governorship, was screened out of the party for not having the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) certificate. Shittu insisted that he was illegally screened out of the election. READ ALSO: I am not stingy - Governor Obaseki 2. Aisha Jummai Alhassan The minister of women affairs, Aisha Jummai Alhassan, popularly known as Mama Taraba, was also screened out of the primaries in her state. Alhassan may have lost the ticket due to her open support for Atiku Abubakar, who is a presidential candidate of the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, said Alhassan was screened out over what he tagged as divided loyalty. 3. Mustapha Baba Shehuri The minister of state for power, works and housing, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, was lost the ticket following the endorsement of Professor Babagana Umara-Zulum by Borno state governor, Kashim Shettima, Daily Trust reports. 4. Masur Dan-Ali Mansur Dan-Ali, the minister of defense, lost in Zamfara state following the Governor Abdulaziz Yari's endorsement of Shehu Idris. Yari's endorsement of Idis has created a huge controversy in the state and INEC has ordered the APC not to field any candidate from the state for election in 2019. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app 5. Usani Usani The minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani, was initially declared winner of the primaries in Cross Rivers by a faction of the party but the national leadership of the party recognised Senator John Owan-Enoh instead. Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that a high court sitting in Port Harcourt nullified the nomination of Tonye Cole as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of 2019 general elections. The presiding judge, Justice Chiwendu Nwogu, made the pronouncement on Wednesday, October 10, on the ground that his nomination is a function of illegality and unconstitutional acts. Is Atiku the Right Man to Defeat President Buhari? 2019 Election - Nigeria Street Gist | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng News A supermarket located in Ajah, Lagos, has allegedly fallen victim to the trickery of a Nigerian scammer. The fraudster who is a young man had bought items worth N90,000 and made payment for them using fake currency. As gathered by Legit.ng, the unidentified scammer, who was wearing a T-shirt, pair of shorts and a black face cap as at the time the incident happened, reportedly dribbled the three attendant sales representatives in the Nigerian supermarket in Ajah into believing he paid with N90,000 notes. He successfully did this with his witty ways and suave moves. It was not until he left that it was discovered that he had paid for his goods with fake money. However, thanks to the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera present in the shop, the owner of the shop as well as the sales representatives were able to pick on the guy and spot his face. READ ALSO: Thief caught on camera stealing a phone in a store (video) To ensure that he is brought to the feet of justice, a video of him counting the fake naira notes with which he made payment was posted on the Instagram page of Adorable_diva91 who is probably the owner of the supermarket where the daylight robbery was committed. The lady who shared the post also added a caption in which she promised anyone who was able to identify and lead the police to the suspect a sum of N50,000. She also made a plea that Nigerians should take the search for the suspected criminal very seriously so that he would not perpetrate such act anymore. PAY ATTENTION: The latest Nigerian News on Legit.ng News App "Whoever can track or knows this guy get 50k reward. He came to our shop, bought items worth 90k and paid with fake money.... He distracted 3 sale reps and succeeded. 50k is the reward guys...let's get this thief off the streets . Someone else might be his victim today." Nigerian man declared wanted after allegedly using fake N90k to buy items in a supermarket in Ajah Photo: Adorable_diva91 Source: Instagram Source: Instagram PAY ATTENTION: Daily relationship gist and gossips on Africa Love Aid At the background of the video, the lady and other people were speaking in aggrieved tones while pointing out the guy who paid the fake money. Agitated Nigerians also took to commenting on the post with the video. They poured out their agitations and hoped that the culprit will be caught in earnest. See some of the reactions below: djgabcos: "Somebodys MCM. Someone that will be bursting one slay mamas ovaries. Chaii. Una sorry oo." lindeeadnyl: "I hope you get this guy. I have had such experience too in Ajah where I run a supermarket and it was a bad day for us all . May God continue to see us through Amen." Adorable_diva91, however, deleted the post just a short while after she posted it. The reason for this is yet to be known though. Offa bank robbery: Why some residents were shot by armed robbers | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - The African business community has been greeted with the shocking report of the kidnap of Africa's youngest billionaire, Mohammed Dewji - Dewji was kidnapped by two men on Thursday, October 11, while he was walking into the Colosseum Hotel and Fitness Club in Oyster Bay in Tanzania - The sad development has put the police unit in the region on red alert, while the business tycoon is still in captivity Recent reports reveal that Africa's youngest billionaire, Mohammed Dewji, has been kidnapped in Dar es Salaam, the capital city of Tanzania. READ ALSO: Governor Amosun allegedly threatens to dump APC over primaries outcome According to reports, the 44-year-old mogul was walking into the Colosseum Hotel and Fitness Club in Oyster Bay, Dar es Salaam for his routine gym session during the early hours of Thursday, October 10, when two white men flanked by some accomplices in two cars accosted him, forced put him into the vehicle and zoomed off, Forbes reports. Lazaro Mambosasa, the Dar es Salaam special zone police commander, revealed that security operatives in the country have been beefed up as the search for the criminal is underway. Mambosasa urged members of the public to report useful information that may help in discovering the whereabouts of Dewji's kidnappers. The well known victim is one of the top players in private sector-led development of Tanzania; he is also popular for being a leader in local employment and manufacturing in east and central subregions in the continent. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Dewji's conglomerate, the METL Group, operates in over 35 industries such as trading, agriculture, manufacturing, energy, petroleum, financial services, mobile telephony, infrastructure and real estate, transport, logistics and distribution. He presently has a net worth of $1.5 billion. Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Nigerian business mogul, Aliko Dangote, remains Africas richest person with $12.2 billion net worth, according to the latest 2018 global list released. He is followed by Nicky Oppenheimer who had a net worth of $7.7 billion Dangote is joined by just two other Nigerian billionaires on this years list, telecom tycoon Mike Adenuga, who was known as Africas fifth richest person with an estimated $5.3 billion fortune, and oil billionaire Folorunsho Alakija, who has an estimated net worth of $1.6 billion. Forbes Under 30 List: Talented Young Africans Based 3 Categories | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit Newspaper The Senate has finally approved the sum of N234.51 billion for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of 2019 general elections. The approved amount is about N7.9 billion less than the N242.45 billion requested by President Buhari. Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had requested the Senates approval of N242.45 billion for the Independent National Electoral Commission to enable it to commence preparations for 2019 general elections. READ ALSO: Kwankwaso reportedly threatens to leave PDP Part of the funds, according to the presidents request, would also be given to the Department of State Service and other security agencies for the same purpose. The request was contained in a letter addressed to President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, dated July 11 and personally signed by Buhari. Legit.ng had also reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) denied reports that there was duplication in its 2019 election budget. The chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said in a statement on Sunday, August 26, that INECs version of the budget was different from the one President Muhammadu Buhari forwarded to the National Assembly. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Legit.ng gathered that he explained that what the president did was to break INECs budget into two components. Oyekanmi said the president asked that N143.5bn be taken from the 2018 budget, while N45.6bn should be appropriated in the 2019 budget. APC is the worst party in Nigeria, i regret being a member - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit.ng - The World Bank is taking some responsibility for advising Nigeria and other African countries to invest more in roads, railways and energy - Nigeria was ranked 152nd out of 157 countries believed to be committed to investing in human capital - The World Bank president, Jim Yong Kim, explained that this is a loud wake-up call for leaders throughout the African continent and especially in Nigeria The World Bank says it has to take some responsibility for advising Nigeria and other African countries to invest more in roads, railways and energy rather than in education and health. The World Bank President, Jim Yong Kim, made this known, while briefing the media after the launch of the 2018 Human Capital Index (HCI), which ranked Nigeria 152nd out of 157 countries believed to be committed to investing in human capital. Kim briefed the media on Thursday, October 11, at the ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG) Annual Meetings in Bali, Indonesia. He said: Nigeria unfortunately ranks number 152 out of 157 countries. We provide quite a bit of support for Nigeria in terms of health budget. But we feel that the overall spending on health is just far too low, 0.76 per cent of GDP. Also, the educational outcomes in Nigeria are very very poor. READ ALSO: Atiku, Obasanjo in closed-door meeting ahead of 2019 elections Nigeria is one of the most important countries not only in Africa, but in the world and so we feel that it will be extremely important for Nigeria to really go on a different level all together in terms of their commitment to investing in human capital. I think that the World Bank has to take some responsibility for having emphasised hard infrastructure, roads, rails, energy for a very long time and I think that changed 20 years ago. But there is still then the bias that says we will invest in hard infrastructure and then when we grow rich, we will have enough money to invest in health and education. We are now saying that thats really the wrong approach, that youve got to start investing in your people right now. HCI seeks to raise awareness and increase demand for interventions to build human capital and accelerate better and more investments in people. Kim said that through the International Development Association, the World Bank had, since 2015 increased funding for Nigeria and other African countries towards alleviating poverty. "The message here is that heads of state and ministers of finance have to take responsibility. What has happened is in many African countries, if they dont receive grant-based financing, they just simply dont spend on health and education. So we hope that this is a loud wake-up call for leaders throughout the African continent and especially in Nigeria." According to the human capital index, children born in Nigeria stand the chance of being 34 per cent as productive when they grow up as they will be if they enjoy complete education and full health. Children in Nigeria can expect to complete 8.2 years of pre-primary, primary and secondary school by age 18. However, when years of schooling are adjusted for quality of learning, this is only equivalent to 4.2 years, showing a learning gap of 4 years. The World Bank report on adult survival rate across Nigeria showed that only 65 per cent of 15-year olds would survive until 60 years of age. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Legit.ng previously reported that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday, October 9, said the growing debt profile of Nigerian and Sub-Saharan African economies could face crisis and needs to be carefully managed. Nigerias debt profile was N22.3 trillion as at June 30, 2018. About two-thirds of the governments revenues go into servicing interest payments, with the principal still waiting for redemption at maturity. The IMF also urged the country to guard against the temptation to let higher oil prices delay reforms, warning that despite the recent recovery, oil prices are projected to remain below the 2013 peak. Will N30million free money change your lifestyle? on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit.ng News - The PDP has condemned the outcome of the local government elections in Plateau state - Candidates of the APC emerged winners of 11 out of the 13 chairmanship seats in the state - Chairman of PDP in the state, Damishi Sango,, however, claimed that his party won in all the 13 local government areas except Kanam The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the outcome of the local government elections in Plateau state after candidates of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) that emerged winners of 11 out of the 13 chairmanship seats. Premium Times reports that the elections were conducted on Wednesday, October 10, in 13 of the 17 local government areas of the state. Legit.ng gathered that Fabian Ntung, the chairman of the state Independent electoral commission (PLASIEC), announced the results on Thursday, October 11, at the headquarters of the commission in Jos. READ ALSO: Atiku, Obasanjo in closed-door meeting ahead of 2019 elections Ntung noted that the elections in Langtang north and Mangu were inconclusive as a result of ballot box snatching and other irregularities. He said: The All Progressive Congress (APC) has won chairmanship elections in 11 out of the 13 LGAs. Elections in Langtang North and Mangu LGAs were declared inconclusive due to electoral malpractices. The chairman of PDP in the state, Damishi Sango, while reacting to the results at a press briefing in his office claimed the PDP won in all the 13 local government areas except Kanam. He described the results announced by the state electoral body as fraudulent, alleging that collation of results was still on going when PLASIEC went ahead to announce results. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app It is clear that Governor (Simon) Lalong and APC out of desperation to hold on to power even when it is clear that they have lost same, are hell-bent on plunging the state into yet another needless political crisis. I spoke to the commissioner of police, Plateau state police command and the state director of Security Services a short while ago intimating them on the present sad development. As a responsible political party, we have all along chosen the path of peace even in the face of grave provocation. I invite all well-meaning people of Plateau state to reject this desperation by Governor Lalong. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that the Plateau state government declared Wednesday, October 10, 2018, a work-free day to enable residents to vote in the local government elections. A statement by Richard Tokma, acting secretary to the state government, said that the elections would hold in 13 of the 17 local governments. He advised voters to exercise their franchise and do so peacefully, so as to avoid anything that would disrupt the peace in the state. Nigeria news: IDPs in Plateau getting ready for the elections | Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit - Governor Ayodele Fayose has declared that he would not attend Fayemi's inauguration ceremony - Fayose's tenure as governor of Ekiti state would end on Tuesday, October 16 - He said he would not attend the inauguration ceremony to avoid harassment and intimidation by politicians Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state, on Thursday, October 11, hinted that he would not attend the inauguration of his successor, Kayode Fayemi, slated for October 16, in the state. Leadership reports that the governor spoke while addressing a press conference in Ado Ekiti, said that he would not attend the inauguration ceremony to avoid erratic behaviours, harassment and intimidation by politicians. Legit.ng gathered that Fayose added that despite his ordeals he would be a fulfilled man after bowing out of office on October 16. READ ALSO: 20 things Obasanjo said in his speech while endorsing Atiku for president The governor said he had promised to appear at the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on October 16, which he said coincided with day of the swearing in. According to him, Politicians are erratic people, if I should attend the programme, some politicians may use the chance to harass me even when they are not sent by Fayemi. This will further destroy relationship. Issues between me and Fayemi is not personal. I have been cooperating with the committee set up by Fayemi on this transition Again, I have to be in EFCC office in Abuja on Tuesday. But let me say clearly that I am ready to appear before any panel set up by incoming government to probe my administration, he said. Fayose stated that he has not committed Ekiti to any debt, either by way of bond or bank loans since he took over in 2014. Contrary to what they are saying that I have committed Ekiti to a huge debt, I didnt commit Ekiti with a dime. Whatever we do in government, history will forever remain after us. He urged Fayemi to deploy the N327 million kept in bank by his administration to complete the new Oja Oba market for the use of Ekiti traders. The governor added that he decided to abandon the civic centre project started by Fayemi and constructed a new market because it was not a priority to the people of the state. Fayose said the newly built ministry of finance shall be named after former minister of national planning, Chief Ayo Ogunlade, to appreciate his contributions to the state. The governor said he decided not to name any project after himself on the basis of his belief that such was morally wrong. The flyover, the new governors office, the roads, the Oja Oba market, the Funmilayo Olayinka Women development centre and other projects will speak for me even if I refuse to name projects after myself. He urged members of the state House of assembly to work together for the good of the state irrespective of their political differences. Fayose said what is important is the growth and development of the state, stressing the need for all the stakeholders particularly the legislative arm of the government to put the interest of Ekiti first in all their actions and inactions. What is important is the development of Ekiti and its people. All of them should stay together and work for the good of Ekiti. Ekiti is bigger than any individual, because we in the government will leave our positions one day whether we like it or not but the state will remain. Above all, with Kola Oluwawole or Ebenezer Alagbada as speaker, I enjoin them to cooperate with the incoming administration in the overall interest of our people. I wont dabble into what is happening in the assembly. Whether they elect Oluwawole or Alagbada, such person must believe that he was elected to serve Ekiti people. I enjoin them to cooperate with Fayemi to move Ekiti forward. I dont want to hear of any impeachment against Fayemi, if truly we are here to serve, he advised. The governor who thanked the people of the state for the opportunity given to him to serve them twice, said he will always treasure it. He said: The second opportunity you gave me afford me the opportunity of writing my name in the an.al of history of the state. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app All the projects I initiated and executed will stand the test of time. I am leaving here a fulfilled man not minding what is happening to me politically. We never allowed the lives of our people to be endangered by stemming acts that could stoke violence. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that the Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose reacted a letter by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the Nigerian Customs to place him on a watch list. Governor Fayose Warns Nigerian Youths Ahead of 2019, Tells Them What to Do | - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng As part of our annual fundraiser, we recap weve accomplished since we last asked for your support. If you already know how hard we work for you, please pass Go and proceed immediately to the Tip Jar, which tells you how to donate via check, credit or debit card, or PayPal. What We Did Last Year: Becoming More Fierce and Feared Despite General and Direct Attacks In our long-range look at what we expected for the next ten years at Naked Capitalism. In 2016, we stressed how economic systems like globalism and neoliberalism were starting to crack as it has become too obvious that they are enriching the well-off at the expense of ordinary people. The official response to this legitimacy crisis is to lash out at threats, such as those unduly aligned with populist positions, including this humble blog. In late 2016 and 2017, we faced overt attacks, including effectively being called Russian stooges by the Washington Post, savaged by name in Vanity Fair, and denigrated by CBS News and an NBC Denver affiliate. We got through it thanks to the NC community supporting us. (After Denver readers alerted us and protested, the station retracted the story. Were still waiting on the Post, Vanity Fair, and CBS.) Increasingly, the campaign against independent sites has become stealthier but no less effective. In the summer of 2017, Google changed its search algorithm to assign greater weight to authoritative, meaning mainstream, sites. That cut into the traffic of sites like Counterpunch, TruthDig, and WSWS. Google took a second bite out of the search traffic at left-leaning sites with another algo tweak in April 2018. Weve had readers tell us that on searches where NC reporting used to dominate results, we no longer appear on the first page. A recent EU competition ruling on Google reported that roughly 50% of search traffic goes to the first result, and only 1% goes to second page listings. Despite that, due to our loyal readers getting our name out by sharing our posts, our traffic has held steady. We are not dependent on Google. But we nevertheless had a rough year on the business side due to poor performance of our ad service even after we relented and added native ads, after having been falsely told theyd generate a lot more revenue. Even though we allow for fluctuation in advertising income, the shortfall was so large that we had to cut back on some site activities, in particular meetups. (This has nothing to do with Naked Capitalism per se; our ad inventory is sold in a package along with that of other finance-oriented sites.) The year before last, we were able to extend our reach despite having to play a lot of defense. In the year just past, we gained a lot of ground while still keeping our high standards on the many beats we now cover: Making NC a force to be reckoned with. Our long engagement with CalPERS, which started in 2014, has paid off on multiple fronts. Our initial focus was private equity fees and abuses. CalPERS was a leverage point due its salience as the biggest and most influential public pension fund, and in particular, as a large and high profile investor in private equity. Working with academics like Eileen Appelbaum, Rosemary Batt, Ludovic Phallippou, and Michael Flaherman, we took interest in the way that perfectly reasonable questions that board member JJ Jelincic had been raising kept being blown off. As Jelincic, and we, kept pointing out, private equity fees and costs are staggering and even worse, significantly hidden. CalPERS effectively confirmed Phallippous estimate that they are roughly 7% a year. Those charges comes at the expense of investors and the companies bought on their behalf. As Jelincic persisted, the responses he got included flat out lies, such as whether CalPERS could get data on carry fees, one of the biggest charges the fund pays. After a media backlash, led by this site, CalPERS was forced into a retreat and started getting and publishing the information. Earlier this year, CalPERS brought in private equity expert Ashby Monk, who said in passing that CalPERS debate on private equity fees and costs had shaken up other investor and led them to do more to understand and contain them. We became interested in broader governance issues as the CalPERS staff and board went to war against Jelincic for his sin of being the lone board member who took his fiduciary duty seriously. When Jelincic left the board in January and new board member Margaret Brown joined, we exposed more abuses and forced more changes: Dismissing CFO Charles Asubonten over resume and employment application misrepresentations Rolling back the worst of its indefensible changes to its election procedures. Among other things, CalPERS last year implemented paper ballots which both had an individual bar code identifier and a signature on the ballot. This year, CalPERS restored voter privacy in its mail-in ballots, with voters signing only the envelope, which is separated from the ballots before they are counted Determining that CalPERS has paid nearly $4 million to settle claims in its massive copyright abuse that we exposed the year prior Halting the interception of mail sent to board members Stopping the illegal pre-signing and forgeries on board travel expense claim forms Pressuring CalPERS board on CEO Marcie Frosts many misrepresentations, not simply during and after being hired by CalPERS, but even dating back to perjury in Washington in 2013. As a result, State Treasurer John Chiang has called for an independent investigation Moreover, in the recent CalPERS Board elections, Jason Perez beat an incumbent, board president Priya Mathur, handily. Mathurs defeat is a sign that beneficiaries are unhappy with the CalPERS Board and want it to shape up. With Brown and Perez, there are two insurgents on the Board, so we can expect more pressure and more change. All in all, its been quite a year for NC and CalPERS. Things have reached the point that CalPERS near-official stenographer, Adam Ashton of the Sacramento Bee, felt compelled to write a piece questioning why someone from the other side of the country should take interest in a $360 billion public pension fund. Maybe if he were doing his job, we wouldnt be so inquisitive. CalPERS is important not just as an accomplishment for this site, but also as a long-running case study. It shows how a small but tenacious group of people can effect change, even with a much larger and very well-resourced organization fighting them tooth and nail. We want to do more of that! Providing relentless, unparalleled coverage of Brexit. Our UK- and Ireland-based readers say, and they happen to be right, that NC provides the best coverage of Brexit. We have been spot on in our calls, with the one minor exception of not foreseeing that the EU would give Theresa May a break by letting a December 2017 deadline for resolving the Irish border issue slide and allowing her instead to sign the fudge called the Joint Agreement. Brexit is far and away the biggest near-term risk to the global financial system. The complacency over the uncomfortably high odds of a crash-out is near-universal and remarkable. A disorderly Brexit would almost certainly set a financial crisis in motion, although like the 2007-2008 crisis, it would probably take time before the most severe symptoms would kick in. As former central banker Willem Buiter pointed out in 2008, small open economies with outsized banking sectors are vulnerable to a triple crisis: a currency crisis followed by a banking and sovereign debt crisis, and he fingered the UK as a prime candidate . Yet youd never get the idea from a newly-issued IMF report on global financial stability that UK was a Defcon 1 level risk. Maintaining rigorous standards of reporting and analysis in the face of a captured and unduly credulous mainstream media. We challenge you to identify another publisher that does as much as we do with so little. One of Naked Capitalisms hallmarks, of being early and accurate, has been the result of our long-standing rigor about the quality and significance of information. Every year, it seems to become harder to sort out informational wheat from chaff due to reporters on even more beats acting as transcriptionists rather than reporters. Maintaining the best commentariat. The NC commmunity cannot function if the comments section is broken. Last year, we brought Outis aboard to work on a daily basis to help manage comments. When even that level of resource commitment was becoming strained, Jules Dickson joined our team. We also tweaked the commenting the software, both for users and in our backstage. That investment really paid off this year. The comment count on CalPERS stories gradually rose, and letters from informed readers definitely helped force CalPERS to do the right thing. And without the insightful input of regular commenters, our Brexit coverage would not be what it is. Adding new features. Lambert has cast a skeptical eye on election horse-race coverage in the press by regularly providing granular analysis of Congressional races, in particular, his spreadsheets showing the backers and policy positions of the contenders, and updated assessments by forecasters of how each district will break. Guest writer John Simitan provided interviews of Chris Hedges and Thomas Frank integrated with reviews of their latest books. Opening new beats. Lambert has provided extensive coverage on how Puerto Rico was ravaged not just by Hurricane Maria but by neoliberal neglect compounded by an exceptionally dilatory rescue operation. He has also opened new fronts on health care, writing on dental care, hospitals, and sepsis. Under the heading of The Bezzle, he monitors a seemingly unending parade of Silicon Valley innovators and disruptors scamming users, faking valuations, and devising hare-brained schemes to suck in stupid money. Jerri-Lynn has been reporting on the right to repair and the war on plastic, as well as providing informed coverage of legal and regulatory matters. Continuing Hubert Horans incisive commentary on Uber. Weve complemented Huberts stellar work with regular reporting on Ubers and Lyfts appalling driver economics. Getting first dibs on Michael Hudsons posts. Michael Hudson has graciously agreed to given NC the first publication opportunity for his finance-related pieces. Following the fight for single payer. Lambert has kept his steely gaze on battles over health care, particularly Democratic party head-fakes like watered-down versions of Medicare for all. Holding meetups in new cities. Despite our financial stresses, we had first-ever meetups in Portland, Oregon, Seattle, and Green Bay. And in a very exciting development, NC readers are spontaneously organizing meetups all on their own: Arizona Slim (Tuscon, AZ), Katie (Minneapolis, MN), and Janie (Salem, OR). How This Fundraiser Works Please give whatever you can. $5, $50, or $5000 are all appreciated. If you can only afford to give a little, then give a little. If youre doing well these days, then please give more. It will all even out in the end. Everything you do reading, commenting, giving, and sending us information is essential to making this community work. You can help right now by following this link to make a donation. Wed like to get broad-based participation from the Naked Capitalism community. Our target is 1100 donors for this fundraiser. Because we sent out a Fundraiser is coming! e-mail last week, some of you have already contributed, so we are already at 38 donors and $2475. However, some people on our mailing list sent us messages saying they are in tough shape now and cant give but hope to contribute when their finances recover. So if you are having a good year, can you dig deeper and give more to make up for loyal readers who cant participate in this fundraiser? Our accompanying kickoff post gives a high-level view of what we intend to do in the long term. Over the course of the fundraiser, we identify specific things that your donations will fund and tell you when weve hit each of these monetary goals. The first goal is funding for digital infrastructure essentials, particularly in light of the large number of comments we get on post (which loads our database of nearly one million). We also need to replace our long-time WordPress person, Blair, most probably at a higher rate, because skilled WordPress people who can deal with a site of our scale are thin on the ground. The result is that our nut for digital essentials is certain to increase this year. So our first target is $19,000. Once weve hit that, well let you know what our next item is. How to Give There are multiple channels for donating, and you will see them all when you go to our Tip Jar. To give by check (which saves us PayPal/credit card fees), please make it out in the name of Aurora Advisors Incorporated and send it to: Aurora Advisors Incorporated 903 Park Avenue, 8th Floor New York, NY 10075 At the same time, please send an e-mail to yves@nakedcapitalism.com with the headline Check is in the mail (and just the $ amount in the message) so we can count your contribution in the total number of donations. Thanks again for your interest and generous support! As we pointed out before, even though Margaret Browns 2017 election defeat of CalPERS board member Michael Bilbrey rattled insiders because Bilbrey had firm union backing and a big warchest, they could still rationalize it because Bilbery had said virtually nothing at board meetings for years. But its much harder to brush off Jason Perezs decisive defeat of board president Priya Mathur. Because Mathur is well spoken and has made herself the face of CalPERS ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance), some stories are painting Perezs victory as a blow to CalPERS ESG efforts. Although I didnt work with Perez on his campaign and spoke to him only briefly, when we were both at the same CalPERS board meeting in July, the press seems to have misread Perezs stance, likely based on Mathurs caricature of his views. Similarly, the fact that Mathur was a spokesperson for CalPERS half-baked private equity scheme means her defeat is being depicted as a setback to that as well. Well look at two stories, one in Funds1000, the other in Responsible Investor. They are both stunned at the fact that Perez won, which suggests that they havent been following Mathurs checkered career closely enough. The last time she was up for election. Mathurs challenger was an open pension reformer, as in backer of restricting benefits, which is usually a prescription for an extremely meager vote. If you knew the positions of Mathurs opponent, the fact that she got 44% was uncomfortably high. The fact that Mathurs opponent got over 40% despite being a not-very-coded advocate for pension-cutting says beneficiaries have a lot of antipathy for Mathurs long record of scandals. That was compounded by bad press Mathur created for herself in her short tenure as board president, such as failing to clean up the illegal practice of having board members pre-sign blank travel expenses forms until it was called out on this blog, intercepting board member mail, and staunchly defending resume fabricator and now departed Chief Financial Officer Charles Asubonten. What was important about Perezs win was that it was decisive, 57% to 43%, and took place despite Mathur having the support of the biggest unions. That points to broad-based unhappiness among beneficiaries, not just with Mathurs marquee cause, ESG. Well first turn to a story in Fund1000: CalPERS shake-up may delay PE plans. The author covered a presentation Mathur gave the night before election results were due in, apparently expecting it to be a puff piece about a victor, and had to rethink it in light of Mathurs loss. From the piece: The far-reaching changes the $365.5 billion California Public Employees Retirement System plans for its private equity program still need final board approval. Yet one of the new models most important advocates, Priya Mathur, has just lost her seat on the 13-member CalPERS Board of Administration I really believe this is essential for us and I hope to see the board endorse it in coming months, she said. Mathurs sudden departure after losing to first-time candidate police officer Jason Perez means CalPERS needs to elect a new president, heralding a board shake-up that could delay the urgent plans. Help me. There is absolutely nothing urgent about what CalPERS is trying to do. And the article takes swipes at Perez via first time and omitting to mention that hes actually the head of his union. The story quickly descends into incoherence and disinformation: CalPERS is in the final stages of approving a separate entity that would make direct private equity investments and would be governed by a separate, independent board. Its not direct if you are having outside operators make the investment. Its indirect. And then the author repeats some of what Mathur said without exhibiting well-deserved skepticism: We are a maturing system, paying a lot in benefits and dont want to sell assets to pay benefits, Mathur told delegates. As truly patient capital, we are not just looking to sell after five to seven years. She said the pension fund needed to invest over the longer term to better match its liabilities and tap private opportunities as the number of public companies declines. First, trees do not grow to the sky. Even companies showing higher-than-normal growth revert to the mean or worse. One can argue that the normal three to six year time horizon for private equity firms may be too short in some cases and lead investors to sell out before a run of outperformance is over does not mean that holding companies longer will produce better returns. This is sheer magical thinking. Moreover, equities are not a better match for fund liabilities. Equities are an extremely uncertain promise and companies fall by the wayside due to changes in regulations, disasters, management scandals, and other reasons. This is also false and Mathur should know better: Discussions among investment staff and the board have referenced creating a separate corporation with its own investment staff and board. This would allow CalPERS to compensate and reward private equity professionals differently with more than what is possible in a public pension fund, to help recruit the talent required. CalPERS in fact can pay investment professionals market rates. And private equity expert Ashby Monk recently told the board that private equity professionals who decide to work for public pension funds are willing to take somewhat lower pay to be in a less aggressive environment. Mathur also ignores what ought to be a deal killer: any board of a new entity will be responsible under the law to that entity, not to CalPERS. A much better, but still somewhat problematic story is an op ed by Jay Youngdahl at Responsible Investor, CalPERS election earthquake should shake up responsible investment narrative. Youngdahl argued that there were two theories as to why Perez won. One is that it represented a beneficiary backlash against ESG in the person of Mathur, a high profile advocate: Mathur has also served three terms on the Board of the Principles for Responsible Investment and is the highest profile PRI official in the U.S. Her defeat is a clear repudiation of the PRI strategy in the US. Youngdahl also describes a second point of view, that CalPERS has governance problems such as a weak board that does an inadequate job of supervising staff, and graciously credited Naked Capitalism for making that case. Youngdahl proceeds to make a very important case about the problems with EGS as practiced in the US, and I recommend reading his article in full. However, in doing so, he misses what Perezs main objections were, and instead fixates on the how the conservative press in Californias straw man. First, Perez is opposed to how the board spends huge amounts of time on ESG to the detriment of serious consideration of other investment issues. For instance, CalPERS staff has presented almost nothing except a very few, cringe-worthy, childish slides with hardly any text on them describing CalPERS newfangled private equity scheme. CalPERS staff almost certainly wrote the Mathur presentation described above and prepped her for questions, and its clear Mathur has no understanding of what she is saying. This is consistent with her lack of any questions about the PE plans except as they relate to her pet ESG agenda. For instance, last November, the sole concern she had about turning over private equity to hired guns it would be even harder to divorce than now was, Do they share our values? ESG is an easy way out for the low-competence CalPERS board because they can look like they are Doing Something in a realm where CalPERS gets positive PR. As far as Perez is concerned, it takes time and energy away from confronting the tough issue of what to do about CalPERS underfunding, and what risks look sensible when so many assets are richly priced? Second, CalPERS has not been honest with itself that ESG can result in lower returns, despite its own costly decision to dump tobacco stocks at the worst possible time, right before the Federal-state settlement. That example underscored that CalPERS also has a bad habit of jumping onto fads at the worst possible time. Perez does not want CalPERS to stop considering ESG issues, but he wants the board to consider the possible costs to returns.which they should have been doing all along, as fiduciaries. Recall that when CalPERS started becoming an activist investor, in the 1990s, it focused on governance, and that was a win/win. Focusing on well run companies and forcing reforms in ones that werent was a profitable approach and also boosted CalPERS influence and image. There is also evidence that boards and senior managements that are more diverse deliver better investment performance. That may be due to the fact that they are less subject to groupthink, and that more representative leaderships can help avoid product and marketing gaffes. However, as Youngdahl raises a different set of issues, that ESG represents the top 1%, and that isnt a good image: Two crucial errors have been made in the U.S. The first is that the ESG community has made a conscious decision to ally, not with beneficiaries or those seeking to change greedy Wall Street practices, but with mainstream financial entities who are reviled by the American electorate at large including the electorate at CalPERS. Recently, for example, PRI staff have appeared arm in arm and coast to coast, avoiding the fly-over states in between of course, with the portion of Goldman Sachs that is a PRI signatory. Goldman Sachs is reviled by the American electorate as an example of those responsible for the 2008 financial crisis, and a major part of the D.C. swamp. Those who follow pensions even a bit, know that the US government bailed out financial institutions in that crisis but gave no help to pension funds. The resulting pension underfunding is being used as a tool to increase precarity among workers in the US. ESG is increasingly seen as the nice arm of American financial capital, which is not an attractive look to the American population. ESG conferences, signatories and organizations laud practices such as activist investing which leads to major job losses, alternative investments with ridiculous fees which diminish returns, and impact investing which ignores the S and whose only impact is often upon service providers bottom line. Workers are not stupid and they can instinctively feel a disdain for this stance. Youngdahl then gets to issues that Perez might well agree with, that ESG oriented investors have tried making the claim that ESG is a win/win, when that isnt necessarily so, and relying on that notion makes it easy to go after ESG on its exaggerated claims of merit: when values are sacrificed for value, ESG is just an investing style like any other. Then, ESG becomes only a marketing moniker and the PRI membership becomes a Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. The business case argument, which dominates today, is a very slender reed on which to support ESG activity. Frankly, as much as we would like, the evidence is not that strong. The result is that ESG does not provide enough intellectual support on which to consider and analyze hard issues that exist in ethical investing today, for investors large and small. For example, given rising oil prices and the extraordinary prevalence of fracking, neither divestment nor engagement in the oil and gas sectors is helpful to fund returns today. Maybe in 40 years this activity will look good, but most present pensioners will be dead by then. Without giving workers and beneficiaries a coherent narrative as to why investors should not fund planet killing activities, not just the report from another swanky conference at a $1,000-a- night New York hotel, they are ripe to fall for the propaganda of the worst forms of investing. ESG has a story to tell. It is a story of the holistic support and care of retirees. It is a story that takes the community and workers into account, not just the shareholder value. It is a story of investments that provide a decent return without producing inequality or killing jobs. It is a story of the use of savings to combat environmental problems, not exacerbate them. And, it is a story of not investing in a way that funds the coffers of the 1% who electorally launder their profits through the American political system. In fact, the number of junkets that board members take, particularly overseas ones, stuck in both Browns and Perezs craw as unjustified given CalPERSs underfunding. The fact that some of those are ESG related, when flying, particularly business class, has a big carbon footprint, screams hypocrisy. Youngdahl argued ESG needs to reform itself, but the movement may be too late: Workers and beneficiaries can become the main advocates for ESG. But unless a major change comes in how todays ESG is conceived and practiced it is quite possible that we have seen its high water mark. Without such change, it will take a long time to recover. Yes, an ESG movement that never considered preserving jobs or protecting worker rights looks an awful lot like one that defines social interest along conveniently narrow lines. If Perezs win causes some long-overdue soul searching about whose interests are really served by ESG investing, that would be an unexpected plus. Ireland after the Rising 1916-1918 Fethard Historical Society will host a lecture, Ireland after the Rising 1916-1918 by Dr. Noreen Higgins McHugh at 8 pm in the ICA Hall, Rocklow Road, on Thursday, October 18. Admission is 4. Dr. Higgins McHugh is a Tipperary historian who has previously lectured for the society on such topics as genealogy and the Tithe Wars. In this lecture she will look at what was happening in Ireland after the 1916 Rising: the execution of the leaders, national and international reaction to those executions, the Royal Commission of Enquiry, the Home Rule Scheme, the trial of Roger Casement, the deportations to internment camps in Britain with emphasis on life in Frongoch Interment Camp in Wales. She intends to talk too about January 1919 on the night as it will be relevant, considering we are nearly at the end of 2018 and she herself is involved in a conference relating to the 100th anniversary of the Soloheadbeg ambush in January 1919, which is traditionally the start of the War of Independence. All are welcome. The employees of a Clonmel healthcare company, who have raised more than half a million euro for good causes in the community in the past ten years, are once again extending a helping hand to a local charity. The employees of Boston Scientific are hosting 'A Night at The Oskars' at Hotel Minella on this Friday night, October 12, in aid of Teac Tom, a Kilkenny-based service that provides free counselling and therapy to adults and children and groups affected by suicide. The service is supported by the Thomas Hayes Trust fund, an initiative started by the Hayes family to support individuals and their families affected by suicide, or contemplating suicide. Teac Tom is closely associated with Taxi Watch, a suicide prevention initiative operated by a group of taxi drivers, and which operates in Clonmel, Waterford, Kilkenny and Ennis. This Friday's event at Hotel Minella will feature a special screening of employees of Boston Scientific starring in well-known scenes from seven iconic films. They are featured as cast members in scenes from films and television programmes including The Blues Brothers, The Fugitive, The Snapper, The Field, Father Ted and A Few Good Men which, for the night and the cast that's in it, will have the new title of A Few Good Women. "We hope to raise between 16,000 and 20,000 from the night", says Hugh Meehan, chairman of the site charity committee. "Almost 100 employees volunteered to take part, which is the single largest participation in any event during the ten years of the charity", he says. While other fundraisers are held throughout the year, this is the employees' main charity event, and all funds are generated by the Boston Scientific staff. Cast members will arrive at the hotel at 6.30 on Friday evening, when three photographers will be available to record them walking down the red carpet. Alongside cardboard cut-outs of famous Hollywood actors, the cast members will also be interviewed. Doors open at 7pm and the show gets underway at 8pm. After each film is shown the cast members will be invited on stage and there will be further interviews. Awards will also be presented in the various categories. The judges include David Corkery, the former Munster and Irish rugby player, who is an ambassador for Teac Tom; and Teac Tom founder Angela Hayes. The event coincides with Boston Scientific's celebration of its 20th anniversary in Clonmel. In the last ten years the employees' charity has raised well in excess of 500,000 for several charities including South Tipperary Hospice, the Camphill communities, Carrick-on-Suir River Rescue, the Friends of Bridgewater House and Knocklofty Rural Day Service, the paediatric unit of South Tipperary General Hospital, Clogheen Hospice Construction Fund, Place 4U community centre and the South East Mountain Rescue Association (SEMRA). Tickets for Friday night's show cost 20 and are available from Boston Scientific employees. UK troops landed at Rotterdam in the Netherlands on Wednesday (10 October 2018) as German tanks boarded a cargo ship on their way to Norway for Exercise Trident Juncture 2018 NATO's largest since the Cold War. Over the next few days, 70 Foxhound, Husky and Landrover vehicles will make the 2,000km journey from the Hook of Holland harbour through northern Europe to Norway. The UK convoy's move through the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Sweden will test how efficiently soldiers and equipment can move between European countries. It will also test customs, border regulations and infrastructure's ability to cope with rapid and heavy troop movements. As UK troops make their way through northern Europe, the German army is shipping Leopard tanks and other military vehicles onboard a civilian cargo ferry from the northern German town of Emden to Fredrikstad, Norway where they are scheduled to arrive on Thursday (11 October). Military mobility is vital, especially to reinforce in a crisis. Thats exactly why we exercise it, said NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu. Over the past few years, NATO has made real progress in improving our ability to deploy troops quickly across Europe. We are overcoming legal hurdles and cutting red tape, including by working closely with the European Union. Looking ahead, we aim to further reduce border-crossing times (clearances within five days by the end of 2019), identify alternative supply routes, and exercise even more to practice military mobility, she added. Around 50,000 troops and 10,000 vehicles from all 29 NATO countries, as well as Sweden and Finland, will come together for the Trident Juncture exercise, which starts in Norway on 25 October. (Natural News) Vaccines are heralded as life-saving medicine, but for Mia Blesky, thats anything but true. The preteen from England was given the first round of the Gardasil shot at school when she was just 12 years old, and life has never been the same ever since. Within just 24 hours, Mias Gardasil nightmare was already unfolding. The family says that the morning after getting jabbed, Mia was unable to walk and had a burning sensation running down her spine. Within a matter of weeks, the paralysis spread to all four limbs. But thats not the worst part: Doctors refuse to acknowledge the fact that Mias symptoms began after her vaccination. Instead, health officials say that Mias paralysis is in her head and they are even recommending she be institutionalized. Instead of helping this vaccine-injured child, British health authorities want to lock her away in a mental hospital probably so no one will hear or believe her familys tragic story. HPV vaccine maims another young girl According to Mias family, she has lost all ability to use her limbs, suffers from incontinence and struggles to keep regular food down. She went from being a normal, healthy 12-year-old child who dreamed of being a pop star, to being bed-ridden and unable to move. Mia is paralyzed from the neck down, but is still able to speak and sing. Mias family says that she was taken to the hospital the day after she received her first Gardasil vaccine. Her mom, Gini Blesky, says that the morning after, she could not walk; her legs were shaky and couldnt bare any weight, with a burning sensation on both sides of her spine. Doctors sent her home, saying she just needed some acetaminophen and a bath. But as the symptoms of paralysis worsened, Mia was taken back to the emergency room. Mia was admitted to the hospital for a few days but was ultimately released. Within ten days, Gini says, Mia had completely lost the use of her legs. Within a few more weeks, she lost the use of both arms. And the mainstream medical community is refusing to actually help her. When Mia was admitted to hospital, the doctors said it was a form of self-harm and she was doing it to herself, Gini told Daily Mail. They discharged her after a few days. They gave her no treatment. We had to buy her a wheelchair. I had to carry her to the car, she added. It has been absolutely awful, but the doctors say its psychological and down to bullying or sexuality issues, which is rubbish. The only thing they have offered to do is section her, Gini said. Mias mom states that health authorities have offered no other form of care for her daughter, and have refused to acknowledge her concerns about the Gardasil vaccine even though countless other girls have experienced similar symptoms post-vaccination. How many children have to be harmed? As Daily Mail reports, Mia is not the only girl the be harmed by the HPV vaccine. As of February 2017, European Medicines Agency statistics show that 11,867 reactions to Gardasil were recorded. The U.K. Association for Vaccine Injured Daughters represents more than 400 families of girls injured by vaccines and the group has persistently called for more research on the safety of Gardasil and other HPV vaccines. In December 2016, 16-year-old Ruby Shallom also experienced paralysis in three limbs after being vaccinated with Gardasil. Countless children have been harmed by this vaccine around the world. In Japan, over 100 women have filed suit against HPV vaccine manufacturers for the life-altering damage theyve caused. Government leaders in Spain have filed criminal complaints against Gardasil and its manufacturer, alleging that they have completely ignored the vaccines risk to human health. More recently, a study concluded that the HPV vaccine is downright lethal. How much more evidence do authorities need to stop ignoring the very obvious fact that this inoculation is making people sick? Learn more about vaccines at Vaccines.news. Sources for this article include: NaturalHealth365.com DailyMail.co.uk (Natural News) One thing Leftists are good at is letting Americans see them for who they really are, which is especially helpful in an election year. The Democratic Party and its sycophantic supporters have let it be known in no uncertain terms in the age of POTUS Donald Trump and the era of constitutionalism that he is ushering in, that they have no use for our founding principles of government. Thats largely because they are out of power and cannot win it back through established means because they are bereft of ideas and morally and politically bankrupt. Late last week, after Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced she would support then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaughs confirmation which guaranteed he would receive enough votes to be seated an executive from Google tweeted his disdain for the process as well as joining in an effort to bribe a sitting U.S. senator, which is supposed to be a crime. Abolish the Senate, Google Ventures partner Ken Norton tweeted. Abolish the Senate. Ken Norton (@kennethn) October 6, 2018 If that bit of lunacy wasnt enough, Norton then tweeted what can be correctly described as a bribery scheme, according to PJ Media, in an attempt to force Collins to change her mind and vote no instead on Kavanaughs confirmation (mind you, hes one of the most brilliant jurists to come along in a generation far smarter than the juvenile Leftists opposed to him). Match my pledge to Either Sen. Collins VOTES NO on Kavanaugh OR we fund her future opponent on @Crowdpac, he wrote. Match my pledge to Either Sen. Collins VOTES NO on Kavanaugh OR we fund her future opponent on @Crowdpac! https://t.co/PVmj9k4aBa Ken Norton (@kennethn) October 6, 2018 PJ Media noted further: The Crowdpac quid-pro-quo bribe raised money for a future challenger to Susan Collins, with the.understanding that the money would be returned to donors if Collins were to vote no on Kavanaugh. The scheme arguably violated federal laws against bribery, and Collins declared that she would not be swayed by it. The Left wants to blow up our system Since Google is infested with Leftists, it should surprise no one that Norton wasnt the only one affiliated with the company to negatively respond to Kavanaughs confirmation. As noted by Fox News, design lead Dave Hogue tweeted this derogatory message, You are finished, [GOP]. You polished the final nail for your own coffins. F**K. YOU. ALL. TO. HELL. He added: 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. (Related: This is the Left: Prof who called for GOP deaths ADMITS she doxes her haters.) The tweet has since been deleted and Hogue offered a mea culpa of sorts, but his initial sentiment was probably the closest to accurate. 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. Dave Hogue (@DaveHogue) October 7, 2018 Google did not defend the tweets nor did the company distance itself from them. What employees say in their personal capacity has no bearing on the way we build or operate our products, a spokesperson told Fox News. Elected Democrats also rejected a fundamental legal standard earlier this month during the Kavanaugh hearings when they claimed that Kavanaughs female accusers who alleged he sexually assaulted or abused them 35-plus years ago despite there being no witness corroboration of their stories should be believed without question. As reported by The National Sentinel, one Senate Democrat, Kirsten Gillibrand, speaking on behalf of her Left-wing colleagues, essentially said our founding legal standard of innocent until proven guilty should not apply to Kavanaugh simply because his first accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, sounded so credible. Based on everything I have heard to date, no, she told CNN when asked if she was even open to changing her mind about supporting Kavanaugh the day before he and Ford appeared to give testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Then you just add to that all these allegations. So, no, whatever he says tomorrow, it will not change my view. And Ive already read Dr. Blasey Fords testimony and I believe her, she said. The Left has one political objective only and that is to destroy our existing system of government and change it so that they can be in charge forever. Read more about the insane Left at Libtards.news. Sources include: TheNationalSentinel.com PJMedia.com (Natural News) Another study has proven that coconut oil is indeed healthy. In a study published in the journal Food Science and Technology, coconut oil cake was found to be a versatile and natural antioxidant that can be used in preserving food. There have been no studies as of yet that looked into the utilization of coconut oil cake as a direct antioxidant source. Researchers from the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka examined the phenolic extract of coconut oil cake for antioxidant activity-related food stabilization. Oil cakes, also referred to as oil meals, are byproducts obtained after oil extraction from seeds. In animal foods, these are used in the fermentation process to produce enzymes, antibiotics, and some antioxidants. In the study, the researchers measured the induction time of sunflower oil enriched with heat-treated antioxidants to determine the heat stabilities and synthetic antioxidants of coconut oil cake extract. Results revealed that coconut oil cake extract can be effectively used to prevent lipid peroxidation in different food systems. In addition, coconut oil cake extract can also keep the antioxidant activity at high temperatures. The results of the study suggested that coconut oil cake extract is a versatile and thermally stable natural antioxidant mixture that is effective in stabilizing many food systems. Based on the findings of the study, the researchers concluded that coconut oil cake extract may be used as a successful alternative for synthetic antioxidants in preserving food. (Related: Reinstated superfood status: Coconut oil has always been good for your heart, but now doctors have the science to confirm it.) Other uses of coconut oil Aside from being a food ingredient, coconut oil is also used for skin health and hair health. Here are some ways coconut oil is used for the skin and hair: Coconut oil as a makeup remover: You can use coconut oil to remove makeup. Just take a cotton ball and gently sweep it over your eyes and face. After this, rinse your face with a mild face wash. Coconut oil not only removes the waxy make-up from the eyes and face, but also keeps the skin hydrated. You can use coconut oil to remove makeup. Just take a cotton ball and gently sweep it over your eyes and face. After this, rinse your face with a mild face wash. Coconut oil not only removes the waxy make-up from the eyes and face, but also keeps the skin hydrated. Coconut oil as a lip balm: If you have cracked and dry lips, coconut oil is an effective and cost-efficient solution. Apply a dash of coconut oil on the lips to add moisture and shine to it. You can also add some eucalyptus oil or mint to the oil to enhance its effects. If you have cracked and dry lips, coconut oil is an effective and cost-efficient solution. Apply a dash of coconut oil on the lips to add moisture and shine to it. You can also add some eucalyptus oil or mint to the oil to enhance its effects. Coconut oil treats cracked skin and cuticles: Massage your cuticles and the skin around it with some coconut oil to nourish them. Massage your cuticles and the skin around it with some coconut oil to nourish them. Coconut oil as a cleanser: The natural anti-bacterial, antifungal, and moisturizing properties of coconut oil make it a great skin cleanser. To use coconut oil as a cleanser, apply some of it in circular motions all over the face and neck. After gently massaging it to your face, rinse it off. The natural anti-bacterial, antifungal, and moisturizing properties of coconut oil make it a great skin cleanser. To use coconut oil as a cleanser, apply some of it in circular motions all over the face and neck. After gently massaging it to your face, rinse it off. Coconut oil as a hair conditioner: Coconut oil also works as a great hair conditioner. Just apply some of it on your scalp and hair. Leave it overnight and wash it the following day. Coconut oil also works as a great hair conditioner. Just apply some of it on your scalp and hair. Leave it overnight and wash it the following day. Coconut oil reduces hair frizz: If you tend to have frizzy hair, coconut oil is a great way to treat it. Apply some of the oil on your hair to avoid frizzy hair even if your hair is exposed to some heat. If you tend to have frizzy hair, coconut oil is a great way to treat it. Apply some of the oil on your hair to avoid frizzy hair even if your hair is exposed to some heat. Coconut oil as a dandruff treatment: Dandruff is typically caused by having a dry scalp. To minimize dandruff, massage your scalp with warm coconut oil. Coat the rest of your hair too. Leave it on your scalp for 30 minutes, then wash it off with water. Read more news stories and studies on natural food ingredients by going to FoodScience.news. Sources include: Science.news NDTV.com (Natural News) Polyphenol extracts from grapes and blueberry help reduce cognitive decline, according to a study published in The Journals of Gerontology; Biological and Medical Sciences. In the study, French and Canadian researchers examined the effects of the consumption of polyphenol grape and blueberry extract on memory. The researchers conducted an earlier study in a mouse model in which they found that berries, berry extracts, or isolated flavonoids could hamper age-related cognitive decline. (Related: Berry consumption linked to lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia in the elderly.) For the current study, the researchers recruited 215 healthy people aged between 60 and 70 years old and whose body mass index (BMI) ranges from 20 to 30. The participants either consumed 300 milligrams (mg) of the grape and blueberry extract or a placebo in two capsules every day for six months. They also had three visits with the researchers: a screening visit, a baseline measurement session, and a final visit. Moreover, they performed memory function tests. Results revealed that the supplementation with the grape and blueberry extract enhanced the memory of participants with a lower level of memory performance. The researchers emphasized that the poorer performing participants exhibited the most improvements. Subjects who were performing like 83-year-olds at the beginning, they were performing like 69-year-olds at the end, said Barry Ritz, one of the researchers. The health benefits of grapes and blueberries Both grapes and blueberries are ideal snacks. Why? Because not only do they taste delicious, but they are low-calorie, fat-free, and nutrient-rich. There are many varieties of blueberries. Some varieties are harvested as early as April, while others are harvested late in the summer. This means that it is easy to get your supply of fresh blueberries because they are available for a long season. On the other hand, the grape family includes thousands of varieties that are classified according to color and whether they are wine or table grapes. Table grapes are sweeter and less acidic than those meant to be made into wine. It is important to store both fruits in the refrigerator and avoid washing them until you are ready to eat them because their quality and nutritional value both diminish fast. Grapes and blueberries are both rich in soluble fiber, although blueberries contain more fiber. A cup of blueberries contains 3.6 grams of fiber, while a cup of grapes only contains 1.4 grams. Soluble fiber slows down the absorption of their natural sugars that regulates blood glucose. Soluble fiber is good for the heart because it lowers cholesterol levels. Grapes and blueberries also provide insoluble fiber that adds bulk to stool and prevents constipation. Men should consume 36 grams of fiber every day, while women should consume 25 grams. Grapes and blueberries almost have the same nutrients. Both fruits are also great sources of vitamin C. However, blueberries provide more vitamin C than grapes. A cup of blueberries has 14 mg, which is three times more than the amount in grapes. Both fruits give almost 20 percent of your daily intake of vitamin K and two to 10 percent of iron, magnesium, B vitamins, and potassium. Grapes contain more potassium than blueberries. Moreover, grapes and blueberries are rich in antioxidant phytochemicals: resveratrol and flavonoids. Blueberries contain more flavonoids, while grapes contain more resveratrol. Flavonoids may also help fight cancer by eliminating potential cancer-causing substances in the body and stopping the growth of cancerous cells. Resveratrol, on the other hand, may help keep the heart healthy by relaxing blood vessels and reducing the risk of developing blood clots. Read more news stories and studies on keeping the brain healthy by going to Brain.news. Sources include: NutraIngredients-USA.com HealthyEating.SFGate.com (Natural News) In the days before a planned free speech rally in Portland, Ore., by the conservative group Patriot Prayer, people claiming to belong to Rose City Antifa organization were discussing showing up armed to disrupt the event. The group published a call to action which urged members to use direct confrontation to eliminate Patriot Prayer and their protectors, the Proud Boys, so they could no longer hold rallies, The National Sentinel reported. Obviously, any group seeking to disrupt or otherwise impede another from exercising their constitutional right to demonstrate and speak freely should be of concern to local officials, especially if one side is discussing arming itself specifically to directly confront the other. As it turned out, the event sparked further unrest in a city that has become Ground Zero in the Lefts war on the very founding fabric of American society. And worse, local officials are enabling the violence by refusing to crack down on those most responsible for it: Left-wing groups like Antifa. That was in August. Things in Portland have only gotten worse, thanks to the inaction of local officials like Mayor Ted Wheeler. PJ Media reported: On Saturday, violence erupted in Portland as they took to the streets to protest a police shooting. The protests involved criminal acts, intimidation of motorists, and general mayhem. In the videos, protesters scream obscenities, create a no-go zone for cars, and call those who violate their demands white nationalists. Meanwhile, a few hundred miles away in rural southern Oregon, several Republican voters have received letters in the mail threatening that they will be shot. The letters have been forwarded to law enforcement for investigation. This is the type of street anarchy that routinely happens where I live. Here is video from 6 Oct showing Antifa directing traffic in downtown & threatening people who dont obey with violence. Mayor @tedwheeler, who really runs this town? https://t.co/OgjZNByxat Andy C. Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) October 8, 2018 As you can see in the above video, Left-wing mobs of thugs took over streets in Portland, shouting at, threatening, and intimidating several drivers as police looked on, doing nothing. At one point, an elderly driver was surrounded, and his car struck as he attempted to pass along a street occupied by thugs because he refused to heed the mobs orders. For that, they chased him down after he used his vehicle to push aside a thug who had leaped in front of him. With cowards in charge, the anarchists are running wild Updates via KOIN news: The elderly man called police & filed a report after the incident. The person who made contact with the front of the car has not. And police basically said they didnt get involved to protect first amendment rights, tweeted Andy C. Ngo, a columnist, and editor at a local media news publication. (Related: The United States on the cusp of a modern-day civil war.) Updates via KOIN news: The elderly man called police & filed a report after the incident. The person who made contact with the front of the car has not. And police basically said they didnt get involved to protect first amendment rights. https://t.co/C4HoXjVK6e Andy C. Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) October 9, 2018 No cops. No leadership from city hall. Nothing from state officials. Just brazen lawlessness that keeps getting worse with every flashpoint event that the thugs choose to use as an excuse to occupy the streets and create no-go zones for residents of a city descending further into chaos. So this is what has become of a great city: Property damage, violent assault, appeased thugs, infringed rights, PJ Medias Jeff Reynolds writes. During the August protest in which Antifa members were discussing showing up armed, Wheeler ordered his police department to stand down and then blamed it on the Trump administrations policy of separating illegal immigrant children from their families (which was the same as Obamas). The new Left, which consists of a hodgepodge of socialists, Marxists, communists, and anarchists, have decided that they no longer want to play by the rules. Theyre not at all willing to compromise, and they have chosen the same path that every other hard-Left movement has chosen over the past century: Violence. That the Left in Oregon and, in particular, Portland, has been so successful isnt so much because the movement is loved as because there are too many cowards in charge. Read more about the budding civil war at CivilWar.news. Sources include: TheNationalSentinel.com PJMedia.com 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. A 69-year-old career criminal thought to be the "Gypsy Hill Killer" was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday for raping and killing two teenage girls more than 42 years ago. The victims were part of the so-called Gypsy Hill Killings from 1976 in San Mateo County that left five young women brutally murdered. Rodney Halbower had dozens of outbursts and repeatedly interrupted the judge during his sentencing on Wednesday, which led to an emotional response from the victims' family. Halbower's life sentence also is without parole. The victims, 17-year-old Paula Baxter and 18-year-old Veronica Cascio, were both in high school. In 1976, both were found stabbed to death in San Mateo County. "Paula was larger than life," friend Steve Bischoff said. Bischoff discovered Baxter's body behind a church in Millbrae. "Justice would be he loses his life and we get Paula and Veronica back, but that's not possible," Bischoff said of the sentencing. "This is what the law allows." Retired Millbrae Police Sgt. Ron Caine said he was the first to investigate Baxter's death. "I worked 16 hours a day, seven days a week for four months and got nowhere," Caine said. The big break in the case came just a few years ago thanks to improvements in DNA science. Samples collects at two crime scenes back in 1976 led investigators to Halbower, who was serving a 30-year sentence in Oregon for another attempted murder and assault. "We got notifications from Oregon they had someone in custody who was probably match to Paula and Veronica murders," San Mateo County Deputy District Attorney Sean Gallagher said. Authorities believe Halblower may be connected to other Gypsy Hill Killings in San Mateo, but prosecutors chose to pursue the cases with the strongest DNA evidence. Families of the other victims said they are relieved to learn Halbower will never be released from prison. Because the crimes took place in 1976, the judge had to sentence Halbower based on 1976 laws. At that time there was no death penalty in California. Halbower may also face another trial for murdering a young woman in Reno, also in 1976. What to Know Authorities announced the Salesforce Transit Center will remain closed until at least October 17 Commuters are catching their buses back at the old Temporary Transbay Terminal With the digital signage now gone, transit supervisors are running the temporary terminal with pencils and clipboards The Salesforce Transit Center hadn't even been open two months when it closed again due to cracks found in two of the beams supporting the building where it straddles San Francisco's Fremont Street. After authorities announced it will be at least October 17 before the center and its lush rooftop park are once again open to the public, commuters are getting settled back into the old Temporary Transbay Terminal which workers had already begun to dismantle. "There used to be LED signs with the time and everything, and they took those down," lamented Laura Beggs as she boarded her AC Transit bus back to Oakland. Jonathan Bloom/NBC Bay Area "The Clipper terminals are gone so I don't have a place to go to refill my Clipper card," said Colin Andrews, who was waiting in the same line. Beggs said she's come to expect surprise complications with large structures built in this part of downtown. "I feel like this are's been plagued by construction issues, with the Millenium Tower and now this," she said. Commuters were given a taste of luxury when the Salesforce Transit Center first opened: clean, accessible bathrooms and shelter from the outside weather. Jonathan Bloom/NBC Bay Area "I guess I kind of miss just the feel of it," Beggs said. "It actually felt like a proper transportation terminal, like San Francisco was actually putting money and effort into making public transit kind of better for the city." Most said they'll happily wait at the outdoor temporary terminal until engineers are sure the new center is once again safe. On the bright side, Andrews said, "It's good they had a spare (terminal). You know, as a backup, just in case." Watch the video above to hear what commuters said when the Salesforce Transit Center first opened and what they're saying now. Sara Shepherd leaned forward in her chair jagged scars running down her neck, a special undergarment cloaking the burns covering her body taking a deep breath to begin telling her story, a story partially drawn from her own painful memories the rest filled in by others. She remembered neighbors knocking on the door in the middle of the night warning of fire on the mountain. And just like that the flames were there, sprinting on a blistering wind toward the hilltop dream home shed moved into two months earlier with her husband Jon and their children Kressa and Kai. Just down the hill, her hometown of Redwood Valley in Mendocino County was already going up in flames. Her memories recalled the familys desperate car ride down the hill meeting a wall of flames so high they had to abandon the car and run for it. John Zimmerman Fire at our heels and just running, Shepherd said, as if gazing back into the flames. I had to tell the children just keep running keep running. She remembers her husbands words as the flames overtook them: Cover your faces, this is it. When Sara and Jon woke three months later from medically-induced comas Sara burned over 60 percent of her body, John over 50 percent she discovered the greatest pain was not of the flesh. She learned that 14-year-old Kai, the strong and brave boy she called her young warrior, perished in the flames near the family driveway appearing to draw a final breath before running into the inferno. Robert Handa/NBC Bay Area Kressa, 17, an artist who Sara said was in the prime of her life, was burned so badly both legs had to be amputated. For months she waged a tenacious battle for life in the hospital before finally surrendering. The flames of Oct. 8, 2017 had claimed nine people in Redwood Valley with Sara Shepherds children among them. I think I havent even touched the edges of any grief, Shepherd said, dabbing at her eyes. Im still in a fog. In the time since Sara woke from her coma, life has come in baby steps. The couple bought a house in nearby Ukiah a 20-minute drive from the wooded rural town where she grew up. As part of her physical therapy she turned to healing through movement taking dance classes and Zumba. She dipped her toe back into public life, taking part in workshops alongside other fire victims to craft art from the remains of their homes. She and Jon took in a San Francisco Giants game. John Zimmerman Theyve started to rebuild the things that can be rebuilt. Theres never going to be normal. Nothing will ever be the same without those children without Kressa and Kai she said gazing off toward the Ukiah morning filling the living room window. But were putting one foot in front of the other, day by day, moment by moment and trying to honor their legacies. Sara and Jon visited the hill of their former homestead the place where life unraveled in the dark forces of a single night. She said its a good grieving spot, to honor Kai at the ground where he fell. In her recovery, shes constantly felt propped-up by the close-knit community that has offered its full support. Her family is nearby. Ive never known anyone stronger, said Saras sister Mindi Ramos, her voice giving way to emotion. For her to just be standing on two feet after losing her children and the physical pain she went through herself its a miracle. This week, the community will dedicate a mosaic mural on the side of the Grange building in Redwood Valley to the nine lost in the fire including Kressa and Kai. Sara took part in the murals creation. Along the verdant roads of Tomki, East and West Roads, which slice through Redwood Valley, newly built homes have risen from the scars of burned-out lots. Just as many "For Sale" signs tell of families who will not rebuild. Sara counts herself among those will not come back to Redwood Valley. There is too much there. And too little. I feel like theres some families that are so resilient and will make Mendocino County their home forever, she said in reference to Redwood Valley. Although I cant build a home, it will always be my home in my heart. A doctor of psychiatry is looking to open an adult mental illness treatment facility in the East Bay, and neighbors are concerned how it might affect the safety of their community. Dr. Gregory Braverman, a medical board psychiatrist, is seeking approval from Contra Costa County to open the center at a former elderly care home in an unincorporated neighborhood of Walnut Creek. Residents in the area are sensitive to the negative connotation that a mental illness facility carries. They say its too close, and there are too many unknowns. "There is not significant amount of security proposed to maintain the right safety for patients and our community," said resident Megan Nykoluk, who moved into a brand new home in the neighborhood on Tice Valley Boulevard less than a year ago. At the beginning of the month, Nykoluk and her neighbors found out that Braverman proposed opening a center where adults ages 18 to 65 can check in to get in-home counseling and recover from emotional crisis and mental illness. "After careful screening, we put them in this program; its a voluntary program," Braverman said by phone Wednesday. "The patient has to sign a consent and say they want to be treated. Its not a locked facility." Thats precisely what concerns people like Margaret Mediati, who is worried about security. "All it takes is one individual to come in who is angry or upset and to potentially do harm to someone working or living in the facility or someone in the community," Mediati said. Braverman has two other facilities similar to the one he is proposing, one in San Jose and another in Sacramento. He says the facility is needed in the East Bay. "They cannot stop these programs from developing," he said. Concerned residents have circulated a petition against the proposed facility that has gathered about 600 signatures in a week. A public hearing on Braverman's proposal is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday in Martinez. Voters in Oakland will decide Nov. 6 whether or not to close an eviction loophole that housing advocates argue is forcing low-income families out of their neighborhoods. Under current law, landlords can quickly evict tenants without cause if the landlord lives in the same building. Measure Y aims to change that. If it fails to pass, renters advocates say more landlords will get away with fraudulent evictions. Measure Y opponents, meanwhile, argue that if it passes, it will further harm an already bleak housing market, with potential landlords deciding its not worth the hassle to build and rent their granny units or duplexes. Two families in Oakland say theyre getting pushed out because their landlords are exploiting the loophole. Josephine Hardy sees 47 years of memories in her triplex in West Oakland. Its the home where she raised her kids and the only home her 29-year-old granddaughter Raynette has ever known. "My neighbors, my family, the familiarity with the community, Im going to miss it all," Hardy said. "If I have to move to Pinole or god knows where, I dont know." Hardy has until February to move out of the house. Last year, a new owner purchased the triplex and then tried to raise the rent far beyond what was legal under rent control. After Hardy's family fought and won in court, she said the landlord evicted Hardy's son who lived in one unit, saying the owner was moving in. Now, the landlord wants everyone else out as well. "Oakland has this ridiculous loophole, where if its a duplex or triplex and the landlord alleges that they live in the building, they can be evicted for no reason," said Sarah Winfield, a tenants rights attorney. Winfield said most of her cases involve the same loophole. "It not only causes displacement, it causes rampant displacement," she said. Robin Jones of West Oakland lives at a different address, but is in the same situation. "Families like us, we dont have anywhere to go," Jones said. Hardy and Jones are calling on voters to vote Yes on Measure Y, which would remove the loophole for owner-occupied duplexes and triplexes. Even if Measure Y passes on Election Day, it will be too late for Jones and Hardy because the legal eviction process is already underway. "No other family should be able to go through this," Jones said. The attorney for Hardys landlord did not respond to requests for comment. Just three weeks after the city of Cupertino approved plans to redevelop the old Vallco Mall, it was demolished on Thursday. The Cupertino city council voted on a plan that would transform the property into nearly 3,000 residential units, in addition to commercial and retail space. The developer, Sand Hill Property Company, is also considering a separate plan that would include 50 percent low income housing units, under California's new SB35 law that fast tracks low income housing developments. Sand Hill Property will need to choose between the city council approved plan or the SB 35 plan. "This community is looking to have this mall restored as a social heart as it once was decades ago," said Reed Moulds with developer Sand Hill Property Company. The project was at a halt for years due to local opposition, but after months of a heated debate, the Cupertino City Council sided with developers, saying it will be a big boost to the local economy. Mayor Darcy Paul said it could be another decade before new units go up. Factors such as potential lawsuits could derail plans. Opponents are already gearing up for a fight, citing traffic concerns. "Cupertino has no viable transit," said Liang Chao with Better Cupertino. "We will not see transit here for 10, 20 years." San Franciscos District Attorney is seeking a restraining order against a man protesting his decision to not charge officers in two of the citys most recent controversial police shootings. George Gascon filed the restraining order Tuesday following a number of confrontations with demonstrators at his doorstep. A video posted to Twitter on June 17 shows protesters jumping in front of his car as he pulled out of his home garage with his wife. The protester he seeks a restraining order against is Victor Manuel Picazo who was part of that group of protesters seen in the video, unhappy with Gascons decision to not charge the officers who fatally shot Mario Woods and Luis Gongora. Earlier this week, a federal judge said the video of a racially charged shooting of Woods "casts doubt" on officers' accounts that the 26-year-old was moving quickly toward them when they shot. Five officers shot Woods a combined 21 times in December 2015, saying he refused to drop a kitchen knife. Woods was suspected of stabbing a man. In another video posted to Instagram from Sep. 2, Gascon is in another confrontation with demonstrators. This time, he picks a piece of watermelon left on his steps and flings it at a protesters. They then throw more watermelon back at Gascon. The district attorney has reported the demonstrators multiple times to police since May saying theyve caused emotional distress to himself and his wife. Specifically saying Picazo demonstrated in front of his home eight times between May and September. He has never before filed charges against law enforcement since becoming DA in 2011. He will not be seeking a third term in 2019. It's been 20 years since Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old openly gay college student, was abducted and killed in Wyoming. On Oct. 26, he will finally be laid to rest. Shepard's ashes will be interred at the Washington National Cathedral after a service to celebrate and remember his life. Shepard's parents picked the Cathedral as his final resting place because he loved the Episcopal Church and felt welcomed at one he attended in Wyoming. "For the past 20 years, we have shared Matts story with the world. Its reassuring to know he now will rest in a sacred spot where folks can come to reflect on creating a safer, kinder world," said Judy Shepard, Shepard's mother, in a statement. On Oct. 6, 1998, Matthew Shepard was brutally beaten, tied to a fence and left to die outside Laramie, Wyoming. He died in a hospital six days later. The violent attack shocked the nation and highlighted the problem of hate crimes against LGBTQ people, according to NBC News. Shepard's parents have advocated for the rights of the LGBTQ community since his death, creating the Matthew Shepard Foundation in his memory. "In the years since Matthews death, the Shepard family has shown extraordinary courage and grace in keeping his spirit and memory alive, and the Cathedral is honored and humbled to serve as his final resting place," said the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, dean of Washington National Cathedral. Former first lady Michelle Obama said Thursday she stands by her when they go low, we go high motto despite calls this week by some high-profile Democrats to do the opposite. "Fear is not a proper motivator, Obama said. Hope wins out. If you think about how you want your kids to be raised, how you want them to think about life and their opportunities, do you want them afraid of their neighbors? Do you want them angry? Do you want them vengeful?" She added that in thinking about which values to promote for children, "you have to think about which motto do you want them to live by." Obama coined the "we go high" phrase during her 2016 speech at the Democratic National Convention and it became a motto for Democrats on how to respond to Donald Trumps campaign rhetoric. But former Attorney General Eric Holder said Sunday at a campaign event in Georgia that Democrats need a new slogan, and suggested: When they go low, we kick them. A few days later, Clinton said in an interview with CNN, You cannot be civil with a political party that wants to destroy what you stand for, what you care about." "What are the things youre telling your girls? Which motto do you want them to live by?" Obama, who has two daughters of her own, said. "I have to think about that as a mother, as someone whos a role model to young girls. We want them to grow up with promise and hope, and we cant model something different if we want them to be better than that." Obama has mostly kept a low profile since leaving the White House in January 2017, limiting her public commitments to helping When We All Vote, which says it encourages participation regardless of political affiliation. She announced Thursday on the Today show the launch of a new initiative aimed to empower adolescent girls around the world through education. The Global Girls Alliance, which supports grass roots organizations in local communities around the world and connects its leaders so they can learn from each other, was rolled out on Oct. 11 to coincide with the International Day of the Girl. We want to play a role in building an alliance of young people that are out there doing the work on the ground and we want to give them an opportunity to network with one another, Obama told Today hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb. Leaders need access to resources and technical support. The alliance is going to provide that for them. As the first African American first lady of the United States, Obama said she wanted every girl in the world to have the same kind of opportunities that she had and that her daughters have. The stats show that when you educate a girl you educate a family, a community, a country. It makes no sense that the strength of our family girls and women are not getting educated, that they are not in school. If we care about climate change, if we care about poverty, if we care about maternal child health, then we have to care about education. The United Nations declared Oct. 11 the International Day of the Girl in 2011 in order "to help galvanize worldwide enthusiasm for goals to better girls lives, providing an opportunity for them to show leadership and reach their full potential." This years theme, With Her: A Skilled GirlForce, aims to highlight the need for supporting education and training programs for girls in developing countries. "Of the one billion young people including 600 million adolescent girls that will enter the workforce in the next decade, more than 90 percent of those living in developing countries will work in the informal sector, where low or no pay, abuse and exploitation are common," the United Nations campaign says. Global Girls Alliance has teamed up with GoFundMe to provide a fundraising source for anyone who wants to help. Obama also talked about life after the White House and revealed the secret to a happy marriage. Separate bathrooms, she quipped. Boston's Catholic Archdiocese has hired a law firm and a former U.S. attorney to lead an investigation into three Boston-area seminaries run by the archdiocese following abuse allegations related to one of them. Cardinal Sean O'Malley announced the decision to expand the investigation into St. John Seminary in Boston's Brighton neighborhood to two others -- Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in Weston and Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Chestnut Hill -- on Thursday afternoon in a lengthy statement. "I have concluded that to meet the generally expected levels of transparency and accountability, it is best to expand the review to include all three seminaries," O'Malley said, who added that each member of the original committee also had some kind of connection to St. John's Seminary. The law firm of Yurko, Salvesen & Remz was appointed to conduct the new review, which will be led by Donald K. Stern, who served as Massachusetts' U.S. attorney from 1993 to 2001. An inquiry into allegations of "sexual deviancy and improper conduct" at St. John's Seminary was launched in August after a former seminarian wrote about his experiences involving inappropriate sexual behavior and excessive drinking at the seminary. "Since the expanded investigation authorized by the Archdiocese of Boston is not truly independent, many clergy sexual abuse victims feel the investigation will be unfair and biased," Mitchell Garabedian, an attorney who has represented many clergy sex abuse victims, said in a statement. "History has taught us that the Archdiocese of Boston is incapable of having itself fairly investigated by an entity the Archdiocese of Boston has hired to conduct the investigation." Counterfeit merchandise was seized from three businesses during a police raid in Chelsea, Massachusetts. The raid was part of a nationwide anti-counterfeiting effort to identify manufacturers, distributors and retailers of counterfeit products. It happened late last month and targeted three businesses on Broadway that were selling "knock-off" merchandise made to resemble high-end designer products. The targeted businesses were: Fiesta Fashion Boutique, Variedades Gift Shop and Coral Barbershop. Police say from the stores they seized: knock-off Louis Vuitton purses to designer sunglasses, fake Gucci watches to North Face jackets, hats, wallets and other apparel. Authorities say if the items they seized had been real, they would have been worth more than $150,000. Investigators say the seized items are in a secure location, pending further court action. The last thing Stefanie Schaffer remembers about her vacation to the Bahamas was a boat ride. She and her family were headed to Exuma for the day. The weather was clear. The vacation had been perfect. And then, their tour boat exploded. I can kind of remember the feeling of panic, but I cant remember anything else, explained Schaffer. It would be several weeks before the 22-year-old from Vermont would learn that the June blast killed one person and injured nine others, including herself, who had all signed up for a tour boat excursion with Four Cs Adventures. Schaffers injuries included broken bones and internal bleeding, but the worst damage was to her legs, which had to be amputated. I had to be told I lost my legs multiple times before I realized I lost my legs, Schaffer explained. It doesnt feel real. Its like, how is this my life? Especially when youre in your 20s and youve been healthy for 22 years. After spending weeks in a Florida hospital, Schaffer was moved to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Cambridge where she has been undergoing therapy for the last eight weeks. The unfairness of it is just really hard, said her mother, Stacey Bender. The details of the explosion are more vivid for Bender, who was seated farther away from her daughter. Initially, she thought the speed of the boat had accidentally knocked her off. But as soon as she surfaced in the water, Bender could see flames. As Im going through the air, I started seeing shrapnel going by me, she explained. I could see the other people, but I couldnt see Stef. Trapped under debris, Schaffer was the last person to be pulled from the wreckage and brought to shore. With no ambulance in sight, bystanders helped get Schaffer into the bed of a pickup truck, which her mother and a friend then drove to a hospital nearly 30 minutes away. Because of the severity of her injuries, Schaffer was placed in a medically-induced coma. When she awoke, it was the first time she could read about what happened and watch video that witnesses captured of the fire. When I saw it the first time and read the first articles it was like, I was on that boat?' Schaffer asked. How was I on that boat? Like how am I alive? Through intensive care at Spaudling, Schaffers condition has been gradually improving since her arrival. Despite battling unforeseen complications from her injuries, she has managed to regain strength and movement. At the beginning, its just trying to survive, she said, And now its like youre realizing the stuff that affects your day-to-day life. While she focuses on her recovery, her family is focused on the accident. They have hired an attorney based in Florida to represent them in any future legal action. In a statement, attorney Blake Dolman said the company in charge of the boat was not complying with regulations. The vessel in question, operated by one of the most prominent and highly publicized tour boat companies in the Exumas, with the full knowledge of the Bahamian Government, was not registered with Port Department of the Bahamas and had never undertaken a Port Department inspection required under national legislation, wrote Dolman. In fact, we have learned that of the eighteen commercial charter boat companies operating from Exuma, only six are registered with the Port department as required by law. While Schaffer has said the entire ordeal has left her angry and frustrated at times, she is trying to remain hopeful. Because of her progress, she will be moved to Spauldings Charlestown location on Thursday. The goal is to ultimately be fitted for prosthetic legs and learn to walk, again. People say, What gets you through this?' And I say, I really have no other choice, Schaffer said, Because I cant give up because then Im stuck without moving around. And I dont want that for myself. What to Know The promoter of a botched, highly publicized music festival in the Bahamas has been sentenced to six years in prison Billy McFarland pleaded guilty to charges of defrauding investors in the 2017 Fyre Festival and charges in a ticket selling scam Prosecutors had sought over 15 years in prison; His lawyer urged leniency, saying McFarland suffers from mental illness The promoter of a botched, highly publicized music festival in the Bahamas has been sentenced to six years in prison. Billy McFarland was sentenced on Thursday in Manhattan federal court. McFarland has twice pleaded guilty to charges. First, he admitted earlier this year he defrauded investors in the 2017 Fyre Festival. Then, weeks later, he pleaded guilty to charges in a ticket selling scam. McFarland's pleas pertained to the bungled spring 2017 Fyre Festival on the Bahamian island of Exuma that cost over 80 investors a total of $26 million. The festival was anything but the ultra-luxurious event promoted as "the cultural experience of the decade" over two weekends and touted on social media by Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski and other models and celebrities. Customers hoping to see Blink-182 and the hip hop act Migos arrived to learn music acts were canceled. Their upscale accommodations and gourmet food consisted of white tents and cheese sandwiches. Prosecutors had sought over 15 years in prison for McFarland. His lawyer had urged leniency, saying McFarland suffers from mental illness that includes delusional beliefs that his talents will lead to "fame and fortune." By imposing tariffs on $200 billion more in Chinese goods starting next week, President Donald Trump has intensified his trade war with Beijing and triggered the likelihood of price increases for many American companies and consumers. Beijing has said it will swiftly retaliate against American exporters a move that stands to hurt U.S. farmers and other companies that sell their products to China. Beijing may also raise obstacles for U.S. companies to do business in China. Here's a look at what's happening and its likely impact. WHAT IS THE U.S. DOING? The Trump administration will begin taxing $200 billion in Chinese goods starting Monday. The tariffs will start at 10 percent and rise to 25 percent in 2019. The target list is huge, ranging from rattan mats to burglar alarms to bicycles. But the administration struck some items from the originally planned $200 billion tariff list, including bicycle helmets and other child safety products. And, in a victory for Apple Inc., smart watches and some other electronics products won't be subject to the new tariffs, either. The administration and Beijing have already imposed import taxes on $50 billion worth of each other's products. Beijing's target list of U.S. goods to penalize was heavy on agriculture. That's hardly a coincidence. Its tariffs are meant to deliver pain to American farmers, who overwhelmingly backed Trump in the 2016 election and whose interests are represented by powerful lobbyists and members of Congress. Exports to China account for about 60 percent of the overseas sales of American soybean farmers, who stand to lose sales as a result of China's tariffs. WHAT'S BEHIND THE U.S.-CHINA RIFT? The Trump administration has accused China of using predatory tactics in a lawless drive to overtake America's technological supremacy. U.S. officials point to Beijing's long-range development plan, "Made in China 2025," which calls for creating powerful Chinese entities in such areas as information technology, robotics, aerospace equipment, electric vehicles and biopharmaceuticals. Foreign business groups argue that "Made in China 2025" is unfairly forcing them to the sidelines in those industries. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative concluded after an investigation that China's tactics range from requiring U.S. and other foreign companies to hand over technology in return for access to the vast Chinese market to outright cyber-theft. The U.S. also asserts that Beijing uses state money to buy American technology at prices unaffordable for private companies. The Trump administration said the new tariffs on an additional $200 billion in Chinese imports was a response to Beijing's failure so far to end those tactics. WHAT'S THE LIKELY IMPACT FROM A U.S.-CHINA TRADE WAR? It's not entirely clear. Economists at Bank of America Merrill Lynch have warned that a full-fledged trade war, especially one that lasts more than a year, would slow the U.S. economy. By disrupting supply chains, eroding business confidence and heightening uncertainty, a trade war, they say, could "push the economy toward full-blown recession" and jeopardize America's economic expansion the second-longest on record. Besides American soybean farmers, American manufacturers are also being squeezed. Machinery and components used in finished goods made in the United States have been affected. U.S. manufacturers are having to pay more for parts and equipment, thereby putting them at a competitive disadvantage to foreign rivals. ISN'T THE U.S. ALSO SPARRING WITH OTHER TRADING PARTNERS? Trump is battling in just about every direction. He has imposed tariffs on imported steel and aluminum action that has drawn retaliatory tariffs from U.S. allies like Canada, Mexico and the European Union. The president is also threatening to impose tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts on the grounds that they pose a threat to America's national security. Trump also wants to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement, which includes the United States, Mexico and Canada, with a new agreement that would shift more auto production to the U.S. The administration has already reached a deal with Mexico that excluded Canada. Talks to keep Canada in a North American trade bloc have been ongoing, with the two longtime allies divided over such issues as Canada's dairy market and U.S. efforts to shield drug companies from generic competition. By brawling with America's friends, critics say, Trump has squandered an opportunity to build a united front against China. After all, Europe, Japan and other rich countries have the same complaints about Chinese trade practices that America does. IS THERE ANY REASON TO EXPECT A RESOLUTION? There have been periodic reports that the Trump administration was on the verge of resuming talks with Beijing. Informal communications are still going on, administration officials have said, but no formal talks are scheduled. For a time, it looked as though peace might be at hand. In May, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin declared the trade war "on hold." The Trump administration suspended its tariffs after Beijing agreed to increase its purchases of U.S. goods, especially in agriculture and energy. The idea was that China's additional purchases would shrink its trade surplus with the United States. Yet the cease-fire was short-lived. Critics dismissed Beijing's commitments as vague, and Trump decided to proceed with the tariffs after all. HAVE THERE BEEN TRADE WARS BEFORE? You'd have to go back to the 1930s to find anything close to the hostility between the U.S. and its top trading partners right now. During the Great Depression, many countries, including the United States, closed their markets to imports. A plunge in global trade likely worsened the Depression. Many less intense trade conflicts have followed. President Ronald Reagan slapped tariffs on $300 million worth of Japanese imports in a dispute over the semiconductor industry and strong-armed Tokyo into accepting limits on car shipments to the United States. In 2002, President George W. Bush imposed tariffs on Chinese steel. The move allowed U.S. steel producers to increase prices, raising costs for companies that buy steel and pressuring them to cut back elsewhere. But the tariffs are thought to have cost significant U.S. job losses. In 2009, the Obama administration imposed tariffs on Chinese tires, charging that a surge in imports was hurting the U.S. tire industry. Beijing counterpunched. It imposed a tax of up to 105 percent on U.S. chicken feet a throwaway item in the U.S. that's considered a delicacy in China. The Peterson Institute for International Economics calculated that the tariffs probably saved 1,200 American tire jobs. But consumers paid over $900,000 in higher tire prices for each job saved. President Donald Trump defended continuing huge sales of U.S. weapons to Saudi Arabia on Thursday despite rising pressure from lawmakers to punish the kingdom over the disappearance of a Saudi journalist who lived in the United States and is now feared dead. As senators pushed for sanctions under a human rights law and also questioned American support for the Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen, Trump appeared reluctant to rock the boat in a relationship that has been key to his strategy in the Middle East and which he described as "excellent." He said withholding sales would hurt the U.S. economy. "I don't like stopping massive amounts of money that's been pouring into our country. They are spending 110 billion on military equipment," Trump said, referring to proposed sales announced in May 2017 when he went to Saudi Arabia in the first overseas trip of his presidency. He warned that the Saudis could instead buy from Russia or China. Trump maintained that the U.S. is being "very tough" as it looks into the case of Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi leadership and a contributor to The Washington Post who has been missing since Oct. 2. He had entered a Saudi consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul to get marriage paperwork as his fiancee waited outside and hasn't been seen since. Turkish officials say they fear Saudi Arabia killed and dismembered Khashoggi but have offered no evidence beyond video footage of the journalist entering the consulate and the arrival in the country of what they describe as a 15-member Saudi team that allegedly targeted him. Saudi Arabia has denied the allegation as "baseless." Khashoggi had checked his cellphone before entering the consulate but never read messages sent to him minutes later, according to screenshots of WhatsApp messages obtained by NBC News, indicating that he never regained access to the device he used to regularly to communicate with friends and others in the U.S. In Istanbul, Turkish media said that Saudi royal guards, intelligence officers, soldiers and an autopsy expert had been part of the team flown in and targeting Khashoggi. Those reported details, along with comments from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, appeared aimed at gradually pressuring Saudi Arabia to reveal what happened while also balancing a need to maintain Saudi investments in Turkey and relations on other issues. Trump, questioned by reporters at the White House, said, "If it turns out to be as bad as it might be, there are certainly other ways of handling this situation" besides canceling arms sales. He did not elaborate. He said earlier on "Fox & Friends" that "we have investigators over there and we're working with Turkey" and with Saudi Arabia on the case, but he provided no evidence or elaboration. Meanwhile, there was a clear and growing disconnect between many in Congress, who want tougher action, and the president. Even before Khashoggi's disappearance, lawmakers had soured on a Saudi government they view as having a high-handed attitude. Some have been incredulous at its denials of wrongdoing and contention it has no recorded video footage from the consulate showing Khashoggi, who had been living in self-exile in Virginia for the past year. "There's a sense of entitlement, I hate to use the word, arrogance, that comes with dealing with them," said Sen. Bob Corker, Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "Part of that may be that they have an incredibly close relationship with the administration." Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy voiced doubt there would be support in Congress to approve another arms sale to Saudi Arabia although lawmakers haven't blocked sales before. He also called for at least a temporary halt in U.S. military support for the Saudi bombing campaign against Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen. If Saudi Arabia is not telling the truth about Khashoggi, he told reporters, "why would we believe them that they are not intentionally hitting civilians inside Yemen?" Murphy was among seven senators who wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday raising concerns over last month's certification that a Saudi-led coalition was taking actions to protect civilians despite what the lawmakers described as a dramatic increase in deaths. The Trump administration, however, is heavily invested in the long-standing, U.S. relationship with Riyadh. It relies on Saudi support for its Middle East effort to counter Iranian influence and fight extremism. Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has cultivated close ties with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and was instrumental in last year's $110 billion arms package. Those associations could become a political liability if Prince Mohammed is implicated in Khashoggi's disappearance. The Washington Post, citing anonymous American officials it said were familiar with U.S. intelligence, said the crown prince had previously ordered an operation to lure Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia and detain him. The Associated Press could not confirm that report, but a U.S.-based friend of Khashoggi said the journalist had told him he had received a call from an adviser to the Saudi royal court in late May or early June urging him to return to his homeland. Khaled Saffuri said the adviser, Saud al-Qahtani, told Khashoggi "that the crown prince wants him back and said you are our son, you are loyal, the crown prince would like you to come and be his adviser, stuff like that." Saffuri said he asked Khashoggi if he would return. "He said: 'Are you crazy? I don't trust him for a minute.'" In Turkey on Thursday, a spokesman for President Erdogan told the state-run Anadolu Agency that Turkey and Saudi Arabia would form a "joint working group" to look into the journalist's disappearance. In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said that the Saudi ambassador to the U.S. was traveling to Saudi Arabia, and that the U.S. expects him to provide information about the Khashoggi case when he returns. She added that the U.S. had not requested the ambassador, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, to leave. A 26-year-old Pawcatuck woman has died after a hit-and-run crash in North Stonington Tuesday night, according to Connecticut State Police, and they said they have interviewed a person of interest. Police said a vehicle traveling on Norwich-Westerly Road (Route 2) near the rotary with Route 184 shortly before 7 p.m. went off the road and hit a pedestrian, later identified as 26-year-old Krystal Riske, of Pawcatuck. Riske suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to Hartford Hospital in critical condition. She died early Wednesday morning. There was a man present at the time of the accident, according to State Police. They do not have a report of him being injured. A friend said it was Riskes boyfriend. Police said the suspect vehicle, possibly a gray or dark-colored, mid-size SUV, fled the scene. The vehicle sustained passenger side damage to the quarter panel and the headlight. It's also missing the passenger side mirror. Police said Thursday that they have spoken with a person of interest and detectives have been in consultation with the office of the state's attorney. I wouldnt wish that on my worst enemy. To even see that I wouldnt wish that on my worst enemy, said Riskes sister, Nicole. People make mistakes, but to leave a woman on the side of the road after crashing into her and then keep driving is unfathomable, Nicole Riske said. I dont think anything goes through your heart. I think it just stops, mom Rhandi Riske said. Riske sustained a fractured skull, had facial bones shattered, a swollen brain which lacked oxygen and fractures down her spine. She was surrounded by family. So much love. I hope she knows that, Nicole Riske said while holding back tears. Family and family friends were at the hospital during the last moments of Krystals life. Family describes Riske as a big personality, someone who is fiercely loyal and could make them laugh. She loved to sing and dance. Riske was a graduate of Grasso Technical High School. She took classes at Three Rivers Community College and was currently employed at Petro Gas, formerly known as Spicer Marketplace. She had a heart of gold. Shed help anybody out, Rhandi Riske said. Shes been one of my best friends for as long as I can remember. Shes been with me through my marriage, my divorce, my child. Shes Auntie Letter because my son couldnt say Auntie Krystal so we dropped it down to Auntie K and K is a letter, said childhood friend Madolyn Coombe, who was with Riskes family. Family and friends are pleading for the driver responsible for this to come forward. Theyre hoping for justice for Riske. Nothing can bring her back. Because thats all Ive been asking for, Rhandi Riske said. Someone to take ownership, Nicole added. Police are continuing to investigate several leads. Anyone with information about the accident is encouraged to call police at 860-848-6500. DONATE NOW to Hurricane Michael relief efforts by clicking here. Youve seen the images and reports of the damage done by Hurricane Michael. We know you are concerned about family, friends and strangers who have been impacted along the storms path. NBC Connecticut and Telemundo Connecticut are proud to connect you with a way to help, and its easy to do. Make a tax-deductible monetary donation by clicking here. Your contribution will help shelter and relief efforts in the areas that need it the most. The American Red Cross has mobilized hundreds of trained disaster workers to join the Red Cross Volunteers already in place in three states. They are providing shelter supplies, meals, and other necessities to support the thousands of people in need. As of Thursday afternoon, at least 11 Red Cross volunteers from Connecticut have deployed to the southeastern region to help with everything from sheltering those displaced to providing mental health services. Dozens of neighbors from New Havens Westville neighborhood came to a community meeting Wednesday to talk about crime in the area, and concerns that one bar has a lot to do with it. I don't feel safe. I'm afraid. I'm afraid, said Sharon Lovett-Graff. Lovett-Graff isnt the only resident afraid to go out at night. Several neighbors are raising concerns about Roosevelts a bar that opened on Whalley Avenue late last year. What happened when Roosevelts came it brought a lot of crime, said Keren Clarizo of New Haven. Police said that before the bar opened, there werent shootings in the area. But in the past year, police have responded to three instances of gunfire or shootings near the bar, resulting in two people injured. The most recent happened early Wednesday morning. Investigators said one patron of the bar drove threatening toward another, who fired at the vehicle. Last night I was woken out of bed I heard gunshots, Lovett-Graff said. the car that was shot at ended up in front of my house, she added. Police said Roosevelts bar often hires an extra duty officer on the weekends, but that it still takes many on-duty officers to clear the area after closings. Residents who spoke with NBC Connecticut said they want the bar gone, and several have signed a petition to send the liquor commission to try to get the businesss liquor license pulled. We don't want this bar and we want to protect our community, Clarizio said. Aside from the gunfire and shooting, police said theyve received several complaints regarding noise and fights. NBC Connecticut reached out to the bar several times but has not yet received a comment. Police in southeastern Connecticut are warning movie-goers to keep their valuables close after multiple victims reported their wallets stolen while they were seated at local movie theaters. East Lyme police and Stonington police are investigating incidents on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively. Police said the thefts occurred while the victims were sitting in the theaters. The victims debit/credit cards were used at multiple places shortly after the thefts. The East Lyme incident took place at Niantic Cinema. The victim told police she saw a man sit behind her and leave a short time later. She could not give a clear description of the man. Police said the purse was left on the floor. Investigators believe there are two males and two females working together during the thefts. One female is described as having distinct tattoos on her wrists and forearms, red hair, a large build, and may be left-handed. The group may be traveling in a blue 2004-2009 Nissan Quest. Police warn anyone visiting the theaters to keep an eye on their valuables. Anyone with information on these incidents should contact Detective Mark Comeau of the East Lyme Police Department At 860-739-5900 or Officer Joseph McDermott of the Stonington Police Department at 860-599-4411. A 30-year-old mother of four is dead and a 53-year-old woman is injured after a shooting in Waterbury. Officers responded to Walnut Avenue around 3 a.m. after neighbors heard gunshots and they found the 30-year-old woman, Fransua Guzman, in front of 50 Walnut Ave., police said. She had been shot in the head and was pronounced dead at St. Mary's Hospital. People who knew Guzman said she was a very good person. Police also found a 53-year-old woman was shot once in the stomach and survived, police said. Authorities have not said anything about any possible relationship between the two women. No additional information was immediately available. The investigation is ongoing. The Huasao wetland in the heart of the bygone Incan Empire languished for years as a wasteland that locals used as their dump. Cleaned up and given a second life, it's now attracting droves of tourists lured by magical figures plucked straight from Hollywood movies. Towering statues of Ents trees that walk and talk in the "Lord of the Rings" movies and a smaller reproduction of Groot from the "Guardians of the Galaxy" series are set amid the woodsy landscape and glassy lagoons. They're drawing crowds eager to pose for selfies. Although it's a small area, environmentalists cite its recovery as part of a global battle to reverse the trend of filling or draining wetlands to make way for new farmland, industry and neighborhoods. Experts say such developments have already devoured a third of the world's wetlands. Those behind the restoration say they included the eye-catching statues to target young people, while hoping to spark their appreciation of nature. "I thought it made sense to focus on children, to stir their enthusiasm for the environment," said Jeancarlo Pacheco, a Peruvian agronomist who led the recovery effort. The wetland covering 5.5 hectares (14 acres) sits a short drive from Cuzco, the historic capital of the Inca empire high in the Andes mountains. For decades, locals used the wetland to dispose of animal carcasses, construction waste and any kind of trash, including non-biodegradable plastic. A group of environmentalists recently set out to reclaim it. They won $1.3 million in backing from Peru's government and the Development Bank of Latin America. That covered the cleanup and construction of walkways, channels and an island surrounded by small lagoons that capture water streaming down the mountains. Next came the statues five of them. Some of the tree-like figures tower 5 meters (16 feet) tall, with branch-like hands dramatically reaching out. A less menacing Groot, a pop culture icon from the Marvel movie, wears an inviting smile. It opened on May 1, and the next day got a surprise boost from afar when "Guardians of the Galaxy" director James Gunn tweeted photographs of the statues. Roughly a thousand people now visit each week, mostly locals under age 30, officials say. Jose Luis Venero, a Peruvian biologist and wetlands expert, said snapping selfies with the statues is fine, but he really wants visitors to walk away having learned the vital role wetlands play as habitat for birds and bees as well as cleaning water and preventing floods. Some 58 bird species build their nests at this wetland, including the yellow-crowned night heron, one of many that migrate from the southeastern United States. These herons have been spotted four times recently at the rejuvenated wetland. "Wetlands are the airports of migratory birds, where no one shows a passport upon landing," Venero said. "If we don't care for these wetlands, many of these migratory birds could go extinct." A judge declined Wednesday to grant a temporary injunction that would have extended a 14-day temporary restraining order that kept a 9-year-old Grand Prairie girl on life support at Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth. Payton Summons has been on life support for more than two weeks. The medical staff at the hospital determined Summons to be brain dead and argued that the child should be removed from the ventilator. The judge sided with the hospital after hearing testimony from both sides Wednesday. "I am a mother of three," said Judge Meody Wilkinson as she looked at Payton's mom and dad. "I know what it's like to do anything you can for your child, but the prosecution has not met their burden of proof." Summons' parents, their attorneys and the Cook Children's Medical Center have tried more than 20 hospitals in an attempt to transfer their daughter to a different facility, but none would admit her in her current state. The judge said the temporary restraining order would expire Monday at 1:20 p.m. exactly 14 days after it was ordered. The girl's mother and father both testified, and said they believed that Summons was fighting and could recover. Summons' attending doctor also testified, saying that she meets the legal and medical definitions of brain dead, but has not been declared brain dead due to the temporary restraining order that prevented the hospital from doing a second test. An attorney for Summons' family was granted the temporary restraining order Monday, Oct. 1, which prevented the hospital staff from discontinuing life support that day, against the wishes of the child's family. It extended her time on life support until Oct. 15, which is the earliest the hospital can remove her from life support. Summons was rushed to Cook Children's Tuesday, Sept. 25 in cardiac arrest. Doctors would later discover that a cancerous tumor near Summons heart had cut off her circulation. After approximately one hour of performing CPR, the medical staff was able to restart Summons' heart. But they were unable to resuscitate the child's breathing, and she has been on a ventilator ever since. "As is standard practice, we conducted a brain death exam on Payton approximately 24 hours after she was admitted to our hospital," a spokesperson for Cook Children's said in a written statement. "The results were conclusive and showed zero brain activity, confirming that Payton is brain dead ... Our hearts are with Payton's family and we will continue doing everything in our power to help them through this difficult time." Justin Moore, one of the attorneys who is representing Payton Summons' family, said the family is now weighing their options for their next step. Ultimately, he said they want a second opinion. "There are a multitude of death tests. There are EEG's, MRI's and apnea tests. Payton is too fragile to survive the apnea tests, but she can take two other tests," Moore said. Moore and his co-counsel Paul Stafford say ultimately, they hope this case will help bring about legislation to clarify the laws in unique cases like these. They say that would give parents, dealing with an impossible decision, more guidance. NBC 5's Chris Blake and Laura Harris contributed to this report. After slamming into the Florida Panhandle with terrifying winds of 155 mph Wednesday, splintering homes and submerging neighborhoods before continuing its destructive charge inland across the Southeast, Hurricane Michael weakened to a tropical storm overnight. It was the most powerful hurricane to hit the continental U.S. in nearly 50 years and at least two deaths have been reported. Supercharged by abnormally warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the Category 4 storm crashed ashore in the early afternoon near Mexico Beach, a tourist town about midway along the Panhandle, a 200-mile stretch of white-sand beach resorts, fishing towns and military bases. After it ravaged the Panhandle, Michael barreled into south Georgia as a Category 3 hurricane the most powerful ever recorded for that part of the neighboring state. It later weakened to a Category 1 hurricane, and there were reports it spawned possible tornadoes in central Georgia. In north Florida, Michael battered the shoreline with sideways rain, powerful gusts and crashing waves, swamping streets and docks, flattening trees, shredding awnings and peeling away shingles. It set off transformer explosions and knocked out power to more than 388,000 homes and businesses. A Panhandle man was killed by a tree that toppled on a home, Gadsden County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Anglie Hightower said. But she added emergency crews trying to reach the home were hampered by downed trees and debris blocking roadways. The man wasn't immediately identified. As the storm hit Georgia, the Seminole County EMA Director Travis Brooks confirmed to NBC that an 11-year-old child was killed in Seminole County in a weather-related death. Exact circumstances were not immediately available. Damage in Panama City was extensive, with broken and uprooted trees and power lines down nearly everywhere. Roofs were peeled off and homes split open by fallen trees. Twisted street signs lay on the ground. Residents emerged in the early evening to assess damage when rains stopped, though skies were still overcast and windy. Vance Beu, 29, was staying with his mother at her apartment, Spring Gate Apartments, a small complex of single-story wood frame apartment buildings. A pine tree punched a hole in their roof and he said the roar of the storm sounded like a jet engine as the winds accelerated. Their ears even popped as the barometric pressure dropped. "It was terrifying, honestly. There was a lot of noise. We thought the windows were going to break at any time. We had the inside windows kind of barricaded in with mattresses," Beu said. Kaylee O'Brien was crying as she sorted through the remains of the apartment she shared with three roommates at Whispering Pines apartments, where the smell of broken pine trees was thick in the air. Four pine trees had crashed through the roof of her apartment, nearly hitting two people. Her 1-year-old Siamese cat, Molly, was missing. "We haven't seen her since the tree hit the den. She's my baby," O'Brien said, her face wet with tears. In Apalachicola, Sally Crown rode out the storm in her house. The worst damage she thought was in her yard. Multiple trees were down. But after the storm passed, she drove to check on the cafe she manages and saw breathtaking destruction. "It's absolutely horrendous. Catastrophic," Crown said. "There's flooding. Boats on the highway. A house on the highway. Houses that have been there forever are just shattered." Gov. Rick Scott announced soon after the powerful eye had swept inland that "aggressive" search and rescue efforts would get underway as conditions allowed. He urged people to stay off debris-littered roads. "If you and your family made it through the storm safely, the worst thing you could do now is act foolishly," he said. Michael was a meteorological brute that sprang quickly from a weekend tropical depression, going from a Category 2 on Tuesday to a Category 4 by the time it came ashore. It was the most powerful hurricane on record to hit the Panhandle. More than 375,000 people up and down the Gulf Coast were urged to evacuate as Michael closed in. But the fast-moving, fast-strengthening storm didn't give people much time to prepare, and emergency authorities lamented that many ignored the warnings and seemed to think they could ride it out. Diane Farris, 57, and her son walked to a high school-turned-shelter near their Panama City home, where about 1,100 people crammed into a space meant for about half as many. Neither she nor her son had any way to communicate because their lone cellphone got wet and quit working. "I'm worried about my daughter and grandbaby. I don't know where they are. You know, that's hard," she said, choking back tears. In Panama City, plywood and metal flew off the front of a Holiday Inn Express. Part of the awning fell and shattered the glass front door of the hotel, and the rest of the awning wound up on vehicles parked below it. "Oh my God, what are we seeing?" said evacuee Rachel Franklin, her mouth hanging open. The hotel swimming pool had whitecaps. While reporting on-air from a Panama City hotel, NBC's Lester Holt and his broadcast crew were seen moving the room's mattress in front of the sliding door as winds raged outside. "We want to be on the air, but we've got to take care of each other," Holt said. And footage showed NBC News reporter Kerry Sanders nearly being blown away by Michael's strong winds. Hurricane-force winds extended up to 45 miles from Michael's center at the height of the storm. Forecasters said rainfall could reach up to a foot in spots. And then there was the life-threatening storm surge. A water-level station in Apalachicola, close to where Michael came ashore, reported a surge of nearly 8 feet. Based on its internal barometric pressure, Michael was the third most powerful hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland, behind the unnamed Labor Day storm of 1935 and Camille in 1969. Based on wind speed, it was the fourth-strongest, behind the Labor Day storm, Camille and Andrew in 1992. Forecasters said it would unleash damaging wind and rain all the way into the Carolinas, which are still recovering from Hurricane Florence's epic flooding. At the White House, President Donald Trump said, "God bless everyone because it's going to be a rough one," he said. "A very dangerous one." His office said he would tour the devastated areas next week. In Mexico Beach, population 1,000, the storm shattered homes, leaving floating piles of lumber. The lead-gray water was so high that roofs were about all that could be seen of many homes. Hours earlier, meteorologists watched satellite imagery in complete awe as the storm intensified. "We are in new territory," National Hurricane Center Meteorologist Dennis Feltgen wrote on Facebook. "The historical record, going back to 1851, finds no Category 4 hurricane ever hitting the Florida panhandle." Associated Press writers Tamara Lush in St. Petersburg, Fla.; Terry Spencer in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Freida Frisaro in Miami; Brendan Farrington in St. Marks, Fla.; Russ Bynum in Keaton Beach, Fla.; Jonathan Drew in Raleigh, North Carolina; and Seth Borenstein in Kensington, Md., contributed to this story. Scientists from coast-to-coast are studying an increase in cases of a polio-like illness in children after 16 states, including Texas, have reported cases of acute flaccid myelitis, or AFM. The viral illness targets the bodys nervous system that causes partial paralysis in children. As of this writing, Children's Health reports six cases of AFM. There is no cure, but it is treatable with medicine and its long-term effects can be lessened through physical therapy, but some children affected appear to have long-term disabilities. Children's Health says AFM actually stems from a common virus, but researchers are looking into why some cases reach a high level of seriousness. "First and foremost we want to reassure parents that this is a very rare event from a virus that's pretty common. From thousands of children affected by this virus over the next month -- maybe one of those many thousands will get a neurological complication," said Dr. Benjamin Greenberg, pediatric neurologist at Children's Health and associate professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Greenberg is one of the nation's foremost AFM researchers and notes the virus seems to spike every other year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- there were 120 cases in 34 states back in 2014, but just 22 cases in 2015, then cases spiked again to 149 in 2016, but there were only 33 cases reported in 2017. During that 2016 spike, several North Texas children were diagnosed including 10-year-old Faith Dibley. I just realized my hand wasnt working like normal... I thought it would be over. In the next 20 minutes, I thought it would just be back to normal. I thought I mustve gotten hurt or something random mustve happened," said Faith Dibley. Instead, the next morning she was unable to get out of bed. She says it didn't take doctors long to determine her symptoms were caused by AFM. An MRI quickly confirmed it. Dibley spent nine days in the hospital. In the end, she had regained control of her legs and was able to walk out. It would take months of physical therapy, surgery and more therapy to be able to use her left hand again. I feel stronger because of what I went through now," said Dibley, acknowledging that her recovery makes her one of the lucky ones. Besides weakness in the arms or legs, the CDC says other symptoms of AFM include: facial drooping or weakness, difficulty moving the eyes, drooping eyelids and difficulty with swallowing or slurred speech. Both the CDC and the Texas Department of Health and Human Services are asking doctors to report any suspected cases. They say if your child develops any kind of weakness in the arms or legs, you should get him or her to the pediatrician right away. The devastation inflicted by Hurricane Michael came into focus Thursday with rows upon rows of homes found smashed to pieces, and rescue crews struggling to enter stricken areas in hopes of accounting for hundreds of people who may have stayed behind. At least six deaths were blamed on Michael, the most powerful hurricane to hit the continental U.S. in over 50 years, and it wasn't done yet: Though reduced to a tropical storm, it brought flash flooding to North Carolina and Virginia, soaking areas still recovering from Hurricane Florence. Under a clear blue sky, families living along the Florida Panhandle emerged from shelters and hotels to a perilous landscape of shattered homes and shopping centers, wailing sirens and hovering helicopters. Gov. Rick Scott said the Panhandle awoke to "unimaginable destruction." "So many lives have been changed forever. So many families have lost everything," he said. The full extent of Michael's fury was only slowly becoming clear, with some of the hardest-hit areas difficult to reach with roads blocked by debris or water. An 80-mile stretch of Interstate 10, the main east-west route, was closed. Video from a drone revealed some of the worst damage in Mexico Beach, where the hurricane crashed ashore Wednesday as a Category 4 monster with 155 mph winds and a storm surge of 9 feet. Entire blocks of homes near the beach were obliterated, leaving concrete slabs in the sand. Rows and rows of other homes were rendered piles of splintered lumber. Entire roofs were torn away in the town of about 1,000 people, now a scene of utter devastation. State officials said 285 people in Mexico Beach had defied a mandatory evacuation order ahead of Michael. More than 375,000 people up and down the Gulf Coast were ordered or urged to clear out as Michael closed in. But emergency authorities lamented that many ignored the warnings. National Guard troops made their way into the ground-zero town and found 20 survivors Wednesday night, and more rescue crews arrived Thursday. But the fate of many residents was unknown. Mishelle McPherson and her ex-husband searched for the elderly mother of a friend. The woman lived in a small cinderblock house about 150 yards from the Gulf and thought she would be OK. The home was found smashed, with no sign of the woman. "Do you think her body would be here? Do you think it would have floated away?" McPherson asked. Linda Marquardt, 67, rode out the storm with her husband at their home in Mexico Beach. When the house filled with storm surge water, they fled upstairs. "All of my furniture was floating," she said. "''A river just started coming down the road. It was awful, and now there's just nothing left." As thousands of National Guard troops, law enforcement officers and medical teams spread out, the governor pleaded with people in the devastated areas to stay away because of hazards such as fallen trees and power lines. "I know you just want to go home. You want to check on things and begin the recovery process," Scott said. But "we have to make sure things are safe." More than 900,000 homes and businesses in Florida, Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas were without power. The Coast Guard said it rescued at least 27 people before and after the hurricane's landfall, mostly from coastal homes. Nine people had to be rescued by helicopter from a bathroom of a home in hard-hit Panama City after their roof collapsed, Petty Officer 3rd Class Ronald Hodges said. In Panama City, most homes were still standing, but no property was left undamaged. Downed power lines and twisted street signs lay all around. Roofs had been peeled off. Aluminum siding was shredded and homes were split by fallen trees. Hundreds of cars had broken windows. Pine trees were stripped and snapped off about 20 feet high. In neighboring Panama City Beach, Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford reported widespread looting of homes and businesses. He imposed a curfew and asked for 50 members of the National Guard for protection. The hurricane also damaged hospitals and nursing homes in the Panama City area, and officials worked to evacuate hundreds of patients. The damage at Bay Medical Sacred Heart included blown-out windows and a cracked exterior wall but no patients were hurt. The state mental hospital in Chattahoochee, which has a section for the criminally insane, was cut off by land, and food and supplies were being flown in, authorities said. All phone contact was cut off to the complex of nearly 1,000 residents and more than 300 staff, leaving them only with emergency radios to reach the outside world. A man outside Tallahassee, Florida, was killed by a falling tree, and an 11-year-old girl in Georgia died when the winds picked up a carport and dropped it on her home. One of the carport's legs punctured the roof and hit her in the head. A driver in North Carolina was killed when a tree fell on his car. Three more people in the Tallahassee area were killed in separate storm-related incidents, officials told NBC News, though details were not immediately available. As the storm charged inland, it spun off possible tornadoes and downed power lines and trees in Georgia. Forecasters said it could drop up to 7 inches of rain over the Carolinas and Virginia before pushing out to sea Thursday night. In North Carolina's mountains, motorists had to be rescued from cars trapped by high water. High winds toppled trees and power lines, leaving hundreds of thousands without power in the central Piedmont region. Flash flooding also was reported in North Carolina's two largest cities, Charlotte and Raleigh. Forecasters said Michael was still a potent tropical storm Thursday evening, centered about 5 miles northwest of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, and packing top sustained winds of 50 mph. It was racing to the northeast at 24 mph amid warnings it could spread damaging winds and more flash flooding in the region before moving offshore. One way to help people affected by Hurricane Michael is by donating to the Red Cross. Find more information on how to donate here. Associated Press writers Tamara Lush, Gary Fineout, Terry Spencer, Jennifer Kay, Freida Frisaro, Russ Bynum, Jonathan Drew and Seth Borenstein contributed to this story. The small Gulf Coast community of Mexico Beach was known as a slice of Old Florida. Now it lies in splinters. Hit head-on by Hurricane Michael, homes in this town of about 1,190 people were shattered or ripped from their foundations. Boats were tossed like toys. The streets closest to the water looked as if a bomb had gone off. What the 9-foot storm surge didn't destroy, the 155 mph winds finished off. Now, rescuers and residents are struggling to get into the ground-zero town to assess the damage and search for the hundreds of people believed to have stayed behind. Mishelle McPherson and her ex-husband looked for the elderly mother of a friend on Thursday. The woman lived in a small cinderblock house about 150 yards from the Gulf and thought she would be OK. Her home was reduced to crumbled cinderblocks and pieces of floor tile. "Aggy! Aggy!" McPherson yelled. The only sound that came back was the echo from the half-demolished building and the pounding of the surf. "Do you think her body would be here? Do you think it would have floated away?" she asked. As she walked down the street, McPherson pointed out pieces of what had been the woman's house: "That's the blade from her ceiling fan. That's her floor tile." Drone footage of Mexico Beach on Thursday morning showed a stunning landscape of devastation. Few structures were unscathed. John Humphress, a storm chaser and drone pilot, arrived in Mexico Beach around 5 p.m. Wednesday, a few hours after Michael slammed into the coastline. He had one word to describe what he saw: "Apocalyptic." State officials said 285 people in Mexico Beach had refused to leave ahead of the hurricane despite a mandatory evacuation order. A National Guard team went into the area and found 20 survivors overnight, and more crews were pushing into the area on Thursday. The fate of many other residents was unknown, authorities said. Humphress, who spent the night in his truck on a bridge near Mexico Beach, said he didn't see anyone dead. On Thursday, residents who evacuated tried to return. The Rev. Eddie LaFountain, pastor at First Baptist Church in Mexico Beach, was one of them. He described the place as a "good family resort town" that attracts visitors seeking peace and quiet rather than the spring break-like atmosphere of other communities along the 200-mile Florida Panhandle. Most of the full-time residents, he said, have some connection to the hospitality industry. Some operate vacation home rentals, while others work jobs cleaning and maintaining the homes. Others own or work in restaurants, rent out kayaks or operate charter fishing boats. LaFountain himself has a lawn-mowing business. Despite the widespread destruction, LaFountain said he believes most people will rebuild. "I think the people here have a great heart and a lot of resilience. We call them stubborn and hard-headed. I think they will be back," LaFountain said in a phone interview while driving back to Mexico Beach. A Florida hurricane expert said the footage of buildings in Mexico Beach stripped to their concrete foundations was no surprise. "This is what we expect with storm surge and high wind events," said Craig Fugate, former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and a former emergency management chief for the state of Florida. Florida has some of the most stringent hurricane building codes in the country, but they apply only to new or retrofitted structures. Mexico Beach is on the west end of what's called Florida's Forgotten Coast, so named because it is not heavily developed like many of the state's other shoreline areas, with their lavish homes and high-rise condos and hotels. U.S. Route 98 runs right along the coast, where a few beachside restaurants offer oysters and other seafood, cocktails and a view of the Gulf of Mexico. Other communities along the Forgotten Coast include Port St. Joe, Apalachicola, Eastpoint, St. Marks and St. George Island, all places where folks from nearby Tallahassee, Georgia and Alabama like to escape for quiet weekends. As Republican Sen. Marco Rubio tweeted: "Mexico Beach is an old old #Florida town. It's charm is that it feels like a trip back in time to a place unspoiled by development. I was told this morning that is is 'gone.'" The problem came two minutes into the flight: The rocket carrying an American and a Russian to the International Space Station failed Thursday, triggering an emergency that sent their capsule into a steep, harrowing fall back to Earth. The crew landed safely on the steppes of Kazakhstan, but the aborted mission dealt another blow to the troubled Russian space program that currently serves as the only way to deliver astronauts to the orbiting outpost. It also was the first such accident for Russia's manned program in over three decades. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos' Alexei Ovchinin had a brief period of weightlessness when the capsule separated from the malfunctioning Soyuz rocket at an altitude of about 50 kilometers (31 miles), then endured gravitational forces of 6-7 times more than is felt on Earth as they came down at a sharper-than-normal angle. About a half-hour later, the capsule parachuted onto a barren area about 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of the city of Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan. "Thank God the crew is alive," said Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin. All Russian manned launches were suspended pending an investigation into the failure, said Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov. New NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, who watched the launch at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome with his Russian counterpart, said Hague and Ovchinin were in good condition. He added that a "thorough investigation" will be conducted. Hague, 43, and Ovchinin, 47, lifted off at 2:40 p.m. (0840 GMT; 4:40 a.m. EDT). The astronauts were to dock at the space station six hours later and join an American, a Russian and a German on board. But the three-stage Soyuz rocket suffered an unspecified failure of its second stage two minutes after launch. Russian news reports indicated that one of its four first-stage engines might have failed to jettison in sync with others, resulting in the second stage's shutdown and activating the automatic emergency rescue system. For the crew in the capsule, events would have happened very quickly, NASA's deputy chief astronaut Reid Wiseman told reporters at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. An emergency light would have come on and, an instant later, the abort motors would fire to pull the capsule away from the rocket. Wiseman said the only thing that went through his mind was "I hope they get down safe." Search and rescue teams scrambled to recover the crew, and paratroopers were dropped to the site. Dzhezkazgan is about 450 kilometers (280 miles) northeast of Baikonur, and spacecraft returning from the space station normally land in that area. Back at Baikonur, Bridenstine acknowledged in a NASA TV interview that "for a period of time, we didn't know what the situation was." Hague's wife and parents anxiously awaited word at Baikonur, accompanied the whole time by a NASA astronaut who was in the same class as Hague. They all behaved admirably, according to Bridenstine, adding that Hague's wife, Catie, is an Air Force officer like her husband and also a public affairs officer. "It was a tough day, no doubt, but at the end of the day, the training paid off for everybody," he said. Still, Bridenstine said: "We are thrilled that even though it was a launch failure, all of the safety systems worked." The astronauts were returned to Baikonur for medical checks and to see their families. They were spending the night there before heading to Star City, Russia's training center outside Moscow. It was to be the first space mission for Hague, who joined NASA's astronaut corps in 2013 and might have to wait awhile for another shot. Ovchinin spent six months on the orbiting outpost in 2016. Oleg Orlov, the head of Russia's main space medicine center, said the crew was trained to endure higher-than-usual gravity loads and were tightly strapped into their custom-made seats to help withstand the pressure. Flight controllers kept the three space station residents informed, assuring them, "The boys have landed." "Glad our friends are fine," space station commander Alexander Gerst, a European Space Agency astronaut from Germany, tweeted from orbit. "Spaceflight is hard. And we must keep trying for the benefit of humankind." There was no immediate word on whether the space station crew might need to extend its own six-month mission. Two spacewalks planned for later this month were off indefinitely. Hague was supposed to be one of the spacewalkers. NASA said it's dusting off its plans for operating the space station without a crew, just in case the Russian investigation drags into next year. Kenny Todd, a space station manager, said from Houston that the space station crew can stay on board until January. That's just a month beyond their expected mid-December return. Their Soyuz capsule is good for about 200 days in orbit. If the Russian rockets remain grounded until it's time for the crew to come home, flight controllers could operate the station without anyone on board, Todd said. It could operate like that for a long time, barring a major equipment failure, he added. But it will need to be staffed before SpaceX or Boeing launches its crew capsules next year, Todd said. Given that the space station is a $100 billion asset, Todd says it needs to have someone on board for the arrival of the commercial demo missions, for safety reasons. While the Russian program has been dogged by a string of problems with other kinds of launches in recent years, Thursday's incident marked its first manned launch failure since September 1983, when a Soyuz exploded on the launch pad. Borisov said Russia will fully share all relevant information with the U.S., which pays up to $82 million per ride to the space station. "I hope that the American side will treat it with understanding," he said. NASA's Bridenstine emphasized that collaboration with Roscosmos remains important. Relations between Moscow and Washington have sunk to post-Cold War lows over conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, and allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential vote, but they have kept cooperating in space. The Russian Soyuz spacecraft is currently the only vehicle for ferrying crews to the space station following the retirement of the U.S. space shuttle fleet. Russia stands to lose that monopoly with the arrival of SpaceX's Dragon and Boeing's Starliner crew capsules. In August, the space station crew found a hole in a Soyuz capsule docked to the orbiting outpost that caused a brief loss of air pressure before being patched. Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin raised wide concern by saying the leak was a drill hole that was made intentionally during manufacturing or in orbit. He didn't say if he suspected any of the station's crew. In the 1983 launch failure, cosmonauts Vladimir Titov and Gennady Strekalov jettisoned and landed safely near the launch pad after the Soyuz explosion. "It's an unpleasant situation," Titov told the Tass news agency Thursday. "We went through it, and it was very bad." He added that it will take about a week for the crew to fully recover. In 1975, the failure of a Soyuz upper stage sent Vasily Lazarev and Oleg Makarov into a fiery fall to Earth from an altitude of 190 kilometers, subjecting them to enormous G-forces that caused them to black out and temporarily lose sight. They landed on a snowy mountain slope and spent two nights in the cold before rescue crews reached them. Russia has continued to rely on Soviet-designed rockets for commercial satellites, as well as crews and cargo to the space station. While Russian rockets earned a reputation for reliability in the past, the recent launch failures have cast doubt on Russia's ability to maintain its high standards. Glitches found in Russia's Proton and Soyuz rockets in 2016 were traced to manufacturing flaws. Roscosmos sent more than 70 rocket engines back to production lines to replace faulty components, a move that resulted in a yearlong break in Proton launches and badly dented Russia's niche in the global market for commercial launches. With an unassuming air and a black Toyota Tundra he says was "the first new vehicle I've ever purchased," Beto O'Rourke has campaigned thousands of miles across Texas and risen to national prominence on a workaday image that aligns with his politics, but not his personal finances. The son of a onetime Republican county judge and a longtime furniture store owner, the Democratic congressman from El Paso married into the family of one of his hometown's most prominent developers and has assembled real estate investments worth millions. Congress is rife with rich people, but O'Rourke had a 2015 net worth of about $9 million, ranking 51st out of 435 House members, according to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics. That's more-than double the $3.8 million worth of his Republican opponent, Sen. Ted Cruz, who ranked 41st of 100 senators. O'Rourke and his family live in a hilltop, Hacienda-style, 4,700 square-foot home in El Paso, while Cruz, his wife and daughters have a well-appointed condo in an elegant corner of Houston. "I was very fortunate and I recognize that a lot of people don't have that same fortune," O'Rourke told The Associated Press after a community college event in Austin, where he wore his usual campaign outfit of simple button-down shirt and slacks. O'Rourke's rise from punk rocker to star political underdog has become well known as he's mounted a surprisingly competitive Senate bid for a Democrat in the country's largest reliably red state. But the more privileged parts of his life don't fit as easily into his colorful campaign story and are rarely mentioned. Affluence is where the similarities between the candidates ends. O'Rourke champions single-payer health care, raising the minimum wage, reducing student debt and relaxing immigration policies, while Cruz is on the opposite side of those issues. A graduate of a posh Virginia boarding school, O'Rourke and his friend Cedric Bixler-Zavala helped form Foss, an El Paso punk group that toured the country in a station wagon dubbed the "Lumber Wagon." O'Rourke later quit to get a degree in English literature at Columbia University, thanks, he says, to loans, grants and work-study jobs. Cruz followed a straighter path, graduating from Princeton and Harvard Law School. While he was clerking for Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist, O'Rourke was scuffling through a post-college New York experience as a live-in nanny for an Upper West Side family, a proofreader at a publishing house and art mover, while also helping his uncle expand an internet service provider firm. O'Rourke's lean years ended when he moved back to El Paso and co-founded a web design company in 1999. He met his future wife, Amy, on a blind date in 2004 and soon announced he was running for City Council. O'Rourke then got to Congress by upsetting long-serving Rep. Silvestre Reyes in the 2012 Democratic primary. His wife sold a stake worth up to $500,000 in the web firm the same day O'Rourke declared his Senate candidacy. O'Rourke's father in law is Bill Sanders, an El Paso developer whom The New York Times once described as a "white-haired grandee of the Texas borderland" and "one of the most influential figures in a region ruled by mercantile interests." Many O'Rourke supporters haven't heard about his well-to-do background, though some say it's no deal-breaker. "I would have never known that meeting him and hearing his values," said Jordan Flowers, 27, who runs a flower and events company and waited with her 4-year-old-son, Edison, to present a bouquet to O'Rourke after the Austin stop. "He's the people's person." O'Rourke's father, Pat, spent eight-plus years as county commissioner and county judge and was so angry about then-relaxed federal immigration policies that in 1986 he sent President Ronald Reagan a bill for $7.5 million that he said the El Paso county hospital spent treating "undocumented aliens" pouring over the nearby border with Mexico. Cruz's father, Rafael, fled to the U.S. from Cuba with nothing but $100 sewed in his underwear and declared bankruptcy when the future senator was in high school. But Cruz's wife, Heidi, is managing director of Goldman Sachs Group's Houston office. Neither candidate needs to open his personal checkbook for this campaign, having raised about $23 million each in what's become the nation's costliest Senate contest. O'Rourke's mother, Melissa, was also well-known in his hometown as co-owner until last year of Charlotte's Furniture. In 2010, the store paid a $250,000 fine for failing to report cash sales for tax purposes. According to personal financial disclosure records, O'Rourke and his wife still own a stake worth up to $5 million in Peppertree Square, a shopping center where the store was located. Susie Byrd, who served on City Council with O'Rourke, said he grew up comfortable, though not part of a political dynasty. "There's a warm feeling in this community for his parents," Byrd said, "but there wasn't any political infrastructure around him that would have made it easier than for anybody else." After his father's death in 2001, O'Rourke became co-owner of the Imperial Arms, an 18-unit El Paso apartment complex valued in financial disclosure records at up to $5 million. He sold that shortly before launching his Senate bid to Patricia "Isha" Rogers, who has contributed more than $11,000 to O'Rourke campaigns since 2012. O'Rourke denied leaning on a donor to cash in, saying much of the proceeds went toward renovation expenses and the building's mortgage. "What Amy and I took from that, it was maybe in the tens of thousands of dollars," he said. "It was not a money-making proposition for us." A grand jury in New Jersey has indicted rapper Fabolous on counts of domestic violence and making terroristic threats. The rapper, whose real name is John Jackson, was charged in connection with two alleged incidents in Englewood in March. The indictment handed up last week in Bergen County charges him with one count of domestic violence stemming from an incident on March 7. He's charged with two counts for allegedly threatening to shoot or kill three individuals on March 28, including the alleged victim from the earlier incident. He also faces a weapons count for allegedly brandishing a pair of scissors with intent to use them unlawfully. Each of the four third-degree crimes carries a maximum sentence of five years. Jackson's attorney didn't immediately return a message seeking comment. One of San Diego Countys iconic piers is in desperate need of a multi-million dollar upgrade. A recent study revealed the white concrete bridges leading to the wooden pier structure do not meet Californias seismic standards. Oceanside City Councilmember Jack Feller said it will cost roughly $15 million to upgrade the bridges. In the meantime, city engineers said the bridges are safe enough to keep open while the city figures out how to fund a fix. It was like, OK, we gotta save this, Councilmember Esther Sanchez said. Both councilmembers said it was extremely important to the city to get the entire pier up to the states standards. We have to find the money, said Feller, who suggested using potential funds from Measure X if it passes on this Novembers ballot. The half-cent sales tax increase is earmarked to go towards infrastructure improvements. What to Know The deadline to register to vote in California is Oct. 22. To check your registration status, visit voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. All corporate-owned Starbucks locations in California will participate in the program. Customers at a Los Feliz Starbucks may have recognized a familiar face behind the counter on Thursday. Secretary of State Alex Padilla played barista for an hour, serving up "coffee and democracy" as part of the company's voter registration push across California. Padilla worked the morning shift at the Starbucks Reserve, located on 2138 Hillhurst Ave. He worked with Starbucks baristas to prepare coffee and serve customers. Starbucks is partnering with the Secretary of State's "Democracy at Work" program to promote voter registration to customers and employees. All corporate Starbucks locations in California will install a "Coffee and Democracy" poster, featuring California's voter registration deadline and a link to the Secretary of State's online voter registration website. The deadline to register to vote in California is Oct. 22. To check your registration status and information such as voter preferences, what address you currently are registered under and voter history, visit voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. NBC4's Mekahlo Medina contributed to this report. What to Know Part of the criminal case against Harvey Weinstein was dropped in a New York courtroom Thursday His lawyer has said in court filings that prosecutors withheld evidence that would have made the grand jury think twice about charging him Weinstein has pleaded not guilty and is free on $1 million bail Manhattan's district attorney dropped part of the criminal sexual assault case against Harvey Weinstein on Thursday after evidence emerged that a police detective had coached a witness to stay silent about evidence that cast doubt on the account one of his three accusers. The development was announced in court with Weinstein looking on. The 66-year-old former movie mogul, who has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex, still faces charges over allegations that he raped an unidentified woman in his hotel room in 2013 and performed a forcible sex act on a different woman in 2006. The tossed charge involves allegations made by Lucia Evans, who was among the first women to publicly accuse Weinstein of sexual assault. In an expose published in The New Yorker one year ago Wednesday, Evans accused Weinstein of forcing her to perform oral sex when they met alone in his office in 2004 to discuss her fledgling acting career. At the time, Evans was a 21-year-old college student. She said she had initially met Weinstein at a restaurant in Manhattan earlier that summer. Prosecutors said in a letter unsealed Thursday that they learned weeks ago that a female friend who was with Evans the night she met Weinstein had given a police detective a contradictory account of what happened. The woman, prosecutors said, told the detective in February that Weinstein had offered them money to flash their breasts during the restaurant encounter. They initially declined but Evans later told her she had gone ahead and exposed herself to the film producer in a hallway. The woman also told the detective that sometime after Evans' office meeting with Weinstein, she had suggested what happened was consensual. Weinstein had promised to get her an acting job if she agreed to perform oral sex and she agreed. According to the witness, who was not named in the court filing, Evans had been drinking and "appeared to be upset, embarrassed and shaking" when she told the story. Prosecutors said the police detective didn't share any of that information with prosecutors and urged the woman not to reveal details, saying "less is more," and that she had no obligation to cooperate with investigators. Prosecutors also disclosed that they had discovered a draft email that Evans had written three years ago to a man who is now her husband that "describes details of the sexual assault that differ from the account" she provided to investigators. Assistant District Attorney Joan Illuzzi-Orbon told the judge that prosecutors wouldn't oppose dismissal of the count in the case involving Evans. She insisted the rest of the case, involving two other accusers, was strong. "In short, your honor, we are moving full steam ahead," she said. Evans' lawyer, Carrie Goldberg, furiously said outside court that her client had been abandoned by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. for no reason. "Let me be clear: the decision to throw away my client's sexual assault charges says nothing about Weinstein's guilt or innocence. Nor does it reflect on Lucia's consistent allegation that she was sexually assaulted with force by Harvey Weinstein," she said in a written statement. "It only speaks volumes about the Manhattan DA's office and its mishandling of my client's case." She insisted Evans has told the truth and disputed that she either showed Weinstein her breasts or misled investigators. Weinstein's lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, told the judge he believed Evans had lied both to the grand jury and to The New Yorker about her encounter with Weinstein. "The integrity of these proceedings has been compromised," he said. Outside court, he suggested that Evans should be prosecuted criminally for perjury. "This is an attack on the fundamental integrity of the grand jury process. If you have a person willing to commit perjury in the grand jury, that is as serious as the crime of sexual assault because it undermines the fairness of the process for all of us." Brafman identified the detective in the case as Nicholas DiGaudio. A message left on a phone used by the detective in the past wasn't immediately returned. The union represented New York City police detectives also didn't immediately return a message. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is free on $1 million bail. Images of Weinstein in handcuffs were seen by many women as a cathartic moment in the #MeToo reckoning. The collapse of part of the case against him could mean trouble for the prosecutor. Vance has already been fiercely criticized for declining to prosecute Weinstein when an Italian model accused him of grabbing her breasts in 2015. At the time, Vance cited a lack of supporting evidence, despite the existence of a clandestinely made recording of Weinstein discussing the episode with the woman. In the months after The New York Times and The New Yorker began publishing stories about Weinstein's interactions with women, activists pressured Vance to bring charges as dozens of people came forward with claims of sexual misconduct against him. New York Police officials poured on the pressure, too, saying publicly that they believed they had gathered ample evidence to make an arrest. The Associated Press does not identify alleged victims of sexual assaults unless they come forward publicly, as Evans has done. A relaxing vacation took a turn in the wrong direction for one Florida woman after she says her car was stolen while the keys were in the possession of a local hotel. She reached out to NBC 6 Responds after her communication with hotel management went cold. Diana Hechavarria says her trip to South Florida is one she will never forget. I was really sad, a little disillusioned with what happened, Hechavarria told us. Her 2012 C250 Mercedes- Benz was stolen from the Oceanside Hotel in Miami Beach where she was staying. The whole incident caught on surveillance video. You see these three individuals come to the front desk kind of look around grab the keys, go into a closet at the hotel, take some luggage, walk to my car, open the trunk, put the luggage in and drive off, said Hechavarria as she described the surveillance video. Hechavarria says she left her car keys with a front desk employee earlier that night. She says guests were asked to leave their keys when they left the property without their vehicles. I asked if I indeed had to leave the keys and he said yes, so I left the keys with him, left in my Uber," she said. "And didnt think twice about it. The surveillance video shows a hotel employee walk out of the lobby, leaving the keys unattended, minutes before three men enter the hotel. You expect a business to take care of your property as if it were their own, but then you realize individuals dont really care about your property as you care about your property, said Hechavarria. It seems like they didnt take any what I would consider reasonable precaution to make sure those keys were protected and safe, said Attorney Bonnie Riley. According to Riley, a business or hotel is expected to take 'reasonable or ordinary care' of items in their possession. But in court, it is the responsibility of the property owner to prove negligence. Its why she says you need to ask questions up front. You might want to ask them, where they are parking the car, who has access to the keys, who is watching the keys, do they lock the car when they leave, said Riley. She says it is good to document as much as possible if something comes up missing. In Dianas case, she reported the incident to police but didnt get anything in writing about the incident from hotel management. She says hotel management bought her a plane ticket back home but did not follow up on a promise to pay her insurance deductible and other transportation-related expenses. She now has advice for others. Make sure you know who you are dealing with and there is some type of contract beforehand to make sure you know who is liable for what so you dont find yourself in this situation, said Hechavarria. Oceanside Hotel and its parent company, South Beach Group Hotels, both declined to comment. Hechavarria's stolen car was found crashed in another state. Her insurance company declared it a total loss. No one has been arrested in the crime. What to Know A 4-year-old girl brought capsules filled with crack cocaine home from her day care, her mom said The girl was rushed to the hospital after telling her mom she put one of the capsules in her mouth, where she tested positive for the drug The girl said a classmate had given her the capsules, telling her they contained teeth A 4-year-old girl who brought capsules filled with crack cocaine home from her day care was rushed to the hospital after telling her mom shed put one of them in her mouth. The girl came home with several vials that a classmate had given her at Lil Inventors Child Care, on Andrews Avenue in the Fordham Manor section of the Bronx, her mother Sabrina Straker told NBC 4 New York. The girl told Straker the classmate had given her his tooth, but when Straker looked at the vials, it was clear that wasnt the case, she said. I look at it, and its not one piece its two smaller pieces, she said. [I thought], OK, clearly this is not a tooth. Straker brought the vials to a local precinct, where she was told by a narcotics detective that they contained crack cocaine, she told News 4. Thats when Strakers daughter, who was acting hyper, told her shed tasted one of the teeth at the behest of her friend, she said. We kept saying, Why are you so hyper today, Serenity? Normally, you think she has a lot of sugar or something like that at school, Straker said. The girl was rushed to the hospital, where she tested positive for crack cocaine, Straker said. Strakers daughter has recovered from the incident, but hasnt returned to the day care, Straker said. Im frustrated, Im annoyed, Im disappointed, she said. The daycare didnt immediately provide a statement or information about the incident to News 4 on Wednesday. Police told News 4 theyre investigating the incident. What to Know Five NY doctors and others have been charged with illegally prescribing, distributing millions of oxycodone pills, prosecutors say U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman described the doctors and other healthcare professionals charged today as drug dealers in white coats. The defendants are expected to appear in federal court in Manhattan Thursday afternoon Six separate investigations have resulted in the arrest of five doctors, a pharmacist, a nurse practitioner, and two others all of whom face decades in prison if convicted of illegally prescribing and distributing millions of oxycodone pills, prosecutors say. Dante A. Cubangbang, 50, a physician, and John F. Gargan, 62, a nurse practitioner, together with two other defendants, operated a medical clinic in Queens. Cubangbang and Gargan allegedly prescribed over 6 million oxycodone pills to individuals who had no medical need and collected over $5 million in cash fees. Cubangbang allegedly prescribed 12,000 opioid pills to just one patient, according to the criminal complaint. Together, Cubangbang and Gargan prescribed more than twice as many oxycodone pills paid for by Medicare and Medicaid than the next highest prescriber in New York, court papers say. "They are the highest prescribers of oxycodone in the entire state," U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said. In 2012, the I-Team obtained a list by the New York State Department of Health that outlined prescriptions that were covered by Medicaid in 2011 and shows exactly how much taxpayers shelled out based on each doctors recommendations and the specific number of prescriptions each doctor approved. Cubangbang was among the top 10 prescribers for the opioids of Opana and Oxycontin on that list. Another doctor facing charges following the investigations is Carl Anderson, 57, a Staten Island physician, who allegedly prescribed over one million oxycodone pills to individuals with no medical need and who, in many cases, displayed visible signs of drug addiction and met them without appointments and sometimes in the middle of the night. Anderson also prescribed pills to another defendant, Arthur Grand, who sold them on the street, court papers say. Anthony Pietropinto, 80, a psychiatrist, allegedly wrote thousands of oxycodone prescriptions in exchange for $50 to $100 in cash fees paid for after-hours visits to office space he rented, prosecutors say. NKanga Nkanga, 65, a Staten Island physician, allegedly prescribed thousands of oxycodone pills to patients including to some who showed signs of drug addiction and to others whom he never examined, prosecutors say. Nadem J. Sayegh, 64, a physician with offices in the Bronx and Westchester who is from Yonkers, Queens, is charged with writing oxycodone prescriptions to an individual and to that persons family members names, and variations of those names, in return for thousands of dollars in cash, expensive dinners, cruises and all-expense paid trips, court papers say. Marc Klein, 47, a White Plains pharmacist, filled oxycodone prescriptions he knew were illegitimate and made false reports to New York State authorities in return for cash and a vacation, court papers say. From drug cartels to street distributors, law enforcement is targeting all levels of drug traffickers amidst the worst drug crisis in American history, DEA Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt said. The worst villains in the fight against drug abuse are doctors whose criminal actions fuel addiction and overdoses. Berman described the doctors and other healthcare professionals charged today as drug dealers in white coats. In the Thursday press conference announcing the opioid drug bust, Berman pointed to a chart showing the skyrocketing scourge of opioid drugs. "We are in the middle of an opioid epidemic of grave proportions," he said, adding that one reason was alleged shady doctors. Parts of the cases were investigated by the DEAs Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force comprised of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The defendants are expected to appear in federal court in Manhattan Thursday afternoon. Attorney information for the defendants was not immediately available. A group of friends' game of Dungeons and Dragons in upstate New York was unexpectedly interrupted by an armed robbery. The three men and one woman told Niagara Falls police officers that a trio of robbers entered through an unsecured side door and held them up with a shotgun Monday night. The Niagara Gazette reports the robbers demanded the players hand over their cellphones and wallets. The robbers also took a PlayStation 4, a vehicle belonging to one of the victims and several swords. An incident report says the trio told the victims that they would kill them if they contacted the police. Police are investigating. What to Know A retired upstate NY sheriff's deputy who served on his local town board pleaded guilty to fatally shooting another man earlier this year Wyoming County District Attorney's office says Joseph Mlyniec, 61, pleaded guilty to 2d-degree murder in the slaying of Robert Irvine III Mlyniec served as a sheriff's deputy for more than two decades and was elected to the Perry Town Board in 2013 A retired upstate New York sheriff's deputy who served on his local town board has pleaded guilty to fatally shooting another man earlier this year. The Wyoming County District Attorney's office says 61-year-old Joseph Mlyniec pleaded guilty Thursday to second-degree murder in the slaying of Robert Irvine III. Authorities say Mlyniec shot the 32-year-old Irvine in the head with a handgun on March 7 in Mlyniec's driveway in the rural town of Perry. Investigators believed Irvine and Mlyniec had a sexual relationship before the shooting and that Irvine was a potential witness against the older man in a sexual abuse investigation. Mlyniec will be sentenced Nov. 14 to 15 years to life in prison. Mlyniec served as a sheriff's deputy for more than two decades and was elected to the Perry Town Board in 2013. What to Know A former WeWork employee is suing the company claiming she was sexually assaulted by two employees at company-wide events Ruby Anaya, who lives in New York City, filed the lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court on Thursday The former employee claims the coworking giant fosters an "entitled, frat-boy culture" that pushes drinking on its employees A former WeWork employee was sexually assaulted by two fellow WeWork employees at company-wide events incidents enabled by the coworking giant's "entitled, frat-boy culture," a new lawsuit charges. Ruby Anaya, 33, who lives in New York City, started working in WeWorks technology department as a director of product management in 2014, a lawsuit filed against the company and its co-founder Miguel McKelvey in Manhattan Supreme Court on Thursday says. In 2017, Anaya became WeWorks Director of Culture, according to the suit. The lawsuit claims Anaya had just left the stage at a company-wide "Summit" event in January 2018 after presenting an award when she tripped over one of her heels and stumbled as she was trying to navigate the large and alcohol-infused crowd, the lawsuit says. Anaya put her hand on a mans shoulder to steady herself, then apologized and told the man shed almost tripped, at which point the man grabbed her waist, pulled her toward him and forcibly kissed her, the suit claims. She pushed the man away and slapped him, but he just smiled at her, according to the suit. Anaya told her coworkers what had happened after the incident and reported it to WeWork's human resources department, but didnt hear anything after a month, the suit says. When Anaya reached out to an HR employee about the investigation, the employee told her the company had interviewed the male employee, who'd said he "had no recollection of the incident and would have remembered if he had been slapped, the suit says. The HR employee told Anaya the man was a high performer, and said the company had closed out the investigation, according to the suit. Distraught, Anaya sent a text message to McKelvey and to WeWork's Chief People Officer about the incident, but McKelvey never responded, the suit claims. The January incident wasnt the first time Anaya was sexually assaulted by a male WeWork employee, according to the lawsuit. At a "Summer Camp" event in August 2017, Anaya was in a crowd of employees when one of them grabbed her from behind in a sexual manner, the lawsuit claims. Anaya took his hands off of her and told him not to touch her, but the employee just smiled and walked away, the suit says. Anaya reported the incident to HR the next day, but the employee later told HR he was black-out drunk and had no recollection of the incident, according to the lawsuit. The HR department told Anaya the man would take a sexual harassment prevention course, the suit says. Both men still work at the company today, according to the suit. The sexual harassment and assaults of [Anaya] did not happen in a vacuum, the suit says. They are product in part of the entitled, frat-boy culture that permeates WeWork from the top down. The lawsuit claims WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann asked Anaya whether she drank tequila during her interview with the company, pouring her shots when she said she did. WeWork also stocks free beer at its outposts and has a mandated happy hour for employees every Friday, which employees are pressured to attend, according to the suit. The "Summits," for which attendance is mandatory, are a huge, three-day, alcohol- and drug-laden party for all employees at the company, the lawsuit claims. More than one WeWork employee in the companys New York office has commented to [Anaya]... that its only a matter of time until someone gets raped at one of the company's events, the suit says. The suit claims Anaya was fired on Aug. 3, after shed voiced disagreement and distress over WeWorks decision not to fire the second WeWork employee who allegedly assaulted her, and brought up concerns about women at WeWork not receiving the same pay as men. McKelvey told Anaya she had not been showing up for her team when he fired her, according to the suit, but she claims that the timing of [her] termination was no accident. Aug. 3 was just before the companys 2018 Summer Camp event, and just before [Anaya] was to vest in another tranche of her stock options options that have increased tremendously in value since she began working, the suit says. A WeWork spokesperson on Thursday called Anayas claims meritless, adding that the company would fight this lawsuit. "WeWork has always been committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive and safe workplace," the spokesperson said in a statement. "WeWork investigated this employees complaints, took appropriate action, and this employee was terminated solely because of her poor performance." The spokesperson claimed Anaya received negative performance reviews, including one more than a year before she was terminated, adding that she was rated as one of the lowest performers on her team, based on feedback from her peers and managers. Upon being terminated, she acknowledged her poor performance and that she hadnt been showing up to work regularly, the statement added. She even expressed concerns about her performance to a colleague shortly before her termination. The lawsuit, however, claims Anaya received almost exclusively positive feedback on her work efforts and performance and only positive performance reviews up until she was fired. Anaya's attorney Seth Rafkin on Thursday said his client "denies the statement's WeWork's unidentified spokesperson has asserted." "We also note the obvious: if our client had been a poor performer for a year or more, why didn't WeWork ever give her a warning or a performance plan, something human resources professionals will tell you is typical practice?" he asked in a statement. "And why did the decision to fire her come only after she complained again about a sexual assault and the way it was handled?" WeWork's spokesperson on Thursday noted that WeWork's "Summits" are three-day business meetings, with a single evening event. Friday happy hours, the spokesperson added, are not mandatory. Anaya is seeking damages including lost wages and benefits, as well as attorneys fees and costs of suit. WeWork provides shared office space for rent by entrepreneurs, freelancers, artists and other businesses. What to Know NYC public school teachers reached a tentative deal on a new union contract that includes extra pay for positions that are hard to staff The agreement between the city and the United Federation of Teachers also includes raises of 2% in 2019, 2.5% in 2020 and 3% in 2021 The contract covers 129,000 workers, including teachers, guidance counselors, social workers, paraprofessionals and school psychologists New York City public school teachers have reached a tentative deal on a new union contract that includes extra pay for positions that are hard to staff. The agreement announced Thursday between the city and the United Federation of Teachers also includes raises of 2 percent in 2019, 2.5 percent in 2020 and 3 percent in 2021. Under the deal, up to 180 schools that have struggled to retain teachers will be able to pay $5,000 to $8,000 extra for teachers in hard-to-staff positions. The contract also includes plans for a new screening test to determine whether prospective teachers are psychologically suitable. The test is being developed. The contract covers 129,000 workers. They include 79,000 teachers plus guidance counselors, social workers, paraprofessionals and school psychologists. President Donald Trump accused Hillary Clinton without evidence of engaging in a conspiracy with Russia to affect the 2016 election during a campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, Wednesday night, NBC News reported. "There was collusion between Hillary, the Democrats and Russia," Trump said, just after his supporters had chanted "lock her up" about Clinton. "There was a lot of collusion with them and Russia and lots of other people." Special counsel Robert Mueller is investigating whether Trump or his operation colluded with Russia or obstructed justice afterward. But Trump allies in Congress and on cable news programs have argued that Democrats, Justice Department and FBI officials and the Clinton campaign conspired to frame him. Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill said Trump is in fantasy land. Delusion, not collusion, he said. Give a man a fish and hes hungry again in an hour. Teach a man to fish and hell go fishing on Broad Street. Wait, what? If you were walking in Center City Philadelphia Wednesday, you may have noticed a peculiar sight. Mike Iaconelli, of Pittsgrove, New Jersey, sat near a storm drain at Broad and Race streets holding a fishing rod. Next to him sat a channel catfish in a yellow bucket that he claimed he caught in the inlet. A lot of people dont know, Broad Street, all this runs in the Schuylkill River which runs in the Delaware River, he said. People can have great fishing right here in Center City and a lot of people dont realize that. Iaconelli, who told NBC10 he's gone city fishing since he was a child, said hes caught everything from American eels to snakeheads to rats while city fishing. His bait of choice? Hot dogs and Philadelphia soft pretzels. People that are done with their food, they throw it in so this is natural, he said. These are Philly fish, all the way. Tried and true. If [the] fish could talk, theyd probably say, E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles! Iaconelli told NBC10 he fishes for sport and releases anything he catches. Its fun. Its real relaxing, he said. It keeps me outside. Keeps me in good shape. So was the catfish Iaconelli showed off actually swimming in the storm drain? John DiGiulio of the Philadelphia Water Department has his doubts, considering how far the location is from the river. We at the Water Department have never pulled a living fish out of an inlet and the location of it makes it extremely unlikely that it occurred naturally, DiGiulio said. Iaconelli is also a professional bass tournament angler and the host of a new city fishing show on Nat Geo Wild, which calls into question whether or not his Center City fishing was a publicity stunt. One large-mouth clue that points to a stunt: The Nat Geo Wild show premieres on Friday. Iaconelli insisted however that he regularly goes fishing on Broad Street. He even suggested it was a bit therapeutic when it comes to dealing with the hustle and bustle of a big city. The noise, all this, it kind of disappears, he said. And I get to meet great people and catch some fish. Police and FBI agents searched a Hudson Valley, New York, home Wednesday and arrested the 56-year-old man living there after learning about his alleged plan to build a bomb and blow himself up in Washington, D.C., on Election Day, two law enforcement officials told News 4 New York. Court documents say Paul Rosenfeld wanted to draw attention to his belief in an ancient election system called "sortition," a method of choosing political officials at random. Officials tell News 4 Rosenfeld had no criminal history but had told a reporter in Pennsylvania he planned to blow himself up on the National Mall around Election Day because he was angry about the country's direction. FBI agents pulled over Rosenfeld while he was driving on Tuesday, and he confessed to the plot, telling them he ordered black powder over the Internet and built a bomb in his basement. Authorities searching his home found eight pounds of black powder explosive meant to be used in a bomb that would ultimately weigh 200 pounds. He had no plans to hurt anyone else, officials said. He is believed to be a lone actor not affiliated with any international terror group or ideology. Rosenfeld was charged in federal court with unlawful manufacture of a destruction device and interstate transportation and receipt of an explosive. "Had he been successful, Rosenfelds alleged plot could have claimed the lives of innocent bystanders and caused untold destruction," said FBI Assistant Director in Charge William Sweeney. The supervisor for the Rockland County town said in a statement that "there is no danger to the public." It was not immediately clear whether Rosenfeld had an attorney, the Associated Press reported. Red Rose Rescue Charges Dismissed Within Minutes of Trial Start WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2018 / WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2018 / Christian Newswire / -- Life Legal attorney John Garza was in court this morning on behalf of four "Red Rose Rescue" defendants who were charged with criminal trespass after they entered Capital Women's Services in Washington, DC in July. The rescuers went to the abortion facility to give the women information about abortion and alternatives, along with a red rose. The Red Rose Rescue case was the first case called by the judge, which is unusual since typically courts elect to dispense with procedural and other less time-consuming matters before calling up trials such as this one. The judge asked the parties whether they were ready for trial and U.S. Attorney Jana Maser, prosecuting the case for the government, replied that she was not ready, as she could not produce any witnesses. The judge then asked Garza how he would like to proceed. Garza requested a dismissal of all charges, which was immediately granted. According to Red Rose Rescuer Fr. David Nix, "This all took place in less than thirty seconds." Life Legal was prepared to put on a necessity defense, citing the dangers to babies as well as women posed by the abortion facility. Capital Women's Services is affiliated with Steven Brigham, a notorious late-term abortion doctor. Brigham has been charged with neglect and fraud in several states for gravely injuring women and was charged with the murder of ten second and third-trimester babies in Maryland. The necessity defense can be employed when a defendant's conduct is necessary to prevent a greater harm. In this case, we know that Brigham's facilities have a long record of egregious violations against women, including the death of at least one patient. Fr. Nix and the other rescuers had informed Mr. Garza that "because we were there to save lives, we would not accept any plea-bargain or community service." "We are pleased with the outcome of today's trial," said Life Legal Defense Foundation Executive Director Alexandra Snyder. "The Red Rose Rescuers are heroes in the pro-life movement, willing to sacrifice their freedom to prevent women and babies from becoming victims of the abortion holocaust. We are honored to stand in their defense and in the defense of the dignity of human life." About Life Legal Defense Foundation Community leaders launched a new awareness campaign at the downtown library Wednesday to create awareness about how domestic violence happens. County officials say there were more than 17,000 domestic violence reports in 2017 and nearly a dozen turned deadly. However, most domestic violence isnt reported. We create bigger and louder spaces so people can come forward without shame, judgment and fear, Jessica Yaffa, the San Diego Domestic Violence Council President, told NBC 7. Part of Wednesdays event was about what to do if someone tells you theyre a victim of domestic violence and how to point them to places in the county that can help. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Lung cancer deaths are 28 percent lower in California than the rest of the nation thanks to statewide policies against tobacco, according to a study from the University of California, San Diego published Wednesday. The study was conducted by researchers at UCSDs School of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center. Early efforts to stop the use of tobacco by the state saw fewer people start smoking and more people quit, researchers said. It is clear that from the early days of tobacco control, young people in California became increasingly less likely to become addicted smokers, said UCSD professor and the studys lead author, John P. Pierce. In the 1980s, California highlighted the link between smoking and lung cancer and set up the nations first tobacco control program run by the states Department of Public Health, according to the study. Californians under 35 who do smoke consumed 30 percent less cigarettes than the rest of the country. They also had a 24 percent higher quit rate, said Dr. Scott M. Lippman, director of the Moores Cancer Center. Lung cancer deaths in California decreased from 108 per 100,000 people to nearly 63 from 1985 to 2013, said Lippman. This decline is 33 percent faster than that of the national average. While quitting smoking has increased across the country, this does not explain why the decline in lung cancer has been so much faster in California, Lippman said. This can only be attributed to the success of tobacco control in this state, which has been so effective in convincing young people not to smoke. More than 7,000 chemicals are found in tobacco cigarettes, and at least one percent of which are known to cause cancer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. People who smoke are 15 to 30 times more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than those who dont. Smokers make up 90 percent of all lung cancer cases in the U.S., according to the study. Quitting smoking at any age will improve a persons quality of life, said Pierce. But quitting before the age of 35 could help smokers avoid nearly all the negative health effects of smoking. UCSD looked at survey responses from nearly one million people, 10 percent of which were California residents. The data ranged from 1970 to 2014. The research study was partly funded by the California Tobacco Related Disease Research Program. What to Know Polls show Democrat Jennifer Wexton with a lead of more than 6 percent over Republican incumbent Barbara Comstock. Political analysts say Comstock, who previously won big in Frederick County, is now fighting a blue wave there. Demographic changes in the western part of the 10th congressional district may help Wexton push ahead. Harry Jaffe, a longtime chronicler of the people and politics of Washington, D.C., writes an opinion column for NBC Washington's First Read DMV blog. Go west, young Democrat! That could be the new motto for aspiring Virginia politicians like State Sen. Jennifer Wexton, whos trying to become the first Democrat in 37 years to represent Virginias 10th congressional district. For decades, Republicans have dominated the district which stretches from nearby D.C. suburbs like McLean and Manassas, due west over the Blue Ridge past Winchester by relying on strong turnout by conservative, rural voters in Frederick County, surrounding Winchester, hard by the West Virginia line. Republican incumbent Rep. Barbara Comstock won the seat twice by piling up huge margins in Frederick County. In 2016, she trounced Democrat LuAnn Bennett 27,900 to 11,677. But now Frederick County is a battleground, and perhaps Comstocks last stand. "Its critically important for Comstock that the western side of the district is energized," said Quentin Kidd, author and public policy professor at Christopher Newport University. "She needs every last vote out of those precincts." Kidd and other political observers believe Comstock is struggling against a political riptide that already has washed away her western base. "The steady march of blue and purple urban residents is moving farther and farther west," said Kidd. "Its playing out in the 10th for sure." The pitched battle has brought Comstock, Wexton and their activists to the doors of voters from Stephens City, to the south, to burgeoning new developments like Snowden Bridge, north of Winchester. "The momentum is building for Jennifer," said Cleo Usmani, grassroots activist and chair of community outreach for the Frederick County Democratic Committee. "We see much more passion from Democrats than before. Jennifer has a good shot at taking Frederick County." The GOP is hardly rolling over. The Frederick County Republican Committees website says its "Conservative to the Core." Chairman Tim Stowe said he "still sees a lot of excitement" among voters. With less than a month until the Nov. 6 general election, the latest three polls have shown Wexton with a lead of more than 6 percent. The most recent Washington Post-Schar School poll reported a 12-point lead for the Democrat. Based on polling, it may seem to be Wextons race to lose, but if she fails to campaign out west, in Frederick County, Wexton could turn out to be the Hillary Clinton of 2018. Clintons failure to show up in Wisconsin contributed to be her undoing. Wextons negative ads have cast Comstock as "Trumpstock" for her lockstep support of President Donald Trumps policies. Comstock has countered with ads charging Wexton with the standard GOP attack lines of being soft on crime and high on taxes. Polls show Wexton riding the wave of anti-Trump vitriol in the close-in suburban towns of Manassas, McLean and Prince William County. Geography and demographics might be as important as politics and policy, if not more, in determining the outcome of the Virginia 10th race. Where Comstock is an entrenched, inside-the-Beltway Republican political operative based in McLean, Jennifer Wexton has built her brand as a country lawyer based in Leesburg. Shes the first Democrat from Loudoun County to run for the House. I asked Wexton a 50-year-old mother of two why Democrats finally nominated a candidate from Leesburg. "After twice running candidates from McLean," she answered, "maybe they finally realized it makes sense running someone from the center of the district, who knows the people and their problems." Makes sense, since the region in and around Wextons home base of Leesburg is bursting at the seams, and Loudoun County is the wealthiest in the nation, according to the latest census. "Weve witnessed a major demographic change," said Kristen Umstattd, who served as Leesburg mayor from 2000 to 2016, "with new residents from Latin America, South Asia and Africa." She ran as an independent eight times until her last election, when she threw in with the Democrats. The party then helped elect her to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. "Leesburg is emblematic of what I see happening in the county," Umstattd said. Political analysts also divine trends in the changing landscape. "Its not just more populace," said Dante Chinni, who directs the American Communities Project at George Washington University and writes the Politics Count blog for The Wall Street Journal. "Its the kind of people filling up Leesburg and Loudoun: college-educated whites and immigrants with impressive credentials. "Virginia 10th is a perfect example of a larger trend were seeing in the rest of the country," he said. "The Republican Party is losing its grip on these voters." Two years ago, the day before the election that put him in the White House, Trump held a raucous rally at the Loudoun County fairgrounds, south of Leesburg. But Trump ended up losing Loudoun County and Virginias 10th to Hillary Clinton. Comstock, first elected in 2014, defeated Bennett in her last election, 53-47. But Comstock lost Leesburg, especially the east side of town, where Bennett won big. "If Wexton captures Leesburg with big margins, the rest of the district will come," Chinni, said. Coming up in Leesburg, Wexton served as a Loudoun County prosecutor in the early 2000s. She lost her bid for commonwealth attorney in 2011 but won a seat in the state Senate in 2014. "Leesburg has always been my base," she said. "Every time I go to the rec center or grocery store, I see friends and associates people I have worked with. Its earned me a great deal of respect, friendship and loyalty from a lot of people. I hope it translates to the ballot box." Her issues? In order: Health care, gun violence prevention and transportation. "I hear from a lot of young families with kids in the public schools," she said. "They want leaders in the state and federal governments who can work across the aisle to achieve better results in public education, solve traffic problems and create good jobs." Neither Comstock nor her campaign responded to interview requests. On the issues, her website touts increasing defense spending; fighting for tax relief and working "with our districts wide-ranging agriculture businesses." Issues aside, Comstock faces a presidential problem exacerbated by her districts demographics. "Comstock is walking a political tightrope," said Dave Wasserman, U.S. House editor of The Cook Political Report. "She cannot afford to alienate voters in the eastern part of the district by cozying up to Trump. But she has to motivate pro-Trump voters in the Shenandoah Valley, or they wont come to the polls. Barbara Comstock might be getting squeezed out, he said. By casting herself as an independent Republican, Comstock is putting herself in a political no mans land, said Kidd, of Christopher Newport University. "Shes trying to find common ground where there is none." Democrats and progressives have been finding fertile ground in the western part of Loudoun County, heading west to Winchester. The city at the intersection of Route 81 and Route 7 was once known for its apple harvest. Now its thriving on a revived downtown mall, industries along Route 81, health care and education. In 2016, Winchester elected John David Smith as its first black mayor and the first Democrat since 1988. Students at downtown Handley High and Frederick Countys Sherando High School staged walkouts on Oct. 6 to protest Judge Brett Kavanaugh ascending to the U.S. Supreme Court. "That might not have taken place a few years ago," a Democratic activist working in Frederick County said. The student walkouts were cheered on by Carina Naghib, a teacher who lives in the Snowden Bridge development with her husband and two children. Naghib, 34, moved to Frederick County with her family five years ago from Miami. Her family has settled in to the development north of Winchester and about to move into a larger home. "Our community is mostly young families and totally diverse in religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation," she said. "We have 'refugees' from Northern Virginia and newcomers from China, the Dominican Republic and Thailand. Theres a mix of liberal and conservative." How will she vote? "Ill vote for Jennifer Wexton and tell all my friends to do the same," she said. "If you care about womens rights, health care, education and the future for our kids going forward, you have to go with Wexton." She said she has neighbors who feel just as passionately about Comstock and support Trump, but that shes feeling the political ground shifting. "We have a chance of swinging the vote for Wexton," Naghib said. "I would love to see her have more of a presence in Frederick County. It would pay off." Harry Jaffe, a longtime chronicler of the people and politics of Washington, D.C., writes a column for NBC Washington's First Read DMV blog. A man who stopped at a gas station in Northeast D.C. Tuesday night was carjacked and killed, police say. Curtis Barnum, of Southeast D.C., died after he was stabbed in the 3700 block of Minnesota Avenue NE, blocks east of I-295. He was 53. Barnum was a partially disabled home improvement contractor who was known for giving neighbors rides in his white truck whenever they needed them, his sister Wendii Burstion said. "If you needed a ride, he would give it to you. If he had five, he would give you two-fifty. That was Curtis. Whatever else was going on, my brother had a great heart," she said. D.C. police say they caught Barnum's killer because he returned to the crime scene the following morning. Antione Little, 42, was arrested Wednesday morning and charged with murder. Barnum went to the gas station after 10 p.m. and parked near the door, under a large light. He went inside to buy something and then got back into his truck. A man then stabbed him several times and drove off in his truck, leaving him on the pavement. The crime was caught on surveillance cameras. D.C. officers were flagged down about 10:35 p.m. Barnum was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His sister had strong words for the suspected killer. "That person's going to burn in hell. And hopefully I'll meet him there," she said. Police had not found Barnum's truck as of Wednesday night. It's a white 2010 Ford F-150 with front-end damage. It was last seen with the Maryland tag 6DA0780. Anyone with information for police is asked to call 202-727-9099 or text 50411. A man died in D.C. Wednesday after he tried to use a Metro station escalator while sitting in a wheelchair and fell backward, officials say. The man, who was not immediately identified, was fatally injured in the Columbia Heights Metro station, Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said. He was using an electric wheelchair in the Northwest D.C. station about 1:30 p.m. According to security camera footage, he initially tried to head up using the elevator, Stessel said. The man waited for the elevator for 10 to 15 seconds and then headed toward the escalator. He gripped the handrails on either side. But as he ascended, he fell backward and his wheelchair fell on top of him. The station manager and several bystanders helped him, but he was critically injured. "I seen a guy laid out. I saw his legs was all bloody really bad. I saw about 10 people crowded around him," said Shaun Stepney, who witnessed the aftermath of the accident. Paramedics found him at the bottom of the escalator and rushed him to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Information on the nature of his injuries was not released immediately. Investigators were on the escalator for hours taking photos and notes. The escalator is at the station's east entrance, between street level and the mezzanine level. Metro officials said the elevator the man tried to use before the accident was fully functional and it appeared to be operating normally hours afterward. Some Manchester, New Hampshire residents have a lot of questions after the Fish and Game Department shot and killed two bear cubs very close to some apartment buildings. John Pelletier and his wife Sandy were sitting outside their Sundance Village Apartment on Tuesday morning when they realized they had some company. Standing right where we are were two black bear cubs, Pelletier said. The bears quickly scurried off into the woods. Minutes later, the couple heard gunshots. Im an animal lover and its very upsetting to me, Sandy Pelletier said. In trying to figure out what had happened, John Pelletier approached a man who he said was dragging one of the dead bears out of the woods. He picked up the bear by the neck and the rump and threw it into the back of the pickup truck, he recalled. The Pelletiers said the man refused to identify himself and sped off without any explanation. It was just all so suspicious, Sandy Pelletier said. But Glenn Normandeau with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department said the man was an experienced biologist checking on the cubs. He said the expert made a split-second decision to shoot the bears as they made a beeline for a busy road. Trying to prevent a traffic accident caused by these bears going onto the highway, Normandeau explained on Thursday. The Pelletiers are so frustrated by the bears fate that they plan to bring their concerns to the governors office. This was a man who showed up here with the intention of nothing but killing two bear cubs, John Pelletier said. But wildlife officials said its just the opposite. Nobody likes doing this, Normandeau said. Lots of neighbors are asking, why not tranquilize the bears? Normandeau said the cubs needed to be stopped in their tracks immediately before they could enter the road, and a tranquilizer can take several minutes to work. As for the biologist at the center of this, Normandeau said hes been advised to identify himself next time around. Fish and Game officers respond to upwards of a thousand bear calls every year. On average, only three to five bears need to be put down. What to Know . National Grid crews are going door to door Thursday to the last several houses still without gas in Woburn, Massachusetts after more than 300 residences had their service shut off following an incident earlier this week. On Monday, a pipeline in the area experienced an overpressurization issue that led to the shutdown. But as of Wednesday, gas service had been fully restored for most residents. "There was no bathing," Woburn resident Donna Donovan said."I went over to the YMCA to take care of that, but we still had the electricity and I like to go out to eat so I would say it was an inconvenience more than a major disruption." National Grid technicians have been going to the last homes Thursday to restart individual gas systems. For those who weren't home, notices were left on their door informing customers that their house was ready to get back online. "Timing will depend on how quickly we get access to homes, as people will need to be home for us get in," National Grid spokesperson Christine Milligan said. Fortunately, the weather has been cooperative with the crews' efforts. Although it is unclear what caused the overpressurization issue, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the Sept. 13 gas explosions in the Merrimack Valley, where one man was killed and 25 others were injured. As Andover, North Andover and Lawrence recover from the disaster, Woburn residents have expressed their gratitude that their issue was detected early. Police in Sandwich, New Hampshire say a woman reported missing has been found safe. Meghan Tubb, also known as Meghan Eaton, 19, left her home early Thursday morning on foot and left personal items behind. Authorities posted on Facebook around 5 p.m. Thursday that Tubb had been located and "has been re-united with her family." A Rhode Island public radio station is changing its name now that it has expanded into southeastern Massachusetts. Rhode Island Public Radio will be known as The Public's Radio starting Friday. Its new website, thepublicsradio.org, launches 12:01 a.m. Friday. The station previously bought the rights to a University of Massachusetts Dartmouth frequency and moved a transmitter to Tiverton. Station CEO Torey Malatia says Federal Communications Commission regulations require the station to serve the area under its signal, which prompted the name change. Malatia says the station will open a bureau in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and they will launch an online initiative where listeners can suggest topics they want covered. He says the station will continue programming from National Public Radio, the BBC and American Public Media. Members of a Rhode Island community are fundraising for the Woonsocket boy who survived what police called a murder-suicide involving his parents. Organizers of the fundraiser say they've raised more than $22,000 for the boy. Glenn Benvenuti, 56, shot and killed his ex-wife, 45-year-old Michelle Benvenuti, before killing himself on Sept. 30. Responding police found them dead, but found the boy alive and unharmed. The child is currently in the care of relatives. The son of a Massachusetts congressional candidate is accused of stealing a puppy from a shelter in East Brookfield. Alexander Lovvorn, 19, of Grafton, was arraigned Wednesday on a single count of larceny in connection with the theft of a two-month-old Labrador mix puppy named Mickey at the Second Chance Animal Shelter. Investigators say a young couple came in Tuesday looking to adopt a puppy. When they were told all the puppies had been adopted, the couple asked to play with them. "The female went outside on her phone, a few minutes later the male came back in and let all the puppies loose within the building," said office manager Lisa Blodgett. Authorities believe the man, later identified as Lovvorn, handed Mickey over a fence to the young woman and then walked out as staff members tried to corral the puppies. They then realized one was missing. Blodgett ran outside and saw the puppy inside the couple's car and quickly took down the license plate, which led police to 2nd District Congressional candidate Tracy Lovvorn, R-Grafton, who is challenging longtime state Rep. James McGovern, D-Worcester. "I think they contacted a family member whose car it was and they were able to get the animal back," said Sheryl Blancato, CEO of Second Chance Animal Shelter. Police took Lovvorn's son into custody and returned the dog to the shelter. Tracy Lovvorn said in a statement, "My youngest son, Alexander was accused of allegedly taking a puppy from a shelter yesterday afternoon. To be clear, he was responsible for bringing the puppy to the shelter on his own accord, he loves pets, and would never intentionally hurt an animal." Investigators are still trying to identify the young woman who was with Lovvorn at the shelter. "It's sad because then you think if someone has to steal a puppy then they can't afford to take care of that puppy," Blodgett said. Lovvorn was released on personal recognizance and ordered to stay away from the shelter. He's due back in court Dec. 13. Police in Vermont have arrested a man accused of illegally filming people without their consent, including a juvenile. Brock Lucenti, 42, of Woodbury, Vermont, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with possession of child pornography and voyeurism. Lucenti allegedly used everyday items, such as a wristwatch and key fob, to record at least two invidiuals in a private residence. Authorities were first made aware of Lucenti on Tuesday, when detectives and the Middlesex Barracks of the Vermont State Police learned he'd allegedly been secretly recordining people. Lucenti was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. He's being held on $50,000 bail. It's unclear if he has an attorney. The stagnant server market has heated up over the last few years, due in no small part to the advent of white box server vendors grabbing an increasing share of the cloud business. Enterprises have been reluctant to follow the lead of hyperscale data center vendors to off-brand server competitors, largely because of a lack of enterprise-grade service and maintenance options. But the economics are compelling. White box is a reference to the off-brand PCs built by independent PC vendors, which used to dot the landscape and appeal to buyers who built their own PCs with a plain beige tower and no vendor label on the box. In the server market, white box refers to vendors that are not the big three: Dell EMC, HP Enterprise and Lenovo. According to IDC, in the second quarter of this year, Dell EMC led the server market with 574,000 units sold, followed by HPE with 443,000 and Lenovo with 224,000. But the next three players werent familiar data center vendors Cisco, Oracle, or Nutanix. Rather, it was Chinas Inspur with 203,000 units, Chinas Huawei with 187,000, and Super Micro from the U.S. with 175,000. The rest of sales were tossed into a group called ODM Direct, which accounted for 732,000 units. Sales from those non-big-three vendors are going almost exclusively to hyperscale data-center vendors like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Equinix, Cloudflare and other companies building data centers measured in acres. And the Fortune 500? Not so much. They are sticking with the name brands, according to IDC. White-box server builds slow to infiltrate enterprises The reasons for enterprise reluctance are twofold, according to Ashish Nadkarni, group vice president for worldwide infrastructure at IDC. White boxes sell in places where they have volume agreements or original design requirements. Enterprises dont have a sustained volume requirement or original design requirements. So it makes it difficult to supply thousands and thousands of servers quarter after quarter. Enterprises dont buy in that kind of server volumes, he says. The other reason is enterprises look for a lot more than the hardware. They look for a relationship and service and support and software certification. They are looking for enterprise-grade service and maintenance, and those are things white box manufacturers are not able to provide, he says. If a server fails in a hyperscale data center, the hyperscaler just moves the workload off the machine and eventually fixes or replaces it. Theres enough padding in hyperscale environments that they can simply turn on another server and continue business as usual. Enterprises dont have that luxury, Nadkarni says. Corporate data centers are not known for having extra capacity. Its usually the opposite. How well white-box servers are doing is debatable, and even the industry cant agree. White box vendors are making progress in the area of Web scale apps, says Phil Mogavero, vice president of HDC partnerships at PCM, one of the largest resellers in the U.S. If Im a scale-out Web company that may have a large internal system footprint but also a large Web presence, some customers are implementing white-box technology because they can save a little money. But its less prevalent than one might think, he says. Michael McNerney, vice president of marketing and solutions with Super Micro, a San Jose, Calif.-based white-box vendor, says there is some interest from enterprises that are looking to see whats driving the public cloud and are copying that strategy. [Enterprises] are saying this is how Facebook and Google are building these things. Ultimately Ive got to compete with AWS, so how do I compete? he says. Super Micro competes on price and customization. Where we really come in and add value is the ability to customize the configuration. We have a few hundred potential configurations for two-socket servers, and we drive down cost with efficiencies. The legacy guys have one server to do everything and overengineer it to do everything, he says. White-box server vendors building U.S. presence Super Micro has the advantage of being based in the U.S. Many white-box vendors are from China and have minimal presence in the U.S. Inspur, the Chinese vendor that cracked the top five for sales in both IDC and Gartner market-share reports, has an office in Fremont, Calif. and a development office in Bellevue, Wash. However, the companys sales and support presence isnt anywhere near the scope of an HPE or Dell EMC, and a company spokesperson says the firm for now is focused on hyperscaler data-center companies like AWS and Facebook and wont even try to play in the enterprise for a few years as it builds its U.S. reseller infrastructure. That will likely hurt them with the enterprise, at least for the near future. Large airlines, financial services firms, and health care companies want to know the manufacturer they are using will be there when they have issues, Mogavero says. That doesnt mean that manufacturer has more or less reliable tech, but [customers] want the support services the [major] manufacturer can provide, he says. White-box server cost vs. quality Joshua Holmes, CEO of the hosting company LightSpeed Hosting in Cleveland, Ohio and a Super Micro customer, says there is nothing from a hardware perspective you can get from Super Micro that you cant get from Dell, and vice versa. He notes that the memory, CPUs, and hard drives are the same name brands the big server vendors use. A lot of these chassis are made from the same Chinese manufacturers. When you buy a [similar] box from Super Micro and Dell, 80% of the parts come from the same Chinese vendor, he says. Players we know who go Super Micro always do it on cost. Weve never had to call them on support because weve never had anything break, he says. Holmes says he can get servers from Super Micro for $5,000 for a specific configuration that would cost $20,000 from Dell. However, thats because they buy the hardware in pieces and his technicians assemble the servers. Super Micro servers are available pre-built, but that increases the cost, so Holmess company builds its own. Thats how Amazon, Google, and other giant data-center operators roll as well they buy the parts and build the servers themselves. Holmes acknowledges that not every company has the luxury of building their own servers like LightSpeed does. A CPA office with one server could make the argument they need the best support, and it would be hard pressed to convince someone like that to go with a name they never heard of, he acknowledges. Theres a challenge there." But Dr. Tim Lynch, CEO of custom high-end server builder Psychsoftpc in Boston, Mass., says the opposite is true. My experience has been that small and medium-sized companies are not as concerned about the whole name-brand thing. The larger companies tend to be more brand-conscious, he says. Like Holmes, he found a major savings in buying the parts the same ones Dell, HPE, Lenovo, and Cisco use and building the systems. Customers have said they would pay five thousand dollars more to get the same machine from HP from the one we build, he says. Psychsoftpc also builds Nvidia-based Tesla supercomputer clusters, and the big-name-brand Teslas start at $40,000, whereas his start at $8,500. Part of what makes it cheaper is to build it ourselves, and also we dont have the major overhead they do, Lynch says. Lynch admits he cant match Dell and HPE on 24/7 customer service, but we do provide service as best we can. Honestly its rarely been an issue for us. Weve only had a couple of problems we had to deal with, he says. Holmes says the biggest problem he has is with power supplies, not the computers themselves. I have not seen more failures than other brands. We have one client who has one hundred percent Cisco servers, and hes had more failures than we had, he says. Nadkarni thinks the white-box vendors will go downstream to the enterprise for things like Web-facing servers but retain their name-brand servers for mission-critical back-end services. And he thinks the white-box vendors are fine with that. Right now they are pretty busy servicing volume demand from telecoms and hyperscalers. Historic fair returns to Newbury's Goldwell Park THE Michaelmas Fair returns to Newbury next week. The fair will roll up Goldwell Park on Wednesday and will be opened by mayor Margo Payne on crazy price night. The fair, hosted by the Showmans Guild of Great Britain, will run until Saturday, October 20, and include a fireworks display at 9.30pm on Friday. It will be open from 4pm until 11pm on weekdays and from 1pm until 10pm on Saturday. The fair dates back to the 17th century when farm workers turned up to seek employment, but is now held as a funfair. H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media BROOKFIELD Residents can learn about the $78.1 million proposal to build a new Huckleberry Hill Elementary School at a meeting next week. The boards of selectmen and finance are hosting a joint meeting at the high school auditorium at 7 p.m. Tuesday. BETHEL The two candidates for District 2 in the state House of Representatives differ on gun laws, how to fix Connecticuts economy and pay for transportation projects. The race is a rematch of the 2016 election, when Republican Will Duff narrowly beat Democrat Allie-Brennan. Both live in Bethel and are active in the community. They are divided on the states ban on bump stocks, devices that allow guns to fire like an automatic weapon. Duff said he voted against the bill, which passed in the spring, because of concerns from hunters. He said the law was too general, noting a carpenter could be prevented from using a device to speed up his nail gun. All its going to do is take legal gun owners and make them felons, he said. Allie-Brennan said Duff is out-of-touch with his constituents forever affected by the Sandy Hook tragedy. People want someone who is going to defend families and make sure that theyre being protected, that their kids can go to school and they feel comfortable knowing that what happened in a town in the district is not going to happen again, Allie-Brennan said. Both agreed providing better mental health care to students and the public could help prevent gun violence. But, the two had different plans for closing the states budget gap. Duff argued the state needed to renegotiate the contract with its union employees and bring businesses and people back to the state. Growing the economy is what we should focus on, he said. He said the state could save money by eliminating rules requiring judicial marshals to obtain a commercial drivers license on the states dime to transport prisoners. Meanwhile, Allie-Brennan said the state could cut spending by reducing the budget for prisons because crime and the prison population are decreasing. Measures like off-track betting could generate new revenue, he said. Allie-Brennan, who processes grants and loans for small businesses at Pastore & Dailey, a financial services law firm in Stamford, said these companies need tax relief. Ive seen working with small businesses how burdensome Connecticut is to small businesses, he said. Having some tax cuts for small businesses opening up and allowing them to access capital is a great way to start the economy. The candidates agreed investing in transportation is critical, especially in Fairfield County, where the state has threatened to cut services on the Danbury rail line. Duff described northern Fairfield County as the economic bright spot in the state, arguing reducing these services would be an affront to local residents. Youre really putting a huge roadblock and obstacle to growth in Fairfield County, he said. If you want to see Fairfield County grow, you have to invest in Fairfield County. Allie-Brennan said making the rail service more convenient for local residents would reduce traffic and help towns like Bethel, which is trying to attract more people to the community by revitalizing the area near the train station. If Bethel wants to invest in transit-oriented development, what is the purpose if the train isnt there? he said, adding the Danbury rail line should be electrified. Allie-Brennan supports creating a lock box of revenue that can only be used for transportation. Duff said the Legislature would ignore the lock. He said the state shouldnt have a problem paying for transportation, noting the state Bond Commission approved millions for Aer Lingus and other projects. We have so much money going up to Hartford, theres no reason we cant pay for it, he said. Duff opposed tolls, but Allie-Brennan said he would be fine with tolls on trucks, depending on the result of the industrys suit against Rhode Island for its policy. They do the most damage to our roads, why not put a toll for them? Allie-Brennan said. Duff sits on the Bethel Board of Assessment Appeals and has served on the boards of selectmen and education, among other town positions. He is in his first term as state representative of the district that covers Bethel, Danbury, Newtown and Redding. Allie-Brennan is the vice chairman of the Bethel Democratic Town Committee and vice president of the HERO Project, a local organization that raises awareness about the opioid epidemic. He is a board member on the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters and the Triangle Community Center, which supports LGBTQ people. State Representatives Arthur ONeill (R-69th) and Bill Buckbee (R-67th) have each been endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Business, citing their support of Connecticut's independent and small businesses. ONeill represents the towns of Bridgewater, Roxbury, Washington and Southbury, while Buckbee represents New Milford. NFIB, which is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven, is the leading small-business association in the nation with thousands of members in Connecticut representing a cross-section of the states economy. For more than three quarters of a century, NFIB has been the voice of Americas small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. I have a proven record of working with small businesses in our community, many of them joined me at the Capitol this year for New Milford Day, said Buckbee, who is a member of the legislatures Commerce Committee. It is incredibly important to listen to the voices of our small business owners as they are the backbone of the state and local economies. Increased taxes and anti-business policies are directly correlated to the current fiscal crisis, he said. If re-elected, I will continue to work with our small business community to reverse the detrimental policies of the Malloy administration and the legislative majority to get our states economy trending in a positive direction. Rep. ONeill said the biggest issue facing Connecticut is the lack of economic growth and job creation. Small businesses create the majority of the new jobs, so that state policies that foster a healthy climate for small businesses are crucial to reviving our economy and solving both our short- and long-term state budget problems: growing small and independent business is the key to Connecticut's future, ONeill said. ONeill is Deputy House Republican Leader at Large and is a member of the committees on Appropriations, Judiciary, Legislative Management and Regulations Review. WASHINGTON Not a slam-dunk by any means, but Democrats retaking the House this November could yield an important new post for Rep. Jim Himes chairman of the House intelligence committee. Himes currently is the No. 2 Democrat in the minority behind the omnipresent Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who has carved out a sideline on cable news as the critic-in-chief of the committees Trump-obeisant chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif. But House Democrats by tradition limit their House Intel leaders (majority or minority) to two terms. So if Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., becomes House speaker, she may abide by tradition and name Himes to replace Schiff. Or she might not. (And dont get us started on whether Pelosi would be selected by House Dems as speaker, should they take control for the first time since early 2011.) Schiff has done yeomans service as the even-tempered spokesman for Democrats on the wide variety of big issues before the committee, from oversight of the nations vast intelligence community to its Trump-Russia investigation upon which Nunes brought the curtain down in March. But Himes also is a regular on MSNBC and CNN, using his customary turns of phrases to help Schiff poke holes in the Trump-Nunes script. Pelosi may opt to retain Schiff as the sure hand on the tiller. And Himes may or may not have endeared himself to Pelosi with his time for a new generation of leadership mantra. So chairman or not, Himes will continue as a major Dem voice on the committee. And whether special counsel Robert Mueller drops Russia-linked bombshells on the Trump White House or falls short, oversight of the U.S. spy network isnt destined to become any less important in the near future. Our intelligence community does surveillance, Himes said at a recent reporters roundtable, according to Hearst Connecticut colleague Emilie Munson. They sometimes undertake lethal activity, so its pretty high-stakes stuff. Getting an earful Last week, Connecticut Office of Early Childhood Commissioner David Wilkinson was in Washington to receive the Future of Feedback award from Feedback Labs, which describes itself as a global network of over 400 leading aid, philanthropy, and governance organizations around the world. Formed in 2014, OEC is responsible for the states role in child care, pre-kindergarten, help for kids with developmental problems, and support for at-risk families areas that five state agencies used to oversee. The secret of their success? Listening. We believe that by listening and responding, we will provide better, more effective services for Connecticut families with young children and in so doing help create a brighter future for the state, said Wilkinson, an earnest young Yale Law grad who used to run the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation during the Obama years. I have to say the lead sentence of the press release caught my eye: The award to OEC was for innovation in serving the states youngest children and their families and for doing so by listening to them. A state agency that actually listens to children? That would be a first. Of course, the listening is to families and community providers who too often dont have a seat at the table, as Wilkinson himself put it. But imagine the award he would receive if OEC ever managed to listen to 6-year-olds? Those of us who are parents (or grandparents) of children that age can only imagine. dan@hearstdc.com Growth rates of brain circuits in infancy may help experts predict what a child's intelligence and emotional health could be when the child turns 4, a new study has found. Along with prior research, these findings could help future physicians identify cognitive and behavioral challenges in the first months and years of life, leading to early treatment. About 15 percent of children in the U.S. between age 2 and 8 are diagnosed with at least one mental, behavioral or developmental disorder, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These disorders include learning difficulties, delays in language acquisition, attention deficit disorder, autism and other problems. The new study, published in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, adds to the understanding of how infant brain development can provide important early clues to these disorders. The study was conducted by investigators at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The team built on earlier research in which they performed MRI scans on more than 1,000 healthy infants to examine how and when connections developed between the brain's emotional regulator, called the amygdala, and the rest of the brain. They found that while newborns lack the connectivity of adult brains, rapid development of the circuits occurred in the first year of life, followed by strengthening and fine-tuning at age 2. For their latest study, the team evaluated 223 of the children who participated in the earlier study. The investigators studied the children at 4 years old to see whether their brain scans as infants had predicted later behavior. In addition to IQ tests specially designed for 4-year-olds to measure cognitive development, the researchers surveyed the children's parents and used standardized tests such as the Behavior Assessment System for Children and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function to measure levels of anxiety, self-control skills and other behaviors. "Our results confirmed that emotional circuit development during infancy affects children as they grow up," said Wei Gao, PhD, associate professor of Biomedical Sciences and director of Neuroimaging Research at the Cedars-Sinai Biomedical Imaging Research Institute. "Using the functional connectivity of infants' brains to predict emotional and cognitive outcomes could become a powerful tool to identify problems early on and design effective treatment plans." Gao was co-senior author of the study, along with John Gilmore, MD, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Project scientist Andrew Salzwedel, PhD, from Gao's laboratory was the first author. Charles Simmons, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Cedars-Sinai, said the findings address an important health issue. "New predictive biomarkers of neurological development are needed because a significant number of children are at risk of adverse neurological development due to genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors," he explained. "These studies provide hope that in the near future we may be able to more accurately diagnose, intervene and optimize neonatal and infant development." Gao said the team's next goal is to establish more comprehensive, imaging-based models to predict a wider variety of developmental outcomes during and beyond early childhood. The team also plans to apply its model to at-risk populations, including babies with premature birth and prenatal drug exposure. Source: https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/wired-for-life-study-links-infants-brain-circuitry-to-future-health/ Education and outpatient intervention programs credited with improved patient outcomes Despite a common belief that weekend and holiday discharge after major heart surgery may impact hospital readmissions, research published online today in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery showed that day of discharge does not affect readmissions. "Hospital discharge is an intricate and dynamic process requiring choreography of patients, physicians, ancillary staff, and outpatient caregivers," said Peyman Benharash, MD, from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). "As the rate of rehospitalization after cardiac surgery has been reported at up to 22 percent, we wanted to investigate the potentially modifiable elements in the discharge process." For their study, Dr. Benharash and colleagues reviewed data from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database for all patients who underwent non-emergency heart operations between 2008 and 2016 at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. The researchers identified 4,877 patients, of whom nearly 20 percent were discharged on a weekend or holiday. This subset was particularly important because of the so-called "weekend effect," which has been described as worse outcomes attributed to decreased staffing and increased transitions of care. The researchers found that the use of preoperative beta blockers, tobacco use, and surgical site infections were independent predictors of rehospitalization within 30 days, but day of discharge was not. The study showed comparable readmission rates for weekday and weekend/holiday discharges (11.4 percent versus 10.9 percent). "We were surprised to find that patients discharged on weekends and holidays had similar readmission rates and outcomes as patients who were cleared on weekdays," said Dr. Benharash. "Prior planning was likely a critical aspect of successful weekend and holiday discharges at our institution." In 2010, UCLA launched a Readmission Reduction Program. The program includes discharge education, detailed medication instructions, postoperative care coordination, and routine phone calls for 4 weeks after discharge. Most recently, cardiac surgery patients who have been discharged home received discharge kits equipped with wireless enabled blood pressure monitors, oximeters, weight scales, and miniaturized electrocardiogram sensors synced to a mobile tablet device. The mobile application prompts patients to perform daily measurements and answer questions regarding pain, physical activity, and surgical wound appearance. Patients' responses are initially screened by the telemonitoring companies who generate summary reports. The UCLA cardiac surgery discharge staff reviews any information that falls outside of the normal range and triages the details to the appropriate provider for swift, real-time interventions. Resources such as these, in addition to improved access to expert advice following hospitalization, have significant potential to impact a patient's outpatient trajectory, explained Dr. Benharash. "No individual component will significantly alter patient outcomes," he said. "Rather a synergy of patient empowerment and access to outpatient counseling and care will allow for alleviation of patient anxiety and early recognition of complications should they arise. We encourage patients to be engaged in the discharge process early on and to understand that returning home on a weekend does not mean you will have a higher chance of rehospitalization." insights from industry Glyn Barnes Marketing Director AliveCor An interview with Glyn Barnes, Marketing Director for AliveCor, about Kardia Mobile and the Kardia Band, the FDA approved devices which can provide a diagnostic quality ECG reading in 30 seconds. Image Credit: Avector / Shutterstock Why is it important to monitor your heartbeat regularly if you think you may have Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)? If a doctor or nurse suspects that you may be suffering from atrial fibrillation or AFib, you will typically undergo two tests. Firstly, a simple pulse check which looks for an irregular heartbeat. If this is found to be positive, a patient may undergo a 12 lead ECG and then be given a 24 hour ECG monitor to wear at home. A healthy ECG has a particular shape, denoted by the letters PQRST. The P wave is a small bump at the start of the trace. Typically, in a patient with AFib, this wave is missing. A missing P wave, combined with an irregular heartbeat, is a strong indication that AFib is present. Doctors also use a scoring system to test how likely you are to have the condition. Irregular electrical pulses in the upper chambers of the heart (atria) are characteristic of AFib and they prevent the heart from contracting properly. This can cause blood to pool in these chambers, which in turn increases the risk of clot formation. If these clots break away from the heart, they pass quickly into the connecting large blood vessels. From there, they can travel upwards and lodge in the narrower vessels of the brain. This causes ischemia (a lack of oxygen to the tissue) and thus a stroke. Strokes of this magnitude can be debilitating for patients, who often fail to make a full recovery assuming they survive the initial event. Hence, monitoring your heartbeat regularly is highly important if you have (or are at risk of) AFib. What is Kardia Mobile, and how does it work? Kardia Mobile is a miniature clinical-grade ECG device that can be used to monitor the electrical activity of the heart and it works with most smartphones and tablets. Typically, an ECG involves attaching wires and electrodes to your body in a clinical setting. The Kardia Mobile has only two of these electrodes, which are encompassed within a slimline device thats smaller than a credit card. When you feel your heart behaving unusually such as beating faster than normal or exhibiting palpitations, all you need do is activate the app on your phone and place fingers from each hand of the electrodes. The app then counts down 30 seconds after which, the device will have completed an ECG recording. The results of your ECG are automatically analyzed, and if AFib is present, you will be notified by the app immediately. You can then instantly email the results to your doctor or nurse. As the recording is of diagnostic quality, they can confirm the diagnosis of AFib upon receipt. You may then be given medication such as an anticoagulant, which will dramatically reduce your risk of stroke and could save your life. Kardia Mobile - How to take a clean EKG Play One of the challenges with atrial fibrillation is that can be whats known as paroxysmal, or intermittent. You may only have an event once a fortnight for example, which makes it incredibly difficult for doctors and nurses to make a diagnosis. It is not very often that a patient has an episode of AFib whilst in the hospital at an appointment, so a diagnosis of AFib can take months or even years to make. During this time, you are five times more likely to have a stroke than a person of a similar age who doesn't have AFib. AFib is a huge health concern. Its the most commonly diagnosed arrhythmia and places a heavy financial burden on health services. In England alone, the AFib costs the NHS 2.2bn per year, once you add in the after-care costs for patients whove had a stroke. We're not by any means replacing the ECG machines used in hospitals, as they provide a much greater amount of information than Kardia does. However, the Kardia Mobile is a fantastic low-cost device that enables patients to carry out an ECG anytime and anywhere. You might be on the London underground, or in a supermarket, and you can take a real-time measurement of your hearts activity, capturing events as they happen. What is the Kardia Band, and how does it differ from Kardia Mobile? The Kardia Band is a watch strap for the Apple Watch that allows you to take an ECG measurement. This displays on the screen of the watch as you use it. Theres a small, square sensor in the middle of the strap thats double-sided. When you need to take an ECG measurement, you place your right thumb on the top sensor and ensure that the bottom of the sensor is touching the skin on your left arm, as it should be when you are wearing the watch. From here, you will see a diagnostic quality ECG reading scrolling across the watch screen. Like Kardia Mobile, a measurement using Kardia Band takes just 30 seconds and can be sent straight to your GP or cardiologist. The added benefit of the Kardia Band is that it can be used to monitor your heart rate all day, and from this it makes predictions using AI about what your heart rate should be, relative to your current activity. For example, if Im busy and running between meetings in London, my heart rate should be higher than normal. However, if Im sat at home having a cup of coffee and suddenly my heart rate spikes, the app will detect that, and prompt me to do an ECG there and then. KardiaBand, the EKG for Apple Watch Play How is the technology useful for patients with conditions such as heart palpitations? When Kardia Mobile and the Kardia Band were first launched, we focused on patients with AFib. However, it very quickly became apparent that the product could be used to monitor several other arrhythmias. For example, when it comes to heart palpitations, we know that the vast majority of patients (80-85%) have nothing wrong with them. They are just experiencing normal palpitations that can be brought on by stress or too much coffee. For these patients, being able to purchase a low-cost device such as the Kardia Mobile can give them piece of mind, while reducing the burden on the healthcare service. They can then take the recordings to their GP, who, once confirmed normal can reassure the patient and tell them that there is nothing to worry about. This can help to free up time for cardiologists and help to reduce waiting times for appointments. Image Credit: catshila / Shutterstock It is clear that Kardia Mobile and the Kardia Band will help patients identify when their heartbeat is irregular, but how will it help clinicians? More and more doctors are becoming interested in employing the Kardia Mobile in their clinics, and theyre also finding new uses for the devices. Some clinics are using the device to screen patients at routine appointments, whereas others are loaning it to patients so that they can capture the data they need to make a diagnosis. The devices can also be used to monitor patients after surgery. For example, patients with AFib will sometimes undergo a procedure called ablation, where a wire is passed into the atria of the heart and, using heat or freezing, creates more direct channels of electrical activity. This helps the atria to contract properly and therefore blood to flow freely. The procedure isnt always successful, and its important to be able to detect this early. Even after a successful procedure, the symptoms of AFib may return with time. Some doctors now monitor their patients' post ablation using KardaiMobileto check their progress. A different and creative example of a hospital clinician using the device was an anesthetist. Sometimes, patients arriving in theatre are discovered to have an arrhythmia when hooked up to the monitor. The case may then be canceled, causing unnecessary stress on the patient and wasting valuable operating time. So, this doctor now uses the Kardia Mobile to carry out ECGs on every patient before they go down to theatre, saving time and resources. Where can readers find more information? https://www.alivecor.com/ About Glyn Barnes Glyn has spent over twenty-five years working in the medical device industry holding senior roles in companies such as GE Healthcare and Spacelabs. With a passion for healthcare technology, he believes significant changes are underway with the provision of care in this country. The NHS understands that we have to look at new technologies, empowering patients to be involved with their own care, and ultimately achieving efficiencies in the process. I joined AliveCor as I could see the company had developed exciting new devices to match this need and current product developments will further enhance our offering to the market. More than four years after Navy Lt. Rebekah Daniel bled to death within hours of childbirth at a Washington state military hospital, her husband still doesn't know exactly how or why it happened. Walter Daniel, a former Coast Guard officer, demanded explanations from officials at the Naval Hospital Bremerton, where his wife, known as "Moani," died on March 9, 2014. He says he got none. No results from a formal review of the incident, no details about how the low-risk pregnancy of a healthy 33-year-old woman a labor and delivery nurse herself ended in tragedy, leaving their newborn daughter, Victoria, now 4, without a mom. "There was no timeline, no records of what steps were taken," recalled Daniel, 39, sitting in his Seattle lawyer's high-rise office last month. "I've had no answers." Daniel, who now lives in Dublin, Calif., filed a wrongful death lawsuit in 2015, but it was dismissed, as were subsequent appeals. The dismissals were based not on the facts of the case but on what's known as the Feres doctrine, a 68-year-old federal ruling that bars active-duty military members from suing the federal government for injuries. This week, Daniel is taking his quest for answers to the U.S. Supreme Court. Through his lawyer, he petitioned the high court on Thursday to amend the 1950 ruling, creating an exception that would allow service members to sue for medical malpractice the same way civilians can. The military health system, with 54 hospitals and 377 medical clinics, serves about 9.4 million beneficiaries, including nearly 1.4 million active-duty members. "I don't want this to happen to any other family," Daniel said. The Supreme Court hasn't considered the Feres doctrine in more than 30 years, since the 1987 case U.S. v. Johnson, where the justices ruled 5-4 to uphold the ruling. That decision drew a scathing dissent from Justice Antonin Scalia, who declared the rule should be scrapped. "Feres [v. United States] was wrongly decided and heartily deserves the widespread, almost universal criticism it has received," Scalia famously wrote. Since then, however, the court has refused to accept at least two petitions that would have allowed reconsideration of Feres. And chances are slim now. Of the 7,000 to 8,000 cases submitted to the Supreme Court each term, only about 80 are accepted. But Daniel and his lawyer, Andrew Hoyal of the Luvera law firm in Seattle, insist that the circumstances of Moani Daniel's death warrant new scrutiny. "We thought if we're ever going to take a shot at the Feres doctrine, this is the case to do it," Hoyal said. "It was clear negligence. It was an awful situation. And every civilian in the country would be able to bring a lawsuit to get accountability, except for members of the service. "She was treated differently because she had lieutenant's bars." Daniel disputes the findings of a Navy autopsy that concluded Rebekah Daniel died of "natural" causes possibly linked to an amniotic fluid embolism, a rare, hard-to-prove complication of childbirth. Daniel claims that his wife who worked in the maternity unit where she delivered her baby died from botched medical care that failed to stop her from hemorrhaging nearly a third of the blood in her body. "It was utter chaos," he recalled. "I remember multiple towels and sponges like they were trying to soak up the blood but it kept coming." Doctors failed to perform vital tests, to employ an obstetrical balloon a standard device used to halt postpartum hemorrhage and to start massive blood transfusions until too late, court documents claim. Just four hours after the birth of her 8-pound, 7-ounce daughter, Moani Daniel was dead. "I was in shock," recalled Walter Daniel. Capt. Jeffrey Bitterman, commanding officer of Naval Hospital Bremerton, said in an email that the circumstances of Moani Daniel's death were "thoroughly examined in a quality review process." The results of the review cannot be publicly released, he said, declining further comment because of pending litigation. However, in a press release promoting the "Aloha Moani" 5K run organized in Daniel's honor, Navy officials publicly said she died "due to a rare complication of childbirth." Walter and Moani Daniel, who met in Hawaii, had been married nearly a decade when she became pregnant in 2013. Moani Daniel had a son, Damien, now 19, from a previous marriage. Moani Daniel loved her job, but she had submitted her resignation to the Navy months earlier and was set to leave the service in April 2014. Walter Daniel had accepted a job in Northern California, where he had moved with Damien to get him settled in school. The day after his wife's death, Walter Daniel returned to her empty apartment. "She had all this stuff for the baby set up," he recalled. "I'm like, 'What the hell just happened?' It was like a nightmare.'" The Feres doctrine holds that active-duty members of the military cannot sue under the Federal Tort Claims Act for harm "incident to service." The justices wanted to ensure that Congress would not be "burdened with private bills on behalf of military and naval personnel." They reasoned then that the military provides comprehensive relief for injuries or death of service members and their families and that there's no parallel with private liability because the relationship between the government and its armed forces is distinct. Later, the court insisted that a primary reason for barring such lawsuits is to maintain military discipline. But the decision, particularly the definition of "incident to service," has been debated fiercely for years by scholars and, at least twice, in bills before Congress. The rule, however, has been interpreted to include not just military duty, but virtually any activity of an active-duty service member, said Richard Custin, a clinical professor of business law and ethics at the University of San Diego. "It's just grossly unfair," he said. "Childbirth is not a military activity. It's clearly not 'incident to service.'" Custin and other critics claim the Feres doctrine strips military members of a constitutional right to seek redress for grievances, while also allowing military hospitals and doctors to escape scrutiny for negligent care. Military hospitals reported 545 so-called sentinel events medical omissions or errors from 2014 to 2017, according to Defense Health Agency data. In 2014, Naval Hospital Bremerton reported at least one case of postpartum hemorrhage or hysterectomy. But such reports aren't public, so Daniel doesn't know whether his wife's case was included in those records. A 2014 review of military health care found the rate of postpartum hemorrhage was consistently higher in military hospitals than the national average, Hoyal noted. "What they do in the medical arena is no different than what civilian hospitals do and they should be held to the same standards as civilian hospitals and civilian doctors," Hoyal said. Officials with the Department of Defense declined interview requests regarding the Feres ruling. In an email, however, an agency spokeswoman said that overturning the rule would "destroy the premise" of no-fault workers' compensation available in the military and elsewhere. It would also "create an unsustainable inequity" between military members allowed to sue and others, such as those injured in combat, who couldn't. And, rather than improving military health care, overturning Feres would "compromise its effectiveness," the agency said, noting: "No medical system is perfect." Custin, the law professor, said he sympathizes with Daniel, but isn't optimistic that the court will view the case differently than other medical malpractice claims. "What this attorney needs to do is somehow distinguish Daniel from the long line of victims that have been maligned by Feres," he said. Hoyal intends to argue that the Supreme Court's rulings regarding Feres have been inconsistent and irreconcilable. In decisions that followed Feres, the court rejected its own parallel liability argument, said Hoyal. And it has never ruled that medical decisions like those at stake in Daniels case would undermine military discipline. In short, the legal landscape has undergone a sea change since 1950, Hoyals petition states. Theories once central to Feres no longer matter. Rationales not considered in Feres are now central. Such an argument may well sway an increasingly conservative Supreme Court that now includes justices loyal to Scalia's views as well as progressives inclined to support workers' rights, said Dwight Stirling, chief executive of the Center for Law and Military Policy, a Southern California think tank. "The Feres doctrine does not divide the court members on your standard ideological grounds," he said. "It tends to scramble the typical calculus." Walter Daniel hopes so. After raising Victoria as a single dad for four years, he left the Coast Guard, recently remarried and returned to college to study to become a high school teacher. Even as his life moves on, he said, he hopes Moani Daniel's case will provide justice for others. "It's not about the Daniel family, it's about those thousands of service members throughout the world who are affected by this rule," he said. "That's what our fight is for. KHN's coverage of women's health care issues is supported in part by The David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Jason Carter, associate vice president for research development and professor of kinesiology and integrative physiology, is speaking at the 2018 National Institute of Health Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Research Conference on Sleep and the Health of Women in Bethesda, Maryland. He is participating in a presentation and panel discussion Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 8:35 a.m. about the effects of sleep on cardiovascular health in women. "Population-based data suggests certain cardiovascular diseases like hypertension are more strongly associated with short sleep in women than they are in men," Carter says. The focus of his presentation, which is geared at a broad audience, is on the role of the sympathetic nervous system -- the so-called fight-or-flight system -- and how this response is more pronounced in women who are getting less sleep than in men who lack sleep. "When women are deprived of sleep, their nervous systems appear to respond more aggressively than men," Carter says. "There's an acceleration of the nervous system. We see higher blood pressures and greater potential risk for heart attack. The surge of sympathetic activity also increases the risk of stroke. Too much of an excitation of the body sets a person up for negative cardiovascular events acutely and chronically." The conference is free and open to the public, who are encouraged to attend. Carter has been integral in the recent opening of the Michigan Technological Sleep Research Laboratory combines sleep analysis technologies to provide a window into the effects of sleep on cardiovascular health. The two-bed sleep study facility is located in Michigan Tech University's Student Development Complex and has a core staff of two faculty researchers, a sleep physician, a registered nurse who is also a certified sleep technician, a lead doctoral student researcher, as well as other graduate students and undergraduate students. Studies at the facility hinge on research into the effects of sleep on cardiovascular health, contributing to the broader field of sleep research--a field that is growing rapidly. "What implication does sleep have? We sleep one-third of our lives. It's a huge chunk of our days," says Jason Carter, associate vice president for research development and professor of kinesiology and integrative physiology. "An elephant only sleeps three hours a day, while a lion sleeps up to 20 hours day. We see a huge species variation in sleep, but we still don't fully understand what sleep does." Both of the sleep rooms in the new facility not only have the capabilities of the overnight polysomnography (PSG) and electroencephalography (EEG), but also take simultaneous measurements of beat-by-beat blood pressure through finger plethysmography, which constantly records blood pressure throughout the night; pulse oximetry, which measures oxygen content in the blood throughout the night; and transcutaneous carbon dioxide levels from the skin. The facility meets all of the physical requirements to seek a sleep study center accreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Additionally, researchers are working with sleep study software company Natus to add blood pressure readings to its suite of monitored biometric signals. Perhaps most cutting edge, is the team's interdisciplinary approach to sleep research that includes biomedical engineering signal processing techniques applied to physiology. In the future, the Michigan Tech Sleep Research Laboratory plans to prove the importance of Big Data in the field of sleep research. "We're using these technologies in novel combinations to better understand the impact of things like alcohol, sleep deprivation and insomnia on blood pressure," Carter says. "There's a very complex relationship between sleep and blood pressure control. The epidemiological evidence is clear these are strongly coupled, and they seem to be more strongly coupled in women than men." Current research at the center focuses on several separate studies: National Institutes of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)-funded study to understand alcohol's effects on sleep, blood pressure and brain activity National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)-funded study to compare cardiovascular responses to sleep deprivation in postmenopausal women and men of similar ages Effects on insomnia on cardiovascular health "What's unique for us is the ability to combine various technologies that have been developed in human physiological signal processing," Carter says. "The real-world applicability and emphasis is to ultimately inform and educate the public on how we might avoid or slow down the risk for cardiovascular disease as it pertains to sleep insufficiencies." In the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE, the immune system produces antibodies against parts of the body itself. How cells that produce those antibodies escape the normal "checks and balances" has been unclear, but recent research from Emory University School of Medicine sheds light on a missing link. Investigators led by Ignacio Sanz, MD, studied blood samples from 90 people living with SLE, focusing on a particular type of B cells. These "DN2" B cells are relatively scarce in healthy people but substantially increased in people with SLE. People with lupus can experience a variety of symptoms, such as fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes and kidney problems. Levels of the DN2 cells were higher in people with more severe disease or kidney problems. DN2 B cells are thought to be "extra-follicular," which means they are outside the B cell follicles, regions of the lymph nodes where B cells are activated in an immune response. "Overall, our model is that a lot of lupus auto-antibodies come from a continuous churning out of new responses," says postdoctoral fellow Scott Jenks, PhD, co-first author of the paper. "There is good evidence that DN2 cells are part of the early B cell activation pathway happening outside B cells' normal homes in lymph nodes." Previous research at Emory has shown that African American women have significantly higher rates of lupus than white women. In the current study, the researchers observed that the frequency of DN2 cells was greater in African American patients. Participants in the study were recruited by Emory, University of Rochester and Johns Hopkins. Sanz, a Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar, is director of the Lowance Center for Human Immunology and head of the division of rheumatology in the Department of Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine. Co-first authors are Jenks, postdoctoral fellow Kevin Cashman, PhD and Esther Zumaquero-Martinez, PhD at the University of Alabama. The lab of Frances Lund, PhD at University of Alabama, as well as postdoc Urko Marigorta, PhD from Georgia Tech contributed to the paper. The researchers examined the characteristics of DN2 cells and the patterns of genes turned on in those cells. DN2 cells appear to be precursors to the plasmablasts that produce autoreactive antibodies, which cause so much trouble for people with lupus. Plasmablasts are an important source of antibodies that help get rid of bacteria or viruses during an infection. But in lupus, subsets of B cells and plasmablasts persist in unhealthy ways. In general, we can think of plasmablasts as weapon factories, and B cells as a library of blueprints for various antibodies/weapons. Understanding where the problem plasmablasts come from can provide clues on how to target them and how to control the disease. Molecular probing showed that DN2 cells in SLE patients are hypersensitive to activation through TLR7, a pathway by which the immune system senses viral infections. This may be how they get over-expanded, Jenks says. "Our work provides further support for the importance for TLR7 in lupus pathology," he says. "Targeting TLR7 might both block the generation of pathological B cells and prevent their subsequent activation and differentiation into plasma cells." Previous work in Sanz's lab had shown that a group of "activated naive" B cells are precursors to the problem plasmablasts. Those cells are very similar, in their molecular markers, to DN2 cells. Jenks says the researchers are now figuring out the relationship between DN2 and activated naive cells, as well as investigating additional intervention strategies that could specifically control those cells. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) today announced the European launch of Life Effects, a patient-centric website hosting content created by patients and checked by experts, at the European Committee for the Treatment and Research of Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) Congress in Berlin. This online content initiative was created following extensive research from 13,500 patients globally and is now being launched in Europe. Research shows a demand from patients especially those with chronic conditions including Multiple Sclerosis (MS), for trustworthy and reliable health information.1 With content developed in collaboration with patients, Life Effects consists of articles, videos and podcasts that offer information, insight and inspiration to people suffering from one or more chronic condition, including MS, particularly focusing on the impact a condition has on a patient's day-to-day life. By working with a core group of patients on an ongoing basis, who make direct contributions which are reviewed by experts, Life Effects offers a first-hand, credible perspective on what it's like to live with a chronic condition. Together, these patients and Life Effects tell authentic stories, take a patient-centric look at the latest thinking, and offer practical tips and advice to make things a little easier. Aoife Kirwan, who is living with MS and based in Ireland said: "It's always exciting when an opportunity arises for the voices of people with MS to be heard. Life Effects was developed in collaboration with people living with chronic conditions including MS, which means that it is created by us, for us. It allows people living with chronic conditions the chance to share our stories, thoughts and opinions while knowing that the information is also checked by experts. In an age where endless amounts of information is readily available, this reliable information from people with the same condition is invaluable to patients. As someone living with MS, I am delighted to see such a collaboration between my community and the medical community which offers a new resource that combines lived experience with scientific fact." Vice President of Medical Affairs at Teva Europe, Marco Avila said: "Life Effects is the result of addressing an unmet need for trustworthy online health information, particularly for patients living with a chronic condition, by capturing what it's really like to live with these conditions and hearing directly from reliable sources - the patients themselves. By creating content which complements the patients' medical journey with healthcare professionals, the go-to when seeking information about diagnosis and treatment options, we offer a greater insight into the impact of these conditions on a daily basis. Life Effects is about content for patients, by patients and reviewed by experts, offering a reliable resource they can trust." The European launch of Life Effects marks the website's expansion outside the US and it now incorporates MS related content, reflected in the choice of announcing at ECTRIMS. The website also contains content on conditions including: asthma, depression and migraine. The Life Effects team works with Healthline, the fastest growing consumer health information site, and Panoply, a premium podcast network which is part of The Slate Group. Healthline and Panoply help Teva integrate the authentic voice and credible point of view of the patient with the rigorous editorial focus of the professional journalist. Vice President of Channels Strategy and Digital Content at Teva, Arun Mahtani said: "Life Effects is a platform for patients to provide support and advice to others living with a chronic condition. At Teva, we are committed to empowering patients and Life Effects is the true embodiment of this - hearing from the patient voice directly with support from the experts. This content is personal and meaningful for each individual and we have been overwhelmed with the impact of this collaboration which offers greater understanding of the challenges patients face outside of treatment." While the many concepts in artificial intelligence date back to the 20th century, the revolution in deep learning started around 2014-2015 when AI systems started outperforming humans in many tasks ranging from video games and image recognition to autonomous driving. The concept of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) was only introduced in 2014 and went mainstream in 2016 with the publication of the first "AI-imagined" images generated using GANs from natural language. However, due to the gap in domain expertise between chemists, biologists, and next-generation AI scientists and the lengthy validation cycles, only today we start noticing the propagation of deep learning into these fields. While there is still a gap in domain expertise in biology and chemistry in the machine learning community, it is rapidly closing and many advances are propagating into drug discovery and biomarker development. The special issue on deep learning for drug discovery and biomarker development provides an overview of the recent applications of modern AI. Today, Insilico Medicine, one of the industry leaders bridging deep learning for biology, chemistry and digital medicine, announced the publication of a special issue dedicated to "Deep Learing for Drug Discovery and Biomarker Development" in one of the top industry journals celebrating its 15th anniversary published by the American Chemical Society, Molecular Pharmaceutics. The special issue starts with an article by the founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine, Alex Zhavoronkov, PhD, titled "Artificial Intelligence for Drug Discovery, Biomarker Development, and Generation of Novel Chemistry". "The special issue dedicated to deep learning for drug discovery and biomarker development brings together the contributions made by some of the top academics and industry experts. The collection of papers in the special issue may provide a quick introduction into the field and specifically into generative chemistry. We are very happy to see this special issue ", said Alex Zhavoronkov, PhD, founder, and CEO of Insilico Medicine. The special issue is mostly focused on generative chemistry using GANs and Reinforcement Learning (RL) for de-novo molecular design. Some of the articles, including the "Entangled Conditional Adversarial Autoencoder (ECAAE) for de-novo Drug Discovery" demonstrate for the first time the experimental validation of the molecules generated using these architectures. ECAAE was used to generate a novel inhibitor of Janus Kinase 3 (JAK3), implicated in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and vitiligo. The discovered molecule was tested in vitro and demonstrated high activity and selectivity. Molecular Pharmaceutics is one of the first journals to recognize the trend in deep learning for biomedicine with the publication of the first review paper on this emerging subject in 2016. There are 3.2 billion positions on the human genome and it requires a study of huge number of genetic variations in the populations to estimate the associations between genetic disorders and mutations. Two new studies have been published in the journal Nature. These studies have all shown the value of genetic information and understanding in treatment and understanding of various diseases. Image Credit: Natali_ Mis / Shutterstock Both of these papers are based on the globally largest biological database the UK Biobank. This database records the genetic data as well as the lifestyle information, body measurements along with examination of urine, saliva and blood. Whole of the genome of the participants were not recorded. Instead only 800,000 genetic markers from the DNA was recorded. The participants were half a million and they were aged between 40 and 69 years. The first study published is the analysis of the whole Biobank database. This study is titled, The UK Biobank resource with deep phenotyping and genomic data. In this study the genetic marker data from the database is analysed using a statistical method called genotype imputation. This method can fill the gaps in the genetic information from the available data using probability. Jonathan Marchini, professor of statistical genomics at the University of Oxford was one of the authors of this paper. He explained genetic imputation using an analogy, If you take a given novel, and only read every tenth word, you can predict all of the other words in the novel from all of the novels in a given library. The second study published was not pure statistics alone but also neuroimaging and genetics. It is titled, Genome-wide association studies of brain imaging phenotypes in UK Biobank. Marchini was also a part of this second study along with other researchers at the University of Oxford. In this study the team compared the genetic data from the UK Biobank and compared it to 10,000 MRI scans of the participants. Brain disorders and MRI abnormalities could be connected in 150 individual findings where clear relationships could be found. Genetic connections with diseases such as multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease and strokes could be found. These were linked to the genes that work by repairing the white matter in the brain. Genes could also be linked to iron deposits in the brain seen in diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons. Stephen Smith, professor of biomedical engineering and head of analysis at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging (WIN) at Oxford University and a co-author of the second paper explained that there have been studies connecting genetic mutations with brain diseases. This study is unique because of its combination of factors. He explained that this study not only is more robust because of the large population analysed but also because it uses 3,000 different measurements in the tests conducted. Experts have said that the information in the Biobank could be used for variety of studies in future and could provide deeper understanding of several disease conditions. Risk factors and imaging abnormalities connected to the mutations could help diagnose the disease early and also devise targeted therapies, Smith explained. Karla Miller professor of biomedical engineering at the WIN at Oxford was also on the team of the second paper. She said that this second study shows that not only can researchers predict which treatment would be best suitable for which patient but can also monitor how a patient responds to a drug. We can learn even more about how genetics affect brain development, agieng and disease, and see much more about how and where in the brain this happens, she said. Marchini too said in the same lines that these studies and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) help in deeper understanding of the relationship between the diseases and the genes. He warned that this does not show that a particular gene change causes the disease but merely shows an association. He called the Biobank data game changing in research because of its size. A new study led by York University researchers has found that fluoride levels in urine are twice as high for pregnant women living in Canadian cities where fluoride is added to public drinking water as for those living in cities that do not add fluoride to public water supplies. The study "Community Water Fluoridation and Urinary Fluoride Concentrations in a National Sample of Pregnant Women in Canada" was published today in Environmental Health Perspectives. It is the first study in North America to examine how fluoride in water contributes to urinary fluoride levels in pregnant women. The research was conducted as part of a larger study funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) investigating whether early life exposure to fluoride affects the developing brain. "We found that fluoride in drinking water was the major source of exposure for pregnant women living in Canada. Women living in fluoridated communities have two times the amount of fluoride in their urine as women living in non-fluoridated communities," said Christine Till, an associate professor of Psychology in York's Faculty of Health and lead author on the study. The Maternal Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) study recruited 2,001 pregnant women between 2008 and 2011. The women lived in 10 large cities across Canada. Seven of the cities (Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, Sudbury, Halifax, Edmonton and Winnipeg) added fluoride to municipal water while three (Vancouver, Montreal and Kingston) did not. Urine samples were collected during each trimester of pregnancy for over 1,500 women. Fluoride levels in municipal water treatment plants that provided water to each women's home were obtained. Information about each woman's demographics, lifestyle and medical history was also collected. In addition to fluoridated water, sources of fluoride can include toothpastes, mouth rinses, as well as processed beverages and food, especially those made with fluoridated water. Beyond water, products such as tea have previously been found to have high concentrations of natural fluoride. In this study, fluoride level in water was the main determinant of fluoride level in the women's urine. Higher consumption of black tea was also correlated with higher levels of urinary fluoride in pregnant women. The levels of fluoride among pregnant women living in fluoridated communities in Canada were similar with levels reported in a prior study of pregnant women living in Mexico City where fluoride is added to table salt. "This finding is concerning because prenatal exposure to fluoride in the Mexican sample has been associated with lower IQ in children. New evidence published today in Environment International also reported an association between higher levels of fluoride in pregnancy and inattentive behaviours among children in the same Mexican sample," said Till. The research team, including experts from Simon Fraser University, Universite Laval, Indiana University, University of Montreal and Cincinnati Children's Hospital, is investigating whether prenatal exposure to fluoride in Canadian children results in IQ deficits, similar to the Mexican study. Fluoride has been added to public drinking water in Canadian and American communities since the 1940s as a means of preventing tooth decay. Today, about 40 per cent of Canadians and 74 percent of the U.S. population on public water supplies receive fluoridated water. Financial Secretary Paul Chan (second right) attends the Caixin Roundtable meeting in Bali, along with Peoples Bank of China Governor Yi Gang (right). Financial Secretary Paul Chan today attended the Caixin Roundtable meeting in Bali. Speaking on the roundtables theme of Financial Opening-up: The Engine of New Reformation, Mr Chan highlighted how as an international financial centre, Hong Kong can contribute to the opening up of the Mainlands financial market and assist enterprises in grasping development opportunities on the Mainland. Government officials, academics and representatives of the business sector attended the event to discuss the global financial market and its innovation and reformation. Earlier, Mr Chan met US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to discuss matters of mutual interest. He also spoke about the global and Hong Kong economic outlook with representatives of the banking sector. Every year around the festive season air in North India becomes toxic. A major source of pollution is Stubble burning in Haryana ,Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Estimates say 15 million tonnes of paddy straw are burnt every season. National Green Tribunal has banned stubble burning in 5 North Indian States. In 2017, Delhi's air quality index went up to 486 while the acceptable level is just 50. Sorry! This content is not available in your region New Delhi: The Supreme Court ordered the Noida Police on Thursday to take the three directors of the Amrapali group to the sealed properties where the documents of the firms will be catalogued. It issued a contempt notice against the three, including CMD and sought their reply in four weeks and ordered the cops to keep them under surveillance at a Noida hotel. They have also been barred from using their phones. Adhering to the Supreme Courts direction to seal nine properties of Amrapali group in Noida, Greater Noida, Rajgir and Buxar in Bihar where documents are kept, the group on Thursday informed the court that the nine properties in the said places were sealed. The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the group to file an undertaking with regard to the sealing of its properties and sought the presence of two forensic auditors by by 2 pm. Read More | International Day of the Girl Child: Mamata Banerjee says Kanyashree scheme empowered 50 lakh girls On Tuesday, the top court had sent three directors of the group to police custody, directing them to hand over all the documents of the 46 group companies to forensic auditors. The directors of the real estate groupAnil Kumar Sharma, Shiv Priya and Ajay Kumarfailed to provide the documents relating to the companys accounts to forensic auditors. The apex courts 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 had 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. 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. Also Read | LIVE | Cyclone 'Titli' hits Odisha, Andhra Pradesh coasts; flights cancelled, shops damaged 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 courts 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 Bihars 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. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: Budget carrier GoAir became the sixth domestic carrier to hit international skies with the launch of its inaugural flight to Phuket from New Delhi on Thursday. The inaugural flight (G8 031) with 182 passengers on board was given a ceremonial flag off for Phuket in Thailand at 0100 hours Thursday from New Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport, the airline said in a release. Besides the national carrier Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express, private carriers Jet Airways, IndiGo and SpiceJet also fly international. Also Read | NN Exclusive: Taslima Nasreen reveals her #MeToo moment, accuses THIS famous poet GoAirs first international service was operated by Airbus A320 Neo aircraft, the airline said, adding that it will soon mark the commencement of a direct service on New Delhi-Phuket route twice a week and on Mumbai-Phuket sector thrice a week. The launch of our first service to Phuket represents another step of transition from a domestic carrier to a global airline. Phuket is a key market in India and holds a significant base for business and tourism. We are delighted to welcome Phuket as a part of our new global network; we look forward to providing more flexibility of choice to our customers and contributing to this growth, said Cornelis Vrieswijk, chief executive officer, GoAir. Read More | #MeToo: On 76th birthday, Amitabh Bachchan lends support to movement GoAir became eligible to fly overseas two years ago when it took delivery of its 20th aircraft, which was also the first Airbus A320 Neo for the airline. GoAir currently operates over 1,544 weekly flights across 23 domestic destinations with a fleet of 38 Airbus A320 planes, including 19 A320 Neos. GoAir, which launched its domestic operations in November 2005, was granted rights in August 2016 to operate to nine countries, including China, Vietnam, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, among others. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Housing sales rose by 6 per cent during July-September in nine major cities at 51,142 units on demand recovery post demonetisation, new real estate law and GST impact on the real estate market, according to PropEquity data. Nine cities tracked by real estate data, research and analytics firm PropEquity include Gurgaon, Noida, Mumbai, Kolkata, Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Thane and Chennai. Read | Rampal Case: Hisar court convicts self-styled godman of murder Launches of new homes grew by 12 per cent to 32,870 units during the third quarter of 2018 calendar year. "In the last one year, prices have corrected and the realty market has started to somewhat revive. With festive season coming up, developers will dole out discounts, finance schemes and freebies to push housing demand further," said Samir Jasuja, founder and managing director of PropEquity. "We continue to see strong traction for ready to move in and nearing completion projects to attract demand," he added. Also Read | Cyclone Titli hits Odisha, Andhra Pradesh coasts; flights cancelled, shops damaged The market has been continuously recovering over the past few quarters as substantial amount of ready stock available in the primary market has led to the market slowly transforming into a buyer's market. "As the real estate market got accustomed to reforms like goods and services tax (GST) and Real Estate Regulation Act (RERA), absorption for ready to move and nearing completion projects picked up," the report said. The unsold inventory dipped by 8 per cent to 6,17,456 units in these nine cities. In Bengaluru, housing sales increased by 14 per cent to 8,916 units. Mumbai saw an increase of 20 per cent in sales to 5,736 units. Pune witnessed 17 per cent rise at 11,720 units. In Chennai, housing sales jumped 70 per cent to 3,966 units. In Kolkata, there was a marginal increase of 1 per cent in housing sales at 3,058 units. Hyderabad saw a dip of 24 per cent to 3,624 units. Thane, too, saw a decline of 3 per cent to 11,210 units. In Delhi-NCR, Noida saw absorption jump of 34 per cent at 920 units Housing sales in Gurugram fell 41 per cent to 1,992 units. PropEquity, which is an online subscription based platform, covers over 98,370 projects of 26,881 developers across over 42 cities in India. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Grope, chase, stalk, leer at, insult, humiliate stories of sexual abuse and harassment are endless. Sadly, several forms of abuse in the society are accepted as normal and go unreported. Today, thanks to the rise of #MeToo movement, theres no stopping the battle against sexual harassment. However, while the number of disturbing reports of #MeToo incidences which have blackened the faces of well-known celebrated names across different walks of life, are growing, young girls are struggling a grim battle. Also Read | #MeToo: Lasith Malinga named by Chinmayi Sripada for sexual assault While more and more women victims are emerging from their dark world in the wake of the #MeToo movement to reveal the truth without any fear, and dropping names, young women and girls too are facing constant sexual abuse and harassment across cities worldwide. But many of their horror stories remain in dark corners still. They feel the futility of speaking up or reporting sexual harassment to authorities concerned, as actions are hardly taken against the culprits. In fact, in many cases, the victims are looked upon with disdain or treated wrongly by the society. And the young women blame themselves for the wrong on them. "Constant harassment and abuse is frightening and draining, and leaves young women feeling completely disempowered, CEO of child rights organisation Plan International Australia, Susanne Legena, said in a report. Atrocities against young women, according to the report by Plan International, is condoned by the society, bystanders and authorities rarely act against the wrongdoers. This indifference and inaction lead many girls and young women to blame themselves for abuse and harassment," Legena said. In the given helpless scenario, the girls adjust their behaviour to protect themselves. "The level of danger girls are facing in cities is shocking and we all have a role to play in ensuring everybody feels safe in our cities -- whether they are on the street, on public transport or in parks. Individuals, communities, governments and authorities should all be spurred to act," Nicole Kalms from the Monash University in Australia said. Read More | #MeToo: On 76th birthday, Amitabh Bachchan lends support to movement The report by the Plan International shows that young women suffer constant abuse in cities worldwide, including Delhi. The report, which is based on over 21,000 testimonials of girls and young women living in Delhi, Kampala, Lima, Madrid and Sydney, reveals that in all five cities, boys and men grope, chase, stalk, leer at, verbally insult, and flash girls and young women. The report also offers a previously unseen glimpse of the impact of harassment and abuse on the lives of girls and young women - How society deprives young women of opportunities and benefits of city life "By forcing girls and women to constantly adjust their behaviour to stay safe, the society is denying them the benefits and opportunities of city life," Legena said. Their access to work and study opportunities, and their ability to enjoy the city, is restricted, she said. Read More | Trump mocks #MeToo Movement "The idea that all around the world -- in cities like Delhi, Lima, Kampala, Madrid and Sydney -- girls are being pulled out of school, quitting their jobs or moving because of the harassment and abuse they are subjected to by men is completely unacceptable," Legena said. Kalms said the harassment of girls and young women transcends geography. "Across five cities, the safety concerns of these young women are frighteningly similar, with the prevalence of sexual harassment in particular standing out," she said. The research was carried out using an online mapping tool developed by Plan International. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The 'very severe' cyclonic storm 'Titli', which hit coastal areas of northern Andhra Pradesh, leaving eight people dead and several injured, now started intensifying in several parts of Jharkhand. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy to very heavy rainfall will continue in north-east districts of Jharkhand till Friday. The deadly storm, which uprooted trees and electric poles, damaging hutments in Odisha's Ganjam and Gajapati districts, claimed one life so far in the state. To our great relief, Cyclone 'Titli', which made the landfall with an estimated maximum sustained surface wind speed of 140-150 km per hour, now started coming down to 50-60 km/hour. The death-dealing cyclone is expected to prevail till Thursday evening and maybe for some time after night across Andhra Pradesh, officials at Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre said. Furthermore, Cyclone 'Titli' is likely to move north-westwards till Thursday evening and then recurve north-eastwards towards Gangetic West Bengal, weakening gradually into a deep depression by Friday morning, the weatherman added. In the wake of this natural disaster, thirteen teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in vulnerable areas along with fire brigade personnel. Over three lakh people have been moved to safe places which helped avoid loss of life in the calamity. The evacuees are housed in 1,112 shelters where food and sanitation facilities are available. Here are the Highlights on Cyclonic storm 'Titli': 00:13 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In One dead as Cyclone Titli wreak havoc in Odisha's Gajapati and Ganjam districts. 18:49 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In With cyclone 'Titli' uprooting more than 100 electric poles and a large number of trees at many places, power supply and road communication are severely hit in Odishas Ganajm and Gajapati districts 17:19 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The other places in Andhra's Srikakulam district recorded rainfall ranging from 2 cm to 13.26 cm 17:19 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In In Andhra Pradesh, the Palasa, Vajrapukottur, Nandigam areas recorded 28.02 cm of rainfall followed by Kotabommali (24.82 cm), Santabommali (24.42 cm), Itchapuram (23.76 cm) and Tekkali (23.46 cm). 17:16 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In In all, eight districts - Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore have been affected by "very severe cyclone Titli" 17:15 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Altogether, 105 pregnant women in Ganjam district and 18 in Jagatsinghpur have been shifted to hospitals 17:15 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has instructed officials to expedite restoration efforts once the situation improves 17:14 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In As per the latest data, Balasore received very heavy rainfall of 117 mm while Paradip recorded 111 mm of rainfall 17:14 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The water level of the Rusikulya and Bansadhara rivers are being monitored, Odisha water resources secretary PK Jena said 17:02 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Andhra Pradesh: Visuals from Palasa railway station in Srikakulam district as Cyclone Titli hits the region Andhra Pradesh: Visuals from Palasa railway station in Srikakulam district as #CycloneTitli hits the region. pic.twitter.com/yLPLvY57O3 ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2018 17:01 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In North-east districts of Jharkhand have been affected due to Titli Cyclone. Rain will continue in places around Ranchi till tomorrow, says IMD 17:01 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Immediately after landfall, it was 140-150 kmph. Gradually, it was weakening. Now it will come down to 50-60 kmph. It'll prevail till evening today and may be for sometime after night, weatherman added 17:00 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Up to evening of today, north Andhra Pradesh may experience wind speed from 50-60 kmph. Very rough to high conditions still prevailing over west central Bay of Bengal. Fishermen advised not to venture into the sea: Visakhapatnam Cyclone Warning Centre 16:59 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In 8 people have died in Srikakulam and Vijayanagaram districts due to Cyclone Titli. Power supply and communication systems are affected in both districts. Coastal villages are cut off from the mainland as the roads are damaged For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that India will find out soon about the possible CAATSA sanctions for defying a Washington warning by signing the deal to purchase S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile systems from Russia. "India is going to find out. You will see. Sooner than you think, Trump said in a response to a question during his interaction with reporters in the Oval Office of the White House. Also Read | $5 billion S-400 missile deal with Russia: Why it's a crucial stage for Indias strategic relations On October 5, India had signed the $5 billion deal to purchase S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile systems from Russia during President Vladimir Putins two-day visit to New Delhi. The US had earlier warned India against the defence deal with Russia. Under the amended Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), President Trump has the authority to grant a waiver to India for the deal with sanctions-hit Russia. The US President is expected to meet Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary James Mattis to discuss the issue of punitive sanctions against India. Earlier, Pompeo and Mattis had argued for a waiver to India citing American interests to counter China in the Asia Pacific. Also Read | S-400 Triumf Missile can engage 36 targets at a time: 10 things to know Recently, a White House National Security Council Spokesperson had said that " (CAATSA presidential) waiver is narrow, intended to wean countries off Russian equipment and allow for things such as spare parts for previously-purchased equipment." For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Hisar (Haryana): A Hisar court has convicted self-styled godman Rampal in connection with the two murder cases registered against him and 27 of his followers in 2014. The verdict was pronounced at the Hisar Central Jail. Rampal was not taken out of the prison. He was instead produced inside the makeshift court via video conferencing. Rampal and the 27 others were booked on charges of murder and wrongful confinement after four women and a child were found dead in the Satlok Ashram on November 19, 2014. Another case was registered against the self-styled godman and his followers after a woman was found dead at his ashram in November 2018. Read More | Another surge in fuel prices; petrol up at Rs 82.36 per litre, diesel at Rs 74.62 in Delhi As many as 4,000 police personnel, besides the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and paramilitary troops, have been deployed in Hisar to maintain law and order in the district and surrounding areas. Train services to the district from different parts of the country have been stopped. Thousands of followers of the self-styled godman might the city ahead of the verdict. The Hisar administration has deployed forces to contain any violence. In August last year, another self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahims followers had unleashed violence in Hisar after the Dear Sacha Sauda chief was convicted of rape. As many as 30 people had died in the aftermath of the verdict and properties worth several crores destroyed. Also Read | #MeToo: Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao issue statement, decide to 'step away' from film over sexual harassment allegations Deputy commissioner (DC) Ashok Kumar Meena told Hindustan Times, No one will be allowed to breach law and order. Police will deal in a strict way if anyone is found disturbing peace in the district. He added that if required, the police will also use force to maintain law and order and Internet services may also be barred. Rampal founded the Satlok Ashram in Karotha village of the Rohtak district in Haryana in 1999, based on his following from within the Kabir Panth. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Srinagar: Scholar-turned-militant Manan Wani, was one among the two militants to have been killed in an encounter at Handwara in North Kashmir on Thursday. Read More | Happy Birthday Amitabh Bachchan: Different shades of Bollywood's 'angry young man' Wani, a PhD scholar with the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), joined militant ranks this January, according to sources. Following the tip-off of the trapped militants, police and other security forces have cordoned off a village. And, the militants have been asked to surrender by the police through a public address system. Also Read | Amrapali group tells Supreme Court nine properties sealed The firing stopped for sometime around 9 am, but firing resumed after 15 minutes amid search operation, the officials said. The operation has been concluded, the police said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Hisar (Haryana): A Hisar court will pronounce the verdict against 66-year-old self-styled godman Rampal on Thursday in connection with the two murder cases registered against him and 27 of his followers at his sprawling 12-acre Satlok Ashram at Barwala in 2014. Chronology of events leading to Rampal's arrest: 2006: Rampal raised objections to certain parts of Satyarth Prakash, the core text of the Arya Samaj. This led to a clash with followers of Arya Samaj, in which one person named Sonu was shot dead, and 59 others were injured. Rampal was charged with murder and attempt to murder, and jailed for 22 months. His followers claim that he was falsely implicated in the case. 2008: Rampal was released on bail and he set up his base in Barwala, Hisar. After obtaining bail, Rampal did not appear in court regularly, for trial in the murder case. Read More | Rampal Case Verdict: Security tightened in Hisar ahead of judgment today September 2014: Rampal was asked to appear before the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Chandigarh, however, the self-styled godman did not appear before the court. November 5: The Punjab and Haryana High Court issued non-bailable arrest warrants against him. This led to protest and his followers blocked rail and road traffic in Ambala, Panchkula, and Chandigarh. November 9: When the police tried to detain him, his followers formed human chains outside the Satlok Ashram to prevent the police from arresting him. The police tried to initiate a dialogue and asked him to surrender. Rampals followers announced that the police will have to kill more than 100,000 followers before arresting him. November 17: A case was registered against self-styled godman Rampal, the head of Satlok Ashram, and his followers under IPC sections 186 (Obstructing public servant in discharge of his public function), 332 (Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty) and 353 (Assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty). Also Read | #MeToo: Modi's minister MJ Akbar faces allegations of sexual harassment, will he resign? November 18: Satlok ashram in Hisar was protected by thousands of his followers who wielded lathis, sticks and other firearms. The police had to fight bloody clashes with armed supporters of the controversial spiritual leader during the siege. The bodies of four women were found on the ashram premises while one woman and a child who were ill were taken to hospital where they died. The police said the deaths had not occurred in police action. November 19: Rampal, who had holed up in the ashram at Barwala, Hisar, was arrested in the final assault by the police, with assistance from the Central paramilitary force. August 29, 2017: A Hisar court acquitted Rampal in the two criminal cases, however, he remained in jail as he still had murder charges against him. October 11, 2018: A Hisar court convicts Rampal of murder in both the cases of murder against him. October 16: A Hisar court awards Rampal life sentences in both the murder cases. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Beijing: Scientists have developed colour-changing contact lenses that can deliver drugs and monitor eye treatments. Researchers from China Pharmaceutical University and Southeast University in China sought to create a drug-delivering contact lens that would change colour as the medication is released into the eye. According to the study published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, the lens could control and indicate the sustained release of many ophthalmic drugs. It is difficult to known how much medication is actually getting to the eye, when eye drops and ointments are administered. Read More | Rafale Deal: Rahul Gandhi demands probe against 'corrupt' PM Modi This is because the eyes tend to reject foreign elements, and tears start rapidly start flowing when something goes into the eye. While this process is usually helpful for avoiding infection and damage from foreign objects, it can hinder the uptake of much-needed medications. Contact lenses may be a more effective way to deliver drugs directly to the eye, but real-time monitoring of drug release is still a challenge. The researchers fabricated a colour-sensitive contact lens using molecular imprinting, a technique that creates molecular cavities in a polymer structure that match the size and shape of a specific compound, such as a medicine. In laboratory experiments, the molecularly imprinted contact lenses were loaded with timolol, a drug used to treat glaucoma. Then, the team exposed the lenses to a solution of artificial tears, which was used as a stand-in for the eye. Also Read | Sholay actor Asrani rubbishes #MeToo movement, calls it publicity stunt As the drug was released from the contacts, the architecture of the molecules near the drug changed, which also changed the colour in the iris area of the lenses. No dye was involved in the process, reducing possible side effects, researchers said. They could see this shift with the naked eye and with a fibre optic spectrometer. For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A booster rocket made an emergency landing on Thursday after it failed mid-air on Thursday. The rocket was carrying a Soyuz spacecraft and with US and Russian astronauts, Nick Haque and Alexei Ovchinin, on board and was heading for the International Space Station. Both Hague and Ovchininas arms and legs flailed after the failure occurred with two men being shaken. The booster rocket was launched from the Soviet-era cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, and according to reports, the initial launch had gone smoothly with failure occurring at higher altitude. However, the crew have made a safe emergency landing and were in radio contact as the rescuers prepped themselves to pick the crew up. NASAas full statement on the incident: "The Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to the International Space Station at 4:40 a.m. EDT Thursday, Oct. 11 (2:40 p.m. in Baikonur) carrying American astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin. Shortly after launch, there was an anomaly with the booster and the launch ascent was aborted, resulting in a ballistic landing of the spacecraft. Astronaut Nick Hague of @NASA (left) is welcomed by NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine after landing safely in Kazakhstan following the failure of Soyuz rocket booster. https://t.co/tRYU6iFG7Q pic.twitter.com/0lqUb5RKo7 a Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) October 11, 2018 .@AstroHague, right, and cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, left, embrace their families after landing in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Hague and Ovchinin arrived after a safe landing on Earth following a Soyuz booster failure during launch earlier. Look: https://t.co/MzoA9TOqXk pic.twitter.com/mZqIiL7RYi a NASA (@NASA) October 11, 2018 "Search and rescue teams were deployed to the landing site. Hague and Ovchinin are out of the capsule and are reported to be in good condition. They will be transported to the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia outside of Moscow. "NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and the NASA team are monitoring the situation carefully. NASA is working closely with Roscosmos to ensure the safe return of the crew. Safety of the crew is the utmost priority for NASA. A thorough investigation into the cause of the incident will be conducted." For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: South Korean electronics giants Samsung on Thursday revealed its latest Samsung Galaxy A9 smartphone to strengthen its grip in the mid-premium range in the mobile market. The Galaxy A9 is the worlds first smartphone to provide a quad-camera setup and is likely to take over the Indian market in November. The price of the Samsung Galaxy A9 is slated to be announced near to the launch date. The Samsung Electronics President and CEO (IT and Mobile Communications Division) DJ Koh have said that the company is looking forward to its debut of the latest camera technology with the Galaxy A9. ALSO READ: #MeToo: Lasith Malinga named by Chinmayi Sripada for sexual assault As a global leader in smartphone innovation, we understand the demand for meaningful innovation in a fast-paced world driven by visual communication, he said. Building on our legacy in smartphone camera development, were introducing next generation technology across our entire Galaxy portfolio to give more consumers the opportunity to experience cutting edge, he added. Samsung had recently launched its Galaxy A7 for Rs 23,990 to make its mark in the mid-range smartphone segment, which has taken the Indian market by storm. The South Korean giants has changed its strategy to rival Xiaomi in the Indian market for the mass and to bring innovation across the mid-range and not limit them to premium flagships. Samsung is likely to assemble the brand new Galaxy A9 in its new facility in Noida, which was recently inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi to meet the demand of the growing Indian consumers. Samsung claims that the Noida facility is the worlds biggest smartphone factory with an investment of Rs 5,000 crore. (With inputs from PTI) 2011 Mary McCartneyA video for Paul McCartney's recent single "Come On to Me," a track from his latest studio album, Egypt Station, has debuted at the rock legend's official website and YouTube channel. The hilarious clip stars a character named "Fred 'Little Freddie' Maxwell," an after-hours security guard at a men's clothing store, who during a quiet evening at work decides to listen to McCartney's new tune on his mobile phone. As soon as the track begins to play, Fred puts on an impressive dance display in a number of the store's departments while lip-syncing to the upbeat, suggestive song. Freddie eventually winds up in a display window, and is noticed by a passer-by walking his dog. The two men then continue to dance and sing together as the song comes to an end. The "Come On to Me" video was directed by TG Herrington. Sequel versions of the clip are planned that will star characters named "Ali" and "Elsa." Meanwhile, Sir Paul has launched a contest asking fans to submit videos featuring themselves doing their best dance moves to "Come On to Me." The videos should be posted to Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #COTMChallenge. More details will be revealed about the competition soon. McCartney recently launched his Freshen Up Tour in support of Egypt Station. His next concert will be a headlining set this Friday, October 12, at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, Texas. He also played at the festival last Friday. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Global Focus Shines a Light on Group's Efforts to Equip Girls for a Brighter Future Through community schooling programs, GFA (Gospel for Asia) helps offer fresh hope to young victims of gender-based prejudice WILLS POINT, Texas, Oct. 11, 2018 / Christian Newswire / -- This year's focus of the United Nations' annual International Day of the Girl Child, emphasizing the need for better educational opportunities for girls under the theme "With Her: A Skilled GirlForce," brings a spotlight to some of the quiet, ongoing work of GFA (Gospel for Asia, www.gfa.org ). Photo: Through Bridge of Hope centers, GFA-supported workers provide educational opportunities that offer a brighter future for young girls, like these banana pickers. High-resolution version is available. Through Gospel for Asia-supported Bridge of Hope centers in both urban and rural settings across Asia, young girls are gaining the education, confidence and open doors necessary to escape the cycle of poverty. Women's Fellowship teams teach women to read and write, to help them achieve a better life for themselves and their families, even as the skill itself dignifies them. GFA-supported Women's Fellowship is also teaching health and hygiene seminars for thousands of women, in which they warn the women against the risks of child marriage and adolescent pregnancy, so that the women can make informed decisions for their daughters. In addition, GFA-supported workers care for some of the victims of long-standing prejudice and mistreatment, from girls and women forced into prostitution or other forms of bonded labor, to widows left destitute because of common prejudices. Among those who have benefited from GFA's efforts in Asia is Daya, a small girl abandoned by her impoverished parents. She was cared for by her grandmother, with the pair forced to beg for help at bus stops, train stations and shops. They encountered a cook from a GFA-supported Bridge of Hope center who invited the little girl to join the program, which includes free schooling and health care. Absent parental care, Daya's awareness of everyday basics like hygiene was so lacking that some other families wanted Bridge of Hope to bar her. That would have sent her back out into the streets to beg, at risk of further abuse. So the Bridge of Hope staff helped her clean up, and in due time Daya learned not only to take care of herself and to read and write, opening up the possibility of a brighter future, but also that God cared for and loved her. "Daya's story is the story of countless young girls in these Bridge of Hope centers who are realizing their God-given value and are being given the key to a better life. So many of them want to become teachers or doctors or social workers," said GFA Founder and Director Dr. K.P. Yohannan. "But there are far too many other Dayas all over the world who still need the same opportunity, so we will continue on, helping every girl we can." In 2014, GFA released Veil of Tears, an acclaimed documentary which highlighted the stories of millions of women in Asia who face oppression simply because of their gender. "It is heartbreaking to see so many millions in the world who are suffering prejudice simply because they were born female," said Yohannan. "We not only want them to know they have equal value and worth and dignity, but we also want to try to help provide them opportunities to have a brighter future and contribute to society, as far as we can." DANBURY Local LGBTQ leaders are pitching Danbury Public Schools to implement new training to help teachers and staff to better communicate with LGBTQ students and same-sex parents. Teachers and staff do not now receive any training specific to LGBTQ issues, often leaving teachers on their own to figure out how best to address insensitive comments or questions in their classroom, say leaders of the Danbury Area Justice Network, which advocates for LGBTQ issues across the area. Instead, Justice Network leaders argue the district could make a major difference with only a few hours of dedicated training during teachers pre-scheduled professional development days throughout the school year. There are staff who have or have had gender nonconforming students in their classroom and they want to help and they want to be supportive, but theyve said to me i just dont know what to do or to say, so they often just do nothing, said Kevin Haddad, a fourth-grade teacher at Kings Street Intermediate School. I think we need to support all of our students to the best of our abilities, he continued. Small things can be done, even at the elementary level, to make a student feel more comfortable. Justice Network leaders first broached the topic with school leaders last month and have been working with administrators on possible options since. This week, Assistant Superintendent Kevin Walston and Director of Instruction Kara Quinn Casimiro announced the district will incorporate LGBTQ training into a new suite of anti-bias and cultural competency education. This years professional development schedule is already set, so the new program would start in the fall, they added. The places Ive been, this training was mandatory for all the staff, said Walston, who joined the district this summer and has worked at schools in Bridgeport, Waterbury and New Jersey. Im happy to hear we dont have to talk everyone into doing this and that we have people in our community and our staff pushing us to do this. My goal is to make sure in a couple of months to outline to the board and community what a draft professional development plan would look like then making sure were kicking off the year in those areas, he continued. Our idea is that as were talking about issues around equity and equity for all kids, that we have to talk about all communities. The training will better equip teachers with more inclusive ways of talking with LGBTQ students, their peers and parents about those issues, leaders said. For example, a teacher might overhear one student use gay as an insult against another and chastise that as a bad word, Haddad said. But the teacher might not know how to explain why using gay as a slur is wrong, leaving the young student with the wrong impression that being gay itself is bad, he said. The same goes for teachers who split students in boys and girls lines, which could inadvertently alienate a student without the teacher realizing it, he added. Melinda Scott, a fourth grade teacher at Stadley Rough Elementary, echoed the call for training. The reality is our society is changing, she said. Our demographics in Danbury have changed dramatically in so many different ways. This is one of those many issues that we really need to be proactive on and get ahead. There are several free training resources available online and others the district can request from LGBTQ advocacy organizations, said Will Love, who helped found the Justice Network in 2016. Walston and Justice Network leaders will work on options this year to present to the school board later this school year. Its like a no-brainer, Haddad said. Its a win for everybody. zach.murdock@hearstmediact.com BROOKFIELD A $6 million plan to improve busy Federal Road is back on track. The state Department of Transportation will conduct a public information meeting on proposed safety improvements along Route 202 in Brookfield later this month. The work was among the $4.3 billion worth of transportation projects the state had postponed at the start of this year until funding could be identified. The project is designed to improve safety and reduce the bottlenecks on the road, where several big stores are located. Were getting traffic jams every Saturday and Sunday along the lower corridor of Federal Road, First Selectman Steve Dunn said. That's primarily due to the fact that the road has not been upgraded to address the addition of big box stores the Kohls, the Costcos, the BJs. The road is overloaded right now as constructed. The state has also cited the area as a problem spot for crashes. A 2015 Western Connecticut Council of Governments study found there were 442 crashes between 2010 and 2012 on the 1.6 mile lower Federal Road corridor from White Turkey Road to Route 133. The WestCOG study found about 30,000 cars drive on portions of lower Federal Road each day. There are no sidewalks and only one crosswalk in that Federal Road corridor, according to the WestCOG study. The DOT project will include the construction of five-foot sidewalks to accommodate pedestrian traffic along the corridor, in addition to widening the road for four-foot shoulders to improve safety for bicyclists. The project extends from the driveway of BJs/Kohls to the intersection of Federal Road and Junction Road. The plan is to pay for construction with 80 percent federal funds and 20 percent state funds. The state began working on the project after Dunn asked the DOT commissioner to install a left-turn signal on the northbound side at Chick-Fil-A. But Dunn said the commissioner told him the state would not do that alone. Instead, traffic signals will be installed at the southern intersection of Federal Road and Old New Milford Road, as well as the intersection of Beverly Drive and Hardscrabble Road. Dunn said it is next to impossible to turn left off of Beverly Drive on the weekends. Two traffic signals at the northern intersection of Federal Road and Old New Milford Road will also be removed. A dedicated left-turn lane will also be added to the southbound side at the Chick-fil-A and Shop Rite plaza. Its going to make the traffic flow much more smoothly, Dunn said. Thats what we want. Design is expected to be completed in January 2021, with construction anticipated to begin in summer 2021. The public information meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 29 at Town Hall. NEW HAVEN Rafael Neftali Castillo Baez of the Dominican Republic, last residing in the Bronx, N.Y., was sentenced in U.S. District Court here to two years in prison and five years of supervised release for supplying heroin to a New Haven drug trafficking ring, according to a press release. Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer passed sentence last week on Castillo Baez, who illegally entered the U.S. in 2010 and faces immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term, the release from U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut John H. Durham said. Some of the years hottest stocks posted the days biggest declines, as a broad sell-off in the stock market gathered steam throughout the day. The newly launched Entrepreneur Index of 60 leading companies, run by their founders or founding family members, was down 4.41 percent, closing at 161.3. Only three of the 60 stocks in the index rose and 15 had declines of more than 5 percent. The transaction volumes for virtually all stocks in the index were well above average. Technology stocks, the hottest segment of the equity market this year, were among the hardest hit. Netflix was down 8.38 percent after nearly doubling since the beginning of the year. Other tech companies in the index that fell sharply included Alphabet, Amazon, NVIDIA, Salesforce.com and Adobe. All of them were down by more than 5 percent. Twitter posted the steepest decline on the day, falling 8.5 percent. The stock has been falling since the social media giant disclosed in its second quarter earnings release that the number of active users on its network had fallen. The companys ongoing battle with bots and trolls is to blame. The automated accounts make it hard to evaluate user and advertising metrics for the network. Twitter shares are down 45 percent since peaking in late July. Related: What Should I Know About My Stock Options? Iconic clothing manufacturer Ralph Lauren also had a major dressing down on the day, falling 8.44 percent. Trade concerns with China appear to be a big factor in the decline. LVMH Moet Hennessey Vuitton recently issued warnings that Chinese customs officials were cracking down on consumer purchases of western luxury brand items in the country. The shares of brands like Ralph Lauren fell sharply as a result. Still another factor hitting the market was the lowering of global economic growth estimates by the International Monetary Fund yesterday. The IMF cited turmoil in emerging markets as the reason for downgrading its estimate for this year. That helped drive down the price of crude oil by 3.15 percent. Hess Corp, the only oil and gas producer on the Entrepreneur index fell by 7.41 percent. It is still up 40 percent so far this year. JM Smucker was one of only three stocks in the index to buck the extremely bearish trend. The food products manufacturer was up 1.54 percent for the day. The other two stocks posting gains were discount retailer Dollar Tree (1.65 percent) and home products retailer Bed Bath and Beyond (0.36 percent). Investors could be looking for value as all three stocks were down more than 15 percent on the year. They also all have high exposure to the U.S. economy, which continues to outpace growth in the rest of the world. Related: The Hottest Stocks Posted the Day's Biggest Declines The Entrepreneur Index Helps You Keep Track of the Top Companies Founded by Entrepreneurs Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump said Thursday that "it would not be acceptable to me" to block arms sales to Saudi Arabia in response to the disappearance last week of a Washington Post columnist after he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said he was open to other actions but questioned the wisdom of not selling military weapons, saying Saudi Arabia could instead turn to Russia or China, hurting U.S. defense companies. "What good does that do us?" Trump asked. On his first international trip as president, Trump visited Saudi Arabia and announced $110 billion in proposed arms sales. (The figure has been challenged by outside analysts, including The Washington Post's Fact Checker, which called it "not real and unlikely to come to fruition - and even if it did, it represents sales far in the future.") The administration also relies on Saudi support for several aspects of its Middle East agenda. The Washington Post reported Wednesday night that the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, ordered an operation to lure columnist Jamal Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia from his home in Virginia and then detain him, according to U.S. intelligence intercepts of Saudi officials discussing the plan. Turkish officials say that a Saudi security team lay in wait for the journalist and killed him. "We don't like it, and we don't like it even a little bit," Trump said. "But as to whether or not we should stop $110 billion from being spent in this country, knowing they have four or five alternatives, two of them very good alternatives, that would not be acceptable to me." Trump's comments Thursday echoed arguments made in a Fox News interview on Wednesday night in which he said he wants to find out what happened to Khashoggi but expressed concerns about the economic impact of blocking arms shipments. "We have jobs. We have a lot of things happening in this country," Trump said. "We have a country that's doing probably better economically than it's ever done before. Part of that is what we are doing with our defense systems and everybody is wanting them and frankly, I think that would be a very, very tough pill to swallow for our country." In a separate Fox News interview on Thursday morning, Trump characterized the United States' relationship with Saudi Arabia as "excellent." Asked about The Post report that the crown prince ordered an operation to lure Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia, Trump said: "Well, it would be a very sad thing, and we would probably know in the very short future." "We have investigators over there and we're working with Turkey and frankly we're working with Saudi Arabia," Trump said. "We want to find out what happened. He went in, and it doesn't look like he came out. It certainly doesn't look like he's around." During the Wednesday night interview, Trump took another shot at the late senator John McCain, R-Ariz., for voting against a Republican bill last year to overhaul the Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama's signature initiative. "We had it beat other than one senator, or you could put it differently," Trump said. "One senator late in the evening happened to vote against it, shockingly even though he campaigned for 10 - for eight years against it," Trump said. -- The Washington Post's Felicia Sonmez contributed to this report. Despite news reports of a "pro-Russian" party's victory in last Saturday's parliamentary election in Latvia, the election provides evidence that if Russian President Vladimir Putin makes any inroads in the Baltic states, it won't be through their democratic institutions. There's little doubt that Putin has his eye on the Baltics. As the Kremlin faces European sanctions for its Ukrainian adventures, it's only natural to look for a backdoor into the European Union through the large Russian minorities of Estonia and Latvia - about a quarter of each country's population - which often watch Russian state TV and end up in Russian-language filter bubbles on the social networks. "Putin will try to make sure your politicians don't feel safe," Mikhail Khodorkovsky, formerly Russia's richest man, now a political exile and one of Putin's highest-profile Russian opponents, told a Latvian magazine last month. "Leaning on marginal forces that exist in any country, he'll amplify conflicts. The goal is to weaken the political elite, make it feel dependent." Yet Latvia's election results, as well as demographic trends there and in Estonia next door, show how hard it would be to reach that goal. Harmony, the center-left Latvian party that came in first on Saturday with 19.8 percent of the vote, is easy to call "pro-Russian." Its leader, Nils Usakovs, mayor of the capital, Riga, is an ethnic Russian, and so is Vjaceslavs Dombrovskis, the party's candidate for prime minister. Harmony used to have a cooperation agreement with Putin's United Russia. And Latvian Russians have long preferred it to other parties because it has pledged to make it easier to get an education in Russian and to maintain closer economic ties with its giant neighbor. So, has a pro-Russian party won the election? Not really. Usakovs has long wanted to trade his party's "Russian" image for that of a mainstream social-democratic political force. Harmony dissolved the United Russia agreement last year when it joined the Party of European Socialists, which unites all the most influential center-left forces in the European Union. For Saturday's elections, it recruited ethnic Latvian politicians, some with government experience, to head its regional campaigns; Dombrovskis was the only Russian in the campaign's top ranks. "All these years," Usakovs said in a recent TV interview, "we have worked on turning into a fully-fledged party that can unite Latvians and non-Latvians." This attempt to straddle an electorate divided along ethnic lines makes it all but impossible for Harmony to pursue strongly pro-Kremlin policies. "We support the European Union's united stance on Russia no matter what it is," said Usakovs, adding that Latvia is one of the countries paying most dearly for Europe's sanctions against Russia. This is a weaker stance on sanctions than that of Italy's League party or Austria's far-right Freedom Party; both have active cooperation agreements with United Russia and both are part of their countries' governments. Usakovs's attempts to shed the "pro-Russian" image probably undermined Harmony's electoral performance. It won 28.4 percent of the vote in 2011, 23 percent in 2014 and less than 20 percent in 2018. Harmony has lost 36 percent of its ballot support since 2011, both because of its own reduced popularity and because of shrinking election turnouts in a country suffering from depopulation. Simply put, Harmony managed to pick up few Latvian votes but lost quite a few Russian ones. Some of these went to the Latvian Russian Union, a fringe party more favored by the Kremlin than Harmony because it advances one of Putin's favorite ideas - that of a "Russian world" to which ethnic Russians belong wherever they live. But the Latvian Russian Union only won 3.2 percent of the vote, failing to get into parliament. After the previous two elections, in which Harmony also finished first, other parties kept it out of government because they saw it as a Russian Trojan horse. A coalition without Harmony will be attempted this year, too, though it'll be harder to make deals given the success of KPV LV, the populist party led by the actor and radio host Artuss Kaimins. The anti-elite, anti-corruption KPV LV ("That's it, guys, the party is over," its leaders have threatened to tell the old political elite after the election) won 14.2 percent of the vote, coming in second after Harmony. But even if Usakovs's party ends up in government, it's unlikely that Latvia will turn more pro-Russian. The realities of coalition government will keep any pro-Moscow sentiments in check. That's what happened in Estonia, where the Center Party, which has its own lapsed cooperation agreement with United Russia and which most local Russians traditionally back, has been the senior partner in the governing coalition since 2016. When Mihhail Korb, a Center Party member and minister of public administration, mentioned last year that he wasn't in favor of Estonia's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, it only took a day for Prime Minister Juri Ratas, also from the Center Party, to kick him out of the cabinet. Korb issued an apology, saying that NATO membership was essential for Estonia. Ratas has also been careful not to appear too pro-Russian on domestic issues such as cultural autonomy for the Russian-speaking minority. "The party leadership only needs Russians to pick up votes," said Rodion Denissov, publisher of the Russian-language Estonian news outlet Tribuna.ee. "The problem is that there are no alternatives: Other parties just berate Russia and Russians, so people keep voting Center even though they trust it less and less." The ethnic Russians of Latvia and Estonia aren't, for the most part, members or any potential fifth column. They are increasingly integrated, perhaps not so much into the Baltic states themselves as into the borderless Europe. "Excluded from the public sector in the 1990s and early 2000s as a result of citizenship and/or language policy, ethnic Russians established businesses in Estonia and Latvia's flourishing private sectors," Michele Commercio of the University of Vermont wrote earlier this year. "Economic stability, and in some cases prosperity, along with EU and NATO membership, discouraged Russians from leaving Estonia and Latvia and from protesting nationalisation policies in these countries. Indeed, it encouraged them to take advantage of available economic opportunities, naturalise, and raise their children bilingually. The end result is a new generation of integrated, bilingual ethnic Russians who are content with their lives in Estonia and Latvia." That is a bit of an oversimplification. In Estonia, according to official statistics, some 27 percent of ethnic Russians are officially at risk of poverty, compared with 18.7 percent of ethnic Estonians. It's not as if all ethnic Russians channeled their frustrated civic zeal into business activity; many have simply fallen by the wayside. But, for the most part, Russians in both Estonia and Latvia have figured out how to work the existing system, initially hostile to them, to their advantage. Latvia and Estonia granted citizenship to few of the Russians who found themselves on their territory after the fall of the Soviet Union, hoping the rest would go home. Tough language tests were required to get on the citizenship path. As a result, today, only 64 percent of Latvia's ethnic Russians are citizens of Latvia, according to official data; in Estonia, the figure is 41 percent. The rest are split between Russian citizens (a minority) and holders of so-called alien passports that, for some people, provide the best of both worlds - visa-free travel both throughout the EU and to Russia (Latvian and Estonian citizens require visas for Russia). Just as Commercio pointed out, many of the alien-passport holders have willingly sacrificed their ability to vote in national elections for the chance to do business between Russia and the EU. Latvia has been steadily losing its population ever since it gained independence in 1991. Initially, other former Soviet republics, especially Russia, were the biggest destination for Latvia's emigres. The wealthier EU nations took over at the turn of the century. Latvia is still losing people to them - and it's losing ethnic Russians faster than residents in general. The new, European Russians, bred without any particular loyalty to their Baltic country of birth but without meaningful ties to Russia either, move away readily to seek their fortunes. Estonia is a wealthier country than Latvia - the average pension has reached 400 euros ($458) a month there, while in Latvia, it's 320 euros and raising it to 400 was a key Harmony election promise. Not coincidentally, Estonia has boasted positive net migration for the last three years. Its government statistical agency reports an influx of people with Russian citizenship; the small nation has become a magnet for Putin opponents who don't want to move too far away, and several well-known activists have settled there in recent years. If the Baltic nations have to worry about any Russians at all, it's those who were born in these countries but have Russian citizenship. These are largely people who have chosen the "Russian world." But there are only 17,761 such people in Estonia and 8,626 of them in Latvia. These aren't large numbers - 1.3 percent and 0.4 percent of the population, respectively - no fearsome fifth columns are anywhere on the horizon. Latvia has more to fear from its continuing depopulation. It's the young, well-trained people of every possible ethnicity who seek their fortunes overseas; that may explain the growing support of populist parties, backed by a less mobile rural population. Building up a social safety net, as Estonia is doing, could be a partial answer to the problem. As for the ethnic Russians, their behavior, including the determined centrist voting, mobility and economic activity, presents no danger to the Baltic states. Rather, it shows how Russians might have come to behave if Russia itself had never veered off the path of Westernization, which could have led it to the European Union. They'd still be Russians, but also Europeans. There's nothing Putin's anti-Western project has to offer them. - Bershidsky is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering European politics and business. He was the founding editor of the Russian business daily Vedomosti and founded the opinion website Slon.ru. When it comes to Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post columnist who has been missing since entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week, we remain in the allegation-and-denial phase. The Turkish police allege murder, and the Saudi government denies foul play. As we wait for more information, it's best to prepare for the worst. The Turkish government has provided specifics and evidence - such as video of Khashoggi entering the consulate and the names of 15 Saudi agents that it says flew to Istanbul in pursuit of him. The Saudis have issued blanket denials. And even though the Turks have done the same kind of thing, it also fits a pattern for the Saudis under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. For more than a year, he has been purging his critics. Wealthy members of the royal family have had their assets confiscated. Others have died in mysterious helicopter crashes. As Reporters Without Borders has documented, at least 15 Saudi journalists and bloggers have been arrested or disappeared since September 2017. That's not unusual in autocratic states. But if the Saudis abducted or murdered Khashoggi in Turkey, it crosses another line. It's the kind of sinister statecraft to be expected from Russia, North Korea and Iran - not from a U.S. ally. So if the Saudis did this, what should the U.S. do about it? One approach would be a slap on the wrist. Have an assistant secretary of state make a speech about how terrible this is without threatening any substantive repercussions. The Saudis are on the front lines of a regional war with Iran, after all, and the U.S. can't risk weakening its side in the conflict. No one wants the Houthis and their Iranian patrons to control Yemen's Port of Aden. As an early Trump administration memo put it: "Allies should be treated differently - and better - than adversaries." Another strategy would be to recognize that Saudi Arabia and the U.S. have divergent interests and downgrade the relationship. Recall the U.S. ambassador, support a resolution condemning its actions at the United Nations and suspend arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Maybe the president could even give a speech about the venality of this crime. America cannot allow this kind of lawlessness to become normalized. If other nations are to take the liberal world order seriously, then the anchor of that system - the U.S. - must punish the outliers, friend and foe alike. Besides, the Saudi-led war in Yemen has been waged at a horrendous human cost. Why deepen ties with a despot who disappears reporters and bombs civilians? There are problems with both tacks. A slap on the wrist lets the Saudis off too easily. Indeed, the relatively muted response from the Trump administration to the Prince Mohammed's purges up to now may have led his government to believe it could get away with it. There is also a deeper problem with the slap on the wrist. It lets the Saudis believe the U.S. needs them more than they need us. It effectively puts the Saudis in control of the alliance, despite the fact that they are a much weaker power. As Robert Kagan told me in an interview this week: "Unless are you willing to punish them for this misbehavior, then they own you." What about the more severe response? Saudi Arabia would definitely get the message - and other U.S. allies would understand there are consequences if America recalled its ambassador and supported a UN resolution. But that risks undermining Prince Mohammed, and the U.S. has an interest in his success with promised reforms like greater women's equality, a more open economy and a less radical clergy. What's more, less U.S. military engagement in Yemen will likely lead to more civilian casualties. Which course it chooses will say a lot about the Trump administration's values. The first priority for U.S. officials should be to join the rest of the world in demanding a full accounting of what happened in Istanbul. In the meantime, President Donald Trump should suspend arms sales to Saudi Arabia. He should also denounce the Saudis in public and threaten them with the more severe options in private. Finally, the State Department should investigate all cases of missing and detained journalists and dissidents in Saudi Arabia and release the results to the public. Trump can do all this while also making it clear that the U.S. remains committed to helping its allies counter Iran in Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria. None of those allies, however, is indispensable. And if Saudi Arabia wants to act like Iran, eventually America and the world will be forced to treat it as such. - Lake is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering national security and foreign policy. He was the senior national security correspondent for the Daily Beast and covered national security and intelligence for the Washington Times, the New York Sun and UPI. Ned Lamont, has invested another $8.2 million into his Democratic campaign for governor, according to the latest filings with state election regulations that show he has poured a total of more than $12.7 million of his personal wealth into the bid. The quarterly report, filed just before the deadline late Wednesday, indicates that Lamont, a former cable TV executive turned investor, has $5.5 million available for the last month of the campaign. He wrote personal checks for $3.6 million on September 4, followed by $4.6 million on Friday, September 28. In total, Lamont has raised $12,753.745. In the quarter - July, August and September - Lamonts campaign received more than $258,000 from individual contributors. His Republican opponent, Bob Stefanowski of Madison, raised $1.5 million during the quarter, for a campaign total of $5 million. He has paid out nearly $4.3 million, with only $747,520 available for the last month of the campaign. During the quarter, Stefanowski raised a million dollars from individual contributors. While his public appearances on the campaign have been very few outside of a few debates and small forums, Stefanowskis filings indicates a daily attempt over the last three months to raise money. Running outside the states voluntary public-finance program, Stefanowski got on TV in January with a series of ads that raised his name recognition and won him the GOP primary in August. The campaign-finance filings indicate that he has been scrambling for cash. He has held at least 22 fundraising events throughout the state, including three in Greenwich, including one at the exclusive Belle Haven Club, which the campaign rented for nearly $2,000. Another fundraising luncheon was held on Central Park South in New York. Stefanowski also loaned his campaign an additional $400,000, bringing the total to $2.65 million in personal funds for which the business consultant and former corporate executive is eligible to seek reimbursement. Lamonts contributions to his campaign, however, are not re-imbursable. Oz Griebel, the unaffiliated candidate for governor who is recent days began a radio-advertising effort, has loaned his campaign an additional $76,000, according to the latest quarterly reports Wednesday posted by the State Elections Enforcement Commission. Griebel, the former director of the MetroHartford Alliance, wrote five checks totaling the $76,000, including $30,000 on July 31. Most recently, Griebel, who on Wednesday was shown to have 11 percent support among voters in the latest Quinnipiac University Poll, wrote a $15,000 check on September 28. During the campaign, Griebel has loaned his effort $143,500 of the total $387,000 raised. Its a fraction of what Lamont and Stefanowski have invested. With less than a month before the election, Griebel has $39,000 left, the report indicates. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT Steve LaPan, head of the DEC's Great Lakes Fisheries section. The state Department of Environmental Conservation's recently announced decision to cut back on the stocking of Chinook salmon in Lake Ontario during 2019 by 20 percent is getting some negative blowback from some charter boat captains and others. DEC officials, though, stand behind their research results and the decision to carry out the cuts. They emphasize their main priority is to responsibly manage and maintain a world -class fishery on the lake. According to a 2007 study, the lake's fishery provides the state with economic benefits totaling more than $113 million annually. The decision, comes on top of stocking cuts in 2017 and 2018 that had already reduced the number of Chinook put in the lake by 20 percent. Compared to 2016, the newest reduction will reduce the total number of Chinooks stocked in the lake by 40 percent. The criticism is surfacing at public meetings the DEC scheduled to discuss the plan and seek public input. Meetings were held last week in Lockport and Tuesday night in Rochester. A final meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. tonight at the Pulaski High School auditorium, 4624 Salina St., in Pulaski. Chinook salmon are the most sought after game fish on Lake Ontario. In this picture, Rich Maxwell, of Camillus, N.Y., with a nice Chinook salmon he caught on Lake Ontario fishing out of Oswego with Capt. Tony Buffa. The DEC's decision, which would involve stocking only 1.05 million Chinooks in the lake next year, is based on the status of the lake' alewife population. Chinooks feed almost exclusively on alewife, a type of herring native to the Atlantic Ocean that invaded the Great Lakes more than 100 years ago. DEC and U.S. Geological Survey bottom trawling studies this spring and other data collected indicate the lake is missing two, year classes of adult alewife - the result of severe winters in 2013/2014 and 2014/2015. The missing 2013 and 2014 year classes of alewife have created a hole in the baitfish's population. Given the current situation, Steve LaPan, head of the DEC's Great Lakes Fisheries section, told those at Tuesday's meeting in Rochester that there's no doubt Lake Ontario "is headed for some kind of event" in the next couple of years concerning the numbers of alewive in the lake. The result would be a situation where there would not be enough alewife to feed the stocked and wild chinooks in the lake. Large numbers of the baitfish are needed to support the voracious appetite that allows a salmon to grow over 30 pounds in four years. "(The two missing year classes of alewives are) creating a pothole down the road. We don't know how big or deep it will be. That's why we're starting the cuts now to shorten that duration of time," LaPan said, adding it would be irresponsible to just sit back, do nothing and "just roll the dice." Chinook salmon are the top choice of anglers who come from far and wide to fish Lake Ontario, in addition to those who come to fish the fall spawning runs up the lake's tributaries such as the Salmon River. The DEC's main concern is whether they'll be enough alewife to feed the lake's Chinook salmon. Critics question the science behind the decision and what they say is a lack of input from charter boat captains and others who this past year experienced a record-setting year for fish caught on the lake. Some charter boat captains have said they often saw ample numbers of baitfish on their fishfinders while out on the water and question the DEC's data-collection methods and data. LaPan answered that the charter boat captains should have seen large number of baitfish this year, but quickly added that beginning next year things will most likely be different. Capt. Vince Pierleoni, of Thrillseeker Sportsfishing Charters out of Olcott, said he and others "don't believe in the science" the DEC is pitching. He said there are no indications that the Chinook population is under stress or that there's a shortage of baitfish in the lake. "We expect to have good fishing the next year or two. We're riding on the coattails of a huge natural hatch. There are so many young fish out there. However, when we get the full effect of the 40 percent cut - and specifically if they decide to continue with it (for several years) - that's when the Chinook fishing in the lake will fall off the table," he said. "At the very least, they're being ridiculously conservative." Capt. Brian Garrett, of Tall Tails Sportfishing Charters in Oswego, and president of the Eastern Lake Ontario Salmon & Trout Association (ELOSTA), said the group's board is unanimously against the cuts. The Fairhaven Fisherman's Association is also against them, he said. In addition, some charter boat captains and others have started a letter-writing campaign to convince the DEC and state lawmakers that this is a bad idea. The crowd at Tuesday night's meeting at Braddock Bay Park in Rochester listens to DEC officials explain why the stocking cuts must be made. The anticipated DEC stocking numbers for 2019 are: Chinook salmon (1,056,960); lake trout (400,000), rainbow trout (615,700), brown trout (400,000), Atlantic salmon (50,000) and coho salmon (158,000). "On average, approximately 50 percent of the Chinook salmon originate from natural reproduction (wild fish)," LaPan said. "Approximately 50 percent of (stocked) Chinook salmon will be raised by sportsmen in net pen (spread along the lake' shore), which increases fish survival on average by two times." As for other fish, LaPan noted lake trout stocking in 2019 will remain at the 20 percent reduced level carried out in 2016 and 2017. LaPan noted the last time there was an alewife shortage and poor fishing was in the 1990s, when stocking cutbacks were implemented. He noted they worked and the fishery came back. The DEC is hopeful that a "relatively strong 2018 alewife year class will be detected in 2019," but that it's too early to tell for sure. LaPan said the DEC's counterparts in Canada are supportive of the DEC's decision and will soon be announcing steps they will be taking to address the issue. Currently, the DEC stocks around 75 percent of the lake's Chinooks. How long will the DEC's stocking cutbacks continue? "It depends on a robust distribution of adult alewife (in the lake) that have resiliency and stability," LaPan said. Steve Hurst, the DEC's chief of the Bureau of Fisheries, emphasized at the Rochester meeting that the overall 40 percent cutback in the Chinooks stocked is a "conservative" adjustment in the management of the fishery, noting some DEC staff proposed a 50 percent cut - and that one Canadian official advocated a complete halt to stocking, DEC officials noted the number of wild fish in the lake - estimated at 50 percent or more - could lessen the impact of the 2019 stocking cuts. "Given favorable wind and water temperature patterns, excellent fishing should continue in 2019," LaPan said. Fans of a fantasy tabletop role-playing game faced real-life peril in Upstate New York this week. The New York Post reports a trio of armed robbers interrupted a group of four people playing "Dungeons & Dragons" at a home in Niagara Falls, N.Y., on Monday. The three suspects, all men, entered an unlocked side door with a shotgun and a "machete-style knife," according to a police report. The Niagara Gazette reports one male suspect pressed a firearm against one of the four players' necks and demanded they hand over their cell phones and wallets. The group also took a PlayStation 4, several swords, car keys and a vehicle belonging to one of the "D&D" RPG players. The victims were not identified, but police said they were three males and one female, all in their early 20s. A police report said the men threatened the female victim before leaving. "We have your ID's, we know where you live -- call the police and we will kill you," one of the suspects told her. According to the Buffalo News, the stolen car was later recovered. The suspects have not been identified. Tokenized Securities company Desico is excited to announce that notable entrepreneur and investor Marc Bernegger has joined the team in an advisory role. Bernegger will give added expertise, with focus on investor relations. Marc Bernegger is an experienced entrepreneur, with emphasis in the area of fintech. We had the opportunity to get a statement from Mr. Bernegger, in which he explains Desico is lowering the barrier to entry for businesses looking to crowdfund, without needing to spend millions of dollars to conduct an official IPO. It takes the exuberance of the ICO market, and matches it with regulation and backing. Desico provides opportunity for entrepreneurs to raise official funds, giving investors official involvement in return, without needing excessive capital to do so. Desico is the worlds first platform to issue and trade security tokens in full compliance with the law. Regulation has been the topic of significant discussion this year, as the entire crypto space seeks to find clarity in classification. Tokenized securities will bring additional needed clarity to the market. Desico also looks to bring stability in ownership. The current ICO model often leaves investors without ownership of the underlying business, which can lead to assets losing significant value after the initial hype phase ends. Securities differ, in that they carry backing. Additionally, Desico looks to provide availability to retail investors. Desico CEO and co-founder Laimonas Noreika said in an interview, that Desico is available to retail investors. More and more solutions in the market tend to leave retail investors behind, as its easier to focus on institutional investments. At Desico, we believe that people who created a whole new financial market (ICO and Crypto market), should be the ones playing a major role in further development. Tokenized securities are currently gaining steam as people begin to see application for them. Being involved this early could be an advantage for Desico, as the market builds a base for the coming tokenized securities movement. As the market waits for a much anticipated Bitcoin ETF, tokenized securities companies continue to develop, setting the stage for what could be an exciting 2019. About DESICO DESICO is the first ever platform to issue and trade Tokenized Securities in full compliance with the law. DESICO operates under the Law of Crowdfunding for the Republic of Lithuania, which allows ICOs to issue Tokenized Securities to raise capital. Using DESICO, ICO-funded businesses will also have the ability to oversee their funds in the form of crypto or FIAT. DESICO is currently in its fundraising period, with a team of experienced managers in the fintech and entrepreneurial space. DESICO is based in Paris, and in Vilnius (the capital of Lithuania), which achieved the third most ICO capital raised in quarter 1 of 2018, with the U.S. and China having the first and second most capital raised. As for those who question DESICOs choice of location, Mr. Noreika responds by stating that several Fintechs (e.g. Revolut) are operating with licences out of Lithuania for EU passporting reasons. Paul Sankey of Mizuho Securities discussed the Tesla effect which is the concept that the 20th century was centered on oil and the 21st century will be centered on electricity, and what it is doing on oil stocks. Sankey says there is fairly widespread belief that we are ten years into a thirty-year transition from oil to electricity for cars and many other areas. As the oil price goes up to $100-120 per barrel, the Tesla Effect could be exacerbated by the potential for higher oil prices to accelerate the end of the Oil Age. Ultimately, the terminal value of oil has been severely affected by the potential for us to change behavior. Tesla is impacting other car makers and will impact oil and energy companies. China has made it policy to push the transition to electric cars. In February, 2018, self-made billionaire Don Gao from China mentioned that the Tesla Effect continues to grow even in markets beyond the California-based companys reach. Don Gao owns Positec which makes lithium-ion powered equipment. Positec is becoming a potent rival for heavyweight brands like Black and Decker. The billionaire entrepreneur noted that Teslas commitment to battery tech is spilling over into other industries, to the point where consumers perception of battery-powered devices is now changing. Don Gao also talked about the rising importance of India as a growth market and that e-commerce will still be killing traditional retail. There was 2015 discussion of Tesla and ending the age of oil. BWXT provided progress updates and technology demonstrations related to BWXTs nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) program. Jim Reuter, NASAs acting associate administrator of STMD, toured BWXTs Advanced Technology Lab in Lynchburg, Virginia to learn more about BWXTs progress on the program that could support a future crewed mission to Mars. Reuter watched demonstrations of three key technologies that BWXT has been developing to support the NTP program: 1) Advanced welding BWXT demonstrated a new welding technology developed specifically for NASA fuel element fabrication. 2) Metallography Technologists showed how they solve challenges in fabricating specialized materials used in NTP development. 3) Fuel Element Filling The company presented a simple yet innovative way that it can fill fuel elements. LEU nuclear thermal propulsion Current development of 500 MW LEU CERMET fuel reactor for manned space applications. * Design of 19.75% Enriched Ceramic Metallic (CERMET) Tungsten-Clad fuel * Nuclear, thermal-hydraulics and mechanical design of the reactor * Licensing and design support for full-scale full-thrust ground test of the NTP engine BWXTS SPACE NUCLEAR EXPERIENCE Space Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Formerly classified advanced technology design to develop and test high-performance nuclear reactor rocket engine for military applications. Particle bed fuel Mechanical, nuclear and thermal-hydraulic design of the core Reactor control and auxiliary systems Small Ex-core Heatpipe Thermionic Reactor Program to develop a nuclear reactor in the power range of 10 to 40 kW for space applications. Mechanical and Nuclear Design of UO2-Tungsten Clad Fuel Mechanical, nuclear and thermal design of the core and shield components Design of the reactor control and reactor support systems Extended reactor design to include propulsion (Bi-Modal) capability Nuclear Thermal Rocket Bi-Modal Reactor Nuclear thermal rocket program to provide Bi-Modal propulsion capability for future human exploration missions to the Moon and Mars and generating electrical power for spacecraft systems. Design studies for Various Fuel Types and Configurations including: PBR, UO2-Moly CERMET and Twisted Ribbon Ternary Carbide fuel forms Mechanical, nuclear and thermal design of the various core configurations and shield designs HAN Network is shutting down five of its southwestern Connecticut weekly newspapers, with the companys CEO citing economic forces in a notification to subscribers. Ridgefield-based HAN is ending publication of the Easton Courier, Monroe Courier, Redding Pilot, Stratford Star and Weston Forum. The company will continue publishing the Darien Times, Milford Mirror, New Canaan Advertiser, Ridgefield Press, Shelton Herald, Trumbull Times and Wilton Bulletin. BERLIN Nine blues acts from various spots in Connecticut will come together over the next three Sundays at the Pine Loft Cafe (1474 Berlin Tpke., Berlin) for the Connecticut Blues Societys 14th annual Connecticut Solo/Duo Blues Challenge. The two rounds of preliminaries and one afternoon of finals kick off Oct. 14 from 1-5 p.m. with the first preliminary round, said society board member Kent Kirkland in a news release. Admission for all rounds is free. The second preliminary round will be Oct. 21 from 1-5 p.m. and the finals will take place Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. Participants this year are: Oct. 14: The Sugar Lemons, Steve Hatch, Joel Blumert, and Dan Labich. Oct. 21: Peaceful Revolution, the Coffee Grinders, The Delta Blues Boys, Davey Blues, and Drew Blood & Kid Cameron. Each act will play a 25-minute set in the preliminaries. The two acts receiving the most votes each night from a panel of judges will return for the finals on Oct. 28. The participants will be judged by a panel that includes musicians, blues radio DJs and diehard fans in categories that include blues content, vocals, talent, originality and stage presence. The criteria are the same used at the Blues Foundations International Blues Challenge, which takes place each winter on Beale Street in Memphis. This years International Blues Challenge will be Jan. 22-26. The winner of the Connecticut Blues Society event will be Connecticuts representative in the Solo/Duo Division of the 34th International Blues Challenge. The local Solo/Duo Challenge winner will be awarded a $600 cash prize to offset some travel costs to Memphis. The 2017 winner of the Solo/Duo Blues Challenge was Frank Breen of East Hartford, who is a member of the Coffee Grinders. Artists must be an official representative of a Blues Foundation-sanctioned blues society to compete in the International Blues Challenge. The Connecticut Blues Challenge, which has separate band and solo/duo competitions, is organized and run each year by the Connecticut Blues Society, a nonprofit organization. The Blues Societys mission is to promote and preserve the blues in Connecticut. It aims to preserve the blues as a unique musical form and support Connecticuts community of blues fans and musicians. mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com FAIRFIELD Donna the Buffalo, the long-running roots jam band with its large Herd of followers from the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, is back at Fairfield Theatre Companys StageOne on Oct. 18 this time on the cusp of releasing its eighth studio album. The new album, Dance in the Street, Donna the Buffalos first new album in five years, has a Nov. 9 release date. Copies may or may not be available by Oct. 18, said the bands publicist, Maria Ivey of The Press House. But you can bet the band will be playing cuts off it and new Donna is always a good thing! I can also tell you based on Donna the Buffalos recent sets at the Rhythm & Roots Festival in Rhode Island over Labor Day weekend that all of the new songs they played there (about a half-dozen) sounded great and had folks dancing! Donna the Buffalo, co-founded in Trumansburg, New York, by Jeb Puryear and Tara Nevins, has had a tight relationship with The Herd for more than 30 years now, writing songs about community, human potential and the way things could be and should be. The new album is no exception. We feel the album provides an enjoyable ride between the general and the personal, from both male and female perspectives, says Puryear in a news release about the album and their current tour. My songs on this record are about letting go, says Nevins in the release. Whether it be the attachment of love lost, the past, or the particular blue funk youre coming out of. To record the latest album, Donna the Buffalo hooked up with producer/engineer Rob Fraboni best known as producer of The Last Waltz soundtrack but also respected for his work with Bob Dylan, Hubert Sumlin, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow and The Rolling Stones and recorded at Sonic Ranch Studio in El Paso, Texas. He had the band record in a circle directly to tape a 100 percent analog recording all the way to vinyl. And on Dance in the Street, just as they do every time they play, Donna the Buffalo shows that it knows a thing or two about rhythm. Cajun, zydeco and old-time rhythms. A bit of reggae rhythm. Various guitar and fiddle rhythms. The rhythms of traveling by bus year after year for more than a quarter-century now, criss-crossing America and returning to the same places (and occasionally new or slightly different places) over and over again. With a warm, soulful Lowery organ washing over it all. On Thursday, theyll be doing it at FTC and as usual, StageOne will be full of members of The Herd, Donna the Buffalos loyal legion of longtime friends, fans and dancers. Showtime is 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $38, available in advance at fairfieldtheatre.org or by calling 203-259-1036. Fairfield Theatre Company is located at 70 Sanford St. Could it really be possible that you STILL havent heard of Donna the Buffalo? (Or Herd of em? as the ubiquitous DTB bumper stickers ask.) Well, if you are the kind of person who values traditional roots influences fused with a highly danceable groove, you might want to get to know the band. For more than 30 years now, Donna the Buffalo has offered a colorful, eclectic mix of old-time bluegrass, Cajun and zydeco, folk, reggae, dusty Americana and San Francisco organ jam-band rock n roll. All of those influences go into what they do but it always comes out as a warm, spicy, dance-till-you-drop vibe all its own. While Donna the Buffalo as much as any band out there boogies to its own beat, chances are that if you like The Grateful Dead or Rusted Root or Leftover Salmon or Railroad Earth, you will probably love Donna. Puryear and Nevins have been joined onstage for the past few years by Dave McCracken on keyboards, Kyle Spark on bass and Mark Raudabaugh on drums. Nevins and Puryear both are prolific songwriters. Together, they have written a couple hundred Donna the Buffalo songs over the years. In 1991, the band started the Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival in Trumansburg. The four-day festival has become an annual destination for over 15,000 music lovers every year. mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com It's still technically summer, yet pumpkin-flavored everything is already all around us. It seems like not long ago, we would walk the aisles of Trader Joe's and delight in the fall seasonal offerings, snagging a pumpkin item or two while we had the chance. Now, many of us on the SFGATE team feel like the pumpkin spice trend has gone too far. Not just at Trader Joe's, but everywhere. It's not just the famous Starbucks pumpkin-spice latte anymore. Grocery store aisles are lined with pumpkin spice yogurt, potato chips and hummus. There's even pumpkin spice pizza now. We wish we were kidding. We decided to put a selection of Trader Joe's pumpkin-flavored offerings to the test. The taste test, that is. Click through the slideshow at the top of this story for the results of the SFGATE taste test. It was actually pretty tough to recruit SFGATE team members who were willing to participate in the tasting. "This is like a 10-course meal from hell," said one staffer. In the end, three pumpkin lovers agreed to painstakingly review 11 different Trader Joe's pumpkin products on camera. You can watch their reactions in the video above. PUMPKIN OVERLOAD: Reporter uses every pumpkin spice product she could find for a week The rest of our staff picked over the leftovers and worked together to rank everything we tried, from tasty to terrible. Read our unfiltered opinions in the slideshow above. What's your favorite pumpkin spice product? What's the worst one you've tried? Let us know in the comments. Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at amartichoux@sfchronicle.com. Dave Curran, Susana Guerrero, Alyssa Pereira, Chris Preovolos and many other SFGATE staffers contributed to this story. HARTFORD The 11th annual Connecticut Catholic Mens Conference will feature Archbishop Leonard Blair conducting a question-and-answer session and Jason Calvi, reporter for EWTN and the Global Catholic Network, addressing the group, according to a press release. Speakers for the Oct. 20 event will also include Fr. Bill Casey from the Congregation of the Fathers of Mercy; Bob Kroll, founder of With All Your Heart; and Doug Hoffman, a deacon from the Diocese of Norwich, the release said. There will be an opportunity for adoration of the Holy Eucharist and for the sacrament of reconciliation. In addition, there will be spiritual discussions, prayer and reflection, and a variety of faith-based exhibitors providing information, handouts and merchandise, the release said. Sam Todzia, founder of Red Barn Ministries and Meat and Greet, will serve as the master of ceremonies for the event, which will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Paul High School, 1001 Stafford Ave., Bristol. This years theme is "Go Into the Whole World, based on the Scripture of Mark 16:15. It calls on participants to proclaim their Catholic faith bravely and proudly. Rev. James Sullivan, pastor of Assumption Parish in Ansonia, is chaplain. He said in the release, This is an opportunity for men to come together to receive spiritual enrichment and experience Catholic fellowship. ... We hope that when they leave the conference, they will have felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and share the gifts they received during the day with their families. The archbishop will conclude the conference by celebrating Mass at 4 p.m. To learn more or to buy tickets, which are $45 per person and $30 for teens, visit: www.ctcatholicmen.org or call 860-484-7950. BRIDGEPORT A New Jersey man was sentenced in federal court Wednesday for his involvement in a Killingworth bank robbery during which he wore a scream mask as he approached the teller, officials said. Lavon Young, 39, was sentenced to 96 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport, federal officials said in the release. Young and another man identified in court records as David C. Earl drove to Key Bank on East Main Street in Branford around noon on Jan. 27, officials said. They were planning to rob the bank, according to court records. The two men got out of the car wearing dark upper-body clothing. Young also wore a dark, hooded sweatshirt and a green scream mask over his face, according to the release from the U.S. attorneys office. Earl wore a mask over his lower face, sunglasses over his eyes and a red-hooded sweatshirt under his overcoat, officials said. The two men walked up to the bank entrance and pulled on the doors, but they were locked. They returned to their car and drove off. Less than an hour later, Young and Earl drove to a TD Bank branch on Route 81 in Killingworth. Still wearing their masks and dark clothing, the two men entered the bank, told everyone to get down and demanded money from the tellers or else they would blow their heads off, according to court records. Earl possessed a pellet gun during the robbery, police said. A teller handed over multiple stacks of bills, totaling $9,754, and Young and Earl fled. Young and Earl threw most of the money out of the windows of their car while driving from the bank, and while being pursued by law enforcement, officials said. They were eventually apprehended by East Haven Police. Investigators successfully recovered $9,479 of the $9,754 taken during the robbery, according to court records. Young and Earl have been detained since Jan. 27. On July 11, Young pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. Earl, also of Union City, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to the same charge on May 15. He awaits sentencing. Youngs criminal history includes a federal conviction for robbing a bank in Linden, New Jersey, in December 2008. In May 2013, he was sentenced in the District of New Jersey to 63 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release. He was released from federal prison in March 2017 and committed the Killingworth bank robbery while on supervised release. Supervised release violation proceedings for Young are pending in the District of New Jersey. This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Connecticut State Police, Branford Police Department and East Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Henry Kopel and Douglas Morabito. Courtesy of the University of New Haven WEST HAVEN A University of New Haven criminal justice professor is set to testify today at a congressional briefing that will examine improving justice for women and girls, the university said in a release. Anne Kringen, a former police officer, is considered an expert on racial and gender disparity in policing, police hiring and recruiting, community policing and the organizational structures of police departments, the university said. The congressional briefing in Washington D.C. is titled Improving Justice for Women and Girls. Kringen is expected to discuss the challenges faced by women working in law enforcement and barriers that females face in the hiring process to become police officers, according to the release. She was the only scholar from New England invited to participate, the university said. Only by understanding these issues can we begin to move the discussion in a healthy direction that is oriented toward mutual understanding, Kringen said in the release. Experts from American University, UCLA, Michigan State and The Citadel are also expected to testify in front of an audience of more than 100 U.S. senators and representatives as well as their legislative staffs, officials said. After the briefing, Kringen will develop a manuscript that will be published in a forthcoming special issue of Translational Criminology, the magazine of the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy at George Mason University, according to the release. Kringen recently spent a year working within a major metropolitan police department to study its hiring process. I can say that the organization, including many members of the command staff, was grateful for the research that I conducted and the recommendations that I made, she said in the release. As a result, several rules impacting women within the department were changed. This, she says, illustrates that it is not necessarily police departments do not want to diversify. Rather, two key problems may make it difficult for agencies to address these issues, she said in the release. First, many of the rules related to hiring are outside the control of individual departments. Second, police departments often lack any guidance as to how to best attempt to address limited diversity. America's generosity is old as the nation itself. As far back as 1812, the U.S. government responded to an earthquake in Venezuela with a sizable donation of food and humanitarian aid. We have continued that tradition ever since thanks to you, the American people. When a disaster strikes around the world, the United States is the first to respond. Now, a new tragedy has unfolded far from our shores, but close to our heart. An earthquake rattled Indonesia, triggering a tsunami. This double dose of disaster has caused thousands of fatalities and massive damage. We can help Indonesians through this darkest hour. Search and rescue missions have been ongoing in the rubble looking for survivors. Sometimes a light will shine from under a fallen building. Could it be a cell phone from a survivor? While search and rescue continues, relief supplies have to move throughout the country to help those left homeless and hungry. Electricity, something we take for granted here, is nonexistent in large parts of Indonesia. Catholic Relief Services is working with local organizations on the ground to get a full picture of the extent of the damage and get the relief supplies moving. CRS is supporting its partners as they focus on tarps, blankets and sleeping mats and also sanitation and clean-up kits for those who lost their homes. Getting supplies to those who need it is no easy task. Airports were damaged by the quake so everything must move by road. But roads are blocked by landslides, making relatively short drives take hours. When it comes to humanitarian aid, you need speed. Disasters often don't allow this. Shortages of water and fuel are occurring. Food supplies will need replenishing. Indonesian families will need our assistance for many months to come to overcome this disaster. The loss of livelihood can lead to more disasters in terms of hunger and poverty. Many families can be saved by the helping hand of charity. We know how to help them and have proven strategies for disaster recovery. We can recover the livelihoods of those who lost everything in the quake. CRS has been doing this for 75 years, helping the poor and those victimized by war, disaster and poverty. The American people and your generosity are a major part of the recovery plan. With your support we can get roofs over the head of storm victims. We can get food and water to affected communities. We ask Congress not to cut the foreign assistance budget, but rather to increase it in times of great need around the world. Wars and disasters have also escalated hunger in South Sudan, Yemen, Syria, the Sahel of Africa and many other areas. There is a force stronger than any natural disaster, it is the humanitarian goodwill of America. As Indonesians sift through the rubble of the earthquake and tsunami, they are going to need hope. That great hope comes in the form of charity powered by the American people. William Lambers is an author who partnered with the UN World Food Program on the book Ending World Hunger. John Kerry spoke at Yale Tuesday. From what I can tell, the former senator and secretary of state was talking about the politics of 2011, not the politics of 2018. He lamented the rise of tribalism in politics, the degradation of collegiality in the Senate, and the overall decline of civility in government and society. In brief, he sounded like a guy who wants to run for president. I think its fair to say, particularly given the last few weeks in Washington were in some trouble, Kerry said. Its bothered me a lot. Ive watched the progressive deterioration of the traditional workings of the Senate, and its just become worse and worse. Kerry added that Donald Trump had effectively carried out a hostile takeover of the Republican Party. Kerry is wrong about Trump. The president is not a cause of Republican madness. He is a symptom. But thats not what bothers me about his remarks. What bothers me is the implication that next months elections could be the beginning of a return to normalcy, whatever that means. It wont be. [U.S. leadership] is now at risk, and I think we have to reclaim it. And in 35 days we have the first course-correction election in which we can do that, he told an audience at the Yale School of Management. And then over time, he added, if you all will be engaged and people will exercise their citizenship, we can reclaim our country. Thats how it works. But there is no going back. I know some would like that. But I just dont see how the Democratic Party can return to a position in which it defends institutions and norms that were not working for most people, here and around the world. While we may not like, or may hate, what the current president is doing, no serious person can argue credibly in favor of the pre-Trump status quo, not in any way that resonates with a majority. Look, Barack Obama and the Democrats saved the nation after the 2007-08 panic. That much is clear. But whats also clear is most people hated the way the Obama administration protected those responsible for megatons of wealth vanishing. They were beside themselves with rage on witnessing Wall Street bankers avoid prosecution. They were apoplectic when bankers enriched themselves more at taxpayer expense. Thats only one reason we cant go back. Now we have a new Supreme Court justice. Brett Kavanaugh is almost certainly going to rule with the four other conservative justices against every sort of liberal priority: voting rights, reproductive rights, civil rights, and virtually anything that empowers ordinary citizens to participate fully in a democratic republic. With Kavanaughs confirmation came the completion of a GOP plan hatched long ago to erode the postwar order to the point of shattering so that the will of the many matters less than the will of the few. With Kavanaugh on the bench, Americas socioeconomic fabric is on track to look like Brazils in a few decades. Its going to get worse. Barry Ritholtz, a Bloomberg Opinion columnist, wrote on Tuesday: As memories of the crisis fade as the economy recovers, we find the seeds of the next crisis are already being planted. They are the exact same issues of debt and mismanaging risk and not understanding our own limitations. Failing to learn from our prior experiences, we seem doomed to repeat them. We only have ourselves to blame. As of this writing, the Dow dropped 700 points. What does tribalism mean in this context? Kerry is clearly referring to the Republicans fascist tendencies. But those opposing the GOP are vulnerable to the same accusation. The Democrats, some are saying, are just as tribal. Since everyone is as bad as everyone else, politics becomes nihilism. Reporters favoring balance encourage this toxic view. Lets be clear: One of these tribes is better than the other. One of these tribes serves the interests of power. One of these tribes serves, or should serve, the interests of full political equality. One enables dominion over the many. One liberates the res publica, the common good. While the Republicans tap the rich, the old and the zealous, the Democrats should be tapping Occupy Wall Street, Sandy Hook Promise, Black Lives Matter, and now #MeToo in other words, social justice movements that were and are fighting the norms and institutions that John Kerry suggests are worth defending. This is why we cant go back. I hope the midterms prove that point. John Stoehr is publisher of the Editorial Board, a newsletter about politics. He lives in Westville. ANSONIA The city will recoup more than $40,000 in back taxes owed on a former Farrel building downtown slated to become the citys new police headquarters, as part of an eminent domain takeover. Thats according to Corporation Counsel John Marini, who updated the Board of Aldermen this week regarding the matter. We will get $43,000 in back taxes from Shaw Growth for (the building) at 65 Main St. as part of the eminent domain agreement, said Marini. Marini said the taxes owed were comprised mostly of back property taxes, and also included some WPCA fees. The city in late March acquired the property at 65 Main St., along with the public parking lot next door, through eminent domain . Marini said the city received a certificate of taking ownership of the property from Superior Court in Milford, which allowed the city to transfer title of the former Farrel headquarters from Shaw Growth Ventures of New York. Marini said the claim for delinquent taxes on the property being paid by Shaw was incorporated into the eminent domain action. Marini, earlier this year, had said both the city and Shaw unsuccessfully tried to negotiate terms for the sale of the building, which resulted in the city going the eminent domain route. Shaw initially acquired the property through foreclosure. The city has since deposited $1.85 million, which represents the average of two appraisals of the property, with the court . Marini said the law requires that an amount equal to the average of the citys two appraisals be deposited with the court at the beginning of the eminent domain action, which was the $1.85 million. However, Marini said that doesnt stop the property owner from disputing that value and providing evidence to the court that the value is higher. Shaw would have to prove a higher value with evidence from their own appraiser, Marini said. The court would hear from both appraisers and make a finding. Marini added that the city is currently in discussions with Shaw Growth about resolving the purchase price element of the eminent domain action in a manner mutually beneficial to the city and property owner. The purchase of the building and renovation costs will be covered by a 40-year, $12 million loan the city received from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Vasilios Lefkaditis, a partner in Shaw Growth, was not available for comment Thursday. However, he had said blight liens on the building affected negotiations of the sale of 65 Main St., and he told the city he wanted relief from the liens as part of a deal. Shaw also owns the adjacent former Farrel Process Lab on 501 E. Main St. which it wants to turn into apartments and retail space. That building is subject to more than $2 million in blight liens, however, almost all of which were accrued by a former owner. The city plans to convert the 85,000-square-foot building at 65 Main St. into a new police headquarters for the Ansonia Police Department. The department currently continues to operate out of the cramped, 122-year-old former Larkin School on Elm Street, where there is very little parking and even less space to store evidence and detain prisoners. The city plans to use 28,000 square feet of the top floor for the police department. Theres also been some talk of establishing a regional police, fire and emergency dispatch and training center on the second floor, but thats something for the future, and if it happened it would require an agreement by all the Valley towns, city officials said. Aldermen during their meeting this week appointed a building committee for the new police department project. The first meeting has been scheduled for 5 p.m. Oct. 18 at City Hall to unveil the design for the new police station. Named to the committee were: Sheila OMalley, the citys economic development director; Police Chief Kevin Hale; retired Seymour Police Chief Michael Metzler; Alderman Martin Dempsey; Public Works Superintendent Michael DAlessio; Paul Heon; and police Officer Peter Lovermi Jr. jean.sos@snet.net ANSONIA For nearly three decades, Rich Bshara has been a familiar fixture at City Hall. First working as the citys sewer administrator/data processing manager in 1990 and later serving as the citys assistant comptroller since 1998, Bshara has decided the time is right to retire. Bshara, 65, informed the Board of Aldermen this week that hes ready to put away those spreadsheets, calculators and auditing books, and begin the next chapter of his life. He said hes been talking about retirement for more than a year now, and said its time to pull the trigger and do it. I want to thank the (Cassetti) administration and all the prior administrations, elected officials and co-workers for their support and guidance over the last 28 years, Bshara said. I have truly enjoyed working for the taxpayers of the City of Ansonia. I look forward to turning a page and starting a new chapter in my life." Bshara said he plans to step down on or before Dec. 31, and offered his expertise in helping the city transition with his successor. As assistant comptroller, Bshara was primarily responsible for budgets, contracts, tax collection, cash controls and audits, among other things. But its the interaction between city employees and various members of the public on boards and commissions that Bshara will miss most when he leaves. Married to his wife, Janice, for 45 years, and father of sons Gregory, Jordan and Timothy, Bshara said he hopes to find part-time employment after retirement, as well as spend more time with his family. Mayor David Cassetti said Bshara has been a loyal and dedicated employee who will be sorely missed. I cannot thank Rich enough for all he has done for the city, said Cassetti. His service and dedication are unsurpassed, and the city is better because of him. Words will not do him justice. Bshara received a standing ovation and uproarious applause from the aldermen and the audience in attendance at Tuesdays aldermanic meeting. Alderman Joe Cassetti, when it came time for the aldermen to accept Bsharas letter of intent to retire, quipped that he simply didnt want to do it, as he said losing an employee of Bsharas caliber and experience is tough. The aldermen will form an ad-hoc committee to find a new comptroller, full- or part-time, with a annual salary between $75,000-$115,000. They asked Bshara to be part of that committee to assist in finding a qualified successor. Rich has done a tremendous job for us, and we could only be so lucky to find someone to take his place, said Cassetti. New Jersey Second Congressional District candidate Republican Seth Grossman, left, looks toward his challenger, Democrat Jeff Van Drew, at the end of their debate at Stockton University in Galloway Township Wednesday evening. (Bill Gallo Jr. | For NJ.com) By Bill Gallo Jr. | For NJ.com Republican Seth Grossman and Democrat Jeff Van Drew squared off in a debate Wednesday night which showed their vastly different views of what type of congressman voters in the 2nd Congressional District need to send to Washington. Grossman stuck to his strict conservative line, saying he would wholeheartedly support President Donald Trump and his agenda if sent to Washington. Van Drew said he would reach across the political aisle in the House of Representatives to solve problems by forming a consensus. Grossman and Van Drew are vying to replace longtime Republican congressman Frank LoBiondo who served 11 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives before announcing late last year he would be retiring. The two met face-to-face at the Stockton University's Campus Center Theatre in Galloway Township. Debate spectators filled the 250-seat theater with an overflow crowd watching via video from an adjacent room. Don't Edit Grossman, 69, is an attorney and former Atlantic County freeholder and Atlantic City Councilman who also made an unsuccessful bid for New Jersey governor. Van Drew, 65, a state Senator in the 1st district, is a Cape May County dentist, who also served as an Assemblyman in 2001. Some in the crowd were not afraid to show their support or objections to what they were hearing from the stage. The moderator warned them several times about their applause, boos or shouts. The debate was cosponsored by the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University, The Press of Atlantic City and SNJ Today. Democrats are hoping to flip the 2nd District seat to their party as part of their bid to retake control of the U.S. House. Here's a look at some of the topics the two candidates touched on. Don't Edit Boosting the South Jersey economy Van Drew said education is the key to having a qualified workforce ready for any major employer which may be eyeing New Jersey. He said the nearby FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic County needs more federal support and offshore oil drilling must remain forbidden lest a beach-fouling oil spill ruin the Jersey Shores tourist industry. Van Drew suggested lending help to encourage state-of-the-art farming operations in Salem County and light industry in Cumberland County to bolster the economies there. Grossman said what Trump has done with tax cuts, trade deals and getting rid of government regulations hasnt helped New Jersey because of the Garden States prohibitive taxes. Were punishing businesses, Grossman said. We cant bribe business to come to New Jersey with these crumbling roads, high taxes and nothing good here. Don't Edit Dealing with the effects of climate change There isnt a scientific body in the world that doesnt believe climate change isnt true, Van Drew said. If you didnt want to believe science, talk to fishermen off the Jersey Shore who are seeing changes brought on by climate change, Van Drew said. They just know its happening. He said investment in renewables is needed and new energy policy is needed. If we just ignore it, its a mistake, Van Drew said. Grossman dismissed climate change. Climates been changing for five billion years. Go ask Noah, Grossman said. Whos causing it we dont know and theres no consensus among scientists except for those getting federal money. Don't Edit Seth Grossman, Republican candidate for the N.J. 2nd District House of Representatives seat, greets supporters as they sign up to aid his campaign Wednesday at Stockton University in Galloway Township. Grossman had just completed a debate with challenger Democrat Jeff Van Drew. (Bill Gallo Jr. | For NJ.com) What's the solution to gun violence? Van Drew said hes a Second Amendment supporter and a gun owner. Its critical there be a requirement anyone who owns a gun should go through a universal background check and thats especially important to determine if the owner has any mental health issues, he believes. Grossman said hes in favor of a concealed carry law for guns. Thats something Van Drew agreed with and said hes proposed such legislation with the stipulation the applicant takes a written test. The worst mass shooting always seems to take place in gun-free zones, where the shooter knows that theres nobody with a gun to stop that person, Grossman said. Concealed carry laws could prevent that, he believes. Grossman also argued gun reciprocity laws are needed so legal gun owners dont get in trouble by bringing guns into another state. Don't Edit Don't Edit Jeff Van Drew, Democrat candidate for the N.J. 2nd District U.S. House of Representatives seat, speaks to Egg Harbor township High School government students at Stockton University in Galloway Township Wednesday. Van Drew had just completed a debate with challenger Republican Seth Grossman at the university. (Bill Gallo Jr. | For NJ.com) What can be done about the opioid crisis? On the opioid crisis, Van Drew said we need to recognize to a greater degree its a disease. There isnt a simple answer," he said, adding a multi-pronged approach is needed including more rehab and detox centers and those peddling opioids need to be targeted. Grossman said the opioid problem can be tied todays culture. I see the opioid problem as much of a symptom of a disease as a disease itself. When you deny people of freedom, of opportunity, of the ability to create, to succeed, or fail, when people feel they have no real choices in life thats when they turn to drugs. Thats when they turn to suicide. They key is to give Americans hope, he said. Then I think the disease will be done and the symptoms will diminish as well, Grossman said. Don't Edit New Jersey Second District House candidate Republican Seth Grossman listens to his challenger, Democrat Jeff Van Drew, at a debate between the two at Stockton University in Galloway Township Wednesday evening. (Bill Gallo Jr. | For NJ.com) Immigration a hot-button topic I think its a good start, Grossman said of Trumps efforts to restrict immigration. We have the most generous immigration laws in the world. be honest, we have five, six billion people in the world and many of them would like to come here, but if they all come here our country will be just as poor, violent, divided and miserable as these countries these people are running away from. We have to enforce immigration laws somehow, he said. If you dont like our immigration laws they should be amended. "We have a responsibility as leaders, Republicans and Democrats to come together to reformulate and work with the immigration policy we have," Van Drew said. "We can maintain our borders, which we should. ... we can also deal with the 11 million people here, but we are not going to ship them all back in boats. Nobodys had political courage to solve the problem, Van Drew said, adding a bipartisan approach is needed. Don't Edit Democrat Jeff Van Drew, a candidate for New Jersey's Second District House of Representatives seat, makes a point during a debate Wednesday evening with challenger Republican Seth Grossman at Stockton University in Galloway Township. (Bill Gallo Jr. | For NJ.com) A debate over Social Security and Medicare Asked whether entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare should be cut to address the U.S. budget deficit and national debt, the views were opposite. Theres no question we have to deal with them, but the answer always seems to be to hurt middle class working or retired Americans, Van Drew said. The Democrat wouldnt touch those programs. We have to face up to this sooner or later. We have to talk about this, Grossman said. I care about my kids and grandchildren. I want them to have the same freedoms and opportunities I had and I am willing to sacrifice and I think most baby boomers would sacrifice if we could give our children and grandchildren the same opportunities we had. Don't Edit Conducting a voter registration drive prior to the debate between U.S. House of Representatives candidates Republican Seth Grossman and Democrat Jeff Van Drew at Stockton University's Campus Center in Galloway Township on Wednesday were, from left, Brendan LeFanto, Keith Rinaldi and Neena Yambao, all seniors at Stockton. (Bill Gallo Jr. | For NJ.com) Other moments from the debate Asked how he would represent the different races that make up the population of the Second District, Grossman reminded his questioners that he had served as an Atlantic County freeholder and an Atlantic City councilman. Calling the question "insulting," he said he has support from people of all racial backgrounds and said the media's failure to report that is part of its "fake news." That question allowed Van Drew to bring up some of Grossman's actions from the past, including the time he was captured on video saying "diversity is a bunch of crap and un-American." Grossman defended his views on quotas saying "you should be judged by your talents, not what group you belong to." Should the federal government step in to help when storms cause havoc along our coasts? Grossman feels once the U.S. got involved in helping rebuild damaged shore homes it sent a message: You can build the most extravagant house you want at the waters edge and if something happens, federal taxpayers will pay for it. He said the federal government is encouraging people to be reckless in continuing to build in vulnerable areas. Van Drew, citing Hurricane Sandy, said the feds have a role to play in helping those who suffered damage rebuild. He said rules have been changed to make buildings stronger, but agreed in some areas homes shouldnt return. He said many hurt by Sandy were regular middle class folks, and it was right for the federal government to step in and help. On Obamacare? Grossman agrees with Trump scrap it. Van Drew says it needs work, but dont scrap it if you have nothing to replace it with. Don't Edit Gov.Track.us 2nd District covers wide swath of New Jersey The 2nd Congressional District covers a wide area of South Jersey. It includes all of Salem, Cumberland, Cape May and Atlantic counties and parts of Gloucester, Camden, Burlington and Ocean counties. While there are some larger cities, much of the district is rural and includes the Atlantic Ocean shoreline and also the Bayshore region along the Delaware Bay. About 730,000 people live in the district. In all, New Jersey has 12 representatives in the House. In the Nov. 6 election, Grossman and Van Drew will also face four third party candidates on the ballot. Don't Edit Don't Edit Poll has Van Drew with a healthy lead over Grossman A poll released in mid-September showed Van Drew with a 32-point lead over Grossman, 55 to 32 percent. Conducted by the Stockton Polling Institute of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy, the poll was taken Sept. 12 to 18 and included interviews with 535 adults who were seen as likely voters in the 2nd District. The poll found that both candidates are still not widely known.Forty percent said they were not familiar with Van Drew and 60 percent were unfamiliar with Grossman. The polls margin of error is +/- 4.2 percent. Don't Edit Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips The Englewood Cliffs Police Chief -- who was allegedly recorded saying he'd like to kill the former council president -- is no longer leading the department. The council on Wednesday night voted unanimously to suspend Michael Cioffi without pay for 120 days, which would take him to his mandatory retirement date in January, Mayor Mario Kranjac said. He will still face administrative charges and can still be terminated, the mayor said. The council also voted to hire two hearing officers who would weigh administrative charges that were filed against Cioffi, two captains and a lieutenant concerning remarks that were made on 120 tapes that Cioffi made himself while wearing a digital recorder at work. The chief handed over those recordings during the discovery phase of a federal lawsuit he filed against the borough. Most have been marked confidential, but snippets that are not classified have been played in public by Carrol McMorrow, the borough's council president who resigned last week. On them, Cioffi is allegedly heard saying he'd like to kill McMorrow, but can't. Another person is heard making disparaging remarks about Councilman Mark Park and the chief is allegedly heard conspiring to take down the Republican mayor during work hours. The council voted 3-2, along party lines, twice in the past two weeks against hiring hearing officers. And a Superior Court Judge overruled the mayor's decision to place the chief on a paid administrative leave while a theft charge is pending against him concerning the digital recorder, which Cioffi has still not returned to the borough despite being asked repeatedly, Kranjac said. But with the council chambers filled to capacity Wednesday night, and even more people spilling into the hallway, the council voted unanimously to place Cioffi on an unpaid suspension. "We were trying to figure out a way to discipline Cioffi but not bring more liability to the town," said Democratic Councilwoman Ellen Park, who has said that 21 lawsuits have been filed against the borough since Kranjac took office 2016. "It wasn't that we didn't want to hire a hearing officer," she said, adding that the chief was given a RICE notice prior to the Wednesday meeting. Kranjac, who was the fist Republican mayor elected in more than 40 years in the borough, said he attributed the council's turnabout to public pressure. "The vast majority of the people who were there last night spoke out against the the hatred," he said. Former Council President Carrol McMorrow spoke to the governing body during the public comments portion of the meeting where she paraphrased comments from another tape -- number 102 -- on which, she said, the chief made sexual comments about her and there were racist comments made about Councilman William Woo and former Councilman Zhi Liang. "This has been a terrible experience for me and my family and anyone else on the tapes," McMorrow said Thursday. "I want all those people who have been defending and covering up for Chief Cioffi to be held accountable." "The residents deserve to have full disclosure and a full investigation and whatever that leads to, everyone should be held accountable. This issue is the town's chance to finally clean up and start fresh for our residents," she said. The raucous council meeting, which ran past midnight, was attended by members of the public, police representatives and attorneys for police officers who are up on administrative charges. "I attended the meeting last night and was shocked by the proceedings," said David J. Altieri, an attorney for the chief. "The mayor clearly has no respect for the law, particularly when it serves as an impediment to his political vendetta against the chief." Albert Wunsch, an attorney who represents Capt. Brian Murphy, who is also facing administrative charges, was escorted out of the meeting by a police officer after what he described as challenging the mayor. "I was sick and tired of his bullying," Wunsch said, adding that Kranjac interrupted speakers who opposed his view and didn't allow Democratic council members to participate in the discussion. Wunsch said in a phone interview Thursday that if the council did hire hearing officers concerning the administrative charges against Murphy and the other police officers they did so illegally because the captains and lieutenant were not issued RICE notices. "The Constitution is merely rumor thanks to Mayor I-hate-police Kranjac," Wunsch said. The attorney also accused Kranjac of having assaulted Murphy at a community event in August 2017, for which internal -- not criminal -- charges were filed. Nothing ever came of them, Wunsch said. "It demonstrates the fact that this guy doesn't like cops," said Wunsch. "He acts with impunity." Wunsch also added that his client's family has been in Englewood Cliffs for five generations. Murphy's father was police chief and his brother's worked for the department of public works. "These are salt of the earth people," he said. "And this man is trying to take their jobs away because he has a hatred for cops." Kranjac says Wunsch has an issue with him because he wasn't reinstated as the borough's public defender. "What I hate is corruption," the mayor said. "And I feel there is a lot of corruption at the leadership of this police department." The suspension of Cioffi -- who is one of the highest paid police chiefs in the state with a $234,824 salary -- was effective immediately. Lt. David Hill was put in charge of the department. Hill, Kranjac said, is heard on the tapes challenging Cioffi over the chief allowing officers to carry weapons they were not qualified to use. At the end of the council meeting, Councilman Ed Aversa tried to generate a motion to dismiss all the administrative charges. It failed to go anywhere. Aversa could not be reached immediately for comment. Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AllisonPries. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Federal prosecutors have charged 17 alleged members and associates of a Bloods street gang in Newark in a drug trafficking conspiracy authorities say used threats of violence to keep members in line. Along with crack cocaine, members of the Famous Boyz gang sold fentanyl-laced heroin so potent it prompted one customer to remark, "I don't want to kill myself," an investigator from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) said in a criminal complaint. Authorities identified John Mosley, 31, as the gang's part-time leader, as well as its primary supplier of drugs. Three other men -- Patricio Hernandez, Jonathan Hernandez and Jahid Vauters -- have in turn been accused of keeping Mosley flush with drugs to sell. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Newark, which announced the charges Thursday, said a joint local and federal investigation of the Famous Boyz, initiated by ATF and Newark police, uncovered numerous social media posts threatening retaliation against police informants. Members of the gang -- a subgroup of the Bloods' Brick City Brims faction -- adopted the mantra "no face, no case," warning associates "there gone (sic) be a murder" if they were found cooperating with law enforcement, according to the criminal complaint. Federal agents and local investigators are still probing more than a dozen shootings prosecutors say are linked to a rivalry between the Famous Boyz and another unspecified gang, prosecutors said in a statement announcing the charges. The gang, which operated in the area of South 15th Street and 18th Avenue, was founded in 2014 and became the target of federal investigators in April 2017, the complaint states. Newark Police Department's Shooting Response Team and Criminal Intelligence Units began investigating in 2016 several violent incidents that police say stemmed from the gang. The ATF joined the investigation in 2017. Agents from ATF and the Drug Enforcement Administration, along with Newark police and detectives from the Essex County sheriff and prosecutor's offices, ultimately built a case against the 17 defendants using a combination of court-authorized telephone wiretaps, surveillance and search warrants, prosecutors said. Fourteen of the gang members were arrested Thursday, while three others were already in state custody, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Gang members, investigators say, advertised many of their criminal activities on Facebook, posting photos of themselves flashing large amounts of cash and posing with firearms. "Got Us Dancing With The Devil .... Chasing This Money," the caption of one such photo read. The new case against the Famous Boyz is the second major takedown of a Bloods-linked drug-trafficking operation in Newark by federal prosecutors this year. A total of 28 alleged members of the Brick City Brims were charged between March and September in what federal prosecutors said was an elaborate drug dealing operation run out of affordable housing in the city's Central Ward. U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito's office has attributed the stepped-up prosecutions to the Newark Violent Crime Initiative, a partnership between local, state and federal law enforcement which pools investigators to target violent offenders and gang members in the city. Prosecutors said the 14 defendants arrested Thursday were scheduled to make their first appearances in U.S. District Court that afternoon. It was not immediately clear Thursday which, if any, of the defendants had attorneys who could comment on the charges. Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Lamont Stephenson has been on the run for almost four years as a prime suspect in the October 2014 killing of his fiancee and her dog in Newark. Now, the FBI is raising the stakes in the search for the 43-year-old. Lamont Stephenson, left, and Olga DeJesus. (Facebook) The FBI's Newark Division on Thursday announced Stephenson had become the 11th fugitive from its jurisdiction added to the bureau's nationwide 10 Most Wanted list. Investigators hope the heightened profile will finally lead to Stephenson's arrest in the slaying of Olga DeJesus. "Placing this defendant on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List, we believe, will significantly increase the likelihood of finding him," Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II said in a statement Thursday. First responders found DeJesus, 40, asphyxiated along with her dog inside her apartment in the Stephen Crane Village housing project on Oct. 17, 2014. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office charged Stephenson with murder less than a month after DeJesus' body was found, but detectives were unable to find him. The last sign of him was captured by surveillance cameras at Newark's Penn Station, from where investigators believe he fled the state. Both DeJesus and Stephenson had attended Bloomfield Tech High School, and had begun an unlikely and fast-moving relationship after reconnecting at a 20th anniversary event, a classmate told NJ Advance Media at the time. The two were engaged only shortly before her death. In September 2017, federal prosecutors in New Jersey obtained a warrant for Stephenson's arrest on a charge of "unlawful flight to avoid prosecution" -- a move typically used to justify providing federal resources to local investigations. The FBI says Stephenson has ties to Virginia and the Carolinas. An affidavit filed by a special agent in support of the federal warrant reveals residents of both Virginia and South Carolina have reported possible sightings of him in those states within the past three years. Authorities have described Stephenson as standing between 5-feet, 6-inches tall and 5-feet, 7-inches tall, and weighing approximately 220 pounds. The FBI has asked anyone with information about Stephenson's whereabouts to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or submit a tip online at https://tips.fbi.gov/. Anyone attempting to provide information from outside the U.S. should contact their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, authorities said. Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Altaif Hassan, one of two black students detained at gunpoint at Rowan University Oct. 1, said he realized the whole ordeal was set in motion when a bystander mistook his black case for his eyeglasses for a gun. The bystander told police in the T-mobile store in Collegetown Shopping Center that he saw a black man with "poofy hair" come out of another store holding a black handgun and drive away in a Dodge Charger. Hassan, 21, a biology major, said he was picking up his glasses from Accent on Eyes in the plaza with his passenger, Giavanna Roberson, 18, a nursing student, and then drove her back to campus. "I got my glasses, came out, normal, nothing out of the ordinary and get in my car," he said in an interview. "So I'm driving, I see the two cop cars. They're in the T-mobile (store) door. I'm minding my business -- that has nothing to do with me so I don't really pay much attention to it." But police followed his car into a parking lot in the middle of campus, ordered the pair out at gunpoint, handcuffed them and put them in cruisers as students stopped and recorded the incident. They were released after approximately 35 minutes, according to body-camera footage, when police determined there was no gun in the car. Then video of the incident went viral. Some students objected to the way police handled the event and felt it was an example of racial bias, and the university held a town hall meeting on the topic Friday. Rowan really on some shit pic.twitter.com/oRblQC87WE stefan (@_StefanHenry) October 1, 2018 Glassboro police have not returned repeated calls for comment, but Police Chief Franklin S. Brown Jr. said in a Facebook post that officers were following protocol given the report of a gun. The body-camera footage also shows that the officer who took the initial report at the shopping center relayed inaccurate information to responding officers. Two officers were investigating an unrelated shoplifting at the T-mobile store when the bystander came in and said, "Officer, see that Charger right there? He just came out of a store with a gun in his hand," according to the video. One of the officers immediately radios for backup, saying, "A man just came into the store saying he pointed a gun at him and took off." The bystander never said he pointed a weapon at him. The bystander later said that the man had pointed a gun at the Dodge Charger before getting inside. Hassan told NJ Advance Media that he didn't make any gestures as he left the store, to the best of his recollection. Roberson, questioned by police while she was in the cruiser, also said she didn't remember him making any gestures or pointing anything. But the bystander said he was "1,000 percent" sure it was a gun and said it seemed brazen. "What did he think was going to happen? Even if it is a fake gun?" the man says to the officer in the video. "With all due respect, I'm not prejudiced but a black guy in a racing car parked in front of -- not even parked there, but parked here so he could take off." He also told police he was "that guy" that reports stuff to the authorities, and mentioned that he called the FBI to identify one of the 9/11 conspirators after recognizing him on TV. The Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office is investigating the incident. Asked whether authorities believed the bystander had mistaken the eyeglasses case as a gun, a spokesman for the office said he couldn't comment on it because the office was still in the beginning stages of the review. Thomas R. Gilbert, the prosecutor's spokesman and chief of staff, did say that investigators would be reviewing surveillance video from the shopping center. "We want to get our hands on every single piece of information available to us," he said. Roberson and Hassan said they were traumatized by the incident, and Hassan still hasn't gone back to class. The body camera footage of the incident shows Hassan, upset while he is cuffed in the cruiser, saying that Glassboro police are always stopping him for no reason and that he believed, as he backed away from his vehicle with his hands in the air, that his life was in danger with all the guns pointed at him. "If I had of sneezed the wrong way you would have shot the sh-- out of me," Hassan says to an officer. 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 JERSEY CITY A $170 million plan that city officials say will give them more control over the redevelopment of a formerly contaminated swath of waterfront land cleared a major hurdle on Wednesday when the City Council gave the plan its approval. The council voted 7-2 to authorize the city to borrow $170 million, enter into an agreement with the autonomous Jersey City Redevelopment Agency to partner on the project and approve of the city's plan to purchase some of the land from Honeywell. The site is known as Bayfront. The city's plan is the latest for the property, a formerly contaminated 100-acre site that sits west of Route 440 and is owned by the city and Honeywell. The city intends to buy Honeywell's portion, pay for infrastructure improvements and slowly sell portions of it to real-estate developers to pay off the debt. The final vote was not a surprising one, with the six allies of Mayor Steve Fulop Rolando Lavarro, Joyce Watterman, Daniel Rivera, Denise Ridley, Mira Prinz-Arey and Jermaine Robinson joining James Solomon in favor. Council members Rich Boggiano and Michael Yun voted no. Most of the property sits in Ward A, which Ridley represents. In July she voted against a resolution expressing support for the project. Speaking on Wednesday, Ridley noted that since that vote, she pushed for the creation of a board that will advise the city on Bayfront. She also noted that the kind of real-estate development Jersey City has attracted in recent years has largely remained outside of her ward. "If we're going to take this chance and we're going to spend $170 million, the place to spend it is where we haven't spent anything. And that's Ward A," she said. Boggiano cited fears that the city would botch the project, citing the 11 years it took the city to build a police station in the west district. "Mark my words, I will be right. This will be a fiasco with the City of Jersey City running it," he said. Yun expressed concern about the amount of borrowing. This year's budget shows the city has $574 million in outstanding bonds, up from $499 million in 2015. In that time, the city's net debt per capita has decreased from $1,947 to $1,596. The initial plan for Bayfront was for Honeywell to sell the property once it was remediated of chromium. That sale is expected to occur later this year. In May, Fulop announced this new plan, which he said would allow the city to dramatically increase the share of affordable housing at Bayfront, which could have as many as 8,000 residential units. Fulop said by doling out the parcels in pieces and acting as a "master developer," the city could push for a share of affordable housing as high as 35 percent. The old plan had the one-site share at 5 percent. "As we continue to transform the city's West Side, this is an important step forward in the development of the largest mixed-income community in our region," Fulop said in a statement. "Our priority is to create more affordable housing options throughout the city for our residents, and through this purchase, we will be able to do just that." Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. The electrical failure of a powerstrip is what started the horrific fire that claimed the lives of five children in Union City in July, authorities have determined. A report issued by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives concluded that melting in a powerstrip in the first-floor apartment of 416 25th St. caused the five-alarm fire on July 13, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. Jason Gonzalez, 2, Shamira Lopez, 4, Mayli Wood, 5, Christian Josue Mendez, 7, and Jose Felipe Tejada, 13, died from their injuries after the blaze tore through their home. The children -- who were siblings, with the exception of Mayli, a cousin -- were asleep in the third-floor apartment when the fire broke out. They were trapped there when first responders arrived at the scene shortly before 9 a.m., authorities said. Suarez said the ATF report, which was issued Sept. 25, concluded that sparks ejected from the powerstrip in a "multipurpose room" in the first-floor apartment and "may have ignited combustible materials in the vicinity." Suarez's office released the findings of the ATF investigation Thursday, nearly three months to the day of the fire. The tragedy left the North Hudson community heartbroken and shaken. In the days that followed the fire, a memorial for the victims grew at the site, replete with candles, flags, and notes to the victims and their family. "This heartbreaking fire has been very traumatic for Union City as well as the entire Hudson County community," Suarez said in a statement. "Our Investigative Units, along with the help of our local, state and federal partners have worked diligently to provide a thorough investigation and possibly some closure for the community as to what caused this tragic fire." Union City schools Superintendent Sylvia Abbato told The Jersey Journal that Shamira and Mayli attended the district's preschool program. Christian was a second grade student and Jose attended Emerson Middle School. They were enrolled in the dual-language program. Abbato said the children were caring and bright students who moved from Honduras a few years ago. In addition to the five children who were killed, the fire left two other people injured and sent eight firefighters to area hospitals. Four days after the blaze, the building's owner was slapped with 11 citations for a variety of violations, including failing to maintain fire alarms and smoke detectors. The building has since been demolished. No criminal charges were filed following the fire. Hoboken University Medical Center is hosting a breast health happy hour at a Hoboken store Friday evening as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the health care group announced. HUMC, one of three CarePoint Health hospitals in Hudson County, is partnering with the Athleta store for the free "Drink Some Pink" event from 5 to 7 p.m. at the store, located at 316 Washington St. The event will feature pink champagne, information on breast health and breast exams, a Q&A with OB/GYN physicians associated with HUMC and door prizes from local businesses. CarePoint Health is also hosting its fifth annual Mammogram-A-Thon in October at its hospitals, HUMC, Christ Hospital in Jersey City and the Bayonne Medical Center. For more information on the Mammogram-A-Thon, call 201-884-5329. Breast cancer claims 1,300 lives in New Jersey annually and is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the state. Breast cancer diagnoses in the state are the eighth highest in the country and the most common form of cancer in the state, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. JERSEY CITY -- Two Jersey City men charged with murdering a man who was shot as many as 19 times on a front stoop in 2016 will have their fates placed in the hands of the jury today. Aaron Enix and Davon Cooper, both 25, are accused of murdering 24-year-old Rashay Washington on Claremont Avenue near Clerk Street at 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 27, 2016. Enix and Cooper face 30 years to life if convicted. Superior Court Judge John Young said that Cooper, if convicted, would serve his sentence consecutive to the six-year sentence he is now serving for robbery and resisting arrest. At the moment Cooper is eligible for parole on Dec. 17, 2021, state corrections records show. Arriving officers said they found the victim lying in a pool of his own blood. They testified that he identified Enix and Cooper by name as the shooters and pointed in the direction in which they ran away. One officer testified during the trial that when he lifted Washington's blood-soaked shirt, he "looked like Swiss cheese." In his opening statement, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Adam Salzer said Enix and Cooper ran a short distance and tossed the guns on Clerk Street, where the weapons were later recovered. They ran another block and were arrested on Wilkinson Avenue, he told the jurors. Salzer said the shooting and flight of the suspects was caught on surveillance. He said that when arrested, the pair were wearing the same clothing and shoes seen on the video. He said Washington's blood was on one of the guns recovered. Defense attorneys Patrick Patel and Mark Bailey argued that the arrests represented a rush to judgment by investigators. During their opening statements, the defense lawyers questioned the reliability of a statement made while lying in a puddle of his own blood after being shot numerous times. Patel noted that neither the defendants' DNA nor fingerprints were found on the guns, and the pair had no residue on them from firing guns. Patel also questioned the notion that Washington died from his initial wounds. The attorney noted Washington died two weeks after being shot and he had undergone five surgeries -- including one in which his stitches gave way and his intestines fell out has he was being placed on the operating table. The prosecution's opening statement on Sept. 27 came after two hours of failed plea deal negotiations, which delayed the start of the trial, which is being heard in the Hudson County Administration Building in Jersey City. Pattie Johnson still has the newspaper clipping from 1983. On one hand, the brief news story is a reminder of an act of heroism her future husband's courageous rescue of their 1-year-old son from a burning building. On the other, it's a symbol of the bizarre twist of fate that claimed her husband's life decades later. In February 1983, Carl Lee Johnson saved their 1-year-old son from a two-alarm fire on Grant Avenue in Jersey City when he ran back into the six-story apartment building, she said. His 3-year-old nephew died in the blaze and several other people were injured, including Johnson. Carl Johnson's life was cut short almost 36 years later when a fire broke out in his basement apartment on Bostwick Avenue on Sept. 28. He was pulled from the home, but could not be revived. He was 62. "I just want people to know what type of guy he was," Pattie Johnson said. "I just want them to know what happened 36 years ago for the ones who weren't around." The couple had been separated for years at the time of his death, but remained friends, she said, adding that Carl helped her recover from back surgery in September 2017. "He was there for me. Anything I needed, he was there." Pattie Johnson, left, and her son Carl Lee Patterson. On the day of the fire in 1983, Carl Johnson and his son were staying with his sister inside the apartment building, Pattie Johnson recalled. Carl got out of the building when the fire broke out, but when he got outside, he found out the boys were still inside. He then ran into the burning building and grabbed one of them, not realizing it was his own son until they emerged from the smoke. "My husband's hands were burned because he was trying to feel for them," she said. The New York Daily News story that describes the fire does not make any mention of the rescue, but Pattie Johnson says Carl was a hero that day. Born in Alabama, he came to Jersey City in the mid-1970s and married Pattie, who said he loved cooking, riding his bike, and spending time with his dog Sasha. "He was always in the neighborhood talking to everybody," she said. As for her son, Carl Lee Patterson, Pattie says he is training to become a therapist. She said she kept the old newspaper clipping so she could show him what happened in 1983. "I wanted my son to see it when he got older. And let him know there was a purpose for his life." A memorial service for Carl Johnson will be held Saturday at noon at True Gospel Holiness Church at 361 Ocean Ave. in Jersey City. The very name of Mana Contemporary evokes modern art a varied world of strangeness, where some pieces have the meaning of a Rorschach test for some and a blotch of ink for others. But all art should make you think or feel something, and the Jersey City-based organization will open its large campus of galleries, studio space and more at 888 Newark Ave. Sunday to give you a chance to do just that. From 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., arts-related events including, arguably to some, the DJed biergarten provided by Barcade in the parking lot will be held throughout Mana Contemporary's spaces as part of their fall open house. Tattoo artist Megan Massacre will be tattooing live in an event to benefit the World Wildlife Fund, which seems like it may take place near the Mana-housed mural by Juan Travieso of two Malaysian tigers (an endangered species) free in the jungle that is their natural environment. This merging of tattooing and mural display takes place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. In the theater on the first floor, there will be a pop-up book Aperture book signing. Aperture, a not-for-profit dedicated to bringing audiences photography (and writing on photography that inspires) has been around for more than six decades. While dancing could take place in a parking lot biergarten, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Mana's Karole Armitage dance studio there'll be rehearsals for "Sugar Skull!: A Dia de los Muertos Musical Adventure." At 3 p.m. on Mana's front lawn, the Kazakhstan artist collective Kyzyl Tractor will be performing live. According to a release, "the group's work chronicles Kazakhstan's socioeconomic, ecological, and political shifts in juxtaposition with appropriations of the region's nomadic, Sufi, and Shamanistic traditions." Also at 3, Steven Flavin performs in Mana's "boiler room." It could not be confirmed at the time of publication if the boiler room is in fact an actual boiler room, but it probably isn't. And if it is, it's probably not exactly like the one in your own house or building. In addition to the events, those who visit Mana Contemporary will be able to explore the works of six artistic figures in six exhibitions. The photography of John Chamberlain, large, separate installations by Dan Flavin and Bernad Kirschenbaum, the paintings of Arnulf Rainer, sculptures by Fred Sandback, and silk screenings by Andy Warhol join the works of Mana's in-house artists. One of the key ideas of the gallery and studio showings, according to Mana Contemporary Artistic Director Eugene Lemary in a statement, is that "as visual culture moves faster and further toward the instantaneous and the ephemeral, the value of observing art over the long term has been obscured. "At Mana's open house, art is framed not as an ephemeral experience, but instead as an enduring phenomenon, not only as a discrete presentation, but also in the context of immersive settings." For more on Mana Contemporary and its open house, including after party events, visit manacontemporary.com/openhouse or call them at 201-604-2702. In the 10 years that artist Ricardo Roig has called Hoboken home, he's become a loyal customer of Napoli's Pizza on Washington Street. So when the pizzeria opened a second location on Clinton Street near Roig's gallery, he not only had his favorite pizza a block away, but also a new canvas. After Roig suggested that owner Frank Volpe adorn one of the pizzeria's exterior walls with art, Volpe offered him the job. Now, the pizzeria is home to a new mural that celebrates some of Hoboken's iconic cityscapes. "I got familiar with Frank after visiting his uptown location so many times and he got familiar with my artwork over time," said Roig, 34. "I have a gallery downtown and it's a block away from where Frank opened his second location. So when I visited it I just saw this beautiful brick wall and immediately told Frank that he needs something on that wall." The mural comprises several scenes from Hoboken: the PATH station, the Lackawanna Train Station tower, the cobblestones of Court Street, and the Hoboken waterfront. The mural was made with a process known as screen printing, in which a mesh is used to transfer ink onto a surface, except for areas that are blocked off by a stencil. A brush, blade, or squeegee is moved across the surface to fill the open mesh with ink, and a reverse stroke then causes the screen to touch the surface momentarily. This allows the ink to wet the surface. One color is printed at a time, allowing several screens to be used to create multicolored images. Roig then took the images of the various cityscapes and spraypainted them on to the brick wall. After graduating from Kean University in 2008, Roig worked as an art teacher in Westfield for seven years and then transitioned into a full-time artist with two studios in Hoboken. Using the screen printing process, Roig has created numerous series of works inspired by different cities and places, including Jersey City, Boston, Hawaii, and of course, New York. As for the mural in Hoboken, Roig received some help from his wife and friends. Together, they worked on the piece throughout August and September. "There was a little kid watching us there on one of the last nights we were finishing up and she asked 'Why is the train running into the water?'" said Roig. "It was cute that she was trying to make sense of it all, or at least how it physically made sense." "For me, art is like a lot like life," Roig added. "It may not make sense at first but eventually all the pieces start to fit into place and then you get the idea of it. That's the message I want to give to people." Ritualistic dances and trance-inducing rhythms will invoke the power of the moon as the Jersey City Theater Center celebrates Asia's mid-October holiday, the Moon Festival, at White Eagle Hall on Sunday, Oct 14. The Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, is named for its association with a full moon on the night of the festival. The event celebrates the well being of family and friends as well as giving thanks for the harvesting of crops. White Eagle Hall's Moon Festival will feature multicultural, interactive dance performances for families who attend. The dance concert will celebrate diversity, family, women, and motherhood. The show will be a collaboration between the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company and Akhilandeshwari Vasudevamurthy (Akhila). The two dance companies will perform and afterwords invite the audience to join the celebration by invoking the power of the moon through dance and rhythm. In honor of the Asian traditions, Moon Cake (a traditional Chinese delicacy which legends claim was first baked by resistance fighters in China nearly 1,000 years ago) as well as authentic Indian pudding will be served. Each dance will feature different celebrations of the Moon Festival. Nai-Ni Chen will present dance pieces in keeping with the original Moon Festival traditionally celebrated in China, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, and Singapore. Akhila, and her husband Chetan Hebbar will perform traditional dances choreographed in the original Bharthanatyam style which honors Karva Chauth, a one-day festival that is celebrated in Northern India where Hindu villages publicly celebrate friendship between women and feminine solidarity. Doors open for the Moon Festival at 3 p.m. with the show starting at 4 p.m. White Eagle Hall is located at 337 Newark Ave, Jersey City. JERSEY CITY -- A key prosecution witness who identified the man on trial for murder as the killer eight years ago recanted his sworn statement Thursday -- at first saying he didn't remember making the statement and then saying "it was a lie." The 23-year-old, who the court asked not to identify and not to photograph, was testifying in the trial of Anthony Shuler, who was 19 years old when authorities say he fatally shot Darren Edwards on June 28, 2010 at the corner of Duncan and Olean avenues in Jersey City. The witness, who was 14 at the time, reviewed a transcript of the 8-year-old interrogation, yet answered that he did not remember making numerous statements to investigators about the murder while under oath. Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Karen Kazanchy then moved to enter the man's 8-year-old statements to police as evidence rather than elicit his testimony as evidence. After a request by the defense, the interview was played in court before being moved into evidence. In the recording, which was played with the jury out of the room, the man gave significant information, including the description of the shooter and the direction he fled. He also identified Shuler as the gunman in photo array and initialed the back of the picture. After the recording was played, Kazanchy asked the man if he now remembered identifying Shuler as the killer. He said "Yes, but it was a lie." He said detectives had threatened him and they told him what to say. Shuler has been awaiting trial in jail for more than eight years due to a number of factors. The case became complicated when the state charged Robert Dawson, Eric Dawson and Golden Williamson with tampering and conspiracy to murder two witnesses who were expected to testify during Shuler's trial. The trial resumed after the lunch break before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Paul DePascale. It appears the jury would hear the recorded interviews when the trial resumes, although the defense attorney has asked for time to review the recordings and prepare for his cross-examination. At the World Meeting of Families in Dublin in August, CBS News correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti interviewed Sister Liz Murphy, secretary general of the Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland, sitting next to Chicago's Cardinal Blase Cupich. Cupich said his archdiocese is committed to transparency, letting people know about accusations of sexual misconduct against priests. "I think there's much more needed than just naming individuals, with respect, Cardinal," Murphy countered, speaking of the church as a whole. "It is a very male, masculine, institutional, top-down, dictatorial body. Who wouldn't want, as a woman, to see that collapse?" I almost fell off my chair at her brutal honesty, offered in the sweetest of Irish accents. This same sentiment was said more diplomatically by Sister of St. Joseph Catherine Nerney in her new book, "The Compassion Connection." "I have been frustrated and saddened greatly by my sense of a gaping disconnect between the official church's life and teaching and the real concerns and needs of people I meet and care about," Nerney writes. Many of the church's fault lines have been exposed recently by the latest round of clerical sexual abuse revelations. First, former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was the archbishop of Newark, was accused of abusing two youth, seminarians and priests with impunity. Then the Pennsylvania attorney general released a damning report with information from six Catholic dioceses alleging more than 1,000 incidents of sexual abuse by 300 clergy. Even Pope Francis has pointed the finger at a clerical culture or what some call "an old boys club." Much discussion has focused on the failure of the church to truly embrace the "People of God" envisioned by the Second Vatican Council -- and also the lack of women in real leadership positions in the church. Women religious -- sisters or nuns -- have been the most faithful to realizing the reforms of Vatican II in their orders and communities. Yet, they have been attacked by U.S. bishops who had instigated a Vatican investigation into their communities and their leadership group known as the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in 2012. For several years, bishops were given oversight of this group. But the sisters refused to withdraw or object and worked diligently with them and the Vatican to show how disputes can be resolved. In an excellent book recounting their resolution of the struggle, "However Long the Night," Sister Annmarie Sanders wrote: "Entering into a commitment to regular and consistent dialogue about core matters that can divide us can be arduous, demanding work ... that is transformative." Joseph Cardinal Tobin, at the time an archbishop in the Vatican office overseeing the investigation, objected and was exiled by then-Pope Benedict to Indianapolis. Pope Francis ended the investigation; Tobin's stands for the women religious helped bring closure. There is a need to bring more women into Vatican and church leadership. Mary Katherine Tillman wrote "Unheard Of" in the summer issue of Notre Dame Magazine, repeating the suggestion made by a Swedish cardinal that the pope needs "a College of Women to parallel the Council of Cardinal Advisers to the pope." Since feminist theology came into its own in the 1980s, much has been written about women's leadership in early Christianity. And none has been more revealing than Sister Christine Schenk's "Crispina and Her Sisters." She uses burial tombstones that reveal how women served as priests, deacons and even bishops in early Christianity. "Most people have never heard of Bitalia, Veneranda, Crispina, Petronella, Marcia Romania Celsa, Sofia the Deacon, and many other early women, even though their catacomb and tomb art suggest their authority was influential," Schenk writes. Women's leadership disappeared around the 12th century. Alienating women has severe repercussions for the next generations of Christianity and Catholicism in particular. The insights and experience of women are needed to help the church get through this third wave of crises of sexual abuse. EDITOR'S NOTE: The Rev. Alexander Santora is the pastor of Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph, 400 Willow Ave., Hoboken, 07030, FAX: 201-659-5833; Email: padrealex@yahoo.com; Twitter: @padrehoboken. Details ... "Crispina and Her Sisters: Women and Authority in Early Christianity," by Christine Schenk, C.S.J.; Fortress Press, 2017; $29. "However Long the Night: Making Meaning in a Time of Crisis," by Annmarie Sanders, I.H.M. (ed); LCWR, 2018; $14.99. "The Compassion Connection," by Catherine T. Nerney, S.S.J.; Orbis Books, 2018; $25. About 10,000 of the vote-by-mail ballots that the Middlesex County Clerk's office sent out last weekend contained errors in the recipients' addresses, authorities said. County Clerk Elaine Flynn said several confused residents called the her office, wondering why their information was listed incorrectly and worried their vote wouldn't be counted if they sent their ballot back. (One of our very own NJ Advance Media reporters was even the recipient of a wrongly-addressed mailer). "The ballots are valid, and the voters should use the materials they received," Cassandra Achille, supervisor of the election division, said in a written statement. Achille assured recipients that their returned ballots would be counted. When processing bulk-mail, postal workers don't read the addresses, but instead, machines scan the barcodes printed on each envelope. Those barcodes insured the ballots were delivered to the right place, Flynn said. Voters will receive mailers letting them know their votes will still be counted, despite the error. Still, the mistake, first reported by the New York Times, "was embarrassing," said Michael Maroney Jr., executive vice president for Universal Mailing Services, which sent out the ballots for the county clerk. "It was almost impossible to catch visually," Micheal Maroney, executive vice president of Universal Mailing Service said of the 10,000 vote by mail ballots sent out with addresses containing extraneous information. (Cassidy Grom | For NJ.com) Universal Mailing has sent out the sample ballots -- the documents that list an area's candidates and the recipients' polling locations -- for 30 years. The company is the go-to mailer vendor for 13 New Jersey County Clerks' offices, and process and send off two million sample ballots each year. The issue with the vote-by-mail ballots, he said, was a technical error. Typically, the clerk's offices send Universal a list of registered voters' addresses, then Universal's computer programs read the list and print the addresses. However, the list Middlesex sent over for their vote-by-mail ballots had a different format this year that the existing computer programs couldn't read it. Maroney said his employees created a new "down and dirty" program that could understand Middlesex's format, and it seemed to work fine. But the program lacked the capability to recognize empty spaces on Middlesex's spreadsheet and instead filled it in with information from above addresses. "Actually my kids both voted by mail and their's were both wrong," Maroney said. He said none of the inserted information was sensitive and 98 percent of the ballots were delivered. Maroney estimated Middlesex paid the company $5,000 to send out the vote by mail ballots, in addition to the usual $20,000 to send out sample ballots, which did not contain the address errors. Universal Mailing Service workers process unrelated mailers on the same machine used to process vote by mail ballots. (Cassidy Grom | For NJ.com) In August, Governor Phil Murphy signed a new law requiring county clerk's offices to mail ballots for the 2018 election to those who had voted by mail in the 2016 election. The ballots went to 2016 vote-by-mail voters whether or not they asked for the 2018 ballot. Flynn said her office hurried to prepare the ballots before the November 6 election, forcing the regular election workers to clock in hours of overtime. "You have no idea," Flynn told NJ Advance Media at her office in New Brunswick, as workers walked quickly around the room, sorting voter registration applications into dozens of piles. "We didn't plan for it. We didn't have the budget for it." Flynn said they ordered materials for the extra vote by mail ballots as soon as they heard about the new law, but their office didn't have space to store the extra boxes -- or the workforce. She called in help and added four workers from the passports and registry departments, but even with the extra hands, the office has been a stressful environment, she said. On Wednesday, a supervisor in a neighboring office space hollered at a co-worker, seemingly stressed by the extra demands the address errors brought. In 23 years of being the county clerk, Flynn said the last time she faced this amount of pressure was after Hurricane Sandy when several polling stations were flooded or damaged just days before the 2012 election. "Whatever it takes, I'm here," she said. Cassidy Grom may be reached at cgrom@njadvancemedia.com Follow her at @cassidygrom. Find NJ.com on Facebook.Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. An Atlantic City police officer has been arrested for his role in a June 2013 arrest that left a Linwood man with 200 stitches after a brutal attack by the officer's K-9. Sterling Wheaten, an officer with the Atlantic City Police Department since 2007, was arrested by federal authorities Thursday, NJ Advance Media has confirmed. BreakingAC reported the news first. Wheaten was charged with one count of violating an individual's civil rights and one count of falsifying a record for submitting a false police report about the assault, according to the indictment. After appearing in federal court Thursday, Wheaten was released on $50,000 unsecured bond, according to the Justice Department. "It's most unfortunate," Lou Barbone, Wheaten's attorney, told BreakingAC. "Sterling's done nothing but serve his community for the past 10 years." "Sterling Wheaten is a family man who has served his community with pride and honor his entire career. We support him and are confident the facts will see him cleared of these charges," Patrick Colligan, the president of the New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association, said in a statement. Video of the arrest, which quickly went viral, shows David Castellani leaving the Tropicana casino around 3 a.m. and approaching a group of police officers. According to a lawsuit filed by Castellani against the city, the 20-year-old was asking officers for help getting to the other side of the hotel. The exchange soon became contentious. Castellani was eventually tackled to the ground and was being beaten by four officers as they told him to "stop resisting," according to the lawsuit. After Castellani was subdued and had one hand in handcuffs, Wheaten arrived and emerged from his vehicle with his K-9 partner. Wheaten released the dog, and it mauled the back of Castellani's head, his neck and his chest, as officers, including Wheaten, continued to punch and kick Castellani, according to the lawsuit. Castellani was arrested and charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and resisting arrest. He eventually had his record cleared after he entered into a pretrial intervention program. According to the indictment, Wheaten submitted "false and fraudulent police reports," including that Castellani was "fighting my K-9 partner" and that he had "violently assaulted uniformed law enforcement officer[s] with hands and fists." The violation of civil rights count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and the false records count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, according to the Justice Department. The incident was one of the most high-profile excessive-force complaints in recent years in the state. It settled for $3 million in September 2017. An Atlantic County grand jury had previously cleared the five officers involved in the Castellani case of any wrongdoing. "I hope more of them are charged. There is a culture in that department that allows officers like Sterling Wheaten to thrive," Castellani's attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, told NJ Advance Media. In subsequent lawsuits against the city and the police department, lawyers have honed in on excessive use-of-force complaints against Wheaten and the lack of repercussions from those. In a separate excessive force lawsuit that Wheaten was not named in, Bonjean analyzed the police department's internal affairs files. In seven years, Wheaten had 23 excessive force complaints against him. None was ever deemed credible nor was he ever disciplined, according to court documents. When he applied for one of three open K-9 positions in 2012, Wheaten received the prestigious position despite having the highest number of internal affairs complaints against him of the 24 applicants, according to court documents. This post has been updated after a review of the indictment. Joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook. The second of two robbers who used a toy revolver during a South Jersey bank robbery spree in late 2016 is going to prison for 78 months, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced. Nathan L. Wallace, 29, of Vineland, was sentenced Tuesday in federal court in Camden. He previously pleaded guilty to three counts of bank robbery for the crime spree, which started with a carjacking. His partner, Quintin L. Jones, 36, also of Vineland, was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison last month for his role in the crimes. He robbed two banks with Wallace. Federal authorities say Wallace had admitted carjacking a Chrysler Sebring from the Walmart in Mays Landing on Sept. 22, 2016. He threatened the victim with a toy revolver that looked like an actual gun. Two days later, Wallace used the car and gun to rob a BB&T Bank branch in Buena Vista Township. After that heist, Jones joined up with Wallace. They robbed the Newfield National Bank branch in Newfield on Oct. 7, 2016, and a Cape Bank branch in Upper Deerfield Township four days later. In both crimes, one of them used the fake gun to hold up employees. They escaped with cash in the Chrysler both times - including $24,926 from the Cape branch. Four days after the Cape robbery, on Oct. 15, 2016, they set fire to the Chrysler in a parking lot in Parvin State Park in Pittsgrove. The New Jersey State Police investigated the fire, and tracked it back to the carjacking, and back to Jones and Wallace. Federal authorities say investigators found Wallace and Jones had bought a gas can at a Walmart in Vineland, then took a cab to a Wawa gas station near the state park and bought gas shortly before the fire started. Police also found a witness who spotted Jones that day, Oct. 15, putting a large amount of cash in a bag at a nearby hotel, where they learned he'd been staying. Using those clues, investigators got search warrants for both suspect's residences and found clothing similar to what the robbers wore in the Cape Bank robbery, plus the toy revolver, cash, gloves and a car key for a Chrysler Sebring. Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Apparently, older people in even the reddest parts of Tom MacArthur's district are now asking him about alarming mailers that say he wants to charge them more for their health insurance. Awkward. The congressman (R-3rd Dist.) scoffed at this idea before a friendly crowd in Ocean County. "How many of you are getting mail every day saying there's some 'age tax'? Have you see that one? I've been asked about it four or five times this morning already. That is a lie. That is just a lie." No, it is not. And it is MacArthur who is deliberately misleading here. Boomers are right to press him on this. After all, the only reason they aren't paying more right now is that MacArthur didn't get his way. Republicans confident you will forget what they did on health care | Editorial He spearheaded an effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which failed thanks to a single vote in the Senate cast by John McCain. Before the ACA, it was common practice for insurers to charge older adults more. The ACA limited this, by saying a 64-year-old couldn't be charged more than three times what a 21-year-old would pay for the same coverage. But MacArthur's effort to repeal Obamacare last year would have gutted that protection, allowing insurers to charge boomers at least five times more. AARP hired an actuarial firm that calculated that those aged 50 to 64 could be charged thousands of dollars in additional premiums, which the nonprofit advocacy group dubbed the "Age Tax." When asked to name the lies here, MacArthur's campaign points out that this is not a literal government tax. How reassuring. His campaign spokesman, Chris Russell, also argues that New Jersey, unlike other states, has its own protective statute that caps how much more insurers can charge older people. In other words, our state policy would have helped mitigate the disaster of what MacArthur tried to do on a national scale. We strain to see how this helps his case for re-election. His campaign also refers us to a PolitiFact article that notes the so-called age tax "doesn't apply to seniors on Medicare, or to people over the age of 50 with medical coverage sponsored by large employers." Right. But the truth is the state protections leave boomers vulnerable. If you retire early or lose your job before you become eligible for Medicare, you could face big increases. And state policies wouldn't do much to protect older people with pre-existing conditions, like cancer or diabetes. Older people are more likely to have pre-existing conditions, and MacArthur's repeal would have crippled those protections, too. He brags that he wrote an amendment requiring insurers to sell policies covering these conditions, but it was a fake, because it allowed insurers to charge much steeper prices, and to limit coverage. Older people don't qualify for Medicare until they hit the age of 65, so they would indeed have been forced to pay more if MacArthur got his way - if they were able to afford coverage at all. They still face this danger, because Republicans have vowed to try again to repeal Obamacare. And even those 65 and older aren't safe. House Speaker Paul Ryan says the next step for his party is to go after "entitlements" like Medicare. So boomers, re-elect Republicans at your peril. The same goes for trusting Tom MacArthur. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. (Above: The Inaugural at which Trump repeated his support for the "America-first" foreign policy that the establishment and Nikki Haley despise.) When the news broke about Nikki Haley leaving the Trump administration, the deep thinkers of the nation rose as one to decry the loss of this "moderate." Moderately crazy is more like it. Haley was an unrepentant Cold Warrior who was busy trying to pick fights in every spot on the globe. How she ever got named to the job of U.N. Ambassador is a mystery to a guy who spent much of the 1980s on the front lines of the Cold War. That's state Sen. Mike Doherty of Warren County. Doherty is a Republican who was Trump's first major backer in the state. He's a West Point grad who manned a nuclear artillery unit in Germany during the Cold War. That entailed working with the knowledge that if his men ever fired their weapons, they'd soon be dead - and most of the rest of us might be as well. So Doherty was glad to see the former South Carolina governor go back where she came from. But he still wonders how she got the job in the first place. "Nikki Haley was one of Trump's biggest detractors," Doherty said. "During the 2016 campaign she was an anti-Trumper and then he put her in as UN ambassador. It made no sense." It made no sense to me either. Trump angered the Washington establishment by adopting an "America-first" policy. He promised to end regime-change efforts of the type that led to disaster in Iraq, Libya and Syria. Haley has backed just about every foreign intervention that's been proposed, particularly regime change in Syria. She has said of her role, "I don't see it as pushing an America-first policy." On a recent Sunday morning talk show, she called for the U.S. to adopt even tougher sanctions on Russia because of its role in aiding the Syrian government in its war against rebels. That irked the administration. Her statements went directly against Trump's expressed desire to have better relations with Russia and to get the U.S. out of Syria. Russian and American forces are hunkered down there not far from each other. The Iranians, the Israelis and the Turks are in the neighborhood as well, all with planes and missiles on hair-trigger alert. A wise man would want to get his finger off the trigger. That wise man was Trump during the 2016 campaign, when he called for the U.S. to stop deposing secular dictators like Syria's Bashar al-Assad. But then he appointed Haley as his mouthpiece in the UN. From the beginning, Haley took the opposite tack from Trump. "There's not any sort of option where a political solution is going to happen with Assad at the head of the regime," she said as recently as April. The UN ambassador is supposed to carry out policy, not make it. With her out of the way, maybe such a solution is possible. Doherty said Haley let her ambitions for higher office lead her into saying a lot of extremely undiplomatic things. "Haley said 'Lying, cheating and rogue behavior are a norm of Russian culture,'" he said. "She's supposed to be an ambassador and yet she managed to insult an entire country." He speculates Haley was trying to score points with the so-called "neoconservatives" in the Republican Party who have been so critical of Trump's foreign policy. If so, it's working. Neocon-in-chief Bill Kristol of the Weekly Standard has mentioned her as a potential challenger to Trump in 2020. Haley disavowed any such ambition, perhaps because a Kristol endorsement is the kiss of death in politics. Doherty suggested that now that she's gone, Trump should purge some of the other neocons from the administration. At the top of the list is NATO ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchinson, who suggested recently the U.S. should "take out" any Russian missiles found to be in violation of a 1987 arms treaty. Hutchinson later clarified that to say the U.S. would take them out not on the ground but with defensive counter-measures after they've been launched. At that point, of course, World War III would be on and we'd all be doomed. "Who wins a war like that?" asked Doherty. "You would hope leaders wouldn't agitate for war." You would indeed. And with Haley gone, perhaps Trump will recall his campaign promises not to yield to the "moderates" who do so. ADD: Nikki Haley's effort to make policy is very similar to that of our own Christie Whitman. When she was named to head the Environmental Protection Agency under George W. Bush, she pushed a policy on CO-2 emissions while she had no idea what CO-2 is. Haley is every bit as clueless as Christie Whitman - and has every bit as much chance of being elected president. ALSO - CLUELESS "CONSERVATIVES:" It's hard to believe that at this late date there are still people out there who can't tell the difference between the traditional, America-first conservatism of Donald Trump and the fake "neo" conservatism of Haley - even though Haley's views on foreign policy are substantially the same as those of Hillary Clinton. If you are one of these lost souls, read this column by Pat Buchanan or read this column by Justin Raimondo: "With her accounting degree from Clemson University, and her seeming inability to utter phrases that deviate from Republican foreign policy orthodoxy, circa 2003, we told our readers from the beginning that Haley was a lightweight and warmongering globalist. Her fatal error, I believe, was her inability to understand that her job, UN Ambassador, is symbolic and ceremonial." By Aaron Potenza As we celebrate National Coming Out Day, we look back at the successes the LGBT community has had so far in New Jersey. Recently, our state has taken major steps towards eliminating discrimination against transgender people by making it easier for individuals to change gender markers to match their identity without requiring proof of surgery. However, the Trump administration continues to take action to backtrack on our progress by attacking some of the most vulnerable communities including transgender, Muslim, women and immigrant communities. Today is National coming Out Day. We stand with you! pic.twitter.com/p1rjEeVPTU CSDI-John Carroll U (@jcucsdi) October 11, 2018 As one of the most diverse states in the U.S., New Jersey has worked hard to put up a firewall for much of the toxic rhetoric coming from the federal administration. This year we have yet another opportunity to become more welcoming to transgender, gender nonconforming, and non-binary (TGNC) people by expanding access to driver's licenses. This is an issue that doesn't just affect immigrants but many at the margins of our society including those who are formerly incarcerated, homeless, low-income and our TGNC community members. Across the board, New Jersey residents are facing increasing barriers to getting a driver's license. For some TGNC community members, the discrimination they face everyday can hinder their ability to be fully accepted and to fully participate in society. Despite nondiscrimination protections in the state covering gender identity and gender expression, many trans people continue to face discrimination because the gender recorded on their identity documents does not reflect their gender identity and/or expression. This is why all driver's licenses must allow TGNC folks to reflect the gender they know themselves to be rather than the one they were incorrectly assigned at birth. A driver's license that fits how a person identifies and expresses themselves will help decrease the discrimination TGNC people come across everyday. A license is a form of identification that most people use in their day-to-day life. It is needed at doctors offices, when picking up your kids from school, and in emergencies, especially situations involving interactions with emergency health professionals and law enforcement. In these cases, having a driver's license helps with mobility and identification. This makes a driver's license a necessity in New Jersey, especially in parts of the state where public transit remains inaccessible. Without a driver's license, too many in New Jersey are struggling to be able to live their daily lives to the fullest. It is essential for someone to be able to take care of themselves and their family members. This year, we call on New Jersey to become more accepting of our TGNC residents by expanding access to driver's licenses to include all gender expressions. New Jersey can follow in the footsteps of California and the District of Columbia in expanding access to driver's licenses that is inclusive of the TGNC community, along with undocumented immigrants. Without access to a driver's license, members of our communities are not able to live their life to the fullest. In order to value all those who we call our neighbors, friends and family members we must expand access to driver's licenses in New Jersey. Aaron Potenza is the director of policy at Garden State Equality. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. By Paul Waldman President Donald Trump wrote a remarkable op-ed in USA Today on Wednesday, remarkable because one wouldn't think it possible to pack so much dishonesty into such a small space, nor would one think a newspaper would willingly publish such a steaming pile of lies. As Washington Post fact-checker Glenn Kessler wrote, "almost every sentence contained a misleading statement or a falsehood." But I'll leave the fact-checking (mostly) to others on this score. What interests me for the moment is what Trump says about Medicare. As Democrats have increasingly advocated for some kind of universal, government-guaranteed health insurance program (though there are multiple plans floating around with different features), Republicans have struggled to settle on the most effective rhetorical counter to the idea. "Big government takeover!" has gotten a little old. "Bureaucrats making decisions for you instead of your doctor!" rings false to anyone who has had to deal with the nightmare of insurance company bureaucracy. "It'll cost trillions!" is less persuasive when they're running up trillions in debt themselves for things like corporate tax cuts. So what's the alternative? Here are some selections from Trump's op-ed: "I also made a solemn promise to our great seniors to protect Medicare. That is why I am fighting so hard against the Democrats' plan that would eviscerate Medicare ... Democrats would gut Medicare with their planned government takeover of American health care ... The Democrats' plan means that after a life of hard work and sacrifice, seniors would no longer be able to depend on the benefits they were promised. By eliminating Medicare as a program for seniors ... Seniors would lose access to their favorite doctors ... In practice, the Democratic Party's so-called Medicare for All would really be Medicare for None. Under the Democrats' plan, today's Medicare would be forced to die." Trump and the Republicans will defend Medicare from Democrats! If you believe that, you'll hire an arsonist to protect your house from the fire department. The strangeness of this argument highlights a fundamental problem Republicans can't get away from: They hate Medicare, but the American public loves Medicare. They hate it for two basic reasons. The first is ideological: It is indeed a big-government program and therefore an affront to their free-market beliefs. They have been horrified by the idea of the government providing health coverage ever since a future president and conservative icon tried to prevent the program from being enacted with the hit 1961 spoken-word album "Ronald Reagan Speaks Out Against Socialized Medicine." The second reason Republicans hate Medicare exists at the intersection of policy and politics. Because Medicare works extremely well and provides a valued benefit to tens of millions of politically potent citizens, it is impossible for them to unwind it as they would like to do. So every election, Democrats accuse them of wanting to destroy the program, which requires them to pretend that they actually love it and want to defend it. There is a long history of Republicans enacting that charade, so it isn't much of a surprise that they have just grafted the old argument on to a new health care debate. But it fits particularly awkwardly here. Perhaps never before has the GOP had less credibility on health care than it does now, when it just failed to repeal the Affordable Care Act and is suing to eliminate the ACA's protection for people with preexisting conditions. And while there is a certain get-off-my-lawn appeal to the argument that if we let the non-elderly have Medicare, then Medicare will be undermined, to buy it you have to believe that the person making the argument doesn't actually want Medicare to be undermined. There is only so far you can go insisting one moment that you despise government health insurance and claiming the next moment that you'll protect seniors' beloved government health insurance. For the moment, though, almost every Republican seems on board with this strategy. Yes, there is an occasional note of dissent on the right. For instance, Philip Klein argues that "By perpetuating the idea that Medicare is a great program that needs to be protected at all costs (rather than an unsustainable entitlement) it only makes it easier for liberals to make the case for socialized medicine." But as a policy wonk, Klein has the luxury of thinking about the long term. Politicians, on the other hand, tend to be more concerned about what will work right now. Klein is right that Republicans sowed the seeds for Medicare-for-all, but not just by praising Medicare. They also did it by attacking everything Democrats proposed on health care, even market-based reforms such as the ACA, as horrifying big-government socialism. Eventually, Democrats realized that if Republicans were going to call even something modeled on Mitt Romney's plan "socialism," they might as well not bother trimming their sails and just advocate something actually socialistic. And here we are. If and when Democrats control both the presidency and Congress -- perhaps in 2021 -- we'll have a real, sustained debate about Medicare-for-all or some version thereof. It would be foolish to imagine that we can predict exactly how that debate will go. It is entirely possible that "Giving more people Medicare will destroy Medicare!" will effectively mobilize seniors against universal coverage. It is also possible that the contradictions in their arguments will make Republicans unable to resist the appetite for a government guarantee of security that they helped reinforce. One thing we can predict with some certainty, however, is that what they'll say then will be just as dishonest as what they're saying now. Paul Waldman is an opinion writer for the Washington Post's Plum Line blog. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. A top staffer in Gov. Phil Murphy's administration who resigned last week faced an allegation of sexual assault during a period when he worked on Murphy's gubernatorial campaign, sources told NJ Advance Media. Three sources said Albert J. Alvarez -- who stepped down Oct. 2 as chief of staff to the New Jersey Schools Development Authority -- was accused of sexual assault in Hudson County by a woman in the spring of last year. Alvarez has not been charged with a crime. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. The alleged victim declined to comment through a third party. Politico New Jersey, also citing anonymous sources, was the first to report on allegations of "sexual misconduct" against Alvarez on Wednesday night. One source with detailed knowledge about the woman's account said the alleged victim contacted the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office. Multiple sources said the prosecutor's office decided not to bring charges. A spokesman for the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, Ray Worrall, declined to comment or confirm whether there was ever an investigation into Alvarez. On Thursday, top Republicans called on the Democrat-controlled New Jersey Legislature to conduct an independent, bi-partisan investigation into the incident and how the Murphy administration treats sexual misconduct. Murphy, like Alvarez, is a Democrat. "It is extremely important that all relevant information is revealed as soon as possible related to these allegations," state Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick, R-Union, said in a statement. "Public hearings by the Legislature are the only way all information is provided to the public." Meanwhile, every Republican woman serving in the Legislation sent a joint letter to legislative leadership Thursday afternoon asking for an investigation into Murphy's "hiring practices." They also want Murphy's administration to disclose "any and all incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual intimidation, or hostile work environment raised during the campaign, the transition, or presently within the administration." Alvarez, 44, of Wood-Ridge, was director for Latino community outreach for Murphy's campaign at the time of the alleged incident. He later worked for Murphy's transition team as deputy director of personnel before before landing the $140,000-a-year job at the Schools Development Authority. News of Alvarez's sudden resignation surfaced publicly Tuesday, when Murphy was asked at a news conference in Metuchen why the official resigned. The governor declined to reveal any details. "I know that Al has resigned, and beyond that I have no more color to offer," Murphy said. Murphy's office declined further comment. Alvarez did not return multiple messages left for him this week. He also appears to have deactivated at least two of his social media accounts, on Twitter and Instagram. The timing of the allegation, and especially when the governor was made aware of it, would be key to any investigation. Two sources with knowledge of the situation said Murphy's transition team was made aware of an accusation against Alvarez in December, but they would not specify what information was received. Two background checks conducted around that time showed Alvarez did not have any arrests or criminal charges against him, according to the sources. Alvarez was tapped for the Schools Development Authority job shortly after Murphy took office in January. Murphy's office then was told of the allegations in March, the two sources said. The sources said the information given "immediately" to a deputy in Murphy's office. And the state Attorney General's office was informed immediately after that, the sources said. Sharon Lauchaire, a spokeswoman with the state Attorney General's Office, said the governor's office "conveyed information" to the Attorney General's Office about Alvarez. "Beyond that we cannot comment on the specifics of the information," Lauchaire said in a statement. The source close to the woman said the alleged woman "wrote directly" to Murphy and his wife, First Lady Tammy Murphy, in May. Two other sources said the victim did not reference the allegation at that time. Alvarez resigned last Tuesday. Before working for Murphy, Alvarez served as a deputy chief of staff to then-Gov. Jon Corzine in the 2000s and later was an attorney for the state Democratic Committee. In addition to Bramnick and Republican women state lawmakers, state Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr., R-Union and state Republican Chairman Doug Steinhardt said Thursday an independent investigation is needed to determine if the Murphy administration acted properly. "New Jersey needs to know if Governor Murphy would go as far as to shelter someone like Al Alvarez," Steinhardt Top Democrats did not address calls for an investigation Thursday. Democratic leaders of the state Senate -- including President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, and Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen -- issued a joint statement saying they are "disturbed" by the reports. "This type of behavior has too often been tolerated, ignored or dismissed," the senators added. "Public officials have a leadership responsibility to help bring about the change in attitudes and actions that is long overdue." State Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, said in a statement the allegations are "both deeply troubling and appalling." "Sexual misconduct is inappropriate in any circumstance," Coughlin added. "As facts become known, I want to ensure a proper review has been conducted." The news of the allegations against Alvarez and his prominent his place in the Murphy administration troubled the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault. "We are concerned by reporting that says the Murphy administration was aware of the reported sexual violence by Mr. Alvarez as far back as during transition," Patricia Teffenhart, the coalition's executive director, said in a statement "While we wait for all of the facts to come to light, we know one thing for certain. Sexual violence is not a partisan issue -- but too often, it's treated as such," Teffenhart added. "For us, there is not one day we don't take this very seriously -- and the stories that have hit New Jersey media outlets over the last 24 hours will provide an opportunity for everyone in the highest levels of state leadership to affirm their commitment to creating a safer Garden State." NJ Advance Media staff writers Susan K. Livio, Allison Pries, and S.P. Sullivan contributed to this report. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook. Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. The Washington Township PTO Presidents Council will sponsor a Candidates Forum 7:30 p.m. Thursday, in the Eileen Abbott Central Administration Building, 206 E. Holly Avenue in Sewell. Six candidates seeking election to three open three-year seats on the Washington Township Board of Education: incumbents Bob Abbott, Karen Garrison and Candice Zachowski are running for re-election, facing competition from Paul Esposito, Renee Pollard and Celia "Ann" Volk. Barbara Kutscher, treasurer of the Moorestown Area League of Women Voters and a LWVNJ-trained moderator with more than 27 years of experience, will serve as moderator for this event. The candidates will field questions posed from residents in attendance. The program will be taped to be aired on WT-TV Channel 9/36 in the weeks preceding the Nov. 6 school board election. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, political organization whose purpose is to encourage the informed and active participation of citizens in government. The Times-Picayune is marking the tricentennial of New Orleans with its ongoing 300 for 300 project, running through 2018 and highlighting 300 people who have made New Orleans New Orleans, featuring original artwork commissioned by NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune with Where Y'Art gallery. Today: groundbreaker Mary Doullut. The icon: Mary Doullut. The legacy: In 1893, the rivers and bayous of South Louisiana were seen as a tough place to be, a dangerous place -- a manly place. Somebody apparently forgot to tell Mary Doullut that. A wife and mother, Doullut would become the first woman to earn a pilot's license for inland waterways in south Louisiana, steering her craft in a dress and, when waters got rough, with her son clinging to her skirt. She didn't do it because she had to, necessarily; "it was just for fun," she said some 57 years after earning her pilot's license. Later, she and husband Milton -- also a riverboat pilot -- would build the iconic Doullut steamboat houses, two magnificently detailed riverfront edifices in the Holy Cross neighborhood that evoke the profile of old steamer packets. To this day, they continue to draw sightseers, standing as twin testaments to the woman who lived there -- and who proved once and for all that there was plenty of room for women on Old Man River. The artist: Gabriel Flores. The quote: "The lady is a pilot of ability but will only employ her talents for the pleasure of herself and others as the commander of the launch James D. Houston, which runs on Ship Island canal and Lake Borgne. ... She can find her way in the dark along either stream, and neither her husband nor their friends know of any pilot to whom they would sooner intrust themselves." -- From an article about Mary Doullut published July 28, 1893, in The Daily Picayune and headlined "A Pretty Pilot" Explore more of Flores' work online at WhereYart.net and in person at the Where Y'Art gallery, 1901 Royal St. Before earning her license, Mary Doullut often accompanied her husband on oyster-lugging trips, hauling mail from Buras to the mouth of the river, and when he ran tugs on Lake Borgne. It was on those trips that she learned her way around local waterways. Source: The Times-Picayune archives; staff research More on 300 for 300: A man convicted in a drunk driving wreck that killed New Orleans Police Officer Natasha Hunter in 2016 was sentenced Thursday (Oct. 11) to eight years in prison. Chau Nguyen, 36, pleaded guilty in May to vehicular homicide, admitting he was drunk when his four-door Acura sedan hit the back of Hunter's marked patrol car parked on the shoulder of Interstate 10. Standing in an orange jail jumpsuit next to his attorney, Nandi Campbell, Nguyen unfolded a piece of paper and stood at a microphone to address Hunter's family. He apologized, telling them he "cannot begin to imagine" the impact Hunter's death has had on them. "You have endured an unbearable loss that I do not deserve to speak about," he said. "The time I will serve in prison will never make up for the time Ms. Hunter could have spent with her loved ones, especially her daughter." Authorities said Hunter was investigating a crash when her car was hit around 2:30 a.m. on June 5, 2016. Her vehicle's emergency lights were flashing. Hunter suffered traumatic head injuries in the crash, and died two days later. Nguyen, who was in pharmacy school at the time of the wreck, also was injured in the crash. Prosecutors said he failed field sobriety tests and admitted to drinking alcohol at a casino prior to driving. His blood-alcohol concentration measured 0.16 after the crash, according to the district attorney's office. 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 Hunter, 32, joined the New Orleans Police Department in December 2004. She was the mother of a 5-year-old girl. Criminal District Judge Benedict Willard said five of the eight years he gave Nguyen must be served without the benefit of probation, parole or a suspended sentence. Nguyen will receive credit for time served. Nguyen said he has reflected on his actions since the night of the wreck, and is more aware of the consequences of drinking and driving. "I have learned how my actions affect other people and their families, and I have gained a new perspective on life," he said. "I vow I will spend the rest of my life becoming something other than the careless person I was that night." Several of Hunter's family members were in the courtroom for the hearing. Assistant District Attorney Darius Greene walked to the gallery and handed them napkins as Nguyen spoke, as many were openly weeping throughout the proceeding. Nguyen also apologized to his family for the "pain and grief that I have inflicted as a consequence of my actions." More than a dozen of Nguyen's family members were in court to support him Thursday. "I promise to live the rest of my life serving others, and attempt to embody the spirit of Ms. Hunter," he said. "I will continue to pray for the Hunter family, and continue to pray for forgiveness." St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office investigators say a Boutte mother helped her son, a suspect in a St. Rose shooting, avoid arrest by hiding him at her home. Authorities took Felix Polkey, 20, into custody at his mom's Old Spanish Trail home on Tuesday (Oct. 9) and booked him with aggravated battery, according to Capt. Pay Yoes, spokesman for the department. Deputies also arrested his mother, Christina Moore, 40, and booked her with being an accessory to aggravated battery after the fact. The sheriff's office on Monday identified Polkey as a suspect in an Oct. 5 shooting in the 100 block of Kennedy Street in St. Rose. The victim, a 20-year-old from St. Rose, was at the home of a friend around 2:30 a.m. when he was shot in the back, authorities said. Detectives went to Moore's house after obtaining a warrant for her son's arrest and told her she could be charged if she hid knowledge of her son's whereabouts, authorities said. They later learned she was hiding Polkey at her home. Polkey and Moore were being held Thursday at the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center in Killona, Louisiana. Bond for Polkey was set at $50,000. Bond for Moore was set at $10,000. New Orleans police have arrested two men in connection with the shooting deaths of a man and woman whose burned bodies were found in Algiers in July, NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison said Wednesday (Oct. 10). Michael Tyron Robinson, 34, and Kirk Powell, 23, were charged with second-degree murder in the shooting deaths of Gavonte Lampkin, 20, and Shantrell Parker, 18. "We don't give up--and we continue to pursue these violent offenders until they're brought to justice," Harrison said, referring to the more than two months that have passed since Lampkin and Parker were found dead. "In both cases, community support was tremendously helpful" in getting the evidence needed to obtain arrest warrants," he said. The couple's burned bodies were found in Algiers late July 29. New Orleans police said they and firefighters were responding to a brush fire at 11:35 p.m. when they found two charred bodies in the woods near the intersection of Maumus Avenue and Bennett Street. Both were burned beyond recognition. "That really sent shock waves through the community," Harrison said. Both Robinson and Powell were in custody in the Orleans Justice Center jail Wednesday evening, each booked with two counts of second-degree murder, Harrison said during a news conference. Both men were booked last week, on Oct. 3, with drug charges and then booked this week with the second-degree murder charges, according to jail records. Their bonds were set at $3,500 each on the drug charges, which include possession with intent to distribute Tramadol and marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Powell's bond was set Wednesday at $1 million on the murder charges. As of Wednesday night, Robinson's bond had not yet been set in the murder case. Aside from his recent charges, Robinson appears in Orleans Criminal District Court records just one other time, for a 2006 first-offense marijuana charge that was ultimately dropped. Powell also appears one other time in Orleans Criminal District Court records, for April 2017 guilty pleas to resisting an officer and possession of marijuana first conviction. He was sentenced to 30 days in the Orleans Parish jail. Following the news briefing, Harrison declined to give details on how investigators developed the two men as suspects in the Algiers double homicide, but credited detectives' relentless efforts in interviewing possible witnesses and "turning over every stone" in search of evidence. Prior to his shooting death in July, Lampkin had been the target of two separate 2016 shootings, also in Algiers. Four men are accused of shooting Lampkin multiple times on June 27, 2016 in the 5900 block of Tullis Drive. All four men--Christopher Butler, 29, Dwayne Carter, 25, Scott Butler, 31, and Elijah Favorite, 33--are facing attempted murder charges in that shooting, court records show. They are scheduled for trial on Nov. 13. 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 Lampkin was shot again on Nov. 18, 2016, in an alleged attempt to keep him from testifying against the group - who were all arrested that July. Investigators believe Christopher Butler and 21-year-old John Richey lured Lampkin from his home on Maple Leaf Drive to the 5900 block of Tullis Drive and shot him repeatedly. Butler and Richey were both arrested in connection with the shooting in February 2017 - Richey on one charge each of attempted second-degree murder and intimidating or injuring a witness and Christopher Butler on one charge each of principal to attempted second-degree murder and intimidating or injuring a witness, court records show. Butler and Richey were scheduled for trial Sept. 19 in the November 2016 shooting but, after the court denied a state request to continue the trial, the DA's office opted not to prosecute. The charges can be reinstated. Authorities have not indicated any connection between the pair of murder suspects and the four men suspected in the 2016 shootings that wounded Lampkin. However, Jefferson Parish court records show that Powell and Favorite face open charges together in a 2017 theft case. The couple found dead, Lampkin and Parker, had been together for over three years and had two sons together -- 8-month-old Trevante and almost 2-year-old Gavonte Lampkin Jr., Lampkin's mother told a NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune reporter in early August. Triontris Lampkin said after not hearing from her son or his girlfriend for two days in late July, she began to wonder about the two bodies found July 29. "I went out to the scene myself on Wednesday (Aug. 1) and found part of Shantrell's jacket and a piece of my son's shirt. That's when I knew," Triontris Lampkin said. Nearly a week later, the Lampkin and Parker families got the call they were expecting, but still dreading. "Even though we were pretty sure it was her, we were still in denial and still had hope it wasn't true," Kewone Carto, Shantrell Parker's 24-year-old cousin, told the reporter. "When we got the official ID, it really hit us. We couldn't deny it anymore." During Wednesday's news conference, Harrison also touted investigators' Tuesday night arrest of Kenneth Augustine, the 28-year-old man accused of two counts of second-degree murder in the shooting deaths of a man and woman in New Orleans East. Augustine was booked within 12 hours of the double homicide, which occurred in the Little Woods area. NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune's Diana Samuels contributed to this report. This post was updated early Thursday (Oct. 11) to include additional remarks by NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison. A jury unanimously voted to acquit a man of an obstruction of justice charge he was facing in connection with a 2015 homicide at a New Orleans East hotel that left 28-year-old Cornelius "He-Man" Bentley dead. Prosecutors accused Marco Parker, 31, of intentionally distorting the crime scene when he threw the gun used to kill Bentley in a trash can at the scene of the shooting. Parker's attorneys, Michael Kennedy and Tori Guidry, said Parker threw the gun and initially ran from the scene because he was scared. "My opinion was there was never a crime of obstruction," Kennedy said after the jury returned their verdict Wednesday (Oct. 10) afternoon. "He was a witness that the state decided to deem a criminal, and he has been living in our jail on our tax dollars for an entire year." Bentley was shot in the back of the head inside Room 112 at Jack's Motel on Sept. 4, 2015. According to testimony at Parker's trial, Parker and Calvin Morris - Parker's cousin - were in the room with Bentley at the time of the shooting. Bentley was a close friend of Parker's, Kennedy said. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Morris, who was indicted on a second-degree murder charge in connection with the shooting, pleaded guilty in February to an amended charge of conspiracy to commit second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. After the shooting, Parker took the gun and threw it on top of a trash can at the motel, then ran home and told his family what happened, Kennedy said. He then returned to the scene and called 911, Kennedy said, identifying himself in the call and telling the operator Morris shot Bentley. He waited for police to arrive and gave a voluntarily statement, Kennedy said. Parker initially told police he never touched the gun, but later admitted he threw it on top of the trash can. Morris was arrested near Houston a few days after the shooting. Parker was arrested Oct. 30, 2017, more than two years after the shooting and a month after he was indicted for obstruction of justice. Kennedy said Parker wasn't aware he was indicted, and a warrant was issued for his arrest after he missed his initial scheduled court appearances following his indictment. Prior to his arrest, Kennedy said the last time Parker spoke to anyone in law enforcement about the case was when he gave his statement to police after the shooting. A manager for a Kenner post office is accused of stealing more than $630,000 worth of stamps and hawking them on eBay, marking one of the largest internal postal thefts in U.S. Postal Service history, federal prosecutors said. Ryan Cortez, 46, of Des Allemands was arrested Wednesday (Oct. 10) at the North Kenner Post Office, 390 W. Esplanade Ave., where he serves as manager of customer service operations. A booking photo of Cortez was not available. Federal authorities also executed a federal search warrant Wednesday morning at Cortez's home, finding evidence that includes documents and packing materials used by the Postal Service's stamp-distribution office. He is accused of misappropriation of postal funds or property. According to a criminal complaint against Cortez, he admitted to stealing stamps and selling them on eBay to support a gambling addiction. The complaint also alleges that he admitted to embezzling thousands of dollars from the Des Allemands Mennonite Church, where Cortez is listed as treasurer in Louisiana Secretary of State business filing records. Agents with the U.S. Postal Service began investigating Cortez after receiving notifications from PayPal and eBay regarding "significant quantities" of postal stamps being sold by Cortez via the popular auction website, federal court records show. Investigators allege that in his role as manager, Cortez "rapidly increased" the reserve stamp stock at the North Kenner Post Office from no more than about $70,000 worth of stamps to more than $600,000 worth of stamps. PayPal records showed that Cortez had used eBay to sell large quantities of stamps at discounted prices, with buyers often citing "Inventory" or "Invoice...Forever Stamps" on the checks' memo lines. PayPal eventually disabled Cortez's account in May due to suspected fraudulent activity, court records show. In July and August, he deposited checks into his bank account from the same buyers with the same types of memo lines, such as "Invoice 1021 10,000 Forever Stamps," the criminal complaint states. Records from Cortez's bank showed deposits of such checks totaling more than $58,000 during a one-month period in the summer of 2018, according to the complaint. 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 During the investigation into Cortez, postal agents found that Cortez "had a very active presence" at casinos, including Harrah's Casino in New Orleans. Records from Harrah's revealed that Cortez apparently used the casino to structure large monetary transactions--a technique sometimes used to launder money. Investigators believe that after depositing checks from stamp sales, Cortez habitually made ATM withdrawals at Harrah's the same day or days following the deposits. Harrah's records also showed that Cortez had lost more than $667,000 at the casino since 2011, including more than $220,000 lost in 2017, court documents state. Cortez's gambling activity could not be explained by his annual salary of about $70,818, the federal complaint alleges. Louisiana Workforce Commission records showed that Cortez had no other sources of income. During a Wednesday interview with U.S. Postal Service investigators, Cortez admitted to stealing "hundreds of thousands" of dollars' worth of stamps and then selling them, mostly to two buyers, one in Montana and the other in New Jersey. He confirmed that he had manipulated stamp stock counts by using another supervisor's password to access the post office computer system. He also avoided detection by stealing stamps that were not included in the office's excess stock counts, such as Christmas stamps, the complaint states. Cortez appeared Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Knowles III and was ordered remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending a detention hearing set for Thursday. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, supervisor of the Financial Crimes Unit, is handling the prosecution. A federal public defender has been appointed to represent Cortez, records show. If convicted, Cortez faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine based on the charge outlined in the complaint, the U.S. Attorney's office said. A shooting Thursday (Oct. 11) in the West Bank-bound lanes of the Pontchartrain Expressway left a man wounded and has caused a traffic backup on the elevated highway and Interstate 10. Police were called to the scene on the expressway near Carondelet Street about noon, NOPD spokesman Gary Scheets said. The wounded man was shot in the arm, he said. NOPD's investigation appeared to include two West Bank-bound lanes of the Crescent City Connection. A number of police cars, including Louisiana State Police vehicles, were stopped in the lanes as plainclothes officers investigated within those lanes on foot. The Department of Transportation and Development tweeted at 1:47 p.m. that congestion from what it described as an "incident" reached St. Bernard Avenue on I-10 West and the I-10/Interstate 610-split on I-10 East. No other information was immediately available. As NOPD 6th District officers investigated the shooting on the highway Thursday afternoon, 1st District officers were called to investigate a shooting in the 2400 block of D'Abadie Street in the 7th Ward. Stay with NOLA.com for more on this developing story. While doing time in the East Carroll Parish Detention Center, Aaron Daniels of Tangipahoa Parish did more than simply while away the hours. Daniels obtained the names and Social Security numbers of fellow inmates and gave that information to associates, including family members, in Tangipahoa in exchange for money, federal authorities said. The co-conspirators, one of whom was a tax-return preparer, used the personal information to file false tax returns seeking refunds, the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Orleans said Wednesday (Oct. 10) in a news release. United States District Court Judge Martin L.C. Feldman sentenced Daniels to 50 months in prison Wednesday after Daniels pleaded guilty in May to a charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States, the release said. Feldman ordered Daniels to pay $11,584 in restitution to the federal Internal Revenue Service. Daniels must serve three years of supervised release after completing his prison sentence. He was released on bond after sentencing and must surrender to authorities to begin serving his sentence Dec. 12, court records show. A grand jury indicted Daniels last December on one count of conspiracy to defraud and seven counts of aiding and assisting the preparation and presentation of a false tax return. As part of Daniels' agreement to plead guilty to the conspiracy charge, federal prosecutors agreed to drop the remaining charges, according to court documents. The indictment said Daniels was incarcerated at various times between 2007 and 2011, including stints in East Carroll Parish. He obtained personal information from other inmates in the East Carroll jail and gave it to co-conspirators to use in the filing of false tax returns that claimed income tax refunds, it said. The indictment did not mention the charges that landed Daniels in jails between 2007 and 2011. The community of scholars talented enough to enroll into college before age 18 includes notable names such as W.E.B. Du Bois and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On Tuesday (Oct. 9), that same recognition was bestowed upon 45 high school juniors in New Orleans. Relatives and teachers filled a room at the Frederick Douglass school building in the Ninth Ward Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the inaugural class of the Bard Early College Academy at KIPP Renaissance. They were joined by Louisiana education superintendent John White and Bard Vice President for Early Colleges Stephen Tremaine, who joked during the matriculation ceremony they spared attendees from the hallmark traits of such ceremonies, which include "old people in funny robes." Bard Early College Academy is a branch campus of Bard College authorized by the Louisiana Board of Regents to enable students to complete two years of college, tuition-free, while earning credits that can be transferred to many 4-year institutions. The students honored Tuesday completed the majority of their high school graduation requirements by the end of sophomore year, allowing them to earn 60 college credits to work toward an associate's degree in arts as full-time college students this fall. White praised the students and staff for participating in the state's first-of-its-kind program with Bard. The New York-based Bard operates Early College High Schools in 6 locations nationwide, but this is the first time Bard has launched a degree-granting program within an existing public high school. White also thanked the relatives present for their efforts in raising their children. "There are going to be late nights, there's going to be more work, and I know your parents won't let you down. I thank y'all for not giving up until they get across the finish line," White said. The students are currently two months into their undergraduate studies, and officials said they will leave school with both a high school diploma and a college degree if they pass their courses. KIPP student Rodricka Robertson said Bard gives them the freedom to complete their assignments without a "teacher that's hovering over your shoulder" to see if work is being done. Tremaine has stated early college is "really central" to Louisiana's plan going forward. The American Institute of Research found students who earned 20 or more college credits in high school are 20 percent more likely to finish a bachelor's degree on time. 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 Before the event began, KIPP Renaissance principal Towana Pierre-Floyd said she designed a 9th and 10th grade experience to ensure every student would leave their 10th grade year with the skills to access Bard's program. She said the program erases the disconnect between high school and college because high school tends to focus on preparation for end of course tests and the ACT. Pierre-Floyd said KIPP's 10th graders have the option to take two Advanced Placement classes, including one course explicitly designed to prepare students for college. KIPP also has Bard professors take over an English class eight times a year to give students "a taste" of what Bard offers to students before they apply. Pointing out her own son at KIPP is preparing to apply to Bard next year, Pierre-Floyd said she wants students to prepare themselves "as if the world is your oyster." "A lot of people say things like you'll succeed despite your heritage and history, but I'm saying you're standing on the shoulders of giants. New Orleans is what everyone loves because of your ancestors," Pierre-Floyd said. Pierre-Floyd's comments were echoed by KIPP junior Nile Daniel after the ceremony. Daniel, who said he's still adjusting to public school since he was previously homeschooled, said he's really excited to be a part of Bard's program as a 16-year-old. "As a black man in America we need every advantage we can get because everything is trying to put us behind. This is a great opportunity that's going to put me ahead in my life," Daniel said. . . . . . . . Wilborn P. Nobles III is an education reporter based in New Orleans. He can be reached at wnobles@nola.com or on Twitter at @WilNobles. A day after Hurricane Michael struck the Florida panhandle on Wednesday (Oct. 10), catastrophic images of destroyed neighborhoods, felled trees, and roads coated in litter began emerging. Michael was the third-most powerful hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland in recorded history and the strongest ever recorded in the Florida panhandle. As residents in affected areas begin to assess the extent of the damage, there are several ways those of us watching from afar can be of help. Here's a few things to consider before donating to a charity. - Although you may be tempted to donate clothing, food, bottled water and other supplies, the majority of disaster relief organizations say that at this point financial assistance is preferred. Sorting through donated goods can become a logistical nightmare, slowing the process of trying to get the necessary help out to affected areas. - Vet your charity. Scams are pervasive especially after natural disasters. You can get more information about a charity by visiting the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance or the Charity Navigator. This is a list of national and local organizations in Florida and in Georgia accepting donations to help the victims of Hurricane Michael. To learn about more organizations that have been vetted and are collecting donations for Hurricane Michael relief efforts you can visit Charity Navigator. General Aid/ Relief American Red Cross You can make donations for victims of Hurricane Michael by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RedCross or texting the word MICHEAL to 90999 to make a $10 donation. The best way to make sure your donation goes to a specific disaster is to write the specific disaster name in the memo line of a check. Americares Americares is working with partners in the area and deploying an emergency team to provide immediate support for healthcare. Donations are accepted online. American Kidney Fund This medical relief organization is looking for support to help dialysis patients in communities threatened by Hurricane Michael. Emergency funds go to help patients with transportation expenses get to treatment, replace lost medications, as well as help pay for temporary housing. The organization said that 100 percent of donations will go to help dialysis patients affected by Hurricane Michael. Donate online here. Direct Relief The organization has assistance programs that provide direct medical aid. They support more than 190 health facilities in the storm's path throughout Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. Donations can be made here. DonorsChoose.org This charity has created a recovery fund to directly support teachers in classrooms damaged by Michael. Contributions will help teachers support their students and restock classrooms with materials like books, furniture, classroom supplies, technology and therapy resources. To support the fund visit: https://www.donorschoose.org/hurricane-michael Feeding the Gulf Coast Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The organization is collaborating with Feeding America, Feeding Florida Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and other disaster responders to distribute food in areas affected by Hurricane Michael. The organization is asking for volunteers and monetary donations. To find out more click here. Florida Disaster Fund The State of Florida's official private fund supports communities as they respond to and recover from emergencies. Funds will go to disaster-related response and recovery. To donate click here. GlobalGiving The disaster relief organization is attempting to raise $2 million to help Hurricane Michael victims in recovery efforts. As of Thursday (Oct. 11) they have raised $3,095. Funds will go towards relief efforts in the form of emergency supplies like food, water, and medicine. To donate online click here. Habitat for Humanity The organization that partners with future homeowners to build affordable housing said on its website that it is accepting donations that will be used to respond to families affected by Hurricane Michael "until Habitat for Humanity's role in meeting the need is met." Donations can be made online here. World Hope International They are coordinating relief staging areas through their local church and non-profit networks to distribute emergency supplies such as food, water, high-quality tarps, and other supplies. You can donate online here or by calling 888-466-HOPE. Pets Florida Urgent Rescue The Jacksonville, Fla. animal rescue group has been taking in dogs from rural shelters in Hurricane Michael's path. To make a donation online click here. Humane Society Naples The no kill pet shelter has been active in sending out rescue teams to towns affected by the hurricane to rescue animals. You can donate here to support their efforts. Other ways to help Community blood centers in the affected region are urging the public to donate blood. OneBlood: The Florida-based non-profit blood center is encouraging all eligible donors to make blood donations at one of their donor centers. You can search for their blood drives here or by calling 1-888-936-6283. American Red Cross The organization said that the Michael has forced the cancellation of more than a dozen blood drives, causing hundreds of units of blood to go uncollected in Alabama and Georgia. Appointments can be made by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-Red Cross. WASHINGTON - The crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, ordered an operation to lure Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia from his home in Virginia and then detain him, according to U.S. intelligence intercepts of Saudi officials discussing the plan. The intelligence, described by U.S. officials familiar with it, is another piece of evidence implicating the Saudi regime in Khashoggi's disappearance last week after he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Turkish officials say that a Saudi security team lay in wait for the journalist and killed him. Khashoggi was a prominent critic of the Saudi government and Mohammed in particular. Several of Khashoggi's friends said that over the past four months, senior Saudi officials close to the crown prince had called Khashoggi to offer him protection, and even a high-level job working for the government, if he returned to his home country. Khashoggi, however, was skeptical of the offers. He told one friend that the Saudi government would never make good on its promises not to harm him. "He said: 'Are you kidding? I don't trust them one bit,' " said Khaled Saffuri, an Arab American political activist, recounting a conversation he had with Khashoggi in May, moments after Khashoggi had received a call from Saud al-Qahtani, an adviser to the royal court. The intelligence pointing to a plan to detain Khashoggi in Saudi Arabia has fueled speculation by officials and analysts in multiple countries that what transpired at the consulate was a backup plan to capture Khashoggi that may have gone wrong. A former U.S. intelligence official - who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter - noted that the details of the operation, which involved sending two teams totaling 15 men, in two private aircraft arriving and departing Turkey at different times, bore the hallmarks of a "rendition," in which someone is extralegally removed from one country and deposited for interrogation in another. But Turkish officials have concluded that whatever the intent of the operation, Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate. Investigators have not found his body, but Turkish officials have released video surveillance footage of Khashoggi entering the consulate on the afternoon of Oct. 2. There is no footage that shows him leaving, they said. The intelligence about Saudi Arabia's earlier plans to detain Khashoggi have raised questions about whether the Trump administration should have warned the journalist that he might be in danger. Intelligence agencies have a "duty to warn" people who might be kidnapped, seriously injured or killed, according to a directive signed in 2015. The obligation applies regardless of whether the person is a U.S. citizen. Khashoggi was a U.S. resident. "Duty to warn applies if harm is intended toward an individual," said a former senior intelligence official. But that duty also depends on whether the intelligence clearly indicated Khashoggi was in danger, the former official said. "Capturing him, which could have been interpreted as arresting him, would not have triggered a duty-to-warn obligation," the former official said. "If something in the reported intercept indicated that violence was planned, then, yes, he should have been warned." The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees the warning process, declined to comment on whether Khashoggi had been contacted. Administration officials have not commented on the intelligence reports that showed a Saudi plan to lure Khashoggi. "Though I cannot comment on intelligence matters, I can say definitively the United States had no advance knowledge of [Khashoggi's] disappearance," deputy State Department spokesman Robert Palladino told reporters Wednesday. Asked whether the U.S. government would have had a duty to warn Khashoggi if it possessed information that he was in jeopardy, Palladino declined to answer what he called a "hypothetical question." It was not clear to officials with knowledge of the intelligence whether the Saudis discussed harming Khashoggi as part of the plan to detain him in Saudi Arabia. But the intelligence had been disseminated throughout the U.S. government and contained in reports that are routinely available to people working on U.S. policy toward Saudi Arabia or related issues, one U.S. official said. The intelligence poses a political problem for the Trump administration because it implicates Mohammed, who is particularly close to Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser. On Wednesday, Kushner and national security adviser John Bolton spoke by phone with the crown prince, but White House officials said the Saudis provided little information. Trump has grown frustrated, two officials said, after initially reacting slowly to Khashoggi's disappearance. Earlier this week, he said he had no information about what had happened to the journalist. White House officials have begun discussing how to force Saudi Arabia to provide answers and what punishment could be meted out if the government there is found responsible. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have reacted harshly to the disappearance. On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of senators asked Trump to impose sanctions on anyone found responsible for Khashoggi's disappearance, including Saudi leaders. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., perhaps the president's closest ally in the Senate, predicated a "bipartisan tsunami" of action if the Saudis were involved and said that Khashoggi's death could alter the nature of relations between the two countries. Kushner's relationship with Mohammed, known within national security agencies by the initials MBS, has long been the subject of suspicion by some American intelligence officials. Kushner and Mohammed have had private, one-on-one phone calls that were not always set up through normal channels so the conversations could be memorialized and Kushner could be properly briefed. For all his criticism of the Saudi regime, Khashoggi was not always opposed to Mohammed's policies. Khashoggi credited the young leader for what he saw as positive changes, including loosening Saudi cultural restrictions. Khashoggi often expressed affection for his homeland, even while saying he did not believe it was safe for him. One person in contact with the crown prince, speaking on the condition of anonymity to preserve the relationship, said Khashoggi last year asked him to give a message to Mohammed saying he needed someone like Khashoggi as an adviser. When he transmitted the message, this person said, the crown prince said that Khashoggi was tied to the Muslim Brotherhood and to Qatar, both Saudi adversaries, and that the arrangement would never happen. Two other friends of Khashoggi said that at least twice he received cordial phone calls from Qahtani, the adviser to the prince, conveying friendly messages on his behalf. In one of the calls, in September 2017, Qahtani said that Mohammed had been "very happy" to see Khashoggi post a message praising the kingdom after the government announced it was lifting a driving ban on women, according to one of the friends, who was with Khashoggi at the time. The tone of the call was pleasant, but Khashoggi also told Qahtani he would praise the government when there were "positive developments. When there are bad things, I will speak up." He spent the rest of the call advocating on behalf of several recently imprisoned critics of the regime. A friend also said that Khashoggi told him he had been approached several times by a businessman close to the Saudi ruling family. The businessman, whom Khashoggi did not name, seemed "keen" to see him every time he visited Washington and told Khashoggi that he would work with the Saudi authorities to arrange his return, the friend said. New Book Provides Biblical and Constitutional Defense Against America's Persecution of Christians Who Do Not Support Homosexuality www.presstowardthemark.com Contact: Elreta Dodds, author/publisher, Press Toward The Mark Publications, 313-300-0809 (direct), or 313-527-0068 (business), elretadodds@yahoo.com DETROIT, Oct. 11, 2018 / Christian Newswire / -- Elreta Dodds' new book, "The Right to Be Christian in a Gay Rights America" (paperback) provides a biblical and constitutional defense against the persecution of Christians who do not support homosexuality and explains why their non-endorsement is a question of faith and religion, not of homophobia and bigotry. Dodds' intent is not to castigate gays or inflame emotions, but rather to present a convincing argument as to why many Christians believe they cannot support the gay lifestyle. There are Christians in America who are being persecuted for refusing to support, approve of, and/or participate in the affirmation of homosexuality. Dodds emphasizes that there is a difference between tolerance and support, but that the line between the two has been blurred causing many Christians to be unjustly accused of intolerance and discrimination. Dodds not only presents arguments that defend the Christian faith surrounding this issue, but she also discusses recent cases in which Christians have been fired, sued, and even jailed for not compromising their biblical/religious beliefs regarding homosexuality. Cases cited includes those involving cake shop business owner Jack Phillips, previous cake shop business owners Aaron and Melissa Klein, previous Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran, and Rowan County Kentucky court clerk Kim Davis, among others. While the main focus of most books on either side of this issue is whether or not homosexuality is right or wrong from a biblical standpoint, this book focuses primarily on the injustice of persecuting Christians who believe that the Bible says homosexuality is morally wrong and thus don't condone it. The book supports the position that says it is reasonable, when taking into account the Scriptures that address homosexuality, for Christians to believe that homosexuality is immoral and that it is therefore a violation of their constitutional rights of freedom of religion and freedom of speech if forced to go against their belief or if persecuted for upholding it. "The Right to Be Christian in a Gay Rights America" is nationally and internationally distributed and is available (in-store and/or via order) at Barnes and Noble stores, wherever books are sold, and at online stores including Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and BooksaMillion.com. Celebrate Dia de Los Muertos at Velas Vallarta Resorts Related article: Celebrating Mexico's Day of the Dead in Puerto Vallarta From October 31st through November 4th, Velas Resorts in Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit will be celebrating El Dia de Los Muertos (the Day of the Dead), considered to be one of the most representative holidays of Mexican culture, with ofrendas, traditional recipes, tasting menus, special decor and more. The resorts will each create a bright and colorful Altar de Muerto (altar for the dead) decorated with all the traditional ornaments, from marigolds, ash, salt, food, and water, to ceramic Catrinas and sugar skulls. In addition to thethe resorts will also have staff dressed asand(little skulls) decorations throughout, as well as activities for guests to experience the Mexican culture and history of the holiday. La Catrina is one of the main symbols of Day of the Dead, symbolizing the willingness and resilience of all Mexican people who laugh at death, instead of fearing it. The elegantly-dressed skeleton serves as a reminder that death equalizes us all, regardless of our societal class. Another emblem is a sugar skull. Now made from paper mache or hardened clay, sugar skulls got their name from the clay-molded sugar with which they were originally made. Sugar skulls are traditionally very colorful and whimsical to encourage and guide the deceased back to earth. Velas Vallarta invites guests to decorate La Catrina masks as well as ceramic sugar skulls for the temporary altars placed at the resort. Additionally, La Catrina and clay and ceramic Sugar Skull art from Jalisco, the state in which Velas Vallarta is located, and Michoacan, the preeminent place for handicrafts in the country, will be available for purchase. The Casa Velas adults-only boutique hotel in Puerto Vallarta will deliver traditional Pan de Muertos November 2nd as an added amenity in the suite and serve pan de muerto with traditional Mexican hot chocolate at its fine dining Emiliano Restaurant. The Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit resort will host a Catrina Contest where the staff from different departments dress up like a Catrina before making a tour through the guest areas of the hotel. At the end, guests vote for the winner. In addition to all of this, Velas Vallarta will feature one of the biggest "Altar de Muerto" in Marina Vallarta at 40 sq. ft., and all three Banderas Bay area Velas resorts will sponsor giant Catrinas along the Malecon in downtown Puerto Vallarta. The papier mache Catrinas, traditional in the state of Jalisco, are being made by Tourism and Hospitality Management students at the University of Guadalajara's Centro Universitario de la Costa. For more information or to make your reservations to take advantage of this unique experience, call 1-888-407-4869, or visit velasresorts.com. Aiken County leaders got to hear from Gov. Henry McMaster about some of the big issues facing North Augusta and the county right now: cyber activity and the Savannah River lock and dam. The governor, up for re-election in November, was welcomed to North Augusta by Mayor Bob Pettit. Governor, were sitting right now in the epicenter of business growth and enterprise in North Augusta, and we are in the middle of an Opportunity Zone, Pettit said. +3 Opportunity Zones in North Augusta provide a path for investors, businesses to benefit New investment is possible in downtown North Augusta and beyond with a program called Opportunity Zones, which provides tax incentives for investors. Governor, you took the action to designate this area as an Opportunity Zone, and it is without a doubt going to be a major asset for capital investment in this area, and its going to continue to grow and renew itself, Pettit said. McMaster talked about the collaborative spirit of South Carolina, and how that spirit can be applied to cyber activity. He mentioned the International Center for Automotive Research in the Clemson area. This place here, my prediction is its going to be the same thing for cyber right here, because of whats happening across the river, McMaster said. And it doesnt matter if its across the river or across the fence, or across a bunch of trees, or across the road, its right there. The river doesnt make any difference. This town, this city, this whole area is right in the middle of cyber USA North Augusta City Administrator Todd Glover also mentioned cyber, and that the Opportunity Zone designation that encompasses much of the citys downtown can help the city attract cyber business. We are ready to lead South Carolinas cyber initiatives, Glover said. During a question session, S.C. Rep. Bill Hixon, R-North Augusta, thanked McMaster for help with the Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam, calling it a very serious issue. +3 Corps of Engineers presents five potential alternative plans for Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam Residents of both South Carolina and Georgia got a glimpse of five alternative plans the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering for the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam. North Augusta leaders have expressed an interest in a solution for the lock and dam that would retain current water levels. The lock and dam is not currently being used, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering five options that would replace the defunct structure, only one of which would retain the current system. Hixon said he would like to see the lock and dam repaired and not replaced with a rock weir, which is an option in one of the other four plans. My main thing is I dont want to see the water level drop at all; Id like to keep the same water level, Hixon said. Pettit also mentioned the lock and dam at the beginning of the lunch, mentioning that the Savannah River is a key element in Riverside Village, the North Augustas new development where SRP Park is located. Weve met with you once already about the importance of keeping the river at the level that it is today. You know you can just look out the window and see how true that is. We thank you for your support in this ongoing effort, and I suspect Ill be in touch with you again, Pettit told McMaster. Leaders need to keep the pressure on those in charge, McMaster said in response to Hixon's comments. You know, if you dont keep the pressure on them, people forget about you; the squeaky wheel gets the grease, so weve got to squeak because weve got the perfect case. We ought to win that case, he said. McMaster later said losing the current height of the river would be a big mistake. We want to keep the river at its current height, we dont want to lower that because the infrastructure and homes and businesses and everything else along the river have been built there with the understanding that that is the height of the river, so we dont want to lose that. That would be a big mistake. McMaster highlights opportunity for cyber in North Augusta; concerns for Lock and Dam Two of South Carolina's loudest Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility proponents have condemned a recent appeals court decision that paves the way for the nuclear project's demise. On Tuesday night, S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson issued a statement saying he was "disappointed" in the federal appellate judges' decision to lift a lower court's injunction that entrenched MOX and protected related construction efforts. Wilson further said the ruling made Tuesday afternoon following oral arguments at the end of September was "inconsistent with governing law" and "foreshadows the court's" full opinion. Federal appeals court sides with DOE, lifts pro-MOX injunction "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 injunction, issued by U.S. District Court Judge J. Michelle Childs, had been in place since early June. On Wednesday, in an interview with the Aiken Standard, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster said it was fair to say he, too, is not happy with the appeals court decision. "That is not what we wanted to happen," the governor said. "But that's the way courts work, and we knew that might happen." McMaster said the court's order, though, doesn't change South Carolina's end goal. "We are going full speed to see to it that the right thing is done with that MOX facility, and that is to build that MOX facility, to finish building the MOX facility," McMaster said. MOX is a Savannah River Site plant designed to transform 34 metric tons of weapons-grade plutonium into commercial reactor fuel. The MOX project is more than a decade in the making and has exceeded its initial timeline and its initial budget. On May 10, U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry moved to terminate the project in favor of dilute-and-dispose, another plutonium disposition method. At the same time, the National Nuclear Security Administration and the U.S. Department of Defense have expressed their desire to recapitalize MOX for their shared nuclear weapon needs. The state of South Carolina quickly responded with a lawsuit. At a related press conference in Aiken, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said shutting down MOX was an "ill-conceived idea." Inquiries made to Graham's team on Wednesday were not immediately returned. When the DOE requested the federal appeals court stay the MOX injunction, South Carolina's legal team said granting the stay ultimately done on Tuesday would cause irreparable, irrevocable harm. The state's legal team also bet, in the same filing, that the DOE would immediately move forward with MOX termination. On Sept. 14, NNSA chief Lisa Gordon-Hagerty wrote to U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry, a Texas Republican in charge of the House Armed Services Committee, and reaffirmed Perry's intent to kill the project. Roseburg, OR (97470) Today Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 38F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. 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. Newsweek magazine, the onetime media powerhouse, was at the center of a multimillion-dollar fraud and money-laundering conspiracy, according to an indictment by Manhattan prosecutors that was unsealed Wednesday. Two publishing companies, IBT Media, which owned the magazine, and Christian Media, a faith-based online publisher in Washington, were charged with trying to defraud lenders by pretending to borrow money for sophisticated computing services. Instead, most of the money was funneled back to accounts controlled by the two media companies and their principals Etienne Uzac, a co-founder of IBT, and William Anderson, Christian Medias former chief executive and publisher and unnamed co-conspirators, the indictment said. It said some of the money had been used to cover the magazines operating expenses. The men were charged with misrepresenting Newsweeks financial health and creating a fictitious accounting firm, Karen Smith L.L.P., along with a series of fake financial statements to dupe lenders into putting up millions of dollars in 2015 and 2016. Oikos Networks, a computer company, was also named in the indictment, charged with providing fewer, lower-quality computers than the expensive ones on invoices. As Hurricane Michael rips through homes and communities, we send our sympathies to all those in its path, but lets also review what some leading Florida residents have said about climate change. One of the most preposterous hoaxes in the history of the planet, scoffed Rush Limbaugh of Palm Beach. Gov. Rick Scotts administration went so far as to bar some agencies from even using the term climate change, according to the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting (Scott denied this). Myopic Floridians have plenty of company. President Trump dismissed climate change as a hoax created by and for the Chinese. Senator James Inhofe, a Republican of Oklahoma, disproved climate change by taking a snowball onto the Senate floor and noting that it was chilly outside; using similarly rigorous scientific methods, he wrote a book about climate change called The Greatest Hoax. [Nicholas Kristof answered your questions about his column as well as the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi on Facebook and Twitter.] With less than a month until Election Day, its time for Democrats to hunker down and get serious about their midterm messaging. In the dispiriting aftermath of the recent Supreme Court confirmation circus, this means taking a couple of deep breaths, not flipping out over the Republicans purported Kavanaugh bounce (which might be more of a hiccup) and focusing on a few key issues that resonate with a broad swath of voters. Republicans are twitchy about their electoral prospects. They know that midterm elections tend to go poorly for the party that holds the White House, just as they are aware that President Trump, while beloved by the base, has a popularity problem among the wider electorate. Party leaders are going all in with the culture-warring and scaremongering, looking to drive their voters to the polls with the specter of a wild-eyed, rage-filled Democratic mob hellbent on destroying the Republic. In a Wednesday op-ed in USA Today, the president himself indulged in some light red-baiting, claiming that radical socialist Democrats want to turn America into Venezuela. The entire screed was classic Trump: unhinged, breathtakingly dishonest and aimed squarely at making the oppositions head explode. As part of this base-stroking, Republicans are eager to keep the debate raging over their freshly confirmed, ultra-polarizing Supreme Court justice, Brett Kavanaugh. The brutal fight to seat Justice Kavanaugh, which morphed from an inquiry into the judicial fitness of one man into a culture-war cage match over womens rights and shifting sexual mores, electrified many left-leaning voters. But it also stirred up die-hard Republicans, potentially endangering the enthusiasm gap Democrats had been enjoying. With Justice Kavanaugh now safely tucked into his lifetime appointment, theres much less cause for conservatives to stay angry. And even if theyre stewing today, or next weekend, three-plus weeks is an eternity in politics all the more in a political climate dominated by this endlessly dramatic White House. Thus, we see prominent Republicans, including the Senate majority leader and the head of the Republican National Committee, peddling the idea that if Democrats gain power in Congress, one of their top priorities will be to impeach Justice Kavanaugh. No matter that this claim has no factual basis it plays perfectly to the Republican bases enduring sense of victimhood. China has yet to give any details of the corruption charges against Meng Hongwei, the president of Interpol, who disappeared on a visit home and was later said to have been arrested. Whatever the charges are, they are almost certainly not the real reason for his fate. In China, the law is what the Communist Party says it is more precisely, what President Xi Jinping says it is. And when an official of Mr. Mengs global stature is nabbed, its a political decision even if, coincidentally, he was corrupt, as is often the case in China. Mr. Meng understood the rules of that game. He had been a vice minister of public security in a police state and had played a role in many operations, including Operation Fox Hunt, which tried to bring Chinese officials and businesspeople suspected of corruption back from abroad. His former boss, Zhou Yongkang, was imprisoned for life on corruption charges in 2015. Mr. Mengs last WhatsApp message to his wife was an emoji of a knife, which she understood to mean he was in danger. Interpol has asked Beijing for an explanation for Mr. Mengs detention but has taken no further action. The agency issued a statement on Sunday that it had accepted his resignation as president with immediate effect and named a replacement. As Christine Blasey Ford testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee last month, women across the country took to the streets and social media in support of her and sexual assault survivors around the world. Two of them were teenage girls seniors at the high school Dr. Blasey attended in the 1980s who shared a ticket to the hearing, silently alternating in and out of a seat at the back of the hearing room. It was a show of solidarity that spoke volumes about the moment were living in. Those two teenagers are part of a generation of girls whove been at the helm of some of the most transformative social movements in recent memory. Take look at this list, and youll see what I mean: Emma Gonzalez, a graduate of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and Naomi Wadler, who organized a walkout of her Virginia elementary school, made headlines as advocates for gun control at ages 18 and 11. The Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman became a force in the #MeToo movement at 23, when she revealed that she had been abused by the team doctor. The economy has grown. And it has obviously helped people at the top. And everyone is working, the unemployment rate is pretty low. But people cant make it here. JOHN COX, the Republican candidate for governor in California, discussing some of the challenges he expects to face if he is elected. PANAMA CITY, Fla. Hurricane Michael, one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the continental United States, slammed into the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday, unleashing a trail of destruction across 200 miles that splintered houses, peeled off roofs and stirred up a terrifying surge of seawater that submerged entire neighborhoods and sent boats careening down city streets. A storm that was initially forecast to arrive as a tropical storm instead amped up to furious intensity, hitting landfall just after midday near the small seaside community of Mexico Beach, 100 miles southwest of Tallahassee, with winds topping 155 miles per hour. Images from there showed swaths of shattered debris where houses once stood and structures inundated up to their rooftops; the streets of Panama City, farther west, were blocked by downed tree limbs and impossible tangles of power lines. Recreational vehicles, trucks and even trains were pushed over, surrounded by new lakes of water. [For the latest updates, read our Hurricane Michael live briefing] Hurricane Michael is the worst storm that the Florida Panhandle has ever seen, said Gov. Rick Scott of Florida, where 375,000 people were ordered evacuated from the western part of the state. WASHINGTON For President Trump, who has made Saudi Arabia the fulcrum of his Middle East policy, the possible murder of a Saudi journalist in Turkey is a looming diplomatic crisis. For Mr. Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, it is a personal reckoning. More than anyone in the Trump administration, Mr. Kushner has cultivated Saudi Arabias crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman whose family may have played a role in the disappearance of the journalist, Jamal Khashoggi elevating the prince into a key ally in the Arab world and the White Houses primary interlocutor to the kingdom. Mr. Kushner championed Prince Mohammed, 33, when the prince was jockeying to be his fathers heir; had dinner with him in Washington and Riyadh, the Saudi capital; promoted a $110 billion weapons sale to his military; and once even hoped that the future king would put a Saudi stamp of approval on his Israeli-Palestinian peace plan. While the fate of Mr. Khashoggi, a resident of Virginia and a columnist for The Washington Post, remains unclear, allegations that he was killed on the orders of the royal court have thrown Mr. Kushners grand bet on Prince Mohammed into doubt. WASHINGTON The F.B.I.s former top lawyer told congressional officials in private testimony last week that he had taken seriously a suggestion by the deputy attorney general, Rod J. Rosenstein, to secretly tape conversations with President Trump but viewed it as too risky and unlikely to deliver meaningful information. F.B.I. officials dismissed the idea within days, according to James A. Baker, then the bureaus general counsel, but his testimony shows that F.B.I. leaders played out its potential ramifications before rejecting it. Mr. Bakers account contradicts Mr. Rosensteins denial of a New York Times article last month that said he suggested recording the president and discussed recruiting cabinet members to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Mr. Trump from office. It also undermines an assertion provided by the Justice Department from a law enforcement official present on one of the occasions when Mr. Rosenstein broached the idea of taping Mr. Trump and said he was being sarcastic. [Read: Rod Rosenstein Suggested Secretly Recording Trump and Discussed 25th Amendment] Mr. Baker said that he learned of Mr. Rosensteins suggestion of wearing a wire into the Oval Office not long after he made it, either from Andrew G. McCabe, the acting F.B.I. director at the time, or a senior bureau lawyer, Lisa Page. Legal concerns aside, Mr. Baker testified, the approach made little practical sense to him and he never conducted a formal legal analysis. ERIE, Pa. When President Trump mocked a Democratic senator at a midterm election rally the other night, the crowd responded with one of his supporters favorite chants from his own campaign two years ago. Lock her up! Lock her up! Lock her up! The arena boomed with shouting voices and they kept going. Lock her up! Lock her up! Lock her up! Mr. Trump smiled and soaked it in. Then he assailed the Democrats for becoming an angry left-wing mob. From the pot-and-kettle department of politics, the president is trying to turn the tables on his opponents this fall. A master of divide-and-conquer campaigning who gives critics belittling nicknames, calls his foes evil people and has encouraged supporters to knock the crap out of protesters, Mr. Trump hopes to convince the public that his opponents are the ones who are totally unhinged. The raw and raucous battle over the confirmation of Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh has given Mr. Trump and his Republican allies a new target to motivate their conservative base to turn out in the elections less than four weeks away. The women who confronted senators in elevators with stories of sexual assault and the demonstrators who protested in the Senate chamber or outside the Capitol are at Mr. Trumps rallies now part of a leftist cabal, a dangerous rabble. What a beautiful artist Charles White was. Hand of an angel, eye of a sage. Although White, who died in 1979, is often mentioned today as a teacher and mentor of luminaries like David Hammons and Kerry James Marshall, his is no case of reflected glory. In Charles White: A Retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art, from beginning to end, he shines. The survey of over 100 paintings, drawings and prints runs on two parallel tracks. It gives the first full-scale look at Whites career in 30-some years, concluding with his most complex and adventurous work. And, through his politically vigilant art, it traces the broad pattern of African-American life through three-quarters of the 20th century. White was born in 1918 on Chicagos South Side to a black domestic worker who had migrated from Mississippi, and a Pullman car porter of Native American descent. His mother raised him alone and, in a time before day care, regularly deposited him at the main branch of the Chicago Public Library when she was on a job. There, in the protective care of staff members, he pored over illustrated books and began to draw. The idea that a woman got there first, and with such style, is beyond thrilling. Yes, I know art is not a competition; every artists there is a different place. Abstraction is a pre-existing condition, found in all cultures. But still: af Klints there seems so radical, so unlike anything else going on at the time. Her paintings definitively explode the notion of modernist abstraction as a male project. Despite several decades during which modernisms history has been expanded and diversified, there is something towering about the emergence of af Klint, which really began in earnest in the 1980s. (She knew she was ahead of her time, and stipulated that her work not be exhibited until 20 years after her death but it took even longer.) Her reappearance finally settles the question raised in Linda Nochlins 1971 essay, Why have there been no great women artists? There have been, but their achievements reach us in circuitous ways because of the obstacles that plague artists generally, and women particularly. These reasons so complex and individual have to do with the nature of artistic ambition, the psychic and material needs that make fulfillment possible and the extent to which these needs are met by society. Some artists, in response, create their own citadels of rationales, systems and even delusions especially when exploring abstraction, which society had not yet accepted in art. In the past five years, New Yorks blue-chip galleries have produced a surge of exhibitions of abstract, monochromatic oil painting from South Koreas dansaekhwa school, by artists like Park Seo-bo, Ha Chong-hyun, Yun Hyong-keun, Chung Chang-sup and Chung Sang-hwa. Grateful though Ive been to see so much Korean painting here, the dansaekhwa vogue has left me suspicious as its the Asian style that most resembles Western minimal abstraction, and therefore can demand the highest prices. So the first New York show for the ink painter Suh Se Ok, at Lehmann Maupin, is doubly significant: not only as a belated Western discovery of a Korean trailblazer, but also as an essential step toward a more plural view of Korean abstraction. (The gallery has a branch in Seoul and also represents Mr. Suhs son, the Korean-American installation artist Do Ho Suh.) Suh Se Ok, 89, uses a traditional ink brush to paint heavily blotted calligraphic abstractions, some composed of just a few strokes, on knobby mulberry paper. (Postwar Korean art schools, following the Japanese tradition, strictly divided oil painting from ink painting, which Mr. Suh studied.) The majority of the 16 paintings here come from his People series, dating from 1978 to the early 2000s, and each suggests, but never properly represents, human forms through a few bravura strokes: two crisscrossed curves topped by a sagging ellipse, or a sequence of ribbons darting up and looping back down. His people are not people at all but signs and this calligraphic approach places these abstract ink paintings within a centuries-long tradition of Asian literati painting, in which verisimilitude has less importance than personal expression and philosophical insight. GIRLS WRITE NOW BOOK CELEBRATION at Books Are Magic (Oct. 17, 7 p.m.). Over the past year, more female voices have been making themselves heard in realms both political and personal. Thats true of adolescents as well as adults, and this free event in Brooklyn will honor the publication of an anthology of work from an organization that has long helped teenage girls express themselves. Girls Write Now: Two Decades of True Stories From Young Female Voices, from Tin House Books, presents essays on subjects including immigrant life, gender, sexuality, bullying and violence. All its young authors participated in Girls Write Now, a New York City educational nonprofit that places high schoolers most from low-income minority families in mentoring relationships with adult female professional writers. The program, to be led by the best-selling author Emma Straub, will feature four of the books contributors reading their work and discussing writing and womanhood. 718-246-2665, booksaremagic.net KID FLICKS at the Staten Island Museum (Oct. 13-14, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.). The New York International Childrens Film Festival comprises movies from all over the world, but its annual screenings do not take place all over the city. For another year, this museum has come to the rescue with Kid Flicks, a program that brings festival award winners and audience favorites to Staten Island. (Advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended.) At 11 a.m. Kid Flicks One, for ages 3 to 7, offers nine films, among them the animated works The House (Czech Republic), about the universal angst of moving, and I Want to Live in the Zoo (Russia), whose title says it all. At 1 p.m. the nine projects in Kid Flicks Two, for audiences 8 and older, include the live-action Game (the United States), which follows an aspiring basketball player, and the animated Poles Apart (Britain), which details an encounter between bears. Each day concludes with Viva Kid Flicks!, a 3 p.m. program of 11 documentary and fictional films that focus on the people and culture of Mexico. (All dialogue is in Spanish with subtitles.) 718-727-1135, statenislandmuseum.org Our guide to pop and rock shows and the best of live jazz happening this weekend and in the week ahead, plus a Times Talks event. Pop & Rock MICK JENKINS at Public Arts (Oct. 15, 7 p.m.). When he first started releasing mixtapes online in 2012, this Chicago-based rapper set about subverting several hip-hop norms almost immediately. His catchphrase is Drink more water meant to be taken literally and as a metaphor for consuming anything that might make you smarter or healthier and his best-known song is called Jazz. After three full-length releases, Jenkins has established his place on the more eclectic side of the same Chicago scene that produced Chance the Rapper; this show, where fans hope hell be sharing new music, is one of four hes performing in the United States this fall. The show is sold out, but tickets are available on the resale market. 212-735-6000, publichotels.com/culture/calendar LITTLE DRAGON at Elsewhere (Oct. 15-16, 8 p.m.). This Swedish indie-pop band exists where electronic music, R&B and jazz meet, as is exemplified by their roster of collaborators, which includes Gorillaz, the producer Kaytranada and Big Boi. Over a decade after hitting the television-soundtrack lottery with the 2007 ballad Twice, which appeared on Greys Anatomy and 90210, the group still has a devoted following among those who prefer their synths and drum machines with a side of soul. Both shows are sold out, but tickets are available through resellers. elsewherebrooklyn.com Clipped melodies, like bits of chant, keep breaking through. Eventually the lower strings provide depth and grounding, fortified by snarling brass. Whatever narratives or cultural traditions the music evokes in you, the pungent, precise harmonies are the result of the acute ear this composer brings to all his music, as we are learning from the Philharmonics two-week series The Art of Andriessen. About halfway through Tao, the vocal quartet here the excellent Synergy Vocals enters, singing an excerpt from the sixth century B.C. Tao Te Ching, the message of which is stated in the first line: When one is out of life, one is in death. The second text, Kotaro Takamuras 1930 poem Knife-Whetter, describes in poignant detail how a craftsman finds purpose by honing a skill. Around this point a piano soloist (here Tomoko Mukaiyama) enters, playing fitful strands of steely high chords. Ms. Mukaiyama also performed in the premiere of the work, which was conceived for her multiple talents. After dispatching a final flourish on the piano, she walked as if in a trance to a nearby koto (a Japanese zither), and began plucking delicate melodic lines. She also intoned and, in a tender voice, sang Mr. Andriessens settings of the texts. Following Tao, the orchestra was joined by the brilliant pianist Garrick Ohlsson for Rachmaninoffs Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, a vigorous, crisp and clear performance without a trace of Romantic excess. The program ended with a strikingly fresh account of Sibeliuss popular Second Symphony. Mr. Robertson drew out the musics misty colorings and hints of Finnish folk song, while emphasizing the visionary elements of this 1902 score, especially its structural daring, full of startling disruptions to the musics flow. As the creator of Mad Men, Matthew Weiner had a thing about spoilers. Each season arrived with a list of no-nos for critics, such as the number of floors in the advertising office where it was set. When he announced a series for Amazon Prime, I joked that maybe hed make it a spoiler to say what the new show was about. I have to hand it to him with The Romanoffs, which begins Friday. Ive seen three episodes, and I couldnt tell you what the series is if I wanted to. O.K., in broad terms I can. The episodes are stand-alone stories, with different stars and a thin tissue of connection: contemporary characters who are associated with or believe they are descended from the Russian royal family, whose members were executed by Bolsheviks in 1918. (Sorry, spoiler.) I can also say that The Romanoffs is TV only in the broadest sense. The episodes, around an hour and a half in length, are essentially movies. The first three installments are eclectic, sometimes beguiling and each, in a different way, ultimately frustrating. 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. Dodging a Headlock Nikki Haleys abrupt announcement that she will resign as the American ambassador to the United Nations has set off a wave of speculation. Trevor Noah said he had no idea why she decided to leave her post but he was confused to see an official leaving the administration (relatively) free of scandal. Usually, these kinds of announcements are accompanied by talk of a tell-all book deal, Noah said, or at the very least a hail of recriminations on Twitter from President Trump. You never see someone leave the Trump White House like this: on good terms with Trump, scandal-free, smiling. Like, usually John Kelly has them in a headlock, like Khabib, just trying to get them out of the White House. Hes like, Shh, dont fight it. Go to sleep, go to sleep! Youll wake up in two days with a job on Fox News. TREVOR NOAH Jimmy Fallon pointed out that Dennis Rodman the former N.B.A. star and friend of Kim Jong-un, North Koreas leader is interested in Haleys job. Dennis Rodman went on Twitter and said that he should be the new U.N. ambassador. In response, Trump said: Thats ridiculous. Youd make a much better vice president. JIMMY FALLON Kimmel Snipes at Trumps Health Care Op-Ed The author, most recently, of The Library Book says visitors might be surprised to see a copy of Storeys Guide to Raising Chickens, 4th Edition on her shelves: I recommend it over the third edition. What books are on your nightstand? In the towering, tottering mess that sits beside my bed, I have the makings of a pretty good small-town library. Without excavating too far into the pile, I see Transcription, by Kate Atkinson (who is one of those can-do-no-wrong writers, in my opinion); South and West, by Joan Didion (Im never very far from a copy of one of her books); No Mans Land: Fiction From a World at War, 1914-1918, edited by Pete Ayrton (the latest installment in my World War I obsession); Maus, by Art Spiegelman; and Galloways Book on Running, by Jeff Galloway, which is a great book to read when youre looking for excuses to not go running. Whats the last great book you read? Ghosts of the Tsunami: Death and Life in Japans Disaster Zone, by Richard Lloyd Parry. Parry is the Asia editor of The Times of London, and hes a dazzling reporter who is also a writer of immense humanity and a crazy-good cobbler of sentences. Im a total fan. His books about Japan are revelatory and insightful as well as gorgeous. What classic novel did you recently read for the first time? Laurence Sternes The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. Actually, Im lying. I didnt read the whole thing. Ive started it every single summer for the last 20 years and have yet to finish it something always interferes with my ability to focus on it (and its a book that requires great focus), so I end up putting it aside until the next summer. As a result, Im exceedingly familiar with the first 70 pages of the novel but have no idea what happens after that. (Want to get this briefing by email? Heres the sign-up.) Good morning. Heres what you need to know: Hurricane Michael wreaks havoc A vast search-and-rescue operation is underway today after Hurricane Michael cut a brutal path through the Florida Panhandle, leaving entire neighborhoods submerged and streets littered with debris and felled power lines. Two deaths have been reported so far, 800,000 are without electricity, and four hospitals have been closed. The storm, one of the most powerful ever to hit the continental U.S., arrived with a punch, packing winds of up to 155 miles per hour. The areas around Mexico Beach and Panama City were hit particularly hard. After weakening overnight as it crossed Georgia, Michael is expected to gain speed and continue northeast across the Carolinas through late Thursday. We have live updates, and you can track the storms path here. 1. Hurricane Michael left the Florida Panhandle in tatters. A vast search and rescue operation is underway, with at least six people dead and 1.1 million homes and businesses without electricity. Times journalists are providing live updates. Above, Mexico Beach, Fla. At least 200 patients had to be evacuated from a heavily damaged hospital in Panama City, Fla., and officials reported that four hospitals and a dozen nursing facilities were closed. Images from the area showed splintered houses, toppled trees and hopelessly tangled power lines. We also found out how death tolls are calculated for storms. The chief priest of the Yasukuni Shrine in Japan, pictured above, which is controversial for honoring war criminals along with other World War II dead, will quit after his private remarks criticizing Emperor Akihito for not visiting were published. [The Japan Times] Archaeologists in Pompeii uncovered an ancient shrine surrounded by paintings of plants, snakes and peacocks, their colors preserved by volcanic ash from the great eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. [The New York Times] Malaysia announced it would repeal the death penalty and the colonial-era Sedition Act used to silence critics of the government, following outrage over a death sentence given to a man for selling medicinal cannabis. [The New York Times] Doctors in Britain will be able to legally prescribe medicinal cannabis beginning Nov. 1. Heartbreaking cases involving sick children prompted the move, the home secretary said. [The New York Times] Stephen Hawkings final scientific paper was published. Completed in the days before he died in March, it explores what happens to information when objects fall into black holes. [The Guardian] Their input will influence how such broad and complex data would be collected. At the moment, businesses in Britain report the racial background of their employees only on a voluntary basis, and such data reporting is relatively rare across Europe, where data protection rules may limit how much information about their employees the companies can store. Some concerns about data collection were hinted at by the Confederation of British Industry. Reporting must be done in a way that is supported by both businesses and employees, to recognize the wide range of ethnic groups and legitimate staff concerns about intrusiveness where sample sizes are small, said Matthew Fell, the organizations chief policy director for Britain. Still, collecting such data would be just the beginning of a much longer process to establish why disparities exist. While this comes with challenges, it is essential, as we believe that what gets measured gets done, said Suki Sandhu, who has founded an executive search firm and a membership organization focused on championing diversity. When organizations see in clear figures that they have a problem, there is no other option but to act on it. Larger organizations with significant human resources departments would have a much easier time collecting the data than smaller businesses, which may not already have the software in place, said Sarah Gregory, a partner focused on diversity and inclusion at the law firm Baker McKenzie. So the government may consider applying reporting requirements only to larger organizations, such as those with 250 employees or more, as it did with gender pay gap reporting. There are lots of businesses in the U.K. that dont currently monitor ethnicity data, and you cant report if you dont have the data, Ms. Gregory said. Even when you put that monitoring in place, it takes a while for people to respond. That is one of the challenges. But, she added, it does galvanize action in looking at why these issues exist. The consulting firm PwC is one of the companies that have voluntarily started tracking and analyzing pay by ethnicity, using the same methodology it does for the gender pay gap. Last year, it reported its pay for black, Asian and minority ethnic employees was 12.8 percent lower than that of its white employees, and the company attributed that entirely to the lack of ethnic minorities at senior levels and a higher concentration in junior roles. While consultations like todays show progress is being made and awareness is rising, far more needs to be done, Laura Hinton, PwCs chief people officer, said in a statement. Reporting on ethnicity pay gaps may reveal harsh truths but thats a real trigger for action. Get the DealBook newsletter to make sense of major business and policy headlines and the power-brokers who shape them. __________ DealBooks one thing to watch today A Trump administration clampdown on foreign takeovers of American technology companies threatens to derail another of Broadcoms acquisitions. Back story: Broadcom announced in July that it planned to buy CA Technologies, a maker of enterprise software, for nearly $19 billion. That was the first deal the company had announced since its $117 billion bid for Qualcomm was blocked by the Trump administration over national security concerns. (At the time, Broadcom was based in Singapore. It has since moved its headquarters to California.) The news: Washington appears ready to crack down further on deals involving foreign buyers. The Trump administration has said it plans to empower the Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States, a government panel that reviews transactions involving overseas companies, to look at more kinds of investments. Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, specifically called for a national security review of the CA Technologies deal on Wednesday. Get the DealBook newsletter to make sense of major business and policy headlines and the power-brokers who shape them. __________ Tencent is exposed to a double dose of pain as a global tech rout gathers pace. On Wednesday, United States technology stocks fell sharply. But even against that backdrop and a similar plight afflicting Chinese rivals, the Hong Kong-listed gaming giant Tencent stands apart. It has lost $230 billion of market value from its peak in January, which is magnified by fickle Chinese traders and its exposure to emerging markets. Investors have wiped out about 40 percent of the tech titans market value so far this year: it is now worth $348 billion. That compares to the less than 30 percent declines suffered by its U.S.-listed Chinese rivals Alibaba and Baidu over the same period. Slowing earnings growth and an unforeseen regulatory crackdown on mobile games, Tencents core business, by the Chinese government triggered the slump. But it has since snowballed amid escalating U.S.-China trade tensions and concerns of a slowing economy in the Peoples Republic. Tencents listing location is one reason it is getting hit harder than other tech companies. Analysts at BNP Paribas believe that its currently the top-selling name on the Stock Connect scheme linking mainland exchanges to Hong Kong, which allows investors in China to trade the companys shares. That means Tencent is exposed to flighty Chinese investors, who tend to be quicker than most to buy and sell, making the good times richer and the bad times poorer. Get the DealBook newsletter to make sense of major business and policy headlines and the power-brokers who shape them. __________ Tesla can find a better chairman than James Murdoch. The outgoing chief executive of 21st Century Fox is the leading candidate to oversee Elon Musk at the automaker, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. He would be a better choice than any of the other directors on the board of the electric-car maker. But Mr. Musks tweet denying the story which simply said this is incorrect is a reminder that Tesla and its investors need a strong outsider to keep the chief executive under control. Replacing Mr. Musk with an independent chair is required as part of a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which alleged that he made false and misleading statements via Twitter about a potential buyout of the company. Mr. Murdoch is one of only three Tesla directors who safely qualify as independent: The others have too much history with Mr. Musk. Mr. Murdoch also has experience as an executive at big public companies like 21st Century Fox. True, he worked alongside his tycoon father, Rupert but at least he knows how to deal with an entrenched shareholder-executive. This plot of land outside the city of Blackpool, where cows graze and anti-fracking activists have set up camp nearby, may decide the future of fracking in Britain and other parts of Europe. Mr. Egan, in an interview last week, said his own business calculation could be reduced to a simple truth: Its all down to the rocks. In a country that has long valued a robust oil industry, fracking has been an exercise in frustration for energy explorers. Britain has been ambivalent about the innovative water-blasting method even as it has transformed the United States into a major petroleum exporter. The central government of Prime Minister Theresa May has supported shale exploration, in part because of the declining output from oil and gas fields in the North Sea. But local councils have been far more critical of possible environmental and community costs. Their skepticism matters because they have a large sway over land use. A series of small earthquakes in 2011, when Cuadrilla drilled in another site, was documented by the British Geological Survey and stoked discontent with fracking. The controversy stirred demands for more stringent safety measures as well as debate over the risk to water and green space in the English countryside. October is living up to its ominous reputation among stock investors. Stocks on Wall Street tumbled again on Thursday, as choppy early trading gave way to another bout of broad-based selling. The declines were widespread, touching everything from previously high-flying tech shares to usually insulated sectors like consumer staples and utilities. When the dust settled, every sector of the Standard & Poors 500-stock index had dropped, leaving the stock market benchmark down an additional 2.1 percent. That slump followed Wednesdays 3.3 percent decline, which was the markets biggest dive in eight months. So far in October which looms large in the minds of investors as the month of the 1929 and 1987 crashes stocks are down 6.4 percent. That puts the month on a pace to be the worst October for stocks since 2008, when they fell nearly 17 percent. Today it feels a lot more like theres just money coming out of the market, said John Linehan, chief investment officer for equities at T. Rowe Price in Baltimore. I think theres a level of anxiety about the market, especially given how far weve come. Want climate news in your inbox? Sign up here for Climate Fwd:, our email newsletter. WASHINGTON An Environmental Protection Agency panel that advises the agencys leadership on the latest scientific information about soot in the atmosphere is not listed as continuing its work next year, an E.P.A. official said. The 20-person Particulate Matter Review Panel, made up of experts in microscopic airborne pollutants known to cause respiratory disease, is responsible for helping the agency decide what levels of pollutants are safe to breathe. Agency officials declined to say why the E.P.A. intends to stop convening the panel next year, particularly as the agency considers whether to revise air quality standards. Environmental activists criticized the move as a way for the Trump administration to avoid what they described as the panels lengthy but critical assessment of how much exposure to particulate matter is acceptable in the atmosphere. To me this is part of a pattern, said Gretchen Goldman, research director at the Union of Concerned Scientists, a science-oriented environmental nonprofit. Were seeing E.P.A. trying to cut science out of the process. Want climate news in your inbox? Sign up here for Climate Fwd:, our email newsletter. Hurricane Michael was a sly storm, one that seemed almost unexceptional at first. It followed its predicted path with seeming obedience, but then burst into sudden fury as it approached the Florida Panhandle, reaching wind speeds at the cusp of Category 5 strength and leaving mud and rubble in its wake. It was, in other words, a hurricane: the product of multitudinous forces that blend heat, wind and moisture into a potent threat, with a whopping dose of chance thrown in. Influences on the formation, direction and strength of hurricanes can involve faraway events like dry air from Saharan dust storms, the heated waters of El Nino in the Pacific, the undulations of the jet stream. Increasingly, climate change is part of the dangerous mix as well. Little wonder that modern weather modeling got its start in chaos theory, which acknowledges that small changes can lead to enormous effects so that, as one founder of the field put it, the flap of a butterflys wing in Brazil might set off a tornado in Texas. As a result, no two hurricanes are alike. Storms like Hurricane Florence this year and Harvey last year moved slowly and dumped prodigious amounts of rain over the landscape. Katrina, in 2005, had weakened to a Category 3 storm by its landfall on the Gulf Coast, but delivered a smashing storm surge that rose 27.8 feet above mean sea level at Pass Christian, Miss. It says something of a grapes character that what is most obvious about it is what is missing. Take the grape of Muscadet melon de Bourgogne as a prime example. Compared with some of the most popular white wine grapes, the melon grape lacks the boisterous aromas that characterize sauvignon blanc. It does not offer the versatile complexity of either riesling or chenin blanc, nor the storied history and potential of chardonnay. Melon de Bourgogne is sometimes referred to condescendingly as a neutral grape. Yet the melon grapes strength lies in its subtlety. It offers numerous qualities to which consumers, conditioned to judge wines by a grocery list of aromas and flavors, may not be attuned. These qualities primarily texture, resonance (which is related to texture) and a stony flavor sensation that comes under the general term of minerality are prerequisites for the greatest white wines in the world. Yet the absence of the more obvious attributes (flamboyant aromas and flavors) often cause Muscadet to be underestimated. Times Insider delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how news, features and opinion come together at The New York Times. I stood on the stoop of my Brooklyn brownstone and proudly watched as my son gathered his keyboards, skateboard, two bikes and clothes and packed them into two cars for our trek to Ohio, where he would begin the next phase of his life: college. As we headed to the heartland, I wondered what was going through his mind as he transitions from childhood to manhood and what I would face when I returned home with my husband to an empty nest. But as I dropped off one 18-year-old, I inherited more than two dozen other young adults: girls from around the world who were taking photos for the visually driven New York Times project #ThisIs18. This year, youre collaborating with the renowned 90s labels FUBU and Cross Colours. Do you see yourself as trying to create a canon of black designers? Every time American designers are brought up, they say the same four or five names: Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein. They always omit Cross Colours and FUBU, as if these brands werent grossing a quarter-billion to over a billion dollars a year. They were never given credit for being as influential as they are. Now that Im one of the American designers who represents African-American culture, I want to help them reverse their erasure. The fashion industry is famously apolitical, and you lost an account early in your career because of a show that featured footage of police killings. Where do you think the line is between activism and fashion? I think theres a creative license that allows me to do both with ease, because there was no guide before me. The new fashion vanguard is seeing more people of color and different genders and body types on the runway. Do you feel part of that? I dont want to sound narcissistic at all, but I do believe that I am one of the thought leaders that have emerged in the past five years. Every industry had a person that led the march to modernizing the understanding of what black life is: In music, it was Solange. In television, it was Insecure. In sports, it was Colin Kaepernick and Serena Williams. And in fashion, I dont think there is another me. I take my position as the one to start this very seriously, because although sometimes I just want to be a young kid with money and act stupid, I have to understand that my impact is probably going to outlive me. A VERY CURIOUS GIRL at Light Industry (Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m.). Laura Mulvey, the theorist who coined the term male gaze, will introduce a rare screening of this feminist French feature from the Argentine-born filmmaker and writer Nelly Kaplan. First shown in 1969, the movie concerns an outcast (Bernadette Lafont) who takes methodical revenge on the village leaders who have abused and exploited her. When the film opened in New York in 1970, it came with an endorsement from Pablo Picasso, who compared it to the work of Luis Bunuel. lightindustry.org YAMAMOTOS BLOODTHIRSTY TRILOGY at the Metrograph (Oct. 12 and 14). The British studio Hammer Film Productions has been amply celebrated this year with a two-part series at the Quad and a Frankenstein-themed series at the Museum of Modern Art this week. But those eager for more should consider the movies of the Japanese director Michio Yamamoto, who is said to have been inspired in part by Hammer. The trilogy kicks off with The Vampire Doll, which opens with a man (Kayo Matsuo), after months apart from the woman he loves, arriving on a stormy night to see her only to be told that she died in a car accident. Or did she? Howard Thompson, writing in The New York Times, suggested that Yamamoto had taken a good look at Hitchcocks Psycho, and that he tells his grisly story with a cool, taciturn detachment all his own. 212-660-0312, metrograph.com Every corner of the internet has been abuzz over Bradley Coopers remake of A Star Is Born, and the critical response has been largely positive. But does the internet stop there? The internet does not. The film has been examined through every lens imaginable, including the soundtrack, the gender politics, the fashion and, of course, the internet reactions themselves. (Guilty.) Its a lot to sift through. Heres a roundup of what we think is most worth your time. Reviews A Star Is Born Brings Gorgeous Heartbreak [The New York Times] In her review, The Timess Manohla Dargis writes that Coopers film thrills from a steadfast belief in old-fashioned, big-feeling cinema. She later singles out Lady Gagas performance as Ally: A post-Madonna pop artist known for her elaborate stagecraft and costumes, she has been stripped down here, her mask removed. You can see her skin, the flutter in her veins, which brings you close to her, and can make both the actress and her character feel touchingly vulnerable. A Star Is Born Is One Hell of a Magic Trick [Vulture] David Edelstein offers an ambivalent take on the film, writing that the first half of A Star Is Born couldnt be more charming while describing the second half as much lesser. Ultimately, he leans toward the negative: Theres no satire, nothing to distinguish music stardom now from the 30s, 50s, or 70s. Worse, Gagas Ally loses all agency. Manipulated by a cynical Brit manager called Rez (Rafi Gavron), whos probably meant to evoke Simon Cowell, she settles into a middling groove at the point when you want to see a Gaga-like supernova. Mostly, she suffers prettily. The Music The Lasting Gift of the A Star Is Born Soundtrack [Vulture] The music critic Craig Jenkins celebrates the songs written for the film as an elegy for a man destined for obsolescence: Rot is the core of A Star Is Born, he writes. Jackson is supposed to seem like a dinosaur. His crumbling sense of whats relevant in music is one of the forces driving the film toward its grisly final act. Whats tragic is that his songs are sturdy. Hes great when he can keep his demons leashed. But Jacksons dwindling music-industry cachet and his reactionary drinking quickly form a terrible feedback loop, and you can hear him crying out in his songs. The premise of The Oath, a new satirical comedy written, directed by and starring Ike Barinholtz, is not implausible on its face. In an America of the not too distant future, an unnamed president, in the ostensible name of national security, proposes that citizens sign a voluntary oath that begins, I pledge my loyalty to my president. Those who opt in will get a nice tax credit, while those who dont well, theyre assured that nothing untoward will occur. Mr. Barinholtzs Chris is married to Tiffany Haddishs Kai, and they have an adorable daughter around whom they try, and fail, to avoid swearing. They are, in some respects, typical liberals in a typical suburban enclave, or bubble, or what have you. Chris, while outraged over the oath, at first doesnt see it really catching on in the Land of the Free. The whistle-blower investigation, conducted by a respected former federal prosecutor, James G. McGovern, substantiated complaints made under the citys whistle-blower law by the two officials who claimed they were fired or demoted because they objected to Mr. Peterss actions. Mr. McGovern recommended that the officials be reinstated to their former positions with back pay, according to the documents, which were letters sent to the officials. Mr. McGovern also recommended that Mr. Peters issue a written apology to the former head of the agency, Anastasia Coleman, for the discourteous and unprofessional manner in which he conducted himself during a meeting on Feb. 27, the day before he fired her, and that a copy of the letter be placed in both of their personnel files. The outcome is particularly embarrassing to Mr. Peters and the investigation agency because he violated the citys whistle-blower law which was designed to protect those who report municipal wrongdoing from retaliation for speaking out and is being disciplined for the very same sort of conduct he is supposed to prevent and punish. Mr. McGovern was hired by Mr. Peters to conduct the whistle-blower inquiry because the commissioner and everyone on his senior staff could play no role since they all were either subjects of the complaints or witnesses to the conduct described in them. Mr. McGovern, who served for 16 years as a federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of New York, most recently as the chief of the criminal division, detailed his complete findings in a lengthy report provided to Mr. Peters, as is required by the citys whistle-blower law, on Wednesday. The full document was described by people with knowledge of the matter as exhaustive and highly critical of the conduct of the commissioner, his first deputy, Lesley Brovner, and his senior staff. On Thursday, Mr. McGovern sent one-page letters to Ms. Coleman and her lawyer, and to her deputy, Daniel Schlachet, notifying them that their complaints had been substantiated. The letters included his list of recommendations. A judge dismissed one of six criminal charges against the disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein on Thursday after prosecutors acknowledged that the lead detective in the case had committed a serious error: He had failed to tell them about a witness who cast doubt on one of Mr. Weinsteins accusers. The abrupt development, which occurred at a hearing in State Supreme Court in Manhattan, signaled a victory for Mr. Weinstein and raised questions about what impact the revelation might have on the broader indictment against him. Mr. Weinstein, 66, was charged in May with raping one woman and forcing another, Lucia Evans, to perform oral sex on him. Ms. Evans, a marketing executive, had testified to a state grand jury that the forced sex act had occurred in 2004, during a casting meeting at the offices of Mr. Weinsteins film company, Miramax, in Manhattans TriBeCa neighborhood. But in a letter unsealed after Thursdays hearing, prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorneys office revealed that a friend of Ms. Evans had informed them in August that Ms. Evans had given her a different account of the incident. The friend, who was not identified, told prosecutors that Ms. Evans had said she willingly performed oral sex on Mr. Weinstein in exchange for the promise of an acting job. The entwined crises of housing affordability and homelessness, decades in the making, have been the most consistently vexing to the de Blasio administration. Early last year the mayor outlined a series of goals and strategies that he called a blood and guts war on homelessness, including reducing the nightly count of people in shelters by 2,500 and opening 40 new shelters by the end of this year, with 50 more by 2022. So far, only 16 of those shelters are up and functioning. While our current moment has many lamenting the death of democracy at the federal level, locally, tensions play out differently. In fact, in many cases, there is perhaps far too much input, as the increasing concentration of wealth and progressive energy in major cities has come with greater allowances toward a certain brand of entitled self-governance. In New York, during the Koch and Giuliani years, for example, a shelter would arrive on a block because the city had decided to put it there, and if you lived in the neighborhood, you would hear about it when it opened. But now deference is paid across the spectrum of opinion. We solicit ideas and hold community board meetings; environmental impact studies are generated. And then lawsuits are filed to fight shelters when neighborhoods dont want them. This happens again and again in a kind of civic amnesia, even as communities usually find shelters far less troubling than anticipated once they are in place. Two years ago, I wrote about a shelter in the Kensington section of Brooklyn, which first met with neighborhood resistance and then emerged as the recipient of local largess, as people from the community began donating diapers and toys. Legal battles have delayed the opening of two shelters recently, one on West 58th Street, bordering some of the most expensive real estate in the city, and another in Ozone Park, Queens, where one man went on a hunger strike to make his opposition clear. Another impediment to progress, and one that goes almost entirely unremarked, is the simple horror of trying to get anything built in New York. The city itself does not build shelters or convert existing structures into shelters there is no capital budget for this. Developers do that work, in what is a very lucrative business, making money on what the city pays them in rent. Developers and social-service agencies are typically left to scout empty buildings and lots, and the agencies then run shelters through city contracts. UPDATED: Central Oregon Coast Tradition of Glass Floats Changes Season Published 10/10/2018 at 4:34 PM PDT - Updated 10/11/2018 at 4:34 AM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff (Lincoln City, Oregon) The famed Finders Keepers glass float promotion of the central Oregon coast is featuring its last season: last because the huge Lincoln City attraction will never stop. It is now year-round. A host of new features come with the all-season treasure-hunting fun, which now encompasses summer months as well as the usual fall, winter and spring. Now in its 20th season, Lincoln Citys Finders Keepers goes eternal and will feature a special drop of signature hand-made glass floats on the sands. It all starts on October 13 as Finders Keepers gets underway with its first special drop on October 20. Meanwhile, Lincoln City hotel the Shearwater Inn is offering a means for you to snag one of these treasures if youve been unlucky and havent found one. The entire Finders Keepers idea was conceived twenty years ago as a way to bring more visitors to Lincoln City during the winter months. Now, the Float Fairies will now be hiding glass floats 365 days a year, marking the biggest change in the programs history. This 20th year is a big change in another way: the famed Float Fairies will hide 20 limited-edition glass floats on the 20th of each month, from October 2018 to September 2019. All the floats are extraordinary in another way as well: each one is blown with extra care by the officially-commissioned glass artists. This is alongside the daily drops the Float Fairies make, and this ups the number of special drops throughout the year. The Explore Lincoln City folks say this will be a Finders Keepers season to remember. Its been 20 years since the first locally-blown glass floats touched the sand, cleverly hidden for our guests to find as they walk our beautiful seven miles of beach, says Ed Dreistadt, Director of Explore Lincoln City. Finders Keepers has grown to be a phenomenon, with people flocking to Lincoln City in hopes of going home with the pinnacle of beach finds: a hand-blown glass float. This time, over 3,000 officially numbered glass floats will be carefully hidden along the seven miles of pristine beach in Lincoln City, from Roads End on the north side of town to Siletz Bay on the southern end. They are always hidden during daylight hours, tucked away just above the high tide line and below the beach embankment. As always, if you you find a glass float you get to keep it. Yet one big tradition remains with this new approach: the special glass drops will still be done throughout the year to commemorate holidays and special occasions. For instance, to commemorate the opening weekend of Finders Keepers, October 13th and 14th, the Float Fairies will hide an extra 100 glass floats on the beach. To learn more about the Special Glass Drop schedule, visit ExploreLincolnCity.com/Glass-Floats. If you find a glass float, be sure to share your discovery on Explore Lincoln City's social media channels. Post a photo on Facebook at Facebook.com/LincolnCityOregon, and on Instagram or Twitter @LincolnCityOR. Finders Keepers began in 1999, when a local artist first thought of glass floats as an intriguing way to launch the new millennium. Lincoln City sponsored the project, hosting the inaugural season in 1999-2000. Each year, tourists continue to come from around the country to search for their own brightly colored, signed and numbered glass float. One of the major historic traditions on the Oregon coast was the finding of glass floats actually from Japan: those now extremely coveted blown glass floats in intriguing shades of green and blue. These were used by Japanese fishermen to float their nets, with spheres as small as two inches or as large as two feet. They were collected, polished, and admired; the ultimate find for any dedicated beachcomber. Today fishing vessels around the world use buoyant plastic, making glass floats a rare find. However, Lincoln City keeps the tradition of treasures alive throughout each Finders Keepers season. For more information about Finders Keepers, please visit ExploreLincolnCity.com or call 541-996-1274. Lincoln Citys Shearwater Inn is helping you find even more of them in November. Those who stay at the famed central Oregon coast hotel in November can enter to win a beautiful glass float from the Lincoln City Glass Center, formerly known as Jennifer Sears Glass Art Studio. So many people come to Lincoln City to look for the floats on the beach, but never find one so we thought wed help them out a little, said spokesman Heather Zink. They will draw the winner on December 1. See the Shearwater Inn website. Lodgings in Lincoln City - Where to eat - Lincoln City Maps and Virtual Tours More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted The agreement, settled as part of a contract renewal with the union, signals a new phase in both the city and the unions strategy for poorly performing schools. Mr. de Blasios current program, known as Renewal, has produced mixed results at best since 2014. The mayor described the new initiative, known as the Bronx Plan, as a complement to Renewal, not a replacement for it. At a news conference on Thursday, Mr. de Blasio said the bonuses address something that has nagged this school system for decades, and a lot of other school systems, and to say once and for all lets see if we can break through and get teachers to stay in some of the most challenging environments. The question now is whether the three-year plan will lead to lasting change in the schools that are in serious need of it. And it remains unclear whether those schools will be able to attract the citys best teachers, as the bonuses arent tied to success in the classroom and apply only to teachers who are interested in working where others wont. A bulk of the contract includes raises for all teachers of 2 to 3 percent per year for the next three years. The statute of limitations for wrongful death for survivors was two years and had expired, said Ronald D. Krist, the Houston lawyer who represented Ms. Grissom. But the general negligence statute was four years and had not expired, allowing her to sue for Mr. Grissoms pain and suffering. She settled for $350,000, or about $2.2 million in todays dollars. Her action brought Ms. Grissom considerable grief, with strangers accusing her of being unpatriotic and the close-knit space community shunning her. The experience embittered the family, said Mark Grissom, who was 13 when his father died. We got the dark side of NASA, he said in a telephone interview on Thursday. People who were my friends were no longer my friends. A lot of people turned their back on us, and Mom got a lot of hate mail. They were like, How dare you sue NASA? We were no longer part of the NASA family. Mr. Krist said that NASA had forwarded her a note from one critic who said that Ms. Grissom should not be filing a suit because her husband had assumed a certain amount of risk by being an astronaut. But Mr. Krist, a product-liability lawyer, said the astronauts had a right to expect that their capsule would be properly designed and that all prudent precautions would be taken to protect them. The capsule was anything but fireproof, he said. In any case, Mr. Krist said, the suit made it easier for the families of the other two astronauts who were killed to receive compensation without having to go to court. Despite the criticism, she never flinched, Mr. Krist said of Ms. Grissom. She never regretted the lawsuit and never hesitated in her commitment to see it through. Natan Wekselbaum, who, after being slighted as a struggling English speaker by two Manhattan retailers, opened his own tiny hardware store and transformed it into an Upper East Side household goods emporium congruously named Gracious Home, died on Oct. 3 at his home in Manhattan. He was 83. The cause was kidney failure, his wife, Nancy Wekselbaum, said. Mr. Wekselbaum and his brother, David Weck, who had both recently immigrated from Cuba, were the only employees of the store when it opened in 1963 in a cramped 2,000-square-foot space. They began with a dual mission. They would offer every sort of whatchamacallit in the categories of housewares, appliances, utensils, plumbing and electrical supplies, and more from aerators to window zippers. (And if it wasnt stocked, it was ordered.) And, they vowed, they would treat customers be they housekeepers, ladies who lunch, college professors or custodians with the same, well, graciousness. One thing he told me on various occasions was that throughout his life he often felt like something of an outsider, Mr. Wekselbaums son Charles said in his eulogy. Robert Pitofsky, who as chairman of the Federal Trade Commission in the Clinton administration advocated stricter enforcement of competition and greater protection for consumers, died on Oct. 6 at his home in Chevy Chase, Md. He was 88. The cause was complications of Alzheimers disease, his son David said. Mr. Pitofsky was a leading figure in competition law. An antitrust scholar and a former dean of the Georgetown University law school, he wove in and out of government, private law practice and academia over his career. President Bill Clinton appointed Mr. Pitofsky to head the Federal Trade Commission in 1995. At the time, it was a sleepy agency colloquially referred to as the little old lady of Pennsylvania Avenue. Mr. Pitofsky soon sought to call attention to the growing threat of corporate consolidation, particularly with the rise of technology. During his tenure the agency would become the central watchdog for the internet and technology industries. Hurricane Michael, the strongest hurricane ever to come ashore on the Florida Panhandle, is expected to move Thursday through North Carolina. Fair Bluff, N.C., a small town on the banks of the Lumber River, has been turned upside down by a succession of once in a lifetime storms. It was devastated by Hurricane Florence less than a month ago, having never fully recovered from Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and the new storms predicted path will take it within 100 miles of town. These photographs, showing Fair Bluff reflected in the stagnant floodwater, demonstrate what many there feel is the new normal. Generally, people dont respect the power of potential disasters, and they dont adequately plan for them. My colleagues did some research on denial a while back. Ninety-six percent of the financial executives we surveyed said their operations were exposed to natural catastrophes like hurricanes, floods and earthquakes. Yet fewer than 20 percent said their organizations were very concerned about such disasters hurting their bottom line. Lets face it. Denial is hope on steroids. In a report we published in 2010, Flirting with Natural Disasters, we described, for instance, the Gamblers Fallacy the misconception that what has recently occurred will affect what occurs next even if the two events are unrelated. For example, if flipping a coin nine times results in nine instances of heads, probability still applies: Theres a 50 percent chance the tenth flip will be heads. By the same reasoning, theres no objective basis to think that the Carolinas wont see another Florence-class storm this year, or next year. We also outlined some other facets of denial: A person can worry about only so many things, so seemingly remote possibilities like natural disasters often fail to make the cut. Short-term pleasure is more appealing to consider than long-term consequences. Its easy, but wrong, to conflate the inevitability of a natural disaster with the supposed inevitability of life and property loss. People think insurance makes you whole. (If you think that, ask a disrupted business that lost its market share to resilient competitors if it was made whole.) And: Most people are followers, thus institutionalizing the practice of denial. To try to snap people out of their denial, my insurance colleagues and I share real-life tales with anyone who will listen. And we try to recast the notion of probability like this: A hundred-year flood doesnt happen every 100 years; rather, it has a 1 percent chance of happening every year. Ms. Swift, on the other hand, never, ever spoke about her politics. In 2008, an election year, she said she supported women in office but wouldnt specify which ones: Im an 18-year-old girl, Im not going to sit here and go into my political views, because thats not what I chose to do, I chose to do music. She maintained that evasiveness in 2012 when she told Time magazine: I dont talk about politics because it might influence other people. And I dont think that I know enough yet in life to be telling people who to vote for. If ever there was a time for Ms. Swift to break her silence it was 2016. But when members of the alt-right dubbed Swift their Aryan goddess, she didnt say zilch. Its true that she never said anything to suggest that she agreed with these people. But the fact that she didnt feel strongly enough to speak up against people widely using her music and image to promote their racist and xenophobic agenda was troubling. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would ever side with Ms. Swift. Then came 2018. On Sunday, days after her tour ended, Ms. Swift endorsed two Tennessee Democrats for office, denounced Marsha Blackburn, a Republican Senate candidate in the state who is backed by President Trump, and encouraged people to register to vote. Less than 24 hours later, more than 160,000 people had done so. Call it the Swift bump. Its two years too late for 2016, but right on time for the midterms. Meantime, over the past few months, Mr. West has made the red MAGA cap a staple in his wardrobe; he has said that slavery was a choice and suggested we ax the 13th amendment; he has called Mr. Trump who has a long history of racist views and supports policies such as stop and frisk that hurt black people a brother. On Thursday, Mr. Trump and Kanye are scheduled to meet at the White House. The two previously met at Trump Tower in 2016. To the Editor: Re Unhinged? No, Trump Tells Opponents, You Are, by Peter Baker (White House Memo, Oct. 11): President Trump worries that the Democrats have gone wacko, and are practicing the politics of anger, division and destruction . The Senate Judiciary Committee hearings showed us anything but. Without exception, the Democratic senators maintained a tone of civility, even when Judge Brett Kavanaugh belligerently hurled back questions instead of answering them, while a Republican, Lindsey Graham, pumped the room with hysteria. The image of Senator Amy Klobuchar, who shared her own family pain with alcoholism, gently coaxing the judge with the kind of patience but firmness that a mother of a young child uses to get him to speak the truth, is forever etched in my book of civility. So, Mr. Trump, not to worry that the Democrats have gone out of control. Their behavior at the hearings was anything but that of an angry left-wing mob . This hatred very much includes hatred of Medicare. Way back in 1961, Ronald Reagan warned that enacting Medicare would destroy American freedom. Maybe its just me, but I dont think that happened. Newt Gingrich shut down the government in an attempt to force Bill Clinton to slash Medicare funding. Paul Ryan proposed ending Medicare as we know it and replacing it with inadequate vouchers to be applied to the purchase of private insurance. And the hatred obviously extends to the Affordable Care Act. Republicans dont just hate the subsidies that help people buy insurance; they also hate the regulations that prevent insurers from discriminating against people with pre-existing conditions. Indeed, 20 Republican state attorneys general filed a lawsuit trying to eliminate protection for pre-existing conditions, and the Trump administration has declined to oppose the suit, in effect endorsing it. So if youre a voter who cares about health care, it shouldnt be hard to figure out where the parties stand. If you believe that Medicare is a bad thing and the government shouldnt protect people with pre-existing conditions, vote Republican. If you want to defend Medicare and ensure coverage even for those who have health problems, vote Democrat. But Republicans have a problem here: The policies they hate, and Democrats love, are extremely popular. Medicare has overwhelming support. So does protection for pre-existing conditions, which is even supported by a large majority of Republicans. Now, you might imagine that Republicans would respond to the manifest unpopularity of their health care position by, you know, actually changing their position. But that would be hopelessly old-fashioned. As I said, what theyve chosen to do instead is lie, insisting that black is white and up is down. In an Orwellian era when the presidents personal lawyer says that truth isnt truth and when lies are excused as alternative facts, a newly released documentary film provides a potent reminder of one public official who wasnt afraid to speak his mind without perverting reality. The film, titled Moynihan, profiles Daniel Patrick Moynihan, the flamboyant, technocratic, political-clubhouse-bred and Harvard-honed four-term United States Senator from New York, United Nations ambassador and adviser to Presidents John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon. Produced by Joseph Dorman and Toby Perl Freilich, the documentary is being screened this month in New York, Los Angeles and Washington. Moynihan, who died in 2003, famously said that people are entitled to their own opinions but not to their own facts. He also liked to quote the maxim that its not ignorance that hurts so much as knowing all those things that aint so. Which can only make you wonder how much he, as that rare commingling of politician and public intellectual, would be wincing at the categorical claims coming from Congress and the White House nowadays. Moynihan distinguished himself because he derived his policy positions from research, rather than by cherry-picking statistics to justify those policies. Thats how he propelled himself to the forefront of issues like auto safety and climate change, as well as the question of the durability of the Soviet Union. He championed equal rights and recognition for women, including his wife, Liz, whom he valued as an equal partner in a male dominated town. Evangelist Alveda King: Farewell Ambassador, Welcome Justice "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose... A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away..." Ecclesiastes 3:1, 6 KJV Contact: Leslie Palma, 732-757-9087 ATLANTA, Oct. 11, 2018 / Christian Newswire / -- The following is submitted by Evangelist Alveda King: In the last several days, we've had so many things changing that we're having to pray hard to keep up. Certainly President Donald John Trump is moving forward with the agenda; as he is keeping his promises to make America great again. What with the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh and approaching departure of UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, we can expect more transformation. Justice Kavanaugh and his beloved family have survived a trial by fire, and he is entering into a heightened season of public service. Ambassador Haley is seeking a well-deserved break from service to humanity to attend to her family for a season. Who can blame her? Well done Madame. We're living in a time that when we wake up we can either ask and say: "What is happening today? Let me turn on the news." or we can ask and say, "What's going to happen today? Let me tune in to God." Your outcome will be guided by your perspective. My pastor Theo McNair at Believers Bible Christian Church often teaches that we should ask God to bless our perspective. I'm saying all this to point out that as the world is moving on around us, we should be asking ourselves, "What are we going to do in the process?" Please check out these two audio clips ( Audio One and Audio Two ) of some reflections; and be encouraged as you move forward. Begin to look at your day with a new perspective. There's a song, "Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord, I Want to See You." Pray with open hearts, eyes and arms. The world is out there and we step into it all the time. What are we going to do with and about the events around us? Are we going to make the world a better place or are we just going to see problems and have problems? God uses people to make history. God uses people to accomplish divine purposes. Let's join together, pray and actually become part of the solution. Evangelist Alveda King How To Save A Constitutional Democracy With A Tainted Judiciary Aziz Huq and Tom Ginsburg's book How to Save a Constitutional Democracy is out from the University of Chicago Press later this month, and will be the basis of a blog symposium on Take Care. The confirmation process of Brett Kavanaugh has been decried by many for damaging the U.S. Senate's norms of civility and the U.S. Supreme Court's nonpartisan reputation. But that process, and in particular the September 27th hearing on allegations of attempted rape by Kavanaugh, has had a much more specific risk to the Court as an independent institution. This risk will cast a disabling shadow on any vote cast by Kavanaugh in a case that yields predictable partisan divisions. The risk arises primarily (though not only) because of Kavanaugh's denials of heavy drinking habits in high school and college. These are at odds with the recollections of a large number of his peers. The discrepancy is no small matter. Rather, it goes to the core of sexual assault allegations against him. If Kavanaugh falsely stated that he never drank enough to blackout and memory impairment, then he cannot categorically deny the possibility that Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's grave allegations are correct. Yet, he has repeatedly done so. (There are other grounds for questioning Kavanaugh's truthfulness under oath on a surprising range of issues; we set those aside here for the sake of brevity and analytic clarity.) Kavanaugh's aggressive deflections of questioning about his drinking suggest he understood how crucial this fact was. Democrats understand it, too. Some quickly called for an FBI investigation into potential perjury respecting this very issue. The FBI investigation did not reach these questions. After November, however, some Democrats may wield subpoena power permitting them to find out more, and perhaps even to draw up articles of impeachment. Allegations of perjury go not only to matters of legitimacy or reputation. They also bite on Kavanaugh's independence from the currently dominant political coalition. Simply put, his fate is now hitched to the electoral fortunes of the Republican Party. His freedom from a substantial risk of impeachment now rests on the preservation of Republican control of key national institutions. Kavanaugh should understand the risk of impeachment. Indeed, as a key player in Ken Starr's investigation of the Clintons, he helped create it. The first article of President Clinton's impeachment, flowing from that investigation, hinged on his "perjurious, false and misleading testimony" to a grand jury regarding his relationship with Monica Lewinsky. That article prevailed in the U.S. House 228-206, but failed in the Senate. It is hard to see a difference between perjury to a grand jury and perjury before the Senate, at least when it comes to impeachment. Nor is there a good reason to differentiate lying about sex from lying about drinking. Potential perjury in seeking a seat on the Court is a stronger basis for impeachment than the facts alleged in the Clinton impeachment. Indeed, a decade ago, two (conservative) legal scholars sketched a colorable case for removing federal judges outside the impeachment mechanism on the even-more slender basis of a judicial finding of misbehavior. Kavanaugh's potential perjury means that he will always be shadowed by at least the prospect of impeachment. This threat has no statute of limitations. It means concretely that whether Kavanaugh remains on the bench depends on whether Democrats at some point seize enough political power to credibly threaten impeachment. And because Kavanaugh's tenure is directly tied to the persistence of Republican control of Congress, he has a direct and personal interest in maintaining Republicans in power. It is important to see that this follows even if you think Kavanaugh did not lie, or commit attempted rape; what matters is that Democrats can credibly threaten impeachment in relation to those allegations, and have ample incentive given their base's sentiments to do so. Of course, Republicans have no such incentive. It is this asymmetry that creates the functional linkage between Kavanaugh's expected tenure and Republican political power. This linkage is, in our view, intrinsically troubling. But it also means that votes by Kavanaugh on disclosure rules, gerrymandering, or (say) the subpoenaing of a sitting president will be necessarily occluded in doubt about his motives. As a sitting justice, moreover, Kavanaugh would have the power to act alone to issue stays and orders in some ongoing case. This power to stay matters is especially potent in time-sensitive election-related litigation. It is easy to imagine this power generating great controversy. Finally, every doctrinal innovation Kavanaugh introduces that helps Republicans will be tainted by doubt about its bona fides. America has known ideologically committed judges aplenty. But a justice whose very place on the Court depends on a partisan majority is new. We can think of no account of judicial independence that is consistent with this state of affairs. This tainting of judicial independence cannot be untangled from a risk to democracy writ large. As we document in our new book, capturing the judiciary is an important element of democratic backsliding. From Venezuela and Bolivia to Hungary, Poland and Turkey, many democracies have suffered when populist movements won elections and seized legal and constitutional tools to entrench themselves beyond defeat at the polls. A first move in their playbook is to co-opt the courts. In Eastern Europe, the Fidesz and Law and Justice parties purged their nations' constitutional courts, stocking them instead with loyalists. After a 2016 coup attempt, Turkey President Recep Tayyep Erdogan locked up or dismissed about a thousand judges. In the Philippines, a chief justice critical of President Rodrigo Duterte has been impeached. Duterte himself remained untouched by the law, despite having bragged of extrajudicial executions. Targeting judges make sense. Supreme courts can impose critical frictions on populists bent on evading the law. In Colombia, for example, the Supreme Court stymied President Alvaro Uribe's second attempt to do away with term limits - a move that would allowed him unprecedented power over state agencies. In South Africa, the Constitutional Court prevented former president Jacob Zuma from avoiding penalties for major graft and appointing a stooge as chief prosecutor. Its actions were pivotal to catalyzing Zuma's resignation in February 2018. Kavanaugh's appointment to the Court was always going to produce some damage to democracy. His prior jurisprudence shows skepticism of efforts to reduce money's effects in politics, not just by regulating campaign contributions and expenditures, but also via disclosure mandates. Kavanaugh is not only unlikely to allow challenges to partisan gerrymandering or voter suppression, he may also vote to overrule a 2015 precedent permitting states to establish nonpartisan redistricting commissions. A 2016 decision allowing states to use their whole populations, rather than eligible voter populations, may even be at risk. Kavanaugh's mere elevation will likely embolden state and federal officials who are more comfortable picking their voters, and tightening their links with big money donors, than allowing voters to select them. The damage done by Kavanaugh's testimony to his structural independence, however, is qualitatively different. It also marks a turning point - for the worse - on the part of the Supreme Court's trajectory in American politics. No matter how well-intentioned Kavanaugh may prove, he cannot erase the shadow on the Court's independence that his own testimony has created. Kavanaugh's testimony created a new - and unprecedented - risk that he will be personally beholden to his fellow Republicans in the House and the Senate, above and beyond his manifest ideological commitments. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. - Aziz Huq and Tom Ginsburg are both professors at the University of Chicago Law School. - Comments welcome. Permalink Posted on October 9, 2018 It is at this level of legislative races low visibility elections that carry exceptionally high stakes that Democrats face intimidating Republican majorities. For Democrats to see across-the-board gains on the scale that Republicans achieved in 2010 would require not just a wave, but a tidal wave. It is difficult to overestimate the political importance of the Midwest. The region was not only crucial to Trumps victory, it has been crucial to continuing conservative control of both branches of Congress. Matt Grossmann, a political scientist at Michigan State, put it this way on Twitter: Some interpreted 2016 as beginning of possible realignment of the Great Lakes Midwest, with the white working class leaving Democrats. But this year, Senate races in those states are not even competitive for Republicans. On Wednesday, Nate Silver, the founder of the political website 538, tweeted: By far the Democrats strongest region in Senate + Gov + House polling has been the Midwest, and I dont think youd really gather that from the tonality of the reporting, which tends to fixate on demographic change and therefore finds races in the South & the West a lot sexier. According to both Democratic and Republican operatives, Republican difficulties in the region stem in part from the trend among many Obama 2012-to-Trump-2016 voters to switch back to the Democrats. Nick Gourevitch, whose Democratic firm, Global Strategy Group, is polling in the Midwest, wrote in an email: In general, we are seeing Obama-Trump districts returning to the fold as competitive seats. He went on: Our postelection research on Obama-Trump voters showed that many of them were conflicted voters who had mixed feelings about supporting the president and that not all of them were the die-hard Trump supporters some in the media like to report them to be. Gourevitchs assessment is shared by a Republican consultant active in the region who requested anonymity to avoid alienating clients. His studies, and polling by others in the region, he wrote me by email, show that a significant portion of the Trump vote was comprised of nose-holders that is, voters who werent particularly fond of Trump, but liked Hillary a helluva lot less, so they voted for Trump. These voters have not transitioned into strong Trump supporters, but rather Trump doubters, the Republican consultant continued. They may like the policies hes espousing, but are turned off by his style of leadership. To say they are returning to the Democratic fold would be an overstatement because all the Democrats stand for is their opposition to Trump nowadays. Rather, these are swing voters they voted for Trump, they may either not vote in 18 or may vote Democratic. The Republican consultant was less pessimistic about Trumps Midwestern prospects in 2020. The Trump doubters, he argues, are open for either side in 20. They are certainly still open for Trump, depending on who the Democrats put up. Trumps numbers may not be positive, but two years from now he may look at lot better than the candidate that survives the lurch to the left Democratic presidential primaries. Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster, agreed that while in 2018, Trumps victories in the Midwest are not paying off, Democrats should be more wary of 2020. In the Midwest and nationally, Republicans and especially Trump are ahead on economy and trade. That could have real impact in 2020. More immediately, Lake cautioned, We do need to watch men who seem to be moving toward Trump in this last week referring to the aftermath of the bitter fight over the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh. Were You Ordered to Evacuate From Hurricane Michael? We Want to Hear From You We would like to understand the costs and hardships of evacuation, and how they accumulate over a lifetime. Read in app Send any friend a story As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Anyone can read what you share. Give this article Share Read in app During a tour, they saw several units with different layouts, sizes and views. The beauty of this building was no one was really living here yet, said Ms. Sinclair, who welcomed the choice of so many available units. And the Facebook office was about a 15-minute walk away. They checked out a handful of other buildings, looking for something similar but less expensive. Nothing measured up. They kept thinking about EVGB, Mr. Brown said. They enjoyed the idea of being the first people to live in a brand-new spot. Image A spacious unit in a postwar building near Union Square seemed promising, but like many buildings of its vintage, it had no amenities to speak of. Credit... Katherine Marks for The New York Times Returning with their friend, who was in town for a visit and was impressed by the size of the units, they chose a $7,600 two-bedroom with two bathrooms and walk-in closets, facing a quiet back courtyard rather than busy East 14th Street, which is riddled with construction. The building is currently offering two months free on a 14-month or 26-month lease, and waiving the amenity fee of $80 a month per person. The trio opted for the shorter lease and arrived in the summer. Their California living situation was definitely us on a budget, Ms. Sinclair said, so in our first year in New York, we wanted to live big. We wanted to max out our budget in a place we wanted to be, make new friendships and have people be comfortable visiting us. [Like the Science Times page on Facebook. | Sign up for the Science Times newsletter.] The science involves a search for third cousins. To identify a person through a DNA sample, an investigator uploads a previously analyzed genetic sequence to a database. The goal is to find someone who shares enough DNA to place them in the third cousin or closer range. Most of us have at least 800 people out there, somewhere in the world, who fall into this category. So long as one of these people is in a database, a skilled sleuth may be able to use other publicly available information to start building a family tree and figure out the persons actual identity. That technique has been used in recent months to identify more than 15 suspects in murder and sexual assault cases. The breakthroughs began in April with an arrest in the case of the Golden State Killer, who terrorized California with rapes and murders in the 70s and 80s. Other successes soon followed. A truck driver in Washington State was charged with the murder of a Canadian couple in 1987; a DJ in Pennsylvania was charged with the murder of a teacher in 1992. Watching these developments, Dr. Erlich wondered about the odds of identifying any given person through cousins DNA in one of these databases. His analysis is based not on the big genealogy databases such as 23andMe and Ancestry, but on two of the smallest: GEDmatch, which has around one million profiles, and MyHeritage, which had around 1.5 million at the time of the study. Thats because, for legal and logistical reasons, the larger sites cannot be easily used to identify anyone other than customers who mail in saliva. But the smaller sites, set up to help genealogists maximize the odds of finding relatives, are more flexible. GEDmatch allows law-enforcement officials to search for genetic matches in its database in murder and sexual assault cases. MyHeritage does not, but it permits uploads from external labs. With both, its hard to be sure whats being uploaded: grandmas saliva, crime scene blood, a sample from a medical study or something else entirely. As they hurtled toward space faster than a rifle bullet, an American astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut were forced to make a harrowing but safe emergency landing on Thursday when the rocket carrying the two men and hundreds of tons of explosive fuel failed less than two minutes after liftoff. The Russian-built Soyuz capsule parachuted to Earth about 12 to 15 miles outside Zhezqazghan, a small city in central Kazakhstan. Neither of the crew members Nick Hague of the United States or Aleksei Ovchinin of Russia was injured, both the Russian and American space agencies said, and the two were rescued within an hour of their landing. The launch failure does not put the three astronauts aboard the International Space Station in any danger. They have plenty of food, water, air and other supplies. The station is a laboratory for science experiments that cannot be conducted in the pull of gravity, and NASA is using it as a testing ground for technologies for longer, farther voyages to the moon and Mars. SAN FRANCISCO When Christine Blasey Ford testified before Congress last month about Justice Brett M. Kavanaughs alleged sexual assault, a website called Right Wing News sprang into action on Facebook. The conservative site, run by the blogger John Hawkins, had created a series of Facebook pages and accounts over the last year under many names, according to Facebook. After Dr. Blasey testified, Right Wing News posted several false stories about her including the suggestion that her lawyers were being bribed by Democrats and then used the network of Facebook pages and accounts to share the pieces so that they proliferated online quickly, social media researchers said. The result was a real-time spreading of disinformation started by Americans, for Americans. What Right Wing News did was part of a shift in the flow of online disinformation, falsehoods meant to mislead and inflame. In 2016, before the presidential election, state-backed Russian operatives exploited Facebook and Twitter to sway voters in the United States with divisive messages. Now, weeks before the midterm elections on Nov. 6, such influence campaigns are increasingly a domestic phenomenon fomented by Americans on the left and the right. Thursday morning, the Florida Panhandle and parts of Georgia awoke to blocked roads, downed trees, flooded streets and flights that were either canceled or rerouted. Travelers were being urged by airports, airlines, and government entities to avoid travel to the area for their own safety and for the safety of rescue crews who are frantically working to assess the damage. The regional air travel hub, Atlanta-Hartfield airport, fared relatively well and stayed open during the storm. Among the regions smaller airports, which had closed while the hurricane made landfall, Tallahassee International Airport, was scheduled to reopen on Thursday; Panama City remained closed to commercial flights; Destin Fort Walton Beach airport had reopened; and Pensacola International Airport was open but with cancellations. 7. 3 p.m. Gold, Silver, Bronze Time travel to the Neolithic era then fast-forward through nine millenniums in the National Archaeological Museum (10), which showcases priceless artifacts from the Mediterraneans ancient civilizations. From the famous gold mask of Agamemnon to the sinewy Artemision Bronze statue, pottery fragments to exquisite jewelry, the museums timeless treasures stand as testaments to the longevity of art. 8. 6 p.m. Raising the Roof In central Athens, al fresco boites boasting views of the Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill grace countless rooftops of deceptively ordinary-looking cement blocks. One-year-old Anglais is particularly atmospheric, with fairy lights strung above a gregarious young crowd. A for Athens, off bustling Monastiraki Square, serves mythically titled drinks like Polyphemus the Cyclops, as well as a cobbler that features mastiha, the distinctly fragrant tree resin from Chios (12). 9. 8 p.m. Mezes and Dakos Mismatched plates, vintage upholstery and Formica-topped tables may signal a hipster hangout, but the Cretan restaurant Aster has the substance to back up its quirky style. Dive into mezes like ginger-marinated salmon paired with lentil salad (5.50) and fried meatballs topped with rich yogurt (6). And dont miss dakos, Greeces answer to panzanella, with wedges of double-baked barley bread tossed with ripe tomatoes and creamy cheese (4). 10. 10 p.m. Bohemian Rhapsody Wrap up your Saturday night in Psyrri, a former industrial district where hardware stores and design ateliers now coexist harmoniously. The leafy streets fanning out from Iroon Square are chockablock with rambunctious establishments that swing till dawn, but for an experience that best encapsulates how Psyrri toes that fine line between glamorous and grungy, head to Cantina Social. A coffee-sipping neighborly crowd gives way to an increasingly festive clientele as night goes on. To a soundtrack that can whiplash from obscure indie bands to unabashedly happy Latin pop, a diverse crowd of college students, media executives and, sometimes, drag queens, congregates in the courtyard where projections of old films turn the walls into pop art canvases. LUMBERTON, N.C. At the flood-ruined home of a retired schoolteacher, Shirley King, a group of volunteers spent Thursday morning pulling out floors wrecked by Hurricane Florence. The volunteers had been here a couple of years earlier, helping to rebuild Ms. Kings home after Hurricane Matthew. As noon approached, a hard rain picked up. Tropical Storm Michael had arrived. They are getting all too good at this in the Carolinas. Generators. Rain boots. Power losses in the thousands. Detours to avoid tree-blocked roads. Canned goods, bottled water, batteries might as well open what wasnt used for the last storm. After a ferocious wallop of the Florida Panhandle, the tropical storm that was once Hurricane Michael slogged through the Carolinas on Thursday, states that have had a lifetimes worth of bad weather in the last few years. Disastrous floods swamped South Carolina in 2015, then Matthew hit in 2016, then Florence in September, now this. I know that North Carolinians have been through a tough time, the governor, Roy Cooper, said in a news conference. But well get through this, and tomorrow when the skies clear and the winds die down, we can get back to the job of rebuilding and recovery in our state. SEATTLE Washington became the latest state to end the death penalty on Thursday, following a scathing State Supreme Court decision that declared the practice unconstitutional. The ruling commuted the sentences of the eight men currently on the states death row to life in prison and made Washington the 20th state where courts or legislatures have abolished or overturned capital punishment. A five-member majority on the State Supreme Court did not say that executing people who commit heinous crimes is inherently wrong, but said evidence showed that death sentences had been imposed in an arbitrary and racially biased manner. Four other justices concurred with the conclusion in a separate, equally sweeping decision. We are confident that the association between race and the death penalty is not attributed to random chance, the majoritys decision said. The finding grew out of an appeal brought by Allen Eugene Gregory, a black man who was convicted of the rape, robbery and murder of a waitress named Geneine Harshfield in 1996. Mr. Gregory, 46, was sentenced to death in 2001. Use of the death penalty has been in decline across the nation for nearly two decades, and Washington has not executed anyone since 2010. In 2014, Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, ordered a moratorium on all executions. In North Carolina, Dr. Carl Barr, the longtime medical examiner of Sampson County, had a similar understanding of the kinds of deaths his state wanted on the official list. When Dr. Barr discussed several deaths, including a suicide, with an associate chief medical examiner, he came away believing that by the C.D.C. definition these were hurricane-related, but by our own state medical examiner definition, they were not related to the hurricane. The state official, Dr. Craig Nelson, said that was incorrect. He said North Carolina was attempting to apply the C.D.C. guidance, particularly by considering a wider range of indirect deaths, like the worsening of a chronic illness, in the official count. Now the C.D.C. guidelines say those deaths should be considered disaster-related, Dr. Nelson said, adding that the Florence count was still ongoing. There is always potential for additional information to come in. But only on Tuesday, after being contacted by a reporter, did Dr. Nelson send the C.D.C. guide to the states medical examiners, part of a note urging them to report deaths that might result from Hurricane Michael. These notifications are critical in tracking storm-related deaths, and no statewide system exists to track them otherwise, he wrote. A spreadsheet of Hurricane Florence-related deaths provided by North Carolinas health department listed only one of 41 deaths from that storm as indirect. In an interview on Tuesday, Dr. Nelson was unaware that a crucial aspect of the C.D.C. guidance is to make note of the storm on the death certificate, even if it is only a contributor to a natural death. That has not been something we have done for the death certificates, Dr. Nelson said. He added that it was unnecessary, because even if death certificates did not mention the disaster, the deaths could still be included in the official state count. It has been better to try and maintain a central database of deaths related to the storm rather than rely on individual reporting on death certificates, he said. Dr. John Almeida, a pathologist with a regional medical examiners facility in hard-hit Onslow County, N.C., said the process of reporting and classifying storm deaths had changed. My impression is we are a little more lenient now classifying things as storm related than they have been in the past, and certainly more fastidious in collecting the information, he said. Still, he and others pointed out that the deaths of people whose health conditions might have been exacerbated by the storm would not necessarily be brought to the attention of medical examiners, who investigate unusual deaths or those caused by injury or violence. Certifying a natural death, by contrast, most often falls to the patients physician. Inside, Dr. Roake said, the worst situation was in the intensive care unit on the upper floors of a newer glass tower. The windows there are double-paned, but the outer panes started blowing out and the worry spread fast. There was a rush to move around 40 people post-heart surgery patients, critically ill septic patients, respiratory failure patients on ventilators to safer quarters on lower floors in the central part of the building. Staff members and nurses had to carry some patients down stairways, fearing that the elevators had become unsafe, he said. Obviously there was a lot of emotions, but I think people held together pretty well and tucked them away for awhile and just got on with what needed to be done, Dr. Roake said. Now comes the process of moving the patients out. Theyre in the process of getting them transported to other hospitals in Pensacola, wherever they can take them, he said. On Thursday afternoon, the hospital resorted to Twitter to send a plea to the Lynn Haven Police Department, asking it to allow a truck full of food and other supplies through a roadblock. URGENT, it read, Lynn Haven, FL police department, please allow the Sysco truck headed to Bay Medical with food and resources through the road block to deliver these needed supplies to the hospital. Dr. Lynn Seto was walking outside the hospital in her scrubs Thursday, and broke down in tears when asked about the state of the place. Its devastating, she said. Were doing everything we can. The emergency room, she said, had been inundated with people because people are seeking shelter. During disasters, some hospitals and nursing homes choose to evacuate some or all of their patients before a storm, recognizing the particular risks for people in poor health of losing power, water and communications. But in the case of Hurricane Michael, leaders of many health centers chose to shelter in place, and they most likely took precautions like boarding up windows, bringing in extra staff and medications, and continued to operate as the storm approached. Mr. Long said that he was equally concerned about communities in southwest Georgia, which received Category 2 wind speeds, because of the large number of mobile homes in that part of the state. We are always worried about trees falling on manufactured homes and mobile homes, he said. [Read more about why it strengthened so quickly here.] Early reports suggested significant damage. Gov. Nathan Deal of Georgia said 450,000 homes and businesses were without power in the state, and that 35 hospitals or nursing homes were without electricity and operating with generators. Right now, the main focus is going to be on debris removal so that power line trucks and repair crews can access the areas that are without power, Mr. Deal said at the State Capitol in Atlanta. Mr. Long expected the search-and-rescue process to be challenging, given all the fallen trees, debris and downed power lines. He worried that the number of people killed in the storm would rise once crews reached places where people did not evacuate. People do not live to tell the tale about storm surge, he said. Florida officials also pleaded with residents to stay off the roads as crews tried to clear debris and emergency workers were scrambling to hard-hit areas. They asked people to avoid downed power lines, and not to drive through flooded areas. They urged residents and visitors to keep emergency phone lines open and, in some areas, to boil their water or use bottled water. They told them to position generators at least 15 feet from homes, and to stay indoors. In a somewhat unusual step, the state had activated a team from a nonprofit humanitarian aid organization that typically works in overseas disasters, the International Medical Corps, including 50 nurses, two hospital emergency department teams and one emergency hospital. The Carolinas, hit by Florence, are also dealing with Michael After a ferocious wallop of the Florida Panhandle, the tropical storm that was once Hurricane Michael slogged up through the Carolinas on Thursday, states that have had a lifetimes worth of bad weather in the last few years. Disastrous floods swamped South Carolina in 2015, then Matthew hit in 2016, then Florence in September, and now this. For 20 years, the ashes of Matthew Shepard have not been laid to rest. Mr. Shepards killing in 1998, when he was a 21-year-old college student, led to national outrage and, almost overnight, turned him into a symbol of deadly violence against gay people. Mourners flocked to his funeral that year in Casper, Wyo., but there were also some protesters, carrying derogatory signs. Mr. Shepards parents worried that if they chose a final resting place for their son, it would be at risk of desecration. Now they have found a safe place. On Oct. 26, Mr. Shepard will be interred at the Washington National Cathedral, the neo-Gothic, Episcopal house of worship that is a fixture of American politics and religion. I think its the perfect, appropriate place, Dennis Shepard, Matthews father, said in an interview on Thursday. We are, as a family, happy and relieved that we now have a final home for Matthew, a place that he himself would love. what President trump said You go and you look at countries where they essentially have single-payer tax care, single-payer health care. If you look at it, theyre a disaster. in an interview with Fox & Friends on Thursday The new Democrats are radical socialists who want to model Americas economy after Venezuela. If Democrats win control of Congress this November, we will come dangerously closer to socialism in America. Government-run health care is just the beginning. in an opinion piece published in USA Today on Wednesday If you do what he says, you're not going to have a country and you are going to have Venezuela and you're going to have to lift up your taxes by three times. in an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, referring to Senator Bernie Sanders, independent of Vermont and a leading proponent of Medicare for all. the facts This lacks evidence. Mr. Trumps warning that Medicare for all would lead the United States to experience a crumbling economy, political turmoil and food and medicine shortages as in Venezuela is without merit. That countrys health care system played a minimal role in Venezuelas epic crisis, said Javier Corrales, a professor of political science at Amherst College whose research focuses on Latin America. Instead, Mr. Corrales said, the main culprits were the governments mismanagement of the economy, soaring deficits, declining oil production, debts racked up by the state oil company, and price controls. FLINT, Mich. The first car arrived around 3:30 a.m., more than six hours before the weekly help center opened at a local church. David Brooks, a 72-year-old retired General Motors laborer, was in the second car in the queue, and passed the time by sleeping in the back seat of his refurbished 1997 Chevy Santa Fe, as has become his Thursday routine since 2014 the last time his Flint community trusted its water. By 10 a.m., when volunteers at Greater Holy Temple Church of God in Christ began to distribute cases of bottled water to the gathered residents, the line of cars stretched more than a mile and a half. Inside the vehicles were parents whose young children have bathed in bottled water their entire lives, mothers who needed bottled water to cook food, and families still haunted by the prospect of disease and death, more than four years after the residents first sounded alarms about problems in their state-run water supply. They poisoned us, Mr. Brooks said as he waited. He emphasized poisoned, the preferred word of residents keen to cast the crisis as a man-made calamity at the hands of state government. Tensions escalated in the already bitter race to be Georgias next governor on Thursday after reports that the state had placed tens of thousands of voters registrations on a pending list, fueling charges of voter suppression and election rigging. The office of Brian Kemp, Georgias secretary of state and the Republican nominee for governor in Novembers election, has stalled more than 53,000 voter applications, according to a recent report from The Associated Press. The list includes a disproportionately high number of black voters, the report said, which is stirring concern among nonpartisan voting rights advocates and supporters of Stacey Abrams, the Democratic candidate, who is vying to be the first black woman in the country to be elected governor. Georgia has been a cause for concern for a number of policies, ranging from polling place closures to technical blocking of registration and purges, and Georgians deserve fair and accessible elections, said Myrna Perez, the deputy director of the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan voting and civil rights advocacy group. Mr. Kemps office uses a controversial method called exact match to verify voter applications, which in some cases means individuals can be purged from voting rolls if their submitted information has even trivial differences from their government identification, such as an entry error or a dropped hyphen. On Thursday, several advocacy groups filed a lawsuit seeking to end the practice and force Georgia to reinstate affected voters. Trump is on his heros journey, right now. And he might not have expected to have a crazy [expletive] like Kanye West run up and support. You know, I love Hillary. I love everyone, right. But the campaign, Im With Her, just didnt make me feel as a guy that didnt get to see my dad all the time like a guy that could play catch with his son. It was something about when I put this hat on, it made me feel like Superman. So when I said, I like Trump, to like someone thats liberal, theyll say, Oh, but hes racist. You think racism could control me? Oh that dont stop me, thats an invisible wall. Best believe, we are going to make America great. Now the thing is another thing is black people have an issue with the word again. And I believe my feeling from that is because Im going to go all the way because time is a myth. All we have is now. All we have is today. So the word again, it doesnt hurt us because the idea of racism and slavery ... It, it hurts us, because we need to focus on who we are now, today. I believe so. I actually brought some hats in that have a bit of a transition Im not trying to Ill put you on the spot a little bit. I made a hat that says, Make America Great. Just that. Let me ask you this question, youre in the Oval Office. How does it feel to be in the Oval Office? Oh, it is good energy in this. Isnt it good energy? Were going to need to get a few breaks to be able to have some places in my hometown of Chicago and the 2.7 million to the 9 million surrounding suburbs where we can create some factories. I think it would be cool for them to be Trump factories because hes a master of industry. Hes a builder. And I think itd be cool to have Yeezy ideation centers, which would be a mix of education that empowers people and gives them modern information, like sometimes people say, This kid has A.D.D. This kid has A.D.D. He dont have A.D.D. School is boring. It was boring, its not as exciting as this. We have to make it more exciting. We have to mix curriculums. You play basketball while youre doing math. You learn about music while you meditate in the morning. We have instate mental health and art programs back into the back to the cities. I love this guy, right here. Let me give this guy a hug, right here. I love this guy, right here. Thats really nice. And thats from the heart. I didnt want to put you in that position, but thats from the heart special guy. WASHINGTON Melania Trump, the first lady, said that the reason she incorporated social media abuse into Be Best, her public awareness campaign on childrens issues, is that she herself is one of the worlds most high-profile victims of bullying. I could say Im the most bullied person on the world, Mrs. Trump said in an interview with ABC News that was filmed during her visit to Kenya last week. When asked to clarify whether she indeed believed that, Mrs. Trump seemed to couch her reply. One of them, Mrs. Trump said, if you really see what people saying about me. As one of the most visible women in an increasingly divided country, Mrs. Trump is not exactly wrong: Each public statement she makes, whether its to offer words of comfort after a tragedy or to promote one of her initiatives, is met with a torrent of abuse, including hate-filled comments and racy photos from her career as a model. Dissatisfaction with President Trump among Nevada voters has not had quite the ripple effect Democrats are hoping for in the states highly competitive Senate race, and turnout among Hispanics for that contest in November remains a key question for the party, according to results in a New York Times/Siena College poll this week. Roughly as many Nevadans approve of Mr. Trumps job performance as disapprove, and they are also about evenly split on the Senate candidates. In the phone survey of more than 640 registered Nevada voters, which had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus four percentage points, Senator Dean Heller held a slight edge over his Democratic challenger, Representative Jacky Rosen. Mr. Heller is considered the Republicans most endangered incumbent, in a year when his party can only afford to lose one seat and still retain its control of the Senate. Last Sunday, Mr. Bishop, Ms. Slotkins opponent, brought up his own health care story during a televised debate, in an effort to defend his vote on the health care repeal. My wife has a pre-existing condition, he said. It is first and foremost on my mind. ____________________ A busy day in the White House Yes, we saw Kanye West in the Oval Office. It was crazy. Thats all we have on that one. But the Trump family made news in a few other ways today that we thought were worth mentioning: This morning, President Trump called into Fox and Friends and spent 47 minutes weighing in on seemingly every issue of the day, from Hurricane Michael (a speedster) to the midterms (there are Senate races that we werent even going to contest that were leading in) to that anonymous Op-Ed (there is a very good chance that that was written by The Times because The Times is totally corrupt). Melania Trump, who as first lady has led an anti-bullying initiative, told ABC News, I could say Im the most bullied person on the world. When pressed by the reporter, she stood by her claim. One of them, she said, if you really see what people saying about me. [Sign up here to get On Politics in your inbox every evening.] ____________________ The latest from Opinion Image Credit... Andreas Samuelsson This wont come as a big shock, but our colleagues in the Opinion section are always arguing. They fashion arguments for a living, after all with politicians, with experts and with each other. Its this last bit that is of interest this week, because today marks the debut of their new podcast, The Argument. Ill let the editors over there describe it: The basic idea behind the podcast is that most Americans dont want to live in a political bubble and would like to hear from people who disagree with them. This may seem like wishful thinking right now, but were going to give it a try anyway. In the first episode, three op-ed columnists with wildly divergent views Ross Douthat, Michelle Goldberg and David Leonhardt take on the question of the legitimacy of the Supreme Court, as well as the political consequences of Brett Kavanaughs confirmation and the #MeToo movement generally. Also, Ross Douthat sings a bit of A Star Is Born. Lets just say you have to listen to it to understand how it happened. The aftermath of Justice Kavanaughs confirmation dominated our coverage this week, but there was lots of other good stuff to read. Before we leave the court, do check out Linda Greenhouses piece on the lessons Justice Kavanaugh should learn from the career of Justice Hugo Black, who ended life as an exemplary civil libertarian but began it as a member of the Ku Klux Klan. And the midterms featured in several sharp arguments about the size and scope of the Trump coalition in the Midwest, and how much economic anxiety matters to his supporters. Good Thursday morning. Here are some of the stories making news in Washington and politics today. James A. Baker, the Federal Bureau of Investigations former top lawyer, told congressional officials that he had taken seriously a suggestion by the deputy attorney general, Rod J. Rosenstein, to secretly tape conversations with President Trump, but that the idea was dismissed within days. Read the story. The Justice Department said that a Chinese intelligence officer was arrested in Belgium and brought to the United States to face espionage charges, a first. Read the story. For Mr. Trump, the possible murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist, in Turkey is a looming diplomatic crisis. For the presidents son-in-law, Jared Kushner, it is a personal reckoning. A Californian was sentenced to six months in prison for selling bank account information that helped Russia wage a social media disinformation campaign during the 2016 presidential race. It could be a sign that the Mueller investigation is coming to a close. WASHINGTON The Pentagon grounded its fleet of F-35 strike fighter jets on Thursday, weeks after one crashed in South Carolina in another setback for the advanced aircraft that has long been mired in mechanical problems. The decision to halt F-35 flights stems from what the military suspects is a faulty fuel tube installed in some of the aircraft, according to a Pentagon statement. Some of the jets are already aboard a Navy ship and have carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan. Israel, Britain and other allies who have bought the F-35 from American manufacturers must also ground and inspect the fuel tubes in the jets, the statement said. There are roughly 220 F-35s in the American inventory, purchased from defense contractor Lockheed Martin. In the investigation of the F-35 crash near Beaufort, S. C., military officials gathered initial data that pointed to problems with the fuel tubes and ultimately could have contributed to the Sept. 28 accident. DALLAS Vice President Mike Pence laid out a hopeful vision for the midterm elections this week as he campaigned for Representative Pete Sessions of Texas, telling Republican donors that candidates like Mr. Sessions could stop Democrats from winning the House in November. The road, they know, to their majority comes right through Petes district, Mr. Pence said. Referring to this citys vote-rich suburbs of undecided moderates, he added, Make sure the red wave starts here. Mr. Pence was deploying a favorite image of both Republicans and Democrats this fall: An electoral tidal wave of voters carrying their party to power in Congress. But the point of his trip was not to stir a wave. It was to build a wall. As they brace for losses in the House of Representatives, Republican Party leaders are racing to reinforce their candidates in about two-dozen districts, trying to create a barricade around their imperiled majority. They are pouring money and effort mainly into moderate suburban areas, like Mr. Sessionss seat, that they see as critical to holding the chamber by even a one-seat margin. And they have begun to pull millions of dollars away from Republican candidates who have fallen substantially behind in once-competitive races. A Slovak journalist and his fiancee are shot dead in their home. A gunman storms a Maryland newsroom in a targeted attack on the staff. A writer walks into the Saudi Consulate in Turkey and never walks out. Its been a deadly year for journalists, analysts say, even in democratic countries where press freedom has been seen as an essential part of civil society. Typically journalists are not murdered in the United States, said Courtney Radsch, the advocacy director for the Committee to Protect Journalists. Typically they are not murdered in Western Europe. Yet we have seen it this year in both which were previously considered bastions of press freedom that journalists are being murdered and that there is a parallel of anti-press rhetoric happening. So far this year, at least 43 journalists have been killed around the world as a result of their work, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. That number is outpacing last year, and does not include 17 other deaths in which the motive has not been confirmed. NEW DELHI A powerful cyclone touched down in eastern India on Thursday, cutting off electricity, uprooting trees, crumbling mud houses and killing at least eight people, officials said. The storm, Cyclone Titli, swept through the Bay of Bengal before hitting the coastal states of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, where wind speeds reached 150 kilometers, or almost 95 miles, an hour when the storm made landfall in the early morning. Videos on social media showed heavy rain lashing at communities near the water, and howling gusts of winds ripping off tin roofs and thrusting palm trees nearly parallel to the ground. BANGKOK The case of Muhammad Lukman Mohamad ignited outrage in August, when he received a death sentence in Malaysia for selling medicinal cannabis oil to cancer patients. Even the countrys new prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, called for a review of the sentence the 29-year-old father received. Now, Mr. Mahathirs government is going one step further, eliminating the death penalty entirely. All death penalty will be abolished. Full stop, the countrys minister of law, Liew Vui Keong, told reporters this week. The government is also preparing to rescind the colonial-era Sedition Act, which was used by previous governments to silence critics and opposition politicians. Gobind Singh, the communications and multimedia minister, said on Thursday that use of the law should be suspended immediately, pending its repeal. SEOUL, South Korea South Korea moved to patch up an emerging diplomatic row with the United States on Thursday, disowning any plan to lift sanctions against North Korea after President Trumps blunt remark that Seoul could do nothing without Washingtons approval. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha of South Korea said on Wednesday that government agencies were discussing lifting a broad trade and investment embargo that Seoul imposed on the North in 2010, a statement that came despite Washingtons efforts to keep the economic noose on Pyongyang until it denuclearizes. The ministers comment alarmed conservative South Koreans, who accused the government of undermining their countrys alliance with the United States, which has led the effort to impose United Nations sanctions on North Korea. Ms. Kangs remarks also risked antagonizing the Trump administration, which considers the sanctions its most potent leverage against the North. South Koreas indication that it might break ranks came just as Washington was criticizing Beijing and Moscow for undermining sanctions enforcement. China is not a major customer for American nuclear technology; only about $170 million in nuclear-related sales went to Chinese customers last year. But the announcement on Thursday amounted to a significant setback in cooperative agreements that have had a checkered history since the Reagan administration. The first openings, noted Jeffrey A. Bader, the senior Asia specialist on President Barack Obamas National Security Council, came as an incentive to stop Chinese cooperation with Pakistan, which was building its first nuclear weapons. Trade stopped after the Tiananmen Square uprising of 1989, and the Clinton administration had a major standoff with the Chinese over their help to Iran. But those issues were resolved, usually amid warnings from the American nuclear industry that failing to deal with China on nuclear issues was to open the way for France, Japan and South Korea to supply Beijing with nuclear technology. But today, Mr. Bader noted, there is not much left in the American nuclear industry to harm, so the administration can indulge their most extreme-case suspicions. There is little question that the Chinese have sought to steal nuclear-related technology: The United States has indicted Chinese hackers and insiders in a variety of cases that involved nuclear technology. Last year, Szuhsiung Ho, an American citizen born in Taiwan, was sentenced to two years in prison for organizing American nuclear experts to help China develop nuclear materials. That indictment named the China General Nuclear Power Company, the largest Chinese nuclear producer, which was seeking American designs for key components for nuclear reactors. The officials who briefed reporters, who came from three separate United States agencies with oversight of nuclear materials and technology, cited that case and others like it as they explained a new policy under which there would be a presumption of denial for Chinese licenses for certain advanced nuclear technologies. Older-style reactors, and common nuclear-related components, especially those widely available on global markets, will not be subject to the new restrictions. In a speech in July, Christopher Ford, the senior State Department official for nuclear issues, said that the hard question in dealing with China is to what extent the United States can participate in its growing nuclear market without providing China with technological tools that will help it achieve its goal of seizing a geopolitical role for itself that displaces U.S. influence. The Australia Letter is a weekly newsletter from our Australia bureau chief. Sign up to get it by email. Heres where to find all our Oceania coverage. ______ When should public resources be used for a particular interest group? Who gets to choose and how can decisions for the few be countered by the many? Questions like these rose to a shout in Australia this week, from culture to science to academia. Its always risky to connect such disparate subjects each has its own context. But as I write from cold, quiet Canberra, I think its worth recognizing that a number of recent public debates have all included something vital for democracy: a moment of grass-roots awakening. At a time when apathy is on the rise, this was a week of engagement and lively argument about national and international affairs. SYDNEY, Australia The Sydney Opera House will celebrate its 45th anniversary this month with global dignitaries, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. But this week, its gleaming white sails became the focus of a bruising local debate over culture, sports, misogyny and national identity. On Tuesday night, thousands of people turned up to protest a six-minute light projection on the Opera Houses tiled sails. Put on by Racing NSW, the governing horse-racing body for New South Wales, the projection was designed to promote the Everest Australias newest, and richest, horse race. Racing NSWs chief executive, Peter Vlandys, backed by the prime minister and one of Australias most infamous conservative radio hosts, said the projection would increase tourism. Many, however, including the Opera Houses chief executive, felt the move was a tone-deaf commodification of the building a World Heritage site the equivalent to turning Stonehenge or the Statue of Liberty into billboards to promote gambling. Even Donald Trump wouldnt get away with putting advertising onto the Lincoln Memorial, but its akin to that, said Ben Oquist, executive director at the Australia Institute, a nonpartisan think tank. It was a step too far for everybody. BERLIN A far-right German political party is calling on students and their families to report teachers who air their political views in school, leading to charges that the party has revived the methods of the dreaded East German state police. A website run by the Alternative for Germany party, also known as the AfD, urges students and parents to send information about teachers violating the countrys neutrality code, which forbids them from promoting their political views in classrooms. The party suggested that offenses could range from crude criticism of the AfD to incorrect and subjective learning materials, to outright calls to take part in anti-AfD protests. Katarina Barley, the countrys justice minister, joined teachers organizations on Thursday in decrying the measure as an attempt by the AfD to limit democracy in the classroom and intimidate teachers, citing parallels between the partys efforts and those of the Stasi, the secret police in the former East Germany, who turned millions of citizens into informers on their neighbors, teachers, friends, co-workers and even family members. Anyone who incites students to spy on their teachers brings Stasi methods back to Germany, she wrote on Twitter. Organized denunciation intends to set us against each other and drive a wedge into society. KOMARNA, Croatia As a quirk of history and the Balkan wars, a corner of Croatia is cut off from the rest of the country by a 12-mile interruption of land belonging to neighboring Bosnia. It is a rift that Croatia has long wanted to repair with a bridge that would unite the disconnected sliver of its coast with the rest of the country. For decades foiled by war, corruption, political bickering and global financial turmoil work never got much further on the bridge than abandoned concrete pylons and two bronze angels overlooking the glittering waters of the Adriatic Sea. That is, until the Chinese arrived this summer. With drills churning and its engineers arriving daily, a state-owned Chinese construction firm, the China Road and Bridge Corporation, is the latest company to take on the project. For many Croatians, just the possibility that the long-awaited bridge project is now on track to be completed is reason for celebration. COPENHAGEN A senior civil servant stole $17 million from the Danish welfare agency where she worked for 40 years money intended to help the most vulnerable people, including the homeless and disabled and is the subject of an international hunt, the authorities said this week. Officials have not publicly named the suspect, a 64-year-old who was described as a trusted employee of the National Board of Health and Welfare, but the Danish news media have identified her as Anna Britta Troelsgaard Nielsen, who headed a department within the agency and last year received a medal for her service from Queen Margrethe II. Mai Mercado, Denmarks minister for child and social affairs, said in a statement that the person involved had committed systematic fraud over a period of 16 years. Im deeply shocked, she said, adding that the crime was completely unheard-of. The ministry and the police are investigating the theft, and officials have said that Interpol is involved as well, as investigators believe the suspect may be hiding abroad. Her lawyer, Nima Nabipour, has confirmed that he is in touch with the suspect, but declined to discuss her whereabouts or the accusations against her. LONDON Doctors in Britain will be able to legally prescribe medicinal cannabis from Nov. 1, after two highly publicized cases of young, epileptic patients dependent on marijuana-based treatments put pressure on the government to review its policy. The change was announced on Thursday by Home Secretary Sajid Javid, after he called for an urgent review of cannabis-based medicinal products over the summer, and his office said in July it had decided that senior clinicians will be able to prescribe the medicines to patients with an exceptional clinical need. Mr. Javid said on Thursday, Having been moved by heartbreaking cases involving sick children, it was important to me that we took swift action to help those who can benefit from medicinal cannabis. The home secretary commissioned the review after the cannabis-based medicine of Billy Caldwell, 12, who has life-threatening epileptic seizures, was confiscated at Heathrow Airport on June 11. The case was publicized in the British news media and prompted a national discussion on the legalization of medicinal cannabis products. CAIRO An Egyptian military court handed down death sentences on Thursday to 17 people convicted in a series of fatal attacks on Christians that started in December 2016 and left more than 80 people dead and 150 wounded. Egyptian state media said the defendants were accused of belonging to the Islamic State and of plotting attacks against Christian churches and a police checkpoint. Egypt has faced a wave of Islamic militancy since the 2013 military overthrow of Mohamed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood leader who had been elected president, and the subsequent crackdown on his supporters. Nineteen other defendants were given life sentences on Thursday, nine were given sentences of 15 years, and one received a 10-year term. The sentences can still be appealed. Girls have long been the subject of the photographers lens but they have far less often been behind it. So when we set out to document the lives of 18-year-old girls around the world, we had just one requirement: that those girls be photographed by other young women. We wanted to know: What does life look like for an 18-year-old girl in Britain, in Nigeria, in Australia? In the United States, 18 means the right to vote, to work full time, to sign a lease on an apartment, to buy cigarettes and to obtain a credit card (though, fun fact: Women werent allowed to have a credit card in their own name until the 1970s). Sadie is acting strange, kind of out of it. Over the phone, her husbands voice sounded strained as he spoke about their 6-year-old daughter. The girls mother, Sara, was walking home from an errand in their Queens, N.Y., neighborhood. Strange in what way, she asked. I dont know, he replied. You have to come home and see this. Sara hurried the last few blocks, and when she entered the apartment, she could see her daughter sitting on the sofa. Sadie, she called. Her daughter turned her head to face her mother but didnt seem to see her. It was as if she looked straight through her. Sara immediately called 911. As they waited for the ambulance, the mother couldnt take her eyes off Sadie. She was awake, but not really there. Suddenly the girls lip twitched. Just one side, the left side, pulled up then relaxed in a failed half smile. Over and over. Her head began to jerk to the left, repeatedly. Sara had never seen anything like it. When the emergency medical technicians arrived, they took one look at the little girl and told the parents she was having a seizure. The mother rode in the ambulance with her child to the closest hospital, Elmhurst Hospital Center. The girls father stayed behind to arrange care for their 4-year-old daughter, before joining his wife. Inexplicable Seizures As soon as mother and child arrived in the E.R., Sadie was given Ativan, a fast-acting sedative that is the drug of choice in treating ongoing seizures. While she was asleep, she was taken for a CT scan. When there was a question of a possible clot in the brain, she was taken for a second CT with contrast to better define the blood vessels. This second scan was completely normal. So why had she had this odd-looking seizure? The doctors in the E.R. werent sure. While there the child spiked a temperature to 101, and a blood test showed an elevated white-blood-cell count. Could it be some kind of infection? Or did she have a brain tumor or some structural brain abnormality? Those cant always be seen in a CT scan and are common causes of seizures in a child. She would need to be admitted to the hospital in order to figure this out, the childs mother was told. You can see the notes from Elmhurst below. Sara had a cousin who was an adult neurologist at Columbia Medical Center, so the decision was made to move the child there. The cousin wouldnt be directly involved in the childs care, but it was reassuring to have family around. The E.R. doctors dosed the child with Keppra, a widely used antiseizure medication, and sent her to the Upper Manhattan hospital. After Sadie woke from the medications shed been given, she seemed her usual happy, active self. She moved and spoke a little slower than normal, but her mother attributed that to the powerful antiseizure medications she was given. She had an M.R.I., which was normal. The girls parents found that reassuring. You can see that report below. Maybe shed just had a single seizure triggered by the fever she had? They had read that fever could be a common cause of seizures in a child. Subtle Signs Dr. Tristan Sands, a pediatric epilepsy specialist, was not reassured by the M.R.I. The day after her arrival, before the M.R.I. was done, the child had continued EEG monitoring accompanied by video, and that test to Sands, the more important of the two was markedly abnormal. It showed that the activity on the right side of the childs brain, in the frontal lobe, was abnormally slow. In addition, the tracing showed several episodes of the spiking rhythmic waves that indicated a seizure. The parents had not seen any evidence of a seizure since they had been there, and reviewing video of the child done at the time, neither could Sands, and yet he was certain the seizures were real. After the seizures were noted, Sadie was given more Ativan, and her dose of Keppra was increased. The seizures stopped but only for 12 hours. That night the EEG showed that she had more seizures as she slept. The following day was just as abnormal. The electrical activity on the right side of her brain (which controls movement on the left side of the body) was slow compared with the normal-looking left side of the brain. The waves were interrupted with eight brief episodes of the electrical storm indicating a seizure over the seven hours between early morning and lunchtime. Again, looking at the child, there was no evidence that she was having a seizure. The doses of her antiseizure medications were increased again, but overnight she had 16 more seizures between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. All the erratic signals came from the same part of her brain the front of the right half of her brain. When larger doses of Keppra didnt stop the seizures, the doctors added a third medication, Trileptal. With the addition of this new medication, the seizures finally became less frequent. Sands was struck by the abnormality of the childs brain as seen by EEG and the lively normalcy of the child herself. It wasnt unusual to have whats known as subclinical seizures those that register on an EEG but dont show up in the patients behavior especially with the kinds of seizures she was having, those that come from a single region in the brain and dont spread. What was unusual, however, was to see this kind of wildly aberrant EEG in someone who was also experiencing intermittent and focal seizures that were so low-powered that they didnt change the childs behavior. Sands was worried that these seizures, though local and subclinical, wouldnt stay that way. He hoped to find the right cocktail of medications that would help reduce or, ideally, prevent additional seizures. And to find out why she was having them at all. Do you recognize Sadie's symptoms? Click here to give advice to her parents. Searching for the Source The most common cause of any kind of seizure is some abnormality in the brain itself. This can be a tumor or a stroke or something called cortical dysplasia, an abnormality in how the brain was made. M.R.I.s have made all these disorders much easier to detect. But Sadies M.R.I. was completely normal. The little girl didnt look as if she had an infection. She hadnt had a fever since she arrived at the hospital, and a lumbar puncture more commonly known as a spinal tap done the day she arrived showed no signs of infection, either. The spinal fluid was also checked for signs of an autoimmune disorder. Sometimes antibodies will mistakenly start to attack a normal part of the body as if it were an infecting invader. None of the most common of these antibodies were found. A sample of her spinal fluid was sent to the Mayo Clinic to look for other, more unusual types of autoimmune disorders. Those results took a couple of weeks to come back, but when they did revealed no autoimmune causes of the seizures. Sadie was in the hospital for nearly two weeks before the team figured out a cocktail of medications to reduce the number of seizures the girl had from the dozens per day she started with, down to one a day. Sands had hoped to stop them completely but, at this point, wasnt sure that was possible with medication alone. Sadie and her parents were thrilled by the news that she was doing well enough to go home. The little girl had seemed fine after that terrifying initial seizure. Her mom just hoped that they had figured out the problem so that Sadie could get back to school. She was a very social little girl and being stuck in the hospital or kept away from her friends was difficult for her. A Frightening Recurrence Two weeks after being discharged from the hospital, Sara saw Sadie have another seizure. It was brief but still scary. She and her mom were walking to the bus when suddenly Sadie stopped. She walked toward her mom but in her eyes was the same blank, unseeing stare shed had that one time before. She called her daughters name, and again there was no response. The whole episode lasted maybe a minute, but it scared her. The mother quickly called Sands. He suggested giving an extra dose of the long-acting medication they were using instead of Ativan called Onfi. There were no more episodes of staring, but later that day, Sadies mom thought she saw the girls lip twitch upward twice. Other than those two brief episodes, Sadie seemed fine. She had another EEG at the end of the month. The results were upsetting. Although neither the patient nor her parents had noticed any seizure activity, other than the two brief episodes a couple of weeks earlier, this EEG seemed to indicate that her brain was having seizures almost all the time. Sands knew this was bad news. His team had been working for over a month to get Sadies seizures under control, and they would keep trying, but they would also need to consider a different option: surgery. For patients whose seizures cant be controlled by medicines, resecting the region of the brain causing these electrical storms can be lifesaving. For Sadies parents, brain surgery was a terrifying prospect. But so was the idea of a lifetime of uncontrollable seizures. Sands wasnt ready to take the child to the operating room yet, but he wanted to introduce the idea. Doctor and parents agreed to keep trying different combinations of medications and consider the surgical option only after they failed. The following week, the little girl went back to the hospital for another test, this one called a PET scan. This test shows where fuel is being used in the body. In Sadies case, they would be focusing on her brain, looking for differences in the way the right and left sides of her brain were working. The harder each area of the brain worked, and the more fuel that was being used, the brighter the scan would be in those spots. It was almost not a surprise to Sadies parents to hear that this scan was also quite abnormal. Do you recognize Sadie's symptoms? Click here to give advice to her parents. A Strange New Symptom On the way home from the scan, the left side of Sadies mouth began to jump in a strange and unnatural way. Sadie was awake and tried to speak but couldnt. Her mouth seemed to have a mind of its own. Sara pulled out her phone and filmed the strange jumping of her daughters lips. When her mouth stopped moving, Sadie said that it felt like her tongue was bouncing inside her mouth, and there was nothing she could do about it. Over the next 24 hours, Sadie had dozens of episodes like this. Sara made a video of as many of them as she could and sent it to Sands. You can see that video below. When Sands saw the video his heart sank. He recognized this type of seizure. She was having what is known as epilepsia partialis continua, or E.P.C. These are focal seizures that affect only one part of the body. The patient is awake and aware of the seizure but has no control over it. And the movements can last for hours, days or even weeks. And after the seizure is finally over, that part of the body may be quite weak for a while a postseizure effect called Todds paralysis. These localized seizures are rare and usually caused by some type of inflammation in the brain. In a child like Sadie, who had a variety of different types of seizures that were all hard to control, that came from only one side of the brain and who developed E.P.C., an even rarer diagnosis had to be considered: Rasmussens encephalitis. This disorder, first described in 1958, is characterized by hard-to-control seizures caused by inflammation limited to a single side of the brain. Unlike most other causes of seizures, Rasmussens is a progressive disease and results, over the course of just a few years, in the destruction of the affected side of the brain. It is rare and, like so many of the diseases of the brain, still poorly understood. Current thinking is that it is driven by an abnormality in the immune system, and so treatment is directed at medications that suppress that system. These medications may be helpful in slowing brain destruction, but the seizures often remain uncontrolled and frequently worsen. Moreover, nearly all of those given a diagnosis of this disease end up eventually with the complete loss of the affected side of the brain, whether they take these immune-suppressing medications or not. The only treatment found to be successful in eliminating the seizures has been drastic: isolating the affected lobe by cutting the connections between the diseased part of the brain and the rest of the body. After surgery, the seizures will stop but the patient will lose the function in all the parts of the body that were controlled by that side of the brain all movement of the body on the side controlled by the affected part of the brain: the sight in that eye, the hearing in that ear. Some function can be regained over time, with intensive physical therapy. But it is hard. Its as if you had a massive stroke, taking out the entire brain on the one side. Taking Action After seeing the video, Sands called Sara and asked her to bring Sadie back to the hospital. He explained to the girls parents that he was worried that Sadie may have this terrible disease. He proposed a biopsy. It couldnt prove that she had Rasmussens, but it could help them make sure she didnt have a hidden infection. They agreed, and on Valentines Day this year, the child underwent surgery to remove a bit of her brain. The biopsy results were suggestive of Rasmussens encephalitis. You can see the pathology report below. But to make the diagnosis of Rasmussens, there must be loss of brain tissue from the disease that is visible on imaging. And there must be a progressive loss of function. Sadie had subtle signs of weakness, but her brain looked unchanged. Sands was worried that it was only a matter of time. Still, the surgery is so devastating that the diagnosis must be absolutely certain. Based on the biopsy results and the fact that the EEGs showed worsening disease, the decision was made to start immune-suppressing therapy as a first step. Sadie was started on steroids and also given something known as intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), a collection of antibodies from hundreds of blood donors. Its not clear why this treatment works in immune system-triggered diseases, but it is frequently effective. She was also started on a third immune-suppressing treatment a drug called Rituximab. For most children with Rasmussens encephalitis, diagnosis can take years. For Sadie, because it was so early in the course of the disease, Sands hoped that aggressive suppression of her immune system might slow further brain destruction. With all these interventions, the mouth seizures went from dozens a day to a handful every week or so. Sara sometimes noticed jerks in Sadies left hand, but they were few and far between. The biggest change beyond the diminished number of seizures was her weight gain. Over the course of her two months of seizures, she gained over 20 pounds. Other than that, she often seemed her old self. Do you recognize Sadie's symptoms? Click here to give advice to her parents. The Seizures Return After three whole weeks of virtually no seizures, they started again. First the mouth seizures they were the worst. They distorted her face and kept her from speaking. Sadie hated them. Those seizures were replaced by spasms in her left leg. At first, they were small little jerks at the ankle, but over time they became stronger, moving up the leg from the ankle, to the knee and hip. By the end of the summer, the leg jerks were strong enough to knock her over, and she walked with a visible limp. A repeated M.R.I. midsummer seemed to show evidence of brain-tissue loss. It was subtle, but it was enough for Sands. He told Sadies parents he thought it was time to consider surgery. And it wasnt just Sands. He had presented her case to the epilepsy center at Columbia. They agreed. They felt it was clear that the child had Rasmussens. Surgery could spare her the erratic course of the disease and give her the chance to start working on getting better. Moreover, unchecked the disease would affect not just her body, but her mind. Without treatment, children with Rasmussens develop cognitive losses. More testing would be needed before surgery. First they would have to see where the childs language center was located. Sadie was left-handed, and while most people have their language center on the left side of the brain, left-handed patients can have the center on the right side. It would be rare, but its something they would need to know. If either surgery or the disease itself took out her language center, she could be left unable to speak. Before they subjected their daughter to this surgery, Sara and her husband wanted to get a second opinion. Their pediatrician recommended a pediatric neurologist at N.Y.U., and they also saw a neurologist and pediatric neurosurgeon at Mount Sinai on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. At this point, Sadie has seen all the additional consultants. Sara and her husband are waiting for their official recommendations. The team at Mount Sinai also thinks Rasmussens is the likely diagnosis. The neurosurgeon, however, notes that the recent M.R.I. doesnt show the kind of asymmetrical loss of brain tissue that is typical of the disease. The team is considering an intervention to control the childs symptoms that is less invasive than cutting away the entire right side of the brain. If this treatment doesnt work, the family could still try the surgery. Sara and her husband are unsure of what to do. So let me ask you, readers. Is this something you recognize? Is this the story of someone you know? Do you have a child who was diagnosed with Rasmussens? What advice do you have for Sara and her husband? If you have any thoughts about Sadies diagnosis or about the diagnosis of Rasmussens encephalitis, please share it with us, and we will share it with Sara and her husband. Sara told me that if they do have to choose this devastating surgery for their child, they want to be as certain as they can be that it is the very best option for Sadie. Help us help them. Opinion Decimated by Hurricanes, Rural America Needs Our Help Sandy and Jerry Davis inspect their home in a low lying neighborhood that also got flooded two years ago during Hurricane Matthew in the small, inland community of Fair Bluff, N.C. Sandy and Jerry Davis inspect their home in the inland community of Fair Bluff, North Carolina, which was flooded after Hurricane Florence. Damon Winter/The New York Times With each new hurricane, the story of recovery becomes increasingly familiar: rebuild houses, fortify the coast, and wonder why people still live in such treacherous areas. Through all these calamities, we have learned little about how to respond with long-term fixes and how to help people hardest hit by the storms not just coastal residents, but impoverished rural Americans in flood-prone areas. Hurricane Michael is the latest storm to devastate the South, coming nearly one month after Hurricane Florence swept through the Carolinas, and two years after Hurricane Matthew did exactly the same. After a hurricane, a familiar criticism arises about those who live in harms way, particularly along the coast: If we stopped building houses next to the ocean, we wouldnt have these problems. Some have even called for an all-out retreat from the coast. PRINCEVILLE GOLDSBORO KINSTON SEVEN SPRINGS North Carolina LUMBERTON FAIR BLUFF WILMINGTON Atlantic Ocean South Carolina PRINCEVILLE GOLDSBORO KINSTON SEVEN SPRINGS North Carolina LUMBERTON FAIR BLUFF WILMINGTON Atlantic Ocean South Carolina GOLDSBORO SEVEN SPRINGS North Carolina LUMBERTON FAIR BLUFF WILMINGTON South Carolina Atlantic Ocean PRINCEVILLE GOLDSBORO KINSTON SEVEN SPRINGS North Carolina LUMBERTON FAIR BLUFF WILMINGTON Atlantic Ocean South Carolina PRINCEVILLE GOLDSBORO KINSTON SEVEN SPRINGS North Carolina LUMBERTON FAIR BLUFF WILMINGTON Atlantic Ocean South Carolina GOLDSBORO SEVEN SPRINGS North Carolina LUMBERTON FAIR BLUFF WILMINGTON South Carolina Atlantic Ocean 26% chance of flooding over 30 years PRINCEVILLE GOLDSBORO KINSTON SEVEN SPRINGS North Carolina LUMBERTON FAIR BLUFF WILMINGTON Atlantic Ocean South Carolina PRINCEVILLE GOLDSBORO KINSTON SEVEN SPRINGS North Carolina LUMBERTON FAIR BLUFF WILMINGTON Atlantic Ocean South Carolina GOLDSBORO SEVEN SPRINGS North Carolina LUMBERTON FAIR BLUFF WILMINGTON South Carolina Atlantic Ocean Median income by zip code Bottom 5% < $27,344 Top 5% > $94,080 PRINCEVILLE GOLDSBORO KINSTON SEVEN SPRINGS North Carolina LUMBERTON FAIR BLUFF WILMINGTON Atlantic Ocean South Carolina PRINCEVILLE GOLDSBORO KINSTON SEVEN SPRINGS North Carolina LUMBERTON FAIR BLUFF WILMINGTON Atlantic Ocean South Carolina GOLDSBORO SEVEN SPRINGS North Carolina LUMBERTON FAIR BLUFF WILMINGTON South Carolina Atlantic Ocean Median income by zip code Bottom 5% < $27,344 Top 5% > $94,080 The reality is that coastal communities like those on North Carolinas Outer Banks and southern shore have better access to resources that aid recovery than low-lying areas far from the Atlantic. Much of North Carolinas coast is crisscrossed by rivers and tributaries, so many communities there are at high risk of flooding. People living along the coast tend to have higher incomes and live in newer homes, and are more likely to have flood insurance. Meanwhile, inland rural communities face conditions that can be equally damaging, but often longer-lasting because of floodwaters that linger for weeks after a hurricane passes. The reality is that coastal communities like those on North Carolinas Outer Banks and southern shore have better access to resources that aid recovery than low-lying areas far from the Atlantic. Much of North Carolinas coast is crisscrossed by rivers and tributaries, so many communities there are at high risk of flooding. North Carolina LUMBERTON FAIR BLUFF WILMINGTON Atlantic Ocean South Carolina 26% chance of flooding over 30 years North Carolina LUMBERTON FAIR BLUFF WILMINGTON 26% chance of flooding over 30 years South Carolina Atlantic Ocean 26% chance of flooding over 30 years People living along the coast tend to have higher incomes and live in newer homes, and are more likely to have flood insurance. North Carolina LUMBERTON FAIR BLUFF WILMINGTON Atlantic Ocean South Carolina Median income by zip code Top 5% Bottom 5% >$94,080 < $27,344 North Carolina LUMBERTON FAIR BLUFF WILMINGTON South Carolina Atlantic Ocean Median income by zip code Top 5% Bottom 5% >$94,080 < $27,344 Meanwhile, inland rural communities face conditions that can be equally damaging, but often longer-lasting because of floodwaters that linger for weeks after a hurricane passes. North Carolina LUMBERTON FAIR BLUFF WILMINGTON Atlantic Ocean South Carolina Median income by zip code Top 5% Bottom 5% >$94,080 < $27,344 North Carolina LUMBERTON FAIR BLUFF WILMINGTON South Carolina Atlantic Ocean Median income by zip code Top 5% Bottom 5% >$94,080 < $27,344 Erica and Kelvin Graham embody the kind of families common in flood-prone inland communities. Residents of Fair Bluff, N.C., the couple were left wading through floodwaters once again last month when Hurricane Florence caused the Lumber River to inundate their home. That very same home flooded two years ago during Hurricane Matthew. Yet the couple said they were still waiting for the bulk of federal recovery-assistance money for the 2016 storm, which would have allowed them to either elevate their house above flood level or relocate to higher ground. Erica and Kelvin Graham were living out of the cab of their long haul truck after their home was flooded by Hurricane Florence. Damon Winter/The New York Times Coastal-plain residents like the Grahams typically dont casually choose to live in harms way; they are deeply connected to a landscape, a culture and a way of life that makes their place home. North Carolina river towns like Fair Bluff, Goldsboro, Kinston, Lumberton, Princeville and Seven Springs have long, storied histories Lumberton is home to the largest Native American community east of the Mississippi River, the Lumbee, and Princeville is the oldest town chartered by African-Americans in the United States. Share of North Carolina homes in the 100-year floodplain with flood insurance Wilmington 51.0% Urban Kinston 26.4 Goldsboro 26.4 Rural Lumberton 18.7 Fair Bluff 17.5 Share of North Carolina homes in the 100-year floodplain with flood insurance Wilmington 51.0% Urban Kinston 26.4 Goldsboro 26.4 Rural Lumberton 18.7 Fair Bluff 17.5 Notes: Based on zip codes within these locations. Source: Syndeste These rural towns have much in common: rivers edge locations tied to agrarian roots; household incomes far below those required to live on the coast; and historic houses, town halls and churches in areas designated as floodplains. It should come as no surprise that some of the poorest, most disenfranchised populations live in high-risk floodplain areas, and they are often the least equipped to evacuate before the storms or rebuild afterward. Those trends, ever apparent in the Carolinas, hold true for much of the southeastern coastal regions frequented by hurricanes, including the Florida panhandle devastated this week by Hurricane Michael. Lumberton North Carolina Wilmington North Carolina Communities around Wilmington have higher median incomes than more inland communities like Lumberton. Florida Tallahasee Panama City Beach Hurricane Michael path Florida Communities around Panama City Beach are also richer than less coastal communities. Median income by zip code Top 5% Bottom 5% > $94,080 < $27,344 North Carolina Florida Hurricane Michael path Lumberton Panama City Beach Wilmington North Carolina Florida Communities around Wilmington have higher median incomes than more inland communities like Lumberton. Communities around Panama City Beach are also richer than less coastal communities. Median income by zip code Top 5% Bottom 5% >$94,080 < $27,344 So what are we to do for these vulnerable people? Historically, disaster response has been mostly reactive: wait for federal programs to acquire houses and move residents to higher ground away from floodplains; elevate houses and structures for those unable or unwilling to relocate; prepare community shelters and recovery structures for those who cant retreat; and place storm survivors in temporary housing until they are able, if ever, to repair or reconstruct. These are practical, physical matters. Jerry Davis inspects his garage in Fair Bluff, N.C., where he had stored furniture and other belongings. Damon Winter/The New York Times But we need to demand more than a bounce back, or return to what was, from our investment in recovery efforts. This requires a marked shift from reactive to proactive approaches to policy, planning and design. Policies should address larger social issues of inequity and recognize a changing climate. Conventional construction, development and management practices need to change to adapt to floodplains and flood-prone areas and governments need to acknowledge that some places are too dangerous for development. Rebuilding efforts must take into account community development, natural systems and the need for affordable, resilient and dignified housing. This home in Fair Bluff, N.C., shown in a reflection from floodwaters, was hit two years ago by Hurricane Matthew. It was flooded again this year by Hurricane Florence. Damon Winter/The New York Times Investing more in hazard mitigation and risk-reduction efforts is a critical first step. This can be accomplished by speeding the delivery of assistance from notoriously bureaucratic programs like the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and the Community Development Block Grant Program. Additionally, all pre- and post-disaster investments must support robust, well-articulated plans to carry out these efforts. This requires technical and administrative support to help rural communities manage recovery funding that greatly exceeds their normal operating budgets and human resources. All of these difficult actions require that we protect community integrity while promoting environments that are safe and equitable for all. There were only a few weeks between Hurricanes Florence and Michael. This could provide the impetus to take continued, measurable action. Perhaps, this time, rural people and places ravaged by the storms will get the long-term support they desperately need to sustain their communities. Damon Winter contributed reporting. When Malala Yousafzai turned 18, she opened a school for Syrian refugee girls, calling on leaders from around the world to provide books not bullets. It was at 18 that Cleopatra became ruler of Egypt, in 51 B.C.E., and Victoria the queen of Great Britain, in 1837. By the time she was 18, Britney Spears had had two No. 1 albums on the Billboard chart, and Serena Williams had won the U.S. Open. Emma Gonzalez, 18 now, has become a global leader in the movement to end gun violence. No pressure, right? Eighteen is an age. But its also something more. Its a moment, a rite of passage, a gateway to adulthood. In the United States, 18 means you can finally vote, sign a lease on an apartment, obtain a credit card and buy a Juul. In China and parts of Canada, 18 grants you entrance to a pub, while for most Israelis, it means a mandatory draft into the military. By 18, one in five women across the globe will be married. Millions will enter college or university. This is 18 aims to capture what life is like for girls turning 18 in 2018 across oceans and cultures in Mexico and Mississippi, Ramallah and Russia, Bangladesh and the Bronx. But while girls have long been the subject of the photographers lens, they have far less often been behind it. So we asked young women photographers to document girls in their communities taking the photos and conducting the interviews themselves. Each photographer was paired with a professional mentor to guide them through the process. The result is a celebration of girlhood around the world across 12 time zones and 15 languages, featuring 21 subjects and 22 photographers. (Yeah, it was a lot.) Were thrilled to present #ThisIs18 a look at girls lives, through girls eyes. Jessica Bennett and Anya Strzemien Property Sector Charter Council CEO Portia Tau-Sekati recently presented a detailed scope of the distribution of property in South Africa as a masterclass at the Alumni Association of Unisa's Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL) annual alumni gathering. Portia Tau-Sekati, CEO, Property Sector Charter Council Great deal of statistics and facts available on property sector Urban land could be drawn into debate Knowledge available to guide discussion President Cyril Ramaphosas announcement earlier this year on the decision to amend Section 25 of the South African Constitution to clearly articulate land without compensation has driven the debate on land ownership into top gear. A report recently released by the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) has called for an urgent land audit to underpin future land reform decisions. From a property perspective, the Property Sector Charter Council which consists of more than 21 bodies representing South Africas property sector - has already been involved in collating and developing research reports for a number of years in order to create a consistent understanding about the property sector, explain Tau-Sekati.She said that the main purpose of the Property Sector Charter Council office is to enhance transformation by bringing together unique knowledge and characteristics of the sector in order to deepen meaningful participation of property participants in South Africas mainstream economy.Given that South Africas property sector holds assets worth R5.8tn and contributes significantly to the countrys gross domestic product (GDP), Tau-Sekati believes that there is a great deal of statistics and facts from the sector, which could inform the process of land transformation.The aim of the councils research is to consolidate all available information and develop a hub of knowledge with common understanding of the sector for all participants. Certainly for transformation purposes and when applying a percentage to black ownership, it is critical to understand what the universe or total is. Ultimately, a thorough understanding of the sector will inform the development of sound legislation.The property sector consists of commercial and residential property as well as public and zoned urban lands. The biggest is South Africa's residential sector at R3.9tn made up of 6.1-million of properties and an approximate 543,000 households in informal settlements. Tau-Sekati added that currently the majority of township houses are still not registered at the Deeds Office. With such a low proportion of the population having the benefit of formal property ownership, it is arguably a matter of time before the debate of expropriation may extend to urban property.Said Tau-Sekati, The expropriation debate was never only about farm land. While not as large as agricultural holdings, there is a reasonable portion of urban land that could be drawn into the debate, and after all, people are drawn into urban zoned land for mainly economic and social reasons.Commercial property in South Africa is worth a staggering R1.3tn with retail accounting for R534bn, R357bn of office space, R281bn for industrial property and R94bn for hospitality and leisure. In the listed property sector there is an estimated 10% to 15% of black ownership with a reasonable amount of that portion owned by the likes of PIC.In terms of the public sector, property currently held by 19 state-owned enterprises (SoE) is worth R65.9bn. The top 5 SoEs in terms of value account for 89% of property holdings (R59bn) with Transnet, Eskom, ACSA and PRASA as the largest contributors. A total of 75% of the SoE sectors property holdings are owner-occupied with the balance held as investment properties.Of nine metropolitan and 10 local municipalities, property is held to the value of R69bn. The Department of Public Works holds R102bn worth of property. Tau-Sekati underscored that research has been undertaken to ascertain the market size of properties and not their effective use, which means that it is not clear the number of properties that might be unused or standing vacant.The councils research into zoned urban land includes land to the total value of R520bn. The total space occupied by buildings has been estimated at around 1-billion square metres, a land cost ratio of 15% with an applied rate per square metre of R3,500.Tau-Sekati said that while the councils purpose in compiling the statistics of South Africas property was not undertaken for the purposes of the expropriation debate, some of the knowledge gleaned could certainly start guiding a discussion in this area. Putting factual statistics on the table assists in providing a balance to the emotional views that understandably are a key factor in discussions around land, property and ownership. However, legislative decisions that will have a long-term impact on our economy, can benefit from a process that begins with a thorough understanding of the landscape. Naz Mila, a young reality TV and social media star from Azerbaijan, recently attracted international media attention, after posting a photo of a huge tattoo on the side of her body. Just take a good look at it and youll understand why. Just in case the font is giving you trouble, the black ink tattoo running down the side of Nazs body reads I can judge a single god with my wrongs and wrongs. Doesnt quote sound like the kind of thing someone would permanently have inked on their body, does it? The 26-year-old, who shot to fame after appearing on With Zuhal Topal, a Turkish matchmaking show, last year, has yet to offer an explanation of her bizarre-sounding tattoo, but some of her 850,000 Instagram followers believe that she wanted to convey the popular Turkish phrase Only God can judge my mistakes and truths and used an online translator for the English version. Naz allegedly had the tattoo done at the Ramazan Silver tattoo and piercing parlor in Istanbul, Turkey, and judging by a photo posted on the reality TV stars Instagram, the tattoo artist is about as clueless about the meaning (or lack thereof) the English phrase as she is. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NAZ (@nazmila_) on Oct 6, 2018 at 7:59am PDT Ask someone if he speaks English before you let him tattoo a human, one person commented on Twitter. While many took to social media to ridicule Naz Mila for her blunder, a number of people are claiming that the young social media celebrity posted fake photos for the sole purpose of getting attention. Well, if thats the case, I guess she got what she wanted. Global communications firm Allison+Partners has expanded its footprint in Asia with the addition of a new office in Seoul, Korea. The MDC Partners units new Seoul outpost marks the agencys 11th office in the Asia-Pacific region. It comes as a result of a strategic partnership developed between three Seoul-based PR firms: technology agency M&K PR; healthcare agency MOS Communications; and SMC, which specialties in automotive, industrial and consumer goods as well as government relations. M&K was formed two years ago when SMC merged with Seoul-based shop MIN Communications. Those three agencies now converge to form Allison+Partners Korea, a full-service communications agency that will focus on communications consulting, media relations, digital PR and marketing for consumer and B2B clients. Opening an office in Seoul was a logical next step to our development in the Asia-Pacific region, Jonathan Heit, Allison+Partners co-founder and global president, told ODwyers. Korea is the 12th largest economy in the world and home to dynamic global leaders, particularly in the technology sector. We have been active in the market for years, but felt it was important to have boots on the ground to better serve our global client base. The three agencies leaders will now jointly head A+Ps Korea location. M&K founder, CEO and managing director Mina Jeong joins A+P as managing director, technology and B2B. Moscomms Jacklin Kim will serve as managing director, healthcare and life. Former SMC CEO Yong-Ro Yoon will serve as managing director, consumer and industry. San Francisco-headquartered Allison+Partners now maintains 30 offices worldwide. Partners of the former Bell Pottinger face demands for payments of $5.3M that they received during the year prior to the collapse of the British firm, according to The Times (London) of Oct. 11. BP imploded in September 2017 in the aftermath of a racist campaign that it waged in South Africa on behalf of the Gupta family. BDO, which liquidated the PR firm, is seeking cash from 90 ex-BP partners. The professional services firm said it conducted a "rigorous investigation" into the deeds that govern the partners' obligations to BP. It intends to use the $5.3M to pay a chunk of the $9.2M that BP owes creditors. The Times also reported that UK's Insolvency Service began an inquiry of BP to determine whether there were "breaches of duties or other misconduct" connected to the Gupta work. BP's campaign attempted to divert attention from the cozy relationship between South Africa president Jacob Zuma and the Gupta family. Zuma, 75, resigned as president in February under pressure from his political party, the African National Congress. He faces a raft of corruption charges. IBT Media, the former parent company of Newsweek, and faith-based online publisher Christian Media have been charged by the Manhattan district attorneys office of carrying out a scheme to defraud lenders out of millions of dollars. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, prosecutors are also examining possible advertising abuses at IBT Media and its connections to Olivet University, a Bible college in California. IBT Media owned Newsweek during the period of the alleged fraud; the company said Wednesday it had completed a spinoff of Newsweek into a separate entity. Top executives from IBT Media and Christian Media are accused of creating phony financial statements and using them to secure approximately $10 million in loans, which they said would go toward purchasing sophisticated computing services. Instead, the money was laundered through corporate bank accounts and went toward supporting business operations at the media organization, prosecutors alleged. In February, Newsweek editor-in-chief Bob Roe, executive editor Ken Li and reporter Celeste Katz were fired following a series of the articles in Newsweek about financial issues at the magazine. Redbook will cease print production, becoming a digital-only brand as of January 2019. The magazine has been operating without an editor-in-chief since Meredith Rollins exited last year. Redbooks shift toward digital comes as Hearst Magazines president Troy Young continues his campaign of cross-platform brand alignment. As a part of that, the company is consolidating leadership at several of its titles. Mens Health editor-in-chief Richard Dorment will now oversee the print publication and MensHealth.com; Womens Health EIC Liz Plosser will oversee print and digital content for that brand, and Popular Mechanics EIC Ryan DAgostino will also lead both print and digital. Redbook is the third of the so-called Seven Sisters magazines to cease regular publication. McCalls shut down in 2002 and Ladies Home Journal stopped monthly publication in 2014. John Stankey AT&T plans to join Disney, as well as Netflix and Amazon Prime, in the streaming service game. WarnerMedia, which was part of the $85.4 billion deal that AT&T struck in June for Time Warner, is preparing to launch a digital video service that would include content from WarnerMedia subsidiary HBO, plus some Warner Bros. films and programming from the companys TV library. HBO Now, which streams live and on-demand HBO programming, will serve as the basis for the new service. As of February, HBO Now had over five million subscribers, according to market research company Statista. WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey said the new service would balance the companys existing deals with distributors with its standalone streaming aspirations. Offaly cafe owner Tom McNamara has stood over calling a woman she was "a pain in the arse," and telling her to "drop dead" during an exchange on Joe Duffy's Liveline radio programme on Wednesday. McNamara, who owns and runs The Coffee Club in Tullamore, said the only regret he has from his explosive appearance on the Radio 1 show was the comments made to a pensioner who had called in to tackle his attitude. Tom made the comments while speaking to Seamus Duke, who was filling in for Will Faulker on his daily Midlands 103 show on Thursday morning. "The only regret I have is regarding the gentleman who was 71 years of age. My comments to him I do regret but nothing else," the former Texas Tullamore owner said. Tom had said 71-year-old Brian "sounded like a leecher," asking him why he wasn't at work, and accusing him of being on the dole. He made the comments without knowing the caller's age or situation and expressed regret over that on Thursday. Speaking about his now infamous "drop dead" comment, made to a caller, Judith, who also called in to complain about his attitude and representation of the service industry, Tom was defiant. "That lady Judith who came on and called me an ignoramus and everything else, I was entitled to tell her to drop dead, was I supposed to sit there and take it?" he said. "I speak my mind. I am very loyal and respectable to all my customers and my customers are loyal to me, but if someone is disrespectful to me, I'm certainly not going to be respectful to them," he continued. McNamara once again vented his frustration at the 4.5% Budget 2019 increase in the VAT rate for the hospitality sector, stressing that it will have a detrimental effect on businesses like his cafe, especially in rural Ireland. Speaking about the initial interaction with Anne from Tullamore on Liveline, Tom said, "I'm standing by what happened." He again denied that he had a conversation with Anne in his cafe over a stir-fry price increase where he pointed to the VAT increase as the reason for the hike. On Liveline, he said Anne "imagined" what had happened and been said during that visit to the Coffee Club where she claims she had been a regular. Speaking about the budget, he questioned why a 4.5% VAT increase ha been imposed on eating "while just a 1% increase from 1% to 2% had been put on gambling in the Budget." McNamara attested to his comment that he may have to lose a member of his 10-strong staff because of the increase. Concluding, Tom said he doesn't believe business will be affected by the Liveline controversy. "I might lose one or two but I know I will gain more," he said. Irish Water and Offaly County Council have given an update after pressure from local residents in North Offaly over their loss of water supply. Residents in Croghan and parts of Rhode have contacted the Offaly Express and numerous media outlets to vent their frustration at their water being shut off for three days. In a statement on Thursday morning, Offaly County Council said, "Repairs have been completed and Irish Water aims to have all water supplies back to normal by this afternoon. We again apologise to all affected on behalf of Irish Water." Irish Water had said repairs were taking place to a burst water main, causing supply disruptions to Croghan, Rhode and surrounding areas. They had originally given an estimated completion time of midday on Friday, October 12, while residents worried about their supply in light of a Status Yellow weather warning for Storm Callum on Thursday night. Residents can now expect supply to be back to normal before that warning comes into effect. If you need to contact Irish Water about this supply and service alert, you can quote this unique alert reference number: OFF027801. Six rural towns, including Banagher in Offaly, have been invited to develop innovative proposals to encourage town centre living under a new government scheme. The Pilot initiative will complement 1 billion Rural Regeneration Fund and other Government supports for rural towns and The six towns which have been identified for the initial pilot are: 1. Boyle, Co Roscommon 2. Callan, Co Kilkenny 3. Ballinrobe, Co Mayo 4. Banagher, Co Offaly 5. Castleblayney, Co Monaghan 6. Cappoquin, Co Waterford. Each of these towns will receive funding of up to 100,000 to engage with their communities and local businesses, and arrive at practical solutions that can be delivered to achieve the objective of increasing the number of people living in our rural towns. Announcing the initiative on Thursday, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, T.D., said: Today, I am inviting six rural towns to develop innovative approaches to encourage town centre living. This Pilot scheme will encourage these towns to come up with solutions to the challenges they face and to exploit the potential they have, all with a view to encouraging people to move back in to them. The lessons learnt through this pilot initiative will inform our approach to supporting and investing in rural towns and villages." In January, a 1 billion Rural Regeneration Fund announced as part of Project Ireland 2040, will start providing funding to rural towns and villages with a population under 10,000. This is an unprecedented Government investment in rural towns and villages." This Pilot Scheme can provide valuable lessons on how we invest in our towns and villages through this landmark fund and other measures such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. We need to encourage more people to come and live in our towns in order to fully revitalise those town centres, underpinned by vibrant communities," he said. The 1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides an opportunity to take the emerging ideas to the implementation stage. The aim is to be in a position to determine the viability of each proposal in the first part of 2019, in advance of the next call for proposals under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund," Minister Ring commented. The Government has invested 53 million in town and village renewal over the last two years, supporting over 670 projects which focus on stimulating economic activity and improving the attractiveness of town and village centres for local people and for visitors. Minister Ring continued: The reasons why more people do not live in town centres are many and complex. The availability of schools, public transport, recreational areas, public realm, a good retail mix, and social networks, all need to be part of the offering to encourage people to want to live in town centres." This pilot initiative will allow six Local Authorities to develop and test different innovative models which are considered appropriate for towns of different sizes and in different locations. The learnings from this approach will help to provide an indication as to what might work well for similar types of town on a wider scale. The intention is to look at all of the elements that go into making towns and villages more attractive for residential occupancy, including infrastructure and services, and arrive at blueprints for each town to attract more people to live in their centres. These towns represent a broad range of towns in different parts of the country, each with their own strengths and challenges. Therefore, they may well come up with different solutions to meet the needs of their own area. Storm Callum forced a meeting of the National Emergency Co-Ordination Group this afternoon and Met Eireann has issued its latest update on the expected storm impact. 'Severe' Status Orange and Yellow Wind Warnings apply for Thursday night and Friday across the country. The Severe Orange Warning has just recently been extended in time out to 18:00 on Friday for coastal areas of Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway and Clare. "Further warnings were being considered later Friday across parts of the south and east, with the risk for another swathe winds and rain," according to Met Eireann. Forecasters have said that the severity and likelihood of this secondary event appear to have 'diminished considerably'. "This event is predominantly expected to be a coastal one, though the severe winds will extend to inland parts, especially overnight and very early on Friday morning," Met Eireann has added. The national emergency group includes Met Eireann, local authorities, the ESB, OPW and government. The NECG is well underway here as Evelyn Cusack of @MetEireann briefs the group on what to expect from #StormCallum pic.twitter.com/lAOqNL0Fux Department of Housing (@HousingPress) October 11, 2018 A Status Yellow wind warning is in place for Offaly from midnight tonight until 9:00am on Friday morning. #Newsmaker: Destiny Man has a new editor, welcome back Kojo Baffoe Kojo Baffoe rejoined Destiny Man last month, succeeding editor Thabiso Tema. Baffoe grew the magazine into a leading mens media brand during his previous four years at the helm. Over the last four years, since having left the magazine in October 2014, Baffoe has continued to work within the media and content space, producing and presenting on radio at Kaya FM, developing podcasts and creating content strategies, including a short stint editing Afropolitan magazine. #Newsmaker: Kojo Baffoe the Afropolitan Baffoe comments on his return to the magazine: It made sense when we started discussing the possibility. It is a space that I understand and would like to think I was an integral part of. I always considered myself vested because I worked on the mag in the early years. Also, my children were very small when I was last at Destiny Man, I wanted to get more time with them. They are at an age when they are a bit more understanding. So, taking into consideration where I am in my life and career, and the fact that this is a space that I was a part of, it made sense. What did you take out from the time spent away from Destiny Man? What did you take out from the time spent away from Destiny Man? Baffoe grew the magazine into a leading mens media brand during his previous four years at the helm.Over the last four years, since having left the magazine in October 2014, Baffoe has continued to work within the media and content space, producing and presenting on radio at Kaya FM, developing podcasts and creating content strategies, including a short stint editingmagazine.Baffoe comments on his return to the magazine: What excites you most about the magazine and your vision for it? What excites you most about the magazine and your vision for it? Is this what you love most about your career? Is this what you love most about your career? I would like to think that I am contributing to my community, my society and my continent in whatever little way that I can. Speaking of which, comment on the role you believe the publication has to play within its community. Speaking of which, comment on the role you believe the publication has to play within its community. Do you think print has an important role to play? Do you think print has an important role to play? What did it take to get to where you are today? What did it take to get to where you are today? What are you currently reading, watching and/or listening to for work? What are you currently reading, watching and/or listening to for work? Thats quite a list! Tell us something about yourself not generally known. Thats quite a list! Tell us something about yourself not generally known. Jessica Tennant's articles About Jessica Tennant Jess is Senior Editor: Marketing & Media at Bizcommunity.com. She is also a contributing writer. Jess is Senior Editor: Marketing & Media at Bizcommunity.com. She is also a contributing writer. moc.ytinummoczib@swengnitekram With the industry evolving so rapidly, this has enabled me to stay plugged in as well as allowed me the space to continue to develop and refine my own ideas and concepts when it comes to media, content, advertising, PR and communications.At heart, I am a storyteller and these experiences have helped me understand how we can continue to tell stories, using all the platforms and/or channels available to us, particularly from an African perspective. There is so much happening around the world and its important for us, as Africans, to both contribute and refine from our context.I guess what excites me most is thebrand overall, and the fact that it isnt just about the magazine, but being a part of broader society and contributing to that through the magazine, the site, social media and experiences.I would say that I am never standing still. Im always learning, always being challenged. I am curious by nature and love knowledge, sometimes for the sake of it, and have always ended up in spaces where that has been valuable.At the same time, I would like to think that I am contributing to my community, my society and my continent in whatever little way that I can. And, despite the ups and downs, I am able to live a life I can be proud of, honouring those who have come before me and laying a foundation for those coming after me.I believe that we should leave our little patch of this life better for having been in it, and I hope that I am doing so. I love that I am able to strive to do so every day in my work.I sincerely believe that we do ourselves a disservice when we fixate solely on print and neglect the other dimensions. When it comes to media in general, the discussions we should be having are around business models. We contribute to the development of our community through the stories we tell. How we are able to sustain ourselves enough to continue to effectively do so is the discussion we should be having, as opposed to simply the state of print.Absolutely. But it cant be just about print, just like it cant be just about digital, which for years we have been saying is the future and that print is dead. Do a search online for print is dead and there are countless opinions about whether it is so. Print is struggling, from a business perspective. How we reimagine it within the context of everything else will determine what it looks like in the future.My career is a career with hindsight. I have always tried to take the next logical step, the next opportunity available, without concerning myself too much about what industry it is in.I consume a lot of stories whether it is reading, watching or listening. Everything I consume is for work, whether it is about gaining insights into a particular topic or working on myself. Plus, as a storyteller, it is also about working on my craft and understanding the different mechanisms and tools available to me in telling stories that are relevant and contextual.I watch a lot of documentaries, mainly around music and history. I just watched a documentary on Quincy Jones and I am watching a documentary series on the Vietnam War.I am listening to a podcast calledwhich is an extension of the site farnamstreetblog.com , which I refer to a great deal.I just finished readingby Tim OReilly, and Joe DispenzasI am currently reading Ahmir Questlove Thompsons, Ela Mangasand Eric RiesThis is always a difficult question to answer because what is known about me is what I am generally comfortable with people knowing, beyond my family and friends.But, in the interests of openness, my dream was to run the 100 metres in the Olympics for either Lesotho, Ghana or Germany. I like to think I had a shot until I was injured and had surgeries to save my leg from amputation and later had muscle transfers done.It took me years before I was able to watch the 100-metre finals without getting a tad emotional, and it also taught me the lesson that you can never put all your eggs in one basket. And life comes with its own twists and turns so it isnt about what happens to you but rather what you do. The African Union Commission (AUC) announced the programme of the 2018 All Africa Music Awards (Afrima). The fifth Afrima will be held in the Gold Coast City of Accra, Ghana from 21-24 November 2018. In partnership with the AUC, Afrima seeks to reward Africa's music talents living on the continent or in the diaspora, it stimulates conversations among Africans and between Africa and the rest of the globe about the great potentials and values of the African musical and artistic heritage for the purpose of creating jobs, reducing poverty, calling the attention of world leaders to Africa and promoting the positive image of Africa to the world for global competitiveness.Kicking off the back-to-back events programme is the Afrima welcome soiree, a reception in honour of arriving Afrima nominees and delegates, African Union officials, members of the International Committee of Afrima, media, and other invited guests.This is followed by the Africa Music Business Summit (AMBS) on 22 November. To be held under the theme "African Music in a Global Village: Leveraging the Opportunities", the annual AMBS is a panel discussion platform to interrogate and strategise on the business of music in Africa while charting a synergistic way forward for development and economic empowerment for the music talents. It is a platform for business networking and interaction among music professionals, music executives, government officials and other stakeholders in the music, media and financial sectors of Africa while discussing the potentials present in the continent's music industry and ways to harness its socio-economic gains.Later in the day, at the Afrima Music Village, lovers and fans of African music are in for high octane performances by upcoming and A-list artists from across the continent in a festival-style music concert which holds at the 100,000-capacity Independence Square, Accra. The event will be broadcast live on dedicated satellite event channels.In a bid to showcase the cultural and historical dynamism of the beautiful host city, invited guests will be treated to a tour of landmarks and sights of Accra on Friday, 23 November. This will be followed by the Nominee's Party.The live broadcast main awards ceremony on Saturday, 24 November will have in attendance high profile guests from across the continent and the Diaspora. Scheduled for the Accra International Conference Centre, AICC, Ghana, the star-studded awards show will begin with the live-broadcast red carpet, where all the glam, glitz and high fashion of the Afrima-Ghana 2018 will be on display. The awards ceremony to be broadcast to 84 countries on 105 partner media channels will also feature a mixture of performances from some 2018 Afrima nominees, past award-winners, and special guest artists. 10 years on Kerala SIMI operative arrested in connection with Bengaluru blasts India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Bengaluru, Oct 11: Ten years on, the police have finally arrested a key suspect in the Bengaluru serial blasts. Abdul Saleem who is accused of planting the bomb at Madiwala was arrested from Kerala by a team of the CCB. The police has been on his trail since the year 2008. The National Investigation Agency too was on the look out for Saleem, who is said to be part of the Students Islamic Movement of India. Bangalore blast: 2 more arrested in Coimbatore On July 25 2008, a series of blasts took place in Bengaluru. The police said that the blasts were caused by low intensity crude bombs triggered by timers. Several persons were injured in the blasts, while one lady lost her life. It was reported that gelatin sticks were used in the bombs. Police indicated that all bombs had timer devices attached to them and that mobile phones were used to trigger the bombs. 1st blast: 1.20 pm, Madiwala bus depot 2nd blast: 1.25 pm, Mysore road 3rd blast: 1.40 pm, Adugodi 4th blast: 2.10 pm, Koramangala 5th blast: 2.25 pm, Vittal Mallya road 6th blast: 2.35 pm, Langford Town 7th blast: Richmond Town[8] Bangalore blast accused arrested at Delhi airport For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 7:58 [IST] 1993 Mumbai blasts: After a day long dig in Gujarat, NIA returns empty handed India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Oct 11: The National Investigation Agency and the Gujarat ATS based on an input dug up a spot at Gosabara, where the RDX for the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts had landed. NIA takes over probe into Hizbul's Assam module The NIA and ATS got an input that something incriminating could be lying buried in the seacoast. However the operation did not yield any results. Officials from both the agencies camped at Gosabara, around 19 km south of Porbandar with earthmovers and dug up the seashore throughout the day. Naxal funding: NIA raids lead to seizure of Singapore dollars and Indian currency worth Re 1 crore It was at Gosabara that the consignment of arms and RDX for the Mumbai 1993 serial blasts had landed. The arms were then transported to Mumbai to carry out the attacks. The police had arrested Umarmiya Bukhari in connection with the RDX landing case. He is an aide of Dawood Ibrahim. He was granted bail by the Supreme Court. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 16:21 [IST] Why river Ganga was served a notice by the High Court Ganga may soon become first Indian river to be protected by an Act Study says no traces of COVID-19 in River Ganga Environmentalist GD Agarwal, on fast since June 22, dies India oi-Deepika S Haridwar, Oct 11: Veteran Environmentalist G D Agarwal , who was on an indefinite fast since June 22 to urge the government to clean river Ganga, has died at the AIIMS hospital in Rishikesh. He was 87. He had begun his fast on June 22 in the Matri Sadan ashram in Haridwar, demanding a law that will protect River Ganga, maintain its uninterrupted flow in its natural form between Gangotri to Uttarkashi and keep the river clean. His other demands included enactment of the Ganga Protection and Management Bill and halting of work on hydropower projects along the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers. Swami Gyan Swaroop was once a professor at IIT Kanpur. The PhD holder in environmental engineering from the University of California at Berkeley has also served as a Member-Secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Agarwal had been engaged in indefinite hunger strikes since 2008, calling for the Central government to protect the river Ganga. This is the second death of a fasting seer demanding undisrupted flow of Ganga. In 2011, Swami Nigamanand (36) of Matri Sadan died after fasting for more than 2 months, seeking a ban on illegal mining in Ganga river. Ajit Doval: One man, many responsibilities and the push to secure India India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Oct 11: There was a big development in New Delhi, this week with the Narendra Modi government deciding to revive the Strategic Policy Group (SPG). The SPG apart from being the main mechanism for inter-ministerial coordination, will also form the national security policies based on the integration of inputs. However the big change is that the National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval would head the group instead of the Cabinet Secretary. Why Ajit Doval was made India's most powerful bureaucrat 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. 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 part would advise the PM on internal and external threats apart from overseeing strategic and sensitive issues. Better coordination: For starters, the SPG is not a new creation. It was set up in 1999 under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. The SPG was considered to be the first level of the National Security Council structure. The SPG was mandated to publish the Strategic Defence Review, a draft of short and long term security threats and also defence matters for consideration of the NSC. The question that is being asked is why the government decided to put the NSA in charge. A Cabinet Secretary is a government servant with more institutional sanctity, while the NSA is a political appointee. What Ajit Doval had told the US ahead of the Indo-Russia S-400 Missile Air Defence deal Sources, tell OneIndia that the decision was taken to ensure that there was better coordination. In the past it has often been seen that the SPG hardly met and whenever meetings took place, the discussions were limited in nature. The official also added that the NSA enjoys a rank that is equivalent to a Minister of State. This would help overcome protocol issues to chair meetings of the chiefs and also the secretaries, the officer also added. Further this move would also ensure concentration of power in the Prime Minister's office. The NSA advises the PM on matters relating to internal and external threats apart from overseeing strategic and sensitive issues, the official also added. Under the UPA government the SPG hardly met. The deliberations too were related to particular issues such as left wing terrorism, fake currency and terrorism. The problem that the group faced was coordination. It was difficult to get the chiefs and secretaries together and hence coordination had become an issue. By putting Doval in charge, the government expects to tide over this hurdle. Three tier security system: In the recent days we have seen a lot of changes being made in the office of the National Security Advisor. In the past there was just one NSA, but today there are three deputies. Former chief of the Research and Analysis Wing, Rajinder Khanna looks after external and technical intelligence matters, while former Ambassador to Russia looks after diplomatic affairs. Last week, R N Ravi, the former officer from the Intelligence Bureau and interlocutor for the Naga talks was re-designated as the deputy national security advisor. He will oversee internal security matters. NSA visits Iran to discuss regional peace and security from ISIS The deputy NSAs will help widen the responsibility of the National Security Council Secretariat, which works under Doval. In addition to this a China specific think tank run by the Ministry for External Affairs was formed. Known as the Genre for Contemporary China Studies (CCCS), its job would be to study China with an Indian view point. The CCCS is headed by the Minister for External Affairs and the NSA is the deputy chairman. The creation of a Defence Planning Committee under the National Security Advisor was also another major development. The DPC was formed to facilitate a comprehensive and integrated planning for defence related matters. The charter of the DPC is two fold: One is to analyse and evaluate all relevant inputs relating to defence planning. Two is to prepare at least five different sets of drafts including, "national security strategy, strategic defence review and doctrines; international defence engagement strategy; roadmap to build defence manufacturing eco-system; strategy to boost defence exports; and prioritised capability development plans for the armed forces over different time-frames in consonance with the overall priorities, strategies and likely resource flows." One man many responsibilities: With these developments, it is clear that the Modi government is making a major push aimed at revamping India's national security. Ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Modi had given a lot of emphasis to national security. One of the key decisions he had taken after coming to power was appointing Doval as the NSA. A long standing convention of appointing someone outside the foreign services was broken and Doval who was part of the intelligence bureau was made the NSA. With so many responsibilities, the question being asked is whether Doval has his hands full. Officers who have worked with Doval say that he is capable of handling so many responsibilities. Yes, he has a big responsibility on hand, but the Prime Minister trusts him to deliver and lay the road map ahead. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 9:45 [IST] BrahMos spy case: Why India must not ignore the US role in it as well Alleged spy Nishant Agarwal sent to 7-days police custody India oi-Vikas SV Lucknow, Oct 11: A Lucknow Court on Thursday (October 11) sent Nishant Agarwal, an alleged spy who used to work at Brahmos missile unit in Maharashtra's Nagpur, to 7 days of police custody. Nishant Agrawal was nabbed in a joint operation by the Anti-Terrorism Squads of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh on October 8. He originally hails from Uttarakhand and was working as a systems engineer. Nagpur Sessions Court had earlier sent him to three days transit remand to UP ATS on Oct 9 on charges of spying, said reports. After the search conducted at Agrawal's residence on October 9, UP ATS' Aseem Arun said that very sensitive information was found on Agarwal's personal computer. [Brahmos spy case: Lured with a job, how Agrawal set a trap for himself] Agarwal has been accused of leaking key technical information to the ISI. Sources say that they are also now finding out if he was passing on information to other spy agencies as well. He is being questioned if he was also in touch with anyone from an American agency. [Very sensitive information found from suspected ISI agent's computer, says UP ATS] The police say that he had been arrested from the Defence Research and Development Organisation which makes fuel for the BrahMos missile. The operation against Agrawal was a top secret one. None, other than the two agencies that worked together had wind of the operation. Agrawal had been working with this unit since the past four years. Last year, he was even given the Young Scientist Award. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 19:28 [IST] Arunachal Pradesh: IAF chopper with 16 onboard makes emergency landing India pti-PTI Tezpur (Assam), Oct 11: An MI-17 helicopter of the IAF with 16 Air Force personnel on board on Thursday made an emergency landing in West Tuting of Arunachal Pradesh near India-China border due to technical problem, officials said. The chopper was on routine sortie from Jorhat to West Tuting, IAF PRO Wing Commander Ratnakar Singh said. He said all the 16 Indian Air Force personnel on board were safe. The technical snag occurred when the chopper was returning from West Tuting, he said. PTI BJP divided on the issue of sexual harassment charges against M J Akbar India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Oct 11: There is a sharp division in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the issue of charges leveled against minister of state for external affairs M J Akbar. Under the 'MeToo campaign' at least over half a dozen of women journalists have accused Akbar of making sexual advances towards them. However, neither the ministry nor party is making any comment on the issue but inside the party there is a sharp division concerning such issue of intriguing of character. The main opposition Congress is going to make this an issue once Akbar is back in India from Nigeria where he is on official visit. Me Too: MJ Akbar asked to 'cut short Nigeria visit', likely to return today, say reports A well placed source in the BJP said that these are non issues and what is there comment on this. Actually, the party seems to be defending him and the government by saying that it has got nothing to do with it as he did not misuse the government office. It is the responsibility of the editor guild and many other media organisations to take a call on the issue not the BJP. On the other hand, Union minister for women and child welfare is talking about investigation on the matter and she has even written a letter to Union law and justice minister Ravi Shankar Prashad that clause of lodging complain within three years should be done away with. She is also taking up the matter at other forums that there should not be escape for anyone on such issues. There are many leader in the party too who wants action against such persons but due to party discipline, they are not ready to speak. Sources said that pressure within the party is being made but party is firm that Akbar is not guilty as a minister and he did not use government machinery. Akbar is likely to return India today late in the evening and only then any clarification is likely to come. Me too movement: MoS MJ Akbar, accused of sexual harassment, must resign, says Congress A BJP leader on condition of anonymity said that in the election year defending Akbar might prove to be very costly and in a situation where the BJP was taking high moral grounds of women issues including Nikah-Halala such issue might backfire on the party. So the government instead of sacking him might indicate him to quite his own. The government that is already grappling with the issue like Rafale must not invite a fresh trouble for itself. The issue of M J Akbar may prove to be costly with opposition parties like Congress and many others demanding his resignation and planning to take this to public. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 11:13 [IST] BJP plans to make people fleeing Gujarat understand the design of Congress India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Oct 11: More than a law and order issue, exodus of north Indians from Gujarat has become a political issue. Both the national political parties - the Congress and the BJP - are blaming each other for the mess in the state. But for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Pary (BJP), it might proved to be a devil in the deep sea kind of situation as both ways it is likely to harm the party. People from Madhya Pradesh are narrating their ordeal of being forced to leave the city they were living in. They may harm the party in the election bound state and similarly it might have adverse impact in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. So the party leaders are planning to contact these people in these states to expose the so-called design of the Congress. Attacks on migrants: Gujarat DGP, Chief Secretary get notice Sources said that Bharatiya Janata Party cannot take the anger of north Indians as it forms a big support base which helped the party to ride the success. On the other hand Gujarat is the traditional stronghold of the party and the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and national president of Bharatiya Janata Party Amit Shah. Bharatiya Janata Party is attacking the Congress on the issue for involvement of some of the associates of its MLA Alpesh Thakore in this case. But the BJP is going to take up the matter with people coming to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh to expose the Congress mischief. Spokesperson of the Bihar BJP Anand Jha said, "The Congress supports separatism and division in the society. We talk about brotherhood. People from all across the country are one for the BJP. We talk about equality and freedom of people living and working in every part of the country. There is no need to teach a lesson to the Congress or its leader Alpesh Thakore but there is a need to broaden their understanding about India society." Jha said, "We will make people understand the divisive design of the Congress. Let it spread hatred how much it can. The Congress will be exposed automatically." Attack on migrants in Gujarat: BJP demands expulsion of Alpesh Thakor from Congress However, the Congress is accusing the BJP for it failing to protect north Indian people from the attack so they forced to flee different cities of Gujarat. But sources said that there is resentment growing against north-Indian in Gujarat as they are no more laborers in the Gujarat as they too have become big businessman. But leaders are saying that the situation will not snowball and will be put under control. Noth Indian will be back to work after festival season. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 17:35 [IST] China selling drones to Pakistan vindicates Indias stand of defying US sanction threats India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Oct 11: Within a week of India and Russia signing a deal on S-400 missile system that will make five squadrons of Indian Air Force, the decision of China selling 48 high-end military drones to Pakistan raises not only concern of India but also vindicates India's stand to go ahead with this deal defying the US threat. China supplying drones will be the biggest deal of its kind between the two countries. However, the cost of the deal has not yet been revealed. Denmark: 2 held for attempting procurement of drones for IS But for a country like Pakistan which is facing a severe crisis of foreign exchange that the country is even neck deep into debt and impacting its oil supply, buying arms and ammunition is really strange. Actually most of such deals are made to pinch India. "China is working in Pakistan on various projects including China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), they are developing Karachi port that will give a big boost to One Belt, One Road (OBOR) to access many places of importance. So it is not correct to say that India is working on these defence deals with Russia without any meaning. India is taking all these measures to prepare itself all possible threats that it encounters every moment," Indrani Talukdar told Oneindia. The recent test of Ghauri missile is also a big thread to India so it must remain ready for any eventuality. China with the help of Pakistan is trying and will try to push India to the wall. Its every decision goes against India. Sources said that China is the biggest hurdle in India getting permanent place in security council. On the issue of terrorism, China is constantly causing trouble for India especially on the issue of Masood Azhar. Former foreign secretary Shashank said that India is the biggest victim of terrorism and Pakistan is known to be the biggest perpetrator of terrorism still China supports Pakistan to keep India at bay. US: Couple arrested for selling drugs using drones Shashank said that India-Russia relation is very important as it is Russia that will push the case of India for permanent member of security council. It was Russia that had pushed the case of India for Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Similarly Russia keeps on talking about reform in security council with inclusion of India as permanent member. But Russia aligning with China has made some confusion. Indrani Talukdar said, "Relation between Russia and China are marriage of convenience possibly to elude hegemony of the US while India and Russia relations are based on faith, understanding, mutual respect and mutual concern for growth and security. It always remained the same without any aberrations. Russia had never put any condition before entering into any deal with India. As far as the time period of 1990s are concerned, Russia itself was struggling with disintegration of erstwhile USSR while India was trying to come to terms with opening its economy to the world. There was no policy shift even former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was close to Russia during his tenure despite having nuclear deal with the US." Flying drones to be legal in India from December 1 So possible deployment of S-400 along border will make the difference and the possible helicopter deal with Russia will also help increasing capability of Indian forces. India has a long land border besides managing security from Bay of Bengal to Arabian sea with neighbours like Pakistan and China make it all the more important to have utmost defence preparedness. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 13:40 [IST] Congress trains gun at Modi govt over activist GD Agarwal's death even as condolences pour in India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Oct 11: The Congress has lashed out at the Union Government over the death of environmental activist GD Agarwal, who passed away at AIIMS Rishikesh on Thursday following an indefinite fast demanding conservation of River Ganga. Agarwal was on a fast-unto-death for the last 111 days. He sat on his fast on June 22 to protest against the government's alleged inaction in taking measures to make the Ganga free of pollution and free-flowing. The Congress dubbed government's tall claims on Ganga cleaning as 'jumla'. "Modi ji said river Ganga is calling him but it is even more polluted than it was in 2014. Rs 22000 Crore was allotted for cleaning it, not even one-fourth of it has been used. Is Namami Gange also a 'jumla'? Maybe GD Agarwal ji's sacrifice will provide vision to this blind government," Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told ANI. Agarwal, who took on the name Swami Gyan Swarup Sanand later in his life, began his fast on June 22, demanding steps to stop construction of hydroelectric projects along the river's tributaries and enact the Ganga Protection Management Act. [Environmentalist GD Agarwal, on fast since June 22, dies] Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and said Agarwal's passion for Ganga cleaning would be remembered always. "Saddened by the demise of GD Agarwal. His passion towards learning, education, saving the environment, particularly Ganga cleaning will always be remembered. My condolences," Modi tweeted. Even Uma Bharti, who was the Water Resources minister earlier, expressed her grief over the death of Agarwal. "I am shocked by his demise. I had feared that this would happen. I have informed Nitin Gadkari and others about his demise," she said. Water Resources and Ganga River Rejuvenation Minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier said two of Agarwal's demands were accepted. "We have accepted almost all his demands (on cleaning of the Ganga). One demand was to ensure minimum environmental flow for Ganga river at various locations and we have come out with a notification," PTI quoted Gadkari as saying. The second demand, Gadkari said, was to bring a legislation to protect the Ganga. The legislation has been sent to Cabinet for approval. Agarwal had been engaged in indefinite hunger strikes since 2008, calling for the Central government to protect the river Ganga. This is the second death of a fasting seer demanding undisrupted flow of Ganga. In 2011, Swami Nigamanand (36) of Matri Sadan died after fasting for more than 2 months, seeking a ban on illegal mining in Ganga river. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 22:41 [IST] Coca-Cola Africa joins Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 Coca-Cola Africa joined the Global Citizen Festival's celebration of former President Nelson Mandela's centenary. The Global Citizen Festival is a free ticketed concert that brings together musicians, world leaders, and global citizens. Coca-Cola has partnered with the festival in its efforts to mobilise approximately R14bn in new commitments for the world's most marginalised people in the hope of ending extreme poverty by 2030. Coca-Cola Africa is leading over 14 waste cleanups across South Africa during the coming months where Global Citizens can earn points towards qualifying for a free ticket to the concert. Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 will be held on at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on 2 December 2018. For Dassault it was mandatory to sign Reliance as partner for Rafale Deal: Report India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Oct 11: A French media report has suggested the a senior official win Dassault Aviation saw the partnership with Anil Ambani's Reliance Group as imperative and mandatory to getting the export contract with India for the Rafale aircraft. Mediapart while quoting an internal Dassault Aviation document detailing a presentation that deputy chief executive officer Loik Segalen gave to worker representatives explaining the rationale for setting up a joint venture in Nagpur with Reliance Aerospace. Rahul steps up attack on govt over Rafale Segalen, during the presentation described the joint venture as a contrepartie to getting the export contract India. Contrepartie roughly translates to compensation or to refer to something given as compensation. Last month former French President, Francois Hollande was quoted by 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. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the procurement of a batch of 36 Rafale jets after talks with Hollande on April 10, 2015 in Paris. The final deal was sealed on September 23, 2016. These developments come just ahead of the visit by Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman to France during which both sides will deliberate on boosting the already close ties. Rafale: SC wants details on decision making, won't go into suitability of aircraft On Monday the Supreme Court sought details on the decision making process that resulted in the award of the Rafale Deal. A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi said they are not on the suitability of the Rafale jets, but only on the decision making process. It further said that the information in this regard would be submitted in a sealed cover. The Bench said that it has not taken into account the allegations in the petitions. The court also said that the issue of pricing and suitability of the aircraft will not be covered in detail by it. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 6:04 [IST] Congress in alliance talks with Sharad Pawar's party, others for Goa polls Former union minister Karan Singh's son, Vikramaditya joins Congress India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Oct 11: Vikramaditya Singh, PDP leader and son of Senior Congress Leader Dr.Karan Singh on Thursday joined Congress. [J&K polls: A faceless campaign from the safe houses of Kashmir] The scion of Dogra dynasty, Vikramaditya had resigned from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) last year in October alleging that the PDP-BJP alliance was working against the people of Jammu and were passing anti-Jammu policies. The step ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections is being considered a "big shot in the arm" for the party in Jammu and Kashmir in general and the Jammu region in particular. [J&K local body polls: Congress throws hat in the ring amid PDP, NC boycott] Congress has been looking for a tough ground to work upon in Jammu but the Kashmiri Pandits have majorly supported the Hindutva forces, belittling the work of the grand old party. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 13:43 [IST] Four get life term for smuggling fake currency India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Patna, Oct 11: Four persons have been awarded life imprisonment after being held guilty in a fake currency case. Afroz Ansari, Kabir Khan, Ishraful Alam and Alomgir Sheikh were sentenced to life by a special court of the NIA. They had been charged with committing a terrorist act and damaging the monetary stability of the nation by smuggling and circulating fake currency. Bangladesh-India-Nepal: Fake currency route busted, four convicted NIA investigated a case relating to recovery of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) of face value Rs.5,94,000 from the accused Ansari. He was carrying this consignment to Raxaul near the Indo-Nepal border. He was meant to deliver the consignment at Nepal. During investigation by NIA, it emerged that a syndicate of FICN smugglers was involved in procuring fake currency smuggled from Bangladesh for supplying it to Nepal and various parts of India. Further investigation into the matter led to recovery of additional FICN of face value Rs 3 lakh from Sheikh. Forensic examination of the seized notes revealed it to be High Quality Fake Indian Currency Notes. Based on the evidence collected during the investigation, eight accused persons had been arrested. Karnataka fake currency: NIA takes over probe While the court took note of the chargesheet filed by the NIA and sentenced them, the trial against the other accused is pending. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 18:08 [IST] Stubble burning contribute only 4-10%, not the main cause of Delhi pollution, Centre tells SC Funds for Durga Puja: SC to hear plea tomorrow India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Oct 11: The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea challenging the decision by the Mamata Banerjee government's decision to gift Rs 10,000 each for Durga Puja celebrations. The court will hear the matter on Friday. 'Mamata has not done anything for Durga Puja in last 7 years: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury The Calcutta high court on Wednesday refused to interfere in the West Bengal government's decision to give Rs 10,000 each to 28,000 Durga puja committees in the state, and said the legislature is the appropriate forum to decide on such expenditure. Advocate P V Dinesh told the SC today that there is no guideline for spending Rs 28 crore earmarked by the TMC for the puja celebrations. The Calcutta HC and said that the court does not want to interfere in the government's decision to disburse funds to Durga puja committees at this stage. Mamata wonders how funds already distributed to Durga Puja committees will be taken back The legislature is the appropriate forum to decide on expenditure by the state government, it said. The bench, however, said that the court can interfere in expenditure by the government at a later stage if and when the scope arises. Advocate general Kishore Dutta had submitted before the division bench that the funds are to be used for assisting police under its traffic safety campaign and not for any religious purpose. West Bengal CM Mamata performs Kali Puja, prepares 'bhog' at home The petitioner had challenged the government's decision to disburse funds to the tune of Rs 28 crore, claiming it was a dole to puja committees and had no public purpose. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 10:56 [IST] Government tweaks customs duty on certain products India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Oct 11: The Union Government on Thursday changed custom duty on certain products including telephones and smartwatches. The increased duties would be effective from October 12, the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBIC) said in a notification. This is the second round of increase in custom duties as the government looks to cut down on non-essential imports in the face of a weakening rupee and massive outflows. The Finance Ministry has raised customs duty from 10% to 20% on telephone sets, including telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks. Finance Ministry has levied 10% customs duty on smartwatches, optical transport equipment, a combination of one or more of Packet Optical Transport Product or Switch (POTP or POTS), Optical Transport Network (OTN)products, Soft switches and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)equipment, reported ANI. [Customs duty hiked on 'non-essential items', flying, ACs, refrigerators to cost more] 10% custom duty has also been levied on Carrier Ethernet Switch, Packet Transport Node (PTN) products, Multiprotocol Label Switching Transport Profile (MPLS-TP) products and Multiple Input/Multiple Output (MIMO). Duty has also been raised to 20 per cent from 10 per cent for base stations and for machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus other than modems, voice frequency telegraphy, digital loop carrier systems and multiplexers. Customs Duty is a tariff or tax imposed on goods when transported across international borders. Customs Duty is a type of indirect tax levied on goods imported into India as well as on goods exported from India. Following a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government had on September 14 announced that it would impose curbs on import of non-essential items to contain the widening CAD and check the rupee's fall. Earlier Thursday, a Finance Ministry official had said more steps will be taken to check CAD and hoped that the rupee would appreciate. How to download GSET Answer Key 2018 and raise objections India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Oct 11: The GSET Answer Key 2018 has been released. The answer keys released by the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara for the Gujarat State Eligibility Test (GSET) is available on the official website. The GSET examination is being held for using in the selection process of assistant professors in Gujarat state. The candidates, having grievances with regards to answer key(s), can challenge GSET answer key by sending a written request , in prescribed format available on website www.gujaratset.ac.in, to the Member Secretary, Gujarat State Eligibility Test, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, B - Block, Chameli Baug, Nr. University Guest House, Prof. C. C. Mehta Road, Vadodara - 390 002. The applicants must support their stand with standard books / literature along with the Demand Draft of Rs. 1,000/- per question in favour of the " Member Secretary, GSET" payable at Vadodara, on or before October 20, 2018. According to a notification posted on the official website of GSET 2018, the envelope should be marked "Grievance Regarding Answer Key(s) of GSET Examination". The request will be placed before the Expert Committee. "In case the challenge of any candidate regarding answer key(s) is accepted, the fee will be refunded to such candidate. In all other cases the fee once paid will not be refunded," said the GSET notification. "GSET Agency's decision on the challenges shall be final and the result will be declared on the basis of final answer keys and No Grievances with regards to answer key(s) after declaration of result of GSET will be entertained," it added. The answer key is available on gujaratset.ac.in. How to check GSET answer key 2018: Go to gujaratset.ac.in Click on the link "Download Provisional Answer Key GSET September 2018" Enter required details Submit View answer keys Take a printout For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 6:57 [IST] Man arrested for raping 17-year-old girl, putting pressure on her to change religion in UP International Day of the Girl Child 2018: Significance, top quotes India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Oct 11: Today (October 11) is International Day of the Girl Child 2018. The theme of this year's International Day of Girl Child is 'With Her: A Skilled Girl Force'. This is an important day in the context of India where the gender ratio is skewed but has been improving over the years. Gender equality is the need of the hour in India where the society is considered to be male-dominated. The current Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government in India lays a great emphasis on women empowerment and has launched a campaign by the name Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save girl child, educate a girl child). International Day of the Girl Child aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face, while promoting girls' empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights. Across the world, girls face adversities that hinder their education, training and entry into the workforce.They have less access to information, communication technology and resources, such as the internet where the global gender gap is growing. Today's generation of girls are preparing to enter a world of work that is being transformed by innovation and automation. Educated and skilled workers are in great demand, but roughly a quarter of young people - most of them female - are currently neither employed or in education or training. Top girl child quotes: "A Baby Girl...One Of The Most Beautiful Miracles In Life." "A Girl Child Brings Joy, She Is No Less Than A Boy." "Boisterous As Wind, Playful As Balloon , Please Don't Kill The Little Butterfly In Her Cocoon." "Daughters Are Flowers That Are Forever In Bloom." "Every Man Needs A Mother, Wife, Sister Then Why Not A Daughter?" "Girls are great, don't destroy their fate." For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 4:00 [IST] AP EAPCET Round 1 seat allotment delayed again: New date to be announced soon IT raids at media baron Raghav Bahl's property, journalists condemn raids India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P New Delhi, Oct 11: Income Tax officials have raided media baron Raghav Bahl's home and offices in Noida near Delhi, in connection with allegations of tax evasion on Thursday. PTI said taxmen are looking for documents and other evidence related to the case under probe. Raghav Bahl is the founder of the Quint news portal and the Network18 group. I-T raids on AAP minister Kailash Gahlot's property in Delhi As the news broke out about the raid, former AAP leader, Ashutosh, said, " After Pranoy Roy, now @Raghav_Bahl is targeted. Raghav is one of the most credible media personalities. Now he is paying the price for being anti-establishment, criticising Modi Govt." After Pranoy Roy, now @Raghav_Bahl is targeted. Raghav is one of the most credible media personalities. Now he is paying the price for being anti-establishment, criticising Modi Govt. ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) October 11, 2018 Kejriwal slams Modi govt for I-T raids on Yogendra Yadav's family, calls it vendetta politics Senior journalist Shekhar Gupta, said, "I.T raids on @TheQuint offices and its founder @Raghav_Bahl home are cause for serious concern. Taxman has the right to ask all questions, but raids look like intimidation. If there is justification, govt must explain quickly. Or it will be seen as targeting critical media." I.T raids on @TheQuint offices and its founder @Raghav_Bahl home are cause for serious concern. Taxman has the right to ask all questions, but raids look like intimidation. If there is justification, govt must explain quickly. Or it will be seen as targeting critical media. Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) October 11, 2018 Raghva Bhal was in Mumbai when the raids were conducted. Subsequently, Bahl sent out a note Editors Guild of India. (With PTI inputs) J&K: One jawan injured as Pakistan violates ceasefire along LoC in Poonch India oi-Madhuri Adnal Srinagar, Oct 11: One jawan was injured as Pakistan violates ceasefire in Krishna Ghati sector along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir last night. Earlier on 30 Sep 18 in noon hours, Indian Air Force radars picked up a helicopter in PoK opposite Poonch sector approaching LoC. IAF fighter aircraft was scrambled after it had reached close to 8 kms. Radar pick up was seen upto 600 m from LoC. [Chopper close to LoC, but within Pak airspace claims PoK PM] Fighter which was scrambled stayed 10 km from LoC. In the mean time, the helicopter was also spotted visually reportedly violating Indian airspace. Indian Army posts deployed in the area fired small arms at the Hepter. Hepter was seen heading back towards PoK by the Army posts. There being no further activity, the scrambled fighter aircraft landed back. However, the Pakistani media had claimed that the helicopter carrying the 'Prime Minister' of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, Raja Farooq Haider, did not violate Indian airspace. Reports in Pakistani media have also alleged that Indian forces opened fire at the helicopter as it reached close to the Line of Control (LoC). J&K Bank PO Recruitment 2018: How to apply, selection process here India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Oct 11: The J&K Bank PO Recruitment 2018 notification has been released. The same is also available on the official website. Jammu & Kashmir Bank has invited applications from permanent residents of J&K State, fulfilling the eligibility criteria for appointment of Probationary Officer (PO) in the bank. The officers, after the J&K Bank PO recruitment process will be posted anywhere in India. Before Applying, Candidates are requested to ensure that they fulfill the eligibility criteria for the post as on the date of eligibility. Eligible candidates who aspire to join J&K Bank as Probationary Officer are required to register on-line for the Recruitment Process. There are 250 vacancies for the PO recruitment. More details are available on jkbank.com. J&K PO recruitment selection process: The J&K PO recruitment 2018 process will be held in three phases: Preliminary examination; Mains examination and Interview. The candidates who are shortlisted (10 times the Vacancies) after Preliminary examination will have to appear for Mains examination. The candidates shortlisted (3 times the Vacancies) after the mains examination will be subsequently called for an Interview. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 7:04 [IST] Karnataka: BSP MLA quits Congress-JDS alliance, resigns as minister India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Bengaluru, Oct 11: BSP MLA N Mahesh, Primary and Secondary Education Minister in Congress-JDS coalition government, resigned on Thursday. BSP will rather fight alone than beg for seats in alliance: Mayawati His resignation comes in the wake of Bahujan Samaj Party Supremo Mayawati boycotting the Congress ahead of the Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan state elections and this has created ripples in Karnataka. He had said that he will walk out of the Congress-JDS alliance if Mayawati asks him to. Mahesh had also accused the Congress, BJP, and Janata Dal of being castist parties. After BSP, Congress loses out on SP and CPM in 5 poll bound states "I'm saying this openly, whether it is Congress or BJP or Janata Dal, their workers will not understand the ideology that I'm speaking about. They don't need it because until there is this caste system and inequality- Congress, BJP and Janata Dal will continue to exist," Mr Mahesh said at a BSP event at Chamarajanagar. "The day the caste system and inequality is eradicated, that day Bahujan Samaj Party, the party of Basavanna (12th-century social reformer) will come to power, " he said. N Mahesh was the first MLA to become a minister outside Uttar Pradesh. He is the MLA from Chamarajanagar's Kollegal constituency. (With PTI inputs) M J Akbar wont cut short foreign visit, say govt sources India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Oct 11: Amidst speculation that journalist turned minister, M J Akbar has been asked to cut short his foreign visit, sources in the government said that the reports are not true. Akbar is currently in Nigeria and reports had stated that he had been asked to cut short his visit so that he could return to India and address the charges against him. The source said that Akbar will return to India only on Sunday after completing his visit to Equatorial Guinea. Akbar was in Nigeria, when charges of sexual harassment were levelled against the former editor. The charges were levelled by several women who had earlier worked under him in the media sector. [It is for MJ Akbar to issue statement, not me: Smriti Irani on #MeToo] The opposition led by the Congress has launched a sharp attack on the Centre for not acting against Akbar. The Congress has demanded that he either give a satisfactory explanation or quit from the ministry. Government sources tell OneIndia that while there has been no instruction to Akbar to cut short his visit, he would, however, be given a chance to explain his side of the story. We are concerned over the charges being levelled, but action can follow only after he is given a suitable opportunity to offer his explanation. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 18:45 [IST] Manifold increase in grievances redressal by the National Commission for Minorities India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Oct 11: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems to be concerned with the issues and grievances of minorities. So in a big move to take up the issues of minorities, National Commission for Minorities has expedited the process of redressing grievances of minorities in the form of petition and there has been a manifold increase in the number of cases getting solved by the Commission. National Commission for Minorities chairman Syed Ghayorul Hasan Rizvi told Oneindia, "Ever since I joined the commission as its chairman, around 50 cases have taken heard by the Commission so far which earlier used to be just 2 to 3 hearings. This is helping the Commission to solve many pending cases." Rizvi said that the Commission has been receiving cases related to private employees, government offices and even matters related to banks. The Commission is trying to solve them in priority. The Commission issues notices to all concern persons to appear before it and the commission tries to provide relief to them there itself whether it is monetary relief or otherwise. [NCM assessing loan disbursement to minorities with the help of banks and RBI] The Commission has said that it has taken up 50 cases so far and in every case 7 tp 10 days time is given to both the parties to be present with their points before the Commission. Rizvi said that 32 cases have been shorted out which is a record in itself and 18 are pending where some more information and other things were required. Generally, the Commission hear these cases in the second week of the month and all the members and officials are there so at least two cases are taken up in the hearing. "Our officials are visiting different parts of the country and so far 135 district have been visited and people are asked to come to the commission if they have any grievances." For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 19:56 [IST] #MeToo: Court likely to pronounce verdict today in MJ Akbar's defamation case against Ramani #Metoo: Feel vindicated on behalf women who spoke against sexual harassment, says Priya Ramani Me Too: Timeline of events in Priya Ramani-MJ Akbar case #Me Too: MoS MJ Akbar not to cut short foreign trip, likely to return on Sunday India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Oct 11: MJ Akbar, the junior minister for external affairs who is named in #MeToo firestorm, will not be cutting short his foreign tour. Reports said that Akbar will return to India only on Sunday after completing his visit to Equatorial Guinea. Earlier reports had stated that he had been asked to cut short his visit and return to New Delhi. Akbar was in Nigeria, when charges of sexual harassment were levelled against the former editor. Me too movement: MoS MJ Akbar, accused of sexual harassment, must resign, says Congress It also mentioned that Akbar's version would be heard when he returns and no formal complaint has been lodged so far. Meanwhile, the Congress demanded that Akbar explain the allegations or step down from the position. It is time for Modi to react over #Metoo campaign As the #MeToo campaign gathered momentum in India, some women journalists have come out and accused Akbar, a former editor and now the minister of state for external affairs, of sexually harassing them during his stint as a journalist. Akbar, a senior journalist, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of 2014 general elections and was elected to the Rajya Sabha a year later. He was made the Minister of State for External Affairs in 2016. It is time for Modi to react over #Metoo campaign India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Bengaluru, Oct 11: Time is up for perverts who hid their dark persona under the garb of power, position, and influence. The list of culprits is growing day-by-day. Tanushree Dutta's claim against Nana Patekar took not only tinsel town by storm but also media and politics. Her allegation against Nana Patekar after eight years of the alleged incident has opened floods gates of complaints against sexual harassment. Women are encouraging each other for taking names of molesters. The pent-up frustration, pain, and trauma are flooded on social media. Notably, Subramanian Swamy and Maneka Gandhi have voiced their opinion in support of victims. Supporting #MeToo movement Swamy said that society should welcome women coming forth. Swamy further said that when women and men are working in the same environment there should be some fear among the men. What is sexual harassment: What the laws of the land say Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has said the allegations of sexual harassment against anybody should be taken seriously as women are often scared to speak out. Her reaction comes amid Union minister and former editor M.J. Akbar facing serious allegations of sexual harassment during his stint as a journalist. PM Modi's much-awaited reaction: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is good at taking notice of small developments on social media, is yet to issue a statement on the hot topic. For instance, during his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme 28th June 2015, the PM Minister gave a clarion call to parents to share selfies with their daughters. He said that this was a concept originally mooted by a Sarpanch in Haryana, which caught his eye. Modi stated that this idea will give a big impetus to the Government's 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' initiative that seeks to educate more and more girls and improve the gender ratio in India. Me too movement: MoS MJ Akbar, accused of sexual harassment, must resign, says Congress So, his response is much awaited when his cabinet colleague is facing allegations. PM's deafening silence may not go down well with daughters of India when they are speaking against the humiliation on social media. His silence poses threat to his idea of 'Beti bachao, Beti Padhao'. #MeToo is an urban movement: In general, #MeToo movement has confined itself to urban areas. Mostly educated, working women have shown the courage to call out names. Thanks to social media, they have found a voice and stand united in 'naming and shaming' their perverts. However, what about rural women and socially backward women? Just take a look at this data provided by NCRB. Assaults on women with the intent to outrage modesty, at 7.7% (3172 cases), reported the highest number of cases of crimes/atrocities against Scheduled Castes (SCs), followed by rape with 6.2% (2541 cases) during 2016. Therefore, rural and Dalit women are yet to find a voice in this urban, social media-driven movement. #MeToo: Vikas Bahl gets clean chit, to be credited as director of 'Super 30' MeToo: Suhel Seth accused of sexual harassment India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Oct 11: Celebrity consultant Suhel Seth has been accused of sexual harassment by filmmaker Natashja Rathore. Seth is the latest to have joined the list of celebrities and politicians who have been accused of sexual harassment by women in recent days. On Wednesday afternoon, filmmaker Natashja Rathore, 27, posted screenshots of a WhatsApp message she sent to Seth this week recounting an alleged incident that took place "some time last year at his condo in Gurgaon", reported Indian Express. [It is for MJ Akbar to issue statement, not me: Smriti Irani on #MeToo] In the message, she reportedly wrote: "You shoved your tongue down my throat even when I resisted - I whacked your head and said 'behave yourself'. You put your hand into my kurta and grabbed my breast and I remember whacking your hand too and pulling it off." [How the #MeToo bug has hit the high and mighty] Since then, two more women have accused Seth of harassment. 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. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 20:50 [IST] MeToo: Tanushree Dutta records statement with Mumbai police India pti-PTI Mumbai, Oct 10: Actor Tanushree Dutta on Wednesday visited suburban Oshiwara police to record her statement in connection with a complaint of sexual harassment filed by her against actor Nana Patekar, a police official said. Dutta has accused Patekar of touching her inappropriately on the sets of a Bollywood film in 2008. "Dutta reached the police station at around 7:30 PM to record her statement in the matter. The process is on," the official said without elaborating. In her complaint filed on Saturday, Dutta claimed that during the shooting of a song sequence for the film, she was inappropriately touched by Patekar even after she had clearly mentioned that she will not perform lewd, vulgar or uncomfortable steps. [Me too movement: MoS MJ Akbar, accused of sexual harassment, must resign, says Congress] Dutta had also claimed that she had complained to the song's choreographer Ganesh Acharya, but she 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 who, she alleged, were from the Raj Thackeray-led MNS, Dutta had stated. The Maharashtra State Commission for Women on Tuesday issued notices to Patekar, producer Samee Siddiqui, Acharya and director Rakesh Sarang. The commission also wrote to Mumbai police, seeking information on the action it had taken on Dutta's complaint. Patekar has denied he misbehaved with Dutta on the sets of the film, calling her claims a "lie". The 67-year-old actor's lawyer has sent a legal notice to Dutta. PTI Mizoram elections: Congress announces list of candidates, Thanhawla to contest from 2 seats India pti-PTI Aizawl, Oct 11: Mizoram Chief Minister and state PCC chief Lal Thanhawla would contest from two constituencies in the election to the 40-member state legislature to be held on November 28. The names of the candidates was announced by Lal Thanhawla at a meeting of party workers at the Aizawl Congress Bhavan on Thursday. Seven sitting legislators were denied party tickets while 12 nominees would be fighting the polls for the first time. The names of four candidates two from Siaha district, one from Lunglei district and one from Lawngtlai district were yet to be announced. Lal Thanhawla would contest from Serchhip seat, his home turf and also from Champhai South. The party has a single woman candidate in Cooperation Minister Vanlalawmpuii Chawngthu. The average age of the nominees was 57. There were four candidates below the age of 40, eight in the age group of 41-50, 14 in 51-60 range, four nominees in the 61-70 age group and five candidates above 70. Congress, which has its government only in Mizoram in the entire North-East faces a major challenge to hold its fort in the state poll on November 28. PTI It is for MJ Akbar to issue statement, not me: Smriti Irani on #MeToo India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Oct 11: With the Union Government under fire over the allegations of sexual harassment against Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar, Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani on Thursday said that the 'gentlemen concerned would be in a better position to speak on this issue'. When asked by several reporters on the #MeToo movement which taken the nation by storm, Irani said there are enough 'instruments' in the police system and judiciary to deliver justice. This is the first ministerial-level response on the matter pertaining to MJ Akbar. Earlier, Sushma Swaraj and Ravi Shankar Prasad had refused to speak on the matter. Irani tactfully handled the question on Akbar and made it clear that it for the MoS to speak on the serious allegations levelled against him. "The gentlemen concerned would be better positioned to speak on this issue. I appreciate that the media is accosting his female colleagues... But I think it for the gentlemen concerned to issues a statement and not for me as I was personally not present there..Anybody who is speaking out should in no way be shamed, should in no way be victimised or mocked," Irani told the media today when asked about sexual harassment allegations on MJ Akbar who is currently in Nigeria. #WATCH: Union Minister Smriti Irani reacts on #MJAkbar, says 'The gentlemen concerned would be better positioned to speak on this issue. I appreciate that the media is accosting his female colleagues...Anybody who is speaking out should in no way be shamed, victimised or mocked.' pic.twitter.com/nFam61Cn20 ANI (@ANI) October 11, 2018 [Me Too: MJ Akbar asked to 'cut short Nigeria visit', likely to return today, say reports] When asked about the #MeToo movement gaining momentum, Irani said, "Women don't go to work to be harassed. They go to work to live their dreams and earn a respectable living. I am hopeful that all these ladies who are speaking out get the justice that they deserve." Union Minister For Women And Child Development Maneka Gandhi was the first minister to react on MJ Akbar's issue. Gandhi had on Tuesday said: "There should be an investigation. Men in position of power often do this. This applies to media, politics and seniors working in companies. Now that women have started speaking out, we should take it seriously." At least seven journalists have levelled sexual harassment charges against Akbar who has had an illustrious career in the media industry before joining politics. First one to level allegations against Akbar was journalist Priya Ramani. After that, a number of women subsequently took to twitter and shared their own encounters with Akbar, accusing him of making them feel uncomfortable on several occasions. Apart from Ramani, Ghazala Wahab, Saba Naqvi, Shutapa Paul, Shuma Raha, Suparna Sharma and Prerna Singh Bindra accused the junior minister of sexual harassment over the course of his time as a journalist. Now, Domino's outlets in Gujarat goes all-vegetarian India oi-Madhuri Adnal Ahmedabad, Oct 11: Yes, non-vegetarian pizza-lovers, you read that right. American fast food giant Domino's Pizza has decided to go all-vegetarian way. They cleared off non-vegetarian pizzas from its menus in Gujarat citing reasons that the state is a market where customers prefer to eat at restaurants that do not serve meat. The decision came into force from October 2. According to reports, the pizza restaurant chain has been changing its menu to offer only pure vegetarian pizzas during Navratri season since 2015 across the country, but the conversion is going to continue this time in Gujarat. The American pizza chain decided to give vegetarian-only menu a try during the Navratri season for the first time back in 2015. In several cities across Gujarat, the sudden decision of the outlet to go vegetarian has left the customers disappointed, with most of them venting out on social media platforms. The company executives, however, are forthcoming about the decision. The outlets in Vadodara, like outlets in other cities of the state, have put up green dots on doors and boards indicating that they serve only 'lacto-vegetarian' food as required by the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Act. Domino's has 75 outlets across Gujarat. The pizza chain first decided to temporarily discontinue serving non-vegetarian pizzas during Navratri in 2015. According to a regional executive, who did not wish to be named, the decision saw a surge in sales that year. The executive also added that Gujarat has proven to be a market of mostly vegetarian customers. You wont be able to book, cancel train tickets for 6 hour-duration for next 7 days: Details inside Navratri 2018: Railways to offer 'vrat ka khana' in its e-catering menu India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Oct 11: As celebrations of Navratri or the 'nine nights' of festivity in honour of Goddess Durga began on October 10, the Indian Railways began, Railways will now offer 'vrat ka khana' (food during fasting) as a part of its e-catering menu during the Navratri festival. IRCTC said that the option of Navratri special fast food will be available through the e-catering website - ecatering. [Passengers stole linen worth Rs 2.5 crore from Western Railway trains last year: Official] Food items like sabudana, sendha namak, kuttu ka atta, among other foods eaten by devotees who observe a fast during the Navratris. Orders can be placed at least two hours before scheduled journey time with a valid PNR, it said, adding passengers may opt to pre-pay or on delivery, based on convenience. Devotees can avail the facility of having special fasting food on board trains till November 18. These special meals will be a part of the e-catering menu and will be available at select stations, including Nagpur, Ambala, Jaipur, Itarsi, Jhansi, Nasik, Ratlam, Daund, Mathura, Nizamuddin and Lucknow. Indian Railways, over the recent past, has been working aggressively towards enhancing the quality of the food served in trains and at railway stations. Rahul Gandhi's event is about HAL, he is not meeting HAL employees: KPCC India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Bengaluru, Oct 11: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has not received communication from Congress President Rahul Gandhi regarding his meeting with the employees in Bengaluru. Mr Gopal Sutar, Chief of Media Communications, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), "There is no communication on Rahul Gandhi's meeting with the HAL employees in Bengaluru." 'Clear cut case of corruption': Rahul attacks PM over new Rafale report "Event is being held by some people to hold a discussion on Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd's contribution to India, anyone can participate in it including HAL employees. He's not coming to meet HAL employees," news agency ANI quoted KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao as saying. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is an Indian state-owned aerospace and defence company headquartered in Bangalore, India. It is governed under the management of the Indian Ministry of Defence. The government-owned corporation is primarily involved in the operations of the aerospace and is currently involved in the design, fabrication and assembly of aircraft, jet engines, helicopters and their spare parts. It may be recalled that Rahul Gandhi said he understood the pain of jawans, Air Force officers, the families of martyred pilots as well as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited workers and will work to bring to justice all those who dishonoured and stole from them. Soft Hindutva plank continues, Rahul to visit Pitambara temple on October 15 in Datia Also, he termed the Government's flagship Skill India campaign "S-Kill India" and alleged Rs 30,000 crore was "stolen" from HAL in the Rafale deal and given to a man with "no skills" to make an aircraft. Pakistan uses fake Islam is in danger narrative as main theme of its terror indoctrination Terrorist who was going to kill shopkeeper in J&K gunned down PhD scholar turned terrorist killed: A thrill that drives the educated youth of Kashmir India oi-Vicky Nanjappa Srinagar, Oct 11: Manan Bashir Wani, a PhD scholar turned terrorist was killed along with another Hizbul Mujahideen operative in an encounter with the security forces at Handwara district of North Kashmir. Wani, a PhD scholar with the Aligarh Muslim University had joined the Hizbul Mujahideen in January this year. Wani, who belongs to Tikipora in Lolab area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district, went missing in the first week of January. He was supposed to return home on January 6, but failed to do so. 'AMU scholar Wani is with us', says Hizbul Mujahideen Immediately after his joined the terror group, the Hizbul Mujahideen confirmed the development. " Joining of Mannan Wani exposes the Indian propaganda that the youth of Kashmir are joining militant ranks due to unemployment and economic distress", the chief of the outfit, Syed Salahuddin said in a statement. "From years on, educated and qualified youths of Kashmir have been joining Hizbul Mujahideen to take this ongoing freedom movement to a logical conclusion. This spirit of youths is laudable," Salahuddin had also said. A test case: Immediately after the news of the killing of Wani broke out, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti said his death is our loss and we are losing young educated boys everyday. The recruitment of Wani came at a time, when the government had blamed unemployment as the prime reason for terrorism. Wani was a scholar and with his recruitment, the Hizbul Mujahideen sought to drive across the point that even the employed and educated are taking up arms for a cause. Security agencies do confirm that the high number of educated youth taking to terror is a concern. As per a report of Criminal Investigation Department (CID), an Intelligence wing of J&K Police, 32 per cent of youths who joined militancy had passed Class X and 19 per cent were undergraduates or graduates. While post-graduates constitute 7 per cent, the remaining 7 per cent who joined militancy were without any education. Over 65 per cent showed religious inclination before joining militancy while 10 per cent were academically inclined. While 3 per cent were drug addicts and the rest 22 per cent were vagabonds, the report submitted by CID to MHA said. Asserting social media had an impact on them, the CID report said 25 per cent of youths had access to social media in 2010 and 2011 respectively which rose to 30 per cent by 2014 and 70 per cent in 2015. The report says that opting for guns "is a youth phenomena" and youngsters "join militancy because of thrill seeker attitude". Prior to Wani, Muhammad Rafi Bhat an assistant professor in the Kashmir university too had donned the role of a terrorist. However he was shot down in an encounter just two days after he had joined the outfit. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 17:57 [IST] Rafale: Reliance defence was freely chosen as offset partner clarifies Dassault India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Oct 11: Dassault Aviation the maker of the Rafale fighter jets said that it had freely chosen to make a partnership with the Reliance Group. The clarification comes in response to a French media website claim that Dassault was presented with no option but to tie up with the Ani Ambani led reliance group. Within the framework of the September 2016 Inter-Government Agreement between France and India, Dassault Aviation has sold 36 Rafale aircraft to India. In compliance with the Indian regulations (Defence Procurement Procedure) and as frequent with such a contract, Dassault Aviation has committed to offsets in India worth 50% of the value of the purchase. In order to deliver some of these offsets, Dassault Aviation has decided to create a joint-venture. Dassault Aviation has freely chosen to make a partnership with India's Reliance Group. This joint-venture, Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL), was created February 10, 2017," Dassault said in a press note. For Dassault it was mandatory to sign Reliance as partner for Rafale Deal: Report The statement also added that other partnerships have been signed with other companies such as BTSL, DEFSYS, Kinetic, Mahindra, Maini, SAMTEL,... Other negotiations are ongoing with a hundred-odd other potential partners. A French media report had suggested the a senior official win Dassault Aviation saw the partnership with Anil Ambani's Reliance Group as imperative and mandatory to getting the export contract with India for the Rafale aircraft. Mediapart while quoting an internal Dassault Aviation document detailing a presentation that deputy chief executive officer Loik Segalen gave to worker representatives explaining the rationale for setting up a joint venture in Nagpur with Reliance Aerospace. Rahul steps up attack on govt over Rafale Segalen, during the presentation described the joint venture as a contrepartie to getting the export contract India. Contrepartie roughly translates to compensation or to refer to something given as compensation. Last month former French President, Francois Hollande was quoted by 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. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 11:20 [IST] Will Gujarat remain favorite for inter-state migrants? India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Bengaluru, Oct 11: Six years after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray targeted Bihari migrants based on regional identity, a similar hate campaign has been unleashed against north Indian migrant labourers in Gujarat. 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. Meanwhile, 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. In a research article published by Anand S. Sugandhe (Gujarat Becoming New Destination For Inter-State Migrants, 2017), total in-migration in Gujarat has recorded 20,77,800 in 2007-08, it was 18,09,800 in 1999-2000. It is increased by 2,68,000 from 2000 to 2008. Before that, it was 14,65,214 in 1991. Gujarat is changing the destination of interstate migrants in India. The state has received a large number of migrants in urban as well as in rural area. Nature of interstate migration indicates that the state of Gujarat is the most favourable destination for interstate migrants. The net migration rate has been increased gradually in terms of Gujarat state. However, the attack on migrant labourers will reverse the inter-state migration without a timely political intervention. Hailed as a favourite destination of migrant labourers, the number of exodus doesn't look promising during the festive season of Dussehra and Diwali. The Hindustan Times reported the actual loss to production in Gujarat due to the exodus. Quoting the Industry associations in Gujarat, HT reported that the exodus of migrant labourers, mainly from north Gujarat's industrial belt, may affect 15% to 20% of the production in the crucial pre-Diwali period. 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. Therefore, political mischievousness over a rape incident even after the arrest of culprit will spell doom for the economy. Hence, we have to see whether Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor's 'Sadbhavna Upavas' (goodwill fast) will win the confidence of migrants. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 13:33 [IST] 2004 violence verdict corners Oppn more: Is Bangladesh now a one-party state? International oi-Shubham Ghosh Dhaka, Oct 11: Bangladesh witnessed a tense Wednesday, October 10, as a court in Dhaka sentenced 19 people to death and son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia to life imprisonment in connection to a deadly attack on a political rally held by Sheikh Hasina, the current prime minister and the Opposition leader then, in the Bangladeshi capital. Two dozen people were killed while 300 were injured in the attack. Hasina had a narrow escape as her Awami League (AL) party members escorted her to a waiting vehicle from a dais in front of the party headquarters nears which several grenades went off. 2004 grenade attack case: Former PM Khaleda Zia's son gets life sentence The judge who gave the verdict, Shahed Nuruddin, said the attack was aimed at eliminating the AL leadership. Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which was in power at the time, protested the verdict and announced a seven-day programme to show its dissent along with its affiliate organisations. The week-long protest will witness rallies in cities, districts and sub-districts. The party's joint secretary general, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, made the announcement at a press conference at the party headquarters here. The latest verdict is the second big blow to the BNP this year. In February, Zia was sentenced for five years in connection with embezzlement of USD 250,000 and the decision had enraged her party which said the national election scheduled in a few months' time will lack credibility of their leader remained behind bars. The question now is: Do the imprisonments of Zia and her son Tarique Rehman (who was also sentenced to 10 years in prison when his mother faced the verdict) mean Bangladesh has now inched closer to a one-party rule? The election of 2014 in the country was controversial as almost all Opposition parties had boycotted it and large-scale violence marred the polling. The AL, which former government then, was accused of targeting its opponents to win a tailor-made election. The apprehension is no less different this time either. Political workers and activists opposed to the Hasina government are afraid that they too will be targeted this time and for many, this doesn't augur well for a democracy. Bangladesh's politics has been dominated by either of the two parties since inception. The two women leaders - Hasina and Zia - have taken turns to leader the country as its prime minister 1991. The intense rivalry between the two parties has seen the country being engulfed by violence and unrest. Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia gets 5-year jail term in graft case BNP can't deny its own share of responsibility either Although the ruling AL is being accused of undermining the democratic principles in Bangladesh, the BNP cannot deny its own share of responsibility in having vitiated the democratic ambience in the country during its days in power. During its rule between 2001 and 2006, Bangladesh was dubbed as the most corrupt country in the world. Zia was also accused of encouraging the Islamist fundamentalists to attack the country's minority community and the political opponents. Its leaders were accused of killing two senior leaders of the AL and then of course, the 2004 attack is there. Hasina, on the other hand, has remained in power since 2009 and in this period, she has cemented her stature as a powerful leader of her country - a custodian of sort of the country's democratic values. She is seen to be more India-friendly than the BNP which keeps New Delhi assured while her efforts to get internationally lauded for her humanitarian aid to the Rohingyas who fled from the neighbouring Myanmar has also worked in her favour. With the rising threats of terrorism on Bangladeshi soil, Hasina's significance as a leader who can resist the threat has also increased. But having said that, seeing Bangladesh turning into a one-state system is not good. This will not only breed a political tyranny but also an uncertainty when the time arrives for the country to find a worthy successor to Hasina, who is 71-year-old now. Bangladesh has got a form of political stability over almost a decade of Hasina's stay in power but at the same time, its democratic functioning has also tended to turn stagnant because of the Opposition's slide. India, China could see a new collaboration in Uzbekistan-Afghanistan rail link International oi-Shubham Ghosh Beijing, Oct 11: When Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping for an informal meeting in Wuhan in China in April, one of the issues that two leaders had aimed to cooperate in Afghanistan in terms of the economy. According to a report in China's CGTN, the two giant neighbours could engage for collaboration in a rail link extension project connecting Afghanistan with Uzbekistan. It could demonstrate the "China-India Plus" model which Beijing recently proposed to see cooperation with New Delhi in development and connectivity projects in third countries. Peace and development in Syria and Afghanistan equally important for India and Russia Uzbekistan, a landlocked Central Asian Republic, is eyeing access to sea ports in the Persian Gulf through a rail link via Afghanistan, also a landlocked country, and Iran. It is seeking cooperation from both China and India in the connectivity project. While reports suggested that Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sought India to join the railway project during his visit to New Delhi in September, CGTN Digital cited an Afghanistan government official as saying that Kabul welcomes both India and China to take part in the project and that gives them an opportunity to cooperate in Afghanistan, something Modi and Xi spoke about in Wuhan. Given Afghanistan's complicated geostrategic reality and clash of interests of various parties on its soil, cooperation between India and China is not easily achievable but the transnational link between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan could be a way out for both. "We are very positive and welcome China-India cooperation in Afghanistan, especially in connectivity projects," Amir Ramin, Director General of Regional Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Afghanistan, was quoted as saying by CGTN Digital. "This railway project is not only important for Uzbekistan and Afghanistan but also for both China and India. The rail link will boost trade and transit through an economic corridor that will directly impact the security and prosperity of the region in a very positive manner." Once almost ending up as a child bride, this Afghan woman now raps to end child marriage In 2011, Uzbek state railway company Ozbekiston Temir Yollari built a short rail link connecting Hairatan, an Uzbek-Afghan border town, with the Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif. Uzbekistan now plans to extend the line to Herat in northwestern Afghanistan, which is seen as a gateway to Iran. Another link, now under construction, will connect Herat to Iran. China is already connecting Uzbekistan through a rail route under the Belt and Road Initiative and has also sent cargo trains to Afghanistan's Hairatan using the network. The railway line from China to Afghanistan that runs via Uzbekistan was inaugurated in September 2016. Two years since then, the presence of India in the scenario makes the geopolitics more interesting. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 10:46 [IST] Where did the 'out of control' Chinese rocket debris land after re-entering Earth? Planning a trip to Maldives: You can do so from July 15 Not over yet! Deposed Maldives president Abdulla Yameen challenges poll verdict International oi-Shubham Ghosh Male, Oct 11: He might have lost power in the recent election but former Maldivian president Abdulla Yameen is not ready to let it go yet. Known for his autocratic tendencies, Yameen has taken a legal course to challenge the verdict that overwhelmingly went against him. The 59-year-old leader lost the September 23 election unexpectedly even as his major opponents were behind bars or in exile. He had also conceded defeat after losing to a unity opposition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Days after pro-China Yameen lost power in Maldives, this is what China has to say However, there was a change of plan as lawyers of Yameen's Progressive Party of Maldives told the media that they were not convinced with the election results for they suspect it was rigged by the election commission and filed a challenge with the Supreme Court on Wednesday, October 10. "We reviewed the numerous complaints filed by President Yameen's supporters before deciding to file this challenge," Yameen's lead lawyer Mohamed Saleem was quoted as saying. He said the former president decided that the challenge must be filed for the sake of his supporters' rights. Security India's main concern in Indian Ocean but for China success of OROB It was though not clear whether the country's apex court would agree to entertain the challenge and Yameen's opponents were hopeful that it would not. Maldives were threatened with sanctions if free election was not held and if Yameen did not accept the outcome. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 10:19 [IST] Haleys successor: Trump says he has 5 names in mind but names only Dina Powell International oi-Shubham Ghosh Washington, Oct 11: US President Donald Trump has five names in his mind as possible successor to Nikki Haley who recently quit as the US ambassador to the United Nations and one of them is former deputy national security adviser Dina Powell. Haley suddenly announced on Tuesday, October 9, about her decision of resignation. She would remain in the world body till the end of 2018. Haley's decision had taken many by surprise for there was no indication of her stepping down. Nikki Haley resigned but only after preparing her base for a 2024 launch Trump said the outgoing ambassador would help him find her successor and that he eyes to settle the issue over the next few weeks. Speaking to the media on Air Force Once, Trump said he had five persons as Haley's probable replacements but named only one among them - Powell. Powell served as the deputy national security adviser for strategy in the Trump Administration between March 2017 and January 2018. She was a key player in the US's diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. Russian envoy to UN saddened by Nikki Haley's resignation Trump's daughter Ivanka, meanwhile, ruled herself out as a successor to Haley. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, October 11, 2018, 7:25 [IST] Some 500 Gujarati families residing in Botswana this week joined the rest of the world to celebrate the Navaratri festival of worship and dance with their friends. Navaratri is celebrated as a festival of dance in Gujarat, a state located on the west coast of India and renowned as a hub for trade and commerce for over 5000 years.The festival has gained prominence all over the world wherever these enterprising business-minded people are found. Leena Desai, the Chairperson of the Gujarati Society told BG Style Monday evening during the Gujarat Day celebrations at Maharaj Conference Centre in Gaborone that Navaratri simply means nine nights in Sanskrit. Nava means nine while Ratri means nights. She said during these nine nights the Gujarati folk dancers perform various dance rituals (shakti/Devi) with much fervour and gusto to worship the Deity of woman power, Mother Mahisasura-mardini (Durga). The festival was held in Gaborone at the Hindu temple in Maru-a-Pula.Information sourced from Wikipedia, shows that the nine nights festival of Navratri begins on the first day of Ashwina of the bright fortnight. The festival comes to an end on the tenth day of Vjay Dashmi or Dussehra, when the idols of the Goddess Shakti are immersed in the river. Dussehra, meaning ten days, becomes dasara in popular parlance. The Navratri festival or nine- day festival becomes ten-day festival with the addition of the last day, Vijayadashami, which is its culmination. The nine nights are dedicated to the three main goddesses of Hinduism Parvati, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Navratri is separated into sets of three days. First three days of Navratri are dedicated to Goddess Durga, the Goddess of power and energy. Next three days of Navratri are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. The final three days belong to Goddess Saraswati who is worshipped to acquire the spiritual knowledge.Goddess Durga is also worshipped under nine different names for the nine days in Navratri. Every day, she assumes a new character, a new look and a new duty. These nine forms of manifestation are Shailaputri, Brahmachartini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamaata, Kaatyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidaatri. Fashion designers from Botswana were part of the 2018 edition of the African Fashion International (AFI) Fashion Week that was held on October 4-7th at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg, South Africa. Social media was lit with images and news about this big event. Each designer showcased a collection made up of ten intricate and exquisite pieces. The designers were Aobakwe Molosiwa of Gilded Sands, Lesedi Matlapeng of KefSeddy designs, Mothusi Lesolle of IZaura, Sharon Taolo of Everyday Clothing, and Boitumelo Seboko of Rosetta Stone. The above-mentioned designers were sponsored by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture. Besides the four designers, Kutlwano and Gerty Mogojwe of Black Trash, and other local models also flew the Botswana flag high. One of the highlights with the event was the fact that Batswana came out in large numbers to support and be a part of the Botswana showcase that was held on Saturday afternoon in the Tent, Melrose Arch. According to the Principal Public Relations Officer, Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development Kristian Kabelo Mmusi in a press release, this was the second time sending representatives to South Africa. Last year, the ministry sent designers and models to the then Mercedez-Benz fashion week (now called the AFI Fashion Week) in Cape Town.The show was a great success and the designs were a great improvement according to the organisers. The Chairperson of AFI Fashion eek, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe was impressed and said Botswana seems to have so much talent in the fashion and modelling industry, he explains. He also points out that Chery and Gabatsholwe got to walk the ramp showing off pieces for the local designers, and other designers that includes David Tlale, Carducci and Maxhosa by Laduma. Furthermore, Matlapeng and Taolo got a chance to do a photoshoot of their garments with a top Image Consultant, Tendai Marowa. One of the designers, Lesolle, tells BG Style that one of his highlights, was when he woke up the next day, and saw Elle magazine featuring one of his outfits. The support of the Batswana that came through to the event also stands out for him as something that he will always cherish. For her part, the Production Manager for the team, Matlapeng says this was the first time that she received such overwhelming standing ovation. Matlapeng points out that for her collection, she took the haute Couture route and wanted to surprise everyone. The feedback was amazing. I wanted to show Batswana that I can go all out and do an extra mile, she explains. She further says that following the event, she has been invited to another showcase that pairs Art and fashion in South Africa this November. For those who were unable to see her work, she will showcase the collection at the upcoming Masa Fashion show event this October. Molosiwa of Gilded Sands, points out that for his collection, he did something fresh and different from what he is known for. His ready to wear collection comprised of three dresses, tops and bottoms. His colour of choice was black and white. And he collaborated with a local accessory company, XITA accessories. I received positive feedback. And I am in talks with a blog that sells clothes, explains Molosiwa, noting that he has had a chance to network and make connection through the event. The Tangalle High Court today sentenced 10 individuals to death over the murders of 6 persons of the same family at Angunakolapelessa in 1998. Share on FB Tweet A newlywed couple got something new on their honeymoon after they bought the hotel where they were staying following a drunken night. Gina Lyons, 33, and Mark Lee, 35, of London had a little too much to drink at a homey hotel on the beach in Sri Lanka last December and ended up with a $39,596 souvenir, according to the U.K.s Mirror and Sunday Times. When we were on the beach drinking rum 12 glasses to be exact we were told that the lease was almost up for the hotel, Lyons told the Mirror. The hotel looked grotty and very cheap, but it was by the beach and had the wooden tree house feel that we like. That is when a light bulb went off in their heads: After finding out that it was ($13,200) a year, myself and Mark thought that it would be a brilliant idea to buy it because we were so drunk. The remainder of the couples negotiations were clouded with hangovers and a language barrier that resulted in (you guessed it) more drinks. We had to take two friends we had made with us so they could translate for us, Lyons told the Mirror. Because we didnt understand most of the conversation, Mark and I just sat drinking more rum and slowly getting drunk again. After agreeing in March to pay two installments of $19,798 to take up a new lease, the honeymooners ran into some unexpected financial hurdles legal fees, renovations and learning three months later that Lyon was pregnant. Our friends and family think were idiots and shouldnt have been doing it, Lyons recalled to the Mirror. We owed a lot of money from the wedding and only lived in a tiny flat, and now we had a baby on the way. Casting any doubt aside, the newlyweds decided to throw our all into it for their growing family: In July we officially became owners of the business. At the end of July, they reopened Lucky Beach Tangalle, a seven-bedroom bed and breakfast, after nearly $8,000 of renovations. The Mirror reports their hotel has seen an influx of customers ever since. In the future, the couple insist they will make all business decisions sans drinks. (USA Today) Lisbon Affiliate Conference 2018 Starts Next Week Published October 11, 2018 by Mike P This is what to expect from next weeks Lisbon Affiliate Conference 2018, which is poised to attract thousands of delegates. All is in place for the upcoming Lisbon Affiliate Conference 2018, which starts next week and runs from Wednesday 17 until Saturday 20 October. That will give delegates four days in which to attend various discussions, walk the conference floor, and seek out prospective networking opportunities. Ahead of the conference, the organiser, iGB Affiliate, has revealed that more than 100 exhibitors will fill the floor at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa event centre. On top of that, iGB Affiliate expects there to be more than 3,000 delegates, over 1,500 affiliate attendees, and more than 100 affiliate programmes to be present for the Lisbon Affiliate Conference (LiAC). Conference Schedule Day one shall begin with pre-registration, welcome drinks, and the official networking party. Following that introduction, the attendees can start to attend discussions in the conference rooms on day two topics include the Portuguese affiliate market, social media marketing, the top SEO tools, influencer marketing, email strategies, and more. The third day shall provide delegates with opportunities to attend further discussions, covering the likes of data protection, cryptocurrencies, block chain, Bitcoin, and emerging markets, such as Asia-Pacific. Friday will end through the official closing party, which is followed by an unwind session on the Saturday afternoon. Speakers and Sponsors LiAC is poised to attract some key professionals working within iGaming, such as Asbjrn Bieling-Hansen of the Gaming Innovation Group, Claire Wellard of Ihre Consulting, Dan Morrison of Conversion Bet, Elaine Gardiner of Global Gaming, Michael Caselli of iGaming Business, and Viktorija Antanaviciute of TonyBet. iGB Affiliate has secured a handful of well-known sponsors for the premium level of the conference, including 888.com, EGO, UPayCard, and 1XBet. Beyond those names, LiAC will also be sponsored by the likes of bet365, PokerStars, Ladbrokes Coral, Paddy Power, bwin, Casumo, Mr Green, and William Hill. Meanwhile, Online Casino Reports shall serve as a media partner. NEW HOPE >> Owners Wilfer Naranjo, Michael Sklar, Gaspar Ferrara and Vincent Ferrara announce the grand opening of Oldestone Restaurant at 15 S. Main Street, New Hope, in the internationally recognized 1872 old stone church. The space was the former home of Marsha Brown's restaurant, which closed at the start of the pandemic. Marsha Brown herself passed the baton and... Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York: A new white paper from credit hedge fund Gapstow Capital Partners looks at how US pension plans are investing in the alternative credit universe. The paper includes an analysis of 915 individual credit investments for 40 US public pension funds, having collective assets of over $1 trillion. Gapstow's definition of alternative credit includes long-only strategies, credit hedge funds, direct lending, distressed debt, and multi-strategy mandates. US public pensions are the largest providers of capital to the alternative credit industry and according to Gapstow, pension's relationships with investment consultants and subsequent allocation decisions reflect the most current investor thinking on the opportunity set in alternative credit. US pension plans that were included in the analysis had to have both an allocation to some form of alternative credit, a strategic allocation policy and a schedule of investments that are available to the public. Gapstow then identified all credit-related holdings and categorized them into one of the 15 alternative credit sub-strategies to create a representative sample of US pension plan allocations. Of the sample, alternative credit accounts for 7% of pension portfolios. Typically, pensions will split their overall credit portfolio including traditional credit strategies and alternative credit 70/30. Notably, despite representing on average only 30% of an overall credit portfolio, pensio...................... To view our full article Click here Opalesque Industry Update - Lyxor Asset Management has teamed up with Dymon Asia to launch the Lyxor/Dymon Asia Macro Fund, a liquid discretionary global macro strategy with an Asian focus. As Asia becomes increasingly important in the global economic landscape, it offers a wide range of opportunities due to the diversity of its economies, each expanding at a different pace and with different growth drivers. The Fund's global macro strategy leverages on these asynchronous developments as a source of investment themes by exploring opportunities across the whole spectrum of asset classes (global FX, rates, equities) and seeking to provide diversified sources of return using a tactical trading style which is often beneficial, especially in times of market turbulence. Leveraging on Dymon's regional expertise, the Fund uses fundamental research to develop high conviction thematic medium and long-term trades ideas, while short-term tactical trading drives portfolio optimization. Dymon Asia is one of the largest discretionary macro hedge funds globally, with a nearly 10-year track record for the flagship global macro strategy. Danny Yong, the Chief Investment Officer and founding partner of Dymon Asia has over 22 years of experience in trading FX, fixed income and index futures in Asia. The Lyxor/Dymon Asia Macro Fund becomes the 13th fund on Lyxor's fast-growing USD4bn Alternative UCITS platform, illustrating investors' growing appetite for liquid and transparent investment vehicles. Moez Bousarsar, Deputy Head of Hedge Fund Selection at Lyxor Asset Management says: "The Lyxor Dymon Fund identifies investment themes in a market that is rapidly growing with multi-asset class opportunities. Having traded through multiple investment cycles, Dymon has a strong, regional expertise in Asian markets, allowing the Fund to be well-positioned to react swiftly to market-moving information. As an asset manager, Lyxor's core capabilities are selecting and onboarding the best Alternative UCITS managers for our clients in their search for diversifying strategies in various market cycles." Danny Yong, Chief Investment Officer and founding partner of Dymon Asia says: "Dymon Asia is pleased to be launching our Macro UCITS fund with Lyxor, a leader in the UCITS space, which has had significant success in growing its platform by providing access to a broader audience to unique strategies such as Asian Macro. We are excited and committed to be working in this partnership." The Fund, with weekly liquidity, is now passported into 8 countries (Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, UK) and is available on Lyxor's Alternative UCITS Platform for a minimum subscription of EUR 100,000 (Class I) and EUR 10,000 (class A). Not all share classes are available or registered for sale in all jurisdictions. Meet Danny Yong, Asia's rising hedge fund titan SCHEDULING IN THE 21ST CENTURY http://qpscience.com CATCHING UP WITH THE 21ST CENTURY BUSINESS INFORMATION REQUIREMENTSQPS Scheduling Requires: A mature business conversation park your ego prior to the conversation Master Schedule: cant slide it in either direction. It tells you if you are on, ahead or behind the master schedule. Cloud Mesh Platform The scheduling module and the entire QPS, offering meets the requirements for the information society, the current generation. Secure from outside access (each customers information is on their secure company cloud web site Once a Lot is issued to WIP it cannot be changed without the profit control coordinator executing the changes The schedule has block chain attributes, it is secured from lot issuance to Finished Goods Inventor (FGI) Front (forward) Back (ending) date scheduling QPSs scheduling doesnt use estimate back room standards to schedule the companywide Lean Value Add Stream (routing) it uses Time-Driven Activity-Based Profit Scheduling QPSs scheduling has actualized the Theory of Constrain, Drum, Buffer, Rope The schedule is built around the Lego blocking concept see your demo tee up document The combination of Profit Model and Profit Scheduling creates AI-MI self-sustaining culture Read Peter Druckers book written in 2002 Managing in The Next Society and Bill Gates book written in 1990 Business At The Speed Of Thought. Both require current accurate data in the form of understandable routines that employees can act on real time from Tomorrows information not yesterdays trailing fiction The schedule, when supported by the full complements of modules all information including big financial analytics, are for a future capital free profit engineered specification it is a full pull The schedule (Profit Scheduling) is created in Profit Engineering not finance. Wealth is created in operations owned by those who understand how to Plan, Schedule, Measure/Manage and Reward for total under the roof company performance including capital free profit, quality and on-time delivery The shop floor scheduling module can start your company to replace your present ERP system at 20% the cost and 20% of the keep up to date coasts (KUD) Every stakeholder in the company can see the entire schedule and their individual responsibilities real-actionable time Using both Julian calander and the M day colander which uses Monday through Friday leaving Saturday, Sunday and holidays for recover opportunity Critical Path (equipment work/centers, profit/centers) Capacity Plan (employees Applied Labor ADL) Phase Two the schedule includes the factory overhead employees Phase Three schedule includes SG&A employees and all SG&A departments all stake holders Actualizes The Theory of Constraint All stakeholders see their KPIs real Actionable Time through their touch time lens with planned engineered capital free profit imbedded within the touch time. Warning indicator when 80% of each stakeholders touch time (back room standards, estimates are used up) giving warning to supervision to help. No more tail wagging the dog and surprises after the fact. Profit Engineering develops the work statement with capital free engineered specification profit included Lean Value ADD Stream replaces budgets Time-Driven Activity (operations) Based Profit Scheduling (see Kaplan Harvard PHD the inventor of it 1990 QPS developed it 10 years prior to him and implemented it as a shop floor system 1984 Profit Scheduling is fixed, and sales is variable (equivalent dollars) Each Lot requires different equivalent dollars to produce a fixed capital free profit during the same accounting period QPSs offering obsoletes the P&L and Cost of Goods COGS measures real-time capital free profit The scheduling system is a chart of accounts driven system not the P&L Eliminates accrual and all inventory adjustments it measures true real time performance with no tenuous allocations adjustments and false entries Ins and outs of inventory are zeroed. No forecasting ending inventory All financial measurements are from the build line (dollars under the roof) All outsourcing dollars (pass through dollars are not included in measurement only markup dollars stay under the roof (big error in GAAP accounting) Total time to housekeep a Lot issued to Work in Progress WIP less than 10 minutes. Lastly this cloud offering came from 55 years hands on experience for apprenticeship to President CEO of first tier supporting aerospace OEMs to running three divisions of GE Jet Engine Group, owner operator aircraft ground support company AGSE a global ground support company. 10 years as a turnaround on site CEO and 10 years hands-on delivering the full QPS offering evolving now to a cloud offeringAI-MI SELF-SUSTAINING CULTUREConnectivity is not communication, much less understanding. A central grasp of the situation with QPS (visibility systems) makes the process itself into its own message to everyone at once. Everybody knows what to do that is routine patterns on the Lean Value Stream without meetings, directives, and the process is its own prompter for improvement. Few power games, or misunderstandings, no politics, future profit picture puzzle real-time measurement owned by operations. Attacking the what not the who, and manufacturing methods not people.QPSs AI-MI sees dark data that cant be seen with present business tools, presents it as routine patterns represented companywide. Profit Scheduling pulled from the enterprises future profit picture puzzle with an agreed to profit learning curve to be acted on real-time. In the context of business dark data describes something that is hidden or undigested, which is acquired through various computer network operations but not used in any manner to derive insights or for decision making. With our offering artificial intelligence, machine learning, more dark data may be seeing the light of day. With our artificial intelligence machine intelligence future and current learning data more dark data may be seeing the light of day. This information archives the purposes (for example, analytics, business relationships and monetizing.)LEGO BLOCKING PROFIT SCHEDULING PROFIT TRACKING4D CUBED FINITE PROFIT SCHEDULING LEGO BLOCKINGEach Lot is blocked in three Dimensions X, Y, & Z the fourth dimension is time cubed, time is measured threeways simultaneously, touch time, takt time & profit flow days, total companywide throughput timeMeasured by engineered profit specification companywide on the lean value stream a cloud mesh platform1st Time 80% 2nd Time TACK TIME 3rd Time Safety Net to Stay On Profit Schedule Sunk Profit Slippage1st Time 80% 20% 2nd Time TACK TIME 3rd Time Recovery of Profit Scheduling Profit Slippage No RecoveryBack Room Standard Times Alert ADL That Has Gone Rework Requires Two X'sAll Operations Activities Running UDL=Unapplied D/L Theory of Constrain Buffer Scrap Requires Three X'sLot X Y Z Three dimensional Out Of The Constraint Must Remainder of Profit Flow Day NEW SALES REQUIREMENTStd. Time Be Resolved In Remainder of The Day Using Protect Jobs Running 1X For Lost OpportunityEstimate6.4 hours 1.6 Hours 20% Slippage Sixteen Hours Remaining in Profit Flow Day TOMORROW TODAY ROFIT ASSURANCEDRUM Constraint Customer Paying For BUFFER ROPE FULL PULLSCHEDULE WITH M MANUFACTURING PROFIT DAY THROUGH-PUT NOT SALES MEASURED BY COST COGSLEGO LOT BLOCKING YIELD PROFIT/PRICINGFORWARD BACK FINITE MASTER SCHEDULINGCURRENT YIELD PRICING MATCHES CURRENT OPERATION PROFIT PERFORMANCE MATCHES BANK ACCOUNTUniform Block SizingY=Z=X=PROFIT ENGINEERING: Estimating Companywide Performance Matches Bank AccountX= Quantity of Widgets per Lot= S/U + R/T < S/U PARTS * REMAINING QUANITY Fit into X Based on Equivalent Dollars Lot Size Divided by Part Price Determines # of widgetsEquivalent Dollars per Widget x+y+z * Required Equivalent Rate Tailored to Each Lot/Number of Widgets = Equivalent Dollars per Widget.Y = Smallest Constraints in Value Profit Stream (Critical Path) per LotZ = Equivalent Dollars Lot Valuea. Out Source Dollars (Pass Through Dollars)b. Bid Dollars Derived by Adjusting Equivalent Sales Dollars Supported By Standard Hours (Back Room Standards) Including SG&AOrder Review Module Dual Purposea. Estimator Planned Profit Velocity Yield Pricingb. Profit Control Coordinator = Order, Lot Review to Ensure Planned Profit Velocity (PPV) per the Profit Schedule in Equivalent Dollars by Lotc. Lot Lego Blocking Creates Flow Manufacturing In Job Shops Less Bumper Carsd. Establishing Planned Engineered Capital Free Profit Specification Full Work Capacity In Work in Progress WIPFor More Details Visit Here:Address: QUANTUM PROFIT SCIENCEFort Collins, Colorado80527USAQPS Scheduling Requires: A mature business conversation park your ego prior to the conversationAddress: QUANTUM PROFIT SCIENCEFort Collins, Colorado80527USA North America Ride Hailing Market By Vehicle Type, By Internet Connectivity, By Service Type, By Vehicle Connectivity, By Country, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2017-2023 TechSci Research https://www.techsciresearch.com/sample-report.aspx?cid=3436 https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/north-america-ride-hailing-market/3436.html https://www.techsciresearch.com/buy-now.aspx?pdf=$3700&rid=3436 According to TechSci Research report, North America Ride Hailing Market By Vehicle Type, By Internet Connectivity, By Service Type, By Vehicle Connectivity, By Country, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2017-2023, ride hailing market in North America is projected to reach $ 35 billion by 2023, on the back of increasing inclination of people towards cab services in the region. Rising air pollution levels owing to the growing fleet of automobiles, in addition to development of autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles and increasing number of collaborations between OEMs and ride hailing service providers would have a positive impact on the regions ride hailing market in the coming years.Download Sample Report @Customers can also request for 10% free customization on this report.With a value share of more than 95% in ride hailing market across the North America region, passenger cars are the most preferred vehicle type for ride hailing services, followed by the micro mobility vehicles segment. Uber Technologies Inc., Lyft Inc. and Didi Chuxing are among the key players operating in the regions ride hailing market. Most of the leading players are investing heavily to develop and expand their ride hailing services network across the region, which is likely to further aid market growth during the forecast period.Increasing preference of millennials for ride hailing or e-hailing services on account of enhanced ride comfort and convenience is expected to continue augmenting demand for ride hailing services in North America during the forecast period. United States accounted for the largest share in North America ride hailing market in 2017 and over the coming years as well, the country is anticipated to maintain its market dominance, owing to expanding internet penetration and robust road infrastructure., said Mr. Karan Chechi, Research Director with TechSci Research, a research based global management consulting firm.North America Ride Hailing Market By Vehicle Type, By Internet Connectivity, By Service Type, By Vehicle Connectivity, By Country, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2017-2023 has analyzed the potential of ride hailing market across the region, and provides statistics and information on market size, shares and trends. The report will suffice in providing the intending clients with cutting-edge market intelligence and help them in taking sound investment decisions. Besides, the report also identifies and analyzes emerging trends along with essential drivers and key challenges faced by the industry.Browse 55 market data Figures and Tables spread through 68 Pages and an in-depth TOC on "North America Ride Hailing Market" @Table of Content:1. Product Overview2. Research Methodology3. Analyst View4. North America Ride Hailing Market Outlook4.1. Market Size & Forecast4.1.1.By Value4.2. Market Share & Forecast4.2.1.By Vehicle Type (Passenger Car Vs. Micro Mobility Vehicles)4.2.2.By Internet Connectivity (3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, and 5G)4.2.3.By Service Type (E-hailing, Car Sharing, and Station Based Mobility)4.2.4.By Vehicle Connectivity (V2P, V2I, V2V, and Others)4.2.5.By Country4.3. Market Attractiveness Index (By Vehicle Type)4.4. Market Attractiveness Index (By Internet Connectivity)4.5. Market Attractiveness Index (By Service Type)4.6. Market Attractiveness Index (By Vehicle Connectivity)4.7. Market Attractiveness Index (By Country)4.8. North America Ride Hailing Market Country Analysis4.8.1. United States Ride Hailing Market Outlook4.8.1.1. Market Size & Forecast4.8.1.1.1. By Value4.8.1.2. Market Share & Forecast4.8.1.2.1. By Vehicle Type4.8.1.2.2. By Internet Connectivity4.8.1.2.3. By Service Type4.8.1.2.4. By Vehicle Connectivity4.8.1.3. Market Attractiveness Index (By Vehicle Type)4.8.2. Canada Ride Hailing Market Outlook4.8.2.1. Market Size & Forecast4.8.2.1.1. By Value4.8.2.2. Market Share & Forecast4.8.2.2.1. By Vehicle Type4.8.2.2.2. By Internet Connectivity4.8.2.2.3. By Service TypeContinuedBuy This Report:About TechSci ResearchTechSci Research is a leading global market research firm publishing premium market research reports. Serving 700 global clients with more than 600 premium market research studies, TechSci Research is serving clients across 11 different industrial verticals. TechSci Research specializes in research based consulting assignments in high growth and emerging markets, leading technologies and niche applications. Our workforce of more than 100 fulltime Analysts and Consultants employing innovative research solutions and tracking global and country specific high growth markets helps TechSci clients to lead rather than follow market trends.ContactMr. Ken Mathews708 Third Avenue,Manhattan, NY,New York 10017Tel: +1-646-360-1656Email: sales@techsciresearch.com Campus News Belcea Quartet to make rare appearance in Buffalo Buffalo is one of a select number of U.S. stops the Belcea Quartet is making on its current tour. UBNOW STAFF The Department of Music is joining with the Buffalo Chamber Music Society to present two concerts with the acclaimed Belcea Quartet as part of UBs Slee Visiting Artist Series. The concerts will take place at 8 p.m. Oct. 16 in the Mary Seaton Room of Kleinhans Music Hall, and at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 in Lippes Concert Hall in Slee Hall on the UB North Campus. The program on Oct. 16 will feature Haydns String Quartet in G Major, Op. 33, No.5 (How do you do?); Janaceks String Quartet No. 2 (Intimate Letters); and Beethovens String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat Major, Op. 130 (with the Grosse Fuge) On Oct. 17, the quartet will present Mozarts String Quartet No. 22 in B-flat Major, K. 589; Bartoks String Quartet No. 6, Sz. 114; and Mendelssohns String Quartet No. 6 in F minor, Op. 80. This months back-to-back concerts mark a rare U.S. appearance by the Belcea Corina Belcea and Axel Schacher, violins; Krzysztof Chorzelski, viola; and Antoine Lederlin, cello. The group was founded at the Royal College of Music in London in 1994. Although the quartet is based in Great Britain, founding members Belcea, born in Romania, and Chorzelski, from Poland, bring a very different artistic provenance to the ensemble while drawing from the best traditions of string quartet playing inspired by the quartets mentors: the members of the Alban Berg and Amadeus quartets. This diversity is reflected in the Belceas repertoire. Regular world premieres go hand in hand with a profound connection with the great works of the classical and romantic periods. The quartets open-minded approach to music enables it to bring its own unique, elegant and refined interpretations to the main string quartet repertoire. Buffalo is one of a select number of U.S. stops the group is making on its current tour, along with Carnegie Hall in New York and the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. Tickets for the Oct. 16 concert at Kleinhans are $30 for the general public and free for students, and can be purchased by calling the Buffalo Chamber Music Society at (716) 462-4939, or at the door. Tickets for the UB concert are available through a variety of outlets at the following pricing structure: UB faculty, staff, alumni, seniors and non-UB students $10 plus $2 fee online at www.ticketfly.com $10 plus $4 fee by phone at 877-987-6487 (Ticketfly) $14 in person at the Center for the Arts (noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday) $17 in person at the door (one hour before concert time) General public $15 plus $2 fee online at www.ticketfly.com $15 plus $4 fee by phone at 877-987-6487 (Ticketfly) $19 in person at the Center for the Arts (noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday) $22 in person at the door (one hour before concert time) UB students are admitted free with ID. For a complete listing of all concerts being presented by the Department of Music, visit the departments website. Adobe Systems, eFileCabinet, Google, Ideagen Plc, Lucion Technologies, MasterControl, Microsoft, Oracle, Profiled in Electronic Document Management System Market Report 2018 by Global Market Insights, Inc. Electronic Document Management System Market https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2265 https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2265 https://bit.ly/2BryL9N www.gminsights.com Software providers in the electronic document management system market offer desktop solutions, network/server-based and cloud-based solutions to capture and manage their business documentation needs. The core implementation team consists of application developers, project managers and coordinators. Collaboration between software developers and service providers add capabilities to coalesce on a common platform and embed functions into the document management solution. Service providers offer means for implementing EDMS into the actual workplace. In addition to installation, they also provide integration services with the organizations workflow, as well as training and consulting services for smooth functioning of the system.The rise in demand for document retention as a result of stringent rules and regulations governing the storage of company records is benefitting the global electronic document management system market. Increase in the formation of new businesses has also led to the steep demand for such solutions as they provide co-ordination and control over flow of documents in a protective and efficient manner. Key benefits of EDMS include data protection, information destruction, records management and recovery services. Factors such as high cost associated with the deployment and maintenance of on-premise solutions coupled with the cybersecurity threats might hinder the electronic document management system market. In addition, incorporation issues with the already existing applications are the other factors restraining the industry demand.Request for a sample of this research report @Demand for EDMS solutions in medical applications is expected to exhibit significant growth over the forecast period. This can be attributed to the need for automation and digitization in the healthcare center and the need to improve clinical efficiency and quality of healthcare systems. Increasing adoption of health information management systems such as Electronic Medical Record (EMR), Health Information Management (HIM), Radiology Information System (RIS) and Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS drive growth of medical electronic document management system market.The service providers offer a range of service, which includes installation, integration, consulting, and training services for streamlining the business workflow. The on-premise deployment in the electronic document management system market is predicted to witness a significant growth over the forecast timespan. The growth can be accredited to the rising utilization of these solutions for operations that include an enormous number of documents with a large file. Moreover, cloud-based solutions are an ideal fit for users with inadequate workforce and a large number of customers, who use remote solutions. Increasing implementation of cloud-based solutions can be attributed to the low cost of subscription followed by the easy storage and information accessibility.The electronic document management system market is witnessing growth in the government sector as these solutions eliminate the paper-based documentation techniques and efficiently manage workflow operations. Furthermore, the utilization of these solutions allows the government to improvise efficiency and maintain transparency across all the departments. With the volume of papers growing enormously, the deployment of electronic documents is expected to help organizations achieve a huge saving in terms of costs.Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) Market was estimated at over USD 2 billion in 2016 and is set to exceed USD 6 billion by 2024.Growth Drivers:. Stringent regulatory framework in the U.S.. Emerging demand for cloud services in the UK. Demand from government institutions in Russia. Penetration of SaaS-based solutions in China and Japan. Digitization in IndiaMake an inquiry for buying this report @On-premise solutions are ideal for operations wherein a large number of documents need to be managed with combatively large file sizes. Customers need to invest on hardware, licenses, IT staff and IT infrastructure for on-premises solutions. On the other hand, cloud based EDMS are suitable for users with limited IT expertise or staff, large number of remote end users and suitable networking infrastructure.Asia Pacific electronic document management system market is expected to witness sharp growth owing rising penetration of SaaS based solutions and favorable government initiatives in the region. Furthermore, the increasing volume of data and growing demand for cloud storage is also expected to augment demand in the region. North America holds a major share in the global EDMS market owing to presence of large number of EMDS solution providers and early adoption of technology in the region.Companies operating in the electronic document management system market include Google, Inc., Adobe Systems, Inc., DropBox, CGI Group, Inc., Alfresco One Software, eFileCabinet, MasterControl, Ideagen PLC, DocSTAR, Zoho Corp., and Oracle Corporation. The industry players are heavily investing in R&D to develop new and advanced technological solutions, which can be easily incorporated into the existing IT platforms.Browse Full Details @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 research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact UsArun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb: Global Long-term Care Software Market 2018 Key Players: CareVoyant Inc., SOS Corporation, GeroPro, MatrixCare, B Sharp, AMERICAN HEALTHTECH. Long-term Care Software Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3451049-global-long-term-care-software-market-size-status-and-forecast-2018-2025 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/3451049-global-long-term-care-software-market-size-status-and-forecast-2018-2025 Long-term Care Software Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Long-term Care Software Market 2018 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting 2025 reports tits database.Executive SummaryThis report focuses on the global Long-term Care Software status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players. The study objectives are to present the Long-term Care Software development in United States, Europe and China.Long-term care is a service which helps meet medical and non medical needs of people with chronic illnesses or disabilities. It involves a variety of services designed to meet a person's health or personal care needs during a short or long period of time. These services assist people to live independently and safely when they can no longer perform everyday activities on their own.Completely integrated EHR (or electronic health record) BI as well as billing solution that helps facilities to improve their resident care, manage different levels and maintain compliance with single software solution. The software is used for CCRCs, nursing homes etc. Popular features of long -term care software includes centralized database, user friendly graphic user interface (or GUI). The software can not only handle errors or failures effectively but also acts as online sensitive assistance and information base for end users.Several factors including but not limiting to demographic trends, limited healthcare specialists and different initiatives taken by government bodies worldwide to reduce the medical cost have contributed to the growth of the market. However, opposition by LTC providers to embrace software and high cost involved in the maintenance are obstructing the development of the market. On the other hand, North American region is likely to create greater opportunities.In 2017, the global Long-term Care Software market size was xx million US$ and it is expected to reach xx million US$ by the end of 2025, with a CAGR of xx% during 2018-2025.Request Sample Report @The key players covered in this studyCareVoyant Inc.SOS CorporationGeroProMatrixCareB SharpAMERICAN HEALTHTECHActivityProCantata HealthGoldCareBusiness Management Systems, IncMarket segment by Type, the product can be split intoHEREMARPayroll ManagementMarket segment by Application, split intoNursing HomesHome Health AgenciesAssisted Living FacilitiesMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaCentral & South AmericaThe study objectives of this report are:To analyze global Long-term Care Software status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players.To present the Long-term Care Software development in United States, Europe and China.To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their development plan and strategies.To define, describe and forecast the market by product type, market and key regions.In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Long-term Care Software are as follows:History Year: 2013-2017Base Year: 2017Estimated Year: 2018Forecast Year 2018 to 2025For the data information by region, company, type and application, 2017 is considered as the base year. Whenever data information was unavailable for the base year, the prior year has been considered.Table of Contents1 Report Overview1.1 Study Scope1.2 Key Market Segments1.3 Players Covered1.4 Market Analysis by Type1.4.1 Global Long-term Care Software Market Size Growth Rate by Type (2013-2025)1.4.2 HER1.4.3 EMAR1.4.4 Payroll Management1.5 Market by Application1.5.1 Global Long-term Care Software Market Share by Application (2013-2025)1.5.2 Nursing Homes1.5.3 Home Health Agencies1.5.4 Assisted Living Facilities1.6 Study Objectives1.7 Years Considered2 Global Growth Trends2.1 Long-term Care Software Market Size2.2 Long-term Care Software Growth Trends by Regions2.2.1 Long-term Care Software Market Size by Regions (2013-2025)2.2.2 Long-term Care Software 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 Long-term Care Software Market Size by Manufacturers3.1.1 Global Long-term Care Software Revenue by Manufacturers (2013-2018)3.1.2 Global Long-term Care Software Revenue Market Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018)3.1.3 Global Long-term Care Software Market Concentration Ratio (CR5 and HHI)3.2 Long-term Care Software Key Players Head office and Area Served3.3 Key Players Long-term Care Software Product/Solution/Service3.4 Date of Enter into Long-term Care Software Market3.5 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion Plans4 Breakdown Data by Type and Application4.1 Global Long-term Care Software Market Size by Type (2013-2018)4.2 Global Long-term Care Software Market Size by Application (2013-2018)12 International Players Profiles12.1 CareVoyant Inc.12.1.1 CareVoyant Inc. Company Details12.1.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.1.3 Long-term Care Software Introduction12.1.4 CareVoyant Inc. Revenue in Long-term Care Software Business (2013-2018)12.1.5 CareVoyant Inc. Recent Development12.2 SOS Corporation12.2.1 SOS Corporation Company Details12.2.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.2.3 Long-term Care Software Introduction12.2.4 SOS Corporation Revenue in Long-term Care Software Business (2013-2018)12.2.5 SOS Corporation Recent Development12.3 GeroPro12.3.1 GeroPro Company Details12.3.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.3.3 Long-term Care Software Introduction12.3.4 GeroPro Revenue in Long-term Care Software Business (2013-2018)12.3.5 GeroPro Recent Development12.4 MatrixCare12.4.1 MatrixCare Company Details12.4.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.4.3 Long-term Care Software Introduction12.4.4 MatrixCare Revenue in Long-term Care Software Business (2013-2018)12.4.5 MatrixCare Recent Development12.5 B Sharp12.5.1 B Sharp Company Details12.5.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.5.3 Long-term Care Software Introduction12.5.4 B Sharp Revenue in Long-term Care Software Business (2013-2018)12.5.5 B Sharp Recent Development12.6 AMERICAN HEALTHTECH12.6.1 AMERICAN HEALTHTECH Company Details12.6.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.6.3 Long-term Care Software Introduction12.6.4 AMERICAN HEALTHTECH Revenue in Long-term Care Software Business (2013-2018)12.6.5 AMERICAN HEALTHTECH Recent Development12.7 ActivityPro12.7.1 ActivityPro Company Details12.7.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.7.3 Long-term Care Software Introduction12.7.4 ActivityPro Revenue in Long-term Care Software Business (2013-2018)12.7.5 ActivityPro Recent Development12.8 Cantata Health12.8.1 Cantata Health Company Details12.8.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.8.3 Long-term Care Software Introduction12.8.4 Cantata Health Revenue in Long-term Care Software Business (2013-2018)12.8.5 Cantata Health Recent Development12.9 GoldCare12.9.1 GoldCare Company Details12.9.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.9.3 Long-term Care Software Introduction12.9.4 GoldCare Revenue in Long-term Care Software Business (2013-2018)12.9.5 GoldCare Recent Development12.10 Business Management Systems, Inc12.10.1 Business Management Systems, Inc Company Details12.10.2 Company Description and Business Overview12.10.3 Long-term Care Software Introduction12.10.4 Business Management Systems, Inc Revenue in Long-term Care Software Business (2013-2018)12.10.5 Business Management Systems, Inc Recent Development13 Market Forecast 2018-202513.1 Market Size Forecast by Regions13.2 United States13.3 Europe13.4 China13.5 Japan13.6 Southeast Asia13.7 India13.8 Central & South America13.9 Market Size Forecast by Product (2018-2025)13.10 Market Size Forecast by Application (2018-2025)ContinuousFor further information on this report, visit About Us:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Addres:WISEGUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone :+91 841 198 5042 Neo and Challenger Bank Market Opportunities & Current Industry Status till 2023 Along with Top Key Players like Atom Bank ,Movencorp , Simple Finance Technology , BPCE, N26 , Pockit , Ubank , Monzo Bank ,MyBank (Alibaba Group) Neo and Challenger Bank Market https://bit.ly/2PtGomm https://bit.ly/2CBYKz0 This research report is equipped with the information categorising Global Neo and Challenger Bank market by parameters such as players, brands, regions, types and application. The report also details the information about the global market status, competition landscape, growth rate, future trends, market drivers, challenges, opportunities and porters forces analysis with respect to these elements.You can get the sample copy of this report now @The emerging trend of neo and challenger banks offering their banking services through digital channels (online or mobile app banking) in Europe and U.S. is expected to boost the market growth.Scope of the Report:This report studies the Neo and Challenger Bank 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 Neo and Challenger Bank market by product type and applications/end industries.Digital challenger banks are simplifying the financial world, creating a customer centric approach to services, and transforming the way banking is viewed by the public and the market. In return, they endeavor to deliver larger returns on equity as compared to those offered by prominent traditional banks. They strive to offer greater flexibility when it comes to lending through streamlined operations and costs.Owing to favorable regulations, higher fintech adoption index, and rise in investments in these countries. The U.S. is expected to be the market leader during the forecast period. China and the UK are expected to witness higher growth rates on account of relaxations in regulatory requirements, high penetration of internet and smartphones, and large untapped consumer base in these countries.This report also covers the study relating to the key regions for the global market size for the Neo and Challenger Bank Market such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, Middle East, Africa etc and focuses on the consumption of Neo and Challenger Bank Market in these regions.Key Players:You get the detailed analysis of the current market scenario for Neo and Challenger Bank Market and a market forecast till 2025 with this report. The forecast is also supported with the factors affecting the market dynamics for the forecast period. This report also details the information related to geographic trends, competitive scenarios and opportunities in the Neo and Challenger Bank market. The report is also equipped with SWOT analysis and value chain for the companies which are profiled in this report.Geographical Regions of Neo and Challenger Bank Market: United States of AmericaCanadaMexicoRest of North AmericaBrazilArgentinaRest of South AmericaChinaJapanIndiaRest of Asia-PacificUnited KingdomGermanyFranceRest of EuropeUAESouth AfricaSaudi ArabiaGet instant discount @Overview of the chapters analysing the global Neo and Challenger Bank Market in detailChapter 1 details the information relating to Neo and Challenger Bank Market introduction, Scope of the product, market overview, Market risks, driving forces of the market, etcChapter 2 analyses the top manufacturers of the Neo and Challenger Bank Market by sales, revenue etc for the period 2013 to 2018-10-10Chapter 3 throws light on the competition landscape amongst the top manufacturers based on sales, revenue, market share etc for the period 2013 to 2018.Chapter 4 analyses the global market by regions and their market share, sales, revenue etc for the period 2013 to 2018.Chapters 5 to 9 analyse the key regions with key countries based on market share, revenue, sales etc.Chapter 10 and 11 contain the information about market basis type and application, sales market share, growth rate etc for the period 2013 to 2018.Chapter 12 focuses on the market forecast for 2018 to 2023 for the Neo and Challenger Bank Market by regions, type and application, sales and revenue.Chapter 13 to 15 contain the details related to sales channels, distributors, traders, dealers, research findings, research findings, and conclusion etc for the Neo and Challenger Bank Market.Reasons why you should buy this report1. Understand the current and future of the Neo and Challenger Bank Market in both developed and emerging markets.2. The report assists in realigning the business strategies by highlighting the key business priorities.3. The report throws light on the segment expected to dominate the Neo and Challenger Bank industry and market.4. Forecasts the regions expected to witness fastest growth.5. The latest developments in the Neo and Challenger Bank industry and details of the industry leaders along with their market share and strategies.6. Saves time on the entry level research as the report contains vital information about growth, size, leading players and segments of the industry.7. The forecast assist in drafting expansion plans in business.About Us:Reports Intellect is your one-stop solution for everything related to market research and market intelligence. We understand the importance of market intelligence and its need in today's competitive world.Our professional team works hard to fetch the most authentic research reports backed with impeccable data figures which guarantee outstanding results every time for you.So whether it is the latest report from the researchers or a custom requirement, our team is here to help you in the best possible way.Contact Us:sales@reportsintellect.comPH - + 1-888-259-6883US Address:225 Peachtree Street NE,Suite 400,Atlanta, GA 30303 Healthcare Games and Simulation Market 2027 Top Key Players are Laerdal Medical AS, Gaumard Scientific Company, Inc., CAE, Inc., 3D Systems Inc., Surgical Science Sweden AB and More Healthcare Games and Simulation Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/750 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/750 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/750 The study report worldwide Healthcare Games and Simulation Market covers the market analysis for the regions - North America, Europe, Asia Pacific/ Southeast Asia and Row and country analysis of China, Japan, and India focusing on top manufacturers in world market and the market share they hold including their contribution to the market growthMarket Scenario:Global Healthcare Games and Simulation Market is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period. Healthcare games and simulation are considered to be one of the fastest growing technologies globally. Healthcare simulation is the advanced methodology for the education and training of the healthcare professionals through the use of advanced educational technology. Numerous factors such as growing population, new technological advancements, growing focus on patient safety, increasing mortality rate due to medical errors and benefits of simulation over traditional learning are anticipated to drive the growth of the market during the assessment period. Despite the drivers, the high cost of healthcare simulators can hamper the market growth during the forecast period.Get Premium Sample Copy @Global Healthcare Games and Simulation Market Top Key Players:Laerdal Medical ASGaumard Scientific Company, Inc.CAE, Inc.3D Systems Inc.Surgical Science Sweden ABSimulab CorporationLimbs & Things, Ltd.Simulaids, Inc.Mentice ABKyoto Kagaku Co., Ltd.MedaPhor Ltd.Segmentation:The Global Healthcare Games and Simulation Market has been segmented into healthcare simulation products and services, healthcare game types, software, and end-user.The market on the basis of healthcare simulation products and services has been segmented into anatomical models, web-based simulation, and simulation training services. The anatomical models segment has been further segmented into patient monitors, task trainers, interventional/surgical simulators, endovascular simulators, ultrasound simulators, dental simulators, and eye simulators. The patient simulators have been further segmented into high fidelity, medium fidelity, and low fidelity. Further, the interventional/surgical simulators have been segmented into laparoscopic surgical simulators, gynecology simulators, cardiovascular simulators, arthroscopic surgical simulators, and others. The simulation training services segment has been segmented into vendor-based training, educational societies, and custom consulting services.The market on the basis of healthcare games has been segmented into serious games, fitness games, and others.The market, by software type, has been segmented into virtual tutors, performance recording software, and preoperative planning software.On the basis of end-user, the market has been segmented into academic institutes, hospitals, and others.The market has been segmented, by region, into the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. The healthcare games and simulation 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 healthcare games and simulation market has been segmented into Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Western Europe has further been classified as Germany, France, U.K, Italy, Spain, and the rest of Western Europe.The healthcare games and simulation market in Asia-Pacific has been segmented into Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, and the rest of Asia-Pacific. The healthcare games and simulation market in the Middle East & Africa has been segmented into the Middle East and Africa.Get Valuable Discount @Regional Market Summary:Geographically, the Americas is anticipated to dominate the global healthcare games and simulation market. The market growth in this region is attributed to the increasing adoption of healthcare simulation by the medical universities and training centers, the presence of a well-established healthcare system, and increasing number of deaths due to medical errors. According to an article published in Johns Hopkins Magazine, more than 250,000 deaths per year are due to medical error in the US.Europe is expected to be the second largest market in the globe owing to the growing emphasis on computer-based learning through simulation, continuous innovation in technology, growing demand for non-invasive technologies, and increasing healthcare expenditure.Asia-Pacific is anticipated to be the fastest growing market owing to the presence of a huge patient population, increasing disposable income, and growing healthcare expenditure. Moreover, the countries such as China, India, and Japan are continuously involved in technological advancements is likely to contribute to the growth of the market.The Middle East & Africa account for the lowest market share in the global healthcare games and simulation market due to low development, lack of technical knowledge, and poor medical facilities in developing economies in this region.Table of Contents: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!Get Reports Enquiry @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 Radio Access Technology Market to 2018 - 2026| Intel Corporation, Cisco Systems, Inc., Nokia Corporation, Ericsson AB, Telco Systems, Hitachi Data Systems Ltd., https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1879063 https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=1879063 http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG https://marketsizeinfo.blogspot.in/ Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Radio Access Technology Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2018 - 2026" to its huge collection of research reports.Radio access technology (RAT) refers to an innovative method of physical connection for a radio based mobile communication network. It is focused on meeting customer needs by centralizing the base stations and providing a supportive solution between multiple network operators. Many modern phones have in build system for supporting several RATs in one device such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. This technology offers improved performance and operational expenditure, together with high energy efficiency, minimal cost, enhanced spectral efficiency, and centralized network architecture.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @These unique features offered by radio access technology are the primary drivers of the market. As a result of exponentially increasing data consumption, market vendors are expected to replace the conventional network architecture with advanced cloud based radio access technology. Ongoing technological advancements in the telecommunication industry as well as growing demand for improved network coverage is expected to boost the growth of radio access technology market during the forecast period. However, stringent government regulations regarding obligation of global security standards and delay in the standardization of spectrum allocation is restraining market growth. On the other hand, considerable investment in new generations of mobile technologies, such as 4G and 5G, and development of cellular base stations by mobile operators is providing new opportunities for market growth.The global radio access technology market is classified on the basis of communication technology, deployment, end-use and geographically. Radio access technology market by communication technology is categorized as 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE and 5G. Categorization on the basis of deployment comprises cloud based, on-premise and hybrid. Based on end-use, the market is studied for large public venues, targeted outdoor urban areas, residential areas, suburban areas, rural areas and others. The global radio access technology market has been divided into five geographic regions i.e. the Americas- North America and South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East and Africa.Based on communication technology, the 3G and 4G segment in the radio access technology market is anticipated to witness high growth rate during the forecast period. This is due to growing demand for mobile data services such as multimedia sharing, online video streaming, and increasing adoption of online mobile applications has compelled the need for strong connectivity and network densification. By deployment type, the cloud based deployment is forecasted to hold a large market share owing to widespread trend of smartphone adoption and the multiple benefits offered by cloud radio access technology to it. Among various end use segments, the urban segment is predicted to hold a large market share. Growth in data centers and the need for enhanced data capacity as well as network coverage in dense environments, such as targeted outdoor urban areas and large public venues (example- enterprises, stadiums and subways).Geographically, North America is anticipated to hold maximum market share for radio access technology market. Dedicated focus of network operators on providing advanced networking technology solutions to the consumers is likely to be responsible for this growth. Asia Pacific region is estimated to be among fastest growing region primarily due to growing adoption of advanced networking technologies such as 4G/LTE and 5G across countries such as China, India, and Japan. Rapidly evolving Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem and industry in this region has also enhanced the growth of the radio access technology market. Companies in the APAC region are forward in the adoption of disruptive technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence.The key players of the global radio access technology market are Intel Corporation, Cisco Systems, Inc., Nokia Corporation, Ericsson AB, Telco Systems, Hitachi Data Systems Ltd., Aricent Inc., Agilent Technologies, Inc., ZTE Corporation, Ceragon Networks Ltd., Actix International Limited, and Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., among others.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisThe regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.Make An Enquiry @A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.Highlights of the report:A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsMarket segmentation up to the second or third levelHistorical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volumeReporting and evaluation of recent industry developmentsMarket shares and strategies of key playersEmerging niche segments and regional marketsAn objective assessment of the trajectory of the marketRecommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the marketAbout 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 @ Mobile Biometric Security and Service Market 2018 : by Top Key Players Apple Inc (U.S.), 3M Cogent (U.S.), Precise Biometrics (Sweden), M2SYS Technology (U.S.) https://www.reportconsultant.com/request_sample.php?id=1877 https://www.reportconsultant.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=1877 https://www.reportconsultant.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=1877 www.reportconsultant.com Report Consultant has newly formulated a new report titled Mobile Biometric Security and Service Market for the forecast period of 2022.The global Mobile Biometric Security and Service Market is expected to grow over the CAGR of +34% during the period 2016 to 2022.Market Highlights:Mobile Biometric Security and Service market is increasing at a very fast pace due to the increasing need of authentication and security from unwanted cyber threats. The increasing use of mobile device for various services such as mobile banking, internet services, e-commerce and entertainment is also increasing the chances of data loss and security breach risks.Global Mobile Biometric Security and Service Market is expect to grow at US $+45 billion by the end of forecasted period with CAGR of +34% between 2016 and 2022.Get Sample Copy Of this Report @:This Mobile Biometric Security and Service market report focuses on the top players in global market, like :- Apple Inc (U.S.), 3M Cogent (U.S.), Precise Biometrics (Sweden), M2SYS Technology (U.S.), Nuance Communications (U.S.), Safran SA (France), NEC Corporation (Japan), Crossmatch (U.S.), BIO-key (U.S.), Aware Inc (U.S.), Applied Recognition (Canada), EyeVerify (U.S.)Market segment by Type, Mobile Biometric Security and Service market can be split into- Fingerprint- Face- Voice- IrisMarket segment by Application Mobile Biometric Security and Service market can be split into- Banking and Finance- Law Enforcement- Military and Border Control- HealthcareFor more Information:This Mobile Biometric Security and Service market report information becomes beneficial for the new entrants who are aiming to establish themselves as a potential player in the market. Also, the realization that the cost incurred during the development of newer products that would upsurge their branding.This understanding is motivating them to indulge in strategic research and development activities by collaborating with the other big players, therefore, empowering them to cut down their manufacturing and distribution costs.Buyers Get 50% Discount on this Report @ Click Here:Report Consultant specializes in delivering qualitative and quantitative analysis reviewing the micro and macroeconomic framework in great detail. The businesses have started to understand that there has been a shift in the way the market behavior. The altering technological landscape as mandated the players to revisit their traditional data analysis platforms to self-service business analytics being some of the most outstanding ones.Table of content in the Mobile Biometric Security and Service market report as follows:Chapter 1: Industry Overview of Mobile Biometric Security and ServiceChapter 2: Global Mobile Biometric Security and Service Competition Analysis by PlayersChapter 3: Company (Top Players) ProfilesChapter 4: Global Mobile Biometric Security and Service Market Size by Type and Application (2012-2018)Chapter 5: United States Mobile Biometric Security and Service Development Status and OutlookChapter 6: EU Mobile Biometric Security and Service Development Status and OutlookChapter 7: Japan Mobile Biometric Security and Service Development Status and OutlookChapter 8: China Mobile Biometric Security and Service Market Development Status and OutlookChapter 9: India Mobile Biometric Security and Service Development Status and OutlookChapter 10: Southeast Asia Mobile Biometric Security and Service Development Status and OutlookChapter 11: Market Forecast by Regions, Type and Application (2018-2022)Chapter 12: Mobile Biometric Security and Service Market DynamicsChapter 13: Market Effect Factors AnalysisChapter 14: Research Finding/ConclusionChapter 15: AppendixAbout us:Report Consultant A global leader in analytics, research and advisory that can assist you to renovate your business and modify your approach. With us, you will learn to take decisions intrepidly. We make sense of drawbacks, opportunities, circumstances, estimations and information using our experienced skills and verified methodologies.Our research reports will give you an exceptional experience of innovative solutions and outcomes. We have effectively steered businesses all over the world with our market research reports and are outstandingly positioned to lead digital transformations. Thus, we craft greater value for clients by presenting advanced opportunities in the global market. Our profound experience provides a clear and confident vision to help clients navigate the future. Report Consultant techniques encompasses both qualitative and quantitative modes to provide customized and highly flexible tailored research studies so that you get information that is just the best-fit to make informed strategies organizational decisionsContact us:Rebecca Parker(Report Consultant)Akasaka biz tower,5-3-1 akasaka minato-ku,Tokyo, JapanContact No: +81-368444299sales@reportconsultant.com Machine Learning as a Service Market by Key Players - Google Inc., SAS Institute Inc., FICO, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Yottamine Analytics, Amazon Web Services, BigML, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Predictron Labs Ltd. https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2692 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/machine-learning-as-a-service-market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/2692 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Increased application areas, growth associated with IoT, cognitive computing, neural networks, deep learning technologies, and artificial intelligence (AI), and surge in demand for application-specific solutions drive the machine learning as a service market growth. In addition, recent innovations and growth in adoption of advanced solutions further fuel this growth.According to a new report by Allied Market Research, titled, Machine Learning as a Service Market by Component, Organization Size, End-Use Industry, and Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2016-2023, the global machine learning as a service market was valued at $571 million in 2016, and is projected to reach at $5,537 million by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 39.0% from 2017 to 2023. BFSI segment possesses maximum potential, which is expected to create lucrative opportunities for industry players.Request a Sample of the Report:The report features the competitive scenario of the machine learning as a service market and provides the comprehensive analysis of the significant growth strategies adopted by major players. The key players operating in the market include Google Inc., SAS Institute Inc., FICO, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Yottamine Analytics, Amazon Web Services, BigML, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Predictron Labs Ltd., and IBM Corporation.Machine learning is designed to incorporate the functionalities of artificial intelligence (AI) and cognitive computing involving a series of algorithms and is used to understand the relationship between datasets to obtain a desired output. Machine learning as a service (MLaaS) incorporates range of services that offer machine learning tools through cloud computing services.The current business scenario has witnessed surge in adoption of machine learning as a service in the developed and the developing regions, owing to the technological innovations in product offerings, increased need to improve performance and operational efficiency, rise in demand for analytical systems, and increase in application areas among end users. Furthermore, factors such as growth associated with IoT, cognitive computing, neural networks, deep learning technologies, and artificial intelligence (AI) are expected to provide numerous growth opportunities. However, lack of trained professionals is expected to restrict the growth of the machine learning as a service market during the forecast period.Access Full Summary at:The services segment dominated the machine learning as a service market in 2016, with around 73% revenue share of the global market. This is attributed to the improved IT infrastructure and increased cloud-related expenditures to cater to the untapped markets among the developing nations.The IT and telecom segment dominated the global machine learning as a service market, with around 20% share in 2016, followed by BFSI segment. Furthermore, public sector segment is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR of 42.1%, owing to widespread adoption of advanced solutions and increased IT spending.North America was the highest revenue contributor in 2016, accounting for around 43% share. However, Asia-Pacific is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 45.5% during the forecast period.Machine learning as a Service Market Key Segments:By Component Software ServicesBy Organization Size Large Enterprises Small & Medium EnterprisesDo Purchase Inquiry:By End-Use Industry Aerospace & Defence IT & Telecom Energy & Utilities Public sector Manufacturing BFSI Healthcare Retail OthersBy Application Marketing & Advertising Fraud Detection & Risk Management Predictive analytics Augmented & Virtual reality Natural Language processing Computer vision Security & surveillanceAbout 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: Xerostomia Therapeutics 2026 Top Key players by: Eisai Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Company, Dentaid, EUSA Pharma, Forward Science, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Mission Pharmacal Company, OraHealth Inc. https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/global-xerostomia-therapeutics-market/request-for-free-sample https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/global-xerostomia-therapeutics-market/inquire-before-buying https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/global-xerostomia-therapeutics-market/ www.polarismarketresearch.com The Global Xerostomia Therapeutics Market Size is anticipated to reach over USD 822.14 million by 2026 according to a new research published by Polaris Market Research.Xerostomia is also defined as dry mouth condition causing due to absent or reduced saliva. In general, xerostomia is not considered as a disorder, but it is a condition with symptom associated with various medical situations such as a side effect of a radioactivity to the head and neck generally during chemotherapy or a side effect of a number of medications. It may or may not be associated with decreased salivary gland function. Xerostomia is a common problem majorly observed in geriatric population affecting around 20% of the individuals. However, xerostomia does not act to be age-related disorder itself as xerostomia is generally caused as a side effect.Request sample copy of this report @The rise in favorable reimbursement scenario for xerostomia products and growing awareness about related with ailments are the major factors contributing the global xerostomia therapeutics market growth. Moreover, growing occurrence of xerostomia and related diseases such as hypertension, Parkinsons disease, Sjogrens syndrome, and diabetes has an affirmative influence on the global market. According to the industry reports, approximately 25 million individuals in the U.S. experience dry mouth.Moreover, according to Sjogren Syndrome Foundation of America, approximately 4 million Americans are suffering Sjogrens syndrome. Rising resourcefulness for the growth of awareness regarding xerostomia another factors expected to drive the market growth. For instance, Sjogren Syndrome Foundation of America conducts wakefulness programs to support people suffering the syndrome in North America. In addition, the foundation introduced the 5-Year Breakthrough Goal in 2012 with an object to cure the xerostomia as well as decrease the time required to analyze it. Moreover, key players are focusing on acquiring developing establishments and conduct lineups to increase consciousness regarding xerostomia, further enhancing the global xerostomia therapeutics market growth significantly.The global Xerostomia Therapeutics Market is segmented on the basis of product, distribution channel, and geography.Make Inquiry about this report @On the basis of product, the global xerostomia therapeutics market is segmented into Artificial Saliva, Dentifrices, Salivary Stimulants, Saliva Substitutes, Drugs, and Salivary Pen. On the basis of products, dentifrices segment is estimated to dominate the market. The dominance is primarily due to affordability, availability, effectiveness, higher adoption amongst the users. On the basis of the distribution channel, the global xerostomia therapeutics market is segmented into Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, Online Pharmacies. In 2017, the hospital pharmacy is anticipated to dominate the market. The dominance of hospital pharmacy is majorly due to the availability of limited branded drugs, safety & efficacy, safety, and low pricing of products. Asia Pacific is anticipated to make a dominating growth for Xerostomia Therapeutics Market during the forecast period. growing healthcare spending, the rise in inventiveness for growing awareness, and increasing occurrence of ailments such as Parkinsons disease, diabetes, cancer, and HIV causing dry mouth conditions and factors estimated to bolster the xerostomia therapeutics market in the Asia Pacific.Browse Complete Report Details @Some major key players in global Xerostomia Therapeutics Market include Eisai Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Company, Dentaid, EUSA Pharma, Forward Science, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Mission Pharmacal Company, OraHealth Inc., OraPharma, Inc., Parnell Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Saliwell Ltd., and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries among others.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.Contact us-Mr. NeelCorporate Sales, USAPolaris Market ResearchPhone: 1-646-568-9980Email: sales@polarismarketresearch.comWeb: Learning Management System (LMS) Market - Blackboard Inc., CrossKnowledge, JZero Solutions Ltd, Litmos Limited, Oracle Corporation, Paradiso Solutions, Saba Software, Inc. https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/learning-management-systems-market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/learning-management-systems-market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com The adoption of cloud deployments is on the rise, due to growth in demand for low cost pay-as-you-go model, professional & managed services, and others. Moreover, increase in demand for LMS due to learning material availability, remote access, and common e-learning platform are anticipated to drive the LMS market among enterprises.According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, Learning Management System (LMS) Market by Deployment Model, User Type, and Industry Vertical: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2023, the global LMS market was valued at $4,396 million in 2016, and is projected to reach $15,391 million by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 20.0% from 2017 to 2023.Access Full Summary at:The government & education industry vertical has witnessed high demand in the global learning management system (LMS) market in 2016, owing to growth in adoption of e-learning solutions by schools and universities. In addition, reduced investment cost in employees training and pay-as-you-go deployment model in cloud deployment are expected to fuel the market growth in the near future. Moreover, the others industry including automotive, supply chain, and other business service providers has witnessed increased adoption of LMS across various regions, owing to strong demand for training programs through LMS.The North America learning management system (LMS) market was the largest market in the world in 2016, owing to the growth in demand for e-learning solution among user types, including academics and enterprises. Global players are focused on innovating efficient learning management solutions to strengthen their product offering. In addition, industry participants have focused on improving their learning management system (LMS) solutions to ensure competence and effectiveness of the learning platform across other emerging markets such as Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.North America was the highest revenue contributor in 2016, accounting for around 51.07% share of the overall market. In addition, Asia-Pacific Learning management system (LMS) market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 23.2% during the forecast period, driven by growth in adoption of bring your own devices (BYOD) and e-learning platforms in emerging countries such as Singapore, South Korea, and Japan.For more details, visit:The key players profiled in the LMS market are Blackboard Inc., CrossKnowledge, JZero Solutions Ltd, Litmos Limited, Oracle Corporation, Paradiso Solutions, Saba Software, Inc., SAP SE, SumTotal Systems, LLC, and TalentLMS. All these players are involved in the competitive strategies, such as geographical expansion, mergers & acquisitions, product portfolio expansion, and partnership to augment the LMS market growth.Learning Management System (LMS) Market Key Segments:By Deployment Model Cloud On-premiseBy User Type Academics EnterprisesBy Industry Vertical Government & education Retail Healthcare IT & telecom Manufacturing HospitalityAbout 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: Global Nutricosmetics Market Key Information By Top Key Player Croda International Plc, Pfizer Inc, Lucas Meyer Cosmetics SAS, Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC and Frutarom Ltd. https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/nutricosmetics-market/request-for-free-sample https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/nutricosmetics-market/inquire-before-buying www.polarismarketresearch.com Global nutricosmetics market generated USD 4.73 billion in 2016 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 11.43% during the forecast period indicates a new report published by Polaris Market Research.Nutricosmetics are supplements, that are oral based and is used for maintaining skin health that is an essential part of overall beauty of the body. One of the major factors driving the growth of global nutricosmetics market is the growing consumer awareness in case of personal care and grooming coupled with increasing disposable income. Nutricosmetics are substances which are majorly used to treat skin, hair and nail defects among others. In addition, this supplement is also used to protect the body from UV ray. Different substances which are used as nutricosmetics are vitamin C and E, beta carotene, polypodium leucotomes and tea polyphenols among others. Europe has held the largest market for nutricosmetics in 2017 and is expected to top the market over the forecast period.Request free sample copy of this report @Some major key player include: Croda International Plc, Pfizer Inc., Sanofi-Aventis, Lucas-Meyer Cosmetics, BASF SE, ExcelVite, Denomega Nutritional Oils AS, GlaxoSmithKline, Isocell SA and Funtionalab Inc. among others.Consumer preference towards grooming and a overall healthy lifestyle is expected to boost the global nutricosmetics market. On the other hand, lack of awareness and higher cost is acting as a restraint for the growth of the market in some of the developing nations. The global nutricosmetics market is segmented on the basis of product types, forms and application. In case of product types, vitamins held the largest market share in 2016 and is expected to hold the largest market share over the forecast period, followed by omega-3 fatty acids. Skin care is expected to hold the largest market share among the application segments throughout the forecast period of more than 35%. Rising consumer awareness regarding grooming and skin health coupled with busy lifestyle is having an impact on the growing skin care nutricosmetics segment. The global nutricosmetics market is segmented on the basis of product types, forms and application. In case of product types, vitamins held the largest market share in 2016 and is expected to hold the largest market share over the forecast period, followed by omega-3 fatty acids. Skin care is expected to hold the largest market share among the application segments throughout the forecast period of more than 35%.Rising consumer awareness regarding grooming and skin health coupled with busy lifestyle is having an impact on the growing skin care nutricosmetics segment.Make Inquiry about this report @Recent TrendsThe demand for collagen as a nutricosmetic ingredient is expected to remain high throughout the forecast period. However, consumers are looking for some natural alternative of collagen. Due to this fact manufacturers are focusing on using vegan-friendly ingredients to produce nutricosmetics. Some of the non-animal sources been used by the manufacturers are bamboo silica, gooseberry extracts, white tea antioxidants and vegan phytoceramides among others.Nutricosmetics Market OutlookForm Solid LiquidProduct Type Omega-3 Fatty Acid Vitamin Carotenoid OthersApplication Skin Care Sun Protection Hair Care Oral Care OthersRegion North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany UK France Asia-Pacific China India Japan Latin America Brazil Mexico Middle East and Africa.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.comWeb: Flooring Market 2022 Global Player: Gerflor Group, LG Hausys, Ltd., Flowcrete Group Ltd, Polyfloor Inc. , Forbo Holding AG., Tarkett Company, Floorworld LLC, Mohawk Industries Inc. https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2527 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/flooring-market-2527 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/2527 Market Overview;Market research future published a half cooked research report on global flooring market. The global flooring market is expected to grow over the CAGR of around 5% during the period 2016 to 2022Flooring is the permanent covering of a floor. Rising preference for sustainable building techniques drives the growth of the flooring market. Growing focus on innovative flooring that is also durable is fueling this growth. High demand from hospitality sector is the major factor contributing to the growth of the market. Various countries such as Australia, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai are making huge investments on tourism ultimately increasing the number of resorts and hotels. The growth of global flooring market may be hindered by flooring waste disposal and the rising price of raw materials as well as it may be hindered by complexities of transportation.The global flooring market is expected to grow at CAGR of 5% by 2022.Get Sample Report@Market Research AnalysisOn the basis of materials, global flooring market is segmented into carpets, tiles, vinyl & rubber, wood & others. Out of them, carpets dominate the material segment of global flooring market. It accounted for more than 30% market share of the global flooring market mainly due to increasing residential construction activities. Carpets are used in residential buildings as floor decor. Carpets offer thermal and acoustic insulation benefits. Also, ease and speed in installation and higher economic value benefits are some factors increasing the demand of carpets. Wood is also expected to grow significantly during the forecast period due to the growing preference of green buildings by consumers.Asia-Pacific is the largest region for the flooring market mainly due to rapid growth in construction sector. It is expected to grow at the fastest pace during the forecast period.Study Objectives of Global Flooring Market: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next five years of various segments and sub-segments of the global flooring market. To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth. To analyze the global flooring market based on various tools such as Price Analysis, Supply Chain Analysis, Porters Five Force Analysis. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, APAC, and Rest of the World (ROW). To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective. To provide country level analysis of the market segmented by Materials, by Types, by Applications, and by Regions. To provide strategic profiling of the key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market. To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the flooring market.Scope of the ReportThis study provides an overview of the global flooring market, tracking four market segments across four geographic regions. The report studies key players, providing a five-year annual trend analysis that highlights market size, volume and share for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. The report also provides a forecast, focusing on the market opportunities for the next five years for each region. The scope of the studysegments the global flooring market as material, type, and application. By Materialo Carpetso Tileso Vinyl & Rubbero Woodo Other By Typeo Soft coveringo Resiliento Non-resiliento others By Applicationo Healthcareo Educationo Hospitalityo Retailo SportsTo Browse a Complete Report with TOC Visit @Key Players Gerflor Group (France) LG Hausys, Ltd. (Korea) Flowcrete Group Ltd (U.K) Polyfloor Inc. (U.K.) Forbo Holding AG. (Switzerland) Tarkett Company (France) Floorworld LLC (Dubai) Mohawk Industries Inc. (U.S.) Shaw Industries, Inc. (U.S.) Mannington Mills Inc. (U.S.)Target Audience: Manufacturing Organizations Distributors & Suppliers Environmental Associations Research Institute / Education Institute Potential InvestorsProduct Analysis: Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional Information: Regulatory Landscape Pricing Analysis Macroeconomic IndicatorsGeographic Analysis: Geographical analysis across 15 countriesCompany Information: Profiling of 10 key market players In-depth analysis including SWOT analysis, and strategy information of related to report title Competitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesCheck Discount @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, Application, Logistics and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Data Colocation Market 2018 2022 Global Key Players: Equinix, Inc, SunGard availability services, CenturyLink, Inc, CoreSite Realty Corporation, Verizon Communication, Inc https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2023 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/data-colocation-market-2023 Market Scenario:Data colocation refers to data center services provided to businesses to power & cool their servers, storage, networking and other computing devices. The data colocation facility leases server cabinets and cages, enables connections to its network & physical infrastructure, and provides optional services such as structured cabling, server monitoring, remote support and hardware leasing to the user. Colocation data centers usually serve as a bridge between on-premises and on-cloud data centers. It also helps organization in saving time, cost and disturbances of on-premises data centers which demand constant maintenance.The global Data Colocation Market is expected to grow from USD 26 Billion in 2016 to USD 51 Billion by 2022, at an estimated CAGR of 12%. The growth of this market can be constrained by the non-availability of huge locations near organizations for establishment of data centers.The companies also has threat of losing control over servers thereby many organizations are taking less initiative to adopt the data colocation services.Request a Sample Report @Major Key Players Equinix, Inc.(U.S.) SunGard availability services (U.S.) CenturyLink, Inc.(U.S.) CoreSite Realty Corporation(U.S.) Global Switch Corporation (UK) KDDI Telehouse Corporation (Japan) Verizon Communication, Inc.(U.S.) Interxion Holding NV (Netherlands, Europe) DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc.(U.S.) American Telephone & Telegraph, Inc. (U.S.)Segments: The Global data colocation Market has been segmented on the basis of service type, components, and end users. Service type includes small scale and large scale services. Components comprises of network hardware, server & storage, cooling units and others. End users includes healthcare, IT & telecom, energy, banking & insurance and government among others.Study Objectives of Global data colocation Market: To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast of the various segments and sub-segments of the global data colocation market. To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth. To analyze the global data colocation market based porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW). To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective. To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by service type, components, and end users. To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market. To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global data colocation Market.Regional Analysis:The regional analysis of data colocation market is being studied for areas such as Asia pacific, North America, Europe and rest of the world. North America is expected to dominate the data colocation market due to its increasing data center requirements in IT capacity management. The colocation providers in North America region are leveraging their advanced technological architectures which are helping in increasing their market share. Furthermore, Asia pacific region is forecast to grow in the data colocation market in upcoming years owing to the vast increase in data production and therefore migration of organizations towards cloud.The growth of Europe, on the other hand, can be attributed to show high growth opportunity in data colocation market due to the increasing investment by tech leaders into European IT market. For instance, Apple is investing to set up its data centers in Denmark and Ireland and Facebook has made investments in north Sweden for data colocation services.Browse Full Report Details @Intended Audience: Colocation service providers IT companies Software companies Suppliers of manufacturing equipments Government organizations Banking sector Cloud providersTable of Contents1 Market Introduction1.1 Introduction1.2 Scope of Study1.2.1 Research Objective1.2.2 Assumptions1.2.3 Limitations1.3 Market StructureContinuedAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Acne Medication Market with Growing Opportunities During the Forecast Period By Top Leading Companies and Manufacturers Acne Medication Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/4356 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/4356 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/4356 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/acne-medication-market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Acne Medication Market was valued at $8,017 million in 2017, and is projected to reach $10,929 million by 2025, registering a CAGR of 3.9% from 2018 to 2025. According to a new report published by Allied Market Research.Acne is a long-term skin disease that appears because of clogged hair follicles, dead skin cells, and oil excreted from skin. It is characterized by the presence of considerable number of pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, oily skin, and probable scarring. It generally affects the skin with comparatively high number of sweat glands at upper part of chest, back, and face. Acne medications are drugs that are indicated for the treatment of acne. These include several prescription and over-the-counter medicines such as retinoids, isotretinoin, antibioticThe factors that drive the growth of the acne medication market include increase in prevalence of acne vulgaris across the world, unhealthy urban lifestyle, surge in pollution, and rise in focus on skin care products. However, side effects associated with acne medications and reforms, and presence of alternative treatment options such as laser therapies, impede the market growth. Conversely, the development of newer products with lesser side effects and presence of untapped market in the emerging economies are expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities for the market.Download PDF Report Sample @The key players of this market include Allergan Plc. Nestle S.A. (Galderma S.A.) Johnson & Johnson Mayne Pharma Group Limited Mylan N.V. Pfizer Inc. GlaxoSmithKline Plc (Stiefel Laboratories, Inc.) Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.Other players (these players are not profiled in the report and the same can be included on request) in the value chain include Daiichi Sankyo Company, Ltd., Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation, Foamix Pharmaceuticals, Prestium Pharma, Inc. and BioPharmX, Inc.Get Customized Report @The retinoids segment accounted for the largest share in 2017, owing to high usage in treatment of acne and lesser side effects as compared to other therapeutics. However, the salicylic acid segment is expected to grow at the high CAGR from 2018 to 2025.The inflammatory acne segment is the largest acne type segment in the global acne medication market in 2017 and is expected to maintain its lead in the forecast period. On the other hand, non-inflammatory acne segment is anticipated to record the highest CAGR from 2018-2025.By type, the prescription medicine segment dominated the global acne treatment market in terms of revenue in 2017 and the trend is projected to continue throughout the forecast period.The utilization rate of topical medications for acne treatment is high owing to high availability of these products with high success rate and lesser side effects. However, the oral medication segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period.North America was the leading revenue contributor to the global acne medication market in 2017, and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. This is attributed to the early approval of acne medication products and high adoption of prescription medicines in this region. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 5.6% during the study period, due to increase in affordability, surge in healthcare expenditure, and rise in awareness toward safe acne medications products.Key Findings of the Acne Medication Market: The antibiotics segment accounted for nearly one-fourth share of the global acne medication market in 2017. The over-the-counter medicine segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.9% from 2018 to 2025. The non-inflammatory acne segment accounted for around two-fifths share of the global market in 2017. Europe accounted for around one-fourth share of the global market in 2017. LAMEA is expected to provide lucrative market growth opportunities and grows with the CAGR of 4.5% from 2018 to 2025.For More Information @Table of ContentChapter: 1: INTRODUCTION1.1. Report description1.2. Key benefits for stakeholders1.3. Key market segments1.3.1. By Therapeutic Class1.3.2. By Formulation1.3.3. By Type1.3.4. By Acne Type1.3.5. By Distribution Channel1.3.6. By Region1.3.7. List of key players profiled in the report1.4. Research methodology1.4.1. Secondary research1.4.2. Primary research1.4.3. Analyst tools and modelsChapter: 2: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY2.1. Key findings of the study2.2. CXO perspectiveChapter: 3: MARKET OVERVIEW3.1. Market definition and scope3.2. Key findings3.2.1. Top investment pockets3.2.2. Top winning strategies3.3. Top player positioning, 20173.4. Market dynamics3.4.1. Drivers3.4.1.1. Increase in prevalence of acne diseases3.4.1.2. Unhealthy urban lifestyle3.4.1.3. Rise in focus on skin care products3.4.2. Restraints3.4.2.1. Side effects associated with acne medications3.4.2.2. Presence of alternatives for acne treatment3.4.3. Opportunities3.4.3.1. Opportunities in emerging economies3.4.3.2. Development of therapeutics with lesser side effects3.4.4. Impact analyses3.5. Clinical trials3.6. Patent analysis (2013-2018)3.6.1. Patent analysis, by year3.6.2. Patent analysis for China, by yearAccess Full Summery @About Us:Allied 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.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: +1855550-5975help@alliedmarketresearch.comWeb: Content Delivery Network (CDN) Market 2018 Global Analysis By Key Players Akamai, Google, Level 3 Communications, Limelight Networks, AWS, Internap Content Delivery Network (CDN) Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3453777-global-content-delivery-network-cdn-market-2018-by https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/3453777-global-content-delivery-network-cdn-market-2018-by https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=3453777 WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On Content Delivery Network (CDN) Market 2018 Global Analysis By Key Players Akamai, Google, Level 3 Communications, Limelight Networks, AWS, Internap.Description:-This report studies the Content Delivery Network (CDN) 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 Content Delivery Network (CDN) market by product type and applications/end industries.Among core solutions, the media delivery solution is expected to hold the largest market share and is expected to continue its dominance during the forecast period. Media delivery with best quality experience and the lower delay time is very essential for content creators and organizations to offer the best viewing experience to end users. . Moreover, storage services will remain the most significant service contributing the highest revenue.The global Content Delivery Network (CDN) 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 32.9% between 2017 and 2023.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comThe 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 Content Delivery Network (CDN).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 coversAkamaiGoogleLevel 3 CommunicationsLimelight NetworksAWSInternapVerizon CommunicationsCDNetworksStackpathTata CommunicationsMarket 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, coversStandard/Non-Video CDNVideo CDNMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoLarge EnterprisesSmall and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)Enquiry About Report @Table Of Contents Major Key Points1 Content Delivery Network (CDN) Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Content Delivery Network (CDN)1.2 Classification of Content Delivery Network (CDN) by Types1.2.1 Global Content Delivery Network (CDN) Revenue Comparison by Types (2017-2023)1.2.2 Global Content Delivery Network (CDN) Revenue Market Share by Types in 20171.2.3 Standard/Non-Video CDN1.2.4 Video CDN1.3 Global Content Delivery Network (CDN) Market by Application1.3.1 Global Content Delivery Network (CDN) Market Size and Market Share Comparison by Applications (2013-2023)1.3.2 Large Enterprises1.3.3 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)1.4 Global Content Delivery Network (CDN) Market by Regions1.4.1 Global Content Delivery Network (CDN) Market Size (Million USD) Comparison by Regions (2013-2023)1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico) Content Delivery Network (CDN) Status and Prospect (2013-2023)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy) Content Delivery Network (CDN) Status and Prospect (2013-2023)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia) Content Delivery Network (CDN) Status and Prospect (2013-2023)1.4.4 South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia) Content Delivery Network (CDN) Status and Prospect (2013-2023)1.4.5 Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa) Content Delivery Network (CDN) Status and Prospect (2013-2023)1.5 Global Market Size of Content Delivery Network (CDN) (2013-2023)2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Akamai2.1.1 Business Overview2.1.2 Content Delivery Network (CDN) Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Product A2.1.2.2 Product B2.1.3 Akamai Content Delivery Network (CDN) Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2 Google2.2.1 Business Overview2.2.2 Content Delivery Network (CDN) Type and Applications2.2.2.1 Product A2.2.2.2 Product B2.2.3 Google Content Delivery Network (CDN) Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3 Level 3 Communications2.3.1 Business Overview2.3.2 Content Delivery Network (CDN) Type and Applications2.3.2.1 Product A2.3.2.2 Product B2.3.3 Level 3 Communications Content Delivery Network (CDN) Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.4 Limelight Networks2.4.1 Business Overview2.4.2 Content Delivery Network (CDN) Type and Applications2.4.2.1 Product A2.4.2.2 Product B2.4.3 Limelight Networks Content Delivery Network (CDN) Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.5 AWS2.5.1 Business Overview2.5.2 Content Delivery Network (CDN) Type and Applications2.5.2.1 Product A2.5.2.2 Product B2.5.3 AWS Content Delivery Network (CDN) Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.6 Internap2.6.1 Business Overview2.6.2 Content Delivery Network (CDN) Type and Applications2.6.2.1 Product A2.6.2.2 Product B2.6.3 Internap Content Delivery Network (CDN) Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.7 Verizon Communications2.7.1 Business Overview2.7.2 Content Delivery Network (CDN) Type and Applications2.7.2.1 Product A2.7.2.2 Product B2.7.3 Verizon Communications Content Delivery Network (CDN) Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)ContinuedBuy 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. General and Administrative Outsourcing Market 2018 Global Analysis By Key Players Accenture, Capgemini, IBM, Infosys, TCS General and Administrative Outsourcing Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3453819-global-general-and-administrative-outsourcing-market-2018-by https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/3453819-global-general-and-administrative-outsourcing-market-2018-by https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=3453819 WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On General and Administrative Outsourcing Market 2018 Global Analysis By Key Players Accenture, Capgemini, IBM, Infosys, TCS.Description:-With fast changing technological trends, companies need to adopt best practices, new technologies, or transform business models. For instance, growing pressure to optimize business performance has forced many finance executives to look for new strategies that include outsourcing F&A-based services.Scope of the Report:This report studies the General and Administrative Outsourcing 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 General and Administrative Outsourcing market by product type and applications/end industries.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comThese factors have made companies operating business in several industry verticals to look for new strategies to align people, operate process, and technologies. Organizations adopt advanced IT solutions such as cloud computing, analytics, virtualization, mobility solutions, and digital technologies. The digital transformation in the BFSI, healthcare, telecom, and manufacturing sectors requires efficient planning processes to manage G&A costs. BPO is not new to the IT industry, and many organizations have partially or wholly outsourced their functions such as F&A and HR. Organizations facing difficulties in managing G&A expenses require G&A outsourcing services. The G&A cost applies to each of the functional department, which increases over a particular time frame.The global General and Administrative Outsourcing 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 General and Administrative Outsourcing.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 coversAccentureCapgeminiIBMInfosysTCSMarket 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, coversFAO (Finance and Accounting Outsourcing)RPO (Recruitment Process Outsourcing)Payroll OutsourcingProcurement OutsourcingMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoBFSIHealthcareTelecomManufacturingOthersEnquiry About Report @Table Of Contents Major Key Points1 General and Administrative Outsourcing Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of General and Administrative Outsourcing1.2 Classification of General and Administrative Outsourcing by Types1.2.1 Global General and Administrative Outsourcing Revenue Comparison by Types (2017-2023)1.2.2 Global General and Administrative Outsourcing Revenue Market Share by Types in 20171.2.3 FAO (Finance and Accounting Outsourcing)1.2.4 RPO (Recruitment Process Outsourcing)1.2.5 Payroll Outsourcing1.2.6 Procurement Outsourcing1.3 Global General and Administrative Outsourcing Market by Application1.3.1 Global General and Administrative Outsourcing Market Size and Market Share Comparison by Applications (2013-2023)1.3.2 BFSI1.3.3 Healthcare1.3.4 Telecom1.3.5 Manufacturing1.3.6 Others1.4 Global General and Administrative Outsourcing Market by Regions1.4.1 Global General and Administrative Outsourcing Market Size (Million USD) Comparison by Regions (2013-2023)1.4.1 North America (USA, Canada and Mexico) General and Administrative Outsourcing Status and Prospect (2013-2023)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy) General and Administrative Outsourcing Status and Prospect (2013-2023)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia) General and Administrative Outsourcing Status and Prospect (2013-2023)1.4.4 South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia) General and Administrative Outsourcing Status and Prospect (2013-2023)1.4.5 Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa) General and Administrative Outsourcing Status and Prospect (2013-2023)1.5 Global Market Size of General and Administrative Outsourcing (2013-2023)2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Accenture2.1.1 Business Overview2.1.2 General and Administrative Outsourcing Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Product A2.1.2.2 Product B2.1.3 Accenture General and Administrative Outsourcing Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2 Capgemini2.2.1 Business Overview2.2.2 General and Administrative Outsourcing Type and Applications2.2.2.1 Product A2.2.2.2 Product B2.2.3 Capgemini General and Administrative Outsourcing Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3 IBM2.3.1 Business Overview2.3.2 General and Administrative Outsourcing Type and Applications2.3.2.1 Product A2.3.2.2 Product B2.3.3 IBM General and Administrative Outsourcing Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.4 Infosys2.4.1 Business Overview2.4.2 General and Administrative Outsourcing Type and Applications2.4.2.1 Product A2.4.2.2 Product B2.4.3 Infosys General and Administrative Outsourcing Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.5 TCS2.5.1 Business Overview2.5.2 General and Administrative Outsourcing Type and Applications2.5.2.1 Product A2.5.2.2 Product B2.5.3 TCS General and Administrative Outsourcing Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)3 Global General and Administrative Outsourcing Market Competition, by Players3.1 Global General and Administrative Outsourcing Revenue and Share by Players (2013-2018)3.2 Market Concentration Rate3.2.1 Top 5 General and Administrative Outsourcing Players Market Share3.2.2 Top 10 General and Administrative Outsourcing Players Market Share3.3 Market Competition TrendContinuedBuy 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. Advanced Drug Delivery Systems: Market 2018 Detailed Global Analysis by Top Key Players Pfizer, Sanofi SA, Abbott Laboratories, Janssen Biotech, Kempharm, Mylan Laboratories, 3M, Capsugel, Genentech, Generex Biotechnology Advanced Drug Delivery Systems https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/request-sample/1086910 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/check-discount/1086910 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/checkout/1086910 An exclusive Advanced Drug Delivery Systems market research report created through broad primary research (inputs from industry experts, companies, and stakeholders) and secondary research, the report aims to present the analysis of Global Advanced Drug Delivery Systems Market By Type, By Application, By Region - North America, Europe, South America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa. The report intends to provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound investment evaluation. Besides, the report also identifies and analyses the emerging trends along with major drivers, challenges and opportunities in the global Advanced Drug Delivery Systems market. Additionally, the report also highlights market entry strategies for various companies across the globe.Advanced Drug Delivery Systems Market Players: Johnson & Johnson Pfizer Sanofi SA Abbott Laboratories Janssen Biotech Kempharm Mylan Laboratories 3M Allergan PLC Theraject Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Baxter International Capsugel Genentech Generex BiotechnologyGet Sample Copy of This Report Now @On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into Implants Drug Delivery Parenteral/Injectable Drug Delivery Topical Drug Delivery Transdermal Drug Delivery Oral Drug Delivery OtherOn the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, including Hospitals Clinics Pharmaceutical Factory OtherMajor regions are as follows: North America Europe China Japan Southeast Asia IndiaGet Exclusive Discount @Worldwide Advanced Drug Delivery Systems Market Analysis to 2025 is a specialized and in-depth study of the Advanced Drug Delivery Systems industry with a focus on the global market trend. The report aims to provide an overview of global Advanced Drug Delivery Systems market with detailed market segmentation by product/application and geography. The global Advanced Drug Delivery Systems market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Advanced Drug Delivery Systems players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market.Also, key Advanced Drug Delivery Systems market players influencing the market are profiled in the study along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. The report also focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, products and services offered, financial information of last 3 years, key development in past five years.Reason to Buy- Highlights key business priorities in order to assist companies to realign their business strategies.- The key findings and recommendations highlight crucial progressive industry trends in the Advanced Drug Delivery Systems 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.BUY NOW Full Report @Contact Us:Call: +1-888-236-2744Email: sales@qyresearchgroups.comAbout Us:QY Research Groups is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. QY Research Groups is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the world's most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Room B1510, Shiji Kemao Building,No.66 Zhongguancun East Road,Haidian District, Beijing,100190, China. Drink Carrier and Trays Market: Soaring Demand Assures Motivated Revenue Share during 2018-2028 https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=1575 https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=B&rep_id=1575 https://www.factmr.com/report/1575/drink-carrier-trays-market www.factmr.com/ www.linkedin.com/company/factmr/ Global Drink Carrier and Trays Market - An OverviewIn recent years, there has been an increasing demand for food service industry across the globe. Drink carrier and trays are one of the most important packaging segment for beverage manufacturers. Due to constraints related to environment friendly packaging, nowadays manufacturers are producing drink carrier and trays made from biodegradable plastic and paper.In addition, consumers are preferring single served beverages which is a major driver for creating growth opportunities for drink carrier and trays market. Furthermore, drink carrier and trays are used by packaging manufacturers for augmenting there brand name and hence creating impact on consumers mind. Nowadays, drink carrier and trays have seen a rise in demand for carrying alcoholic beverages and this trend is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period.Request For Sample @Global Drink Carrier and Trays Market - DynamicsChanging lifestyle of consumers with increasing per capita income is expected to drive the growth for the global drink carrier and trays market. In addition, there has been an increase in the number of quick service restaurants across the globe which has resulted in the growth of drink carrier and trays needed for food delivery. Convenience due to light weight of drink carrier and trays are gradually helping the market to witness growth during the forecast period 2018 - 2028. Furthermore, drink carrier and trays are cost effective, increase the aesthetic looks of the beverage and easy to carry which helps in the growth of drink carrier and trays market.Global Drink Carrier and Trays Market Regional OverviewThe market for drink carrier and trays in North America and Europe region is anticipated to lead the global market owing to widespread trend for food service and on the go beverages in these region during the forecast period. Asia Pacific drink carrier and trays markets is expected to witness the highest growth due to increase in per capita income for the emerging economies in these region. Furthermore, countries like China and India have seen change in urban lifestyle which have resulted in a tremendous growth for drink carrier and trays market. The Middle East & Africa drink carrier and trays market is projected to witness sluggish growth during the forecast period.Requst For Brochure @Global Drink Carrier and Trays Market Key PlayersSome of the key players operating in the drink carrier and trays market are Smurfit Kappa Group plc, Stora Enso Oyj; Georgia-Pacific LLC; Huhtamaki Oyj; Graphic Packaging International, LLC; WestRock Company; RTS Packaging, LLC; DS Smith Plc; Keystone Paper & Box Company, Inc.; Grip-Pak, Nupak Printing LLC, and Menasha Packaging Co., LLC.The report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, and inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides an in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macroeconomic indicators, and governing factors, along with market attractiveness as per segment. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies.Report Analysis @About FactMRFactMR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.Contact UsFactMR11140 Rockville PikeSuite 400Rockville, MD 20852United StatesEmail: sales@factmr.comWeb:Follow Us on Linkedin: Infectious Disease Diagnostics Market Report by Product & Service, Disease Type, Technology, End User and Region http://www.reportsnreports.com/contacts/requestsample.aspx?name=323163 http://www.reportsnreports.com/contacts/inquirybeforebuy.aspx?name=323163 http://www.reportsnreports.com/contacts/discount.aspx?name=323163 Key players in infectious disease diagnostics market are Abbott (US), Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) (US), biomerieux (France), Bio-Rad (US), and Roche (Switzerland). These players focus on inorganic strategies such as acquisitions, partnerships, agreements, collaborations and as well as organic strategies such as expansions and product launches & approvals to sustain their growth in the market.Get Free Market Updates Now atThe global infectious disease diagnostics market was valued at USD 13.93 Billion in 2016 and projected to reach USD 19.35 Billion in 2022, at a CAGR of 5.6%. The base year considered for the study is 2016, and the forecast for the market size is provided for the period between 2017 and 2022.The infectious disease diagnostics market in this report is segmented by product & service, disease type, technology, end user, and region. The study tracks and analyzes competitive developments such as product launches& approvals, acquisitions, collaborations, agreements, partnerships, and expansions, and profiles key players and core competencies in the infectious disease diagnostics market.Key Stakeholders Orthodontic product manufacturers, vendors, and distributors Venture capitalists and other government funding organizations Healthcare service providers (including hospitals and dental & orthodontic clinics) Research laboratories Academic institutes Market research and consultancy firms Government and independent regulatory authoritiesClick Here for More Information on Infectious Disease Diagnostics Market with Forecast and Company Profiles atGeographically, the Infectious disease diagnostics market Asia Pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of this regional segment can be attributed to the growing GDPs and a significant rise in disposable income levels, increased healthcare spending by a larger population base, modernization of healthcare infrastructure, and rising penetration of cutting-edge clinical laboratory technologies (especially in rural areas).Competitive Landscape1 Market Overview2 Market Ranking Analysis, 20173 Competitive Situation and Trends4 Product Launches and Approvals5 Collaborations, Agreements, and Partnerships6 Acquisitions7 ExpansionsConnect for More Details for Discount and More Information Infectious Disease Diagnostics Market by Product & Service (Assay, Kit & Reagent, Instruments), Disease Type (Hepatitis, HIV, HAI, HPV, TB, Influenza), Technology (Immunodiagnostics, PCR, NGS), End User (Hospital, Research Institute) - Global Forecast to 2022 report atThe infectious disease diagnostics market is segmented into major seven technologies, namely, immunodiagnostics, clinical microbiology, PCR, INAAT, DNA sequencing & NGS, DNA microarrays, and other technologies. In 2017, the immunodiagnostics segment accounted for the largest share of the global market.Global infectious disease diagnostics market is segmented into hospitals/clinical laboratories, reference laboratories, physician offices, academic/research institutes, and other end users. In 2017, the hospitals/clinical laboratories segment accounted for the largest share of the global market. Also, this segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to the large number of diagnostic tests carried out in hospitals.Contact:sales@rnrmarketresearch.com / Call +1 888 391 5441RnRMarketResearch Provides you the further information and more details with intelligence needs for your business. Access to in-depth market trends helps companies to assess the market effectiveness.Mr. HrishikeshTower B5, Office 101,Magarpatta City SEZ,Pune-411013, India Intelligent Speed Assist Market Breakdown Data by Regions, Type, Manufacturers and Applications, Forecast 2018-2026 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1873832 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/enquiryBuy/1873832 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ MarketResearchReports.Biz has recently announced the Latest industry research report on: Intelligent Speed Assist Market Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2018 2026Intelligent speed assist uses information about the road to control the required speed. Information can be obtained from the vehicle position, taking into account speed limits known for the position, and by understanding road features such as signs and symbols. Intelligent speed assist systems are designed to detect and alert a driver when the vehicle has entered a new speed zone, or when different speed limits are in force, according to the time and conditions of the day. Several intelligence speed assist systems also provide information about driving hazards and limits enforced by speed and traffic light cameras. The purpose of intelligent speed assist is to help the driver maintain a safe and lawful speed at all times. Intelligent speed assist has been a promising type of advanced driver support system for the last few decades. From a technical point of view, large-scale intelligence speed assist implementation is possible in the short term. The different types of intelligent speed assist systems are expected to have different effects on behavior and traffic safety. The more intruding and controlling an intelligent speed assist system is, the less it will be accepted by drivers. At the same time, however, the more intruding and controlling, the larger the effects on speed and on road safety in general. Successful implementation of the intelligent speed assist system largely depends on the willingness of drivers to buy these systems and utilize them correctly, the quality of the maps that are utilized to indicate maximum speeds, and the possibilities for a gradual implementation. There has been no substantial implementation of intelligent speed assist system anywhere in the world so far, and the intelligence speed assist system threatens to become a highly effective road safety measure that is not employed widely anywhere.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Major factors driving the intelligent speed assist market include the increased production of premium vehicles, rising demand safety features, government regulations regarding safety of the vehicle, and increasing demand for advanced applications such as telematics and speed detection camera. Furthermore, the new vehicle safety norms are encouraging automotive manufacturers to protect vehicle from collision will propel the market of intelligent speed assist. The cost of intelligent speed assist system is very high will increase the cost of vehicle.The global intelligent speed assist market can be segmented based on type, system, vehicle, sales channel, and region. In terms of type, the intelligence speed assist market can be classified into navig8r, and one more segment. The navig8r segment is estimated to expand significantly during the forecast period, due to advancements in automotive technology that have resulted in the development of technologically advanced electronic systems. The shift of automobile manufacturers toward advance electrification with increasing usage of electronic content per vehicle has resulted in significantly higher efficiency of automotive systems with higher precision and accuracy. Based on system, the intelligence speed assist market can be divided into position-based system, and other three more segment. The position-based system segment dominated the market in terms of revenue. It is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. Penetration rate of position-based system is high, while that of the other intelligence speed assist systems such as radio beacons, optical recognition, and dead reckoning is low, especially in both premium and low-range cars. Based on vehicle, the intelligence speed assist market can be segmented into passenger vehicle, commercial vehicle, and electric vehicle. The electric vehicle segment is projected to expand during the forecast period. Rise in concern for environmental protection, increase in the sale of electric vehicles, and governmental initiatives for green vehicles have propelled the market significantly. In terms of sales channel the intelligent speed assist market can be divided into OEM, and aftermarket.Based on geography, the global intelligent speed assist market can be split into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. North America accounts for a significant share of the intelligence speed assist market, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. The market in Asia Pacific is likely to expand at a significant growth rate during the forecast period. Demand for intelligence speed assist systems is expected to be high in countries such as Japan and South Korea due to the implementation of stringent government legislations and safety norms.Key players operating in the global intelligence speed assist market include Continental AG, Delphi Automotive LLP., DENSO CORPORATION, Magna International Inc., Robert Bosch GmbH, AISIN SEIKI Co., Ltd., HYUNDAI MOBIS, Texas Instruments Incorporated, and HELLA KGaA Hueck & Co.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.The study is a source of reliable data on:Market segments and sub-segmentsMarket trends and dynamicsSupply and demandMarket sizeCurrent trends/opportunities/challengesCompetitive landscapeTechnological breakthroughsValue chain and stakeholder analysisEnquiry Before Buy @The regional analysis covers:North America (U.S. and Canada)Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and others)Western Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Nordic countries, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg)Eastern Europe (Poland and Russia)Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, ASEAN, Australia, and New Zealand)Middle East and Africa (GCC, Southern Africa, and North Africa)The report has been compiled through extensive primary research (through interviews, surveys, and observations of seasoned analysts) and secondary research (which entails reputable paid sources, trade journals, and industry body databases). The report also features a complete qualitative and quantitative assessment by analyzing data gathered from industry analysts and market participants across key points in the industrys value chain.A separate analysis of prevailing trends in the parent market, macro- and micro-economic indicators, and regulations and mandates is included under the purview of the study. By doing so, the report projects the attractiveness of each major segment over the forecast period.Highlights of the report:A complete backdrop analysis, which includes an assessment of the parent marketImportant changes in market dynamicsMarket segmentation up to the second or third levelHistorical, current, and projected size of the market from the standpoint of both value and volumeReporting and evaluation of recent industry developmentsMarket shares and strategies of key playersEmerging niche segments and regional marketsAn objective assessment of the trajectory of the marketRecommendations to companies for strengthening their foothold in the marketAbout usMarketResearchReports.biz is the most comprehensive collection of market research reports. MarketResearchReports.Biz services are specially designed to save time and money for our clients. We are a one stop solution for all your research needs, our main offerings are syndicated research reports, custom research, subscription access and consulting services. We serve all sizes and types of companies spanning across various industries.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:Email: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Commercial Flour Market 2018 : ARDENT MILLS LLC, Archer Daniels Midland Company, ConAgra Foods, Inc., General Mills, Inc. Commercial Flour https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1714546 https://www.researchmoz.us/commercial-flour-market-global-industry-analysis-and-opportunity-assessment-20172025-report.html/toc https://www.researchmoz.us/commercial-flour-market-global-industry-analysis-and-opportunity-assessment-20172025-report.html ResearchMoz presents Professional and In-depth Study of "Commercial Flour Market - Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2017-2025" with coming years Industries Trends, Projections of Global Growth, Major Key Player and Case Study, Review, Share, Size, Effect.' 'the global commercial flour market between 2017 and 2025. The global commercial flour market is expected to register a CAGR of 2.2% during the forecast period. The primary objective of the report is to offer insights on the advancements and opportunity in the commercial flour market. The study demonstrates market dynamics that are expected to influence the current challenges and future status of the global commercial flour market over the forecast period. This report highlights analysis of market trends, drivers, restraints, value forecasts, and opportunities for manufacturers operating in the global and regional Commercial Flour market.Key Segments Covered- Type- Source- End-use- Region. . Get Sample Report_' 'By product type, the commercial flour market is segmented into wheat flour, corn flour, rye flour, rice flour and others. The wheat flour segment is likely to be the most attractive segment in the forecast period on the backdrop of the rising consumer demands in wheat flour related food. The wheat flour segment is estimated to account for a significant revenue share of 92.2% in 2017 and is expected to register significant growth rate during the forecast period. The costs of Wheat production vary greatly and depend on the production system (mechanized or manual farm labour) and whether agricultural inputs and irrigation are needed. For instance, direct costs, such as seeds, fertilizers and plant protection chemicals required for wheat production may vary region to region.On the basis of source type, the commercial flour market can be segmented into organic and conventional type. The organic flour segment is estimated to account for a significant revenue share increase of 1.1% in 2017 and is expected to register significant growth rate during the forecast period.The report includes market share of each segment according to the region with analysis towards market trends respectively. A section of the report highlights commercial flour demand. It also provides a market outlook for 20172025 and sets the forecast within the context of the commercial flour ecosystem, including the new product developments as well as product offerings in the global commercial flour market. This study discusses key trends contributing to growth of the global commercial flour market, as well as analysis the degree to which drivers are influencing the global market.In the final section of the report, a competitive landscape has been included to provide report audiences with a dashboard view for analyzing the market competition. The market players included in the report for global commercial flour market are also included in the scope of the report to evaluate their long-term and short-term strategies, key offerings, business presence, key financials and recent developments in the commercial flour market space. Key players in the global Commercial Flour market includes Cargill Inc., ARDENT MILLS LLC, Archer Daniels Midland Company, ConAgra Foods, Inc., General Mills, Inc., Riviana Foods Inc, Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods, Inc., Bay State Milling Company, Bartlett and Company, The Mennel Milling Company, Hodgson Mill, King Arthur Commercial Flour Company, Inc, Ingredion Incorporated, Bunge Limited, The Hain Celestial Group, Grain Craft, Inc, Miller Milling Company, The White Lily Foods Company, Wheat Montana and North Dakota Mill.. . More Clear Details get Full Table of Contents_' 'In addition, it is imperative to note that in an ever-fluctuating global economy, we not only conduct forecasts in terms of CAGR, but also analyze on the basis of key parameters such as year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth to understand the predictability of the market and to identify the key growth opportunities. Also, another key feature of this report is the analysis of all key segments in terms of absolute dollar. This is traditionally overlooked while forecasting the market. However, absolute dollar opportunity is critical in assessing the level of opportunity that a provider can look to achieve, as well as to identify potential resources from a sales and delivery perspective in the global commercial flour market.Key Regions/Countries Covered- North America- Latin America- Europe- APAC- MEAContinue.....11 Oct 18About Researchmoz,ResearchMoz is the worlds fastest growing collection of market research reports worldwide. Our database is composed of current market studies from over 100 featured publishers worldwide. Our market research databases integrate statistics with analysis from global, regional, country and company perspectives. ResearchMozs service portfolio also includes value-added services such as market research customization, competitive landscaping, and in-depth surveys, delivered by a team of experienced Research Coordinators.Researchmoz Global Pvt. Ltd.90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United States,sales@researchmoz.usTel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free),Tel: +1-518-621-2074 Analysis on Dental Implants Market with Key Players: Danaher Corporation, Dentsply Sirona, Henry Schein, AB Dental Devices Ltd., Glidewell Dental, Adin Dental Implant Systems - Global, AVINENT Implant System S.L, BioHorizons Dental Implants Market https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2684 https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2684 The Dental Implants Market size is set to exceed USD 5.2 billion by 2024; according to a new research report by Global Market Insights.Key Players are --Danaher Corporation-Dentsply Sirona-Henry Schein-AB Dental Devices Ltd.-Glidewell Dental-Adin Dental Implant Systems - Global-AVINENT Implant System S.L-BioHorizonsRequest for a sample of this research report @Rising prevalence of oral health disorders such as tooth decay, periodontal disease, and dental caries across the globe will act as a primary driver for dental implants market growth. Approximately, 10-15% of the total population in the developed countries are suffering from severe periodontitis. Poor oral hygiene, smoking, diabetes are major risk factors associated with periodontitis. Such factors will stimulate demand for dental implants over the forecast period.Rapidly growing geriatric population base with tooth loss in developed regions is another major factor driving dental implants market size. Developed countries such as U.S. and Germany have huge edentulous population that increases the demand for dental implants among elderly base to replace their missing teeth.Presence of supportive awareness programs such as MaxiCourses launched by American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) with an aim to educate practitioners on implant dentistry will fuel industry expansion.Rapid advancements in implant technology along with increasing demand for cosmetic surgery and dental implants to improve esthetic appeal will favor industry growth. Excessive cost associated with dental implants coupled with limited reimbursement policies in developing countries will hamper business growth.Tapered implants segment dominated the overall market with a share of over 77.5% in 2017 and is expected to show a similar trend in the future; this is attributed to advantages offered such as primary stability, maximum bone and soft tissue attachment.Titanium implants market segment valued USD 2,644.0 million in 2017 owing to its biocompatibility along with increasing usage for the fabrication of dental implants. Zirconium implants will grow at a rapid pace in the coming years owing to increasing demand for metal-free implants along with its aesthetic superiority over other implants.Dental implant business in clinics held the largest revenue in 2017 followed by hospitals. Advanced technologies offered in multi-speciality hospitals will boost the demand for dental implantation surgeries in such facilities thereby propelling segmental market size over the coming years.France dental implants market is estimated to grow at 4.2% CAGR over the forecast period due to rising elderly patient pool suffering from oral health disorders in the country. Furthermore, presence of industry players focused on dental and regenerative implant dentistry will augment regional market size.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Canada dental implants market was valued over USD 84.0 million in 2017 and is forecast to grow at a rapid pace in the coming years. Favorable reimbursement scenario for dental implants along with rising number of people with tooth loss will foster market size. For instance, Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction Program covers 100% of treatment costs for surgical placement of dental implants in Ontario should increase adoption rate of dental implants in the country.India dental implants market will grow at significant 7.4% CAGR over the forecast period due to increasing awareness and growing concern for oral hygiene coupled with rapidly surging geriatric edentulous population in the country. Rising dental tourism in India owing to cost-effective and affordable treatment will accelerate industry growth.Global Market Insights Inc. is a global market research and management consulting company catering to leading corporations, non-profit organizations, universities and government institutions. Our main goal is to assist and partner organizations to make lasting strategic improvements and realize growth targets. Our industry research reports are designed to provide granular quantitative information, combined with key industry insights, aimed at assisting sustainable organizational development.Global Market Insights, Inc.4 North Main StreetSelbyville, Delaware 19975 USAPhone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email:sales@gminsights.com Emerging Trends in Nutricosmetics Market 2018 and Global Foreseen Till 2022 | Analysis by Top Key Vendors Cargill, Nestle, LOreal, Coca Cola Company, Pfizer, Frutarom Industries, Nutrikosm, Robinson Pharma Nutricosmetics Market https://www.businessindustryreports.com/sample-request/100393 https://www.businessindustryreports.com/buy-now/100393/single https://www.businessindustryreports.com/check-discount/100393 Global Nutricosmetics Market Report 2018 report provides the newest industry data and industry future trends, allowing you to identify the products and end users driving Revenue growth and profitability. The industry report lists the leading competitors and provides the insights strategic industry Analysis of the key factors influencing the market.Global Nutricosmetics Market Overview:The report spread across 125 pages is an overview of the Global Nutricosmetics Market Report 2018. The Global Nutricosmetics Market is projected to grow at a healthy growth rate from 2018 to 2022 according to new research. The study focuses on market trends, leading players, supply chain trends, technological innovations, key developments, and future strategies.Available Exclusive Sample Copy of this Report @The Global Nutricosmetics Market is growing continuously and expected to grow healthy CAGR by Forecast year 2022. Nutricosmetics are oral based natural health products containing targeted nutrients and antioxidants that are used for treatment of the skin, hair and nails. Nutricosmetics are nutritional supplements which support the function and the structure of the skin. Nutricosmetics are available in the form of functional foods, beverages and beauty supplements. They are also marketed as beauty aids which contain active ingredients along with enzymes, proteins, botanical leaves, minerals, lycopene, etc. They can be in form of pills, capsules, jellies and drinks.The Global Nutricosmetics Market is segmented on the basis of Product Type, Application, Ingredient Type and Region. Based on Product Type, the market can be divided into pill nutricosmetics and liquid nutricosmetics. The liquid nutricosmetics market is comparatively larger as compared to the pill nutricosmetics market. On the basis Application, the market for nutricosmetics can be classified into personal care, hair care, skin care, healthcare, digestive health, heart health, weight management and others. On the basis of Ingredient Type, the Global Nutricosmetics Market can be segmented into carotenoids, vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids and others.In terms of geographic analysis, Europe commands the largest share of the Global Nutricosmetics Market. The presence of a large base of elderly population in developed Western European economies and the presence of high market penetration rates of these products in this region are some of the factors attributing to its large market share. The APAC market also holds a significant share of the overall market majorly on account of the high usage rates of these products in Japan. The North American nutricosmetics market on the other hand is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period.Purchase this report online with 125 Pages, List of Tables & Figures and in-depth Table of Contents on Global Nutricosmetics Market Report 2018 @Major Key Players:1 Cargill Inc2 Nestle S.A.3 LOreal S.A.4 The Coca Cola Company5 Skinside A.G.6 Croda International Plc7 Pfizer Inc8 Frutarom Industries Limited9 Nutrikosm10 Robinson Pharma Inc and More................Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report covers1 North America Country (United States, Canada)2 South America3 Asia Country (China, Japan, India, Korea)4 Europe Country (Germany, UK, France, Italy)5 Other Country (Middle East, Africa, GCC)Grab Your Report at an Impressive Discount @This study answers to the below key questions:1 What will the market size be in 2022 and what will the growth rate be?2 What are the key market trends?3 What is driving this market?4 What are the challenges to market growth?5 Who are the key vendors in this market space?6 What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?7 What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?In the end, this report covers data and information on capacity and production overview, production, market share analysis, sales overview, supply, sales, and shortage, import, export and consumption as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin of Nutricosmetics Market.Major Points in Table of Contents:Global Nutricosmetics Market Report 20181 Nutricosmetics Product Definition2 Global Nutricosmetics Market Manufacturer Share and Market Overview3 Manufacturer Nutricosmetics Business Introduction4 Global Nutricosmetics Market Segmentation (Region Level)5 Global Nutricosmetics Market Segmentation (Product Type Level)6 Global Nutricosmetics Market Segmentation (Industry Level)7 Global Nutricosmetics Market Segmentation (Channel Level)8 Nutricosmetics Market Forecast 2018-20229 Nutricosmetics Segmentation Product Type10 Nutricosmetics Segmentation Industry11 Nutricosmetics Cost of Production Analysis12 ConclusionAbout usBusinessindustryReports.com is digital database of comprehensive market reports for global industries. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well-defined we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Media ContactBusiness Industry ReportsPune Indiasales@businessindustryreports.com+19376349940 Endobronchial Valves Market Augmented Expansion to be Registered by 2025 https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/upsample/120124620/Endobronchial-Valves-Market https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/TOC/120124620/Endobronchial-Valves-Market https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/upcomming/120124620/Endobronchial-Valves-Market https://www.researchreportinsights.com/ Endobronchial valves were developed primarily by the start-up medical device company Emphasys Medical (now Pulmonx - Redwood City, California) as a minimally invasive alternative to lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema. In lung volume reduction surgery, a surgeon cuts into a patient's chest and cuts out one or more diseased portion(s) of a lung. Endobronchial valves were designed to replicate the effects of that procedure without requiring incisions, by simply allowing the most diseased portions of the lung to collapse. Emphasys was purchased by Pulmonx in 2009Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a widespread, progressive lung disease for which pulmonologists in the US have had few new treatment options available outside the standard pharmacological therapies, lung rehabilitation and high-risk lung volume reduction surgery. Now emerging technologies, in particular, endobronchial valves, which aim to shrink hyperinflated lungs in severe emphysema patients, could soon become the first minimally invasive treatment option available in the US.Request For Report Sample:The major factor expected to drive the growth of the endobronchial valves market is growing awareness regarding procedure for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction in various lung-related diseases. The increasing prevalence of tobacco smoking worldwide is consequently expected to contribute to the growth of the endobronchial valves market. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the major lung disorders. With the growing geriatric population, who are more commonly susceptible to lung disease, the demand for endobronchial valve is expected to increase at a linear speed.Endobronchial Valves Market: SegmentationThe global endobronchial valves market can be segmented on the basis of product type, end user, and geography.Based on product type, the global endobronchial valves market is segmented as: Duckbill-shaped Endobronchial Valves, Umbrella-shaped Endobronchial ValvesBased on the end user, the global endobronchial valves market is segmented as: Hospitals,Clinical Research Center, Ambulatory Surgery Center, OthersRequest For Report TOC:Regional analysis includes:North America (U.S., Canada), Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, rest of Latin America), Europe (Germany, Italy, U.K, Spain, France, Nordic countries, BENELUX, Eastern Europe, rest of Europe), CIS & Russia, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (Greater China, India, South Korea, ASEAN Countries, Rest of APEJ), Japan, Middle East and Africa (GCC, S. Africa, Turkey, Iran, Israel, Rest of MEA)Key players operating in the market include Pulmonx Corporation (Zephyr), SpirationInc, etc.Report Analysis:About UsResearch Report Insights (RRI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver a host of services including custom research reports, syndicated research reports, and consulting services which are personalised in nature. RRI delivers a complete packaged solution to clients; this combines current market intelligence, technology inputs, statistical anecdotes, valuable growth insights, 360-degree view of the competitive framework, and anticipated market trends.42 Joseph StreetResearch Report Insights (RRIPort carling P0B 1J0Muskoka, Ontario1Phone - +1-631-721-4201Website:Email: sales@researchreportinsights.com Ultrasound market 2018 Analyzed by Top 5 Key Players by Size, revenue and Forecasts To 2025 http://bit.ly/2OPq8iJ http://bit.ly/2A590gA http://bit.ly/2RKbkR8 According to a latest report published by Progressive Markets, titled, Global Ultrasound Market- Size, Trend, Share, Opportunity Analysis & Forecast, 2014-2025, the industry is anticipated to rise with a CAGR of 5.7% for the period, 2017-2025. The research is suitable for manufacturers, stakeholders, and new entrants as it offers a comprehensive analysis of factors that either drive or restrict growth of the market.Get sample report:The research encompasses an executive summary of the global ultrasound market which includes key findings, market trends, competitive landscape, and recent developments. It offers a brief description of the industry, such as introduction, classification, and definition. It includes Porters Five Forces Analysis (PFFA) to understand competition scenario of the industry. These scenarios include bargaining power of customers & buyers, industry rivalry, threat of substitutes & new entrants. It segments the industry into applications, regions, delivery types, device portability, and product types.Get a customized report @20% discount:As per the report, the global ultrasound market finds applications in radiology, urology, obstetrics, cardiology, and vascular. Based on the product type, it segments the industry into therapeutic ultrasound systems, extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), doppler imaging, diagnostic ultrasound systems, 3D & 4D imaging systems, and 2D imaging systems. Based on device display, it bifurcates the market into colored ultrasound devices and black/ white ultrasound devices. The geographical distribution of the industry includes Latin America Middle East & Africa (LAMEA), North America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. These areas are further categorized into countries, such as Canada, U.S., and Mexico for the North American region. The LAMEA countries included are Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and South Africa. The nations of Europe discussed are France, U.K., Italy, Spain, and Germany. The Asia-Pacific countries explored in the report include Japan, China, India, Australia, and South Korea.Access Full report:The report splits the global ultrasound market into trolley/cart-based ultrasound devices and compact/handheld ultrasound devices. Further, it describes the factors that are capable to boost growth of the industry, such as advancements in technology for ultrasound machines and rise in penetration of the therapeutic and diagnostic ultrasound. The alternative aspects that drive the market include increase in incidences of chronic diseases, rise in awareness, growth in demand to reduce invasive surgeries, and increase in investments by the government in order to advance and modernize the healthcare infrastructure. The research also emphasizes on the factors that restrict progress of the market, such as boundaries in ultrasound imaging and dearth of skilled professionals.The study discusses leading manufacturers of the global ultrasound market which includes Analogic Corporation, Fujifilm Corporation, Toshiba Corporation, Esaote SpA, General Electric Company, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Hitachi, Ltd., Mindray Medical International Limited, Siemens Healthcare, and Samsung Medison Co. Ltd..It assesses each firm on the basis of business & finance segments and recent development. In addition, the report provides an overview of every market player. It also studies strategies adopted by the market players, for instance, Fujifilm Corporation introduced new version of the Sonosite SII ultrasound system in April 2016.The research evaluates share of the global ultrasound market by each region, product type, device portability, device display, and application for the period, 2014-2025. The research assesses the market share of every region, device display, device portability, application, and product type for the historic period as well as forecast period, 2014-2016 and 2017-2025 respectively. It includes all the aforementioned characteristics in form of tables and figurers. For instance, some tables give brief description of vendors under the title of company snapshot. The market value by each country, application, device display, device portability, and type are represented in tables for the period, 2014-2025. The same parameters are represented through pictures. For instance, the revenue generated by every market landscape of the market is illustrated through figures for the historic as well as forecast period.The report on the global ultrasound market offers various takeaways which includes comprehensive evaluation of aspects that are have potential to restrict or drive the industry. The analysts 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 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 We have recently published this report and it is available for immediate purchase. For inquiry Email us on: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.com This market study includes data about consumer perspective, comprehensive analysis, statistics, market share, company performances (Stocks), historical analysis 2012 to 2017, market forecast 2018 to 2025 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2018 to 2025, etc. The report also provides detailed segmentation on the HIT IT HIT IT Junior Matt Sion goes up for a ball in last Fridays win over Clarence in the Division... Girls tennis concludes season, finishes eighth in state Teams top doubles pair comes in second place at states The Orchard Park girls tennis team wrapped up an impressive season last month with its top doubles pair playing in... OP teams drop pair of playoff matches Football The OP football team was handed its worst defeat of the 2021 season last Friday when the Quakers took... All-Bee Boys Soccer Amherst schools have lock on First Team honors There is one thing all nine players on the 2021 All-Bee Boys Soccer Team have in common: they all represent... Indonesian women look at the construction site of the countrys high-speed rail Walini tunnel on Sept. 11. Photo: Takehiro Masutomo/Caixin (Jakarta) Indonesia plans to build Southeast Asias first high-speed railway but almost nothing is going to plan. The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway will span 142 kilometers (88 miles) when complete, and is expected to cut the journey between the two cities from the current three to five hours down to 45 minutes. The project was a key part of Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodos strategy in his first term, and Japanese and Chinese companies engaged in fierce competition over the railway. Indonesia awarded the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project to a Chinese consortium in 2015. At the time, the railway was expected to begin operation in 2019 an important date for Jokowi, as it will be a presidential election year. In January 2016, Jokowi attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Walini, one of the railways four planned stations. But in the two years since the ceremony, not a single meter (yard) of railway track has been laid. An Indonesian worker at the site said that at the moment, only 100 meters of the tunnel has been completed, and that it could take another two or three years to complete the entire tunnel. The Walini tunnel is seen in Indonesia on Sept. 11. Photo: Takehiro Masutomo/Caixin When Caixin visited the future site of the Walini tunnel, the Chinese construction employees on the site were unwilling to disclose details of the projects progress, offering only a terse Its still OK. Nearby residents said that excavation work began to speed up in April, after the China Development Bank granted the first batch of loans for the project. The railways completion date has been pushed back to 2021 amid obstacles that include budget overruns, land acquisition delays and political uncertainty. It appears as though nothing has moved forward, a staffer at the Japanese Embassy in Jakarta told Caixin, referring to the project. Were lucky not to be a part of this. Earlier this year, Indonesias government said it will seek Japanese funding for another rail project, a track upgrading project spanning the island of Java from Jakarta to Surabaya. Land bottleneck Acquiring land has been one of the biggest obstacles in the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project. Around 77% of the land needed for the railway has been secured so far, Chandra Dwiputra, president of Chinese-Indonesian joint venture PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), told Caixin in September. KCIC was set up by a Chinese consortium led by China Railway and an Indonesian consortium led by state-owned construction company PT Wijaya Karya (Wika) to manage the project. Indonesian residents have a strong awareness of their ownership rights, and records of land ownership in the country are often outdated or inconsistent, making the land acquisition process exceptionally difficult, Caixin learned from interviews with sources in Indonesia. To make matters worse, speculation has pushed up land prices along the railways planned route. The Walini tunnel in Indonesia could take another two to three years to complete, an Indonesian worker at the site said. Photo: Takehiro Masutomo/Caixin One breakthrough came in July, when the Indonesian air force finally granted KCIC long-withheld permission to use land near Jakartas Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport, after KCIC built over 400 residences for the air force. A KCIC representative told Caixin the company hoped to acquire all the land needed for the project by the start of 2019. But the last 10% will be the most difficult part, one Jakarta-based transport infrastructure expert told Caixin. Budget overrun The projected cost of constructing the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway has grown from the original $5.5 billion to $6.1 billion. Personnel from the Chinese consortium said in late 2017 that they expected the project to move forward only if the Chinese government can provide subsidies because the cost of commodities and labor in Indonesia has doubled over the past two years. Additionally, the projects insurance costs have grown due to insurance companies perception that its a high-risk project, a KCIC staffer told Caixin. At the same time, there are concerns about the railways profitability. The route between Jakarta and Bandung is relatively short, with tickets expected to cost around 200,000 rupiahs ($13.15), and neither terminus is in a city-center location. Plenty of transport connections already exist between Jakarta and Bandung, the countrys third-most populous city, including express trains and buses. To increase profitability, KCIC is considering joining up with Indonesian investors to develop property around the high-speed rail stations, KCIC employees said. Political uncertainty The planned railway also risks becoming a victim of political uncertainty, experts told Caixin. It has already been a target of anti-Chinese sentiment, which has a long history in the country. Rumors about the arrival of 10 million illegal Chinese workers spread on Indonesian social media accounts, and Chinese staff working on the railway made headlines in April 2016 when they were arrested for entering the Halim air force base without permits. And, last year, Jakartas ethnic Chinese former governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (also known as Ahok), was sentenced to two years in prison for alleged blasphemy. An exhibit in Jakarta, Indonesia shows a model of a high-speed train on Sept. 18. Photo: Takehiro Masutomo/Caixin Neither China nor Indonesia would be willing to cancel the project entirely because the costs that have been sunk into the project are already too great, Siwage Dharma Negara, a senior fellow at the Singapore-based Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, told Caixin. Events elsewhere in Southeast Asia suggest the railway could still be threatened if Jokowi fails to be re-elected in next years presidential election. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad suspended a high-speed rail project intended to link his countrys capital, Kuala Lumpur, with Singapore in May after returning to power. But it is unclear what action Prabowo Subianto, Jokowis strongest rival in the upcoming elections, would take if he were to unseat Jokowi. Prabowo has frequently expressed anti-foreign sentiment, but is also reportedly on friendly terms with the Chinese ambassador to Indonesia, who invited him to a recent Chinese National Day celebration in Jakarta. The (Indonesian) opposition may use it to attack Jokowi because it is unclear to the people if it (the project) is beneficial. Also, there was a lack of transparency in how it was granted to the Chinese side, Negara said. Contact reporter Teng Jing Xuan (jingxuanteng@caixin.com) An Aloha High School special education teacher who resigned last month after police linked him to a child pornography investigation was arrested Wednesday in connection with the case. Geoffrey Germano, 40, of Hillsboro is being held in the Washington County Jail on suspicion of first-degree encouraging child sex abuse. Court records show that investigators believe Germano used the Beaverton School District Wi-Fi to download some of the child porn. The Washington County Sheriff's Office said their investigation started April 17. Germano was placed on paid administrative leave May 2 and remained on leave until he quit Sept. 20, according to Maureen Wheeler, a Beaverton School District spokeswoman. Germano had been teaching at Aloha High School since 2009 and before that taught at Highland Park Middle School in Beaverton from 2006 to 2009, Wheeler said. According to a search warrant affidavit, investigators in April linked three IP addresses to 73 child porn files downloaded from March 2016 to March 2018 using a peer-to-peer file sharing network. All three IP addresses were connected to someone with the same username. One of the IP addresses belonged to Germano's home in Hillsboro and another to the Beaverton School District, the affidavit said. The source of the third wasn't clear from court documents. Aloha High School principal Matt Casteel sent a letter to parents Wednesday afternoon announcing Germano's arrest. He said Germano's charges aren't related to his employment and that he no longer works for the school district. -- Everton Bailey Jr. ebailey@oregonian.com 503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey Lincoln High could not join all other high schools in Portland Public Schools in giving the PSAT test Wednesday because the school accidentally distributed real tests to its English teachers to hand out for practice, Principal Peyton Chapman told The Oregonian/OregonLive. A new support staffer at the school made the error, and no Lincoln students are known to have cracked open what they were told were practice tests during the five minutes or less before the mistake was caught and the tests recalled, Chapman said. Lincoln High officials reported the lapse to the College Board, which runs the PSAT testing program, Chapman said. College Board officials directed the school to send back the prematurely released tests and to reschedule PSAT administration for Oct. 24. That date is a regularly scheduled PSAT testing date and has a whole new set of test questions than the tests accidentally handed out at Lincoln. College Board keeps careful track of how many tests it sends each school. It confirmed that it got back every test it sent to Lincoln, Chapman said. Chapman said it was unclear that Lincoln even needed to report what happened to the College Board, as the mistake was caught so quickly and students may not have seen any test questions. But, she said, the school wanted to go above and beyond. "We did not want anyone to think we were cheating." Testmakers require schools to go to great lengths to keep tests secured away from all but a few authorized officials until testing time so that students nor teachers know in advance what questions they'll face, let alone what the answers are. Students all around the country took the same form of the PSAT, so releasing even one test at Lincoln a week ahead of time could have compromised thousands of test sites. Lincoln dismissed students after half a day of classes Wednesday as originally planned, even though no testing took place that afternoon. And it will hold a full day of school on Oct. 24, except that juniors and sophomores will be pulled from their afternoon classes to take the PSAT, Chapman said. Chapman said that in theory, a Lincoln student could have glanced at a question or two and shared information about what they saw with a student at another Portland high school. But, she said, "No one feels like the kids were opening (the test) or looking at them. We have not compromised anyone else's test. We did everything right." Lincoln students are neither advantaged nor disadvantaged by taking the test two weeks later than planned, Chapman said. PSAT tests are used to give students, parents and teachers a sense of how on track students are to be ready for college and how much more they need to prepare to do well on the SAT or the ACT college-entrance exams. For juniors, they are also used to determine which students are National Merit semi-finalists. Since 2008, Oregon has requires that all schools offer the PSAT or a similar test from the makers of the ACT to all their sophomores. The idea was that students who didn't see themselves as college material might be awakened by their strong scores and that students could get a sense of their strengths and weaknesses early enough in their high school years to patch up their weak areas before college. -- Betsy Hammond betsyhammond@oregonian.com Private school Catlin Gabel has hired an investigator to look into recent reports of sexual misconduct against students by a faculty member who left the school more than 15 years ago, according to a note sent to families. The note did not name the former faculty member. "We are deeply troubled by these reports and sympathetic to the survivors, and we are taking action," the note, which was signed by Tim Bazemore, who is the head of the school, and Bart Eberwein, the chair of the board of trustees. The letter says multiple alumni of the school recently reported misconduct by the same faculty member. The inquiry into reports of sexual misconduct will be broad and not limited to a particular individual or time at Catlin Gabel, the note said. "We take these reports very seriously, and we want to hear from you," the note said. "We are committed to understanding any past failures in prevention and handling of misconduct." Catlin Gabel is one of Oregon's most expensive and well-regarded private schools and serves students from preschool through high school. Located between Portland and Beaverton in unincorporated Washington County, it enrolls about 760 students. Attorney Lori Watson is conducting the investigation and can be reached at Lori@Watsonlawpdx.com or by phone at 971-291-7672. Want to report without leaving a name? There is number for that, too: 503-972-1581. Read the school's note in its entirety HERE. Bethany Barnes bbarnes@oregonian.com Six children are hospitalized in Washington with symptoms that match a rare polio-like disease that has seen a spike this year. The children, all younger than 6, had respiratory illnesses the week before they developed symptoms of acute flaccid myelitis, according to the Washington State Department of Health. While few people die from acute flaccid myelitis, problems breathing can require ventilator machines or the condition can trigger other neurological problems. As of the end of September, federal authorities had confirmed 38 cases of acute flaccid myelitis across 16 states in the U.S. Washington health authorities said they are waiting for confirmation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control about the children currently hospitalized. One child in Washington was confirmed earlier this year to have acute flaccid myelitis. Last year, three children in Washington had the disease, and nine did in 2016 during a national peak in the disease. That year, Oregon had at least three cases and three in 2014. The Oregon Health Authority has not reported any cases so far this year. The disease affects fewer than 1 in 1 million people in the U.S., according to the federal agency. However, its scientists have paid more attention to it since 2014 when the rates of the disease started to grow. In 2014 and 2016, especially, the number of people with acute flaccid myelitis jumped from August to October. Doctors have been unable to pinpoint a common cause for acute flaccid myelitis. In many cases, no one is able to name a cause, according to the Centers for Disease Control. "At this point there isn't evidence that would point to a single source of illness among these cases," said Dr. Scott Lindquist, state infectious disease epidemiologist at the Washington State Department of Health. "We're working closely with medical providers and public health agencies. We'll continue to investigate and share information when we have it." The disease is similar to polio and West Nile Virus, and the Centers of Disease Control said that those two viruses, as well as non-polio enteroviruses and mosquito-born illnesses like Zika, could also cause acute flaccid myelitis. Acute flaccid myelitis causes a sudden weakness in one or both arms or legs. People with the condition also lose muscle tone and reflexes, experience facial and eyelid drooping, difficulty moving their eyes, difficulty swallowing or speaking. Health authorities say they don't know what the long-term consequences of acute flaccid myelitis are or who is most at risk of contracting it. Since there is no determined cause, there is no sure-fire treatment or prevention. The federal government recommends people wash their hands with soap and water, disinfect surfaces and avoid contact with sick people. Health authorities also recommend staying up to date on vaccines, especially for polio, and avoiding mosquito bites whenever possible. -- Molly Harbarger mharbarger@oregonian.com 503-294-5923 @MollyHarbarger The "Yes on Measure 106" website is inaccurate and misleading. First, the website states, "Measure 106 allows for funding abortions ... when needed to protect the mother." In fact, the text of the measure only allows abortion if continuing the pregnancy "would place her in danger of death." As a physician, I am aware of numerous situations in which a pregnancy could damage a woman's health seriously and permanently without putting her in danger of death. That's hardly "protecting the mother." Especially revealing is the image on the "Yes on 106" website of an African-American woman - an image that they have also included on billboards. The advertisement seems to imply that women of color are having abortions at public expense. In fact, the vast majority of Oregon women who choose to have abortions are white. Are the proponents of this measure implying that white taxpayers should not be forced to support people of color? The billboard's implication is that it's unimportant if blacks, Hispanics, and other vulnerable young women will become unwilling mothers instead of doctors, lawyers or teachers or will suffer permanent bodily harm for lack of access to abortion; Black lives don't matter. I urge your readers to follow the lead of the Oregonian, the Oregon Medical Association, the Oregon Nurses Association, the Oregon Public Health Association, and numerous other authorities in voting no on this deceptive and dangerous measure. Robert A. Lowe, Southwest Portland Updated at 4:35 p.m. An Arizona man missing on Mount Hood since Monday after getting separated from his hiking partner was found dead on a snowy part of the mountain by a passer-by Thursday. David Yaghmourian, 30, was discovered around 8:35 a.m. about 1.8 miles from Timberline Lodge at 8,270 feet elevation nearly 3,000 feet higher than the area search and rescue crews were looking for him, according to Sgt. Dan Kraus, a Clackamas County Sheriff's Office spokesman. His cause of death is pending the results of an autopsy, and the circumstances of how died are under investigation, Kraus said. Sgt. Sean Collinson, another sheriff's office spokesman, said earlier that it appeared Yaghmourian was trying to set up a tent, had a sleeping bag, may have been hypothermic and possibly fell 30 feet. Authorities said Yaghmourian, an Arizona State University research assistant from Glendale, was hiking with a friend on the mountain for several days when Yaghmourian took a break while heading back to Timberline on Monday. His friend went to the lodge without him and waited for Yaghmourian to arrive, but he never showed. They parted ways about a mile from Timberline Lodge, and Yaghmourian had been last seen at the eastern junction of the Timberline Trail. The friend and Yaghmourian hadn't been in contact for about nine hours when authorities were contacted, Kraus said. It appears the Arizona man missed a turn, got lost and made his way up the mountain and later tried to find a way back down. The conditions at night were "quite severe," with heavy rain and freezing temperatures, Kraus said. "If you're unfamiliar with the terrain, it can happen to even experienced personnel," Kraus said. Dogs, a drone and a helicopter, in addition to searchers on the ground, were among the tools used to search for Yaghmourian. Searchers went as high as 5,800 feet elevation but didn't find any sign of anyone going through the area, the sheriff's office said. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday passed with no sign of the missing man. Yaghmourian was found by a climber who was not part of the search party at the top of White River Canyon, about a half mile east of Silcox Hut. The person then called 911. Silcox Hut is roughly 1,000 vertical feet above Timberline Lodge. Yaghmourian is the second reported accidental death of a hiker or climber on Mount Hood this year, according to a database maintained by The Oregonian. Miha Sumi, 35, fell at least 700 feet in February after descending from the summit with another climber. A total of seven other climbers were rescued in that same incident. Everton Bailey Jr. and Andrew Theen of The Oregonian/OregonLive staff contributed to this report. Jim Ryan jryan@oregonian.com 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015 An Oregon woman has joined a group of more than 300 angry brides from around the country looking to find a man who they say failed to give them videos taken at their weddings. Emily Youngblutt, who lives in Salem, is speaking out in the hopes that someone, somewhere might help find the man. "Most of us have been quiet because we hoped that we'd eventually get our product," she said. "But he's gone off the map. We think he is officially done with us." The women paid at least $2,500 each in advance to 63 Films & Photography. While once based in Louisiana, the video company had a national customer base after being listed on The Knot, a wedding planning website. Youngblutt, now 26, found a link to the company while organizing her June 2017 wedding in Independence, a small town near Salem. Reviews praised Tregg Istre, who told Youngblutt he was the owner when they talked on the phone. Istre said he accepted jobs in other states by relying on a network of photographers whose work he'd oversee. A videographer showed up at the wedding and told Youngblutt and her husband, Theron Reidhead, to expect an edited six-minute video with music by August. When nothing arrived, Youngblutt called Istre. She said he promised she'd get the video. "After that, I never heard from him again," she said. As one month drifted into the next, Youngblutt turned to her computer and began doing some research on the company she'd hired to capture that special day. That's where she found other brides who had not received their videos. They'd formed a Facebook group to share their stories and figure out what to do next. Youngblutt joined. She learned that when the brides called Istre's number, a computer voice said the wireless customer was unavailable. The 63 Films & Photography website closed and is no longer listed on The Knot. The film company now has an "F" rating from the Louisiana Better Business Bureau, said Sharane Gott, organization president. "We don't get many of those," she said. "We've had a number of complaints, and the company has chosen to not respond to them, or to our inquiries." She said consumers looking at a business on the internet should always add: BBB at the end of the name, which will automatically link to Better Business Bureau reviews and complaints anywhere in the country. Late last year, several Louisiana brides fed up with getting nowhere contacted Brittany Weiss, a reporter at a television station in Baton Rouge to see if she could help. Weiss tracked Istre down. In a story broadcast on the station, Istre said his team of photographers had left him and he was overbooked. But he promised to finish all contracted projects. And then he vanished. "It's incredibly sad for these women," Weiss said. Youngblutt said couples spend money on wedding day videos not only to capture a precious moment, but also to capture loved ones who will one day be gone. "There's a bride in the Facebook group whose mom passed away shortly after her wedding," Youngblutt said. "She has no pictures or video of her mom on her wedding day. " Youngblutt said a woman in the Facebook group ended up texting Istre's phone 30 times a day for weeks until he agreed to meet her in a Louisiana coffee shop with his computer, where he had 20 wedding videos stored. The woman used a hard drive to download the videos. Using names from the Facebook group, she sent copies to appropriate brides, one of them being Youngblutt. "I was lucky," Youngblutt said. "I have the raw video from my wedding." Youngblutt said another woman in the group hired a private investigator, who determined that Istre left Louisiana, whereabouts unknown. She said some women in the Facebook group talked with lawyers who told them that the amount of money sought wasn't worth the expense. "All anyone wants is their video," Youngblutt said. Youngblutt and her husband had hired a wedding photographer, so at least they have photos of their nuptials, she said. Now they're saving money to hire a local videographer who can take the raw footage of their wedding, edit it and add music. But in the end, she's philosophical. "At least we're all still married," she said. --Tom Hallman Jr. thallman@oregonian.com; 503 221-8224 @thallmanjr Law enforcement officials in northern California are speaking with people who say they are the biological family of one of six children presumed dead when their adopted mother, Jennifer Hart, drove them and her wife off a coastal highway. The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office said several people claiming to be blood relatives of Hannah Hart, 16, contacted them to help identify remains found near the crash scene last spring. Hannah and her brother Devonte Hart, 15, have been unaccounted for since the family's overturned SUV was found at the bottom of a 100-foot cliff in March. Authorities recovered the bodies of their mothers, Jennifer and Sarah Hart, along with siblings Markis, Jeremiah, Abigail and Sierra. In May, the skeletal remains of a foot, still in its shoe, were found entangled in a pair of girl's jeans on a beach near the crash site prompting speculation it was Hannah Hart. Scientists compared DNA from the remains with samples from Hannah's biological siblings, Markis and Abigail. The results were inconclusive. Lt. Shannon Barney, a Mendocino County sheriff's spokesman, said the office is now working with Hannah's potential blood relatives to obtain DNA samples, a development first reported by KOIN (6). Barney declined to provide details about who contacted the sheriff's office or how they might be related to Hannah Hart. Investigators believe a drunken Jennifer Hart intentionally drove their GMC Yukon off of Highway 1 near Westport, California, shortly after Child Protective Services visited the family's home in Woodland, Washington. Evidence also showed Sarah Hart and some of the children who died in the crash were apparently drugged. The Harts six children were all adopted from southeast Texas. A history of child welfare investigations followed the family from Minnesota, where Jennifer and Sarah Hart first met, to Oregon to the rural Clark County homestead they purchased last year. The family gained some level of fame when a photo taken during a 2014 Portland protest of Devonte Hart hugging a police officer with tears streaming down his face went viral. -- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh skavanaugh@oregonian.com 503-294-7632 || @shanedkavanaugh PENDLETON A woman whose son was shot and killed in 2014 by a corrections officer at the state prison in Pendleton, Oregon, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court against the officer. The East Oregonian reports that Kristen Wilson lost the case in early August and now the state is asking her to pay more than $11,000 for the cost of defending the lawsuit. Jayson Withers, 26, was an inmate at Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution, and on Aug. 29, 2014, he and another inmate attacked a third in an outdoor prison yard. Corrections officer Charles Frates shot Withers. Wilson's attorney, Michelle Burrows, filed an objection to the bill. Burrows said Withers "had virtually no assets" when he died. Burrows also said the parties had a deal to split costs, but now Frates and his attorney with the state seek to have Wilson pay for all of it "despite prior agreement to the contrary." -- The Associated Press The state of Oregon has clawed back $13 million from SolarCity and its accountant after investigators determined the cost of 14 commercial-scale solar projects had been inflated more than 100 percent to qualify for higher state tax credits. The probe was launched after an April 2015 report by The Oregonian/OregonLive raised questions about the costs SolarCity submitted to qualify for $12 million in tax credits for six solar arrays at public universities across the state. Lawyers for President Donald Trump urged a federal appeals court in Portland to allow the president to bar certain transgender people from military service, arguing Wednesday that they harm the country's national defense. Brinton Lucas of the U.S. Department of Justice asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to lift a Washington district judge's preliminary injunction that halted the proposed policy and to declare it constitutional. Lucas said there was an urgency to the ruling, saying the current policy that allows transgender people to serve openly in U.S. armed forces "imposes a risk to military readiness." The hearing marked the first time a federal appeals court heard oral arguments on the Trump administration's 2018 plan. Attorneys for nine transgender people and the state of Washington said the federal judge in Washington properly found that transgender people are a protected class and that any attempt to exclude them from the military should face strict court scrutiny. "We have a policy that's discriminatory on its face and targets a minority group," said Stephen Patton, representing the plaintiffs. "For these young men and women who want to join the military, they cannot. They can only serve with a scarlet A around their neck because they've been branded unfit." Lambda Legal, a nonprofit national organization that works for the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people, and OutServe-SLDN, a network of LGBT military personnel, filed a federal lawsuit in Seattle in August 2017, challenging the constitutionality of the ban. It followed President Trump's tweets in July 2017 announcing the move and a proposal in late July on how to put it into practice. The proposed ban was revised this year. It would overturn the 2016 policy under former President Barak Obama that permitted transgender people to serve openly in the military. Six of the plaintiffs currently serve in the military and three want to enlist. The Human Rights Campaign, the Seattle-based Gender Justice League and the American Military Partner Association also are plaintiffs. The state of Washington joined the lawsuit last November. Federal judges in six courts in Washington state, California, Maryland, the District of Columbia and the District of Columbia and 4th Circuit Courts of Appeals have ruled against the ban and maintained preliminary injunctions against it. Staff Sgt Cathrine Schmid : Im perfectly capable of doing my job. Spoke after arguments before @US9thCircuit at Pioneer Courthouse pic.twitter.com/9u0ttCaO0c Maxine Bernstein (@maxoregonian) October 10, 2018 Among the plaintiffs is Army Staff Sgt. Cathrine "Katie" Schmid, 34, who grew up in Gresham and joined the military at age 20. Schmid underwent a gender transition while in the service and now is stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. While Schmid likely would be able to continue in the military under Trump's proposal, the sergeant said the president's restrictions would make transgender people already serving viewed as second-class citizens, unequal to their peers. "I'm perfectly capable of doing my job," Schmid said outside Pioneer Courthouse after the hearing. Schmid's cellphone tracks the days until retirement: 2,333. "The moment that I take off that uniform for the last time I intend for it to be after a retirement, not after being discharged for a medical condition that has absolutely nothing to do with my capability to serve," Schmid said. President Trump initially backed a full ban, barring transgender people from the military in any capacity and directed his defense secretary to carry it out. Then in March, he said he supported a policy that would allow an exception but still would disqualify many transgender troops who have gender reassignment surgery. The plan excludes people "with a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria" and people who "require or have undergone gender transition," with a few exceptions. It provides that transgender people may serve in the military only in their "biological sex." Defense Secretary James Mattis had recommended barring transgender people "who require or have undergone gender transition and use of military resources for transition-related medical care." It contains a narrow exemption, allowing service by transgender people who entered or remained in the military since the 2016 open policy. Justice Department lawyers argued that the latest plan resolves constitutional challenges. Lucas estimated that 71 percent of Americans, between the ages of 17 and 24, are prevented from entering the military because they can't meet the military's stringent standards. "That doesn't mean anyone who can't meet standards is stigmatized,'' he said. Lucas said military officials are concerned that people with gender dysphoria have higher rates of psychiatric hospitalization and suicidal behavior even after transition and that transition-related treatment could keep transgender troops off the job for long periods and cost a lot of money. According to the American Psychiatric Association, which opposes the military ban, gender dysphoria is "clinically significant distress" due to a conflict between gender identity and sex assigned at birth. Not all transgender people suffer from gender dysphoria, the association says. The government fears "subjecting these individuals to the unique stresses of the military environment," Lucas said. "The military wants people to come in and be ready to deploy on day one and be ready to serve without any limitation," he said. Patton called the government's argument a "smokescreen" for what essentially would be a military ban on transgender people. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is not about gender dysphoria. That's lipstick on a pig," he said. "Gender dysphoria is a treatable condition. ... If this policy were implemented, the only way a transgender person could serve is if they served as they did before in their birth assigned sex." Top leaders of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps each have testified at Senate hearings that there has been no negative impact from open service by transgender troops, Patton noted. Their testimony undercuts the administration's claim that the ban protects military readiness, he said. Washington's attorney general intervened in the case, estimating that the state is home to 32,850 transgender people and the ban subjects them to discrimination. Oregon was among 18 states and the District of Columbia that filed "friend of the court" briefs in support of the plaintiffs. A trial in the Washington case is set for April. The appeals court could rule at any time. -- Maxine Bernstein mbernstein@oregonian.com 503-221-8212 @maxoregonian A pedestrian died after being hit by two cars late Wednesday on outer Division Street in Southeast Portland, police say. One of the drivers kept driving, police said, but the other stayed at the scene and was arrested on suspicion of intoxicated and reckless driving. Authorities plan to publicly identify the pedestrian, a woman, after an autopsy is performed and her family is notified. It's the latest death on a wide street transportation officials say is the most dangerous in the city for pedestrians, and it comes less than three months after another pedestrian died 20 blocks away. Brent A. Klausner Authorities initially responded to Southeast 138th Avenue and Division Street about 10:15 p.m. and found the woman dead in the road, according to police. Officers think she was walking south across Division when a westbound car hit her. A second westbound vehicle hit her shortly thereafter, police said. The first driver drove away, but the second stayed. Officers haven't found the driver or car thought to have first hit the woman, police said. The second driver, 42-year-old Brent A. Klausner, was jailed and has since been released, according to police. Angel G. Cardona-Aguilar A third driver, 31-year-old Angel G. Cardona-Aguilar, is suspected of driving around a road closure and into the crime scene, "narrowly missing" an investigator, according to a Portland police news release. Cardona-Aguilar was jailed on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving and reckless endangering. He has since been released, as well. The woman's death is the 26th traffic crash fatality the Major Crash Team has investigated in Portland this year. The death marked the fourth pedestrian fatality on outer Division Street in 2018, according to city figures. Division is the most dangerous road for pedestrians, and near the top for bikes and motorists. According to the city's website, 129 people have been seriously injured on Division in the past decade, beyond the nearly two dozen killed in traffic crashes there.. The city has funding and a far-reaching plan to redesign large swaths of the street -- including adding a center medium, more pedestrian crossing beacons and additional street lights and traffic signals -- but much of that work isn't set to begin until 2019. Police urge anyone who has information to contact Portland Police Bureau Traffic Division Officer David Enz at 503-823-2208 or David.Enz@portlandoregon.gov. Jim Ryan and Andrew Theen Portland police on Thursday defended their hands-off approach to a demonstration where protesters temporarily blocked traffic and were later part of an encounter with a motorist that drew national headlines. More than 100 people gathered downtown Saturday to protest the death of Patrick Kimmons, 27, who was shot and killed by police Sept. 30 in a parking lot near Southwest Fourth Avenue and Harvey Milk Street. Authorities say the father of three had just been involved in a fight and a shooting that left two other men wounded when a police officer and sergeant responding to the scene encountered Kimmons armed with a gun. The cops fired between 10 and 12 shots, striking Kimmons in his legs and torso, sources told The Oregonian/OregonLive. During a portion of Saturday's demonstration, which officers monitored from a distance, a group of marchers blocked Southwest Fourth and directed traffic away from the area. Some motorists exchanged words with those standing in the streets, video shows. A couple of protesters can be heard cursing at one driver. In an emailed statement, the Portland Police Bureau said it had tried to work with protest organizers to establish a route for the march but were unsuccessful. "This would have helped facilitate a safe route for demonstrators, while also ensuring road users had alternative routes," the statement said. Later, at Southwest Fourth and Salmon Street, a man behind the wheel of a silver Lexus slowly pushed through a small crowd of demonstrators in a crosswalk while they had the right of way, a second video shows. A few protesters began to hit the man's car and one of them got in front of the Lexus. The driver then sped off down the block before stopping and getting out to survey potential damage. The man hopped back into his car and drove off as some of the demonstrators caught up to him. A few protesters began to pound on the man's vehicle. There were no reported injuries. The video of that incident went viral, racking up more than 3 million views on Twitter before its author removed it this week. A handful of conservative news outlets including Fox News and The Daily Caller seized on the episode. "Antifa Takes Over Portland, Harasses Old Man For Disobeying," proclaimed the right-wing site Breitbart. That post alone generated 20,000 comments. Left-leaning activists, meanwhile, took to social media in an attempt to identify the driver, who some claimed tried to run over the protesters . "Find him. Ruin him," the group Portland's Resistance tweeted. "Make racists afraid again." The driver, a retired 74-year-old who lives in Southwest Portland, told police this week his car sustained more than $3,000 in damages. He did not respond to multiple calls from The Oregonian/OregonLive seeking comment. Police "had to make the careful decision to balance the need to clear the street to allow for the flow of traffic versus the risk of officers having to potentially use force and enflame an already tenuous situation," the bureau's statement said. "We recognize the strong community concern and interest regarding how police officers respond to crowd control situations," Chief Danielle Outlaw said in the statement. "There is no cookie-cutter response to these events." An earlier version of this story reported that the Lexus driver was on Southwest Fourth Avenue and Madison Street. He was on Southwest Fourth Avenue and Salmon Street. The story has been updated to reflect that change. -- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh skavanaugh@oregonian.com 503-294-7632 || @shanedkavanaugh A woman who says she was violently shoved toward an exit of Portland City Hall by police officers after the shutdown of a comment period at a City Council meeting filed a $1 million lawsuit Wednesday against the city. Julie Crosse's lawsuit claims she suffered whiplash and now has post-traumatic stress disorder from the encounter with officers Heidi Kreis and Jasmine Sutton on Oct. 12, 2016. The hall was jammed with protesters and people like Crosse who weren't able to comment about a police contract up for a council vote, the suit states. Crosse was trying to follow police orders to leave, but she had nowhere to go because of the wall of people in front of her, the suit states. Portland City Attorney Tracy Reeve declined comment on the suit. The Oregonian/OregonLive.com captured the disarray that day in this video: Crosse has now joined a list of people who have filed lawsuits against the city in the past two years, alleging police brutality during protests. In March, a half-dozen people filed suits claiming police assaulted them, sometimes using batons and pepper spray, during protests and rallies in 2016 and 2017. All six of those lawsuits are pending. The city has successfully requested that a judge place protective orders on most of those lawsuits, shielding from public disclosure any documents about the police bureaus internal affairs investigations into its officers and any reports from the city auditors Independent Police Review division about complaints filed. Crosses lawsuit says Portland has a long history of an engaged citizenry exercising its First Amendment rights. But police also have a history of clashing with protesters in violent confrontations, the suit says. The PPB has become increasingly militarized in its tactics, deploying chemical and physical crowd-control and weapons while they themselves are protected by their helmets, full-body shields and other tactical gear, the suit states. Crosses lawsuit says that after she was pushed, she ultimately was able to make her way to the exit despite the chaos. She witnessed PPB officers shoving and punching individuals, including one unidentified person who was trapped behind a handrail and unable to move per the officers orders, the suit says. People were bleeding and as she neared the exit she found a friend who had accompanied her, unconscious on the ground. Portland attorney Roscoe Nelson filed the suit in Multnomah County Circuit Court, on Crosse's behalf. Read the lawsuit here. -- Aimee Green David Kennard is the executive editor of Summerville Communications, which publishes the Berkeley Independent, Goose Creek Gazette and Summerville Journal Scene. Contact him at dkennard@journalscene.com or 843-873-9424. Retired Midland Assistant City Manager Jack Duso received the 2018 John M. Patriarche Distinguished Service Award for his service to Michigan communities spanning multiple decades. The Patriarche Award is the highest honor given by the Michigan Municipal Executives. The award was created in 1992 and recognizes members who have fostered representative democracy by enhancing the effectiveness of local-elected officials through innovative programs and excellence in character and professionalism. The award was given to Duso during a MME Colloquium education session at the 2018 Michigan Municipal League Convention in Grand Rapids. Duso retired in November 2011 after a 31-year career with the City of Midland. He began his career as an administrative intern while pursuing his master's degree. In 1980 he was hired as the administrative assistant to the city manager, and in 1991 was promoted to assistant city manager. Jack is a former MME (MLGMA) Board member and served on several of its committees. As a member of the Website Committee he was instrumental in the creation of the first Association website and the implementation of the management forum listserv. He managed the listserv from its beginning in October 2000 until his retirement. As a member of the Advocacy Committee he participated in the planning and production of the Council Manager Plan video that can be viewed on the MME website. He received his bachelor's from Eastern Michigan University and his master's degree from Central Michigan University. In his retirement he continues to apply his public administration skills through his participation in the governance of a 1,146 resident Homeowners' Association in Fort Myers, Florida, where he and his wife, Vicki, reside. Saginaw Valley State University will host its Fall University-wide Employment and Networking Fair this week. More than 130 employers are expected to attend the event from noon to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12 in SVSU's Curtiss Hall second-floor banquet halls and seminar rooms. The Fall University-wide Employment & Networking Fair -- along with the other seven employment fairs hosted annually on campus -- are open to the public. This week's employment fair will offer opportunities to visit with representatives from companies and agencies based locally and across the nation. Bay City Public Schools, Chemical Bank, Consumers Energy, Covenant HealthCare, Dow Chemical Co., the FBI, Hemlock Semiconductor, Nexteer Automotive, Michigan State Police and Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans are among the employers expected to attend Friday. "I would recommend anyone attending bring about 15 to 20 copies of your resume," said Bill Stec, interim director of the SVSU Career Services office that coordinates the employment fairs. "And dress professionally." As part of the employment fair activities, Dynamic Focus Photography from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. will provide free professional photos that attendees can use for their LinkedIn social media profiles, Stec said. For more information about the fair, visit svsu.edu/careerservices At some point in Ben Bailey's comedy career, he knew he had to start writing jokes about hosting the "Cash Cab" game show. Bailey, probably best known for hosting "Cash Cab," has been working as an actor and comedian for the last 25 years on many different shows, movies and specials. "It got to a point where I was like, 'I have to write about the show,' and luckily I wanted to anyway," Bailey said. Bailey is making a stop in Bay City on Friday, Oct. 19, where he will perform new stand-up material at The State Theatre, 913 Washington Ave. "Cash Cab" first aired from 2005 to 2012, and new episodes of the Emmy Award-winning show started again in 2017 on the Discovery Channel and DiscoveryGo. "It was a little weird to go back to a job I had four years ago, but the welcome we got on the streets of New York was amazing," Bailey said. Bailey is a New Jersey native, but also spent some of his childhood in Michigan, where he usually ends up at least once a year to perform stand-up. Bailey has two Comedy Central specials, has appeared on many talk shows, and hosted and acted in other shows on TV as well as several films. In his most recent Comedy Central special, "Road Rage and Accidental Ornithology," Bailey talks about funny moments behind the scenes of "Cash Cab." When fans of the popular game show first started seeing Bailey's stand-up, they were confused by how his comedic style differed from when he was behind the wheel quizzing passengers on trivia. This "forced me to expand," Bailey explained. The two personas are getting closer and closer to being the same, he said. In the "Me Too" era, Bailey said he feels lucky he has never felt inspired to write overtly political or offensive jokes; a more recent example of his observational comedy can be seen when he makes ornithology jokes throughout his most recent Comedy Central special. He describes his comedy as "long and weirdly inspired." "I like to write about weird, random things that strike me as funny," Bailey explained. "I write about weird things people say to me and usually don't talk about political things." Bailey said he also really appreciates his fan base -- people who are nice at his shows and when he is recognized in public. "It's been great," he said. "People who are big fans of the show are really nice people, kind of nerdy maybe." When Bailey was asked how he manages to drive a taxi in New York City and simultaneously host a game show, he answered "I'm driving right now as we're talking." As soon as Bailey got his driver license in high school he started delivering pizza, flowers, presents, "anything you could think of," he said. By the time "Cash Cab" came along, he was comfortable working behind the wheel, which probably had a lot to do with getting the job, he said. Tickets to Bailey's Oct. 19 stand-up show in Bay City can be purchased on The State Theatre's website. Ben Bailey can be found on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook as "real Ben Bailey," and hosts the Tall But True podcast on iTunes. Residents and students wanting more information about the coming vote on the legalization of recreational marijuana can visit Delta College from 2-4 p.m. Oct. 18 to discuss, ask, and learn about potential benefits and drawbacks of voter approval of Proposal 1. The forum will take place in the Delta College Commons (Red Brix Cafe) on the main campus' lower level. The dialogue will feature a panel delving into the health, public safety, economic and cultural impacts of marijuana legalization in Michigan. "Our community stakeholders need more information about how this law could affect them," said Kathie Marchlewski, Delta professor and member of the event's organizing team. "Attendees will hear from a variety of experts here, and more importantly, will have an opportunity to discuss their concerns and have questions answered." Marchlewski said the panel has been curated to include perspectives on attendees' most likely questions about recreational marijuana legalization. Among the panelists is Gus Rosania, University of Michigan professor or pharmaceutical sciences, Nicholas Zettell, representative from Students for Sensible Drug Policy, and Michael Covarrubias, Michigan State Police drug recognition expert. Terry Moultane, planning and zoning manager for the city of Bay City will discuss how cities have handled licensing for medical marijuana dispensaries and how existing ordinances might apply to recreational marijuana retailers, and Lori Ziolkowski, Delta professor and vice president of the Great Lakes Bay Region Families Against Narcotics will discuss the possibility that marijuana use could lead to addiction. The panel will respond to audience members' perspectives on the benefits and drawbacks to the pending ballot initiative. The dialogue will be moderated by Delta College Associate Professor of History Amy French. The forum and is free and open to the public. The City of Midland's costs for the South Waldo Avenue reconstruction project are $300,000 more than anticipated. The Midland City Council approved an amendment to the 2018-19 Major Street Fund budget on Monday to increase expenditures by $300,000 to recognize the balance of the city's portion of the costs for the project. The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriff's Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter John Kennett. Tuesday, Oct. 10 12:17 a.m. -- A 29-year-old woman reported an assault that occurred between her and her former 35-year-old boyfriend. The man left before deputies arrived but was located down the road. He was arrested and lodged at the Midland County Jail. 1:03 a.m. -- Deputies were dispatched to a Warren Township residence in reference to a 60-year-old suicidal man armed with a gun and intoxicated. Deputies made contact with the man outside of his residence. The shotgun was secured and he was transported to the ER for a mental health evaluation. 1:41 a.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to a Sanford gas station in reference to a 26-year-old Jerome Township man drinking alcohol in the parking lot. The man had purchased some beer but discovered he had locked himself out of his vehicle. The man was drinking in the parking lot for about an hour prior to the deputy's arrival but was not creating any issues. He was given a ride home where he resides with his mother in Jerome Township. 12:51 p.m. -- A 36-year-old mother came to the Law Enforcement Center requesting assistance in getting her 1996 Yahama Quad Runner back from her delinquent 17-year-old son who is choosing to live away from home. She does not desire to press charges. The deputy offered to conduct a civil standby if needed. She said she would evaluate the situation and call if needed. 2 p.m. -- Deputies responded to a Lee Township address for a report of a 30-year-old man, who made threats to kill a 54-year-old man. During the investigation, the suspect assaulted deputies. It was also discovered that the man was having mental health issues. He was transported to the Mid-Michigan Medical Center ER for a mental health evaluation. 7:31 p.m. -- A 36-year-old Midland Township man advised he was pushed down by a neighbor but did not wish to pursue any charges. The incident occurred after the complainant's dog had chased the neighbor's cat. The complainant said he had brought his dog over to apologize but it turned into an argument. The victim states his 56-year-old neighbor told the complainant that he would assault him if he didn't leave his property. The victim said to bring it on and the neighbor pushed him to the ground. The suspect told a similar story but said the victim tripped when he went to push him and never made contact. Both parties advised they were kind of like friends and made up with a handshake. 8:50 p.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to Poseyville Road north of Gordonville Road in reference to a vehicle's windshield being struck by a rock while driving. 9:22 p.m. -- A 36-year-old Greendale Township woman was arrested on three outstanding warrants out of Midland County. She was transported to the Midland County Jail without incident. 9:53 p.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to a Lee Township residence in reference to a civil dispute over dogs. An 18-year-old Midland woman attempted to take dogs from her step-father's property without permission. She reported that she was shoved by her 16-year-old brother. She did not wish to pursue charges. She was also advised to stay off the property and to not return. The deputy explained the civil procedure to argue ownership of the dogs. 11:08 p.m. -- A 53-year-old Warren Township woman reported a delayed domestic violence report. The domestic violence between her and her 52-year-old boyfriend happened last night but she wasn't able to report it at the time. The man was interviewed and arrested. 11:36 p.m. -- Deputies responded to a Lee Township residence in reference to an 11-year-old male having behavioral problems and throwing items around the house. The mother, a 38-year-old Lee Township woman, wanted to take the boy to ER and was attempting to have him admitted to Healthsource in Saginaw for behavior/psychological issues. The man was not being cooperative and deputies assisted in convincing the man to go to the ER with his mother and grandparents. The mother transported her son to ER and he was checked in for treatment/evaluation. To the editor: Let no one seek his own good but that of his neighbor (1 Corinthians 10:24). This thought came to me as I listened to Kristen Brown speak compellingly about service: public service to the people of Michigan House District 99. These were Browns opening comments at the LWV Candidate Forum recently at Mount Pleasant City Hall. She and Roger Hauck, candidates for House District 99, were invited to address the forum. As she spoke of being a public servant, Brown stressed her loyalty to all residents within her district, not just those who support her party. This fall, voters can support new kinds of candidates, like Kristen Brown. Brown responded to a wide range of excellent questions. About term limits, she believes limits may inhibit experienced elected officials from consistently advocating policy that is in the best interest of the state. Responding to a question about health care, Brown believes that the state must continue to invest in health care for Michigans children and underserved population. She was asked about funding for K-12 education. Education is a main reason for my decision to run for office, Brown answered. Teachers are working harder and harder with less resources and support from the state. When asked how Lansing can help those of us living in the Michigan 99th District, Brown was quick to call for increased support of local school systems. Educating our children and young adults must be our first priority. Finally, what did Kristen Brown identify as her top priority when she gets to Lansing? Transparency and accountability. She stated that Michigan ranks dead last for sunshine laws among the 50 states. Oh, and I cannot report on Roger Haucks answers to the questions because he neglected to attend the forum. I did search for information that would be helpful. I looked up his voting record. The votes that most troubled me authorized charter schools to collect revenues from enhancement millages, authorized work requirements for Medicaid recipients and authorized individuals to carry firearms without permits. KATHLEEN MAY Jasper Township Kaspersky Labs Total Security 2019 is an excellent security suite with a great detection engine and numerous extra features for power users. It also works to protect your privacy by controlling which programs can access sensitive hardware like your webcam. Total Security used to be quite high-priced, but these days the introductory pricing has come closer to its competitors. So here we are. The most awkward antivirus review ever. I mean how do you review a security platform that was accused of being a proxy for an unfriendly government just one year ago? Kaspersky Lab denies the allegations, but regardless of what the truth is, the accusation is out there. Now, one of the first things many Americans think of when it comes to Kaspersky is Russian espionage. The reality is we have no way of ascertaining the truth so were going to do our best to set aside the controversy. This review is not going to weigh the spying accusations into the score. Well look at this suite like we would any other, and then leave it to you to weigh the other considerationsthough we do have a helpful article on the Kaspersky controversy with advice from experts. For years, Kaspersky Lab has been one of the best names in computer security. The companys top-tier product for consumers right now is Kaspersky Total Security. Taking a look at the dashboard its easy to see why Total Security is so popular. Note: This review is part of our best antivirus roundup. Go there for details about competing products and how we tested them. IDG The initial dashboard in Kaspersky 2019. The program is very easy to understand. There are eight basic options Scan, Database Update, Safe Money, Password Manager, Privacy Protection, Backup and Restore, Parental Control, and My Kaspersky. The most important feature is of course Scan, which offers all the various features youd expect. You can do quick and full scans, a selective scan that looks at specific folders, and an external device scan for USB drives. Of all the dashboard features, the one that might cause some confusion is Safe Money. This is Kasperskys version of a dedicated, sandboxed browser, called Protected Browser, that separates your online financial activity from the rest of your system. This can include everything from logging in to your bank to purchasing something on Amazon. When its active, Safe Money automatically adds bank or payment system sites to its local database as you visit them. A pop-up then appears offering to open the site in Protected Browser. A new improvement in Total Security 2019 lets you open a site directly from the notification area. Theres also an option to manually add other sites if youd prefer to use them with Protected Browser. You can also use an on-screen keyboard to type in account and password details to protect against any potential keyloggers lurking in your system. IDG The password manager in Kaspersky 2019. Password Manager is included in the Total Security subscription, but you have to download it separately. Its a very nice-looking password manager with all the features you need such as website logins, app passwords, password generator, banking data storage for auto-filling payment forms, and secure notes. Power users will enjoy the image-upload feature, which helps you keep important information from screenshots or other images in an encrypted database. Theres also a contacts database if you need it. Kasperskys password manager is available for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Privacy Protection is an interesting feature that summarizes blocked attempts at online data collection via a browser plugin. Theres also a webcam control option that prevents unauthorized access to your webcam. Each of these options also has a helpful How it works button so you can more easily understand whats going on and why its important. Kasperskys Parental Control is focused on controlling child accounts on the PC, what they can access, and for how long. Total Security 2019 can now treat all similar apps as one. If you restrict web browsing, for example, no one can do an end run around it by browsing in Opera instead of Chrome. To control activity on other devices, you have to turn to My Kaspersky, which requires you to register with the My Kaspersky web service. Once thats done, clicking on My Kaspersky sends you to a web app to manage multiple devices if they have Kaspersky installed. From the web app you can monitor a registered devices location, social network activity, and get real-time alerts for suspicious activity. Theres also a controversial mobile communications feature that lets you monitor your kids incoming and outgoing phone calls and SMS messages if they own an Android device. Going beyond these basics of the Kaspersky suite, if you click More tools at the bottom of the primary dashboard you can take a deeper dive into your system. IDG The Tools screen in Kaspersky 2019. This section of Kaspersky Total Security received the most notable overhaul for 2019. The new look is much cleaner with a simpler navigation column on the left rail, with major categories such as Security, My Network, Manage applications, Data Protection, Clean and Optimize, and Reports. Then in the windows primary space you can see all the various tools Kaspersky offers. There arent any new tools here. Its pretty much the same as its always been; however, the organization of this section is much easier to grasp and less overwhelming. In earlier versions of Total Security, the first thing youd see in the Tools section were some interesting graphs displaying current CPU and memory usage, as well as a network monitor showing current up and down bandwidth usage. These features are still there, but they arent automatically displayed. IDG Application Control in Kaspersky 2019. The CPU and memory usage, for example, is under Tools > Manage applications > Application Control, where you get a nice full-screen look at the trust state of apps on your PC, and your current usage activity. The network monitor looks a little less friendly and is under Tools > My Network > Network Monitor. Most of the tools here are standard for premium security suites. Theres a software updater to keep your desktop apps up to date, and the improved version for 2019 includes the ability to schedule regular searches for app updates. An updated PC Cleaner allows you to search for and remove browser extensions without opening each browser. Theres also a file encryption feature, and quick links to Kaperskys VPN, the on-screen keyboard, quarantined files, and file shredder. Another nice feature is the vulnerability scan under Tools > Manage applications > Vulnerability Scan, which tries to detect any potential ways your system could be exploited. The vulnerability scan is also available as an option under Scan > Scan schedule. Overall, Kaspersky Total Security is very easy to use and understand. It doesnt overwhelm you with features, but it has more than enough capability for powers users who want all the extras. Total Security 2019 costs $50 for up to five devices for a single year for new subscribers, and $75 for 10 devices. The MSRPs are $50 and $75 respectively. That pricing is a lot better than it used to be and puts Kasperskys cost closer to its competitors. Its still more expensive than many other popular suites that charge about $100 to cover 10 devices. Performance IDG Kaspersky 2019s Safe Money 2019. Kaspersky is recognized as having one of the best detection engines in the business, and the results from testing houses show it. Kasperksy Internet Securitythe lower-tier suite, which has the same detection capabilities as Kaspersky Total Securityscored 100 percent in July and August 2018 in A-V Tests 0-day and web attacks test, as well as the standard malware test. In A-V Comparatives August 2018 real-world protection test, Kaspersky scored a 100 percent detection rate of 193 samples with zero false positives. In the March 2018 malware protection test from A-V Comparativesthe most recent test published in this category at this writingKaspersky 2018 scored 99.98 percent for its online protection rate. The companys detection engine had nine false alarms, which ties it for fifth place in that regard with Avast and AVG. Avira and Eset, meanwhile, only had one false alarm each in the March tests. Kaspersky also earned a AAA rating from SE Labs in the testing firms April through June 2018 report. As for our in-house tests, Kaspersky had no impact on performance using the PCMark 8 Work Conventional test. Prior to installation, the test PC scored an average of 2,491 from three runs of the test. After Kaspersky was installed that average score increased by one point to 2,492. Larger is better with PCMark, but the difference is too small to matter much. All tests were performed offline. As for the Handbrake test, the test PC took the usual one hour and 15 minutes to convert a 3.8GB 1080p MKV file to the Android tablet preset. With Kaspersky installed, the time stayed the same plus or minus about 30 seconds. The bottom line is that Kaspersky should have near zero impact on your PCs performance, though on low-range machines there might be a slight performance impact under heavy loads. Conclusion IDG The Network Monitor in Kaspersky 2019. Theres no question that Kaspersky Total Security is a fantastic antivirus suite. Its well designed, has all the features youll need, and performs well. For that reason I gave Kaspersky Total Security four out of five stars. But what to do about those accusations that came out in 2017? Thats a decision everyone has to make for themselves. When we first looked at the Kaspersky controversy, several security experts said that for most people the Russian government would not be part of their threat model. In other words, the allegations, if theyre true, would have little impact on them. If you work in a sensitive industry such as civic engineering or aerospace, definitely weigh the risks and the rewards of using this suite. Perhaps even get some guidance from your employer, especially if youre prone to bringing your work home and putting it on your personal machine. If youre just a regular Joe or Jane looking for a good security suite, its up to you to weigh the news (or not) against what is, on its face, an excellent security product. Two four-year-old cold-pressed juice companies that call central Pennsylvania home have merged. Rijuice which is based in Lancaster County and The Fountain of Juice which was based in Lower Paxton Township have merged and now operate as Rijuice. Both companies began producing juice blends in 2014. Rijuice's signature drinks include drinks under names like Sunshine Daydream, Walk On The Beach, Strawberry Sam, Red Rose, Good Mood and Million Bucks. Rijuice says its drinks come from locally sourced fruits and vegetables. Rijuice shares a space at 201 Running Pump Road in East Hempfield Township with the Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative which it says give the company access to hand-select its ingredients from more than 100 Amish farms. The merger evolved from a long-term collaboration between the two companies, according to a press release. The last piece of the merger will be transitioning the The Fountain of Juice's raw juice line to Rijuice. The line will be rebranded as "rijuice raw" in the coming months. Sean Wainwright is the CEO of the company which employs 15 people. Rijuice can be found at locally-owned grocery stores and cafes in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Washington D.C. as well as at several farmer's markets including the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg and on its website where it offers next-day delivery. --Business Buzz The Norsemen have returned. Centuries after they sailed to North America, the Vikings have taken over the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. It's all part of a new exhibit delving into the ancient Scandinavian people and culture. "Vikings: Beyond the Legend" has more than 600 different artifacts including swords, jewelry and armor. There are several full-size replica ships and multiple augmented reality experiences, providing a new look at the acclaimed sailors and warriors. Shipbuilding is explored in-depth, as is the warrior nature of the Vikings. But just as much attention is paid to home life, including religion, writing and clothing. "'Vikings: Beyond the Legend' is a cultural opportunity not to be missed and an educational experience second to none," said Larry Dubinski, president and CEO of the Franklin Institute. The exhibit opens on Oct. 13 with a full day's worth of activities at the museum, including blacksmithing demonstrations, Viking reenactors, period weaving demonstrations, rune painting and a performance by the Drexel University Percussion Ensemble. A highlight of the exhibit is the recreated Roskilde 6 ship from 1025 CE, which is made up, in part, by original planks from when it was excavated in 1997. Running alongside the exhibit is the "Vikings: Journey to New Worlds" film, which will be played at Franklin Institute's IMAX Theater for an additional $10 fee. The exhibit runs until March 3, 2019. Tickets for the exhibit are $35 for adults and $31 for children. Those looking for a deal can also come by Thursday through Saturday between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. for an evening look at the exhibit. Tickets for evenings are $20 for adults and $15 for children. Last admission on those night is at 6:30 p.m. The opening day festival isn't the only activity going on related to the exhibit. There'll also be Viking trivia nights at Dilworth Plaza in Philadelphia every Tuesday from Nov. 13 through Feb. 19. Philadelphia-area brewer 2SP Brewing will also be making a Franklin Fjord Ale in honor of the exhibit. It'll have notes of raspberry, juniper berry, honey and elderflower. Learn more about the exhibit and purchase tickets at fi.edu or by calling 215-448-1200. The Franklin Institute is located at 222 N. 20th St. in the Logan Square area of Philadelphia. Want more stories about Philly? Click here for all our coverage of the City of Brotherly Love. You may also enjoy these videos: On Oct. 11, 1984, Kathryn Sullivan made history as the first American woman to walk in space. Sullivan was selected by NASA in 1978 for the astronaut program and in 1979 became an astronaut. She traveled to space aboard Space Shuttle Challenger in 1984 along with astronaut Sally Ride. It was the first flight to include two women. In April 1990 she traveled to space aboard Space Shuttle Discovery. Her final space mission was in March 1992 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis. She was named to the Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2004. Earlier this month, NASA celebrated its 60th anniversary. BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan (AP) -- Two astronauts from the U.S. and Russia landed safely in the steppes of Kazakhstan after their rocket failed two minutes after launch. ASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos' Alexei Ovchinin blasted off as scheduled to the International Space Station Thursday, but their Soyuz booster failed. NASA says the two have been flown to the city of Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan en route to Moscow after an emergency landing following the failure of a booster rocket carrying them to the ISS. NASA posted pictures of Hague and Ovchinin undergoing a medical check-up at Dzhezkazgan's airport. U.S. and Russian space officials said the astronauts are in good condition. Flight controllers kept the three space station residents abreast of the situation after Thursday's aborted launch. "The boys have landed," Mission Control assured the crew consisting of one American, one German and one Russian. Russian controllers told the space station astronauts that Hague and Ovchinin endured 6.7 times the force of gravity during their steeper than usual entry. It was Hague's first rocket launch. There was no immediate word on whether the space station crew might need to extend its own six-month mission. Two spacewalks planned for later this month were off indefinitely. Hague was supposed to be one of the spacewalkers. A senior Cabinet official says that Russia is suspending manned space launches pending a probe into the Russian booster rocket failure. Hague joined NASA's astronaut corps in 2013. Ovchinin spent six months on the station in 2016. Pennsylvania lawmakers on Wednesday gave final approval to a bill intended to lessen barriers which advocates said will put Pennsylvania among 48 states which adhere to the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, which seeks to standardize practices so all available organs end up reaching people in need, rather than some organs being lost because they are needed for criminal investigations, according to advocates. The bill marks the first major update to Pennsylvania's organ transplant law in 25 years. It passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate, and Gov. Tom Wolf said he will sign it. "On behalf of 7,300 people waiting for an organ transplant, and their families, we thank lawmakers for working together to pass this legislation," Howard M. Nathan, the president and CEO of Gift of Life Donor Program said in a news release. It marked the end of more than two years of wrestling over changes to Pennsylvania's organ transplant law. According to advocates, Pennsylvania was a leader in denying the use of organs, with denials often involving people who were on life support and had registered as organ donors. The advocates said denials often happened because a county coroner decided a body or organ was needed for a criminal investigation. They said most other states have policies which ensure virtually no organs go to waste while also not interfering with criminal investigations. A Pennsylvania organization that backed the new law said in a news release it will result in "a full assessment of organ donation potential by county coroners and health care professionals through on-site meetings and that the reasons for any denial of organ donation are documented." Advocates further said the bill will make it easier for adults to register as organ donors, provide access to a school curriculum to educate young people about organ donation and increase opportunities to donate to an organization that educates people about organ donation. Medical experts and others have long said many people fail to register to become organ donors because of misinformation or a lack of information about what it entails and how it can benefit people waiting for transplants, including the many who die before an organ becomes available. The once glorious building lodged famous African Americans including Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington and Joe Louis during the era when Harrisburg's white-owned hotels wouldn't have them. Owned by a prominent black businessman, the mansion at 1006 N. Sixth St. brimmed with stained glass, ornate wood and brass fixtures. But now, a peek through a gap in the boarded, padlocked front door reveals another extreme: Daylight streams down from openings in the roof. An avalanche of collapsed floors and ceilings fills the interior. Plants, with plenty of sun and rain, sprout from the rubble. According to a neighbor, thieves have also violated the mansion, somehow hauling away decorative features large and small. The building known as the Jackson House was condemned by Harrisburg in April, with the city's codes department declaring it "dangerous and unsafe." Still, Jeremiah Chamberlin, the latest owner, said he plans to begin renovations shortly, eventually creating space for a business on the first floor and apartments above. "Yes, if nothing is done to this building, it will fall down. But we are taking steps to make that not happen," Chamberlin said this week. The Jackson House is named after German Jackson, the son of a slave and a prominent African American businessman who owned it from the Jazz Age into the 1980s. The mansion, built during the 1880s, has long been considered the most significant remnant of a once-thriving black business district in Harrisburg. To people traveling on North Sixth Street near the state Capitol, the Jackson House is easily recognizable because of the three-story mural on its side honoring Jackson, Louis Armstrong and other great African American performers who once stayed there. It's also attached to another Harrisburg landmark: The Jackson House restaurant, known for its burgers and subs and brisk lunchtime business. The mansion has been vacant for decades and talk of restoring it has existed similarly long. Former Mayor Stephen Reed once hoped to turn it into an African American museum. A statewide restoration organization several years ago listed it as among the most endangered historical sites in Pennsylvania. But a succession of owners has failed to come up with the needed funds, said David Morrison, executive director of the Historic Harrisburg Association, which has been involved in efforts to save the mansion. Recently, the association, in collaboration with Chamberlin, applied for a grant from a new national program dedicated to preserving structures that are significant to African American history. The first application failed, but Morrison said they can apply again. Some might look at the structure and wonder, especially in light of all the recent rain, if the Jackson House has reached a point of no return. Morrison acknowledges the situation as "precarious," but said plenty of structures have been brought back from worse. "We'd love to see something happen. We haven't given up," he said. Chamberlin is also fully confident the building can be saved, and is confident in his ability to do so. The 35-year-old said he is trained as an engineer and now earns his living as a carpenter specializing in renovation and old woodwork. He said he has hired an engineer to evaluate the structure and will soon turn that over to the city. He said he has been in contact with the city, and is confident the completed study will assure the city of his intent to save the property and halt the condemnation process. Morrison agreed the city, with a backlog of condemned buildings, many abandoned with no known owner, typically cooperates with property owners who show intent to make repairs. Because a city spokeswoman was on vacation and another official was on leave dealing with a family emergency, the city said it couldn't immediately respond to questions about the Jackson House. However, Ted Hanson, who lives nearby, said he has run out of patience. He said young people congregate behind the Jackson House, and its overall condition "affects my sense of safety." The condition of the home hurts his property value, he said. Hanson said he knew German Jackson and sat in his home listening to the stories of the celebrities who passed through and has long hoped to see it restored. But he is critical of Chamberlin's progress and the city's progress in carrying out condemnation. "The hard truth is that the house is doomed and it breaks my heart. But it has to come down," he said. For his part, Chamberlin said the first step is to remove the mountain of debris from the house, which he said he's been chipping away at. The next step will be to shore up walls and install a new roof. Chamberlin said he bought the mansion within the past two years, paying about $4,000 including settlement costs. He said the building already had a hole in the roof, letting in rain that accelerated interior collapse. He acknowledged the unusually large amount of rain in recent months "doesn't help." "It's not good. It has to be addressed. We want a roof over the building as soon as possible," he said. He said he was unaware of theft of items including stained glass and brass fixtures described by a neighbor, but added, "The front doors were stolen off the house. That has to say something." Chamberlin said he has the financial means to stabilize the walls and install the roof, which will halt the deterioration. Beyond that, he said he has no timetable for carrying out a full restoration. Nor does he know what it will cost, or exactly where the money will come from. He is sure it will be a major undertaking. "Essentially, we'll be rebuilding a house inside the interior structure," he said. The entire block, which includes the Jackson House restaurant and two other buildings, is considered historically significant. At the far end of the block sits the former Curtis Funeral Home, also long-vacant and crumbling, with some of its bricks fallen and scattered on the sidewalk Morrison said a for sale sign was recently posted at the former funeral home. His organization is trying to contact the owner to discuss packaging the funeral home and the mansion to make them more attractive to a buyer or investor. Chamberlin said he is open to such possibilities, and believes packaging the properties might increase chances of qualifying for a grant. He also said he would consider selling it to someone who was willing and able to renovate it sooner. But while he said he wants to acknowledge the building's history and create a "homage" to it, the building "must be financially self-sufficient." He believes that might be accomplished with a bistro-type restaurant on the first floor and apartments above. "It has to pay for itself. I'm a history buff. I love the history of Harrisburg and the Jackson House has played an important role," said Chamberlin, a board member of the Historic Harrisburg Association. "I can't create a museum." Note: this article was updated to give the correct title of David Morrison. SUNY Oswego professor and Cumberland County native Brian Hough, his wife Jackie, their 9-year-old son and his in-laws were on the way to a wedding when they decided to stop at the Apple Barrel Country Store and Cafe on a beautiful sunny Saturday. At that moment, their lives changed forever. A limo traveling at a high rate of speed failed to stop at a T-junction of two rural roads and barreled across the road, slamming into the family's unoccupied SUV parked in the store's lot in Schoharie County. The horrific crash - the worst in the U.S. in nearly 10 years - killed the limo's driver and its 17 passengers. Two members of the Hough group who happened to be standing by their SUV were also killed: Brian Hough, 46, and his father-in-law, James Schnurr, 70. "It's unimaginable,'' James (JT) Hough, Brian's younger brother, said Wednesday. "It's just so random." The two men were standing near the vehicle with Brian's wife, Jackie Schnurr, when the limo hit, JT Hough said. The two men were hit. The other family members weren't near the vehicle. "Any one little factor could have changed the outcome,'' JT said. "Five more steps and they could have been out of the way completely - or it could have been even worse." JT says he knows his brother would have made the choice to sacrifice his life for his family's if he could. Schnurr, JT Hough, his wife, Erin, his parents, Artra and Greg Hough, are struggling to deal with the deaths of their loved ones. The parents issued a statement to Syracuse.com|The Post Standard Tuesday saying they were devastated by the loss of their eldest son. Brian Hough (right) was an SUNY Oswego professor who was killed Saturday alongside his father-in-law when a limo crashed into them Saturday. He's shown here with his parents and siblings (from left): JT Hough, brother; Greg and Artra Hough, parents, Todd, brother who died in 2015. Brian Hough, 46, of Moravia, was the oldest of three brothers. JT at 40, is the youngest. Their parents have already buried one son. Three years ago, middle brother Todd Hough died of metastatic melanoma, JT said, and the family is still grieving over that. "No one can imagine having to bury your child, and then having to bury a second child three years later,'' JT said. JT said Brian's wife (a professor at Wells College) is a very private person who is trying to get through this the best she can. Losing her husband and father is devastating, he said. JT's wife, Erin, created a GoFundMe site to help Jackie and the couple's son. Brian Hough was the type of person who didn't watch TV or play video - or have much down time at all, his brother said. "Somehow, he seemed to make time for everything,'' JT said. "It was magical. He was always doing something, or he was outdoors with his son, and his wife. He and Jackie were definitely made for each other." Brian could always be counted on, his brother said. When JT was at his parents' house early this summer, the lawn and trees were overgrown and he called Brian to ask if he could help him sometime. Brian changed his plans and traveled immediately to help JT clean up the yard, his brother said. Brian was a fantastic dad, JT said, but he also was a fabulous uncle. He had numerous nieces and nephews on both sides, and he would get down on the ground and play games with them all the time. "I'm the younger brother and I'd be over there with the adults talking, and he'd be wrestling, or goofing around with the kids,'' he said. Last summer, Brian dressed up as Frankenstein and was playing with the nephews when they yelled so loud that the neighbors called the police, JT said. Brian also took his nieces and nephews fossil hunting, which he always said could be done by unearthing rocks at any waterfalls or creek bed, JT said. The Hough boys grew up in Boiling Springs, Pa. Brian went to Old Dominion University in Virginia where he was became interested in marine biology. At some point, his passion changed to geology, and he then went to Idaho State University and earned his master's degree. His doctorate was from the University of Rochester. Brian Hough met his future wife in Idaho and "they were soulmates,'' JT said. They married about 10 or 11 years ago in the Adirondacks. When Schnurr got a job teaching biology and environmental science at Wells College, they moved to the Moravia and Brian looked for work as well, eventually landing at SUNY Oswego. Hough came to Oswego in 2016 as a visiting professor. He became an assistant professor of geology, teaching courses in oceanography, paleontology, historical geology and stratigraphy. JT said he last saw his brother in August, when the family visited the Houghs at their home in Moravia. Brian took them to the Museum of the Earth near Ithaca, where he and Jackie led them on an animated and educational tour. "They just explained everything to us - she knows animals and he knows rocks,'' he said. "They told us all about the Ice Age and the catastrophic events that may led to the extinction of this or that and it was fascinating." Once JT said he took a photo of a rock formation that looked like an upside-down rainbow, and sent it to Brian. Brian immediately explained the geologic forces that caused it to get that way. "He was passionate about teaching, about geology and about his family,'' JT said. "He really was a truly wonderful person.'' WILLIAMSPORT - A man accused of mailing marijuana from California to Williamsport in a box of toys is now facing federal charges. Jason D. Webb, 45, was arraigned Wednesday in U.S. Middle District Court on charges of possession with intent to deliver and conspiracy to deliver marijuana. The affidavit in support of the complaint is sealed so specifics of the charges including information about alleged co-conspirators are not known. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan Martin confirmed they are related to Webb's arrest in January after Williamsport police found three vacuum-sealed bags containing 3.11 pounds of marijuana in a box under children's toys. Webb, who had been living in Carlotta, California, was jailed then in lieu of $1 million bail. It was reduced in May to $75,000 that was posted by a bail bondsman. Until bail was revoked Monday due to the federal charges, Webb was living with his mother near Williamsport. Magistrate Judge William I. Arbuckle III released Webb on the federal charges with conditions that include no alcohol or non-prescription drugs and restrictions on travel. Webb will remain in jail unless bail is reinstated in the state case in which he is charged with nine counts that allege possession or possession with intent to deliver controlled substances. Police discovered the marijuana in the box of toys when a woman took to headquarters on Jan. 1 a carton mailed to her from Bridgeville, California. She told police she did not know who sent it but was suspicious due to Webb's alleged drug activity. He frequented the woman's apartment, police said. Webb had asked to use her address to receive shipments of narcotics but she refused, police said they were told. The woman, who has a juvenile son, told police she learned others had been in her apartment with Webb when she was at work. Webb admitted traveling back and forth from California but denied he traffics in drugs, the arrest affidavit states. One person has died in Hurricane Michael, as the storm weakened to a category 2 while moving across Georgia and Alabama, according to media reports. NBC News reported that a spokesperson for the Gadsden County Sheriff's Office confirmed a man was killed when a tree fell on a residence in Greensboro, Florida. National Hurricane Center projections for Hurricane Michael, as of 8 p.m. Wednesday. In the National Hurricane Center's 8 p.m. update, they announced the storm was moving across Albany Georgia with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph. "Damaging winds" are still occurring across the central and eastern panhandle of Florida and the southwestern and south-central Georgia, the NHC said. Hurricane, storm sure and tropical storm warnings are still in place in many areas of Florida and North Carolina. The NHC said Michael is projected to move across southeast and central Georgia Wednesday night, then northeastward across the southeastern U.S> late Thursday. Michael will move off the mid-Atlantic coast by early Friday. A meteorologist for the National Hurricane Center wrote in a Facebook post that going back to 1851, no Category 4 hurricane every hit the Florida panhandle. NBC News said the storm made landfall 20 miles southeast of Panama City around 1:30 p.m., with sustained winds of 155 mph. Since then, the storm downgraded and was a category 3 by 5 p.m., with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph. The NHC said in a 7 p.m. update that the Tallahassee International Airport, Dothan Alabama airport and Albany Georgia airport each saw wind gusts of more than 60mph. What this means for Pennsylvania Earlier predictions of up to two inches of rain coming to Pennsylvania from the storm are now focused on the east and southeastern regions of Pennsylvania. Rainfall projections for Hurricane Michael as of 8 p.m. Wednesday. The National Weather Service predicts there is a chance of showers in the Harrisburg region Wednesday, then showers all day Thursday with up to a half and three quarters of an inch of rain possible. Showers will continue Thursday night, mostly before 8 a.m., the NWS said. By Friday, the sun will be back in central Pa., with a high near 60 degrees. Burning random items in a backyard pool, including a hot tub, didn't work out well for a Myerstown man, who is now facing a citation for illegal burning. Jonathan M. Gehman, 38, was cited after police went to his house around 12:06 p.m. Oct. 9, and found Gehman burned a hot tub in an in-ground pool behind a home on Birch Road, according to South Lebanon Township Police. Other items were being burned as well. Police were notified because the fire got out of control due to the foam insulation in the hot tub, which caused the siding on the back of the residence to melt. The citation was for violating a South Lebanon Township burning ordinance. Rain associated with Tropical Storm Michael is expected to soak Pennsylvania and other states on Thursday. While Florida's Panhandle was pummeled when the storm made landfall as a category 4 storm, AccuWeather described the impact on Pennsylvania as more of a nuisance. "Swift movement of the rain in the central Appalachians, upper mid-Atlantic, the eastern Great Lakes and New England should limit any flooding problems to urban and poor drainage areas and perhaps along small streams," according to the report. Enough rain could fall in cities such as Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh to cause delays for motorists. After Thursday's rain, a major cooldown is in store into the weekend that will make it feel more like autumn across the state. "In Philadelphia, a high of 81 and a low near 70 on Wednesday will be swapped with a high near 60 and a low in the middle 40s on Saturday," AccuWeather reports. "A breeze will make it seem 5-10 degrees lower than the actual temperature early this weekend." Here's a look at the forecast for Harrisburg: Thursday: Periods of rain and a thunderstorm. High: 77 Thursday night: Partly cloudy skies. Low: 55 Friday: Some clouds and sunshine. High: 61 Friday night: Increasing clouds. Low: 47 Saturday: A little morning rain; otherwise, clouds giving way to sun. High: 59 Saturday night: Clear skies. Low: 41 Sunday: Times of sun and clouds. High: 59 Sunday night: Partly cloudy skies. Low: 51 You can see live weather updates via the National Weather Service and other Twitter sources below. Tweet us at @pennlive with photos of inclement weather at your place, incidents you see on your commute or send a submission to submissions@pennlive.com. BRYN MAWR, Pa. (AP) -- Police in suburban Philadelphia say they are searching for three men who stabbed a Villanova University student near a bar. The student told police he and a female friend left a Bryn Mawr bar around 2 a.m. Sunday when they were yelled at by three unidentified men. WCAU-TV reports the student told the friend to run away, and was soon confronted by the group who stabbed him in the chest. Investigators say the three men then fled the scene. Initially, the student believed he was OK and walked home before he realized he had been stabbed. He then walked to a hospital where he is in stable condition. Investigators have released surveillance footage of the suspect, and Radnor Township Police are offering $10,000 for information leading to a conviction. Manila (CNN Philippines Life) The quest for a distinct Filipino identity never seems to perish. There are various analyses, dialogues, literature, and works of art that always seek to answer the question: What makes a Filipino? As a country infused with colonial practices for most of its recorded history, the Philippines pre-colonial past can oftentimes be viewed with an air of mystery, a long gone era where beliefs and traditions are nothing but a distant, almost unimaginable memory. While most Filipinos way of life at the present time is largely influenced by the values of our colonial masters, there are still crucial parts of being Filipino from how meals center around eating rice to the value put on females that have come from the time before we were in the shackles of our colonizers. Here are some surprising facts about pre-colonial Philippines, mostly referenced from the book Kasaysayan: The Earliest Filipinos and the essays by Filipino writers, scholars, and historians accompanying it. Kinilaw is at least one hundred years old and one of the earliest food discoveries. In cultural historian Doreen Fernandezs essay, Food At the Very Beginning, she says that kinilaw, the seafood dish similar to a ceviche, has been in the country since 10th and 13th centuries AD. During the 1987 Balangay excavation in Agusan del Norte, the researchers also found the tabon-tabon, which is a green fruit, and bones of yellowfin tuna. Fernandez says that both of these were cut in the same way as how the kinilaw is prepared today. Since kinilaw was made through souring and not by fire, it was highly likely that they consumed this food as it was easy to make. It was the discovery of seagoing, river-faring people who knew the richness of the waters, the flavors of their wealth, and the high value of freshness, Fernandez wrote. Rice has always been the center of meals. Another essay by Fernandez, The Staff of Life, underscores the importance of rice for pre-colonial Filipinos. If people were eating without it, it was just considered a snack, not a meal. Not only was rice important in the day-to-day meals of earlier Filipinos, rice was also used in weddings where couples would exchange balls of rice. This food staple was also used to express grief as no clean rice would be eaten for an entire year as a sign of mourning. The many words Filipinos used for rice palay is unhusked, bigas is husked, kanin is cooked also mirrored the significance it had in their way of life. Ancient Filipinos celebrated a womans first menstruation. The Boxer Codex, a Spanish manuscript detailing the lives of pre-Spanish Philippines, includes details of how when a woman got her menarche or her first menstruation, she underwent a ceremony known as dating, where she was blindfolded and secluded in a windowless space for four days. Once her menstrual period was over, she was led to a stream for a bath but her feet were not allowed to touch the ground, so she was either carried or made to walk on an elevated pathway. When she returned home, oil or musk would be put on her body, which was then followed by two nights of singing. During this time, only females were allowed to be around her. This ceremony also marked the woman as someone who can now be married. Filipino women were on equal footing with men. In most aspects of life, pre-colonial women enjoyed the same rights, privileges, and opportunities as did men, wrote activist nun Mary John Mananzan in her essay The Pre-colonial Filipina. She also recounted how if females were to marry, they didnt lose their names, and in fact, among the Tagalogs, if the woman was especially distinguished (in class or achievement), the husband takes the name of the wife. Females were also made to take charge when it comes to finances and landholdings, and contracts with Chinese merchants even required to have womens signatures because women were proven reliable. During that time, virginity was also not seen as a value that should be upheld. In the essay, Mananzan explained how when the Spaniards came in 1521, they were appalled by the freedom that women had, a freedom that did not coincide with their idea of how a woman should behave. Hence, the Spanish worked to transform Filipinas into how women were in Iberian society sheltered and reserved. The earliest coin was made of gold. Its no surprise that most pre-colonial Filipinos had no knowledge of money, but instead were trading through gold. In author Angelita Legardas essay Small Change, she noted that early Spanish chroniclers noted that Filipinos then were already experts at evaluating the quality of gold. Coin specialists have also found the earliest Filipino coin, which was a small gold piece no larger than a pea, shaped like a rounded cone, with a character stamped in relief at the base, and called it piloncito. They called it such because the gold bits looked the same as the sugar receptacle called pilon. Further proof that the gold bits were indeed the coins used by early Filipinos surfaced when the largest piloncito was found to weigh 2.65 grams, which is equivalent to one mas, the standard weight of gold that was used across Southeast Asia. Pre-colonial inhabitants were already literate. In 1663, Spanish missionary Francisco Colin noted that the people cling fondly to their own methods of writing and reading. There is scarcely a man, nor a woman, who does not know and practice that method, even those who are already Christian in matters of devotion. Those who were living in coastal communities were said to be the most literate among early Filipinos the Ilocanos, the Pangasinense, the Pampangos, the Tagalogs, the Samar-Leyte groups, the Negrenses, and the Butuanons. However, as soon as the Spaniards introduced the Roman alphabet to the early Filipinos, the latter were made to look inadequate, which helped the Spaniards argument that the Filipinos at that time were not civilized. Women underwent cranial reformation to be deemed beautiful. Cranial reformation, a process by which the skull is made to be reshaped, was a type of body adornment in pre-colonial Philippines. Anthropologists during the excavation in Butuan City in the mid-70s found that the skulls were made to slant backwards. This then made the chin assume an upward position, which elevated the stance of early Filipinos. Cranial reformation was done by wrapping the head of an infant with a cloth or attaching small wooden boards around an infants head, and then gradually taking these off upon maturity. The anthropologists at Butuan did not find any of these for male Filipinos, only with females, which contributed to their theory that the process was possibly done for beautification. The earliest form of Philippine literature was the riddle. In author and professor Damiana Eugenios essay, Riddles to Tease and Teach, she asserted that riddles were among the first and most common use of words. Like proverbs, most are characterized by brevity, wit, and felicitous phrasing, and as such are effective ways of transmitting folk wisdom to succeeding generations, she wrote. Eugenio adds that riddles have been found in every ethnolinguistic group across the Philippines: bugtong in Tagalog and Pampango, patotodon in Bikol, burburtia in Iloko, pabitla in Pangasinan, kabbuni in Ivatan, tigmo in Cebuano, paktakon in Hiligaynon, titiguhon in Waray, antoka in Maranao, and tigum-tigum in Tausug. Nonsense words were also coined just so it can go well with a particular rhythm. A riddle was found with the title Kukurukutong, but this was only a fictitious name for a person that was used to rhyme with the sentence Bumubulay walang gatong. When someone dies, they make the corpse smoke strong tobacco. When a person died, the family members constructed a chair that they then attached to the stilts of the house. The corpse, whose body was wrapped in a blanket, would then be placed on the chair, as if sitting. The corpse was then made to smoke tobacco to avert bacteria from entering the body. One end of the tobacco would be inserted into the mouth of the corpse and then someone would puff the smoke into the dead bodys mouth. Water boiled with guava leaves were then used to wash the skin, and the washing continued until there was no fluid coming out of the corpses body. On the third or fourth day after the washing, the dead body would be placed under sunlight and everyone in the community would help in peeling off the skin of the body before theyre put in a coffin. *** References: Kasaysayan: The Earliest Filipinos by Cecilio G. Salcedo, Wilfredo P. Ronquillo, Eusebio Z. Dizon, and Fr. Gabriel S. Casal Isabelos Archive by Resil B. Mojares [accessed online] An investigation by the Dauphin County district attorney to determine whether any charges should be brought against a state lawmaker accused by two women of sexual assault and domestic violence is nearing an end. District Attorney Fran Chardo said his office's work on the complaints against state Rep. Nick Miccarelli continues, but he expects it will be wrapped up in a couple more weeks, adding though it's "not days away." He indicated that the hold-up has been the volume of digital evidence that they needed to sift through. There also was some difficulty in recovering some of that evidence "but I believe we're past that," Chardo said. He reiterated an earlier commitment to publicly announce the results of his office's review, regardless of the result. Miccarelli has strenuously maintained his innocence. Chardo's office began investigating the women's claims after they filed a complaint with the House GOP Caucus eight months ago. In the complaint, the five-term Republican lawmaker from Delaware County was accused of having engaged in violent and threatening behavior over a six-year period, violating the chamber's workplace harassment policy. The women who filed it against 36-year-old Miccarelli are Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-Luzerne County, and a Harrisburg-based Republican political consultant, who has chosen not to be named publicly. Each woman had dated Miccarelli between 2012 and 2014, but said they came forward with their claims in February, feeling empowered by the #MeToo movement. For the political consultant, the breaking point came when Miccarelli wrote on Facebook, "The me too stuff is really hard to read. We must face this issue together." The political consultant found the statement to be "really reprehensible" from a man she accuses of sexually assaulting her. Their complaint sparked a series of events that included a House investigation that deemed the women's claims to be credible, an unprecedented call by House Republican leaders for a caucus member's resignation, a protection from abuse order obtained by Toohil against Miccarelli, and the assignment of a bodyguard to protect Toohil while at the Capitol. Miccarelli, however, continues to serve in the state House. He withdrew his plans to seek re-election but is serving out his term, which expires Nov. 30. By completing his 10th year of House service next month, he and his wife will be entitled to receive lifetime taxpayer-funded health benefits. Any children he has in the future also will receive health benefits until they are 26. Attempts to reach Miccarelli or his spokesman for comment on Wednesday were unsuccessful. Miccarelli's spokesman Frank Keel has said previously that Miccarelli vehemently denies the allegations and called the women's claims "baseless, false allegations" coming from "two former jilted and vengeful girlfriends." For a while, there was talk in the House of an expulsion resolution to force Miccarelli to leave but that effort never got off the ground. Members said they felt that, out of fairness, if Miccarelli was removed, two other members who brought unwanted attention to the House should go too: Rep. Vanessa Brown, D-Philadelphia, who faces charges that she sold her vote to an undercover operative for $4,000 cash, and Rep. Tom Caltagirone, D-Berks County, who had a sexual harassment claim filed against him that led to a $248,000 taxpayer-funded settlement. Expelling a House member requires a two-thirds vote of the chamber. It occurred on at least three occasions in the House over the last century and a half, with the most recent being in 1975. In all three of those cases, it occurred after the members were either charged and convicted of crimes or engaged in corruption, according to House Republican spokesman Steve Miskin. Miccarelli has not been charged with any criminal wrongdoing - and for that matter, neither has Caltagirone. Both Caltagirone and Brown are seeking reelection; Brown is unopposed. Gov. Tom Wolf called for the resignation of Miccarelli and Caltagirone, as well as Sen. Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery. Leach was accused of misconduct by an ex-staffer and other women who told the Philadelphia Inquirer last year that his sexually suggestive jokes and, in at least two cases, unwanted touches made them uncomfortable. Leach apologized for causing the women to be distressed and called off his bid to run for Congress but remains in the state Senate. Wolf said recently upon hearing the women's claims against Miccarelli that he found them to be credible. Noting he has two daughters, Wolf said, "I can't imagine what a women goes through with the way the world of work has been and we need to change that. That's not good for anybody." Miskin defends the Republican leaders' handling of the accusations against Miccarelli. He said the leaders did ask for his resignation. They ordered an investigation into the women's accusations against him. They referred the matter to the local prosecutor's office. They stripped Miccarelli of his committee assignments. They took steps to make Toohil feel safer by assigning her a bodyguard and moving Miccarelli's seat to the back of the chamber, farther away from where Toohil sits. Terry Mutchler, of the Harrisburg-based Mutchler Lyons law firm representing Toohil and the political consultant, compared those actions to "throwing a bucket of water on a burning structure. It's not enough and it doesn't solve the issue." Meanwhile, she said the long wait for the district attorney's office to complete its investigation, with which her clients have been fully cooperative, and the failure of the House to expel Miccarelli has left her clients frustrated and feeling isolated. Even advocates for sexual assault and domestic violence aren't keeping the matter alive in her view, Mutchler said. "What you see here is exhibit A why victims don't want to come forward," she said. "The silence is shocking." Kristen Houser of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape said her group has been communicating with the House privately. It also continues to push for passage of a bill, sponsored by state Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky, D-Delaware County, to ban non-disclosure agreements that hide the names of state lawmakers who are accused of harassment; bars taxpayer-funded settlement in harassment cases involving lawmakers; and establishes an independent body to receive, investigate and resolve complaints instead of leaving that in caucus leadership hands. Toohil declined to comment. The political consultant said that coming forward with her accusations has hurt her business. She said this is the first year since she opened her business in 2016 that she hasn't added new clients. In fact, she let one go when she heard second-hand that he made a disparaging remark about her coming forward with her accusations against Miccarelli. Given how the House recently so enthusiastically embraced the domestic violence and sexual assault statute of limitations legislation, Mutchler said, "it's disingenuous then to allow one of their own who is accused of these [or related] crimes, not just accused but that the House itself found to be credible, to remain in that esteemed body." What that demonstrates to her, she said, is that while the #MeToo movement has served as a wake-up call around the country producing extraordinary results, "the alarm has been ringing in Pennsylvania and we have seen the needle has moved very little and that's depressing." Staff writer Charles Thompson contributed to this story. * This story was updated to clarify the context of a comment associated with the political consultant. As a growing number of Pennsylvania cities - including Harrisburg and most recently Lancaster - move to make possession of a small amount of marijuana a less serious crime, a legislative effort is in the works to write that into state law. The House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday voted 20-4 to make possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana in most cases a summary offense rather than a misdemeanor that carries a stiffer penalty. Similar legislation has been introduced into the General Assembly in past years but this is believed to be the first time a bill reducing the penalty for marijuana possession to a summary offense has gained the approval of a legislative committee in Pennsylvania. Under House Bill 928, those caught with a small amount of marijuana would be issued a citation similar to a traffic ticket that carries a maximum $300 fine for the first two offenses. Subsequent offenses would be punishable by a $1,000 fine and six month driver's license suspension. Currently, a small amount of marijuana offense is treated as a misdemeanor that carries a maximum 30 days' imprisonment and a $500 fine. Rep. Barry Jozwiak, R-Berks County, said he doesn't want this to be perceived as support for the legalization of recreational marijuana. Rather, he said he introduced the measure at the request of Berks County's district attorney who said these minor drug possession cases are clogging up the court's schedule and consuming too much of law enforcement officials' time. "It's an economic thing," he said. "In most of these cases, people pay a fine and nobody goes to jail and taxpayers pay a ton of money to prosecute." In Berks County alone, Jozwiak said it spent $2 million to prosecute these minor offenses and that resulted in collection of $130,000 in fines. "The justice system doesn't work to make money but it's costing taxpayers tens of millions of dollars" on a statewide basis, he said. The committee amended the bill to add provisions that say if the offense occurs on school grounds, in a motor vehicle, or involves a juvenile, it would be treated as a misdemeanor and juveniles would be put into a diversionary program. Given the few number of voting days left in the current legislative session, it's unlikely the measure will go much farther before it dies due to inaction. However, Jozwiak vowed to reintroduce it in the next legislative session that begins in January and hopes to build on the momentum it gained this week. Other cities that have taken action to reduce the penalty on possession of a small amount of marijuana in Pennsylvania include Allentown, York, Bethlehem, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia. The Pittsburgh Steelers are once again faced with shrugging off drama unfolding off the field and narrowing their focus to a key AFC North division showdown with their rival Cincinnati Bengals. The latest distraction centers around star wide receiver Antonio Brown, who is alleged to have nearly injured a toddler by throwing furniture off the balcony of a Florida apartment. The Steelers remain in position to make a move in the AFC North and they ride a six-game win streak over the Bengals into their Week 6 matchup in Cincinnati. Pittsburgh comes off a thorough 41-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons, where both the running game and passing game got on track. The Steelers also kept Julio Jones in check and sacked Matt Ryan six times. If the same, well-rounded Steelers show up in Cincinnati, they can walk out with a big win that muddies the AFC North waters. Pittsburgh has a Week 7 bye, then gets the Cleveland Browns at home in Week 8 and travels to Baltimore in Week 9. It's a key stretch that could go a long way toward defining the Steelers' playoff chances. PennLive reporter Dustin Hockensmith tackled those subjects and more on this edition of the Pittsburgh Steelers Blitz. Beat reporter Jacob Klinger also joined the show to break down the Steelers-Bengals matchup and give his prediction. Take a look in the video above. JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) A large lead and zinc mine in northwest Alaska is planning to build a 10-mile (16-kilometer) road to a pair of possible expansion sites. Red Dog Mine operator Teck has applied for state and federal permits for the road project. The company wants to transport heavy equipment to the prospective sites to do more intensive underground drilling, Alaskas Energy Desk reported Tuesday. The mine has operated since 1989 and the company hopes to extend its lifespan by finding a new source of zinc and lead at the remote Arctic sites of Anarraaq and Aktigiruq. The Canada-based... 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. PBHS Academic Challenge team begins year with success The Pine Bluffs High School Academic Challenge team competed at Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs over the weekend. The first team took third place with the second team taking eighth. Pictured from left to right are Scott Fornstrom, Greg Fornstrom, Makayla Waiters, Reagan Pachel, Diana Sanchez, Tessa Long, Marisol Garcia and Jude Pachel. The Pine Bluffs High School Academic Challenge Team opened their year on on high note with one of its squads placing third at their first competition of the year. Pine Bluffs' second team placed eighth at the event held at Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs. The placing team consisted of Reagan Pachel, Greg Fornstrom, Scott Fornstrom and Diana Sanchez. Other students from Pine Bluffs who competed included Tessa Long, Jude Pachel, Marisol Garcia and Makayla Waiters. Wyoming AcademicChallenge is "A series of academic contests designed to provide high schools in Wyoming with a regular season of academic competition culminating with a state tournament," according to the organization's website. Competitions are held at the Wyoming Community Colleges from October to April each school year. Contests consist of four or five rounds of questions which cover all academic study areas. Like the famous game show Jeopardy, competitors are given a buzzer. The team will travel to Gillette College on Saturday, Nov. 3 for their next competition. For the better part of a decade, local organizations have businesses have come together to put on Touch a Truck and Tractor each year. Like its name implies, the event gives children a chance to see heavy equipment like tractors, fire trucks and tractor trailers up close. This year, something new is being added to the event: The Pine Bluffs Fall Festival. We wanted to ramp it up this year offer a few more things for more people, said Pine Bluffs Recreation Director Sonja Fornstrom. Fornstrom said 25 different vendors will be set up inside the Pine Bluffs Community Center. Old School Catering will provide food for the event which will include pie, cinnamon rolls and pulled pork, among other food items. Laramie County Fire District 5 will have different vehicles for children to peruse. There will also be hay rides, face painters and a bounce house. Touch and Truck and Tractor and the Fall Festival is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 13 at the Pine Bluffs Community Center located at 708 Lawson Street. It is free and open to the public. Hunting is becoming a lost tradition, says High Plains Pheasants Forever Chapter President Dean Bowman. But it doesnt have to be that way, he said. By getting people involved at a young age, the tradition can be kept alive for generations to come. Enter the annual Pheasants Forever Youth Hunt. For about 15 years, the High Plains Pheasants Forever Chapter, based in Pine Bluffs, has taken area youths on what is likely their first hunting experience. This years hunt is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. at the Silver Wings Hunting Preserve near LaGrange. How it works Along with Pheasants Forever volunteers and Wyoming Game and Fish personnel, the Cheyenne-based Hidden Pines Retrievers Club provides bird dogs and handlers for the event. Typically, three or so children will hunt with one dog and its handler alongside volunteers. Their parents or guardians are also required to be present for safety reasons. Prior to the hunt, children who have never hunted or handled a firearm are given the opportunity to shoot at clay pigeons to familiarize themselves with their weapons. Once we feel theyre ready (to hunt), we take them out in the field, Bowman said. Safety is the number-one priority and event organizers take every conceivable precaution to keep participants and volunteers safe. How to go The hunt, scheduled for November 10, is open to youth age 10 to 17. Those interested may pick up an application at Allwayz Manufacturing located at 9290 I-80 Service Road just outside of Pine Bluffs or by calling Dean Bowman at 287-0259. Applications are due back by November 1. First-time pheasant hunters will be given priority. There is no cost for the hunt. Rodney D. Johnson, 66, of Hereford, CO, died at his home in Hereford on Friday, September 28, 2018. Graveside services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 4, 2018 in the Salem Cemetery at Lindbergh, Wyoming. Friends may visit http://www.cantrellfh.com com to view Rodney's Tribute wall and leave condolences and messages for the family. Memorials may be given to the family. The services for Rodney have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home. Rodney Dean Johnson, of Hereford, Colorado was born on November 7, 1951 and relinquished his fight with cancer on September 28th, of 2018. Rod was the oldest, and only, son of Carl and Anita (Fuqua) Johnson. He is survived by his mother Anita, three sisters, Rhonda Bowman, Barbara Duggan, and Tamara Konig, five children Jeremiah, Jennifer, Sean, Brett, Catherine, plus seven grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father Carl Johnson. Rod was a graduate of Berthoud High School in Berthoud, Colorado. He then traveled to the western slope town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado where he attended Colorado Mountain College, and subsequently earned a degree in animal science, all the while launching his tenure as a bullrider. His thirst for knowledge was insatiable, and he went back to school again in later years to obtain first, his paramedic license, then his pilots license. He was extremely proud of them both. Rod had many passions throughout his life. First of which, were his children and grandchildren. The second, was farming and ranching, which he did along side his father, and later his sisters on the family dairy and ranch. Ranching came naturally to him, and it was something he enjoyed throughout his life. When ranching times were lean, he would always find some other profession to be passionate about. These varied from driving a cement truck, and various other trucking adventures hauling everything from cows to frozen foods all across the country. He spent several years as a paramedic in Denver Colorado, where he worked right downtown, and never shied away from telling some of those stories. He also worked in the maintenance department at Casper College where he became a great welder and fabricator, where his incredible math skills were a great asset. He also drove the activities bus for Casper College, carrying a much more precious cargo to far reaches of the country. He loved all his varied experiences, the knowledge he gleaned from them, and the lifelong friends he met along the way. Rod will be forever missed for his knowledge and his wisdom, his charisma, and his wry sense of humor. The Lodging Tax Unsung Hero of the Laramie County Economy An unsung hero for Laramie County is on the ballot this November 6th. It helps bring in millions of dollars each year, provides thousands of jobs, and contributes substantial taxes. The hero is the Laramie County lodging tax. This tax is paid by visitors who stay overnight in our hotels, bed & breakfasts, and campgrounds. Very few local residents pay this tax; only those who stay overnight in one of our lodging establishments do so. Is this a new tax? No. The lodging tax has been in existence in the county since 1987, and voters have renewed it numerous times since. The lodging tax will be up for renewal on November 6th. How are the funds used? Visit Cheyenne is Laramie Countys tourism promotion organization and uses the lodging tax funds to purchase advertising, pursue meetings and bus tours, operate the Trolley, organize Restaurant Week, and maintain visitor centers in Pine Bluffs and Cheyenne. Visit Cheyenne supports eastern Laramie County by maintaining two Pine Bluffs billboards and advertising the End of the Trail Kite Festival and community events in Pine Bluffs, Albin, and Burns. The tax is like a user fee. Travelers use Visit Cheyennes brochures, websites, visitor centers, etc. and are paying for these services through the lodging tax. Why do we need the lodging tax? Competition for the tourism dollar is fierce. Communities throughout Wyoming, Colorado, and the United States use similar lodging taxes and are promoting themselves very aggressively. Without the lodging tax, we would have no unified effort to compete for these tourist dollars. Is the tax working? Yes. With the help of the lodging tax, Laramie County visitor spending grew 10% last year, exceeding the states growth rate. Figures for 2018 so far are up as well. The countys growing business base and the promotions of Visit Cheyenne and the Wyoming Office of Tourism are solidly contributing to these great hospitality numbers. What are the benefits of the travel industry? Our travel spending ranks 3rd among Wyoming counties and supports 2,970 local jobs. If the travel industry were a single business, it would rank as the countys third largest employer behind F.E. Warren Air Force Base and the State of Wyoming. Visitors also pay sales and gas taxes that support our schools, roads and other services. In fact, travelers pay 9.5% of our local sales taxes. Without travelers taxes, each Laramie County household would pay an additional $517 in taxes to maintain existing levels of government services. (Source: Dean Runyan Associates and Wyoming Office of Tourism) How does our tax rate compare? Our combined tax rate of 10% (4% lodging tax, 6% sales tax) is competitive with surrounding areas. Nearby cities like Laramie, Fort Collins, Sidney, and Denver have tax rates ranging from 10% to 15%. The national average for tax on lodging is 13%. (Source: Destination Marketing Association International) In conclusion, the county lodging tax is working hard to grow the areas travel industry which helps our economy and tax base, keeping residents personal taxes low. It does so without costing most Laramie County residents a cent. Lets keep this unsung hero working for all of us. Please vote FOR the county lodging tax. Ballot Language: Shall Laramie County be authorized to renew a lodging tax at the rate of four percent upon the sales price paid for sleeping accommodations for guests in hotels, motels, tourist courts, trailer parks, campgrounds, dude ranches, short-term condominiums and similar establishments? Sonja Fornstrom, Board Member, Visit Cheyenne (Cheyenne Area Convention & Visitors Bureau) 1.3k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Chris Matthews tore into Donald Trump on Wednesday for refusing to do his job as the historically powerful Hurricane Michael ravages the gulf coast. Instead of, you know, being the President of the United States, Trump first attended a $250,000 fundraiser before holding a campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania. While the president entertains top donors tonight and presumably prepares to throw some red meat to his hungry base, the scenes from Florida could not be more catastrophic, Matthews said. The MSNBC host also pointed out that, back in 2012, Trump attacked then-President Obama for campaigning weeks after Hurricane Sandy made landfall. Trump barely waited an hour for his political kill, Matthews said. Video: Chris Matthews reminds Trump, who is holding a rally tonight, that he criticized Barack Obama in 2012 for campaigning *weeks* after Hurricane Sandy. Trump barely waited an hour. #ctl #p2 #hardball pic.twitter.com/r7MYcok2ej PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) October 10, 2018 Matthews tore into Trump: Whats dodgy about tonights schedule, of course, is that the same Donald Trump ridiculed his predecessor, Barack Obama for doing pretty much what hes doing tonight. Back in November of 2012, Trump attacked President Obama for campaigning while the Hurricane Sandy cleanup was still going on. By the way, that was weeks after Hurricane Sandy made landfall. Trump barely waited an hour for his political kill. And while the president entertains top donors tonight and presumably prepares to throw some red meat to his hungry base, the scenes from Florida could not be more catastrophic. Donald Trump doesnt want anything stealing his attention Instead of preparing for the relief efforts that will surely be needed after such a brutal storm, Trump said he couldnt let these great people down because they have been lined up since last night to attend his Wednesday evening rally. Departing the @WhiteHouse for Erie, Pennsylvania. I cannot disappoint the thousands of people that are there and the thousands that are going. I look forward to seeing everyone this evening. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 10, 2018 This is just the latest example of just how attention-desperate Trump is. In his mind, there is nothing more important not even a dangerous hurricane than seizing the spotlight and standing before a crowd of his adoring lemmings. Trump also knows that he is incapable of showing the leadership and compassion that is required of leaders during natural disasters. Since he cant personally gain from the powerful storm wreaking havoc on the gulf coast, hes not even trying to pretend that he cares. Meanwhile, millions of Americans in Hurricane Michaels path are looking for leadership that, under this president, will never come. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook. It was bad enough that Donald Trump refused to cancel a $250,000 fundraiser and political rally in Erie, Pennsylvania on Wednesday as Hurricane Michael wrecked the gulf coast. Hours after the storm made landfall, Trump made it much worse by taking to Twitter to brag about the crowd size of his rally again, the rally he should have never held under the circumstances along the gulf coast. According to multiple reports, Hurricane Michael has already led to at least one fatality. A short time ago, the narcissist-in-chief posted this video of the massive overflow crowd that turned out in Pennsylvania on Wednesday night. Massive overflow crowd tonight in Erie, Pennsylvania. THANK YOU to everyone who came out and joined us. Together, we are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/FkPNNVpccX Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 11, 2018 Just a friendly reminder that Trump criticized President Barack Obama in 2012 for hitting the campaign trail weeks after Hurricane Sandy. Six years later, Trump didnt even spend an hour pretending to care about the impending gulf coast disaster. He jumped right onto the campaign trail, where he attacked Democrats and trashed the Me Too movement. No president mismanages hurricanes quite like Trump Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, it would have been hard to imagine any future president bungling a federal response to a massive storm as badly as George W. Bush did 13 years ago. But Trump hasnt just risen the occasion to be a far worse leader during natural disasters; he also seems to be okay with his compassionless incompetence. In fact, he has dropped any effort to even pretend to care about these deadly storms. Whats worse is that Wednesdays decision by Trump to hold a ritzy fundraiser and political rally in Pennsylvania and then go on to brag about the crowd size is only the latest example of this presidents total abdication of leadership in times of crisis. His neglect of Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria led to the deaths of thousands of Americans. To this day, the president doesnt even acknowledge the number of fatalities and has written it off as a Democratic hoax. When Trump brags about no president being able to do some of the things he has done during his time in office, he is in this case correct. There has never been an American leader of either party so incapable and unwilling to do his job following natural disasters. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook. 1.3k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard During his poorly timed campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania on Wednesday, Donald Trump complained about the so-called rules of the Me Too era. The president whined that he can no longer just spew the same sexist garbage that he mightve in the past. See in the old days, it was a little different, Trump told a crowd of his foaming-at-the-mouth supporters. Theres an expression, but under the rules of Me Too Im not allowed to use that expression anymore, Trump complained. I cant do it. Some social media users theorized about the expression the president felt he could no longer say in the Me Too era. Trump just now at Erie, PA rally: theres an expression, but under the rules of Me Too Im not allowed to use that expression anymore. I cant do it. What expression is that? Grab them by the pussy? Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) October 10, 2018 The Hill reported more on the presidents long trainwreck of a joke about the Me Too movement that is forcing him to sensor his more sexist rhetorical urges: Trump then pointed to the phrase the girl that got away. He instead opted for the person that got away, referring to Republicans failure to win the state of Pennsylvania in presidential elections for years. Its the person that got away, he continued, apparently implying he was being censored. The comments drew shouts from the crowd before Trump chuckled, saying that a man was telling him to do it anyway. I would do it except for these people up there, he said, gesturing toward the press pen. Trump seems emboldened after suspected sexual predator Kavanaugh was confirmed Its likely that Trump sees the confirmation of accused sexual predator Brett Kavanaugh as an encouraging sign that there is still a place in this world for sexist pigs. After all, Trump himself took time out of a Mississippi rally last week to mock the credible testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. Like Kavanaugh, Trump likely believes he will face no immediate political consequences for spewing such vitriol. But with the election less than a month away, it is this very rhetoric that has turned off so many women and will motivate them to turn out in November. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook. 9.8k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard There are new reports that Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh is now being investigated for possible perjury charges. Last week we reported: Chief Justice John Roberts received more than a dozen judicial misconduct complaints in recent weeks against Brett M. Kavanaugh, who was confirmed as a Supreme Court justice Saturday, but did nothing about them. At the time we thought that Roberts had completely ignored the complaints, and nothing would come of them. Since Kavanaugh is now on the Supreme Court, we assumed the complaints would be buried and forgotten. But, as it turns out, Roberts didnt simply decide to bury the complaints after all. Hes posted a public letter referring the complaints against Kavanaugh to another court. Although the letter doesnt mention Kavanaugh by name, it has been confirmed that Roberts is referring to Kavanaugh in the letter. This means that Roberts has now referred allegations of judicial misconduct claims against Justice Brett Kavanaugh to outside judges for investigation. The letter was sent to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in Denver, Colorado. Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson, a George H.W. Bush nominee, had originally forwarded the complaints to the chief justice. The situation is highly unusual, legal experts and several people familiar with the matter said, The Washington Post wrote on Saturday. Never before has a Supreme Court nominee been poised to join the court while a fellow judge recommends that a series of misconduct claims against that nominee warrant review. Although Chief Justice Roberts had been sitting on the complaints for weeks, refusing to take any action before Kavanaugh was confirmed, that has now changed. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is asking federal judges outside the beltway to investigate complaints over statements made by now-Justice Brett Kananaugh during his contentious nomination, Fox News host Brett Baier told his viewers on Wednesday. Roberts says he received the ethics complaints beginning September 20th, but did not act on referrals until today, Baier added without giving an explanation for the delay. Clearly Roberts could have made these complaints disappear by not referring them. Instead, by making an official referral to the U.S. Court of Appeals, Roberts is in effect opening an investigation into Brett Kavanaugh. Based on the nature of the complaints, it appears that the misconduct investigation will look into possible perjury by the new Supreme Court Justice. Many different people have said that his sworn testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee was not truthful, and in fact Kavanaugh might have committed perjury. It is significant that Roberts has placed the new Kavanaugh judicial misconduct investigation into the hands of senior judges who are removed from politics. This assures an independent and unbiased review of the charges against him. It appears that Chief Justice Roberts has done the right thing. Instead of burying perjury complaints he has made sure a judicial misconduct investigation will be pursued. If the Democrats take control of the House after the November elections they will launch an investigation into Kavanaugh as soon as they take office in January. They will be able to make a criminal referral against Kavanaugh for lying under oath to Congress. They will be able to make their findings public. At this time we dont know how the judicial misconduct investigation will play out, or how it might affect future congressional investigations. But we do know that the charges of perjury against Justice Brett Kavanaugh will not be forgotten. They may someday come back to haunt him, and he may finally get the justice that he so richly deserves. Editors Note: An investigation has not been opened, as has been inaccurately reported elsewhere. Roberts referred the allegations to a lower court, which is expected to dismiss the claims against Kavanaugh. Source: The Washington Post 1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Democrats expect to take back control of the U.S. House of Representatives this year, and they may find that they also are able to take back control of several important state legislatures. With Donald Trumps historic unpopularity, and favorable demographic shifts, Democrats are finding that they have a great opportunity to win back hundreds of state legislative seats across the country. During the Obama years Democrats had been decimated in midterm elections in 2010 and 2014, losing nearly 1,000 state legislative seats country-wide. Donald Trumps Deep Unpopularity A Burden To Campaigning Republicans | Rachel Maddow | MSNBC https://t.co/3gY9Ss1QRZ pic.twitter.com/39p1vFQGRy Resistance Video (@ResistanceV) October 9, 2018 Current favorable conditions give the Democratic Party a chance to regain some control over the congressional redistricting process which will take place after the 2020 Census. Today, the GOP holds 67 of 99 legislative chambers across the country, and holds 1,000 more seats than Democrats, 4,134 to 3,134. On November 6th, voters will elect state legislators to fill 6,073 seats in 87 state legislative chambers. Democrats have more than a dozen Republican-held state legislative chambers within their cross-hairs this year. One of those is in Minnesota, where Republicans hold slim majorities in both the state House and the state Senate. The fires in the belly of Democrats, said Matt Klein, a Democratic state senator, as he hopes and expects that Democrats will retake control in his state. Democrats are also very close to reclaiming control of state Senates in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Wisconsin. In Michigan and New Hampshire they are very close to winning control of the house of representatives also. There is more Democratic enthusiasm than I have seen in the last few cycles. Thats a reality I cant ignore, said Robin Vos, the Republican speaker of the Wisconsin state Assembly. Democrats for the first time became frustrated with whats happening in Washington. Though state legislators are usually occupied with local issues like infrastructure, education and jobs, they can frequently be caught up in national political issues over which they have no control. Its really hard to break through. Theres so much news at the federal level that anything you try to put out there is eclipsed, said Scott Fitzgerald, the Republican president of the Wisconsin Senate. Indications of a Democratic wave in 2018 have been shown in special elections in several states, from Wisconsin to New Hampshire, Florida to Missouri. Democrats have won control of ten seats formerly held by Republicans in special elections. Polls have shown that in state governors races many Democrats are ahead and are likely to win back several governorships from Republicans this year. State legislatures have great influence over the redistricting process which occurs every ten years. Most legislators elected this year will still be in office when the next redistricting takes place after the 2020 census. The redistricting process after the 2010 census was used by Republicans to gerrymander their way to majorities in Congress and in many state legislatures. Democrats hope that this year they will receive enough votes to overcome even the most unfavorable gerrymandered district boundaries. They gerrymandered the heck out of these districts, but we think we have a shot at winning back these seats, said Michigan Senate Democratic leader Jim Ananich. He may be right, but if there is to be a Democratic Blue Wave it will have to overcome a massive sea wall built by GOP gerrymandering. Thanks to Donald Trump, this is a goal that is within reach this year, and it may pay dividends for many years to come. 2.5k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Fox News has stopped covering Trumps rallies live because they were drawing lower rating than their regular primetime programming. Politico reported, During three Trump rallies last week, Fox News showed clips and highlights from his speeches but stuck largely with its normal weekday prime-time programming. On Saturday, when Fox Report Weekend and Justice with Judge Jeanine would ordinarily air, the network showed Trumps speech from Topeka, Kan., in full. But on Tuesday, a rally in Council Bluffs, Iowa, was particularly hard to find it was not aired live on any major network, and even C-SPAN cut away for other news. And on Wednesday night, as Trump took the stage in Erie, Pa., at 7 p.m., Fox News stuck with its coverage of Hurricane Michael. Trump is a ratings loser for Fox News Fox News viewers still love Trump, but they dont tune in because everybody has seen Trumps act before. He offers nothing new. It is the same old schtick, with the same tired lock her up and build the wall chants that viewers have heard for the last three years. Trump needs to get some new material. CNN and MSNBC dumped Trumps rallies long ago, as the networks both deemed them not newsworthy, but it is still a blow that Trumps cable news home base doesnt want to take the hit of showing his rambling rallies to a Trump fatigued nation. It would not be surprising if the White House tried to respond by moving more of Trumps events to the weekends, but that might be impossible due to the lazy presidents habit of not doing any work after 3 PM on Friday until nearly noon on Monday. Trumps rallies do worse for Fox News than their normal primetime lineup, and with the network being a dogfight with MSNBC for number one in cable news they cant afford to throw away hundreds of thousands of viewers to make the president feel better about himself. Viewership for Trump rallies on Fox has gone from a high of 4 million in 2017 to a low of 2.5 million this year. Trump lived off of free media in 2016, but that well has run dry, so the presidents rallies have been banished to the Internet as weary nation breathes a sigh of relief. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook. 133 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Republicans in Congress are packing the agenda for their lame-duck session after the November 6th midterm elections. Clearly they are worried about losing control and know this may be their last chance to set the agenda for several years. Top priorities for the GOP include: Also included on their to-do list is confirming a group of executive and judicial branch nominees, including 36 federal district court and three circuit court judges. Many of the legislative items on the GOP agenda could be derailed due to disagreements over Trumps demand that Congress pay for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Theres going to be a major fight over that and thats going to make progress on other areas difficult, said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), a member of the House Appropriations Committee. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday opened the door to a possible deal by saying Democrats are not opposed to strengthening the U.S. border. We Democrats believe in strong border security, he said, noting that the Senate immigration reform bill backed by Democrats in 2013 included billions of dollars in border security funding. Were going to keep fighting for the strongest, toughest border security. Cole later said that Schumers comments might open the door to a compromise that ties border wall funding to legislation protecting immigrants who were brought to the country illegally as children known as Dreamers from deportation. The natural deal is DACA and the wall, he said, referring to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that Trump rescinded last year, putting hundreds of thousands of young immigrants at risk of removal. But everyone knows that getting a deal completed on the border wall and other disputed proposals will depend on the outcome of the midterm elections. What kind of mood the Democrats are in, I dont think we know, Cole said, offering a note of uncertainty into the process. Schumer on Tuesday said he would discuss Democratic priorities for the lame duck at a later date. It seems that right now all energy is focused on the elections that will take place in just 26 days. Democrats may be talking about Republican lame-ducks, but they certainly dont want to count their chickens before they hatch. , Cookies . cookies. Food editor and chief critic Eating all of the chicken livers just as fast as I can. Over the summer, the Medal of Honor Museum Foundation held community forums where participants could view amended designs of the museum. CEO Joe Daniels referenced the forums at a Mount Pleasant council meeting this week as evidence of their efforts to work with the community. File/Wade Spees/Staff 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. Joseph Cranney is an investigative reporter in Columbia, with a focus on government corruption and injustices in the criminal legal system. He can be reached securely by Proton mail at jcranney@prontonmail.com or on Signal at 215-285-9083. | BY Ricki Green | CB Exclusive To promote the November 1 event, principal sponsor //Thirteen & Co and Cummins & Partners have created a film titled Meet Grant: The Only Person Designed to Survive Advertising. The parody of Melbournes beloved and universally awarded work, Meet Graham is supported by a poster series depicting spoofs of other famous Melbourne-born campaigns to support the theme of You cant beat the original. Melbournes original awards show is back. The film was directed by Armand de Saint-Salvy of //Thirteen & Co. Says Adrian Bosich, MADC president: The MADC Stars are a celebration of Melbournes originality and creativity. Whilst the new night will showcase the best Melbourne work of the year, the tone will have a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Says Chris Ellis, MADC: Putting on parties for fancy advertising types with expensive tastes, is well expensive. But thanks to our generous sponsors, tickets to this years party which includes the MADC Stars Creative Showcase are just $50. The November 1 party at Foresters Hall, Collingwood is also presented by Mr Fox and Bang Bang Studios. For tickets visit madc.com.au/events. Client: MADC Agency: Cummins & Partners Creatives: Chris Ellis, Heath Collins, Liam Jenkins MADC Stars sub-committee: Adrian Bosich, Ed Howley, Elle Bullen, Tracy Proposch, Nicky Finlay, Tony Prysten Thanks to: Matt Stoddart, Connor Beaver, Sarah McGregor, Emma Robbins. Production Company: //Thirteen & Co Director: Armand de Saint-Salvy Producer: Charity Downing Executive Producer: Roy De Giorgio Colourist: Matt Fezz Post production: Hogarth Motion Graphics: Kane Dixon Post Producer: Cat Park Audio Mix: Bang Bang Studios Sound Designer: Rob Stephens At mid-afternoon Thursday the core of Tropical Storm Michael was south of Greensboro, North Carolina and racing to the northeast at 23 mph. A wind gust of 55 mph was reported at North Myrtle Beach. Tropical storm warnings continued from Edisto Beach to the north. But the warnings were discontinued inland from Dorchester County to the south. Winds were at 20 mph or less and gusts no more than 30 mph over much of the Charleston area. "Winds have peaked and should slowly but steadily fall," said Charleston-based meteorologist Shea Gibson with the private company WeatherFlow earlier in the day. "Moderate to somewhat strong wrap-around westerly winds may keep things gusty through tonight." The rain had quit for much of the Charleston area except for light showers in Dorchester and Berkeley counties, according to the National Weather Service, Charleston. Forecasters earlier discontinued a tornado watch. Winds gusting 50-60 mph across parts of Charleston and Berkeley Counties. Peak gusts recently reported include 52 mph at @iflyCHS and 57 mph at the Folly Beach Pier #chswx #scwx NWS Charleston, SC (@NWSCharlestonSC) October 11, 2018 "This storm is moving pretty quickly now. We think things will begin to improve this afternoon," said Weather Service meteorologist Steve Rowley earlier. "It will be pulling away and things will be getting pretty tranquil." More than 72,000 people were without power in South Carolina, said S.C. Emergency Management Division spokesman Derrec Becker Further inland, Weather Service forecasters continued to warn of the possibility of damaging winds, but winds were settling there too. Remaining rain bands from the storm were moved through the Pee Dee region. In the aftermath of the storm, the Charleston weekend looks seasonally mellow, with overnight lows dropping into the 50s away from the coast. You are the owner of this article. 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. Political Reporter Caitlin Byrd is a political reporter at The Post and Courier and author of the Palmetto Politics newsletter. Before moving to Charleston in 2016, her byline appeared in the Asheville Citizen-Times. To date, Byrd has won 17 awards for her work. EASTON, Minn. Some southern Minnesota farmers are using underwear as a creative way to test soil health. Farmers participating in the "Soil Your Undies" program buried cotton underwear in their fields this summer to see how they would decompose over time, Minnesota Public Radio reported. Farmers recently gathered in Faribault County to share their results. Using underwear is a fun way to raise awareness about the importance of soil health, farmers said. The gathering also highlighted other signs of soil health, such as signs of worm activity. Eric Volsen farms corn and soybeans near Walters. He buried two pairs of underwear; one in a field thats been tilled over the years and one where cover crops have been planted for three years. The pair in the tilled field was almost intact while the pair in the cover crop field was more decomposed, Volsen said. "That contrast is very eye-opening to me," he said. Volsen said he believes that illustrates how planting cover crops can improve soils health by increasing plants, organisms and nutrients. Tilling fields involves tearing up the soil after crops are harvested to get rid of plant residue. Program organizer Nathan Carr said the goal was to encourage farmers to share their soil practices. He works with the Faribault County Soil and Water Conservation District, which aims to reduce tilling and encourage the use of cover crops. "We want to highlight the good stuff people are doing," he said. BATON ROUGE, La. The trade disputes with China are hurting Louisianas soybean farmers at a time when rain during harvest season has also hit them badly, a Republican congressman from the state said, asking the federal government for help. Many soybean shipments are being sent down the Mississippi River instead of the West Coast, filling storage silos and leaving "little to no space to take in any additional, locally grown crops," U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham wrote in a letter last week asking U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to find a way for the Department of Agriculture to help the farmers. Soybeans were a big target of tariffs imposed by China in response to those imposed by the Trump administration. "Many of my farmers who have grown late soybeans are being told by elevators that unless the soybeans were previously booked or are of uncommonly superior quality, they cannot and will not accept them. ... Farmers must choose between harvesting soybeans with no place to bring them, or letting them rot in the fields," Abraham wrote. Louisianas soybean acreage this year was about 1 percent of the U.S. total. In Indiana, state agriculture officials said farmers may see storage problems amid forecasts of higher-than-average yields and lingering tariffs from President Donald Trumps trade disputes with China. Soybeans must be harvested and sold to qualify for tariff relief under the $12 billion rescue package announced in July. "We have no home for our soybeans. Theyre only taking the least damaged beans and I dont have a single bushel I can ship or sell," Richard Fontenot, a vice president of the Louisiana Farm bureau Federation, told The News Star of Monroe. Fontenot said he has been able to harvest only 600 acres out of 1,700 acres of soybeans planted, and has nowhere to send those. The rest will rot in the field, he said. This is the second straight year that a rainy stretch during harvest season has devastated Louisianas big soybean crop, said Todd Spivey, a soybean expert with the LSU AgCenter. Rains in late September kept farmers from harvesting ripe soybeans, which are now badly damaged, he said. Last year, Spivey said, damage was from the lingering effects of Hurricane Harvey. "Because of this wet weather, many producers have not been able to harvest a crop that has been ready to harvest for as long as three weeks," he said. "This extended period of wet conditions has reduced grain quality tremendously, with samples harvested by producers being graded with as much as 60 percent total damage. This has led to countless acres that will go unharvested in 2018." At the start of the harvest season, farmers statewide were reporting high yields, high quality and low total damage. Moisture from Tropical Storm Gordon in early September reduced grain quality slightly. Current damage includes weather-damaged kernels, mold and sprouting, depending on the stage of the soybean when the poor conditions began, Spivey said. The latest example of that involves President Donald Trump, who trumpeted his decision to lift the summer ban on fuel containing 15 percent ethanol. He made much of it during a recent campaign appearance in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he suggested that Democrats would abandon ethanol and biofuels if they become the majority party in the House and Senate in this years mid-term electionw. The summer ban that runs from June to September on E15 was enacted by the Environmental Protection Agency because, in its opinion, the alternative fuel emits more particles into the atmosphere than environmental rules allow, creating more smog and unhealthy air. Many farmers and ethanol makers have long disagreed with that assessment. Trumps self-avowed support for ethanol and alternative fuels rings hollow based on the administrations earlier actions. Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley long an ethanol supporter and others know that the administrations earlier actions indicate it is a tepid supporter of alternative fuels. The prime proof of that is the Environmental Protection Agency decision earlier this year to weaken the nations biofuels mandate. The weakened mandate has damaged ethanol producers by reducing demand and thus cutting into profit margins. The administration cannot have it both ways. If President Trump intends to seriously support ethanol and not just use it as a campaign weapon, he ought to pressure the EPA to reverse its decision on biofuels. As it is, lifting the ban will have a minimal positive impact, although it could be an effective tool on the campaign trail. Common sense is in extreme short supply in Washington. Ethanol and other biofuels have been successful because their positives far outweigh their negatives. Alternative fuels are good for the environment, reduce the nations dependence on foreign oil and remain a vital economic development tool in rural America. New rules on the trading of biofuel credits, which allow oil refineries to sidestep blending ethanol into their products, need to be made and need to have teeth. We have no doubts that the administration will come under increasing pressure from oil-producing states to let them ignore the E15 mandates. The president is focused on jobs and will probably hear the worn-out statement about ethanol taking away jobs from refineries. Trump needs to be reminded that E15 will mean steady jobs at ethanol plants in corn-producing states, as well as help corn hold its sale price for farmers. Any effort to buck up fossil fuels and protect its market share would be short sighted and should backfire. Heres a suggestion for Republican and Democratic office seekers: make alternative fuel support a centerpiece of your campaigns as you seek rural voter support. Make it clear that the EPA needs to reverse its biofuels decision. Trumps decision to lift the ban is important, but its just a small step in the right direction. Courtney Duffy made national news this summer when she begged JetBlue to help her cancel a cross-country flight to be in a friends wedding, telling the world the bride had asked her to "relinquish" her bridesmaid duties. A screenshot of the brides passive-aggressive email, in which she indicated "the whirlwind nature of what your travel has become just wont work with the duties as a party member," went viral and sparked a conversation: In this day and age, what are those duties? Wedding planners and those who have studied the wedding industrial complex say the duties and expectations have reached epic proportions. Gone are the days where a night out on the town was sufficient for a bachelorette party instead, brides want four-day trips to Nashville, and some grooms think hiking in Colombia is a good way to celebrate their impending nuptials. There are more events leading up to the Big Day, like elaborate proposals, engagement parties, multiple bridal showers, destination bachelorette parties, and dress-shopping outings, and theyre often longer than they were in the past. And businesses are capitalizing, meaning theres more to pay for, from custom bridal shower Snapchat filters to matching bachelorette weekend T-shirts with phrases like "Wife of the Party" and "On Cloud Wine" in sparkly script. "The pre-wedding stuff has just gotten so spectacular and so expensive," said Laurie Essig, a professor of gender, sexuality, and feminist studies at Middlebury College. "Its so brilliant, because its just more and more stuff to sell, and more and more stuff to buy. Thats the marriage of capitalism and romance." Pretty steep number While there were always costs associated with being a part of a family members or close friends wedding, those obligations have only increased, particularly as Americans are waiting to get married. The median age of a first marriage for women is 27 and for men, 29, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In 1960, it was 20 for women and 22 for men. That means that the betrothed and the attendants have more money and higher expectations. Alyssa Longobucco, an editor at wedding planning website the Knot, said that according to a survey the site conducted in the last year, the average member of a wedding party spent $1,430 on the entire wedding experience, a figure that includes travel and accommodations for each event, gifts, attire, and accessories. When youve got three close friends getting married in the same year, youre well on your way to spending the equivalent of a down payment on a car. "Its a pretty steep number, and it is a little jarring," she said, "(but) the whole millennial outlook is paying for experiences, and were finding a lot of people dont mind. The thought process is: She will do it for me." Or maybe they do mind. More than a dozen people who were recently in extravagant weddings declined to be interviewed for this story they didnt want to publicly shame their close friends. Plenty of people, though, are willing to call them out on Facebook in what have been dubbed "wedding shaming groups." The pages gained mainstream traction in August after a story from one of the groups about a bride who canceled her wedding after her guests refused to fund it went viral. I spent $5,000 Members of wedding parties frequently use the groups to post about their nameless friends expectations. "Is it me, am I showing my age, or are bridesmaids being expected to pay way too much?" one woman posted recently in a private group. "A coworker, who I know makes way less than I do, had to pay a total of $1,200 as a member of a wedding party In addition to paying for the dress, required tanning sessions, nails, makeup, the bridal party was told they had to pay for a wine tasting bridal shower, which cost $600 per bridesmaid for wines selected by the mother of the bride." The post garnered hundreds of comments, including: "I spent $5,000 to be in my best friend wedding Custom made gowns from India, three nights at a five star luxury hotel, bachelorette week in Vegas Just the beginning." Christiane Lehman, owner of Philadelphia-based Truly You Events, blamed bachelor and bachelorette parties for driving up costs for wedding party members, saying, "Everybody wants that cool picture, hashtag from their bachelorette parties." (There are even online bachelorette party hashtag generators.) Kelly Gallagher, a Philadelphia-based event planner, put it more bluntly. "More and more, what were seeing is theres a lot of demand to do different stuff so that, I hate to say it," she said, "but so that their Instagram makes people jealous." "Different" means personalized, and going beyond a strip club visit in Atlantic City. For the masses, its a three- or four-day trip to popular hot spots like New Orleans, Vegas, Miami, Austin, or Nashville, said Gallagher, director of marketing for Bach Party Travel, a new group focused specifically on planning bachelor and bachelorette parties. But for those with the money to spend, the experiences are getting bigger and bigger, and Gallagher said its the little details (that add up in price) like personalized bathing suits and raunchy T-shirts that mean a party is on a "distinct different level." Trials of travel Its the men who are routinely spending more, shelling out to party in Ibiza, drink at Oktoberfest in Munich, or go whitewater rafting in Central America, Gallagher said. The latest destination hot spot for the guys is Colombia. "You always hear about millennials wanting experiences over things," she said, "so this is a huge market, not just for millennials, but people getting married that are older that want to travel and almost use this as an excuse to travel with their friends." Longubucco said expectations vary, but generally, wedding party members should expect to attend a shower event, the bachelor or bachelorette party, the rehearsal dinner, and the wedding itself. She recommends brides and grooms have a frank discussion with their close family and friends about being in the wedding party before the person accepts. Outline hopes and expectations, and ensure the friends feel comfortable disclosing financial constraints. And, she said, if that person cant afford it, involve them in the Big Day another way, perhaps through being an usher or a reader at the ceremony. Longobucco said that although she sees "a Reddit story about a demanding Bridezilla" every week, this isnt the norm. As some engaged millennials shell out thousands to be a part of the umpteen celebrations, theres been a sense among others that simplification is the way to go. They respond to the razzle-dazzle by doing the opposite: being uber-conscious of managing their expectations to not drain their friends bank accounts, or even eliminating bridal parties altogether. Essig, whose book, "Love, Inc.: Dating Apps, the Big White Wedding, and Chasing the Happily Neverafter" drops in February, said fewer people are getting married in general, many of them resisting "the capitalist pull" of the wedding industry or being unable to afford it all together. She guesses that this resistance will only increase. But for some, "thats its own form of competition," Essig said. "Because theyre like: Our love is so perfect, we dont need all this. " Their name might be OK, but their music is superb. The OK Factor, a violin and cello duo that fuses the precision and twang of classical and folk, will come to Rochester for a residency with the Choral Arts Ensemble that features public performances. Comprised of cellist Olivia Diercks and violinist Karla Colahan, the young duo has recorded three albums, been featured by Minnesota Public Radio (MPR), and launched their ATLAS education initiative, a program that Colahan says "gives students of all ages the tools they need to think creatively with their instrument and find their musical voice." Diercks and Colahan became friends in college before they ever composed music together, and this friendship shines through their genre-blurring playing and composition style. "We love the what if... mystery of putting a classical melodic line with a rockin folk groove," says Colahan. Rick Kvam, the Artistic Director of the Choral Arts Ensemble (CAE), and Bob Giere, the CAEs Executive Director, met with the OK Factor in Minneapolis to explore and discuss partnerships. "It turned out they were excited about the opportunity to collaborate with a choiras Luther grads, they were very familiar with that sound," says Kvam. The OK Factors residency with the CAE will include an educational component lead by Rochester Public Schools string teacher Lori Ringen. Working with the CAE, she coordinated the OK Factors ATLAS education initiative to create a collaborative arrangement of the traditional fiddle tune "Cripple Creek" with students. The OK Factors residency also includes a Lunch and Learn session with the Rochester Music Guild, an appearance at the Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestras annual gala, and two performances of "Heartland," a concert with the CAE, on October 13th at 7:30 p.m. at the Zumbro Lutheran Church and a 3 p.m. matinee in Winona on October 14th. The OK Factor/CAE Heartland concerts will highlight a cappella works from the 17th-20th century, combined with the OK Factors Celtic, bluegrass, and classical instrumental music. Kvam says the concert will include a Matthew Erpelding composition called "The Gift of Song," commissioned by the Sinnwell family to honor their parents. Kvam also promises a performance where the choir and musicians move around the hall "singing around and with the audience" that includes a Beatles sing-along. The Education Chair of the Rochester Music Guild, Scott Kruse, thinks guests will see the OK Factors "fingers fly" during the noon Lunch and Learn session at Zumbro Lutheran on Friday, October 12. Kruse describes the session as partly lecture and partly performance with a Q&A component. He says the OK Factors ATLAS educational initiative fits well with the guilds goals of education, scholarship, and advocacy, goals that provide community grants to groups like the CAE and nearly $10,000 in scholarship awards to young SE Minnesotan musicians. The only strings attached to the OK Factors musical tour of the Rochester area will be the kind you rosin. Diercks and Colahan are excited to connect with Rochesterites. "Our passion for musical creativity is what we want to share with students, says Colahan. Considering the impact of their residency, Diercks adds, "When the focus is shifted away from us and onto the community and the people who inhabit it, it gives our live performances a much deeper purpose and meaning." The Guam Election Commission has blocked the Guam Police Department from holding a survey within polling sites. The survey is meant to gauge GPD's community policing efforts. The commission previously requested more information on how GPD would conduct the survey. GEC also received letters from former Police Chief Fred Bordallo and Sen. Telena Nelson concerning the survey. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Bordallo recommended against the survey, raising conflict-of-interest issues between current Police Chief Joseph Cruz and the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Fiji, which has partnered with GPD to conduct a larger study of the department's community-oriented programs. Chairwoman Alice Taijeron said she was concerned about GEC being associated with the survey and how it might affect voters. Some of the survey's 106 questions were intrusive, she said. "I'm not getting any assurances that nothing will happen because of this, and I can't support it," Taijeron said. Vice Chairwoman Jadeen Tuncap suggested passing out the survey outside polling sites. Survey forms outside polling places Maj. Andrew Quitugua, a representative from the police department, said GPD was going to conduct the survey on Election Day anyway but wanted to see if GEC would allow a seated area for the department to conduct its survey. Quitugua said it was unfortunate the commission did not allow the survey within polling sites, but said GPD will still be handing out surveys on Election Day outside the sites. GEC commissioners said they have no control outside polling sites. $56K grant from GEDA USP is conducting a study funded through a $56,000 grant from the Guam Economic Development Authority to GPD. The grant was issued in 2016 and was originally meant to fund participation in a work-study program with the San Diego Police Department concerning their community-oriented policing strategy, according to police spokesman Sgt. Paul Tapao. But GPD management opted instead to enlist a third-party consultant after evaluating its resources, he said. The consultant would evaluate GPD's community-oriented programs and look for areas of improvement. In September 2017, the police department asked to reprogram grant funding toward hiring a consultant. "In February 2018, after reprogramming the proposal with GEDA, GPD received approval from the governor, the Office of the Attorney General and the Bureau of Budget and Management Research to proceed with consultancy," Tapao said. The police department entered into an agreement with USP in Fiji, which assigned professor Danielle Watson as the liaison to Guam. However, this agreement was signed in December 2017, a few months before the department requested a reprogramming of funds. Some concerns have been raised regarding the university study and Cruz's doctorate thesis. He is a student at USP, according to Post files. The survey will take place during the general election. Police officers provide security during the election but staff officers, who normally don't work in the field, will also be assigned to administer the survey. They won't receive overtime because it is within their regular workday, according to Tapao. Officers conducting the survey will be in civilian clothes to distinguish themselves from officers providing security at polling sites, he added. Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 12:47PM Amazon announced developers can start building French language voice experiences, or skills, for customers in Canada using the Alexa Skills Kit with the Canadian French voice model. The skills developers create now will be available when French language support launches for Echo devices in Canada soon. Were also excited to share that device-manufacturers building Alexa-enabled products for customers in Canada can request early access to an invite-only Alexa Voice Service developer preview. Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 1:03AM Notch haters rejoice! You will be able to hide the notch on the Pixel 3 XL. As we already know, the current build of Android Pie has this option in the development menu. And Google confirmed in a tweet that theyve added this option. Were hoping that by the time the Pixel 3 XL comes out though that its in a more visible area. The downside of the current iteration is Google puts the menu bar below the simulated bezel, meaning you get less screen to work with. Heres hoping they fix this or at least give users an option. Source: The Verge This past February Special Counsel Robert Mueller brought the dramatic indictment against Russian actors allegedly responsible for interference in the 2016 presidential election. The Department of Justice has posted the indictment online here. Politico covered the indictment in a good story by Michael Crowley and Louis Nelson. The indictment charged three Russian companies and 13 Russian individuals with election related crimes. I dont think anyone (including Mueller) anticipated that one of the defendants would appear in court to defend against the charges. Rather, Mueller seems to have obtained the indictment to serve a public relations purpose, laying out the case for interference as understood by the government and lending a veneer of respectability to the Mueller Switch Project. Mueller certainly thought that the Russian defendants would avoid any appearance in an American courtroom. When Concord appeared through counsel to defend the case, however, Muellers team expressed doubt that it has properly served the indictment on Concord. We noted at the time that has to be a first. It is certainly a new one on us. Now in A conspiracy so vast(but wheres the crime?), the Weekly Standards Eric Felten takes a look at the indictment itself. Eric notes that the indictment charges Concord with conspiracy to defraud the United States. No substantive underlying crime is alleged. This past March Andrew McCarthy explored Muellers use of this catch-all conspiracy statute in the case against Paul Manafort and Rick Gates. Eric Feltens intensely interesting article adds depth and dimension to the discussion, suggesting yet another respect in which Mueller madness is making its presence felt. NOTE: I would like to express our continuing gratitude to the editors of the Standard for making their articles freely accessible to readers when linked on Power Line. Republican attorney general candidate Doug Wardlow is a serious man waging a hard-hitting campaign against the Democrats Keith Ellison. The Wardlow campaign has released the tough ad below, dubbing the Democratic candidate Extreme Ellison. I judge that to be an exemplary deployment of truth in advertising. Stephen Montemayor takes up the advertisement in the Star Tribune story Keith Ellison talks labor, unions in Rochester as Doug Wardlow attacks him in TV ad. Even the headline is pathetically skewed. I got to know Steve professionally during the trial of the Minnesota men in federal court here in 2016. Packed into the press row Judge Davis had set aside for media during the trial, we frequently sat next to each other. Citing Can Keith Ellison turn lawman?, I wrote Steve last night: Steve, you write: Ellison participated in a 1992 rally for United for Peace, a group aimed at curbing gang violence. Some linked to the coalition were later implicated in the murder of Minneapolis police officer Jerry Haaf. Ellison also spoke at a 2000 fundraiser for Sara Jane Olson, a federal fugitive who later pleaded guilty to putting pipe bombs under police cars. it isnt apparent to me that you have any idea of what Keith Ellison has said on behalf of cop killers. I forward you this piece I wrote for the Weekly Standard that was posted online on August 15. Now that Ellison seeks to become the top law enforcement officer in the state of Minnesota, it would be nice if the relevant facts saw the light of day in the Star Tribune before November 6 dont you think? Scott Johnson That wasnt entirely a rhetorical question, but I in any event I havent heard back from Steve. We can only draw inferences. Via Twitter, I also offered Steve my Ellison/Nation of Islam file yesterday (below, sorry for the typos). He hasnt responded to that offer either. I caught a headline yesterday concerning how Arnold Schwarzenegger regrets and is apologizing for his old line about girly men, because #MeToo or something: In the summer of 2004, Schwarzenegger called Democrats girly men and urged voters to terminate them on Election Day prompting outrage from his opponents, the Los Angeles Times reported at the time. Of course, the real reason the Governator is recanting is that he became a girly man himself. In any case, one of Ah-nolds legacies is Californias current jungle primary system, in which all candidates from every party appear on the primary ballot together, and the top two vote getters go on to the November general election ballot. In 2016 this led to two Democrats facing off in the Senate race, and it has happened again this year, as Sen. Dianne Feinstein is facing off against the far-left Kevin de Leon for the U.S. Senate. There is no Republican on the ballot. Which raises this delicious possibility: California Republicans have it in their power to punish Feinstein for her role in the Kavanaugh nomination process by voting en masse for de Leon. Since the Democrats are heading fast to the far left, why not help them out on this self-destructive course. de Leon is a mediocrity (and also something of a fraud, since he added the de to his name only a few years ago to give an artificial boost to his identity politics street cred). There has been speculation that Feinstein launched the late stunt on Kavanaugh because she was worried about losing to de Leon. It would be the height of irony if it was Republicans delivered a humiliating blow and ignominious end to her long career as a result of that bad faith act. I know it is an unnatural act for good California Republicansall ten of us that are leftto vote for a socialist, but think about it. I doubt Chuck Schumer would really thrill to having Kevin de Leon in his caucus. Reminder: Karen Tumulty, one of the Washington Posts seemingly endless stable of biased Trump resisters, accuses Republicans who decry left-wing mob tactics of hypocrisy. She claims that Republicans used to love mob rule. Tumulty notes that during the debate over Obamacare, the Tea Party was quite vociferous at town hall meetings. But of course town hall meetings one of the places where, in a well-functioning democracy, grievances are aired vociferously. Where are Tumultys examples of Tea Party or other conservatives running through the streets smashing windows and assaulting demonstrators of a different persuasion. She has none nothing comparable to Antifa. Where are Tumultys examples of conservatives harassing political opponents in restaurants or on the street? She presents one, which may or may not have involved conservatives: In 1989, then-House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.) was chased down a Chicago street by a group of seniors angry about the cost of a new Medicare catastrophic health- insurance program. When one of them draped herself over the hood of his car, the 6-foot-4 congressman escaped by dashing through a gas station. By citing an incident from nearly 30 years ago, Tumulty demonstrates that her attempt to draw an equivalence between the mob actions of the left, spurred on by some elected Democrats, and the activism of conservatives is partisan nonsense. Liberal Democrats and squishy Republicans are renewing their push for legislation that would reduce sentences for federal drug traffickers and release felons from prison early. Majority Leader McConnell reportedly says he will bring such legislation to the floor, after the midterm elections, if it has the support of 60 Senators. If so, leniency legislation could pass even if the vast majority of the GOP caucus opposes it. Theres a good reason why McConnell wants to wait until after the midterms. The American electorate is dead set against leniency for drug felons. A new survey of American adults, commissioned by the Foundation for Safeguarding Justice (FSJ), shows that the public overwhelmingly opposes sentencing and prison and reforms that would reduce federal criminal penalties for drug traffickers and allow the early release of prisoners to home confinement. In fact, three out of four Americans surveyed (74 percent) said they oppose proposals that reduce penalties for criminals involved in the trafficking of heroin, fentanyl, and similar drugs. Yet, this is what Team Leniency, seemingly oblivious to the high recidivism rates for drug felons, wants desperately to do. Quite apart from the public safety consequences of such legislation, theres an enormous amount of political risk to supporting legislation the public so adamantly opposes. The survey finds that two-thirds (66 percent) of the survey respondents would think less highly of their congressional representatives for supporting a proposal that would (1) reduce penalties for trafficking in heroin, fentanyl, and similar drugs and (2) allow convicted drug traffickers and other criminals to be released to home confinement before completing their sentences. Not surprisingly, Republican voters are even more dead set against leniency legislation than is the general population. When asked whether they would support or oppose a proposal to reduce federal government penalties for traffickers in heroin, fentanyl, and similar drugs, 87 percent of Republicans said they would oppose such a proposal, while only nine percent said they would support it. Republican legislators who back this approach are completely out-of-step with the wishes of Republican voters. This is another case of Washington GOP elitists defying the common sense views of their constituents. Democratic voters havent taken leave of their senses on this matter, either. 70 percent of them say they oppose reducing sentences for traffickers in heroin, fentanyl, etc. Only 22 percent say they support it. On the underlying issue of whether the government is too tough or too lenient on drug felons, the result, resoundingly, is that Americans believe the government isnt tough enough. Only 14 percent of survey respondents think that the federal government is too tough in its handling of drug trafficking the premise of leniency legislation. 51 percent believe the federal government isnt tough enough. 25 percent believe that the current approach is about right. Women are slightly more likely to believe the government is not tough enough, as are Whites. However, majorities of Black and Hispanic respondents said the government was at the right amount of harshness or insufficiently harsh in dealing with drug traffickers. They too reject the premise of the push for leniency. Apparently, you have to be a liberal Democrat, a Lindsey Graham/Jeff Flake Republican, a denizen of the Heritage Foundation, or someone who likes to hang out with Kim Kardashian to believe the government is being too harsh in sentencing drug traffickers. Since very few Americans fall into any of these categories, Republican legislators support leniency for drug traffickers at their peril. PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-11 17:07:01 A.M. Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Al-Sagr National Insurance Company P.S.C. A.M. Best Emily Thompson, +44 20 7397 0291 Associate Financial Analyst emily.thompson@ambest.com or Salman Siddiqui, ACA, +44 20 7397 0331 Associate Director, Analytics salman.siddiqui@ambest.com or Christopher Sharkey, +1 908-439-2200, ext. 5159 Manager, Public Relations christopher.sharkey@ambest.com or Jim Peavy, +1 908-439-2200, ext. 5644 Director, Public Relations james.peavy@ambest.com A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B+ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of bbb- of Al-Sagr National Insurance Company P.S.C. (ASNIC) (United Arab Emirates). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect ASNICs balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorises as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and marginal enterprise risk management. ASNICs balance sheet strength is underpinned by the companys risk-adjusted capitalisation being at the strongest level, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Offsetting rating factors include the high concentration of the companys investment portfolio in volatile domestic real estate and equity assets. In addition, the company also suffers from poor cash collection from a variety of debtors (including reinsurers and related parties). Cash generated from the companys operations has been negative since 2016, as a result, the companys liquidity position requires continuous support from overdraft facilities, which, following a period of repayment, saw further drawdowns in the first half of 2018. ASNICs historical operating performance has been subject to volatility, with fluctuations arising from both technical and non-technical activities. This translated to a modest five-year average (2013-2017) return on equity of 1.0%. In 2017, the company registered a net profit of AED 20.1 million (2016: 20.7 million). This was the result of an improved underwriting performance, with a loss ratio of 87.5% (2016: 97.5%), stemming from enhanced risk selection and underwriting discipline, which offset weaker investment returns. Whilst results for the first half of 2018 indicate continued focus on technical profitability, with a loss ratio of 80.0%, the continued high level of overdue receivables on the companys balance sheet could lead to material negative adjustments to net profits in the medium term. ASNIC has a modest business profile as a mid-tiered insurer within the UAE market having generated gross written premium of AED 396.3 million in 2017. Despite some product diversification, the companys primary focus is on the motor and medical lines of business. In addition, since the sale of its Jordan operations in the end of 2017, the companys profile is concentrated solely in the UAE. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on A.M. Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see A.M. Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Bests Credit Ratings and A.M. Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper [..]. A.M. Best is a global rating agency and information provider with a unique focus on the insurance industry. Visit www.ambest.com for more information. Copyright 2018 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005 Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 2:14AM The summer of 2019 might seem like a lifetime away but thats creeping up on us and it wouldnt be long before we get more details about whats coming next for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And the one that will set the stage for what comes after Avengers 4 is Spider-Man: Far From Home. And we get a first look at a movie poster for the film courtesy of Brand Licensing Europe, a licensing expo where Sony Pictures is promoting its releases for 2019. While there isnt much you can take away from it, it does remind us that the film is coming and it means well get to hear more as we get closer and closer to the movies release. Marvels head honcho Kevin Feige talked about this before about what the movie could mean for the franchise and MCU as a whole. He said, Well, I mean, sure, let the speculation begin. That's always fun. We like [the title] of course because it ties into Homecoming, not just keeping that word going, which we like and we liked it more than Homecoming 2, but that notion of 'home' is a word that has dual meanings we'd like to continue with this [Marvel Cinematic Universe] version of Spider-Man. So, Far From Home has multiple meanings. Much like Ant-Man, there are things that people know about that movie, which is a great deal of the movie: the villain of the movie, the storyline of the film, that we're shooting in Europe and that Peter Parker goes on continuing that [Captain America: Civil War] was a big giant super hero class movie. The fall out of that in Homecoming was John Hughes and him going to his high school. So that's what's fun to us about the Spider-Man movies. And again going from Infinity War to Ant-Man and the Wasp, the tonal shift." PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-11 16:02:01 AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Constellium N.V. (NYSE: CSTM) will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, October 25 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) to announce its third quarter 2018 results. The press release will be sent before market opening. The conference call will be hosted by Jean-Marc Germain, Chief Executive Officer, and Peter Matt, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Details of the conference call, webcast and accompanying presentation will be available on the Constellium Investor Relations page at: https://www.constellium.com/financial-results-presentations The webcast can be accessed live at: https://edge.media-server.com/m6/p/2vx76ud9 To participate by telephone, please dial the following number and enter access code 1392627 to be connected to the Constellium earnings call: USA: 1 866 394 7514 France: 0 805 081 488 Germany: 0 800 181 5287 Switzerland: 0 800 836 508 United Kingdom: 0 800 028 8438 Other: 1 409 350 3597 An archived recording of the conference call will also be available at www.constellium.com for three weeks. About Constellium Constellium (NYSE: CSTM) is a global sector leader that develops innovative, value added aluminium products for a broad scope of markets and applications, including aerospace, automotive and packaging. Constellium generated 5.2 billion of revenue in 2017. www.constellium.com Ryan Wentling Investor Relations Phone: +1 (212) 675-5450 Investor-relations@constellium.com Delphine Dahan-Kocher Communications Phone: +1 (443) 420 7860 delphine.dahan-kocher@constellium.com PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-11 22:24:01 Crossvale showcased its intelligent cloud auto-scaling product, CloudBalancer for Red Hat OpenShift, at Red Hat Forum in London on October 9th. Crossvale Showcased A Groundbreaking Auto-scaling Product at Red Hat Forum U.K. Crossvale Europe Ltd. Mike O'Boyle, +353 (0)83 8858582 Head of Sales Ireland sales@crossvale.com CloudBalancer for Red Hat OpenShift complements Red Hats enterprise Kubernetes platform, Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform. Intelligent auto-scaling for capacity management is the main feature of CloudBalancer. For any company using or intending to use Red Hat OpenShift on AWS, CloudBalancer is the perfect tool for: - Enabling capacity to meet demand at all times, with minimal wasted capacity. - Monitoring the health of the Red Hat OpenShift cluster. - Enabling automated cloud bursting between private and public clouds when needed. - Saving up to 80% on cloud computing costs. - Providing metrics on cluster activity and cost savings. This product is more than just a tool for saving money for anyone running Red Hat OpenShift on Amazon Web Services (AWS); its also about providing something for the different mindset that is needed for running a companys applications on the cloud. said Conor Brankin, CEO of Crossvale. The cost-savings are massive and customers managing an OpEx budget are very impressed at how much money is being freed up, but there are also positive ramifications that come from CloudBalancers levels of automation in other areas. The time saved for someone that might previously have been monitoring clusters manually can be used for more productive and higher-level tasks, so this product perfectly fits into an agile methodology. Head of Sales for Crossvale Europe, Mike OBoyle adds CloudBalancer for Red Hat OpenShift complements leading technologies from Red Hat and AWS very well. We can honestly say that we cannot come up with one reason why anyone that is running Red Hat OpenShift on AWS would NOT want to have it as the ROI on it can be immediate. The traditional way of enabling capacity to meet demand was to buy more on-premise computing power. However, on the pay-per-hour basis of cloud computing this means either wasted capacity or requiring manual intervention to bring capacity up or down to match the predicted demand. Whichever route is taken requires an OpEx budget expenditure. As CloudBalancer for Red Hat OpenShift can save up to 80% in cloud computing costs, based on Crossvales estimates, it is this bottom-line impacting aspect of the product that can make it quite attractive to those using Red Hat OpenShift on AWS. The added benefit of monitoring the health of the Red Hat OpenShift cluster has implications for mission-critical applications as they can now be run on production environments in the cloud as well as with the flexibility of being able to burst to public cloud when needed. As a result, resources can be continually optimised at all times. Crossvale, an award-winning global Red Hat partner that provides technological expertise and solutions that fix business challenges, showcased CloudBalancer for Red Hat OpenShift at the Red Hat Forum in London. The company also recently won the 2018 Red Hat North America Commercial Application Platform Partner of the Year Award. There is a currently a special offer on CloudBalancer for Red Hat OpenShift for the month of October that is only available for the first 100 companies that sign up. Contact sales@crossvale.com for a demo or further information. Red Hat, the Shadowman logo and OpenShift are trademarks or registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005 Crossvale, an award-winning global Red Hat Partner, showcased a groundbreaking auto-scaling product, CloudBalancer, at Red Hat Forum PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-11 15:00:45 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 384 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for International Cannabrands Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Calgary, Alberta (FSCWire) - International Cannabrands Inc. (CSE:JUJU). has issued a press release with the following headline:International Cannabrands Announces a Fulfillment and Distribution Agreement to Serve Southern CaliforniaTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on International Cannabrands Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/International Cannabrands Inc.Source: International Cannabrands Inc. (CSE: JUJU, OTC Bulletin Board: GEATF)Date: October 11, 2018Time: 9:00 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of International Cannabrands Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2018 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-11 10:02:01 In accordance with a resolution for the Nominating Committee made by the 2011 Annual General Meeting, and which applies until further notice, the Chairman of the Board is assigned the task of contacting four shareholders from among the largest registered shareholders in terms of votes in Euroclear Sweden AB's printout of the shareholder register as per the last business day in August, who each appoints one representative who is not a director on the Company's board, to form together with the Chairman of the Board a Nominating Committee for the time until a new Nominating Committee has been appointed. The Nominating Committee appoints a committee chair from among its members. The composition of the Nominating Committee shall be made public not later than six months before the next Annual General Meeting. No fee is payable for work on the Nominating Committee. Accordingly, the Nominating Committee has the following composition: Mats Guldbrand, L E Lundbergforetagen, Hakan Sandberg, Handelsbanken Pension Foundation and others, Mikael Schmidt, SCA Pension Foundation and others, Bo Damberg, Jan Wallanders och Tom Hedelius Foundation and others, and Fredrik Lundberg, Chairman of the Board of Industrivarden. If a member leaves the Nominating Committee before its work has been completed, and if the Nominating Committee is of the opinion that there is a need to replace the said member, the Nominating Committee shall appoint a new member. Any change in the Nominating Committee's composition shall be announced immediately. Industrivardens Annual General Meeting will be held in the Vintertradgarden room at the Grand Hotel, Stockholm, at 2 p.m. on April 17, 2019. Stockholm, October 11, 2018 AB INDUSTRIVARDEN (publ) For further information, please contact: Fredrik Lundberg, Convening member of Nominating Committee, tel. +48-8-463 06 00. Attachment PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-11 18:33:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 374 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for NSGold Corporation--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Bedford, Nova Scotia (FSCWire) - NSGold Corporation (TSX Venture:NSX). has issued a press release with the following headline:NSGold Corporation UpdateTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on NSGold Corporation, or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/NSGold CorporationSource: NSGold Corporation (TSX Venture: NSX, WKN: A12FG2, ISIN: CA62942A2074)Date: October 11, 2018Time: 12:33 PM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of NSGold Corporation and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2018 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-10 23:01:02 Planet Broadcasting Selects Triton Digital to Deliver and Monetize Their Podcast Content Triton Digital Kristin Charron, +1 514-448-4037 Kristin.charron@tritondigital.com or Planet Broadcasting Robert Collings rawcollings@planetbroadcasting.com Triton Digital, the leading technology provider for the global audio industry, announced today that Planet Broadcasting, Australia's largest independent podcast network, has selected Triton Digital to power the delivery and monetization of its podcast content. Through this partnership, Planet Broadcasting will utilize Tritons robust audio streaming network to deliver high quality audio content to their 844,000 subscribers, and the Tap Ad Server to dynamically insert highly targeted pre, mid, and post-roll audio ads into their content. To support their monetization goals, Planet Broadcasting will leverage Tritons programmatic audio marketplace (a2x) and audio SSP (Yield-Op) to make their online audio inventory available to media buyers around the world through both open and private marketplace deals. Providing an exceptional listening experience means working with the best in the industry, said Claire Tonti, CEO of Planet Broadcasting. Along with their knowledgeable team, Tritons state-of-the-art audio streaming and advertising technology is unparalleled, delivering the enterprise-level sophistication and uncompromising reliability we need to support our global podcast network. Planet Broadcasting shares our passion of unleashing the power of digital audio to cultivate meaningful connections, said Benjamin Masse, Managing Director, Market Development and Strategy at Triton Digital. We are proud to provide Planet Broadcasting with the tools they need to provide an unprecedented listening experience for their loyal audience, and a higher return for their advertising partners. In addition to Tritons audio streaming network and Tap Ad Server, Planet Broadcasting will continue to use the enterprise Omny Studio podcast management platform to capture, edit, and distribute their podcast content. About Triton Digital Triton Digital is the global technology and services leader to the digital audio and podcast industry. Operating in more than 40 countries, Triton Digital provides innovative technology that enables broadcasters, podcasters, and online music services to build their audience, maximize their revenue, and streamline their day-to-day operations. In addition, Triton Digital powers the global online audio industry with Webcast Metrics, the leading online audio measurement service, that makes it easy for advertisers and brands to determine the best destination and time to reach their target audiences. Through unparalleled integrity, excellence, teamwork, and accountability, Triton Digital remains committed to connecting audio, audience, and advertisers to continuously fuel the growth of the global online industry. For more information, visit www.TritonDigital.com. About Planet Broadcasting Planet Broadcasting is Australias largest global YouTube and Podcast network with over 45 million downloads, 18 podcasts including one of Australias most successful international podcasts The Weekly Planet (with over 1.5 million downloads a month) and the Mr Sunday Movies YouTube channel (with 4 million views per month and over 900,000 subscribers). The Weekly Planet won most popular podcast at the 2018 Australian Podcast Awards. Other podcasts in their roster include The Millennial Divide, Wil Anderson's Tofop, the YouTube phenomenon Aunty Donna and the hit trivia comedy show Do Go On. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181010005 @planetbcasting has selected @TritonDigital to deliver and monetize their podcast content PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-10 22:32:01 Hamilton, Bermuda, October 10, 2018 - Seadrill Limited ("Seadrill" or the "Company") announces that it has made a mandatory offer to purchase approximately US$56 million of its 12.0% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the "Notes"). Under the terms of the Indenture for the Notes issued on July 2, 2018 (the "Issue Date"), the Company is required to make an offer to purchase the Notes, using certain proceeds from a deferred consideration agreement relating to the sale of its tender rig business to Sapura Energy in 2013. The deferred consideration agreement with Sapura Energy was amended in August 2017 and converted into a loan that matured in August 2018. The eligible amount of this loan that forms part of the Notes security package is approximately US$56 million (the "Asset Sale Amount") and is required to be used to make an offer to purchase the Notes (the "Asset Sale Offer") during the first half of October 2018. The purchase price of the Asset Sale Offer, per the terms of the Indenture, is 103% of par value plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Asset Sale Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on November 9, 2018 (the "Expiration Time"). Holders of Notes that are tendered and accepted, in accordance with the instructions described in the offer to purchase, will receive total cash consideration of US$1,030 per US$1,000 principal amount of Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, from the Issue Date to, but not including, the settlement date, which is expected to be November 14, 2018. If the Notes tendered result in the total cash consideration exceeding the Asset Sale Amount, the Company will purchase such amount, on a pro rata basis, that would result in the total cash consideration equaling the Asset Sale Amount. If the Notes tendered result in total cash consideration being less than the Asset Sale Amount, the Company then has the option to redeem the Notes on a pro rata basis at 106% of par value plus accrued and unpaid interest (the "Optional Redemption") in an amount not to exceed the lesser of: The remaining Asset Sale Amount after the Asset Sale Offer; and, 2. 50% of the initial Asset Sale Amount. Any remaining Asset Sale Amount after the Asset Sale Offer and Optional Redemption will continue to be part of the security package for the Notes and can be used to pay PIK interest on the Notes in cash, make certain investments, acquisitions or other payments according to the terms contained in the Indenture. Approximately one year after the completion of the Asset Sale Offer, any remaining Asset Sale Amount is then eligible to be used for broader working capital purposes by the Company, subject satisfying certain other requirements. The Company has retained D.F. King & Co., Inc. to act as tender and information agent for the Asset Sale Offer. Requests for documents may be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc. at (866) 864-4940 (toll free) or (212) 269-5550 (for banks and brokers only) or email sdrl@dfking.com. The Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant only to the terms and conditions contained in the offer to purchase. This press release does not constitute an offer to purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to sell, any security, nor shall there be any sale of any security in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes forward looking statements. Such statements are generally not historical in nature, and specifically include statements about the Company's plans, strategies, business prospects, changes and trends in its business, the markets in which it operates and its restructuring efforts. These statements are made based upon management's current plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and therefore involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risks described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its 2017 Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-34667) and its Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-224459). The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of these factors. Further, the Company cannot assess the impact of each such factor on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially different from those contained in any forward looking statement. This information is subject of the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-11 08:06:03 More than 200 Stanford Seed participants from Africa and India gather for the first time to unite in their commitment to bring prosperity to communities through the growth of businesses. Stanford Seed Announces Inaugural Seed Transformation Network Global Summit in Nairobi, Kenya Stanford Graduate School of Business Kristin Harlan, 650-546-1831 Director, Global Media Relations gsbmediarelations@stanford.edu Last month, over 200 business founders/owners from across Africa and India gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, for the inaugural Seed Transformation Network Global Summit. Each business leader in attendance completed the Seed Transformation Program, a one-year certificate program delivered by Stanford University through Stanford Graduate School of Business. The inaugural event provided an opportunity for some of the most promising business leaders in Africa and India to continue their learning and to network with the goal of scaling their businesses, creating jobs, and, ultimately, expanding the impact their businesses have on their communities and countries. The event included industry expert panels, company tours to Kenyan participants businesses, and learning sessions, facilitated by Seed Faculty Director Jesper Srensen and organizational behavior professor Sarah Soule. We have found that 58% of Seed participants conduct business together after completing the program. I am continually amazed at their level of commitment to each other and their local communities, said Darius Teter, Seed Executive Director. This Summit builds on the idea that a lasting sustainable solution to poverty relies on entrepreneurs' initiative, perseverance, and willingness to take risks. The global network of entrepreneurs that is gathered here is united by a shared mission: to grow their organizations and bring prosperity to their regional economies. Company tours included visits to vibrant businesses such as FunKidz, the first global childrens furniture brand in Africa; Vivo Activewear, an 11-store business providing the largest range of locally designed and manufactured womens clothing and activewear in Kenya; and Magana Flowers, a floriculture farm that produces and exports flowers to Russia, Japan, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East. Since completing the Seed Transformation Program, weve grown from six stores to 11. Weve doubled our revenue. Weve doubled our staff, said Wandia Gichuru, CEO of Vivo Activewear. I think what is so special about Seed is not just what happens in the classroom, but also what happens outside the classroom. The network is perhaps as valuable as the coursework and the other resources the program offers. I think we have just begun to scratch the surface on how powerful a network like this can be. The Seed Transformation Program first launched in West Africa in 2013, expanded to East Africa in 2016 and to India and South Africa in 2017. Stanford faculty members travel to each region to share Silicon Valley insights into entrepreneurship to business owners/founders with the goal of spurring business growth and, as a result, global prosperity. Recent surveys indicate the majority of Seed participants who completed the program grow their businesses overall. Findings include: 62 percent hire new full-time employees; 63 percent increase revenue; and 86 percent increase their overall customers after completing the program. Past participants have raised over $25 million in capital for the growth of their companies. To learn more about Stanford Seed, visit seed.stanford.edu. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181010006 The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, in Abuja Thursday promised an amicable resolution of the ongoing dispute between Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria (SHI), and the management of Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics, (LADOL). Speaking during a courtesy call by the South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, In-tae Lee, he said all parties in the dispute are already being engaged by the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and he believes the engagement process will restore normalcy. We will work with you, Samsung, Ladol, NEPZA and all the parties involved to resolve this amicably. We have an excellent relationship with South Korea and we will like to continue that, the minister said, pointing out that, successful resolution of problems generates goodwill. Earlier, Mr Lee had sought the intervention of the minister in the dispute. Korean companies that are eager to invest in Nigeria are watching the dispute closely and it is in the best interest of both countries to get this behind us. LADOL, operators of the Egina Floating Production Storage and Offloading recently sacked SHI from the free zone over expiry of its operating licence. The managing director of LADOL, Amy Jadesinmi, had said: Samsung failed to meet the minimum standard required to qualify for an Operating License in a Free Zone, their license has therefore expired without renewal. Samsungs Sublease Agreement has been duly terminated. But Samsung said it is in talks to resolve the court action launched by LADOL. Responding to Samsungs statement, LADOL said it also hoped for an amicable resolution to the dispute. Samsung Heavy Industries, one of the worlds largest shipbuilders, says that through its joint venture with LADOL, it has invested $300 million to help build a floating oil platform for Totals Egina oil field. Total describes the field as one of its most ambitious ultra-deep offshore projects and it is expected to produce an estimated 200,000 barrels of oil per day, representing about 10 per cent of Nigerias total capacity. During the meeting, the ambassador also sought the ministers contribution to the ongoing review of the 1998 Bilateral Investment Treaty signed by both countries. Mr Enelamah assured him they are on the same page on the need to revise the agreement to meet contemporary needs. It is time to revise the agreement, he said. The 2018 Felabration week, in honor of the late music maestro, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has kicked off in Lagos with a secondary school debate. The debate titled, Why State Police should be introduced to Nigeria, which held at Freedom Park, Lagos, on Wednesday, is a prelude to the main event, Felabration 2018. The 2018 edition of Felabration is tagged: Baba @ 80: Overtaking Overtake, a line coined from Felas 1990 hit titled ODOO Overtake Don Overtake Overtake. It would also coincide with Felas post-humous 80th birthday which falls on October 15. The event will formally hold from October 15 to 21 at the Afrika Shrine, Alausa, Lagos. Yeni, Felas daughter, disclosed this on Wednesday while flagging off the 2018 Felabration week programmes. This years edition will be a great one as we will have international delegates from Asia, America, Australia and mingle. We wont have foreign artistes like last year but we have musical bands from Togo, France and a lot of activities loaded within the week for everyone. Felabration serves as reminder to government and the general public for those messages of Fela to sanitise all sectors of the Nigerian society, she said. Ten schools participated in the debate and prizes were given for the first, second and third positions. The winner, Rainbow College, Surulere, received an HP laptop. Vivian Fowler College, which came second, got a Samsung Galaxy tab, while Opakodo Grammar School, Ikorodu which came third went home with a Techno tablet. Felabration, which began 20 years ago, is an initiative of Yeni and Femi Kuti designed to celebrate their late fathers legacy. The annual Felabration festival runs for a week and attracts guests from around the world. Some of the events to look forward to over the course of the seven-day fanfare, include the Fela artwork competition, a symposium and a music concert, which attracted the likes of Asa, King Sunny Ade, Lucky Dube, Awilo Longomba, Lagbaja, 2baba and Wizkid in the past. South Korea never considered lifting sanctions against North Korea imposed over the 2010 sinking of a South Korean warship, the countrys unification minister, Cho Myoung-gyon said on Thursday. South Koreas foreign minister, Kang Kyung-wha, had said on Wednesday that the sanctions, imposed against Pyongyang following a torpedo attack on a corvette that killed 46 South Korean sailors in 2010, were under review. North Korea has denied any involvement in the sinking. Mr Kangs remarks on sanctions, retracted after criticism from South Korean lawmakers, prompted U.S. president, Donald Trump, to say South Korea would need U.S. approval to relieve sanctions. They wont do it without our approval. They do nothing without our approval, Mr Trump told reporters, when asked about her comments. Mr Trump has said sanctions will remain in place until North Korea it denuclearises. Ms Kang backtracked on her remarks after facing criticism from some conservative lawmakers that the sanctions cannot be removed unless North Korea first apologised for the attack, a stance adopted by former South Korean governments. The sanctions ban all North Korean ships entering South Korean ports and cut off most inter-Korean exchanges, including tourism, trade and aid. There will need to be action regarding the issue of the Cheonan warship, which was the cause (of the sanctions), Mr Myoung-gyon said during a parliamentary audit. Mr Trumps comments triggered heated debate in South Korea, with some conservative lawmakers calling them an insult. Approval is a strong and insulting word meant to say that we are progressing too fast with the North without seeking consensus with the U.S., said Kim Jae-kyung from a conservative opposition party. South Korean President, Moon Jae-in, has pursued a thaw in cross-border ties, holding three summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this year. Last months third summit in Pyongyang was partly aimed at salvaging faltering nuclear talks between the North and the United States. At their latest meeting, Messrs Moon and Kim agreed to resume economic cooperation, with construction work to be started within this year to reconnect rail and road links. They also agreed to reopen a joint factory park in the Norths border city of Kaesong and the Mount Kumgang tours, when conditions are met. In a rare sign of discord between Seoul and Washington, Ms Kang said on Wednesday that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had expressed discontent with an inter-Korean military pact reached during a summit last month. Mr Myoung-gyon refused to comment on Mr Trumps remarks, but said Washington was not opposed to inter-Korean dialogue and exchanges, and the allies are in close consultation. China, Russia and North Korea believe it is necessary to consider adjusting UN sanctions against Pyongyang at an appropriate time, Chinas foreign ministry said on Wednesday. (Reuters/NAN) An Egyptian military court on Thursday sentenced 17 people to death for their involvement in the bombing attacks on three Coptic churches in 2016 and 2017 that killed dozens in the country. According to state media, another 19 defendants in the same case were sentenced to life imprisonment, which is equal to 25 years in prison under Egyptian law. The court in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria also handed down jail terms ranging between 10 years and 15 years to 10 co-defendants. All the rulings can be appealed. All the defendants were also charged with having links to the Islamic State extremist militia that claimed responsibility for the attacks. In April 2017, 46 people were killed in two suicide bombings targeting two Coptic churches in Alexandria and the Nile Delta city Tanta on Palm Sunday. In December 2016, no fewer than 28 people were killed in a suicide attack at a chapel adjoining Cairos main Coptic cathedral. The bombings prompted Egypt to declare a nationwide state of emergency for three months. Christians account for around 10 per cent of Egypts mostly Muslim population of nearly 100 million. (dpa/NAN) Experts at a one day health dialogue have called on civil society organisations to increase advocacy on family planning in Nigeria in order to achieve the desired goal. The dialogue, held in Abuja on Thursday, was organised by development Research and Project Centre (dRPC) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and other civil society organisations. In his presentation, one of the panelists, Adedeji Aderibigbe, from the University of Ilorin, said the level of advocacy on Family Planning (FP) in Nigeria is very low. Mr Aderibigbe, who made a presentation on advocacy inclusion in Nigerian family planning policy document, said he noticed that FP advocacy is lacking in some of the documents he reviewed. I realised that some of the documents reviewed in spite of having lines on family planning issues, have no mention of FP advocacy, he said. Mr Aderibigbe said increased advocacy on FP will play a major role in the eventual acceptance of policies that are developed. He said policy documents that have direct or indirect bearing on FP issues in Nigeria were used for the meta analysis. He noted that all the ones which had no advocacy policies were national service documents. He said most of the documents analysed were focused at national level and none was domesticated in states. Despite various efforts made to ensure FP services are cheap and available in the country, the rate of acceptance is still very low as many sexually active women are reluctant to embrace contraceptives. The benefits of family planning are obvious. It allows women to space child birth and replenish vital nutrients lost during the process. It also allows the organs of mothers to return to normal. In spite of these obvious merits, 87 per cent of women in Nigeria or their partners do not use modern or traditional contraceptives. Statistics from the 2016/17 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) indicate that only 11 per cent of women of ages 15 to 49, currently married or in a union, use the method in the country. In his presentation, Okey Akpala, one of the panelists said most of the Family Planning policies are hinged at expanding, assessing and slowing down population. He said there is a need for more advocacy in this area in order to forestall impending population explosion, poverty rate increment and maternal and child mortality rate in the country. Mr Akpala also said that it is almost impossible to have free FP services in the country. He said though it is usually free in the public sector, it is paid for in the private sector. Mr Akpala stated that there is a need to re-evaluate the policy because most women access health care in the private sector. In her presentation, the Director of programmes, Association for Reproductive Family Health (ARFH), Zainab Moukarim, advised CSOs to reduce advocacy on policy implementation but focus more on talking about training for the staff. This, she said, is very important, as Nigeria will have something to fall back on when the donors take away their money. The PHC under one roof should focus on capacity building for the workers especially the Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW). Government at all level should institute strong orientation for all health workers, she said. A claim by a Nigerian minister that he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, with a first class honours is false, a fact-check by DUBAWA and PREMIUM TIMES has shown. During the 17th anniversary celebrations of the Commonwealth Of Zion Assembly (COZA) held at the church headquarters in Abuja two years ago, the Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, was among dignitaries who addressed the congregation. In a seven minutes 24 seconds video published on YouTube on February 17, 2016 by COZA GLOBAL, Mr Kachikwu, dressed, in a navy blue senator attire, said: The heat in this place can either make you or burn you, this is a hot zone. Congrats COZA! It is amazing the sort of revolution that takes place outside the civil service; public service; and the outer space. A lot of revolution goes on in houses like this and sometimes all of us who are in government need to find time to come out and spend time with you and get encouraged by the burst of energy that you see While speaking on fate and destiny, Mr Kachikwu took the congregation on a journey of his life, highlighting his educational achievements. I went to Ife (Obafemi Awolowo University) to try and read medicine and I was there for two weeks and then I got admission to read law. My Father drove all the way to Ife to meet me and he asked, why do you want to go to the University? And I said, my ambition is to be a doctor and he said, why are you taking the line of what he called least resistance? And I said, what do you mean by that and he said, well, if you want to be a doctor why dont you just go and read PHD, get to the very top My dad was talking to a little boy and that got me. So, I packed my bag, left the school of medicine and went to read law. And, I got in there, got a scholarship and became the best student, I had a first class in that institution (UNN). And then, I left from there to the law school and in the law school, I think just like the pastor said: people encourage you. All my colleagues came and said, we are all here representing our institutions, if you brought a first class from Nsukka you better make it work here where everybody is gathered The minister went ahead to list other institutions he attended and the honours he bagged. The former ExxonMobil vice chairman said he graduated from the Nigerian Law School with a First Class honours. He also said he emerged best student at Harvard University, where he did his masters degree with specialisation on Energy and Petroleum Law and Investment. Mr Kachikwu claimed his record at Harvard, one of the best institutions in the world, remained unbroken. I made a first class in the law school and then, getting to Harvard my feeling, as soon as I got into Harvard was this is a very unique institution, the biggest in the world and basically you must have a 2.1 or first class from your primary institution before they can accept you At the end of our masters programme, I was the best student; got a Harvard scholarship and I went to do my doctorate and for it; I set what is still a record in Harvard of completing a doctorate in one and half years. Apart from making the incorrect claim during the COZA church programme, the minister is also peddling the same falsehood through his official biography posted to the website of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. Dr. Ibe Kachikwu is a distinction graduate of Law from the University of Nigeria Nsukka and Nigerian Law School, the article read. He bagged First Class degree in Law and was best graduand and multiple awards winner from both Institutions. He bagged a Masters in Law (LLM) with special focus on Energy and Petroleum Law and Investment and a Doctorate Degree with specialization on Petroleum and Investment Law Strategies from Harvard Law School, USA where he was the best graduate with Distinction and in the process set a record time for completing Doctoral Thesis. Screen shot of Kachikwus academic performance on fed Min Of petroleum ministry website. A similar claim is contained in the ministers bio on Wikipedia. To verify Mr Kachikwus claim regarding his academic feat at Harvard, of which he claimed to have an unbeaten record, this newspaper sent an inquiry to the university. A response is still being awaited. Screen shot of Kachikwus academic performance according to Wikipedia. However, PREMIUM TIMES can report authoritatively today that Mr Kachikwu was economical with the truth as far as his certificate from UNN is concerned. Dissecting Kachikwus Curriculum Vitae (CV) According to a copy of his CV seen by PREMIUM TIMES, the minister said he enrolled into the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1974. He later received a bachelor of law after a four-year sojourn. A copy of the his result signed by the universitys vice-chancellor and registrar at the time, showed that Mr. Kachikwu left UNN in June 1978 with a second class upper degree. A copy of Kachikwus UNN certificate. FACT-CHECK: Not a first timer? This is not the first time a fact-check by this newspaper will bring this minister to light for double speaking. Mr Kachikwu, 61, made an incorrect claim when he alleged that the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Maikanti Baru, inappropriately awarded contract for the N885 billion Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas pipeline project, our December 23, 2017 investigation indicated. Also untrue, our findings showed then, is Mr Kachikwus claim that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the contract after Mr Baru initiated an inappropriate award process that side-lined him (Mr Kachikwu) and the NNPC board. In his controversial August 30, 2017 memo to President Buhari, Mr Kachikwu had, among other allegations, accused Mr Baru of flouting due process in the award of the $2.89 billion (about N885 billion at N306.3 to one U.S dollar) AKK contract. But in a curious move, Mr Kachikwu, on December 13, presented the same contract to the Federal Executive Council, (FEC) seeking approval to award it. When PREMIUM TIMES asked him why he sought approval for a contract he accused the NNPC of inappropriately awarding three months earlier, the minister said his action was meant to correct the irregularity in the initial award process carried out by Mr Baru. But our investigation revealed that the contract was neither awarded by Mr Baru nor was it ever approved by Mr Buhari before that December 13, when the minister presented it before FEC. Our findings showed that the BPP Due Process Certificate and the NCDMB Certificate of Authorization Mr Kachikwu attached to his memo to FEC were only issued on August 31, 2017 and October 6, 2017 respectively, days after the minister petitioned Mr Buhari. Mr Kachikwu himself was a former GMD of the NNPC. Kachikwus Harvard certificate. Appointed NNPC boss in August, 2015 and named minister of petroleum three months later, the PHD holder was removed as the GMD of the NNPC by President Buhari and replaced with Mr Baru on July 4, 2016. NOTE: Below is the link to the video where Mr Kachikwu spoke of graduating with first class. As part efforts to strengthen implementation of family planning programmes in Nigeria, the development Research and Project Centre (dRPC) is organising a one day high level meeting for developmental partners in the sector. The meeting which would be held in Abuja on Thursday is in collaboration with the federal ministry of health and other civil society organisations. Expected at the meeting are government officials working in family planning and reproductive health, CSOs, and family planning focal persons from five states: Taraba, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, and Lagos. At the forefront of the meeting deliberation is the gender analysis of FP (family planning) and reproductive health in Nigeria. The meeting also intends to update the states on the new family planning policies and how to improve implementation. The CSO and focal persons are also expected to appraise the new policy direction of the federal ministry of health on FP. In spite effort to make FP services cheap and available in the country, the rate of acceptance is still very low as many sexually active women are reluctant to embrace contraceptives. The benefits of family planning are obvious. It allows women to space child birth and replenish vital nutrients lost during the process. It also allows the organs of mothers to return to normal. In spite of these obvious merits, 87 per cent of women in Nigeria or their partners do not use modern or traditional contraceptives. Statistics from the 2016/17 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) indicate that only 11 per cent of women of ages 15 to 49, currently married or in a union, use the method in the country. An urban city such as Lagos also has very low record of FP usage. PREMIUM TIMES will bring you live updates of the event. You can also follow on Premium Times Twitter handle through the hashtag: #genderanalysisinFP and #PASFP. The event is expected to start at 9:00 a.m. 9: 10 am Its a beautiful sunny day here in Abuja. The temperature here at the venue for the high level meeting on FP is 25c 9:12 am Participants are already entering into the hall. 9:15 am Still awaiting the representative of the minister of health, Isaac Adewole. Other participants are preparing for the start of the programme 9:20 am The programme is about to start. The moderator, Umar Kawu, just welcomed the participants of the events. He said the workshop is to update the states in the new nations FP policies and policy directions and update from states on FP situation and innovations Participants at a one day meeting on updates to states on new national family planning policies and policy directions and update from states on family planning situation and innovations in Abuja on Thursday. Participants at a one day meeting on updates to states on new national family planning policies and policy directions and update from states on family planning situation and innovations in Abuja on Thursday. 9: 38 am Mr Kawu said the event should start while waiting for the representative of the minister. Currently on the high-table is Emmanuel Abanida, the Senior Technical Adviser, DRPC-PAS, he is representing the ED Judith Walker, Also here is Fatai Aremu, a professor of political science, is a technical adviser legislative policies and advocacy, dRPC-PAS Also present is Hajiya Saa Nataala coordinator, Family Planning Kano State and Sadauki, the deputy national president SOGON 9: 45 am The workshop is attended by government workers working on family planning, CSOs and journalists. SOGON is the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria. 10:00 am The cros section of participans at the workshop are from diverse states in Nigeria including Lagos, Kano, Abuja, Taraba and Kaduna, 10: 02 am The event is divided into five sessions The first panel is on gender analysis of FP policies to be discussed by Joyce Ahmadu and Sakina Bello/Pathfinder International The second panel is- FP financing at state level to be discussed by the representatives from the five PAS states (Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Niger and Taraba) There will be a tea break for about 20 mins before a paper presentation on the topic FP Financing at national level a review of allocation and releases. The paper is to be presented by Kayode Afolabi, Director/Head-RH, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH). The third panel is on a new FP policies, policy direction and performance monitoring indicators. The objective is to understand new FP policies and identify performance indicators to monitor. Panelists are Adedeji Aderibigbe, University of Ilorin, GRed Izuwa (DD) FMOH and Okey Akpala/ M space The fourth panel is FP policy implementation at state level. This would be handled by the representatives from the PAS states The fifth and last pane is the state level innovations to address human resources for Health Gaps (Generating cross- learning to improve programme directions in bridging gaps for HRH) 10:10 am Giving the welcome message and objectives is Mr Abanida. He said the objective of the workshop is to get people to talk about FP, especiallyy its implementation across the selected states and its implication on gender. 10:14 am Mr Abanida said dRPC feels that their stakeholders need to get used to the FP policies The meeting is to enable the stakeholders, CSOs, and media engage themselves in the new narration. We hope to employ FP policies in 2019 to 2023. FP is seen as injustice in gender inequity. He said they intend to focus on gender equity and are hopeful that with the number of experts in the room, they will be able to come up with advocacy tools that will help improve FP in Nigeria and promote gender equality. He said the event will help the states know what is happening at the national policy level. Before the event, we looked at the CSO landscape on FP and also found out what people know about FP 10:20 Coming in is the representative of the minister of health, Kayode Afolabi- He is a director at the health ministry. He will be giving the keynote speech and declaring the meeting open. He is also going to be delivering a paper on FP financing at national level a review of allocation and releases. 10:30 Speaking now is Mr Afolabi of the health ministry. He said FP in Nigeria is being supported by the government and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Kayode Afolabi, Director Reproductive health unit, Federal Ministry of Health. He said FP is very important to reduce maternal and child mortality because the current rate of live birth in Nigeria is 560 per 1,000 birth. He said this is not to good because the country can do better and FP can be used to reduce this as it will reduce the rate of unwanted pregnancies in the country. He said FP is very necessary to save lives of the women, allow them live their lives to the fullest and also take care of the family. He said looking at the high figure and comparing it to what has happened in the past then the country can do well. We need to promote availability of new contraceptive model in line with the global trend. We are trying to review the roadmap we are using in FP policies. We are also happy that the media is here because we have over 300 PHCs in the country and most of the women are not accessing it. Mr Afolabi is an obstetrician and Gynecologist and presently a director in the ministry of health He said 25 per cent of maternal mortality can be prevented by contraceptives. We have a lot of FP commodities where they are needed. But the question is how do we achieve this? Government has done a lot, but we cannot do it alone. He said the minister of health, Isaac Adewole, has also commissioned a task force to look into the problem in the six highest burden state for maternal mortality. 10: 40 am Still Speaking is Mr Afolabi. He has declared the workshop open and proceeds to presenting his paper. He said FP financing is very important and the government has been very committed to funding the FP programme. He said the government has been releasing its counterpart fund to the FP to GFF and World Bank. Mr Afolabi said Nigeria started implementing its FP blueprint on cost estimates for FP in 2014. He said government and stakeholders decided to improve family planning uptake. He said there has been a gradual increase in the financing of FP in the country. Investing in high impact FP intervention is a cost effective national development initiative, he said. He showed in graphics how Nigeria has fared in the funding of FP. He said USAID has been consistent in moping up the gaps in FP Funding in Nigeria. He said the country has not been fulfilling most of its pledges as it pledged $3 million for the basket funding for FP yearly for four years. This was meant to total to $12 million. Unfortunately the fund released was only $7 million in total. He said Nigeria will not be able to pay the backlog in the funding because the source of money generation has dried up. He said the source was the excess crude oil fund. Unfortunately, that era is over, he said. Mr Afolabi also said tat the government is now looking inwards to raise money to sustain the FP funds. He said the minister this year made a pledge of $4 million to FP and he has promised that the government would pay it in bulk and not in installments as it used to be. 11: 00am Mr Afolabi said the budgetary allocation to health is also very low as it is only 4 per cent of the whole budget. He said though the budgetary allocation is reducing, the allocation to FP is increasing and this shows commitment on the path of the government. He said there are also efforts to improve domestic funding to FP and this has started with advocacy visit to the budgetary office and this is why there has been a increase. He said some of what the government have been doing in FP are renewed MoU with UNFPA procurement for the country, zs well asincreased effort to grow sustainable domestic financing through an annual government counterpart contribution of $4 million form 2018-2021 He said they have also disbursed $56 million to the states through IDA loans and Global financing facility from 2017-2020. A BHCPF roll out as pilot in line with the NHA of 2014, which shall be funded from government Consolidated Revenue pool. He said the government is also investing in a robust accountability system to track and report actual domestic resources expenditure at national and state levels. He said accountability is very important because that is how they can know what the government is spending especially human resource. Mr Afolabi summited by saying all Nigerians especially the CSO needs to improve on their advocacy for more budget to health because more money to health means more to FP. The session now is the question and answer session. A participant from Lagos said she does not think accountability should be a problem if there is right and official channels to disburse funds. She said such is what is used in Lagos. There is an official channel for funds disbursement to the government and CSOs working on FP in the state, she said. A participant asked why the fund for FP was being increased. Mr Afolabi said the increase in the funding was due to forecast by the federal government and development partners who work on FP in Nigeria. He said the contribution the country makes is also being released to the basket fund in Geneva and not through anyone. He said the country is setting targets that it can realise and does not want to go beyond what it can meet. He said there are huge unmet needs of FP in Nigeria and the highest in the country is Kano. He said there are lots of women who want to use FP but cannot because of many issues such as lack of facilities, spousal disagreement, fear of the unknown, unavailability of contraceptive choices among others. He said Lagos and Kaduna have developed a cost implementation plan. In conclusion, Mr Afolabi said there is a need to focus on people who are currently on FP method so as to make the services always available to them before focusing on those with the unmet needs. He said Oyo State tops the chart of where contraceptive is most accepted. 11: 26 am Mr Kawu has taken over the floor. He thanked Mr. Afolabi for coming and asked him to express their gratitude to the minister of health. 11:30 am Tea break 12:10pm Back from tea break The moderator says the first panel will be handled by Joyce Ahmadu. It was meant to be taken by two panelists, but the second person is unavoidably absent. The first panelist Ms. JOYCE Ahmadu during her presentation on gender analysis of FP policies The topic is gender analysis of FP policies. It focuses on gender assessment from gender perspectives. It assesses how projects/policies address and respond to gender dynamics and inequalities (gender norms, roles and regulation) in technical programming, policies and practices it addresses how gender affects health seeking behaviour, reproductive health care and child care. Gender role refer to what males and females should do within the society. The role of the women includes taking care of the homes and the family and this affects their ability to seek healthcare. They also have to seek permission to take care of their health, she says. The unequal gender base responsibility also leads to gender violence. The gender norms also affect female health seeking behavior and all these serve as barriers to women health and family planning 12:22 pm The panel also reviews and assesses the extent to which the national child and family health health policies/pans /strategies consider and address gender norms, rules and relations in specific ways to reduce gender based health inequalities. The aim is to promote policy action to strengthen gender integration in future policy development process and extensive analytics desk review of national child and family health policies, plans and strategies. She said understanding and analysis of gender norms is very important in order to know if the policy is gender sensitive or not Ms Ahmadu analyses gender in family planning and reproductive health in Nigeria. Under the gender analysis, nine national policy documents were reviewed and assessed and was been presented to the participants Four of the documents are draft policies. These documents are the National Reproductive Health Policy (2017),Draft National Health Policy (2016),Draft National Child Health Policy (2016) ,Draft National Strategic Health Development Plan 11 (2017 2021),Nigeria Family Planning Blueprint (Scale Up Plan) 2014. Other include the Nigeria Strategy for Immunisation and PHC System Strengthening (2018-2028),Draft Reproductive, Maternal, New-Born, Child Adolescent Health + nutrition Strategy (2017-2012),Implementation Guidelines for PHC Under One Roof (2018), and the National Guideline for the Implementation of Integrated Community Case Management of Childhood Illness in Nigeria (2013). Ms Ahmadu said all the health policies in Nigeria were assessed using the WHO gender responsive assessment scale which is on a scale of one to five with one indicating that gender inequality perpetuates unbalanced norms, roles and relations. Ms Ahmadu said they found out that while preparing most of these policies, gender consideration is not often on the menu. She said though most of the health agencies have a gender unit, the ministry of health is not often included in policy matters. She said the ministry of women affairs is also being neglected. she said that is not good enough as this usually affects the way the policies are fashioned and implemented. 12:25 pm Ms Ahmadu concludes her session. In the question and answer session, a woman from Lagos said most CSOs do not include women in their decision making A participant said she should also cross match her finding with the SDG goals since the fifth SDG is specifically focused on gender equality. She needs to see how this is related to health maters in Nigeria Ms Ahmadu promised to go factor in all the suggestion and that the work is an on going one which will always be shared 12 : 26 pm: The moderator has taken the floor. She thanked Ms Ahmadu for the presentation and called on the second panel. The second panel is to take on FP financing in states. People on the panel are the five representatives from Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Niger and Taraba The Lagos State representative, Okanlawon Idowu, said they a distribution process which they used to distribute FP products. She called for the need to work with the private sector. From Taraba State, Titi Saleh said there is need more training for LAC because some of our staff are retired and some do not know about it (FP. They have approved the training but we are waiting for the financing to come so that we can do so. We have new partners in the states and we need more partners to help us in our states so that we can retrain our staff and so that the providers can be able to service the rural areas. We have started using Sanaya Press. It is being given to us by the federal ministry of health; but we have challenges because we do not have enough personnel to attend to rural people. From Niger State, the director PRS, Jummai Idris, said when she got to office she focused on improving reproductive health and she understood that FP will help in reducing maternal mortality . The first thing I did as a director is to get coordination line in place. In 2017, we had 3.7 million and in 2018, we have almost 5.8 million and for 2019 we are proposing 9 million. Niger is also one of the luck states to be implementing the Basic Healthcare Provision Funds given by the federal ministry of health. Fifty percent of this fund will be going to the contributory scheme which the state government is proposing, 49 per cent to PHC and five percent to emergencies and other health intervention. FP will also be one of the major focus from the Basic Healthcare provision funds, she said. The Kaduna representative Ibrahim Bakat, Assistant Director FP- said the state has been doing well in FP, but women have been complaining about paying money to get some of the commodities. Representatives from the 5 PAS states (Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Niger and Taraba) He said the government has been consistently budgeting for FP programme in the state and most of the budget has been cashed backed. He said before funds can be released they have to get approval of the governor if it is above N20 million. In 2017, they budgeted N100 million for FP commodities and services. Though the fund was released, it was not cashed backed. He, however, said N113 million has been proposed for 2018 and it has been released and cash backed. Mr Bakat said for 2019, N143 million has been budgeted for FP commodities. The Kano State representative, the director of budget, Muktar Ado Yakassai, said FP has been largely supported by donor partners such as Dangote Foundation and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He said N1.6 million is being used to purchase of FP commodities. In 2018, we purchase FP equipment of N16 million. In June this year, 3.3 million was used to purchased consumables. He said in July, another N3 million was used. Mr Yakassai said the state is making efforts to improve financing of FP. Five per cent of the state IGR will also be used to support health in the state. Kano state also said one per cent of the total grant will be given to the fund so that they can take care of the facilities. 1;55 pm Speaking now is Mr Aderibigbe. Mr Aderibigbe is presenting on advocacy inclusion in Nigerian family planning policy document. He said he realised that some of the documents reviewed in spite of having lines on family planning issues, they have no mention of FP advocacy. Mr Aderibigbe said this is despite a significant body of evidence suggesting the role of advocacy in the eventual acceptance of policies that are developed. He said policy documents that have direct or indirect bearing on FP issues in Nigeria were used for the meta analysis. Some of the documents he said were retrieved from the internet He said all the document which had no advocacy policies were national service documents. He also said that they found that all the documents analysed were also at national level and none was domesticated (in states). Mr Aderibigbe said for the country to improve FP programme, there is a need to advocate to the political leaders, traditional and religious leaders. He said with high political will, leadership and stewardship role of government at all levels as well as sustained passion by all stakeholders on improved FP, financing implementation of the FP Blueprint will be assured and more impactful. With effective coordination, enabling environment and funding commitments, the efforts will be rewarding. It will be easier and pleasing to reach our goal. Giving his presentation now is Greg Izuwa. He said globally, contraception use has shown to prevent unwanted pregnancies, reduce abortion rate and lower the incidence of death related to maternal causes Mr Izuwa however said in most developing countries, there are high unmet needs for contraceptives. It is known that FP has the potential to reduce maternal mortality rate by 30 per cent and infant mortality rate by 75 per cent, he said. Mr Izuwa also said the government desires for Nigeria to reach 27 per cent modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate CPR by 2020. He said the government through the FMOH has put in place a policy of free FP information, services and commodities to FP clients at public health facilities across the country. Also select private facilities are equally being supported with governments free commodities to enable them provide FP services at subsidised fee to their clients. The action here are to promote affordability and access. He said the government has been doing a lot as a number of guidelines and manuals have been developed to promote strict adherence to established standards and quality of care in the provision of family planning services. Mr Abanida rounded up the session by saying policies are not not laws as such states too can make their policies or domesticate the ones available. This, he said, would ensure more implementation of policies. 2:40 pm Mr Kawu has called on the next session. The next session is moderated by Mr Abanida. The topic of this session is state level innovation to address human resource for Health Gaps. Panelist are: Muktar Gadanya, an associate professor, Bayero University Kano and FP expert, Kehinde Osinowo, director of programme ARFH; and Zainab Moukarim of Women 4 health The first panelist, Ms Osinowo, who spoke on human capital development for health said the health human resources is negatively skewed in the rural areas. She said the problem of human resources in the health sector in Nigeria ranges from the shortage of human resources across the health profession, brain-drain, wide gap amongst health professionals among others. Ms Osinowo said anywhere there is shortage of staff, it is common to have challenges and death of people. She said some of the practical ways we can resolve this problem which unfortunately is more prevalent in the rural area/ PHCs is to embark on rigorous retraining of the available staff. She said local governments should develop in-service training, internal service training for the CHEW in the PHCs. She said she is against the costing implementation plan because the government is just repackaging what the donors are doing or paying for. She also advised CSOs to reduce advocacy on policies implementation but focus more on talking about training for the staff. This, she said, is very important because when the donors take away their money, Nigeria will still have something to fall back on . The PHC under one roof, should focus on capacity building for the workers who work there especially the CHEWS. Government at all level should institute strong orientation for all health workers. If we embrace some of the old practices when funding was not available we will be able to have skilled workers, she said. Ms Osinowo also emphasised that the training should be target specific. She said it should be targeted at the people who provide the services and not the top officials who would be retiring from service in no time. The training should be for everyone, especially the provider of services and not the top officers who would be retiring at anytime. There are also e-learning. All health providers have phones, you can use the technology to provide simple lessons on how to carry out their services, she added. Ms Osinowo also said the government needs to engage more with the private health sector for health development especially in FP. There should be no leakages at least the services will be used by Nigerians, she said. 3:10 pm Speaking next is Muktar Gadanya. He said there is a need to include more women in health capacity building. He said there is a need for the government to build health schools and equip them to train more of the health workers. He discussed the socio-economy of human resources in the country. He said we drove away all foreign health workers when we do not have the human resources to do what is needed to take ownership of the health space. Mr Gadanya said insufficient human resources in health sector starts from the entry point, retention, graduation, employment and deployment. He said as at the end of 2015, Nigeria was one the 75 countdown countries that accounted for 95 per cent of the worlds burden of maternal, new born and child deaths. Mr Gadanya said the dearth of health workers is worse in the northern part of the country and this is affected by the conflict in the North-eastern part of the country. He said the various militating factors have also affected the training institutions and how they can produce quality health resources for the health sector. 3: 45 pm The last panelist, Zainab Moukarim, said that northern Nigeria has one of the worse health indies in Sub Saharan Africa, according to the WHO 2017. This can be attributed to the very low number of front line health workers especially in the rural area in the north, she said. Although Nigeria has a huge pool of health work force, the geographical distribution of health worker in Nigeria is very uneven with fewer staff per person in less developed areas, she said. She said there is a huge concentration of health worker in urban areas and tertiary health care, and the southern part of the country. Although knowledge of contraceptives seems high in northern Nigeria, the region is reported to have a very low level uptake especially in states where two organisations girls for health and women for health are operating She said they also observed that the states where the Girls 4 Health (G4H) and Women4 Health (W4H) are operational have the most unmet FP needs. This she said can be attributed to the shortage of indigenous health workers who have the understanding of the culture and value of the society and how best to communicate FP messages. She said they have also realised that to have effective healthcare system, there is a need to train more females because of societal issues. She said most of the northern men do not allow their wives to visit the health facilities because they do not want then to be attended to by a man. 5:00 pm The session just reconvened. The last session is about to start. The moderator, Mr Kawu, is leading the panel. The topic for discussion by this panel is FP policy implementation at state level. On the panel are the representatives from the five states- Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Niger and Taraba. Mr Naallah said the government of Niger State has been doing a lot to improve and implement FP through the Primary Healthcare Under One Roof. He said the government has gotten support from donor partners to train some of its health workers in FP services. He said 255 CHEWS were trained and deployed to 255 focal PHC facilities. to be able to participate in implementing contraceptive methods. They also trained 120 midwives and they were also deployed to health facilities in the state. He said 22 facilities have at least two midwives that oversee health services. We are judiciously following all the aspects of the cost spent, he said. For Taraba state, Ms Saleh said one of the problems affecting the state is the lack of funding. This, she said, has been stalling full implementation of FP programmes in the state. She also said most of the health workers in the state have little or no knowledge on the how to administer the LAC services. She said though some of them have been trained. The training has been done by the federal government and donor partners Ms Fini added that they have been talking to the media and partners for more advocacy about FP. Our FP facilities are modern, well equipped and are up to date. we also have well trained workers. Lagos State said it has adopted the national FP working policies and also the task sharing, task shifting policy. She however said N50 million was budgeted for FP and it has not been released. She said they have been depending on donor partners for commodities and consumables. She, however, said Kano State has been working on advocacy and this has been done in collaboration with the traditional leaders, religious leaders and other notable people within the society. Lastly was the representative from Kaduna, Ibrahim Bakat. He said the state has been doing quite well in FP programmes as it is one of the interest of the governor. He said the state has also been releasing funds budgeted for FP and most of the PHCs in the state now provide the services 5:45 pm The panel session was wrapped up by the moderator The key issues and recommendation discussed at the workshop are: 1. Gender assessment by the first speaker- she talked about breaking discrimination that affect health. she recommended that gender data should be given at all level. she also called for involvement of gender stakeholders while formulating gender policies Recommendations from the workshop include Use of data for policy making Domestication of TSTS policy at state level Deal with the shortage of skills providers Improve the perception of female education and female empowerment 6: 00 pm- the workshop was wrapped up by the moderator, Mr Kawu The Federal High Court, Abuja on Thursday held that President Muhammadu Buharis Executive Order 6 is in line with the 1999 Constitution. The judge, Ijeoma Ojukwu, made the pronouncement while delivering judgment in a suit filed by two lawyers; Ikenga Ugochinyere and Kenneth Udeze, challenging the legitimacy of the order. Mrs Ojukwu held that it was within the powers of the president, as granted by the constitution, to issue Executive Orders for the execution of policies by the executive arm of government provided such orders respected the principles of separation of powers. She also said that the Executive Order 6 did not violate the right of citizens to own property. According to her, it is rather informed by Mr Buharis willingness to save suspected property from being dissipated. While insisting that the order was constitutional, Mrs Ojukwu, however, cautioned that the powers given to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) under the order must be exercised in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. She held that although the order seemed to give the AGF discretion as to when to seek permission of the court to seize any suspected property, he must at all times, obtain a court order before seizing any asset. Executive order 6 which was recently signed by the president empowers the AGF to liaise with relevant investigative agencies to temporarily seize properties linked with corruption. The properties are to be seized pending investigation and conclusion of trial, to prevent the dissipation of such assets. The two lawyers went to court challenging the order on the grounds that it violated peoples rights to own property and denied fair hearing to owners of any property against which the order was executed. They argued that by the provisions of Sections 5, 36 and 43 of the constitution, the president lacked the powers to issue the executive order. They contended that by issuing the executive order, the president allegedly encroached on the constitutionally guaranteed right of citizens to own properties. The plaintiffs had urged the court to restrain both defendants; the president and the AGF from enforcing it. (NAN) Hours after a fact-check by PREMIUM TIMES exposed the lie by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, the minister and the petroleum ministry have claimed that the report is inaccurate. The fact-check, by Dubawa, a fact-checking platform, and PREMIUM TIMES showed that the repeated claims by Mr Kachikwu that he graduated with a First Class degree in Law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka was false. The report showed that while Mr Kachikwu did in fact graduate from the university, he finished with a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) degree. It is not clear why Mr Kachikwu lied about his graduation degree, especially as he has succeeded in several endeavours he ventured in since graduation including higher degrees at Harvard University. However, hours after the report, the petroleum ministry released a statement claiming falsely that Mr Kachikwu never said he had a first class. The minister, himself, expressed a similar stance on his official twitter handle. The Fact-Check In the exclusive report by PREMIUM TIMES, this newspaper published a 2016 video where Mr Kachikwu told a church audience how he graduated with a first class from the UNN. And, I got in there, got a scholarship and became the best student, I had a first class in that institution (UNN), he said. And then, I left from there to the law school and in the law school, I think just like the pastor said: people encourage you. All my colleagues came and said, we are all here representing our institutions, if you brought a first class from Nsukka you better make it work here where everybody is gathered he added. At the time Mr. Kachikwu attended the Nigerian Law School, officials say the institution was yet to start classifying performance by students as first class, second class upper and so on, implying that his claim that he got a First Class from the law school is also false. In its statement Thursday, Mr Kachikwus ministry tried to downplay the video showing the minister making the false claims. On the presentation made at the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) cited by Premium Times, the substance of his assertions was to the effect that he had a first class performance in school and was emphasizing on the need for hard work amongst youths to get them to the top of their game, Idang Alibi, the director of press at the petroleum ministry said. Arguably the more indicting of the ministers false claim of a First Class was that put on the petroleum ministrys website. Dr. Ibe Kachikwu is a distinction graduate of Law from the University of Nigeria Nsukka and Nigerian Law School, the official biography of the minister on the petroleum ministry website read. He bagged First Class degree in Law and was best graduand and multiple awards winner from both Institutions. Screen grabs from the website of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. Screen grabs from the website of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources. In its statement on Thursday, the petroleum ministry avoided commenting on the false claim that was still in the ministers profile on the ministrys website at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday. Rather, it dwelled on Mr Kachikwus other academic and professional qualifications. Read the petroleum ministrys full statement below. Setting The Records Straight Re: FACT-CHECK: Document shows Kachikwu lied about graduating with First Class in Law The attention of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources has been drawn to a publication in an online medium Premium Times with a title FACT-CHECK: Document shows Kachikwu lied about graduating with First Class in Law. In the publication the writer alleged that Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu misrepresented information about obtaining a First Class Degree from the prestigious University of Nigeria Nsukka, citing a presentation done at Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) Abuja. We would like to categorically state that such claims are false and further from the truth. The aim of this response is to set the records straight and to establish that the Honourable Minister of State, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu neither misrepresented facts nor made the claims written in the publication. Please note the following facts: 1. That the official CV and resume of the Honourable Minister of State is in the public domain and has been submitted to various levels of Government and Parastatals. Also line 6, page 3 of the document herein attached clearly states that Dr. Kachikwu obtained a Second Class Honours (Upper Division) degree from the Faculty of Law in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he graduated as best student in 1978. In addition, no First Class Honours were awarded by UNN that year. However, he was on the list for best graduands with Second Class Upper Honours for that year. 2. He was the best graduating student in the Nigerian Law School in the year 1979 (the first in class) with multiple prizes (winning 5 out of all 7 prizes given). In 1979, the Nigerian Law School had not begun a process of classifying its certificates. That begun many years later. However best graduands have subsequently now been classified in the First Class category by the Law School. 3. For Harvard University, his CV correctly states that he was a Distinction graduate for the Masters degree programme (First in Class) at Harvard University and that he obtained his SJD in a record time of one and a half years. The various academic awards received during his education days are clearly spelt out in his CV/Resume. 4. On the Wikipedia page that was cited in the report, it would be expedient to note that Wikipedia cannot be used as an authentic source of referencing or verification of facts considering that anybody that has access to a Wikipedia page can also edit same to suit any narrative they want to claim or push. To buttress this fact, we have noted that Dr. Kachikwus page has recently been re-edited recently by persons unknown to him and to us. 5. On the presentation made at the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) cited by Premium Times, the substance of his assertions was to the effect that he had a first class performance in school and was emphasizing on the need for hard work amongst youths to get them to the top of their game. In closing, the assertions in the publication are wrong and baseless and a careful check with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources would have cleared this misrepresentation. By every measurement index, The Honorable Minister has performed outstandingly in his school work and has records to show for it. Dr. Kachikwu has worked at the highest level of the Oil and Gas industry globally for over 3 decades and indeed lectured at respectable global institutions like University of Ife, Nigerian Law School and Harvard Law School. He has since his appointment three years ago, first as Group Managing Director (GMD) of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), then as GMD/ Honourable Minister of State, and now as Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, championed the change agenda in the Petroleum sector and changed the narrative on performance in the sector. Finally, we urge the general public to disregard the misrepresentation of the Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources. Signed: Idang Alibi Director, Press Ministry of Petroleum Resources 11th October, 2018 President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the endorsement of his opponent by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. PREMIUM TIMES published how Mr Obasanjo on Thursday endorsed Atiku Abubakar for next years presidential election. The presidents reaction was contained in a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, on Thursday. It is just eleven years ago that the former President (Obasanjo) and Vice President (Abubakar) in their ugly fight for power accused each other of corruption. Nigerians are yet to forget all that, Mr Shehu said. Mr Abubakar recently clinched the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party and is expected to be the main challenger to Mr Buhari in next years election. Although he served as vice president to Mr Obasanjo for eight years, Mr Abubakar had been repeatedly castigated by the former president. However, after a closed-door meeting mediated by religious and political leaders, Mr Obasanjo endorsed Mr Abubakar on Thursday. Mr Obasanjo had in 2015 supported Mr Buhari for president, but later fell out with him saying Mr Buhari was managing Nigeria and its economy poorly. Read Garba Shehus full statement below. The Presidency has received the news of former President Olusegun Obasanjos predictable U-turn and somersault on the endorsement of the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, at a meeting Thursday, and to say that we are the least surprised by the well-rehearsed theatre. They will lose together. Listening to the prepared statement of the former President after the meeting showed the usual ego trip and I know it all character of Chief Obasanjo. In the first place, we dare to say that a pompous statement from the former President advising Nigerians on a vote against President Buhari is the best recommendation that can come at this time. It also betrayed a lack of understanding of todays politics which is about good governance. The country voted for change in 2015 and a leader that ensures good governance which only President Buhari and the APC can provide. Bent on these laudable goals, we will not allow ourselves to be distracted. We are busy on various national issues including the restructuring and the diversification of the economy, fighting corruption, terrorism and other threats to national security; increasing the availability of electric power, improving education, health, and providing long-delayed infrastructure roads, rail, airports and so forth. Many governments have come and gone, but they did not care about some of these projects. We were talking about these things for sixteen years under the PDP and nothing was done. President Buhari is proud of his record because his achievements are verifiable, while that of the PDP is manifested by the devastating social and economic impact of large scale corruption during their governance. The President will not relent in the war against corruption because the ordinary people are the ultimate victims if we surrender to corruption and let its perpetrators go unpunished. Abandoning the war against corruption is not an option. President Buhari is in this battle against graft because he cannot allow a few, rapacious, and selfish class of the elite to divert the resources meant for the well-being of the ordinary people to their private pockets. Nigerians trust President Buhari in this effort because they are convinced he is not in government for personal financial benefits, or for an ego trip. It is just eleven years ago that the former President and Vice President in their ugly fight for power accused each other of corruption. Nigerians are yet to forget all that. An official of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday said 69 per cent of Nigerias out-of-school children are located in the northern part of the country. Also according to the official, Bauchi State has the highest number with 1.1 million children that are out of school followed by Katsina with 781,500. UNICEFs Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Pernille Ironside, made the announcement at a Northern Nigeria Traditional Leaders Conference on Out-of-school Children held in Kaduna. Ms Pernille said a ministerial strategic plan states that Nigeria has 10.5 million children aged 6-14, out of school. PREMIUM TIMES reported how a Nigerian official last week said a more recent survey in 2015 put the number of out-of-school children in the country at 13.2 million. When we speak of out-of-sohool children, who are they? It is too easy to keep them nameless and faceless. The latest MlCS data tells us that 69 per cent of out-of-school children in Nigeria are in northern states, Ms Pernille said. These children are in your communities, on your streets, in the households, in your council area. Other sources say the number of out-of-school children is higher. But the focus is not the precise number, the focus should be on boys and girls in your communities who lose out on education, lose out of livelihoods, and lose out on hope and the future they can have for themselves, their families, their communities and their country. Nigeria loses out on a literate and skilled workforce it needs to grow economically. Nigeria needs to take leap to bring more children into education and into learning. Partnerships and collective actions are essential. This is the reason why we are here today at the Northern Nigeria Traditional Leaders Conference on Out-of-School Children. Together we can take the quantum leap to give more children the opportunity to go to and stay in school, she said. Ms Pernille explained that in the North-east and North-west states of Nigeria, more than half of primary school aged girls are not in school. There are several reasons why these children are not in school. Gender is an important factor in the pattern of educational marginalisation. In the conference, we will not only discuss these barriers, we will focus on actions that need to be taken to reduce them. Many parents in northern Nigeria prefer Islamic education over formal education but they are not mutually exclusive. Children need both. They also have a right to learn to read and write, mathematics and develop the knowledge and skills that will enable them to be contributing citizens of Nigeria. One approach to address both needs is the integration of basic education subjects into Islamic centres, Quranic Islamiyya and Tsangaya to reach more children with basic educaion skills. Approximately 26 per cent of muslim children in northern Nigeria only attend Islamiic education, she said. The official also said UNICEF recognises the key role of traditional institutions in northern Nigeria to positively influence parents and ensure that children under their councils are literate. UNICEF also recognises the leadership of Sultan of Sokoto for this conference and for his partnership with the Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development, FME, UBEC, as well as development partners in changing the story of children in their communities, she added. The 2018 edition of the West Africa Conference on Investigative Journalism is currently taking centre-stage in the capital city of Ghana, Accra. The two-day event is organised and sponsored by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). In its first day, the conference had in attendance over 40 journalists from West Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and other countries. Suleiman Braimah, the Executive Director of MFWA, in his opening remark, emphasised the importance of the conference. He charged the journalists to do more in holding governments accountable in the region. Citizens are denied right to access to information. Journalists in West Africa have a lot to do. It is therefore important that we convene to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, brainstorm on what we can do together to ensure we hold duty bearers accountable. West Africa still has a deficit in terms of quality of leadership. You ask yoursels why are people still living in deprivation. Its because of deprivation. We as journalists are not there yet. Those before us fought for democracy, we need to do more. It is difficult to do investigative journalism in this region, if you are doing (that) already, you are a model. The country director of DW Akademe, Beate Weides noted that the kind of challenges people face in the region requires a special set of journalists to investigate. We need special kind of journalists to dig deeper. We need fearless journalists who wont be bogged down with the everyday story. We need journalists who spend months and years to tell quality stories. Mr Braimah welcoming the journalist to the conference. Mrs Weides addressing due journalist. Shortly after her speech, the conference was formally declared open by a Ghanaian veteran journalist and diplomat, Kabral Ahimere who enjoined journalists to consolidate on the gains of democracy through their reporting. The first day featured sessions on the state of investigative journalism in Africa, building safety nets for investigative journalism in West Africa and cross border investigative journalism including lessons from West Africa Leaks and Panama Papers. The conference continues today with sessions on fact-checking, driving impact for investigative reporting and forging regional collaboration for cross-border investigations among other activities. As the strike by aviation workers enters its second day, airline operators have been counting their losses, with thousands of travellers stranded at the airport. The strike began on Wednesday following unresolved dispute between the workers unions and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2), Ikeja. The protesting unions include the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE). Despite a subsisting court order by a judge, I. N Buba of the Federal High Court, Lagos restraining them from the action, the workers are protesting over alleged sack of 24 of their members by BASL. The striking unions have continued to picket the Murtala Muhammed International Airport terminal where most of the private airlines like Arik Air, Medview Airline, Azman Air, Max Air, Dana Air and Aero Contractors operate. Most of the airline operators have moved their passenger boarding and processing desks to the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) section operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in a frantic move to find alternative arrangements to fly passengers out of Lagos. But, Dana Air bemoaned its losses on Thursday, claiming it has so far lost over N100 million to the ongoing action, even as there are not immediate hope of it being called off. For now, we (Dana) have lost over N100 million to the ongoing action, spokesperson of the airline, Kingsley Ezenwa, said in a statement to PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday. Losing such money in an industry where airlines are still grappling with a myriad of challenges is unacceptable and disappointing to say the least. We do not know how the situation will be in the coming days and we might have no other option than to downsize if the action stretches for too long, he added. While apologising to its customers who missed their flights as a result of strike, the airline said it had joined others operating out of Lagos from MMA2 to make temporary alternative flight arrangement from the GAT terminal. Dana, however, expressed its worst fear whether the terminal would be able to process the number of passengers when there is a coincidence in flight schedule with all the eight airlines now operating from the GAT terminal. Besides, the airline said it has sent appeals to the disputing parties to resolve the crisis in the interest of the passengers. Without passengers, there wont be any airline, regulator or industry. We believe they shouldnt suffer for what they did not contribute to, Mr Ezenwa said. A former minister of information, Jerry Gana, on Thursday, called for review of the presidential primary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in which he was defeated by a former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke. Mr Duke polled 812 votes to defeat Mr Gana who polled 611 votes at the primary held during the partys national convention at Old Parade Ground, Abuja. But Mr Gana said he should be declared the candidate of the party because Mr Duke was not qualified to contest for the ticket of the party, having been zoned to the northern part of the country. In a statement by the director-general of his campaign organisation, Ike Neliaku, Mr Gana said the presidential ticket should have been zoned and rotated to the North. While the process was in progress, we drew the attention of some party leaders to the fact that the presidential ticket was constitutionally zoned to the North, Mr Neliaku stated. Therefore, aspirants from the South should have been accordingly advised. Sadly, this matter of zoning was ignored. he added. Mr Neliaku also said the Amended SDP 2018 Constitution states the principles of rotation and zoning of offices. The Party shall adhere to the principle of Zoning and Rotation of Political Offices based on the principles of inclusiveness, justice, equity and fairness to all. The Party therefore shall observe the following: The office of the President and National Chairman of the Party shall rotate between the South and North and amongst the six (6 geopolitical zones), he stated. He noted that since the the National Chairman of the SDP hails from the South, the presidential candidate ought to have been restricted to aspirants from the North. Since the National Chairman of our Party, Chief Olu Falae GCON, CFR, is from the South, it follows logically that in accordance with the tenets of our party, the letter and spirit of our Constitution; the contest for the Presidential candidacy of the Party ought to have been restricted to aspirants from the North. So our advise which was ignored, was not merely wishful thinking, but a weighty constitutional matter, he said. In the light of the above, it is patently clear that in accordance with the SDP Constitution, Mr. Donald Duke did not meet the condition precedent for participating in the presidential primary of the Party in the first place. This singular constitutional provision clearly disqualifies Mr. Duke from the contest. Accordingly, our candidate, Professor Jerry Gana, being the candidate from the North that scored the highest lawful votes, should be returned as the candidate of the party for the 2019 presidential election. In its reaction, however, the party said it would address the complaints to ensure that the matter does not degenerate to the extent of jeopardising the confidence of Nigerians in SDP as the alternative party in the forthcoming 2019 general election. In a statement signed by the partys national publicity secretary, Alfa Mohammed, the party said it holds Mr Gana in very high esteem and would continue to treat him with utmost respect as a senior stakeholder and one of the father figures in the party. The attention of the leadership of the Social Democratic Party, SDP has been drawn to the grievances expressed by one of its presidential aspirants in the just concluded presidential primary election, Prof.Jerry Gana, at a press conference addressed by the DG of his campaign organisation, Ike. Neliaku. Consequently, we consider it imperative to state categorically that the National Headquarter of SDP has received a petition filed by the aspirant, and the presidential primary election appeal panel has commenced sitting on the appeal with the view to studying the grounds of the appeal and making necessary decisions. Similarly, being an internal party affair, the conflict resolution mechanism of the party is also being put into effect to ensure that the matter does not degenerate to the extent of jeopardising the confidence reposed in it by Nigerians as the alternative party in the forthcoming 2019 general election. The party holds Professor Jerry Gana to a very high esteem and would continue to treat him with utmost respect as a senior stakeholder and one of the father figures in the party. Be that as it may, it urges all its members across the globe; as well as the concerned members of the public to be calm and be rest assured that the matter will be resolved internally without delay and the party will come out stronger from it. We thank all those who have called to either express concern or solidarity with the party, the party spokesperson stated. The National Population Commission (NPC) on Thursday in Akure said no fewer than 85 million children under the age of five were not registered at birth in Africa. The Ondo State Director of NPC, Olatunsun Falusi, stated this at the launch of a media campaign on birth registration in the state. The event was organised by the commission in collaboration with UNICEF and the EU. Mr Falusi said that only 44 per cent of Africas births were registered and that only eight per cent of children under five were registered. He further said that 30 million children in Nigeria stood the risk of losing their identity, if nothing was done urgently to check the trend. Mr Falusi also said that eight out of 10 countries with the lowest level of birth registration were in sub-Saharan Africa and that Nigeria had the largest population of unregistered children. He also said that no fewer than one million of the unregistered children were born in the state. The number of children under five in Nigeria is projected to increase from 32 million in 2015 to 58 million by 2050. At the same time, the number of children under 18 in Nigeria is projected to increase from 93 million in 2015 to 191 million in 2050, he said. The population boss said that the birth certificate issued by the commission remained the only officially recognised evidence of age for Nigerian children under 18. According to him, Getting every child in Ondo registered is not just an option but an absolute necessity in our quest to deliver to the nation an accurate, reliable, acceptable and verifiable demographic data. Also, the Deji of Akure, Ogunlade Aladelusi, advocated a government policy that would make it a punishable offence for parents that failed to register their child at birth. Bode Famose, the state Director of the National Orientation Agency, further charged stakeholders to take advantage of the media campaign to get every child in the state registered. Mr Famose urged parents to avoid double registration. In her own remarks, Banke Olorunfemi, the Chief Medical Director of Mother and Child in the state, advised parents and guardians to adequately safeguard the birth record of their children for future reference. (NAN) The Senate has called on the Ministry of Water Resources to rehabilitate Nigerian dams and dredge waterways to be able to take in flood waters. The call was sequel to a motion on the recent flooding across the country, sponsored by Kabiru Gaya (APC, Kano South) and 107 other senators. The number of senators who sponsored the motion essentially means it was sponsored by all the lawmakers except one as there are 109 senators. This is one motion which was anticipated as Nigerians who have been affected by the flooding have called on the authorities to come to their aid. The lawmakers also resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee comprising chairpersons and vice chairpersons of the Senate committees on Ecology and water resources to come up with a lasting solution to the issue of flooding. Leading the debate, Mr Gaya noted that the recent floods across the country have claimed hundreds of lives and damaged thousands of homes. Over the past few months, floods have ravaged many communities. Some of the affected states include Kogi, Niger, Anambra, Delta and Taraba. Others are Kebbi, Edo, Rivers, Benue, Bayelsa and Kwara states. Flooding in communities in these states prompted the National Emergency Management Agency to declare National Disaster in the states. Mr Gaya stated that in the last three decades, the impacts of flooding have increasingly assumed significant to threatening proportions, resulting in loss of lives and properties. Apart from houses (built with mud brick, traditional building materials of the area and those not built with modern flood resistant structure) that collapse by flooding, schools, buildings and bridges sometimes collapse as well. Market places and farmlands are submerged for weeks and sometimes are washed away; These flood disasters have worsened the crises of internally displaced persons. These perennial floods have over the years caused widespread and irreparable damage to the various ecosystems along the impacted areas, with some flora and fauna lost forever, and also introduced several strange vegetation that not only choke native flora, but are usually difficult to control, he said. The lawmakers took turns to contribute to the motion. The Senate then urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to send relief materials to the affected victims in Kano and other states of the federation. It also commended NEMA and other relevant agencies, organisations and individuals whose efforts in creating awareness has led to reduction in casualty level. It also urged the federal government, in collaboration with the Cameroonian government, to convene a Stakeholders meeting to ex-ray the recurring situation with the view to proffering a lasting solution to flood disasters. The Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to forward the name of Uwani Abba-Aji to the Senate for confirmation as a judge of the Supreme Court. The National Judicial Council (NJC) had on October 5 announced its recommendation of Mr Abba-Aji for the appointment, alongside new chief judges for Abia, Benue, Ogun, Oyo and Kwara states. But CSNAC, which is a coalition of over 150 anti-corruption organisations and individuals, in a statement on Thursday faulted the recommendation and warned it would take legal action should Mr Buhari ignore its appeal and forward the name to the Senate for confirmation. The group said it was objecting to the nomination because Mr Abba-Aji is one of the judges under investigation by security agencies. In the statement signed by its chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, CSNAC expressed shock by ongoing attempt to smuggle Mr Abba-Aji into the sacred and most revered Supreme Court without proper investigation of the bribery and corruption allegation against her by the National Judicial Council or her clearance by the law enforcement agency of all allegations against her, bordering on corruption. According to the group, confirming Mr Abba-Ajji as a Supreme Court judge will be in high distaste. The group therefore urged Mr Buhari to withhold the submission of the name for confirmation until investigations of alleged bribery and corruption and misuse of public trust against him are effectively carried out. Following the 87th meeting of the National Judicial Council held on the 3rd and 4thOctober, 2018 and the subsequent media publication of the press statement issued by the National Judicial Council with respect to its recommendation of Hon. Justice Uwani Musa Abba-Aji, (JCA) as Justice of the Supreme Court, we hereby write as a Civil Society Organization to express our reservation and opposition to the said appointment and recommendation on the basis that the said Justice of the Court of Appeal is one of the judges under investigation by security agencies. A publication of the Sahara reporters, an online newspaper dated the 16th October, 2016 featured a detailed report titled Names of Nigerian Judges Under Investigation Revealed wherein it revealed that a list of top Nigerian Judges under investigation by security agencies as contained in a confidential memo forwarded to your good office was obtained by the media outfit. The said list was said to have contained names of judges accused of accepting bribes as well as other acts of corruption. According to the aforementioned publication, Justice Abba-Aji was implicated in the Rickey Tarfa bribe scandal for reportedly receiving N8,000,000.00 (Eight Million Naira only) from Mr. Tarfa and on that account was then dropped from the list of judges recommended for elevation to the Supreme Court. In a special report of the Saharareporters dated 25th April, 2016, at the height of the Rickey Tarfa bribery scandal allegations against the said Justice Abba-Aji, our organization, the Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) specifically lent our voice to the call for the National Judicial Councils suspension of judges that are being investigated for corruption from adjudicating on matters in the country pending their clearance by the law enforcement investigating them. Justice Abba-Aji was conspicuously listed in our petition on this matter. We had then observed that it was an indictment on the judiciary to allow judges who have been entangled in a web of corrupt practices allegation to still be allowed to preside over cases in court. It is on this note that we humbly urge your excellency to withhold submission of Justice Abba-Aji to the National Assembly for confirmation as Supreme Court Justice until all investigations of bribery and corruption and misuse of public trust is effectively carried out and evidence of her clearance produced by relevant security agencies as regards the allegations. In a situation where our request is ignored and her name forwarded to the Senate for confirmation, we shall not hesitate to deploy all legitimate means to challenge the nomination, CSNAC said Funke Egbemode, president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), has said that poverty should not be an excuse for journalists to engage in shoddy deals with politicians. Mr Egbemode stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday on the sideline of the 14th All Nigeria Editors Conference in Asaba, Delta State. She said the guild condemned in entirety corruption in the journalism profession, adding that corrupt journalists would not go far in the profession. Mrs Egbemode noted that it remained the duty of journalists to put the politicians on check rather than hobnobbing with them with a view to do shoddy jobs. Whatever is bad is bad, you cant say because you are poorly paid and you turn to prostitution, corruption must be tamed. You cant go far being a corrupt journalist and for the political journalists, it would even be worse, she said. She noted that it was the job of everyone, particularly during the electioneering periods to do what was right. It is our job to put the politicians, all stakeholders on check, especially during the elections because if we leave them, to their narrow minded bidding, they would forget to do what the constitution say. Politicians are like unbelievers, they only read the sections of the scripture in the two Holy Books that they think is right for them. Like the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo said while speaking at the conference, protecting journalism profession is the responsibility of all of us, particularly the gate keepers. I implore all colleagues who are principal editors that we need to do anything within the professional bounds and boundaries to protect journalism. On the impact of technology and the social media, she said all conventional media outfit must brace up with the challenge, though they might not stop other people from doing their business. But as conventional media, we are standing on a firmer ground and we have structures, we should deploy them to do a better job with technology. On the 2019 general elections, we are doing our best by holding this conference, we do this every year and we will continue to engage editors band to remind ourselves of our duties. (NAN) The House of Representatives on Thursday proposed the procurement of fire arms for the Sergeant-At-Arms at the National Assembly. The move which came under a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Ossai Ossai (PDP- Delta), is to act as a check against future invasion of the chambers of the National Assembly. Mr Ossai, while raising the motion for the need to allow the Sergeant-At-Arms to procure arms, said it was a universal standard practice. He stressed that it had become necessary because of the recent upsurge of security threats to the National Assembly. The lawmaker noted that in other democratic nations, Sergeant-At-Arms bear arms, and that National Assembly security personnel cannot operate differently. There is an urgent need to train the Sergeant-At-Arms of the National Assembly on the use of firearms and other self defence mobile electronic devices. A well trained SergeantAt-Arms on the use, bearing, procurement and storage of firearms will give the lawmakers and the entire National Assembly premises the needed safety and a better security protection it deserves. The House, therefore, resolved to amend the National Assembly Service Commission Act of 2014 to establish a full-fledged training academy as a unit of the office of the Sergeant At-Arms of the National Assembly. It also resolved to amend the Standing Orders of the House by adding that one of the rules of the Sergeant-At-Arms, is the bearing and use of firearms for the protection of legislators, National Assembly premises and its precincts. The motion was unanimously adopted by members when it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara. The House, therefore, mandated its Committees on Police and Legislative Compliance to liaise with the Presidency and report back within four weeks for further legislative action. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that legislative activities had been disrupted in recent times by thugs who snatched the Mace unchallenged in the Red Chambers of the Senate. (NAN) Members of the National Assembly on Thursday said they were committed to the welfare of their legislative aides. Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazak Namdas, gave the assurance at a news conference in reaction to the protest staged by the National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum (NASSLAF) in Abuja. Members of the NASSLAF, the umbrella body of about 3, 200 staff, who work for the lawmakers, had protested over nonpayment of their accumulated allowances. The aggrieved workers, who welcomed the lawmakers back from their annual vacation with the protest, insisted that the struggle would continue until their demands were met. Mr Namdas, while addressing journalists, said the protest was uncalled for. He, however, acknowledged that their aides had been giving them the needed support. He, however, explained that the protesters were not fighting a just course. What we are saying here is that we agree they are doing a good job for us but when you go to the extent of staging a protest as if it is a right that your Duty Tour Allowance ( DTA) must be paid as a matter of fact, then it is not true and that cannot hold. But I think we should work as a team, we should not be combative. We should understand one another. There is no point seeing ourselves as if we are adversaries. We dont want to look as if we are irresponsible or that we have not taken good care of our own aides that are really working for us, he said. According to him, if there is need for their welfare to be catered for, we should be in the position to also push for it. He said the lawmakers would not have brought people to work with them without looking after their welfare. If it is the matter that we should sit with the management to see to the plights of our aides, it is understandable. But if you are talking in the context of you have the right, then it is not going to be so because nobody takes DTA in his own house, he said. According to him, you have to earn your DTA; you have to travel. We have witnessed series of protests and we have to put the record straight. We want to say that DTA is normally paid when you travel. As a legislator, I will not be paid if I dont travel. That is why it is called Duty Tour Allowance. However, for the smooth understanding between us and our aides who have been helping us, I think the National Assembly has been trying to see that once there are funds, they can be able to assist our aides. So I think it is very important that we put that to rest. The DTA issue should not create a problem. The House spokesperson also said that the allegation on training allowance and procurement of laptops, which they alleged had been kept in the store for about three years, was untrue. Mr Namdas, who read part of the engagement terms of the aides, said any appointment letter usually states the nature of allowances attached to it. According to him, the appointment of aides is non-pensionable and for short term. And in the appointment letter, there is nowhere the extant rules have stated clearly that these are the types of allowances you are supposed to get. So if it is a matter of privilege, we can understand. Therefore, we want to plead with our aides that we should continue with the good, harmonious relationship, he said. (NAN) The All Progress Congress (APC) says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cannot prevent its candidates being put through the corruption and integrity test. The APC stated this in a statement by its publicity secretary, Yekini Nabena, on Thursday. The party was reacting to a statement by spokesperson of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, in which he accused the APC-led administration of deliberate efforts to impugn on the character of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. The PDP cannot be simplistic and attempt to wish away the issue of the integrity of candidates seeking elections into positions at all levels, particularly as 2019 approaches, Mr Nabena said. We reiterate our position that the Nigerian electorate must have that opportunity to choose from candidates that can pass the integrity and anti-corruption test. The character of office holders we elect into public offices is important as our very progress and development as a country depends on it. When the choice is to be made, the electorate have the option of a proven and decent presidential candidate who is putting the people first and on the other hand a racketeer who will readily mortgage the countrys commonwealth to personal coffers and cronies. APC said the opinion of the PDP that its comment was a deliberate attack on the character of Mr Abubakar, is laughable. It alleged that the spokesperson of PDP once did a report which indicted Mr Abubakar. Coming from its spokesperson is ironic and laughable, given the fact that Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan as an editor with one of the national newspapers in fact unearthed the Special Audit/Forensic Investigation of Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) which indicted Alh. Atiku Abubakar, then Vice President for the mismanagement of the Fund. The PDP spokesperson in his published report disclosed that from 1999 to 2006, Atikus approval for the release of $20m from the treasury and subsequent placement in Trans International Bank without appropriation and approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) was illegal and amounted to abuse of office. The party said its claims are not false, insisting that Mr Abubakar has several corruption indictments he must come to terms with. There are no lies here. Alh. Atiku Abubakar grapples with several other corruption indictments. This is a fact and reality he needs to deal with and come clean about. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for the creation of jobs for the youth, particularly in the agricultural sector, to address the problem of unemployment in Nigeria. Mr Obasanjo gave the advice Thursday while speaking on the topic Unemployment in Nigeria: The Way Out at a job fair at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He said there are job opportunities all around the country, especially in agribusiness. Being a sole business person in the agricultural business, I had discovered the great job opportunities in agriculture, said Mr Obasanjo. who has run farms across the country since 1979. His farm in Ota, Ogun State, one of the largest in Nigeria, produces a variety of poultry, livestock and food items. One of his farms was among 16 businesses shut down last month by the Oyo State government for defaulting in payment of environmental development levy. In his address to the students at the fair on Thursday, Mr Obasanjo said the only problem is that Nigerians are yet to discover opportunities in agriculture because the system seems not to be encouraging the platform for the youth. He stressed that the realities of the 21st century Nigeria cannot do away with agriculture. This means that it is very important we start discovering the immense opportunities in agriculture by embracing agriculture passionately, he said. Several companies at the event, including Julius Berger Nig. PLC, Portion Consult and Brick-House Construction Company LTD, offered the participants opportunities such as CV checking, consultations, and other jobs. The Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Eyitope Ogunbodede, in his address described as unfortunate the present system in Nigeria that is unable to provide jobs for the youth. The present curriculum in the university is currently undergoing a design to bridge this gap, he said. And this has been going on through the various seminars the university has been organising and hosting to ensure that whatever courses every student offered on this campus will be able to equip them for the current job challenge, he said. Mr. Ogunbodede, a professor of Dental Public Health, said the aim of the university is that students can stand on their own and earn a decent living after school. He said several organisations were partnering with the university to achieve this aim of job creation. Mr Obasanjo refused to comment on current political issues in the country and avoided entertaining questions from journalists at the event. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported he held a closed-door meeting with his former vice president who on Sunday emerged the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2019 election, Atiku Abubakar. Manila (CNN Philippines Life) A 2014 survey found that Facebook the most used social media platform in the world is also the top source of political news for millennials. Yet over the past few years, the social network has become embroiled in many a scandal, from the Cambridge Analytica data harvesting and fake Russian accounts (which are said to have been used to sway public opinion on the U.S. elections) to the role of the Facebook-owned messaging app WhatsApp in the spread of rumors and eventual mob-lynching against alleged child kidnappers in India. Just this September, another Facebook data breach exposed over 50 million users information and led to forced logouts. Here in the Philippines, Facebook has been criticized for its role in President Dutertes campaign win, as well as its current state as a hotbed of fake news and misinformation, and its abundance of troll accounts that have been known to harass and attack users. Arguably every major news organization, publication, and even campus paper, has established its own social media presence, as it holds the power to reach billions of users in seconds. But with all the political scandals, misinformation, and privacy breaches that are happening left and right, is public trust in social media eroding, especially in its role as a news source? On a recent visit to the Philippines to give a talk at DigiCon 2018, CNN business and technology correspondent Samuel Burke sat down with five campus journalists to discuss the impact of social media, Facebook in particular, on both media practitioners and consumers of news in the Philippines. Joining him in the roundtable discussion were Michelle Abad, editor-in-chief of the Ateneo de Manila Universitys student publication, The Guidon, Christian Deiparine, editor-in-chief of the University of Sto. Tomas The Varsitarian, Marissa Castro, editor-in-chief of Far Eastern Universitys The Advocate, Kara Patalinghog, editor-in-chief of De La Salle Universitys The LaSallian, and Richard Cornelio, managing director of the University of the Philippines Rebel Kule. CNN business and tech correspondent Samuel Burke and several campus journalists discuss the impact of social media, Facebook in particular, on both media practitioners and consumers of news in the Philippines. Photo by NIKKI BONUE Pertaining to the rise of misinformation on social media on a global scale, Burke asked the students if the situation was different in the Philippines. I think that every country varies when it comes to their political climate, and that affects the way people see social media, said Abad, who shared that, in a recent conference abroad, she learned about the difference of press freedom in other countries. In the UK, some of them said that they don't feel that there's a lot of restrictions on their press freedom when compared to here. Because for example, when some news organizations, or even student campus journalists, try to become critical of the government, [there are] people [who] automatically assume that you're fake. Burke noted that the concept of fake news has indeed become co-opted by some, changing its meaning from websites that impersonate other websites to something else entirely. Because we've seen people like President Trump take the term and use it for his own purposes, now even the term isn't clear anymore and can be used in all types of directions, said Burke. Castro also pointed out the dangers of citizen journalism, and how it has made it difficult for both consumers to identify between news coming from legitimate sources and unverified sites. [It is] harder to compete with all the sources of information because everyone is their own media right now, said Castro. Because you have so much competition, everyone can post without verification if the data is correct, and if you want to deliver news to your community, you really have to act faster. On whether social media is a benefit or a detriment to journalists, Burke said: At this point, where I'm reporting on fake news everyday ... I'd say we're at a net zero. We spend just as much time getting positive from social media as we do negative. Photo by NIKKI BONUEL As CNNs first social media producer, Burke shared that when he was just starting out, he believed that social media was much more a benefit to the organization, especially because of how it was helping them bring the news to more people at a much faster rate. But today, Burke says that he is not so sure whether it remains to create a positive impact on the industry. At this point, where I'm reporting on fake news everyday, I think, I wouldn't say it's a negative, but I'd say we're at a net zero, said Burke. We spend just as much time getting positive from social media as we do negative, trying to check fake news, call them out, make sure we're serving people that way. When asked whether they felt the same way, Patalinghog responded by saying that though it is good to now have that ability to put out stories at a faster pace, theres the danger of journalists being the catalysts of misinformation themselves. Everyone tries to put out the story fast, but then I don't think that a lot of people go into depth with their stories anymore because they want to get it fast, said Patalinghog. Which leaves a bigger responsibility for digital media journalists. Are we telling the whole story when we're telling it this fast? There's a big responsibility on the educational sector to make sure that everyone is media literate, said Michelle Abad, the editor-in-chief of Ateneo de Manila Universitys student publication, The Guidon. It isn't just the media students who should be learning [how to spot fake news]. Everyone is prone and everyone is exposed to social media. Photo by NIKKI BONUEL With all of this in mind, Burke led the discussion towards proposing solutions to avoid these problems in the future and to ensure that Filipino consumers become more informed. Here are some of the solutions discussed by the journalists: Journalists need to step up their game. For journalists, we have to be responsible that we put out the whole story, all the sides of the story, said Patalinghog. We have to step up our game, added Burke. The rule that we always learn in journalism school, which we adhere to at CNN is, check. From not one source, not two sources, three sources. But now, because the president is criticizing us so often, sometimes it's four, five sources. Bring digital literacy to schools. The group theorized that part of the reason why many Filipinos fall for fake news is because of a lack of access to better education, and therefore, digital literacy. I think the [rise of disinformation] comes from the lack of free and genuine education in the country, said Cornelio. Because a lot of our electorate do not know how to recognize fake news or sensationalist propaganda that they see on the internet from what is actually true news or [from] a legit and verifiable news source. There's a big responsibility on the educational sector to make sure that everyone is media literate, said Abad. I noticed that in my curriculum, I'm a Communication student, we have our own lessons on how to spot fake news. But it isn't just the media students who should be learning these things. Everyone is prone and everyone is exposed to social media. Burke added that in the U.S., there are initiatives bringing digital literacy to classrooms to teach kids as young as second graders, suggesting that this could be applied here as well. The onus is on social media companies. Whether intentionally or not, the social media platforms that we use are the conduits for misinformation. As per Burke, theres only so much that citizens can do, saying that it should be the responsibility of these companies to ensure that fake news does not spread. A company like Facebook is making hundreds of millions of dollars, if not more. They have the money to do it, said Burke. And now it's time for them. The transparency has to start with them. And they have to give us the tools as journalists. Watch the full discussion below. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on the invitation of Oxford University, United Kingdom, would be delivering a special lecture highlighting ongoing investments, efforts and plans of the Nigerian government on human development on Friday at the globally recognized institution. At the event, Mr Osinbajo will also be inaugurating the International Advisory Board (IAB) of Oxford Universitys African Studies Centre, under the School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA). Members of the board are eminent leaders from across the world including several African countries like Nigeria and South Africa. The members of the board to be inaugurated by the Nigerian Vice President include Tito Mboweni, an international advisor of Goldman Sachs, and former Chairman of the South African Reserve Bank, who will chair the board; Monica Geingos, First Lady of Namibia, lawyer and entrepreneur; Ibrahim Gambari, former UN Under-Secretary for Political Affairs, one-time Nigerias Permanent Representative to the United Nations and former Nigerias External Affairs Minister and Charlotte Scott, former First Lady of Zambia and development specialist. Others are Gareth Ackerman, Chairman of Pickn Pay, South Africa; Alex Duncan, Director and Consultant Economist, The Policy Practice, Brighton, United Kingdom; Ivor Agyeman-Duah Economist and author, Accra, Ghana; Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, Nigeria and Linda Mabhena-Olagunju, founder and Managing Director, DLO Energy Group (Pty) Ltd, South Africa. The vice president who is departing Nigeria later today for London will be received by Oxfords Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Warden, St. Antonys College, Roger Goodman; Head, Oxford School of Global & Area Studies, Tim Powers and the Director of the African Studies Center, Wale Adebanwi. During the lecture, Mr Osinbajo would highlight the progress made by the Buhari administration in improving the countrys Human Capital development indices and investment climate, as well as the widespread impact of the National Social Investment Programmes (N-SIP). The N-Power Volunteer Corps, which is a part of the N-SIP, and has so far provided employment for 500,000 young Nigerian graduates, demonstrates the commitment of the Federal Government to invest in the human capital development of Nigerian citizens, particularly the young people. Also, the N-SIP includes schemes such as the Conditional Cash Transfer, which has helped lift thousands of the poorest Nigerians out of poverty, through the provision of N5,000 monthly stipends; the TraderMoni, which provides collateral & interest-free loans from N10,000 to petty traders nationwide, among other initiatives of the Buhari administration. Besides, there is also the Homegrown School Feeding programme which provides one free meal a day to over 9 million primary school pupils, thereby boosting school enrichment and also addressing stunting concerns among young Nigerians of school age. Only last week, Mr Osinbajo presided over a meeting of the National Economic Councils Human Capital Development Core Working Group on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, and reiterated Buhari administrations commitment to accelerate human capital development in the country. According to the VP, lifting our people out of poverty is a crucial agenda towards attaining intended developmental outcomes. The vice president leaves for London this afternoon and is expected back in Abuja on Sunday. A lawmaker, Abubakar Lado (APC-Niger), arrested by the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) in Suleja, Niger State, has been released. He was arrested during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries to pick candidates for the House of Representatives last week. His release followed a motion moved under matters of urgent public importance by the Chairman, House Committee on Works, Toby Okechukwu (PDP-Enugu), on Wednesday, at the first plenary presided over by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara. Mr Lado, who currently represents Gurara/Suleja/Tafa Federal Constituency of the state, was said to have been arrested by officers of the F-SARS and whisked to their Abuja office where he was detained. Mr Okechukwu, while briefing the House, said his detention arose out of issues related to the partys primaries. According to him, Mr Lado had notified the police authorities of efforts to cause crisis by his opponents during the poll. He described the arrest by F-SARS as unconstitutional and against its mandate of dealing with robbery and kidnapping cases. The House had resolved to summon the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, if the SARS failed to release him within 12 hours. However, at the Thursday plenary, the House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, who raised the matter, announced to the House that the Nigerian Police Force had yielded to their demand by releasing Mr Lado. We passed a resolution that if the police failed to release Hon Lado, the IG should be invited to the House. But I am here to tell the House that the police have responded to our demand and Hon Abubakar Lado is here on the floor, he said. Speaking, Mr Lado, who thanked the House for their support, said the arrest was politically motivated. I want to thank the House and the honourable colleagues for the support during my detention. My arrest was political, he said. NAN reports that the Speaker, Mr Dogara, had instructed that a letter be given to the House leader who led a delegation to deliver the resolution to the IGP. He also directed the clerk of the House to ensure that the case was filed in court. (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja vowed the federal government will contend with anyone who is against the peace and unity of Nigeria. According to a statement by his spokesperson, Femi Adesina, he said this while receiving a delegation led by Abdulfatah Emetumah, the Offor of Umuofor Kingdom, Oguta LGA, Imo State. Anybody that tries to joke with the unity of this country has a problem as long as we are alive, the statement quoted Mr Buhari as saying. He said his main objective of serving as an elected public office holder is to make the country better. Our single objective is how to make Nigeria better and we will never get tired, he said. President Buhari thanked the delegation for identifying with the progress made so far by this administration. He assured the members that their well-thought out recommendations on engendering unity in the country would be considered. In his remarks, Mr Emetumah commended the president for demonstrating his love for Nigerians and Nigeria through purposeful leadership in the last three years. Your Excellency, from birth you have a mission for Nigeria and you have demonstrated this in your career as a soldier, minister, head of state, in PTF and now president. You have fought for the unity of this nation and its enemies, we know very well that you wont tolerate anything that would affect its unity and our collective existence, he said. According to the royal father and cleric, it is noteworthy that under the present administration, dissemblers like Boko Haram and other anarchists have tasted the bitter pills. In agriculture, today locally produced rice has outnumbered the imported, while critical infrastructure especially Federal roads across the nation have improved and are still improving. A former vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, met with former president Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday in Abeokuta after which they announced they had reconciled their differences. Mr Obasanjo had in August said he would not support the presidential ambition of Mr Abubakar. How can I be on the same side with Atiku? he told PREMIUM TIMES. 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. Mr Obasanjo, however, made a U-turn on Thursday as he endorsed Mr Abubakar for president after the meeting. Mr Obasanjo, who supported Mr Buhari in 2015, has since turned against the president, accusing him of poor management of the economy. Some influential Nigerians are believed to have facilitated the reconciliation of Messrs Obasanjo and Abubakar. Present at the meeting in Abeokuta were two Christian clerics, Matthew Kukah and David Oyedepo; an Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, and Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere. Although these men had not publicly supported Mr Abubakar before, they have one thing in common they openly criticised President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration. Mr Oyedepo, the president of Living Faith Church, had opposed the president before, during and after the 2015 general election. The influential cleric had admonished members of his church and Nigerians in general to pray for the the past president, Goodluck Jonathan, to win the 2015 general election. Sometime in 2015 when Mr Jonathan visited the Living Faith Church in Ota, Mr Oyedepo vowedto open the gates of hell on anyone that opposes Mr Jonathan. Mr Gumi, an influential Islamic cleric based in Kaduna, has also never hidden his aversion to the Buhari-led administration. He had several times called for the resignation of the president. Although he often said he had no sympathy for any political party, he however stated that Mr Buharin has failed as president. He also said his criticism of the government was based on his quest for justice in Nigeria. Mr Gumi was also present at the meeting on Thursday between Messrs Obasanjo and Atiku. Another cleric who was present at the meeting was Mr Kukah, the Catholic Archbishop in Sokoto. Like the others, Mr Kukah from Southern Kaduna has repeatedly criticised Mr Buharis performance in office. In April, he accused the president of being too distant from his people. He had cautioned the president to adjust his ways of leadership. The cleric was also quoted saying the country is so split and he blamed the president for it. You rode into town like a knight in shining armourthe bogeyman of religion, region and ethnicity, which we thought we had overcome by the sheer nature of your support base, have come back with a vengeance to haunt and threaten the very foundation of our existence, he said. You have a date with history and divine judgment, he said in his Easter message. Mr Kukah was also present at the reconciliation meeting. For the Yoruba leader, Mr Adebanjo, he like his group, Afenifere, have repeatedly demanded restructuring of Nigeria and accused Mr Buhari of not willing to restructure the country. He has faulted many moves of the president and was also against the declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day, describing it as a gimmick by the president to lure Nigerians into voting for him in 2019. Yorubas are not fools, he told Punch Newspapers. Days ago, Mr Adebanjo also met with Mr Obasanjo behind closed doors a meeting which lasted for about two hours. Although Afenifere claimed the discussion was to strengthen harmony in Yorubaland in preparation for 2019, it is believed that Mr Abubakars ambition was a major topic of discussion. With the joint effort of these leaders to reconcile the ex-president and Mr Abubakar, political watchers are eager to see how much the reconciliation will help Mr Abubakar achieve his ambition; especially as Mr Obasanjo described him as President-to-be after the meeting. The senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Gombe North district, Mohammed Ribadu, has handed over the ticket to Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo. Mr Ribadu disclosed this at a rally on Thursday to welcome Mr Dankwambo back to Gombe after the PDP presidential primary in Port Harcourt. He said he was stepping down for Mr Dankwambo because the governor is better qualified to represent the district in the Senate. Mr Ribadu, who is commissioner for special duties in the state, said Mr Dankwambo deserves to contest for the Senate because of his achievements in the last seven years as governor of the state. Speaking at the rally, the governor said he will make consultations before deciding whether to accept the ticket or not. I want make consultation, because I spent eight years as governor of the state, I want to rest to enjoy the remaining years I have in life. Mr Dankwambo also described the victory of Atiku Abubakar at the PDP presidential primary election as victory for the North-East region. The governor said he would support Mr Abubakar so as to guarantee victory for the zone in 2019. He urged all his supporters to support the PDP candidate. He said that the victory of Mr Abubakar was well-deserved and a humbling honour to the entire North-east zone that has never had the privilege to lead Nigeria in a democratic setting since the end of the First Republic. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the outcome of the local government elections in Plateau State after candidates of the ruling All Progressive Congress ( APC ) were declared winners of 11 out of the 13 chairmanship seats. The elections were conducted on Wednesday in 13 of the 17 local government areas of the state. The chairman of the state Independent electoral commission (PLASIEC), Fabian Ntung, announced the results on Thursday at the headquarters of the commission in Jos. Mr Ntung said elections in Langtang North and Mangu were inconclusive as a result of ballot box snatching and other irregularities. The All Progressive Congress (APC) has won chairmanship elections in 11 out of the 13 LGAs. Elections in Langtang North and Mangu LGAs were declared inconclusive due to electoral malpractices. Rejecting the results, chairman of PDP in the state, Damishi Sango, at a press briefing in his office claimed the PDP won in all the 13 local government areas except Kanam. He described the results announced by the state electoral body as fraudulent, alleging that collation of results was still on going when PLASIEC went ahead to announce results. It is clear that Governor (Simon) Lalong and APC out of desperation to hold on to power even when it is clear that they have lost same, are hell-bent on plunging the state into yet another needless political crisis. I spoke to the commissioner of police, Plateau State Police Command and the State Director of Security Services a short while ago intimating them on the present sad development. As a responsible political party, we have all along chosen the path of peace even in the face of grave provocation. I invite all well-meaning people of Plateau State to reject this desperation by Governor Lalong, Mr Sango said. Earlier, before the results were announced, John Akans, PDP publicity secretary, in a statement called on people to reject the outcome of the elections. The Peoples Democratic Party in Plateau has received very credible information on irregularities and impunity being perpetrated by the Chairman of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, Mr Fabian Ntung, he said in the statement. We have it on good authority that results of the local government election have already been written by officials of PLASIEC under the supervision of APC. The people are ready to protect and defend their votes, we will resist any duplicated and written results from PLASIEC at the polling units, as this heinous plot hatched by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in collaboration with PLASIEC will be resisted Plateau people should know right away that what is being planned today in thirteen (13) local government areas is not an election but an extension of APCs already existing imposed local government officials on the people. But this evil plan will be resisted. This impunity is being carried out by the illegal electoral officers appointed by PLASIEC who are not staff of the commission. We must all reject this desperation by Mr Ntung to subvert the peoples will which has further exposed the height of his impunity and disregard for the peace, unity and good governance of Plateau. It is a direct shot at the heart of the people of Plateau State. Plateau people are too decent to be so cajoled and humiliated, Mr Akans said. PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday reported a protest by some youth in Mangu LGA over alleged manipulation of election results. The council elections were postponed thrice due to insecurity before they were finally conducted on Wednesday in 13 out of the 17 LGAs of the state. PLASEIC had said the elections could not hold because of insecurity. Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has called on people of the state to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their hands over the results of the just concluded local government elections in the state. Following the announcement of the results, irate youth burnt down the house of the caretaker chairman of Bassa Local Government Area, Sarah Bali, alleging election rigging. There was also protest in Mangu LGA over alleged manipulation of election results. The elections were conducted in 13 of the 17 LGAs of the state. The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASEIC) on Thursday declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of 11 chairmanship seats. Elections in Langtang North and Mangu councils were declared inconclusive. The Peoples Democratic Party rejected the outcome of the polls describing it as fraudulent. Earlier, irate youth had protested the alleged refusal of the electoral body to release the election results. An eyewitness, Johnson Adudu, who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES on the telephone from Bassa, said the violence erupted after the announcement of the results. Angry youth are protesting over allegation of rigging in the election that seemed to have been conducted peacefully, Mr Adudu said. Mr Lalong in a statement signed by the commissioner of Information and Communication, Yakubu, Dati, asked citizens of the state not to do anything that may affect the peace of the state. Anyone who feels aggrieved over the result of the local government elections as announced by the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, PLASEIC, should tow the democratic path by approaching the local government elections petition tribunal to ventilate his or her grievances. The Local Government Election Appeals Tribunal were inaugurated even before the local government polls took place. Lalong as a democrat, he cannot interfere in the work of PLASEIC being an independent institution. According to him PLASEIC is headed by a credible leadership who are ready to make clarifications on the polls adding that such should be directed to the body and not the governor. Governor Lalong assures citizens of his administrations commitment to peace, justice, and fairness. In any context, there must be a winner and loser and therefore ask winners to be magnanimous in victory while losers should be humble in defeat, Lalong added in the statement. The elections were postponed thrice due to reports of insecurity in the state before they were held in all but four LGAs on Wednesday. The National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Thursday set aside the compulsory and untimely retirement of four permanent secretaries in the state civil service by the state government. Justice Zainab Bashir voided the compulsory retirement in her judgement in the consolidated suit number NIC/LKJ/10/2017. She said the governor had no constitutional rights to retire the permanent secretaries from service. Mrs Bashir said the retirement by the state government through the state Civil Service Commission contravened extant public service rules and regulations. She said Section 208(1) (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended on which the governor relied to fire the permanent secretaries only provided for removal rather than retirement. The jurist said there were differences between removal and retirement. She said removal was the movement of an officer from one position to another while the other is an exit from service at the attainment of 60 years of age or 35 years in service. She said Section 208 of the constitution empowered the governor to appoint and remove from service: public officers like the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Head of Service (HOS), and Permanent Secretaries among others. According to her, this section of the constitution does not avail him the power to retire any public servants from office. She said it only allowed him to remove them from such offices and return them to their former positions prior to the appointments. She held that since the claimants were career civil servants, they could only be returned to their previous positions. The judge said they were not due for retirement until they had attained 60 years of age or had put in 35 years of service. Mr Bashir, therefore, granted seven of the eight reliefs sought by the claimants and ordered that they be reinstated immediately. She also added that their outstanding entitlements be paid them within 60 days. It would be recalled that the permanent secretaries, Sani Adamu, Dahiru Shaibu, Austine Unubi and Abraham Adavi were on September 13, 2015, compulsorily retired from service. They, in their individual capacities, approached the court seeking redress. They sought eight reliefs including a declaration that their appointments into the Civil Service of Kogi and positions of permanent secretaries through the defendants letter of June 28, 2011 remained valid, extant and subsisting. They also sought orders to set aside the retirement, but that they should be reinstated with full benefits. They also said they should be paid all their arrears of salaries, benefits and emoluments due to them from September 13, 2017 to date. (NAN) Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, on Thursday urged the Nigerian media to retain its credibility as an unbiased umpire in the coverage of the ongoing 2019 elections processes. They made the call at the 14th edition of the All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) holding in Asaba, the Delta State capital. According to Mr. Osinbajo, The journalism profession has always been at a greater risk than other professions; freedom of expression has always given people the right to use any information, but, there was some actions by some regulatory parliaments that created obstacles for all newcomers except for renowned professionals and this created some restrictions; but today, all that is gone and who is to blame for the death of this profession? The first culprit is technology; its inheritable evil also has the capacity for overwhelming good as we need technology in every aspect of our livelihood; the second and most important culprit is the professional himself, he said, observing, over time, we have lost the trust of the public, because, what do people want? People want the truth, objectivity they want clear analysis of events. He continued, there was a time when someone would say, I read it in the Times because, whatever was written then was absolutely meant to be the truth but today, skeptics will ask you who sponsored this story? Most of the investigative reports are reported by the social media such as blogs, television channels and so forth; The Guild, as we all agree, is a society of gate-keepers to whom belongs the responsibility of defining the efforts, the norms, the ethics of this profession; upon you is also the burden of setting the acceptable rules, the conventions and practices of the profession; this gathering is made greater in a society where corruption is the order of the day and where there is constant fight, and the burden of The Guild is to ensure that your rules and regulations are enforced and kept as it is a self-regulatory profession. Governor Okowa had in an address observed that the independence, objectivity and credibility of the media was being undermined by media practitioners engaging in public relations consultancy services to politicians, dearth of investigative journalism and inadequate remuneration for journalists in their places of work. He said, Media practitioners who are known to be engaged as public relations consultants to politicians/public office holders compromises the editorial independence, fairness and objectivity of the press; by the time a professional journalist goes on social media to be advocating for or defending a particular candidate/public figure, he cannot be trusted to report fairly and impartially on matters concerning that person. This is a clear and present danger to the journalism profession and one that this body should strive to contain as quickly as possible, especially as we approach the 2019 general elections. I must point out that there is still too much hear-say reporting. Too often, reporters base their stories on what people say or allege without bothering to crosscheck the facts; as a result, politicians/political office holders are forced to defend themselves against sometimes very wild, outlandish allegations; reputations have been ruined, careers destroyed and families torn apart because of such reporting. Governor Okowa, who described the Nigerian press as one of the freest in the world with a rich, enviable history of crusading against corruption, bad governance and despotic leadership, noted that a situation where a reporter is unsure of his next pay cheque does not augur well for the growth of the profession as it exposes them to undue influences from politicians and public office holders; survival is a basic instinct of man and a person whose survival is threatened could care less about integrity and fairness. He added, We need our journalists to report the truth no matter whose ox is gored but they cannot do that with boldness, confidence and assurance if their welfare is in jeopardy. PHOTO STORY Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (right) and Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, during the 14th Conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, held in Asaba. PIX; JIBUNOR SAMUEL. Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (right) and Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, during the 14th Conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, held in Asaba. PIX; JIBUNOR SAMUEL. Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (middle); Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (right) and President of Nigeria Guild of Editors, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, during the 14th Conference of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, held in Asaba. PIX; JIBUNOR SAMUEL. Mr. Okowa said the theme for the conference, Credible Elections, Sustainable Democracy and the Role of the Media, was relevant at this point in time, especially in the light of the recently concluded party primaries. Indeed, the choice of the theme aptly reflects the concern of all Nigerians for a free, fair, transparent and credible 2019 elections for sustainable democracy, he said. Democracy requires the exercise of political power to promote the public good or welfare of the people, accountability and transparency in governance and the existence of viable opposition parties for it to be sustainable. One of the biggest steps we took towards ensuring sustainable democracy in Nigeria was when in 2015 the ruling PDP at the federal level conducted an election, lost and handed over to the opposition APC; this was a scenario previously thought impossible but when that happened, to the chagrin of critics and naysayers, a solid foundation was laid for sustainable democracy in Nigeria. The current APC-led Federal Government must build on this foundation and resist the temptation to repress the opposition and militarise the electoral process; to do otherwise would have terrible repercussions on this democracy that many have fought and died for. Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Tonie Iredia, a former director-general of the Nigerian Television Authority, had in a welcome speech, urged the media to make everyone accountable for what he does. As journalists, we should stand in the forefront and do what the journalists are supposed to do setting the agenda, we should engage in developmental journalism, he told his colleagues. The President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Funke Egbemode, welcomed participants while also urging all Nigerians to be actively involved in making the right choices regarding those who will lead the country beginning May 29, 2019. Austine Ayemidejor, the Project Manager of Asaba Airport, has said that it has fully resumed operations after its downgrade by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in 2014. Mr Ayemidejor stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Asaba, the state capital. He said efforts were on to ensure that the airport was upgraded from its current category, six, to category eight or nine, to enable it to engage in international flights. The airport is on category six now, we hope to go to category eight or nine in the next couple of weeks. Most international airports in the country operate on category nine and it is important to know that the Asaba airport runway can receive any type of aircraft. So, the airport is set to go on to the next level to receive Boeing 737 and eventually categories of Boeing 777. We can go international as soon as we get approval from the regulatory authority, he said. Mr Ayemidejor said since the rehabilitation work on the runway and other ancillary facilities as directed by the regulatory, activities at the airport had greatly increased. The project manager lamented the huge loss of revenue during the period the airport was not in operation due to the downgrading. He expressed joy that the facility had fully resumed operation with three flights from Lagos and Abuja to Asaba on daily basis. We have lots of activities going on here. We have three flights the Air Peace, Aero Contractor and Overland and the volume of traffic is high. I am quite happy that the runway has been fully rehabilitated. The state government has done well in this regard and the perimeter fencing project is ongoing. Mr Ayemidejor noted that Asaba airport was a gateway to eastern Nigeria and with proximity to Onitsha and Nnewi markets, it would be easily accessible to many users. The project manager said the airport authority was discussing with the three airlines now plying the route to see the possibilities of connecting from Asaba to Port Harcourt, Calabar, Uyo and others. He expressed appreciation to the state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, for the intervention that repositioned the airport for better services. Mr Ayemidejor solicited the corporation of all stakeholders in creating awareness on the readiness of the airport to operate flights in the morning, afternoon and evening. The Chief Pilot, Air Peace, Egonu Victor, told NAN that airline commenced flight services in Asaba about four years ago, but had to suspend its activities due to poor facilities. He said with the current upgrade and transformations at the airport by state government, it had resumed operations in earnest. (NAN) The lecturers at the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology (OYSCATECH), Igboora, have been on industrial action for the past four months following the inability of the governing council of the institution and the state government to attend to the lingering issue of non-payment of salaries. The school, one of the six tertiary institutions owned by the Oyo State government, is lamenting the non-payment of their full salaries and poor funding. The others are: The Polytechnic, Ibadan; Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo; The Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa; the Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki; and College of Education, Lanlate. These schools embarked on strike for several months last year due to the non-payment of their salary arrears and reduction of government subvention to the schools to 25 per cent. The institutions resumed academic activities after reaching an agreement with the government in January. However, in June, OYSCATECH embarked on another strike over non-payment of salary arrears of 17 months and payment of fractional salaries from January 2016 till July 2018. Students Lament Students of the college who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES lamented over the delay the strike has caused them. Tijani Arisekola said the real problem with Nigeria is that one cannot just graduate at the appropriate time. The government will always draw you back. Even students cannot blame the lecturers. They are our parents and we understand the need to cater for the needs of their children. We continue to suffer from negligence and irregularities of the government. Another student, Lateef Shukurat, said the delay has caused some of her female friends to go into marriage without graduating. A friend of mine is already at home with a man who impregnated her on her street following the school strike. We learnt she went to greet the man and was forcefully lured to have sex with him. If the school has been on session, such may not happen. Although, I still blame the girl shaa Lecturers condemn governments insensitivity Also, the colleges chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) who insisted in their last Congress that staff should not resume except they are paid a minimum of 100 per cent of their August salaries condemned the governing council and the state. According to a statement by its chairman, Afees Adeniyi, the union decried the deaf ears of the government to their request which they say has led to inadequate subvention and poor infrastructure deficit. We urge the state government to utilize the expected final tranche of Paris Club refund to defray the outstanding arrears as well as increase subvention given to OYSCATECH to 95 per cent to guarantee regular payment of 100 per cent workers salary and provide teaching facilities that will ensure students learn in a conducive environment. However, the institutions management, while responding to the demands of students and lecturers, urged the workers to resume and subsequently allow the institution to look into their demands. The spokesperson of the school, Opeyemi Olawore, when contacted by PREMIUM TIMES said: The labour should understand the situation of things. We appeal to them to resume in order to give room for authorities to look into their demands, she said. Efforts by PREMIUM TIMES to get the reaction of the state government were unsuccessful as the states commissioner of education, Adeniyi Olofela, did not pick calls put to his line nor respond to text messages, as at the time this report was filed. The Ekiti State House of Assembly has impeached its speaker, Kolawole Oluwawole, and his deputy, Sina Animasaun. The members removed the officers at a rowdy session on Thursday and also announced the suspension of 12 other members. It followed a similar action by the house in 2014, at the assumption of office of Ayo Fayose as governor when seven members impeached the then Speaker, Adewale Omirin, who was of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Following the removal of Mr Omirim back then in 2014, the lawmakers installed Dele Olugbemi, who had defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, as speaker. On Thursday, the lawmakers chose Ebenezer Alagbada, representing Ise/Orun constituency as the new speaker. The House subsequently reinstated the former deputy speaker, Segun Adewumi, who was earlier removed, to his former position. The former Minority Leader, Gboyega Aribisogan, is now the new Leader of the House, suggesting the likelihood of a mass defection to the APC. The impeachment which was carried out by 14 members had three APC and 11 PDP members. At the sitting, they issued a suspension to the remaining 12 lawmakers for 125 legislative days. Those suspended include Oluwawole, Animasahun, Omotoso Samuel, Wale Onigiobi, Wale Ayeni, Dare Pelemo, Jeje Samuel, Akinleye Dayo, Fajemilehin Ayodele, Fasanmi Temitope,Tunji Akinyele, and Sanya Aladeyelu. The APCs Sunday Akinniyi is now the Minority Leader; Fajana Ojo-Ade, Deputy Leader; Cecilia Dada, Chief Whip; and Musa Arogundade, Deputy Chief Whip. Addressing journalists after the plenary, Mr Aribisogan said Mr Oluwawole and other PDP lawmakers were suspended over alleged complicity in the disappearance of N60 million in the House. He said they were also suspended for ineptitude, saying they allegedly allowed the reputation of the Assembly to be destroyed by the governor. Mr Aribisogan also stated that the Assembly under Mr Oluwawole was poorly funded, became practically subservient to the executive and that the speaker was hijacked by powerful members, owing to their closeness to the governor. He also accused the former speaker of betraying Ekiti people by holding a secret plenary last month with other suspended members to approve N10 billion supplementary budget sent by Governor Fayose. Today, we held a plenary session which was a follow up to the parliamentary we held yesterday and we carried out changes in the leadership of the House, he said. When the PDP members were busy doing the presidential primary in Port Harcourt, we were busy here strategising on how best to make Ekiti governable for the incoming government, Dr Kayode Fayemi. 14 members sat to carry out these changes out of which 11 are addressing this press conference. We have 26 members in this Assembly, and we needed just nine to form quorum. Our actions were guided by the standing orders of this Assembly and we didnt deviate from it, so the quorum was formed and our actions were legal and constitutional. He added that the PDP remained the majority party in the Assembly and that those who carried out the removal did so in the overriding interest of Ekiti people. Mr Alagbada, the newly appointed speaker, appreciated the members for reposing confidence in him, saying he would not betray their trust. You are aware that the House has since inception of the present administration become the property of the governor rather than an arm of government. Ekiti State is yearning for a purposeful legislature that would be truly committed and independent to discharge its constitutional duties, he said. We will no longer allow a situation whereby the legislature will be pocketed or caged by the executive. Let me assure all and sundry that we will cooperate with the governor-elect, Dr Kayode Fayemi to move Ekiti forward. You will recall that the Fourth Assembly changed its leadership in 2014 when some members of APC defected to PDP to facilitate the smooth take-off of Mr. Fayose. So, history is only repeating itself and there is nothing extraordinary in what we have done. The speaker announced the dissolution of all statutory and standing committees of the House, urging the chairmen to hand over to their respective secretaries. Mr Oluwawole has, however, described his impeachment as a rape on democracy and a descent to the lowest level of lawlessness and illegality. In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Stephen Gbadamosi, Mr Oluwawole said those who carried out the illegality were provided police cover and they prevented other members and even staff of the House from gaining entrance into the complex. This is bizarre. In a democracy? This is the height of illegality and it can never stand, the sacked speaker said. As the speaker of the House, I supervised over the last adjournment of the House, which was carried out according to laws and laid down rules. I retain the power to reconvene the House and i have not done that yet. How then can some people say the House sat? This is totally illegal. The role of the police in this siege is clear. It was enemies of democracy that purported the House sat. Ekiti State House of Assembly has not been reconvened by its speaker. The University of Ibadan has announced an improvement in the academic performance of students, especially first-year students, as against the results recorded in the previous year. This was disclosed in a statement obtained by PREMIUM TIMES from the office of the vice-chancellor, on Thursday, titled; The First Semester 2017/2018 Session Examination Results: Commendations and Recommendations. The vice-chancellor, Idowu Olayinka, mentioned that a major feature of the first-semester examination results for the 2017/18 academic session, after considerations by the senate, is the increased level of performance by 100 level students. One major feature of the results was the very good performance of the 100 level students, especially when compared with our experience last session. A total of 69 students had a Cummulative Grade Point Average of less than 1.0, this representing 2.3% out of the 3,001 students at the 100 level. (This excludes the Faculty of Law whose results were not available for consideration by Senate). The performance of the students ranged from a success rate of 87% in the Faculty of Public Health to 100% in both the Faculty of Dentistry and the Faculty of Economics. It should be recalled that the management of the University of Ibadan expelled about 328 students for what was called shameful academic results in the recently concluded 2016/2017 academic session, a majority of whom were in their first year (100 level students). Mr Olayinka had explained that the affected students did not meet up with the minimum condition approved by the university senate, blaming the absence of Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, as a leading cause. One out of every nine of the 100 level students did not meet the minimum condition to retain their studentship, the VC said. It can be observed that students in the science-based disciplines, in particular, did not perform too well, with the pass rate being lowest at 67.5 per cent at the faculty of Veterinary Medicine. On the other hand, the Humanities-based discipline posted better results, with the best coming from the Faculty of Law at 99.2 per cent. The shameful performance is blamed on the failure to conduct the annual post-UTME test for students admitted to the University for the 2016/2017 session, Mr Olayinka had said. Having identified the cause of the failure during the previous session, the university management ensured that the intakes for the 2017/18 academic session were made to pass through the universitys post-UTME test. Mr Olayinka, while congratulating the students and urging them to do better, reiterated his administrations commitment to students excellence, while also urging them to do away with any form the examination malpractice, adding that the only means to greatness at the nations premier university is through the gates of honesty. As leaders of this University at this point in time, we are committed to a student-centered academic enterprise. Hence it is a thing of joy when our students excel in their studies. It is worth reinstating here that a part of the second stanza on the University Anthem talks of Greatness won with honest toil. You should always bear in mind that it is only honest hard work that pays here, he said. The police in Ogun State have arrested a 31-year-old salesman, Michael Daniel, for allegedly conniving with robbers to burgle the shop of his employer. Police spokesperson in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed this on Thursday, explaining the suspect was arrested following a complaint by one a woman, Titilayo Ero, of Dorf Royal Events Centre, Asero Abeokuta. He said the woman reported that she had about 52 computer monitors in her store only for her to discover in August that the store had been burgled and all the monitors carted away. Mr Oyeyemi said detectives from the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department were detailed to investigate the theft of the items. The detectives swiftly moved into action and invited the salesman who was barely three weeks old in the employment of the centre. When he was thoroughly interrogated, he confessed to being the brain behind the dastardly act. He said the suspect explained that he invited one Smith Ajao (23) to join him in the night for the operation, who was later traced to an hotel in Sango Ota where he was arrested. The police spokesperson said the suspects led detectives to Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos where 48 of the computer monitors were recovered. He said the Commissioner of Police Ahmed Iliyasu has directed that the case be properly investigated and that the suspects be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded. The police boss advised members of public to always scrutinise people properly before employing them. 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. MENDOZA, Argentina, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Mendoza Governor Alfredo Cornejo and Attorney General Alejandro Gulle received the "Katie's Hero Crime Fighting Award" for demonstrating their commitment to victims and protecting public safety by establishing a criminal offender DNA database for Mendoza. DNA Saves, an organization that advocates for the creation of criminal offender DNA databases, provides this award to government officials who recognize the power of DNA databases to solve and prevent crime, and who demonstrate leadership in bringing these databases to their communities. In 2016, Mendoza passed a law to require most criminal offenders to submit DNA to the province's criminal offender DNA database system. During the event today hosted by Governor Cornejo, the official launch of this DNA database was announced, making Mendoza the first province in Argentina to have a comprehensive criminal offender DNA database in operation. "With this DNA database, authorities in Mendoza will solve and prevent some of the Province's most horrible crimes. The Government of Mendoza should be proud of what it has accomplished to protect its citizens," said Jayann Sepich, the Co-Founder of DNA Saves. While fifty-nine countries have established national criminal offender DNA database programs, Argentina has not yet acted to create its own nationwide DNA database for solving crimes. "With a comprehensive DNA database now in place in Mendoza, it is time for the rest of Argentina to move forward. Victims of crime, especially victims of sexual assault and other violent attacks, deserve to have the best crime fighting technology available," said Ms. Sepich. "We are honored to receive this meaningful award, and are committed to using DNA to protect our most vulnerable citizens. We look forward to working with our colleagues in the other Provinces and the National Government to expand this program to the rest of the country," said Attorney General Alejandro Gulle. About DNA SAVES: DNA Saves is a non-profit organization dedicated to the creation and expansion of criminal DNA database programs globally. The organization was established by Dave and Jayann Sepich in the aftermath of the brutal 2003 rape and murder of their daughter Katie. Expanded use of the offender DNA database would have allowed Katie's murderer to be caught years earlier. www.dnasaves.org SOURCE DNA Saves Related Links http://www.dnasaves.org FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN), America's largest automotive retailer, is commemorating Breast Cancer Awareness Month on October 10. Thousands of associates from coast to coast will assemble and deliver gift bags filled with items designed specially to bring comfort to children and adults undergoing cancer treatments. It is all part of AutoNation's Drive Pink Initiative that has raised over $15 million to fund cancer-related nonprofits and research toward finding a cure. "In 2018, AutoNation accelerated its mission to help drive out cancer by partnering with multi-platinum pop recording artist Andy Grammer, who lost his mother Kathy to breast cancer. His song 'Give Love' was written in her honor and now our Associates from coast to coast will give their love by delivering gift bags to those battling the disease," said Mike Jackson, AutoNation's Chairman, CEO and President. Since launching Drive Pink in 2015, AutoNation associates have participated in local fundraising events to support cancer-related charities like Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Wipe out Kids Cancer in Dallas and Jamie's Hope in Houston. During the Second Annual Drive Pink Across America Day, associates from AutoNation stores nationwide will deliver more than five thousand gift bags to local cancer treatment facilities. AutoNation was named one of America's top 100 Corporate Citizens by Forbes Magazine and Just Capital due to its commitments to community well-being and its fight against cancer. About AutoNation, Inc. AutoNation, America's largest automotive retailer, through its bold leadership, innovation, and comprehensive brand extensions, is transforming the automotive industry. As of September 30, 2018, AutoNation owned and operated over 325 locations from coast to coast. AutoNation has sold over 11 million vehicles, the first automotive retailer to reach this milestone. AutoNation's success is driven by a commitment to delivering a peerless experience through customer-focused sales and service processes. Through its Drive Pink initiative, AutoNation is committed to drive out cancer, create awareness and support critical research. AutoNation continues to be a proud supporter of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and other cancer-related charities. Please visit investors.autonation.com, www.autonation.com, www.autonationdrive.com, www.twitter.com/autonation, www.twitter.com/CEOMikeJackson, www.facebook.com/autonation, and www.facebook.com/CEOMikeJackson, where AutoNation discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations. About Andy Grammer Andy Grammer is all about inspiring and empowering the world by communicating his truths through his music. Grammer has taken the music world by storm with a succession of anthemic pop hits, six of which are certified gold or better. His debut album featured the platinum singles "Keep Your Head Up" and "Fine By Me." Andy's second album, Magazines or Novels, featured the triple platinum worldwide hit "Honey, I'm Good," which was one of the best-selling songs of 2015, and the certified gold anthem "Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah)." Andy's third full-length album, The Good Parts, was released December 1, 2017. The record includes his global smash hit "Fresh Eyes," which has become a global streaming phenomenon with over 300 million total streams, as well as his current hit single "Smoke Clears." SOURCE AutoNation, Inc. Related Links http://www.autonation.com BUCHANAN, Va., Oct. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Two months after Bank of Botetourt (OTCPK: BORT) announced its plans to expand and relocate its Cave Spring office in Roanoke, Virginia, it announced record setting financial results for fiscal period ended September 30, 2018. For the three months-ended September 30, 2018, Bank of Botetourt reported net income of $1,242,625, which is the highest quarterly performance in the Bank's history. This amount compares to $695,493 for the same three month period in 2017. The Bank's year-to-date net income is $3,463,702 which compares to $1,604,023 one year prior. Both basic and diluted earnings per share amounted to $2.42 at September 30, 2018 compared to $1.12 at September 30, 2017. Book value is $26.37 at September 30, 2018 as compared to $24.37 one year prior. At September 30, 2018, total assets amounted to $424,944,000, an increase of 9.6% since year-end 2017 total assets of $387,736,000. Net loans grew 8.2%, to $365,501,000 at September 30, 2018 from $337,665,000 at December 31, 2017. Total deposits at September 30, 2018 amounted to $383,805,000, compared to $341,000,000 at December 31, 2017, an increase of 12.6%. As a result of successful deposit campaigns during 2018, the Bank's cost of funds increased from 0.65% at September 30, 2017 to 0.88% at September 30, 2018. The Bank's net interest spread was 3.84% at September 30, 2018 compared to 3.96% at September 30, 2017. Nonperforming assets, which consist of nonaccrual loans and foreclosed properties, decreased from $5,623,000 at December 31, 2017 to $5,139,000 at September 30, 2018 as four properties have been sold in 2018 which resulted in a loss of sale of $79,000. Loss on sales for the same period one year prior was $20,000. Writedown expenses related to ORE properties totaled $217,000 at September 30, 2018 as compared to $668,000 at September 30, 2017. The third quarter provision for bad debt expense was $85,000. For the same three month time period in 2017, the provision for bad debt expense was $215,000. Bad debt expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $140,000 compared to $380,000 as the nine months ended September 30, 2017. "We are gratified by the performance of our Bank. We have been able to successfully meet business objectives that we established for 2018, especially increasing shareholder value. As we celebrate our 119th year in community banking, it is rewarding to live out our mission of being Customer Driven and Community Committed." The FDIC recently released its Summary of Deposits report, the annual survey of branch office deposits as of June 30th for all FDIC-insured institutions. The report reflected that Bank of Botetourt held the largest market share of deposits, 45.45%, among the five financial institutions located in Botetourt County. Bank of Botetourt continues to exceed the BASEL III capital requirements. As of September 30, 2018, Bank of Botetourt reported total capital of 12.22% and tier 1 leverage capital of 9.18%. Both common equity tier 1 and tier 1 capital ratios were 11.28%. Bank of Botetourt was chartered in 1899 and operates twelve retail offices in Botetourt, Rockbridge, Roanoke, and Franklin counties and the City of Salem, all in Virginia. Bank of Botetourt also operates a mortgage division, Virginia Mountain Mortgage and a financial services division, Botetourt Wealth Management. SOURCE Bank of Botetourt Related Links http://www.bankofbotetourt.com JACKSON, Mich., Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- DTE Energy, Consumers Energy, the Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) and all members of the Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium (MEWDC) are taking steps to attract the next generation of talent, using Careers in Energy Week, Oct. 15-19, to let Michigan students and adults know about professional opportunities in the energy industry all over the state. In its fifth year, Careers in Energy Week will provide hands-on opportunities for students to learn about career possibilities in a growing industry. More than 108,000 Michigan residents hold energy-related jobs today, and the Michigan Workforce Development Agency estimates energy jobs will grow by 6 percent through 2026. "Careers in Energy Week puts the spotlight squarely on the exciting opportunities that are available for Michigan's next generation to continue powering our state," said Amber Fogarty, energy talent pipeline specialist for Consumers Energy. "We want students to come away from this week's activities seeing they can have a bright future doing all types of challenging, rewarding work for energy providers." "The high demand for skilled trades professionals in Michigan's energy industry continues," said Tracy DiSanto, DTE Energy manager, Workforce Planning and Analytics, and co-chair of the Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium (MEWDC). "This week offers students across the state hands-on experiences, giving them the tools they need to understand the many paths to a great career." "We're glad to open our doors to the next generation and show them what a career in the energy industry can look like," said BWL Executive Director of Human Resources Michael Flowers. "We're looking ahead to become the utility of the future, and part of that includes attracting the right talent to help us achieve our goal of providing 30 percent clean energy by 2020 and 40 percent by 2030." Careers in Energy Week helps feed the talent pipeline for jobs in the growing energy industry. Energy providers have hired over 2,500 new employees into energy careers since January 2017, and up to 1,000 internship and co-op students. Among other accomplishments: The MEWDC worked with the state Board of Education to design a "career cluster" in energy that has been implemented through career and technical education centers and six community colleges across the state. Students can study traditional academics while leveraging skills specific to an industry path. The consortium members are creating work-based learning opportunities across the state for high school students such as such as BWL with their 1st S.T.E.P., or School to Training and Employment Program and DTE's Summer Youth Internship Program Served as a model of the Talent Pipeline Management process with U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, resulting in Consumers Energy developing a statewide Talent Pipeline Management Academy the first of its kind in the nation to help Michigan businesses enhance their talent sources and hire better-skilled workers to meet critical short and long-term employment needs. businesses enhance their talent sources and hire better-skilled workers to meet critical short and long-term employment needs. The consortium reached a goal of increasing the number of registered apprentices in energy-related jobs by over 350 with help from a federal ApprenticeshipUSA grant. During Careers in Energy Week, the MEWDC will launch its first social media contest, "I Got Into Energy," (#GetIntoEnergyMichigan) for high schoolers. Students will participate in social media activities throughout the week to increase visibility of energy industry careers. "Michigan is bursting at the seams with endless opportunities in the Professional Trades," said Talent and Economic Development (Ted) Interim Director Jeremy Hendges. "And as Michigan continues to lead the way in revolutionary developments to bring affordable and reliable energy to Michiganders, it's vital we have people with the Professional Trades skills needed to keep our state moving forward. This consortium and the work we are doing at Ted with the Marshall Plan will be what powers Michigan's bright future." The MEWDC is an industry-led partnership of more than 50 organizations dedicated to addressing current and future workforce issues that are crucial to building and sustaining Michigan's energy industry. MEWDC recently created Michigan's 17th career cluster in energy, enabling high schools and community colleges to incorporate energy-related courses in their curriculum. DTE Energy and Consumers Energy support energy education efforts at schools and nonprofit groups through annual Foundation contributions of more than $5.5 million. For the full list of events taking place for Careers in Energy Week and to access "I Got Into Energy" videos, go to http://consortia.getintoenergy.com/michigan/ About DTE Energy DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric utility serving 2.2 million customers in Southeastern Michigan and a natural gas utility serving 1.3 million customers in Michigan. The DTE Energy portfolio includes non-utility energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects, natural gas pipelines, gathering and storage, and energy marketing and trading. As one of Michigan's leading corporate citizens, DTE Energy is a force for growth and prosperity in the 450 Michigan communities it serves in a variety of ways, including philanthropy, volunteerism and economic progress. Information about DTE Energy is available at dteenergy.com, empoweringmichigan.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and facebook.com/dteenergy. About Consumers Energy Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest energy provider, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.7 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. About Lansing Board of Water & Light The Lansing Board of Water & Light is a municipally owned public utility dating back to 1885, when Lansing citizens approved building a water system. Electricity was added to the list of utility services in 1892, steam heat in 1919 and hilled water in 2001. BWL's mission is to provide safe, reliable and affordable utility products and services to over 97,000 electric and 55,000 water customers throughout the greater Lansing area. SOURCE Consumers Energy Related Links http://www.consumersenergy.com HORSHAM, Pa., Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- This year, CRC Industries, Inc., the leading global supplier of specialty chemicals for maintenance, repair and operations professionals and do-it-yourselfers, celebrates its 60th anniversary. Born in October 1958 in a small Pennsylvania garage with a single product, today CRC has 700 employees worldwide and produces more than 2,000 products for a diverse range of applications and industries. The company operates 26 facilities and sells its products in more than 120 countries. CRC products are sold through wholesale and retail distribution channels in the automotive, heavy truck, industrial, electrical, food and beverage, oil and gas, marine, hardware and aviation markets. Its product offering has grown to include multiple brands and categories, namely cleaners, degreasers, lubricants, penetrants, corrosion inhibitors, additives, grease, gear oil, sealants, paint and equipment. Many CRC products such as CRC Brakleen Brake Parts Cleaner and CRC 3-36 Multi-Purpose Lubricant & Corrosion Inhibitor are established category leaders and recognized by industry professionals around the world. "Celebrating 60 years of business is a tremendous milestone for our colleagues before us and all of our current employees across the globe," said Perry Cozzone, CEO for CRC. "We are proud of our history and the achievements that have led us to where we are today. The dedication and ownership mentality of our employees, our loyal and long-standing customer base, and our unwavering commitment to quality, service and innovation are responsible for our longevity and success." The company has experienced unprecedented growth and expansion over the past decade. In 2016, CRC relocated its global headquarters to Horsham, Pennsylvania and added a new US west coast distribution center in Gardnerville, Nevada. Recent acquisitions include: Q20 multi-purpose lubricants, Olifantsfontein, South Africa (2018) (2018) Weld-Aid welding maintenance and metal protection products (2017) Centralised Pumping Systems Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand (2016) (2016) Action Can industrial products, Somerset, England (2016) (2016) Panvulk, Rykkinn, Norway (2015), and (2015), and ChemFree Corporation, Norcross, GA , and its proprietary SmartWasher Bioremediation Parts Washing System (2015). "We're extremely excited for our CRC future as we continue to make strategic investments around the world for continued growth and strive to deliver greater value to our customers, our employees, and our partners," stated Cozzone. About CRC CRC Industries, Inc. (crcindustries.com) is the global leader in the production of specialty chemicals for the do-it-yourselfer and maintenance professional, serving the automotive, industrial, electrical, marine, heavy truck, hardware and aviation markets. CRC global trademarked brands include CRC, K&W, MaryKate, SmartWasher, Weld-Aid, Action Can, Kontakt Chemie, Ambersil, KF, Q20, Ados, Auto-Kolon, Kitten and So Easy. SOURCE CRC Industries, Inc. Related Links http://www.crcindustries.com LONDON, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Overview: The enterprise and industrial sectors are rapidly transforming their infrastructure, products and services to digital. The biggest benefit of this transformation is a efficiency improvements and automation of processes in ways previously unimagined by most industries. Leading technologies supporting solutions for this evolution are Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Smart (IoT enabled) Machines. Beyond merely integration, technology convergence in enterprise and industrial automation easily justifies investment in new systems and processes. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5587932 This is the Most Comprehensive Research Covering Digital Transformation Technologies and Solutions. This research evaluates the global and regional robotics marketplace including the technologies, companies, and solutions for robots in the Industrial, Enterprise, Military, and Consumer segments. The report includes detailed forecasts for robotics by robot type, components, capabilities, solutions, and connectivity for 2018 to 2023. This report also includes quantitative analysis with forecasts covering AI technology and systems by type, use case, application, and industry vertical. Forecast also cover each major market sector including consumer, enterprise, industrial, and government. This research evaluates the Smart Machine ecosystem including technology building blocks, leading company strategies, products and services. The report evaluates various Smart Machine solutions, products, and services including Autonomous Robots, Expert Systems, Intelligent Assistants, Neurocomputers, and Wearable Devices. This report also evaluates the Hardware, Embedded Software, and Related Services for Smart Machines. The report also assesses the market for Smart Machines in many industry verticals including Aerospace and Defense, Automotive, Banking, Consumer Electronics, Healthcare, Industrial Automation, Security, Transportation and Logistics. All direct purchases of Mind Commerce reports includes time with an expert analyst who will help you link key findings in the report to the business issues you're addressing. This needs to be used within three months of purchasing the report. Select Findings: - The global Smart Machine market will approach $22.6B by 2023 - The APAC region will lead with highest overall Smart Machine market share - The healthcare market represents the largest global revenue opportunity through 2023 - Key technology enablement markets will be Autonomous Vehicles, Drones, and Smart Robots - The fastest growing Smart Machine technology area Neuro-computing, will grow at 22.2% CAGR through 2023 - Smart System components, such as Micro and Nano Sensors and RF Equipment, will be largest areas by revenue - Smart Machines and Smart Systems will benefit greatly from low latency and localized processing via 5G and MEC Target Audience: - Systems Integration Companies - Communications Services Providers - Automation and Robotics Companies - Artificial Intelligence Solution Providers - Industrial Automation Solution Providers - Research and Development Organizations Companies in Report: - ABB Ltd. - Adept Technology Inc. - Aethon Inc. - Alphabet, Inc. (Google) - Amazon Robotics - AMS RBR - Anki Inc. - Apex Automation and Robotics - Apple Inc. - Auris Surgical Robotics Inc. - Aurotek Corp. - Autonomous Solutions, Inc. - Axis Communications AB - Axium Inc. - BAE Systems - Baidu Inc. - Blue Ocean Robotics ApS - Canvas Technology - Carbon Robotics - Carbon3D - Celera Motion - Cisco Systems - Clearpath Robotics - Comau Robotics - Construction Robotics - Cyberdyne - CyPhy Works - Daihen Corp. - Delphi Automotive - Denso Wave Inc. - Digital Reasoning Systems Inc. - DJI - Ekso Bionics - Ellison Technologies Inc. - Energid Technologies - Epson Robots - FANUC Robotics - Fetch Robotics - Foxconn Technology Group - General Electric Co. - Ghost Robotics LLC - Google Inc. - Greensea Systems Inc. - GreyOrange - Hanson Robotics Ltd. - Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) - Honeywell International Inc. - Hypertherm Inc. - IAM Robotics - IBM Corporation - Intuitive Surgical, Inc. - inVia Robotics - iRobot - Jibo - Kairos Autonomi - Kawasaki - Knightscope - Koninklijke Philips N.V - Kraken Sonar Systems Inc. - KUKA AG - Kuka Robotics - LG Electronics - Lockheed Martin - Locus Robotics - Micromo - Microsoft Corporation - Milvus Robotics - Mitsubishi Electric Corp. - Mobile Industrial Robots ApS - Modbot Inc. - Motion Controls Robotics Inc. - Nachi Fujikoshi Corp. - Narrative Science Inc. - NVIDIA Corporation - Octopuz Inc. - Omnicell Inc. - Open Bionics - Pari Robotics - PrecisionHawk - Qihan Technology Co. - Reis Robotics - Rethink Robotics - ReWalk Robotics - Roboplan - Robosoft Services Robots - RobotLAB Inc. - Rockwell Automation Inc. - Rokid Inc. - Samsung Electronics Co Ltd. - SapientX Inc. - Savioke - Schunk - Seegrid - Seven Dreamers Laboratories Inc. - Sharp Electronics Corp. - Siasun Robot and Automation Co Ltd. - Siemens - SkySpecs - Soft Robotics Inc. - SoftBank Robotics Corporation - Softweb Solutions Inc. - Soil Machine Dynamics Ltd. - Sony - SparkCognition Inc. - SSI Schaefer - Starship Technologies - Staubli International AG - Stryker (MAKO Surgical) - Suitable Technologies - Swisslog - SynTouch - Teradyne Inc. - Teun - Titan Medical - TM Robotics - TORC Robotics - Touch Bionics - Toyota - Transcend Robotics - ULC Robotics Inc. - Universal Robotics - Vecna Technologies - Verb Surgical - VEX Robotics - VGo Communications - Vigilant Robots - Virtual Incision Corporation - Visual Components Oy - WaveBot - Willrich Precision Instrument Co. - World Drone Academy - Wynright (Daifuku Co Ltd) - Yamaha Robotics - Yaskawa Motoman - ZenRobotics Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5587932 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 DALLAS, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Generational Equity, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the sale of its client, Louis Wohl & Sons Group, to BJ Beltram Inc. The acquisition closed May 2, 2018. Louis Wohl & Sons, based in Tampa, Florida, is part of a group of family-owned dealers that make up the Innovative Foodservice Companies. Also part of Innovative Foodservice is E.H. Thompson Company in Jacksonville and Chef's Warehouse in Fort Myers and Orlando. The group is unique in that it provides both design and procurement services that are equally well respected, and it is often involved in a project from start to finish. Louis Wohl's services include design/build capabilities, foodservice design consultancy and the wholesale distribution of supplies and equipment to hospitality, restaurant, healthcare and other customers requiring food preparation capabilities. BJ Beltram, a portfolio company of Trivest Partners, consists of two leading foodservice equipment distributors, B&J Food Service Equipment of Kansas City, Kansas, and Beltram Foodservice Group of Tampa, Florida. Combined, it is a complete foodservice dealer for new and pre-owned commercial restaurant equipment, kitchen supplies, smallwares, tabletop, furniture and fabrication. The company also provides design and project management services. "We are very excited about our partnership with Louis Wohl," said Trivest Partner Jorge Gross, Jr. "It fits with our long-term strategy to execute add-on acquisitions, add scale and build one of the leading foodservice equipment distributors in the U.S." The Louis Wohl purchase represents BJ Beltram's first acquisition as a Trivest portfolio company, and the group intends to continue to pursue additional add-on opportunities to build scale and expand geographies. Generational Equity Senior Managing Director Julie Sandoval's team, led by Managing Director William Hunter, successfully closed the deal. Executive Managing Director Edward Weber established the initial relationship with Louis Wohl. "In an industry undergoing major consolidation, the fit between the companies was ideal strategically and geographically," said Hunter. "The design and project management service is a profitable service differentiator." About Generational Equity Generational Equity, DealForce, and Generational Capital Markets, member FINRA/SIPC, are part of the Generational Group, which is headquartered in Dallas and is one of the leading M&A advisory firms in North America. With over 250 professionals located throughout North America, the companies help business owners release the wealth of their business by providing merger, acquisition and strategic growth advisory services. Their four-step approach features exit planning education, business valuation, value enhancement strategies, and M&A transactional services. The M&A Advisor named the company the 2016 and 2017 Investment Banking Firm of the Year. For more, visit the https://www.genequityco.com/ or the Generational Equity press room. For more information: Carl Doerksen 972-232-1125 [email protected] SOURCE Generational Equity Related Links http://www.genequityco.com DUBLIN, Oct 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Military Simulation and Virtual Training Market 2018-2022" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Military Simulation and Virtual Training Market to grow at a CAGR of 5.04% during the period 2018-2022. Global Military Simulation and Virtual Training Market 2018-2022, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market. To calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from military simulation and virtual training. According to the report, one driver influencing this market is the increasing investments in simulations. One of the major factors that drive the growth of the market is the increase in the number of investments being made in military simulations as a part of training curriculum. Increased emphasis on AI for military simulations AI has become one of the major technologies that can be used to make decisions owing to the advent of big data and data analytics. It can be used extensively in the fields of computational military reasoning. Further, the report states that one challenge affecting this market is the high cost of training. One of the major factors that are hindering the growth of the market includes the high cost of military simulations. Key vendors Bohemia Interactive Simulations CAE Fidelity Technologies Kratos Defense & Security Solutions L3 Technologies Lockheed Martin Rockwell Collins Saab Key Topics Covered: PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT PART 03: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY PART 04: MARKET LANDSCAPE Market ecosystem Market characteristics Market segmentation analysis PART 05: MARKET SIZING Market definition Market sizing 2017 Market size and forecast 2017-2022 PART 06: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition PART 07: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY PRODUCT Segmentation by product Comparison by product Flight simulators - Market size and forecast 2017-2022 Combat simulators - Market size and forecast 2017-2022 Maritime simulators - Market size and forecast 2017-2022 Market opportunity by product PART 08: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE PART 09: REGIONAL LANDSCAPE Geographical segmentation Regional comparison Americas - Market size and forecast 2017-2022 EMEA - Market size and forecast 2017-2022 APAC - Market size and forecast 2017-2022 Key leading countries US UK Australia UAE Canada India Market opportunity PART 10: DECISION FRAMEWORK PART 11: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES Market drivers Market challenges PART 12: MARKET TRENDS Increased emphasis on portable simulators Increased emphasis on AI for military simulations Growing demand from emerging economies PART 13: VENDOR LANDSCAPE Overview Landscape disruption PART 14: VENDOR ANALYSIS Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/p6kx64/global_military?w=5 Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com Anderson was in Poland along with the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors to help mark the 100th anniversary of Poland regaining its independence and the 40th anniversary of the election of Cardinal Karol Wojtya as Pope John Paul II. Duda expressed his gratitude for the charitable work of the Polish Knights, including the numerous volunteers who came to the assistance of those affected by the 2017 hurricane in the Pomeranian region. The financial, material and spiritual assistance provided by the local Knights was substantial and continues to be experienced by those in the affected region. The establishment of the Knights of Columbus in Poland began in 2005 and marked the first major international expansion of the organization since 1905. The Knights in Poland now number over 5.5 thousand members operate through 110 local councils in 28 dioceses. Over the past 12 years, the Polish Knights have contributed more than $1.6 million to charity and notched more than 825,000 hours of volunteer service. "By establishing the Knights of Columbus in Poland, we fulfilled a request of Pope John Paul II that we bring our work of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism to his homeland," said Anderson in an address to Polish Knights. "Because of this, we may truly say that every new member recruited, every new council established, every act of charity given, every devotion and prayer offered is in a special way the fulfillment of our promise to this great saint." The two leaders also reflected on the role of the Knights in building strong relations between the Polish and American people and the role that John Paul II's teaching has played in forming a common understanding of the world by Catholics and others in both nations. In his talk to the Polish Knights, Anderson said the organization came to Poland seeking, in John Paul's phrase, a "fraternal exchange of gifts" and with the expectation that all would be, in the words of the pope, "mutually enriched by the diversity of each other's experiences." This was not the first meeting between Duda and Anderson, who was awarded the Order of Merit in 2015 by the Polish president "for outstanding services in charity, for promoting the heritage of John Paul II and disseminating knowledge about the recent history of Poland." They also met a year later during President Duda's visit to Washington. At their meeting in Warsaw, Anderson presented President Duda with a commemorative album about the Knights' National Shrine of Saint John Paul II in Washington, D.C. and a replica of the Carolingian Cross from the Chapel of Cyril and Methodius in the grottos of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, which the Knights renovated in the 1980s. During his visit to Poland, Anderson placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw and led the Knights group on pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. Before returning home, Anderson will give a talk at the Veritatis Splendor Conference at the Pontifical John Paul II University in Krakow to mark the 40th anniversary of John Paul's election. About the Knights of Columbus Founded in 1882, the Knights of Columbus is a 1.9 million member fraternal organization and Fortune 1000 insurance company. The organization is well known for its charitable activities carried out by its 15,000 councils that support local neighbors and the Catholic Church. However, the K of C's reach extends beyond parishes and communities to the rest of the world. Whether it's donating food and clothes, providing support for disaster relief, helping persecuted Christians in the Middle East, volunteering to help children with special needs with the Special Olympics or supporting mothers of unborn children, Knights demonstrate the power and impact of men turning their faith into action every day. 2017 was a record-setting year for Knights of Columbus charitable work with an unprecedented $185.6 million in donations and 75.6 million hours of volunteer service provided worldwide. For more information, visit www.kofc.org. SOURCE Knights of Columbus Related Links http://www.kofc.org STRATHAM, N.H., Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Premium Swiss chocolatier Lindt will celebrate the grand opening of its newest Lindt Chocolate Shop in the esteemed King of Prussia Mall on Saturday, October 13th. Lindt will welcome chocolate enthusiasts of the greater Philadelphia area with complimentary samples, gifts with purchase and more special treats. The first two hundred guests to visit the shop on Saturday, 10/13 will receive a complimentary EXCELLENCE Dark Chocolate bar. From Saturday, 10/13 Monday, 10/15, customers who spend $20 or more in purchases will receive a luxurious 10.6 oz. Swiss Gold Milk Chocolate bar. All guests who visit the shop can enjoy a moment of bliss with the iconic LINDOR truffle where a delicate milk chocolate shell envelops an irresistibly smooth milk chocolate filling in every indulgent bite. The newest Lindt shop located on the main level of the mall, directly across from Nordstrom, will feature an array of premium Lindt Chocolate offerings including over twenty flavors of LINDOR truffles, EXCELLENCE premium dark chocolate bars, exclusive Master Chocolatier Specialties, holiday gifts and a chocolate experience beyond compare. "King of Prussia is one of the most iconic malls in the nation offering luxury for every taste and budget," said Ron Lencz, Vice President of Retail and E-Commerce at Lindt USA. "We are thrilled to open our newest Lindt Chocolate Shop amongst a collection of premium retailers unsurpassed in the region and sweeten the upcoming Holiday season for new consumers." "Like" the brand's Facebook page and follow Lindt on Twitter / Instagram (@Lindt_Chocolate) to keep up with all Lindt news. To be the first to learn about upcoming promotions, flash sales and store events, join our email list on Lindt.com. Store Location and Hours: King of Prussia Mall 160 N. Gulph Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 10am-9pm Monday-Saturday 11am-6pm Sunday About Lindt & Sprungli With more than 170 years of history and Swiss tradition, Lindt & Sprungli is a global leader in the premium chocolate category, offering high quality products in more than 120 countries. Lindt & Sprungli operates 12 production facilities in Europe and the United States and employs more than 14,000 worldwide. Lindt Chocolate USA operates more than 50 retail stores in the U.S. and maintains wide distribution through extensive retail and wholesale channels. Lauren Murray / Alicia Mohr A-Like-Minded Agency [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Lindt Chocolate Related Links https://www.lindtusa.com/ VALLETTA, Malta, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Malta Digital Exchange has identified Johan Ditz Lemche as its new CEO. Johan, a Danish national residing in Malta for the past seven years, holds multiple board positions within the financial markets. He is a committee member of the Financial Markets Association Malta (FMAM) and authored educational documentation on best practices in the financial industry. With an international background working for some of Europe's major specialised banks, advanced technical knowledge and management capabilities, Johan brings the requisite expertise to manage MDX. Malta Digital Exchange announced last month their impending launch of an institutional-grade security token exchange leveraging Australia's Paritech technology, which will be applying for a licence from the Malta Financial Services Authority. Malta, being at the forefront of regulatory framework for blockchain regulation provides MDX the perfect jurisdiction for the institutional-grade platform, along with the already executed technology designed for high volume and high-performance for B2B clients. Security tokens are set to disrupt the current capital markets with the ability to connect companies seeking to raise capital directly with those who want to invest, bridging-the-gap between crypto-assets and traditional markets. Johan will work with local regulators to bring MDX online, focusing on achieving their Virtual Financial Asset (VFA) Exchange and Multilateral Trading Facility (MTF) licenses and spearhead MDX's growth. "I'm looking forward to the challenge of stepping into the CEO position at MDX and am honoured by the trust that has been invested in me by the board. We have the right team and our vision is to become the world's premier securities token exchange, which will enable greater market efficiency, accessibility, liquidity and transparency within the capital markets. Malta's new regulation sets the framework and now it's up to us to execute", MDX's new CEO, Johan Ditz Lemche said. Rick Klink will assume the position of Executive Chairman in a move that further solidifies MDX's Board of Directors. "We welcome Johan Ditz Lemche's appointment as Malta Digital Exchange's (MDX) new CEO. He is a seasoned leader with deep experience in working in global public markets. It is a very exciting time in the Digital Asset space globally - major disruption is underway. Johan has the required set of skills and talent to thrive in this highly dynamic environment and to drive MDX to the forefront of the industry," Rick Klink said. Johan will begin at MDX in the early weeks of November 2018. To find out more about the Malta Digital Exchange, visit: https://www.maltadx.com/ SOURCE Malta Digital Exchange Related Links https://www.maltadx.com/ LONDON, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Noble Corporation plc (NYSE: NE) today announced that its report of drilling rig status and contract information has been updated as of October 11, 2018. The report, titled "Fleet Status Report," can be found on the Company's Website www.noblecorp.com, under the "Investor Relations" section of the Website. About Noble Corporation plc Noble is a leading offshore drilling contractor for the oil and gas industry. The Company owns and operates one of the most modern, versatile and technically advanced fleets in the offshore drilling industry. Noble performs, through its subsidiaries, contract drilling services with a fleet of 25 offshore drilling units, consisting of 12 drillships and semisubmersibles and 13 jackups, focused largely on ultra-deepwater and high-specification jackup drilling opportunities in both established and emerging regions worldwide. Noble is a public limited company registered in England and Wales with company number 08354954 and registered office at 10 Brook Street, London, W1S 1BG England. Additional information on Noble is available at www.noblecorp.com. SOURCE Noble Corporation Related Links http://www.noblecorp.com SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Nyotron , an Israeli company and provider of the industry's first OS-Centric Positive Security solution to strengthen endpoint protection, today announced that the company has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Ingram Micro to help it accelerate its global presence particularly in the United States and build its global channel ecosystem. The partnership, which includes a $10 million investment from Ingram Micro, expands on an existing relationship between Nyotron and Ingram Micro, which began earlier this year when the companies entered into a distribution agreement, whereby Nyotron's security solution was offered on the Ingram Micro Cloud Marketplace. This partnership is the latest example of Ingram Micro's ongoing strategy to help ISVs of all stages commercialize their intellectual property, expand their global reach and diversify their revenue. "Throughout our partnership with Ingram Micro, we've seen their teams offer tremendous opportunities to both channel partners and software vendors across the globe," said Sagit Manor, CEO of Nyotron. "This strategic partnership is a validation of the vision both companies had, and will allow Nyotron to boost our US presence, build out our channel program, and further bolster our sales and marketing efforts in order to increase security posture around the globe. We are proud to expand our relationship with a well-respected industry leader such as Ingram Micro." Nyotron's leading security solution, PARANOID, is available today on the Ingram Micro Cloud Marketplace, and enables channel partners to offer unique endpoint protection without competitive overlap with other endpoint solutions. Additionally, partners and MSPs can offer high-touch security services to their end-customers, all built on game-changing OS-Centric Positive Security. This threat-agnostic technology acts as the final layer of protection, mitigating risks of zero day attacks and evasive threats. "We continue to be impressed by Nyotron's technology and vision; and see this partnership as an important element of our strategy to grow our ISV ecosystem," said Nimesh Dave, Ingram Micro Executive Vice President, Global Cloud. "We are committed to a long-term partnership with Nyotron to help them expand their reach and broaden their market position. We look forward to supporting further innovation from Nyotron." For more information, visit https://www.nyotron.com/ingram/ . About Nyotron: Nyotron provides the industry's first OS-Centric Positive Security to strengthen laptop, desktop, and server protection. By mapping legitimate operating system behavior, Nyotron's PARANOID understands all the normative ways that may lead to damage, such as file deletion, data exfiltration, encryption, and more. Focusing on these finite "good" actions allows PARANOID to be completely agnostic to threats and attack vectors. PARANOID works seamlessly with antivirus and next-generation antivirus solutions to provide the last line of defense from modern state-level attacks. Nyotron ( www.nyotron.com ) is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA with an R&D office in Israel. About Ingram Micro Inc. Ingram Micro helps businesses Realize the Promise of Technology. It delivers a full spectrum of global technology and supply chain services to businesses around the world. Deep expertise in technology solutions, mobility, cloud, and supply chain solutions enables its business partners to operate efficiently and successfully in the markets they serve. Unrivaled agility, deep market insights and the trust and dependability that come from decades of proven relationships, set Ingram Micro apart and ahead. More at www.ingrammicro.com. SOURCE Nyotron Related Links https://www.nyotron.com LAS VEGAS, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- OPW, part of Dover (NYSE: DOV) and a global leader in fluid-handling solutions, discussed with retailers the pending U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Underground Storage Tank (UST) Regulations at this week's National Association of Convenience Stores Trade Show and Petroleum Equipment Institute Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. The new UST regulations go into full effect this week on October 13. "The moment we've been helping distributors and site owners prepare for since 2015 has arrived, but the process is far from over for many fueling sites across the United States," said Ed Kammerer, Director of Marketing and Global Product Strategy. "We received a lot of interesting feedback about the struggle to find contractors to get sites up to code. It's now officially crunch time." On July 15, 2015, the EPA published an update to the UST regulation and the state program approval regulation in the Federal Register. The revisions strengthened the 1988 federal UST regulations by increasing the emphasis on properly operating and maintaining UST equipment. There are four major regulatory requirements that all U.S. stations must be prepared for pertaining to new and existing UST systems. Testing of sumps and under-dispenser containment systems must be performed every three years if the system uses interstitial monitoring of the piping as its primary form of leak deterrence. Spill-bucket testing will be required every three years, unless the UST system is outfitted with double-wall spill buckets where the interstitial space is tested regularly. Some states already require spill-bucket testing every year. Compliance testing of repaired components: Whenever any component in the spill-protection, overfill-containment and secondary-containment areas of the UST system needs to be repaired, compliance testing of the repaired system must be completed within 30 days, regardless of whether or not an actual product release occurred. Overfill-prevention equipment inspections will be required every three years, except in states where they are already required annually. "It's important for each site owner to get their site compliant as soon as possible," added Kammerer. "Not just for the safety of their customers and our environment, but for their business as non-compliance penalties are fierce." For more information and free downloadable resources on the EPA's UST Regulations, please visit opwglobal.com/epa-regulations. About OPW: For over 125 years, OPW has led the way in designing and manufacturing world-class retail fueling, fluid-handling and car-wash system solutions for the safe and efficient handling and distribution of fuels and critical fluids. OPW makes aboveground and below ground products for both conventional, vapor-recovery and clean energy applications in the retail and commercial markets. Additionally, OPW supplies loading arms, valves and dry-break couplings, tank-truck equipment, rail car valves and equipment, and car-wash systems. OPW has manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific, with sales offices around the world. OPW is part of Dover Corporation. To learn more about OPW's 125 years of providing industry-leading solutions, visit our website at opwglobal.com. About Dover: Dover is a diversified global manufacturer with annual revenue of approximately $7 billion. We deliver innovative equipment and components, specialty systems, consumable supplies, software and digital solutions, and support services through three operating segments: Engineered Systems, Fluids and Refrigeration & Food Equipment. Dover combines global scale with operational agility to lead the markets we serve. Recognized for our entrepreneurial approach for over 60 years, our team of 26,000 employees takes an ownership mindset, collaborating with customers to redefine what's possible. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Dover trades on the New York Stock Exchange under "DOV." Additional information is available at dovercorporation.com. SOURCE Dover Related Links https://www.dovercorporation.com VANCOUVER, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Pacton Gold Inc. (TSXV: PAC, OTC: PACXF, FSE: 2NKN) (the "Company" or "Pacton") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding letter of intent ("LOI") to acquire a 70% equity interest in the Hong Kong project (the "Hong Kong Project") from Clancy Exploration Ltd ("Clancy"), an Australian Securities Exchange Listed exploration company. The acquisition of this strategic exploration license adjoining Pacton's Friendly Creek and Golden Palms projects provides a considerable land holding in what is emerging to be the primary focus of conglomerate gold exploration in the region. Over 5 km of strike of the lower Fortescue Group lithologies have been mapped within the Hong Kong Project and notable historical alluvial gold mines are located within these formations. In addition, structurally controlled, greenstone hosted gold mineralisation has been historically mined across the Hong Kong Project. Highlights of the Transaction: The Hong Kong Project consists of a single granted exploration license covering 40.15 km 2 and directly adjoins the Friendly Creek and Golden Palms projects held by Pacton. and directly adjoins the Friendly Creek and projects held by Pacton. Over 5 km of strike of the contact between Hardey Formation and Mount Roe Basalt occurs within the Hong Kong Project. Notable alluvial gold workings occur along the base of the Mount Roe Basalt. Multiple structurally controlled, greenstone hosted gold workings occur throughout the Hong Kong Project . Consolidated ground holding within the Egina Area offers the capacity for Pacton to undertake an extensive systematic approach to determining the conglomerate and structurally controlled gold mineralisation potential of the region. Egina Area is emerging as the focal point of conglomerate gold exploration in the Pilbara and Pacton aims to capitalise on its substantial ground holding inclusive of granted mining leases to rapidly evaluate the development potential of its portfolio. "The acquisition of the Hong Kong Project provides a considerable holding of contiguous tenure within the emerging focal point of conglomerate exploration in the region. Through the process of evaluating the extensive portfolio held by Pacton in the Pilbara region, we are further appreciating the significance of the association between the primary shear hosted and conglomerate styles of gold mineralisation in the region," commented Alec Pismiris, Interim President and CEO of Pacton Gold. "We look forward to working closely with Clancy to explore the Hong Kong Project as part of our broader Egina Area development strategy." For location map of the Property, please see: http://www.pactongold.com/Pacton-Location-Map.jpg. LOI Terms Under the terms of the LOI, which will be formalized by a definitive agreement among the parties, the Company can purchase a 70% equity interest in the Hong Kong Project by paying Clancy CDN$175,000 and issuing to Clancy 3,797,470 common shares of the Company. Upon completion of the acquisition, Pacton and Clancy will enter into a joint venture, with Pacton acting as operator of the Hong Kong Project. A minimum of CDN$500,000 must be spent by Pacton within two years of completion of the transaction. Clancy will be free carried with respect to expenditures until a decision to mine is made unanimously by both parties. A finder's fee will be payable to Geonomics Australia Pty Ltd. in respect of the transaction as permitted by the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. This transaction is subject to the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Pacton Gold Pacton Gold (PAC: TSXV; PACXF: US) is a well-financed Canadian junior with key strategic partners focused on the exploration and development of conglomerate-hosted gold properties located in the district-scale Pilbara gold rush in Western Australia. The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved Peter Caldbick, P.Geo., a director of the Company and a Qualified Person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101. The qualified person has not yet verified the data disclosed, including sampling, analytical, and test data underlying the information or opinions contained in the written disclosure. On Behalf of the Board of Pacton Gold Inc. Alec Pismiris Interim President & CEO This news release contains or refers to forward-looking information based on current expectations, including, but not limited to the Company acquiring an interest in the Hong Kong Project and completion of the proposed transaction described herein, the prospect of the Company achieving success in exploring the Hong Kong Project and the impact on the Company of these events, including the effect on its share price. Forward-looking information is subject to significant risks and uncertainties, as actual results may differ materially from forecasted results. Forward-looking information is provided as of the date hereof and we assume no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances. Neither TSX Venture Exchange, the Toronto Stock Exchange nor their Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Pacton Gold Inc. WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Project Talent (www.projecttalent.org), the landmark longitudinal study launched during the Eisenhower Administration, is conducting its latest follow-up study. The project began in 1960 with funding from the U.S. Office of Education and the Office of Naval Research. Project Talent has been collecting information from its 400,000 participants intermittently for 58 years. Students at Seton High School in Baltimore, Maryland, sit the Project Talent test in 1960 Project Talent test booklets from 1960 Background Project Talent was designed to be "the first scientifically planned national inventory of human talents: the aptitudes and abilities of a people"i. The study assessed the aptitudes, interests, personality traits, cognition, health, home life, and aspirations of 400,000 students from public, private, and parochial schools in every state. Researchers and funders hoped to discover how different patterns of aptitudes, interests, and personality traits might lead to success in a variety of careers. Reflecting the priorities of a nation engaged in a Cold War and shaken by the U.S.S.R.'s successful Sputnik launch, their goal was to ensure that the talents of America's young people were being effectively identified and utilized to secure the nation's place as a global superpower. In support of the study, future Vice President Hubert Humphrey declared that, "Certainly, at this time we must use all our available abilities and talents to aid our national security." Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson agreed, stating that, "It would be difficult to think of a more worthwhile undertaking than your efforts to assure that the best use is made of our nation's most valuable resource." Current Study Project Talent is the only large-scale, nationally representative study that tracks participants from adolescence to retirement age and beyond, presenting an incomparably rich data source. The latest follow-up study examines early determinants of later life cognitive diseases, including Alzheimer's disease in a random sample of 22,500 original participants. Researchers will examine the long-term impact of school quality and school segregation on brain health, and the impact of adolescent socioeconomic disadvantage on cognitive and psychosocial resilience. A special focus is being placed on the experiences of participants who identify as belonging to a racial or ethnic minority. "The Project Talent follow-up data could produce important clues about the effects of schooling and socioeconomic background in the teen years on physical and cognitive health in later life," said John Haaga, director of the Division of Behavioral and Social Research at the National Institute on Aging. "The research should help us not only to better understand Alzheimer's disease, but also to understand why many people overcame early obstacles and went on to live healthy and productive lives." The study is being conducted by the American Institutes for Research in conjunction with researchers from Columbia University Medical Center and the University of Southern California. It is funded by the National Institutes on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health (Grant #R01AG056163 and #RF1AG056164). The most recent study to use Project Talent data was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on September 7, 2018 About the American Institutes for Research Established in 1946, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance both domestically and internationally in the areas of health, education, and workforce productivity. Visit www.air.org. Media Contact: Sabine Horner 646-656-1514 [email protected] i Flanagan, John, C, Project Talent and Related Efforts to Improve Secondary Education, (Phi Delta Kappa International, Bloomington, Indiana, 1979), p.7. SOURCE American Institutes for Research Related Links http://www.air.org United by a common business culture, the merger is expected to drive meaningful growth through cross-selling synergies, geographic expansion, and sharing of best practices. In addition, the merger will provide an expanded product offering for customers of both companies, positioning the combined business as the solution of choice for architects, builders, dealers and other stakeholders in the natural stone value chain. Existing customers and suppliers can expect a seamless transition and to receive the same quality of service they have come to expect over time. "This transaction represents another milestone in Polycor's journey to become the global leader in the natural stone industry," says Patrick Perus, President and CEO of Polycor Inc. "we are thrilled to be joining forces with the leading producer of Indiana limestone in ILCO, and look forward to welcoming this world-class team into the Polycor family." ILCO is a Nationally recognized brand in North America's natural stone industry, with its stone being used in the construction of some of the U.S. most iconic buildings and monuments. ILCO also produces a wide range of natural stone masonry and hardscape products for use in residential, commercial, institutional and renovation applications. Tom Quigley, CEO of ILCO, said "Our business today touches the lives of dealers, fabricators, distributors and architects worldwide. We are proud to be a part of a great industry. Now, by joining with Polycor, a business partner with whom we share common values, passion and ambition, there is unlimited potential to expand our offering and deliver even greater value to our customers." Through this merger, both companies expect continued growth and momentum in all phases of business operations. As such, all plants and quarries will continue to operate as normal, with both the Polycor and ILCO management teams leading their respective business operations going forward. Existing ILCO shareholders will become significant minority shareholders in the go-forward entity as the business embarks on its next phase of growth. With a more diversified and expansive geographic presence, ILCO's offices in Bloomington will serve as a primary base to support continued expansion in North America. About Polycor Inc. Polycor Inc. is the world's leading natural stone quarrier and its core mission is to make people fall in love with natural stone. Their world-class reputation comes from a great legacy of stone work on historical landmarks, institutional, commercial and residential projects. Founded in Quebec City (Canada) in 1987, the company now employs nearly 1,100 people and owns over 44 quarries and 17 manufacturing plants across North America and Europe. For more information, visit their website or follow their social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. About ILCO Indiana Limestone Company is unmatched as the premier supplier of Indiana limestone in a range of beautiful and lasting building products. Founded in 1926 (with predecessor firms that had been quarrying limestone since the mid-1800s), Indiana Limestone Company today remains the provider of choice for this internationally renowned natural stone. Throughout an illustrious history in which its stone has made such iconic structures as the Empire State Building, National Cathedral, and the Pentagon, Indiana Limestone Company has reliably provided the highest quality products and services carefully tailored to the needs of the market with an environmental, natural focus. SOURCE Polycor Inc. GLENVIEW, Ill., Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Teletrac Navman, a global software-as-a-service provider that leverages location-based technology for GPS tracking solutions, today announced findings from its 2018 Telematics Benchmark Report: Global Construction Edition. The survey found that with 42 percent of organizations experiencing a talent shortage, more are taking action to address it, including increasing pay (50%), offering better benefits (35%) and providing flexible work arrangements (29%). The survey also found companies are seeing benefits from GPS tracking and investing in their fleets. Key insights from the survey include: Organizations' top business challenges and goals reflect their largest expenses 49 percent said managing costs was their top business challenge, while 41 percent named increasing profits and reducing operational costs as their top goals. 35 percent said retaining and developing talent was their top challenge, with payroll as their biggest expense (53%). Equipment/vehicle maintenance (34%), purchasing new equipment/vehicles (32%) and fuel (30%) were companies' other largest expenses. GPS tracking and big data analytics use on the rise as fleets see cost and safety benefits 85 percent of organizations either currently use GPS fleet tracking or plan to in the next year, citing equipment tracking as the most common use (76%), followed by speed (62%) and driver hours (58%). 55 percent have seen lower fuel costs since implementing telematics, with 21 percent trimming costs by 11 percent or more. Top safety benefits realized by using GPS tracking include speeding prevention (37%) and improved driver behavior (34%). 21 percent say they're applying big data analytics to business operations, up 12 percent from 2017. 37 percent expect big data analytics to be the technology that will most greatly impact business in the future, over autonomous vehicles (24%) and smart cities (12%). Organizations are investing in their employees and equipment, reflecting positive industry outlook 42 percent are investing in finding, retaining and developing talent. More than 50 percent of organizations experienced equipment failure in 2018, prompting 72 percent to invest in new vehicles. Driver warning/alerting technology (24%) and drones (12%) are the top two emerging technologies being considered for implementation this year. "There is definitely excitement around autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence, and while these topics do come up with our customers, per our survey it seems that the wider audience is not yet investing in these emerging technologies this year," said Mika Majapuro, senior director, product management, Teletrac Navman. "It appears that the majority of companies are seeking more practical, safety-oriented solutions like driver alerting technology that will improve operations immediately and are perhaps easier to adopt. In this case, the technology they're investing in is also a powerful talent retention tool, as operators want to work for companies that invest in their well-being." To download the report, please visit www.teletracnavman.com/benchmark/construction. Survey Methodology The 2018 Teletrac Navman Benchmark Survey includes responses from more than 2,400 fleet operations and fleet management professionals from around the world. Of the total survey respondents, 646 indicated their primary industry was construction, mining or oil or gas. The results described in the report were compiled from those respondents. This report provides an understanding of best practices and fleet management trends in business, general telematics, emerging technology, transportation, external factors and talent. Results may not amount to 100 percent due to questions with multiple selections. For reporting purposes, all statistical values have been rounded to the nearest whole number. About Teletrac Navman Teletrac Navman is a leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider leveraging location-based technology and services for managing mobile assets. With specialized solutions that deliver greater visibility into real-time insights and analytics, Teletrac Navman helps companies make better business decisions that enhance productivity and profitability. Its fleet and asset management technology uncovers information that would otherwise go unseen, helping customers reduce risk and confidently move their business forward with certainty. It tracks and manages more than 500,000 vehicles and assets for more than 40,000 companies around the world. The company is headquartered in Glenview, IL, with additional offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico. For more information visit www.TeletracNavman.com. SOURCE Teletrac Navman Related Links http://www.TeletracNavman.com LONDON, October 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The agreement is subject to approval by German and Austrian competition authorities VELUX A/S and Dutch investment firm Egeria have reached an agreement concerning the sale of JET-Group to the VELUX Group. The decision to acquire JET-Group, a European leader in industrial roof light systems, is in line with the VELUX Group's growth strategy and specifically the desire to grow its business in the non-residential market for daylighting solutions. The acquisition of JET-Group is the second by the VELUX Group this year, with Wasco Products Inc., a US skylight manufacturer, announced in April. The VELUX Group has been the market leader in the residential market for roof windows for more than 75 years. The VELUX Group's first step into the commercial (non-residential) market was in 2012 when it launched the VELUX Modular Skylight (VMS) system. Today, the strategy is to develop a leading position in this business area through organic growth and acquisitions. "We have had a very positive dialogue with Egeria and the JET-Group. We immediately felt that the ambitions and cultures of the JET-Group and our company complement each other nicely. Through the acquisition of JET-Group, we will strengthen our foothold within the commercial market in several countries and add several new product categories to our commercial offering in Europe," says David Briggs, CEO of the VELUX Group. The commercial market consists of two main segments: An architectural glazing segment, which has a greater focus on design, with architects playing a significant role in selecting glass or acrylic glazing solutions, and An industrial flat roof segment, which consists almost entirely of acrylic solutions, such as domes or continuous roof lights (CRLs). The two segments vary significantly in their target customer groups and sales processes. The VELUX VMS business has a strong presence in the architectural glazing segment while JET has a leading market position in the industrial flat roof segment. "We look forward to becoming part of the VELUX Group and we see a lot of growth potential and possibilities to strengthen our European business to the benefit of our customers and employees," says Ralf Dahmer, CEO of JET-Group. Mark Wetzels, Partner at Egeria, is also pleased about the transaction: "I am impressed by the VELUX Group and confident this combination will be good for both companies, their employees and their offering to the market. "With the acquisition of JET-Group we immediately become one of the leading players in the commercial market in Europe and will begin to merge our VMS operations with the JET-Group to build a new commercial division, which can drive further growth in this market. We also see opportunities to improve JET's wholesale business by selling some products through the VELUX distribution network, which will also bring more business to our dealer partners. VELUX has always focused on providing daylight and fresh air to create better living and working environments, and the acquisition of JET helps us gain scale and extend our business into a whole new market segment," says David Briggs, CEO of the VELUX Group. The acquisition must be approved by the competition authorities in Germany and Austria before it can be completed. The companies will not disclose further information about the agreement until final approval is granted. Pending approval and subject to completion of the acquisition of JET-Group, JET products will continue to be sold under the JET brand and through the existing organisation, while VELUX will continue to sell VMS products until customers are familiar with the change of ownership and a structured transition to the VELUX brand can be made and communicated to the market. Synergies are expected from developing common functions and key accounts across the two organisations, which will form the basis for a new VELUX commercial division. VELUX has been assisted in the transaction by EY Corporate Finance and Dentons and Egeria has had Houlihan Lokey and Allen & Overy as advisors. About the VELUX Group For more than 75 years, the VELUX Group has created better living environments for people around the world; making the most of daylight and fresh air through the roof. We work globally in the residential market - with sales and manufacturing operations in more than 40 countries and around 10,200 employees worldwide. Since 2012 VELUX has designed, manufactured and marketed prefabricated skylight systems for commercial buildings - VELUX Modular Skylights. Today the commercial division employs 270 people with sales in 11 countries and production in Denmark and the US. The VELUX Group is owned by VKR Holding A/S, a limited company wholly owned by non-profit, charitable foundations (THE VELUX FOUNDATIONS) and family. In 2017, VKR Holding had total revenue of EUR 2.5 billion, and THE VELUX FOUNDATIONS donated EUR 168 million in charitable grants. For more, information, visit http://www.velux.com. About Egeria Egeria is an independent Dutch investment company founded in 1997, which focuses on medium-sized. Egeria invests in healthy companies with an enterprise value between 50 million and 350 million. Egeria Funds has investments in 11 companies such as IQI, Dutch Bakery, Clondalkin, Dynniq, Ilionx, Trust, HITEC, Izico, and Nooteboom. Egeria's portfolio companies have a combined turnover of over 2.3 billion and employ close to 10,000 people. Besides private equity, Egeria has a long-hold portfolio Egeria Evergreens with five companies, Egeria Listed investments, Egeria Real Estate Investments, and Egeria Real Estate Developments. For more information, please visit: http://www.egeria.nl About JET-Group JET-Group is a leading European supplier of daylight solutions, ventilation products and smoke and heat exhaust ventilation systems. Its main products include light domes and continuous rooflights, which are mainly used in the industrial and municipal construction sectors. The international JET-Group has close to 800 employees, is headquarted in Hullhorst Germany and has a sales presence in 11 European countries and six production sites in four countries. For more, information, visit http://www.jet-group.com SOURCE THE VELUX GROUP Bill McDermott was honored by the association for advancing gender equality through innovation and technology. Recognizing that gender equality is a necessary foundation for a peaceful and prosperous world, SAP has led and supported countless initiatives to eradicate financial exclusion, enable entrepreneurial success, and eliminate inequity in workplaces across the world. "None of us is as smart as all of us," said Bill McDermott, CEO of SAP. "This award from the United Nations Association of New York belongs to the 95,000 women and men of SAP for helping the world run better and improving people's lives. I am very proud we are advancing the 17 Global Goals, equality and progress." An avid advocate for female self-esteem and women's freedom, Madame Trudeau was recognized for her tireless efforts to end the discrimination of women across the globe. Trudeau serves as an official spokesperson for Plan Canada's "Because I am a Girl" initiative, a campaign that encourages young girls to break inequality norms and claim their power in society. "Every single word, every day, and every action counts to create more equality on our shared journey," Trudeau said in her acceptance video. "We're all in it together and we all play a role when it comes to healing this world." The UNA-NY honored Former President Madame Sirleaf for her commitment to peace, development and women's rights. As Africa's first democratically-elected female head of state, Sirleaf led her country towards strides of social, political and economic change, ultimately achieving a Nobel Peace Prize for Peace in 2011. "[Sirleaf] once said 'If your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough,'" Trudeau said of the Former Liberian President. "That is certainly a mantra that I live by. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to peace and development and to the rights of women and girls." Each year, the United Nations Association of New York's Humanitarian Awards gala gathers policymakers, diplomats, business leaders and celebrities together to emphasize the United Nation's crucial role in advocating for peace worldwide. Past award nominees include Former Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon and Ragnar Grimsson, Former President of Iceland. For more information on the event and the association, please visit www.unanyc.org . For press inquiries, please email [email protected] About UNA-NY The United Nations Association of New York (UNA-NY) is a program of the UN Foundation and is the host city chapter of UNA-USA, America's largest grass roots foreign policy organization dedicated to supporting the work of the United Nations. UNA-NY runs programs to educate and engage the New York City community on issues pertaining to the UN and the Sustainable Development Goals. SOURCE United Nations Association of New York Related Links http://www.unanyc.org PITTSBURGH, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the UpPrize, BNY Mellon Social Innovation Challenge has named TalkMeUp, C.C. Busy and Sign Track as the winners of its Great Solutions Challenge at a Showcase held at The Carnegie Science Center. UpPrize was developed to bridge the gap between the nonprofit and entrepreneurial communities as well as to increase the number of impactful technology based solutions targeted to address critical social challenges. The challenge is organized by The Forbes Funds, a supporting organization of The Pittsburgh Foundation, in collaboration with the BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania. First place winner TalkMeUp received a $150,000 grant, second place winner CC Busy received a $100,000 grant and the third place winner Sign Track received a $50,000 grant. All three UpPrize challenge winners and two additional finalists received one month of personalized support and mentoring from UpPrize advisors during the competition, including $10,000 grants. Since its launch in 2015, the UpPrize, BNY Mellon Social Innovation Challenge has allocated more than $2 million in investments, grants and technical assistance to winners and finalists. "Since its launch, we have witnessed firsthand the direct impact UpPrize has made in our region, connecting nonprofits with start-ups and the innovation ecosystem," said Kenya Boswell, President of the BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania. "This year's winners have created transformational solutions to provide much needed support and services focused on improving the quality of life for residents in southwestern Pennsylvania. I continue to be inspired by the creative solutions curated by innovators in our region and look forward to seeing them scale over time." First place winner TalkMeUp, led by Carnegie Mellon University alumna JJ Xu, MBA, is an artificial intelligence-based software company focused on communication training. Using a combination of learning management systems and personalized training tools, TalkMeUp provides individuals and organizations with on-demand, manageable and customized communication training solutions, reducing training expenses by more than 90%. Second place winner C.C. Busy uses the power of voice assistants to help childcare providers deliver better care to children while meeting the requirements of increasing regulations. Led by Shimira Williams and Greg Quinlan, C.C. Busy provides automatic documentation that eases the delivery of information to regulators and parents, ultimately improving the care environment and better supporting a child's development. Third place winner Sign Track, led by Carnegie Mellon University alumnus Brandon Taylor, Ph.D, develops software for automatically interpreting American Sign Language (ASL), using depth cameras to measure the manual gestures and facial expressions used to articulate ASL in real time. Through its proprietary classification software, Sign Track recognizes the signs and provides English translations without extensive individual training. Kate Dewey, Senior Advisor to UpPrize, said, "UpPrize is a significant competition that encourages local nonprofits, social entrepreneurs and companies to address difficult community issues. It has accelerated the development of a growing local social innovation movement that has garnered national attention. More than 450 entries have been received over the past three years and each winner's accomplishments has been nothing short of remarkable. The success is in large part attributed to BNY Mellon's affirmation of nonprofits, clearly evident from the time, talent and financial contribution to the sector." In addition to the winners, the UpPrize finalists included: Hera Global Tech leverages current and emerging technologies to provide innovative solutions for personal safety. Led by Elizabeth LaRue, Ph.D, Poorvi Mathur and Brady Sheehan, Hera Global Tech has created a unique safety device that confirms and communicates an immediate threat to its user. Currently, the company is building its "Autonomous" system for individuals rehabilitating from substance abuse and victims of abuse and/or violence in the southwestern Pennsylvania region. The Virtual Senior Academy connects seniors, many of whom are facing a decline in mobility and access to in-person activities, through an easy web-based platform that allows them to engage with peers, expand their social networks, stimulate life-long learning and increase their comfort with technology. Led by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation's Mara Leff, MPH, the Academy enables seniors to participate from their homes, libraries and senior centers using a web camera to connect with fellow users and teachers. The 2018 UpPrize competition received more than 100 applications from talented Pittsburgh-area entrepreneurs. Before selecting five finalists, 10 semi-finalists pitched solutions to subject matter experts representing the nonprofit, for-profit and investment communities. Each semi-finalist was paired with industry mentors to sharpen their business plans and advance their solutions. To learn more about the UpPrize winners and the overall competition, visit www.UpPrize.org. About BNY Mellon BNY Mellon is a global investments company dedicated to helping its clients manage and service their financial assets throughout the investment lifecycle. Whether providing financial services for institutions, corporations or individual investors, BNY Mellon delivers informed investment management and investment services in 35 countries. As of June 30, 2018, BNY Mellon had $33.6 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration, and $1.8 trillion in assets under management. BNY Mellon can act as a single point of contact for clients looking to create, trade, hold, manage, service, distribute or restructure investments. BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE: BK). Additional information is available on www.bnymellon.com. Follow us on Twitter @BNYMellon or visit our newsroom at www.bnymellon.com/newsroom for the latest company news. About The Forbes Funds The Forbes Funds builds the management capacity and impact of community-based nonprofits individually and collectively. A supporting organization of the Pittsburgh Foundation, The Forbes Funds has more than 30 years of experience in providing technical assistance, research, and leadership to advance a more effective and sustainable nonprofit sector. Additional information is available at forbesfunds.org, or on Twitter @theforbesfunds and @UpPrize. Contacts: Media Madelyn McHugh +1 212 635 1376 [email protected] SOURCE BNY Mellon Related Links http://www.bnymellon.com LOUISVILLE, Ky. and TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to quality and patient satisfaction among Kentucky's managed Medicaid members, WellCare of Kentucky, Inc., a WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE:WCG) company, earned high ratings according to the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Medicaid Health Insurance Plan Ratings 2018-2019. NCQA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality, publicly released its 2018-19 Health Insurance Plan Ratings at healthinsuranceratings.ncqa.org. The annual report rates more than 1,000 commercial, Medicaid and Medicare plans based on consumer satisfaction, prevention and treatment. NCQA evaluated WellCare's clinical performance based on three areas: consumer satisfaction, prevention and treatment. WellCare received an overall score of 3.5 out of 5the highest score achieved in the state in 2018. Among the highlights, WellCare: Earned more 4 ratings and above than any other plan across the three dimensions; Earned a 5 out of 5the highest ratingfor getting medical care quickly, including appointments, preventive care, tests and treatments; Earned a 4 out of 5 for ease of care, care coordination and customer service. "WellCare is pleased with this year's NCQA ratings," said Dr. Naim Munir, WellCare's senior medical director in Kentucky. "These ratings demonstrate WellCare's investments in quality are helping our members in the commonwealth access needed care and services and reinforces our continued commitment to help our members live better, healthier lives." WellCare of Kentucky's Medicaid plan has also achieved an Accreditation status of "Commendable" from NCQA. About NCQA Ratings The NCQA Accreditation ratings are calculated based on Health Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) scores, Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) scores and NCQA Accreditation standard scores. The NCQA Health Insurance Plan Ratings is considered the most comprehensive evaluation in the healthcare industry. For a more detailed review of the latest NCQA health insurance plan ratings report, visit: http://healthinsuranceratings.ncqa.org/2018/search/Medicaid/KY. About NCQA NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA's website (www.ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more informed health care choices. About WellCare Health Plans, Inc. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, as well as individuals in the Health Insurance Marketplace. WellCare serves approximately 5.5 million members nationwide as of September 1, 2018. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com. SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc. Related Links http://www.wellcare.com Canberra, Oct 11 : Two major quakes hit Indonesia and Papua New Guinea located in the Pacific Ring of Fire on Thursday, killing at least three people in Java. An earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter struck off the coast of the islands of Java and Bali in Indonesia killing three people in buildings than shattered like a house of cards, Efe news reported. The quake occurred in the Bali Sea located between the islands of Bali and Java. Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesperson for the Indonesian Disaster Prevention Agency tweeted images of several destroyed buildings that the victims were found in the Sumenep district of Java. Later a 7.0 quake shook the New Britain island of Papua New Guinea (PNG), according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). It occurred at a depth of 40.3 km at 6.48 a.m. and the epicentre was located some 117 km east of Kimbe, the capital of the province of Western New Britain, with a population of 27,000. The Pacific Tsunami Centre had initially warned of huge waves but the alert was later cancelled. There were no immediate reports of damage in PNG. The USGS said the hypocentre of the Indonesian tremor was located about 10 km below the ocean floor. It struck at 49.5 km northeast of Panji in eastern Java and 157 km northwest of Denpasar in Bali. The latest quake came on the same day when the Indonesian authorities planned to conclude the search for victims of the quake-tsunami that struck its Sulawesi Island on September 28. The latest toll in the September quake is 2,045 from that disaster while around 5,000 are still missing, possibly trapped under mud and debris. The Australian Tsunami Warning Centre also reported no risk for Australian coastlines. The PNG earthquake was followed by three aftershocks of between 5.7 and 6.2 magnitude. Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a geologically active region which frequently experiences tremors. The Indonesian archipelago is in an area that experiences intense seismic and volcanic movements, which produce about 7,000 earthquakes each year, most of which are of moderate magnitude. Washington, Oct 11 : Israel has detained a US graduate student for more than a week, accusing her of supporting the Palestinian-led boycott movement. Lara Alqasem, a 22-year-old of Palestinian heritage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, arrived in Israel on a student visa to attend Jerusalem's Hebrew University but never made it out of the Ben Gurion International Airport, Tel Aviv, after she was found to have ties to the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, better known as BDS, her lawyer, Leora Bechor, said. "There was no justification to deny her (entry at the airport) when they could have made their decision at the time her student visa was to be issued," Bechor told CNN on Wednesday. "Someone with a visa in hand places their faith in the government's decision, so if the government plans to revoke a visa it has already issued, it must be held accountable." Alqasem has been held in a detention facility at the airport since arriving in Israel on October 2. She has access to a phone but cannot receive visits except from her lawyers. Israel's Ministry of Strategic Affairs, which handles BDS cases, called Alqasem a "prominent activist" who met the criteria of being refused entry into the country. In a statement to CNN, Minister of Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan said: "Israel, like every democracy, has the right to prevent the entry of foreign nationals, especially those working to harm the country. Therefore we work to prevent the entry of those who promote the anti-Semitic BDS campaign, which calls for Israel's destruction." The Ministry added that Alqasem was free to return to the US anytime. A US Embassy official told CNN on Wednesday: "We are following the case and have provided consular services to Alqasem." At the US State Department briefing on Tuesday, spokeswoman Heather Nauert said: "It's ultimately up to the government of Israel, or any country for that matter, to decide which individuals, which Americans, it wants to let in." Hebrew University's academic senate condemned Alqasem's detention and called for her immediate release. New Delhi : Cataract is caused due to the opacification of the natural lens in the eye, leading to cloudy vision. It is a common occurrence in the elderly -- and a commonly performed surgery across the world. The management of cataract has evolved recently from a stage of visual restoration to a stage of refractive surgery. Several new technologies have come up over the recent past to achieve this outcome. Femtosecond laser cataract surgery is now the most popular method used and has recently gained more importance. It is an ultrashort pulse infrared laser used in making clear corneal incisions to create an opening in the cataractous lens to break down and remove the cataract. This enhances the precise quality of the incision and makes the opening in the lens perfectly circular with a required size making it more predictable. The use of femtosecond laser further simplifies cataract surgery and increases the ease and precision of the surgery. Another technique used is the Zepto precision pulse capsulotomy which makes a precise circular opening in the cataract and is especially beneficial in cases of white intumescent or hard brown cataracts. Recent advances in the intraocular lenses (IOLs) -- the artificial lenses which are inserted in the eye after removing the cataract -- have revolutionised cataract surgery. The various advanced lenses available in the market are aspheric lenses, presbyopia correcting IOLs like multifocal IOLs, accommodative IOLs and extended depth of focus IOLs. These help in eliminating the use of glasses both for distance and near vision. Based on various mechanisms, they are divided into different categories. Multifocal IOLs are the ones which are bifocals or trifocals, where the image is focused in more than one point, helping in both distance and near vision. However, due to the split of light, there may be some amount of loss of contrast sensitivity as well as night vision difficulties. Accomodative IOLs function by forward and backward displacement of lenses, but several factors post cataract surgery may influence the outcome of these type of IOLs. At present, the extended depth of focus IOLs are being widely used. They have an increased range of focus which help in intermediate and near vision. To implant these lenses, the patient needs to be counselled thoroughly about the expected outcomes. The intraocular materials used also play a major role in the surgical outcome. Viscoelastic devices are used to protect various structures inside the eye from damage during the surgery. They coat the inner layers of the eye and prevent any sort of damage to the eye. They help in smoothening the surgical course and prevent unnecessary complications. The solutions used in the eye also evolved such that they resemble the normal fluids present in the eye and do not cause any sort of reaction. All these enhance early rehabilitation and better outcomes in cataract surgery. Proper, systematic testing of the patient and selecting the given technology based on the patient's requirement is equally important. Proper education of the patient is necessary and is a mandate for their satisfaction with the outcomes of the cataract surgery. (Dr. Revathy Yerramneni is Consultant, Department of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad. The views expressed are personal. She can be contacted at dr.revathy@lvpei.org) San Francisco, Oct 11 : Google is putting an end to "Reply" -- its experimental smart reply app that offered responses for other third-party messaging apps like Hangouts and Messenger. Google informed the beta testers about ending the experimental app over an email, The Verge reported on Wednesday. "As you know, 'Reply' was an experiment, and that experiment has now ended. While it might still work for the next few months, you may encounter bugs, or see that the suggestions aren't as good," the report quoted the search-engine giant as saying. Apart from messaging apps, "Reply" was also supposed to roll out for other services including Calender and Maps to offer potential smart reply suggestions for appointments and commute estimates based on a user's current location and traffic conditions. "The app's automated responses were often bland, leaned toward affirmative answers, or just simply parroted the noun from the message that was received. It also tended to offer 'I love you' as a default third response regardless of context," the report added. Launched in February, the smart reply app was part of Google's "Area 120" division that incubates and tests new apps. Google plans to take into consideration learnings noted in the process of testing "Reply" and incorporate them in other products like Gmail's Smart Compose and Smart Reply, the report said. Washington, Oct 11 : US foreign military sales totalled to $55.66 billion in 2018, a 33 per cent increase compared to the nearly $42 billion in weapons sold in 2017, the Defence Cooperation Agency announced. According to the announcement on Wednesday, is the highest annual total for military sales to foreign governments since 2012 when the US conducted upwards of $69 billion in arms deals with allies and partners around the world, reports CNN. The upward trend is due, in part, to the administration's push to relax restrictions on foreign military sales. Though critics suggest human rights concerns are being relegated in the rush to increase sales. Since taking office, President Donald Trump has demonstrated an insatiable appetite for selling American weaponry abroad -- at times using face-to-face meetings with foreign leaders to make a personal sales pitch. Trump signed a nearly $110 billion defence deal with Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in May 2017 in Riyadh, on what was his first stop abroad as President. In the same month, the US government reauthorised the export of Paveway munitions to Saudi Arabia, ending former President Barack Obama's December 2016 ban. In April, the administration rolled out its "Buy American" plan to lift -- what it views -- as self-imposed policy restrictions that limit potential opportunities for business. "These policy changes advance US national security and foreign policy because they make FMS more attractive in a very competitive market," DSCA Director LTG Charles W. Hooper said in a statement on Wednesday. "The US not only sells the world's most state-of-the-art defence systems, but we also strengthen our alliances and attract new partners through enduring strategic and defence partnership," he added. Srinagar, Oct 11 : While a gunfight was on between holed up militants and security forces on Thursday in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, clashes erupted between civilian protesters and the forces near the gun battle site, police said. The security forces had earlier launched a cordon and search operation in Shatgund village of Handwara tehsil after receiving information about the presence of militants there. As news about the encounter spread in the area, civilian protesters started pelting stones at the security forces near the gunfight site. "Firing exchanges have stopped. Searches are now going on," a police officer said. There is no official confirmation so far about whether any militant has been killed in the gunfight. Reports from the area earlier said a top militant commander, Manan Bashir Wani, a Ph.D scholar from Aligarh Muslim University who joined militancy in January, was among the two militants trapped inside the security cordon. Authorities have ordered closure of all educational institutions and suspension of mobile internet services in the district. Classes in degree colleges of Bandipora, Baramulla, Pulwama and Srinagar districts have also been suspended as a precautionary measure. In a separate incident in Pulwama district on Thursday, militants fired at and injured Special Police Officer (SPO) Bilal Ahmad in Karimabad village. He has been shifted to a hospital, a police officer said. San Francisco, Oct 11 : As part of a new digital TV strategy, Apple may give owners of its devices, such as the iPhone, iPad and Apple TV, free access to content owned by the company in addition to an option to subscribe to services from legacy media companies, CNBC reported. The subscription "channels" of the product will allow customers to sign up for online-only services, such as those from HBO and Starz, said the report on Wednesday, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter. On producing original content, the Cupertino, California-headquartered tech giant is reportedly spending about $1 billion. When the new services roll out, they may come loaded in the pre-installed "TV" application of Apple devices. The revamped app may be launched by Apple early next year, the report said, adding that an Apple spokesman, however, declined to comment on the plans. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal last month, Apple has about 24 original shows in production and development. San Francisco, Oct 11 : After waging years of legal battles against firms working on open source technologies, Microsoft is now joining the Open Invention Network ("OIN"), a community dedicated to protecting Linux and other open source software programmes from patent risk. The decision reflects a change in attitude of the software giant which earlier considered open sources technologies a threat to its business and alleged that these technologies violated their patent rights. "We know Microsoft's decision to join OIN may be viewed as surprising to some; it is no secret that there has been friction in the past between Microsoft and the open source community over the issue of patents," Erich Andersen, Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Microsoft wrote in a blog post on Wednesday. "For others who have followed our evolution, we hope this announcement will be viewed as the next logical step for a company that is listening to customers and developers and is firmly committed to Linux and other open source programmes," Andersen added. Microsoft said it would bring a valuable and deep portfolio of over 60,000 issued patents to OIN. "Now, as we join OIN, we believe Microsoft will be able to do more than ever to help protect Linux and other important open source workloads from patent assertions," Andersen said. "Joining OIN reflects Microsoft's patent practice evolving in lock-step with the company's views on Linux and open source more generally." The change at Microsoft, Andersen said, began over two years ago through programmes like Azure IP Advantage, which extended Microsoft's indemnification pledge to open source software powering Azure services. "We doubled down on this new approach when we stood with Red Hat and others to apply GPL v. 3 "cure" principles to GPL v. 2 code, and when we recently joined the LOT Network, an organisation dedicated to addressing patent abuse by companies in the business of assertion," Andersen said. Since its founding in 2005, OIN has been at the forefront of helping companies manage patent risks. It has more than 2,650 members, including numerous Fortune 500 enterprises. "Through its participation in OIN, Microsoft is explicitly acknowledging the importance of open source software to its future growth," Keith Bergelt, CEO of Open Invention Network, said in a statement. Kolkata, Oct 11 : Actress Kajol has been named the brand ambassador of skin care brand Charmis. The new TV campaign, featuring the actress, captures the values and essence of the brand - "Achchaai Jo Chehre Par Nazar Aaye". It has been rolled out to celebrate the goodness, painstakingly nurtured and instilled in children by every mother, said a statement, "The Charmis film simply underlines a basic truth that while goodness is about character, integrity, honesty, kindness, moral courage, but above all, goodness is about how you treat other people. Being an ambassador makes me feel good and trustworthy; both aspects being important to me as a person and an artist," said Kajol. The campaign recognises and celebrates the lessons best learnt from mothers - 'Maa ki Seekh' and how they guide children to make the right choices as they navigate through the maze of life and respond to challenges and conflicts thrown up each day. Sameer Satpathy, Chief Executive, Personal Care Products Business, ITC Limited, said, "It is a moment of pride for us to reintroduce Charmis, a brand that has been loved by consumers for over eight decades, in a fresh new look. We are excited to introduce a great new sensorial with SPF 30 and above all with a delightful new TV campaign." The new TVC developed by the creative team at Contract and film director Ram Madhvani of Equinox, showcase the heartfelt moment of a young boy, who when faced with a dilemma, decides to follow the value of goodness and the teachings learnt from his mother - brave boys don't hit girls. New Delhi, Oct 11 : Very severe cyclonic storm Titli, which is being referred to as a Category 2 hurricane, made an early morning landfall in Odisha's Gopalpur before crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast on Thursday, a Home Ministry statement said. It also said that "the wind speed is likely to decrease gradually due to the weakening of the cyclone". "The very severe cyclonic storm Titli crossed north Andhra Pradesh south Odisha coast near Palasa in Srikakulam district to the southwest of Gopalpur, as a very severe cyclonic storm with estimated maximum sustained surface wind speed of 140-150 kmph gusting to 165 kmph between 4.30 a.m. to 5.30 a.m.," the statement said. The affected districts so far include Odisha's Ganjam, Khurdha, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Gajapati Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore. Titli caused heavy to very heavy rainfall in Ganjam, Gajapati and Puri. The damage of thatched and asbestos house, street lights, roads blockage due to falling of trees, was reported in Ganjam. The Ministry said that among the preparedness measures, 30 district emergency operation centres have been activated to track and respond disaster effectively. As many as 3 lakh people were evacuated from their homes in Odisha to other parts of the country; 1,112 relief camps have been opened for the evacuees in the shelters; and 105 pregnant women in Ganjam and 18 in Jagatsinghpur have been shifted to hospitals. "The situation is being closely monitored at different levels," the Ministry statement added. Cadarache (France), Oct 11 : The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), the worlds largest experimental fusion facility in which India is a scientific partners, will start generating "a new, clean, safe and unlimited light" by 2025, its Director General, Bernard Bigot has said. ITER aims to prove that fusion power can be produced on a commercial scale. If successful, generations to come will benefit from fusion energy. The quest to harness fusion power for commercial energy generation has been actively researched since the 1950s. The reason it has taken so long is a combination of science and engineering challenges, Bigot said. Construction of ITER began in this nuclear fusion facility in the southern French countryside in 2010 and there have been delays in its construction but now have largely overcome, he said. "The ITER project is very much on track to achieve first plasma by 2025," Bigot told this visiting IANS correspondent. This means the reactor is able to generate a molten mass of electrically-charged gas -- plasma -- inside a core. Creating controlled fusion requires a force that can overcome the repulsion between two positively charged nuclei, he said. "Here at ITER we are doing a large-scale experiment to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion energy -- one of the biggest challenges of our civilisation," he said. ITER means "the way" in latin. Nuclear fusion, the first industrial-scale fusion reactor, if successful, will illuminate the way to produce clean, cheap, and abundant energy for millions of years. To current estimates this is estimated to happen in the second half of this century This nuclear fusion facility is an international cooperation among the European Union, Russia, the US, Japan, China, India and South Korea, all contributing with products and expertise. "But it is clear that fusion is not a quick fix; that would be an exaggeration. But we are clearly getting close to fusion being ready to deliver," said Bigot. This is why we are beginning to see private investment, and it is why 35 countries are willing to invest in the ITER project," an optimistic Bigot added. Bigot does not view fusion to be a "panacea"; ideally, he views fusion as part of a global sustainable energy mix (in combination with renewable) in a clean energy future. Why fusion technology has taken so long to see the light of day, he replied: "Different scientists have different predictions about the date when fusion will be available." "The private sector fusion companies are sometimes promising fusion electricity quite quickly -- although we view most such claims with some skepticism. In the view of ITER members, most consider it feasible for fusion to be providing electricity on a commercial scale by mid-century; some are more eager and hope to construct electricity-generating fusion plants sooner than that." ITER, the most complex science project in human history, will use hydrogen fusion, controlled by superconducting magnets, to produce massive heat energy. In the commercial machines that will follow, this heat will drive turbines to produce electricity. Scientists say a pineapple-sized amount of hydrogen offers as much fusion energy as 10,000 tons of coal. Bigot said when the scientists prove that fusion is a viable energy source, it will eventually replace burning fossil fuels, which are non-renewable and non-sustainable. "Fusion will be complementary with wind, solar, and other renewable energies." Safety is a very high priority for ITER. "The physics of magnetic confinement fusion (like the ITER tokamak design) is considered to be extremely safe. There is no possibility of a meltdown-type of nuclear accident," he said. This tokamak, weighs as much as three and a half Eiffel towers, is a donut-shaped configuration for the containment of the plasma, which is where the reaction at temperatures hotter than the sun will take place. ITER project had completed over 55 per cent of the "total construction work scope through first plasma". First plasma, scheduled for December 2025, will be the first stage of operation for ITER as a functional machine. A multi-national 20 billion euro initiative as per 2016 estimates, Bigot said for ITER members the financial contribution to the project is 80-90 per cent in the form of components. "India's expertise is an investment in Indian companies. This is the strong benefit of being a recognized, reliable partner to the other ITER countries involved (China, the European Union, Japan, Korea, Russia and the US) for large-scale scientific R&D collaboration. "This also leverages the Indian financial investment: by paying for about nine per cent of the ITER project, India receives access to 100 per cent of the intellectual property contributed by all members," the Director-General, who assumed the post in 2015, said. In its facility in Hazira, a port in Surat district in Gujarat, Indian contractor Larson & Toubro is manufacturing segments of the upper cylinder of the cryostat, the giant refrigerator that will house the ITER tokamak, which will produce 500 megawatts of thermal power. The ITER's 55 per cent milestone is getting significant attention. The progression rate is in the order of 0.7 per cent per month. The concept of the ITER project was conceived at the 1985 Geneva Summit between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. When the ITER Agreement was signed in 2006, it was supported by leaders like French President Jacques Chirac, US President George W. Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. A commercial fusion plant will be designed with a slightly larger plasma chamber, for 10-15 times more electrical power. (Vishal Gulati's visit is at the invitation of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). He can be reached at vishal.g@ians.in) New Delhi : India has the third-largest higher educational system in the world. In 2016, there were 799 universities and 39,071 colleges spread across the country. These numbers are staggering. The growth of higher education in India over a little more than half a century has been even more staggering. Between 1950 and 2014, the number of universities in India increased by 34 times. And, between 1950 and 2013, colleges increased by 74 times. This quantitative explosion in higher education institutions has not been matched by the quality of the education they provide. In fact, the gap between quantity and quality is so large that it stands as one of the major obstacles in the way of India being a world leader. To become such a leader, India needs to develop a world class higher education system. Two years ago, the Narendra Modi administration attempted to put some focus on quality in higher education with its introduction of draft regulations for a new initiative called the "UGC (Declaration of Government Educational Institutions as World Class Institutions) Guidelines, 2016." By 2018, when the first six institutions were named under this initiative, they were designated as "Institutions of Eminence" as opposed to "world class institutions". Although the label has been changed, the intent remains the same. That is to give considerable discretion to and elevate the status of these institutions. This is not necessarily a bad thing. But, it will do little to address the underlying problems of higher education in India. This is true because the focus is completely wrong. These universities are the tip of the higher educational iceberg. Enhancing the capacity of a few institutions, thus possibly enabling them to be rated a little higher in the world rankings of higher education institutions, does nothing for the many. That's not to say that India does not need world class institutions of higher education. It is to say that more, importantly India, needs a world class higher education system. A world class higher education system is one that is student- or customer-centred rather than institution-centred. It comprises certified and caring institutions that have the resources required and the core mission of ensuring that students/customers acquire the knowledge/skills/abilities and dispositions that they need to achieve their individual goals and to maximise their contribution to society. India's current system has been almost exactly the opposite of that. The emphasis has been primarily on a select group of institutions and individuals rather than embracing and addressing the needs of the whole. There are many steps that must be taken to change this and to make the Indian higher education system world class. They include: - Increase public financing. The federal and state governments currently provide limited funding for higher education. As a result, over 70 percent of the higher education institutions are operated by the private sector. These institutions are not well regulated and are of highly variable quality. Public sector financing could be used to support existing public institutions and to establish new ones in regions in which there are limited higher educational opportunities. - Enhance the infrastructure. Colleges and universities throughout India have inadequate physical settings, lack equipment, and suffer from a shortage of competent teachers. Ensuring that each higher educational institution is infrastructurally sound, establishes the proper environment for learning and growth. - Expand access to and participation in higher education. The enrollment in higher education is approximately 15 per cent of the eligible population. This percentage needs to be much higher for India to be considered and to become a developed or developing country. It also needs to be representative of the entire population, including females, those from the weaker sectors, and rural areas. - Enforce standards and requirements appropriately. The announced replacement of the University Grants Commission (UGC) with the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) created considerable debate within and outside of the educational community. The essential question regardless of whether there is an UGC, HECI or some other agency with an acronym. must be: Is the proper data being collected and used to monitor performance and ensure accountability for each institution in the higher education system? - Place an emphasis on vocational education. The higher education system must meet the needs of potential employers and prospective employees. Currently, there is a mismatch. The higher educational system must equip itself to be the provider of first resort and give the country the skilled workforce it requires. There are many other steps that must be taken, such as addressing politicians controlling many educational institutions, to make India's higher education system world class. But there must be only one mindset. That mindset must be that the country's higher education system must be restructured, redesigned, and renewed in a way that benefits all of India and all Indians. (Frank F. Islam is an entrepreneur, civic and thought leader based in Washington, D.C. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at ffislam@verizon.net) Islamabad, Oct 11 : Experts have urged for an agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan on the apportionment of the Kabul river water and warned that construction of reservoirs on the river would disturb its entire ecology. The announcement was made on Wednesday during a conference titled "Sustainable usage of the Kabul River: Challenges and opportunities for Pak-Afghan cooperation" held at the University of Peshawar, reports Dawn news. The varsity's Vice Chancellor Mohammad Asif said that the Afghan government with the financial and technical support of India had planned construction of 12 reservoirs on the Kabul River that would generate 2400 megawatts of electricity. He said that construction of dams on the river would drastically affect the agriculture sector in Pakistan, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the water flow in three main tributaries of the river had already declined by more than 50 per cent. He stressed the need for having a bilateral water treaty between Islamabad and Kabul for the reasonable and equitable use of the Kabul River water. Peshawar-based Afghan Counsul General Moeen Marastial said that his government was ready for negotiation with Pakistan on water issues within the framework of international conventions. The experts said that the Kabul River played a key role in irrigating lands in Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera and adjoining areas. They said that the river was mainly fed by the Chitral river, which was known as the Kunar river in Afghanistan. New Delhi, Oct 11 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi "corrupt" following fresh revelations by French website Mediapart that inclusion of a private defence partner from India was an "imperative and obligatory" condition for securing the Rafale jets contract. Mediapart said the name of Reliance Defence was give to Dassault Aviation as "obligatory" offset partner. Questioning Modi's "deafening silence" on the issue, despite allegations of corruption directed at him, Gandhi said the Prime Minister must resign. "The Prime Minister of India is corrupt, I want to tell the youth of the nation that he is corrupt," Gandhi said at a special media briefing here. "Allegations of corruptions are being directed at him and the Prime Minister is silent. He should resign if he cannot respond (to the charges)," he said. Gandhi reading out excerpts from Wednesday's Mediapart report on an internal Dassault document, said that the group accepted to work with Reliance as an "imperative and obligatory" condition for securing the fighter jet contract. "Rafale's senior executive has clearly stated that choosing Anil Ambani's company was a compensation for the purchase of Rafale. "Earlier former French President (Francois Hollande) had revealed that Indian Prime Minister had told them that Reliance should get a deal. Now Dasaullt's second senior-most executive has said the same thing," said Gandhi alleging that "Modi put Rs 30,000 crore in his industrialist crony's pockets." In its earlier report the French website had quoted Hollande as saying that India had proposed Reliance Defence as the partner for the deal. "There is a clear-cut case of corruption against the Prime Minister," said Gandhi ridiculing the Modi government for shying away from a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the deal. He also questioned the visit of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to France wondering if her three day trip from Wednesday was in connection with process to justify Modi's decision to purchase the fighter jets. San Salvador, Oct 11 : Oscar Romero, the Salvadoran priest who championed social justice for the poor and dispossessed, will be proclaimed a saint by Pope Francis on Sunday, almost four decades after he was assassinated by a right-wing death squad. "Oscar Romero is revered in his native El Salvador. He ranks alongside the likes of Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi as one of the most remarkable figures of the 20th century," the Guardian quoted Clare Dixon, head of the Catholic aid agency Cafod's Latin America region, as saying on Wednesday. "His canonisation will give Romero the wider recognition he so richly deserves. He denounced the violence which was tearing his country apart, he spoke out against oppression, and stood against injustice alongside people living in poverty." The former archbishop of San Salvador, who was closely associated with the Latin American liberation theology movement of the 1960s and 70s, will be canonised along with six others at a ceremony in Rome's St Peter's Square. For years, conservatives within the church sought to block Romero's canonisation because of his association with liberation theology, a movement whose followers argued that it was not enough for the church to empathise with and care for the poor. Francis began the process of declaring Romero a saint soon after becoming pope. About 250,000 people attended Romero's beatification ceremony - the penultimate step towards becoming a saint - in San Salvador in May 2015. Romero was shot through the heart by a sniper while celebrating mass in a hospital chapel on March 24, 1980, a day after he had called on the military to stop killing innocent civilians in El Salvador, the Guardian reported. Numerous death threats had been made against him. At his funeral, the army opened fire, killing dozens of mourners in a crowd of more than 100,000. His murder came at the start of a 12-year civil war, in which more than 75,000 people were killed and thousands disappeared. Chandigarh, Oct 11 : A court in Haryana's Hisar town on Thursday convicted self-styled godman Rampal in two cases of murder. He has been in prison since November 2014. The quantum of punishment would be announced on October 16 and 17. The two cases against the controversial godman relate to the murder of six people during violent clashes between his supporters and the Haryana Police at his Satlok Ashram near Barwala town in Hisar district, around 245 km from here. Earlier, the Hisar court in August 2017, had acquitted Rampal in two cases of wrongful confinement, unlawful assembly and disobedience to order given by a public servant. Rampal was facing other cases of murder conspiracy, sedition and rioting. He and his close aides, including his private army, had resisted the police action to arrest him on the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court while holed up inside his Satlok Ashram in November 2014. Five women and an infant had lost their lives as Rampal continued to elude the police. The high court had ordered his arrest as he had failed to appear before the law. Rampal's supporters had indulged in vandalism in a court in Hisar in July 2014 when he was going there in connection with a 2006 murder conspiracy case. The high court had taken suo motu cognizance of the incident and summoned Rampal. Srinagar, Oct 11 : Two Kashmiri militants, including a Ph.D scholar, were killed in a gunfight with security forces on Thursday in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district, police said. The fighting took place in Shatgund village. The police have not confirmed the identities of the militants. Hizbul commander Manan Bashir Wani, a Ph.D scholar of Aligarh Muslim University who joined militancy in January, was trapped in the cordon along with another Kashmiri militant and died, police officials said. Wani belongs to Lolab area of Kupwara. A boy too was injured during intense street clashes between protesters and the security forces as news of the gun battle spread following the cordon and search operation in the village. The boy with a gunshot injury in his leg was shifted to a Srinagar hospital, a police officer said. Authorities have ordered closure of all educational institutions and suspended mobile Internet services in the district. Classes in degree colleges of Bandipora, Baramulla, Pulwama and Srinagar districts have also been suspended as a precaution. In a separate incident in Pulwama district on Thursday, militants fired at and injured Special Police Officer Bilal Ahmad in Karimabad village. He has been shifted to a hospital, a police officer said. Srinagar, Oct 11 : Unidentified gunmen on Thursday shot dead a civilian in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district. Police identified the victim as Tariq Ahmed Ganai and said he was killed in Memender village. "He was shot from close range outside his home. He succumbed to critical injuries on way to the hospital," a police officer said. Reports from the area said the slain man was an activist of the separatist Hurriyat group. Ankara, Oct 11 : Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday expressed concern about the fate of Jamal Khashoggi, the dissident Saudi journalist who disappeared from his country's consulate in Istanbul last week. The 59-year-old Saudi national has not been heard from since he entered the consulate building on October 2 for paperwork required to marry his Turkish fiancAe, Hatice Cengiz, with Turkish press claiming the journalist was either kidnapped or murdered inside the facility. Saudi Arabia denies this. On a flight back from Hungary, Erdogan was cited by media as saying that Turkey could not remain silent over Khashoggi's disappearance, stressing the authorities were investigating the case in all its dimensions. The Turkish leader rejected commenting on allegations that Khashoggi was killed at the consulate, but said he was worried, Efe news reported. Erdogan added that US President Donald Trump had also voiced his worries over the matter. The US leader said on Wednesday that he had talked to the Saudi authorities "at the highest level" about Khashoggi. "We cannot let this happen to reporters, to anybody... We're demanding everything. We want to see what's going on there," Trump said. The White House said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and senior officials had spoken to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and asked for more details about the situation. Khashoggi distanced himself from the Saudi monarchy in 2017 and lived in self-imposed exile in the US, where he began writing op-eds for the Washington Post criticizing his country's royal institutions. Nusa Dua (Indonesia), Oct 11 : International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde on Thursday said that a bailout deal with Pakistan would require "absolute transparency" of its debts, many of which come from China's landmark Belt and Road Initiative. "In whatever work we do, we need to have a complete understanding and absolute transparency about the nature, size, terms of the debt that is bearing on a particular country," Lagarde said at the IMF and World Bank Group annual meetings in Bali, Indonesia. She added the IMF needed to understand the extent of the position of the debt, including lending from sovereign governments and from state-owned enterprises, so that officials could determine a country's debt sustainability, Efe news reported. Her statements indicated that Pakistan could be forced to disclose the full extent and terms of Chinese lending it received in recent years as part of its participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, China's vast global infrastructure-spending programme. Earlier this week, Pakistan said that it would be seeking a loan from the IMF. The country has a ballooning trade deficit, falling currency and is quickly exhausting its foreign-exchange reserves. Experts say the country needs about $12 billion to cover its imports and meet upcoming debt payments. Lagarde said she didn't meet Pakistan's Finance Minister Asad Umar or received a formal request for IMF assistance yet. But she said that the IMF will meet the Pakistani delegation on Thursday and that the IMF was "available to its entire membership". Pakistan's requirement for an IMF loan has already been complicated by its ties to China. It has been the largest recipient of funding under Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative. In July, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that Washington didn't want to see any IMF lending to Pakistan "go to bail out Chinese bondholders or China itself". The US has accused China of "debt-trap diplomacy" by lending countries money to pay Chinese companies to build infrastructure that the recipients can't afford. Pakistan's new government of Prime Minister Imran Khan had suggested it might try to avoid working with the IMF, but the recent turbulence in its stock and currency markets left it no choice, officials said. Stepped up disclosure on debts, such as those from China, will be a requirement, Lagarde said, adding that was not only going to apply to Pakistan, but all countries. Mumbai, Oct 11 : Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar says if she gets an opportunity to work in the film industry, she would love to do a project in the action space. "I would like to do an action movie, and in which I am doing the action. I don't want to be a damsel in distress. I want to be a superhero. I would love to do that," Manushi said here on Wednesday at the Big FM radio station when she was present to celebrate women power. There were reports that filmmaker Karan Johar was keen to launch Manushi under his banner when she won the Miss World title, but there isn't any development on that front. Asked when she will feature in movies, she said: "I don't have a production house, so I can't tell you that when my film will come. In life, all things have come to me as a surprise and I didn't have any plans to do films. So let's see how it goes." Manushi went on to win the title of fbb Femina Miss India Haryana in April 2017. She represented the state of Haryana in annual Femina Miss India competition and was crowned Femina Miss India 2017 in the finale held on 25 June 2017, later going on to win the Miss World crown. How is she spending her life after becoming a beauty queen? "It has been going pretty well. It has been eleven months since I have became Miss World. I have been to all continents of the world. I have travelled a lot and I met lot of people and last eleven months have been a roller-coaster ride for me. "I have learned so many things in the last eleven months which I haven't learnt in the last eleven years of my life. After all this, I don't know what next year holds for me." Manushi was pursuing medical studies. She took a break from her studies for the preparations of the Miss World title. Asked when will she be able to treat patients, she said: "I hope people never get a need to visit a doctor, but people can come to Dr. Manushi Chhillar after three years when I will complete my medical studies." Mumbai, Oct 11 : Everyone loves to go for traditional saris and lehengas, but it is time to break away from the monotony and add a little bit of twist to your fashion game this wedding season, say experts. Neha Bhasin, Creative Director of Jabong, and Suganya Lakshmi, Myntra Fashion Expert, tell how: Beijing, Oct 11 : China on Thursday said "some people" cannot stand its friendship with the Maldives even as its President-elect Ibrahim Solih has assured that his country will implement all the projects agreed between Beijing and Male. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said its Ambassador to the Maldives Zhang Lizhong met Solih recently and told him that Beijing was willing to work and deepen cooperation with the new government after pro-Beijing leader Abdulla Yameen was defeated in last month's election. Yameen had earlier signed a slew of agreements with Beijing perceived to be favouring China more. In the run-up to the polls, Solih's Maldivian Democratic Party had criticized the increased Chinese investment, especially the Free Trade Deal Abdulla's government rushed through Parliament without debate. Giving details about the meeting between Solih and Chinese envoy, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said: "He (Solih) said his government will stay committed to enhancing ties with China following the already signed cooperation agreements and continue to implement the existing projects. "The new government in the archipelago nation will continue to explore cooperation in more areas such as infrastructure, livelihood and tourism so as to move forward our bilateral ties," said Lu. Asked if Beijing was worried if Solih's government might review the Chinese projects, Lu said that China and the Maldives cooperate on the basis of equal consultation between the two governments. Beijing aims to contribute to the Maldives' social and economic development, he said. "We also noted that at different stages some people don't want to see the smooth progress of our cooperation," the spokesperson added. The Maldives sits on one of the world's busiest shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean where both India and China vie for influence. The Maldives has always been a traditional ally of India. But under Yameen's presidency, the country moved closer to China, worrying New Delhi. China, which didn't even have an Embassy in Male until 2011, has stepped up its engagement in the country by building bridges, airports and high-end housing complexes. Yameen also approved China's Belt and Road project, which India does not support. Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 11 : The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) on Thursday accused the Congress, the BJP and the RSS of using the Supreme Court ruling allowing women in the 10-50 age group to enter the Sabarimala temple to try topple the Kerala government. Addressing the media after a high-level LDF meeting here, LDF convenor A. Vijayaraghavan claimed that there was a secret pact between the Congress and the BJP/RSS. "The attempt to overthrow the Pinarayi Vijayan government by raising the emotions over the Sabarimala verdict is meant to disturb peace in the state," said Vijayaraghavan. He added that the state government was duty bound to implement the apex court directive and it was doing just that. The LDF, led by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), also decided to launch counter political rallies across the state. The first one would be held at Pathanamthitta, the district where the Sabarimala temple is located, on October 16. It would be addressed by Vijayan. On October 24, a rally would be held at Kollam. The LDF will soon decide the dates of rallies in other districts this month. Meanwhile, the BJP is leading a 'long march' to the state capital from Alappuzha which will reach here on October 15. "The state government, if it requests the Centre to bring an ordinance against the verdict, I am sure it will be done," state BJP President P.S. Sreedharan Pillai told the media. In the state capital, BJP youth wing members clashed with the police after they were prevented from entering the official residence of Devasom Minister K. Surendran. Speaking to the media, Surendran said the BJP had hijacked the protests and was now giving political colour to the Sabarimala verdict. "The BJP is trying to recreate what they did during the controversial 'rath yatra'" of 1989, he said. Varous Hindu organisations also launched a 'long march' to the state capital from Pandalam and will reach here on October 14 to protest against the state government for not filing a review petition against the apex court verdict. On Monday, Vijayan declared that the Kerala government won't file a review petition against the Supreme Court ruling that women in the age group of 10-50 can also enter the hill top Sabarimala temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. Jakarta, Oct 11 : Indonesian authorities on Thursday extended the deadline for the search and rescue operations for a possible 5,000 people missing in the areas worst affected by the earthquake and tsunami which struck Sulawesi island on September 28, killing 2,073 persons. The National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) said that the operations have been extended at the request of members of the communities affected by the disaster, reports Efe news. BNPB spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a press conference that search activities for possible survivors will officially end on Friday, a day later than planned. After Friday, a 15-member team will be on call in case there is a request to rescue victims, Yusuf Latif, the spokesperson for the National Search and Rescue Agency in the city of Palu, told Efe. Rescue workers have not found any survivors for more than a week and authorities announced that the most devastated areas will be converted into green zones and parks in memory of the victims. Central Sulawesi Governor Longki Djanggola told reporters that the disaster relief period will continue until Oct. 26 in order to rebuild infrastructure and help the more than 82,000 people displaced in the catastrophe. According to the latest data, the official death toll stood at 2,073 while 2,549 people have been seriously injured and 680 remain missing. Most of the deaths took place in Palu, capital of Central Sulawesi province and the city worst affected by the disaster. Local village chiefs have said that around 5,000 people could be missing in the Balaroa neighbourhood in Palu and the Petobo suburb. Both areas suffered soil liquefaction, a phenomenon which occurs when a strong earthquake strikes an area with saturated loose soil, making it sink and producing large amounts of mud. More than half of the victims have been buried in mass graves to prevent the spread of diseases. Sutopo said on Wednesday that the tsunami waves reached a maximum height of 37 feet, and a minimum of 2.2 metres in coastal areas of Donggala, adding that seawater reached up to 468 metres inland. The Sulawesi quake and tsunami were the worst natural disaster 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 11 : The Indian Navy is going to host a day-long symposium on October 16 on the theme of 'building stronger maritime partnerships in IOR' that will see participation from navies of 16 Indian Ocean littoral countries. "With the Indian Ocean becoming the locus of the 21st century strategic landscape, the symposium will play a constructive role in bringing together stakeholders that have a role in evolving strategies, policies and implementation mechanisms in the maritime domain," the Navy said in a release on Thursday. The event, organised by Naval War College in Goa and to be inaugurated by Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, is a follow-up to the maiden Goa Maritime Conclave, 2017. It is likely to see participation from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Oman, and South Africa, Madagascar, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique from Africa, and island nations of Seychelles, Mauritius and Maldives. "The focus of the symposium is on capacity building among IOR navies to tackle emerging maritime threats, as well as discussing cooperative strategies for enhancing interoperability among partner maritime agencies," the release said. The symposium will facilitate interaction between senior representatives of navies and maritime agencies in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) on common issues of maritime interest. It is aimed at establishing academic excellence and sharing of ideas amongst India's maritime neighbours, it said. Agartala, Oct 11 : US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster on Thursday visited the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura as part of his maiden visit to the northeast. "The Ambassador visited the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at the Agartala-Akhaura border along the India-Bangladesh frontier and attended the beating retreat ceremony. As part of his cultural outreach, he also visited the impressive Tripura State Museum housed in 117-years-old Ujjayanta Palace here," a state government official said. The US Ambassador during his brief interaction with the media, said that Tripura has a huge potential in the tourism sector but he suggested development of infrastructure. "I am charmed after witnessing and learning the culture and heritage of Tripura," the envoy said. Juster, along with other US officials, reached here on Wednesday on a two-day tour. He met Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki and Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and discussed various developmental issues of the state. An official release said: "This visit is a testimony of strengthening bilateral relation between India and the US. This tour of top US envoy would play an instrumental role ensuring further synergy in the India-US relations." Juster was appointed by President Donald Trump in November 2017 as the 25th US Ambassador to India. Mumbai, Oct 11 : Mumbai Police has started an investigation regarding an FIR lodged by Tanushree Dutta against actor Nana Patekar on charges of sexually harassing her on the sets of a 2008 film, said the actress' lawyer. The FIR was lodged under sections 353 and 503 of the Indian Penal Code on Wednesday night. "We have lodged the FIR against four people - Nana Patekar, choreographer Ganesh Acharya, the producer of the film Samee Siddiqui and director Rakesh Sarang. Now, the police are investigating the case. These people have to appear before the police and if not they will be arrested," Nitin Satpute, Tanushree's lawyer, told IANS. Asked about Tanushree's protection, Satpute said: "Tanushree has been protected by the police. Security has been provided at the building where her residence is." Tanushree first spoke about Nana's misbehaviour in 2008. Two weeks ago, she recounted her experience in the wake of the global #Metoo movement. She said she was sexually harassed by the actor during the shooting of a dance sequence for the film "Horn Ok Pleasss" at the Filmstan Studio here. She said she was forced into silence a decade ago. But now, ever since Tanushree has renewed the allegation against Nana, it has sparked a #MeToo firestorm in India, with women from all quarters coming forward to share their own experiences at their workplace. New Delhi, Oct 11 : Accusing Congress President Rahul Gandhi of spreading lies on the Rafale deal, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday termed the entire Gandhi family corrupt. "Rahul Gandhi is repeatedly lying. He is making a mockery of the national security. The entire Gandhi family is corrupt and they are pointing fingers at others?" BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra told the media here. Patra's remarks came soon after Gandhi called Prime Minister Narendra Modi "corrupt" and asked him to quit in the light of fresh revelations over the Rafale fighter jets deal. "The 'crown prince' claims to have all kinds of details about Rafale...why doesn't he go to Supreme Court?" Patra said. He dared Gandhi to produce the evidence to prove his allegation that former French President Francois Hollande had called Modi corrupt. "He (Gandhi) has said the former President of France has said the Indian Prime Minister is corrupt. I challenge Rahul Gandhi to produce any such statement where he has (Hollande) claimed that. Where had he used such a language?" Patra said. Panaji, Oct 11 : Several Goa Cabinet Ministers will on Friday meet ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar at AIIMS in New Delhi, during which allocation of additional portfolios to Ministers was expected, a BJP leader said on Thursday. During the meeting at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) intensive care unit, Parrikar is expected to announce the allocation of additional portfolios, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader said on condition of anonymity. State leaders and senior bureaucrats will be present on the occasion. Public Works Department Minister Sudin Dhavalikar told IANS: "I do not know exactly who all have been called, but I have been informed by the CM's office on phone to attend the meeting. Several other Ministers will also be present." The Congress in Goa has already slammed Friday's proposed meeting, claiming it was an insult to the people of Goa. "By calling a Cabinet meeting at AIIMS, where Parrikar is admitted, and flying Ministers and bureaucrats to Delhi, the BJP-led coalition government is humiliating the people of Goa," state Congress spokesperson Akbar Mulla said. Parrikar was admitted in the AIIMS last month as he is suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer. The former Defence Minister has been in and out of hospitals in Goa, Mumbai, New York and now Delhi for the last seven months, even as the Opposition has slammed Parrikar for neglecting administrative responsibilities on account of his illness, while also demanding his resignation. Islamabad, Oct 11 : Pakistan's Supreme Court on Thursday directed former President Pervez Musharraf, who has been living in Dubai since 2016 for "medical treatment", to return and record his statement in a treason case, saying "there are good doctors in Pakistan" to treat him. Musharraf is facing the treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007. Chief Justice Saqib Nisar's remarks came as he headed a bench hearing the case related to National Reconciliation Ordinance, passed by the former Army chief in 2007, Geo News reported. The NRO granted amnesty to several politicians by revoking criminal and corruption cases against them. During the Thursday hearing, Musharraf's counsel Akhtar Shah submitted a reply regarding the former President's return to Pakistan and said: "I request the bench to keep my client's illness confidential." Justice Nisar, however, replied saying that "there are people present in the country who are suffering with this disease." Musharraf's counsel then asked the court to not place the former dictator's name on Exit Control List. However, he didn't get any assurance from Justice Nisar. "He should record his statement under Section 342 in the treason case," the judge said, adding that "Dubai is not the best place for treatment and there are good doctors in Pakistan". Naming Musharraf, former President Asif Ali Zardari and former Attorney General Malik Qayyum as respondents, petitioner Feroz Shah Gilani had requested the court in April to order recovery of 'huge amounts of public money' misappropriated and wasted by them through unlawful means 'already on record in different judgments of the Supreme Court and High Court'. The petition had contended that Musharraf subverted the Constitution by declaring Emergency followed by the promulgation of the NRO, through which criminal and corruption cases against politicians, including Zardari, were "arbitrarily withdrawn". New Delhi : October 8, 2018, brought two bits of news of a global nature. While both of them were defining pieces of news of our times, many missed the unmistakable and potent link between the two. That nexus in reality is so powerful that it has potential to transform the global pathways for action on climate change. It also is influential driver to alter the mind and will of political leaders, including the climate-deniers as well as the stallers and breakers of the global consensus. The first news came in from city of Incheon in South Korea where IPCC-Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a UN body of climate experts from 40 countries, released 'The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 deg C'. For common man the title with its figure of '1.5 deg C' sounded far from any immediate importance. But the report was requested by 197 countries of the world that have ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to reinforce the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015. The raison d'etre of the Paris Agreement is a need to keep a global average temperature rise this century well below 2 deg C and to strive to limit the temperature increase even further lower to 1.5 deg C above pre-industrial levels of later part of 18th century. The challenge of restricting the rise to 1.5 deg C came mainly from nearly 60 small island countries who in reality are facing their existential threat due to sea level rise driven by global warming . IPCC's special report gives unequivocal message that the global average temperature rise has already reached 1 deg C. With the current speed of action, the additional rise of half a degree is just about 12 years away, within the lifetime of most of the humanity living today. There is threat that beyond rise of 1.5 deg C, humanity would enter the era of irreversible change. Report even goes to details in quantifying the damages when the rise in temperature would be 1.5 deg C and compares that with rise of 2 deg C. It then hints at the possibility of human societies and natural ecosystems crossing certain thresholds to cause sudden and calamitous changes called 'tipping point'. The report appears to even enter into dark and cataclysmic spaces of climate impact beyond 2 deg C. The call for urgency is never expressed so dramatically in the 33 page summary of the report. The near impossible time lines like: the world needs to reduce CO2 emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 from the 2010 levels and reach net-zero emissions by 2050, virtually all of the coal plants and gasoline-burning vehicles on the planet would need to be quickly replaced with zero-carbon alternatives in next two decades at the latest are shattering. Adverse impacts on the ecosystems and human societies are estimated to be much greater than anticipated earlier and the rate of decarbonisation of the world economy has been strongly suggested to be faster than what was recommended before. Surprisingly, the report radiates some hopes that, however, belie the fact that the pledges given in the Paris agreement would lead the temperature rise to 3.5 deg C -- which is beyond the catastrophe. Sadly, the negotiators of the Paris Climate Agreement are still nowhere near to finalising the rule-book for implementation of the agreement, for which the deadline is fixed at the end of 2018. The rule book is expected to include the mechanism of raising the ambitions and pledges. Nearly two decades of similar warnings from IPCC's five assessments have been washed away by inactions and obstructions. So why this special report would make a difference? This is where the mighty and potent link with the second news of October 8th takes the central stage. The second news came from Stockholm soon after the first news from Incheon. William Nordhaus of Yale University and Paul Romer of New York University, pioneers in adapting the western economic growth model to focus on climate change issues and sharing the benefits of technology to address environmental issues, won the 2018 Nobel Economics Prize. Why is this transformative news? Because it is the first time economists have provided the practical and evidence based trigger to take action on climate change. Nordhaus was recognised for his pathbreaking assessment of the economic impact of climate change, and his advancement for the governments to tax the carbon emissions. Romer is known for his work on the role of policy in encouraging technological innovation. During their press conference Dr Romer said: "One problem today is that people think protecting the environment will be so costly and so hard that they want to ignore the problem and pretend it doesn't exist". He went on to state the limitless capability of humans for the collective and coordinated growth in the world of globalisation, without harming the ecosystems. This is the kind of message that dares to address the complex challenge of keeping the temperature rise below 1.5 deg C. In short economic instruments and technology innovation are now being framed into economics, that are more appealing for the business-minded political leaders. Economists are now poised to be at the core of the climate change negotiations. The finance ministers, who are either shy or wary of climate change, may now try to fall in line of action. (Rajendra Shende is Chairman TERRE Policy Centre and former Director UNEP. The views expressed are persona;. He can be contacted at shende.rajendra@gmail.com) Rome, Oct 11 : An amnesty for illegal immigrants in Italy - where over 700,000 migrants have arrived since 2014 - is "unthinkable", Italy's hardline Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said on Thursday. "An amnesty has not been thought about. It is unthinkable," Salvini told Radio Radicale. "Illegal immigration will not be condoned. It must be reined in." Salvini has vowed to deport half a million illegal immigrants from Italy and to achieve "zero" migration. New Delhi, Oct 11 : Turning up the heat on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called him "corrupt" and asked him to quit following revelations that inclusion of an Indian private defence partner was an "imperative and obligatory" condition for awarding the contract. Rebutting Gandhi's allegations, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party accused the Congress President of belittling national security and spreading lies. Gandhi's latest salvo came following French website Mediapart on Wednesday reporting that Reliance Defence was given to Dassault Aviation, manufacturer of the Rafale jets, as an "obligatory" offset partner for the deal announced by Modi in April 2015. "The Prime Minister of India is corrupt," Gandhi said at a special media briefing here. Questioning Modi's "deafening silence" , despite allegations of corruption directed at him, Gandhi said the Prime Minister must resign. "Allegations of corruption are being directed at him and the Prime Minister is silent. He should resign if he cannot respond (to the charges)," he said. Gandhi also read out excerpts from Mediapart report, which quoting Dassault's Chief Operating Officer Loik Segalen, said that the choice of the Indian private entity was a "compensation" for the purchase of the fighter jets. "What is he being compensated for," asked Gandhi alleging that "Modi put Rs 30,000 crore in his industrialist crony's pockets." "Ex-President of France (Francois Hollande), no less, has said that India's PM is corrupt, now the company which got the contract, its senior executive is saying that India's PM is corrupt," said Gandhi, pointing to the French website's earlier report quoting Hollande as saying that India had proposed the Indian private entity as the partner for the deal. Gandhi said it was a "clear-cut case of corruption" against Modi and ridiculed the BJP government for shying away from a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe (JPC) into the deal. On Dassault reiterating that it "has freely chosen to make a partnership with India's Reliance Group", Gandhi said the jet manufacturer was "sitting on a huge contract and will say what the Indian government wanted it to say". Gandhi also questioned the motive behind Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's three-day visit to France, alleging that there was a "huge cover-up going on" and the "media was being pressured". "The great Rafale cover-up has begun. To try and show the deal is legitimate, Raksha Mantri will need to generate minutes of imaginary meetings held between the French and our Ministry of Defence and both sides will need to agree on a common story to be spun to the media," said Gandhi about Sitharaman's visit beginning Wednesday. He said the country will soon realise the "truth about Modi" who came to power on the expressed promise of fighting corruption. Alleging massive irregularities in the deal, the Congress has twice petitioned the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for a special and forensic audit and also moved the Central Vigilance Commission seeking a probe and seizure of relevant documents pertaining to the deal.It has also been persistent in demanding a JPC probe. Besides questioning the "inflated" price of the jets, the Congress has also been targeting the Centre over the propriety of a newly-founded private company getting the Rs 30,000 crore Rafale offset contract at the cost of the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). Gandhi is slated to meet HAL employees on Saturday at the defence PSU headquarter in Bengaluru. Hitting back, the BJP accused Gandhi of mocking and jeopardising national security. "He is trying to build his political career by spreading lies on Rafale," BJP spokesperson Sambit patra said, alleging the entire Gandhi family was "corrupt". Patra dared Gandhi to produce evidence to prove his allegations that Hollande had called Modi corrupt. New Delhi, Oct 11 : The opposition to the Supreme Court ruling allowing women in the 10-50 age group to enter the Sabarimla temple in Kerala has "exposed the hypocrisy and patriarchal worldview of some political parties and caste organisations", the CPI-M has said. "The RSS had taken a stand in 2016 that women should have the right of entry to all temples. But this position has been reversed as far as the Sabarimala temple is concerned," said an editorial in the CPI-M journal "People's Democracy". "RSS General Secretary Suresh Joshi has claimed that restriction of women's entry to Sabarimala is a matter of tradition and faith of millions of devotees, whose 'sentiments' cannot be ignored. "In Kerala, the RSS chief Gopalankutty stated that the Sangh would honour the judgement but the very next day they made an about-turn," said the Communist Party of India-Marxist. The editorial said the protests by "devotees" being organised by the BJP and RSS against the Supreme Court ruling have been joined by the Nair Service Society, the erstwhile royal family of Pandalam who were earlier custodians of the temple and the hereditary family of priests at the temple. "The stance adopted by these forces of social conservatism could be expected. But what was not anticipated was the hypocritical and opportunist stance adopted by the Congress in Kerala," said the editorial. It said that while Congress spokesman Randeep Surjewala in New Delhi said the party wholeheartedly welcomed "this progressive and far-reaching decision" of the Supreme Court, the Congress took an opposite stand in Kerala. "Kerala, thus, presents the curious spectacle of the Congress subscribing to the upper caste and patriarchal notions of the RSS-BJP combine. If the Congress thinks that such an opportunist stance will help it to gain Hindu votes, they are sadly mistaken," it said. "Pandering to socially regressive Hindutva views will only strengthen the hands of the BJP and the RSS with the Congress being seen in the company of those who want to turn the clock back in Kerala society. "The forces who are at the back of the protests by 'devotees' are those who are not reconciled to the social changes and progressive reforms in Kerala." Panaji, Oct 11 : Alarmed by the rise in sea water levels on Goa's beaches on account of cyclone Titli as well as lunar influences, the Tourism Department on Thursday advised tourists not to venture into the sea till Sunday. In a statement issued here, the tourism authorities have also asked operators of beach shacks to take adequate precautions to ensure safety of tourists due to a rise in sea water levels. "In view of the situation prevailing at the coastline, tourists are advised not to venture into the sea water till October 14," a Tourism department statement said. "Tourists are advised to take maximum utmost care and precaution while at beaches and also pay heed to the instructions of lifeguards deputed on the beaches," it said. Large tracts on beaches along Goa's coastline were submerged on Tuesday and Wednesday owing to the impact of Cyclone Titli as well as lunar influences, triggered by the new moon occurrence, according to India Meteorological Department officials in Goa. Tourism authorities fear that the rise in sea levels phenomenon may stretch for a few days more. "The Goan coastline has witnessed a sudden rise in the level of sea water... The sea water may rise still further," the statement said. Goa, one of the top beach tourism destinations in the country, attracts more than six million tourists every year. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) Philippine bet Adela-Mae Marshall was named part of the final three contestants in the hit reality television series "Asia's Next Top Model." Marshall, the last Filipina standing in the modeling competition's sixth season, took to social media Wednesday night to express her gratitude to all those who supported her. "I am so happy to finally be able to tell you all that I was able to bring my beautiful country into the Top 3 of (Asia's Next Top Model Cycle 6)," Marshall wrote on her Instagram page. "I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout the whole competition. I never thought I would receive this much support and I am so grateful for it all." The Filipina-British model will try to secure back-to-back victories for the Philippines, after Maureen Wroblewitz bagged the title last season. READ: Wroblewitz is PH's first 'Asia's Next Top Model' winner Marshall joins Thailand's Dana Slosar and Taiwan's Mia Sabathy in the Top 3. Cairo, Oct 11 : An Egyptian military court on Thursday sentenced 17 Islamists to death over accusations of bombing three churches in the country which claimed 82 lives, state news agency MENA reported. Nineteen people received life sentences (25 years in Egypt) and 15 others were handed eight years in jail over the same charges. In April 2017, twin suicide bombings took place at St. George's Church in the city of Tanat and St. Mark's Coptic orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria, leaving 45 people dead. Another attack took place in St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in the capital, killing 37, in 2016. At least 166 persons were wounded in the three attacks. The defendants were also convicted of attempted murder of 14 policemen in Cairo. Since the ouster of the Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in 2013 by the Army in response to mass protests against his rule, Egypt has been facing waves of terrorist attacks that killed hundreds of security men. Some of the attacks have also targeted civilians and churches in recent years. Most of the attacks were claimed by Islamic State branch in Egypt. Mumbai, Oct 11 : Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, known for his chiselled physique even at 52, is all set to launch his own gym equipment range, contributing in his way to the Fit India movement. The actor, who has inspired several younger actors to work towards a muscular body and fitter frame, already manages his clothing, jewellery, and E-cycle brands under the Being Human umbrella. The gym equipment range will be launched under a new line, read a statement. Salman has acquired the 100 per cent manufacturing rights of fitness equipment company Jerai Fitness. The company has been in existence for over 25 years and supplies to over hundred gyms a month across the country. The new venture will aim to have a wide reach and create fitness awareness along with educating people about the importance of being fit and healthy. Salman envisions to make fitness affordable to every Indian with Made in India, state-of-the-art fitness equipment. He would like to reach every village, town and city in India which can also create job opportunities for fitness entrepreneurs and sportspersons of the country, the statement read further. The new fitness equipment range will be launched during the IHFF Health and Fitness Expo here from Friday to Sunday. New Delhi, Oct 11 : Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has offered his government's support to the Swachh Bharat Mission, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation said on Thursday. "In a written message, Prime Minister Abe said that Japan will cooperate with India, which promotes the Clean India initiative under Prime Minister Modi's leadership," said the Ministry. He further underscored Japan's commitment to realize healthy societies in Asia and congratulated India on the success of the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention (MGISC). "Securing clean water and improving sanitary conditions is a common challenge in the world. We hope for the further progress of each country's efforts to address the challenge through active discussions at this convention (MGISC)," Abe said in the message. MGISC was a four-day international conference that brought together ministers for sanitation and other leaders in WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) from around the world. The convention was inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind, addressed by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and the concluding session was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, it added. New Delhi, Oct 11 : The Supreme Court will hear on Friday a plea challenging the West Bengal government's decision to release Rs 28 crore as a "gift" to the organisers of Durga Puja in the state. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi agreed to hear the plea after it was mentioned by advocate P.V. Dinesh for an early hearing. The petitioners have challenged an October 10 order of the Calcutta High Court dismissing the plea against the grant of Rs 28 crore to Puja organising committees in the state. The petitioners Sourav Dutta and D. Banerjee - advocate at Calcutta High Court - have contended that the grant of public money goes against the tenets of secularism, which is a basic structure of the Constitution. Since no public purpose would be served by granting money and/or handing out concessions to Durga Puja organisers, the petitioners have contended that the decision violates the provision of Article 282 of the Constitution and should be set aside. Further, there is no provision of law by which the State Exchequer could be utilised for giving gift to puja organisers, says the petition. Patna, Oct 11 : A special court here on Thursday sentenced a man to five-year imprisonment, including rigorous imprisonment for one year, in a money laundering case, said to be first such conviction in the state. An Enforcement Directorate statement said that Mohammad Naushad was also ordered to pay a fine of Rs five lakh, while his attached assets have been confiscated. Bihar Police had registered a case against Naushad in November 2009 for trading in illegal arms. Fake Indian Currency Notes with a face value of Rs 1.4 lakh were seized from his residence. The ED initiated a PMLA case against him in 2013. The ED investigation revealed that Naushad earned his ill-gotten money through crime and utilised it to acquire immovable property, a house valued at Rs 22.56 lakh, in Munger district in his own name during 2009-2010. In 2016, the ED provisionally attached Naushad's property and charge-sheeted him in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act case. New Delhi, Oct 11 : DCW chief Swati Maliwal on Thursday called for Union Minister M.J. Akbar's resignation in view of allegations of sexual misconduct and also urged women to speak the truth in the #MeToo campaign. Speaking on the charges against Union Minister M.J. Akbar made by women journalists, she said: "It is shameful that Akbar continues to be a Minister. Ten women have complained. Are all of them lying? The case should at least be investigated." She added: "A movement like #MeToo won't lose credibility any time in the future. Even if in the course of law, there is no evidence, the society will know that this kind of harassment is existing... is rampant "At the same time, it is crucial for women to be true. I would really urge women to tell the truth and only the truth and speak out as much as they can. It is a responsibility on us," Maliwal said while answering a question raised by IANS during a press conference organised at Indian Women's Press Conference "I salute the courage of all the #MeToo activists. It is not easy. It is a very difficult journey." She stressed on the need to monitor the functioning of Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) at workplaces. "The law was not being implemented properly. It took me six months to set up local committees. There is a need to have better monitoring. Many of the offices didn't even have ICCs earlier. They now need to be strengthened. "They should work with complete independence. There should be no pressure on them," she said. Maliwal said that in the past three years, 55,000 general complaints of all kinds of crimes against Women, from harassment to rape to domestic violence, had been made. Patna, Oct 11 : A case was filed on Thursday against Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and state's Congress MLA Alpesh Thakore in a court here over the violence against migrant workers from Bihar in Gujarat. Social activist Tamanna Hashmi filed the case in Muzaffarpur's Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM)'s court. In his petition, he said that Rupani failed to control the violence against Bihari migrant workers in Gujarat and Thakore's Sena had forced migrant workers to flee. The court has fixed November 2 for hearing the case. Gandhinagar, Oct 11 : There are tremendous opportunities in start-ups right now in the country and India predicts a $trillion digital economy in the coming years, said NASSCOM chief Devyani Ghosh on Thursday. Speaking at the pre Vibrant Global Investors Summit (Vibrant Gujarat StartUp and Technology Summit 2018), Ghosh said: "The information and technology (IT) business in India is a $167 billion industry. "It is predicted to be $one trillion digital economy in the coming years." She said of the $167 billion business, Gujarat's share was only $one billion. "Gujarat is the home of entrepreneurs in the country. How come it has to learn from other experts from outside, whereas it should be the other way round?" Ghosh wondered. "Gujarat's growth is at 10.5 percentage which is nice. Which other state is growing at that rate? "But the IT sector needs to catch up. There are tremendous opportunities in energy, water, specially in health. But rather than treating IT growth as an isolated entity, there is a need to utilize IT in the existing traditional industry to make it grow," she said. Ghosh also pointed out that start-up was not about money or creating infrastructure. "It needs a market. What the government really needs to do is start buying from budding start-ups. An atmosphere and an eco-system needs to be created. I think you can just leapfrog from here, just disrupt." The NASSCOM chief said that when Gujarat showed growth in other areas, the IT growth should be 10 fold than what is now. Accepting the challenge, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said: "We accept the challenge. We have also now decided to give IT a University status." Gujarat Chief Secretary J.N. Singh said: "Ahmedabad has now become a new entrant in start-ups centres across the country. We have received more than 1,200 applications for start-ups in this summit. This is the first time where 25 IT research papers will be released." New : New Oct 11 (IANS) Indian Naval Ship Kulish and a maritime patrol aircraft entered Belwan harbour, Indonesia, for the opening ceremony of the 32nd edition of India-Indonesia coordinated patrol, Ministry of Defence said on Thursday. "The visit seeks to emphasize India's peaceful presence and solidarity with friendly countries towards ensuring good order in the maritime domain, consolidate interoperability and strengthen existing bonds of friendship between the two countries," the ministry said. The ships and aircraft from both the countries would undertake patrolling on the respectives side of 236 nautical-mile international maritime boundary line. "The patrolling would be conducted in three phases from October 14 to 24, followed by a closing ceremony at Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Island, scheduled from October 25 to 26," it said. In the recent past Indian Naval assets have been increasingly deployed to address maritime concerns of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The current deployment will contribute towards the Indian Navy's effort to forge strong bonds of friendship across the seas and consolidate interoperability, it added. Ahmedabad, Oct 11 : The Gujarat High Court on Thursday asked the state to file an affidavit on a public interest litigation plea that sought action against those involved in attacks on migrant workers and those who failed to protect them. The PIL was filed by lawyer-rights activist Khemchand Koshti to challenge the "action or inaction of the state as well as police in not taking any preventive steps" to stop the attacks on migrants living in Gujarat. The petitioner contended that this was not only illegal and unreasonable, but also violated Articles 14, 15, 19 and 21 of the Constitution. The petitioner said that more than two lakh migrants had fled Gujarat to their home states after the rape of a 14-month-old girl in north Gujarat's Sabarkantha district. After this, "some political leaders addressed meetings and gave inflammatory speeches to provoke local inhabitants and thereafter incidents of violence/attacks on migrants spread across the state". He claimed that there were nearly one crore migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha and other states who worked in Gujarat's factories, construction industry, and all GIDCs, while others were employed as carpenters, plumbers, electricians or painters. The petitioner accused the respondent state government and its DGP of "not taking preventive measures to prevent such incidents and not providing proper protection/security to migrants residing in the state from many years." He pointed out that these migrants had integrated themselves into the culture and ethos of gujarat while earning their livelihood, and also been contributors to its development. Chandigarh, Oct 11 : Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and legislator H.S. Phoolka said on Thursday that he will resign from the Punjab assembly on Friday. Phoolka is AAP legislator from the Dakha constituency in Ludhiana district and is a Delhi-based lawyer and activist. He had recently said that he would resign from the Assembly if the Congress government in Punjab did not act against those behind incidents of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib and police firing in October 2015 on those protesting such incidents. The AAP leader also demanded the government register cases against former chief minister and senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Parkash Singh Badal, SAD president and former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and former director general of police (DGP) Sumedh Singh Saini. The Justice Ranjit Singh Commission, set up by the Amarinder government last year, had in its report submitted recently, said the then government did not do enough to control the sacrilege incidents. The report also held the then government accountable for the firing on sacrilege protesters by the Punjab Police which left two people dead and several injured in October 2015. The AAP, which is the main opposition party in the Punjab assembly, had won 20 seats in the 117-member assembly in polls held in February last year. Bengaluru, Oct 11 : Bahujan Samaj Party's (BSP) lone Minister N Mahesh in Karnataka's JD-S-Congress coalition government resigned on Thursday, citing personal reasons. "I have sent my resignation letter to state Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy for accepting and relieving me from the cabinet post as I want to devote my time to the people of my constituency," Mahesh told reporters. Mahesh, 62, a Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, was elected from Kollegal segment in the state's southwest Chamarajanagara district in the May 12 assembly elections in a pre-poll alliance with the ruling Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S). Kollegal is about 105 km from the state capital Bengaluru. "Though I have resigned from the ministry for personal reasons, my party will continue to support the coalition government and remain an alliance partner of the JD-S," said Mahesh. "I am not able to give time to my constituency people who voted for my party and elected me to represent them in the assembly. As the next Lok Sabha elections are due early next year, I have to also strengthen my party's presence in the state," said the BSP leader. As an alliance partner, Mahesh said the BSP would have seat adjustment with the JD-S in the general elections. Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy told reporters that there was no threat to his 3-month-old coalition government following the resignation of Mahesh. "There is no threat to my government, which is stable. Our party's alliance with BSP continues. As I know the reason behind his (Mahesh) resignation, I will handle it. Leave it to me," asserted the Chief Minister. Asked if he would accept the resignation, Kumaraswamy said he would look into the issue and decide. The 27-member cabinet has 15 Congress ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, 10 JD-S, including the Chief Minister and one each from its ally BSP and Karnataka Prajnyavantha Janatha Party (KPJP), a regional outfit. Of the 34-member cabinet strength, the Congress has six vacancies and JD-S one. Though BSP contested in 22 assembly segments in the recent state election, only Mahesh won. JD-S, however, won 36 of the 200 seats it contested. Mahesh resignation comes ahead of 5 by-elections on November 3 in the state, including three for the Lok Sabha and two for the assembly to fill vacancies caused by four resignations and the death of a newly-elected Congress legislator from Jamkhandi in the northwest Bagalkot district. Shillong, Oct 11 : The powerful North East Students' Organisation (NESO) has asked the Central government to take immediate steps to update the National Register of Citizens, (NRC) 1951, for entire North East, as it is the only official document of citizenship. The apex students body of all the indigenous communities in the north-eastern region, which submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday, however, strongly opposed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016, saying that the Bill will facilitate illegal Bangladeshis to obtain Indian citizenship and settle in the north-eastern region. "We welcome the preparation of NRC for Assam as per the Assam Accord and under the continuous supervision of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India. NRC should be prepared for each of the states for the whole of North East. The modalities may be different for different states," NESO Chairman Samuel Jyrwa said on Thursday. The NESO also strongly opposed the Foreigners (Amendment) Order 2015, Passport (Entry into India) Amendment Rules, 2015, and the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 in Parliament to provide citizenship to Hindu Bangladeshis who entered illegally into Assam and other north-eastern states till December 2014. "Though the two notifications and the Bill are applicable to the whole country, they will affect most the states of the North East region. The government of India has also introduced the provision of long-term visa for the Hindu Bangladeshis," he said. The NESO had submitted a memorandum to the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 opposing the Bill. Demanding that the Centre should extend Britiish-era Inner Line Permit (ILP) and NRC to the whole of the North East, Jyrwa said: "The government of India adopts a proactive policy in the form of a 'White Paper' rather than a reactive policy to the issue of illegal immigrants in the region." "The need of the hour is to understand that it is no longer a humanitarian problem but a security problem, which has become a Hydra-headed monster and that time has come to deal with it assertively but without hampering bilateral relations with the neighbouring countries," he said United Nations, Oct 11 : India is set to be elected unopposed to the Human Rights Council on Friday as a candidate from the Asia-Pacific region. Only five countries are running for the five vacancies from the region, therefore, all are assured of election. The other four candidates are Bangladesh, Bahrain, Fiji and the Philippines. India's presence on the Council will be important because the previous UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein asked the body to facilitate an international commission of inquiry into allegations of human rights violation in Kashmir. His successor Michelle Bachelet and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have backed Zeid's recommendation, which Pakistan -- a member of the Council -- is campaigning for. So far, no other country has backed Zeid's call for the investigation. This will be the fifth time that India will serve on the Geneva-based Council. India was among the first batch of 47 countries elected to the Council in 2006 soon after it was set up and received an initial one-year term instead of three to facilitate a rotating roster of vacancies each year. It was again elected in 2007, 2011 and 2014 to three-year terms. Countries can be elected to only two consecutive terms and India took a year's break when its term ended in 2017. In January India will join Pakistan, China and Nepal, which were elected to the Council in previous years to serve three-year terms. Elections will be held by secret ballot in the 193-member General Assembly on Friday, although the number of candidates for all the five regions match the vacancies making it a formality -- although some countries may not vote for certain countries. On the 47-member Council, the seats are allocated based on "equitable regional distribution" giving the Asia-Pacific region a total of 13 seats, with some coming up for election every year. The African region also has 13 seats, while the Latin American and Caribbean region has eight, the East European region six, and the West European and others group seven. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis) New Delhi, Oct 12 : The Central government on Thursday rejected the findings of the World Bank's Human Capital Index (HCI), which has placed the country at 115th position out of 157 countries on various parameters, such as survivability measured by under-five mortality rate. "The government of India, therefore, has decided to ignore the HCI and will continue to undertake its path-breaking programmes for human capital development aiming to rapidly transforming quality and ease of life for all its children," the Finance Ministry said in a statement. The HCI has been constructed for 157 countries. It claims to seek to measure the amount of human capital that a child born today can expect on attaining the age of 18. The HCI index values are contended to convey the productivity of the next generation of workers, compared to a benchmark of complete standard education and full health. "There are serious reservations about the advisability and utility of this exercise of constructing HCI," the statement said. "There are major methodological weaknesses, besides substantial data gaps. For instance, for the schooling parameter, though quantity is assessed using enrolment rates reported by UNESCO, quality is gauged using harmonised test scores from major international student achievement testing programmes." According to the HCI, a child born in India today will be only 44 per cent as productive "when she grows up as she could be if she enjoyed complete education and full health". "The HCI in India for females is marginally better than that for males," the report said. On the probability of survival up to the age of 5, the report said it is "96 out of 100 children born in India". The report pointed out that in India, "a child who starts school at age of 4 can expect to complete 10.2 years of school by her 18th birthday". LiNK Hradec Kralove, the first in a pipeline of industrial and logistics assets being developed in a strategic partnership between Linkcity Czech Republic, a property development company of Bouygues Construction Group, and Cromwell Property Group, is now operational eight months since construction began in February 2018. [] GUEST OBSERVATION Might government benefits, and government employment, be a self sustaining machine one in which those who benefit from government payments deliver the votes needed to ensure they continue? Its a proposition seriously put forward by researchers at the Centre for Independent Studies in a new paper entitled Voting for a living: A shift in Australian politics from selling policies to buying votes? The paper argues there are now so many beneficiaries of government largesse that they may constitute a political force strong enough to bias policy outcomes. It also says when the number of public sector employees is added, there is a clear majority of voters benefiting more from government than they contribute. The authors reckon theyre on to something. They use Australian Bureau of Statistics data to conclude that the emergence of a large segment of the population that may in a sense vote for a living could help explain much that has gone awry with public policy. Amplifying their argument in a column in the Australian Financial Review, they ask whether the governments decision to abandon raising the pension age was an example of what may happen in a democracy when an increasing majority of its voters receive net benefits from government [] while only a diminishing minority is left to pick up the net tax burden? A new idea it is not The argument has been around for a while. In August 2016, then treasurer Scott Morrison told us more Australians are likely today to be net beneficiaries of the government than contributors never paying more tax than they receive in government payments. He spoke of a new divide, between the taxed, and the taxed-nots. The Heritage Foundation in the United States has argued there is a divide for a decade or more. And the argument goes back further, to the first half of the 19th Century and the American politician and political theorist John C, Calhoun. But it is based on a misunderstanding. In every system, everywhere, theres zero net tax The ABS stats do indeed show that close to half of the population receives more in cash benefits than it pays in income tax. If benefits in kind such as education and health care are included, and also indirect taxes such as the goods and services tax, the proportion climbs to 70-80%, at any point in time. But it isnt the same 70-80%, and it is unconnected to the size of government and the progressivity of the tax system. To clear up some myths and misconceptions, the Tax and Transfer Policy Institute at the Crawford School at the ANU published a detailed policy brief on the idea of taxed-nots in 2016. Strikingly, it showed that a countrys share of taxed-nots was unrelated to its level of direct taxes and social security spending. Australias 50% share of taxed-nots was similar to the share in the United States, and in New Zealand, and in Sweden countries each of which have very different tax and spending systems. The tax take has little to do with it Korea and Denmark both had low shares of taxed-nots, at under 40%, but Denmarks spending and tax was seven to eight times Koreas. The reason the share of taxed-nots has almost nothing to do with the level of spending or tax is that (as long as the budget is roughly balanced), by definition, the population on average has to pay zero net tax. It makes no difference whether tax revenue is 46% of GDP as it is in Denmark or 26% of GDP as it is in Korea. It is also not relevant how progressive the tax and social spending systems (that take less from low earners and give more to low earners) actually are. Imagine a country in which everyone paid a flat poll tax, and the only spending was on goods with shared benefits, such as defence and public order. In such a completely non-redistributive system, 100% of the population would be zero net taxpayers. Zero net tax is hard to avoid Far from being unusual or unsustainable, a situation in which a majority of taxpayers pay no net tax is close to unavoidable. And the taxed and taxed-nots change places. In Australia (as in all other high income countries) about 90% of households aged 65 or over receive more in public spending than they pay in tax. Most of them paid more tax than they received in public spending when they were younger. The recent Productivity Commission inequality report found more than one third of Australians spent at least one year in the richest 10% of the population between 2001 and 2016. More than half of those who were in the richest 20% in 2001 where in the bottom half by 2016. Todays taxpayer is tomorrows taxed-not Almost nobody stayed in the same income group for his or her entire working life. Economic status changes when people finish study and get jobs, get promoted, lose jobs, raise families, marry, become sick, and become disabled or retire. The concept of the taxed-nots or net benefit recipients sounds scientific, but isnt a meaningful guide to anything very much. This doesnt mean we cant work to improve our tax and spending systems. But it does suggest if we want to improve them we need to be clear about how they work. Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Melbournes Mornington Peninsula is emerging as a popular market for CBD investors, with the $5,435,000 sale of a retail property. CBREs Melbourne Strip Retail Investments team, comprising Rorey James, Josh Rutman and Sandro Peluso, negotiated the sale process of 9-13a Main Street via an onsite auction, which attracted a crowd of more than 120. The property was eventually sold to a Melbourne-based buyer, after attracting over 100 enquiries and offshore team engaging more than 60 foreign investors to the asset, James said. The property, which comprises a 453 square metre building on a 936 square metre site, was offered at an initial bid of $4.1 million, where it rose quickly to above $5 million before being knocked down to a Melbourne investor for $5,435,000. The sale result translating to a yield of just 3.5% and a building rate of approximately $12,000 per square metre. The property comprises two separate titles and is occupied by five separate tenants, including three offices and two local restaurants, Afghan Marco Polo and the Brass Razu wine bar. The sale of 9-13a Main Street marks CBREs sixth transaction on the Morning Peninsula this year, following the sale of two properties along Ocean Beach Road in Sorrento a waterfront shop in Rye and a hobby farm in Red Hill. EXPERT OBSERVER Opposition Leader Matthew Guy recently announced a Liberal National Coalition government would stop urban claustrophobia if successful in Novembers State Election. The pledge comes after Premier Daniel Andrews announced the Labor government would build a massive suburban Rail Loop if re-elected. Both election announcements are focused on population growth management, which is shaping up to be the hottest election issue across Victoria. Melbournes population crossed the 5 million mark in August; an incredible feat given it took over 17 decades to grow to 4 million. Now in less than one decade, we've gained an extra 1 million people. Victorias next government clearly has a tough task in delivering the housing and infrastructure we so desperately need right now, while also planning for the future. There are divergent views on population growth, which is understandable considering some of our current growing pains. The facts tell us population growth is incredibly important to Victorias strong economy and job creation. But the challenges are real, and our communities are feeling the strain in their everyday lives. We are at a fork in the road in our states history and with the Victorian State Election just two months away, the party in government after November 24, will have the important task of turning the realities of population growth into our advantage. We heard last week that a Guy Government would establish a Population Commission, tasked with implementing population restrictions on suburbs where infrastructure and services arent keeping up with growth. The Commission would limit where migrants can settle, press pause on housing development in certain areas, and incentivise people to settle in regional Victoria rather than in Melbourne. There is merit to the model of a Population Commission; we are certainly in need of a strategy to deliver the homes, services, infrastructure and amenities required to accommodate the growing population. But putting a cap on growth, even at a local level, is not the right answer. Our growing pains are not the result of population growing too fast; but rather infrastructure delivery happening too slowly. The Coalitions focus must shift from curbing population growth to delivering infrastructure more efficiently, so more people can have a choice on how and where they live and work. If the Coalitions proposal to cap growth is implemented, there is a real danger councils and state government will stall infrastructure provision simply to avoid accommodating new residents. If this happens, the Coalitions policy would single handedly give rise to unnecessary development restrictions that will only serve to drive up house prices, and lock up the established areas for only the privileged to occupy. That shouldnt sit well with any of us. NSW under Bob Carr closed the doors to population growth and sent a clear message to business and the rest of the country that the city was shut. There were major economic consequences for that state for the better part of a decade. Sydney is now our most unaffordable housing market. Surely there are some lessons we can take from history. On the other side of politics, the Andrews Labor Government has pledged to build a Suburban Rail Loop if re- elected in November. Cited as the biggest public transport project in Australian history, the Rail Loop looks to be the current governments key population management delivery strategy. Its a great initiative in principle, and it certainly offers a vision and long-term thinking about how Melbournians will get around our city. EXPERT OBSERVER Labors negative gearing plans will disadvantage some first-home buyers and lower-income Aussies who are property investors working hard to get ahead. A more effective policy would be to means-test investor tax subsidies, and cap the number of properties that can be negatively geared. Labors plans to limit negative gearing to new housing and halving the capital gains tax concession will do little to help this hardworking market segment. Labor has wrongly suggested that all investors are higher-income earners. Through the Starr Partners network of 31 real estate offices, he has learned that many investors are also first home buyers and lower-income Aussies. Im hearing from agents and brokers across markets popular with first home buyers, that approximately 30-35 per cent are rentvesting. They are often purchasing a property, living in it for six to 12 months, then putting it on the rental market. Labor is trying to help middle- and working-class families, but lets not forget that many nurses, teachers, and policemen are also purchasing investment properties they make up the investor profile, too. The Oppositions proposed policy could inadvertently disadvantage many of the people it is trying to help. To make the Australian dream of purchasing a home true for all Australians, there are more effective strategies that would appease investors and nurture first home buyers. From what I can tell, this policy is a regurgitation of Labors previous election manifesto. What puzzles me most is that if it didnt curry favour in the lead up to the last election when investors made up the majority of the market, then how is it going to garner support now that their numbers have decreased considerably. House prices are cooling, which shows the governments macroprudential measures are working, but I agree more could still be done. Instead of limiting negative gearing, as Labor has suggested, Aussies that want to claim tax subsidies could be means tested. This would ensure that higher-income earners are not benefitting the most, and tip the balance in favour of those that need the subsidies the most. Alternatively, capping the volume of properties an investor can negatively gear will reduce the number of negatively geared properties, without limiting it to a subset of homes. Any existing properties need to be grandfathered. Labor has got it right to grandfather existing investment properties, a policy I strongly stand by. Without this, it could lead to property Armageddon. Doug Driscoll is the CEO of Starr Partners. Financial adviser Noel Whittaker says headlines about property booms can lure inexperienced buyers into traps. He also wrote recently that headlines with doom and gloom scenarios can scare people from making a good decision to buy. "So, if you are serious about investing in property, stop reading the headlines and set yourself a specific plan," advised Noel Whittaker, the author of Making Money Made Simple and numerous other books on personal finance. "One day we are told that real estate is booming, the next day people like Steve Keen and Harry Dent are predicting falls of up to 40%. "When a boom is on we are even subjected to articles telling us how much our home is increasing each day, often accompanied by comments that its a tax-free gain and worth more than we are earning. "Of course, its all nonsense capital gain is not something that is happening, it is something that has happened. "And the sad reality is that a big capital gain last year is a red flag that next year may be very different." Whittaker noted the principal is called regression to the mean. "I am not at all troubled by the usual negative comments about property that are circulating at the moment. "Australias population is on track to reach 40 million within 35 years this has to be positive for anybody who buys well-located, quality real estate today and hangs on to it for the long term." He advised there is no such a thing as a single property market not for Australia, not even for a single capital city there are myriad property markets all doing their own thing. "How can you compare a townhouse in Cairns with a mansion in Point Piper? "All over Australia some markets may be rising, other markets may be falling, and some may be flat." He also noted real estate figures are notoriously unreliable because they take no account of improvements by owners, Whittaker advised the first task for prospective investors was to find out exactly what they could afford, which means talking to a lender or mortgage broker, and laying all your cards on the table. "Then, having worked out your price bracket, you need to research areas where you can buy a property you like for the price youre able to pay. "Once you have established that you are in the running, take the time to research the market thoroughly so that you become an expert on the area. "You do this by going to open houses, befriending local real estate agents, and reading everything you can about your preferred location. "Then when you come across a genuine bargain you will know that you have struck a winner. "Always keep in mind that the secret of success in real estate is to buy well, and then add value." We sized Edison IX to match our strategy, sector and company stage focus. We are very appreciative of the confidence and commitment our investors continue to share in our differentiated strategy and approach to alpha generation Edison Partners, the leading growth investment firm, today announced the closing of its latest growth equity fund, Edison Partners IX. The $365 million fund was significantly oversubscribed from its $300M target and is the largest in the firms 32-year history. Edison Partners exclusively focuses on growth investing and has led the industrys development of growth equity as a distinct asset class. Edison VIII, a $276 million fund closed in 2016, recently made its final investment in Bento for Business. For more than 15 years, we have invested in the underserved part of growth equity: high-growth, capital-efficient technology companies, with revenue of $25M or less in geographies outside of Silicon Valley. We sized Edison IX to match our strategy, sector and company stage focus. We are very appreciative of the confidence and commitment our investors continue to share in our differentiated strategy and approach to alpha generation, said Chris Sugden, Managing Partner, Edison Partners. Edison Partners invests across three key sectors: Enterprise Solutions, Financial Technology, and Healthcare IT. In 2018, the firm was named the Top Fintech Equity Investor by LendIt Fintech. More than 90 percent of the firms current investments are in the MidAtlantic, Midwest, Southeast and South, with active and recently exited investments in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. The firm brings both investing and operating resources to every investment. This unique, integrated, team-based approach is further powered by the firms Edison Edge operating platform, which spans go-to-market effectiveness, financial planning and controls, SaaS and data product management, human capital management, board leadership, M&A, and capital formation and exit strategies. With 12 partners, who each bring more than 15 years of investing and operating experience, our depth and breadth is unmatched by firms with similar AUM, and investing at the same stage and size, said Sugden. Our resources, programs and content are proprietary and true value-add to portfolio companies -- not the industrys typical third-party or in-house consulting model. Edison IX investors include corporate and public pension plans, endowments, fund-of-funds, insurance companies and family offices, including New Mexico Educational Retirement Board, Rutgers University, Hirtle Callaghan, American Family Insurance and Renaissance Venture Capital Fund. We have invested in each of Edisons last three funds. Their team and investment strategy are proven and differentiated. Growth equity provides us with upside return opportunities similar to venture capital, but with the downside risk profile of buy-outs. We are very pleased to continue to invest with the Edison Partners team, said Steve Neel, Deputy Chief Investment Officer, New Mexico Educational Retirement Board. Since its inception in 1986, Edison Partners has invested in more than 200 companies and completed 180 total exits. Recent exit successes include ComplySci, Billtrust and eSentire. The firms active portfolio currently consists of 42 companies. Edison IX has already experienced significant momentum with four recent investments, three in the Midwest, including Blue Medora (Grand Rapids, Michigan), Emplify and Sigstr (Fishers and Indianapolis, Indiana), and Giant Oak of Arlington, Virginia. About Edison Partners For more than 30 years, Edison Partners has been helping CEOs and their executive teams grow and scale successful companies. The firms investment team brings extensive investing and operating experience to each investment. Through a unique combination of growth capital and the Edison Edge platform, consisting of operating centers of excellence, the Edison Director Network, and executive education programs, Edison employs a truly integrated approach to accelerating growth and creating value for businesses. A team of experts in financial technology, healthcare IT and enterprise solution sectors, Edison targets high-growth companies with $5 to $25 million in revenue; investments also include buyouts, recapitalizations, spinouts and secondary stock purchases. Edisons active portfolio has created aggregated market value exceeding $10 billion. Edison Partners is based in Princeton, NJ and manages more than $1.4 billion in assets throughout the eastern United States. NHPF (The NHP Foundation), a national leader in providing quality affordable housing to Americas working poor, seniors and families, today announced its 2018 fundraising event. Housing & Health: The Backbone of Strong Communities will be held October 16th at Union Station in Washington, D.C. The event combines education and celebration, featuring a range of participants and honorees including former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros. NHPFs event will be split into two parts. Kicking off the event is an Afternoon of Learning, where the Foundation will present its Trailblazer Awards to four lawmakers leading national affordable housing policy- Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Representatives Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and Jim Himes (D-CT). The bi-partisan congresspeople we are honoring today consistently fight the good fight to preserve and create more affordable housing while also recognizing the importance of how such housing keeps residents safe and healthy and benefits society overall, said Richard Burns, President & CEO, The NHP Foundation. We are grateful for their continuing efforts to guide those in the industry even in the most uncertain times. Following the awards presentation, the afternoon will feature a report calling for an affordable housing reboot stressing the involvement of the healthcare system in delivering increased affordable housing presented by Ryan Moser, CSH (The Corporation for Supportive Housing). Following the report will be a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Tiffany Manuel, VP Knowledge, Impact & Strategy, Enterprise Community Partners. Today the industry is looking for the best ways to ensure housing for all and the role healthcare providers play, continued Burns. This discussion will explore a variety of strategies including the idea of a new collaborative funding model of privatized housing vouchers. After the panel, the event will transition into An Evening of Recognition cocktail reception and awards dinner. Throughout the event, NHPF will honor special guests including: Henry Cisneros, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (19931997); Thom Amdur, EVP & ED, National Housing & Rehabilitation Association; Michael Bodaken, President, National Housing Trust (19932018); Monica Mitchell, VP Community Development, Wells Fargo; Michael Novogradac, Managing Partner, Novogradac & Company and Maria Torres-Springer, Commissioner, NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development. Over 300 attendees are expected, including developers and builders, policy-makers, affordable housing advocates, healthcare leaders, and many in the media, law, finance and philanthropic sectors. Proceeds will benefit The NHP Foundations Fund for New Development, which supports the acquisition, pre-development, development and service-enriched affordable housing properties in communities around the country. For more information on the event, click here. About The NHP Foundation Headquartered in New York City with offices in Washington, D.C., and Chicago, I.L., The NHP Foundation (NHPF) was launched on January 30, 1989, as a publicly supported 501(c)(3) not-for-profit real estate corporation. NHPF is dedicated to preserving and creating sustainable, service-enriched multifamily housing that is both affordable to low and moderate income families and seniors, and beneficial to their communities. NHPF also provides a robust resident services program to nearly 18,000 community residents. Through partnerships with major financial institutions, the public sector, faith-based initiatives, and other not-for-profit organizations, NHPF has 49 properties, including more than 8,000 units, in 15 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit http://www.nhpfoundation.org. The Great Courses It sometimes seems to me that the guardrails of American Democracy are buckling... Four weeks before the November 2018 election, America's election system remains insecure and quite vulnerable to manipulation, warns former U.S. Department of Homeland Security deputy assistant secretary Paul Rosenzweig in a new online report, Hacking American Elections: Why Were Vulnerable and How We Can Stop it. Pointing to the ability of Russian hackers to gain access to 75,000 voter-registration records in Illinois ahead of the 2016 electionand the success of amateurs who rapidly defeated the security of standard-issue electronic voting machines at a recent DEF CON hacking conference in Las VegasRosenzweig says the very essence of our democracy is in danger. Hacking American Elections is from a new series of documentary-style lectures by Americas premier lifelong learning company, The Great Courses. Its a companion piece to Rosenzweigs forthcoming 12-episode presentation, Investigating American Presidents, which assesses the evolving ability of government to keep U.S. presidential power in check. An appointee of President George W. Bush at Homeland Security, Rosenzweig approaches both subjects by looking beyond party politics to identify systemic problems and offer solutions. In Hacking American Elections, Rosenzweig lays out six distinct stages that local and state governments undergo to record, verify, and report the American voteeach of which, he says, is vulnerable to compromise. As proof, Rosenzweig offers the overwhelming evidence that Russian hackers interfered with the United States 2016 presidential election and have continued to probe our election system's weaknesses since. Rosenzweig offers a prescription for U.S. leadership to fortify the nations election systems in the same way it has sought to harden other critical infrastructure. He says, It would be a tragedy of the gravest type were Americans to lose confidence in the integrity of our elections. It would shake the foundations of our political system, with unknowable results. The Great Courses is making Hacking American Elections available as a public service at its website http://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com and via YouTube at https://youtu.be/h5Ver1Mn3fY. Hacking American Elections is a prelude to the 12 timely half-hour lectures of Investigating American Presidents, also premiering on thegreatcoursesplus.com in October and featuring Rosenzweig. A former senior counsel to Independent Counsel Kenneth W. Starr during the investigation of President Bill Clinton in the 1990s, Rosenzweig brings his legal acumen and practical experience to the fraught subject of the powers and limitations of government to investigate and impeach the president. Over the past 240 years, we have developed systems for the restraint of power and, time and again, they have been a bulwark for the nation, says Rosenzweig, who wrote his lectures amid Special Counsel Robert Muellers ongoing investigation into Russian hacking and President Donald Trumps 2016 campaign. And yet, he worries, "it sometimes seems to me that the guardrails of American Democracy are buckling." Thats why, says Rosenzweig, now is an important time to consider carefully whether systems that we have established for investigating presidents are up to the task. For more information, and to arrange an interview with Paul Rosenzweig, contact: Kevin Manzel Senior Director, Content Development, The Great Courses (703) 502-5720 / manzelk@teachco.com A new book by Andrew Curran, entitled Diderot and the Art of Thinking Freely, has received glowing reviews due to Currans unparalleled exploration of the work and life of the famous French philosopher Denis Diderot. According to one reviewer, Curran marvelously describes Diderots life but does much more than create a mere biography. Rather, he describes in detail the intellectual and social lives of France in the 18th century. In the book, Curran discusses how the Jesuits educated Diderot and how Diderot initially intended to become a priest. He goes on to describe the first influential work that Diderot published, called Pensees philosophiques, and how he was imprisoned for his writing. In addition, the book takes a look at the decades of work that Diderot put into creating the Encyclopedie. What readers can take away from Currans book, according to the reviewer, is how complex the political and financial aspects of book publishing can be. They may also be intrigued by Diderots unconventional thoughts related to the topic of sexology. For instance, the novel Les bijoux indiscrets is something of a precursor to the Vagina Monologues. The reviewer also said he believed that Currans book will leave readers with a fresh appreciation for the French philosophers expansive thoughts and expression of intellectual freedom. A second reviewer praised Curran for creating a well-researched and intellectually dense masterpiece that treats some of the hardest questions we ask as humans, including the existence of God, the role of organized religion, not to mention sexual norms. According to the second reviewer, in Diderot and the Art of Thinking Freely, readers can peel back the layers of the mind of one of the most persuasive intellectual rebels in history. Given its glowing reception so far, Currans book -- with its unique glorification of skepticism -- is expected to continue to draw readers both today and in the years ahead. Arasan today announced that they will demonstrate their Total IP Solution for MIPI Imaging and Display with its CSI, DSI, D-PHY and C-PHY IP Cores at the MIPI Member Meeting Asia to be held in Seoul between the dates of Oct 15-19, 2018. Arasan today announced that they will demonstrate their Total IP Solution for MIPI Imaging and Display at the MIPI Member Meeting Asia to be held in Seoul between the dates of Oct 15-19, 2018. The demonstration will be part of Test Evolutions MIPI C-PHY and D-PHY Compliance Tester which features Arasans C/D-PHY Combo fabricated at TSMC along with its CSI and DSI IP Cores. The demonstration will be viewable at the Arasan booth in the exhibits area. Arasan is one of the sponsors of the MIPI Event in Seoul. Arasan has been a contributor member of the MIPI Association since 2005 . We also announced the Industrys first IP for the MIPI Standards including the DSI, CSI and D-PHY IP cores. Arasan today offers the broadest MIPI IP Portfolio with over a billion Arasan MIPI IP based chips in production. Availability The Arasan MIPI C-PHY and D-PHY IP Core are available immediately for 12nm, 16nm, 28nm and 40nm SoC Designs seamlessly integrated with its DSI v1.2 and CSI 1.2 IP Cores. About Arasan Arasan Chip Systems is a leading provider of Total IP Solutions for mobile, automobile and Drone SoCs. Arasans high-quality, silicon-proven, Total IP Solutions include digital IP cores, analog PHY interfaces, verification IP, HDK, software and optional customization services for mobile connectivity and storage standards. Arasans Total IP products serve system architects and chip design teams in applications that require silicon-proven, validated IP, delivered with the ability to integrate and verify both digital, analog and software components in the shortest possible time with the lowest risk. https://www.arasan.com/ I am honored to once again be selected by the Atlanta community as a Mom-Approved OB/GYN. I consider it a privilege to help women become the healthiest version of themselves through all stages of life, said Dr. Taghechian Each year Atlanta Parent magazine, one of Atlantas leading parenting periodicals, asks readers to recommend obstetricians, midwives and fertility specialists they trust for excellent medical care. Dr. Elizabeth Taghechian of Marietta OB/GYN Affiliates has been nominated for the second consecutive year for inclusion in Atlanta Parents Mom Approved OB/GYN list. Dr. Taghechian is a board-certified physician by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She is one of five six physicians at the Marietta practice that is qualified to provide a broad range of womens care from young adolescence through menopause and beyond. Services offered at Marietta OB/GYN Affiliates include general medical obstetrics and gynecological care as well as specialized treatments in the area of the reproductive system. Dr. Taghechian shares the mission of Marietta OB/GYN Affiliates to combine excellent medical care with sensitivity and compassion. My job, my goal and my passion is to provide the best possible care for my patients, said Dr. Taghechian. I am honored to once again be selected by the Atlanta community as a Mom-Approved OB/GYN. I consider it a privilege to help women become the healthiest version of themselves through all stages of life. Dr. Taghechian is among 52 obstetricians in the greater Atlanta area who were recognized for their exceptional care as a Mom-Approved Doctor. Atlanta Parent circulates more than 80,000 issues per month throughout the metro Atlanta area, publishing award-winning content on important parenting topics including childcare, motherhood, family life, health and more. The magazine publishes annual Mom-Approved lists for OB/GYNs, dentists, pediatricians, medical specialists and more. More about Dr. Elizabeth Taghechian: Elizabeth Taghechian received her B.S. Degree in Biology at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA in 1994. She went on to earn her medical degree at Medical College of Georgia in 1998 and completed her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Greenville Memorial Hospital, in Greenville, S.C. in 2002. Dr. Taghechian is considered a valued member of the physician staff at Marietta OB/GYN Affiliates. She is equipped to provide a full range of gynecological treatments as well as general and high-risk obstetrics. To learn more about Dr. Elizabeth Taghechian or schedule an appointment at Marietta OB/GYN Affiliates, please visit http://www.mariettaobgyn.com or call (770) 422- 8505. Prepared by FInd Local Company Avery UltraDuty GHS Chemical Labels & HP PageWide printers The collaboration between award-winning Avery UltraDuty GHS Chemical Labels and HP PageWide printers provides BS 5609 certification to help ensure compliance with IMDG code and long-lasting durability with superior print resistance to water, chemicals and abrasion. Avery Products Corp., the worlds largest supplier of labels and short-run label printing and software solutions, in collaboration with HP, the global leader in printing, has obtained the British Standard 5609 (BS 5609) Section 3 certification for Avery UltraDuty GHS Chemical Labels on all HP PageWide Printers. The award-winning Avery UltraDuty GHS Chemical Labels, combined with the high-speed performance and pigment-based ink of the HP PageWide printers provide: BS 5609 certification to help ensure compliance with International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) code Longer-lasting durability with superior print resistance to water, chemicals and abrasion Free templates from the Avery Design & Print GHS Wizard software to easily create custom GHS-compliant labels for use with Avery labels This is an important collaboration between Avery and HP to receive BS 5609 Section 3 certification across all HP PageWide Printers, said Colwin Chan, Group Product Manager at Avery Products Corporation. Companies that ship chemicals and need to comply with IMDG regulations now have the ability to use our GHS Labels with a wide range of extremely fast and efficient HP PageWide printers. Companies that transport dangerous goods overseas are subject to safety regulations that may require BS 5609 certification. It is a requirement for IMDG certification to ensure that if a chemical drum falls off a ship that the label must remain adhered, intact and legible after an extended period in the ocean. Labels must be able to withstand a three-month saltwater submersion. Even if not shipping chemicals, UltraDuty GHS Chemical Labels help workplaces that use hazardous chemicals comply with OSHAs Hazard Communication Standard. Proper labeling of secondary containers is an important step in keeping workers safe and avoiding fines. Avery UltraDuty GHS Chemical Labels are made with specially engineered, high-performance materials that make them waterproof and resistant to chemicals, abrasion, UV light, tearing and harsh temperatures. The labels are available in a variety of sizes to help identify hazardous materials in a variety of containers including drums, totes, pails, jugs and bottles. Consumers can simply customize their labels using the Avery Design & Print GHS Wizard online software. HP PageWide Technology when used with Original HP Supplies ensure the highest levels of durability and versatility, said Szymon Morawski, PageWide Research and Development Manager. We at HP pride ourselves on delivering the hardware and supplies to meet and often exceed customer needs, as in the case with this certification. The HP PageWide platforms make color printing affordable, while offering superior print speeds and lower energy consumption than in-class laser devices. The single and multifunction devices have print speeds ranging from 40 ppm to 60 ppm (up to 80 ppm in General Office mode). The BS 5609 certification for the Avery UltraDuty GHS Chemical Labels covers both A3 and A4 HP PageWide Pro, PageWide Enterprise and PageWide Managed printers that use HP 972, 913, 973, 974, 975, 981, 990, 991, 992, 993, 982 inks. To learn more about Avery UltraDuty GHS Chemical Labels, visit avery.com/ghs. To learn more about HP PageWide, visit hp.com/go/pagewide About Avery Products Corporation Avery Products Corporation is the worlds largest supplier of labels, specialty converted media and software solutions for short-run digital printing applications for businesses and consumers available alongside complementary products sold through distributors and mass market retailers under the Avery brand. Avery Products Corporation, a division of CCL Industries, is based in Brea, California. For more information about Avery products, visit avery.com. Avery and all other Avery brands, product names and codes are trademarks of CCL Label, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. About CCL Industries CCL Industries employs approximately 20,000 people operating 168 production facilities in 40 countries with corporate offices in Toronto, Canada, and Framingham, Massachusetts. CCL is the worlds largest converter of pressure sensitive and specialty extruded film materials for a wide range of decorative, instructional, functional and security applications for government institutions and large global customers in the consumer packaging, healthcare and chemicals, consumer electronic device and automotive markets. Extruded and laminated plastic tubes, aluminum aerosols and specialty bottles, folded instructional leaflets, precision decorated and die cut components, electronic displays, polymer bank note substrate and other complementary products and services are sold in parallel to specific end-use markets. Media Contact Avery Products Corporation 714-674-8500 press@avery.com Baker College, Michigans largest independent not-for-profit college, will host a series of undergraduate admissions events this month across its campuses statewide, designed to introduce prospective students and their families to a variety of degree programs and career options. We're excited to invite students and their families to our campus locations to learn about the 100+ programs in everything from business to nursing to ITwe're confident one of our award-winning degree programs will meet their needs and expectations," said Bart Daig, Baker College system president. "Families also will learn about Bakers generous scholarships, on-campus housing and commuting options, small class sizes and nine campus locations offering a personal touch with a university experience." All of the following information session/open house events are free. Advanced registration is recommended but not required. Additional information and registration links are available at http://www.baker.edu. Culinary Arts Baker Colleges Culinary Institute of Michigan (CIM) CIM Muskegon: Oct. 18, 2018 6 9 p.m. For those students with a passion for food and inspired by the kitchen, Baker Colleges Culinary Institute of Michigan will host an information session and open house event at its Muskegon campus location. The event will include an introduction to the CIMs degree programs in culinary arts, baking and pastry and food and beverage management, tours of the state-of-the-art culinary facilities, cooking demonstrations, a Q&A session and, of course, refreshments. The CIM Muskegon is located at 1903 Marquette Ave. Law Enforcement Baker College Cadillac: Oct. 12, 2018 9:30 a.m. 2 p.m. Baker College Allen Park: Oct. 19, 2018 9:30 a.m. 2 p.m. Attendees at Baker Colleges law enforcement day events will have an opportunity to meet with representatives from multiple Michigan policing agencies to learn more about careers in law enforcement. The events also will include Q&A sessions and tours of campus facilities. Baker College Cadillac is located at 9600 E. 13th St., and Baker College Allen Park is located at 4500 Enterprise Dr. Mechatronics/Michigan Advanced Technical Training (MAT2) Baker College Cadillac Oct. 18, 2018 6 8 p.m. Students dreaming of a career in the robotics field, and associated industries where technology is revolutionizing manufacturing, will be well-served to attend Baker Colleges mechatronics and MAT2 information session and open house event. Prospective students and family members will be introduced to mechatronics and learn more about Bakers unique MAT2 program, which offers tuition paid in full by employers, allowing students an opportunity to work and earn money while attending college and to be assured of employment upon graduation. The event also will include a Q&A session and tours of lab facilities and student housing. Baker College Cadillac is located at 9600 E. 13th St. All Programs/All Campuses Baker College Allen Park, Auburn Hills, Cadillac, Clinton Twp., Flint, Jackson, Muskegon and Owosso Oct. 27, 2018 10 a.m. 12 Noon For those students looking to explore all of their degree options and career possibilities, Baker College will host a statewide open house event across all of its campus locations. The events will include tours, an introduction to Bakers more than 100 degree programs and information on admissions, scholarships, financial aid and more. For a complete listing of all Baker College campus locations/address, visit http://www.baker.edu/campuses/michigan/. A complete schedule of all Baker College undergraduate admissions events and open houses, as well as registration links, is available at http://www.baker.edu. About Baker College Founded in 1911, Baker College is Michigans largest independent not-for-profit college, with campus and extension sites across the state, as well as 100 percent online program options, across 100 undergraduate and graduate degrees. Baker Colleges legion of BakerProud represents more than 3,300 faculty and staff, 17,000 students and hundreds of thousands of alumni. Learn more at http://www.baker.edu. Kristen Wallitsch, Associate Dean of Academic Support at the Student Success Center, Bellarmine University You dont have to spend a hundred thousand dollars in order to get a predictive model for your campus. Past News Releases RSS Rapid Insight Announces Predictive... Paul Smiths College Builds... The National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA) presented the 2018 Innovative Use of Technology Award to Bellarmine University for its success in predictive modeling with the Veera platform. Bellarmine University is an independent, private Catholic school in Louisville, KY. The Department of Institutional Research and Effectiveness has been successfully using Rapid Insights Veera analytics platform since 2014. Over the past few years, the department created an ambitious, data-driven pilot project. The project uses the Veera platform to prep, clean, and track student information in order to improve student success efforts. Kristen N. Wallitsch, the Associate Dean of Student Success for Academic Support, works closely with the project and was a recipient of the award at the NCLCAs 33rd annual conference, held on Oct. 2-5, in Niagara Falls, New York. She and her colleagues presented their work at the conference. We talked a lot about the implications for the outcomes of the pilot project, such as how its put into action and some of the things were doing on campus, based on the results we got out of the first year predictive model, Wallitsch said. Basically, you dont have to spend a hundred thousand dollars in order to get a predictive model for your campus. The pilot initiative also received the American College Personnel Associations 2018 Innovative Academic Support Initiative Award in February. Bellarmine University continues to make groundbreaking efforts in using predictive modeling for student success. Rapid Insight is an analytics solutions company driven by the goal of making data, along with the knowledge locked within data, more accessible to everyone. Focusing on speed, efficiency, and ease of use, Rapid Insights products empower users of any skill level to quickly turn raw data into actionable information. The companys Veera analytic platform simplifies the extraction, analysis, reporting, and modeling of data for clients across multiple industries. For more information, visit http://www.rapidinsight.com. The Breakout West music festival first pulled into Kelowna in 2010, showcasing musicians from across Western Canada at downtown bars and restaurants. Since then, it has touched down everywhere from Whitehorse to Winnipeg, but eight years later, it's back in Kelowna. The three-day festival and artist conference begins with a kickoff party at Kelowna Community Theatre tonight, featuring performances from Halifax's Like A Motorcycle, Vancouver's Little Destroyer and Kelowna's The Wild. On Friday, music spills out across the downtown core, with more than 60 bands playing through the weekend at BNA Brewing, Doc Willoughby's, Fernando's, Milkcrate Records, Muninn's Post, The Grateful Fed, New Arts Collective, Doja Coffee Shop, Craft Beer Market and Sapphire. All the artists ... have toured their market, they have significant experience regionally and in Canada, maybe some international, said Robyn Stewart, executive director of the festival. The opportunities here will help levitate their career to the next step. In addition to the shows around town, the festival includes a conference for artists through the weekend. The artists will meet with industry, help build their industry teams, learn important things about breaking into new international markets, Stewart said. It really goes part and parcel to create a whole weekend of development for these artists and setting up for career opportunities and business arrangements. Additionally, the Western Canadian Music Awards will be held Saturday at the Delta Grand Hotel. Locally, Andrew Judah, Tiger Moon and Ben Klick will be representing Kelowna. A wristband to get in to all the venues, not including Thursday's kickoff show, is $15. A California couple has filed a class action faulty brakes lawsuit against General Motors. The suit cites an irreparable and defective braking system supplied in all of the Class vehicles. The suit alleges the defect makes it difficult to stop with the brake pedal becoming hard, requiring the driver to use much more force to slow the vehicle. A California couple has filed a class action lawsuit against General Motors (GM) alleging the company knowingly installed defective braking systems in thousands of Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC Trucks and SUVs and failed to inform consumers of the dangers posed by the faulty systems. The suit, filed by Scott and Samantha Peckerar, cites an irreparable and defective braking system supplied in all of the Class vehicles. The suit alleges the defect makes it difficult to stop with the brake pedal becoming hard, requiring the driver to use much more force to slow the vehicle, severely and suddenly compromising the distance required to stop. The Class Action Complaint cites the defective braking system as a clear safety hazard that was never disclosed to any member of the class prior to purchase and charges that GM allegedly continued to lease and sell the Class Vehicles despite being aware of the defect and the danger it poses. Filed in United States District Court, Central District of California, Eastern Division, the suit (Case 5:18-cv-02153) also alleges the defective braking systems were installed in all of the following vehicles (the Class Vehicles) and sold or leased to consumers in California and across the United States, including the Plaintiffs: 2015 to present Cadillac Escalades 2014 to present Chevrolet Silverados 2015 to present Chevrolet Suburbans 2015 to present Chevrolet Tahoes 2014 to present GMC Sierras 2015 to present GMC Yukon/Yukon XLs The Plaintiffs seek to represent as many as 212,000 consumers across California who purchased or leased the Class Vehicles. Jerome Tapley leads the Cory Watson Attorneys team that includes Ryan Lutz and Adam W. Pittman, working on behalf of the plaintiffs along with attorneys, Clay Barnett of Beasley Allen in Atlanta, Ga., Sean F. Rommel and Jim Wyly of Wyly-Rommel, PLLC in Texarkana, Texas and Paul R. Kiesel, Jeffery A. Koncius and Nicole Ramirez of Kiesel Law in Beverly Hills, Calif. Cory Watson has successfully won lawsuits against the worlds largest automobile manufacturers, including a $24.9 million dollar verdict against Nissan in 2017 (BC 493949, Los Angeles County Superior Court) for a similar brake system failure issue. Cory Watson Attorneys also teamed with Kiesel Law in that case. About Cory Watson Attorneys Cory Watson Attorneys is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm based in Birmingham, Ala., with more than $2.7 billion in recoveries for clients. Attorneys are frequently at the forefront of major class actions involving consumer protection and product liability, and are often appointed to leadership positions in national cases involving dangerous pharmaceuticals and defective medical devices. Firm practice areas include Personal Injury, Product Liability, Class Action, Asbestos, Business & Commercial Litigation, Dangerous Pharmaceuticals, Defective Medical Devices, and Environmental/Toxic Torts. To learn more, visit http://www.CoryWatson.com. Carey Chapman I feel honored that we were selected as Americas best real estate agents by REAL Trends. Carey Chapman, broker/owner of RE/MAX of Billings, was recently named to REAL Trends Americas Best Real Estate Professionals list for the fourth year in a row. REAL Trends, which authored seven major consumer studies and dozens of industry studies, does its own original fact-based research. Chapman was one of 3,146 agents in the rankings. The survey is divided into four categories agent teams by volume, agent teams by sides (real estate sales are counted by the real estate industry as two "transaction sides" a buyers side and a sellers side as there are opportunities for two real estate agents to participate in a single sale), individual agents by sales volume and individual agents by transaction sides. Above, the RE/MAX magazine, reported that RE/MAX agents making the list based on sales volume averaged $30.8 million, far surpassing the industry average of $2.7 million. RE/MAX teams averaged $55.1 million and averaged 144 transaction sides. As an individual agent, qualifying for inclusion on the REAL Trends Americas Best Real Estate Professionals list, she is considered to be in the top tier of agents nationwide. I feel honored that we were selected as Americas best real estate agents by REAL Trends, Chapman said. About Carey Chapman, RE/MAX of Billings Carey Chapman is the Broker/Owner of RE/MAX of Billings and the owner of Motto Mortgage of Billings. The mission of both companies is to provide complete agent development through business support, goal setting, accountability and effective systems in order to increase the quality of life for their agents. For more information, or an interview to see if we are a good match, please call 406-896-2250, or visit http://www.careychapman.remax.com. RE/MAX of Billings is located at 517 S 24th Street W, Billings, MT. 59102. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361. Catalent Pharma Solutions, the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies and development solutions for drugs, biologics and consumer health products, today announced that three of its clinical supply experts will present workshops at two upcoming conferences. Mr. Leo Zhang, Quality Director, Clinical Supply Services, Asia Pacific, Catalent, will present at the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) conference, to be held at the Nanjing International Expo Center, Nanjing, China, on Oct. 16 18, 2018. Mr. Zhangs presentation, on Wednesday Oct. 17, is entitled Chinese Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Regulation of Clinical Trial Materials: Practice in Real Life by Catalent, and comes as the Chinese pharmaceutical industry assesses how the adoption of ICH global GMP standards and recent reorganization of the China FDA will impact clinical supplies. In his presentation, Mr. Zhang will give an overview of the regulations governing GMP in China, explaining how they compare to Europe, before discussing the implementation of quality management systems, using case studies from Catalent. He will discuss issues including quality management, equipment, material control, documentation, production and shipment. Catalent experts will also take part in two workshops at the Global Clinical Supplies Group (GCSG) 2018 European Knowledge Forum, at the Crowne Plaza Barcelona, Spain, from Oct. 23 25, 2018. Ms. Anne Flanagan, Senior Clinical Supplies Manager, Catalent, will lead the first workshop, discussing strategies for small companies to manage their supply chains. In the second workshop, Mr. Paul Byrne, Regional Operations Manager, APAC, World Courier and Mr. Mark Woolf, Director, Depot Networks, Catalent, will co-present, exploring ways of managing the complexity of supplying clinical trials in emerging markets. Mr. Zhang joined Catalent in June 2013 as Quality Manager of its Shanghai site and now, as Quality Director, he is responsible for overseeing the Quality Management Systems at three Catalent sites in Asia. Prior to joining Catalent, he held roles in drug registration and quality assurance at CP Guojian, and at GE Healthcare where he worked in manufacturing and project quality. With over 15 years of experience in quality management, Mr. Zhang has hosted a number of inspections by Chinese and international regulatory authorities. Ms. Flanagan has 12 years experience in global project and clinical supplies management within the industry, gained at several contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs). Initially at Almac for 8 years with roles in project management and clinical supplies management, she then worked at Fisher Clinical Services for two and a half years before moving to Catalent. Prior to joining the clinical trials industry, Ms. Flanagan worked as Quality Engineer in both the medical devices and semiconductor industries. She holds a bachelors degree in electrical and electronic engineering, and a masters degree in materials science, both from Queens University Belfast. Mr. Woolf has an extensive background in global distribution, having held previous positions at Zuellig Pharma Asia Pacific in the Philippines, and at Almac in both the U.K. and the U.S. He has significant expertise in pharmaceutical-related cold chain storage and distribution, which includes various operational logistics and business functions in Asia, Europe, the U.S., Latin America, and in the Middle East. To arrange a meeting with any of the attending Catalent executives at the event, contact Richard Kerns at NEPR - richard@nepr.eu About Catalent Catalent is the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies and development solutions for drugs, biologics and consumer health products. With 85 years serving the industry, Catalent has proven expertise in bringing more customer products to market faster, enhancing product performance and ensuring reliable clinical and commercial product supply. Catalent employs over 11,000 people, including over 1,800 scientists, at more than 30 facilities across five continents, and in fiscal 2018 generated approximately $2.5 billion in annual revenue. Catalent is headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey. For more information, visit http://www.catalent.com. More products. Better treatments. Reliably supplied. Glass House on Jost Van Dyke, BVI We fell in love with this island as soon as we sailed into White Bay. An island so full of beauty and even more beautiful people. When we built Glass House, we did it with the island in mind. Ensuring that panoramic views of the island and bay could be seen from every room in the home. Conde Nast Johansens, the prestigious, luxury travel magazine, has selected the newly built Glass House villa in the British Virgin Islands to be featured in their next print issue. Immediately after being selected, the Glass House has been nominated for the Best Newcomer in their 2019 awards. Heading up against large hotel chains such as the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski in Cuba and Sublime Samana Hotel in the Dominican Republic. The Glass House is the only home nominated for the Best Newcomer awards and offers privacy and seclusion compared to the large resort hotels. Completed in April 2018, the aptly named Glass House offers panoramic views of White Bay and is only steps away from the pristine white sand. Located on the smallest of the British Virgin Islands, Jost Van Dyke is a quiet, hidden escape that doesnt have that over-crowded and touristy feel. Jeremy and Cindy, Glass House owners, fell in love with the little island five years ago and instantly purchased land when a rare parcel became available. Guests have their choice between three master bedrooms; each has its own en-suite bathroom. Relax in a bathtub that fills from the ceiling, all while watching the sunset over the Caribbean with St. John in the distance. When you bring along the kids, theyll have custom built-in bunk beds that sleep an additional six. Luxury amenities include a fully equipped kitchen with Viking commercial appliances and an upstairs bourbon bar complete with an authentic used Pappy Van Winkle Barrel signed by Julian Van Winkle himself. Step outside the Glass House and enjoy over 2,000 ft2 of outdoor living. Stroll down the unspoiled White Bay Beach then head over to Soggy Dollar Bar for a Pain Killer, one of the places known for making Jost Van Dyke an infamous party scene. Whether swimming in the infinity pool, relaxing in the private beach cabana or looking for something adventurous, guests can be as busy or laid back at the Glass House as theyd like. Paddle/boogie boarding, sailing, snorkeling, and fishing are a few of the most popular amenities Glass House has to offer. As the only home nominated for this prestigious award, help Glass House go up against the big guys by casting a vote at glasshousebvi.com. Those that vote will be entered in to win 50% off a weeks stay at Glass House. Interested parties looking to visit this little slice of paradise should book soon because spots are filling up quickly. Contact info@glasshousebvi.com or visit glasshousebvi.com for more information. Women In Technology (WIT), the largest organization committed to empowering and educating women and girls about opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) in Georgia announced today that Cox Automotive is the 2018 Women of the Year Awards VIP reception sponsor. Cox Automotive, a provider of connected solutions to transform the way the world buys, sells, owns and uses cars, is a long-time WIT Partner. Cox Automotive is proud to continue our support of the Women of the Year Awards for the second consecutive year, said Janet Barnard, 2014 Women of the Year Award winner and Chief People Officer at Cox Automotive. We are strongly aligned to WITs commitment to diversity, leadership and the empowerment of women in STEAM and look forward to opportunities to support this great organization. WIT is also proud to announce Monica Kaufman Pearson, renowned Atlanta television broadcast journalist and 2017 WIT Awards emcee, is returning to participate in this years event. Pearson is the first woman and minority to anchor the daily evening news in Atlanta where she worked for 37 years at WSB-TV. She currently hosts a music and talk show on KISS 104.1, the Georgia Public Broadcasting Show A Seat at the Table, and is a radio and TV spokesperson for several Atlanta companies. Im thrilled to return as this years WIT Awards emcee, said Pearson. This event is a great platform to showcase the women who are truly making a difference and inspiring the next generation of female leaders." WITs annual Women of the Year Awards recognizes and celebrates key women impacting and leading Georgias STEAM community with roles in Small/Emerging Organizations, Medium/Mid-Size Organizations and Educational Institutions, Large/Enterprise Organizations, and Non-Profit Organizations. Additionally, during the event, one special middle or high school girl will be recognized as Girl of the Year for her exemplary achievement and dedication to STEAM studies. The 2018 Women of the Year Awards will be held on Thursday, November 8 at the Georgia Aquarium. Sponsorship opportunities and individual tickets are available for purchase. Available sponsorship opportunities include: Gold Sponsor: $10,000 Silver Sponsor: $5,000 Table sponsorships, with seating for 10, also available at $2,500 For questions about event sponsorship, contact Pat Hurston at info(at)mywit.org or by phone at 470-823-3228. More information about WIT Awards can be found at mywit.org. About Cox Automotive: Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling, owning and using cars easier for everyone. The global companys 34,000-plus team members and family of brands, including Autotrader, Clutch Technologies, Dealer.com, Dealertrack, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim, NextGear Capital, VinSolutions, vAuto and Xtime, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across five continents and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with revenues exceeding $20 billion. http://www.coxautoinc.com About Women In Technology: Women in Technology (WIT) empowers and educates women and girls about opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) by educating middle and high school girls, and young women in college, and by sharing the stories of successful professional women in STEAM. Our team of more than 300 volunteers delivers professional development and networking opportunities to our more than 3,000 professionals, and programs at no cost to more than 1,500 students. From the classroom to the boardroom, WIT is committed to bringing the best STEAM content and programming to women and girls in Georgia. Cup Runneth Over Coffeehouse in Sweetwater, Tennessee Were excited to welcome Owner Kendra Moreau and her team to the Crimson Cup community. Helping entrepreneurs like Kendra open their own unique independent coffee shops is a big part of our mission as a coffee roaster and coffee shop franchise alternative. Columbus coffee roaster Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea recently welcomed Cup Runneth Over Coffeehouse in Sweetwater, Tennessee to the group of independent coffee shops, cafes and bakeries it supports in 37 states. The shop at 111 N. Main St., Suite A, is one of at least 18 new independent coffee shops scheduled to open in 2018 through Crimson Cups 7 Steps to Success coffee shop franchise alternative program. Were excited to welcome Owner Kendra Moreau and her team to the Crimson Cup community, said Founder and President Greg Ubert. Helping entrepreneurs like Kendra open their own unique independent coffee shops is a big part of our mission as a coffee roaster and coffee shop franchise alternative. After 24 years as a Registered Nurse, Moreau said she was feeling stagnant in that profession and in life. I was reflecting and praying and felt like God was leading me to open a coffee shop. Despite her dream, Moreau knew only enough about coffee to brew a pot in the morning before her shift at the hospital. She turned to Crimson Cups 7 Steps to Success coffee shop franchise alternative program for guidance. Based on Uberts book, Seven Steps to Success in the Specialty Coffee Industry, the 7 Steps program has helped hundreds of independent coffee shops open and stay and business. I searched online and then bought the book and knew this was a great fit, Moreau said. I love feeling like we are part of a family. Everyone at Crimson Cup has been so kind and helpful. As she worked through the 7 Steps program, she found two steps especially helpful: Step Five, Focus on Training; and Step Six, Customer Service. I told 7 Steps Trainer Steve Bayless while he was here training us that I could not even imagine trying to do this without such expertise and history of coffee, she said. But customer service ranks above all. Its not what you do or say, its how you make customers feel! Part of her mission in creating a Cup Runneth Over Coffeehouse was to fuel the revitalization of historic downtown Sweetwater. We believe coffee is more than a product, she said. It's a bridge to community...a space that fosters relationships that matter over products that taste and do good. At its essence, she said, This little coffee shop is about relationships. We hope that when you walk into our door you feel the love of the Father and know that you have a home here and are always welcome. After renovating a vintage downtown building and working through training with Crimson Cup, Moreau opened Cup Runneth Over Coffeehouse in March 2018. The shop serves a full menu of hot, iced and frozen espresso drinks including mochas, lattes and cappuccinos as well as iced coffee and tea, cold-brewed coffee, hot chocolate, fruit smoothies and other custom drinks. Rounding out the menu are an assortment of sweet and savory treats such as maple bacon scones, baked apple fritters, muffins, cinnamon rolls, peanut butter energy bites, baked oatmeal and quiche. The coffee, roasted by Crimson Cup, has been a big hit with Sweetwater coffee drinkers. Our customers love our espresso-based drinks! Moreau said. Most of them are saying, this is the best I have ever had! Crimson Cups coffee has been judged among the best in the nation. The roaster was named 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year by Roast magazine. Its Ethiopian Kossa Kebena coffee won a 2017 Good Food Award, and its coffees brought home trophies and medals from the Americas Best Espresso competition and Golden Bean North America roasting competitions. The Cup Runneth Over mocha, which melds espresso with white chocolate and caramel, is the shops best-selling drink. For herself, Moreau prefers the many sugar-free options. When asked for advice for aspiring coffee shop owners, Moreau said, Definitely pray about it and then educate yourself. Partner with Crimson Cup and have faith. About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea Columbus, Ohio coffee roaster Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea is Roast magazines 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year. Since 1991, Crimson Cup has roasted sustainably sourced specialty and craft coffee in small batches, which it sells directly to consumers and as wholesale coffee beans. The company also teaches entrepreneurs to run successful coffee houses through its coffee franchise alternative program, which includes a coffee shop business plan. Crimson Cup coffee is available through a community of more than 350 independent coffee houses, grocers, college and universities, restaurants and food service operations across 37 states, Guam and Bangladesh, as well as the companys own Crimson Cup Coffee Houses. To learn more, visit crimsoncup.com. Crypto Gift Cards, LLC, a limited-liability company based in Kalispell, Montana, announces the availability of its flagship product: gift cards that can be exchanged by cryptocurrency. A wonderful gift for special occasions and the holidays, crypto gift cards offer the convenience of entering the cryptocurrency world without the hassle of going through an exchange. The cards can also be used to reload an existing wallet. To redeem, the card holder only has to enter the card PIN along with his/her crypto wallet address. The face value of the card is exchanged by the equivalent cryptocurrency, at market price at the moment of redemption. The cards are available in US$50, US$100 and US$250 denominations. Currently, only Bitcoin is supported, but the company has plans to expand to other cryptocurrencies in the future. The gift cards are available only the USA and can only be purchased through authorized merchants. Merchants are welcome to apply for distributorships using the company's website. This year, AFFORDABLE HOUSING FINANCE is proud to induct four change makers into the Affordable Housing Hall of Fame for their lasting contributions to the industry: Mike Alvidrez, Carol Galante, Kim Herman, and Nan Roman. Hanley Wood, the premier information, media, event, and strategic marketing services company serving the residential, commercial design, and construction industries, is pleased to announce the Affordable Housing Hall of Fame Class of 2018 and Young Leader honorees. The industry leaders will be honored at a ceremony held during AHF LIVE: The Affordable Housing Developers Summit, November 12-14, in Chicago, IL. Each year, AFFORDABLE HOUSING FINANCE honors industry pioneers and up-and-comers through its Affordable Housing Hall of Fame and Young Leader awards. The leaders are featured in the October issue of the magazine and at http://www.housingfinance.com. This year, AFFORDABLE HOUSING FINANCE is proud to induct four change makers into the Affordable Housing Hall of Fame for their lasting contributions to the industry: Mike Alvidrez, Carol Galante, Kim Herman, and Nan Roman. Alvidrez has devoted his career to ending homelessness in Los Angeles. He has been with Skid Row Housing Trust for 28 years, with 14 of those years as executive director and then CEO. During his time at the Trust, he has been hands-on in creating permanent supportive housing with top-notch design and services to provide residents a place to live with dignity and tools to obtain stabilization. He retired at the end of June but remains active with the Trust, serving as CEO emeritus and the newly created external ambassador role. Prior to the Trust, the Los Angeles native worked for the Community Corporation of Santa Monica, where he focused on acquiring and rehabbing housing stock that had fallen into disrepair. Galante has dedicated her career to affordable housing through various roles. She helped to develop thousands of units as president and CEO of BRIDGE Housing, the largest nonprofit developer of affordable, mixed-income and mixed-use developments in California. She then served at the Department of Housing and Urban Development first as deputy assistant secretary for multifamily housing and then as assistant secretary for housing and Federal Housing Administration commissioner under the Obama administration. Now she is teaching the next generation and advancing policy as the faculty director of the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at the University of California at Berkeley. Herman has been an integral part of the affordable housing scene in Washington state for decades. A native of Washington, he has served as the executive director of the Washington State Housing Finance Commission since being appointed in 1984. The only executive director the commission has known, Herman also was instrumental in getting the low-income housing tax credit program off the ground in the state. He also previously served as the Washington project director of the Department of Housing and Urban Developments Rural Assistance Initiative Program and as executive director of the Housing Authority of the City of Yakima. For almost three decades, Roman has been a tireless advocate in the fight to end and prevent homelessness in the United States. As president and CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, a national nonpartisan nonprofit, she has been a leading voice in the fight and has focused on collecting data, creating solutions, and advocating for funding. Roman has been a proponent of Housing First, which prioritizes getting individuals and families into housing quickly without barriers to entry, and was instrumental in launching a nationwide initiative for communities around the nation to develop and implement plans to end homelessness. AFFORDABLE HOUSING FINANCE also is recognizing six individuals 40 and younger who share the passion and mission for creating affordable housing and serving low-income households across the nation. This years Young Leaders include: Myia Batie: As coordinator of policy and programs at Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, Batie has led the nonprofit organizations philanthropic and community outreach strategies to align and leverage investment decisions as well as promote communities and their residents. Katherine Fleming: Vice president of portfolio at BRIDGE Housing, Fleming has been an industry leader on asset management. Fleming, along with her six-member team, is responsible for the financial and physical health of the nonprofits portfolio of 112 properties and more than 12,000 units and counting in the West. Heather Olson: Vice president at Walker & Dunlop, Olson is responsible for the origination of multifamily loans, specializing in affordable housing nationwide. Since 2010, she has assisted with the origination, underwriting, and funding of more than $800 million in multifamily housing. Alexander Russell: Russell is executive vice president of Many Mansions, a nonprofit developer, property manager, and service provider in Southern California, where he oversees the housing division that includes over 40 staff members. At the nonprofit, he has helped increase the number of housing units by over 30%, expand its geographic footprint, and serve new populations. Catalina Vielma: Vielma, senior vice president of equity production at Boston Financial Investment Management, originates tax credit investments across the West from Alaska to Nebraska. Based in Denver, she plays an active role in the affordable housing scene there with Mercy Loan Fund, Mental Health Center of Denver, and All-In-Denver. Dan Wilson: As senior vice president of Atlantic Pacific Communities, Wilson has played a critical role in the development of over 50 affordable housing communities with over 3,800 units. He has also helped to expand the Florida-based companys geographic footprint into Texas and Washington, D.C. About Affordable Housing Finance AFFORDABLE HOUSING FINANCE is the nations leading source of news for developers, investors, financiers, and housing officials. It provides in-depth coverage of affordable housing development and financing. To learn more, visit housingfinance.com. About Hanley Wood Hanley Wood is the premier company serving the information, media, and marketing needs of the residential, commercial design and construction industry. Utilizing the largest analytics and editorially driven Construction Industry Database - powered by Metrostudy - the company provides business intelligence and data-driven services. The company produces award-winning media, high-profile executive events, and strategic marketing solutions. To learn more, visit hanleywood.com. Marketplace provides a tailored experience in the rentals category, including custom filters to search for things like the location, price, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, rental type, square metres, pet-friendly homes, and other helpful insights. Once a prospective renter finds a property theyre interested in, they fill in a simple contact form and the landlord or agent will contact them directly. All advertisers listing rental properties on Hipflat, using either a free or a premium account, can get their listings automatically published to Marketplace. This can provide more exposure for their listings and brands and generate additional leads. Integration with Facebook Marketplace expands Hipflats product line, designed to connect its advertisers with home renters on Facebook. Another tool, launched by Hipflat last year, allows owners and agents to start a fully automated Facebook Ads campaign in a few clicks, right from their Hipflat dashboard. About Hipflat Launched in 2013, Hipflat is registered in Singapore with operational headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand. Hipflat operates one of Thailands leading online real estate marketplaces, connecting property buyers/tenants (residential, commercial, and industrial) with sellers/landlords; i.e., individuals, brokers, and developers. Hipflat currently features 340,000 listings from 40,000 agents, owners, landlords, and property managers, with 55% of them being rentals and 45% homes for sale. Over the past 12 months, home buyers and renters collectively spent more than one million hours browsing property listings on Hipflat and viewed 3.7 million web-pages monthly. The company is backed by well-known international VCs and business angels, including 500 Startups and Japanese companies OPT and Aucfan. For further inquiries please contact: Denis Nemtsev, Founder & CEO of Hipflat: denis@hipflat.com Alicia grew up in West Michigan. She attended Grand Valley State University, where she majored in Computer Science. Straight out of college she joined Nooklyn, a primarily rental based brokerage based in Brooklyn. After a short but successful career at Nooklyn with over 20 closed transactions she chose to move to Optimar for access to its unique hybrid approach which allows agents to transact in all facets of brokerage from residential to commercial and investment sales. "Optimar has so much room for growth because they specialize with all aspects of real estate. I know they'll help me grow as a great real estate salesperson," Alicia stated. Alicia knows the Brooklyn market well and intends to assist in the opening of a BK office for Optimar in the Spring. "Alicia is a perfect example of an agent that fits our model. Most firms in the city stick to a specific target market, whether it's residential leasing or sales, commercial, or even investment sales, most target a set audience or niche. At Optimar our goal is to allow agents to work across all facets of the industry by providing mentor-ship for each division. There shouldn't be a reason that a residential agent can't close an office lease if by some chance that client falls on their lap. We provide them assistance for any type of transaction so that 'no I can't help you with that' or 'let me refer you to someone' isn't in their vocabulary." - Briggs Elwell (Managing Partner) About Optimar International Optimar is multifaceted real estate company providing services from residential and commercial sales and leasing, to development management and investment sales. Optimar has been a growing presence in the International real estate market since 1998 and as recently made a key expansion within New York City. Optimar is established and ranked among the real estate leaders in South Florida with over 500 agents and a broad of International broker network with multiple offices. We offer our clients an integral local solution within our International Broker Network, delivering premium customer service out of our state-of-the-art offices. Optimar's multidisciplinary associates are professionals with the highest caliber with diverse fields of expertise. Photo: Contributed A former associate pastor of a Vancouver Catholic church has been named in a sexual misconduct case. Father Peter Hung Cong Tran is alleged to have abused two sisters, one of whom was a minor, during his time at St. Joseph's Parish from 1998 to 2003. Tran has not been charged, and the allegations have not been proven in court, however. Tran has also worked in parishes in Alberta and became pastor at Calgary's St. Francis of Assisi Parish in 2016, until recently. The Archdiocese of Edmonton said Wednesday it had been informed of the allegations by the Archdiocese of Vancouver. Tran has been suspended while the church investigates. with files from CTV Vancouver inMotion ignite: The Next Generation of Creative Workflow Combine that with the industry trend of more creative work heading in-house, businesses need to drive efficiency to free-up the capacity needed to produce creative content at that volume, velocity, and variety without sacrificing quality. inMotionNow has unveiled an all-new flagship product to support the insatiable appetite modern business has for creative content. The new platform, inMotion ignite, elevates creative production through a new modern interface which drives project efficiency and uniquely facilitates better collaboration between in-house creative departments and marketing. In addition, its new groundbreaking integration with Adobe Creative Cloud enables creatives to spend more time being creative and less time toggling between creativity and administrative tasks. Businesses today are asking for 10x more content from their creative teams across an increasingly diverse set of marketing channels. Combine that with the industry trend of more creative work heading in-house, businesses need to drive efficiency to free-up the capacity needed to produce creative content at that volume, velocity, and variety without sacrificing quality, said inMotionNow Chief Marketing Officer Alex Withers. We live in an era where agile marketing is table stakes. Businesses need high-quality creative content at scale to distinguish their brands from the competition, create compelling experiences for customers, and drive engagement with prospects. inMotion ignite is the next generation of software aimed at accelerating creative workflow. Both the design and features were driven by customer insights and feedback around how modern creative teams work and need to collaborate with their business stakeholders. The product is flexible and customizable. It comes with drag-and-drop functionality that empowers creative and marketing departments to easily configure the system to suit their unique process and workflow. Here are just some of the key game changing capabilities of the new inMotion ignite platform: Adobe Creative Cloud Integration. The new product offers bi-directional integration with Adobe Creative Cloud. This allows creatives to spend more time creating in Adobe Photoshop CC, InDesign CC, Illustrator CC, and XD CC and less time on administrative tasks that research indicates can eat up as much as 20% of their time. Custom Request Form Library. Creative teams can now build a catalog of creative services that stakeholders or internal customers can request with simple custom request forms specific to each service or project type. This helps creatives get the information they need a major problem cited in the 2018 In-House Creative Management Report without unduly burdening the internal customer with exhaustive request forms. Easy Collaboration at Project intake. The new collaborative requests view makes it easy for stakeholders or internal customers to request and collaborate on a new project at intake. In-application comments using the @mention format helps creative managers and requesters to quickly clarify critical project requirements like specifications, budget, and timing before a project is approved to begin. Personalized dashboards. The first view users see when logging into the platform is a personalized dashboard that provides a quick snapshot into all their projects. They can see, report, and act on incoming creative requests, overdue projects, projects awaiting approval, and those in review or returned for additional creative action. This view is flexible and allows leaders to both drill-down to see specific details on a project and zoom out to provide marketing and the business a complete and accurate report of current work in progress. The collaborative features within inMotion ignite strengthen the creative directors position because it enables them to explain, in terms business leaders understand, just how much work the creative team is fulfilling, noted Withers. When marketing leaders ask when a creative project will be ready for market, the creative leaders can show them with precision exactly where it is in the creative process. The timing of the new product couldnt be better because surveys show that businesses are more dependent on creative teams than ever before. More organizations are bringing creative in-house because they know that world-class creative drives business results. For creative teams to produce top-notch creative, they need to develop a strategic partnership, rather than a transactional relationship, with their internal clients. Workflow efficiency is critical for winning back time for creatives to ideate and create the engaging work their businesses need. Technology allows us to evolve beyond the days of just tossing project requests over the wall, added Withers. Todays competitive environment requires team alignment and better collaboration because even the most brilliant creative cant drive businesses results if its stuck somewhere in the process. Founded in 1999, inMotionNow has studied the market and served the needs of in-house creatives for the better part of 20 years. In 2018, the company welcomed a significant round of investment to accelerate growth from Level Equity, a New York-based private equity firm. The company consistently lands on the Best Places to Work list by the Triangle Business Journal in Raleigh, NC, which is a region of the U.S. that has attracted a flourishing technology community. The inMotionNow team will be showcasing inMotion ignite at the 2018 Adobe MAX conference being held in Los Angeles from October 15-17, 2018. Please stop by booth #633 for a look at the new product. Alternatively, interested parties can request a demonstration online at https://www.inmotionnow.com/product/. # # # About inMotionNow, Inc. inMotionNow is a leading provider of workflow management solutions for marketing and creative teams, facilitating efficiency and productivity from project kickoff to final approval. The companys flagship product, inMotion ignite, simplifies every phase of the creative process, delivering measurable value to enterprise clients. The application allows project stakeholders to collaboratively initiate, manage, track, and review important creative projects including print, video, and multimedia designs in a centralized and interactive cloud-based environment. With a user-friendly interface and dedicated customer success team, inMotionNow helps creative and marketing teams automate their workflow and do the work they love. For more information please visit http://www.inmotionnow.com. Media Contact: Frank Strong for inMotionNow 202-352-5920 frank@swordandthescript.com Modus eDiscovery To serve clients well, one must listen well, and Jackson Kelly has trusted Modus to deliver for their clients in an efficient and cost effective manner. Modus, a leading provider of eDiscovery business intelligence services, today announced that it has entered into a national multi-year Managed Service Agreement with Jackson Kelly PLLC. Jackson Kelly is a firm built on delivering superior client service on a national and local scale. We considered 22 potential partners across the country who not only had the same obsession with superior client service but demonstrated the people, process, and technology to deliver for our clients, says Laurie Miller, Member and Co-Chair of eDiscovery Committee at Jackson Kelly PLLC. Modus has proven to be a valued partner for Jackson Kelly and our clients. The quality, flexibility, integrity, transparency, standardization and scalability that Modus brings to the table is unmatched in the industry. Our teams work together so well because we are driven by the same goals and outcomes. This is how eDiscovery partnerships are supposed to work. "To serve clients well, one must listen well, and Jackson Kelly has trusted Modus to deliver for their clients in an efficient and cost effective manner, says Steven Horan, Chairman and CEO for Modus. Not only have we delivered the most scalable and secure infrastructure available but we have surrounded the technology and processes with a team of great people who care deeply about Jackson Kelly and listen to what their clients need. The great reputation Jackson Kelly has earned demands this and we are very excited and honored to serve them and their clients over many years." 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 JACKSON KELLY PLLC National Reputation. Jackson Kelly is a rare find its a regional law firm with a national reputation. Why is this important? It means you get the knowledge, sophistication, and resources of a larger firm without all the bloat and overhead. It means you get the personal attention and charm of a smaller firm without having to fear a lack of requisite experience and savvy. With leanly staffed cases and an eye toward efficiency, it means you wont be paying top dollar to have a dozen attorneys sit on the same conference call. The bottom line: you get a team of experienced attorneys who know the people, the business, and the law a winning combination. Industry Insight. With more than 165 attorneys located in twelve offices across Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia, and decades of experience, Jackson Kelly is a full-service firm focused on industry-specific needs. Jackson Kelly represents a wide variety of private and public clients across a host of industries and in nearly all aspects of the law. Our attorneys are strategically placed in key industry groups that cover the range of legal issues facing businesses in those industries. You dont just need lawyers you need lawyers who know your business and your industry, as well as the law. Client Focus. The Firms commitment to its clients is unparalleled. Jackson Kelly has received external recognition for providing superior client service, regularly being named to BTI Consulting Groups Client Service A-Team. The real proof of the Firms focus on clients is the fact that so many of them continue relying on our expertise for years. Jackson Kelly has long and rich histories with many clients, some stretching back decades. Client relationships like these dont simply happen they are cultivated and maintained in a way that is often lost in the hectic world of big law. Jackson Kellys hard-won reputation for excellence is the result of providing decades of responsive, effective, and efficient legal services to its clients. National Reputation. Industry Insight. Client Focus. These are more than just words to the Jackson Kelly team theyre words to practice by. Not only do sales of this product help benefit a great cause, it is also just a good product compared to other ice melters. --Kevin Koss Thanks to robust sales of a custom ice melt product over the past 12 months, Kenney Corporation was recently able to donate $5,310 to the Chad Tough Foundation, an organization that funds research and raises awareness for Pediatric Brain Tumors with an emphasis on Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. The product, called the TOUGHEST Ice Melter, was developed last year in partnership with the foundation and the Jackson, WI-based manufacturer Spring Valley as a fundraiser. Kenney Corporation pledged to donate fifty cents to the foundation for every bag of the ice melter sold, and their recent donation was possible thanks to the sale of over 10,000 bags since the product was introduced last fall. Traveling to Saline, Michigan to present the check to the Chad Tough Foundation were Kenney Corporation Director of Sales and Marketing Kevin Koss and Spring Valley National Sales Director Larry Vogel. The President of the Chad Tough Foundation, Jason Carr, accepted the check on behalf of the foundation. It was the death of Jasons son Chad in 2015 from Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), an almost-always terminal form of brain cancer affecting children, which led to the creation of the foundation. Were truly grateful and honored that you chose to support us, said Carr. The need for funding for pediatric cancer research is huge, and since government funding for this is often not available, efforts like this are very important. He said that family foundations like the Chad Tough Foundation, formed by those who have lost a child to cancer, are often able to band together to apply for grants that otherwise would not be available to them. Much of the funding for those family foundations comes from local communities, thanks to efforts like the one led by the Kenney Corporation. That effort will be continuing this fall with continued sales of the TOUGHEST Ice Melter. Koss hopes that as contractors and retailers in the area begin stocking up on ice melt products in preparation for the coming winter, they will consider purchasing their private-label product as a way of helping the foundation. My hope is that next year Ill be standing here with a check for two or three times this amount, said Koss as he presented this years donation to Jason Carr. Not only do sales of this product help benefit a great cause, it is also just a good product compared to other ice melters. Indeed, the TOUGHEST Ice Melter does compare well to similar products. Its over three times more effective than other leading brands of ice melt at temperatures below 10 F, and unlike rock salt it wont harm grass and shrubs. Plus, it wont leave a greasy residue on floors like other brands. Currently, the TOUGHEST Ice Melter is available in bulk to commercial customers, who can order the product through Kenney Outdoor Solutions. Its also available to consumers at a limited number of retail locations throughout the Midwest. Commercial customers or retailers who are interested in ordering the TOUGHEST Ice Melter can contact the Kenney Corporation branches in Rochester Hills (248-293-0054) or Grand Rapids (616-241-6212). About Kenney Corporation Kenney Corporation is a leading supplier of irrigation equipment, turf maintenance equipment, landscape lighting, and other related products to businesses in the green industry throughout the Midwest. Kenney Corporations divisions include Kenney Outdoor Solutions, Kenney Machinery Corporation, and Landtech Design. They currently have nine locations in six states including Chicago, St. Louis, and Lexena, Kansas. The companys headquarters is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Kirk McClelland, a graduate of the University of Southern California Film School; a writer, producer, and director of over five hundred commercials and documentary films; and a published author, has completed his new book Bring Clem Home: The Fall of a Texas Judge: a riveting memoir of the authors first eighteen years of his life following the unjust indictment of his judge father, Clement McClelland, at the hands of Frank Briscoe, the District Attorney of Houston,Texas. The year is 1954 inside a courtroom in the Harris County Courthouse in Houston, Texas. Presiding is Probate Judge Clement McClelland in his second term of office. Walking up to and sitting in the witness box is the Judges five-year-old son, Kirk, put there with his coloring book by his smiling mother, Doris. Also inside the crowded Probate courtroom is Assistant DA Frank Briscoe, whose predatory eyes glare as he watches and studies the Judge. Clem McClelland is at the top of his game. As Harris Countys Probate Judge, hes run unopposed in his past two elections, hes a Deacon at the First Presbyterian Church, hes top Shriner at the Arabia Temple, and he and Doris have three children. Frank Briscoe wants to be the District Attorney of Harris County, and then he wants to be elected Congressman of Houstons Seventh District. To accomplish the second part of his plan, he intends to ruin Judge Clem McClelland. Bring Clem Home covers the next twelve years of the McClelland familys struggle. Its an abuse-of-power story as Frank Briscoe uses an old Texas law from 1876 to conduct a Court of Inquiry to improperly investigate and then successfully prosecute a sitting Judge. The story shows Clems nine indictments that led to his losing his judgeship, it shows his being found guilty at trial, and it shows his going to prison. Its a coming-of-age story for Kirk, and it reveals Doriss broken heart as she and Kirk make every effort to achieve Clems freedom. The story takes place during the 1950s and 1960s and includes the 1966 Congressional race for Houstons Seventh District between Frank Briscoe and (the forty-first President) George H. W. Bush. The Houston voters recognized Briscoes messy pursuit and prosecution of McClelland and, subsequently, chose Bush to be their Congressman. Bring Clem Home is a story about a great man who suffered a great fall. It also reveals one of the countrys first Media-driven prosecutions. Bring Clem Home shows a Texas court case from the 1960s, the Texas prison system during that time, and how one Texas family worked together to bring Clem home. Published by New York City-based Page Publishing, Kirk McClellands provoking tale reflects the truth of a raging battle between ethics and personal endeavors in politics that reveal its sordidness that exudes with envy and pride. Readers who wish to experience this honest work can purchase Bring Clem Home: The Fall of a Texas Judge at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708. About Page Publishing: Page Publishing is a traditional New York based full-service publishing house that handles all of the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create - not bogged down with complicated business issues like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes and the like. Its roster of authors can leave behind these tedious, complex and time-consuming issues, and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com. Land Trust Alliance logo Congratulations, Michael, and thank you for everything youve done for our community. The Land Trust Alliance, a national land conservation organization working to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America, will today bestow on land conservation champion Michael Whitfield the distinguished Kingsbury Browne Conservation Leadership Award. The award, scheduled to be presented in Pittsburgh during the welcome dinner of Rally 2018: The National Land Conservation Conference, honors an outstanding individual whose vision and creativity have resulted in extraordinary accomplishments for land conservation and the land trust community. Named after the conservationist who inspired the Alliances founding in 1982, the award ranks among the organizations highest honors. At a time when many land trusts in the West were really asking the question, Should we be working on community-based conservation or should we be focused on landscape-level conservation, Michael was one of the first people answering that question with, Both. We should be doing both things, said Wendy Ninteman, the Land Trust Alliances Western director. That passion and that commitment and that integrity are really contagious. Whitfield will serve in the Kingsbury Browne Fellowship at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy for 2018-2019. For the fellowship, Whitfield will engage in research, writing and mentoring with the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, a think tank devoted to land policy thats based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Now retired, Whitfield long served as executive director at Teton Regional Land Trust in Idaho before coordinating the Heart of the Rockies Initiative to expedite private land conservation in the West. The collaborative planning effort, capacity building and capital fundraising for the Heart of the Rockies Initiative brought together land trusts in three states and two Canadian provinces in the Northern Rockies, said Andrew Bowman, the Land Trust Alliances president. Congratulations, Michael, and thank you for everything youve done for our community. The Alliance has awarded the Kingsbury Browne Conservation Leadership Award annually since 2006. It is presented during Rally, the nations largest annual gathering of land conservation professionals. More information about Rally, which continues through Oct. 13 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, is available at alliancerally.org. About the Land Trust Alliance Founded in 1982, the Land Trust Alliance is a national land conservation organization that works to save the places people need and love by strengthening land conservation across America. The Alliance represents 1,000 member land trusts supported by more than 200,000 volunteers and 4.6 million members nationwide. The Alliance is based in Washington, D.C., and operates several regional offices. More information about the Alliance is available at http://www.landtrustalliance.org. About the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy seeks to improve quality of life through the effective use, taxation, and stewardship of land. A nonprofit private operating foundation whose origins date to 1946, the Lincoln Institute researches and recommends creative approaches to land as a solution to economic, social, and environmental challenges. Through education, training, publications, and events, we integrate theory and practice to inform public policy decisions worldwide. QwickPAY and eDynamo SCRA QwickPAY, now supports card-present EMV chip card transactions. MagTek, a global leader in retail electronic payments and security technology, today announces its mobile payments application, QwickPAY, now supports card-present EMV chip card transactions. With this update, merchants will be able to leverage MagTeks payment application certification (L3) with leading processors for EMV system compliance and continue to use QwickPAY for magstripe payment acceptance. Obtaining L3 certification to support EMV transactions can be cost prohibitive for merchants and ISVs. MagTek has undertaken the effort and cost with QwickPAY and supports an array of leading processors. MagTeks is EMV certified with First Data Merchant Services (FDC) Nashville/North, TSYS, and Worldpay with Chase and Elavon certification on the horizon for late 2018. We are excited to offer EMV chip card capability with QwickPAY, said John Arato, General Manager and Vice President of Retail Solutions. It gives our resellers and distributors a great value-add in a really easy format to onboard. Their customers can be up and running in a matter of days instead of weeks. To perform card-present transactions with QwickPAY, including magnetic stripe and EMV transactions, merchants can utilize eDynamo or DynaPro devices for either mobile or virtual terminal applications. Other MagTek EMV card reading devices will be added in the 4th quarter of 2018. Please contact MagTek at 562-546-6467 or visit http://www.qwickpay.com for more information on selling or using MagTeks QwickPAY magstripe and EMV chip card payment solution. About MagTek Since 1972, MagTek has been a leading manufacturer of electronic devices and systems for the reliable issuance, reading, transmission and security of cards, checks, PINs and other identification documents. Leading with innovation and engineering excellence, MagTek is known for quality and dependability. Its products include secure card readers, check scanners, PIN pads and distributed credential issuing systems. These products are used worldwide by financial institutions, retailers, hotels, law enforcement agencies and other organizations to provide secure and efficient electronic payment and identification transactions. Today, MagTek continues to innovate with the development of a new generation of security centric products secured by MagneSafe. By leveraging strong encryption, secure tokenization, real time authentication and dynamic payment card data, MagneSafe products enable users to assess and validate the trustworthiness of credentials used for online identification, payment processing, and other high-value electronic transactions. MagTek is based in Seal Beach, California and has sales offices throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, with independent distributors in over 40 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.magtek.com. As part of membership to the Maryland Municipal League, members will now receive professional crisis management communication consulting services from Van Eperen. The Maryland Municipal League is excited to join public relations and strategic communications firm Van Eperen to offer the first-of-its-kind benefit to its municipal members, complimentary crisis communications consulting services. Van Eperen has a strong partnership with the Maryland Municipal League and weve been fortunate to serve some of the members with our public relations services, said Laura Van Eperen, CEO of Van Eperen. Were very excited to be able to provide this additional benefit to municipal members and prepare our local leaders before crisis strikes. As part of membership to the Maryland Municipal League, members will now receive professional crisis management communication consulting services from Van Eperen. The initial consultation is complimentary for any appointed or elected official that is an MML member. The crisis communication services can prepare municipalities to react appropriately to weather events, among others, that would require immediate action. All municipalities must prepare for crises with logistical plans and contingencies, but not every member has a lot of experience or a thorough plan for messaging and communicating with stakeholders during those trying times, said Scott Hancock, MMLs Executive Director. I know every city and town in Maryland will find great value in this professional service offering. Van Eperen has years of experience working with state and local agencies and municipal government providing traditional and modern communication services. Van Eperen has been a strategic communication partner to the Town of Poolesville for several years and their counsel and support has been critical to bringing more attention and equity to our town. We highly recommend them to our municipal colleagues, said Jim Brown, Town of Poolesville Commissioner. For more information about Van Eperens strategic partnership with the Maryland Municipal League and this member benefit, please contact Laura Van Eperen at laura@vaneperen.com or Jeffrey Davis at jeff@vaneperen.com or call 301.836.1516. # # # About The Maryland Municipal League: Located at the Phipps Municipal Center in the state capital of Annapolis, The Maryland Municipal League (MML) was founded in 1936 and represents more than 157 municipal governments and two special taxing districts throughout the state of Maryland. A voluntary, non-profit, nonpartisan association controlled and maintained by city and town governments, MML works to strengthen and support municipal government through advocacy and the development of effective leadership. Through its membership in the National League of Cities MML offers legislative representation in Washington, urban research programs, and a national municipal government information exchange. MML is the only statewide organization in Maryland composed solely of municipal officials and devoted to the promotion of all branches of municipal administration. About Van Eperen: Founded in 2004, Van Eperen is a trusted and established professional marketing services firm that has earned the trust of its clients by offering strategic and proven programs geared toward customer and member engagement for government agencies, national associations and corporations. Led and staffed by former journalists, Van Eperen is a Maryland certified minority business enterprise (MBE) / disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) with expertise in health and science, higher education and transportation management. The agency blends PR, digital, social and creative strategies to drive meaningful results. For more information follow @VanEperenAgency on Twitter and visit http://www.vaneperen.com. Intrinsic ID Intrinsic ID CEO Pim Tuyls will speak at PANDA 2018 to deliver an address entitled "Scalable Security: Critical to the Internet of Things." Intrinsic ID, the worlds leading provider of digital authentication technology for Internet of Things security, today announced Chief Executive Officer Pim Tuyls will speak at the 6th Physical Attacks aNd Design Attestation conference PANDA 2018 on October 15 in Beijing, China. He will deliver an address entitled "Scalable Security: Critical to the Internet of Things." WHAT: Accelerating expansion of the Internet of Things brings with it a comparably expanding threat model. The growing number of endpoints require reliable and robust security that scales with this growth if the IoT is to deliver on connecting virtually all the world's devices, thereby making cities smarter and our lives more productive. This presentation will address how strong IoT security can be established in a manner that addresses the world's concerns for security and privacy, yet does so in an economically viable manner. PANDA, organized by Intrinsic ID partner Open Security Research, assembles world-class experts to discuss cryptography and security during a conference, training workshops and hackathon. For more information on the conference please visit the PANDA website. WHEN: Oct. 15, 2018 11:45 a.m. China Standard Time (CST) WHERE: Vision Hotel 39 College Road, Haidian District Beijing, China WHO: Pim Tuyls is CEO of Intrinsic ID, a company specializing in IoT security technology. Before founding Intrinsic ID in 2008 he was at Philips Research, where he was Principal Scientist and managed the cryptography cluster. While there he initiated the work on Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs), which forms the basis of Intrinsic IDs silicon fingerprinting technology. Tuyls has a Ph.D. in mathematical physics from Leuven University, holds more than 50 patents and is widely acknowledged for his work in the field of security for embedded applications. About Intrinsic ID Intrinsic ID is the worlds leading digital authentication company, providing the Internet of Things with hardware-based root-of-trust security via unclonable identities for any IoT-connected device. Based on Intrinsic IDs patented SRAM PUF technology, the companys security solutions can be implemented in hardware or software. Intrinsic ID security, which can be deployed at any stage of a products lifecycle, is used to validate payment systems, secure connectivity, authenticate sensors, and protect sensitive government and military systems. Intrinsic ID technology has been deployed in more than 100 million devices. Award recognition includes the Frost & Sullivan Technology Leadership Award and the EU Innovation Radar Prize. Intrinsic ID security has been proven in millions of devices certified by Common Criteria, EMVCo, Visa and multiple governments. Intrinsic IDs mission: Authenticate EverythingTM. Visit Intrinsic ID online at http://www.Intrinsic-ID.com. Intrinsic ID, the Intrinsic ID logo and Authenticate Everything are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intrinsic ID, Inc., and are protected by trademark laws of the United States and other jurisdictions. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Accepting donations on the website is going to be a real game-changer for us. It gives our donors the ability to donate from literally anywhere in the world. - Brett Pulte In an effort to update and revolutionize their online presence, the Michigan Spinal Cord Injury Association (MSCIA) has launched a brand new website. With the ever-changing internet landscape, MSCIA made an investment in providing their members and donors with a cutting-edge online experience. Our website was outdated. The look of it, the functionality of it, both were just way behind the times. said Brett Pulte, acting Chapter Representative. This new site is giving us tools and opportunities that we didnt have before. I think that visitors to our site are going to be extremely happy with the updates that we have done to our look and navigation of the site. Along with updating the sites look and feel, the resource list has been updated to provide people with spinal cord injuries, and their families, with links and phone numbers to trusted sources. The biggest addition to the site is the ability to make secure donations directly on the website. Accepting donations on the website is going to be a real game-changer for us. It gives our donors the ability to donate from literally anywhere in the world. The Michigan Spinal Cord Injury Association (MSCIA) is a 501(c)(3) organization that was established in 2009 with the purpose of enhancing and empowering the lives of those with spinal cord injury and disease through advocacy, education and research. The Michigan Spinal Cord Injury Association is the local chapter of the United Spinal Association, which hosts many national events including their Roll-on Capitol Hill advocacy initiative held in Washington, D.C. AmeriCare Medical, Inc. is the founding organization behind the MSCIA. With their extensive knowledge of care for people with disabilities, they are able to effectively give back to the community through this initiative. To reach MSCIA visit http://www.mispinalcord.org. Where is the industry heading? This survey provides a clear indication that digital transformation is accelerating, yet practitioners remain largely siloed in their efforts. Momenta Partners, global advisors for Connected Industry, announced preliminary findings from their Digital Transformation survey. Momenta recently surveyed 125 global, digital leaders across a broad range of Connected Industry companies and market sectors to benchmark how they are organizing to maximize returns from digital investments. Responses were segmented to highlight unique challenges and needs of larger companies that are executing digital strategies. Some of the key findings include: 1. Winners and Losers: Many large companies are accelerating their digitalization strategies, creating early leaders and potential winners: 50% describe themselves as evaluating digital strategies, 20% as piloting these strategies, and 30% as deep in execution. 2. Models of Success: Companies in the execution phase are structuring and prioritizing their initiatives differently than those that are in the evaluation stage of digitalization investments, suggesting replicable models and approaches. 3. Innovation over Optimization: Innovation of products and business models are the key driver for large companies digitalization strategies. Only a small minority of companies cite cost reduction or process simplification as the primary motivator of their digital investments. 4. Top-Line Growth: Key indicators of success are largely top-line oriented focusing on new revenue streams rather than optimizing existing core processes, and is expected to remain a constant across the next three years. 5. Lack of Inspiration: Sources of insight and inspiration were widely disparate indicating that the traditional sources of insights and best practices are losing relevance. Momenta will be hosting a conference call on Thursday, November 8 to review results of the survey in detail along with other findings. Dial-in details will be provided beginning two weeks before the call. Responding to the insights from the survey, Momenta Partners is launching the Digital Leadership Council, a practitioner community focused on corporate leaders executing digital strategies. Reflecting on the unique challenges and informational needs of companies in the execution stage of digitalization, the Digital Leadership Council will focus on sharing best practices, business cases, and tools and templates to help accelerate digital transformation; minimizing conflicts between legacy and existing businesses, helping to hire and retain unique talent and improving coordination of diffused digital initiatives. "Over the years, we've been privileged to build deep relationships with some of the most distinctive leaders and disruptors in Connected Industry," said Ed Maguire, Insights Partner with Momenta Partners. "This survey provides a clear indication that digital transformation is accelerating while practitioners remain largely siloed in their efforts. This is why we are launching the Digital Advisory Council to harness the power of this deep practitioner community." About Momenta Partners: Momenta Partners are Connected Industry Growth Partners, with industry-leading Advisory, Talent, and Ventures practices, accelerating the growth of Connected Industry companies globally since 2012. For more information, visit http://www.momenta.partners, join the @MomentaPartners conversation or contact info (at) momenta (dot) partners. Media Contacts: Momenta Partners Sandra Mueller info (at) momenta (dot) partners +1 415 366-6632 Photo: The Canadian Press When Shopify Inc. opens its first brick-and-mortar space for the public Thursday, it won't be crammed with aisles of products that the Ottawa-based company helps its 600,000 merchants sell. The small selection of merchandise the location will showcase from primarily U.S.-based merchants a term Shopify uses to describe the companies using its offerings will only be available for purchase online. Instead, Satish Kanwar, Shopify's vice-president of product, said the brand's first physical experience in a bustling Los Angeles spot will be focused on building a community and helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses. He said Shopify intends to host workshops, talks and other events aimed at solving the biggest challenges Shopify merchants face. Merchants will be able to book in-person appointments with Shopify staff and pick up some of the hardware Shopify offers. Visiting merchants will also get access to retail consultants for product demos and hardware and software set up. On top of nurturing budding entrepreneurs at every level, Kanwar said the space at Row DTLA a historic district filled with shops, restaurant and offices will help Shopify to attract new merchants. "Our focus is on building a global company and we have always had an amazing and large presence of merchants in the U.S., but there is absolutely room for us to grow and create more entrepreneurs," he said. Already, Shopify said it has 10,000 merchants in Los Angeles alone and 80,000 in California. Shopify's focus on physical support for retailers comes amid slowing growth. Year-over-year revenue grew by 62 per cent in the company's second quarter, down from 68 per cent the quarter before and 75 per cent in the first quarter of 2017. Were taking advantage of the synergies between our two companies to expand our capacity and capabilities. Premier Press, a leading west coast creative production company, today announced the acquisition of JTW Partners, LLC (formerly Ivey Performance Marketing) in a deal that takes effect November 1, 2018. With more than four decades in business, both companies have a long history of providing design and creative production services for major retail brands like Nike, adidas and T-Mobile. Premier President Chris Feryn describes the acquisition as an opportunity to provide clients of both companies with a broader range of services. Were taking advantage of the synergies between our two companies to expand our capacity and capabilities, Feryn said. For our clients, this means we will be able to produce more work, faster. And they will have access to more specialized services, all under one roof. JTW Partners' employee talent and equipment brings new design and expanded production capabilities to Premier Press, including: Photography studio with commercial photographers and stylists Production artists with prototyping and post-production retouching expertise Dye sublimation for premium fabric printing Feryn says Premier will bring many of JTWs employees on board, including client services representatives as well as designers and other key resources. Its just a really great fit. Theyre coming to a good home, and were going to be able to grow from there, Feryn said, adding that the transition is expected to be complete by the end of 2018. Previously, JTW Partners was known as Ivey Performance Marketing, a long-time Portland Portland retail marketing company , which became a subsidiary of Wright Business Graphics in September 2017. -- About Premier Press Premier Press has been conquering chaos, executing ideas, and helping clients achieve greatness for more than 40 years. Our privately held company in Portland, Oregon, has led the way investing in our people, new technology, and the environment. Were a carbon neutral company, 100 percent wind powered, and SGP certified. Were passionate about quality, customer service, and taking your project to the next level. Learn more at http://www.premierpress.com "This marks a time of evolution for my brand as I join a firm regarded for its innovative approach and broker-centric support." - Britt Wibmer Executives of Realogics Sothebys International Realty (RSIR) announced today Britt Wibmer, Principal of Britt Wibmer Real Estate Group, has joined the global network as Senior Global Real Estate Advisor. With over fifteen years of industry expertise, Wibmer has cemented a reputation for her results-driven approach, having closed over 250 home and condominium transactions and achieving 5-star ratings. We are elated to have the opportunity to work with Britt Wibmer, a broker we have long admired in our local market, said Stacy Jones, Chief People Officer & Owner, RSIR. Britt is a strong marketer with a drive to push her business to new heights, and we look forward to partnering with her as we continue to grow our firm and brand here on the Eastside and the greater Puget Sound region. Wibmer is a consistent top-producer in the markets she serves, capitalizing on her experience, rolodex, and strong negotiation skills to help clients achieve their real estate objectives in Bellevue, Seattle and beyond. She has established herself as an industry leader and is often asked to lend her insight to local digital and print media outlets. I am beyond thrilled to align with Realogics Sothebys International Realty as I position my business upon a worldwide platform and the renowned heritage of the Sothebys Auction House, Wibmer added. This marks a time of evolution for my brand as I join a firm regarded for its innovative approach and broker-centric support. The Sothebys International Realty network currently has more than 22,000 affiliated independent sales associates located over 960 offices in 72 countries and territories worldwide. In 2017, the brand achieved a record global sales volume of $108 billion USD. The Sothebys International Realty marketing suite is driving over 3 million unique views per month, which offers brokers and their clients unrivaled exposure around the world. In addition to the referral opportunities and widened exposure generated from this source, clients of the firms brokers benefit from an association with the Sothebys auction house and worldwide Sothebys International Realty marketing programs. Jones is proud to welcome Wibmer to the firm, which supports approximately 230 licensed brokers in five existing branch offices throughout central Puget Sound. According to Trendgraphix research, RSIR maintains the greatest average production on a per broker basis when compared to the top ten largest brands in the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. RSIR consistently ranks among the top 10 largest residential real estate firms in Washington state according to the Puget Sound Business Journal Book of Lists, and is focused on expanding by appointing resident experts that live and work in the primary markets it serves throughout the Puget Sound. The Sothebys International Realty brand has also been recognized by LifeStory Research as Americas Most Trusted Residential Real Estate Brokerage for two years running. I am proud of the business I have built over these past fifteen years and am excited to see what the future and this new appointment holds, Wibmer added. ### About Realogics Sothebys International Realty (http://www.RSIR.com) - Artfully uniting extraordinary homes with extraordinary lives, Realogics Sothebys International Realty is a leading global sales and marketing brokerage firm in the Pacific Northwest. Recognized by the Puget Sound Business Journal amongst the fastest-growing private companies in Washington State for 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 with branches in downtown Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Kirkland, Issaquah and Madison Park. For the second year in a row, Lifestory Research has awarded Sothebys International Realty the acknowledgement as Most Trusted Residential Real Estate Brand according to a survey of consumers. EDITOR'S NOTE: Photos of principals, real estate branch offices and additional market statistics are available upon request. Vikan's new soft/split broom Remco is pleased to announce the addition of a soft/split angle broom from Vikan to its lineup of tools for the food industry. Vikan created the broom in response to food manufacturers who prefer the design of its angled bristles and their ability to reach into corners, but require softer bristles. Soft/split bristles are ideal for use in bakery applications where flour, sugar, and other soft powders need to be swept up. Regular bristles can press these powders into floor tiles and between grout, while soft/split bristles are gentle enough to sweep them away. They can also be used in wet cleaning applications, since the soft bristles can easily carry water and a cleaning agent. Vikan brooms are made of FDA-compliant polypropylene with stainless steel staples. The soft/split angle broom requires a Euro-thread handle, also sold by Vikan. The thread is designed to prevent walk-off, and the handles themselves are ergonomically friendly. The soft/split broom will come in six colors and is available from Remco distributors. To find out more, visit remcoproducts.com. About Remco Products Remco provides specialized color-coded tools for cleaning and material handling where hygiene and safety are critical. The introduction of a food-safe poly shovel more than 30 years ago established Remco as an industry pioneer of hygienic design. In addition to its hygienic shovels, scoops, and scrapers, Remco features Vikans advanced line of brushes, brooms, and squeegees. Together with Vikan, Remco supports color-coding plans by offering more tools in more colors than any other supplier. Remco also provides training and support to end users, helping ensure regulatory compliance. Regardless of an operations size or complexity, Remco has the tools and expertise to help execute food safety and sanitation plans. To contact Remco Products, please visit them at remcoproducts.com, email them at cs@remcoproducts.com, or call 317.876.9856. About Vikan Based out of Denmark, Vikan is one of the worlds leading manufacturers of maximum hygiene cleaning tools with 120 years of brush-making experience. They develop, produce, and sell a broad range of cleaning solutions to meet the needs of their customers and comply with regulations. Guests tour Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, a National Historic Landmark located in downtown Shreveport, La. Shreveport Municipal Auditorium is a National Historic Landmark known internationally for its role in music history. Shreveport Municipal Auditorium is a National Historic Landmark known internationally for its role in music history. It also has another notable distinction: It is said to be one of the most haunted places in North Louisiana, and has been featured on SyFys Ghost Hunters and Discovery Channels Ghost Lab. Throughout the month of October, Shreveport Municipal Auditorium will offer ticketed, public tours of the historic venue, including a Backstage Music Tour on Oct. 21 focused on music history and Haunted Shreveport Municipal Auditorium Tours on Oct. 25, 27, 28 and 31 exploring reports of paranormal activity. Future public tour dates will be posted soon at http://www.ShreveportMunicipalAuditorium.com. Tickets to the tours are $20 each. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are on sale now at http://www.ShreveportMunicipalAuditorium.com. No walk-ups will be accepted. All tours are subject to cancellation and, if that occurs, payment will be reimbursed electronically. Proceeds raised from these tours will benefit the museum located inside of Shreveport Municipal Auditorium. The Backstage Music Tour will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 21. An expert tour guide will share stories and songs of the many stars that have graced the stage of Shreveport Municipal Auditorium since its completion in 1929. Haunted Shreveport Municipal Auditorium Tours will be offered at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 25, 27 and 31. Haunted tours will also be offered at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28. Tickets for all tours are on sale now. For more information on Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, visit http://www.ShreveportMunicipalAuditorium.com. For more information on planning a trip to Shreveport-Bossier, visit http://www.Shreveport-Bossier.org or call (800) 551-8682 to request a free copy of the 2018 Official Visitors Guide to Shreveport-Bossier. Its truly a gamechanger for parents as its everything one could possibly need in a stroller while providing the quality and luxury that Silver Cross is known for. Following the global success of their multi-award-winning Wave stroller, beloved brand Silver Cross introduces Coast. Effortlessly stylish with pared back detailing, Coast is the brands lightest and most streamlined single to double stroller. With the addition of the tandem seat and car seat adapters (compatible with Nuna, Maxi Cosi and Cybex car seats), the versatile Coast can achieve up to 17 configurations, making it the perfect solution for busy parents on the go. Our new Coast stroller can be used from newborn, in bassinet mode, to up to 55 lbs. weight tolerance, said Sarah Frigo, US Accounts Manager, Silver Cross. Its truly a gamechanger for parents as its everything one could possibly need in a stroller while providing the quality and luxury that Silver Cross is known for. Tailored for a contemporary finish, Coast offers a new spin on Silver Cross signature look with a sleek black chassis and high-quality woven fabrics in a palette inspired by the earths elements. Choices include flint, limestone and tundra, each with a unique, hand-rendered texture. Coordinating accessories for Coast that may be purchased separately include a leatherette-trimmed Premium Changing Bag complete with padded, washable changing mat and thermal bottle holder; a premium footmuff; a tandem seat with liner; tandem connectors; parasol; cupholder; car seat adaptors; car seat tandem adaptors; carrycot stand and carrycot adaptors. With the addition of the optional ride-on toddler board, the Coast can accommodate up to 3 children. Coast is priced at $999 and now available for pre-order at http://www.silvercrossus.com. About Silver Cross Silver Cross is a leading British nursery brand, dedicated to providing the best start in life. The brand was established in 1877 when its founder, William Wilson, invented the original baby carriage. This unique idea went on to change parenting forever, whereby babies could be carried safely and comfortably. Since then, Silver Cross has looked to the future with a passion for developing beautiful products that has made it what it is today a trusted nursery brand loved by millions of parents worldwide. For more info: http://www.silvercrossus.com For students who have children at SLCC, this means that they can focus their attention from juggling the cost of child care to successfully finishing their educational goals. The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Salt Lake Community College a four-year, $1.1 million grant to expand its Tim & Brenda Huval Child Care Center at the schools South City Campus. Funds from the grant, which is part of the federal Child Care Access Means Parents In School (CCAMPIS) program, will allow the college to expand center hours until 10 p.m. on weekdays, hire more full-time staff, and add classrooms at the facility, effectively doubling capacity to 180 enrolled children. The college will match the four-year grant by applying $390,000, or 36 percent of the project cost, for student childcare vouchers and to support one-time renovation and ongoing program costs. The federal grant makes up 64 percent of project costs and runs through September 2022. SLCCs ultimate goal for the centers expansion is to increase college retention and completion among its student parents by making childcare more accessible and cost-effective. Currently, 39 percent of Pell Grant recipients at SLCC support dependents, and single parents made up 43 percent the schools student parent population during the 2017-18 year. In order to use the services at the Tim and Brenda Huval Child Care Center, student parents must be Pell Grant eligible, and they are required to meet with an academic advisor at least once, promoting enrollment in courses that advance academic and career progress. For students who have children at SLCC, this means that they can focus their attention from juggling the cost of child care to successfully finishing their educational goals, says Holly Garcia, director of the center. They will be able to afford to take more classes, have child care while they study and graduate with less debt. This can make all the difference in the world. Salt Lake Community College is an accredited, student-focused, comprehensive community college and serves more than 60,000 students each year. SLCC is Utahs leading provider of workforce development programs, and the largest supplier of transfer students to the states four-year institutions. The college is also a top 10 college nationally for total associate degrees awarded and the leading provider of applied technology courses in the Salt Lake area. With cybercrime showing no signs of slowing down, its more important than ever for business leaders to stay on top of whats happening in the realm of cybersecurity and take steps to safeguard sensitive data. Stratosphere Networks, a Chicago-based IT managed service provider, will co-host a free workshop titled Doing Business on the Digital World on Friday, October 19 at Evanston Community Bank. The workshop is designed for local business owners looking to stay up-to-date on current online banking technology for businesses, best IT security practices to lower the risk of a data breach, and the legalities of digital transactions. The event will include a panel discussion and Q&A session with Kevin Rubin, president and COO of Stratosphere Networks; Jessica Oldani, founder of Oldani Entrepreneurial Law, P.C.; and Ed Bettenhausen, senior vice president of Wintrust Bank Treasury Management. The panelists will offer tips and guidance to help attendees understand how to incorporate online transactions into their business operations and protect their organizations from cyberattacks, as well as reduce their data break risk levels. Im looking forward to participating in this event and educating local business owners about IT security, Rubin said. With cybercrime showing no signs of slowing down, its more important than ever for business leaders to stay on top of whats happening in the realm of cybersecurity and take steps to safeguard sensitive data. Stratosphere Networks delivers comprehensive technology services and solutions to businesses of all sizes and across all industries. In addition to Chicago IT support, the company also offers managed cybersecurity solutions and cloud consulting services. The workshop organizers are offering two sessions. A breakfast session will take place from 8 to 9:30 a.m., and then there will be a lunch session from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To learn more and to register for the event, please visit Stratosphere Networks website. About Stratosphere Networks Stratosphere Networks is a Chicago-based multifaceted IT managed service provider focused on delivering comprehensive technology services and solutions to meet and exceed clients always-changing, diverse business needs. Since 2003, Stratosphere Networks has grown exponentially and continues to provide the best-in-class and cost-effective solutions to businesses in all industries. Visit http://www.stratospherenetworks.com for more information. For more information contact: Lori Leonardo 847-440-8608 LoriL@stratospherenetworks.com Now that Marylanders are noticing there is another viable and credible choice for the U.S. Senate besides Ben Cardin, more and more Independents, Democrats, and Republicans are supporting our efforts to change the way Washington works." - Neal Simon, unaffiliated candidate for U.S. Senate A new statewide poll conducted by Gonzales Research & Media Services shows unaffiliated candidate Neal Simon has gained 10 points in the U.S. Senate race for Maryland, securing 18 percent of support from likely voters. The same poll shows a rapid decline in incumbent Sen. Ben Cardins support, which Gonzalezs research shows has dropped below 50 percent for the first time this cycle. Despite common misconceptions from the press, including The Washington Post, about a lack of support for unaffiliated candidates, 54 percent of voters said they will consider an unaffiliated candidate for U.S. Senate; 56 percent of Democratic respondents also said they would consider an unaffiliated candidate; 30 percent of undecided voters lean to Simon. In comparison, only 4 percent of undecided voters are leaning towards Cardin and only 3 percent are leaning towards voting for Republican candidate Tony Campbell. Now that Marylanders are noticing there is another viable and credible choice for the U.S. Senate besides Ben Cardin, more and more Independents, Democrats, and Republicans are supporting our efforts to change the way Washington works, said Simon. We are committed to winning on November 6 and will work tirelessly to listen to Marylanders and take our message across the great state of Maryland for the next 26 days. The results of the Gonzalez poll make Simon the best performing independent U.S. Senate candidate in the country and the one with the best chance of winning. When mapping out our path to victory, this is exactly where we thought we would be 26 days before Election Day, said Steve Crim, campaign director and the former director of Maryland Governor Larry Hogans successful 2014 campaign. Neal still has plenty of room to define his candidacy, especially because his name recognition is only at 47 percent. We will continue to see momentum in the polls as more and more Marylanders see that they have a better choice for U.S. Senate besides politicians who put party bosses ahead of hard working Marylanders. Neal Simons campaign purchased three rider questions on the Gonzales Maryland Survey conducted from October 1-6, 2018. The campaign purchased the questions because the polling firm had not planned on including the Maryland U.S. Senate race in its poll. The campaign had no input on the methodology or the sample, which were dictated by the pollster who was conducting the same survey for public release of the Governor and Attorney General races. For a detailed report, please email press@nealsimon.com, or call 703-945-3501. For more information on the campaign, visit http://www.nealsimon.com and follow on Twitter: @nealjsimon. Paid for by Neal Simon for U.S. Senate. Sweet Southern Walkers It is an incredible honor to be able to give back to our local community. This charity is near and dear to many of our employees, and we are proud of the opportunity to have a positive impact on them. As an annual event this September, a team of employees from Southern Rentals & Real Estate known as the Sweet Southern Walkers took to the streets of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., in the Walk to End Alzheimers. Through numerous fundraising efforts, including employee-based fundraising, the team exceeded their goal and raised over $13,000 for the cause. The proceeds directly benefit the Central & North Florida Chapter of the Alzheimers Association. Led by Southern Residential Leasing General Manager Wendy Hayden, the property management company spearheaded the initiative for the Emerald Coast Chapter of the Alzheimers Association. The teams fundraising efforts included Give Back Night at The Gulf Restaurant on Okaloosa Island, Fla., where a portion of the proceeds from the evening was donated to the Sweet Southern Walkers. Southern also extends the opportunity for donations to their guests during the booking process. The Southern Cares program invites guests to donate via Southerns website or when working with a Reservation Agent, either to the Alzheimers Association or the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida. It is because of these efforts that Southern is able to continuously contribute to these charities. It is an incredible honor to be able to give back to our local community, said Southern Owner Kevin Veach. This charity is near and dear to many of our employees, and we are proud of the opportunity to have a positive impact on them. Veach was the top earner among the Sweet Southern Walkers team. As Alzheimers disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, Southern Rentals & Real Estate is passionate about partnering with the Alzheimers Association in the fight to a future without Alzheimers. To learn more about how to donate to the Alzheimers Association, visit Southerns website. ### Southern Rentals and Real Estate is a leading provider of vacation rentals, residential leasing, real estate, and property management services in Northwest Florida and Coastal Alabama. Southern represents nearly 1,400 vacation rentals in 30A, Destin, Ft. Walton Beach, Gulf Shores & Fort Morgan, Navarre Beach, Orange Beach, Panama City Beach, Pensacola Beach, & Perdido Key, as well as approximately 1,000 long term rentals and valuable real estate opportunities. Established in 1995, the company is locally-owned and operated. For more information, visit GoSouthern.com TeamViewer We are very excited to partner with BOSS Solutions to bring our remote connectivity capabilities to their customers TeamViewer, the global connectivity powerhouse, announced integration with BOSS Solutions, a leading provider of IT Service Management solutions, embedding TeamViewer remote control functionality into BOSSDesk Cloud-based IT Service Management and BOSS Support Central for On-Premise IT Service Management. The City of Delray Beach in Florida has a large, dispersed and diverse IT infrastructure that has to perform 24/7 to support our 70 thousand residents and our Citys vision for growth, says Don Marese, IT Project Manager at Delray Beach. Weve deployed BOSS Solutions with TeamViewer remote connectivity to resolve IT problems fast and to keep our city workers happy and productive. Highlights include: Create and join a support session directly from a service record Remotely control the customers device View and manage TeamViewer session reports With TeamViewer integration, BOSS Solutions customers can easily create service cases and provide remote support right from within their familiar IT service records console, says Vishu Nayagam, Director of Product Engineering at BOSS Solutions. TeamViewer is the leading secure remote connectivity tool on the market and our customers know that remote control helps to increase efficiency of service desks and can significantly improve customer satisfaction. The integrated solutions improve remote support of end users, troubleshoot IT issues faster, increase first-call resolution and reduce ticket volume. Additionally, BOSSDesk and BOSS Support Central administrators can now leverage embedded TeamViewer features to perform remote tasks such as file transfer, view system information and monitor hardware performance including CPU utilization, RAM usage and device storage information. We are very excited to partner with BOSS Solutions to bring our remote connectivity capabilities to their customers, says Alfredo Patron, VP of Business Development at TeamViewer. Remote access can greatly improve end user and customer experiences, especially when paired with a leading IT service management platform, like those provided by BOSS Solutions. To leverage this integration, organizations must have BOSSDesk or BOSS Support Central and an eligible TeamViewer plan. The combined solution can run on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android operating systems. About BOSS Solutions Founded in 1991, BOSS Solutions is a U.S. company providing brilliantly simple solutions to meet the needs of customers in service management. The companys major product lines are BOSSDesk that provides IT Service Management on the Cloud, BOSS Support Central that takes On-Premise service management to a new level and BOSS811 a one call ticket management solution for the damage prevention industry. The company has built a committed customer base by incorporating best practices in the automation of service management processes with the strongest commitment to customer support in the industry. For more information, visit http://www.boss-solutions.com. About TeamViewer As a global connectivity powerhouse, TeamViewer empowers users to connect anything, anywhere, anytime. Its market-leading solutions offer secure remote access, support, control and collaboration capabilities for online endpoints of any kind. By innovating with cutting-edge yet easy-to-deploy Augmented Reality (AR) and Internet of Things (IoT) implementations, the company enables businesses of all sizes to tap into their full digital potential. TeamViewer has been activated on more than 1.7 billion devices and serves at least 40 million concurrent connections at any time. Founded in 2005, the company employs more than 700 people in offices across Germany, the United States, Japan and Australia. For more information, go to http://www.teamviewer.com. Photo: The Canadian Press Harvey Weinstein arrives at court in New York. Manhattan's district attorney has dropped part of the criminal case against Harvey Weinstein. The development was announced in court Thursday with Weinstein looking on. A judge agreed to dismiss allegations by one of three accusers in the case, Lucia Evans. In a story published a year ago Wednesday, Evans told The New Yorker that Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex during a meeting at his office in 2004. Remaining charges include allegations Weinstein raped a woman in 2013 and forced a sex act on a different woman in 2006. Weinstein says he is innocent. His lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, said in court that he believes Evans lied to the grand jury about what happened. Catherine Samba-Panza, former and first female President of the Central African Republic, right, presents the UN Foundation's Global Leadership Award to UN Peacekeepers in New York. Kofi Annan would not want us to solely look to the past. He spent his life working for the future. And the best way we can honor him today is to take up that torch that he passed and not just talk about it, but act on it. The United Nations Foundation hosted the 2018 Global Leadership Dinner in New York yesterday to recognize leaders who have helped tackle the worlds most pressing global challenges. As the UN Foundation marks its 20th anniversary, the event recognized Founder and Chairman Ted Turners impact, as well as the champions the Foundation works with to support United Nations causes. Bono, co-founder of ONE, sent a special video message to recognize the UN Foundations 20th anniversary. He said: By its very design, the UN was created to do what no country could do alone. Its purpose was peace, protection of our planet, and all of us on it. The UN Foundation has become the UNs strategic partner since that time connecting the UN to activists like myself, individuals, businesses, philanthropists that when working together can and must drive progress on some of the biggest challenges of our time, from climate change to child marriage. Have we ever needed this more than now? I dont think so. From encouraging businesses to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals to reporting on the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, the honorees are on the forefront of working to ensure a more just, prosperous, and sustainable world. The evening included also remarks from UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and Zoe Saldana, actress and global ambassador for the UN Foundation Shot@Life campaign. It concluded with a special tribute to former UN Secretary-General and UN Foundation Board Member Kofi Annan, who received a posthumous award as the Champion for Global Change. Kofi Annan would not want us to solely look to the past, said Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed. He spent his life working for the future. And the best way we can honor him today is to take up that torch that he passed and not just talk about it, but act on it. The honorees recognized at the event included: Former UN Secretary-General and UN Foundation Board Member Kofi Annan, who received a posthumous award as the Champion for Global Change for his lifetime of service to humanity UN peacekeepers, for 70 years of service and sacrifice to advance peace Aviva, for business leadership on the Sustainable Development Goals The Little x Little campaign from Common Ground and Google, for inspiring youth action on the Sustainable Development Goals Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and John Boozman (R-AR), for bipartisan leadership on global development and humanitarian issues and on global health issues, especially the fight against malaria, respectively Nawal Al-Maghafi, BBC Correspondent, recognized with the Leo Nevas Human Rights award for her groundbreaking reporting on Yemen Remarks from honorees included: On behalf of UN Peacekeepers, Fanny Aboagye said: As peacekeepers, we offer our service and sometimes our lives to protect some of the worlds most vulnerable people. Serving as a peacekeeper is a sacrifice certainly, but also a unique experience that I personally would not trade for anything else. I believe my fellow peacekeepers more than 100,000 around the world would agree with me. BBC Correspondent Nawal Al-Maghafi said: The past few years have taught me how important our profession is, and how heavy the responsibility we shoulder: to give voice to the voiceless, to hold the powerful to account on behalf of the powerless. Little by Little spokespeople Ogilvy Worldwide Chief Communications Officer Jennifer Risi and Sapient Razorfish Chief Creative Officer Anthony Yell, said: Common Ground and The Common Future Project are humbled by this extraordinary honor from the United Nations Foundation, which is a testament to the Little x Little campaigns recognition that no one person or action is too small to change the world for the better. Steve Waygood, Chief Responsible Investment Officer of Aviva Investors, said: The world cannot achieve the SDGs without business. And it is also true that business cannot achieve them alone. When the whole system is broken, we need everyone- policy-makers, business leaders, investors, civil society, regulators - to come together and each play their part. Aviva understands that when the world is burning, we must join forces to put out the flames." Senator John Boozman of Arkansas said via video message: We've got all of these problems in the world that are so difficult to solve, but malaria is one that certainly if we put our minds together is a very doable thing. Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire said via video message: Women make up 50 percent of the worlds population. Their success has a direct impact on families, communities, and nations. About the United Nations Foundation The United Nations Foundation acts as a strategic partner to help the United Nations mobilize people, resources and solutions to address global challenges. We focus on issues at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals, build initiatives across sectors to solve problems at scale, and engage citizens who seek action. Founded in 1998 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner, the UN Foundation works with philanthropic, corporate, government, and individual partners. Learn more at: http://www.unfoundation.org. I can offer something unique that no one else can An Elite Lending Platform built by a Top Originator for Top Originators" - Ryan Kelley, Founder of The Home Loan Expert Ryan Kelley, founder of The Home Loan Expert, LLC, continues his aggressive national expansion by opening his companys Top-Tier Lending Platform to the Top Producing VA Loan Originators across the Nation. We have one of the strongest lending platforms in the industry and its time to give others access, Ryan Kelley, President, The Home Loan Expert, LLC. I can offer something unique that no one else can An Elite Lending Platform built by a Top Originator for Top Originators, and unlike my greedy competition, Im doing this primarily to benefit Top Originators and to build volume, not dollars. A few years ago, I was in the shoes of the Top Originators we want to bring on board. I built this platform to include everything I wish I had. Kelley went on to describe the benefits of his new THLE Portal, We offer Hero.Loan brand power, 100% transparency, full access to investors and pricing, customizable compensation, premier marketing and lead generation support, all SAR/LAPP underwriters with 24-hour turn times, state of the art technology and the most competitive pricing in the industry. All the originators do is originate, we will take files from underwriting to post-closing with zero hassles at lightning-speed. Theres nothing like this out there now. The days of Top Producing Loan Originators bouncing from employer to employer are over. Every part of our THLE Portal is superior and it will be a no-brainer for top producers in the industry to join us. Kelley promises Market Exclusivity to members of the Portal and looks forward to holding quarterly Mastermind summits for his group in different areas of the country. We will get together every quarter and have private meetings to review the books and share strategies to help build each others business. The Platform is not for every Originator. For starters, to qualify you must have a minimum annual closed loan volume of at least 25 million and an increase in origination by 5% per year is expected. The program will be invite-only and potential partners will receive a personal invite from Ryan Kelley. We are only looking to bring on Top VA Loan Originators that have proven they can self-originate at a high level, we will not be babysitting, says Kelley. The Home Loan Expert Lender Portal will be available to select, invitation-only Loan Originators this Fall. Additional information can be found at the THLE Portal Website. The Home Loan Expert, LLC is a nationally recognized mortgage lender with offices in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Texas, and Colorado. They offer loans for every type of borrower, including FHA, Conventional, and the Hero Loan, their fast-growing VA program. For more information: Ryan Kelley (314)781-9700 ryan@hero.loan Tinnitus 911 Orphan Awareness aims to bring light and awareness to organizations like A Better Life for Kids. The more people that know about these amazing organizations, the more support orphaned children will receive. Tinnitus 911 and PhytAge Labs, founders of Tinnitus911OrphanAwareness.com, recently highlighted an individual and her organization on a mission to improve the lives of orphaned children in Ghana. Shelley Reese founded A Better Life for Kids with the goal of providing food, clothing, and education to children in North and Central Ghana. Through multiple projects, many donations, and 20 visits to Ghana, Shelley has been able to provide orphaned children access to education, clean drinking water, food, housing, and more. Tinnitus 911 shared, Tinnitus 911 Orphan Awareness aims to bring light and awareness to organizations like A Better Life for Kids. The more people that know about these amazing organizations, the more support orphaned children will receive. A Chicago native, Shelley Reese founded A Better Life for Kids after a summer of volunteering and teaching sign language to orphans in Ghana. During her visit, she met a child who was unable to get a lifesaving treatment for malaria. Shelley stepped in, paid for the treatment, and was shocked to learn it only costs $2. Knowing that such a small donation could go such a long way for the children in Ghana, Shelley was eager to do more. Tinnitus 911 continued, Through donations, a team of volunteers, and multiple ongoing projects Shelley and A Better Life for Kids have made a huge difference in the lives of orphaned children in the areas of Ghana they support. In 2016, A Better Life for Kids led the Water for Life project, where they created a well pump. The pump now provides clean drinking water for all of the villagers. The organization built a self-sustaining chicken farm through the Eggs for Kids project. The chickens provide eggs for the children to eat every day. Tinnitus 911 concluded, A Better Life for Kids is creating an opportunity for everyone to get involved in supporting orphaned children in Ghana. One high school raises over $80,000 every single year. The students even send videos of them saying hello to the children they help support. Shelley and her organization continue to provide support and improve the lives of the children in Ghana. Shelley is now beginning her Homes for Kids project. The program will help kids transition from orphanages to homes. Tinnitus 911 and PhytAge Labs (creator of Tinnitus 911) have a passion for supporting and bringing awareness to the millions of orphaned children around the world. The two are dedicated to bringing awareness to the thousands of causes around the globe that work to support orphaned children. In partnership with its brand, Tinnitus 911, PhytAge Laboratories has launched Tinnitus 911 Orphan Awareness. The sites goals are to connect individuals with orphan support opportunities and to share orphan success stories. About Tinnitus 911 and PhytAge Laboratories: Tinnitus 911 was founded by PhytAge Laboratories, in 2015. The company has brought together scientific brain power plus over five decades of experience, to create health supplements. Their laboratory is based in Centennial, Colorado. PhytAge Labs and Tinnitus 911 are passionate about improving the lives of orphans. Hawaiian timeshares Timeshare trust transfer for timeshares located in California, Florida, Hawaii and Nevada. This Tip Sheet by Deed and Record explains how to fund living trusts with timeshares located in California, Florida, Hawaii and Nevada. Without a change in ownership from the timeshare owners to the timeshare owners trust the trust is useless. Probate is not avoided. Timeshares are fractional real property interest. Each state is responsible for maintaining records of who owns each real property interest. Florida delegates its responsibility to the courthouse located in each County. California and Nevada delegate their responsibility to an independent government entity, the recorder, that is created in each County. Hawaii delegates it responsibility to the Bureau of Conveyances that maintains real property records for the entire state. A deed is prepared and recorded with the state to fund the trust so the trust is the official owner of record. A deed is a document signed by the owners to transfers ownership to the owners trust. The owner either grants or quit claims ownership. Grant has implied warranties of valid ownership and disclosure of loans and liens on the real property. Quit claim is the equivalent of as is. A quit claim does not promise valid ownership and does not provide disclosure of loans or liens outstanding. California, Hawaii and Nevada require the owners signature on the deed acknowledged by a notary. Florida in addition to the acknowledgement, requires the owners signature witnessed by two individuals. After the deed is prepared and the signature acknowledged the deed is recorded. After the deed and been prepared and recorded, a copy of the recorded deed must be provided to the timeshare company to update their records of ownership. Timeshare companies may have additional documentation requirements, depending on the company. These companies also require a fee to update those records. Fees vary from $25 to $500. This Tip Sheet explains; how to fund a timeshare into a trust. Change of ownership is by deed, signed by the owners, transferring ownership to their trust. States covered in this Tip Sheet are California, Florida, Hawaii and Nevada. This press release is provided by Mark W. Bidwell, an attorney in California. Office is at 4952 Warner Avenue, Suite 235, Huntington Beach, California 92649. Phone number is 714-846-2888. Mr. Bidwell markets through a website DeedandRecord.com. Earlier this year, The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God held an event called Family at the Foot of the Cross at all local UCKG locations in the United Kingdom. The goal of the event was to have members and visitors bring their families to the foot of the cross in a local UCKG. Leaders of The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God organized the event in an effort to bring families together and express how important family is to a persons life. They not only help us shape our character; they teach us how to care for others, be truthful, and live a good life. However, the concept of family has changed, and some fear the traditional home may become a thing of the past, which would be detrimental to society. The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God held the Family at the Foot of the Cross event to encourage family members to work things out and come together as one. Individuals from the United States, UK and across the globe are encouraged to visit their local UCKG and bring their families. Although the Family at the Foot of the Cross event is complete for the year, local pastors are available to help individuals and their families overcome any issues they are going through. The 24-hour helpline is also available at 1-888-332-4141. About The Universal Church: The Universal Church believes in the Word of God and the power of faith. Locations are open 365 days a year and they are passionate about reaching those in need of spiritual guidance and restoration. We believe anyone can change for the better. Contact Information: Local pastors are available 1-888-332-4141 Property owners receive a very official offer and think that is the law for what they are able to receive, NC Eminent Domain Attorney Jason Campbell said. If an offer has been made, there may be a more complete and satisfactory offer to be gained through reappraisal and negotiations. The widening of US 70, a major artery in the Triad, will bring traffic to the doorsteps of more than two dozen homes in the quaint community of McLeansville. It is important to note, this project will not displace these residents, but instead may decrease their quality of life as busy traffic will now be considerably closer to many of their doorsteps. The offers some property owners receive from state officials may amount to far less than what their property is worth. Nor would these offers make up entirely for the potential danger they will face from traffic, or the frustration when faced with selling, according to former NCDOT attorneys at the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm. These property homeowners in the path of the US 70 widening will soon receive purchase offers from state officials. According to attorney Jason Campbell, with the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm and former NCDOT attorney, property owners should be careful a project with such a potential for detrimental effects can spare a few moments to ensure citizens get a fair shake. Property owners receive a very official offer and think that is the law for what they are able to receive, Campbell said. If an offer has been made, there may be a more complete and satisfactory offer to be gained through reappraisal and negotiations. Second Check By North Carolina law, property owners whose land or businesses are targeted for acquisition ultimately receive an offer from the state. If the owner chooses not to accept the offer and takes no further steps, the state will still acquire the land and deposit the amount of the original offer with the County Clerk for the owner. This is where the NC Eminent Domain Law Firms second check approach comes in. In most cases, the property owner is then free to pursue a potentially better, fairer arrangement, without losing the first offer. If continued negotiations do not change the offer, the owner still has the first offer. But if continued negotiations are successful, the property owner will receive a second check in addition to the first offer. We hate it when we see property owners get less money than they should, simply because they didnt know the full extent of their rights, said Stan Abrams, also with the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm and a former NCDOT attorney. The NC Eminent Domain Law Firm is available to talk with property and business owners, and to try to answer questions about the unique circumstances regarding their individual properties. Those questions typically include: Property owners who have questions about this project and how it will affect them are encouraged to call the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm at 1-877-393-4990. About the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm A division of the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm is dedicated solely to representing property owners throughout North Carolina, who may be impacted by eminent domain law. The NC Eminent Domain Law Firm is led by attorneys Stan Abrams and Jason Campbell, both of whom previously worked as Assistant Attorneys General for the North Carolina Department of Justice in the Transportation Section, where they litigated condemnation cases for the NCDOT. They have over 30 years of combined experience working exclusively on eminent domain cases. The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin has the legal resources of 46 attorneys and is based in Durham, North Carolina, with 13 additional offices throughout the state to serve its clients. Contact Information: Stan Abrams 1-877-393-4990 NC Eminent Domain Law Firm 300 N. Greene Street, Suite 850 Greensboro, NC 27401 If we are sincere in our gratitude for their service, we must ensure that we care for all servicemembers, past and present, and their families. The Veterans and Military Business Owners Association (VAMBOA), one of the fastest growing non-profit trade associations serving veteran military entrepreneurs (VMEs) is once again proud to announce sponsorship of the America Salutes You concert series, Guitar Legends for Heroes II. On Sunday December 2nd , some of the worlds best guitarists will hit the stage at the Novo Theater in Los Angeles to thank our military, veterans and their loved ones for their sacrifices, while raising funds for the high impact charities that support them. In addition to performing, ZZ Tops Billy Gibbons will take on hosting duties The all-star event will feature special performances by Dave Navarro (Janes Addiction), Sammy Hagar, Orianthi, Joe Bonamassa, and many more. The concert will be recorded and nationally televised for later broadcast. Charity recipients benefitting from this music-filled evening include the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, HeadStrong, GIFT and the Independence Fund. We, as a nation, must recognize both the sacrifices made and the challenges faced by those who have served in our countrys military, said Debbie Gregory, founder and CEO of VAMBOA. If we are sincere in our gratitude for their service, we must ensure that we care for all servicemembers, past and present, and their families. We do this by providing the resources they need to live full, productive and happy lives. I cant wait until December 2nd in Los Angeles when America Salutes You presents Guitar Legends 2, starring amazing guitarists who are donating their time to raise awareness about and funds for brain and mental wellness charities, particularly for veterans and first responders, said Bob Okun, Executive Producer. The concert is made possible by the generous financial support of Walgreens, AT&T, KLOVE, AXS TV, Tribune Media, United Airlines and Production Glue. About America Salutes You America Salutes You is a 501c3 organization created to express our national gratitude to our service members, veterans and their families through an annual nationally broadcasted benefit concert that raises funds for a range of highly rated charities. One hundred percent of all money raised are granted to nonprofit organizations with programs that provide services to our troops, veterans and their families. About VAMBOA With over 7,200 members and more than a quarter-million fans and followers on social media, the Veterans and Military Business Owners Association (VAMBOA), a 501(c) 6 non-profit trade association, has been serving veteran military entrepreneurs (VMEs) since 2010. Connecting member VMEs with large corporations and government agencies looking to diversify their supply chain is an integral part of VAMBOAs mission. Additionally, providing members with knowledge of government provisions assists service-disabled veteran business owners, Veteran business owners and military business owners, and drives the success of these VMEs. Membership in VAMBOA is free. West Shore Plaza Owner Rick Jordan III, Bob 94.9 radio personality Nancy Ryan, and pup Gunner ready to welcome children of all ages and their pets to the Wicked Spooky Party on Tuesday, October 23. After an extremely successful opening year hosting over 500 children, adults, and pets, we are thrilled to invite the community for an evening of Halloween festivities on Tuesday, October 23, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It's trick-or-treating fun for the whole family! Join the shops at the West Shore Plaza in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, as they welcome children of all ages and furry friends to the second annual Wicked Spooky Party on Tuesday, October 23, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at 1200 Market Street. Stroll the West Shore Plaza promenade for treats, giveaways, and a costume contest with prizes featuring BOB 94.9 radio personality and event emcee Nancy Ryan. Families and pets are invited to dress up in their Halloween best to participate in the WSP Howl-o-ween Costume Contest. Prizes will be awarded for Best Superhero, Best Vintage, Best Couple, Scariest, Most Creative, Best Group, Best Pet, Best Homemade, Funniest, and more! After an extremely successful opening year hosting over 500 children, adults, and pets, we are thrilled to invite the community for an evening of Halloween festivities, says Rick Jordan III, President & CEO of Smith Land & Improvement Corporation and owner of the West Shore Plaza. Halloween retail spending hit a record high last year of $9.1 billion, with 179 million individuals buying costumes, candy, and decorations. Ive seen the enthusiasm firsthand! We were overwhelmed by the community response last year, and our tenants are excited to welcome hundreds of new shoppers and future customers. Meet our store owners, visit new shops, enjoy free treats, win prizes, and stay for dinner. Nancy Ryan, Wicked Spooky Party costume contest judge, will be stationed at the BOB 94.9 booth in front of Ritters True Value Hardware. We are ready for double trouble this year at the second annual Wicked Spooky Party! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays and judging from last years amazing turnout, its a family favorite. Youre never too old to dress up, get silly, and eat sweet treats. I can't wait to see the adorable pet costumes too, says Ryan. As a small business owner, I love any opportunity to get the community together. Seeing the kids dressed up, meeting their parents, and snapping pics of all the adorable pets is such a joy for my entire staff. Were all looking forward to making this year even better, says Kristin Novinger, Owner of K Novinger Jewelry in the West Shore Plaza. WICKED SPOOKY PARTY FACTS WHO: West Shore Plaza tenants, shoppers, and the local communityfun for the whole family WHAT: West Shore Plazas second annual Trick-or-Treat event, the #WickedSpookyParty (WSP) WHERE: West Shore Plaza, 1200 Market Street, Lemoyne, PA WHEN: Tuesday, October 23, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Join the conversation online by following the hashtag #WickedSpookyParty and learn more on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. ABOUT WEST SHORE PLAZA Celebrating 63 years of retail services to the community, this landmark center sits on two high-traffic corridors connecting Harrisburg to the West Shore. With an attractive facade, easy access, and a striking digital sign, the West Shore Plaza continues to maintain high shopper volume and be a recognized shopping destination. The 22-store property features local and national retailers, as well as family businesses. ABOUT SMITH LAND & IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION Founded in 1961, the company has a 56-year history of responsible and responsive commercial real estate development and land ownership. With a portfolio of nearly 50 properties and over 1 million SF throughout the Mid-Atlantic, the Smith Land team has chosen to concentrate 80 percent of its real estate investments in their own front yard of central Pennsylvania. When Smith Land & Improvement Corporation is the developer, business builders and investors can expect a productive working relationship, high-caliber site selection, and easy access to business expansion. First Place: Ray of Steam - Piyush Bakane, Reno, Nevada, USA The purpose of the contest is to showcase quality photography featuring geothermal energy from around the world. The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) is pleased to announce the winners of this year's Amateur Geothermal Photo Contest. The purpose of the contest is to showcase quality photography featuring geothermal energy from around the world. 1st Place: Ray of Steam - Piyush Bakane, Reno, Nevada, USA https://flic.kr/p/2aW7siS 2nd Place: Cooling Tower, Theistareykir Power Station - Hreinn Hjartarson, Reykjavik, Iceland https://flic.kr/p/2aW7qe1 3rd Place: Zunil Geothermal Plant - Steven Fercho, Reno, Nevada, USA https://flic.kr/p/2b1xgjT All the entries can be seen on the GRC Flicker website at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmiryKuf and will be on display at the GRC Annual Meeting & Expo being held at the Peppermill Resort Spa & Casino, Reno, Nevada, USA from October 14 17. The theme for this years meeting is Geothermals Role in Todays Energy Market. For more information about the GRC Annual Meeting & Expo, visit http://www.geothermal.org or call (530) 758-2360. About the Geothermal Resources Council: The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) will be celebrating 50 years of service to the global geothermal energy community in 2021. The GRC is dedicated to advancing geothermal development around the world through education, research, and outreach. For more information, please visit http://www.geothermal.org. Get your daily geothermal news at Global Geothermal News. Become a fan of GRC on Facebook. Follow GRC on Twitter @GRC2001 and #GRCAM2018. Check out GRCs YouTube Channel. See geothermal photos on GRCs Flicker page. Woolpert is conducting a feasibility study to determine the best option for the rehabilitation of a sandstone arch bridge on Sunbury Road near the corner of Woodward Avenue in Columbus, Ohio. Improving a roadway and rehabilitating a bridge in an urban setting can be challenging but, when well-executed, these projects can provide outstanding results. Franklin County has contracted with Woolpert to conduct a feasibility study to determine the best option for the rehabilitation of a sandstone arch bridge on Sunbury Road near the corner of Woodward Avenue in Columbus. Woolpert will conduct a topographic survey employing terrestrial lidar to complete base mapping for the project, and will use this data to evaluate three options: rehabilitating the bridge to match the existing conditions; rehabilitation and widening the bridge to provide additional width for a future sidewalk along Sunbury and Woodward; or rehabilitation and widening for the additional future sidewalk and the addition of a northbound left turn lane onto Woodward. A traffic analysis will be performed by Woolpert Engineer Jon Wiley to determine the need for an intersection reconfiguration, and a hydraulic study may be conducted if any proposed solutions impact the floodway. Woolpert Project Manager Paul Denny said these engineering and geospatial analyses will form an effective and economic rehabilitation strategy. He said roadway problems often require creativity, since they are frequently affected by slope issues, rights of way, traffic volume, the age of various structures, etc. Improving a roadway and rehabilitating a bridge in an urban setting can be challenging, Denny said. But, when well-executed, these projects can provide outstanding results. Denny said hes looking forward to working with Franklin County Engineer Cornell Robertson, who has worked with the firm in the past. Cornell will be responsible for the project from the countys perspective, and we fully support his work and that of his staff, Denny said. This is our offices home county, and we always appreciate the opportunity to improve the roadways that our friends and family travel. The study is expected to take eight to 12 months to complete. About Woolpert Woolpert is the fastest growing architecture, engineering and geospatial (AEG) firm in the country, delivering value to clients in all 50 states and around the world by strategically blending innovative design and engineering excellence with leading-edge technology and geospatial applications. With a dynamic research and development department, Woolpert works with inventive business partners such as Google and Esri; operates a fleet of planes, sensors and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS); and continually pushes industry boundaries by working with advanced water technologies, asset management, building information modeling (BIM) and sustainable design. The firm, which is among the ENRs Top 100 Design Firms, supports a mission to help its clients progress and become more progressive. For over 100 years and with 26 offices across the U.S., Woolpert serves federal, state and local governments; private and public companies and universities; energy and transportation departments; and the U.S. Armed Forces. For more information, visit woolpert.com or call 937-531-1258. YouTube Dewy Dabs Warning: video contains graphic language and scenes. A video shot by a bystander in Vancouver captures the moment a suspect fleeing from police is struck by a pick-up truck. The incident happened after a routine traffic stop just before 10 p.m. Monday night on Robson Street between Granville and Seymour streets. A VPD officer was sent to hospital with significant injuries after the three men in their early 20's became confrontational and verbally abusive the officers became concerned for their safety as the occupants refused to follow police direction and began reaching under the seat. When one officer opened the passenger door, the front passenger pulled him into the vehicle and two men began to punch him repeatedly in his head and face. As the other officer rushed to help, all three men jumped out of the vehicle and continued to assault the officers. One of the assailants fled the scene on foot and the uninjured officer gave chase. The suspect ran through a red light at Robson Street and Seymour Street and was struck by a vehicle. He bounced up and continued to run until he was arrested by the pursuing officer on Richards Street between Robson and Smithe. This is an example of the risk all police officers face as they work to protect the citizens they serve. This sort of incident affects the entire policing community. We wish our officer a speedy recovery and will ensure the officer and his family have the support they need, says Sergeant Jason Robillard, Vancouver Police. Two of the men are from West Vancouver and one is from Victoria. Criminal charges, including assault causing bodily harm, assault against a police officer, theft and obstruction, are pending. Other charges, related to alcohol and drugs seized from the vehicle, may also be laid. The injured police officer is now recovering at home from his injuries. Toni Jaramilla, A Professional Law Corporation The climate has changed and women are now encouraged to report sexual harassment without being ashamed. Renowned civil and workers rights attorney and #MeToo advocate Toni Jaramilla was recently featured in the Los Angeles Daily Journal, along with senior associate, May Mallari, and Francis Agcaoili, who is of counsel to the firm, in an article entitled Dynamic Trio. The article discusses why Jaramillas firm chooses plaintiffs whose cases may lead to changes in employment law. Since the inception of the #MeToo movement, Jaramillas firm has seen more sexual harassment and gender pay equity cases. The climate has changed and women are now encouraged to report sexual harassment without being ashamed, said Jaramilla. Mallari joined the firm in 1997, with Agcaoili joining in 2004. As a team, they look for cases that have the potential to affect change in workplace policy, thus creating impact beyond helping a wronged client. Of course, they fight vigorously to ensure full remedies for their clients in all the cases they take. The Jaramilla firm has been practicing employment law exclusively since 1994, and has litigated a plethora of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and unpaid overtime wage cases. A client recently reviewed Jaramillas firm and stated, A friend of mine, who happens to be an attorney, referred me to Toni Jaramilla. She told me that she had come up against Toni in a legal matter and she had a lot of respect for how Toni practices the law and how effectively she represented her client. Toni worked on my retaliation case, and I could not have been happier with the results. Toni listened to me, but most importantly, she heard my issues. I was experiencing a tough time at work. Very tough. She was a true advocate for me when I needed her most. About Toni Jaramilla, A Professional Law Corporation Toni Jaramilla is committed to achieving the best possible results for employees who have experienced problems in the workplace. Serving clients throughout Los Angeles, her focus is on achieving positive social change for workers. Through zealous and ethical advocacy, lawyers at the firm have built a reputation for excellence in the practice of employment and labor law. For more information, please call (310) 551-3020, or visit http://www.jaramilla.com. The office is located at 12100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90025. About the NALA The NALA offers small and medium-sized businesses effective ways to reach customers through new media. As a single-agency source, the NALA helps businesses flourish in their local community. The NALAs mission is to promote a business relevant and newsworthy events and achievements, both online and through traditional media. The information and content in this article are not in conjunction with the views of the NALA. For media inquiries, please call 805.650.6121, ext. 361. Gunn High School, Palo Alto, California We hope the film will serve as a mode of healing and an impetus for change. It will also shed light for others out there that might be grappling to understand heartbreaking tragedies like this. Co-directors Liza Meak and Kathryn Basiji are proud to present the World Premiere of The Edge of Success, a feature-length documentary film with startling insights into two Palo Alto teenage suicide clusters that occurred between 2009 - 2015, while also uncovering the potential causes of a burgeoning teen mental health crisis. The films World Premiere will take place on Thursday, October 18, 2018, at the Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE (1000 W Olympic Blvd) at 9:20 p.m. in Downtown Los Angeles, CA, as an Official Selection of the 10th Annual DTLA Film Festival. Kathryn Basiji, a graduate of Palo Altos Gunn High School (which the deceased students attended), joined forces with Liza Meak, an award-winning NBC investigative journalist and producer of the critically acclaimed documentary, Batkid Begins (New Line Cinema). Meak says, We wanted to tell this story from the inside perspective of this exclusive and somewhat mysterious community that was shaken by these shocking events. We were able to shadow six students through their junior and senior years to gain insight on what really happens behind-the-scenes at one of the best high schools in the nation. It was paramount to understand and share the pressures these kids face and see what if any correlation there was to the tragic teenage deaths. Palo Alto, California, sits in the heart of Silicon Valley, just a few miles from tech giants like Google and Facebook, and home to Stanford University. Some of the wealthiest and smartest people in the world call this Bay Area city home, but its also home to a sobering statistic. In recent years, there have been two high school suicide clusters: the first was between 2009-2010, when five current and former students took their own lives; and five years later, during the 2014/2015 school year, four more students died by suicide. Basiji explains, Since the suicide clusters, which garnered national attention, several more recent high school graduates have taken their own lives, and countless others have received both inpatient and outpatient care for treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression. We hope the film will serve as a mode of healing and an impetus for change. It will also shed light for others out there that might be grappling to understand heartbreaking tragedies like this. The documentary provides an inside-out look at a community struck by tragedyfrom the school district to the parents, mental health experts, educators and local pediatricians. They see sleep-deprivation, stress, and anxiety in teenagers they interact with daily and are looking at new approaches to stem the tide of this burgeoning crisis. While Palo Alto has made headlines for their tragedies, The Edge of Success explores the national implications of the city's crisis. The film doesnt claim to solve the problem, but it will provide an intimate, honest, and gripping first hand account that will spark important dialogue over what can be done to improve the state of mental health for adolescents and teens. The filmmakers are in talks for strategic partnerships with suicide prevention non-profit organizations. The film will have its next screening at the Portland Film Festival on Wednesday, October 24th at 7:00 p.m. The Edge of Success is co-directed by Liza Meak and Kathryn Basiji. It is Basijis first foray into directing. The director of photography is industry veteran Steve Pitre, and editing is by Emmy winner Jeff Clayton. For more information, please visit http://www.edgeofsuccessmovie.com. Tickets for the DTLA Film Festival are available at http://www.dtlaff.com. Website: http://www.edgeofsuccessmovie.com Trailer: https://vimeo.com/290304216 Facebook: @Edgeofsuccessmovie Instagram: @Edgeofsuccessmovie Twitter: @EdgeSuccessDoc From the Films End Credits: If you or someone you know is in need of help, please reach out and talk to someone. Resources: National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255 http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org 24/7 free and confidential support and crisis resources for you and your loved ones. Crisis Text Line Text HOME To 741741 http://www.crisistextline.org Follett and Newbery Medal-winning author Kwame Alexander are teaming up for a new literacy effort called All Books for All Kids, with the goal of ensuring that children have access to a wide range of books from a broad spectrum of voices. The campaign officially kicks off Saturday, October 13, at a special event in Miami, where Alexander is on tour promoting his latest book co-authored with Mary Rand Hess, Swing (Blink, Oct). In his role with All Books for All Kids, Alexander will curate a collection of booksa mix of his own titles and those of new authors and illustratorsthat will be displayed on an endcap at Follett Book Fairs, a business that Follett launched in October 2017. Alexanders curated booklists will also be featured in Titlewave, Folletts collection development/ordering tool. Im a big believer that children need to be able to see themselves in their books and they need to be able to see their friends in their books, Alexander said. Its one thing for us to wonder how adults become who they are when sometimes they are not as empathetic or connected as they need to be. Its another thing for us to realize that perhaps we can impact children in a way that they become kind, caring, compassionate, empathetic, connected people, and that starts with books. But kids need to have access to all kinds of books, that dont just reflect who they are, but reflect who we are. Im excited that we get to start that in earnest and see if this ambitious idea, that we want to create kids that are going to imagine a better world, can actually happen. I believe it can. Additionally, Alexander will be a judge for the 2019 Follett Challenge, which begins this month and is the companys annual advocacy contest rewarding schools and districts that have instituted innovative educational programs that teach essential 21st-century skills to students. The winning school is set to receive a visit from Alexander, who will also be appearing at some Follett Book Fairs around the country, beginning in November. This new partnership comes on the heels of Alexanders launch of his Versify imprint at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. Similar in mission to All Books for All Kids, Alexanders Versify list, debuting in spring 2019, will reflect his vision that accessible and powerful prose and poetryin picture books, novels, and nonfictioncan celebrate the lives and reflect the possibilities of all children, according to a statement from HMH. Alexander found a comfortable fit with Follett, having recently worked with the company at several educational events it sponsored, including a reading summit last year. There were a couple hundred librarians in the audience and I got to share with them my love of reading and my theory that poetry can transform student lives, he recalled. Weve done these one-off events and along the way Matt Follett [sales leader, Follett Virtual Campus] and I said maybe theres a way to make this relationship more formal. Our missions align; we want to create a campaign or a platform that gets kids excited about reading. And from there it was just a matter of figuring out what that relationship would look like. But it was the ramp-up of Follett Book Fairs that proved to be the catalyst for cementing the deal. I visited 150 schools last year, Alexander said. Im interacting with teachers and kids and librarians every day sharing my passion for books. Folletts going into schools, Im going into schools. We can share this message together. Britten Follett, senior v-p of marketing for Follett School Solutions, believes that her companys and Alexanders goals are well matched. Every kid needs to have the opportunity to discover what life is like beyond their own four walls, she said. And Kwames really working to do that through his Versify imprint and through his own books. He talks quite in depth about the choice to have a silhouetted figure on the cover of his Newbery-winning book The Crossover because he didnt want kids to not pick it up because the figure on the cover might not look like them. That really resonated with us. We said, We need to make sure that kids dont shy away from that content but they embrace it because it provides a perspective about the world around them that they wouldnt already have. Follett said that there is no timeline for the All Books for All Kids campaign, or for Alexanders role. In the future, she noted, Were going to be looking to work with other authors along these same lines because its essential that there are multiple voices all talking about this topic. This is the beginning of a conversation about inclusivity in general. Though his passion is running high for this latest endeavor, Alexander is especially looking forward to the announcement for All Books for All Kids for what he describes as a slightly more superficial reason, too: it will take place at a big yacht party. Ive always wanted to have a yacht party, he said with a laugh, and so Im celebrating my birthday, and celebrating this partnership with a bunch of librarians and teachers and writer friends like Edwidge Danticat, and some of our Versify team. Were going to celebrate our love of books and our mission to change the world one word at a time. The first full-days attendance at the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association (NCIBA) Fall Discovery Show was through the roof, according to executive director Calvin Crosby, but an unexpected event ultimately kept attendance even with last year. The show was held October 35 in the Oakland Marriott City Center, one of the Marriott properties being picketed by more than 2,500 striking Bay Area hotel workers last week. On the final day of the convention, protesters banged drums and chanted slogans all day outside the venue, dampening attendance. Despite the political interruption, childrens authors, booksellers, and publishing professionals delivered the same message throughout the show: empower kids with enthusiasm. Although many adults are feeling emotional and exhausted this election season, Clare Doornbos, the author/school liaison for Book Passage in Corte Madera, Calif., summed up the message well: booksellers and authors must double down with enthusiasm for the future. When everything is about the real world and how its broken, there needs to be some sunlight in there as well, she said. These kids want some relief. On Thursday morning, NCIBA opened with an hour of childrens book picks from West Coast publishing sales reps. Amanda Barillas, a rep at Macmillan, pitched Dude! by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Dan Santat (Roaring Brook/Porter). When I showed this book in the Pacific Northwest, they were like, Okay, hmm, not so much. But California people understand Dude!, said Barillas. The book tells the story of a platypus and beaver with only a single word: Dude. Its really great for emerging readers, with an emphasis on how we express with words, Barillas said. She ended her presentation with The Echo Room (Tor Teen), another popular book at the show, written by Parker Peevyhouse, a staffer at Hicklebees Childrens Books in San Jose. HarperCollins rep Jim Hankey highlighted The Light Between Worlds by Laura E. Weymouth (HarperTeen). What would happen to the kids in the Narnia books after they return from that magical kingdom?, asked Hankey, describing the premise of the book he called a sophisticated story that is simply told. The book follows children who leave war-torn London to visit a magical realm. Once returning from this fantasy adventure, the kids struggle with the post-World War II reality they left behind. The book shows characters coping with serious issues like depression, self-harm, post-traumatic stress disorder, and death. Throughout Thursdays programming, authors and booksellers told inspiring stories about how books can change kids lives. At the sold-out Author Lunch, Printz Honor author Andrew Smith shared a bit about his new novel, Rabbit & Robot (Simon and Schuster). Smith earned a rousing ovation when he recalled an emotional moment with one of his high school fans during a school visit. He said to me, I dont think I would be here today if it werent for your books, said Smith. That was the universe trying to tell me that sometimes, as troubled as I get, my life really is magic and Im very fortunate to be here. Later that afternoon, Stanford psychology professor Jennifer Eberhardt shared an insight for childrens booksellers and authors while discussing her forthcoming adult nonfiction title, Biased: The New Science of Race & Inequality (Viking, Mar. 2019). The celebrated researcher described a moment when her then five-year-old son shocked her by making a casually stereotypical comment. He looked at me with this really sad face, and he said, I dont know why I said that. I dont know why I was thinking that, she recalled, explaining how biases can infect even the youngest minds. They are in a world that is bewildering, frightening, she said. A world that influences them so profoundly that theyand wedont know why we think the way we do. Eberhardt expressed hope that bookstores could create positive contact between different social groups in their community spaceone of the only proven ways to combat our biases and stereotypes about other people. That same afternoon, author Jarrett J. Krosoczka had a moving conversation with Scholastic editor David Levithan, sharing an excerpt from Hey, Kiddo (Scholastic/Graphix), one of the most talked-about books at the show. The autobiographical graphic memoir describes the authors childhood struggle with his mothers drug addiction. The book includes a scene where Newbery Award-winning author Jack Gantos makes a visit to Krosoczkas childhood school, leaving a lifelong influence on the boy. Attendees Find Inclusion and Hope The NCIBA exhibition floor was particularly lively this year, with a few dogs and a chicken sharing the room with attendees. Madison Killen, marketing manager at Chronicle Books, highlighted two aspirational books that empower kids to buck stereotypes and social limitations: The Dreamer by Il Sung Na and What Can A Citizen Do? by Dave Eggers and Shawn Harris. Last year, Eggers and Harris made waves at NCIBA with Her Left Foot, a timely book about the Statue of Liberty and immigration. This is a much simpler concise rhyming picture book, said Killen. The message is that a citizen is not who you are, its what you do. Its a great message of inclusion. [Eggerss] hope is that it will inspire kids to stand up and be activists. Attendees got a chance to meet the real-life chicken who inspired a new childrens book. Author Leslie Crawford brought one of her six chickens, Alice B. Toklas (named after the bohemian icon and partner of author Gertrude Stein), to the exhibition floor to promote her new book, Gwen the Rescue Hen. The book is the second title in Stone Pier Presss Farm Animal Rescue series, telling the story of an ordinary chicken who escapes the confines of a factory farm to live an extraordinary life on the outside. Its her first event, but shes a brave, calm chicken. She wants to go to public events! said Crawford. Other first-time attendees also found a warm reception from NCIBA members. Ive never been to this conference before, and its been great meeting with independent booksellers and getting some positive feedback, said Sabrina Moyle, co-founder of the Hello!Lucky design studio and greeting card company. Her studio recently began creating childrens books, releasing Super Pooper and Whizz Kid: Potty Power! in August. At the show, Moyle most valued hearing stories of readers enjoying the book inside stores, a sign that its positive take on potty training is resonating. People said it has been selling well, and parents will come into the store, read it to their kids, and laugh out loud. Thats promising! Moyle said. Insight Editions director of sales Julie Hamilton drew a crowd when she spread out A Pop-Up Guide to Hogwarts (Oct.) in the middle of the exhibition floor. We think its probably the most complicated pop-up book ever made, she said, as attendees stooped to explore the intricate book. We sold rights in multiple languages, and we keep going back to press. Its on its third printing in the U.S. market and we havent even gone on sale yet, she said. Taking the Enthusiasm Home On Friday, a series of educational sessions gave booksellers a dose of enthusiasm to bring back to their stores for 2019. In the Bringing Authors to Schools panel discussion on Friday, speakers urged booksellers to establish relationships with local teachers, to encourage kids to read the book before an author visit, and to treat visiting authors like rock stars. Panelist and author Kathryn Otoshi agreed that this passion is contagious: It makes a huge deal when booksellers are enthusiastic. It makes the kids excited, too. Panelist Doornbos of Book Passage recalled how she helped raise funds to bring author and former First Daughter Chelsea Clinton to a low-income school in 2015. It was huge for the whole community, said Doornbos. Somebody famous was willing to come see them. It showed them that they are worth that visit. In another Friday educational session, Samantha Schoech, the San Francisco-based director of Independent Bookstore Day, shared some news about the annual celebration of indie booksellers. For the upcoming fifth anniversary of IBD, next held on April 27, 2019, the celebration will tie in with the 50th anniversary of Sesame Street through a special-edition book. In addition, Random House Childrens Books will provide free event kits for stores. Schoech revealed some encouraging statistics from IBD 2018, revealing how bookseller events have a tremendous impact on communities around the countrysparking enthusiasm in young readers and their parents. Last year, the movement that began in California counted 507 participating stores in 48 states (Hawaii and Arkansas were the only holdouts). Booksellers ordered 35,555 items, and the average participating store saw a 126% increase in traffic compared to a regular April Saturday. The event generated 440 articles in local and national media. We place a lot of stories, said Schoech, and the story that gets the most traction is the story that bookstores are vibrant, that they are thriving, and they are still here. Thats the story that keeps getting told every year. This week, R.L. Stine visits the Library of Congress; LeUyen Pham photobombs Dean and Shannon Hale; guests at Samantha Bergers book event really rock it; two illustrators give back to New York communities; and Lauren Oliver and Kendare Blake talk books in Seattle. Getting Goosebumps In advance of the feature film, Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween, based on Stines long-running Goosebumps series, Stine presented to 400 local students at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden (l.) introduced Stine, and he spoke in conversation with director of educational outreach Lee Ann Potter. Hayden also surprised Stine with the copyright certificate for the first Goosebumps book (from their archives). Here, she and Stine show off the poster for the Goosebumps film, which releases on October 12. Triple Threat Dean and Shannon Hale, married co-authors of the Princess in Black series, took part in an event at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Ariz. Joining them was the illustrator of the series, LeUyen Pham (center). The Princess in Black and the Science Fair Scare was published last month. Rocking It! Samantha Berger celebrated the release of her picture book, Rock What Ya Got (Little, Brown), illustrated by Kerascoet, with events in several cities. The books affirming message has resonated with readersincluding. Ava Jackson, who shows off her copy following an event held at Nicolas Books in Ann Arbor, Mich. Painting Pictures This summer, childrens book illustrators Elizabeth Zunon and London Ladd created community murals in Syracuse and in Albany. Ladds murals featured Martin Luther King Jr. and Frederick Douglass (Ladd illustrated the books Fredericks Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass, and March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World). Ladd created the murals in cooperation with the nonprofit Tomorrows Neighborhoods Today. In Albany, Zunon (The Legendary Miss Lena Horne) painted a mural called Geraldines Revelry, which features children taking part in artistic performances. Zunon worked in partnership with the Albany Parking Authority, Albany Center Gallery, and Albany Barn. Dynamic Duo Lauren Oliver (l.) just wrapped up a multi-city tour for her new novel, Broken Things (HarperCollins). For her final stop, she attended an event at Third Place Books in Seattle, on October 9. There, she spoke with fellow HarperCollins author, Kendare Blake (the Three Dark Crowns series), about reading, writing, and life. Once the domain of Hollywood lawyers, the digital age has increasingly made copyright a more public-facing issue. And for years now, stakeholders in the U.S. have spoken of the need to update copyright law for the digital agelargely without results. Where does the copyright debate stand in the U.S. today? PW recently caught up with UCLA law professor Neil Netanel, author of Copyright: What Everyone Needs to Know (Oxford Univ. Press) to talk about copyright, and copyright reform. Congratulations on the book, which offers a much-needed primer on the complexities as well as the broader policy objectives of copyright. In the digital age, the public has really become much more interested in, and invested in, copyrightis this who you wrote this book for? Yes. My previous books have been largely for academics, but I wanted to write this book for a broader readership. Copyright law and policyand the vehement debates that surround themare quite complex, and are often misunderstood even by educated lay people. This book aims to clarify copyright law and policy for anyone who has questions about what the law provides, and what issues are at stake in the copyright debates. I was especially interested in your last chapter on copyright reform. Its been three years since Congress finished holding hearings on reform, and weve seen exactly one narrow bill, HR 1695, which would make the Register of Copyrights a presidential appointee. What are your thoughts on that bill? It's telling, Im afraid, that the one bill that has passed a house of Congress in the wake of Congresss copyright reform hearings has been narrow legislation that would increase lobbyists influence over the selection of the Register of Copyrights. The Copyright Office should serve the public interest. That should be true regardless of whether the Register of Copyrights is appointed by the President, or the Librarian of Congress. But in our current political climate, keeping the Copyright Office within the Library of Congress and having the Librarian appoint the Register is probably a better guarantee of the professionalism of the Copyright Office. The other policy proposal weve seen is to establish a "small claims" court for copyright cases. However, supporters acknowledge that for legal reasons participation would have to be voluntary. Do we really need a volunteers-only traffic court for copyright? There are probably a sufficient number of such cases to make establishing small claims court for copyright a worthwhile experiment. However, participation should truly be voluntary. Only defendants that affirmatively opt-in, as opposed to those who merely fail to respond, should be subject to default judgment. And any small claims court should only award damages commensurate with the actual harm caused, not punitive statutory damages. American publishers and authors groups are also pushing a proposal that would mandate that ISPs and websites monitor their networks and remove pirated content. Critics say AI filters cannot make crucial distinctions about copyright status, and that such a change could have grave implications on free speech. Whats your take? Are those concerns valid, or overblown? Concerns over filters implications for free speech are overblown, I think. YouTubes Content ID does make mistakes, sometimes tagging non-infringing videos, for example. But on YouTube, copyright owners almost always elect to monetize user videos tagged by Content ID rather than remove them, so the end result is something roughly like a blanket licensing system. Its not perfect. But its a fairly minimal incursion on user speech. Unlike YouTube, Facebook and other large social media platforms with voluntarily implemented filters have not released data about how often copyright owners monetize rather than remove posted content. But I imagine most copyright owners have an overriding interest in monetizing their content on those platforms as well. At the same time, to require all ISPs and social media platforms to implement filtering would impose a crushingly costly burden on new Internet platforms, most of which lack the immense resources of Google or Facebook. Filtering is best left to voluntary implementation by large social media platforms that, like Googles YouTube, have the wherewithal and incentive to do so. And for platforms that implement filtering systems like Content ID, I think the law should also require a user-friendly appeal process for any user whose video has been removed. As part of a new North American trade deal announced this month, Canada will now extend its copyright period from life plus 50 years, to life plus 70 years to match U.S. law. Are copyright periods too long? Why or why not? I think the law should be based on the substance of a transactionin other words, the end resultnot the happenstance of how the technology facilitates that transaction. The copyright term is way, way too long. Prior to enactment of the Copyright Act of 1976, the copyright term was just 28 years from publication, with the possibility of renewal for another 28 years by application to the Copyright Office. And a Copyright Office study found that the vast majority of copyrights were not renewed, presumably because the copyright owner did not find it worthwhile to invest even the relatively minimal time and money required to renew. Ideally, Congress should re-institute some kind of renewal system to sort out copyrights that remain commercially valuable after 28 years from copyrights that should expire. The Berne Convention, of which the U.S. is now a party, forbids the imposition of formalities as a condition to copyright enforcement. But Congress could condition the availability of remedies like statutory damages and attorneys fees on renewal. And Congress should also address the problem of orphan works, which arose because Congress extended the copyright term and eliminated renewal. Mass digitization of legacy books and other works could bring revenues for older books and benefit the public. But even well-heeled companies like Google cannot afford to figure out who owns the electronic distribution and display rights for legacy books for which the author is long dead and the publisher out of business. The U.S. courts are now considering a case, Capitol Records vs. ReDigi, that could impact the doctrine of First Sale in the digital age. Should licenses be able to write out the ability to transfer ownership of legally acquired digital content, which is a pretty central right that consumers enjoy in the physical world? This is an issue that begs for Copyright Office study and Congressional action. In principle, I think the law should be based on the substance of a transactionin other words, the end resultnot the happenstance of how the technology facilitates that transaction. However, the creation of a secondary market in electronic copies that do not degrade in quality, unlike used books, for example, might adversely impact the book market. So I think this is a question that requires further study. Last year, I wrote a column bemoaning how entrenched the two sides of the copyright debate have becomeand not red vs. blue, but tech vs. Hollywood, really. Maybe you are more hopeful than I am? Do you see any way to break the impasse, or any guiding principles emerging for lawmakers? I generally share your pessimism about reaching a consensus on copyright reform. And now, with the involvement of the public at largeby which I mean both the remix culture and the growth of user generated contentreaching a consensus is even more difficult. Having said that, the recently passed Music Modernization Act gives me greater hope for copyright reform. The stakeholders, including online streaming services, collective licensing organizations, music publishers, and songwriters, seem to have come to a compromise agreement on how to reform music licensing. Perhaps that effort will offer possibilities for copyright reform in other industries and licensing sectors as well. Photo: The Canadian Press U.S. first lady Melania Trump First lady Melania Trump says she could be "the most bullied person" in the world, judging by "what people are saying about me." She made the remark during a television interview in which she promoted her Be Best initiatives, which take on online bullying. Critics have pointed out that her husband, President Donald Trump, routinely mocks people for their looks and for what he says is a lack of talent or intelligence. "I could say I'm the most bullied person in the world," Mrs. Trump said in the interview segment that aired Thursday on "Good Morning America." Mrs. Trump said her Be Best campaign is focusing on social media and online behaviour in part because of "what people are saying about me." "We need to educate the children of social emotional behaviour so when they grow up ... they know how to deal with those issues," she said. The first lady also said there are people in the White House whom she and the president can't trust. She didn't name names but said she let her husband know about them. "Well," she said, "some people, they don't work there anymore." Asked if some untrustworthy people still work in the White House, she said "Yes." The Chinese firm is reportedly offering a whopping $5 million to take over the indigenous bread making company. According to a report by Ghanaweb, the management of A1 Bakery will conclude negotiations with the Chinese firm in the coming weeks. ece-auto-gen The A1 bread appeared on the market over a year ago, and has so far become one of the most purchased items in Accra and Kumasi. Started by Godfred Obeng Boateng and his partner Edward Nana Poku (Hammer), A1 Bakery has expanded since its establishment. The company is estimated to offer employment to about six hundred young people in his various branches. These include Brait, Development Partners International, Helios Investment and Old Mutual Capital. There are also about 8 firms managing funds between $500 million and $1 billion. Furthermore, there are 60 firms with funds between $100 million to $500 million under management within Sub-Saharan Africa. However, a large portion of firms in the region, about 71, manage funds less than $100 million. Which areas attract the most investments? According to the report, South Africa remains the main target for the equity firms because of its relative stability and friendliness to foreign investors. The country accounts for about 39% of the total offices set up by the investment firms. Kenya is second with 14% while Nigeria comes third with 13%. The financial services sector is the most prominent area of focus for investment from these firms, then the consumer space. Healthcare, agribusiness, and the technology sectors also attract prominent investments. According to the report, US fast food giant Burger King is one of the multinationals also looking to expand its wings into Sub Saharan Africa. Burger King believes it is under-penetrated in a continent with huge opportunities and potential. Development Partners International, one of the biggest investors in Sub-Saharan Africa with over $1 billion of funds under management, has diversified its investment portfolio, directing its funds into consumer services, education, healthcare, and the financial sector. The index released on Thursday, October 11, 2018, at the World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings, in Bali, Indonesia, Nigeria ranked 152 out of 157 countries on the list. The rankings, based on health, education and survivability measures, assess the future productivity and earnings potential for citizens of 157 of the World Banks member nations, and ultimately those countries potential economic growth. Nigeria shared the bottom of the index with countries like Chad, South Sudan, Niger, Mali, Liberia while Singapore topped the list, followed by South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong. Jim Yong Kim, the World Bank Group president, described Nigeria as an example of an oil-rich country that neglected its education system. Meanwhile, Nigeria's vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on the invitation of Oxford University, United Kingdom, will be delivering a special lecture highlighting ongoing investments, efforts and plans of the Nigerian government on human development on Friday, October 12, 2018. At the event, Prof. Osinbajo will also be inaugurating the International Advisory Board (IAB) of Oxford Universitys African Studies Centre, under the School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA). Members of the board are eminent leaders from across the world including several African countries like Nigeria and South Africa. Photo: The Canadian Press Execution chamber at Washington State Penitentiary. Washington's Supreme Court struck down the state's death penalty Thursday, ruling that it had been used in an arbitrary and racially discriminatory manner. Washington has had a moratorium on executions since 2014, but the ruling makes it the 20th state to do away with capital punishment. The court unanimously converted the sentences of the eight people on death row to life in prison, though the justices differed mildly in their reasoning. "The use of the death penalty is unequally applied sometimes by where the crime took place, or the county of residence, or the available budgetary resources at any given point in time, or the race of the defendant," Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst wrote in the lead opinion. She added: "Our capital punishment law lacks 'fundamental fairness.'" Gov. Jay Inslee, a one-time supporter of capital punishment, imposed the moratorium, saying that no executions would take place while he's in office. In a written statement, Inslee called the ruling "a hugely important moment in our pursuit for equal and fair application of justice." "The court makes it perfectly clear that capital punishment in our state has been imposed in an 'arbitrary and racially biased manner,' is 'unequally applied' and serves no criminal justice goal," Inslee wrote. The ruling was in the case of Allen Eugene Gregory, who was convicted of raping, robbing and killing Geneine Harshfield, a 43-year-old woman, in 1996. His lawyers said the death penalty is arbitrarily applied and that it is not applied proportionally, as the state constitution requires. The court did not rule out the possibility that the legislature could come up with another manner of imposing death sentences, but said the state's longstanding practice was invalid. "We leave open the possibility that the legislature may enact a 'carefully drafted statute' to impose capital punishment in this state, but it cannot create a system that offends constitutional rights," the opinion said. Attorney General Bob Ferguson said he would press the legislature to make the sole punishment for aggravated murder life in prison without release. Nigerias two main rivers, the Niger and the Benue, burst their banks after heavy rains began in August 2018, and the country has been experiencing large-scale floods ever since. The Secretary-General extended his condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Nigeria and wished the injured a speedy recovery. In a statement released on Thursday, October 11, 2018, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said activities conducted so far by the United Nations include: food distributions by the World Food Programme (WFP); the provision of emergency medical care as well as disease control for cholera and malaria, by the World Health Organization (WHO); and distributions of hygiene or dignity kits, for women and girls by the UN sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA). The UN maintained that it will continue to stand in solidarity with the country and ready to support as required Nigeria declares national disaster A state of national disaster has been declared in the four most-affected states of Kogi, Niger, Anambra and Delta. Overall, around two million have been affected. More than 561,000 people are internally displaced as a result and over 350,000 need immediate help - especially temporary shelter, food, safe drinking water, household items and medical care. In addition, more than 150,000 hectares of farmland are entirely inundated which raises serious medium-term food security concerns, as to how farmers will be able to replant vital crops. Close to 80,000 houses were damaged including 18,000 completely destroyed, and more than 320 roads and bridges are impassable. In the most affected areas, children have not been able to go to school for weeks. Nigeria releases N3 billion to the emergency agency The Nigerian government had released N3 billion to respond to the flood disasters following a red alert issued by the country's Hydrological Services Agency (NHISA). Microsofts AI tools are rapidly changing how financial institutions operate, manage data, and interact with customers. The revolution brought by AI a blend of three advanced technologies: machine learning, natural language processing and cognitive computing has huge implications for the financial services industry in Nigeria. According to Microsoft Nigeria Country Manager, Akin Banuso: With the use of modern tools like Microsofts Azure Machine Learning platform, Financial Service Providers (FSPs) can crunch large volumes of data faster and more accurately, which considerably lessens time-to-market to deliver products and services. AI has the potential to advance nearly every field of human endeavour and address countless societal challenges. This is why we are investing in not only making the technology more accessible, but also building capacity in the use of machine learning concepts to address analytical gaps in financial inclusion and other areas, he says. To build this capacity, Microsoft, through its 4Afrika Initiative, has since 2013 been aggressively upskilling the African developer community in their use of modern technologies. Through its 16 AppFactory academies (including two in Nigeria), Interns4Afrika, MySkills4Afrika, Microsoft Virtual Academy and AI PopUp Lab programmes, it is pairing developers with technical experts to gain skills in AI, cloud computing, secure coding, machine learning, bot framework and data analytics and encouraging them to innovate in fields such as financial services. Expanding further on the features of Microsofts portfolio of AI tools and services, Mr Banuso says that one of the challenges of FSPs is how to capture the unbanked population in the informal sector as they usually do not have formal identifiers. However, with the AI and machine learning capabilities offered by Microsoft Azure,FSPs can use facial recognition algorithms to eliminate duplication of persons. Similarly,FSPs can rewrite credit-scoring algorithms to better capture current realities based on observed customer patterns through the platform. AI makes it possible to circumvent traditional challenges with onboarding the unserved and underserved population, he adds. The five-day residential AI bootcamp and Hackathon will featureface-to-face teaching, virtual online classes, and a hands-on hackathon using the Kaggle.com platform. Distinguished data scientists from leading research and academic institutions from the United States of America, the United Kingdom and South Africa will facilitate the sessions. The Cool FM OAP and convenor of the Free the Sheeple Movement does this in a new Instagram video, which was posted yesterday, October 10, 2018. In the first half of the clip, the Senior Pastor and General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International says he has read the Bible 36 times, this was reportedly recorded in November 2017. In the second half of the clip, the popular preacher is seen saying that he has read the Bible 22 times. This part was allegedly recorded two weeks ago. Reacting to the conflicting statements, Freeze said, "Only you read Bible 36 times, only you read Bible 22 times. Which one of the two? Because in between 36 and 22 there is 14. So did you lose count?" He concluded the clip by asking the preacher to explain himself. Fast Facts on Apostle Suleman Here are some quick things to know about popular cleric whose nickname is 'The Oracle.' Apostle Suleman was born in Benin, the capital of Edo state and raised by a Muslim father and a Christian mother. Despite a prophecy that he was going to be a preacher, he is said to have hated Christians and the entire religion. This led to him joining a cult in school. He shared details in an interview with The Cable. In his words, "I was a dignified cultist. I am from a home of separated parents. My parents had some issues. Any child from a home like that is bound to fall into the streets. So, I got into school and I wanted acceptance somewhere. Someone told me that there is something called brotherhood and that I would be accepted as a family member and I liked it." Things changed after a divine vision where he saw hell and heaven. He also heard a voice telling him that he was going to be a preacher. This vision led to the establishment of his church in 2004. Apostle Suleman is happily married to Reverend (Dr.) Lizzy Johnson Suleman. Their union blessed with four girls and one boy. The exam body on Wednesday, October 10, 2018, said it will start publishing names of candidates involved in malpractice. In a statement signed by its Head of Public Affairs, Mr Demianus Ojijeogu, WAEC said the decision to publish names of offenders was part of WAEC's resolutions at its 66th Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC) meeting held at Ogba, Lagos. ece-auto-gen Ojijeogwu said; Candidates, invigilators and supervisors caught aiding and abetting examination malpractice, WAEC, ANCOPSS and the States Ministry of Education will publish their names to serve as a deterrent for others. States Ministry of Education and school principals are to check the ugly trend by looking at the calibre and integrity of teachers nominated as supervisors for public examinations. The Committee observed that even with the commendable efforts of the Council in the fight against examination malpractice, the menace is still on the increase. There was high rate of impersonation as a form of examination malpractice during the WASSCE examinations. Wande Coal give this hint through a post shared on his twitter page on Wednesday, October 10th with the caption, ''Guess Who?'' Wizkid then responded to the tweet alluding to a joint album, to which Wande Coal responded, ''Coming soon.'' This is not the first time that Wizkid had stated the possibility of a joint project with Wande Coal. Far back in January 2017, he had confirmed on his twitter page that a mixtape was in the works with, but almost two years later, the project is yet to be released. Their friendship has also seen them support each other at concerts like Wande Coal joining Wizkid on stage at his sold out concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in 2017 and O2 Arena in 2018. The suspect who is 22 years older reportedly molested the little one at learning center in Bariga, Lagos. It is his second time being linked with an incident of sexual abuse involving a child says a report by ThisDay News. Olowu had reportedly gone to visit his friend at the school where he was able to lay hands on the toddler. Sometimes, these girls also get married to the person, to whom they are collaterals. In that case, they call it, 'Money Woman Marriage'. These girls are subjected to supposedly outlawed and archaic principles of forced marriage, forced labour, slavery, and indentured servitude. It is repugnant to the principles of natural rights, natural justice, equity, good conscience and natural human prerogative to choose. ALSO READ: This bizarre tradition lets women get sold into marriage to pay off debts After all, we live in a country that entrenches the Fundamental Human Rights of her people under the 1999 Constitution and safeguarded by the procedural rules of Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules. By that time, she becomes a money wife. To compound issues, if the husband to a money woman dies, she gets married to the husbands next of kin. If the money wife dies without an issue, her parents are obligated to provide another girl to her widowed husband as renewed collateral. The Obanliku Local Government Area also has 17 sister villages and they all engage in this primitive, oppressive and barbaric practice. Reports allege that there is almost no family in the Becheve tribe without a money woman. Upon recognition of this, a non-governmental organization, Cadrell Advocacy Centre, has by an Originating Summons filed a suit against the Cross River State Government in a Lagos Federal High Court to abolish the money woman/wife practice, and declare it unlawful, and repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience. The Attorney-General of Cross River, Obanliku Local Government and Inspector General of Police were joined as co-defendants in the matter while Mr. Evan Ufeli, Founder of Cadrell Advocacy Centre, is a co-plaintiff in the matter. Amongst the prayers is an order of perpetual injunction to restrain the Cross River State Local Government and the Obanliku Local Government Area from engaging in the practice in the future. Cadrell Advocacy Centre also prays the court that the first and second defendants return all the girls used as money woman returned to their parents. Adekunle Adeniji, Micserah founder and CEO said: Were thrilled to welcome Reality TV star Bambam to the Micserah family; she is the perfect fit for the brand, as she has proved to being an iconic pacesetter in her field. The Bambam watch collection is an exciting moment as the brand rapidly grows and enters new markets across Africa. Celebrating Bambams new endorsement, the brand will release A 300 piece of limited edition watch collection Bambam Luna which is inspired by the Luna concept of the goddess of the moon, a leader and a bright light resonating with Bambams personality. The watch is packed full of Bambam-specific details from strap color variants, case dials, faces and an iconic print of Bambams signature on the watch back making this the first of its kind. For more information about the Bambam Luna Collection Kindly visit https://www.micserah.com/bambam-luna-collection Akeredolu gave the assurance during a special thanksgiving service to mark the 4th coronation anniversary of the Alani of Idoani, Oba Olufemi Olutoye, at Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, Idoani in Ondo State. He said that the road had already been designed and would be looked into in due course, reiterating his commitment to attend to the needs of the people. The Governor thanked God for preserving the life of the monarch, whom he described as a father. He assured him that the needs of the town and its environment would be looked into. Earlier, Rt. Rev Ezekiel Dahunsi, Bishop of Idoani Diocese, urged everyone, especially elected officials, to give thanks to God daily. He said being alive was by Gods mercy, hence people should not be ingrates, but learn to be grateful for life. Whatever position we are in; it is not because we are the best, but by Gods mercy. You are not the only one that merits the position you occupy, God only used it to bless you, he said. Dahunsi challenged leaders everywhere to always do what is right in Gods sight. He praised God for allowing the traditional ruler witness the fourth anniversary of his coronation. Tremendous progress has been witnessed under his reign, while he has united the people. I pray that the Kabiyesi enjoys more years on the throne, he said. The clergyman also appealed to the governor to find a lasting solution to the Oba-Idoani Road, which he said, was in deplorable condition. The monarch, Oba Olutoye, in his comments, expressed hope that the state government would fix the Oba-Idoani Road. I do not apologise for the bad roads because I know sooner or later things will improve. So, by the grace of God, next year we will have a lot to celebrate both locally and state-wise, he said. The royal father praised God for the gift of life and appreciated the good work of the state government. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) This early, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano has his eyes set on the House leadership. Cayetano on Thursday confirmed he will run as Taguig City-Pateros representative in the 2019 midterm elections. He said he wants to focus on his Congress bid first, and if he wins, he will vie for House Speaker. "I will seek the leadership position in the House but you know it's a complex matter. You have to win first sa district mo and I wanna focus on that first," he told reporters in a chance interview in Bali, Indonesia. The country's top diplomat led the symbolic turnover of P16 million or $300,000 worth of assistance in the wake of the deadly quake and tsunami that left thousands dead in Indonesia. Cayetano said he had offered to stay as head of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for upcoming diplomatic events, including preparations for Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit in November. He said it's up to President Rodrigo Duterte to accept his offer. He said the President has chosen his replacement, and it's up to Duterte to disclose the name. READ: Duterte reveals Cabinet members who will run in 2019 elections "It's not an easy decision. DFA is a real family. It's a very very fulfilling job," Cayetano said, adding that some of the "original supporters of the President" urged him to run for Congress. Cayetano did not say when he would file his certificate of candidacy, as the filing began Thursday. He has until October 17 to do so. The campaign period for the May 13, 2019 polls is on Feb. 12 to May 11, 2019. Photo: Calgary Police A man who strangled his wife and concealed her body after enduring what he described as years of domestic abuse will serve an additional three years in prison. Allan Shyback was convicted last year of manslaughter and indignity to a body in the 2012 death of Lisa Mitchell in the couple's Calgary home. The Crown appealed his original seven-year sentence. The three-judge appeal panel ruled the sentence contained demonstrable errors and increased it to 10 years. Shyback testified that he killed Mitchell while he was defending himself as she attacked him with a knife. He said he panicked, put her body inside a plastic bin and cemented it into a basement wall. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the unions issued the warning on the second day of their ongoing picketing of MMA2, operated by BASL, whose management allegedly sacked 24 employees for indicating interest to unionise. As early as 6:30am, the union members in their hundreds continued their siege at both the entry and exit points of MMA2, which is Nigerias only privately owned terminal. However, the BASL management barricaded the two entry and exit points with trucks while some security operatives were seen with sniffer dogs to prevent the protesters from gaining access into the terminal building. The protesters were seen carrying different placards with different inscriptions such as We the victimised Bi-Courtney ATSSSAN branch, Say No To Slavery, Injustice, and Victimisation, While we Say Yes To Unionism, Good Working Condition and Job Security. Others inscriptions were Unionism must stand in Bi-Courtney, Babalakin is not above the law, A case of a Nigerian enslaving Nigerians, No to One Month Salary as Gratuity in Bi-Courtney. The protest also caused heavy vehicular traffic around the airport, which affected other parts of Ikeja and the Agege Motor Road. Airlines affected by the action included Arik Air, Medview Airline, Azman Air, Max Air, Dana Air and Aero Contractors, which operate flights from the terminal. There was heavy presence of security operatives including the Police and officers of the Nigeria Air Force in the area during the protest. Speaking on behalf of the unions, Mr Frances Akinjole, Deputy General Secretary, ATSSSAN, told NAN that the unions were ready to shutdown other terminals at Lagos Airport if the company refused to recall the affected workers. Akinjole said from the situation on ground, the BASL management was not ready to dialogue with the unions on the issue of the sacked workers. The present protest is the only option left for us but as you can see now, our protest is not even yielding any result because the management has decided to barricaded their own company with two heavy trucks by themselves. This means they are ready and prepared to shutdown the terminal instead of addressing the issue because if the shutdown on Wednesday had impact on them, then they would have settled for dialogue but they are not ready for it. We have been concentrating on MMA2 since Wednesday and today but if it should go beyond this week then the whole of this Lagos airport will also be affected, he said. Akinjole noted that unions and other aviation stakeholders made efforts to dialogue with the BASL management but unfortunately their attempts were rebuffed. He argued that some of the workers affected by the sack had earlier been given positive appraisals by the company, hence the only basis for their sack was because they wanted to join unions in the sector. Akinjole apologised to airlines, business owners and travelers for the inconveniences caused by the closure of the airport, adding that the unions were only fighting for justice for their members. However, the spokesperson for BASL, Mr Steve Omolale, told NAN that the action of the unions was contemptuous because they flouted a subsisting court order. Omolale said BASL would not join issues with the unions since the matter was already before a competent court. According to him, Justice I.N. Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos, in suit number FHC/L/CS/16412/18, granted an order restraining the unions from carrying out their threats of disrupting the activities of the terminal. He said: So their going ahead with the action is a clear violation of the interim order of the court. We have applied for a Certified True Copy of the order and will soon make it available to the Police and other law enforcement agencies who are on top of the situation. He stated this when Eze Abdulfatah Emetumah III, the Offor of Umuofor Kingdom, Oguta LGA, Imo State visited him at the Aso Villa in Abuja. In a chat with the monarch and his delegation on Thursday, October 11, 2018, Buhari expressed that he will never get tired of making Nigeria better. The traditional ruler had good words describing the efforts of the president in nation building. He seemed impressed with the leadership qualities of his host tackling the problem of security in the country. Buhari has a chance to impress even more if he wins 2019 presidential election President Buhari received the nod to represent the All Progressives Congress (APC) in next year's presidential election when 14,842,072 members across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) gave him their endorsement. He now has former Vice-President of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar to contend with. The hopes of fellow aspirant and Senate President of Nigeria Bukola Saraki reached an abrupt stop when the People's Democratic Party (PDP) confirmed Atiku as its flag bearer. This is an Executive Order As the name implies, an order is termed executive when the executive arm of government issues one without consulting the other arms of government in the legislature and the judiciary. All presidents across the world issue executive orders and are allowed the prerogative to issue one once in a while. Now that we are done with explaining what an executive order really is, what is this VOARS and what does President Buhari aim to achieve with it? What is an offshore asset? An offshore asset is an asset that is situated abroad. An offshore business is a company that is registered abroad by a citizen of another country as a way of dodging taxes in his own country. Offshore companies are registered abroad in order to take advantage of lower taxes or operating costs in a foreign land. Offshore companies are registered because the business owners want to take advantage of less stringent business regulations in another operating climate. If for instance, Nigeria taxes my business way too much for my liking and I really don't want to pay taxes to Nigeria, I could go register that new business in the Island of Panama for instance; where taxes are cheaper and where the ease of doing business may be better. When this happens, my business or company will now be called an 'offshore asset'. Do you get it now? So why is Buhari doing this? President Buhari won the 2015 election partly on the back of a promise to tackle corruption or graft in Africas most populous nation. Offshore financial institutions can be used for illicit purposes like money laundering and tax evasion. What has been happening is that some very rich and powerful Nigerians have been setting up companies in countries like the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Panama, Singapore, Switzerland, The Bahamas, Seychelles etc. These countries are called Tax Havens because in some of them, you dont get to pay income tax, wealth tax or value added tax while running a business there. Im sure you are now familiar with the Panama or Paradise Papers? In 2016 and 2017, a team of investigative journalists around the world issued a trove of documents containing the names of powerful people who have set up companies in offshore Tax Havens. The likes of Wale Tinubu, Bukola Saraki, David Mark, Wale Adenuga, James Ibori, Sayyu Dantata and Adetokunbo Sijuwade among others,were named in a long list of global players who have been setting up offshore businesses in Tax Havens. With the VOARS, President Buhari wants to ensure that these Nigerians who set up businesses in offshore countries declare their businesses and pay a fraction of the taxes on those businesses to their motherland. Buharis spokesperson, Garba Shehu, puts it this way: any taxpayer who truthfully and voluntarily complies with the conditions of the scheme, pays a one-time levy of 35 percent on the total offshore assets or pays all outstanding taxes, penalties and interest after forensic audit of their offshore assets and income, shall obtain immunity from prosecution for tax offenses and offences related to offshore assets, among others. And there will be penalties for offshore businessmen who do not comply, according to the presidency: Equally, failure of any defaulting taxpayer to take advantage of this scheme shall, at the expiration of the scheme result in investigation and enforcement procedures concerning offshore assets anywhere in the world pursuant to information now readily available through automatic exchange of information between Nigeria and foreign countries, Shehu added in his statement. What the presidency is saying essentially to offshore businessmen is this: declare your offshore business and pay us a fraction as tax. Also, pay a one time levy on the business. If you dont, we will come after you and prosecute you for using your business to launder the money you made in Nigeria. Buhari says he is only doing this to fight corruption Heres how the president puts it: I have signed a new Executive Order (EO 008), the Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularization Scheme (VOARS), mandating Nigerian taxpayers who hold offshore assets and incomes to, within a period of 12 months, voluntarily declare those assets and pay taxes on them. We are stepping up the fight against corruption, targeting money laundering and tax evasion. The minister has made several public claims that he graduated from the institution with a first class honours, a claim that's repeated on his official biography page on the website of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and his Wikipedia page. "Dr. Ibe Kachikwu is a distinction graduate of Law from the University of Nigeria Nsukka and Nigerian Law School. He bagged First Class degree in Law and was best graduand and multiple awards winner from both Institutions," his profile read. The minister's most public claim of his degree came while he was speaking during the 17th anniversary celebrations of the Commonwealth Of Zion Assembly (COZA) held at the church headquarters in Abuja in 2016. He said, "I went to Ife (Obafemi Awolowo University) to try and read medicine and I was there for two weeks and then I got admission to read law. My father drove all the way to Ife to meet me and he said to me, 'Why do you want to go to the University?' "I said my ambition is to be a doctor and he said why are you taking the line of what he called least resistance? And I said, what do you mean by that and he said, well, if you want to be a doctor why don't you just go and read PHD, get to the very top "My dad was talking to a little boy and that got me. So, I packed my bag, left the school of medicine and went to read law. "And, I got in there, got a scholarship and became the best student, I had a first class in that institution (UNN)." According to a fact check by the DUBAWA and Premium Times, it's been discovered that the minister didn't graduate with first class honours, but with a second class upper degree. He joined the institution to study law in 1974 and graduated in 1978. In the HDI report, Nigeria is placed in the 152nd position among 157 nations reviewed. Nigeria unfortunately ranks 152nd out of 157 countries in Human Development index, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, the President of the World Bank Group, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, says at the Annual Meetings going on in Bali, Indonesia. Ezekwesili who is running for the presidential post under the platform Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) blames the heartbreaking ranking on the absence of good leadership. She notes this Pulse in a statement issued through her office. This is a failure of leadership on the part of this government led by President Muhammadu Buhari. And this failure is, as I keep saying, urgently unsustainable. "Nigeria has no business being in the lower rungs of the Human Capital Development index, the report is simply the result of a leadership that does not value its citizens enough to empower them holistically. With my experience advising some of the most reform-minded governments on our continent, and building economies across Africa, it becomes even more heartbreaking to see the basic steps we must take to revamp our economy, to revamp human capital investment and to move forward on these crucial indicators. This failure has to end. Oby Ezekwesili is shooting to kill The ACPN presidential candidate Ezekwesili is not even joking in her bid to become president. As opposed to what some may have thought, she is not running for the position for the sake of it -- she really hopes to win. "You think I'm doing this for jokes? I'm sorry, I'm running to win. "There are two classes of people running in this election: the political class (the old order) and the Nigerian citizens. I'm the candidate for the Nigerian citizens. These two so-called dominant parties are really the party of the political class. "What I'm doing is to get into this landscape to disrupt the old politics. We're tired of the old politics. "I'm not running for president to make a statement, I'm ruuning to win so that we can build a different Nigeria," she tells Pulse during an interview on Thursday, October 11, 2018. Atikus visit was to mend fences with his former boss, Obasanjo. Pastor David Oyedepo, Sheik Gumi and leaders of the Yoruba socio-cultural organization, were present at the meeting. Atiku, the presidential candidate of the will battle President Muhammadu Buhari for Nigeria's top job in 2019. Here are five important things Obasanjo told Atiku at the meeting. 1. 'President-to-be Atiku' At the beginning of his speech, Obasanjo referred to Atiku as Nigerias next President. Let me start by congratulating the President-to-be, Atiku Abubakar, for his success at the recent PDP Primary and I took note of his gracious remarks in his acceptance speech that it all started here, Obasanjo announced. 2. Atiku has changed Obasanjo noted that Atiku has re-positioned himself since they both left office. When it started, it was meant for Atiku to succeed Obasanjo, the former President revealed. In the presence of these distinguished leaders of goodwill today, let me say it openly that we have reviewed what went wrong on the side of Atiku. And in all honesty, my former Vice-President has re-discovered and re-positioned himself." 3. Obasanjo forgives Atiku The former President said he had forgiven Atiku adding that the ex-vice president had learnt some good lessons. As I have repeatedly said, it is not so much what you did against me that was the issue but what you did against the Party, the Government and the country. I took the stand I had taken based on the character and attributes you exhibited in the position you found yourself. I strongly believe that I was right. It was in the overall interest of everyone and everything to take such a position. From what transpired in the last couple of hours or so, you have shown remorse; you have asked for forgiveness and you have indicated that you have learnt some good lessons and you will mend fences and make amends as necessary and as desirable. Whenever or wherever you might have offended me, as a Christian who asks for Gods forgiveness of my sins and inadequacies on daily basis, I forgive and I sincerely advise you to learn from the past and do what is right and it will be well with you. Obviously, you have mended fences with the Party and fully reconciled with the Party. Thats why today, you are the presidential candidate of the Party. And if there is anything I can do and you want me to do in that respect, I will do. 4. Atiku gets some advice In addition to appreciating all that the Party has done for you, may I advise you to work together with all those who contested for the Partys flag with you as a team for your campaign. There are still areas, nationally and internationally, where you have to mend fences and make amends. You will know how to handle what is already out and what may yet be put out by the opposition. But, I am convinced that if you continue with the attitude that brought you here with these distinguished leaders of goodwill, with remorse and contrite heart, the rest of the coast within and outside the country can be cleared. And when you become Nigerian President which, insha-Allah, you will be, remember what we did together in government we ran an administration by Nigerians for all Nigerians where merit and performance count more than blood relationship, friendship or kith and kin. Although some time and ground have been lost, you should endeavour to start from where we stopped and recover some lost ground, if not time. Please uphold truth, integrity, principles, morality and fight corruption, crimes and insurgency. The fundamental law of the land, our constitution must be scrupulously defended. I make one demand and one demand on you today, I need you to say before God and man that you will always remain irrevocably committed to upholding all the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the whole country will remain your single indivisible constituency, Obasanjo said. 5. Atiku is the best man for the job For me, relatively and of all the aspirants in the PDP, you have the widest and greatest exposure, experience, outreach and possibly the best machinery and preparation for seeing the tough and likely dirty campaign ahead through. From what I personally know of you, you have capacity to perform better than the incumbent. You surely understand the economy better; you have business experience, which can make your administration business-friendly and boost the economy and provide jobs. You have better outreach nationally and internationally and that can translate to better management of foreign affairs. You are more accessible and less inflexible and more open to all parts of the country in many ways. As Pastor Bakare, one-time running mate of the incumbent President said, You are a wazobia man. And that should help you in confronting the confrontable and shunning nepotism. Constitutionalism, popular participation and inclusiveness are pre-conditions for reversing the deficits of the past three and half years. They will ensure abiding faith in our indivisibility, oneness and faith in the survival of all against none. The fundamentals for our development, economic growth and progress are hard and soft infrastructure. Remember to always give adequate places in your administration to our youth and women. All the authorities involved with the preparation, all processes and conduct of the election must ensure that the election is free, fair and credible. Atiku, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will contest for Nigerias top job against Buhari. In a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, the presidency described Obasanjos move as predictable adding that only President Buhari can provide the needed change that Nigerians deserve. The statement reads: The Presidency has received the news of former President Olusegun Obasanjos predictable U-turn and somersault on the endorsement of the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, at a meeting Thursday, and to say that we are the least surprised by the well-rehearsed theatre. They will lose together. Listening to the prepared statement of the former President after the meeting showed the usual ego trip and I know it all character of Chief Obasanjo. In the first place, we dare to say that a pompous statement from the former President advising Nigerians on a vote against President Buhari is the best recommendation that can come at this time. It also betrayed a lack of understanding of todays politics which is about good governance. The country voted for change in 2015 and a leader that ensures good governance which only President Buhari and the APC can provide. Bent on these laudable goals, we will not allow ourselves to be distracted. We are busy on various national issues including the restructuring and the diversification of the economy, fighting corruption, terrorism and other threats to national security; increasing the availability of electric power, improving education, health, and providing long-delayed infrastructure roads, rail, airports and so forth. Many governments have come and gone, but they did not care about some of these projects. We were talking about these things for sixteen years under the PDP and nothing was done. President Buhari is proud of his record because his achievements are verifiable, while that of the PDP is manifested by the devastating social and economic impact of large scale corruption during their governance. The President will not relent in the war against corruption because the ordinary people are the ultimate victims if we surrender to corruption and let its perpetrators go unpunished. Abandoning the war against corruption is not an option. President Buhari is in this battle against graft because he cannot allow a few, rapacious, and selfish class of the elite to divert the resources meant for the well-being of the ordinary people to their private pockets. Bamidele, who recently won the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the Ekiti Central Senatorial District, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja. The second coming of Gov. is very crucial and timely because he is on a rescue mission to redeem the battered image of Ekiti under PDP.We cannot pretend that it is going to be an easy task, going by the extent of damage already done to the social and economic psyche of our dear state in the last four years. It is historic that Dr Fayemi is coming at a time when a man of his social and intellectual stature is required to rescue the state, and as a campaign organisation, we are confident that he will deliver. Most of his policies and programmes during this second term will focus on the welfare of the people, especially at the grassroots. We have also concluded plans on how to give priority attention to job creation, affordable education and poverty eradication, he assured. Bamidele, however, called for cooperation of all residents of the state to ensure that the good plans of the incoming government were actualised within stipulated time. We, therefore, call on the people of Ekiti who gave him this mandate to equally rally all supports for him and his team to succeed in this rescue mission, he said. You can watch the video below; According to her, I believe that every generation faces its defining moment and for us, this is our moment. A moment when our countrys motto: Unity and faith; peace and progress no longer holds meaning for citizens. In place of unity in diversity, we are faced with divisions, the likes of which we have not seen since the Civil War. The ruling political class stokes divisions between the 97% and the 5%; their failed policies widen the inequality between the haves and the have-nots. Instead of faith in our can-do spirit and a shared vision of our future, Nigerians across the country suffer a suffocating hopelessness and despair. Our young people have given up; abandoned their hopes and dreams. They are leaving the country in their numbers every day. What a tragedy! Instead of peace and safety, our humanity is assaulted daily by killings, violence and kidnappings from Jos to Dapchi, from Afara to Zamfara. Instead of progress, our country now appears to be marking time; stagnant or declining on all the most important indices. The few opportunities available are cornered by a greedy political elite. Enough is enough Photo: The Canadian Press Declaring that his red "MAGA" hat makes him "feel like Superman," rapper Kanye West made a free-styling appearance in the Oval Office Thursday. Ahead of a private lunch, President Donald Trump and West spoke with reporters as they sat across from each other at the Resolute desk. West dominated the conversation with a series of monologues that touched on social policy, mental health, endorsement deals and his support for the president. "Trump is on his hero's journey right now," West said, tossing out an expletive to describe himself. West said that many people believe that, if you're black, you have to be a Democrat and said he was pressured not to wear his red "Make America Great Again" hat. But he said "this hat, it gives me power." West credited Trump with preventing a war with North Korea and encouraged Trump to swap his usual Air Force One for a hydrogen-powered plane. West also argued that Trump deserved more respect, saying: "if he don't look good, we don't look good." During one pause in West's comments, Trump said: "I tell you what, that was pretty impressive." He also described West as a "smart cookie." The rapper also spoke against stop-and-frisk policing policies, which Trump recently expressed support for. Trump said he was open to other ideas. Trump recently tweeted praise for West, who closed a "Saturday Night Live" show wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat and delivering an unscripted pro-Trump message after the credits rolled. Relations between Beijing and Taipei have deteriorated since Tsai took office two years ago, as she refuses to acknowledge that Taiwan is part of "one China". "As Taiwan is on the frontline of the Western Pacific, we are naturally subject to tremendous pressure," Tsai said in a televised speech to mark Taiwan's National Day. "China's unilateral diplomatic offensive and military coercion have not only harmed cross-strait relations. They have also seriously challenged the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," she added. Taiwan considers itself a sovereign country and has an independent political system, judiciary and currency, but has never formally declared a split, despite being ruled separately since 1949. Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office hit back, claiming Tsai's remarks "would only further worsen cross-strait relations and lead Taiwan to a more dangerous situation" in comments carried by the official Xinhua news agency. China has recently upped military drills around the island and has made a concerted effort to poach Taiwan's dwindling number of official allies -- only 17 countries still diplomatically recognise the island after five jumped ship since Tsai took power. Beijing has also successfully put pressure on international businesses to list Taiwan as part of China on their websites and ensured Taiwan is shut out of global forums. Strategic card Tsai called on authorities in Beijing to "play a positive role in the region and the world, instead of being a source of conflict". She pledged not to escalate tensions but also said Taiwan would seek to fortify its national security and diplomatic links, establishing its "irreplaceable strategic importance". "I will not be provoked into confrontation or conflicts that endanger cross-strait relations, nor will I deviate from the will of the people, and sacrifice Taiwan's sovereignty," Tsai said. "An effective response strategy must be rooted in national strength," she added. Worsening ties with Beijing and unpopular domestic reforms policies are putting Tsai's government under pressure ahead of major local elections next month. Tsai warned in her speech that anyone interfering in the election process would "suffer serious consequences". She has accused Beijing of spreading "fake information" to affect public trust in the government in the run-up to the vote. Later Wednesday, thousands of supporters of Taiwan's Beijing-friendly opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party gathered in downtown Taipei, waving flags and singing Taiwan's anthem. Under the former KMT government of President Ma Ying-jeou, from 2008 to 2016, there was an unprecedented rapprochement with Beijing. Ma attended the rally and some participants said they hoped relations with China would improve. "I hope Taiwan and China can maintain peace and not provoke each other," 55-year-old saleswoman Shui Tian told AFP at the rally. She added that she was disappointed with the lack of Taiwan's national flag on display around the city, blaming the DPP. Taiwan's official name is the Republic of China (ROC), and the ROC flag incorporates the white sun on a blue background motif that is the symbol of the KMT. Some pro-independence campaigners want to see the island drop its old name and symbols and establish instead a Republic of Taiwan. The Cuban leader marked the 150th anniversary of the start of Cuba's war of independence with his tweet, saying he was at La Demajagua farm in eastern Cuba where it all began. "We are in La Demajagua, the place with the greatest patriotic sentiment #WeAreCuba and #WeAreContinuity," wrote the 58-year-old communist leader, who took over when the ageing Raul Castro stepped aside in April. The foreign ministry ensured the tweet, written in Spanish, would not go unnoticed, marking the occasion with a tweet of its own "welcoming the official Twitter account of the president of the councils of state of ministers". Neither Fidel nor Raul had an official Twitter account. Diaz-Canel, Raul's former deputy, has prioritized Cuba's digital development. Observers say Twitter will bring Diaz-Canel closer to a population that is still getting to know their new leader, the island's first not named Castro. The former engineer is the first Cuban leader not to have fought in the revolution and doesn't enjoy the same legitimacy as his illustrious predecessors. His father became Egypt's first freely elected leader in 2012, but was overthrown by the military a year later and imprisoned following major protests against his rule. In an interview with the Associated Press news agency published earlier this month, Abdullah complained that his family has only been allowed to visit his father -- who faces the death penalty -- three times in five years. He also said prison authorities had failed to provide the former president with sufficient medical care for diabetes and high blood pressure. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's regime has led a crackdown against Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood movement, which it views as a terrorist organisation. Another son of the deposed president, Ossama Morsi, was arrested in 2016 for "incitement to violence" and is in prison. Rights groups frequently accuse Egypt of attempting to silence critics by charging them with belonging to banned groups or disseminating "fake news". Authorities have denied allegations of human rights abuses and say they are protecting the country's security and stability. Since Morsi's ouster, jihadist attacks have killed hundreds of police officers, soldiers and civilians. Published on: 11 October 2018 CCLS is leading on the establishment of Ukraine's new IP Court CCLS is leading on the establishment of Ukraine's new IP Court The two-year, 850,000 project will be led by Professor Ioannis Kokkoris and Dr Noam Shemtov, both from Queen Marys Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS). The experts will review the legislative framework for the new court, advise on best international practices and launch an international training programme for newly appointed Ukrainian judges. The project is funded by the Joint Department for International Development (DFID) and Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) Good Governance Fund. Supporting the international judicial community IP courts are becoming a global trend. They allow judges to gather expertise and speed up court proceedings for IP-related disputes, which are often technical and complex. Speaking about the project, Professor Kokkoris said: By assisting governments with their judicial reform programmes, the UK is reinforcing and projecting its role as a leading global centre for the provision of legal services. I am delighted that the UK Government recognises the importance of supporting the international judicial community and is prepared to invest in strengthening the rule of law overseas. Dr Shemtov added: Ukraine is internationally-renowned for its excellent outsourcing services, large pool of highly skilled programmers and growing start-up industry. A reliable IP protection system is crucial for the development of its innovative sectors, investment attractiveness and economic growth. This is one of the largest consulting projects CCLS has been awarded to date, and we expect this to pave the way for similar international engagements. Creating a world-class IP Court The project officially launched at a reception at CCLS yesterday. Guest speakers included Ms. Valentyna Danishevska, President of Ukraines Supreme Court, Mr Igor Benedysiuk, Chairman of the High Council of Justice of Ukraine, the Rt Hon. Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, former President of the UKs Supreme Court (who will be chairing the projects International Advisory Board), and Mr Richard Dewdney, Head of the DFID/FCO Good Governance Fund. Mr Dewdney said: The UK government is proud to back Ukraines new IP court through the Good Governance Fund, and with expert advice under Queen Mary University of Londons Centre for Commercial Law Studies. The successful establishment of a specialised intellectual property court will strengthen Ukraines business environment and set an example for Ukraines wider programme of judicial reform. Since the 2014 revolution, Ukraine has launched and enacted more reforms than during the preceding twenty-five years. In 2015, the Ukrainian Government announced a large-scale transformation of the countrys judicial system and administration of justice. This included the reform of Ukraines Supreme Court, as well as the creation of specialised courts such as the High Court on Intellectual Property and the High Anti-Corruption Court. More information Photo: The Canadian Press Hurricane damage in Mexico Beach, Fla. The devastation inflicted by Hurricane Michael came into focus Thursday with rows upon rows of homes found smashed to pieces, and rescue crews began making their way into the stricken areas in hopes of accounting for hundreds of people who may have stayed behind. At least three deaths were blamed on Michael, the most powerful hurricane to hit the continental U.S. in over 50 years, and it wasn't done yet: Though reduced to a tropical storm, it brought flash flooding to North Carolina and Virginia, soaking areas still recovering from Hurricane Florence. Under a perfectly clear blue sky, families living along the Florida Panhandle emerged from darkened shelters and hotels to a perilous landscape of shattered homes and shopping centres, beeping security alarms, wailing sirens and hovering helicopters. Gov. Rick Scott said the Panhandle woke up to "unimaginable destruction." "So many lives have been changed forever. So many families have lost everything," he said. The full extent of Michael's fury was only slowly becoming clear, with some of the hardest-hit areas difficult to reach because of roads blocked by debris or water. Some of the worst damage was in Mexico Beach, where the hurricane crashed ashore Wednesday as a Category 4 monster with 155 mph (250 km/h) winds and a storm surge of nine feet. Entire blocks of homes near the beach were obliterated, reduced to nothing but concrete slabs in the sand. Rows and rows of other homes were turned into piles of splintered lumber or were crumpled and slumped at odd angles. Entire roofs were torn away and dropped onto a road. State officials said 285 people in Mexico Beach had defied a mandatory evacuation order ahead of the storm. National Guard troops made their way into the ground-zero town and found 20 survivors Wednesday night, and more rescue crews were pushing into the area, with the fate of many residents unknown. As thousands of National Guard troops, law enforcement officers and medical teams fanned out, the governor pleaded with people in the devastated areas to stay away for now because of hazards that included fallen trees and power lines. "I know you just want to go home. You want to check on things and begin the recovery process," Scott said. But "we have to make sure things are safe." Over 900,000 homes and businesses in Florida, Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas were without power. The Coast Guard said it rescued at least 27 people before and after the hurricane came ashore, mostly from homes along the Florida coastline, and searched for more victims. Among those brought to safety were nine people rescued by helicopter from a bathroom of their home in hard-hit Panama City after their roof collapsed, Petty Officer 3rd Class Ronald Hodges said. In Panama City, most homes were still standing, but no property was left undamaged. Downed power lines lay nearly everywhere. Roofs had been peeled off and carried away. Aluminum siding was shredded to ribbons. Homes were split open by fallen trees. Hundreds of cars had broken windows. Twisted street signs lay on the ground. Pine trees were stripped and snapped off about 20 feet high. In nearby Panama City Beach, Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford reported widespread looting of homes and businesses. He imposed a curfew and asked for 50 members of the National Guard for protection. Online airline fares may fluctuate depending on your Internet activity, says one expert. Some call it fare discrimination, but according to Dr Rob Nicholls, its a completely legal price that helps intermediary travel companies rake in more money. You might not get the absolute best price thats available, Dr Nicholls told RadioLIVE. The senior lecturer at Sydneys School of Taxation and Business Law says intermediary travel companies build profiles based on consumer search patterns. Any breadcrumb you leave will be used by these sites. If its clear a traveller wants a specific flight, the website may bump up the fare before you confirm the itinerary. But Dr Nicholls emphasised that most major airlines, including Air New Zealand, do not engage in the practice on their own websites. Intermediaries, however, will earn much of their commission when bumping their prices above the amount the airline sold it for. To avoid excess fees, Dr Nicholls recommends setting the Internet browser to private mode or clear the browser history when searching for flights. He also recommends searching initially on one browser (like Chrome), and then switching to another (say, Firefox) to take the final plunge. Any breadcrumb you leave will be used by these sites, he warned. Listen to the full interview with Rob Nicholls above. The Long Lunch with Wendyl Nissen, 12pm - 3pm on RadioLIVE and streaming live to the rova app on Android and iPhone. RadioLIVE. Project promoter HS2 Ltd reported on October 4 that demolition of carriage sidings adjacent to the West Coast Main Line on the approaches to London Euston has been completed. The site of HS2s 13 500 m2 tunnel portal, where two 21 km bores will emerge, and access route to an ... One of the largest MSO and cable broadband service providers in India, Hathway Cable & Datacom, has selected Verimatrix to secure its DVB Hybrid Network Built on Android TV. The accelerated deployment of Android TV in countries such as India was one of the key talking points of IBC 2018 and only weeks later Hathway has selected the next-generation Verimatrix VCAS Ultra Framework cardless solution to secure its new DVB Hybrid Cable Box. This is said to be the first set-top box (STB) of its kind in the country to be built on Android TV O (Oreo) operating system.To secure its Android TV deployment, it was essential for Hathway to have a separation between pay-TV security processing and data from other applications. The VCAS Ultra platform extends the companys reach to premium UHD services and advanced hybrid deployments by being pre-integrated with VideoMark forensic watermarking and ensuring compliance with MovieLabs specifications for Enhanced Content Protection.Because Verimatrix offers a variety of innovative next-generation solutions, backed by a well-established reputation in India, we didnt have any hesitations in selecting the company as our preferred security provider, explained Hathway chief digital and information officer Vivekanand Tripathi. While our initial focus is to optimise revenue security for our new DVB Hybrid Cable Box, our long-term vision is to expand the framework with more of the benefits Verimatrix has to offer, including analytics, digital rights management and more.The Hathway deal comes on the back of Com Hem, Swedens largest multichannel TV provider, upgrading its security Swedens largest multichannel TV provider, upgrading its security to Verimatrix VCAS Ultra solution. Donald Trump called the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, whom Turkish officials have accused the Saudi government of murdering, a very serious situation.' What harm might China's model do to free-market innovation? The escalation of the U.S.-China trade conflict is producing unease about the pace of global growth. As such, it is time to look beyond the debate pitting free trade versus tariffs. Though that debate is important, we should also consider a parallel approach: giving firms in each nation more incentive to share ideas. Peter Navarros White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy produced a report warning that Chinas acts, policies, and practices threaten not only the U.S. economy but also the global innovation system as a whole. A number of U.S. government agencies -- Treasury, Commerce, State and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative -- agree that Chinas actions could interfere with the profit incentives for American (and global) businesses to innovate and spur growth. Its not easy to measure innovation or entrepreneurship -- thousands of measures exist with no consensus -- so were left with little more than qualitative evidence of Navarros claim. Here we see plant closings, layoffs, and losses among industries in bitter competition with Chinese firms. Whats more, the U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce reports that at least 20 percent of its binational members have expressed concern about technology theft or unfair market access. This would be a manageable number if China were just another developing country. But the size of its economy makes the problem impossible to ignore. The U.S. reaction has been tariffs added to tariffs, with China responding in kind. China has no interest in remaining with other developing countries. Its leaders intend to climb the technology ladder and sit atop the global value chain, and for this they are to be commended. But their approach -- bolstering state-owned oligopolies that can dominate a range of emerging global technologies -- raises concerns in capitals throughout the world, as well as with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Navarros report points to four ways Chinas ambitions can impose costs on innovative for-profit firms. First, Chinese firms have a source of funding, state-owned banks, that enables them to withstand the vicissitudes of the business cycle. Second, they can unload excess supply on international markets. Even if they lose money doing so, they can still stay in business and drive out firms that are more dependent on market sources of funding. Third, Chinas growing supply of skilled engineers can replicate and produce new products so quickly that private Western firms dont have time to recover their own R&D costs. Fourth, Chinese firms are better situated to pursue profitable opportunities in developing regions by offering affordable versions of Western products. Chinas intentions are nothing new, but until recently have not given the West this type of pause. Indeed, the West was confident that a socialist society could not be innovative without resorting to private ownership of the means of production. The heightened apprehension isnt so much about the feasibility of Chinas model as the harm it might do to what the late economist William Baumol called the free-market innovation machine. Baumol tells us that the basic reason for the transformational economic growth experienced by the West beginning around 1700 was the acceleration of technical progress. Today, private firms supply more than 83 percent of the $356 billion spent on U.S. R&D, according to 2017 figures from the National Science Foundation. In some industries -- such as computer and data processing or health -- R&D spending exceeds 10 percent of total revenues. These companies are wary of entering into a collaboration that turns their hard-won innovation into an opportunity for a Chinese partner to expropriate. Theres a downside for China, too: Expropriation today risks tomorrows foreign investment opportunities, and will quickly run into diminishing returns. In the long run, no country benefits by going alone. Rather than seeing who can inflict the most damage, its time to encourage a healthier dissemination of ideas. One possible solution would enable formal, amicable, and mutually beneficial transfers of intellectual property among firms on both sides of the Pacific. A technology licensing market needs a proper rule-bound environment -- a consortium of sorts -- that can incentivize this voluntary dissemination. There are many reasons why a firm specializing in a particular technology might rent out access to its intellectual property. A firm already at full capacity may simply choose to license a product. Inventive firms may not excel at marketing, production, or distribution. Universities routinely face this limitation. With formal dispute resolution arrangements in place, we can at least partially resolve the conflict between innovation and dissemination. Companies can benefit from the respective advantages of their partners. It may be cheaper, faster, and easier than starting from scratch. Voluntary technology transference may also be necessary to avoid patent infringement or to acquire a technology that is necessary for successfully commercializing a different technology. An amiable transfer is cheaper and quicker than a hostile one. Competitive mechanisms make dissemination a normal part of business, and transfers occur in the thousands. When both parties can confidently agree on the rules, both can spend more on innovation and specialize in what they do best. Once it becomes clear that consortium members gain products, opportunities, and advantages, others will invariably join. The market may punish firms that choose to say outside it. Isolated firms, just like isolated nations, will only be able to offer products that result from their own efforts. Most important, companies are shielded from competitors gaining absolute superiority, enjoying protection-by-cooperation from a surprise attack by one side possessing advantages the other lacks. The only durable solution to the current dispute is to find areas in which Chinas long-term interests align with the Wests. Focusing on trade deficits is the short game and can yield no more than an early harvest. Everyones long-term interests lie in playing the long game. This makes the credibility of our institutions more important than ever. If we work toward cooperation, then success in innovation in one economy can aid the other, enhancing the incentive for independent activity in both. Hilton Root is a professor at George Mason University and author of Dynamics Among Nations, published by MIT Press. The views expressed are the author's own. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's regime has no credibility on human rights. That Rohingya refugees now seek haven in a country where criticism, dissent, or simply different political views can lead to imprisonment or death is a cruel irony. On Sept. 27, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina once again addressed the United Nations General Assembly. Her ostensible intention was to offer proposals to solve the ongoing crisis afflicting the Rohingya minority in her region. Hasina spoke at length not about what she and Bangladesh could do to alleviate the crisis, but rather what actions were incumbent upon Myanmar. She showed a stunning lack of leadership. The government of Myanmar has repeatedly shown that it is both unwilling and incapable of easing the suffering of the Rohingya. Hasinas proposals were therefore little more than lip service. Even had Prime Minister Hasina proposed thoughtful, applicable solutions, she and the ruling Awami League-led government in Bangladesh have shown little indication that they are equipped to handle the worlds most pressing humanitarian crisis. Far from offering meaningful refuge and acceptance into broader Bangladeshi culture, Hasinas regime has failed to ease the difficulties faced by the Rohingya fleeing Myanmar. The government even threatened refugees with relocation to a remote island before international outcry forced a reconsideration. The Awami League has little credibility on the matter in any case: Its leaders perpetuate a growing list of human rights violations against the citizens of their own country. Hasinas government has overseen a long list of transgressions ranging from the suppression of free speech on social media to extrajudicial killings. Due process is nonexistent; members of the press and outspoken political opponents find themselves imprisoned indefinitely or disappeared. The judicial system has lost all semblance of independence and is rife with corruption and politicized threats from those in power. Under Hasinas watch, Bangladesh has trended away from triumphant democracy and towards authoritarianism. This is hardly a suitable administration to spearhead the response to a humanitarian crisis, and to the Rohingya crisis in particular. The Rohingya population in Bangladesh now exceeds 1 million. Each refugee risked a harrowing journey to escape the atrocities Myanmars government carries out. That these refugees now seek haven in a country where criticism, dissent, or simply different political views can lead to imprisonment or death is a cruel irony. If it is serious about finding a lasting solution for the Rohingya, the international community must first turn its eyes to the political reality in Bangladesh. A meaningful resolution of the crisis is going to take more than just the cooperation and aid of the international community. Any solution is fundamentally intertwined with the need for the restoration of freedom and true democracy in Bangladesh, as the current regimes singular focus on remaining in power means that it will never devote adequate resources or attention to the needs of the people within its borders, be they Bangladeshi or Rohingya. Bangladesh ought to serve as more than a destination of necessity for victims of the crisis. It should serve as a paragon in the region for diversity, tolerance, and respect for the rule of law. Critically, the United Nations and its member countries must demand that this years elections in Bangladesh amount to more than an elaborate farce. In an illustrative example of intolerance, Hasinas regime has held the prime ministers chief political rival in jail on questionable charges with clear political motives. Under these circumstances, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and her supporters in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have had little ability to communicate with the people of Bangladesh, let alone to properly campaign. Absent a radical shift, the BNP will have to evaluate whether there is indeed a free and fair process in which to participate. To engage under the current circumstances would do little more than legitimize the political status quo and signal that Hasinas government is fairly elected and representative of the will of the Bangladeshi people. The international community must demand a truly free election in Bangladesh, which requires, at a minimum, the immediate release of former Prime Minister Zia and independent poll and election support. Only under these circumstances can the BNP justify participation, and only under these circumstances can the people of Bangladesh make a meaningful choice about the future direction of their country. The General Assembly should bear this in mind as it considers Prime Minister Hasinas proposals. The potential success of solutions to the Rohingya crisis and the fate of freedom in Bangladesh are inextricably linked. The stakes could not be any higher for the Rohingya refugees, the Bangladeshi people, and the international community. Humaiun Kobir is an advisor to the acting chairman and secretary of international affairs of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The views expressed are the author's own. Photo: Google Maps Community leaders from a diverse range of fields will discuss Kelowna's future on Friday. The Our Future City Our Story conference is hosted by the Urban Development Institute and will take place at the Rotary Centre for the Arts, starting at 1 p.m. Building on the success of a similar event in 2016, the conference will explore timely issues related to the future growth and direction of Kelowna and the Okanagan. Thomas Mueller, CEO of the Canada Green Building Council is the keynote speaker. This conference is continuing an important discussion on the future growth and direction of Kelowna and the surrounding area, says Kevin Johnson, conference committee chair. Were hitting on all of the hot topics and bringing together a fantastic lineup of speakers to help us define Our Story. Topics will include: The future of buildings and communities in the context of our rapidly changing environment and regulatory framework with regard to climate change Technologys influence on the way we build cities, communities and homes The changing nature of transportation needs and how best to serve the community An exploration of architecture and the evolution of cities A look at housing affordability and solutions to address this issue Demographic shifts and the future of retirement housing needs in the Okanagan The future of agriculture Tickets are $100. Visit ourfuturecity.ca to register, call 778-478-9649 or email [email protected]. The UDI is a national association of the development industry and its related professions, including: developers, property managers, financial lenders, lawyers, engineers, planners, architects, appraisers, real estate professionals, local governments and government agencies. , We're sorry, this article is not currently available A lot goes on around Athens and UGA campus and sometimes it can be hard to keep up. From Athens-Clarke County reissuing absentee ballots to so Election season is here, and the first thing on everybodys mind is the governors race. There are, however, seven statewide ballot measures t As citizens across the country prepare to head to the polls on Nov. 6, Athens-Clarke County voters will see an electoral rematch in the race f After an amendment went into effect earlier this month, Athenians may have a few more options for late-night snacking after a night of bar hop Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Thursday said that Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's current visit to France was an attempt by the Narendra Modi-led government to "cover up" the alleged Rafale scam. Addressing a press briefing over the issue, the Congress chief alleged, "Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's trip to France is part of the government's "cover-up" on Rafale. Why has Defence Minister suddenly rushed to France to Rafale's plant? What is the emergency?" According to media reports, Sitharaman is likely to take stock of the progress in the supply process of Rafale fighter jets by Dassault to the Indian Air Force (IAF). There are also speculations that she is likely to visit the facility where the jets are being manufactured. Intensifying his attack on the ruling government, Gandhi reiterated that there is a clear cut case of corruption against the Prime Minister of India. The Congress chief reiterated his earlier statement about Reliance Defence being deliberately chosen by the government as the Offset partner for the deal. "Prime Minister gave the Rafale deal to Anil Ambani to save his (Anil Ambani) business," he said. "Earlier, former French president revealed that Indian Prime Minister had told them that Reliance should get a deal. Now a senior official of Dassault has said the same. It is a clear-cut case of corruption against Prime Minister of India. Both the official and ex-president of France have said clear cut that the Indian Prime Minister gave Rs 30, 000 crores "compensation" to Anil Ambani. Rafale Company's senior executive has clearly stated that choosing Anil Ambani's company was a compensation for the purchase of Rafale." Gandhi added that Dassault Aviation, the makers of the Rafale fighters, will say what the Indian government wants them to say. "Dassault is sitting on a huge contract. Dassault will say what the Indian government wants them to say. Their internal document clearly stated that Prime Minister has said that without this compensation the deal will not be done," he added. Gandhi also termed Prime Minister Modi as a "corrupt man". "I would like to clearly tell the youth of the country that the Prime Minister of India is a corrupt man," he stated. Asserting his claim, the Congress president said, "Even the former French President has stated that the Prime Minister of India is corrupt. The media that is questioning is being suppressed." He also criticised the Prime Minister for being silent over the raging controversy. After a French media report cited a Dassault executive as saying that the joint venture with Reliance Defence was "imperative and mandatory" for the deal, the company clarified that it had "freely chosen" India's Reliance Group for a partnership to set up joint-venture Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL) for manufacturing parts of the Rafale aircraft and Falcon 2000 business jets. In a statement, Dassault further confirmed that "it has sold 36 Rafale aircraft to India within the framework of the September 2016 Inter-Government Agreement between France and India". The Rafale controversy took a new twist after former French president Francois Hollande claimed that the Indian government proposed Reliance Defence's name as the offset partner for Dassault Aviation. However, he later backtracked and said only Dassault could comment on the partnership. The Congress has been accusing the Centre of irregularities in the high-profile Defence fighter jets contract, alleging that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government was procuring each aircraft at a cost of over Rs 1,670 crore as against Rs 526 crore finalised by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. -ANI This year marks the third annual Athens Black History Month Film Festival celebrating black history month hosted at the Morton Theatre. On Feb. 10, attendees immersed themselves in the story of a case in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in which Marshall is called to defend a black man accused of raping a wealthy white woman. On Monday night, Johnny MacKay surveyed the parking lot of the Garage Bar and Grille in Vancouver, Washington. He had had a few drinks and planned to take an Uber home, he told KOIN News, and he figured a spot directly beneath a street lamp would be the best place to leave his truck parked overnight. Photos of his truck showed a mostly nondescript Nissan Titan pickup, save for two small stickers on the bumper: One read "TRUMP 2020" and the other "TRUMP: KEEP AMERICA GREAT! 2020" ONLY IN TEXAS: A fight over political bumper stickers Now MacKay believes those stickers made him a target for what was to come. Some time during the night, Randy Sanchagrin, who lives in a house adjacent to the bar, heard - and felt - an explosion, according to KOIN News. He ran outside and began filming, capturing MacKay's truck as it was consumed by bright orange flames. "By the time I ran back to the street it was so bad there was no getting close to it," Sanchagrin told the news station. MacKay, who went back to the bar the next morning to pick up his car, instead found a burned-out shell - with "Trump" spray-painted in white letters across the driver's side. "All of a sudden I saw the tires were melted, the windows were shattered, and I was just in shock," MacKay told KOIN News, adding that he had just affixed the Trump stickers to his bumper that weekend. "If I would've known somebody would've taken politics this far - I saw them, I thought they were funny and apparently somebody didn't get the joke," MacKay said. More for you Swift-ly registering new voters The Vancouver Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for additional information Wednesday morning. The general manager of the Garage Bar and Grille, who did not want her name used, told The Washington Post that the restaurant has cameras all around the exterior of the building, and that they had turned over all surveillance footage to authorities for review. The incident took place around 2 or 3 a.m. Tuesday, she said, when the bar was empty. By the time she was notified and arrived at the restaurant, it was about 4 a.m. There was minimal damage to the parking lot itself, she added. That something like this would happen in their neighborhood "is entirely unusual," the manager said. "We're just glad nobody was hurt." Cambodian political commentator Kim Sok and his daughter at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand, before their departure for Finland, Oct. 11, 2018 Cambodian political commentator Kim Sok flew to Helsinki with his daughter on Thursday after gaining political asylum in Finland, following weeks of being in hiding in Thailand under threat of arrest for his criticism of Prime Minister Hun Sen. We were assisted by the UN and IOM (International Organization for Migration) Thailand officials, who have seen us off at the Suvarnabhumi Airport. We will be landing in Finland this evening, Kim Sok told RFA's Khmer Service by telephone from Bangkoks international airport. Kim Sok, 38, was jailed on Feb. 17, 2017, after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen accused him of implying that the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) had orchestrated the 2016 murder of popular political pundit Kem Ley. Just days before he was gunned down on July 10, 2016, Kem Ley had discussed on an RFA Khmer Service call-in show a report by London-based Global Witness detailing the extent of the wealth of the family of Hun Sen. Speaking to RFAs Khmer Service after his release on Aug. 17, 2018, Kim Sok said that Hun Sens CPP had done nothing to earn a landslide victory in July 29 national elections widely dismissed as unfair following the banning of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party in November and arrest of its president, Kem Sokha, two months later. On Aug. 29, Hun Sen warned Kim Sok that he would be rearrested and thrown back into prison if he fails to pay hefty fines both to him and to the government as part of the sentence he was handed for defamation in August 2017, and demanded that the social commentator stop criticizing how he runs the country. The court had ordered him to pay 800 million riels (U.S. $200,000) to Hun Sen and 8 million riels (U.S. $2,000) to the state. On Sept. 14, Judge Leang Samnat of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court issued a warrant ordering police to locate and arrest Kim Sok on accusations of incitement and defamation related to statements he had made last year that were not covered in the original charge. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Paul Eckert. A surge in Chinese investment and in the numbers of migrant workers in Cambodias port city of Sihanoukville has left local beaches polluted and Cambodian residents struggling to meet higher prices as the cost of living rises, Cambodian sources say. Speaking to RFAs Khmer Service on Wednesday, Muong Sonya youth leader in the Khmer Student Intelligent League Associationsaid following a recent visit that conditions in the city have declined dramatically over the last year. The situation in this area has now changed a lot, he said. I visited four beaches and saw pollution and poor sanitation everywhere. There were no garbage containers on hand, and plastic bags were everywhere, along with a flow of foul-smelling sewage. Trash now piles up not only on the beaches, but on the city streets as well, he said. The presence in the city of over 100,000 Chinese nationals, many of them workers brought in from China as Chinese firms set up casinos or operate power plants and offshore oil platforms in the area, has only made matters worse, Muong Sony said. I was told by several local residents that most of the Chinese coming to the area are not educated, he said. Many of them were formerly convicted of crimes and were freed from prisons in China, or have bad backgrounds of other kinds. So they just throw trash anywhere they want, and some have even caused security problems in the area too. Prices climb higher Traffic police now try mainly to stop Chinese nationals who break the traffic laws, because they will get more money from the Chinese than from Cambodians, Muong Son said. And many Chinese have bought local shops and run them on their own, making the prices of products rise too high for local people to pay, he said, adding that many of the citys new Chinese residents take jobs from Cambodians. My impression is that China wants to control the city and make it their own economic zone, he said. They are building skyscrapers in order to turn the city into a Chinese town in Cambodia. Also speaking to RFA, fellow Association member Soeun Piseth voiced his own concern over the influx of Chinese nationals and businesses into the city. The Chinese are causing a lot of trouble for Cambodians in the area. They are completely destroying the environment in this coastal city, he said. As the worlds second-largest economic power, China sees Cambodia as a source of benefit only for itself, Souen Pisoth said. I urge local authorities to enforce the citys laws and regulations and to better manage the Chinese presence here, he said. Decline in tourism Meanwhile, an Oct. 10 report by Cambodias Ministry of Tourism has pointed to a sharp decline in the numbers of tourists visiting Sihanoukville during the final days of the countrys annual Pchum Ben Festival, blaming the fall-off on poor infrastructure in the area. Security concerns focusing on the growing Chinese presence in the traditionally popular tourist destination are more likely to blame, though, Network for Social Accountability President San Chey said. Chinese have even been involved in shooting sprees, San Chey said, speaking to RFA. In September, outgoing Chinese ambassador to Cambodia Xiong Bo acknowledged the climbing rates of crime among Chinese living in Cambodiaincluding drug and sex trafficking and online or telephone scamsand thanked Cambodian authorities for helping to crack down, according to a Sept. 28 report in the Khmer Times. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Vanrith Chrea. Written in English by Richard Finney. A court in Shanghai has handed a suspended jail term and a fine to a developer who wrote software enabling people to get around the complex system of filters, blocks, and human censorship known as the Great Firewall, RFA has learned. The defendant, identified only by his surname Dai, was handed a three-year suspended prison sentence and fined 10,000 yuan by the Bao'an District People's Court in Shanghai after he set up a website to sell his virtual private network, or VPN, service. Dai had hosted the service on multiple overseas servers, which enabled Chinese users to mask their IP addresses when going online and to get around the Great Firewall and view content from overseas, according to the China Courts Daily newspaper. Dai was initially detained on Oct. 10, 2017. The court found that he had sold his VPN service to "several hundred people," the paper said. He was found guilty of "illegal use of a computer program and tools to a serious extent" and "invasion and taking illegal control of a computer system, software, and tools," it said. An online activist from the southern Chinese province of Guangdong who gave only his surname Hu said VPNs used to be the tool of choice for residents of mainland China wanting to view overseas content. "The mainland Chinese internet is more like a local area network, in which you can only see what the [ruling] Chinese Communist Party allows you to see," Hu said. "The only way to expand your horizons, or to use international sites like Facebook and Twitter, is to use a VPN," he said. "The Chinese Communist Party has forbidden internet users from seeing any content that isn't in their favor," Hu said. "That's why we have seen an all-out and ever-widening battle against any form of software that gets around the Great Firewall." 'An illegal business' In December 2017, the Pingnan County People's Court in the southwestern region of Guangxi jailed Wu Xiangyang for five years and six months for "running an illegal business" after he set up his own VPN, selling its services via the auction site Taobao and his own website. China announced in January that it would begin blocking overseas providers of virtual private networks (VPN) used to circumvent its Great Firewall of government censorship at the end of March, official media reported. Under the new rules, VPN operators must be licensed by the government, although unlicensed VPN service providers like Wu and Dai were targeted by the authorities before that date. Last March, authorities in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai formally arrested prominent anti-censorship campaigner Zhen Jianghua on subversion charges after holding him for six months under residential surveillance. Zhen, 32, who is also known by his online moniker GuestsZhen, was the executive editor of anti-censorship website Across the Great Firewall, www.atgfw.org, an overseas-registered site offering information about censorship, and circumvention tools for accessing the internet beyond Chinas borders. He was detained when he went to bring money to detained activists after taking part in a memorial event marking the death of late Nobel peace laureate and political prisoner Liu Xiaobo last July. No letup in crackdown In September 2017, a Guangdong court handed a nine-month jail term to Deng Jiewei after he allegedly set up a website in October 2015 to sell software helping users to scale the Great Firewall. An online writer surnamed Li said the crackdown on anyone who evades government censorship hasn't let up in two years. "There has been no reversal of this policy for the past two years, and that has had a huge, negative impact on economic development, and on people's daily lives," Li said. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued a notice calling for the investigation and punishment of "unlicensed operations and those exceeding their remit," "sub-leasing and other illegal acts," in the industry. The rules explicitly forbid the use of self-built or leased private lines and proxy servers without permission from the telecommunications department. Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. A renewed flurry of diplomacy with North Korea has made many people in the isolated country optimistic that subsequent summits between leader Kim Jong Un and the presidents of South Korea and the United States could lead to the removal of UN sanctions and improve the economy, a Pyongyang-based source told RFAs Korean Service. The source said that in the aftermath of previous summits between Kim and Presidents Moon Jae-in and Donald Trump that there is a growing sense of optimism among the people, and they now have an expectation for new changes in the economic sector, and also in the matter of addressing the issue of reunification. Since South Korean Presidents Moon Jae-ins last visit to Pyongyang, people here in North Korea are receptive to the idea of reunification more so than ever, the source said. North Koreans are hoping that the U.S. Secretary of States visit to Pyongyang will successfully transition into the next summit between the North Korean leader and the U.S. president, so that the sanctions against North Korea will eventually be lifted to improve the economy, which in return will enable a more prosperous lifestyle for the people, the source added, speaking after Mike Pompeos recent visit to the North Korean capital. North Korea is under a series of international economic sanctions approved by the U.N. Security Council after Kim and his predecessor father Kim Jong Il conducted nuclear and missile tests. In addition to those measures, aimed at cutting off hard currency funds for Pyongyang's weapons programs, the North also faces unilateral U.S., South Korean and Japanese sanctions. The Pyongyang source also said the upcoming third inter-Korean summit of 2018, which is scheduled for December, has raised local hoped that the next Kim-Moon meeting continues building trust and developing the atmosphere of reconciliation and cooperation between North and South, so that they can also experience the economic prosperity that South Korean citizens enjoy. This optimism also extends outside the capital, where North Koreans appear to enjoy unusual freedom to discuss the issue. This kind of phenomenon has never been seen before. It has changed dramatically since the meeting between the two Korean leaders, a different source in North Pyongan province told RFA. In the past even mentioning South Korea or the United States would be met with hostility, but people now feel that they can talk about both freely, without hesitation, the source said. Sanctions relief still far off The source also said the North Korean diplomatic moves have also been good for relations with China, saying there was an atmosphere of heightened tension along the border with China, but this tension is being relieved following the supreme leaders recent trips to China." However, many citizens are still cautious about this peaceful atmosphere as they remember that in the past the relationship between North and South could go from good one day to disastrous the next, the source said. Regardless, citizens are still hopeful that the country can maintain a peaceful atmosphere while strengthening the economy, and that everything will proceed smoothly as the country looks to build relationships with South Korea and the United States, the source said. While there may be a lot of optimism within North Korea that sanctions could soon be lifted, developments outside the North indicate there remain many hurdles to clear for this to become a reality. Following Pompeos visit, the AP reported that South Koreas Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said that Seoul was considering lifting some of its unilateral sanctions. Most of Seouls sanctions were put in place in 2010, following a North Korean attack on a South Korean Navy Corvette in which 46 South Korean sailors lost their lives. Kangs comments were met with an angry reaction by South Korean conservatives and her ministry backtracked, saying that there was not yet a full-fledged review on sanctions, and no decision had been made. When asked about her comments, Trump said that South Korea wont do that without our approval. They do nothing without our approval. In addition to winning relief from international sanctions, Pyongyang wants the United States to agree to an official end to the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended without a formal peace treaty. The United States and its allies want North Korea to commit to take concrete steps to abandoning its nuclear weapons program, including producing an inventory of its atomic bomb arsenal and allowing U.N. inspectors to verify disarmament. Reported by Lee Myung-chul of RFAs Korean service. Translated by Duk-in Han. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Nari Min, a managing editor at Myanmar's Eleven Media Group, arrives at Insein Prison after appearing at a courthouse in Yangon's Tamwe township, Oct. 10, 2018. Myanmar police arrested three journalists from the Eleven Media Group on incitement charges on Wednesday for publishing an article that was critical of the Yangon regional governments business ventures, in what political observers and media watchdogs decried as the latest attack on press freedom in the Southeast Asian nation. Regional government director Aung Kyaw Khine filed the lawsuit on Tuesday at Tamwe township police station against managing editors Kyaw Zaw Lin and Nari Min and chief reporter Phyo Wai Win, who are being held in Insein Prison on the citys outskirts as they await trial on charges of allegedly violating Section 505(b) of the Penal Code. The vaguely-worded section prohibits the publication or circulation of any statement, rumor or report with intent to cause fear or alarm to the public or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offense against the state or against the public tranquility. If the three are found guilty, they face a maximum sentence of two years in prison, a fine, or both with no eligibility for bail. Their next hearing will be on Oct. 17. Police went to the media groups offices late Tuesday to arrest the men, but they had left work for the day. The three appeared at the township court on Wednesday. The Yangon region government is suing the journalists over the Oct. 8 publication of an article written by Phyo Wai Win in the Weekly Eleven News Journal, charging that officials mismanaged public funds through business dealings by Yangon region Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein. The suspect transactions included a U.S. $100 million contract awarded without a tender to import buses from China and irregularities in a public-private partnership in which regional ministers are shareholders. I didnt write anything untrue, Phyo Wai Win said. I wrote only the truth. Kyaw Min Swe, former chief editor of the independent newspaper The Voice, who was charged with online defamation in 2017 for an article that mocked Myanmars military, told RFAs Myanmar Service that members of the regional government filed the lawsuit against the journalists because they hold a grudge against them. Why did the government members respond to the journalists on account of a grudge in a manner that was not gentlemanly? he asked. They should act more like people of dignity and character. There are many smarter ways to resolve this issue, but resolving it like this hurts the dignity of the regional government and [the ruling] National League for Democracy [NLD], and insults the people who elected this party, he said. Press council not informed Myint Kyaw from the Myanmar Press Council said the trade union hadnt been informed about the case. As the ruling government is filing a lawsuit against the journalists, it is very likely that the judiciary will make an unfair decision, he said. The journalists are also being sued under a major charge that is not a bailable offense, so this is an intentional effort to silence the media. Kyi Myint, a lawyer who is representing the three journalists, said that if authorities want to sue the journalists, they should do so under the countrys Media Law, which carries fines for those determined to be guilty of offenses related to their responsibilities and media ethics. Myanmars Deputy Information Minister Aung Hla Tun agreed. Journalists should be charged under the Media Law through the press council, he said. Journalist and political activist Thiha Thway also said that the Yangon regional government should have filed a complaint with the Myanmar Press Council, whose members are nominated by Myanmars president and parliament to facilitate discussions and negotiations when problems arise between government authorities and the media. This means that negotiation and discussion are government policy, he told RFA. The Yangon regional government should follow this [Union] government policy and exercise it. Thuzar, a journalist from Myanmar Women Journalist Society who only goes by one name, also said authorities should pursue grievances against journalists through the press council. But they are doing what they want, she said. The situation of the media in Myanmar is getting worse and worse. Phyo Wai Win, a reporter at Myanmar's Eleven Media Group, arrives at Insein Prison after appearing at a courthouse in Yangon's Tamwe township, Oct. 10, 2018. Credit: Reuters Total insult to press freedom Though the pro-democracy NLD government under the leadership of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi is the first civilian-led administration in Myanmar in nearly half a century, officials have increasingly sued their critics and the media in what many view as backpedaling on freedom of expression and press freedom after decades of stifling military rule. Officials, along with Buddhist monks and military officers, have also filed defamation lawsuits against journalists and others under vaguely worded laws to muzzle them. Im surprised to see a party which has been speaking out for democracy and human rights for 20 years now operating like this, said outspoken former information minister Ye Htut. It seems the current government is worried about losing state power in the next election but it must not solve such problems by aggressively seeing its opponents as enemies. Monywa Aung Shin, a member of the NLDs Central Executive Committee, said the arrests of the three journalists is regrettable. I personally feel sorry about seeing them arrested, he told RFA. I think both the government and the media should perform checks and balances on accountability and freedom. Attorney Thein Than Oo called the arrests a total insult to press freedom and strongly condemned the actions. If the regional lawmakers discussion on the auditor generals report about the Yangon regional governments budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year is considered something that is a chargeable offense under Section 505(b), then that would create a situation where no news journals or newspapers could publish in the country, he said. It means authorities are becoming dictators and have ignored people by doing what they want, he said. They are also abandoning democratic standards. Thein Nyunt, chairman of the New National Democracy Party, said the arrest of the journalists was reminiscent of how previous military governments dealt with the media. People have lost their rights granted under the 2008 constitution, he said. If we go forward like this, we will never have democracy. Hla Htay, a Yangon regional lawmaker said that in his view nothing in Phyo Wai Wins article hurt the regional government. Khin Myo Kyi, Yangon regions new attorney general, declined to comment because the case has already been filed in court. Imprisoning journalists unacceptable The Vienna-based International Press Institute (IPI) and Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the arrests of the three Eleven Media Group journalists and called for their immediate and unconditional release. The arrest of the Eleven Media Group journalists is an affront to press freedom in Myanmar and demonstrates that the government in Myanmar is close to becoming an authoritarian regime that does not believe in democracy, Ravi R. Prasad, head of advocacy at IPI, said in a statement issued Wednesday. These journalists were doing their job of exposing government mismanagement, he said. Imprisoning journalists in connection with their work is unacceptable in a country that claims to be transitioning to democracy, said Daniel Bastard, head of RSFs Asia-Pacific desk, in a statement issued Wednesday. This kind of meddling takes Myanmar one step further away from the rule of law and respect for press freedom, he said. This isnt the first time that the Eleven Media Group has been the subject of legal action by Yangon officials. Than Htut Aung, the companys chief executive officer, and Wai Phyo, chief editor of the Daily Eleven newspaper, were charged with defamation on Nov. 11 over an editorial that accused Yangon region Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein of receiving a U.S. $100,000 watch from an unnamed drug tycoon who was later awarded a lucrative contract for a city transit project. They were later released on bail after publishing an apology. In September, a Yangon court sentenced two Reuters journalists to seven years in prison for violating a state secrets law while investigating a massacre of Rohingya civilians in Rakhine state, despite sworn testimony that they had been set up. Reported by Htet Arkar, Kyaw Zaw Win, and Wai Mar Tun for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Residents displaced by conflict flee from Maungdaw district in western Myanmar's Rakhine state following deadly attacks on border guard stations that prompted a crackdown by security forces, Oct. 13, 2016. More than a year after the release of a final report by an advisory commission on troubled Rakhine state, political analysts and rights experts are casting doubt on the Myanmar governments claim that it has implemented most of the panels recommendations. The nine-member Advisory Commission on Rakhine State, led by late former United Nations chief Kofi Annan, called for reviews of the countrys Citizenship Law and an end to restrictions on its stateless Rohingya Muslim minority to prevent further violence in the beleaguered region. The recommendations were issued in August 2017 after a year-long review of ethnic and religious strife in the western state. The report included recommendations on the countrys citizenship verification process for Rohingya, their rights and equality before the law, their freedom of movement, and the situation of those who are confined to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. The government of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, who set up the commission, has said it has implemented 81 of the reports 88 recommendations aimed at forging lasting peace and stability in ethnically and religiously divided Rakhine state. There are 88 suggestions, and we have been working on 81 suggestions, though they have not been fully implemented yet, said Win Myat Aye, Myanmars minister for social welfare, relief, and resettlement, who is overseeing the repatriation of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh. There are some points that we dont think we need to urgently implement, he said. If we think we dont need to implement some points, then we wont do it. We have worked especially on the points that are especially for development and stability. The international community has widely condemned the Myanmar government for its handling of a violent crackdown by security forces on Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine in response to a deadly attack by a militant Muslim group on Aug. 26, 2017 a day after the release of the advisory commissions report. About 720,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh during the brutal campaign, which included indiscriminate killings, torture, rape, and village torchings. The government and Myanmar military have largely denied responsibility for the atrocities, which the U.N. and others have said amounted to ethnic cleansing and genocide. Though Myanmar signed an agreement with Bangladesh for the return of Rohingya refugees who can be verified as having previously resided in Rakhine, the program has been beset by delays, and only a handful of people have returned. The stalled plan has sparked more criticism that Myanmar is not working fast enough to remedy the crisis. Still working on them The Annan commissions interim and final reports also recommended that the government set up an independent and impartial investigation of human rights violations following another crackdown on the Rohingya in Rakhine in response to smaller-scale attacks on Oct. 9, 2016, by the same Muslim militant group, and that the perpetrators be held accountable. It seems like the Myanmar government talks about how it has implemented 81 recommendations, but it is still working on them, said Myanmars outspoken former information minister Ye Htut. So it is not practical to say that the 81 recommendations have been implemented. He noted that Myanmar still hasnt opened its doors to accepting Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh even though the two countries signed an agreement to do so almost a year ago. We can say that it has been implemented only after some verified refugees have been accepted back, Ye Htut said. Many Rohingya are fearful of returning to Myanmar, where they are viewed as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, denied citizenship, and subjected to systematic discrimination, unless their safety can be assured and they are guaranteed certain rights. Cheery Zahau, an ethnic Chin human rights activist in Myanmar, said lawmakers must hold public discussions and debates on the countrys 1982 Citizenship Law that prevents the Rohingya from becoming citizens. Aye Lwin, a Muslim leader in Myanmar and a member of the Annan commission, said that although the government has made progress on the recommendations in the final report, it has sometimes made mistakes and is generally moving slowly to implement them. The willingness and qualities of people who are working on the ground are important in the implementation of these recommendations, he said. Former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, head of an advisory commission on western Myanmar's Rakhine state, gestures during a press conference in Yangon, Dec. 6, 2016. Credit: AFP Board members visit Maungdaw Myanmar later established a 10-person international board advising the government on how to implement the recommendations of the Annan commission, but one member veteran American diplomat Bill Richardson abruptly left, calling the panel a whitewash and a cheerleading squad for the government. In August 2018, the remaining members recommended that the government set up a new inquiry commission specifically to investigate human rights violations in Rakhine state. That four-person commission, which has met three times since July, is now beginning to gather and analyze information and evidence by setting up a subcommittee. On Wednesday, five members of the Advisory Board for the Committee for the Implementation of the Recommendations on Rakhine State met separately with ethnic Rakhine and Rohingya community leaders in Maungdaw township, the nexus of the 2016 and 2017 crackdowns, a day after the two-year anniversary of the first brutal campaign. They talked about ways to jointly resolve current communal problems and the possibility of leaders from both communities holding talks. Rakhine leaders tend to echo the Myanmar governments denial that atrocities were committed against Rohingya, and Maungdaws Rakhine residents refused the committees suggestion that both communities hold discussions. Muslim Rakhine leaders, however, agreed to meet with their Buddhist ethnic Rakhine counterparts, and board member Roelof Petrus Meyer, a former South Africa politician, said he would arrange the meeting, Maungdaw community leader Aung Kyaw Nyunt told RFAs Myanmar Service. Aung Kyaw Nyunt said it's important for the government to work on stopping violence by Muslims. Its not like two communities in Maungdaw are having problems, he said. The current problems occurred because of violence by Muslim terrorists. We havent had any problem with Muslims who didnt participate in the violence, and we are still living together in town. The most important thing is to clear out the terrorists, and only the government can do this, he added. Reported by Win Naing, Min Thein Aung, and Khin Khin Ei for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Jailed Vietnamese activist Dinh Nguyen Kha was freed from prison on Thursday after serving a six-year term for handing out leaflets criticizing government policy over disputed islands in the South China Sea. Kha was taken by ambulance from Xuyen Moc prison in Vietnams Vung Tao province to a police station in Tan An Towns Ward 6, where he was processed for release, Khas mother Nguyen Thi Kim Lien told RFAs Vietnamese Service. I had sent people to different places to watch for him, and after my husband noticed a car parking in front of the police station of Ward 6, he notified the rest of the family, and we all rushed over there, she said. At the time, Kha was in the building talking with police, she said. Then he came out of the office, but then went back in for another hour, and finally he emerged from the police station, and all of us who were sitting at a nearby coffee house went over to him to welcome him home. Asked why Kha had been brought back in an ambulance, police replied that the vehicle could hold nine officers, while their regular vehicles could hold only seven, she said. More than a month before, Kha had been examined in prison by another political prisoner, a medical doctor, who said that Kha was suffering from hemorrhoids, and that these should be treated as quickly as possible, Khas mother said. After protesting Vietnams handling of disputes over islands claimed by China in the South China Sea, Kha was arrested on Oct. 11, 2012, and was sentenced to six years in prison at his trial on May 16, 2013, according to a Vietnamese Political Prisoner Database prepared by the 88 Project. Time spent in pretrial detention was credited toward his full sentence. Khas older brother, Dinh Nhat Uy, was later arrested on a charge of abusing democratic freedoms for launching a Facebook campaign calling for his brothers release, and on October 29 received a 15-month suspended sentence. Chinas claims and construction of artificial islands in the region have sparked frequent anti-China protests in Vietnam, which the one-party communist government in Hanoi fears as a potential threat to its own political control. Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by An Nguyen. Written in English by Richard Finney. At least 15 members of the Afghan security forces have been killed in a Taliban assault in the northern province of Kunduz, reports say, as the militants escalate their offensive ahead of this months general elections. A member of the provincial council, Amruddin Wali, said 15 members of the paramilitary border police were killed when Taliban fighters attacked a checkpoint in the Qala-e Zal district on October 11. Another member of the provincial council, Sayed Assadullah Sadat, also put the death toll at 15, but added that 13 border police were also wounded. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. Meanwhile, Afghan special forces, backed by air strikes, killed at least 21 Taliban, including senior commanders, in an operation in the central province of Wardak, according to Afghanistan's main intelligence agency. The National Directorate of Security said in a statement that the militants had gathered to plan attacks aimed at disrupting the parliamentary elections set for October 20. The Taliban has ramped up attacks on Afghan security forces and government facilities throughout the country in recent months, vowing 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 has said that they will target anyone who tries to help the election process to succeed, especially the Afghan security forces. In an October 11 statement, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said that, "despite significant security challenges, progress has been made by the country's security forces in creating conditions for the majority of citizens to exercise their right to vote." "Afghanistans security forces are fully responsible for providing security for the elections process," said UNAMA head Tadamichi Yamamoto. "Adequate security is required to give the opportunity to as many eligible voters as possible to exercise their constitutional rights." With reporting by Reuters and dpa No media source currently available The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Yerevan for a francophone summit bringing together some 40 countries, including Kosovo -- which Armenia does not recognize. The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople has agreed to recognize the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a move immediately hailed by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko but slammed as "catastrophic" by Moscow. A synod meeting in Istanbul chaired by Patriarch Bartholomew I, who is considered the leader of the 300 million-strong worldwide Orthodox community, or "first among equals" of Eastern Orthodox clerics, decided on October 11 to "proceed to the granting of Autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine." The synod, however, made sure to warn against violence and attempted property takeovers. The move, which comes amid a deepening row in Orthodox Christianity over the Ukrainian Church's bid to formally break away from Russia's orbit, was hailed by President Petro Poroshenko as "something that we have dreamed of, waited for a long time, and fought for all the time." But the Russian Orthodox Church condemned the decision as "catastrophic." "Today the Patriarchate of Constantinople has made catastrophic decisions -- first and foremost regarding itself and global Orthodoxy," a spokesman for Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, Aleksandr Volkov, said in televised remarks. "The Patriarchate of Constantinople has crossed a red line." Earlier, Kirill was quoted as saying that his church will "have to break eucharistical relations with Constantinople" following the decision. Ukraine currently has three Orthodox denominations: the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC+MP), which remained subordinate to Russia after the breakup of the Soviet Union; and two breakaway entities -- the now-recognized Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC+KP), and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC). The three are nearly indistinguishable in terms of their rituals but differ when it comes to the issue of church independence. And, along with the Russian church, they each trace their history to the ancient medieval state of Rus in Kyiv. The Kyiv Patriarchate is headed by 89-year-old Patriarch Filaret, who was once a front-runner to head the Russian Orthodox Church. Filaret, who was excommunicated as Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet Union and he pushed for an independent Ukrainian church was reinstated, together with Kyiv Metropolitan Makariy -- who heads the UAOC -- to their canonical ranks, in another key move by the synod. "Thus, the above-mentioned have been canonically reinstated to their hierarchical or priestly rank," said the statement. Following Bartholomew's decision, Filaret said he would call a council with the leadership of the UAOC to choose a leader of a united autocephalous church of Ukraine. He said the Moscow-loyal UOC-MP representatives can attend if they desire. "Moscow wants that there would be resistance, but we, Ukrainians, don't want resistance," he told a news conference. The Ecumenical Patriarchate's move also marks a significant triumph for Poroshenko and his reelection hopes in March 2019. "The decision made by the Ecumenical Patriarch and the synod has definitively dispelled Moscow's imperial delusions and chauvinist fantasies -- which had no support in any church-law documents -- on Ukraine as an allegedly canonical territory of the Russian [Orthodox] Church," Poroshenko said in a televised address. There are concerns that the move could stoke tension and violence. The Kyiv Patriarchate has already laid claim to the famous 11th century Kyiv Monastery of the Caves and the Holy Dormition Monastery in Pochayiv. Both are in the hands of the Russian-dominated Ukrainian Orthodox Church. That is probably why Bartholomew appealed to all sides involved "that they avoid appropriation of Churches, Monasteries and other properties, as well as every other act of violence and retaliation, so that the peace and love of Christ may prevail," according to the statement. The Ecumenical Patriarch, currently Bartholomew I, also holds the title of archbishop of Constantinople, the old Greek name for Istanbul, Turkey's largest city. The city fell to the Muslim Turks in 1453 but has remained the historic seat of Christian Orthodoxy. With reporting by AFP, AP, and TASS When Mykola Reshetnuk first heard the blasts at just after 3 in the morning, he just buried himself deeper in his blankets and stayed in bed. But with the deafening reports seeming to get closer and closer, the 57-year-old Ukrainian got worried and left. And with good reason. Seconds later, a shell tore through his house. Reshetnuk, a pensioner, doesn't live in a war zone. Instead, he is one of around 12,000 residents forced out of their homes after ammunition stored at a military depot near the town of Ichnya, about 135 kilometers northeast of Kyiv, began exploding early on October 9, sparking a huge blaze that the Defense Ministry suggested was the result of "military sabotage." After the deployment of repurposed tanks and aircraft to the scene, officials said on October 11 that the depot fire had finally been "extinguished completely." "I rushed out. I was hiding over there, in a ditch," he told RFE/RL one day earlier, motioning to the side of a nearby road spotted with rubble and debris. "Everything was blasting, exploding around me." Off in the distance, explosions periodically punctuated his words. As the smoke clears from the blaze, Reshetnuk and others may be forgiven for feeling like they live in a combat zone. Rows of houses for kilometers around the Chernihiv region depot bear the scars of incoming armaments that were launched by the heat of the blaze. Charred frames of homes that were occupied just days ago continued to smolder as people returned to survey the damage. A couple walked their bikes down one of the town's narrow roads, careful to avoid the potholes from the hundreds of shells that rained down and now lay littered about the town. "Did you get everything?" shouted one Emergency Services employee as crews armed with metal detectors and shovels scanned nearby yards after reports that some unexploded devices were still embedded in the ground. They doubled back on his command, fearing the damage one overlooked hole in the ground could wreak on an unsuspecting victim. No casualties have been reported from the fire, and officials are hoping to keep it that way. "From 3 a.m. to 8 a.m., we were hiding in the cellar. It was impossible to get out," said Reshtnuk's neighbor, Serhiy Ishchenko. "We returned and the neighbor's house and fence were in flames. All we could do was try to contain it so that the blaze wouldn't spread to other buildings." Pointing to how the explosions appeared to go off at intervals in different parts of the depot, Ukrainian authorities blamed saboteurs. There have been other major explosions and fires at Ukrainian arms depots in recent years, amid fighting between government forces and 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 in 2014 and fomented separatism following the ouster of Moscow-friendly Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, who fled after months of pro-European unrest in Kyiv. Cease-fire deals signed in Minsk in September 2014 and February 2015 have failed to end the bloodshed despite near-constant dialogue among European, Russian, and U.S. officials over ways to resolve the four-year crisis. A diplomatic spat between Hungary and Ukraine has escalated, with Budapest summoning Kyiv's ambassador to protest what it called a "death list" targeting ethnic Hungarians in Ukraine as well as military movements on their common border. Ukraine's "anti-Hungarian policy has moved to a new level," Hungarian Foreign Ministry official Levente Magyar told reporters in Budapest on October 10. He accused Kyiv of inciting tension between the two neighbors. Hungary, which is a European Union and NATO member, has cited a growing number of grievances against Kyiv in reportedly attempting to block Ukraine's efforts toward closer cooperation with the Western bloc and military alliance. "We call on our EU and NATO allies...to thoroughly examine what is going on in Ukraine," Magyar said. Magyar claimed that an estimated 100,000 ethnic Hungarians living in Ukraine's western Transcarpathia region that borders Hungary have been "frightened" by such developments as the recent emergence of a list of some 300 names on the website of the Ukrainian nationalist group Myrotvorets. He said the list includes Hungarian officials -- including Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto -- as well as ethnic Hungarians in Transcarpathia alleged to have taken up dual citizenship, which is illegal in Ukraine. "It is a death list, because it names Ukraine's supposed enemies," Magyar said. "It has happened before that people who appeared on such a list became murder victims." Magyar also expressed "concern" that the website of the Ukrainian parliament has posted a citizens petition that calls for the "collective deportation" of dual citizens. He also said that Ukraine had moved military units to the Hungarian border region, and was building barracks there. Responding to reporters' questions, Magyar said that Ukrainian Ambassador Lyubov Nepop denied Kyiv's involvement in either the list or the petition, and said the troop movements were to protect local citizens. Officials in Kyiv did not immediately respond to Budapest's allegations. The latest diplomatic clash follows a flare-up after an undercover video emerged last month that appeared to show a Hungarian diplomat in Ukraine handing out passports to ethnic Hungarians. Kyiv responded by expelling the Hungarian consul in Transcarpathia, prompting Budapest in turn to expel a Ukrainian consul in Hungary. Relations between Hungary and its eastern neighbor began deteriorating a year ago after a language bill was approved by Kyiv that Budapest said limited ethnic Hungarians' rights to receive education in their mother tongue. With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, AFP, Interfax, and Europeiska Pravda Iran has summoned the German ambassador in Tehran to protest the extradition of one of its diplomats to Belgium to face charges over his alleged role in a bomb plot. "The German ambassador to Tehran was summoned today to protest against the extradition...of one of our diplomats to Belgium," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said in a statement on October 10. The head of the ministry's European desk called for the diplomat's swift release and told the ambassador that the arrest and extradition were "caused by a fabricated conspiracy by enemies of Iran" who are aiming to sever Tehran's ties with European powers, he said. He offered no evidence for the claim. The Iranian diplomat, Assadollah Assadi, who had been based in Vienna, was taken into custody in Belgium earlier on October 10 on suspicion of involvement in an alleged plot to bomb an Iranian opposition rally that took place near Paris in June. Prosecutors have charged that the diplomat supplied a Belgian couple with explosives that were intended to be used to bomb the annual gathering of the exiled National Council of Resistance of Iran on June 30 in a suburb of Paris. U.S. President Donald Trump's personal attorney, former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and other Trump allies were present at the rally. Assadi was apprehended in July near the German city of Aschaffenburg on a European arrest warrant alleging his involvement in the bomb plot after police stopped the Belgian couple with Iranian roots and reported finding powerful explosives in their car. The bombing case comes at a particularly sensitive time as Iran has been working with France, Germany, and other European powers to salvage its 2015 nuclear deal, which was abandoned by the United States earlier this year. Based on reporting by AP and AFP The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. A Russian political activist uses performance art as a form of protest against harsh prison conditions. Her latest one-woman show didn't last long in Daghestan. She was arrested -- again. A top Russian investigator involved in serious economic crimes and corruption cases has been shot dead in the Moscow region, officials say. The Investigative Committee's Moscow branch told Russian news agencies that Colonel Yevgenia Shishkina was shot in the neck on October 10 when she was leaving her apartment block in the town of Arkhangelskoye, near the capital. Committee spokeswoman Olga Vrady said Shishkina had received threats and that her car was burned in an arson attack several months ago. Russia's Investigative Committee said in a statement that its chief, Aleksandr Bastrykin, took the investigation into Shishkina's killing under his personal control and ordered the Main Investigative Directorate to probe the killing. With reporting by TASS and Interfax Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pressed Saudi Arabia to release images that prove Riyadh's claim missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi left the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul alive. Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi monarchy, has been missing since visiting the consulate on October 2 to complete paperwork needed to marry his Turkish fiancee. Turkish officials said they believed he was killed inside the consulate. Saudi Arabia denies the claim as baseless and insists the journalist left the building safely. The Saudi Consulate has said CCTV cameras were not working the day Khashoggi disappeared. "Is it possible there were no camera systems in a consulate, in an embassy?" Turkish media quoted Erdogan as saying. "We cannot remain silent to such an incident," he also said. On October 10, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had spoken with the Saudis about what he called a "bad situation." He also said the United States was working "very closely" with Turkey, adding, "I think we'll get to the bottom of it." Turkish media reported that a Saudi "assassination squad" arrived in Istanbul on board two private jets on October 2. State broadcaster TRT published video showing Khashoggi entering the Istanbul Consulate. Other footage purportedly shows Saudi aircraft and agents arriving in the Turkish city. Based on reporting by AFP and AP Ukraine says four of its soldiers have been killed and three wounded in clashes with Russia-backed separatists in the country's east. The Defense Ministry said in a statement on October 11 that two Ukrainian servicemen died during the previous 24 hours in clashes that also left six separatists dead and 10 wounded. Two other soldiers sustained fatal wounds in a mine explosion, the Ukrainian military later said on Facebook. The separatists violated a cease-fire 28 times during the previous 24 hours, firing antitank missiles, machine guns, grenade launchers, and mortars, the Defense Ministry statement said. The separatists claimed that Ukrainian government forces violated the cease-fire 25 times, but that nobody was hurt. Since April 2014, more than 10,300 people have been killed in fighting between Ukrainian government forces and the separatists who control parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Cease-fire deals announced as part of the Minsk accords -- September 2014 and February 2015 pacts aimed to resolve the conflict -- have failed to hold. A new cease-fire agreement was reached in late 2017 and was meant to begin on December 23, but both sides have accused each other of repeated violations since then. With reporting by Interfax and TASS A space capsule carrying a two-man Russian-American crew that malfunctioned after liftoff has landed safely in the steppes of central Kazakhstan, the Russian and U.S. space agencies say. Russian cosmonaut Aleksei Ovchinin and U.S. astronaut Nick Hague returned to Earth on October 11 in their Soyuz capsule for an emergency landing following a problem with the booster rocket shortly after a launch bound for the International Space Station (ISS). Both NASA, the U.S. space agency, and Roskosmos, the Russian equivalent, said the astronauts were in good condition after their capsule landed about 20 kilometers east of the Kazakh city of Zhezqazghan. Search and rescue teams were deployed to the landing site," NASA said in a statement. "Hague and Ovchinin are out of the capsule and are reported to be in good condition. They will be transported to the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia outside of Moscow." Russia said it was suspending manned flights, and announced the launching of an investigation into what went wrong. "A team of investigators is currently looking at the launching site and it has seized documents. Investigators aim to establish the causes of the incident and who is responsible for it," Russia's Investigative Committee said in a statement on October 11. "The cosmonauts are alive. They have landed. They have been found," according to a source at the Russia-leased Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan. The crew had to return in "ballistic descent mode," NASA earlier had said, which it explained was "a sharper angle of landing compared to normal." Following their emergency landing, NASA published pictures of Hague and Ovchinin undergoing a medical checkup and relaxing on sofas in Zhezqazghan. The two were expected to be flown to Baikonur and then on to the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center outside Moscow. Roskosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin said he had ordered a state commission to be set up to investigate the causes of the malfunction, while Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov announced that manned space flights would be suspended until the probe is completed. The Soyuz capsule automatically jettisoned from the booster when it failed 123 seconds after the launch from Baikonur, Borisov said, according to the Interfax news agency. The minister added that the problem occurred when the first and second stages of the booster rocket were in the process of separating. Footage from inside the spacecraft showed the crew being shaken around at the moment the failure occurred. In a statement, NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said that a "thorough investigation into the cause of the incident will be conducted." Hague and Ovchinin were due to spend six months on the ISS, which is orbiting 400 kilometers above the Earth. Relations between Moscow and Washington have plunged to the lowest level since the end of the Cold War over the wars in Ukraine and Syria, allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential, and other issues, but Russia and the United States have maintained cooperation in space. PHOTO GALLERY: Soyuz Crew Returns To Earth After Aborted Mission (CLICK TO VIEW) The Russian-built Soyuz spacecraft is currently the only vehicle for ferrying crews to the ISS following the retirement of the U.S. space shuttle fleet in 2011. The October 11 booster failure led to what is said to be the first emergency landing for the Soyuz since 1975, when it failed to separate between stages during an ascent and triggered the abort system. The crew survived. In 1983, a Soyuz exploded on the launchpad soon after the two cosmonauts it was carrying jettisoned. The crew also survived without injuries. With reporting by Interfax, AP, Bloomberg, Reuters, and RIA Novosti The U.S. special envoy for Ukraine has said that elections planned by Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine are illegitimate and urged Moscow not to endorse them. "We urge Russia not to have these elections go forward. We think this is completely illegitimate for several reasons," Kurt Volker told Current Time TV on October 11. More than 10,300 people have been killed in eastern Ukraine since the conflict between Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatists erupted in April 2014. Cease-fire deals announced as part of the Minsk agreements -- September 2014 and February 2015 accords aimed at resolving the conflict -- have failed to hold. Although Russia denies involvement in the conflict, Moscow has provided military, economic, and political support to the breakaway movements controlling parts of Ukraine's Luhansk and Donetsk regions. The separatists have vowed to hold elections to choose the region's parliament and a new leader after separatist chief Aleksandr Zakharchenko was assassinated by a bomb blast in a Donetsk city cafe on August 31. Denis Pushilin, the chairman of the "people's council" was selected as the acting head until the November 11 vote to select a new leader. "First, you can't hold a legitimate election in a territory occupied by foreign forces," Volker told Current Time, which is run by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA. "Second, these are not legitimate authorities. These are illegal armed groups and political entities that were created by Russia and they have no place in the Minsk agreements, in the Minsk process. This is a step against the Minsk agreements," Volker said, adding that, if Russia recognizes the election, it "doesn't change anything." "What the Minsk agreements call for is security, a cease-fire, the withdrawal of heavy weapons, a removal of all illegal armed militias of which these [that want to hold elections] are part. ... And then the restoration of the territory to Ukrainian control. That's what the Minsk agreements call for, that's what we are supporting." Volker said that, although Russia has said it wants Ukraine to take steps in the direction of implementing a special status for the region, Kyiv can't do that as long as Moscow "occupies the territory." He said a peacekeeping force could establish security, create conditions of freedom of movement and peace, and protect the local population. Ukraine has been pressing for the introduction of United Nations peacekeepers in eastern Ukraine as long as they are placed along the border with Russia to monitor and ensure Russian troops and weapons do not come over the border to aid the separatists. Russia made a much narrower proposal in September 2017, saying it would support a limited UN peacekeeping mission to protect around 600 observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe who are on the ground in eastern Ukraine. Volker said the idea of having a peacekeeping force deployed in the region "is very viable" and would facilitate the implementation of the Minsk agreements. "We have proposed this, Ukraine supports it, the Normandy group [of foreign ministers from Germany, France, Russia, and Ukraine] supports it, the European Union, NATO, Canada, and Britain, everyone is in favor of sending in a UN-mandated peacekeeping mission. Only Russia is really blocking this." Volker said Moscow's argument is that a peacekeeping force should be negotiated with the de-facto separatist authorities, but since those authorities are there "only by Russia's hand, we need to be negotiating with the Russians, that's how we see it." Former police officer one of two shot outside Playa del Carmen bar Playa del Carmen, Q.R. Two people were shot outside a Playa del Carmen bar during the early morning hours of Thursday. One of the two was a former police officer. Police responded to a shooting at 2:00 a.m. outside Baby Hots bar on the federal highway on the corner of 6th Street north of the Ejidal neighborhood. Reports say that two people were shot at, one of which was a former police officers of the Fuerzas de Reaccion Inmediata. He died. There was no word on the second victim. The deceased has only been identified as a 30-year-old former officer. He died from a gunshot wound to the head. American Music AwardsAfter seeing Cardi B wearing a cheetah-print ensemble -- channeling her character in the '90s TV series The Nanny -- Fran Drescher now says she wants the I Like It rapper to appear with her in a potential reboot. Wouldnt she be great as my daughter? Drescher tells People.com. When Cardi traveled to Italy for Milan Fashion Week in September, she posted the cheetah photo on Instagram with the caption, Fran Drescher in @dolcegabbana. I was so flattered, the actress says of Cardis outfit. I just thought she paid homage to me." Cardi is in heavy demand: It's just been announced that she'll perform at the Electric Paradise Music & Arts Festival in the Dominican Republic on December 22. J Balvin, who is featured on I Like It, is also on the list of artists, as is Wiz Khalifa. The event will include three stages and present a mix of urban and EDM artists. Tickets are now on sale on the festival website. After winning three American Music Awards on Tuesday, Cardi is celebrating her 26th birthday today. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) President Rodrigo Duterte's political party will only field seven candidates for its senatorial slate in the 2019 midterm elections. On Thursday, PDP-Laban President Senator Koko Pimentel who seeks to win one of the 12 vacant Senate seats gave the names of the party's senatorial line-up. He said Special Assistant to the President Bong Go, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Bureau of Corrections Chief Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Francis Tolentino, Makati 1st District Rep. Monsour del Rosario, and Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Dong Mangudadatu will run for Senate in the May 2019 polls under PDP-Laban. Pimentel previously said Go was not interested to run in the Senate. Duterte, who is PDP-Laban Chairman, has also discouraged Roque from running, saying he will instead be offered a different post because he won't win a Senate seat. Pimentel added PDP-Laban also plans to endorse at least five guest candidates from different political parties. He did not name them, but said Duterte has given his "personal committment" to support them during the next polls. A BBC news chief has appeared in court to deny naming a Rotherham child sexual abuse victim. Arif Ansari (43), head of news at BBC Asian Network, pleaded not guilty at Sheffield Magistrates' Court today (Thursday). He was charged with publishing the name of a sex victim under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992. Victims of sexual offences have lifetime anonymity under the act. Ansari spoke only to confirm his address as BBC Portland Place, London, WC1, and entered his plea through his solicitor. A two-day trial is due to take place at the court on January 17 and 18. The quake hit about 200km (125 miles) south-west of the town of Rabaul at a depth of almost 40km. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said waves less than 30cm high could be expected on coastlines in Papua New Guinea and neighbouring Solomon Islands. Australias Tsunami Warning Centre said its coastlines were not at risk. Some tourists and residents ducked outdoors as a precaution but then went back to sleep when there was no tsunami warning. A Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected and there is no tsunami threat to Hawaii. Papua New Guinea sits on the geologically active Pacific ring of fire. The country is is still recovering from a magnitude-7.5 earthquake that hit around 900km to the west. A statement from the PTWC reads: Government agencies responsible for threatened areas should take action to inform and instruct any coastal populations at risk in accordance with their own evaluation. The island of Bali was also struck by a magnitude 6 earthquake on Thursday, the US Geological Survey said. The annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank are being held this week in Bali and attended by more than 19,000 delegates and other guests, including ministers, central bank heads and some leaders. Congress president Rahul Gandhi New Delhi (PTI), 11th Oct'18: Firing a fresh salvo at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi alleged on Thursday that he was a "corrupt man" who helped Anil Ambani pocket Rs 30,000 crore in the purchase of the fighter aircraft. Gandhi demanded an investigation against the prime minister. The Congress president also described Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's trip to France as part of a "huge cover-up" by the government. Rahul Gandhi accuses Modi of corruption in Rafale deal Advertisement His attack at the government came a press conference following a report in the French media that Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of Rafale, had to choose Ambani's firm Reliance Defence as its offsets partner in India as a trade-off for getting the deal. The government has been insisting that it had no role in the Dassault's choice of Reliance Defence. Dassault Aviation said in a statement that it has "freely chosen to make a partnership with India's Reliance Group". Capt Amarinder asks Cultural Affairs Dept to Finalise Modalities Spokesman News Service, Chandigarh (11th Oct'18): Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday directed the Tourism & Cultural Affairs department to finalize the modalities for installation of the bust of legendary French General Jean Francois Allard, who headed the cavalry Fauj-e-Khas of Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh, in Amritsar. The directive came during a meeting with a French delegation comprising Henri Prevost Allard, the deputy mayor of Saint Tropez in charge of Tourism & lineal descendant of General Allard, as well as Council president of Sikhs de France Ranjit Singh. Notably, Henri Allard is the fourth generation of General Allards lineage. Advertisement The initiative, said the Chief Minister, would help inculcate in the younger generation the knowledge of late Generals courage. A befitting tribute to the great military strategist, the bust would serve as a link in further strengthening the close ties between Saint Tropez and Punjab, and between France and India. The visiting delegation extended an invitation to the Chief Minister to be the Guest of honour at the annual gathering to be held at Saint Tropez in June next year, to propagate the rich legacy of India-French military history. Captain Amarinder thanked the delegation for the same but expressed his inability to attend due to his busy schedule in the forthcoming parliamentary elections. Responding to the request of the delegation, Captain Amarinder however agreed to attend the function to be held in Delhi during December this year for formal announcement of the annual gathering. The Chief Minister presented to the delegation members his book The Last Sunset, which chronicles the rise and fall of the Sikh Empire besides the events leading upto Anglo Sikh Wars and the exile of Maharaj Duleep Singh. Advertisement He also asked them to bring awareness amongst Frances younger generation on how the Punjabis held General Allard in high esteem due to his valiant deeds and enormous contribution in raising Maharaja Ranjit Singhs army, which ultimately resulted in the creation of the vast Sikh empire. It may be recalled that the bust of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was installed at Saint Tropez, the birth place of General Allard, in 2016 to promote a sense of goodwill, bonhomie and friendship between the two sides. On the occasion, the Chief Minister was accompanied by his Media Advisor Raveen Thukral and Principal Secretary Tejveer Singh. Punjabi Cultural Council condemns anti-Punjabi move of UT Admn Spokesman News Service, Chandigarh (11th Oct'18): The Chandigarh Administration leaving no stone unturned to corner the Punjabi language in the capital of Punjab where more than two dozen Punjabi speaking villages were razed and thousands of Punjabis were displaced to build this city. But the administrators at the helm are hell bent to replace the Punjabi language in elementary education during the ongoing recruitment of junior basic teachers (JBT). Expressing these views in a letter and strongly condemning this alienation towards the mother tongue by UT administration, the Punjabi Cultural Council has appealed to the Punjab Governor, who also holds charge of UT administrator, to immediately intervene into the matter to strike down this unilateral selection criterion by imposing his constitutional powers and protect the fundamental rights of the students. Advertisement In a letter to Governor, Punjabi Cultural Council has complained against Chandigarh education department for removing the necessary eligibility condition of Punjabi as a subject passed in tenth level examination for recruitment of 418 posts of JBT. "This outcome would create injustice to children by depriving them of their fundamental rights and taking away the right to education in their mother tongue", they rued. Aiming to protect the fundamental rights of getting elementary education in the mother tongue, Chairman, Punjabi Cultural Council, Harjeet Singh Grewal, has pointed out that how such non-Punjabi speaking teachers could impart education in Punjabi in primary schools, adding he said such intolerance approach of Chandigarh Administration towards Punjabi language would hamper the learning of Punjabi among the school children. Besides this, Punjabi Cultural Council has asserted that by relaxing earlier laid down rules for recruitment of JBT, many candidates without knowing Punjabi would become eligible in this selection process thereby putting the candidates of Punjab and Haryana states into a disadvantaged position. The Council has stated in its letter that tri-language formula have already been in place as the medium of education in all government schools of Chandigarh, that includes English, Hindi and Punjabi language. Advertisement "But due to the selection of non-Punjabi speaking teachers, children and their parents could be under stress to opt English or Hindi and Sanskrit as a medium of education alternative to Punjabi especially in fourth and fifth classes where two languages are compulsory to pass. It seems that the Chandigarh Administration is craving to impose any other language instead of their mother tongue on children residing in urban and rural areas of city", he lamented. The Punjabi Cultural Council has requested the Governor to put this selection criterion into trash as more than fifty percent of population in UT speaks Punjabi language. He appealed to the Punjab government, all political parties, social and religious organizations including writers and intellectuals to protect the mother tongue and make joint efforts to retain 60 percent quota of Punjab in Chandigarh. [Baghdad] Iraqs farmlands are declining due to lack of rainfall and depleted soils, a report by the countrys Central Bureau of Statistics has revealed. Wheat and barley were affected particularly hard, the report said, but it also observed a general decline in the yield per acre of Iraqs farmland due to off-season rainfall and dust storms. Wheat production was estimated at just over two million tons for the winter season of 2018, a 27% decrease from last year. The crop was cultivated on land totaling around 3,154 dunums (a traditional land measure, one dunum is equal to 2,500 square metres), down 25% to last year. Barley production also declined, the report found. This year, only around 191,000 tonnes were produced, a decline of 37% to 2017, and this was grown on 601 dunums of land, which is 27% less than the year before. Farmers said the main reason for their difficulties in growing wheat and barley was lack of water. Sabih Sawadi, who cultivates 100 dunums in Qalat Sukkar, a town in Dhi Qar district, said his land was not getting enough water to irrigate crops well enough to grow. Since 2003, there have been no financial allocations to monitor and address climate change and its impact on the Iraqi economy, agriculture and environment, Mohamed Hamza, Professor of water strategy, Duhok University Irrigating the plants requires large water pumps, which need very expensive fuel, he said, adding that tilling and harvesting were also expensive. Before the water crisis in the country, irrigation did not require any pumps. Sawadi added that the soil on his land has been getting more salty, due to the lack of regular rain. Haidar al-Assad, who sits on an advisory board for Iraqs ministry of agriculture, predicted that areas planted with wheat and barley crops will be halved during the 2018-2019 crop cycle. These areas cannot be used to grow other crops for the winter season unless they are wet or have access to artesian wells, which are very expensive, said Assad, who also heads the General Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations in Iraq. Due to the ongoing Iraqi civil war, the country lacks information on many of its most vulnerable regions, the report said. Conflict over water exacerbates problems in regions that are already seeing daily violence, making it difficult for surveyors to assess the scale of the problem. The reports authors did not obtain data from the districts of Nineveh, Anbar and Salah al-Din due to ongoing conflict in Western Iraq. For the same reason, Hawja district in Kirkuk and some villages in the Diyala district were also not monitored. The reports authors were not able to obtain data from the governments of Sulaymaniyah, Dohuk and Erbil in Kurdistan, they said. The government has little money to help farmers adapt to water scarcity and changing weather conditions, says Mohamed Hamza, a professor of water strategy at Duhok University. Since 2003, there have been no financial allocations to monitor and address climate change and its impact on the Iraqi economy, agriculture and environment, he said. In lieu of internal monitoring, Iraq relies on UN agencies such as the Food and Agriculture Organization, the development agency Unesco and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. In September 2017, the ESCWA held a meeting in Beirut, Lebanon, to discuss the impact of climate change on the Middle East. A report from the meeting was forwarded to the Iraqi ministry for water resources, but the minister in charge has not yet passed the matter on to the relevant strategic bodies, Hamza told SciDev.Net. Maha Rasheed, a researcher on water engineering at Degla University, specializes in water resources management in the Mesopotamian Marshes. She said that one solution to water scarcity would to be recycle more water from irrigation and households for agricultural purposes. But to do so, farmers and provincial governments need to improve collaboration with the ministry of water resources, she said. "Another solution is to rehabilitate old water networks, Rasheed said, adding that working with water-rich countries that share rivers and groundwater with Iraq should also take priority. [The government] needs to deal seriously with the riparian states to preserve Iraqs water rights, she said. This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Middle East & North Africa desk. Developing country journals face hurdles on the path to free-flowing knowledge. Fatima Arkin reports on efforts to boost quality. Vrushali Dandawate, head librarian at the AISSMS College of Engineering in Pune, India, is a tireless supporter of home-grown open-access (OA) journals. Given the chance, she will impress on anyone she works with librarians, researchers, teachers the many benefits of these journals over traditional ones that keep research papers behind a paywall. She will tell them how they more often publish papers in a local language, making the research accessible to a wider group of people; and how they tend to publish locally useful research, by scientists who may struggle to get their papers accepted by international journals. In June 2016, Dandawate became one of three India-based ambassadors for the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), a non-profit organisation headquartered in the UK that lists over 12,000 vetted scientific journals. The role gave her a bigger platform to spread her message. OA refers to publications that are freely available online to everyone, with minimal restrictions regarding reuse. Its a growing movement, and part of its goal is to democratise access to scientific knowledge. But despite the efforts of advocates around the globe in the past decades, the concept faces many hurdles to adoption in the developing world. Chief among them are finding a sustainable financing model and stiff competition with high-impact traditional publishers that remain attractive to many authors. Although many high-quality journals from the global South are openly accessible on several platforms, they continue to be undervalued, says Leslie Chan, director of Bioline International, an online aggregator of OA journals from developing countries. The use of paper citation metrics as the universal yardstick for assessing research quality in effect means using Northern values and standards to measure research everywhere, according to Chan. This has the effect of undermining local research [and] development needs, he explains. Still, funders continue to push against the traditional publishing model just this month, 11 European agencies announced a radical plan to make all research free to read on publication. And OA interest is growing throughout the developing world, according to DOAJ data. Indian OA journals have submitted 2578 requests since 2014 to be included in the DOAJ; Brazil clocked in at 2,048 requests, while Indonesia ranks first with 3,662 requests. But roughly half of the submissions get rejected, usually because of their low quality, Tom Olijhoek, editor-in-chief of the DOAJ, tells SciDev.Net. Quality seal Indias OA publishers are a case in point they have received more DOAJ rejections than any other countrys publishers in the past four years. The DOAJs criteria span five categories, ranging from the quality of the editorial process to copyright issues. A journal may be genuine but ill-informed about standards, or ill-equipped to meet them. Another, more sinister explanation is that India is home to a growing number of predatory journals exploitative publications that charge authors processing or publication fees, but provide little or no editorial rigour or production services. They simply publish the papers they receive whether they are good research or not, explains Dandawate. As a DOAJ ambassador, she has been educating OA editors and publishers across Southern Asia to tackle these problems, with funding from Canadas International Development Research Centre. The programme started with 15 ambassadors in 11 regions, and continues to this day. The DOAJ has become a reference for other initiatives designed to increase access to quality OA papers such as Research4Life, a public-private partnership between UN agencies, universities and publishers. Since 2015, Research4Life only indexes OA journals if they meet the DOAJs rigorous criteria for journal quality and are included in the directory. It is critical that Research4Life ensures that the journals we link to can be trusted to operate honestly and responsibly, says its director Richard Gedye. DOAJ may stand out for its capacity building and global scope, but is by no means the only open access platform. Other online collections include African Journals Online, the largest online collection of African-published, peer-reviewed scholarly journals, over half of which are OA, as well as SciELO and RedALyC, the two largest Ibero-American OA efforts, and Bioline International, which has existed for 25 years. But different world regions have different needs and varying success launching and running quality OA journals. Latin American pioneers Brazil, for one, has had more success with its homegrown OA journals than India. Less than 40 per cent of Brazilian OA journals are rejected on average, compared to DOAJs overall 50-per-cent rejection rate, according to Olijhoek. Latin American and Caribbean countries are indeed considered pioneers in OA publishing. Governments in the region have heavily invested in it: two-thirds of funding for OA initiatives in the region come from public and international cooperation funds, according to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). And since the late 1990s, the region has opened access to research results through journal portals and digital repositories such as the referral service Latindex. But the region still has a long way to go to create a sustainable, non-commercial OA model that keeps knowledge as a common good, says DOAJ ambassador Ivonne Lujano, a lecturer in higher education at the Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Mexico. Lujano has reviewed over 350 journals mostly published in Spanish and Portuguese from ten different countries in the region. She says that many of the issues publishers face are fundamentally tied to inequalities embedded in research and education systems. In particular, editorial staff often lack the digital literacy necessary to use and adapt online systems. In addition, they face language barriers to access concepts and tools that are only available in English Lujano lists several examples, including the DOI and COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines. And then there are staff shortages and budget constraints, symptoms of a system that doesnt offer substantial incentives for editorial work. In many cases the staff of a journal is [made up of] only one or two people multitasking, Lujano says. African buds Meanwhile, countries in Africa have made several advances over the past years. The continents DOAJ rejection rate is low, in part because many African journals are not ready to apply for inclusion. And most of the 200 African journals currently included come from a single country: South Africa. Others are struggling to make the transition from print to online and OA, according to Ina Smith, planning manager at the Academy of Science of South Africa and one of five DOAJ ambassadors on the continent. Smith says that in 2017, the Africa Academy of Sciences launched an OA publishing platform, dubbed AAS Open Research, geared exclusively towards scientists on the continent. Then in March 2018, the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Next Einstein Forum and the publishing giant Elsevier which has become a target for preserving what critics consider exploitative business models launched a mega-journal called Scientific African to expand access to African research. Smith says OA advocates on the continent are monitoring these large initiatives and their uptake. I am a bit concerned that both the AAS and Scientific African would over shadow the great work done by individual journals. But she concedes that working with native OA journals is sometimes challenging. Among the hurdles is the fact that OA is not high on the priority list of local researchers as in Latin America, editorial roles are often not rewarded, and the lack of sustainable business models means some journals stop publishing after only a few months. But like all the DOAJ ambassadors that SciDev.Net spoke to, Smith remains steadfast in her resolve to continue promoting open access in the region. Through publishing its own journals, Africa will demonstrate that it is prepared to take ownership and be accountable, and that it plays an important role in contributing to the global knowledge base, she says. 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. 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." 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. It is now possible to tell the story of human 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 the Maori." "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." The study was conducted in collaboration with scientists from Montana State University, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, the Landcare Research center of New Zealand and the University of Auckland. While millions of Americans took a break from their daily routines on August 21, 2017, to witness a total solar eclipse, they might not have noticed a similar phenomenon happening nearby: In the path of totality, bees took a break from their daily routines, too. In an unprecedented study of a solar eclipse's influence on bee behavior, researchers at the University of Missouri organized a cadre of citizen scientists and elementary school classrooms in setting up acoustic monitoring stations to listen in on bees' buzzing -- or lack thereof -- as the 2017 eclipse passed over. The results, published October 10 in the Annals of the Entomological Society of America, were clear and consistent at locations across the country: Bees stopped flying during the period of total solar eclipse. "We anticipated, based on the smattering of reports in the literature, that bee activity would drop as light dimmed during the eclipse and would reach a minimum at totality," says Candace Galen, Ph.D., professor of biological sciences at the University of Missouri and lead researcher on the study. "But, we had not expected that the change would be so abrupt, that bees would continue flying up until totality and only then stop, completely. It was like 'lights out' at summer camp! That surprised us." As anticipation mounted for the eclipse, "it seemed as if everyone and their dog was asking me what animals would do during a total eclipse," Galen says. However, few formal studies had ever examined the behavior of insects, specifically, during a solar eclipse, and none had looked at bees. Galen and colleagues, meanwhile, had recently field-tested a system to track bee pollination remotely by listening for their flight buzzes in soundscape recordings. "It seemed like the perfect fit," Galen says. "The tiny microphones and temperature sensors could be placed near flowers hours before the eclipse, leaving us free to put on our fancy glasses and enjoy the show." Supported by a grant from the American Astronomical Society, the project engaged more than 400 participants -- including scientists, members of the public, and elementary school teachers and students -- in setting up 16 monitoring stations in the path of totality in Oregon, Idaho, and Missouri. At each location, small USB microphones were hung on lanyards near bee-pollinated flowers in areas away from foot and vehicle traffic. In some of the locations, light and temperature data were also captured. Participants then sent the devices to Galen's lab, where the recordings were matched up with the eclipse periods from each location and analyzed for the number and duration of bee flight buzzes. The recordings didn't allow for differentiation between bee species, but participant observations indicated most bees monitored were bumble bees (genus Bombus) or honey bees (Apis mellifera). The data showed that bees remained active during the partial-eclipse phases both before and after totality, but they essentially ceased flying during the period of totality. (Just one buzz was recorded during totality in all of the 16 monitoring locations.) However, shortly before and shortly after totality, bee flights tended to be longer in duration than at times early in the pre-totality phase and late in post-totality. Galen and colleagues interpret these longer flight durations as an indicator of slower flight under reduced light or possibly as the bees returning to their nests. Bees commonly fly more slowly at dusk and return to their colonies at night, and so the same behavior triggered by a solar eclipse offers evidence about how they respond to environmental cues when those cues occur unexpectedly. "The eclipse gave us an opportunity to ask whether the novel environmental context -- mid-day, open skies -- would alter the bees' behavioral response to dim light and darkness. As we found, complete darkness elicits the same behavior in bees, regardless of timing or context. And that's new information about bee cognition," Galen says. Another total solar eclipse for North America is not far away: April 8, 2024. Galen says her team is working to enhance its audio-analysis software to distinguish the flights that foraging bees make when they leave or return to their colonies. Thus prepared, she hopes to answer the question of whether bees return home when the "lights go out" at totality in 2024. It likely won't be difficult to find willing citizen scientists and students to help out again. "The total solar eclipse was a complete crowd-pleaser, and it was great fun to hitch bee research to its tidal wave of enthusiasm," Galen says. Google Earth A brush fire sparked shortly before 3 p.m. Wednesday closed northbound lanes on U.S. 101 in San Jose and triggered a severe traffic alert, authorities said. California Highway Patrol and San Jose Fire responded around 2:42 p.m. to reports of a fire that started along the interstate and spread to the area east of 101 between Blossom Hill and Hellyer Avenue, threatening homes in the residential area across from the freeway. A San Francisco judge cast doubt Wednesday on a jurys $289 million damage award to a former Bay Area groundskeeper who was diagnosed with cancer after frequently spraying school grounds with a widely used weed-killer manufactured by Monsanto Co. Superior Court Judge Suzanne Bolanos said in a tentative ruling that she would likely overturn $250 million in punitive damages because there was no convincing evidence that Monsanto had knowingly manufactured a harmful product or acted despicably toward the plaintiff, Dewayne Lee Johnson. At a two-hour hearing later Wednesday, Bolanos suggested state law may also require her to throw out $31 million that jurors awarded for Johnsons reduced life expectancy. The companys lawyer, George Lombardi, argued that the entire verdict should be overturned because there was insufficient evidence that its herbicide, glyphosate, commonly marketed as Roundup, is dangerous or caused Johnsons cancer. Johnsons lawyer, Michael Miller, urged the judge to respect the jurys verdict. Bolanos did not announce a final ruling, but showed little indication during the hearing that she was reconsidering her tentative decision on punitive damages. Im not following your argument, she told Miller at one point after the lawyer said Monsanto had failed to properly test its product or study its effects. Glyphosate, the worlds leading herbicide, was classified as a probable human carcinogen in 2015 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an arm of the World Health Organization. California health officials also list the chemical as a cause of cancer. But the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has found it to be a safe product, and it remains legal in the United States and Europe. Johnson, now 46 and a Vallejo resident, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in October 2014 and with a more aggressive form of the cancer in March 2015. One of his doctors testified that he is unlikely to survive to 2020. He attended abut half of Wednesdays hearing and did not comment afterward. Nationwide, about 4,000 lawsuits have been filed against Monsanto by individuals who claim they were sickened by Roundup. Johnsons case was the first to go to trial. He was a groundskeeper and pest-control manager for the Benicia Unified School District from 2012 until May 2016. His job included spraying glyphosate, in the high-concentration brand called Ranger Pro, from 50-gallon drums 20 to 30 times a year for two to three hours a day. He testified he wore protective clothing, including a sturdy jacket, goggles and a face mask, but said he couldnt fully protect his face from wind-blown spray. And twice, he told the jury, he got drenched with the herbicide once when a spray hose became detached from a truck that was hauling it, and another time when a backpack container he was carrying leaked. After hearing further testimony from opposing medical researchers and physicians, the jury found unanimously in August that Monsanto was responsible for Johnsons illness and should have known of the dangers posed by glyphosate. In awarding punitive damages, the jury found that the company had acted with malice or oppression when it supplied the herbicide to Johnsons employer without disclosing its possible life-threatening effects, and when company officials failed to return Johnsons phone calls after he became ill. 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. But Bolanos, in her tentative ruling, said Johnsons lawyers presented no evidence that any Monsanto employee believed at any time that exposure to Monsantos (glyphosate) products cause non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Even if a Monsanto official deliberately ignored Johnsons queries, which the company denies, not returning a phone call does not rise to the level of despicable conduct, the judge said. At the hearing, she also questioned whether the largest portion of Johnsons remaining damage award, $1 million for each year of his life expectancy before the cancer diagnosis, was authorized by California law. Miller said state appellate courts have approved damages for loss of enjoyment of life for the years that are taken away from you. Not so, said Lombardi, Monsantos lawyer.The law is that you do not get awards of future economic damages for periods of time beyond your (current) life expectancy, he said. If Bolanos agrees, the damage award would be reduced to just over $8 million. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko Francine Williams describes herself as a Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday person. Those are the days that Williams, 63, sits for three hours at a time hooked up to a dialysis machine that filters toxins from her kidneys and pumps blood back into her bloodstream. Its been part of the Oakland residents routine for a decade and will continue to be unless she gets to the top of the kidney transplant list. Williams is one of nearly 68,000 Californians on dialysis. That number is expected to grow 5 percent each year as diabetes and obesity, two common risk factors for kidney failure, become more prevalent. It is also a big business one that major dialysis providers are spending tens of millions of dollars to preserve with their opposition to Proposition 8, a ballot initiative that would cap revenue for Californias dialysis centers. The measure is slated to go before voters Nov. 6. It is one of the most contentious and expensive measures this election cycle. Proponents, led by the health care union SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, have raised $20 million to secure its passage. A coalition of opponents, including dialysis clinics, has amassed nearly $94 million to stop it. The measure would limit dialysis clinics revenue to 15 percent more than the cost of staff, medical supplies, facilities and information systems. It excludes the salaries of managers and administrators from its definition of costs. If centers exceed the 15 percent limit, they would have to refund the money to health insurance companies that pay for the patients treatment; those refunds could reach up to several hundred million dollars, according to the Legislative Analysts Office. The initiative does not impose requirements on how insurance companies must spend the money. The changes would apply to all 588 dialysis centers in California, which collectively treat about 80,000 patients each month. Paul Kuroda/Special to The Chronicle The proposal was drafted by SEIU-UHW, which says its goal is for dialysis operators to invest in hiring more staff and improving the quality of care. The same union sought unsuccessfully to pass legislation that would have enacted similar revenue limits on dialysis centers by changing the way insurance companies and charitable organizations pay for the procedure. The bill, SB1156, was vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown in September. Other backers of Prop. 8 include the California Labor Federation, California Public Employees Retirement System and the state Democratic Party. The dialysis industry wont want to issue refunds to the insurance companies, said Sean Wherley, a spokesman for the union. One way to get around that is to pump the excess money in the care itself, hire new workers, buy new equipment. If the industry cared, theyll invest more money into patient care. You want them to spend it on their workers. Campaign 2018 For more election coverage, see The Chronicle's 2018 Voter Guide: sfchronicle.com/voter-guide See More Collapse Wherley said the union is focusing on dialysis clinics and not other providers of outpatient care because dialysis nurses and technicians had brought concerns about understaffing to their attention. Executives of dialysis centers oppose the measure, saying Prop. 8 would force them to operate at a loss, reduce services and potentially shut down some centers. A lobbying group formed to oppose the initiative, No on Prop. 8, estimates that the way the proposal defines costs amounts to just 69 percent of what it costs to actually run a dialysis clinic because it does not include paying for a medical director, nurse manager and clinical coordinator. The group includes the largest dialysis operators in the state DaVita, Fresenius Medical Care and Satellite Healthcare as well as the California Medical Association and California Hospital Association. Most of the groups funding comes from DaVita and Fresenius, which operate about 70 percent of the dialysis centers in the state. DaVita and Fresenius reported operating profit margins of 17 percent and 13 percent, respectively, in 2017, according to the companies annual reports. By comparison, the average operating profit margin of S&P 500 companies in 2017 was 15 percent. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Prop. 8 provides tremendous additional dollars to the insurance industry, while it essentially bankrupts the dialysis industry in California, said Rick Barnett, president and CEO of Satellite Healthcare, which runs 65 dialysis centers throughout the state. If you cant get reimbursed enough to cover your cost of care, you cant keep facilities open. This is where harm to patients happens. If dialysis centers respond by scaling back operations, some patients access to dialysis treatment could be disrupted, the Legislative Analysts Office found. Prop. 8 would significantly reduce dialysis centers profitability, the offices analysis said. But it is difficult to predict how the initiative would impact state and local government finances because much depends on how dialysis centers would respond to the new requirements. The fiscal impact could be anywhere from a net negative of tens of millions of dollars to a net positive of tens of millions of dollars. Patients are split over the issue. Brenda Grant, who receives dialysis at a DaVita clinic in Oakland, said patients would benefit if Prop. 8 prompted centers to hire more staff. There are not enough technicians to help unhook her from the machine if she needs to go to the restroom during her sessions, said Grant, 62, who has been on dialysis for four years. But Williams says she would prefer to see any rebates go toward researching a cure or measures to prevent kidney disease. She worries that if clinics see their revenue reduced, it would be patients who would suffer. In the long run, if there is a cut, the patients will be the brunt of it, Williams said. Maybe not tomorrow, but down the road. Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat_Ho Carpooling the cheapest, easiest way to solve traffic congestion remains stubbornly stuck in neutral. Americans love riding solo. Fewer than 10 percent share rides en route to work. Google wants to change that. The search engine companys Waze GPS traffic navigation division has been helping people arrange carpools in 13 states, including California, since 2016. On Thursday, Waze will roll out carpools nationwide and subsidize $2 rides for three weeks for new passengers, no matter how far theyre going. (Drivers will still get paid their standard rate, with Waze picking up the difference.) We want to reduce traffic and take cars off the road, said Josh Fried, Wazes head of carpool. Waze has another goal, too: prepare people to share rides in future self-driving cars, which are being developed by Google sister company Waymo. If everyone rides in their own self-driving car, that wont move the needle on traffic, Fried said. Were seeking behavioral changes to get people super-comfortable with the idea of waking up every day and taking a carpool to work. Waze said 1.3 million drivers have signed up to carpool, but didnt disclose how many are actually giving rides. The app facilitates thousands of carpools a day in California, Fried said. Growth has been strong, with number of rides doubling from the second quarter to the third quarter but without knowing how many rides there were, thats hard to evaluate. San Francisco resident Liza Strauss, who doesnt own a car, uses Waze Carpool for rides to her Palo Alto job. At $8 and 45 to 60 minutes each way, its almost half the price and time of taking Caltrain and Lyft. She generally ends up walking for a couple of minutes on each end to the meet-up or drop-off spot. She tends to get matched with some regulars. Ive established a relationship rapport with some of the drivers, she said. One favorite: a guy with whom she can practice her Mandarin on the way to work. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Waze Carpool works through an app that lets people input their home and work addresses and times they usually commute. It then offers matches. People can see photos and read reviews and star ratings for both riders and drivers, and can link to profiles on Facebook and LinkedIn. Rides can be scheduled up to seven days ahead. Fried suggests that riders and drivers spend a little time on Sunday setting up rides for the coming week. Drivers dont make a profit, but they can charge riders up to the IRS limit of 54 cents a mile, although many rides are cheaper. About 10 percent of drivers offer free rides just to get in the carpool lane, Fried said. Payments are handled through Google Pay. Waze, an advertising-supported app, doesnt make any money on the carpools, other than attracting more users to view ads. So far only drivers see ads either billboards that pop up when a car is stopped, or sponsored pins from local retailers on maps. While Waze Carpool is sometimes portrayed as a rival to ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft, Fried rejected that view. Our competition is people who are driving alone, sitting in their own car, cursing the traffic, he said. Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: csaid@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @csaid Ubers Jump Bikes unit has gotten a green light from San Francisco to add 250 electric bikes to its free-floating rental service, doubling its quota in the city. The No. 1 thing people have been asking for since we launched is more bikes, more bikes, I cant find a bike, said Ryan Rzepecki, CEO of Jump, which Uber acquired in April. It will be amazing to have more. Since starting service in January, the bright red e-bikes have averaged eight to 10 trips a day, he said. Rzepecki thinks usage will stay that high even with the new allotment. Jump plans to start adding more bikes immediately following the approval from the Municipal Transportation Agency and expects to be up to 500 within a week. (In September, it added 50 more in the Presidio, which is administered separately.) Most of the new cohort will go to the existing service area the north part of the city, extending west through the Richmond District and south to Bayview, and ending just short of North Beach. Some may go to adjacent neighborhoods, Rzepecki said. The MTA administers the 18-month pilot program under which Jump operates. Its mid-point evaluation was positive, finding that public demand for the shared e-bikes is high and complaints about them blocking sidewalks when parked are low. Jumps bikes must be locked to a pole or rack, reducing the chance that theyd sprawl across sidewalks. The MTAs only quibble was that some lower-income communities have reported under-service, although the agency said that 55 percent of Jump trips start or end in such communities. It will work with Jump to improve geographic equity and distribution, spokesman Ben Jose wrote in a blog post. Jump now operates about 4,000 e-bikes in 10 cities, including Santa Cruz, Sacramento, Santa Monica, Chicago, New York, Washington, Austin, Texas, Denver, and Providence, R.I. Rides average about 2.6 miles, which Rzepecki said shows that they are replacing car trips. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Riders can book a bike either through Jumps app or Ubers. Rzepecki said the majority of riders use Jumps app, but he expects to see more shift to Uber over time. Acquiring Jump is part of Ubers push into more forms of transportation other than cars. Through Jump, it applied unsuccessfully to run an e-scooter rental program in the city. Jump is now appealing its rejection. Rival Lyft likewise is branching into two-wheeled transport. It is buying Motivate, which runs the Ford GoBike docked rental program and other bike rentals, and it also applied unsuccessfully to rent e-scooters in San Francisco. Carolyn Said is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: csaid@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @csaid Sunday afternoon was one of the citys busiest. Fleet Week was under way, with Blue Angels zipping overhead. The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival had taken over Golden Gate Park with free live music. North Beach overflowed with crowds for the Italian Heritage Parade, and the Castro was transformed into a street fair. But tucked away in a little corner of Chinatown, a young mobile-gaming animator taught a traditional Chinese painting class to raise funds for her Japanese drumming class and for the handful of us who showed up, it was one of the best tickets in town. Thirty-seven-year-old Palo Alto resident Irena Kuo hosted and taught Sundays class in the lobby community room of the I-Hotel Manilatown at the corner of Kearny and Jackson streets, just across from Portsmouth Square. As I confirmed with Kuos mother, who assisted Irena as she patiently guided us, we were in a Filipino community space learning Chinese painting to raise money for Japanese drumming. Kuo took up taiko (Japanese drumming) three years ago and is a regular student at San Francisco Taiko Dojo, the first taiko group in North America. Founded by Grandmaster Seiichi Tanaka, SF Taiko Dojo is now celebrating its 50th anniversary, and in preparation for their big birthday show next month, the dojos organizers asked students to focus on fundraising efforts. Kuo stepped-up twofold she co-sponsored an art show and sale in the lobby of the I-Hotel that featured artwork inspired by taiko, and she ran Sundays painting class. Neither are likely huge moneymakers for the dojo, but Kuo is the kind of person who happily pitches in. Really, anyone who takes up a hobby like Japanese drumming just to get in a workout and meet new people is likely going to pretty fabulous anyway. Kuo set up three newspaper-covered folding tables in the lobby. She began the three-hour class with an introduction to the various tools wed be using namely brushes, black ink and calligraphy paper. Kuos mom had brought along a collection of Chinese art books that we used for our inspiration. A flat screen near the front door showed videos of past S.F. Taiko Dojo performances, and as we began our painting, we found ourselves accompanied by the soundtrack of Kuo and her classmates drumming away. As luck would have it, I ended up seated next to 48-year-old Ellie Yamakawa. Yamakawa was in town for a friends wedding and decided to take in a Chinese painting class before catching a red-eye flight home to Ann Arbor, Mich. Ill admit that one of the perks of this job is getting to meet people like Kuo and Yamakawa; people who fill their extra time with interesting hobbies, people who eagerly talk to strangers, people who show up for an off-the-beaten-path class just to kill time before a flight. I came back to San Francisco after almost 45 years, having lived here as a child, and I wanted to use my last day to engage in an activity, Yamakawa said. I didnt want to do something that was just run-of-the-mill touristy. When Kuo came by to admire our progress, she asked Yamakawa how it was going. Its such an honor to be here, honestly. Im pleased as punch, Yamakawa gushed. I think this is authentically a life-enhancing event. Taking the time to sit and practice one ancient art (Chinese painting) while learning a bit about another (Japanese drumming) was a peaceful and fulfilling way to spend a Sunday afternoon. And Id never planned on attending in the first place. Initially, I wanted to write about a trendy underground art and music show in the Mission, the kind of thing thats held at a secret location and involves a lot of intentional irony. But when I reached out to the organizers, they claimed they needed to preserve the sanctity of the event that they were selling tickets to on the internet. They had several other projects they felt I should cover instead. I rolled my eyes and luckily landed at the corner of Kearny and Jackson with a paintbrush in my hand. I painted bamboo plants and shared stories with an out-of-town stranger. Surrounded by art inspired by taiko, we laughed with Kuos mom and slid black ink across delicate white paper. Why would anyone want to be anywhere else? Beth Spotswoods column appears Thursdays in Datebook. Email: datebook@sfchronicle.com Brett Kavanaughs elevation to the U.S. Supreme Court could solidify its conservative majority for a decade or more and affect issues as profound as climate change, abortion, health care and the scope of presidential power. And for California, the stakes also include an array of pending and future legal battles on topics ranging from immigration to vehicle emissions, net neutrality and the 2020 census. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has filed or joined dozens of lawsuits challenging Trump administration decisions to roll back regulations issued under President Barack Obama. The administration, meanwhile, has sued the state over its sanctuary law, which limits cooperation between local police and federal immigration agents, and the net neutrality law that requires internet service providers to treat all traffic equally, rather than speeding up or otherwise favoring content from websites that pay more. Kavanaugh did not address most of those issues directly in his 12 years as a federal appeals court judge before President Trump nominated him in July to succeed the retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy. One exception involved nationwide net neutrality rules, which Kavanaugh voted to strike down in a dissenting opinion last year as a violation of providers free speech and an abuse of federal regulatory authority. That was before a Trump-appointed Federal Communications Commission majority repealed the rules. But Kavanaugh has given hints of how he would view some of the California cases should they make it to the court. He has been frequently skeptical of governments regulatory authority, often a critical issue in environmental cases. In rulings and academic writings, he has also been a strong supporter of presidential authority, saying a president who considers a law unconstitutional can refuse to enforce it. I think hell generally favor federal executive power over state authority, at least when that federal executive power is exercised by an administration with a deregulatory agenda, said Dave Owen, an environmental law professor at UC Hastings in San Francisco. But another Hastings environmental law professor, David Takacs, said Kavanaugh would have to weigh his deference to presidential authority against his commitment to federalism, or state autonomy. Kavanaugh would likely defer to executive branch decision-making, but also supposedly stands for a conservative view of states rights, Takacs said. Here is a look at some of the California cases: Immigration Sanctuary laws: In California, local governments, including San Francisco, and the state are locked in a legal battle with the administration over the the validity of the so-called sanctuary state law and U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions attempt to punish state and local governments that refuse to help enforce federal immigration laws. So far, federal courts have sided with the state and the local governments. Deportations: California has also joined in the fight to block the Trump administrations campaign to seal the nations borders and ramp up arrests and deportations of undocumented immigrants, and its attempt to deport more than 700,000 undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. The state has also sued to block the administrations cancellation of protections for 300,000 migrants who were permitted to live in the U.S. after their homelands were struck by wars or natural disasters. Lower courts have largely ruled in the immigrants favor. Outlook: The court has been divided on immigration, but it deferred to Trumps executive authority in the 5-4 ruling in June that upheld the presidents ban on U.S. entry from a group of mostly Muslim countries. Kavanaugh appeared to share that view of presidential authority in the handful of immigration cases he considered on the appeals court. In a 2008 case, he wrote in a dissenting opinion that illegal immigrant workers had no right to join a labor union, despite the majoritys contention that the Supreme Court had reached the opposite conclusion in 1984. He also wrote a dissent that would have prevented a Brazilian steak house from bringing chefs to the U.S. under a visa program that required specialized knowledge, disputing his courts majority view that the chefs cultural knowledge could be considered specialized. In another dissent, Kavanaugh said last year that an undocumented, pregnant 17-year-old did not have the right to an abortion while in federal immigration custody. I think (Kavanaugh) will generally be amenable to the federal governments enforcement efforts, providing wide deference to the executive, said Pratheepan Gulasekaram, a professor of immigration law at Santa Clara University. But he said the sanctuary cases, pitting federal against state and local authority, will reveal whether Kavanagh is a fair-weather federalist. Reproductive rights California has a stake in a reproductive-rights case that could reach the Supreme Court. The case involves a challenge to a Trump administration rule allowing employers to deny birth control coverage to women for religious or moral reasons. A Bay Area federal judge blocked enforcement of the rule in December, and a federal appeals court will hear the administrations appeal next week. Kavanaugh seems likely to side with the administration. In a dissent in 2015, he said employees and educators should be allowed to deny contraceptive coverage for religious reasons. And on a court that has been bitterly divided over abortion, Kavanaugh has made his position clear, both in his opinion on the undocumented immigrant seeking an abortion and in his recent praise of then-Justice William Rehnquists dissent in Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. Environment 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. California has sued the Trump administration for repealing rules that limited emissions of climate-heating methane gas from federal and tribal lands; restricted the pollution-prone drilling technique known as fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, on federally managed lands; and set new energy-saving standards for appliances such as portable air conditioners and building heaters. The state is also preparing for a court battle with the administration over its decades-old authority to set its own, stricter standards for vehicle emissions of greenhouse gases. The Environmental Protection Agency has announced plans to revoke Californias waiver and set a single standard for the nation. Attorneys for the state say the EPA has not provided a rational explanation for its action. Outlook: Kavanaughs record in environmental cases prompted the Sierra Club and other conservation groups to oppose his appointment. He wrote a ruling in 2015 that barred the EPA from requiring states to limit air pollution that is blown across state lines to their neighbors. That ruling was later partially reversed by the Supreme Court. Kavanaugh wrote another decision last year overturning an EPA rule that required manufacturers of products such as air conditioners and aerosols to stop using climate-changing ingredients called hydrofluorocarbons. The Supreme Court, with Kavanaugh not participating, denied an appeal of his ruling on Tuesday. UC Hastings Takacs noted that Kennedy had voted with the majority in the Supreme Courts most important environmental case in recent years, a 5-4 ruling in 2007 that authorized the EPA to regulate greenhouse gases as a form of air pollution. Kavanaugh, Takacs said, mostly likely would have voted the other way. Census California is one of several states challenging the Trump administrations plan to ask participants in the 2020 census whether they are U.S. citizens, a question that was last included in 1950. The administration says the inquiry would aid in enforcement of civil rights laws, but opponents say it is intended to reduce participation in high-immigrant states, costing them congressional representation and billions of dollars in federal funds. Outlook: The case will test the courts deference to executive authority. The justices could tip their hand shortly if they grant the Trump administrations request to block states from questioning Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and another official about their motives in adding the citizenship question. Net neutrality The Trump administration has sued California in a federal court in Sacramento over its new law. The critical issue appears to be whether a states attempt to regulate internet service providers interferes with interstate commerce, which is in the federal governments domain although Trumps Federal Communications Commission members disavowed any regulatory authority of their own. Kavanaughs argument last year that the regulation violates free speech could give the court a formula for striking the law down altogether. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko The mysterious disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last week continues to look more ominous and more disturbing. Turkish investigators have suggested that Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi government, may have been killed inside the consulate by a squad of Saudi men who came to Turkey to carry out the execution. President Trump on Wednesday called it a bad situation that were going to get to the bottom of. The U.S. needs to spare no tools at its disposal to assist the investigation and pressure the Saudi royal court to come clean with what it knows and what it can find out about what happened to Jamal Khashoggi, as our editorial states. Ink by the barrel: Rep. Devin Nunes, the Trump sycophant and House Intelligence Committee chair who has played goaltender for the White House against attempts to aggressively investigate Russian collusion and other matters, has all but declared war on his local newspaper, the Fresno Bee. How dare those journalists do their jobs by pointing out the congressmans acceptance of lavish gifts, the shift of his family farm to Iowa or the fact he hasnt attended a public forum in the district in eight years? Kudos to Lauren Gustus, a McClatchy honcho, for having the backs of Bee reporters: The Fresno Bee was here long before Nunes. And it will be here long after. Will the expiration date on Nunes tenure be Nov. 6? Sign up for the newsletter Want to get the latest San Francisco Chronicle Editorial Board opinions in your inbox? Subscribe to Opinion Central. See More Collapse Not-So-Great-Debates: What a letdown and what a disservice to voters. In case you missed it and the two frontrunners are making it easier to do California has a governors race and U.S. Senate race on the November ballot. Yet neither Gavin Newsom nor Dianne Feinstein would agree to debate his and her opponent on statewide television. Newsom debated Republican John Cox at 10 a.m. Monday morning on radio only (more on that later). Feinstein only agreed to a debate with fellow Democrat Kevin de Leon next Wednesday, Oct. 17, at noon at the Public Policy Institute of California in San Francisco. It will be live-streamed, but lets face it: This is no substitute for a televised debate, with working journalists on the panel, at an hour when many Californians actually would be home to watch. Lock her up? Not her, silly. This time, that familiar Trump rally chant was directed at Sen. Dianne Feinstein, as our new Washington correspondent Tal Kopan reports. BTW, havent Republicans been complaining about angry mobs and incivility from Democrats lately? What were saying A runaway from start to finish: Newsom clearly got the best of Cox in the KQED debate moderated by Scott Shafer (who asked good questions and did a fine job of keeping the candidates succinct and on point). Our editorial and my podcast chat with ace political reporter Joe Garofoli run through the highlights and lowlights of the only face-to-face gubernatorial debate of the general election. Check out our Voter Guide! Check out our recommendations for the Nov. 6 election, along with a rich trove of background stories about the candidates and the propositions. Share it with friends! Heres the link. Credibility crisis: Editorial writer Josh Gohlke speaks for our board in a perceptive Wednesday editorial on the implications for the court and the country on Brett Kavanaughs ascent. Who were seeing House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi met with our editorial board Wednesday. We covered a lot of territory and hit some of the highlights in a Facebook Live interview afterward with editorial writer Caille Millner and me. The big question: Does she intend to remain in top leadership regardless of which party controls the House after the election? We also get her thoughts on whether a blue wave is imminent. Hint: Shes optimistic and she does want to regain the speakers gavel. Now Playing: House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi on the midterms, Kavanaugh, and other political issues, in an interview with Editorial Page Editor John Diaz and Chronicle columnist Caille Millner. What Im reading The Fifth Risk: I just finished yet another fine book by bestselling author Michael Lewis. As I state in my just-posted review (which will be in the Sunday Pink section), It takes a writer of uncommon skill and perception to engage readers in a book about the federal bureaucracy when the nations attention is fixated on the presidents tweets, scandals and moves to stack the Supreme Court and delegitimize democratic institutions. Yet Michael Lewis rises to the challenge. Where to follow us We have a new Twitter channel, Opinion Central (@sfc_opinions). Please add it to your stream. Youll catch our editorials and opinion pieces, as well as our drive-by comments on assorted subjects in the news. Also, please add our Opinion Central podcast to wherever you receive yours. This is the place for backstories and commentary with our opinion writers and special guests. Letter of the Week Just to show that nothing gets by our readers, check out this one from Mike Dela Cruz of Daly City: Let it be known that on Oct. 8, 2018 Indigenous Peoples Day the Cleveland Indians, the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Redskins all lost their respective games. Oh, the delicious irony of it all. And please check out our other letters of the day responding to this and other matters. You can send us a letter via this form. Just a reminder The Chronicles editorials represent the collective judgment of our Editorial Board, which includes the publisher as well as the writers and editors from the opinion team. Our editors and reporters on the news side are not involved in those decisions (including election endorsements). They and are charged with reporting fairly and objectively without regard to our editorial positions. It is one of the core values here at Fifth and Mission streets. Opinion Central is a thrice-weekly newsletter from John Diaz, The Chronicles editorial page editor, and the rest of the Editorial Board. Follow him on Twitter: @JohnDiazChron Over the past few years, San Francisco has worked hard to eliminate public encampments and to urge those who live on the street to come indoors. But due to the citys own lack of shelter, it may have just lost one of its tools to bring people in from the cold. The San Francisco district attorneys office has suspended new citation prosecutions for people who are caught sleeping on the streets or in other public places. The decision has a solid legal basis. Last month, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled in a Boise, Idaho, case that cities cant charge people for sleeping on the streets without offering them an alternative place to go. Simply banning them from sleeping in public space, the court ruled, amounted to a violation of the Eighth Amendments prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. The courts ruling is sensible: a citys only solution to homelessness cannot be putting people in jail. It is not, and cannot, be against the law to be indigent. That brings us to San Francisco, a city which issues citations for sleeping in buildings and vehicles. George Gascon, San Franciscos district attorney, has good reasons to be concerned about the courts ruling. San Francisco is currently lacking in both temporary and permanent housing for homeless residents. The wait list for shelter beds continually hovers around 1,000 people. Theres also a serious shortage of permanent supportive housing for homeless people. San Francisco is certainly aware of its shortfall. Mayor London Breeds goal is to add 1,000 new shelter beds by the end of 2020. Her office also recently announced its successful application for more federal support to permanently house its disabled homeless population. But good intentions are one thing, and following the law is another. Gascons office said its waiting for the local courts to weigh in on the Ninth Circuit Courts decision. San Francisco officials must take advantage of this moment to consider ways they can manage homelessness without resorting to citations. One increasingly clear consideration is the fact that the citys housing crisis is affecting every option. 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. Trapped in a Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, an exiled journalist may have been killed and chopped up with a bone saw by a team of goons on orders from the Saudi government. Thats the chain-saw-movie plotline suggested by Turkish police. The disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor and critic of Saudis ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, hammers the message that Saudi leaders know no boundaries in going after enemies. The episode strains belief, but it shouldnt. The youthful Saudi prince has gone on a tear, detaining rivals, launching a horrific war in Yemen thats killed thousands of civilians, and cozying up to the Trump White House, which has reciprocated with support and promises of military weapons. The president chose the country for his first overseas trip after taking office. Tolerating this regime has left the White House stone silent on many of its human rights abuses. The alleged Istanbul consulate incident is only the most graphic and recent that should make Washington wonder what its set loose in the Middle East. In opinion pieces for the Post, Khashoggi blasted the war in Yemen, a diplomatic fight with Canada and the treatment of women. As a legal resident of the U.S., his disappearance is a matter of concern for this nation. Trump is finally taking an interest after playing it down. This is a bad situation, he said. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said hes asked Saudi officials for an explanation. Pressure from a bipartisan band of lawmakers in Congress should help compel the White House to push harder for answers or face consequences. This disturbing situation once again raises the question: Are the Saudis really a friend or foe of the U.S. and its values? 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. Rapid, unprecedented changes in all aspects of society are required to limit temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2040, state U.N. climate change scientists. They predict even more extreme hot or cold temperatures, frequent intense, heavy precipitation, and loss of all coral reefs if temperatures rise 2 degrees. Gov. Jerry Brown is advancing those unprecedented societal actions, exclaiming at the closing of his Global Action Summit last month, Were launching our own damn satellite. He said, This groundbreaking initiative will help governments, businesses and landowners pinpoint and stop destructive emissions with unprecedented precision, on a scale thats never been done before. In sharp contrast to promises of future action, successful updating of the Bay-Delta Plan today is in peril. A primary goal of the changes proposed by the State Water Resources Control Board is restoration of river flows to protect salmon. The Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon were listed as threatened in 1999 and the Sacramento River fall-run Chinook salmon listed as threatened in 1990 and endangered in 1994. Today, all our Central Valley salmon runs are threatened as never before. A dramatic decline in the once-thriving populations of native fish species that migrate through and inhabit the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta has brought salmon to the brink of extinction. In 1984, for example, about 70,000 fall-run Chinook salmon adults returned to the San Joaquin Basin. The number of returning adults dropped to 40,000 in 2010 and to just 8,000 in 2014. Salmon survival is largely dependent on timely, adequate flows of water from tributaries, through rivers, the delta, and out to sea under the Golden Gate. In this moment, unless the state water board takes action under federal and state authority to protect necessary flows to restore salmon, we are likely to lose these iconic fish. After nearly 10 years of analyses and expert testimony, the water board released the Lower San Joaquin River Flow Objectives and Southern Delta Salinity Objectives. The primary recommendation is Maintain 40 percent of unimpaired flow, with an allowed adaptive range between 30 percent to 50 percent inclusive, for the Stanislaus, Tuolumne and Merced rivers from February through June. A future recommendation for 50 percent of unimpaired flow in the Sacramento River watershed is expected. Agricultural water users strongly oppose this proposed regulation. Westland Water District argues the plan will devastate farms and communities. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission says the proposal will have serious effects on the people who rely on the Hetch Hetchy Water and Power System. The state departments of Water Resources and Fish and Wildlife are advancing a voluntary settlement agreement. A July 27 letter from the two departments concludes that negotiations with stakeholders ...while difficult and slow, show great promise and the Brown administration has advised that flows outside the 30 percent to 50 percent range would be acceptable in a settlement. Neither department has a track record that makes a claim of effective action under a voluntary agreement credible. Existing obligations to restore flows and fish populations in the San Joaquin River have not been fulfilled. The Department of Fish and Wildlife has made only the slightest progress under its long-established responsibility to determine required instream flows to protect public values, including fish. Even when water users have deep financial interests, decisions and results are very slow as seen in the decades-long slog through numerous delta programs Cal Fed, the Bay Delta Conservation Program, and Water Fix (the governors twin tunnels plan). The board has sought to strike a better balance in water uses in the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers for decades. Proposed regulations developed over years of analysis and testimony stalled or weakened under pressure from users for more water. It now appears that we are at the brink of deja vu all over again. The constants in this history are increased diversion of water, decline of salmon, and fear to use the authority of the State Water Resources Control Board. Yes, the board-proposed unimpaired flows rules will have effects. So, too, will whatever policies need to be adopted and implemented to actually address climate change projected to bring both longer droughts and more intense, flashier storms for which we are not prepared. In truth, all of us and salmon would benefit from adopting more conservative assumptions about how much water we have to work with in a world that must adapt to climate change. Can we protect the boards authority to act? Failure to act today erodes credibility of promised future actions. John Kirlin served as executive director of Delta Vision. He is now distinguished professor and founding director, public policy programs, at University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. In a major coup for Bay Area outdoors recreation, the best trail camps at Big Basin Redwoods State Park and in the Santa Cruz Mountains will stay open through fall and winter. The decision by California State Parks affects eight trail camps with about 50-hike-in sites at five state parks in the Santa Cruz District. Highlights include Big Basins Sunset Camp, located within a mile of the Berry Creek Canyon and its three sensational waterfalls, and several campgrounds along the 34-mile Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail. This is a game-changer for many. In recent years, the regions trail camps closed at the end of October and did not reopen until May 1, six months of downtime. Keeping the trail camps open in winter was proposed two years ago, and a state-park committee approved it on the condition of reduced services. No trash or toilet-paper service will be provided to campers until May 1, a rule designed to keep park vehicles out of the backcountry to avoid possible damage to service roads. Those six months can be the best time of the year to venture into the Santa Cruz Mountains. The weather in the fall is often the best of the year, the creeks and waterfalls peak from late December through March, and the redwoods and forest understory are the most vibrant with fresh life in April. During the same six months in the mountains, snow and sub-freezing temperatures shut down the high Sierra, Cascade, Siskiyou and Trinity ranges. That magnifies the value of the greater Bay Area regions trail camps. Part of the win includes Slate Creek Trail Camp in Portola Redwoods State Park. Slate Creek is on the route to the Bay Areas Lost World, the distant Peters Creek Grove of old-growth redwoods. Instead of a grueling day with a long curvy drive and a 12.5-mile round trip hike, the trail camp can make it a two-day weekend getaway. Other camps in the region that are staying open include Waterman Gap Trail Camp at Castle Rock State Park (the choice for a first-nights camp for those hiking the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail), plus Jay, Lane, and Twin Redwoods (also on the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail) at Big Basin Redwoods, and Butano Trail Camp. Butano (outside of Pescadero) offers a 5.5-mile, one-way hike, with a 1,500-foot climb through a redwood canyon to the campsites. They are nestled in forest just below the rim of the west-facing slope (note: the most popular campsite is No. 7). A great side trip is heading north on the Butano Rim to an abandoned dirt landing strip, now sprinkled with some trees and bushes. At its leading edge, theres a view to the west out the canyon to the coast with a glimpse of the ocean. Across the region, two trail camps will close at the end of the month: Alder near Rancho del Oso on Highway 1 near Ano Nuevo (although Twin Redwoods, a nearby option, will remain open) and Kirby Cove walk-in trail camp on the Marin Headlands. Major trail camps Marin: Angel Island State Park, www.parks.ca.gov, reserve at www.ReserveAmerica.com; Point Reyes National Seashore, www.nps.gov/pore, reserve at www.recreation.gov; Marin Headlands, www.nps.gov/goga, reserve at www.recreation.gov (some sites are first-come, first-served). East Bay hills: Trail camps are available in Sunol-Ohlone Wilderness, Black Diamond, and five other East Bay Regional Park District properties, www.ebparks.org; download reservation request form from website, info at (888) 327-2757, option 2. SF Peninsula: Black Mountain, Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, apply for permit at www.openspace.org. Santa Cruz Mountains: Trail-camp coordinator, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, 831-338-8861, see availability by date and site at www.parks.ca.gov/scmtrailcamps. Santa Clara County: Henry W. Coe State Park, Morgan Hill/Gilroy, first-come, first-served, (408) 779-2728, www.parks.ca.gov. Backcountry detour There's a saying in the backcountry that if you take a wrong turn and are forced to make a detour or get lost for a while, that's the best thing that could happen. You are forced to spend more time doing exactly what you came for. At Big Basin Redwoods State Park, that outlook might help hikers who venture through the park on the 34-mile Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail, to Berry Creek and its three backcountry waterfalls, or to the Sunset Trail Camp. The direct route from Big Basin headquarters to Berry Creek Falls, 4.7 miles on the Skyline-to-the-Sea Trail, has been closed since winter. El Nino-saturating rains and pounding winds toppled hundreds of trees and set off a landslide that buried a 400-yard section of trail in downed redwoods and mud. To reach Sunset Trail Camp and the nearby waterfalls, you now detour on the Sunset Trail into the park's most remote reaches. You emerge at Sunset Camp, turn left on the Berry Creek Falls Trail and drop into the canyon, top to bottom. That makes it a round trip of 12.6 miles, out and back. This is an ambitious day, including the drive, especially when the days shorten as winter approaches. It is also why reservations for Saturday nights at Sunset are among the most desirable of any of the trail camps in the region: just split the adventure into two days of paradise, not one. - Tom Stienstra See More Collapse Bay Area trail camps remain in demand on Friday and Saturday nights through fall. Even in winter, you must play the reservation game to book a site at Sunset in Big Basin Redwoods, Wildcat and Sky at Point Reyes National Seashore, and at Angel Island State Park. At Glen Camp at Point Reyes and Sunrise Camp at Angel Island, for instance, the next Friday night with even a single site available is Nov. 9. Other camps at Point Reyes are booked full on Friday and Saturday nights until Thanksgiving. The rest of the week, Sundays through Thursdays, you can have your pick anywhere, from Point Reyes to Big Basin Redwoods, and everywhere in between. This fall and winter, with the new approach by state parks in the Santa Cruz Mountains, it will stay that way. Tom Stienstra is The San Francisco Chronicles outdoor writer. His Outdoor Report can be heard at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 12:35 p.m. Saturdays on KCBS (740 and 106.9). Email: tstienstra@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @StienstraTom Upcoming political events in the Bay Area. SATURDAY Red to Blue phone bank: Swing Left SF and Democracy Action hold a phone bank to support Democratic candidates in California congressional districts 10 and 21. 1-5 p.m., 2390 Market St., San Francisco. More information is here. SUNDAY D4 supervisor forum: Candidates for supervisor in San Francisco District Four take part in a forum sponsored by the Outer Sunset/Parkside Residents Association. 6-8:30 p.m., Lawton Alternative School, Lawton Street between 30th and 31st avenues, San Francisco. More information is here. Getting out the vote: Discussion and networking session on getting out the midterm vote. Speakers include Kimberly Ellis, former executive director of Emerge CA; Amy Everitt, state director for NARAL Pro-Choice America; and Scott Forman, founder of Vote Forward.$10. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., AnswerLab, 575 Market St., Suite 2600, San Francisco. More information is here. Postcarding and text-banking: A postcarding, text-banking and letter-writing event for progressive candidates, sponsored by Indivisible SF. 4-7 p.m., Standard Deviant Brewing, 280 14th St., San Francisco. More information is here. MONDAY S.F. school board forum: Candidates for San Francisco school board take part in an election forum. 6:30-8:30 p.m., Ruth Asawa School of the Arts, 555 Portola Drive, San Francisco. More information is here. Constitutional democracy: Aziz Huq, law professor at the University of Chicago, discusses his book How to Save a Constitutional Democracy at the Commonwealth Club. $15 for nonmembers, $10 for students. Noon-1 p.m., 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here. Kevin Powell: Activist and writer discusses his new collection of essays, My Mother. Barack Obama. Donald Trump. And the Last Stand of the Angry White Man. $15. 7-9 p.m., California Institute of Integral Studies, 1453 Mission St., San Francisco. More information is here. TUESDAY D4 supervisor forum: Candidates for San Francisco supervisorial District Four participate in a forum sponsored by the Outer Sunset/Parkside Residents Association. 6-8:30 p.m., Ortega Branch Library, 3223 Ortega St., San Francisco. More information is here. New radical majority: D.D. Guttenplan, editor at large for the Nation, and Rabbi Michael Lerner lead a discussion on the rise of a radical new majority in the U.S. $12 in advance, $15 at the door. 7:30 p.m., St. Johns Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave., Berkeley. More information is here. Winning Richmond: Former Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin discusses her new memoir, Winning Richmond: How a Progressive Alliance Won City Hall. Free. 7-8:30 p.m., the Green Arcade, 1680 Market St., San Francisco. More information is here. WEDNESDAY Youth vote: New voters and organizers discuss the Nov. 6 election, in an event sponsored by Youth Radio. 5:30-7:30 p.m., Youth Radio arts venue, 1719 Broadway, Oakland. Free. More information is here. Nicaragua: James Quesada, anthropology professor at San Francisco State University, discusses the violence in Nicaragua in response to the April 19 uprising. Free. 1-2 p.m., Room 525, Fine Arts Building, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave. More information is here. New citizens: Volunteer to help new citizens to register to vote after morning and afternoon ceremonies. 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. More information is here. THURSDAY Hacking politics: Keynote address for weekend conference on how the political system is being hacked. Sponsored by UC Berkeley Center for New Media, SFMOMAs Public Knowledge Initiative, the UC Berkeley School of Journalism and Boalt School of Law. Free. 6 p.m., Phyllis Wattis Theater, SFMOMA, 151 Third St., San Francisco. More information is here. Symposium runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 19 at 310 Banatao Auditorium, Sutardja Dai Hall, UC Berkeley. More information is here. Berkeley voter information: UC Berkeleys Science Policy Group hosts a voter information night, focuses on state ballot initiatives. 5:30-8:30 p.m., Anthony Hall, UC Berkeley. More information is here. FRIDAY Socialists and the midterms: A socialist analysis and discussion of the midterm elections, including a report on organizing for state Proposition 10 for rent control. 7 p.m., 2969 Mission St., San Francisco. More information is here. OCT. 20 Race and politics: Panel discussion on the impact of race in politics. Sponsored by the African American Community Health Advisory Committee and the African American Library Advisory Committee. 2-4 p.m., San Mateo Public Library, 55 West Third Ave. More information is here. Red to Blue phone bank: Swing Left SF and Democracy Action hold a phone bank to support Democratic candidates in California congressional districts 10 and 21. 1-5 p.m., 2390 Market St., San Francisco. More information is here. OCT. 23 Women in leadership: Former U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer and University of California President Janet Napolitano discuss opportunities and challenges for women in leadership. Moderated by Politico California Playbook senior writer Carla Marinucci. Free. 4-5:30 p.m., Banatao Auditorium, UC Berkeley. Registration and more information are here. Rick Wilson: Republican strategist and Daily Beast columnist discusses dark politics in the age of Trump. Sponsored by the Commonwealth Club. $30 for nonmembers, $10 for students. Noon-1 p.m., 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here. Mark DeSaulnier: Town hall meeting hosted by Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord. 6:30-8 p.m., Lovonya DeJean Middle School multipurpose room, 3400 Macdonald Ave., Richmond. More information is here. OCT. 25 Max Boot: Council on Foreign Relations senior fellow and Washington Post columnist discusses his book The Corrosion of Conservatism: Why I Left the Right at the Commonwealth Club. $25 for nonmembers, $10 for students. Noon-1 p.m., 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here. OCT. 26 Julian Castro: Former Housing and Urban Development secretary and former mayor of San Antonio, Texas, speaks at the Commonwealth Club. $30 for nonmembers, $10 for students. Noon-1 p.m., 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here. OCT. 30 Chronicle on the midterms: The propositions, the battles, the blue wave? Chronicle columnists Heather Knight and Phil Matier and senior political writer Joe Garofoli discuss the midterm elections. Moderated by Editor-in-Chief Audrey Cooper. $15, $5 for students. 6:30-8 p.m., Grand Theater, 2665 Mission St., San Francisco. More information is here. OCT. 31 Effective progressive politics: Tom Temprano, a City College of San Francisco trustee and legislative aide to Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, on how to become an effective progressive politician. Free. 2-3:15 p.m., Room 304, Humanities Building, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave. More information is here. NOV. 1 Teaching about homelessness and gentrification: Poverty scholars Leroy Moore and Lisa Tiny Gray-Garcia of Poor Magazine present strategies for how to educate children, youth and adults about poverty, homelessness, racism, disability and displacement. Free. 7 p.m., Humanities Building Poetry Center, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave. More information is here. Latinx: Author and journalist Ed Morales discusses the political and cultural challenges for the growing Latinx population in the U.S. Free. Mechanics Institute, fourth-floor meeting room, 57 Post St., San Francisco. More information is here. NOV. 7 Jeffrey Rosen: Scholar and author examines constitutional questions and the post-Anthony Kennedy Supreme Court. Sponsored by Commonwealth Club. $25 for nonmembers, $10 for students. 6:30-7:30 p.m., 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here. NOV. 8 Susan Rice: Former President Barack Obamas national security adviser and U.N. ambassador discusses U.S. foreign policy priorities and national security interests. Sponsored by the World Affairs Council. $40 for nonmembers, $10 for students. 6:30-7:30 p.m., Marines Memorial Theater, 609 Sutter St., San Francisco. More information is here. To list an event, email Politics Editor Trapper Byrne at tbyrne@sfchronicle.com California Sen. Dianne Feinstein and state Sen. Kevin de Leon will finally share a stage next Wednesday in their first and probably only face-to-face meeting of the waning campaign for Senate. Exactly what that matchup will be, however, depends on whos talking. For Feinstein, the noon event at San Franciscos Public Policy Institute of California will be a debate in a traditional format, available to people across the state via a live, online video feed. Thats not quite the way the institute sees it. Officials there describe it as a conversation with candidates for the U.S. Senate, saying Democrats Feinstein and de Leon will participate in a discussion about their vision for the state and nation, moderated by Mark Baldassare, the institutes president. That may be an event, but its no debate, traditional or otherwise, said Jonathan Underland, a spokesman for de Leons campaign. In the more-relaxed format, the two candidates will be seated on a stage, with Baldassare between, asking questions without a strict time limit. When you think of a traditional debate, the candidates are standing on a stage with answers that are short and not three minutes long, Underland said. And you want it televised, so people up and down the state can watch. The timing of the debate is also a problem, said Underland. He said de Leons campaign has been trying to arrange a debate with Feinstein almost since the June primary election that saw the incumbent finish ahead of the second-place de Leon, 44 percent to 12 percent. The timing of the debate in the middle of a weekday is a major disservice to voters, Underland said. Its in the middle of the month, ballots have dropped and people already are voting. The complaints are nonsense, said Bill Carrick, a spokesman for Feinstein. If the two candidates are on the stage at the same time, its a debate, he said. Having the encounter sponsored by a nonpartisan organization avoids problems that can arise if a single media outlet runs a debate, Carrick said. This will be streamed live to everyone on a videotape that will be available for anyone to use after the debate, he said. Anyone can cover it, and every option is available to cover the debate. Although a number of California groups had volunteered to host a debate, Feinsteins availability has been limited, Carrick said. As the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, much of her time has been taken up with the Supreme Court nomination battle over Justice Brett Kavanaugh, he said. Not that Feinstein has ever been overly interested in debates. Next weeks meeting with de Leon will be her first one-on-one appearance with an opponent since she debated Republican Tom Campbell in 2000. John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuth House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi flatly rejected the possibility that Democrats would try to impeach Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh if they take control of the chamber, even as she excoriated Republicans for the way they confirmed him to the position. No, I dont, the San Francisco Democrat said Wednesday when asked if she thought impeaching Kavanaugh would be productive. Its not about impeaching him. Pelosi is the front-runner to regain the speakership if Democrats gain a net of 23 seats in the November elections and take the House. Democrats would gain control over all House committees if they win a majority. Last week, the New York Democrat who would be in line to chair the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jerry Nadler, told the New York Times that Democrats would investigate whether Kavanaugh had committed sexual misconduct or perjury if they gain control of the House. But Nadler said Democrats were not eager to pursue impeachment. No Democrat in Congress has called for impeaching Kavanaugh, although a few have raised the possibility. Among them was Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance (Los Angeles County), who tweeted last month, when Kavanaugh was still a federal appeals court judge, that the House Judiciary Committee must immediately start an investigation into Judge Kavanaugh to see if he should be impeached. The process to impeach a Supreme Court justice is the same as presidential impeachment it requires a majority vote of the House to initiate and a two-thirds vote of the Senate to confirm. In an interview with The Chronicles editorial board, Pelosi said Kavanaugh should no more be there than fly to the moon, but she said it was a done deal that hes on the court. She said that was a plus for her party politically heading into the midterms, but one Democrats would rather not have. She had harsh words for Republicans treatment of California Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Palo Alto University Professor Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Kavanaugh of trying to rape her when they were both teenagers. It really had an impact on me physically, Pelosi said. Im never surprised in politics, but that was really something, that they took pride in being so disrespectful. Several Republicans, including President Trump, have accused Feinstein of leaking a letter that Ford wrote to her in July in which she spelled out her allegations and asked for confidentiality. Feinstein denies she or her staff gave the letter to reporters. Pelosi said House Democrats would have never allowed Feinsteins counterpart on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley, to disparage his colleague on the floor. Grassley delivered a floor speech last week accusing Democrats of mob rule, and singled out Feinstein for allegedly holding onto the letter until the last minute in the confirmation process. That was so outrageous, Pelosi said of Grassleys comments, adding: He almost disgraced his committee by allowing Kavanaugh to speak to the senators the way they did. Pelosi said Kavanaughs confirmation was a preordained outcome for Republicans. She said the GOP would have accepted any nominee who they believed would be an antiabortion vote on the court. Any mammal will do, just so long as theyre going to vote against a womans right to choose, Pelosi said. They didnt care about any investigation, they werent seeking truth, they were seeking cover. That was awful. Tal Kopan is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: tal.kopan@sfchronicle.com Twitter @talkopan In 1974, Henry and Diana Chungs Hunan Restaurant introduced San Franciscans, accustomed as we were to Cantonese food, to levels of spice and pungency that many diners had never tasted in Chinese food before. Forty-some years later, the Bay Area cant seem to get enough of Sichuan and Hunan food, two cuisines with the biggest propensity for peppers. Find your way to food that will leave you with bulging eyes and sweaty earlobes in Many Chinas, Many Tables, The Chronicles curated, interactive guide to Bay Area restaurants serving regional Chinese cuisines: www.sfchronicle.com/chinese-cuisine Search the site the most comprehensive curated guide of its kind in the country by city or by cuisine. In addition, you can learn more about how to order from a massive menu of unfamiliar dishes and find dozens of Chronicle articles profiling Chinese chefs and restaurants. A few of the spice masters listed in our guide: Chef Zhao Bistro There is a real Chef Zhao at the helm of this bustling San Mateo place: Daihong Zhao, who ran his own culinary school in Chengdu for years before immigrating to California and opening three restaurants with a former student. The appeal of many of Chef Zhaos dishes is their straightforward assertiveness: the crackling citrus notes of Sichuan peppercorns in the House Sausage; the Twice-Cooked Pork, slices of tender pork belly stir-fried with heaps of leeks and a raucously spicy fermented bean sauce; and crunchy, oily dry-fried potatoes, the shredded tubers tossed with chiles and vinegar, given enough heat to pick up wok breath. Jonathan Kauffman 2450 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo, 650-345-6288. Open for lunch and dinner daily. Hunan Impression A sister restaurant to Pings Bistro in Fremont, Hunan Impression is decorated with quirky cardboard moose heads on the walls, and ordering is done by punching your selections into a tablet. Theres plenty of heat in the dishes: Steamed Fish Fillet With Chopped Peppers is a yin-yang dish in which half of the meltingly tender fillets are covered in fiery red chiles and the other half in grassy green chiles. Sauteed Cauliflower turns this usually mild brassica into a savory sensation with red peppers. Fried Pork Ribs With Cumin, which are large enough to pick up with your fingers, are strewn with enough Sichuan peppercorns to leave lips tingling. Carolyn Jung 5152 Moorpark Ave., Suite 30, San Jose, 408-873-9982. Open for lunch and dinner daily. Jin Li Yuan Jin Li Yuans owner, Bo Wong, is a Chengdu native who left a career in international affairs to solve what he feels is a Bay Area dearth of authentic Sichuanese hot pot restaurants. Start your order by selecting a broth or two. The mild Delicacy Pot is a face-saving choice for those who can stomach neither ma (chiles) nor la (numbing Sichuan peppercorns), while the classic Chengdu Spicy Pot shimmers with imported butter. Next, choose raw ingredients to cook at your table, both classic (sliced meats, cloud ear fungus, Napa cabbage) and textural esoterica (cows throat tendons, pigs brains, beef tongue). Masochists seeking self-immolation should double down on cumin-laced Spicy Beef for some ma la-on-ma la action. April Chan 1669 Hollenbeck Ave., Sunnyvale, 408-212-4153. Open for lunch and dinner daily. John Storey / Special to The Chronicle Royal Feast Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Zongyi Liu has cooked for China in the international Bocuse dOr competition. Now ensconced in his own Millbrae restaurant, Chef Liu serves a sometimes confusing mix of Sichuan dishes and northern Chinese Tanjia court cuisine, punctuated with exquisite charcuterie. Royal Feasts best Sichuan dishes are those that sing with the tautly balanced aromatics of Sichuan peppercorns and chiles, such as the heady sesame sauce on his Steamed Chicken in Chili Sauce and the crackle and buzz crispy Dry Fried Pork Intestine. The brilliance of Lius cooking fully reveals itself in banquets for 8 or 10 diners, coordinated in advance. Jonathan Kauffman 148 El Camino Real, Millbrae, 650-692-3388. Open for lunch and dinner daily. John Storey / Special to The Chronicle Z & Y Chef Lijun Han has worked for two Chinese presidents and also owns Chili House with his wife, Michelle Zhang. While some of his dishes are filled with chiles, the fire comes in orchestrated waves: the buzz and lingering heat from the Mapo Tofu, for example, or the more subtle nuances of the whole fish with hand-pulled noodles. While Z & Y offers more familiar dishes, such as Kung Pao Chicken, the chef is always adding new ones, including chicken in a clear soup layered with chiles and whole peppercorns. He also creates a nightly changing seasonal vegetable dish, such as braised celery with lily buds. Michael Bauer 655 Jackson St., San Francisco, http://www.zandyrestaurant.com. Open lunch through dinner daily. BOGOTA, Colombia On a bright Sunday afternoon, a group of government workers walked around Bogotas most famous square dressed as pigeons, with cardboard beaks covering their noses, as thousands of real birds swarmed overhead and left their droppings on stately monuments. Flapping their plastic wings and performing brief skits, they urged curious pedestrians not to feed the large flocks that descend each day onto Plaza Bolivar, a grand colonial era square flanked by a Roman Catholic cathedral and Colombias elegant congressional building. There are too many pigeons here, said Mauricio Cano, a biologist who led the group of bird impersonators. Feeding them is bad for people, and for the birds. While London has tried to scare unruly pigeons away from train stations by deploying menacing hawks, and Paris has employed contraceptive methods to limit flock sizes, Bogotas government is trying to fight pigeon overpopulation through educational campaigns that urge people not to feed them. Officials believe that if people stop nourishing the birds, they will stop concentrating in public squares where their droppings sully historical buildings and put peoples health at risk. If the birds, which arent native to Colombia, dont gather in large numbers, their rate of reproduction is also likely to decrease. We do not want to annihilate these pigeons, says Clara Sandoval, director of Bogotas animal protection department. But we need people to give them a chance to return to their natural behavior. A study conducted by city biologists found that the squares pigeon population doubles on weekends to 3,400 birds as the number of tourists who visit the squares iconic sites also swells. In some areas (of the plaza) you can find up to 33 pigeons per square meter, Cano said. But convincing people not to give the birds food has proven tricky. Feeding pigeons corn and taking a photo with them in Bolivar Square has been something of a local tradition for decades. It also sustains a dozen or so street vendors who sell small bags of pigeon feed for about $1 each. 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. Ive raised four children with this job, said Lilly Portilla, who has been plying the trade in the plaza for 25 years. Bogotas government is offering vendors like Portilla stalls in public buildings, so that they can sell snacks to office workers, instead of pigeon feed to tourists. Its also offering job skills training children of vendors so that they have options other than following their parents into the business. But some vendors say they havent been included in the job placement program. And others are not convinced that selling snacks to humans will be as profitable as their current job. Officials said they will eventually ban pigeon feed vendors from the square if they dont go voluntarily. We have to give these birds their dignity, said Cano, the biologist. These pigeons should return to green spaces, where they can feed on their own. Manuel Rueda is an Associated Press writer. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) A senator has endorsed a general tax amnesty bill for plenary approval. Senator Sonny Angara, chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, submitted Senate Bill 2059 or the proposed Tax Amnesty Act of 2018 on Tuesday. Under the bill, the proposed amnesty will cover unpaid tax obligations due for taxable year 2017 and prior such as estate taxes, general taxes, and delinquent accounts Angara said the measure will encourage citizens to pay taxes without fear of penalties. "Sa totoo lang, mahirap isulong bilang tungkulin ng bawat mamamayan ang magbayad ng wastong buwis, kung ang kasalukuyang sistema ng pangongolekta ay kumplikado, mabagal, at nakalilito," Angara said. [Translation: In all honesty, it's hard to put forth the responsibility of every citizen to pay their taxes, if the collection system is complicated, confusing and slow.] The bill allows taxpayers to avail of a reprieve from all estate taxes, and instead pay six percent based on the descendant's total net estate. A similar amnesty will also be extended for all national internal revenue taxes, including value-added tax and excise taxes collected by the Bureau of Customs. Only five percent of the total net worth or a minimum tax will be collected. The measure also covers delinquencies, to which taxpayers can pay the following rates: 40 percent of the basic tax for delinquencies and assessments which have become final and executory 50 percent for those subject of pending criminal cases; and 60 percent for cases subject of final and executory judgment by the court. Angara said those who avail of the amnesty program will be immune from payment of all taxes and the filing of civil, criminal, and administrative cases and penalties. The proposal also plans to establish an information management system, and to allow for the automatic exchange of tax information with the Bureau of Internal Revenue and 43 partner-countries. The Department of Finance (DOF) said the proposal could yield up to 36 billion in government revenues. When Christine Blasey Ford testified before Congress last month about Justice Brett Kavanaughs alleged sexual assault, Right Wing News sprang into action on Facebook. The site, run by John Hawkins, had created a series of new Facebook pages and accounts over the past year under many different names, according to Facebook. After Blasey testified, Right Wing News posted several false stories about her including the suggestion that her lawyers were being bribed by Democrats and then used the network of Facebook pages and accounts to share the pieces so that they proliferated quickly, social media researchers said. The result was a real-time spreading of disinformation started by Americans, for Americans. What Right Wing News did was part of a shift in the flow of online disinformation, falsehoods meant to mislead and inflame. In 2016, before the presidential election, state-backed Russian operatives exploited Facebook and Twitter to sway voters in the United States with divisive messages. Now, weeks before the midterm elections on Nov. 6, such influence campaigns are increasingly a domestic phenomenon fomented by Americans on the left and the right. There are now well-developed networks of Americans targeting other Americans with purposefully designed manipulations, said Molly McKew, an information warfare researcher at the New Media Frontier, a firm that studies social media. Politics has always involved shadings of the truth via whisper campaigns, direct-mail operations and negative ads bordering on untrue. What is different this time is how domestic sites are directly emulating the Russian playbook of 2016 by aggressively creating networks of Facebook pages and accounts many of them fake that make it appear as if the ideas they are promoting enjoy widespread popularity, researchers said. The activity is also happening on Twitter, they said. The shift toward domestic disinformation raises potential free speech issues when Facebook and Twitter find and curtail such accounts that originate in the United States. These networks are trying to manipulate people by manufacturing consensus thats crossing the line over free speech, said Ryan Fox, a co-founder of New Knowledge, a firm that tracks disinformation. This month, Twitter took down a network of 50 accounts that it said were being run by Americans posing as Republican state lawmakers. Twitter said the accounts were geared toward voters in all 50 states. On Thursday, Facebook said it had identified 559 pages and 251 accounts run by Americans, many of which amplified false and misleading content in a coordinated fashion. The company said it would remove the pages and accounts. Among them were Right Wing News, which had more than 3.1 million followers, and left-wing pages that included the Resistance and Reverb Press, which had 240,000 and 816,000 followers. Facebook said it would be the most domestic pages and accounts it had ever removed related to influence campaigns. The company said it had discovered the activity as part of its broader effort to root out election interference and because the pages had become more aggressive in using tactics like fake accounts and multiple pages to make themselves appear more popular. If you look at volume, the majority of the information operations we see are domestic actors, said Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebooks head of security. He added that the company was struggling with taking down the domestic networks because of the blurry lines between free speech and disinformation. Gleicher said the accounts and pages that Facebook took down on Thursday violated its rules about spam and that many of the domestic organizations probably had financial motivations. But while traditional spam networks typically use celebrity gossip or stories about natural disasters to get people to click on links that take them to ad-filled websites, these networks were now using political content to attract peoples attention. Today, sensational political content seems to be a more effective way for people to build an audience for their Pages and drive traffic to their websites, which earn them money for every visitor to the site, Gleicher said. Right Wing News and Hawkins did not return calls or emails seeking comment. Administrators for the Facebook pages for the Resistance and Reverb Press also did not respond to requests for comment. Domestic disinformation is harder to root out than foreign disinformation, researchers said, because in many cases it mirrors genuine networks of Americans engaging in free speech online. Social media services can only act to remove domestic disinformation when the American groups that are making and distributing it start to use techniques that violate the companies terms of service, such as creating false accounts. Facebooks tactics are extremely ineffective in stopping these networks of hundreds of Facebook pages and accounts from spreading disinformation, said Natalie Martinez, a fellow at Media Matters, a nonprofit in Washington that monitors disinformation from conservative American sites. Ultimately, if you are a U.S. national and you decide to share something, the social networks have no reason to stop you. Sheera Frenkel is a New York Times writer. The Justice Departments approval of the $69 billion merger between CVS Health and Aetna on Wednesday caps a wave of consolidation among giant health care companies that could leave people with less control over their medical care and prescription drugs. The approval marks the close of an era, during which powerful pharmacy benefit managers brokered drug prices among pharmaceutical companies, insurers and employers. But a combined CVS-Aetna may be even more formidable. As the last major free-standing pharmacy benefit manager, CVS Health had revenues of about $185 billion last year, and it provided prescription plans to roughly 94 million customers. Aetna, one of the nations largest insurers with about $60 billion in revenue last year, covers 22 million people in its health plans. The two companies say that they will be better able to coordinate care for consumers as the mergers help tighten cost controls. Larry Merlo, CEO of CVS Health, said in a statement that the approval is an important step toward bringing together the strengths and capabilities of our two companies to improve the consumer health care experience. But critics worry that consumers could end up with far fewer options and higher expenses. Just last month, the Justice Department also approved the takeover of Express Scripts, a major CVS rival, by the big insurer Cigna. This type of consolidation in a market already dominated by a few, powerful players presents the very real possibility of reduced competition that harms consumer choice and quality, George Slover, senior policy counsel for Consumers Union, an advocacy group, said in a statement. The consumer organization had opposed the Aetna-CVS merger, arguing that people enrolled in Aetna health plans could be forced to seek care at CVS retail clinics, and that those who were not insured by Aetna could pay higher prices for drugs than those who were. The combination of CVS and Aetna creates an enormous market force that we havent seen before, Slover said. The Justice Department had undertaken an antitrust review of these types of deals, approving many because they involve distinct businesses. It granted conditional approval to the CVS-Aetna deal as long as Aetna sold off its private Medicare drug plans. Amid the growing outcry over the high price of medicines, pharmacy managers have been vilified alongside big drugmakers. Critics say pharmacy managers secretive deals under which price-setting strategies are not publicly disclosed enrich companies on all sides of the prescription drug pipeline while failing to benefit consumers. In addition to the two major entities now attached to powerful health insurance companies, OptumRx, another major pharmacy manager, is owned by UnitedHealth Group. Anthem, which operates for-profit Blue Cross plans in several states, is developing its own in-house pharmacy operation. There are going to be mammoth organizations, said Adam Fein, CEO of research firm Drug Channels Institute. Now that generic drugs account for about 90 percent of all prescriptions, the role of pharmacy benefit managers has changed over time, with higher drug prices largely a product of the increase in expensive specialty medicines for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or cancer. Facing the prospect of competition from outsiders like Amazon, whose tentative forays into the pharmacy business have already shaken up the industry, established players have also been looking for ways to stay relevant to their customers and enlarge their share of the health care market. The companies are feeling pressure to do something different or it will be done to them, said Brian Marcotte, CEO of the National Business Group on Health, which represents large employers. Some employers are actively looking for alternatives to the status quo. This year, Amazon, JPMorgan Chase and Berkshire Hathaway announced plans to form a new company to address the high costs and frustrations that their employees must contend with as they navigate the existing system. Its a disruptive period of time when the players are rearranging themselves, said David Johnson, CEO of consultant 4sight Health. Five state attorneys general from California, Florida, Hawaii, Mississippi and Washington joined with the Justice Department in conditionally approving the Aetna-CVS deal. The merger is expected to be finalized sometime before the end of the year. The preliminary approval was based on Aetnas decision to sell its plans to WellCare Health Plans to address the governments concerns that the combined companies would control too much of the market. But state regulators and consumer groups have also raised other concerns about the impact of the merger, saying that the lack of large pharmacy managers that arent affiliated with insurers could make it difficult for smaller competitors in either sector. Previous mergers in the industry have left consumers with fewer choices and higher drug bills, said David Balto, an antitrust lawyer who is a critic of the pharmacy managers. This is a marketplace that hasnt done well because of lack of transparency, and transparency may be even weaker, said Balto, who had worked at the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department. Affiliations with large insurers could change that dynamic, he added. It might correct some of the more pernicious practices. Balto warned that while state officials have not traditionally overseen pharmacy managers, the combined mammoths could bring them into the crosshairs of regulation. The mergers also show how far organizations are crossing the traditional line between insurance companies responsible for paying for care and providers responsible for delivering it. There have always been organizations that perform both functions, but the lines are increasingly blurred. UnitedHealth has been aggressively buying physician practices and surgery centers, while Humana announced plans to become the nations largest provider of hospice care. The nature of the last six to 12 months is much more vertical and the size of the deals are significantly larger, said Gurpreet Singh, a partner specializing in health care services at the consulting and advisory firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. Much of the enthusiasm over CVS acquisition of Aetna has focused on the insurers addition of a retail component and the potential use of CVS 10,000 pharmacies and 1,100 retail clinics to deliver care, particularly to Aetna customers. Imagine a single hub where someone can go to get care for everything from a sore throat to their diabetes. CVS stores could become places to get blood tests for monitoring chronic conditions, not just toothpaste or prescription refills. You could see the store as a base of operations for a lot of these delivery channels, said George Hill, a senior analyst at RBC Capital Markets. Merlo will be the CEO of the combined companies, and Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini will step down and join the CVS board. CVS has committed to keeping Aetna at its headquarters in Hartford, Conn., for the next decade. Hill said CVS was also well situated for any incursion by newcomers like Amazon. In addition to the regulatory hurdles such entrants would have to scale to sell prescription drugs, people typically buy medicine from drugstore or mail-order companies dictated by their health plan. Youre going to go where your payer has told you to go, Hill said. It may be years before it is clear whether Aetna and CVS can succeed in changing how their businesses operate. Reed Abelson is a New York Times writer. This article, Verizon praises itself for aiding first responders after it throttled their data, originally appeared on CNET.com. A new Verizon ad that touts the company's help for firefighters hasn't played well. On Monday, the carrier giant released a video on YouTube about helping first responders. It then quickly removed the video from the social network after it became the target of criticism on Reddit, where users pointed out that Verizon had throttled firefighters' mobile data during the Mendocino Complex fire in California a few months earlier. One user wrote: "'false advertising' -- they didn't list the 'stop saving lives to buy more data cause you ran out' feature I hear they carry." Another Redditor noted the growing number of dislikes the video was getting on YouTube and wondered if Verizon had noticed. "I wonder how many till Verizon says "hey guys this isn't getting a good response, maybe we should take it down," the Redditor wrote. The video can still be seen on Verizon's website, where it's introduced by two Verizon representatives. "The spot is available online here and it's still running on TV," a Verizon spokesperson said in an emailed statement. "I can say that soon after the Santa Clara incident, we delivered new plan terms for public safety to the various national and state agencies that approve state/local contracts. Under the new plan, all frontline first responders nationwide have access to plans with unlimited data and no speed restrictions." Verizon was widely criticized for throttling data for firefighters in California. In August, the company said it had lifted all speed caps for first responders on the West Coast battling wildfires, as well as for emergency workers in Hawaii fighting Hurricane Lane. There's so much more to fall food than the pumpkin spice latte, especially in a dining scene like San Francisco's that emphasizes seasonality. ALSO READ: The best thing to eat in every Bay Area city Authorities are searching for a man accused of exposing himself inside a Stanford University apartment elevator Wednesday morning. Stanfords Department of Public Safety received a report Wednesday of a man masturbating in an elevator in the Quillen tower of Escondido Village, a high-rise apartment for graduate students, officers said. The woman who reported the incident walked into the elevator to see the man exposing himself, according to the public safety alert. The two exchanged remarks and then the woman got off the elevator to take the stairs, officials said. She did not report any physical contact between them and she did not see the man leave the building, officers said. Officials described the suspect as a 25- to 30-year-old man between 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-10, weighing around 160 pounds. He has short black hair and was wearing dark pants and a dark jacket. Authorities have asked anyone with information to call Stanfords Department of Public Safety at 650-329-2413. Ashley McBride is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ashley.mcbride@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ashleynmcb Quarry Park Adventures, a new "adventure park" fitted with zip lines, rope courses, boating and rock climbing, is finally set to open this weekend, months after its initial projected opening date in May. The delays, as Quarry Park Adventures President David Busch told CBS 13 in Sacramento, were caused by needing to meet certain safety regulations. But after working with the city and engineers on unforeseen issues, the family-friendly theme park is set to open on Saturday at 10 a.m. NEW YORK A judge dismissed one of the six criminal charges against Harvey Weinstein on Thursday after prosecutors said they discovered inconsistencies in statements made by one of his accusers. The development in state Supreme Court in Manhattan signaled a victory for the once powerful film producer, and raised questions about the impact the revelation would have on the broader case against him. Lucia Evans, a marketing executive, had alleged that Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him in 2004, during a casting meeting at the Miramax office in Manhattans Tribeca neighborhood. In court, Weinsteins lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, argued that the charges related to Evans allegations should be dismissed because the grand jury had not been given important evidence regarding Evans allegation before deciding to indict him. The lead prosecutor, Joan Illuzzi, did not object, and Justice James Burke dismissed the charge related to Evans allegation. The five other charges still stand. The latest development in the case will present challenges for the Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus Vance. Brafman may use the dismissal of the charge in Evans case to discredit the entire prosecution at a trial and to cast doubt on two other accusers. Last week, police spokesman Phillip Walzak said the department is fully confident in the overall case it has pursued against Weinstein. The evidence shows that the criminal case against him is strong. The NYPD will continue to assist the prosecution any way it can to ensure justice is achieved for these brave survivors. Evans was an aspiring actress and a college student when Weinstein approached her at a New York club, she told the New Yorker. The film producer and an assistant called her to schedule a meeting. She met him at his office during the daytime, she told the New Yorker, and that is when she said Weinstein forced her head down to perform oral sex on him, despite her continued objections. Weinstein, 66, had been charged with first-degree criminal sex act in the assault of Evans. He had been charged criminally in the assault of three women, including one in 2013 and another in 2006. Weinstein still faces two counts of predatory sexual assault, which carry a maximum sentence of life in prison. Jan Ransom and Alan Feuer are New York Times writers. PANAMA CITY, Fla. The devastation inflicted by Hurricane Michael came into focus Thursday with rows upon rows of homes found smashed to pieces, and rescue crews began making their way into the stricken areas in hopes of accounting for hundreds of people who may have stayed behind. At least three deaths were blamed on Michael, the most powerful hurricane to hit the continental U.S. in over 50 years, and it wasnt done yet: Though reduced to a tropical storm, it brought flash flooding to North Carolina and Virginia, soaking areas still recovering from Hurricane Florence. Under a perfectly clear blue sky, families living along the Florida Panhandle emerged from darkened shelters and hotels to a perilous landscape of shattered homes and shopping centers, beeping security alarms, wailing sirens and hovering helicopters. Gov. Rick Scott said the Panhandle woke up to unimaginable destruction. So many lives have been changed forever. So many families have lost everything, he said. The full extent of Michaels fury was only slowly becoming clear, with some of the hardest-hit areas difficult to reach because of roads blocked by debris or water. An 80-mile stretch of Interstate 10, the main east-west route along the Panhandle, was closed. Some of the worst damage was in Mexico Beach, where the hurricane crashed ashore Wednesday as a Category 4 monster with 155 mph winds and a storm surge of 9 feet. Video from a drone revealed widespread devastation across the town of about 1,000 people. Entire blocks of homes near the beach were obliterated, reduced to nothing but concrete slabs in the sand. Rows and rows of other homes were turned into piles of splintered lumber or were crumpled and slumped at odd angles. Entire roofs were torn away and dropped onto a road. State officials said 285 people in Mexico Beach had defied a mandatory evacuation order. National Guard troops made their way into the ground-zero town and found 20 survivors Wednesday night, and more rescue crews were pushing into the area, with the fate of many residents unknown. Jay Reeves and Brendan Farrington are Associated Press writers. PHOENIX Smugglers in recent weeks have been abandoning large groups of Guatemalan and other Central American migrants in Arizonas harsh cactus-studded Sonoran Desert near the border with Mexico, alarming Border Patrol officials who say the trend is putting hundreds of children at risk. Collectively, more than 1,400 migrants have been left by smugglers in the broiling desert or in one case in a drenching thunderstorm in remote areas by the border since Aug. 20. One group was as large as 275 people. Weve seen large groups in the past, but never on this scale, Tucson-based Border Patrol Agent Daniel Hernandez said. Its definitely a serious concern because their safety is being put in jeopardy. Hernandez said the latest case involved 61 people rescued by agents last week from rising floodwaters caused by unusually heavy rains in an isolated area and it could have been a much, much worse situation if the rain continued. Unlike Texas, where people turn themselves in on the banks of the Rio Grande, the smugglers in Arizona have been dumping groups of migrant families on a remote dirt road running along the southern limit of the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument west of the Lukeville border crossing with Mexico. Summer temperatures there can soar close to 120 degrees. The migrants are sometimes provided with food and water, but not always, and they often require medical care for back and ankle injuries or lacerations. The traffickers have no regard for the safety and well-being of these families, Tucson Sector Chief Rodolfo Karisch said last week. Two larger groups of migrants from Guatemala and Honduras were also found abandoned last week near Yuma. Border Patrol officers said 108 people were found just before midnight Oct. 2 a half-mile west of the San Luis Port of Entry and five hours later, agents apprehended 56 Central Americans a mile east of the same border crossing. Though Mexican men traveling without relatives once made up the bulk of the migrants, Guatemalans and other Central Americans traveling in families or as unaccompanied minors are now the norm. Of the more than 90,000 migrants traveling in families who were apprehended during the 11-month period, close to half were from Guatemala. The rest were from Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico. Anita Snow is an Associated Press writer. With the 2018 event barely wrapped up, the organizers of Burning Man have unveiled the theme for the 2019 festival at Black Rock: Metamorphoses. "Two thousand years before Kafka's Gregor Samsa woke up as a cockroach, Ovid, the literary bad boy of First Century Rome, was writing about metamorphoses dire and diverse," they write in their announcement, which should be of keen interest to Burners already itching to get planning for next year's wind-burned celebration. 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,... The California Public Utilities Commission today issued a $1.3 million fine to BART for safety violations that led to the death of two workers who were struck by a train between the Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill stations in 2013. Along with the fine, the largest the CPUC has ever imposed on a public agency for safety violations, the commission at its meeting in San Francisco today also placed BART on probation for three years. Christopher Sheppard, a 58-year-old BART manager from Hayward, and Laurence Daniels, a 66-year-old contractor from Fair Oaks in Sacramento County, were inspecting a dip in the tracks when a train hit and killed them on Oct. 19, 2013, during a four-day strike by BART workers. No trains were carrying passengers during the strike, but some trains were running for maintenance and training purposes. BART at the time had a safety procedure called "simple approval" in which track employees were responsible for their own safety and had to clear from the tracks within 15 seconds if a train was approaching. The "simple approval" rule was suspended shortly afterward and later eliminated. According to the CPUC, the train that hit Sheppard and Daniels was being operated by a trainee operator who was also a BART manager, and was under the supervision of a trainer who was a fellow BART manager. The CPUC's investigation found that BART that day violated multiple safety rules and requirements, many of which contributed in some manner to the deaths. The violations included the repeated use of a cellphone by the trainer, failure to sound the train's horn prior to the incident, and failing to provide a timely and adequate investigative report, according to the CPUC. "These fatalities were totally preventable," CPUC Commissioner Liane Randolph said in a statement. "We cannot undo the harm to Mr. Sheppard and Mr. Daniels or their families, What we can do is to make sure that BART makes safety its number one priority now and in the future." If BART is in compliance with safety rules during the three-year probationary period, its $1.3 million fine will be decreased by half. The transit agency must also comply with various orders, including tracking and submitting a report on all violations of safety rules, re-evaluating its current safety training programs, and posting a sign at each station about the CPUC fine. BART issued a statement in response to the CPUC's decision, saying it is "currently evaluating" it and that the agency "has worked with the CPUC and others to identify and address all potential causes of the accident." "BART responded swiftly to the accident by abolishing its prior wayside access procedures, working with an independent association to create and implement new wayside access procedures, and retraining all employees and contractors who might access BART's wayside," the statement said. BART officials said they have put up trackside physical barriers to protect crews and installed $2 million worth of safety barrier fencing. "Nothing is more important to BART than safety," the statement said. "A safer system for our employees will provide for a safer system for our riders and a better BART." 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) A federal judge on Wednesday ordered the city of San Francisco to return a towed car to a homeless man who couldn't afford to pay the parking tickets he received while working as a food delivery driver. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White said Sean Kayode had raised "serious questions" about whether the March 5 towing of his car because of unpaid parking tickets violated the U.S. Constitution's Fourth Amendment guarantee against unreasonable searches and seizures. White wrote that in a situation in which a car owner can't afford to pay overdue parking tickets, "it is not clear...that seizure is reasonable in an effort to secure repayment of the debt owed." The judge issued a preliminary injunction requiring return of the car. The order will remain in effect until there is a full trial on a lawsuit filed by Kayode, 52, and James Smith, 64, whose car was towed on Dec. 28, 2017. Kayode's car was towed from a street-cleaning zone outside a homeless shelter where he was staying. In the previous 10 months, he had received about 30 parking tickets and had paid some but not all of them. A state law allows local authorities to tow a car whose owner has five or more unpaid parking tickets for at least three weeks. The local city or county may keep the car until all fines and fees are paid. At the time Kayode asked for the injunction, he would have had to pay more than $11,000 in towing and storage costs to get his car back, according to the ruling. Although the preliminary injunction applies only to Kayode, his lawyers said it could set a precedent for other low-income and indigent people in similar situations. "We hope this opinion will induce the city to reconsider its towing policy and work with us to develop one that is constitutional and does not punish people for being poor," said Eliza Della-Piana, legal director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil rights. John Cote, a spokesman for City Attorney Dennis Herrera, said, "We're very sympathetic to Mr. Kayode being homeless. Homelessness is something the City works tirelessly to counter every day. At the same time, homeless or not, if you have a car and park it, you have to park it legally." Cote said the city continues to "consider policies to minimize fees and unintended consequences for vulnerable populations." He noted that the city's Municipal Transportation Agency earlier this year reduced towing fees for low-income people. The MTA also offers payment alternatives in which car owners can do community service to pay for parking tickets or can agree on a monthly payment plan, Cote said. 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 last of three public meetings will be held today in Santa Cruz on programming related to Santa Cruz County's Mental Health Services Act, county officials said. The meeting will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Santa Cruz Police Department at 155 Center St. County officials said the purpose of the act is to improve and expand the mental health system and mental health services in the county. The act pays for a variety of services such as early childhood programs, as well as youth, LGBTQ, senior and other population-based services, among others. Through the act, the county spends about $13 million each year on mental health care and well-being in the county. About $80 million each year is spent in the county on community behavioral health care. Residents may read the plan and submit a comment online at http://www.santacruzhealth.org/HSAHome/HSADivisions/BehavioralHealth/MentalHealthServicesAct.aspx. 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. Nurses will picket today at two hospitals in Santa Clara County to demand that the facilities stay open as full-service acute care facilities even though the non-profit health system that owns it is being sold. Registered nurses plan to picket from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at O'Connor Hospital in San Jose and St. Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy as their owner Verity Health System is being sold following bankruptcy. O'Connor Hospital is at 2105 Forest Ave. and St. Louise Regional Hospital is at 9400 No Name Uno. "We are rallying to make it clear that as nurses we are committed to continuing to serve our community and we want Verity to keep their commitments to the patients we serve," registered nurse Maria Canonizado said in a statement. "Our expectation is that any new buyer will retain all acute care hospital services with absolutely no bed closures and that they will honor our contract and all pension obligations and retain the health care workers who have committed themselves to our community for all these years," she said. Both hospitals were bought by Verity in 2015 and at that time the California attorney general imposed conditions on the purchase, including that the hospitals would operate as acute care facilities offering emergency services through 2025. Verity also agreed to avoid putting existing jobs or pension benefits at risk. Nurses said that Verity has announced that it has chosen a purchase offer from Santa Clara County and the offer says future employment is "provisional" and does not say whether acute care services will continue. Nurses will be calling on the judge overseeing the sale to mandate that the future owner or operator of the two hospitals fulfill the conditions set forth by the attorney general in 2015. A town hall meeting was held Wednesday on the future of Seton Medical Center in Daly City, a facility also owned by Verity. 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. BERKELEY (BCN) An antisemitic poster that's been spotted on college campuses across the country recently popped up at or near the University of California at Berkeley, according to the school's chancellor. Chancellor Carol Christ sent out a message to the community today about the poster. "We abhor and condemn antisemitic words and deeds on this campus and beyond," Christ said in the statement. The poster claims that prominent elected Jewish officials are involved in "anti-white, anti-American, anti-freedom" conspiracies, according to the statement. And the poster implies that Brett Kavanaugh, who was confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court this weekend after a bitter fight, was a target of these Jewish conspiracies. The people shown on the poster include Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Chuck Schumer, who have the star of David on their foreheads. Kavanaugh-accuser Christine Blasey Ford and prominent attorney Michael Avenatti have "Good Goy" written on their foreheads. "Every time some anti-white, anti-American, anti-freedom event takes place, you look at it and it's Jews behind it," the flier reads. A UC Berkeley student noticed the poster either Sunday night or Monday morning, according to Dan Mogulof, a university spokesman. It was reported to police Wednesday. Mogulof said university officials don't know exactly where the posters were put up. No more have been found. They also don't know exactly how many there were. Anyone with information about who put up the poster is asked to call police at (510) 642-6760. There's not much police can do if the poster isn't directly threatening anyone, but the university is still taking it seriously. "There is little, if any difference between this demonizing rhetoric and that used by the Nazis in the lead up to, and during the course of the Holocaust," Christ said in the statement. 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. SONOMA (BCN) A Sonoma woman said she was assaulted Wednesday evening while exercising on the Fryer Creek Trail, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office. The 29-year-old woman said she was walking south on the trail just south of Manor Drive around 6 p.m. and turned around when she heard someone run up behind her, sheriff's officials said. A man then grabbed her buttocks and tried to put his hand under her shirt but she lifted her hands and prevented him. The woman said she punched the man in the groin and she fell to the ground as the suspect ran north toward Manor Drive. She was not injured and did not need medical attention, according to the sheriff's office. Deputies searched the area but did not find or identify a suspect. The woman described the assailant as a chubby Hispanic man in his 30s who is about 5 feet 10 inches tall with dark hair shaved on both sides and a curl in front. The man had a mustache and goatee and was wearing a medium gray long-sleeved hoodie and dark faded shorts that extended to his calves, sheriff's officials said. Sonoma police Chief Orlando Rodriguez has ordered extra patrols on bike paths in the Sonoma area and cautioned residents to be alert on them. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call (707) 996-3602. 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. Last month the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration crowned its World Grand Champion is Shelbyville. The show is unusual because it has inspectors from the U.S. Department of Agriculture a rarity for any horse show in the United States. The reason: for 50 years, some trainers and owners in the industry have abused Tennessee Walking horses in order to cheat and give them a leg up on their competition. The legendary Howard Baker (R-TN), helped shepherd to passage the Horse Protection Act in 1970 to crack down on these trainers injuring horses to cause them so much pain that they step higher after putting their tender feet on the ground - its like walking barefoot on hot asphalt. The old-timers in the breed have said that Steve Hill, a well-known top trainer in the industry, utilized some chemical agents for the purpose of healing on Talk of the Town, the 1951, 1952 and 1953 World Grand Champion that was considered unbeatable by those competing against him. None of the other horses performed quite like Talk of the Town, and trainers couldnt compete so more and more trainers began practicing this egregious abuse by utilizing mustard oil to burn the skin around the horses ankles, and in some circumstances even placed barbwire around the ankle to create the reaction that later became known as the big lick. The Act was well intended, and the result of some compromises that marked the first federal law designed specifically to help the iconic American equines we all revere. But the law is in need of a serious upgrade, because trainers have figured a way around the proscriptions in the law. In an ideal circumstance the Act should have eliminated to use of stacked shoes or pads, and action devices now known as ankle chains, but it didnt, and those devices are still highly utilized in 2018. But there is reason for optimism. Veterinarian U.S. Reps. Ted Yoho (R-FL) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR), along with U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), and Mark Warner (D-TN) have introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation known as the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act, H.R. 1847/ S. 2957 that would close the loopholes in the Horse Protection Act by eliminating the large stacked shoes and ankle chains, increasing the penalties, and eliminating the industrys failed self-policing system by replacing it with licensed USDA contract inspectors, all at no cost to the taxpayer. This is the third Congress in six years that this legislation has been introduced, and now has over 300 Members of the House and Senate as cosponsors. But it hasnt moved. Why? Because the scofflaws political protectors, such as U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), have gone to great lengths to block the bill and are watching out for their campaign contributors in the industry rather than working to encourage protection of the horses. For many years, political pressure from my fellow Republicans in Tennessee and Kentucky backed down the federal government, preventing the USDA from enforcing the Act that Senator Baker and Senator Joseph Tydings (D-MD) worked so diligently to pass. It all boils down to money. Dozens of violators of the Act continue to fill Blackburn and others campaign coffers with money made on the backs of injured horses. It seems Blackburn cares much more about snatching Senator Bob Corkers seat, than supporting the will of the American people, her constituents, and the best interest of the voiceless animals that are so rampantly abused in the state. I know firsthand what great lengths the pro-soring will go to in order to protect their habit, as a former Tennessean, past president of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association, eight-time world champion and lifelong supporter of the breed. When the PAST was first introduced in 2013, Blackburn, introduced a phony reform bill that would only codify the industrys self-policing program that the USDAs own Inspector General deemed corrupt. Even the University of Tennessee recognizes that the big lick pain-based gait is something the public will no longer tolerate they disallowed the exhibition of the World Grand Champion at the UT homecoming game, a long-standing tradition in the state, until several years ago. I hope that on Nov. 6 Tennesseans will step up and take action against soring by sending Marsha Blackburn back home to Tennessee. Marty Irby Executive Director at Animal Wellness Action in Washington, D.C. and a past president of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders & Exhibitors Association In compliance with workplace laws, we take all complaints very seriously, investigating them promptly and thoroughly, and with sensitivity toward confidentiality, the statement read. As a business built upon the foundation of immigration to the United States by our own ancestors, we are proud to foster a welcoming, supportive environment for all of our team members. We look forward to continuing to set a positive example for the hospitality community in Chicago and beyond." The retirees can still maintain that insurance if they want to pay for it themselves, but the average age of most our retirees is about 80 and the cost of that would be just ridiculous, Olbrysh said Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here. A similar lawsuit was filed last week by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents 28 employees. The union also alleged Treasure Island violated the WARN legal requirements. Longtime produce wholesaler Anthony Marano Co. sued Treasure Island last week over more than $450,000 in allegedly unpaid produce. Recent court filings indicate the grocery company owes $900,000 in total to its produce vendors. U.S. astronauts are grounded for the foreseeable future as officials investigate why a rocket booster on the Russian spacecraft transporting NASAs Nick Hague to the International Space Station failed Thursday, forcing a dramatic emergency landing. The ballistic landing after launch which occurs when the spacecraft comes back to Earth at a sharper angle than whats considered normal, subjecting astronauts to heavy gravitational force is a first for the Soyuz spacecraft since the Russians began ferrying Americans to the orbiting laboratory after the Space Shuttle program was shuttered in 2011. NASA officials said Thursday they still are unsure of the cause, but Russian state-run news agency TASS has reported that officials there have opened a criminal investigation into the botched launch. NASA also is investigating. Both Hague and his crewmate, Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, are safe and in good condition, officials said. And as a whole, Thursdays emergency could have been much worse. The emergency landing shows that, in the first time post-Columbia weve had to deal with a potentially dangerous or lethal human space flight accident, all the safety systems worked correctly, said Keith Cowing, editor of NASA Watch, a website devoted to space news. In February 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry, killing the entire crew. Still, its the second mishap in as many months for the Soyuz, considered by experts one of the safest spacecraft ever built. In August, an air-leak-causing hole was discovered in a different Soyuz attached to the space station. Though astronauts successfully plugged the hole, Russia still is investigating the cause of that incident. The back-to-back problems give some experts pause. I have a lot of anxiety that (the Russians) attempt to solve this or explain this will be the most difficult step, said James Oberg, a former NASA engineer who worked for 20 years in Mission Control at Houston's Johnson Space Center. Understanding how this happened and how to keep it from happening again is going to be a major challenge, said Oberg, who is also an expert on the Russian space program. NASA now finds itself in an unfortunate situation. Though it spends a significant amount of money on the space station each year $1.45 billion in fiscal year 2017 alone, not counting transportation costs it has no way of getting its astronauts there. The Soyuz currently is the only way to travel to the space station, and the U.S. pays Russia $82 million for each seat on the capsule. Boeing and SpaceXs commercial crew vehicles, which were supposed to be ready this year, still are not. NASA now projects that the companies first test flights will happen in mid-summer 2019, but the dates could slip again. The aborted launch was the third major setback to befall NASA this week. On Monday, the space agency announced that the Hubble Space Telescope was temporarily shut down because of a mechanical failure that crippled the groundbreaking observatory. On Wednesday, NASAs inspector general reported that cost and scheduling problems will likely delay the launch of Orion the spacecraft being built to take humans back to the moon past its scheduled mid-2020 liftoff. ROCKET WOES: NASA's Orion launch faces more delays as new problems emerge Its too early to speculate how the failed launch might impact the next Soyuz flight scheduled for Dec. 20, NASA officials say, or if the current three space station crew members will need to extend their stay past December. On the December return, well have to let that play out a little bit and see if we cant get this narrowed down, said Kenny Todd, space station operations integration manager, during a Thursday news conference at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston. Were in very good shape for the crew aboard in terms of food and supplies. When Hague and Ovchinin strapped into the Soyuz at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan before Thursday mornings launch (at 3:39 a.m. Houston time), both thought they wouldnt touch Earth again until 2019. But about 2 minutes into their launch, just as the Soyuz reached the boundary between Earths atmosphere and space, a light in the capsule started blinking. Thered been a rocket failure. The Soyuz automatically initiated an abort sequence and, 34 minutes later, Hague and Ovchinin were back on the ground, being helped out of the spacecraft by a Russian search-and-rescue team. Hague, a 43-year-old from Kansas, would have been the first member of NASAs 2013 astronaut class to reach low Earth orbit, where the space station flies. It would have been his first spaceflight. In September, Hague told the Houston Chronicle he was excited for his mission, adding that he was struck by the Russians commitment to safety. Ive been over here in (Russia) working side-by-side with the Russian space program and I can tell you theyre committed to making sure they deliver a safe vehicle and it performs safely, he said. Everyone has crew safety in mind. Its not clear when, or if, Hague will get the chance to fly again. Nick is an outstanding astronaut, Reid Wiseman, deputy chief astronaut at Johnson Space Center, said at the news conference Thursday. Without a doubt well recycle him, but where that falls in the plan is yet to be determined. RELATED: Mission Control's first female chief flight director a NASA role model Though nothing quite like this has happened since NASA started relying on the Russians to ferry astronauts to the space station, former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson experienced a ballistic re-entry in 2008 when she was returning home from a six-month trip on the station. Whitson told the Houston Chronicle after that terrifying landing that she remembered feeling waves of nausea as the Soyuz tumbled through the sky. "I felt my face getting pulled back. It was hard to breathe, and you kind of have to breathe through your stomach, using your diaphragm instead of expanding your chest," said Whitson, who could be not be reached for comment Thursday. Hague and Ovchinin were set to join a group of three astronauts including NASA's Serena Aunon-Chancellor who have been on the space station since June. Soon after the emergency landing, one of those crew members, the European Space Agency's Alexander Gerst, tweeted that he was glad the crew was fine. "Today showed again what an amazing vehicle the #Soyuz is, to be able to save the crew from such a failure," he wrote. "Spaceflight is hard. And we must keep trying for the benefit of humankind." A weird anomaly NASA officials said Thursday they will be investigating the rocket booster failure alongside the Russians to find the source of the problem. "I think, with regard to the investigation, if you (look) back at the history ... we always work side-by-side as (the Russians) perform, and they give us the insight we need to go through our own processes here," Todd said. "Absolutely I anticipate we will form our own investigation team, just like we've done for every other major anomaly on the Russian side." But they also must think about how this will impact the program moving forward. For instance, Hague was supposed to conduct two spacewalks with Gerst this month one next week and another Oct. 25 to upgrade the space station power systems. Different arrangements will now need to be made, Todd said. "We have to look at the plan closely in terms of what to do to conduct those spacewalks," he said. It's not immediately clear how long the Russian investigation will take or how long the current crew will remain in orbit. But the Soyuz currently attached to the station is considered "safe" for re-entry until January. "The typical lifetime you see for a Soyuz is somewhere around 200 days," Todd said. "So, the early January time frame is what we'll start to call the end-of-life of the Soyuz." He cautioned that the Russians still have several months between now and then to figure out what happened and that the amount of supplies on board allows the current crew to easily extend their time on station. Oberg, however, struggled to find confidence that Russia will sort it out: "How can they figure out how this happened when they can't even figure out how a small hole occurred?" If the current crew leaves before another can arrive, the space station would be without a crew for the first time in nearly two decades. Todd said NASA could operate the space station for an extended period of time without a crew, though that's not ideal. "There's nothing that says we can't just continue to do the minimum amount of commanding from the ground," Todd said. "We're not too concerned about that." But currently, the commercial program requires a space station crew to be on board when the Boeing and SpaceX vehicles dock, since it will be the first time, he added. Updated timetables recently released by NASA expect both companies' test flights to fly by summer 2019, though their launch schedules have continued to slip since they were awarded NASA contracts in 2014. "If they want to stay eight or nine months, they could come home in American spacecraft. That's the reality," Cowing said. "But (on Friday) Russia could also come back and say this was just a weird anomaly" and the December launch could be fine. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said Thursday he remains committed to ensuring commercial launches happen in 2019. "Today's incident and the discovery of a hole on Soyuz MS-09 continue to prove the need for the United States to have our own launch capability from U.S. soil," said Cruz, the Texas Republican who chairs the Senate's Subcommittee on Space, Science and Competitiveness. U.S., Russian tensions Russia now will have to work double-time to examine Thursday's failure, given that they still are investigating the source of the Soyuz hole found in late August. After the hole was discovered, Russia immediately launched an investigation initially estimated to finish in September into how the hole occurred, whether it was intentional and if other Soyuz modules currently in development also have defects. Russian officials now say that probe won't be complete until November. The Russians initially thought the hole was the result of space debris, but later said it likely was the result of sloppy drill work, either on Earth or in space. They also determined that the hole was not a manufacturer's defect and, therefore, did not affect any other Soyuz spacecrafts. The sabotage accusation caused tension between NASA and the Russians, but Todd said Thursday those comments were made by Russia prematurely and have been chalked up to a misunderstanding. Todd added that discussions between the two countries have been underway and Russia plans to "work with us and share data with us." Oberg has serious doubts, though, that Russia is capable of figuring out what happened and preventing it from happening again. "I'm afraid from this and many other events seen in the Russian program that things go wrong, and they never figure out what went wrong. They just rub our shoulders and press on because they're tough," he said. "They get the attitude that things break down but we always overcome them, and they begin to normalize the incident rate instead of living with passionate paranoia." Alex Stuckey covers NASA and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or twitter.com/alexdstuckey Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger apologizes for his past behavior toward women in a lengthy interview with Men's Health magazine. "Looking back, I stepped over the line several times, and I was the first one to say sorry," says Schwarzenegger. "I feel bad about it, and I apologize. This isn't the first time the Hollywood actor-turned-politician has expressed regret. Days before winning the 2003 recall election for California governor, he faced groping accusations from several women and admitted he had sometimes "behaved badly" on film sets. "It is true that I was on rowdy movie sets and I have done things that were not right which I thought then was playful," he said at a campaign event on Oct. 2, 20o3. ALSO, Schwarzenegger says politicians, not kids, should be put in cages The Men's Health article is part of the magazine's 30th anniversary issue and features a candid Q&A with Schwarzenegger about his decades-long career in body-building, film and politics. Near the end of the interview, writer Lou Schuler asks Schwarzenegger, "In 2003, long before #MeToo, you were questioned about your behavior toward women. Would you want to treat the women in your life differently than you did?" He responds, "When I became governor, I wanted to make sure that no one, including me, ever makes this mistake. That's why we took sexual harassment courses, to have a clear understanding, from a legal point of view and also from a regular-behavior point of view, of what is accepted and what is not." Schwarzenegger is also apologetic about referring to his political opponents as "girlie men" during his 2003 campaign. "At the time it felt like the right thing to do," he said. "It was in my gut. I improvised it. I called them girlie men because they weren't willing to take risks. They were afraid of everything. Politicians in general want to do little things so there's no risk involved. But it was shortsighted. In the long term, it's better to not say that, because you want to work with them." Notice something strange while flipping through your California voter guide? Under John Cox's photo and candidate statement you'd expect to find the same from his opponent in the governor's race. But instead, under Gavin Newsom's name and his party affiliation, the guide simply reads: "No candidate statement." No, it's not pure cockiness though Newsom beat his GOP opponent by an average 17.5 points in recent polls. The reason for the omission, according to the Sacramento Bee, comes down to campaign spending. In California, there are voluntary expenditure ceilings for candidates running for statewide offices. The ceiling is $14.5 million in the gubernatorial general election. Only those who stay under the spending limit are permitted to purchase a 250-word statement in the sample ballot. ALSO: Attack ad asks Gavin Newsom: 'Are you on crack?' The Bee reports Newsom spent over $20 million on his campaign for governor, disqualifying him from being able to state his case one last time in the voter guide. Cox only spent about $9 million, safely under the cap. The 2018 midterm elections are on Nov. 6. The deadline to register is Oct. 22. See The Chronicle's full voter guide here. Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at amartichoux@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. In case you missed it, on Tuesday, the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, invalidated the master sommelier titles awarded to 2018s batch of newly passed sommeliers. The move was a reaction to the discovery that a master sommelier (who was also an exam proctor) leaked answers to an unnamed candidate who was taking the test; the board annulled the titles of all 23 master sommeliers because the extent to which the answers were leaked remains unknown. In the wake of the discovery, the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas, is creating opportunities for candidates to retake the portion of the exam called into question. These custom and quirky guided tours of Napa and Sonoma offer you all the perks of a vineyard visit without having to drive. Click through the slideshow above to see 10 unusual ways to experience California Wine Country. HAVANA In a country with no opinion polls, campaigns or independent mass media, a series of meetings on reforming Cubas constitution has spawned a highly unusual debate on the islands political system and values. At a half-dozen public forums attended by journalists this month, Cubans repeatedly called for direct election of the president and other officials. And many objected to a constitutional amendment that would allow gays and lesbians to marry, a project promoted by the highly influential daughter of Communist Party head Raul Castro. The government convened thousands of block-level meetings over a nearly two-month period of popular consultation on a draft of the new constitution already approved by the Communist Party and National Assembly. The single-party government is now supposed to review public comments and incorporate suggestions into a final version before putting it to a popular referendum on Feb. 24. The extent to which suggestions will be included in the final document presents a test for a government that is at once autocratic, highly opaque and sensitive to shifts in public opinion. The president of the country should be elected by direct vote of the population, choosing between various candidates, Reinaldo Gonzalez said during a meeting in Havanas relatively prosperous Vedado neighborhood. We dont need multiparty democracy, but we should have direct elections. The president of Cuba is now selected by the National Assembly, whose members are themselves chosen by government-controlled commissions. The public then gives them yes or no votes that rarely dip below 95 percent approval. The nations top post was held for nearly 50 years by Fidel Castro, the leader of Cubas 1959 socialist revolution. His brother Raul then held power for a decade before handing the reins to his hand-picked successor, Miguel Diaz-Canel. The draft constitution currently under debate contains a series of changes that, though important, appear to fall far short of any sort of sweeping reform. The document creates formal roles for foreign investment and private property that seem to mostly recognize existing changes in Cuba, which has been undergoing halting and limited market reforms over the past decade. Andrea Rodriguez is an Associated Press writer. Karim Kadim / Associated Press BEIRUT After five months of political wrangling, Iraqs former oil minister Adel Abdul Mahdi was chosen last week to form a new government the latest hope for reconstructing a county ravaged by war and hardship. His predecessors came to power amid existential battles against the Islamic State and a Kurdish succession bid that promised to dismember the country. But as prime minister he faces an arguably greater challenge: appeasing an electorate that has lost patience with the entire political class and is eager to see results more than 15 years after the U.S.-led invasion. More than 40 miles above Earth and hurtling toward space faster than a rifle bullet, a rocket carrying an American astronaut, a Russian cosmonaut and hundreds of tons of explosive fuel failed less than two minutes after liftoff Thursday, forcing the crew to make a harrowing but safe emergency landing. The capsule parachuted to Earth about 12 to 15 miles outside Zhezqazghan, a small city in central Kazakhstan, and neither of the crew members was injured, both the Russian and U.S. space agencies said. WASHINGTON The suspected murder of a prominent Saudi journalist exposed a growing rift Thursday between the White House and Congress over U.S. policy on Saudi Arabia, as Republican lawmakers demanded an investigation of Jamal Khashoggis whereabouts even as President Trump declared his relations with Riyadh excellent. The Saudi-led, U.S.-backed bombing campaign of Houthi rebels in Yemen which has killed thousands of civilians was already a source of tension between Congress and the Trump administration. But last weeks disappearance of Khashoggi, a well-connected Saudi columnist for the Washington Post living in Virginia, has incensed Republicans and Democrats in Congress, who accused the White House of moving too slowly in pressing the kingdom for answers. The Saudis will keep killing civilians and journalists as long as we keep arming and assisting them, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said on Twitter on Thursday. The President should immediately halt arms sales and military support to Saudi Arabia. But Trump quickly made clear he would not. What good does that do us? Trump asked, speaking to reporters midday in the Oval Office. I would not be in favor of stopping a country from spending $110 billion which is an all-time record and letting Russia have that money and letting China have that money, Trump said, referring to an arms deal with the Saudis, brokered last year, that the president has said will lead to new U.S. jobs. Earlier Thursday, in an interview with Fox & Friends, Trump said U.S. investigators were working with Turkish and Saudi officials to determine what happened to Khashoggi, who has not been seen since Oct. 2 after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Turkish officials suspect a Saudi hit squad killed and dismembered Khashoggi inside the consulate. On Wednesday, the leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee sent a bipartisan letter to Trump demanding an investigation of whether the highest ranking officials in the Government of Saudi Arabia were responsible for human rights abuses in Khashoggis case. The intense scrutiny of Saudi Arabia and its crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, may strain his close relationship with Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law and top Middle East adviser. Kushner had been cultivating the princes support for an Israeli-Palestinian peace plan. Edward Wong, Eric Schmitt, and Eileen Sullivan are New York Times writers. Page Content California employers need to make sure they're complying with strict new regulations governing English-only policies and national-origin discrimination. The state Fair Employment and Housing Council's new rules, which took effect in July, prohibit English-only workplace policies unless strict conditions are met. Among other things, the regulations also: Prohibit discrimination based on a person's accent, unless the employer can show that the accent materially interferes with the person's ability to do the job. Ban discrimination based on English proficiency, unless an employer can show that there's a business necessity for an English proficiency requirement. Prohibit employers from basing hiring decisions on national origin or assigning people to positions or facilities based on national origin, unless they can justify the decision with a valid defense. Offer protections for undocumented workers by stating that employers that threaten to contact immigration authorities may be engaging in harassment or retaliation. Broaden the definition of national origin. Employers should update their anti-discrimination and other workplace policies, ensure that any English-only policies adhere to the new regulations, and educate employees and supervisors about the new rules. Business Necessity Compared to the previous rules, the new regulations include more restrictions on when English-only policies are allowed. Because of this, there are only very limited situations in which employers can have these policies, attorneys said. The new rules state that it's unlawful for an employer to have an English-only policy unless: It is justified by business necessity. It is narrowly tailored. The employer has informed workers about the specific details of its policy. To demonstrate business necessity, the employer must prove that: The language requirement is needed to safely and efficiently operate the business. The language requirement effectively fulfills the purpose it's intended to serve. There is no alternative practice that would accomplish the purpose equally well with a less discriminatory impact. Additionally, English-only mandates can never be imposed during breaks and other off-duty times. "The new regulations make it clear that customer preference, or ease of communication with the customer, is not a legitimate reason for having an English-only policy," said Sahara Pynes, an attorney with Fox Rothschild in Los Angeles. So when might an English-only policy be justified? Kelly Scott, an attorney with Ervin Cohen & Jessup in Beverly Hills, said one example might be when workers operate heavy equipment on an assembly line that requires a supervisor's close oversight. The employer might have an English-only rule to ensure that everyone understands what's being communicated so that no one is injured. Scott noted that companies must show that the English-only policy is necessary for safety and efficiency. "For right now, I think safety is what I would advise employers to focus on," he said. Above all, companies need to ensure that an English-only policy complies with all the criteria in the regulations. "It really has to be justified under the new rules," said Benjamin Ebbink, an attorney with Fisher Phillips in Sacramento. Accents The new rules make it illegal to discriminate based on a person's accent or limited English ability unless there is a valid reason. State regulators are pushing back against employers' blanket policies on not hiring certain people, Ebbink noted. California's "ban-the-box" law, for example, rejects blanket policies against hiring people with criminal histories. Employers need to be educated on the topic of accents and hiring. "I see accent and limited English skills frequently considered by employers in ways that now raise concerns for me under the new regulations," said Jeffrey Horton Thomas, an attorney with Akerman in Los Angeles. He cited the example of a company rejecting someone for a temporary receptionist job just because that person's native language isn't English. An employer might believe that someone isn't qualified to speak with people over the phone simply because that person has an accent or isn't proficient in English, he said. However, an employer can't decline to hire someone simply because the person has an accent, Ebbink emphasized. "You really have to determine if it interferes with the ability to do the job," he said. The level of English proficiency that the employer requires must be needed to "effectively fulfill the job duties of the position," according to the rules. Job Segregation Under the new standards, companies can't seek applicants based on national origin or assign people to positions or facilities based on national origin unless there's a legitimate reason. As an example, Thomas noted the prevalence of Filipino workers in long-term-care facilities. If an employer has had a great experience with Filipino employees and focuses recruitment efforts in that community, the employer could be discriminating against job seekers who are not of Filipino descent, he said. Employers should note that the California Fair Employment and Housing Act's (FEHA's) protections and regulations against harassment, discrimination and retaliation apply to undocumented applicants and workers, though the availability of certain types of remedies may be limited. [SHRM members-only HR Q&A: What is FEHA and what does it cover?] In addition, an employer can't discriminate against people because of immigration status, unless the company shows that its adverse action is required by federal law. Definition The new rules state that the definition of national origin includes: Having a name that is associated with a national-origin group. Having physical, cultural or linguistic characteristics associated with a national-origin group. Being associated with people of a national-origin group. Tribal affiliation. Being associated with an organization that is connected to a national-origin group. Participating with religious institutions that are typically associated with a national-origin group. The associations with national-origin groups may be actual or perceived. Toni Vranjes is a freelance business writer in San Pedro, Calif. Ever a journeyman sommelier, Westbrook last year also launched an eponymous wine company to educate consumers and make wine more accessible. His signature event, Samples & Samples, for instance, has become a regularly sold-out offering at City Winery, where he and his partners pair music with wine. Ive never really experienced wine in the sense of this is what you should do, Westbrook said. I dont care about traditional qualities, because I learned from my fellow somms to trust my own palate. If people like classics, thats great, but I like pushing the envelope. I have different interests. With Nikki Haley resigning as U.N. ambassador, speculation has begun about who President Trump could choose to fill the post--a decision Trump is expected to make the next two to three weeks. The first name on many observer's lists was the president's daughter, Ivanka Trump. Ivanka, who was in the room during the announcement, has handled a large portfolio of miscellaneous projects since her father took office. But critics argue she doesn't have any foreign policy experience for such an important position. What do you think? PERSPECTIVES vanka is not entirely without experience in the United Nations. During the last general assembly, Ivanka traveled with her father to New York and gave a speech to the assembly. However, during her time as the first daughter, Ivanka has not entirely avoided scandal, leaving questions about her ability to conduct the delicate business of diplomacy. Per The New York Times: The Washington Examiner points out that many political analysts and conservative commentators have thrown their weight behind Ivanka. CNN notes that Haley used a substantial portion of her speaking time during the press conference to lavish praise on both Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, who were both in the room. The move could be seen as a way to pass the torch to the couple. Newsweek points out that the U.N. ambassador position requires Senate approval, which could be tricky for Ivanka to get considering potential issues with nepotism. Despite all the speculation, Ivanka seems to be distancing herself from the rumors. .@Acosta: "Ivanka Trump laughed when she was told of the speculation." Jacob Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) October 9, 2018 The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, we'd love to hear what you have to say. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! The best moment in "Tootsie" at the Cadillac Palace is not when the remarkable Santino Fontana first appears in a dress as Dorothy. It is when Fontana first opens his mouth to sing. The audience's buzzing reaction bodes well for the Broadway-bound "Tootsie," first and foremost because it reveals that the creative team of composer David Yazbek, book writer Robert Horn and director Scott Ellis have figured out the tricky task of how to make the 1982 Sydney Pollock movie titter and totter confidently inside the high heels of a musical. This is a very funny show. That's partly because the situation familiar from the movie actor pretends to be woman to get a part, only to see the deception spiral out of control but it's mostly due to Horn's book, with jokes that are so much funnier than the usual musical. The last 15 minutes of this show need work, but "Tootsie" gets so very much right. Through Oct. 14 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St.; $35-$105 at 800-775-2000 and www.broadwayinchicago.com James Shipton, chairman of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), says there is one word that recurs in the Hayne royal commission's interim report into misconduct in the financial services industry and that is "dishonesty". "That word 'dishonest' ... that is the diagnosis on our industry - it is a blight," he told a finance industry conference in Sydney on Thursday. "We all need to have a single aim and that is a fair, strong and efficient financial services sector for all Australians. ASIC boss James Shipton: "Regulation cannot be the sole solution, it has to be coming from the industry itself." Credit:Nick Moir "If we embrace the concept [that the industry manages] other people's money, then hopefully we can get away from this horrible diagnosis of dishonesty to a diagnosis of professionalism." He did not address the criticisms made in the interim report released last month by Commissioner Kenneth Hayne, in which much of the blame was directed at ASIC and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) for being too close to the banks and not taking them to court. Fortescue Metals Group has announced a share buyback program of up to $500 million. The program will begin after the iron ore miner releases its quarterly report on October 25 and will remain in place for a period of up to 12 months. The buyback program does not need shareholder approval, the world's fourth-largest iron ore miner said in a statement. Fortescue chief executive officer Elizabeth Gaines. The share buyback program is a natural extension of our capital allocation focus which has now clearly shifted from debt reduction," Fortescues chief executive officer Elizabeth Gaines said. Brenda Goldblatt has always understood the power of looking closer. The daughter of the legendary photographer David Goldblatt, remembers driving through Soweto, the Johannesburg township where black South Africans had been systematically relocated since the 1948 dawn of Apartheid. Her father made sure it didnt pass her by. We were driving to visit my grandmother in Randfontein and there was a route that went through Soweto, she recalls. As a young girl, I used to like lying on the back seat of the car and looking at clouds and I remember my father yelling at me, Dammit, Brenda, get up and look! He wanted us to see, he wanted us to know where we lived. It wasnt always comfortable. We grew up with an intense awareness of South Africa and the inhumanities of Apartheid. Unlike lot of middle-class children who were brought up with wilful blindness, we were brought up in a state of conscious awareness. It shaped us completely. Goldblatt, who died of cancer, aged 87, in June this year and whose practice is the subject of a major retrospective at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney the largest-ever show dedicated to his work in the Southern Hemisphere devoted his life to seeing. But for the photographer, this act wasnt about passive observation or even photojournalistic documentation. David Goldblatt, photographer. Credit:Warren van Rensburg He wasnt interested in chronicling violence and protests, the lingua franca of societies riven by injustice. Like great short stories, his photographs employ cumulative details to reveal the humanity and complexity of his subjects. They also hint at the values that uphold oppressive systems. These ripple under the surface of his images and linger, ghost-like, beyond the frame. Take Young men with dompas (1972), in which a pair of men lean into each other, eyes glimmering with challenge even as they display the identity cards that policed the movements of black South Africans through segregated white areas. Congratulations to all ARIA nominees announced this week, from breakthrough artists including Jack River and Mojo Juju to more seasoned artists and ARIA regulars, including Jimmy Barnes (nominated for best soundtrack for Working Class Boy) and Paul Kelly (best Australian live act). Not surprisingly there were multiple nominations for Courtney Barnett, nine including her best adult contemporary album nomination for Lotta Sea Lice, recorded with Kurt Vile. Barnett's huge swag of ARIA nominations, under her own name, was only one behind Amy Shark's nine nominations, including album of the year for Love Monster, song of the year for I Said Hi and best female artist. Tash Sultana. Credit:Dara Munnis Barnett, Alison Wonderland, Sia and Tash Sultana were also nominated in the best female category after hugely successful years both here and abroad. Tash Sultana's debut album Flow Chart entered the Australian artist album chart at #1 and she's since gone on to perform to enormous crowds overseas, including three sold out shows at Brixton's O2 Academy last month. The 22-year-old returned to Australia just days ago and will be on stage at Sydney's Lost Picnic on October 13, followed by next month's huge US and Canada tour. Songs from Flow Chart will agin be on show at December's Beyond the Valley festival in Victoria, before her Australian tour takes her around the country from mid-January to late March. A former prosecutor has apologised for comments he made on-camera as part of the ABC's explosive investigative series Exposed: The Case of Keli Lane. Nicholas Cowdery, who was the Director of Public Prosecutions at the time of Keli Lane's murder trial, had told the ABC he did not think the convicted baby killer was a risk to the community. "[She wouldn't] go around killing other people's babies," he said, adding with a chuckle: "She seemed to be a bit of a risk to the virile young male portion of the community. That's not grounds for putting her in prison, of course." Reactions to the 72-year-old's comments ranged from discomfort among some viewers to outright anger that a former prosecutor would speculate about an accused's sex life. Lane was sentenced to 18 years in prison in 2010 for the murder of her baby daughter, Tegan, 14 years earlier. However, the former water polo player has always maintained her innocence. "There's one school of thought that says it's overall a positive thing because it opens the channels of communication around a topic that historically has been quite taboo," she says, although it is also important for people to be aware a friend could be "flagging something" with the memes they create, as well as to remember that mental health conditions should be treated sensitively. "Making light of serious conditions is never a good thing: we wouldn't be making jokes about heart disease." Loading Over the past decade, initiatives like R U OK? Day have increased society's awareness of mental health. On World Mental Health Day earlier this week, many celebrities took to their social media accounts not just to show support for others with poor mental health, but frequently to share their own experiences. Having a mental illness is barely an embarrassing admission anymore. Mental health has gone mainstream. "And in that way I kind of do see [the memes] a little bit as a positive sign," says Bagley-Jones. "In the past, people did not want to identify in any way with having a mental illness." (It should be noted that, while certain mental health conditions notably anxiety and depression are openly spoken about, others like schizophrenia can still be viewed as taboo, and are rarely given the meme treatment.) University of Sydney researcher Cherry Baylosis is currently undertaking a PhD on how people with mental illness tell their stories online. She says memes play an important part in young people's experience with this. "The memes speak to common knowledge and common experiences," she says, adding that she thinks people produce the memes to reach out to a community and have a conversation about their shared experience. "It's a way of normalising what they're going through and offering comedic relief. Often these memes are created in a narrative of irony." Baylosis says the tone of the meme affects where it is shared, adding that some people are more comfortable sharing memes about mental health over apps like Facebook messenger, rather than on their Instagram or Facebook feed. "If it's light humour it can be shared more publicly, but memes that might be perceived as a bit more dark tend to be more private," she says. Thomas*, a 21-year-old university student, tends to not engage with memes about mental health as publicly as he would memes on other subjects because he is "wary that others who see the post if [he] likes or comments on it might not be as okay with joking about it", despite being comfortable talking about his mental health generally. Instead, engages with the memes in "closed" Facebook groups (where members must be added by existing members) established for meme sharing. Although these groups are not often created explicitly for sharing memes about mental health, he notes that the groups with a more left-wing membership tend to often include this content. "In those circumstances, it can be reasonably empowering to know that there are heaps of others in the group who share your struggles," he says, although he is conscious that certain types of memes can be "triggering" to some people who have mental health conditions. Loading Speaking to young adults who identify as having experienced poor mental health and are often exposed to memes about mental health online, their attitudes towards them are generally positive, although most express the same concern that the memes could be damaging to others. "They can be good in normalising the experience of ill mental health, but as someone who has suffered from depression I feel the memes can, not necessarily glamourise the experience, but celebrate the suffering instead of promoting the options for getting help," says Jessica*, 24. Particular concern was shown about memes which joke about suicidal ideation. "When people are saying, 'might as well kill myself', that annoys me and I don't like it when people like and tag those ones," says Sam*, 25, who has previously been diagnosed with clinical depression. Although we are speaking about mental health more and more, misinformation is still a problem. Bagley-Jones takes issue with memes which depict harmful ways of mental illness sufferers treating themselves and others in a positive, or excusatory, tone. "A problem with these memes is that they can use mental illness to justify poor behaviour," she says, adding that mental illness "shouldn't be used as an excuse to not participate as your best self". Then there are the concerns that memes can send incorrect messages about symptoms. "Someone might be saying they are 'depressed', but actually their condition is quite different," speculates Dr Kinsela although he is unsure if there is "enough material in the memes to confuse the issue that much". Baylosis says her research has found most of these memes are being created by social media users who have received a mental health diagnosis and professional treatment. However, it should still be remembered that, although they might provide a feeling of relief or community, looking at or making memes is no replacement for seeking help for a mental health condition. "We live in a country where we can access good healthcare and get proper mental health diagnosis," Bagley-Jones says. "People should not forget that." *Names have been changed Finland's model works for them, I and some brave academics argue because they have a unique cluster of characteristics including a high-quality early childcare system, and a largely culturally homogenous society with a small population. Indeed, holes are being punched into the Finnish miracle, with the Program for International Student Assessment showing that Finland's status is slipping (if you're going to judge things by standardised tests, that is). In 2012 the latest scores available Finland fell out of the international top 10, with top PISA performers all hailing from Asia. Australia, meanwhile, is a dog's breakfast of starting ages. In NSW, children can start kindergarten if they turn five by July 31 but by law they must be in school by their sixth birthday. In Victoria, by contrast, children need to turn five by April 30. NSW parents are increasingly holding their children back. NSW Department of Education data revealed that in 2006, 19 per cent of children were six when they started school. Last year that figure was 22 per cent. Six! No wonder my children, now in Year Five, share a classroom with boys with beards and girls with breasts bigger than mine. For us, the stigma is heightened by the fact that in our neighbourhood, it seems, some parents would gladly hold back their spawn until puberty. At the local Rudolf Steiner pre-school, I see children taller than I was at 12. Ok, I'm shortish, but still. I can't help thinking as I go by: "why aren't you in school?" So why did we send our twins at four? (specifically, it was four years and seven months; they turned five in June of their kindy year). Lack of quality long day care, for one. I needed childcare until at least 6pm; like most working mothers, the option of pre-school with its laughingly anachronistic nine to three format was the stuff of dreams. I felt like I had won the lottery when I found a centre that was nurturing and multicultural, but a few years down the track, it descended into Fawlty Towers-style anarchy after being taken over by another operator. For me, the last straw was when I dropped in one day to find a room of bored kids watching Dora The Explorer on a sunny day. Dora, as every parent knows, is unimaginably bad there is really no excuse to watch it ever, even on rainy days. Why were we paying $30,000 a year (pre-childcare rebate) to have our children watch TV and play with glue sticks? And the twins were curious, maddeningly so, always asking questions, wanting to learn. What are shooting stars, where do jellyfish come from, how do rockets fly, why are some people ticklish they needed to be fed intellectually, not sedated and patronised in the modern-day holding pens that is bad (note, as opposed to good) childcare. Perhaps if I had access to better long day care, I wouldn't have sent them. Who knows? In any case, off they went to kindy the next year. Obviously a sucker for punishment, I also split them up ("don't twins have a special bond?," was the chorus this time). My son's teacher approached us in the first two weeks, saying he was too young take him out, she advised. I still feel the sting of guilt when I met the child who had already turned six in his class a spread of over 15 months from youngest to oldest. But my son was happy and keen to be there. And if I pulled him out, where would that have left his twin sister, equally thirsty to learn? A body of research points to boys faring better if they start school later, but how does this help us parents of boy/girl twins? How does this apply on an individual level? In any case, my children have remained in the NSW school system. They started their second last year of primary school this year (gulp) age nine, and yes, they share a classroom with 11-year olds with stubble. They enjoy learning (mostly), are in the middle of their cohort academically, have a good social group, do coding and debating, and play lots of sport. Loading Under quarantine in a laboratory at the Australian National University lies a graveyard of extinct animals. There's a bone from a giant lemur, which would have been the size of a gorilla in life as it swung through the forests of Madagascar. And a piece from the skeleton of the world's largest bird, the 700 kilogram elephant bird, also from the island, also extinct. Associate professor at ANU Geoff Clark was part of the team that analysed bones from Madagascar. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos "Sadly, we only get to see them reduced down to their skeleton, when they're not quite as impressive," says ANU associate professor Geoff Clark. But this collection of close to 3000 bones is helping to solve one of science's long-standing cold cases - what wiped out the megafauna of Madagascar? "For centuries there was a belief in parts of Europe that moonlight caused food and especially fish (C8) to deteriorate quickly," writes Don Fischer of Goulburn. "Seems that some in the medical profession in 19th century Australia still believed it." However, Don adds there might be something to Gooloagong's lethal moonbeams as he recalls a rather enjoyable Saturday night at the Gooloogong pub a few years ago and then waking up the next day feeling like death. "Must have been the moonbeams! " Obviously where there's smoke (C8) there must be a fire. Helen Gee of Armidale writes in with a tale from her time teaching at a large high school (which shall remain unnamed) in the 1980s. "One rather unpleasant playground duty involved patrolling the girls toilets for smokers. One day a teacher spotted fumes rising above a stall door and so grabbed a bucket of water and threw the contents over the top, shouting: 'Fire, fire!' The bedraggled and dripping girl emerged to over-dramatic mock apologies from the teacher." David Davies of Callala Beach received a message from his computer security provider that: "They had detected 348,676,825 (yes, that's the figure) security threats in the past month and I had been protected from all of them. It sounds rather a lot to a modest laptop user. Is this just advertising hype?" The reference by Peter Bridgman to the length of a piece of string being used for measuring the radius of no smoking zones (C8) jogged the memory of Paul Hunt of Engadine about his own school-days solution for that same conundrum. "Although not a dab hand at geometry at school I managed to come up with an answer that had my teacher very chuffed the length of a piece of string is twice the distance from the middle to one end." "Saw Gladys on television the other morning morning," writes Coral Button of North Epping. "Scarcely recognised her without her hard hat." The park where a Sydney woman's body was found bound and beaten has brought together the community in a vigil to remember the 32-year-old. A small group of about 40 people, including local police and councillors, lit candles and reflected in prayer at Buffalo Creek Reserve in Hunters Hill on Thursday night to console one another and pay their respects. People gathered at Buffalo Creek Reserve for a vigil for murder victim Nicole Cartwright. Credit:Wolter Peeters Nicole Cartwright's remains were found in the same reserve more than week ago by a council worker who was mowing the lawn. Police don't know how the 32-year-old died but say she suffered injuries "consistent with assault" and was bound. He basically said, You know, Mark, if this happens as you say, maybe I'm OK with it, Kelly said. He was not happy with that decision, but it was not (a talk) where he slammed the phone. He recognized that this was within our rights to do this, understood why we would be doing it, lamented that, and wondered if we could deliver on what I described as our plan. Black market tea In the past year 2 million pounds of tea had been bought on the black market in Australia costing the Federal Government 25,000. In his address to the Housewives Association the Director of Rationing, Mr Ford, appealed to housewives to help the people of Britain and the Australian Government by taking an intelligent interest in rationing as supplies from Java would be held up for more than two years while plants were pruned and restored. Immigrants leave for Australia The American ship General Heinzelman will leave Europe for Australia on October 31 with 860 immigrant workers (all Balts) on board. A total of 3400 immigrants were due to arrive in the next four months. Mr Calwell said the newcomers would go to a camp at Bonegilla, Vic., where they would learn about life in Australia. Most of them would be sent to work in foundries and factories; others would work as repairers and fettlers on the east-west railway. Monkeys to wear corsets John Killick, who was plucked from a Sydney jail in a helicopter almost two decades ago, has appeared in court over fraud charges related to a chess set and rug. The 76-year-old, who escaped from Silverwater jail in 1999 and was released on parole more than 15 years later, is charged with three offences including knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime. After a brief appearance in Central Local Court on Thursday when his bail was continued, his lawyer told reporters Killick would "vigorously defend" the charges which "had been a mistake but will be sorted out". The septuagenarian is allegedly the sixth member of a fraud syndicate the Herald last month revealed allegedly used fraudulently obtained loans to finance high-end household items and withdraw more than $250,000 cash hidden in a Sydney bank vault. Police are searching for a man who allegedly filmed up a woman's skirt at a railway station in Sydney's inner west. The man, travelling from Woolooware, got off a train at Redfern station, walked onto the escalators directly behind a woman and began filming up her skirt about 12.30pm on September 7, NSW Police said. Police are searching for a man who allegedly filmed up a woman's skirt at a railway station in Sydney's inner west. Credit:Marina Neil Police are searching for a man they believe may be able to assist with their investigation. He is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, about 183 centimetres tall, aged in his 30s or 40s and with short facial hair. A 44-year-old man will remain behind bars after he allegedly conducted a home invasion and kidnapped his former partner, her two teenage sons and her mother, prompting a dramatic manhunt in the state's central west earlier this week. It is alleged the 44-year-old from Lake Haven was at the centre of the attack, alongside his 23-year-old son and 29-year-old Samuel Towney, who together broke into the home of the man's ex-partner's mother in Ootha, near Condobolin, in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The 44-year-old and 23-year-old cannot be named in order to protect the identities of the children involved. Destructive winds and large hailstones smashed parts of south-east Queensland as tornadoes formed near Kingaroy. Early in the afternoon, seven-centimetre hail pelted tiny Kumbia, north-west of Dalby, while three-to-five-centimetre stones fell from Gympie east to Proston. More than 4000 homes were still without power, mostly in the Gympie region, at 7.30pm on Thursday. The State Emergency Service was called out to 280 jobs, mostly for hail damage, leaking roofs and fallen trees in the Kingaroy, Gympie, Fraser Coast and Maryborough areas. The aftermath of the tornado made Gympie look like ski fields. Credit:Melinda Ellison Gympie residents saw hail the size of golf balls, trees falling, debris and items as big as a trampoline get thrashed against a gate in the strong winds. Melinda Ellison said "cyclonic winds and hail" was coming in horizontally. "I have never seen hail like that before, it was really loud and extremely scary as I was home alone," she said. "It was so loud, like a freight train going through the house. Strong winds swept through Gympie, throwing clotheslines and a trampoline, with hail the size of golf balls raining down. Credit:Jok Bub. "The hills around us looked like ski fields ... we are still without power, as is most of Gympie." The worst of the storms appeared to have passed north and inland of the Sunshine Coast. Gympie copped a 98km/h wind gust and 42 millimetres of rain, while 76 millimetres of rain fell at Noosa and 80 millimetres fell at Mingo Creek in the Wide Bay. Blackwater, much further north and west of Rockhampton, recorded a wind gust of 144 km/h. Coolabunia farmer Damien Tessman spotted this poor cockatoo as he assessed the damage to his property. Credit:Damien Tessmann Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Jonty Hall said two tornadoes appeared to have formed throughout the afternoon, one in Tansey, about 60 kilometres north of Kingaroy, and another in Coolabunia, on the town's outskirts. The Coolabunia cell continued east for some distance but was downgraded to a storm by the time it hit Gympie. Coolabunia dairy farmer Damien Tessmann said his family had never experienced anything like the storms. Loading "My family have been in dairy for 120 years and I'm a fifth-generation farmer but we've never seen anything like it," he said. "We've had partial damage to the dairy's roof, which has exposed of all our equipment and computers. "We've lost a silo and crop of feed that was knee high but now it looks like someone has hit it with a whipper snipper. It's down to nothing." Mr Tessmann said he was in a mad rush to keep his cattle safe and to secure farming equipment. "I was taking cows to get them in there and I was watching the black clouds moving fast and an afternoon fog coming in, then next thing you know all hell breaks loose," he said. Coolabunia farmer Damien Tessmann is trying to repair the damage after thunderstorms and hail hit the area. Credit:Damien Tessmann "My uncle's house is on the property and his windows were smashed and he lost a roof so the kitchen is all exposed, it looks like a swimming pool. "We're all a bit shocked." In Kingaroy, Denise Keelan said she would not test fate again after being caught in the thunderstorm on her way home from work. "I was in Nanango working and thought Id make it home and I chose the road that didn't have a lot of trees in case," she said. "If I had five more minutes, I would have made it home but I pulled over on the side of Peterson Drive and I wasn't the only one. "You couldn't see anything ahead so you didn't have the hope of driving through the hail and rain." The Kingaroy resident was glad her car only received a few dents after staying put on the side of the road for at least 10 minutes until the worst passed through. "It came very fast. You could see the clouds forming but I thought I would make it because every other storm this week so far had missed Kingaroy," she said. "It was very noisy and I was more worried about the windows smashing because it was quite big hail, it would have been two to three inches." Kingaroy resident Denise Keelan was caught in a storm on the way home from work. She was surprised at how large the hail was. Credit:Denise Keelan The worst of the weather had cleared across the south-east by 6.30pm, when the bureau cancelled a severe storm warning that had stretched from Rainbow Beach to Stanthorpe. The tornado threat had eased an hour earlier as areas including Wide Bay, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, southern Capricornia and the southern Central Highlands and Coalfield braced for large hail and winds. Nanango MP Deb Frecklington, Queensland's state opposition leader, said the storms had hit hard. People are shaken up - it was a huge storm system and there may be more storms tonight and over the weekend," she said. Coronial assistants were desperately struggling to process more than 1000 documents provided to the Dreamworld inquest this week by the theme park's lawyers, with a power outage on Wednesday night wiping hours of work. The inquest is investigating what happened on October 25, 2016, when Dreamworlds Thunder River Rapids Ride malfunctioned, killing Cindy Low, Kate Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett and his partner Roozi Araghi. The new documents handed over by Dreamworld owner Ardent Leisure related to incidents on the ride before the 2016 incident. An incident in 2004 where two rafts bumped together and a woman fell into the water while disembarking was mentioned for the first time on Thursday morning. A Queensland mother already dealing with her partner's recent cancer treatment has lost her daughter, after the teenager was hit by a maxi-taxi while riding her bicycle west of Brisbane. Danielle Butterfield, 14, died in Lady Cilento Childrens Hospital on Wednesday and has been described by loved ones as a "happy, cheeky, cheerful" 14-year-old and talented horse rider. Danielle Butterfield died in hospital after she was hit by a maxi taxi while she was cycling in Mt Tarampa, Queensland. Credit:Facebook She was hit on Mount Tarampa Road in Mount Tarampa, 80 kilometres west of Brisbane, about 4.20pm on Monday less than a kilometre from home, according to a family friend. She was airlifted to the Brisbane hospital in a critical condition, having suffered serious head injuries in the collision, but died about 10am on Wednesday. During filming, Willesee told Kenihan he was harder to interview than a prime minister. Years later, Kenihan would take him to task for never calling. Australians fell in love with Quentin Kenihan, and through all the ups and downs to come, that affection never wavered. He was dubbed The little Aussie battler, a moniker he hated. He didnt want to be seen as different just because he had a broken body. Kenihan had battled his whole life. He was open and upfront about it. He battled illness, addiction, dysfunction and his own demons. But, though at times he came close, he never gave up. He pushed himself constantly. His wit, questioning nature and ability to cut to the chase no matter who he was talking to made him stand out. A Mike Willesee documentary about Kenihan when he was seven, became the highest-rating documentary in Australian TV history. Kenihan was one of Australias first reality stars, a stand-up comedian, filmmaker, actor, reviewer, radio host, author, part-time celebrity and, as he said in his 2016 memoir "full-time man negotiating a body that doesnt always do what it should in an environment not built for people like me". In his last days, Kenihan was campaigning for a seat on the City of Adelaide Council on the basis of inclusion and equality for all. He knew better than most how city planners can block access and limit independent community engagement for disabled people and the elderly. He was determined to be a voice for those often overlooked. Quentin Kenihan (the Q Man) died on Sunday, October 7. For a man who was not expected to live through his first day, and who, when he turned 40, was told by doctors this would probably be his last decade, it shouldnt have been surprising. But to all those who loved Q, and there are many, it was a huge shock. The second son of journalists Kerry and Geoff Kenihan, Quentin was born on February 27, 1975 in Box Hill Hospital, Victoria. He was told years later he had the lustiest set of lungs of any newborn. But his screams were from pain. He was born with eight broken bones. Not long after his birth, Quentin was diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a genetic disorder that caused a lifetime of bone fractures and lung problems. For the young Quentin, constantly in pain and unable to move around, his hero was his older brother, Myles. Myles was always the person Quentin called his rock. At two, his younger sister, Sia, was born. He also had two older half-brothers, Christopher and Shawn. Despite the challenges and bad times he outlined in his memoir, Quentin knew that if he needed them, his family were there for him. And two of his lifelong passions, cinema and wrestling, were sparked during these childhood years. For a kid confined to a wheelchair, movies were an escape. He would watch Rambo, Bugsy Malone and Star Wars over and over again. At eight, after two major operations in America, Quentin and his family moved to South Australia. Adelaide became his hometown. He started school at Belair Primary and then entered the Regency Park Centre for the Young Disabled. The armour he carried to deal with cruelty was in place. He felt he had to stand up for himself because there was no one else to do it for him. It was around then that Quentin met another Australian journalist who would become a lifelong friend, Ray Martin. In 1986, Quentin started school at Croydon Park Primary. That same year, his disability activism began (and it would never stop). Discovering that the federal government was going to cut disability funding, Quentin (with his parents encouragement) went on Willesees A Current Affair to debate prime minister Bob Hawke. Two days later, the Labor government decided they would not cut funding after all. Quentins high school years started at Mercedes College and he spent a year at the Susan River Homestead in Maryborough, Queensland, were he went to school at Aldridge High before returning home to Adelaide and the College. He left school for good after informing the principal exactly what he thought of him. For better or worse, Quentin Kenihan spoke his mind and many times his words got him into trouble, but his big heart would eventually redeem him. He was in constant pain and an addiction to painkillers led to mental health problems and a stay in a psychiatric hospital. At 18, after all he had overcome, he started work at the Douglas Mawson Institute of TAFE as a telephonist and focused on becoming a filmmaker. His first professional film was an anti-smoking documentary funded by philanthropist Dick Smith. A number of other short films followed, and then he made the television show Quentin, World at My Wheels - 1.9 million people tuned in. Leading "No" campaigner and religious conservative Lyle Shelton says schools should not have the right to expel students simply for being gay - but should be able to do so if a student acts on that impulse by having sex. The federal government's long-awaited review of religious freedom - which has been obtained by Fairfax Media - has put the spotlight on exemptions to anti-discrimination law enjoyed by religious schools and other bodies. Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he will respond to the Ruddock review by year's end. Credit: Supplied Former attorney-general Philip Ruddock's review panel recommended enshrining in federal law the ability for religious schools to reject gay students under certain conditions. Currently, it is unlawful for schools to reject gay students, but religious schools are exempt from that law. On Wednesday, Mr Ruddock and the government characterised the recommendation as limiting the circumstances in which religious schools can discriminate - by forcing them to have clear and publicly-available written policies if they wished to do so. According to Chicagos Shedd Aquarium, which is pushing to reduce straw use with its #SheddtheStraw campaign, straws dont biodegrade and are nearly impossible to recycle, so its likely every straw ever used still exists. Nearly 19 billion pounds of plastic end up in the ocean annually. Each day Americans, alone, use and toss 500 million straws roughly the same weight as 1,000 cars. A lack of stable energy and emissions policy for more than a decade has forced businesses to consider an industry-led emissions reduction target but the government has cautioned industry about getting too ahead of itself. At the AFR National Energy Summit on Wednesday, it was revealed the Business Council of Australia is investigating an industry-led, self-regulated emissions reduction initiative involving more than 20 companies as a response to the collapse of the National Energy Guarantee policy. "I dont think consensus is a guarantee of correctness:" Resources Minister Matt Canavan. Credit:Peter Braig However, the Federal Resources Minister Matt Canavan said industry should be wary, despite industry consensus. I dont think consensus is a guarantee of correctness, we had consensus on the Renewable Energy Target and it proved to be one of the worst energy policies adopted in Australia and in the world, Mr Canavan said during the AFR National Energy Summit on Thursday. Federal Labor has called for a rewrite of the controversial My Health Record legislation to prevent insurers and employers from exploiting patient data and to protect domestic violence survivors. The opposition is drafting a suite of amendments to address weaknesses with the digital health records system raised in last month's Senate hearings, where medical experts and unions raised serious concerns that the current legislation could allow patient data to be used for commercial purposes. Shadow Health Minister Catherine King says Labor is preparing amendments to the My Health Record Act. Credit:Joe Castro "The Australian people need guarantees that the My Health Record wont be privatised or commercialised," opposition health spokeswoman Catherine King told Fairfax Media. "And they need guarantees that private health insurers will never get access to their data." The revelation that the disappearance of Interpol president Meng Hongwei was engineered by Beijing's secret police shows what President Xi Jinping really thinks of those within the international community who care for the rule of law. Meng Hongwei, the president of Interpol, went missing last week. Credit:AP After all, Meng headed one of the very global agencies created to uphold this rule. His brief vanishing confirms that the desires of Xi and his communist party will always trump concern about what anyone thinks of Beijing's conduct. This was not one of those domestic matters, such as the mass incarceration of the Uighurs, that rightly energises human rights organisations but which the wise men of diplomacy such as Bob Carr and Henry Kissinger (Carr would love this comparison) confine to the art of whispered diplomacy. Mengs disappearance was an up yours to the world. And a big one. Beijing was all but saying: "we can briefly abduct the president of the international law enforcement agency without consequence." Jakarta: Australia stands ready to join the "Our Eyes" ASEAN intelligence group and provide counter-terrorism information and training to the group, Defence Minister Christopher Pyne says. The Our Eyes initiative was founded in January and is made up of six ASEAN nations Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Brunei. An Australian Army soldier, left, answers questions from members of the Indonesian army during joint training. Credit:Australian Defence Department It focuses on combating the rise of militant groups and violent extremism in the region, with a particular concentration on regional hot spots in places such as the Philippines' city of Marawi, which was last year attacked by a group aligned with Islamic State. The Our Eyes nations have vowed to cooperate and share information between both national militaries and police forces. Its name evokes the long-established "Five Eyes" intelligence group, which is made up of Australia, the United States, Britain, New Zealand and Canada. Often economic and diplomatic interests lead countries to overlook killings, even of their own citizens. In one of the most chilling recent cases, an Italian postgraduate student, Giulio Regeni, was found dumped on the side of a road outside the Egyptian capital, Cairo, his body mutilated and his bones broken. Suspicion in Italy immediately fell on Egypt's security forces, notorious for their use of torture. But nearly three years later, no one has been blamed, and while Italy says it continues to investigate, it has forged ahead with ties with Egypt, particularly with the development of a natural gas field off Egypt's coast by Italy's largest energy company, ENI. Sara Kayyali, a researcher on Syria for Human Rights Watch, said Khashoggi's disappearance "is not just sad, it is terrifying." "We are all taken aback by the lack of condemnation by any of our traditional allies for the acts that we are seeing happen, most recently with Jamal's case. I think it is a very challenging time for all of us and our traditional allies are not around," she said. "It looks like it is the age of impunity, but we won't let it go." The Arab diaspora After the wave of pro-democracy protests that shook the Arab world in 2011 came the backlash - brutal crackdowns. As millions from Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Libya left their home countries, autocrats have tracked the vocal critics among them. Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was last seen entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Credit:AP The Khashoggi disappearance has shaken the large community of Arab exiles who found relative safety in Turkey, said an Egyptian dissident who fled his country after the 2013 massacre. He had met Khashoggi only days earlier. He said he is considering where to go next, adding that his wife just got a job in Saudi Arabia, but he's afraid to go there. He spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing for his safety. "It is a whole new level of dangerous," he said. It harkens back to the days when Libya's Muammar Gadhafi called his opponents in diaspora "stray dogs" and sent death squads to shoot them down in European capitals. One prominent Libyan defector, Mansour al-Kikhia vanished from Cairo in 1993. His fate was unknown until 2012, a year after Gadhafi's ouster and death, when his body was found in a freezer in an intelligence building in Libya. A Bahraini dissident living in Britain, Sayed Alwadaei, said these days he was afraid for his wife when she had to go to the embassy to notarise legal representation for a pending trial against her at home. "We did not trust that if she goes to the embassy, she will leave unharmed," he said. Bahrain's Embassy in London dismissed Alwadaei's concerns as "nothing more than a cynical attempt to exploit a current news story." Today's dissidents have more tools to speak their mind from exile, making them more dangerous in the eyes of regimes back home. But the autocrats' toolkit is also more diverse. Those in exile in Turkey say their governments have infiltrated their circles, spying on them physically and through social media. One Egyptian activist said he fled his refuge in Turkey after nearly five years because government spies infiltrated the opposition TV station he had set up. With the government gaining more ground in Syria, activists fear they will now be chased in diaspora. One prominent exiled Syrian, Rami Abdurrahman, who has monitored the war for years and has now become a British citizen, said he got word that a senior Syrian military official named him in meetings as the next target, "wherever I am." Alexander Petrov, left, and Ruslan Boshirov charged as the two Russians responsible for the Novichok poisonings of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Britain. Boshirov's real identity has been revealed to be Colonel Anatoliy Vladimirovich Chepiga. Credit:Met Police/AP Russia Russia has been accused of going after turncoat spies without paying much attention to borders and international norms. In 2006, former Russian security officer Alexander Litvinenko, who fled to Britain and became a harsh critic of President Vladimir Putin, died after drinking tea laced with radioactive polonium-210 in London. Investigations concluded that Russia's security service killed him, likely on Putin's orders. The Russian government has denied any responsibility. In March, former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter were found unconscious in the English city of Salisbury after being exposed to a Soviet- designed nerve agent known as Novichok. They spent weeks in critical condition but survived. Months later, a civilian died after being accidentally exposed to the poison. British officials said the attack on the Skripals received approval "at a senior level of the Russian state" and announced charges in absentia against two Russian agents. The British government says it has evidence the men work for the Russian military intelligence agency. Moscow denies any role in the poisoning. In retaliation, Britain, European Union countries and the United States expelled dozens of Russian diplomats, Britain put greater scrutiny on Russian funds, and Washington imposed limited financial sanctions. Still, Trump was reluctant to speak out strongly against the attack. China China's President Xi Jinping has increasingly defied foreign governments and international rights groups, bolstered by his country's global economic clout, military power and diplomatic weight. That's raised concerns over the fate of civic society within the country, as well as the risks of appointing Chinese officials to positions in international organisations. Xi has waged a broad anti-corruption campaign that has ensnared numerous political foes - including among Chinese communities outside the country. In 2016, then-China's Vice Minister of Public Security Meng Hongwei delivers a speech in Indonesia. Credit:AP The most recent to fall afoul is Interpol's president, Meng Hongwei, who was taken into custody upon arriving in Beijing late last month. The Ministry of Public Security has since said that Meng, who left his post, was being investigated for accepting bribes and other crimes that were a result of his "wilfulness." Such vague accusations are typical in China's highly opaque judicial system that has jailed figures such as the dissident writer and late Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo. Beijing-based independent political analyst Zhang Lifan said China's handling of the Meng case undermines the leadership's insistence that theirs is a country "ruled by law." "In China disappearance is something that happens quite often," Zhang said. "It's just that this time it was presented to the international public in such a special way." Assassinations and renditions A tenuous place in the ruling dynasty is no protection: witness one of the most brazen instances of assassination in recent memory, when North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's estranged half-brother Kim Jong-nam died in 2017 at an airport in Malaysia in an attack that authorities said used VX nerve agent. In March, the Trump administration referred to it only indirectly, hedging perhaps with an eye to future diplomacy. Washington only determined that Pyongyang used chemical weapons, an apparent reference to the killing without going into any further detail. Transformational Business Combination Establishes Strong International Growth Platform; SOLs Simpson Group to Own 9.9% of Parkland Calgary, Alberta, October 10, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Parkland Fuel Corporation (Parkland, We, Our or Us), (TSX:PKI) Canada's largest and one of North America's fastest growing independent marketers of fuel and petroleum products and a leading convenience store operator, and SOL Limited have entered into an agreement to complete a business combination (the Business Combination or Transaction) between Parkland and SOL Investments Limited (SIL) and its subsidiaries (collectively, SOL). A privately-held company owned by the Simpson Group, SOL is the largest independent fuel marketer in the Caribbean and a wholly-owned subsidiary of SOL Limited. SOL supplies and markets a total of 4.8 billion liters of fuel volume annually across 23 countries in the Caribbean and generated US$215 million (approximately C$280 million) in adjusted earnings before taxes, depreciation, and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) in the 12-month period ending June 2018. The Transaction will result in Parkland acquiring 75% of the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of SIL (the SIL Shares) for total consideration of US$1.21 billion (approximately C$1.57 billion) plus customary post-closing adjustments on a cash-free and debt-free basis (the Purchase Price), and SOL Limited acquiring 12.16 million common shares in the capital of Parkland (the Parkland Shares). This equates to a purchase price multiple on the 75% equity interest in SOL of approximately 7.5x Adjusted EBITDA, excluding working capital. Upon closing the Simpson Group, through its ownership in SOL Limited, will own approximately 9.9% of the issued and outstanding shares in Parkland and its intention is to remain a long-term investor in Parkland. The Transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Parklands distributable cash flow per share by approximately 17% (pre-synergies). The remaining 25% of the shares outstanding in SIL are subject to the Minority Purchase/Sale Right (as defined below) pursuant to which Parkland may elect to acquire or SOL Limited may elect to sell the remaining shares in the capital of SIL. Based on SOLs Adjusted EBITDA for the 12-month period ending June 2018, the Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Parkland from the 75% ownership stake in SOL would have been US$161 million (approximately C$210 million), representing 75% of SOLs Adjusted EBITDA for the period. Parkland President and CEO Bob Espey said, The addition of SOL will extend our global supply reach and enable us to continue to build our supply advantage to benefit our entire business. With its integrated supply chain backed by an extensive distribution network, fortress assets, a premier brand portfolio and an exceptional team, SOL has built a strong market position with unparalleled regional scale. Together, Parkland and SOL create a significant North American and Caribbean growth platform. We are delighted to partner with the Simpson Group and welcome the opportunity to work with SOLs strong management team to optimize and grow SOLs industry-leading retail and supply network through our combined scale and expertise. Sir Kyffin Simpson, CBE, Founder of SOL Limited said, I am exceptionally pleased to announce the coming together (Business Combination) of Parkland and SOL, which will ensure an exciting and dynamic future for everyone. With a desire to continue to develop and grow the business through expansion in new areas, I am extremely blessed to bring in our good friend's Parkland of Canada to the Caribbean. I have long admired Parkland as a company with their futuristic vision and energy, and I have been tremendously impressed with Bob Espeys strong leadership along with his exceptional management team. I am truly confident that this coming together with the fantastic team at SOL will be a complementary blend of cultures, ideas, technology, and innovation. I am convinced that Parkland and SOL are perfectly matched to develop new and exciting opportunities, with a renewed energy that will provide excellent avenues for the development of our people that will, in turn, enhance our customer experience and open new doors for great synergies and improved logistics. With forty-three million people and a GDP of more than US$200 billion, this is the perfect time to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities that abound in the Caribbean. This coming together will also provide a big boost of confidence for regional investment opportunities and we are happy to do our part in this regard. Please, therefore, join with me in welcoming this wonderful team and organization to the region. I pray Gods richest blessings on this coming together and I look forward to what the future has in store for us all. Chief Financial Officer Mike McMillan said, "The scale of the pro-forma business combined with the strong cash flow from operations and operational synergies expected from SOL will further strengthen Parklands balance sheet and capital structure. The financing for the Transaction will enable Parklands pro forma total leverage ratio to remain below 3.5x. In addition, Parkland will be in a strong position from a balance sheet and capital structure perspective to continue to execute on our growth strategies. Key Highlights The addition of stable earnings from 526 retail stations (266 company-owned or company-leased sites and 260 dealer owned and operated sites); Provides an opportunity to roll out Parklands private label, loyalty, and enhanced food offer; Positions Parkland to access supply at scale in the US Gulf Coast, creating future growth opportunities and supply advantage in the US Gulf and Atlantic coasts for Parkland USA (in addition to our continued focus on the US Northern Tier and Rocky Mountain regions); Total identified annual run-rate synergies of approximately 20% of SOLs Adjusted EBITDA over the next three years; Pro forma net debt to Parkland Adjusted EBITDA of approximately 3.2x on a consolidated basis with a strong deleveraging profile; and The SOL operating brands will remain in place, and the SOL business will retain key management and continue to be managed from the Caribbean. Parkland and SOL Limited, the sole shareholder of SIL, will enter into a shareholders agreement that grants a call right for Parkland and put right for SOL Limited (collectively, the Minority Purchase/Sale Right), pursuant to which Parkland may elect to acquire or SOL Limited may elect to sell the remaining 25% portion of the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of SOL (the Remaining Shares) at a value of 8.5x the Adjusted EBITDA of SOL based on the then current audited financial statements. The Minority Purchase/Sale Right will be exercisable by either party for a period of 90 days following the release by Parkland of its audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (or December 31, 2021 in the event that closing does not occur on or before December 31, 2018). The Minority Purchase/Sale Right will be exercisable annually thereafter by either party for a period of 90 days following the release by Parkland of its audited annual financial statements. The Transaction is subject to the receipt of customary third-party consents and regulatory approvals, including approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange. Closing of the Transaction is expected to occur in late Q4 2018. Strategic Rationale Through strategic acquisitions and organic growth, SOL has built fortress assets in stable markets across the region; SOL is the largest independent fuel marketer and convenience store operator in the Caribbean region, with more than 4.8 billion liters of annual volume and approximately US$215 million (approximately C$280 million) in estimated Adjusted EBITDA (excluding expected synergies); Provides comprehensive and key infrastructure in the Caribbean region to extend and enhance Parklands supply advantage and expertise; Adds significant scale to Parklands retail and supply businesses; Provides increased exposure to stable earnings across multiple lines of business; Provides diversification from the North American market; Significantly contributes to Parklands US dollar cash flows; Positions Parkland to access supply at scale in the US Gulf Coast, creating future growth opportunities and supply advantage in the US Gulf and Atlantic coasts for Parkland USA; Supports acquisition and expansion opportunities in the Caribbean region and broader Americas; and Opens Parklands business to global supply advantages to benefit existing and future business opportunities. SOL Retail Business Represents approximately 2.0 billion liters of annual volume with operations in 20 countries; Includes 526 retail stations (266 company-owned or company leased sites and 260 dealer owned and operated sites); and Operates 197 Shell-branded retail stations and 163 ESSO-branded retail stations and enjoys a long-standing relationship with both premier retail brands in the Caribbean. SIL also operates 93 SOL-branded stations, which enjoy excellent recognition in the Caribbean. SOL Supply and Distribution Business SOLs infrastructure assets include 32 import terminals, 7 pipelines, 3 marine berths and 10 charter ships; Enables SOL to achieve superior supply economics in the Caribbean region as it is the largest fuels marketer with an integrated supply chain; Primary objective is to supply the SOL marketing business and any spare capacity is sold to third parties; Chartered vessel fleet provides SOL with inter-island transportation and distribution capabilities; Owned and leased terminals enable intermediate storage for large fuel cargoes across the region; Geographically close to US Gulf Coast supply, one of the longest refined product markets in the world; Ownership of 29% non-operating financial stake in the entity that owns and operates the SARA Refinery located in Fort-de-France, Martinique (the SARA Refinery). The capacity of the SARA Refinery is 16,000 thousand barrels per day; and SARA Refinery owns and operates all the pipelines, ships and terminals required to supply refined products to Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Martinique. SOL Commercial and Industrial Business Represents approximately 1.8 billion liters of annual volume with operations in 21 countries; Supplies gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, LPG (propane) and other petroleum products to commercial and industrial customers in the mining, power generation, manufacturing, construction, transport and hospitality industries; Lubricants segment represents 21 million liters of annual volume and operations in 18 countries; Distributes Shell and Pennzoil-branded lubricants and is the largest licensed distributor of Shell-branded lubricants in the Caribbean; LPG (propane) segment represents 47 million liters of annual volume and operations in 10 countries; Distributes LPG (propane) direct to customers under the highly recognizable SOL Energy brand; and Distributes LPG (propane) to other distributors and governments under various supply agreements. SOL Aviation Business Represents approximately 600 million liters of annual volume with operations in 13 countries; Operates in most countries through joint ventures with various third parties. Joint ventures are structured to enable maximum utilization of high cost fixed assets; and Jointly owns airport terminals and infrastructure in several markets. Parkland Financing The Transaction and related fees and expenses will be financed by Parkland with a fully underwritten financing package: Debt financing of approximately C$1.1B underwritten by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and National Bank of Canada as Co-Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners consisting of: o C$470 million of senior secured bank debt, a US$250 million (approximately C$325M million) term loan and a term facility of C$300 million. SOL Limited will provide approximately C$518 million equity financing through its investment in Parkland: o Parkland will issue 12.16 million Parkland shares to SOL Limited from treasury as partial consideration for the Business Combination at a price of approximately C$42.62 per share, representing the 5-day volume- weighted average price of Parklands common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange as of market close on October 9, 2018. After closing, SOL Limited will own approximately 9.9% of the issued and outstanding common shares in Parkland. Parkland expects to replace the term facility with alternative longer-term debt prior to the closing of the Transaction. Investor Event and Conference Call Information Parkland will host a webcast and conference call at 6:30 AM MT (8:30 AM ET) on October 10, 2018, to discuss the Transaction. Parklands Senior Leadership Team will be available to take questions from securities analysts and investors following their formal comments. Please log into the webcast slide presentation 10 minutes prior to start time at Webcast: https://edge.media-server.com/m6/p/gxyt5yny To access the conference call by telephone, dial toll-free (844) 889-7784. International callers should use (661) 378-9928, Conference ID: 1558797. Please connect approximately 10 minutes before the beginning of the call. The webcast will be available for replay one hour after the conference call ends. It will remain available at the link above for one year and will be posted to www.parkland.ca. A link to the live webcast and investor presentation will be available on the Investors section of Parklands website at http://www.parkland.ca/investors/. PHILIPSBURG:--- On Tuesday, October 9th, members of the Trust Fund Steering Committee, Marcel Gumbs and Frans Weekers were updated on the progress and plans for the new St. Maarten General Hospital. The St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) has signed an agreement to receive a USD 25 million grant from the Trust Fund that is funded by The Netherlands and managed by the World Bank. The grant will be utilized to improve services of the current hospital, while the new hospital is being built, and to upgrade the design of the new hospital to withstand category 5+ hurricanes. Chairman Board of Directors Kees Klarenbeek, accompanied by Medical Director Felix Holiday and managing staff at SMMC welcomed the delegation and gave an in-depth presentation on the progress of the project. Weekers voiced his support for the project during the meeting: The plans for the new St. Maarten General Hospital, incorporate all aspects of the type of projects which we like to see realized out of the Sint Maarten Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience Trust Fund. Some of the key actions and new services linked to the new St. Maarten General Hospital are: Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, an increased capacity from 66 to 110 beds, continuing education sessions for current St. Maarten Medical Center staff and new specialties available at-home such as urology, neurology, orthopedics, hematology, ophthalmology and pulmonology and four state-of-the-art operating theatres. These upgrades will greatly enhance the quality of healthcare on Sint Maarten and reduce the need for medical referrals abroad. A new and improved hospital is direly needed. I am happy to see it become a reality, stated Gumbs at the end of the presentation. Weekers, who is accompanied by Hans van der Stelt, Program Director Reconstruction, Netherlands Ministry of the Interior & Kingdom Relations, arrived on October 7 for a working visit. The purpose of the visit is to get a first-hand update of the progress of the reconstruction in preparation for the next official Steering Committee meeting in November. After months of preparation, the representatives of the legitimately elected coalition government of Sint Eustatius who where deposed on February 7th, 2018, filed a petition at the Court of First Instance to initiate main proceedings against the Government of the Netherlands on August 29th, 2018. The first hearing is scheduled for October 23rd, 2018. The petition seeks to have the Court in First Instance declare any and all actions of the Government of the Netherlands which violate international law, and article 73 of the United Nations Charter, in particular, as unlawful acts and therefore null and void. The United Nations Charter has established Sint Eustatius right to a Full Measure of Self-Government (FMSG). This right is non-negotiable and unconditional. In the main proceedings, the Government of the Netherlands will be required to reply to the petition, and explain to the Court in First Instance why it feels that the Wet tijdelijke taakverwaarlozing St. Eustatius, which it unlawfully enacted in order to depose the democratically elected government of Sint Eustatius, is not in violation of international law, and in particular of articles 26 and 27 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and articles 2 and 103 of the United Nations Charter. In its response to the charges, the Government of the Netherlands will also have the opportunity to dispute rulings of the Dutch Supreme Court that obligations under the United Nations Charter are dominant obligations which always supersede any regional or national law. Interestingly, the Government of the Netherlands itself has used that same argument in a number of legal proceedings, in defense of decisions it took. Furthermore, the Government of the Netherlands will have to legally substantiate its statement, as expressed by former Minister Plasterk in his letter of July 5th, 2017 to the Executive Council of Sint Eustatius, that the Charter of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (het Statuut) and the amendment to it were established in accordance with the requirements of the United Nations Charter. As plaintiffs, we are convinced that the Government of the Netherlands will not be able to achieve any of the above. Based on jurisprudence, courts are obligated to respect Sint Eustatiuss right to a FMSG because The Netherlands has ratified both the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and the United Nations Charter. The main point of law, or rechtsvraag, in the main proceedings is the following: can a right or obligation under the United Nations Charter, in combination with articles 26 and 27 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and article 103 of the United Nations Charter, be limited or affected by national legislation? Based on the number of national and European rulings against the Government of the Netherlands during the past years, and as recently as the last two months, we as plaintiffs are convinced that said point of law will have to be answered in the negative. If so, the Government of the Netherlands is also in violation of article 90 of its own Constitution (Grondwet), which obliges the Dutch State to promote the development of the international rule of law. Since the beginning of 2017, the Government of Sint Eustatius has continuously sought dialogue about establishing a new relationship with the Government of the Netherlands based on its United Nations-mandated right to a FMSG. Because the Government of the Netherlands could not present any legal counter-arguments, refused to comply with international law, and was on the verge of being exposed and embarrassed internationally for its persistent and blatant violations of the United Nations Charter, it saw no other way out than to use a bogus report by two of its representatives to completely decapitate the legitimate Government of Sint Eustatius in February of 2018. As the petition filed on August 29th, 2018 will show, the Government of the Netherlands has not learned anything from the international criticism and embarrassment it suffered in Indonesia after WWII, nor from the strong distrust and skepticism it faced in the United Nations because of its behavior in Indonesia when attempting to convince the world community that it had fully complied with its obligations under the United Nations Charter in 1954. Unlike before, however, during the main proceedings, the Government of the Netherlands will not be able to dismiss the Government of Sint Eustatius with derogatory remarks and arrogant answers, or refuse to answer altogether. After more than sixty-six years of (attempts at) misleading the world community, the unlawful actions of the Government of the Netherlands will finally be challenged and scrutinized in a court of law, and they will have to give legal account for their actions and policies. PHILIPSBURG:--- The 2018 Scotiabank Rotary-Rotary Spelling Bee kicks off this Sunday at the Belair Community center, organized and hosted by The Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle. Fourteen schools have entered, twelve from St. Maarten and two from Anguilla. The St. Maarten Schools are MAC Browlia F. Maillard Campus, MAC Rev. John A. Gumbs Campus, Marie Genevieve De Weever School, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School, Oranje School, Ruby Labega Primary School, Leonard Connor School, Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School, Seventh Day Adventist School, Sister Regina Primary School, St. Dominic Primary School, St. Joseph Primary School, Methodist Agogic Center School (JAG). The two schools from Anguilla are Alywn Allison Richardson Primary and The Valley Primary School. There are 34 participants in total. The Spelling Bee will be held at The Belair Community Center over three weeks. The first round, the preliminary round will be held on Sunday 14th October. The fifteen highest scorers from the preliminary round will advance to the second round, the semifinals, which is being held on Sunday 21st October. The five highest scorers from the semifinals will advance to the final round. The final round is being held on Sunday 28th October. The participants are expected at The Belair Community Center at 12 noon for a prompt start at 1 pm. Due to the success of the first tutorials held in 2016, it was decided to hold four sessions this year at The University of St. Martin. We hope we have inspired the participants to be the best that they can be. We would like to encourage and welcome everyone to come and give support to the participants at the 5th Scotiabank Rotary-Rotaract Spelling Bee on all three Sundays. The school with the best supporting team will win a prize. Today's Students are our future generation. Teach them well and let them lead the way. The Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle meets Tuesdays' at 7 pm at Pineapple Pete in Simpson Bay. For more information please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our facebook page Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle. I'm going to straighten it out and straighten it out fast. There's no reason for what's going on there," Trump said. I've 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 enforcement's hands and to strongly consider stop-and-frisk. Orsu Metals wins Gold Prize MineVenture Competition Moscow Posted by Publisher Internet Orsu Metals Corporation (TSX-V: OSU) (?Orsu? or the ?Company? http://www.commodity-tv.net/c/search_adv/?v=298573) is delighted to announce that at the 14th Russian Mining and Exploration forum Minex Russia 2018 that took place in Moscow on the 2-4th October 2018, the Sergeevskoe gold project presented by Orsu won a Gold Prize at the MineVenture competition for the best mining investment projects. The objective of the MineVenture competition was to provide a platform for independent evaluation of early stage and developing mining projects and to discuss opportunities for their accelerated implementation.? Participation in the competition is to receive the recommendations from leading experts, attract potential partners or buyers, promote the projects to the forum?s international audience.? The 1st Mining Projects Accelerator competition was judged by a jury that included top management of the leading Russian gold mining companies and the industry bodies.? Alexander Yakubchuk presented Orsu?s Sergeevskoe gold project and took the top prize and received excellent advice from the experts. About Orsu Metals Orsu owns 90 percent of the Sergeevskoe gold exploration project in Russia?s Transbaikalian Region. The property is leased from the Russian Government until 2031 when it can be extended for an additional 10 years when the mine starts producing. The Sergeevskoe license area is comprised of 7.6 square kilometers and has excellent access to the infrastructure needed to develop the property. The licensed area is in proximity to the Trans-Siberian railway and the Chita-Khabarovsk motorway. The Russian government has also installed various cell towers along the highway and access to water and power is not an issue. The Sergeevskoe property sits between SUN Gold Ltd.?s Klyuchevskoe past producing gold mine and the producing Aleksandrovskoe gold mine owned by Zapadnaya?Gold Mining Limited. The two mines have reported resources over 5.5 million ounces and 2.2 million ounces gold, respectively.? 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. Cautionary Statement: This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company\-\-s current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as \plan\, \expect\, \project\, \intend\, \believe\, \anticipate\, \estimate\, \suggest\, \indicate\ and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions \may\ or \will\ occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements. There may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. For further information, please contact: Alexander Yakubchuk, Director of Exploration, Orsu Metals Corporation Doris Meyer, Corporate Secretary, Orsu Metals Corporation Tel: +1-604-536-2711 ext 6 www.orsumetals.com In Europe: Swiss Resource Capital AG Jochen Staiger info@resource-capital.ch www.resource-capital.ch TerraX completes high resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric and LiDAR surveys over the Quyta-Bell property Posted by Publisher Internet TerraX Minerals Inc. (TSX-V: TXR; Frankfurt: TX0; OTC Pink: TRXXF http://www.commodity-tv.net/c/search_adv/?v=298245) 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. ?? 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 In Europe: Swiss Resource Capital AG Jochen Staiger info@reosurce-capital.ch www.resource-capital.ch 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. Leading Y Combinator AI Scaleup Unbabel Announces San Francisco Launch and Key Global Hires October 11, 2018: SAN FRANCISCO Unbabel, the enterprise SaaS company that combines state of the art Artificial Intelligence (AI) with a global crowd of humans to break down business communication barriers, has officially opened its doors in San Francisco following on from a USD23m investment in Series B funding earlier this year. Unbabel is backed by an incredible roster of world-class investment firms, including Scale Ventures Partners, Notion Capital, Microsoft Ventures, Salesforce Ventures and Samsung NEXT. As the first ever Portuguese company to be accepted into the Y Combinator program in 2014, Unbabel\-\-s \Translation-as-a-Service\ platform has grown rapidly as a result of removing language as a barrier to global customer experiences through a mix of Neural Machine Translation, machine learning and a global crowd of thousands of multilinguals. Unbabel\-\-s unique combination of machine and human intelligence enables multilingual communication at a quality, speed and scale that simply wasn\-\-t possible before. Major brands such as Facebook, easyJet and Under Armour have Unbabel deeply integrated into their customer communication workflows, either via API or a native integration with leading customer experience platforms like Salesforce, Zendesk, Intercom and Freshworks. Named Startup Founder of the Year 2016 by Startup Portugal, Unbabel\-\-s co-founding CEO Dr. Vasco Pedro is leading a dedicated team of engineering and business development experts in San Francisco, and is keen to grow headcount: \A majority of our customers have always been in the US, but nothing beats being on the ground in a city that is such a hotbed of technical talent and innovation. This new phase of growth is incredibly exciting for us we can now be closer to both our US clients and to the best tech and customer service talent in the country.\ Building upon a team that already includes seasoned sales veteran Wolfgang Allisat as Chief Customer Officer, and world-renowned machine translation expert Dr. Andre Martins as Head of AI Research, the company has appointed three further senior global hires to accelerate its efforts. Carmen Carey joined the team as Chief Operating Officer earlier this summer, bringing a wealth of experience in executive leadership roles in fast-growing, VC-backed and publicly-traded technology companies like Apica, Big Data Partnership, BroadVision, MetaPack, ControlCircle and MessageLabs. Maxim Khalilov has been appointed Director of Applied Artificial Intelligence, joining from Booking.com where he was a data-science-focused Product Owner. And Sebastien Prioris joins as VP of Product, following a swift rise to Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer at onefinestay, the luxury bookings operator. \Our mission at Unbabel is to enable everyone to understand and be understood in any language,\ says Dr. Pedro. \That\-\-s a truly global challenge, and we\-\-re meeting it head on with a truly global team. I\-\-m delighted to be in San Francisco to lead the charge here, and to see our core team expanding around the world, with over 50 open positions right now.\ Additionally, out of 1200+ active Y Combinator companies today, Unbabel is one of only 60 with more than 100 employees, and has recently been accepted into the famed accelerator\-\-s YC Growth Stage Program, which Dr. Pedro will attend until the end of 2018 in San Francisco. We want to become better known for access control - Q&A with Bosch Building Technologies Gregor Schlechtriem Gregor Schlechtriem has worked in the access control market for over 20 years and is now responsible for the Access & Intrusion Business Unit at Bosch Building Technologies. In this interview, the expert talks about key industry trends, the impact of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, technical innovations and his companys strategy. Mr. Schlechtriem, you have many years of experience in the security technology market. What is your background and what are your responsibilities as Senior Vice President at Bosch Building Technologies? Gregor Schlechtriem: I am a trained engineer and electrical technician, and have been involved with access control in the broadest sense, since I started my career in the late 1980s. I started in the field of parking garage technology and then switched to security technology in 2001, as Managing Director of micos GmbH, which specialised in traditional access control. micos GmbH was known for its highly available and highly secure access control systems, for critical infrastructure and government applications. Many systems from that time are still in use today and continue to be supported and upgraded. Bosch is continuing micos business here? Gregor Schlechtriem: Exactly, micos was taken over in 2004 by Bosch Security Systems, now known as Bosch Building Technologies. Since then, we have continuously been developing the access control business. Being part of the Bosch Building Technologies division, we benefit a lot from international cooperation with colleagues Being part of the Bosch Building Technologies division, we benefit a lot from international cooperation with colleagues and from overlap with other product lines, such as intrusion detection technology and video security. This gives us the opportunity to implement outstanding project solutions for demanding customers in an international environment. In developing this business, I rely on my experience from other interesting roles at Bosch that I took on, after micos was bought in 2004. For a time, I worked in the European System Integrator Business, which I also had the privilege of managing for several years, as well as being directly responsible for business units. In Fairport, USA, I had the overall responsibility for intrusion detection technology for many years, as I later did in Eindhoven for video systems. Since 2018, the global access control and intrusion detection business has once again been my direct responsibility. At Bosch Building Technologies, we have in the meantime assigned sales to the respective business units, so that we can develop our product and solution portfolio, in close cooperation with sales and our regular customers. Our main task now is to make our access control portfolio accessible to a broader market. We want to make Bosch much better known, as an access control provider, in the international market. After all, with our own access product portfolio, the power of the Bosch Group and over 40 years of experience in this sector, we have a lot to offer. As an expert in access control, how do you see the industry developing? In which direction is it currently evolving? Gregor Schlechtriem: First of all, I see that security requirements are constantly increasing. Whereas there are currently still simple key replacement systems that merely record card numbers, such an approach, to a large extent, no longer meets todays security and user experience requirements.The core task of access control has not changed over the years In the beginning, access control was more or less a kind of key replacement. Later, there was the possibility of increasing security via a pin code, i.e., via verification through simple data inputs. The next step in this direction was biometrics, which is another key step up, because it allows verification by means of unmistakable characteristics. However, the core task of access control has not changed over all the years and has basically always remained the same: access control means determining who has an access request and checking whether this request can be fulfilled. Whats next on this path to greater security? Gregor Schlechtriem: Biometrics-based access control is becoming increasingly powerful and user-friendly through the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Here, data protection plays a major role, as wherever identities are established and movement data is recorded, it is necessary to reconcile the evolving technology with data protection.Biometrics-based access control is becoming increasingly powerful and user-friendly through the use of artificial intelligence The question of data protection is becoming even more significant, as systems increasingly migrate to the Cloud. Bosch puts particular emphasis on ensuring that, even in the cloud, the data generated in access control is always in line with data protection rules, regardless of where it is located. In my opinion, this trend towards the Cloud will continue, because companies are increasingly looking for complete service offerings, so that they can focus on their core business. Also, a system in the Cloud is easier to maintain and always up-to-date with the latest software, which makes cloud solutions even more attractive for providers and users. How can higher security be reconciled with a good user experience? Gregor Schlechtriem: Today, the card still plays a central role in the user experience, as the essential credential. Another current trend is one card for everything: with the increasing availability of secure multi-function smart cards, the possibility arises to use cards beyond the pure access function, for example, for payment in the canteen, at the catering and coffee machines, and in the parking garage, as well as simple access to other properties and so on.The security of cards has evolved significantly and kept pace with requirements The security of the cards, the reading and encryption processes, has evolved significantly and kept pace with requirements, although we are also facing an installed base that no longer meets these requirements, due to outdated systems. Today, it is standard for communications between reader and card to be encrypted. In some cases, the keys are also only held centrally to further increase security. The security systems industry was also affected by the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. How do you think the industry has changed? What technical solutions have emerged during this time? Gregor Schlechtriem: First of all, there is a certain need for retrofitting in the industry due to changes in how buildings are used. For example, American retailers used to be open around the clock and always had staff on site. Now, due to COVID-19, stores are also closed, and this results in a whole new need for intrusion detection and access control systems to protect the buildings. For access control, an obvious task has arisen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, namely to track contacts, as far as this is compatible with data protection. We actually expected more to happen here, but in our observation, many companies did quite little, despite clear and simple steps that could have been implemented relatively quickly. The installed access control systems clearly lag behind the technical possibilities. Another topic that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought into focus is hygiene Another topic that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought into focus is hygiene. Companies should actually have invested in contactless systems here and retrofitted speed gates or motorised doors. But in many cases this was not put into practice. The door opener is still often used, which has to be operated manually and therefore, is touched multiple times. But, if everyone presses the same button, that doesn't help hygiene. Surprisingly, this is different in North America. Here, request-to-exit proximity detectors are used almost everywhere, which avoids this problem completely and releases the door, when an authorised person approaches it. Mobile access and smartphone-based access control are also growing markets. What kind of developments do you see in these areas? Gregor Schlechtriem: I already mentioned that users increasingly want to be able to use one card for several applications. But, what we are seeing here is that even with the most modern cards, which have a lot of applications loaded on them, we are reaching performance limits and the user experience suffers. If you compare the card with the smartphone as a credential, you have a much more attractive integration platform there, which is significantly faster and delivers much better performance. For us, the mobile credential or the smartphone is the future, because it simply offers more possibilities that the card will not be able to provide in the long term. What is the specific direction Bosch is taking here? Gregor Schlechtriem: We are currently working on a broad implementation. A whole team is working on the user experience around the smartphone, because its understood that smartphone-based access has to work just as easily, as it currently does with a card.A whole team is working on the user experience around the smartphone In theory it does, but if you look at some of the actual implementations, this topic is still relatively complex. In terms of user experience and automation, we still have quite a way to go, and we are working hard on that at the moment. The user experience is one side of the coin, the other side concerns establishing security in the smartphone as a whole. In other words: How do I make the smartphone secure enough as a mobile credential, to meet my access control requirements? We are also working intensively on this. That's actually an IT task. Do you do this yourself at Bosch or do you work with external experts here? Gregor Schlechtriem: We have our own powerful Bosch IT, which also manages our company smartphones. If our company smartphones are lost, the data on them is automatically deleted. The devices use biometrics to identify users, before they can access the data. It is a sound security concept that a card cannot offer. Moreover, we are working with other partners in the IDunion project, to create the additional infrastructure around mobile credentials as well. What exactly is the IDunion and what role does Bosch play? Gregor Schlechtriem: Digital identities must be openly accessible, widely usable, interoperable, and secure. This applies not only to access control, but to the digitised economy in general. The IDunion project has set itself the task of creating the infrastructure for this, in the form of an independent wallet, i.e., secure identity storage on smart devices. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWI), because digitisation is also a critical social issue. We are intensively involved in the Physical access to the building work package in this consortium. Through this involvement, we want to ensure that our access control systems benefit from this infrastructure and are open to future digital business models. Does digital identity management, which includes biometrics and mobile access, also play a role for Bosch? Yes, it plays an important role for us, and I wouldnt consider these topics separate Gregor Schlechtriem: Yes, it plays an important role for us, and I wouldnt consider these topics separate. For me, a mobile device has the advantage that it has already ensured and verified my identity from the moment of interaction. Thats the fascinating thing about it. If I only allow the device to communicate with the access control system, if I have identified myself first, I have implemented biometrics and access control together in a widely accepted process. From my point of view, this is a very interesting perspective, in terms of security and user experience, because the biometrics procedures in smartphones are, I think, the best currently available. In my view, the smartphone has the potential to take over central functions in access control in the future. What are your goals for the access control business of Bosch Building Technologies in the near future? Gregor Schlechtriem: We will continue to focus on specific solutions for large customers. That is the continuation of our current strategy. In these projects, we will introduce new topics as I have just described, i.e., primarily new technology elements. I believe that, precisely because of the longevity of access control, a long-term migration capability is also of particular importance. We want to reach out to the broader market and make more widely available, what we have developed in terms of technology and innovation. We are currently in the process of setting up and optimising our sales organisation, so that it becomes much more widely known that we at Bosch have our own powerful access control portfolio, which can be used for all kinds of applications. In addition, we want to differentiate ourselves in the market with our systems, in line with the motto of our founder, Robert Bosch: Technology for life. The user experience with Mobile Access should be simple, straightforward, and secure: You hold your smartphone in front of the reader and the door opens. White dwarfs are dense, dim, stellar corpses the last observable stage of evolution for low- and medium-mass stars. Whilst most massive stars will eventually go supernova, a low or medium mass star with a mass less than about 8 times the mass of the sun will eventually become a white dwarf, according to NASA. Approximately 97% of the stars in the Milky Way will eventually become white dwarfs, according to researchers. Compared to our sun, a white dwarf has a similar carbon and oxygen mass though it is much smaller in size similar to Earth, according to New Mexico State University (NMSU). White dwarf temperatures can exceed 100,000 Kelvin according to NASA (that's about 179,500 degrees Fahrenheit). Despite these sweltering temperatures, white dwarfs have a low luminosity as they're so small in size according to NMSU. Related: Red dwarfs: The most common and longest-lived stars White dwarf formation Main-sequence stars, including the sun, form from clouds of dust and gas drawn together by gravity. How the stars evolve through their lifetime depends on their mass. The most massive stars, with eight times the mass of the sun or more, will never become white dwarfs. Instead, at the end of their lives, white dwarfs will explode in a violent supernova, leaving behind a neutron star or black hole. Did you know? According to NASA, a teaspoon of white dwarf matter would weigh 5.5 tons on Earth about the same as an elephant! Smaller stars, however, will take a slightly more sedate path. Low- to medium-mass stars, such as the sun, will eventually swell up into red giants. After that, the stars shed their outer layers into a ring known as a planetary nebula (early observers thought the nebulas resembled planets such as Neptune and Uranus ). The core that is left behind will be a white dwarf, a husk of a star in which no hydrogen fusion occurs. The cool, dim star at the center of the blue haze cloud is a white dwarf. The planetary nebula NGC 2452 is located in the southern constellation of Puppis. (Image credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA. Acknowledgements: Luca Limatola, Budeanu Cosmin Mirel) Smaller stars, such as red dwarfs, don't make it to the red giant state. They simply burn through all of their hydrogen, ending the process as a dim white dwarf. However, red dwarfs take trillions of years to consume their fuel, far longer than the 13.8-billion-year-old age of the universe, so no red dwarfs have yet become white dwarfs. White dwarf characteristics When a star runs out of fuel, it no longer experiences an outward push from the process of fusion and it collapses inward on itself. White dwarfs contain approximately the mass of the sun but have roughly the radius of Earth, according to Cosmos, the astronomy encyclopedia from Swinburne University in Australia. This makes them among the densest objects in space, beaten out only by neutron stars and black holes. According to NASA, the gravity on the surface of a white dwarf is 350,000 times that of gravity on Earth. That means a 150-pound (68-kilogram) person on Earth would weigh 50 million pounds (22.7 million kg) on the surface of a white dwarf. An all-sky view of some 230,000 white dwarfs discovered with the European Space Agencys Gaia satellite. (Image credit: Gaia Sky; S. Jordan / T. Sagrista, Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, Zentrum fur Astronomie der Universitat Heidelberg, Germany) White dwarfs reach this incredible density because they are collapsed so tightly that their electrons are smashed together, forming what is called "degenerate matter." The former stars will keep collapsing until the electrons themselves provide enough of an outward-pressing force to halt the crunch. The more mass, the greater the pull inward, so a more massive white dwarf has a smaller radius than its less massive counterpart. Those conditions mean that, after shedding much of its mass during the red giant phase, no white dwarf can exceed 1.4 times the mass of the sun. When a star swells up to become a red giant, it engulfs its closest planets. But some can still survive. NASAs Spitzer spacecraft revealed that at least 1 to 3 percent of white dwarf stars have contaminated atmospheres that suggest rocky material has fallen into them. "In the quest for Earth-like planets, we have now identified numerous systems which are excellent candidates to harbor them," Jay Farihi, a white dwarf researcher at the University of Leicester in England, told Space.com. "Where they persist as white dwarfs, any terrestrial planets will not be habitable, but may have been sites where life developed during a previous epoch." In one exciting case, researchers have observed the rocky material as it falls into the white dwarf. "It's exciting and unexpected that we can see this kind of dramatic change on human timescales," Boris Gansicke, an astronomer at the University of Warwick in England, told Space.com. The fate of a white dwarf Artists illustration showing a white dwarf stealing material from nearby companion. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech) Many white dwarfs fade away into relative obscurity, eventually radiating away all of their energy and becoming so-called black dwarfs, but those that share a system with companion stars may suffer a different fate. If the white dwarf is part of a binary system, it may be able to pull material from its companion onto its surface. Increasing the white dwarf's mass can have some interesting results. One possibility is that the added mass could cause it to collapse into a much denser neutron star. A far more explosive result is the Type 1a supernova. As the white dwarf pulls material from a companion star, the temperature increases, eventually triggering a runaway reaction that detonates in a violent supernova that destroys the white dwarf. This process is known as a "single-degenerate model" of a Type 1a supernova. Related: Know Your Novas: Star Explosions Explained (Infographic) In 2012, researchers were able to closely observe the complex shells of gas surrounding one Type 1a supernova in fine detail. "We really saw, for the first time, detailed evidence of the progenitor for a Type 1a supernova," Benjamin Dilday, the study's lead author and an astronomer at Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network in California told SPACE.com. If the companion is another white dwarf instead of an active star, the two stellar corpses merge together to kick off the fireworks. This process is known as a "double-degenerate model" of a Type 1a supernova. At other times, the white dwarf may pull just enough material from its companion to briefly ignite in a nova, a far smaller explosion. Because the white dwarf remains intact, it can repeat the process several times when it reaches that critical point, breathing life back into the dying star over and over again. "These are the brightest and most frequent stellar eruptions in the galaxy, and they're often visible to the naked eye," Przemek Mroz, an astronomer at Polands Warsaw University, told Space.com in a previous article. Additional resources A Russian Soyuz rocket carrying a new U.S.-Russian crew to the International Space Station failed during its ascent Thursday (Oct. 11), sending its crew capsule falling back toward Earth in a ballistic re-entry, NASA officials said. A search-and-rescue team has reached the landing site, both crewmembers are in good condition and have left the Soyuz capsule as of 6:10 a.m. EDT, NASA spokesperson Brandi Dean said during live television commentary. Russian space agency Roscosmos has released photographs of both astronauts being checked over after their abrupt landing. Astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos leader Dmitry Rogozin are shown in a photograph taken after the Soyuz capsule's launch abort on Oct. 11, 2018. (Image credit: Roscosmos) The Soyuz rocket and its Soyuz MS-10 space capsule lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at about 4:47 a.m. EDT (0847 GMT) with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin aboard. The pair were due to join the three-person Expedition 57 crew already aboard the International Space Station. But something went wrong minutes after liftoff, sending the Soyuz capsule into a ballistic re-entry, NASA officials said. "Confirming again that the today's Soyuz MS10 launch did go into a ballistic re-entry mode a little bit after its launch," Dean said during live television commentary. "That means the crew will not be going to the International Space Station today. Instead they'll be taking a sharp landing, coming back to Earth." The three astronauts currently on board the space station have been informed of the failed launch and their schedule for the day is being reshuffled, since they'll no longer be able to greet the incoming duo. Mission control told astronauts aboard the space station that during the landing, "the boys" experienced forces of about 6.7 G in a call that NASA later broadcast on the live commentary. The pair landed about 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan. "Search and rescue crews are always pre-staged in the event something like this does happen," Dean added. Helicopters have already dispatched to look for the Soyuz space capsule, she said. See more A Soyuz capsule carrying two astronauts lifted off at 4:39 a.m. EDT on Oct. 11, 2018, before a failure later in the launch sequence. (Image credit: NASA TV) NASA has not provided much detail about the failure, but confirmed in a tweet that there was a problem with booster separation. Dean later confirmed the anomaly during live commentary. During the live broadcast of the launch, narration from Mission Control suggested that the booster failed to separate from the Soyuz capsule. See more NASA has confirmed that Roscosmos has already created a commission to investigate the cause of the anomaly, although it doesn't expect its counterpart to hold a press conference today. Hague and Ovchinin are being taken from their emergency landing site to Moscow. In a statement, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine confirmed he had been informed the two crewmembers were safe. "NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and the NASA team are monitoring the situation carefully," the statement continued. "NASA is working closely with Roscosmos to ensure the safe return of the crew. Safety of the crew is the utmost priority for NASA. A thorough investigation into the cause of the incident will be conducted." The launch failure follows close on the heels of another Soyuz issue, in which a hole was discovered Aug. 29 on the MS-09 spacecraft that delivered the most recent crew to the space station. That 0.08-inch (2-millimeter) hole in the orbital module of the Soyuz vehicle created a small air leak on the space station that was detected by flight controllers on the ground and ultimately repaired by astronauts and cosmonauts on the space station. An investigation into that anomaly and how the hole was formed is also underway. Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin and NASA astronaut Nick Hague pose in front of the Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft during prelaunch training Sept. 26, 2018. (Image credit: Victor Zelentsov/NASA) Had the launch gone smoothly, Ovchinin and Hague would have reached the space station later today. The Soyuz was scheduled to fly a shortened, six-hour flight trajectory that would have orbited the Earth four times before reaching the International Space Station. This story will be updated as more information is available. Editor's note: This story, originally posted at 5:11 a.m. EDT, was updated at 6:15 a.m. EDT to include new details about the launch abort and crew recovery efforts, at 6:52 a.m. EDT to include a statement from NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, at 7:20 a.m. EDT to include communications with astronauts currently aboard the space station, and at 7:49 a.m. EDT to include photographs released by Roscosmos. Email Meghan Bartels at mbartels@space.com or follow her @meghanbartels. Follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Original article on Space.com. The three astronauts currently aboard the International Space Station were supposed to welcome two new roommates today, but an anomaly a few minutes after launch sent those crewmembers speeding back to Earth in an emergency landing. Both crewmembers (NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovichin) are safe, but the launch failure means that much more than just today's space station schedule will need to be reshuffled. NASA, the Russian space agency Roscosmos, and the International Space Station control team still have a whole lot of decisions to make about what to do next not to mention an investigation to conduct into what went wrong. The Soyuz rocket and spacecraft are workhorse vehicles for Roscosmos. An uncrewed version of the Soyuz is used to launch automated Progress cargo ships to the space station. [In Photos: The Harrowing Soyuz Launch Abort in Pictures] "We have plenty of supplies on board the station to support the crew and they're going to continue to do work," NASA spokesperson Kelly Humphries told Space.com. Given that the team no longer needs to help new astronauts settle in to life on the space station, the team is planning to bulk up their science work in the near future. Robotic cargo launches using U.S.-built resupply ships are also scheduled to deliver more supplies to the station in the next two months. A group photo taken of the full International Space Station crew shortly before three astronauts left earlier this month. (Image credit: NASA) But the consequences of the failed launch will ripple through the space station's activities. Hague, one of the two crewmembers on today's launch, was scheduled to take part in two upcoming spacewalks on Oct. 19 and 25 to replace batteries attached to the outside of the space station. Those spacewalks had already been delayed after the Japanese cargo vehicle carrying the new batteries ran into a series of launch delays in September. "Clearly they're going to have to consider what options they have in regard to that, but we don't have any decisions on that yet," Humphries said of the spacewalks. Three astronauts are currently on board the space station: NASA astronaut Serena Aunon-Chancellor, Russian cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev and European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst. Hague and his crewmate Ovchinin, were scheduled to round out the crew from today until December, when the three astronauts currently aboard will return to Earth. Humphries said it's too early to tell whether the next scheduled crew launch of three astronauts in December will be affected by today's launch failure. Each crew returns to Earth in the capsule they rode up to the space station, so Aunon-Chancellor, Prokopyev and Gerst won't be stranded by today's launch failure. However, exactly when that crew will return to Earth is uncertain, as it may depend on when their relief arrives at the space station. NASA has been dependent on Russia's crewed Soyuz spacecraft and rockets to fly astronuats to and from the space station since the agency retired its space shuttle fleet in 2011. NASA plans to resume U.S. launches to the space station on private spacecraft built by SpaceX and Boeing, beginning in 2019. SpaceX plans to launch an uncrewed test flight of its Crew Dragon spacecraft by January, but could be ready to launch in December depending on NASA's needs, the company has said. A crewed launch on Crew Dragon could occur in June of 2019. Boeing, meanwhile, plans to launch an uncrewed test flight of its Starliner space capsule in March, with a crewed flight to the station in August of 2019. NASA unveiled the astronauts to fly on those SpaceX and Boeing missions on Aug. 3. Email Meghan Bartels at mbartels@space.com or follow her @meghanbartels. Follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Original article on Space.com. NASA is holding a press briefing today at noon EDT (1600 GMT) to discuss the failure of today's (Oct. 11) astronaut launch to the International Space Station. That news conference will be livestreamed on Space.com, courtesy of NASA TV. Liftoff itself went smoothly at about 4:47 a.m. EDT (0847 GMT), but a few minutes later the rocket experienced a serious anomaly in which the booster failed to separate. The Soyuz crew capsule and the two crewmembers inside NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin plummeted back to Earth in a ballistic re-entry but landed in good condition. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine greets astronaut Nick Hague after his emergency landing during a crew launch to the space station. (Image credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls) NASA and its Russian counterpart, Roscosmos, have both confirmed that there will be an investigation into what went wrong during the launch. NASA said previously that it did not expect Roscosmos would hold a press conference today. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine is on site at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, where he had been on hand to watch the launch and meet with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Rogozin. The meeting, the first in-person for the two leaders, came in the midst of an ongoing investigation into the small air leak in a Soyuz capsule docked to the space station, which did not pose any threat to astronauts and has since been patched. Editor's note: An earlier version of this article had an incorrect spelling for cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin. It has been corrected. Email Meghan Bartels at mbartels@space.com or follow her @meghanbartels. Follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Original article on Space.com. Designed by Chicago architect Benjamin Marshall and built in 1912, the former 12-story building at 168 N. Michigan Ave. is now the 17-story Hotel Julian. Its new use seems meant to be, given that the charismatic Marshall, who had head-turning good looks and partied with the A-list at his Wilmette home, designed the Drake, Blackstone and Edgewater Beach hotels. October 10, 2018 (SPS) -. MEP Lidia Senra has accused the European Union of "seeking to legalize the occupation" of Western Sahara through the signing of economic agreements with Morocco. The European Parliament of the Confederal Group of the European United Left (GUE / NGL) has intervened this Thursday in the commissions of Agriculture and Fisheries, in which she has criticized the action of the European Union in its relations with the Kingdom of Morocco. Thus, he recalled the "historic" sentence of 2015 in which the European Court overthrew the free trade agreement with Morocco "for violating the rights of the Saharawi people." In addition, Senra added that there is another court ruling that states that the fishing agreement between the EU and Morocco "is not applicable to Western Sahara." In this way, Senra has assured that the European Union "is maneuvering" to present new agreements with the North African country "before the end of the legislature". Therefore,she urged the EU to "adopt once and for all a position consistent with the values it claims to uphold, respecting the judgments of the European Court of Justice and doing everything possible to ensure that the UN and the international community in a broad sense commit to fulfill the self-determination referendum ".SPS 125/090/TRA One of the benefits of having a robust live music scene in the area is being able to experience nationally recognized talent right in our own backyard. Take Bettman & Halpin, for instance. The Colorado-based award-winning couple performs regularly in southern California and New Mexico and are now branching out into the East Coast. They were emerging artists at the 2016 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in Hillsdale, N.Y, and were picked to return the following year based on audience votes as a most wanted artist. This weekend, Stephanie Bettman and Luke Halpin will be following a career path theyve been traveling on together for over a decade when they headline as Bettman & Halpin at Voices Cafe, kicking off the cafes eighth season at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13. Were constantly pushing ourselves to be better better than the last CD, better than the last performance, Bettman said. And we want to try to expand our following, too. As far as music goes, we are constantly curious about new recording techniques, new grooves, writing another song or instrumental thats different from anything weve done before. I think one of the goals we have is to keep exploring follow the fun. Bettman is an accomplished vocalist, fiddler and songwriter. Shes also a former actress, although music is her calling now. In 2007, she and her band at the time, the Los Angeles-based Stephanie Bettman & The Boys, were first-place winners in southern Californias Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest. Bettmans partner in music and in life is Halpin, a renowned multi-instrumentalist who plays guitar, mandolin, fiddle and banjo. The pair has always had musical roots together. I hired Luke to be my mandolin player when I had a four-piece bluegrass band in L.A. 11 years ago, Bettman said. Not long after that, he proposed that we should practice every day for three hours for one month, to see how good we could get. One month turned into three months, and the duo was born. The pairs five CDs have received national and international radio play and reached the Top 10 and Top 5 on the National Folk DJ charts, and more recordings are on the way. Our most recently finished CD, 1000 Miles, will be released in February 2019, she said. After that, we will return to working on our American Songbook project as well as a dance CD project that explores the more pop influences weve been feeling lately, and the main goal with that CD is to get people to want to dance. Those projects continue the duos musical development. Our music has definitely evolved, said Bettman. I get bored easily, and I get influenced by new discoveries. I would say we started out more bluegrass influenced, and now we are more pop influenced. But each song becomes what it wants to be. We have a lot of stories and story songs. We have some jazzier songs, too. Both artists write, but rarely together. Luke likes to write by playing his guitar. I write by listening to the ideas in my mind, and the two are not compatible. But every now and then we do manage to write a song together, Bettman said. Currently, Luke is the writer of the instrumentals. I write most of the songs, though not all. In any given show, Luke will do four or five of his own songs. Bettman noted that her career as an actress helps her on-stage musical persona. I was quite determined to be an actress, she recalled. I pursued it all the way to graduate school, where I studied the plays of Shakespeare and other classics. I worked a lot, actually, just not in anything lots of people would have seen. I loved it. Though in many ways its a harder path than even music. And I think its actually been a great foundation for the work I do now, the stories I tell, my comfort onstage. As to the Voices Cafe concert: Weve heard such great things about the series and the audiences, she said, and we are looking forward to sharing our songs and stories with Westport. We are new to Connecticut audiences, so I hope folks will come out and give us a try. I know theyll like it. Voices Cafe is located at The Unitarian Church in Westport, 10 Lyons Plains Road. Tickets are $25. Visit voicescafe.org. Mike Horyczuns Sound Surfing column appears every Saturday in The Hour. Mike can be reached at: news2mh@gmail.com. STAMFORD A former substitute teacher whose behavior made students and staff very uncomfortable was allowed to continue working even though his name was on a do-not-call list, according to his arrest affidavit. Joseph Lombardo, 60, of Norwalk, who was charged this week with destroying evidence as police investigated claims of his inappropriate behavior, continued to serve as a substitute teacher for 10 days last spring after the first official complaint was made to Stamford Public Schools central office, according to his arrest affidavit. According to the 10-page affidavit, Academy of Information Technology and Engineering Principal Tina Rivera sent an email on March 19 to Patricia Cunningham in the school districts human resources department. Rivera requested for Lombardo to not be invited back to AITE because he is making staff and students feel very uncomfortable, the affidavit said. However, Cunningham said she had no idea what youre talking about, when asked Thursday about Lombardo. Cunningham said she did not remember Lombardos name and referred questions to Stephen Falcone, director of the districts human resources department. Falcone did not return a call for comment. Lombardo continued to work as a substitute in the district until he was suspended on March 29 when police were notified of a complaint by a Stamford High School student. The girl, who was a junior, accused Lombardo of touching her on the lips and harassing her with repeated text messages and phone calls, according to the affidavit. Lombardo denied the accusations and told police he erased all of his text messages to the student, the affidavit said. Lombardo told police he deleted the messages because he knew they would look for them, the affidavit said. Lombardo also told police he taught at J.M. Wright Technical School until 1995 when was investigated for bigotry, brutality and sexual harassment that involved improper touching, the affidavit said. Peter Yazbak, director of communications for the state Department of Education, said Lombardo worked at Wright Tech from 1983 to 1995. According to his arrest affidavit, Lombardo joked to a Westhill High School student about how the district does not conduct thorough background checks for substitute teachers. The Westhill student, who was a sophomore, said Lombardo was clingy and made comments about her clothing, the affidavit said. Westhill Dean of Students Tom Pereira told police he documented the incident and notified the people who needed to be notified, the affidavit said. Rivera said she requested Lombardo be placed on a do-not-call list after another AITE substitute teacher complained he was trying to get the attention of a student in her class on March 15, the affidavit said. The teacher closed the door, but said Lombardo continued to look through the window for about a half an hour, the affidavit said. The freshman student told the teacher she felt Lombardo was following her, the affidavit said. A few days later, Rivera said she received similar complaints about Lombardo from other students who said he made comments about their appearance and followed them, the affidavit. Lombardo, who turned himself in on Wednesday, is free on $10,000 bond. As a condition of his release, Lombardo is prohibited from being on the grounds of any public or private schools. He is also prohibited from teaching or refereeing events. Lombardos attorney Philip Russell said he does not believe his client committed a crime. Russell said his client is accused of destroying evidence for a crime he hasnt been charged with. Staff writer Erin Kayata contributed to this story. STAMFORD The man who fell about 30 feet through a skylight while rebuilding a Waterside warehouse roof has died. Capt. Tom Barcello said the 59-year-old Stamford man, identified as Jacek Pilchowski, died at Stamford Hospital late Wednesday afternoon. Barcello said investigators in the departments Bureau of Criminal Investigations are helping to find relatives overseas to notify them of the mans death. Barcello said it was clear there was not enough support on the roof to handle the mans weight. It is a tragedy that could possibly be a needless accident that could have been prevented, Barcello said. There was not enough support there. The accident occurred at the plumbing supply store and warehouse, Stamford Windustrial on Sunnyside Avenue. An employee said Thursday the buildings owner hired the company to perform the construction. He said Windustrial rents the space. Deputy Fire Chief Eric Lorenz said the man was repairing or replacing four-foot by four-foot skylights on the roof when the accident happened. He suffered trauma to the head and lost a significant amount of blood, Lorenz said. A spokesman for the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration said an investigation has begun into the workers company, RP Construction of Stamford. The OSHA spokesman declined to comment until the investigation is completed. The city of Stamford had issued a stop work on the project. More News Contractor dies after falling through roof in Stamford A person who answered the phone at RP Construction LLC in Stamford said his company was not involved in the accident. jnickerson @stamfordadvocate.com At first look, the story of entrepreneurs David Friedberg and Siraj Khaliq seems like the typical Silicon Valley success story. The friends and former "Googlers" set out to leverage big data and the internet of things to develop a novel software solution for an industry specific application. Launching their new venture in 2006 in San Francisco, Calif., they soon attracted the attention of a number of the top venture capitalists in the Valley, and a few years later had a $1 billion-plus exit when their business was bought by a leading incumbent in the industry. Related: 5 Ways to Fatten Your Bottom Line by Drastically Cutting Energy Costs But, there is more to this story. Their venture, originally named WeatherBill and later changed to the Climate Corporation, leveraged weather and geographic data to help farmers customize their operations to use less water and fertilizers, increase yields and minimize topsoil loss. Motivated by a desire to help address climate change and other environmental challenges, Friedberg and Khaliq set out to disrupt agriculture by helping it become more sustainable. They are part of a new breed of "environmental" entrepreneurs looking to create vibrant ventures while addressing critical environmental challenges. Our research suggests that these environmental entrepreneurs may differ in important ways from your run of the mill entrepreneurs. First, the "environmental" part of the equation is a fundamental and primary driver of their desire to start businesses. They are change agents who are passionate about the environment and see venture creation as a way to address pressing challenges. Perhaps not surprisingly, we find higher rates of environmental startups in regions with more pro-social and environmental attitudes. More interestingly, we find that existing firms often ignore these local signals, suggesting environmental entrepreneurs can garner a first-mover advantage. Second, environmental entrepreneurs' desire to "save the earth" influences the risks they are willing to take and the choices that they make. The rise of the green building industry in the wake of the establishment of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) voluntary building standard, drove the need for a whole new set of suppliers from those who can install organic insulation to the makers of low-water flush toilets. Who filled this void? More often than not, passionate environmental entrepreneurs who are solely focused on green products. While many established building supply companies eventually followed suit, the environmental entrepreneurs were critical to building the nascent industry. They were willing to recognize opportunities and accept risk in an unproven market when existing companies were not. Related: Protect the Environment, Protect Your Business Third, these environmental entrepreneurs can be an important catalyst for greater sustainability -- potentially even greater than policy makers in encouraging the adoption of new practices like green building. While political action can often by paralyzed in these partisan times, environmental entrepreneurs are more nimble, able to seek out opportunities and effect change. In our research, we find that environmental entrepreneurs can even help bridge partisan divides effective in both liberal and conservative regions. For example, NexGen Energy Partners, a renewable energy startup founded in the "people's republic" of Boulder, Colo., has multiple clients in much more conservative regions across Ohio. By making renewable energy an economic, rather than ecological, choice, entrepreneurs can bypass the political divide on climate change. So, what's not to love? How can one become one of these effective environmental entrepreneurs? First, look for social clues that incumbent firms ignore. Rather than bemoan unsustainable farming practices, the Climate Corporation devised solutions that solved the information asymmetry and negative externalities driving those practices. Instead of trying to compete with large, state-based electrical utilities, NexGen Energy targeted more specialized projects in private companies and small towns. Second, look for ways to complement the offerings of large firms while simultaneously thinking of how to supplant them. Partnerships with established companies can be a good way to establish a toe hold in an industry and existing firms interested in burnishing their own environmental image may be eager to partner. For example, many green building suppliers have started with their own local distribution, only to become the "green" offering of larger, existing firms. Related: 3 Ways to Make a Commitment to Sustainability Your Customers Want to See Third, customize your message to the various stakeholders you are appealing to. One of Tesla's critical insights was that not only are electric vehicles potentially good for the earth, but they also have fast acceleration and tight handling that make them a blast to drive. While some people are willing to pay a price premium for a "green" car, far more were willing to buy a luxury vehicle with a unique driving experience. Similarly, know how to cater your company's message to offer something for the environmentally and economically driven potential customers. Environmental entrepreneurs are a unique breed that hold great promise to help us flourish economically, socially and environmentally. Environmental challenges may very well offer the biggest economic opportunity of our lifetime. We look forward to seeing more entrepreneurs rise to the challenge! Related: The Surprising Advantages Environmental Entrepreneurs Have Over Established Companies How Brands Are Going All Out to Embrace Sustainable Fashion Video: This Week in Weed (August 13-17) Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved ISTANBUL - The Turkish government has told U.S. officials that it has audio and video recordings that prove Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul this month, according to U.S. and Turkish officials. The recordings show that a Saudi security team detained Khashoggi in the consulate after he walked in on Oct. 2 to obtain an official document before his upcoming wedding, then killed him and dismembered his body, the officials said. The audio recording in particular provides some of the most persuasive and gruesome evidence that the Saudi team is responsible for Khashoggi's death, the officials said. "The voice recording from inside the embassy lays out what happened to Jamal after he entered," said one person with knowledge of the recording who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss highly sensitive intelligence. "You can hear his voice and the voices of men speaking Arabic," this person said. "You can hear how he was interrogated, tortured and then murdered." A second person briefed on the recording said men could be heard beating Khashoggi. The journalist has had long-standing ties to the Saudi royal family, but has written critically of the current government and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The existence of such evidence would explain why Turkish officials were quick to blame Saudi Arabia for Khashoggi's killing. But Turkish officials are wary of releasing the recordings, fearing they could divulge how the Turks spy on foreign entities in their country, the officials said. It's not clear that U.S. officials have seen the footage or listened to the audio, but Turkish officials have described their contents to their American counterparts. Saudi officials have denied any involvement in the disappearance of Khashoggi, saying he left the consulate shortly after entering. Turkey said Thursday it has agreed to a request by Saudi Arabia to form a joint committee to probe what happened to Khashoggi. Mohammed has billed himself as a reformer and moderating force in the country, and he has become a key strategic partner in particular to Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and senior adviser. Kushner has tried to promote Mohammed to skeptical national security officials, who have long viewed him as an impetuous and ruthless leader who has an overly simplistic view of the complex challenges the United States faces in the Middle East. During a bill signing Thursday in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump called Khashoggi's suspected murder "a terrible thing," but stopped short of assigning blame. "We're looking at it very strongly," Trump said. "We'll be having a report out soon. We're working with Turkey, we're working with Saudi Arabia. What happened is a terrible thing, assuming that happened. I mean, maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised, but somehow I tend to doubt it." Within the White House, on Capitol Hill and among U.S. intelligence officials there is a growing belief that Khashoggi is dead and that Saudi Arabia is to blame. That conclusion is driven in part by U.S. intelligence reports before Khashoggi's disappearance that show Mohammed ordered an operation to lure Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia, where he was to be detained. U.S. officials familiar with the reports described them to The Washington Post. One U.S. official said there was no intelligence that showed the Saudis wanted to lure Khashoggi to the consulate in Istanbul. Intelligence officials and experts have speculated in recent days that the 15-man Saudi security team that Turkish officials say was sent to Istanbul may have intended to capture Khashoggi and bring him back to Saudi Arabia, and not to kill him. The person who was briefed on the audio recording said it shows that after killing Khashoggi, the security team went to the home of the Saudi consul general, where staff were told to go home early. There is evidence of at least one phone call, as well, from inside the consulate, this person said. Despite a growing demand for information about Khashoggi's whereabouts, U.S. officials had few public answers Thursday more than a week after he went missing. The State Department said that it expects the Saudi ambassador to the United States to return from a trip home and provide information about Khashoggi's status without delay. "We have said to him that we expect information upon his return to the United States," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a briefing with reporters. She added that the United States has offered to provide law enforcement resources to Turkey, but declined to say whether investigators were on the ground there. On Capitol Hill, some lawmakers were frustrated that the White House hadn't disclosed more information about Khashoggi before and after he disappeared. Some lawmakers said the administration should consider curtailing sales of weapons to the kingdom. "Arms sales are certainly going to be, I think, a huge concern if there is responsibility that is irrefutable," Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., said of any potential evidence supporting Saudi Arabia's role in Khashoggi's murder. Gardner complained that the Trump administration had left senators in the dark about intelligence pointing to a Saudi role and demanded that officials give lawmakers a fuller account of what they knew of possible threats to his safety before he disappeared. "There's a lot of information that we don't know that we need to get. There's an information gap that needs to be filled promptly by the administration, by the intelligence community," Gardner said. "The immediate question has to be, what exists. The answer to that needs to be, acting on the information that we had, what did we do with it." Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that he had seen no definitive proof of who killed Khashoggi, but "everything that I've seen points to the Saudis . . . We have no evidence that points anywhere but to them." On Wednesday, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle wrote to Trump and asked him to impose sanctions against anyone found responsible for Khashoggi's disappearance, including Saudi leaders. The lawmakers invoked the Global Magnistky Act, giving the president 120 days to make a decision. On Tuesday, Kushner and national security adviser John Bolton called Mohammed and encouraged him to be transparent about what Riyadh knows about Khashoggi, said officials familiar with the call. U.S. officials, however, pushed back on calls to halt arms sales to Riyadh, calling such demands premature. "I think they're jumping to conclusions," said Nauert, the State Department spokeswoman. "This is entirely a hypothetical situation at this point. We don't know what happened. We don't have the facts of the case." Trump also dismissed the possibility. "They're spending $110 billion purchasing military equipment and other things," he said of the Saudis during a bill signing in the Oval Office. "If we don't sell it to them, they'll say, 'Well, thank you very much. We'll buy it from Russia.' Or 'Thank you very much. We'll buy it from China.' That doesn't help us - not when it comes to jobs and not when it comes to our companies losing out on that work." --- The Washington Post's Mekhennet reported from Istanbul. Kareem Fahim in Istanbul and Carol D. Leonnig, Karoun Demirjian, Ellen Nakashima and Julie Tate in Washington contributed to this report. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 11) The House Speaker ordered the return of her proposed draft constitution, that effectively removed the Vice President in the succession line for the transition to a federal government, a lawmaker said. Cebu Representative Raul Del Mar, who moved to recommit the proposed charter, said House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo wanted the provision changed immediately. The motion to recommit, or to send it back to the Committee on Constitutional Amendments to effect revisions, was approved by the House Plenary in Wednesday's session. Section four paragraph 2 of the proposed draft constitution currently puts the Senate President as first in line as the President's successor in the shift to a federal form of government. Del Mar said Arroyo wanted this provision corrected immediately. "The Speaker really wanted to correct it as soon as possible. She not only readily agreed. She said, 'We can't wait. That has to be done immediately,'" Del Mar said. This comes after Vice President Leni Robredo criticized the provision as a "desperate move" by the Speaker to remove her from office. "Parang masyado naman yatang desperado. Lahat na lang iniisip kung paano ako matanggal (I think it's too desperate. Everyone is thinking of how to oust me)," Robredo told reporters on Wednesday. READ: Robredo hits 'desperate' proposal to remove her as Duterte's successor Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon also disagreed to the amendment, saying the Vice President should remain the President's "spare tire." "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 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. The House committee on constitutional amendments endorsed Arroyo's draft charter to the House Plenary on Monday. Meanwhile, Senators maintained that they have no time to attend to a change of constitution. READ: No more time for Cha-Cha in the Senate Still, studies show that girls who are educated earn more, are better able to support their families and tend to be healthier and more engaged. Although Obamas initiative is new, the programs it spotlights are not, like the Campaign for Female Education, or CAMFED, which has offices in the United Kingdom and United States and throughout Africa; Rise Up, which is based in California; and the Study Hall Educational Foundation in India. This appeared in Thursday's Washington Post. - - - Having campaigned in 2014 on a platform by turns vague, glib and pie-in-sky, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan shifted gears and struck a clear and bracing note on the day he took office, promising in his inaugural address to surmount partisanship and wedge politics in favor of what he called a bipartisan politics of "middle temperament." That was January 2015, before anyone foresaw the rise of Donald Trump. To his immense credit, Hogan, a Republican in a state where Democrats enjoy a 2-to-1 advantage, has largely fulfilled that pledge, rejecting what he called "the extremes of either political party" and taking a pragmatic, centrist approach to leadership that has been a tonic in a venomous era. What Hogan lacked, and continues to lack, in terms of a vision for Maryland's future, he has made up for by brokering non-doctrinaire solutions, at odds in some cases with the narrow interests of his base of rural and exurban GOP voters. His stock in trade is neither charisma nor inspiring rhetoric, but few doubt his political acumen in keeping President Trump at arm's length while holding the state's Republicans close. In an era of boorishness, divisiveness and ad hominem attacks, his comportment in office has been civil and businesslike. We didn't support him when he ran for governor in 2014. We do now. Hogan deserves a second term. None of that is to disparage his Democratic rival, Ben Jealous, a former community activist and head of the NAACP, who has run a passionate, substantive campaign, drawing energy and policy proposals from his party's tilt to the left, and funds from unions and liberal activists. Jealous' platform is ambitious, expansive - and costly: universal health care and prekindergarten; debt-free college; free community college; a statewide $15 minimum wage; a 29 percent raise for teachers. Unlike some free-spending Democratic candidates, who barely bother to explain how they would afford their programs, Jealous has identified funding sources for his plans: legalize and tax marijuana; impose a surtax on the wealthiest 1 percent; raise the cigarette tax; close corporate tax loopholes; reduce spending on prisons by overhauling the criminal-justice system. The trouble is, much of his program is politically unrealistic, and some is unwise. By soaking the rich, who are concentrated in Montgomery County, Maryland's most populous locality, he would drive some to move across the Potomac River to Virginia; that would hurt poor residents by shrinking the revenue base on which the county's public schools and services depend. His single-payer health-care plan, under which the state would pay nearly all medical bills, proved unaffordable in Vermont even before it could be implemented. Jealous is partly correct that Maryland's economy, though strong, has failed to keep pace in job creation with Virginia's. However, it's hard to blame that on Hogan, who has steered a steady course on budgetary and fiscal matters, generally avoiding big fights and compromising with Democrats who control the legislature in Annapolis. Having finessed unrealistic campaign promises to slash an array of taxes and spending - the state's outlays are now 10 percent higher than when he took office - Hogan has proved his pragmatism repeatedly. He campaigned as a skeptic on mass transit, appealing to Republican voters who prefer roads to rail. In office, he changed his tune to support two critical projects: the light-rail Purple Line in the Washington suburbs, which he once dismissed as unaffordable; and Metro, for which the governor's surprise backing for a long-term funding source was a catalyst for a regional deal with Virginia and the District of Columbia that will yield $500 million annually in earmarked new revenue. Hogan's critics dismiss those moves, and others, as political opportunism - a Republican's gyrations to curry Democratic support. That's one way to see things. Another is that the governor has had the agility and sense to govern as a moderate - that disappearing breed of American politician - and that it took guts for him to back the Purple Line and Metro, commitments that will cost billions of dollars. True, there are some incompletes on Hogan's report card. Responding to Trump's sabotage of Obamacare, Hogan worked with Democrats in Annapolis to enact a temporary health-care market reinsurance program to keep premiums down. He needs to follow up by making the program permanent and mending other holes Washington Republicans have ripped in the health-care law. Reimposing Obamacare's individual mandate, which requires everyone to carry health coverage, would be a crucial step. Similarly, Hogan helped defuse the riots in Baltimore following Freddie Gray's death after a police van ride in 2015. Yet it is not enough to suggest, as he has, that Baltimore's appalling murder rate over the past three years is mainly the mayor's problem. And while the governor was bold last year to propose $9 billion to add dozens of miles of toll lanes to the Capital Beltway, Interstate 270 and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Marylanders are waiting for his administration to fill in the blanks of how any of that will happen. Residents of the state tell pollsters overwhelmingly they think it is headed in the right direction. Hogan doesn't deserve all the credit for that - he has the good fortune to lead during boom times - but he is clearly part of the good news. In polarized times, he has stuck to the political middle, from where he has fashioned agreements that will benefit millions of Marylanders. That's no easy feat. After years of exuberant argument - spirited, obstinate and frequently dishonest - Britain is about to leave the European Union. The deadline looms in less than six months, and the entrance to the last off-ramp is narrow. Meanwhile, a second political shock has struck. It may matter more than the first one. This second shock involves the opposition Labour Party, which has cartwheeled from Clintonian Third Way centrism to Marxian hard leftism in less than a decade. At its recent party conference, Labour promised not only to nationalize industries such as water, but also to create boards featuring local politicians, workers, environmentalists and consumers to oversee their management. Labour's official platform demands that companies with 250 or more employees put 10 percent of their shares in "inclusive ownership funds" overseen by workers - presumably these shares would have to be confiscated from current owners. Economists linked to the party are mulling a reinstatement of capital controls and a four-day workweek. Labour is polling almost as strongly as the ruling Conservatives. If the unpredictable Brexit process were to result in an early election, the outcome would be a toss-up. Even if the next election happens on schedule, in 2022, allowing the Conservatives a chance to heal their internal Brexit divisions, Labour's chances of victory might stand at 1 in 3 or so. That is a far higher probability than most analysts attach to a disorderly Brexit, in which Britain's borders and supply chains are suddenly disrupted. When London's captains of industry mutter about quitting Britain, the specter they fear most is not Brexit but a Labour government. Britain has a reputation for pragmatism and moderation. Unlike France or Italy, it has never had a serious communist party. With the notable exception of Margaret Thatcher, its postwar Conservative prime ministers would, in American political terms, be classed as centrist Democrats. But it has also had periods of radicalism - not just Thatcher's pro-market overhaul, but the sweeping nationalization under the Labour government of 1945-1951 - and it appears to have entered another radical phase now. The ruling Conservative Party is bent on delivering Brexit, a costly experiment in deglobalization. The Labour Party is committed to a sort of high-tax collectivism. Why is this happening? Some obvious theories are not fully convincing. Inequality in Britain was stable between the early 1990s and 2008 and has declined since then. Median wages for employees fell sharply after the financial crisis, but have been recovering since 2014. As a percentage of the working-age population, the employment rate is the highest ever. Even male workers, who have borne the brunt of deindustrialization, are enjoying the best employment rate in a quarter of a century. So whence Britain's radicalization? One answer is that respectable nationwide averages mask the tough experiences of subgroups. Between 2010-2011 and 2014-2015, more than a third of Britons suffered a fall in household income of more than 5 percent. Those depending heavily on the state have suffered the effects of harsh cuts in government spending. Young workers, who have provided much of the support for Labour's lurch leftward, have fared worse than old ones. The shocking price of homes has made it difficult for non-owners to live in regions with good job prospects. But the larger explanation is cultural. On the left and the right, there is a sense that society is changing rapidly and unfairly. The right-wing version of this insecurity centers on migration. Between 1964 and 1989, the number of migrants arriving to live in Britain never exceeded 250,000 in a year. But in the two years leading up to the Brexit vote, new arrivals exceeded 600,000 annually. When Conservative populists rant xenophobically about "taking back control," they are exploiting the backlash from that surge in foreign voices. Meanwhile, left-wing cultural insecurity centers on a form of inequality that goes beyond the data on incomes, encompassing ownership of assets and the sense of job stability. The haves can count on a salaried job, a stake in the housing market and perhaps some corporate shares or share options. The have-nots face short-term work contracts, high rents and no prospect of a stake in the profits generated by capitalism. When the Labour Party proposes "community control" of companies and a redistribution of their stock, it is tapping into this frustration. For onlookers outside Britain, the radicalization of a once sensible and moderate political culture should stand as a warning. Globalization and technological change, which are about to intensify thanks to breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, generate similar insecurities across the mature democracies. What Britain teaches is that when centrists fail to address these challenges, populists of left and right will fill the void. The race is on to define a political program that assuages real grievances without damaging prosperity or decency. - - - Mallaby, author of "The Man Who Knew: The Life & Times of Alan Greenspan," is the Paul A. Volcker senior fellow for international economics at the Council on Foreign Relations and a contributing columnist for The Post. WESTPORT When someone asks Addison Armstrong what his hobby is, he says, A 200-year-old house. He and his wife, Jocelyn Braxton Armstrong bought their 1830s Federal-style home on Aug. 23, 2002. Aside from a few early 20th century additions and alterations, the historic home remains well preserved, with its original clapboard, staircase, windows, doors, granite foundation and stone cellar. Because of its age, in 2013, the Armstrongs hired an architect to renovate the kitchen, mudroom and caretakers cottage. While removing one of the walls, the architect encountered hemlock sheathing, which was carefully removed, recut and used in the interior of the house to mimic the original exposed beams in the living room. In 2015, the Armstrongs painstakingly repaired any cracks to the outside of the home by using wood epoxy. While repairing the exterior of the house, they found that the clapboarding was made from different kinds of wood, likely from the trees surrounding the property. Some of the trim around the original front door had rotted and was replaced with trim the family had cut themselves, by using antique knives that were from the time period, Braxton Armstrong said. Old doors in the cellar were soda blasted and reinstalled in the interior of the house to retain the compounds antique flare. Soda blasting is a method that uses baking soda to clean, remove or degrease surfaces that have paint, steel, lead, aluminum and other substrates coating them, according to Restoration & Remediation, a home repairing company. According to the organization, The Statue of Liberty was soda blasted for its 100th anniversary in 1986. It was important for us to restore the exterior of the house to retain all of the design and rehabilitate the exterior of the house accurately, to the way it hopefully looked, Braxton Armstrong said. I really tried to maintain and recycle. She and a real estate agent had been searching for a year and a half before she found her Westport home in 2002. Her views lined up with each of the homes 15 previous owners, who wouldnt consider selling the property to individuals who had no intention of preserving it. In 1879, the house was a mattress factory. The Italianate home was built by Street Keeler and his brother Burr, between 1830 and 1835. According to the Westport Historic Resources Inventory, Burr Keeler built a similar house thats still standing at 4 Woods Grove Road, one street away from 17 Canal St. Burr served as one of the towns three selectmen from 1842 to 1843. Street Keeler was listed as a cloth dresser at the familys mill, which operated on the now defunct canal, just behind the home, hence the street name. Each time a family moves into the home, it inherits maps, paperwork and other historical documents listing names of previous owners. On Monday, the Armstrongs will receive a Westport Historic District Commission Preservation Award. Each year the commission gives six to 10 awards to individuals who possess notable examples of historic preservation, said Randy Henkels, chairman of the commission. This house is not a designated landmark. Its not a landmark of the town and yet, the owners of this house treat it as if it was, said Ed Gerber, vice chairman of the commission. There arent many historic houses left and this is a very prominent street. The awards will be distributed in the auditorium of Westport Town Hall at 7 p.m. Monday. J ohnston Press on Thursday dramatically put itself up for sale as it grapples with a pension deficit of 40 million and a bond debt of 220 million that needs to be repaid on June 1 next year. The owner of The Scotsman, the Yorkshire Post and the i newspapers hopes that decent recent trading can lure in bidders willing to take on the debt. A trade sale is possible; as is one to a rich individual with a liking for papers. The role of GoldenTree Asset Management, the biggest creditor with 70 million of the bonds, will be key. Johnston has asked Rothschild to find buyers and expects the process to take no more than six weeks. Chief executive David King said he hopes for a competitive auction. He added: It is a big chunk of debt, but lets not underestimate the value of the brands. Johnston has 2000 staff. King told them in a note: I know that todays news will be unsettling for everyone, even for those of you who had perhaps been expecting an announcement of this kind. Our intention is that a short period of uncertainty will put an end to the longer-term uncertainty we have all felt over the past few years. Johnston is paying the price for shelling out top dollar for newspaper assets before the financial crash, leaving it burdened with debts that dwarf its equity, worth around 4 million. It made more than 6 million of pre-tax profit in the half year, but is paying 19 million a year in interest. Potential buyers are understood to have already cast an eye over Johnston without making the numbers stack up. The City statement today said: The Company is not in discussions with any potential offerors or in receipt of any approaches at the time of this announcement. F ragrance specialist Roja Dove discusses how he has built his perfumes business... What do you do? I am the managing director of my namesake brand Roja Parfums, which creates luxury fragrances and candles. I founded it in 2011 and today my products are sold in my standalone Mayfair boutique, Harrods and Selfridges. We have a presence in more than 50 countries. Revenues are up this year having put my life savings into bottles, boxes and caps, I am pleased to say that this risk has paid off. What was your biggest break? I took a gamble when I left my studies to accept a job at French perfumery house Guerlain. After setting up my own firm, the biggest break was when I was able to open my own shop within Harrods. It brought my name a level of global recognition. And setback? Actually when we launched the brand in Harrods, I had been given a figure of how many products to make that should last for six months. We sold out in a matter of weeks. Customers were fighting on the shop floor over who would buy the last tester bottle. We had to push production and were literally finishing products ourselves and carrying whatever was made that day into the store to meet the customer demand. What do you enjoy? I am very proud whenever I have the opportunity to represent my country in my role as an ambassador for the Great Britain campaign, which promotes our country as a thriving place to visit, study and conduct business. What dont you enjoy? Im not a fan of Excel spreadsheets. I left working for a large corporation [Guerlain] after 20 years to start my own firm. I am definitely a creative mind and not a corporate type of person. Hows your work-life balance? I live in Brighton with my partner of 44 years, Peter, who is understanding of the work I have to put in. Some days I might work 18 hours and another I might work eight or 10. It is what it is. Any tips for those starting out? E very day in Africa, an estimated 55 elephants are killed illegally for their ivory. It is smuggled out in a hugely profitable trade that evades the efforts of governments to crack down on it. As markets in China reduce, new ones risk opening up in countries such as Vietnam and Myanmar. But there is real hope, as President Masisi of Botswana argues today in a powerful piece. The world can crack down on the illegal trade in wildlife if leaders come together. And conservation efforts can pay off: elephant numbers are growing in Botswana, which is now home to more of them than anywhere else in Africa. Thats why an international conference in London today matters so much. Its hugely to our countrys credit that it has taken the lead on the issue. The Duke of Cambridge, attending todays conference, is launching a financial task force to disrupt the trade. The Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, and the Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, are backing work to end this cruel and destructive trade, too. We congratulate them for their commitment and congratulate the record number of delegates from more than 80 countries who are also part of todays gathering. They include President Masisi, whose nation has shown the way forward. Part of the solution lies in good policing and anti-corruption initiatives. Part of it lies in cracking down on poaching in places such as west and central Africa, where forest elephants are being targeted. Part of it, too, lies in finding a balance between people and the elephant populations where they live something the President writes about today. Conflict, in the end, will bring a crisis. So it is heartening to see the world coming together to overcome it and save our elephants. Cashing in on rail travel Thats more than the Prime Ministers salary, and its more than almost all rail users earn as they struggle through delays and cancellations made worse by unnecessary strikes. There was the strike that shut the Piccadilly line last month for most of four days. A cause of that? The failure to release reps for important meetings, the union says. Or the strike that users of South Western Railway to Waterloo will endure every Saturday for the next month. The reason? The unions refusal to accept modern ways of working that British Rail introduced elsewhere on the network decades ago, which are normal on (nationalised) rail systems elsewhere in Europe and which rail-safety regulators here agree is safe. Or there was the chaos the RMT inflicted on the Southern network for much of last year for exactly the same, pointless reason. Each time the union likes to pretend it is the passengers friend. So lets see it for what it actually is: a backward-looking, ideological obstacle to a modern rail service, whose leaders are happy to pay themselves fat salaries while complaining about the high cost of using a service that their own actions make more expensive than it should be. The art of the prize In June, we put the call out to artists across the country to enter our Evening Standard Art Prize given in association with Hiscox which returns for its second year. Our readers did not disappoint: the final count comes to more than 1,000 submissions. This week our panel of judges which includes artist Chantal Joffe, cultural writer Olivia Laing and the Standards art critic Matthew Collings meet for the first judging session. The shortlist will be revealed in the paper in late October and the winning artist, who will walk away with 10,000, will be announced in a ceremony at the National Gallery on November 1. I n America they call them holdouts, and in China they are nail houses properties that owners refuse to sell to make way for new developments. London has its own nail houses: institutions that hold out against the relentless homogenisation of the city, often in defiance of both odds and logic. I mean shops such as the umbrella-maker James Smith & Sons, founded in 1830 and still standing proud on New Oxford Street. Or the taxidermists Get Stuffed, which has been on Essex Road for more than 40 years. Or Gays the Word bookshop, in Bloomsbury since 1979. That these have not become luxury apartments or artisan fixie-bike-and-drip-coffee cafes is a surprise and a delight. But almost more treasured are Londons historic cheap-eats establishments, the old-school purveyors of fast food. The number that have gone are legion: The Stockpot, the New Piccadilly, Cafe Picasso on Kings Road. Some of those that remain are protected: the ornately decorated greasy spoon E Pellicci on Bethnal Green Road and the India Club on the Strand, recently saved from destruction. Then there are the less glamorous establishments, for whose continued existence I give a silent word of thanks whenever I pass. The Fryers Delight chip shop, opened in Theobalds Road in 1958 and looking like a late-Sixties time capsule. The 24-hour Brick Lane Beigel Bake, opened in 1974. Or Gabys Deli on Charing Cross Road, which has served succulent Jewish and Middle Eastern fare to the theatreland crowd since Iraqi immigrant Gaby Elyahou took over a salt-beef bar in 1965. I was prompted to write this piece because Gabys is under threat of closure, as it was in 2011. Back then, campaigners as diverse as Boris Johnson, Jeremy Corbyn and Miriam Margolyes persuaded the buildings owner, Lord Salisburys company Gascoyne Holdings, to issue a new lease. This time around, the problem is apparently not rising rents or a shortening lease despite allegations on Twitter to the contrary but age. A spokesman for the deli told me that Gaby, now in his 80s, wants to retire, and he has no obvious successor. Unless one is found, the deli will close at the end of October. This fills me with sadness. Gabys was not just a place I could afford to eat when I was in my impoverished teens and 20s: it gave me my first taste of falafel and hummus, my first stinging hit of salt beef laced with sharp mustard. It is as much a part of Londons melting-pot gastronomic history as Rules, Kettners or Veeraswamy. Ive been back countless times to look at the signed memorabilia on the walls and scoff down a pungent, bulging, pre-theatre pitta. K edibonye (not her real name) who lives in the village of Lesoma, situated in the Chobe Enclave in the northern part of Botswana has not been able to go to school for the past four days because she has been listening to the deep rumbles of an old elephant at her parents small farm. Despite lions projecting superiority in the African wilderness, elephants are the true kings of the jungle. Kedibonye, just like many other schoolchildren in this part of Botswana, is afraid to venture out of her parents house because recently two elephants invaded her village. And in the process, they killed two boys going to school. They have started to encroach into peoples territory due to the prolonged dry spell. On a daily basis, people spot big old bulls eking out a living by fighting for just a single new leaf or branch that promises moisture. The story illustrates the fate of many Botswana citizens who live in the northern and north-western parts of the country. The elephant population in Botswana has grown tremendously over the past 30 years due to the conservation efforts by the government. The story clearly captures the sheer magnitude of the problem that elephants subject people to in their villages and settlements as they destroy the eco-system, farms and property, and kill people. So far, 21 people have been killed by elephants since 2009 and this has caused a serious problem of conflict between humans and the animals. Many schoolchildren in villages such as Xakao and Seronga in the north west of the country have deferred going to school because of elephants. It is noteworthy to know that Botswana has reserved 42 per cent of its land for national parks and game reserves. According to the 1991 Elephant Management Plan, the carrying capacity for the elephant population in Botswana is 54,000 but over the years this has ballooned to 160,000, hence the problem of human-elephant conflict. This has presented a dilemma to the Botswana government as it has to protect the people and wildlife species. Therefore, my governments policies must ensure that there is a balance between conservation and sustainable utilisation of natural resources for the improvement of the living standards of its citizens. Mokgweetsi Masisi (ES local feed ) Botswana is a democratic country where people vote for their political leadership freely, and they love their wildlife, but prefer them to be managed sustainably. In this respect, my government recognises the sustainable utilisation of natural resources as a critical area that has the enormous potential to grow the economy of the country, thus contributing to the creation of jobs and poverty reduction, particularly among rural communities where the wildlife population is concentrated. The government has put in place robust initiatives that are aimed at protecting and conserving the countrys animal species, not only for conservation tourism but also for future generations. Botswana has an enviable track record for inclusion and popular participation in policy formulation through meaningful dialogue. It is against this background that my government has started national consultative meetings with different communities on a national elephant action plan and human-wildlife conflicts. The outcome of these consultations will help my government make informed decisions on solutions to the human-wildlife conflict. On a daily basis, people spot big old bulls eking out a living by fighting for just a single new leaf or branch" Therefore, the convening of the Illegal Wildlife Trade (ITW) Conference is very timely its happening today in London as it will give my government the opportunity to inform members of the international community about its anti-poaching efforts and conservation strategies. The government of Botswana imposed a moratorium on hunting in 2014 in a bid to allow recovery of certain species whose population showed declines, particularly springbok and tsessebe. Animals such as the elephant and impala were not affected, hence their increased populations. The Botswana Wildlife Policy is intended to guide and facilitate the strengthening of, and support to, existing and future wildlife conservation and utilisation activities. The policy safeguards the continued sustenance of the wildlife resources and the involvement of stakeholders in the management of the resource. In addition, it addresses issues of decentralisation of development efforts, Community-Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM), co-management of wildlife resources with stakeholders and privatisation. Botswana is currently reviewing its tourism policy, which will be developed in harmony with the environment. For the policy to be successful, efficient management of national parks, forest and game reserves including wildlife management areas will be enhanced. The recent media reports that link the withdrawal of certain types of weapons from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks and purported high incidents of poaching are unfortunate and misleading. The government took such action in accordance with Botswanas national laws because it believes in the rule of law, and therefore where mistakes were made corrective actions had to be taken. It is therefore my fervent hope that the IWT conference will generate ideas and recommendations that will help all the stakeholders come up with concrete solutions that will help governments eliminate the illegal trade in wildlife species while addressing the aspirations of those who live with these resources. MOSCOW I was having dinner at the Moscow apartment of Tatiana Kudryavtseva, the Russian translator for books by Graham Greene, Joyce Carol Oates, Norman Mailer, John Updike and William Styron, among others. But it wasn't a literary evening. The other guest was Rufina Philby, widow of the British spy. Tatiana knew her through Greene, who had written a preface to Philby's memoir. Rufina, or Rutchka, as Tatiana called her, is a striking woman in her 60s, her short, brown hair glistening from a reddish tint. She was disarming, referring to Kim as "the spy" and recounting how they'd met in Moscow when a friend couldn't use a ticket to the U.S. Ice Capades. The couple going with her invited Kim. She recalled how depressed he'd been in his Russian exile until the KGB finally gave him a job--training spies to behave as proper Brits so they'd pass easily in England. Advertisement I asked if she'd been to the KGB Museum I'd heard about. "I've never been there," she said. "I don't know anything about it. I didn't know there was one." Advertisement "If I arrange it, will you go with me?" I asked. "Yes, just let me know," she replied, giving me her phone numbers for Moscow and "the dacha." The museum is at Bolshaya Lubyanka 12 in a sandstone-colored building with columns and round windows a block north of the massive headquarters of the KGB, now FSB (Federal Security Service). It's run by the FSB public relations office. Patterns of secrecy die hard. There's no sign on the building. Museum? What museum? When I opened the door, a woman in a military uniform blocked the way. She said she had no information about the museum, but finally acknowledged that it was there and that I could visit with a tour. She didn't know where to book a tour or who to call. Finally, a man appeared in the entranceway and provided that information. Patriarshy Dom Tours, the name I was given, runs visits twice a month. (One can't go alone, only through a tour company.) Rufina confirmed the date I chose, and I booked via e-mail, giving our names and identifying myself as a journalist. When I phoned to confirm, the travel agent told me, "They don't like journalists. And they don't like your taking Mrs. Philby." A few days later, Rufina called and said she was so sorry; she'd forgotten an appointment for that day. On the chosen morning, I joined 18 people from places as disparate as Jamaica, Mauritius, Ireland, England, France, Germany and the U.S. outside the Sidmoy Kontinent supermarket on the corner of Bolshaya Lubyanka. Speaking English, the guide, Anna, directed, "No photos." "It's finished," I said, indicating there was no film in my camera. "That's a KGB trick," retorted Anna. She would translate for the FSB official, Valery, who said proudly he'd been in the service 25 years. He wouldn't give his last name. Advertisement The museum, which includes 2,000 exhibits in four rooms, was opened in 1984 by KGB chairman Yury Andropov, who led the agency for 15 years. Initially it was just for KGB employees, not even for spouses and children. "I couldn't think of a time when we would admit foreigners; now, we invite colleagues from different security services," mused Valery. For the next two hours, Valery gave us a detailed account of the exhibits, moving along displays of photos and letters, uniforms and spy paraphernalia. There was no little revisionism and subtle gloating at the KGB's successes over the West. We got some new spins on the agency's old leaders. Valery informed us that founder Felix Derzhinsky supported the market economy. The museum shows his study with a wood desk Valery said was built by a U.S.-Russian pre-revolutionary joint venture. Valery described the Stalin purges of the '30s not as a time of KGB brutality but of KGB suffering. "Thirty thousand of our agents were exterminated, every third man, our best people," said Valery, "those who didn't want to participate in purges." As he pointed out the displays of captured spies, Valery expressed satisfaction at the KGB's besting of the West. Valery pointed to a photo of a tapestry presented "by children" to U.S. Ambassador Averill Harriman in 1945 and kept in his embassy study. It featured an eagle whose mouth was bugged. Advertisement Martha Peterson, U.S. cultural affairs attache, was caught putting a container with money and a miniature camera into a niche cut in a bridge. The photo shows her being arrested. Double agent Oleg Penkovskiy, who worked for Soviet military intelligence, used a Minox camera to photograph secret documents for the Americans and British. The cameras are shown along with the drop box he left behind a heater in a building entrance hall. A Soviet photo catches a U.S. diplomat collecting the film. There were exhibits from the rare moments of alliance. One display told of a failed assassination plot that targeted Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin at the Teheran Conference in 1943; Nazi agents were arrested. Then there were displays to honor the Soviet agents who were caught. Atomic secrets spy Klaus Fuchs was detected in England in 1949, sentenced to 14 years and released after 9. Valery noted with relief, "In the U.S., he would have gotten the electric chair." Soviet spy Rudolph Abel was arrested in 1957 and exchanged for American Gary Powers, whose spy aircraft was shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960. Both men apparently had an artistic bent. A book of fine paintings by Abel is for sale. A bit of a rug Powers made in prison from potato sacks was donated by his son. And of course, there's Kim Philby, the "Third Man" of British Intelligence, who was part of the illustrious Cambridge group. Photos show Kim, his book and other mementos, including one of those elaborate medals that officials like to pin on each other. "I understand that his wife, Rufina, lives in Moscow. Has she seen this exhibit?" I inquired. Advertisement "Oh, yes," Valery replied. "She's visited the museum. She brought us this book (`My Secret War') and his Order of People's Friendship." Hmmm. The most fun was the gear used by foreign agents on both sides. One display showed real and counterfeit Soviet passports. Staples in USSR passports corroded, while the U.S. used stainless steel. Valery said hundreds of American agents were caught, because their phony passports had the wrong staples. There are numerous displays of secret containers, planks of wood and tubes and false rocks. A photo shot from a rubbish container where a photographer waited for two days shows an American spy sticking his arm out of a car and throwing a piece of "wood" into the forest. A log "stump" that covered a silver and glass device, was used by U.S. intelligence to retrieve information about nearby missile testing. An American tape recorder ensconced in a tree branch was set near a military airport. A suitcase with equipment to send encrypted messages via satellite was found with Gary Powers. It had a small bottle of poison hidden in a false bottom. Of course, there were cameras in watches and cigarette lighters and deceptive soap, cigarette packs and soda cans. After our tour, I called Tatiana to tell her about the conflict between Rufina's story and what Valery had said about her visit. She replied instinctively, "Maybe the KGB is lying." IF YOU GO Advertisement THE DETAILS Patriarshy Dom Tours runs visits to the museum twice a month for $15, which includes $10 for the museum. In the U.S.: phone/fax 650-678-7076; e-mail pdtours@yahoo.com. In Moscow: phone/fax 095-795-0927; russiatravel-pdtours.netfirms.com/. Valery said tours also are available from Intourist, Interservice and Nikatour. -- L.K. ---------- Lucy Komisar is a New York journalist who visited Moscow on assignment last summer. S epsis is the third-biggest killer in the UK [Family anger at hospital that failed to give sepsis victim son antibiotics, October 8]. It kills more people every year than breast, bowel and prostate cancer combined, yet it is still so poorly recognised. This tragic case illustrates the importance of a partnership between the public and healthcare professionals when it comes to sepsis awareness. Earlier identification and treatment across the UK could save 14,000 lives and save the NHS as much as 300 million every year, but for us to be able to end preventable deaths from sepsis it is crucial that everyone knows the signs to look out for, not just healthcare professionals. The cost when this partnership between the public and healthcare professionals breaks down, as we have seen in this case, is that sepsis can be missed with deadly consequences. What we need the public to do is learn the signs and just ask could it be sepsis? From a healthcare perspective we need to change way sepsis is recorded. We need better data in hospitals which would in turn lead to a better understanding of the scale and burden of sepsis, while allowing us to examine, in greater detail, not only the treatments that work but also to provide individualised care to people who need it most urgently. Only then will we be able to make strides towards ending preventable deaths from sepsis. Dr Ron Daniels CEO, UK Sepsis Trust EDITOR'S REPLY Dear Ron Amir Hallings death from sepsis was indeed a tragedy, but sadly not the first we have reported. Often it is young children or the elderly who succumb to sepsis. Here, it was an otherwise healthy 39-year-old man who had bumped his leg. Through the campaigning of your organisation and others, sepsis has risen up the NHS agenda and in public awareness. This year it has featured in storylines in The Archers and Coronation Street. However, it remains difficult to diagnose at an early stage. It may not be the first thing that emergency health workers consider when a patient arrives at A&E with indistinct symptoms. This is where advances in monitoring that utilise artificial intelligence (AI) may be able to assist. Running regular blood test results through a computer algorithm may help to detect sepsis quickly enough for antibiotics to be effective. Amir Hallings inquest also exposed a shortage of ICU beds at Hillingdon Hospital. This case showed that we have some distance to go in terms of sepsis awareness and in funding the NHS to cope with the ever-increasing demands we place on it. Ross Lydall, Health Editor Make firms report tax in all countries The controversy over Facebooks UK tax bill reveals the gaping legislative holes that enable many global companies to avoid often perfectly legally paying their fair share of taxes [Facebook pays 15 million tax on 1.2 billion UK revenues, October 8]. A lack of financial transparency means its all but impossible to get the full picture of where companies are dodging their responsibilities. The biggest losers in this opaque web are people in the worlds poorest countries, where corporate tax dodging deprives governments of around $100 billion annually. Poor countries need help to prevent this. Governments should require public country-by-country reporting for all companies, so it is clearer if and where they are paying their dues. L esbian, gay, bisexual and transgender figures are both the subjects and the architects of some of the most exciting, intriguing and thought-provoking works of art in the capital. In celebration of National Coming Out Day, take a look at the LGBT stories behind artworks at some of Londons most famous galleries. Gilbert & George, Red Morning Trouble, 1977, Tate Britain (Tate ) / Tate George Passmore and Gilbert Prousch have described their first meeting as love at first sight. Since meeting at St Martins School of Art, the couple have lived and worked together as an artistic duo. Their works often challenge social, sexual and religious conventions, with work that is often shockingly antithetical to their well-mannered appearance. Vanessa Bell, Virginia Woolf, 1912, National Portrait Gallery National Portrait Gallery London A pioneer of feminist literature, Virginia Woolf is widely considered one of the great modernist writers of the last century. Her and her sister Vanessa Bell, the painter of this portrait of her, were part of the Bloomsbury Group, a collective of writers and artists living in the centre of London. The group largely championed a forward thinking approach to sexuality and Woolf herself had emotional and sexual relationships with women. Zanele Muhoni, Bra, 2003, Tate Modern (Tate ) / Tate South African photographer Muhoni focuses her lens on questions of identity associated with race, gender and sexuality. She photographs ambiguous gender identities, often cropping her shots to isolated areas of the body to challenge how society has traditionally defined gender. Thomas Phillips, Lord Byron, 1835, National Portrait Gallery National Portrait Gallery London Poet and politician Lord Byron spent much of his adult life travelling the world, travels on which he is thought to have pursued sexual relationships. Byron is said to have written coded letters to friends back home detailing his homosexual experiences in Greece. Duncan Grant, Bathing, 1911, Tate Britain Tate Made for the dining room at Borough Polytechnic, this painting could either be perceived as one swimming figure or seven male nudes. Grant took inspiration from sculptures by Michelangelo (who is thought to have been attracted to men) and scenes from around the Serpentine in Hyde Park, a site popular with Londons gay community. Sunil Gupta, Ian and Julian, from the series Ten Years On, 1986, printed 2010, Tate Modern Tate After his 10 year relationship ended, Sunil Gupta took to photographing gay couples in long term relationships. The thirty photographs in the project shows couples in their homes, posed to resemble traditional family portraits. Made during the 1980s, the photographs contrasted wider public perception of gay relationships which had been stereotyped in the shadow of the AIDS crisis. Dora Carrington, EM Forster, 1920, National Portrait Gallery National Portrait Gallery, London In 1920, Carrington painted this portrait of gay writer EM Forster. Carrington dressed in an androgynous fashion and had relationships with both men and women in her life and had an affair with openly homosexual writer Lytton Strachey. After Strachey died, Carrington was so distraught she died by suicide two months later. Mary McCartney, Ian McKellen, 2008, National Portrait Gallery Mary McCartney / National Portrait Gallery, London C heap food in Kensington? No, we havent entirely lost our minds why do you think Meghan moved there? Even in Londons priciest area, the capitals flourishing cheap eats culture means its still perfectly possible to bag a bargain. From dirty burgers to beef tartares, this is where you should be spending your tenner in Kensington. Muriels Famous Beef Lasagne at Muriels Kitchen - 9.99 Name a time when a big bowl of pasta hasnt hit the spot well wait. Hand over your ten pound note at Muriels Kitchen in South Kensington, and youll receive a hearty, warming portion of their signature house beef lasagne youll also get a whole penny back too. 1-3 Pelham Street, SW7 2ND, murielskitchen.co.uk Chicken and avocado sandwich at Oree - 4.90 If you cant ever wait to get your boulangerie-fresh bread home to make a killer sandwich, this Kensington bakery will do it for you. At Oree, you can get its freshly baked French wheat sourdough baguette filled with peppery, creamy chicken and slices of fresh avocado. 147 Kensington High Street, W8 6SU, oree.co.uk The Spicy Chicken Burger at Dirty Bones - 9.50 As you can guess, Dirty Bones dont do things neatly. Your face will be as dirty as the burger when you get your chops around this spicey bun. The restaurants crispy, signature fried chicken comes drizzled with sweet chilli sauce and chipotle mayo and sandwiched with brioche. 20 Kensington Church Street, W8 4EP, dirty-bones.com Shawarma chicken at Ranoush Juice - 5.50 Kebab connoisseur Ranoush Juice fills its flatbreads with slices of its roasted chicken shawarma with garlic sauce, tomatoes and pickles. Theyre not reinventing the wheel kebabs have been around for thousands of years but you cant argue with the quick service and consistent quality. 86 Kensington High Street, W8 4SG, maroush.com Bacon naan at Dishoom - 5.50 You thought bacon sandwiches couldnt get any more exciting, and then Dishoom got hold of them. The breakfast legend sees Ginger Pig bacon topped with chilli sauce and cream cheese and served in a fresh naan. As its served at all of Dishooms locations, youll find this cheap eats classic in our Soho round up too. 4 Derry Street, W8 5SE, dishoom.com Eggs benedict at Balans Soho Society - 9 Balans Soho Society loves a brunch, so much so that it offers brunch dishes everyday, and right through lunchtime. The eggs benedict dish comes with a choice of ham, spinach and smoked salmon which basically means eggs benedict, florentine and royale all clock in at the same 9. 187 Kensington High Street, W8 6SH, balans.co.uk Chorizo de Leon at Casa Brindisa - 7.95 For anyone whos ever encountered Brindisas chorizo grill at Borough Market, listen up. This is effectively the more refined sister dish of the grills famous chorizo roll: a tapas dish of Brindisas fabulous smoked chorizo with piquillo peppers, rocket and sourdough toast. You get all the key elements of the legendary sandwich, but with a seat in their South Kensington restaurant. 7-9 Exhibition Road, SW7 2HE, brindisakitchens.com Tomato, mozzarella and basil pizza at Franco Manca - 6.55 Franco Manca may have gone from in-the-know favourite to midi-chain in recent years, but its pizza still continues to impress. Simplicity sings in their take on the perennially popular classic. Tasty sourdough base, tomato, mozzarella, basil nothing more is necessary when its done this well. 91 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3LD, francomanca.co.uk Crab roll at Claw at Pergola Olympia - 9 Rooftop pop-up virtuosos Pergola have settled down with an all-year-round site on top of the Olympia exhibition centre, and have brought some London cheap eats favourites with them. Sustainable fishing fan Claw is serving up its signature crab roll here, stuffing a brioche bun with Salcombe-hailing crab mixed with lemon mayonnaise. Level Five Rooftop, Olympia Car Park, Olympia Way, W14 8UX, pergolalondon.com The Ari Gold at Patty & Bun at Pergola Olympia - 8.75 Pergola Olympia are also getting sky high with one of Londons best cheeseburgers. Patty & Buns Ari Gold sees a fat beef patty topped with American cheese, smokey house mayo, pickled onions and lettuce, and served in yet more brioche. Level Five Rooftop, Olympia Car Park, Olympia Way, W14 8UX, pergolalondon.com Edamame steak tartare at Bistro Mirey - 8 When hanging around the Hammersmith side of things, be sure to get yourself to Bistro Mirey. Gerald Mirey and Ko Itos French-Japanese fusion food is shown off superbly with this dish of Californian beef bavett with fresh edamame and Asian-style dressings and itll set you back just 8. 98 Lillie Road, SW6 7SR, bistromirey.com Oysters at Wright Brothers - 9 No this is not a full meal but it is oysters. Wright Brothers is one of the best spots in the capital to find them, and theyll serve you three in its Parisian-styled Kensington location for 9. Choose from English Jersey Rocks and Irish Dungarvans and enjoy with one of its many by-the-glass wines. 56 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3DY, thewrightbrothers.co.uk Persian pistachio eclair at Maitre Choux - 4.90 If you find yourself battling a sugar craving in Kensington, you could do much worse than diving into Maitre Choux. In this edition of his famed eclairs, Michelin-starred pastry chef Joakim Prat fills his superlative choux with pistachio mousseline cream, and tops it with candied pistachios. 15 Harrington Road, SW7 3ES, maitrechoux.com T oday, October 11, is the United Nations International Day of the Girl Child - a day to celebrate young women around the world, who inspire, innovate and have taken charge of their futures, often in the face of adversity. This year's theme is "With Her: A Skilled Girl Force" - the aim of which is to promote the empowerment of young women and draw attention to the challenges they face: less access to education and communication technology, the gender pay gap and so it goes on. To mark this day, The Reading Agency have compiled a list of recent novels with strong female leads. You can see their top 10 below. 1. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng Photographer and single mother Mia Warren rents a house with her daughter Pearl from the Richardson family in Cleveland, Ohio. Free-spirited Mia and Pearl quickly clash with the conventional Richardsons in this engrossing mystery which shows strong-minded Mia standing up for what she thinks is right. 2. Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie Isma is studying for a PhD in America and finds herself torn between her new life and the troubles of her twin siblings back in London. Shamsies modern reworking of the Greek tragedy Antigone shows the difficulties still faced by ambitious, career-minded women in the 21st century. 3. The Sealwomans Gift by Sally Magnusson Based on real events, this is story of a pirate raid off the coast of Iceland in 1627. After Asta is sold into slavery in Algiers, she is forced to endure the hardship of captivity. Grieving the loss of her children, she turns to the folk tales of her country, using storytelling as a powerful coping mechanism. 4. Artemis by Andy Weir Fans of sci-fi and powerful female characters will love Jazz Bashara, who lives in poverty on Artemis, the first city on the moon. Can she pull off the heist of a lifetime in zero gravity? 5. Red Clocks by Leni Zumas For fans of The Handmaids Tale, this story of female oppression addresses modern day issues. Five women must find a path through a U.S.A. where abortion is illegal, IVF banned, and embryos have human rights. 6. Things a Bright Girl Can Do by Sally Nicholls This novel follows 17-year-old Evelyn who wants to go to university, but instead is forced into marriage. She joins the Suffragette movement and there she meets May and Nell. Things A Bright Girl Can Do tells the tale of three brave women's journey, in the fight for women's rights. 7. Evening Primrose by Kopano Matlwa Apartheid ended officially in South Africa on April 27, 1994 but the divisions it caused did not. Masechaba has beaten the odds to become a doctor, but even in a 'new' South Africa, thats only part of her fight. 8. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas This novel centres on 16-year-old Starr who witnesses a police officer shoot her best friend Khalil. A powerful and gripping read, it was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. 9. Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan Longlisted for this year's Women's Prize for Fiction, this novel from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jennifer Egan explores the life of protagonist Anna, who grows up during the Great Depression. Anna's father goes missing during her childhood and she later finds out he was murdered. As Anna begins to explore the reasons behind her father's death, she also has to balance her job as the first female diver at the Brooklyn Navy Yard with being the sole provider for her mother and severely disabled sister. 10. My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent I n May 1840 all of London was gripped by the story of Lord William Russell, an elderly aristocrat who had been found in his bed with his throat cut. The details were particularly grisly, with Lord Williams head almost severed and the bed so saturated with blood that it dripped through to the floor. The initial appeal of the case was as a whodunnit, with everybody from the young Queen Victoria to the readers of the daily papers engaged by the mystery. Had the murderer entered the Mayfair house from outside (the front door had been found unlocked), or was it an inside job carried out by one of the servants? Some money and trinkets had been stolen, but there was no motive that seemed commensurate with the savagery of the crime. Claire Harman sets out this puzzle at the start of her new book but things quickly move into more unexpected territory. A suspect was soon convicted of Lord Williams murder, and it was his explosive confession that his heinous act had been inspired by a bestselling novel which provides Harman with the meat of her story. "Harman paints a vivid picture of London in thrall to the Jack Sheppard phenomenon." Jack Sheppard, written by William Harrison Ainsworth and published in instalments in 1839, was the most sensational example of a Newgate novel, a thrilling genre which glamorised the world of low-life criminals. Alongside his crimes, a Newgate hero typically keeps displaying strains of noble feeling, writes Harman. For working-class readers, there was suddenly a new type of fiction which celebrated the native cunning, ambition and potential of the ordinary man. Ainsworths protagonist was based on the real Jack Sheppard, a swaggering 18th-century thief who staged several spectacular escapes from prison before finally going to the gallows. The fictional Jack is fluent in flash, the same street argot used by the Artful Dodger in Oliver Twist, the last instalment of which had also been published in 1839. What concerned critics about Ainsworths novel from the beginning was the moral ambiguity exhibited by Sheppard, who shows no remorse for his crimes, which include a burglary in which a victims throat is cut by his henchman, Blueskin. Harman paints a vivid picture of London in thrall to the Jack Sheppard phenomenon, in particular a sell-out stage adaptation at the Adelphi over the winter of 1839-40. Lord Williams killer confessed that he had both read the book and seen the show, and at his trial described the murder in almost the exact words used in the slashing scene in Ainsworths novel. Among the many threads of this remarkable story which Harman draws so skilfully together is the fascination for both Jack Sheppard and the Russell case shown by the young writers Charles Dickens and William Makepeace Thackeray. Dickens, just 28 in 1840, had been Ainsworths friend but quickly distanced himself from the writer when the Russell case erupted. He anxiously denied accusations that Oliver Twist glamorised vice in the same way as Jack Sheppard, but Harman reports that he tinkered with subsequent editions of the book, always alert to this criticism. Dickens and Thackeray were among the crowd of more than 20,000 spectators who watched Lord Williams killer hang in July 1840. Both were appalled by the animal appetite exhibited by the mob, and both subsequently campaigned for an end to public executions, with Thackerays essay Going to See a Man Hanged leading the charge. The echoes of the Russell case lasted well into the 1870s, when the elderly Ainsworth was still defending his novel. I never had the remotest intention of holding vice up to admiration in Jack Sheppard, he told one interviewer. Harmans book, just a galloping 170 pages, is a brilliant piece of literary detective work. And though she is never so crass as to draw comparisons with todays concerns over the effects of drill music or chic TV assassins (Killing Eves Villanelle?), the resonances ping from every page. I t is, or should be, pretty well impossible to write a boring biography of Oscar Wilde, but somehow people manage it. Not this one, though. Matthew Sturgiss biography, Oscar: a Life, is the first major attempt since that of Richard Ellman some 30 years ago, and its much better. He justifies the new book on the grounds that so much material has come to light since then, but the book doesnt need justifying. This is simply the best modern biography of Wilde. Its not written, as Sturgis says, as if all the events of Oscars life were leading to its inevitable conclusion, but to give a sense of contingency, to chart his own experience of his life as he experienced it. And he succeeds. You read this account with a sense of anticipation, wanting to find out what comes next, even though you know you know what comes next. Thats a terrific achievement. This biographical method, of writing about Wildes life as it happened rather than as a series of precursors to the last act of an inevitable tragedy, means the crucial early part of his life isnt rushed over in the haste to arrive at the Wilde of the immortal epigrams. We get an illuminating account of his exceptional parents his mother Speranza (her pen-name as an Irish nationalist poet) and his father, the distinguished if rackety medic Sir William Wilde. He grew up in a city with (then) the best talkers in Europe; many assembled at his parents salon and it was unsurprising that his greatest achievement was as a conversationalist. He was always an Irishman and a nationalist: an interesting letter here reveals that, incarcerated in Reading prison, one of his friends received a letter from New York offering funds to help spring Wilde from prison by suborning the guards that was the Irish connection resurfacing as it did so often during his life. Sturgis crucially does justice to Wildes happy formative years at Portora, a Protestant boarding school near Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, where he became a stellar classicist under the enlightened clergyman Dr William Steele. After that, Trinity College Dublin was desolate, redeemed however by two brilliant classicists, Robert Tyrrell and J P Mahaffy, a really great talker according to Wilde, as well as being the first scholar to raise the question of pederasty in Greek culture. There are several aspects of Wilde that make him seem startlingly contemporary, not just by being a proto-martyr for gay rights. One is his cultivation of his own personality as an end in itself, and as an aspect of the prevailing fashion of aestheticism. Before he had anything to show in the way of literary achievements he attracted attention and publicity for his self-made persona. In other words, Wilde was the precursor of our (less glittering) celebrity culture, the creator of his own brand complete with accessories: lilies and sunflowers and, later, the green carnation. Another is that he was an early example, if hardly the original, of a non-binary person. Sturgis quotes one perceptive French author describing him as a man of doubtful sex. It was actually relatively late in life that he had his first homosexual experience, later still that he encountered the author of his downfall, Alfred Douglas, but almost from the outset he was an object of suspicion among very masculine men for his perceived effeminacy. Fine and dandy: Wildes flamboyant dress sense made him a figure of suspicion among more overtly masculine men / Corbis via Getty Images His effeteness was only part of the story though. In his triumphal progress across America he won the admiration of miners at Leadville (famous for the injunction he observed delightedly in the bar: Please do not shoot the pianist; he is doing his best) during his visit down the mine for knocking back quantities of whiskey. He straddled the gender divide, which resulted in his downfall being disastrous in more ways than one. In his early career it had been possible to be a wit, a fop and a dandy as well as heterosexual and married. After his fall, these traits were damned by association. Sturgis does justice to Wildes attraction to Catholicism not least for its (now attenuated) sensual aspects; he would, he said, never have fallen as he did if his father had allowed him to convert to Catholicism early on. But he did so on his deathbed. Wilde was, late in life, a champion of homosexual Uranian love, but for him homosexuality was essentially transgressive, associated with sordid encounters with rent boys and the hideous dynamic of domination and debasement that characterised his disastrous affair with Alfred Douglas which he characterised as a kind of madness. By contrast, his wife Constance emerges as almost saintly, though not weak. Wilde was the kindest of men; to his wife, however, whom he loved, he could be wilfully cruel. But thats the beauty of this biography: it gives a portrait of this astonishing Irishman in light and shade. A new year is the perfect excuse to add a little love to your home, and make it even cosier for the remaining winter months. If you're in need of some interiors inspo, help is at hand. Earlier this year we spoke to writer, style guru and co-host of the High-Low podcast, Pandora Sykes, during her collaboration with online homeware marketplace Trouva. Pandora recently decorated her own home while pregnant with her first child. So with her own project fresh in mind, we asked her which interiors trends she predicts will be big in 2019. "It's the first time I've spoken about interiors and what I did with my house," she told the Standard. "So it's a whole new world for me." Trouva Contrast dark blue with orange There are a few textures and colour combos that Pandora's particularly feeling right now. "I love chenille, which I dont feel like people have been that into recently," she says."Its a really nice soft alternative to cotton. I upholstered my sofa with chenille, and its often really affordable, I got some from The Cloth Shop on Portobello." "Colour-wise I really love dark green and I've got it in quite a few places in my house. I've got dark green tiles and they go nicely with navy blue in my kitchen, Ive got it in my study as well. "And Ive decided I really like the combination of dark blue and orange but I dont have this anywhere in my house I've never really been into orange before but now Im desperate to put blue and orange somewhere!" Trouva Use wallpaper to create layers "I also love wallpaper, I think it's coming back big time. Ive got it in five different rooms in my house and became quite obsessive with it once I'd started - like Pringles, I couldn't stop!" Pandora says it becomes easier to "commit" to wallpaper, once you've taken the plunge. "I used to think if you had wallpaper it was such a declaration that you couldnt do anything else, but actually wallpaper works so well in layers. Pictures look really good on wallpaper too." Tonal block your home The trend is not just for your wardrobe, according to Pandora, who says she did this in her sitting room, the room she had the most fun with. "I love tonal blocking. I really worked on having a lot of different shades of mustard, I have a mustard velvet love seat and a mustard chenille sofa," she said. "The walls are India yellow by Farrow and Ball and the curtains are leopard print by Pierre Fray." Curious as to the end result? See a snap she shared with her Instagram followers: Balance old with new A champion of sustainability both in fashion and interiors, Pandora loves to hunt down one-offs both online and at antique markets, but says you don't need to spend loads on furniture. "Dont look too much at what everyone else is doing, go online to Ebay, Etsy or to Portobello market," she said. "The only thing I don't buy second-hand are sofas because I'm always a bit nervous about bedbugs and moths. And my kitchen table, but that was upcycled." She says retailers like Trouva are the place to go for finishing touches like vases, rugs and cushions, "to add a nice modern touch". "I also love everything my good friend Matilda Goad does: scalloped lamps, scalloped napkins, colourful cutlery and stripey jugs she has brilliant taste," she added. Fake it with flowers Her biggest homeware extravagances? "I spent the most money on rugs and curtains. I have two rugs from The Rug Company and I upholstered my bed and a chair in Pierre Fray fabric," she said. "In terms of what I buy on repeat, it would definitely be vases and cushions." And she has a surprising thrifty tip when it comes to finishing touches. "I love flowers everywhere but obviously thats quite an indulgence," she says. "So I actually buy a lot of fake flowers, you can get really decent ones and then I can have flowers all year round!" Trouva Wall hangings are a renter's best friend One of her favourite Trouva picks is a throw by Slowdown Studio, which she suggests using as a wall hanging. "I'm sad I dont have anywhere in the house to put this," she said. "Slowdown Studio has such a beautiful Instagram account and I think this is a really good price for a huge piece of art." Wall hangings, she adds, are especially good for renters: "It's a really good way of changing the energy and look of a room." Trouva Persian rugs, corduroy and juxtaposed portraits for 2019 So what's going to be on the radar for 2019? Is there going to be an equivalent of the beni ourain rugs everyone went wild for last year? We asked Pandora for her interiors forecasts. "Berber rugs or beni ourain rugs really worked with that whole Scandinavian look," she said. "I think Persian rugs are going to come back next because they fit really well with the slightly more colourful epoch we're seeing in interiors. You can also get beni ourain rugs with different colours in them which are quite fun for kids rooms." "Oh, and I keep telling people corduroy is the new velvet!" Figurative drawings of women in the style of artists like Alexa Coe and Hester Finch will be big too, she says, as well as juxtaposed portraits of old people: "It's that mix of traditional and new. Quite a dark wall in blue or green with a portrait of an old person next to a new coffee table or a funky vase that kind of juxtaposition." Pandora has spoken. P rincess Eugenie exchanged vows with her fiance Jack Brooksbank at a lavish and star-studded ceremony in Windsor this morning. The newlyweds said their 'I dos' in front of more than 800 guests, including members of the the Royal Family and celebrity A-listers. Rumours circulated beforehand about the guest list and whether the heavily pregnant Pippa Middleton would turn up. But the Duchess of Cambridge's sister made a surprise appearance at the ceremony, along with husband James Matthews. Pippa, who announced her pregnancy earlier this year, is ready to give birth any day now but turned up wearing a stunning green ensemble. Here's what we know about her due date. Pippa arrives at the wedding with her husband James Matthews / PA Wire/PA Images When is Pippa Middleton due to give birth? Pippa Middleton officially confirmed she was pregnant with her first child in June this year, following months of media speculation. The Duchess of Cambridge's sister, who is married to hedge fund manager James Matthews, announced the happy news in a fitness column she writes for Waitrose's Weekend magazine. The 34-year-old also revealed she had passed the first trimester without suffering the morning sickness her elder sibling experienced at the start of all three of her pregnancies. But while the couple have not announced an official due date, she is expected to give birth very soon. Where will Pippa give birth? Pippa is understood to be planning on giving birth in the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, Paddington just like her elder sister Kate. The baby's gender has not been revealed so it is unknown whether Pippa and James have found out the sex. Was Pippa at the wedding? She is expected to give birth any day now / PA A heavily pregnant Pippa Middleton made a surprise appearance at the wedding today, along with her husband James Matthews. Pippa, who wore a forest green, high neck dress and matching hat, is understood to be around nine months pregnant and is expected to give birth any day now. She joined the throng of 850 guests, and sat along with her husband next to the main entrance throughout the ceremony. Who is Pippa Middleton married to? Pippa married old Etonian financier James Matthews at a ceremony in Berkshire in May 2017. B udget airline Norwegian has launched a five-day flash sale on flights from the UK to the East Coast of America and it includes return tickets to New York in December for under 300. The discounted flights are for travel between December 1 2018 and February 28 2019, and one-way low-fare economy flights from London Gatwick start from just 134.90. They include the following routes: New York JFK from 144.90 one-way in LowFare economy Boston from 134.90 one-way in LowFare economy Orlando from 149.90 one-way in LowFare economy Fort Lauderdale/Miami from 149.90 one-way in LowFare economy Chicago from 134.90 one-way in LowFare economy Tampa from 149.90 one-way in LowFare economy Gatwick to Tampa, Florida, is Norwegian's newest route, which begins operations on October 31. With the festive season fast-approaching, the Gatwick to New York flights are bound to be popular with travellers who fancy a spot of Christmas shopping. For those wanting to fly in the first few weeks of December, return flights to this route are currently showing up for just under 300. However, they rise to over 500 in the lead-up to Christmas - so you better be quick. Norwegian To snap up these amazing offers, get booking pronto; the sale ends on Monday October 15 at 22:59. A Mercedes carrying a gun shot victim has crashed into a crowd of people in west London. Police said the male passenger was pronounced dead at the scene on Uxbridge Road, in Hillingdon, from a gunshot injury despite the efforts of paramedics. The victim was being driven in a silver car which spun out of control and collided with pedestrians and vehicles at around 2.45pm on Thursday. Paramedics rushed to the scene at the junction with West Drayton Road but none of the pedestrians were found to have serious injuries. Police closed off the road in west London / James Carson The driver of the Mercedes stopped at the scene. James Carson, who heard a " big bang" from the garden of his mother's house, said a woman was left lying in the middle of the road after being hit. He told the Standard: "Medics were treating the woman in the middle of the road and she looked in quite a bad way. "There were five or six vehicles involved and the front end of the Mercedes was very badly damaged. Police at the scene in Hillingdon where a man was shot dead / @JamesCarsxxx/Twitter "Another woman was sat at the side of the road with a blanket wrapped around her who looked like she was suffering from shock. "I saw them bringing out the passenger from the Mercedes and putting him on a bed and taking him away." The gunshot victim's family have been informed. Officers erected a cordon around the scene of the crash, at the junction with West Drayton Road, while traffic was diverted away from the area. Paramedics pronounced the Mercedes passenger dead at the scene of the crash / James Carson An air ambulance was dispatched to the scene and three people were taken to hospital with minor injuries. A crime scene was also erected outside the Lidl supermarket on Uxbridge Road, with shoppers reporting being held inside the car park by police. Police also cordoned off the carpark of Lidl on Uxbridge Road / Twitter One person said: "We were all just kept inside the carpark of Lidl whilst the police had taped the entrance off up to Mecca bingo hall." A seven-person committee makes recommendations about whether to issue official invitations to visiting speakers. Among the criteria it uses are whether a speaker encourages hatred or physical violence or has a history of abuse or intimidation of an identifiable person or community of people based on race, religion, gender identity and other factors. A third suspected member of the hit squad behind the Salisbury nerve agent attack has been named, according to a respected Russian news website. Sergey Fedotov, 45, reportedly travelled to the UK on the same day as the two suspects already charged over the poisoning of ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter. He also boarded the same flight home as the suspects whose real names were revealed earlier by an investigative group, Fontanka reported on Wednesday. Fontanka said records show Fedotov visited Britain in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and left the country on March 4 this year - the same day as the suspected attackers. The suspects pictured at a train station on the day of the attack / PA Wire/PA Images Mr Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found slumped on a public bench in Salisbury on that date, and the case prompted the biggest East-West diplomatic expulsions since the Cold War. Britain said they were poisoned with Novichok, a military-grade nerve agent developed by the Soviet Union, and has accused two men it says are officers from Russia's GRU military intelligence service of carrying out the attack. Anatoliy Chepiga was named earlier as one of the suspects / PA/Bellingcat Fedotov is also Russian military intelligence operative, the Russian site Fontanka reported. Moscow has repeatedly denied any involvement in the poisoning, as have the two men identified by Britain. Last month, the Telegraph newspaper said British police had identified a third Russian intelligence officer they believe carried out a reconnaissance mission before the attempted murder of Mr Skripal. A woman who stabbed her friend in the arm at a haunted house event claimed she thought the knife was a prop and that she was playing along with a scene, a police report said. Tawnya Greenfield, 29, told police she and friends were waiting to enter the Nashville Nightmare haunted house with friends on October 5, when a person she believed to be an employee at the venue, dressed up in character, asked if her friend James Yochim was bothering her. Believing she was playing along with one of the haunted house's scenarios, she said the person handed her a knife and said: "Well here, stab him," ABC News reported. Ms Greenfield said she believed the knife was a prop and so plunged the knife into Mr Yochim's left arm. But she pulled back when she realised there was blood on the knife, and a hole in her friend's shirt from which blood was gushing down the victim's arm. Officers were called to reports of a stabbing at the venue and the victim was taken to Nashville's Skyline Emergency Hospital. Mr Yochim gave an interview to USA Today, and said the man who handed his friend the knife was just as surprised it was real. He said: "Keep in mind, we'd been chased by chainsaws, holding other weapons, all kinds of stuff all night, and it was all fake," he said. "So she stabs at me with it, and everything got really black. "The thing I remember is the guy who gave it to her kind of freaking out," he said, "saying things like, 'Oh, I didn't know my knife was that sharp. I didn't know. I'm so sorry.'" Nashville Nightmare medical staff responded immediately to the incident and the company said it is investigating further. They said in a statement: "As we have continued to review the information, we believe that an employee was involved in some way, and he has been placed on leave until we can determine his involvement. "We are going over all of our safety protocols with all of our staff again, as the safety and security of all of our patrons is always our main concern." A school known as the Eton of the East End has launched a fundraising drive to allow it to continue providing a private-style education for free. The London Academy of Excellence in Newham has had huge success taking bright students from the most deprived parts of London and getting them into top universities since it was founded in 2012. This year 15 pupils got into Oxford and Cambridge a success rate that rivals most top private schools which charge 30,000 a year for day students. But the selective school is now asking donors for cash to make sure it can keep giving students a life-changing education. It has launched the LAE Foundation, supported by Friends of LAE, and is asking for donations of 1,500 each year for two years to cover the funding gap between what the Government provides and what the school spends on students. This includes everything from laboratory equipment, trips to museums and universities, books and bursaries for the most disadvantaged students. Headmaster Scott Baker said funding for sixth forms has dropped by one fifth in real terms since 2010. He said many schools have had to limit the number of A-levels students can take, drop expensive subjects and extracurricular activities or cut the number of teaching hours. He said: In the face of cuts, to maintain the quality of provision, schools have had to be creative and reach out to ordinary people. He added that the school does not have an established alumni network to rely on for donations. It does receive 500,000 each year from HSBC, but the school wants to widen its funding base so it is not entirely reliant on it. Governor Martin Stephen said: We are looking for people who owe a debt for their own education to consider becoming our friends. We are trying to offer students the same opportunities they get in the independent sector at a fraction of the cost. We live in straitened times, everyone is facing issues like this and we are not alone. The key thing is not to complain but to do something about it. LAE was set up with the help of a number of private schools, including Eton. Pupils from LAE are given a private school buddy who they visit, and currently two English literature teachers are seconded from Eton College. Almost half of the students qualify for free school meals and more than two thirds are from families who havent sent a child to university before. T he schools watchdog today announced a radical shake-up of its inspections, admitting that the process has put children under too much pressure to get top exam results. Inspectors from Ofsted will no longer give schools a stand-alone rating for test results in an attempt to stamp out a culture of exam factories in schools and encourage a broader curriculum. Amanda Spielman, the chief inspector of schools, said a quality of education category will be introduced, and the current outcomes for pupils judgment, which focuses on exam results, will be scrapped under her proposals. She said: For a long time our inspections have looked hardest at outcomes, placing too much weight on test and exam results when we consider the overall effectiveness of schools. The cumulative impact of performance tables and inspections, and the consequences that are hung on them, has increased pressure on school leaders, teachers and indirectly on pupils to deliver perfect data above all else. But we know that focusing too narrowly on test and exam results can often leave little time or energy for hard thinking about the curriculum, and in fact can sometimes end up making a casualty of it. Teachers have long argued that Ofsteds focus on data and school league tables has increased pressure to teach to the test. Addressing a schools summit in Newcastle today, Ms Spielman said the quality of education rating will allow secondary schools to do the right thing by encouraging children to study a broad range of subjects, including the arts. Schools that spend too much time preparing children for tests or that push students towards easier qualifications to boost league table positions will be marked down in the new category. Ms Spielman also admitted that the current focus on exam results has increased pressure on schools to off-roll more disadvantaged children who are not as likely to do well in exams. This is when pupils are informally excluded by being removed from the school register to boost a schools overall results. The inspection change will serve to crack down on this practice, she said. It will also encourage more teachers to work in challenging schools because they will not be worried that they will be judged by their pupils results, she said. Under the new inspection framework, which will be launched in September after a consultation, schools will continue to be given an overall Ofsted rating of either outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate, based on the quality of education judgement and three other categories. H omeowners in a London high-rise face having to foot a bill likely to exceed 2.4 million to remove Grenfell Tower-style cladding from the building. More than 500 residents at New Providence Wharf (NPW) in Poplar could have to pay an estimated average of over 4,000 each after freeholder Landor Residential, part of the Ballymore group, refused to cover the cost. The complex has five blocks but only the original tower built in 2005 was coated with aluminium composite material panels, blamed for the rapid spread of the Grenfell Tower fire in June last year, which caused 72 deaths. The 559 flats in the block include family homes and apartments costing up to 1.2 million. The residents association said: We were shocked and devastated to be informed by Ballymore that our building had ACM cladding which needed to be replaced. It is appalling that even though the Government has asked builders to do the right thing, Ballymore have announced that they refuse to do so. The association says residents have been told the cost will be added to their annual service charge. A doctor who moved into her two-bed flat three months ago said she felt ripped off as the cladding was not mentioned before the sale. Her service charge, based on square footage, could rise to 16,000 as she owns one of the larger flats. A finance worker, who paid about 500,000 three years ago for the two-bed flat she shares with her husband, said: The developers are ultimately the ones who are responsible. Another City worker said: I dont think Ballymore did it intentionally, but they could at least offer to pay some or part of it. In a letter to local MP Jim Fitzpatrick, Ballymore, managing agent for the block, confirmed it is the freeholders intention to charge leaseholders the cost of the replacement works. Ballymore finance director David Pearson, on behalf of Landor Residential, said the lease indemnifies the freeholder against the costs, given the financial interest of the building is essentially owned collectively by the leaseholders. Mr Fitzpatrick said the Government should put pressure on the freeholder to do the honourable thing. A ctress Gillian Anderson today gave advice to school pupils as part of a speed mentoring event to mark the UN International Day of the Girl. The Golden Globe winning star, 50, joined 150 pupils on the London Eye where she gave 15-minute individual mentoring sessions. Anderson said the day was a celebration, to mark the year that women began to be heard in the wake of #MeToo movement. She told the Standard: This is an opportunity to be a role model - to just be present and to listen - and for girls to feel heard, whether its personally or on their career ambitions. Gender inequality has always been important - its been going on for a long time. But people are paying more attention at this particular moment. It seems, at last, some real sustainable change is happening in various sectors. Anderson was joined by other notable women, including writer and comedian Ruby Wax and former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Baroness Doreen Lawrence and female MPs from both major political parties, including Justine Greening and Jess Phillips, were also at the event. The sessions launched a day of events forming part of the Southbank Centres WOW Women of the World Festival - which was founded by Jude Kelly in 2010 and aims to promote equality between genders. Princess Mariama Mansaray, 12, who wants to be an actress in theatre, spoke to Anderson about her stage fright. She said: She has been through what Im feeling and helped me overcome my nerves. Its important they [mentors] are here as if they didnt come and talk to us then we might not have advice to achieve our dreams. A simultaneous event took place this morning on the Brisbane eye with Australian school pupils. Speaking in London, Ms Gillard said: I am here today because I am vitally interested in making sure that every girl gets a fair chance in life and the opportunity to achieve their dreams. P upils have been sent home as fumigators exterminate a False Widow spider infestation at yet another London school. John F Kennedy Special School in Newham has shut both of its campuses in Stratford and Beckton "until further notice" due to an infestation. A statement on the schools website said: "JFK School (both sites) is closed now until further notice. This is to allow treatment to get rid of the false widow spiders that were found. "We apologise for the inconvenience and short notice but the safety of students and staff is vital to us. The closure coincided with another announcement yesterday from Godwin Junior School in Forest Gate, which has closed its doors today for five days after the venomous spiders were discovered on the site. The announcements mean that nine schools in the area are now closed, and another has found a "small number" of the spiders on site, according to the Newham Recorder. The were reports the spiders could be seen weaving their webs on the school gates. Eight schools closed over spider infestation Lister School is closed until October 29. is closed until October 29. Star Lane Primary is closed until October 15. is closed until October 15. Ellen Wilkinson Primary School is closed until October 16. is closed until October 16. Rokeby Secondary School is closed until October 29. is closed until October 29. Monega Primary School nursery remains closed until October 15. nursery remains closed until October 15. Earlham Primary School is closed until declared spider free. is closed until declared spider free. Eastlea Community School is closed until October 29. is closed until October 29. Godwin Junior School is closed until October 15 Godwin Junior issued a statement yesterday saying the school "will be closed on Thursday and Friday due to circumstances beyond our control," according to the Daily Mail. The school's site manager reportedly said this was a repeated attempt to rid the school of the infestation. "The first one didn't work. I want them to do every classroom," he told the Mail. 'We will do an inspection tomorrow morning just checking if anything's there.' The school is next to a railway line and rows of terraced housing in the suburban area in the east end. A spokeswoman at Newham Council confirmed the school was closed due to an infestation of false widows. "All the schools have had the spiders in different places," she said "Ultimately it's down to them whether they decide to close and we are supporting them however we can." A noble false widow spider, or Steatoda nobilis / Peter Harvey/British Arachnological Society Last week the Council from told the Newham Recorder seven schools had been closed to treat a "noble false widow spider infestation". It said: The spiders only bite if mishandled or provoked. The venom is not particularly potent. Often, the symptoms are no worse than the pain of a wasp sting; however, extra precautions need to be taken around those that are vulnerable ie. under the age of five, the elderly or those on medication. The schools are being treated and fumigated and we are working with the schools to ensure that children can continue to receive an education whilst their school is closed. Pupils are being set work via the schools and will remain in contact with schools. False widows have a venomous bite but only rarely bite humans, presenting painful symptoms but nothing like the risk from its relative, the black widow - considered to be one of the most dangerous spiders in the world. False widows are not particularly aggressive, and usually only bite when they are prodded or caught up in clothing. Nevertheless a bite can be serious - with symptoms ranging from feelings of numbness to severe swelling and discomfort, to various levels of burning or chest pains. Sightings are growing, according to the BBC, as the spider appears to be growing in population, and is now known as the most venomous in the UK. Public Health England (PHE) have also been notified of the infestations in the borough. A rogue landlord who squeezed 23 people into a house in east London with room for only six occupants has been fined 7,500. Housing officers at Redbridge council raided the property in Beehive Lane, Gants Hill, after neighbours complained about overcrowding. They discovered 16 people in the house and evidence of another seven living there without access to sufficient cooking, washing and toilet facilities. The residents were all adults. The propertys managing agent, Marvel Estates Limited, held a house in multiple occupation (HMO) licence for only six tenants. After the raid in June last year the firm, based in Forest Gate, appealed against a financial penalty imposed by the council. But at a tribunal hearing last month it agreed to pay the fine. Farah Hussain, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said: We are determined to root out rogue landlords and this financial penalty makes it clear we mean business. Its unacceptable for tenants to be living in conditions which fail to comply with legislated requirements. We want to work with landlords to prevent this kind of situation but if they are not willing to do so, our message is clear we will find and fine you. The fine comes amid a crackdown on rogue landlords in London. Multiple occupancy licensing is mandatory for landlords and those who do not comply face being prosecuted or fined up to 30,000. A squirrel made a surprising appearance at the London Assembly today while members discussed environmental issues. Assembly members were meeting to discuss the impacts of London Heathrow airport in the light of new revelations about climate change when they received the unexpected visitor. A squirrel came into the chamber half a dozen times, running around the table at the centre of the room and drawing the attention of some visiting pupils. Giles Broadbent, who works at the authority, captured the squirrel's visit at the environment committee. He said: "It was a rare and delightful visitor - there were some school children that came in to watch some of the dealings in the chamber and they were obviously more distracted by him. "He was quite a plucky little thing, as well - he came in and out maybe six or seven times and scurried around. "It did seem particularly apt as we were talking about the impact of Heathrow so that was the best committee for it to choose, really." Assembly members met to discuss the concerns of activists and campaigners following revelations to come out of the recent report by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, that the world needs to reign in carbon dioxide emissions by 2040. "We were discussing Heathrow through that prism, and in that context whether our projects are wrong and need to be adapted. Green Party member for Highbury, Caroline Russell, who attended the meeting said: "Bless him, he just wanted to make sure there was a voice representing the natural world at the meeting. The squirrel was said to have left the chamber of its own accord and was seen scurrying around outside City Hall. T heresa Mays allies in the Democratic Unionist Party today said any Brexit breakdown of the pact propping up the Government could fall on the head of the Prime Minister. Sources in the Northern Ireland party indicated that a change of Tory leader, rather than a general election, could result if Downing Street accepts a deal with the EU that would see the Province remain subject to European rules while the rest of the UK breaks away. Their warning came as a senior Conservative MP said a leadership contest could be completed in days if necessary. Mark Pritchard, a former secretary of the 1922 Committee which would be in charge of the process, tweeted: Lots of wild and loose talk about leadership moves. There is no vacancy. Under pressure on Brexit: Theresa May / EPA However, on a technical point, if a vacancy did arise process need not take more than 2 working weeks 4 days in Commons (if needed) and 6 days with membership does not need to be an overly long process. Mrs May was due to bring together senior ministers for a meeting this evening where insiders think she aims to bind key figures into a possible deal that would keep Britain in a form of customs union and also mean extra regulatory checks on goods from the mainland to Northern Ireland. A Whitehall source said: I think it is all about getting people over the line whom she thinks might be the biggest risk. Among ministers expected to attend were Brexit-backers Michael Gove and Liam Fox, but not Commons leader Andrea Leadsom or Transport Secretary Chris Grayling. Brexit negotiations are set to come to a head next week at an EU summit where Mrs May will be under pressure to agree an Irish backstop that the DUP sees as tantamount to keeping the Province in the single market, including remaining subject to European Court rulings. Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson went further than the partys threat to vote down the Budget by saying it could refuse to support social and welfare legislation as well. We are hoping that the Government will deliver on the promises it made not to accept any arrangements that would make Northern Ireland separate from the UK, he told the Standard. The signs are not good at present. A party source said the DUP would look like patsies if it failed to make a stand. Responding to claims from some government insiders that it would risk a general election and a Jeremy Corbyn victory, the DUP source said: Will responsibility simply fall on the head of the Prime Minister? Could it result in a change of leader, or could it result in the Government falling? It will depend on how the Government react to such a hypothetical vote. Former Conservative prime minister John Major said the bullying behaviour of dissident Brexiteers towards Mrs May was worse than the anti-Maastricht rebels he famously dubbed bastards. I have great sympathy for her plight and I think the way she has been treated by some of her colleagues has been absolutely outrageous, he told the BBCs Political Thinking podcast. People in Parliament who are undermining the Prime Minister by wandering round saying we are going to have 40-odd signatures for a leadership election tomorrow, saying unless the Prime Minister does this thing or that thing we are going to vote against it, thats an intolerable way to treat a Prime Minister who is in the middle of negotiations. Labour ex-premier Tony Blair said the DUP were asking the impossible because they could not have both an open border with the Republic and different trade rules. A blood draw taken about an hour after the accident showed Vazquez-Velazquezs blood-alcohol level at .077, prosecutors said, which is just under the .08 Illinois legal limit. He told police that he and Dewey had been at a movie earlier in the evening, and that he had consumed wine at the theater, according to prosecutors. L eading Londoners in fields ranging from the arts, technology, science, politics, philanthropy and business last night celebrated the capitals unrivalled pool of talent from all backgrounds and walks of life. The Standards Progress 1000 awards brought together Londons brightest stars and most influential change makers at an event where Cabinet ministers rubbed shoulders with grassroots activists, inspirational start-up entrepreneurs, campaigners and celebrities. This years list compiled in partnership with the financial services group Citi had diversity as its theme and named Sajid Javid as the most influential Londoner of 2018 after he became the first Home Secretary from an ethnic minority background in April. Speaking at the event now in its 12th year at the 26 Leake Street venue near Waterloo, Mr Javid said: Progress is the reason I feel an affinity to London. Year on year these awards demonstrate that we live in a city populated by the most extraordinary people who in the face of terror have shown resolve. In the face of tragedy they have shown courage and in the face of adversity they have shown hope. Because in this city, progress is not automatic or inevitable but, as Martin Luther King said, with sacrifice, suffering and struggle anything is possible. The evenings host Sharon Carpenter, presenter of the quiz app HQ Trivia, said: London is just the most amazing city in the world. When it comes to fashion, our style is top notch, its a cosmopolitan city and its a melting pot so much diversity, art creativity, technology, theres the best of everything. Guests were treated to a performance by the Kingdom Choir, who entertained at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The Duchess of Sussex also featured on the list. 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. #Progress1000 Conductor Karen Gibson said: Its really important for people to know what is being done in their city I think its important for our young people to see greatness, and then they can emulate greatness, they can be inspired. This year the awards honoured a range of social leaders, campaigners and thinkers who were celebrated as change makers for their role influencing life and culture in the capital. Anti-female genital mutilation (FGM) campaigner Nimco Ali said: Progress is about lifting people up. Its seeing the reality of how life is changing whether its equality, housing or happiness. Since I moved to London its become a community city. My generation have settled in here even if they cannot afford to buy a house. I am a black woman, a Muslim and an activist, and Im not even from London but I feel at home here. People thought the end of FGM was a pipe dream but its a tangible reality. That is progress. The founder of the 50:50 Parliament group, Frances Scott, said: I love the diversity and I love the fact that its an international society. And the fact that our city is so safe. Our London mayor demonstrates diversity. And we have so much freedom we have free speech and I can stand up for what I believe in. Windrush campaigner Patrick Vernon said: Progress means that youre respected, that you can embrace difference, and we share our cultures. The beautiful thing about London is the streets arent paved with gold but we have opportunities to work and be creative without people being judgemental. London is diverse without that there would be no London. Jude Kelly, artistic director of the Southbank Theatre and founder of the Women of the World festival, said: London is still a place that values ideas and believes that anybody is capable of having ideas and giving a space for them. "Progress means a more equal society that allows peoples real imaginations to take flight. "Theyre not being told they have to stay in a particular place in a particular box, in a particular caricature of themselves. Theyre free to realise their potential. Imad Alarnab, founder of Imads Syrian Kitchen, which supplied the food at the event, said: Being on this list is amazing. Three years ago I came to the UK on a plane and then I was granted asylum but I was homeless. London gives everyone a second chance. Evening Standard editor George Osborne said: London is made up of millions of people, many who were born here, many who have come here to make their lives. And it is that mix that has made this the most open and international city in the world. And this newspaper that I edit is determined to keep it that way. He added that the awards honour people making the biggest contributions to the city. S hocking footage shows the extent of a huge inferno at a coffee factory in Kent. Video shows bright orange flames engulfing the building in Dartford as thick smoke billows into the air. Shocked witnesses described the massive and major fire in Central Road on Thursday morning. Kent Fire and Rescue said ten fire engines were sent to the scene. Firefighters were called shortly after 5.30am and were still battling the blaze several hours later. The service said it was alerted to the fire by an employee. The building was evacuated and no casualties have been reported. Around 50 residents from nearby buildings were also evacuated. Images posted on social media showed the blaze was visible for miles around. The huge fire erupted at an industrial estate in Kent on Thursday morning / @dazzler_1972/Twitter A spokesman for the fire service advised nearby residents to keep their doors and windows closed as black smoke filled the air in the area. He said: "Nearby residents are being asked to keep doors and windows closed due to smoke from a large warehouse fire in the Riverside Industrial Estate, Dartford. I mproving the teaching of black history in schools could stop young black boys being excluded, Labours shadow equalities minister Dawn Butler said today. Black Caribbean pupils are three times more likely to be permanently excluded compared to their white classmates according to Department for Education figures. Today Ms Butler and Jeremy Corbyn unveil proposals to ensure black British history and the legacy of empire is taught more widely in schools during a visit to Bristol as part of Black History Month. Its important that young black kids are taught their rich cultural history and that they came from one of the most civilised continents in the world, Ms Butler told the Standard. This is how we build pride in, and empower pupils. And this is how we ensure self-love. Labours plans if they were in Government include the creation of an Emancipation Educational Trust [EET] which would deliver school programmes for young people, organise visits to historical sites and focus on African civilisation before colonisation. Civil rights campaigner Paul Stephenson, the man who led the Bristol Bus Boycott in 1963, is suggested as someone all pupils should study. Currently it is not compulsory to teach children about the slave trade or African cultures although the Department for Education suggests them as areas of study. Ive been having conversations with young people about how they live their lives and connect with each other, and why there are certain aggressions. Its really quite clear to me when we are looking to the solution - the solution to the exclusion of young black boys - that things like the EET will help ground them and their understanding of who they are and what is expected of them. Ms Butler, MP for Brent Central, said she was not taught any formal black history growing up in East London in the 1980s and that the American TV series Roots caused problems for black pupils. The show following a teenager sold into slavery gave fellow pupils an ill informed view of history, she said. They thought they could tease the black kids and call us names and pretend to whip us. It caused a lot of discomfort, she said. A Department for Education spokesperson said the national curriculum provides a number of opportunities to focus on black history by learning about Rosa Parks, Mary Seacole and the impact on society of migration to and from Britain. T he family of an elderly British couple killed in Majorca after a flash flood hit have paid tribute to the loving, kind and caring husband and wife. Tony Green, 77 and his 75-year-old wife, Delia, have been named as two of the victims of the tragic floods. Retired head teacher Mr Green and Mrs Green had recently celebrated 55 years of marriage, the family said, and were on a two week holiday when they were caught up in the floods. They were reportedly being driven in a taxi to a hotel in Cala Bona when the car was hit by a torrent of water which swept it away. The pair were found dead by divers inside the cab while the taxis driver, Juan Sillero, was discovered dead nearby, Spanish newspaper Diario de Mallorca stated. Rescue workers in Spain are said to have found the car submerged and on its side at the mouth of the torrent in S'Illot at 2am on Wednesday. Damage from the floods / AFP/Getty Images In a statement, the family said: We are deeply shocked by the sudden passing of our parents Delia and Tony Green in the tragic events in Majorca. They were travelling out to Majorca for a two week holiday when they were caught up in the flooding. Delia and Tony were a loving, kind and caring couple. They were at their happiest when they were with their family and friends. According to the family, the couple had a taste for travelling and Cala Bona had recently become a favourite spot to visit. The family added: They were looking forward to their latest adventure abroad. The family take some solace from the knowledge that they died together. A firefighter cleans up a street covered with muddy water / AFP/Getty Images Authorities on the popular tourist island have said 10 people, three of them foreigners, died after torrential rain deluged the region. Floodwaters tore down trees, buried streets under mud and swept vehicles away, while witnesses said they had minutes to find safety as the water levels rose. As well as paying a moving tribute to their parents, the family have also reached out to those who helped. The statement read: Our thoughts also go out to their taxi driver and his family who are coming to terms with their loss as well. They will all be missed by everyone who knew them. T his is the first picture of a six-year-old girl who drowned in Margate during the summer heatwave. Dajahnel Young vanished from the beach where she was playing among visitors who had flocked to the Kent seaside resort to enjoy the hot weather, an inquest into her death was told. Assistant Coroner Georgina Gibbs heard how the girl, from Erith, south-east London, was reported missing shortly after she had been told not to go into the sea. Dajahnel was found floating in the water by a passer-by, who initially mistook her body for debris, the inquest was told. Despite efforts to resuscitate her on the beach and in an ambulance, she was pronounced dead at Margates Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital on July 28. Family friend Trey Agbesi today paid tribute to Dajahnel. She was a very playful, active girl. She would never sit still, she told the Evening Standard. She was always so full of life, very chatty and friendly. It was a huge shock to everyone. My daughter is a similar age so they were little playmates. Everyone in the community couldnt understand what had happened. After the incident Jean Beswick, the owner of BeBeached Cafe on the harbour arm, said traumatised bystanders wept as paramedics battled to save the girl. I just could not believe what we were seeing, she said. Everybody was in tears afterwards. The paramedics were so brilliant and spent about half an hour trying to save her. Dajahnel was a pupil at Barnehurst Junior School, near Erith. Ms Agbesi said a celebration of the girls life was held at Bensham Hall in Thornton Heath a fortnight after her death. It was like a birthday party, she added. It was beautiful, full of kids and like a celebration. The hall was filled to capacity. Everyone wore pink and white and T-shirts with Dajahnels picture on them. There were pictures of her on the tables and on balloons. Barnehursts head teacher Cassandra Malone shared a tribute on behalf of Dajahnels school teachers and friends during her funeral at the New Testament Church of God, Brixton, last month. The school did not wish to comment further when contacted. Ms Agbesi said of Dajahnels funeral: Lots of the children and adults carried single white roses. It was only towards the end that it hit me and I felt sad. It was just perfect at the church. Tributes were also paid on social media. Family friend Shelley Mieres said the death was so sad, adding: Prayers goes up. RIP xx. Dajahnels mother Camille was too upset to comment. A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death as immersion. P rince William today made an impassioned plea to end the 17.5 billion trade in illegal wildlife. Addressing the International Wildlife Trade Conference in London, he said: It is heartbreaking to think that by the time my children George, Charlotte and Louis are in their twenties, elephants, rhinos and tigers might well be extinct in the wild. I for one am not willing to look my children in the eye and say that we were the generation that let this happen on our watch. It is time to treat the illegal wildlife trade as the serious organised crime that it is. He urged representatives from 79 nations to work together to shatter crime gangs behind ivory smuggling: They are the very same groups who move drugs, people and weapons. You might find it easier to arrest a kingpin or a middle man for trafficking illegal wildlife products than to catch him red-handed smuggling heroin. Prince William hosts the signing ceremony of United For Wildlife's Financial Taskforce Declaration at Mansion House / AFP/Getty Images Remember, Al Capone was convicted of tax evasion, not murder. He spoke as Environment Secretary Michael Gove announced British troops will be sent to Africa as part of a 900,000 project to tackle poaching. Soldiers will help train park rangers in tracking, mapping, intelligence techniques and operations management. Mr Gove told the conference: The illegal wildlife trade is one of the most serious issues of organised crime facing the world. In the last year, more than 100 rangers were killed on the front line of the fight against poachers. As an international community we must do everything we can to support their vital work. Prince William and Prince Harry host a reception to officially open the 2018 Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference / AFP/Getty Images The ranger programme builds capability to tackle this crime across Africa. Major James Cowen, who led a previous deployment in Malawi, said the partnership helped UK soldiers improve tracking and bushcraft skills. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the conference that networks smuggling tusks and rhino horn were part of wider crime groups: They traffic guns, drugs and people. They launder money, engage in modern slavery, fund conflict and thrive on corruption. By one estimate, the illegal wildlife trade is the fourth most profitable criminal enterprise in the world, generating as much as $23 billion. (17.5 billion) The UK Government will commit 15 million to help disrupt the trade. About 20,000 African elephants are killed by poachers each year. Only 5,000 black rhinos remain in the wild. P rincess Beatrice is now counting down the hours until her little sister Eugenie marries Jacks Brooksbank at Windsor Castle. Beatrice, the Queen's granddaughter, is the eighth in line to the throne and will be maid of honour at the ceremony where more than 800 people are expected to attend. Eugenie, 28, and Mr Brooksbank, 31, will marry in St George's Chapel, the same venue that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex married in earlier this year. Here is what you need to know about Princess Beatrice: Beatrice with her mother Sarah Ferguson / Getty Images How old is Princess Beatrice and who are her parents? Princes Beatrice was born on August 8, 1988, at The Portland Hospital, London. She is the eldest daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, who divorced in 1996. Her full name is Beatrice Elizabeth Mary, with both names honouring her grandmother The Queen. She is her fifth grandchild and currently eighth in line to the throne. Where did Princess Beatrice go to school? After attending Upton House School in Windsor, Beatrice, 30, went to Cowarth Park School before moving onto St George's School in Ascot. In 2008 she began her studies at Goldsmiths College, London, where she graduated in 2011 with a 2:1 in History and History of Ideas. What does she do for a living? TODO: define component type apester Unlike cousins William and Harry, Beatrice is not a 'working royal' meaning she must juggle a day job with attending royal events. According to reports, she works full-time for a US-based technology company called Afiniti and is understood to split her time between the two countries. Is Princess Beatrice married? The princess is believed to be single, having dated Uber executive Dave Clark for 10 years from 2006 to 2016. Clark, 33, married his American girlfriend Lynn Anderson in a lavish Italian wedding in July this year, after dating for less than two years. What is Princess Beatrice's net worth? She is said to share an estimated worth of 3.6 million with her younger sister, with the majority of this fortune coming from trust funds established by the Queen Mother before her death in 2002. The Queens 28-year-old granddaughter is due to wed her fiance in St Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle on Friday the same venue as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. More than 800 guests will gather in the chapel for the royal celebration on Friday, which begins at 11am. Following the ceremony, the newlyweds will take part in a royal carriage procession to allow the crowds to catch a glimpse of them. The procession will be slightly shorter than Harry and Meghans in May, but will still include sections in Windsor town centre and the castle grounds. Where will the procession go? The procession will leave the grounds of the castle and head up Castle Hill, where crowds will greet the royal pair in the historic town centre. Loading.... They will then travel along the High Street and on to Park Street, before joining the iconic Long Walk at Cambridge Gate. Instead of journeying up the Long Walk, Eugenie and Jack will return to the castle grounds. The procession route through Windsor / TheDukeOfYork/Twitter It follows the route taken by the Earl and Countess of Wessex after their 1999 wedding. Historic tradition: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding procession drew huge crowds to Windsor / PA Wire/PA Images Where are the best spots to view the procession? TODO: define component type apester Castle Hill provides the best overall vantage point due to its incline, while it is the first place the newlyweds will come to on the procession. The historic streets of the town centre will also provide a viewing spot as the couple pass through. Happy Couple: Princess Eugenie is due to wed fiance Jack Brooksbank in Windsor on Friday / PA Will it be broadcast on TV? I f the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle back in May proved anything, it's that we do love a Royal Wedding in this country. Thousands of people are expected to flock to Windsor on Friday to see Princess Eugenie marry her fiance, Jack Brooksbank. Whilst the crowds are expected to be nowhere near as chaotic as they were for the nuptials of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the historical town of Windsor is expected to be busier than usual. Here's everything you need to know about travelling to Windsor for the big day, including the best viewing spots to watch the wedding procession: By car: It's advisable to get to Windsor as early as possible to avoid road closures. According to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, road closures will be in place along the procession route through Windsor from 00.01am until 3pm on Friday 12 October. Unlike Harry and Meghan's wedding, which saw 6,000 parking spaces set aside for the event, you will not be able to pre-book a parking space. Instead, you will have to make use of the limited number of spaces in one of three of the town's car parks. These can be found at Datchet Road, Windsor & Eton Riverside Station and Alma Road. Parking tickets will cost up to 17. By rail: Whereas extra train services were put on during the Royal Wedding in May, trains services on Friday will run at normal timetable. If you are travelling from the London area, it is recommended you use the South Western Train services from London Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside. Trains will run every half hour, at 28 minutes and 58 minutes past the hour. You can also catch the train to Windsor & Eton Central from London Paddington via Slough, although during the wedding in May travellers were urged to avoid this route to prevent congestion at Windsor stations. Where is the best place to stand? Loading.... Princess Eugenie and Jack's procession route will be slightly shorter than Meghan and Harry's, starting at the castle grounds and then entering the town at Castle Hill. The carriage will then travel along Windsor High Street and on to Park Street, before joining the iconic Long Walk at Cambridge Gate. Instead of journeying up the Long Walk, the newlyweds will return to the castle grounds. With this in mind, the best places to stand include: Castle Hill: The slight incline here will give you a good overall viewing spot of the procession and is also the first place the Royal couple will emerge from. The Town Centre: you're more likely to get a more flexible viewing spot here and still be able to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds as they make their way through the streets of Windsor. What about security on the day? Police officers search an area next to a homeless man a day ahead of the royal wedding between Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in Windsor. / REUTERS After the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding, Thames Valley police said the estimated cost of employing security on their big day was "between 2m and 4m." Because Princess Eugenie's wedding will be much smaller, the cost of security is expected to be lower, although exact figures are yet to be confirmed. What we do know is that just like during Harry and Meghan's wedding, police will be conducting spot checks on the homeless and searching bins. There will also be snipers on rooftops, police and armed officers present. TODO: define component type apester What can I expect the transport to be like getting home? Whilst it may seem like a good idea to get the first train home after the wedding has ended, you may find it better to stick around and wait until the crowds have died down. Plenty of visitors during Harry and Meghan's wedding stayed in Windsor after the ceremony to take in Windsor's gorgeous scenery. Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank - In pictures 1 /18 Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank - In pictures The Wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in Windsor Jeremy Selwyn Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in the Picture Gallery at Buckingham Palace in London after they announced their engagement. Princess Eugenie wears a dress by Erdem, shoes by Jimmy Choo and a ring containing a padparadscha sapphire surrounded by diamonds PA Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie of York attend The Serpentine Galleries Summer Party co-hosted by Chanel at The Serpentine Gallery on 28 June 2017 in London Dave Benett This picture was released by the Royal Family Twitter feed as the couple's engagement was announced PA Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank attend day three of the Qatar Goodwood Festival at Goodwood Racecourse on 30 July 2015 in Chichester, England Getty Images Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in the Picture Gallery at Buckingham Palace in London after they announced their engagement. Princess Eugenie wears a dress by Erdem, shoes by Jimmy Choo and a ring containing a padparadscha sapphire surrounded by diamonds PA Princess Eugenie of York and her long-term boyfriend Jack Brooksbank during a visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in 2016 Heathcliff O'Malley/The Daily Telegraph/PA Princess Eugenie of York and Jack Brooksbank attending the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews at St Mark's Church in Englefield, west of London on 20 May 2017. AFP/Getty Images Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie attend the 50th anniversary of The Beatles SGT Pepper Album at Abbey Road Studios for End The Silence and Hope&Homes for Children on 31 May 2017 Dave Benett Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie of York attend The Animal Ball 2016 presented by Elephant Family at Victoria House on 22 November 2016 Dave Benett Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank attend day three of the Qatar Goodwood Festival at Goodwood Racecourse on 30 July 2015 in Chichester, England Getty Images Jack Brooksbank (L) and Princess Eugenie of York attend Tracey Emin's birthday party at Mark's Club on 3 July 2014 in London Getty Images Princess Eugenie of York, Jack Brooksbank with her mother Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York at the End the Silence charity fundraiser at Abbey Road Studios, London on 31 May 2017 PA Jack Brooksbank and Princess Eugenie of York attend the 2017 annual V&A Summer Party in partnership with Harrods at the Victoria and Albert Museum on 21 June 2017 in London Dave Benett Princess Eugenie wears a ring containing a padparadscha sapphire surrounded by diamonds as she poses with Jack Brooksbank in the Picture Gallery at Buckingham Palace in London after they announced their engagement PA Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank in the Picture Gallery at Buckingham Palace in London after they announced their engagement. Princess Eugenie wears a dress by Erdem, shoes by Jimmy Choo and a ring containing a padparadscha sapphire surrounded by diamonds PA Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank walks down the aisle of the Quire after they were married at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle PA Princess Eugenie and her new husband Jack Brooksbank kiss as they leave St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle following their wedding PA Keep in mind that whatever time you plan to leave, trains are expected to be busier than usual. The last train from Windsor & Eton Riverside to London Waterloo will leave at 22:53. What if I can't find one of my friends or family members? In large crowds, it is easy to get separated from each other and large crowds also means dodgy data on your smartphone which can make contacting these people difficult. When you arrive at Windsor, pick a meeting point where you will all meet if you lose each other. If you are visiting with young children, make sure you take a picture of the children at the start of the day, clearly showing what they are wearing which will help them be located easier. S torm Callum will hit areas of western Britain with heavy rain and flooding tomorrow, the Met Office has warned. The Met Office issued an amber alert and said Wales can expect periods of heavy rain during Friday and Saturday, partially in the south-facing hills, as well as "deep floods" that could affect homes and businesses. Meanwhile a yellow warning for rain is in effect for the south west, north east and north west of England, southwest Scotland, the Lothian Borders and Yorkshire & Humber. Forecasters also warned of rain showers for the royal wedding on Friday. Weather warning for Wales Spray and flooding probably leading to difficult driving conditions and some road closures Delays and some cancellations to train and bus services are likely Fast flowing or deep floodwater is likely, causing danger to life Homes and businesses are likely to be flooded, causing damage to some buildings A good chance some communities cut off by flooded roads Power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses likely Greg Dewhurst of the Met Office said: "In Windsor tomorrow it's looking mostly dry in the morning but there will be some cloud coverage. "There is the risk of a little light rain from mid morning onwards but it should stay mostly dry, but windy with gusts around 30-35 miles per hour throughout the day." Temperatures will be mild with highs of 20C, he added. TODO: define component type apester "Storm Callum brings a spell of heavy and persistent rain on Friday, with the potential for flooding," the forecasters said. "There is a chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings, the greatest likelihood being in parts of south Wales and southwest England "Spray and flooding is likely to lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures. In Wales, fast-flowing or deep floodwater is possible. Weather warnings for heavy rain and strong winds cover most of the western UK and Northern Ireland. South Wales will be hit hardest with an Amber warning for rain in place. / Met Office "Where flooding occurs, there is a chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services. There is a chance of power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses." Further heavy and persistent rainfall is expected on Saturday, with further flooding possible. Heavy winds are also expected from 3am tomorrow, causing travel delays and danger to high-sided vehicles. Speaking to the Standard, Met Office forecaster Nicola Maxey said: Weve got an area of low pressure which is really passing to the west of Ireland, Scotland and the western side of the coastline. It will bring two days of intense rain which will be perhaps more of an impact than the strong winds. Weve put weather warnings in place for wind and rain covering Friday. Were looking at 50 to 60mph gusts but theres a potential for more exposed areas to see 70 to 80mph winds. For mainland Britain, the rain is really the bigger issue although it will be blustery as well, its a combination of the heavy rain and wind that were looking at on Friday. And for the Royal Wedding in Windsor, forecasters said attendees may be hit by patches of rain later in the day, but proceeding will otherwise be dry. Greg Dewhurst of the Met Office said: "Luckily for the Royal Wedding, the weather warnings are isolated to mainly western areas of the UK. "In Windsor tomorrow it's looking mostly dry in the morning but there will be some cloud coverage. There is the risk of a little light rain from mid morning onwards but it should stay mostly dry, but windy with gusts around 30-35 miles per hour throughout the day." The two children are among 10 recent cases of AFM all involving minors reported across the state, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Just last month, the department issued an alert to medical providers about AFM and how to properly report it. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has been tracking cases in the United States, says the condition isnt new but reports that public health officials nationwide saw an uptick in cases starting in 2014. T wo people have been killed in a light aircraft crash in East Yorkshire after farmers joined an extensive search. A search was launched last night after reports a plane had come down one mile short of the runway at Beverley Airfield at 7.30pm. Humberside Police initially said in a statement that both people on board the aircraft were thought to be safe and a search of the area was trying to locate them. In a later statement, the force said: "Following an extensive search of the countryside close to Beverley Airfield near Leven a light aircraft has now been found. "The aircraft had crashed and sadly both the pilot and a passenger who were the occupants of the aircraft suffered fatal injuries in the collision. "The families have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. "We want to thank all emergency services, volunteers and local residents involved in the search, their assistance is very much appreciated." A spokesman said a full investigation into the circumstances of the crash was under way. Driffield Fire Station tweeted last night: "A major search is currently taking place this evening between Beverley and Driffield for a missing light aircraft "A farmwatch member and friend have come down in a light aircraft N/W of Leven airfield - anyone in the area please check fields." A British couple in their 70s are among those who have been killed in Majorca after a flash flood hit the tourist destination. Anthony Green, 77, and his 75-year-old wife Delia have been named locally. They were reportedly being driven in a taxi to a hotel in Cala Bona when the car was hit by a torrent of water which swept it away. Rescue workers in Spain are said to have found the car submerged and on its side at the mouth of the torrent in S'Illot at 2am on Wednesday. Thunder raged over Majorca as the floods struck the area / EPA The pair were found dead by divers inside the cab while the taxis driver, Juan Sillero, was discovered dead nearby, Spanish newspaper Diario de Mallorca stated. A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are supporting the family of two British people following their deaths in Spain, and will do all we can to assist them at this deeply difficult time. "Our staff remain in contact with the Spanish authorities who are responsible for responding to the floods, and are ready to assist any other British people who require our help. Authorities on the popular tourist island have said 10 people, three of them foreigners, died after torrential rain deluged the region. Streets were buried in mud as cars were swept away by water in the floods / EPA A search is ongoing for a five-year-old boy who has been missing since disaster struck on Tuesday. The main area affected was around the town of Sant Llorenc, about 40 miles east of the capital, Palma. Some parts of the island received up to nine inches, 23cm, of rainfall in a matter of hours on Tuesday evening. Floodwaters tore down trees, buried streets under mud and swept vehicles away, while witnesses said they had minutes to find safety as the water levels rose. According to Diario de Mallorca, the bodies of an 81-year-old man and 83-year-old woman were among the first to be found on Tuesday. Rafel Gili Sastre, 71, a former municipal mayor, was later found dead at his home, the paper said. Authorities said 80 soldiers and seven vehicles from the military's emergency unit had joined more than 100 rescuers deployed in the area on Wednesday. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called news of the flooding "devastating" as he visited the area. A British student is being detained in solitary confinement in the United Arab Emirates amid accusations of spying, according to his wife. Matthew Hedges, 31, who had travelled for a PhD research trip, was arrested at the airport when he tried to leave Dubai in May. Following this he was taken to Abu Dhabi where he has been held since, as reported by the The Times. He has only been able to call his mother once and receive a single visit from his wife, Daniela Tejada. Matthew Hedges is reportedly being held in Abu Dhabi / Shutterstock Mr Hedges colleagues believe he is suspected of spying for Qatar, his wife said. But she told the paper: We all know that is not true. His wife also said when she saw him in July he was struggling mentally, with depression and panic attacks, while he was also constantly shaking. He seemed to be very cautious about what he said and what he didn't say which leads me to think he might have been coerced into saying or not saying things, she told The Times. On Wednesday, Mr Hedges was allowed to speak to a lawyer and appeared in the countrys state security court. Mr Hedges PhD, he was completing at Durham Universirty, was on Emirati security policies after the Arab Spring. The charges against him have not been detailed. A Foreign Office spokesman said: "Our staff are supporting a British man following his detention in the UAE. "We are assisting his family and remain in close contact with the local authorities. P rosecutors have dropped one of the six charges against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. A judge in New York has dismissed one of the charges against the 66-year-old. The development was announced in a court in New York, while Weinstein watched on. A judge has agreed to dismiss allegations by one of the three accusers against Weinstein, Lucia Evans. In a story published a year ago, Ms Evans told The New Yorker that Weinstein sexually assaulted her during a meeting at his office in 2004. Ms Evans had told US media that Weinstein forced her to perform oral sex on him. Weinstein is now charged with five alleged sex assaults, on two separate women. He has denied all charges against him. Weinstein at the New York State Supreme Court / Getty Images His lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, said in court that he believes Ms Evans lied to the grand jury about what happened. Assistant District Attorney Joan Illuzzi-Orbon told the judge prosecutors would not oppose dismissal of the count in the case involving Ms Evans. She insisted the rest of the case, involving two other accusers, was strong. "In short, your honour, we are moving full steam ahead," she said. But Mr Brafman told the judge he believed Ms Evans lied and that a police detective had corruptly attempted to influence the case by keeping a witness from testifying about her mis-statements. "The integrity of these proceedings has been compromised," he said. In a statement, a lawyer for Ms Evans said she was disappointed by the decision to "abandon" her. "Let me be clear: the decision to throw away my client's sexual assault charges says nothing about Weinstein's guilt or innocence. "Nor does it reflect on Lucia's consistent allegation that she was sexually assaulted with force by Harvey Weinstein," said attorney Carrie Goldberg. "It only speaks volumes about the Manhattan DA's office and its mishandling of my client's case." T win girls separated as babies following a hospital blunder 35 years ago have had a tearful reunion. Uliyana and Ksenia were born to Galina and Vladimir Shilov in the city of Perm on December 2, 1982. After a month in hospital, Ksenia was given to another new mother there, Elena Azanova. She was later moved to an orphanage. The Shilovs were instead given Ms Azanovas daughter, Yana. The mix-up went undiscovered for over three decades until Uliyanas friend spotted Ksenia walking in the street and was struck by their similarities. Uliyana met Ksenia and said they knew straight away they were sisters. They agreed to DNA tests which proved the mix-up. The blunder was confirmed last night on a show called DNA on Russian channel NTV. Uliyana, now married with two daughters, said: When I met Ksenia, I immediately felt an invisible link with her, she was my relative. Mr Shilov described how they took Uliyana home from hospital, but their second girl had to undergo treatment. When they picked her up a month later and undressed her, she had bruises, nappy rash and bedsores, but Mr Shilov said they felt they couldnt complain. Childhood: Yana, left, and Uliyana together. They were brought up as twins by Galina and Vladimir Shilov / NTV/east2west news T he worlds longest non-stop flight is currently making history as it travels from Singapore to New York. Flight SQ22 took off from Singapore after being delayed for a few minutes on Thursday afternoon and is expected to land in New York 19 hours later. Singapore Airlines (SIA) is re-launching the service for the first time in five years as the flight was originally too expensive. The record-breaking flight will fly directly to New York without stopping, and its route can be followed here. The flight took off at 11.35pm Singapore time (4.35pm UK time), with lucky passengers tweeting images of the cushy interior. Luxury seats with cushions and leg room were on offer for those able to get a ticket. After running a few minutes late, the historic flight took off with few seats to spare. C anadian DJ Deadmau5 has been forced to apologise after being accused of homophobia and voicing a string of offensive slurs about autism. The artist, real name Joel Zimmerman, described a track by DJ Slushii as Aids f****** music and autistic s*** during a video stream. Slushii, real name Julian Scanlan, addressed the remarks on Twitter, revealing he is on the autistic spectrum. As someone whos actually on the autism spectrum, this is really disappointing, he wrote. Man behind the mask: DJ Deadmau5 / Jason Merritt/Getty Ive been bullied all my life. Seeing that video upsets me so much because I always looked up to @deadmau5 and I dont take having a form of autism lightly. Its sad as such an influential member of our community you continue to use your platform to bring others down. He was also accused of making homophobic and transphobic comments in since deleted tweets. Zimmerman apologised in a Twitter statement saying he is addressing [his] own mental health challenges and that he has fallen short of his goal to uplift the next generation through his musical career. This has been a very difficult period and I sincerely apologise for my comments which were completely offensive and I take full responsibility for, he wrote. Now its time for me to deal with my own personal issues including finally addressing my own mental health challenges that I have wrestled with for the past several years. He continued: My desire to start a record label was to uplift the community and give opportunities to the next generation and I have fallen very short of that goal. Ive consulted with friends and loved ones and Ive come to the conclusion that Im in need of professional help to get on top of my issues and become a better me. K atie Price and ex-boyfriend Kris Boyson are reportedly back together following her recent arrest. The former glamour model has supposedly rekindled her romance with fitness trainer Boyson hours after he was spotted outside the police station she was arrested at. A source told the Sun: Kris stayed by her side the whole time and even sat waiting in the police station all night. He kept hold of her belongings for her and arranged to give her a lift home too. Hes been a real rock to her, even when she dumped him and started dating Alex [Adderson]. The insider added: Kris had been texting her to see if she was doing ok, they were in constant contact even when she was dating someone else. And he was even texting her at the start of his birthday party. Hed jump at the chance to be back with her, even though his friends cant abide her. Now hes saying that the only way she can make a full recovery is by having him full-time back in her life. Standard Online contacted representatives of Price and Boyson for comment. The 40-year-old was arrested after she allegedly crashed her bright pink Range Rover into a bush, according to reports. The Met Police confirmed an arrest was made. Kris Boyson admits Katie Price looked old and ill when they first met Price is believed to have been at Boyson's birthday party at Meze restaurant Bexleyheath earlier that night. A Met Police spokeswoman told the Standard: At approximately 2am on Wednesday, British Transport Police officers came across a car showing signs of damage stationary at the roadside in Shooters Hill Road, Woolwich. A 40-year-old woman who was inside the car was arrested on suspicion of drink drive. She was taken to a south London police station where she remains. A ctress Rosamund Pike says the British film industry is leading the way in creating more jobs for women. The Gone Girl star, 39, said there had been a stark rise in the number of female roles both in front of and behind the camera since she made her movie breakthrough in James Bond film Die Another Day in 2002. She told the Standard: I went on the BFI website and they had this very interesting section where you can see a bar chart of gender distribution across all departments on a film. I went and looked at my own filmography and I looked at 2002 when I made Die Another Day and the gender disparity was far greater than my last British film Entebbe in 2017 when there was a much more even distribution across all departments. Former Bond girl: Rosamund Pike starred in Die Another Day / Getty Images The Academy Award nominee also praised new rules, due to come into force next year, which state that films entered into two Bafta categories must meet at least two of the four BFI diversity standards. She said: That means people have to comply they cant just pay lip service. Theres been some strong lines drawn in the sand and everyone is trying to readjust their positions in relation to those lines. The BFI is a vision for the future. A United Kingdom Exclusive Interview With David Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike & Amma Asante Pike, who plays the late Sunday Times war correspondent Marie Colvin in forthcoming film A Private War, was speaking at the IWC Schaffhausen Gala Dinner, in association with the British Film Institute, to mark the start of the 62nd BFI London Film Festival. The event, held at The Electric Light Station in Shoreditch, was also attended by Daniel Kaluuya, Natalie Dormer and Ruth Wilson. K ate Devlin, senior lecturer in social and cultural AI at Kings College London, reaches up to the top shelf of a bookcase in her study and brings down several boxes of sex toys. When I was working at Goldsmiths, University of London, I had vibrators lying around all over the place, but I dont know how conservative they are here, she says of her new employers, unpacking what looks like a dark blue hollowed-out aliens egg, which turns out to be the worlds first guybrator called Pulse, one of a new generation of intelligent sex toys for men. Devlin, 42, has just written her first book, Turned On: Science, Sex and Robots. I never set out to become an expert on such risque forms of technology, but the book is not just about sex. Its about the relationship between intimacy and technology, she explains. You only have to think of Alex Garlands film, Ex Machina, with Alicia Vikander as a clever, vengeful sex robot, or Her, Spike Jonzes romantic whimsy about Joaquin Phoenix falling for an intelligent computer operating system voiced by Scarlet Johansson, to see why sex and tech make such natural bedfellows. Fantasy, and the desire for companionship at a time when loneliness has never been more prevalent in society, all play their part. Devlins research began four years ago when she decided to write a book about the race to develop the first commercially available sex robot. San Diegos Abyss Creations has just won that race, with the launch of Harmony, an interactive robot capable of having sex and making conversation according to the website. Online dating: Kate Devlin has written a book exploring the ethics of sex tech (Matt Writtle ) / Matt Writtle Made from silicone with details such as skin tone, eye colour, breast size and genitals all customisable (really), Harmony, who speaks in a soft Scottish accent, can talk quiet, kind or sexual. If the asking price of 8,000 seems steep, she also comes a lot cheaper as a downloadable app for smartphones. Very Her. Then theres Harry who makes jokes and has a permanent erection, although only his head moves and, says Devlin, the designers are having to programme him not to say things such as Im going to wear a sexy dress for you. So, could these sex robots spell the end of real relationships? The idea of being able to switch your girlfriend/boyfriend on or off, like Ryan Goslings holographic companion Joi in Blade Runner 2049, has a certain appeal, but she thinks the potential market for AI dolls is limited, as the current market for regular sex dolls is so niche. There are hundreds, rather than thousands, of people in the UK treating it [doll ownership] as more of hobby than anything else. You only need to watch Harmony on YouTube to see why; shes light years behind Joi. Devlin also touches on ethical issues in her book, such as whether acting out rape fantasies on a robot might spill over into real life, what does and does not constitute infidelity, and the laws on importing and owning child-like sex dolls. Paradoxically, she thinks the desire to breathe life into Barbie or Ken lookalikes is precisely whats holding the evolution of these sex robots back. Theyre constrained by being made to look human. Theyre just high-end sex dolls with a chatbot for moaning and a bit of vibrating. In fact, Devlin says the future of sex tech lies elsewhere, as she learned from running sex hackathons at Goldsmiths, where techies could introduce new ideas and prototypes. Its about combining AI with wearable sex toys, or using VR headsets. We can stream data from our bodies to give us instantaneous readings of heart rates and muscle movements, and we have smart fabrics, soft robotics and sensors materials that can respond to touch and touch us back. My own idea is a sex duvet made from strokeable fabric that vocally rumbles as it is touched and that curls around me as I sink into it. While the sex tech industry is forecast to be worth 23 billion by 2020, the market for toys, rather than dolls, is still aimed predominantly at women. Men tend not to use sex toys on their own its partly an ego thing. Except in Japan, where manufacturers such as Tenga make sex toys that look like patterned roll-on deodorants, because obscenity laws forbid depictions of real genitalia. Devlin is hopeful the possibilities for increasing happiness through sex tech are limitless and the future of intimacy is a network of connected people, who want, as humans have always wanted, to be together. The letter, which Sutter also placed in The New York Times and Los Angeles Times, as well as on Instagram, takes a grim view of current events (Our) fear and ignorance has empowered hate and greed to marginalize our humanity, it says but calls on fathers to listen to and have faith in their daughters. About 5 minutes before midnight, two people walked up to a 25-year-old woman on the sidewalk in the 1600 block of West Barry Avenue in Lakeview. At least one of them had a handgun, and they took her keys and drove off in her red Toyota Corolla, police said. Paul was everything that was good about the Chicago Police Department, Escalante said later. He did things the right way. It wasnt just who he was to the Police Department. Its who he was to his family and friends and the people who didnt even know him. In his district. On his block. You werent going to find a better person than Paul. And there was no reason for him to have died the way he did. 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 Authorities say Foster flew from Atlanta to Chicagos OHare International Airport and then rented a car and drove to Des Plaines, intent on confronting the 26-year-old man they say was dating Fosters former girlfriend. Prosecutors allege Foster approached the man on the street, hit him in the head with a tire iron, carved initials into his leg and then cut off his penis. Captain Andreea Oana Ardeleanu, 30, performed on Thursday at the Aeronautic Staff Training Base (BAIFPA) in Boboc, Buzau County (south-east), the assessment flight to become an instructor on the IAR 99 aircraft, thus having become the first woman pilot of the Romanian Air Force to be an instructor on a jet plane. Oana Ardeleanu told AGERPRES that since her childhood her dream had been to become a pilot, although the parents had not encouraged her in this sense. "I have been dreaming to become a pilot ever since the seventh-grade. Then, girls were not admitted to the aviation schools. My parents did not encourage me, on the contrary, even now my mother would want me to quit, but the passion for flying is stronger than ever," said Oana Ardeleanu.Prior to the assessment flight, Commander Daniel Radu wished the future instructor "only clear skies in her chosen career."According to Boboc aviation school spokeswoman, Laura Cretu, the assessment flight lasted about half an hour and it was complex. In turn, Commander Marius Ionita, the instructor who played the role of the student, emphasized at the end of the flight that the mission had been very well prepared.Captain Andreea Oana Ardeleanu has almost a thousand hours of flight, out of which 360 hours on the IAR 99 Standard aircraft. The meeting focused on the next steps to be taken in implementing the aspects already agreed between the Romanian Foreign Affairs Minister and his Kuwaiti counterpart during their meeting in late September, in New York, on the sidelines of the 73rd session of the General Assembly of the United Nations Organisation. Minister Teodor Melescanu and ambassador Talal Mansour Alhajeri reviewed the agenda of the future bilateral contacts, on which occasion they highlighted the high level of cooperation existing between Romania and Kuwait at bilateral level and under the umbrella of the international bodies, as well as the two countries' convergent interests.According to MAE, the minister underscored the Romanian side's interest in strengthening political-diplomatic dialogue with Kuwait, which will lead to a future increase in economic changes and sectoral contacts, to both states' benefit.The head of diplomacy showed that, during the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, Romania will pay a special attention to the developments in the Southern Vicinity of the European Union and will plead for strengthening efforts in promoting peace and security in this region.The two interlocutors reviewed the recent developments at regional and international level, on which occasion Minister Teodor Melescanu reiterated his concern for the stability of the Middle East region. In this respect, he voiced hope that all differences will be solved in the shortest while, through dialogue. Moreover, he hailed the sustained efforts of the Emir of Kuwait in ensuring a climate of good cooperation within the Gulf Cooperation Council, specifies the MAE. AGERPRES Rauner also bristled when asked about his personal and family foundation investments in offshore tax havens following a Tribune report Wednesday dealing with the financial holdings of the governor and Pritzker. The Tribune found that Rauners family foundation invested more than $10 million in a Cayman Islands fund after he became governor, that he has personal investments in three offshore funds, and that his former private equity firm was a top client of a major law firm that provides offshore legal services. Romania will continue to pay close attention to strengthening the EU-Korea Strategic Partnership, President Klaus Iohannis told visiting Speaker of the National Assembly of Korea Moon Hee-sang, in Bucharest on Thursday. Klaus Iohannis welcomed Moon Hee-sang at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace on an official visit to Romania. According to a statement from the Presidential Administration, Iohannis hailed this visit, which has a symbolic significance as it takes place among the Centennial of modern Romania and the 10th anniversary this year of the strategic partnership between Romania and the Republic of Korea. Also in 2018, 55 years are celebrated since the establishment of relations between Korea and the European Union.Iohannis highlighted the special nature of relations between the two countries, with Korea being the first Asian state with which Romania established a strategic partnership. He also underscored that the two countries share common values, with Romania being determined to act for a significant development of the bilateral strategic partnership, mentioning to the point a very good discussion he had with his South Korean counterpart when he participated in the high-level segment of this year's session of the UN General Assembly in September."The President of Romania commended the ascending and sustained dynamics of the relationship and political dialogue between our country and the Republic of Korea. At the same time, President Klaus Iohannis encouraged capitalising on bilateral trade and economic co-operation potential, including by attracting new Korean investment to Romania. He also highlighted the potential of bilateral relations in the field of education, encouraging a better capitalisation on student mobility, starting from the educational offering of Romanian and Korean universities, a position fully shared by the Korean side. President Klaus Iohannis assured that Romania will continue to address with the utmost attention the strengthening of the EU-Korea Strategic Partnership, including during our country's presidency of the Council of the European Union."In his turn, Moon Hee-sang pointed out that Romania is currently one of Korea's most important strategic partners in Southeast Europe, showing that to the Republic of Korea, Romania is "the pearl of Central and Eastern Europe." The South Korean official congratulated Romania on its progress and assuming the presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2019, while expressing the decision of the Korean side to increase its investment in Romania and to further develop trade.Klaus Iohannis and Moon Hee-sang also made a detailed exchange of views on recent developments in the settlement of the situation in the Korean Peninsula, with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Korea expressing their gratitude for Romania's consistent position and support for this matter in various international contexts. The chairman of PNL (National Liberal Party) Ludovic Orban declared on Wednesday that the Government has next to nothing to show in terms of attracting European funds, saying that in the last five years there haven't been any infrastructure project financed from European funds, according to Agerpres. "In matter of European funds absorption we have next to nothing to show. We are in the fifth year, for example, and on the Large Infrastructure Operational Programme (POIM), on the transport infrastructure area, we haven't started any new investment projects in five years. It has to do with stupidity, but also incompetence and I believe that there is ill-will as well. I think it is ill-will. Look at the arguments going on between Corina Cretu and Romania's Government, given that Corina Cretu is a commissioner put there by PSD [Social Democratic Party, ed.n.], not by us. And Corina Cretu says: you can finance the Iasi-Targu Mures motorway with European funds. And the Government, instead of using European funds which it does not even have the capacity to spend from this large infrastructure programme, says that they will do this with PPP [Public-Private Partnership, ed.n]. It's just mind boggling. You cannot make a public-private partnership contract without making a procedure of competitive selection, there's no way, no where in this world does this exist," Orban said, at private TV broadcaster B1 TV. He showed that in a public-private partnership the investor needs to recover his financing, otherwise he will enforce a motorway toll."Let them say that if you have a public-private partnership contract you will introduce a motorway toll, because where else would they recover their money from? In a public-private partnership, the contractor brings his own financing money, and after that, in order to recover his financing, he needs to have some revenues, that he cashes in while he manages the motorway section that he built," the PNL leader said.Orban also reminded of the Sibiu - Pitesti section, which "has come to a standstill"."The Sibiu-Pitesti motorway section has come to a standstill ever since they came into power, ever since the time of the Ponta Government. They are not able to kick off this investment project, which is vital, which actually ensures the connection between Constanta port and Europe, that could actually raise the profile of Constanta Port with all the opportunities that it holds. They went back to the feasibility study and to the technical-economic indicators that were carried out during my mandate as Minister of Transportation, namely 10 years ago," Orban declared. (CNN) Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen called on China to be a "responsible" country on the world stage rather than provoking unnecessary conflict, amid worsening relations between Beijing and the island it considers a renegade province. Tsai made the remarks during a television speech on Wednesday, Taiwan's National Day, which marks the 107th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China, as the island is officially known. The Taiwan President said the island had no intention of recklessly provoking China but said Beijing should also avoid being a "source of conflict." "Recently, China's verbal attacks, military threats and diplomatic suppression have not only challenged cross-strait relations but also challenged the peace and stability across the strait," she said. Tsai said she would work to strengthen the island's national security in response to the increasing threats from Beijing, which she said had been exerting growing pressure on the island. In September, the US approved a $330 million arms sale to Taiwan, primarily spare parts for the island's air force. Tsai's speech echoes strong comments made by US Vice President Mike Pence in the United States on Thursday, where he accused the Chinese government of being a negative influence on both the US and the rest of the world. 'I will not sacrifice Taiwan's sovereignty' Tsai's party is facing a tough battle at the upcoming local elections in Taiwan in November, after the president's popularity dropped following months of bad economic news and tensions with mainland China. Relations between Taipei and Beijing have cooled dramatically since Tsai was elected in 2016, resulting in clashing displays of military power and strained economic ties across the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese government is concerned about pro-independence sentiments in Tsai's ruling party, which has historically called for the island to formally separate itself from mainland China. Despite Taiwan having been self-governed since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949, Beijing still views it as a part of its territory and has repeatedly called for its reunification with the mainland, by force if necessary. In her speech, Tsai said China's increased pressure on Taiwan had been responsible for changing the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, souring bilateral relations. "As President, I guarantee to my citizens that I will definitely not move to confrontation in a moment of anger, and make cross-strait relations fall into danger. But I will also not ... sacrifice Taiwan's sovereignty," she said Wednesday. In his speech on Thursday, US Vice President Pence doubled down on previous remarks made by US President Donald Trump, saying Beijing was attempting to meddle in the upcoming US midterm elections. "To put it bluntly, President Trump's leadership is working. China wants a different American President," Pence said. Beijing said in response that US claims of electoral interference were "baseless." In his remarks, Pence took a forceful line on the issue of Taiwan, condemning ongoing efforts by Beijing to strip the island of its diplomatic allies around the world and forcing multinational companies to remove any references to the island as a separate entity from China. "Taiwan's embrace of democracy shows a better path for all the Chinese people," he said. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Taiwan's president calls on Beijing to not be a 'source of conflict' worldwide." MIAMI Florida's Panhandle is littered with evidence that Hurricane Michael is one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the mainland United States. Roofs and awnings are peeled from buildings, pieces of homes are scattered amid snapped trees and downed power lines, chunks of beaches are washed away. Michael thrashed Georgia as a hurricane and eventually weakened to a tropical storm early Thursday as it moved toward the Carolinas, soaking areas that got swamped last month by Hurricane Florence. "Well, I think that would be hurting us," Trump said. "We have jobs. We have a lot of things happening in this country. We have a country that's doing probably better economically than it's ever done before. Part of that is what we are doing with our defense systems and everybody is wanting them and frankly, I think that would be a very, very tough pill to swallow for our country." People familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity say the allegations had already been widely discussed in the Senate and in the public realm. Roberts did not see an urgent need for them to be resolved by the judicial branch while he continued to review the incoming complaints, they said. In the overarching grand scheme of things, what follows may seem trivial, mundane and beneath Googles awesome sense of importance to warrant an official response of any kind. In any case, since Google has the technical ability to manipulate search results, thereby doing more potential harm to US democracy than any Russian hacker could imagine, the matter simply cannot go unattended any longer. Mr. Sundar Pichai, as Google CEO, you are probably aware of a September 2016 article from Unz Review that discusses the listing or rather delisting of a number of American inventors, many of whom were household names once upon a time. But in one fell swoop, Google seems to have deliberately or otherwise designated these tinkering white guys to the digital dungeon. To better understand what I am talking about, I would kindly ask you to take a moment and conduct a Google query for the subject American inventors. Once the query is complete, you will see at the top of the page a horizontal, photographic listing of individuals that Google offers as top examples of American inventors. Here, Mr. Pichai, is where I am greatly confused. In the search results provided, only two American inventors are of European lineage. They are Thomas Edison (6th place), and Alexander Graham Bell (10th place). Scrolling ahead further the situation does not improve for that diverse tribe of people known as European Americans. I regret to inform you that just one pale-face representative of that talented race appears among the first 20 results. To make things easier, here are the first 35 names that appear when a person performs a Google search for American inventors: 1. George Washington Carver (1864-1943), African American 2. Lewis Howard Latimer (1848-1928), African American 3. Garrett Morgan (1877-1963), African American 4. Madam C.J. Walker (1867-1919), African American 5. Elijah McCoy (1844-1929), African American 6. Thomas Edison (1847-1931), European American 7. Lonnie Johnson (1949-), African American 8. Patricia Bath (1942-), African American 9. Granville Woods (1856-1910), African American 10. Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922), European American 11. Jan Ernst Matzeliger (1852-1889), African American 12. James Edward Maceo West (1931-), African American 13. Frederick McKinley Jones (1893-1961), African American 14. Thomas L. Jennings (1791-1856), African American 15. Otis Boykin (1920-1982), African American 16. Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806), African American 17. Norbert Rillieux (1806-1894), African American 18. Marie Van Brittan Brown (1922-1999), African American 19. Sarah E. Goode (1855-1905), African American 20. Percy Lavon Julian (1899-1975), African American 21. Henry Blair (1807-1860), African American 22. George Robert Carruthers (1939-), African American 23. Henry Ford (1863-1947), European American 24. Eli Whitney (1765-1825), European American 25. Sarah Boone (1832-1904), African American 26. Janet Emerson Bashen (1957-), African American 27. Samuel Morse (1791-1872), European American 28. Ben Montgomery (1819-1877), African American 29. Valerie Thomas (1943-), African American 30. Andrew Jackson Beard (1849-1921), African American 31. David Crosthwait (1898-1976), African American 32. Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), European American 33. Albert Einstein (1879-1955), European American 34. Marjorie Joyner (1896-1994), African American 35. Alfred L. Cralle (1866-1920), African American Sir, I think we could agree that something is wrong in Denmark. Thus, could you please relieve my curiosity and explain, in simply laymans terms with graphs and charts if need be, how it is remotely conceivable that Americas most renowned innovators, including, but certainly not limited to, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Cyrus McCormick, Nikola Tesla, Albert Einstein, the Wright Brothers, Elias Howe, Robert Fulton, George Eastman, Jonas Salk, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates all fail to feature in the top-30 search results for American inventors? Incredibly, even the Wright Brothers, credited with being the first human beings to take flight in an aircraft, went mysteriously missing over the Google Triangle, nowhere to be found in the top 50 results! Has a search party been sent yet, Mr. Pichai? These most honorable men deserve to be found! I probably do not need to tell you, sir, that of the top-20 American inventors that Google provides in its search results, only Thomas Edison (6) and Alexander Graham Bell (10) appear like apparitions for Team Europe; all of the rest are African American inventors (whom, by the way, I have nothing but the highest respect for). Henry Ford, whose mass produced Model T automobile revolutionized American transport and assembly line techniques, managed to get a spot at 23rd on the list. Nikola Tesla, the inventor of the alternating current (AC) induction motor, the power source used today in all commercial products, is certainly shocked to find himself at the end of the line at 32; Albert Einstein, no idle mind, mind you, fared worse at 33. Forgive my silly pun, sir, but relatively speaking Einstein no longer exists! Clearly, something is seriously out of whack at your company, which conveniently passes off any and all suspicious behavior to the mystical inner workings of The Almighty Algorithm, the veritable god particle, as opposed to some deliberate manipulation on the part of meddling men. This brings to mind the wily wizard of Oz, the charlatan behind the curtain turning cranks and pulling levers in an endless effort to keep people in a suspended state of awe at the spectacle of some seemingly magical force that they are ill-equipped to rationalize. That appears to be our relationship with Google today, Mr. Pichai, which I find most regrettable. Before continuing, it goes without saying that I have no wish to denigrate the many ingenious achievements and innovations of African Americans. This critique should in no way be confused, of course, as some sort of racist screed, but rather an argument that a reverse form of racism and discrimination appears to be gnawing away at the innards of Google, which as you know firsthand embraces the political and cultural values of the occasionally lunatic left. Perhaps you would agree this is not a matter of conjecture. Just last month, the venerable Wall Street Journal reported on an internal email making the circuits on Google campus in which your devoted employees, distressed by Donald Trumps just-announced plan for a travel ban against seven Islamic countries over terrorism fears, banged around ways to leverage search algorithms to tamp down such islamophobic tendencies. Your spokeswoman, Gina Scigliano, reassured everyone this was just one big rumor burger, saying that none of the ideas were put into effect. Theres just one glaring problem with Ginas happy assurances: there is absolutely no possible way a single soul on Planet Google could prove or disprove her claim unless youd be willing to hand over the keys to the kingdom. And lets be honest, you have no more intention of doing that than you would voting Republican in November, right? Speaking of elections, thanks to the whistle-blowing efforts of one of your jaded engineers, James Damore, we already know that Google has some serious issues with politically conservative white men. Apparently they are even booed and hissed at during company meetings, which sound more like Orwellian 15 minute hate sessions than anything. Would such misgivings for privileged white males ever translate into active efforts to downgrade the technological achievements of these tinkering men, a beleaguered species that has been blamed for much of what is wrong with the world today? I think it would be terribly unfortunate if that were the case, but the writing on the wall speaks for itself. We already know that Google can monkey wrench search results because the search engine it is developing for use in China a perfectly innocuous operation code-named Dragonfly has the capability to censor undesirable results in accordance with the desires of the Chinese government. Now sir, lets be perfectly frank, not to be confused with Frank Lloyd Wright. If your omnipotent company is willing to casually dismiss such moral and ethical considerations to pacify a foreign (authoritarian) government, does it not stand to reason that it may also be very tempted to implement those same awesome powers to tweak the political and cultural climate of the United States more to its liking? You know, play God, if you will? Even if that may mean sending the likes of the Wright Brothers, Henry Ford and Benjamin Franklin straight down the memory hole? The desire to manipulate an algorithm here and there, until it becomes modus operandi, is simply too tempting to honestly believe that it is not happening at your company. Mr. Pichai, it is my belief, in light of all the issues I have just mentioned, that it is high time to pull back the curtain on Google to ascertain whether or not it is playing fair and square with the American people. Or, in the event that option does not appeal to you, there is always the possibility of smashing Google up, breaking its monopolistic grip over news and information. If it can happen to Ma Bell, Sundar Pichai, it can certainly happen to you. The NATO-led Trident Juncture 2018 (TRJE18) exercise that is to be held in October and November is the largest massive and coordinated show of force since the Cold War. It will primarily be hosted by Norway. The training event will largely take place in the central and eastern parts of this Nordic country that neighbors Russia, as well as over the skies and in the seas of Sweden and Finland. The maritime component will be conducted in the surrounding areas of the North Atlantic and in the Baltic Sea. TRJE18-related activities will take place as far away as Iceland. Russia has been invited to send observers to watch the exercise. Actually, TRJE18 consists of three parts. The deployment phase has been underway since August. A live field exercise will be held from October 25 to November 7 with six brigades fighting each other right in the heart of Norway. A command post training event will be conducted from November 13 to November 24. The drill will involve 45,000 participants from over 30 nations, including 10,000 rolling or tracked vehicles, 150 aircraft, and 60 ships. The main goal is to test the ability of NATOs new Response Force to rapidly deploy. Norway will evaluate its ability to receive and handle reinforcements sent by its allies. There are 700 US Marines stationed in Norway. Thats not a huge force, but as Adm. James Foggo, who heads all US naval forces in Europe and Africa and commands the Allied Joint Force Command in Naples put it, thats 300 Marines today. 3,000 Marines tomorrow. The American pre-positioned forward storage sites in Norway, a complex of caves, have been upgraded to store weapons and equipment for roughly 15,000 Marines. That Scandinavian country has become the source of a threat to Russias national security. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is also taking part. The aircraft carrier returned to its home base in Norfolk in July following a three-month deployment. It was back in Europe in mid-September. Normally, US carrier groups operate according to a standard seven-month cycle. Now they are being shifted to dynamic force employment in order to improve flexibility. Finland will contribute significantly to this exercise that is based on a simulated Article 5 scenario, with its troops operating in their home region, in Sweden and Norway. It will also lead and host the naval exercise Northern Coasts 18 (NOCO18) in the Baltic Sea, which is linked to Trident Juncture. Finland is sending about 2,000 troops to TRJE18. The size of that force is comparable to the contributions made by leading NATO members. For example, Germany is sending 4,000 troops, the UK 3,500 troops, France 3,000, Canada 2,000, Denmark 1,000, Italy 1,500, Spain 1,000, and the Netherlands 1,500. The US contribution will be 12,000 soldiers, and the primary host is sending 6,500 servicemen. There were only about 160 Finnish troops participating in the last Trident Juncture held in 2015. Three years ago, the drill was held in southern, not northern Europe. Sweden, another non-NATO active participant, is sending about 2,200 troops, along with four Gripen fighters that will be based in Norway. Before the TRJE kicks off, US, Swedish, and Finnish forces will conduct their own exercises in Sweden. Both Finland and Sweden participate in NATOs Response Force. Until now, both Scandinavian nations have shied away from holding Article 5 exercises. The Trident Juncture 2018 is a drastic shift in that policy, which is being carefully evaluated by Russia. At an unofficial level, Sweden and Finland have already joined NATO through other groups and agreements, such as their trilateral cooperation with the US. The militarization of Norway, as well as all of the Scandinavian Peninsula and the Baltic states is being perceived by Russia as a provocation and a threat that demands a response. The Baltic states continue to request an increased military presence on their soil. NATO is stockpiling weapons, military equipment, and ammunition in the Baltic region and Poland. There is a backstory to the Trident Juncture 2018 exercise. In early October, US Envoy to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchinson said Russia had been put on short notice, due to its alleged violations of the 1987 Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty. She warned that the US might "take out the missiles" before they could be deployed if Russia did not back down. This year, NATO has already coordinated approximately 100 exercises, 20% more than during the same period in 2017. Poland will invite NATO members and partners for another large-scale, officially national exercise, Anaconda 2018, which will be held at roughly the same time as some smaller NATO drills, such as Citadel Bonus-18, Iron Wolf-18, and Baltic Host-18. The hidden aim of the exercises is to keep those forces ready to close in on Russias borders. Thats why the alliance is creating this military Schengen zone, in an effort to minimize the time needed for troop deployment. Anaconda 18 will be a cover for the deployment of a US Army brigade in Europe, in addition to the deployment of the US 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team. Next month, well see an entire US mechanized division in operation in the Old World. Four NATO multinational battalion-size groups are already stationed in the Baltic states and Poland. These never-ending exercises adjacent to Russias borders show that the terrorist threat has been forgotten. The North Atlantic alliance is too busy preparing for a large-scale invasion by Russia to even think about it. American strategists appear to have a short memory. It was not Russia who attacked the United States on 9/11. A different type of exercise would be needed to fend off a terrorist threat, but time, money, and efforts are being spent on war preparations against Moscow, which is fighting against the very same Islamic fundamentalists who threaten the West. Last month, Russia held a very large-scale training event dubbed Vostok 2018, but it was held in Russias Far East region so as not to provoke NATO, although that alliance did not seem to appreciate this thoughtful gesture. It is true that the terrorist threat is no big prize for the defense industry. Opposing such big potential foes as Russia or China promises huge financial benefits for companies involved in military production. These never-ending and provocative exercises are needed to keep tensions high and justify the allocations of funds. This state of constant confrontation with Russia and China rakes in profits. The ends justify the means. There were two simultaneous Brett Kavanaugh stories. Together, as part of the confirmation process regarding his nomination as Supreme Court Justice, they revealed how political discourse in the United States has reached a new low, with debate over the mans possible predilection to make judgments based on his own preferences rather than the US Constitution being ignored in favor of the politically motivated kabuki theater that was deliberately arranged to avoid that issue and instead go after his character. Consider first of all, his flaws as a candidate. He was regularly framed as a conservative, but what did that mean in the context of his career? Some of the critics are referring to his time spent as a government lawyer, specifically for the George W. Bush Administration, where he was a supporter of wide executive authority in the context of the war against terror while others point to his decisions and writings during his time as a US Circuit judge from 2006 until the present. That meant essentially that Kavanaugh then supported and apparently continues to support what is now referred to as the John Yoo doctrine, named after the Department of Justice lawyer who penned the memo that made the case for the president to act unilaterally to do whatever is required in national security cases even if there be no direct or immediate threat. Yoo specifically argued that the president, by virtue of his office, is not bound by the War Crimes Act. This theory of government, also more broadly dubbed the unitary executive, was popularized by Yoo, fellow government lawyer Jay Bybee and Eric Posner of the University of Chicago. For those who find Kavanaugh unacceptable in terms of his judicial philosophy, this repudiation of the constitutional principle of three branches of government that check each other was enough to disqualify him from a position on the Supreme Court, principally as it impacts on both the first and second articles of the constitution by granting to the president the authority to both begin and continue a war on his own recognizance. It also means that the president on his own authority can suspend first and fourth amendment rights to freedom of speech and association as well as freedom from illegal search. He supported, for example, the governments right to conduct mass searches of private data such as was conducted by the NSA. Kavanaugh supports government authority to legitimize incarceration without trial and to order assassinations and torture. Kavanaugh is also on record as favoring limiting the publics right to use the courts to redress government overreach. But curiously enough, or perhaps not so curiously, Kavanaugh was treated with kid gloves on those critical issues, basically because both major parties are now supportive of the unitary executive concept even if they would not admit that to be the case. Bill Clinton launched cruise missiles attacks on Sudan and Afghanistan on his own authority and involved the US in a war in the Balkans. George W. Bush did the same in approving torture and expanding the war on terror to Iraq and also globally, while Barack Obama attacked both the Syrian and Libyan governments and assassinated US citizens abroad, all acts of war or war crimes carried out without a congressional declaration of war or without any real pushback by the judiciary. The failure of Congress to carry out its duty to review Kavanaughs ability or lack thereof to interpret the constitution impartially was the more important story line in the confirmation process but it was ignored by the media. The other narrative that ran simultaneously, the purely political attempt made by the Democrats and some Republicans to destroy Kavanaugh as a person through the exploitation of random claims of sexual assault dating from more than thirty-five years ago, was an attempt to discredit the candidate that everyone knew right from the beginning could not be substantiated. This all means that the important issue of Kavanaughs likely comportment as a judge was subjected to too little inquiry while his character as evidenced by tales from his past life received far too much attention. Ironically, the media, which has been frantically searching for an explanation for the breakdown of democracy in the United States, has been pillorying the Russians and more recently the Chinese for outside interference in the process, while ignoring the intense public dissatisfaction with the government it has been allowed to have by the Establishment, which is exemplified by the dystopic reality demonstrated by Kavanaugh. Some Americans would have rejected him based on his merits as a judge, but the case was not clearly made. Many instead came to view him as a victim of a vicious personal campaign and that was apparently enough to win confirmation, at least as reckoned by the calculus of those in Congress who cast the actual votes. In either case, the system failed to produce a good result and we only have our polarized and dysfunctional government to blame for that failure. The U.S. Army wants to provide troops in combat zones with social media analysis tools that would enable them to automatically gather information from local Internet social media to see what is happening in the area they are operating. This would be near real-time analysis with results available in English. This sort of thing is now possible because of advances in translation and social media analysis software. Intelligence organizations and commercial firms have been developing this sort of capability for over a decade. Currently, military use of these professional tools is restricted and their analyses are usually classified (or considered business secrets). But that has been changing. For example, the Israeli domestic intel agency (Shin Bet) revealed that so far in 2018 its intel monitoring efforts on social media had played a major role in preventing over 250 terrorist attacks. Many big-city police departments use commercially available analysis software to monitor local social media users for useful data on past or potential crimes. Before that police would simply search the social media for telltale signs of crimes committed or about to be. In Ukraine and throughout the Middle East local security forces increasingly use this capability either manually or with specialized software. Now, it appears, it is time to provide the troops with similar tools. Apparently, there has already been some informal and unofficial action in this area by individual army units in combat zones. U.S. SOCOM (Special Operations Command) has been using such tools for years. Early on social networking sites and Internet activity analysis were recognized as a major tool for intelligence agencies. There is an irony in this because sites like Facebook and Twitter are also hailed as catalysts for revolution and social change. While that's true, these sites have also been a big help to intelligence and police organizations. This can have fatal consequences in dictatorships, where the police and intel groups can use data gathering and analysis tools (developed for marketing via the Internet) to find people who are protesting or rebelling against the government. Even if these Facebook users are using codes and pseudonyms to remain hidden, the scanning and analysis tools can often uncover them. Twitter traffic can also be analyzed for useful information on who is doing what and where they are. Social networking sites are thus a double-edged sword. They can be used to organize, inform, and mobilize large groups. But in doing this you provide the secret police a lot of information you would rather not share with them. Islamic terror groups advise their members to avoid social networking sites, but that has proved impossible to enforce. Social networking was designed to be alluring, as well as useful, especially to the young and niche groups. For young revolutionaries, this can be a fatal attraction. Social networking sites can be used to organize, inform, and mobilize large groups. But in doing this you provide the secret police a lot of information you would rather not share with them. Intelligence agencies, especially in the United States, were quick to adopt commercial techniques used for BI (Business Intelligence, or corporate espionage) and data mining operations and applying it to the massive quantities of real-time data on the Internet. The CIA developed software to gather all this Internet information, filter and organize it and then turn it over to analysts to be sorted out, or, in many cases, translated more accurately. That last bit was necessary because machine translation software can automatically translate all those tweets and postings so that stuff can be identified and put in a database. But in order to get really useful (to the CIA) intelligence, you need skilled linguists and analysts to double check and also find out if the selecting and sorting software needs to be tweaked (it often does). This massive, real-time combing of social media and open (to anyone) message traffic has yielded a much more accurate and timely analysis of political, religious, cultural, and military trends worldwide. It has also made the deployment of agents and other scarce resources (reconnaissance and electronic eavesdropping satellites, aircraft, and ships) more effective. In the United States the FBI, Homeland Security, and military intelligence have similar data gathering and analysis systems for gathering all sorts of useful information. Other nations are establishing similar systems, often using commercial software sold to marketing firms and large corporations. These capabilities increasingly became newsworthy. In 2016 the American government took credit for the recent decline in ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) activity on social media. On Twitter, for example, messages supporting or mentioning ISIL in 2016 were about half as numerous now as they were in 2014. By 2016 there was a lot more anti-ISIL commentary and traffic among Arab speaking Internet users. While some of this decline in pro-ISIL activity is due to public opinion turning against ISIL because of their continued attacks on Moslem women and children and any Moslem who does not agree with them there were other trends developing as well. For example, Western governments have learned (often by trial and error) how to use the law, popular attitudes among Moslems towards Islamic terrorism and some commonly used Internet marketing and publicity techniques against Islamic terror groups. All these efforts have been underway for years and have reported much progress since 2015. Before 2015 a lot the basic work was done by SOCOM which pioneered the use on commercial technology to gain an edge as Islamic terrorists have moved a lot of the combat to the Internet. Islamic terrorists used the Internet for a lot of their recruiting, fundraising, training and carrying out attacks or discussing tactics in general. SOCOM used commercial Internet marketing software systems to better (and more quickly) analyze what Islamic terrorists were doing on the Internet. This was nothing new for SOCOM, which has been informally using social networking sites and Internet activity in general to find, monitor and sometimes manipulate terrorist suspects. This has been going on since the late 1990s but as time went on SOCOM found that formal and analytic techniques produced better results. The U.S. Army Special Forces has one of the largest collections of experienced counter-terrorism operators who know the culture and languages of areas where there is a lot of Islamic terrorist activity. These soldiers have spent years learning about cultures and languages and honed that knowledge by actually operating in those areas. This is now being used to develop rapid analysis of Internet data (discussion topics, direction of discussions, traffic analysis) and quickly determine how best to respond. Many people do not realize that SOCOM had always had lots of psychological war specialists and these specialists set up message centers staffed with locals who can start posting new types of messages in response to detected trends. What SOCOM was seeking were ways to derail Islamic terrorists propaganda (especially the ones involving mass murder or beheadings of civilians) and capitalizing on it to mobilize local (where the Islamic terrorists operate) public opinion against these atrocities. This played a major role in developing anti-ISIL Internet messages that resonated with Moslem audiences ISIL was depending on. By playing up the extent of harm ISIL was doing to Moslem children and Moslem culture, in general, the West finally had an anti-ISIL message that could not be dismissed as Western propaganda. That was largely because of the use of people literate in Arabic and other languages popular with many Islamic terrorists in Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Southeast Asia to get on pro-terrorist message boards and post messages designed to weaken the ISIL propaganda. Finally, the government has taken better advantage of laws in many countries that forbid the kind of kill, kill, kill message ISIL regularly uses. ISIL turned out to be very vulnerable here because there was ample evidence, often posted to the web by ISIL, that the vile ISIL message was not idle chatter but deadly serious and therefore illegal and subject to bans on ISIL using social media in many countries. Some in the bureau eyed Rosenstein warily, because he had authored a memo that was used by the administration to justify Comey's termination. If the president had obstructed justice, they reasoned, Rosenstein may have played a role in that. Justice Department officials, meanwhile, were concerned that the FBI - and McCabe in particular - may have acted too hastily to open an investigative file on the president after Comey was fired, and that the move could be painted as an act of anger or revenge. PHILIPPINE SEA (October 9, 2018) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter destroyer JS Izumo (DDH 183) are underway alongside each other during a cooperative deployment. Ronald Reagan is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kaila V. Peters) X 0 20 Help Keep Us Soaring We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling. We need your help in reversing that trend. We would like to add 20 new subscribers this month. Each month we count on your subscriptions or contributions. You can support us in the following ways: by Austin Bay October 11, 2018 After four months of vote recounts and bitter negotiations following May's indecisive election, in September Iraq's strife-ridden Council of Representatives voted to form the nucleus of a stable government when its parliamentarians agreed to select Barham Salih as president. In early October, Salih chose Adel Abdul-Mahdi to be prime minister and charged him with forming a new national government. Abdul-Mahdi must accomplish this feat in 30 days. Agreed, a nucleus is a tenuous achievement and the emerging Iraqi coalition is fragile. However, given Iraq's horrific recent history and its political and social problems, a governmental seed that over time might produce stability and reform is most encouraging. Reform: the word matters. In the minds of the vast majority of Iraqi citizens, reforms like implementing the rule of law, punishing governmental and commercial corruption and penalizing mismanagement are the keys to genuine societal and institutional stability. The new nucleus does not differ structurally from previous post-Saddam Hussein governments. The three main posts are still distributed according to an ethnic-sectarian formula. The largely ceremonial Iraqi presidency has been reserved for a Kurd and Salih is a Kurd. Adel Abdul Mahdi, in the prime minister's power position, is a Shiite Muslim Arab. The Speaker of the Council of Representatives is Mohammed al-Halbousi, a Sunni Muslim Arab. All three have flaws and possess complex political backgrounds, but then Iraq is a complex place. Iraqi media regard Salih and Abdul-Mahdi as "consensus" political leaders, meaning they have worked with almost everyone. A trained economist, Abdul-Mahdi was once a member of the Baath Party, and then became a Marxist, and then an Islamist influenced by Shiite Iran. He has frequently allied with Sunni Kurds and has many Kurdish supporters. A motley record like that usually indicates lack of principle, whatever the culture and political organization. However, the consensus opinion in Iraq is Abdul-Mahdi is a competent, independent technocrat who successfully served as vice-president and oil minister. In 2004, he served as Iyad Allawi's finance minister in the U.S.-backed transitional national government. Judge his diverse experience as you will, but he enters office with Iranian and American connections. Moreover, he has the approval of Iraq's senior Shiite religious leader, devout voice of conscience and relentless critic of corruption, the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. Sistani's support, coupled with his own reputation for honesty, make Abdul-Mahdi a credible reformer. Which returns us to Iraq's recent history and debilitating problems. Ethnic and sectarian tensions plagued Mesopotamia (Iraq) during the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. That isn't a joke; it's a fact. However, Saddam's power grab in 1979 began four decades of intensified turmoil. Sunni Arab Saddam waged war on his own people, attacking Kurds with poison gas, slaughtering Shiite Arabs, murdering Sunni opponents. In 1980, he attacked Shiite Iran. Both Iraq and Iran suffered World War I-type casualties. In 1990, he attacked Kuwait, which sparked war with the U.S., Saudi Arabia and an international coalition. Debate the wisdom of the 2003 U.S. attack to topple him, but Saddam's dictatorship either created, seeded or exacerbated Iraq's problems, economic, social, political and environmental. Iraq's current water crisis and agricultural issues have roots in Saddam's destruction of Iraq's agricultural sector and failure to invest in infrastructure. The 2014 invasion by the Islamic State added another level of destruction and distrust. The Islamic State seized Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city. Iraqis blame their own corruption and -- when pressed -- also the withdrawal of American troops by the Obama administration for the Islamic State's invasion. U.S. forces were regarded as a politically neutral, stabilizing element. In 2018, Iran's dictatorship is fighting a proxy war in Iraq with the goal of keeping Iraq impoverished and weak. For Iran, Iraq is another battlefield for waging war on America. Abdu-Mahdi's frail nucleus confronts huge challenges. Creating a stable and functioning governmental entity will take a decade or two of focused effort by the Iraqi people and the staunch support of key allies like the U.S. Tribal and militia violence is again reducing oil production. Oil exports from the Zawiya export facility are down about 50,000 BPD (barrels per day) recently because of militia violence around the Sharara oil fields, which supplies Zawiya. There was even worse violence, and production reductions, in July. Back then the attackers were local militias threatening to seize control of facilities so they could demand high paying and permanent status as PDG (Petroleum Defense Guards). This scam is usually (but not always) attempted by local tribes or militias that see nearby oil facilities (pumping, pipelines, export terminals) as an economic opportunity that is potentially worth a lot of money if you are willing to fight for it. The problem is there are often competing groups willing to fight for the right to be the highly paid (and not very reliable) PDG. The only solution to this problem is a national government that can provide law and order. The most recent violence disrupted access to the Sharara facility, which is largest oil field in Libya and before the revolution in 2011 accounted for 17 percent of national production. Currently, it can, when undisturbed, still produce the same amount, up to 300,000 BPD, as it did in 2011. The Sharara field was developed and managed by a multinational (Spain, France, Austria and Norway) effort and that means there are a lot of foreign workers there, mainly to deal with the high tech stuff. For several years the main source of oil production interruption has been extortionate oil facility guards or other local militia problems. Despite these constant interruption the NOC has continued to increase production in exports. By the end of 2017 production was about a million BPD. The current goal is to reach 1.5 million BPD by the end of 2018 and 2.1 million BPD by the early 2020s. This is far in excess of pre-2011 levels (1.6 million BPD) but is necessary because of the need to finance reconstruction. TA major problem with increasing production is that it attracts more greedy militias seeking to get paid. Russia Comes Through In the east several dozen Russian special operations and intel officers are stationed at bases in Tobruk and Benghazi. There are a lot more armed Russians at these two bases but most of them are contractors from the Russian Wagner Group. The contractors concentrate on providing training for LNA men. Russia is also believed to have brought some modern weapons with them, like air defense systems and cruise missiles. The LNA and its commander Khalifa Hiftar have a long relationship with Russia. Hiftar has visited Russia several times seeking more than diplomatic support from Russia. Now Russia is delivering and in return, Hiftar has helped Russia get oilfield exploration, development and management contracts. Russia has also become a major supplier of wheat to Libya, but that probably would have happened anyway because since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 Russia has resumed its pre-communist status as a major grain exporter. Russian wheat is also cheaper given lower production costs and the poor exchange rate for the Russian currency. The Elections Fade From Possibility The May agreement on national presidential and parliamentary elections being held in December becomes less likely the closer December gets. The main problem remains militias in and around Tripoli refusing to cooperate. These militias are acting on their own to make sure they do not lose power or income because of a unified government. This is largely a problem with militias loyal to the UN backed GNA (Government of National Accord) in Tripoli. This is one of the reasons the GNA is the weaker of the two existing national governments, despite occupying Tripoli (the national capital and largest city in the country). While the GNA is based in Tripoli and recognized by the UN it has proved much less capable than its eastern (Tobruk) rival the HoR (House of Representatives). The most obvious sign of GNA decline is its inability to keep the Tripoli airport open. Since August 31st the airport has been closed most of the time because of rouge militias either attacking the airport with rockets or occupying it. The government finally regained control of the airport by the end of September. There are doubts, especially by the UN, that the GNA can maintain control of the airport or Tripoli itself. Without the airport, operational international flights have to land at Misrata (210 kilometers to the east) the third largest city in the country and drive to the capital. The GNA has been trying to reduce violence by appointing more powerful and cooperative militia leaders to senior government posts. That is not lucrative for many militia leaders who are finding it more profitable to get into the oil smuggling business. A growing number of oil tanker trucks can be seen headed for Tunisia. Even that is not enough to keep all the militias solvent and that is driving militia leaders to more desperate measures in order to keep their private armies operational. It was agreements between the GNA and HoR governments that made the December election plan possible but since May the GNA has declined to the point where it can no longer operate. The two governments agreed to increase their cooperation (already functional enough) to improve the operation of the NOC (National Oil Company) and the CBL (Central Bank of Libya). These two institutions are about the only two that are fully functional and are now looking to the HoR for protection. Actually, the source of protection is the LNA (Libyan National Army) that recognizes the HoR as its political boss. The H0R is not much more effective than the GNA with many of its elected members more interested in themselves than the fate of Libya. Yet some form of security (law and order or a reasonable substitute) is essential because of the relentless efforts by various factions to corrupt the bank or the oil company. Keeping the NOC and SBL going is essential to national survival because without the oil income living standards will plunge to levels that will force much, if not most of the current Libyan population to emigrate or starve. The bank and oil company may limp along to stave off mass starvation but the GNA and HoR are not getting together to hold the national elections, at least not in 2018. The two governments were supposed to have agreed on election terms and procedures by mid-September and that did not happen for either government. Now a lot more is not happening as well. The collapse of the GNA and growing strength of the somewhat more unified HoR and its military component the LNA has meant that there is growing pressure on the LNA to move west and take control of Tripoli and the Tunisian border area. The UN opposes that solution as does, for the moment, LNA commander Hiftar. As a veteran officer, Hiftar knows he has not got sufficient troops to go after Tripoli. A less experienced commander might try it anyway but that would risk higher casualties for the LNA and Hiftar has kept the LNA together and growing by taking care of the troops and not being reckless. At the moment most LNA troops are busy keeping the peace in areas they have recently pacified (like the coastal city of Derna and various bits of the south where most of the oil is. Meanwhile, the UN and many other Western critics are beginning to accept that Hiftar does not want to become another Kaddafi (a manipulative strongman and tyrant) and rule the country for decades. Hiftar is 75 years old and not in the best of health. Not exactly in a position to found a lasting dictatorship. Hiftar wants the GNA and HoR to cooperate and give Libya the stable government it has not had for a long time. Most Libyans still see another Kaddafi, or someone like him, as a problem, not a potential solution. October 10, 2018: In the north, 46 kilometers from the coast near Derna, Libyan coast guard gunboats fired on two Sicilian fishing boats, forcing the fishing boats to halt, be boarded and forced to go to the coastal town of Ras Al Hilal. The 13 Italians aboard the two boats. The two Italian boats were in international waters (more than 22 kilometers from the coast) and the coast guard gunboats belonged to one of the two rival coast guards that are both basically seagoing militias out of make money anyway they can. For most of 2018, the Libyan coast guards and several land-based gangs have been paid by European nations to help shut down the movement of illegal migrants from Libya to Europe. That has worked. Italy has seen illegal migrants decline nearly 90 percent versus 2017. NGOs have withdrawn their rescue ships (that picked up illegals in people smuggler craft that were not able to complete the trip) from the Libyan coast and made it more expensive for the people smuggling gangs (that now had to procure boats that could actually make the trip). The smuggling gangs were further frustrated by Libyan coast guard gunboats forcing the people smuggler boats back to Libya (and less the smugglers could pay a convincing bribe). Its been a bad year for the people smuggling gangs, which are a combination of Italian and Libyan gangsters who used to (until 2018) make huge profits by getting illegal migrants to Europe. With so many of the smuggling attempts failing fewer people see the cost involved paying people smugglers to get them to the Libyan coast worthwhile. If the Libyan smugglers could not get people across the Mediterranean there was little incentive for African or Middle Eastern illegal migrants to pay the fees that would bet them to the Libyan coast. Another complicating factor is that in the last two years more Libyan militias set themselves up in the people smuggling business and that led to price cutting because there were fewer illegals coming to Libya and gangs competed by lowering prices. Then there was the boat shortage. Most boats used by people smugglers made a one-way voyage. European nations did not return the empty smuggler boats to Libya (and usually destroyed them). An effort to import cheap Chinese inflatable boats failed when their presence was detected and the suppliers of these inflatables found and shut down. October 8, 2018: In the north (Derna) LNA forces captured the local ISIL leader, Hesham Ashmwai. This was considered a major event because Ashmwai, a former Egyptian special operations officer, had been a notably effective Islamic terrorist leader in Libya and long sought. Ashmwai continued to organize attacks in Egypt after he moved to Libya in 2014 (to recover from wounds). Ashmwai was the most wanted Islamic terrorist in Egypt and will eventually be turned over to Egypt by the LNA, which has been supported by Egypt for years. October 2, 2018: The international airport in Tripoli is open again. The airport was closed briefly yesterday when some rockets fell nearby. The airport has been closed frequently in the last month because of fighting in the city. September 26, 2018: In Tripoli, another ceasefire agreement was signed. Since late August the militia fighting has left about 120 dead, over 400 wounded and more than 25,000 people driven from their homes. A September 4th ceasefire lasted about two weeks and this one is supposed to last longer. President Dutertes war on drugs had a secret component which is now becoming visible. Early on Duterte ordered unpublicized investigations of senior police officials because it was widely believed that there were many senior police commanders who worked for the drug gangs and were discrete enough to avoid any of the usual anti-corruption screening efforts. Duterte had detected the presence of high-level untouchables during the 22 years he was the mayor of Davao City in the southeast. The latest revelations include the arrest of four police colonels and two majors as well as going public with details of how corrupt officials tried to frame a Marine Corps colonel who was secretly working undercover to gather evidence on high-level corruption. This secret and persistent approach to revealing and eliminating corruption, especially crooked senior police and civilian officials is making Duterte a lot of enemies in the government. It is anti-corruption efforts like this mean that Duterte remains popular. His current approval rating is 78 percent. That is down from 84 percent shortly after he took office in 2016. Approval peaked at 85 percent in late 2016 and hit a low of 75 percent earlier this year. There are many foreign critics of the Duterte war on drugs but for the people most affected by it there is approval. President Duterte seems to agree with the growing number of Filipinos who believe that trying to work out a deal with China over Chinese claims on Filipino territory is not working. China talks a lot about economic benefits for the Philippines but has made it clear so far that this is mostly talk and very little action. Worse, China has demonstrated that it is relentless in going after what it wants. And when China gets what it wants, it soon wants more. October 8, 2018: In the south (Maguindanao province), soldiers encountered a group of armed BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters) Islamic terrorists. There was a brief gun battle and then the BIFF men fled, leaving four rifles and some other gear behind. This indicates that some of the BIFF men were wounded. BIFF survived a three month effort (that ended in early September) to eliminate their presence in Mindanao (where most BIFF members are). Over a hundred BIFF men were known dead and it is not yet known how many died of wounds or deserted. The army has found several BIFF camps including one with a bomb workshop. Also found were ammo and weapons supplies as well as military equipment and documents. When the army planned this offensive they believed there were as many as 400 BIFF members in the area of operations and have set no end date on the current campaign. The 6th Infantry Division, which is supplying most of the troops, were able to rotate units in and out of the area for months. The object was to destroy BIFF presence on Mindanao Island (including Maguindanao province) and captured documents and prisoner interrogations indicate that this was a possibility. But the reality is the BIFF are hardcore and consider themselves a branch of ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant). BIFF has become a magnet for many Filipino Moslems who are unhappy with the Bangsamoro agreement and believe it does not go far enough (ISIL believes that all Filipinos should be Moslems). October 6, 2018: U.S., Filipino and Japanese marines conducted a joint training exercise in the Philippines. Japan recently revived its special naval infantry force, which disappeared at the end of World War II. The new version is based on the American model as is that of the Philippines, Taiwan and South Korea. The Filipino army declared an end to its war with MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front). Actually, there was a peace deal with MILF in 2012 that ended fifteen years of fighting with MILF. That violence left over 120,000 dead (mostly Moslems in the south). In 2012 MILF had about 10,000 armed followers and now has somewhat fewer. This is not the first time a peace deal was made. An earlier one, in 1989, was signed and many Islamic separatists disarmed. But many more radical separatists did not, formed MILF and kept fighting. Now even many MILF members are tired with all the fighting and few results. September 15, 2018: In the south (Sulu province) Abu Sayyaf released three Indonesian fishermen they had kidnapped in January 2017. Two Indonesian sailors (taken four days ago) are still being held by Abu Sayyaf, the last of 36 Indonesians kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf since 2016. Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines have set up a joint anti-piracy operation in the Sulu Sea where most of these kidnappings take place. This has reduced the number of successful kidnappings, which has hurt Abu Sayyaf financially because the Islamic terror group has come to depend on ransoms to finance its operations. At least one Abu Sayyaf leader is known to be forming a new kidnapping operation. There has not been a lot of Abu Sayyaf kidnapping success in the last two years because the Filipino military and the joint anti-piracy patrol have made difficult for inexperienced kidnappers to succeed. But the new group, led by Indang Susukan, is considered a serious threat. Susukan was thought to be dead, but his body was never found and now we know why. In the south (Sultan Kudarat province) marines clashed with NPA rebels after responding to a tip from locals. One marine was killed and one wounded before the NPA men fled. The NPA continues to lose popular support, sources of income and active members. Apparently, NPA loses more armed members to combat and desertion than it can replace by recruitment. NPA is a creation of the Filipino Communist Party which is still active in urban areas and academic circles. That does not provide many new recruits or much financial aid. Meanwhile support from the people continues to dwindle as the rural Filipinos NPA gunmen operate near see the communist rebels as gangsters not liberators. September 14, 2018: In the south (Sulu province) an army patrol encountered about a hundred Abu Sayyaf men and during a brief battle seven Islamic terrorists were killed and six wounded and captured. The army suffered seventeen wounded, many by grenade fragments. More of the Abu Sayyaf men may have been wounded before they broke into smaller groups and fled into the bush. One of the dead Islamic terrorists was a known Abu Sayyaf leader. September 13, 2018: In the south (Davao Oriental province) two separate clashes with NPA rebels left two rebels and one soldier dead. Four soldiers were wounded. Clashes like this disrupt NPA operations and often lead to the discovery of remote NPA camps that can be destroyed (by ground troops, artillery or airstrikes). September 12, 2018: The Philippines is negotiating a treaty that could allow China to share, with the Philippines, oil and natural gas revenue from portions of the South China Sea where China claims control of areas that are Filipino according to current international agreements. This deal is unpopular with a lot of Filipinos as well as with neighboring countries also being pressured by China. Malaysian leaders warn that Chinese offers of massive investments come with too many strings and have proved to be more about enriching China and not the country receiving these investments. Any agreement with China on who gets what in Filipino parts of the South China Sea will have to be approved by the Filipino legislature and that is where the Chinese will probably encounter the most opposition. These negotiations ultimately failed. TICKERS: Source: The Critical Investor for Streetwise Reports (10/10/18) Mining analyst Kees Dekker, Atlantic Gold and The Critical Investor engage in a discussion about Dekker's analysis of the junior gold producer. 1. Introduction The Critical Investor: After doing a pretty interesting interview with my Dutch fellow countryman Kees Dekker, it is time to show an example of his analyst reports. This is a critical analysis of a new junior gold producer, Atlantic Gold Corp. (AGB:TSX.V). This company was actually one of my favorite holdings for a long time, despite this I no longer have it in my portfolio as I view it to be fair valued since Q2, 2018. The basis for this article is an analysis privately made by Kees, and after I got to read this report it seemed interesting to me to contact Atlantic Gold management, in order to see if they would provide constructive feedback. Fortunately they did, and the result is an analysis with several rounds of feedback by both Atlantic and Kees. Yours truly also added several questions, opinions (sometimes differing from Kees and/or Atlantic as we all have different views) and remarks here and there, as I love doing this anyway, but also in an attempt to provide more reference, and get things more clear for myself and the audience. As the combined analysis with feedback resulted in a 45-page article, my syndication websites deemed it much too long for publication, so I decided to have it syndicated by providing just the executive summary with feedback. The full-length article including feedback can be found soon on my own website, www.criticalinvestor.eu. All presented charts are provided by Kees Dekker, unless stated otherwise. Comments are by Kees Dekker unless marked otherwise. 2. Executive Summary Atlantic Gold Corp. (AGB:TSX.V) is a Canadian gold mining company, which has a number of projects in Nova Scotia, Canada, together referred to as the Moose River project. After acquiring in August 2014 the first two of these projects, Touquoy and Cochrane Hill, Atlantic rapidly proceeded to acquire two more projects, Beaver Dam and Fifteen Mile Stream, close to Touquoy. The combined projects had sufficient critical mass to be developed to a mine and construction at Touquoy was given the go-ahead mid-2016. Commercial production was reached on 1 March 2018, which was within budget and on time. The market has greatly rewarded Atlantic Gold's performance by increasing the share price five-fold since February 2016. This study has had great problems with reviewing the business plan to determine whether the share price performance and current capitalization are properly underpinned by the intrinsic values of the projects. The 2018 technical report, which purports to substantiate the merits of the Moose River project, is basically a cobbling together of two reports. Atlantic Gold commentary: This is not correct. The recent report published in 2018 supports the disclosure of new Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves at Fifteen Mile Stream and Cochrane Hill underpinned by new drilling, resource models, metallurgical testwork, operating costs, pit designs, plant design, and all other modifying factors that must be considered when assessing economic viability. The first study, completed in 2015, is about production starting from Touquoy and the adjacent Beaver Dam deposits (referred to as Phase 1). The other part of the report deals with production from 2021 onwards from Fifteen Mile Stream, followed by Cochrane Hill (referred to as Phase 2 Expansion). The cobbling-together approach to the combined study report is evident from Phase 1 parameters not having been updated, even including the forecast capital expenditure in 2016 and 2017. Atlantic Gold commentary: We stated in the technical report that we would update the numbers once we had 12 months operating data. Response Kees Dekker (KD): It still makes for mixing outdated information into a new study. The cash flow report refers to Year 1, Year 2, etc., rather than giving actual calendar years. Atlantic Gold commentary: Please refer to the detailed explanations relative to NI 43-101. (The Critical Investor (TCI): Atlantic provided a detailed document confirming it did comply with regulations). Response KD: I am confident that you fully adhered to NI.43-101 regulations, otherwise you would not have been allowed to publish. However, if the purpose of technical reports is to fully inform the reader, one should include a lot more. The limitations of NI 43-101 requirements are, for example, evident by the gross majority of producers being able to consistently publish "reserves" yet rarely able to pay dividends. Basically the mines/projects at best sustain themselves most of the time. Often shareholders need to chip in to keep the companies afloat. Atlantic Gold commentary: The company is generating substantial free cash flow. TCI commentary: I have to admit that actual capex could have been updated in this combined report, with opex pending for the first full year of production. Using one quarter of opex figures of a ramping up mine was not helping anyone in my view, so it made sense to wait for a full first year of production data. The review of the report raises a number of concerns, such as: The grade of estimated resources is heavily influenced by only a few high-grade to very high-grade composite values. These have not been capped, or their influence on the grade of surrounding blocks limited. The average grade of the two Touquoy deposits planned to be mined first is better supported by many assays and less affected by a few high-grade values. Any plant feed grade problems may therefore only become apparent in future. In this respect early indications of problems with are the actual feed grade in 2018. This has been 1.35 g/t for the first six months and lower at 1.28 g/t in the June quarter. The milled grade is exactly as forecast at 1.35 g/t for the full year. However, of ore mined 49% was stockpiled at a grade of 0.51 g/t (see MD&A Q2 2018), which is much lower than the planned 0.78 g/t Au . When back calculating, this indicates that the average grade mined was 0.96 g/t Au, which is far below planned mined grade of 1.30 g/t Au for the full 2018 year as is shown in the table below. Atlantic Gold commentary: The lower grade in H1 2018 was due to the mine having to modify its working sequence because of the removal of historic tailings that required removal procedures to be approved by the provincial regulators. Response KD: The explanation by Atlantic Gold management that the lower grade was due to the mine having to modify the working sequence, because of the removal of historic tailings does not explain the lower grade, at best the fact that equipment had to be used for tailings removal and not available for mining ore and waste and the lower the planned strip ratio. TCI Commentary: The company tried to explain this in the MD&A of Q2 2018: "During the first half of 2018, a total of 1,852,353 tonnes of ore were mined, at a waste to ore ratio of 0.85:1 with a total of 3,421,473 tonnes of material moved. Approximately 49% of the ore mined in the first half of 2018 was stockpiled as low and medium-grade material which will be readily available for processing later in the mine life. This material was assumed to be waste in the 2015 Feasibility Study. Waste material was used to build the Tailings Management Facility (TMF) and the waste dump with its ditches and water collection area." Wrongly assuming waste to this degree is worrying in my view. The chances of mis-categorizing ore as waste and vice versa seem significant when using the uncapped high-grades with a large search radius to influence neighboring block grades. These high grades have a nugget component of 80% of the grade. Therefore the risks of much lower average grade than forecast are real, and I am really wondering if Atlantic can mine as selectively as it says. Response KD: How can moving tailings have anything to do with the grade of ore mined? Refer to the table above; noticeable is that they have mined much less waste than planned, probably to be able to hit ore mining harder (twice planned rate!) to get sufficient higher grade blocks to achieve planned mill grade. This points to them having grade trouble, I have no doubt about that. Atlantic Gold commentary: It should be noted that the 2015 FS did not include a stockpiling strategy, which was developed in 2017 to consider both pit discard and economic cut-off grades based on known costs. Grade control drilling on a 5m x 5m pattern is used for ore/waste definition not the resource model. For the year to date grade control model to mill reconciliation is within 1%. Reconciliation is done to bullion. On selectively, the author offers an opinion not facts. Atlantic Gold commentary: On the estimation: To say "the grade of the estimated resources is heavily influenced by only a few high-grade to very high grade composite value" is to pass naive comment on almost all gold deposits where the sample Coefficient of Variation exceeds 2, which includes probably 99% of all gold deposits. Yet there are many gold deposits in production today and over the past 20 years with these characteristicsand which are using or have used the same or very similar approaches to resource estimation and production as the Touquoy Depositand have performed very well in production. There are no strong reasons to expect that these characteristics of the Goldenville style gold mineralization will have a stronger negative influence on profitability in these deposits than anywhere else. Finally, production in the first year was focused on the eastern part of the pit, not the west side. The western portion was developed early as a quarry to extract waste used in the roads and tailings dam construction. Response KD: Yes, the coefficient of variation (CV) of gold deposits is typically higher than 2, but in the case of Moose River project quoted between lowest at 4.15 (Domain1 Touqouy) to highest at 10.3 (Egerton/Plenty). With respect to Touqouy there is much less concern as the 90-percentile variogram has a much lower nugget component. The concern revolves mainly around the other deposits with higher CV and 90 percentile variograms with very high nugget component. The estimation approach for these did however not cap high grades and put no restrictions on search dimension, which is often used for other deposits. In this way a few very high-grade samples will have a large effect on average grade. Given that initial mined production has a much lower grade than planned indicates that the concerns raised are valid, even for Touqouy, which was deemed less risky than the other deposits. TCI commentary: Canadian Malartic stays below 2 and Detour sits around 3, I believe, but both don't rely on high grade as much. The MRC FS states at p.14-7: "A cumulative histogram of the mineralized 2 m composite gold grades indicated that grades are strongly positively skewed with a coefficient of variation of 9.4, indicating a high proportion of very low-grade samples and a small tail of high composite grades greater than 100 g/t Au. The maximum composite grade of 257 g/t Au is some 490 times the average composite grade for the data set. An evaluation of the conditional statistics indicated that the 95 highest-grade composites account for approximately 48% of the total gold content of the composites." I must say this inclusion and gold amount of uncapped samples doesn't instill a great deal of confidence but adds risk, and I believe (as myself being a non-geologist) that Kees could be on to something here, certainly taking into account the apparent mis-categorization of ore as waste. Atlantic Gold commentary: Irrelevant as the grade control model is used for planning purposes. Moreover, there was no miscategorization of ore and waste; the stockpiling strategy had not been defined at the time of the FS. TCI commentary: I am also wondering if mining low grade ore isn't much more expensive than stripping waste at this project. Atlantic Gold commentary: The difference between ore and waste mining is in the order of $0.03/tonne. When back calculating, this indicates that the average grade mined was 0.96 g/t Au, which is far below planned mined grade of 1.30 g/t Au for the full 2018 year as is shown in the table below. The plant feed grade assumes very low unplanned dilution, whereas the chosen small selective mining unit (SMU) introduces much risk of such unplanned dilution. Atlantic Gold commentary: The author does not take into account that short-range planning is based on the grade control model built with data on a 5m x 5m grid. Moreover, ore and waste are blasted separately to better reduce dilution. Approximately only 20,000 tpd are mined using relatively small equipment (in the mining space) including excavators as opposed to shovels. Ore width often exceeds 30m. Response KD: Extra attention and mitigating measures may help, but in practice selective mining and unplanned dilution are bedmates. TCI commentary: Canadian Malartic has a mining dilution of 8%, ore loss I believe 0% but not sure, study didn't say ore loss but just no mining loss. Detour has a mining dilution of 3.8%, and ore loss of 5%.The numbers of Atlantic are mining dilution of 1.6% and ore loss also 1.6% (98.4% mining recovery). Forecasted recovery is 98.4%, which was very high, in reality it has 94.7% for H1 2018. Detour has 91.2% and Malartic 88.6% for FY2017 and had 89.4% planned in the FS. Atlantic Gold commentary: Comparing 200,000 tpd operations that use large shovels and trucks with a 20,000 tpd operation using excavators with small buckets does not apply. The pit designs have been based on pit shells that are very sensitive to small changes in input parameters. At the current gold price they are certainly sized too large, irrespective of the risk of underestimating operating cost (see more on this below). Atlantic Gold commentary: Taking into account the Canadian dollar gold price that the pits were optimized on (~CDN$1450 for Phase 1 and ~CDN$1600 Phase 2) the change to today's Canadian dollar gold price of ~CDN$1580 is not that significant. Higher cut-off and discount rate used for pit optimization therefore conservative. Response KD: The cut-off grade is higher is higher than what? The reserves were established based on a cut-off grade of 0.40 g/t Au, which is substantially lower than the 0.5 g/t cut-off grade used for resources. An 8% discount rate is appropriate at this stage. The production schedule assumes that stockpiling is such that material can be reclaimed with much higher grade than the average grade. It is very doubtful this can be achieved without much additional grade control effort and expense. Atlantic Gold commentary: Scheduling assumed high and low-grade stockpiles would be created. The reclaiming of stockpiles targets the high-grade stockpile initially followed by the lower grade; however, this was summarized in the technical report as a single stockpile. Response KD: The point I am making is that this will require additional grade control and stockpile management, which will add to expenses. Atlantic Gold commentary: No additional grade control as all material to be mined is going to be grade controlled as per budget. And it was always the case in the projections. Stockpile management or waste dump management are pretty much equivalent in terms of operating costs except for a small re-handle cost. TCI commentary: To what extent would opex rise with this grade control compared to no grade control? I don't believe that Malartic has grade control. Detour has grade control as well, don't know to what extent though. This study shows that the mining cost suggested by Atlantic Gold is much lower than actual cost at the much larger Detour operation with a simpler mining process and using much larger mining equipment and much lower than the Canadian Malartic operation in H1 of 2018 based on reported figures. Moreover, initial actual Q2 2018 operating unit costs are clearly higher than forecast for Touquoy. Atlantic Gold commentary: Comparing the mining costs at Detour with Moose River is like comparing apples with pineapples. Detour is by no stretch of the imagination a simpler operation despite the higher mining rate. Also, Detour has higher fuel costs, longer haulage distance and much higher labor costs due to the FIFO nature of its operations. Mining costs at MRC are well-known since Atlantic has the benefit of more than two years of operating data. Mining cost/t is a bit lower than the PFS, G&A/Processing is a bit higher due to above expected maintenance, but the company is actively working on a large number of tweaks and improvements. The Feasibility study has $9.00 to $10.00/tonne processing cost. We expect the costs to vary between $10.00 and $12.15 depending on the maintenance required. Higher costs are mostly on maintenance while we make tweaks to the crushing circuit and also labor costs because we are building capacity and capabilities for the other projects. Response KD: I record that no benchmarks are provided to show that the Detour and Canadian Malartic numbers are not representative. The actual Q2 operating cost of Moose River indicates an overrun of 10%. TCI commentary: The study mentions C$690/oz AISC on average, for H1 2018 realized is C$746/oz so looks higher although still first year so I consider this very decent. The excessive low grade stockpiling points to underlying issues though, in my view. Atlantic Gold suggests that the operating cost at Phase 2 operations, which are at some distance from Touquoy and require extra handling and transport cost, are lower than for Touquoy. This is not sufficiently substantiated and deemed not credible. Atlantic Gold commentary: Phase 2 is based on production of a gold concentrate at both Fifteen Mile Stream and Cochrane Hill, which is transported to Touquoy for final processing. Reduced costs associated with concentrate production can be attributed to the following: Incorporated "Hydrofloat" technology allowing larger grind size thus reducing grinding costs. Reduced reagent costs compared to Touquoy. Transportation costs significantly reduced due to transporting concentrate vs. run of mine ore. Optimization of personnel across projects. Response KD: The reagent cost will be beneficially lower for treating concentrate compared to gravity tailings at Touquoy/Beaver Dam, but unlikely to be that much lower as provided for. Against the advantages stand regrinding of concentrate, transport to and double handling at the Touquoy plant. Given the modular nature of the expansion, little prospect for economies of scale Atlantic Gold commentary: Author cannot support that assertion without a full understanding of detailed costs. The business plan looks very much a paper exercise and is not practical as the graph below illustrates. Forecast Total Material Mined Over the Life of Mine The planned expansion is for tripling of plant throughput. Atlantic Gold commentary: This is not correct. For the purpose of the study throughput is planned at 2,000,000 tonnes (and is not tripled). Pre-concentration plants will be constructed at Fifteen Mile Stream and Cochrane Hill with a throughput of 2,000,000 tonnes each. This will require transporting 50,000 to 70,000 tonnes of concentrate per year to the Touquoy processing facility. Response KD: Yes, that is when considering the throughput at Touqouy only. I will rephrase accordingly to bring out that it is a tripling in the comminution rate. TCI commentary: This AG comment feels like semantics, in the end three plants of 2,000kt each are build, and only Touquoy has the final processing facility to handle the concentrates of FMS and CH. To build three mills and crushing circuits (three standalone operations) each lasting five to six years does sound inefficient. But bottom line the post-tax FS IRR of about 28-30% @$1200/oz Au is good for a gold mine, if realized of course. Theoretically this schedule is achievable, but it is a very inefficient approach with the company having to use contract miners, alternatively staff and equip up for a few years, to retrench and dispose of the equipment soon thereafter. The schedule should be seen as impractical. Atlantic Gold commentary: We do not use contract miners. This is an impractical schedule only if you are not an operator. Production is from four separate operations. Phase 1 will see equipment utilized between TQ and BD. FMS and CH will be separate operations requiring their own fleets to be utilized over a five-year mine life. Response KD: I do not follow the reasoning. When you want to increase overall plant feed, no matter from where it is derived, mining rates will have to increase dramatically requiring additional equipment and staff for those years. Redeployment is possible between operations when one reduces/closes down and another starts up. The business plan looks even less practical when considering the forecast cash flow using the gold price of US$1,199/oz and exchange rate of C$1.29/US$ at 3 October 2018 shown in the diagram below. Cash Flow Forecast Atlantic Gold The above graph shows that the company's financial performance is totally dominated by having to ensure it has the required funding to develop first Fifteen Mile Stream and a year later Cochrane Hill. Once constructed the Moose Rover project has five years life left should it not be very successful in identifying additional reserves. At the share price of C$1.59 on 3 October, Atlantic Gold has a market capitalization of C$376 million. When accounting for dilution and net current assets, but ignoring the effect of loan servicing because the cash flow model has accounted for this, an Enterprise Value of C$370 million (US$287 million) is derived. This is almost 40% higher than the net present value of the cash flow model, which is C$266 million for a discount rate of 7.5%. This value was derived assuming that the very low operating cost rates proposed by Atlantic Gold are valid. TCI commentary: I would like to see the DCF model provided by Atlantic to see exactly what is going on, also mostly all economic studies have one. The sensitivity in the study generates a post-tax NPV of around C$370M @$1200/oz Au. However, in my opinion the value of a producer is much better indicated by P/CF multiples (P is share price, CF is operational cash flow annualized per share). Atlantic is operating at about a CF of about C$80 million annually now, which implies a P/CF of less than 5, which is low for a low-cost, good-jurisdiction producer (8-10 is more standard). But on the other hand, the company has to re-invest internal CF for phase 2 so this limits FCF output in 2020-2021; it might have grade issues and it has additional ramp up risks of three new pit operations. 3. Conclusion In conclusion, this valuation points to Atlantic Gold being heavily overvalued, irrespective of the many concerns. Overvaluation of producing companies is a feature of the equity markets. That is why this report emphasises not the overvaluation, but the concerns about the business plan, which could mean that the calculated value of C$266 million, based on the inputs of Atlantic Gold, is far too high. This ends the executive summary of Atlantic Gold by Kees Dekker, the full analysis can be found on my website www.criticalinvestor.eu soon. If you have an interest in contacting Kees, this is possible through using the contact form which can be found on my website www.criticalinvestor.eu as well. Stay tuned for more analysis by Kees coming soon. I hope you will find this article interesting and useful, and will have further interest in my upcoming articles on mining. To never miss a thing, please subscribe to my free newsletter on my website www.criticalinvestor.eu, in order to get an email notice of my new articles soon after they are published. The Critical Investor is a newsletter and comprehensive junior mining platform, providing analysis, blog and newsfeed and all sorts of information about junior mining. The editor is an avid and critical junior mining stock investor from The Netherlands, with an MSc background in construction/project management. Number cruncher at project economics, looking for high quality companies, mostly growth/turnaround/catalyst-driven to avoid too much dependence/influence of long-term commodity pricing/market sentiments, and often looking for long-term deep value. Getting burned in the past himself at junior mining investments by following overly positive sources that more often than not avoided to mention (hidden) risks or critical flaws, The Critical Investor learned his lesson well, and goes a few steps further ever since, providing a fresh, more in-depth, and critical vision on things, hence the name. Kees Dekker is a freelance mining investment consultant, holding BSc, MSc (both Geochemistry), BCom and MBA degrees, and has more than 35 years of experience in the mining industry, ranging from geologist to mineral economist to management appointments. Since 2012 Dekker has been a freelance consultant involved in technical reviews of, among others, the Stillwater Mining Company operations and projects, Nevada Iron Limited, New Chris Minerals, and for private equity funds such as QKR, Casablanca Capital (Cliffs Natural Resources) and Blackstone Special Opportunity fund (Talvivaara mine in Finland and the Renard diamond project of Stornoway). Disclaimer: The author is not a registered investment advisor, and currently has no position in any of the companies mentioned in this article. Kees Dekker is also not a registered investment advisor, and currently has no position in any of the companies mentioned in this article. All facts are to be checked by the reader. For more information go to the websites of the mentioned companies and read the available company information and official documents on www.sedar.com, also for important risk disclosures. This article is provided for information purposes only, and is not intended to be investment advice of any kind, and all readers are encouraged to do their own due diligence, and talk to their own licensed investment advisors prior to making any investment decisions. [NLINSERT] Streetwise Reports Disclosure: 1) The Critical Investor's disclosures are listed above. 2) The following companies mentioned in the article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. 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Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article, until one week after the publication of the interview or article. Images provided by the author. Although the committee meeting is just the first step before it goes before the full City Council, on Thursday the councils committee on housing and real estate discussed the legislation with public comments for more than two hours. There were few questions about the package of contracts and agreements, and much of the conversation centered around where former President Barack Obamas actual archives will be housed and the jobs that are expected to be created by the facility. That's all ancient history, of course, but it's the history in which my grandmother's politics were forged. It also explains why I'm quite sure she would have started out strongly in support of anyone nominated to the Supreme Court by a Republican president. Whatever attacks opponents launched, her first instinct would have been to dismiss them as more of the Democratic dirty tricks she had come to know so well. When the charges of sexual assault were raised, Eunice's first reaction might well have been to join other conservative critics in lambasting the Democrats for keeping the allegations under wraps rather than raising them, as they should have, when they learned about them in July. International Youth Silent Film Festival (IYSFF) NZ project coordinator Jannine Bishop is delighted that actor and director David de Lautour is one of the celebrity judges for this years 2018 NZ National Awards Final. More than thirty silent films were entered in this years competition. We have six local judges from within the film community here, who from their wealth of experience in film and storytelling whittled the films down to twelve finalists, says Jannine. We watched and scored them and then sent those 12 through to the celebrity judges to select first, second and third. The local judges will be picking the best of categories, such as best director, best actor, best shot, best cinematographer. The awards are being held at Baycourt Community & Arts Centre Addison Theatre in Tauranga on Wednesday October 17. Jannine also ran three-day IYSFF Young Filmmakers workshops during school holidays. Open to filmmakers aged 20 and under, and delivered by Bay of Plenty Film, the workshops aimed to help participants create a three-minute silent movie for entry into the 2018 IYSFF New Zealand Regional Competition. The workshops helped young people develop their filmmaking skills, with each of the three days focusing on a different skill involved in filmmaking writing and preparation, shooting a film, and editing with each tutored by an expert with extensive professional experience in the film and screen industry. The experts involved in this years workshops were Bay of Plenty Film CEO Anton Steel, TMH Management founder Tanya Horo, and specialist tutors Andrew Taylor, Jannine Bishop, Tessa Blackett and Annie Lawler. Jannine, who is a member of the Tauranga operations team for Bay of Plenty Film has been involved with the IYSFF coordinating workshops and as a judge, and this year is relishing her role as the project coordinator. Bay of Plenty Film was involved from the beginning as a sponsor and this year were presenting the festival alongside Baycourt. The standard of the films is so exceptional. Jaden Charrington has been assisting Jannine and is one of the local judges representing youth. The NZ Regional Awards Final will be attended by IYSFF founder JP Palanuk and the festivals composer Nathan Avakian who will perform the soundtracks to the finalists films live on Baycourts original 1926 Mighty Wurlitzer organ. The top three winning films will go forward to the international final held in Portland, Oregon in June 2019. Last years IYSFF NZ Regional second place winner Benaiah and Thomas Dunn of Middlemarch, Otago, placed second in the IYSFF Global Awards. Jannine Bishop and Jaden Charrington. Photo by Bruce Barnard. 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 Bay of Plenty Our client has plenty of work in the pipeline and as such they are in need of qualified or experienced carpenters for an... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz Stall holders at a car boot sale being held in Whakatane this weekend will be doing their part to help children in need. The car boot sale is being held at Whakatane Countdown on Saturday October 13 as part of the nationwide Countdown Kids Appeal. The appeal is now in its 12th year and aims to raise much needed money for childrens wards at hospitals throughout the country. As part of the appeal each store comes up with fun and interactive ways to raise funds. Leading this weekends car boot-sale fundraiser is Fiona Timmins. She says the store has lead a number of successful fundraisers so far. We host some type of fundraiser each week, she says. This has included things such as mufti-days and a staff hamburger day along with sausage sizzles outside the store every weekend. Nationwide, the fundraising target for this year is $1.2m and a percentage of these funds will go towards fulfilling the wish-lists of Tauranga and Whakatane Hospitals. The Whakatane store has been helping to raise the money needed to fulfil these wishlists for more than three months, and Fiona says the cut-off date for fundraising is coming up on October 26. Our goal for our store is $23,000 and were sitting on $21,000 so were doing a pretty good job. Earlier this year Whakatane Hospital, the stores local hospital, indicated it is looking to create an outside play area for their young patients. Proceeds raised at this weekends car boot sale fundraiser will aim to help make this a reality. People who want to join in only need to fill their car boot with what they want to sell, come along to the store, park their car in the designated area and pay $10 for the stand at any one of our checkouts. The car boot sale is being held at Whakatane Countdown on Saturday from 8am-11am, stall fees cost $10. The money made from this fee will be donated to the appeal. The Employment Court has ruled three migrant employees working in stores in two remote Bay of Plenty towns will receive $10,000 each in compensation. The stores have been identified as being located in Murupara and Kopuriki and involve an employer couple who conspired to instigate, aid and abet persistent breaches of their employment rights. Labour Inspectorate Retail Sector Lead Loua Ward says the workers originally came to New Zealand on student visas and upon completion of their studies, secured work visas to allow them to work as shop assistants. The Court heard that the employees were underpaid and overworked. In addition to undertaking shop assistant tasks, the workers looked after their employers children, washed their cars, and cleaned their houses. Prabh Limited, and its shareholder and director couple Rajwinder Kaur and Baljinder Singh, have been fined a total of $132,000 for significant breaches of the Minimum Wage and Holidays Act. The Murupara store was a general store, while the small Kopuriki store sold liquor and petrol. Both stores are owned by Prabh Limited and trade independently. Prabh Limited, Kaur and Singh will be placed on the Stand Down list for two years and will be prevented from hiring migrant workers for that time. The case follows an investigation by the Labour Inspectorate, first heard at the Employment Relations Authority, before new employment legislation was introduced to address serious breaches of minimum employment entitlements, which allowed it to be moved to the Employment Court. The Court ruled the treatment of the three employees was such a persistent breach over a long period of time, that it could not have been considered unintentional. The breaches included failure to keep wage records and evidence of retrospective creation of employment agreements, going back to 2014. Whats even more concerning is that the managers had received previous reminders from the Labour Inspectorate of their obligations to provide minimum wages, holidays and holiday pay, following a complaint made by a former staff member. These two employers took unfair advantage of this situation, and the Judge agreed they had no intention of paying them what they were legally owed, says Loua. The Court accepted the three workers suffered substantial financial losses, depression, stress and anxiety. Its disappointing to see employers taking advantage of their employees, and gaining a competitive advantage over their law-abiding competitors. Employers should know that where we have evidence of this occurring, the Inspectorate will take action as necessary. Migrant workers are a particularly vulnerable section of the work force. They have the same rights as all other workers in New Zealand, but are often less likely to be aware of these than New Zealand workers. Addressing this exploitation is a priority for the Inspectorate and we continue to work with Immigration New Zealand and other government agencies to combat migrant exploitation, she says. 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. Today we are expecting periods of morning rain, with a chance of it being thundery, then a few showers. Expect a strong northwest wind, turning southerly towards the late evening. Its a three-clothing layer day today with a high of 18 and an overnight low of 7 degrees. Humidity is 94 per cent. High tide is at 9.50am and low tide at 4 pm.(Tay Street times). Theres a sea swell of 0.4m and the water temperature is 16 degrees. Sunset today is at 7.25pm. If youre going fishing, the next best fish bite time is between 2.30 and 4.30pm. In NZ history this day in 1917 is now regarded as New Zealand's blackest day, at Passchendaele. Ever since 1917, Passchendaele has been a byword for the horror of the Great War. In terms of lives lost in a single day, the failed attack on Bellevue Spur on October 12 was probably the greatest disaster in New Zealands history. In 1918 Niagara's arrival was blamed for flu pandemic. Many people blamed the liner Niagara for bringing a deadly new influenza virus to New Zealand. But six people had died of the flu in Auckland in the three days before it arrived, and the upsurge in cases in the city came two weeks later. In world history on this day in 1492 Christopher Columbus and his crew land in the Bahamas. In 1964 the USSR launched Voskhod I, the first spacecraft with a multi-person crew; it is also the first mission in which the crew does not wear space suits. In 1970 President Richard Nixon announced the pullout of 40,000 more American troops in Vietnam by Christmas. In 2002 terrorist bombers killed over 200 and wounded over 300 more at the Sari Club in Kuta, Bali. Today is the birthday of Hugh Jackman, actor; well known for his recurring role as Wolverine in the X-Men films, his many awards include a Golden Globe and a Tony Award Special Award for Extraordinary Contribution to the Theatre Community. Born in 1968, he once said "It dawned on me that acting was what I wanted to do with my life. Nothing had ever touched my heart like acting did." To get involved in activities and events, please check out the What's on page on the SunLive website. Have a great day! A few years ago, the City of Sidney filed a lawsuit against its electric power provider. The reason for the suit, according to City Manager Ed Sadler, is the company, Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN), changed the point of delivery, and consequently the price of power increased substantially. Sadler said rates were increased twice totaling a little under 10 percent. Sadler said because of what was happening, the City was already collecting with the expectation that if the City loses the case, MEAN would be compensated by revenue from the rates. Arbitrators initially ruled in favor of the City. MEAN representatives then appealed to the Nebraska Supreme Court. Sadler said the Supreme Court decision took a really, really long time. The Court decided in favor of MEAN, as announced Tuesday. We really thought we had a good chance to win this, Sadler told the council Tuesday. He called it a matter of a good legal decision, but a bad political decision. Mike Palmer, the citys electric superintendent said the City started the case with very little except a high rate increase. Palmer said customers will have to live with the rates, stating there were no dissenting opinions from the Supreme Court. The loss will cost the City about $13 million in todays rates, he said. Were paying about $53,000 a month now, he said. Sadler said the City will research its options. Well do some things. Its hard to say if well be successful. [The Courts decision] is a blow to us. Sidney Economic Development Director Melissa Norgard announced in the city council meeting Tuesday that October is Manufacturing Month, then went on to present two proposals for assisting new businesses in Sidney. A summary from Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts says Nebraska has a lot to celebrate in job growth. The memo says the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City reports employment growth in Nebraska expanded 1.7 percent year-over-year this July, the fastest growth rate since March 2012. The report says the biggest driver in the growth was employment in the manufacturing industry, which contributed a 4.5 percent increase, the largest growth rate since August 1995. Following the reading of the proclamation, Norgard presented two businesses proposed to benefit from LB840 funds. In 2015, Mark Peterson purchased Cabelas Outdoor Adventures, Cabelas TAGS and Cabelas Travel Service, resulting in Worldwide Trophy Adventures (WTA). Norgard said WTA currently employs about 20 people at their 1200 Pole Creek Crossing location in Sidney. The funding will be a result of increasing jobs and payroll at the Sidney location. According to the memo by Norgard, WTA is the only full-service licensing program available to hunters. You have to create the jobs before we start paying them, Norgard said to the city council. She said WTA is committing at least 15 new jobs. The agreement is for $375,000 to be paid to WTA over seven years; $25,000 per year for five years and $125,000 for the sixth and seventh year. Norgard also presented a proposal for Vitalix. Vitalix, formerly of Alliance, manufactures and cooks molasses tubs that are formulated to feed cows, calves, horses, sheep and goats as self-feeding supplements of all types of roughages, according to her memo to city council. Vitalix lost its Alliance facility to a fire in June. After looking at several options for a new location, the company made an agreement for a building at Adams Industries. Greg Olson, sole owner of the company, said he was attracted by the available warehouse, railroad access, available natural gas and employees. In the council meeting, Norgard said some of the Alliance employees transferred with the company and several local employees have been hired as well. They are somewhat up and running, Norgard said. She said they had the company online in 31 days. In addition to the manufacturing site at the Adams Industrial Park, Vitalix also has an office in Sidney with a staff of six employees. Norgards memo to the city council says Vitalix is investing more than $8 million in Sidney, including land, building, machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, working capital and employee payroll. The agreement with the City is for Vitalix to receive $260,000 over seven years payable after the business meets payroll and job creation requirements. The Kavanaugh debacle was a failure of a similar sort. Both sides we can argue about which was more culpable seemed to care more about their partisan preoccupations than what was best for the country in the long term. Democrats weren't great was it actually useful for a senator to order all men to "shut up"? but Republicans were decidedly worse. In a moment of tension and real pain in the lives of women, was muscling a polarizing, sexual-misconduct-tinged figure onto the court truly the most helpful action? What we got in the end was an increase in cynicism and the degradation of an institution here, our judiciary that we need now more than ever. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A 12-year-old boy shot Wednesday night on the North Side of Syracuse has died, police said today. A shooting was reported around 9:35 p.m. near Park Street and East Division Street, said Sgt. Richard Helterline, a Syracuse Police Department spokesman. Officers later determined two people had been shot nearby in the 100 block of John Street. When police arrived, they were told a wounded child was being rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center in a private vehicle. Soon after, the 12-year-old boy arrived at the hospital. He had been shot near his stomach, Helterline said. Witnesses said the boy had run to a convenience store in the 1000 block of Park Street after he was shot. After the bleeding child collapsed in the doorway of the store, witnesses said a woman put him in her car and drove him to St. Joseph's. The boy was rushed from St. Joseph's to Upstate University Hospital. He died around 3 a.m. Thursday, Helterline said. The child's name will be released after his family is notified. The boy's death marks the 17th homicide in Syracuse this year and the third violent death in the last eight days. Based on the past 10 years, that's about the average number of homicides; the city on average has 16 to 17 homicides by this date in the year. During Wednesday night's John Street shooting, a 33-year-old woman's abdomen was grazed by a bullet, Helterline said. She was treated at a hospital for a non life-threatening injury. There is currently no suspect description. "Officers and detectives are currently investigating this incident," Helterline said. "Additional information will be released when it becomes available." Officers remained on John Street early Thursday morning, investigating the homicide in the drizzling rain. Yellow crime scene tape roped off John Street starting at Park Street and stretching to 158 John St. The entrance of Syracuse Grocery & Deli, a convenience store at John and Park streets, was also blocked by tape. Police asked anyone with information about the shooting to call the homicide tip line at (315) 442-5223 or the department's Criminal Investigation Division at (315) 442-5222. To submit tips anonymously, police said tipsters can use the Syracuse PD app or visit Syracusepolice.org. Two other people have been killed in homicides in Syracuse this month: SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Two men with handguns robbed a Tipperary Hill bar and its customers early Tuesday morning, according to Syracuse police. Officers were called to McAvan's Pub at 1217 W. Fayette St., at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday for a report of a robbery. An employee told police that the business and five bar patrons had been robbed, according to Sgt. Richard Helterline, a spokesman with the police department. The employee told officers that while they were inside the bar, two men with handguns entered and demanded money from the cash register, Helterline said. The suspects also demanded that the bar patrons give their money and other personal property. Everyone inside the bar complied with the demands of the suspects, Helterline said. The suspects were described as two black males, about 5'11" tall, 180 lbs., wearing all dark clothing and black bandanas covering their faces. One suspect reportedly had a black handgun, and the other had a silver handgun. The suspects left the area on foot in an unknown direction, Helterline said. There were no injuries reported. Police ask anyone with information to contact the Syracuse Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at (315) 442-5222. All calls will remain confidential. Anonymous tips may also be submitted using the "SPD Tips" app. Six people were shot at McAvan's Pub on Feb. 1, 2015. A Syracuse man opened fire in the bar critically injuring two people. Michael Morris pleaded guilty in April 2016 and was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison. From afar, you blame a spike in homicides on a 2015 agreement between the city and the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois that requires police to document street stops. Its purpose is to make sure those stops are constitutional not, as you say, to undercut proactive policing in the city. Yes, police have made fewer stops since then. Is that because they couldnt justify them, or because of the extra paperwork? We wish we had an answer. We know you dont. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Two relatives of a 12-year-old boy shot and killed on the Syracuse's North Side sat on their front porch in silence this afternoon, watching the last police vehicle drive away from the scene. The victim, James Springer III, his family said, was a "great kid" who rode his bike, took a lot of photos with his phone and had dreams of being a sketch artist like the ones he always saw at the New York State Fair. They said they were in shock and had no idea why he might have been shot, or if he was targeted. They said he was outside and near his home when he was shot. "The kid loved riding. All he did was ride his bike everywhere," said a woman who declined to be identified but said she was Springer's cousin. "He was such a good kid. This is so tragic." Springer lived at the home at Park Street and John Street with his step-mom and father, the family members said. He had an older sister, a younger brother and a younger sister, ranging from ages from 16 to 5. Around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, the boy was shot in what residents described as a spray of 10 to 15 shots. Witnesses said the bleeding boy ran to a convenience store in the 1000 block of Park Street and collapsed in the doorway. A woman put him in her car and rushed him to the St. Joseph's Hospital. He was then transferred to Upstate University Hospital. He died around 3 a.m. today, police said. A 33-year-old woman was also struck with a bullet in the same shooting, suffering a graze wound to her arm. Police said she and Springer knew each other, but they did not say what their relationship was. The family members said they were in grief and exhausted. The boy's cousin and an uncle, who gave only his first name as Ray Ray, described Springer as kind, funny and "the man." Family members said Springer spent some of his childhood misbehaving but was getting more serious about school and his family. He had just started sixth grade at Grant Middle School. As the family spoke, friends and other relatives milled in and out of the apartment, some of them speaking up to describe the boy. Inside, a woman could be seen quietly crying in the living room, where four or five others sat in silence. One young woman, who said she was a close friend of Springer, said she met him in April and became close quickly. "He did some things he probably shouldn't have done" like petty theft and other boyish misbehavior, she said. "But he was a good kid. As I talked to him, told him what he should do and about life and how it works, he slowed down, started staying home more." Everyone who knew Springer said he was charismatic and opinionated. They said they are trying to process the loss of someone who made a huge impact on their lives, even at a young age. "You could know him for a day and you would fall in love," Springer's close friend said. "And he always spoke his mind. You could always count on him for that." SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The mayor, chief of police and other officials will provide an update and answer questions about the shooting death of a 12-year-old boy. Mayor Ben Walsh, police Chief Frank Fowler, Common Council President Helen Hudson and others will brief reporters about the shooting at 10 a.m. today. Syracuse.com will stream the press conference live on the syracuse.com Facebook page. The boy was shot on the 100 block of John Street Wednesday night. He died hours later. His death is the 17th homicide in the city this year. The victim has not yet been publicly identified. Syracuse City School District Superintendent Jaime Alicea said Thursday morning the boy was a sixth grade student at Grant Middle School. Counselors are available there today for teachers and students, he said. UTICA, N.Y. -- A Syracuse cop Wednesday took the witness stand in federal court to defend himself against allegations of police brutality. Officer Damon Lockett, dressed in his Syracuse police uniform, acknowledged that he punched Alonzo Grant in the head 10 times during a bloody arrest, but he testified that his actions were justified. The 10-year Syracuse police veteran's testimony was the first time anyone from the department spoke publicly about Grant's arrest. Lockett's testimony offered a key perspective into the June 2014 incident and what led officers to seriously injure a man who had called 911 asking for help. All charges against Grant, 57, were later dropped. The district attorney publicly cleared Grant, saying he'd done nothing wrong. A city police watchdog found the officers used excessive force and lied in their police reports. The trial, before U.S. District Court Judge David Hurd, promises to examine whether Syracuse cops police themselves adequately. Grant's lawyers accuse the department of a pattern of discrimination against African-Americans, excessive force and a lack of discipline. Grant sued the city of Syracuse, Lockett, Officer Paul Montalto and Sgt. Brian Novitsky in 2015. Wednesday, the jury -- made up of six white jurors and one Asian juror -- heard from a neighbor who witnessed the arrest, as well as a long-time friend and coworker of Grant's, who vouched for his character. Grant worked at St. Joseph's Hospital for more than 30 years. He has no criminal record. The lawsuit stems from a family dispute involving Grant's adult daughter. Grant called police on the evening of June 28, 2014 as she caused a disturbance outside the home. By the time police arrived, the daughter was gone. What happened next depends on who you ask. While Grant and his wife say police unnecessarily entered their home and became aggressive, Lockett's testimony portrayed the situation much differently. Lockett insisted Grant was "highly agitated" when he arrived at the Grants' Hudson Street home. Grant was cordial and reasonable when talking with police, Lockett said, but he was clearly still upset over the family dispute. Lockett described Grant's body language as aggressive, but appearing as if he was trying to control himself. Lockett described what he was thinking as he responded to the call. He said in domestic incidents, it's his job to secure everyone's safety, often by separating the parties. He said when he arrived, the atmosphere in the house was still tense. Grant and his wife both yelled, he testified. He entered the home without knocking, ringing a door bell or asking permission. "Because of the situation that was going on at the time, I didn't need to ask," he said. He recalled Grant saying he called because of his daughter and he didn't want her in the home anymore. Lockett said he heard a woman's voice upstairs yell, "She's my daughter too." The officer testified that Grant was flailing his arms, and pacing up and down the stairs. Alonzo Grant said he suffered a concussion, broken nose and cut lip after police responded to a 911 call at his house in June 2014. He is taking a civil rights case against the Syracuse Police Department to trial this week. When Lockett asked him to go outside, Grant stormed downstairs, punched a screen door open and remarked that he didn't care if the police were there or about going to jail, the officer testified. Prompted by Grant's lawyer Charles Bonner, Lockett agreed no single act or utterance by Grant constituted a crime. He testified that the "totality" of the situation gave him probable cause to detain Grant, who was posing an immediate threat to his own safety and the safety of others. Because Grant was visibly upset and showed signs of aggression -- Lockett called certain behaviors "pre-assault indicators" -- the officer decided he needed to handcuff Grant and get him away from the house. Grant's wife, who sat next to him in court, disputed the police account in a deposition. She is suing the officers and city along with her husband. Lockett said he was trying to de-escalate the situation until Grant allegedly punched the door on his way out. Lockett said his training has taught him physical violence toward an inanimate object is often a precursor to violence against another person. "He's becoming more and more aggressive. He's not thinking straight," Lockett testified. "At that point, once I saw him punch the door, I knew we had to detain him." Lockett said he "absolutely" had probable cause to do so, and was prepared to charge him with disorderly conduct. His intention, though, was not to arrest Grant, he testified. He said he wanted to get Grant to calm down, take a couple of seconds and tell the officers what was going on. Lockett testified that he followed Grant out of the house, placed his hands on Grant from behind and told him to put his hands behind his back. According to Lockett's account, Grant then grabbed the officer around the waist. Lockett said the two struggled on the steps before falling to the ground, over a railing. Lockett said he was 5 feet, 7 inches tall compared to Grant's 6 feet, 4 inches. "I thought he was going to body slam me into the concrete," he testified. He said at that time he determined Grant was resisting arrest and harassing a police officer. He also determined the use of force was justified. Together Lockett and Montalto cuffed Grant while he was on the ground. According to Grant's lawyers, he suffered a concussion, cut lip, broken nose and has not regained full use of his left arm as a result of the arrest. A video played in court shows the officers on top of Grant at the end of the arrest. In it, the officers tell him to put his hands behind his back, which he does. Lockett testified that was the first time Grant obeyed his commands during the physical altercation. He described feeling Grant's body go from tense to limp. "You can feel the fight going out of him," he said. The trial continues this week and is expected to stretch into next week. DA William Fitzpatrick and former Citizen Review Board administrator Joseph Lipari are among witnesses expected to be called. Police Chief Frank Fowler has also been named as a potential witness. Public Affairs Reporter Julie McMahon covers courts, government and other issues affecting taxpayers. She can be reached anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992 Ten years ago today, October 11, 2008, , at 505 Hawley Ave. in Syracuse, held its grand opening with a reception for . The project was started by a group of young Iraq veterans who were members of the organization, Iraq Veterans Against the War. The artists created their work on handmade paper that they had made themselves by shredding and pulping their combat uniforms. The Combat Paper Art Exhibition on the walls of ArtRage Gallery, was the perfect way to begin a gallery with a mission of bringing social justice art to CNY. The Combat Paper artists used their art to speak out against war, to share their experiences of post-traumatic stress disorder and as a way to heal. By making paper out of their uniforms, the artists literally transformed their former selves through art. And at ArtRage, cultural transformation through the arts is what it's all about. "ArtRage is unique. It combines art and activism, it combines art and community, it combines art and passion and empathy," said ArtRage supporter Ed Kinane. A decade later, ArtRage has mounted 54 exhibitions all within the mission to exhibit art that "promotes social awareness; supports social justice, challenges preconceptions and encourages cultural change." ArtRage has brought the work of nationally recognized artists to Syracuse such as social realist painter, Max Ginsberg, activist printmaker, Favianna Rodriguez and the Civil Rights Movement photographer Matt Herron. ArtRage is also known for its strong support of local artists, being one of the few gallery spaces in Syracuse that professionally curates the work of local artists for both solo and group exhibitions. During the fall of 2017, ArtRage - in partnership with the Everson Museum - exhibited the work of 17 CNY women artists in a group exhibition in commemoration of the New York State Women's Suffrage Centennial. ArtRage's Community Engagement Organizer, Kimberley McCoy, attributes much of the gallery's achievement to the strong support it receives from the community. "Our goal is to always exhibit art that is relevant to our community. We want to get the community involved in conversations about important social issues; city issues, national issues, global issues. And we want to show a connection to the art on our walls and to the work of activists in our community." In ten years, ArtRage has partnered over 200 times with local community organizations on exhibition related events. For example, they have co-produced productions with the Robeson Performing Arts Company hosted film screenings with the Workers' Center of CNY, led panel discussions with Vera House and hosted a Pride Prom with the Q Center. ArtRage also credits its success to the financial support it receives from the community. The gallery was founded with a donation from Ruth Putter, a feminist photographer and community activist. The gallery's namesake, Norton Putter, is in honor of Ruth's late husband, a Civil Rights activist and arts supporter. "I sometimes feel that we are like the 'little engine that could' chugging along with determination and the belief that our supporters have our back.", says ArtRage Director, Rose Viviano. "We began with an uphill struggle to be recognized but find that we are gaining momentum with each new exhibition season." Today around 80% of the gallery's budget comes from individual donations from community members. And as always, the exhibitions and almost all events, are free to attend. New York State's Oswego Canal, which opened 190 years ago and is in use today, is the topic of a free curator talk at the Erie Canal Museum on Wednesday, October 17 at 12 p.m. Museum Curator Ashley Maready will use archival resources and images to discuss the the origins and construction of this waterway, the key individuals involved in its development, how it changed over the years, and its current use. Historic map showing junction of the Erie and Oswego canals in Syracuse Construction of the Oswego Canal was spurred by the Erie Canal's early success. The waterway opened in 1828, and its original starting point was at the Erie Canal in the heart of downtown Syracuse. It is part of the New York State Canal System, and currently begins in Brewerton, New York. From there it heads to the port city of Oswego and Lake Ontario. On October 25 at 12 p.m., the Museum will host a talk by historian Craig Williams on the life of 19th century Canal cartographer David Vaughan. Vaughan immigrated from Ireland to Albany in the late 1840s, already skilled in the tools and techniques New York State needed to resume its first enlargement of the Erie Canal. Vaughan soon became nationally recognized for his talent in drafting maps and plans for that work, and for his keen observations of life along the Canal. Admission is $5 for the general public and free for Erie Canal Museum members. Tickets can be purchased at https://eriecanalmuseum.org/store/product/lunchtime-lecture/. Williams serves on the board of the Canal Society of New York State and speaks regularly on a variety of Canal topics. He retired as a senior historian at the New York State Museum after more than thirty years of service. He is also a former curator at the Erie Canal Museum. Both presentations will include time for questions and discussion. The Museum is located at 318 Erie Boulevard East in downtown Syracuse. Free parking is available in Museum-designated spots across the street under routes 81 and 690. Established in 1962, the Erie Canal Museum protects and showcases the only existing weighlock building in the United States. It is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is free with a suggested $5 donation. The Museum is partially funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Syracuse, N.Y. -- New York regulators are giving settlement talks with Spectrum a little more time, postponing the deadline for the cable company to file a plan to exit the state. Public Service Commission Chairman John Rhodes signed an order Wednesday giving Spectrum 45 additional days to submit its exit plan and to petition for reconsideration of the commission's July 27 order requiring the company to leave the state within six months. It is the third time the commission has extended the deadlines. Spectrum, by far the largest cable company in New York, now has until Nov. 26 to file for a rehearing and until Dec. 24 to file an exit plan. Spectrum -- Charter Communications' brand of cable television, phone and internet service -- has been at odds with the commission over the pace with which the company has been building out its broadband network in New York. The commission ruled July 27 that the company has repeatedly failed to meet the commission's deadlines to extend its cable network to unserved and underserved rural areas of the state. It revoked its Jan. 8, 2016, approval of Charter's merger with Time Warner Cable in the state. Spectrum contends it has met the commission's build-out requirements if customer hook-ups in New York City are counted. The commission said those hook-ups don't count because New York City is already one of the most wired cities in America. In recent weeks, however, the two sides have engaged in settlement talks that, if successful, would result in the company remaining in New York while satisfying regulators' demands that it extend its network to the state's less populated areas. On Tuesday, Spectrum asked the commission for a 60-day extension to file its exit plan and petition for a rehearing, saying the discussions have been productive. The commission's staff recommended a 45-day extension, saying it agreed the talks have been productive and should continue. However, the commission's staff said no further extensions should be granted unless they result in an agreement that ensures that Charter meets its obligations to extend its network to rural areas, primarily Upstate New York. In granting the 45-day extension, Rhodes said the action "should not be viewed as an indefinite grant of time for discussions to continue between...staff and the company." "Many Upstate New Yorkers living in Charter's franchise areas are understandably frustrated by the lack of modern communications infrastructure," he said. Spectrum has vowed to fight the commission's order in court if no settlement is reached. Editor's note: Advance/Newhouse Partnership, which has an ownership stake in Charter Communications Inc., is part of Advance Publications, owner of Advance Local. Advance Local owns Syracuse.com, NYUP.com and The Post-Standard. Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148 SUNY Oswego professor Brian Hough, his wife Jackie, their 9-year-old son and his in-laws were on the way to a wedding when they decided to stop at the Apple Barrel Country Store and Cafe on a beautiful sunny Saturday. At that moment, their lives changed forever. A limo traveling at a high rate of speed failed to stop at a T-junction of two rural roads and barreled across the road, slamming into the family's unoccupied SUV parked in the store's lot in Schoharie County. The horrific crash - the worst in the U.S. in nearly 10 years - killed the limo's driver and its 17 passengers. Two members of the Hough group who happened to be standing by their SUV were also killed: Brian Hough, 46, and his father-in-law, James Schnurr, 70. "It's unimaginable,'' James (JT) Hough, Brian's younger brother, said Wednesday. "It's just so random." The two men were standing near the vehicle with Brian's wife, Jackie Schnurr, when the limo hit, JT Hough said. The two men were hit. The other family members weren't near the vehicle. "Any one little factor could have changed the outcome,'' JT said. "Five more steps and they could have been out of the way completely - or it could have been even worse." JT says he knows his brother would have made the choice to sacrifice his life for his family's if he could. Schnurr, JT Hough, his wife, Erin, his parents, Artra and Greg Hough, are struggling to deal with the deaths of their loved ones. The parents issued a statement to Syracuse.com|The Post Standard Tuesday saying they were devastated by the loss of their eldest son. Brian Hough (right) was an SUNY Oswego professor who was killed Saturday alongside his father-in-law when a limo crashed into them Saturday. He's shown here with his parents and siblings (from left): JT Hough, brother; Greg and Artra Hough, parents, Todd, brother who died in 2015. Brian Hough, 46, of Moravia, was the oldest of three brothers. JT at 40, is the youngest. Their parents have already buried one son. Three years ago, middle brother Todd Hough died of metastatic melanoma, JT said, and the family is still grieving over that. "No one can imagine having to bury your child, and then having to bury a second child three years later,'' JT said. JT said Brian's wife (a professor at Wells College) is a very private person who is trying to get through this the best she can. Losing her husband and father is devastating, he said. JT's wife, Erin, created a GoFundMe site to help Jackie and the couple's son. Brian Hough was the type of person who didn't watch TV or play video - or have much down time at all, his brother said. "Somehow, he seemed to make time for everything,'' JT said. "It was magical. He was always doing something, or he was outdoors with his son, and his wife. He and Jackie were definitely made for each other." Brian could always be counted on, his brother said. When JT was at his parents' house early this summer, the lawn and trees were overgrown and he called Brian to ask if he could help him sometime. Brian changed his plans and traveled immediately to help JT clean up the yard, his brother said. Brian was a fantastic dad, JT said, but he also was a fabulous uncle. He had numerous nieces and nephews on both sides, and he would get down on the ground and play games with them all the time. "I'm the younger brother and I'd be over there with the adults talking, and he'd be wrestling, or goofing around with the kids,'' he said. Last summer, Brian dressed up as Frankenstein and was playing with the nephews when they yelled so loud that the neighbors called the police, JT said. Brian also took his nieces and nephews fossil hunting, which he always said could be done by unearthing rocks at any waterfalls or creek bed, JT said. The Hough boys grew up in Boiling Springs, Pa. Brian went to Old Dominion University in Virginia where he was became interested in marine biology. At some point, his passion changed to geology, and he then went to Idaho State University and earned his master's degree. His doctorate was from the University of Rochester. Brian Hough met his future wife in Idaho and "they were soulmates,'' JT said. They married about 10 or 11 years ago in the Adirondacks. When Schnurr got a job teaching biology and environmental science at Wells College, they moved to the Moravia and Brian looked for work as well, eventually landing at SUNY Oswego. Hough came to Oswego in 2016 as a visiting professor. He became an assistant professor of geology, teaching courses in oceanography, paleontology, historical geology and stratigraphy. JT said he last saw his brother in August, when the family visited the Houghs at their home in Moravia. Brian took them to the Museum of the Earth near Ithaca, where he and Jackie led them on an animated and educational tour. "They just explained everything to us - she knows animals and he knows rocks,'' he said. "They told us all about the Ice Age and the catastrophic events that may led to the extinction of this or that and it was fascinating." Once JT said he took a photo of a rock formation that looked like an upside-down rainbow, and sent it to Brian. Brian immediately explained the geologic forces that caused it to get that way. "He was passionate about teaching, about geology and about his family,'' JT said. "He really was a truly wonderful person.'' Karen Tumulty is a columnist for the Washington Post. By Karen Tumulty | The Washington Post Not all mobs are equal, apparently. There was a time, less than a decade ago, when the sound of red-faced protest was music to Republican ears. That, of course, was when Barack Obama was president, and the tea party movement was hijacking congressional town-hall meetings with shouts of "Tyranny!" There were plenty of shoving matches. Democratic lawmakers were burned in effigy. The police were regularly called in to restore a semblance of order. Democrats tried to dismiss the significance of all this disruption. "It's not really a grass-roots movement," said Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who would soon lose the majority that had made her Speaker of the House. "It's Astroturf by some of the wealthiest people in America to keep the focus on tax cuts for the rich instead of for the great middle class." Meanwhile, Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., lauded the conservative agitation as a pure expression of the frustrations and values of ordinary Americans. "You're the people who prove the politicians wrong when they say that all this activism and unrest was crafted, somehow, in a boardroom, down on K Street," he said. "The grass-roots movement isn't Astroturf, as they like to put it. It's something that started at your kitchen tables." Now it is the Democrats who are making the noise, and the argument is playing in reverse. "You don't hand matches to an arsonist, and you don't give power to an angry left-wing mob. Democrats have become too EXTREME and TOO DANGEROUS to govern. Republicans believe in the rule of law -- not the rule of the mob," President Donald Trump tweeted Saturday about the demonstrations that erupted after the Senate voted to confirm his nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Other Republicans have taken their lead from Trump. "Mob rule," Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said of the protests. "Screaming animals," wrote Fox News' Todd Starnes, adding for good measure that those who demonstrated in the Senate gallery should be "tasered, handcuffed and dragged out of the building." As for McConnell, he declared he is "proud of my members for not knuckling under to those kind of mob-like tactics." Just as Democrats once dismissed the outrage of tea-party agitators as having been ginned up by the Koch brothers, Republicans see the hand of George Soros behind the hundreds who showed up to voice their objections to Kavanaugh. In the case of Soros, the conspiracy theories also carry a familiar whiff of anti-Semitism, as Trump and others suggest -- with no evidence -- that the foreign-born Jewish billionaire is paying demonstrators to do his bidding. "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!" the president tweeted on Tuesday. "Screamers in Congress, and outside, were far too obvious - less professional than anticipated by those paying (or not paying) the bills!" There can be a sort of solace in the thought that all of this anger is being manufactured by an evil genius, rather than accepting it as evidence that a significant share of the populace opposes what your party has done. But as Democrats learned from the trouncing they received in the midterm elections of 2010 and 2014, this kind of rationalization can be dangerous to a party's health. Republicans also contend that there is a qualitative difference between the liberal protesters who confronted senators in the Capitol last week and the conservative ones of previous election cycles who aired their grievances at town meetings in individual congressional districts. But it was telling that during this year's August recess, most lawmakers of both parties decided not to hold any town meetings at all, rather than face another wave of constituent fury. The superheated media environment amplifies the volume of these protests, but the tactics themselves are hardly new. And sometimes they are the only way for the aggrieved to make themselves heard over powerful interests. In 1989, then-House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dan Rostenkowski, D-Ill., was chased down a Chicago street by a group of seniors angry about the cost of a new Medicare catastrophic health-insurance program. When one of them draped herself over the hood of his car, the 6-foot-4 congressman escaped by dashing through a gas station. "These people don't understand what the government is trying to do for them," Rostenkowski said as he fled the furious seniors. Still, he got the message: The Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act was repealed less than a year after it went into effect. Sometimes the key to surviving in politics is knowing when to listen -- a lesson the Republicans might learn the hard way, come Nov. 6. NEW YORK (AP) -- The promoter of a botched, highly publicized music festival in the Bahamas has been sentenced to six years in prison. Billy McFarland was sentenced on Thursday in Manhattan federal court. McFarland has twice pleaded guilty to charges. First, he admitted earlier this year he defrauded investors in the 2017 Fyre Festival. Then, weeks later, he pleaded guilty to charges in a ticket selling scam. Prosecutors had sought over 15 years in prison. His lawyer had urged leniency, saying McFarland suffers from mental illness that includes delusional beliefs that his talents will lead to "fame and fortune." From earlier: NEW YORK (AP) -- Prosecutors urged a judge Wednesday to sentence the promoter of a botched, highly publicized music festival in the Bahamas to over 15 years in prison. In a written filing in Manhattan federal court, prosecutors said Billy McFarland was "far more interested in the fame and notoriety generated by the festival than he was in paying back investors and his employees." The 2017 Fyre Festival, promoted as an ultra-luxurious event and "the cultural experience of the decade," was supposed to take place over two spring weekends on the Bahamian island of Exuma. Customers who paid $1,200 to over $100,000 hoping to see Blink-182 and the hip hop act Migos arrived to learn music acts were canceled. Their luxury accommodations and gourmet food consisted of leaky white tents and cheese sandwiches. Customers lashed out on social media with the hashtag #fyrefraud. The bust was an embarrassment to some famous people after it was promoted on social media by models and celebrities including Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski. McFarland has twice pleaded guilty to charges. First, he admitted earlier this year he defrauded investors in the Fyre Festival. Then, weeks later, he pleaded guilty to wire fraud in a ticket-selling scam that occurred after his initial arrest. Prosecutors said McFarland should not receive leniency, in part because he "brazenly dreamed up a new scheme targeting the same victims" while he was free on bail after his initial arrest. The government also cited examples of lies McFarland told over 80 investors to get them to pour over $26 million into his schemes. For instance, it said McFarland claimed in early 2017 that his company had booked thousands of acts representing tens of millions of dollars when it had only 60 bookings totaling $57,000 in the preceding year. It also said McFarland embellished his own wealth, telling investors he owned $2.5 million in shares in a public company when he owned only $1,499 worth of shares. Prosecutors said he used money from investors to live lavishly, including maintaining a Manhattan residence, hiring a private driver of a luxury vehicles and taking frequent trips by private plane while polishing his image through charitable contributions and gifts to friends. Prosecutors said when he learned he was being investigated for new crimes, he urged witnesses not to speak to the FBI and then made false statements to the government about his conduct. "So far, the criminal justice system has utterly failed to get the defendant's attention," prosecutors wrote. They said the public needed to be protected "from McFarland's next scam." His lawyer last month urged leniency, saying McFarland suffers from mental illness that includes delusional beliefs that his talents will lead to "fame and fortune." SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- South Korea on Thursday walked back on a proposal to lift some of its unilateral sanctions against North Korea following U.S. President Donald Trump's blunt retort that Seoul could "do nothing" without Washington's approval. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha had said on Wednesday that Seoul was considering lifting measures applied after a deadly attack in 2010 that killed 46 South Korean sailors. She cited the intent to create more diplomatic momentum for talks over North Korea's nuclear program. South Korean conservatives reacted with anger as well, and Kang's ministry downplayed her comments later, saying in a statement that the government has yet to start a "full-fledged" review of sanctions, meaning no decision was imminent. Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon told a parliamentary audit on Thursday there has been no serious consideration given to lifting the sanctions and that doing so would be hard unless North Korea acknowledges responsibility for the 2010 attack. North Korea has fiercely denied it sank the Cheonan warship. Liberal South Korean President Moon Jae-in hopes that progress in nuclear diplomacy will allow him to advance his ambitious plans for engagement with North Korea, including joint economic projects and reconnecting inter-Korean roads and railways. These projects have been held back by the sanctions against North Korea. While arguing that improved inter-Korean relations could possibly facilitate progress in larger nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea, Cho said Seoul isn't ready yet to campaign for reduced pressure against its rival. "At the current stage, I think it's a little early for us to call for the lifting or easing of the U.N. sanctions," Cho said. Trump's response when he was asked about Kang's comments implied friction between the allies over the pace of inter-Korean engagement amid concerns in Washington that North Korea is lagging behind in its supposed promise to denuclearize. "They won't do that without our approval," Trump said of the comments. "They do nothing without our approval." Trump has encouraged U.S. allies to maintain sanctions on North Korea until it denuclearizes as part of what his administration has termed a campaign of "maximum pressure" against leader Kim Jong Un's government. Moon has mostly stayed firm on sanctions despite actively engaging with North Korea and floating the possibility of huge investments and joint economic projects in return for the North's relinquishment of its nuclear weapons. A move by South Korea to lift some of its sanctions would have little immediate effect since U.S.-led international sanctions remain in place. But it's clear Seoul is preparing to restart joint economic projects if the nuclear negotiations between the United States and North Korea begin yielding results. In the 2010 sanctions, South Korea effectively shut down all cross-border economic cooperation except for a jointly run factory park in the North Korean border town of Kaesong and banned North Korea from using shipping lanes in South Korean territory. The Kaesong factory park was shuttered in 2016 in response to a North Korean nuclear test and long-range rocket launch. During Moon's visit to North Korea last month, he and Kim agreed to normalize operations at the Kaesong factory park and resume joint tours to North Korea when possible, voicing optimism that international sanctions could end and allow such projects. The North and South also announced measures to reduce conventional military threats, such as creating buffer zones along their land and sea boundaries and a no-fly zone above the border. The North also said it would dismantle its main nuclear facility in Nyongbyon if the United States takes unspecified corresponding measures. Washington, however, has insisted that efforts to improve relations between the Koreas should move in tandem with efforts to denuclearize the North. Kang said Wednesday that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had expressed displeasure about the Koreas' military agreement. Kang was not specific but her comments are likely to fuel speculation Washington wasn't fully on board before Seoul signed the agreement. Despite three summits with Moon and one with Trump this year, Kim has yet to provide a convincing sign that he's ready to deal away his nuclear weapons. Despite the current mood of detente and negotiation between the Koreas, the removal of sanctions would be a difficult decision for Seoul's government. South Koreans are deeply divided along ideological lines and many people still harbor deep anger over North Korea's 1950 attack that started the Korean War. There has been occasional bloodshed ever since -- the 2010 attack on the warship was followed months later by North Korean shelling of a South Korean border island that killed four and gutted homes. Kang pointed out that many parts of South Korea's 2010 sanctions now duplicate United Nations sanctions that were considerably strengthened after 2016 when the North began accelerating its nuclear and missile tests. She also described Seoul's unilateral sanctions as a key obstacle to restarting South Korean tourism to the North's Diamond Mountain resort, which was suspended in 2008 following the shooting death of a South Korean woman there. But the removal of such sanctions wouldn't be enough to get the tours back on, said Koh Yu-hwan, a North Korea expert at Seoul's Dongguk University and a policy adviser to Moon. While U.N. sanctions against North Korea don't ban tourism, they do place restrictions on bulk cash transfers, he said. Still, the lifting of the 2010 sanctions could offer at least some tangible benefits to the North. "For North Korea, the most meaningful result from the lifting of the May 24 measures would be that its ships will be able to travel through Jeju Strait again," said Koh, referring to waters between South Korea's mainland and the southern island of Jeju. "This will allow them to save time and fuel." They had reasons for being skeptical, the main one being that she had recently signed an affidavit denying the rape had occurred. Another was that her spectacular accusation sounded like it was of the same vein as charges leveled by deranged haters on the right that the Clintons were international drug-runners and money-launderers who covered their tracks by ordering up the murders of aide Vince Foster and nearly three dozen others. Syracuse- The weather this weekend in Central New York will be a stark contrast to what has been a very warm week. Cold air will settle into the region on Friday and linger into Saturday. At the same time, a small weather system will move through Central New York. Widespread light rain will begin Friday after midnight and should persist into Saturday morning. The rain will gradually taper off during the morning, but a few lake effect rain showers will continue into the early afternoon. Total rainfall from this system should be around a quarter-inch. Clouds will remain in place through Saturday afternoon with very gradual clearing taking place overnight. The clearing trend will continue into Sunday, which should have a pleasant mix of sun and clouds. No additional rain is expected Saturday night or Sunday. Temperatures will start out very cool on Saturday morning. Low 40s should be widespread, making the rain a very chilly one. While other parts of Upstate New York may see a few wet snowflakes mix in with the rain, temperatures in Central New York should remain just warm enough to keep all the precipitation rain. With clouds and a breezy northwest wind, temperatures will not rise much Saturday afternoon. Highs in and around Syracuse will reach the upper 40s, but mid 40s are more likely in the hills to the south. Overnight temperatures are expected to dip back into the low 40s in Syracuse with upper 30s to the south. If skies clear a bit faster than expected, some patchy frost could form. The sun and a southerly breeze on Sunday will help temperatures rebound to more pleasant levels. In fact, highs Sunday should be just a couple degrees shy of normal. Look for afternoon highs in the mid 50s. South winds and increasing clouds will hold temperatures near or above 45 degrees Sunday night. Saturday will be wet, windy, and very chilly. The weather will rebound pleasantly for Sunday. Here is a look at each day's forecast details: Saturday Morning Lows: Low 40s Afternoon Highs: Mid-Upper 40s Cloud cover: Cloudy. Precipitation: Widespread morning rain. Afternoon showers. Winds: Northwest 7-12 mph, gusting to 25 mph. Confidence: Average Sunday Morning Lows: Upper 30s-Low 40s Afternoon Highs: Mid 50s Cloud cover: Sun and clouds. Precipitation: No precipitation expected. Winds: South 5-10 mph, gusting to 15 mph. Confidence: Average nandita_bayan21 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Delhi Posts: 273 Thanked: 3,510 Times re: Amazingly magnificent & enchantingly awesome North East India - A 10,000 km Ride! Day 9 (To explore Sangetsar/Madhuri Lake Tso no riding today) It was 7:30am and we woke by a phone call that came into Atuls phone. It was the hotel guy who called us to tell that the guides would reach by 8am. In a hurry burry both of us got up, took shower, got ready and in the meanwhile ordered for some breakfast as well bread omelet and tea. Sharp 8am, Tashi and his friend arrived to pick us up. We requested if they could wait for some 15-20mins, by then we will be ready completely. 8:30am and we started our drive to Sangetsar Lake (on a Mahindra Bolero). It feels good at times to not ride/drive and let others do the task and we reach our destination, relaxed, exploring and enjoying to the fullest. We crossed the beautiful town of Tawang to reach at an elevated snaking and twisting road called Bum La Road which will take us to the iconic Y Junction from where one road leads to Sangetsar Lake and another one to Bum La. The view of Tawang was extremely breath-taking from a height, one can see the complete spread of the city, the tall sky touching 26 feet high Buddha statue, golden shiny buildings of the Tawang monastery and the snowcapped mountain ranges surrounding the town. There were many army base camps throughout the surroundings. We stopped at multiple places to click pictures, selfies and enjoy the nature. The total distance to reach Sangetsar Lake is just 35 kms but due to bad roads it might take us more than 3 hours to reach there. Most parts of the road were completely covered with snow and it was good that we didnt get our bike today, as it would have been very difficult to ride on those treacherous terrains. Even Tashi told us that local taxis are the best for sightseeing as they will be well versed with the road conditions and extreme weather situations (they also have a taxi union which at times dont prefer tourists bringing in their own private vehicles). Tawang has a number of high altitude lakes and locals say that there are in total 108 lakes spread all over the district, most of them spreaded in and around Bumla road. After driving for a while we reached the famous Pankang Teng Tso (Tso means lake) or most commonly known as PT Tso Lake). This lake is spot of natural union of beauty of the mountains and the expansion of the grassland, however, today all that we could see was thick layer of snow. This was my first experience of touching snow and I was overly excited. Now I understand the joy of touching snow, grabbing a snow ball and throwing it on the person next to you, undoubtedly it was one of the best days of my life. With the advent of winter at the horizon, the blue sky floats literally on the lake water but today it was mostly cloudy and the lake was almost covered with snow. Yet the view was splendid and something very surreal. Within few minutes, snowflakes started falling down and it felt as if Im in some winter wonderland. Clicked some pictures, played with snow and then decided to keep moving ahead. Weather today was partly cloudy and at times Sun used to play peekaboo. But most part of the day, there were slight drizzles, small snowflakes falling down and the grey clouds all hovering on the sky. All along our way, we pass crossed many army camps (I wouldnt be able to describe much about what we saw in those army camps as because of the border sensitivity, photography and videography within the vicinity of army camps was strictly prohibited, also, writing down about these areas in any form might give out critical information about our army strategies I think we should obey and abide by these rules, as they are nothing but only to ensure our safety and security). I would like to mention here that for us surviving in this extreme conditions are so difficult despite wearing three-four layers of warm clothes, gloves, socks, boots, and what not. But these brave Indian soldiers are not only guarding the international borders but also ensuring that while they guard the lands we sleep peacefully without any fear. The hardship that they go through each and every day, away from their near and dear ones, far away in some distant remote land, just increases the respect I have for them in my heart. Clearing the snow filled roads so that we tourists can pass the road easily, working at -10C or at 50C, guarding under some bunkers whether it is rain, or snow or hot scorching sunlight, daily safety drills, driving heavy army vehicles, etc. they are truly the real life heroes for all Indians like me. I wouldnt agree much to this quote When you go home, tell them of us and say, for their tomorrow, we gave our glory. Warriors are not born. They are made in the Indian Army. Around 10:30am we reached the Y Junction cafeteria and as already mentioned, one fork would lead us to Sangetsar lake while the other towards Bum La. Just before us an army convoy arrived here so the place was completely filled with soldiers, along with few tourists. Taking photos or videos are totally prohibited here due to security reasons, we didnt even take out our phones or DSLRs. Took a bio break, had some maggi and piping hot coffee, spoke to some of the army personnel who were extremely happy to know that we have ridden all the way from Bangalore to Tawang to see this part of India, which many are reluctant to come and explore. After a good conversation, we decided to not waste much time here and head towards Sangetsar Lake. On our way we crossed a Gurudwara, apparently known as the Teesri Udassi Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurudwara Sahib, serving tea, coffee and biscuits to all the passerby tourists. I was surprised to see the presence of Sikhism in the middle of this place, however, as people say, faith can exist anywhere in any form. We thanked the army personnel for the tea and in return he told me Come after 30mins, we will serve you lunch as well. I was completely moved by the humbleness and gentle nature of our Indian Army towards common people like us. Time was 12:30pm and we reached the iconic Sangetsar or Madhuri Lake. This mysterious lake is treasured beneath the Mother Nature amidst trees, snowcapped mountains and amazing landscapes. Created by falling rocks, boulders and trees in an earthquake, the lake is truly a Himalayan vista. With a heady mix of spirituality, surrounded by the mighty Himalayas and tree trunks jutting out of this lake, a wooden cabin on the lake bank, it gives an oomph factor to this lake. One requires a special permit from the District Commissioners (DC) office located in Tawang to visit the lake, but for us the paper work was done by Tashi at the main entry gate before entering the Bumla Road. This place is also known as Madhuri Lake after the famous Bollywood movie Koyla, featuring Shahrukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit, was shot here (I have never seen the movie though). The lake is considered to be holy as well, both by the Buddhists of India and Tibet, the water of this lake is extremely pure and devotees come here on pre-defined days during the year to offer their prayers. Apparently one more tale about the place is that the lake never dries out even during the driest of days and never freezes even during the coldest of months and that too when the surroundings are deeply frozen. Also, the lake is under the surveillance and guard of Indian army because of its close proximity to international border with China. We spent some time clicking pictures, exploring the nature, taking videos, drinking some coffee and eating chole bhature in the cafeteria run by Indian army. There is a white board placed inside the cafeteria as well where visitors for that day can write down messages for the Indian army. I took the opportunity and wrote down a note from Atul and my side as well. If one wants to buy goodies with Indian Army branding, they can purchase it over the counter from the small shop stationed inside the cafeteria. Around 1:45pm we headed back to our vehicle and moved towards Tawang town. The memories of this beautiful lake will remain forever with us, with a promise to come to back here once again in this lifetime. It didnt take us much time to reach the base of Bumla road and reach Tawang town. Tashi took us to this beautiful tall Buddha statue which we saw while climbing up. The statue is one of the tallest Buddha statue in India measuring at 26 feet height. It looks like the Buddha statue overlooks the beautiful town of Tawang and protects its from all evil spirit. From here we went to see the Tawang Monastery. Arunachal Pradeshs tourism gem, the Tawang monastery is Indias largest monastery and the worlds second largest. Situated at an altitude over 3000mts, this monastery is very important for Buddhists all over the world. It is a collection of more than 60 residential buildings for monks along with other structures for different uses. This divine celestial paradise has many tales and legends behind how it was established. All the halls are brightly colored and beautifully decorated, rooms consisting of a big assembly hall, a study, a library, a school, and an own printing press to print Buddhists text. At any given point of time, 700 monks can reside in this monastery. Being a Sunday, the monastery was almost empty and prayers were about to start only at around 5pm. We spent some time exploring the monastery and after a while, decided to head back to the hotel. Tashi and his friend decided to drop us to our hotel and on the way we needed to withdraw cash, one, we were running out on cash and two, we had to pay the guides their Rs 4000. Searched through all the ATMs in Tawang and not a single one had cash inside it. This was very disappointing and we couldnt figure out a way to pay Tashi. Finally, they agreed that our hotel guy will share his bank details and we will wire transfer him, who will in turn pass it on to the guides. Thanking Tashi for understanding our situation, and them being amazingly friendly and helpful throughout the day, we bid them goodbye. Took their numbers, just in case someone wants to come to Tawang and need any taxi or travel guide. It was already 4:30pm and not having a full meal made us quite hungry. Got inside the room, dumped our stuff, freshened up a bit and immediately head out towards the marketplace in search of some food. It was only 5pm, and most of the eateries were closed but then there was this restaurant which was open and serving food (luckily they were accepting cards). We ordered chicken chowmein, chicken momos and mixed fried rice along with some tea. We had our food, relaxed for a bit, had some conversations and around 7pm we started walking towards our room. It started drizzling as well by now and the weather outside got colder. With so much food, we decided not to have dinner today and go for an early bed time. Meanwhile, the hotel guy was added to my banks app and we could transfer him the required cash (along with the additional bills that we needed to give him for food). We did most of our packing for the next day, and slept at around 8:30pm. A peculiar thing about Tawang there are millions and zillions of street dogs in Tawang and when it starts getting dark all the dogs start barking at the same time non-stop all throughout the night. They are huge in size and quite capable of attacking strangers so one has to be utterly careful on the streets of Tawang. Many people fill in some blue liquid in bottles and keep them all around their house premises, apparently, it keeps dogs away since the smell of that blue liquid irritates them and chases them off. So next time Im in Tawang, Im definitely going to plug in my earplugs to avoid listening to non-stop chore of street dogs and damage my ears. It was 7:30am and we woke by a phone call that came into Atuls phone. It was the hotel guy who called us to tell that the guides would reach by 8am. In a hurry burry both of us got up, took shower, got ready and in the meanwhile ordered for some breakfast as well bread omelet and tea. Sharp 8am, Tashi and his friend arrived to pick us up. We requested if they could wait for some 15-20mins, by then we will be ready completely. 8:30am and we started our drive to Sangetsar Lake (on a Mahindra Bolero). It feels good at times to not ride/drive and let others do the task and we reach our destination, relaxed, exploring and enjoying to the fullest.We crossed the beautiful town of Tawang to reach at an elevated snaking and twisting road called Bum La Road which will take us to the iconic Y Junction from where one road leads to Sangetsar Lake and another one to Bum La. The view of Tawang was extremely breath-taking from a height, one can see the complete spread of the city, the tall sky touching 26 feet high Buddha statue, golden shiny buildings of the Tawang monastery and the snowcapped mountain ranges surrounding the town. There were many army base camps throughout the surroundings. We stopped at multiple places to click pictures, selfies and enjoy the nature. The total distance to reach Sangetsar Lake is just 35 kms but due to bad roads it might take us more than 3 hours to reach there. Most parts of the road were completely covered with snow and it was good that we didnt get our bike today, as it would have been very difficult to ride on those treacherous terrains. Even Tashi told us that local taxis are the best for sightseeing as they will be well versed with the road conditions and extreme weather situations (they also have a taxi union which at times dont prefer tourists bringing in their own private vehicles).Tawang has a number of high altitude lakes and locals say that there are in total 108 lakes spread all over the district, most of them spreaded in and around Bumla road. After driving for a while we reached the famous Pankang Teng Tso (Tso means lake) or most commonly known as PT Tso Lake). This lake is spot of natural union of beauty of the mountains and the expansion of the grassland, however, today all that we could see was thick layer of snow. This was my first experience of touching snow and I was overly excited. Now I understand the joy of touching snow, grabbing a snow ball and throwing it on the person next to you, undoubtedly it was one of the best days of my life. With the advent of winter at the horizon, the blue sky floats literally on the lake water but today it was mostly cloudy and the lake was almost covered with snow. Yet the view was splendid and something very surreal. Within few minutes, snowflakes started falling down and it felt as if Im in some winter wonderland. Clicked some pictures, played with snow and then decided to keep moving ahead. Weather today was partly cloudy and at times Sun used to play peekaboo. But most part of the day, there were slight drizzles, small snowflakes falling down and the grey clouds all hovering on the sky.All along our way, we pass crossed many army camps (I wouldnt be able to describe much about what we saw in those army camps as because of the border sensitivity, photography and videography within the vicinity of army camps was strictly prohibited, also, writing down about these areas in any form might give out critical information about our army strategies I think we should obey and abide by these rules, as they are nothing but only to ensure our safety and security). I would like to mention here that for us surviving in this extreme conditions are so difficult despite wearing three-four layers of warm clothes, gloves, socks, boots, and what not. But these brave Indian soldiers are not only guarding the international borders but also ensuring that while they guard the lands we sleep peacefully without any fear. The hardship that they go through each and every day, away from their near and dear ones, far away in some distant remote land, just increases the respect I have for them in my heart. Clearing the snow filled roads so that we tourists can pass the road easily, working at -10C or at 50C, guarding under some bunkers whether it is rain, or snow or hot scorching sunlight, daily safety drills, driving heavy army vehicles, etc. they are truly the real life heroes for all Indians like me. I wouldnt agree much to this quote . Warriors are not born. They are made in the Indian Army.Around 10:30am we reached the Y Junction cafeteria and as already mentioned, one fork would lead us to Sangetsar lake while the other towards Bum La. Just before us an army convoy arrived here so the place was completely filled with soldiers, along with few tourists. Taking photos or videos are totally prohibited here due to security reasons, we didnt even take out our phones or DSLRs. Took a bio break, had some maggi and piping hot coffee, spoke to some of the army personnel who were extremely happy to know that we have ridden all the way from Bangalore to Tawang to see this part of India, which many are reluctant to come and explore. After a good conversation, we decided to not waste much time here and head towards Sangetsar Lake. On our way we crossed a Gurudwara, apparently known as the Teesri Udassi Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurudwara Sahib, serving tea, coffee and biscuits to all the passerby tourists. I was surprised to see the presence of Sikhism in the middle of this place, however, as people say, faith can exist anywhere in any form. We thanked the army personnel for the tea and in return he told me Come after 30mins, we will serve you lunch as well. I was completely moved by the humbleness and gentle nature of our Indian Army towards common people like us.Time was 12:30pm and we reached the iconic Sangetsar or Madhuri Lake. This mysterious lake is treasured beneath the Mother Nature amidst trees, snowcapped mountains and amazing landscapes. Created by falling rocks, boulders and trees in an earthquake, the lake is truly a Himalayan vista. With a heady mix of spirituality, surrounded by the mighty Himalayas and tree trunks jutting out of this lake, a wooden cabin on the lake bank, it gives an oomph factor to this lake. One requires a special permit from the District Commissioners (DC) office located in Tawang to visit the lake, but for us the paper work was done by Tashi at the main entry gate before entering the Bumla Road. This place is also known as Madhuri Lake after the famous Bollywood movie Koyla, featuring Shahrukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit, was shot here (I have never seen the movie though). The lake is considered to be holy as well, both by the Buddhists of India and Tibet, the water of this lake is extremely pure and devotees come here on pre-defined days during the year to offer their prayers. Apparently one more tale about the place is that the lake never dries out even during the driest of days and never freezes even during the coldest of months and that too when the surroundings are deeply frozen. Also, the lake is under the surveillance and guard of Indian army because of its close proximity to international border with China.We spent some time clicking pictures, exploring the nature, taking videos, drinking some coffee and eating chole bhature in the cafeteria run by Indian army. There is a white board placed inside the cafeteria as well where visitors for that day can write down messages for the Indian army. I took the opportunity and wrote down a note from Atul and my side as well. If one wants to buy goodies with Indian Army branding, they can purchase it over the counter from the small shop stationed inside the cafeteria. Around 1:45pm we headed back to our vehicle and moved towards Tawang town. The memories of this beautiful lake will remain forever with us, with a promise to come to back here once again in this lifetime.It didnt take us much time to reach the base of Bumla road and reach Tawang town. Tashi took us to this beautiful tall Buddha statue which we saw while climbing up. The statue is one of the tallest Buddha statue in India measuring at 26 feet height. It looks like the Buddha statue overlooks the beautiful town of Tawang and protects its from all evil spirit. From here we went to see the Tawang Monastery. Arunachal Pradeshs tourism gem, the Tawang monastery is Indias largest monastery and the worlds second largest. Situated at an altitude over 3000mts, this monastery is very important for Buddhists all over the world. It is a collection of more than 60 residential buildings for monks along with other structures for different uses. This divine celestial paradise has many tales and legends behind how it was established. All the halls are brightly colored and beautifully decorated, rooms consisting of a big assembly hall, a study, a library, a school, and an own printing press to print Buddhists text. At any given point of time, 700 monks can reside in this monastery. Being a Sunday, the monastery was almost empty and prayers were about to start only at around 5pm. We spent some time exploring the monastery and after a while, decided to head back to the hotel.Tashi and his friend decided to drop us to our hotel and on the way we needed to withdraw cash, one, we were running out on cash and two, we had to pay the guides their Rs 4000. Searched through all the ATMs in Tawang and not a single one had cash inside it. This was very disappointing and we couldnt figure out a way to pay Tashi. Finally, they agreed that our hotel guy will share his bank details and we will wire transfer him, who will in turn pass it on to the guides. Thanking Tashi for understanding our situation, and them being amazingly friendly and helpful throughout the day, we bid them goodbye. Took their numbers, just in case someone wants to come to Tawang and need any taxi or travel guide. It was already 4:30pm and not having a full meal made us quite hungry.Got inside the room, dumped our stuff, freshened up a bit and immediately head out towards the marketplace in search of some food. It was only 5pm, and most of the eateries were closed but then there was this restaurant which was open and serving food (luckily they were accepting cards). We ordered chicken chowmein, chicken momos and mixed fried rice along with some tea. We had our food, relaxed for a bit, had some conversations and around 7pm we started walking towards our room. It started drizzling as well by now and the weather outside got colder.With so much food, we decided not to have dinner today and go for an early bed time. Meanwhile, the hotel guy was added to my banks app and we could transfer him the required cash (along with the additional bills that we needed to give him for food). We did most of our packing for the next day, and slept at around 8:30pm.A peculiar thing about Tawang there are millions and zillions of street dogs in Tawang and when it starts getting dark all the dogs start barking at the same time non-stop all throughout the night. They are huge in size and quite capable of attacking strangers so one has to be utterly careful on the streets of Tawang. Many people fill in some blue liquid in bottles and keep them all around their house premises, apparently, it keeps dogs away since the smell of that blue liquid irritates them and chases them off. So next time Im in Tawang, Im definitely going to plug in my earplugs to avoid listening to non-stop chore of street dogs and damage my ears. In brief: More evidence of Chinese State-sponsored hardware hacking emerges as a US telecommunications company is in the sights of the modded motherboard supply chain attack revealed by Bloomberg last week. Bloomberg News has received information from security research firm, Sepio Systems, that a prominent US telecom has also fallen to the Chinese supply chain attack, adding another notch to the People Liberation Army's (PLA) belt. Reports of manufacturing shenanigans have continued this week with Sepio Systems' co-CEO, Yossi Appleboum, providing further proof of hacked motherboards used in servers, this time at an unnamed US telecommunications company. Due to the sensitive nature of the disclosure and potential impact on business, Sepio Systems did not reveal the name of the company, but it did describe the mod on the - again - Supermicro motherboard. Digging a little deeper, Bloomberg reached out to all major US telecom companies, and got upfront denials from all but T-Mobile, inferring that this may be the company in question. This time, the attack was admittedly different, and the details revealed an "implant" in the server's ethernet connector, which triggered "unusual communications", which techies at the telecom company were unable to account for. The tampered Supermicro server appeared as two different network devices, yet sharing the authority of the server, bypassing security filters. According to Mr Appleboum, it is not the first time he has seen contractors in China attempting to tamper with hardware, but it was the first time he saw it on a Supermicro product. The security company added that it was clear that the devices had been tampered at a Supermicro subcontractors facilities in Guangzhou, China. Last week Bloomberg had revealed, in a high-profile and controversial investigation, that Apple and Amazon were victims of Chinese intelligence operatives by way of Supermicro servers, used at those companies. The alleged hack would have taken place in China, since 2015, as subcontractors hired to build motherboards for Supermicro servers proceeded to solder on the hardware mod, which would then become part of the company's supply chain, and their clients' infrastructure. Apple and Amazon have categorically refuted the implication that their internal servers were feeding their IP to China's PLA operatives, not to mention the potentially ruinous revelation which could severely impact Supermicro Inc.'s business. While targeted companies have been quick to refute the hack, US officials are not discarding it outright and did not comment on the goings-on. It will not help the ongoing trade war between the US and China, that's for sure. WTF?! Googles Street View vehicles have been taking photos on our roads for over ten years, and in that time theyve inadvertently captured images of subjects in compromising situations. In addition to picturing people leaving strip clubs and consorting with prostitutes, it seems the system has now led to a divorce after it caught a woman being intimate with a man who wasnt her husband. The story involves a Peruvian man using Google Street View to research the best route for reaching a bridge in capital city Lima. While moving the camera around at street level, he saw a woman sitting on a bench with a mans head on her lap. While this wasnt exactly out of the ordinary, the user noticed that the woman was wearing clothes that appeared identical to his wifes. Thats because it actually was his spouse, and the man whose hair she was stroking wasnt her husband. Like many of the images on Google Street View, this one was taken years ago2013, to be exact. But it seems the couple was married at the time, so the man confronted his wife over the photo. According to the local media, the woman admitted to having an affair and the pair, who havent been named, later divorced. La Cronica reports that the man shared his story and images of the incident on Facebook. Last year brought news that Googles Street View vehicles were getting their first camera upgrades in eight years, resulting in higher quality photos that can capture street signs, information from shop windows, and, perhaps, more detailed incidents of infidelity. In brief: The strange story of a French dark web drug dealer who was arrested after traveling to the US for a beard competition has reached its inevitable conclusion. Gal Vallerius, aka "Oxymonster," has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to drug distribution and money laundering. Vallerius was accused of acting as an administrator, senior moderator, and vendor for dark web marketplace Dream Market, where everything from heroin to stolen financial data could be purchased. The site had been the subject of a multi-agency investigation since February 2016, with Oxymonster being identified as a major seller of Oxycontin and crystal meth. Vallerius was arrested in August 2017 when he arrived at Atlanta International Airport while on his way to a beard and mustache competition in Austin, Texas. It was his first visit to America, where he was set to compete in the full beard 30.1 45cm category at the event. After pleading guilty back in June to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to launder money, US District Judge Robert N. Scola sentenced Vallerius to 20 years in prisonhalf of what he could have receivedearlier this week. He was also ordered to forfeit nearly 100 bitcoins and more than 121 units of bitcoin cash, which is currently worth over $700,000. Vallerius online identity was revealed when investigators traced outgoing Bitcoin transactions from Oxymonsters tip jar to wallets registered in his name. They also discovered that the writing style in many of Vallerius social media posts were similar to Oxymonsters, including regular use of quotation marks, double exclamation marks, and the word cheers, as well as intermittent French posts. As noted by Ars Technica, Vallerius' wife, Yasmin Vallerius, wrote a Hebrew-language letter to the court explaining that the arrest "broke him mentally." "I know he's regretting everything, and I know he'll never make the same mistake!" she added. "Please, Your Honor. Have mercy on him!" It's been six years since the Bayou Corne sinkhole appeared. The result of a collapsed salt dome cavern, the sinkhole grew from one acre to around 34, swallowing whole trees in its path and releasing methane gas. On Aug. 3, 2012, just 12 hours after the sinkhole developed, Assumption Parish ordered a mandatory evacuation of the Bayou Corne community. The order wasn't lifted until 2016. Property buyouts by Texas Brine, the salt-mining operator of the cavern, followed. Today, what was a community of about 350 people has dwindled to only a dozen or so families. A documentary, "Forgotten Bayou," about the Bayou Corne community, the area's mining industry, the sinkhole and its fallout, will screen on Tuesday at the Manship Theatre. The documentary was directed by Victoria Greene, who also co-wrote the film with Diana Zollicoffer and co-produced with John Darling Haynes and Paul LeDoux. Greene, who was living in Baton Rouge around the time the sinkhole appeared, said, "I really didn't understand the magnitude of the situation." But in March 2013, environmental activist Erin Brockovich, who was hired by a group of Assumption Parish residents, attended a community meeting in Pierre Part, and Greene drove down. "The person in front of me," Greene said, "had just finished building their home, it was going to be their permanent home when they retired, they had sunk all of their money into it. And two weeks before they were moving in, the sinkhole occurred, and they were under the mandatory evacuation." The homeowners at the meeting didn't know if or when they could return to Bayou Corne, and there weren't many answers. "There was something that resonated with me, and I wanted to tell their story," Greene said. "And it was just very important to do so." "Forgotten Bayou," Greene's first full-length film, premiered at the New Orleans Film Festival in October 2016 and has screened in film festivals around the country. Along with the history and development of the Bayou Corne sinkhole, "Forgotten Bayou," at 70 minutes, touches on a lot: the natural environment of south Louisiana, Cajun history, the effect of the state's petrochemical industry, the use of brine mining. But a large part of the film serves as a love letter to the bayou and the community that existed there. "In the very beginning, when I started talking to the homeowners," Greene said, "I was adamant that it was going to be their story and it was going to be on their point of view." All the producers decided to showcase the Bayou Corne culture in the film, Greene said. Where To Go, What To Eat Each week we'll highlights the best eats and events in metro Baton Rouge. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up "If you don't see what is so wonderful about the area, why would you care that this community has, for all intents and purposes, been erased from the map?" she said. While many families decided to leave Bayou Corne, some stayed, and it caused tension within the community, exacerbated by just not knowing what was going to happen, Greene said. "Forgotten Bayou," though, doesn't paint anyone a villain. Homeowners interviewed in the documentary have mixed reactions to Texas Brine and how it handled the sinkhole. As one homeowner says in the film, the growth of the region's petrochemical industry raised the community's standard of living but questions at what cost. In January, a state district judge split the blame for the sinkhole among Texas Brine, Occidental Chemical (which owned the land and underground mineral rights) and Vulcan Materials, which leased the mineral rights from Occidental. And in the years since the sinkhole formed, Louisiana has adopted new brine mining regulations. The documentary is "not only about Bayou Corne, Louisiana, this little Cajun community," Greene said. "These types of communities are all over the United States, in all these rural areas along the highway. And they're the ones impacted by these disasters, and you know they're going to continue happening." 'Forgotten Bayou' Screening and Q&A co-hosted by the Louisiana International Film Festival 7 p.m. Tuesday Manship Theatre, 100 Lafayette St., Baton Rouge $9.50 manshiptheatre.org; forgottenbayou.com ExxonMobil cleared another obstacle Wednesday night in its effort to secure a multi-million-dollar property tax break for a proposed expansion when the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council voted unanimously to reduce the project's tax liability for 10 years. In a separate but related item, the council delayed voting on whether to establish guidelines that will weigh into future decisions the council makes on Industrial Tax Exemption applications which could settle ongoing reservations that groups like Together Baton Rouge have with how tax breaks are handled. Before the panel took up ExxonMobil's tax cut request Wednesday, Councilman LaMont Cole said he and Councilman Matt Watson were working to develop standards for future exemptions. "Now people may not agree with them, but they can live with them," he said. "In the meantime, we have to send a message to the world that Baton Rouge is place to be." In order to do that, representatives from the city, parish and state's economic development arena told the council that giving ExxonMobil the tax break on its proposed polyolefins plant expansion was the only way to keep the energy company from investing up to $1 billion elsewhere. ExxonMobil's request has already sailed through the state's Board of Commerce and Industry and East Baton Rouge Parish School Board. Last month, it picked up support from Sheriff Sid Gautreaux. +2 In ExxonMobil tax battle, BREC Foundation board member resigns; Lawsuit filed against assessor ExxonMobils allies in Baton Rouge voiced swift and vociferous opposition to BREC in recent weeks following the parks systems decision to app Gov. John Bel Edwards, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and the Baton Rouge Area Chamber have endorsed ExxonMobils tax break request as well. The Metro Council was the last local taxing authority which could have thrown a wrench in the exemption's approval, if enough council members had opposed it. But on Wednesday nearly everyone on the Metro Council praised the energy company for its investments in the community over the years, echoing sentiments that a parade of ExxonMobil employees shared with the council in their own impassioned pleas. "I'm so glad to see there is so much support here; from a variety of people," Watson said. "This sizable investment in our community is not only going to protect what we have now, but the economy were going to leave for our children." The polyolefins plant expansion, which ExxonMobil previously said would require between $500 million to $1 billion to bring online, involves the petrochemical giant's first tax break request under new state guidelines for the decades-old Industrial Tax Exemption Program. ExxonMobil plans to begin construction on the polyolefins complex on Scenic Highway in north Baton Rouge in early 2019 and complete work by 2021. The 10-year tax abatement would start in 2021 and end in 2031. 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 ITEP is designed to give manufacturers a break on their property taxes on new capital expenditures. 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 According to previous reports, only $335 million of the estimated project costs qualifies for the ITEP. ExxonMobils tax break would be worth $5.7 million in the first year, and the firm would pay 20 percent property taxes for a decade. The company said it would pay $6.9 million in property taxes over the life of the 10-year exemption, along with $32 million in sales taxes. And the company said the project would create 45 new direct jobs, 20 permanent contractor jobs and 600 construction jobs at peak development. The group Together Baton Rouge has been one of the most outspoken critics of ITEP and other issues related to tax assessments involving ExxonMobil's facility, which the city-parish's park's system had claimed was too low before dropping its objections. But a new challenge to ExxonMobil's property assessment popped up Monday when members of the Louisiana Association of Educators filed a lawsuit against East Baton Rouge Parish Assessor Brian Wilson. TBR and the teachers union claim $338 million worth of property was left off the parish's tax rolls. If left uncorrected, the groups say local taxing bodies will miss out on $5 million in revenue. Wednesday night, TBR representatives criticized the Metro Council's decision. Edgar Cage, a lead organizer with Together Baton Rouge, said the organization has issues with government entities doling out large tax breaks to ExxonMobil without standards or protocols in place to penalize the company if it doesn't reach the revenue projections in their project proposals. 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 "The contract as drafted does not require that the public revenue projections actual come to pass," Cage told the Metro Council. "If in five years the property has depreciated much more quickly than these projections, and turns out there will be no value once exemptions runs it course, this contract gives this Metro Council no recourse." "But isn't that what LaMont is working on?" Councilwoman Chauna Banks said later. "I agree with the stricter standards and the need for accountability (but) it has my support because I haven't been given anything for a reason not to." Cole said he and Watson are consulting with Together Baton Rouge as well as the Baton Rouge Area Chamber and other entities on the guidelines and expects to present them to the Metro Council at its next meeting. Targeted ads are popping up on Instagram feeds. Yard signs are spicing up lawns. Accountants and academics are volleying reports back and forth. The halfway point has come and gone for those collecting signatures on a petition that could carve a new city of St. George out of Baton Rouge and the southeastern part of East Baton Rouge Parish. And while St. George organizers have increasingly added signing locations and invited people to weekend signing events, the movement's opponents are investing more money and energy after staying relatively quiet over the campaign's first few months. Baton Rouge and the would-be city of St. George have been down this path before. A 2015 petition effort fell 71 signatures short of the number necessary to place the issue before voters. At this point, wed just like all the people to sign it last time to sign it again, said Andrew Murrell, an attorney and spokesman for the St. George campaign. Murrell said its been a challenge to counteract the belief that the 17,000 signatures turned in during the previous campaign could be automatically recycled onto the current petition. St. George organizers said in June that they had collected more than 10,000 signatures on the new petition, of about 13,000 needed. The petition needs valid signatures from 25 percent of the people within St. George's proposed boundary. East Baton Rouge Parish Registrar of Voters Steve Raborn said the number needed will be determined when the petition drive concludes Nov. 27. The area that would be the city of St. George had 51,804 active registered voters when the petition drive began. Organizers have used Facebook since the return of their campaign to communicate with supporters, and opponents have countered St. George social media ads with sponsored posts of their own asking followers to support one Baton Rouge. +4 St. George is attacking Baton Rouge on transportation, but are their claims misleading? When recent storms sent rain pouring down on Baton Rouge and water surrounded cars on Interstate 110, organizers for the proposed city of St. M.E. Cormier, who is leading the Better Together/Residents Against the Breakaway group, said she expects to hold a town hall once the school year begins about how a breakaway city would affect the current school district and the hypothetical school district they want to create. Cormier also said social media has been important for the opposition, referencing One BTR ads that ask people to donate to the opposition effort. As a grass-roots opposition campaign, it was very effective for us to pass the hat, and its been equally effective if not more so the second time around, Cormier said. +2 St. George low-balling expenses, overestimating revenues, LSU professors say in new study Two LSU professors said Monday that organizers of the proposed city of St. George are overestimating its revenues and underestimating expenses Cormiers group is collaborating with the new One Baton Rouge nonprofit, spearheaded by political consultant Michael Beychok, who helped run parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broomes mayoral campaign. 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 Cormier said she would like to see more information on the potential creation of a new school system, which was the original goal of the St. George movement. Parents should be concerned about the lack of information surrounding how St. George would run a school system and build the infrastructure for it, she said. Murrell said St. George will release information about a schools budget if the movement makes it onto a ballot. In turn, he wanted to know the opposition's take on a recent announcement from the NAACP that it wants to reverse the consolidation of city-parish government and create a city council to solely govern the city of Baton Rouge. NAACP officials: Baton Rouge needs its own city council again; here's why It is now time to stop the fake news stories and have a truthful conversation regarding the City of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish go Cormier responded that her group does not plan to get involved in the NAACP debate, but she said it would oppose any mission to break up the city-parish government. She said the consolidated government system keeps taxes lower and makes services more efficient for the whole parish. Murrell said hes expecting increased attacks from the St. George opposition. Im so not concerned with the opposition at this point, he said. Im concerned about the people who live in St. George and what they want to do with their future. While St. George organizers originally pinned their goal signature number at 12,951, one quarter of 51,804, Murrell said the goal has oscillated day by day, changing as voters move to and from the area. Murrell said organizers have kept an eye on a recent U.S. Supreme Court case, in which the court ruled that the state could purge inactive voters from its rolls. The distinction between active and inactive voters could be important if voters deemed inactive sign the St. George petition. In advance of St. George petition, Baton Rouge registrar asks for legal clarifications The East Baton Rouge Parish registrar of voters has sent 29 questions to the state attorney general in anticipation of a petition seeking a vo Raborn, the registrar, asked Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry for clarification on whether inactive voters would count if they signed the St. George petition. Although there is a belief that inactive voters are those who have not voted in a while, in reality, they are those who have problems with their voter registration address. For example, he said, a voter in East Baton Rouge might be considered inactive if their mail is returned to a post office. Raborn said state law says inactive voters are not considered electors and therefore should not be included in voter counts for an area. But he said the election code allows an inactive voter to sign the St. George petition and for that process to serve as an address confirmation to reactivate the voter. Louisiana has agreed to pay nearly $150,000 to end a sexual misconduct lawsuit against a former Republican secretary of state who resigned in May, the state's highest public official felled by accusations during the #MeToo movement. Tom Schedler, who was Louisiana's chief elections official while he held the post, will personally pay his female ex-worker $18,425 on top of the taxpayer-financed amount of $149,075, according to the state Division of Administration. The payments resolve legal claims that Schedler sexually harassed the woman when she worked for him. Ex-Sec. of State Tom Schedler, sexual harassment accuser resolve 'differences,' lawyers say Former Secretary of State Tom Schedler and the woman who led to his abrupt downfall by suing him for sexual harassment have resolved their dif With the settlement reached, a state district judge signed paperwork ending the lawsuit. Schedler, a Republican in office since 2010, left the statewide elected position five months ago. A longtime elected official from the New Orleans suburbs, Schedler's departure came amid intensifying scrutiny of the misconduct allegations and increasing calls for him to leave the post. The sexual harassment lawsuit was filed in February, alleging Schedler harassed the woman for years and punished her when she rebuffed his repeated advances. Schedler's spokeswoman said the pair had a consensual sexual relationship. The woman's lawyer denied that. Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler to step down amid sexual misconduct claims BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) Louisiana's secretary of state is leaving his elected position as calls for his resignation have increased amid allega +2 With Tom Schedler's resignation, here's what's next for Secretary of State's Office Embroiled in controversy over allegations that he sexually harassed an employee for several years, Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler w The woman claimed Schedler frequently sent her love letters, sexually propositioned her and showed up at her doorstep with unwanted gifts, including sex tapes. She claimed Schedler enlisted help from state security personnel to report on her whereabouts. The lawsuit said the harassment began about a decade ago and escalated over the years. Despite suggestions he should resign, Schedler initially refused to step down. But he reversed course and left the job in May after the release of sexually themed emails Schedler sent to the woman who sued him. 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 A special election will fill the remaining year of Schedler's term. Until then, Schedler's former first assistant, Kyle Ardoin, has moved into the job. Ardoin, a Baton Rouge Republican, is running on the Nov. 6 ballot to stay in the position, competing against eight other candidates. Of the taxpayer-financed settlement amount, Division of Administration spokesman Jacques Berry said more than $58,000 will be paid by the Office of Risk Management, Louisiana's self-insurer, and $90,450 by the secretary of state's office. Schedler and his attorney didn't return calls seeking comment Thursday. The woman's lawyer, Jill Craft, said she couldn't discuss the terms of the agreement. The settlement is the latest in a string of payments Louisiana has made in recent years to end the legal wrangling over sexual harassment claims. A legislative audit released in April showed Louisiana has spent more than $5 million on lawsuits involving sexual harassment claims since 2009. That includes payments to people who filed claims as well as lawyers' costs. Louisiana spent nearly $108,000 earlier this year to respond to claims that Johnny Anderson, a former top aide to Gov. John Bel Edwards, sexually harassed a woman when they worked together in the governor's office. Anderson left his position in November after the accusations were lodged and continued to deny the allegations in a legal settlement. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission A state judge said a Baton Rouge man who was on probation in 2016 when he fatally shot a Plank Road tire shop worker during an armed robbery deserved every bit of the life prison term he received Thursday. Curtis Lee Brown Jr., 22, was found guilty in September of second-degree murder and armed robbery in the Nov. 10, 2016, slaying of 25-year-old Jonathan Cornelius Sam outside G&T Tires. Baton Rouge man convicted of murder, armed robbery in 2016 tire shop slaying A 22-year-old Baton Rouge man was convicted Friday of fatally shooting a Plank Road tire shop employee who died trying to stop a 2016 holdup o Trial testimony indicated that Sam was putting air into a customer's tire when an armed Brown robbed the patron of his wallet. Sam, who also was armed, was shot in the face when he tried to intervene. District Judge Lou Daniel noted at Browns sentencing Thursday that Brown was on parole for a 2010 conviction for simple robbery and second-degree battery when he shot and killed Sam during an armed robbery. He originally had been charged with armed robbery and attempted first-degree murder in the case that resulted 2010 conviction. You were afforded a chance to rehabilitate yourself, Daniel told Brown. You totally wasted that and then took another human life. That is a shame. The judge also noted that Sam died while acting as a good Samaritan. What a noble thing to try to do, as opposed to the conduct of yourself, he said to Brown. In a written statement read in court by prosecutor Lauren Corkern, Sams aunt, Wilma Johnson, spoke for the family and said that Sam was a young man who would go out of his way to help others and always with a smile. 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 Johnson used words like sincere, kind, genuine, affectionate, loyal and happy to describe Sam. She said his death and all that was lost as a result hurt the very core of our hearts. The dreams, hopes and ambitions cant be fulfilled for Jonathan because his life was cut short, she wrote. However, we are proud to say that he died helping a person in need, and thats what you call being a Good Samaritan. Johnson also referenced Browns criminal past. If only he were still in jail for his prior crimes, Jonathan would still be with us today, she wrote. Daniel sentenced Brown to life behind bars without parole on the murder conviction and a concurrent 60-year prison term for armed robbery. Johnson said the life sentence wont bring Sam back but will prevent Brown from committing such a crime again. +2 Trial moved to Sept. 17 for 2016 fatal shooting during botched robbery at Plank Road tire shop The trial of a Baton Rouge man accused of fatally shooting a Plank Road tire shop employee during a botched 2016 robbery has been pushed back At the request of Browns attorney, Carson Marcantel, the judge appointed the Louisiana Appellate Project to handle Browns appeal. Marcantel told Sams family that Brown is sorry for what happened. (CNN) Prime Minister Scott Morrison said religious schools in Australia are already legally allowed to deny students a place based on their sexual orientation, following criticism of a leaked report that proposes allowing schools to bar them. Morrison was commenting on the contents of a leaked report on religious freedoms, reigniting debate about what constitutes unlawful discrimination against gay people just months after Australia's Parliament voted to legalize same-sex marriage. Fairfax Media reported Wednesday it had seen contents of the report, which recommended amendments to a federal law that allows religious schools to discriminate against students "on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or relationship status." When asked if he thought religious schools should be able to turn away students on the basis of sexual orientation, Morrison demurred twice, saying "that is the existing law." The Prime Minister's office said he was referring to a section in the federal Sex Discrimination Act that exempts religious educational institutions from some discrimination requirements. However, some states have passed their own discrimination laws and do not allow religious schools to reject students on the basis of sexual orientation. "We're not proposing to change that law to take away that existing arrangement that exists," Morrison said. Morrison, who opposed the same-sex marriage bill and abstained from the final vote in December 2017, vowed to change the law to protect religious freedom in an interview last month, shortly after the sudden ouster of former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. But Morrison said any new laws would take into account the religious freedom review, which Turnbull commissioned in order to assuage the concerns of marriage equality opponents who said the new law infringed on their religious rights. The report was compiled after a public consultation period that attracted 15,000 submissions and submitted to Turnbull in May, but the government has yet to formally release it, Fairfax reported. "We have a report that's been provided to the government. It's a report to government, not from government. It's a report that the government will be considering and developing a balanced response to, and we will do that in our orderly process, taking it through Cabinet," Morrison said Wednesday. Critics, including civil liberty groups, members of the opposition Labor Party and gay rights advocates, said the government should not be proposing avenues for discrimination. "The fact of the matter is that every child is entitled to human dignity. We shouldn't even be having this debate," opposition leader Bill Shorten said. Alex Greenwich, an MP from Sydney and a gay rights activist, said he was concerned about the divisiveness of the report. "One of the tragic things out of this report is it seeks to establish a narrative of gay versus God," he told Sky News Australia. "The faith community is largely supportive of the LGBTQI community and the LGBTQI community is very supportive and respective of the faith community." According to Fairfax, the panel rejected the idea put forward by Australian conservatives that religious freedom was in "imminent peril." It also found that businesses should not be allowed to refuse service to customers on religious grounds because it would "unnecessarily encroach on other human rights" and "may cause significant harm to vulnerable groups," Fairfax reported. Australian Attorney-General Christian Porter said in a statement Wednesday that the report does not propose creating any new exemptions for religious schools to discriminate on the basis of sexuality, nor does it make any changes to the regime currently in place. The law was last amended in 2012, when the opposition Labor party was in power. "The exemption that allows schools to make employment and student admission decisions in a way consistent with the tenets of their religion already exists for religious schools," he said. Morrison said the report has not been considered by the Cabinet, but would be released "in due course." "It will be released with a response from the Government, once we're in a position to advise our comprehensive response to that report, and once we've carefully considered and respectfully considered all the measures and recommendations and proposals that have been put forward," he said. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Australian law allows religious schools to reject gay students, PM says." The East Feliciana Sheriff's Office and Louisiana State Police are investigating the Clinton police chief and other town officials for possible abuse of office and theft counts, according to court documents. Clinton Police Chief Fred Dunn and Clinton Mayor Lori Ann Bell were mentioned in court documents that gave cause for law enforcement searches related to the criminal probes. The investigation comes amid mounting fiscal challenges for the small town in East Feliciana Parish, which includes its inability to pay for leased police vehicles. Residents again locked out of packed Clinton Town Hall as council takes up police car lease-purchase controversy CLINTON The Board of Aldermen voted unanimously Tuesday to break an expensive 2016 lease-purchase for four Chevrolet Tahoe police cars that No arrests had been made in the case as of Thursday. "We wont comment today on whether or not there will be an arrest or when," said East Feliciana Parish Sheriff's Chief Criminal Deputy Greg Phares. "Weve conducted two search warrants and served one or two subpoenas. This has been ongoing for a while." The first search warrant was filed Oct. 4 in regards to a possible malfeasance in office and filing or maintaining false public records case involving Clinton government officials, but only named Dunn and Bell, the documents say. Investigators obtained the original lease agreement under which the town would lease four vehicles for the police department. The search warrant found the June 2016 lease for four Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles was signed by Bell, but Dunn's signature was in the spot where a lawyer for the town would have signed. 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 "Mr. Dunn is not counsel for the lessee (Town of Clinton) and, in fact, is not an attorney," the search warrant affidavit says. "Such an obligation requires the authorization of the Clinton Town Council. No such authorization was obtained." According to the 2017 audit report, the town leased four police vehicles in 2016 for a total obligation of $136,104. The vehicles have since been taken out of service because the town has been unable to make payments. A second search warrant filed Wednesday alleges possible felony theft involving a police department bank account, but only mentions Dunn. Two unnamed individuals interviewed by investigators reported that multiple checks from the Clinton Police Department Narcotics Fund were made out to Dunn, other entities or people, and were signed by Dunn. "Both (individuals) believe that writing and negotiating checks to oneself or to named individuals or entities on such an account is at the very least, highly questionable, if not criminal, conduct," the search warrant says. Clinton town council no closer to addressing fiscal issues CLINTON With only three months left in the fiscal year, the town's Board of Aldermen appeared no closer on Tuesday to addressing its fiscal woes. Dunn and Bell could not be immediately reached for comment Thursday. In the latest push to raise interest in STEM careers, Louisiana's top school board is poised to approve public high school diploma endorsements for students who meet state benchmarks in science, technology, engineering and math. A committee of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is set to to approve the enhanced diplomas on Tuesday and the full board on Wednesday. Students will have to finish a sequence of classes to qualify for the STEM endorsements. Those who meet a portion of the requirements will earn a silver seal. Students who meet all the requirements will get a gold seal on their high school diploma starting with the Class of 2019. The state has launched a campaign to increase the number of students pursuing STEM careers, which are considered among the most lucrative in the marketplace. Only 10 percent of Louisiana high school students were considered STEM-ready for college, based on how they fared on the ACT, which measures college readiness. Louisiana educators look for ways to improve math skills as poor scores continue to plague schools In a state long plagued by low public school achievement, figuring out how to improve math scores is near the top of the list, especially in m "Louisiana is working to change this by ensuring students have exposure to STEM coursework and credentials starting in the early grades and continuing through college," state Superintendent of Education John White said in a statement. "The new diploma endorsements not only serve as an incentive for students to engage in these fields of study, but also as a reward for doing so," White said. The special diplomas are required under a 2017 state law sponsored by state Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell and an engineer herself. The law directed BESE to create diploma enhancements for a public high school student "who exhibits academic achievement in STEM discipline subjects." The details were left to BESE and the state Department of Education. Hewitt said Thursday she knew that other states offered similar diplomas as a way to get more students to take STEM classes. Southern University to get $4 million for engineering programs Southern University will be getting $2 million from Entergy Corp. and $2 million from the state to aid the school's engineering programs, offi "It will be like a gold seal on their diploma that will be something they can showcase when applying for admission and scholarships in universities," Hewitt 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 The idea behind the courses is to prepare students for STEM-related college majors or jobs after high school. Schools already offer a sequence of classes called pathways in LSU pre-engineering; LSU digital design and emerging media and environmental protection and sustainability. Others are in the works for cyber innovation/cyber engineering; LSU biomedical and LSU computer science. For pre-engineering, students who finish the four core classes would be eligible for a silver seal on their high school diploma. That list includes introduction of engineering design; introduction to computational training; introduction to robotics and engineering design and development. Those who finish four more classes from a list of 13 would qualify for a gold seal. That list includes principles of engineering; Advanced Placement calculus and Advanced Placement computer science. Students who plan to enter the workforce after high school could pursue careers in mechanical drafting, computer programming and as surveying and mapping technicians. Those moving to college would have a foundation for academic majors in civil engineering, petroleum engineering and computer science, among others. "The economy is driving the need for more students in STEM fields," said Ken Bradford, assistant superintendent for the Office of Student Opportunities. "As an example, right now nationwide there are 570,000 open computing jobs in the country," Bradford said. "In Louisiana there are 2,400 open computing jobs," he said. "And so we need to be providing students access to the STEM pathways so they can go into these fields." State leaders often note that Louisiana faces huge hurdles to improve its STEM pipeline. About 26,000 students have an interest in STEM but only about 8,400 have both the interest and the aptitude. Only 26 percent of high school graduates met ACT college-readiness benchmarks in math and 27 percent in science. Gov. John Bel Edwards will travel to Israel later this month as part of an economic development mission with a focus both on cyber security and business opportunities for Louisiana companies. Edwards, a Democrat who took office in January 2016, will leave Louisiana on Oct. 26 and return on Nov. 2. The trip schedule includes a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other government leaders in Jerusalem on Oct. 28, as well as meetings in Tel Aviv with businesses. Edwards also is scheduled to celebrate Mass at the historic Church of the Holy Sepulchre and participate in a memorial ceremony at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Remembrance Center. The 24-person delegation traveling with Edwards will include first lady Donna Edwards, business leaders, higher education officials from multiple Louisiana universities and the state's cyber security experts, among others. An Advocate reporter and a local television reporter will travel with the group to report on the mission. +2 Gov. John Bel Edwards bans state contracts with businesses that support Israel boycott Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has issued an executive order barring state agencies from doing business with any company that takes part in a Its a great opportunity for Louisiana when we get such a high-level invitation to visit a key ally and meet with national officials and corporate executives to explore trade and partnership prospects, Edwards said in a statement. I am looking forward to building a framework for Louisiana to connect with Israel in oil and gas exploration and cyber security, as well as other fields, and I want to make it possible for Louisiana companies and organizations to follow up on the inroads we make with this trade mission. We are looking to establish relationships with the Israeli government and its private sector, and we will build on those relationships as we expand the markets for the goods and services that our Louisiana companies provide to the world. The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up It will be Edwards' third major trip out of the country as governor. He previously traveled to Cuba to discuss trade opportunities and to the Vatican on an anti-human trafficking mission. Edwards currently serves as co-chairman of the National Governors Associations Resource Center for State Cybersecurity with Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder. The NGAs national cybersecurity conference will be held in Shreveport-Bossier City in May 2019, Edwards announced Thursday. Jeff McLeod, director of the NGAs Homeland Security & Public Safety division, will join Edwards on the trip to Israel. Israel has become a key player in the global cyber security industry, which Edwards has made a focal point of his administration through the creation of a cybersecurity commission and proclamation of I-20 as a "technology corridor." Gilad Katz, the consul general of Israel to the Southwest United States, had extended an invitation to Edwards to travel to the country. "Louisiana and Israel share excellent relations and mutual interests in the areas of cyber security, energy and water," Katz said in a statement. "This visit is not only a representation of those excellent relations, but we hope will also be the springboard to new partnerships and collaborations that will have a lasting impact on both Louisiana and Israel. More than $1 million has been donated to the campaign to end a controversial law allowing juries to render non-unanimous guilty verdicts in felony trials. Of the donations -- not including in-kind contributions of goods or services -- most have been rendered by a handful of contributors linked to big-names in tech and politics. The top three donors: "Yes on Two" from the Open Society Foundations: $420,000 - A liberal organization founded by billionaire George Soros FWD.us: $300,000 - A lobbying group which has founders that include Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft's Bill gates National ACLU: $302,762 (total this year) The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up - Nonprofit with a mission statement "to defend and preserve" rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and U.S. laws. Tides Advocacy Fund: $106,000 (total this year) - San Francisco-based liberal advocacy organization Over $1M in support, from big-name donors, behind effort to nix Louisiana jury law A campaign to undo an unusual Louisiana law allowing juries to render non-unanimous verdicts in serious felony trials has attracted big financ See the full list of contributions below: Watermarked_Final UJC Campaign Finance Report 10-9-2018 by Jeff Nowak on Scribd A campaign to undo an unusual Louisiana law allowing juries to render non-unanimous verdicts in serious felony trials has attracted big financial support from out of state to the tune of more than $1 million. The biggest single contributor to the Yes on Two campaign is the Open Society Foundations, the liberal organization founded by billionaire George Soros. It gave $420,000 to the effort, according to a campaign finance statement filed Tuesday. FWD.us, a lobbying group that counts Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Microsoft founder Bill Gates among its founders, gave $300,000. The Tides Advocacy Fund, a San Francisco-based liberal advocacy organization, gave more than $300,000 in direct and in-kind contributions. Counting "in-kind" contributions, the Yes on Two committee generated more than $1.5 million in donations over the period from Aug. 8 to Sept. 27. +2 Tilting the scales: What to know about Louisiana's controversial non-unanimous jury law For the last 120 years, Louisiana has had an unusual and long-standing allowance for split jury verdicts in felony cases. Those donations all came on the liberal side of a bipartisan push for passage of Amendment 2 on the Nov. 6 ballot. The measure asks voters if they support requiring unanimous verdicts in all felony trials for crimes committed on or after Jan. 1, 2019. It would not affect past convictions by 11-1 or 10-2 jury votes. At present, Louisiana is one of only two states Oregon is the other that allow juries to convict or acquit defendants in serious non-capital felony cases with as few as 10 of 12 jurors in accord. The law was created in the late 1800s and enshrined in a state constitution crafted by white Democrats for the express purpose of reasserting white supremacy in the state. But support for the ballot measure goes beyond the left. Since state Sen. JP Morrell introduced the measure in the Legislature this spring, it has gained backing across the political spectrum, including endorsements from both of the major political parties. While liberal groups have highlighted the racist origins of the law and its impact on wrongly convicted defendants, libertarian and conservative groups have focused on what they describe as an issue of fairness and liberty. Groups organize in favor of amendment ending Jim Crow-era non-unanimous jury convictions in Louisiana An aggressive campaign is ramping up to educate Louisiana voters about a proposed constitutional amendment that will be decided this fall po Some powerful conservative groups, including Americans for Prosperity and the Louisiana Family Forum, have been on board for months. John Kay, Louisiana director for Americans for Prosperity, has said the organization, funded by David and Charles Koch of Koch Industries, intends to spend more than $100,000 in support of the initiative, mostly through social media ads and targeted mailers. The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Kay said the organization is working through a newly formed Louisiana PAC, the Alliance for Constitutional Integrity, that didnt report any substantial contributions in a campaign finance report filed Tuesday. The PAC is headed by Ed Tarpley, a conservative former Grant Parish district attorney who has been one of the most vocal and visible champions of the cause of unanimous jury verdicts in the state. Tarpley said there were no expenditures to report for the period included in the latest state filings. Kay noted the oddly diverse coalition that has formed behind the measure, which has garnered little formal opposition. This week, for instance, brought endorsements from both Americans for Tax Reform, Grover Norquists conservative anti-tax group, and the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus. The lone public voice of opposition so far has come from Attorney General Jeff Landry, a Republican. The powerful Louisiana District Attorneys Association, initially opposed, has taken a neutral stance. This is simply an issue of whats right and whats wrong," Kay said. "Its nice we all align on this one. With no formal campaign against the measure, the biggest obstacle to passage appears to be educating the voters, Kay said. Supporters declined to reveal the results of recent polling. But people familiar with it said that a majority of voters are unaware of Louisianas outlier status when it comes to jury verdicts. Kay said he wasn't privy to the polling, but that it's a common refrain. A lot of people are kind of like me, in full humility. They didnt know (jury unanimity) wasnt the law in Louisiana, Kay said. I didnt know that until the bill was introduced in the Legislature. I guess I watch too much Law and Order. That sentiment was echoed by Mary-Patricia Wray, communications director for the Unanimous Jury Coalition, a group of left-leaning advocacy groups leading a statewide campaign for the measure that includes field offices in the states largest cities. Becoming aware of Louisianas outlier status is persuasive with voters, according to early polling, said Wray. Its also what has attracted national advocacy groups from across the political spectrum to pour money into the campaigns for the amendment. National partners are very interested in this race because we have asked them to be, Wray said. Our national donors have been really respectful. People dont want to hear from outsiders. Wray said chronic voters in the state can expect to see ads targeting them across the digital spectrum, including social media, Internet search ads and an upcoming radio campaign. The main hurdles, she said, are turnout which is expected to be very low and a lack of awareness of the issue among voters. What our polling tells us is most people believe what they see on TV, she said. People dont really know that in Louisiana, if one member of a jury thinks youre innocent, youre going to jail anyway. Thats been the No. 1 challenge. The No. 2 challenge is convincing people why that might matter to them. With less than a month to go before the Nov. 6 election for secretary of state, the top of the ballot is still a contest between nine little-known candidates, all of whom dont have enough money to become known before voting starts. Nobody cares about this position or about this election, said Baton Rouge pollster Bernie Pinsonat, who has been involved in statewide races for decades but has no client in this one. I havent had one person ask me about this election, and everybody asks me about elections. This is about who runs our elections. Its important. But they (the candidates) havent, cant, raise enough money to explain why its important to vote, much less who they are. In traditional races, candidates would have run getting to know you ads months ago, followed by negative spots against opponents. But now, during a time usually set aside for soft-focus commercials highlighting families and good points, the candidates are going to have to run all three themes at the same time. This is going to be a two-week race, Pinsonat said. Part of the reason is the shortened time-period. Rather than the year-long run up to a campaign, Tom Schedler began the process in May when he abruptly resigned following the filing of a lawsuit that alleged he sexually harassed an employee. Candidates had to decide fast and didnt have to usual time to organize support and funding. Ex-Sec. of State Tom Schedler, sexual harassment accuser resolve 'differences,' lawyers say Former Secretary of State Tom Schedler and the woman who led to his abrupt downfall by suing him for sexual harassment have resolved their dif Also, the office may be the third highest in state government, but the work is primarily administrative: overseeing elections, registering businesses and archiving state documents. With little funding and less interest, campaigning largely has been face-to-face at forums held by political and business clubs around the state with usually only 25-30 voters in attendance. A handful of candidates have bought ads on conservative radio Baton Rouge Republican Rep. Rick Edmonds, for instance, spent $7,425 with Moon Griffon and with rightwing bloggers former state Sen. A.G. Crowe, R-Pearl River, paid The Hayride $1,200, according to the disclosures filed Tuesday with Louisiana Ethics Administration Program. And most have regularly posted on Facebook and Twitter. But thats not enough, said Pinsonat, echoing the sentiments of strategists who cant talk frankly on-the-record about their clients' campaigns. Television will decide the race, and that usually costs a minimum of $750,000 to be effective statewide. Short of raising money in October to an extent not heretofore exhibited, means most candidates will have to dip into their own pockets to buy television schedules. Several of the candidates are wealthy or come from wealthy families and could chose to do just that. But only two candidates have reported enough money available for television during this final sprint. Kenner Republican Rep. Julie Stokes has $513,971, on hand and interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin with $207,789, according to the ethics disclosures that cover contributions and spending through Sept. 27. Ardoin and Stokes have filmed commercials and are buying television time to start running those spots next week, just in time for early voting, which begins on Oct. 23. Ardoin, who joined the contest in July after saying he would not run, started off with a $25,000 personal loan but raised $140,128 in August and September. Most of his contributions $102,628.22 come from Baton Rouge, and about $30,500 came from the nursing home and health care industries. Before joining the Secretary of States Office as Schedlers top aide, Ardoin was a lobbyist for the health care industry. He picked up money from establishment Republicans with Lockport boat builder Donald Bollinger and Kyle Ruckert, once a top aide to former U.S. Sen. David Vitter, both giving maximum $5,000 contributions. Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour gave another $250. +9 Louisiana Sec. of State candidates target 'taint of scandal,' but that's just 'baloney,' official says Candidates for secretary of state promised Monday to remove a taint of scandal the interim holder of that office says doesnt really exist. The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Stokes reported the largest amount of money in the bank, but that includes a $250,000 personal loan. Stokes received about half of her donations from the New Orleans area. New Orleans developer and banker Joseph Canizaro; Laney Chouest, an owner of Edison Chouest Offshore; and Baton Rouge sporting goods magnet Richard Lipsey gave maximum contributions as did the engineering company now run by Tim Barfield, Gov. Bobby Jindals revenue secretary. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardennes wife, Catherine, and Kathy Kliebert, Jindal health and hospitals secretary, also contributed to Stokes campaign. Renee Fontenot Free, of Baton Rouge, raised $36,467 in contributions during August and September, spent $14,196 and has $29,427 available after calculating in the money gathered in July, according to the ethics board. But as the major Democrat in the race, strategists feel the former top aide to two secretaries of state probably doesnt need much more to find a spot in the Dec. 8 runoff. Candidates Cash On Hand for Nov. 6 Election Julie Stokes, R-Kenner: $513,971 Kyle Ardoin, R-Baton Rouge: $200,790 Heather Cloud, R-Turkey Creek: $105,596 Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge: $51,086 Renee Fontenot Free, D-Baton Rouge: $29,427 A.G. Crowe, R-Pearl River: $22,978 Matthew Moreau, No Party-Zachary: $400 Gwen Collins-Greenup, D-Clinton: $19 Thomas J. Kennedy III, R-Metairie: $0 Source: Louisiana Ethics Administration Program Voting machines wait to be packed on to delivery trucks as elections signs, machines and materials are loaded out of a Metairie warehouse in preparation for the Jefferson Parish sheriff's race in New Orleans, La., Friday, March 23, 2018. Louisiana has agreed to pay nearly $150,000 to end a sexual misconduct lawsuit against a former Republican secretary of state who resigned in May, the state's highest public official felled by accusations during the #MeToo movement. Tom Schedler, who was Louisiana's chief elections official while he held the post, will personally pay his female ex-worker $18,425 on top of the taxpayer-financed amount of $149,075, according to the state Division of Administration. The payments resolve legal claims that Schedler sexually harassed the woman when she worked for him. Ex-Sec. of State Tom Schedler, sexual harassment accuser resolve 'differences,' lawyers say Former Secretary of State Tom Schedler and the woman who led to his abrupt downfall by suing him for sexual harassment have resolved their dif With the settlement reached, a state district judge signed paperwork ending the lawsuit. Schedler, a Republican in office since 2010, left the statewide elected position five months ago. A longtime elected official from the New Orleans suburbs, Schedler's departure came amid intensifying scrutiny of the misconduct allegations and increasing calls for him to leave the post. The sexual harassment lawsuit was filed in February, alleging Schedler harassed the woman for years and punished her when she rebuffed his repeated advances. Schedler's spokeswoman said the pair had a consensual sexual relationship. The woman's lawyer denied that. Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler to step down amid sexual misconduct claims BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) Louisiana's secretary of state is leaving his elected position as calls for his resignation have increased amid allega +2 With Tom Schedler's resignation, here's what's next for Secretary of State's Office Embroiled in controversy over allegations that he sexually harassed an employee for several years, Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Schedler w The woman claimed Schedler frequently sent her love letters, sexually propositioned her and showed up at her doorstep with unwanted gifts, including sex tapes. She claimed Schedler enlisted help from state security personnel to report on her whereabouts. The lawsuit said the harassment began about a decade ago and escalated over the years. Despite suggestions he should resign, Schedler initially refused to step down. But he reversed course and left the job in May after the release of sexually themed emails Schedler sent to the woman who sued him. The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up A special election will fill the remaining year of Schedler's term. Until then, Schedler's former first assistant, Kyle Ardoin, has moved into the job. Ardoin, a Baton Rouge Republican, is running on the Nov. 6 ballot to stay in the position, competing against eight other candidates. Of the taxpayer-financed settlement amount, Division of Administration spokesman Jacques Berry said more than $58,000 will be paid by the Office of Risk Management, Louisiana's self-insurer, and $90,450 by the secretary of state's office. Schedler and his attorney didn't return calls seeking comment Thursday. The woman's lawyer, Jill Craft, said she couldn't discuss the terms of the agreement. The settlement is the latest in a string of payments Louisiana has made in recent years to end the legal wrangling over sexual harassment claims. A legislative audit released in April showed Louisiana has spent more than $5 million on lawsuits involving sexual harassment claims since 2009. That includes payments to people who filed claims as well as lawyers' costs. Louisiana spent nearly $108,000 earlier this year to respond to claims that Johnny Anderson, a former top aide to Gov. John Bel Edwards, sexually harassed a woman when they worked together in the governor's office. Anderson left his position in November after the accusations were lodged and continued to deny the allegations in a legal settlement. PANAMA CITY, Fla. (AP) The third-most powerful hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland in recorded history left a wide path of destruction, destroying homes and shopping centers and felling trees that killed at least two people in Florida and Georgia. And it's not done yet. Hurricane Michael finally weakened to a tropical storm on Thursday, no longer a Category 4 monster packing 155 mph (250 kph) winds. But it was still menacing the Southeast with heavy rains, blustery winds and possible spinoff tornadoes, soaking areas swamped by epic flooding last month from Hurricane Florence. By 5 a.m., Michael's eye was about 45 miles (72 kilometers) west of Augusta, Georgia, packing top winds of 50 mph (80 kph) and moving at 21 mph (33 kph) into South Carolina, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. +38 Hurricane Michael photos, video: buildings destroyed, vehicles smashed, homes washed away Hurricane Michael has left extensive damage in Panama City, with broken and uprooted trees and power lines down nearly everywhere. Roofs were Thousands of law enforcement officers and search and rescue teams rolled out in its wake to find survivors amid the wreckage of homes where people defied evacuation orders. Michael washed away white sand beaches, hammered military bases and destroyed coastal communities, stripping trees to stalks, shredding roofs, toppling trucks and pushing boats into buildings. Many homes were ripped apart or washed away altogether in Mexico Beach, a town of 1,000 where the hurricane made landfall and the storm surge pushed lead-grey water up to the rooftops. Authorities said falling trees killed a man outside Tallahassee, Florida, and an 11-year-old girl in southwest Georgia. It will take some time for residents of north Florida to take stock of the enormity of the disaster. Reaching the worst-hit areas wasn't easy: Authorities closed Interstate 10, the main east-west route along Florida's Panhandle, for 80 miles to clear debris, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Damage in Panama City, just west of where Michael came ashore Wednesday afternoon, was so extensive that broken and uprooted trees and downed power lines lay nearly everywhere. Roofs were peeled away, sent airborne, and homes were split open by fallen trees. Twisted street signs lay on the ground. Palm trees whipped wildly in the winds. More than 380,000 homes and businesses were without power at the height of the storm. Vance Beu, 29, was staying with his mother at her home, Spring Gate Apartments, a complex of single-story wood frame buildings where they piled up mattresses around themselves for protection. A pine tree punched a hole in their roof and his ears even popped when the barometric pressure went lower. The roar of the winds, he said, sounded like a jet engine. "It was terrifying, honestly. There was a lot of noise. We thought the windows were going to break at any time," Beu said. +2 As historic Hurricane Michael makes landfall, Louisiana agencies and volunteers head to Florida Less than a month after deploying to North Carolina ahead of Hurricane Florence, first responders and volunteers from Louisiana packed up and Sally Crown rode out Michael on the Florida Panhandle thinking at first that the worst damage was the many trees downed in her yard. But after the storm passed, she emerged to check on the cafe she manages and discovered a scene of breathtaking destruction. "It's absolutely horrendous. Catastrophic," Crown said. "There's flooding. Boats on the highway. A house on the highway. Houses that have been there forever are just shattered." A Panhandle man was killed by a tree that toppled on a home, Gadsden County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Anglie Hightower said. But she added emergency crews trying to reach the home were hampered by downed trees and debris blocking roadways. The debris was a problem in many coastal communities and still hundreds of thousands of people were also left without power. 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 Gov. Rick Scott said search and rescue efforts would be "aggressive." "Hurricane Michael cannot break Florida," Scott vowed. Michael sprang quickly from a weekend tropical depression, going from a Category 2 on Tuesday to a Category 4 by the time it came ashore. More than 375,000 people up and down the Gulf Coast were ordered or urged to evacuate, but it moved so fast that people didn't have much time to prepare, and emergency authorities lamented that many ignored the warnings , thinking they could ride it out. In Panama City, plywood and metal flew off the front of a Holiday Inn Express. Part of the awning fell and shattered the glass front door of the hotel, and the rest of the awning wound up on vehicles parked below it. "Oh my God, what are we seeing?" said evacuee Rachel Franklin, her mouth hanging open. Based on its internal barometric pressure, Michael was the third most powerful hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland, behind the unnamed Labor Day storm of 1935 and Camille in 1969. Based on wind speed, it was the fourth-strongest, behind the Labor Day storm (184 mph, or 296 kph), Camille and Andrew in 1992. The storm is likely to fire up the debate over global warming. Scientists say global warming is responsible for more intense and more frequent extreme weather, such as storms, droughts, floods and fires, and Michael was fueled by abnormal water temperatures in the Gulf 4-to-5 degrees above the historic norm for this time of year. But without extensive study, they cannot directly link a single weather event to the changing climate. After Michael left the Panhandle late Wednesday, Kaylee O'Brien was crying as she sorted through the remains of the apartment she shared with three roommates at Whispering Pines apartments, where the smell of broken pine trees was thick in the air. Four pine trees had crashed through the roof of her apartment, nearly hitting two people. Her biggest worry: finding her missing 1-year-old Siamese cat, Molly. "We haven't seen her since the tree hit the den. She's my baby," a distraught O'Brien said, her face wet with tears. Can't see video below? Click here. ___ Associated Press writers Tamara Lush in St. Petersburg, Florida; Terry Spencer in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Freida Frisaro in Miami; Brendan Farrington in St. Marks, Florida; Russ Bynum in Keaton Beach, Florida; Jonathan Drew in Raleigh, North Carolina; and Seth Borenstein in Kensington, Maryland, contributed to this story. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is followed by members of the media as she walks to the Capitol before a vote to advance Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court, on Capitol Hill, Friday, Oct. 5, 2018 in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Tony Allen, the longtime percussionist behind Afrobeat artist Fela Kuti, returns to the Music Box Village Oct. 12-13 to open its fall season. Allen performed at the Music Box earlier this year alongside New Orleans' Kumasi Afrobeat Orchestra; he returns for another two-night run alongside the ensemble, along with bounce artists Ha Sizzle and DJ Lil Man, as well as Bill Summers, Luther Gray, Brother Tea and Fanfan, performing as Rhythms of Congo Square. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Doors are at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 12-13. Afrobeat legend Tony Allen performs at the Music Box Village As the simmering, exciting/inciting beat behind Afrobeat, Tony Allen will forever be fused to the memory and legacy of Fela Kuti, the Nigerian Allen's rhythms propelled Kuti's influential vision, but Allen's work beyond Kuti has spanned global funk and American jazz, most recently presented on his faithfully shapeshifting 2017 album "The Source," his debut for Blue Note. Allen's shows at the Music Box jumpstart the unique Bywater venue's third fall season, following a 2017-2018 run that spanned immersive original compositions from local artists, an all-women full-band arrangement for Peaches, Scott Joplin's ragtime opera "Treemonisha," a site-specific performance from Animal Collective, and a rare live show from The Residents. House calls: a home for The Music Box On North Rampart Street near the Industrial Canal, in a not-so-former metal fabrication warehouse, artists turned thousands of square feet int It also remains an interactive musical playground, with playable pieces of architecture arranged in a treehouse-like display of static hum, chimes, creaking floors, whirring fans and other sound-making constructions. After debuting at the 2018 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the mobile piece "Porch Life" went on tour; this fall, the Village unveiled a new piece by artist Rontherin Ratliff and sound designer Steven W. Richardson. Later this month, the venue hosts Yamil Rodriguez's immerse theater piece "Promised Estates," a five-act reimagining of a "haunted house." Krewe of Vaporwave's IRL Carnival ball satirizes the 1984 World's Fair The 1984 Louisiana World Exposition glimpsed a future that never arrived, a monorail-powered brave new world championed by a giant talking pel The growing range of Latin American food in New Orleans now spans upscale modern restaurants and taco trucks and outdoor market finds. Another way to measure how much its grown here is the diversity of flavors within this range. Catalinos brings a uniquely satisfying, even eye-opening example. This new addition to Maple Street is a Guatemalan restaurant. Of all the different realms of Latin American cooking, this must be one of the least familiar outside Guatemala or the kitchens of Guatemalans abroad. Certainly, it is among the least widely translated and reinterpreted. Catalinos gives a glimpse of its potential with a small menu, and it sets a welcoming, approachable stage for newcomers to sample it. The menu is written for a clientele not necessarily fluent in this cuisine, with tasting notes and even pronunciation assistance worked into its short list of dishes. This is helpful, because while Guatemalan cooking shares some similarities, and even terminology, with its Mesoamerican neighbors, it clearly developed along a different track than the traditional flavors of Mexico and Central America. As presented at Catalino's, it feels like a homespun, comforting cuisine, with the payoff coming from combinations of flavors rather than individual star ingredients. It does not have the fireworks of vibrant salsas and chilies like its Mexican neighbor to the north. Rather, the best dishes here either crackle with a contrast of textures or satisfy something deep down with a blend of many flavors together. A common fundamental are tortillas, and with these Catalinos truly stands out. Handmade tortillas will always make a big difference, but these go a step further. The corn tortillas have a slight, pliant chew to their texture and a toasty flavor. Theyre tortillas with character and theyre as important to meals here as proper pizza crust or great bread. Some of the marquee dishes are stews. A prime example is jocon, a made with torn pieces of pan-fried chicken and a green broth swimming with the fresh-sour flavor of cilantro, bell peppers and tomatillo and chunks of mirliton for body. Though in a stew, the chicken still has a crispy edge, while the broth is thin and surprisingly rejuvenating with its contrast in flavors. Pepian is another chicken stew, but a much different one. It has a dark, burnished red color with a veritable salad of green beans resting on top and the toasty flavor of roasted spices running throughout. I alternately spooned this over the rice and vegetable mix on the side, and dunked in pieces of terrific corn tortilla. A vegetarian platter of grilled squash and onions, fried plantains lacked any excitement, in a way the bland salsa and even blander guacamole couldn't rectify. Other dishes might speak to ingrained comfort food cravings that don't immediately speak to newcomers to the cuisine. The caldo de res, the beef soup, reminded me of an Irish stew, add corn and yucca. The broth felt nourishing and restorative but was not very flavorful. Elote loco looks more fun than it really is. Though likely the most photographed dish on the menu, it amounts to corn on the cob stuck on skewers under a coating of ketchup, mayo and crumbled cheese. The Guatemalan enchilada is much more satisfying and alluring and deserves to be a go-to dish here. Enchilada is one of those food terms that changes from place to place. In Guatemalan usage, enchiladas resemble Mexican tostadas, towering constructions of meat and crumbled cheese and vegetables over a fried tortilla. At Catalinos, these come out on a swoop of lettuce with beef and egg and a salad of beets and green beans, with the beans turned red from the beets. The variety of textures and flavors makes each bite taste hearty, juicy and light all at once. Im told the proper way to eat these is by hand, like gigantic individual nachos. That skill must be a sign of food mastery in Guatemala. Ive always had to resort to a fork. Somewhat confusingly, the Guatemalan tostadas, also on the menu here, are like smaller enchiladas circular fried tortillas with less towering toppings. For dessert, try the rellenitos fried plantains stuffed with sweet bean paste. The starchy plantain itself gives a creamy, puddinglike texture, though theres no cream; the beans taste almost chocolaty, though theres no chocolate. Catalinos is casual, inexpensive and family-friendly, created by the couple Addie and Hugo Vasquez (she is from Louisiana, he is from Guatemala). It's named for Vasquez's late grandfather. It opened in July in what had been the longtime home of the Middle Eastern restaurant Babylon Cafe (like that predecessor, it is still attached to the adjacent laundry, with which it shares restrooms). Catalinos is BYOB. Visiting new restaurants is always interesting, for the chance to try out what might make them different. Catalinos has been especially interesting because it is bringing what for many will be the first taste of an entirely different cuisine. Catalinos 7724 Maple St., 504-518-6735 Lunch and dinner Wed.-Mon. (closed Tue.), BYOB A New Orleans jury on Wednesday unanimously acquitted a man of obstruction of justice in a killing at a New Orleans East motel. After a two-day trial, jurors found Marco Parker not guilty. Parker was accused of hiding a gun used in the Sept. 4, 2015 killing of his friend Cornelius He-man Bentley III at Jacks Motel. The man charged with the killing, Parkers cousin Calvin Morris, pleaded guilty to an amended count of conspiracy to commit second-degree murder earlier this year in exchange for a 10-year prison term. Police said both Parker and Morris were in room 112 at the motel in the 7700 block of Chef Menteur Highway when Bentley was shot. Surveillance video captured Parker exiting the room in a hurry and tossing the gun in a trash can. However, Parker also called 911 that day to say his cousin committed the shooting, according to defense attorney Michael Kennedy. 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 Authorities have never made public a suspected motive in the killing, if they discovered one. In his closing argument, Kennedy took the position that Parker "freaked out" and threw away the gun in a panic, not because he wanted to cover up the crime. Kennedy said he also stressed to jurors that the District Attorneys Office waited two years to indict his client Parker, despite the fact that Morris was arrested a few days after the shooting after fleeing to Houston. I argued that Mr. Parker had only been charged as a method for the state to be sure they had a witness under their thumb against Calvin Morris, he said. We took the position that the District Attorneys Office was once again bullying and intimidating witnesses. Parker had faced up to 80 years in prison as a habitual offender due to a previous felony conviction. Kennedy said the jail was processing him for release on Wednesday night. Kennedy defended Parker with Tori Guidry. Assistant District Attorneys Angad Ghai and Missy Bucher prosecuted the case. Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn has admitted he should have done more to investigate the illegitimate setting up of children's bank accounts by staff when it came to his attention as head of its retail bank, in a contrite appearance before federal politicians. During a wide-ranging grilling that also focused on banker bonuses and CBA's charging of dead people, new details came to light about a previous scam in which Youthsaver bank accounts were activated by staff to game incentive systems. Mr Comyn was the first of the big four bank CEOs to appear before the government's ongoing parliamentary banking inquiry, the first detailed public questioning of the bankers since the royal commission's interim report was published two weeks ago. The Youthsaver issue, revealed by Fairfax Media in May, involved bank staff using their own money or bank funds to activate accounts that had been set up for school banking, sometimes known as Dollarmites. Depositing the cash meant the new account being opened would count towards the staff member's sales targets. Chris Hemsworth as Billy Lee in Bad Times at the El Royale. Credit:Twentieth Century Fox Jeff Bridges was also quickly convinced to be part of this film. Every once in a while, I read a script and say, This is like nothing Ive ever seen before, so when I found out the writer was also the director, I was impressed at our first meeting, says the 68-year-old. Bridges character may or may not really be a priest, but the actor still needed to brush up on Catholic rituals in the film. I am not Catholic, but Drew was raised Catholic so I went to him for all that stuff, he says. I did have a wonderful relationship with a priest by the name of Don Harris in 1968 when I was in boot camp, he adds, referring to his seven years in the US Coast Guard Reserve. The first thing he said to all of us was, When youre here, youre not in the military, youre in the house of the Lord! He was such a cool guy. Bridges fondly recalls that after 10 weeks of training, Father Harris took him to a popular local venue in San Francisco to see Janis Joplin and Jefferson Airplane. Can you imagine? he marvels before adding, and 20 years later, I invited him to marry my wife and myself, so I thought about him a lot while I was playing this part. Goddard, 43, says so many scenes in the film required such intricate choreography and long takes, he had the 10,000-square-foot hotel set built on a 60,000-square-foot stage at Mammoth Studios near Vancouver, British Columbia. Jon Hamm, no stranger to the `60s as Don Draper in Mad Men, recalls one seven-minute-long uninterrupted scene in which his character walks a secret hallway on the other side of the mirrors that provide a clear view into each guest's room. There were about 40 people working on the scene in some capacity and I was part of a bizarre 12-person dance with so many levels on each side of the mirror, Hamm says. The camera hits a bump, the dolly has a flat tyre, and Ill tell you that a real cheer went up when we knew wed finally got it on the 27th take! Johnson, meanwhile, says she jumped at the chance to play Emily Summerspring. Dressed in tight jeans, a sleeveless vest and leather jacket, the 29-year-old embraced her role. "I havent played a character with such swagger, so it was really fun, she says It was also really fun to be angry and to play a woman thats not sorry for being angry. Bad Times at the El Royale is now screening. Michael Le Grand with Guardian, his entry in Sculpture by the Sea 2018. The 22nd Sculpture By The Sea 2018. Various artists. Tamarama Beach coastal walk,Bondi, Sydney. October 18-November 4, 2018. sculpturebythesea.com. Sculpture by the Sea is billed as the worlds largest annual free-to-the-public outdoor sculpture exhibition. This year it will its celebrate its 22nd anniversary when it returns to Sydneys Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk on October 18. The coastline will become a two-kilometre long sculpture park with more than 100 works by Australian and international artists. And three of them are from Canberra. Act quick as a cat on this one past appearances from the Hello Kitty Cafe Truck have yielded epic lines with long waits and unhappy latecomers. The truck is simply a chance for those who love the iconic international brand to stop by and pick up some super-cute treats and merch, per the event listing. The Saturday event begins at 10 a.m. and runs through 8 p.m., or while supplies last, at Westfield Old Orchard (4905 Old Orchard Center) in Skokie, near the L.L. Bean. A pensioner who was attacked by a cyclist at a boat ramp east of Brisbane on Monday says he was slammed so hard against his own ute door that it has left a dent. The 61-year-old man, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Redland City Bulletin he was ready to apologise when the cyclist claimed he had nearly killed him, but never got the chance. A man was assaulted at Wellington Point on Monday. Credit:Queensland Police Media The victim, who volunteers at Redland Hospital, has been left traumatised by the road rage attack, which happened at a boat ramp on Main Road South in Wellington Point about 6.30am. As well as the psychological scars, the Capalaba man said he suffered a bruised abdomen, scratched arms, sore back and grazed knees. Brisbane's top temperature has nose-dived 8 degrees in 24 hours and rain for days is expected to set in over south-east Queensland from Thursday. Overnight storms lashed south-east Queensland and northern NSW, and a 65-year-old man died when a fig tree crushed his home near Byron Bay. The light show created by south-east Queensland storms on Wednesday night. Credit:Twitter - Mitchell Roberts (@MitchellAUS) Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Chris Joseph said an upper trough was responsible for the approaching wet weather, expected to remain for the next four days in Brisbane. "Over the next two days, there will be an increase in rain activity, not so much storms, more of a rain situation," he said. Joy* sat in the consulting room at a Melbourne IVF clinic and stared in shock at the liaison officer who had just broken the devastating news. I just looked at her. I was full of emotion, anger and disbelief. How could he still have power and control over me, when I had left the relationship for those reasons? she says. Joy (right) has spoken for the first time about her successful landmark legal fight for the right to access IVF without her estranged husband's consent. Credit:Joe Armao Joy* is still legally married, but estranged from her husband, and does not live with him. He was psychologically abusive throughout their marriage of more than a decade, and early in their relationship there were incidents of physical abuse, she says. She intends to divorce him when the 12-month waiting period that is required under law is over. Police say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the discovery of a body on a beach in Melbourne's south-east. Police are investigating after the discovery of a body. Credit:Nine News Emergency services were called to Beach Road in Parkdale, 23 kilometres south-east of the CBD, about 10am on Thursday after the body was found on the foreshore. Homicide detectives were called to the scene, but determined there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the person's death. Lifeline 13 11 14 Senior traffic police say they are concerned at the rate of drivers who continue to speed through WA school zones, as thousands of school kids returned to school this week for a new term. Just one team from the Traffic Enforcement Group (TEG) caught more than 50 speeding drivers at six schools on Tuesday morning. Officers from TEG team two caught 55 drivers on Tuesday speeding over the 40km/h limit. WAtoday was invited to tag along with the TEG officers this week as part of the operation. Eighteen speeding drivers, including one woman who was clocked at 63km/h, were caught near Helena Valley Primary School on Tuesday. The most instructive part of this weeks Opera House furore was the parade of politicians who seemed so baffled it had even become an issue. People should chill out a bit, advised Labors Anthony Albanese himself so chill about it he apparently went to the trouble of calling into ABC radio to make the point. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison couldnt understand why people are getting so precious about it. That, of course, is precisely whats so damning: he couldnt even understand it. Alan Jones has a lengthy history of disagreeing with Opera House boss Louise Herron. Credit:Fairfax Media It might be too perfect that Morrison was the Prime Minister for this hour; that someone who spent his pre-parliamentary career so marinated in the world of advertising and promotions happened to be governing us at precisely the moment the public became so precious about the crass commercialisation of everything. His defiant insistence that he would put the Bathurst 1000 on the Harbour Bridge if I thought it would get more people there makes the point starkly. Getting more people to an event seems the highest calling here, to be prioritised over quaint notions of non-commercial public space. Loading It might have taken this perfect storm a Prime Marketer in the Lodge, a horse race only recently dreamed up that is all money and no tradition, the most internationally famous building in Australia and of course the outrageously boorish intervention of Alan Jones to spark the kind of reaction we saw this week. But that doesnt mean the extraordinary backlash was merely the sum of these parts. This week happened because a deep anxiety about the health of our society was triggered. A vein was opened, but it was the build-up of ages that came gushing forth. Berlin: At least nine people have been seriously injured and many others, including an Australian, have sustained lesser injuries after a tourist bus crashed into an articulated lorry filled with car tyres in southern Germany. Most of the more than 30 passengers as well as the bus and the lorry drivers were injured in the crash near the city of Heidelberg, police said. At least 17 people were taken to hospital, including five women and three men from Canada, one woman from Australia, two men from the United States, and three Germans. As the tour operator had not provided a complete passenger list it was difficult to give exact numbers, according to police, but they said the group was mainly made up tourists. Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. recently returned to Broadway in the role of Chicago's smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn, and on October 6, the show cheered its new star with a special curtain call celebration. With a limited engagement through November 18, Gooding reprises the role that he originated in the 2018 London production of Chicago, currently playing at the Phoenix Theatre. Cuba Gooding Jr. takes his curtain call in Broadway's Chicago. ( Diane Vadnal) Directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Tony Award winner Ann Reinking, Chicago features a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Fred Ebb. Set amid the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media, and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago's slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today's tabloids. The engagement will continue through Novebmer 18. ( Diane Vadnal) Gooding's breakthrough role was as Tre Styles in the feature film Boyz n the Hood (1991), followed by A Few Good Men (1992), before winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Jerry Maguire (1996). In 2016, he portrayed O.J. Simpson in the FX drama series The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. In 2013, he made his Broadway debut alongside Cicely Tyson and Vanessa Williams in the Tony Award-nominated production of The Trip to Bountiful. Amelia Roper's Zurich, now playing at Steep Theatre, is a series of vignettes taking place in identical rooms on the 40th floor of a stylish Swiss hotel. Some of the hotel's guests are in town for business, some for pleasure. Most of them are American, and none of them are happy. It soon becomes apparent that the slice-of-life scenes are unfolding simultaneously, or nearly so. Thanks to some canny sound cues by Thomas Dixon, noises carry from one room to another, and the events of each room become a piece of a larger puzzle that can only be put together once you've seen all the scenes. Despite initial promise in the opening scene, thanks to tightly crafted wordplay between a mysterious traveler (Sasha Smith) and her bratty one-night stand (Jeff Kurysz), Zurich is sadly uneven and lacks momentum. The interlocking timeline is a clever construct, but it doesn't quite hold up to scrutiny. Unless the Maid (played with depth and melancholy by Elizabeth Wigley) has the power to dilate time, the pieces don't quite fit together perfectly. Little discrepancies wouldn't be noticeable, though, if what was happening onstage were more compelling. Overall, the actors acquit themselves capably when they are given enough to work with. Roper's dialogue is clever, but her characters are not given the depth their stories demand. They're all alienated, anguished, or traumatized, but with little indication why. Valerie Gorman in particular is underserved by Roper's script. Gorman plays One, an embittered senior citizen seeking social retribution, along with Two (Brandon Rivera), her caretaker, whom she has radicalized. Gorman and Rivera work hard onstage to sell their righteous fury, but without support from the script, they ultimately fall short. In a delightful surprise, the most authentic and exciting scene in the play occurs between young actors Maya Lou Hlava and Cole Keriazakos, playing two preteens left to their own devices while their parents fight by the pool. The hotel set is on trend, designed by Jeffrey D. Kmiec with modern minimalist grays, whites, and blond wood fixtures, finished off with floor-to-ceiling plate glass separating the audience and the action. The glass enclosure looks sleek, but it has the unfortunate side effect of removing intimacy. However, Kmeic and sound designer Dixon should both be praised for skillfully avoiding any auditory issues that could be expected from a play performed in a fishbowl. Transitions between scenes are accompanied by a throbbing light show by lighting designer Becca Jeffords, effectively foreshadowing the play's violent ending. Under the ambitious direction of Brad DeFabo Akin, the cast and creative team have done fine work with Zurich. Unfortunately, Roper has not fully explored the pain behind the characters, and as a result, the play feels hollow. A. They are much smarter than most people think, so you shouldnt talk down to them because they can understand you. I treat them like equals. I remember one young man came to me before he was going to take his eighth grade graduation picture, and he was worried because he couldnt figure out his tie. No one had ever showed him, so I taught him how to tie a tie. And when he figured it out, he was so proud. Years later, he was back visiting the school and he thanked me. He told me he considered me a big brother. 2018's Most Searched For Car Brands In Every Country Around The World London October 11, 2018; The influence and popularity of the world's most well-known car brands is often measured by sales figures, but does that really tell the full story? Select Car Leasing delved into Google to find the most searched for and talked about car brands in every single country around the world in 2018. The results revealed how interest in car brands differs around the world and mirrors the changing culture in each country in 2018. The results highlighting a change in preferences include: * Europe: South Korean brand Hyundai takes third spot in Europe as it gains a reputation for quality, reliability and value for money - highlighting a move away from the ever dominant German manufacturers which hold the other top spots. * North America: The traditional gas-guzzling and muscle car heartlands of the world are turning their attention to the alternative fuel vehicle, Tesla, in large numbers, claiming more than 2 million searches in the US and Canada alone. Even considering Tesla's headline-grabbing chief Elon Musk, few could have predicted such a transition. * South America: Hyundai claims the majority of South America but the bigger countries in the region favour more established brands in Honda and Volkswagen. It's surprising to see that the smaller nations, such as Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, set their sights on much more luxurious loves, googling supercars such as McLaren and Lamborghini. * Asia: Surprisingly with Japan and South Korea's rich history in the automotive trade and being home to several of the largest players in the world - it appears that they are big fans of BMW, searching for the car manufacturer 323,000 times on average. Southern Asia seems to have a soft spot for Lamborghini, with this taking the top spot in India, Nepal, Sir Lanka, Malaysia and the Maldives, whilst the urban traffic conditions in Colombia and the Philippines leads to the practical SMART car being the most searched brand here. * Africa: Pickups remain popular, particularly in tourist-heavy countries. It isn't surprising to see Toyota as a clear leader in the region and searched for in a massive 26 countries. BMW and Mercedes-Benz also make an appearance, and the dominance of these three major car brands means there is little room for any other manufacturers to climb to the top. * Oceania: Toyota is also by far the most searched for car brand in Oceania, being the most popular manufacturer in 9 countries, including Australia, who search for Toyota 165,000 every month. New Zealand upholds its reputation for championing greener living with Tesla being the most searched for brand here. See the most searched for car brands in every country around the world here: https://www.selectcarleasing.co.uk/news/battle-car-brands-search.html Strategic Vision Names Genesis G80 Highest-Ranked "Near-Luxury Car" FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA - October 11, 2018: Yesterday, the 2018 Genesis G80 was named the highest-ranked Near-Luxury Car in the Strategic Vision Total Quality Awards. This is the second win for Genesis in the last two years, including a win by G90 in the Luxury Car category. This accolade from leading industry analysts such as Strategic Vision affirms the positive sentiments of our customers, said Erwin Raphael, Executive Director, Genesis Motor America. We are humbled to receive this award on behalf of G80. G80 was designed to surprise and delight its owners, as well as respect their time. The powertrain lineup comprises three refined options: a 5.0-liter V-8, a 3.8-liter V-6 and a 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V-6. G80 3.8 provides core volume luxury with unsurpassed standard features, while G80 3.3T is the ideal combination of sport style and turbocharged performance. G80 5.0 is the ultimate expression of luxury, convenience and performance. Each engine can be ordered with either rear- or all-wheel drive. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as are advanced driver safety features, including Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection; Smart Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-traffic Alert; Lane Keep Assist; Driver Attention Alert; and Dynamic Bending Light with High Beam Assist. G80 and G80 Sport have received top marks in a battery of tests in frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios from both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). G80 Sport excelled in the NHTSA evaluation, earning top marks in front driver-side and passenger-side protection, side barrier and pole impact, and rollover mitigation. Strategic Vision, the industry analyst, surveyed over 44,000 new-vehicle buyers after 90 days of ownership in its proprietary New Vehicle Experience Study, to determine vehicle rankings. Results from the Study incorporate both subjective and objective assessments of vehicle quality by respondents. AUTO LAB RADIO Saturday October 13, 2018 7-9 AM Helping You Enjoy The Drive Auto Lab Talk Radio on New York City's WNYM Radio AM 970 Is Streamed Worldwide On TheAutoChannel.Com Car Question or Concern? Automotive Career Opportunity, Call Toll Free 888-692-7234 To Speak With An Auto Lab Expert Auto Lab is a 28 year old interactive automotive-focused New York City radio call-in show hosted by Professor Harold Wolchok. Featuring an in-studio panel of experienced hands-on automotive experts sharing accurate, honest, practical and street-smart car repair, automotive career opportunities and vehicle and repair buying advice. Auto Lab is also about the automotive industry, its history, and its culture, presenting the ideas and advice of leading college faculty, authors, and automotive practitioners in a relaxed, conversational interactive format. Listeners can find audio recordings of the past 20 years of archived Auto Lab shows as simulcast on The Auto Channel; The Auto Lab Index Page includes; Audio-on-Demand Archives, Community College Auto Program Database, Guests Pictures This Weeks Show: October 13, 2018 IN STUDIO PANEL: Real World Auto Experts, Educators, Technicians, Shop Owners, Insurance Experts, Lawyers Will Answer Your Automotive Questions: Repairs, Second Opinions, Regular Maintenance, How To's, Safety, Used and New Car Buying, Insurance, Ombudsmen Suggestions Harold Bendell - Major Auto Jordan Weine Bay Diagnostics Auto Repairs Howard Lepzelter - Retired Bronx Community College's Automotive Technology Department Joseph Guarino- Joe Guarino's Auto Repairs Jerry Pastore - D & J Diagnostics Johanna Pastore - D & J Diagnostics Michael Porcelli - Automobile Services Nicholas Prague - MTA Auto Lab Interviews: Featuring Auto Safety News, New Car Reviews, Technology and Latest Auto World Information That Will Effect You! Robert Erskine, Senior European Correspondent, Suffolk England VOLKSWAGEN ID THE NEW ALL ELECTRIC PEOPLES CAR? Russ Rader,Senior Vice President Insurance Institute for Highway Safety REDSIGNED TOYOTA COROLLA HATCHBACK IS A TOP SAFETY PICK Michael Porcelli MORTON KRISTIANSEN, DIRECTOR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, ALLITE,INC. - SUPER -MAGNESIUM-THE NEWEST AUTOMOTIVE METAL Hyundai CRADLE Invests in Perceptive Automata to Bring Human Intuition Software to Self-Driving Cars MENLO PARK, CA - October 10, 2018: Hyundai CRADLE, Hyundai Motor Company's corporate venturing and open innovation business, today announced it is investing in Perceptive Automata to develop artificial intelligence software for self-driving cars and automated systems. Perceptive Automata, a startup based in Somerville, Mass. with an office in Silicon Valley, has developed software that gives autonomous vehicles the ability to understand the state-of-mind of people, including pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists. The predictive technology enables automated vehicles to make rapid judgments about the intentions and awareness of people on the street. This gives machines unprecedented human-like intuition. To see the technology in action click here. Perceptive Automatas core technology takes sensor data from vehicles that show interactions with people. This rich data is used to train deep learning models to interpret human behavior the way people do. The end result is sophisticated AI software that can be integrated into autonomous driving systems. With the software installed, autonomous vehicles can anticipate what pedestrians, cyclists and motorists might do next. We are ecstatic to have an investor on board like Hyundai that understands the importance of the problem we are solving for self-driving cars and next-generation driver assistance systems, said Sid Misra, co-founder and CEO of Perceptive Automata. Hyundai is one of the biggest automakers in the world and having them back our technology is incredibly validating. Perceptive Automatas software is particularly useful if a pedestrian begins to cross the street but sees the approaching autonomous car and decides to stop and wave it on. In this situation, an autonomous vehicle without the software would stop and wait, even though the pedestrian has no intention to cross. Perceptive Automatas software can read the pedestrians intent and pass this information to the autonomous systems decision-making module. One of the biggest hurdles facing autonomous vehicles is the inability to interpret the critical visual cues about human behavior that human drivers can effortlessly process, said John Suh, vice president of Hyundai CRADLE. Perceptive Automata is giving the AV industry the tools to deploy autonomous vehicles that understand more like humans, creating a safer and smoother driving experience. This year, Hyundai has expanded its investment into artificial intelligence technologies that can improve Hyundais core automotive business, as well as adjacent areas in robotics and human machine interactions. Hyundai has also been actively investing from its AI Alliance Fund, co-founded in late 2017, with SK Telecom and Hanwha Asset Management. ### About Hyundai CRADLE Hyundai CRADLE is the Center for Robotic-augmented Design in Living Experiences. CRADLE strengthens Hyundai Motor Groups core automotive business and expands it into new and adjacent markets with the goal of enhancing transportation on and off the road. The company also plans to expand the Hyundai CRADLE innovation concept globally. The Mennonite Heritage Village has found its replacement for departing executive director Barry Dyck, who has served in the role since Feb. 2009. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 11/10/2018 (1131 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Mennonite Heritage Village has found its replacement for departing executive director Barry Dyck, who has served in the role since Feb. 2009. Stay informed The latest updates on the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 delivered to your inbox every weeknight. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. On Tuesday, the museum board announced that Gary Dyck has been hired into the role. Dyck, an SRSS graduate, has a Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies from Briercrest College and a Master of Arts in Global Studies from Providence University College. The museum noted in its release that in feeding his passion for making Mennonite history relevant, Dyck has toured Anabaptist sites in Europe and has had the enviable opportunity of visiting numerous museums around the world. The incoming executive is skilled in a number of languages including English, Uzbek, Uyghur, Mandarin, Russian and French. His experiences and skills will allow him to initiate successful connections with tourists, donors, colleagues and government officials, the museum said. Dyck, who lives in Steinbach with his wife Andrea and their three children, will begin his new role in February 2019. We had bought her a computer, which she didnt know how to use, but she figured it out, he said. She was troubled that we still knew nothing about what happened to her uncles remains, so she started to reach out to people online at military chat sites. Michelle Root (R), with friend Peggy Griffin and Rep. David Young (R-Iowa) after the Make America Great Again rally in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Oct. 9, 2018. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Angel Mom Glad to Support Trump at Iowa Rally COUNCIL BLUFFS, IowaMichelle Root loved that President Donald Trump held a rally in her hometown of Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Oct. 9. She has met with the president several times about illegal immigration and attended the rally to show her support. Just to show my support to our great president and everything hes done for us, Root said after the rally. How hes helping people who have been affected by illegal immigrants. Roots daughter, Sarah, was at a stop light on Jan. 31, 2016the night of her college graduationwhen a drunk, unlicensed driver, traveling almost 70 miles per hour in a 35-mile zone, slammed into her vehicle. The man who killed her19-year-old Edwin Mejiawas in the United States illegally. He was subsequently let out of jail on a $5,000 bond and has not been seen since. At the Oct. 9 rally, Root was sitting right behind the podium, but she wasnt sure whether the president spotted her in the crowd. A family friend did let him know that Id be here to support him, she said, but added that she wasnt requesting any special treatment. As with many loved ones of victims of illegal alien crime, Root has become an unintended activist against illegal immigration and sanctuary cities. She has found support with congressmen from Iowa and Nebraska and was on stage with then-candidate Donald Trump in 2016. Root said she hopes the Senate can pass legislation that has already passed the House. The two bills she mentioned passed last summer, but have yet to hit the Senate floor. One is Kates Law, named after Kate Steinle, who was fatally shot by an illegal alien in June 2015. The bill would increase the penalties for illegal aliens who attempt to re-enter the United States after deportation. The second is the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, which aims to punish officials who implement sanctuary policies in their jurisdictions. I still have high hopes that the Senate will do something, Root said. Because as far as our president, hes done everything that he can do. She said she feels 100 percent supported by the administration. I appreciate everything he does, and I appreciate him standing firm and sticking to his guns and not backing down, she said. Hes keeping promises, and I respect that. Root attended the rally with Peggy Griffin, whose husband, Dan, received Sarahs heart. The two families met for the first time on July 29 this year, on Dans 64th birthday. In a previous interview, Root said her son had recorded Sarahs heartbeat before they took her down to donate her organs. So, to have that, and to hear it beating again and tape record it, would be so, so special, she said in an interview on Nov. 12, 2017. Root said she had been nervous about meeting the recipient of Sarahs heart. People always ask me if Im nervous if I talk with the president or meet the congressmen or senators or anybody like that, and I always say no, she said. But this was different. I was nervous meeting them because its very important for me that they like me, she said. I dont care if anybody else likes me, but they have a piece of my daughter, so I need them to like me. They do. Root said she has gained a family in the Griffins, which was evident by the sisterly bickering going on between her and Peggy after the rally. We instantly bonded, were like one big family now, Peggy said. Its wonderful. It was hard at first, because I didnt know how they would take meeting us, because you know, they lost a daughter, and I cant even fathom that. Bankruptcy of China Bohai Steel Threatens Chain Reaction in Industry, Finance Move puts 105 creditors in northern port city of Tianjin at risk With nearly $28 billion in unpaid debts, China Bohai Steel has begun to file for bankruptcy, in a process that will affect 48 factories and 105 creditors in Tianjin, a port city of 15 million people located near Beijing. Bohai Steels bankruptcy process, which began in September, could have serious repercussions for the Tianjin financial sector, as it owes debts to seven major regional banks, including the Beijing Bank, Tianjin Bank, Tianjin Binhai Rural Commercial Bank, China Construction Bank, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, Industrial Bank, and Bank of China. The Beijing Bank, Tianjin Bank, and Tianjin Binhai Rural Commercial Bank each own more than 10 billion yuan (about $1.5 billion) of Bohai Steels debt, while each of the other four banks owns 6 billion yuan (about $870 million) to 10 billion yuan of debt. Other major creditors include the Northern Trusdebtt, Tianjin Trust, and National Trust, altogether owning more than 2 billion yuan (about $300 million) in Bohai Steels debt. The steel giant also owes Jizhong Energy 1.2 billion yuan (about $174 million), and Jibin Development 620 million yuan (about $90 million). Bohai Steel was founded in July 2010 by the Tianjin government through the merger of four major local state-owned steel companiesTianjin Steel Pipe Group, Tianjin Iron & Steel Group, Tianjin Tiantie Metallurgy Group, and Tianjin Metallurgy Group. At the founding ceremony, Bohai Steel received a 100 billion yuan credit limit from state-owned banks. Yang Dongliang, Tianjins deputy mayor at the time, expressed official thanks to the banks. In 2015, Yang was subject to investigation by the authorities. In 2017, he was sentenced to 15 years and made to pay a 2 million yuan fine for taking bribes and plundering the public treasury. Bohai Steel, the biggest state-owned steel company in Tianjin, was ranked 304th in the Fortune Global 500 in 2015 and 327th in 2014. With robust support from the Tianjin government, Bohai Steel received credit from different financial entities, but the company ran into operational difficulties from day one. By the end of 2015, Bohai Steel owed 200 billion yuan to its creditors. In January 2016, the Tianjin authorities organized a meeting of financial entities, where the latter were asked to commit long-term and constant support to the steel industry. The meeting caused alarm among executives, and some entities withdrew credit from Bohai Steel. In an effort to save the company, the Tianjin government tried to swap Bohai Steels debt for stock, but that effort failed as well. Chinas steel industry, the largest in the world, is a critical part of the Chinese regimes state-planned economy and one of the main drivers behind the mass construction of infrastructure and housing throughout the country. Since 2012, however, the steel industry has been suffering heavy losses as demand cools. In April 2016, Xu Zhongbo, a professor of metallurgy at the University of Science and Technology in Beijing, told the New York Times that the situation of Bohai Steel as an example of how the banks are now hijacked by the company. Xu said that when its too difficult to find an economic solution to revitalize a state-run company, it falls to the government to use its political power. But Bohai Steel evidently hasnt been afforded this treatment. Bohai Steel is the third-largest state-owned steel enterprises to go bankrupt in the last two years. Dongbei Special Steel filed for bankruptcy in 2016 after Chairman Yang Hua committed suicide in March 2016. Chongqing Iron and Steel went bankrupt in July 2017. Tianjin is a coastal metropolis in northern China and one of four municipalities that are administered at the provincial level by the Chinese regime. Before-and-After Footage Shows Mexico Beach After Hurricane Michael Stunning before-and-after footage has emerged of Mexico Beach, Florida, which was hammered by Hurricane Michael. Weather Channel forecaster Chris Dolce posted the footage, showing the Florida Panhandle citys structures completely gone in the wake of the Category 4 hurricane. Other before-and-after footage emerged. https://twitter.com/GregPostel/status/1050403962938150912 Panama City, Apalachicola, and Port St. Joe were all hard-hit during the storm, which had 155 mph winds. This is (was) a house in Mexico Beach before Michael hit pic.twitter.com/LFmJgW5SZ9 Brian L Kahn (@blkahn) October 10, 2018 Mexico Beach is gone. Its gone, said Brooke Baldwin, the CNN reporter in the video at the top of the article. Its obliterated its awful to look at. She captured the storm via a helicopter. Ive never seen anything like this I see smoke in the distance. This is all Mexico Beach, she added. The footage showed numerous homes totally destroyed by the hurricanes winds and storm surge. Trees were also flatted by the storm. Hurricane Michael, now a tropical storm, hit near Mexico Beach at around 2 p.m. on Oct. 10 with 155 mph winds, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). Thats enough to make it a strong Category 4 storm, but some meteorologists said that the storms minimum central pressure of 919 millibars could make it a Category 5 storm. A Category 5 storm is defined by 157 mph or greater winds. Some forecasters said that Michael was likely the strongest hurricane to hit the Florida Panhandle in recorded history, and meanwhile, it was one of the strongest storms to hit the United States in history. Mexico Beach took the brunt, FEMA Administrator Brock Long said via the Weather Channel. Thats probably ground zero. The NHC said the storm is currently swirling over North Carolina and South Carolina, producing heavy rainfall and high winds. According to reports on Oct. 11, at least two people died during the storm. More than 900,000 customers were left without power in the southeastern United States. This morning, Floridas Gulf Coast and Panhandle and the Big Bend are waking up to unimaginable destruction, Gov. Rick Scott told The Associated Press. So many lives have been changed forever. So many families have lost everything. This hurricane was an absolute monster. Scott urged Floridians not to go home yet due to search-and-rescue and recovery efforts in the area. I know you just want to go home. You want to check on things, and begin the recovery process, Scott told AP. But we have to make sure things are safe. Long said that now, search-and-rescue operations are a priority, adding, The powers not going to be on for a while, the Weather Channel reported. Attorney General of Ontario Caroline Mulroney addresses the Empire Club of Canada regarding the federal legalization of cannabis, in Toronto on Oct. 9, 2018. (The Canadian Press/Nathan Denette) Canada in Brief, Oct. 11-17 Ontario to launch public awareness campaign on pot legalization Ontarios attorney general says the province will launch a public awareness campaign when recreational cannabis is legalized to promote social responsibility and highlight the dangers of using the drug. During a speech at the Empire Club, Caroline Mulroney said the ads will begin running next week and will emphasize the rules around pot use and measures to protect children. Last month, the Progressive Conservatives announced they were moving to a private retail sale model, shifting away from the previous Liberal governments plan to sell pot in publicly owned shops. Mulroney says the Liberal plan would have failed because there would not have been enough stores open after legalization to compete with the black market. NB Greens say no deal with Liberals or Tories Premier Brian Gallant will convene a new session of the New Brunswick legislature on Oct. 23, but he has been unable to come to a formal agreement with the Greens in his bid to stay in power. Gallants Liberals won 21 seats in last months provincial electionone fewer than the Progressive Conservatives. The Green Party and the Peoples Alliance each won three seats, but neither has been able to negotiate any official coalition with the main parties to secure a majority. Green Leader David Coon says after days of discussions with both the Liberals and Tories it became clear the conditions for a formal agreement were not present. No plans to remove crucifix from Quebec legislature The incoming Coalition Avenir Quebec government says it has no intention of removing the crucifix that hangs behind the Speakers chair in the legislature. Simon Jolin-Barrette, a spokesman for the transition team, says there is no contradiction between the new governments plan to impose strict secularism rules on certain public servants and its desire to maintain the crucifix. He says the crucifix, which has hung in the national assembly since the 1930s, is part of Quebecs heritage. Ford holds rally to mark first 100 days as Ontario premier Doug Ford marked his first 100 days as Ontarios premier with a rally at the heart of the so-called Ford Nation on Oct. 9 Ford, who officially took the reins on June 30 after promising to reduce government waste without cutting jobs or services, hosted the rally in his riding of Etobicoke-North. Over 100 days ago, we promised we would put more money in your pockets, and for the past 100 days, that is what we have done, he told the jubilant crowd. Most importantly, the cap-and-trade carbon tax is finished, done. No matter what, we always fight to keep the governments hands out of your pockets. With files from The Canadian Press Rheumatoid arthritis is an immune system disorder that causes debilitating swelling and pain in the joints. Its less common than osteoarthritis, which happens when cartilage on the ends of bones wears down over time. Smoking has long been linked to an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis. But the new study suggests that secondhand smoke may also increase this risk. Altogether, the study involved 71,248 women, including 371 who eventually developed rheumatoid arthritis. Current and former smokers who were not exposed to smoke as children were 38 percent more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis than those who had never smoked. When current or former smokers were also exposed to secondhand smoke during childhood, they were 67 percent more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. Among women who never smoked at all, exposure to secondhand smoke during childhood was associated with a 43 percent higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis compared with no secondhand smoke exposure growing up, although this difference was not statistically significant, meaning it was too small to rule out the possibility it was due to chance. In adults exposed to active smoking, the mechanism leading to rheumatoid arthritis onset is quite well understood, said study co-author Dr. Marie-Christine Boutron-Ruault of the INSERM epidemiology and population health research center at Paris-Sud University in Villejuif, France. Rheumatoid arthritis happens when the immune system thats supposed to attack invaders like bacteria and viruses mistakenly attacks healthy cells. In adult smokers, changes in some proteins in the air cells of the lungs are thought to trigger this autoimmune activity, leading to rheumatoid arthritis, Boutron-Ruault said by email. It is highly likely that the phenomenon described in adult smokers occurs similarly in passively exposed children, Boutron-Ruault added. The triggering of autoimmunity in children might not be restricted to rheumatoid arthritis risk, and could possibly increase the risk of other autoimmune diseases. For the study, researchers examined survey data collected every three years, starting in the 1980s. Participants were 50 years old on average when they joined the study and about 54 percent of them had never smoked. About 14 percent were current smokers and 32 percent were former smokers. The study wasnt designed to prove whether or how secondhand smoke exposure during childhood might cause rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers also relied on women to report their smoking history and tobacco exposure during childhood, and self-reported information may not be as reliable as data from lab tests or medical records. Its also possible that secondhand smoke exposure during childhood increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis just because it leads to more cumulative years of smoke exposure among people who smoke as adults, said Jill Norris, a researcher at the Colorado School of Public Health in Aurora. While its not clear that avoiding smoke exposure during childhood can prevent rheumatoid arthritis in the future, there are many other good reasons not to expose kids to secondhand smoke, Norris, who wasnt involved in the study, said by email. The general advice is that if a parent is going to smoke, they should not smoke in the home or in the car when their children are riding with them, Norris said. It is also important to ask any caregivers (nannies, relatives, etc) to do the same. U.S. President Donald Trump at a Make America Great Again rally in Wilkes-Barre, Penn., on Aug. 2, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) China Seen Bringing Unprecedented Attempts at Interference in US Elections With Election Day less than a month away, voters are being bombarded with mailers and television ads by candidates hoping to collect their vote. But in the 2016 presidential election, the internet and social media emerged as a new battleground to influence voters. In that forum, it isnt just politicians or even ardent local supporters stumping on behalf of candidates or ideas. Foreign countries with ulterior motives have injected themselves into online spaces to sow discord and attempt to influence the outcomes of the United States democratic elections. Following the 2016 election, the focus was on Russian attempts to influence the outcome. But heading into the 2018 midterms, Chinanot Russiaappears to be the biggest threat of foreign influence. China absolutely is exerting unprecedented effort to influence American opinion, Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen said at a Senate hearing on national security on Oct. 10, in response to a question about election integrity. They are bringing everything they have to bear. They are playing a long game. They are trying to influence us in every way possible. FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose agency is responsible for addressing outside influence to American elections, highlighted the threat from China. I think China represents the broadest, most complicated, most long-term intelligence threat we face, Wray told a Senate committee on Oct. 10. It affects every sector of our economy, every state in the country, and just about every aspect of what we hold dear. Both comments echo the claim President Donald Trump made last month at the U.N. Security Council when he shocked many by calling out China for attempting to meddle in the midterm elections. They [China] do not want me or us to win, because I am the first president ever to challenge China on trade, Trump told the Security Council. Last month, Trump imposed tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports, and China responded with tariffs on $60 billion in American imports. But China is fighting back with more than just tariffs. On Sept. 23, China Daily, an English-language state-run newspaper, ran a four-page advertorial in the Des Moines (Iowa) Register. In a clear effort to influence Iowa voters, an article claimed the trade war was forcing Chinese importers to buy soybeans from South America. I dont like it when they attack our farmers, and I dont like it when they put out false messages, Trump told reporters on Sept. 26 at the U.N. But, besides that, we learned that they are trying to meddle in our elections. And were not going to let that happen, just as were not going to let that happen with Russia. Trump has vowed to fight any Russian interference, but he may not need to wield as heavy a hammer as he does with China. In the post-election review of Russian meddling, Facebook found over the nearly two-year period from June 2015 to May 2017, only $100,000 was spent on approximately 3,000 ads that likely originated out of Russia. Wray pointed out at the Senate hearing why China is actually the bigger threat. Russia is, in many ways, fighting to stay relevant after the fall of the Soviet Union, Wray said. They are fighting todays fight. China is fighting tomorrows fight. China may be fighting tomorrows fight, but the Trump administration is fighting back today. On Oct. 4, Vice President Mike Pence gave a blistering speech at The Hudson Institute calling out China for attempting to exert influence in the United States. There can be no doubt: China is meddling in Americas democracy, Pence said. To put it bluntly, President Trumps leadership is working; and China wants a different American president. Pence noted the intelligence community found China is using wedge issues, such as trade and tariffs, to divide officials at the federal and local level. He said Beijing is trying to shift Americans perception of Chinese policy by mobilizing covert actors, front groups, and propaganda outlets. They are even threatening to deny a business license to a major American corporation unless that company speaks out against Trump policy. According to Pence, an estimated 80 percent of the U.S. counties targeted by China voted for Trump in 2016. That could have an effect not only on next months midterms, and also in the 2020 presidential election. But our voting machines and election infrastructure appear to be safe from Chinafor now. We have not seen, to date, any Chinese attempts to compromise election infrastructure, Nielsen said. Watch Next: Communist Chinas Secret Blueprint to Destroy America Communist China is quietly waging a war against the United States A merchant ship sails along the Panama Canal, in this file photo. China is continuing its push to displace U.S. influence in the region, and already has put parts of the Panama Canal under its control. RODRIGO ARANGUA/AFP/Getty Images China, the US, and the Panama Canal News Analysis Tensions between the Chinese regime and the Trump administration, already taking the form of an escalating trade war, now appear to be intensifying in Central America and the Caribbean, creating a new wrinkle in a temperamental and volatile relationship. At a moment of acutely strained relations with China, the United States sent strongly worded messages of discontent to three Central American nations that have recently normalized relations with China. On the anniversary of the TorrijosCarter Panama Canal Treaty, on Sept. 7, the State Department recalled Roxanne Cabral, the U.S. Charge dAffaires in Panama. Also recalled for consultation in Washington were the U.S. ambassadors to the Dominican Republic and El Salvador, Robin Bernstein and Jean Manes, respectively. Each diplomat represents the United States in countries that have switched their diplomatic relations to China from Taiwan within the last year. According to the communique issued by the State Department, the diplomats were scheduled to meet with U.S. Government leaders to discuss ways in which the United States can support strong, independent, democratic institutions and economies throughout Central America and the Caribbean. For some in the region, the tone of the statement implies the concern that Chinese largess may be undermining institutional stability in these countries. One area of concern for the Trump administration is the pace at which countries are breaking off diplomatic ties with Taiwan and normalizing relations with China. Beijing refuses to maintain diplomatic ties with countries that recognize Taiwan, a self-ruling island of 23 million people off the mainlands southeastern coast that the Chinese regime considers to be a renegade province. Taiwan has had longstanding diplomatic and economic ties in Latin America, but the trend is shifting in favor of Beijing. El Salvador cut ties with Taiwan in August, the Dominican Republic in May, and Panama last summer, leaving Taiwan with just 17 formal diplomatic allies. While Washington switched its formal diplomatic ties from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 and adheres to the One China Policy, it also continues to maintain a de facto embassy in Taiwan called the American Institute. More critically, the United States sustains a strategic alliance with Taiwan, including the sale of arms to the self-governed island and a pledge to protect it in the event of a military conflict. For years, Taiwan was a crucial element in a U.S.-led cordon sanitaire around China and the Panama Canal. Panamanian Problem In addition to the change in diplomatic recognition by Panama, the United States is increasingly concerned that the Panamanian government has already made extensive concessions to Chinese interests along the Canal Zone, with 43 percent of the free-trade zones activities currently under Chinese control, according to Euclides Tapia, a University of Panama international-relations professor. The United States is also uneasy about a number of other joint ChinesePanamanian accords signed in the areas of finance, economic cooperation, railways, and industrial matters. Many of these accords are being made by the Panamanian executive, without consulting the countrys national assembly. The lack of scrutiny and democratic due process in these accords also worries some Panamanian business and political forces. Critics of these accords in Panama believe the Central American countrys growing indebtedness to China will lead to Chinese interests building a fourth set of locks in the canal. According to Tapia, the Chinese want to construct a fourth set of locks, but the constitution doesnt recognize that, so theres no need for legislative approval. They are already conducting a feasibility study without anyones approval. In other words, theyll indebt us up to our necks and that canal wont be Panamas until it pays what it owes, Tapia said in local newspaper La Estrella de Panama. The Chinese regimes practice of leveraging billions of dollars in debt to obtain critical assets, economic dominance, and political influence in Asia has alarmed a growing chorus of critics in the Americas, as well. A recent report by Harvard University researchers cites a growing number of countries with debts too large to pay back, allowing Beijing to acquire strategic assets or political influence over debtor nations. In one example, a port in Sri Lanka built with Chinese loans was leased to Chinese state-owned firms for a period of 99 years to help repay the countrys multibillion-dollar debts. The same could conceivably happen in other indebted countries. One concern for U.S. national security interests is that such facilities could have multi-use purposes and could go from commercial, to logistical, and possibly even military use. The stakes in the Panama Canal are high. The United States major anxiety is control of access to transoceanic shipping. That has always been a strategic geopolitical interest of U.S. foreign policy, and the merest threat that a powerand an adversarial one at thatcould have that control is untenable for U.S. national-security interests. Many national-security analysts believe the prospect of a canal with a military base from an adversarial nation located in the Western Hemisphere could unleash a geopolitical crisis. Chinas intentions to build a canal through Nicaragua have been routed. Financial and other considerations have all but ended the possibility of a Chinese-owned and controlled canal through that nation. China has long had other proposed projects, including state-of-the-art rail lines and other transport infrastructure, to help its transoceanic trade, but a transoceanic canal remains a priority. As China works to achieve its aims in the Americas, tensions with the United States are likely to escalate. A deteriorating relationship has been aggravated by the volatile terms of trade and a host of other conflicts. The latest exchange of diplomatic communiques and warnings by the superpower in the region may mean a renewed interest in the region and a possible shift in the center of gravity between the United States and China. Fernando Menendez is a writer and analyst of ChinaLatin America relations based in Washington. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. I came back in January of this year and joined other former dancers from the group that returned to dance for the 35th anniversary of Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl, said Janeth Barba, who danced with the group from 1996 to 2005. The purpose was to invite former dancers to be part of this celebration and have dancers from different generations participate in the show. Chinese Grain Production Fell Sharply This Summer, Officials Say Chinas summer grain yields dropped by more than 3 million tons this year compared with 2017, representing a significant decrease in production, at a time when Beijing aims to reduce its reliance on imports from the United States. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China (NBS), total nationwide grain production in summer 2018 was 138.72 million tons, representing a net decrease of 3.06 million tons, or 2.2 percent, from 2017. The production of summer grain per unit area was 5,194.9 kilograms (about 11,500 pounds) per hectare, or a reduction of 1.6 percent when compared with 2017. Exacerbating the problem is that some local governments seek to trick inspectors from the central authorities by showing them select grain silos laden with harvest, while others stand empty. In more egregious cases, local authorities have been known to set fire to their granaries in order to claim losses to natural disaster and conveniently cover up low yields. According to the official website of the State Grain and Material Reserve Bureau, as of Sept. 25, the total harvest of wheat in principal agricultural regions was 48.139 million tons, a year-on-year decline of 22.406 million tons, or almost 47 percent. In primary production areas, the long-grained rice harvest was 7.689 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 1.155 million tons, or 15 percent. For rapeseed, the total was 1.104 million tons, a year-on-year decline of 137,000 tons. China is a major food importer. Even in ideal circumstances, its domestic food production falls far short of meeting demand. Chinas General Administration of Customs announced at the beginning of this year that China imported a total of 130.62 million tons of grain in 2017, an increase of 13.9 percent since 2016 and a record high. Among them, total imports of soybeans were 95.53 million tons, net imports of rice stood at 4.03 million tons, wheat at 4.42 million tons, and corn at 2.83 million tons. Meanwhile, in the same year, Chinese grain exports totaled 2.8 million tons. According to the World Bank, Chinas total grain demand will reach 670 million tons in 2020 and 700 million tons in 2030. Even if China can maintain its historical peak harvest of 620 million tons, it will still encounter grain shortages. The decreases in production bode ill for Chinese regime leaders, who are currently embroiled in a long-term trade conflict with the United States, one of Chinas biggest economic partners. Noteworthy is that in the NBSs 2017 Summer Grain Production Report, data on the wheat yield for that year was recorded, while the 2018 report included only the production figures for various types of grains (including wheat) during the summer, as well as the total production of all grains in 2018. The actual reduction in wheat production from 2017 isnt known. While Chinas summer grain production has fallen, local governments try to create the false impression of having produced an abundance of grain. On Oct. 9, Radio Free Asia (RFA) quoted a Beijing resident called Mr. Xu as saying that not long ago, someone told me that the local government had deceived higher authorities, claiming that they were unable to sell all their foodstuffs. After their superiors came [to inspect], the local government just moved the food from the east to the point of inspection, creating the false impression of an abundant harvest. Xu added: The price of grain in Beijing is rising, it is rising quietly. The food problem is a big issue and a very important one. Ms. Wang, from Xinghuo Farm, Fuyang City, Hubei Province, told RFA: Now the costs of fertilizers, pesticides, harvesters, and so on are very expensive. Farmers risk losing money, so they are not willing to cultivate their land. Chinese Spy Extradited to US for Attempt to Steal Tech from Leading US Aviation Firms A Chinese spy working for Chinas Ministry of State Security (MSS) has been charged with four counts of conspiring to commit economic espionage and steal trade secrets from leading U.S. aviation and aerospace companies. According to a U.S. Department of Justice announcement on Oct. 10, Xu Yanjun was a deputy division director within MSS, Chinas primary intelligence agency. Xu was arrested in Belgium in April and recently extradited to the United Statesthe first ever such case for a Chinese MSS official, according to U.S. Attorney Benjamin Glassman. He will face trial in federal court in Cincinnati, Ohio. According to the court indictment, Xu, who went by aliases, including Qu Hui and Zhang Hui, was assigned by the MSS to obtain technical information, including trade secrets, from U.S. and European aviation and aerospace companies, for the interests of the Chinese government. He often concealed his identity by presenting himself as being associated with Chinese universities or organizations such as the Jiangsu Science and Technology Promotion Association. Since at least December 2013, Xu and his co-conspirators worked to identify aviation technology that was desired by Beijing, according to the indictment. Xu and the others then targeted engineers and experts working at those aviation companies, and paid them to provide trade secretsoften under the guise of inviting the expert to travel to China and give a university presentation on the technology, for the sake of exchanging ideas. In reality, the presentations were for the benefit of the Chinese government, the indictment said. In an Oct. 10 press release, the Justice Department identified one such U.S. company targeted by Xu: GE (General Electric) Aviation, based in Evendale, Ohio. The court indictment does not name GE Aviation but the description of victim company A makes it all but certain. Xu wished to obtain trade secrets involving in the manufacturing of jet engine fan blades, on which GE spent decades and billions of dollars in research. In fact, Beijing has targeted aircraft and aircraft components as one of ten tech sectors that it wishes to develop aggressivelyas part of its Made in China 2025 industrial plan to transform China into a high-tech manufacturing hub. The U.S. administration has pointed to this plan as evidence that Beijing has systematically stolen intellectual property from U.S. companies to advantage itselfand the reason why the United States is enacting punitive tariffs on Chinese imports. In March 2017, Xu and others recruited a GE employee to travel to Nanjing City, near the eastern coast of China, to give a presentation on GE Aviations signature material design and manufacturing technology, according to the indictment. Xus co-conspirators told the employee that they wished the presentation to focus on highly technical information such as how a material would be applied for use in aeroengines. With Xu paying $3,500 for the presentation and all expenses during the Nanjing trip, the GE employee made the presentation to the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronomics, which is operated by the Chinese regimes Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. After the presentation, Xu continued to try to extract critical information from the employee, including how certain research data could be applied to engine production. In April this year, while traveling to Belgium to meet with the employee and receive the sensitive information he wanted, Xu was arrested. Xu faces a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment for the economic espionage charges, in addition to 10 years for the charges of theft of trade secrets. He could also face financial penalties. This case is not an isolated incident. It is part of an overall economic policy of developing China at American expense. We cannot tolerate a nations stealing our firepower and the fruits of our brainpower. We will not tolerate a nation that reaps what it does not sow. said Assistant Attorney General John Demers in the press release. This is the latest in a string of economic espionage cases involving Chinese nationals stealing information beneficial to Beijingthough an indictment of an intelligence officer within the Chinese Communist Party is rare. Watch Next: Communist Chinas Secret Blueprint to Destroy America Communist China is quietly waging a war against the United States A manhunt was underway for 20 ethnic Uyghurs from China who made a daring escape from an immigration detention center in Sadao district, Songkhla Province in Thailand on Nov. 21, 2017. (Tuwaedaniya Meringing/Getty Images) Malaysia Releases Uyghur Detainees to Turkey in Defiance of Beijing KUALA LUMPURMalaysia has freed from detention 11 ethnic Uyghur Muslims who fled to the southeast Asian nation after a Thai jailbreak last year, and sent them to Turkey, their lawyer said on Oct. 11, disregarding Chinas request to hand them to Beijing. The move is likely to strain ties with China, already tested by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Since his stunning election victory in May, he has canceled more than $20 billion worth of projects awarded to Chinese companies. Prosecutors in Muslim-majority Malaysia dropped immigration charges against the Uyghurs on humanitarian grounds; they arrived in Turkey after flying out of Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 9, their lawyer Fahmi Moin said. The charges were withdrawn because the attorney generals chambers agreed to the (appeal) from our side, he told Reuters. Malaysias immigration department, home ministry, and attorney generals office didnt immediately respond to requests for comment; Chinas foreign ministry also didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. The men had been detained and charged with illegally entering Malaysia after last Novembers daring prison break, in which they punched holes in a prison wall and used blankets as ladders. In February, Reuters reported that Malaysia was under great pressure from China to deport the men there, citing sources. Some Western missions sought to dissuade Malaysia on the transfer to China, which has been accused of persecuting Uyghurs. China is believed to be holding up to one million ethnic Uyghurs, the United Nations human-rights panel said in August. Uyghurs and other Muslims are held in concentration camp-like facilities, known as re-education centers, are forbidden from using Islamic greetings, must learn Mandarin Chinese, and also sing propaganda songs, according to a report by Human Rights Watch. U.S. lawmakers have proposed legislation on Oct. 10 that urges President Donald Trump to condemn gross violations of human rights and to press for closure of the re-education camps in Xinjiang. The proposal would place sanctions on China that include banning sales of U.S.-made goods or services to Xinjiang state agents and the barring of certain Chinese entitiesincluding the Xinjiang police bureaufrom purchasing U.S.-made equipment that might be used for surveillance. Xinjiang has been transformed into a vast security state, packed with police stations, street cameras, and security checkpoints at which electronic identity cards are scanned. The Chinese regime has used the excuse of potential Islamic threats, extremism and ethnic riots to crack down on the Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups, especially in Xinjiang. Over the years, hundreds, possibly thousands, of Uyghurs have escaped the unrest by traveling clandestinely via Southeast Asia to Turkey. The Uyghurs in Malaysia were part of a group of more than 200 detained in Thailand in 2014. Although they identified themselves as Turkish citizens and asked to be sent to Turkey, more than 100 were forcibly returned to China in July 2015, sparking international condemnation. In February, Malaysia said it was considering Chinas request to extradite the 11 men. In the past, it has sent some detained Uyghurs to China. Their detention came as Malaysia drew closer to China under former Prime Minister Najib Razak. But 93-year-old Mahathir, in his second stint as premier, has been vocal in supporting Muslim communities against persecution. By A. Ananthalakshmi. Epoch Times staff Emily ONeill contributed to this report. Democratic congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks with reporters after her general campaign kick-off rally on Sept. 22, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York. (Don EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images) Democrats Embrace Socialism in Battle to Win Midterm Elections With less than a month to go before the 2018 midterm elections, the Democratic Party is attempting to make the most of its opposition to President Donald Trump as its best chance for electoral victory. Most of the partys candidates for all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and the one-third of the Senate thats in play are supporters of the anti-Trump resistance. A growing number of those candidates favor policies that are in sync with far-left radical groups such as the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), the largest socialist membership organization in the United States. In the past two years, grassroots opposition to Trump at the partys base of activists has pushed Democrat officeholders steadily to the far left end of the political spectrum, with a concomitant embrace of socialist policies. Many Democratic Party candidates competing in local and state races also are increasingly running to the extreme left this year. Multi-Tiered To achieve their electoral goals, the Democrats are employing a multi-tiered approach. In conservative states that voted for Trump in 2016, the party has nominated candidates who project moderate images but who, in most cases, default to socialist positions. In reliably blue states such as Massachusetts and New York, Democratic candidates are openly proclaiming a commitment to socialism. A prominent example of a Democrat candidate running in a red state is occurring in Texas. U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke, frequently described as Kennedyesque, is challenging the Republican incumbent, Sen. Ted Cruz. Cruz currently leads ORourke by six points, according to the latest Real Clear Politics average of polling data. According to the Texas Observer, ORourke had high praise for socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), calling him the absolute champion of single-payer health care in the United States, and his presidential campaign transformational [and] the catalyst for the conversation this country has needed to have for a long time. Future of Our Party The most prominent socialist running as a Democrat this year is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the 28-year-old former bartender who won a primary election last June against 10-term incumbent Rep. Joseph Crowley in New York. Her political resume includes membership in the DSA and working for Sanders when he ran for president in 2016. An avalanche of mostly favorable mainstream coverage of Ocasio-Cortezs primary win and her assured victory in the midtermssince the Republican opposition in her New York City district is only tokenhave quickly brought her to the fore as a potential new leader of the party. After her primary victory, DNC Chairman Tom Perez enthusiastically declared Ocasio-Cortez as representing the future of our party. Not coincidentally, her heightened profile has also helped to attract thousands of new members to the DSA. In an email last August, Diana West, the author of American Betrayal and a nationally syndicated columnist, described the DSA as both communist and Marxistand progressive and Alinskyite and Fabian, as wellin the sense that all of these groups and factions seek to remake America according to the same socialist, centrally planned, varyingly totalitarian vision. Presidential Candidates In addition to new insurgent candidates, many prominent Democrats already serving in Congress have been acting like far-left socialists since Trump took office on Jan. 20, 2017. Meanwhile, a number of potential candidates for the 2020 Democratic nomination for president also support radical positions advocated by socialists, such as Medicare for All, the abolition of ICE (the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Immigration and Customs Enforcement), increasing the minimum wage to $15, and free college for all. As a result, far-left socialist policy proposals are making significant inroads in the Congress. In 2013, Sanderss proposal of Medicare for All had no co-sponsors in the Senate. Today, more than one-third of Democratic senators have signed on, including some top potential contenders for the partys 2020 presidential nomination such as Sens. Cory Booker (N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), and Kamala Harris (Calif.). While none of these senators except Sanders identifies as a socialist, they all enthusiastically embrace one of the DSAs primary goals, government-run single-payer health care. H.R. 676, a single-payer proposal in the House sponsored by Democratic National Committee Deputy Chairman Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), similar to the one in the Senate, has 122 co-sponsorstwo-thirds of House Democrats. Forty-two people [are] running for offices at the federal, state, and local levels this year with the formal endorsement of the Democratic Socialists of America, the organization says, according to an article by the Associated Press Steve Peoples. They span 20 states, including Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, and Michigan. Democratic socialism has become a significant force in Democratic politics. On Oct. 9, the DSAs website listed 28 Democrat Party candidates that its formally endorsed. All of them have had to undergo an in-depth DSA vetting process to establish their socialist bona fides. In Florida, the Democratic candidate for governor, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, like ORourke, has declined to say if he is a socialist. As an editorial in National Review cautioned, however, Gillum is campaigning as a member of the Sanders/Ocasio-Cortez wing of the party: He wants to abolish ICE, raise the minimum wage to $15, pass single-payer health care, and increase taxes across the board. Inside/Outside This past summer, author Trevor Loudon (who is a contributor to The Epoch Times) exposed the Left Inside/Outside Project, organized by a collaboration of U.S. communist and socialist organizations, including the DSA, with the objective of building power inside and outside the Democratic Party. In 2017, the DSA outlined an ambitious new plan of its own to elect open socialists by running them as Democrats. The official minutes of the 2017 DSA convention noted that it commits the NPC (National Political Committee) to expand the work of the National Electoral Committee in supporting chapters efforts to develop and run viable openly socialist candidates for office (either in Democratic primaries or as independents). Last November, Politico cited a DSA official, Daniel Moraff, who said, We are here to win elections. In Kansas, an openly socialist candidate, James Thompson, a military veteran, civil-rights attorney, and former bouncer in a country music bar, won the Democratic primary and is running against incumbent Republican Rep. Ron Estes. Last July, a campaign rally in Wichita for Thompson was the first stop for the partys newest star, Ocasio-Cortez, joined by her mentor, Sanders, as she began traveling around the country to support and raise money for local socialist Democratic candidates. As The Guardian reported in an article titled They thought this was Trump country. Hell no, Through the thick cement walls of the downtown Wichita convention hall, we heard 4,000 Kansans roar in anticipation of speeches by Sanders, Thompson, and Ocasio-Cortez in support of Thompsons run for Congress. While recent polls have shown Thompson far behind his Republican opponent, the grassroots energy and the attention that his campaign has generated in a deep red state would seem to point to a positive future. Anti-Semitism in the Mix A dirty little secret about the socialist left, which now includes many Democrats, is their frequent embrace of anti-Semitism. As Chris Pandolfo wrote in the Conservative Review last September: As insurgent hard-left socialists become the face and the future of the Democratic Party, their connections to anti-Semitic organizations and attitudes are becoming more apparent. Gillum, for example, has aligned himself with several prominent anti-Semitic organizations known for promoting boycotts of Jewish goods and individuals, according to Adam Kredo of the Washington Free Beacon. Ayanna Pressley, a socialist Democrat congressional candidate in Massachusetts in the Ocasio-Cortez mold, who defeated 10-term progressive Rep. Michael Capuano in the September primary, held a campaign event outside of a radical mosque in Boston last July. In the past, the mosque has hosted events such as one last February titled The Secret Relationship between Blacks and Jews: The Homosexual Conspiracy! On Aug. 7, Palestinian-American Rashida Tlaib, another open socialist and DSA member, won the Democratic primary in Michigans 13th Congressional District and is running unopposed in the November elections. She will be the first Muslim woman member of Congress. According to In These Times, in answer to a question about defense policy, Tlaib said, I dont support military operations. What Tlaib does support is the Palestinian cause, including the right of return, a one-state solution, and BDSthe radical left boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement against the state of Israel. In March 2018, the Family Research Council issued a report, Left-Wing Anti-Semitism, which described BDS as a movement that has devolved into a full-bore attack on Israels existence, Zionism, and on Jews themselves. In 2018, it has been said by many observers, among them CNNs Chris Cillizza in an article on the cable news channels website, that this isnt your fathers Democratic Party. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill Wednesday, March 6. Holder said he supports more transparency on the administration's drone programs and expects President Obama will raise the issue in the near future. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Eric Holder, Former Obama AG, Tells Crowd to Kick Republicans Eric Holder, attorney general under President Barack Obama, told a crowd that they should not be civil to Republicans but instead kick them. After noting Michelle Obamas saying, When they go low, we go high, Holder said, No. When they go low, we kick them. Thats what this new Democratic Party is about, he added. Were in this to win, he added. And the reality is if we dont win, people who are less committed, less idealistic, less imbued with the values that make this nation really great, will run this country. Holder, who was speaking at a campaign event for Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Adams, a Democrat, later said he doesnt want people to do things that are illegal, although physically assaulting people is illegal. The exhortation is the latest from Democratic leaders telling people to confront elected officials amid a wave of violence and threats against GOP leaders. Hillary Clinton told CNN this week, You cannot be civil with a political party that wants to destroy what you stand for, what you care about. Thats why I believe, if we are fortunate enough to win back the House and or the Senate, thats when civility can start again, she claimed. President @realDonaldTrump responding to Democratic rhetoric: When I hear Holder making a statement like he made today, I think its a disgrace. And Hillaryshe just doesnt get it. She never did. She never will. And thats why she lost the election. pic.twitter.com/phrZ4qIh48 Fox News (@FoxNews) October 11, 2018 President Donald Trump condemned the remarks in an interview with Fox News late Oct. 10. When I hear Holder making a statement like he did today, I think its a disgrace, he said. And Hillary, I really understand. She just doesnt get it. She never did. She never will. And thats why she lost the election. He also said that the other side was to blame for disruptions at his rallies. My rallies have been very peaceful and even at the beginning when there seemed to be conflict, they sent paid people to disrupt our rallies, Trump said, reported Mediaite. And when you do that, you know, bad things happen. But they were the ones that started everything. So noo, it wasnt us. It was totally the other side. I would have a rally and paid people were going into those rallies causing trouble. And in many cases, it didnt work out so well for those people. Following Clintons remarks, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a speech on the Senate floor on Oct. 10, that her remarks were encouraging mob tactics, reported Fox News. The far-left mob is not letting up. Earlier today, former Secretary of State Clinton sent this signal as clear as day. She told CNN exactly how she views millions of Americans who hold different political views from her own, McConnell said. No peace until they get their way? More of these unhinged tactics? Apparently, this is the lefts rallying cry. But fortunately, the American people know that the fact-free politics of hate, fear and intimidation are not how we actually govern in our democratic republic. The Senate and the nation will not be intimidated. Pattern of Violence, Threats Violence and threats have become more common in the Democratic party and their supporters, with a number of incidents happening recently. On Sept. 24, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) was dining with his wife Heidi in Washington when a group of far-left people linked to Antifa approached and harassed them, forcing them to leave the restaurant. The pattern of mobs confronting Republican officials in restaurants dates back to earlier this year. Jackson Cosko, who allegedly doxxedrevealed personal details including home addressesof three Republican Senators, was arrested and revealed on Oct. 3, to be a longtime Democrat staffer who worked for Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), among others. William Clyde Allen was arrested and charged on Oct. 5, for sending letters to the Pentagon and President Trump, saying he wanted to send a message. The parcels contained castor beans, which are used to make the poison ricin. Sen. Cruz received a similar letter. Samantha Ness, a Minnesota teaching assistant called for someone to step up and assassinate newly confirmed Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on Oct. 6, while a writer for Stephen Colberts Late Show, Ariel Dumas, said she was glad unsubstantiated sexual assault allegations ruined Kavanaughs life. Minnesota teacher who wrote "So whose gonna take one for the team and kill Kavanaugh?" resigns https://t.co/RIKyEzwUrn The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) October 10, 2018 And Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) was threatened and yelled at during the Kavanaugh confirmation battle and after she announced her support for him. Democrat leaders have for the most part not condemned the violence and threats; a number have done the opposite, besides Clinton and Holder. 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.) told supporters in July to get up in the face of some congresspeople, a call condemned by the wife of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who recently revealed shes taken to sleeping with a gun because of the threats shes received. Rand Paul was attacked in his home in Nov. 2017. And Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) refused to condemn the pattern of harassment during an interview with CNN after she was asked, Should the going after people at restaurants stop? stating: This is what happens. From NTD.tv Falun Gong March in Zurich Delivers Message of Hope Switzerland: Parade in Zurich Raises Awareness of Falun Gong Persecution in China The sidewalks of downtown Zurich were filled with pedestrians who stopped to watch and record the whirlwind of colors from a marching band. The European Tian Guo Celestial Marching Band led a procession on Oct. 5, to help raise awareness of the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) persecution of Falun Gong. With this parade we want to show the world and people of Zurich what is actually going on in China, said Manu Huwyler, Event PR Manager. For the last 19 years, there has been a persecution of those who practice Falun Dafa. Falun Gong was founded in northeast China in 1992. It is a traditional Chinese spiritual discipline that involves slow exercises and teachings based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. According to several western media outlets quoting Chinese officials, there were as many as 100 million practicing Falun Gong in 1999. Then-party leader Jiang Zemin felt threatened and vowed to eradicate it. He launched a large-scale persecution of Falun Gong that continues until today. They shouldnt be afraid to have their own opinion, and to consider what is valuable in your own life, said Lauren Bouden, a graphic design student. I hope for all who are affected by this persecution that they are strong enough to endure, said Elsa Hohn, a middle school teacher. What they are doing is simply nothing evil. In general, I would say to Chinese people, stay open, stay alert, eyes open, ears open, and see what really happens. Dont let yourselves be influenced by the talks of the CCP. Stay strong, you have to hold on, nurse Dejcz Megi added. NTD News, Zurich, Switzerland Customers look at the iPhone XS and XS Max models at an Apple store in Hangzhou in China's eastern Zhejiang Province on Sept. 21, 2018. (STR/AFP/Getty Images) Fraudulent Schemes Abound in China to Profit From High Demand for Apple Devices While China is one of the most important markets for U.S. tech giant Apple, the country has long been home to criminal rings that make and sell fake iPhones. According to an Oct. 9 report by San Francisco-based digital media The Information, organized teams in China have been running sophisticated schemes in which they buy or steal real iPhones, remove components such as CPU or logic boards from the phone, and replace the parts with fake components. Then, the fraudsters return these manipulated iPhones to Apples retail stores, claim that the devices were broken under normal conditions and ask for a replacement. The components that were stripped from real iPhones are then used in making knockoff iPhones, some of them sold on online markets as used or refurbished devices. In an interview with The Information, Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit, a tech repair site based in California, equated the behavior of these thieves to people running a so-called chop shop, where stolen automobiles are stripped down and their components are sold for a profit. Apple learned of the fraud scheme in 2013 when its store in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen received more than 2,000 warranty claims in a week, including repair and replacement requests, according to The Information. At first, store employees would simply swap a replacement for broken iPhones, as long as they didnt appear to be intentionally damaged. But the scheme became apparent when Apple discovered that more than 60 percent of the replacement iPhones were registered with new Apple IDsa sign that these replaced phones never made it to the hands of the original customers, but were instead being quickly sold to others. There were instances where the thieves paid people to act as real customers and stand in line at the Genius Bar, the tech-support station at Apple stores. The hired actors were given manipulated iPhones to request replacement phones from Apple. The actors would then pass the new phones to the fraudsters. Since discovering the schemecommon throughout Apple stores in China and Hong Kong, Apple has put in place some preventive measures, such as a reservation system whereby iPhone customers who wish to file a warranty claim must make an online appointment with proof of ownership. But this system was exploited by Chinese hackers who snapped up reservation time slots. Another system involved having store employees run a diagnostic analysis on iPhones that customers wanted to return, to detect if there were any fake parts within them, without having to disassemble the device. But the thieves came up with countermeasures to evade detection, such as disabling the phones so they couldnt be turned on. Fraudsters also attempted to return older iPhones outside of their warranty periods by etching fake serial numbers on the backs of iPhonesnumbers that fraudsters obtained by either bribing Apple store employees or sending phishing emails to them. A phishing email involves the sender, disguised as a trustworthy entity, tricking the email receiver into providing his or her personal information, such as username, password, or credit-card information. On one occasion, Apple hired security guards to escort its employees to and from an Apple store in Chengdu, the capital of southwestern Chinas Sichuan Province, after one of the employees was threatened with a cattle prod after the employee refused to cooperate with a warranty-fraud scheme, according to The Information. Currently, Apple has in place countermeasures during its manufacturing, such as coating the phones CPU with a waterproof sealant and the phones batteries with a special dye. Both the dye and sealant can only be seen under a special light, which is a way to check the authenticity of these components during repairs. According to The Information, Apple was able to lower the percentage of fraudulent warranty claims in China to 30 to 50 percent by 2016compared to 60 percent at the peak of the fraudulent activity. However, the percentage was still much higher than in the United States, where fraudulent claims were estimated at 5 to 10 percent. Other Apple Frauds in China Chinese criminals have devised other creative fraud schemes involving Apple products. One involves Apples app store, according to a May investigative report by Chinas state-run newspaper Beijing Business Today, to cheat Apples refund policy on accidental purchases, which includes apps, in-app products, or other media purchases. The newspapers reporter went undercover with an experiment. After spending 2,000 yuan (about $290) to buy some in-app items for an unidentified online game available for download on the Apple app store, he sought out a company that claimed to be in the business of specifically helping people get refunds on purchases made through Apples app storeby claiming the purchase was accidental. To help the reporter get a refund for his purchase, the company requested the reporters email address and password associated with his Apple ID account. It also asked the reporter to set up his phone so that incoming calls would automatically be transferred to the companys phonefor the purpose of having the company talk to Apple customer service when they called. The company would be able to persuade Apple that the purchase had been accidental. In the end, the reporter received a refund of 1,400 yuan (about $202) from Appleand he didnt have to surrender the items he had purchased. The reporter paid the company 700 yuan (about $101) for its service. There are even in-person classes that teach people the jargon needed to convince Apple customer service that their purchases on apps were accidental. According to Beijing Business Today, some of these classes are divided into different levelsintroductory, medium, and advancedwith the advanced level promising higher success rates of cheating Apple of its refund policy. One introductory class costs 800 yuan (about $115), while an advanced class costs 6,888 yuan (about $995). Other schemes involve ways to resell stolen iPhones. In December 2017, police in Shenzhen busted an organized crime ring spanning 28 provinces, arresting 57 suspects and seizing more than 2,800 stolen iPhones, according to Chinas state-run Science and Technology Daily. Among those arrested were people in the illegal business of unlocking stolen iPhones by bypassing the phones Apple ID login. One of the arrested, only identified as Mr. Fang, said he would send phishing emails pretending to be Apple customer service to the original owners of iPhones he had stolen. That way, he could obtain their Apple IDs and passwords. Mr. Wen, who was arrested in Sichuan, said he charged several hundred yuan for unlocking an iPhone. Wen and nine other accomplices, all in the illegal business of unlocking iPhones, had profited by more than 2 million yuan ($288,842) when they were arrested by police during the December 2017 raid. Another article by Beijing Business Today published in April 2016 exposed how authentic iPhone 6 models could be repackaged and sold as iPhone 6Sa more expensive model. An unidentified cellphone repair shop owner in Zhongguancun, a technology hub in Beijing, explained how it was done: the hard casing of an iPhone 6 can be removed and repackaged with the casing from an iPhone 6S. Then, a fraudster could change the phones original IMEI number (International Mobile Equipment Identity)every genuine mobile device has a globally unique IMEI while counterfeit phones either dont have an IMEI or have a fake oneto a different number that could be verified on Apples database. At Huaqiangbei, a district in Shenzhen known for the massive number of vendors selling both real electronic products and knockoffs, an unidentified vendor told the Beijing Business Today that refurbished iPhones, packaged together from components stripped from other iPhones, are often sold as new iPhones by Chinese criminals. A refurbished 16G iPhone 6S would sell for 4,450 yuan (about $642), which was about 800 yuan (about $115) cheaper than a real iPhone 6S sold through Apples website. French Baguettes Butter Up UNESCO for Cultural Heritage Status Fiercely proud French bakers, fearing their artisanal expertise is under threat from poor-quality, mass-produced bread, are pushing for the traditional French baguette to be recognized by UNESCO as a piece of intangible cultural heritage. Man may not live by bread alone, but the iconic French stick is a mainstay of meals across the country, from homes to corner cafes to the elegant tables of the Elysee Presidential Palace. Artisanal baker Mahmoud Mseddi should know. His baguette was crowned winner at Pariss most recent best baguette awards, earning him the right to supply the national symbol to President Emmanuel Macron and his distinguished guests. But Mseddi and his fellow craftsmen say that traditional French bread is under threat from industrially-produced knock-offs, and now he is among those calling to have it inscribed in UNESCOs lists of intangible cultural heritage to protect it. The National Confederation of Bakeries and Patisseries has put together a proposal to have the baguette added to the list, which already includes the production of Neapolitan pizzas, Iranian and Turkish flatbread, and Arabic coffee. Macron has already voiced his support for the idea, and now the Paris Town Hall is also on board, according to the assistant to the mayor in charge of commerce and craftsmanship, Olivia Polski. Whats next? The procedure is a lengthy one, requiring the National Confederation of Bakeries and Patisseries to deliver an application to the Council of Paris, then to the Committee for Immaterial and Ethnological Heritage. After that, it is up to the Minister for Culture to present the application to UNESCO for consideration. The aim of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists is to protect and maintain cultural diversity in the face of globalization. They include oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, and methods of traditional craftsmanship. Google, Facebook, Twitter Shifted to Censorship From Free Speech, According to Leaked Google Document Large online platforms including Google, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter have shifted their principles toward censorship and moderation from a position of protecting free speech, according to a Google research document leaked to Breitbart. The document, titled The Good Censor, argues the platforms have pinned themselves between two incompatible positions: Create unmediated marketplaces of ideas and create well-ordered spaces for safety and civility. While the platforms had previously sided with the former position, they have since shifted from descriptors such as neutral, aggregator, and platform, to politicized, editor, and publisher. However, the companies have resisted the publisher designation because it would make them legally liable for user-submitted content. The document says the companies have followed the calls of users, governments, and advertisers who demand increased censorship. Free Speech as Utopian Principle? The document paints internet users as a group that generally behaves badly, and demands more censorship and government control. While it could be that the misbehaving users arent meant to be grouped with those who demand censorship, the document doesnt make that distinction. The document acknowledges theres also a group who disagrees with censorship, but it only uses controversial tweeters and members of the far-right as examples. Well-behaved supporters of free speech with moderate views seem absent from the analysis. Instead, the researchers portray the idea of free-speech principles online as utopian, saying free speech becomes a social, economic and political weapon in the hands of bots, trolls, and faceless users. Have it Both Ways Tech companies appear to be moving away from facilitating an environment for the free exchange of ideas, in exchange for an environment that is safe. We must continue to make improvements to our service so that everyone feels safe participating in the public conversationwhether they are speaking or simply listening, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said in his Sept. 5 written Congress testimony. Free speech, on the other hand, necessitates people to be willing to endure offense and discomfort, in exchange for open and honest discourse. The only principle I can imagine working is where harm is interpreted to mean physical or commercial injury, but excludes personal, religious, or ideological offense, wrote Jason Pontin, former editor-in-chief and publisher of MIT Technology Review in a 2013 essay on free speech on the internet. Online platforms appear to be pursuing the kind of credibility that curated outlets have. We must ensure that people can trust in the credibility of the conversation and its participants, Dorsey said. The document also noted that users have trust issues with digital platforms implicated in the spread of fake news. Yet, online platforms profit from free, user-submitted content that was never intended to be relied upon or scrutinized in the way that traditional news media are. If the companies embrace the editorial process that boosts the credibility of traditional media, they will likely lose protections under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which provides broad legal immunity from the content posted by the platforms users. By some measure, the companies have already started to curate. Twitter is suppressing search results for content that it deems low quality. YouTube and Google News both discriminate in favor of select news outlets they deem more authoritative, most of which are left-leaning. Demand Civility, Offer Transparency The Google paper recommends the company to be open about how much it censors and inform users when it shifts to less or more censorship. Shifting blindly or silently in one direction or another rightly incites users fury, it states. It recommends that Google should avoid taking sides and enforce censorship regardless of politicsa position the tech giants already claim to have, but hardly live up to. The document also recommends to police tone, instead of content. People are asking you to oversee safe spaces that still encourage debate, it states. It doesnt, however, address the situation where people politely express views that others find offensive and discomforting. The document also suggests that Google needs to better explain its use of censorship and be more responsive to peoples complaints. Furthermore, the document argues that Google should explain how it wants people to behave. Facebook, Twitter, and Google didnt do what every other hospitality organizer has done, in saying: Were this sort of place, this is the type of speech we would like to see here, and you are part of a community when you join us. We hope you enjoy it and we hope that you make it pleasant for other people, as well. Here are some ways that you can do that, the paper cites Pontin as saying. The document acknowledges, however, that these few companies control a majority of the online conversation. By setting the tone of the conversation on their platforms, theyd be setting it across a large swath of the internet by default. Finally, the paper recommends that Google flag controversial content, rather than censor it. People are asking for empowering tools that help them identify contentious issues and content, rather than platforms that control conversations, it stated. It isnt clear if Google is willing to accept the recommendations. An official Google source told The Epoch Times the document was part of internal research by its Brand Studio team, and not an official company position. Google is committed to free expressionsupporting the free flow of ideas is core to our mission, a Google spokesperson told The Epoch Times via email. Where we have developed our own content policies, we enforce them in a politically neutral way. Giving preference to content of one political ideology over another would fundamentally conflict with our goal of providing services that work for everyone. Update: The article was updated with a response from Google. 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. Greece Bans Overweight Tourists From Riding on Donkeys Greece has banned overweight tourists from riding donkeys on the popular island of Santorini, after campaigners complained the animals were suffering from spinal injuries and open wounds. The countrys Ministry of Rural Development and Food has published a new set of regulations regarding the wellbeing of donkeys. These include that donkeys giving tourists rides in Santorini should not carry any loads heavier than 100 kilograms (220 pounds), or one-fifth of their weight. The animals should not be loaded with a weight excessive in size, age or physical condition, the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food has instructed, according to CNN. Visitors to Greece ride the donkeys as a tourist attraction and as a practical way to get up the islands steep slopes and see the sights. Activists have fought against the practice, saying that letting the donkeys carry heavy tourists amounts to animal cruelty. An online petition claimed the donkeys were forced to stand around in the sun in their own feces and were whipped by handlers to speed up while carrying tourists too lazy to just walk or take a cable car. Since its creation over a year ago, the petition has garnered over 100,000 signatures. A spokesman for the charity, Help the Santorini Donkeys, told the Mirror Theyre having to resort to using cross-bred mules, as the donkeys just arent strong enough. Obese and overweight tourists combined with the lack of shade and water, heat and cobbled steps is whats causing such a problem. The Donkey Sanctuary, a British charity that works to prevent cruel treatment toward the animals, launched a campaign called #DonkeyDefender to combat what they said was ill-treatment at the hands of muleteers. It's time to stand up for the donkeys and mules of Santorini. Pledge your support and become a #DonkeyDefender https://t.co/xKhgLkenbh pic.twitter.com/Rq3nJbLvkV The Donkey Sanctuary (@DonkeySanctuary) June 22, 2018 We recently visited the island of Santorini to assess the conditions of these hardworking animals. Despite our long-standing efforts, we were dismayed by the conditions we witnessed, the organizations website said. Members of the charity met with Greek government officials in August to discuss the welfare of the animals. With the holiday season coming into full swing, exhausted donkeys and mules are spending long days in the scorching sun, carrying tourists or heavy and harmful rubbish loads, with little to no water, food or shade. With this disappointing evidence, now is the time to increase our efforts to support the needs of these diligent donkeys and mules. Now lawmakers in Greece have responded by issuing the new guidelines. 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 bulletin states, according to the Mirror. 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. Elisavet Chatzi, a volunteer who earlier this year participated in a protest in Santorini over donkeys treatment hailed the move as a very big step and added, all our hard work has paid off. 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, she said, according to the Mirror. Not all activists believe the new guidelines will effectively prevent animal suffering. Throwaway Gesture A representative of animal rights group PETA told CNN the move is a throwaway gesture that wont prevent the daily suffering that these donkeys endure. Donkeys can still be forced to carry a person weighing 15 stone 10 pounds (220 pounds) up more than 500 steep steps four to five times a day, said Mimi Bekhechi, PETA UKs director of international programs. Santorini, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece, has struggled to deal with swelling numbers of visitors and the associated strain on ill-adapted infrastructure. Officials have imposed a daily tourist cap on cruise passengers to the island in an attempt to restrict the number of visitors. Some argue that for Greece, with its recent brush with bankruptcy, tourism is a crucial financial lifeline and its associated problems are a necessary evil. But the proposal has met with some concern from downtown merchants who said because the kiosks would have national advertising, it could actually hurt the local businesses. Also, they said the proposed price quoted by Smart Media for local advertising is high and possibly prohibitive for smaller merchants. So-called heat-not-burn devices are designed to heat disposable tobacco sticks and give users the taste of tobacco without the smoke or ash. For the study, researchers analyzed data submitted by Philip Morris International to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration when the company was trying to win regulatory approval to market its I-Quit-Ordinary Smoking (IQOS) product as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. The FDA has yet to weigh in on whether Philip Morris can sell its IQOS device as a lower-risk cigarette alternative. But an expert scientific panel convened by the FDA recommended against such a move earlier this year, and the new study offers fresh evidence of health risks associated with IQOS. When smokers switched from traditional cigarettes to heat-not-burn devices, researchers didnt find any evidence of improvements in lung function or reductions in inflammation that can signal tobacco-related blood vessel damage. Even if a patient could switch completely from regular cigarettes to heat-not-burn products, Philip Morris Internationals own data shows that there will continue to be significant health risks associated with these products, said lead study author Dr. Farzad Moazed of the University of California, San Francisco. Although quitting smoking is challenging, there are many other options for smoking cessation that are more effective and safer than the use of these products, Moazed said by email. There is evidence that IQOS may reduce exposure to certain harmful chemicals, Moazed said, a point Philip Morris emphasized in a statement released after the FDA advisory panel decision. (bit.ly/2O0S42z) Philip Morris also disputed the study authors conclusions. The totality of evidence available on IQOS supports that it is likely to present less risk of harm compared to continued smoking, Philip Morris said in an emailed statement to Reuters Health. This includes a significant reduction in inflammatory response and favorable changes in lung function. (bit.ly/2QPuiVF) Heated tobacco products, also known as heat-not-burn products, generate a nicotine aerosol by heating sticks made up of tobacco and other chemicals without lighting them on fire, Moazed said. While this reduces the amount of some of the harmful chemicals associated with smoking, it increases the levels of other chemicals, and the evidence to date shows that these products continue to result in harm. While theres limited data on the safety of IQOS relative to traditional cigarettes, and no long-term studies, the available evidence suggests that the devices are just as harmful to the lungs and immune system as traditional cigarettes, Moazeds team concludes in Tobacco Control. Its also unclear from research to date whether IQOS might help smokers quit, a factor that might influence how scientists think about the safety of these devices and other tobacco products sold as alternatives to traditional cigarettes. The human studies Philip Morris submitted to the FDA excluded people who were dual users of both traditional cigarettes and IQOS devices, the study authors note. Any safety advantage relative to traditional cigarettes might be diminished if people continue to smoke traditional cigarettes once they start using IQOS devices, said Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, a tobacco prevention researcher at Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, California, who wasnt involved in the study. We have no studies outside of Philip Morris on whether these IQOS will actually help people quit or on their relative safety, Halpern-Felsher added. People are unlikely to understand what switching completely means and that therefore they are likely to be misled, by any safety claims that are contingent on smoking cessation. By Lisa Rapaport From Reuters The steel works near Gary, Indiana, on the shore of Lake Michigan in February 2018. The EPA considers Gary and other similar towns to be victims of environmental injustice, but economic and policy decisions are more the cause of the degradation of the city. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) How Environmental Justice Hurts Poor Communities Part II In my last article, we talked about the development project, what it meant to the low-income community that would host the project, and the care we took to keep big, project-killing environmental NGOs on the sidelines. Getting the project approved, even without the environmental NGOs stepping in, took a lot of effort. The state permitting authority was extra careful with the project because they were justifiably wary of how the public and media would react. These days, complying with all applicable regulations and proving that your project will not cause any air quality violations isnt good enough. State and local agencies spend a lot of time worrying about optics when a project attracts public attention. Public relations types worry about optics, not scientists. The sad fact of environmental regulation in America today is that public relations counts far more than science, far too often. This is especially the case when a project involves low-income, minority communities where the trigger issue of environmental justice is always lurking just below the surface, a public relations landmine ready to explode when someone in the project development process unwittingly says the wrong thing or attracts the wrong kind of attention. Chicken and Egg Situation Environmental justice is the proposition that low-income, minority communities are unfairly marked for heavy industrial development that causes those communities to bear a disproportionate load of the pollution generated by the facility. Ironically, this is often the case in many developing nations, but isnt and hasnt been the case in the United States for a long time. Low-income neighborhoods in America are indeed located near heavy industrial sites like steel mills and refineries, but now we enter into a chicken and egg argument. Did the low-income neighborhood develop around a big steel mill that first opened in the 1900s because thats where real estate was cheap? Or, did the steel mill pick that spot in the 1900s because there was a low-income neighborhood waiting to be exploited? If you do a deep dive, you find that the former almost always explains the dynamic. U.S. Steels Gary Works, the largest integrated steel mill in the United States, is an all too typical example of the phenomenon. When Gary Works opened in 1908, the city of Gary, Indiananamed after U.S. Steel chairman Elbert Garyblossomed. Jobs were plentiful and as the mill expanded, the city grew in both prosperity and population. Then, in the sixties and seventies, the global upheaval in the steel industry stripped American jobs in this industrial sector. Gary transformed from wonderfully prosperous to desperately poor in the space of a couple of decades. Families with sufficient income to leave Gary did so in droves. Only the most destitute remained because that was the only place they could afford to live. Though the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers Gary, and other towns like it, as victims of environmental injustice, thats not the source of Garys problems, nor is the arbitrary imposition of so-called environmental justice the solution. Gary is the victim of poor economic and policy decisions, both at the public and private level. Environmental issues, to the degree that they might actually exist, are an effect, not a cause. A Death Sentence The call for environmental justice and the Obama-era EPAs obsession with the concept did far more harm to low-income, minority communities than almost anyone realizes. Hanging the environmental justice tag around the neck of a community was, and is, a virtual death sentence in terms of economic development. Worse, environmental justice is an inherently flawed concept. It presumes that either: 1) the multi-faceted structure we have in place to create and enforce environmental standards are scientifically defensible, but are selectively enforced, or 2) the multi-faceted structure we have in place to create and enforce environmental standards are screwed up. In other words, if the rules are right, enforce them equallyeverywhere. If the rules or wrong, fix them. We should not create two separate and unequal classes of environmental protection based on the concept that we are incapable of identifying and addressing either problem. At this point, you may be wondering: what happened with the project that formed the backdrop of this two-part series? Did it happen? Did it do all the good we expected? Sadly, the answer is that 2008 happened. We got the permit to build just a few months before the housing bubble exploded and the Great Recession kicked in. After the bottom-dropped out, things changed radically in the world of finance. If you had a $500,000 project to produce solar-powered jet-packs, you had a very good chance of glomming onto stimulus money. If you were upside down on your $200,000 mortgage, HARP (Home Affordable Refinance Program) could help you out. Anything in between? Financing in the middle, for the kind of projects that keep the GDP growing, dried up to a trickle and my project was just another victim of that reality. I am convinced that had we gotten the permit six months earlier, we would have gotten the financing the project needed. That would have been a game-changer for the community. But we didnt andI am also convincedthe reason we didnt was because the fear of being accused of environmental injustice stretched out the timeline just long enough to create economic injustice instead. Richard J. Trzupek is a chemist and environmental consultant as well as an analyst at the Heartland Institute. He is also the author of Regulators Gone Wild: How the EPA Is Ruining American Industry. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Hurricane Michael Downgraded Hits Georgia as Cat 3 , First Death Reported PANAMA CITY, FloridaThe first death on the U.S. mainland has been reported after Hurricane Michael claimed 13 lives in Central America earlier in the week. Authorities say a Florida Panhandle man was killed by a falling tree as Hurricane Michael tore through the state. Gadsden County Sheriffs Office spokeswoman Anglie Hightower says they received a call around 6 p.m. Wednesday, saying a tree had crashed through the roof of the mans Greenboro home and trapped him. Emergency crews were heading to the home, but downed power lines and blocked roads were making the trip difficult. Officials hadnt immediately confirmed the mans name. Florida Gov. Rick Scott says search and rescue teams are heading into the states hardest-hit areas to help survivors of Hurricane Michael. The storm has been downgraded to Category 3 as of Wednesday evening. The National Hurricane Center said Michaels eye crossed from the Florida Panhandle into southwestern Georgia as a dangerous Category 3 storm, the strongest to hit that part of the state in recorded history. Earlier, around 1:40 p.m, Hurricane Michael made landfall near Mexico Beach, Florida as a catastrophic Category 4 hurricane. Scott held a news conference Wednesday evening and urged people to stay off roads and leave them open to first responders as they begin the work of search and rescueand recovery. He says flash flooding and tornadoes are still possible, and says officials have heard reports of at least two tornadoes in Florida. Scott said at least 192,000 homes and businesses are without power, but vowed a massive wave of response with thousands of utility personnel fanning out to restore power, along with medical teams, law enforcement personnel and the search and rescue squads. More than 32,000 homes and businesses in Georgia were without power in the evening of Oct. 10 as parts of the state were beginning to feel the impact from Hurricane Michael. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Georgia Power said around 4:30 p.m. that 17,580 customers had lost power. Georgia EMC said that about 15,376 of its customers were also without power. For Georgia EMC, most of its affected customers were in five counties in southwest Georgia, where more than 13,500 customers were without power. In metro Atlanta, just 17 customers were without power. In an email, an EMC spokesperson said winds had caused trees to fall onto power lines, prompting the outages. Man Divorces His Wife After Spotting Her on Google Street View: Reports A man uncovered his wifes infidelity when he stumbled on a few pictures of her cuddling with another man on Google Street View in Peru, according to local media. The pictures had been taken five years ago. Ironically, He had been been looking for directions around the popular iconic location known as the Bridge of Sighs in the Barranco district of Lima, Peru. After seeing the images of her on a bench with a mystery man, he confronted her, and subsequently divorced her, according to many local South American reports that cite unverified reports on social media. Caught on a Bench The images can be verified, but not the story. None of the dozen or so local media reports carry interviews with the man, who is not identified. However, the pictures in question can be seen clearly on Google Street View in Barranco near the Bridge of Sighs. The images show a woman sitting on a bench with a man, caught by the camera in photos as it mapped the area. In most of the images she is sitting while he lies with his head in her lap. Street view blurs identifiable features, including house numbers, car registrations, and faces, but he was able to identify his wife from her clothes and build, according to the reports. The pictures are apparently from 2013. Some of the local reports said that the couple had already separated and that the pictures furnished him with evidence of her infidelity. When he confronted her, she admitted her transgression, according to the reports. Samurais and Penguins on a Bike According to AMP, the pictures confirmed warnings from friends at the time who said that they had seen her with another man. It isnt the first time that Googles mapping tool has brought unexpected revelations, from armed robberies, samurai swordsmen in battle, and penguins on a bike to pyramids and potential UFOs. A Russian woman in 2013 claimed to have found a picture on Google Street View of her fiance with his arm around another woman. According to the Mirror, Marina Voinova told Russian site LifeNews, First I noticed a familiar silhouette. First I thought, How can someone else look so similar to my Sasha?' I looked more carefully, zoomed in and saw that it was indeed him. I realized that he was lying and cheating on me all this time, she said. She called off the wedding and broke up with him. Earlier this year, a Mexican woman spotted her husband on Street View with his arms around another woman, according to the El Nuevo Herald. An armed robbery was captured by Google cameras in South Africa in 2015, as reported in the Independent. The sequence of images shows a white BMW pulling up behind a security vehicle in Johannesburg, before two men get out. A man can be seen pointing a handgun in through the open door of the vehicle. Man Planned Suicide Bombing at National Mall on Election Day: Feds A man in Tappan, New York, was arrested and accused with planning to blow himself up at the National Mall on election day. As alleged, Paul M. Rosenfeld concocted a twisted plan to draw attention to his political ideology by killing himself on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., risking harm to many others in the process, said U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman in a press release. FBI agents raided Rosenfelds home on Oct. 9 where they uncovered what appeared to be a functional explosive device in the basement that weighed about 200 pounds. They moved the large bomb to a safe location in Rockland County, and later came back to the home to collect the fusing system. Rosenfeld was charged with one count of unlawfully manufacturing a destructive device and one count of interstate transportation and receipt of an explosive, with each charge carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Rosenfelds alleged plan for an Election Day detonation cut against our democratic principles. Thanks to outstanding coordination between local and federal law enforcement, Rosenfelds alleged plot was thwarted and he is now in federal custody, Berman added. Sortition Rosenfeld had sent letters and text messages in August and September to a contact in Pennsylvania outlining his bomb plot in order to draw attention to his political belief in sortition, prosecutors said, court documents show (pdf). Sortition is a political process where government officials are selected at random from a group of qualified candidates. It was prevalent in ancient Greece. Authorities said Rosenfeld bought large quantities of explosive black powder via the Internet to be delivered to New Jersey. He then transported the powder from New Jersey to his New York home to build the bomb in his basement. Rosenfeld confessed to the suicide bombing plot on Oct. 9 after FBI agents pulled him over while he was driving. FBI had received a tip off about Rosenfeld by a concerned citizen, CBS New York reported. He told the FBI he used eight pounds of black powder in the bomb, and that he installed parts in the bomb to make sure he would be killed when he detonated it. Rosenfeld said he had previously built smaller bombs and tested them. He also said had he acted alone, and was not in affiliation with any other group. Officials said they believe he intended no harm to others. Had he been successful, Rosenfelds alleged plot could have claimed the lives of innocent bystanders and caused untold destruction, said FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William Sweeney. Fortunately, his plans were thwarted by the quick action of a concerned citizen and the diligent work of a host of our law enforcement partners and the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force. Rockland County district attorney Thomas Zugibe commented on the coordinated effort to arrest Rosenfeld. Cooperation among local, state, and federal law enforcement once again helped to thwart a sinister plot to kill innocent Americans, Zugibe said, according to USA Today. This latest case reminds us that we must remain vigilant every day against those who wish to target our way of life. From NTD.tv 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. More Evidence for the Real Collusion in the 2016 Election Comes Out Commentary Someone really likes reporter John Solomon of The Hill. While many in the media are chasing stories based on false narratives, trying to nail down a smoking gun for the supposed TrumpRussia election collusion they so desperately believe in, Solomon is over there in a corner breaking news that contains actual evidence. When somebody high up in either the White House or the Department of Justice (DOJ) is ready to bring out more evidence exposing the #SpyGate plot, Solomon is the reporter who is being brought in and shown the evidence so he can break the news. The only problem is, the evidence Solomon keeps being shown and that he keeps reporting on advances that other narrative, the wrong narrative: The narrative that just wont go away and die. The one that most of the mainstream media dismissed over a year ago as the vain and egocentric babbling of Carter Page. It was several weeks ago that Solomon dropped a bombshell report that was almost completely ignored by the rest of the news media: The source for much of the Christopher Steele dossiers TrumpRussia collusion information didnt actually come from a high-level government source inside Russia. Instead, Solomon reported that he got a look at notes written by the former No. 4 official at the DOJ, Bruce Ohr, in which Ohr related he was told by Glenn Simpson of Fusion GPS that the source for much of' the TrumpRussia information in Steeles dossier actually came from a former Russian intelligence officer who was living in the United States. That news was so stunning that I wrote an entire column about it. And then I did a follow-up column, which highlighted that Solomons revelation meant the FBI should have had no problem contacting and interviewing this former Russian intelligence officer if they made any real attempt to verify the Steele dossiers TrumpRussia information. Thats the information they used to obtain a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant on Carter Page, to legally spy on Trumps campaign team. Now, the intrepid Solomon is back with another scoop that hit the wire late on Oct. 7, that expanded on his earlier article a week previously. In this new report, Solomon lays out how DOJ/FBI officials, desperate to keep their involvement in the Steele dossier hoax hidden from scrutiny, made false claims of national security so they could redact meetings between top DOJ officials and lawyers from the law firm of Perkins Coie. In fact, as Solomon demonstrates in his report, there was no real national-security issue involved, but there definitely were political issues involved. The FBI knew it was receiving this Steele dossier information from Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committees top law firm, not from any intelligence agency or source. This means the FBI knew all along where the information they were about to present to the FISA court came from and who paid for it. And they took deliberate steps to hide that. James Baker, the FBIs former top counsel who resigned in the wake of the SpyGate scandal, is reported to have testified to exactly this in front of congressional investigators last week. The Middleman If youve followed the twists and turns of the Steele dossier story from the beginning, then you are aware its been known since October of last year that the Clinton campaign tried to hide its funding of the creation of the Steele dossier by political operatives at Fusion GPS, by running the funds through the Perkins Coie firm. So that has long been a matter of public record. Whats only been suspected until now, however, is that Perkins Coie also was used as a middleman to hand off the information in the Steele dossier so it could be given to the FBI without Clinton or the DNCs fingerprints all over it. So the law firm wasnt just used to hide where the money came from to pay for the creation of the TrumpRussia collusion hoax, it was also used to hide who it was that passed the information to the FBI so they could begin investigating it. What Solomons latest report reveals is that we can all now stop suspecting thats what happened, because there is now documentary evidence to what happened. A diagram of it would look like this: Hillary Clinton Campaign/DNC $$$ Perkins Coie Fusion GPS Christopher Steele Steele dossier Perkins Coie FBI FISA court Carter Page surveillance warrant. Monitoring The insurance policy idea that then-FBI agent Peter Strzok referred to in his texts with then-FBI lawyer (and his mistress) Lisa Page was actualized in the form of the FISA warrant on minor Trump team foreign-policy adviser Carter Page. With the two-hop rule in place, which allowed the tracing of all communications of the entire Trump campaign staff, Strzok and his cohorts were absolutely sure that during that court-approved surveillance they were going to find something they could use to impeach Trump with, in the unlikely event he won the 2016 election. Well, the unlikely event happened. Trump won the 2016 presidential election. So the insurance policy went into effect: DOJ/FBI counter-intelligence agents carefully monitored all of the Trump transition teams electronic communications from October 2016 to June 2017. To their amazement, they didnt find anything they could use to get Trump with. They uncovered no bribes being paid for top appointments or sweet pay-for-play deals with corporations or foreign leaders under the table. Instead of finding evidence to impeach Trump with, they ended up with nine months of nothing. (In other words, they failed to find all the kinds of stuff that wouldve been going on if Clinton had won.) No one was ever supposed to take a deep, serious look at the Steele dossier itself. It was created to feed a media narrative, and then it was decided to take it further by using it as evidence to get legal surveillance of Trumps campaign/transition teams from the FISA court. Nobody was ever supposed to know where that dossier actually came from and who paid for its creation. Right now, the DOJs inspector general, Michael E. Horowitz, has spent over a year carefully and methodically digging into the Steele dossier, how it was compiled, and how it was presented to the FISA court. Most of what we know about this entire sordid SpyGate scandal is due to evidence that Horowitz uncovered and handed to Congress, and is now being shown to Solomon. Horowitzs report is being prepared and could see release sometime soon. Carter Page has been saying for over a year that the entire TrumpRussia collusion election narrative is a political dirty trick launched by the Clinton campaign. Its hard not to see that all the evidence thats come out in the past year tends to make it look like hes going to be vindicated on that claim. 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. Passenger Plane Rolls Off Runway on Landing in Siberia MOSCOWRussian authorities opened an investigation on Oc.t 10, after a plane with 91 passengers on board rolled off the runway on landing in Russias far east. The Russian-made Sukhoi Superjet-100, which was on an internal flight, landed in the region of Sakha in the early hours of Wednesday, but then came off the runway for some reason, the transport ministry said. Footage showed the rear wheels of the aircraft had collapsed in the accident. Everyone on board was safely evacuated and nobody was seriously injured, the ministry said. Four people had sought medical attention. Photographs showed the badly-damaged planes tail and engines resting on the tarmac, its rear wheels crumpled underneath, and its front wheel suspended in the air. Evacuation slides had been opened. Possible reasons for the accident included ice on the runway or the air strips poor state of repair, sources cited by Russian news agencies said. Possible Faulty Part Prompts Pentagon to Ground F-35s The Pentagon has opted to ground its F-35 fleet after a crash investigation revealed a possible faulty fuel pipe. The 245 F-35 Joint Strike fighters used by the Marine Corps, the Navy, and the Air Force have all been taken off the flight line while the planes are checked for potentially faulty fuel tubes. The U.S. services and international partners have temporarily suspended F-35 flight operations while the enterprise conducts a fleet-wide inspection of a fuel tube within the engine on all F-35 aircraft, F-35 Joint Program Office spokesman Joe DellaVedova said in a statement. If suspect fuel tubes are installed, the part will be removed and replaced. If known good fuel tubes are already installed, then those aircraft will be returned to flight status. Inspections are expected to be completed within the next 24 to 48 hours, Military.com reported. According to CNN, the Air Force has 156 F-35 aircraft in inventory; the Marine Corps has 61 and the Navy has 28. CNN also reported that F-35s operated by U.S. allies will also undergo inspection. The Pentagon believes that only older models of the plane have the potentially dangerous part, but all the planes in operation will be inspected. The inspection is estimated to take up to two days. A new F-35B Lightning fighter jet takes off from the deck of the United Kingdoms new aircraft carrier, the HMS Queen Elizabeth on Sept. 27, 2018. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) Allies Also Checking F-35 Engines Other countries that use the F-35 in all its variants have also decided to inspect their planes fuel pipes. Israels Air Force said on Twitter that the planes were remaining on operational standby while they were inspected. Following an incident where an F-35 type B aircraft crashed two weeks ago in the United States, a technical investigation was held and its findings were shared with the IAF by the U.S. Joint Program Office (JPO). The findings indicate that the cause of the accident was a technical malfunction in the engines fuel pipe. The commander of the IAF, Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin, decided to take additional precautions and conduct tests on all F-35I aircraft, despite the accident having occurred in a model not used by the IAF and although no malfunctions have been found in IAF aircraft. The testing will take several days and once completed the planes will return to full operations. In the meantime, if the F-35I are required for operational action, the F-35I aircraft are ready and prepared. Following an incident where an F-35 type B aircraft crashed two weeks ago in the United States, a technical investigation was held and its findings were shared with the IAF by the US Joint Program Office (JPO). The findings indicate that the cause of the accident was a Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) October 11, 2018 The British Royal Navy recently took possession of some F-35Bs for use with its carrier fleet. As the US grounds its F-35 fleet, the British Royal Navy aboard the @HMSQnlz have checked their aircraft and are flying today, a source confirms. paul mcleary (@paulmcleary) October 11, 2018 The British Navy has already inspected all its planes and returned them to duty. Lockheed Martin Corporation, which manufacturers the F-35 Lightning II fighter plane, also issued a statement in connection with the grounding, Military.com reported. The statement read, in part, We are actively partnering with the Pentagons F-35 Joint Program Office, our global customers and Pratt & Whitney to support the resolution of this issue and limit disruption to the fleet. Pratt and Whitney makes the F-135 after-burning turbofan engine that powers the F-35. Military plane crash in Beaufort near Joe Allen Drive area. Appears to have crashed on a bluff/island owned by Clarendon Plantations. Not usually many people over there. Praying for the safety of all involved! pic.twitter.com/dM5a8v2lg1 Sam Richardson (@SamRichardsonAM) September 28, 2018 South Carolina Crash Prompts Inspection The inspection of the engines used in the F-35 Lightning fighters was prompted by a nonfatal crash that occurred in South Carolina on Sept. 28. A Marine Corps-operated F-35B, a short take-off/vertical landing model, crashed on Little Barnwell Island, about 5 miles from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, in Beaufort, South Carolina at around 11:45 a.m. on Sept. 28, Military.com reported. F-35 CRASH / U.S Military Marine F-35B fighter aircraft has crashed in Beaufort County, SC close to MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station) Beaufort, making this the first ever #F35 crash. Pilot is believed to have ejected, his condition unknown at his time. Kensely Crosby.@LeoShane pic.twitter.com/oMqd0eyBZL hscott61 (@hscott61) September 28, 2018 The pilot ejected and was not injured. He was evaluated at the scene and taken to Beaufort Memorial Hospital for a thorough examination before being released. There were no injuries and no structural damage on the ground at the crash site. Some have called the F-35 the most expensive weapons program ever, The Epoch Times reported. Reuters reported on Sept. 28, that Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon have an $11.5 billion contract to produce F-35 planes, lowering the price by more than 5 percent. Driving down cost is critical to the success of this program, said Vice Adm. Mat Winter, head of the Pentagons F-35 office. From NTD.tv The Soyuz-FG rocket booster with Soyuz MS-10 space ship carrying a new crew to the International Space Station blasts off at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, on Oct. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky) Russian Rocket Failure Raises Questions for Launch of Canadian Astronaut MONTREALRussia says it is suspending manned space launches pending a probe into a Russian booster rocket failure, raising questions about the fate of an upcoming launch that included a Canadian astronaut. U.S. and Russian space officials said NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos Alexei Ovchinin were safe after an emergency landing in the steppes of Kazakhstan following the failure early on Oct. 11 of a Russian booster rocket carrying them to the International Space Station. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov told reporters that the Soyuz capsule automatically jettisoned from the booster when it failed 123 seconds after the launch from the Russialeased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. He said all manned launches will be suspended pending an investigation into the cause of the failure, adding that Russia will fully share all relevant information with the U.S. The launch failure marks an unprecedented mishap for the Russian space program, which has been dogged by a string of other incidents. Canadian astronaut David SaintJacques had been scheduled to be on the launch of a Soyuz spacecraft on Dec. 20. A spokeswoman for the Canadian Space Agency said it has not received any information about SaintJacques mission and doesnt yet know what the impact will be on his impending launch. SaintJacques said in September that an air leak at the International Space Station was like a wakeup call to remind astronauts that all the training they go through is useful. The ability of the RussianAmerican crew to return safely after the latest mishap drew relief from senior Russian officials. Thank God, the crew is alive, Dmitry Peskov, Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesman, told reporters when it became clear the crew had landed safely. The space agencies said the astronauts were in good condition after their capsule landed about 20 kilometres east of the city of Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan. A woman pushes a pushchair past the the Sears department store at Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax, Virginia, on Jan. 7, 2010. (Larry Downing/Reuters File Photo) Sears Prepares to File for Bankruptcy as Early as Friday: Sources Sears Holdings is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as early as Oct. 12, sources said on Oct. 10, casting doubt over the future of what was once the worlds largest retailer and sending its shares to a record low. Negotiations between Sears Chief Executive Officer Eddie Lampert and the companys special board committee are at a standstill over the committees refusal to approve Lamperts rescue plan, the sources said. The committee is concerned it will be opening the company up to litigation, one source said. Once also the largest U.S. retailer, Sears sold everything from toys to auto parts to mail-order homes and was a key tenant in almost every big mall across the United States. It has suffered in the last decade because it did not specialize and was overtaken by online competition from Amazon and other retailers. Sears shares were down 36 percent at 37 cents. The stock, which traded above $100 a decade ago, has fallen to less than $1 in the past year. It warned in September for a second time that it could go out of business, hurt by falling foot traffic at its brick-and-mortar stores as customers shift online. The Wall Street Journal late Tuesday said Sears hired boutique advisory firm M-III Partners LLC to help prepare a bankruptcy filing before a $134 million debt payment comes due on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. Billionaire investor Lampert wants to restructure the debt without filing for bankruptcy protection because he views bankruptcy as risky for retailers, the paper said. The Journal also reported Lampert, who has rescued the company in the past, could make the payment to avert an in-court restructuring. Sears had no comment on the report. The Hoffman Estates, Illinois-based retailer has posted seven straight years of losses and its sales have not grown since the 2008 financial crisis. Lampert, who also owns hedge fund ESL Investment Inc, proposed deals to reduce the companys debt load to $1.2 billion from $5.6 billion in September. Lampert and ESL are the companys two largest shareholders. The Sears special committee is weighing a prior offer from Lampert to acquire the retailers Kenmore appliances brand and its home services business for as much as $480 million. Sears warned it could go out of business as it waits for approval from the committee on the deal. In another attempt to avoid bankruptcy, Sears last year sold its Craftsman tool brand to power tool maker Stanley Black & Decker for $900 million. Sears acquired discount chain Kmart in an $11 billion deal engineered by Lampert in 2004. Shares of real estate investment trusts (REIT) exposed to Sears properties also fell Wednesday. Seritage Growth Properties, which has master leases on 230 Sears stores, slid 5.5 percent, CBL & Associates Properties lost 1.6 percent and Pennsylvania REIT was down 1 percent. By Nick Zieminski Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for those 55 years old and over, $5 for those 13 to 20 years old and $3 for those 6 to 12 years old. Funds raised will benefit the organization. A visitor walks past a motherboard wall during the Computex Show in Taipei, on May 30, 2017. (SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images) Spy Chip Revelations Put Pressure on Taiwan-Based Tech Manufacturers to Exit China A bombshell report, published by Bloomberg on Oct. 4, claimed that microchips with spyware were being planted into server boards manufactured in China. Those servers were used by major tech firms such as Apple and Amazon, according to the report. Since the report was published, Taiwanese motherboard manufacturers have gone on alert, accelerating their plans to move production out of Chinaan undertaking many had already begun since the U.S.-China trade war threatened to impose tariffs on their goods, DigiTimes, a Taiwan-based news website covering the global IT industry, reported on Oct. 8, citing people in the industry that it didnt identify. The manufacturer of the allegedly manipulated servers, Supermicro, is a U.S.-based company that was founded by a Taiwanese engineer. It makes up more than 11 percent of the global motherboard server market. The companys motherboards can be found in MRI machines, weapons systems, as well as servers for banks, hedge funds, cloud computing providers, and more. In fact, many of the worlds major motherboard suppliersmost of them Taiwan-based companiesmanufacture their servers in mainland Chinese factories. While Apple, Amazon, and Supermicro have since denied the claims in the Bloomberg article, the report has exposed the security risks involved with manufacturing in China and vulnerabilities in the tech supply chain. Moving Out of China Inventec, a Taiwanese motherboard maker that supplies to computer brands such as Dell and HP, kicked off an expansion of its plant located in northern Taiwan back in September, according to the report. U.S. exports account for 20 to 25 percent of Inventecs motherboard shipments. Wistron, another Taiwanese manufacturer, was considering moving motherboard production to the Philippines, according to Japanese business publication Nikkei Asian Review. Meanwhile, Quanta Computer has already begun increasing production in U.S. and German facilities, and Foxconn, Compal, and Pegatron are among other Taiwan-based manufacturers with plans to relocate production out of China. Of the top 20 major corporations that export to the United States, 15 are corporations with capital from Taiwan, most of them science and tech firms, according to the Hong Kong Economic Times. And of the top 100 Chinese joint-venture corporations that exported to the United States last year, 40 percent were joint ventures with Taiwanese firms, which is a major reason why the Taiwan IT sector worries about the U.S.-China trade war. Supply Chain Safety The Bloomberg story has also highlighted the need for improved security for supply chains, according to an Oct. 5 report by market research firm IDC. Many U.S. companies depend on suppliers that manufacture in China. To prevent such security vulnerabilities in the future, U.S. firms will have to break that dependency, with a supply chain thats buttoned up, the IDC report stated. In a nutshell, it will raise the risk concern on outsourcing electronic manufacturing to China, Bernstein analyst Mark Li told EE Times, a news website covering the electronics industry, on Oct. 6. But the IDC reports authors note that given the complexity of supply chains, it may be difficult for companies to move manufacturing operations completely out of China. The complex supply chain is exemplified by Supermicro, which designs the motherboards in San Jose, California, but hires Taiwan-based contract manufacturers to make themmost of which have plants in China. Japanese business publication Nikkei Asian Review identified three of Supermicros Taiwan-based contractors: Universal Scientific Industrial, Wistron, and Orient Semiconductor Electronics. Chinas History of Hacking Supply Chains Despite Apple and Amazons denials, China has long exhibited the capability and willingness to exploit supply chains. In 2012, the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee warned how U.S. military performance was compromised by Chinese-made counterfeit electronic parts that dominated the U.S. defense supply chain. Spying through electronic devices is nothing new for China. In 2013, Chinese spy chips were found in electric kettles and irons that were exported to Russia. The chips could search for unsecured WiFi connections, granting access to cyber hackers. In 2014, cyber security firm TrapX discovered that a Chinese company had installed spy software in handheld scanning devices used for global shipping. The infected devices in the Zombie Zero case gave Chinese spies access to all corporate financial data, customer data, and shipping data on the infected systems. Police officers stand in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on Jan. 19, 2018. (Reuters/Eric Thayer/File Photo) Supreme Court Weighs US Right to Detain Criminal Aliens Long After Prison The government loses the right under federal immigration law to detain for deportation proceedings a lawful permanent resident convicted of a serious crime, if it fails to arrest the person the day he completes his criminal sentence, an ACLU lawyer told the assembled justices of the Supreme Court. It is appropriate for the government to detain the person the same day, Cecillia D. Wang, deputy legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union, said Oct. 10 during oral arguments before the court. Wang previously worked for left-leaning Justice Stephen Breyer. The ACLU is the left-wing civil-rights group that spent more than $1 million opposing the nomination of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who participated in the oral arguments. It was Kavanaughs second day of hearing cases at the Supreme Court after being confirmed by the Senate on Oct. 6. The case comes from California, a hotbed of resistance to President Donald Trumps drive to enforce the nations immigration laws and to undermine the practice of cities declaring themselves sanctuaries that harbor illegal aliens. The enforcement of long-neglected immigration laws is a priority of the Trump administration, which has intensified immigration-enforcement efforts in California. California isnt lifting a finger to help. The state now largely forbids cooperation with federal immigration authorities, presumably a violation of the U.S. Constitutions Supremacy Clause. State law there now imposes drastic restrictions on communications between local police and federal immigration authorities, including information regarding when criminal aliens are scheduled to be released from local jails. For years, jailers in California and in other sanctuary jurisdictions have been refusing to honor requests from U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE), a division of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to continue to detain persons scheduled to be released, pending transfer to ICE. In a high-profile case, felon and serial deportee Jose Ines Garcia Zarate was charged with killing Kate Steinle, 32, on a tourist-packed pier on July 1, 2015, after then-San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi, a Democrat, defied an ICE detainer notice and put the Mexican national back on the streets. There was widespread outrage when the defendant was acquitted on serious charges and convicted by a state jury on a mere charge of unlawfully possessing a firearm. Trump spoke of the case repeatedly on the campaign trail. Immediacy The case heard by the Supreme Court was an appeal of a decision rendered Aug. 4, 2016, by the oft-overturned U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The Supreme Court agreed to review the case on March 19 of this year at the request of the federal government. With few exceptions, a federal legal provision cited as 8 U.S.C. 1226(c) directs the government to detain for removal proceedings green-card holders immediately upon completion of their sentences for serious crimes. The relevant part of the law states the U.S. shall take into custody any alien who is inadmissible by reason of having committed any offense covered in section 1182(a)(2) of this title, which covers crimes of moral turpitude, as well as attempts or conspiracies to commit such crimes. Aliens convicted of other serious crimes, including those for which the person has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of at least 1 year, shall be deemed deportable and taken into custody when the alien is released, without regard to whether the alien is released on parole, supervised release, or probation, and without regard to whether the alien may be arrested or imprisoned again for the same offense. In the opinion that gave rise to the case at hand, the Ninth Circuit ruled immigration law unambiguously imposes mandatory detention without bond only on those aliens taken into immigration custody when [they are] released from criminal custody. And because Congresss use of the word when conveys immediacy, we conclude that the immigration detention must occur promptly upon the aliens release from criminal custody. The government rejects this immediacy argument, arguing in a court brief dated Sept. 5, that its common sense that important governmental action is better late than never. The brief approvingly cites a 2013 case in which the Third Circuit held [b]ureaucratic inactionwhether the result of inertia, oversight, or designshould not rob the public of statutory benefits. The entire purpose of the law under attack is to protect the public from criminal aliens by keeping them detained during their removal proceedings, without the prospect of release. The Meaning of When But what happens if, contrary to the requirements of the law, the government fails to arrest potentially deportable criminal aliens when they complete their sentences? The court heard a litany of examples of bureaucratic incompetence, in which ICE has failed to detain criminal aliens when they finished their custodial sentences, sometimes waiting years to reincarcerate such individuals. Sometimes, as Justice Sonia Sotomayor noted, ICE files a detainer request and doesnt even bother to show up to take the person into custody. A visibly annoyed Justice Breyer asked lawyer Zachary D. Tripp, assistant to the Solicitor General, Is the governments position that this paragraph, which says shall be arrested upon release, applies to a person who has been released 50 years before? Tripp sheepishly replied, Our position is absolutely that this applies, regardless of the time in. During Wangs rebuttal arguments, Justice Kavanaugh noted that, Congress did not put in a time limit, whether its reasonable time, as Justice Breyer says, or a year or two years or six months or 48 hours. Congress knew it wouldnt be immediate, and yet, Congress did not put in a time limit. That raises a real question for me whether we should be superimposing a time limit into the statute when Congress, at least as I read it, did not itself do so. The authority of the federal government to detain lawfully admitted immigrants with serious criminal records for the duration of their removal proceedings, without affording them a detention review, itself was barely discussed during the one hour of oral arguments. At issue was whether the government forfeits its statutory power to indefinitely detain such permanent residents if it fails to take those individuals into custody immediately after they complete their sentences. Although the plain wording of the statute doesnt give the government discretionary authority to refrain from detaining the individuals concerned, the government argues that the act of failing to detain in a timely manner doesnt irrevocably deprive it of its power to do so later. The green-card holders in the case disagree with this better-late-than-never approach, arguing that the detention must take place promptly upon release or not at all. Green Card Holders The case involves three lawful permanent residents of the United States residing in California, who were taken into custody by ICE years after completing sentences for crimes that triggered the mandatory-detention provisions of the immigration statute. The first individual facing deportation is Mony Preap, a green-card holder since he came to the U.S. as an infant in 1981. He has two 2006 misdemeanor convictions for possession of marijuana and a later conviction for simple battery. Preap was detained by ICE after the battery sentence was complete, even though it was insufficiently serious to trigger the mandatory-detention provision. The second person concerned is Eduardo Vega Padilla, a lawful permanent resident since he came to the U.S. in 1966 as an infant. He has a drug possession conviction from 1997 and another from 1999. In 2002, he was convicted of owning a firearm despite having a prior felony conviction. ICE detained him 11 years after he finished his sentence for the firearm offense. The third litigant is Juan Lozano Magdaleno, a green-card holder since 1974 when he came to the U.S. as a teenager. He has a conviction from 2000 for owning a firearm, despite a prior felony conviction. He was convicted in 2007 of for simple possession of a controlled substance and released from jail in January 2008. More than five years later, ICE detained him and held him without bond. Precedent A case decided seven months ago may offer a clue as to how the Supreme Court will decide the case. In Jennings v. Rodriguez, decided Feb. 27 by the high court, the court examined a Ninth Circuit decision upholding a lower court ruling that mandated that immigration detainees be given bond hearings every six months. While that mandate of a bail review every six months may sound reasonable to many, it doesnt appear in the statute. In Jennings, Justice Samuel Alito wrote the majority opinion for a 53 court, finding the Circuit Court had acted more like a legislature than a court by inventing the requirement of bond hearings every six months. Because the wording of the statute was clear-cut, the Circuit Court erred in filling in the blanks with a detention-review scheme of its own design. A court relying on that canon must interpret the statute, not rewrite it, Alito wrote. Justice Elena Kagan recused herself in the Jennings case because she acted in it, when she served as President Barack Obamas solicitor general. But Kagan participated in the oral arguments on Oct. 10. The case heard Oct. 10 is cited at the Supreme Courts website as Nielsen v. Preap, No. 16-1363. Military honor guards take part in the National Day celebrations in Taipei on Oct. 10, 2018. (Tyrone Siu/Reuters) Taiwan Pledges to Enhance National Security Amid China Pressure TAIPEI Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen vowed to boost national security, saying her government wont submit to pressure from the Beijing regime or its attempts to assert sovereignty over the self-ruled island. Tsais remarks came weeks ahead of island-wide local elections in late November that are seen as a bellwether for her ruling partys performance in presidential elections due in 2020. At this time, Chinas intimidation and diplomatic pressure not only hurts relations between both sides, but seriously challenges the peaceful stability in the Taiwan Strait, she said in a National Day speech on Oct. 10 in Taipei. Taiwan plans to increase its defense budget every year to ensure that it can defend its sovereignty, Tsai said, through the upgrading of military capabilities and self-sufficiency, including the resumption of domestic efforts to develop advanced training aircraft and submarines. The Beijing regime has increased military and diplomatic pressure on Taipei, leading to a difficult period for the president and her independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). China has missiles aimed at Taiwan and has flown military aircraft near the island at least a dozen times since 2015, which Tapei has denounced as intimidation. Beijing has persuaded five diplomatic allies to switch allegiance during Tsais presidency. Three former alliesEl Salvador, Burkina Faso, and the Dominican Republicswitched their allegiances to Beijing this year. Today, just 17 countries recognize Taiwan, compared to the more than 170 that recognize China. Taiwan must work with other countries to build a coalition to defend democracy, said Tsai, who thanked the European Parliament and the United States for their support. Taiwan is getting more favorable attention from its staunchest informal ally, the United States, Tsai said. President Donald Trumps administration has approved two Taiwan arms packages, allowed the first step in submarine technology sales and signed a bill that encourages high-level visits. Last month, the U.S. State Department approved the sale to Taiwan of spare parts for F-16 fighter planes and other military aircraft worth up to $330 million. Relations with Beijing have nosedived since Tsai came into office in 2016, with China suspecting that she wants to push for formal independence, a red line for Beijing. The Chinese regime has been ratcheting up diplomatic, economic and military pressure on Taiwan in a bid to compel her to agree to Beijings insistence that the self-governing island democracy is a part of China. China and Taiwan separated amid a civil war in 1949. Taiwan has a separate political and economic system from mainland China and is, for the most part, a separate country, but Beijing views Taiwan as a region that will one day be reunited with the mainland. For her part, Tsai has repeatedly emphasized maintaining the status quo since coming to power. On Oct. 10, she called for a multinational effort to fight some types of infiltration, such as the circulation of fake news by certain countries, which she didnt identify. I would like to pledge to everyone that we will not rashly increase antagonism, but we wont submit or yield, she said. The Oct. 10 holiday marks the 1911 founding of the Republic of China, which once ruled on the mainland but was forced to retreat to Taiwan in 1949, after Mao Zedongs Communists seized power from Chiang Kai-sheks Nationalists. By Jess Macy Yu & Yimou Lee. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Battle Between Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein and Andrew McCabe News Analysis Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has proven himself a polarizing figure. Depending on who you speak to, Rosenstein, appears to occupy one of three rather varying roles. According to some, Rosenstein is part of the problem, actively working against President Trumps Administration. To others, he occupies a slightly more grey area, compromised but with the capability to adjust to a new political climate. Not actively bad, but not to be trusted either. To add to the confusion, there are those who see Rosenstein as something of a quiet hero, a man who intentionally took control of the Russia Investigation out of the FBIs hands and has been operating with honorable, or at least fully legal, intentions. An examination of underlying facts and timelines may help to establish a more complete picture. Rosenstein Appointed, Comey Fired On April 26, 2017, Rosenstein found himself appointed as the new Deputy Attorney General. He was placed into a somewhat chaotic situation as Attorney General Jeff Sessions had recused himself from the ongoing Russia Investigation a little less than two months earlier on March 2, 2017. This effectively meant that no one in the Trump Administration had any oversight into the ongoing investigation being conducted by the FBI and the DOJ. Additionally, the FBIs leadership by then-Director Comey was increasingly coming under question as the result of actions taken leading up to and following the election, particularly Comeys handling of the Clinton email investigation. On May 9, 2017, Rosenstein wrote a letter recommending FBI Director Comey be fired. The subject of letter was: Restoring Public Confidence in the FBI. Comey would be fired that day. Unknown to everyone in the Trump Administration, that same day Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe was being interviewed by Agents from the FBIs Inspection Division (INSD) regarding apparent leaks that occurred in an Oct. 30, 2016 Wall Street Journal article, FBI in Internal Feud Over Hillary Clinton Probe by Devlin Barrett. McCabe would lie to the INSD Agents regarding his participation in the leaks as later disclosed in the Inspector General report, A Report of Investigation of Certain Allegations Relating to Former Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe. McCabe would be fired for lying under oath at least three different times and is currently the subject of a Grand Jury investigation. McCabe held a pivotal role in what has become known as Spygate. He directed the activities of FBI Agent Peter Strzok and Lisa Page and was involved in all aspects of the Russia Investigation. He was also mentioned in the famous insurance policy text message: I want to believe the path you threw out for consideration in Andys office that theres no way he gets elected but Im afraid we cant take the risk. Its like an insurance policy in the unlikely event you die before youre 40, At the time, nobody, including the INSD Agents, knew that McCabe had lied, nor were the darker aspects of McCabes actions fully known. In light of Comeys firing, McCabe was now the Acting FBI Director and was immediately under consideration for the permanent position. Two days later, on May 11, 2017, President Trump addressed the Russia investigation in an interview given to Lester Holt of NBC News. During the interview, the President made some surprising remarks regarding Comeys firing and the impact on the Russia Investigation, noting he wanted the investigation to be done properly. He admitted the firing of Comey probably will confuse people and as a result, he might expand the Russia Investigation and possibly even lengthen out the investigation. Then acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee on May 11, 2017. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) He concluded by saying I have to do the right thing for the American people. As for Comey, President Trump noted, hes the wrong man for that position. Mueller Appointed In the week following his firing, Comey leaked some memos of his interactions with President Trump to his friend Daniel Richman. The leaks happened on May 15 or 16, 2017. Comey would later state he did so with the intention of forcing the appointment of a special counsel. For the last six months, DOJ Official Bruce Ohr had been secretly communicating with Christopher Steele. Ohr became the conduit between Steele, Fusion GPS, and the FBI after Steele was formally terminated by the FBI in late October or early November 2016. Ohr occupied the position directly below the newly installed Rosenstein. Ohr had been transmitting his communications with Steele through a series of interviews with the FBI that were documented in FD-302s, which serve as summarizing memos. The meetings between the FBI and Ohr came to an abrupt stop on May 15, 2017. On the morning of May 16, 2017, Rosenstein reportedly suggested that he secretly record President Trump to Acting FBI Director McCabe. This remark was reported in a New York Times article that was sourced from memos from the now-fired McCabe, along with testimony taken from former FBI General Counsel James Baker, who relayed a conversation he had with McCabe about the occurrence. Rosenstein issued a statement denying the accusations. Baker, who was part of McCabes group, was communicating with journalist David Corn and has admitted to receiving a copy of the Steele dossier from Corn in the days following the election. Baker has also admitted to secretly meeting with Perkins Coie lawyer Michael Sussmann, who provided Baker with documents and electronic media related to Russian meddling in the election. Perkins Coie is the law firm for the DNC and the Hillary Clinton campaign. The alleged comments by Rosenstein occurred at a meeting where McCabe was pushing for the Justice Department to open an investigation into the president. An unnamed participant at the meeting, in comments to The Washington Post, framed the conversation somewhat differently, noting Rosenstein responded sarcastically to McCabe saying; What do you want to do, Andy, wire the president? Later, on the same day that Rosenstein had his meetings with McCabe, President Trump met with former FBI Director Robert Mueller, reportedly as an interview for the FBI Director job. The idea that Mueller would be considered for the FBI Director role seems highly unlikely, although not entirely impossible. FBI Director Christopher Wray (L) and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein arrive to testify before a congressional House Judiciary Committee hearing on Oversight of FBI and DOJ Actions Surrounding the 2016 Election, in Washington on June 28, 2018. (NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images) Mueller had previously served as the FBI Director from 2001 to 2013two years beyond the normal ten-year tenure for an FBI Director. In 2011, Obama requested that Mueller stay on as FBI Director for an additional two years, which required special approval from the senate. We still dont know what was actually said at the meeting between Mueller and President Trump. On May 17, 2017, the day after President Trumps meeting with Muellerand the day after Rosensteins encounters with McCabeRosenstein appointed Mueller as Special Counsel. Regardless of ones opinion of Rosenstein, the May 17 appointment of Mueller accomplished one very significant thing. It shifted control of the Russia Investigation from the FBI and McCabe to Mueller. Rosenstein would retain ultimate authority for the probe and any expansion of Muellers investigation required authorization from Rosenstein. McCabe Neutralized Interestingly, without Comeys memo leaks, a special counsel might not have been appointedthe FBI, and possibly McCabe, would have remained in charge of the Russia investigation. McCabe was probably not going to become the permanent FBI Director but he was reportedly under consideration. Regardless, without Comeys leak, McCabe would have retained direct involvement and the FBI would have retained control. Somewhere around June 29, 2017, Rosenstein signed the final FISA surveillance renewal on then-former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. Later, during June 28, 2018 Congressional testimony, Rosenstein made some specific comments regarding the FISA signing: We sit down with a team of attorneys from the Department of Justice. All of whom review that and provide a briefing for us for whats in it. And Ive reviewed that one in some detail, and I can tell you the information about that doesnt match with my understanding of the one that I signed. Rosensteins comments imply that the FISA he was formally briefed on is different from the FISA materials put before the House and Senate Intelligence Committees by the DOJ. While some have made much of the fact Rosenstein didnt actually read the materials himself, Ive been told this is the normal process. What is not normal is receiving a deceptive briefing from DOJ lawyers. On July 27 2017, Inspector General Horowitz notified Mueller of the discovery of thousands of text messages sent between Page and Strzok which immediately resulted in Strzok being removed from the special counsel investigation. Horowitz had found the texts some time earlier, on or before July 14, 2017. Lisa Page, former legal counsel to former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, arrives on Capitol Hill July 13, 2018. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images) McCabe had authorized Page to leak information to then-Wall Street Journal reporter Devlin Barrettand Page did so thinking she had been granted legal/official authorization to do so. Page, when confronted with McCabes denials, produced texts refuting the Deputy FBI Directors deception. This is what likely led to the Inspector General uncovering the thousands of texts between Strzok and Page. On July 28, 2017, McCabe lied to IG Horowitz while under oath regarding authorization of the leaking to the Wall Street Journal. At this point, Horowitz knew McCabe was lying, although Horowitz did not yet know of the May 9 INSDs interview with McCabe. On Aug. 2 2017, Rosenstein secretly issued Mueller a revised Scope of Investigation & Definition of Authority memo that remains heavily redacted. The full purpose of this Memo remains unknown. On this same day, Christopher Wray was named the new FBI Director. Two days later, on Aug. 4, 2017, AG Sessions announced the formation of a newly established Leak Task Force. Rosenstein and Wray were tasked with overseeing all leak investigations. Theres been a lot of speculation as to the content of Rosensteins memo, but consider the title: Scope of Investigation & Definition of Authority,and do so in the context of events. That memo was probably specifically designed to remove any residual FBI influencespecifically that of McCabe, from the Russia investigation. The appointment of Wray as FBI director helped cement this. McCabe was finally completely neutralized. McCabe-Rosenstein Feud Two other important events would take place. On Oct. 5, 2017, former Trump campaign adviser George Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. On Oct. 27, 2017, former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his business partner Rick Gates were indicted on FARA violations relating to a period under the Obama administration involving Ukraine. The Manafort indictment appears to lead straight to connections with the Podesta Group as well as Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. The indictments were made public on Oct. 30, 2017. Tony Podesta, the brother of former Hillary Clinton campaign manager John Podesta, immediately stepped down as chairman of the Podesta Group, and the firm was effectively dismantled. Meanwhile, the Manafort case continues, and Deripaska had new sanctions imposed on him this week. Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska attends the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg on June 1, 2017. (OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP/Getty Images) Deripaskas lawyer, Adam Waldman, appears to have represented Christopher Steele and Julian Assange in addition to Deripaska. We know this from texts sent between Waldman and Senator Mark Warner. Reference is also made in these texts to Daniel Jones, a former intelligence staffer to Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). His company, the Penn Quarter Group retained Steele and Fusion GPS at some point in 2016 or possibly earlier. Finally, on Feb. 16, 2018, another Mueller Indictment was issued. This was related to Russian interference in our election and the indictment of twelve Russians. Overlooked in the whole affair was the crucial fact that no U.S. citizen or member of the Trump campaign was found to have been involved in any collusion. It also showed that the Steele dossier was inherently false. That same day, Rosenstein made some comments at a press conference on the matter: Theres no allegation that any American was knowingly involved in the conspiracy. Nor was there an allegation that the efforts of the defendants affected the outcome of the election. More recently, on Sept. 17, 2018, President Trump issued a declassification order. Three days later, he reversed that order and pushed the declassification process back onto IG Horowitz. Rosenstein was a deciding factor in the reversal process: Trump decided to reverse course after talks with intelligence officials, including Rod J. Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general, who engaged in conversations with the president with the aim of informing him of all the ramifications of his order. The same day the news broke regarding President Trumps reversal decision, the New York Times ran its story about Rosenstein allegedly having offered to record the President. McCabe was the source of the accusations, and the allegations came at a critical juncture. Most of the reporting on The Times article presented it as more trouble for Rosenstein. Somehow overlooked was who was making the accusations. The feud between McCabe and Rosenstein continues to this day. The Washington Post published an article on Oct. 10 detailing an episode that took place between McCabe and Rosenstein just days after Rosensteins appointment of Mueller as Special Counsel: Rosenstein wanted McCabe out of the Russia probe, and McCabe felt differently, arguing that it was the deputy attorney general, not the head of the FBI, who should step away from the case. An honest examination of facts make one thing perfectly clear. At every juncture of Rosensteins involvement, McCabe was completely outplayed. Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein may be owed a long-deserved apology from his critics. Jeff Carlson is a CFA Charterholder. He worked for 20 years as an analyst and portfolio manager in the high-yield bond market. He runs the website TheMarketsWork.com Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. U.S. President Ronald Reagan, commemorating the 750th anniversary of Berlin, addresses the people of West Berlin at the base of the Brandenburg Gate, near the Berlin wall on Jun. 12, 1987. Due to the amplification system being used, the President's words could also be heard on the Eastern (Communist-controlled) side of the wall. "Tear down this wall!" was the famous command from United States President Ronald Reagan to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to destroy the Berlin Wall. On Nov. 9-11, 1989, the people of a free Berlin tore down that wall. (Mike Sargent/AFP/Getty Images) The Dangers of Totalitarian Planning, Past and Present Freedom is under threat again Liberty is a delicate idea and institution. While people say they want freedom, will fight under the banner of freedom, and sometimes even die for its preservation and advancement, determining what it actually means to be free and to live in a free society seems elusive and controversial. What it means for a society to be free is, perhaps, easier to have a sense of when such a society is confronted with its clear opposite: tyranny. This was especially the case in the 1930s, when freedom faced a mortal challenge with the rise of totalitarianism in the various forms of Soviet communism, Italian fascism, and German National Socialism (Nazism). Totalitarianism Means the Individual Gets Lost in the Collective Whether the totalitarian banners had written on them a call to class warfare (communism) or national conflicts (fascism) or racial wars (Nazism), all of them insisted on the end to individual liberty. The individual had neither rights nor areas of life outside of the control of the totalitarian state. The interests of the proletarian class, or the nation-state, or the master race came before the individual human being. How and where you lived; what you worked at and the pay and benefits you might receive; the people with whom you could or had to associate; the books or newspapers you might read, or the music you could listen to, or the plays you could watch; the places to which you could go for any reason; and the quality and prospects of lifeall these and many other aspects of everyday life were determined by the totalitarian state in which some people due to birth or circumstances found themselves living, and from which escape was often impossible without serious risk to ones own life. The Soviet, fascist, and Nazi systems all were ruled by dictatorsJoseph Stalin in Soviet Russia, Benito Mussolini in fascist Italy, and Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germanywho insisted they ruled in the name of and spoke for the people, the nation, or the race. The role of the individual was to obey and sacrifice for the collective good. Below the dictators were tightly woven layers of the respective party structures of the Soviet, fascist, and Nazi regimes. Through them, everything and everyone were controlled in the societies over which they ruled. And each had its own secret police, with a knock on anyones door by its agents meaning arrest, interrogation, torture, imprisonment, and death. Totalitarianism and Liberty Friends of freedom in the remaining non-totalitarian and democratic countries were horrified by what they saw in these totally collectivized societies. They were truly fearful that the ideal and practice of the free and open society could perish, with human liberty soon to be extinguished possibly everywhere around the globe. The following are some of the voices of those friends of freedom from the mid-1930s, to give a sense of how they saw the world in which they lived. The first is William E. Rappard (18831958), a distinguished classical-liberal Swiss economist and political scientist who was also the director of the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, from a lecture he delivered in 1934: For generations, and in some cases, for centuries, all nations in the orbit of our Western civilization, have, through wars and revolutions, been striving to secure for all their members greater physical and moral security, greater political equality, greater individual freedom. That is, more latitude for the self-expression and self-assertion of the individual in the face of the authority of tradition and the state. And such are some of the ideals through stupidity and cowardice that, sometimes with the blind enthusiasm of mad fanaticism and sometimes with the dull resignation of impotence, [people are] disavowing, renouncing and abandoning. The individual, the family, the local and regional community, everything and everybody are being sacrificed to the State. The State itself, once held to be the protector and the servant of the people, is in several countries of our Western civilization being turned into a weapon for oppressing its own citizens and threatening its neighbors, according to the capricious will of one or of a few self-appointed individuals. They are today acclaimed as heroes by hundreds of thousands of European youth, welcomed as saviors by millions of European bourgeois, and accepted as inevitable by tens of millions of European senile cowards of all ages. Freedoms Lost With the Totalitarian State The second voice from the interwar period is that of William Henry Chamberlin (18971969), a noted author and international correspondent who spent eight years in Soviet Russia in the 1920s and early 1930s, followed by reporting from imperial Japan and Nazi-threatened Western Europe. This is from his 1937 book, Collectivism: A False Utopia: Before the [First] World War, it would have seemed banal and superfluous to make out a case for human liberty, so far as North America and the greater part of Europe were concerned. Such things as regular elections, freedom of press and speech, security against arbitrary arrest, torture, and execution, were taken for granted in almost all leading countries. People could travel freely in foreign lands without worrying overmuch about passports and were not liable to be arrested by the police of one insolvent country if they failed to declare a few bills of the currency of its equally insolvent neighbor at the border. Concentration camps for political recalcitrants and the wholesale conscription of forced labor as a means of getting public works done were unknown. The history of the [postSecond World War] phase in Europe has been one of severe and unbroken defeats for the ideals of democracy and individual liberty. The revolutions of the twentieth century, unlike those of the eighteenth and the nineteenth, have led to the contraction, not to the expansion, of freedom. The two main governmental philosophies that have emerged since the war, fascism and communism, are based, in practice, on the most rigid regimentation of the individual. Finally, as the famous Italian philosopher Benedetto Croce (18661952) forlornly lamented in 1932, Impatience with free institutions has led to open or masked dictatorships, and where dictatorships do not exist, the desire for them. Liberty, which before the [First World] War was a faith, or at least a routine acceptance, has now departed from the hearts of men even if it still survives in certain institutions. Lessons to Be Learned: Democracy and Liberty Today, more than 80 years after these and many other friends of freedom living through that time wrote such words and expressed those fears, it all seems so far away. They are people long gone, faces in old black-and-white photos. For many young men and women, that time is just some video documentaries that as students they had to sit through, which appeared to have no or little relevance to their lives and circumstances. Just some of that boring history stuff. But what can still be learned from those bygone voices? The first is that democracy by itself is not freedom. The totalitarian tyrants of the 1930s all proclaimed that theirs were the freest and most democratic societies on earth. Freedom was the advancement of the good of the society as a whole. Stalin, Mussolini, and Hitler all insisted that their coercive collectivist means were the most democratic methods because they suppressed the narrow, petty, and individual interests of some so the true interests of all (the workers, the nation, the race) could triumph for the promised better world in the making. These were sham democracies, with no real freedom, of course. Democratic processes are usually majoritarian procedures for determining how those holding political office will be appointed through elections and for what period of time. They dont say, by themselves, what the government will do or for what ends. Freedom Means the Rights, Autonomy of the Individual Freedom means rights, autonomy, and dignity for the individual human being. When Rappard delivered a series of lectures at the University of Chicago in 1938 (The Crisis of Democracy), he reminded his listeners: What was primary in the eyes of the founders of American independence were the individual rights of equality [before the law] and liberty. Democracy, however important, was but secondarya necessary means toward an absolute end. Popular government was set up, not so much by reason of any inherent virtues of its own, as because it was deemed necessary to establish and safeguard the fundamental rights of the individual. Free societies are those that recognize and respect freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of peaceful and voluntary association and assembly, and freedom of religion. No democratic government should be considered legitimate, Rappard said, that didnt arise from the existence and unmolested practice of such freedoms. How can people express their views and values, debate important issues that jointly may matter to them, or organize with others who share their perspectives and interests if these rights are not protected? But more fundamental than these political prerequisites to effective and functioning democratic systems was the importance of these and related individual rights for the freedom of individuals to live their lives as they chooseselecting their own ends, deciding on the possibly appropriate means to their ends achievementand their free association and voluntary exchange in pursuit of mutual gain. As the noted British historian G.P. Gooch (18731968) concisely said it in Dictatorship in Theory and Practice (1935): Western civilization in its higher aspects rests on belief of the worth of the individual citizen. The vision of freedom, of the liberation of the human spirit from its primeval bondage, is perhaps the greatest light which has dawned on our horizon. Life, to be worth living, must be a continuous process of self-realization, a fulfillment of the law of ones being, an unfolding of our aptitudes. We may say that the emergence of the individual, the growing recognition of the right to be oneself, is among the main achievements of the modern world. It is this affirmation of personality that has led to universal franchise, to religious equality, to the liberty of the Press, to the freedom of teaching, speculation and research. This urge of the spirit is frowned on by the totalitarian State. It grips you body and soul, dwarfs your personality, stunts your growth. Its ideal is one party, one pattern, one rhythm, one creed. Dictatorship is [the] cult of violence. For only by violence or the threat of violence can the infinite variety of human types be dragooned into the mechanical unity which the Dictator demands. The totalitarian State stands for force naked and unashamed. The Totalitarian Seed in Identity Politics of Race, Gender If this seems far away from our own times, there are, in fact, petty totalitarians in our midst, whose political power, if they were to gain what they clearly desire, would result in our facing the same threat others faced 80 years ago. On many of our college campuses, there has emerged an ideology of identity politics no less totalitarian in its premises and its nature. According to the identity-politics ideologues, we arent individuals with our own histories, experiences, beliefs, hopes and dreams, and desires to find our own ways to happiness and fulfillment. No, we are a racial group, a gender classification, or a social class that defines us, determines us, and dictates our place, privilege, and prospects in life. Our minds are to be re-educated, our words must be policed, our actions must be under surveillance, so all may be made to think one way, have one set of attitudes and one notion of human associations and identifications. How can there be freedom of speech or freedom of the press when what may be spoken or written is dictated by what the would-be identity-politics dictators of the mind insist upon imposing on all of us? What freedom of association and exchange can survive when human relationships are a priori designated as privileged or unprivileged, when ones income or wealth arising from voluntary and peaceful buying and selling results in ones being condemned as an antisocial exploiter or praised as the oppressed victim of economic injustice that may have nothing to do with actual private or political plunder? But, wait, you might think, these are only small, though admittedly vocal and demanding, groups of university professors, emotional and misguided students, and media-charged intellectuals always looking for the latest fashionable political bandwagon to jump on. Marxists and other socialists all began as small groups of radical dreamers of utopias to come; Italian fascists and German Nazis began as small groups of nationalists and racists who reveled in the historic greatness of their nations or purify them of supposedly degenerate racial types. They, too, insisted on thinking about and treating all according to everyones classification as class exploiter or exploited, or nationalist friend or foe, or racial brother or blood enemy. They all started as small, often ignored, hardly-taken-seriously proponents of earlier versions of identity politics. As with the earlier versions, todays identity politics is a cult of violence, with its proponents call for imposed safe spaces, insistence on censorship and restrictions on spoken and written words, and demands that those they label as exploiting or privileged groups be expelled, persecuted, and punished. How else can you impose this treatment on others than through private or political use of force? Meaning of Economic Liberty and Totalitarian Rejection While a system of identity politics must bring an end to personal liberty of thought, word, and action in general, such a system would bring about an end to economic liberty, as well. What is economic liberty? Another friend of freedom in the 1930s, the British economist Francis W. Hirst (18731953), concisely defined it in his book Economic Freedom and Private Property (1935): By economic freedom in a modern State, I mean the right of every individual, under guarantees of equal law and justice, to pursue whatever trade, profession, or calling he likesas artist, lawyer, journalist, architect, builder, shopkeeper, merchant, manufacturer, farmer, ship owner, etc.; to engage in any lawful employment for wages or profit; to save and invest, and to own property. This was the very type of freedom all the totalitarian systems opposed. Such systems either abolished private enterprise or placed it under the radical control of the government. In the Soviet Union, all private property in the means of production was seized and nationalized by the new Communist government, guided by Marxs condemnation of private enterprise and the profit motive, beginning first under Vladimir Lenin and then completed under Joseph Stalin with devastating effect on the lives of tens of millions of people. In fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, most private property was not widely confiscated, but all private enterprise ended up being made subservient to the dictates of the totalitarian state. Just as the Soviet Union under Stalin instituted five-year central plans in 1929, Italy under Mussolini planned economic activity through the fascist corporatist state, and after 1936 Hitlers Nazi planners imposed a four-year central plan on the German economy. Central planning necessarily means straitjacketing all members of society within the dictates of the governments economic designs. A central plan requires an overarching hierarchy of values and goals. Individuals preferences and plans are submerged within the political blueprints of the government planners. Either the Individual Plans or Government Plan Imposed on All This was a theme focused on by the Austrian economist Friedrich A. Hayek (18991992) in 1939, shortly before the beginning of World War II in the monograph Freedom and the Economic System. In any complex and developed society, he said, there is inescapably a wide diversity of values and desires among all the members of the society. These variations in peoples goals are harmonized on a free market through peoples offering to perform various services and providing numerous goods as the means to peacefully attract others to do things for them. In the free market, each party to a trade uses the other as means to their own ends: I supply you with the coat you want in trade for the pair of shoes I desire. But once a central plan is impressed on all, each is compelled to serve as the economic means to the central planners goals and designs. Hayek explained: Comprehensive economic planning, which is regarded as necessary to organize economic activity on more rational and efficient lines, presupposes a much more complete agreement on the relative importance of the different social ends than actually exists, and in consequence, in order to be able to plan, the planning authority must impose upon the people the detailed code of values that is lacking. Economic planning always involves the sacrifice of some ends in favor of others. The decision on the relative importance of conflicting aims is necessarily a decision about the relative merits of different groups and individuals. Planning necessarily becomes planning in favor of some and against others. But, again, is this not long ago and far away? This type of comprehensive central planning ended with the disappearance of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. Who calls for such totalitarian planning today, other than in the remaining communist backwaters of North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela? Government Intervention as Piecemeal Planning All forms of government intervention taxation and regulationwithin a market economy are forms of government planning. Taxation means using power to redirect the free choices each of us as individuals would have made if those in political authority hadnt taxed away a portion of our income and wealth for reasons having nothing to do with the essential and narrow function of protecting each persons right to life, liberty, and honestly acquired property. The government uses its fiscal powers to determine who should be left with less of the income and wealth they have earned and to whom some portion of the taxed-away income should be redistributed. The same is true with various forms of government regulation. The goal is to influence how people go about their investment and production decisions: what goods and services are marketed, how people go about producing what they attempt to sell, where they locate their production facilities, and the methods by which they may market their wares to their prospective customers. These are forms of partial and overlapping fiscal socialism and regulatory economic planning. When the president of the United States uses his executive authority to impose import taxes on particular goods coming from specific countries, he is trying to plan the types and quantities of goods available to the American public and the prices they will have to pay to purchase the goods at home or from one of the foreign sellers. That is, as Hayek said, deciding in favor of some and against others. Extend such fiscal and regulatory intervention in enough directions and with sufficient intrusiveness on what otherwise would have been the free and voluntary choices of all the individual members of society, and the cumulative effect is the imposing of a network of interconnected government plans, with the loss of economic liberty over more and more of the society as a whole. When looked at through the perspective of those friends of freedom of the 1930s who were facing the threat of totalitarian tyranny and all-around central planning, the difference between personal and economic liberty and government command and control becomes very clear. That very clarity, I would suggest, brings into greater relief the nature of and dangers from such tyrannical trends as identity-politics tribalism and the losses of freedom through each and every extension of government control or influence over our individual economic affairs. Richard M. Ebeling is the BB&T distinguished professor of ethics and free-enterprise leadership at the military college The Citadel, in Charleston, South Carolina. This article was first published by AIER.org Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee during the third day of his confirmation hearing to serve as Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court at the Capitol in Washington on Sept. 6, 2018. The tactics used to try to discredit him have been described as 'ritual defamation.' (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) The Politics of Personal Destruction Commentary Supreme Court confirmations werent always such a close-run thing. As Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg pointed out in criticizing the conduct of the Kavanaugh hearing, her own confirmation (1993) was supported 963, and Antonin Scalias (1986) by 980, that is, by large bipartisan majorities, although they differed strongly in their approach to the Constitution itself. They were also known to be good friends, their fundamental differences notwithstanding. The hearings were formal and decorous. Between those two confirmations, though, two other hearings of judges nominated by a Republican president were highly partisan and bitter, those of Robert Bork (1987, rejected 4258) and Clarence Thomas (1991, confirmed 5248). According to legal scholar Alan Dershowitz, who, like Ginsburg, is a liberal Democrat, the Kavanaugh hearings were worse than those for Bork or Thomas, wrecking the judges whole life and family, an example of sexual McCarthyism. Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) said of the hearings, This is the most unethical sham since Ive been in politics. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Graham noted, had said he would oppose the nomination with everything he had, 23 minutes after the nomination was announced. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) did the same within 24 hours, long before hearings were even scheduled. Others have likened the proceedings to a witch-hunt, character assassination, a circus, mob rule, McCarthyism, a moral panic, and ritual defamation. What is going on? One explanation is simply the high stakes in this case. Liberal Domination The effect of the long liberal hegemony in the court on social issues has been their removal from the democratic process in favor of rule by a handful of justices, all from a very narrow and elite social circle (i.e. Harvard and Yale law schools). The people lost the right to resolve some of the most difficult and consequential issues, deprived by the court of the ability to decide on the nature of marriage or the right of the unborn child to legal protection. As former Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, a former member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, observed: In our system, the Supreme Court was never designed to be the final arbiter of every difficult and controversial question in American cultural and political life . The stakes were never meant to be this high. The effect of the courts usurping the right of the people to make such decisions through the democratic political process has been to politicize the court, to make contested issues such as these, dependent not on the Constitution but who sat on the Supreme Court. Nearly every gain for social liberalism or the sexual revolution in the past 50 years came not through elected legislators, but was dictated by the Supreme Court. Now that liberal domination of the court is threatened, Democrats and their backers in academia, the media, and law, are going ballistic. They showed during the Kavanaugh hearings how far they would go to block the confirmation of any nominee who failed to toe the liberal line in these matters. In this effort, feminism, identity politics, and the weaponizing of victimhoodfirst on elite campuses and spreading through key sectors like Silicon Valley and the mediahave found great success. Adherents have built their power by means of personal and relentless attacks, not only on serious and real perpetrators like Bill Cosby or Harvey Weinstein, but on anyone who questions or transgresses the new orthodoxy in even the mildest way. The particular method of attack isnt unique to the Kavanaugh hearings. It was used to Bork other nominees, such as Bork himself and Thomas, and in social-media campaigns against offending individuals such as Brendan Eich of Mozilla and James Damore at Google, as well as innumerable faculty members across the country. None of these people was accused of anything illegal. They simply expressed opinions that were considered insensitive, which was enough to make them scapegoats who had to be cast out in order to restore ideological purity and unity of belief. But in the case of Kavanaugh, the attack method of ritual defamation was taken to new depths. Character Assassination In 1990, a Kansas civil-rights advocate, Laird Wilcox, identified eight key elements of the process that he called ritual defamation. The primary goal of a ritual defamation is censorship and repression, he wrote. The method of attack is to assail the character of the victim, and never to offer more than a perfunctory challenge to particular attitudes, opinions, or beliefs expressed or implied. Character assassination is its primary tool. It is important to the method to avoid engaging in any kind of debate over the truthfulness or reasonableness of what has been expressed, only condemn it. Rather, there are efforts to mobilize others to engage in the defamation and to pressure and humiliate the victim. If the victim has schoolchildren, they may be taunted and ridiculed as a consequence of adverse publicity. All this and more was heaped on Kavanaugh. When the entirely uncorroborated allegations of sexual abuse seemed to be foundering, the Democrats on the Judiciary Committee and their supporters in the media switched to an emphasis on his deportment in addressing the committee itself. Like Thomas before him, he responded to the relentless smearing of his name before the world, and the devastating effect of the particular slanders on his family, by angrily defending his reputation. It was like baiting a bear beyond endurance and then criticizing him for getting angry. As Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and others pointed out, if he had remained completely cool and detached, he would have been accused of being monstrously callous in the face of the grave offenses he was accused of. As Kavanaugh himself pointed out, his judicial temperament should be judged on the basis of the kind of judge and person he had been for his entire 28-year legal career: hardworking, even-keeled, open-minded, independent, and dedicated to the Constitution and the public good. The politics of personal destruction has proved very effective in enforcing conformity to secular-liberal dogma and shutting down discussion and debate of alternatives. But have the Democrats overreached in this hit job? The Republican base has been fired up by what it sees as a cruel and deeply unfair confirmation process. How this plays out in the midterm elections remains to be seen. The outcome may deter or encourage the Democrats in their pursuit of character assassination and ritual defamation in the next hearing for a Supreme Court nominee. Will the Democrats conduct themselves more professionally and ethically in future hearings? Or have we just seen the pattern of future hearings and a dress rehearsal for an even more unrestrained and chaotic impeachment process? Paul Adams is a professor emeritus of social work at the University of Hawaii and was a professor and associate dean of academic affairs at Case Western Reserve University. He is the co-author of Social Justice Isnt What You Think It Is and has written extensively on social-welfare policy and professional and virtue ethics. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Too Much Technology: Children Growing Up With Weak Hands, Fingers Researchers say children are showing up to school unable to hold pencils or cut paper with scissors Smartphones and tablets are convenient babysitters and pacifiers for bored or crying children. But they may be preventing those children from developing the necessary hand strength to hold pencils, cut with scissors, and perform tasks children their same age could easily do just a decade ago. A new review from the Heart of England Foundation NHS Trust reports that kids are coming into classrooms ill-prepared for writing and other activities that require finger muscle strength. The British pediatric doctors behind the report put the blame on technologyand the lack of traditional activities young children often do, such as stringing beads, coloring, and other pastimes. Children coming into school are being given a pencil but are increasingly unable to hold it because they dont have the fundamental movement skills, Sally Payne, the head pediatric occupational therapist with the Heart of England Foundation NHS Trust, told The Guardian. Payne points to the swap from Tinkertoys to tablets for this loss of fine motor skills. Its easier to give a child an iPad than encouraging them to do muscle-building play, such as building blocks, cutting and sticking, or pulling toys and ropes, she said. Because of this, theyre not developing the underlying foundation skills they need to grip and hold a pencil. In the earliest stages of development, this setback can be detrimental to kids throughout their childhood if its not addressed by teachers, parents, and professionals. Weak Hands, Slow Development In their report, the British health organization told the story of 6-year-old Patrick, a young British boy who entered primary school without the muscle strength in his hands to properly hold a pencil. His mother, Laura, blames the amount of time she let him use technology for his dilemma. In retrospect, I see that I gave Patrick technology to play with, to the virtual exclusion of the more traditional toys, she told The Guardian. When he got to school, they contacted me with their concerns. He was gripping his pencil like cavemen held sticks. He just couldnt hold it in any other way and so couldnt learn to write because he couldnt move the pencil with any accuracy. After six months of work with an occupational therapist, Patrick has caught up to other children his age in hand coordination abilities. Mary Mayhan, an occupational therapist with more than 20 years of experience in Alabama, says shes seen these changes in childrens abilities in the past decade, too. Ten or 15 years ago, we were getting referrals for kids with weak hands that had a specific diagnosis, whether that was Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, spina bifida. Now were getting kids with referrals for these issues, and in increased numbers, who have no known diagnosis. Theyre just your average child with no background medical reason that would make them have this problem, she told Healthline. However, Mayhan isnt as quick to blame the loss of fine motor skills entirely on the greater proliferation of technology. Instead, she says another change may be impacting a childs growth: the loss of time babies spend on their tummies. Thirty years ago or so, [doctors] started saying babies shouldnt sleep on their stomach because of SIDS [sudden infant death syndrome], and that got miscommunicated to where parents thought, Oh, I should never put my baby on his stomach, Mayhan said. Fine motor skills and dexterity in the hands are developed when babies are on their stomachs and when theyre crawling or reaching, she explained. Tummy time is really important. When theyre awake and theyre playing, they need tummy time to develop those back extenders, core muscles, and the dexterity in their hands. That plays a huge role in the dexterity in hands. When you add [the lack of time on their stomachs] to the use of technologywhen youre at the store, youll see toddlers with a phone instead of a little toytheyre without those developmental times, Mayhan said. Whether a childs developmental delays are the result of too many YouTube videos or because they spent too much time in a bouncy seat isnt clear yet. What is clear is that parents can help their children at a young age get on better footing for their entrance into elementary school and later in life. A Call to Parents The hazards of too much screen time may go beyond the 10 digits on your childs hands. Colleen Carroll, the author of Hooked on Screens and a childhood screen addiction specialist with a doctorate in education, says todays children are developing eyesight problems as a result of increased screen time, too. More studies need to be done on this for hard proof, but there is a strong correlation that video games and use of tablets and smartphones over time increases vision problems, she told Healthline. Todays children also are seeing lower cardiovascular fitness and higher rates of obesity. In fact, the most recent statistics on childhood obesity show the problem is getting worse, not better. In 2015 and 2016, 26 percent of 2- to 5-year-olds were overweight. Almost 14 percent were obese. Compare that to statistics from just two years before, 2013 and 2014, when only 9 percent of children 2 to 5 years old were considered obese. Children are not getting the exercise they need, Carroll said. They dont play outside or play physical games anymore because they stay inside on screens. Carroll is a firm believer in limiting the amount of time children spend in front of screens, small and large. And that goes for kids 18 months to 18 years old. Most parents of young kids are millennials, so they grew up with screensalthough they had less time on them, on averageso they do not suspect screens are causing these issues, Carroll said. This exacerbates the problem because they dont recognize the correlation. They dont reduce screen time without doctors recommendations. Even sometimes that doesnt work, because screens are addicting and make for great babysitting. Carroll recommends you quit your kid from their smart devices cold turkey. It hurts, but its the way to go, she said. Set strict limits around the amount of time a child can use a device and require them to meet specific requests before they get to sign on. Kids should only be on screens after all other chores and homework are done, and have had an opportunity for outside play as well, she said. After that, I recommend no more than an hour for kids up to middle school per evening, and two hours on the weekends maximum. Parents need to remember that kids are on screens all day at school as well, in most cases. As with any addiction or habit, pulling the tablet or smart device out of your childs hands may be difficult, but Carroll says stay firm. Its the best way to prevent health issues and set them up for success and proper development later on. If a child is appropriately stimulated in other ways during this time, there is little room for idle screen time, Carroll said. Be creative, but hold your ground. Screen addiction does not go away on its own. Kimberly Holland is a freelance writer for Healthline, which first published this article. Vice President Mike Pence addresses the Hudson Institute on the Trump administrations policy toward China in Washington on Oct. 4, 2018. (JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images) Trump Administration Resets Policy Toward China in Landmark Speech Vice President Mike Pences unprecedented speech on China-U.S. relations last week is still causing shockwaves due to its unflinching directness in calling out China on its litany of transgressions, denouncing Beijings whole-of-government approach in undermining and sabotaging the United States. The speech confronted the Chinese Communist Partys efforts to interfere in U.S. politics, domestic and foreign policy, and academia, among many other areas. Pence pulled no punches in his speech, which he said is an official resetting of U.S.China policy. He outlined in detail the intensive and sophisticated influence operations of the Party in the United States. As we speak, Beijing is employing a whole-of-government approach, using political, economic, and military tools, as well as propaganda, to advance its influence and benefit its interests in the United States, he said at the Hudson Institute in Washington on Oct. 4. China is also applying this power in more proactive ways than ever before, to exert influence and interfere in the domestic policy and politics of this country. Pence said the United States once hoped that economic liberalization would bring China into greater partnership with us and with the world. After the fall of the Soviet Union, we assumed that a free China was inevitable, he said. Heady with optimism, at the turn of the 21st century America agreed to give Beijing open access to our economy and bring China into the World Trade Organization. He noted that much of Chinas GDP growth in the past 17 yearsmaking it the second-largest economy in the worldwas driven by American investment. He then listed numerous ways where Beijing hasnt played fair when it comes to trade. The Chinese Communist Party has also used an arsenal of policies inconsistent with free and fair trade, including tariffs, quotas, currency manipulation, forced technology transfer, intellectual property theft, and industrial subsidies that are handed out like candy to foreign investment. These policies have built Beijings manufacturing base, at the expense of its competitorsespecially the United States of America, he said. Pence said that in order to achieve its Made in China 2025 plan, which would see Beijing taking control of 90 percent of the worlds most advanced industries, Beijing has directed its bureaucrats and businesses to obtain American intellectual propertythe foundation of our economic leadershipby any means necessary. Pence highlighted religious freedom in his speech and expressed his deep concerns over the Chinese Communist Partys crackdowns on Chinese Christians, Buddhists, and Muslims. A country that oppresses its own people rarely stops there, he said. He also sharply criticized Beijings coercive behaviour against Taiwanincluding convincing three Latin American nations to sever ties with Taipei and recognize Beijingand also forcing U.S. companies to change how they depict Taiwan. While our administration will continue to respect the One China Policy, as reflected in the three joint communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act, America will always believe Taiwans embrace of democracy shows a better path for all the Chinese people, he said. New Approach to China Pence said previous U.S. administrations all but ignored Chinas actionsand in many cases actually abetted them. But those days are over, he said, and the Trump administration is adopting a new approach. We seek a relationship grounded in fairness, reciprocity, and respect for sovereignty, and we have taken strong and swift action to achieve that goal. Washingtons new approach, Pence said, includes making the U.S. military stronger, implementing tariffs specifically targeting the advanced industries that Beijing is trying to capture and control, giving a stronger commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, forging new trade deals, streamlining international development and finance programs, and giving foreign nations a just and transparent alternative to Chinas debt-trap diplomacy. He said he would travel to Singapore and Papua New Guinea next month to represent the United States at ASEAN and APEC, and would unveil new measures and programs to support a free and open Indo-Pacific on behalf of President Donald Trump. One of those programs is the BUILD Act, which Trump will soon sign into law. The act provides the means for private enterprise to contribute to the development of low- and lower-middle-income countries. Thats partially in response to Chinas One Belt One Road initiative, which has given the Beijing regime influence in the Pacific, South Asia, and Africa. To protect our interests here at home, weve strengthened CFIUSthe Committee on Foreign Investment in the United Statesheightening our scrutiny of Chinese investment in America, to protect our national security from Beijings predatory actions, Pence said. A Trade Coalition of the Willing On Oct. 5, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross signalled that Washington may use a provision in the new trade agreement with Canada and Mexico to put pressure on China to end its bad practices. The provision in the recently completed USMCA specifies that if one of the three partners enters a free-trade deal with a non-market countrythe implication being Chinait must notify the other two, which may then quit the agreement and form their own trade deal together. Ross said the provision is a kind of poison pill that could be replicated in U.S. trade deals with other countries. People can come to understand that this is one of your prerequisites to make a deal, he told Reuters in an interview. Washington is currently in talks with Japan and the European Union to find ways to reduce large U.S. trade deficits in certain areas. On the same day as Pences speech, Larry Kudlow, director of the White House National Economic Council, said at the Economic Club of Washington that China has played fast and loose with the rules and Trump is trying to level the playing field. We are talking to the EU again, we are talking to Japan again, we are moving to what I have characterized as a trade coalition of the willing to confront China, Kudlow said, according to C-SPAN2. The president wants a level playing field, he wants reciprocity. Ultimately, he wants zero tariffs, zero non-tariff barriers, and zero subsidies. This may be painful in some cases. Hes a disrupter, as we know. But again, using [USMCA] as a good win, and we had South Korea, I think these things can be negotiated. Kudlow noted that past presidents of both parties paid lip service to changing trade practices with China but never followed through. Trump is following through, he said. Additional reporting by Jennifer Zeng (L-R) El Salvador Vice President Oscar Ortiz, Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez, Mexican Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, Mexico Secretary of Government Alfonso Navarrete, and President of Guatemala Jimmy Morales pose for a photo at the start of the Conference for Prosperity and Security in Central America in Washington on Oct. 11, 2018. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) US, Mexico, Central American Leaders Discuss Ways to Stem Illegal Migration From the campaign trail to the White House, President Donald Trump has made halting the flow of illegal immigration into the United States a top priority. Hes been pressing for a new border wall, has added border patrol agents, and has stepped up the level of enforcement of U.S. immigration laws. But one of the less heralded efforts has been the creation of a partnership that encompasses the United States, Mexico, and the countries that comprise Central Americas Northern Triangle: Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. The idea behind the partnership is to address the challenges that lead residents to flee those countries and make the dangerous journey north to the United States. Those factors include a lack of economic prosperity, gang violence, and government corruption. Leaders from each of those nations met in Washington on Oct. 11 for the second annual Conference on Prosperity and Security in Central America, to discuss how to combat those issues. To stem the flow of illegal immigration and drugswe must confront these problems together, Vice President Mike Pence said at the conferences opening remarks. We are going to continue to enforce our borders, strengthen public safety, and promote economic growth across the region, all of which is designed to stem the flow of illegal migration. He noted there has been progress since their first meeting in June of 2017, including the appointment in Honduras of a strong attorney general to root out corruption and crime, and a partnership with El Salvador that led to the arrest of 60 gang leaders last year. Despite the progress, work remains. Pence said 225,000 people from the Northern Triangle made the journey to the southern border of the United States last year. They accounted for more than half of all illegals apprehended there. Pence asked the leaders to deliver a message to their people: Dont risk the dangerous journey north to attempt to enter the United States illegally. The truth is, your message can probably be summed up by telling them that if they cant come to the United States legally, they should not come at all, Pence said. Say it with strength, say it with compassion as neighbors and as friends. Because its the truth. Pence said people would stay in their home countries if there is a bright future for them. Economic opportunities will be discussed behind closed doors over the two days of meetings, but both Honduras and El Salvador believe reviving the coffee industry is the key. President Juan Orlando Hernandez of Honduras said 90,000 families of small coffee producers in his country are being forced into poverty because of unfair coffee prices. This has given rise to migration, Hernandez said. This is deepening poverty and creating hopelessness. He added, We need to underscore the need for equality and fairness in the coffee industry from the bean to the cup. Vice President Oscar Ortiz of El Salvador agreed. As a country, wed like to reaffirm that we are completely convinced that this is the way forward, Ortiz said. An F-35B fighter prepares to launch from the USS Essex on Sept. 27, 2018. (Cpl. Francisco J. Diaz Jr./U.S. Marine Corps via Getty Images) US Military Strength Rated Marginal; Currently a One-War Force, Report Says The two greatest military threats facing the United States are China and Russia, and the U.S. military currently wouldnt be able to fight both simultaneously, a report released by The Heritage Foundation concludes. At an event to mark the release of the report, the 2019 Index of US Military Strength, at Heritages headquarters last week, Dakota Wood, who edited the index, called the U.S. military [a] one-war force marginally able to meet current national-security demands. His conclusion emerged from assessments (employing a grading scale from very weak to very strong) of each of the military services and the militarys nuclear enterprise. The Army, Navy, and Air Force were graded as marginal, while the Marine Corps was given a grade of weak. The militarys nuclear capabilities were marginal. Overall, these assessments were attributed to a lack of readiness brought on as a result of underfunding since the end of the Cold War, and accompanying lack of modernization and decreased size of the forces. In keynote remarks at the event, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed alarm at the overall assessment of the U.S. military as marginal. The United States is facing increasing global threats in all domains of warfare, she warned, singling out Russia and China as peer or near-peer threats. The reports assessment of the adequacy of todays U.S. military is based on the ability of Americas armed forces to engage and defeat two major competitors at roughly the same time, a measure developed through the study of major U.S. wars since World War II and government defense studies. By that benchmark, the military is still too small, said Wood, a senior research fellow in defense programs at Heritage. Threats to US Vital Interests, led by Russia and China, are graded on a scale from Low to Severe in the Index, he said. The report notes that scores for bothcome close to being elevated to severe from their current high, and that Chinas provocative behavior continues to include militarization of islands that it has built in highly disputed international waters of the South China Sea. China also continues its aggressive naval tactics to intimidate such neighboring countries as Japan and the Philippines and continues to bully other countries that try to exercise their right to navigate international waters in the region. Dean Cheng, a senior research fellow with Heritages Asian Studies Center, pointed out that the Department of Defense is required by law to produce an annual report on Chinas military and security activities and capabilities. Given that Russia is identified along with China as a top peer competitor, he suggested Russia might be subject to regular comparable reports as well. The overall high threat level to U.S. interests and the marginal overall state of U.S. military strength found by the report culminates in a military whose deterrent value is certainly being compromised, Wood concluded. Similarly, the reports final line asserts: Americas military branches will continue to be strained to meet the missions they are called upon to fulfill, short of a significant positive turn in the threat environment, a reassessment of core U.S. security interests, or increased military funding. If the city gets the grant, it would put more money into the 2020 and 2021 budgets to take care of the citys match. If it doesnt get the grant, the project might not get done, and any money the city set aside for it would go somewhere else in the budget. US, Russian Astronauts Land Safely After Rocket Failure BAIKONUR, KazakhstanThe problem came two minutes into the flight: The rocket carrying an American and a Russian to the International Space Station failed on Oct. 10, triggering an emergency that sent their capsule into a steep, harrowing fall back to Earth. The crew landed safely on the steppes of Kazakhstan, but the aborted mission dealt another blow to the troubled Russian space program that currently serves as the only link to deliver astronauts to the orbiting outpost. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos Alexei Ovchinin had a brief period of weightlessness when the capsule separated from the malfunctioning Soyuz rocket at an altitude of about 50 kilometers (31 miles), then endured gravitational forces of 6-7 times more than is felt on Earth as they came down at a sharper-than-normal angle. About a half-hour later, the capsule parachuted onto a barren area about 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of the city of Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan. Thank God the crew is alive, said Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin. He added that Putin received regular updates. New NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, who watched the launch at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome along with his Russian counterpart, said Hague and Ovchinin were in good condition. He added that a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident will be conducted. All Russian manned launches will be suspended pending an investigation into the cause of the failure, said Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov. Hague, 43, and Ovchinin, 47, lifted off as scheduled at 2:40 p.m. (4:40 a.m. EDT) from Baikonur. The astronauts were to dock at the space station six hours after the launch and join an American, a Russian and a German on board. But the three-stage Soyuz booster suffered an unspecified failure of its second stage two minutes after launch. Russian news reports indicated that one of its four first-stage engines might have failed to jettison in sync with others, resulting in the second stages shutdown and activating the automatic emergency rescue system. Search and rescue teams were immediately scrambled to recover the crew, and paratroopers were dropped from a plane to reach the site quickly. Dzhezkazgan is about 450 kilometers (280 miles) northeast of Baikonur, and spacecraft returning from the space station normally land in that region. The astronauts were flown by helicopter to Dzhezkazgan, where they underwent a medical checkup and then taken by plane to Baikonur for more checks and to see their families. They will spend the night in Baikonur before being flown to Star City, Russias space training center outside Moscow. It was to be the first space mission for Hague, who joined NASAs astronaut corps in 2013. Ovchinin spent six months on the orbiting outpost in 2016. Oleg Orlov, the head of Russias main space medicine center, said the higher-than-usual gravity load posed no threat to the astronauts, who have been trained to endure high g-forces. During the launch, astronauts wear spacesuits and are tightly strapped into their custom-made seats helping withstand the G-forces. Flight controllers kept the three space station residents abreast of the situation after Thursdays aborted launch. The boys have landed, Mission Control assured the space station crew. Glad our friends are fine, space station commander Alexander Gerst, a European Space Agency astronaut from Germany, tweeted from orbit. Spaceflight is hard. And we must keep trying for the benefit of humankind. There was no immediate word on whether the space station crew might need to extend its own six-month mission. Two spacewalks planned for later this month were off indefinitely. Hague was supposed to be one of the spacewalkers. NASA said its dusting off its plans for operating the space station without a crew, just in case the Russian investigation drags into next year. Kenny Todd, a space station manager, said from Houston that the three-member space station crew can stay on board until January. Thats just a month beyond their expected mid-December return. Their Soyuz capsule is good for about 200 days in orbit. If the Soyuz rocket remains grounded until its time for the astronauts to come home, flight controllers could operate the orbiting lab without anyone on board, Todd said. The space station could operate like that indefinitely, barring a major equipment failure, he added. But it will need to be staffed before SpaceX or Boeing launches its new crew capsules next year, Todd said. Given that the space station is a $100 billion asset, Todd says it needs to have someone on board for the arrival of the commercial demo missions, for safety reasons. While the Russian space program has been dogged by a string of launch failures and other mishaps in recent years, Thursdays incident marked the programs first manned launch failure since September 1983, when a Soyuz exploded on the launch pad. Borisov said Russia will fully share all relevant information with the U.S., which pays up to $82 million per ride to the space station. I hope that the American side will treat it with understanding, he said. We will naturally provide them with all the necessary information about what caused the failure. Earlier this week, NASAs Bridenstine emphasized that collaboration with Russias Roscosmos remains important. Relations between Moscow and Washington have sunk to post-Cold War lows over conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, and allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential vote, but they have maintained cooperation in space research. The Russian Soyuz spacecraft is currently the only vehicle for ferrying crews to the space station following the retirement of the U.S. space shuttle fleet. Russia stands to lose that monopoly in the coming years with the arrival of SpaceXs Dragon and Boeings Starliner crew capsules. The last time the Russian space program had a manned launch failure was in 1983. Soviet cosmonauts Vladimir Titov and Gennady Strekalov jettisoned and landed safely near the launch pad after the Soyuz explosion. Its an unpleasant situation, Titov told the Tass news agency Thursday. We went through it, and it was very bad. He added that it will take about a week for the crew to fully recover. In 1975, the failure of a Soyuz upper stage sent Vasily Lazarev and Oleg Makarov into a fiery fall to Earth from an altitude of 190 kilometers, subjecting them to enormous gravity loads that caused them to black out and temporarily lose eyesight. They landed on a snowy mountain slope and spent two nights shivering in the cold before rescue crews reached them. Russia has continued to rely on Soviet-designed booster rockets for commercial satellites, as well as crews and cargo to the space station. While Russian rockets had earned a reputation for reliability in the past, launch failures in recent years have called into doubt Russias ability to maintain the same high standards of manufacturing. Glitches found in Russias Proton and Soyuz rockets in 2016 were traced to manufacturing flaws. Roscosmos sent more than 70 rocket engines back to production lines to replace faulty components, a move that resulted in a yearlong break in Proton launches and badly dented Russias niche in the global market for commercial satellite launches. In August, the space station crew spotted a hole in a Russian Soyuz capsule docked to the orbiting outpost that caused a brief loss of air pressure before being patched. Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin has raised wide concern by saying that the leak was a drill hole that was made intentionally during manufacturing or in orbit. He didnt say if he suspected any of the stations crew. By Lovetsky and Vladimir Isachenkov Canadian Foreign Affairs minister Chrystia Freeland speaks as US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer looks on at the closing of the NAFTA meetings in Montreal on January 29, 2018. Canada assumed stronger intellectual property protection in the new USMCA thanks to American asks. (Peter McCabe/AFP/Getty Images) USMCAs Stronger IP Rights Protection Pros Outweigh Cons for Canada Canadas know-how better protected should it pursue free trade with China The intellectual property (IP) provisions in the new United StatesMexicoCanada Agreement (USMCA) push Canada to adopt stronger standards. While some decry the concessions made to the United States, they are a big win for innovators and the economy. They should also provide insulation should Canada enter into a free-trade agreement with China. Stronger IP rights protections provide greater legal assurance that innovators can reap the rewards of taking risks in creating content, cutting-edge technologies, and medicines. The so-called China clause in the USMCA prompted a storm of criticism, as it purports to prevent Canada from entering into a free-trade agreement with a non-market economyChina. But another take on the clause is that it makes Canada think more carefully about free trade with China and aligns it closer to the United States. Chinas acquisition of foreign IP has been called the greatest transfer of wealth in the history of humankind. Increasingly, IP is at the core of international trade as it is the lifeblood or currency of todays knowledge economy. To win the commanding heights of the 21st-century economy, Beijing has directed its bureaucrats and businesses to obtain American intellectual propertythe foundation of our economic leadershipby any means necessary, said U.S. Vice President Mike Pence in a speech at the Hudson Institute on Oct. 4. He reiterated that the United States will take whatever measures necessary to stop the Chinese theft of IP. China has so little respect for intellectual property, and that is a lot of what this clause about entering into new agreements is about, Richard Owens, University of Toronto adjunct law professor and Munk Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, said in an interview. The stronger ones IP rights, the more likely one is to receive foreign direct investment [FDI] and technology transfer from another trading partner, said Owens. As we enter into new agreements, we will benefit proportionately to the strength of our IP rights. Owens, one of Canadas leading authorities on IP, has long advocated for stronger IP rights protections so that the country can realize its potential as an innovation economy. The two biggest changes from the USMCA that strengthen Canadas IP framework are extending the term of patents for biologic drugs from 8 years to 10 and extending the term of copyright by 20 years to the authors life plus 70 years. Those arguing against the USMCAs IP provisions, such as University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist, say copyright term extensions add hundreds of millions of dollars to education costs and reduce public access to Canadian cultural heritage. If Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains is to retain a made-in-Canada approach to copyright, it is time to take back the pen and restore the balance lost in the fine print of the USMCA, Geist wrote in a blog post. As for patent-term extension for biologics, BMO chief economist Doug Porter called it a clear negative for Canada, since it will add to drug costs with little upside in return. However, Owens contends that the money to pay for higher drug costs comes out of the greater wealth creation gained from innovation and not by reducing prices. He adds that the extension of the copyright term is of benefit to Canadian creators who would now be able to get the same level of protection in Europe, calling it a clear win. As for IP protection for biologic drugs, this is primarily of benefit to the small companies that tend to create them, as opposed to big pharma. Canada, of course, is primarily a small-company economy, so what benefits small companies disproportionately benefits Canada, Owens said. Change Rolls Through Perhaps the biggest impact of the governments new IP strategy, launched in April, has been to increase IP literacy for Canadas businesses. However, Owens says it has done little to strengthen IP, which would help small business compete. He adds that the USMCA takes IP rights protection in Canada closer to what the governments strategy should aim for. As the Canadian government subsidizes health care, it faces a conflict of interest in that it would like to keep drug prices low while at the same time encourage innovation. Canada will have to depart slightly from its national strategy to accommodate the USMCA. But that is a good thing, said Owens, as Canada needs to realize its potential as a global innovator. Stronger IP rights help Canada get there because better protections promote greater economic activity. More broadly, IP is a component of property rights in general. According to the 2018 International Property Rights Index (IPRI) report, countries in the top 20 percent of IPRI scores have a per capita income almost 20 times that of countries in the bottom 20 percent. Canadas IPRI score ranks 10th out of 125 countries, but focusing specifically on IP, it ranks 18th out of 50 countries in the Global Intellectual Property Centers ranking. It has climbed in the latest GIPC ranking due to stronger copyright and patentability enforcement, and upgrades from the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The USMCA will do good things for Canadas rankings because the rankings are all about strength of IP, Owens said. Attracting Investors One of the objectives of the federal government is to attract FDI through hubs like Invest in Canada. Finance minister Bill Morneau just met with Japanese business leaders in Tokyo on Oct. 9 to promote Canada. In 2015, Laura Dawson, director of the Canada Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., argued that one of the reasons Canada fails to attract FDI is because it is perceived as being weak on IP rights protection. Canada adopting U.S. standards is one way to remedy the situation. And should Canada enter into a closer trading relationship with China, Canada would begin from a more robust position in the quest for the most sought-after commodity in todays world. Follow Rahul on Twitter @RV_ETBiz A framed portrait of opposition activist Fernando Alban shadowed by an image of Jesus Christ sits on the flag-draped casket containing his remains, during a solemn ceremony at the National Assembly headquarters, in Caracas, Venezuela, on Oct. 9, 2018. (Ariana Cubillos/AP) Venezuelan Politician Mourned After Suspicious Death CARACAS, VenezuelaVenezuelas chief prosecutor doubled down on Oct. 10, on claims that a jailed opposition activist killed himself, while the Trump administration condemned the government of President Nicolas Maduro for its alleged involvement in the suspicious death. Attorney General Tarek William Saab appeared on state TV and said preliminary findings rule out foul play in the death of Fernando Alban. He held up a photo of an open window at the police headquarters where Alban had been held and cited autopsy results finding no injuries prior to those from the fatal impact of his fall from the 10th story of the building. All the evidence so far collected reveals the unfortunate circumstance that Alban committed suicide, said Saab. Be assured that we will get to the bottom of the investigation and find the truth. In Washington, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a statement condemning the Maduro regimes involvement in Albans death. She said the Trump administration would continue to increase pressure on the Maduro regime and its insiders until democracy is restored in Venezuela. Opposition supporters, meanwhile, poured onto the streets of the capital sobbing and waving Venezuelan flags to join the funeral procession of the Caracas-area city councilman. We want justice! mourners chanted, many directing their anger at the socialist president: Maduro is a killer! Alban, 56, was arrested Oct. 5 at the capitals international airport upon arrival from a trip to New York to galvanize world opinion against Maduros socialist government. Officials say Alban was under investigation for a suspected role in an assassination attempt against Maduro, and abruptly ran to an open window on the 10th story of a police building and threw himself to his death on Oct. 8. Opposition leaders, backed by several foreign governments, have accused Maduros government of torture and killing Alban. The United Nations has urged officials in Caracas to launch an impartial investigation to resolve the conflicting versions of how Alban died. The U.S. also has called for the immediate release of all Venezuelan political prisoners. The opposition claims that more than 100 Venezuelans opposed to Maduro are being held as political prisonerssome for more than four years. The government denies they are political prisoners. Vice President Mike Pence posted to Twitter his own condemnation, placing blame for Albans death on Maduros government. The regime continues to kill innocents & those standing up for democracy, Pence said. We stand w/ the Venezuelan people & demand the release of political prisoners. We condemn the death of Venezuelan opposition member Fernando Alban at the hands of the Maduro regime in the strongest terms. The regime continues to kill innocents & those standing up for democracy. We stand w/ the Venezuelan people & demand the release of political prisoners. pic.twitter.com/6lkoWLpjuR Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) October 10, 2018 In Caracas, hundreds of mourners on foot trailed the hearse holding Albans casket the cemetery. They included Albans parents and prominent allies from Venezuelas opposition movement. Residents along the waymany elderly womencame from their homes as the procession passed. Among them was Maria Betancourt, who never met Alban, but felt the need to show support for the late political leader. He represented in his fight what we all wantliberty in Venezuela, a democratic Venezuela, she said. We want what everybody in the world wantsopportunity. Not this disaster were living. By Scott Smith, Deb Riechmann and Ariana Cubillos US Vice President Mike Pence addresses the Hudson Institute on the administration's policy towards China in Washington, DC, on October 4, 2018. - Pence on Thursday accused China of seeking a change of power in the White House, stepping up allegations of electoral interference. (JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images) US to Adopt a China Policy Based on Realism Lao Tzu, the founder of Taoism, reminded us in the sixth century BC, Let reality be reality. That seems to be precisely what U.S. Vice President Mike Pence did on Oct. 4, when he delivered a comprehensive policy speech on China at the Hudson Institute. This speech was historic because no top official from previous U.S. administrations has offered such a straightforward analysis and narrative of U.S.China relations since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1979. It was also historic in giving U.S. policy toward China a new direction. China Policy Returns to Realism In Alls Well that Ends Well, Shakespeare wrote, No legacy is so rich as honesty. Despite the detailed accounts of Beijings influence operations in the United States and elsewhere in the world, Pences speech is seen by some as being aggressive or waging a new cold war. For too long a time and for various reasons, the world has almost given up hope of seeing Washington stand up to the Beijing regimes offensive for worldwide hegemony. Now, the Trump administration is speaking up for the interests of America and the rest of the world. For more than two decades, many China watchers in the West, policy makers in particular, appear to have been deeply hypnotized by the illusion of the so-called constructive engagement policy with China, hoping that by integrating communist China into the global economy, democracy or an open society would somehow automatically come to the Middle Kingdom. The United States good intentions helped China to rapidly become a world power. In June, in his address to the National Federation of Independent Businesses, President Donald Trump stated, China has been taking $500 billion a year out of our country and rebuilding China, a point that the president has repeatedly raised. The policy of constructive engagement was based on a pipe dream that has brought about, in most cases, the opposite if not few results; Beijing is now impulsively seeking to set the rules for business as well as geopolitics around the world. In his book, The Great Delusion: Liberal Dreams and International Realities, professor John Mearsheimer, a neorealism scholar, faults the so-called liberal hegemony for the failure of U.S. foreign policy since the collapse of the former Soviet Union. In Mearsheimers view, the liberal approach of remaking the world in Americas image through advocating for an open international economy and building democratic institutions around the world hasnt yielded a desirable outcome, because two greater forcesnationalism and realismhavent been factored in. Mearsheimer said, Trump eventually will have no choice but to move toward a grand strategy based on realism, even if doing so meets with considerable resistance at home. Misunderstanding China The most prevailing, if not the most detrimental, misperception of China among policy makers is the idea that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) operates in accordance with so-called Asian values or norms rooted in the 5,000-year Chinese civilization; thereby, its peculiar actions are perhaps capable of being forgiven. This understanding appeared in several responses to Pences groundbreaking speech; it couldnt be further from the truth. As a matter of fact, since 1949, the CCP has been relentless in purging the best of the Chinese cultural heritage, succeeding in many aspects in disconnecting the past from the present. It is little wonder that many first-time mainland Chinese visitors to the Republic of China (commonly known as Taiwan) have been surprised to find out that much of Chinese culture and traditions are actually better preserved on this island than in their homeland. Should there be any clash of civilizations between the United States and China, it would, in reality, come down to the clash between the ideology of the CCP and the norms of Western democracy. The traditional Confucian culture, as demonstrated in Taiwan, synchronizes in harmony with the Western democratic system. Being a Russian import, the CCP is, by no means, part of the Chinese legacy whatsoever. New Administration, New China Policy On Dec. 2, 2016, President-elect Donald Trumps phone call with Tsai Ing-wen, president of the Republic of China, was seen by many China-watchers as the first sign of departure from Washingtons decades-long protocol. This significant gesture toward Taiwan was later followed by some senior U.S. officials visits to Taipei, as well as by unanimous congressional support for including provisions in the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to strengthen Taiwans defense capabilities. The support for Taiwan recognizes, as Pence said in his speech, that America will always believe that Taiwans embrace of democracy shows a better path for all the Chinese people. Both the National Security Strategy (December 2017) and National Defense Strategy (January 2018) have communist China (and Russia to a lesser degree) clearly in mind as the top threat to Americas interests in Asia and elsewhere. These strategy documents temper what at least had been a hope that China wouldnt be an adversary. Less than a year ago, Trump toasted in Beijing for a friendship that will only grow stronger and stronger in the many years to come at a banquet with CCP leader Xi Jinping. On Sept. 26, 2018, citing Beijings meddling in the U.S. midterm elections, Trump told the press at the United Nations General Assembly, Maybe, hes not [my friend] anymore, Ill be honest with you. As Pence pointed out, China wants a different American president. Clearly, the icy relations with Beijing are now beyond the sheer dispute over trade alone. A Rebuke At the Aspen Security Forum in July, FBI Director Christopher Wray spoke of China as the broadest, most challenging, most significant threat we face as a country. The Telegraph reported on Oct. 9, China has become the biggest state sponsor of cyber-attacks on the West. According to The Telegraph, CrowdStrike, which revealed the Russian hack on the Democratic National Committee in 2016, said China was now ahead of Russia as the most prolific nation-state mounting attacks on firms, universities, government departments, think tanks and NGOs. No matter who reads the Chinese tea leaves, one cant help but notice an unconcealed roadmap of communist expansionism via its so-called One Belt, One Road initiative. One Belt, One Road uses debt-trap financing to gain influence over other nations. In the military installations in the South China Sea, we see naked military power being exerted to put a potential stranglehold on the channels through which much of the worlds commerce flows. Inside China, the most recent human-rights outrage involves herding hundreds of thousands of Muslim Uyghurs into concentration camps. Observers of the 18-year-old practice of forced organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners believe the techniques perfected against the Falun Gong are now being expanded against the massive population of detained Uyghurs. Yet, what the CCP has been doing, either with violent suppression at home or belligerent aggression abroad, wasnt met with any serious international challenge and rebuke until Trump moved into the White House. Pences speech put China and the world on notice that the United States is now responding. Peace Through Strength Over the years, the CCPs hostility and resistance toward Western democracies havent been fully recognized by Western leaders, due to its longtime cultivation of close ties with some influential Western academic, business, and political interest groups. But the America First administration is now seeking a level playing field with the CCP, not only in terms of trade and business, but also in geopolitical affairs around the world. If there is any Cold War, Beijing actually started it long before many policymakers in Washington were willing to openly admit it was taking place. Cold War or not, Washington is finally embarking on a realists path in dealing with the party-state. Common sense tells us that it is wishful thinking to count on a wolf to turn into a vegetarian. History shows the predatory nature of a communist regime has never been tamed by an appeasement policy or by wide-eyed liberalism; instead, it has been subdued by a realists approach of peace through strength, as well as by the moral courage to defend humanity. On Oct. 8, 1951, in her campaign for a seat in Parliament, future British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher articulated this basic insight, The threat to peace comes from Communism, which has powerful forces ready to attack anywhere. Communism waits for weakness, it leaves strength alone. In October 1964, Ronald Reagan said: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didnt pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. Despite waves of international and domestic challenges, an America that strives to protect its fundamental values will continue to be a global beacon of hope for freedom, democracy, and humanity. Perhaps, the best policy advice for managing the CCP comes from the Chinese philosopher Confucius, Repay kindness with kindness, but repay evil with justice. Peter Zhang focuses his research on political economy in China and East Asia. He is a graduate of Beijing International Studies University, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and of Harvard Kennedy School as a Mason Fellow. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Wife of Driver in Deadly Limo Crash Says He Complained The wife of the driver of a hired limousine involved in a deadly crash on Oct. 6 says her husband had complained that the vehicle was unsafe. Kim Lisinicchia said that her husband, Scott Lisinicchia, who drove part-time for Prestige Limousine, had refused to drive one of Prestiges three vehicles on more than one occasion. He did complain, Kim Lisinicchia told CBS News. There were a few times where he told me, like I overheard him say, Im not going to drive this, like this, you need to give me another car. She added that her husband trusted in what the limo company said, that the cars were all right. CBS reported that Prestige Limousine had been cited for 22 violations in the last 24 months. The car involved in the deadly accident, a stretched 2001 Ford Excursion, had failed inspections in March and September 2017. On one occasion it had failed because of a faulty ABS system and malfunctioning hydraulic brakes. Prestige Limousines attorney told CBS that the Ford Excursion had been deemed roadworthy after the failed inspection in September. The New York State Department of Transportation told CBS in a statement that that was categorically false. The owner was warned not to operate the vehicle said the DOT statement. the vehicle was placed out of service. Lisinicchia, 53, had been cited in August by the New York State Police for not having a valid limousine drivers license. His wife, 54, told Fox News that her husband had been a tractor-trailer driver for twenty years and was an excellent driver. 20 People Dead The limousine involved in the Oct. 6 accident was carrying a group of friends and family to a birthday celebration for one of the occupants. All 18 people in the limousine, including the driver, were killed in the crash. The victims included two pairs of newlyweds, the girl who was celebrating her birthday and her three sisters, and two brothers from another family. Officials said the limo was descending a hill on Route 30 in Schoharie and failed to stop at an intersection, a T-junction intersection. The limousine slammed into a parked, unoccupied SUV in a parking lot across the street. All 18 people in the limousine were killed in the impact. Two pedestrians, who were standing nearby, were also killed. The people headed to the birthday party had originally set out in a party bus, which they had rented from prestige Limousines. The bus broke down on the way to the birthday party, so Prestige sent out the stretched Ford Excursion to take them to their destination. Just 20 minutes before the fatal crash, passenger Erin Vertucci sent a text message to her cousin saying the limo was in terrible condition. From NTD.tv Woman Pushed from Flight Over Emotional Support Squirrel A woman brought an emotional support squirrel in a cage onto a flight at Orlando International Airport on Oct. 9. The woman indicated to Frontier Airlines on her reservation for Cleveland-bound flight 1612 that she would be bringing a support animal onboard. The animal was also cleared by TSAs X-ray machine. The problem was, the woman had not mentioned her support animal was a squirrel. Rodents, including squirrels, are not allowed on Frontier flights, a Frontier spokeswoman said in a prepared statement. The passenger was advised of the policy and asked to deplane. But the woman refused to leave, so all other passengers on the packed flight were asked to leave the cabin instead. Thereafter, Orlando police entered the plane to escort the woman to the main terminal at Orlando International Airport. The flight was delayed for two hours due to the incident, according to News 5 Cleveland. Twitter user Brandon Nixon shared a video of the woman being pushed off the flight in a wheelchair. So Im flying back to Cleveland and everyone got on the plane then was asked to exit the plane. Only to later find out a woman brought a squirrel in her carry on and labeled it as her emotional support pet. Then refuses to get off the plane until the cops come, Nixon wrote Oct. 9. You cant make this stuff up. This is going to be a story to remember for the rest of our lives, he said, according to The Associated Press. I just want everyone to know that all passengers had to deplane my flight to Cleveland because a woman brought a SQUIRREL ON THE PLANE, Twitter user Julia Papesch wrote Oct. 9. Frontier Airlines allows cats and dogs as emotional support or trained service animals, according to their updated policy announced Oct. 1. Miniature horses are also permitted as trained service animals. Earlier in January, a woman attempted to bring an emotional support peacock to a United flight. Just weeks later, a college student flushed her emotional support hamster down a toilet after a Spirit Airlines employee allegedly told her to do so, since the animal wasnt allowed on the flight. From NTD.tv Watch Next: US Leaves UN Human Rights Council If the righteous many do not confront the wicked few, then evil will triumph. A migrant gestures as he enters in a police bus carrying him to an accommodation center outside of the police station in Thessaloniki's Aristotelous main square, on Oct. 8, 2018. (Sakis Mitrolidis/AFP/Getty Images) Women, Girl Found Dead Near Greece-Turkey Migration Route THESSALONIKI, GreeceTwo women and a girl who were believed to be migrants were found dead with their throats slashed on Oct. 10, near Greeces northeast border with Turkey, Greek authorities said. The victims appeared to be of North African, Middle Eastern or Asian origin, but their nationalities and identities were unknown, police said. An initial examination of the bodies suggested the three were killed about four days earlier, Coroner Pavlos Pavlidis said. It is clearly a criminal act, Pavlidis told The Associated Press. They were found with their hands bound, each body about two or three meters away from the other. Their throats were cut right across. The woman appeared to be 30 to 35-years-old, the coroner said. One of the younger victims was aged 17-21, the other under 15, he said. DNA tests are planned to determine if the three were related, Pavlidis said. Police said a farmer found the victims on the Greek side of the River Evros, which runs between Greece and Turkey, east of the town of Didymoteicho. The Evros area is known as an entry point for migrants trying to enter Greece illegally by land. Greek officials said the number of people arrested at the land border with Turkey so far this year is about double the total figure for 2017, although the sea route to the eastern Aegean Sea islands remains more popular. Greece is a major entry point for refugees or economic migrants seeking better lives in Europe, with more than 24,000 arrivals so far this year. Most plan to continue on to more prosperous European countries, but are blocked by a series of closed borders in the Balkan. By Costas Kantouris South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is caught in an intricate game of political chess as he seeks to stamp his authority on the government while maintaining a semblance of party unity before elections next year. While his finance minister and political ally, Nhlanhla Nene, resigned Tuesday after lying about meeting with businessmen under investigation for looting state funds, other ministers with worse track records remain. Following a razor-thin victory for control of the ruling African National Congress in December, Ramaphosa still faces staunch opposition among supporters of his predecessor, Jacob Zuma, to a wholesale clear-out of the government. "This is a careful, difficult strategic game that Ramaphosa is involved with," Daniel Silke, the director of Political Futures Consultancy in Cape Town, said by phone. "We have seen a very softly-softly approach from Ramaphosa, which may not be to everybody's liking and might create additional frustrations, but I suppose the long game is for the survival of the Ramaphosa faction." A lawyer and former labor-union leader who helped negotiate an end to white-minority rule, Ramaphosa took office in February after the ANC forced Zuma to quit, following a scandal-marred tenure of almost nine years. Since then, Ramaphosa has vowed to eradicate corruption and woo $100 billion in new investment to help rebuild the economy - plans that may hinge on his ability to cement political control. Although Ramaphosa fired a number of Zuma allies from the cabinet, others have retained their posts. They include Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba and Women Affairs Minister Bathabile Dlamini, who've been found to have perjured themselves in court. Another, Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane, has been accused by opposition parties of mismanaging the Water and Sanitation Department's budget to the point of bankruptcy in her previous portfolio. Nene's departure may have cheered both Zuma supporters and the Economic Freedom Fighters, a radical opposition party that had pushed for his removal, Darias Jonker, an Africa analyst at risk-advisory firm Eurasia Group, said in an emailed note. "By forcing Ramaphosa to replace a key ally, both the EFF and the Zuma faction have won a significant round in their fight to undermine his reform agenda and eventually remove him from power," he said. - - - Within the ANC, Ramaphosa's biggest headache is Ace Magashule, who as secretary-general oversees the day-to-day running of the party. Magashule, who had campaigned for Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to lead the party, met with Zuma and other ANC leaders last month in what the Johannesburg-based Sunday Times newspaper described as a plot to oust the president, without citing anyone. Magashule denies the allegation. Ramaphosa's weakness stems from his tenuous control over the party and the fact that he's never led it to an election victory, according to Tinyiko Maluleke, a political analyst at the University of Pretoria. "The party is a complex machine and every ANC president has to juggle and negotiate," Maluleke said. "After the elections, he will certainly have more scope to appoint a cabinet that is entirely his and not have to take over cabinet ministers from a previous president, but it's not as if even after the elections he will have free rein. ANC presidents never do." - - - In the short term, Ramaphosa's appointment of former central bank Governor Tito Mboweni as his new finance chief should limit the fallout from Nene's resignation, according to Silke. "He's secured a victory from the jaws of defeat in that he's been able to replace a relatively highly regarded finance minister with Mboweni," Silke said. "The appointment of Mboweni brings a real anchor to finance and to the Treasury at a critical time for the country. I think ultimately this is a win for Ramaphosa." What came through loud and clear from some of the aldermen is that they feel strongly that they want to see this building if not demolished then sold. What needs to happen is to have a better understanding from the city on what is the selling price, Dichiera said. RICHMOND, Virginia - The husband of Democratic congressional hopeful Leslie Cockburn weighed in Thursday on one of the more unexpected controversies of the campaign: her suggestion that she has more credibility on Afghanistan than her Republican rival because she was on the ground there as a journalist while he, an Air Force intelligence officer, planned bombing raids over the country from a distant island. Cockburn made the claim during a debate Monday night with Republican Denver Riggleman, who said that as chief of intelligence for the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, he planned the first bombing raids over Afghanistan after 9/11 from Diego Garcia, a British island in the Indian Ocean. Andrew Cockburn, a fellow journalist who has sometimes worked with his wife, took to Twitter after Republican National Committee spokesman Garren Shipley's comment that "Denver Riggleman went overseas to fight and risk his life for his country. @Leslie Cockburn went overseas to get better ratings." In response, Andrew Cockburn tweeted: " 'Risked his life.' How? Snorkeling off Diego Garcia? We need specifics." He soon deleted the tweet. Cockburn campaign manager Louise Bruce declined to comment. Cockburn and Riggleman are political newcomers vying for the seat being vacated by Rep. Thomas Garrett, R-Va., who announced in May that he is an alcoholic and would not seek reelection. Virginia's largely rural 5th District, stretching from the Washington, D.C., exurbs to the North Carolina border, has been solidly Republican. Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton there by 11 points in 2016 even as Clinton carried the state by more than five points. Amid a blue wave the next year that gave Democrat Ralph Northam a nine-point win in the governor's race, the district favored Republican Ed Gillespie by nine points. The nonpartisan Cook Political report says the race leans Republican. Cockburn and Riggleman met Monday at Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville for the fourth of their five debates. Riggleman, who served 11 years in the Air Force and works as a Defense Department contractor, brought up his military service when asked whether it was in the United States' best interest to have troops in Afghanistan. He began by noting that 17 years had passed since he had planned the first bombing raids. "I started mission-planning those bombing runs on October 2nd [2001], so as a DOD guy, as somebody's who's been in harm's way and somebody who's seen others in harm's way, I think there comes a time that we have to get out," he said. Because of the way the debate was structured, Cockburn was asked about another topic but talked about Afghanistan instead. "I covered three different wars in Afghanistan," she said. "I covered the mujahideen war. I was in Kabul when the Taliban came in. And I was there during the American war. I will say, talking about the planned bombing raids right at the beginning of the war, Denver was not in Afghanistan. He was on Diego Garcia, which is 3,000 miles away from Afghanistan." She went on to say that now-retired Lt. Gen. David Deptula, not Riggleman, did the planning - and that the raids were unsuccessful. Deptula said in an interview Tuesday that there were "multiple levels of planning" - ranging from overarching operational goals or laying out tactical details such as where and when aircraft get refueled - so Cockburn and Riggleman "both may be correct." But he called her assertion about missed targets "absolute nonsense." Cockburn doubled down on her claim in a tweet Tuesday, citing an article by Michael O'Hanlon, a senior foreign-policy fellow at the Brookings Institution. "Fact-check: The initial bombing of Afghanistan hit the 'planned targets' (fixed Taliban targets) with little effect on Taliban forces," she wrote. "See Michael O'Hanlon, Foreign Affairs May-June 2002." O'Hanlon said in an email that he was not immediately available for an interview. Cockburn is a former "60 Minutes" producer who also worked for networks, "Frontline" and Vanity Fair magazine. She wrote a memoir, "Looking for Trouble: One Woman, Six Wars and a Revolution." NORWALK A Norwalk man is facing charges following an August road rage incident that left an elderly woman injured, police said. Police said the incident occurred Aug. 29 when Lawrence Reddock, 64, of Lakewood Drive, was allegedly cut off by another driver on West Avenue. The complainant, who denied cutting anyone off in traffic, told police Reddock proceeded to follow him closely, beeping and screaming at him and his two passengers one of whom was a child in the process. Police spokesman Lt. Terry Blake said the complainant eventually came to a stop in traffic, at which point Reddock exited his vehicle in a rage and began shouting obscenities at the other driver. The victim allegedly asked Reddock to stop, but Reddock told him he would do what he wants and to get out and make him stop, according to Blake. Police said when the victim went to exit his car, Reddock slammed the door shut on the other mans leg, trapping him inside the car. A passenger from Reddocks car then came and pulled him back into his car, police said. Back in his car, Reddock continued to follow the other driver to Harbor Avenue, where the victim was dropping off one of his passengers, an elderly man, according to police. Police said when the elderly man went to exit the car, however, Reddock drove to the other side of the car, struck the open door and injured the elderly woman in the process. As the two parties argued in the aftermath, an officer drove by and was flagged down, and an investigation ensued. Though the senior reported injuries in the incident, no one was transported to the hospital. No one was arrested that evening, but police later obtained video that corroborated the victims story, police said. As a result, a warrant was issued for Reddocks arrest and the 64-year-old turned himself in to Norwalk police Wednesday evening. Reddock was charged with using a motor vehicle to harass or intimidate, first-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving, risk of injury to a child and second-degree breach of peace. He was held on $15,000 bond and is expected to appear at Superior Court in Norwalk on Oct. 19. NORWALK A Norwalk resident whos no stranger to police faces new list of charges after officers served an arrest warrant for him at his home on Wednesday. Jimmy Louis, 40, of Quintard Avenue, was charged with sale of narcotics within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of narcotics within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of hallucinogens, possession narcotics with intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of marijuana with intent to sell within 1,500 feet of a school, operating a drug factory and risk of injury to a minor. Louis was also found to be in possession of 62 grams of marijuana, 21 grams of cocaine, six ecstasy pills and one bottle of PCP, Lt. Terry Blake said. The Norwalk Police Departments Special Services officers served the arrest warrant. Blake said there was a juvenile in the home at the time. Louis bail was set at $200,000. The home where Louis was arrested on Wednesday is next to 17 Quintard Ave., the location where a Pennsylvania-based halfway house operator, Firetree Ltd., has requested city approvals to open a sober house on the property. This isnt Louis first run-in with Norwalk cops. In 2015, he was arrested and hit with multiple charges. After a road rage incident involving then-36-year-old Pennsylvania resident James Joseph on Jan. 14, 2015, Louis was charged with possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell and reckless endangerment. Later that year, police arrested Louis twice more. On March 4, 2015, Louis was charged with four counts of possession with intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance, forgery, use and possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts of illegal possession near a school and two counts of sale/possession within distance of a school. During this incident, police said the found more than 1,500 pills and several bags of marijuana. A woman, Vilmary Ayala, was also charged in connection with the incident. Later that same month, on March 12, 2015, Louis was charged with possession of a controlled substance, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of hallucinogens or less than four ounces of marijuana, illegal possession of narcotics near a school. In this case, police said they found two plastic baggies with marijuana in them and five aluminum folds of PCP. Ayala was also charged in connection with this incident. This was filed to The Washington Post on Sept. 18. Jamal Khashoggi disappeared in Istanbul on Oct. 2. --- When I speak of the fear, intimidation, arrests and public shaming of intellectuals and religious leaders who dare to speak their minds, and then I tell you that I'm from Saudi Arabia, are you surprised? With young Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's rise to power, he promised an embrace of social and economic reform. He spoke of making our country more open and tolerant and promised that he would address the things that hold back our progress, such as the ban on women driving. But all I see now is the recent wave of arrests. Last week, about 30 people were reportedly rounded up by authorities, ahead of the crown prince's ascension to the throne. Some of the arrested are good friends of mine, and the effort represents the public shaming of intellectuals and religious leaders who dare to express opinions contrary to those of my country's leadership. The scene was quite dramatic as masked security men stormed houses with cameras, filming everything and confiscating papers, books and computers. The arrested are accused of being recipients of Qatari money and part of a grand Qatari-backed conspiracy. Several others, myself included, are in self-exile and could face arrest upon returning home. It anguishes me to speak with other Saudi friends in Istanbul and London who are also in self-exile. There are at least seven of us - are we going to be the core of a Saudi diaspora? We spend endless hours on the phone trying to understand this wave of arrests that have included my friend, businessman and thoughtful Twitter personality Essam Al-Zamil. It was just last Tuesday that he returned home from the United States, having been part of an official Saudi delegation. That is how breathtakingly fast you can fall out of favor with Saudi Arabia. It is all quite shocking. But this has not been business as usual in my country. In 2003 and again in 2010, I was fired from my job as editor in chief of a "progressive" paper, Al-Watan. During the years in between, I served as media adviser to Prince Turki al-Faisal, the Saudi ambassador to Britain and then the United States. Perhaps it seems odd to be fired by the government and then serve it abroad. Yet that is truly the Saudi paradox. In the starkest terms, Saudi Arabia is trying to moderate the extreme viewpoints of both liberal reformers and conservative clerics. And the arrests span that spectrum. Why would this climate of fear and intimidation be so prevalent when a young, charismatic leader is promising long-awaited reforms to spur economic growth and diversify our economy? The crown prince is popular, and his reform plan was supported by most of the 30 clerics, writers and social media superstars who were rounded up in the middle of the night. In recent months, Saudi Arabia has instituted several new and extreme policies, from full-throated opposition of Islamists to encouraging citizens to name others to a government blacklist. Those arrested were on that list. Columnists close to the Saudi leadership repeatedly demanded that Islamists be "eradicated." It's no secret that the crown prince despises the Muslim Brotherhood, yet it is actually a strange contradiction to identify a person as a Muslim Brotherhood activist. I always found it ironic when a Saudi official bashes Islamists, given that Saudi Arabia is the mother of all political Islam - and even describes itself as an Islamic state in its " Higher Law." (We avoid the term "constitution" because of its secular interpretation and often say that the Koran is our constitution.) Regardless of who is being targeted, this is not what Saudi Arabia needs right now. We are going through a major economic transformation that is supported by the people, a transformation that will free us from total dependence on oil and restore a culture of work and production. This is a very painful process. Mohammed bin Salman is best served by encouraging constructive, diverse opinions from public figures such as Essam and other economists, clerics, intellectuals and business people who have instead been swept up in these arrests. My friends and I living abroad feel helpless. We want our country to thrive and to see the 2030 vision realized. We are not opposed to our government and care deeply about Saudi Arabia. It is the only home we know or want. Yet we are the enemy. Under pressure from my government, the publisher of one of the most widely read Arabic dailies, Al-Hayat, canceled my column. The government banned me from Twitter when I cautioned against an overly enthusiastic embrace of then-President-elect Donald Trump. So I spent six months silent, reflecting on the state of my country and the stark choices before me. It was painful for me several years ago when several friends were arrested. I said nothing. I didn't want to lose my job or my freedom. I worried about my family. I have made a different choice now. I have left my home, my family and my job, and I am raising my voice. To do otherwise would betray those who languish in prison. I can speak when so many cannot. I want you to know that Saudi Arabia has not always been as it is now. We Saudis deserve better. --- Khashoggi is a Saudi journalist and author. President Donald Trump used to attack Democrats as mere obstructionists determined to block his agenda. But with the opposition poised to seize control of the House, he's painting them in far darker strokes -- as dangerous socialists hell-bent on turning the country into a poverty-stricken crime scene. "You don't hand matches to an arsonist and you don't give power to an angry left-wing mob and that's what the Democrats have become," Trump said Tuesday during a campaign rally in Council Bluffs, Iowa. "They would turn our country so fast into Venezuela. And Venezuela's not doing too well, folks." In a Wednesday USA Today op-ed that was riddled with hyperbole, Trump wrote that Democratic control of Congress would bring the U.S. "dangerously closer to socialism in America" and "destroy American prosperity." It's a strategy built on the idea that the coarsening of America's political rhetoric is an asset, not a liability, for a president who rose to power by insulting his opponents and leaning on bravado. But Trump's increasingly caustic attacks are unique for the American presidency, an office whose previous occupants have traditionally felt an obligation to unite the country rather than fan divisions and conflict. The president has intensified his attacks as the midterm elections for control of Congress draw nearer and as the fight over the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh has grown increasingly fraught. With his ridiculing of a woman who accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault and references to a left-wing "mob," Trump has provided a template for congressional candidates to follow. "My fear is that the Rubicon has been crossed," said Barbara Perry, a presidential historian at the University of Virginia's Miller Center of Public Affairs. "Others will see that this is the way to power and will use this model and the only thing that will stop that is if we get a reaction on behalf of the people." Stirring up voter fears that political opponents will adopt policies leading to higher crime, higher taxes or cuts in government benefits is a card long played by both parties. But Trump has escalated the attacks by claiming that chaos, crime and economic catastrophe aren't just the result of Democratic policies -- it's the party's goal. "The Democrats have become too extreme and too dangerous to govern," Trump said at a rally last week in Kansas. At political rallies in recent weeks, Trump has labeled Democrats "the party of crime" and has said they "want to unleash violent predators and ruthless killers" onto American streets. He has warned that the country would plunge into gridlock and poverty if Democrats take control of Congress next year. He has also called Democrats "crazy," "loco," and "crazy loco." Republican strategist Doug Heye said that while Trump has been "over the top" at times, Democrats have provided the GOP ammunition with their tactics and language, which have included repeated mass protests against the president. "The bet that both parties seem to be making is that this is an election all about base turnout," said Heye, a former spokesman for the Republican National Committee and Republican congressional leaders. "Voters tend to react more to the negative than the positive -- that certainly was the case with Trump." The president also regularly misleads and exaggerates when he goes on the attack. In his USA Today op-ed attacking a Democratic proposal to expand Medicare, the health program for the elderly and disabled, to cover all Americans, he accused Democrats of trying to "eviscerate Medicare." But the Medicare-for-all legislation is not designed to "take away benefits" from seniors, as he wrote. He has also supported legislation that would have allowed insurers to charge sick people more money, rather than "protect coverage for patients with pre-existing conditions," as he wrote. He often inaccurately paints opposition to his policies as support for the most extreme alternatives. For example, Democrats oppose his construction of a border wall but don't advocate for "unleashing violent predators and ruthless killers" or for "open borders" or to "dismantle law enforcement," as Trump has charged. And Democrats don't want to "end ethanol," another claim Trump made Tuesday evening in Iowa after ordering his administration to permit year-round sales of gasoline containing the chemical. Trump's rhetoric has always been strident -- in his inaugural address, he lamented what called "American carnage" under his predecessor. But he has sharpened his attacks on Democrats with polls showing Republicans in danger of losing the House thanks to voters enthusiastic to show their disapproval of the president at the ballot box. Trump's references to "socialism" increased after liberals won several Democratic primaries earlier this year, notably including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who describes herself as a Democratic socialist and has loaned her sudden star power to like-minded candidates. "Radical Democrats want to tear down our laws, tear down our institutions in pursuit of power, demolish our prosperity in the name of socialism and probably worse," the president said at a Mississippi rally last week. The bitter nomination battle over Kavanaugh meanwhile has coalesced Republicans around a more bare-knuckles approach to the midterms. And Trump has been more than willing to lead the charge. Singling out Democrats who opposed Kavanaugh after three women accused him of sexual misconduct decades ago, Trump accused them of being "evil" and said he had seen one unnamed senator in "compromising" situations. "They want to destroy people," he said at the Mississippi rally, during which he also mocked Kavanaugh accuser Christine Blasey Ford. "These are really evil people." Kavanaugh has denied the accusations and was confirmed Saturday by the Senate in a 50-48 vote. Hours afterward, Trump claimed that his Mississippi rally "was a very big turning point" that helped seal Kavanaugh's elevation to the high court. Democrats' handling of the allegations against Kavanaugh outraged the Republican base, and the party's candidates across the country began to shift their political strategy toward Trump's model. Several top Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, have described activists who protested Kavanaugh's nomination as a "mob" and have sought to paint Democrats as a party that welcomes violent extremists. The language echoes Trump's charge that the opposition party is unfit to govern. "I want to thank the mob for all their help," McConnell said Saturday in an interview. "It's ended up being a big political help to us." Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel also used the word "mob" in an attack on Democrats regarded as potential competitors to Trump in 2020. The president's dependence on hyperbole and inflammatory language receives less condemnation from Republican leaders today than it did when he campaigned for office, so there's little incentive for him to tone it down, according to Laurence Tribe, a Harvard Law School professor and frequent Trump critic who teaches a class on the presidency. And the impact on the country may be long lasting. "I think that as dangerous as he has shown himself to be in many contexts, he's said very little that's quite as alarming as this," Tribe said. "It's rhetoric drawn directly from the playbook of fascists and dictators." --Bloomberg's Laura Litvan contributed. NEW HAVEN The city will commemorate the centennial of World War Is end with a re-dedication of the monument on the New Haven Green. The complete program will be the same as the one used in 1929 when 51,000 people attended the monuments first dedication, Bill MacMullen, a city employee and ceremony coordinator, said in an email. The ceremony, scheduled for 1 p.m. Oct 14 on the New Haven Green, will feature city officials, dignitaries, noted historians and a re-enactment camp to provide a living history of WWI. New Haven embraced the war with patriotism, professionalism, and optimism, MacMullen said in the email. When we Re-dedicate the monument on the New Haven Green, we celebrate New Havens coming of age as an important component of the war effort, he said, also in the email. Not only do we honor those who had lost their lives in the war, we also honor those who served, and survived. They went on to build lives, businesses and careers that put New Haven in a special category. The monument lists 200 men from New Haven who died in the war and each name will be read aloud during the ceremony. Guest speakers will include Mayor Toni N. Harp; U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; Michael Neiberg of the U.S. Army War College; Paul Kennedy of the Yale University History Department; and Thomas Duffy, symphony director at Yale University. Duffy will conduct the Yale University Concert Band in performing the national anthem and period music. The First World War thrust our nation into the world stage, created political situations and policies that are with us to this day, MacMullen said. These include womens right to vote, the turmoil in the Middle East, American civil rights, the United Nations and certain country alliances, he said. WWI was the first international conflict to touch the lives of U.S. immigrants, who in the two decades preceding the war, immigrated from Italy, Russia, the Balkans and Germany. The citys embraced the patriotism that allowed them to live up to the name: American, MacMullen said. Since New Haven then had many arms manufacturers, it was a supply center for the war before the U.S. even became involved, with 34 percent of war materials made for the allied nations coming from New Haven County, MacMullen said. Additionally, the Green also hosted many war bond rallies during the conflict. Yale University students also enlisted, forming the officer corps through its Navy and Army ROTC programs and local social clubs, such as the newly formed Boy Scouts, ran errands helping with food drives and other things. The African American community volunteered to serve in the Army. Government policy dictated a segregated Army, however, the American Expeditionary Forces commander, John Black Jack Pershing, made sure they saw combat attached with units of the French army, (no segregation), and they were the highest decorated units of the American Army in the war. The American Library Association was behind the war effort and sought and collected books and newspaper compendiums for the soldiers. Library tents were a part of that effort, (there will be a library tent included on the Green for re-enactor soldiers that weekend), and the New Haven Free Public Library and New Haven Museum will be helping in that capacity. It is interesting that many people go by and sit by the monument on the Green, never realizing it is in commemoration of what was called the World War, the Great War, or the War to End All Wars MacMullen said. People in 1929 truly believed it was the war to end all wars because it was so terrible, MacMullen said, which is why it may have been the only monument ever allowed on the Green. It is hard to get people to understand the significance of any war, MacMullen said, especially one 100 years old with no living veterans to remind people of their sacrifice and overshadowed by a second war twenty years later. People attending the re-dedication can learn more about the war from featured speakers during the ceremony. Period vehicles, including a 1918 FN Renault tank, will be displayed on the Green along with an exhibit of soldiers and sailors by the New Haven Free Public Library and New Haven Museum. The Knights of Columbus Museum, at 1 State St., which is free and open to all, has the exhibit, World War I: Beyond the Front Lines open until Dec. 30. mdignan@hearstmediact.com (CNN) A liver transplant from an HIV-positive woman to her uninfected baby in South Africa has the potential to widen the country's organ donor pool, experts say. Doctors in the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre transplant unit in Johannesburg announced last week that they had performed a liver transplant from a living HIV-positive donor to an uninfected patient, the first in the world. The operation on the woman and her daughter with end-stage liver disease took place last year, when the girl was 13 months old. Initially, two potential donors were determined to be unsuitable, and the mother, who doctors say will remain anonymous due to her HIV status, pleaded to be allowed to donate her liver but was denied. Although people with HIV can donate organs in South Africa, they are not considered as potential donors in the hospital's transplant program, in order to reduce the risk of transmission, said Jean Botha, the program's director. As the baby's condition continued to deteriorate after three months on the organ waiting list, doctors said, they had to consider the mother's desperate pleas. Ethical decision "We were faced with a tough decision," said Botha, the lead surgeon on the case. "We had to choose between the death of the child and accepting an infected organ to save her. The mother kept pushing and almost challenged us that we were possibly discriminating against her. Knowing HIV individuals live healthy lives, we had to take the opportunity," he added. Dr. Harriet Etheredge, a medical bioethicist who worked on the case, said the team also weighed the ethical implications. "We were also faced with the risk to this child, having a child who was too young to tell us if they were willing to assume that risk," Etheredge said, adding that investigation is ongoing to determine the girl's HIV status. The mother was monitored to ensure that her CD4 count was at acceptable levels. Her HIV viral load had been suppressed for six months before donation, and only part of her liver was used for the operation. The baby was given three antiretroviral drugs the night before the procedure to prevent HIV transmission. An anti-inflammatory was administered during the operation. Both mother and child are doing well and the baby remains HIV-negative, the doctors say, but they will continue to follow up with them. "The testing on the baby has come up with some interesting results too, we cannot present it at the moment," Botha said. 'Unique case' Organ transplants have previously been performed between HIV-positive patients. Doctors at John Hopkins University performed the first kidney and liver transplants on HIV-positive patients in 2016. The donor had been living with HIV for 30 years, and the recipient had had the virus for 25 years. South Africa has also had success in transplants between people with HIV. But two things have made this case unique, doctors said: It is the first liver donation from a living HIV-positive donor in the country; donors in previous cases were deceased. It is also the first liver transplant from an infected donor to an HIV-negative recipient, with an intention to reduce transmission in the recipient. "This is the rst such intentional liver transplant of its kind in the world," the doctors said this month in the journal AIDS. The study demonstrates that living HIV-positive patients can safely donate organs, said Paul Mee, assistant professor of epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Adding HIV patients to the donor pool helps countries facing a shortage of suitable donors and offers South Africa, with its high HIV burden, more opportunity to offer transplant services to save more lives, Mee said. "The shortage of suitable organ donors for those in need of a transplant is a major problem throughout the world. This problem is made much worse in countries such as South Africa with high rates of HIV, where infected individuals would normally be considered ineligible as organ donors due to the risk of infection for the recipient," Mee said More than 4,000 people in South Africa are on the waiting list for organ and tissue transplant, according to Organ Donor Foundation of South Africa. About 7 million South Africans are HIV-positive -- 13.1% of the population -- according to the country's national statistical service. "We face dire organ shortage, and this has created an imperative for us to look at alternatives to get our patients transplanted," Botha said. This story was first published on CNN.com, "In medical first, HIV-positive mother donates liver to her uninfected baby, in South Africa." A number of artists have told me that brouhaha, which resulted in the resignation of one library employee, made city officials extra sensitive to anything creative that could be perceived as controversial. But in doing so, the mayors office ticked off a large portion of artists who describe themselves as discouraged and alarmed by what they see as the governments overreach, particularly in a city striving to be an up-and-coming art mecca. PHOTOS How to save yourself from buying fake products on the internet According to the Global Brand Counterfeiting, global sales on counterfeit items reached $1.8 trillion by the end of 2020. An increasing number of people are shopping online every year and more fake products are being sold to consumers every day. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the Better Business Bureau and the U.S. Government Office of Accountability, here is how to avoid buying these counterfeit goods when shopping online. (Noah McGee, The Active Times) Alex Brightman is an actor aware of his budding reputation - and slightly bemused by it. The 31-year-old's Broadway breakthrough came in 2016, when he received a Tony nomination for filling Jack Black's shoes in the kinetic "School of Rock" musical based on the film. Now he's taking on a role made iconic by Michael Keaton, in a musical adaptation of the 1988 hit movie "Beetlejuice." Brightman doesn't need to hear the question before he interjects and asks it himself: "'Are you that guy now? Are you just going to be the guy that does all of the movie roles?'" The irony, in Brightman's mind, is that he's not particularly well suited to channeling Black, Keaton or anyone else, really. "I love to create from scratch, so when I can, I do," Brightman says. "I'm not a good impersonator, so I'm not worried that I'll be too good at being the guy that can mimic." "Beetlejuice" kicks off a world-premiere five-week run at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, with the show slated for a March opening on Broadway. While the title character famously has just 17 minutes of screen time in Tim Burton's twisted fantasy-comedy, which focuses on a recently deceased couple who ask the demon for help haunting their former home, Brightman's Beetlejuice - or Betelgeuse, as the character's name is alternately spelled - is the driving force of the musical. In a revamped narrative, this "Beetlejuice" focuses on the relationship between the meddlesome, manic fiend and Lydia, the goth teenager whose family moves into the haunted house. The character of Beetlejuice walks a tightrope as a villain the audience can't help but find endearing in his quest to wreak havoc on the mortal world, with Brightman's obvious amiability embedded in the role. "He's always got a really good attitude," "Beetlejuice" director Alex Timbers says of his star. "When everyone is exhausted, he's the first one leaping up onstage to get something done. I find him very inspiring, and I think the company does too." Brightman, who didn't meet Black until "School of Rock" had been on Broadway for months, hasn't spoken to Keaton about his new part. ("I'm not good at reaching out," he says, "mainly because of my past of reaching out to girls I thought liked me and getting shot down every time.") But Brightman thinks Keaton would appreciate his take, which has been colored by moments he improvised throughout various readings, workshops and rehearsals over the past two years. "It's very different, extremely different than Michael Keaton," Brightman says. "It could be like Beetlejuice's younger brother. There's still a voice, there's still a thing, but it is actively not the one in the movie." Brightman's creative instincts have extended from the stage to the page, as he currently is co-writing musical adaptations of the 2010 film "It's Kind of a Funny Story" and the 1986 children's novel "The Whipping Boy." Reflecting on how the "Beetlejuice" team shaped the character around Brightman, Timbers says: "For somebody like Alex to be such a funny writer, it helps so much. He gets what the authors are going for, he's able to collaborate with them, with me, with such sophistication of understanding all angles of the craft." Brightman has stretched his ambition to television as well, having sold a family sitcom to NBC last fall. The show didn't get made, but Brightman was undeterred: He's now sitting on four "fully fleshed out" pitches for comedy series, plus an idea for a horror anthology in which each episode focuses on a common recurring nightmare. "I have the type of anxiety that wakes you up and says you're not doing enough, even when I'm in a show like this," Brightman says. "Anxiety is a serious condition that I have my ups and downs with, but anxiety and depression have led me to finding ways to combat it - and what combats it is work." After seeing the way "School of Rock" opened doors for him, as an actor and as a writer, Brightman hopes "Beetlejuice" can be the springboard that gets some of his projects off the ground. If that means being seen by some as "the guy that does all of the movie roles," that's fine by him. "When I started in New York 15 years ago, it was like, 'I don't care if they like me or not - I just want them to notice me,' " Brightman says. "If you just keep your head down and work, you will have zero time to go, 'Is what I'm doing worth it?' And you'll just have a product at the end of it. Good or bad, you'll have done something. "That's been my whole career. No one has to like anything that I do, but you can't deny that I've done it." EDWARDSVILLE Madison County Officials reopened Buchta Road last week in Fort Russell Township following the replacement of Heeren Bridge. The road and bridge, which are located west of South Moreland Road and crosses over Indian Creek, reopened Friday after being shut down for nearly seven months. We are pleased in the fact that the bridge repair opened ahead of schedule, County Board member Tom McRae of Bethalto and chair of the Transportation Committee said. In February, the County Board awarded a $1.08 million contract to RCS Construction Inc. of Wood River to renovate the single-span bridge that averages 1,000 vehicles per day. The bridge had several structural deficiencies prior to its replacement. The structure, which had a load limit of 17 tons, and flooded several times per year is now a three span, steel wide flange beam structure with concrete deck. The county funded 75 percent of the project from its Bridge Fund, and Fort Russell Township funded the remaining 25 percent. McRae said the re-opening of the road and bridge would relieve some of the traffic congestion along Illinois routes 140 and 143. He said that with the shutdown of Buchta Road and the Illinois Department of Transportation doing bridge construction on Route 143 at Indian Creek had motorists taking alternative routes and increasing traffic along those roadways. Matt Kitzmiller, the countys construction engineer, said that work on the bridge began March 12 and the contractor completed the project under the 80 working-day period. The bridge was done within 76 working days, Kitzmiller said. Fort Russell Township also resurfaced Buchta Road west of Illinois Route 159 and east of South Moreland Road. County Board member Mick Madison of Bethalto said he is pleased the road has been improved and reopened. It was a much needed improvement and I am happy it was completed ahead of schedule, Madison said. EDWARDSVILLE The states mounting debt and equitable funding for education were among the topics discussed Wednesday by four candidates taking part in the Edwardsville Area League of Women Voters first candidate forum, conducted at the Wildey Theatre. 112th District Illinois House of Representative candidates Katie Stuart and Dwight Kay and 56th District Illinois Senate candidates Rachelle And Crowe and Dr. Hal Patton all responded to audience-submitted questions at the event. Three candidates for other offices also attended the forum, but only introduced themselves and briefly described their backgrounds. Democrat Debra Ming-Mendoza is the incumbent Madison County Clerk and she spoke to the Wildey audience. She is opposed by Republican candidate Stephen Adler, who was not in attendance. Andrew Reinking is a Democrat who is the incumbent Regional Superintendent of Schools and is being challenged for that office by Republican Robert Werden. Both candidates spoke Wednesday night. The LWV has scheduled a second forum, again at the Wildey, at 7 p.m. on Oct. 17. That event will feature candidates for Madison County Treasurer, Madison County Board (Districts 5 and 11) Circuit Judge and Appellate Court Judge. Two years ago, Stuart defeated Kay, who was the incumbent, in the 112th District election, meaning both candidates have experience in Springfield. Stuart, from Edwardsville, is a former high school and college math teacher. She is a Democrat. In her introduction, Stuart said state lawmakers need to be less receptive to the perks of office and more in tune with constituents. Two years ago, I went to Springfield during an unprecedented budget crisis and I made a promise that I would not accept a paycheck until we passed a budget. I held to that promise and I worked to pass a responsible budget that projects funding for our states most critical services, Stuart said. I think we need to do more to reduce perks for politicians so I rejected the legislative pension and health care benefits and I passed legislation that blocked an increase in pay for lawmakers. Kay, a Republican, is a businessman from Glen Carbon. He emphasized in his introduction that he is a conservative who is tired of the way things are being done in Springfield. Im not going to say a whole lot about myself because you know me, Ive been to Springfield in the past. Im a fiscal conservative, Kay said. We dont need to convene the house, we dont need to convene the senate because (Illinois Speaker of the House, Democrat) Mike Madigan has taken over the state and made it somewhat less than it should be. We are not where we should be, could be or need to be. Both candidates agree that more needs to be done at the state level in regard to education funding, particularly since approximately 80 percent of Edwardsville District 7s funding comes from local tax sources. Stuart has seen first-hand the impact inadequate funding can have on education. I was a teacher in the classroom, Ive been in front of those students. I know how much those dollars affect what goes on in that classroom, she said. Kay, meanwhile, said Springfield needs to live up the state constitutional mandate calling for at least 50 percent of education funding to come from state sources. Education is the most important thing that we can do for our young people, he said. The fact that we have not met the 50 percent budget requirement is pretty sad. In terms of the state budget, both candidates agreed that more needs to be done. This is the 21st year weve had an unbalanced budget in Illinois and thats not acceptable to me and it shouldnt be acceptable to you, Kay said, pointing out the long-history of state budget issues. Our two-year budget crisis almost tripled our state debt, created a billion dollars worth of interest payments on unpaid bills. We absolutely cannot afford to let that happen again, Stuart said, opting to take a more recent look at the problem. The 112th District includes all or parts of Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, Roxana, Caseyville and Collinsville. State Senator Bill Haine is the incumbent in the states 56th District, but is stepping down for health reasons. Crowe and Patton stepped up to place their names on the ballot. Crowe. a Democrat, is from Glen Carbon and serves as a prosecutor for Madison County States Attorneys Office. Patton is running as Downstate United candidate after being knocked off the Republican primary ballot earlier this year. He is a dentist and the mayor of Edwardsville. Both candidates have different ideas on fixing the states numerous problems, sticking to their party lines. We can do things through growth but we have to be business friendly. We have to figure out a way to attract them here, into the state of Illinois. Part of it is unemployment insurance and work comp rates. We are not competitive at all, Patton said. We need a state that doesnt over-regulate and gets out of our way. Crowe went in another direction. We need to make sure that our state has the right priorities. We need to close corporate tax loopholes that cost our taxpayers millions of dollars and give us no return, she said. Instead, we need to be making sure that we are spending money that is going to have a lasting impact on our communities. The idea of a graduated income tax has been considered and would need voter approval before it becomes a reality. Neither Crown nor Patton supports the idea per se nor do they believe taxes should be levied on retirement income. We cannot be taxing the working class any more than we already are. We cant be taking money out of the pockets of the hard-working people, Crowe said. Now, when were talking about someone who has millions of dollars and they can afford to pay for it, I think they should. Patton said the public is taxed enough. I certainly do not support a progressive income tax. That would be an absolute disaster for our state. Thats another increase, he said. How many times do we have to increase income taxes before we figure out that a lot of people are going to leave. The state currently faces a $130 billion public pension shortfall and both candidates addressed that. Crowe and Patton agree that the shortfall is not the fault of public school teachers, who account for the bulk of pension payouts. The best idea Ive seen for that is re-enterprising, meaning refinancing what is owed without adding to that debt, upholding our end of the bargain and keeping our promises to our teachers, Crowe said. Patton agreed that something needs to be done. We have to come up with solutions were going to have to continue to grow. We need to reform the system. We need to ask people for early buyouts, he said. We need to figure out ways to tackle this so we can do it in smart and economical ways. The 56th District covers parts of Madison and St. Clair counties and includes Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, Bethalto, Alton, Godfrey, Collinsville and other communities. ALTON As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, area residents will again take to the streets for the Fifth Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence sponsored by the Alton Police Department. The walk, from SS Peter and Paul Church on State Street in Alton to the Liberty Bank Amphitheater, will start at 6:30 p.m. today, Thursday. After meeting at the amphitheater at about 5:30 p.m., participants will be bused to the church for a short program. The group will then march down State Street to Broadway, then back to the amphitheater. There is a $10 cost per walker, with all proceeds benefiting local domestic violence prevention programs. The program will include several speakers, including a domestic violence survivor, then a song and closing prayer. At about 7:10 p.m. the walk will start. Last year, about 100 people participated in the walk itself, with about 200 at the service, according to Alton Police Chief Jason Jake Simmons. Its really a very moving memorial service, he said. Weve expanded and improved on it over the years. Simmons noted the importance of bringing attention to domestic violence, and that a woman is assaulted or abused every nine seconds in America. Between 5-7 percent of all (police) service calls are domestic related, he said. It is very important to get the word out that no longer is it taboo to talk about it. For more information about domestic violence, visit the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence website at ncadv.org. They also operate the National Domestic Abuse Hotline at www.thehotline.org, or by calling 1-800-799-7233 or 800-787-3224 (TTY). Reach reporter Scott Cousins at 618-208-6447. GLEN CARBON The Village of Glen Carbon kicked the decision regarding the construction of a cell phone tower back to the building and zoning commission and another public hearing. Village Attorney Jim Schrempf explained that due to a mistake by village officials, there were not appropriate notices given regarding the public hearing. There were not appropriate notices given regarding the public hearing in line with the villages usual practices, Schrempf said. Therefore it is my recommendation that this matter be referred back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for another public hearing. Schrempf said the new public hearing is a start over both sides and those presenting information at the public hearing should not rely on what was said at the first public hearing. The proposed 100-foot-tall telecommunications tower would be constructed in the area at the end of Hanson Drive and Hiles Drive. Residents have opposed the tower construction saying it would jeopardize property values and be an eyesore. Residents of Forrest Ridge Subdivision said they were confused by the public hearing notice and didnt realize where the tower was going to be constructed. Amber Kennedy said when she saw the photos that were shared with a rendering of where the tower would be located near Forrest Ridge she was horrified. I was surprised and horrified when I saw the photographs, she said. Everyone in the neighborhood feels the same was and we strongly oppose this cell tower and dont think it is good for our neighborhood. Forrest Ridge resident Jack Twestin said he applauded the Village Board for the second hearing on the subject. When the pictures came around we were all upset and what was being proposed, he said. Margaret Moggio said new technologies should be explored instead of building the tower. I heard the reasoning for this tower is that the police department needs better coverage, but I have no idea who initiated this, she said. Since there is a reprieve in the decision making process we have more time to look into exactly what kind of technology is out there instead of these large towers. The towers are going to be obsolete and things are moving toward small cells. We need to explore new and better technologies. After the next public hearing, the Planning and Zoning Commission will make a recommendation to the Village Board regarding the fate of the telecommunications tower construction. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Randy Pembrook presented his third annual State of the University Address to the campus community on Wednesday, Oct. 10 in the Morris University Center Meridian Ballroom. The address theme related to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s question about our compelling responsibilities - fulfilling the tasks we are called to address. Visit siue.edu/tv to view the presentation. Pembrook noted that this was the 42nd State of the University Address, a tradition initiated by then-President Kenneth Buzz Shaw. I am proud of our institution and how it has progressed in many areas discussed in those early State of the University addresses, including academic quality, recruitment, retention and external relations, Pembrook said. Pembrook began by addressing enrollment and the introduction of new or expanded programs to meet marketplace needs and demands. He pointed to online offerings such as a masters in criminal justice policy, a masters in healthcare informatics, the School of Nursings growing RN to BS program and the medical technology specialization in biological sciences as success stories. He also noted bachelors programs in integrative studies, international studies, mechatronics and robotics, and nutrition, along with the introduction of a masters of fine arts in creative writing and a masters in pharmaceutical sciences as programs meeting student demand. We will continue to be innovative, efficient, responsible, and diverse in order to provide access to those who need us to be all of those things, Pembrook said. To compete for prospective students, SIUE added additional recruiting personnel both in Chicago and internationally, implemented a domestic tuition rate for all students, increased scholarship funding, and created a research and analysis unit within enrollment management. SIUE also has partnered with Royall and Co. to support traditional student recruitment and Academic Partnerships to aid the School of Business masters of business administration (MBA) efforts. Pembrook celebrated the successes of the 2017-18 academic year, including numerous faculty and staff honors and grants, successful community collaborative partnerships, innovation grant initiatives, student achievements, enrollment accomplishments despite the overall drop in total enrollment, academic advancements and facilities improvements. We will continue to pursue excellence regardless of circumstances, said Pembrook, who touched upon the state allocation conversation that occurred throughout the 2017-18 academic year and the change in system leadership. He also introduced the steering committee for revising the Universitys strategic plan. Among the 2018-19 goals, Pembrook focused on completing Phase II of the enrollment management plan and development of the academic strategic plan. He also is looking forward to completing the Center for Faculty and Innovation, round three of the innovation grants process and increasing salaries to the degree that enrollment and state budgets will allow. SIUEs facilities upgrades continue with the already in progress Founders Hall renovation and planning for an expansion of Alumni Hall. Other projects to anticipate are Morris University Center upgrades, a performing arts center, East St. Louis Charter High School improvements and University Park expansion. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high quality, affordable education that prepares them for successful careers and lives of purpose to shape a changing world. Built on the foundation of a broad-based liberal education, and enhanced by hands-on research and real-world experiences, the academic preparation SIUE students receive equips them to thrive in the global marketplace and make our communities better places to live. Situated on 2,660 acres of beautiful woodland atop the bluffs overlooking the natural beauty of the Mississippi Rivers rich bottomland and only a short drive from downtown St. Louis, the SIUE campus is home to a diverse student body of more than 13,000. The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy (SOP) is partnering with the SIU School of Medicine (SOM) and SIUE School of Nursings (SON) regional program in Carbondale to advance the national Student Hotspotting learning collaborative. Hotspotting focuses on care coordination and follow up for super-users, or individuals who are admitted to the hospital multiple times a year/use the emergency department frequently, in order to reduce their need for frequent hospital/emergency visits by providing improved coordination and cost-effective medical care. The learning collaborative is beneficial for not only patients, but also students leadership development, and it provides an authentic experience with interprofessional practice, says Janice Frueh, PharmD, SOP clinical associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and SOM adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. Student Hotspottings main goals are to develop students abilities in working with medically and socially complex patients by gaining experience in addressing patients barriers to care, identifying the importance of patient-centered coordinated care, working with interprofessional teams in a community learning lab versus a healthcare system environment, and developing skills utilizing data that can be applied to healthcare delivery and design, Frueh explained. Navigating the healthcare system can be challenging, and the patients our students are working with have complex healthcare needs, said Melodie Rowbotham, PhD, RN, CNE, and director of the SIUE regional nursing program. By developing trusting relationships with patients, nursing students can then advocate to ensure these patients receive the care they need to improve their healthcare outcomes. The six-month learning collaborative hosted a September kickoff event in Springfield, where interprofessional team members gained an overview of the Student Hotspotting curriculum, and explored challenges and opportunities with regard to patient engagement that the team may encounter. Student Hotspotting was developed from the work of the Camden Coalition in Camden, New Jersey, said Frueh. Its educational design follows an emerging area of medical education called Value-Added Education, that focuses on developing experiential, interprofessional education in which students provide value to the healthcare system. Most importantly, students are to serve roles in which they interact with patients on a firsthand basis. The SOM has been a Student Hotspotting hub since September 2017. It is one of four institutions in the country serving as a regional learning center for other schools/teams. Through Camdens partnership and guidance, hotspotting has allowed us to improve access to care for those who are struggling to achieve health in our current healthcare system, said Tracey Smith, DNP, Student Hotspotting program lead, and research associate professor and director of population health integration at the SOM. Using hotspotting techniques, we are helping individuals and families gain independence from the emergency room and achieve a better quality of life. The greatest reward comes when individuals and families trust us enough to allow us to assist them when they are sick, Smith said. I hope that this program allows healthcare learners to experience that feeling of reward that so often is missing from healthcare practice. Faculty have found the learning collaborative to be an effective way to connect and build relationships with other educators, practitioners and researchers. Faculty from these institutions are building deeper relationships and collaborative work opportunities with each other, Frueh said. We havent even scratched the surface on all the possibilities related to these institutions curriculum, community outreach and/or strategic plans. Todays pharmacists improve patients lives through the medication and education they provide. Dedicated to developing a community of caring pharmacists, the SIUE School of Pharmacy curriculum is nationally recognized as a model that offers students a unique combination of classroom education, research, community service and patient care. The School of Pharmacys areas of excellence include a drug design and discovery core; pediatric practice; chronic pain research and practice; and diabetes research and practice. As the only downstate Illinois pharmacy doctorate program, the SIUE School of Pharmacy is addressing the growing need for highly trained pharmacists in a rapidly growing field. The SIUE School of Nursings programs are committed to creating excellence in nursing leadership through innovative teaching, evidence-based practice, quality research, patient advocacy and community service. Enrolling nearly 1,400 students in its baccalaureate, masters and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders in pursuit of shaping the nursing profession and impacting the health care environment. SIUEs undergraduate nursing programs on the Edwardsville campus and the regional campus in Carbondale help to solve the regions shortage of baccalaureate-prepared nurses and enhance the quality of nursing practice within all patient service venues. The Schools graduate programs prepare nurses for advanced roles in clinical practice, administration and education. The SIU School of Medicine is a public medical school established in 1970 and focused on the health-care needs of downstate Illinois. An international leader in medical education, the school has been internationally acclaimed for its innovations in medical education, including standardized patients, problem-based learning and curriculum assessment. SIU School of Medicine is based in Carbondale and Springfield and is specifically oriented to educating new physicians prepared to practice in Illinois communities. Since opening, more than 5,500 physicians have graduated from its medical degree, residency and fellowship programs. The Southern Illinois Construction Advancement Program (SICAP) has donated $20,000 to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineerings (SOE) Department of Construction for the purchase of a specialized construction drone. The drone will be capable of supporting multiple payloads for versatile construction-site data acquisition applications, including centimeter-accuracy global positioning, high definition video and thermal imaging. The Southern Illinois Builders Association (SIBA) and the Southern Illinois Construction Advancement Program have been instrumental in the success of the SIUE construction program over our 40-year history, and have been longstanding partners in promoting safety, education, and the advancement of the building industry, said Chris Gordon, PhD, SOE associate dean and professor in the Department of Construction. According to Gordon, SICAPs generous donation, coupled with the Department of Constructions recently hired faculty members technological expertise, keeps the construction program and its students at the forefront of the industry. Students gain strong technical and leadership skills that prepare them to lead in an industry that is rapidly innovating in both technology and project delivery. This new platform will provide our students opportunities to interact with best-in-class data acquisition methods to support construction management activities, Gordon said. In addition, it will support the scholarship of our faculty members who focus on improving the modeling, inspection and management of our built environment. Department of Construction Assistant Professor Chenxi Yuan, PhD, is training for the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) Remote Pilot Exam, which will permit him to operate the construction drone in research and creative activities. His research interests include object detection and tracking, underground utilities mapping, geospatial information management, e-construction and mixed reality. Construction and civil engineering instructor David Sherrill is also a licensed drone pilot and will be using the new drone in the advanced surveying classes. About SIBA and SICAP Established in 1945, Southern Illinois Builders Association (SIBA) represents approximately 500 construction companies throughout Southern Illinois and is the largest regional contractor association in Illinois. Contractor members range in size from small, closely-held firms doing less than $250,000 volume per year, up to companies performing several million dollars in volume. The Southern Illinois Construction Advancement Program (SICAP) is a not-for-profit industry fund powered by employer contributions based on hours worked by craftsmen of: Carpenters District Council of Greater St. Louis & Vicinity; Southern and Central Illinois Laborers District Council; Southwestern Illinois Laborers District Council; Plasterers and Cement Masons East St. Louis Local 90; Plasterers & Cement Masons Local 143 Serving Southern Illinois Counties; Operating Engineers Local 520; and Painters District Council 58. The SIUE School of Engineering offers one of the most comprehensive and affordable engineering programs in the St. Louis region with eight undergraduate degrees, five masters degrees and a cooperative doctoral program. Students learn from expert faculty, perform cutting-edge research, and participate in intercollegiate design competitions. Companies in the metropolitan St. Louis area provide students challenging internships and co-op opportunities, which often turn into permanent employment. Students gain hands-on experience in the Schools state-of-the-art facilities, including the new Fowler Student Design Center. Russia stole the election is one too, isnt it? Russia meddled with an aim to disrupt, thats for sure. But is it possible for such masterminds to direct, influence and scheme to convince enough on the fence voters in enough areas all across the country to get any candidate to the magical 270 Electoral College votes? A 44-year-old man, identified as Marvin Mayweather, was pronounced dead at the scene while the second victim was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition with multiple stab wounds, according to police. Spectating at a cyclocross race is rarely boring, Provisor said. There are 13 races going off over the course of the day with only slight breaks in between so the racing action is almost always going on. Plus, the course has dozens of spots to watch riders tackle the various challenges they encounter each lap. Chinese tourist cheated out of B1,000 in Pattaya PATTAYA: A Thai guide and an illegal Chinese guide have been arrested for cheating a Chinese tourist caught littering in Pattaya by altering the receipt after paying a littering fine for him. crimeChinesetourismpolice By Bangkok Post Thursday 11 October 2018, 08:42AM Pattaya has (allegedly) tough no-smoking rules but an attempt to cheat a Chinese tourist on a cigarette butt-littering charge went badly for the cheaters. Photo: Bangkok Post / File Chinas Jiang Yuhang, 35, and Thai tour guide Udom Sia Yia, 39, were arrested on warrants issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court on Tuesday (Oct 9) for colluding to falsify official documents. The Chinese man was also charged with working as a tour guide without a licence or work permit. Udom was charged with allowing an unlicensed person to use his tour guide licence. Tour operator Wicharn Promwichai, an executive at the travel agency Thai How Are You, was also arrested and charged with hiring an illegal tour guide and hiring a foreign national with no permit to work, police told a news briefing yesterday (Oct 10). Their arrest follows a complaint by a male Chinese tourist that the duo reportedly cheated him. They showed him a receipt for payment of a littering fine with the figures altered from B2,000 to B3,000. He was required to pay it. A photo of the altered receipt was posted on the PattayaWatchdog Facebook page, and the pair were heavily criticised. The tourist, Yu Jianmin, filed a complaint with tourist police and immigration officers at Suvarnabhumi airport after returning from Pattaya on Monday (Oct 8). Mr Yu accused the two guides of cheating him over the size of the fine. He admitted he had dropped a cigarette on the ground at Laem Bali Hai pier in Pattaya on Oct 5. An official saw it, charged him with littering in a public place and said he would take him to the Pattaya city office to pay the fine. The Chinese guide intervened, saying the tour boat was about to leave and he should give his passport to Udom, who would handle payment of the fine. When the boat returned to the pier later, Udom gave him back the passport and a receipt with the figures altered to show B3,000. Mr Yu said when he questioned the amount, Udom said that in the event a passport was taken, the fine would be B5,000, but he had negotiated it down to B3,000. The tourist was not convinced and wanted to file a complaint with Pattaya Police. The two guides tried to talk him out of it. The tourist filed a complaint with tourism police and immigration officers at the airport on Monday. Pattaya police then searched for the accused. Read original story here. GoAir launches first-ever Phuket-India direct flights PHUKET: GoAir, one of Indias fastest growing airlines, landed its first-ever direct flight into Phuket from New Delhi this morning (Oct 11). The flight also marked the first-ever direct flight from India to Phuket. Thursday 11 October 2018, 01:55PM GoAir had recently announced Phuket as its first international destination, with new international schedule introducing direct flights connecting Phuket with Mumbai and New Delhi. (See story here.) The direct flights between Phuket and Delhi operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while the direct flights between Phuket and Mumbai operate on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. In the aviation tradition to mark key milestones, Flight G8 31 was welcomed on landing at Phuket International Airport with a grand water cannon salute. On entering the terminal, the 182 passengers on board were handed gifts and received a personal reception by GoAir top management and staff. Commenting on the launch of their international operations, Mr. Arjun Dasgupta, Vice President - International, GoAir said, As Phuket is a popular destination, we are delighted to be responding to the growing demand for tourist and business travel with the first addition to the international route network. On the other hand, India has a significant base for business and tourism and we look forward to extending our hospitality to our passengers in this new phase of growth. Phuket International Airport General Manager Thanee Chuangchoo, said, It is heartening to witness a direct connectivity between Phuket and India. Today, GoAir commenced its first ever direct flight service from India to Phuket. Phuket International Airport welcomes the passengers from India and extend all the support to the airline. We believe the new services offered by GoAir will greatly contribute to the growth of tourism of Thailand. We look forward to working together with GoAir towards our goal of establishing Phuket International Airport as the Gateway to Thailand. Tickets for the new flights can be booked through the company website, www.GoAir.in or online travel portals, GoAir Call Centre, airport ticketing offices, through travel agents and the GoAir mobile app that is available on both Apple iOS and Google Android. King Bhumibol Memorial Day brings long weekend PHUKET: Many Thais will have a three-day weekend as the nation commemorates the second anniversary of the passing of the deeply revered late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama 9 of the Chakri dynasty, who reigned over the Kingdom for seven decades. culture By The Phuket News Thursday 11 October 2018, 04:08PM Many Thais will have a three-day weekend as the nation commemorates the second anniversary of the passing of the deeply revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Image: Class Act media Graphics This Saturday (Oct 13), marking two years since King Bhumibol passed away, is a public holiday and will see many activities throughout the country held to honour the Kings great achievements, and his love and devotion for his people. With the holiday falling on a Saturday, next Monday (Oct 15) will be the substitution day public holiday. As such all government offices will close on Monday, including Phuket Immigration Office, the Employment Office, the Land Transport Office and all three District Offices in Phuket. All main bank branches will close, but branches in shopping centres will remain open on both the Saturday and the Monday. All Royal Thai Police and Tourist Police stations will remain open and some local consulates will remain open to serve their respective citizens. Special services will be held at Saphan Hin to honour the occasion, with people across the island asked to wear yellow in memory of the late King. (See story here.) Although the sale of alcohol is not prohibited by law, police traditionally encourage people to refrain from drinking alcohol on the day as a sign of respect and in honour of King Bhumibol. Bars in Patong, in particular, have been asked to be respectful, but left the option of whether or not to close or to serve alcohol over the long weekend. (See story here.) Phuket Governor meets Chinese Vice Consul-General, Phoenix salvage discussed PHUKET: The Governor of Phuket on Monday (Oct 8) met with the Vice Consul-General of the Phuket Chinese Consular Office to discuss a number of topics including the raising of the Phoenix tour boat which sank on July 5 killing 47 Chinese tourists. Chineseaccidentsdeathmarinetourismculture By The Phuket News Thursday 11 October 2018, 03:02PM Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana (left) and Vice Consul-General of the Phuket Chinese Consular Office. Photo: PR Dept The meeting was also a chance for Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana to congratulate Vice Consul-General Li Chunfu and the Chinese people on the National Day of the Peoples Republic of China which fell on Oct 1. Also in attendance at Mondays meeting was Acting Director of the Phuket Marine Office Wiwat Chitchertwong, who was there to provide an update on the salvage operation to raise the Phoenix tour boat. He said, The Phoenix tour boat disaster happened on July 5 killing 47 people. The contract to salvage the boat expired on Sept 22 and the salvage company have been being fined B9,430 per day since that date. I cannot confirm the date the boat will be salvaged as this depends weather and underwater conditions. But the operation will carry on as soon as possible." He added, After the boat has been raised, it will be taken to the Rattanachai shipyard to keep as an important piece of evidence into the disaster. I invite Li Chunfu to be an observer into the investigation to build confidence the confidence of the Chinese government again. Mr Li congratulated Gov Phakaphong on taking up hos new position as Phuket Governor on Oct 1 and added, Phuket is a beautiful natural resources province which has great customs and culture similar to Chinese culture. So many Chinese tourists travel to Phuket to get a new experience and when they return they tell friends and family which leads to progress for the Phuket economy, said Mr Li. Lastly, Governor Phakaphong invited all Chinese-Thai and Chinese tourists to join the vegetarian festival being held from Oc t9-17 2018. Phuket police investigate after body found floating in sea PHUKET: Police are investigating after the body of an unidentified man was found floating in the sea off Nai Thon Beach yesterday afternoon. accidentsdeathmarinepolice By Eakkapop Thongtub Thursday 11 October 2018, 09:44AM Police investigate the unidentified mans body at Nai Thon Beach. Photo: Tanapong Kernun At 4pm yesterday (Oct 10), an officer from Sakoo Police Station received a report from a lifeguard at Nai Thon Beach that a body had been found floating in the sea. The body had already been brought to shore. Officers from Sakoo Police, the Tourist Police, Tourist Assistance Centre and rescue workers attended the scene to find the body of a foreign male lying on the sand. The man was wearing just a pair of swimming trunks. A witness told police that he was on the beach when he suddenly saw the body of a man floating in the sea do he reported it to lifeguards who recovered the body and brought it back to shore. Police found a bruise on the back of the dead mans neck and there was blood coming from his ear. The body was taken Thalang Hospital for an autopsy to find the true cause of death. Probe into Phoenix salvage death sinks PHUKET: The investigation into the death of a diver working on the project to salvage the sunken Phoenix tour boat last week has stalled, with police accepting the official cause of death as a lack of oxygen. tourismmarineSafetydeathpolice By The Phuket News Thursday 11 October 2018, 06:07PM Divers work during the salvage effort to recover the sunken Phoenix tour boat. Photo: PR Dept Niphat Joch Kludnak, 37,an employee of Spitz Tech Co Ltd, died after passing out and failling into the water from the back of the salvage boat on Sept 29. Phuket Public Relations Department Chief Bussaya Chaipeum issued a statement three days later (Oct 2), stating that Mr Niphat died at 12:30pm on Sept 29 at the site where the sunken Phoenix lies on the seabed. Mr Niphat had been involved in the salvage mission since it began in August. According to the statement issued by Ms Bussaya, Mr Niphat was on the rear of a vessel being used in the salvage operation when he fainted and fell into the sea. Mr Niphat was recovered unconscious from the water and was quickly taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town where he was later pronounced dead. (See story here.) Wiwat Chitchertwong, Acting Director of the Phuket Marine Office, was dismissive of any questions about Mr Niphats death asked by The Phuket News today (Oct 11) despite the fact that Spitz Tech has been hired by the Marine Dept to carry out the salvage. I have no idea about this. Please contact the Chalong Police, was all he would say. Capt Somkiet Sarasit of the Chalong Police, who is conducting the investigation into Mr Niphats death, was more a little more forthcoming in his responses. The cause of the death was a lack of oxygen, as confirmed by Vachira Hospital, Capt Somkiet said, though not willing to give a further explanation of how Mr Niphat came to suffer the lack of oxygen. Capt Somkiet did confirm that Mr Niphat was a diver on the salvage team. He was working with six other drivers, he said. However, he added duing the brief phone interview today, I believe that the cause of death was related to his (Mr Niphats) personal health. Capt Somkiet did not explain whether or not he thought Mr Niphat died due to poor work practices or the result of any form of negligence, but did say, I have not pressed any charges against the company. My investigation so far has not revealed any evidence of wrong doing. Asked has anything been done to prevent other people from suffering the same death, Capt Somkiet said, I warned the company about safety before allowing it to continue its salvage operation especially regarding drivers health. It is very important to check and make sure they (divers) are fit to work. The Phoenix tour boat sank in a storm on July 5, killing 47 Chinese tourists and sending the Phoenix to the seabed 45 metres below the waters surface some 1.5 nautical miles off Koh Hei (Coral Island), The boat now lies at an unreported depth some 400 metres from where it sank after a tether broke during an attempt to drag the stricken vessel while still underwater to an area where the water depth was around 25 metres, where the boat would then be raised to the surface. That plan has now been scrapped. (See story here.) Companies in Britain would have to report pay disparities among ethnic groups in their workforce under a rule being considered by Prime Minister Theresa Mays government. The idea is a response to a study published last year that showed significant pay disparities between ethnic minorities and their white counterparts in Britain. It comes after the government began requiring large companies to report pay disparities between men and women. Too often ethnic minority employees feel theyre hitting a brick wall when it comes to career progression, May said in a statement. The Race Disparity Audit, a survey of 24,000 workers last year, found that white British adults were much more likely to be employed and to own their own homes than people from ethnic minorities. The audit found that the unemployment rate for Black, Asian and other ethnic-minority people, at 8 per cent, was nearly double that of white British adults, at 4.6 per cent. It also found that people who identified themselves as Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Black received the lowest average hourly pay among ethnic groups. Overall, the findings will be uncomfortable, May said when that report was released. But its right that weve identified them, shone a light on them and we need to confront these issues that we have identified. When Britains government started requiring companies with over 250 employees to report their gender pay gaps last year, it found that average pay for men was higher than that for women at more than three-quarters of the 10,000 businesses that reported. Overall, it found the gender pay gap in Britain was just over 18 per cent. Many hope that as the data accumulates and is publicized, businesses will be forced to do more to reduce the gap. Sandra Kerr, the race equality director at the charity Business in the Community, said in a statement that the Race Disparity Audit showed that all too often ethnic minority staff are still encountering significant disparities at work. The government said it would invite employers to offer ideas on how, exactly, to report on pay by ethnicity. Their input will influence how such broad and complex data would be collected. At the moment, businesses in Britain report the racial background of their employees only on a voluntary basis, and such data reporting is relatively rare across Europe, where data protection rules may limit how much information about their employees the companies can store. Some concerns about data collection were hinted at by the Confederation of British Industry. Reporting must be done in a way that is supported by both businesses and employees, to recognize the wide range of ethnic groups and legitimate staff concerns about intrusiveness where sample sizes are small, said Matthew Fell, the organizations chief policy director for Britain. Still, collecting such data would be just the beginning of a much longer process to establish why disparities exist. While this comes with challenges, it is essential, as we believe that what gets measured gets done, said Suki Sandhu, who has founded an executive search firm and a membership organization focused on championing diversity. When organizations see in clear figures that they have a problem, there is no other option but to act on it. Larger organizations with significant human resources departments would have a much easier time collecting the data than smaller businesses, which may not already have the software in place, said Sarah Gregory, a partner focused on diversity and inclusion at the law firm Baker McKenzie. So the government may consider applying reporting requirements only to larger organizations, such as those with 250 employees or more, as it did with gender pay gap reporting. There are lots of businesses in the U.K. that dont currently monitor ethnicity data, and you cant report if you dont have the data, Gregory said. Even when you put that monitoring in place, it takes a while for people to respond. That is one of the challenges. But, she added, it does galvanize action in looking at why these issues exist. The consulting firm PwC is one of the companies that have voluntarily started tracking and analyzing pay by ethnicity, using the same methodology it does for the gender pay gap. Last year, it reported its pay for Black, Asian and minority ethnic employees was 12.8 per cent lower than that of its white employees, and the company attributed that entirely to the lack of ethnic minorities at senior levels and a higher concentration in junior roles. While consultations like todays show progress is being made and awareness is rising, far more needs to be done, Laura Hinton, PwCs chief people officer, said in a statement. Reporting on ethnicity pay gaps may reveal harsh truths, but thats a real trigger for action. The average rent for a one-bedroom condo in the Toronto region has surpassed $2,000 for the first time, hitting $2,056 in the third quarter of the year, according to market research firm Urbanation. President Shaun Hildebrand said he expects rents to moderate going into 2019 as more apartments and condos become available. But in the short-term the demand from a growing population and consumers shut out of the home ownership market continue to outstrip the supply for rentals and push up the cost of leasing. It isnt a coincidence that rents and (home) prices tend to move in the same direction, he said. While new purpose-built and condo rental supplies should slow the rate of rent growth, it wont be enough to push down prices, Hildebrand said. Urbanations report shows monthly condo rent rose 7.6 per cent year over year in the third quarter to $2,385 on average from $2,216. Those are condos leased through the Multiple Listings Service. On a square foot basis, condo rents were up 9.4 per cent year over year to an average of $3.26 per sq. ft. In purpose-built rental apartments constructed since 2005, the average square foot rent cost was $3.09, a 17 per cent increase compared to the same quarter last year. Purpose-built rentals tend to be larger than condos 804 sq. ft. on average, compared to the average condo in the GTA which was 638 sq. ft. Were now seeing that rents have been rising by close to double digits for more than two years now. Its creating a really tough situation where a lot of demand is starting to shift into really small units, he said. Share your thoughts The average rent for even a studio is now above $1,800 a month. The volume of units that are leasing for below $1,800 a month has basically dropped off almost completely a 65 per cent decline year over year, said Hildebrand. There was a 32 per cent jump in the number of studio apartment rentals year over year and the price of those units rose 9 per cent to $1,823 on average in the same period. Meantime, the number of condos that rented for $2,500 per month or more rose 43 per cent. Condo rentals remained on the market slightly longer than they did a year ago. But the difference 11 days, compared to 10 last year would make little difference to tenants, he said. Were talking about an extremely minimal time on market for the average unit, he said. The average tenants income is $65,000, which isnt sustainable, Hildebrand said. Income growth certainly isnt keeping pace with this level of rent inflation, he said. Hildebrand said the injection of supply from new investor-owned condos that end up in the rental market could lead to 4 or 5-per-cent rent growth rather than the current near-10 per cent year over year levels. Urbanation found that two-bedroom condo prices rose 10 per cent to $2,720, from $2,483 a year earlier. CALGARYTwo men are facing charges after nearly 100 kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine were seized from a Dodge Caravan last week. The Calgary Police Service said the seizure on Oct. 4 was part of a three-month investigation into drug trafficking. When officers pulled the van over at 3 a.m., they found around 66 kilograms of cocaine and 30 kilograms of methamphetamine inside, as well as around $41,000 in cash. This is one of the largest drug seizures in CPS history and a substantial drug seizure in the province of Alberta, the force said in a statement on Thursday morning. They were stopped within city limits, said Insp. Keith Cain. Were these drugs all destined for the city of Calgary? We dont know that. Because police seized a shocking amount of both methamphetamine and cocaine, Cain said CPS believes this incident is somehow related to organized crime. We are following up on that, he said. CPS conducted a series of search warrants following the traffic stop, including one at a residence. During the search warrant of the residency, a taser was located, so additional charges will come from that, Cain said. Although this is the only seizure to come out of the related investigation, it has spurred additional leads, Cain added. I cant give out specifics, but we gathered a lot of information, Cain said. This is certainly a substantial seizure for us. Navjot Singh, 23, and Gurjeet Ghotra, 20, are each charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking. The two men werent previously known to police. CPS is also investigating a third person of interest. Brennan Doherty is a work and wealth reporter with StarMetro Calgary. Follow him on Twitter: @bren_doherty Read more about: Warning: This story contains graphic descriptions of violence. EDMONTONA case that shocked the country with grisly details of an Indigenous woman found mutilated in an Edmonton motel is headed to the highest court in Canada on Thursday. Cindy Gladue was found dead at the Yellowhead Inn after bleeding out in a bathtub from an 11-centimetre wound to her vaginal wall in 2011. Her accused killer, Bradley Barton, said the wound was inflicted from consensual rough sex. He was found not guilty in a stunning acquittal. The Alberta Court of Appeal ordered a retrial in 2015, a decision Barton is now appealing. Indigenous women, activists and community members from across the country will be watching the hearing closely. Muriel Stanley Venne, president and founder of the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women, is in Ottawa to speak as an intervener at the Supreme Court of Canada hearing. She says the hearing has huge implications for the justice system, for Indigenous Peoples and for women in Canada. Weve been struggling for decades to get attention paid to the death of our women, she said. In this case, theres all the elements of prejudice and discrimination and a cavalier way of dealing with things, with no thought given to the feelings of the community. All of that is in this case and its brought out in clear form. She was utterly dehumanized both in the treatment she received from Barton and in the treatment she received from the criminal justice system, the violence the criminal justice system enacted upon her, said Julie Kaye, adviser for the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women. Barton, an Ontario trucker who made his living moving furniture across Canada, was first charged with first-degree murder in connection to Gladues death on June 23, 2011. He stands six feet one inch tall and weighed 220 pounds. Gladue, 36, a petite woman at five foot five, weighing half as much as Barton, was found dead in a blood-smeared bathtub in Bartons hotel room one day earlier. Court heard Gladue had a potentially incapacitating level of alcohol in her system. In a rare move, a judge allowed the Crown to bring Gladues preserved pelvic tissue into the courtroom as evidence, causing national outrage. At trial, Barton admitted to causing Gladues death but argued it was an accident resulting from consensual sex when he thrust his fist into her vagina. The Crown suggested a sharp object may have caused the cut. In either case, Crown prosecutors suggested Barton would still be guilty of manslaughter because he caused Gladues death in the course of a sexual assault. However, a jury found Barton not guilty of first-degree murder and acquitted him of manslaughter. A new trial was ordered after Albertas Court of Appeal agreed that the trial judge erred in instructing the jury and allowed evidence to be heard about Gladues sexual history that opened the door for racist and sexist myths and stereotypes that could have clouded the judgment of the jurors. This case has revealed the inescapable need in sexual offences to properly warn jurors to disregard unfair assumptions and to ensure that jury instructions adequately and accurately reflect the current law in Canada, wrote Chief Justice Catherine Fraser, Justice Jack Watson and Justice Sheila Martin in a decision giving reasons for their call for Bartons retrial. The courts cannot permit this to go on, the decision concluded. We must correct this. And we will. During her trial, Gladue was referred to as a prostitute 25 times and as a native 26 times. Rather than referring to her by name, she was referred to as native girl, native woman, as a prostitute. These are very dehumanizing ways to refer to somebody, a person, said Kaye. To protect women in court proceedings from two stereotypes called the twin myths the misconceptions that a victim of sexual assault who consented to sexual activity in the past is likely to have consented to the sexual activity at issue, and that a woman is less worthy of being believed because of her past sexual history Section 276 of the Criminal Code outlines that allegations about a persons sexual past are largely inadmissible in court and otherwise have to be preapproved by a judge out of earshot of the jury. Albertas Court of Appeal found this did not happen in Gladues case, as all sides repeatedly referred to Gladue as a prostitute said to have agreed to having sex with Barton for $60 and the judge made no effort to explain to the jury that her sexual past should have no bearing on her likelihood of consenting to the sexual acts that killed her. We do have legal principles to suggest any sexual activity has to involve consent specifically to the degree of force thats used within the grounds of that activity, said Kaye, adding they are looking to the Supreme Court of Canada to ensure those legal standards are upheld. The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments on multiple procedural issues as they decide whether Barton will face a new trial, but some hope this case will see the top court decide whether a person can consent to sexual activity when there is an objective likelihood of serious harm. Albertas Court of Appeal brought up case law out of Ontario looking at incidents in which a person died during a consensual fist fight. It was determined consent couldnt be given for acts in which that kind of harm was intended and caused, but there was little legal direction as to how issues of consent may apply to cases of sexual assault where harm or death is caused. In 1998, Venne received an Alberta Human Rights Award at Edmonton City Hall where she made a point to utter the names of 110 Indigenous women who were murdered without a single person charged. She remembers speaking with a newspaper columnist who covered the awards ceremony and asked how many phone calls they had received about the missing and murdered women. No one called. As Venne sees it, no one cared. Now 20 years later, she says not much has changed. In many cases its changed for the worse. It hasnt gotten better. But as I say that we always take the attitude that there has to be some good out of even the worst situation, Venne said from Ottawa. Venne, who has been a human-rights activist for some 40 years, called the Cindy Gladue case a pinnacle in her quest for justice. Especially in light of a renewed focus on missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada and the global #MeToo movement, Venne believes the hearing will be precedent setting and a test of how the justice system treats Indigenous women. Its an opportunity for Canada and the provinces, and every citizen and every woman in this country, to realize that if the Bradley Barton acquittal stands, they are in jeopardy, she said. This is an opportunity that was never before given to us, as a country, as the citizens of Canada, to do the right thing. Read more about: YEREVAN, ARMENIA Michaelle Jean made a public plea to hold on to her post as secretary general of la Francophonie Thursday, urging member nations not to allow the defence of rights and democracy to take a back seat to partisan ambitions. For Jean, the address to the opening session of the summit of la Francophonie was a final stand ahead of a closed-door meeting of members Friday to choose the next secretary general. Her words were clearly aimed at her rival for the post, Rwandan Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo. At a moment when we march toward the 50th anniversary of la Francophonie, lets ask ourselves here in Yerevan, in all conscience and in all responsibility, on which side of history do we want to be, Jean said. Are we ready to accept that international organizations are used for partisan purposes? Jean asked. Are we ready to accept that democracy, rights and freedoms are reduced to mere words, that we make them meaningless in the name of realpolitik? The former Canadian governor general, who has held the top job at the organization of French-speaking nations since 2014, is facing an uphill battle as she seeks a second term. After months of supporting her, the Canadian and Quebec governments announced this week that they would rally around the consensus candidate, Mushikiwabo. Traditionally, the selection of a secretary general is by agreement, not through a vote. Mushikiwabo already had the support of France which is the main funder of la Francophonie and many African Union countries. Rwanda has managed to secure support for Mushikiwabos candidacy despite its poor record upholding democratic rights and freedom of the press. Rwandan President Paul Kagame has been labelled an authoritarian by rights groups. Jean, however, refused to back down amid diminishing chances of securing another term. Her spokesman, Bertin Leblanc, has said any consensus must be reached by the heads of state and governments behind closed doors. Meanwhile, a source close to Jeans campaign says some African leaders are uncomfortable with the idea of a done deal and have even told her directly that they find themselves in an impossible position. According to a survey by Radio France International, the Haitian-born Jean had the support of 17 or 18 delegations on the eve of the summit. La Francophonie has 54 full member states and governments. Earlier Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised the remarkable work done by the former governor general, who has focused on women, youth and human rights while in the post. Michaelle affirmed herself as an ardent defender of women, notably by asserting their right to education and fighting for their emancipation, Trudeau told heads of state in the Armenian capital, lauding her dedication and contagious energy. Trudeau and Jean had a one-on-one meeting upon the prime ministers arrival in Yerevan but no details were released. Despite not backing her, French President Emmanuel Macron also paid homage to Jeans defence of womens rights. La Francophonie must be the space that fights for the rights of women, and I want to salute the work that was done by Michaelle Jean, to whom I pay tribute, who strongly mobilized in this fight, Macron said near the end of his opening remarks. La Francophonie must be feminist, and you were right, madame secretary general, not to give up in this fight. Trudeau also paid tribute to the late Charles Aznavour, whose music was playing throughout the site of the summit. The French-Armenian singer died Oct. 1. When I arrived in Armenia, I immediately thought of a great man I loved so much, a great lover of the French language who died last week, the incomparable Charles Aznavour, Trudeau said. In the days following his death, francophones and francophiles of the world united in mourning through his work. This momentum of solidarity was perhaps the greatest tribute that could have been made to him. Read more: Michaelle Jean to vie for Francophonie post despite Canada, Quebec pulling support Canada and Quebec pull support for current head of la Francophonie Read more about: OTTAWAFederal ministers drafting legislation do not have a duty to consult Indigenous groups, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled Thursday. In a decision involving an Alberta First Nation, a majority of the high court said law-making does not amount to Crown conduct that triggers the deeply entrenched duty to confer with Indigenous Peoples. The First Nation that filed a lawsuit in 2013 said the decision allows governments to ignore Indigenous concerns when making laws that affect treaty rights. I would encourage the First Nations that (on) any legislation that impacts our rights, they send a letter to the governments saying, This legislation doesnt apply to us, said Steve Courtoreille, former chief of Albertas Mikisew Cree First Nation. If you want to see a fight, then a fight will happen. Federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould said the decision clarifies issues around the duty to consult. While the court has been clear that the duty to consult is not triggered in the legislative process, it also makes clear that Indigenous rights must be respected, upheld and protected, she said in a release. The Mikisew argued that the former Conservative government should have consulted them on changes to Canadas environmental protection and regulatory laws. Seven Supreme Court judges concluded there was no such obligation, but they split into three groups in their reasons. Writing on behalf of herself and two others, Justice Andromache Karakatsanis said ministers developing legislation are generally protected from oversight by the courts. Recognizing that a duty to consult applies during the law-making process may require courts to improperly trespass onto the legislatures domain, she wrote. However, Karakatsanis emphasized that the finding does not absolve the Crown of its duty to act honourably toward Indigenous Peoples or limit the relevance of constitutional protections. In addition, she suggested other remedies such as court action might be available to Indigenous groups once a law is passed. Courtoreille said the Mikisews action was intended to keep First Nations out of the courts and Thursdays ruling will force First Nations to deal with problems project by project. Mikisew lawyer Robert Janes called the decision a lost chance to avoid such conflicts. The biggest opportunity thats missed here is to use the duty to consult as a tool for actually getting First Nations to buy in to the processes that are being created. People feel more accepting of processes that theyve been involved in designing, Janes said. Many First Nations feel that theyre seeing a remote government in Ottawa that is making decisions after having a few town-hall meetings. Its just going to lead to the same problems were having with current projects. Courtoreille said the Mikisew will turn to international bodies such as the United Nations. He said the courts decision violates the UN Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which Canada has signed. If you have no faith in the justice system in your country, you have to go somewhere. Theres no hope for us here to have any fair deals. The big battle is coming and it is going to be huge. The courts decision comes as the federal government debates legislation on reforming the National Energy Board. As well, its beginning a second round of court-ordered consultations on the Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion. Without changes to how the rules are made, there is likely to be more conflict and frustration in the future, said Janes. This is the system that brought us the fiasco that was Northern Gateway. Its the system that failed to get Energy East approved. Its the system that led to the failure of the Kinder Morgan project. The Federal Court of Appeal quashed approval of the Trans Mountain project over what it deemed inadequate consultation with Indigenous groups and failure to properly assess the effect of increased tanker traffic in the waters off British Columbia. That consultation was conducted under the legislation that the Mikisew had challenged. Their concerns were echoed by other Indigenous leaders. First Nations maintain that Canada must engage with First Nations on any initiatives that could impact our rights, tweeted Assembly of First Nations Chief Perry Bellegarde. In a release, the assemblys regional chief for Alberta, Marlene Poitras said: My disappointment today is only surpassed by my deep frustration to see a missed opportunity for meaningful involvement of First Nations in the legislative process. Read more about: VANCOUVERA British Columbia First Nation whose fishing grounds were soiled by a diesel spill when a tug boat ran aground is suing the owner of the vessel for alleged negligence and the federal and provincial governments for what it calls an unacceptable response. The Heiltsuks territory centres in the Great Bear Rainforest on B.C.s central coast, and its lawsuit says the fuel spill decimated members livelihoods, its clam fishery and took a toll on first responders. The American-owned tug the Nathan E. Stewart ran aground and sank near Bella Bella on Oct. 13., 2016, spilling 110,000 litres of diesel fuel, lubricants, heavy oils and other pollutants. The Transportation Safety Board released a report in May saying a crew member missed a planned course change because he fell asleep while alone on watch. Elected Chief Coun. Marilyn Slett of the Heiltsuk Tribal Council told a news conference Wednesday the legal action in B.C. Supreme Court hinges on loss: Loss of food, loss of employment, loss of culture and loss of trust. I cannot overstate the importance of Gale Pass to our community, she said, referring to the nations food harvesting, village and cultural site. Read more: First Nations and federal government collaborate on North Coast protections Barge flips, sinks only weeks after tugboat runs aground near Bella Bella, B.C. Slett said two years after the spill, the provincial and federal governments as well as Houston-based tug boat owner Kirby Offshore Marine have declined to do a meaningful environmental impact assessment to determine the extent of contamination on the surrounding land, sea and marine life. Though we have made several requests, Canada and B.C. have refused to acknowledge their duty to consult with us on the framework guiding the environmental impact of the spill, she said, adding the First Nation is hoping the legal action sets a precedent for oil spill response for the province and the country to prevent the type of chaos that resulted after its experience. Theres a value that has been passed down by generations, that says, When the tide goes out the table is set. It is fundamental to our way of life. We harvest foods that are vital to our way of life, like clams and seaweed. The allegations have not been proven in court and no statements of defence have been filed on behalf of the governments or Kirby Offshore Marine. The Attorney General of Canada did not respond to a request for comment. British Columbias Environment Ministry said in a statement it is committed to working with the federal government and to engage with Heiltsuk as appropriate for a federally led initiative. Matt Woodruff, spokesman for the Kirby Corporation, said in a statement that the companys lawyers will take the appropriate actions to defend our interests in court. The Heiltsuk also incurred costs associated with environmental testing and its own investigation which would be in the millions of dollars, Slett said. The First Nation is seeking clarification on several key matters as part of its lawsuit, including Canada and British Columbias duty to consult communities affected by spills and whether Aboriginal title applies to the seabed and foreshore. This has never been decided by Canadian courts, Slett said of water rights versus land claims. Canada claims it owns the seabed and B.C. claims it owns the foreshore. Meanwhile, nations like ours have occupied the oceans and foreshore in our territory long before contact and have never ceded, surrendered or sold our title. Hereditary Chief Harvey Humchitt, who was a first responder after the spill, said the nation was misinformed about the seriousness of the spill and given the wrong location. When we arrived we were not given any resources, when the materials and crew did arrive they were ill equipped and disorganized. Booms were not deployed around the Nathan E. Stewart for 12 hours and were the wrong type and incorrectly set around the tug, causing them to break apart by the currents, Humchitt said. Read more about: VANCOUVERAs marijuana legalization looms Oct. 17, British Columbians can look south of the border to Washington for a model of success six years after its own legalization date, says that states governor. On Wednesday, Premier John Horgan and Gov. Jay Inslee held a bilateral meeting to collaborate on a host of cross-border issues, including climate change and a possible high-speed rail linking B.C., Oregon and Washington state. After the conference, the pair addressed the impending Canadian legalization of cannabis. Given that Washington legalized cannabis in 2012, Inslee assured the Canadian public that the fears of skeptics have not been realized. We have not seen crimes associated with it, weve not had adverse health effects. Theres not a significant increase of youth usage, and thats in part because weve been talking to youth about that issue, he told reporters. However, Inslee said, there needs to be more research on impaired driving related to cannabis use. We have not seen any specific increase in usage thats tied to increased traffic accidents. We have seen increase usage in general of people whove had some chemical in their blood, principally alcohol, barbiturates, methamphetamine and heroine. Horgan echoed that enforcement on impaired driving involving cannabis would be the highest priority for B.C. officials. From a health-and-safety perspective, Inslee said legalization has been a success. Still, he advises B.C. to implement a well-regulated system, limiting the number of licences for vendors and preventing edibles from getting into the hands of children. As for travellers being banned from entering the United States because cannabis is illegal under U.S. law, Horgan said that seems odd to both of us but its under federal jurisdiction. In September, a spokesperson for federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale told StarMetro that cannabis remains illegal under U.S. federal law. Canadians who wish to enter the United States or any other country have to adhere to its laws. Goodale has raised the issue in virtually every meeting hes had with his American counterparts, the spokesperson continued, including the previous and current secretaries of Homeland Security. From those conversations, he said, U.S. officials have indicated they do not plan on changing border protocols after cannabis is legalized in Canada. At the meeting, Horgan and Inslee also signed a memorandum of understanding that details cross-border protection of the endangered resident killer whales. With files from Perrin Grauer Read more about: The GTA location of the giant distribution centre that will feed the province all of its legal pot products come Wednesday is being kept a dark secret. While details of the centres size and address are being withheld for security reasons, its Ontario Cannabis Store owner has revealed several key aspects of its new online service which will be the sole source of legal pot in the province as of 12:01 a.m. Oct. 17. During a briefing introducing the ocs.ca website to reporters Thursday, store officials said delivery fees on its cannabis orders would be a flat $5 anywhere in the province. Those deliveries, conducted by Canada Post personnel, would be made between one to three days from the time of ordering, officials said. Read more: Pot plans may have unforeseen consequences for youth, boards of health say U.S. border ban on Canadian cannabis workers lifted Some companies instituting restrictive marijuana policies And though youll be asked to state youre a legal 19-years-old several times on the site while ordering, it will be those Canada Post carriers who will ultimately determine if youre of age to receive pot packages on your doorstep. Anyone who can prove they are 19 or older can sign for a package at any address the order indicates including work places. But as with alcohol or medical marijuana deliveries, ID will be demanded from anyone who looks 25 or younger. Postal carriers will not be allowed to drop off the plainly-packages good which could include cannabis flowers, pre-rolled joints, oils and oil capsules to begin with with condo concierges or apartment doormen. And when no one is home to receive packages, a slip will be left guiding purchasers to their closest post office for pickup. (Cannabis seeds which site goers can use to grow their four plants per-household limit will be on sale in the near future, officials said.) Share your thoughts The sites search function designed by online retail giant Shopify will select products largely on levels of the active cannabis components, the intoxicating tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the medicinal cannabidiol (CBD) that buyers desire. Those levels can be plotted on a sliding scroll function, which will guide purchasers to appropriate products from the 32 licensed producers the OCS has so far selected to supply the online store. There will also be a slew of cannabis accoutrements on sale including pipes, rolling papers, vaporizers and grinders. Pot buyers will be able to use VISA or Mastercard to order on the 17th, but the OCS is in negotiations with other payment platforms as well. The OCS has yet to determine prices, but they will be set to be competitive with those on the illicit market and will include all taxes. Buyers can purchase a limit of 30 grams of product at a time and the site will keep track of amounts as you add orders to your cart. Nothing, however, will stop a buyer from making several orders a day, beyond a federal regulation that limits personal possession to 30 grams. The shopping site will also include an educational element that can tell users about such things as active cannabis components and the way they can interact with the body. This educational material is already available on the stores ocslearn.ca site. Matei Olaru, CEO of the Toronto-based Lift & Co., which offers an online guide Canadian cannabis buyers can access, said Shopify and the OCS have integrated some useful tools on their site, such as the THC and CBD sliding scale filter. But its clear the OCS is still limited in how they can communicate specifically about products and their effects, Olaru said. In the absence of that kind of online resource or brick-and-mortar stores, Trip Adviser resources like Lift & Co. will continue to fill the information gap between producers and consumers. A man has been arrested in connection with the death of 67-year-old Clark Sissons of Toronto. Police say they arrested 57-year-old Allan Alexander MacDonald on Tuesday, four days after Sissonss body was discovered in a back alleyway in Riverside. Police responded to a call at 7:40 a.m. on Oct. 5, and found a body behind the Ralph Thornton Community Centre near Queen and Saulter Sts. The condition of the body indicated it had been there for some time. A coroner later deemed the death to be suspicious. MacDonald has been charged with second degree murder. He is scheduled to appear in court at College Park Courts on Wednesday morning. Police are asking anyone with information regarding to call 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477). The teller started gathering lower denominations of currency, and the GPS tracker that is activated by movement, and handed the money over, the complaint states. The teller told the FBI the robber fanned the money out as if to check for a tracker or dye pack before running out of the bank. Friends, family and many residents across Halton are mourning the loss of community leader Veronica Tyrrell. Tyrrell, the founder and longtime leader of the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton (CCAH), died Sunday at the age of 81. The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee recipient was born in Guyana and trained as a registered nurse and midwife in England before moving to Canada in 1968. Her family noted that after Tyrrell relocated to Ontario in 1984 she became instrumental in pioneering midwifery as a recognized profession. Tyrrell supported many local community and political organizations including serving on the Halton Multicultural Council and partnering with Community Development Halton. Those who knew her said she used her involvement in the community and politics as a way to bring people together to push for inclusivity, tolerance, social change and working toward the greater good. Tyrrell is also credited with building the CCAH into what it is today. The non-profit cultural organization has served the Halton community for more than 40 years. Tyrrell spoke about the organization during one of its anniversary events. We combine arts, culture and heritage program activities to advance the communitys knowledge of diverse cultures and strengthen appreciation of all cultures that make up the diversity of Oakville and Halton, she said. Tyrrell was also a champion in the celebration of black history in Oakville and through the CCAH would host events to kick off Black History Month and expand the communitys knowledge of local black history. She also worked toward the preservation, understanding and enjoyment of the Caribbean culture and performing arts while assisting new citizens from the Caribbean settle in Canada. CCAH spokesperson Richard Pinnock said Tyrrell strongly advocated for the engagement of youth, particularly disadvantaged kids, and believed in the importance of giving everyone the opportunity to reach their full potential. She was very adamant that we engage the youth and let them know about their roots and that they should be proud of the fact their background includes creating music and art and so on. Many kids dont have that kind of grasp on their background, said Pinnock. Thats why the CCAH really wanted to espouse not only to the youngsters, but the community at large that the Caribbean community has contributed a lot and will continue to do so...She knew that when we impact the young people that is going to drive change for the future and create opportunities for everyone. Tyrrells son, Andrew, said his mother had recently suffered a heart attack, but was recovering in hospital on Oct. 6. Visitors that day said that from her hospital bed she continued to plan for an upcoming CCAH event scheduled for later this month, which she fully intended to be at, and had gone so far as to dictate three pages of notes concerning preparations. Tyrrell died following another heart attack on the evening of Oct. 7. Andrew talked about how proud he was of his mother for many reasons, but particularly for her work in raising awareness of black history in Oakville. She really resurrected awareness of the importance Oakville had played in the Underground Railroad. There wasnt a light that was shining on that prior to her arrival, he said. Were also proud of the programs she brought to Halton to raise awareness of black history, black culture and the importance of all of us living harmoniously. That message over the years has been taken on by all the levels of government- municipal, provincial and federal. Oakville Mayor Rob Burton talked about Tyrrell during the Tuesday, Oct. 9 meeting of Oakville council. He stated the town has tragically lost a larger than life figure. She was a dear friend of mine and I feel a great tragic sense of loss personally and on behalf of the town, said Burton. I hope the public will remember her and her family in their thoughts. It would be wonderful if everyone could appreciate how much she did for our town with regard to the goals that we all share of reconciliation and inclusiveness and co-operation and participation with each other in our community. The values and the life that she witnessed for I believe are so strong and so well done that they will live on after her. Burton said he would be delivering the eulogy at Tyrrells service. Many members of the community also discussed their memories of Tyrrell on an online guest book at arbormemorial.ca. Veronica has dedicated her life to the service of others. She was a nurse, a mother and then a dedicated community advocate, reads a post by Jackie Gordon, Sergeant-at-Arms of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. She made many remarkable contributions to the Halton community through education and the development of a greater understanding of black culture and history. I think the best way to honour her memory is to complete this dedication with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr., The quality, not the longevity, of ones life is what is important. Veronica, you have made many important contributions to our community that will transcend your life. We will miss the warmth of your infectious smile, your soft-spoken, but always sincere and meaningful words and we are grateful to have had the honour of knowing you. Tina Agrell wrote that Tyrrell was one of the first members of Advancement of Women Halton (AWH) and always spoke up for women of colour. At AWH we will treasure a mental picture of Veronica looking calm and serene while ensuring the smooth running of all those colourful, musical, moving and wonderful events in Oakville. Rabbi Stephen Wise of Haltons Shaarei-Beth El congregation said he worked with Tyrrell many times on interfaith events. Just this summer we met to organize a high school diversity event for later this fall, he wrote. My condolences to the entire family. May Veronica always be remembered as a blessing. Tyrrell is survived by her husband of 54 years Lloyd Tyrrell, her daughter Allison, her son Andrew, his wife Ann Marie and their children Andrew Jr., and Brandon. A visitation for family and friends will take place at Glen Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery, 3164 Ninth Line, on Friday from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-9 p.m. A funeral ceremony will be held at the same location on Saturday at 1 p.m. Following the funeral ceremony, there will be a burial and immediate reception to celebrate Tyrrells life. Memorial donations can be made to the Oakville Hospital Foundation toward the CCAH room located in the Maternity Child Unit of the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. Read more about: A sex worker chased down her client and viciously and vindictively stabbed him to death to exact revenge, a prosecutor told Toronto jurors urging them to convict Moka Dawkins of second-degree murder. Dawkins, a transgender woman who was charged as Curtis Gordon Dawkins, is asking the jury to be acquitted, saying she was acting in self-defence when she disarmed Jamie Foster and repeatedly stabbed him in his downtown apartment on Aug. 3, 2015. Crown attorney Lindsay Kromm told jurors the case is not about self-defence nor provocation. From the moment Ms. Dawkins had that knife in her hand, she was in control of the situation, she said in Superior Court. Ms. Dawkins showed him no mercy. Foster was five-foot-eight and 148 pounds, Kromm noted, while Dawkins is six-foot-one and was considerably larger at the time than she appeared in court. Ms. Dawkins was large, physically male despite her gender identity, and muscular in stature, Kromm said. Dawkins, 28, inflicted eight sharp-force injuries, multiple abrasions caused by a serrated object and puncture wounds to the hands, some of which penetrated through his finger joints. Foster, 27, died in the hallway of his apartment building, begging for help, Kromm said. The injuries speak for themselves, she said. Dawkins testified that Foster didnt want her to leave his apartment that night so he stabbed her under the eye with a knife. She told the jury there was a struggle and that she blindly got control of the knife despite her face being filled with blood, and that she swung at Foster without intent, unsure if she was even making contact with his body. Kromm said that evidence is entirely unbelievable when compared to the statements she gave to the police after her arrest. The prosecutor cited several examples, including Dawkins videotaped police statement where she said: I was able to grab his hand. And when I grabbed his hand I kind of twisted his, his ankle. Like, not his ankle, his wrist like this. And thats when he dropped the knife and I picked it up and stabbed him back. Another inconsistency, the prosecutor said, was when Dawkins testified she was terrified of Foster. When a homicide officer told her you clearly werent afraid of him, when you had the knife in your hand, Dawkins responded in the interview: No. Because I just couldnt believe it came to that point with us. Dawkins testified that she and Foster had meshed after having sex about a month before the killing. The jury has also seen friendly and flirtatious text messages sent between the pair. Kromm said Dawkins evidence simply makes no sense. She urged the jury to use your good common sense and logic and conclude that nothing in the tale Ms. Dawkins spun for you is believable. The jury returns to court Monday to hear the judges legal instructions before beginning deliberations. MIAMIMore than three years after activist groups sued Miami Seaquarium over its treatment of the captive orca Lolita, a federal appeals court has rejected their petition to reopen the case. The suit claimed that Seaquarium was violating the Endangered Species Act by confining the orca. But in a decision filed Tuesday, the three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit determined that while Lolitas case was unique due to her age and the continuing medical care present at the aquarium, there was no threat of serious harm sufficient to trigger a violation of the federal animal welfare law. The court also noted that there is no realistic means for returning to the wild without being harmed. Lolita, a Southern Resident Killer Whale thought to be about 51 years old, is the star attraction at Seaquarium, a popular tourist attraction on Virginia Key, where she has lived since her capture off Puget Sound in 1970. At 80 feet by 60 feet and 20 feet deep, her tank is the smallest orca aquarium in the country. Her endangered status means that any move would require a permit from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. While orcas can live up to 80 years in the wild, the median life expectancy is considered between 38 and 50 years old. This ruling sentences a highly intelligent, deeply lonely and distressed orca to a lifetime of physical and psychological harm, confined to a tiny concrete cell without family, friends, or freedom, said Jared Goodman, general counsel for animal law for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, a party to the lawsuit. It ignores todays understanding of the way orcas suffer deeply in captivity, and PETA will continue pushing for Lolitas release into a protected seaside sanctuary in her home waters. Inspired by the story of Keiko, the whale in the 1993 movie Free Willy, activists have been waging a high-profile battle to release Lolita for more than two decades. Protesters, some dressed in orca costumes, gather outside Miami Seaquarium every Aug. 8, the anniversary of Lolitas capture. Read more: Bill to ban whale and dolphin captivity is being stalled in the Senate again The whales have a big voice: By suffering publicly, B.C.s endangered orcas made a persuasive case against Trans Mountain An orca calf died shortly after being born. Her grieving mother has carried her body for days The 2013 documentary Blackfish, which detailed the treatment of captive orcas in the United States and the death of an orca trainer in Orlando, galvanized protest efforts. But Keiko, released into Icelandic waters in 2002 after decades of work and millions of dollars, died one year later at the age of 27. Leading scientists and conservationists have said that relocating Lolita at this stage of her life could be harmful to her well being. PETA was joined by the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Orca Network and its founder Howard Garrett in its initial lawsuit against Miami Seaquarium. In January, the federal appeals court upheld a lower-court ruling that Lolita could stay at her home of nearly half a century, and the activist groups petitioned for a panel rehearing in February. The panel of judges did not revisit its opinion but addressed concerns presented in the petition for rehearing. The outcome here avoids tying the hands of future courts in cases involving younger, healthier animals who may be faced with different circumstances, the courts decision reads. It also avoids signalling unintentionally that an animals age and the level of medical care it receives are determinative. Miami Seaquarium did not immediately respond to a request for comment. NEW YORKJournalists are familiar with the risks of reporting from war-torn lands, but the recent death or disappearance of three people in Turkey, Bulgaria and Mexico illustrates the growing dangers to reporters targeted for practicing their craft. Authorities in Turkey are searching for Jamal Khashoggi, a contributor to The Washington Post who has been missing since walking into the Saudi Arabian consulate last week in Istanbul. There are concerns that Khashoggi, who has written critically of the Saudi regime, may have been killed there. Elsewhere, Bulgarian national radio reported an arrest Tuesday in the death of television reporter Viktoria Marinova, host of a show that reported on the alleged misuse of European Union funds by a Bulgarian building company. And in Mexico this past week, journalist and activist Sergio Martinez Gonzalez was shot and killed by two people on a motorcycle as he ate breakfast with his wife at a cafe. The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that 43 journalists have been killed in the line of their work so far in 2018. Last year, there were 46 deaths for all of 2017. The numbers arent that unusual and, in fact, have been higher: 73 in 2015 and 2013, 74 in 2012, the committee said. Whats different is the way they are losing their lives. At least 27 journalists have been individually slain so far this year, compared with eight losing their lives in the crossfire of violent conflicts, CPJ said. Of all the journalists killed since 1992, 848 were individually killed and 1,322 were lost in crossfire, CPJ said. Conflict deaths are one thing, targeted assassinations another, said Bruce Shapiro, executive director of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma at Columbia University. Similarly alarming is the spread of slayings into Europe, as opposed to countries like Mexico, where drug violence has made journalism risky for years, said Robert Mahoney, CPJ deputy executive director. Besides Marinovas death in Bulgaria, Jan Kuciak was found shot to death in Slovakia after investigating tax fraud among people close to the ruling party. In Malta, investigative reporter Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed after reporting frequently on government corruption for her blog. There are crooks everywhere you look now, she wrote right before her death. The situation is desperate. The killing of five staff members at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Md., by a gunman in June brought the threat home to the United States. Meanwhile, the United Nations has been involved in seeking the release from prison in Myanmar of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, Reuters reporters who had been investigating the killing of 10 Rohinga Muslim men and boys. Its safe to say there is a pervasive worldwide threat directed to journalists and a perceived immunity for attacks, Shapiro said. And I think thats very dangerous. The European cases appear to speak to the power of oligarchs involved in shady activities who act across borders without consequences, he said. While careful not to place blame on President Donald Trump, experts say his attacks on the press as the enemy of the people have a corrosive effect that is noticed around the world. Journalists who may not have felt physical danger often find themselves the targets of threats and harassment online. We are conditioned to expect the United States to speak up for press freedom around the world and to defend it, not to belittle the press, Mahoney said. Journalism organizations have recognized the threat and have taken steps to protect reporters, the experts said. If there is an upside to this, I think that people who stand for democratic values are beginning to understand that scapegoating journalists and scapegoating the media is a step toward authoritarianism, Shapiro said. Read more about: PALU, INDONESIAIndonesias disaster agency said Wednesday that it only needs tents, water treatment units, generators and transport from other countries as it responds to the Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 2,000 people. The agencys spokesperson, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, said the death toll from the double disaster on Sept. 28 has risen to 2,045, with most of the fatalities in the coastal city of Palu. More than 80,000 people are living in temporary shelters or otherwise displaced, he said. Possibly 5,000 people are buried in obliterated parts of the city and its surroundings where the force of the quake liquefied the soil and sucked houses into the earth. Kilometres of coastline were trashed by the tsunami and Nugroho said its waves were up to 11 metres high. A tsunami warning after the quake had predicted waves of 0.5 to 3 metres. Nugroho reiterated at a news conference in Jakarta, Indonesias capital, that the official search for bodies will end Thursday with mass prayers in hard-hit neighbourhoods but volunteers and family members can continue searching. Memorials will be constructed in hard-hit neighbourhoods such as Balaroa and Petobo, he said. People are traumatized. They dont want to go back to those places, Nugroho said. They asked to be relocated to another place and a house made for them. Read more: Indonesia says death toll in Sulawesi quake rises past 2,000 Indonesian scientist tried to warn that a devastating quake was on its way, government was aware of the risk French rescuers unable to find sign of life they detected under Indonesia earthquake rubble A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck early Thursday just off the popular island of Bali, where the International Monetary Fund and its sister lending organization, the World Bank, are holding annual meetings through Sunday. Some tourists and residents went outdoors as a precaution but then back to sleep when there was no tsunami warning. After a rare appeal for international assistance, Indonesia is now trying to limit foreign involvement in the disaster relief effort. Nugroho said theres no need for international aid other than the four priorities identified by Indonesia. The disaster agency has circulated guidelines that say foreign aid workers can be in the field only with Indonesian partners. Groups that sent foreign personnel to the disaster zone are advised to retrieve their personnel immediately, according to those guidelines. International aid groups with Indonesian sister organizations say foreign personnel they want to send are being vetted by the government in a process that takes several days or longer. In a belated response to the influx of international journalists, Nugroho said foreign reporters need to apply for a journalist visa to report on the disaster. Its likely the majority have already left. Read more about: WASHINGTONFor President Donald Trump, who has made Saudi Arabia the fulcrum of his Middle East policy, the possible murder of a Saudi journalist in Turkey is a looming diplomatic crisis. For Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, it is a personal reckoning. More than anyone in the Trump administration, Kushner has cultivated Saudi Arabias crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman whose family may have played a role in the disappearance of the journalist, Jamal Khashoggi elevating the prince into a key ally in the Arab world and the White Houses primary interlocutor to the kingdom. Kushner championed Mohammed bin Salman, 33, when the prince was jockeying to be his fathers heir; had dinner with him in Washington and Riyadh, the Saudi capital; promoted a $110 billion (U.S.) weapons sale to his military; and once even hoped that the future king would put a Saudi stamp of approval on his Israeli-Palestinian peace plan. While the fate of Khashoggi, a resident of Virginia and a columnist for The Washington Post, remains unclear, allegations that he was killed on the orders of the royal court have thrown Kushners grand bet on the crown prince into doubt. He may be less the risk-taking reformer the Trump family eagerly embraced than a reckless, untested ruler, who critics say has been emboldened by his ties to the Trumps to take heavy-handed actions at home and abroad. U.S. intelligence agencies have collected communications intercepts of Saudi officials discussing a plan to lure Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia from his home in Virginia and then detain him, according to a former senior U.S. official. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss confidential intelligence reports, said it was inconceivable that such a plan could be carried out without the approval of the crown prince. The U.S. intercepts were first reported by The Washington Post. While it is possible that such a plan involved assassinating Khashoggi, the official said, it is also possible that a plan to trick Khashoggi into returning to Saudi Arabia, or to temporarily incapacitate and kidnap him, went horribly awry and resulted in his death. Saudi leaders, including the crown prince, insist Khashoggi left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on his own, and they do not know what happened to him after that. But if it becomes clear that the prince ordered the assassination of Khashoggi or was connected to it in some way, it will provoke an outcry on Capitol Hill; embarrass U.S. executives, dozens of whom are flocking to Riyadh for a conference next week where the crown prince is scheduled to speak; and put Kushner, who was once himself a newspaper publisher, in an extremely awkward position. After a week of lying low, there is evidence the White House is turning up the pressure on the Saudis. On Tuesday, the White House said, Kushner and John R. Bolton, the national security adviser, spoke to Mohammed bin Salman by phone about Khashoggis disappearance. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also called him. In both calls, they asked for more details and for the Saudi government to be transparent in the investigation process, said the White House press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Turkey is also raising the pressure. On Wednesday, Turkish officials and a newspaper close to the Turkish government identified 15 Saudis who they said were operatives who flew to Istanbul last week in pursuit of Khashoggi. One of the men on the list published by the newspaper, Sabah, is an autopsy expert at Saudi Arabias internal security agency, according to the two Turkish officials. Another appears to be a lieutenant in the Royal Saudi Air Force. The officials, citing confidential intelligence, said all worked for the Saudi government. Kushner declined to discuss the state of his relationship with Mohammed bin Salman. Behind the scenes, a person familiar with the matter said, he conveyed a letter from the publisher of The Post, Fred Ryan, to the crown prince, expressing concern for Khashoggi and asking for his help. Kushner has also taken other unspecified steps, this person said. Trump administration officials said there were still too many unanswered questions to draw any conclusions about what happened in Istanbul. Trump signalled late Wednesday that he thought it was likely that the Saudis did kill Khashoggi and said that he would be upset if it were confirmed. I would not be happy at all, he said in an interview with Fox News. I guess you would have to say so far its looking a little like that. But the president expressed reluctance to punish Saudi Arabia by cutting off arms sales, as some in Washington were proposing. I think that would be hurting us, he said. We have jobs, we have a lot of things happening in this country. Even before the murky events in Istanbul, Kushners partnership with Mohammed bin Salman was running into headwinds. Saudi Arabia rebuffed Trumps pleas to settle a bitter dispute with Qatar, its neighbour. Its arms purchases have fallen far short of the $110 billion trumpeted by Kushner, in part because of resistance in Congress and in part because that price tag was always somewhat exaggerated. The princes father, King Salman, ruled out public support for Kushners peace plan after Trumps decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel a move that alienated the Palestinians. Most important, from the perspective of lawmakers, Saudi Arabia has continued to kill civilians in Yemen with errant airstrikes, in a much-criticized intervention masterminded by Mohammed bin Salman in that countrys civil war. Reports of Khashoggis potentially grim fate have only fed the criticism from Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill, who have long been wary of Saudi religious extremism and ties to terrorism. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S. C., one of Trumps closest allies in Congress, said that if the Saudis were responsible for Khashoggis death, there would be hell to pay. Ive never been more disturbed than I am right now, he said. If this man was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, that would cross every line of normality in the international community. Policy-makers across Washington expressed concern that the Saudi governments lack of transparency and refusal to provide any information about Khashoggis whereabouts reflected a darker consequence of the kingdoms relationship with the Trump White House. It does seem like the Saudis are less concerned about U.S. views than ever before both because they assume Trump wont care and because they think they dont need U.S. approval, said Gerald M. Feierstein, a former ambassador to Yemen who was the State Departments second-ranking diplomat for Middle East policy from 2013 to 2016. Saudi Arabias muscle will be on display next week, when U.S. technology and financial titans gather at the investor conference in Riyadh that the crown prince will attend. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will represent the Trump administration at the meeting, which participants have called Davos in the Desert and is held at the same Ritz-Carlton hotel where Mohammed bin Salman jailed dozens of wealthy Saudis in what he said was an anti-corruption campaign. Among the prominent figures scheduled to take part are Jamie Dimon, the chief executive of JPMorgan Chase; Stephen A. Schwarzman, the chief executive of the Blackstone Group; and Dara Khosrowshahi, the chief executive of Uber. Two other scheduled attendees have ties to Trump: Thomas J. Barrack Jr., a financier who is a friend of the presidents; and Dina H. Powell, a Goldman Sachs executive and former deputy national security adviser who worked closely with Kushner on Saudi Arabia and is a leading candidate to replace Nikki R. Haley as ambassador to the United Nations. The Treasury Department said Mnuchin was still planning to attend. A person working with U.S. business executives said that if proof emerged that Saudi Arabia ordered Khashoggis killing, at least some would cancel. The New York Times, one of several major news organizations that were media sponsors of the conference, has decided to withdraw from the event, Eileen Murphy, a spokeswoman for the paper, said Wednesday night. Kushners relationship with Mohammed bin Salman dates to March 2017, when the two bonded over lunch at the White House. Kushner, 37, persuaded Trump to make Riyadh his first foreign trip as president. In return, he extracted commitments from the Saudis to take steps to curb terrorism, including a new centre to monitor militants. The blossoming relationship paid quick dividends for Mohammed bin Salman when Trump backed Saudi Arabia in its feud with Qatar, even over the reservations of his secretary of state at the time, Rex Tillerson. Even in those days, a former administration official said, Trumps aides regarded the ties between Kushner and Mohammed bin Salman as a mixed blessing. While it gave the White House a channel to Saudi Arabias designated heir, it ruled out the possibility of sending an older, more seasoned official to give advice to the young prince. Tillerson, who had a bad relationship with Kushner, could not play that role, and even Pompeo, who made an early trip to Saudi Arabia as secretary of state, has deferred to Kushner on the crown prince. Pompeo recently certified to Congress that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were doing enough to minimize the deadly consequences of their aerial campaign in Yemen. This came despite an Aug. 9 airstrike on a school bus in Yemen that killed more than 40 children. He also overruled the recommendations of State Department experts who concluded that the Saudi-led coalition had not yet demonstrated enough progress in mitigating civilian casualties, according to Andrew Miller, a former State Department official. A growing number of Pentagon officials and senior U.S. military commanders are also voicing exasperation over a conflict that has spiralled into one of the worlds worst humanitarian disasters. Theres a level of frustration we need to acknowledge, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian, said in an interview in late August. For all the turbulence, defenders of Saudi Arabia say, Mohammed bin Salman has proved himself a valuable ally for the United States. Its been a rocky road, PR-wise, but they made the right call, strategically, said Ali Shihabi, the founder of the Arabia Foundation, who has close ties to the Saudi royal court. They have an ally who is on the same page as they are. Still, the growing criticism from all quarters complicates those shared goals. Although from a distance the U.S.-Saudi relationship appears rock solid, there are cracks in the foundation, said Robert Malley, a former White House co-ordinator for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf during the Obama administration. If one adds what happened to Jamal Khashoggi, and if some of the horrifying stories turn out to be true, Malley said, one can imagine this having profound implications for U.S.-Saudi relations. Read more about: (CNN) A little over a week ago, a prominent Saudi journalist walked into the consulate general in Istanbul, intending to get paperwork that would allow him to marry his Turkish fiancee. She hasn't seen him since. Since then, officials and journalists have scrambled to piece together the story of what happened to Jamal Khashoggi, a former Saudi royal insider who became a critic of the regime of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Turkish authorities have privately said they believe Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate, a startling allegation that is firmly denied by the Saudis. Closed-circuit television footage, flight trackers, intercepted communications and even rumors of a bone saw have served as pieces of a puzzle that has spurred a diplomatic outcry. In the latest developments on Wednesday, Turkish security officials concluded that the "highest levels of the royal court" in Saudi Arabia ordered the assassination of Khashoggi, according to a senior official cited by The New York Times. Turkish officials have said that a 15-person team flew from Saudi Arabia into Istanbul on the day Khashoggi entered the consulate, and they have provided information about two private planes that, they say, were involved in the transit of these Saudis. Aviation data analyzed by CNN backs up evidence of the planes' arrival in Istanbul. The official quoted by the New York Times described the operation as "quick and complex," and that Khashoggi was killed within two hours of his arrival at the consulate. The agents "dismembered his body with a bone saw they brought for the purpose," the official told The New York Times. "It's like 'Pulp Fiction,'" he added. About the only thing that is known for sure about Khashoggi's fate is that he was last seen at 1:14 p.m. local time last Tuesday as he entered the consulate. His disappearance has prompted calls for investigations from around the world. The kingdom's staunchest Western allies, including the United States, where Khashoggi had applied for permanent residency, have urged Saudi Arabia to come clean. Trump said Wednesday that he's been in touch with the "highest levels" of the Saudi government about Khashoggi's case and expressed concerns about his possible murder. He said his administration was pressing the Saudi government to reveal more about the incident. "We're demanding everything. We want to see what's going on here. It's a bad situation," Trump said in the Oval Office. But he stopped short of saying whether he believed the Saudis have knowledge about his whereabouts, or may have played a role in his disappearance, stating that not enough was known to make a determination. Khashoggi's fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, told CNN that although she is afraid that media reports of his death could be true, she wants to wait for a "final result" and still thinks "anything" could have happened to him. A murder mystery? Saudi Arabia has repeatedly denied Turkey's account of the story, saying that Khashoggi left the embassy on the same day he arrived. In a statement to CNN on Wednesday, a Saudi official said the kingdom "categorically" denies "any involvement in Jamal's disappearance." "At this stage, our priority is to support the investigation, as opposed to responding to evolving comments not directly related to those efforts. Jamal's well-being, as a Saudi citizen, is our utmost concern and we are focusing on the investigation as a means to reveal the truth behind his disappearance. Our sympathies go out to the family during this difficult time," the official said. But Turkish officials have repeatedly suggested that Khashoggi has been killed. A friend of the journalist, Turan Kislakci, who is also the head of the Turkish-Arab Media Association, told CNN that Turkish officials called him and "offered their condolences and told us to be ready for a funeral." On Wednesday, a senior Turkish official speaking on the condition of anonymity told CNN that "the Saudis are not cooperating fully with the investigation. They are not open to cooperating." In addition, Saudi authorities have asked Turkish authorities to postpone the search of their consulate in Istanbul, Turkey's pro-government daily Yeni Safak reported, citing anonymous security sources. The newspaper report did not mention a reason for the Saudis' request. Saudi Arabia had earlier said it would allow Turkish authorities to search the consulate on the request of the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the newspaper said. CNN reached out to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by phone for comment. The person who answered the phone said that "the Saudi consulate does not have a comment" on the request for a delay, and hung up. U.S. officials are also attempting to piece together what happened, in particular whether any operation to silence Khashoggi was ordered at the highest levels of the Saudi government, including bin Salman. One U.S. official told CNN that the U.S. is examining communications intercepts to see if it can learn any more about what may have happened. U.S. officials think it's possible the crown prince wanted Khashoggi silenced, but miscalculated the global impact his disappearance would have. The Washington Post -- for which Khashoggi wrote critical columns -- said U.S. intelligence intercepted communications of Saudi officials discussing a plan to capture the journalist. Citing a person familiar with the information, the Post said the Saudis wanted to lure Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia and lay hands on him there. It was not clear whether the Saudis intended to arrest and interrogate Khashoggi or to kill him, or if the United States warned Khashoggi that he was a target, the source told the Post. CCTV cameras CCTV footage in and around the premises of the consulate have emerged as a focal point of the inquiry into Khashoggi's fate. A CCTV image obtained by CNN showed the missing Saudi journalist entering the Saudi consulate at lunchtime on October 2. Cengiz waited outside, and says he never emerged. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has demanded that the Saudis back up their claims that Khashoggi left the embassy alive by producing CCTV evidence. Such evidence has yet to emerge. On Tuesday, The Guardian newspaper reported that the consulate's Turkish staff were told to take a day off the day Khashoggi disappeared. It also reported that Turkish investigators believe security footage from inside the consulate was removed and taken back to Saudi Arabia on a private jet. During a tour of the six-story consulate given to journalists on Saturday, Saudi Consul General Mohammad al-Otaibi told Reuters that while the consulate was equipped with cameras, they did not record footage of Khashoggi entering or leaving the building. A 15-man murder squad? Turkish investigators have been focusing on the arrival of 15 Saudis in Istanbul last Tuesday. A Turkish police statement, quoted by state news agency Anadolu, said that the group of Saudis, who included several government officials, visited the consulate while Khashoggi was there. Two executive jets belonging to a Riyadh-based company that does government contracting and corporate work were probably involved in ferrying the Saudis to Istanbul, according to a source familiar with the timing and route of the flights. Flight-tracking data also backs up evidence of the planes' arrival in Istanbul. The first flight from Riyadh arrived just after 3 a.m. local time Tuesday. The CCTV image from outside the consulate shows Khashoggi entering at 1:14 p.m. A second flight from Riyadh landed in Istanbul at 5 p.m. It left an hour later, making a stopover in Cairo before returning to Riyadh. The first flight left Istanbul at 11:00 p.m. On Wednesday, a Turkish newspaper, Sabah, published photos and names of the 15 men it said are the focus of the Turkish investigation. Sabah said it "obtained photos of the mysterious intelligence team entering Turkey through Ataturk Airport." The photos alongside the names appear to have been taken from airport cameras. The Sabah report does not indicate the source of the material. CNN has not been able to independently verify Sabah's account. Police and intelligence officers searched one of the private planes before it departed Istanbul's Ataturk Airport. They also examined camera records from the day of Khashoggi's disappearance, according to Sabah. Fiancee's agony Khashoggi's fiancee told CNN that she fears for his fate. "He may have been kidnapped, abducted, or some harm may have come to him," she said in written answers to questions from CNN's Christiane Amanpour. "Images in the media point to the possibility of an abduction or an assassination. I hope that it does not turn out to be murder as alleged by these images." "Until official statements are made, it makes more sense to wait a bit longer and to see the final result as oppose to making a bold comment," she added, saying she did not feel comfortable enough to be interviewed on camera. "Until now no official document could be made available to prove that he did exit from there on his own," she said. "it has not been proven until now through official documents that he exited of his own accord." Cengiz told CNN that she was questioned by Turkish investigators after Khashoggi's disappearance and has had a few calls with officials since. Saudi authorities have not contacted her, she said. Cengiz said she felt responsible for Khashoggi, and has been "in a state of deep confusion and sadness." One activist familiar with the events leading up to Khashoggi's entering the consulate said Saudi officials had given the journalist assurances that it would be safe for him to enter. The Saudi consulate said "'No, don't worry about it, you're welcome here' ... So he didn't take the proper precaution," London-based activist Yahya Assiri told CNN. "Some of his friends suggested that he go with a lawyer, or to let the Turkish police or intelligence know that he was going. He didn't notify anyone, just his fiancee and he went with her and they didn't let her in," he added. "So he didn't take enough precaution. He had total trust in the state." This story was first published on CNN.com, "Turkish officials say a Saudi murder squad is behind journalist's death." An MRI showed that decreased blood flow during labor caused subsequent brain damage, Williams said. Since then he has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and, at age 9, knows about 30 words. He also has hearing loss, trouble walking and decreased motor skills. He likely will never be able to hold a job or live on his own, among other concerns. PANAMA CITY, Fla. The devastation inflicted by Hurricane Michael came into focus Thursday with rows upon rows of homes found smashed to pieces, and search-and-rescue crews struggled to reach the stricken areas in hopes of accounting for hundreds of people who defied evacuation orders. At least two deaths were blamed on Michael, the most powerful hurricane to hit the continental U.S. in over 50 years, and it wasnt done yet: Though weakened into a tropical storm, it continued to bring heavy rain and blustery winds to the Southeast as it pushed inland, soaking areas still recovering from Hurricane Florence. Under a perfectly clear blue sky, Florida families emerged tentatively from darkened shelters and hotels to an unfamiliar and perilous landscape of shattered homes and shopping centers, beeping security alarms, wailing sirens and hovering helicopters. This morning, Floridas Gulf Coast and Panhandle and the Big Bend are waking up to unimaginable destruction, Gov. Rick Scott said. So many lives have been changed forever. So many families have lost everything. This hurricane was an absolute monster. The full extent of the damage was only slowly becoming clear, with some of the hardest-hit areas difficult to reach because of roads blocked by debris or water. An 80-mile stretch of Interstate 10, the main east-west route along the Panhandle, was closed. Some of the worst damage was in Mexico Beach, where Michael crashed ashore Wednesday as a Category 4 monster with 155 mph winds and a storm surge of 9 feet. Video from a drone Thursday revealed widespread devastation across the town of about 1,000 people. Entire blocks of homes near the beach were obliterated, reduced to nothing but concrete slabs in the sand. Rows and rows of other homes were turned into piles of splintered lumber or were crumpled and slumped at odd angles. Entire roofs were torn away and dropped onto a road. Boats were tossed ashore like toys. A National Guard team got into Mexico Beach and found 20 survivors overnight, and more crews were pushing into the area in the morning, with the fate of many residents unknown, authorities said. State officials said 285 people in Mexico Beach had refused to leave ahead of the hurricane despite a mandatory evacuation order. Mishelle McPherson and her ex-husband searched for the elderly mother of a friend. The woman lived in a small cinderblock house about 150 yards from the Gulf and thought she would be OK. Her home was reduced to crumbled cinderblocks and pieces of floor tile. Aggy! Aggy! McPherson yelled. The only sound that came back was the echo from the half-demolished building and the pounding of the surf. Do you think her body would be here? Do you think it would have floated away? she asked. As she walked down the street, McPherson pointed out pieces of what had been the womans house: Thats the blade from her ceiling fan. Thats her floor tile. The beach town was difficult to reach by land, with roads covered by fallen trees, power lines and other debris. The governor pleaded with people in the hard-hit areas to stay away for now. I know you just want to go home. You want to check on things, and begin the recovery process, Scott said. But we have to make sure things are safe. Over 900,000 homes and businesses in Florida, Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas were without power. Thousands of National Guard troops, law enforcement officers and medical teams began making their way across the stricken zone. The Coast Guard said it rescued at least 27 people before and after the hurricane came ashore, mostly from homes along the Florida coastline, and searched for more victims. Among those brought to safety were nine people rescued by helicopter from a bathroom of their Panama City home after their roof collapsed, Petty Officer 3rd Class Ronald Hodges said. The hurricane damaged hospitals and nursing homes in the Panama City area, and officials worked to evacuate hundreds of patients. The damage at Bay Medical Sacred Heart included blown-out windows, a cracked exterior wall and a roof collapse in a maintenance building. No patients were hurt, the hospital said. The state mental hospital in Chattahoochee, which has a section for the criminally insane, was cut off by land, and food and supplies were being flown in, authorities said. As of 11 a.m. EDT, Michael was centered about 35 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina, with winds of 50 mph (85 kph). It was moving northeast at 23 mph. Forecasters said it could drop up to 7 inches of rain over the Carolinas and Virginia before pushing out to sea Thursday night. In North Carolina, still struggling to recover after Florence, up to 6 inches of rain had fallen in the mountains by morning, and people had to be rescued from cars trapped in high water. For North Carolina, Michael isnt as bad as Florence, but it adds unwelcome insult to injury, so we must be on alert, Gov. Roy Cooper said. Along the 200-mile Panhandle, Michael washed away white-sand beaches, hammered military bases and destroyed coastal communities, stripping trees to stalks, shredding roofs, toppling trucks and pushing boats into buildings. Authorities said a falling tree killed a man outside Tallahassee, Florida, and an 11-year-old girl in Georgia was killed when the winds picked up a carport and dropped it on her home. One of the carports legs punctured the roof and hit her in the head. An Associated Press team drove for miles and encountered extensive destruction around Panama City. Though most homes were still standing, no property was left undamaged. Downed power lines lay nearly everywhere. Roofs were peeled away and sent airborne. Aluminum siding was shredded to ribbons. Homes were split open by fallen trees. Hundreds of cars had broken windows. Twisted street signs lay on the ground. Pine trees were stripped and snapped off about 20 feet high. More than 375,000 people up and down the Gulf Coast were ordered or urged to clear out as Michael closed in. But it moved fast and intensified quickly, and emergency authorities lamented that many people ignored the warnings. Based on its internal barometric pressure, Michael was the third most powerful hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland, behind the unnamed Labor Day storm of 1935 and Camille in 1969. Based on wind speed, it was the fourth-strongest, behind the Labor Day storm (184 mph, or 296 kph), Camille and Andrew in 1992. The morning outbound express trains do not stop at the Lake Forest station, which is the closest for major employers like AbbVie and Horizon Pharma, and the afternoon trains either stop there too early or too late for most workers. The Government ofUganda (GOU) has received a Grant from the received a Grant from the Energy SectorManagement Assistance Program (ESMAP), a multi-donor trust fund operated by theWorld Bank, towards the cost of the Uganda Clean Cooking Supply Chain ExpansionProject (UCCSCEP). The aim of UCCSCEP is to expand both access to, and adoptionof, cleaner and more efficient cooking solutions, reduce household airpollution and related burden of disease, and reduce household consumption ofand expenditure for biomass cooking fuels. GOU intends to use part of theproceeds of the Grant towards payment for Consultancy Services for provision ofproject management services. Princess Eugenie and her fiance Jack Brooksbank outside St Mary the Virgin Church in Frensham, Surrey, after attending the wedding of Charlie van Straubenzee and Daisy Jenks Gale-force winds are expected to blast Ireland and western Britain when Storm Callum blows in from the Atlantic this weekend, which will no doubt be a worry to those tying the knot this weekend, not least of them Britain's Princess Eugenie and her fiance Jack Brooksbank, who are scheduled to exchange vows tomorrow afternoon. The storm, which could bring gusts of up to 80mph, will hit on the morning of the royal wedding at St Georges Chapel in Windsor. Expand Close Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank (Ian West/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank (Ian West/PA) The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for Friday and Saturday and said to expect heavy and persistent rain which has the potential to cause flooding, difficult driving conditions and potential road closures. Storm Callum is due to hit the UK just hours before the happy couple are expected to tie the knot in front of over 850 guests at 11am. However the Met Office said on Wednesday the worst of the weather would be in western Scotland - where Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall will be visiting a school and therefore missing the celebrations - Wales and the Lake District. Princess Eugenie and her fiance Jack Brooksbank are expected to take part in a carriage ride around Windsor following their 11am church service, which will be broadcast live on ITV's This Morning. Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Princess Eugenie of York (R) and Princess Beatrice of York (L) are seen in the Parade Ring as she attends Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse on June 22, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie attend Derby Day at The Derby Festival on June 1, 2013 in Epsom, United Kingdom. (Photo by Danny E. Martindale/Getty Images) Princess Eugenie and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on May 31, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Princess Eugenie of York (R) and Princess Beatrice of York (L) are seen in the Parade Ring as she attends Royal Ascot 2017 at Ascot Racecourse on June 22, 2017 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) Unlike Harry and Meghan's wedding earlier this year, a second day's celebration is also reportedly planned for Saturday, which has taken on a 'funfair theme'. After the more formal celebration at Windsor Castle [reportedly planned and overseen by Lady Elizabeth Anson, the Queens cousin], the Saturday bash will be a relaxed party a source told The Telegraph. Read More There will be dodgems and funfair rides, coconut shies, lots of food stalls, loads of cocktails, bloody Marys for the hangovers and a festival vibe. Expand Expand Previous Next Close Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (L), Princess Beatrice of York (C) and Princess Eugenie of York attend Royal Ascot Day 1 at Ascot Racecourse on June 19, 2018 in Ascot, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) Princess Eugenie and her fiance Jack Brooksbank outside St Mary the Virgin Church in Frensham, Surrey, after attending the wedding of Charlie van Straubenzee and Daisy Jenks / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (L), Princess Beatrice of York (C) and Princess Eugenie of York attend Royal Ascot Day 1 at Ascot Racecourse on June 19, 2018 in Ascot, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) Video of the Day Buckingham Palace have released further details about the big day, announcing the bridesmaids and page boys who will make up the royal wedding party. Among the little ones include Zara and Mike Tindalls spirited four-year-old Mia and Peter and Autumn Phillips daughters Savannah and Isla. Maud Windsor, who is Eugenies goddaughter and the daughter of Lord Frederick Windsor and his actress wife Sophie Winkleman, is also a bridesmaid. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's son George will be joined by fellow page boy Louis de Givenchy the six-year-old son of JP Morgan banking executive Olivier de Givenchy and his wife Zoe, their daughter Charlotte, 3, will be a bridesmaid. Expand Close Catherine Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis after Prince Louis' christening at St James's Palace on July 09, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Catherine Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis after Prince Louis' christening at St James's Palace on July 09, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski - WPA Pool/Getty Images) Robbie and Ayda William's daughter Theodora, 6, will also be a bridesmaid, the couple having developed a close friendship with Eugenie and her mother Sarah Ferguson over recent years. The Queens youngest grandchildren, 14-year-old Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor and 10-year-old Viscount Severn, who are the children of the Earl and Countess of Wessex, will take on the role of Special Attendants. Read More William and Kates youngest child Prince Louis, who is only five and a half months old, is too young to attend and will be staying at home. Eugenie's sister Beatrice will be her maid of honour on the day, and Jack's brother Thomas will be best man. It is not known yet if 97-year-old Prince Philip will attend the big day, with a royal source telling the Telegraph He now very much operates on a wake up and see how I feel basis. Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, who split from Andrew in 1992 but still lives under the same roof, is said to be very nervous about meeting Prince Philip, who has avoided her since her 1996 divorce. The adage that failures can teach many lessons seems quite... Income Tax department officials reportedly searched the The Quint's Noida offices, and the residence of the founder of the news portal, Raghav Bahl, on Thursday. Speaking to PTI, the I-T officials said the raids were in connection to a tax evasion case. A survey was also conducted at the Bengaluru offices of The News Minute, where Bahl's Quintillion Media Pvt Ltd is an investor. The move evoked widespread outrage among the media fraternity. In a statement to the Editor's Guild, Bahl wrote that they were a fully tax compliant entity, and that they would provide all access to all appropriate financial documents. I have a matter of great concern to share with the Guild, he wrote. While I was in Mumbai this morning, dozens of IT officials descended on my residence and The Quints office for a survey. We are a fully tax compliant entity, and will provide all access to all appropriate financial documents. However, I have just spoken to the officer on my premises, one Mr Yadav, and requested him, strongly, to not try and pick up or see any other mail/document which is likely to contain very serious/sensitive journalistic material. If they do that, then we shall seek extremely strong recourse. I do hope the EG will back us on this, and thereby set a precedent for any such exercise that may happen on any other journalistic entity in the future. They should also not misuse their smartphones to take unauthorised copies of this material. I am now on my way back to Delhi. Poonam Aggarwal, an associate editor with the The Quint, tweeted that the officers were even trying to clone data from the gadgets of Ritu Kapur, co-founder of Quintillion and the wife of Raghav Bahl. IT officers are trying to clone data from @kapur_ritu's gadgets. When she screamed and asked me about the law of privacy and whether they can clone her journalistic and personal material, while I was standing outside her residence, two IT officers pulled her inside the house. IT officers are trying to clone data from @kapur_ritu's gadgets. When she screamed and asked me about the law of privacy and whether they can clone her journalistic and personal material, while I was standing outside her residence, two IT officers pulled her inside the house. Poonam Agarwal (@poonamjourno) October 11, 2018 Editorial director of The Quint, Sanjay Pugalia, tweeted that the raids were a result of the fearless and independent journalism. There is Jumla in Income Tax Act- circumstantial evidence. Yes, the circumstantial evidence is @Raghav Bahl @TheQuints independent and fearless journalism. Thats why IT search & survey @TheQuint. See our coverage and decide for yourself, he wrote. There is Jumla in Income Tax Act- circumstantial evidence. Yes, the circumstantial evidence is @Raghav_Bahl @TheQuints independent and fearless journalism. Thats why IT search & survey @TheQuint. See our coverage and decide for yourself. Sanjay Pugalia (@sanjaypugalia) October 11, 2018 The Quint, in an article, alleged that, apart from books of accounts, and other revenue information, the IT officers were also asking for a list of employees and their contact details. According to the I-T officer leading the team, they are conducting a search on one floor of the office, and a survey on the other. The powers of I-T officers under these provisions of law are not the samefor instance, when a survey is conducted, the officers cannot take away anything from the premises, while they can do so during a search. President of the Editors Guild, Shekhar Gupta, wrote that I-T raids at The Quint offices and the residences of its founder Raghav Bahl home are a cause for serious concern. Taxman has the right to ask all questions, but raids look like intimidation. If there is justification, govt must explain quickly. Or it will be seen as targeting critical media, he tweeted. I.T raids on @TheQuint offices and its founder @Raghav_Bahl home are cause for serious concern. Taxman has the right to ask all questions, but raids look like intimidation. If there is justification, govt must explain quickly. Or it will be seen as targeting critical media. Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) October 11, 2018 Dhanya Rajendran, editor-in-chief of The News Minute, stated they were complying with the requests of the officers at the premises. Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants including former Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Ph.D. scholar-turned-militant, Manan Wanihave been killed in an encounter with security forces at Kupwara in north Kashmir. The encounter took place in Shatgund village at 2.30 am on Thursday after the police launched a search operation in the area following an intelligence report. The firing stopped from the militants' side around 9 am but resumed after 15 minutes when the security forces tried to close in on the hideout. The exchange of fire continued intermittently for an hour. The security forces took away the bodies of two militants when the firing stopped. As a precaution, the internet was suspended in Kupwara; schools and colleges were also closed in the district and other areas in south Kashmir. The police are yet to confirm the identity of the two slain militants. Meanwhile, clashes were reported near the encounter site as youngsters pelted stones at the police who responded with tear smoke shells. A photo of Wani holding a gun had appeared on social media days after he went missing from his home. His family was clueless about his whereabouts until his photo appeared on WhatsApp and Facebook. The 26-year-old scholar was about to complete his Ph.D. on 'Structural and Geomorphological Study of Lolab Valley, Kashmir' at AMU. He was also the recipient of an award at an international conference on Water, Environment, Ecology, and Society in 2016. The conference took place at AISECT University, Bhopal where he won the award for his paper 'Flood Risk Assessment of Lolab Valley from Watershed Analysis Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques'. Wani's paper was chosen among those by 400 participants from 20 countries including the USA, Canada, Austria, South Africa, Egypt, Iran and Itlay. Additional Director General of Police, Muneer Khan, told THE WEEK that the family of Wani has identified one of the slain militants as their son. "Some of his relatives had come to see the body and they identified one of the militants as Wani,'' Khan said. The other militant, Ashiq from Tulwari Langate, Kupwara is a new recruit. The separatist Joint Resistance Leadership of Ali Shah Geelani, Yasin Malik and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have called for a strike on Friday against the killing of Wani and Ashiq. The Yogi Adityanath government has come out with a novel idea to train MLAs and peoples representatives of the state. The Adityanath government will soon establish a training centre in Ghaziabad. The estimated cost of the project is known to be Rs 168.68 crore. According to Urban Development Minister Suresh Khanna, the cabinet has cleared the proposal. The minister said the Ghaziabad centre will be a one-of-a-kind institution as it is required to train peoples representatives about laws, rules, traditions and other aspects of governance. Any official (from any part of the country) interested in receiving the training can enrol at the centre. A committee will soon decide the training courses, syllabus and other training modules to be taught by it. Besides training peoples representatives, those interested in joining politics too can join this institute. The institute will offer degree and diploma courses. Renowned and international universities will be approached for accreditation of the courses. The institute will be spread over an area of 50,000 sq feet. Ghaziabad has been chosen as a location for the institute, because of its proximity to Delhi. This will make it easy for international dignitaries like ambassadors, ministers and high-profile officials to travel to Ghaziabad for lectures. At present, there is a dearth of such political training. The institute will function under the department of urban development. The municipal corporation of Ghaziabad has made land near Rajnagar Extension available where work will soon commence. The training institute will be completed in two years. The municipal corporation has set apart a budget of Rs 50 crore for the current fiscal year to build the the present training centre and create infrastructure. US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he has taken up the case of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi with Saudi authorities "at the highest level" and demanded answers from them over the mysterious disappearance of the Washington Post contributor. Khashoggi, a US resident, vanished on October 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Turkish authorities suspect he was abducted and murdered by the Saudis. But Riyadh insisted the 59-year-old journalist had left the building and that murder claims are "baseless". "This is a bad situation. We cannot let this happen. To reporters and to anybody, we cannot let this happen. We are going to the bottom (of it), Trump told reporters at the White House. Trump said he has taken up this matter with Saudi Arabia at the highest level. Let me say this, the highest level, he said in response to a question adding that this is a very serious situation. Turkish investigators are examining CCTV footage showing the moment the journalist entered the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul to obtain documents ahead of his marriage to his Turkish fiance Hatice Cengiz. Trump said he and the First Lady have received a letter from the fiancee of the journalist. We are in contact with her now. And we want to bring her to the White House. It's very sad situation. It's a very bad situation. And we want to get to the bottom of it, he said. Meanwhile, White House National Security Advisor, John Bolton, and White House Senior Advisor, Jared Kushner, spoke to Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Tuesday about the missing Washington Post journalist. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a follow up call with the Crown Prince to reiterate the United States request for information. In both calls they asked for more details and for the Saudi government to be transparent in the investigation process. We will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as available, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. Later, at another White House event, Trump expressed his disappointment over the current situation. "We are going to have comment on that soon. We are very disappointed to see what is going on. Dont like it. Dont like it at all. And are going to get to the bottom of it, Trump told reporters in response to a question. New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has frozen over a dozen bank accounts of environmental NGO Greenpeace and its linked entity after it conducted searches at their premises in Bengaluru on charges of alleged forex violations, officials said Thursday. The NGO said in a statement that it strongly denies all allegations against it and that the ED action was "part of a larger design to muzzle democratic dissent in the country". Official sources in the central probe agency said the searches, under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), were conducted on October 5 in Bengaluru as it was detected that it incorporated a commercial entity called DDIIPL in 2016 after the Union Home Ministry cancelled Greenpeace India Society's (Chennai) FCRA registration the previous year for alleged violation of norms. "Every rupee that goes into Greenpeace Indias environmental work is a donation made by ecologically conscious people in the country. "Greenpeace Indias work for clean air, promotion of renewable energy, safe food for all and climate change mitigation is carried out with a unique combination of passion and professionalism. We strongly object to attempts of defaming Greenpeace India through false claims and accusations," the NGO said. Official sources said the ED searches were carried out on charges of "contravention of the FEMA" and the office premises of DDIIPL and Greenpeace India Society were covered. The agency said Ms Direct Dialogue Initiatives India Pvt Ltd (DDIIPL) was created to "facilitate the operational activities of Greenpeace" and claimed that the new entity received FDI of Rs 99 lakh from a Netherland-based organisation followed by another tranche of Rs 15 crore. "As on date, DDIIPL received foreign direct investment (FDI) to the tune of Rs 29 crore," the agency said in a statement. It said a British national was also made the director of DDIIPL in October, 2017. "We do not have anything to hide and are ready to provide the government with financial details as required. At the same time, we will reserve the right to constitutionally challenge attempts to malign our very existence as an independent environmental organisation," Greenpeace said. Officials said senior executives of the two entities were questioned by ED officials during the searches and subsequently 14 bank accounts, holding over Rs 11.61 crore of DDIIPL and Greenpeace India Society have been frozen under the FEMA. The ED alleges that DDIIPL spent around Rs 21 crore for its expenses since inception "with no substantial revenue generation so far". It also alleged DDIIPL was "engaged in similar activities" that were being undertaken by Greenpeace, for which the home ministry had cancelled the latter's Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) license in September, 2015. The agency has now sought the list of Indian donors to DDIIPL as it detected that it was allegedly raising funds to five entities, most of whom are linked to Greenpeace. The ED also suspects that a number of employees have "migrated" from Greenpeace to DDIIPL and are involved in similar tasks undertaken in the past by the latter organisation. PTI NES SRY Islamabad, Oct 11 (PTI) Saddled with mounting debts, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday asked the finance ministry to conduct an analysis of how Pakistan's debt rose five-fold to Rs 30 lakh crore in 10 years, the state media reported. "We need to know where that money went and what projects it was used in. Our government has just come in and we have been forced to take loans to pay off the loans that they [the previous governments] took. At least we should know where those loans went," he said while while chairing a meeting of his Cabinet. Pakistan's foreign currency reserves dropped to USD 8.4 billion in late September, barely enough for current debt payments. Khan's government blames the previous administration for the country's economic woes. It is unclear how much Pakistan will seek to borrow from the International Monetary Fund, but the country's media outlets have reported that at least USD 8 billion is needed to tackle the current crisis. During the Cabinet meeting, Khan instructed the finance Ministry to conduct an analysis of how Pakistan's debt increased from Rs 6,000 billion to Rs 30,000 billion in the span of 10 years, Radio Pakistan reported. "This analysis is also important as our government, which sees that the country is already in debt, will have to think twice about taking more loans. We will at least have to see that the loans that we take create more wealth so that they can be returned," he said. Khan directed the finance ministry to present its detailed analysis on the matter in another Cabinet meeting. The prime minister's directive came on a day when Pakistan's Finance Minister Asad Umar met with IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde in Nusa Dua, Indonesia and formally sought a bailout from the global lender. "During the meeting, they requested financial assistance from the IMF to help address Pakistan's economic challenges," Lagarde said in a statement. "An IMF team will visit Islamabad in the coming weeks to initiate discussions for a possible IMF-supported economic programme," she said. Pakistan has approached the IMF for a bailout a dozen times since the late 1980s. The most recent was in 2013, when it received a USD 6.6 billion loan to tackle a similar financial crisis. PTI AKJ AKJ Nusa Dua (Indonesia), Oct 11 (AFP) IMF chief Christine Lagarde met with Pakistani officials Thursday and said a team would visit Islamabad for talks on a possible bailout of its shaky economy. Pakistan Finance Minister Asad Umar, who is attending the Fund's annual meeting in Bali, announced earlier this week that the government would seek talks with the IMF on a "stabilisation recovery programme". Lagarde earlier Thursday said the IMF had yet to receive anything formal from Islamabad but that she would meet with the Pakistani delegation in Bali. "During the meeting, they requested financial assistance from the IMF to help address Pakistan's economic challenges," Lagarde said in a statement. "An IMF team will visit Islamabad in the coming weeks to initiate discussions for a possible IMF-supported economic programme." Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday vowed to steer the country out of a looming balance-of-payments crisis, saying it needs USD 10-12 billion. "We will get out of this. I will take (the country) out of this," he said. Khan's new administration took office in August vowing to weigh up whether to seek an IMF bailout as it sought other avenues of financing. He has sought loans from friendly countries, promised to recover funds stolen by corrupt officials, and embarked on a series of populist austerity measures. But help has been in short supply and economists' warnings have grown increasingly urgent. Pakistan has gone to the IMF several times since the late 1980s. The most recent was in 2013, when Islamabad got a $6.6 billion loan to tackle a similar crisis. (AFP) MRJ MRJ New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) The target of having 10,000 Indian students in France is within reach as an increasing number of them are choosing that country, French envoy Alexandre Ziegler said Thursday. He was addressing business leaders from both the countries at the first edition of the Indo-French Business Awards 2018 held at the Ambassador's residence here. "I am glad that a rising number of Indian students are choosing France. The target of 10,000 Indian students in France is now within reach. The Franco-Indian Education Trust, created during the presidential visit and to which some of you have already contributed, will help us in this regard," the envoy said. He said this year has been "particularly rich and meaningful" for the Indo-French business relations. "The State visit of President Emmanuel Macron in March was outstanding in many respects and particularly in its economic outcomes. It started a new momentum and your esteemed presence, with an exceptional turnout tonight, speaks volumes on the dynamic of our relations," he said. A special dinner, with a curated French menu, was hosted by the ambassador to celebrate the Indo-French economic partnership. Organised by the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI), the nominations of the IFB Awards 2018 closed with more than 50 nominees. The jury industry specialists from various fields had shortlisted about 20 companies across five award categories comprising: Best SME of the Year, Best Entrepreneur of the Year, Best French Group in India, Best Indo-French Cooperation, and Most Innovative Product/Service of the Year, the French Embassy said. PTI KND GVS Lucita Zamoras defrauded older clients out of more than $2.5 million by (holding) herself out as a financial adviser specializing in retirement planning, according to the criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in the Illinois Northern District. New York, Oct 11 (AFP) A New York judge on Thursday dismissed one charge against Harvey Weinstein, but left the disgraced Hollywood titan facing five other charges in connection with alleged sexual assault. The 66-year-old father of five, out on a USD 1 million bail and forced to wear a GPS monitor, attended the latest court hearing and denies any non-consensual sexual relations. "This is obviously a very positive development," Weinstein's defence lawyer, Ben Brafman, told reporters outside the court. (AFP) RUP RUP Mumbai, Oct 11 (PTI) Director Subhash Kapoor, who has a molesting case pending against him, said Wednesday that he understands and respects Aamir Khan's decision to exit the Gulshan Kumar biopic as producer. In the wake of the #MeToo movement that is escalating day by day in the country, without taking any names Khan announced his and filmmaker-wife Kiran Rao's departure from an upcoming project, saying he has been informed of "sexual misconduct" on the part of a collaborator. "Mogul" co-producer Bhushan Kumar said Wednesday that Kapoor has been sacked from the job. "With the ongoing proceedings against the director that is brought to our notice, everyone at T-Series has decided to not work with the director," Bhushan said in a statement to PTI. Reacting to Khan's announcement, Kapoor told PTI, "I understand and respect Aamir Khan's and Kiran Rao's decision. Since matter is sub judice, I intend to prove my innocence in the court of law." Actor Geetika Tyagi, who has appeared in films like "One By Two", "Aatma", "What the Fish", has accused Kapoor of molesting her. In April 2014, Tyagi had filed a complaint with Versova police station alleging that he tried to rape her two years ago. Following which, Kapoor was arrested and let out on bail after paying a sum of Rs 10,000. In 2014, a video, which was apparently taken with a hidden camera had Tyagi, Kapoor and his wife in it. In the video, Tyagi is seen slapping Kapoor, which the aspiring actor had put on social media. The director, best known for "Jolly LLB" series, questioned Tyagi's motives of sharing the video on the internet. "... But I do want to raise a question - is secretly filming a crying woman without her consent and knowledge and uploading it on social media not harassment or abuse? Or is it fine if she is related to someone who is 'allegedly accused' of misconduct. If your answer is latter then for me it's nothing less then a khap panchayat mentality," he said. In a joint statement, Aamir and filmmaker-wife Kiran Rao had also said, "At Aamir Khan Productions we have always had a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual misconduct and predatory behaviour of any kind." They said they were committed to making the industry a safe place. PTI KKP RDS RDS Mumbai, Oct 11 (PTI) Aditi Mittal Wednesday issued an unconditional apology to fellow comic Kaneez Surka for violating her space but said her "intentions were not sexual in nature". Surka accused the comedienne of sexual harassment, claiming the fellow comic "forcibly kissed" her on the mouth two years ago at a comedy show. Mittal said she gave the improv artiste, who was hosting an open mic, a peck on the lips "as a joke as a part of the act" but "there was no tongue". She had apologised later to Surka when she realised the discomfort she had caused. "The intentions were not sexual in nature. I realised that after talking to Kaneez that it was a violation of her space and to this day bothers her very much. For this I am unconditionally sorry," Mittal wrote on Twitter. She said she and Surka talked about the matter at length in 2017 and her contemporary accepted her unconditional apology. "We discussed the rampant sexism in AIB which she was just discovering and promised to have each other's backs in a boys club," Mittal said of the comedy collective of which Surka is an active part. Addressing Surka's claims that she had turned "hostile" towards her, Mittal said she began to consciously avoid any place that she or anyone from those social circles might be, "out of respect for her space". Mittal said Surka gave her a two-day ultimatum to speak up and when she did not, the latter went ahead with her account on social media. She apologised once again. Surka Wednesday alleged Mittal violated her boundaries of personal choice and "humiliated" her in front of an audience of 100 and many comedians. She said seeing Mittal's name all over social media as "a champion of the cause" had been troubling her for some time and only a public apology would bring her closure. Mittal had retweeted Surka's post. In the #MeToo movement which is surging ahead, Mittal is the first woman to have been named for sexual harassment. The campaign first hit the comedy industry last week when Utsav Chakraborty was accused by multiple women for harassment with AIB co-founder Gursimran Khamba been directly accused of misconduct. AIB's Tanmay Bhat has stepped away from the comedy collective and Khamba has been sent on "temporary leave of absence". PTI RDS RDS Mumbai, Oct 11 (PTI) Subhash Ghai is the latest Bollywood figure to be accused of rape with an anonymous woman alleging that he spiked her drink and then sexually assaulted her, a claim the director "strictly and firmly" denied on Thursday. The anonymous account shared on Twitter by writer Mahima Kukreja, who was one of the first women to accuse comedian Utsav Chakraborty of sexual harassment last week. Kukreja said the woman is "very credible media/lit personality, who does not want to be named". The woman said she worked with Ghai on a film years ago and he started taking an extra interest in her and would often call her for script sessions at his apartment, which he would allegedly call his "thinking pad". She claims he once forcefully kissed her but tried to pacify her the next day by calling the incident a "lover's tiff". She said she told the first assistant director and two other women about the incident but decided to let it go because she had no job or financial security at that time. She alleges that after a late music session, he decided to have a drink and offered one to her, which "was spiked" while he was dropping her home in the car. The woman remembers being taken to a hotel room and assaulted before losing consciousness. When contacted, 73-year-old Ghai told PTI, "It is sad that it is becoming a fashion to malign anyone known, bringing some stories from past without any truth or blown up false allegations if all. I deny strictly and firmly all false allegations like these." The director said he has always been respectful towards women in life as well in workplace. "If she claims this way, she should go to the court of law and prove it. Justice will be done or I will go for defamation certainly," he added. Newer names emerged Thursday in the #MeToo movement as actor Saloni Chopra accused director Sajid Khan of sexual harassment while she worked with him as an assistant. She also accused Vikas Bahl, who is already facing sexual harassment charges from a former employee, of being a sexist. Chopra also detailed an alleged toxic relationship with "Kuchh Bheege Alfaaz" actor Zain Durrani of physical abuse. Sajid and Zain could not be reached for a reaction. Sajid has also been accused by a woman journalist of sexually harassing her. She said she went to interview Khan at his sister Farah Khan's house but upon reaching there, he exposed himself and forcefully kissed her. PTI JUR RB BK ZMN Colombo, Oct 11 (PTI) The Sri Lankan parliament has passed a law to pay compensation to the victims of the 30-year-long separatist war between the Sri Lankan Army and the LTTE, nearly a decade after the end of the conflict that claimed at least 100,000 lives. The Office for Reparations Bill was passed on Wednesday with a 59-43 vote and it will benefit survivors and victims of the kin in several armed uprisings in the country, officials said. The long-delayed legislation had been a key demand of the international observers urging reconciliation in the ethnically divided nation. Former president Mahinda Rajapakse's supporters voted against the bill arguing that the bill would benefit separatist Tamil rebels crushed in the military campaign. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which led the separatist war for a separate Tamil homeland for three decades in the island nation, was finally crushed by the Lankan military in 2009 with the death of its supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran. Since his election in 2015, President Maithripala Sirisena has faced international criticism for not taking any step towards the reconciliation process. The United Nations Human Rights Council had also pressed the Sirisena administration to take urgent steps towards addressing the war-era abuses. Finally in March, the government established an office to trace the tens of thousands missing since the end of the civil war. "We have had a long history of conflict not only in the north, but also in the south...people had disappeared (during the conflict)...it is also necessary to find out what happened to them and give reparations to the affected people," Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said during the parliamentary debate. According to official figures, around 20,000 people are missing due to various conflicts, including the separatist war, in the north and east of the island nation. R Sampanthan, the Leader of the Opposition, said, "The ascertainment of the truth, delivery of justice, the issue of accountability, reparations and non-recurrence are all fundamental components of the transitional justice mechanism." "Financial reparation must be given to the people who need to be economically empowered," Sampathan, who is also the leader of the main Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance, said. The pro-Sinhala majority nationalist Joint Opposition argued that the bill would benefit the LTTE who ran an armed separatist campaign for over 30 years. PTI CORR SCY AKJ SCY SCY Islamabad, Oct 11 (PTI) "There are good doctors in Pakistan", Supreme Court Chief Justice Saqib Nisar told Pervez Musharraf on Thursday as he directed the Dubai-based former dictator to appear before the apex court to record his statement in the treason case against him. General (retd) Musharraf, 75, who has been living in Dubai since 2016, is facing the treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007. The former army chief left for Dubai in March 2016 for medical treatment and has not returned since, citing security and health reasons. The chief justice's cryptic remarks came as he headed a bench hearing the case related to National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), passed by Musharraf in 2007. The NRO granted amnesty to politicians and other individuals by quashing various corruption and criminal cases against them so they could return to the country and engage in the democratic process. During the hearing, Musharraf's lawyer Akhtar Shah submitted a reply regarding the former president's return to the country and said, "I request the bench to keep my client's illness confidential." Justice Nisar, however, remarked, "There are people present in the country who are suffering with this disease." Musharraf's lawyer then urged, "If it is necessary for Musharraf to return then he should be allowed to visit a doctor and his name should not be placed on the Exit Control List (ECL)." To this, the chief justice assured, "Let Musharraf return to Pakistan, no one will arrest him but I cannot say anything regarding the removal of his name from ECL." A person placed in the ECL cannot leave the country. "He should record his statement under Section 342 of the criminal procedure code in the treason case," Justice Nisar said while adding that "Dubai is not the best place for treatment and there are good doctors in Pakistan". Musharraf's lawyer then told the court that the former president left the country after permission from the government. The chief justice, however, said, "We are saying it again, we did not grant permission to Musharraf." "We cannot put anyone's life at risk. Musharraf should come record his statement and whenever he wants to leave for treatment he can." Naming Musharraf, former president Asif Ali Zardari and former attorney general Justice (retd) Malik Qayyum as respondents, petitioner Feroz Shah Gilani had requested the court in April to order recovery of "huge amounts of public money" misappropriated and wasted by them through unlawful means. He contended that Musharraf subverted the Constitution by declaring emergency followed by the promulgation of the NRO, through which criminal and corruption cases against politicians, including Zardari, were "arbitrarily withdrawn". A conviction for high treason carries the death penalty or life imprisonment. Musharraf, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, has been declared a fugitive in the Benazir Bhutto assassination case and the Red Mosque cleric killing case. PTI AKJ AKJ New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) Following are the top foreign stories at 1700 hours: FGN13 US-INDIA-S400 'India will soon find out': Trump on US sanctions over S-400 defence deal with Russia Washington: US President Donald Trump has said that India would soon "find out" if the punitive CAATSA sanctions apply to it over its USD 5 billion deal with Russia to purchase the S-400 Triumf air defence system. By Lalit K Jha FGN10 UN-INDIA-CLIMATE India lost USD 79.5 billion from climate-related disasters in 20 years: UN report United Nations: India suffered a whopping USD 79.5 billion economic loss due to climate-related disasters in the last 20 years, according to a UN report which highlights the impact of extreme weather events on the global economy. By Yoshita Singh FGN28 SWARAJ-SCO Swaraj arrives in Tajikistan to attend key SCO conclave Dushanbe: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived in Tajik capital Dushanbe on Thursday to attend a two-day conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, which is expected to focus on boosting cooperation in fighting terrorism, besides deliberating on pressing regional and global issues. FGN35 PAK-SC-MUSHARRAF Return to Pak, there are good doctors here: SC CJ to Musharraf Islamabad: "There are good doctors in Pakistan", Supreme Court Chief Justice Saqib Nisar told Pervez Musharraf on Thursday as he directed the Dubai-based former dictator to appear before the apex court to record his statement in the treason case against him. FGN12 US-TRUMP-IRAN-OIL We will take care of countries that will continue to buy oil from Iran after Nov 4: Trump Washington: The US "will take care" of countries which defy its directive to bring their oil imports from Iran to zero by November 4, President Donald Trump has warned, days after India announced that two of its firms have placed orders to import crude from the Gulf nation.By Lalit K Jha FGN18 PAK-FATF-TERROR FAFT team not happy with Pakistan's efforts to combat terror financing: Report Islamabad: Not impressed with Pakistan's efforts to combat terror financing, a delegation of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has asked it to do more to strengthen its legal framework if it wants to avoid being blacklisted by the Paris-based anti-money laundering watchdog, according to a media report on Thursday. By Sajjad Hussain FGN32 US-LD CHINA SPY Chinese official extradited to US to face espionage charges Washington/Beijing: For the first time, a Chinese intelligence official has been extradited to the US to face espionage charges for conspiring and attempting to steal trade secrets from multiple American aviation and aerospace companies, the Department of Justice has said. By Lalit K Jha FGN7 US-TRUMP-LD HALEY Trump praises Haley, says she will make money Washington: Describing Indian-American Nikki Haley as an "extraordinary person", President Donald Trump has said the outgoing US ambassador to the UN is "going to make a lot of money" in the private sector, which she intends to join. By Lalit K Jha FGN31 US-TRUMP-2NDLD METOO Trump mocks #MeToo movement Washington: US President Donald Trump has mocked the #MeToo movement as he intensified his criticism of the campaign against sexual harassment and assault which nearly hit his Supreme Court pick Justice Brett Kavanaugh. By Lalit K Jha FGN30 IMF-PAK-MEETING IMF chief, Pakistan FM meet as Islamabad seeks bailout Nusa Dua (Indonesia): IMF chief Christine Lagarde met with Pakistani officials Thursday and said a team would visit Islamabad for talks on a possible bailout of its shaky economy. (AFP) FGN14 SENATORS-TRUMP-JOURNALIST US Senators call on Trump to order probe into missing Saudi journalist Washington: More than 20 top US Senators have asked President Donald Trump to order an investigation into Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's whereabouts and impose sanctions against anyone found responsible for his mysterious disappearance. By Lalit K Jha FGN27 US-CHINA-LD AID China's development assistance builds dependency: USAID Washington: China's development assistance to countries is aimed at increasing their dependency on it, the head of America's aid agency has said, amidst China's attempt to increase infrastructure investment as part of President Xi Jinpings ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. By Lalit K Jha FGN29 LANKA-WARVICTIMS-BILL Lanka passes bill to compensate victims of civil war with LTTE Colombo: The Sri Lankan parliament has passed a law to pay compensation to the victims of the 30-year-long separatist war between the Sri Lankan Army and the LTTE, nearly a decade after the end of the conflict that claimed at least 100,000 lives. FGN25 LANKA-US-CHINA Lanka rejects US claims, says no Chinese military base at port Colombo: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has rejected US' claim that China might set up a "forward military base" at a strategic port it has leased to the communist nation, describing it as "imaginary". RUP RUP London, Oct 11 (AFP) Britain's foreign secretary on Thursday warned that Saudi Arabia faces "serious consequences" if the suspicions of Turkish officials that journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul turn out to be true. "People who have long thought of themselves as Saudi's friends are saying this is a very, very serious matter. "If these allegations are true, there will be serious consequences because our friendships and our partnerships are based on shared values," Jeremy Hunt told AFP. "We are extremely worried," he said. Hunt said he had spoken to Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir and had told him "how very, very concerned the United Kingdom is". Britain is a close ally and trade partner of Saudi Arabia. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Saudi Arabia to release footage of Khashoggi and President Donald Trump has demanded answers over his fate, as the kingdom faces growing pressure to provide a convincing explanation for his disappearance. The Washington Post, the daily to which Khashoggi was a contributor, added to the mystery by reporting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered an operation to "lure" the critical journalist back home. Khashoggi has not been seen since October 2 when he went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain official documents for his upcoming marriage. Turkish officials quoted in media have said he was killed but Riyadh denies that. The mystery has captivated the world but also threatens to harm brittle Turkish-Saudi relations and hurt efforts by the crown prince to improve the image of his country with a reform drive. (AFP) RUP RUP Washington, Oct 12 (AFP) The United States has said that it will sharply restrict exports of civilian nuclear technology to China for fear it will be diverted to military use. "The United States cannot ignore the national security implications of China's efforts to obtain nuclear technology outside of established processes of US-China civil nuclear cooperation," Energy Secretary Rick Perry said in a statement Thursday. (AFP) IJT Oppn demands withdrawal of book for `objectionable' reference to Sambhaji Mumbai, Oct 10 (PTI) Opposition parties in Maharashtra on Thursday demanded that a Marathi book, recommended to school students for extra-curricular reading, should be withdrawn as it contains a derogatory reference to prince Sambhaji, the eldest son of King Shivaji. The book is about the life of 17th century saint-poet Ramdas, and it refers to the advice Ramdas is believed to have proffered to Sambhaji who became king after Shivaji's death. The book has been recommended to students under the Union government's Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan scheme. Sambhaji Brigade, a Maratha organisation, submitted a written complaint to the state education commissioner Thursday, claiming that the book makes unsubstantiated and derogatory claims about Sambhaji. Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan said the reference to Sambhaji in the book was objectionable, and the book should be withdrawn. The government should "apologise to the people of Maharashtra" for recommending such a book, Chavan said. NCP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde also demanded withdrawal of the book and apology from Maharashtra education minister Vinod Tawde. Education department officials could not be reached for comments on the issue. PTI ND MR KRK KRK (Eds: Combining cyclone stories from AP and Odisha) Amaravati(AP)/Bhubaneswar, Oct 11 (PTI) Cyclone 'Titli' made landfall on the eastern coast of the country early on Thursday claiming eight lives and wrecking havoc in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts of Andhra Pradesh, while causing widespread damage in neighbouring Odisha. While no loss of lives were reported in Odisha, the "very severe" cyclonic storm left a trail of destruction in Gajapati and Ganjam districts of state, uprooting trees, electric poles and damaging hutments. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Titli made its landfall near Palasa in Srikakulam district, south west of Gopalpur in Odisha with an estimated maximum sustained surface wind speed of 140-150 kmph gusting to 165 kmph between 4.30 am and 5.30 am. The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) said the cyclone caused widespread damage in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram, and threw normal life out of gear as heavy to very heavy rains lashed the two north coastal districts districts since late Wednesday night. While a 62-year-old woman died at Gudivada Agraharam village after a tree fell on her, a 55-year-old man died in a house collapse at Rotanasa village in Srikakulam district, the SDMA said. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said the six others killed were fishermen who had ventured into the sea. Of the 67 fishing boats that had gone into the sea over the last few days from Kakinada in East Godavari district, 65 had returned to the shore safely, the CMO said, adding efforts were on to bring back the remaining two boats. The road network in Srikakulam district suffered extensive damage, while the power distribution network was also severely affected. More than 2,000 electric poles were uprooted by strong winds. The Eastern Power Distribution Company, that caters to the electricity needs of the north coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, reported that the distribution system for 4,319 villages and six towns in Srikakulam district was affected. In Odisha, Cyclone Titli led to very heavy rainfall in Ganjam, Gajapati and Puri districts and caused minor damage to power supply and communication. In all, eight districts -- Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore -- have been affected by the cyclonic storm, Special Relief Commissioner B P Sethi said. "There has been no major destruction or report of casualty from any part of the state so far. Some damages like uprooting of trees and electric poles and damage to hutments were reported from Ganjam and Gajapati districts," he said. Power supply and telephone links got disrupted, and road communication snapped due to uprooted trees at many places in Gajapati district, Sethi said, adding efforts are now on to clear the blocked roads and to restore power supply in affected areas. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the situation in the state and instructed officials to expedite restoration efforts once the situation improves. He also directed the officials concerned to provide relief materials to cyclone-affected people. "The chief minister gave instruction to send two more teams of NDRF to Gajapati where extensive damage has been caused to roads, hutments, electric and telephone poles," Chief Secretary A P Padhi said. Thirteen teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force have been deployed in affected areas along with fire brigade personnel. "The damage is less than what we had feared," the chief secretary said. Padhi said the state government on Wednesday evacuated over three lakh people to safe places, which helped avoid loss of life in the natural calamity. The evacuees are housed in 1,112 shelters where food and sanitation facilities are available, he said. Traffic on the Chennai-Kolkata National Highway was hit at places due to uprooted trees. According to East Coast Railway sources, train services between Khurda Road in Odisha and Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh remained suspended since 10 pm Wednesday. "We are optimistic about restoration of train services on the route by (Thursday) evening," said East Coast Railway Chief PRO J P Mishra. Some railway station buildings were damaged at a few places, including in Palasa. Signal poles and overhead electric masts were damaged at places between Palasa and Kottabomali stations, he said. The South Central Railway as well as the East Coast Railway cancelled several trains while some were terminated midway. A few express trains were diverted. Horticulture crops suffered extensive damage in Srikakulam district while paddy suffered damage in Vizianagaram. Coconut plantations, banana and mango trees were the worst hit in the cyclonic storm, according to a preliminary report by the SDMA. The cyclonic storm system is now moving northeastwards towards Gangetic West Bengal across Odisha and will weaken gradually, the IMD said. PTI DBV AAM SKN ROH NN PR SUN KK NSD NSD Lucknow, Oct 11 (PTI) Former Union minister Yashwant Sinha Thursday described the current situation in the country as "worse than the Emergency days." Addressing a gathering at the Samajwadi Party office to mark the birth anniversary of Loknayak Jai Prakash Narayan, Sinha said, "The situation today in the country is worse than the Emergency days. And it is the duty of all of us to unite and fight this challenge. We have to continue our struggle." "The conventions of democracy, the institutes of democracy and the democracy itself are in danger. I want to say it with all seriousness that if we do not wake up, there will be immense loss for the country in the coming days," Sinha stressed. He also exuded confidence that if the opposition unity is forged before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, akin to that in 1977, "we will win the polls". "The time has come to wage a war against Duryodhan and Dushshashan," he added, referring to the Mahabharata characters. Attacking the Centre, the former Union minister said, "In the Cabinet, the prime minister is only the first amongst the equals. The Rafale deal was signed, but the defence minister did not know that it was about to happen." "The demonetisation was about to take place, but the finance minister did not know about it. He came to know about it in the Cabinet meeting. The President's Rule was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir, but the Union home minister did not know that it was about to happen," said Sinha. Referring to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj as a "bechari"(hapless) minister, Sinha said, "The foreign minister seldom accompanies the Prime Minister on his foreign trips and many people say she is a twitter minister or visa minister." Referring to his tenure as external affairs minister, Sinha said former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on the contrary, always consulted him before embarking on a foreign tour. Lauding former Prime Minister Lal Bahdur Shastri, Sinha said he never "advertised his poverty." " "We know about his childhood days, and the poverty and the struggle he faced," he added. Speaking at the function, SP president Akhilesh Yadav said, "Jai Prakash Narayan had given the clarion call of Sampoorna Kranti (total revolution). This resulted in sending tremors in the corridors of power in Delhi. And with Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha, giving the call, there will be 'sampoorna safaaya' (complete annihilation of the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls) in the entire country including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar." Yadav said the BJP leaders will go off the television screens very soon after loosing the next Lok Sabha elections. "People of the country are only waiting for the announcement of the polling dates. I and you do not know the poll dates, but those in the power know it," he said. He also urged the prime minister to break his "silence" over attacks on migrant labourers from Bihar and UP in Gujarat. Former UP chief secretary Alok Ranjan too was present at the programme. PTI NAV RAX RAX (Eds: Incorporates reactions, Gadkari's remarks) Rishikesh/New Delhi, Oct 11: Veteran Environmental activist G D Agarwal died at a Rishikesh hospital on Thursday, 111 days after he began a fast for a pollution-free Ganga. He was 86. Agarwal, who began his hunger strike on June 22 demanding government measures to save the Ganga, died of a heart attack at the All India Institute of medical Sciences in Uttarakhand's Rishikesh, its director Ravi Kant said. The activist was admitted to hospital on Wednesday after he even gave up water. Local authorities imposed section 144 of the CrPC, which bans the assembly of people, around the venue of the protest and he was picked up and taken to hospital. Dr Ravi Kant said Agarwal suffered from hernia, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease and the fast worsened his condition. G D Agarwal, also known as Swami Gyanswaroop Sanand in his later years, had been a professor at the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur and served on the Central Pollution Control Board. He was protesting against hydroelectric projects on the Gangas tributaries and had demanded a law to protect the river. Earlier, he had rejected a plea from Haridwar MP Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank to end the fast, following assurances on his demands from the Centre. Agarwal had been campaigning for the Ganga for several years and undertook a similar fast earlier as well. A day before Agarwal died, Union Water Resources and Ganga River Rejuvenation Minister Nitin Gadkari said almost all his demands had been met and he had written a letter to the activist to give up his fast. On Tuesday, the Centre came out with a gazette notification stating the minimum environmental flow that is to be maintained at various locations on the Ganga. Gadkari said draft legislation on protecting the Ganga had also been sent to the Cabinet for approval Reacting to the Ganga crusader's death, Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh said an "insensitive government" was "waiting for him to die. Senior Congress leader and former environment minister Jairam Ramesh expressed anguish over the activists "martyrdom". "He was an indefatigable crusader not only for Nirmal Ganga but also for Aviral Ganga (free-flowing Ganga). It was my privilege and good fortune to be able to implement some of his important suggestions to ensure uninterrupted flow in the Ganga and its tributaries in Uttarakhand, Ramesh said. A few years ago, the activist adopted Swami Gyanswaroop Sanand as his name. As he continued the fast continued, on September 9, Agarwal announced he will give up water in October. The National Mission for Clean Ganga officials then talked with him and Congress president Rahul Gandhi expressed support for his cause. Agarwal had pledged his organs for medical research at the AIIMS in Rishikesh, the hospital director said. PTI CORR PR ZMN ASH ASH Lucknow, Oct 11 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma Thursday handed over an appointment letter for a government job to Kalpana Tiwari, the wife of Apple executive Vivek Tiwari who was shot dead by a police constable last month. Sharma visited the residence of Kalpana and gave her the appointment letter for a job in the Nagar Nigam, a government spokesman said. On the occasion, Kalpana said, "I think the probe in the case is moving in the right direction. I am satisfied with it till now." Vivek, 38, was shot dead by Constable Prashant Chaudhary in the Gomti Nagar Extension area here when he was on his way to drop an ex-colleague home in his SUV. Chaudhary, however, claimed he pulled the trigger as Tiwari tried to run him over thrice to kill him. A case of murder was registered against the policeman based on a complaint filed by the relatives of the deceased. Two constables, Chaudhary and Sandeep Kumar, were subsequently arrested. PTI SAB GVS Srinagar, Oct 11 (PTI) A separatist activist was shot dead by some unidentified gunmen in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, a police official said. Molvi Tariq Ahmad Ganaie, an activist of the Hurriyat Conference, was shot at and injured by the gunmen at Meemander in the district, he said. Ganaie was rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed to injuries, the official added. PTI MIJ SNE SNE Two beat drummers held for stealing mobile phones New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) Two professional beat drummers were arrested for allegedly stealing mobile phones from RK Puram area here, police said on Thursday. The accused were identified as Jawant (22) and Suraj (22), both residents of RK Puram, they said. The duo was arrested during patrolling in the RK Puram area. Three stolen mobile phones were recovered from their possession, the police said. * Auto-lifter arrested in Delhi, three stolen vehicles recovered New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) A 26-year-old man has been arrested from near Dashrath Puri metro station here, police said on Thursday. The accused was identified as Shokin, a resident of Haryana's Nuh district, they said. On Wednesday, police received information that a person with illegal arms was found roaming near Dashrath Puri metro station, following which the suspect was apprehended, they said. During interrogation, Shokin told the police that he was involved in several thefts in Delhi. A country-made pistol, a live cartridge, a tempo and two motorcycles were recovered from his possession, the police said. * Two auto-lifters arrested in Delhi New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) Two men were arrested in separate incidents from Jamia Nagar here for allegedly stealing vehicles, the police said on Thursday. The accused were identified as Shamim (32) and Arshad alias Guddu (50), both residents of Jamia Nagar, they said. On Monday, Arshad was arrested when the police intercepted an auto that he was driving during checking of vehicles in Jamia University area at around 8 pm. Upon verification, it was found that the auto had been stolen from the Jamia Nagar area, they said. Shamim was arrested in another incident on Monday while he was towing a car, which he had stolen from Kanjhwala area, with the help of a crane, the police said. The car was parked Zakir Nagar area for several months after the theft. On Monday, Shamim tried to tow the car and was going to sell it to a scrap dealer, they added. A car, two autos, a motorcycle and a crane were recovered from their possession, the police said. PTI NIT UZM DIV DIV New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) The AAP government and the Centre were at loggerheads in the Supreme Court on Thursday over the requirement for LG's concurrence in issuing notification for appointing presiding officers at family courts here. The top court said that it will lay down the procedure on the issue of sending the file to LG, in its verdict on the ongoing Delhi-Centre row over the administration of the national capital. A bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan was told by advocate Rahul Mehra, appearing for Delhi government, that there were vacancies for presiding officers at family courts, but when the government sent the names for notifying them, an official said that the file needs the approval of the Lieutenant Governor (LG). "Minister is the head of the department but when he sent the names of presiding officers of family court for notifying, the principal secretary (Law) tells him that the file first needs to be sent to the LG for approval," Mehra said. He said that the five-judge constitution bench had recently held that LG only needs to be intimated. The bench then observed that before the issuance of notification on the matter, the draft should be sent to the LG. Senior advocate CA Sundaram, appearing for the Centre, said that the AAP government has issued a circular to its officials that except for the matters relating to land, police and public order, no file should be sent to the LG for concurrence. "How can it be. After the notification on a matter is issued, what will the LG do. They say everything has to be stopped. LG has powers delegated to him from the President and he has the discretionary powers. He has to see the file before the notification is issued," he said. The bench said that to resolve the ambiguity, if any it will lay down the procedure on the issue of sending the file to LG, in its verdict. Mehra said that after the constitution bench verdict, the LG needs to be only intimated and if there is any kind of dispute, the issue needs to be sent to the President. Sundaram ensued his arguments and said that LG has powers entrusted upon him by the president to regulate services in Delhi. He said that if Parliament has legislated on an issue, then the executive powers rest with the Union of India and in this case the power of governor is very clear under the GNCTD, Act. The hearing remained inconclusive and would continue on October 23. The Centre had told the apex court yesterday that the LG has the power to regulate services in Delhi. The powers are delegated to the administrator of Delhi and the services can be administered through him, it said. The Centre also said that unless the President of India expressly directs, the LG, who is the administrator of Delhi, cannot consult the Chief Minister or the council of ministers. On October 4, the Delhi government had told the apex court that it wanted its petitions relating to governance of the national capital be heard soon as it did not want "stalemate to continue in administration". The Delhi government had told the top court that it wanted to know where it stands with regard to the administration in view of the Constitution bench verdict of apex court on July 4. The five-judge bench had on July 4 laid down broad parameters for governance of the national capital, which has witnessed a power struggle between the Centre and the Delhi government since the Aam Aadmi Party came to power in 2014. In the landmark verdict, it had unanimously held that Delhi cannot be accorded the status of a state but clipped the powers of the Lieutenant Governor (LG), saying he has no "independent decision making power" and has to act on the aid and advice of the elected government. On September 19, the Centre had told the apex court that administration of Delhi cannot be left to the Delhi government alone and emphasised that it has an "extraordinary" position by virtue of being the country's capital. The Centre had told court that a five-judge constitution bench of the apex court had categorically held that Delhi cannot be accorded the status of a state. The Centre had said one of the basic issues was that whether the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) has the legislative and executive powers so far as 'services' were concerned. "Delhi has an extraordinary position as it is the capital of the country," it had said. It said that the national capital houses several institutions of vital importance like Parliament, the Supreme Court and foreign diplomats also resides here. On July 18, the AAP government had told the apex court that its functioning was "completely paralysed" and it cannot order transfer or posting of officers despite the constitution bench verdict on the national capital's administration. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had been at loggerheads with incumbent LG Anil Baijal and his predecessor Najeeb Jung. Kejriwal had accused both of them of preventing the functioning of his government at the behest of the Centre. PTI MNL ABA SJK RKS SA New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) The much-awaited scheduled hearing in the politically-sensitive Rs 64 crore Bofors pay-off case will not take place Friday in the Supreme Court as it has been deleted from the cause list which contains a record of businesses for the day. The cause list till Thursday afternoon showed that the petition filed by the CBI was listed for hearing before a bench comprising justices R Banumathi and Indira Banerjee in court number 8 as item number 43. The matter was deleted from the cause list late Thursday evening. Another petition filed by advocate and BJP leader Ajay Agrawal was not mentioned in the cause list. Agrawal said when he contacted an apex court official about the matter not there in the cause list, he was told that it has been deleted by an administrative order. Some law officers said the CBI was all set to argue on Friday before the Supreme Court to admit its petition in the case which was filed early this year after an inordinate delay of 13 years. Attorney General K K Venugopal and newly-appointed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta were to appear for the CBI. In the petition filed by Agrawal, Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh is appearing for the CBI which has been named as one of the respondents. The CBI on February 2 filed its appeal against the May 31, 2005 decision of the Delhi High Court quashing all charges against the accused persons in the case. The Special Leave Petition (appeal) of the CBI is filed in seven bulky volumes running into 1,782 pages which also contains various annexures. The agency had failed to file the appeal within the mandatory 90 days period but Agrawal filed the petition challenging the High Court Order on September 17, 2005. Agrawal, who contested the 2014 Lok Sabha election from Rae Bareli against the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi, filed the appeal after the CBI did not challenge the high court order due to the denial of permission by the then UPA government to file a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court. The BJP leader has been pursuing the case for over a decade. After lot of deliberation, the CBI this year got the nod from the NDA government to file an appeal in the apex court. The filing of the appeal assumes significance as Attorney General Venugopal in January advised the agency against moving a petition against the high court verdict after a delay of more than a decade. Later after consultations, law officers were in favour of the appeal as the CBI came out with "some important documents and evidence" to challenge the high court order. Sources in February had said the agency swung into action after the Attorney General orally gave it a go-ahead to file the appeal in the case in which it cited the October 2017 interview of private detective Michael Hershman, who alleged that the then Rajiv Gandhi-led Congress government had sabotaged his investigation. Hershman, who is the president of the US-based private detective firm Fairfax, had claimed in television interviews that Rajiv Gandhi was "furious" when he had found a Swiss bank account "Mont Blanc". He had also alleged that the bribe money of the Bofors gun scandal had been parked in the Swiss account. The CBI in its appeal stated that further investigation was necessary in view of the reports relating to Hershman's interviews. The CBI filed the appeal against the May 31, 2005 decision of the high court by which all accused, including Europe-based industrialists Hinduja brothers -- S P Hinduja, G P Hinduja and P P Hinduja -- were discharged from the Rs 64-crore pay-off case. Before the 2005 verdict of Justice R S Sodhi (since retired), another judge of the Delhi High Court, retired Justice J D Kapoor, had on February 4, 2004, exonerated Rajiv Gandhi in the case and directed the framing of charge of forgery under section 465 of the IPC against Bofors company. The Rs 1,437-crore deal between India and Swedish arms manufacturer AB Bofors for the supply of 400 155mm Howitzer guns for the Indian Army was entered into on March 24, 1986. Swedish Radio on April 16, 1987, had claimed that the company had paid bribes to top Indian politicians and defence personnel. The CBI on January 22, 1990, had registered the FIR for alleged offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery under the Indian Penal Code and other sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act against Martin Ardbo, the then president of AB Bofors, alleged middleman Win Chadda and the Hinduja brothers. It had alleged that certain public servants and private persons in India and abroad had entered into a criminal conspiracy between 1982 and 1987 in pursuance of which the offences of bribery, corruption, cheating and forgery were committed. The first charge sheet in the case was filed on October 22, 1999 against Chadda, Ottavio Quattrocchi, the then defence secretary S K Bhatnagar, Ardbo and the Bofors company. A supplementary charge sheet was filed against the Hinduja brothers on October 9, 2000. A special CBI court in Delhi on March 4, 2011, had discharged Quattrocchi from the case saying the country could not afford to spend hard-earned money on his extradition which had already cost Rs 250 crore. Quattrocchi, who had fled from here on July 29-30, 1993, never appeared before any court in India to face prosecution. He died on July 13, 2013. The other accused persons who died are Bhatnagar, Chadda and Ar PTI RKS SJK ABA MNL ZMN New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) The Amrapali group Thursday informed the Supreme Court that its nine properties in Noida, Greater Noida, Rajgir and Buxar in Bihar have been sealed in compliance with the court's order. A bench of Justices U U Lalit and D Y Chandrachud asked the Amrapali group to file an undertaking with regard to sealing of its properties by 2 PM today. The bench also sought presence of two forensic auditors Ravi Bhatia and Pawan Kumar Aggarwal at 2 PM to ascertain their satisfaction with regard to the documents to be audited. The bench will hear the matter at 2 PM today. PTI MNL RRT DV DV One of the three passengers in the car was taken to Loyola Medical Center for what police said were injuries that were not life-threatening. The driver and other two passengers refused treatment, police said. Rahul will take part in discussion on HAL's contribution to country on Oct 13: Cong Bengaluru, Oct 11 (PTI) Congress president Rahul Gandhi will take part in a discussion on Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's contribution to the country on October 13, but a mega protest meet against the Rafale fighter jet deal has been postponed, state Congress said Thursday. Congress' Karnataka chief Dinesh Gundu Rao said the protest meet has been postponed and would be organised on a later day in the city. "Rahul Gandhi is coming day after tomorrow (Saturday, October 13), earlier we had planned to organise a huge protest meet by gathering about a lakh people against the Rafale deal scandal and preparations were on for it...but we are not doing it as he has other commitments," Gundu Rao said. Rao, however, said Gandhi would be participating in a discussion about HAL's contribution to the country. He said this discussion was not being organised by the congress party, but by "some people" who are "pained" by the government's attempts to "ruin HAL's name." "It is a discussion about HAL organised by few, as its name is being ruined by the central government with their statements.so this will be a discussion about HAL's contribution to the country," he said. HAL employees, former employees and some common people may also be participating, he said. As Rahul Gandhi has raised this issue in a big way, they wanted him to be part of it, he said. However, the congress state unit had yesterday said Rahul Gandhi would meet employees on October 13 and will be talking about the "controversial" Rafale deal. "Shri Rahul Gandhi will meet employees of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru on October 13. He will be talking about the controversial Rafale deal, and will also address a party workers' rally in the city," the state unit of the party had tweeted quoting Rao. Replying to a question, Rao said the congress had neither organised nor sought any permission to hold a meeting inside the HAL's premises. "Who said it is being organised inside (HAL). ..we never sought permission, we are not organising the event, who told you. It is only a discussion about HAL organised by few," he added. Asked about details of the event, Rao said it is scheduled to be held at Cubbon park here on October 13 afternoon, and it may be restricted to invitees, details of which would be clear by tomorrow. PTI KSU RA BN BN BN Jammu, Oct 11 (PTI) A "hardcore criminal" was on Thursday arrested and slapped with the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district, police said. Vipan Kumar Gupta alias Jony was nabbed by a special police team during a raid, a police officer said. He was involved in a number of criminal activities and drug peddling. At least eight criminal cases are registered against him at Police Station Bari Brahmana. Jony's motive was not only to create terror among the peaceful and law abiding citizens of the town but also form a gang of criminals, the officer said. To put an end to his criminal activities, district police Samba compiled all the police records of Jony, prepared his dossier and got issued his warrant under the PSA from the deputy commissioner, Samba, he said. Jony was a threat to the life and liberty of the people of Samba, the officer added. The PSA is an administrative detention law that allows detention without charge or trial for up to two years in some cases. He was lodged in District Sub-Jail Hiranagar, the officer said. PTI AB AQS AQS Ghaziabad, Oct 11 (PTI) A minor girl was allegedly raped by five youths in a hotel here, police said Thursday. Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar said the girl, 16, was gang-raped when she had gone to attend the birthday party of her friend on September 25. The youths served her a sedative-laced drink and took her to a hotel in Bazariya market railway road here, where they committed the crime. They threatened her of dire consequences if she disclosed it before parents or police, he said. The accused also shot a video of the act and uploaded it on social networking sites, the SP added. The girl narrated the incident to her parents following which they approached the police, Kumar said. An FIR was lodged against Shahrukh, Chand, Shadab, Rahees and Shaheed under Section 375 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code and The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act). While Shahrukh was arrested Thursday, the four others are still at large, the SP said. PTI Corr AQS AQS Chandigarh, Oct 11 (PTI) Rains accompanied by hailstorm lashed parts of Punjab and Haryana on Thursday, bringing down mercury but leaving farmers worried. Rains lashed Mohali, Patiala, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Panchkula, Ambala and Yamunanagar. Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, also witnessed the rains. Following the rains, the maximum temperature across the two states and their common capital Chandigarh settled in the range of 27-31 degrees Celsius, witnessing a drop between 2-6 notches against normal limits, as per the MeT Department report here. An MeT official said the sudden change in weather in the region was due to western disturbance active over the northern region. However, the dry weather is likely to prevail over the next few days, he said. The south-west monsoon had withdrawn from the two states on October 1, the official said. Heavy monsoon rains had lashed the two states between September 22-24, causing damages to crops at many places. The fresh spell of rains has left farmers worried as paddy procurement process was underway. "The rains are unusual for this time of the year. Already, we have suffered due to heavy rains towards September end. The rains increase moisture content of the paddy," a farmer from Patiala said. PTI SUN AQS AQS Two held for gang-rape of school girl in Yavatmal district Yavatmal (Maha), Oct 11 (PTI) A 20-year-old man has been arrested at Arni in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra for allegedly raping a minor girl in February this year, police said Thursday. While Sheikh Sohel Sheikh Sajid (20) was arrested after the girl's parents lodged the complaint two days ago, another youth, a minor, was apprehended and sent to the children's observation home here, a police officer said. A case under IPC section 376 (rape) as well as under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has been registered in this regard, said Arni police station officer Yashwant Bawiskar. The victim studies in std IX. Her parents said in the complaint that she was gang-raped by five persons in February. The accused also shot a video of the act and later threatened to upload it on social media if she went to the police, the family said. Bawiskar said that police were investigating if more people (apart from the two accused who have been held) were involved in the crime. Meanwhile, an all-party Bandh was organised in Arni town, 30 km from here, Thursday to protest the crime and seek immediate arrest of other suspects. PTI CORR KRK KRK Rangia, Oct 11 (PTI) A 50-year-old man died after being hit by a Royal Bhutan Army vehicle on Indo-Bhutan Road here Thursday, police said. Nabin Das was knocked down by the vehicle near the Rangia Public Bus stand under Kamalpur Police Station in Kamrup district of, they said. He was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries, police said. Sources said the vehicle has been seized and its driver detained. Officials of the neighbouring country have rushed here after being informed about the incident, they said. The RBA vehicle was part of a convoy of the force on way by the Indo-Bhutan Road to the land-locked Himalayan kingdom through its Samdrup Jhongkar entry point near here, police said. PTI Corr ESB AQS AQS New Delhi, Oct 11 (PTI) A 26-year-old suspected robber-cum-auto lifter, who used to come here from Haryana's Jhajjar district to commit thefts, was arrested from Najafgarh Bijwasan road, police said on Thursday. The accused was identified as Srikant alias Arjun. A team was formed after the police received a tip off about a robber, the police said. The team saw a man coming on a motorcycle from Issapur Khera cut on Najafgarh Bijwasan road. Police asked him to stop but he tried to flee. He was nabbed after a brief chase, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Devender Arya said. During investigation, it was found that the motorcycle had been stolen from Baba Haridas Nagar area here. The accused told police that he is a resident Jhajjar's Mundakhera village. He was a milk supplier there but since he could not earn much, so he started selling illicit liquor at the Haryana-Delhi border. He could not carry on for long due to the police pressure, Arya said. Srikant stole two motorcycles and procured a country-made pistol to commit robberies in Delhi and make easy money. He would run away to his native village after committing robberies, he said. He used to identify targets on lonely roads and streets and kept the weapon to threaten in case he would get caught, he added. The DGP said a country-made weapon along with two live cartridges and two stolen motorcycles have been recovered from Srikant's possession. PTI NIT DIV DIV It disgusts me that drivers across Britain are being slapped with unjust charges from private parking sharks and many are afraid to appeal via the independent body. They fear the charge will increase, often rocketing 40 per cent if they are unsuccessful, while some may believe it could end up in court. They pay-up, not because they are guilty or that it is likely to go to court, but to simply put the matter to bed. This week, I've helped spearhead a campaign on This is Money with the aim to clampdown on the private parking menace. One influential industry boss described the campaign launch as 'radical and hard hitting.' Fightback: More needs to be done to tackle the private parking menace It is not a manifesto for drivers to simply be able to park wherever they like we are just calling for a common sense approach. It is pinned on three points. We want better data protection for motorists who we believe should be able to opt-out of personal details being sold on for profit by the DVLA. Private firms, who are signed up to the self-run industry body the British Parking Association, can access details for 2.50 a go. We worked out that they only have to convince one driver in 24 to pay up for often a minor infringement to break even, given the fact invoice demands they dish out are often for 60 or 70. We believe that the DVLA should investigate certain parking hotspots across the country where these charges are being handed out, to decide whether they are justified. Additionally, we want the appeal process to be fairer. In the cases we've seen, motorists who appeal directly to the private firm in question usually have it turned down even with evidence of payment or permits. Drivers are then given the option to appeal via an independent body (but not in Northern Ireland as one reader tells me) but if this is unsuccessful, the fine is likely to reach 100. This puts many off going down this route. For the four cases we outlined this week, I'll let you be the jury whether a common sense approach has been applied. Since we published the story, we've had dozens more cases arrive email your tale of woe to: editor@thisismoney.co.uk. Questions also need to be asked of some of the big companies teaming up with private parking firms, and whether upsetting their own customers in this way is good for business. We're not saying that we want drivers to be able to park in a shop or pub car park, for instance, and then disappear for the day, perhaps heading to work. What we want is a common sense approach. Sometimes, you need to stop somewhere briefly and it is safest to do so in a car park, or spot where you are not obstructing anyone Occasionally, human error happens, which any reasonable person can see is an honest mistake, such as keying in a partially incorrect registration plate, or a parking permit falling off the dashboard. Furthermore, we believe that better rules around this menace can only help the flagging high street. Not to mention that it would be better for the environment than drivers going around in circles out of fear of stopping being bitten by a private parking shark. The campaign has been partially prompted by a maddening charge dished out the registered keeper of our vehicle earlier in the year - I held my nerve, fought the sharks and won, after initially being refused by the company in question. We will continue to battle hard to help motorists caught out unfairly and ensure that pressure is put on to stop these ridiculous cases. We are in the midst of turbulent times economically and politically, and investors could be forgiven for shying away from the stock market altogether. The crunch time in the Brexit negotiations is upon us and a trade war between Trumps America and China is ratcheting up by the day. There is no shortage of other trouble spots around the globe, with concerns mounting over a fresh, Italy-inspired eurozone crisis and the Iran nuclear programme dispute rumbling on. Unilever, which recently decided to stay listed as a FTSE 100 stock is well placed to ride out trade wars and Brexit. Despite all this though, if you have money to invest giving equities a miss entirely would be an unwise overreaction. A little more caution and a high degree of selective targeting is certainly warranted though. While buying funds or index trackers is the best way to diversify and therefore minimise your risk of losses, the reality is that many retail investors like to use at least part of their investment pot to pick up single stocks. So where should such investors turn in these turbulent times? Captain Morgan's rum is one of Diageo's many drinks brands, and the company does not depend heavily on the UK market for its sales. There are certain British companies that are far better positioned for volatile and uncertain times politically than others due to particular characteristics they hold. Not being reliant on unhindered free trade around the world to make their profits is one such factor, while not having sales heavily weighted towards UK consumers contending with Brexit is another key. Using its Quest stock screening tool, wealth management firm Canaccord Genuity has identified 18 UK listed stocks which are well equipped for current conditions based on these criteria. As you can see here in this table, the top of the list is a very familiar name if you have been paying attention to the business news recently, Unilever. Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management's stock picks for turbulent times 12-month forward Prior year Price change over S t ocks Industry MarketCap (m) Price earningsratio Dividendyield EPSgrowth Risk1 = Highest Risk100 = Lowest Risk Net debt/EBITDA 3 months 12 months Unilever PLC Personal Products 125,242 20.4 3.2% 3% 89 1.8 7% -1% Diageo Beverages 67,243 21.6 2.5% 1% 91 2.2 -1% 7% Carnival PLC Hotels Restaurants and Leisure 31,562 13.0 3.4% 12% 71 1.7 -6% -13% Compass Hotels Restaurants and Leisure 26,797 20.6 2.3% 6% 85 1.7 4% 3% Imperial Brands Tobacco 26,491 10.3 7.2% 2% 82 3.0 1% -14% CRH Construction Materials 21,695 13.9 2.5% 9% 75 1.9 -5% -4% RELX PLC Professional Services 18,143 20.0 2.5% -3% 82 1.9 6% 5% Experian Professional Services 17,377 23.5 1.9% 4% 74 2.1 4% 27% WPP Media 16,230 10.8 4.8% -7% 85 1.8 2% -10% Ferguson Trading Companies and Distributors 14,332 15.4 2.3% 20% 82 0.5 1% 30% Smith & Nephew Healthcare Equipment and Supplies 12,088 18.2 2.1% 3% 94 1.0 2% 0% Ashtead Group Trading Companies and Distributors 11,694 14.3 1.6% 24% 86 1.6 4% 52% Informa Media 9,771 15.6 2.8% -4% 59 2.9 0% 14% Coca-Cola HBC Beverages 9,732 20.1 2.3% 12% 86 0.8 -1% 2% Burberry Textiles Apparel and Luxury Goods 9,560 28.5 1.9% -1% 91 -1.5 16% 30% 3i Group plc Capital Markets 8,827 7.6 3.5% -11% 68 -0.3 -7% -4% Intertek Professional Services 8,522 25.7 1.9% 4% 88 1.0 -3% 7% NMC Health Healthcare Providers and Services 8,220 30.2 0.6% 38% 62 2.8 4% 48% Other very recognisable names include cruise operator Carnival, fizzy drinks giant Coco Cola and fashion brand Burberry. The stocks have all been assigned a risk rating by Canaccord Genuity with a higher number meaning lower risk, based on factors such as their exposure to international trade and Brexit. 'Were no closer to knowing what the UKs relationship with the EU will be after it leaves the EU in March 2019, noted Simon McGarry, senior equities analyst at the firm. 'And to add to the turmoil, we have the US President cosying up to President Putin while at the same time picking fights with everyone including neighbouring Canada and Mexico in attempts to renegotiate NAFTA to NATO members such as Turkey and even Germany.' Cruise ship company Carnival featured in Canaccord Genuity's list of stocks well positioned to ride out a trade war. In order to sidestep these risks when hunting for potential UK equity ideas, weve screened our Quest UK universe of 800 stocks for companies that arent overly reliant on global trade,' McGarry explained. 'Weve also excluded those with more than 20 per cent of total revenue coming from the UK, who are clearly reliant on a strong UK economy and would suffer in the event of a "hard Brexit".' Backers of James Bonds favourite car maker Aston Martin will be feeling shaken and stirred after a rocky first week on the stock market concluded with a major investment bank advising them to sell. Jefferies analysts, led by the automotive expert Philippe Houchois, initiated their coverage of the historic firm with an underperform rating. Long-term investors, who bank on Aston Martins value going up over time, are likely to stay on the sidelines, Houchois said. This is because the lock-up period, which prevents company insiders from selling their own shares straight away, is a relatively short six months, implying they may not have much faith the company will continue to climb. Long-term investors, who bank on Aston Martin's value going up over time, are likely to stay 'on the sidelines', said automotive expert Philippe Houchois Though few stocks if any in our coverage will deliver stronger earnings progression than Aston Martin, Houchois added, valuations of the company price in very high margins. This means the luxury firm will have to beat estimates if its shares are to provide any added value. Investors who were hoping Aston Martin could quickly turn them into Goldfinger will be sadly disappointed, as the price is more than 4 or 21 per cent lower than its 1900p float price. Jefferies predicts it will fall even further, saying Aston Martin should be 1400p. Yesterday, the shares skidded 7 per cent, or 113p, lower to 1497p. The luxury car maker is now worth 918.8million less than it was last Wednesday. Stock Watch - Ebiquity Marketing Marketing agency Ebiquity has been given the thumbs-up from the UKs competition regulator to sell its advertising intelligence business to rival Nielsen. The 26million deal hit a brick wall when the Competition and Markets Authority announced a probe but its concerns have been provisionally allayed. Ebiquitys shares shot up 14.9 per cent, or 9p, to 69.5p. Ebiquity wants to focus on its core consultancy business, and is aiming to reduce its debt pile. Amid a broader stock market sell-off, the FTSE 100 slid 1.9 per cent or 138.81 points to 7006.93 in its biggest one-day fall since June. Miners Fresnillo and Randgold Resources were the largest risers, as suddenly cautious investors rushed towards defensive stocks. Fresnillo climbed 8.7 per cent, or 66.8p, to 839p, while Randgold shot up 8.4 per cent, or 440p, to 5706p. The wild swings continued in the FTSE 250, as Keller Group, which specialises in ground engineering projects such as house foundations and tunnels, plummeted 31.2 per cent, or 300p, to 662p. Keller released a trading update saying that its Asia Pacific division now expected to make a loss of between 12million and 15million for the year, rather than the small profit it had previously guided towards. Deteriorating market conditions in the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, especially Malaysia, were to blame for the decline, it said. Management had recently changed in both its Asia Pacific division and waterway branch, which prompted a reassessment of how their projects were performing. Keller will now launch a strategic review of both businesses. Recruiter Hays didnt impress investors either, as its growth rate slowed. Despite posting a 9 per cent increase in like-for-like fees, shares slumped 11 per cent, or 19.3p, to 156.7p. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: The markets current state of mild panic may help explain the extremely negative reaction to an apparently solid quarterly performance from recruiter Hays. The focus appears to be on a slowing in net fee growth, which was hit by the relative strength of sterling against the Aussie dollar and the euro. Though Hays sounded positive on the future, recruiters do best when the economy is strong and employers are confident about hiring. With economists getting gloomier, investors appeared to be anticipating the worst. Housebuilder Countryside Properties also set alarm bells ringing, even though most of its trading update was largely upbeat. A comment that it was seeing a more subdued tone from buyers who own a home set shares back by 10.8 per cent, or 34.2p, to 282.2p. A model wears a Coast dress. The fashion chain collapsed last night with all 24 stores set to close Fashion chain Coast has collapsed as the crisis gripping Britains High Street intensified putting 300 jobs at risk. Staff were told last night that all 24 stores are to close. But rival Karen Millen has bought the groups brand, stock and website, saving 600 staff. Accountant PwC has been appointed as an administrator to shut the rest of the company down. Signs in the windows of Coast shops said concessions in department stores will stay open, returns can still be handled and unprocessed click-and-collect orders made online will be refunded. The notices added that any gift cards will be honoured, meaning customers should not lose out. They blamed difficult trading conditions for the failure. Beth Butterwick, chief executive of Karen Millen, said: We are excited to be welcoming over 600 Coast employees. Our expertise and infrastructure puts us in a unique position to create a lean and profitable business, ensuring it remains a thriving destination in department stores and online. Coast is owned by Aurora Fashions, which also owns retailers Oasis and Warehouse. Aurora is owned by Icelandic bank Kaupthing, which in turn owns Karen Millen. It comes at a brutal time for retailers, as consumers ditch stores for online shopping with foreign tech titans such as Amazon. Maplin, Toys R Us and House of Fraser have collapsed this year, and at least 50,000 jobs have been lost in the industry. New Look, Homebase and even stalwart Marks & Spencer have announced plans to shut shops. The Mail is campaigning to reform sky-high business rates, to create a level playing field for traditional shops and newer online rivals. A typical department store spends 717,952 a year on the tax. And smaller independent shops must find an average 9,623 a year, according to research by consultant Altus Group. This week Nickie Aiken, Conservative leader of Westminster City Council, became the latest in a string of politicians and business leaders to back our campaign. She said: Our taxes should reflect our way of life. I would ask the Treasury: do we want to continue the decline so the only things left on the High Street are charity shops and betting shops? Chancellor Philip Hammond has ruled out a major overhaul of business rates in the near future. However, there are growing signs a U-turn is under way. Treasury minister Robert Jenrick last week said that the issue is under consideration and there could be an announcement in this months Budget. The owner of the i newspaper has put itself up for sale in a last-ditch bid to tackle its 220million debt pile. Johnston Press, which also publishes The Scotsman and The Yorkshire Post, acted after more than a year of speculation about its future and a review launched last year. It has been trying to find ways to restructure or refinance its debts, which are due for repayment next June. Johnston Press, which publishes the i newspaper, The Scotsman and The Yorkshire Post, acted after more than a year of speculation about its future and a review launched last year. It owns more than 200 newspaper titles and their websites, employing around 2,000 staff. Shares plunged 7.5 per cent yesterday after its announcement. The company said: In order to assess all options to maximise value to its stakeholders, the board has decided to seek offers for the company. In an email to staff yesterday, chief executive David King said: This is about securing a positive future for Johnston Press. In the meantime, it is business as usual. I am certain that whatever the future ownership, we will continue to produce our titles long after the end of the strategic review. Johnston was founded in 1797. From the 1960s, it went on an acquisition spree and in 1988 it listed on the London Stock Exchange to raise more cash for takeovers. Other well-known regional titles it has include the Edinburgh Evening News, and the Sheffield Star. Debts peaked at 780million in 2006 when it acquired The Scotsman for 160million. Ten years later, it bought the i from the group which owned The Independent for 24million. That has been seen as a success and in recent years Johnston Press has moved to rein in its debt. Potential bidders are thought to include other newspaper rivals, such as Reach and Archant. Another could be activist shareholder Custos Group, headed by Norwegian entrepreneur Christen Ager-Hanssen, which owns more than 20 per cent of the group. There was also speculation over whether bondholder Goldentree could seek a debt-for-equity deal. Johnston said the sale would be split into two phases, with bidders asked to open talks with adviser Rothschild. In its most recent trading update, revenues fell 10 per cent to 93million for the first half of 2018. But it swung out of the red with interim profits of 6.2million compared to losses of 10.2million a year previously. Retired IT worker Roy Strawbridge: 'If I had developed a system as poor as that I would have been sacked on the spot' A saver has accused Phoenix Wealth of incompetence and demanded a refund of his fees plus compensation after being shut out of his pension account for seven months. Roy Strawbridge, a retired IT professional from Northumberland, is faced with a lock-out screen when he tries to log in to see his portfolio. He claims Phoenix has caused him huge inconvenience and possible financial loss due to difficulty monitoring his investments. Mr Strawbridge, 59, says the problem was caused by the firm introducing a new platform in March, which has also hampered his financial adviser from assessing his pension performance and led to the postponement of an annual review. He says: 'I find it incredible that they expect me to somehow manage the risk of my portfolio without access to my data. 'I worked in IT before I took early retirement. If I had developed a system as poor as that I would have been sacked on the spot. They don't seem to be taking any responsibility.' Mr Strawbridge says he had trouble contacting Phoenix by phone and email, but that his complaints did eventually result in a 350 compensation payout in June. Yet months on he still has no idea when he might get access to his account again. Meanwhile, he says Birmingham-based Phoenix also bungled a recent tax code change which left him out of pocket, and issued a regular 825 annuity payment 10 days late last month. Phoenix Wealth was created when AXA Wealth was acquired by the Phoenix Group in 2016. It is closed to new business and simply supports its existing legacy clients. Are you shut out of your Phoenix Wealth account? If this has happened to you, contact tanya.jefferies@thisismoney.co.uk and tell us your story. Phoenix says it has offered Mr Strawbridge sincere apologies regarding the suspension of its online services while the system is upgraded in order to offer an enhanced service to customers and advisers. 'We do recognise that he has experienced concern and frustration, for which we have offered a trouble and upset payment and we are pleased to confirm that there has been no financial detriment caused.' Phoenix added that it was providing customers who rang up with valuations. It is not clear how many have been locked out of accounts. The firm made a separate apology and promised further compensation for the late payment, plus a rebate over the tax code issue. Read its full response below. What action can investors take over technical problems? This is Money recently reported on investors' anger against pension firm Aegon over shoddy customer service and the 'diabolical' handling of transferring their accounts from the Cofunds investing platform. They experienced problems logging on and buying and selling funds through their accounts. Aegon apologised and sent 25 M&S vouchers in response. But one financial adviser whose clients were affected questioned whether Aegon should also refund platform fees in such cases. Aegon said those affected can seek compensation by making a formal complaint. Information on how to do so can be found on the insurer's website. In Mr Strawbridge's case, he has both a self-invested personal pension and a 10-year impaired life annuity with Phoenix, and he is actively considering moving them away from the firm. He has asked his financial adviser to look at the potential costs of doing this and what other providers might be suitable. Mr Strawbridge has also complained to the Financial Ombudsman about the difficulties he has experienced with Phoenix over the past half-year. 'I have lost confidence in the company as they have failed to commit to a date when the data of my portfolio will be available to view and manage online,' he says. From a financial adviser's point of view, Gary Smith, chartered financial planner at Tilney, said: 'If a client encountered this level of problem it's something we would investigate. One thing you have to be careful with in terms of pensions is the exit fees.' He would look at whether there were penalties for moving the pension, if any guarantee or benefits on it would be lost or carried over, and what the initial set-up fees on a new pension would be. Then, Smith said he would present these potential costs to a client, to see if they thought it was worth their while to switch provider. One other option is to consider changing financial adviser, and getting the new one to take a look at all the above with fresh eyes, Smith suggested. What does Phoenix Wealth say? Site suspension: Mr Strawbridge complained to Phoenix in June 2018, regarding the suspension of our online services and the other matters which you have highlighted. We offered our sincere apologies; we recognised that he has not been able to access his online policy services for some time, whilst our system is upgraded in order that we can offer an enhanced service to our customers and advisers. Phoenix response: Firm says it has suspended online services while its system is upgraded to offer an enhanced service to customers and advisers The issue regarding PAYE codes was also addressed in our complaint and Mr Strawbridge was given our assurance that we would continue to use the tax code issued at the start of the year, which would result in him being taxed correctly. This stance has been agreed with HMRC. In recognition of this we offered a 350 trouble and upset payment. In terms of the other frustrations, we have not encountered any problems with the email address on our website and no other users have reported problems. Despite suspension of online services, we have been able to provide customers, who do contact us via telephone, with their policy values. Mr Strawbridge was provided with policy values by email and in writing on 23 June 2018. We do recognise that he has experienced concern and frustration, for which we have offered a trouble and upset payment and we are pleased to confirm that there has been no financial detriment caused. Late payment: We are sincerely sorry that Mr Strawbridge has had to contact us again regarding his regular payment. The payment has now been made and should already be showing in his account. Our complaints team will investigate and will ensure that he is appropriately compensated for the trouble and upset that the delay has caused. Tax code: Mr Strawbridge previously raised a complaint regarding PAYE codes, in our response to that complaint we advised that we would continue to use the tax code that we had been provided with at the start of the year, which we have continued to do. We have subsequently been issued with a new tax code for Mr Strawbridge, which was not applied in time to affect the most recent payment. This has now been applied [and] we will arrange any rebate as appropriate. We will continue to monitor the monthly payments to ensure that there is no further disruption. We have spoken to Mr Strawbridges adviser and will ensure that any outstanding issues are responded to in line with our complaints process. It takes guts to go into the arena of BBC2 television show Dragons' Den, accept an offer with a handshake, only to decide against taking the money from a multi-millionaire with plenty of contacts once the cameras stop rolling. But that is exactly what Alexandra and Rupesh Thomas, founders of drinks business Tuk Tuk Chai, did earlier in the year. The pair accepted an offer of 100,000 from Peter Jones - the only original Dragon remaining from a show now in its 16th series - to then part ways the following day without the six-figure sum. Rupesh explained to This is Money: 'It was a great opportunity, fantastic. When we came out and we sat back and looked at things and how we'd like to be, we decided against Peter's offer.' Huge call: Alexandra and Rupesh Thomas stepped back from a 100k offer from Peter Jones on Dragons' Den However, the gamble appears to have paid off. After their appearance on episode one of the show, they successfully raised 300,000 through crowdfunding platform Crowdcube. Not only that, but at a far less generous share of equity that Peter Jones had haggled for. You could argue that the rise of crowdfunding is making the Dragons' Den format redundant and is now simply a marketing tool for those looking to raise the profile of a business. The show sees entrepreneurs pitch ideas to five established business people, including Peter Jones, who has an estimated net wealth of more than 400million. Tuk Tuk Chai is described by the pair as the first and only ready-to-drink authentic chai, or iced milk tea, available in Britain. Rupesh came from humble beginnings where he arrived in England from Kerala, southern India with 600 to his name. His 2million company now has the product stocked in Harvey Nichols and in 110 Sainsbury's stores. But the pair want to boost the Sainsbury's listing to 800 stores within two years. Growth: Tuk Tuk Chai is currently stocked in 110 Sainsbury's stores - but hopes this will be 800 within two years Rupesh adds: 'What viewers don't see is that it's a proper session that takes way longer than the minutes you see us on the television. 'Deborah Meaden was out early and this was because she agreed we needed crowdfunding and an army of ambassadors. But that was edited out. 'After initially accepting Peter's offer via handshake we thought the best route for a start up like ours was crowdfunding and we parted ways happily,' said Rupesh. Alexandra added: 'It [Dragons' Den] is a very artificial environment with all the adrenalin and you reflect on it all when you get out and go home and you wonder whether you have done the right thing.' After deciding on the crowdfunding route the day after the episode was aired, Tuk Tuk Chai completed the fundraising target in 24 hours for 7.5 per cent of the equity. The founders asked for 150,000 on Crowdcube but Rupesh believed he could ask investors for more. 'I am always a target driven person. When we hit our target we quite quickly raised it to 200,000, then 250,000 and 300,000. 'I guess people believe in the product. 'Our target was initially 150,000 and it went into over-funding,' explained Rupesh. Starstruck: Rupseh says that he was starstruck in the Den - but decided to turn down investment from Peter Jones, who is pictured on the far right On Dragons' Den, Peter Jones offered 100,000 for a 33 per cent stake in the business after Rupesh and Alexandra initially sought to only part with five per cent equity in the business. 'When Peter made the offer he wanted to be an equal partner to share equal responsibility and rewards. 'You do get starstruck [in the Den]. But we raised three times more for less than half the equity plus we have over 400 investors to shout about our brand,' said Rupesh. Alexandra added: 'From Peter Jones' point of view there was no need for us to get more money. 'We chose Crowdcube because it's one of the biggest and especially good for food and beverages where there has been a good success rate in this sector. 'We also liked the way in which they marketed to investors.' When asked whether Dragons' Den was still relevant even though they got more through crowdfunding, Rupesh said: 'Deborah Meaden had told us we had got an awful lot of things right and it was quite reassuring. 'We gained a lot of coverage from it too as there were about three to four million viewers, so by all means it ticks all the boxes.' Rupesh said that they will use the money generated from Crowdcube to scale up the marketing of the product and building greater efficiency in their production process by buying a new filtration machine. On the menu: We have many kinds of soup, said Tran, of Crown Point, about the pho ranging from traditional selections such as meatball to adventurous selections such as Vietnamese beef stew, vegetarian or Hot-n-Sour seafood. PhoHoa.com states, Pho broth is traditionally made with bone marrow, which is high in calories and saturated fat. At Pho Hoa, we only use lean, quality meat cuts to create our delicious healthy broth. The pho, which features a base of broth and rice noodles, can be made with proteins including chicken, tofu, shrimp, salmon and squid, as well as veggies such as broccoli, mushrooms, cauliflower, tomato, carrots and cucumber. 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.. The following companies are subsidiares of Dover: Accelerated Production Systems, Acme Elevator, Advansor A/S, Advansor Dover International (Poland) sp. z o.o, Advansor Germany GmbH, Alfred Fueling Systems Holdco Ltd., Alfred Fueling Systems Inc., Alfred Fueling Systems Intermediate Holdco Ltd., All-Flo Pump Company, Anman LLC, Anthony Equity Holdings Inc., Anthony Holdings Inc., Anthony Inc., Anthony International, Anthony International Foreign Sales Corp., Anthony International Holding Company, Anthony Mexico Holdings LLC, Anthony North Holdco Inc., Anthony Specialty Glass LLC, Anthony TemperBent GP LLC, Auto Glanz Solutions LLC, Automatik Grundstucksverwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, Automatik Plastics Machinery (Taiwan) Ltd., BSC Filters Limited, Background2 Limited, Belanger, Belanger Inc., Belvac Middle East FZE, Belvac Production Machinery Inc., Blackmer, BlitzRotary GmbH, Butler Engineering and Marketing S.P.A., CDS Visual, CEP Liquidation LLC, CP Formation LLC, CPC Europe Inc., CPI Products Inc., Caldera, Canada Organization & Development LLC, Chief Automotive Technologies (Shanghai) Trading Company Ltd., Chippewa Square Captive Insurance Company, Colder Products Company, Colder Products Company GmbH, Colder Products Company LTD, Cook Compression BV, Cook Compression LLC, Cook Compression Limited, Cook-MFS Inc., DD1 Inc., DDI Properties Inc., DE-STA-CO Benelux B.V., DE-STA-CO FRANCE, DE-STA-CO Shanghai Co. Ltd., DESTACO UK Limited, DFH Corporation, DFS Netherlands B.V., DSR BZ Holdings LLC, Datamax International Corp, De Sta Co (Asia) Company Limited, De-Sta-Co Cylinders Inc., DeStaCo Europe GmbH, Delaware Capital Formation Inc., Delaware Capital Holdings Inc., Dover (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Dover (Schweiz) Holding GmbH, Dover (Shanghai) Industrial Co. Ltd., Dover (Shenzhen) Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Dover (Suzhou) Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Dover Asia Trading Private Ltd., Dover Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Dover Business Services EMEA Limited, Dover Business Services LLC, Dover Business Services Philippines Corporation, Dover CLP Formation Limited Partnership, Dover CR spol s r.o., Dover Canada Holdings ULC, Dover Canada Operations ULC, Dover Corporation Regional Headquarters, Dover DEI Services Inc., Dover Denmark Holdings ApS, Dover EMEA FZCO, Dover Energy UK Ltd, Dover Engineered Products Segment Inc., Dover Europe Inc., Dover Europe Sarl, Dover Fluids UK Ltd, Dover France Holdings, Dover France Participations, Dover France Technologies, Dover Fueling Solutions Segment Inc., Dover Fueling Solutions UK Limited, Dover Germany GmbH, Dover Global Holdings LLC, Dover Holdings de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Dover Imaging & Identification Segment Inc., Dover India Pvt. Ltd., Dover Intercompany Services UK Limited, Dover International B.V., Dover International Operations Inc., Dover International Ventures Inc., Dover International Ventures Tunisia S.a.r.l., Dover International ithalat ihracat ve Pazarlama Limited Sirketi, Dover Italy Holdings S.r.l., Dover Luxembourg Finance Sarl, Dover Luxembourg Participations Sarl, Dover Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Dover Luxembourg Services Sarl, Dover Operations South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Dover Overseas Ventures Inc., Dover Pumps & Process Solutions Segment Inc., Dover Refrigeration & Food Equipment Segment Inc., Dover Refrigeration & Food Equipment UK Ltd, Dover Resources International de Mexico S. de R.L. C.V., Dover Solutions Colombia SAS, Dover Southeast Asia (Thailand) Ltd., Dover Spain Holdings S.L., Dover UK Pensions Limited, Dover WSCR Holding LLC, Dover WSCR LLC, Dover do Brasil Ltda., Dow-Key Microwave Corporation, Dresser Wayne Data Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Dresser Wayne Fuel Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., EOA Systems Inc., Ebs-Ray Holdings Pty Ltd, Ebs-Ray Industries Pty. Ltd., Ebs-Ray Pumps Pty. Ltd., Em-tec, Espy, Ettlinger, Ettlinger Kunststoffmaschinen GmbH, Fairbanks Environmental Limited, Fibrelite Composites Limited, Fibresec Holdings Limited, Fibresec Limited, Finder, GAL LLC, GIIER LLC, Gala Industries, Gala Kunststoff-und Kautschukmaschinen GmbH, Guangdong Tokheim LIYUAN Oil Industry Technology Limited Company, Highland Park Insurance Company, Hill PHOENIX Inc., Hill PHOENIX WIC LLC, Hill Phoenix Costa Rica Sociedad De Responsabilidad Limitada, Hill Phoenix El Salvador Limitada de Capital Variable, Hill Phoenix Guatemala Sociedad Anonima, Hill Phoenix Honduras Sociedad Anonima, Hill Phoenix Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, Hill Phoenix de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Hiltap Fittings Ltd., Hydro Systems Company, Hydro Systems Europe Ltd., Hydronova Australia-NZ Pty Ltd, Industrial Motion Control LLC, Innovative Control Systems, Innovative Control Systems Inc., Inpro/Seal LLC, JK Group, JK Group S.P.A., JK Group USA Inc., K S Boca Inc., K&L Microwave DR Inc., K&L Microwave Inc., KPS (Beijing) Petroleum Equipment Trading Co Ltd., KPS Fueling Solutions Sdn. Bhd., KPS Hong Kong Holding Limited, KPS UK Limited, KS Formation Inc., KS Liquidation Inc., KSLP Liquidation L.P., Kiian Digital (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Knappco LLC, Knowles Electronics, LIQAL, Liquip, Liquip International Pty Limited, MAAG, MARKEM FZ SA, MARKEM-IMAJE Corporation, MIP Holdings Inc., MS Printing Solutions, MS Printing Solutions S.R.L., Maag Automatik GmbH, Maag Automatik Plastics Machinery (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Maag Gala Inc., Maag Italy S.R.L., Maag Pump Systems, Maag Pump Systems (US) Inc., Maag Pump Systems AG, Maag Reduction Inc., Maag Service (Malaysia) Sdn. Bdn., Maag Systems (Thailand) Limited, Marathon Equipment Company (Delaware), Markem Imaje Center of Competencies Spain S.L.U., Markem-Imaje, Markem-Imaje (China) Co. Limited, Markem-Imaje - Unipessoal Lda, Markem-Imaje A/S, Markem-Imaje AB, Markem-Imaje AG, Markem-Imaje AS, Markem-Imaje B.V., Markem-Imaje CSAT GmbH, Markem-Imaje Co. Ltd., Markem-Imaje GmbH, Markem-Imaje Holding, Markem-Imaje Identificacao de Produtos Ltda., Markem-Imaje Inc., Markem-Imaje India Private Limited, Markem-Imaje Industries, Markem-Imaje Industries Limited, Markem-Imaje KK, Markem-Imaje LLC, Markem-Imaje Limited, Markem-Imaje Limited, Markem-Imaje Ltd., Markem-Imaje N.V., Markem-Imaje Oy, Markem-Imaje Philippines Corporation, Markem-Imaje Pty Ltd, Markem-Imaje S.A., Markem-Imaje S.A. de C.V., Markem-Imaje S.r.l., Markem-Imaje SAS, Markem-Imaje Sdn Bhd, Markem-Imaje Singapore Pte. Ltd., Markem-Imaje Spain S.A.U, Markpoint Holding AB, Midland Manufacturing LLC, Mouvex, Northern Lights (Nevada) Inc., Northern Lights Funding LP, Northern Lights Investments LLC, Nova Controls Inc., OK International, OK International (UK) Ltd., OK International Holdings Inc., OK International Inc., OPW Engineered Systems Inc., OPW Fluid Transfer Group Europe B.V., OPW Fluid Transfer Solutions (Jiang Su) Co. Ltd., OPW Fluids Group Inc., OPW France, OPW Fuel Management Systems Inc., OPW Fueling Components (SuZhou) Co. Ltd., OPW Fueling Components LLC, OPW Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OPW Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., OPW Slovakia s.r.o., OPW Sweden AB, Officine Meccaniche Sirio S.R.L., PDQ Manufacturing, PDQ Manufacturing Inc., PISCES by OPW Inc., PSD Codax Holdings Limited, PSD Codax Limited, PSG (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, PSG (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., PSG California LLC, PSG Germany GmbH, Petro Vend Sp. z o.o., Pike Machine Products Inc., Pole/Zero Acquisition Inc., Precision Brasil Equipamentos E Servicos Para Postos De Combustiveis Ltda., Precision Service - Servicos De Manutencao E Instalacao De Postos De Abastecimento De Combustivel Ltda., Production Control Services, Pump Management Services Co. LLC, RAV Equipos Espana S.L., RAV France, Ravaglioli Deutschland GmbH, Ravaglioli S.P.A., Reduction Engineering GmbH, Revod Corporation, Revod Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Revod SAS, Revod Singapore Holdings Pte. Ltd, Revod Sweden AB, Robohand Inc., Rosario, Rosario Handel B.V., Rotary Lift Consolidated (Haimen) Co. Ltd, SE Liquidation LLC, SWEP Germany GmbH, SWEP Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., SWEP North America Inc., SWEP Slovakia s.r.o., SWEP Technology (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Seabiscuit Motorsports Inc., Simmons Sirvey Corporation, So. Cal. Soft-Pak, So. Cal. Soft-Pak Incorporated, Solaris Laser, Solaris Laser S.A., Somero Enterprises, Sound Solutions, Space S.R.L., Spirit, Start Italiana Petrol Cihazlari Sanayi Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Start Italiana S.R.L., Swep Energy Oy, Swep International A.B., Swep Japan K.K., Sys-Tech Solutions, Sys-Tech Solutions Inc., Systech GB Limited, Systech Shanghai Consulting Company Limited, TQC Quantium Quality S.A. de C.V., TTSI III Inc., TWG Canada Consolidated Inc., TXHI LLC, Tartan Textile Services Inc., The Heil Co., Tokheim Belgium, Tokheim China Company Limited, Tokheim GmbH, Tokheim Group, Tokheim Hengshan Technologies (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Tokheim Holding B.V., Tokheim India Private Limited, Tokheim Sofitam Applications, Trans - Logistic Group S.R.L., Triton Systems, Tulsa Winch Inc., UPCO Inc., US Synthetic, Unattended Payment Solutions LLC, Unified Brands, Unified Brands Inc., Val TemperBent Glass L.P., Vectron Frequency Devices (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Vehicle Service Group LLC, Vehicle Service Group UK Limited, Vos Food Store Equipment Ltd., WSCR Corp., Warn Automotive LLC, Warn Industries, Waukesha Bearings, Waukesha Bearings Corporation, Waukesha Bearings Limited, Waukesha Bearings Russia LLC, Wayne Fuel Management UK Ltd., Wayne Fueling Systems, Wayne Fueling Systems (Rus) Limited Liability Company, Wayne Fueling Systems Australia Pty Ltd, Wayne Fueling Systems Canada ULC, Wayne Fueling Systems Deutschland GmbH, Wayne Fueling Systems Italia S.R.L., Wayne Fueling Systems LLC, Wayne Fueling Systems Ltd., Wayne Fueling Systems Sweden AB, Wayne Fueling Systems UK Holdco Ltd., Wayne Industria e Comercio Ltda., WellMark, XanTec Steuerungs- und EDV-Technik GmbH, and em-tec GmbH. The following companies are subsidiares of Franklin Resources: AdvisorEngine, AdvisorEngine Inc., Alumcreek Holdings LLC, Athena Capital Advisors, Balanced Equity Management, Balanced Equity Management Pty. Limited, Benefit Street Partners, Bissett & Associates Investment Management, Brandywine Global Investment Management Europe Limited, CCPF GP Holdco No.2 Limited, CCPF No.2 (GP) Limited, CCPF No.2 LP, CP Industrial Management LLC, CP Intermediate Holdco Inc., CRM Software LLC, Clarion Gramercy (Deutschland) GmbH, Clarion Gramercy (UK) Limited, Clarion Gramercy Limited, Clarion Partners Europe Ltd., Clarion Partners Holdings LLC, Clarion Partners LLC, Clarion Partners Securities LLC, Clarion REIM South America Holdings LLC, Clarion REIM South America Invsetimentos Imobiliarios Ltda, ClearBridge RARE Infrastructure (North America) Pty Limited, ClearBridge RARE Infrastructure International Pty Limited, Darby - Hana Infrastructure Fund Management Co. Ltd., Edinburgh Partners, FT FinTech Holdings LLC, FT Opportunistic Distressed Fund Ltd., FTC Investor Services Inc., FTCI (Cayman) Ltd., FTPE Advisers LLC, Fiduciary International Holding Inc., Fiduciary Investment Management International Inc., Fiduciary Trust (International) Sarl, Fiduciary Trust Company International, Fiduciary Trust Company International of Pennsylvania, Fiduciary Trust Company of Canada, Fiduciary Trust International LLC, Fiduciary Trust International of California, Fiduciary Trust International of Delaware, Fiduciary Trust International of the South, Franklin Advisers GP LLC, Franklin Advisers Inc., Franklin Advisory Services LLC, Franklin Marketplace Loan GP LLC, Franklin Mutual Advisers LLC, Franklin SystematiQ Advisers LLC, Franklin Templeton Alternative Investments (India) Private Limited, Franklin Templeton Asset Management (India) Private Limited, Franklin Templeton Asset Management (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Franklin Templeton Asset Management Mexico S.A. de C.V. Sociedad Operadora de Fondos de Inversion, Franklin Templeton Austria GmbH, Franklin Templeton Capital Holdings Private Limited, Franklin Templeton Chile SpA. V., Franklin Templeton Companies LLC, Franklin Templeton Digital Advisory Services GmbH, Franklin Templeton Fund Management Limited, Franklin Templeton GSC Asset Management Sdn. Bhd., Franklin Templeton Global Investors Limited, Franklin Templeton Holding Limited, Franklin Templeton International Services (India) Private Limited, Franklin Templeton International Services S.a r.l., Franklin Templeton Investment Management (Shanghai) Limited, Franklin Templeton Investment Management Limited, Franklin Templeton Investment Services GmbH, Franklin Templeton Investment Services Mexico S. de R.L., Franklin Templeton Investment Trust Management Co. Ltd., Franklin Templeton Investments (Asia) Limited, Franklin Templeton Investments (ME) Limited, Franklin Templeton Investments Australia Limited, Franklin Templeton Investments Corp., Franklin Templeton Investments Japan Limited, Franklin Templeton Investments Poland sp. z o.o., Franklin Templeton Investments South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Franklin Templeton Investor Services LLC, Franklin Templeton Investimentos (Brasil) Ltda., Franklin Templeton Luxembourg S.A., Franklin Templeton Magyarorszag Kft., Franklin Templeton Management Luxembourg S.A., Franklin Templeton Overseas Investment Fund Management (Shanghai) Co. Limited, Franklin Templeton Private Equity LLC, Franklin Templeton Services (India) Private Limited, Franklin Templeton Services LLC, Franklin Templeton Servicios de Asesoria Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Franklin Templeton Slovakia s.r.o., Franklin Templeton Social Infrastructure GP S.a r.l., Franklin Templeton Strategic Investments Ltd., Franklin Templeton Switzerland Ltd., Franklin Templeton Trustee Services Private Limited, Franklin Templeton Turkey Advisory Services A.S., Franklin Templeton Uruguay S.A., Franklin Venture Partners (Talos Cayman GP) LLC, Franklin Venture Partners LLC, Franklin/Templeton Distributors Inc., ITI Capital Markets Limited, K2 Advisors, LM (BVI) Limited, LM Holdings 2 Limited, LM Holdings Limited, LM International Holding LP, Legg Mason & Co (UK) Limited, Legg Mason & Co. LLC, Legg Mason (Chile) Inversiones Holdings Limitada, Legg Mason Asset Management Australia Limited, Legg Mason Asset Management Hong Kong Limited, Legg Mason Asset Management Singapore Pte. Limited, Legg Mason Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Legg Mason Holding (Switzerland) GmbH, Legg Mason Inc., Legg Mason Investment Funds Limited, Legg Mason Investments (Europe) Limited, Legg Mason Investments (Switzerland) GmbH, Legg Mason Overseas Investment Fund Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor LLC, Legg Mason Royce Holdings LLC, Onsa Inc., RARE IP Trust, RARE Infrastructure Limited, REDROSE Caesar S.a r.l., Random Forest Capital, Random Forest Capital LLC, Rensburg Sheppards plc, Riva Financial Systems Limited, Royce & Associates GP LLC, Royce & Associates LP, Royce Fund Services LLC, Royce Management Company LLC, TSEMF III (Jersey) Limited, TSEMF IV (Jersey) Limited, Templeton Asset Management (Labuan) Limited, Templeton Asset Management (Poland) TFI S.A., Templeton Asset Management Ltd., Templeton Global Advisors Limited, Templeton Global Holdings Ltd., Templeton International Inc., Templeton Investment Counsel LLC, Templeton Restructured Investments III Ltd., Templeton Restructured Investments IV Ltd., Templeton Restructured Investments L.L.C., Templeton Turkey Fund GP Ltd., Templeton Worldwide Inc., Templeton do Brasil Ltda., Templeton/Franklin Investment Services Inc., WHITEROSE Caesar S.a r.l., Western Asset Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd, Western Asset Management (Brazil) Holdings Limitada, Western Asset Management (Cayman) Holdings Limited, Western Asset Management Company Distribuidora de Titulos e Valores Mobiliarios Limitada, Western Asset Management Company LLC, Western Asset Management Company Limited, Western Asset Management Company Pte Ltd., Western Asset Management Company Pty Ltd, and Winfield & Company. In turn, I-65 Beacon Hill Partners will donate the right-of-way portion the city needs for widening 109th, which has been plagued with increased traffic as development continues. The developer entered into an agreement with the city to make improvements to the Delaware Parkway Corridor going north between 105th and 107th Avenues, wherein itll pay for the infrastructure via a $25 million bond that will in turn be paid back through the areas tax-increment financing district. LAFAYETTE HILL I can see how life can be awful and awesome in the exact same moment and look with undying hope because as difficult as life may be now, it is better than any day I spent with my abuser. Those were just a few of the words spoken by domestic abuse survivor Jill Myhre to a crowd of over 100 people Wednesday at Laurel Houses Breaking the Silence event. The luncheon, which was held at Green Valley Country Club, served as a somber reminder of the prevalence of domestic violence and the community it takes to rebuild the lives affected by it. Laurel House, which works with victims of domestic violence in a variety of aspects, holds their Breaking the Silence luncheon annually to give updates on legislative and law enforcement changes that are taking place to help victims of domestic violence. The group opened its doors in 1980 to provide a hotline and emergency shelter for victims. Since then it has grown into a comprehensive network that assists victims with support and preventative services throughout the county. At the luncheon Wednesday, guest speakers Dr. Colleen Lelli, Cabrini Colleges Jordan Center; State Rep. Brendon Boyle; Sen. Bob Mensch; Stradley Ronan Stevens & Young Attorney Kristin Feden and Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele addressed attendees about the sobering statistics and current legislation regarding the issue of domestic abuse in Montgomery County and beyond. We have a piece of legislation that has been working through the process for some time and this past Tuesday the House Judiciary Committee passed it unanimously. So we expect it will get final consideration in the House of Representatives Tuesday and will go right to the governor and be signed law, said Mensch. It has to do with abuse in front of a child. We know there is a number of statistics today that when children witness physical, verbal or emotional abuse, they are affected. There often creates a trauma that lasts a lifetime, said Mensch. Mensch explained that the bill would increase the possibility of prosecution for a parent who commits abuse in front of a child. District Attorney Kevin Steele added that legislation related to gun ownership by a person convicted of domestic abuse or with a protection from abuse order is also on the table. Steele said the legislation would require anyone with a PFA or domestic abuse conviction to surrender any firearms to law enforcement within 24 hours. Steele noted the importance of such legislation and others like it before bringing up what he called sobering statistics about the problem of domestic abuse in the county. I took a hard look at what we face so far this year in Montgomery County and its not good, said Steele. Sadly weve seen a significant jump in domestic violence or relationship violence homicides. Weve had 18 homicides occur in Montgomery County so far this year. Eight of those murders, or 45 percent, were at the hands of a family member, intimate partner or former intimate partner. Steele went on to recite the names and circumstances of individuals killed as a result of domestic violence in Montgomery County. Among them were victims from Norristown, Pottstown, Cheltenham, Ambler, Upper Gwynedd, Lansdale and Whitemarsh. Those in attendance also had the chance to hear from domestic violence survivor Jill Myhre, who recounted some of the traumatizing circumstances she and her children endured at the hands of her abuser. My daily life by 2016 had become working full time, managing everything in the house from cooking and cleaning to bills and taxes, helping the children, who were now home schooled, all while being beaten daily. Putting on makeup while driving to work so I could wipe away tears and blood that had become part of the breakfast routine when something wasnt quite up to par by exactly 6:45. Her abuser was sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison last year. Myhre also spoke to attendees about the role Laurel House played in helping her leave. She thanked the organization for their help and ended with a hopeful message: Please help yet one more person be a light arising out of darkness, that the darkness may not overcome them. The light of hope will have a payback that you cannot yet wrap your minds around. A powerful woman with resiliency and hope will change the world, so I ask please dont just break the silence. Bring about shouts of joy from kids who can laugh again and contagious smiles from countless domestic violence warriors, said Myhre. Help, support and information are available to anyone through Laurel Houses confidential, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-642-3150. To learn more about Laurel House visit laurel-house.org. Albany "The Adirondacks." "The Berkshires." "Hudson Valley." While the Capital Region may not have the same brand recognition as other regional destinations, Maureen Sager, director of the Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy, has made it her career's goal to change perceptions around the Albany area and spotlight the region's flourishing "creative" economy. Sager spoke at Wednesday's meeting of the Albany Roundtable, which sponsors a civic luncheon series. The creative economy is the fourth-largest employment sector in the Capital Region, and counts workers in industries like the visual and performing arts, artisanal restaurants and craft breweries, design and also media, like TV stations and newspapers. According to the Upstate Alliance, over 35,000 workers in the Capital Region make their living in one of these several industry sectors. The only larger employment industries in the Capital Region are manufacturing, food services and healthcare. In conjunction with the Center for Economic Growth and Empire State Development, studying the creative sector has become a focus for local groups over the last four years. "The CEG in 2014 had an initial discussions with stakeholders in the region about the role that arts, culture and tourism play in economic development," according to F. Michael Tucker, president of Columbia Economic Development and former chief executive of the CEG. "CEG continued its outreach and it became evident that there was a large number of stakeholders interested people from arts venues, historic sites, tourism venues, concert venues." In Columbia County, 12.5 percent of all employees work in creative industries, which is in the top 1 percent of all U.S. counties in terms of creative job concentration. Additionally, Columbia County has the third-highest concentration of self-employed artists, behind only Brooklyn and Taos, New Mexico. Overall, the Albany-Schenectady-Troy metropolitan area, according to the Upstate Alliance, has the second highest concentration of creative jobs among similarly-sized metro areas. That's ahead of places like Rochester and Buffalo, as well as Oklahoma City and New Orleans. There are some challenges facing those within the creative economy, however. Just over half of all workers in the various creative industries are freelancers, compared to under a quarter of workers in all other industries who work on a freelance basis. State legislation has been passed to aid certain industries, like the farm brewing law, which incentivized breweries to use New York-grown ingredients to produce their beer. For the creative economy, Sager said that legislation introducing benefits for freelancers would allow temporary contractual work to become more substantial. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. "The make or break proposition for those freelancers is not employment, its benefits. The (Affordable Care Act) helped that wave of freelancers get started," Sager said. "Industries change, and a new generation of people find themselves freelancing. If we can provide those people with benefits, that transition will be easier." Vermont introduced a program to pay tech workers who usually operate remotely $10,000 to relocate to the state and bolster the aging workforce. Sager said she believes a similar state investment could be made to provide people with things like portable retirement benefits or relocation benefits. "We should be doing those things," Sager said. "We have a customer base that's much stronger than the state of Vermont.They have 600,000 people in the whole state. We have 1.1 million in our region. Where would you want to start a business? Here." More Information Creative economy employment, broken down by sector. Media: 8,019 Design: 5,723 Performing arts: 3,560 Museums and preservation: 2,360 Visual arts, handcrafted products: 1,755 Agriculture and Artisanal Food: 14,200 See More Collapse Sager's ultimate goal, she says, is to create a distinct, local brand akin to artistic havens like Austin, Nashville or Seattle, with the Capital Region's own distinct flair. "If we want top-floor talent and top-floor companies to be moving to this area, we need to tell them about ourselves. We have to tell them what's here," Sager said. "We have to compete against places like New York and Los Angeles...we're in that game now. We have the heft and the infrastructure to play ball with those places." We think its very important that we get ahead of this, Smith said. Smith said the plan to close Bethune, which is funded by federal Title I monies, not state tuition support, has evoked more reaction from citizens than other changes made by Hinckley, whos run the district since last year. Seoul, South Korea South Korea is considering lifting some of its unilateral sanctions against North Korea to create more momentum for diplomacy aimed at improving relations and defusing the nuclear crisis, the South's foreign minister said Wednesday. During a parliamentary audit of her ministry, Kang Kyung-wha said the government is reviewing whether to lift sanctions South Korea imposed on the North in 2010 following a deadly attack on a warship that killed 45 South Korean sailors. South Korea then effectively shut down all cross-border economic cooperation except for a jointly run factory park in the North Korean border town of Kaesong, which was shuttered in February 2016 after a North Korean nuclear test and long-range rocket launch. The so-called "May 24 measures" of 2010 also banned North Korea from using shipping lanes in South Korean territory. South Korean President Moon Jae-in has mostly stayed firm on sanctions despite actively engaging with North Korea and floating the possibility of huge investments and joint economic projects in return for the North's relinquishment of its nuclear weapons. A move by South Korea to lift its unilateral sanctions would have little immediate effect since U.S.-led international sanctions remain in place. But it's clear Seoul is preparing to restart joint economic projects if the larger nuclear negotiations between the United States and North Korea begin yielding results. "Many parts of the May 24 measures now duplicate with the United Nations sanctions (against North Korea)," Kang said. "As negotiations continue to improve ties between the South and North and achieve denuclearization, there's a need to flexibly review (lifting the measures) as long as it doesn't damage the larger framework of sanctions against the North." Moon has described inter-Korean engagement as crucial to resolving the nuclear standoff. A large number of South Korean business leaders accompanied Moon last month to Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, where he and leader Kim Jong Un agreed to normalize operations at the Kaesong factory park and resume joint tours to North Korea when possible, voicing optimism the international sanctions could end and allow such projects. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The North and South also announced measures to reduce conventional military threats, such as creating buffer zones along their land and sea boundaries and a no-fly zone above the border. The North also said it would dismantle its main nuclear facility in Nyongbyon if the United States takes unspecified corresponding measures. The fast pace in inter-Korean engagement appears to have created a level of unease in Washington, which insists that efforts to improve relations between the Koreas should move in tandem with efforts to denuclearize the North. Kang also said Wednesday that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed displeasure over the military agreement between the Koreas. Kang did not specify what Pompeo was unhappy about. Kang's comments are likely to fuel speculation that Washington wasn't fully on board before Seoul signed the agreement. Lots of kids play music in middle school and high school. Lots of kids join bands and orchestras taking up instruments, learning their parts and following the baton at concerts attended by relatives. And lots of kids never get much in the way of public recognition. Albany music teacher David Gordon hopes to rectify that with Battle of the Bands, a newly launched competition that aims to recognize the top student musical groups in the region. The goal? "Just to highlight the talent. I know we have a lot. I know we have a lot," said Gordon, who teaches at Albany Community Charter School. In a program sponsored by Albany-based Scholastic Talent, Gordon has issued a callout for middle- and high-school ensembles both bands and orchestras throughout the Capital Region. Starting Monday, all are invited to submit a link to a short video (five minutes maximum, on YouTube or Vimeo) of a musical performance to scholastictalent@gmail.com. "Be creative," the submission guidelines urge. Six finalists will be notified on Saturday, Dec. 15. They will go on to compete in a live show before judges on Friday, Feb. 1, at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. Chosen that same evening, the winning band or orchestra will receive a $2,000 cash prize toward the school's music program and a 2019 spring break trip for 20 members (selected by their band director) to attend the Orlando Heritage Festival at Universal Studios in Florida. The Feb. 1 Battle of the Bands winner will then return to the convention center on Friday, May 10, for a Scholastic Talent Showcase also highlighting dance and vocal talent from around the region. The event will mark the organization's sixth annual showcase but its first to feature bands and orchestras. "With Battle of the Bands, we're trying to bring in some of these talented groups from across the region. ... The difference, this year, is the band competition," said Dwayne Bass, founder of Scholastic Talent and, like Gordon, a music teacher at Albany Community Charter School. "In the past it's been a lot of individualized talent and dance groups." Gordon, for one, is happy to highlight the accomplishments of unsung music students. "This is all about the youth. We really want to showcase a lot of the youth." In particular, he said, the competition aims a spotlight on students who play music, enjoy music and deserve recognition for it but don't necessarily take part in the annual New York State School Music Association evaluations, in which participants play before judges and receive a score. He envisions Battle of the Bands as a chance for students to shine minus the high-pressure grading. "I haven't really seen a positive outlet for them," Gordon said. "And this is kind of a platform to showcase what we have in upstate New York. Let's do a competition, and let's see who our premiere bands are in the area, concert-wise." Not every kid needs to be bound for NYSSMA, he said. "This will let them showcase what they have without any stress. They just want to have fun." abiancolli@timesunion.com 518-454-5439 @AmyBiancolli "It's a major third and a minor third crunched together followed by a major arpeggio. Then we fall to the tritone." Conductor Charles Schneider is at the piano and talking about the opening bars of "West Side Story." "Lenny based the entire show on the tritone, the chord of the devil. I've traced that all the way through the show. Usually my lecture takes two hours and that's barely enough time to cover everything. The heartbeat of Maria and Tony is full of all kinds of tritones." Detailed harmonic analysis is just one of the ways Schneider delves into the musical scores he conducts. His rigorous method of study also includes the larger structural forms, the extra-musical ideas, and the life of the composer. But it's understandable that he can be expansive when it comes to "West Side Story." He's conducted the show hundreds of times during his 60-year career, often at the behest of the composer himself. Schneider will be returning once again to "West Side Story" when he leads his farewell concert with the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra on the afternoon of Sunday, Oct. 21, at Proctors. Last season the orchestra announced Schneider's retirement after a 33-year tenure and it will name him conductor emeritus at the upcoming event. It will be a big send-off, with a slate of Bernstein hits, a world premiere by Evan Mack ("If Only Lenny Were Here") and a troupe of young dancers taking to the stage during the Symphonic Dances from "West Side Story." Concertmaster Michael Emery, who joined the orchestra a couple of years before Schneider was hired, saw qualities in Schneider's audition that have carried forward season after season. "It was obvious he was the right choice from the start," says Emery. "He has a combination of so many special skills, including musical intuition, knowledge and discipline. His compassion and generosity as a person come across in his music-making and leadership." Founded in 1935, the SSO has weathered the city's economic decline to become one of the region's prized institutions. Schneider recalls that they used to play Saturday nights, but that was when there wasn't much else going on at Proctors. The venue is now bursting with activity and the orchestra remains a solid constituent, offering four Sunday matinee programs every season. The membership comprises both paid professionals and volunteer players from the community, though every player is auditioned. "We have a wonderful pool of talent and I think we're in really good shape artistically," says Schneider. "It's definitely an orchestra that deserves to be heard." Schneider, who turned 80 on Sept. 16, launched his career in 1961, the year he graduated from Juilliard. Early opportunities came through summer stock theater, the growing realm of television and touring with the Ice Capades. Continued study in Europe exposed him to the world of opera. During a summer in Monaco, the eminent Russian maestro Igor Markevitch emphasized meticulous score study. "We had to conduct from memory and had to know it dead on the spot, everything, all the notes and harmonic and structural stuff," recalls Schneider. "If you didn't know it, Markevitch would kick you off the podium." After recovering from such terror, Schneider developed a fondness for research and preparation. "I love sleuthing scores," he says. "That's the most exciting part of being a conductor. What's inside the score is what's it all about." In the early 70s, Herbert Blomstedt, another of Schneider's mentors, summoned him to assist for a couple of weeks at the Aspen Music Festival. According to Schneider, Blomstedt was given charge of four orchestras and it was impossible for him to rehearse them all on his own. It was in that idyllic festival setting that Schneider made the acquaintance of trumpeter Carlton Clay and trombonist Don Robertson, members of the Catskill Brass Trio. "They were on a search for a music director to start a big orchestra in Oneonta," recalls Schneider. "They offered me the job in 1973 and that's when I made the trip across the George Washington Bridge and never looked back." Schneider has lived in Oneonta ever since, with the exception of an extended period when he and his wife lived in Manhattan so that she could study acting. For the upstate maestro, that just meant a bit more driving. Schneider's 43-year tenure with the Catskill Symphony Orchestra came to a close last spring. After all those decades, his influence on the musical life of the region is incalculable. He co-founded the Catskill Conservatory and served on the faculty of SUNY Oneonta, Hartwick College, Colgate University and Hamilton College. More Information If you go Schenectady Symphony celebrates conductor Charles Schneider The concert program features music of Leonard Bernstein, including his Symphonic Dances from "West Side Story," plus the world premiere of Evan Mack's "If Only Lenny Were Here." Guest artists are baritone Michael Miller and soprano Sylvia Stoner-Hawkins and members of the Orlando School of Dance, Debra Ann Pigliavento, choreographer. When: 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21 Where: Proctors, 432 State Street, Schenectady. Tickets: $15-$22. Call 518-346-6204. Or visit: proctors.org. More information at: schenectadysymphony.org. See More Collapse Up in Syracuse, the Society for New Music has regularly relied upon his conducting skills and acumen with contemporary music. Over in Cooperstown he was the first music director of Glimmerglass Opera (now the Glimmerglass Festival), which started in 1975. "I did 35 productions crammed in that high school auditorium under the worst acoustical conditions," he says. He was also on the podium for the opening of the Alice Busch Opera Theater in 1987. The glittery roster for the night of arias and scenes included soprano Frederica von Stade and baritone Dwayne Croft. Shortly thereafter came a break with the company that wasn't easy or pleasant. Schneider's first return to the opera house was only this past summer when he observed the dress rehearsal of "West Side Story." Glimmerglass general and artistic director Francesca Zambello confirms that a tribute to Schneider's early contribution to the company is in the works for the coming summer season. Other career distinctions also revolve around music for the theater. Schneider served as music director of the American premiere of Kurt Weill's "The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny" with the San Francisco Opera. He also led New York productions of Weill's little-known one-act opera "Down in the Valley" and Bernstein's early work "Trouble in Tahiti." As for "West Side Story," at Bernstein's request Schneider led a summerlong Lincoln Center revival celebrating the composer's 50th birthday (exactly 50 years ago). Conducting two national tours opened up associations with some future stars. In one tour Riff was played by Christopher Walken, and in another Michael Bennett played Baby John, one of the Jets. "Chuck has connections to artists from across the country and around the world and that's helped us stay connected to the big picture," says Emery. "They are incredibly big shoes to fill. We can't even think of it as replacing him." The orchestra's board president, Robert Bouer, said a search committee has been formed and candidates for the position of music director will be engaged to conduct the balance of the concerts in the current season. In the meantime, audiences and players have next Sunday afternoon to savor Schneider's leadership. "We did a lot of big things, Verdi Requiems and 'Carmina Buranas,' a concert version of 'Cavalleria Rusticana' with a huge chorus and, of course Beethoven's Ninth about four or five times over my career," says Schneider. "I love all my players. We've had a long wonderful time making music together." Joseph Dalton is a freelance writer based in Troy. Saratoga Springs The Saratoga Performing Arts Center attracted 31 percent more first-time ticket buyers to its 2017 classical programming, according to figure released Thursday afternoon at the fall meeting of SPAC's board of directors. Overall classical attendance exceeded projections, but the venue did not release specific figures. "Expanding upon our focus in 2017 to enhance the accessibility and affordability of the SPAC experience, this year we targeted new audiences and incentivized multiple ticket purchases," said SPAC's president and CEO, Elizabeth Sobol in a statement distributed with news of the meeting. Other season achievements cited in Sobol's meeting with the board were new collaborations with the local business community and expanded promotion of cultural tourism in partnership with the city of Saratoga Springs. Sobol highlighted SPAC's partnership with the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce and the downtown business community to present the first Freihofer's Jazz Fest Friday, which celebrated Saratoga as a "world-class jazz city" and promoted the Spa City's vibrant downtown. In other collaborations, SPAC and the Saratoga Automobile Museum partnered with the city, the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce and the Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau to present the "Bugatti Parade," as part of the Saratoga Wine and Food Festival in September. "We wanted to ensure that the community at-large and not just ticket holders had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the majesty of 80 Bugattis as they processed from the Spa State Park to Broadway. The parade brought thousands of viewers to downtown Saratoga Springs and created a palpable energy throughout the city," said Sobol. In other news from the board meeting, Sobol said SPAC is again on track to finish the year without a budget deficit. Further, she announced datyes 2019 classical season, which will include seven performances by the New York City Ballet, from July 16 to 20, and The Philadelphia Orchestra for 12 performances from July 31 to Aug. 17, in addition to an array of other music and dance offerings in the amphitheater, to be announced later. The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center will return to the Spa Little Theatre from Aug. 4 to 20. SPAC on Stage, Live at the Jazz Bar and Caffe Lena @ SPAC will also be back by popular demand, Sobol said. The board welcomed new members: Bill McEllen, leader of Fingerpaint's Saratoga Springs office; philanthropist and New York State Council on the Arts member Jaynne Keyes; and the president and CEO of DeCrescente Distributing Co., C.J. DeCrescente Jr., in addition to David Jersen, CEO of Jersen Construction Group, who joined the board at its annual meeting in May. Cardi B and Post Malone marked major breakthroughs in the past year, but the rap stars won't compete for best new artist at the 2019 Grammy Awards. Cardi B, who earned two nominations at this year's Grammys held in February, was not eligible for a 2019 nomination because of her previous nominations. The Grammys state that "any artist with a previous Grammy nomination as a performer" would not qualify. If Cardi B had not released an album around the time she earned her first pair of nominations for "Bodak Yellow," she could have qualified. But because she had enough music to be eligible for best new artist at the 2018 show and earned prior nominations, she was not qualified to enter the category. A person familiar with the situation said Cardi B was submitted for best new artist at this year's show, though she didn't earn a nomination. The award went to Alessia Cara, while nominees included SZA, Khalid, Lil Uzi Vert and Julia Michaels. Post Malone was also submitted for best new artist at this year's show but didn't garner a nomination. Because he had never earned a Grammy nomination, he met the criteria to be a best new artist contender for the upcoming awards show, but at a nominations meeting held this month his inclusion in the category was met with debate, the person said. Some felt because the hitmaker had success with his 2016 debut, "Stoney," as well as the hit songs "Congratulations" and "White Iverson" released in 2015 he had already passed new artist status. A representative for Post Malone declined comment Wednesday. A representative for Cardi B did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Associated Press Coroner: Troyer death a suicide Verne Troyer, best known for his role as Mike Myers' comical sidekick "Mini-Me" in the "Austin Powers" movie franchise, died last April of suicide by alcohol intoxication, the Los Angeles County coroner's office reported Wednesday. Troyer, 49, was reported to be suffering from alcohol intoxication when he was admitted to a Los Angeles hospital on April 3. He died there on April 21. "It was later determined Troyer died from sequelae of alcohol intoxication," the coroner's office said in a statement. "The manner of death was certified as a suicide." "Sequelae" is a term defining an action or condition leading to another ailment or, in this case, death. Troyer's representatives had said last April he'd been struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide. The actor, who was just 2 foot 8, became a star playing Mini-Me to Myers' Dr. Evil and Austin Powers in the 1999 film "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" and its 2002 sequel "Austin Powers in Goldmember." Troyer was born with achondroplasia, a genetic condition that limited his height. Associated Press Former reality TV star is sentenced A former reality TV star will serve 16 years in prison for killing a U.S. Coast Guard technician in a drunken wrong-way collision on a Virginia highway. News outlets reported that Melissa Hancock was sentenced Wednesday after earlier pleading guilty to manslaughter, driving the wrong way and failing to obey a highway sign. Hancock appeared on Lifetime's "Little Women: Atlanta," a reality show that focuses on women of short stature. A court summons described Hancock as 4 feet tall and weighing 77 pounds. Daniel Dill was a Logan Township, N.J., native who was stationed in Portsmouth, Virginia, as an information systems technician. Virginia State Police said Hancock struck Dill head-on around 2 a.m. Nov. 4 on Interstate 264. He died of his injuries the next day. Associated Press Melania: Accusers must 'show evidence' First lady Melania Trump says women who make accusations of sexual abuse "need to be heard" and supported, but so do men. She says when there are accusations there needs to be "really hard evidence" and accusers should "show the evidence." Mrs. Trump was interviewed on her Kenya trip by ABC, which aired portions Wednesday on "Good Morning America." Asked whether she supports the #MeToo movement. Mrs. Trump said, "I support the women, and they need to be heard. We need to support them. And, you know, also men, not just women." Associated Press Adirondack, DeCrescente team for breast-cancer charity beer Adirondack Brewery of Lake George and Mechanicville-based DeCrescente Distributing have teamed up to produce Hope Ale, brewed with guava puree for a subtle fruit flavor and pink hue that is being poured in more than 115 Capital Region bars and restaurants during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A portion of sales proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society to promote breast-cancer awareness and research. See where to find Hope Ale by visiting the Table Hopping blog, blog.timesunion.com.tablehopping, and searching for Hope Ale. Everything from never-opened Waxy's pub being auctioned Waxy's The Modern Irish Bar was announced two years ago as being under development at Crossgates Mall in Guilderland. Though the restaurant at Crossgates was partially built, the parent company of the small chain which as of two years ago had nine locations, in the Northeast, Florida and Texas apparently struggled financially, and work was never finished on what would have been the first Capital Region location. Press accounts this year report Waxy's closing from Boston to Florida, and the phone number for the Florida headquarters isn't operational, but the Waxy's in Foxboro, Mass., is still open, according to an employee who answered the phone earlier this week. In any case, all of the stuff in the Crossgates Waxy's is up for auction by order of a creditor, as are furniture, fixtures and more from a Kingston, Mass., Waxy's; both are being handled by the local Collar City Auctions. Among the lots are 48 bar chairs and many tables; HVAC, kitchen ventilation and electrical infrastructure; lighting; and 17 25-pound bags of grout and 48 50-pound bags of cement. The auction closes Friday. Lots may be viewed at collarcityauctionsonline.com. Bel Cibo in Schenectady closing in mid-November Bel Cibo: An American Bistro, which began life eight years ago as a specialty store in Schenectady's upper Union Street neighborhood before moving downtown, to Jay Street, as a restaurant in 2015, will close after service on Sunday, Nov. 18, according to a note on Facebook. The note says the restaurant never recovered from a devastating 2015 fire that damaged multiple buildings and businesses and forced Bel Cibo to be closed for most of that year. It further says that business this year has slowed "almost to a complete stop." Until closing, Bel Cibo will serve lunch Tuesday and Wednesday, lunch and dinner Thursday through Saturday, and Sunday brunch, closed Monday. The address is 96 Jay St.; the phone, 518-631-9683. Troyasia Night Market returns Friday with food, music, fun The third annual Troyasia Night Market, an outdoor party featuring food, drink, games and music, will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday in the municipal parking lot at 138 Forth St. in downtown Troy. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. There will be food by event sponsor Sunhee's Farm and Kitchen, the Little Rice Ball, K-Plate Korean BBQ and Shining Rainbow, with Asian-themed drinks available from Superior Merchandise across the street. Admission is free; food and drink are a la carte. Pinto Thai Kitchen in Colonie opens with ex-Kinnaree owner Pinto Thai Kitchen, owned by founder of the former pan-Asian restaurant Kinnaree on Lark Street in Albany, opened Tuesday at 1540 Central Ave., Colonie, previously home to Diamond Deli & Catering. The owner is Jamaree Rajrawiwong, who owned Kinnaree for about six years before selling it in mid-2016. The menu offers many Thai dishes as well as a selection of Korean fare. Prices are $9 to $14 at lunch, $13 to $19 at dinner, depending on protein, for Thai food; Korean dishes are $14 to $16. The restaurant, which does not serve alcohol, has customers order and pay at the counter, with servers bringing food to tables in the dining room or front patio. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday. The telephone number is 518-608-0018; the website, pintothaikitchen.business.site. Parking is available in a rear lot, accessible via Woolard Avenue, which runs along the east side of Pinto Thai. Compiled by Steve Barnes. Items to be considered for publication must be submitted to sbarnes@timesunion.com. Visit his blog, blog.timesunion.com/tablehopping. Panama City, Fla. Supercharged by abnormally warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Michael slammed into the Florida Panhandle with terrifying winds of 155 mph Wednesday, splintering homes and submerging neighborhoods. It was the most powerful hurricane to hit the continental U.S. in nearly 50 years. Its winds shrieking, the Category 4 storm crashed ashore in the early afternoon near Mexico Beach, a tourist town about midway along the Panhandle, a lightly populated, 200-mile stretch of white-sand beach resorts, fishing towns and military bases. Early Wednesday evening, authorities said a Florida Panhandle man was killed by a falling tree as Michael tore through the state. Gadsden County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Anglie Hightower says they received a call around 6 p.m. Wednesday, saying a tree had crashed through the roof of the man's Greenboro home and trapped him. Emergency crews were heading to the home, but downed power lines and blocked roads were making the trip difficult. Officials hadn't immediately confirmed the man's name. Meanwhile, Michael battered the shoreline with sideways rain, powerful gusts and crashing waves, swamping streets and docks, flattening trees, shredding awnings and peeling away shingles. It also set off transformer explosions and knocked out power to more than 190,000 homes and businesses. "We are catching some hell," said Timothy Thomas, who rode out the storm with his wife in their second-floor apartment in Panama City Beach. With the hurricane still pounding the state hours after it came ashore conditions were too dangerous in places for search-and-rescue teams to go out. Michael was a meteorological brute that sprang quickly from a weekend tropical depression, going from a Category 2 on Tuesday to a Category 4 by the time it came ashore. It was the most powerful hurricane on record to hit the Panhandle. "I've had to take antacids I'm so sick to my stomach today because of this impending catastrophe," National Hurricane Center scientist Eric Blake tweeted as the storm drawing energy from the unusually warm, 84-degree Gulf waters became more menacing. More than 375,000 people up and down the Gulf Coast were urged to evacuate as Michael closed in. But the fast-moving, fast-strengthening storm didn't give people much time to prepare, and emergency authorities lamented that many ignored the warnings and seemed to think they could ride it out. "While it might be their constitutional right to be an idiot, it's not their right to endanger everyone else!" Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson tweeted. Diane Farris, 57, and her son walked to a high school-turned-shelter near their home in Panama City to find about 1,100 people crammed into a space meant for about half as many. Neither she nor her son had any way to communicate because their lone cellphone got wet and quit working. "I'm worried about my daughter and grandbaby. I don't know where they are. You know, that's hard," she said, choking back tears. Hurricane-force winds extended up to 45 miles from Michael's center. Forecasters said rainfall could reach up to a foot, and the life-threatening storm surge could swell to 14 feet. A water-level station in Apalachicola, close to where Michael came ashore, reported a surge of nearly 8 feet. Based on its internal barometric pressure, Michael was the third most powerful hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland, behind the unnamed Labor Day storm of 1935 and Camille in 1969. Based on wind speed, it was the fourth-strongest, behind the Labor Day storm (184 mph), Camille and Andrew in 1992. It appeared to be so powerful that it was expected to remain a hurricane as it moved into Alabama and Georgia early Thursday. Forecasters said it will unleash damaging wind and rain all the way into the Carolinas, which are still recovering from Hurricane Florence's epic flooding. At the White House, President Donald Trump said the government is "absolutely ready for the storm." "God bless everyone because it's going to be a rough one," he said. "A very dangerous one." In Mexico Beach, population 1,000, the storm shattered homes, leaving floating piles of lumber. The lead-gray water was so high that roofs were about all that could be seen of many homes. In Panama City, plywood and metal flew off the front of a Holiday Inn Express. Part of the awning fell and shattered the glass front door of the hotel, and the rest of the awning wound up on vehicles parked below it. "Oh my God, what are we seeing?" said evacuee Rachel Franklin, her mouth hanging open. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Hurricane Michael, by the numbers Hurricane Michael is one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S., and the proof is strewn across Florida's coastline. Hurricane history: first Category 4 hurricane to make landfall in Florida's Panhandle since record-keeping began in 1851 Top winds: 155 mph, strong enough to destroy homes and cause weeks-long power outages Major pressure: 919 millibars minimum pressure in the hurricane's eye, the third most intense hurricane landfall in the U.S. in recorded history High tides: storm surge of 6 feet up to 14 feet forecast for Florida's Panhandle and Big Bend Get out: roughly 375,000 people in Florida warned to evacuate Staying safe: nearly 6,700 people took refuge in 54 shelters in Florida Power outages: 190,000 Florida customers without power Food and water: 1.5 million ready-to-eat meals, 1 million gallons of water and 40,000 10-pound bags of ice ready for distribution. - Associated Press See More Collapse The hotel swimming pool had whitecaps, and people's ears popped because of the drop in barometric pressure. The roar from the hurricane sounded like an airplane taking off. Meteorologists watched satellite imagery in complete awe as the storm intensified. "We are in new territory," National Hurricane Center Meteorologist Dennis Feltgen wrote on Facebook. "The historical record, going back to 1851, finds no Category 4 hurricane ever hitting the Florida panhandle." Colorado State University hurricane expert Phil Klotzbach said in an email: "I really fear for what things are going to look like there tomorrow at this time." The storm is likely to fire up the debate over global warming. Scientists say global warming is responsible for more intense and more frequent extreme weather, such as storms, droughts, floods and fires. But without extensive study, they cannot directly link a single weather event to the changing climate. With Election Day less than a month away, the crisis was seen as a test of leadership for Scott, a Republican running for the Senate, and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, the Democratic nominee for governor. Just as Northern politicians are judged on how they handle snowstorms, their Southern counterparts are watched closely for how they deal with hurricanes. Thousands of evacuees sought shelter in Tallahassee, which is about 25 miles from the coast but is covered by live oak and pine trees that can fall and cause power outages even in smaller storms. As winds started to topple trees in Tallahassee, one of them landed on Joe Marino's chimney. "It was like an earthquake. The bookshelf shook and a frame fell down," he said. "It was weird. We went outside and you could smell the pine, and there it was, laying on the chimney." Marino, who lives with his girlfriend and her grandmother, said water started dripping through the chimney, and they feared the wind would send the tree crashing through the roof. They planned to stay on the first floor. Only a skeleton staff remained at Tyndall Air Force Base, situated on a peninsula just south of Panama City. Hundreds of military families were moved out, and the base's aircraft, which include F-22 Raptors, were flown to safety hundreds of miles away. By 2020, the biggest segment of the Capital Region population nearly 15 percent will be in the 55 to 64 age group, according to predictions by the U.S. Census Bureau. People aged 65 to 75, now just over 7 percent of the population, will represent nearly 11 percent of residents in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties. How these men and women will answer the question of where they will live as they retire is varied. Some expect to retire and move out of state, others anticipate staying local to be near family, whether it's in the house where they have always lived or an apartment or smaller house. A self-guided open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 20 will showcase available options for people who want to move. The tour, now in its third year, was organized by the 55+ Living Guide magazine, based in Albany. The northernmost property is the Paddocks of Saratoga in Saratoga Springs. Glenmont Abbey Village in Glenmont, for tenants 55 and older, is the southernmost stop. For-purchase townhouses and single-family homes are also among the 19 participating properties. There's a mix of price points on the tour, from $2,400 a month for a two-bedroom apartment at Northern Pass in Cohoes to apartments at High Pointe in Malta, where rent is income-based. List prices for the houses on the tour range from the new construction at Timber Creek in Ballston Lake starting in the $200,000 range, to the $500,000 range at Sonoma Grove in Wilton. "Many builders offer ranch-style homes, town homes, first-floor master and exterior-maintenance packages to take care of lawn care and snow removal," said Alison Michael of the 55+ Living Guide. Most builders are producing options for any age buyer or renter, but the maintenance-free is attractive to the 55-plus demographic, Michael added. Beverly Bessette went on the first tour in hopes of finding a good downsizing option. At the time, she was still working and needed a place close to her state job in Albany when she sold her home in Watervliet. Location, cost and a pet-friendly policy were Bessette's priorities. She chose an apartment at Waters View in Cohoes. It had everything she wanted and an attached garage, something she didn't have at her old house. The 55+ Living Guide Open House Tours 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 20 Free 55pluslivingguide.com See More Collapse Five of the stops on the tour are 55-plus, which means the primary leaseholder must be at least 55 years old. The age grouping appealed to Ann Meehan when she discovered Carlton Hollow under construction not far from where she was already living in Milton. Meehan is divorced. Her grandchildren and one of her children live in the area, but Meehan said she felt isolated at the apartment complex where she was living. She wanted to be around people her own age where there would be things to do. She was one of the first six people to move into Carlton Hollow last spring. There, she met Roz Baker, a widow who lives part of the year in Florida and part of it in Carlton Hollow. The two have become friends. The complex is still under construction, but when complete it will have a pickleball court, a library and an indoor pool. Meehan already has plans for the pool. "I'm going to float around and watch the snowflakes fall," she says. Baker sold her house and moved because she didn't want to burden her son by asking him to do the upkeep on her house. She wanted a place she didn't have to worry about while she's in Florida. "I wanted parking and I wanted to stay near my son," Baker says about why she picked Carlton Hollow. Rents range from $1,450 for a 990-square-foot one-bedroom apartment, to $1,795 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment that is 1,241 square feet. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Other stops on the tour include homeownership options that dispense with the lawn mower and the snowblower. Linden Woods, a 47-lot subdivision in Halfmoon by Michaels Group Homes, includes property maintenance in its $165-per-month homeowners' association fee. "Typically, but not exclusively, our market is the downsizer," said Luke Michaels, principal of Michaels Group Homes. "The appeal is having the best of both worlds, owning your own home and property but not dealing with weekly maintenance. We have a lot of snowbirds who don't have to worry about their house here not looking lived in." Houses at Linden Woods start in the $320,000 range, depending on the floor plan and amenities. More than half of the lots are still available, Michaels said. Sonoma Grove, in Wilton, by Belmonte Builders, is also a maintenance-free neighborhood. Mike Lust, director of sales and marketing for the company, said he's meeting clients who want a smaller house than the one where they raised their children, but they want nice amenities and they don't want to move too far away from their children. The model at Sonoma Grove is popular because the floor plan has an open layout for the dining, kitchen and great room space, Lust said. Houses in the subdivision start at $470,000. lhornbeck@timesunion.com ALBANY Investigators have determined that last month's Quail Street blaze, which displaced 50 people, was an accidental grease fire caused by cooking, Albany Fire Chief Joseph Gregory told the Times Union on Wednesday. The fire was one of three that occurred between Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. In total the fires displaced 80 people and destroyed 13 buildings. The other two fires remain under investigation. Firefighters were called to Quail Street, on Sept. 30, around 4:40 a.m. The Quail Street blaze, which destroyed six buildings, displaced 32 adults and 18 children. Gregory said fire investigators have determined that the grease fire began on the second floor of 176 Quail St. when someone was cooking. "They threw water on the grease fire, to try to put it out, which is a big no-no," Gregory said. "That creates a greater flame. If you have a grease fire you should try to cover it with a pot or pan to take the oxygen away." At the time, firefighters were also battling a blaze on Sheridan Avenue, about a mile away. That fire, which started at 334 Sheridan Ave., displaced 18 adults and nine children and destroyed six buildings. "The cause is still being investigated," Gregory said. "The collapse of the building has been hindering the investigation." Less than 30 hours later, on Oct. 1, the fire department was called to a third large fire, this time on Colonial Avenue, at around 6:40 a.m. By the time firefighters arrived, the house was fully in flames. The blaze caused the second and first floors to collapse into a basement garage, though firefighters had evacuated before it caved in. Three people were displaced. The cause is still being investigated. "We are very confident that none of the fires were connected," Gregory said. A total of 13 buildings were destroyed and 80 people displaced, but only one person was injured and there were no deaths. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Gregory said a major reason no one else was injured was because neighbors notified each other of the flames and helped one another quickly evacuate. "It is important for people who live in multi-family residencies, to not ignore fire alarms," Gregory said. "Evacuate the building and call for help right away." Gregory had three other pieces of advice for residents to follow when it comes to fires -- Look, listen and learn. The phrase is the theme of this year's Fire Prevention Week, taking place now through Saturday. "Look around your house and see if there are any fire hazards," Gregory said. "Look for frayed wires or papers and boxes around furnaces." "Listen and check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors," Gregory said. "If you hear a fire alarm go off then get out of the building." "Third, learn a second way out of your building and set a meeting point," Gregory said. "These three things can help save lives." Public officials work for the people not the other way around, U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler said. When the trust we give them is shattered and public officials line their pockets with taxpayer dollars, they should expect the scrutiny of state and federal law enforcement. All citizens deserve better from their public officials and this office intends to hold them accountable. ALBANY - Thomas Marcelle, a Capital Region lawyer for nearly 30 years with experience as a county attorney, legislative counsel and municipal judge, is one step away from becoming the area's next federal judge. President Donald Trump announced his nomination Wednesday of Marcelle, 56, of Slingerlands, to sit as a judge in the 32-county Northern District of New York. Marcelle, an enrolled Conservative Party member, is on track to fill the vacancy of Judge Gary Sharpe, who reached the age of 70 and has ascended to senior status, meaning he can collect retirement compensation while handling a reduced workload. In 2008, President George W. Bush nominated Marcelle for the bench. The Senate, then controlled by Democrats, did not confirm him. The new nomination requires Senate confirmation, and Marcelle is not expected to face opposition from New York's two Democratic senators. The Times Union reported in May that Marcelle was in line for the nomination, with only an FBI background check needed. Cohoes Mayor Shawn Morse picked Marcelle for the city judgeship in 2016. Before that, Marcelle had been the Albany County attorney since 2012. From 2002 to 2011, he served as counsel for the county legislature's Republican minority. In 1993, he unsuccessfully ran as a Republican against District Attorney Sol Greenberg. He had also worked as a trial attorney in the civil rights division of the U.S. Department of Justice where was responsible for enforcing the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. A native of South Bethlehem, Marcelle graduated from Bowdoin College in 1984 and Cornell Law School in 1988, and was admitted to the New York bar in 1989. He is the son of the late Alfonso "Doc" Marcelle, who headed Callanan Industries, a highway construction firmMarcelle The Northern District includes all of the Capital Region and touches areas from the Canadian border to Syracuse, Binghamton and the mid-Hudson Valley. In a news release, the White House noted Marcelle had worked in private practice focused on election and constitutional issues. In 2001, Marcelle argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the Good News Club in Otsego, which prevailed in its battle to allow elementary school students to hold after-school meetings to pray and study the Bible. In a 6-3 decision, judges determined that allowing the meetings in school would not be an unconstitutional endorsement of religion in the Milford school district. COLONIE The family of the former FBI informant who owns the limousine involved in the fatal Schoharie crash has faced scrutiny at least twice for costly fires, including one that destroyed a Bentley luxury car and another that burned down a residence in Loudonville. Neither Shahed Hussain nor his two sons, Nauman and Shahyer, were accused of wrongdoing in the incidents. The first blaze occurred in October 2003 and, at the time, Shahed Hussain was working as an informant for the FBI in a counter-terrorism sting in Albany. His undercover role in the terror case brought FBI agents to the scene of the fire out of concern that someone may have identified their informant and wanted to kill him. The fire destroyed the Route 9 residence and nearly killed Hussain's wife, Yasmeem Begum, who was alone in the house and had been trapped on the second floor when it started. Fire investigators told the Times Union this week they suspected it had been started by a pedestal-style kerosene heater in the living room that may have burst into flames after Hussain filled it with gasoline instead of kerosene. The second fire took place in 2013 after Hussains son, Shahyer, returned a 2005 Bentley Continental GT to the Warren County auto dealer where the vehicle had been purchased. Shahyer Hussain said the vehicle had a transmission problem and that it may be covered by the manufacturer's warranty. The car dealer brought the car to Andrew Ratto, a mechanic who owned Ridge Road Car Care in Queensbury. Ratto recalled that the shop was busy that July when the dealer dropped off the Bentley and he stored it behind the shop. A few days later, Ratto said he moved the Bentley inside the shop after spotting fingerprints on the car's hubcaps that made it appear someone had tried to pry them off. "We never kept a car in the space," he said, describing how he moved the Bentley into an area in the center of the shop's interior. On July 30, Ratto discovered the Bentley's transmission cooler line had apparently been taken out, causing the problem. It meant the costly repair, estimated at around $15,000, would not be covered by the warranty. "There was damage that didn't appear accidental," Ratto said. "They literally ripped it from the transmission cooler." Around 3 a.m. on July 31, Warren County sheriff's deputies went to Ratto's residence to tell him his shop was on fire. Investigators determined the fire had burned the hottest in the center part of the shop, where the Bentley was stored, and that indicated it may have started in that area. When he was looking through photos of the damage after the fire, Ratto said he noticed the Bentley's car door was open. Ratto said he thought that was unusual because in his experience with car fires they usually melt the plastic interior and seal the doors shut. The investigators suggested that firefighters opened it to help put out any fire inside, he said. "There's no way you're going to open that," Ratto said. He added that he always locked the shop's doors at the end of the day, and that two drawers in a desk had been ripped out and thrown across the floor, but a cash box was left untouched. That morning was the first time he met Shahyer Hussain. Ratto said he was approached by a man at the scene of the fire who told him that the Bentley was his and he wanted Ratto's insurance information. Eventually, Hussains' insurance paid out $39,000. The company then filed a $70,000 claim against Ratto. That began the years-long battle that led to him losing the business. "It was a huge loss," he said, noting 14 vehicles were destroyed. "It's still difficult to drive down that way." Investigators deemed the fire suspicious but did not determine a cause. Their open-ended determination prevented Rattos insurance company from paying out his claim. He didnt have the money to rebuild and eventually lost the business to back taxes. Weve been fighting this for five years, he said. Ratto said the building was not equipped with alarms and he was not aware if police ever interviewed the Hussain family. The Post-Star first reported the connection between the fire and the Hussains. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. On Thursday, Ratto said he is not accusing anyone in the family of involvement but said he believes the blaze was arson and that investigators never focused on that potential. I felt like I was being dismissed, he said. At the time, in the aftermath of the fire, I felt like everyone was against me. The statute of limitations for arson is five years, while the statute of limitations for insurance fraud is six years. In the 2003 blaze, a Loudonville residence owned by Begum Shahed Hussain's wife caught fire on a Wednesday afternoon. Begum suffered minor burns when she tried to escape down an interior staircase and was forced to kick out a second-floor bathroom window and jump to safety. Pete Lattanzio, who retired in 2012 from his job as chief of town of Colonie's Fire Prevention and Investigation Office, said he remembered being uncertain why two FBI agents showed up at the fire scene. "That was a red flag for me as to why the FBI was at a fire scene in my jurisdiction," said Lattanzio, who had worked in that office for 27 years. "At the time we didn't know he was an informant and when he arrived on the scene he was a very, very nervous individual. He did not want to share any information with me. ... He said 'I don't want to talk to you.'" But eventually Hussain climbed into Lattanzio's vehicle and consented to an interview. Lattanzio said he asked Hussain where he purchased the kerosene for the heater and his response was startling. "He gave me a puzzled look," Lattanzio said. "He's like, 'I own a gas station. I put gasoline in there.' So the heater was working beyond its design and capacity. ... We were pretty comfortable that fire originated in or around that kerosene heater." It's unclear whether Begum or Hussain collected an insurance policy for the loss of the residence. The burned shell of the residence remained untouched for two years. Begum later died in 2013, although no cause of death is listed in public records. John F. Morgan, a retired ATF special agent and fire investigator who helped examine the Loudonville fire scene, said their agency agreed with Lattanzio that the heater appeared to be the culprit, but that "it would have been impossible to exactly determine the cause of the fire based on the severity of the damage." On Wednesday, Hussain's son, Nauman, was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court on a single count of criminal negligent homicide in last Saturday's fatal crash. He posted $150,000 bond and was released after agreeing to surrender his U.S. passport. State Police said Nauman Hussain was culpable for the crash in Schoharie because he had received a written notice in early September to take the 2001 Ford Excursion limo off the road for having mechanical problems that made it unsafe. He also was notified in writing that the driver, Scott T. Lisinicchia, lacked the proper license to drive that limousine. Lisinicchia was killed along with 17 passengers and two bystanders when the vehicle sped through an intersection and crashed head-on into an embankment along Route 30A in Schoharie. ALBANY - Assemblyman Jake Ashby barely had time to settle in at the Legislative Office Building in Albany this spring before he was running for a full term in the seat formerly held by Steve McLaughlin. After narrowly winning the seat by 174 votes in an April special election, the Castleton Republican is going up against New Lebanon Democrat Tistrya Houghtling on Nov. 6 to represent the 107th Assembly District for the next two years. The district, evenly divided between Republicans, Democrats and independent voters, includes the northeast portion of Columbia County, most of Rensselaer County and the southeast corner of Washington County. Houghtling, who describes herself as a "working class mother of three," won the Democratic primary on Sept. 13 against attorney Don Boyajian. Before being elected town clerk in 2015 in her hometown of New Lebanon, she served as town court clerk for five years and organized large-scale events before that. She touts her eight years of involvement in local government, and noted that it dwarfed the 10 months Ashby served in the Rensselaer County Legislature and state Assembly. Ashby's resume includes military service in Iraq and Afghanistan, teaching at Maria College and forming his own occupational therapy company. "When you look at qualifications, between myself and my opponent, I think that speaks for itself," he said. He noted that in the U.S. Army Reserves it was his job while abroad to work with native people to resolve local issues, which Ashby said is comparable to the constituent work that is expected in the Assembly. In the Assembly, Ashby introduced legislation regulating 1,4-Dioxane in water, making it easier for occupational therapists to provide treatment and codifying a grace period for pistol permit certifications. Before the legislative session ended, he passed bills naming a bridge and highway and providing tax-exempt status to a local nonprofit. While the three bills weren't controversial and are generally the only types of legislation Republican members pass in the Democratic controlled chamber, Ashby is confident he can get more done "given two years." With a member in the Assembly majority, Houghlting said the district could receive more state funds. Her campaign is highlighting access to solar energy and green jobs, New York producers for state and local procurement, programs enabling seniors to age in place, incentives to leave social welfare programs and local control of Medicaid spending. If elected, Houghtling said she'll promote the rural communities in the district. "It's not my voice that I'm bringing to Albany, it's everybody's voice," she said. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Ashby countered that Houghtling would be a rubber stamp for Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and the Democratic leadership in the Assembly. Houghtling has charged Ashby with being a puppet for McLaughlin and Rensselaer County Republicans. They're also divided on the $13.7 million in local incentives, including $9.9 million in property tax breaks, proposed to bring an Amazon distribution center to Schodack. Houghtling said communities should avoid a "race to the bottom" and incentivize small businesses, while Ashby anticipates this is a "very good opportunity" and feels the right encouragement is being offered. With less than four weeks for voters to make up their minds, the race has not commanded the same amount of attention of spending as the special election. 107th Assembly District Assemblyman Jake Ashby (R,C,I,Reform) Key Issues: Ethics reform, gun ownership rights and regulating environmental contaminants. Tistrya Houghlting (D,Green,WFP,WEP) Key Issues: Senior living at home, expand access to solar energy and prioritize New York producers for state and local procurement. District: Parts of Washington, Rensselaer, Columbia counties Enrollment: 28.7% Democratic, 28.5% Republican and 29.7% unaffiliated See More Collapse As of Thursday afternoon, no independent expenditures had been reported in the district, while the New York State United Teachers union and the Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee invested more than $130,000 to defeat Ashby when it was an open seat. Houghtling had $32,257 to spend a month before Election Day and Ashby had $13,567. David.Lombardo@timesunion.com - 518.454.5427 - @poozer87 Washington Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell acknowledged Wednesday that Republicans have a long-standing gender gap when it comes to American women, but he stood by one key Senate woman, saying "nobody's going to beat" Lisa Murkowski of Alaska despite her opposition to Brett Kavanaugh. In an Associated Press interview, McConnell took issue with President Donald Trump, who has said Alaska voters "will never forgive" Murkowski and that she'll "never recover" politically after bucking her party on Kavanaugh last week. The GOP leader said he doesn't think the acrimonious battle over confirming Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court amid sexual misconduct allegations made the gap in which Republicans trail Democrats in support among women any worse. "I don't see how it could be much wider than it already was," he said. "We've always had that," though in general "it clearly is wider than it used to be." On a positive note for his party, he said he expects the Kavanaugh confirmation fight and approval to provide an "adrenaline shot" of GOP enthusiasm at the polls. The GOP leader said it's not that there aren't enough Republican women running, but that they don't win their elections the way Democratic women do. The 76-year-old McConnell said one change he's hoping to see is on the Senate's Judiciary Committee. The all-male line-up on the Republican side drew attention during the confirmation hearings for Kavanaugh. McConnell said he's hoping to persuade more Republican women to join the committee. As for the accusations against Kavanaugh, he said he found Christine Blasey Ford's account of her sexual assault "convincing" but noted that there had been no corroboration. The GOP leader also split from Trump to defend Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, whom the president accused of leaking a private letter from Ford, the California professor who accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault. "I haven't criticized Dianne," McConnell said. When Trump made his case against Feinstein at a rally Tuesday night, the crowd in Iowa chanted "lock her up." Feinstein has denied that she or her staff released the letter. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. However, McConnell has been highly critical of what he calls the "mob" of protesters who swarmed the Capitol confronting senators over the Kavanaugh vote. Facing the prospect of a tough midterm election that could sway control of the House, McConnell warned that Democrats will pay a political price if they win and then use their majority to dig into investigating Trump next year. He says it would help Trump in 2020 the way President Bill Clinton's impeachment cost Republicans two decades ago. If control of Congress does split, he envisions a GOP Senate majority keeping full-throttle on confirming the president's nominees. He bemoaned what he considered Democrats tying the Senate in knots with procedural votes on less controversial executive branch nominations. One key nomination could be for a new attorney general if the president fires Jeff Sessions, as has been hinted, after the midterm elections. McConnell declined to weigh in on a possible replacement except to say he or she would not be coming from the ranks of his slim 51-seat Senate majority. An East Bay limousine company whose namesake was at the center of a deadly car crash that killed 20 people in upstate New York says its business has severely declined over the past few days and they want to set the record straight. Cameron Satti, a spokesperson for Prestige Limousine in Concord, said the company typically receives about 25 calls a day. Since news of the devastating limo crash in Schoharie, N.Y., on Oct 6., calls to the Bay Area company have dropped to a mere four or five. They've also received several cancellations, all from customers who now associate the company with the one responsible for New York's crash. ALBANY The owner of the stretch SUV limo that crashed Saturday in Schoharie County killing 20 people lacked what is called "operating authority" from the state Department of Transportation, a certification granted only after a lengthy review of the company's finances, safety record and criminal history. The operating authority certification typically takes six to 16 weeks and includes a 30-day period in which the public can "object to the applicant's fitness and ability." The certification is required in addition to state safety inspections and motor vehicle registration. Prestige Limousine, the owner of the 2001 Ford Excursion that was involved in the Schoharie tragedy, was cited during inspections in both March and September for lacking operating authority from the DOT, along with numerous safety violations, including defective brakes, inoperable emergency exits and a dangling hydraulic brake line. After each inspection, Prestige was given 15 days to correct the problems. However, even if the company had made the needed repairs, Prestige still should not have been offering limo services to the public until it obtained its operating authority from the DOT. "State Operating Authority violation. Vehicle requires NYSDOT Authority to operate for hire," the Sept. 4 DOT inspection report of the Excursion states. Limo companies that begin operations before obtaining their operating authority certification from DOT can be fined $5,000. DOT spokesman Joseph Morrissey declined to comment on the question of whether Prestige had applied for operating authority or had an application denied. However, DOT has never granted Prestige or its officers permission or authority to operate in New York. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. It is also unclear if the DOT ever notified the state Department of Motor Vehicles about the violations. Under state transportation law the DOT commissioner can notify the DMV that a company is operating its passenger vehicles without certification. "Commissioner of motor vehicles shall thereupon suspend the registration or registrations of all motor vehicles owned or operated by such person," New York's transportation law states. Between its March 21 and Sept. 4 roadside inspections, the Excursion was driven nearly 1,300 miles during which time Prestige lacked operating authority certification. Prestige also owned two Lincoln town cars that would have also been illegally driven without operating authority from DOT. The Excursion stretch limo also was not properly registered with the state as a bus as required because it had room for more than 10 passengers. That classification would have subjected the company to more stringent regulation, including inspections every six months that school buses and motor coaches have to undergo. The crash continues to be investigated by numerous agencies including the National Transportation Safety Board. The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it will also conduct a review. The number of refugees resettled in Albany plummeted this year even though the main resettlement agency in the Capital Region said it can support three times as many. New data from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, analyzed by the Associated Press, reported that the number of refugees settled in New York state dropped from 5,000 in 2016 to 1,280 in 2018. Less than 100 refugees were settled in Albany in 2018 compared to more than 400 in 2016. Jill Peckenpaugh, the director of the Albany office of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), said the agency settled 150 refugees in the fiscal year 2018 that ended Sept. 30. The number includes refugees on Special Immigrant Visas, available to Iraqis or Afghans who worked as translators with the U.S. military, which were not included in the Associated Press figures. Peckenpaugh said most refugees on SIV visas in Albany are from Afghanistan. Peckenpaugh was expecting closer to 200 refugees this year, but at the last minute a couple large families were delayed because of medical checks, which isn't uncommon, she said. She said the agency could support as many as 600 refugees. Many of the refugees coming to Albany in 2016 were from Afghanistan, Burma and Syria, but refugees from those countries have dropped off precipitously. The highest numbers now are from the Congo, followed by Afghanistan and Burma. Peckenpaugh said about half of the people arriving in Albany have family ties in the U.S. Others are waiting for family members in war zones like Syria, the Congo and Afghanistan to join them here. "We hear in the news about the awful tragedies that happen and the war that continues there," Peckenpaugh said. "Some people we've resettled in recent years, they lost family members because they don't get out in time." More for you Capital Region immigrants find little leniency under Trump policies U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Sept. 17 that the U.S. will cap refugee admissions at 30,000 for next year, down from 45,000 this year. Obama's administration set the cap at 110,000 the year before. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The actual number admitted this year didn't reach the cap though. At the end of the 2018 fiscal year, the U.S. had resettled 22,491 refugees. USCRI Albany seeks volunteers What: Manage the front desk, drive refugees to doctors' appointments and assist with citizenship applications When: Any hours between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Where: 99 Pine St., Suite 101, Albany, NY 12207 Contact: Phone: 518-459-1790 Email: info@uscri-albany.org See More Collapse Pompeo told press on Sept. 17 that the U.S. will focus in the future on processing 280,000 more asylum seekers at the borders and strengthening security vetting. He said the refugee ceiling cap shouldn't be viewed "as the sole barometer of America's commitment to vulnerable people around the world" and cited the country's global humanitarian program that gave more than $8 billion this year. "There's so many refugees in the world that are in a state of limbo, they're not getting resettled," Peckenpaugh said. "The families are separated for a longer time, often their education and ability to work has been interrupted or suspended, they just want to go on to be contributing members of the community. For humanitarian and economic reasons, New York state and the U.S. needs refugees." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Ankara, Turkey One is the chief of forensic evidence at Saudi Arabia's internal security agency. Another is an officer in the Saudi special operations forces who posted pictures of himself on social media posing in a living room with a shiny stainless steel handgun. Two others appear to be members of the Saudi royal guard, pictured in a Saudi newspaper photograph next to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. All four were among 15 men that Turkish officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, have identified as Saudi operatives who flew last week to Istanbul in pursuit of Jamal Khashoggi, a political dissident, who has not been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate there on Oct. 2. Turkish officials say that Khashoggi was killed at the consulate and that his body was dismembered and taken away an allegation that the Saudi government has vehemently denied. Khashoggi, a veteran Saudi commentator, U.S. resident and Washington Post columnist, had become a prominent critic of the kingdom's current rulers. Saudi leaders, including the crown prince himself, have said Khashoggi left the consulate freely, shortly after he entered, and they have no knowledge of his fate. Turkish officials have cited confidential intelligence establishing that he is dead, but declined to publicize the evidence. Now, disclosure of the names of the Saudi operatives who flew into Turkey, only to leave again hours later, appears to be part of a stream of leaks from the Turkish government intended to put pressure on the Saudis to admit that Khashoggi had been killed, and to spur international outrage. Turkish officials identified the 15 men to a Turkish newspaper and to The New York Times. After days of noncommunication, Saudi officials Tuesday began to contact Turkish counterparts for secret talks about resolving the matter, and the Saudis have told Washington they believe they can smooth over the issue, according to both Turkish and U.S. officials briefed on the discussions. Turkish officials have said they, too, hope to avoid a face-off with Saudi Arabia, another major regional power. But the leaks also threaten to make it harder for both sides to save face for example, by a compromise in which the Saudis would acknowledge the killing of Khashoggi but blame it on rogue actors or an unauthorized operation. Several Saudis on the list provided by the Turks appear to have public ties to the Saudi leadership and the crown prince, who doubles as the defense minister and has been described as the power behind the throne of his father, King Salman. With the help of amateur researchers on Twitter, The Times was able to match many of the Saudis with publicly available photographs and biographical details. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. If these 15 men killed Khashoggi on the orders of the Saudi royal court, as Turkish officials have charged, the easy identification of the assassins indicates they did little to cover their tracks that they were either careless or wanted their actions to be discovered, perhaps to intimidate others. The Turkish newspaper Sabah published photographs of all 15 Saudis. One appears to be Salah Muhammad al-Tubaigy, who is the chief of forensic evidence in the public security directorate of the Interior Ministry; Turkish officials have said the Saudi team arrived prepared to dismember Khashoggi's body for removal from the consulate, and al-Tubaigy was presumably sent to help manage disposal and cleanup. Naif Hassan al-Arifi matches an officer in the Saudi special operations forces who likes to post pictures on social media posing with his guns. Muhammed Saad al-Zahrani and Thaar Ghaleb al-Harbi were both pictured standing with the crown prince in a video posted online by a pro-government Saudi news organization. Al-Harbi was reportedly promoted to lieutenant last October for his role in defending the crown prince's palace in Jiddah from an attack. Meshal Saad al-Bostani appears to be a Saudi air force lieutenant who studied at the University of Louisville. Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb appears to be an officer in the Saudi intelligence service who was previously stationed as a diplomat in the Saudi Embassy in Britain. Mansour Othman Aba Husein was promoted in February to the rank of colonel in a civil defense force, according to a tweet by a friend. Waleed Abdullah al-Shehri was promoted last year to major in the air force. He may also have aspired to write poetry; he appears in footage from 2012 of an Emirati reality television competition for amateur poets. Simon asked how it took five years for LaFlower to be caught. LaFlower said, I dont have an answer for that. LaFlower added, though, that at one point a member of the FOP wanted to do an audit, and LaFlower said he doctored statements to throw people off, he said. 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. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. "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 Nenagh received a further boost this week with news that the town's Martyr's Road area is to benefit from further significant investment. This follows on from the 12m redevelopment of the former O'Connors Shopping Centre site by Two-Mile Borris developer Martin Healy, which opened in September. The latest development will ensure job retention and creation for Nenagh and comes following the completion of deals with two independent investors for the refurbishment of the Abbey Court Hotel and the development of the adjacent residential site and zoned land. The total amount of investment will come to around 10m. The hotel investor has committed to a 10-year plan with the existing management company, while the residential site and adjacent zoned land will be developed by a separate group of investors, approved under the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP). This programme is open to non-EEA nationals who commit to an approved investment in Ireland. It requires a minimum investment of 1m, from the applicants own resources and not financed through a loan or other such facility, which must be committed for a minimum of three years. While the investors have not been named, rumours in Nenagh are that the funding is coming through a Chinese company. The hotel refurbishment, together with a further 8.5m investment in the surrounding development site, is significant, according to local Labour TD Alan Kelly. He said that a 10-year management agreement with the existing management company, Merriman Ltd, had been reached with the hotels private investor and this, together with development plans for the adjoining site, will see a potential 10m investment in the next three years. Deputy Kelly said that having worked closely with the owners of the Abbey Court, his concern was for the staff and the wider Nenagh community. To be in the position to introduce such an investor to Merriman Ltd is most satisfying. The combination of this private investment together with an input from the Immigrant Investor Programme demonstrates the success of this financial model in accessing regional investment for developing such sites, he said. Deputy Kelly emphasised that the hotel and site development further tied in to the overhaul of the OConnors site with its re-development by Lidl and Mr Price. Planning permission for Mr Price is pending. With First Data and other developments elsewhere in the town, this is a huge vote of confidence in Nenagh and its future, he said. The Abbey Court Hotel was developed by JP Ryan over a 10-year period between 1995 and 2005 on the site of the old Nenagh Motor Inn. He went on to construct 24 on-site houses on a phased basis up to 2006. Mr Ryan who is looking forward to his retirement, expressed his satisfaction that the future of the hotel and surrounding development was secure. I can never adequately thank the loyal management team and staff for their support in the tough times of recession and Im so happy that the future of the hotel is secure, he said. Hotel manager Matthias Muller said that the venture fulfilled expectations for the survival and future of a highly significant tourism and local amenity. We are encouraged by this injection support that allows us to continue the development of our vision for the hotel and the imaginative future strategy that we have put in place, he said. Not only will it be a strong tourism product, it will be an amenity for locals as well. The Board of Commissioners and County Council, in the memo, said Gary and other municipalities have other financial options at its disposal that taking the tax distribution from Lake County. The two boards suggested adopting a rational method of budgeting; adopting policies that help increase the property tax base; cede services best performed by the county, such as health departments; request assistance for governmental functions from the Distressed Unit Appeal Board; and ask the Legislature for the ability to levy a 1 percent local income tax for their communities. Over 40 people staged a a peaceful protest at Nenagh Civic Offices this Wednesday in protest over Tipperary County Council's decision to harmonise in the wake of the amalgamation of North and South County Councils in 2015. According to the organisers, many see the rises as a "rack rent" increase forced on them by the Tipperary County Council CEO Joining th group were Cllr Seamie Morris and Cllr Pat English, along with Deputy Seamus Healy. All 40 county councillors and Tipperary's five TDs had been invited, according to Mr Edwards. Cllr Michael Smith was also present, but the organisers stated that the Roscrea councillor had not taken part in the protest when they entered the building. They described the protest as "peaceful and even jovial". Since the increase in August the rent arrears total has increased by almost 200,000 an indication that many can just not afford the 50--70 increase per week forced on some tenants whose only income increase was 5 on social welfare, they said. Many are worried for the most vulnerable, the elderly and those on fixed social welfare payments, considering the increase level this will leave many unable to buy fuel for heat this winter. At present many are having the maximum deduction allowed under social welfare regulations taken directly and then having to use top-up cards to pay the rest "If the rules only allow a specific percentage to be taken, top-up cards are ill advised," said the organisers. Many tenants had been shocked to learn that welfare payments to struggling low paid workers (FIS) was being used to calculate rent along with Carers Allowance. Social welfare was supposed to be the bare minimum needed to survive, yet despite only a 5 per week increase many had seen increases of 40, 50 and 60-70 per week in rent, they said. Those organising the protests, who are based in Roscrea, Nenagh, Borrisokane, Templemore, Clonmel and now Carrick-on-Suir, say the protest will continue and will grow until the CEO or those elected to represent them decide to see the reality many face and end what they said were these "massive increases" until the National Rent Review was complete or a more realistic rent increase was applied. [October 10, 2018] VillageMD's Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer is Named AAFP's Robert Graham Physician Executive of 2018 Dr. Clive Fields, President, Village Family Practice, and Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, VillageMD, is the recipient of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Robert Graham Physician Executive of the Year. The award recognizes Dr. Fields as a visionary physician executive who has made significant contributions to the specialty of family medicine, promoting higher-quality, cost-effective care in communities across the U.S. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181010006027/en/ "Dr. Fields' tireless efforts have demonstrated that family physicians can- and should-lead the fundamental changes that are needed in our nation's health care system," said Michael Munger, MD, FAAFP, President, AAFP. "He has truly made a difference in his community and beyond, and he has set a high standard as a family physician leader." Dr. Fields began his career at Village Family Practice in Houston in 1991, quickly building a reputation as a physician executive, incorporating experiences from the exam room and the board room to drive improved patient outcomes. Dr. Fields was an early adopter of data-driven, risk stratified care management. These strategies are now being used across the country to improve clinical quality, patient and provider experience, and lower the total cost of healthcare. In 2013 Dr. Fields co-founded VillageMD, an orgnization committed to improving the impact that family physicians have on the health of their patients and in the broader communities where they work. VillageMD provides the data, provider contracts and clinical work flows that allow Family Physicians to succeed in a value oriented payment model. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) consistently recognize VillageMD partners as high-performing practices. VillageMD is one of the fastest growing providers of primary care in the U.S. "It is an honor to be recognized by the AAFP as the recipient of this year's Physician Executive of the Year Award. It is personally humbling to be recognized for my work, but even more importantly, I am proud to be part of the increasing impact primary care physicians are having on our healthcare system, and one of the many physicians who believe that primary care is the most effective place for healthcare innovation, driving improved clinical outcomes and healthcare affordability," said Dr. Fields. Dr. Fields has participated in local, state, and national executive positions, and is currently Chairman of the Accountable Care Coalition of Texas, one of the country's most successful Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP). He has been honored as one Houston's Top Doctors by H Magazine and Texas Monthly, and is a regular contributor to industry publications. About VillageMD: VillageMD is a leading provider of health care for organizations moving toward a primary care-led, high-value clinical model. The VillageMD solution provides the tools, technology, operations, and staffing support needed for physicians to drive the highest quality clinical results across a population. VillageMD works with physician groups, independent practice associations, and health systems to improve quality, deliver a first-rate patient experience, and lower costs in the communities they serve. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181010006027/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 10, 2018] Go-MaD.AI Wins Top 50 Healthcare Leaders Award to be conferred at the Smart Health Dubai KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Go-MaD.AI, the on-demand Nutritionist platform, has been selected for the prestigious 'Top 50 Healthcare Leaders Award' to be conferred at the Smart Health conference on 13th-14th November in Dubai for its analytics-based solutions that enable seamless, real time preventive healthcare services and nutrition awareness creation. The Top 50 Healthcare Leaders was awarded to Go-MaD.AI after a stringent assessment and extensive research by awards committee who rated each applicant on five parameters: Overall Reach, Industry Impact, Spirit of Innovation, Future Readiness and Market Demand. Commenting on this achievement, Go-MaD.AI founder Mr. Chenyi Ang said, "Go-MaD.AI was developed as an innovative digital platfrm that connects Nutritionists to public by having 1-click Nutritionists service booking mobile App. Go-MaD.AI App has Artificial Intelligence powered meal tracking function that can identify the food composition from food photo and proceed with food analysis. This AI feature is an assistant tool for nutritionists on personalize nutrition services offering." "Go-MaD.AI has competed with global healthcare market players for this award," Ms. WenWen Chua, co-founder of Go-MaD.AI added. "This recognition validates us to global attention which motivates us further in keeping up with innovation and keep pushing the boundaries in our field." Smart Health 2018 is a Healthcare Tech conference and award ceremony organized as a part of the conference to recognize the individuals and in honoring 50 such companies who have aided the advancement of healthcare through their 'Top 50 Healthcare Leaders' award. The conference offers a forum for the technological and professional exchange of knowledge, skills, and tools related to the broad field of Healthcare Tech. In Malaysia, Singapore and other Asia developing/developed countries, the rising living standards have contributed to the alarming rise in lifestyle diseases. There is also a lack of nutritional knowledge, awareness and access to nutritionists. The team aims to bring nutritionist closer and accessible to people as well as promoting preventive healthcare services and nutrition awareness through a model application based on AI Technology which creates the virtual nutritionist model by using Machine Learning techniques. Go-MaD.AI was just launched in August 2018 in Malaysia and has successfully achieved more than 200 downloads within 2 months. Aside from Malaysia, expansion into Singapore and Taiwan is in the pipeline with collaboration with local healthcare industry players. Media Contact: Chenyi Ang, +60-1-2345-4650 Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20181010/2263486-1 SOURCE Go-MaD.AI [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 10, 2018] CenturyLink to open security operations center in Singapore Company focused on helping Asia Pacific enterprises mitigate threats in evolving cyberthreat landscape SINGAPORE, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In the era of digital business, enterprises need to be able to assess and mitigate cybersecurity threats. According to the CenturyLink 2018 Threat Report, China, South Korea and Vietnam are at the top of the list of channels and targets of malicious cyber activity in Asia Pacific. To address the growing need for cybersecurity resources serving enterprises, CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) is opening a new security operations center (SOC) in Singapore. To learn more about CenturyLink's security solutions in Asia Pacific, visit: https://www.centurylink.com.sg/security.html. "Singapore offers one of the most advanced IT infrastructures globally, and its continuous focus on cybersecurity makes it a compelling choice for our new SOC," said Francis Thangasamy, vice president, IT services and managed hosting, CenturyLink, Asia Pacific. Today, CenturyLink operates seven SOCs globally. The new SOC, the company's eighth, will sere Asia Pacific enterprise customers beginning in early 2019. "CenturyLink's Security Operations Center adds to a growing ecosystem of cybersecurity companies establishing technical capabilities in Singapore," said Mr. Ang Chin Tah, Director of Infocomms and media, Singapore Economic Development Board. "In addition, the center will create opportunities for Singaporeans to be trained in sought-after cross-industry skillsets such as incident analysis, incident management and response, and threat intelligence." Additional Resources For more info about CenturyLink's security services: https://www.centurylink.com/business/managed-services/managed-security.html Discover the depth and breadth of CenturyLink's Security Services: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPmySkMoHRI&feature=youtu.be Hear key takeaways from the CenturyLink 2018 Threat Report: https://youtu.be/3U1aIJqejjs Learn how CenturyLink takes cyber intelligence to the next level with its expanded view of threatscape: http://news.centurylink.com/2018-04-03-CenturyLink-takes-cyber-intelligence-to-the-next-level-with-expanded-view-of-threatscape About CenturyLink CenturyLink (NYSE: CTL) is the second largest U.S. communications provider to global enterprise customers. With customers in more than 60 countries and an intense focus on the customer experience, CenturyLink strives to be the world's best networking company by solving customers' increased demand for reliable and secure connections. The company also serves as its customers' trusted partner, helping them manage increased network and IT complexity and providing managed network and cyber security solutions that help protect their business. Media Contact: Darryn Lim +65 6768 8085 Darryn.Lim@centurylink.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/628320/CENTURYLINK_Logo.jpg SOURCE CenturyLink [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 10, 2018] National University Named a Sharp HealthCare Preferred Higher Education Partner The private, nonprofit National University and Sharp (News - Alert) HealthCare have announced a new scholarship program for Sharp HealthCare employees that will expand their community of professionals trained in skills and specialties that align with the needs of San Diego's largest and most comprehensive health care system. Sharp HealthCare is among the Top Five employers of National University alumni, and the agreement builds on that strong connection by offering a 25 percent scholarship for all qualified employees. With National University designated as a Sharp HealthCare preferred higher education partner, the two institutional powerhouses will collaborate even more closely to strengthen regional workforce skills that benefit and improve health care for the region's population. The National University-Sharp HealthCare educational and scholarship partnership allows for the organization's 18,000 qualified employees to advance their education through the University's more than 100 programs, including through the School of Health and Human Services. It also creates a framework for solidifying more externship and hiring opportunities for National University graduates. The partnership with National University is part of a wider workforce partnership and scholarship initiative by the private, nonprofit National University System, which also includes John F. Kennedy University and City University of Seattle. The partnerships, many of which include a scholarship component, include Boeing (News - Alert) and YMCA. Scholarship opportunities have also been made available through the public sector, including City of San Diego, the County of San Diego and numerous law enforcement agencies. "We are very pleased to be partnering with Sharp HealthCare, a world-class organization that is committed to supporting healthier communities and the highest quality of health care by offering their employees access to a quality affordable education through National University," said Dr. Michael R. Cunningham, Chancellor of the National University System. "National University System is committed to developing comprehensive organizational partnerships that align workforce needs with customized educational offerings across a range of sectors that benefit the communities we serve nationwide." The partnership solidifies natural alignments between the two organizations. Sharp HealthCare and National University, through its School of Health and Human Services, have also both been recognized as leaders in person-centered healthcare principles by Planetree International Inc., a mission-based nonprofit that partners with healthcare organizations around the world dedicated to providing person-centered care, which is defined broadly as the active participation of patients and their families throughout the health care process - factors that are increasingly linked to measurements of positive health care outcomes. In the San Diego region, Planetree Gold Designation has been achieved by Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, Sharp Coronado Hospital and Sharp Memorial Hospital. In addition, the National University School of Health and Human Services in 2017 was awarded Planetree Silver Recognition for Significant Advancement in Person-Centered Care, thus becoming the first academic institution in the world to achieve Planetree Recognition. "At Sharp HealthCare, we are committed to offering our communities an exceptional standard of health care by creating a truly personalized experience that places patients and families at the center of what we do," said Michael W. Murphy, CEO of Sharp HealthCare. "The partnership with National University aligns with our commitment to provide employees with access to affordable, ongoing academic and professional development opportunities at academic institutions to advance their professional opportunities and assist us in meeting the health care needs of the communities we serve." The new scholarship is open to Sharp HealthCare's 18,000 qualified employees across the organization and offers them a chance to continue their education in a range of related programs such as nursing, organizational leadership, accounting, data analytics and tech-related fields. Heath care providers that pursue advanced degrees not only benefit patients but also can lead to greater salary compensation and specialization paths. In addition to campuses located throughout San Diego County, National University offers online programs that make a quality education accessible to working adults, including in the health care fields. The School of Health and Human Services consists of the departments of Community Health, Health Sciences and Nursing, which offer 17 degree programs and provide a wide range of online and onsite undergraduate and graduate programs. The School has also spearheaded the creation of a network of community-based clinics, which provide students opportunities to explore public health projects in the Los Angeles area that use telehealth technologies to connect the region's most under-served residents with access to ongoing health care services. About National University Founded in 1971, National University is among the largest, private, nonprofit universities in California with more than 150,000 alumni. National University is headquartered in La Jolla, California. http://www.nu.edu About Sharp HealthCare Sharp HealthCare, San Diego's most comprehensive health care delivery system, is recognized for clinical excellence in cardiac, cancer, multi-organ transplantation, orthopedics, rehabilitation, behavioral health, women's health, home health and hospice services. Sharp Health News View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181010006042/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 10, 2018] Vestas boosts Victorian renewable jobs and investment with Renewable Energy Hub in Geelong MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Vestas today announced the establishment of the Vestas Renewable Energy Hub (the Hub) in Geelong, a multi-disciplinary industry development initiative that will support and expand the Victorian renewable energy sector. Today's announcement is part of Vestas' commitment to supporting the Victorian Renewable Energy Target through developing the Hub concept in direct response to the key initiatives outlined in Victoria's New Energy Technologies sector strategy. This announcement follows the state government's award of State support agreements to the Berrybank and Dundonnell Wind Farm projects, both of which are Vestas partners. The Hub will feature a full range of activities, including turbine subcomponent assembly, wind park maintenance, logistics, and advanced materials and manufacturing sciences. In the process, the Hub will create 25 new local jobs in Geelong and inject up to A$3.5 million in the local economy. "As a premier regional port with a highly skilled workforce and world-class research facility, Geelong was the logical choice for our investment," said Anders Runevad, CEO & Group President, Vestas Wind Systems A/S. "The Hub would not have been possible without the support of the state government and its efforts to secure competitively-priced renewable energy while maximising the positive impact on the comunity. In addition to directly creating local jobs, the Hub will also present many opportunities for regional businesses and the whole Victorian supply chain". The Renewable Energy Hub forms part of a multi-disciplinary industry development initiative by Vestas, which also includes: Establishing the Western Victorian Service Support Centre, to service the growing Vestas turbine fleet in Western Victoria ; Entering into a multi-year partnership with Federation University's Ballarat Renewable Training Centre to deliver training and employment opportunities for wind turbine technicians; Establishing the Vestas Australian Main Component Logistics Centre in Geelong, a specialist facility for the largest turbine spare parts; Manufacturing wind turbine assemblies in partnership with local contract manufacturers; Forming a partnership with Deakin University's Carbon Nexus to research the next generation carbon fibre to use in making wind turbine blades longer, stronger and more productive. With its regional headquarters in Victoria and the new renewable energy hub in Geelong, these initiatives demonstrate not only the strength of Vestas' existing presence in the region, but also its long-term commitment to supporting the renewable energy sector in Victoria. About Vestas Vestas is the energy industry's global partner on sustainable energy solutions. We design, manufacture, install, and service wind turbines across the globe, and with 94 GW of wind turbines in 79 countries, we have installed more wind power than anyone else. Through our industry-leading smart data capabilities and unparalleled 79 GW of wind turbines under service, we use data to interpret, forecast, and exploit wind resources and deliver best-in-class wind power solutions. Together with our customers, Vestas' more than 24,300 employees are bringing the world sustainable energy solutions to power a bright future. For updated Vestas photographs and videos, please visit our media images page on: https://www.vestas.com/en/media/images. We invite you to learn more about Vestas by visiting our website at www.vestas.com and following us on our social media channels: www.twitter.com/vestas www.linkedin.com/company/vestas www.facebook.com/vestas www.instagram.com/vestas www.youtube.com/vestas SOURCE Vestas Asia Pacific [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 10, 2018] Huawei Cloud Accelerates Globalization Pace By end of September 2018, Huawei Cloud has provided services in Asia Pacific, Africa, and public cloud services with Carriers in Europe, Latin America, besides China market. Huawei Cloud and partner public cloud are available in 14 countries and regions, and will be available in most of the regions around the world by end of 2018. SHANGHAI, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The third annual HUAWEI CONNECT, a global event for the ICT industry, opened yesterday in Shanghai. Themed "Activate Intelligence", this year's event focuses on AI: its challenges, opportunities, innovations, and practices. On the event, Huawei launched its comprehensive AI strategy and full-stack, all-scenario AI portfolio which is designed to provide powerful support for Huawei Cloud EI(Enterprise Intelligence) and HiAI. Huawei is ready to work with all stakeholders to turn AI into a practical reality, making it inclusive and available for every person, every home, and every organization. Deng Tao, Vice president of Huawei Cloud BU introduced that Huawei Cloud EI, an AI service platform for enterprises and governments, was released in September 2017. Huawei Cloud EI will be able to deiver a full-stack portfolio for enterprise and government customers. "We are probably not the best today, but we must be the fastest growing player in cloud industry", said Deng Tao. Established in March 2017, Huawei Cloud BU has unveiled more than 120 cloud services of 18 major categories that have already been proven. These cover more than 60 general solutions including SAP, high-performance computing (HPC), Internet of Things (IoT), Security, DevOps and more than 80 industry scenario solutions covering manufacturing, e-commerce, gaming, finance, Internet of Vehicles (IoV). Referring to Huawei Cloud's globalization and next step, Deng Tao said, "Huawei Cloud is globalized at the beginning of set up. In order to meet the diversified needs of customers, we provide our products and technologies in the form of cloud services through Huawei Cloud and public cloud services with partners as Deutsche Telekom (Germany), Orange (France), Telefonica (Spain) and China Telecom. We have continuously innovated by partnering and launched public cloud services in Europe, Latin America, and China, including the Open Telecom Cloud, Flexible Engine, Telefonica Open Cloud and China Telecom Cloud. Based on Huawei's 30 years of ICT infrastructure experience and nearly 10 years of continuous R&D in cloud computing technologies, Huawei Cloud can provide a one-stop solution to large enterprises, addressing their challenges in digital and cloud transformation, as well as to small and medium-sized companies that aim to expand their business." In 2018, HUAWEI CLOUD officially launched Hong Kong Station, Russia Station and Thailand Station. By end of September 2018, Huawei Cloud has provided services in Asia Pacific and partner public cloud services in Europe, Latin America, besides China market. Huawei Cloud and Huawei partner public cloud are available in 14 countries and regions, and will be available in most of the regions around the world by end of 2018. In the future, HUAWEI CLOUD will keep leveraging its hardware and software advantages to improve cloud service user experience, operations and maintenance (O&M) efficiency and security capabilities. Additionally, Huawei will cooperate with partners to provide the best solutions for enterprises. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] CIAYO Comics participates in ASIAN PARA GAMES 2018 with 'Jendi' JAKARTA, Indonesia, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A digital comic platform from Indonesia, CIAYO Comics, shows their contribution to Asian Para Games 2018 with its special Asian Para Games comic starring Jendi Pangabean, one of Indonesia's excelling para-athletes. The comic titled "Jendi" was released on 30 August 2018 successfully gained positive responses from INAPGOC (Indonesia Asian Para Games 2018 Organizing Committee) and its readers. The Asian Para Games 2018 itself is currently held from 6 to 13 October 2018 in Jakarta. CIAYO Comics deems Jendi's story as an athlete with a disability as a fascinating one that inspires people. Jendi lost his left leg in a motorcycle accident at the age of twelve. His physical disability didn't stop him to win five gold medals in ASEAN Para Games 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His uplifting story is adapted into a comic written by Fahmi Hamka and Tony Hanggoro from CIAYO Comics. The comic tells the story of Jendi struggling with his loss with a dash of light humor to enlighten the mood. In the comic, Jendi has nickname "The Eel", referring to the fish's ability to survive in the worst living environment. The comic is illustrated by DS Studio, a national award-winning studio that has gained many achievements in the comic industry, including first prize in Grandprix Winner Zenon Silent Manga International Competition. With this biographical comic series, Jendi hopes that his story can be an inspiration to many people. "In life, everything must go through a process. Everyone has their own way of life. Hopefully this comic can bring positivity for people [to get through that process in their life]," he said. Other than inspiring people with comics, CIAYO Comics also provides a platform for aspiring comic artists to share their ideas and inspirations with CIAYO Class program. CIAYO Class serves as a program for beginner comic artists to develop and improve their skills and work quality and get the chance to have their work published on CIAYO Comics. This program is expected to encourage more budding talents in the comic industry to inspire and grow the potential of comic artist as a beneficial career and become a valuable asset for the nation. "We are giving our full support to encourage young people to create. With CIAYO Class, we are certain to inspire many young creators, specifically in the comic industry," said Khrisnawan Adhie, Head of Business Development of CIAYO Corp. "More creators means more assets for the country. This is a huge investment for Indonesia's creative industry," he added. About: CIAYO Corp started an intellectual property development business with digital comic application CIAYO Comics in 2016. CIAYO Comics became the first national digital comic platform in Indonesia. CIAYO Corp also runs a game development studio, CIAYO Games under its umbrella, and collaborating with prominent animation studio and game studio, respectively Kumata Studio and Agate Studio. CIAYO Games launched the mobile arcade game "CHIPS: Monster Tap!" which was nominated in Indonesia Game Contest by Google Play and The Best Mobile Game of The Year by Popcon Asia 2017. Operating as a media, CIAYO Corp runs CIAYO Blog to publish contemporary pop culture issues that reaches more than 100.000 readers every month. Contact Person: Michael Tan Public Relation CIAYO Corp +6282273170103 michael.tanajo@gmail.com michael@dragoncapital.center Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20181010/2263596-1 SOURCE CIAYO Corp [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Update on the Offer by Thales for Gemalto Regulatory News: Reference is made to the joint press release by Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) and Gemalto (News - Alert) (Euronext Amsterdam and Paris: GTO) dated 27 March 2018 in relation to the launch of the recommended all-cash offer by Thales for all the issued and outstanding shares of Gemalto (the "Offer"), the publication of the Offer Document, and the joint press release of Thales (News - Alert) and Gemalto dated 10 August 2018 in relation to the further extension of the Acceptance Period. Terms not defined in this press release will have the meaning as set forth in the Offer Document. The contemplated combination is progressing satisfactorily: 6 of the required 14 regulatory clearances have already been obtained, and the steps to obtain the remaining eight1 are well advanced. Thales and Gemalto are discussing with certain antitrust authorities on remedy proposals to address their concerns with respect to the General Purpose Hardware Security Modules (GP HSM) market. As a consequence, Thales and Gemalto now expect to close the offer in the first quarter of 2019. Thales and Gemalto continue to hold constructive discussions with the various regulatory authorities involved. **** This is a joint press release by Thales and Gemalto pursuant to Section 4, paragraph 3 of the Dutch decree on public takeover bids (Besluit openbare biedingen Wft) and section 17 paragraph 1 of the European Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014) in connection with the recommended all-cash offer by Thales for all the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Gemalto, including all American depositary shares. This announcement does not constitute an offer, or any solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities in Gemalto. Any offer is only made by means of the Offer Document dated 27 March 2018, which is available on the website of Thales at www.thalesgroup.com/en/investors and on the website of Gemalto at www.gemalto.com/investors. _______________ 1 Thales and Gemalto are seeking to secure antitrust approvals in Australia, the European Union, Mexico, New-Zealand, Russia, South Africa and the United States. Thales and Gemalto are also seeking to secure regulatory approval relating to foreign investments from the competent authority in Russia. About Thales The people we all rely on to make the world go round - they rely on Thales. Our customers come to us with big ambitions: to make life better, to keep us safer. Combining a unique diversity of expertise, talents and cultures, our architects design and deliver extraordinary high technology solutions. Solutions that make tomorrow possible, today. From the bottom of the oceans to the depth of space and cyberspace, we help our customers think smarter and act faster - mastering ever greater complexity and every decisive moment along the way. With 65,000 employees in 56 countries, Thales reported sales of 15.8 billion in 2017. www.thalesgroup.com About Gemalto Gemalto is the global leader in digital security, with 2017 annual revenues of 3 billion and customers in over 180 countries. We bring trust to an increasingly connected world. From secure software to biometrics and encryption, our technologies and services enable businesses and governments to authenticate identities and protect data so they stay safe and enable services in personal devices, connected objects, the cloud and in between. Gemalto's solutions are at the heart of modern life, from payment to enterprise security and the internet of things. We authenticate people, transactions and objects, encrypt data and create value for software - enabling our clients to deliver secure digital services for billions of individuals and things. Our 15,000 employees operate out of 112 offices, 43 personalization and data centers, and 30 research and software development centers located in 48 countries. www.gemalto.com Notice to U.S. holders of Gemalto Shares The Offer is made for the securities of Gemalto, a public limited liability company incorporated under Dutch Law, and is subject to Dutch disclosure and procedural requirements, which are different from those of the United States of America. The Offer is made in the United States of America in compliance with Section 14(e) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "U.S. Exchange Act"), and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, including Regulation 14E (subject to any exemptions or relief therefrom, if applicable) and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Dutch law. Accordingly, the Offer is subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to the Offer timetable, settlement procedures, withdrawal, waiver of conditions and timing of payments that are different from those applicable under U.S. domestic tender offer procedures and laws. The receipt of cash pursuant to the Offer by a U.S. holder of Gemalto Shares may be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and under applicable state and local, as well as foreign and other tax laws. Each holder of Gemalto shares is urged to consult his independent professional advisor immediately regarding the tax consequences of accepting the Offer. To the extent permissible under applicable laws and regulations, including Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Exchange Act, and in accordance with normal Dutch practice, Thales and its affiliates or its broker and its broker's affiliates (acting as agents or on behalf of Thales or its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time after the date of the joint press release by Thales and Gemalto dated 17 December 2017, and other than pursuant to the Offer, directly or indirectly purchase, or arrange to purchase Shares or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for such Shares. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. In no event will any such purchases be made for a price per Share that is greater than the Offer Price. To the extent information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in The Netherlands, such information will be disclosed by means of a press release or other means reasonably calculated to inform U.S. shareholders of Gemalto of such information. No purchases will be made outside of the Offer in the United States of America by or on behalf of the Thales or its affiliates. In addition, the financial advisors to Thales may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of Gemalto, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities. To the extent required in The Netherlands, any information about such purchases will be announced by press release in accordance with Section 5 paragraph 4 or Section 13 of the Dutch decree on public takeover bids (Besluit openbare biedingen Wft) and posted on the website of Thales at www.thalesgroup.com. Restrictions The distribution of this press release may, in some countries, be restricted by law or regulation. Accordingly, persons who come into possession of this document should inform themselves of and observe these restrictions. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Thales and Gemalto disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violation of any such restrictions by any person. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of that jurisdiction. Neither Thales, nor Gemalto, nor any of their advisors assumes any responsibility for any violation by any of these restrictions. Any Gemalto shareholder who is in any doubt as to his position should consult an appropriate professional advisor without delay. Forward Looking Statements This press release may include '"forward-looking statements" and language indicating trends, such as the words "anticipate", "expect", "approximate", "believe", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "may", "potential" and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are only based upon currently available information and speak only as of the date of this press release. Such forward-looking statements are based upon management's current expectations and are subject to a significant business, economic and competitive risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are unknown and many of which Thales and Gemalto are unable to predict or control. Such factors may cause Thales and/or Gemalto's actual results, performance or plans with respect to the transaction between Thales and Gemalto to differ materially from any future results, performance or plans expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Neither Thales nor Gemalto, nor any of their advisors accepts any responsibility for any financial information contained in this press release relating to the business or operations or results or financial condition of the other or their respective groups. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181010006018/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Board President Angela Richardson-Bryant did not immediately respond to an email or text asking when a final vote would be taken. She did email a reporter during the meeting to say they were returning from closed session. [October 11, 2018] Toshiba Memory Corporation Appoints Stacy J. Smith as Executive Chairman Toshiba Memory Corporation ( TMC (News - Alert) ) today announced the appointment of Stacy J. Smith as Executive Chairman, effective on October 1, 2018. Smith brings a long and proven track record of executive leadership to TMC. He has extensive international experience, having both lived and led organizations in the Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He will work closely with CEO Yasuo Naruke to provide overall leadership to the business. Smith previously spent three decades at Intel (News - Alert) leading organizations across multiple disciplines. In his role as President, Manufacturing, Operations and Sales, from 2016 to 2018, he led 40,000 employees involved in worldwide manufacturing, technology development, supply chain, pricing and sales. He also served as Intel's Chief Financial Officer for almost a decade and in this role also had responsibility for corporate strategy, M&A, and Intel Capital (News - Alert) . Prior to that he served as Intel's Chief Information Officer and Vice President for Sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Smith also brings strong board leadership experience. He currently serves as board chairman at Autodesk (News - Alert) and as a director for Metromile. He served previously as a director for Virgin America and for GEVO. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for The Nature Conservancy of California and on the University of Texas McCombs School of Business Advisory Board. Smith attended The University of Texas at Austin, where he received his MBA in 1988 and his BBA in 1985. "We are thrilled that Stacy is joining Toshiba (News - Alert) Memory Corporation in this crucial leadership role at an important time in the company's history," said Yasuo Naruke, President and CEO of TMC. "With Stacy's wealth of international leadership experience and knowledge of the semiconductor space, there is no doubt he is the perfect person to help lead our company in the next phase of growth as an independent company." "I am excited to take on this important challenge, and honored to join the TMC team," said Smith. "Toshiba invented flash memory, and with TMC now operating as an independent company with increased capacity to invest in developing and growing semiconductor technology, the company has a strong growth trajectory ahead of it." Smith's hiring follows the acquisition this year of TMC by an industry consortium led by Bain Capital Private Equity. Bain Capital Private Equity has a long history of successful investments in Japan including Skylark, Jupiter Shop Channel, BellSystem24, Domino's Pizza Japan, Ooedo Onsen, and Asatsu-DK. The firm's deep market knowledge, extensive local networks and expertise in driving operational improvement strategies have made Bain Capital a valued partner for Japanese companies. "Stacy is the right leader to help TMC, already a technology leader in the flash memory industry, achieve its potential as an independent company," said David Gross-Loh, a director of TMC and a managing director and co-head of Asia for Bain Capital Private Equity. "We are very pleased to welcome Stacy to TMC and look forward to working closely with him and the expanded management team." About Toshiba Memory Corporation Toshiba Memory Corporation, a world leader in memory solutions, is dedicated to the development, production and sales of flash memory and SSDs. In June 2018, Toshiba Memory was acquired by an industry consortium led by Bain Capital. Toshiba Memory pioneers cutting-edge memory solutions and services that enrich people's lives and expand society's horizons. The company's innovative 3D flash memory technology, BiCS FLASH, is shaping the future of storage in high density applications including advanced smartphones, PCs, SSDs, automotive and data centers. For more information on Toshiba Memory, please visit https://business.toshiba-memory.com/en-apac/top.html View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181010006053/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Totango Takes Customer Centered Paradigm Mainstream in the Enterprise with General Availability of Spark Platform and New Product Innovations Preferred Customer Success Software for the Enterprise Delivers Results in Weeks Not Months or Years, Empowers Enterprises to Cross Digital Transformation Finish Line by Becoming Customer Centered SAN MATEO, California and BARCELONA, Spain, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Totango Inc., the leader in customer success for the enterprise, today announced the general availability of Spark, its flagship software platform. Totango Spark empowers enterprises to quickly adopt and operationalize customer centricity across their organizations, enabling them to complete their digital transformation and grow their business by becoming more customer centered. Totango also unveiled new innovations within Spark that guide enterprises through the successful completion of each stage in the customer journey with relevant KPIs, dashboards, analytics and best practices to achieve business goals faster. Concurrently in two separate announcements, the company announced its go-to-market partnership with SAP and its vision for the Customer Centered Economy, empowering global enterprises with democratized access to customer data and customer success. Enterprises like Dimension Data, Monster and Zoom can now take advantage of Spark's built-in SuccessBLOCs, the industry's only module-based approach to customer success, which applies an agile methodology to disaggregate the customer journey into easily-manageable increments that can be tested, deployed and quickly and independently proven successful. By eliminating the risk of the long, monolithic projects that characterize other applications and homegrown customer success efforts, Totango accelerates time-to-results from customer-centered initiatives from months or even years to within weeks. With Totango, enterprises go beyond just collecting customer data and are able to extract useful, in-the-moment insights, operationalizing the data to drive business results. "While subscription-native companies have been customer-obsessed from the start, enterprises have taken a more cautious approach to harnessing the customer's central role in business success, in no small part because of the information overload resulting from a tsunami of customer data," said Guy Nirpaz, founder and CEO, Totango. "Unlike every other solution on the market, Spark goes beyond mere data visualizations to uncover the signals in the noise and apply contextual understanding to customer data, presenting these in sophisticated workflows so that employees across an enterprise know how to act in meaninful ways to create significant, repeatable improvement in customer retention and lifetime revenue." Latest Spark Enhancements Make Customer Centeredness Come Alive Enterprise-wide Since its beta introduction in March 2018, Spark continues to guide enterprises in expediting the implementation and impact of customer success. Customer success teams, account management, support, sales operations, product and services organizations across an entire enterprise can use Spark to engage at every stage of the customer journey with the right information, goals and metrics. Totango's unique modular approach to customer success, SuccessBLOCs, includes a configurable toolkit of best practices, assets, scorecards and campaigns that lets enterprises focus and master each stage of the journey by helping users define and track their goals and KPIs visually in a dashboard. Instead of having employees involved in customer success focus on lagging indicators, such as retention and revenue, Totango has broken down the customer journey into segments to help them determine where a customer stands at any given time so they can achieve their business outcomes. "We love Totango Spark! Totango Spark has delivered many product enhancements we've been waiting for. With the new release we can see touchpoints on multiple accounts, attach assets, and set goals and KPIs. The new SuccessBlocs feature has encouraged us to create segments to increase optimal performance from our Customer Success managers," said Jon Fotheringham, Director Customer Experience Operations, Workfront. "This will no doubt help how we serve our customers in their lifecycle with Workfront. Totango Spark is geared towards helping internal leadership manage and support their teams, which is exactly what we've needed." With the general availability of Spark today, Totango customers can use new features to target and execute activities that will have the biggest impact on their business results in the shortest amount of time. In addition to SuccessBLOCs, Totango is also making the following new features generally available: Advanced Segment Views let users access list, timeline and task related information for the accounts in the segment at a glance and create a task or touchpoint quickly and seamlessly. let users access list, timeline and task related information for the accounts in the segment at a glance and create a task or touchpoint quickly and seamlessly. Account Teams profile delivers a unified view of customer data to engage all team members associated with an account, enterprise-wide. It enables the development of multiple roles per account that can be assigned with goals and tasks. Communication can be initiated across the organization regardless of whether or not an individual employee is a Totango user. profile delivers a unified view of customer data to engage all team members associated with an account, enterprise-wide. It enables the development of multiple roles per account that can be assigned with goals and tasks. Communication can be initiated across the organization regardless of whether or not an individual employee is a Totango user. Active Contacts takes a list of contacts that decays over time and brings it back to life by overlaying usage, engagement and role information to the contact list. Demystifying the Customer Lifecycle with Relevant and Timely Customer Data Engaging at every stage of the journey with the right information, goals and metrics frees Customer Success Managers up to target and execute activities that will have the biggest impact in the shortest amount of time. Spark takes in customer data from any system to show the most recent customer status and activityin one place. Organizations that have been challenged with the explosion of customer data can be assured that they are making decisions based on the most relevant and timely information to ensure success. At Gartner Symposium/ITxpo, Sept. 17-19 2018, Cape Town, South Africa, Gartner analysts discussed Best Practices and Pitfalls of the Customer Experience Journey. The analysts outlined common customer experience myths customer experience leaders need to beware of, including what to do with customer data. According to Gartner*, "the explosion of customer data that has become available at low cost over the last 20 years means many organizations are collecting it and sifting through it to seek correlations from which they can make investment decisions." "Organizations are better served by understanding what customers are trying to achieve rather than monitoring demographics or psychographic information. Rather than just looking at studying customer data, you need to examine the needs that arise during your customer's lives. We recommend that you don't correlate but understand the jobs to be done," according to Distinguished VP, Analyst and research leader for the Customer Experience Management and CRM Strategy and Execution topics, Ed Thompson. *Gartner Press Release, Gartner Reveals Three Customer Experience Myths, September 2018, https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2018-09-19-Gartner-Reveals-Three-Customer-Experience-Myths About Totango Totango is the leading Customer Success solution for the enterprise. Our platform provides access to all customer information, best practices, and relevant metrics so enterprises can proactively and intelligently operate their company around their customers. Leading customer-centric enterprises such as Dimension Data, Monster and Zoom use Totango to drive customer adoption, retention, expansion and advocacy. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/767190/totango_horizontal_cymk_Logo.jpg [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Blockcloud Brings Future Internet Fever into Malaysia On September 29th, the ninth stop of Blockcloud's global meetups concluded successfully in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Being the first underlying protocol-level project across the world, Blockcloud boasts a globally advanced Future Internet technological system and an elite group of scientists. It has aroused extensive attention not only amongst the experts and scholars in Malaysia but also the enthusiasts of blockchain, and Blockcloud has become a superstar across the local technology circles right away. During this meetup, Blockcloud team deeply felt a great passion from local specialists, official media as well as enthusiasts of blockchain. In return for their enthusiasm, the team shared Blockcloud's ideas on the project together with the latest updates with them face to face. As the blockchain-based advanced TCP/IP, Blockcloud combines the advantages of blockchain and Future Internet technology to fully improve the mobility, credibility, incentives, security, fairness, an scalability of the current Internet, and also contribute to the rapid development of CDN (content distribution network), IoT, the high-speed mobile network, and the blockchain network. Core members of the Blockcloud project come from top research institutions. Over 50% of the core team members hold a Ph.D.; the advisory board includes two IEEE (News - Alert) Fellows, 5 National Distinguished Scientists and 15 professors. The excellent team of scientists received fervent concern and positive feedback from Malaysian friends who are attracted by Blockcloud's innovative idea to improve and upgrade the existing Internet via the SCN blockchain architecture, and the team's strong research capability to deliver a project. Blockcloud has established communities in languages like Chinese, English, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai and Arabic, and has won support of over 200,000 blockchain enthusiasts. Blockcloud communities aim to share the consensus of the global blockchain industry and deliver the value of Future Internet and blockchain technology. Blockcloud encourages followers to contribute to the community, and a generous reward for the contribution is guaranteed. In the recently conducted KYC and community contribution plan, nearly 20,000 followers from 108 countries and regions participated, and top contributors received far more rewards than ordinary contributors. With the innovative architecture, the first-class technological strength, and the broad community support, Blockcloud will have a prosperous future. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005272/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] KT to Open AI Hotels, Smart Cities in SE Asia with HBC - KT Signs Agreement with Vietnam's Hoa Binh Construction Group - - KT Will Provide Southeast Asia with Customized AI Solutions - SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- KT Corp. (KRX: 030200; NYSE: KT), South Korea's largest telecommunications company, will introduce its home-developed artificial intelligence (AI) technology to hotels, apartments, building and cities overseas, starting with Vietnam and the neighboring region. KT signed an agreement with Hoa Binh Construction Group (HBC) JVC, Vietnam's largest construction company, in September to bring AI-powered hotel and apartment services to Southeast Asia. The two global partners also agreed to later cooperate on smart buildings and cities in major metropolitan areas throughout the region. "It's a big first step for KT's AI platform to reach out to the world, thanks to the partnership with HBC," said Lee Pil-Jai, Senior Executive Vice President of KT's Marketing Group. "With great success in South Korea, we will step up efforts to localize our AI hotel service and smart city solutions for Southeast Asia and beyond." HBC Chairman and CEO Le Viet Hai said, "The GiGA Genie platform is a highly powerful tool that HB must pioneer in order to fulfill our corporate mission." By innovating technology in the hospitality industry, KT opened the first hotel in South Korea offering AI-assisted room services, Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels & Residences, in July. The company plans to open three more similar hotels across the capital city by 2020 in partnership with major global hotel chains such as Accor, Hyatt and Marriott. KT's AI service platform, GiGA Genie Hotel, is a special customization of GiGA Genie, the world's first AI-powered smart home media hub launched in 2017. With more than 1 million subscribers in South Korea, KT's voice-activated AI platform allows users to see what they command on touch screens or TV screens. GiGA Genie Hotel is a multi-functional, voice-recognizing infotainment system. The hotel rooms' lights, temperature controls and TV respond to voice commands such as "Genie, please set the room temperature to 20 degrees." Toiletries and other supplies may also be requested with voice. Voice commands are currently available in Korean and English, and additional languages, including Chinese and Japanese, will be added. KT also plans to provide more concierge services for the Genie Hotel Platform, such as checking hotel bills, checking out and paying for the mini bar and room service. To diversify its future business portfolio, KT plans to provide other hotels with its AI platform, including Marriott. One of the first hotels to adopt the platform was L'Escape, a boutique hotel opened by South Korean retail group Shinsegae Inc. in downtown Seoul in July. The Genie platform can also be used in apartments, resorts and hospitals. KT is also applying its AI-based smart building management at the Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels & Residences. GiGAeyes, an intelligent video security and image analysis service, detects intrusions in real time, both inside and outside of the hotel. It also serves as an around-the-clock fire monitor. The company is also using KT-MEG, which optimizes energy management by analyzing big data to predict and control energy demands during peak hours. MEDIA CONTACTS For inquiries, please contact our Foreign Media Relations Team at kt.fmrt@gmail.com ABOUT KT CORP. (KRX: 030200; NYSE: KT) KT Corporation, Korea's largest telecommunications service provider reestablished in 1981 under the Telecommunications Business Act, is leading the era of innovations in the world's most connected country. The company leads the 4th industrial revolution with high speed wire/wireless network and innovative ICT technology. After installing 4.5 million fixed lines for 20 million users in just 12 years, KT was the first telecom provider to introduce 5G broad-scale trial service in 2018. It is another step in KT's continuous efforts to deliver essential products and services as it seeks to be the No.1 ICT Company and People's Company. For more information, please visit our English website at https://corp.kt.com/eng/ View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kt-to-open-ai-hotels-smart-cities-in-se-asia-with-hbc-300729312.html SOURCE KT Corp. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] foodora teams up with 7-Eleven for convenient Canadian delivery From Slurpee to late night snacks, foodora brings convenience directly to Canadians' doors TORONTO, Oct. 11, 2018 /CNW/ - foodora, one of Canada's top on-demand food delivery services, has joined forces with food and convenience store juggernaut 7-Eleven to bring a variety of items right to customers' doors. Beginning today, 48 select 7-Eleven locations across Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton are available for pick-up and delivery, using the foodora app and web platform. "If there's one thing we know for sure, it's that Canadians love the convenience of getting good food whenever and wherever they want it. We're excited to work with 7-Eleven, the king of convenience, to expand beyond good food, and offer our customers an easy way to get their everyday essentials, hot foods and snacks," said David Albert, Managing Director, foodora Canada. "foodora and 7-Eleven share one common goal, and that's making life easier for customers. We look forward to continuing to evolve and serving our customers' needs in new ways." 7-Eleven's diverse menu on the foodora platform will include everyday necessities such as milk and bread, as well as snacks and treats like chips, chocolate bars, ice cream and candy. Hot foods including pizza, taquitos and chicken wings can be ordered hot from the oven in minutes to serve those late night cravings. Most importantly, the store's iconic Slurpee will be available for delivery, bringing the classic frozen beverage to consumers' doors with a few simple clicks. "7-Eleven's commitment is to give our customers what they want, when and where they want it. Our focus is on making life easier for our customer. We were the first 24-hour convenience store, and we're proud to work with foodora to step into another new age of convenience," said Doug Rosencrans, General Manager and Vice President of 7-Eleven Canada. "As technology continues to change how customers shop, we're now able to deliver our most popular menu items and everyday necessities to Canadians using foodora's user-friendly platform, from morning to night." To celebrate the collaboration, foodora and 7-Eleven have created occasion kits, which include all the essentials you'll need to recover from a hangover or menda broken heart, in one easy-to-order package. While supplies last, occasion kit orders come in a limited edition foodora x 7-Eleven tote bag. The Morning Recovery - A life-saver after a wild night on the town with your friends. Slurpee or 2L pop Sports drink 5-hour Energy Advil or Aspirin or Tylenol Pizza Snacks: nachos, nuts and trail mixes Game Night - All you need for the big match. Slurpee or 2L pop Pizza Wings Snacks: chips, nachos, chocolate, candy Nurse Me - For that sudden sickness. Medicine: Tylenol, Advil or Pepto Bismol Orange juice Noodle soup Water or ginger ale Fresh fruit The Achy-Breaky Heart - Perfect items when trying to mend a broken heart. Slurpee or 2L pop Pizza Sweets (chocolate, candy) Ice cream The Feel Good - Nutritious and delicious items to treat your body like a temple. Water or ginger ale Fresh fruit Healthy snacks (granola bar, roasted nuts, trail mix) Fresh fruit: Banana, Apple or Orange Yogurt Organic juice The Hype Man - The perfect addition to any pre-party before a night out. Slurpee or 2L pop Sports drink Snacks Gum Condoms Energy Drink Delivery Hours: Toronto : 10am to 11pm , Monday to Wednesday and 10am to 1am , Thursday to Sunday : , Monday to Wednesday and , Thursday to Sunday Vancouver : 10am to 10pm , Monday to Wednesday and 10am to 12am , Thursday to Sunday : , Monday to Wednesday and , Thursday to Sunday Calgary : 10am to 10pm , Monday to Wednesday and 10am to 12am , Thursday to Sunday : , Monday to Wednesday and , Thursday to Sunday Edmonton : 10am to 10pm , Monday to Wednesday and10am to 12am , Thursday to Sunday How it works: Through the foodora website or via the new iOS and Android apps, customers can enter their area to view select 7-Eleven stores serving their neighbourhood. Once they have found their items of choice, they can place an order in the comfort of their home or office, paying online through foodora's secure platform. The order is then carefully prepared by 7-Eleven, picked up by the foodora rider and delivered straight to their doorstep in around 30 minutes. You can also pre-order, then pick up your order from the designated 7-Eleven location on your way with our pick-up feature, the choice is yours! About foodora: foodora is dedicated to bringing food lovers around the world their favourite meals from curated local restaurants. Since its creation, the on-demand food delivery service has grown to more than 9,000 partner restaurants in more than 65 cities across 10 countries globally. foodora is active in Austria, Germany, Finland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden in Europe, as well as Australia and Canada. It belongs to Delivery Hero, worldwide leader of the food delivery industry. For more information visit foodora.ca About 7-Eleven, Inc. 7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises and/or licenses more than 67,000 7-Eleven stores in 17 countries, including 11,800 stores in North America. Known for its iconic brands such as Slurpee, Big Bite and Big Gulp, 7-Eleven Canada has expanded into cut fruit, pizza, chicken wings, Crispy Classic Chicken, and fresh baked in store items. Find out more about 7-Eleven Canada at 7-Eleven.ca or learn more about the 7-Eleven customer loyalty platform 7Rewards at 7Rewards.ca or by downloading the 7-Eleven mobile app. Follow @7elevenCanada on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram . SOURCE foodora [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Regulators are Taking a Tougher Stance on ESG Disclosure a New Study Reveals LONDON, October 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study by Datamaran - the leading solution for non-financial risk management - reveals a tougher stance by regulators on ESG-related disclosure Regulators are taking a tougher stance on ESG disclosure, a new report by Datamaran - the leading solution for non-financial risk management - reveals. In the last three years alone Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)-related regulations - grew by more than 100 percent across the United Kingdom (UK), The United States of America (US), and Canada, indicating that ESG regulatory landscape is evolving fast. For some sectors, such as Utilities and Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals, the majority of sector-specific regulations published after 2015 are mandatory. The sharp rise in ESG regulations together with a tougher hand from policymakers send a strong signal to business to - ESG issues require mainstream attention. Datamaran CEO and Co-Founder Marjella Alma explains further: "Business needs to be aware of emerging ESG regulation. The tougher stance taken by regulators means that companies who are not integrating ESG issues into their strategy and their risk analysis will have a harder time navigating the complex and evolving regulatory landscape. The message is clear, non-financial issues are a 'must have, not a nice to have'". Focusing on Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals, Utility and Financial Services sectors in the US, UK and Canada, Datamaran's Global Insights Report 2018 analyzes international, regional ad national mandatory regulations and voluntary initiatives published between 2012 and 2018. The report found that sector free regulations grew by 158% in the UK (from 31 to 80 regulations), by 145% in the US (from 29 to 71 regulations) and Canada (from 22 to 54 regulations). Social and Environmental topics are becoming more prominent in these recent regulations. The most regulated topics are Energy Use in the US Utilities, Product and Service Safety across all regions in Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals, and Business Ethics in the Financial Services across all countries. There has also been growth in regulation on Climate Change in the Financial Services Sector and Consumer Rights in the US Utilities Sector. Commenting on the findings, Chairman of The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and Vice President and Chief Risk Officer at Georgia-Pacific LLC, Paul Sobel said: "Business has to think beyond the one and two year perspective to a much longer term as it evaluates the potential impacts of ESG risks. These risks are mainstream and they have to be part of the overall risk assessment and monitoring." Echoing Sobel's perspective Executive Director, Corporate Responsibility at MSD Brenda D. Colatrella said: "We, at MSD*, observe this trend too and acknowledge the role that effective management of ESG issues can play in managing risks and serving as a key differentiator in competitive markets. In fact, the number of inquiries from external stakeholders related to ESG issues increased about five-fold at MSD in 2016, and we anticipate that the uptick in inquiries about ESG issues will only continue." Datamaran's Global Insights Report 2018 is available here . For an interview with Marjella Alma please contact Saskia Ligteringen at saskia@datamaran.com or on +44-2077029595 About Datamaran Datamaran is the global leader in Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions for non-financial risk management. Datamaran enables a business process for continuous issues monitoring fully owned by the sustainability and risk teams. It harnesses technology to support decision-makers with an improved materiality analysis process - one that seamlessly integrates into Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and corporate strategy. Datamaran's global clientele of blue-chip companies have replaced the dated and expensive manual processes used for benchmarking, materiality and non-financial risk analysis as well as issues monitoring. The insights Datamaran users gather are used across multiple business teams (governance, risk, compliance, sustainability) to identify and monitor risks and opportunities and to inform corporate strategy. If you would like to learn more about Datamaran please email saskia@datamaran.com or call on +44-2077029595 www.datamaran.com *MSD is a trade name of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA SOURCE Datamaran [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Thirty-Nine US Technology Companies Win Places on the InsurTech 100 NEW YORK, October 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- US technology companies are leading the transformation of the insurance industry and have taken 39 places on the InsurTech 100, a global list of innovative companies that every leader in the insurance industry needs to know about in 2019. Over the last five years, 147 US InsurTech (insurance technology) companies raised $4.3bn in investment capital, according to FinTech Global, a specialist research firm that co-ordinated the panel of industry experts who voted for the InsurTech 100. "All insurance companies are aware they need to re-think their business models - the InsurTech 100 identifies some of the solution providers that could become their competitors or partners in the next few years," says Richard Sachar, a director of FinTech Global. US companies on the list include: Boost Insurance: A next generation InsurTech development platform built to provide backend infrastructure to emerging InsurTech start-ups, digital platforms andinnovative insurance products. Bunker: A digital small business insurance broker licensed in all 50 states, working with leading insurance carriers in building new and unique insurance products. Cape Analytics: Uses AI and geospatial imagery to provide instant property intelligence for buildings to insurance companies across the United States. Carpe Data: Provides next generation predictive scoring and data products to P&C and life insurance companies, by leveraging the social web, online content, wearables and connected devices. Clearsurance: Offers the first and only customer-generated rating metric exclusively focused on the insurance industry. Clearsurance publishes customer reviews and ratings on homeowners, renters and car insurance companies, and third-party sellers. CoverHound: InsurTech company for consumers and businesses to easily compare and purchase insurance, built to deliver fast, accurate and actionable rates from leading US carriers based on specific needs. Denim: A cloud-based platform enabling marketing teams to scale micro-targeted, hyper-local mobile and social media ad campaigns on behalf of agents or advisers. Kin Insurance: Helps homeowners get comprehensive coverage at low prices by leveraging large amounts of publicly available data to inform risk selection. Pie Insurance: Leverages data analytics to provide workers' compensation insurance directly to small businesses through online purchase. RiskGenius: The company has built a smart forms library which uses AI to enable carriers find, compare, and analyse policy language in seconds or minutes rather hours or weeks. The full InsurTech 100 and further details of each company can be downloaded for free from the website: http://www.TheInsurTech100.com. SOURCE FinTech Global Mixel MIPI C-PHY/D-PHY Combo IP Integrated into Synaptics VXR7200 IC Enabling Next Generation VR Headsets Mixel Inc., a leader in mixed-signal intellectual property (IP), and Synaptics (News - Alert) Incorporated, a leading developer of human interface solutions, today announced that Mixel MIPI IP has been successfully integrated into Synaptics' VXR7200 DisplayPort to Dual MIPI VR Bridge IC. The VXR7200 VR Bridge, which is now going to production, is a connectivity solution for tethered USB Type-C cables deploying full VESA DP1.4 bandwidth. It is optimized for VR, AR, and MR dual displays headsets with resolutions up to 3Kx3K running at 120Hz with DSC compression to achieve best-in-class HMD user experience. Mixel provided Synaptics with the MIPI C-PHY/D-PHY Combo solution, and the company achieved first-time silicon success supporting full-production-readiness. The MIPI-TX solution is comprised of 2 IP products delivered fully validated and integrated, namely: MIPI C-PHY/D-PHY Combo Transmitter and a MIPI DSI-2 Host Controller Core. The DSI-2 Controller IP is developed by Northwest Logic, an active participant in Mixel's MIPI Central Ecosystem Partnership Program, which brings together best-of-class MIPI ecosystem stakeholders. The D-PHY link can operate as 1 to 4 lanes, each running at 2.5Gbps and the C-PHY link can operate as 1 to 3 lanes, each running at up to 2.5Gsps, which is equivalent to 5.7Gbps. The IP supports a maximum aggregate bandwidth of 10Gbps in D-PHY mode and 17.1Gbps in C-PHY mode. The combo PHY IP not only shares the serial interface pins, but Mixel's implementation also reuses all the MIPI D-PHY functional blocks for the MIPI C-PHY, minimizing area and leakage power. "Mixel's differentiated MIPI IP offering along with their leadership position in the MIPI IP market played a key role during the selection of our MIPI IP provider," said Jeff Lukanc, Senior Director, interface solutions at Synaptics. "We were not only impressed with Mixel's unique MIPI solution, but also with the outstanding support throughout the product development and bring-up phases. We're looking forward to a long-term collaboration with Mixel," he added. Mixel's MIPI PHY IPs have been silicon-proven at eight different nodes and eight foundries, giving Mixel has the widest coverage in the industry. "We are delighted to see Mixel C-PHY/D-PHY dual-mode IP integrated into Synaptics' groundbreaking product targeting stte of the art VR display applications," said Ashraf Takla, Mixel's President and CEO. "It is now clear that C-PHY adoption is accelerating beyond camera and into display applications, which bodes well for Mixel's continued leadership in that segment." Mixel will be demonstrating many of its own and its customers' products at the MIPI Alliance's MIPI DevCon Seoul, October 19th, in Seoul, South Korea, where Mixel and Synaptics will be detailing their solution in a co-presentation titled "Dual Mode C-PHY/D-PHY Use in VR Display IC." About Mixel: Mixel is a leading provider of mixed-signal IPs and offers a wide portfolio of high-performance mixed-signal connectivity IP solutions. Mixel's mixed-signal portfolio includes PHYs and SerDes, such as MIPI D-PHYSM, M-PHY, C-PHYSM, LVDS, and many dual mode PHY supporting multiple standards. Mixel was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in San Jose, CA (News - Alert) , with global operation to support a worldwide customer base. For more information contact Mixel at info@mixel.com or visit www.mixel.com. You can also follow us via LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+ or YouTube. About Northwest Logic: Northwest Logic, founded in 1995 and located in Beaverton, Oregon, provides high-performance, silicon-proven, easy-to-use IP cores including high-performance Memory Interface Solution (HBM2, GDDR6, DDR4/3, LPDDR4), Expresso Solution ( PCI (News - Alert) Express 4.0/3.0/2.1/1.1 cores and drivers including DMA support), and MIPI Solution (MIPI CSI (News - Alert) -2SM, MIPI DSI-2SM/DSI SM). These solutions support a full range of platforms including ASICs and FPGAs. For additional information, visit www.nwlogic.com or contact info@nwlogic.com. About MIPI Alliance MIPI Alliance (MIPI) develops interface specifications for mobile and mobile-influenced industries. There is at least one MIPI specification in every smartphone manufactured today. Founded in 2003, the organization is celebrating its 15th year of moving mobile forward with over 300 member companies worldwide and 14 active working groups delivering specifications within the mobile ecosystem. Members of the organization include handset manufacturers, device OEMs, software providers, semiconductor companies, application processor developers, IP tool providers, test and test equipment companies, as well as camera, tablet and laptop manufacturers. For more information, please visit www.mipi.org. MIPI and MIPI M-PHY are registered trademarks owned by MIPI Alliance. MIPI CSI-2SM, MIPI DSISM, MIPI DSI-2SM, MIPI C-PHYSM and MIPI D-PHYSM are service marks of MIPI Alliance. Mixel and the Mixel logo are registered trademarks of Mixel, Inc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005162/en/ [October 11, 2018] Avivagen Announces Distribution Agreement for OxC-beta Livestock in Malaysia OTTAWA, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avivagen Inc. (TSXV:VIV) (Avivagen) is pleased to announce that it has signed its first distribution agreement for OxC-beta Livestock in Malaysia. With a total annual feed production of 4.4 million metric tonnes, the Malaysian market is dominated by feed for poultry broilers and layersi. This market, which grew by 3% in 2017, has been driven by the growing popularity of chicken-based fast food restaurants including Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Nandos, The Chicken Rice Shop, Kenny Rogers Roasters, and Ayamas.ii Avivagens distribution partner in Malaysia, TLC Veterinary Services, is the principal supplier to farms that supply KFC, the leading fast food chain in Malaysia with over 600 restaurants.iii As part of this agreement, TLC Veterinary Services has agreed to undertake the registration process of Avivagen in Malaysia. Given the Malaysian governments stated goal of targeting the year 2020 to produce antibiotic free chicken, Avivagen believes this distribution agreement ideally positions the company to take advantage of this country wide mandate.iv OxC-beta Livestock is a proprietary product shown to be effective and economic in replacing the antibiotics commonly added to livestock feeds. OxC-beta Livestock is currently registered and available for sale in the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and New Zealand. Avivagen intends to accelerate market access and the commercial uptake of its OxC-beta Livestock product, a product that has the potential to eliminate the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in livestock feed, which is a problem that needs an urgent solution. About Avivagen Avivagen is a life sciences corporation focused on developing and commercializing products for livestock, companion animal and human applications that, by safely supporting immune function, promote general health and performance. It is a public corporation traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol VIV and is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, based in partnership facilities of the National Research Council of Canada and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. For more information, visit www.avivagen.com. The contents of the website are expressly not incorporated by reference in this press release. About OxC-beta Technology and OxC-beta Livestock Avivagens OxC-beta technology is derived from Avivagen discoveries about carotenois, compounds that give certain fruits and vegetables their bright colours, and is a non-antibiotic means of maintaining optimal health and growth. OxC-beta Livestock is a proprietary product shown to be effective and economic in replacing the antibiotics commonly added to livestock feeds. OxC-beta Livestock is currently registered and available for sale in the Philippines, Taiwan, New Zealand and Thailand. Avivagens OxC-beta Livestock product is safe, effective and could fulfill the global mandate to remove all in-feed antibiotics as growth promoters. Numerous international livestock trials with poultry and swine using OxC-beta Livestock have proven that the product performs as well as, and, sometimes, in some aspects, better than in-feed antibiotics. Forward Looking Statements This news release includes certain forward-looking statements that are based upon the current expectations of management. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties associated with the business of Avivagen Inc. and the environment in which the business operates. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking, including those identified by the expressions aim, anticipate, appear, believe, consider, could, estimate, expect, if, intend, goal, hope, likely, may, plan, possibly, potentially, pursue, seem, should, whether, will, would and similar expressions. Statements set out in this news release relating to the distribution agreement in Malaysia, timing of the Malaysian governments policy initiatives, Avivagens positioning and ability to take advantage of those initiatives, the possibility for OxC-beta Livestock to replace antibiotics in livestock feeds as well as fill a critical need for health support in certain livestock applications where antibiotics are precluded, Avivagens intention to accelerate market access and the commercial uptake of its OxC-beta Livestock product and the size of market opportunities are all forward-looking statements. 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. For instance, Avivagens distribution partner in Malaysia is under no obligation to purchase the product from Avivagen, the Malaysian government may change or eliminate its mandated timing for antibiotic free chicken, Avivagens products may not gain acceptance in Malaysia or allow Avivagen to take advantage of the Malaysian governments policy initiatives, Avivagens products may not gain market acceptance or regulatory approval in new jurisdictions or for new applications and may not be widely accepted as a replacement for antibiotics in livestock feeds, new market access may not occur in the timeline or manner expected by Avivagen and the market opportunities may not be as large as Avivagen anticipates due to many factors, many of which are outside of Avivagens control. Except as required by law, Avivagen assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Information as to market size if various jurisdictions is sourced by Avivagen from third parties. While Avivagen believes such third-party sources to be reliable, it has not independently verified such information and readers should not place undue weight on such information. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For more information: Avivagen Inc. Drew Basek Director of Investor Relations 100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0R6 Phone: 416-540-0733 E-mail: d.basek@avivagen.com Kym Anthony Chairman & Interim CEO 100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0R6 Head Office Phone: 613-949-8164 Website: www.avivagen.com Copyright 2018 Avivagen Inc. OxC-beta is a trademark of Avivagen Inc. ________________________________ i 2018 Alltech Global Feed Survey ii US-Gain report: Malaysia Grain and Animal Feed-2018 GAIN Report # MY8002 iii https://kfc.com.my iv : https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/333981 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] HP Announces New Print Consulting Services and Solutions Security and enterprise expertise help businesses gain flexibility and scale PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, HP Inc. unveiled a range of new services and solutions to help businesses gain more flexibility and scale. The security technology and enterprise expertise includes a powerful new HP FutureSmart firmware release for HP Enterprise-class printers and MFPs, Immersive Analytics Service and the integration with both McAfee Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) an industry first for print devices. Empowering customers to take full control of their work environment is central to our office reinvention strategy, said Tuan Tran, General Manager of the Office Printing Solutions business at HP. The services and solutions unveiled today provide a step forward in seamless intelligence and industry-leading security solutions. The services and solutions unveiled today build on HPs office printing momentum and become available in the coming weeks. HP FutureSmart 4 Firmware: This new version of firmware for HP Enterprise-class printers and MFPs delivers productivity with a cleaner and more intuitive interface for users. The update features new capabilities, including Serverless Job Accounting that enables printers to record analytics without requiring a central server and empowering select print settings to be mirrored via USB to new printers vastly speeding setup. HP FutureSmart 4 will ship with new HP devices including the HP PageWide Color 755dn, PageWide Color MFP 774dn and dns, and PageWide Color MFP 779dn and dns. Customers that own HP devices with HP FutureSmart firmware as far back as 2012 models can be upgraded to the new HP FutureSmart 4 version.1 Microsoft SCCM integration: Strengthening HPs industry-leading security arsenal, HP is the first print OEM offering integration with Microsoft SCCM. This integration enables IT management to use one tool o configure printer security in concert with all other SCCM-connected devices on the network. Strengthening HPs industry-leading security arsenal, HP is the first print OEM offering integration with Microsoft SCCM. This integration enables IT management to use one tool o configure printer security in concert with all other SCCM-connected devices on the network. McAfee SIEM integration: To expand threat monitoring, HP has also achieved certified integration with the SIEM tool McAfee Enterprise Security Manager. McAfee SIEM provides actionable intelligence to prioritize, investigate and respond to potential malware attacks on HP printers. Immersive Analytics Service: Leveraging HP Labs advances in visualization and analytics, this new component of HPs Business Intelligence Services provides customers with a more immersive view of the key driving factors in their print environment. Through this in-depth engagement, HP consultants can help customers quickly pinpoint behaviors to accelerate digitization, efficiency gains and risk reduction. Customers Depend on HP As companies needs grow increasingly complex, HP continues to develop secure, adaptable technology. HPs customersincluding large corporations, government entities and small business share their successes. Take the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (FMOLHS), which operates one of the largest health care systems in the state of Louisiana. They turned to HP for a print platform to complement an upgraded electronic medical records solution. HP Managed Print Services helped FMOLHS reduce costs by more than 30%, improved printing reliability for IT and healthcare staff, and delivered secure accessible printing solutions. During a six-week rollout of more than 1,800 devices and HP software solutions for enhanced management, security and access control, FMOLHS was able to cost-effectively expand for the future. Changing out your electronic medical records is a 20-year decision, and not something we do lightly because it interrupts the entire hospital revenue stream for months if not a year, says Frank Sewell, Director of IS Resource Management & Compliance at FMOLHS. We made a long-term decision to adopt a new EMR, and we wanted to treat printing as a long-term collaboration with a proven success in healthcare. Thats why we engaged HP for a seven-year contract. CTI Foods, a food manufacturer in Idaho, turned to HP to standardize print policies and provide convenient printing at its manufacturing facilities throughout the U.S. With salespeople who frequently work remotely, CTI needed to equip them with reliable and secure printing 24 hours a day. HP now provides the company with a portfolio of devices for each scenario, from home office to manufacturing plant, with HP LaserJet and HP PageWide MFPs. About HP HP Inc. creates technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. Through our portfolio of printers, PCs, mobile devices, solutions and services, we engineer experiences that amaze. More information about HP Inc. is available at http://www.hp.com. 1 HP FS4 fleet support excludes 4-line displays and 1st generation FutureSmart products, including M712 SFP, M750 SFP, M601/602/603 SFP, M551 SFP, M506 SFP 4-line display, M552/553 SFP 4-line display, M604/605/606 SFP 4-line display, CM4540 MFP, CP5525 SFP, M4555 MFP, 8500 Scanjet and 7000n Scanjet Copyright 2018 HP Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. Maxwell Morgan, HP Maxwell.Morgan@hp.com www.hp.com/go/newsroom [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] The cute little house is owned by Jake Markiewicz and Erica Velasquez, who plan to move it to the lot in June the same month they are getting married. For them it is not just a cool little house, but a way to save money. [October 11, 2018] Reputation.com Announces Former DocuSign and FinancialForce Executive Chris Lee as EVP of Worldwide Sales Enterprise Sales Veteran Adds Executive Firepower to Help Accelerate International Growth Chris Lee, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Sales REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reputation.com , the first and only complete cloud-based enterprise reputation management platform, today named Chris Lee its new executive vice president of Worldwide Sales. Lee brings Reputation.com a strong track record of accelerating growth at large-scale and entrepreneurial organizations, including DocuSign, FinancialForce and Salesforce.com. Tweet This: New hire: @Reputation_Com appoints former FinancialForce exec Chris Lee as #EVP of Worldwide Sales. http://bit.ly/2OPzz1j With Lee's addition, Reputation.com has a sales leader well-versed in establishing a strong presence in markets around the globe, who will deepen the companys ability to serve as a trusted advisor to customers. He wil help the company further scale its worldwide field organization -- and deploy scalable methodologies, infrastructure, operations, training and enablement to support unprecedented growth. I am excited to join Reputation.com because it is the pioneer of the online reputation management space. The company created the industry in 2006, and now we are in the process of redefining it, said Chris Lee, EVP of Worldwide Sales at Reputation.com. In addition to our product redefining the industry, Im fortunate to inherit a team of young talent and seasoned veterans that are hungry to seal Reputation.coms status as the clear leader. New Worldwide Sales Leader Brings a History of Enterprise Client Success Lee most recently led the team at FinancialForce as senior vice president and head of North American sales, where he built and managed a 130-person sales team. His success at FinancialForce includes two consecutive years of YoY sales growth of more than 40 percent. Prior to FinancialForce, Lee spent more than two years at DocuSign, most recently as vice president and general manager of the Financial Services organization. While there, he expanded the companys global sales operation and leveraged his relationships and experience to secure blue-chip companies including JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Citi and Wells Fargo. Lee previously spent more than a decade at Salesforce, rising to regional vice president of sales and leading the companys enterprise sales team for the Eastern region. He joined the company in 2003 when it had fewer than 300 employees and $40 million in revenue. He helped develop the global sales organization, which ballooned the company's annual revenue to more than $4 billion in 2013. Chris is well-known in the technology industry as a sales leader that inspires and motivates his teams by helping them understand the why behind sales operations, said Joe Fuca, CEO of Reputation.com. His results-driven track record is the perfect match for Reputation.com as the company further cements itself as the industry leader in online reputation management. About Reputation.com Reputation.com delivers the only integrated SaaS platform that helps location-based enterprises improve their reputation with consumers online and onsite, across the entire customer journey from finding a location on search, to conversion, to operational improvements that deliver a better customer experience. Reputation.com technology has managed tens of millions of consumer reviews, surveys and social media interactions across hundreds of thousands of online points of presence for global companies spanning 77 industry verticals, including healthcare, retail, automotive, restaurants and others. Reputation.com is a World Economic Forum Global Growth Company and is funded by the same top-tier venture capital firms that backed Google, Facebook, Cisco and Microsoft. To learn more, visit www.reputation.com . Brigit Valencia BOCA Communications 360.597.4516 reputation@bocacommunications.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/14713ff9-e627-489e-8871-eccba89d5b03 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Data from Celtaxsys' Acebilustat Phase 2 Trial addressing Lung Inflammation in CF Patients to be presented at the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference ATLANTA, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Full results from the recently completed Phase 2 trial (EMPIRE-CF) of Celtaxsys acebilustat will be presented at the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference to be held October 18-20, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. Previously reported top-line results highlighted that acebilustat is the first novel anti-inflammatory molecule to prospectively exhibit potential to reduce rate of pulmonary exacerbations (PEx) and prolong time to first exacerbation in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Patients with less severe impairment of lung function achieved the largest benefit from acebilustat treatment, achieving a 35% reduction in PEx rate, a 43% reduction in risk of experiencing their first exacerbation over the course of the trial, and a 96% increased likelihood of being exacerbation free after 48 weeks of treatment as compared to placebo. Furthermore, patients concomitantly treated with CFTR modulator therapy exhibited a clinically meaningful 20% reduction in PEx, a 29% increased time to first exacerbation and a 47% higher likelihood of no exacerbations compared to patients treated with CFTR modulators and placebo. Celtaxsys, with continued support from the CF Foundation, has commenced preparations for designing and executing the acebilustat Phase 3 clinical program. Details on the presentations that will include the results of the Phase 2 trial are as follows: Thematic Poster Session Title: Clinical Care in the Era of CFTR Modulators Poster Title: A Phase 2 Trial (EMPIRE CF) of a Novel Anti-Inflammatory Molecule, Acebilustat, in Patients with CF Presenter: Dr. J. Stuart Elborn Date: Thursday, October 18, 2018 Session Time: 9:45 11:05 a.m. MDT Location: Room 702 Plenary Session Title: Anti-inflammatories & Mucociliary Clearance Therapies in the Age of CFTR Modulators Presenter: Dr. Felix Ratjen Date: Friday, October 19, 2018 Time: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. MDT Location: Bellco Theatre Symposium Session Title: Resolution of Inflammation in CF Airways: CFTR & Beyond Symposium Session Time: 2:30 3:55 p.m. MDT Symposium Presentation Title: A Phase 2 Trial (EMPIRE CF) of a Novel Anti-Inflammatory Molecule, Acebilustat, in Patients With CF Presenter: Dr. Steven Rowe Date: Saturday, October 20, 2018 Presentation Time (approximate): 3:35 3:50 p.m. MDT Location: Room 505 Additional details can be found on the NACFC website at https://www.nacfconference.org/ . About Acebilustat Acebilustat is a once-daily oral drug candidate progressing to Phase 3 development. It is a novel small molecule inhibitor of Leukotriene A4 Hydrolase (LTA4H), the key enzyme in the production of the potent inflammatory mediator Leukotriene B4 (LTB4). LTB4 can create an over activation of neutrophil mediated immune response and inflammation and has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases involving excessive inflammation, including cystic fibrosis (CF). More specifically, an overactive immune response driven by neutrophils results in excessive inflammation in the CF lung. This leads to irreversible damage resulting in excessive morbidity and mortality in CF patients. Acebilustat is designed to modulate the neutrophil driven immune response bringing the inflammation to homeostasis, preventing overactive inflammation from occurring, and thus could be potentially helpful in CF patients. By contrast, pro-resolving agents theoretically tone down inflammation once it is overactive and already contributing to lung damage in patients. Furthermore, unlike immunosuppressive treatments, such as corticosteroids, acebilustat has not demonstrated any evidence of immunosuppression in preclinical studies or in clinical trials in humans, including healthy volunteers and CF patients. Acebilustat is the most advanced therapy in development in the CF anti-inflammatory pipeline. About Cystic Fibrosis Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening disease that affects the lung and digestive system of 70,000 patients worldwide. CF is caused by mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene leading to abnormal CFTR protein functioning, which causes excessively high levels of thick mucus to accumulate in the lungs, pancreas, and GI tract. Thickened mucus clogs the lungs and serves as a perfect environment to catalyze inflammation and infection of the lungs. This inflammation is primarily mediated by neutrophils. Over time, the amplification of the synergistic cycle of infection and inflammation leads to pulmonary exacerbations that could ultimately lead to lung function decline. Lung inflammation is still the leading cause of morbidity and mortality associated with CF. About Celtaxsys Celtaxsys is a privately-held drug discovery and development company focused on advancing treatments for serious inflammatory diseases. The company is building a sustainable pipeline of first-in-class immuno-modulators, the most advanced of which is acebilustat. For more information, visit www.celtaxsys.com . Media Contact: Angela Walsh awalsh@celtaxsys.com +1 470-206-0153 ext. 124 Sara Zelkovic LifeSci Public Relations sara@lifescipublicrelations.com +1 646-876-4933 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Gemedy Announces Real-Time Indoor Tracking Platform CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Gemedy today announced the release of Gemedy AWARE Indoors, an enterprise software platform that processes sensor data from Current, powered by GE's smart building solution to generate real-time maps of people in commercial environments. AWARE Indoors provides banks, stores, restaurants, and offices with mapping analytics to improve employee productivity and security, while optimizing inventory, wayfinding, and promotions. "Today's announcement of AWARE Indoors is another example of Gemedy's technical leadership in artificial intelligence and sensor fusion," said Dr. Alex Wissner-Goss, President and Chief Scientist of Gemedy. "By partnering with Current by GE, we are expanding the power of website analytics into the physical world, in the form of AWARE Indoors' ability to provide traffic and behavioral analyses of people moving around indoor environments." "Our open platform is designed to enable companies like Gemedy to build solutions that can scale and benefit our customers," said David Thielet, Director of ISV Alliances at Current, powered by GE. "The Gemedy application opens up exciting new opportunities to make existing indoor environments more productive and profitable." AWARE Indoors supports a variety of business verticals and applications, including: Retail Banks: Identifying when clients wait longest for service, to minimize queue lengths Identifying when clients wait longest for service, to minimize queue lengths Quick-Service Restaurants: Optimizing table seating and line layouts, to maximize sales Optimizing table seating and line layouts, to maximize sales Grocery Stores: Mapping revenue by the square foot, to optimize promotions in the store Mapping revenue by the square foot, to optimize promotions in the store Commercial Offices: Tracking employee motion and interaction, to maximize productivity Tracking employee motion and interaction, to maximize productivity Industrial Factories & Warehouses: Maximizing employee compliance with safety rules About Gemedy Gemedy is a world-leading provider of intelligent software products, services, and solutions that address the most demanding computational, physical, and social challenges faced by enterprises, government agencies, and consumers. Gemedy's areas of expertise include artificial intelligence, cyber-physical systems, and cybersecurity. About Current, powered by GE Current is the digital engine for intelligent environments. A first-of-its-kind startup within the walls of GE, Current blends advanced LED technology with networked sensors and software to make commercial buildings, retail stores, industrial facilities and cities more energy efficient & productive. Backed by a broad ecosystem of technology partners, Current is helping businesses and cities unlock hidden value and realize the potential of their environments. Contact Gemedy, Inc. Dr. Alex Wissner-Gross President and Chief Scientist alexwg@gemedy.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gemedy-announces-real-time-indoor-tracking-platform-300729096.html SOURCE Gemedy, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] 12 ReTech's Emotion Fashions Factory Store and Boutique-Now Open in Salt Lake City, Utah The Emotion Fashions Factory Store Doubles as a 12 Technology Suite Demonstration Facility. COME VISIT OUR FACTORY STORE Carson City, NV & Hong Kong, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 12 ReTech Corporation (OTCQB: RETC) announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Emotion Fashion Brands, Inc. has opened their factory boutique store in Salt Lake City, Utah where they are selling contemporary womens fashion apparel by Emotion Fashions and Lexi Luu childrens dancewear. 12 ReTech is also using the facility to show off components of its 12 Technology Suite. Angelo Ponzetta, 12 ReTechs CEO stated, Just as we have done in Europe where we are building a demonstration facility for our 12 Technology Suite, we have set up a demo facility in our Salt Lake City, Utah Emotion Fashion boutique. Today, we are demonstrating the 12AdScreen but soon, we will be able to demonstrate additional capabilities from our full technology product line and show the benefits to retailers. We anticipate that in the next 30 days, we will be able to demonstrate our fully functional 12Mirror and 12 AdScreen to interested retailers and merchants whom we will bring to our Salt Lake City, Utah location. Angelo Ponzetta, 12 ReTechs CEO continued, This new facility is designed as a factory store where we can show to other consumer brands who operate their own factory stores, what our technology can do to enhance and increase shopper engagement. It will feature a dressing room and merchandise displays in a floorspace of approximately 1,000 square feet. We will be integrating our 12 Technology Suite into the fabric of the factory store operations for the benefit of our own consumer brands. Having this facility in place represents an excellent way to get in front of prestigious consumer brands an show them how our technology can provide value to their businesses. Hub Blanchett, CEO of Emotion Fashion Brands commented, This technology is really engaging and adds a lot of value to our store. Im excited to be able to see the rest of the technology working in our store, soon! Angelo Ponzetta, 12 ReTechs CEO concluded, We are also making good progress on our previously announced Zurich based 12 Technology Demonstration and Fashion Showroom. I anticipate being able to host some of Europes luxury brands in our new European Union facility within the next 30 days. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e086d658-0a80-4926-91ef-60ee73b5063f About Emotion Fashion Brands, Inc. Fashion for Every Mood...For Every Woman! We started our business in sunny California during 2011 and offer clothing that is equal parts wearable art & fashion for the "every day woman". Since then, Emotion Fashion Brands, Inc. has acquired other brands that benefit from our USA production, design and marketing expertise which speaks to specific niche markets like: Lexi-Luu Dancewear, Punkz Gear, Cleo VII and Skipjack Dive & Dance Wear. For more information please visit our website at www.emotionapparelinc.com . You may also see us on Instagram at www.instragram.com/emotionfashions . About 12 ReTech Corporation: At our core, we are a software company whose technology allows retailers to combat the dual threats of Walmart and Amazon both online and in physical stores. Our microbrand rollup acquisition strategy allows us to demonstrate the effectiveness of our software, devise and test new products, while providing shareholder value through immediate revenue and earnings growth. The Company operates through our subsidiaries on three continents: 12 Hong Kong, Ltd., 12 Japan, Ltd., 12 Europe A.G., 12 Retail Corporation (and its subsidiaries in North America, including Emotion Fashion Group, Inc.). For more information please visit our website at www.12ReTech.com . 12 ReTech Corporation is publicly listed on the OTCQB Markets under the symbol RETC. Safe Harbor: This document contains certain 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, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty, including without limitation, the ability of the Company to successfully implement its turnaround strategy, changes in costs of raw materials, labor, and employee benefits, as well as general market conditions, competition and pricing. Although the Company believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this letter will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as representation by the Company or any other person that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved. In assessing forward-looking statements included herein, readers are urged to carefully read those statements. When used in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, the words "estimate," "anticipate," "expect," "believe," and similar expressions are intended to be forward-looking statements. Attachment Factory Store Investors Relations Contacts: Mark Gilbert Magellan FIN, LLC mgilbert@magellanfin.com 317-361-2392 (USA) Corporate Headquarters investors@12ReTech.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Cincinnati Bell Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2018 Earnings Release Date Cincinnati Bell (News - Alert) Inc. (NYSE:CBB) today announced it will release its 2018 third quarter financial results before the market opens on Thursday, November 8, 2018, and host a conference call and live webcast at 9:00 a.m. (ET) on the same day. The conference call and related materials will be broadcast live and posted on its Investor Relations website at www.cincinnatibell.com. Parties interested in participating via telephone can dial toll-free (888) 220-8474 or toll (323) 794-2588. The archived webcast will be available for replay following the conclusion of the live event. taped replay of the conference call will be available starting at 12:00 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, November 8, 2018 until Thursday, November 22, 2018 at midnight (ET). To access the telephone replay, please dial toll-free (888) 203-1112 or toll (719) 457-0820, and then enter the conference ID number 3110083. About Cincinnati Bell Inc. With headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, Cincinnati Bell Inc. (NYSE: CBB) delivers integrated communications solutions to residential and business customers over its fiber-optic and copper networks including high-speed internet, video, voice and data. Cincinnati Bell provides service in areas of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Hawaii. In addition, enterprise customers across the United States and Canada rely on CBTS and OnX, wholly-owned subsidiaries, for efficient, scalable office communications systems and end-to-end IT solutions. For more information, please visit www.cincinnatibell.com. The information on the Company's website is not incorporated by reference in this press release. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005486/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Humana Foundation Donates $250,000 to Support Multi-State Disaster Recovery Efforts in Wake of Hurricane Michael Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), one of the nation's leading health and well-being companies, announced today the actions it is taking to assist its members, employees and communities in Florida and the Gulf Coast Region who have been impacted by Hurricane Michael, including a disaster recovery donation from its philanthropic arm, the Humana Foundation. Among those actions, Humana has opened its toll-free crisis intervention hotline and counseling services beyond employees and members to include any individual who needs assistance in those communities impacted by Hurricane Michael. The Humana Foundation also announced today it will provide an initial $250,000 donation to United Way Worldwide to support and assist local disaster relief and recovery efforts for those affected by Hurricane Michael. To further support disaster recovery, Humana will match storm relief donations made by its employees. Other actions to support Humana members include: For all affected members, Humana has suspended referrals and prior authorization requirements for acute, post-acute, outpatient and physician services Humana is providing affected members who need to seek care out-of-network with the same cot-sharing they would get from an in-network health care provider or facility For its pharmacy members, Humana has suspended restrictions on refills to allow for travel difficulties and evacuations Humana is conducting outreach to all members in Hurricane Michael's path through email, web and phone calls to let them know how to access care and get help if they are affected by the storm Humana counselors and work/life specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-888-673-1154 to provide free, confidential assistance to anyone needing help and support in coping with the disaster and its aftermath. Assistance is available in both English and Spanish. Humana Medicare, Medicaid, commercial, individual and TRICARE members with questions about services available to them should call the toll-free phone number on the back of their Humana ID card. About Humana Humana Inc. 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 website 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 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005499/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute appoints John Shillington as CEO EDMONTON, Alberta, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors of the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) announced Thursday the appointment of John Shillington as the institutes first CEO. His appointment began on October 1, 2018. As head of one Canadas three AI institutes, Shillington will focus on further developing Alberta as a premier global destination for both foundational research and innovative commercial applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies. With years of experience at the intersection of industry and academia, John is perfectly placed to lead Amii in growing Alberta into the worlds leading destination for AI and machine learning, says Bruce Johnson, Chair of Amiis Board of Directors. He has an established record as a leader and builder of high-performing teams; he has in-depth knowledge of technology commercialization; and he is passionate about building a bright, AI-enabled future right here in Alberta. Shillington will work to boost Albertas global AI leadership through Amiis four key focus areas: supporting world-class research and training at the University of Alberta (UAlberta), growing AI capacity in Alberta-based companies, attracting corporate research labs and upskilling Albertas workforce for AI literacy. Im beyond excited to be joining such an amazing team of world-class researchers, staff and students, says Shillinton. I look forward to leading the next stage of Amiis growth as a not-for-profit, helping Alberta businesses realize the transformative potential of AI and accelerating our provinces global economic advantage. Shillington brings with him over 30 years of expertise as a technology leader with deep experience helping companies improve their competitive advantage and driving their next stage of growth. Much of his career has focused on helping organizations bridge the chasm between academic research and its applications in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Elissa Strome, Executive Director of CIFARs Pan-Canadian AI Strategy echoes Johnsons praise of Shillington: "We're thrilled at the selection of John Shillington as leader of the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute. Amii is already one of Canada's AI research powerhouses, and we're confident that John's years of experience in the tech sector will provide the knowledge and vision needed to help further cement Canada's reputation as one of the world's premier locations for AI research and investment." Prior to joining Amii, Shillington was Vice President, Technology at Cybera, a not-for-profit technical agency helping Alberta advance its IT frontiers. He has also held senior executive and technical management positions at several international technology firms in addition to starting up a UAlberta-based spin-off company. About Amii: One of three centres of excellence in Canadas national AI Strategy, the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) performs advanced research in the fields of machine learning and artificial intelligence and guides businesses as they grow their AI capabilities. Amii supports world-leading research and training at the University of Alberta and acts as a catalyst for transformative growth for Alberta and Alberta-based businesses through machine intelligence. Learn more at www.amii.ca | Amii Fact Sheet Contact: Spencer Murray Communications & Public Relations c: 780.991.7136 spencer@amii.ca [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] ClinCapture Redefines the eClinical Platform with Captivate C-Suite SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClinCapture, Inc., an eClinical software company, announced today that its integrated Captivate Platform, developed after raising a round of seed funding led by Healthy Ventures with participation from Rock Health, Royal Street Investment & Innovation Center, and Lateral Capital, LLC., has resulted in a record number of new customers for the company. Working in clinical trials can feel like stepping into a time machine, with many trials still collecting and storing data on paper forms. Existing digital solutions are cumbersome, expensive, and out of reach of many companies, slowing down a critical step in bringing potentially lifesaving innovations to market. San Franciscos ClinCapture has created an Electronic Data Capture (EDC) technology that drastically streamlines and accelerates clinical trials by moving data collection and workflows - including Randomization, electronic Patient Reported Outcomes (ePRO), and Medical Dictionary Coding - online. Scott Weidley, CEO of ClinCapture, believes in the value of accelerating the clinical trials process through technology, saving companies up to 80% in set-up costs. There are a lot of great service providers in the pharma industry, Weidley says, but very few great technologies exist that simplify the process for clinica data managers while keeping clinical research sites operating smoothly. ClinCapture utilizes a unique private cloud infrastructure capable of deploying clinical study data to individual software instances for added data privacy and database performance. Clinical researchers are no longer forced to interrupt research with mid-study re-validation. The EDC technology can quickly be configured to support trials even in complex therapeutic areas, such as oncology. With an increase of complex, multi-site trials being performed, companies of all sizes need EDC technology that is affordable, fast, and scalable. In ClinCapture, weve found a team that not only has experience building terrific clinical trials companies, but also sees the future of clinical trials. Were excited about their existing products as well as the product pipeline and reach, which we believe to be industry-leading, said Anya Schiess of Healthy Ventures. Were delighted about the opportunity to back a team like ClinCapture with a product that will have incredible impact on new channels for innovation in life sciences, said Rock Health Managing Director, Bill Evans. ClinCaptures solution is uniquely positioned to help solve the most complex clinical trial needs of its customers. We believe there is potential to reshape the way biopharma development leaders think aboutand ultimately meetthese challenges. About ClinCapture ClinCapture provides a powerful eClinical platform that enables sponsors and CROs to rapidly build and deploy studies, lower clinical trials costs, and streamline data capture processes. Offering a host of private cloud solutions, ClinCaptures technologies help advance the evaluation and development of drugs, biologics, and devices that demonstrate promise for the diagnosis and/or treatment of a wide range of diseases or medical conditions. For more information, please visit clincapture.com or follow us at @ClinCapture. Alexia Chalita Email: alexia.chalita@clincapture.com Website: clincapture.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] 43% of Cyberattacks Target Small Businesses WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Almost half of all cyberattacks are directed at small businesses, according to data compiled by SCORE, mentors to America's small businesses, in honor of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Macro malware is the predominant type of cybercrime affecting small businesses, with online banking and ransomware attacks trailing close behind. Small businesses were affected by 113,000 incidents of macro malware in 2017: Macro malware is embedded within email attachments, such as word processing documents. 39% of the 269 billion emails sent and received in 2017 were spam messages. Small businesses can protect themselves from macro malware by avoiding downloading attachments from unknown email addresses, and disabling macros in Microsoft applications. Small businesses experienced 66,000 online banking malware attacks in 2017: Online banking malware is malicious software that steals banking credentials and/or credit card information Online banking is extremely popular, with 71% of customers using online banking and 43% using mobile banking and thieves only need nine minutes to use stolen data. Small businesses can protect themselves by directly typing in the bank's website address as a precaution, and enabling multi-step authentication. Small businesses were affected by 54,000 ransomware incidents in 2017: Ransomware is malware downloaded from compromised sites or infected files that lock a device until ransom is paid. The average amount demanded during a ransomware attack is $1,077 but the average cost to businesses is $133,000 (when accounting for downtime, lost opportunities and recovery costs). but the average cost to businesses is (when accounting for downtime, lost opportunities and recovery costs). Small businesses can protect themselves by ignoring suspicious emails with urgent requests for personal information, avoiding opening emails from unknown contacts, and regularly updating software to patch vulnerabilities. Click here to download the infographic containing more information on cyber threats to small businesses. About SCORE Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 11 million aspiring entrepreneurs. Each year, SCORE's 10,000 volunteer business experts provide 750,000+ free small business mentoring sessions, workshops and educational services to clients in 300 chapters nationwide. In 2017, SCORE volunteers helped to create 54,506 small businesses and 61,534 non-owner jobs. For more information about starting or operating a small business, visit SCORE at www.score.org. Follow @SCOREMentors on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest small business news and updates. Contact Information: SCORE Betsy Dougert 703-487-3677 media@score.org View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/43-of-cyberattacks-target-small-businesses-300729384.html SOURCE SCORE [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Aspen Midstream, LLC Announces Construction of a Large Diameter Residue Gas Pipeline and Lean and Rich Gas Gathering Systems in Texas' Austin Chalk Play Aspen Midstream, LLC ("Aspen") today announced the company is constructing a large diameter residue pipeline and both a lean and a rich gas gathering system in the Austin Chalk play in Texas. Aspen's Austin Chalk System is located in the Giddings Field. Producers drilling the Giddings Field are developing multiple stacked pay zones, including the Austin Chalk and Eagle Ford (News - Alert) Shale formations. The Aspen Austin Chalk System is strategically located to ensure producer access to premium residue and NGL markets and spans the Giddings Field, including Washington, Fayette and Burleson counties, along with portions of Austin, Brazos, Colorado and Waller counties. The system is supported by a combined total of approximately 150,000 acres of long-term dedications from multiple producers. Aspen is engaged in discussions with other producers about additional dedications. The system is expected to be in service by the third quarter of 2019. "We are extremely excited about the Aspen Austin Chalk System and the opportunity to team up with premier producers in an area lacking adequate pipeline and processing capacity," said Aspen Midstream CEO James Clarke. "We believe our system's proximity to premium markets for both NGLs and natural gas takeaway will allow our producers to realize better netbacks and compete economically with other basins." Aspen Midstream is backed by growth capital from EnCap Flatrock Midstream. "The Aspen Midstream team has a customer-focused culture and outstanding commercial and operational skills," said EnCap Flatrock Midstream Partner Sam Pitts, who is also a member of the Aspen board of directors. "Aspen is developing a top-tier system, and we look forward to helping the company grow its business in the Austin Chalk." System Details The initial system will consist of more than 90 miles of 10- to 20-inch gas gathering mainlines, treating facilities, a state-of-the-art cryogenic processing plant with the capacity to process 200 million cubic feet of natural gas per day (MMcf/d), and a residue gas pipeline to the market hub at Katy, Texas. Aspen Midstream expects to expand its Austin Chalk System by adding additional gathering, cryogenic processing and treating facilities as necessary and is engaged in discussions with the area's producers to determine future needs. About Aspen Midstream, LLC Headquartered in Dallas, Aspen Midstream is an independent energy company launched in 2017 to fill strategic voids in the midstream sector. Aspen Midstream creates value for producers by offering a full-service portfolio of midstream solutions. Capabilities include natural gas gathering, processing, compression and treating; condensate stabilization; crude oil gathering and terminaling; and produced-water gathering. Aspen is backed by EnCap Flatrock Midstream. Visit www.aspenmidstream.com for more information. About EnCap Flatrock Midstream EnCap Flatrock Midstream provides value-added growth capital to proven management teams focused on midstream infrastructure opportunities across North America. The firm was formed in 2008 by a partnership between EnCap Investments L.P. and Flatrock Energy Advisors, LLC. Based in San Antonio with offices in Oklahoma City and Houston, the firm manages investment commitments of nearly $9 billion from a broad group of prestigious institutional investors. EnCap Flatrock Midstream is currently making commitments to new management teams from EFM Fund IV, a $3.25 billion fund. For more information please visit www.efmidstream.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005232/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] It makes clear that we are not purchasing the law school or its assets, although we will reimburse Valparaiso for some expenses that it will incur on our behalf during the transfer period, he said, adding the transfer also is contingent on approval from the higher education commission and the bar association. [October 11, 2018] South America Video Streaming Software Market 2013-2018 & 2023: Market is Projected to Grow at a CAGR of 24% with IBM and Kaltura Leading the Market DUBLIN, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The "South America Video Streaming Software Market By Component (Solutions and Services), By Streaming Type (Video On-demand Streaming and Live Streaming), By Deployment Type, By End User, By Country, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2013-2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. South America video streaming software market is projected to grow at a CAGR of more than 24% by 2023 Growth in the market can be attributed to rising penetration of smart devices, internet and growing demand for online video streaming across South America. Moreover, increasing live streaming to view events, sports, etc., growing installation of video analytics across various sectors, and rising penetration of various video streaming software providers across the region is expected to further boost South America video streaming software market in the coming five years. IBM Corporation and Kaltura, Inc. are among the leading players operating in South America video streaming software market. South America Video Streaming Software Market, 2013-2023 discusses the following aspects of video streaming software market in South Amerca: Video Streaming Software Market Size, Share & Forecast Segmental Analysis - By Component (Solutions & Services), By Streaming Type (Video On-demand Streaming & Live Streaming), By Deployment Type (On-Premise & Cloud), By End User, By Country Competitive Analysis Changing Market Trends & Emerging Opportunities Why You Should Buy This Report? To gain an in-depth understanding of video streaming software in South America To identify the on-going trends and anticipated growth in the next five years To help industry consultants, video streaming software distributor, distributors and other stakeholders align their market-centric strategies To obtain research-based business decisions and add weight to presentations and marketing material To gain competitive knowledge of leading market players Key Topics Covered: 1. Product Overview 2. Research Methodology 3. Analyst View 4. Global Video Streaming Software Market Overview 5. South America Video Streaming Software Market Landscape 6. South America Video Streaming Software Market Outlook 7. Brazil Video Streaming Software Market Outlook 8. Argentina Video Streaming Software Market Outlook 9. Colombia Video Streaming Software Market Outlook 10. Market Dynamics 11. Market Trends & Developments 12. Competitive Landscape 13. Strategic Recommendations For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/q498q3/south_america?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 press@researchandmarkets.com 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 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/south-america-video-streaming-software-market-2013-2018--2023-market-is-projected-to-grow-at-a-cagr-of-24-with-ibm-and-kaltura-leading-the-market-300729436.html SOURCE Research and Markets [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Disaster Relief Top Priority for Donors as Giving Tuesday and Holiday Fundraising Season Near, New Classy Study Finds SAN DIEGO, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In advance of Giving Tuesday, the midterm elections, and the traditional year-end spike in charitable contributions, Classy, a leading online and mobile fundraising platform for nonprofits, has released the results of a nationwide survey about America's plans to give. This survey data confirms that disaster relief is top of mind for donors, support for their favorite nonprofits still surpasses political causes (even in an election year), and nonprofits' adoption of new technology impacts a donor's intent to give, as well as their perceived credibility of an organization. Giving Tuesday, initiated in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y and United Nations Foundation to rally support for nonprofits in the post-Thanksgiving season, occurs this year on November 27 and has quickly elevated in stature as one of the most important fundraising events of the year for nonprofits. Classy platform data shows that nonprofits acquire 3 to 5 times more donors on Giving Tuesday than on a typical day, and in 2017, more than $300 million was raised online alone from more than 2.5 million total donations across the entire online giving landscape. Classy, which serves more than 4,000 nonprofits of all sizes and causes, saw more than $10 million raised on its platform on Giving Tuesday 2017, a 60 percent increase over 2016. Top findings from the Classy survey include: Disaster relief is top of mind Following another year of high-profile natural disasters, the study finds that Americans clearly do not have hurricane fatigue when it comes to charitable giving. Donors feel that disaster relief is the number one cause needing the most support this Giving Tuesday (48 percent) followed by health issues (37 percent) and environmental causes and/or animal issues (36 percent). Nearly half of those surveyed have already contributed to Hurricane Florence-related relief efforts, and of those, more than a third said they are likely to donate more come Giving Tuesday. Disaster relief is even something that both Republicans and Democrats support as their top cause (42 percent vs. 47 percent respectively). Following another year of high-profile natural disasters, the study finds that Americans clearly do not have hurricane fatigue when it comes to charitable giving. Donors feel that disaster relief is the number one cause needing the most support this Giving Tuesday (48 percent) followed by health issues (37 percent) and environmental causes and/or animal issues (36 percent). Nearly half of those surveyed have already contributed to Hurricane Florence-related relief efforts, and of those, more than a third said they are likely to donate more come Giving Tuesday. Disaster relief is even something that both Republicans and Democrats support as their top cause (42 percent vs. 47 percent respectively). Nonprofit organizations win support over political causesbut altruism has its limits The survey found that while politics may be dominating the news cycle and water cooler talk leading up to the midterm elections, donors stand ready to support the causes they care most about this Giving Tuesday. Those polled were most likely to support their favorite nonprofits (45 percent) above political causes, including political parties, political action committees, or individual candidates (33 percet combined). Donors were split on whether their political beliefs dictate their giving plans (38 percent equally agree and disagree). However, higher-earning households are far more likely to say their political beliefs definitely dictate to whom or what organizations they donate their money. Aside from these giving habits, when it comes to receiving gifts, more respondents stated a gift of cash would have more meaning to them (34 percent) than a donation made in their name to a nonprofit that aligns with their values (22 percent). The survey found that while politics may be dominating the news cycle and water cooler talk leading up to the midterm elections, donors stand ready to support the causes they care most about this Giving Tuesday. Those polled were most likely to support their favorite nonprofits (45 percent) above political causes, including political parties, political action committees, or individual candidates (33 percet combined). Donors were split on whether their political beliefs dictate their giving plans (38 percent equally agree and disagree). However, higher-earning households are far more likely to say their political beliefs definitely dictate to whom or what organizations they donate their money. Aside from these giving habits, when it comes to receiving gifts, more respondents stated a gift of cash would have more meaning to them (34 percent) than a donation made in their name to a nonprofit that aligns with their values (22 percent). A seamless digital giving experience equates to more trust in a nonprofit The donation experience plays a significant role in a donor's level of trust in an organization, as well as their likelihood to give, across all generations, and is especially prominent among young donors. More than half of consumers (53 percent) prefer to give electronically, whether on a computer or mobile device, regardless of generation, and more than half of millennial and Gen Z respondents (54 percent for each) said if they can't easily donate to a nonprofit online or via mobile, then they will have less trust in how that nonprofit uses their funds. The donation experience plays a significant role in a donor's level of trust in an organization, as well as their likelihood to give, across all generations, and is especially prominent among young donors. More than half of consumers (53 percent) prefer to give electronically, whether on a computer or mobile device, regardless of generation, and more than half of millennial and Gen Z respondents (54 percent for each) said if they can't easily donate to a nonprofit online or via mobile, then they will have less trust in how that nonprofit uses their funds. Reasons for giving are often personal As far as motivators to donate, personal or family connections to a cause, recommendations from social media influencers, and ease of donating are all top contributors. More than 70 percent of respondents strongly or somewhat agree that they would be most discouraged from donating to a nonprofit if the organization received negative media coverage. "Giving Tuesday continues to be an enormous opportunity for nonprofit organizations to get in front of new donors, and we want to help our customers engage with these first-time donors in an effective way that ultimately results in additional recurring donations," said Scot Chisholm, CEO and Co-Founder of Classy. "This study confirms that donors are increasingly seeking easy online and mobile channels for giving, andeven more tellingconsumers are linking technology to their overall trust in a nonprofit." To help nonprofits prepare for Giving Tuesday, Classy has developed a specialized microsite and resource page providing a range of assets including templates, guides, and worksheets to empower organizations to create effective fundraising campaigns specific to the day. On Giving Tuesday, for the second consecutive year, the microsite will become a real-time giving hub showcasing up-to-the-minute fundraising activity for nonprofits using Classy, while inspiring supporters from around the world to discover and donate to deserving organizations whose causes are closest to their hearts. Conducted in September 2018, the survey polled 1,002 individuals 18 years of age or older in the United States. The survey was fielded using the Qualtrics Insights Platform and the panel was sourced from Fulcrum by Lucid. More information about the survey findings will be posted in the coming weeks on the Classy blog: https://www.classy.org/blog/ . Nonprofits and donors alike can follow along with Classy on Giving Tuesday at https://classy.org/giving-tuesday/ . About Classy Classy is a social enterprise that creates world-class online fundraising software for nonprofits, modernizing the giving experience to accelerate social impact around the world. Based in San Diego, CA, Classy is trusted by organizations of all sizes, from the fastest-growing nonprofits like Team Rubicon and The Trevor Project, to some of the world's largest social organizations, such as Acumen, Robin Hood Foundation, and Shriners Hospitals for Children. Classy also hosts the Collaborative conference and the Classy Awards to spotlight the innovative work nonprofits are implementing around the globe. Backed by prominent technology investors, including JMI Equity, Mithril, Salesforce Ventures, and Bullpen Capital, Classy has raised $53 million to-date in growth capital. For more information, visit www.classy.org or follow Classy on Twitter @Classy. CONTACT: Monica Finch press@classy.org 619.323.2026 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/disaster-relief-top-priority-for-donors-as-giving-tuesday-and-holiday-fundraising-season-near-new-classy-study-finds-300729225.html SOURCE Classy [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] MAG (Manchester Airports Group) Joins Plug and Play As Its First Airport Anchor Partner MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- MAG (Manchester Airports Group), the largest airport group in the UK, announced today its partnership with Plug and Play, a leading startup accelerator and corporate innovation platform based out of Silicon Valley. This collaboration will give MAG influence over new innovations in the travel industry so they can leverage these technologies to improve the end-to-end travel experience. It will also mean that other members of the accelerator benefits from the insight of one of the most forward thinking airport operators in the world. As well as operating three major airports in the UK, at Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands, MAG operates MAG-USA, an airport services business operating airport lounges and parking solutions across the United States. MAG has, over recent years, led the UK market in developing new technology solutions to support a successful airport car parking business, with hundreds of thousands of pre-booked prices in the market at any one time. Last year, it went further, establishing its own, in-house technology and e-commerce business MAG-O to respond to technology-driven changes in the way passengers travel and to move the entire airport experience into a new digital era. Andrew Harrison, MAG's CEO, Airport Services said: "We have developed a successful airport e-commerce business in the UK, and a rapidly growing US business too. As we continually look for new and innovative ways to develop our business, becoming Plug and Play's first airport Anchor Partner is the perfect way for us to find fresh new ideas, whilst supporting innovation and entrepreneurialism across the travel sector." As Plug and Play's first airport Anchor Partner, MAG has the opportunity to influence the technology focus areas of upcoming travel accelerator programs. MAG jins Plug and Play's Travel & Hospitality program alongside 21 other partners including Changi Airport Group, Pittsburgh International Airport, and Gatwick International Airport. "We are thrilled to onboard MAG as our first airport Anchor Partner. MAG already has a head start on most airports as it relates to digital transformation. Our goal is to be an additional catalyst in MAG's future innovation roadmap and ultimately enhance the traveler's journey through their ecosystem," Amir Amidi, Managing Partner, Plug and Play. Since their launch in 2016, Plug and Play Travel & Hospitality has accelerated over 110 startups. Their mission is to discover, support, and scale disruptive technologies that are defining the future of travel and hospitality. MAG will provide insight into innovating another step along the traveler's journey, modernizing airports and enhancing the flow for passengers. About Plug and Play Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services, and an in-house VC to make technological advancement progress faster than ever before. With over 25 locations around the world, 280 official corporate partners, 200 leading Silicon Valley VCs and over 250+ investments made in 2017, Plug and Play created the ultimate startup ecosystem across 14 different industries including Travel & Hospitality. We currently work with JetBlue Technology Ventures, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Accor Hotels, AirAsia, Swissport, Star Alliance, trivago, Changi Airport, TUI Group and many more. Companies in our community have raised over $7 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club and PayPal. To join the ecosystem, please visit www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/travel. About MAG MAG is the UK's leading airport group and owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports, together with a significant property business. MAG employs over 5,000 people and annually serves over 59 million passengers. MAG's strategy is to increase long-term shareholder value by generating profitable growth through the further development of its assets and by offering a high quality user experience for customers using its airports. By achieving this goal, MAG aims to become a global leader in airport management, products and services. MAG also includes the commercial property division, MAG Property, which has over 600m of investment property assets across its four airports and has a 50% investment in the 800m major Enterprise Zone development, Airport City, at Manchester. In North America, the new MAG USA is looking to work with airports to develop and operate terminal and retail solutions, passenger lounges and car parking facilities. MAG is managed on behalf of its shareholders who include Manchester City Council (35.5%), IFM Investors (35.5%) and the nine other Greater Manchester local authorities (29%). Plug and Play Contact Jordan Bray j.bray@pnptc.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mag-manchester-airports-group-joins-plug-and-play-as-its-first-airport-anchor-partner-300729380.html SOURCE Plug and Play [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] At TMRE 2018, GfK Will Focus on Brands, Advertising Impact, and In-Market Testing At one of the premier events for thought leaders in consumer insights, GfK experts will play key roles in all three days of the agenda, including co-presentations with Ferrero and Microsoft (News - Alert) . The Market Research Event (TMRE) is taking place October 16th through 18th in Scottsdale, Arizona. Now in its 18th year, the annual conference draws over 1,100 market research and insights professionals. Minimizing risk factors for new products At 11:40AM on October 16th - as part of the "Power Partnering" track - GfK's Neal Heffernan (EVP, Shopper & Consumer Insights) will co-present with Ferrero's Yann Bastien (Head of Innovation) on "The Value of In-Market Testing." They will reveal how Ferrero worked with GfK to create an in-market model that focuses on the long term, successfully limiting the risks that so many new products face. Heffernan and Bastien will explore marketing factors that distinguish successful products from unsuccessful ones why and how Ferrero's Innovation Model is unique in the FMCG industry the value of leveraging retailer loyalty card data to measure trial, repeat and source of volume for a new product how GfK's in-store / market testing model delivered unique benefits for Ferrero the value of integrating POS and loyalty card data with shopper intercepts to gain a full picture of new product performance A cross-category approach to measuring ad effects As part of the same "Power Partnering" track on October 17th at 12 noon, GfK will present with Microsoft's Samantha Moore (Campaign Insights) for "Understanding Advertising Impact across Brand Portfolios." GfK's Jon Brand (SVP, Marketing Effectiveness) and Jennifer Reece (Senior Director, Marketing Effectiveness) will join Moore to show how Microsoft worked with GfK to understand how advertising is working at Microsoft across categories as well as within the advertised brand. The session will show how unique research design and modeling approaches were used to assess cross-category impact the concept of the value of advertising across brands was evaluated and proven - including identifying potential target and message synergies across categories marketing and advertising teams reacted to these insights and how this is affecting future advertising Chairing a conference track In addition, GfK experts will chair the "Technology & Future Growth" conference track on three successive days, introducing presentations from FitBit, Intel (News - Alert) , MetLife, Pfizer, Pizza Hut, and Walmart, among others. The GfK chairpersons will be: Jola Burnett (VP, Consumer Life) - "Artificial Intelligence and Future Technologies" (October 16th) Jo-Ann Osipow (EVP, Marketing Effectiveness) - "Automation & Chatbots" (October 17 th ) ) Karen Goldstein (SVP, Consumer Insights) - "Technology & Future Growth" (October 18th For more information about GfK's presentations, write to marketing@gfk.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005607/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Alliance Ventures Invests in Data Ecosystem for Shared Transport Services PARIS, TOKYO, and YOKOHAMA, Japan, October 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliance Ventures, the corporate venture capital fund of Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, the world's largest automotive group by unit sales, today announced that it led a $5 million Series A investment in Coord, the US mobility data platform. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/556610/Renault_Nissan_Mitsubishi_Logo.jpg ) The latest investment by Alliance Ventures is also supported by additional funding from Trucks, Urban.Us, DB Ventures and Joshua Schachter. They join Alphabet's Sidewalk Labs, a previous investor in Coord. "We are pleased to be adding Coord to our investment portfolio," said Francois Dossa, Alliance Global Vice President, Ventures and Open Innovation. "This promising and fast-growing business fits exactly with our goal to support technology start-ups and business entrepreneurs focused on next-generation mobility services." Initially focused on reaching developers with their robust suite of APIs, Coord intends to use this new financing to scale geographic coverage and build a comprehensie solution to enable enterprise customers to optimize their use of transportation infrastructure such as roads, curbs and parking lots. "We're excited to support Coord in their mission to make cities more livable by enabling seamless mobility for everyone," said Ryan Armbrust, Partner at Alliance Ventures. "Coord is building a vital digital infrastructure that not only helps existing transportation modes operate more efficiently, but also enables rapid experimentation with new modes like scooter-share and autonomous vehicles." "We are grateful to have the support of a diverse group of investors who see the opportunity to transform the mobility market," said Stephen Smyth, CEO of Coord. "Alliance Ventures and others bring expertise across the transportation and urban technology sectors that will enable us to accelerate the adoption of mobility solutions in cities throughout North America." ABOUT RENAULT-NISSAN-MITSUBISHI Groupe Renault, Nissan Motor Company and Mitsubishi Motors represent the world's largest automotive alliance. It is the longest-lasting and most productive cross-cultural partnership in the auto industry. Together, the partners sold more than 10.6 million vehicles in nearly 200 countries in 2017. The member companies are focused on collaboration and maximizing synergies to boost competitiveness. They have strategic collaborations with other automotive groups, including Germany's Daimler and China's Dongfeng. This strategic alliance is the industry leader in zero-emission vehicles and is developing the latest advanced technologies, with plans to offer autonomous drive, connectivity features and services on a wide range of affordable vehicles. http://www.alliance-2022.com http://www.media.renault.com http://www.nissan-newsroom.com http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/newsrelease/ http://www.alliance-2022.com/news/alliance-ventures-invests-in-data-ecosystem-for-shared-transport-services/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] IAITAM: Supermicro Microchip Hack Could Have Been Prevented If More Companies Followed Rules Like Apple Could the insertion of grain-of-rice-sized microchips in servers headed for Amazon, Apple (News - Alert) , other leading companies, the Department of Defense, Congress, and Homeland Security been detected and exposed earlier? Not only could this have happened, but it should have as a result of adhering to good Information Technology Asset Management (ITAM) procedures, according to the International Association of IT Asset Managers (IAITAM). IAITAM noted that Apple alone appears to have applied at least some proper ITAM practices for equipment acquisition and detected problems with the Super Micro Computer Inc. (Supermicro) servers containing the tiny microchips installed for hacking and spying purposes. The fact that Apple spotted the issue in 2015 and stopped using Supermicro servers shows that ITAM procedures work even in the case of a nearly microscopic flaw in the IT assets in question. IAITAM President and CEO Barbara Rembiesa said: "Make no mistake about it: This was a preventable hack and Apple deserves credit for doing some things right here. The global supply chain is complex, but companies do not get a pass because of that when it comes to managing the IT assets that they use or sell to others. Companies need to follow proper Information Technology Asset Management practices to make sure that every piece of equipment is needed, configured and functioning as intended, and is monitored on a continuing basis after use starts. The Supermicro scandal shows that even the biggest companies and government agencies don't do their homework when it comes to the handling of new IT equipment." Bloomberg (News - Alert) was the first to report that unauthorized microchips have been inserted into motherboards bound for servers sold by California-based company Supermicro. According to the news account, the secret microchips are capable of altering server code, downloading software to get through passwords and other encryptions. Three years after the microchips were originally discovered in 2015 by Apple, no technology for consumers to detect the microchips has been invented. The microchips, which have been linked to Chinese interests, are meant to steal corporate secrets and breach government networks. Rembiesa highlighted three notable moments on the Supermicro timeline: 1) Microchips Installed: Bloomberg reported that thieves visited the factories and threatened and bribed their way into getting the new microchips installed in the motherboards. It is unclear precisely when this hardware hack, commonly known as "seeding," started. However, it was reported that Amazon was made aware of the problem in 2015 when the company hired a third-party to investigate the servers. The malicious chips were discovered and reported to the FBI. 2) Apple Reacts: Meanwhile, Apple began disposing of Supermicro servers around that time for an unrevealed reason. The company has disputed the Bloomberg account, but it does appear to have been alone in using ITAM measures to detect, isolate and end the problem in its own operation. 3) The Pentagon's Summit: In September of 2015 the Pentagon organized and invited top technologists to a meeting in McLean, Virginia. Attendees were briefed on newly discovered hardware hacks. Supermicro's name was not mentioned. However, it is assumed that the microchips on their servers were the reason why the summit was held. Rembiesa noted: "Fortunately, there are breadcrumbs on this trail and they can be followed. Assuming proper documentation procedures have been followed, authorities should be able to use invoices, shipping manifests, and other documents to help with their missions. Proper documentation is a best practice of a well-run ITAM program." How could ITAM help prevent a Supermicro-like situation in the future? ITAM involves a detailed process that focuses on optimal acquisitions of hardware, software, and any other IT asset an organization buys or leases. Stages of this acquisition process include justifying the purchase, managing negotiations with vendors and assembling vital documents, such as the terms and conditions, among others. A key part of the process is the testing of the hardware or software. This stage determines whether the asset is appropriate and compatible. At some point during their relationship with Supermicro, Apple determined that the servers were inappropriate and incompatible. Apple's ITAM staff identified Supermicro as a threat during the "testing" section of the process. They stopped buying from Supermicro and also returned the products already purchased. Beyond the acquisition process, Rembiesa said that IT Asset Managers should be immediately consulted in a situation like this because of their use of discovery data within an organization's IT Asset Repository. This process helps IT Asset Managers identify exactly where hardware is located with an organization, cutting down immensely on the time needed to find flawed or sabotaged pieces of equipment. The quicker the hardware is identified and then "unplugged" from an organization's environment, the less damage the sabotaged item or items can do. ABOUT IAITAM The International Association of Information Technology Asset Managers, Inc., is the professional association for individuals and organizations involved in any aspect of IT Asset Management, Software Asset Management (SAM), Hardware Asset Management, Mobile Asset Management, IT Asset Disposition and the lifecycle processes supporting IT Asset Management in organizations and industry across the globe. IAITAM certifications are the only IT Asset Management certifications that are recognized worldwide. For more information, visit www.iaitam.org, or the IAITAM mobile app on Google (News - Alert) Play or the iTunes App Store. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005627/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Litmus Research Finds that Email Marketing's ROI Is 38-to-1 CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and SAN MATEO, Calif., Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Litmus, the industry's leading platform for email creation, testing, and analytics, has released new research, "Email Marketing ROI: The Factors That Lead to Better Returns," based on data from nearly 400 marketers worldwide. The report's key finding is that brands generate returns equal to 38 times what they invest in their email marketing programs. Other insights from the report, which is part of Litmus' State of Email Survey Research Series , include: High ROIs are providing a false sense of security. While email marketing's return on investment is 38:1 on average, brands only achieve the highest total returns after their email marketing ROI crests. While email marketing's return on investment is 38:1 on average, brands only achieve the highest total returns after their email marketing ROI crests. Brands are under-measuring their ROI. Brands that can measure their email marketing ROI very well report returns of 46:1, compared to only 33:1 for brands that can measure their ROI adequately. Brands that can measure their email marketing ROI very well report returns of 46:1, compared to only 33:1 for brands that can measure their ROI adequately. Few brands can measure their email marketing ROI well. Despite all the attention given to performance-driven decision-making, 70% of brands admit they can't measure their email marketing ROI well. "Email consistently and undisputedly provide the biggest returns in digital marketing, and is leaps and bounds more effective than traditional advertising channels like TV and radio," said Chad S. White, Director of Research at Litmus and author of Email Marketing Rules. "But these sky-high ROIs are actually a sign of mismanagement. Companies should be investing so much more in their email marketing programs that they drive their ROIs down to somewhere closer to 20:1, if not lower." For instance, marketers who describe their email programs as "very well-resourced" are six times more likely than those with "adequately resourced" programs to say that their programs are "very successful." David Rich, Chief Marketing Officer at Litmus, said, "Our findings paint a picture of email marketers as being complacent with high return rates rather than pursuing high absolute returns. Email marketing can perform even better if companies invest more in the sophistication of their email marketing tools and tactics." For example, Litmus' research found that users of Litmus Builder, a code editor that's built to streamline the email development workflow, generate an email marketing ROI that's 40% higher than non-users (49:1 vs. 35:1). And users of Litmus Email Analytics, which gives brands the most complete performance and engagement data available for email professionals, generate an email marketing ROI that's 19% higher than non-users (44:1 vs. 37:1). Additional insights on how marketers can improve their email marketing programs can be found in Litmus' State of Email Survey Research Series , which includes the 2018 State of Email Service Providers and 2018 State of Email Workflows reports. Garnering responses from 3,000 marketing professionals worldwide, Litmus' third annual State of Email Survey provides insights into every facet of running a successful email marketing program. Media Contact: Justine Jordan at press@litmus.com About Litmus Litmus provides powerful tools for email creation, testing, analytics, and collaboration, empowering marketing teams to confidently deliver increased subscriber engagement and campaign ROI while ensuring brand consistency. Litmus is used by major global brands across every industry that trust its Email Creative Platform to make their email better, including 9 of the top 10 ecommerce brands, 7 of the top 10 technology companies, and 23 of the top 25 US ad agencies. Learn more about Litmus at litmus.com, subscribe to the Litmus blog , or follow us on Twitter . View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/litmus-research-finds-that-email-marketings-roi-is-38-to-1-300729631.html SOURCE Litmus Software, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Median Technologies Reports Its Financial Results for H1 2018 and Announces Its Strategic Shift in Focus to Its Imaging Phenomics Platform iBiopsy Regulatory News: Median Technologies (Paris:ALMDT), the industry-leading Imaging Phenomics Company, today reported its 2018 half-yearly results. Median Technologies' Board of Directors approved the consolidated financial statements for the first half of 2018 on October 9, 2018. For the 2018 first half period, Median Technologies' revenue came to 3.4 million, a decrease of 15% compared to the first half of 2017. This evolution is primarily related to protracted times for setting up new clinical trials for some of the company's clients. The order backlog came to 21.4 million as of June 30, 2018, a slight decrease compared to the 22.5 million as of December 31, 2017. In the first half of 2018, Median pursued its R&D investments for iBiopsy, its imaging platform based on Artificial Intelligence and cloud computing. The initial iBiopsy related collaboration agreements signed in 2017 and at the beginning of 2018 in the therapeutic fields of lung cancer, prostate cancer, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) generated investments in R&D over the period. The company also mobilized a portion of its R&D for the development of new functionalities for its clinical trials imaging platform iSee. At the same time, in line with the previously announced strategy, Median consolidated its deployment in Asia with the creation of a subsidiary in Shanghai for its iCRO activity. Median's development strategy in Asia is motivated by the growing number of clinical trials performed in this part of the globe. Asia is the region with the highest potential for clinical trial development. Selected financial information (IFRS consolidated financial statements) In thousands of euros (audited figures) H1 2018 H1 2017 Revenue from ordinary activities 3,358 3,958 Staff costs (6,492) (7,717) External costs (5,551) (4,190) Operating result (9,087) (8,702) Net financial result 127 (168) Net result (8,955) (8,884) The company's staff costs slightly decreased over the semester. The increase in external costs comes firstly from the implementation of tools intended to improve clinical project management and to optimize the company's overall productivity, and also from R&D costs primarily related to the two company's proprietary imaging platforms evolution. In view of all these elements, operating result shows a loss of 9.08 million, and a net loss of 8.95 million. As of June 30, 2018, Median posted a cash position of greater than 18.4 million, shareholder's equity of 16 million, and no financial debt. Outlooks: The Group shifts its focus to iBiopsy Median is going to shift its focus to iBiopsy, its imaging phenomics platform offering solutions based on Artificial Intelligence and cloud technologies. This strategic refocusing implies a reallocation of all of the Group's teams and R&D efforts. "Median Technologies has reached a turning point in its history with a strategic shift in focus triggered around its imaging phenomics platform iBiopsy, the very core of our competitive advantage ", says Fredrik Brag, Median Technologies' CEO. "AI applied to image processing and combined with cloud computing and Big Data will heavily drive treatment decisions and support the emergence of predictive and personalized medicine. Using our iBiopsy technology, scientists, biopharmaceutical companies, and physicians will benefit from the power of imaging phenomics to better understand diseases and diagnose them, as well as to develop new targeted treatments. In the end, our platform will enable an optimal adaption of treatments based on patients and their diseases," adds Brag. The Group also intends to maintain its efforts in the imaging market for clinical trials with a short-term goal of reaching breakeven in the iCRO business unit. More broadly, the Company will pursue its strategy privileging medical, technological, and industrial partnerships. Median informs its shareholders and the financial community that its 2018 half-year financial report was made public and filed with the AMF. The half-year financial report is available on the company website: www.mediantechnologies.com/investors/ Our next update will be the publication of the Full Year 2018 financial results: April 15, 2019, after market close. About Median Technologies: Median Technologies provides innovative imaging solutions and services to advance healthcare for everyone. We leverage the power of Imaging Phenomics to provide insights into novel therapies and treatment strategies. Our unique solutions for medical image analysis and management and iBiopsy for imaging phenotyping, together with our global team of experts, are advancing the development of new drugs and diagnostic tools to monitor disease and assess response to therapy. Median Technologies supports biopharmaceutical sponsors and healthcare professionals around the world to quickly and precisely bring new treatments to patients in need. This is how we are helping to create a healthier world. Founded in 2002, based in Sophia-Antipolis, France, with a US subsidiary in Boston and another one in Shanghai, Median has received the label "Innovative company" by the BPI and is listed on Euronext Growth market (ISIN: FR0011049824, ticker: ALMDT). The company has received the label Pass French Tech Promotion 2017-2018. Median Technologies is a winner of the Deloitte (News - Alert) Technology Fast 500 2017 EMEA program and a member of the Bpifrance Excellence Network. For more information: www.mediantechnologies.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005506/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Central Co-op Celebrates Four Decades of Community Impact On Saturday, October 13 Central Co-op will begin a week-long celebration of its 40th birthday, marking four decades of serving its members and community. Originally founded on Capitol Hill in Seattle as a consumer-co-op, Central first opened its doors on October 16, 1978. Today, the Co-op is 14,200 members strong, supporting more than 120 employees, 400 Washington producers, 150 community organizations and 12,000 shoppers per week in Seattle. The Co-op will be opening a new store in Tacoma in the coming months. To celebrate 40 years in the community, Central Co-op will have special events and discounts in the store from Saturday the 13th through Saturday the 20th. Highlights of the week will include: baby goats in front of the Seattle store on October 13 along with 20% off all cheese. The following day the Co-op will host a Fall Celebration with the La Paloma Artisan Market (and baby goats) in the parking lot of the future Tacoma store, and all supplements and body-care will be 20% off in the Seattle store. The discounts will continue throughout the week - ending with 20% off all chocolate on Saturday, October 20. "Over the course of the week we plan to celebrate not only the members who make up our in-store community, but also the larger co-op community including the wonderful Washington producers who support us," said Garland McQueen, Central Co-op CEO. "Every day of the eight-day anniversary celebration at the Co-op will feature product-samples in the store - with many of our producers coming in over the course of the week to share their products." Central Co-op was born out of the vision, hard work, and determination of its founding members in Seattle and Tacoma. Central Co-op's guiding principles have resulted in high wages and benefits as well as the recent conversion by owner vote to make it a rare instance of a single class cooperative grocery converting to a solidarity model by creating a separate but equal class of worker owners. At the end of 2015, Central Co-op merged with the Tacoma Food Co-op. Central Co-op also became the first grocery store in the nation to pay better than $15/hour with full benefits at entry-level in early 2015. As part of its commitment to workers, Central Co-op doubles the percentage spent on wages and benefits relative to a conventional grocery store chain, with 92 percent of employees eigible for benefits. Today, the Co-op pays almost $17/hr at entry-level and has an average hourly wage of $22.19. "We have grown and continued to thrive over the decades thanks to the participation of thousands and thousands of people who have joined in our collective-efforts," McQueen said. "They have become owners, running for and serving on our Board of Trustees, working to keep our shelves stocked, and investing to keep our community effort strong for future generations." Central Co-op's concern for community has been an important part of the organization's decision-making process for the past 40 years. The organization will extend the same mission to its new store in Tacoma. The Tacoma store is currently under construction and, when complete, will include a fresh deli, fresh meat and seafood, a large bulk section and a community room. Central Co-op has become a small, but powerful economic engine for the region, circulating nearly four times as much money in the local economy compared to a typical co-op grocery store and more than seven times that of a conventional grocery chain, according to a 2017 report by Civic Economics. In line with the co-op's mission to support the local community, Civic Economics found 20 percent of revenue spent at Central Co-op went to goods purchased in Washington State. This compares to 12 percent of goods from the region for a traditional co-op and 4 percent of goods from a grocery chain. This recirculation creates revenues that are used to build and support the roads, schools, bridges, and libraries that make Seattle the vibrant community that it is today. In 2017, the co-op gave $25,000 in need-based discounts to customers, and donated about 20,000 pounds of food to local food distribution agencies. In addition, Central Co-op customers "Rounded Up" more than $49,600 at the register for food banks and other causes, and gave more than $35,000 in support of 155 local community organizations in 2017. To learn more about the week of discounts and other 40th birthday celebrations visit Central Co-op's website: here. About Central Co-op Originally founded on Seattle's Capitol Hill in 1978, Central Co-op is a community-owned natural foods cooperative. A complete grocery store dedicated to sustainable practices and the Washington food economy, Central Co-op features organic produce, humanely raised meat and wild seafood, a large selection of bulk goods and herbs, an extensive health and wellness section and unique gifts. Through their Co-op Basics program, the Co-op offers over 250 everyday items at especially low prices, and offers 10% off to those receiving government assistance twice a week, through their Healthy Community Program. Central Co-op follows a solidarity model with both worker and consumer ownership. Open to everyone, seven days a week, Central Co-op has more than 14,500 active owners, and in January of 2015 became the first grocery store in the nation to pay better than $15/hour at entry level with full benefits for full time workers. Merged with the Tacoma Food Co-op in fiscal year 2016, Central Co-op is working to open a new location on N. Pearl St. in Tacoma. More information is available at www.centralcoop.coop. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005559/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Foresters Financial Maintains A.M. Best "A" (Excellent) Ratings Foresters Financial, an international financial services provider, has maintained its A.M. Best financial strength1 ratings. The independent rating agency A.M. Best Company2 has affirmed The Independent Order of Foresters (IOF) "A" (Excellent) Financial Strength Rating (FSR) and an issuer credit rating (ICR) of "a+". The IOF has maintained an "A" rating for 18 consecutive years. In addition, A.M. Best maintained the "A" (Excellent) FSR rating for two of Foresters subsidiaries, Foresters Life Insurance Company (FLIC) and Foresters Life Insurance and Annuity Company (FLIAC). The ICR for both subsidiaries also held its "a+" rating. This independent rating is an important measure of the organization's financial strength and stability, reflecting the ability of Foresters Financial to fulfill its ongoing insurance obligations to policyholders. "Foresters Financial is keenly focused on maintaining our financial strength across all our subsidiaries and geographies," said Alvin Sharma, Global Chief Financial Officer, Foresters Financial. "Maintaining our long track record of A ratings is a testament to our strong foundation and stability." Foresters has shared its financial strength with its members3 and their communities for over 140 years and is a strong financial position with total funds under management of $45.1 billion (CDN) and total assets of $17.7 billion (CDN) as of December 31, 2017. Foresters gross premium income increased by 5.8 percent in 2017 and at the end of the year, it had more than 3.1 million certificates under management and over three million members and customers in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. Foresters solvency ratios4 are well above local regulatory requirements and industry averages in all three countries in which it operates - Canada, the US and the UK. In addition, Foresters surplus of $2 billion CDN5 allow it to withstand adverse business and market conditions. For more information about A.M. Best Company's ratings, visit ambest.com. About Foresters Financial Foresters Financial is a purpose-driven financial services provider with more than three million clients and members in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. We provide life insurance, savings, retirement and investment solutions that help families achieve their financial goals and make a lasting difference in their lives and communities. Foresters Financial has assets of $17.7 billion, liabilities of $15.7 billion, total funds under management of $45.1 billion and a surplus of $2 billion (all figures in Canadian dollars as of December 31, 2017). For more information, visit foresters.com. Products offered vary by country. Not all products are available for distribution in all jurisdictions. In the United States, products are offered by The Independent Order of Foresters and its subsidiaries, including Foresters Financial Services, Inc. a registered broker-dealer. Securities, life insurance and annuity products are offered through Foresters Financial Services, Inc. or independent producers. Insurance products are issued by Foresters Life Insurance and Annuity Company, New York, or The Independent Order of Foresters. Investment advisory products and services are offered through Foresters Advisory Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser. 1Financial strength refers to the overall financial health of The Independent Order of Foresters, Foresters Life Insurance and Annuity Company and Foresters Life Insurance Company. It does not refer to nor represent the performance of any particular investment or insurance product. All investing involves risk, including the risk that you can lose money. 2The A.M. Best ratings assigned on August 2, 2018 reflect overall strength and claims-paying ability of The Independent Order of Foresters (IOF), Foresters Life Insurance Company (FLIC) and Foresters Life Insurance and Annuity Company (FLIAC) but does not apply to the performance of any non IOF, FLIC or FLIAC issued product. An "A" (Excellent) rating is assigned to companies that have a strong ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders and have, on balance, excellent balance sheet strength, operating performance and business profile when compared to the standards established by A.M. Best Company. A.M. Best assigns ratings from A++ to F, A++ and A+ being superior ratings and A and A- being excellent ratings. In assigning the ratings for IOF, FLIC and FLIAC, A.M. Best stated that the rating outlook is "stable", which means it is unlikely to change in the near future. See ambest.com for our latest ratings. 3Description of member benefits that you may receive assumes you are a Foresters member. You are a member if you are an insured under a life or health insurance certificate, or an annuitant under an annuity certificate, issued by The Independent Order of Foresters, or you are a social fraternal member. Foresters Financial member benefits are non-contractual, subject to benefit specific eligibility requirements, definitions and limitations and may be changed or cancelled without notice. 4Solvency ratios indicate that Foresters ability to meet long-term obligations is above and beyond what is required. 5This surplus, comprising approximate assets of $17.7 billion and liabilities of $15.7 billion, represents excess funds above the amount required as legal reserves for insurance and annuity certificates in force and provides additional assurances to our members for our long term financial strength. Foresters Financial and Foresters are trade names and trademarks of The Independent Order of Foresters (a fraternal benefit society, 789 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Canada M3C 1T9) and its subsidiaries. 416788 CAN/US (10/18), 416788 FR (10/18) 18-00738 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005676/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] You create a life for yourself in a place like this, Levin said last month just before the synagogue held its final service. I did, and same for my friends. And now youre saying that were going to leave this building and were going to be with another congregation. Everything is different. [October 11, 2018] Uncovering Canada's Smart Water Solutions The SWAN North American Alliance webinar hosted by Frost & Sullivan will highlight how progressive utilities are leveraging multiple systems and data points to optimize service delivery SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 11, 2018 /CNW/ -- Join the Energy & Environment team at Frost & Sullivan as it hosts the SWAN North American Alliance for a live, complimentary briefing, Uncovering Canada's Smart Water Solutions, on Monday, October 22, at 2:00 PM CT. Seth Cutler, Principal Consultant at Frost & Sullivan, will moderate the interactive briefing and will be joined by utility experts John Presta, Director of Environmental Services for the Regional Municipality of Durham, Gary Thompson, Water Supply Unit Area Supervisor for Process Operations & Maintenance for the City of Toronto, and Darrol Weiss, Control Systems Services Leader for the City of Calgary. To register for the complimentary webcast, please visit: http://frost.ly/2u2 Canadian utilities struggle with fiscal constraints, high customer ervice expectations, and disparate and aging networks, just like many other utilities globally. However, they have built a reputation for the progressive adoption of advanced technologies and solutions, including data-based smart water solutions. This puts Canadian water and wastewater utilities in a pivotal position to share knowledge and best practices for tackling local problems that deliver global lessons. Join this webinar to hear SWAN North American Alliance experts share essential tips to incorporate in Canada and how these ideas can be utilized globally. "The Canadian water and wastewater industries represent billions of dollars in spending capital and operational technologies and services," said Cutler. "Like other advanced utility industries, Canada has made the investment in smart water solutions a key current and future investment to deliver an improved financial, operational, and service outlook. This webinar will uncover key successes to better understand approaches in Canada and how these ideas can be exported around the world." Key takeaways of the webcast include: Understand how asset management information and internal and external data points are leveraged to deliver millions of dollars in savings annually Learn how utility companies transformed fiscal and operational challenges into strengths Improve the operating conditions and financial health of your service About Frost & Sullivan Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses the global challenges and related growth opportunities that will make or break today's market participants. For more than 50 years, we have been developing growth strategies for the global 1000, emerging businesses, the public sector and the investment community. Contact us: Start the discussion For more information, visit ww2.frost.com or call +1 (877) 463-7678 Press Contact: Jaylon Brinkley Frost & Sullivan +1 (210) 247 2481 jaylon.brinkley@frost.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uncovering-canadas-smart-water-solutions-300729658.html SOURCE Frost & Sullivan [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Sprint Network is Most Improved and #1 in 123 Cities in Download Speeds OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- New quarterly data from Ookla is here, and I'm excited to share Speedtest Intelligence results showing continued improvement in our network performance. Sprint had its best-ever showing with the fastest average download speed in 123 cities.1 And we continue to be the most improved carrier in the country, with national average download speeds up a significant 31.5% year-over-year.2 To view the full Sprint blog post, please visit: https://newsroom.sprint.com/sprint-most-improved-123-cities.htm Customers are getting great download speeds across the country from Honolulu, Hawaii, to Providence, Rhode Island. And in many cities the average download speeds are even more impressive Beverly Hills, CA at 43.51 Mbps; Boulder, CO at 57.51 Mbps; Coeur d'Alene, ID at 44.69 Mbps; Jackson, NJ at 59.04 Mbps; and Reston, VA at 47.2 Mbps to name a few 1 These results are being driven by our Next-Gen Network strategy and our largest network investment in years. Some key aspects of our network build contributing to our improved performance include: Triband Upgrades As we upgrade more macro sites to use all three of our spectrum bands (800 MHz, 1.9 GHz, and 2.5 GHz) customers get our best network experience. As we upgrade more macro sites to use all three of our spectrum bands (800 MHz, 1.9 GHz, and 2.5 GHz) customers get our best network experience. Small Cells We're rolling out more of our 2.5 GHz spectrum for faster data speeds than before by adding more indoor and outdoor small cells to our network. We have a fantastic variety of flexible small cell solutions from Sprint Magic Box to mini macros to strand mounts that are making an impact in customers' homes, businesses and communities. We're rolling out more of our 2.5 GHz spectrum for faster data speeds than before by adding more indoor and outdoor small cells to our network. We have a fantastic variety of flexible small cell solutions from Sprint Magic Box to mini macros to strand mounts that are making an impact in customers' homes, businesses and communities. LTE Advanced Technology More and more Sprint customers with capable devices are benefiting from faster data speeds than before as we utilize some of the most advanced technologies in wireless High Performance User Equipment (HPUE), 256 QAM, 4X4 MIMO, multiple carrier aggregation and more. We've also begun to deploy Massive MIMO technology, which is adding significant capacity to our 4G network and is a key bridge to Sprint 5G service launching in the first half of 2019. Our Next-Gen Network build is unlocking our deep 2.5 GHz spectrum holdings, and we're excited to provide millions of customers across the country with an even better experience than before on a network that's built for unlimited. The investment we're making is delivering better coverage, reliability and speed, and it's building a strong LTE Advanced foundation for our launch of mobile 5G next year. 1 Analysis by Ookla of Speedtest Intelligence data average download speeds from 7/1/18 to 9/30/18 for all mobile results. 2 Analysis by Ookla of Speedtest Intelligence data comparing average download speeds from September 2017 to September 2018 for all mobile results. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sprint-network-is-most-improved-and-1-in-123-cities-in-download-speeds-300729659.html SOURCE Sprint [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] North America Video Streaming Software Market, 2023 By Component (Solutions and Services), Streaming Type (Video On-demand Streaming and Live Streaming), Deployment Type & End User DUBLIN, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The "North America Video Streaming Software Market By Component (Solutions and Services), By Streaming Type (Video On-demand Streaming and Live Streaming), By Deployment Type, By End User, By Country, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2013-2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. North America video streaming software market is projected to grow at a CAGR of more than 23% by 2023, on the back of rising development across mobile and broadband infrastructure and enhanced audio and video compression techniques. Moreover, increasing network bandwidth in order to fulfil growing demand among users to view videos on multiple screens, growing deployment of video analytics as well as artificial intelligence for enhancing user experience and rising deployment of video streaming across education sector is further expected to steer growth in North America video streaming software market during the forecast years. North America Video Streaming Software Market, 2013-2023 discusses the following aspects of video streaming software market in North America: Video Streaming Software Market Size, Share & Forecast Segmental Analysis - By Component (Solutions & Services), By Streaming Type (Video On-demand Streaming &am; Live Streaming), By Deployment Type (On-Premise & Cloud), By End User, By Country Competitive Analysis Changing Market Trends & Emerging Opportunities Why You Should Buy This Report? To gain an in-depth understanding of video streaming software in North America To identify the on-going trends and anticipated growth in the next five years To help industry consultants, video streaming software distributor, distributors and other stakeholders align their market-centric strategies To obtain research-based business decisions and add weight to presentations and marketing material To gain competitive knowledge of leading market players North America video streaming software market is controlled by these major players Brightcove, Inc. Ooyala, Inc. IBM Corporation Kaltura, Inc. Haivision Systems, Inc. Panopto, Inc. Wowza Media Systems, LLC Vbrick, Inc. Muvi LLC Vimeo LLC Key Topics Covered: 1. Product Overview 2. Research Methodology 3. Analyst View 4. Global Video Streaming Software Market Overview 5. North America Video Streaming Software Market Landscape 6. North America Video Streaming Software Market Outlook 7. United States Video Streaming Software Market Outlook 8. Canada Video Streaming Software Market Outlook 9. Mexico Video Streaming Software Market Outlook 10. Market Dynamics 11. Market Trends & Developments 12. Competitive Landscape 13. Strategic Recommendations For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/76n8v8/north_america?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 press@researchandmarkets.com 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 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/north-america-video-streaming-software-market-2023-by-component-solutions-and-services-streaming-type-video-on-demand-streaming-and-live-streaming-deployment-type--end-user-300729463.html SOURCE Research and Markets [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Trimoz Technologies: simplifying appointment scheduling in the Quebec health sector and soon in Ontario The Government of Canada awards more than $117,000 in financial assistance to this innovative Alma business Oct. 11, 2018, ALMA, QC /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) Trimoz Technologies will receive a repayable contribution of $117,450 from CED. With this financial assistance, the innovative SME will be able to facilitate the health sector's transition to digital appointment scheduling. Its marketing efforts will allow it to introduce its web and mobile platforms to health facilities, independent pharmacists, health professionals and Quebec health system users. This contribution will also help it commercialize its system on the Ontario market. This funding was announced today by Richard Hebert, Member of Parliament for Lac-Saint-Jean and Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CED. The funding, provided through CED's Quebec Economic Development Program, will serve mainly to fund the marketing of the new software, which will involve designing and adapting promotional tools, carrying out marketing activities, participating in events, and hiring staff specializing in advisory and market development services. The project will create three jobs. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting innovative Canadian businesses. A driving force of the economy, innovation is the key to success because it generates growth that benefits both businesses and communities. That is why we make sure businesses can rely on adequate resources to create and market innovatie products. Quotes "Trimoz Technologies' innovative solutions are major assets to Quebec's health services. I am delighted with the financial support provided by CED, which has chosen to leverage the innovation capacity and expertise of Lac-Saint-Jean's small businesses. The contribution announced today will help Trimoz Technologies prosper and expand its market, while contributing to the region's economic vitality." Richard Hebert, Member of Parliament for Lac-Saint-Jean and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion "With its Innovation and Skills Plan, the Government of Canada has introduced an ambitious approach to supporting innovative Canadian businesses that are coming up with new ways of creating value, and which are looking to capture new markets. This represents a firm commitment to the prosperity of the community." The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED "The system we've created here at Trimoz will help us improve the lives of Canadians by providing an intelligent appointment scheduling system. Thanks to CED's support, our business will be able to strengthen its position as a leader in the development of digital health tools for front-line services." Stephane Lajoie, Founding President, Trimoz Technologies Quick facts Trimoz's innovative technological solution involves introducing an interoperable version of its platform to optimize the management of a multiservice continuum (e.g. pharmacist/nurse/nutritionist for seniors). Trimoz will incorporate a form of intelligence into the appointment scheduling options and research availabilities to enable management of self-care by patients. Trimoz Technologies is not unknown in the field. Its solutions are used in most of Quebec's integrated health and social services centres and in more than 200 pharmacies. integrated health and social services centres and in more than 200 pharmacies. Clicsante.ca and Pharmaservices.ca already allow users to schedule appointments quickly and are demonstrating a real effort to modernize Canada's health system. health system. CED is one of the six regional development agencies under the responsibility of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. The year 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of federal regional economic development in Quebec : half a century of concrete action targeting the growth of Quebec's regions and businesses. the 50th anniversary of federal regional economic development in : half a century of concrete action targeting the growth of regions and businesses. To find out more about CED and its priorities, see the 20182019 Departmental Plan or visit www.dec-ced.gc.ca. Stay connected Follow CED on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube Follow Trimoz Technologies on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] From 'Bron To Breasts - Jacob Emrani's Passion Has Purpose LOS ANGELES, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani, a Los Angeles personal injury law firm who earlier this year generated international buzz via his #LABron recruitment effort that began in March and LeBron admittedly appreciated, has turned his sights from the Purple & Gold to Pink & White, announcing the launch of a multi-media campaign, including Television, Radio, Outdoor and Digital marketing efforts, to once again ignite the community and raise funds and awareness for breast cancer during the month of October. Jacob Emrani has partnered with Susan G. Komen Los Angeles, the Southern California chapter of the largest breast cancer organization in the U.S. that addresses the disease from community health, research, public policy, and global outreach perspectives. The campaign will feature the Hashtag "#CallJacob2FightCancer." Attorney Jacob Emrani is encouraging individuals or teams to log on to CallJacob.com and make a donation. As incentive to raise even more donations, Emrani will match a portion of all donations at the end of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Emrani will also be making a lage donation under the name of the team or individual that raises the highest donation amount by the end of October. Sharing Is Caring In addition, Jacob is encouraging people to share personal stories via social media. The images and videos of their fight, or a loved ones battle with cancer will be featured in the law firm's breast cancer awareness campaign. By building awareness to fight breast cancer and encourage sharing, the attorney plans to continue to foster a sense of community and strength. In promotion of the sharing initiative, Emrani will make an additional donation each time the Hashtag "#CallJacob2FightCancer" is used. Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani serves all of Los Angeles as well as cities in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, and San Diego Counties. Dedicated to fighting for clients, protecting them from insurance companies, and helping accident victims acquire the appropriate financial compensation, the firm accommodates all as best as possible. Representatives can meet in a client's home or office to limit travel time and costs. Join The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani in continuing the fight against breast cancer by donating at CallJacob.com. Website & Social Profiles: Website - https://www.CallJacob.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/call.jacob/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/JacobEmrani Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JacobEmraniLaw View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/from-bron-to-breasts--jacob-emranis-passion-has-purpose-300729726.html SOURCE The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] NRC Group Receives Permit for Permian Basin Waste Disposal Landfill Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. III (NYSE American: HCAC.U, HCAC, HCAC.WS) ("HCAC" or the "Company") and NRC Group Holdings, LLC ("NRC Group"), which HCAC expects to acquire from J.F. Lehman & Company ("JFLCo") this month, today announced that NRC Group has received a permit for its landfill facility located in Pecos County, Texas, which lies within the Permian Basin. Construction will begin immediately, with operations expected to commence in early 2019, in line with the anticipated schedule and consistent with fiscal year 2019 revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance. "This permit validates NRC Group's near-term waste expansion strategy," said Daniel J. Hennessy, Chairman and CEO of HCAC. "We look forward to continuing to invest in our waste disposal business to better serve the needs of our customers and believe we can accelerate our waste expansion strategy as a public company." NRC Group is in the process of expanding its waste disposal capabilities into the Permian Basin to meet the growing demands of its existing waste disposal and environmental services customers. This new facility is modeled on the success of its existing Karnes County facility, and NRC Group believes its experience there could result in similar strong customer adoption rates. NRC Group CEO Chris Swinbank commented: "We have been serving our customers in the Permian Basin for over six years through our environmental services business and look forward to offering those same customers our unique and compelling disposal capabilities, many of which already work with us in the Eagle Ford (News - Alert) at our existing Karnes County landfill facility. After the completion of our Pecos County landfill and our other planned Permian facilities in Reagan and Andrews County, we will be able to serve our customers wherever they need us by providing access to waste disposal services covering the majority of drilling activity in the Permian Basin. The combination of our environmental services and waste disposal offerings gives NRC Group the unique ability to provide a "cradle-to-grave" solution for our customers' waste streams from the point of generation all the way through the ultimate deposit at one of our landfill facilities." About NRC Group and JFLCo NRC Group is a portfolio company of investment affiliates of JFLCo, a leading middle-market private equity firm focused exclusively on the aerospace, defense, maritime, government and environmental sectors. NRC Group is a global provider of comprehensive environmental, compliance and waste management services to the marine and rail transportation, general industrial and energy markets. NRC Group's broad range of capabilities includes standby, environmental and waste disposal services, and enable it to provide a global reach to meet the critical, non-discretionary needs of its more than 5,000 customers across diverse end markets. NRC Group was established in June 2018 through the combination of two businesses, National Response Corporation and Sprint (News - Alert) Energy Services, both previously operating separately under the ownership of investment affiliates of JFLCo. For more information, please visit www.nrcc.com. For more information on JFLCo, please visit www.jflpartners.com. No portion of the websites referenced in this paragraph is incorporated by reference into or otherwise deemed to be a part of this news release. About Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. III Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. III is a blank check company founded by Daniel J. Hennessy and formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The Company's acquisition and value creation strategy is to identify, acquire and, after its initial business combination, build an industrial/infrastructure manufacturing, distribution or services business. Additional Information About the Proposed Business Combination and Where to Find It The proposed Business Combination will be submitted to stockholders of the Company for their consideration. The Company has filed with the SEC (News - Alert) a definitive proxy statement on October 1, 2018 in connection with the Business Combination and related matters and will mail the definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents to its stockholders as of the October 1, 2018 record date established for voting on the proposed transaction. The Company's stockholders and other interested persons are advised to read the definitive proxy statement, in connection with the Company's solicitation of proxies for its special meeting of stockholders to be held to approve, among other things, the Business Combination, because this document will contain important information about the Company, NRC Group and the Business Combination. Stockholders may also obtain a copy of the definitive proxy statement as well as other documents filed with the SEC regarding the Business Combination and other documents filed with the SEC by HCAC, without charge, at the SEC's website located at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to Nicholas A. Petruska, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, 3485 North Pines Way, Suite 110, Wilson, Wyoming 83014 or by telephone at (312) 803-0372. Participants in the Solicitation The Company, JFLCo, NRC Group, and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may, under SEC rules, be deemed to be participants in the solicitations of proxies from the Company's stockholders in connection with the Business Combination. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of the Company's stockholders in connection with the Business Combination is set forth in the Company's definitive proxy statement dated October 1, 2018 on file with the SEC. You can find more information about the Company's directors and executive officers in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on April 2, 2018. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests are included in the Company's definitive proxy statement, which can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes, or incorporates by reference, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "target" or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (1) references with respect to the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination; (2) the projection of future financial performance of NRC Group, NRC Group's operating companies and HCAC following the Business Combination; (3) changes in the market for NRC Group's services and expansion plans and opportunities; (4) future acquisition or additional business combinations; (5) the financing component of the Business Combination, including any related subscription agreements; (6) the sources and uses of cash; (7) the management and board composition of the Company following the Business Combination; (8) the anticipated capitalization and enterprise value of the Company following the Business Combination; (9) the continued listing of the Company's securities on the NYSE American; and (10) the expected closing date of the Business Combination. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statement, and which include, but are not limited to, the following factors: (1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the purchase agreement between JFL-NRC- SES (News - Alert) and HCAC; (2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against NRC Group, JFLCo or the Company following announcement of the Business Combination and related transactions; (3) the inability to complete the transactions contemplated by the purchase agreement between JFL-NRC-SES and HCAC due to the failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of the Company, consummate the anticipated financing, or satisfy other conditions to the closing of the Business Combination; (4) the ability to obtain or maintain the listing of the Company's securities on the NYSE American following the Business Combination; (5) the risk that the Business Combination disrupts the parties' current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the transactions described herein; (6) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability of the combined business to grow and manage growth profitably; (7) unexpected costs, charges or expenses related to or resulting from the Business Combination; (8) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (9) the possibility that NRC Group or the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and (10) other risks associated with the Business Combination, as more fully discussed in the definitive proxy statement filed by the Company with the SEC on October 1, 2018 in connection with the Business Combination. Investors and potential investors are urged not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this news release, which speak only as of this date. Neither the Company nor JFLCo nor NRC Group undertakes any obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement to reflect future events or circumstances. Nothing contained herein constitutes or will be deemed to constitute a forecast, projection or estimate of the future financial performance of the Company, NRC Group, or the combined company, following the implementation of the Business Combination or otherwise. In addition, actual results are subject to other risks identified in the Company's prior and future filings with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov. No Offer or Solicitation This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005803/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Dallas Modernizes 311 Operations Using Incapsulate's Citizen Services Solution DALLAS, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Incapsulate announces that Dallas, Texas is the latest city to modernize 311 operations with Incapsulate's 311 Capsule, a digital engagement and workflow solution geared towards municipal use that is built atop the industry-leading Salesforce platform. Launched October 1, 2018, the Dallas 311 Capsule solution will handle over one million service requests annually, ranging from bulk trash pickups to animal control issues. The 311 Capsule solution includes a public-facing portal as well as web-based and mobile apps to support 311 Call Center staff, City Departments, and field work crews. Designed to be configurable by business users, the 311 Capsule eliminates the need for custom development, lowering the costs of maintenance and accelerating time to implement. "Dallas is an iconic city, known worldwide and a leader in citizen services. Incapsulate is honored to have them join our 311 family," said Ajay Batish, Incapsulate's CEO. The 311 Capsule will provide Dallas with enhanced visibility into operations, improved service, and increased efficiencies via end-to-end digital service management. "In less than one year, we've been able to modernize every aspect of our CRM service from public-facing apps to internal systems. Looking ahead, we're excited to continue to expand our capabilities with the modern, cloud-based solution provided by Incapsulate and Salesforce. This smart government initiative achieves several of the City's Information Technology Goals, in particular Goal 2 (Simplify the End User's Experience with the City of Dallas) and Goal 3 (Improve Efficiency and Effectiveness of City Operations)," added William Finch, City of Dallas - IT Department. For more information please contact Kirk Swann at 888.589.2571. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dallas-modernizes-311-operations-using-incapsulates-citizen-services-solution-300729767.html SOURCE Incapsulate [October 11, 2018] Futuri Media's Sustained Growth Continues with the Appointment of Marty Shagrin and Kimberly Peters to Key Roles CLEVELAND, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Futuri Media, a global leader in technology designed to drive audience and revenue growth for broadcasters, today announced key additions to its team from the financial and technology communities. The experience they bring to the company is intended to further drive its sustained growth, which was recently recognized by Futuri being named to the Honor Roll of the Inc 5000 List of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies, having earned placement on the list, which is based on year-over-year growth, a remarkable five years running. Marty Shagrin has been named SVP, Strategy & Corporate Development for Futuri Media. In this role, Marty will drive Futuri's M&A and Corporate Development initiatives, analyze company performance and trends, and lead financial strategy and planning activity. Prior to joining Futuri, Shagrin spent 18 years at investment management firm Victory Capital, most recently as Research Analyst and Portfolio Manager, where he was active in researching and investing in companies across all market sectors and specialized in due diligence on investment opportunities in the Technology, Media, and Consumer industries. Kimberly Peters has been named General Manager, Partner Success for Futuri Media. In this role, Peters will lead the Partner Success team, a group of strategists, primarily with media programming backgrounds, who work with Futuri partners to develop client-specific strategies to drive their objectives, deliver results, and maximize their ROI. Peters joins Futuri from Oracle, where she served as a Senior Customer Experience Strategist, a key ole in developing customer success programs for the multi-billion dollar company's SaaS clients. These staff moves come at a particularly active period in Futuri's sustained period of growth. Recently named to the 2018 Inc 5000 List of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies , this year's win earned Futuri a spot on the Inc 5000 Honor Roll as a five-time honoree, something fewer than 10% of all Inc 5000 honorees achieve. Futuri was also recently named to the Weatherhead 100, which recognizes an elite group of Northeast Ohio companies with a high percentage of revenue growth over the past five years. Futuri's win in 2018 marks their fifth year on the list. "Futuri has demonstrated sustained growth through our commitment to our partners' success. Our team is focused on driving ratings, revenue, and digital engagement growth for our clients," said Futuri Media CEO Daniel Anstandig. "With Marty Shagrin in his new SVP, Strategy & Corporate Development role, and Kimberly Peters leading our Partner Success efforts, our high-performing team adds invaluable experience from the financial and technology sectors and furthers our strategy of investing in the best technology and highly skilled and talented leadership." ABOUT FUTURI MEDIA Futuri Media is a global leader in SaaS technology designed to drive audience and revenue growth by deepening consumers' trust in, affinity for, and loyalty to brands and the teams who represent them. Futuri Media's audience engagement and sales technology, for which it holds 11 published or pending patents in 151 countries, is used by thousands of broadcasters and publishers worldwide. Named to the Inc. 5000 List of America's fastest-growing private companies for five consecutive years, Futuri Media's best-in-class customer support is a key driver of its growth. Founded by CEO Daniel Anstandig in 2009, Futuri Media is dedicated to driving measurable success for its partners through innovative SaaS technology, proactivity, speed, and trust in all of its relationships. For more on Futuri Media, visit futurimedia.com . FOR MORE INFORMATION Zena Burns Futuri Media 203198@email4pr.com 216.236.9020 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/futuri-medias-sustained-growth-continues-with-the-appointment-of-marty-shagrin-and-kimberly-peters-to-key-roles-300729784.html SOURCE Futuri Media [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Keller Williams Latest Kelle Skill Taps Nextdoor's Insights to Empower Agents Keller Williams (KW), the world's largest real estate franchise by agent count and the U.S. leader in units and sales volume, announces its data insights partnership with Nextdoor has been a key value driver of recent engagement with KW's Kelle Market Snaps artificial intelligence skill. "Nextdoor has created and continues to collect a trove of hyperlocal insights sourced from people that live in over 180,000 neighborhoods," said Neil Dholakia, chief product officer, Keller Williams. "Through our exclusive partnership, we are combining these insights with our robust real estate data set, the industry's largest, to empower agents to strengthen their local market expertise." "Kelle, our proprietary artificial intelligence-based personal assistant, makes it all easier by providing a simple voice interface for agents to access and share this data," said Dholakia. A Kelle Market Snap blends neighborhood boundary data from Nextdoor with the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to deliver real-time, hyperlocal market reports. Agents can access a neighborhood's number of active listings, median home price, days on market and more and share it - 'in a snap'. The Kelle Market Snaps skill rolled out to agents in the U.S. and Canada on June 7, 2018 via Kelle. Since launching in mid-February, the Kelle mobile app has racked up more than 130,000 downloads. Keller Williams has found that a client is four times more likely to stay on a Kelle Market Snap web page link when an agent sends market information that leverages Nextdoor-driven neighborhood boundary insights versus a zip or postal code-based Market Snap. More information on Kelle Snap web pages is available upon request. Partnership Momentum (News - Alert) In February of 2018, Keller Williams first announced that it was leveraging insights from Nextdoor as part of its holistic efforts to give consumers a better and more intuitive agent-driven home-buying experience. "From the very beginning, some of the most popular neighborhood conversations on Nextdoor have been about homes for sale and the local real estate market," said Lauren Nemeth, Chief Revenue Officer, Nextdoor. "This partnership not ony puts Nextdoor's unique hyper-local insights at the fingertips of Keller Williams agents but also provides a natural way for agents to provide true value for neighbors by engaging in real-time neighborhood chatter on real estate through our neighborhood sponsorship program," said Nemeth. As part of the partnership, Keller Williams agents receive a free business page and can feature their listings on Nextdoor. Keller Williams agents are also encouraged to sponsor a neighborhood ZIP code, through Nextdoor's Neighborhood Sponsorship program, which positions agents as the local expert and helps them stay abreast of local neighborhood happenings and trends. Recently, Nextdoor announced a new Neighborhood Sponsorship feature that allows agents to promote their listings, share market trends and direct conversations within the neighborhood. Keller Williams agents not yet on Nextdoor can sign up at realestate.nextdoor.com. Kelle and Kelle Market Snaps Skill Momentum "Clients care about what the people in a neighborhood think about their neighborhood," said Dholakia. "And, by providing these hyper local insights, Keller Williams agents become not only the local expert but also a trusted advisor." To date, 579,905 Kelle Market Snaps have been created and shared with clients. Screenshots of Kelle Market Snaps are available. "We strive to put the best data in front of our agents; as such, we are adding new sources of data and leveraging artificial intelligence to discover new insights, all to create a leading advantage for our agents," said Dholakia. In Q4 '18, Keller Williams' agents will be able to tailor their Kelle Market Snap stats to the level of data they want to emphasize, from a given neighborhood, zip code, and real estate office to an agent- and team-specific area of operations. Kelle won the "Best Real Estate Technology of 2018" award from Inman News in July 2018. The real estate franchise has released many Kelle features and benefits YTD. Details are available online. About Keller Williams Austin, Texas-based Keller Williams, the world's largest real estate franchise by agent count, has more than 975 offices and 186,000 associates. The franchise is also No. 1 in units and sales volume in the United States. In 2015, Keller Williams began its evolution into a technology company, now building the real estate platform that agents' buyers and sellers prefer. Since 1983, the company has cultivated an agent-centric, technology-driven, and education-based culture that rewards agents as stakeholders. For more information, visit kw.com. About Nextdoor.com, Inc. Nextdoor (nextdoor.com) is the free and private social network for neighborhoods available on Web, iOS, and Android (News - Alert) . On Nextdoor, neighbors create private online communities where they get to know one another, ask questions, and exchange advice and recommendations. More than 180,000 neighborhoods across the United States, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands are using Nextdoor to build stronger and safer places to call home. Headquartered in San Francisco, Calif., Nextdoor is a privately held company with the backing of prominent investors, including Benchmark, Greylock Partners, Tiger Global Management, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and others. For additional information and images: nextdoor.com/newsroom View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005843/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] Financial Literacy Coalition of Central Texas Receives $8K Grant from Horizon Bank and FHLB Dallas Horizon Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) have awarded $8,240 to a nonprofit devoted to providing financial planning education to low-income individuals and families through personal money and credit management education programs. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005866/en/ Horizon Bank and FHLB Dallas awarded $8,240 in Partnership Grant Program funds to the Financial Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, a nonprofit devoted to providing financial planning education to low-income individuals and families through personal money and credit management education programs. (Photo: Business Wire) The Partnership Grant Program ( PGP (News - Alert) ) funds were awarded yesterday to the Financial Literacy Coalition of Central Texas (FLCCT) during a ceremonial check presentation at Horizon Bank in Austin, Texas. FLCCT will use the funds to support the nonprofit's Financial Literacy Summit, taking place in Austin in April 2019. The event will bring together government representatives, bank executives, school administrators and educators, foundations and nonprofit and community leaders to share best practices and successful initiatives that work to eliminate the lack of financial education access in low-income communities. "Our goal is to increase access to financial education resouces and provide information to which a lot of low-income families don't have access," said Lourdes Zuniga, executive director at FLCCT. "We're trying to build financial stability in the community and we're excited and grateful to receive this grant." This is the organization's first PGP award. Horizon Bank Chief Operating Officer Gregg Bennett said FLCCT's mission to support the community and its economic success aligns with that of Horizon Bank. "We are truly appreciative of the opportunity we have through the PGP and our partnership with FHLB Dallas to help this organization in its efforts to provide valuable financial education," said Mr. Bennett. "It's a much-needed service that supports those in our communities who might not otherwise have access to that kind of information." PGP is a unique program that enables FHLB Dallas member institutions to contribute from $500 up to $4,000 to a CBO, which FHLB Dallas matches at a 3:1 ratio to provide the CBO up to $12,000 in grant money. In 2018, FHLB Dallas has awarded $300,000 in PGP funds through 31 member institutions to assist 32 community-based organizations. Combined with the $114,010 contributed by FHLB Dallas members, a total of $414,010 has been awarded to the organizations. "Partnership Grant Program funds not only benefit recipients of the funds, but also our member institutions," said Greg Hettrick, first vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. "It enables our members to work closely with the community to create positive outcomes for those who need it the most." Without the PGP funds, FLCCT would have struggled to expand its programs, Ms. Zuniga said. "Now, we can have a presence in more schools," she said. "Our goal is to one day be in every school in the Austin School District, educating not only students, but also their parents. We hope they'll have conversations at home about financial planning to achieve their goals, and that those discussions become part of the fabric of their daily lives." About Horizon Bank Horizon Bank, SSB, is a state chartered savings bank established in 1905, and based in Austin, Texas. Horizon, with assets at nearly $1 billion, has branches in Austin, Holland, Salado and Cedar Park. In addition, Horizon's wholly owned subsidiary, STRATA Trust Company, is located in Waco. For more information, go to horizonbanktexas.com. About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $75.9 billion as of June 30, 2018, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community investment by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 825 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit fhlb.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005866/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Working-class communities of color have historically been faced with environmental racism. We live in areas that have a lot of industrial activity, but these industries have been going unchecked for a long time, said Billy Drew, NEJ board member. Theres very little regulation and it favors [dirty] industry. We wanted to bring these brown communities together to look at ways to address these injustices citywide. [October 11, 2018] Reagan County Chooses Verity for Next Election BIG LAKE, Texas, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- When Reagan County officials decided it was time to replace voting equipment in use since 2005, County and District Clerk Terri Curry turned first to longtime election partner Hart InterCivic and the new Verity Voting system, the most up-to-date election technology available in the United States. "I heard good things about Verity, especially from neighboring Irion County," Curry said. "They chose Verity last year and have been very happy with smooth elections." A flexible, trustworthy system, Verity is built to be user-friendly and secure. The system is backed by a proven provider with long-term, boots-on-the-ground election experience. "Reagan County is a valued partner, and we look forward to continuing to support their election success for many years to come," said Phillip Braithwaite, President and CEO of Hart InterCivic, an Austin-based company with more than 100 years of experience providing election solutions. "Verity is the best choice for the County's elections today and in the future." Verity is a federally and state certified system designed and built in Texas. More than half of the voters in the State cast their ballots on Hart's election technology, and Verity is a natural next step for those ready to modernize. Officials in the West Texas county chose Verity after an onsite demonstration this summer. "Our commissioners appreciated a stable, dependable option. We never had a problem with our existing equipment, but nothing is built to last forever," said Curry. "Our voters are going to be excited, too. They have always wanted touchscreens, and Verity is so easy to learn." "Continuing to work with Hart is a bonus. Their customer service is the best it's built on trust. We have a great relationship with their staff and know them by name," continued Curry, who has 20 years of experience in her election role. Hart has delivered the new equipment, and Curry is looking forward to Hart's trainers arriving to work with election staff before the November General Election. "I'm confident in Hart's approach to training. Maybe a little nervous, but Hart will be here for us. I know that no matter what happens, I can count on their support. Everyone I work with at Hart is helpful and friendly," she said. Reagan County joins a growing number of Texas jurisdictions moving to Verity. Since the Texas Secretary of State certified the latest release of the system in late 2016, Hart has shipped more than 8,000 Verity devices across the State. First federally certified in 2015, the secure and efficient system is also in use in numerous counties throughout the U.S. Braithwaite expects more announcements throughout 2018 as additional jurisdictions choose Verity to refresh their election technology. Learn more about Verity in Texas: https://www.hartintercivic.com/texas/ About Hart InterCivic, Inc. Austin-based Hart InterCivic is a full-service election solutions innovator, partnering with state and local governments to deliver secure, accurate and reliable elections. Working side-by-side with election professionals for more than 100 years, Hart is committed to helping advance democracy one election at a time. Hart's mission fuels its passionate customer focus and a continuous drive for technological innovation. The company's new Verity Voting system makes voting more straightforward, equitable and accessibleand makes managing elections more transparent, more efficient and easier. Only Hart offers a completely new, secure voting system with electronic, paper and hybrid options. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/reagan-county-chooses-verity-for-next-election-300729753.html SOURCE Hart InterCivic, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] American Equity Launches New Fixed Index Annuity American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company, a leading underwriter of index and fixed rate annuities, announced a new fixed index annuity product to its competitive product portfolio. The AssetShield offers multiple allocation strategies, strong growth opportunity potential and increased liquidity options for added access to and control of money when clients need it. "Our new product is focused on accumulation while maintaining the core retirement need of asset protection. It has a 175 percent participation rate on the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats with a two year point-to-point indexed strategy," said Kirby Wood, Chief Distribution Officer of American Equity. "This new product has the advantage of being uniquely suited for retirement saving growth potential." The AssetShield, with 5, 7, and 0 year terms available, offers multiple index crediting allocations - all backed by S&P indices, plus added access features for increased asset control. It also features the standard benefits of a fixed index annuity, including principal protection from index volatility and tax-deferred growth potential. "We are excited to add this product series to our already competitive product portfolio," said Ron Grensteiner, President of American Equity. "It's our mission to provide best-in-class customer service with safe retirement options." ABOUT AMERICAN EQUITY American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company is a full-service underwriter of fixed annuity products, with a primary emphasis on the sale of index annuities. Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company is committed to providing products with integrity, as well as superior service to the agents it partners with and their policyholders. For more information, please visit www.american-equity.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005900/en/ [October 11, 2018] Beaches Resorts To Host 100 Elite Digital Mom Influencers At 4th Annual "Social Media On The Sand" Conference October 17-21 MIAMI, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- 100 elite digital mom influencers will converge in paradise at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages and Spa for the Fourth Annual Beaches Resorts "Social Media on the Sand" conference. This sold out, invitation only event will be led by some of industry's most successful, motivated women, eager to share their stories on how to effectively navigate the use of social media to connect through the clutter. This five-day event will empower attendees by sharpening their social media savvy at an array of inspiring and immersive sessions amidst the best backdrop of all, a Luxury Included vacation along 12 miles of one of the world's best beaches, Grace Bay. Beaches Resorts handpicked an impressive list of guest speakers with valuable insights on how influencers can continue to build their social media presence in an increasingly crowded space. Keynotes include Rebecca Minkoff (founder of the eponymous fashion powerhouse), Alli Webb (founder of Drybar, the nation's premier blowout salon) and Holly Robinson Peete (award-winning author, actress, entrepreneur, philanthropist and brand spokesperson). "It's a fantastic time to be a woman in business, as technology has opened so many new doors" said Debbie-Ann White, senior vice president of public relations and promotions, Unique Vacations, Inc., the marketing and sales organization for Beaches Resorts. "Our #BeachesMoms are paving the way for women looking to break into the fast-growing influencer marketing industry and expand their businesses through social media. It's never too late to evolve your career path. We want to support all moms in this arena, whether they're up-and-coming or well-established." "Social media has had an exponential effect on my business, and brands that know how to connect with consumers, authentically and consistently, are leading the way in today's market," said Rebecca Minkoff, Co-Founder and Creative Director. "I'm excited to visit beautiful Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort and to be among many other strong, driven, female entrepreneurs sharing ideas and inspirational support." Throughout the conference, additional speakers will take the stage to discuss everything from how they built their brands to how to finesse social media skills to succeed. There's learning at every turn including a special set of more intimate cabana chats and popular interactive experiences. A sampling of speakers and sessions includes: Adam Stewart , CD (Deputy Chairman, Sandals Resorts International): "An Even Better Beaches What's Next in Programming, Dining and Expanding" (Deputy Chairman, Sandals Resorts International): "An Even Better Beaches What's Next in Programming, Dining and Expanding" Maria Bailey (CEO, BSM Media, host, Mom Talk Radio): "Monetizing Your Business A Panel" (CEO, BSM Media, host, Mom Talk Radio): "Monetizing Your Business A Panel" Michelle Vincent (Facebook Industry Manaer): "Social Media Q&A with Top Digital Mom Influencers" (Facebook Industry Manaer): "Social Media Q&A with Top Digital Mom Influencers" Kristin Castillo (VP of Strategy for Trendera): "Now and Next: Trends Shaping 2018 and Beyond" (VP of Strategy for Trendera): "Now and Next: Trends Shaping 2018 and Beyond" Myron Pincomb (Board Chairman, IBCCES): "Transforming Lives: Understanding Families with Kids on the Spectrum" (Board Chairman, IBCCES): "Transforming Lives: Understanding Families with Kids on the Spectrum" Julia Furlan (Former Supervising Producer at Buzzfeed): "Podcasting from Scratch" (Former Supervising Producer at Buzzfeed): "Podcasting from Scratch" Amy Choi (Head of Brand Partnerships of ShopStyle): "The ShopStyle Skinny: A Successful Formula for Winning Content and Monetization" (Head of Brand Partnerships of ShopStyle): "The ShopStyle Skinny: A Successful Formula for Winning Content and Monetization" Julie Cole (co-founder and VP, Mabel's Labels): "Balancing Business, Babies and Blogging: Tips and Tricks from a Mom of Six" (co-founder and VP, Mabel's Labels): "Balancing Business, Babies and Blogging: Tips and Tricks from a Mom of Six" Cindy Goodman (business journalist, social media maven): "Blogging Behind-the-Scenes: Tips and Trends" (business journalist, social media maven): "Blogging Behind-the-Scenes: Tips and Trends" Holly Homer (KidsActivities.com, Quirky Momma Facebook page): "New Strategies for Leveraging Facebook Organically" (KidsActivities.com, Quirky Momma Facebook page): "New Strategies for Leveraging Facebook Organically" Brianne Manz (Stroller in the City): "Snap, Shoot and Story Tell" (Stroller in the City): "Snap, Shoot and Story Tell" Dayvee Sutton (Emmy-winning Journalist for Television and Digital Media): "How to go from Blogger to TV News Contributor" (Emmy-winning Journalist for Television and Digital Media): "How to go from Blogger to TV News Contributor" Ella Peddy (17-year old YouTuber and DIY Expert): Teen Programming & YouTube Just Chill Lounge at Registration and the Beaches Swag Bungalow. Beaches will surprise and delight participants by deconstructing the traditional conference attendee gift bag and turning it into an interactive gifting experience. Attendees will meet and greet with event sponsors while working their way around the bungalow to snag the great complimentary swag that comes along with being a #BeachesMom. In addition to receiving great perks, attendees will have the chance to give back, as giving back is at the heart of Beaches Resorts. During their stay, influencers will participate in an extraordinary "school makeover" project at the Ianthe Pratt Primary School home to 600 children ages five to eleven. Sponsored by the Sandals Foundation and School Specialty, this activity will provide the opportunity to paint the school's existing playground and outdoor stage, along with a collection of inspirational murals. Prior to travel, attendees will also receive special backpacks encouraging them to join Beaches Resorts' Pack for a Good Cause campaign. They will each fill their backpacks with five pounds of desperately needed school supplies and distribute them personally to the school children on-site. Participation in this activity is always 100%, which equates to 500 pounds of new educational supplies on the island. In addition to the conference, outdoor-oriented activities from Cabana Chats, informative sessions where attendees will dive deep on industry-specific topics, to Interactive Experiences, where they will participate in fun resort activities will round out the programming. From oceanside yoga, TruFusion exclusive workouts that keep power couples like A-Rod and J. Lo in shape, and curated parties including Hollywood Records' artists In Real Life (IRL), the winners of ABC's hit show, Boy Band, who recently wrapped their first North American headline tour guests will enjoy all that the resort has to offer and more. Graced by 12 miles of the world's best beach on Grace Bay, Beaches Turks & Caicos offers the ultimate Luxury Included Vacation with endless land and water sports, 5-Star Global Gourmet dining at up to 21 restaurants, luxurious rooms and suites, and exciting family-friendly activities including Sesame Street stage shows and the Caribbean's most thrilling waterpark. Event partners include Drybar, Yummie, TruFusion, SpinMaster, JetBlue, Rebecca Minkoff, Hollywood Records, Cable and Wireless Business, The Crafted Coconut, Swarovski, School Specialty, SNUBA, Twiddle, NuFACE, Gaiam, Red Lane Spa, FITKICKS, Dreampad, Desert Sunglass of Scottsdale, Sprout Foods, Sun Bum, Pevonia, Air Esscentials, Build-A-Bear Workshop, The House of Perna, Sesame Workshop, Buddha Shack, Instax, essie, Tuuci, Bling2o, KooKooLoos, HeroBoys, Hapari, 8 Greens, Coconut Float, The Bouqs Co., U.R. Bath and Body, Lands' End, the Red Lane Spa, Island Routes, the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), and the Sandals Foundation. For more information on "Social Media on the Sand," please visit socialmediaonthesand.com. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/beaches-resorts-to-host-100-elite-digital-mom-influencers-at-4th-annual-social-media-on-the-sand-conference-october-17-21-300729885.html SOURCE Sandals Resorts International [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] ENGILITY HOLDINGS INVESTOR ALERT by the Former Attorney General of Louisiana: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Investigates Adequacy of Price and Process in Proposed Sale of Engility Holdings Inc. - EGL Former Attorney General of Louisiana Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq. and the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") are investigating the proposed sale of Engility Holdings Inc. ("Engility") (NYSE: EGL) to Science Applications International Corp. (" SAIC (News - Alert) ") (NYSE: SAIC). Under the terms of the proposed transaction, shareholders of Engility will receive only 0.450 shares of SAIC for each share of Engility that they own. KSF is seeking to determine whether this consideration and the process that led to it are adequate, or whether the consideration undervalues the Company. If you believe that this transaction undervalues the Company and/or if you would like to discuss your legal rights regarding the propsed sale, you may, without obligation or cost to you, e-mail or call KSF Managing Partner Lewis S. Kahn (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) toll free at any time at 855-768-1857, or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-egl/ to learn more. To learn more about KSF, whose partners include the Former Louisiana Attorney General, visit www.ksfcounsel.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005911/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] COMMAND SECURITY INVESTOR ALERT by the Former Attorney General of Louisiana: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Investigates Adequacy of Price and Process in Proposed Sale of Command Security Corporation - MOC Former Attorney General of Louisiana Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq. and the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") are investigating the proposed sale of Command Security Corporation ("Command") (NYSE: MOC) to Prosegur SIS (USA), Inc., a subsidiary of Prosegur Compania de Seguridad, S.A. Under the terms of the proposed transaction, shareholders of Command will receive only $2.85 in cash for each share of Command that they own. KSF is seeking to determine whether this consideration and the process that led to it are adequate, or whether the consideration undervalues the Company. If you believe that this transaction undervalues the Company and/or if you would like to discuss your legal rights regarding the poposed sale, you may, without obligation or cost to you, e-mail or call KSF Managing Partner Lewis S. Kahn (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) toll free at any time at 855-768-1857, or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-moc/ to learn more. To learn more about KSF, whose partners include the Former Louisiana Attorney General, visit www.ksfcounsel.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005912/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 11, 2018] NEVADA GOLD INVESTOR ALERT by the Former Attorney General of Louisiana: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Investigates Adequacy of Price and Process in Proposed Sale of Nevada Gold & Casinos, Inc. - UWN Former Attorney General of Louisiana Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq. and the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") are investigating the proposed sale of Nevada Gold & Casinos, Inc. ("Nevada") (NYSE: UWN) to Maverick Casinos, LLC. Under the terms of the proposed transaction, shareholders of Nevada will receive only $2.50 in cash for each share of Nevada that they own. KSF is seeking to determine whether this consideration and the process that led to it are adequate, or whether the consideration undervalues the Company. If you believe that this transaction undervalues the Company and/or if you would like to discuss your legal rights regarding the proposed sale, you may, without obligtion or cost to you, e-mail or call KSF Managing Partner Lewis S. Kahn (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) toll free at any time at 855-768-1857, or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-uwn/ to learn more. To learn more about KSF, whose partners include the Former Louisiana Attorney General, visit www.ksfcounsel.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181011005914/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences in Tennessee Chronic childhood trauma, or what experts call adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), can disrupt a child's brain-building process. Like building a house in a storm or with below-grade materials and tools, ACEs are toxic to brain development and can compromise the brains structural integrity. Left unaddressed, ACEs and their effects make it more difficult for a child to succeed in school, live a healthy life, and contribute to the states future prosperity our communities, our workforce, and our civic life. Building Strong Brains: Tennessee ACEs Initiative is a major statewide effort to establish Tennessee as a national model for how a state can promote culture change in early childhood based on a philosophy that preventing and mitigating adverse childhood experiences, and their impact, is the most promising approach to helping Tennessee children lead productive, healthy lives and ensure the future prosperity of the state. The Tennessee state initiative is born from research gathered in the CDC-Kaiser Permanente Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, one of the largest investigations of childhood abuse and neglect and their effects on life-long health and well-being. The study found that the greater the exposure to things such as domestic violence, addiction, depression in early childhood, the greater the risk for later-life problems such as the higher risk for chronic illnesses, poverty, depression, and addictive behaviors. Tennessee is undertaking a comprehensive effort to use this powerful insight to improve the lives of the states children. Leaders from the state government, the business world, advocates, insurers, academia, and nonprofit foundations are organized as public and private sector steering groups to guide implementation and provide leadership at the state, regional, and community levels. The Goals Increase the potential that every child born in Tennessee has the opportunity to lead a healthy, productive life. Raise public knowledge about ACEs. Impact public policy in Tennessee to support the prevention of ACEs and to reduce community conditions that contribute to them. Support innovative local and state projects that offer fresh thinking and precise measurement of impact in addressing ACEs and toxic stress in children. Seek sustainable funding to ensure the state maintains a long-term commitment to reduce the impact of adverse childhood experiences. Embrace open, responsive governance through statewide planning groups and the Three Branches Institute, comprised of leadership from the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of government, who were invited by the Governor to form a common agenda to advance child welfare and realign the juvenile justice system. Projects AOF FY22 Recipients Advancing Healing: Advance Memphis Advance Memphis, a nonprofit focused on job readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship training, has begun to learn about trauma and trauma-informed practices. Through a partnership with ACCESS Consulting, we seek to deepen our knowledge of trauma and further improve our practices and policies. Advancing Healing will provide a framework for developing our staff and organization to better serve our participants by following a plan devised to fit our specific South Memphis community and our specific mission, helping our students achieve and maintain economic security. The plan will include listening to stakeholders, equipping staff and volunteers with customized training, forming ongoing support structures to deepen and apply learnings, creating policies and procedures to sustain long-term TIC in the organization. Through this project, we hope to grow from a trauma-sensitive organization to a fully trauma-informed organization, to create a model for other workforce development organizations, and to improve outcomes for our students, their families, and the entire community. Global Health: Strong Brain Institute In this project, we will provide ACEs-informed and responsive educator preparation personnel and teacher candidates with the tools to establish optimally efficacious (i.e., safe, stable, and nurturing) workspaces and learning environments for themselves and rural K-12 students. This project has 3 main components: training, coaching, and assessment. Introducing an ACEs-informed curriculum into a standard teacher candidate curriculum and partnering with those key stakeholders responsible for implementing and maintaining education curricula, can help ensure that early career teachers view their world through an ACEs-informed lens and become compassionate educators and contributors to their schools and larger communities. Loudon County Schools Loudon County Schools will partner with the Health Dept., Align9 Prevention Alliance, and the Sheriffs Dept. to increase awareness and understanding of ACES and the negative impact they have on individuals and the community. The evidence-based program Second Step will be provided to the schools, parent training, and workshops will be offered, a multi-media campaign and a resource directory will be developed and implemented. TNs Building a Trauma-Informed System of Care toolkit will be utilized. Teacher and family anti-ACEs toolboxes will be provided through this grant. Building Resiliency in East Tennessee: Metro Drug Coalition Metro Drug Coalition is poised to develop an academic detailing program for ACEs training and implementation in pediatric primary care practices. The state of California has developed a toolkit for practitioners that provides the rationale, questionnaires, and clinic workflow suggestions to establish a protocol that is simple and provides some reimbursement through Medi-Cal (Californias Medicaid program). We propose to develop a similar toolkit for healthcare providers to assess our targeted population, children, ages 1-12, and teens, ages 13-19. It is imperative to identify the ACEs for children as early as possible for all children because of the effects that overactive stress has on the development of their brains and bodies. The lasting impact of ACEs on children's emotional and physical wellbeing shortens their life expectancy and quality of life. Prevention education is the key for pediatric health care professionals to refine their approach to identifying the risk factors and intervention resources to reduce childhood adversity. Prevention and intervention of ACEs will become an essential component of the patients care and follow-up. By identifying ACEs as early in the developing child as possible, mitigation strategies can assist families in getting the services they may need to build resiliency in their children as well as providing support for parents who may be exhibiting the negative impact of their own history of traumatic events. This approach is going to be imperative to mitigate and reduce the transmission of intergenerational trauma Nurture TN: Nurture the Next Nurture TN is a parent education and support program for vulnerable, prenatal, and new mothers. Enrolled mothers are matched with volunteer mentors who are themselves mothers and receive parenting education, support, and resource referrals through an interactive text communications platform. Creating Supportive School and Community Environments: STEP, Inc. This project addresses the unique need that exists for families, school resource officers, school safety teams, school administrators, and the community to understand the impact officers in schools have on the lives of children and youth, specifically those with disabilities. Through training and skill-building, participants will gain an understanding of the role of school resource officers in schools, and the need to promote positive interactions. Additionally, families will be provided information on the role of school resource officers and how to share information about their children to lead to students being provided effective supports on the school campus. Finally, the community will be engaged in positive messaging and outreach to be supportive of the schools and families in their communities, with a focus on families of children with disabilities and youth who have been dually impacted by disability and ACEs. Map of Building Strong Brains Community Innovations Download a state-wide map listing Building Strong Brains projects across Tennessee. Learn More You have reached a premium content area of TOL. To read this entire article please login if you are already a TOL subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). Andy Rubins beleaguered phone startup Essential is rumored to be working on a phone that is anything but your standard flagship. Think of it as an AI-powered device with a tiny screen that is supposed to reply to your text messages as if it was you and make calls on your behalf. (Image credit: Brian Ach/Getty Images) The Essential Phone PH-1 was a beautiful disaster that nobody wanted to buy and even fewer people knew about. Now, its creator and inventor of Android is reportedly on a mission to destroy Android phones as we know them to eliminate our screen addiction. Apparently, Rubins new phone will not be much of a phone. Instead, Bloombergs report says, it will be an AI-powered device that will provide the functions of Google Duplex mixed with a bit of Alexa. MORE: Pixel 3 XL Hands-On Review: The New Camera Phone King People familiar with the device, which may be teased at CES 2019, say that it has a tiny screen and it will capable of answering your text and emails on its own, as well as making calls and appointments like Google Duplex does. The device, the report continues, will learn from you (how would it learn, we dont know yet) by tracking how you use it. And yet, the alleged sources close to Rubin say that the objective of this gadget is to help us cut on our screen time, because we are very bad humans and we use too much Instagram and dont play enough with our dogs, cats or children. Those sources describe this phone assistant thingamajig as Her, the personal computer voiced by Scarlett Johansson in the eponymous movie directed by Spike Jonze. In the movie, the protagonist played by Joaquin Phoenix interacts with a computer that lives in the cloud and can do everything for him. But then, the sources say that Rubin wants this to be a companion to your regular phone. But, at that point, why not just use your phone? Why have an extra device when you can use your phone to do exactly the same with an app? The Pixel 3, for example, can screen for robocalls and transcribe them on the fly, though it wont respond to calls or messages for you On the surface, this concept doesn't make much sense at all--even if you buy into the logic that people dont want to spend as much screen time with their phones. Because, after all, there are apps for this, too, like Apple's Screen Time. I don't see a $300 million startup taking on companies like Apple, Amazon and Google, who have been spending billions on AI just trying to get the basics right. But we'll have to see what 2019 brings. Samsung Galaxy S21: Specs OS: Android 11 with One UI 3 Screen size: 6.2 inches (2400 x 1080) Refresh rate: 48-120Hz Processor: Snapdragon 888 RAM: 8GB Storage: 128GB, 256GB microSD: none Rear cameras: 12MP wide (f/1.8), 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2), 64MP telephoto (f/2.0) with 3x hybrid zoom/30x digital Video: Up to 8K at 24 fps Front cameras: 10MP Battery: 4,000 mAh Battery life: 9 hours and 53 minutes (60hz), 6 hours and 31 minutes (adaptive) Charging: 25W (charger not included) Colors: Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink, Phantom White, Phantom Gray Size: 5.97 x 2.8 x 0.31 inches Weight: 5.95 ounces For years, the Galaxy S series have been do-everything, have-everything flagship phones. But with the Galaxy S21, Samsung has decided to take away almost as much as its upgraded. What could be a recipe for failure has actually yielded an excellent Android smartphone thats $200 cheaper than the Galaxy S20 . With its 6.2-inch display, trio of rear cameras, and the same 4,000 mAh battery, the Galaxy S21 isnt much of an upgrade over its predecessor. Sure, it comes with a new camera module and colour schemes, as well as Qualcomms Snapdragon 888 . But the Galaxy S21 turns out to be very much an iterative upgrade; the big changes come in the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra this time around. Check out our Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review These are the best phones you can buy right now Don't miss our list of the best Samsung phones Yet there's a lot more to this take-away tale. Keep reading our Samsung Galaxy S21 review to find out why removing stuff has worked out rather well for Samsungs new flagship phone. You can buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 right now, either by itself or via a carrier contract. In the U.S., for a starting price of $799 you can get the Galaxy S21 with 128GB of storage, but fork out an extra $50 and you can get the 256GB model for $849. Thats $200 cheaper than the Galaxy S20 cost a year ago quite the saving. In the U.K. the Samsung Galaxy S21 starts at 769 for the 128GB model, with double the storage setting you back 819. The 5G Galaxy S20 came in at 899, so the S21 is 130 cheaper. Just bear in mind, theres only a USB-C cable in the box, so youll need to pay out for a charger if you dont have one already. And the S21 only comes with 8GB of RAM, with no option to get the 12GB of the Galaxy S20, unless you opt for the considerably more expensive Galaxy S21 Ultra. The Samsung Galaxy S21 undercuts its most obvious rival the iPhone 12 , which costs $879 for a handset with 128GB. (The $799 iPhone 12 only offers 64GB of storage.) But the S21 is more expensive than the $699 Google Pixel 5 , which is a little lacking in raw specs but offers a fantastic camera. Somewhat ironically, the reasonably recent Samsung Galaxy S20 FE could be a threat to the Galaxy S21 as it offers a 120Hz display, a still powerful Snapdragon 865, and a trio of solid rear cameras for $699. The S20 FE isnt as advanced as the S21, but it still has a lot going for it for a sub flagship price. Now that we're approaching the end of the year, we expect the Galaxy S21 to appear in the best Black Friday phone deals, possibly earning a spot in our Black Friday deals roundup. Samsung usually shows up each year in Black Friday sales and we think the Galaxy S21 will see some good discounts. Samsung Galaxy S21 review: Design From the front, the Galaxy S21 looks alot like the Galaxy S20, with its 6.2-inch display complete with a neat punch-hole selfie camera in the top middle of the screen. Look closer and youll see the S21 has dropped its predecessor's curved display and opted for flat edges. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) This might sound like a downgrade, given the new phone doesn't look quiet as sleek, but Im fine with it. I think curved screens on Android phones with displays under 6.5 inches tend to be a little slippery to hold, especially as you can mostly use them one-handed; large handsets tend to feel a bit more comfortable with curved edges when youre performing finger gymnastics to reach apps on the displays far side. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) The flat edges on the Samsung Galaxy S21 lead to the metal edges flowing to the new Contour Cut camera design, where the rear camera module seems to blend into the S21s left-hand edge, as well as the back. Speaking of which, the metal gives way to whats arguably the Samsung Galaxy S21s biggest change: a plastic back. Samsung calls it polycarbonate but it's basically fancy plastic, whereas the S20 makes use of glass. Opting for a plastic back is likely the biggest reason Samsung can offer the Galaxy S21 at its cheaper price. And while the lack of a glass back might seem odd for a flagship phone, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it didnt feel cheap. Not only do I think it feels a little nicer than the polycarbonate on the S20 FEs rear, it also has a more tactile finish than the glass-backed Galaxy S series, making it feel less likely to escape your grip or suck up fingerprints. Personally, Im happy to pocket the savings if this helps keep costs down. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) And the Phantom Violet S21 I had to review looks fantastic, even if the name sounds a little daft. The violet panel has a pleasantly soft hue, while the faint copper color of the camera bump and edges give the S21 a pseudo retro sci-fi look; think Star Trek meets Art Deco. Three other color options Phantom Gray, Phantom Pink, Phantom White are available but I've yet to see them in the metal and plastic. Measuring 6 x 2.8 x 0.31 inches and weighing 6.07 ounces, the Galaxy S21 is a bit smaller yet a little heavier than the Galaxy S20 (5.9 x 3 x 0.31, 5.7 ounces). But I think it is the ideal size and weight for one-hand use; small enough for my thumb to reach two-thirds of the display, but large enough to sit down and watch hours of videos on. The Galaxy S21s in-display ultrasonic fingerprint reader is also more responsive thanks to using Qualcomms new scanner, which is 1.7x larger and 50% faster than the previous generation. I found the S21 rarely rejected a hasty tap from my thumb, which does wonders for my quick-temper. Whats not ideal is the Galaxy S21 dropped the microSD card slot its predecessors have sported for a while. Im not sure why Samsung did this, as theres no obvious limitations of space inside the Galaxy S21, nor would I expect its removal to change manufacturing costs by much. Perhaps it's one way for Samsung to encourage people to buy the 265GB version, though with so many free cloud storage services, Im ultimately not too fussed about the lack of expandable storage. Samsung Galaxy S21 review: Display Samsung has both downgraded and upgraded the Galaxy S21s 6.2-inch AMOLED display from what the S20 previously featured. You no longer have to choose between a full HD+ resolution running at 120Hz or a QHD running at 60Hz, like you did with the Galaxy S20, but thats because the S21 tops out at 1080p resolution. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) While thats more restrictive, I feel it removes complexity. You can go and set the display to stick to 60Hz, if you want to eek out as much battery life as possible, or you just love a bit of judder when scrolling through web pages. But then youd be given up a dynamic refresh rate, which allows the S21 to drop its refresh rate from 120Hz to 48Hz depending on the task at hand. Its not an upgrade youll necessarily notice when youre not scrolling, but it's a smart one that quietly makes the S21 more enjoyable to use. Testing its natural screen setting, the Galaxy S21 display delivers 109.2% sRGB and 77.4% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, and a Delta-E of 0.29. Those are good scores, though the iPhone 12 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra beat the S21 in terms of coverage and color accuracy. However, in practical use the Galaxy S21s display is fantastic. Stick it in Vivid mode and youll see heaps of contrast and color, even if the latter errs on the side of oversaturation. The display is great for watching videos and movies, ogling Instagram pics, and playing games on. Samsung has long had excellent displays on its Galaxy S phones, and the S21 is no exception. Samsung Galaxy S21 review: Cameras Hardware-wise, the Galaxy S21 cameras are exactly the same as the Galaxy S20. The triple camera array comprises a main 12MP wide-angle lens, a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 64MP telephoto lens with 3x hybrid optic zoom and 30x space zoom. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) But Samsung is pulling a Google and leaning hard on software and computational photography upgrades to improve the trio of rear cameras. And for the most part, the Galaxy S21 achieves this. Lets start with the standard photo mode. Take a look at the photo below; with multiple colors and shades to deal with, plus the light coming in from the left, it presents a smartphone camera workout. The Galaxy S21s photo is flush with color and detail, though like Galaxy phones in the past, the colors are perhaps a little more saturated than those of the Google Pixel 5 I used for comparison. The Pixel 5 delivers a warmer tone and more true-to-life colors, with better dynamic range. However zooming in, the S21 picks out some finer details, likely due to its telephoto camera, with the grill on the model Aston Martin DB5 and the numbers on the Vox headphone amp clearer than in the Pixel 5s photo. Its worth noting I switched off the Scene Optimizer feature, which uses AI to identify whats in-frame and adjust the camera accordingly to get the best shot. In practice, I feel this can result in some over-processing. Outdoors in natural light and the S21s main camera does a fine job. While it was hardly an ideal photography situation, in the shot below, the Galaxy S21 picks out more detail than the Pixel 5 in the tower buildings on the right and London's Canary Wharf in the background. However, the Pixel 5 offers more dynamic range and colors that are truer to life. Speaking of which, things get a little complicated in lower-light situations or environments lit by artificial light. I found the Pixel 5 was better at edge detection and resolving detail in low light areas, whereas the S21 occasionally throws up smudged and over-smoothed results. You really have to go looking for this though, and I believe it's down to the Galaxy S21 ramping up the ISO and introducing more noise into darker sections of a shot as a consequence. I suspect this could be some teething problems with the AI processing being applied to low-light areas, something which Samsung could fix with a software update. Poor light doesn't help the portrait mode either. Thanks to social distancing rules in the U.K. I had to snap a pic of my friend Claire on her doorstep as the sun went down; this meant there was the challenge of dealing with low light on one side and a porch light on the other. The Pixel 5 copes admirably, delivering more natural skin tones and picking out details in the highlights and the shadows. But S21 struggles a bit, washing out and over-smoothing Claires face. And it fails to pick out much detail in her hair especially on the left-hand side. Non-portrait S21 photos fare better, so I suspect the portrait modes algorithm is struggling to pick out whats in the foreground and what should be blurred out; something the Pixel 5 is particularly good at. In better light conditions, the portrait mode is much better for both the rear and 10MP front-facing camera; take a look at the photo below of Toms Guide's Mark Spoonauer as an example. And shooting objects rather than faces sees the Galaxy S21 deliver a nice portrait photo. The Galaxy S21 doesn't deliver the sharpest of portrait mode cutouts like the Pixel 5, as Samsung opts for a more gradual blur effect. I prefer the clarity of Googles handset but the S21 still gets some nice results. Switch over to the S21 night mode, and the low-light problems are swept away. In the shot below, the S21 delivers a bright image that's more detailed (notably in street lights) than the Pixel 5. With more cameras to use for capturing light and detail, the S21 shows up the limitations of the Pixel 5s dual rear cameras. I prefer the colors the Pixel 5 offers, though. And the S21 seems to apply a good amount of sharpening to its night shots. Night mode can also be used across all three of the Galaxy S21s cameras. Ultra-wide angle shots are expensive on the Galaxy S21, but once you zoom in things come apart. While it captures a wider view than the Pixel 5, punching into a shot reveals hazy details, whereas Googles phone is much clearer. Youll have to weigh up whether a lack of fine detail is worth a more expensive photo. Its with the telephoto cameras 20x and 30x Space Zoom where the S21s real camera upgrades come into play. Notably, the new Zoom Lock feature, which uses AI to identify the subject and steady the shot. This works rather well and you can get shots that are surprisingly clear for such extreme zooms, even if you have rather shaky hands. Then the processing afterward cleans up the photo and results in a zoomed shot thats not a muddy mess. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) Using Space Zoom I could get a reasonably clear pic of a small mint tin on my window still from the other side of the room. Im not sure how practical it is for every-day smartphone photography, but its an impressive showcase for AI tech. On the video front, the Galaxy S21 covers a lot of bases. Like the Galaxy S20 it offers up to 8K capture at 24 fps, which its overkill for most, but it lets you snap high-quality photos while recording very high resolution videos. Other high-end features include 1080p video recording at 120 fps, which makes them super-smooth. Speaking of smooth, the Super Steady mode, which uses AI to compensate for shaky recording, will works on 1080p 60 fps video capture. Another highlight is the new Director's View when you're shooting video. You can shoot using the front and rear cameras at the same time, as well as view live thumbnails from the multiple cameras. This makes it easier to switch to the best shot for your video. It works rather well and is less of a gimmick than I first thought. The portrait video, which is basically a renaming of live focus video, is also rather slick, delivering footage where the subjects are in focus while the background is blurred. If you move around a lot you can see the S21 working its algorithms, which results in sometimes over smoothing details on faces. Other camera upgrades include an improved Single Take feature that takes a bunch of stills and photos with a single tap. Single Take now delivers Highlight Video and Dynamic Slow-Mo clips. All the above taken into account, the Galaxy S21 delivers an upgrade over the Galaxy S20. I dont think it has what it takes to knock the iPhone 12 Pro Max off our best phone cameras list and the iPhone 12 could still have it beat, But the S21 trades blows with the Pixel 5, and beats Google's phone in a lot of areas. Potential for further refinement on the AI and computational photography side by Samsung leaves plenty of scope for the S21s camera to get better over time. Samsung Galaxy S21 review: Performance In the U.S, the Galaxy S21 comes with the latest Snapdragon 888 chip, which promises 20% better CPU performance, 35% more GPU speed, as well as boosted AI performance. Even though there's no 12GB of RAM option, the S21 does plenty with its 8GB, and I didn't encounter any slowdown in my testing. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) Speaking of which, putting the Snapdragon 888-equipped S21 through a series of benchmarks, saw the chip deliver a multi-core score of 3,302 in Geekbench 5. Thats slower than the iPhone 12, which raked in a score of 3,859. But the S21, unsurprisingly, outpaces a lot of other Android phones with the older Snapdragon 865. As for the graphics performance, the S21 topped out at 33 frames per second in 3DMarks Wild Life graphics benchmark. Its beaten by the iPhone 12s 39 fps, but is ahead of other flagship Android phones. In practical use, though, the S21 chews through games. Both Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt 9 Legends ran smoothly at max settings, with the 120Hz refresh rate further adding to the smoothness. Its worth noting that while we tested the Snapdragon 888 Galaxy S21, I was using a handset with the Exynos 2100. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) Built on a 5-nanometre process node like the Snapdragon 888, the Exynos 2100 is meant to deliver 20% improvement in energy efficiency and a 10% improvement in performance over the last-gen 7nm Exynos 990. Throwing the S2100 at Geekbench 5, it got a score of 3,391 so is on par with the Snapdragon chip, which is gratifying as Exynos chips have previously lagged behind. With those games open and a load of other apps running at the same time, I didnt notice any slowdown or lack of responsiveness from the S21, though its back got a little warm. Samsung Galaxy S21 review: Battery life and charging Like its predecessor, the Galaxy S21 comes with a 4,000 mAh battery. Thats fine for a phone of its size, though it's a pity Samsung didn't up the capacity a little. Still the adaptive refresh rate and improved chip efficiency should deliver better battery life. Set at the 60hz refresh rate, the Galaxy S21 managed 9 hours and 53 minutes in Tom's Guide battery test, which involves continuous web surfing at 150 nits of screen brightness over 5G. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) Thats not long enough to make our best phone battery life list, but it beats the 8 hours and 25 minutes of the iPhone 12. And it just about outlasts the Galaxy S20 with its 9 hours and 31 minutes, so the new silicon seems to be playing its part. Left in its default "Adaptive" mode, which dynamically adjusts the display's refresh rate, the Galaxy S21 lasted 6 hours and 31 minutes. That's not amazing, but it's far from bad when you get a vibrant display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Furthermore, the AI smarts in the S21 should learn about my phone use over time and better optimize battery consumption, but thats not going to be something that happens over night. Charging is where things get a little messy. Fast charging is on offer over the USB-C PD standard, juicing up the battery to 55% in 30 minutes in our testing. The problem is, you need to make sure you have a charging brick to hand, as Samsung only puts the USB-C cable in the box. If you dont have a charger then Samsung will sell you a 25W charger. Samsung made a big song and dance about this decision being environmentally friendly; of course, it saves Samsung money too. Ultimately, I feel this is the right move, whatever the motivation. Helping cut down on electronic waste is worth the extra expense and minor inconvenience it might cause some S21 buyers who arent flush with phone chargers. Samsung Galaxy S21 review: One UI 3 and software While Ive used Samsung phones for years, Im not the biggest fan of the user interface it drops on Android. But with the introduction of One UI in 2018, Ive been slowly warming to Galaxy series take on Googles mobile operating system. One UI 3 featured on the Galaxy S21 (and now older Samsung models that have upgraded to Android 11) builds upon this goodwill. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) The interface is more elegant, complete with a redesigned Quick Panel and a notifications screen that feels less cluttered. I especially appreciate the redesigned lock screen widgets as well as the ability to place widgets on the screen and adjust their transparency. One UI 3 still comes with a lot of options to tweak your Galaxy experience, which some will love. But it can get a bit overwhelming at times when you just want to find one particular setting. And my word, do I dislike the main apps drawer of the One UI. Despite its third iteration, the apps are arranged n a seemingly random manner which if youre moving from one app-heavy phone to another can make finding the apps you want to set up your homescreen a minor nightmare. Compared to the elegance of the app drawer in stock Android, Samsungs is a mess. I understand Samsung would like me to use its services, but so many other Android phones default to Google features, such as auto-fill for passwords. But One UI 3 tries to force me to use Samsung Pass and my Samsung account, which ironically I often forget the password for. Its fine once you get setup, but it can be frustrating to use until you adapt to it. Theres still definitely room for Samsung to improve here. Nevertheless, One UI 3 is better that previous version. And its useful to remember that it comes with a lot of powerful tools such a Samsung DeX, which allows for the Galaxy S21, and other compatible Galaxy devices, to be connected to an external monitor to turn the phone into a pseudo Chrome OS experience. Samsung Galaxy S21 review: What about the Galaxy S21 FE? As the year goes on, the next big question is: what about the Galaxy S21 FE? The rumored successor to the S20 FE supposedly aims to offer what the Galaxy S21 offers for less. Considering the already low starting price of the S21, we're skeptical as to the need for an S21 FE, but Samsung is intent on making a convoluted, messy portfolio. The Galaxy S21 FE isn't confirmed yet and it could be a few more months before it launches. Its purported existence doesn't change our opinion on the Galaxy S21 as we've stated here. You can perpetually wait for the next big thing and we don't expect the Galaxy S21 FE to offer anything better than what you get with the S21. Samsung Galaxy S21 review: Should you buy now? If you have an older phone such as the Galaxy S10 , Google Pixel 4 or OnePlus 7T , then yes an upgrade to the Galaxy S21 is definitely worth it. If you have a more recent phone like the Galaxy S20 or Google Pixel 5 , then you might be better off waiting. That's because we have several new phones that are available now, or are coming soon. Chief among the former is the iPhone 13. But if you're an Android fan, the Google Pixel 6 is right around the corner. Furthermore, its looking likely well see the debut of the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, which is poised to offer a more affordable but very capable take on the Galaxy S21. This late into the year, though, it might be best to wait until the Galaxy S22 early in 2022. With Black Friday coming on, however, you might be able to score a Galaxy S21 for cheap. Having said all that, if youre desperate to upgrade then you can't really go wrong with the Galaxy S21 as its still an excellent phone that can be found for cheaper these days, especially if you shop around. Samsung released One UI 4 for the Galaxy S21 in mid-November 2021. This update brings Android 12, which offers several key improvements to the UI and privacy elements. You can now choose your system accent color with the Color Palette, or access the privacy dashboard to see which apps are using your mic, camera, and location. While Samsung has modified something from what you'll find on a Pixel phone, you can read our Android 12 review to learn more about what you can expect with the update. Samsung Galaxy S21 review: Verdict With Samsung removing as much from this phone as it adds, I was prepared to be let down by the Galaxy S21. But I neednt have worried. Sure, a plastic back isnt ideal on a flagship phone but I soon got used to the polycarbonate, and the overall design of the Galaxy S21 is lovely, as well as more practical than the S20. The lack of any hardware upgrades for the cameras was a little disappointing, but then they still produce flagship-grade results and have a huge amount of features and tools to really dig into. I would have liked to have seen Samsung push the hardware envelope for the Galaxy S21, but thats the domain of the Galaxy S21 Ultra. By making what I feel was the right choice when it came to removing features, the Galaxy S21 still offers the latest flagship chips, a fantastic display and powerful cameras in a refined smartphone at a competitive price; one that should worry the iPhone 12. The only fly in the ointment, is the Galaxy S20. If you already have an S20 then I dont think youll benefit from an upgrade. I feel Samsung knows this and the S21 is more for people with older Galaxy phones or looking to move to their next phone. If you're in such a position, then I really suggest you consider the Galaxy S21 as you wont be disappointed. The Samsung Galaxy Fold is a very innovative and exciting foldable phone, but Samsung doesnt justify the high price for this first-generation device. The Samsung Galaxy Fold is a very innovative and exciting foldable phone, but Samsung doesnt justify the high price for this first-generation device. The Samsung Galaxy Fold is a phone that elicits mixed emotions. On the one hand, theres the sheer wonder and excitement of holding a foldable phone and seeing it transform from a 4.6-inch handset to a 7.3-inch tablet and back again. That excitement continues when you see an app that's running on the front screen instantly pop up on the larger display, and when you start running three apps at once on the bigger canvas. The other emotion is trepidation. Even though Samsung has made several enhancements to make the Galaxy Fold more durable since it delayed the devices launch, the company strongly suggests that you use a light touch when pressing on the display. Then theres the emotional sticker shock when you realize that this phone costs nearly $2,000. As I used the device for this Samsung Galaxy Fold review, I vacillated between all of these emotions and kept coming back to a single question: Who is the Galaxy Fold made for? The answer is: Very brave and very well-off early adopters who are willing to live with a product that feels like a refined prototype. Samsung Galaxy Fold review: Cheat sheet Galaxy Fold specs Starting Price: $1,980 OS: Android 9.9 with One UI CPU: Snapdragon 855 RAM: 12GB Storage: 512GB External display (closed): 4.6 inches (HD+) Main display: 7.3 inches (QXGA+) Rear cameras: 12-MP wide-angle (f/1.5 to f/2.4); 12-MP telephoto (f/2.4); 16-MP ultra-wide (f/2.2) Front camera (closed): 10-MP selfie (f/2.2) Front camera (open): 10-MP selfie (f/2.2); 8-MP RGB depth (f/1.9) Fingerprint sensor: Bixby button Colors: Space Silver, Cosmos Black Battery: 4,380 mAh Battery Life: 10:01 Size: 6.3 x 2.5 x 0.66 inches (62.9 x 160.9 x 17mm) Weight: 9.48 ounces Samsung has durability improvements to the Galaxy Fold, including extending the top display, adding caps to the hinges, and putting a metal layer beneath the screen. The 7.3-inch display is very immersive and lets you run three apps on the screen at once, but the front 4.6-inch screen is quite small. When folded, the Galaxy Fold is considerably thicker than other phones, which means its best stored in a jacket pocket or purse. The Galaxy Fold lasted 10 hours on the Tom's Guide web-surfing battery test, which is not great, but you can save power by using the front screen for checking notifications. AT&T is the only carrier that is selling the Galaxy Fold directly, but you can also buy it unlocked. And that's not a bad idea; the AT&T version comes with lots of bloatware. A Galaxy Fold case comes in the box to further protect the device, along with a pair of wireless Galaxy Buds. The Samsung Galaxy Fold went on sale through AT&T and Best Buy on Sept. 27, as well as through Samsung.com . The Fold is one of the most expensive phones ever. It costs $1,980 in the U.S. and 1,800 in the U.K. (2,000, $2,214), or about double the price of most premium flagships. (For context, the Galaxy S10 Plus starts at $999, and you can get a model with 1TB of storage and 12GB of RAM for $1,599. The iPhone 11 Pro Max with 512GB of storage costs $1,449. In essence, youre paying about a $380 to $530 premium for the Folds ability to fold. For those scoring at home, the Fold would cost you $66 per month, at least if you pay off your phone in 30 months using one of AT&T's Next plans. Samsung Galaxy Fold review: Design Even though this is my second go-around with the Samsung Galaxy Fold, theres still a real Wow factor to this device. Thanks to a sophisticated, 20-part, dual-axis hinge, you can open this clamshell just like a book, transforming the Fold from phone to tablet mode. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) The motion is fairly smooth and natural; Ill admit I felt a bit like a secret agent as I used the Fold in public, surfing the web or watching a video and then closing the whole thing up before I walked away. But I also felt nervous that someone might try to steal the device from me. It's worth noting that the main display is plastic, not Gorilla Glass, like the outer cover display. But Samsung has fortified the larger panel by placing a metal layer beneath the screen. (See more on the Galaxy Folds durability below). (Image credit: Tom's Guide) When closed, the Galaxy Fold feels like a throwback phone, and a chunky one at that. Its quite tall and narrow, and 0.66 inches thick. Thats about double the thickness of the Galaxy S10 and iPhone 11 Pro Max. This size was not optimal for the front pocket of my pants; its a better fit for a blazer pocket or a purse. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) The Galaxy Fold weighs a hefty 9.5 ounces, compared to 7.97 ounces for the iPhone 11 Pro Max and 6.9 ounces for the Galaxy Note 10 Plus. And I felt this weight strain my hands and forearms a bit when playing games for more than 10 minutes at a time; but if youre watching a movie or TV show, you can lean the Fold on your lap. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) Im not a fan of the Galaxy Folds button layout: Samsung decided to separate the power button and fingerprint reader on the right edge of the Galaxy Fold. It would have made more sense to combine them, which would have enabled users to power on and unlock in one fluid motion. Instead, the fingerprint sensor doubles as the Bixby button, which you can program to open other apps, as well. Even though its less secure, I wound up using facial recognition to unlock the Fold because its simply faster. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) The device comes in two color options: Space Silver and Cosmos Black. That's a bummer, because Samsung was going to offer funkier colors like Astro Blue and Martian Green through its site before it redesigned the phone. The other important thing to note is that the Fold doesnt have a headphone jack, but this isnt a huge deal because Samsung includes wireless Galaxy Buds in the box. Samsung Galaxy Fold review: Durability (Image credit: Tom's Guide) Samsung made several changes to the Galaxy Fold's design to address durability concerns before it launched for the public. Top display extended: Some reviewers accidentally removed this protective layer, so now it goes all the way to the edge; users are much less likely to accidentally damage the device. Some reviewers accidentally removed this protective layer, so now it goes all the way to the edge; users are much less likely to accidentally damage the device. Hinges now have caps on them: This move should prevent debris from getting caught behind the screen. This move should prevent debris from getting caught behind the screen. Samsung narrowed the gap between the two sides: There's still a small space for stuff to get inside the Fold when closed, but it's improved. There's still a small space for stuff to get inside the Fold when closed, but it's improved. Metal layer added underneath the display: This increases rigidity and makes touch interactions feel more solid. All of these tweaks add up to a foldable that feels much closer to a $2,000 phone. Closing the phone still has a reassuring clap, like a book, and the hinge system feels pretty smooth. However, Samsung still treats this as a different class of phone when it comes to how it wants you to handle it. The company cautions that you use a light touch when touching the 7.3-inch display and to keep the Fold free of water and dust. One reviewer from TechCrunch reported that his Galaxy Fold was damaged after one day of use. The center of the screen became pixelated with a blob, but the cause is not clear. Thus far, we have not encountered issues with our review unit. Samsung claims that the Galaxy Fold can withstand 200,000 opens. Samsung Galaxy Fold review: Displays Its best to think of the front display on the Samsung Galaxy Fold as an at-a-glance screen for quick interactions. Thats because its just 4.6 inches, which is Lilliputian compared to even the best small phones (typically 5.5 inches and up). Because the screen is narrow, its also difficult to type on. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) During my testing, I used the front display maybe 15% of the time, which included checking Gmail (but not responding), reading a news story with one hand while on the subway, and changing tracks on Spotify. Anything more made me feel that I needed the larger screen. Samsung Galaxy Fold (left) and Apple iPad Mini (right). The interior 7.3-inch display is where the real action is an oversized Super Active Matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) canvas thats sharp and colorful but with a couple of trade-offs. On the plus side, I really enjoyed watching the Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker trailer; it really felt like I was using a tablet. I could even access and edit articles in our site's CMS because of how wide the display is. This is something I cant do as easily on the 6-inch-plus-size screens of the Galaxy Note 10 and iPhone 11 Pro Max. (Image credit: Future) During one commute home, I watched The Boys on the Prime Video app and felt like I had a mini movie theater in front of my eyes. If youd rather not have big bars above and below the display you can choose which apps go full screen in the Settings app. However, the crease in the middle of the Folds display is noticeable when you use apps with a white background, such as Chrome and Gmail. Its not ugly, just distracting. And you can feel the crease when youre using various apps. The good news is that the crease isnt as noticeable when viewing head-on movies, photos or anything with lots of colors. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) On our testing, the Galaxy Folds display averaged 525 nits of brightness, which is not as bright as the Galaxy Note 10 Plus (686 nits) and nowhere near as bright as the iPhone 11 Pro Max (761 nits). The OLED panel on the Fold of the color gamut registered 124.8% of the sRGB color gamut in Natural mode, which is about the same as the Galaxy Note 10 Plus and a bit higher than the iPhone 11 Pro Max (118.6%). The notch in the top right corner of the display can cut off videos should you decide to watch in full-screen mode; you can hide this notch by turning on an option in Software, but this just creates a black bar across the top of the screen. My bigger problem with the Folds notch is that you cant swipe down from the right side of the screen to reveal your notifications and quick settings. Instead, I had to shift my finger toward the middle of the display. However, you can also use the fingerprint sensor to open and close the notification shade with a swipe down and up. Samsung Galaxy Fold review: Software To make the most of its foldable design, Samsung worked with Google to devise a couple of clever software features. The first is App Continuity, which enables you to open an app on the cover display and then have the app immediately fill the larger screen when you unfold the phone. One of the coolest features of the Galaxy Fold is App Continuity. If you're using an app like Google Maps on the front screen, you can open the display and it will instantly fill the larger display. This feature worked really well in my testing, with most apps popping up instantly.But you will need to tweak a setting if you want a given app to keep running on the small screen when you close the phone again. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) The other handy feature is Multi Active Window, which allows you to run up to three apps at once on the Galaxy Folds large display. You swipe in from the right side of the screen to open additional apps, and can also easily resize the apps and move them around with your finger. A decent number of third-party apps already support this multitasking mode, such as Spotify and Slack, but I noticed that Skype does not. It will take time for more developers to update their software for foldable phones like this. By default, the big-screen keyboard offers a split layout to speedup thumb typing on such a large canvas, but I found myself switching to a regular layout because it felt like less work. No matter which mode you choose, swipe typing is supported. If youre not a fan of carrier bloatware, I recommend that you buy the unlocked version of the Galaxy Fold. The AT&T model I reviewed had 19 apps from AT&T and AT&T-owned brands, including everything from DriveMode and Visual Voicemail to Bleacher Report and AT&T TV. I would prefer a much cleaner canvas for a $2,000 smartphone and I think Fold owners would, too. (Image credit: Future) Samsung Galaxy Fold review: Cameras Having six cameras on a phone seems like overkill, but it isnt given the Samsung Galaxy Folds unique design. Just like the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Note 10 , theres three shooters on the back of the Galaxy Fold: a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera, a 16-MP ultra-wide lens and a 12-MP telephoto lens. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) Up front when the Fold is closed theres a 10-MP camera for selfies. And when unfolded, the Galaxy Fold has another 10-MP main camera plus an 8-MP depth camera for portraits. Shooting with the Fold closed feels borderline sneaky because its so compact. You just double press the power button and start firing away. Its particularly good for selfies, as you dont have to stretch your thumb far at all to shoot. The problem is that the 4.6-inch screen is pretty small for framing shots; I found myself using the larger 7.3-inch panel when I wanted to make sure that I liked what I was capturing. Surprisingly, I didnt find shooting with a tablet-size display in front of my face embarrassing, which is probably due to the small bezels around the screen. But, in this mode, it is a two-handed affair. Image 1 of 3 (Image credit: Tom's Guide) Image 2 of 3 (Image credit: Tom's Guide) Image 3 of 3 (Image credit: Tom's Guide) The Galaxy Fold is capable of delivering gorgeous photos with saturated color and a stunning amount of detail, as evidenced by this flower close-up. The rich purple really shines through, and the veins in the petals are well defined. Image 1 of 3 Galaxy Fold (standard lens) (Image credit: Tom's Guide) Image 2 of 3 Galaxy Fold (wide-angle lens) (Image credit: Tom's Guide) Image 3 of 3 Galaxy Fold (zoom lens) (Image credit: Tom's Guide) I also had fun playing with the multiple lenses in Times Square. The standard wide-angle camera captured the myriad signs with crisp detail, and I could easily make out details on the signs as I zoomed in. The wide-angle shot resulted in a noticeable fish-eye effect toward the edges, but it got a lot more of the surrounding buildings into the frame. Like the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10, the Galaxy Fold comes with artistic new Live Focus modes, including spin bokeh, zoom bokeh and color print. I especially like the latter option, as it colorizes the main subject while leaving everything else black and white. However, the Fold fell flat compared with the iPhone 11 Pro Max in this portrait of my two colleagues, Henry and Kate. The camera washed out both of the subjects faces and made Henrys jeans look like pants. Adam Ismail, who reviews lots of phones for Toms Guide, said of the Folds shot that Henry and Kate looked like they needed medical attention. You can also make out more texture and details in Kates shirt on the iPhone 11 Pro Maxs shot. The Galaxy Fold also offers a dedicated Night mode, which I put up against the Night mode of the iPhone 11 Pro Max. When I snapped a photo outside around 7:30 p.m. in almost complete darkness, the Fold produced a brighter image, as you can make out more of the tree in the foreground. The iPhone 11 Pro Maxs shot also has more of an orange cast to it, especially in the street, it's image also provides better contrast in the bricks and better detail. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) The front camera on the Galaxy Fold can take sharp selfies. Theres a fair amount of detail here in my hair and in the folds in my shirt. Samsung Galaxy Fold review: Video The Samsung Galaxy Fold is a very capable phone when it comes to shooting video. It can record in 4K at up to 60 frames per second. And the device can shoot super steady video when you press the hand icon in the camera app. In our footage shot near Bryant Park, the Galaxy Fold kept stead as I walked, but the camera had some trouble with the bright sunlight, as some faces looked washed out. However, the fountain looked pretty sharp, and the Fold did a good job rendering the surrounding buildings when I activated the ultra-wide camera. When I engaged the telephoto lens on the Fold to shoot a nearby Le Pain Quotidien, I could make out small details like the Pick Up Here sign. Samsung Galaxy Fold review: Performance Given that the Samsung Galaxy Fold has the same Snapdragon 855 processor as the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 line of phones, its not a surprise that it offers comparable performance. The main difference is the whopping 12GB of RAM included in the Fold, which did seem to help juggle having multiple apps open on screen at once. I didnt notice much lag as I ran three apps simultaneously. On Geekbench 5, a relatively new benchmark that measures overall performance, the Galaxy Fold scored 728 on the single-core portion of the test and 2,619 on the multi-core portion. The Galaxy Note 10 Plus scored 736 and 2,691 respectively, which is pretty much identical, while the OnePlus 7T scored a slightly higher 744 and 2,802. The iPhone 11 Pro Max blew away the field with a single-core mark of 1,334 and a multi-core score of 3,517. We'll be running additional tests throughout our time with the device. To gauge graphics performance on the Galaxy Fold, we ran GFXBench; the phone turned in a score 1,038 frames on the high-tier version of the Aztec Ruins Vulkan test (offscreen). The iPhone 11 Pro max notched a higher number 1,657 frames. Samsung Galaxy Fold review: Battery life With a 4,380 mAh battery, the Samsung Galaxy Fold has pretty good staying power given its huge display, but other phones last longer on a charge. On the Tom's Guide battery test, which involves continuous web surfing over 4G LTE (we used AT&T's network) at 150 nits of screen brightness, the Galaxy Fold's battery lasted 10 hours and 1 minute. This runtime is pretty good when you consider that we used the larger 7.3-inch display for the entire duration of this test. (We will be retesting where we use the smaller front display for a quarter of the time.) By comparison, the Galaxy Note 10 Plus lasted an average of 11:09 on our test, and the iPhone 11 Pro Max averaged 11:54. Best phone battery life: Longest-lasting smartphones On a day with intermittent usage, which included snapping photos, streaming music, watching video clips and checking email, the phone still had 60% capacity left at 9:15 p.m; I had unplugged the phone at 6:30 a.m. On a day when I used the Galaxy Fold more heavily, which included watching two full TV episodes on Netflix, the Fold was down to 25% come 9 p.m. Thats still more than a full days worth of endurance. (Image credit: Future) I loved being able to fire up the Wireless PowerShare feature on the Galaxy Fold, which allows you to charge other phones and accessories by simply placing them on the back of the Samsung handset. This includes the wireless Galaxy Buds, which Samsung throws in for the $1,980 price. Samsung Galaxy Fold review: Verdict The Galaxy Fold feels like a phone from the future, and yet from a practical perspective it falls a bit short. When I was using Slack in one window, Gmail in another and Spotify in yet another on the 7.3-inch screen, I could see myself using my laptop less and a device like this more. I also liked being able to review and edit large documents on the go. And its just cool to close the whole thing up when youre ready to walk way. But that doesnt mean you should invest $2,000 of your own money. Even if you put aside the lingering durability concerns around the Galaxy Fold, I find the overall design bulky and heavy, and the front display is too small. And while the cameras are solid, the iPhone 11 Pro has leapt ahead with its better HDR and night mode. So as much as I appreciate what Samsung has accomplished with this first-generation foldable phone, I would suggest that most people wait for the sequel and for other foldables to hit the market before they take the foldable plunge. Man shot while trying to deliver pizza in KCMO KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City police are in a standoff with two people suspected of shooting a man trying to deliver a pizza during an attempted robbery. Officers responded to the scene at about 6:15 p.m. Wednesday on the 3600 block of Brooklyn. Increasing local violence has no respect for the scared . . . To be fair, urban core deliveries have always been fraught with peril. Read more: Missouri Senate candidate Hawley: 'Surge in anger' from voters after Kavanaugh Missouri's Republican Attorney General and Senate candidate Josh Hawley said he has seen a noticeable increase in anger among voters in the wake of the bitter Kavanaugh confirmation fight. Hawley spoke with ABC News' Political Director Rick Klein and Chief White House Correspondent Jon Karl this week on the "Powerhouse Politics Podcast" about the Missouri Senate race and the enthusiasm of the conservative base. Golden boy lazy campaigner and theof Missouri politics is playing to the mob rather than offering any new ideas, policy initiatives or even a glimpse of why he would be better for voters who aren't as mesmerized by media chatter as politicos would like to believe . . . Take a look: OLATHE, KS (KCTV) -- Two men, arrested after a manhunt that blocked off a neighborhood for hours on Monday, face a list of charges. On Monday, police tried to stop a car with two people in it, wanted for a string of overnight robberies. Several shots were fired, officers arrest one man, the other escaped. KANSAS CITY STANDOFF TONIGHT!!! Shooting leads to standoff Kansas City police responded to a shooting call approximately 6:15 p.m. Wednesday near 36th Street and Brooklyn Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. The victim told the officers that he was delivering pizza when two suspects attempted to rob him, at which time he was shot. Meet The New Boss: Kangaroo Conversation Considers Change Seg. 1: New Chancellor Seeks To Renew UMKC Spirit. Seg. 2: How Kavanaugh Could Shift Supreme Court. Although the chancellor has only been at UMKC for a few months, his impact is already felt around campus. Today, he talked about one of his main initiatives, raising school spirit, which can be hard to do at a commuter school. Kansas Stumping Mad VP Pence will stump for Kobach, Watkins in Kansas next week TOPEKA, Kan. - Vice President Mike Pence is planning to visit Kansas next week for events to help Republicans Kris Kobach and Steve Watkins in their campaigns for governor and Congress. Kobach's campaign says Pence will come Sept. 18 to Wichita for an event to show his support for Kobach, the Kansas secretary of state. Kansas City Sickness Spreads Flu cases already being reported in Kansas City The flu is back on both sides of the state line. KMBC 9 News talked to a local specialist about the health threat and the best way to protect your family. The time and pain of a flu shot can keep people from getting one, but the consequences of skipping it could be much worse. Show-Me The Fight For Presents Lawsuit Challenges Missouri Order Barring Gifts to State Workers click to enlarge Like many public-policy nonprofits, the Institute for Justice seeks to sway politicians by informing them. That might mean sharing policy papers. It might mean books. It does not, generally, mean the sort of boozy nights out on the house that are all too common in Jefferson City. Local Foodies To The Rescue Operation BBQ Relief prepares to deploy to areas devastated by Hurricane Michael Operation BBQ Relief is deploying to Tallahassee and Panama City, Florida, to support recovery efforts following Hurricane Michael. OBR is a nonprofit organization of barbecue enthusiasts in Kansas City dedicated to serving hot meals to displaced residents and first responders following natural disasters across the country. Sunflower State Cinema Debuts The Kansas International Film Festival 2018 starts Friday. Here's what to know. The Kansas International Film Festival returns for its eighteenth year this Friday, October 12. That means filmgoers at the Glenwood Arts Theater will have abundant access to cultures and viewpoints from across the globe - 144 films from 29 countries, to be exact - through Thursday, October 18. Sorry for the late update gents, very much like iconic hottie, we have other pursuits and today that included watching another horrific event forThe roundup . . .Closer to home, here's a glimpse at some of the top links that mattered today, separated from all the other local news tripe and selected to add to local money worries . . .And this is thefor right now . . . An important element of this seemingly impossible turnover is the swift move towards complete electrification of our means of transport. The report, which was commisioned by the members of the Paris agreement, offers a much more dreary view on the near future of our planet and of our species unless we take action and drastically change our ways at a never-before-seen rate. A new report issued on Monday by the UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns of a grim future that could materialize as early as 2040 if the world doesnt cut its output of greenhouse gases massively. The Full Story We always knew it was coming. That, one day, the industrialization of the human species will catch up to it and kick it in the head. But most never imagined that the really dreadful by-product of industrialization, which is pollution, will come to get us so quickly. Well, an alarming report released by the group of scientists assigned by the United Nations to research the effects of global warming and to predict how things will evolve in this regard is about to change what we believe is the moment when its "too late" to take action. 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 quoted by the New York Times. Basically, the report denies previous claims that the dangerous temperature growth threshold is at 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit over the preindustrial levels. Instead, dangerous and irreversible natural phenomena may occur by 2040 when the temperature will have risen by only 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit over the preindustrial levels. According to the New York Times, "to prevent 2.7 degrees of warming, the report said, greenhouse pollution must be reduced by 45% from 2010 levels by 2030, and 100% by 2050. It also found that, by 2050, use of coal as an electricity source would have to drop from nearly 40% today to between 1 and 7%. Renewable energy such as wind and solar, which make up about 20% of the electricity mix today, would have to increase to as much as 67%." This drastically fast shift is quoted in the report as having "no documented historic precedent." However, the authors of the report say this isnt impossible, as the NY Times states that "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." This is at a time when the U.S. stands by its desire to exit from the Paris agreement, which is a position that was reiterated by the State Department delegation, although the delegation accepted the report's summary. "We reiterate that the United States intends to withdraw from the Paris agreement at the earliest opportunity absent the identification of terms that are better for the American people, is what a statement by the delegation reads. But, if a change is to happen, a big part of it is the switch from transportation powered by fossil fuels to EVs. "The electrification of urban systems, including transport, has shown global progress since AR5 (the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report released by the same board of UN scientists in 2014). High growth rates are now appearing in electric vehicles, electric bikes, and electric transit, which would need to displace fossil-fuel powered passenger vehicles by 20352050 to remain in line with 1.5-degree C-consistent pathways." The report also underlines that "in cities where private vehicle ownership is expected to increase, less carbon-intensive fuel sources and reduced car journeys will be necessary as well as electrification of all modes of transport." This sounds like something which is not foreseeable in such a short time-span. Especially since theres still a lot of money to be made from coal and fossil fuels and people that are willing to gamble the future of their own countries and of the planet as a whole in an attempt to secure their immediate well-being. In the end, if the path isnt changed as quickly as possible, the financial toll of drastic climate changes (wildfires, and a mass die-off of coral reefs, floods, the dangerous rise of sea levels, and much more) that could occur in under three decades is roughly $54 trillion and could grow to $69 trillion as the atmosphere warms by 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit. "Human activities have caused warming of about 1.8 degrees since about the 1850s, the beginning of large-scale industrial coal burning, the report found," the report concludes. Further Reading Trump Moves To Pull Out From Paris Climate Accord; Elon Musk Quits Advisory Council. Read more emissions news. Source: Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change I mean, look at it. Check the tunnels that run on either side of the monocoque, the ginormous diffuser at the back, the rear wing, everything looking like it came from 2040. And it does, in a way, because all the tech that the AVD group crammed in it isnt all here yet. The R&D department at Holden, in Australia, set about proving that Holden isnt just a badge GM slaps on the Buick Regal. So they came up with a groundbreaking concept that uses fans that direct airflow in order to improve downforce through each and every corner the car tackles. Its low, wide, electric and it isnt real. Its similar to a Gran Turismo concept car without being one. But we wish theyd make it. Just when you thought nothing truly exciting could come out in 2018 with the Holden logo on the hood, heres the Bathurst Time Attack Concept. It was developed as a futuristic race car to mark the 50th anniversary of the companys first major win at Bathurst. 2018 Holden Bathurst Time Attack Concept Exterior Styling Single-seater design with mid-mounted driving post Glass canopy extending back over the width of the car Intricate aerodynamics with venturi tunnels and inlets all around Remember the Holden HK Monaro GTS? Not many people to, but its an important model in Holdens motor racing history. Thats because a yellow example driven by Bruce McPhee and Barry Mulholland for just a lap won the Hardie Ferodo Bathurst 500 race half a century ago. They werent among the favorites since both Ford and Holden brought, for the first time in the events history, works teams at Mount Panorama. Defying the odds, McPhee marched to the front thanks to a clever tire strategy and kept himself at the fore until the checkered flag fell and the No. 13 crossed the line as the winner. It was the first major win for a Holden in what would become todays Bathurst 1000 race, arguably the biggest four-wheeled racing event in Australia. To celebrate that victory, the Advanced Vehicle Design group within GM Holden Australia came up with a radical concept that envisions the Bathurst-dominator of tomorrow. Its called the Bathurst Time Attack Concept because, unlike the Monaro of 50 years ago, its meant to obliterate the stopwatch, not run a whole endurance race. Designed by a team led by Ewan Kingsbury, the concept was developed 100 percent virtually as a digital advertisement for the advanced skills, capability, and technology of the GM Holden team, as Richard Ferlazzo, GM Holdens Design Director put it. He then added in the same statement that the Time Attack Concept racer is an illustration of how we can utilize cutting-edge technology to develop transportation solutions for the future. You can see from the extremely detailed approach to incorporating the advanced technology in our Time Attack Concept racer that this is more than just a visual exercise. But just stick to the visuals for a moment, shall we? What we have here is a brazen interpretation of how the ultimate race car with bodywork would look like. The front end is dominated by that huge opening which creates two tunnels that run on either side of the monocoque and exit just behind the front wheels. The thin, yellow-tinted, laser headlights sit on the outer edges of the cars blade-like nose with the wheel arches themselves bulging beyond the line of the headlights themselves. The bare carbon fiber splitter at the front is generous in size and highlights some clever underbody aerodynamics going on the air being trapped underneath thanks to rubber skirt add-ons similar to those found on ground effect F1 cars of the late 70s and early 80s. In fact, the whole of the monocoque is made out of carbon fiber which is also used in the making of the wing, the rear diffuser, and other components. The bullet-like profile of the car is stunning to look at. With huge wheels that feature incorporated fans, youll be forgiven if you think this cars actually meant to fly off, not drive down the road. The huge air ducts on either side are completed by other inlets incorporated in the cars side skirts. The entirety of the greenhouse is made out of glass which extends forwards to the tip of the bulkhead and rearwards over the engine or where youd expect the internal combustion engine to be in a hypercar. It actually widens at the back covering the whole rear section which actually is shaped like a V. The rear end is actually a great big opening with the taillights hanging in the top corners. The huge trapezoidal diffuser and the active rear wing completes the outlandish aerodynamic package of the Bathurst Time Attack Concept. 2018 Holden Bathurst Time Attack Concept Interior Design Carbon fiber cockpit F1-style steering wheel Only spacious enough for the driver With the amount of imagery we get of the exterior, the interior is a bit underexplored. We get a view of the ultra-complicated Formula 1-inspired steering wheel, but thats about it. We know that it seats only one person and that the seat itself features 6-point safety harness. We also know that, from the knobs on the wheel, you can control all the systems on the car via presets. Knowing that youd drive this car wearing a full-on race suit, Holden devised an avant-garde helmet for it which can project 3D graphics onto the visor to enable graphics overlay in real-time. Essential technical information is provided on the visor in addition to the racing line and braking zone benchmarks. Theres also a camera mast on the roof which films everything you do out on track. 2018 Holden Bathurst Time Attack Concept Drivetrain And Performance Each of the four electric motors has its own gearbox Total power output is 1,340-horsepower It could lap the Mount Panorama circuit in 1:29.30, almost 20 seconds below Jenson Buttons unofficial record in an F1 McLaren The body of this concept is made or, to be more precise, would be made out of carbon fiber and Kevlar, same for the underbody which features flexible co-molded membranes at body and chassis junctions. The monocoque is mounted to the suspension uprights at all around, which enables full aerodynamic load to be applied directly to each wheel individually. The weight of it all, thanks to ultra-light materials, stays at below 2,000 pounds. Power comes from four electric motors which jointly develop 1,340-horsepower and 2,390 pound-feet of torque. Each of the four motors has its own 3-speed gearbox which means that it could, theoretically, launch itself from 0 to 62 mph in just 1.25 seconds. But its party piece is the four cyclo-gyro fans that are individually controllable and that accelerate airflow through the four venturi tunnels to enhance downforce at lower speeds through corners. Basically, depending on the corner, the air is directed in such a way to help keep the car on rails. This means that the center of pressure is always under control. The fans are powered by 4 Switch Reluctance Motors (SRM), each up to 50kW, that spin at 50,000 rpm. The suspension is by carbon fiber double wishbones on all four corners with titanium uprights. The ride height is adjustable from the cockpit. The carbon fiber rims themselves are 18-inch in diameter and have active wheel fairings supported by a Kevlar/Elastane woven skin. This enables consistent performance whilst supporting full wheel steering and suspension movement. Lastly, the brakes will be warmed up electrically in the pits and feature KERS-like technology to recuperate energy on both axles. Final Thoughts Everything sounds incredible, then, but the concept will, most likely, never go beyond the 3D-printed model phase. At least, we can look forward to a future with more interesting projects coming from GM Holden Australia since Holdens recent announcement of the expansion of 150 new engineers to our Advanced Vehicle Development team means we have the talent, resources and technology to continue delivering to that charter, added Richard Ferlazzo. Love it It could lap Mount Panorama at an astonishing pace Uses clever active aerodynamics to keep it glued to the ground Proves that the skunk works at Holden in Australia is still active Leave it Just a computer simulation at the end of the day Some of the technology displayed on the concept arent available right now Were unlikely to see at least a full-scale model of the Bathurst Time Attack monster Further Reading Read our full review on the 2017 HSV GTSR W1. Read our speculative review on the 2019 HSV Commodore. Brevard First UMC It is Laity Sunday at Brevard First UMC. During the three worship services, the church will recognize and honor those in the congregation who give of their time and talents to serve both church and community. It also continues the worship theme, Shaped By Grace, which is based on Romans 12. Special speakers are Shannon Allison and Jim Alderman at 8:30 a.m. and 10:55, and Rivers Smith at 9. The following Sunday, Oct. 21, is the annual celebration of Childrens Sabbath. Jesus said, Let the little children come to me. Children and youth are pr... About Castillo fortress at sunset in the ancient Mayan city of Tulum, Mexico (photo via Soft_Light / iStock / Getty Images Plus) A true vacationers paradise, Riviera Maya, Mexico, consists of a 75-mile stretch of tropical oasis that runs along the Yucatan Peninsula. Bordered by the powdery beaches and gentle waves of the Caribbean Sea, the region includes the major tourist destination of Cancun, along with Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos and the Mayan oceanfront archeological site, Tulum. Among the many attractions and sights in Riviera Maya, Xcaret and Xel-Ha are ecological parks open to the public featuring restored Mayan archeological sites, wildlife exhibits, grottos, natural aquariums and theme parks. Rio Secreto is an underground labyrinth of passageways formed by ancient geological formations and one of the most-visited natural marvels in the region. There are a wide variety of bars, restaurants and shops along La Quinta Avenida in Playa del Carmen. Underwater adventures begin with snorkeling and diving around the Great Maya Reef, the largest coral reef in the Northern Hemisphere. For rest and relaxation, Riviera Maya has a plethora of state-of-the-art spas that will help to replenish and rejuvenate the body while on vacation. PHOTO: Playa del Carmen beach palapa in Riviera Maya, Mexico. (photo via LUNAMARINA/iStock/Getty Images Plus) From authentic Mexican restaurants to international fusion and fresh seafood spots right on the water, Riviera Mayas culinary scene combines local flavor with the many luxury resort dining options. Carboncitos is a Mexican joint in Playa del Carmen that may be geared toward tourists, but definitely doesnt skimp on flavor and authenticity. For fresh and local seafood, Peskayitos in Puerto Morelos is known for its shrimp tacos and ceviche. La Mediterranean serves homemade pastas along with a variety of classic Italian dishes. Cancun International Airport (CUN) is the regions largest and most widely used airport for both domestic and international travel. Most major cities, including Cancun and Playa del Carmen, have car rental agencies, as its the best way to get around if traveling on your own and youre not staying at a resort. Taxis are also available, though they should be pre-arranged by the hotel or resort. With a semi-tropical climate, there is no bad time to visit Riviera Maya. The yearly average temperature is a beautiful 78 F (25.5 C), though it can easily rise to a steamy 98 F (36.6 C) in the summer months. The most abundant rainfall occurs during the months of April and May, as well as September through January, when tropical storms and hurricanes are known to blow through. vinaymishra188@gmail.com Mukesh Ranjan Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 11 Sikh women in Chandigarh may now not be required to wear a helmet while riding two-wheelers as the Centre has sent an advisory to the Chandigarh Administration asking it to follow the notification issued by the Delhi Government giving them exemption from sporting the protective headgear. With this advisory, the UT Administration will now be obliged to issue directions in this regard through a notification for the city police on the street, said a senior Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) official. Asked pointedly how the police would be able to identify whether a woman riding a two-wheeler without a helmet was a Sikh, the official said this will be determined and spelt out when the UT Administration notifies the rules based on the Delhi Government notification. Incidentally, the decision in this regard was taken immediately after a meeting Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had with Sikh leaders, led by SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal. During the meeting, the Sikh leaders raised the issue citing religious sentiments, the official added. Earlier, the UT had also sent a request to the MHA asking for an advice as religious sentiments have been invoked by some Sikh bodies and the matter also involves the question of legal parity, the MHA official said. In a statement, the MHA said the UT had been advised to follow the notification issued by Delhi, giving an exemption to Sikh women from wearing a helmet. The Delhi Transport Department, through its notification issued on June 4, 1999, made an amendment to Rule 115 of Delhi Motor Vehicles Act, 1993, making it optional for women driving a two-wheeler or riding pillion to wear a protective headgear. On August 28, 2014, the Rule was further amended as in the Delhi Motor Vehicles Act, in Sub-Rule 115, for the word women the word Sikh women shall be submitted. A victory for Sikhs "I have been wearing a helmet for long, much before it became mandatory. My safety is of utmost importance to me; our heads are not stronger than those of others" Harmanpreet Kaur "This is a victory for the Sikhs. The Akali Dal strongly opposed the decision of the Administration to make the helmet mandatory for Sikh women." Hardeep Singh Buterla, President, Chandigarh Akali Dal We welcome the decision. We raised the issue with the Governor and the authorities concerned as it relates to religion. Harjinder Kaur, former Mayor The advisory of the MHA to the UT is a sensitive matter. The Union of India will definitely submit its viewpoint before the judiciary in right perspective and jointly a suitable path will be worked out. After all, everything rests on the law, which is made/amended by the government and implemented by the courts. Ajay Jagga, Advocate Pritam Singh & Niemeyer Almeida Filho Pritam Singh Visiting Scholar, Federal University of Uberlandia, Brazil Niemeyer Almeida Filho Professor of Economics, Federal University of Uberlandia, Brazil The results of the first phase of the general election in Brazil on October 7 have attracted worldwide attention because Bolsonaro, a right wing candidate for Brazil's presidency, has surprisingly received significantly more votes than his rival Haddad, a candidate of the centre-left party, popularly known as the PT. In one sense, this global attention is justified because Brazil is the largest and most important economy in Latin America, and by virtue of its membership of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) bloc of countries, it is an important economy and nation. However, overemphasis on the first phase of this election and only on the voting for Brazilian presidency is somewhat misplaced because of broad unfamiliarity with the complexity of the election process in Brazil and the limitations on the powers of the president in the structure of governance architecture in Brazil. Voting is mandatory in Brazil unless one can prove sound reasons for having to be absent from one's place of voting. In this first phase of the election, the abstention percentage (20.6) was a bit higher than the normal and could have implications for the second round of voting. The voting took place for the office of president as also for electing a governor for each of the 27 states, two-third of the 81 members for the senate (three for each state) and for the central parliament (513 seats) and provincial parliaments. For the election to the presidency and governorship, a candidate must secure more than 50 per cent of the valid votes to be successful straightaway in the first round, otherwise voting moves to the second round between the two most voted candidates in the first round. In the first round of elections, governors got elected in 13 states; so there would be a second round of voting for this office in the remaining 14 states. For the office of president, Bolsonaro did not cross the 50 per cent threshold for outright victory. Therefore, there would be a second round of voting between the two of them on October 28. Overall, the right has made substantial gains, but the left remains a powerful force. The centre-left PT, whose candidates Lula and Dilma have been elected to presidency in the past, has emerged as the largest party in the central parliament. The PT has won 56 seats and Bolsonaro's right-wing party PSL is behind it with 52 seats. The remaining seats are shared among parties, some very small, politically ranging between different shades of left, centre and right. The winner will be forced to build a coalition with other parties to secure majority vote in parliament to pass any legislation. This system should ensure inbuilt institutional and democratic check against monopoly control of political power. Though it seems that right-wing candidate Bolsonaro might win in the second round because he was close to the 50 per cent threshold in the first round, it cannot be ruled out that left candidate Haddad might score a victory if the dynamics of voting intentions changes in the next few weeks. In the past, a candidate who was number two in the first round, has won in the second round because of new permutations and combinations that can take place in the second round. Two things that might decisively affect the voting in favour of Haddad are the changed preferences of the abstentionist voters from the first round and women voting in large numbers against Bolsonaro because of his anti-women views. The establishment in Brazil, that includes the industrial, financial and large landowning capitalist classes; military, judiciary and corporate-controlled media have acted in unison in creating an impression that the PT is the main source of corruption in Brazil. This propaganda does not affect the poorest, black racial minority and the indigenous sections who have experienced palpable improvements in their living conditions due to PTs welfare and social protection policies. These sections concentrated more in the north and north-east Brazil have voted decisively in PTs favour in the first round itself. However, a section of the white middle class, especially in the south and south-east, is influenced by the anti-PT media campaign, partly because it resents PT-led governments the pro-poor reservation policies in education, housing and jobs. This white backlash in Brazil is very similar to the upper caste backlash in India against reservations for Dalit and backward castes in education and jobs. The election battles in Brazil are emerging more clearly now to be class and race battles in a somewhat similar manner as election battles in India are becoming reflections of class, caste, region and religious battles. If the right-wing Bolsonaro wins in the second round, the regime will try to introduce strong neo-liberal pro-market agenda by dismantling all elements of the state welfare support structures created during the PT-led governments. If the centre-left Haddad wins in the second round, there is no doubt that the establishment will defend its class interests by launching coordinated economic and political campaigns against any alternative initiatives that the Haddad-led government would attempt to undertake. A section of the establishment does not agree with the Bolsonaro perspective on cultural issues, such as his anti-gay, anti-women and anti-black views. There are conflicting economic interests too between the factions of the ruling classes, but the establishment will act in unison in defence of the economic reforms proposed by Bolsonaro, especially relating to limitations of labour rights. The outcome of the second-round voting in Brazil will not only impact the political and economic debates, discourse and policies immediately in the neighbouring Latin American countries, but its ramifications will also be felt far beyond that continent in terms of ongoing struggles between democracy and authoritarianism. Arati R Jerath Arati R Jerath Political commentator Former Haryana CM Om Prakash Chautala set the Yamuna on fire this week by publicly batting for BSP supremo Mayawati as the next Prime Minister. We will work towards uniting the Opposition so that Mayawati becomes the next Prime Minister, he announced at a rally in Gohana. Drawing rooms, political circles and the media have been buzzing since with a mixture of excitement and consternation over the possibility of a Dalit woman PM in 2019. Chautala was the first to say out loud what was being whispered after Sonia Gandhi hugged Mayawati at Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamys swearing-in ceremony in Bengaluru, where the entire anti-Modi opposition had gathered in a show of strength. He was also the first to articulate an ambition Mayawati has nursed since 2008, when she briefly flirted with the Left in a Third Front formation to oppose the India-US civilian nuclear deal. But has his endorsement actually set the ball rolling for a historic paradigm shift in caste and power dynamics that would propel the BSP chief to emerge as Indias Barack Obama? Ironically, Mayawatis hopes of becoming PM rest almost entirely on the Congress, a party she only recently rebuffed as casteist and arrogant. In an opposition front made up of an array of small parties, Mayawati will always be just one of the regional satraps jockeying to be PM unless a larger national force like the Congress throws its weight behind her. And she knows it well. In praising Sonia and Rahul Gandhi while lambasting their party, in leaving the door open for an alliance for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls after rejecting a tie-up for the upcoming Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, Mayawati has virtually acknowledged her dependence on Congress goodwill to reach the pinnacle of her ambition. Equally significant is the Congress response to her unstated signals. Rahul Gandhi and his chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala were cautiously polite about her decision to dump the Congress in the upcoming state elections. Both said they had great respect for her and welcomed the possibility of a national alliance with the BSP in 2019. Reading between the lines, it would seem that the Congress could well consider propping up Mayawati as PM if it does not have the numbers to stake claim for Rahul Gandhi or his nominee to head the next government. The warmth in Sonias body language with the BSP chief in Bengaluru was a dead giveaway of the partys Plan B. Mayawatis game will begin only if the BJP falls so short of the majority mark in 2019 that it cannot even cobble together a coalition government. The numbers present an interesting picture in this scenario. The Congress, with its bigger national footprint, will be the largest single party in the anti-Modi grouping. Three parties are vying to be in the second position, albeit way behind the Congress because their presence is limited to one state. One is Mamata Banerjees Trinamool Congress, which is hoping to win as many as possible of Bengals 42 seats. The other is MK Stalins DMK, which will try to bag the lions share of the 40 seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The third is Mayawatis BSP, whose main battlefield is UP, with 80 seats in the Lok Sabha. Although she will have to share the pie with Akhilesh Yadavs Samajwadi Party and Jayant Chaudhrys RLD to craft a winning alliance against the BJP, she appears to have a slight upper hand as the SP chief has hinted that he is ready to be accommodative in the distribution of seats. But Mayawati is nobodys fool. She is aware of the competition she faces from Mamata and Stalin. The DMK chief may prefer to stay in Chennai, but he would want a say in Delhi. Mamata, on the other hand, has definite national ambitions. She knows she cannot surge ahead of these two on the strength of her performance in UP alone, however magnanimous Akhilesh may be. It is interesting that she has been scouting around for seats in other states, hoping to add to her kitty. She has already had a fruitful meeting with NCP chief Sharad Pawar, who seems keen to give her one or two seats to contest in Maharashtra. TDP boss Chandrababu Naidu has also indicated his interest in a limited tie-up with the BSP in Andhra Pradesh. And JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda is toying with the idea of a one-seat arrangement with her in Karnataka. The two had an alliance for the state elections earlier this year. The BSP won one seat and boasted of a minister in the Kumaraswamy government who quit on Thursday. It is only the Congress that can add substantially to her tally if it agrees to a pre-poll tie-up with the BSP across North India in states like Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Haryana. Although she has already entered into a poll pact with Chautalas INLD, the addition of the Congress will give the combination the much-needed muscle to take on the BJP. Mayawatis rebuff to the Congress for the upcoming elections and her repeated warnings about a respectable seat-sharing arrangement (otherwise she will go it alone) should be seen against this backdrop. She is bargaining hard. Like Mayawati understands the importance of the Congress for her plans, the Congress appreciates the value she brings to the table. While the Congress and Mayawati dance around each other in slow tango, the BJP is monitoring this shadow power play closely. Can it tempt the Dalit queen to switch partners? Mayawati may well prove to be the X factor in 2019. harinder@tribunemail.com Jalandhar woke up on Wednesday to find that three students from Kashmir in their midst had been arrested for suspected terror links. Significantly, an arrested student was a cousin of a terror module chief. In Kashmir, a PhD scholar went down in an encounter with the security forces. The spillover of Kashmirs militancy from the containerised cauldron of disaffected, barely-literate students to include the decently-educated and urbane youth may be slowly taking place. J&K Governor Satya Pal Maliks homilies, pointing out the hopelessness and futility of pursuing an armed struggle are water off a ducks back. In terms of the body count, the Armys Operation All Out is a statistical success. Over 200 militants have been killed after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in mid-2016 set off a wave of violence. But the flip side of the story is that a greater number of fresh recruits have joined the ranks, often motivated by the emotional funerals of the killed militants. The gap in the perception between New Delhi and Srinagar could not be starker. What is being touted as hammer blows to militancy by the security forces is also a call for recruitment into militancy. The entire process has become a never-ending cycle on violence. The neighbour, friend or relative of the youngster gunned down is influenced by the incident as well as by the heavy hand of the security forces in day-to-day life to take to arms. Despite committing the blunder of an ill-suited political marriage with the BJP, former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti may be right in pointing out that things have gone terribly awry when a PhD scholar takes to arms. The Jalandhar incident may acquire a lower billing when compared with the news value of a PhD scholar getting killed in an encounter. But the arrests could be a grave pointer to the fact that the relentless chalking up of kills without addressing the core issues may be exposing the Indian heartland to a spillover of the violence in the Valley. editorial@tribune.com Hisar, October 11 Union Minister Birender Singh on Thursday stated that he aspired to become the Chief Minister of the state. He was interacting with mediapersons in Bhiwani. He said like every other politician, he nursed the political ambition to become the Chief Minister. I am 72 years old, but still active in politics because of my ambitions, he said. The Union minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been taking steps for the welfare of peasants. He said the next Lok Sabha and Assembly elections were likely to be held as per schedule. Commenting on the tweet from the PMO about Chhotu Ram which termed him as a Jat leader, Birender said it was unfortunate and the person who operated the handle did not have knowledge about Chhotu Ram. Chhotu Ram cannot be identified with any caste or community because he had worked for reforms in society, he asserted. TNS editorial@tribune.com Mukesh Tandon Tribune News Service Panipat, October 11 City residents have received power shocker in the form of hefty electricity bills running into lakhs and crores. Sunil Sharma of Gandhi Colony said, The area of my house is 50 sq m and the load of the power meter is 5 kW. I drive an auto-rickshaw to make both ends meet. In February, the department calculated my electricity bill and I deposited Rs 6,019 extra accordingly. However, in April I was shocked to receive a bill of Rs 75,95,489. I approached the power corporation office and urged it to correct the bill. Officials gave me an assurance of doing the needful. However, in July again, I received a bill of Rs 79,29,605. Not only this, the power corporation calculated an outstanding of Rs 1,40, 82,833 as arrears against me, he alleged. He said in September again, he received a bill of Rs 64,54,635. Sunil Sharma alleged that he had been making the rounds of the power corporation office for long, but to no avail. In another case, the management of Arya Senior Seconadary School has received a bill of Rs 1,19,95,308. The school authorities are also running from one office to another for the last four months to get the bill corrected. Principal Jai Gopal Sharma said in routine, they received a bill of Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000. He said they had sent several written complaints to the department, but nothing had been done so far. He said the electricity meter installed outside the campus was burnt nearly 15 days ago and they immediately approached the department to replace it with a new one. Rajesh Dawar, a resident of Model Town, said the power corporation had sent a bill of Rs 86 lakh for his under-construction house. He said no one lived there and it had been lying closed for some time. We have approached the authorities to correct the bill, but nothing has been done so far, he said. According to information, the power corporation had assigned the tasks of meter reading and bill distribution to a Bengaluru-based private company, BSITS, in October 2017. Arvind Sharma, Manager, BSITS, said, Power officials did not enter the meter change order (MCO) properly due to which round bills are being generated automatically. We have been making efforts to streamline the system. PK Goyal, Superintending Engineer, UHBVN, said, We have started a backend counter in the office to address such problems. We are also trying to solve these complaints at our end. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Ambala, October 11 Untimely rain accompanied with strong winds and hailstorm flattened standing paddy crop at several places in the district on Thursday. The produce lying in the open and lakhs of paddy bags at grain markets also got drenched, resulting in higher moisture level in the crop. Sources said paddy farmers had already suffered a loss of five to seven quintal per acre this year and fresh rain had further declined the production. The quality of the produce had been badly affected. Seeking a compensation, farmers blocked the Ambala-Hisar highway for nearly three hours. Traffic had to be diverted through other routes. Political leaders reached the spot and sought early survey and a relief for the affected farmers. The farmers said their crop had been damaged by the hailstorm and they must be given some relief at the earliest. Avtar Singh, a farmer from Sonda village, said, Almost 90 per cent of our crop has damaged. The government should give a relief of Rs 50,000 per acre. It should also give relaxation in burning the residue as we have already suffered losses. The protesters lifted the blockade only after MLA Aseem Goel and the SDM, City, gave them an assurance of adequate compensation and early survey. Deputy Director, Agriculture, Girish Nagpal said, Although the crop has suffered losses due to fresh rain and hailstorm, the percentage is yet to be assessed. The farmers have been advised to file crop insurance claim forms at the earliest. DC Sharandeep Kaur also visited the affected areas and directed patwaris to carry out a survey. She said all farmers whether their crops were covered under the scheme would be included in the survey and given compensation. Meanwhile, rain led to waterlogging in several areas of the district. The railway underpass near the Shahstri colony and the residence of the Health Minister were flooded. Yamunanagar: Standing paddy crop in Jagadhri and Sarasvati Nagar blocks of Yamunanagar district was damaged following heavy rain accompanied with winds and hailstorm on Thursday. Waterlogging was reported in Hamida, Camp, Professor Colony, Azad Nagar, Chhoti Line, near Matka Chowk, and at several other places in Yamunanagar and Jagadhri. The Yamunanagar-Radaur-Kurukshetra state highway remained closed for more than one hour due to uprooting of trees at several places. The Jathlana road also remained blocked, leading to traffic disruption. Seeking a compensation, the affected farmers, including Krishan Pal Sudhal, Mandeep Singh, Anil Mandebar, Karnail, Biraram Binder and Pawan, handed over a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Girish Arora. editorial@tribune.com Dipender Manta Tribune News Service Mandi, October 11 Kullu-Manali hoteliers have threatened to stage a protest against the state government if their demands were not met. They held a general house meeting in Manali town on Thursday to discuss the issue. The hoteliers are demanding regularization of unauthorized structures or amendment to the TCP (Town and Country Planning) Act so that they get some relief. The hoteliers are facing difficulty ever since Himachal High Court and the National Green Tribunal took a tough stance against unauthorized structures. The previous government had brought retention policy giving one-time settlement for the illegal structures in the state but due to intervention of the state High Court it could not be implemented. Apart from this, they are demanding speedy repair of the road on both right and left bank of the Beas between Kullu and Manali for smooth flow of traffic. Anup Thakur, president, Hoteliers Association Kullu-Manali, said that the state government was not serious in resolving the issues of hoteliers, which they were facing since long. Due to apathy of government, tourism industry of Kullu-Manali was suffering. We met and requested the chief minster four times and the forest minister six times regarding regularisation of the structures declared unauthorised by various government agencies. All that we got was sympathetic assurances that relief would be provided. But no concrete solution has come up so far. The government has neither appealed against the orders of the High Court regarding retention policy nor considered relief by amending TCP (Town and Country Planning) Act. The general house has resolved to begin an agitation if we do not get positive response from state government within 15 days, he remarked. Apart from this, the recent rains had disrupted the road communication badly. Both left and right banks road from Kullu to Manali have been badly damaged. The repair work is in progress, but the pace is very slow, especially the restoration work at Kalath and the second bridge at Manali. Only a few labourers are working at the bridge site Manali he added. He said that if this bridge is not put back in service immediately, the other bridge may give way due to overloading as the condition of this bridge is also bad. The National Highways Authority of India, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Manali, Deputy Commissioner Kullu and Forest Minister Govind Thakur have been requested to look into it on priority and get the repair work done a on war footing. editorial@tribune.com Lalit Mohan Tribune News Service Dharamsala, October 11 Bara Bhangal, the remotest village of Kangra district, has been without power for the past six years. A 40 MW hydropower project in the village is lying shut. No effort has been made to make it functional. Lack of power is proving an impediment for the trapped shepherds in communicating with their family members. Even a population of about 400 people living in Bara Bhangal is worried that since the region is expected to have a heavy snowfall this year, the winter is going to be tough without power. Madho Ram, a shepherd, who recently came out of the Bara Bhangal valley from Chamba, while talking to The Tribune, said the district administration was claiming that the trapped shepherds could communicate outside the Bara Bhangal valley, using the satellite phone lying there. However, the fact was that there was no power in the village. The satellite phone was charged by solar power and worked just for an hour or two in a day and that also if the day was sunny, he said. Meanwhile, members of the Shepherds Mahasabha of Himachal met district officials at Dharamsala on Thursday. They submitted a memorandum of their demands and threatened to start an agitation if no steps were taken to save 150 shepherds and about 15,000 livestock trapped in the valley. The shepherds said the district administration was maintaining that they were hardy people who knew hills like the back of their hands and so they should be left to their fate. They lamented that if some foreign tourist was trapped in the hills, the government would have been stirred into action. Even helicopters would have been called to rescue him. However, the residents of the own state had being left to fend for themselves. Madho Ram said two members of his family, along with 600 livestock, were still trapped in Bara Bhangal. They had to get out of the valley in 15 days before the winter set in. If they fail to come out, we are likely to face huge financial losses due to loss of livestock, he said. Rangila Ram, whose family members are also trapped in the valley, said he was able to talk to them three days ago on a satellite phone in Bara Bhangal. Akshay Jasrotia, an activist helping out the trapped shepherds, said they had suggested the district administration that a well-equipped team of mountaineers should be dropped near Thumsar Pass. It was about a 2-km stretch where the snow was soft. If it was compressed, the shepherds would be able to cross over with their livestock. editorial@tribune.com Bhanu P Lohumi Tribune News Service Shimla, October 11 The HP Private Educational Institutional Regulatory Commission (HPPEIRC) today issued a show-cause notice to AP Goyal Shimla University, seeking explanation that how the students, who passed BTech and were pursuing MTech, were enrolled as assistant professor by the university and allowed to teach MTech and BTech classes from 2014-16. The university authorities have been asked to explain their position, said Chairman, HPPEIRC, KK Katoch. The information regarding Nitesh Andoria, who was pursuing MTech, and at the same time teaching civil engineering to BTech and MTech students in 2015-16 and Robin Mahajan with BTech degree teaching civil engineering students in 2014-15 in the university was provided by the university itself under the RTI Act. However, the information was deliberately delayed for almost two years. The practice is in violation of the All-India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) guidelines, according to which the minimum qualification for assistant professor is BE/B.Tech and ME/M.Tech with first-class or equivalent in any course. RTI activist Rahul Prashar had shot off a letter to the regulator, stating that this was a case of corruption and disturbance of invalid degrees. The university had employed unqualified teachers and compromised with the quality of education and sought exemplary action against it. The issue would be brought in the notice of the AICTE also, he added. As Nitesh and Robin Mahajan were teaching in the university, it implies that they had not attended their MTech classes regularly, Rahul said. rchopra@tribunemail.com Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, October 11 PhD scholar-turned-militant Manan Wani and his associate were killed in a gunfight at Handwara in north Kashmirs Kupwara district on Thursday, official sources said. The gunfight erupted during a cordon and search operation which was launched jointly by J&K Police, Armys 30 RR and 92 Battalion CRPF at Qalamabad, Handwara, 100 km from here, after an input about the presence of two to three militants in the area. As the operation was being carried out, some gunshots were heard at around 4 am. The forces maintained a tight cordon and later carried searches in the area for hours. At around 9 am, a fresh contact with militants was established in which two militants were killed, a security official said. Read: From Sainik School to Hizbul Mujahideen The journey of Manan Wani He identified one of the slain as high-profile militant Manan Wani, a resident of Kupwara. The 26-year-old award-winning PhD scholar of Aligarh Muslim University, Wani had joined Hizbul Mujahideen at the beginning of this year. The other slain militant was a resident of Pulwama. DGP Dilbag Singh said two militants were killed in the Handwara gunfight. We are ascertaining their identities, he said. A police spokesman said arms and ammunition were recovered from the site. Meanwhile, the authorities suspended classes in schools and colleges in Kupwara and parts of Baramulla district on Thursday. Mobile internet services were also snapped in Kupwara as a precautionary measure. editorial@tribune.com Shyam Sood Rajouri, October 11 The Army has come to the rescue of a porter who had lost his right leg in a mine blast near a forward post along the Line of Control in Rajouri district. Khalid Hussain, a resident of Challas village in Rajouri, was on Thursday presented a cheque of Rs 7,36,215 by the Army at a function at the headquarters of the 2 Sikh unit. Colonel Kulbhusan S Chib, Commanding Officer, 2 Sikh unit, Lt Col Siddhartha, AQMG, Headquarters, 120 Infantry Brigade, and former sarpanches, including Raj Kumar, Khaliq Ahmed and Yash Pal, were present at the function. The Army has made a sincere effort and provided timely relief to the victim. It is a commendable initiative, said one of the sarpanches. Hussain was critically injured on January 9 this year when he inadvertently stepped on an abandoned landmine while on way to a forward post. He was rushed to Army Hospital in Rajouri after initial treatment. He was engaged as a porter and carried store items to forward posts from the base camp at Bharat Gala in the Keri sector of Rajouri. An Army spokesman said: In addition to providing life-saving treatment to Khalid Hussain, the Army relentlessly pursued his case and provided him compensation within a year. pardeepdhull@gmail.com Tribune News Service Jammu, October 11 An Army jawan has been injured in Pakistan firing on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, Defence Ministry said. "Pakistan army violated ceasefire in Krishna Ghati (KG) sector of the LoC on Wednesday injuring one soldier," Defence spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Devender Anand said. He said: "The Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked firing in the KG sector around 9.30 p.m. The injured soldier has been shifted to hospital." With IANS editorial@tribune.com Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, October 11 In January, Kashmiri award-winning PhD scholar Manan Wani, 26, of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), announced that he had joined militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen while he was on a vacation in the Valley. The picture of the gun-wielding Manan, a Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya student till Class 10, surfaced on social media on January 7. Manan remained a militant for nine months and six days and was killed on Thursday in a gunfight in his native frontier Kupwara district along with a local militant. The police said Manan was the Hizb strategist and used to operate in south Kashmir and on occasions used to travel to north Kashmir. A police officer said Manan was also instrumental in recruiting youth in north Kashmir. Manan was a close aide of Hizb chief Riyaz Naikoo and had been advising him over contemplating different strategies. For us, he was like any other militant. In his write-ups, Manan legitimised violence and as per our information he was the chief adviser of Naikoo, the police officer added. The police have blamed the Hizb for the recent attacks on policemen in south Kashmir. Before choosing the gun over the pen, Manan, hailing from a well-to-do and educated family in Kupwara, was pursuing PhD in applied geology from AMU and was described as a promising scholar by his guides and fellow researchers. Manan received an award for the best paper presented at an international conference on Water, environment, ecology and society in 2016. Before he went missing, he had last attended class at AMU on January 2. His family lost contact with him on January 4 when his phone was switched off. A blogger, Manan had recently written two long pieces highlighting the reasons for joining militant ranks and also dwelt on the political situation in Kashmir. Before joining militancy, Manan had written an open letter to moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, saying that the separatist movement was not moving in the right direction. Close aide of Naikoo editorial@tribune.com Suhail A Shah Anantnag, October 11 An activist of the separatist group Muslim League of the Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelaniwas on Thursday abducted and shot dead in broad daylight in Shopian district of south Kashmir. The slain has been identified as 48-year-old Tariq Ahmad Ganaie, a resident of Meemandar village in Shopian district. The incident, local sources said, took place about 1 pm. Some gunmen barged into his house and abducted him. They shot him dead just 200 metres from his home, a local source said. A senior police officer confirmed the killing and said an investigation had been initiated into the killing. We have learnt that some terrorists abducted and killed a civilian in the Meemandar area. The case is being investigated, the police officer said. Ganaie, said sources, was a former militant and had served a long jail term before venturing into separatist politics. He was a member of the incarcerated separatist leader Masarat Alam-led Muslim League. Ganaie was also arrested during the unrest of 2016 and was released earlier this year. Meanwhile, thousands of people attended his funeral later in the day. Militants, seven in number, appeared at the funeral and offered a gun salute to the slain. SPO shot at in Pulwama A special police officer (SPO) was shot at and injured late Wednesday night in Karimabad village of Pulwama district. The SPO has been identified as Bilal Ahmad, a resident of the Karimabad village. A senior police officer confirmed that Ahmad was shot at in his legs. He was shifted to a Srinagar hospital in a stable condition, the officer said, adding that a case has been registered and investigation taken up. amansharma@tribunemail.com Amaravati/Bhubaneswar, October 11 Cyclone 'Titli' made landfall on the eastern coast of the country early on Thursday claiming eight lives and wrecking havoc in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts of Andhra Pradesh, while causing widespread damage in neighbouring Odisha. While no loss of lives were reported in Odisha, the "very severe" cyclonic storm left a trail of destruction in Gajapati and Ganjam districts of state, uprooting trees, electric poles and damaging hutments. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Titli made its landfall near Palasa in Srikakulam district, south west of Gopalpur in Odisha with an estimated maximum sustained surface wind speed of 140-150 kmph gusting to 165 kmph between 4.30 am and 5.30 am. The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) said the cyclone caused widespread damage in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram, and threw normal life out of gear as heavy to very heavy rains lashed the two north coastal districts districts since late Wednesday night. While a 62-year-old woman died at Gudivada Agraharam village after a tree fell on her, a 55-year-old man died in a house collapse at Rotanasa village in Srikakulam district, the SDMA said. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said the six others killed were fishermen who had ventured into the sea. Of the 67 fishing boats that had gone into the sea over the last few days from Kakinada in East Godavari district, 65 had returned to the shore safely, the CMO said, adding efforts were on to bring back the remaining two boats. The road network in Srikakulam district suffered extensive damage, while the power distribution network was also severely affected. More than 2,000 electric poles were uprooted by strong winds. The Eastern Power Distribution Company, that caters to the electricity needs of the north coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, reported that the distribution system for 4,319 villages and six towns in Srikakulam district was affected. In Odisha, Cyclone Titli led to very heavy rainfall in Ganjam, Gajapati and Puri districts and caused minor damage to power supply and communication. In all, eight districts-Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore-have been affected by the cyclonic storm, Special Relief Commissioner B P Sethi said. "There has been no major destruction or report of casualty from any part of the state so far. Some damages like uprooting of trees and electric poles and damage to hutments were reported from Ganjam and Gajapati districts," he said. Power supply and telephone links got disrupted, and road communication snapped due to uprooted trees at many places in Gajapati district, Sethi said, adding efforts are now on to clear the blocked roads and to restore power supply in affected areas. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the situation in the state and instructed officials to expedite restoration efforts once the situation improves. He also directed the officials concerned to provide relief materials to cyclone-affected people. "The chief minister gave instruction to send two more teams of NDRF to Gajapati where extensive damage has been caused to roads, hutments, electric and telephone poles," Chief Secretary A P Padhi said. Thirteen teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force have been deployed in affected areas along with fire brigade personnel. "The damage is less than what we had feared," the chief secretary said. Padhi said the state government on Wednesday evacuated over three lakh people to safe places, which helped avoid loss of life in the natural calamity. The evacuees are housed in 1,112 shelters where food and sanitation facilities are available, he said. Traffic on the Chennai-Kolkata National Highway was hit at places due to uprooted trees. According to East Coast Railway sources, train services between Khurda Road in Odisha and Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh remained suspended since 10 pm Wednesday. "We are optimistic about restoration of train services on the route by (Thursday) evening," said East Coast Railway Chief PRO J P Mishra. Some railway station buildings were damaged at a few places, including in Palasa. Signal poles and overhead electric masts were damaged at places between Palasa and Kottabomali stations, he said. The South Central Railway as well as the East Coast Railway cancelled several trains while some were terminated midway. A few express trains were diverted. Horticulture crops suffered extensive damage in Srikakulam district while paddy suffered damage in Vizianagaram. Coconut plantations, banana and mango trees were the worst hit in the cyclonic storm, according to a preliminary report by the SDMA. The cyclonic storm system is now moving northeastwards towards Gangetic West Bengal across Odisha and will weaken gradually, the IMD said. - PTI amansharma@tribunemail.com Smita Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 11 In a significant development with possible far-reaching impact for the Tibetan movement and future of Tibetan Buddhism in the post Dalai Lama scenario, Ogyen Trinley Dorje and Trinley Thaye Dorje have held quiet meetings over the last few days. Ogyen Trinley Dorje is recognised by the Dalai Lama and vast majority of Tibetans as Karmapa, and Trinley Thaye Dorje is claimant to the seat of the 17th Karmapa .The two met for the first time ever at a rural location in France this week 'to get to know each other personally'. Indian official sources say the meeting comes as a big surprise to them. According to Tibetan officials involved in the meeting, the two spiritual leaders discussed how they might work together to preserve and strengthen the 900-year-old Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. "We are both very pleased to have had this opportunity to meet and get to know each other in a peaceful and relaxed environment. We both had this wish for many years, and we are gratified that this wish has now been fulfilled,"said a joint statement today. Signed by both leaders the statement further reads, "We were able to talk together freely and to learn about each other for the first time. We were thus able to begin what we expect will develop into a strong connection.While we were together we also talked about ways that we could work to heal the divisions that have unfortunately developed within our precious Karma Kagyu lineage in recent years. We view it as our duty and responsibility to do whatever we can to bring the lineage together." The news of the meeting comes amid speculations of return to India of the 33-year-old Karmapa Ogyen Dorje for which grounds are being prepared. The Indian government has been negotiating terms of his return through interlocutors and envoys. The Karmapa has been in the United States on grounds of medical treatment but has made it clear in recent interviews that he has been deeply hurt and suffocated with Indian agencies suspecting him as a Chinese spy. "We therefore ask everyone within the Karma Kagyu community to join us in our efforts to strengthen and preserve our lineage. We view it as our collective responsibility to restore harmony to our tradition which is a lineage of wisdom and compassion," added the statement which incidentally mentions neither of the signatories as Karmapa. gspannu7@gmail.com Patna, October 11 A man hurled a slipper in the direction of the podium where Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) national president Nitish Kumar was seated with other senior party leaders here Thursday. Though the slipper did not reach the stage and landed among the gathering, the party supporters slapped, punched and kicked the accused, who identified himself as Chandan, police said. Chandan was then whisked away by police personnel. The incident took place when Kumar was seated on the podium with state JD(U) chief Vashishtha Narayan Singh during a Chhatra Samagam (students congregation) organised by the JD(U) at Bapu Sabhagar auditorium on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan. While being taken away by police, Chandan, whose clothes were in tatters and body full of bruises, told reporters, I had registered my protest against the discriminatory reservation policy which helps even the better off among the SCs, STs and OBCs even as the poorest of the poor among the Dalits have been left to fend for themselves. The man later said he hailed from Aurangabad district of the state. Bihar has witnessed a string of protests by anti-reservation activists in the recent past. Several Union ministers have been shown black flags and ink thrown on their vehicles at a number of places in the state. PTI amansharma@tribunemail.com Smita Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 11 MJ Akbar, the first high-level political figure and government minister caught in the #MeToo storm, is expected to be back in New Delhi only later over the weekend. He is currently in Malabo capital of Equatorial Guinea on an official visit. Since Sunday, at least half a dozen women journalists have gone public with serious allegations of sexual harassment and abuse against him dating back to his years as a prominent journalist and editor. However, not only has Akbar refused to respond to the allegations, but the Ministry of External Affairs, too, has been tight-lipped about his official engagements. When the #MeToo storm hit the Minister of State for External Affairs, he was in Abuja in Nigeria as keynote speaker in an India-West Africa Regional Conclave organised by EXIM Bank and CII. The meeting was also attended by MoS Commerce CR Chaudhary instead of Suresh Prabhu, who was to originally address the conclave. Since then, Akbar inaugurated a Mahatma Gandhi photo exhibition, held official talks with Nigerian Vice President and Foreign Minister in Lagos and delivered a lecture on bilateral defence cooperation at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre among other engagements. However, amid speculation of Akbar cutting short his visit and returning home on Thursday, sources confirmed to The Tribune that the junior minister was now in Malabo on an official visit and was likely to return only on Sunday. The BJP has also been told by its top leadership to maintain silence over the controversy and let the storm blow over. Earlier, The Tribune had sought a direct response from Akbars boss Sushma Swaraj if there would be any probe ordered but she walked away without any comment. Subhash Ghai named too The Mumbai Police began its probe against actor Nana Patekar, dance director Ganesh Acharya and two others on a complaint filed by actor Tanushree Dutta. Meanwhile, fresh sexual harassment allegations tumbled out including against those in entertainment, media and advertising industries. The police said it will record statements of witnesses before summoning Patekar and others. The latest to join the list was Subhash Ghai, who was accused of rape by an anonymous woman, even as he denied the allegation and threatened a defamation suit. (With PTI inputs) editorial@tribune.com New Delhi, October 11 In his fiercest attack so far on the government over the Indo-French Rafale jet deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was corrupt and should resign if he could not respond. Relying on documents a French media portal claimed to have accessed from Rafale maker Dassault Aviation, Gandhi alleged that Modi had given a contract of Rs30,000 crore to industrialist Anil Ambani who is in debt. He said: There are allegations that Modi has indulged in corruption and he should resign if he cant respond. Recalling Modis 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign in which he spoke against UPA, Gandhi said the PM had forgotten all his promises to the people. He had promised to be a watchdog of Indias interests but he is now doing chowkidaari of Anil Ambani, Gandhi alleged. The Congress chief also questioned the visit of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to France, saying she had gone abroad to put pressure on Dassault and silence them. What can be a clearer message? he asked. TNS rchopra@tribunemail.com Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 11 In his fiercest attack ever on the Government in the ongoing Rafale deal controversy, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is corrupt and he should resign if he couldnt explain his role. The truth has come out. The Indian PM is corrupt. He gave Rs 30,000 crore of the Indian Air Force money to industrialist Anil Ambani who is in debt. An internal document of Dassault Aviation has shown that the offset contract in the deal was a compensation for Ambani. Former French President first said that the PM asked him to give the contract to Ambani and now a senior Dassault official has been found saying the same thing, Gandhi said in his fourth press conference at AICC headquarters on the Rafale issue. Gandhi said the PM should resign if he could not explain his role in the matter. Dismissing questions on larger oppositions silence on Rafale, Gandhi said, The issue here is that the PM is corrupt. Whether Rahul speaks on the issue or someone else does not matter. The issue is the truth has come out. The youth and the farmers of India should know the Indian PM is corrupt. Gandhi said the PM promised to be a watchdog of Indias interests but had ultimately been found doing chowkidaari of Anil Ambani. The Congress chief also alleged that Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had gone to France and would visit the Dassault facility in attempts to muzzle the aviation firm and cover up corruption in the deal. More corruption of the BJP would be revealed soon in other defence contracts, Gandhi claimed. Asked how he knew this, he said, More corruption will be revealed. Youll see. rchopra@tribunemail.com New Delhi, October 11 The Amrapali group on Thursday informed the Supreme Court that its nine properties in Noida, Greater Noida, Rajgir and Buxar in Bihar had been sealed in compliance with the courts order. A bench of Justices UU Lalit and DY Chandrachud asked the Amrapali group to file an undertaking with regard to sealing of its properties by 2 pm on Thursday. The bench also sought presence of two forensic auditors, Ravi Bhatia and Pawan Kumar Aggarwal, at 2 pm to ascertain their satisfaction with regard to the documents to be audited. The bench will hear the matter at 2 pm on Thursday. The apex court on Wednesday had ordered the sealing of nine properties of the embattled real estate company after its three directors, who are in police custody, said the documents related to the groups 46 firms were stored there. The three directors had moved an application before the court stating that they were willing to hand over all documents but the police were unaware about which one needed to be seized. The directors of the group--Anil Kumar Sharma, Shiv Priya and Ajay Kumar--were taken into police custody on October 9 and the firm was castigated for playing hide and seek with the court by not complying with its orders to hand over all documents to forensic auditors. These directors had told the bench that documents related to Amrapalis 46 group companies were kept in seven locations at Noida and Greater Noida and two premises--Rajgir and Buxar districts in Bihar. The bench had then directed that after the sealing of these nine premises, the keys be handed over to the registrar of the apex court. The court is seized of a batch of petitions filed by home buyers who are seeking possession of around 42,000 flats booked in projects of the Amrapali group. PTI editorial@tribune.com Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 11 A French news website has added a fresh twist to the Rafale deal by questioning as to how Anil Ambani-led Reliance got into a joint venture with Dassault Aviation. Citing internal documents from Dassault the makers of Rafale the website mediapart.fr reported: A senior management figure of the French group (Dassault) told staff representatives that the joint venture with Reliance was agreed as compensation in the Rafale deal and that it was both imperative and obligatory for Dassault in securing the contract. The French company in a statement has denied the charge, saying it had freely chosen Indias Reliance Group for a partnership to set up joint-venture Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL) to manufacture parts for Rafale aircraft and Falcon 2000 business jets. The news item goes on to say that the document contains a summary by staff representatives of presentation of the DRAL plant in Nagpur. The presentation was made on May 11, 2017, in France. The aviation company also mentioned that it created the joint venture to deliver the offsets committed to India. In compliance with the Indian regulations (Defence Procurement Procedure) and as frequent with such a contract, Dassault Aviation has committed to offsets in India worth 50 per cent of the value of the purchase, the release read. Two weeks ago, the website had published an interview with former French President Hollande who claimed India had proposed Reliances name as the offset partner for Dassault Aviation. rchopra@tribunemail.com New Delhi, October 11 Delhi Police have arrested a teenage boy for murdering his parents and sister in south Delhis Vasant Kunj area for allegedly opposing his lifestyle and forcing him to study. Suraj killed the three in the wee hours of Wednesday at their Kishangarh home using a kitchen knife. He had brought the knife from the market in the morning. Initially, the accused planned to kill only his father, but when his mother and sister saw him committing the crime, he killed them too. The boy allegedly took this step as his parents used to press him for studies while at times his father used to thrash him. The accused admitted to the crime and revealed that a few years back he had also planned his own kidnapping. The police had found Mithlesh, wife Siya and daughter Neha with stab wounds, while the accused son was found with minor injuries. ANI gspannu7@gmail.com Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 11 Legal troubles of beleaguered real estate major Amrapali are getting serious day by day. After ordering sealing of nine of the premises belonging to the groups companies, the Supreme Court on Thursday issued contempt notice against three directors, including the CMD of Amrapali group, for their failure to comply with its orders. A Bench headed by Justice UU Lalit asked the three Amrapali directorsAnil Kumar Sharma, Shiv Priya and Ajay Kumarto respond to the contempt notice in four weeks. It directed them to present themselves before SHO of Noida Sector 62 police station on Friday by 8 am. The top court made it clear that the trio shall remain under police surveillance confined to the hotel in Noida but not under police custody. According to the court order, Noida SSP would take them to hotel Park Ascent after 6 pm where their mobile phones will be seized and they shall spend nights in the hotel for the next 15 days, instead of police lock up. The Bench, which also included Justice DY Chandrachud, ordered Noida police to take them to the sealed premises where documents needed for forensic audit of the groups 46 companies will be catalogued. The sealed properties of Amrapali group in Noida and Greater Noida will be open from 8 am to 6 pm for cataloguing of documents for next 15 days, it said. Forensic auditors Ravi Bhatia and Pawan Kumar Aggarwal have been ordered to complete auditing the balance sheet and affairs of 46 Amrapali group companies in 10 weeks. The directors were taken into police custody on October 9 and Amrapali was pulled up for playing hide and seek with the court by not complying with its orders to hand over all documents to forensic auditors. On Wednesday, the court had ordered sealing of its nine premises. Amrapali group informed the Bench during the pre-lunch session that its nine properties in Noida, Greater Noida, Rajgir and Buxar (last two in Bihar) had been sealed as ordered on Wednesday. The top court had earlier ordered Amrapali group statutory and internal auditors to audit the accounts of all the companies of the Amrapali Group to find out how Rs 2,765 crore was diverted by its directors. It had directed the company to hand over all the relevant documents to the two auditors who told the Bench that no documents had been shared with them by Amrapali Group since 2015. The Bench which has already ordered freezing of accounts of Amrapali Group companies and their directors for playing dirty games with the court and defrauding homebuyers is seized of homebuyers petitions seeking possession of around 42,000 flats. The court had also sought details of all the bank accounts of 40 companies of the group and their directors. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 11 Sheer frustration over not being allowed to proceed against former Punjab Cabinet Minister Bikram Singh Majithia compelled Enforcement Directorates Deputy Director Niranjan Singh to submit his resignation, his counsel told the Punjab and Haryana High Court today. As the drug menace case came up for resumed hearing before the Division Bench of Chief Justice Krishna Murari and Justice AB Chaudhari, senior advocate Anupam Gupta and PIL-petitioners counsel Navkiran Singh launched an attack on Majithia for the circumstances forcing Niranjan Singh to put in his papers. Niranjan Singh resigned last week out of sheer frustration as the ED did not allow him to proceed against Majithia He was revenue minister with the previous government; and the government at the Centre had a political alliance with it. He wielded tremendous clout, Gupta submitted. Gupta added he could tell the court how Niranjan Singh was threatened directly and indirectly by the Union Ministry of Finance in connection with the matter known as the Bhola drugs case. Referring to a one-page note submitted by Niranjan Singh before the Bench in May, Gupta added that the investigating officer under him did not do anything. Objecting to the line of argument, Assistant Solicitor General of India Chetan Mittal questioned Guptas locus standi to raise the issues. He also asked Gupta to clarify whether he was appearing for Niranjan Singh, Punjab DGP Siddharth Chattopadhyay looking into an aspect of the case, or as amicus curiae (friend of the court). The Bench asserted it would look into the matter. Rest assured if we find action is required, this court will not hesitate to act even against the highest authority, whosoever he may be. Navkiran Singh contended that Niranjan Singh was transferred out after he summoned Majithia, but the orders were stayed by the High Court. In accordance with the orders, he started submitting reports to the court. But he could not submit the report during the past two dates as there was no hearing. He resigned in frustration. The court should, as such, issue directions for non-acceptance of his resignation. The Bench, in turn, asserted that issuance of such directions was not feasible; and the officer could withdraw his resignation. Govt in contempt No officer was given to him Not even a single witness was examined; not even a single property was attached. I am not focusing on Majithia, but the Ministry of Finance and the Enforcement Directorate are in contempt. Counsel for Niranjan Singh amansharma@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 11 AAP MLA from Dakha H S Phoolka has said he will resign on Friday from the membership of Punjab Legislative Assembly in protest against the state government's "failures" to book former DGP Sumedh Saini and ex-CM Parkash Singh Badal in sacrilege incidents. Phoolka said he had deferred his resignation earlier as the Punjab and Haryana High Court had stayed action against four police officials accused of firing on a mob of protesters. Phoolka said the high court did not stay proceedings against Saini today. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 11 The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday directed the issuance of a seven-day advance notice to former state DGP Sumedh Singh Saini on his plea for handing over the investigation in any matter registered against him to the CBI or any other independent agency outside Punjab. Taking up Sainis plea expressing apprehension of false implication in criminal matters on account of malice, mala fides and ulterior motives on the part of the political party in power in the state, Justice Gurvinder Singh Gill directed the issuance of a notice in case action was contemplated against him. Justice Gill also put the State and the CBI on notice for November 28. Opposing the plea, Punjab Advocate General Atul Nanda responded to Sainis claims of an unblemished record by saying that he had a multiple murder case pending. Nanda opposed the blanket bail, saying that the court could not pass an order granting protection to the petitioner from arrest ensuing from future FIRs. He said the petitioner had not brought to the courts notice any FIR wherein he (Saini) was made an accused. Such an order merely on the basis of an apprehension would be in violation of the High Courts power in the light of the law settled by the SC. In his petition filed through counsel Jasdev Singh Mehndiratta and argued by senior advocate Vinod Ghai, Saini claimed that he was seen as the man who initiated criminal prosecution against the present CM and his coterie. Criminal cases were registered against members of the political party now in power in Punjab during his tenure as the state VB head. Referring to an FIR in a cheating and corruption case registered in March 2007, Saini submitted that the present CM and other influential persons were named as accused. His petition editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 11 About a month after further proceedings were stayed against two former Senior Superintendents of Police and an ex-Station House Officer in pursuance of recommendations made by Justice Ranjit Singh Commission, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday called for a status report regarding the investigation conducted so far. As the case came up for resumed hearing, Justice Rajan Gupta directed the filing of the status report by the next date of hearing in the case November 14. Accompanied by Punjab Advocate General Atul Nanda and counsel Diya Sodhi, former Union minister and senior advocate Kapil Sibal told Justice Guptas Bench that he would address arguments on an application filed by the state for vacation of stay on the next date of hearing. Counsel for the petitioners senior advocate Akshay Bhan and Sant Pal Singh Sidhu also prayed for additional time to address the arguments. The petitioners, former SSPs Charanjit Singh and Raghbir Singh Sandhu, along with then Station House Officer of the Bajakhana police station Amarjit Singh, had earlier argued that the first commission set up under Justice Zora Singh could not have been substituted by a second commission. Their counsel had added that Justice Ranjit Singh Commission went beyond its mandate by involving itself in presumptive adjudicatory process and the commission did not issue notice under Section 8-B of the Commission of Inquiries Act, which says that the commission is mandated to give a person reasonable opportunity of being heard during the inquiry and to produce evidence in his defence. Nanda, on the other hand, sought the vacation of stay on the ground that the investigation has come to a virtual standstill. In its reply, the government claimed that interim relief had huge ramifications and amounted to a blanket stay on further probe. The government, it was added, was of the opinion that Justice Zora Singh Commissions report could not be accepted. As such, a new commission was set up. The terms of reference of the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission were much wider as it included incidents of sacrilege pertaining to Gita and Quran. Thus, it could not be treated as a substitute. rchopra@tribunemail.com Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 11 The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday directed the issuance of a seven-day advance notice to former Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh Saini on his plea seeking directions to Punjab to hand over investigation in any matter registered against him to the CBI or any other independent agency outside the state. Taking up his plea expressing apprehension of his false implication in criminal matters on account of malice, mala fide and ulterior motives on the part of the political party in power in the state, Justice Gurvinder Singh Gill directed the issuance of notice in case action was contemplated against him. Justice Gill also put the state and the CBI on notice for November 28. In his petition filed through counsel Jasdev Singh Mehndiratta and argued by senior advocate Vinod Ghai, Saini was seeking issuance of directions to the state to keep any proposal for arresting him in abeyance for a specific period to enable him to seek recourse to legal remedies. Saini claimed that he was seen as a man who had launched criminal prosecution against the present Chief Minister and his coterie. He added that a number of criminal cases were registered against members of the political party now in power in Punjab during his tenure as state Vigilance Bureau head. Referring to an FIR in a cheating, forgery and corruption case registered in March 2007 at the Vigilance Bureau police station in Ludhiana, Saini submitted that the present CM and other influential people were named as accused in the matter. Another FIR was registered against BIS Chahal, the then media adviser of the present CM, during his tenure as Vigilance Bureau head. Saini claimed that cases were also registered against a number of other influential people. As a result of his efforts to unearth scams, he became an eyesore for political parties and faced immense pressure to scuttle investigations initiated by him against high-ups. Saini said the political party in power unleashed a vendetta against the police officers who had investigated the cases against the high and mighty when they were in opposition. His counsel said the petitioner was not summoned at any stage by the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission looking into the sacrilege incidents. He was in Chandigarh and not at Kotkapura where the force was allegedly used. No one at the headquarters was aware of the Behbal Kalan incident where two men had died even an hour after the incident. Yet, Punjab minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa vehemently and blatantly made the governments intention clear that they wanted to arrest him, it was submitted. He said the petitioner was shocked to read a news item on a head constable offering to become an approver in a case registered at Moga. The petitioner learnt about the existence of Aman Skoda referred to in the news report in mid-2014 and has never seen him. He learnt about the head constable from the newspapers, he added. editorial@tribune.com Rajmeet Singh Tribune News service Chandigarh, October 11 In a setback for the Congress government, the Centre has linked the release of pending grants under the SC post-matric scholarship scheme with the states acceptance of new norms that phenomenally enhances its share in the scheme. A grant of Rs 1,287 crore is pending for 2016-17 and 2017-18. Under the new norms, the states share will increase from Rs 60 crore to Rs 780 crore annually. Around three lakh SC students annually enrol under the scheme. Objecting to the diktat of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded a revision of the norms in the interests of the SC students. Official sources said the ministry, in a communication to the state on September 13, had requested it to immediately convey its consent to the revised committed liability, as per the new norms revised on May 3. On September 28, the Ministry has informally conveyed that the pending grant would be released only after the state accepted the committed financial liability. The state has pointed out that in the process of revising the norms, the Centre has indirectly absolved itself of contributing any money towards the scheme. Citing the new norms, private educational institutions have started demanding advance fee from the SC students, forcing them to hold protests for admissions and scholarships. Apart from raising the issue with Union Minister of Social Justice Thaawar Chand Gehlot on June 15, the CM had raised the issue in the meeting of the governing council of NITI Ayog. Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla, in the statement, said the scholarship amount released by the Centre was not being distributed among the beneficiaries by the state. Though the Centre was ready to release the amount, the state was not furnishing the utilisation certificate of funds, he said. Sampla claimed that the Centre had released Rs 115 crore in April last year and Rs 327 crore in June this year, but the state had not given the money to the colleges. The implications gspannu7@gmail.com Ravi S Singh Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 11 Punjab BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Shwait Malik here on Thursday alleged that Chief Minister Amarinder Singh governments policy has promoted fuel mafia in the state. Holding the state government responsible for deteriorating law and order, rearing of head by anti-national elements and neglect of Dalits and farmers, he questioned Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his silence. He said while Capt Amarinder is an invisible chief minsiter, his ministers and MLAs have also started avoiding public. At a presser, Malik said the mafia has come into being on account of higher prices of fuel in Punjab in comparison to the neighbouring states. Consequently, vested interests are bringing fuels from neighbouring states and Chandigarh, Malik said, adding that the broad impression is that higher echelons in government is colluding with the mafia. The illegal business of fuel is causing revenue loss to the state, he alleged. The state government has not reduced the fuel prices even though Centre asked the states do so after it reduced Rs 2.50 per litre. Congress Delhi Durbar dictates to Capt Amarinder on policy matters. The Congress policy is to perpetuate misery of people and then milk it politically, he said. He said the new fuel mafia has mushroomed even while the state government has failed to reign in other mafia including relating to sand and drug. On the one hand, the government is closing down public institutions like hospitals, schools and colleges, not releasing teachers salaries on pretext of poor condition of state exchequer, whereas it has appointed an army of OSDs and spending more than eight lakh rupees per month on each of them towards their salaries and perks and miscellanies attached to their offices, he said. The BJP leader flayed the state government for not adopting the Union Governments Free Medical Insurance Scheme ( Ayushman Bharat) even though the latter funds 60 per cent of the scheme. Also the midday meal scheme is not being implemented properly on account of state being erratic in releasing its share of contributions, he alleged. He alleged that law and order situation has nose-dived. There has been four incidents of dacoity in Jewelers market in Amritsar in the past one-and-half year, he said. He also cautioned Capt Amarinder that the BJP is playing the role of responsible opposition by highlighting his governments failures and will not be browbeaten by him. Earlier, he met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley during which issues pertaining to the state figured in the meeting. editorial@tribune.com Neha Saini Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 11 Amritsar is set to host the first-ever World Heritage Cuisine Summit & Food Festival-2018 from October 12 to 14. In the backdrop of the heritage surroundings of Qila Gobindgarh, the summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh that was recently restored, the summit will feature dishes from 70 countries. These include Turkey, Armenia, Cambodia, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Germany, Ghana, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Namibia, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, US, Ukraine, UAE, Vietnam and Wales. Tourism Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu will inaugurate the summit, which is being helmed by Manjit Gill, president, Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA). The recently constituted World Cultural Culinary Heritage Committee, under the aegis of the World Association of Chefs Societies (World Chefs), is hosting the event in collaboration with the IFCA. Renowned culinary expert Thomas Gugler, president of World Chefs since 2016, will be the star attraction at the summit. The first day will host representatives of various countries at the food pavilion and over the course of three days, live demonstrations, master classes, food tastings and presentations will be held. Talks will also be held with regard to traditional cuisines of participating nations and special manifesto will also be launched, advocating sustainable food practices and the hunger initiative undertaken by Manjit Gill. Five popular dishes from the holy city will share the spotlight with global cuisines, including makhan fish, Amritsari kulcha and sweet lassi. There will also be a turban-tying competition and folk performances. 70 countries to take part pardeepdhull@gmail.com Kano (Nigeria), October 11 At least seven Nigerian soldiers were killed in a Boko Haram jihadist attack on a military base near the Niger border, the military said here. The Islamists and the army were engaged in a fierce battle on Monday in Metele, a village in Nigerias northeast Borno State, the military said in a statement posted on Twitter Wednesday. Seven soldiers died and 16 were wounded in action the army said, but military and civilian militia sources put the death toll higher. We lost 18 men in the fight which lasted for seven hours, a military officer told AFP, speaking from the Borno state capital of Maiduguri. Our men fought hard and dealt heavy blows on the terrorists but they were overwhelmed by the enemy who overran the base, said the officer who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak on the incident. A civilian militia assisting the military in fighting the jihadists said that on Tuesday 18 bodies of soldiers were brought to the garrison town of Monguno, 120 kilometres (70 miles) from the attacked base. The fighting was fierce. It started around 4:30 pm and continued till 11:30 pm, the militia man said. Boko Haram suffered heavy casualties but managed to invade the base and take weapons, he said, adding that the jihadists destroyed those they could not take away. Boko Harams Islamic State group-backed factionknown as Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) -- operates in the Lake Chad region and has in recent months intensified attacks on military bases in Borno and nearby Yobe states. The attacks are seen as a sign of a hardline takeover in ISWAP by more radical lieutenants who executed the groups de facto leader over his willingness to hold peace talks with the Nigerian government. Scores of soldiers have been killed, injured or missing in the latest wave of attacks but the military has repeatedly denied or played down losses to the jihadists. More than 27,000 people are thought to have been killed in the nine-year Boko Haram Islamist insurgency that has triggered a humanitarian crisis and left 1.8 million people without homes. AFP shalender@tribune.com Islamabad, October 11 There are good doctors in Pakistan, Supreme Court Chief Justice Saqib Nisar told Pervez Musharraf on Thursday as he directed the Dubai-based former dictator to appear before the apex court to record his statement in the treason case against him. General (retd) Musharraf, 75, who has been living in Dubai since 2016, is facing the treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007. The former army chief left for Dubai in March 2016 for medical treatment and has not returned since, citing security and health reasons. The chief justices cryptic remarks came as he headed a bench hearing the case related to National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), passed by Musharraf in 2007. The NRO granted amnesty to politicians and other individuals by quashing various corruption and criminal cases against them so they could return to the country. A conviction for high treason carries the death penalty or life imprisonment. PTI pardeepdhull@gmail.com Seoul/Washington, October 11 US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday South Korea will not lift sanctions on Pyongyang without US approval, after the South Korean foreign minister softened earlier comments that some of its unilateral sanctions were under review. Trumps rejection of South Korea easing sanctions alone outlines the official position of the United States and South Korea that the two countries remain in lockstep on North Korea. He has encouraged US allies to maintain sanctions on North Korea until it denuclearises as part of his administrations maximum pressure campaign against Pyongyang. Asked about reports South Korea was considering lifting some sanctions against North Korea, Trump said: They wont do it without our approval. They do nothing without our approval. South Korean foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha suggested during a parliamentary audit on Wednesday that Seoul was considering easing its own sanctions against the North to encourage its denuclearisation. South Korea imposed unilateral sanctions on the North in 2010 following an attack on a warship that killed 46 South Korean sailors, banning most bilateral trade and exchanges. Kang later walked back her comments after they sparked criticism from some conservative lawmakers, claiming North Korea should first apologise for the attack. The South Korean foreign ministry also officially denied that the government was reviewing the matter. However, there are growing calls for easing sanctions. China, Russia and North Korea believe it is necessary to consider adjusting U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang at an appropriate time, Chinas foreign ministry said on Wednesday. In a rare confirmation of discord between Seoul and Washington, South Koreas Kang also said on Wednesday US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had expressed discontent with an inter-Korean military pact reached during a summit last month. She said there were views in the United States regarding adjusting the pace of inter-Korean moves. The drive for denuclearisation sprang from pledges made by Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at their historic summit in Singapore in June, although there has since been disagreement over how that would be achieved. Reuters The Palace Museum, one of the world's most visited tourist attractions, launched an expansion project Wednesday in Haidian District of northwestern Beijing. The expansion is the core part of a major cultural renovation program calculated to enhance Palace Museum's capacity in exhibiting and conserving cultural heritage. The on-site geological surveying and archeological prospecting also kicked off at the expansion project, literally known as the "north section project of the Palace Museum." The north section project will cover an area of 62 hectares, where exhibition halls, cultural heritage conservation workshops, warehouses and other facilities taking up 102,000 square meters, will be built. When the north section project is finished, the exhibition areas there are expected to display more exhibits than the museum housed in the Forbidden City at the heart of Beijing. According to Shan Jixiang, the curator of the museum, conservation and protection of cultural heritage will be the most import function of the north section upon its completion, and the process of conservation will be shown to the public. The Palace Museum's general plan for renovation, approved by the State Council in 2013, has listed seven items for construction. In addition to the north section project, the Palace Museum will build a new underground warehouse to protect relics in a controlled environment with custom humidity and temperature settings. The new storage area is expected to be finished in 2020 when the Palace Museum celebrates its 600th anniversary. An underground passage will also be built to connect the two existing warehouses. Home to the royal court between 1420 and 1912, the Forbidden City now houses more than 1.8 million collections of cultural relics. pardeepdhull@gmail.com Washington/Istanbul, October 11 US President Donald Trump increased pressure on Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to provide information on what happened to missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and said he wanted to get the bottom of what he called a very serious situation. In a fresh clue, a pro-government Turkish daily on Wednesday published preliminary evidence from investigators it said identified a 15-member Saudi intelligence team involved in Khashoggis unexplained disappearance on October 2. Pressure appeared to be building worldwide on close US ally Saudi Arabia on the whereabouts of Khashoggi, a prominent critic of Saudi policies, who was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to get documents for his planned marriage. Khashoggis Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, who was waiting outside, said he never re-appeared. Turkish sources said they believe Khashoggi was killed inside the building and removed, allegations that Riyadh dismisses as baseless. Asked in a telephone interview with Fox News Channel late on Wednesday whether Saudis were responsible for Khashoggis disappearance or death, Trump said: I guess you would have to say so far its looking a little bit like that and were going to have to see. Earlier in the Oval Office, Trump told reporters he had raised Khashoggis case with Saudi Arabia at the highest level and more than once in recent days. Were demanding everything, Trump said when asked if he was demanding information from the Saudis. We want to see whats going on. Its a very serious situation for us and for this White House ... We want to get to the bottom of it. He said he and his wife, Melania, expect to invite Cengiz to the White House soon. People saw him go in and didnt see him come out. Were going to take a very serious look at it. Its a terrible thing, Trump said. This is a bad situation. We cannot let this happen, to reporters, to anybody. We cant let this happen. Increasing pressure on Trump to respond, a bipartisan group of US senators on Wednesday triggered a US investigation into Khashoggis disappearance using a human rights law. They asked Trump to determine whether a foreign person is responsible for an extrajudicial killing, torture, or other gross violation of internationally recognised human rights and report back in 120 days with a decision on the imposition of sanctions on whoever was responsible. Asked about suggestions that Washington should consider blocking further arms sales to Saudi Arabia, Trump told Fox that would hurt US jobs. Frankly I think that would be a very very tough pill to swallow for our country. ... Before I discuss this Id have to find out what happened, he said. Former US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said he has suspended his role on the board of Saudi Arabias planned mega city NEOM until more is known about Khashoggi. After Trump spoke, the White House said national security adviser John Bolton and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, had spoken to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the matter on Tuesday. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo followed up with his own call to the crown prince, who had forged close ties to the administration, especially Kushner. In both calls they asked for more details and for the Saudi government to be transparent in the investigation process. We will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as available, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement. Khashoggis fiancee Cengiz was surprised when an American friend told her of Trumps comment about inviting her to the White House, the friend told Reuters. I think shes in shock, now even more, her friend said. In an essay in the Washington Post on Tuesday, Cengiz implored the president and Melania Trump to help shed light on Jamals disappearance. Trump made Saudi Arabia the first stop on his first foreign trip as president in May 2017, but in recent weeks has appeared to sour a bit on Riyadh, complaining directly to King Salman about the cost of American support for the Saudi military and for OPEC oil price increases. Saudi visitors One of the 15 Saudis identified by name and photo in the report by Turkeys Sabah newspaper is a forensic expert who has worked at the Saudi Interior Ministry for 20 years, according to a LinkedIn profile and Saudi media, and serves on the board of the Saudi Society of Forensic Medicine. Other names and photos of the 15, who Sabah said travelled on diplomatic passports, match officers in the Saudi Army and Air Force, as identified by previous Saudi media reports and in one case a Facebook profile. The Saudi consulate referred Reuters to authorities in Riyadh who have not responded to questions about the 15 Saudis, who arrived in the city hours before Khashoggi disappeared on Oct. 2. A Turkish security source had previously told Reuters that the 15 Saudis, including some officials, left Turkey later the same day. The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that US intelligence had intercepted the communications of Saudi officials discussing a plan to capture Khashoggi, citing an unidentified person familiar with the information. On Wednesday, State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said the United States had no advance knowledge of such a plan. The crown prince ordered an operation to lure Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia from the United States and then detain him, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing US intelligence intercepts of Saudi officials discussing the plan. The Post said it was not clear to officials with knowledge of the intelligence whether the Saudis discussed harming Khashoggi as part of the plan to detain him in Saudi Arabia. Khashoggi left Saudi Arabia last year saying he feared retribution for his criticism of Riyadh over the Yemen war and its crackdown on dissent, and since then wrote columns for the Washington Post. Britains foreign minister called for urgent answers and the chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Corker, who has seen classified intelligence on the case, said information pointed to Khashoggi being killed. To me ... it feels very much some nefarious activity has occurred by them. But I dont want to rush to judgment, Corker said on Tuesday. US Vice President Mike Pence said on Wednesday the United States was ready to help in any way in the investigation. Wednesdays Turkish media reports were the most detailed accounts yet of what they say is the Turkish governments investigation into Khashoggis disappearance. Sabah newspaper published the names and years of birth of the 15 Saudis it said arrived at Istanbuls Ataturk airport. Twelve of them arrived early on Tuesday, based on photos captured at passport control which it published. The 15 departed at four different times, Sabah reported. It did not say how it obtained the pictures and data. Reuters pardeepdhull@gmail.com Washington, October 11 The United States has warned against any attempt to undermine the democratic process in the Maldives, saying it will take appropriate steps against any such move. The warning was delivered on Wednesday by a top American diplomat, currently on a visit to the Maldives, during a meeting with leaders and officials of the country. The United States and our partners view with great concern any attempt to undermine the democratic process. It is critical that the will of the Maldivian people be respected and upheld, a State Department spokesperson told PTI after the outgoing Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the election results in which he was defeated. We noted before the election that the United States would consider appropriate measures against any individuals who undermined democracy, the rule of law, and a free and fair electoral process in Maldives, the spokesperson said. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice Wells was in Maldives Tuesday and Wednesday, where she met with current Maldivian government officials, the President-elect and civil society leaders. As Wells noted to President-elect Solih during their meeting Wednesday, we are looking at what resources and tools the US government can bring to bear to assist Maldives in its return to a democratic path and in ensuring greater security and prosperity in the Indian Ocean, the spokesperson said in response to a question. We are keen to support Maldivian initiatives to strengthen democracy, improve governance, root out corruption, enhance security, promote economic development and bilateral trade and investment, and protect the environment, the State Department official said. At her meeting with President-elect Solih, Wells pledged American support for his government and noted that the United States expected a peaceful and timely transfer of power. PTI BUSINESS groups are not in support of a fourth lockdown as they argue it will further damage the economy. Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh on a radio programme yesterday said with the state of emergency and curfew nearing an end, he is concerned that this will lead to a further rise in Covid-19 cases. While all thats happening around us may have us all believe that theres no good taking place in the world, in Trinidad and Tobago, one music producer is proving that consensus, inaccurate. Randal Alexander is the founder and principal producer at Pengco Musica music recording lab based in Bon Aire, East Trinidad. Hes changing lives and whats incredible is the fact that he knows he was called to do just what hes been doing for the past six months. 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. PETROTRIN has been successful in its bid to block an injunction that was granted to the Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) earlier this week by the Industrial Court. At 11.30 p.m. last night at the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain, Justice of Appeal Charmaine Pemberton delivered the ruling in favour of the cash-strapped company. This came following close to seven hours of submissions from attorneys representing it, the OWTU and the Office of the Attorney General. The effect of the ruling is that Petrotrin is now free to resume the distribution of termination packages to workers as it moves towards shutting down its operation by the end of next month. But the lifting of the injunction will only last until next Thursday when the substantive appeal over the actual granting of the injunction comes up for hearing before a three-judge Appeal Court panel. On Monday, Industrial Court president Deborah Thomas-Felix and four other judges unanimously ruled in favour of the union and granted it the injunction pending the hearing and determination of an Industrial Relations Offence (IRO) over the companys alleged failure to meet with it in good faith in prior to making the decision to close the company in August. This, the union argued, was in violation of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between it and the company on April 3. Prior to that ruling, approximately 300 workers were served with their termination packages. Petrotrin has begun firing workers Even as the Industrial Court considers its ruling on the Oilfields Workers Trade Unions (O The Industrial Courts order had effectively restrained Petrotrin from: (i) Terminating or otherwise determining any contract of employment entered into between the company and the members of the bargaining units of which the union is the recognised majority union until the determination of IRO 35 of 2018 or until further order from the court; (ii) Making any offer for the voluntary separation from employment of any of the workers who may be members of the bargaining units of which the union is the recognised majority union until the determination of IRO 35 of 2018 or until further order from the court; Petrotrin exploring all options, including bankruptcy, says Espinet PETROTRIN chairman Wilfred Espinet said last night the injunction granted earlier yesterday The OWTU was given until October 15 to file all relevant documents related to the IRO while Petrotrin was given until October 22 to do so. The hearing of the IRO is set to take place on October 30, 31, and November 1. In years gone by weve heard much about economic diplomacy and many are still confused abo "children and their friends are all college ages" Many resorts in Jamaica have age restrictions on guests. Is anyone in your party under the age of 18? "fun adventurous excursions." Excursions are available from every hotel in Jamaica.The questions you need to ask are: 1) which attractions do you wish to visit and 2) how long a trip are you willing to accept. For example, if you wish to visit the Bob Marley adult home/recording studio/museum and are staying in Negril you are looking at a drive time in the 5 hr. range, one way. The drive would be shorter, however, if you stay in Montego Bay or Ocho Rios. "So far, we have looked at Sandals Montego Bay and Iberostar." A few points. First, Sandals Montego Bay is a great resort. It is designed for adult couples only. Because of this every room comes with one bed. Sandals properties are also know as places for weddings and honeymoons and not as places for singles (unless the guests come as a couple). Second, the term 'Iberostar' is ambiguous. The Iberostar complex consists of three sections. The Grand is for adults only while the Suites and the Beach are 'family' resorts. This resort is also located about 13 miles from downtown Montego Bay so transportion can be expensive to in town shopping, for example the famous 'hip strip', and nightlife. A Montego Bay property which you might want to look at is Breathless. It is about 3 1/2 miles from the airport, near but separated from downtown Montego Bay, more party oriented than most other properties in Montego Bay, and very new. On our last trip to Australia we focused on Sydney and the east coast in Queensland. For our next trip wed like to have more of an outback / red centre experience as well as see areas of natural beauty with Australian wildlife (meaning Kangaroos, Koalas, Emus, Wallabies, Penguins and more if possible!) in their natural habitat rather than in a zoo/wildlife park. Our international flight arrives in Sydney, where we will spend 2 days. We then have 8 full days and are considering different options: 1) Fly to Ayers Rock Airport, hire a car to visit Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon. Fly from Alice Springs to Melbourne area. Visit either Philips Island, Wilsons Promontory, or GOR. 2) Fly to Adelaide drive up to Flinders ranges for a couple of days. Then back to Adelaide and go to Kangaroo Island for a couple of days. 3) Fly to Darwin Spend whole time in Kakadu and Lichfield national parks 4) Fly to Tasmania spend whole time there. Which would give us the best experience in terms of the real Australia and where do we have the best chance of seeing wildlife? Or any other suggestions welcome! Thank you very much. -:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:- This post has been removed at the author's request. The author may repost if desired. Posts on the Tripadvisor forums may be edited for a short period of time. Once the edit period has expired, authors may update their posts by removing and reposting them. To read more about editing your posts, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/help/how_to_edit_your_posts Chinese pianist Lang Lang will hold a benefit gala dinner in New York on Wednesday to raise fund for music education. The Lang Lang International Music Foundation (LLIMF) is celebrating its 10th Anniversary with the gala at Cipriani 25 Broadway in Lower Manhattan Wednesday evening. The World-renowned pianist will lead a performance featuring the foundation's Young Scholars during the event. The evening will also feature Golden Globe-winning actor Alec Baldwin as the host, as well as internationally acclaimed tenor Roberto Alagna, twelve-time Grammy Award Nominee Ledisi, and three-time Grammy Award winner Wyclef Jean. Founded in 2008 by Lang Lang, the LLIMF strives to educate, inspire, and motivate the next generation of music lovers and performers. It has successfully developed music education programs benefiting children across the world including Keys of Inspiration (KOI), 101 Pianists, Young Scholars and Play It Forward within ten years. "At LLIMF, we believe that all children should have access to music education, regardless of their background." Lang Lang said. "Most students enter the program with no prior knowledge of music or piano. There have been many students who began the program speaking no English, but in the KOI classroom, everyone speaks one language: music." As of September 2018, it will have 40 schools enrolled in the program from across the United States, reaching over 6,000 students. Utilizing a strategic expansion plan, KOI will reach 30,000 students in 80 schools by 2020, said Leszek Barwinski-Brown, the Chief Executive Officer of LLIMF. With 101 Pianists, the foundation brings together 100 young piano students from one city for a unique social music performance with Lang Lang. To date, this program has inspired over 150,000 audiences in 18 cities worldwide. The Young Scholars is designed to identify and support extraordinarily talented young pianists in their professional and social development. Every two years, LLIMF welcomes a new class of Young Scholars. The students are selected by Lang Lang and his teacher Gary Graffman from hundreds of applicants, and receive mentorship, tutelage, and unique performance opportunities. They participate yearly in Oxford Summer Paino Academy, Music Fest in Perugia, Leeds International Piano Festival, Summer Music Academy at Eurpean Culture Center in Poland and Summer Music Summit in Chicago. I would have chosen a hotel to rest, no doubt! You cannot enjoy your vacation or pay attn to your luggage and valuables when you are falling asleep! If you are worried about the budget, book a hostel, a private room, possibly. Hopefully, with breakfast. And you do not need to necessarily fly from SJO to Liberia. Isn't it expensive? Can you take a shared shuttle instead? The price difference between domestic airfare and land transfer might make you feel better about the cost of a hotel. Interbus van goes at 7:30, for US$54. ( You have to prepay all shuttles.) I do not know if you can take a bus. That would be cheaper. Hello all! Me and my partner will be traveling to Vietnam on the 14th of Feb in 2019 and will be landing around 10 am Friday. We will be staying approx. 16 days and in between visiting Hai Chau, Ha Long Bay, Hanoi (this is where we will be flying to from Sydney), Da Nang, Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and finally ending in Phu Quoc, where we will fly back to Ho Chi Ming and transfer internationally. We plan to fly between Hanoi to Da Nang, Da Nang to Ho Chi Ming and Ho Chi Ming to Phu Quoc. Regarding flights being canceled and delayed, which airline would be best to fly with to avoid these issues? We don't mind paying a 'little' extra or flying at an unattractive time if it means convenience. We are also not fussed for leg room or plane attractiveness, just keeping to schedule. Also would 16 days be enough to cover North to South as I have described or will we be too rushed? I have so many questions but these two are my most important... Thank you guys for all the help! -:- 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. I'm going to Japan in early January (I head there on the 6th), and while I need to get my itinerary out and triple confirm dates, I think my plan is set. I just want to make sure my plan is actually workable. I have 9 full days, so I'm thinking of landing at Narita Airport and heading into Tokyo just long enough to get on a shinkansen and head to Hiroshima to sleep for the night (I only have a 3 hour flight to Narita, so a 4 to 5 hour train trip right after landing isn't an unbearable prospect). This would be a travel day, not one of my 9 full days. I could do 1 day in Hiroshima and Miyajima, then go to Kyoto for 3 days (1 of which is a day trip to Himeji). Then there's 1 day to travel to Nagoya and either visit the aquarium or ride the Takayama (both would be great, but I doubt I have the time for both) and then get to Tokyo that night, 4 full days in Tokyo (1 for a day trip to Yokosuka), then I can head from Tokyo to Narita Airport the morning I go home. Am I correct in guessing that a Japan Rail Pass would A) cover all these intercity shinkansen trips and B) be a good investment? I'm thinking of getting a 7 day pass, since my plan would be to get and start using the pass the day I land, so by my math it'd expire while I was in Tokyo. If I made my day trip to Yokosuka my first day in Tokyo, the Japan Rail Pass should cover everything except getting back to Narita Airport when I leave. Am I correct about this? Am I missing any pitfalls? Hi All, Please comment on what just doesn't work or make sense. Willing to move everything around other than the musical- we have tickets. We were given a sightseeing pass so we have access to the hop on hop off bus but from reading, that definitely isn't the way to navigate the city. We arrive 10-19 at EWR at 6:11pm. I plan to take the New Jersey Transit to Penn Station and then a cab to our hotel the Hotel Edison. No real plans that day- just eat, explore a little close to hotel and sleep. Day 2: Saturday 1. Up early and eat then head for Circle line liberty cruise arrive 9:45 for a 10:30 sailing to see Statue of Liberty. 1 hour cruise 2. Eat- possible go see the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. (It's included in a pass we were given and close by.) 3. Head south to 911 Museum and the One World Tower. What is the best time for the tower? 4. Possibly go by the Strand book store (daughter's request) Day 3: Sunday 1. Grand Bazaar NYC (Mom loves flea markets- Is this a good one? Open 10-4) 2. Museum of Natural History?? Teens are 15 and 17- would they enjoy?? 3. Walk through central park to the other side (is this possible/advisable?) Mom is fit but we need to save energy too! 4. See the MET- hopefully catch one of the guided tours. 5. Eat 6. Book of Mormon Play at 7pm 7. See time square if we haven't yet. Day 4 Monday 1. Central Park 2. Hit a few shops 3. MOMA 4. St Patrick's Cathedral 5. NY library. Day 5 Tuesday We fly out at 12:00 from LGA. I don't know how much time we need to get there so other than breakfast I don't have any plans. Any suggestions? I haven't researched how to get back to the airport yet- but I will re-read the top questions on that again. "Speaking of Joey, remember the other Friend's thread and they were figuring out how Monica had such low rent because it was her grandma's rent-controlled apartment? Well I think she was illegally subletting because that was the episode where Treager (the super) found out and was going to have them kicked out but he instead had Joey teach him how to ballroom dance." I generally refrain from legal opinion on this board but since it's an analysis of a fictional situation, it's harmless. You can't "sublet" a rent controlled apartment. There is no "lease" for rent controlled apartments, they're considered statutory leases. The "rent" is set by the Rent Guidelines Board of the City of New York. Once the primary tenant dies, the apartment is de-controlled and converts to a stabilized apartment, which also has limited rent increases determined by the RGB. An exception to de-control is if a relative lived with the named party before they died, usually at least 6 months (case specific). If she had lived with her grandmother for an extended period of time prior to her death, she would have certain rights to the apartment. They didn't establish any of this during the show. Historically, landlords have ignored this kind of occupancy but in the last 20 years, have cracked down on it, forcing the grandchild to either prove that they lived there during the grandparent's lifetime, or either suing them to leave or offering them a lump sum payment to leave (the lump sum is faster and easier than suing an occupant because the legal fees are huge). Giving the super huge incentives not to report the apartment to the super was a common practice. Not so much dancing lessons. If the landlord is trying to convert to co-op or condo, they want the unit empty. Under rent control, Monica would probably have been paying a couple of hundred dollars at most for that apartment. As a stabilized apartment during the years of the show, it would have been well under $2000, and if a market apartment, it would have likely been in the low $3000s. (those are guesses). Today, since it is a walk up and there's a lot of inventory of newer apartments with more amenities, it would probably be in excess of $4000, but less than $6K, but the landlord would have had to renovate. In Kenya, political positions are some of the most lucrative you will ever come by. Most of the people who land them have become wealthy in a snap of a finger. These people are not only paid handsomely but also have an influence on the tendering processes. So, what is the MCA salary in Kenya? The speaker, clerk of the assembly, and the mace. Photo: @taitatavetacountyassembly Source: Facebook The Members of the County Assembly are the representatives of the people in the county governments. Some are elected directly by the electorate, while political parties nominate others. Here is the amount of money they take back home at the end of the month. How much is an MCA salary in Kenya? Kenyan MCAs earn money monthly from their salaries and numerous allowance packages. Some of the allowances include sitting, medical, hardship, and housing. Initially, they earned a gross salary of Ksh 250,000. However, their pay has been increasing over time. Below is the current salary for MCA in Kenya. Monthly salary - Ksh 165,000 Monthly airtime - Ksh 5,000 Sitting allowance- Ksh 5,000 per session Monthly mileage allowance - Ksh 40,000 Per diem of local and foreign travel - Ksh 150,000 per month on average On average, a Kenyan MCA receives a gross pay of Ksh 365,000. But, of course, this amount could be more depending on the number of sessions he attends. Salary of a nominated MCA in Kenya Is a nominated MCA salary different from that of the elected one? The MCA salary in Kenya is equal across the board. This is because the nominated county legislators have equal opportunities and privileges like the elected ones. In July 2019, the National Gender and Equality Commission won a protracted legal battle against the County Assembly of Nakuru. This came after the High Court affirmed the equality of nominated members of county assemblies. The case concerned a circular issued by the Salary and Remuneration Commission (SRC). Members of the County Assembly in session. Photo: @adenduale Source: Facebook The circular had stated that nominated MCA's do not have a defined constituency. Therefore the commission capped their mileage allowance to the standard mileage provision. After Justice Ngugi's ruling, the mileage allowances were applied uniformly. The role of MCAs in Kenya The role of the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) restricts itself to the authority granted by the law. Notably, their roles are diverse because they are a crucial component of the county government and sustain its existence. Their duties are as enumerated below. Attend debating sessions of the county assembly and its committees. Maintain close contact with the electorate. They should consult them on issues before or under discussion in the county assembly. Represent the people by airing their views, opinions, and proposals on various matters before the county assembly. Provide a link between the assembly and the public on the delivery of public services. Such services include healthcare, agriculture, water, and pre-primary education. Extend professional knowledge, experience, or specialised knowledge to any issue for discussion in the county assembly. It is worth noting that the role of nominated Members of the County Assembly is the same as those of the elected ones. What are the qualifications of becoming an MCA in Kenya? To become a nominated or elected Member of the County Assembly, one has to meet a set of requirements. They are as follows: They should be registered as a voter; They must satisfy any educational, moral, and ethical requirements prescribed by this Constitution or an Act of Parliament. Is either: (i) nominated by a political party, or (ii) an independent candidate supported by at least 500 registered voters in the ward concerned. County government salary structure in Kenya The county government salaries are paid from public funds. As a result, they are regulated by the Salary and Remuneration of Commission (SRC). Therefore, the salary structures are uniform across the 47 counties in Kenya. The MCA salary is quite impressive, and additionally, the position comes with numerous allowances. As a result, most Members of the County Assemblies have become wealthy within a short time. The post also gives them access to tenders which makes them more money. Tuko.co.ke also shared an article on new teachers salaries and grading systems. Teachers are a fundamental part of the civilisation of any particular society. They spend most of their time interacting and imparting knowledge to young people. Following numerous protests witnessed in the past, the TSC reached an agreement to increase their salaries but in three phases. The article shares information concerning the current grading system and how much each teacher is paid. Source: Tuko.co.ke On September 17, 2013, President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered the Kenya Revenue Authority and the National Treasury to clarify on the list of VAT exempt goods in Kenya. This presidential order was in a bid to deter unscrupulous traders from overpricing goods and taking advantage of the local mwananchi. The offense of charging VAT on exempt goods or services carries a fine of even up to one million Kenya shillings or a jail term of three years. Here is a detailed list on goods that have been exempted from the Value Added Tax in Kenya. So what is the difference between zero-rated and exempt supplies? Well, the main difference between the two is that a business can claim input tax for zero-rated goods but the same cannot be claimed for exempt goods. In both cases, VAT is not added to the selling price of the goods or services but zero-rated goods and services are taxable at 0% VAT. This article will give a clear insight on the list of zero rated goods and services in Kenya. READ ALSO: How to calculate VAT in Kenya Some of the most common VAT exempt goods in Kenya include milk, eggs, meat, rice, maize, bread, beans, unprocessed vegetables, tubers, infant food formula, medicines, fertilizers, sanitary towels, pharmaceuticals just to name a few. Below is a list of VAT exempt goods in Kenya according to their categories. Materials used to prepare the cleaning dairy apparatus. Mosquito nets Seeds for sowing, for example, cotton seeds, sunflower seeds, mustard seeds, sesamum seeds, safflower seeds, cola seeds, linseed and mustard seeds. Inputs for the use of in the manufacture of agricultural products Floriculture, Agriculture and Horticulture inputs Fertilizers Electrical Energy Saving bulbs Specialized solar accessories and equipment Hotel equipment marked, printed or engraved with any hotel logo Education as well as educational materials and articles Museums and exhibits Relief goods imported mainly for emergency use in areas where a natural calamity has occurred. The importation must be made within a span of six months not exceeding 12 months. Speed governors Computer software and media that contains computer software Plants and machinery designed specifically for garbage collection are some examples of VAT exempt vehicles. Exempt services Persons who deal exclusively in exempt supplies are not liable to register for VAT or claim input tax on the supplies. List of VAT exempt transactions and VAT exempt services in Kenya 1. The following financial services are VAT exempted The operation of current, deposit, or savings accounts as well as the provision of account statements. Issuing of credit and debit cards. ATM transactions excluding the supply of the machines and the software to run it. Cheque handling, processing, clearing as well as cancellation of cheques. 2. Insurance and reinsurance services excluding actuarial services, management, and related insurance consultancy services and services of loss adjusters. 3. The supply of education services 4. Medical, dental, veterinary, and nursing services. 5. Agricultural and horticultural services. 6. Burial and cremation services. 7. Transportation of passengers by any means excluding international air transport. 8. Supply by way of sale, leasing, renting, letting or hiring land or residential premises. 9. Community, social and welfare services provided by National Government or County Government. 10. Stock exchange brokerage as well as tea and coffee brokerage services. 11. The supply of services rendered by educational, religious, welfare, political and other philanthropic associations to their members. 12. Stage and cultural performances which are conducted by educational institutions and approved by the Cabinet Secretary for education as part of the learning curriculum. 13. Accommodation and restaurant services provided or operated by an educational training institutions and also approved by the Cabinet Secretary. 14. Conference services conducted for educational institutions. 15. Car park services rendered by National Government, County Government. 16. The supply of airtime by any person other than the provider of cellular mobile telephone services or wireless telephone services. 17. Leasing, hiring, and chartering of aircrafts READ ALSO: How to choose a career in Kenya Based on the above list of VAT exempt goods in Kenya and VAT exempt services in Kenya, Kenyans can now easily identify the goods that are taxed at 16% or 0%. Zero rating makes supplies cheaper since the tax rate is zero. On the other hand, exempt supplies are not taxable, therefore suppliers dealing in exempt supplies do not have to register for VAT because they are not liable for tax deductions. READ ALSO Net pay calculator Kenya 2018 Top 5 Best Job Sites In Kenya How to Get EACC Clearance Certificate in Kenya Without Much Hustle Equity Bank Kenya loans and interest rates List of successful startups in Kenya Source: Tuko You are here: Business Iran traded 263,586 tons of non-oil commodities worth 149.38 million U.S. dollars with Azerbaijan during the first five months of the current Iranian fiscal year (March 21-Aug. 22), Eghtesadonline news website reported on Wednesday. The figures registered a 39.56 percent rise in weight and 38.38 percent growth in value compared with last year's corresponding period. Iran's exports to Azerbaijan stood at 242,209 tons worth 141.18 million U.S. dollars. Iran mainly exported polypropylene grid, pipes and iron profiles to Azerbaijan during the five-month period. Azerbaijan exported 21,377 tons of goods worth 8.20 million U.S. dollars to Iran. Iran's imports mainly included non-alloy iron and steel products, poultry feed and scrap iron. - Two members of the same family were also reported missing following the accident - The five deceased family members included a man, his wife and daughter - They were travelling on the ill-fated bus from Nairobi to Kakamega - They were on their way to attend a burial of a grandmother who passed on a few days ago - Several other families are still searching for loved ones whom they fear could be among the crash victims A village in Kakamega County is in deep mourning after one family lost five of its members following the horrific Kisumu-Muhoroni highway accident which claimed a total of 56 lives on Wednesday, October 10. The grief-stricken family from Ingotse village also reported two other family members could not be traced after the fatal crash at Fort Ternan in Kericho County, with some fearing they could be among the accident victims. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Mambo fiche kuhusu Fimbo ya Nyayo na maisha ya Daniel Moi The death toll quickly rose from 42 on Wednesday morning to 56. The grisly accident occurred on the Kisumu-Muhoroni highway at Fort Tenan area in Kericho County. Photo: UGC. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Owners of Homeboyz bus that killed 55 passengers in Kericho arrested TUKO.co.ke on Thursday, October 11, learnt a 27-year-old man, his 22-year-old wife and three-year-old daughter and two others related to them perished in the tragedy. The family members, Citizen TV reported, were travelling on the ill-fated Western Express Sacco bus from Nairobi to Kakamega to attend the burial of a grandmother who died about two weeks ago. READ ALSO: 50 people feared dead in fatal road accident along Kisumu- Muhoroni highway Meanwhile, several other grieving families pitched tent at Fort Ternan dispensary and Kericho District Hospital as they searched for more information about their loved ones who were also traveling on the bus. At least 56 people had been confirmed dead as of Wednesday evening. One of the survivors, whom TUKO.co.ke identified as Jeff Joseph Obonyo, said the bus was overloaded and speeding. READ ALSO: Father of the youth killed by Flying Squad in Eastleigh gives shocking confession Obonyo described the driver as "old, stubborn and arrogant". He said the driver refused to stop speeding despite angry protests from passengers, lost control of the vehicle, which then started swerving from left to right before it veered off the fly over and rolled several times. None of the passengers could remember what happened next. Those who survived found themselves in hospital. 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 accuse NTSA of incompetence and corruption and want it disbanded - On Tuko TV Source: Tuko.co.ke - Retried President Ernest Bai Koroma had signed deal with China to construct a new airport - Once completed, China was to manage and maintain the airport as per the contract terms - The mega project was opposed by World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) - The critics argued the airport was going to bring an unnecessary economic burden to the country - Koroma lost the election in April 2018 and Julius Maada Bio, the Opposition chief, became president - The new president revoked the airport deal initiated by Koroma saying it was not economically viable Sierra Leone's new president, Julius Maada Bio, has canceled a multi-billion Chinese-funded airport project that was initiated by his predecessor, Ernest Bai Koroma. Bio, a former Opposition chief who ascended to power in April 2018 after beating the incumbent, Koroma, stopped construction of the proposed Mamamah International Airport arguing the exiting airport, Lungi International Airport, was underutilised. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: China's KSh 6 trillion investment pledge to Africa raises eyebrows The new Mamamah International Airport project was to be funded by China after the then Sierra Leone president Ernest Bai Koroma signed contract with China's Xi Jinping. Photo: BBC. Source: UGC READ ALSO: We are slowly selling Kenya to the Chinese - Senator Mutula Kilonzo Reports seen by TUKO.co.ke on Thursday, October 11, revealed the new government had serious reservations about the Mamamah airport project, which was estimated at KSh 31.8 billion and was to be funded by China's ExportImport Bank (ExIm). Continuation of this project has been under serious consideration, especially with regard to its socio-economic viability. After serious consideration and due diligence, it is governments view that it is uneconomical to proceed with the construction of a new airport when the existing one is grossly underutilised," a statement issued by the country's Ministry of Transport and Aviation read in part. READ ALSO: Yes, it costs KSh 1 billion every month to run Standard Gauge Railway - DP Ruto The mega airport project had received heavy criticism especially from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), both of which held that it was going to overburden the poor African country with unnecessary debt. The move by the new regime in Sierra Leone came barely a month after China promised African leaders that Beijing was ready to support the continent with another KSh 6 trillion investment cash. The money, China's president, Xi, said during the China-Africa Forum for Cooperation (FOCAC) 2018 Summit, was to go towards infrastructure development in the continent under the now controversial multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), financed by the Asian tiger. China offered the same monetary support of KSh 6 trillion to the continent during the previous FOCAC summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2015. READ ALSO: Standard Gauge Railway registers KSh 1 billion in revenue one year after launch by Uhuru Xi's development agenda in Africa, heavily funded by loans from China, continues to raise concerns, including in Kenya, with most critics arguing Beijing is overburdening African countries with unsustainable debts. In Kenya, the total debt owed to China had risen to KSh 534.1 billion, about 70% of the countrys bilateral debt, as of October 2018. The country is yet to repay KSh 320 billion borrowed from China's ExIm Bank, and which was used to construct the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) between Nairobi and Mombasa. READ ALSO: You will want to get a feel of the SGR after reading this womans experience TUKO.co.ke had established there was a plan to take another Chinese loan of KSh 350 billion for construction of phase two of the SGR connecting Naivasha and Kisumu. Although the government insisted phase one of the SGR would start generating profit by 2020 and would be able to pay back its own loan, critics like David Ndii, an economist, have repeatedly disagreed with that position. "We evaluate investment development projects based on four criteria. First, would it make money? Second, will the economic benefits exceed cost? Third, would it promote equity? And lastly, would it be sustainable? The SGR failed on all four parameters," Ndii argued. 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. Small Business Ideas for Kenyans With Low Investment - On Tuko TV Source: Tuko.co.ke - Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine revealed he is not yet free to walk around in Uganda - He said Ugandan police had also made it almost impossible for him to address supporters - The youthful lawmaker has been at odds with the authorities since his driver was shot dead - He has always insisted the bullet that silenced his driver was meant for him - His troubles started when Museveni's car was attacked during by-election campaigns in Arua - The attack on the president's convoy was followed by arrest of Opposition politicians including Wine - He was allegedly tortured, detained and later released and allowed to seek treatment abroad amid protests Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine has expressed disappointment on the manner in which he is being treated by the Ugandan authorities in his own country. Wine revealed he has not been a free man since his return from USA where he went to seek treatment after he was allegedly tortured by Ugandan soldiers who accused him of attacking President Yoweri Museveni's motorcade and being in possession of illegal firearms. 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 Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine said he has not been a free man since he returned from the United States where he went to seek treatment. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Bobi Wine and foreign lawyer banned in Uganda to hold press conference in US Appearing on Citizen TV on Wednesday, October 10, the vocal MP said there were deliberate attempts by the police to prevent him from addressing any gathering and that every time he leaves his house, the police trail him. "I am not free to move around in Uganda. Every time I try to leave my house I am followed by police," he said, reiterating his unwavering fight for freedom in Uganda. READ ALSO: Museveni's soldiers squeezed my testicles with pliers - Bobi Wine narrates his ordeal Wine, a musician-turned-politician, emphasised no amount of intimidation from the government will dissuade him from fighting for freedom and castigating the Ugandan strongman who has been in power for 32 years and still counting. "My arrest was a move to intimidate me, but I believe oppressed people cannot be oppressed forever. All we want is our freedom, and we are not going to relent," he said. READ ALSO: Bobi Wine and foreign lawyer banned in Uganda to hold press conference in US The Kyadondo East MP clarified he still had a lot of respect for Museveni, both as a president and as his elder, but he pleaded with him to do the right thing, which is to peacefully exit office and let someone else take over. "Museveni has overstayed his usefulness and I would be glad if he left power peacefully. If he insists on being stubborn, then we will push him out, nicely," Wine said. READ ALSO: Bobi Wine breaks down after Kizza Besigye visits him in hospital Already a widely known Afropop celebrity in Uganda, the 36-year-old politician was elected as an independent MP for Kyadondo East in 2017. As an outspoken critic of Museveni, Wine has captivated the nations youth, many of whom have felt excluded and alienated by Ugandas political establishment for many years. His popularity has allowed the Opposition to capture numerous seats, including most recently in Arua by-election with the victory of Kassiano Wadri, who defeated a candidate backed by Musevenis ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party. However, immediately following this election, violent clashes broke out. Wine's followers were accused of pelting the presidents motorcade with stones, after which officers from the Special Forces Command (SFC) and the secret service descended on several Opposition leaders and their supporters, during which at least 33 people were arrested, Wine included. The MP, perceived by the authorities as the ring leader, was detained by SFC and police, and was allegedly subjected to extreme abuse and torture. By the time they were done with him, he was unable to stand on his own, with significant injuries. He sought treatment in the US. 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 Breaking News Latest - The UN Secretary General was saddened by the Kisumu-Muhoroni highway tragedy - He expressed his deepest sympathy to the families of both the deceased and the survivors - Guterres joined a long list of leaders who had also sent condolences to families of the victims The United Nations (UN) boss has sent heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the 56 people who died in the Fort Ternan horror crash along the Kisumu-Muhoroni highway on Wednesday, October 10. The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, was dismayed by the catastrophic highway crash and expressed his deepest sympathy to the bereaved families of the victims. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: 5 members of 1 family perished in the Fort Ternan tragedy that killed 56 The United Nations Secretary-General extended his heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to the bereaved families, the survivors and the government and people of Kenya. Photo: United Nations. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Uhuru leads Kenyans in mourning 50 people who died in Fort Ternan tragedy A statement issued by Guterres' spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on Thursday, October 11, indicated the UN boss was saddened by the tragedy that befell Kenya on Wednesday morning. The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to the bereaved families, the survivors and the government and people of Kenya, Dujarrict said in the statement seen by TUKO.co.ke on Thursday morning. READ ALSO: Two teachers killed after al-Shabaab militants attack school in Mandera Guterres joined President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto, Opposition leader Raila Odinga, and several other leaders in mourning with the families and friends of those who lost loved ones in the highway accident. READ ALSO: Survivor of ill-fated Western Express bus recounts how he narrowly escaped death At least 56 people had been confirmed dead as of Wednesday evening following the accident. One of the survivors identified as Jeff Joseph Obonyo, said the bus was overloaded and speeding. He said the driver refused to slow down despite angry protests from passengers and eventually lost control of the vehicle. The bus then started swerving from left to right before it veered off the fly over and rolled several times, killing 48 people on the spot. READ ALSO: Tanzania's President Magufuli sends condolences to victims of Kericho bus crash Owners of the killer bus, Bernard Isindu and Cleophas Shimanyula alias Toto, were arrested on Wednesday evening. Their arrest came a few hours after the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Director General, Francis Meja, announced the bus registered under Western Cross Express Sacco was not licensed to operate at night. 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 accuse NTSA of incompetence and corruption and want it disbanded - On Tuko TV Source: Tuko News - Wamatangi argued safety and comfort was being compromised by lowering bus fares - He said buses charging cheaper fares were also prone to overloading - He was reacting to the Kisumu-Muhoroni road crash that killed 56 people - His views were however not taken very kindly by a section of Kenyans Kiambu senator, Kimani Wamatangi, has landed himself in hot water after he claimed the reason road fatalities are becoming rampant in the country is because of cheap bus fares . While commenting on the Fort Ternan horror crash that left 56 people dead, the vocal senator appeared to suggest Kenyan's love for cheap things was partly to blame for the many road accidents that were being witnessed every year across the country. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Mambo fiche kuhusu Fimbo ya Nyayo na maisha ya Daniel Moi Kiambu County senator, Kimani Wamatangi, argued lower bus fares meant compromised things like safety, comfort and road-worthiness and contributed to the fatalities. Source: Twitter READ ALSO: 50 people feared dead in fatal road accident along Kisumu- Muhoroni highway Appearing on Citizen TV's morning talk show on Thursday, October 11, Wamatangi argued most Kenyans preferred to travel on cheap buses which were also prone to overloading and accidents. "Lowered fares mean that some things like safety, comfort and road-worthiness of the vehicle are compromised. When a passenger goes the cheap way, it means that the crew will use that against them to overload the vehicle," he opined. READ ALSO: 5 members of one family perish in the Fort Terna accident which killed 56 Wamatangi's views did not go down very well with a section of Kenyans on social media who did not hesitate to give the politician a piece of their mind. "What a stupid statement from a lawmaker. Unbelievable... Observance of traffic rules isn't dependent on the fare paid. Comfort, maybe, but not adherence to set rules and regulations. Passengers also owe a duty to themselves not to board an overloaded bus. Ignorance is lethal..." John Ogola opined on Twitter: Joshua Otao also commenting on Twitter said the senators comments was "stupid thinking" and added: "We live in a country we are punished by leaders who believe high cost and money punishment is a solution". Others took to Facebook to castigate Wamatangi saying he was put of touch with reality. "Do you think Kenyans just want to go for cheap things? It is the capacity that holds most Kenyans to afford what they can. Please do not just speak out anything just for media sake. It is everyone's wish to have that happy and comfortable life or ride but like we know, the government has made things tough so it's likely people will have to bargain for it. God forgive you for talking that way," Shadrack Omusinde said in a Facebook comment. "What is he trying to say? That people should travel expensively to avoid accidents? Honestly, Wamatangi is simply out of order," added a furious Julius Okuto on Facebook. READ ALSO: Owners of Homeboyz bus that killed 55 passengers in Kericho arrested From the look of things, not even the survivors of the Fort Ternan tragedy would agree with Wamatangi on this particular issue. One of them, Jeff Joseph Obonyo, said the killer Western Cross Express Sacco bus was overloaded and its driver was speeding. He said the driver refused to slow down despite protests from passengers and eventually lost control of the vehicle. The bus then started swerving from left to right before it veered off the fly over and rolled several times, killing 48 people on the spot. Based on Obonyo's account, lower bus fares had nothing to do with the accident, at least not in this particular case. 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 accuse NTSA of incompetence and corruption and want it disbanded - On Tuko TV Source: Tuko Breaking News Latest - Kassaine was arrested on September 28 and later agreed to testify against Maribe and her lover in the case - He allegedly gave his gun to Maribe's lover, Joseph Irungu, who shot himself on the chest to cover up the murder - The court directed Kassaine to report to the DCI headquarters for the next two months - Justice Kituku also directed him to deposit his passport at the DCI headquarters A Kiambu court on Thursday, October 11, released one of the suspects held in connection with the mysterious murder of business woman Monica Nyawira Kimani but on several conditions. Brian Kassaine, a neighbour to another suspect, Citizen TV news anchor Jacque Maribe, was directed by Principal Magistrate Justus Kituku to be reporting to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) every Thursday for the next two months. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Mambo fiche kuhusu Fimbo ya Nyayo na maisha ya Daniel Moi Brian Kassaine when he was arraigned. A gun was found in his Lang'ata house. Photo: Nation. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Witness narrates how Jacque Maribes lover used cans of air freshener to burn murder evidence The court directed Kassaine to deposit his passport at the DCI headquarters on grounds he was a possible flight risk. He was accused of giving out his gun to Maribe's fiancee, Joseph Irungu, who shot himself on the left side of his chest to cover up the murder. A neighbour and a mutual friend of Maribe and her lover, Kassaine was arrested on Friday, September 28, and after interrogation and agreed to testify against the two in the case. READ ALSO: TV girl Jacque Maribe is ready to testify in murder case against Jowie - Lawyer Katwa Kigen In his statement, he said Irungu knocked on his door on Friday, September 21, and asked for paraffin to burn some 'stubborn stuff'. Kassaine told detectives Irungu did not tell him what exactly he wanted to use the paraffin for, only to later discover he used cans of air fresheners to burn a pair of clothes which police believed he wore on the night he allegedly killed Monica. The acquisition of the new witness' evidence may have been used to tie Maribe and his lover to the crime and what investigators have described as an attempted cover-up. READ ALSO: Prime suspect in Monica Kimani's murder tried to kill himself - Police report The two lovers have since been remanded to allow for a mental evaluation before they can take plea in the murder case. 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. 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 - on Tuko TV Source: Tuko - A party audit revealed KSh 56 million could not be accounted for - The money is said to have gone missing during the 2017 elections - MP Godfrey Osotsi and Senator Petronila Were leading the party at that time - The two were summoned by the DCI to record statement after the party launched a complaint Musalia Mudavadi's party, Amani National Congress (ANC), has initiated investigations into an alleged theft of KSh 50 million by a section of party leaders. Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi and nominated Senator Petronila Were received summon letters by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to record statements over the matter. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Mambo fiche kuhusu Fimbo ya Nyayo na maisha ya Daniel Moi Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi and Nominated Senator Petronila Were were summoned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to record statement over the matter. Photo: UGC Source: UGC READ ALSO: 5 members of one family killed in Fort Ternan accident which claimed 56 lives In a Thursday, October 11, report by the Standard, ANC had launched a complaint to the DCI after a party audit showed over KSh 56 million was unaccounted for. The money is reported to have gone missing during the 2017 election period when Osotsi was the party secretary general and Petronila was its executive director. The DCI wrote to the clerks of the National Assembly and the Senate to ask the two to appear before them. READ ALSO: Kenyans angered by Kiambu senator's claims that accidents result from cheap fares This office is investigating allegations of misappropriation of ANC Party funds by party officials between January 2016 and December 2017 where Hon Petronila Were. We kindly but urgently require the said nominated senator to report to DCI headquarters on Monday, 15th October 2018 at 0900 hours for statement recording, read the letter. A similar letter was also written to the National Assembly requiring Osotsi to honour the summons. 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 - Owners of the ill-fated Homeboyz bus confirmed Lucas, the driver, was 72 years old - The driver had worked for the company for seven years - A tout at Machakos Country bus station said the driver had embarked on a lengthy trip to western Kenya about six hours after driving from Kisumu to Nairobi - According to National Transport and Safety Authority, the driver's age cannot be legally questioned - Director General Francis Meja said there is no maximum age limit for drivers Screeching of brakes and screams of panic awakened residents of Tunnel village in Fort Ternan along the meandering Londiani- Muhoroni road on Wednesday, October 10 when Homeboyz bus crashed killing 56 people. Traffic police officers and other road safety regulations enforcing agencies, bus owners and the driver were blamed for the horrific incident which within a blink of an eye, wiped away tens of lives of western Kenya bound travelers. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Kenyans angered by Kiambu senator's claims that accidents result from cheap fares National Transport and Safety Authority Director General Francis Meja said there is no maximum age limit for licensed drivers. Photo: UGC. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Ruto, Raila meet at burial of legendary benga musician Joseph Kamaru Behind the steering wheel of the ill-fated bus was a 72-year-old driver Lucas as identified by one tout Simon Waweru, a man sources said was familiar with the route and was a teetotaler. Though many people pointed out Lucas' age as a concern, chances of him being fatigued and maybe sleepy could not be overlooked as he had just arrived in Nairobi at 5pm from Kisumu on Tuesday, October 9 before setting on a return trip about six hours later. Simply, Lucas who was confirmed to be 72 years old by Western Cross Express Sacco shareholder Cleophas Shimanyula and had worked for the company for seven years had no reliever as stipulated in the law where long distance travels are concerned. READ ALSO: My partner in everything: Ujumbe wa Jacque Maribe kwa Jowie ambao sasa unamtafuna Francis Meja however was categorical bus owners would be liable for flouting some rules predisposing the passnegers to the fatal accident. Photo: Citizen. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Uhuru, DP Ruto and Raila join mourners at funeral of veteran musician Joseph Kamaru "Our curriculum stipulates that only drivers above 30 years are permitted to drive vehicles carrying more than 33 passengers. Small buses with a passenger capacity of between 14 and 32 can be driven by individuals above 25 years," National Transport and Safety Authority boss Francis Meja said. Meja however, said there was no maximum age limit and Lucas' age could not be a legal question in the accident which five members of one family perished. "Persons over 60 years need to undergo yearly medical fitness tests before renewing their driving licences. It is not explicit how long the annual checks for individuals over 60 years need to go on," he added. This means vehicles owners and drivers themselves had a discretion to choose when to stop their control behind the steering wheel. 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 accuse NTSA of incompetence and corruption and want it disbanded - On Tuko TV Source: Tuko.co.ke - Raila said the journey to Canaan was on course only that he changed the tack - He said after the election results stalemate he opted for the handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta as a way reaching Canaan across a crocodile infested River Jordan - The Opposition leader said unity of his father Jaramogi Oginga and Mzee Jomo Kenyatta helped Kenya overcome colonial masters - Raila said the handshake deal with Uhuru focused beyond the 2022 succession politics and would deliver a unified and equal opportunity Kenya Opposition leader Raila Odinga has reiterated the journey to Canaan he promised his supporters while seeking votes in the August 2017 General Election was on course. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader who was National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential candidate in the polls said he might have changed the route and strategy to deliver Kenya to Canaan but the promised destination was intact. 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 Opposition leader Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta shake hands during the burial of legendary Gikuyu benga musician Joseph Kamaru in Muthithi, Murang'a county. Photo: UGC Source: UGC READ ALSO: Kassaine is a traitor! Kenyans react after court frees Maribe's neighbour Speaking during the burial of legendary Gikuyu benga musician Joseph Kamaru in Muthithi, Murang'a county on Thursday, October 11, Raila said his decision to shake hands with President Uhuru Kenyatta was a sacrifice made by both parties for the sake of attaining a unified country. Using the analogy of Kenya's freedom fighters, Raila said his late father Jaramogi Oginga and Uhuru's dad the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta united in different fronts to overcome the colonialists, unity was a key ingredient of taking the country forward. The Opposition leader said the Canaan NASA promised Kenyans was a peaceful land abound with good possessions for all Kenyans irrespective of their political, religious and ethnic backgrounds which was exactly what his Friday, March 9, handshake with Uhuru had attained. Raila Odinga greets Deputy President William Ruto. He said his handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta had Kenya's vision beyond the 2022 politics. Photo: UGC. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Uganda's firebrand Opposition MP Bobi Wine claims Museveni's men are still after him "Plenty be found within our borders. In the bible that is what Canaan means. A land with plenty and unified. Hiyo ndio Canaan tulikuwa tukiongelea (that is the Canaan we said we would take Kenyans to). Lakini tulipofika Jordan tukapata mamba na tukaona heri tujenge daraja (When we reached at River Jordan we found it was infested with crocodiles and changed tact- build a bridge to safely go across)," Raila said. According to Raila his handshake with Uhuru is geared towards equalising and unifying Kenya and would deliver Canaan to his supporters, some who did not approve his move to work with Uhuru. READ ALSO: Uganda lawmaker Bobi Wine says Yoweri Museveni is a worse dictator than Idi Amin He was categorical their handshake's foundation would ensure Kenya was strongly together for many years thus surpassed by far the politics hinged on the 2022 succession of Uhuru. 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 Breaking News - A group of civil rights activist peacefully marched to Uhuru Park's Freedom corner accusing Kenyan banks of facilitating theft in war-torn South Sudan - Lead activist Boniface Mwangi said Kenya Commercial Bank, Equity, Stanbic and key government officials were facilitating warlords in Juba - He accused the financial institutions of banking money for warlords and posing a threat to Kenya's economy A section of activists in the country have held peaceful demonstrations in protest of three Kenyan banks they alleged are benefiting from the unending civil war in South Sudan. The protesters who marched peacefully to Uhuru Park's Freedom Corner in Nairobi on Thursday, October 12, mentioned Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), Equity and Stanbic banks among financial institutions abetting pillage in the neighbouring country. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Pasta mrembo zaidi Kenya, Natasha, ajishaua kwa gari lake la mamilioni ya pesa The activists said Kenya Commercial Bank was among financial institutions which had greatly benefited from the war in South Africa. Photo: Boniface Mwangi/Twitter. Source: Twitter READ ALSO: Kassaine is a traitor! Kenyans react after court frees Maribe's neighbour In a statement to the press seen by TUKO.co.ke, one of the lead activists, Boniface Mwangi, said Kenyan banks had soiled their hands with blood of over 380,000 people killed in one of Africa's youngest State, calling on the government to clamp down on the financial institutions. He said it was sad the the world had for too long ignored the war in South Sudan by simply considering a minor power play between factions of President Salva Kiir and his ex-deputy Riek Machar. "While the humanitarian crisis deepens with millions facing starvation, bank accounts of certain South Sudan nationals are growing fat. It is an open secret banks of Kenya and Uganda are handling millions of dollars enriching warlords. KCB, Equity, Stanbic and senior government officials are helping the war Generals to massacre their people alongside smuggling oil and teak," Mwangi claimed. South Sudan Vice President Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir. Photo: Daily Nation. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Homa Bay man's body found hanging on rope after claims he eloped with school girl The vocal activist argued that it was time to stop assuming the war in South Sudan only affected its citizens yet Kenyan banks were on the spot facilitating pillage, a vice which needed to be tamed urgently. "Kenyan banks are facilitating large scale pillage of South Sudan. This is also at the expense of Kenya's economy through jeopardising the rising Nairobi International Financial Centre. As far as corruption is not new to Kenyans, this week's revelation that graft was facilitating continued killings of people in South Sudan is sad," Mwangi added. South Sudan has experienced turbulent times since successfully seceding from Sudan through a referendum in 2011 stalling tangible development. A recent investigative documentary by Africa Uncensored indicated the three banks had been used by several South Sudanese warlords to bank their money. 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 China has maintained its spot as the world's second-most valuable national brand, with its worth rising 25 percent year-on-year to $12.8 trillion, second only to the United States, at $25.9 trillion, according to a report. The Nation Brands 2018 report released by London-based consultancy Brand Finance revealed China continues to perform well despite prospects of a protracted trade dispute with the US, highlighting the robustness of the Chinese economy. David Haigh, Brand Finance CEO, said the rising value of China's nation brand was a consequence of its global leadership, pro-business outlook and 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 enhanced protection of intellectual property will make for a further improved business environment in the years to come," Haigh said. The report also put the rise of China's brand value down to the world-class infrastructure and highly educated workforce in booming cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, listing them among the world's best places to do business. In recent years China has shifted its focus from commoditized production to building world-class brands, such as Huawei and Alibaba, and this success has reinforced the strength of the nation brand, the report said. Singapore has claimed the title of the world's strongest nation brand once again this year, earning a Brand Strength Index 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 two percentage 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 efforts to combat climate change at a time when the US is turning toward protectionism and prioritizing its own interests over a collaborative energy policy. Ten e-commerce enterprises in China, including Alibaba and JD, signed an agreement on Wednesday to be honest in their business dealings, protect customers' information and help build a safe online environment. The agreement, initiated by the China Federation of Internet Societies under the country's Cyberspace Administration, requires the enterprises to strictly review the quality of online goods, fight against false advertisements and protect the safety of consumers' data. Representatives of the enterprises promised that they would neither sell counterfeits nor mislead consumers by fake introduction of online goods. They also said they would not lure, cheat or threaten consumers to change their feedback after the online purchases. Consumers' privacy must not be illegally used and their information must not be shared, they said. "The move also will be extended to our online shoppers," the representatives said, hoping the sellers jointly highlight the importance of being honest in businesses. The foreign partners are satisfied with Ukrainian weapons and equipment. Our foreign partners are satisfied with Ukrainian weapons and equipment, Oleksandr Turchynov, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine said at the Arms and Security 2018 exhibition, his press service reports. The Secretary discussed the issues of defense and security cooperation with the heads of the delegations of Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the Czech Republic, Turkey and Thailand. In particular, Turchynov discussed the expansion of bilateral military-technical cooperation during the talks with Royal Thai Marine Corps Vice Admiral Sangkorn Pongsiri. The Thai defense officials expressed interest in the new Ukrainian BTR-MB1 armoured personnel vehicles, which, according to them could become the main combat vehicles of the Royal Marine Corps. Thai high-ranking officials informed that the military equipment and weapons purchased from Ukraine, in particular, tanks and armoured personnel vehicles, were tested successfully and already adopted for service." ol The draft state budget of Ukraine for 2019 stipulates allocation of more than UAH 101.5 billion (about $3.5 billion) for the needs of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine. The draft state budget of Ukraine for 2019 stipulates allocation of more than UAH 101.5 billion to the Defense Ministry of Ukraine. The Ministry objectively estimated its needs at UAH 210 billion, although actually it needs much more. However, we can afford to allocate only 100 billion," President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said at a meeting with the brigade commanders of the Armed Forces, the National Guard and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine during a working visit to Khmelnytsky region, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. Ukraine already has the army able to protect our state. It is an indisputable fact, Poroshenko stressed. ol Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed the law introducing a new salute "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Heroes!" in the Armed Forces and the National Police. He stated this at a meeting with the commanders of the brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the National Guard and the State Border Guard Service as part of his working visit to Khmelnytsky region on Thursday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "The parliament supported the president's proposal, passed the law and I signed it. It concerns the amendment to the military charters on military greetings. 'Glory to Ukraine' is today absolutely natural for every Ukrainian soldier and for every Ukrainian citizen," Poroshenko said. The Verkhovna Rada on October 4 adopted as a whole the bill on the introduction of a new salute "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Heroes!" in the Armed Forces and the National Police instead of Soviet-style greetings "Hello, comrades!" and "We wish you good health!" op The United Kingdom intends to deepen economic cooperation with Ukraine after withdrawal from the EU. We have designated Ukraine as one of the UKs post-Brexit priority markets, and our ambition is to further improve and liberalise the trading relationship between us, UK Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox said at the Ukraine Week 2018, celebrated by the British-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. The first step must be to provide certainty and continuity for those firms currently operating between the UK and Ukraine, he noted. Officials in the UK and Ukraine are working together to design a bilateral agreement that will replicate the effects of the DCFTA, to come into effect at the end of our transition period, Fox said. According to him, the highest priority for the UK is minimising the disruption to our existing trading relationship. Let me reiterate that our exit from the EU does not change the UKs commitment to Ukraines development, growth and prosperity. Nor does it alter our commitment to sanctions against Russia, the UK Secretary of State for International Trade underscored. As noted, last year the total trade between Ukraine and the UK topped 1 billion, following two years of strong growth across the board, in goods and services, imports and exports. ol President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has welcomed the decision of the UNESCO Executive Board on the start of direct monitoring of the situation in the occupied Crimea and Sevastopol. I welcome the important decision of the Executive Board of UNESCO on the start of direct monitoring of the situation in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and city of Sevastopol. The Russian occupation authorities will fail to conceal their crimes from the international community and to avoid the well-deserved responsibility, Poroshenko posted on Facebook. Presenting a united front in all the international formats, we continue to fight for the restoration of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Crimea is Ukraine! the Head of State stressed. On October 10, the Executive Board of UNESCO officially announced the start of the first phase of direct monitoring of the situation in the annexed Crimea. ol The Council of Europe will discuss on Friday the possibility of financing and functioning of the organization if the representation rights of Russia are suspended. Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland said this on Thursday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent in Strasbourg. "If it becomes clear that Russia is out [of the Council of Europe], I will immediately present a budget based on the fact that we do not have that money. I will inform the Committee of Ministers about that on Friday," he said. At the end of the week, Jagland will also inform the Committee of Ministers about his view on article 9 of the Statute, which states that if a member state fails to pay, the Committee of Ministers may apply article 9, which would mean suspension of the representation rights. "There is a rule - I also said this yesterday - that the Committee of Ministers established: if a member state fails to pay for two years, article 9 applies. Two years will be in June next year. My view is that the Committee of Ministers not only may apply article 9, it must apply article 9, because it will be completely intolerable to have a member state that does not pay but is still here - that is half in, half out," Jagland said. In 2014, after the start of aggression against Ukraine, the Council of Europe imposed sanctions on the Russian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, including deprivation of the right to vote. Russia has ceased to pay contributions to the organization's budget since then. As part of the autumn session of the PACE, which is being held in Strasbourg on October 8-12, Jagland will answer questions from parliamentarians on Thursday. op The actions of the Russian Federation in the Sea of Azov waters, blocking and illegal inspections of commercial vessels and the very fact of construction of a bridge across the Kerch Strait create a very dangerous situation for European security in general. Therefore, Ukraine expects the European Union to take more decisive and specific actions in deterring the aggressor country, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine Kostiantyn Yelisieiev said at the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defence hearing on Thursday. "Since the Kerch Strait Bridge was commissioned on April 29, Russia has been blocking commercial vessels on their way to the port of Berdiansk. More than 200 ships have been detained so far. Most of those ships were flying the European flag. The situation is very dangerous as the Russian Federation steps up the military escalation and intends to build a naval base in the Sea of Azov by relocating part of its fleet from the Caspian Sea," Yelisieiev said. He expressed conviction that the response from the European Union to the illegal construction of the Kerch Strait Bridge was weak and insufficient. Sanctions were imposed only against six companies involved in its construction. However, such sanctions, Yelisieiev noted, should be also imposed on the companies and economic entities of the Russian Federation that use this bridge. ol